A04472:404
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.
But, despise not prophesying. That is, despise not to hear the word of GOD: turns not away thine ear from understanding. God giveth power to his word, that it may work according to his good pleasure. It will let thee see the weakness of thine error, and settle thee in the way wherein thou shouldest walk. If it had been dangerous for the people to hear the preaching of the Gospel, he would not have sent his Apostles into all the world. If Lidia should not have liked to hear Paul prophesy, how might she have known GOD? If those great numbers, which heard Peter, and were converted, had despised prophesying, and would not have heard him open the G•pell unto them, they had never considered the great mercy of GOD, nor sought to be instructed in their salvation. Faith cometh by hearing. This hath been the means by which Christ hath given knowledge to Kings, & Princes, and all nations. It hath pleased God, saith Saint Paul, 1by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Despise not then to come to the Church of God, to pray in the congregation of the faithful, to hear the Scriptures of God read and expounded, it is the blessing of God offered unto thee. Where there is no prophecy, the people perisheth. He that despiseth it, ⟨p. 211⟩shall be despised of the Lord: he shall be cast into darkness, because he would not delight in the light.
But, despise not prophecying. That is, despise not to heare the word of GOD: turns not awaie thine eare from vnderstanding. God giueth power to his word, that it may worke according to his good pleasure. It will let thée sée the weakenesse of thine errour, and settle thée in the waie wherein thou shouldest walke. If it had béene dangerous for the people to heare the preaching of the Gospell, hée would not haue sent his Apostles into all the worlde. If Lidia shoulde not haue liked to heare Paule prophecie, howe might she haue knowne GOD? If those great numbers, which heard Peter, and were connerted, had despised prophecying, and woulde not haue heard him open the G•pell vnto them, they had neuer considered the great mercie of GOD, nor sought to be instructed in their saluation. Faith commeth by hearing. This hath béene the meanes by which Christ hath giuen knowledge to Kings, & Princes, and al nations. It hath pleased God, saith Saint Paul,