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…

It is Gods ordinance, that these Sermons of Christ, of the Prophets, and Apostles, should be again handled, preached, and expounded in his church: and therefore every man is bound in conscience to come into the congregations, & there to hear with reverence Gods holy word. Others will not come to the church, for (they thank God) they can serve God with as good a heart on horse-back, or on their journeys, as those that come unto the sermons. Answ. These persons are blind and ignorant, a seduced heart beguileth them, and therefore they despise the ordinance of God: but let them hear what Solomon saith▪ ^(c)He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, that is, the doctrine of God: even his prayer shall be abominable. God speaketh unto us in the ministry of his word, and if we refuse to hear him there, shall we think he will hear us when we pray? Know therefore, if thou refuse his word, he will refuse thy prayers: neither indeed can any without the word pray aright. Such people deceive themselves, their prayers in their needless journeys shall be their judges to condemn them: for therein they confess God is to be worshipped, and yet in practise they reject his direction for the same. Lastly, others say ⟨p. 128⟩they have knowledge enough, the ministers can teach them no more than they know: and therefore they need not go hear so much preaching. Answ. These that pretend such perfect knowledge, are commonly the most ignorant, not knowing the end of this ordinance of God: for preaching serveth not only to teach men to know God and his will; but also to increase in knowledge, and to yield obedience to that which they know. If therefore thou hast knowledge, it is well; but that is not enough, if thou wouldest be blessed thou must do that which thou knowest, John. 13.17. And for this cause the most learned man that is, must still frequent the hearing of Sermons, to further himself in obedience: because a man may know much and yet want conscience to obey.

It is Gods ordinance, that these Sermons of Christ, of the Prophets, and Apostles, should be againe handled, preached, and expounded in his church: and therefore euerie man is bound in conscience to come into the congregations, & there to heare with reuerēce Gods holy word. Others will not come to the church, for (they thanke God) they can serue God with as good a heart on horse-backe, or on their iourneys, as those that come vnto the sermons. Answ. These persons are blind and ignorant, a seduced heart beguileth them, and therefore they despise the ordināce of God: but let them heare what Salomon saith