A10933:1525
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.
In this unreasonable and absurd answer of this King, compared with 1Jephthah his wise and equal proceeding, we see the contrariety of mens dispositions: there are some that strive by all possible means against contention and unpeaceableness: there are others again, whose delight it is to be ever at debate and odds with such as full gladly would live at peace, as Esau with Jacob: and all because they would make a gain and booty of them that are honestly minded, or have their will of them some other way. They know a godly man will buy his peace dear, rather then want it: and they will lay load enough upon such therefore, to see what they can wring from them, although without all colour of equity. Besides, peace is vile and of no price with an unrighteous person, there is nothing to be got by it, he saith: but when the water is troubled, then is his season to cast in, and therefore all is fish that comes to net. Who seeth not that this King was mischievously minded, in that he shapeth such an answer as either (being yielded unto) tended to the undoing of a Tribe; or if not, threatened implacable dissension? So Benhadad sends this message to Ahab, Thou and all thou hast 2are mine, deny it if thou darest. It is plain he was set upon war, who sent so proud a challenge, as excluded all possibility of agreement and peace. And such there are in all places, who (if they might have their minds) would choose war, rather then to live in peace, that they might boldly rifle their houses whom they grudge at, and whom they could not suffer to live by them, except they might possess them, and all they have, as Hamor spake of Jacob and his sons to the men of his city: Therefore seest thou an unrighteous 3person? wonder not then if thou hear of unreasonableness to come from him: for these two go yoked together, (though fear and danger of law do oft restrain the inward corruption from breaking out) so hideous a monster is injustice, if it might be seen in the colours! As for this practise of lying, forging, suborning, concealing truth, and impudent facing out an ill cause (as an ill title, to go no further) for advantage sake, though to the treading down of the poor innocent, nay, to his utter undoing, when was it more common then now adays?
In this vnreasonable and absurd answere of this King, compared with