A10933:1041
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 50 › Chapter 8 › Part 1: The first 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.
For except we thus give place to such, many evils are like to follow, and fall out against us, in Church and Common-wealth, in family, and in the course of our life, which yet hereby may, and will (no doubt) for the most part, be avoided, or at least wise be smaller and fewer. Therefore let the younger sort herein learn to yield to their elders, and the inferiors to their betters, though they deal not with them as they ought and should, seeing we see here that Gideon and afterward Jephthah being superiors, did forbear to deal with their inferiors, as they might have done, and were justly provoked to do. Yea, and let one learn and take out this lesson toward another, after the manner that I have set down, as husbands, wives, masters, servants, and other, that peace with holiness may be preserved among them. 1And yet who is he that showeth forth this meekness and wisdom? But (as is to be seen in the common jarrings and quarrels of men) the most count it their glory (and boast of it afterward) when their words be fierce and more stinging then their fellows, and come out of a furnace seven times hotter then his? What (saith he) did he think I would turn my face for him, or be put down with words? No, I trow I gave him the full measure that he brought, yea ten for one, I spared him not a whit. Lo, how fools some out the froth of their own shame. Whereas Solomon shows them their faces in a glass who do so, when he saith: An angry man stirs 2up strife, and multiplieth transgression, Prou. 29. It were indeed an honour for a man to depart, and say, I see he was not in frame to be answered with angry words, I therefore durst not strive to outshoot the devil (as it were) in his own bow. That which he thinks be cometh him, I count it my reproach, who profess to fight against my corrupt nature. Therefore let the dead bury the dead, I mean, they that be fit for nothing else, let them give taunt for taunt, and scorn for scorn, (they are free from righteousness, and bondmen to their own lusts) but I have learned rather to repay good for evil, then evil. But yet this is not so to be taken, as though in all things we ought to yield to froward and peevish persons, but in our own private cases only, and when we lawfully may, but in no cases or matters that are contrary to Gods will, or prejudicial to his honour.