And you also good Master Sophronius .

As I saw you comming towardes me , I meruailed somewhat at your hast : and haue staied for you , to knowe the cause thereof : as also of that chearefulnesse which is in you , more than ordinarie .

I know him wel , and I am glad that that place which was wont to be destitute of all teaching , is nowe so well and fruitefullie furnished .

He had occasion this morning to be somwhat longer than ordinarily hee vseth to be : and this is the cause of my hast , that when we haue dined , wee may returne in good time to the afternoone exercise : for my cherefulnesse , which you say is more than ordinarie , I must needs confesse it is from the blessing of God vpon mee by his ministrie this day , in the excellent things he deliuered vnto the auditorie .

I coniectured so much of my selfe , before you spake , for the good opinion I iustly haue conceaued of you , but it dooth mee more good to haue heard it from your owne mouth .

I thank you sir most hartely , and much more than if you had reioyced with me , for some great gaine in outward things . For as my benefit herein is much greater ; so is your reioycing in my behalfe , a more sure testimonie of your godly and christian loue towards me .

You take it well , and as you should : for if it be a gratefull and acceptable thing to worldly men , that their worldly friends should reioyce with them in their worldly prosperitie , it is much more dutifull in the children of God to reioyce one with another in their spirituall profitings . But there is some thing concerning this matter , whereof I would gladly conferre with you : but I will not hinder you in this hast .

I will stay withyou a while if you please , or if you will goe with me to the sermon after dinner , I may by the way vnderstand your minde .

The matter requireth some longer time , and for my going with you I would not refuse , were it not that at the same howre our owne Pastor Master Timotheus will according to his custome bee occupied in the Catechisme , with whose sermon in the forenoone I was so well satisfied for mine instruction and edifying , as I meane not to leaue him in the afternoone for any other .

O sir if you had heard this other man , you would haue said there had beene a great difference . And for my parte I desire to heare those by whome I am most edified .

That is the speciall point whereof I would willingly conferre with you : for I haue now along time obserued your absence from our assembly . But because this is no time to enter into so long a discourse , you shall now departe vnto your owne house , and when the afternoone sermon is done , which I gesse will be about three of the clock : if it please you to méete with me at my garden which lieth in your way , I will attend you there . And further I most hartely pray you and your good wife , to take parte of my poore supper . Your cheare shall be meane , but your welcome I assure you shall be of the best .

I thanke you sir with all my heart , more for the conference you haue promised , than for the rest : though I must needes take in good part your so louing and gentle inuitation . I will therefore for this time take my leaue , and meete you at the houre and place appointed , by Gods grace .

Who is at the gate ?

A friend : I pray you open the doore . Is your Master come as yet ?

He is come euen a little before you , and commanded me to attend your comming to let you in .

Tell me I pray you , where is your Master that we may goe vnto him ?

He is walking with my Mistris in the further side of the garden . I will shut the doore and bring you thether .

Doo so my good youth .

This is well that you are come so timely , and more than I looked for , considering Master Eulalus was so long in the forenoone .

His paines were so great then , that he was constrained now somewhat to fauour himselfe : albeit I promise you , hee made a most excellent sermon .

I doubt nothing thereof ; and it both séemed , and was the more excellent vnto you , because you heard him with reuerence and attention , for want whereof , many loose the fruit of the greatest graces of God . But you and my good neighbour are both most hartely wellcome to this place : and I thanke you for this paines .

Sir it is your great curtesie to ascribe that vnto vs which is your owne . But since it pleaseth you so , I wil not contend with you ; the rather that the time may suffice to your promised conference with me .

You say well , and I accord thereunto , as to the principall cause of our méeting at this time . Therefore we will craue pardon of our wiues that they would solace themselues as pleaseth them for a while , and after they may bee partakers of that wee shall conclude . You and I will sit or walke in this long arbour vntill supper time : for you Gentlewomen , giue vs leaue a little with your fauour to that we haue in hand . Neighbour Arizelus , I ioyed not a little in the forenoone to sée you so chearefully returne from hearing of the word of God : which was vnto mean vndoubted testimony of the great loue and ●auour of God towards you . But there is one thing whereat I do not a little meruaile , that you should so greatly reioyce in the gifts of a stranger , & take so little comfort and delight in his ministerie whom the Lord especially hath addicted vnto you .

