A10933:439
A commentary upon the whole book of Judges Preached first and delivered in sundry…A commentary vpon the vvhole booke of Iudges Preached first and deliuered in sundrie…
A commentary upon the whole book of Judges Preached first and delivered in sundry lectures; since collected, and diligently perused, and now published. For the benefit generally of all such as desire to grow in faith and repentance, and especially of them, who would more clearly understand and make use of the worthy examples of the saints, recorded in divine history. Penned by Richard Rogers preacher of Gods word at Wethersfield in Essex.A commentary vpon the vvhole booke of Iudges Preached first and deliuered in sundrie lectures; since collected, and diligently perused, and now published. For the benefit generally of all such as desire to grow in faith and repentance, and especially of them, who would more cleerely vnderstand and make vse of the worthie examples of the saints, recorded in diuine history. Penned by Richard Rogers preacher of Gods word at Wethersfield in Essex.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man, 1615
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
That is clear enough, but let us further see the reason thereof, and Gods meaning therein. For he doth not punish his own people by the wicked, his enemies, because they are in better account with him then they: neither to put them in hope that they shall go unpunished in the end, because he useth their service (as he did Satan against Job, to try him,) but because he will hereby manifest how great a sin it is to abuse, and live unworthy the Gospel; therefore he beginneth first to visit his own people, and oft times even by them. But afterwards, as Amos saith, he will visit Damascus, Moab, 1and Ammon, and make them drink of the dregs: for if he do this to a green tree, in comparison of them, how much more will he do it to the withered? And as the Lord will be avenged of his enemies, so after he hath corrected his own he will again return to them. Therefore the Church is brought in by the Prophet Micah to say thus: Rejoice not over me, O mine enemy, for 2though I fall yet shall I rise again: as the Prophet speaks, meaning that the Lord would find a time, both to take corrections of them, and yet to be pitiful to them again; even as the father will burn the rod when the child relenteth, and promiseth amendment. And this, if the wicked will not see that he chastiseth even his own, having sinned against his known truth, but once (as it were) and therefore he will much more have a day for them, to pay them to the full for their manifold and long continued rebellions: if they (I say) will not regard it, let Gods servants profit by it every way, both they who are justly visited for their sins, and also they who are more free; who know that he doth use to begin judgement with his own house, that they 3may thereby return unto him.
That is cleare enough, but let vs further see the reason thereof, and Gods meaning therein. For he doth not punish his owne people by the wicked, his enemies, because they are in better account with him then they: neither to put them in hope that they shall goe vnpunished in the end, because hee vseth their seruice (as he did Satan against Iob, to try him,) but because hee will hereby manifest how great a finne it is to abuse, and liue vnworthy the Gospell; therefore he beginneth first to visit his owne people, and oft times euen by them. But afterwards, as Amos saith, he will visit Damascus, Moab,