and how needful a thing it is to have preachers, which may teach us the word of God:  for by hearing we must come to faith; through faith we must be justified.  And therefore Christ saith himself, Qui credit in me, habet vitam aeternam; “He that believeth in me hath everlasting life.”  When we hear God’s word by the preacher, and believe that same, then we shall be saved:  for St. Paul saith, Evangelium est potentia Dei ad salutem omni credenti; “The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to all that believe; the gospel preached is God’s power to salvation of all believers.”  This is a great commendation of this office of preaching:  therefore we ought not to despise it, or little regard it; for it is God’s instrument, whereby he worketh faith in our hearts.  Our Saviour saith to Nicodeme, Nisi quis renatus fuerit, “Except a man be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  But how cometh this regeneration?  By hearing and believing of the word of God:  for so saith St. Peter, Renati non ex semine mortali corruptibili; “We are born anew, not of mortal seed, but of immortal, by the word of God.”  Likewise Paul saith in another place, Visum est Deo per stultitiam praedicationis salvos facere credentes; “It pleased God to save the believers through the foolishness of preaching.”  But, peradventure, you will say, “What, shall a preacher teach foolishness?” No, not so:  the preacher, when he is a right preacher, he preacheth not foolishness, but he preacheth the word of God; but it is taken for foolishness, the world esteemeth it for a trifle:  but howsoever the world esteemeth it, St. Paul saith that God will save his through it.

Here I might take occasion to inveigh against those which little regard the office of preaching; which are wont to say, “’What need we such preachings every day?  Have I not five wits?  I know as well what is good or ill, as he doth that preacheth.”  But I tell thee, my friend, be not too hasty; for when thou hast nothing to follow but thy five wits, thou shalt go to the devil with them.  David, that holy prophet, said not so:  he trusted not his five wits, but he said, Lucerna pedibus meis verbum tuum, Domine; “Lord, thy word is a lantern unto my feet.”  Here we learn not to despise the word of God, but highly to esteem it, and reverently to hear it; for the holy day is ordained and appointed to none other thing, but that we should at that day hear the word of God, and exercise ourselves in all godliness.  But there be some which think that this day is ordained only for feasting, drinking, or gaming, or such foolishness; but they be much deceived:  this day was appointed of God that we should hear his word, and learn his laws, and so serve him.  But I dare say the devil hath no days so much service as upon Sundays or holy days; which Sundays are appointed to preaching, and to hear God’s most holy word.  Therefore God saith not only in his commandments, that we shall abstain