A10933:628
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.
Now in the next, in calling Princes and great persons to hearken, as they 1do in this verse; it is to teach them to know from whence their victories and all greatness come, and to ascribe them to the Lord, according to Christs words in the prayer, [thine (O father) is kingdom, power, and glory for ever:] as for them, there is not the least jot of the praise thereof due to them, God honours them, in that he will make them his instruments therein, and furnish them with any gifts to that purpose, I mean, to do him service. And yet as though they were of absolute power of themselves, forgetting the Lord that advanced them, they ascribe their great acts and victories to themselves: as Sennacherib against Hezechia, and Benhadad against Ahab; yea 2and this they did both of them, before they had got the victory, and did not tarry till they had conquered their enemies, and then crow over them, (which yet had been their great sin) and prided themselves in that they had done, as Nebuchadnezzar in his Babel; and therefore they were put to shame, both of them most worthily, being themselves brought under in a manner fit for such braggers, as would thrust the Lord out from helping them; nay rather they challenged even him, and opposed themselves against him, as is to be seen in the story of both. And therefore in one battle Benhadad ⟨p. 233⟩lost an hundred and seven and twenty thousand men, so that he and his, even a few that were left with him, were constrained to fly; and in the other battle, wherein very many of his men were slain, he was brought to greater shame and abasement, as his last refuge; to wit, his servants to go to the King of Israel with ropes about their necks, to entreat for their lives. And as for Sennacherib, the Angel of the Lord flue an hundred four 3score and five thousand of them in one night: and such success, at least in the end have all such, as are like to them. Hence it is that the Scripture (for the further bewraying the pride and vanity of such) useth these phrases; The Lord smote Benjamin before Israel. The Lord fought for Israel. And again, stand still and behold the salvation of the Lord, &c. And among other 4