Seven godly and learned sermons preachedSeuen godly and learned sermons preached

But what kind of servant is this Preacher, what manner of Minister is he? Saint Paul saith, He is the Steward and Dispenser of Gods secrets, he setteth forth, and showeth abroad the mysteries of his holy Gospel. And these mysteries that S. Paul here meaneth, (to conclude in one word) are none other than the Articles of our Faith: That Christ is the Son of God, conceived by the holy Ghost, borne of the virgin Mary; that he was crucified, dead, buried, descended into Hell, rose again, and sitteth at the right hand of his Father; that by his blood, our sins ⟨image 9⟩were washed away; that our bodies shall at the last day arise, and we possess eternal life. These be the secrets, these be the mysteries, that the Ministers of Christ, the servants and Stewards of God, do utter and declare to Gods people: no wisdom of man is able to compass this, no learning of this world able of it self to expound these hidden secrets. For saith Saint Paul, Animalis homo non percipit ea quae sunt ex Deo. ¹The naturall man perceiveth nothing of the spirit of God, he understandeth not such things as are of God. It is foolishness unto him, and he can not perceive it, for it must be spiritually discerned.² Christ himselfe also, Non ex hominibus, nequè ex voluntate carnis, sed ex voluntate Dei, they which are Gods children, and able to understand his mysteries, are such which are not borne of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. When Christ had asked of Peter what he thought of him, and Peter had said,³ Tues Christus, filius Dei ⟨image 9⟩vivi, Thou art Christ the Son of the living God: He answered, O happy art thou Simon the Son of Jonah, for flesh and blood hath not opened that unto thee, but my Father that is in Heaven. These mysteries therefore are only opened by the spirit of God, by Gods only working, not by any wisdom of man, not by any cunning and great learning of this world. Now therefore, saith Saint Paul, think thus of us, judge us to be the Ministers and servants of God, and mark well whether we reveal unto you Gods mysteries, and his holy Gospel; Consider with your selves, and see whether we open unto you Gods hidden Secrets: By this shall you know, whether we be the servants and dispensers of Gods mysteries.