The last charge is pernicious. And here many words are used to give countenance unto that one. The main ground is, Woe to me if I preach not the Gospel; and Simon lovest thou me? then feed my sheep. Whereupon he gathereth, that it is a pernicious thing for a Minister to put himself unto silence. But 1 what is this to the question of discrediting ones Ministry? 2 Although we were most worthy to have these remembrances out of Scripture rubbed upon us yet the Prelates are altogether unworthy and unfit to do it. Let any man conceive with himself B. Bancroft, or any other in the end of the Convocation, after all the Canons were concluded, coming forth as Prolocutor, and speaking thus to the Ministers assembled together before him. Men and brethren, the reverend fathers of this Convocation, as they always meditate on the law of God, and every part of it, both day and night; so especially do they lay to heart those passages of holy Writ which properly concern their office: as woe unto me if I preach not the Gospel: and Simon lovest thou me? feed my sheep. Out of these considerations, being carried with a fervent zeal both of preaching themselves in their several places, and also of procuring more faithful Preachers, and more fruitful preaching throughout the land, they have over and above the institutions of Christ, appointed certain ceremonies strictly to be observed of every Minister: so that whosoever shall hereafter upon any pretence refuse to observe the same, they shall be esteemed factious, schismatical, disorderly, exorbitant men, and for that cause by their Ordinary suspended and deprived. oNw for the preventing of such a mischief your tender mother would have you to understand by my mouth, that if any man be thrust out of the Ministry for not yielding to these constitutions, howsoever they may seem unto him such as the Church cannot lawfully appoint, nor he observe, yet he is author of his own silencing: and therefore you must all be exhorted to consider well of those parcels of Scripture which have so much prevailed with your careful mother. Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel; Simon lovest thou me? feed my sheep.
The last charge is pernitious. And heere many words are used to giue countenance unto that one. The maine ground is, Woe to me if I preach not the Gospell; and Simon lovest thou mee? then feed my sheep. Wherupon he gathereth, that it is a pernicious thing for a Minister to put himselfe unto silence. But 1 vvhat is this to the question of discrediting ones Ministrie? 2 Although we were most vvorthy to haue these remembrances out of Scripture rubbed upon us yet the Prelates are altogether unworthy and unfit to doe it. Let any man conceiue vvith himselfe B. B•ncroft, or any other in the end of the Convocation, after all the Canons were concluded, comming forth as Prolocutor, and speaking thus to the Ministers assembled together before him. Men and brethren, the reverend fathers of this Convocation, as they alwayes meditate on the law of God, and every part of it, both day and night; so especially doe they lay to heart those passages of holy Writ which properly concerne their office: as woe unto me if I preach not the Gospell: and Simon lovest thou mee? feed my sheep. Out of these considerations, being carryed with a fervent zeale both of preaching themselues in their severall pl•ces, and also of procuring more faithfull Preachers, and more fruitfull preaching throughout the land, they haue over and aboue the institutions of Christ, appointed certaine ceremonies strictly to be observed of every Minister: so that whosoever shall heereafter upon any pretense refuse to obserue the same, they shall be esteemed factious, schismaticall, disarderly, exorbitant men, and for that cause by their Ordinary suspended and deprived. oNw for the preventing of such a mischiefe your tender mother would haue you to understand by my mouth, that if any man bee thrust out of the Ministery for not yeelding to these constitutions, howsoever they may seeme unto him such as the Church cannot lawfully appoint, nor hee obserue, yet he is author of his own silencing: and therefore you must all be exhorted to consider well of those parcels of Scripture which haue so much prevailed with your carefull mother. Woe is me if I preach not the Gospell; Simon lovest thou mee? feed my sheepe.
