The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Now this was one end of Christs preaching to purify them, to cleanse them from these defilements. It's true, profane and worldly men, or mere Atheistical Politicians, they make no matter about Gods truth, they make advantage of any Religion that serveth a design; but this was the great work of Christs Ministry, to make a Reformation in Doctrine and Worship. Though this was very unpleasing to corrupt men, therefore it is said, Who can abide the day of his coming? It is even like a day of judgement to them. It is observable what our Saviour saith, as much to our purpose, and parallel with the Text, John 4.23. The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth. You see how God hath his hour, his time and season for such a thing; and then when that is come, they shall worship, God will so over-rule, enlighten, and persuade mens hearts, that they cannot but yield. Such an hour or time God had, when we recovered out of Popery, Then darkness covered the face of the earth: The Sun, and the Moon, and the Stars were turned into blood: The Officers of the Church, who should have had light to instruct, did cruelly ⟨p. 176⟩and bloodily persecute such as did hold the truth. Now, though all the world was thus in darkness, yet when God raised up those instruments of his truth, Luther, Melanchthon, Calvin, and others: They were no more able to stop the spreading of the Gospel, then they could hinder the Sun from running its race. Gods hour was come, and then the eyes of men would be opened. There were many persons, before Luther's time, learned and godly men, that did withstand Popish errors, that died in contradiction of them; but yet the world was not awakened; they did not think of coming out of Egypt, till Gods time was come.

Now this was one end of Christs preaching to purifie them, to cleanse them from these defilements. It's true, prophane and worldly men, or meer Atheistical Politicians, they make no matter about Gods truth, they make advantage of any Religion that serveth a designe; but this was the great worke of Christs Ministery, to make a Reformation in Doctrine and Worship. Though this was very unpleasing to corrupt men, therefore it is said, Who can abide the day of his coming? It is even like a day of judgement to them. It is observable what our Saviour saith, as much to our purpose, and parallel with the Text,