A04472:149
An expositio[n] upon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…An expositio[n] vpon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…
An expositio[n] upon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians by the reverend Father John Jewel ... ; whereunto is adjoined a very necessary table of the principal matters contained in this exposition.An expositio[n] vpon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians by the reuerend Father Iohn Ievvel ... ; vvhereunto is adioined a very necessarie table of the principal matters contained in this exposition.
London: printed by Ralfe Newberie, 1584
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.
As the Ministers duty is to teach the word of God, and divide it aright, without deceit or guile: so ought the people to receive ⟨p. 70⟩it with reverence, and to give obedience unto it. But herein have we not power of our selves, our readiness cometh of God, un, less it please God to work within us, and to remove the veil, and to mollify our hearts, whatsoever we hear, it moveth us not, it helpeth not our unbelief, it bringeth us not to the obedience of Christ.
As the Ministers duetie is to teach the word of God, and diuide it aright, without deceit or guile: so ought the people to receiue ⟨p. 70⟩it with reuerence, and to giue obedience vnto it. But herein haue wée not power of our selues, our readinesse commeth of God, vn, lesse it please God to worke within vs, and to remooue the vaile, and to mollifie our hearts, whatsoeuer wée heare, it mooueth vs not, it helpeth not our vnbeliefe, it bringeth vs not to the obedience of Christ.
If an earthly Prince speak, or send message unto us, we give all show of reverence, and hear him with all diligence. This word is not of flesh and blood, it proceedeth not from Kings or Emperors, or from parliament, or from councils of men: but from GOD the father and from Jesus Christ. When this word is read, Princes and Emperors stand up, and lay down their sword, and uncover their head, and bow their body, and do reverence, because they know it is the word of GOD, which God himself uttered, that it should be as the dew of heaven to moisten our souls, as a well of water springing up to everlasting life: as a savour of life unto life: and the very power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. Without this word we can receive no comfort, we can not see the light, nor grow in saith, nor abide in the Church of God. It is the word of reconciliation. By it God maketh ⟨p. 71⟩atonement between himself, and the sons of men.