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…

Now Debora passeth from these whom she commended, and turneth to the other whom she discommendeth, in these verses. Whereby we may see ¹how great the reproach of them is, who do not help in Gods house, to set forward his work, and to join with his servants therein. For such do not only discourage their brethren, and let the work lie raw and unperfect; but they flesh their adversaries, and God knoweth whether they would not also turn on their sides, if they should be tried. Wherein it is not amiss to observe the plain dealing of the holy Ghost in this narration: for as he ingenuously yieldeth testimony of praise to the well deserving: so he concealeth not the shame of the careless and slothful, but rebukes them without respect of persons. Which dealing, as it showeth what course he will take in that solemn day, wherein he will judge the world with equity: so it should drive all fools out of these conceits, whereby they beguile themselves saying; rush, God will do neither good nor evil; and that he will not smite them, but they shall escape better then others, &c. which was the error of them who (till they found the contrary) would never be persuaded but their estate was good, saying, Lord, Lord, &c. as though thereby they should have entered into his kingdom. And as this is true in the general, so is it in particulars, both bodily and spiritual. For though in the corrupt practise of this wicked world, we see every one is for himself, as the proverb speaketh; posting off the regard of the needy to others: yet if we enter into the Lords sanctuary, and look what is required by his word, we shall find it odious, unnatural, and highly displeasing in the sight of God, that there is not compassion in one to another, and care in one over another, as equity and band of duty requireth; that as they should warm the hearts of their brethren with relieving them readily in their bodily necessities and dangers; so should they comfort their souls likewise with holy instruction and spiritual refreshing, as by good occasion and opportunity they may. And as these should have done it in war, so ought we as well in peace. This duty owe superiors, either in nature, age, place or gifts, to the inferiors, to back, encourage and instruct them:

Now Debora passeth from these whom she commended, and turneth to the other whom she discommendeth, in these verses. Whereby we may see ¹how great the reproch of thē is, who do not helpe in Gods house, to set forward his worke, and to ioyne with his seruants therein. For such do not only discourage their brethren, and let the worke lie raw and vnperfect; but they flesh their aduersaries, and God knoweth whether they would not also turne on their sides, if they should be tryed. Wherein it is not amisse to obserue the plaine dealing of the holy Ghost in this narration: for as he ingenuously yeeldeth testimony of praise to the well deseruing: so hee conceileth not the shame of the carelesse and slothfull, but rebukes them without respect of persons. Which dealing, as it sheweth what course he will take in that solemne day, wherin he will iudge the world with equity: so it should driue all fooles out of these conceits, whereby they beguile themselues saying; rush, God will doe neither good nor euill; and that hee will not smite them, but they shall escape better then others, &c. which was the errour of them who (till they found the contrary) would neuer be perswaded but their estate was good, saying, Lord, Lord, &c. as though thereby they should haue entred into his kingdome. And as this is true in the generall, so is it in particulars, both bodily and spirituall. For though in the corrupt practise of this wicked world, we see euery one is for himselfe, as the prouerbe speaketh; posting off the regard of the needy to others: yet if we enter into the Lords sanctuary, and looke what is required by his word, wee shall finde it odious, vnnaturall, and highly displeasing in the sight of God, that there is not compassion in one to another, and care in one ouer another, as equity and band of duty requireth; that as they should warme the hearts of their brethren with relieuing them readily in their bodily necessities and dangers; so should they comfort their soules likewise with holy instruction and spirituall refreshing, as by good occasion and opportunity they may. And as these should haue done it in warre, so ought we as well in peace. This dutie owe superiours, either in nature, age, place or gifts, to the inferiours, to backe, encourage and instruct them: