Epiltof S. Pawl to Titus. persons andcalling of the reproouer. a. the things themfelues whichare waightie and ferious:as alfo 3. the prefenceof Godand his congregati- on, whofe matters aredebated, and whole fentence again(i fume is in denouncing andexecuting. Small wifedome therefore it is , for men in thefe cafesof the faluation anddamnation ofinen,toPuffer their wits to play vpon fanne fo lightly and icffingly as becòmmeth rather Come vaine fpc&acle,or profeffed ie(cr;then either theerrandofthe Lord,or a mef- fenger from the Lord of hefts. The fecondpoint, is the mannerofdeliuering doltrixe,exhortation,and reproofe with all au:heritie. Dear. The word of God mu(ì bedelivered in fuch manner as the maieftie and auchoritie of it be dill referuedvato it; t. Pet. 4. r t. ¡fany man f eake , let him fpeake as the word of God; and the Embaffadorsof Chrift, muff fpeake hismcffagemen as himfelfe would utter it a. The fouleof the word is the prefenceof the fpirit which every Minitier muff (trine to makedemonliration of, forels it is but a dead letter or found:it is the fpirit that quickneth ic,and maketh it livelyand mighty inoperati- on, it is not thedemonflration of the perfon nor manifellatiola of the man that getteth authoricie to the word; but whenout ofgood confci- ence aman faithfully ftriueth tomake it appeare to theconfciences ofo- thers, that not he, but the fpirit ofGod fpeaketh in him; that when fun- plcmen (hall perceiue the ferrets of their hearts mademanifefi, they may fallen theirfaces, and worfbippe God , laying, Godis in this man irdeede. 3. TheProphets and Apoflles haue gone before vs,as prefidents in this be- halfe: Micha ;. 8. lam full ofpower by the fpirit ofthe Lord, and ofiudge- ment,and offlrength to declare Jacobhis fanne, and Ifraelhis tran[grejon. Before 1[ay was fenton his meffage, his lippes were touched with an betecodefrom thealtar. TheApoliles accordingly were not Pent to wit- nefîe of Chrift,vntill the fpirit haddefcendedvpon them, and that in the formeoffietie tongues; tolignifie that themfelues beeing kindled with teak and feruencie in the Lords bulneffe, they fhould altoby their do- dlrineenflame others, and that their fpeach (Mould not light any where, but it (hould kindle andenflame the hearts ofthe hearers. But the molt perfe6patterne of imitationherein we haue in the cheifc doorof his Church,who not onely after his refurreólion , could and did make the hearts of the difciplesburnewithin them,euen inhis ordinary talke;but all the time ofhis humilitie it is trucly verified of hiswhole dollrine, that bee taught withanthoritie, andnotas the Scriber. Indeede neuer man [poke fo, nor can fpeake, by theconfeffionof his veryenemies : for neuer man fpake fo in his ownename, verily, Ifay vntoyou : neuer man confirmed his (peacheswith fuchpowerful] and proper miracles : neuer man fpake L} 3 with 535 Teword molt be to handled as the authority of it beprefer- uzd. heat x a r.Cor.14.1s. 3 Ifa.6.6. Matth.q.vlt. Ioh4.46.
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