A10933:1518
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.
Sermon 66 › Chapter 11 › Part 2: The second part of the Chapter.
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.
First here let us consider Jephthah's dealing, who before he goes to war, 1debateth and enquireth about the matter, to see if by this means the enemy might be appeased: in a word he useth the best means he could devise to keep peace: which ought to be observed as a rule, that so we should do before the attempting of war with nation, or suite with any person. According to the general rules: As much as in you lieth have peace with all, and 2again, Ensue peace and follow it, though it flee from you, (for it is a precious treasure.) So in this particular especially: We know how carefully we labour, to preserve a member of our body before we will cut it off. So much more we should deal in this case, to preserve many bodies of men and persons rather then commit them to the hazard of war, (as making no more account of the lives of Christian men, then of dogs, oxen, or sheep, or to suffer civill and private envy, contention and strife, to the losing of many souls. And so did the ten Tribes deal with their brethren on the other side Jordan, that is, they did prevent and stay much that might have risen, and ⟨p. 556⟩blood-shedding. For when after their departure from them, they heard they had committed a grievous trespass against the Lord, for the which 3they thought they had just cause to make war with them: yet did they not follow their own minds, nor give full credit to the report, but did first wisely send unto them to know the certainty, and thereby they were satisfied. But I doubt not of the easy consenting to this part of justice, as being a point disputed and agreed upon by Heathens and their practise in their wars, as also your Moralists, whose position it is: That an honest war, is to be preferred to an unequal or hurtful peace, and no otherwise. To leave this therefore and to come nearer to our selves, the same rule is to be kept in private controversies betwixt men, that law be not attempted, till all other means be first used: and a great sin it is among Christians, to run by and by to law, and to the suing one of another, as too many use to do, hotly, rashly, and wilfully, though themselves sustain most hurt by it, who do so, as being authors of the contention, and suite.