I tolde you sir in the morning , that in my iudgment there is no comparison betweene the men . And of this I am sure , that haning seldome or neuer heard our owne pastor with anie fruite , I haue receiued great profite and comfort by this man .

The question is not whose gifts are more excellent , but by whose hand the Lord himselfe doth offer vs mercie in the gospell of his sonne Iesus Christ . Whereupon also dependeth the promise of certeine and sound edifieng .

Are you then mind that wee may heare none but our owne Pastors ?

Not so , for the Apostle saith , we may prooue 1. Thess. 5. 21. all spirits : and for mine owne part ( as you well know ) I heere also manie others . But this is my meaning , that in the times of our owne assemblies , I would not willinglie be absent from thence : where my presence is especiallie required .

What if our Pastors were vnapt to teach ?

I am then of mind , as in the case of the poore and nedie of this world , that wanting foode at home , they may lawfullie aske and take releefe abroad wheresoeuer the Lord shall offer them mercie . But I hope you will thinke it a great shame for rich men , and such as are competentlie prouided for , to beg their bread .

I think so , but this case differeth far from ours .

Not so much perhaps as semeth to you at this first sight .

Why so ?

Is not the same God the father of our spirits , who hath giuen vs these bodies , and the life whereby they liue .

No doubt ?

Is it not the same God vpon whome we depend , as wel for the féeding of our soules , as for the nourishment of our bodies ?

I graunt , for as in this outward life , man liueth not by bread onely : but by euerie word that proceedeth Deut 8. 2. out of the mouth of God , so in our spirituall estate , I know and acknowledge it to be true , that the Apostle 1. Cor . chap. 3. 6. saith Paul planteth , and Apollo watereth , but it is God alone that giueth the encrease .

You say well : How shall we then refuse the prouidence of God in féeding of our soules : when wee submit our selues thereunto , in the nourishment of our bodies .

This is obscure , I pray you speake it more plainelie for my vnderstanding .

I meruaile you should not vnderstand this , but I will endeuour to expresse my mind more fullie and plainelie if I can . God , who as you haue alreadie granted , is the Author of this bodie & this life : is he also that distributeth the good thinges belonging to the reliefe and comfort of life , according to his own good pleasure : and hath commaunded euery man to eat his own bread , and drinke the water of his owne Cesterne : contenting Pro . cha . 5. 15. himselfe with his owne estate appoynted of the Lorde , not enuying or affecting that which in more abundance is granted vnto an other .

It seemeth reasonable that you saie : for no man may bee his owne caruer in these outward things , but thankefullie and patientlie content himselfe with his owne mediocritie , and not break the bounds which the Lord himselfe hath set , and not man .

So it is , and that men the better be contained within this compasse of the prouidence of almightie God : we see how mercifully the Lord dealeth with those of the lower and poorer sort : that hauing little and almost nothing in comparison of others , and being charged with children and familie farre beyond them : they are yet both themselues and theirs as healthfull and strong in bodie , and euerie way as well graced in their outward persons , ( and more also many times ) as they which all confesse , as manie as knowe anie thing .

If the Pastor must féed his owne flocke , and that because the Lord hath appointed vnto him to break vnto them the bread of life : tell mee ( I pray you ) how are not the people likewise bound to submit themselues vnto his ministerie : and to receiue their foode at his hand , whom God hath commaunded to féede them ? And how do they not withdrawe themselues from the hand of the Lord , that withdrawe themselues from the hand of their ministers ? and consequentlie depriue themselues of that lawfull and iust meanes which God hath giuen them for their saluation ?

Your conclusion is verie peremptorie , and rather forceth my iudgement , than leadeth mine affection .

