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…

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.

This dealing of the Lord for this end with his holy Prophets, teacheth vs that the ordinarie ministers of the Gospell at this day ought to imploy themselues with all care and diligence, that they may throughly vnderstand the will of God in his word, and withall beleeue it soundly, and remember it carefully. We must not now looke for traunces and visions, as they had, but we must vse continuall study in the word, which is the ordinarie meanes to come vnto this knowledge. This dutie concerneth all students in diuinitie, and all others which desire a good vnderstanding in the word of God. And for their furtherance herein they must haue principall care to search into the text of Scripture throughly: thereby shall they best conceiue the proper meaning of the holy ghost, and with greater facilitie keepe the same in memorie. For one sayth truly, That euery good minister should bee a good text man. Whereby is descried a common fault of many students: who rather imploy themselues in the auncient writings of men, than in the word of God: nay, many spend their best time in the base writings of wicked & hereticall monks and friers. It cannot be denied, but many of the fathers were worthie members of Gods church: but if the fountaine be left, the ministerie will soone bee tainted with the filthie puddles of mens inuentions.