A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

Secondly and chiefly, that the things revealed might take the deeper impression in the understanding: for the mind being freed from fellowship with the body, and not hindered by any phantasies of the senses (they being all asleep, and quiet) doth then most lively and sensibly apprehend and retain the impression of things revealed. Here then we see the great care of God, that his servants might throughly understand, certainly believe, and constantly keep in memory the things he delivered unto them. The like care he showed in revealing his will to all his former Prophets, he would not have their minds troubled with the fellowship of the body; nor hindered of the senses inward or outward, but wholly taken up for the service of his spirit. And there is good reason of this: for if they must faithfully teach Gods will to others, to make them know and understand, to believe & remember the same: is it not necessary that they themselves should throughly understand, soundly believe, and firmly keep in memory whatsoever God revealeth?

Secondly and chiefely, that the things reuealed might take the deeper impression in the vnderstanding: for the mind being freed from fellowship with the body, and not hindered by any phantasies of the sences (they being all asleepe, and quiet) doth then most liuely and sensibly apprehend and retaine the impression of things reuealed. Here then we see the great care of God, that his seruants might throughly vnderstand, certainely beleeue, and constantly keepe in memorie the things hee deliuered vnto them. The like care he shewed in reuealing his will to all his former Prophets, he would not haue their minds troubled with the fellowship of the body; nor hindered of the sences inward or outward, but wholly taken vp for the seruice of his spirit. And there is good reason of this: for if they must faithfully teach Gods will to others, to make them know and vnderstand, to beleeue & remember the same: is it not necessarie that they themselues should throughly vnderstand, soundly beleeue, and firmely keepe in memorie whatsoeuer God reuealeth?

This dealing of the Lord for this end with his holy Prophets, teacheth us that the ordinary ministers of the Gospel at this day ought to employ themselves with all care and diligence, that they may throughly understand the will of God in his word, and withal believe it soundly, and remember it carefully. We must not now look for trances and visions, as they had, but we must use continual study in the word, which is the ordinary means to come unto this knowledge. This duty concerneth all students in divinity, and all others which desire a good understanding in the word of God. And for their furtherance herein they must have principal care to search into the text of Scripture throughly: thereby shall they best conceive the proper meaning of the holy ghost, and with greater facility keep the same in memory. For one saith truly, That every good minister should be a good text man. Whereby is descried a common fault of many students: who rather employ themselves in the ancient writings of men, than in the word of God: nay, many spend their best time in the base writings of wicked & heretical monks and friars. It cannot be denied, but many of the fathers were worthy members of Gods church: but if the fountain be left, the ministry will soon be tainted with the filthy puddles of mens inventions.