I think so ; and I am perswaded that many of your minde , do rather offend of an excesse of zeale , then of any ground of knowledge . But you should remember Rom. 10. 2. that zeale without knowledge maketh vs many times not to obey God . Who yet ought to bee the subiect and end of all our zeale .

So saith S. Paul of the Iewes : but how doth that belong vnto this cause ?

I will tell you in a word . And I trust you will heare it patiently and take it in good part ; whilst in an ignorant zeale you runne after strangers , presuming without ground or warrant of the word , to be more edified by their Ministerie , than by the Ministerie of your owne Pastor , you preferre your owne fantasie before the ordinance and commandement of God .

How so ? I doo not yet see so much .

It happeneth vnto many that their own presumptions doo so blind them , that they cannot sée the things which are most plaine and palpable .

You deale hardly with me , but say on .

I prayed you of patience before : but I will craue no fauour vnlesse I prooue that which I affirme : it is the first step vnto health to know our disease . Tel me I pray you , is not the Pastor commanded to féed his flock , & that of God ; with promise of a blessing vpon his labours .

No doubt .

Tell me also in the presence of God , without all respect of men ( for I am here more afraide of your affection , than of your iudgement ) is not the people likewise commanded and that of God himselfe , to take the bread of life at the hand of their Pastor ; with promise of blessing by his ministerie vnto saluation ?

I did not thinke the people so bound vnto their Pastor , as the Pastor is bound vnto his people . I desire to be further satisfied in this point .

To whom God commandeth any man to speak , do you not think them bound to heare him that speaketh ?

Yes , but GOD speaketh by all into whose 2. Cor . 5. 19 , 20. mouthes he hath put the word of reconciliation .

I graunt , but doth he speak by euery pastor vnto all churches , or to euery church by her owne Pastor ?

To euery church principally by her own Pastor .

I am glad you confesse so much , though you might haue gon further without danger . I infer thē vpon your grant , that if God offer to teach euery assemblie principally as you say by their owne minister , then euery people must principally séeke to be taught by their owne Minister and not by others .

I see not how I may auoid the necessitie of this conclusion .

It can by no meanes be auoided without manifest controlling both of the wisdome & goodnes of God .

How so ?

God is not onely the author of the Ministery , but also the addresser and disposer of the seueral labors of his seruants . And therfore what iniurie is done vnto the ordinance of God ▪ by the Minister that refuseth to teach those vnto whom he is particularly sent : the same iniurie is done vnto his prouidence , by those of the people that refuse to be taught by him whom the Lord hath expressely sent vnto them , and vnto whose ministery he hath subiected them . And for the goodnes of God , as the cause thereof is in him onely and not in vs : so it is vtterly no reason we should our selues make choice of the meanes or of the men , by whome the same should be brought vnto vs , rather than with all thankfulnes , humilitie and reuerence to receaue the same at the hands of those by whom it pleaseth his Maiestie to send & offer the same .

My iudgement yeeldeth to that you say ; but my heart and affection dooth yet striue against it . I pray you therefore with patience suffer mee yet further to obiect vnto you the causes , why I cannot so fully and wholy agree vnto you .

The iudgements of men if they bee not malititiously obstinate and wilfully striue against the trueth , may bee informed or forced by weight of argument , and necessitie of conclusion , as I perceaue in your selfe : but the hearts and affections of men cannot be wrought vpon , nor ouer-ruled but by the only hand of God . Yet hoping that the Lord who hath blessed our conference for the one , will also blesse our indeuour for the other ; I wil not refuse to satisfie you , as I may , in all your obiections , referring you further to those , who both for their callings and gifts are better furnished to this purpose .

I thanke you right hartely , and I am perswaded much more of your sufficiencie hereunto than before , and trust also that hee that blessed you in the one will also blesse you in the other . And therefore I will open vnto you my whole hart , requiring your faithfull counsell for my direction , and silence for my credit amongst the godly .

