A10933:984
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 48 › Chapter 7 › 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.
Now after these many trials followeth the issue, and that in manner here 1set down. For first Gideon made hast, and by that means came upon the Midianites, ere they were aware, and deferred not the time, in the middle watch, which was a little after midnight: for so it much behoved him to do, to come upon them in the fearful time of the night, and in the deep dark, when Gideon and his men could not be seen, how few they were. In which his so coming, he willed his men whom he divided into three bands, to take empty pitchers with lamps in them, and trumpets in their hands: that after the blowing of them, and flighting and frighting of the enemies with the strange and unlooked for noise thereof, they might break the pitchers also, by the hearing of the which, it might seem to them that their spears were broken with fighting, and then the lamps suddenly appeared, astonishing the Midianites, and giving light to themselves. Thus did he, and his soldiers did likewise, though that all this which they did, might have been thought to be to small purpose. But the ⟨p. 368⟩effect thereof, by the only wise and wonderful government of the Lord, was this, that one of the Midianites slue another, broke their array and fled away, crying, much like that which was done, chap. 3. And they that were 2scattered, and not slain, were pursued by the Israelites, and taken. Now as there are in these verses three things in general, to wit, the direction that Gideon gave his men; then their following it; and lastly, the effect that ensued, so let us consider them in particular.
NOw after these many trials followeth the issue, and that in manner here 1set downe. For first Gedeon made hast, and by that meanes came vpon the Midianites, ere they were aware, and deferred not the time, in the middle watch, which was a little after midnight: for so it much behoued him to do, to come vpon them in the fearefull time of the night, and in the deep darke, when Gedeon and his men could not be seene, how few they were. In which his so comming, hee willed his men whom hee diuided into three bands, to take emptie pitchers with lampes in them, and trumpets in their hands: that after the blowing of them, and flighting and frighting of the enemies with the strange and vnlooked for noise thereof, they might breake the pitchers also, by the hearing of the which, it might seeme to them that their speares were broken with fighting, and then the lampes suddenly appeared, astonishing the Midianites, and giuing light to themselues. Thus did he, and his souldiers did likewise, though that all this which they did, might haue been thought to bee to small purpose. But the