A10933:649
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.
And further, in that it is said that they could not take up a weapon against their enemies; no, they had no heart to handle shield or spear, because of their sin, as idolatry, and other enormities; it plainly shows, that mens 1sin turneth every thing out of course against them, and contrary to the nature, use and end, for the which it is created and appointed of God: even as this people durst not take weapon in hand to fight for their lives, their consciences accusing them, that God would be against them. Wherefore is the weapon ordained, but for a mans defence against his enemy? and why hath God given courage to man, but that at such a time, I mean of war, and other necessity, it might be put to use? But behold here was neither of both employed or set a work, any more then if they had not been at all. When Achan had troubled Israel, by taking the execrable thing, the Lord tells Joshua, that therefore they could not stand before their enemies. How 2much more if they themselves had sinned? Oh mens sins turneth plenty into want, courage into timorousness, and fainting of heart; and light into darkness, and all out of kind. Behold what it did in Jeroboam; when he 3stretched out his arm against the Prophet of God, for reproving him for his idolatry at Bethel, his arm was immediately withered and dried up, that he could not draw it in again. So Gehazi when he had taken most wickedly 4both money and raiment of Naaman the Syrian, pretending his masters sending him for it, and after his return had answered his master Elisha with a lie; marvellous it is to say, and against nature and any sound reason in mans judgement, what came upon him, even a leprosy forthwith, so that he went out a leper as white as snow. And the band of Priests, Jews, 5and soldiers, that came into the garden to apprehend and take our Saviour Christ, so boldly and treacherously, yet suddenly they went back like drunken men, and fell to the ground astonished, and unfitted utterly, for such a purpose as to lay hold of him, and that at one word spoken by our Saviour and yet not in terrifying manner, as he might have done, saying: he was the man whom they sought. So that in seeking him, they were both lusty and ready to lay hold of him, yet when they had found him, they could do nothing to him: for their sin had taken their power and ability from them.