A04480:28
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.
I leave out much of purpose, good brethren, I wittingly overpass here many things else, that I could say herein; the time would fail me, if I should rehearse unto you all those things wherein they have most shamefully abused themselves. But judge you, my brethren, by these things only which I have here showed unto ⟨image 18⟩you, whether they should be esteemed as the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the secrets of God? Christ willed them not only to be Stewards but faithful Stewards, faithful ministers, faithful dispensers of his secrets. If to do nothing be the faithfulness that God requireth in them, if this be the charge that Christ demandeth of them, then may we well call them the servants of God and ministers of Christ: otherwise how can we say, that they are the Stewards of Gods secrets, and faithful dispensers of his hidden mysteries?
I leaue out much of purpose, good brethren, I wittingly ouerpasse here many things els, that I could say herein; the time would faile me, if I shold reherse vnto you al those things wherin they haue most shamfully abused thēselues. But iudge you, my brethren, by these things only which I haue here shewed vnto ⟨image 18⟩you, whether they should be estéemed as the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the secrets of God? Christ willed them not only to be Stewards but faithfull Stewards, faithfull ministers, faithfull dispensers of his secrets. If to do nothing be the faithfulnesse that God requireth in them, if this bee the charge that Christ demandeth of them, then may wee well call them the seruants of God and ministers of Christ: otherwise how can we say, that they are the Stewards of Gods secrets, and faithfull dispensers of his hidden mysteries?
Saint Paul goeth forth and saith; It is but a small thing that I should be judged of you. Saint Paul notwithstanding he was an elect vessel of God, to bear abroad the glory of his name, notwithstanding he was the greatest of the Apostles, and a faithful dispenser of Gods secrets; yet some men said that he was unlearned, some said he was no Minister of Christs, some said that there were many other Preachers better than he. And this