For counsell I can promise you no more than I haue receaued , wherein perswade your selfe , I will not bée wanting vnto you : for silence , I will bee faithfull vnto you , as it may any way concerne your credit . But I am perswaded when you shall sée the depth of this error , and the subtiltie of this delusion , you will willingly acknowledge your owne abuse in this matter , for the reformation of others , and thinke it your greatest credite both with God and with his Church , to bewray in your owne example the frawde of our common aduersarie , and the power of this delusion .

I will ( I promise you by Gods grace ) refuse to do nothing , which may either get honor vnto God , disaduantage vnto the aduersarie , or profit vnto Gods children .

You shall do well in so doing . Let vs therefore procéede .

I haue promised to be playne and open in all things , and I take it to be the best & safest course , for so I shall least abuse your friendship , or deceyue my selfe .

So it is , and I for my part will deale as playnely with you . I pray you therefore say on .

Our Pastor M. Timotheus I haue alwayes esteemed and knowne to be a right honest and godly man , and one that walketh blamelesse with his people . I also acknowledge his learning and vnderstanding in holy things to be sufficient for mine instruction . Hee wanteth not also a plaine and easy kind of vtterance , neere vnto the meane and weake capacitie of the multitude : yet not to dissemble with you ( according to my promise ) I neuer delighted in his Ministerie , nor tooke my selfe any thing edified thereby .

I graunt this might easely happen vnto you , partly from your owne corruption , and partly from the fraud of the aduersarie . And to speake first of your delight , I meruaile not alittle that any man sauoring the things of God , & which belong vnto saluation , should heare thē without delight , considering that the Apostle crieth out Rom. 10. 15. from the words of the Prophet in the person of the faithful , O how bewtiful are the féete of those that bring vnto vs the glad tydings of peace , the glad tydings of good things : and that it happeneth many times euen Math . 13. 20. to the reprobate themselues to receiue the word with ioy , which yet bringeth foorth in them no constant and found fruite .

So it is as you say . Yet I confesse how it hath fared with me .

You dare not say but that his doctrine hath béene alwayes sound and true , taken out of the pure fountaynes of the holy and heauenly word of God , and that his care hath béene sincerely to preache vnto vs Christ Iesus , and him crucified ?

I must needes giue him that testimony .

If then the doctrine taught be the doctrine of God , and the same worthie wherein both men and Angells should reioyce , the cause of your vnchearefulnes and not reioycing must néedes be in your selfe , and not in him .

Yet his ministery was alwayes dead and without spirit in mine eares .

It happened vnto you which is ordinarie in those that are distempered in their bodily health , who not only distaste , but also reiect the best and most wholesome meates that be offered vnto them .

I knowe this by mine owne experience . But is there any such distemper in the minde , as is in the bodye ?

No doubt , and you may likewise learne the same by your owne experience . For what can be the cause that the most ioyfull and glad tidings of the Gospell should be vnsauery and lothsome vnto you , were there not some euill humor in your minde , which so oppresseth your appetite and delight in heauenly things ?

I delight in them I thanke God , when I heare them of those whome I like .

I haue resolued to take any thing well at your hands , for that I am perswaded of your vnfained good meaning towards me .

The Lord our God who knoweth all secrets , shall be witnes vnto me héereof . But partly my griefe , and partly want of iudgement in many that are ouerborne of their owne fantasies , causeth me for their good to speake sometime more sharply than I would . Tell me I pray you as you will answere it before the Lord , haue you heard of your newe teacher any point of doctrine concerning faith or manners , which you haue not heard handled at one time or an other by our owne Pastor ?

I can not say it to say truly that he teacheth any other or new doctrine , but that which I haue heard oftentimes before , both of our owne Pastor , and of others ; for I acknowledge in all of them one spirit of truth , and an vnitie in veritie . But the handling is all , wherein this man passeth all that I haue heard .

It seemeth you are of mind as they be that like no meate but of one mans dressing . Remember you not Prouer . 27. 7. the saying of Salomon , That to the hungrie appetite , euen soure things are swéete , but the full stomack loatheth the very hony combe ? Is not this to receyue the Iac . 2. 1. word of God with respect of persons , contrarie to the rule of the Apostle ?

