The prophecy of Haggai, interpreted and applied in sundry sermonsThe prophesie of Haggai, interpreted and applyed in sundry sermons

Upon this riseth another point to be likewise observed, That the Preachers and dispensers of Gods word in all their office behave themselves faithfully according to the function wherewith they are put in charge: and so Paul having taught the Corinthians their duties towards Gods Messengers, straitly addeth the duty of the Ministers: Now, saith he, it is required of the stewards, that they be found faithful; which faithfulness concerneth not only the matter which they are to handle, but the manner also, that they deliver the truth of God with all reverence, discretion, and soberness; which Peter teacheth also, when he saith, If any speak, let him speak as the words of God; wherefore he must say nothing but what he may warrant by this which the Prophet speaketh, ¹Thus saith the Lord. But if hereunto the commandment of Christ and his Apostles move nothing, let the curse threatened against the breakers of this commandment move us. In the Prophecy of Ezekiel mention is made of two sorts of them that break this commandment, prophesying out of their own hearts, following their own spirit, when they had seen nothing: the one, of such men as saw lies, saying, The Lord saith it, when the ⟨p. 26⟩Lord hath not sent them: One (saith the Prophet) built up a wall, and the other daubed it up with untempered mortar; and because of that, the Lord saith his hand shall be upon them, they shall not be in the assemblies of his people, &c. The other sort were of the Prophets that sowed pillows under all arm-holes, &c. soothing up the wicked with promises of all happiness, telling them of peace, peace, as if all things were well, when as the Lord had threatened heavy plagues against them; for which cause there is a Woe threatened them: which judgement is therefore said to be pronounced against them, because they spake and prophesied, when the Lord commanded them not: whereby we are put in mind to be careful in behaving our selves faithfully, as Moses did in all his house, not to sooth up men in their sins, nor to flatter the breakers of his Commandments.

Upon this riseth another point to be likewise observed, That the Preachers and dispensers of Gods word in all their office behave themselves faithfully according to the function wherewith they are put in charge: and so Paul hauing taught the Corinthians their duties towards Gods Messengers, straitly addeth the duty of the Ministers: Now, saith he, it is required of the stewards, that they be found faithful; which faithfulnesse concerneth not onely the matter which they are to handle, but the manner also, that they deliver the truth of God with all reverence, discretion, and sobernesse; which Peter teacheth also, when he saith, If any speak, let him speak as the words of God; wherefore he must say nothing but what he may warrant by this which the Prophet speaketh,