A10933:531
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.
Sermon 24 › Chapter 4 › Part 3: The third part of the Chapter.
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 where it is said, they were twenty years in bondage, before they 1repented and turned to God; we may behold the monstrous and poisoned disposition of our nature, which will not stoop nor bow to the Lord in true humiliation, until it be driven by main and force, even till we be shut 2out every where else. As we see in children of a stubborn nature it is neither a check, nor a rod will break their stomachs: nay it is not a few stripes ⟨p. 193⟩that will make them cry out, and when by rougher handling of them, they he forced to roar, it is but for very sullenness; till they see there is no remedy but that they must receive correction for their evil doings, and then the multitude of strokes and the smart they feel breaks their hearts at length, and makes them yield: and even so it is with us, who should be much wiser: whereas if we should but step aside a little from our Christian course, we ought with the like willingness of mind by which we strayed, return and rise up again. For so the Prophet Jeremiah complaineth; Doth a man fall, 3and not rise again; or go out of the way, and not return? And if this rebelliousness and bad disposition were in the wicked only, it were less to be marvelled at, but let it be well considered, and it shall be found in such as have sometime served God in truth; who if they lose the hold that they had, and have suffered the wicked flesh, that is, their sinful nature, to get the upper hand in them again; oh how hardly is it put out of possession again? So that as the devils said to our Saviour Christ, thou art come to torment us before 4the time. So it is ever too soon, and very imprisonment to the wicked flesh, to be brought under the Lords wing again, and to put on his yoke, though it be easy as it is said to be.
That where it is said, they were twenty yeeres in bondage, before they 1repented and turned to God; we may behold the monstrous and poysoned disposition of our nature, which will not stoope nor bow to the Lord in true humiliation, vntil it be driuen by maine and force, euen till we be shut