A10933:1054
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 51 › Chapter 8 › Part 2: The second 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.
Another thing here in Gideon is worth the marking, that he followed after the rest of the Midianites, whereas he might have bin like to have neglected 1that work, as needful as it was, and to have been revenged upon the Ephraimites, who had so unjustly provoked him, (and so he would have done, no doubt, if he had been an hot and hasty man, given to his appetite) and to follow private affection, as most men are given to do. But he counted it a smaller matter to cross his own corrupt nature, then to leave the pursuing of the common enemy. Where we are taught, that if we may have peace in the land, (as Gideon sought by vanquishing them that remained of the Midianites and were fled;) for the obtaining of it, we ought by all means to maintain peace privately at home with our neighbours, yea and gladly take all occasions to the procuring thereof, as Gideon did with the Ephraimites. The reason is, for that the maintaining of peace and agreement at home in private, requireth neither loss of our lives, goods, or religion, but 2only of our will and corrupt affections, (or the forgoing of some small thing for peace sake, which we may lawfully yield unto:) and we are not debtors to our rebellious nature, but ought to be professed enemies against the same.3
Another thing here in Gedeon is worth the marking, that he followed after the rest of the Midianites, whereas he might haue bin like to haue neglected 1that worke, as needfull as it was, and to haue been reuenged vpon the Ephramites, who had so vniustly prouoked him, (and so hee would haue done, no doubt, if he had been an hot and hastie man, giuen to his appetite) and to follow priuate affection, as most men are giuen to doe. But he counted it a smaller matter to crosse his owne corrupt nature, then to leaue the pursuing of the common enemie. Where wee are taught, that if wee may haue peace in the land, (as Gedeon sought by vanquishing them that remained of the Midianites and were fled;) for the obtaining of it, we ought by all meanes to maintaine peace priuately at home with our neighbours, yea and gladly take all occasions to the procuring thereof, as Gedeon did with the Ephramites. The reason is, for that the maintaining of peace and agreement at home in priuat, requireth neither losse of our liues, goods, or religion, but