A10933:148
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.
And upon the answer to the question, I say much like as upon the answer of the former question, as the matter requireth, and giveth occasion. Let none gather from this speech of Caleb, that it is lawful to marry within degrees forbidden, as though Caleb had made such a marriage for his daughter. And although he were called his kinsman, yet seeing it is not said, he was his brothers, or sisters son, therefore I have no necessary occasion offered to answer the question, whether Cousin Germans may marry together: but yet seeing I have thus spoken of it, I therefore signify my judgement agreeing with such as I have read and conferred with, and that is this, that although the word of God do not expressly forbid it, yet seeing it prohibiteth those degrees that be further off, it is of great probability, that Christishould more then in a common manner consider and examine for what weighty and special causes they do embrace, and not abstain from such marriages. And me thinks he hath given some watchword thereof unto us in this, that the life of many couples so marrying together, hath been found tedious, and accompanied with mutual dislikes betwixt the parties, when no reason could be seen thereof beside that, and for proof hereof, it hath been acknowledged, that to have been the cause thereof. For my part, when the question hath been propounded to me about such marriages, I have (as I know the practise of many my betters to have been) I have (I say) dissuaded from them for inconveniences, not as unlawful: and so I leave this point. But to return to Caleb, although he had married his daughter within degrees forbidden, yet it had given no liberty to us to do so, neither to do any thing else, that is unlawful, or forbidden by the word of God, forasmuch as we have our direction there, what we may do, either in matters of marriage, or in any thing else whatsoever. And therefore we ought little to regard examples, that lead any other way. And thus these objections being answered, I will proceed in th story.
And vpon the answer to the question, I say much like as vpon the answer of the former question, as the matter requireth, and giueth occasion. Let none gather from this speech of Caleb, that it is lawfull to marrie within degrees forbidden, as though Caleb had made such a marriage for his daughter. And although he were called his kinsman, yet seeing it is not said, he was his brothers, or sisters sonne, therefore I haue no necessarie occasion offered to answere the question, whether Cosin Germans may marrie together: but yet seeing I haue thus spoken of it, I therefore signifie my iudgement agreeing with such as I haue read and conferred with, and that is this, that although the word of God doe not expressely forbid it, yet seeing it prohibiteth those degrees that be further off, it is of great probabilitie, that Christishould more then in a common manner consider and examine for what weightie and speciall causes they doe imbrace, and not abstaine from such marriages. And me thinkes he hath giuen some watchword thereof vnto vs in this, that the life of many couples so marrying together, hath been found tedious, and accompanied with mutual dislikes betwixt the parties, when no reason could be seene thereof beside that, and for proofe hereof, it hath been acknowledged, that to haue been the cause thereof. For my part, when the question hath been propounded to mee about such marriages, I haue (as I know the practise of many my betters to haue been) I haue (I say) disswaded from them for inconueniences, not as vnlawfull: and so I leaue this point. But to returne to Caleb, although he had maried his daughter within degrees forbidden, yet it had giuen no libertie to vs to doe so, neither to doe any thing else, that is vnlawfull, or forbidden by the word of God, forasmuch as we haue our direction there, what we may do, either in matters of marriage, or in any thing else whatsoeuer. And therefore wee ought little to regard examples, that leade any other way. And thus these obiections being answered, I will proceed in th story.