A10933:455
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.
Thus the story being set down at large in the text, I have laid it forth in the several parts of it, so far as in this place is expedient for the better understanding of the reader. Now let us go through them all in order. And first, whereas it is said in the latter end of this 15. verse, That the children of Israel sent a present by Ehud to the King of Moab, for so it was indeed, as the word in Hebrew [Greek or Hebrew] signifieth, and not tribute: this (as I said) was the occasion by which he went to him: so by this present, the King of Moab was blind folded, that he might not suspect any such matter afterward, to be intended by Ehud, when he attempted and went about the fact in deed. For though it was lawful for him and the Israelites to go about to kill him, yet it was nothing meet, that they should by any undiscreetnesse, give him occasion to suspect it. And by this which was 1allowed in them, we may see, that it is lawful and not displeasing to God, for a good man being in danger or displeasure with another, and namely a superior, to remove it (if he can) by a gift or present. I know presents may be lawfully sent in other respects, namely, to show thankfulness for kindness received: and I know also that a gift sometime is sent to the helping forward of a bad matter, and for the corrupting of judgement, which is most odious; neither of both these is meant here. But to get favour, and namely, with our betters, by such means, when we know no other to be like to prevail, there is nothing against it, but that we may serve Gods providence that way, for the removing of displeasure. And so did our father Jacob seek to 2put away the wrath of his brother Esau, and to procure his favour. And although ⟨p. 164⟩he who receiveth it, doth oftentimes offend therein, for that he should yield favour without it, yet for the giver we know what Solomon saith; A gift in secret pacifieth wrath. And it doth as well pull down the heart of him that sendeth it, as mollify him that receiveth it, which is far better then that both, or either of them should rankle and be inflamed, each against the other. And this may suffice to have been said of this matter, and so of the whole 15. verse.
Thus the storie being set downe at large in the text, I haue laid it forth in the seuerall parts of it, so farre as in this place is expedient for the better vnderstanding of the reader. Now let vs go through them all in order. And first, whereas it is said in the latter end of this 15. verse, That the children of Israel sent a present by Ehud to the King of Moab, for so it was indeed, as the word in Hebrew signifieth, and not tribute: this (as I said) was the occasion by which he went to him: so by this present, the King of Moab was blind folded, that hee might not suspect any such matter afterward, to bee intended by Ehud, when hee attempted and went about the fact in deed. For though it was lawfull for him and the Israelites to goe about to kill him, yet it was nothing meet, that they should by any vndiscreetnesse, giue him occasion to suspect it. And by this which was