A10933:1908
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.
For as if an house be set on fire, it is far more dangerous, and threateneth greater mischief to the speedy consuming of all that is in the house, when the flame is pent in, then when it hath vent to break forth: Even so, the anger that is hidden and concealed, is far worse then that which showeth it self; as may be seen in Absaloms hidden wrath (breaking into murder) which except it be in a high degree inflamed, (and that betrayeth much folly) will soon vanish and come to an end: whereas the other imagineth evil, and bringeth it forth, when he thinketh and seeth best. Yet I grant there are degrees in this sullenness, but it is too unbeseeming a Christian, when it is in the lowest degree that is; yea though it go away in time, when the strength of it is over, without any further hurt doing.
For as if an house be set on fire, it is farre more dangerous, and threatneth greater mischiefe to the speedie consuming of all that is in the house, when the flame is pent in, then when it hath vent to breake foorth: Euen so, the anger that is hidden and concealed, is farre worse then that which sheweth it selfe; as may be seene in Absoloms hidden wrath (breaking into murther) which except it bee in a high degree inflamed, (and that bewraieth much follie) will soone vanish and come to an end: whereas the other imagineth euill, and bringeth it foorth, when hee thinketh and seeth best. Yet I grant there are degrees in this sullennes, but it is too vnbeseeming a Christian, when it is in the lowest degree that is; yea though it goe away in time, when the strength of it is ouer, without any further hurt doing.
The remedy here, is to weigh the folly and shame of such disguising of our selves. Also to consider what and who we be, that take the matter so hotly, which is done against us, who have provoked God as many times as we have hairs on our head. And how much greater cause we give to God to be displeased with us we should consider, and whether we could like that the Lord should so hide his displeasure against us, and execute it upon us, ⟨p. 692⟩when we would not, neither are aware of it. Thus, and by such like means, we should go about to resist and assuage it. And if it be hardly done at the first, yet afterwards it will be done more easily, if we labour for it, and so in times chase it away altogether, further then that some relics of it will remain in us, as after some sore ague. Causes (I confess) there are of separation between married persons, but every man must not be his own Judge, but either the Civill Magistrate, or else those that are appointed by God in the Church to be judges in these and such like cases, must determine. For what manner of society were there like to be among men, if each husband upon every tetch might for a shorter or longer time, leave the fellowship of his wife? To be sure, this practise is one means (besides many more) of much uncleanness, confusion of blood and posterity, beggary of the parties and families so forsaken, and of what other riots and disorder God knoweth. For where the sacred ordinances of God (which are the religious bands and securing pledges of peace, union and order) are once leapt over, and trodden down, who can limit within any bounds the mischief like to ensue? Therefore let none of such as are guilty in this kind, plead Samsons example, who had as little liberty given him herein as they.