It is not the man but his gifts , which I admire .

Those are accidentall , and not of the substance of the ministery ; for God giueth vnto euery one as pleaseth him . Since then God hath not giuen one measure of gifts , and grace of vtterance vnto all , it is best and safest for vs to looke directly vnto the Lord , by whome they are sent : and to that which is necessarie in all , and common vnto all , soundnes of Doctrine , and wholesome exhortation .

But is it not lawfull where more gifts of God are , to commend them more ?

Yes , we may prayse God for all his benefits , and according to the multitude and greatnes of them . But let vs beware of that whereof S. Paule admonisheth 1. Cor . 4. 6. the Corinthians , that we be not puffed vp for one , against an other .

I remember the words very well , but I pray you make the meaning of them yet more playne vnto me .

I will tell you what I haue both heard and read of them . That it is a great offence to conceiue ouer highly euen of the most excellent seruants of God , as if 1. Cor . 3. 5 , 7. Paule were any thing , or Appollo any thing , but God who geueth the increase . For who was Paule , or who was Appollo , but the Ministers by whome they beléeued ? Secondly , that this ouerwening of some , worketh a dislike and contempt of others , who are no lesse the Ministers of Christ than they , whome they do admire . Whose discredit in their ministery redoundeth vnto him that sayd , He that contemneth you , contemneth Luk . 10. 16. me .

God be mercifull vnto mee . If this be true , then haue I greatly offended , and to confesse the truth . I haue not only misliked , but in my hart despised and disdained our owne shepheard in comparison of the other ; such was my most vngodly partiality , and respect of men , rather than of God .

I am right glad and humbly thanke the Lord for it , to heare you of this mind . I would the same perswasion were receiued of all . God should haue more honor in his seruants , and they more comfort in their labours , than now is geuen them of many .

I will from hencefoorth by Gods grace moderate this ouerweening and delight . Yet I must needs say that I haue profited more in a short time by this man , than in long time and many yeares by the other .

What if you be also deceiued in this .

You haue so forcibly ouer-ruled my delight , as I wil not refuse to be examined of you likewise in this point of my profiting .

And I am content to aduenture my labour , leauing the blessing vnto GOD . You knowe before M. Timotheus came vnto vs , we were alwayes vnder an vnteaching Ministery , and that at his comming there was not in any of vs almost any true knowledge of God , and of his Sonne Iesus Christ ; for mine owne part I must néedes confesse it of my selfe .

I will also willingly ioyne with you in the same confession .

You sée I haue béene no great stragler abroad ( though I haue not vnwillingly heard any ) but haue constantly and continually frequented the Sermons and other exercises of our owne Pastor . Yet my profiting I thanke God hath béene such thorough his blessing , as I néede neither to feare , nor to be ashamed to confesse it ; and you your selfe haue in this our conference , had some triall thereof .

I alwayes knewe you diligent , but I had not thought you could by that meanes haue attayned to so sound knowledge . Now I see and acknowledge mine owne ignorance in comparison of your measure .

I humbly and thankefully acknowledge the blessing of God vpon me in his owne ordinance : and I prayse his holy name for the faithfulnes and diligence of mine owne Pastor , of whome , as from the mouth of God , I haue learned whatsoeuer I haue learned . I will therefore be bolde to reason with you on this sort . Your capacitie if it be not better , is at the least equall with mine . By what meanes then came it to passe , that you should not equally profit vnder the same Ministerie ?

I see your meaning ; it is too cleare , and to commend our Minister , and to lay the whole fault vppon mine owne negligence and vntowardnes .

I durst not my selfe haue concluded so hardly against you : yet pardon me , if I had rather lay the fault where it is , then where it is not . But what if your profiting haue béene more by the ministerie of your owne Shepheard , than you haue hetherto for lacke of thanckfulnes , and due consideration of Gods mercie towards you , sufficiently considered .

Can a man profit by him whom he misliketh ?

But if it be so , you will then confesse that the worke of the Lord in you hath béene more myraculous and more mercifull , in that it is done both without and against your selfe .

