A10933:1942
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 79 › Chapter 15 › 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.
But here we may see the madness and outrage that is in men. For though these were Heathens, and therefore might be thought to have none to match them in gross wickedness, among such as are baptized: yet behold, they who are destitute of grace among us, (further then the fear of man restraineth some) are let loose to as great sins. For proof whereof, behold the dealing of those furious Jews, Acts 18. who when they could not come by Paul, fell upon Sosthenes his companion, and beat him: and at this day 1the Papists when they cannot come by the heretic himself (as they term ⟨p. 702⟩him) use to draw his picture, as exactly as they can, and with great despite burn it in the fire, showing what they would do to the person. Not unlike to the practise of seditious soldiers, in chopping them as small as herbs to pot, who oppose them in their mutiny. And we see it cometh to pass sometimes, that when vile men are given over to fury, passion and mood, he shall bear the blows that cometh next in their way, though he was in no fault, and whatsoever is next them, be it knife, dagger, cudgel, or whatsoever else, whether it beat out the eye or tooth, or break arm or leg, all is one with them, when they be moody: even as she-Bears that are robbed of their whelps. Nay, so little are they led by sound reason, that when, through their own rashness, they have hurt themselves at a door, or fall, by stumbling at a stone, they curse the one, and beat the other. But if they sustain damage or loss by any neighbour, they are not satisfied, till with the Philistines they have their blood, at least till they seek it, though the hurt done to them was against their will, who are thus doggishly pursued of them.
But here we may see the madnes and outrage that is in men. For though these were Heathens, and therefore might bee thought to haue none to match them in grosse wickednes, among such as are baptized: yet behold, they who are destitute of grace among vs, (further then the feare of man restraineth some) are let loose to as great sinnes. For proofe whereof, behold the dealing of those furious Iewes, Acts 18. who when they could not come by Paul, fell vpon Sosthenes his companion, and beate him: and at this day