A04463:140
Certain sermons preached before the Queens Majesty, and at Pauls crossCertaine sermons preached before the Queenes Maiestie, and at Paules crosse
Certain sermons preached before the Queens Majesty, and at Pauls cross, by the reverend father John Jewel late Bishop of Salisbury. Whereunto is added a short treatise of the sacraments, gathered out of other his sermons, made upon that matter, in his cathedral church at SalisburyCertaine sermons preached before the Queenes Maiestie, and at Paules crosse, by the reuerend father Iohn Ievvel late Bishop of Salisburie. Whereunto is added a short treatise of the sacraments, gathered out of other his sermons, made vpon that matter, in his cathedrall church at Salisburie
London: printed by Christopher Barker, 1583
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And therefore Christ compareth his church to the weakest things that be. Sometimes he calleth it a vine, which unless it evermore be propped and borne up, & looked unto, & pruned, of it self is not able to stand, but falleth to the ground, & groweth wild. Sometimes he likeneth it to a flock of sheep, which without attendance, is ready to take infinite maladies. Sometime to a ship, which if it be not well provided on every side, if it be destitute of light of sun & stars, is in danger of the rock, and winds, & surges of the sea. Sometimes to the moon which hath no light, but from the sun.
And therfore Christ compareth his church to the weakest things that be. Sometimes hee calleth it a vine, which vnies it euermore be propte and borne vp, & looked vnto, & pruned, of it selfe is not able to stande, but falleth to the ground, & groweth wilde. Sometimes he likeneth it to a flocke of sheepe, which without attendance, is ready to take infinite maladies. Sometime to a shippe, which if it be not wel prouided on euery side, if it be destitute of light of sunne & starres, is in daunger of the rocke, and windes, & surges of the sea. Sometimes to the moone which hath no light, but from the sunne.
What needeth more proof in a matter being of it self so clear? Christ himself, & Daniel, & Peter and Paul gave us warning that this confusion should come to pass in the church of God. We see with our eyes, how far we are stra•ed from the original. We see what darkness and blindness hath been even in them that should have ruled the stern. Good men have had their eyes opened, and have pointed to us that the p• l•te of the ship a long time hath been Antichrist. The ancient and old Doctors in their time foresaw that this great captivity and confusion, was coming even upon them. Our fathers of later years, though our Adversaries and Patrons of the contrary cause, ⟨image 47⟩yea, the Bishops of Rome and their chief pillars, do confess that the pattern and original, hath not been kept. Discipline which is the greatest bond of the church, hath been broken: I pray God it may now be restored. The Sacraments that Christ left for our most comfort, have bin miserably mangled and defaced. Our prayers have been without spirit and verity, and so abused, that indeed they were no prayers.