of all people, separated from the nations round about them, and despised by them: that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? that they, who were a poor people, some years ago brought out of Egyptian bondage, should now be possessed of such an affluence, and have such a generous heart and liberal spirit given them, as to contribute in so large and liberal a manner as they had done; all was owing to the goodness of God to them, and the efficacy of his grace upon them: for all things come of thee; all good things, temporal and spiritual; the Lord is the fountain of goodness, and Father of mercies: and of thine own have we given thee; for there is nothing a man has but he has received from the Lord, and therefore can give nothing to him but his own, see Rom 11:35 .