A10933:1161
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.
In that it is said further of Gideon, that he had a concubine in Shechem, 1that was another of his blemishes. Whereby as by other we may know, that they were used of men then, as well as wives. They were inferior to their wives, and had no superiority in the family, but were as servants. Which was evil also even as Polygamy. In Malachi we read, that they who after 2the captivity had put away their wives, and married strange ones, who also objected, that a man of God did so, namely Abraham, we read (I say) that they were answered thus: that he sought a godly seed, and did it not of lightness, or wilfulness, so that although it was not according to the first institution that he did, yet in as much as it was not revealed so clearly to be sin in those former times in which he lived, as it was since, it was no just defence for those, who coming after them, did it to satisfy their lusts when they had more light about the will of God, and knowledge of the sin it self, and also what an evil end did follow it. And the same teacheth us, who 3have a rule to guide our actions by, that we may in no wise follow examples, no not of the good who have done against those rules, but to try them by the rules, as Paul requireth it of the Thessalonians, Try all things, and hold 4that which is good. And he willeth the Corinthians, that no man follow him, but as he followed Christ: as hath been noted largely before.
In that it is said further of Gedeon, that hee had a concubine in Sechem, 1that was another of his blemishes. Whereby as by other we may know, that they were vsed of men then, as well as wiues. They were inferiour to their wiues, and had no superioritie in the familie, but were as seruants. Which was euill also euen as Poligamy. In Malachie we reade, that they who after 2the captiuitie had put away their wiues, and married strange ones, who also obiected, that a man of God did so, namely Abraham, wee reade (I say) that they were answered thus: that he sought a godly seed, and did it not of lightnesse, or wilfulnesse, so that although it was not according to the first institution that he did, yet in as much as it was not reuealed so clearely to be sinne in those former times in which he liued, as it was since, it was no iust defence for those, who comming after them, did it to satisfie their lusts when they had more light about the will of God, and knowledge of the sinne it selfe, and also what an euill end did follow it. And the same teacheth vs, who