Seven godly and learned sermons preachedSeuen godly and learned sermons preached

I. Corinth. 4. vers. 1. 2. 1. Let every man esteem us, even for the Ministers and Stewards of the secrets of God. 2. Now is there no more required of the Stewards, but that they be found faithful.

I. Corinth. 4. vers. 1. 2. 1. Let euery man esteeme vs, euen for the Ministers and Stewards of the secrets of God. 2. Now is there no more required of the Stewards, but that they bee found faithfull.

Dearly beloved in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, The people of the city of Corinth, to whom S. Paul wrote this Epistle or letter, were at great strife, contention, and variance among themselves, as touching the Preachers of Christs ⟨image 5⟩Gospel, and Ministers dwelling among them. For, whereas God had sent them store of Preachers, as Peter, Paul, Apollo, Cephas, and such other, which were notable in the ministry of God; they of these great gifts and benefits of God, took occasion of strife, took (I say) occasion of great contention and debate among themselves. For whosoever liked Peter best, would say, I hold of Peter; whosoever thought Pauls Doctrine better than Peters, would say, I stand of Pauls side; whosoever again thought that Apollo excelled the rest, would say, I hold with Apollo. And thus of their own fancies, they took occasion of strife, & found fault with the preaching of Christs Gospel. As for Peter, as for Paul, as for Apollo, they all preached one thing, they taught one Doctrine, there was no strife, no debate, no dissension among them. Yet notwithstanding, though the Schoolmasters agreed, the Disciples and Scholars could not be at one: though they all preached one and the same Doctrine, ⟨image 5⟩yet could not the people fancy their Preachers alike. And therefore Paul concluded before, and said; Let no man rejoice in men, for all is yours, whether it be Paul, or Apollo, whether it be Cephas or the world, all is yours. And hereupon followed these words of his, that you heard read unto you. As for us (saith Saint Paul) esteem us as the Ministers of Christ: whatsoever they be that Preach unto you the Gospel of GOD, regard them as the Stewards of the secrets of God.