A10933:75
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.
But I cannot tell how it cometh to pass, that one man is a wolf and lion to another, (yea, even such as dwell together nearer then in one town,) by his Nabal-like churlishness, and blockish, if not mischievous, behaviour: who when they should also the more nearly be linked together, do thereby take occasion to be sooner weary one of another; to contend also, and fall out for small trifles, as there shall not want matter sundry ways, if men be not careful to prevent the same. Wherein yet this is worse; that such as are ever at jar with one or other that dwell near them, or with them, do cover their sin by answering, they agree well enough with others who are far from them. Whereas it were monstrous if we deserved bad report among them who know us not. For who seeth not that it is an easy matter to be at peace with strangers, with whom a man hath no dealings, neither cometh oft in their company? But the Apostle teacheth, that we should fetch testimony of our Christian behaviour and good conscience, not so much from them that are a far off, where we seldom come; but from them especially, with whom we dwell and converse usually and deal: for thus he saith to the Corinthians amongst whom he had lived; This is our rejoicing, 1the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly pureness we have had our conversation in the world, and most of all toward you.
But I cannot tell how it commeth to passe, that one man is a wolfe and lion to another, (yea, euen such as dwell together neerer then in one towne,) by his Nabal-like churlishnes, and blockish, if not mischieuous, behauiour: who when they should also the more neerely be linked together, doe thereby take occasion to be sooner wearie one of another; to contend also, and fall out for small trifles, as there shal not want matter sundrie waies, if men be not carefull to preuent the same. Wherein yet this is worse; that such as are euer at iarre with one or other that dwell neere them, or with them, doe couer their sinne by answering, they agree well enough with others who are farre from them. Whereas it were monstrous if we deserued bad report among them who know vs not. For who seeth not that it is an easie matter to bee at peace with strangers, with whom a man hath no dealings, neither commeth oft in their company? But the Apostle teacheth, that we should fetch testimonie of our Christian behauiour and good conscience, not so much from them that are a farre off, where weseldome come; but from them especially, with whom wee dwell and conuerse vsually and deale: for thus he saith to the Corinthians amongst whom he had liued; This is our reioycing,