There may be seven Observations gathered out of this speech of the Apostle. First, that Doctrine only is true which is agreeable to the Doctrine of the Apostles, by which the world was converted to God. Secondly, we may see that no power is like the power of the Word of God: here it converts a world in a short time: And our eyes have beheld that it hath almost in as short time restored a world of men from the power of Antichrist. Thirdly, we may by this phrase be informed, that the words, all, and every one, are not always in Scripture to be understood universally, of all the singular persons in the world, as the Universalists conceive. Fourthly, they were but a few Fisher-men that did this great work, and they were much opposed and persecuted, and in some less matters they jarred sometime among themselves. Whence we may observe, that Doctrine may be exceeding effectual, though 1. but few teach it; 2. though they be but of mean estate and condition; 3. though it be opposed by cross and contrary teaching; 4. though it be persecuted; 5. though the people be in disposed and nuzzled in sin and superstition, as these Gentiles were; 6. though the Preacher be often restrained; 7. though there be some dissension in less matters. The fifth thing that may be gathered hence, is, that in the conversion of sinners, God is no respectre of persons; men of any age, nation, sex, condition, life or quality, may be converted by the Gospel. And sixthly, it is plain here, that preaching is the ordinary means to convert every creature: so as ordinarily there is none converted but by preaching. Lastly, if any one ask what shall become of those nations, or particular persons, that never yet heard of the Gospel; I answer, the way of God in divers things ⟨p. 152⟩is not revealed; and his Judgements are like a great deep: It belongs to us to look to our selves, to whom the Gospel is come.
There may bee seuen Obseruations gathered out of this speech of the Apostle. First, that Doctrine onely is true which is agreeable to the Doctrine of the Apostles, by which the world was conuerted to God. Secondly, wee may see that no power is like the power of the Word of God: heere it conuerts a world in a short time: And our eyes haue behelde that it hath almost in as short time restored a world of men from the power of Antichrist. Thirdly, we may by this phrase bee enformed, that the words, all, and euery one, are not alwayes in Scripture to bee vnderstood vniuersally, of all the singular persons in the world, as the Vniuersalists conceiue. Fourthly, they were but a few Fisher-men that did this great worke, and they were much opposed and persecuted, and in some lesse matters they iarred sometime among themselues. Whence wee may obserue, that Doctrine may bee exceeding effectuall, though 1. but few teach it; 2. though they bee but of meane estate and condition; 3. though it be opposed by crosse and contrary teaching; 4. though it be persecuted; 5. though the people be in disposed and nuzled in sinne and superstition, as these Gentiles were; 6. though the Preacher be often restrained; 7. though there be some dissention in lesse matters. The fift thing that may be gathered hence, is, that in the conuersion of sinners, God is no respecter of persons; men of any age, nation, sex, condition, life or quality, may bee conuerted by the Gospell. And sixtly, it is plaine heere, that preaching is the ordinary meanes to conuert euery creature: so as ordinarily there is none conuerted but by preaching. Lastly, if any one aske what shall become of those nations, or particular persons, that neuer yet heard of the Gospell; I answer, the way of God in diuers things ⟨p. 152⟩is not reuealed; and his Iudgements are like a great deepe: It belongs to vs to looke to our selues, to whom the Gospell is come.
