A10933:1639
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 69 › Chapter 12 › Part 1: The first 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.
Now let us proceed: Jephthah answers further to the Ephraimites, When I saw you would not help me (saith he) I put my life in mine hands, meaning 1I adventured without you, and rested on God, going forth with smaller help, when I could not have greater. And by this pattern we are taught, that we hang not, neither depend on other men in the good things we take in hand. For example, that neither in those things that concern our own happiness directly, (I mean the seeking of faith and conversion, nor which pertain to sanctification of life & godliness, as mercy and love, righteousness and innocency) we must neglect any good duty, because we see other backward in it; but rather look we to the examples of the forwardest and most faithful both in their general and special calling, and in no wise let us regard to follow them that come behind in good things. As all will acknowledge that we should do so, in the preventing a mischief near at hand, as Jephthah did here in following hard the Ammonites, when the Ephraimites refused to help him. Abigails wisdom and ear is to be commended 2and imitated by many degrees before Nabals folly and senseless blockishness. Even so let us say with Joshua, If other will not go and join 3with us, yet we and ours will serve the Lord. When our Saviour saw many offended at his doctrine, and departing away, he asked Peter in the name of the rest, Will ye also go away? Peter answers; Whither shall we go (Lord) 4if we forsake thee, who hast the words of eternal life? Be we sure therefore we provide ill for our selves, if we pin our zeal and forwardness upon others, and gather not strength enough from our own assurance of Gods peculiar goodness towards our own souls, to keep us close and firm in our purpose of cleaving to him and that daily. Who doth so, is wise and 5builds upon the rock, and no assault shall batter his building: as for the declining or starting back of others, he leaveth that, saying thus to himself: They stand or fall to their own master: and whether they have ever been truly persuaded of Gods favour towards them or no, I cannot tell: But I know in whom I have believed. Therefore if other men will be blind, shall I put out my own eyes? If I see the world generally disposed to coldness,