I will willingly confesse it , if you can prooue it vnto me .

Haue you not heard & knowne that men walking in the sunne , though they haue neither thought nor meant any such thing , yet haue bin coloured and swarted by the same ?

I knowe it well . But what is this to your purpose ?

Verie much : for in like manner though you haue heard our Minister negligently , and to say more , contemptuouslie also : yet hath the Lord shewed you this mercie , that you haue neuerthelesse greatly profited vnder his ministerie .

That is the thing in question , which I require to be proued .

I will proue it by your owne confession .

It were strange you should doo so , but I pray you proceed .

That I say againe , I cannot denie it .

It is not many yeares nor very many moneths since you were acquainted with this new Ministery .

You say true .

You confessed also , that you neuer heard him teach any new point of doctrine , or propound any new exhortation which you had not heard often and many times of your owne Pastor before . Is it not then manifest that the knowledge you haue , whatsoeuer it is , you had it by the Ministery of our owne pastor , and not by any other ?

I must needes yeeld vnto the force of your argument , and therefore I wil from hence foorth confesse that his ministerie hath bin profitable vnto me , though I haue not discerned it . Yet the power of the word I felt not before I had heard this other man .

The séede is sowen by the séedes-man in his time ; the growth and fruite is reserued to another season , according to the saying of the Apostle : The husband Iac . 5. 7. man looketh for the first and latter raine , yet is not the labor of the sower vnprofitable , because the fruite commeth not vntil the haruest . So that your new Schoolemaster was not the beginner of this worke , but rather a waterer and furtherer of the same , and vpon the matter , hée hath entered vpon the labor of another , and reaped that , Ioh . 4. 37 , 38. another man hath sowne , and consequently is the last and least in this worke , euen as hee that watereth is lesse than he that planteth . But take héede least that wherein you most reioyce , be not sound .

What meane you thereby ?

It is an vsuall deceipt , of the aduersarie to giue vs a kind of contentment and reioycing also in that which is extraordinary , to nourish vs stil in the contempt of that which is ordinarie .

I know not yet what you meane .

Albeit I doubt not but GOD of his great goodnes towards you hauing begotten you by the Ministerie of one , hath brought you forth by the Ministery of another ; sowne the good seede of his Gospell in your heart by one , and watered the same by another : yet I knowe there are many that hauing contemned the good hand of the Lord in the Ministerie of those that are sent vnto them , doo nourish themselues in a vaine opinion of great fruite , where in déede it is very little or none at all .

How may that appeare ?

First , because they grow still more and more in contempt of the ordinance of God especially directed vnto them : and now not onely not loue nor reuerence their owne Ministers , but also hate and detest them , yea conceaue and speake all euill of them without cause . Secondly if it happen that by any meanes they be depriued or barred of that Ministerie wherein they reioyce , and triumph against their owne : they are so farre preiudicated in their owne conceipt , as they had rather depriue themselues of all meanes , than to returne to the vse of those , which before they contemned . Whereof it many times commeth to passe , that they are made a fit pray for the Brownists , Anabaptists , or the Familie of Loue .

It were a dangerous thing to fall so far●e ; yet I feare me it is too trew that you say ; that some haue gon from their own to others , and from them to none at all , or to such , as haue carried them into most strang and dangerous opinions . But whereof I pray you commeth this ?

Of an intollerable pride of minde , in which they perswade themselues they are wiser than their teachers . Yea I haue with mine owne eares heard some of thē say ▪ that they would not doubt if they were in the pulpit , to make a better sermon than their owne Pastors .

Let vs leaue these , and returne againe from whence we came . Yet I haue greatly profited by master Eulalus , if not in knowledge , which you haue copelled me to confesse , yet in affection and in the vse of that which I knew before .

What hundred , that from whom you receaued the beginning and foundation in the knowledge of holy things , from him you should not receaue the procéeding and fruite of the same ?

I knowe not .

