The sum of sacred divinity briefly & methodically propoundedThe summe of sacred diuinitie briefly & methodically propounded

Neither in saying so, do we tie God unto the means, as though without Preaching it could not be wrought at all: for as in the things of nature, he is not tied unto the means, being himself the▪ Lord of nature: no more must we judge him in this work above nature, wherein he taketh glory to himself, to deal how and which way he will in an extraordinary sort. Sometimes in respect of the times, sometimes, in respect of the persons.

Neither in saying so, do we tye God vnto the meanes, as though without Preaching it could not bee wrought at all: for as in the things of nature, he is not tyed vnto the meanes, being himselfe the▪ Lord of nature: no more must we iudge him in this worke aboue nature, wherein hee taketh glorie to himselfe, to deale how and which way he will in an extraordinarie sort. Sometimes in respect of the times, sometimes, in respect of the persons.

In the ruinous estate of the CHURCH, when there wanteth a set and stablished form of government, it pleaseth him many times to bless the very sound of the Word, though it be but read or talked of, and ⟨p. 413⟩sometimes other means so far as to make it effectual for the planting of faith in the heart; as John 4. 39. many of the Samaritans were brought to believe in Christ, only upon the woman's words, which bare record of him. And the ^bApostle to the Romans showeth, that all the World was without excuse, to pretend that they had not heard, seeing the sound of the Apostles Doctrine was gone abroad into all the Earth. The Wise-men also, Mat. 2. were led by a Star, as it were, by the hand, unto the true knowledge of Christ. And