A10933:1379
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 61 › Chapter 10 › Part 1: The first 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.
This the holy Ghost expresseth lively in Pharaoh, Rom. 9. But the last and most special kind of raising is, when beside common gifts, the Lord raiseth a man, as well up to the life of grace and holiness, as enhanceth him in the world, adorning him with more rare gifts, as meekness, wisdom, faith, holy courage, zeal, and the fruits of true love to his Church and Gods glory. And these only may be said most properly to have been raised by God, and neither by men, nor themselves, and therefore to be Gods favourites indeed. There are many that rise in the world, who grow further from goodness: I speak of such as are apparently raised, and some of them from the dunghill to honour, learning, wealth; but they were in more hope to Godward when they were lowest in the world: since, they waxed proud, idle, scornful, their hearts rising against God and his servants; and to evil ends abusing the steps and degrees of honour and estate, by which God hath raised them, thereby provoking the Lord to pull them down to their former ebb, even the lowest stair of shame. According to that of Samuel to Eli uttered from God; Those that despise me, I will set nought 1by, but honour them that honour me. This rule will not be unmeet to try our rising by, for even Heathens saw somewhat, when they could say; No good man waxeth suddenly rich. And as torrents, and standing waters bewray some sudden and great tempests and rain more then usual: so mens sudden risings bewray the immoderateness of their affections, exceeding the measure of justice and religion. And let this serve to quiet them whom God lifteth not up to great place, if he have raised them up with his Christ from death to the life of grace, and quickened them by faith to the lively hope of glory.
This the holy Ghost expresseth liuely in Pharaoh, Rom. 9. But the last and most speciall kinde of raising is, when beside common gifts, the Lord raiseth a man, as well vp to the life of grace and holinesse, as inhaunseth him in the world, adorning him with more rare gifts, as meekenesse, wisedome, faith, holy courage, zeale, and the fruites of true loue to his Church and Gods glorie. And these onely may be said most properly to haue been raised by God, and neither by men, nor themselues, and therefore to be Gods fauourites indeede. There are many that rise in the world, who grow further from goodnesse: I speake of such as are apparantly raised, and some of them from the dunghill to honour, learning, wealth; but they were in more hope to Godward when they were lowest in the world: since, they waxed proud, idle, scornefull, their hearts rising against God and his seruants; and to euill ends abusing the steps and degrees of honour and estate, by which God hath raised them, thereby prouoking the Lord to pull them downe to their former ebbe, euen the lowest staier of shame. According to that of Samuel to Eli vttered from God; Those that despise me, I will set nought