Now these high Ti•les and great works, evidently declaring the weight and worth of that Honourable Commission, are not either given or assigned, only in respect of public and ordinary duties, wherein by Divine ordinance they be made the mouth of God unto Man by preaching, 1and again of Man unto God by prayer. For these are determined upon certain times and places, when and where they are to be put in execution, according to the laudable Constitutions and Canons of particular Churches: ⟨image 122⟩But in a further regard, as they have received from God the Tongue of the Learned, and are endued with knowledge and ability, to inform the Consciences of men touching every action, whether personal appertaining to particular states, or relative employed in the worship of God, and practise of Christian virtues, A gift, as no less necessary, so of a far larger extent then the other, and consequently performable without limitation of time or place, in season, out of season, whensoever the mind requireth resolution in Case of doubt, or Comfort in distress. The light of this candle is therefore erected up on high, and set in open view, that it may communicate it self not to all in gross, but to every one in person. The Lords Interpreter in this sense, is to dispense his vvill in every place & 2time, to the poor widow of Sarep•a at her own home; to the Noble •uch of Ethiopia in his travel; to David, 3that he may be drawn to Confession of his sin; to Peter, for his restoring after his fall; to the weak, that they may be supported; to the strong, that they may stand; to th• Wavering mind for resolution; to the Troubled soul for comfort and relief.
Novv these high Ti•les and greatvvorkes, euidently declaring the vveight and vvorth of that Honourable Commission, are not either giuen or assigned, onely in respect of publike and ordinarie duties, vvherein by Diuine ordinance they be made the mouth of God vnto Man by preaching, 1and againe of Man vnto God by prayer. For these are determined vpon certaine times and places, vvhen and vvhere they are to be put in execution, according to the laudable Constitutions and Canons of particular Churches: ⟨image 122⟩But in a further regard, as they haue receiued from God the Tongue of the Learned, and are indued vvith knovvledge and abilitie, to informe the Consciences of men touching euery action, vvhether personall appertaining to particular states, or relatiue emploied in the vvorshippe of God, and practise of Christian vertues, A gift, as no lesse necessarie, so of a farre larger extent then the other, and consequently performable vvithout limitation of time or place, in season, out of season, vvhensoeuer the minde requireth resolution in Case of doubt, or Comfort in distresse. The light of this candle is therefore erected vp on high, and set in open vi•vv, that it may communicate it selfe not to all in grosse, but to euery one in person. The Lords Interpreter in this sense, is to dispense his vvill in euery place & 2time, to the poore vvidovv of Sarep•a at her ovvne home; to the Noble •uch of Ethiopia in his trauell; to Dauid, 3that he may be dravvne to Confession of his sinne; to Peter, for his restoring after his fall; to the vveake, that they may be supported; to the strong, that they may stand; to th• VVauering minde for resolution; to the Troubled soule for comfort and releefe.
- 1Jerem. 15. 19. Nehem. 8. 7.Ierem. 15. 19. Nehem. 8. 7.
- 2Matth. 5. 15.
- 32. king. 17. 9. Act. 8. 30. 2. Sam. 12. Math. 26. 75.
