Five sermons preached upon sundry especial occasions Viz. 1 The sinners mourning habitFiue sermons preached vpon sundry especiall occasions Viz. 1 The sinners mourning habit

To see how they do. First, to see how the Pastors do, whom they had set over particular Congregations. The Apostles had been careful in their first election; and good reason; Lay hands suddenly upon no man, saith Saint Paul. There is a Story in the Legend, how a Bishop devoted to the service of our Lady, in the agony of death, prayed her to be his Mediator, as he had been her Chaplain. To whom she answered, that for his other sins she had obtained pardon, but his rash imposition of hands, was a case which her Son would reserve to himself. But some that ⟨p. 48⟩were fit in the choice, may prove unworthy in the progress; therefore must be visited, to see how they do. For if the Physician be sick, what shall become of his patients? Certainly, a Ministers life is full of honour here and hereafter too, so it is full of danger here and hereafter too. O what an honour is it to labour in Gods harvest, to be an Ambassador from Christ, to remit and retain sins, to dress and lead the Bride, to sit on thrones, and judge the nations? Again, what a danger is it to answer for souls lost by our silence, to be guilty of blood, by either teaching, or living amiss? For howsoever the doctrine it self be the Light, yet the Preachers life is the Lantern that carries it, and keeps it from blowing out: and it is an easier defect to want Latin or learning, then to want honesty and discretion. God hath given us the Keys; but if they rust upon our hands, whether through foul carriage, or want of use, they will but serve to lock our selves out of doors. Therefore we must submit to a Visitation.

To see how they doe. First, to see how the Pastors doe, whom they had set ouer particular Congregations. The Apostles had been carefull in their first election; and good reason; Lay hands suddenly vpon no man, saith Saint Paul. There is a Story in the Legend, how a Bishop deuoted to the seruice of our Lady, in the agony of death, prayed her to bee his Mediator, as hee had been her Chaplaine. To whom she answered, that for his other sinnes she had obtained pardon, but his rash imposition of hands, was a case which her Sonne would reserue to hims•lfe. But some that ⟨p. 48⟩were fit in the choise, may prooue vnworthy in the progresse; therefore must be visited, to see how they doe. For if the Physician be sicke, what shall become of his patients? Certainly, a Ministers life is full of honour heere and hereafter too, so it is full of danger heere and heereafter too. O what an honour is it to labour in Gods haruest, to bee an Ambassador from Christ, to remit and retaine sinnes, to dresse and leade the Bride, to sit on thrones, and iudge the nations? Againe, what a danger is it to answere for soules lost by our silence, to bee guilty of blood, by either teaching, or liuing amisse? For howsoeuer the doctrine it selfe bee the Light, yet the Preachers life is the Lanthorne that carries it, and keepes it from blowing out: and it is an easier defect to want Latine or learning, then to want honestie and discretion. God hath giuen vs the Keyes; but if they rust vpon our hands, whether through foule carriage, or want of vse, they will but serue to lock our selues out of doores. Therfore we must submit to a Visitation.