A10933:1708
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 2: The second 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.
But this kind agreement betwixt couples, is so far from the most, that strangeness and weariness one of the other, doth soon meet with them, with other blemishes 1manifold, which deface the beauty of marriage exceedingly. And yet lest while I urge this consent, some couples should catch more liberty then I or the Lord allow them, let me add that their agreement must be in things warrantable, or else they rather band themselves together against the Lord, and abuse his ordinance. For they are not yoked together, that they may join their wits & wills to do mischief, as Ahab and Jezebel, Ananias and Sapphira, which is not to be helpers of each other, (as they come together to that end) except it be to evil and to hell. This I say, because many couples are never at one, but when they consent in evil: then they are as close as bark and tree, where they should differ and dissuade each other: but in good duties their mutual affections are so far from joining, that they are repugnant and divided each from other as far as may be. By virtue of this holy concord, great is the blessing, and sweet is the fruit of this ordinance. In all duties of the family, as education of children, in all actions of Gods worship, in the works of love to the Saints, in the use of their lawful liberties, &c. with freedom of mind, what joy and contentment ariseth in this unanimity and amity between them? which otherwise is much impeached. And the fruit of this accompanieth them in their inward troubles of mind, and outward crosses of body and estate: the one being strengthened, comforted, resolved, and holpen by the wisdom, knowledge and assistance of the other. Yea surely the precious memory of this agreement remaineth as a pledge in the bosom of the survivor, when death hath made a breach between them. But woe to him that is alone: double woe to couples that are divided: where the one scorneth to communicate with the other: and the wife chooseth any to break her mind to, rather then her husband.
But this kinde agreement betwixt couples, is so farre from the most, that strangenes and wearines one of the other, doth soone meete with them, with other blemishes 1manifold, which deface the beautie of mariage exceedingly. And yet lest while I vrge this consent, some couples should catch more libertie then I or the Lord allow them, let me adde that their agreement must be in things warrantable, or else they rather band themselues together against the Lord, and abuse his ordinance. For they are not yoked together, that they may ioyne their wits & wils to do mischief, as Ahab and Iezabel, Ananias and Saphira, which is not to be helpers of each other, (as they come together to that end) except it be to euill and to hell. This I say, because many couples are neuer at one, but when they consent in euill: then they are as close as barke and tree, where they should differ and disswade each other: but in good duties their mutuall affections are so farre from ioyning, that they are repugnant and diuided each from other as farre as may bee. By vertue of this holy concord, great is the blessing, and sweete is the fruite of this ordinance. In all duties of the familie, as education of children, in all actions of Gods worship, in the workes of loue to the Saints, in the vse of their lawfull liberties, &c. with freedome of minde, what ioy and contentment ariseth in this vnanimitie and amitie betweene them? which otherwise is much impeached. And the fruite of this accompanieth them in their inward troubles of mind, and outward crosses of body and estate: the one being strengthened, comforted, resolued, and holpen by the wisedome, knowledge and assistance of the other. Yea surely the precious memorie of this agreement remaineth as a pledge in the bosome of the suruiuor, when death hath made a breach betweene them. But woe to him that is alone: double woe to couples that are diuided: where the one scorneth to communicate with the other: and the wife chuseth any to breake her minde to, rather then her husband.