A10933:745
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 35 › Chapter 5 › 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.
The saying of Solomon proveth that they have many fears, where he saith, the wicked fleeth when no man pursueth him: that is, through fear. And 1that may be seen to have possessed the very Pharisees (who yet bare it out most boldly before men) by the words of Nicodemus, bewraying his fellow Pharisees ill conscience through fear, saying to Christ, We know that thou art 2a teacher sent of God, and acknowledge thy great miracles: as if he should have added this, though we will not be known of any such thing before men, yet thus it is with us, when we meet and talk of thee together, and are afraid. But some will ask, What then shall we do to such? shall we advise them to shake off their fears, and pluck up their hearts against them? Doubtless no: this were to fight against their conscience, and to make it impudent and hardened (which is much worse) whereas it did before but accuse them: but if they cannot prevent such fear by removing the cause thereof, which is their sin, let them next to that be persuaded to repent for it. We read of the third Captain that came to Eras, that beholding 3his two fellows devoured with fire from heaven for doing their message to the Prophet so imperiously and boldly, he came to him in all submissness, and entreated him to come down to the King. Even so, to come to our selves, ask thy conscience what makes thee fear? If thou findest that the Lord hath a controversy with thee, and (that depending) and that thou canst not be quiet, go and seek agreement with him, as the Captain did; it is but a folly to stand out with the Lord: for if thy conscience accuse 4thee, he is greater, as knowing much more against thee. If thou canst come to the Lord, and say, in the truth of thine heart; O Lord, I fear lest my sin should bring some sudden destruction upon me: I have no peace within, nor without, because of it, and thy displeasure for it; I go continually in hazard of some fruit thereof, besides that which is eternal: therefore, say (O Lord) humble me, and cause me to fear sin, and not the punishment only: turn my terror into broken heartednesse for sin, and so bring peace and quietness again into my soul. Do thus, I say, and thy fears shall vanish; otherwise, who shall pity thee in them, if thou pitiest not thy self, in taking the way to remove them?