A10933:1697
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 71 › Chapter 13 › 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.
The ceremonies also here required to be used of the Nazarite, had their signification: those which are mentioned in the text are these two: the one, the suffering of the hair of his head to grow and not to be cut off, for the 1time that their vow of being Nazarites remained, for they vowed it either for a certain number of days, months or years. But when their vow was at an end, and the time of keeping it expired; at the offering of sacrifice and burning the flesh in the fire, they cut off their hair and burnt it in the same fire. And after that they were free, and returned to their former course of life. Although it was otherwise with Samson: for he was by the Lord appointed a Nazarite for his whole life: though that was not according to the common manner of being made Nazarites. The signification of it was, that much time should not be taken up in too nicely trimming and looking to our bodies, seeing we know they must be consumed to the earth, and become worms meat; and therefore a ridiculous folly to forget that, and to please our selves in such deceivable fancies. And also when the mind is set curiously on that work, as it is a dangerous token of pride, so it bewrayeth that it slenderly regardeth the inward apparelling of it. But as this niceness and curiosity in the weaker sex (who spend too many good ⟨p. 617⟩hours, vainly and unfruitfully in this kind) argueth pride & folly: so there is a foul abuse in men about this matter, and that is their disguised wearing of long hair. I think there are few of them who will defend themselves by the practise of Nazarites: if they did, yet the world would convince them, as being (for the most part) furthest off from the strict worship of God, and sincere walking after his will, as the Nazarites did: if they do not also mock and scorn those that embrace it. Me thinks it is strange, and argueth somewhat more then common for the badness thereof, that among many changes of corrupt English fashions, worn out and expired, yet this unnatural fashion (as Paul calls it) for a man to wear long […], 2hath survived them all. I know some nourish it for amorous lightness of mind: others as a supposed ornament to their person, or mark of gent•ie; or at least imitation of gentlemen.