A10933:574
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 want of this godly agreement, and the contrary readiness in men to break out one against another, hath oft caused me to bewail, (for who seeth not great cause so to do) the boisterous and fierce contentions of many, and those not only of the common sort, who are for the most part rude and ignorant, but of them also who are to be counted brethren, and yet do so readily let loose their hearts to bitter contentions and rash judgings of their brethren, if they do not worse: and yet (which is greater madness) this is for a small cause (as if they do but dissent in opinion and judgement one from another in things indifferent, wherein both follow the light of their knowledge,) whereby they give too great testimony, that they little know themselves aright, and that they have full slightly searched into themselves, to see their many rank corruptions of self love, privy pride, frowardness, impatience, uncharitableness and such like, that swarm and bear sway in them; and that they bestow small cost upon themselves, nor time to find fault with their own doings, (to wit, how far they are off from the rule of charity,) that so they may become humble and peaceably minded toward others. Nay, (which is worse) they hold their unchristian conceits and judgings of their brethren, so strongly and wilfully, that they verify the proverb, making their bitter contentions with them like the bars of a palace, that cannot be broken: and like cities strong and well fenced, that cannot easily be beaten down. This is far from godly agreement, 1and consequently from that hearty loving together, which should be like a threefold cord, that is not easily broken, which our Saviour saith is a sure 2token that they in whom it is, are his very Disciples indeed. As for agreement in evil, such as theirs was in the Psalm, it is as hurtful and odious, as 3it is common: but though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not escape unpunished; 4and so I leave them, adding this; where there is no agreement in evil, there less is committed. And therefore we had need to pray the Lord ⟨p. 211⟩to send a spirit of division among such, as that was betwixt the Pharisees and Sadducees, that so much mischief may be prevented rather then stablished. And this of the preparation of that Debora and Barak made.