A12406:1108
The sermons of Master Henry Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…The sermons of Maister Henrie Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…
The sermons of Master Henry Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his corrected copies in his life time.The sermons of Maister Henrie Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his corrected copies in his life time.
London: printed by Richard Field for Thomas Man, 1593
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.
Judges, and Magistrates indeed. But for these usurped titles and base-borne honour which they have encroached from men (which puff them up, and trouble them like Sauls armour) they would have intended the duty of Ministers and Teachers,1 as the Apostles did, whereas now they are so cumbered and mingled by their usurping over Princes, that they are neither good Ministers, ⟨p. 712⟩nor good Magistrates, but Linsey woolsey, a mingle mangle between both, nay utterly fallen from both, being no shepherds but wolves, of whose slaughters all Christian Kingdoms have been the shambles, who seeking a superfluous title, they have for gone all necessary duties: and but for their formalities, a man could not know of what profession they are, for they never preach nor write, but to maintain their kingdom which falls (like the Tower of Babel) faster then they build.2 Therefore as Naomi said, Call me no more Naomi, 3which signifieth beautiful: but call me Mara, which signifieth bitter: so they may say, Call us no more Bishops, or Pastors, or Doctors, or Preachers, but call us robbers, and sleepers, and giants, and Pharisees, whom we succeed. For why should they be called Bishops which do not watch, or Pastors which do not feed, or Doctors which do not teach, or Justices which do not Justice? except this be the reason, The Idols were called Gods,4 though they were unlike God. If their bodies had grown as far out of square since Christs ascension, as their titles, pomp and honour, they might stand in the main seas and not be drowned, for their heads would crow above the water.
Iudges, and Magistrates indeede. But for these vsurped titles and bas-borne honour which they haue encroached from men (which puffe them vp, and trouble them like Sauls armour) they woulde haue intended the duetie of Ministers and Teachers,1 as the Apostles did, whereas nowe they are so cumbred and mingled by their vsurping ouer Princes, that they are neither good Ministers,