A10933:595
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.
WE have heard how by Debora and Barak the battle was prospered, 1as in this fourth part of the chapter hath been noted: now it followeth how a full end was put to it by Jael. To whose tent Sisera fled, as the fittest refuge for shelter, it being near the place where the battle was, and peace being betwixt Jabin the King of Canaan, and Heber her husband. The things principal in these 5. verses, are three. One how Sisera fled thither, in the seventeenth verse. The second, by what means his death was brought on, in the next three. The third, that it was by her effected, in the 21. And this story doth show, why that is set down in the eleventh verse, where I referred the Reader to this place, to wit, that Heber the husband of Jael, came and dwelt in the plain of Zaanaim by Kedesh, apart from his brethren, even to this end, though he intended it not, yet by Gods appointment and providence, that Sisera might have his deadly wound and blow there. And by Siseras flying on foot to Jael's tent for succour and shelter, we see another difficulty that this Sisera was driven to, beside the ill success that he had in the fight; and withal we may observe, to what shifts and extremities 2wicked men though they be great & mighty persons may be brought: for they who could command a whole country, may be constrained to hide their head in a private tent and corner. And they who have gloried as Lords of all store and plenty may come to this, that they may be glad of a draught of milk or water to save their lives. To Ahab King of Israel this word was sent by Benhadad who besieged him, that all his silver and other precious 3things were his, whereto Ahab answered, it is true (O King) thine they are. And the same Benhadad so boasting and bragging over him, was afterward himself brought to this point, and that by the same Ahab, that he loosing in two battles, as good as two hundred and fifty thousand men, beside chariots and horses, he was driven to fly on horse-back into a secret chamber, and yet even there to be in great fear of his life also. And so in other stories it is reported of Darius the Persian King, that being in flight pursued by his enemies, and in a great thirst passed by a Lake, out of which he took up puddle water, and having drunk it out of his hands, protested he never drank sweeter in his life.