Men to hear the Word of God, though they come with prejudicate thoughts. [ 1158]
WHen one Henry Sutphen was Preacher at Breme, the holy Roman Catho∣liques were not idle, but sent their Chaplains to hear every Sermon, that so they might trap him in his words. But God (whose footsteps are in the midst of the floud) would have his marvellous power to be seen in them, by the conversion of them; Insomuch, that the greatest part that were sent to hear∣ken, did openly witnesse his doctrine to be the truth of God, against which no Man could contend, and such as in all their life they had not heard, perswa∣ding them also that sent them, that forsaking all impiety, they should stick to the Word of God, and believe the same, if they would be saved: Thus it is good to come and hear the Word, though it be with ill intent, to sit under the Ordi∣nance, though a Man be, as it were, upon thorns all the while he is there; They that come to see fashions, as Moses came to the bush, may be called as he was; They that come to sleep, as old Father Latimer said in a Sermon before K. Edw. 6. may be catch'd napping; They that come with a resolution to steal, peradven∣ture the first word they hear may be, Thou shalt not steal; or, Let him that hath stole, steal no more, and so become honest Men; They that are sent upon any wicked design, as Saul's Messengers were to take David, the Spirit of God may come upon them. And they that come to catch at the Preacher, may be catch'd themselves, as Augustine was by S. Ambrose: Lastly, they that come as it were in despight of Christ, may become lovers of Christ; as the Officers that were sent to apprehend Christ, were so taken with his parts, their malice being turn'd to admiration, that they were made Proclaimers of his divine excellencies, say∣ing; Never man spake like this Man.