asant and profitable things to speak upon one to another, are
notwithstanding as much subject to that Athenian disease, to be itching
after new things continually, and to spend our time this way, to report,
and to hear news. And, alas! what are those things that are tossed up and
down continually, but the follies, weaknesses, impotencies and wickedness,
ambition and avarice of men, the iniquity and impiety of the world that
lies in wickedness? And is there any thing in this, either pleasant or
profitable, that we should delight to entertain our own thoughts, and
others' ears with them? But the subject that is here entreated of, is of
another nature. Nothing in itself so excellent, nothing to us so
convenient. That which was from the beginning, of the Word of life, we
declare unto you. O how pleasant and sweet a voice is that which sounds
from heaven, be those confused noises(224) are, that arise from the earth!
This is a message that is come from heaven, with him that came down from
it. And indeed that is the airth(225) from whence good news hath come.
Since the first curse was pronounced upon the earth, the earth hath
brought forth nothing but thorns and briars of contention, strife, sorrow,
and vexation. Only from above hath this message been sent to renew the
world again, and recreate it, as it were. There are four properties by
which this infinitely surpasses all other things that can be told you. For
itself it is most excellent; for its endurance it is most ancient, and to
us it is most profitable, and both in itself, and to us, it is most
certain, and by these the apostle labours to prepare their hearts to
serious attention.

For the excellency of the subject that he is to declare,--it is
incomparable, for it is no less than that Jewel that is hid in the mine of
the scriptures, which he, as it were, digs up, and shows and offers unto
them,--that Jewel (I say) which when a man hath found, he may sell all to
buy it,--that Jewel, more precious than the most precious desires and
delights of men, even Jesus Christ, the substantial Word of life, who is
the substance of all the shadows of the Old Testament, the end of that
ministry, the accomplishment of the promises, and the very life of all
religion, without which there is nothing more vain and empty. It is true,
the gospel is the word of life, and holds out salvation to poor sinners,
but yet it is Christ that is the life of that word, not only as touching
the efficacy