When sense taketh notice of nothing but a book, or of none but a man, faith must perceive the mind and message of God. Not only in Preachers, 2 Cor. 5.19, 20. 1 Thes. 2.13. Titus 2.5. Heb. 13.7. but also in the mouth of wicked enemies, when it is indeed the will of God which they reveal. And so David heard the curse of Shimei, speaking to him the rebukes of God, for his sin in the matter of Ʋ •iah, 2 Sam. 16.10, 11. And Paul rejoiced that Christ was preached by men of envy and strife, who did it to add affliction to his bonds, Phil. 1.18. Moses perceived the will of God in the counsel of Jethro, even in as great a matter as the governing and judging of the people, Exod. 18.19. The counsel of the ancients which Rehoboam forsook, was the counsel of God which be rejected, 1 King. 12.8. David blessed God for the counsel of a woman, Abigail. Whoever be the Messenger, a Believer should be acquainted with the voice of God, and know the true significations of his will. The true sheep of Christ do know his voice, and follow him, because they are acquainted with his Word; and though the Preacher be himself of a sinful life, he can distinguish betwixt God and the Preacher; and will not say, it is not the Word of God, because it cometh from a wicked mouth. For he hath read, Psal. 50.16. where God saith to ⟨p. 187⟩the wicked, What hast thou to do to take my Covenant in thy mouth, seeing thou hatest instruction, and hast cast my words behind thee: But he never read [to the godly, saith God, Why didst thou hear a wicked Preacher?] He hath read, The Scribes and Pharisees fit in Moses chair, hear them, but do not as they do. But he never read [Hear none that live not according to their doctrine.] An unbeliever will not know Christs Word, if a Judas be the Preacher of it: but a Believer can read the commission of Judas, or at least can understand whose counsel he delivereth: and though he would be loth to choose a Judas, or to prefer him before a holy man; yet if workers of iniquity do preach in Christs Name, he leaveth it to Christ to say at Judgement, I know you not, Mat. 7.21, 22. Acts 1.17, 24.
When sense taketh notice of nothing but a book, or of none but a man, faith must perceive the mind and message of God. Not only in Preachers, 2 Cor. 5.19, 20. 1 Thes. 2.13. Titus 2.5. Heb. 13.7. but also in the mouth of wicked enemies, when it is indeed the will of God which they reveal. And so David heard the curse of Shimei, speaking to him the rebukes of God, for his sin in the matter of Ʋ •iah, 2 Sam. 16.10, 11. And Paul rejoyced that Christ was preached by men of envy and strife, who did it to add affliction to his bonds, Phil. 1.18. Moses perceived the will of God in the counsel of Jethro, even in as great a matter as the governing and judging of the people, Exod. 18.19. The counsel of the ancients which Rehoboam forsook, was the counsel of God which be rejected, 1 King. 12.8. David blessed God for the counsel of a woman, Abigail. Whoever be the Messenger, a Believer should be acquainted with the voice of God, and know the true significations of his will. The true sheep of Christ do know his voice, and follow him, because they are acquainted with his Word; and though the Preacher be himself of a sinful life, he can distinguish betwixt God and the Preacher; and will not say, it is not the Word of God, because it cometh from a wicked mouth. For he hath read, Psal. 50.16. where God saith to ⟨p. 187⟩the wicked, What hast thou to do to take my Covenant in thy mouth, seeing thou hatest instruction, and hast cast my words behind thee: But he never read [to the godly, saith God, Why didst thou hear a wicked Preacher?] He hath read, The Scribes and Pharisees fit in Moses chair, hear them, but do not as they do. But he never read [Hear none that live not according to their doctrine.] An unbeliever will not know Christs Word, if a Judas be the Preacher of it: but a Believer can read the commission of Judas, or at least can understand whose counsel he delivereth: and though he would be loth to chuse a Judas, or to prefer him before a holy man; yet if workers of iniquity do preach in Christs Name, he leaveth it to Christ to say at Judgement, I know you not,
