PRAECONIS EVANG.

another form, by which each one approves and commends himself by words and deeds, and likewise by a certain external appearance of virtue, to those with whom he has business. Divine Paul reports elsewhere, writing to the Corinthians, that he also used this mode: "We have sent together with them our brother, whom we had approved in many things many times as diligent, but now much more diligent" 2 Corinthians 8. God himself also uses the same kind of approval: when, either by the inflamed and burning fury of rebels against the Christian commonwealth, or otherwise, He brings into the light for all men to see a piety that was feigned and false; or when He produces into the sight of men by some notable deed a sincere and solid faith, which seemed to no one to be as great as it was. The third form is accustomed to be used by those who not only open those external morals, speeches, and gestures which can be perceived by the senses of eyes and ears, but also their very souls entirely to God. Paul writes to the Thessalonians 1 Thessalonians 2 that he was approved by God himself, who knows hearts. For he professes that he did nothing by deceit, and that he studied to please God rather than men. Now since the first of these approvals,