A10933:686
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 33 › Chapter 5 › Part 3: The second 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.
Thus she having mentioned them that helped in the battle, she turneth, by occasion of them, to those that did not help, beginning in this 15. verse with the tribe of Reuben. That tribe is reproved, for that it held back to the great grief of their brethren, from fighting among them, and for that they did not in so great danger come forth to help them. This tribe dwelt beyond Jordan in the fat pastures, and as it appeareth, for their too much minding, and care of their cattle, and their commodity thereby, they neglected the care of the Common-wealth. And in that it is said, that there were great thoughts of heart for the Reubenites dividing themselves from their brethren, whether the meaning of the words be, that these thoughts were great and lofty in them, that scorned to go at Deboras commandment, being but a woman; or whether they were thoughts of wondering and lamenting in their brethren, for that they came not as well as others, to help them in the battle; the repetition of the words doth give more warrant for to take them in this latter sense, as a lamentation: as if it should be said, Oh that Reuben should not come over Jordan to help as the most of the other tribes did: oh, it was wondered at, and much to be lamented. And besides, to charge that tribe to be proud and insolent, is more then we may or ought to do upon an uncertain ground, for it requireth good proof for the avouching of that.
Thus she hauing mentioned them that helped in the battell, she turneth, by occasion of them, to those that did not helpe, beginning in this 15. verse with the tribe of Ruben. That tribe is reproued, for that it held backe to the great griefe of their brethren, from fighting among them, and for that they did not in so great danger come foorth to helpe them. This tribe dwelt beyond Iorden in the fat pastures, and as it appeareth, for their too much minding, and care of their cattell, and their commoditie thereby, they neglected the care of the Common-wealth. And in that it is said, that there were great thoughts of heart for the Reubenites diuiding themselues from their brethren, whether the meaning of the words be, that these thoughts were great and loftie in them, that scorned to goe at Deboras commandement, being but a woman; or whether they were thoughts of wondring and lamenting in their brethren, for that they came not as well as others, to helpe them in the battell; the repetition of the words doth giue more warrant for to take them in this latter sense, as a lamentation: as if it should be said, Oh that Reuben should not come ouer Iorden to helpe as the most of the other tribes did: oh, it was wondred at, and much to be lamented. And besides, to charge that tribe to be proud and insolent, is more then wee may or ought to doe vpon an vncertaine ground, for it requireth good proofe for the auouching of that.