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…

Again, consider in what regard John is here called the servant of Christ: not only for that he believed in Christ, and obeyed his will as all true christians do; but more specially because he was an Apostle, and did service unto Christ in the work of his ministry, which was his particular calling. So Paul writing to the Romans, calleth himself an apostle, & servant of Christ: Cap. 1.1. And he rendereth a reason thereof vers. 9. Because he did service unto him in preaching the Gospel. Hence we are taught that we must not only show our selves Christs servants in our general calling of christianity: but especially in our particular callings and offices, after the example of Christs blessed Apostles. It is a good thing to profess service unto Christ, by hearing his word, receiving his sacraments, and keeping his Sabbaths: but unless therewithal we show the power of godliness in our particular callings, our outward profession is flat hypocrisy. This, magistrates, ministers, husband, wife, parents, children, masters, servants, buyer, seller, and every one in his lawful calling should carefully observe: for unless in the particular duties of their special callings (as the magistrate in the duties of a magistrate, &c.) they do service unto ⟨p. 8⟩Christ, their public service in the outward duties of religion shall never commend them unto God, be it never so glorious, Micah, 6.6, 7, 8.

Againe, consider in what regard Iohn is here called the seruant of Christ: not onely for that he beleeued in Christ, and obeyed his will as all true christians do; but more specially because hee was an Apostle, and did seruice vnto Christ in the worke of his ministerie, which was his particular calling. So Paul writing to the Romans, calleth himselfe an appostle, & seruant of Christ: Cap. 1.1. And he rendreth a reason thereof vers. 9. Because hee did seruice vnto him in preaching the Gospell. Hence we are taught that we must not onely shewe our selues Christs seruants in our generall calling of christianitie: but especially in our particular callings and offices, after the example of Christs blessed Apostles. It is a good thing to professe seruice vnto Christ, by hearing his woord, receiuing his sacraments, and keeping his Saboathes: but vnlesse therewithall we shewe the power of godlinesse in our particular callings, our outward profession is flat hypocrisie. This, magistrats, ministers, husband, wife, parents, children, maisters, seruants, buyer, seller, and euerie one in his lawfull calling should carefully obserue: for vnlesse in the particular duties of their speciall callings (as the magistrat in the duties of a magistrat, &c.) they do seruice vnto