A10933:427
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.
And this clearly teacheth us, that all gifts of the spirit, and all excellent 1effects thereof, they are none of ours, they are the Lords, he giveth and distributeth them at his pleasure, as we see here, that it was the spirit of the Lord that came upon Othniel, whereby he brought to pass the great things that he did. And whatsoever is of any note in man for price and excellency, it is all of God, and cometh from his mere bounty. Alas there is no bird stripped 2of her feathers more bare and naked, then man in himself, is void of goodness: for what hath he that he hath not received? Insomuch as all 3that he hath to glory of is his sin. A most holy and approved truth, which giveth God his due, and layeth out man in his colours, that he is nothing else, if her rob not God of his honour, and prank not up himself in his gifts, he is nothing else (I say) but naked, poor, and a mirror of misery. Saul the King of Israel, when he wrought so great a deliverance for Israel against the Ammonites: Moses and Joshua in the mighty prevailing for them against the Heathen nations, and that in spite of all their teeth, who were the ⟨p. 153⟩proudest of them; yea and Solomon in all his royalties, what had they to commend & set out themselves withal, but the gifts which God furnished them with? How do numbers jet up and down, vaunting themselves, who having some gifts given them of God, but to a far other end then they use them for, namely to honour him, and not themselves; do never think of any such matter, but dare more boldly sin against him, then otherwise they durst do, and all because he hath bestowed some gifts upon them, as personage, beauty, strength, wealth; even as one should strip a poor body out of his rags, and put costly and comely apparel upon him.
And this cleerely teacheth vs, that all gifts of the spirit, and all excellent 1effects therof, they are none of ours, they are the Lords, he giueth and distributeth them at his pleasure, as we see heere, that it was the spirit of the Lord that came vpon Othniel, whereby hee brought to passe the great things that he did. And whatsoeuer is of any note in man for price and exceliency, it is all of God, and commeth from his meere bounty. Alas there is no bird stripped