A10933:1520
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.
Some controversies shall (no doubt) always arise between man and man, touching things, the equity whereof is unknown, and uncertain it shall be whose the right is. But if contentions proceeding from manifest wrong, or from ungrounded surmises, were at the first taken up, and cut off, (in which commonly most rashness, heat and distemper is bewrayed) yea if trifling quarrels were trodden under foot; then neither should men have so many needless janglings, and those which are serious and could not be avoided, should more indifferently be handled and decided, either privately 1or (with peaceable consent of both parties) by traverse of law. Yea I say, if themselves could not hit upon agreement, they would yield to the discretion and love of such as might compound their differences: rather then multiply one sin upon another, as fierceness of words to the gall of their stomachs, and other actual pursuit each of other to both the former; showing themselves unappeaseable and inexorable. It is the pride, bitterness and envy of the heart, rather then the weightiness of the cause, which oft provokes men to the heat and stomach which they utter and bewray (all may see) in their jarrings each against other. And therefore they are so far from Jephthah his practise, that they rejoice they have any pretence of debate and suite against their neighbour: and follow it in such eager and odious manner, that all may see they sue not because they have cause, but are glad they have any occasion (such a delight they have therein) that they might fall to suite. The claim of a whole Tribes inheritance, did not so stir Jephthah to wrath against this usurper, as many of us would be stirred against him that would challenge a few acres of our possession: what do I say? nay, against him that contendeth about a twelve penny matter with us; and yet we should exceed them, that go many degrees before Jephthah in the means of knowledge and acquaintance with Gods will in particular duties, if we did ⟨p. 557⟩well consider it. Let such doings be heard of among Heathens: as for Christians, if one party will not hear of his duty, let the other give him over, and let him contend (if he will needs) with his own shadow.
Some controuersies shall (no doubt) alwaies arise betweene man and man, touching things, the equitie whereof is vnknowne, and vncertaine it shall be whose the right is. But if contentions proceeding from manifest wrong, or from vngrounded surmises, were at the first taken vp, and cut off, (in which commonly most rashnes, heate and distemper is bewrayed) yea if trifling quarrels were troden vnder foote; then neither should men haue so many needlesse ianglings, and those which are serious and could not bee auoided, should more indifferently be handled and decided, either priuatly