Neither can I giue you any other reason therof , but on the one side your owne negligence & contempt which might worthely haue barred you of the whole as wel as of part , if the Lord had not shewed you great mercie : on the other side the vnspeakable goodnes of God , that wherein you deserued punishment , therein yet you should receaue a blessing at his hand .

So it is as you say , and now that God hath opened mine eyes to see mine error , I wil by his grace amend it . But since you haue brought me home to mine owne Pastor , is it your meaning at once to barre mee of the vse of all other mens gifts ?

Nothing lesse .

How then ?

That you waite vpon the Lord in a continuall and constant attendance vpon the Ministerie of your owne Pastor : and for others , that you vse them as extraordinarie meanes sent of God , not to hinder but to helpe and strengthen his ordinance , for that which is extraordinarie is hurtfull , vnles it worke to the confirming and strengthening of that which is ordinarie .

How so ?

I wil shew it you by a very apt and fit similitude , which sometime I heard from our owne preacher , as he complained of the fondnes & vanity of some , which inamored with other mens gifts , despised the ordinance of God in their lawfull and ordinarie teachers . There is ( said he ) nothing more to be wished in the care of this life than that being alwaies of sound & perfect health , we may without dislike , and with a sober and moderate delight , both vse and enioye the good blessings of God ordained for our nourishment . But because it manie times falleth out , partlie from our owne disorder of life , partly from some outward occasion , that we are distempered and annoyed in the estate of our health , so as we distaste and loath all our ordinarie and wholesome nourishments : it is a second and the same no small fauour from the Lord , that we may here vse the help of Phisicke in things that are extraordinarie . Yet no man vseth Phisicke vnto that end , that he may alwaies after liue from the Apothecaries shop : but that correcting from thence the distemper of his bodie , he may afterwards with new and fresh appetite returne to his ordinarie and naturall diet .

How do you applie this similtude to our cause ?

Thus : It happeneth vnto vs often times that as the Children of Israel contemned and loathed Manna , Numb . 21. which at the first they admired and wondered at : so we receauing the word in the ordinarie Ministerie therof with some ioy and gladnesse in the beginning , doo afterwards grow full and satiated therewith , euen vnto loathing and contempt , as they did . If here the Lord to cure this maladie in his children , shall raise vp anie man in his Church with extraordinarie giftes , and thereby quicken & refresh their dull and dead appetite , his meaning is not to holde them alwaies in this new diet , that they should taste and sauour nothing else , but this rare & vnwonted prouision : but that being by this meanes cured of their former disease , they shuld after returne with more and better appetite , to their ordinarie & vsual manner of féeding . Which thing wee see to come to passe in those that are bodelie sicke , that when they haue recouered their health they become exceeding hungrie , and find their appetite doubled and trebled in them .

Now I see the end of this comparison : that all extraordinarie helpes sent of God should minister and serue vnto that which is ordinarie ; and if they doo not , wee abuse them to our hurt , and not vse them to our good : so that you tel me , the new & great delight I take in the ministerie of yonder man , wil do me harme & no good , vnles I vse it as a meanes to make me with more delight & profit to attend the labors of our own pastor

You haue hit it right . And that you may the rather be confirmed in this ; I will propound vnto you a case of experience , which once I heard of a godlie and learned Preacher of the Countrey . It was so that sundrie Churches there being furnished with able and learned Ministers , and some also with men of great & excellent gifts : there came by occasion into the Countrey , a man of no verie great learning , but of a sweete and delicate speach , who by his eloquence and some noueltie in the maner of teaching , so drew the people after him , as now the ordinarie teachers in al places were of manie of their people so far contemned & despised , as they would euen vpon the Saboth day trauaile 4. 6. or 10. miles to heare this stranger , & not vouchsafe to come out of their dores to heare their own pastors . This preacher not being so discréet as he shuld haue béen , interteined the people in this folly for a time ; & being afterward withdrawen from thē , left the people in opinion , that now they were depriued of al means to do them good . It pleased God that shortly after there shuld come into the same countrey another preacher of great learning , godlines & zeale and of singular wisedome for the right managing of his Ministerie to the profite of the people .