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. 5I have laboured more than all the rest of the Apostles have done. Therefore was he the true and faithful minister of Gods mysteries, because he thus diligently always taught Gods Gospel, and the ⟨image 11⟩glory of his name: for this cause I say, and none other, was he the Steward and dispenser of Gods secrets.
But like as in S. Pauls time, there was dissention, strife, & great debate, euen amongst the Christians, and such as professed the name of God: So likewise in our dayes, (good Bretheren) euen in the time that wée our selues ⟨image 10⟩haue séene, there hath béen discord and parts-taking among vs. Some haue said, I will beléeue the old learning: some againe haue said, I will beléeue the new: some haue said I will credit this man: some I will beléeue that man. And thus the father hath fallen out with the sonne, the Mother with the daughter, the brother with his brother, and one neighbor with another; ech man defending that part, which he himselfe best liked. But alas, (good Bretheren) this is no new thing, this hath béen from the beginning, and euen in Christes time. For at what time Christ himselfe 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 deceiued the people, some reioyced that it pleased God to send such a Preacher as Christ was, some againe despised his doctrine, and said,2 he had a deuill. These words the people then spake of Christ, these words, I say, they spake of Christ himselfe. ⟨image 10⟩He was called a Samaritane, 3a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners, a seducer of the people. Therefore, it is the lesse maruaile if such words be now at these dayes spoken, as were spoken in the beginning of the Church; if such words be spoken against vs, as were spoken against Christ himselfe. But S. Paul hath here giuen vs a rule, whereby to know the true seruants of Christ, and Stewards of Gods secrets. Christ was the true Prophet, and why so? because he preached his fathers will.4 What euer I haue heard of my Father, saith Christ, the same haue I declared vnto you. Saint Paul was the true seruant of Christ, and steward of his secrets, and why so? because he labored in Gods vineyard, he preached, he taught, more than all the rest of the Apostles of Christ did, Laboraui plus quàm, caeteri omnes. 5I haue labored more than all the rest of the Apostles haue done. Therefore was he the true and faithful minister of Gods mysteries, because he thus diligently alwaies taught Gods Gospell, and the
- 1Joh. 7. Luk. 7.Ioh. 7. Luk. 7.
- 2Joh. 7.Ioh. 7.
- 3Luk. 7.
- 4Joh. 15.Ioh. 15.
- 51. Cor. 15.
