A10933:1108
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.
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.
As Gideon did here, so it is lawful for us to prosecute our brethren's 1wrongs, as murder, yea it is meet so to do, as in the book of Numbers appeareth, and this, not only in a private respect for that we are their flesh (in 2which kindness is to be showed to them) but also, (and much more) in the public behalf of Church and Commonwealth: both which it much concerneth, that sin be not unpunished. This the Lord requireth, as by Solomons 3words may be gathered, which he spake of Joab, saying: let him be slain, that evil may be removed, and we may not be guilty of the innocent blood, which he hath shed. But to return to the point in hand, as it is good to rejoice with out friends, and live together with them for our mutual good: so is it also a token of our unfeigned love toward them, to pursue their wrongs being dead. And this were highly commendable if it were done according to Gods law. But as it is commonly gone about, I mean, so that flesh and blood with carnal reason do rule, as it highly displeaseth God, so likewise it mars the action, as in the next point shall appear. And namely to pursue any for them, when they suffer for their deserts, as the most do: or when they be hurt by them, with whom they were companions in evil: and therefore justly suffer at the hands of one another: although the Magistrate is to punish the offender even in that case also: as when drunkards or quarrellers shed the blood of each other. And as the Lord himself hath put a difference betwixt casual or unwilling killing, and wilful murder: 4as appeareth by his appointing in each Tribe, cities of refuge, for the safeguard of the innocent: so he is far from justifying any such cruel pity, as this, to spare the guilty murderer: but will himself as well plague them, that shall seek to stop the due course of justice against such, as also find out the murderer himself, (notwithstanding the secrecy wherewith much villainy is cloaked) at one time or other. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and 5he who sheddeth blood, his blood shall be shed. For the blood of the slain crieth strongly in the ears of the Lord, as that of Abel, and as the widow, who