A10933:151
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.
To proceed, Othniel being the meanest in his fathers house, and yet Caleb 1keeping promise with him, in giving his daughter to him; it commendeth his faithfulness in that he did not wind out dishonestly from making good his word, as men use to do; even as he is set forth, and praised in many other respects before. To be praised of men, or to praise a mans self is matter of small rejoicing, but he, whom the Lord praiseth is blessed; as Job was, seeing 2God himself spake of him thus to Satan, Hast thou not considered my servant Job, that he feareth God, and departeth from evil. And so he commended Zechariah 3and Elizabeth, and Cornelius. But to come more particularly to that which 4he is commended for here, I mean his faithfulness in keeping his promise, and that in so great a matter; and when he had that which he would at Othniel's hands; how many (think we) shall be found that will do so? but wind out from standing to their word, dishonestly, and with subtle distinctions, wranglings, and wrestings of the matter, and other setting down their meanings then they had, when they promised, especially if it be for their own benefit and advantages? Oh, it is lamentable every where to behold it, so that the innocent (who are for the most part of the poorer sort) go commonly by the hardest; and yet, let us know in the mean while, that God will take part with the wronged and oppressed, and therefore let us beware of it. But the world is come to this, that there is no hold of the most mens word: no, nor of their writing neither, if by any means, it may be shifted off, and denied. Which caused Solomon to cry out, saying: Every man will 5boast of his own goodness, but where shall we find a faithful man? It is a virtue that God requireth to be in him, whom he will put in his service, I mean faithfulness, as Paul showeth of himself, that he was counted faithful, and 6then put in his service. And we in our earthly dealings, what other good parts soever we find in our servants, yet we are glad to forgo them all, if we cannot have them faithful, and trusty to us. And so unfaithfulness on the contrary, is so disliked and hated even of those who are faulty in it themselves, though blind through self-love in seeing it, that they who can no way hide it, but that it breaketh forth in them to be seen openly, are brought into utter discredit by it.