A04480:21
Seven godly and learned sermons preachedSeuen godly and learned sermons preached
Seven godly and learned sermons preached by the Reverend Father in God John Ivel, late bishop of Salisbury. Never before imprintedSeuen godly and learned sermons preached by the Reuerend Father in God Iohn Iuel, late bishop of Salisburie. Neuer before imprinted
London : Impensis G. Bishop, 1607
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.
Now then can they call themselves Pastores, when they feed not Gods sheep? how can they call themselves watchmen, when they have no regard to Gods flock? how can they call themselves pillars of the Church, yea, and the head of the Church, when they show themselves rather destroyers of the Church of Christ, and not members of the same? Alas, if they be not Gods servants, whose servants are they? if they be not Dispensers & Stewards of Gods secrets, ⟨image 13⟩of whose secrets are they Stewards? if they be not so much as members, how are they then the Pillars & head of Christs Church?
Now then can they call themselues Pastores, when they féede not Gods shéepe? how can they call themselues watchmen, when they haue no regard to Gods flocke? how can they call themselues pillers of the Church, yea, and the head of the Church, when they shew themselues rather destroyers of the Church of Christ, and not members of the same? Alas, if they be not Gods seruants, whose seruants are they? if they be not Dispensers & Stewards of Gods secrets, ⟨image 13⟩of whose secrets are they Stewards? if they be not so much as members, how are they then the Pillers & head of Christs Church?
Saint Paul goeth further and saith, It is not sufficient to be called Servants, to be called Ministers, to be called stewards of Gods secrets, but it is further required at the Stewards hand, that he be found faithful. In this world the Master committeth the order of his house to the governance of his Steward; the disposing of his whole living, & order of all other things, he committeth only to his Stewards wisdom: & he looketh that he be found faithful in all his doings. And if this be in worldly things, if the Master here in this world will look for, & require faithful dealings at his Stewards hands, in such things as are but transitory, & of little value: how much more then will God require faithfulness in his Stewards, as touching things Eternal, things Heavenly, and the disposing of his secrets. But from the beginning, even from the first beginning of the world, there