A10933:1643
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.
Upon these promises Jephthah concludeth with an interrogation, asking 1them wherefore they were come to fight against him? As if he should have said, I saved your lives, you sitting at home with ease, what reason have ye therefore thus to come against me? By this we may learn, that when we should do good to all by Gods commandment, it proves us to be of a most bad disposition, when we shall be found injurious and hurtful to the innocent, as these men of Ephraim were against Jephthah; and so I may say of those that do us hurt, and no good, though we live innocent by them: whereas the Heathens do good to such as do good to them, &c. The use of this 2doctrine is, that we so live among men, that we may not be charged justly, nor convicted of wronging any: and yet not to rest there, but to be ready to do them good, as it may stand with our calling, and as we shall be able, so shall we be sure never to fear accusations of unkind and unbrotherly dealing; but if any be brought, we may answer them as Job did, If mine adversary write a book against me, I will take it on my shoulder, read it 3who listeth.
Vpon these promisses Iphtah concludeth with an interrogation, asking 1them wherefore they were come to fight against him? As if he should haue said, I saued your liues, you sitting at home with ease, what reason haue yee therefore thus to come against me? By this we may learne, that when wee should do good to all by Gods commandement, it proues vs to be of a most bad disposition, when we shall be found iniurious and hurtfull to the innocent, as these men of Ephraim were against Iphtah; and so I may say of those that doe vs hurt, and no good, though we liue innocent by them: whereas the Heathens doe good to such as doe good to them, &c. The vse of this 2doctrine is, that we so liue among men, that wee may not be charged iustly, nor conuicted of wronging any: and yet not to rest there, but to be ready to doe them good, as it may stand with our calling, and as we shall be able, so shall wee be sure neuer to feare accusations of vnkinde and vnbrotherly dealing; but if any be brought, we may answere them as Iob did, If mine aduersarie write a booke against me, I will take it on my shoulder, reade it