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…

Here the holy Story setting this down, that Ehud presented the gift to ¹Eglon, addeth this, that he was a very fat man, which may seem to be uttered to no end, seeing it is neither set down to his commendation, nor to his discommendation; but this is mentioned, that we may see a reason of that which is in the 22. verse. And as it is not commended or discommended in him; so by occasion hereof, this I will say, that fatness of body is to be thought of, as a thing neither with a man nor against him in it self. For some are more disposed thereto naturally then other, though they have both one diet, and alike kind of easy life; even as we see how one tree waxeth great and tall in the same soil, where another is both small and low, as one Oak in comparison of another. But where men are naturally apt thereto, good keeping doth set one forward. And therefore no marvel that it is so with such as live deliciously, eating and drinking, and using other liberty at their pleasure. But this may not be spoken without use and profit: this let us learn, that such, either Ministers or other as give over themselves, and let the bridle loose to excess in eating, drinking, sleeping, playing, idleness, ease, and such like, and get fat that way, may little rejoice in it, and shall wish that they had by labour in their callings, and other good means, taken themselves down, as Paul chastised his body, or at least have good testimony that they have not grown to that point through their own sin; ²therefore that proverb is used by Paul against the Cretans, out of Epimenides, The Cretans are alway ••ers, evil beasts, slow bellies or Epicures. And their commendation shall be no greater, who in the profession of the Gospel, fat ⟨p. 168⟩themselves through idleness, sloth, ease seeking, and shunning labour in their callings. And this of Ehud's first going to Eglon to deliver the Present.

Heere the holy Story setting this downe, that Ehud presented the gift to ¹Eglon, addeth this, that he was a very fat man, which may seeme to be vttered to no end, seeing it is neither set downe to his commendation, nor to his discommendation; but this is mentioned, that we may see a reason of that which is in the 22. verse. And as it is not commended or discommended in him; so by occasion heereof, this I will say, that fatnesse of body is to bee thought of, as a thing neither with a man nor against him in it selfe. For some are more disposed thereto naturally then other, though they haue both one diet, and alike kinde of easie life; euen as we see how one tree waxeth great and tall in the same soyle, where another is both small and low, as one Oke in comparison of another. But where men are naturally apt thereto, good keeping doth set one forward. And therefore no maruell that it is so with such as liue deliciously, eating and drinking, and vsing other liberty at their pleasure. But this may not bee spoken without vse and profit: this let vs learne, that such, either Ministers or other as giue ouer themselues, and let the bridle loose to excesse in eating, drinking, sleeping, playing, idlenesse, ease, and such like, and get fat that way, may little reioyce in it, and shall wish that they had by labour in their callings, and other good meanes, taken themselues downe, as Paul chastized his body, or at least haue good testimony that they haue not growne to that point through their owne sinne;