"It is God that speaks to us in His word; therefore the preaching of the word is called the 'breath of His lips,' (Isa 11:4). Christ is said now to speak to us 'from heaven,' as a king speaks in his ambassador, (Heb 12:25). Ministers are but pipes and organs, it is the Spirit of the living God that breathes in them. When we come to the word, we should think within ourselves, 'God is speaking in this preacher.' The Thessalonians heard the word Paul preached, as if God Himself had spoken unto them. 'When you received the word of God, which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God,' (1 Thess 2:13). When Samuel knew it was the Lord that spoke to him, he lent his ear, (1 Sam 3:10). If we do not regard God when He speaks to us, He will not regard us when we pray to Him."