A10933:1248
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 57 › Chapter 9 › Part 2: 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.
and if thou wert an Olive, a Vine, or Fig-tree, (though not so fruitful) there were help for thee, by cutting, digging, compassing, removing; but being a Bramble, who shall make thee fruitful? Is it because there is no Olive in the forrest, that thou exaltest thy self? who neither hast oil of understanding, nor oil of grace (much less thy vessel full thereof) that of thy abundance others may be refreshed? Yea, who if thou haddest thy due, and the Lords foresters, thou shouldest not (I say not) have place above the other trees, but not be allowed to stand among them at all. But I contain my self.
and if thou wert an Oliue, a Vine, or Figge-tree, (though not so fruitfull) there were helpe for thee, by cutting, digging, compassing, remoouing; but being a Bramble, who shall make thee fruitfull? Is it because there is no Oliue in the forrest, that thou exaltest thy selfe? who neither hast oyle of vnderstanding, nor oyle of grace (much lesse thy vessell full thereof) that of thy abundance others may be refreshed? Yea, who if thou haddest thy due, and the Lords forresters, thou shouldest not (I say not) haue place aboue the other trees, but not be allowed to stand among them at all. But I conteine my selfe.
In this part following of the parable, Jotham denounceth against the men 1of Shechem and Abimelech, saying: If ye have done well, in that ye have done, rejoice: else your joy shall God break off: Let us by this see, that all rejoice in their doings, according to that they are, whether they be good or bad: but let us be persuaded, that to be the durable and sound joy, which God alloweth, nay commandeth us in all our doings, (as we see Deut. 28. 2and elsewhere) to wit, that which cometh from well doing, and a good conscience. But all other joy is either wicked, as Hamans, Adonijas and Absaloms: 3