The prophecy of Obadiah opened and applied in sundry learned and gracious sermons preached…The prophecie of Obadiah opened and applyed in sundry learned and gracious sermons preached…

Before I come to the exposition of the Prophets words, I think it convenient to show unto you the cause, why leaving the epistle of Peter, which I had in hand, I have taken upon me to handle this Prophecy. Saint Peter having testified, that the Gospel of Christ, was the truth of GOD, preached to men for the salvation of their souls, exhorteth them, that, not withstanding the fury and malice of the wicked, which had set themselves against the same, they would per sist in the doctrine and truth, which they had learned, to embrace the same faithfully, and express the force and fruit thereof effectually in their life and conversation: and that in general, to fly from evil, a•d follow that which was good, and in particular towards GOD, ⟨p. 2⟩and man, especially Subjects to honour their kings; servants to obey their Masters; wives, husbands; children, parents. In all which, that their endeavours might not be hindered by enemies, he exhorteth them to patience and constancy: And finally beseecheth the Elders & Pastors to feed the stock of CHRIST committed to their charge, as the principal means to bring them to their duty, and to establish them in grace unto the end. Now in expounding these things I came to the duty of subjects, wherein I declared, that the Princes received the sword and supremacy, over all persons; & it followed that afterward I should show, that it was also in all causes. But because, since that time it pleased GOD to call me to prove it else where, and to commit the same to writing, it seemeth not so necessary to handle that point in this place. As for the other points concerning the duties of servants, wives, Parents, for that there are very few such come hither, least I should preach to them that were absent, I thought that part might conveniently be omitted. Wherefore the last point remained which was concerning the enemies of the Church, whom for that the LORD will most certainly destroy, we must have the greater patience to endure and continue in the steadfastness of our profession. For which cause also he exhorteth the Pastors diligently to feed and tend upon their flocks. Which matter being right necessary for us to know, and for that I hoped this doctrine would pierce the better into our hearts, if we had the same handled out of some continued place:

BEfore I come to the exposition of the Prophets words, I thinke it convenient to shew vnto you the cause, why leaving the epistle of Peter, which I had in hand, I haue taken vpon me to handle this Prophesie. Saint Peter having testified, that the Gospell of Christ, was the truth of GOD, preached to men for the salvation of their soules, exhoteth them, that, not withstanding the fury and malice of the wicked, which had set themselues against the same, they would per sist in the dotrine and truth, which they had learned, to embrace the same faitfully, and expresse the force and fruit thereof effectually in their life and conversa tion: and that in generall, to fly from evill, ad follow that which was good, and in particular towards GOD,