That common place of divinity, which concerneth the framing of Sermons, is both weighty and difficult, if there be any other throughout all that sacred science. For the matter, which it is to explicate and treat on, is Prophecy; an excellent gift indeed, whether we consider it in respect of dignity, or of use. The dignity thereof appeareth, in that like a Lady ⟨image 5⟩it is highly mounted and carried a loft in a Chariot: whereas all other gifts, both of tongues and arts, attend on this like handmaids a loof off. Answerable to this dignity there is also a two fold use: one, in that it serveth to collect the Church, and to accomplish the number of the Elect: the other, for that it driveth away the Wolves from the folds of the Lord. For this is indeed that Flexanima, that allurer of the Soul, whereby mens froward minds are mitigated and moved from an ungodly and barbarous life unto Christian faith and repentance. This also is that Engine, which as it hath shaken (the foundation of) ancient heresies, so it hath in these few by-past years, cut asunder the sinews of that great Antichrist. Wherefore if it be demanded which is the most excellent gift of all, doubtless the praise must be given to Prophesying. Now by how much the more excellent every thing ⟨image 5⟩is, by so much the more diligently it ought to be adorned with variety and plenty of precepts. Therefore, when I saw this common place so handled of many, as that it would remain naked and poor, if all other arts should call for those things, which are their own: I perused the writings of Divines, and having gathered some rules out of them, I have couched them in that method, which I have deemed most commodious: that they might be better for use, and fitter for the memory. I do also publish them, that they might be approved, if they bring with them that which is good: if any evil, that they may receive their deserved punishment. And whosoever thou art that pleasest to read them, where thou art persuaded of this order of Preaching, which here I handle, walk on with me: where thou standest at a stay, inquire with me: *where thou perceivest thine own errors, return to me: where thou ⟨image 6⟩seest mine, call me back to thee. For that, which now liketh me, shall dislike me, if it like not godly and moderate minded men.
THat common place of diuinitie, which concerneth the framing of Sermons, is both weightie and difficult, if there be any other throughout all that sacred science. For the matter, which it is to explicate and treate on, is Prophecie; an excellent gift indeede, whether we consider it in respect of dignitie, or of vse. The dignitie thereof appeareth, in that like a Ladie ⟨image 5⟩it is highly mounted and carried a loft in a Chariot: whereas all other gifts, both of tongues and arts, attend on this like handmaides a loofe off. Answerable to this dignitie there is also a two folde vse: one, in that it serueth to collect the Church, and to accomplish the number of the Elect: the other, for that it driueth away the Woolues from the foldes of the Lord. For this is indeede that Flexanima, that allurer of the Soule, whereby mens froward mindes are mitigated and moued from an vngodly and barbarous life vnto Christian faith and repentance. This also is that Engine, which as it hath shaken (the foundation of) auncient heresies, so it hath in these few by-past yeares, cut asunder the sinews of that great Antichrist. Wherefore if it be demaunded which is the most excellent gift of all, doubtlesse the praise must be giuen to Prophecying. Now by how much the more excellent euery thing ⟨image 5⟩is, by so much the more diligently it ought to be adorned with varietie and plentie of precepts. Therefore, when I saw this common place so handled of many, as that it would remaine naked and poore, if all other arts should call for those things, which are their owne: I perused the writings of Diuines, and hauing gathered some rules out of them, I haue couched them in that methode, which I haue deemed most commodious: that they might be better for vse, and fitter for the memorie. I doe also publish them, that they might be approoued, if they bring with them that which is good: if any euill, that they may receiue their deserued punishment. And whosoeuer thou art that pleasest to reade them, where thou art perswaded of this order of Preaching, which here I handle, walke on with me: where thou standest at a stay, inquire with me: *where thou perceiuest thine owne errors, returne to me: where thou ⟨image 6⟩seest mine, call me back to thee. For that, which now liketh me, shall dislike me, if it like not gadlie and moderate minded men.
- *or when.
