A10933:146
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.
Now, if any urge this against him, to take liberty thereby for dealing 1rashly, and without due consideration in weighty cases, or in the case of marriage, particularly, affirming that they do but as Caleb did, and they adventure it, either in their own, or in making of their children's marriages, with such persons whose conversation they do not know; Let them seek a better defence for their doings, then the example of Caleb; for besides, that we must live by rules, and not by examples; so neither can they draw any such liberty from his practise. But whatsoever may be said to have been done by any good man concerning this matter, it skilleth not, we have a commandment to marry in the Lord. And as for them, that seek to defend 2their matches, which have slightly bin made, wherein God hath had either small or no hand: he hath sufficiently branded, and set his mark upon them, that as they have not been gone about, nor finished by his allowance and direction, so they are not by him allowed, (though marriage otherwise be honourable,) and therefore not beautified with the sweet sociableness and other commodities, which he hath annexed to those marriages, which he approveth. But I will speak more at large of this matter, when I shall have more direct occasion offered. That which I have said of rash marriages, I may say, and so take me) of all unadvised and inconsiderate actions and attempts whatsoever, that as men can have no authority for the taking them in hand, from Calebs example, no neither have from the Scriptures in any place; even so, and thereafter shall their gainsayings be by them, who will needs go to work in that manner.
Now, if any vrge this against him, to take libertie thereby for dealing 1rashly, and without due consideration in waightie cases, or in the case of marriage, particularly, affirming that they doe but as Caleb did, and they aduenture it, either in their owne, or in making of their childrens marriages, with such persons whose conuersation they doe not know; Let them seeke a better defence for their doings, then the example of Caleb; for besides, that we must liue by rules, and not by examples; so neither can they draw any such liberty from his practise. But whatsoeuer may bee said to haue been done by any good man concerning this matter, it skilleth not, we haue a commandement to marry in the Lord. And as for them, that seek to defend