Certain sermons preached before the Queens Majesty, and at Pauls crossCertaine sermons preached before the Queenes Maiestie, and at Paules crosse

O merciful God, whereto will this grow at last? If the misery which this plague worketh, would reach but to one age, it were tolerable. But it will be a plague to the posterity, it will be the decay & desolation of Gods Church. Yong men which are toward & learned, see this. They see that he which feedeth the flock, hath least part of the milk: he which goeth a warfare, hath not half his wages. Therefore they are weary and discouraged, they change their studies: some become prentices, some turn to physic, some to law: all shun and flee the Ministry. And besides the hinderance that thus groweth by wicked dealing of patrons: by reason of the impropriations, the Vicarages in many places, & in the properest market towns, are so simple, that no man can live upon them, and therefore no man will take them. They were wont to say, Beneficia sine cura: Benefices without charge: but now may be said, Cura sine beneficio, Charge or cure without benefice. ⟨image 75⟩I speak not this of my self: many here present know I speak the trueth. And my self know the places, which have continued still these many years without a Minister resident among them, and have provided them selves, as they might, with their own money.

O mercifull God, wherto will this growe at last? If the miserie which this plague worketh, would reache but to one age, it were tolerable. But it wil be a plague to the posteritie, it wilbe the decay & desolation of Gods Church. Yong men which are toward & learned, see this. They see that he whiche feedeth the flocke, hath least part of the milke: hee which goeth a warfare, hath not halfe his wages. Therefore they are weary and discouraged, they chaunge their studies: some become prentises, some turne to phisick, some to lawe: all shun and flee the Ministerie. And besides the hinderance that thus groweth by wicked dealing of patrons: by reason of the impropriations, the Uicarages in many places, & in the properest market townes, are so simple, that no man can liue vpon them, and therefore no man wyll take them. They were wont to saye, Beneficia sine cura: Benenefices without charge: but now may be said, Cura sine beneficio, Charge or cure without benefice. ⟨image 75⟩I speake not this of my selfe: many here present know I speake the trueth. And my selfe know the places, which haue continued styll these many yeares without a Minister resident amonge them, and haue prouided them selues, as they might, with their owne mony.