A10933:1308
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.
So that this example layeth out a boaster in his colours; noting him to be one, who out of his vainglorious and frothy humour, undertakes great matters, but performs nothing less, and therefore in stead of honour purchaseth ⟨p. 484⟩himself shame by his folly. Commonly the boaster is no body in the trial: like unto a torrent or standing water, which in winter swelleth and 1runneth a main, when there is no use of it; but in summer and droughts, when it should cool and refresh, that is, when it should stand any man in stead, it faileth and is dry. The impotent nature of man boasteth of all the gifts of God, inward and outward, interuerting and holding back thanks from God, by presumptuous bragging of it self: but for the most part, these gifts are rather supposed to be, then be indeed in the boaster: and therefore when the trial comes, the Thraso or bragger is ridiculous to the beholders. Amaziah boasted of his valour greatly, and provoked Jehoash without cause, when he needed not: but he sped thereafter, and was sore foiled. So the late miscreants, I mean the powder-traitors, how boasted they of their device, when it was almost at the upshot? God and man (say they in that letter of theirs) have decreed the overthrow of these English heretics, &c. But God had decreed the contrary, and turned their boasting into shame, even when they looked for a perpetual destruction, upon the upholders and embracers of the Gospel, and the overthrow of the Gospel it self. So did Goliath challenge David, by words to this effect; I will chop thee as small as herbs to the pot, (as the common phrase of the swaggerer is) but he was 2chopped himself head from body, with his own sword. The Pharisee boasted of his righteousness, liberality, devotion, thus: I thank thee Lord, I am 3not as this Publican, &c. but the Publican went away more justified. The worldling in James, boasteth of to morrow: To morrow (saith he) we will go to such a place, and make such a gain, &c. But the Lord was forgotten, 4and therefore they thrived as Jehoshaphats ships that went to Ophir for gold,