A10933:1069
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.
In the mean time here let us mark, that he left not off the greatest and most necessary duty which must of necessity presently be done, to wit, the pursuing of the Midianites: for the other, namely, the punishing of the men of Succoth, which was to be done also, but might better be deferred. This wisdom and discretion is to be learned of us, that of duties to be done of us, or evils to be avoided, with the danger and punishment that followeth 1them, that be first done in both, which of necessity must be first, and yet the other not neglected nor omitted, but in due season regarded also.
In the meane time here let vs marke, that hee left not off the greatest and most necessarie dutie which must of necessitie presently be done, to wit, the pursuing of the Midianites: for the other, namely, the punishing of the men of Succoth, which was to be done also, but might better bee deferred. This wisedome and discretion is to be learned of vs, that of duties to be done of vs, or euils to be auoided, with the danger and punishment that followeth 1them, that be first done in both, which of necessitie must be first, and yet the other not neglected nor omitted, but in due season regarded also.
- 1Doct
Instances may be these, as there be many other: to visit parents in great sickness, which requireth present duty without delay, is to be preferred and performed, rather then to journey about profit, though lawful also, which may as well be done another time. Also to prefer hearing of a Sermon before common business, if it be not to our greater hurt, &c. And this I say further, that not only common actions must give place to seasons, but even ⟨p. 396⟩one season to another. In which our best rule is, that we prefer that season, which occasioneth a work of presentest use: although some other duty of an higher nature offer it self. Yea and here observe, that even a civill season may sometime be preferred before a religious. As for example, It falls out that a man is offered some favour, and hope of release out of some trouble which he is in, or reconciliation with his adversary, (mightier then himself) if he will use some present help, which else he cannot enjoy: or it may be he hath a sum of money to pay upon a set day, and that upon a great forfeiture: or he is sent upon an errand of life and death: say it be to fetch the Chirurgeon to let his master or parent blood, being in a desperate case otherwise: or is commanded to serve the Prince, &c. Against these cometh some other opportunity, as of hearing the word, of prayer in family. These be all necessary in their kinds, and due times, but in no wise ought to jostle aside the other, more needful to be done at that time, and these may be attended unto, when leisure from the other will give leave: the other are as the tide, which stayeth for no man. Therefore we must beware, lest through our ignorance) though cloaked with honesty) or neglect, especially wilful contempt, we leave the greater for the lesser. Which causeth to the party so offending, shame and sorrow oft times. As, how shall he answer his folly, who neglecting the Physician in the case before said, shall thereby find his wife, father, or master, dead, or past recovery? Such cases may be: and by one we should measure the rest. Paul, upon this ground, omitted the opportunity of doing good in Asia,