In which words, observe an admirable plainness, and an admirable powerfulness: (which a man would think could not so well stand together.) First plainness, for whereas the unlearned man perceiveth ⟨image 12⟩his faults discovered, it followeth necessarily he must needs understand, and if an unlearned man understand it, then consequently it must needs be plain: Secondly powerfulness, in that his conscience is so convinced, his secret faults so disclosed, & his very hart so ripped up: that he saith, certainly God speaks in this man. This is the evidence and demonstration of Gods spirit: It is thought good commendation before the world, when men say of a Preacher, surely this man hath shown himself a proper scholar, of good learning▪ great reading, strong memory, and good delivery, and so it is and such commendation (if just) is not to be: contemned: but that that commends a man to the Lord his God, & to his own conscience, is when he preacheth so plainly to the capacity, and so powerfully to the conscience of a wicked man, as that he thinks doubtless God is within him. Art thou therefore an Angel of God, then magnify the spirit of God, and not thy self in thy preaching of his word. The next use is for the hearers,1 and they are here taught, that if their Ministers be ⟨image 13⟩Angels sent them from God, then are they to hear them, gladly, willingly, reverently, and obediently: gladly and willingly, because they are Ambassadors, reverently and obediently, because they are sent from the high God the King of Kings, and do deliver his embassage. God saith, the people must seek the law• at his mo•th:2 and good reason, for if the law be the revealed will of God, and the Minister the Angel of God, then where should they seek the will of God, but a• the mouth of his Angel? The reason therefore followeth well in that place • they should seek• the law at his mouth, for he i• the messenger of the Lord of hosts and this ••st all christians do, not only if their doctrine be pleasing unto them, but though it cross their corruptions, and be quite contrary •o their dispositions, yea though it be never so unsavoury and h•rde unto nature, yet in as much […] message from thy God and King, and •he •eather the Angel or messenger of that God: therefore both he and it must be received with all reverence, & with the very obedience of the hart and soul.
In which words, obserue an admirable plainnes, and an admirable powerfulnesse: (which a man would thinke could not so well stand together.) First plainnesse, for whereas the vnlearned man perceiueth ⟨image 12⟩his faults discouered, it followeth necessarily he must needes vnderstand, and if an vnlearned man vnderstand it, then consequently it must needes be plaine: Secondly powerfulnes, in that his conscience is so conu•nced, his secret falts so disclosed, & his very hart so ript vp: that he saith, certainly God speakes in this man. This is the euidence and demonstration of Gods spirit: It is thought good commendation before the world, when men say of a Preacher, surely this man hath showne himselfe a proper scholler, of good learning▪ great reading, strong memory, and good deliuery, and so it is and such commendation (if iust) is not to be: contemned: but that that cōmends a man to the Lord his God, & to his owne cōscience, is when he preacheth so plainly to the capacitie, and so powerfully to the conscience of a wicked man, as that hee thinkes doubtlesse God is within him. Art thou therefore an Angell of God, then magnifie the spirit of God, and not thy selfe in thy preaching of his word. The next vse is for the hearers,1 and they are heere taught, that if their Ministers be ⟨image 13⟩Angels sent them from God, then are they to heare them, gladly, willingly, reuerently, and obediently: gladly and willingly, because they are Ambassad•rs, reuerently and obediently, because they are sent from the high God the King of Kings, and doe deliuer his embassage. God saith, the people must seeke the law• at his mo•th:2 and good reason, for if the lawe be the reuealed will of God, and the Minister the Angell of God, then where should they seeke the will of God, but a• the mouth of his Angell? The reason therefore followeth well in that place • they should seek• the lawe at his mouth, for he i• the messenger of the Lord of hosts and this ••st all christians doe, not onely if their doctrine be pleasing vnto them, but though it crosse their corruptions, and bee quite contrary o their dispositions, yea though it bee neuer so vnsauorie and hrde vnto nature, yet in as much message from thy God and King, and he eather the Angell or messenger of that God: therefore both he and it must be receaued with al reuerence, & with the very obedience of the hart and soule.
- 1The use for hearers.The vse for hearers.
- 2Malach, 2, 7.
