A10933:1652
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.
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.
Of this fruit of mens wilfulness and the dear price it costeth them, I have noted somewhat elsewhere. To knit up the point therefore, mark how justly God met with these Ephraimites, and what a shame it was unto them, to be the first disturbers of peace, and good order, and to be so foully foiled and beaten, by them whom they provoked injuriously. When it falleth out so, (for it falleth not out always so) what a cutting of their comb is it, and a pulling down of their proud stomach? And if they should carry away the field, and prevail alway, who should live with such? But for the defence of the innocent, and the preventing of that confusion which would otherwise ensue, (for what is more intolerable then a boaster, when he hath his will) the Lord resists such, and pares their nails: so that their horns are but short, though their hearts be full curst. And seeing all will say, that when a makebate and contentious person is put to the worse, he is well served, to teach him to live within his bounds, and meddle not with them that give him no cause: let us provide in our dealings with others, that both our cause be honest and well grounded, and that our affections be suitable, not carried with passion, heat, and rage against him, who hath 1wronged us: for if it fall out that we be defeated, and put to the foil, (as we may look for no other in such a case) and God himself take against us in our bad courses, how shall we be able to hold up our heads for shame, when men rejoice at our overthrow? Surely he had need be impudent, who should bear God and men and his own conscience down altogether, and not blank for all the shame which his own boldness hath brought upon him. But as for such as measure all by the success they have in their lewdness; thinking it becometh them well enough, while they prosper, more shall be said of such in the 5. and 6. verses following.
Of this fruit of mens wilfulnes and the deare price it costeth them, I haue noted somewhat elsewhere. To knit vp the point therefore, marke how iustly God met with these Ephramites, and what a shame it was vnto them, to be the first disturbers of peace, and good order, and to be so foully foiled and beaten, by them whom they prouoked iniuriously. When it falleth out so, (for it falleth not out alwaies so) what a cutting of their combe is it, and a pulling downe of their proud stomacke? And if they should carrie away the field, and preuaile alway, who should liue with such? But for the defence of the innocēt, and the preuenting of that confusion which would otherwise ensue, (for what is more intollerable then a boaster, when hee hath his will) the Lord resists such, and pares their nailes: so that their hornes are but short, though their hearts be full curst. And seeing all will say, that when a makebate and contentious person is put to the worse, he is well serued, to teach him to liue within his bounds, and meddle not with them that giue him no cause: let vs prouide in our dealings with others, that both our cause be honest and well grounded, and that our affections be sutable, not carried with passion, heate, and rage against him, who hath