A10933:1644
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.
As touching their rejecting this Apology of Jephthah, the point hath been 1handled before in the eleventh chapter (although this wilfulness far worse became them, then the Heathen king of Ammon) yet somewhat I will add by so fit occasion. It is like their wilfulness troubled Jephthah not a little, especially being their governor, who was loth to have turned the edge of the sword upon his own people (if it could have been avoided) and besides yet could not suffer it to have his grave and just defence so slightly rejected. But what other fruit was to be expected at their hands, who came ready armed to try the matter by force? Was it like they would stand debating and reasoning long with him, who came with a prejudicate and resolute mind to the contrary? It is not said indeed, that they gave not ear to him, but their real refusal to hearken, appears in their proceeding to war. But ye will say in the eighth of this book, their predecessors bewrayed the contrary, for their wrath was appeased by the answer of Gideon. I answer: Indeed being used like froward children and condescended unto, that is, their proud and angry humour being pleased, they gave over with much ado: they had bin beasts if they had not: nay doubtless, they could not although they would (for an angry man cannot continue in his anger so long as he would, the fuel being removed:) But is this the praise of a man, that being humoured (as I may say) he gives over? No, though it be the honour of the appeaser, yet it is his shame, because he should have overcome himself before; his shame I say in that respect, although indeed he that desisteth by any means, is better then the implacable. But to return: If there had been but a dram of good nature and indifferency in them, (for religion they had none) would they not as well have abated their spirit towards him by their hearkening to his sound reason, as their fathers ⟨p. 600⟩did before to Gideons mildness? Yes doubtless: but it is as impossible to order an unreasonable passion by reason, as to be mad with reason. Let this then set before our eyes (who are Gods Ministers) the disposition of the most of our ordinary hearers, that so we may learn how to be armed against that discouragement.
As touching their reiecting this Apologie of Iphtah, the point hath been 1