A10338:69
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…
The prophecy of Obadiah opened and applied in sundry learned and gracious sermons preached at All-Hallows and St Mary's in Oxford by that famous and judicious divine John Rainolds D. of Divinity and late president of Corp. Chr. Coll. Published for the honour and use of that famous University, and for the benefit of the churches of Christ abroad in the country, by W.H.The prophecie of Obadiah opened and applyed in sundry learned and gracious sermons preached at All-Hallowes and St Maries in Oxford by that famous and iudicious divine Iohn Rainolds D. of Divinity and late president of Corp. Chr. Coll. Published for the honour and vse of that famous Vniversity, and for the benefit of the churches of Christ abroad in the country, by W.H.
Oxford: printed by Joseph Barnes, 1613
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Who are not endued with necessary gifts for the Prophets duty: and therefore, howsoever men have call led them to it, God hath not called them. For, whom God calleth unto any function, then endueth he with gifts to perform it: as Bezaleel, to make his tabernacle; 1Jeremiah, to do his message; the Apostles to preach the Gospel. So the flock of Christ, is desolate of shepherds; and his camp of soldiers: while such have the places, as cannot strengthen the weak, help the sick, 2bind up the broken; nor destroy his enemies with the two edged sword, and defend his subjects. A great cause 3hereof are Patrons of Benefices. For, whereas the interest of choosing the Pastor belonging of old time to the Congregation, is now conveyed to them, because their predecessors did benefit the Church some way, and therefore were put in trust as Patrons of it: they, a number of them, do deal with the matter as Polymest•r did with Polydore, that is, as evil guardians do with their wards, and turn their patronage into pillage. The lust of their hearts hath defiled their hands ⟨p. 44⟩with the sacrilege of Acan: to take gold and silver, and 4Babylonish garments, of the spoils of Jericho consecrated to God. Or, if not with so soul sacrilege, as his was, 5because their Predecessors gave some of it perhaps: yet with the sacrilege of Ananias and Sapphira; yea, though themselves had given it. If 6they think to cover their profane dealing with Acans conveyance by hiding the pray, or to wash their hands with Pilates pretence, that they are guiltless 7of it, they gave the advowsons freely to friends or servants: they deceive themselves. For God is not mocked. And he will find them out in a day, when they look