A10338:68
The prophecy of Obadiah opened and applied in sundry learned and gracious sermons preached…The prophecie of Obadiah opened and applyed in sundry learned and gracious sermons preached…
The prophecy of Obadiah opened and applied in sundry learned and gracious sermons preached at All-Hallows and St Mary's in Oxford by that famous and judicious divine John Rainolds D. of Divinity and late president of Corp. Chr. Coll. Published for the honour and use of that famous University, and for the benefit of the churches of Christ abroad in the country, by W.H.The prophecie of Obadiah opened and applyed in sundry learned and gracious sermons preached at All-Hallowes and St Maries in Oxford by that famous and iudicious divine Iohn Rainolds D. of Divinity and late president of Corp. Chr. Coll. Published for the honour and vse of that famous Vniversity, and for the benefit of the churches of Christ abroad in the country, by W.H.
Oxford: printed by Joseph Barnes, 1613
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
But I would to God these nurseries of Pastors & Teachers of the Church, were husbanded in such sort to the Lords advantage, that we need not fear his sentence of the vineyard, that he will let it out to other husbandmen. Then should not so many raw untrained soldiers receive the Lords pay, who do him small service in the day of battle. And yet there were less cause to complain hereof, if they, who be trained, were procured to serve him. But the imprest money and wages due to them, the livings (I mean) appointed for their maintenance, are so impaired and minished: that, being not able therewith to find themselves in soldierlike state, they refuse the calling; or if they undertake it, they are distracted from it, with cares how to supply their need. Whereby it cometh to pass that, ⟨p. 43⟩the Levites flying each into his land for lack of their portions, 1the house of God is forsaken. And to fill their rooms others are taken, who will be hired for least: not according to the proverb, Best is best cheap; but to the common practise, Best cheap is best. Who, though not to serve the calves of Dan and Bethel, yet are made Priests, as those by Jeroboam, of pieces of the people, not 2of the sons of Levi. Who, if they had the grace, should say, I am no Prophet, I am a husbandman: and return to 3the trade which their friends have taught them.
But I would to God these nurseries of Pastours & Teachers of the Church, were husbanded in such sort to the Lords advantage, that we need not feare his sentence of the vineyard, that he will let it out to other husbandmen. Then should not so many raw vntrained souldiours receiue the Lords pay, who doe him smal service in the day of battell. And yet there were lesse cause to complaine hereof, if they, who be trained, were procured to serue him. But the imprest money and wages due to them, the livings (I meane) appointed for their maintenance, are so impaired and minished: that, being not able therewith to find thēselues in souldiourlike state, they refuse the calling; or if they vndertake it, they are distracted from it, with cares how to supply their need. Whereby it commeth to passe that, ⟨p. 43⟩