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Verse 28. And it came to passe, when 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had ended these say∣ings.]
All this then was but one Sermon, though twice preach∣ed at severall times, as some collect out of Luke. A long Sermon it was, and yet the people staid it out. So did not those 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Joh. 6. and therefore fell away from Christ: So did not Judas, and therefore met 〈◊〉〈◊〉 devil at the door. It is a lamentable* 1.1 thing, that a winters-tale shall be heard with more patience and pleasure then a powerfull Sermon: that if a Preacher exceed his glasse sometimes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sit at as little 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as if they were in a fit of an ague: and others prophanely turn their backs upon the* 1.2 Propitiatory, and depart without the blessing. In the Councel* 1.3 of Agathon it was decreed that none should presume to go out be∣fore the Minister had blessed the Congregation. And in the fourth Councel of Carthage, Let him that goes out of the Auditory, when the Minister is speaking to the Congregation, be excom∣municated, Ite missa est, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were the old forms of dismis∣sion. And although Zachary was long ere he came forth, yet the* 1.4 people staied his coming. But the Word of the Lord is to the wicked a burthen, Jer. 27. 33. cords and bonds, Psal. 2. 3. Yokes and bonds, Jer. 5. 5. Hence they are so soon sated, and their attenti∣ons tired out and jaded, as it were.
They were strangely transported and rapt with an ectasie of admiration and amazement.* 1.5 * 1.6 They were at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a passe, that they could neither say nor do, but stood amazed with their eyes set in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heads, as the word im∣porteth. And surely the word never worketh so kindely, as when it is received with admiration: yet may we not rest in that, as too many do; but get it mingled with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in our 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that works by love, holding fast the faithfull word, as Paul bids Timothy, that part of it especially that in hearing he is pleased to sweeten un∣to us by the taste of his speciall goodnes.