A10933:460
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.
The third thing of the three now followeth, which was the presenting 1of the gift, in carrying and offering this present to Eglon the King of Moab, (which seemed, to such as hear of it, no matter commendable, that Ehud should kill him under pretence of kindness) yet he intending a further 2matter thereby, then he showed, to wit, the delivering of Gods people by killing him their enemy, it was not only lawful, but also praise worthy in him. And this act of his teacheth, that when we do such things as are not of best note, nor most commendable in the eyes of men, such as this of Ehud seemed, yet lawful & allowed of God, we should (if it may be) intend some further and better thing thereby, as Ehud here did. And although it have no effect for the present time; I mean, that good which we purpose and aim at, yet to wait opportunity to bring it so to pass. But this will be better understood by laying it out in particulars. As for example; if a man be in the company of a bad person, which in it self is no credit to him, (& yet it is not unlawful) or if a man give alms to a poor man who hath no goodness in him, (which may be thought of some to be a maintaining of him,) in both these cases and the like, he that I speak of, ought to have a further reach and meaning, that is, a desire and endeavour to do the parties good; as to admonish and reprove as there shall be cause seen, or exhort & seek to draw them (as he shall see best opportunity) to repentance; and thereby to stay all from taking offence thereat. And so I say of all such actions: Esther, as we read, bad Haman, the enemy of Gods people to a banquet. It was like to savour 3ill to the godly that should hear of it: but at his first coming thither, ⟨p. 166⟩though she spake nothing against Haman to the King, yet at the second banquet she obtained deliverance to Gods people, who were appointed by Haman to be slain: and beside that she procured is overthrow. To both which, she made way by bidding him to the first banquet, and intended it, though she made no show then of any such thing. So our Saviour did eat 4and drink with the publicans and sinners. It was hardly thought off by the Pharisees: but he sought their conversion by it.