A10933:1747
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 72 › Chapter 13 › Part 3: The third 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 Angel seeing Manoah deceived taking him to be a man, led him further to more fit matters for him, bidding him make a burnt offering of the 1meat that he desired to refresh him with. For to no end was Manoahs speaking of meat to him, offering him to eat the kid of the goats. This speech of his showeth that it is true wisdom to take occasion to draw one another forward to holy duties, and to communication of heavenly things. The most being earthly, and fast locked up therein, Manoah was busy about providing for him, which through his error, was to no end, therefore the Angel drew him to that which was profitable indeed. And so it well becometh Christians to be ready to lead one another from unprofitable expense of the time, to talk of things more divine and fit to the edifying one of another: neither ought the wise christian to stumble at it when he meeteth in company with such as are unsavoury, whose tongues are their own to set themselves on work as they please. Alas what other is to be looked for at the hands of such, as never learned how to govern themselves either alone, or in their private houses, or in the public actions of Gods worship? How should their tongues be well seasoned in company, or bring forth savoury and gracious matter, out of an unclean heart abounding with the contrary? But rather let him pity such, (for all bad men are not bad of malice) and by his mild and modest silence at least, and much more by speaking that which is likest to prevail and do good; turn off, and put by their superfluous and frothy talk: not fearing but that it will give place, and cause the utterers thereof to say, Indeed this speech of yours is far meeter for the company, and deserveth to be accounted of, and pity it were that loose and vain talk should have put it by: pardon us, for if we had known better, we would have used better. Is not this a good effect of Christian boldness (though no more then needs) thus to take occasion to break off bad communication, and to be far preferred before an offensive giving place to ill speech till it have gotten the upper hand, so that it is too late to repress it? But to come nearer to the occasion of this text.
The Angel seeing Manoah deceiued taking him to be a man, led him further to more fit matters for him, bidding him make a burnt offering of the 1meate that he desired to refresh him with. For to no end was Manoahs speaking of meate to him, offering him to eate the kid of the goates. This speech of his sheweth that it is true wisedome to take occasion to draw one another forward to holy duties, and to communication of heauenly things. The most being earthly, and fast locked vp therein, Manoah was busie about prouiding for him, which through his errour, was to no end, therefore the Angell drew him to that which was profitable indeed. And so it well becommeth Christians to be ready to leade one another from vnprofitable expence of the time, to talke of things more diuine and fit to the edifying one of another: neither ought the wise christian to stumble at it when he meeteth in companie with such as are vnsauourie, whose tongues are their owne to set themselues on worke as they please. Alas what other is to bee looked for at the hands of such, as neuer learned how to gouerne themselues either alone, or in their priuate houses, or in the publike actions of Gods worship? How should their tongues be well seasoned in companie, or bring foorth fauourie and gracious matter, out of an vncleane heart abounding with the contrary? But rather let him pitie such, (for all bad men are not bad of malice) and by his milde and modest silence at least, and much more by speaking that which is likest to preuaile and doe good; turne off, and put by their superfluous and frothie talke: not fearing but that it will giue place, and cause the vtterers thereof to say, Indeed this speech of yours is farre meeter for the companie, and deserueth to be accounted of, and pitie it were that loose and vaine talke should haue put it by: pardon vs, for if we had knowne better, wee would haue vsed better. Is not this a good effect of Christian boldnesse (though no more then needs) thus to take occasion to breake off bad communication, and to bee farre preferred before an offensiue giuing place to ill speech till it haue gotten the vpper hand, so that it is too late to represse it? But to come neerer to the occasion of this text.