Preaching of Christ opened in a sermon preached at St. Peters Church in the…

A Great part of this Epistle is Apologetical, wherein the Apostle laboureth to assert and vindicate his Apostolical office and dignity from the prejudices which either the sufferings which attended him in the dispensation ⟨p. 2⟩thereof, or the suggestions of false Apostles, and deceitful workers might have raised up against him. With these men he putteth himself in the balance, and as in many other respects he preferreth himself before them, so particularly in the point of fidelity and sincerity in the work of the Ministry: which having mentioned, chap. 1. 12. and 2. 17. 3. 6. and thereupon having set forth the excellency and glory of the Evangelical Ministry, cap. 3. 7,—18. He further demonstrateth his uncorrupt and sincere administration thereof in this present chapter, and in divers consequent parts of this Epistle: professing his diligence therein, as in the discharge of a service whereunto he was in special mercy called, ver. 1. his Endeavour in godly simplicity as in the sight of God to manifest the truth thereof unto the consciences of men, verse 2. for it was not his prevarication, but mens own blindness, and Satanical delusion which hid the Gospel from those who received it not, v. 3, 4. And ⟨p. 3⟩this his fidelity he further proveth by the substance and tenor of the Doctrine which he taught, which was to set forth not himself, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and by the excellency of the divine power concurring with his Ministry to give unto men, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ, Ver. 5, 6, 7.

The words contain The mention of a duty, [Greek or Hebrew], we preach, and the subject or matter of that duty, set forth, 1. Negatively, not our selves. 2. Positively, Christ as the Lord of the Church, whereof the Apostle was but a servant in order to their good, and his Masters glory, of which particulars we shall speak with all brevity and perspicuity.

The words contain The mention of a duty, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, we preach, and the subject or matter of that duty, set forth, 1. Negatively, not our selves. 2. Positively, Christ as the Lord of the Church, whereof the Apostle was but a servant in order to their good, and his Masters glory, of which particulars we shall speak with all brevity and perspicuity.