Seven godly and learned sermons preachedSeuen godly and learned sermons preached

But like as in S. Pauls time, there was dissension, strife, & great debate, even amongst the Christians, and such as professed the name of God: So likewise in our days, (good Brethren) even in the time that we our selves ⟨image 10⟩have seen, there hath been discord and parts-taking among us. Some have said, I will believe the old learning: some again have said, I will believe the new: some have said I will credit this man: some I will believe that man. And thus the father hath fallen out with the son, the Mother with the daughter, the brother with his brother, and one neighbour with another; each man defending that part, which he himself best liked. But alas, (good Brethren) this is no new thing, this hath been from the beginning, and even in Christs time. For at what time Christ himself walked here on this earth, & began to preach the glory of his father, some said he was a good man,¹ some other said no, some said he was a Prophet, some other said he was none, but one that deceived the people, some rejoiced that it pleased God to send such a Preacher as Christ was, some again despised his doctrine, and said,² he had a devil. These words the people then spake of Christ, these words, I say, they spake of Christ himself. ⟨image 10⟩He was called a Samaritan, ³a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners, a seducer of the people. Therefore, it is the less marvel if such words be now at these days spoken, as were spoken in the beginning of the Church; if such words be spoken against us, as were spoken against Christ himself. But S. Paul hath here given us a rule, whereby to know the true servants of Christ, and Stewards of Gods secrets. Christ was the true Prophet, and why so? because he preached his fathers will.⁴ What ever I have heard of my Father, saith Christ, the same have I declared unto you. Saint Paul was the true servant of Christ, and steward of his secrets, and why so? because he laboured in Gods vineyard, he preached, he taught, more than all the rest of the Apostles of Christ did, Laboravi plus quàm, caeteri omnes.