A49701:102
The preaching bishop reproving unpreaching prelates Being a brief, but faithful collection of observable passages, in several sermons preached by the reverend father in God, Mr Hugh Latimer, Bish. of Worcester, (one of our first reformers, and a glorious martyr of Jesus Christ) before K. Edw. the sixth; before the convocation of the clergy, and before the citizens of London, at Pauls. Wherein, many things, relating to the honour and happiness of the king (our most gracious sovereign) the honourable lords, the reverend judges, the citizens of London, and commons of all sorts, but especially, the bishops and clergy are most plainly, piously and pithily represented.The preaching bishop reproving unpreaching prelates Being a brief, but faithful collection of observeable passages, in several sermons preached by the reverend father in God, Mr Hugh Latimer, Bish. of Worcester, (one of our first reformers, and a glorious martyr of Jesus Christ) before K. Edw. the sixth; before the convocation of the clergy, and before the citizens of London, at Pauls. Wherein, many things, relating to the honour and happiness of the king (our most gracious soveraign) the honourable lords, the reverend judges, the citizens of London, and commons of all sorts, but especially, the bishops and clergy are most plainly, piously and pithily represented.
London : printed, and are to be sold by booksellers, 1661
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.
For they that be Lords will not go to plough; it is no meet office for them, it is not seeming for their Estate. Thus came up lording loiterers, thus crept in un-preaching Prelates; and so have they long continued; for how many unlearned Prelates have we now at this day?
And no marvel, for if the Ploughmen that now be, were made Lords, they would clean give over ploughing, they would leave off their labour, and fall to lording too outright, and the Plough stand. And then both Ploughs not walking, nothing should be in the common-weal but hunger.
And no marvel, for if the Ploughmen that now be, were made Lords, they would clean give over ploughing, they would leave off their labour, and fall to lording too outright, and the Ploughstand. And then both Ploughs not walking, nothing should be in the common-weal but hunger.
For ever since the Prelates were made Lords and Nobles, the Plough standeth, there is no work done, the people starve.
They hawk, they hunt, they card, they dice, they pastime in their Prelacies with gallant Gentlemen, with ⟨p. 32⟩their dancing minions, and with their fresh Companions. So that ploughing is set aside; And by their lording and loitering preaching and ploughing is clean gone.
And thus if the Ploughmen in the Country, were as negligent in their Office as Prelates be, we should not long live for lack of sustenance.—
But they that will be true Ploughmen must work faithfully for Gods-sake, for the edifying of their Brethren. And as diligently as the Husbandman ploweth for the sustentation of the body: so diligently must the Prelates and Ministers labour for the feeding of the Soul.
Both the Ploughs must be still going as most necessary for man.
And wherefore are Magistrates ordained, but that the tranquility of the Common-weal may be confirmed limiting both Ploughs.
And wherefore are Magistrates ordain'd, but that the tranquility of the Common-weal may be confirm'd limiting both Ploughs.
But now for the fault of unpreaching Prelates, me-think I could guess what might be said for excusing of them.
They are so troubled with Lordly living, they be so placed in Palaces, ⟨p. 33⟩couched in Courts, ruffling in their rents,1 dancing in their Dominions, burdened with Ambassages, pampering of their paunches, like a Monk that maketh his Jubilee, munching in their mangers, and moiling in their gay Manors and mansions, and so troubled with loitering in their Lordships that they cannot attend it.
They are so troubled with Lordly living, they be so placed in Palaces, ⟨p. 33⟩couched in Courts, ruffling in their rents,1 dancing in their Dominions, burdened with Ambassages, pampring of their panches, like a Monk that maketh his Jubilee, mounching in their mangers, and moiling in their gay Mannors and mansions, and so troubled with loitering in their Lordships that they cannot attend it.
They are otherwise occupied, some in Kings matters, some are Ambassadors, some of the privy Counsel, some to furnish the Court, some are Lords of the Parliament, some are Presidents and Comptrollers of Mints.
They are otherwise occupied, some in Kings matters, some are Ambassadours, some of the privy Counsel, some to furnish the Court, some are Lords of the Parliament, some are Presidents and Comptrollers of Mintes.
Well, well, Is this their duty? Is this their Office? Is this their calling? should we have Ministers of the Church to be Comptrollers of the Mints? Is this a meet Office for a Priest that hath cure of Souls, is this his charge?
Well, well, Is this their duty? Is this their Office? Is this their calling? should we have Ministers of the Church to be Comptrollers of the Mintes? Is this a meet Office for a Priest that hath cure of Souls, is this his charge?
I would here ask one question: I would fain know who controlleth the Devil at home at his Parish, while he controlleth the Mint? If the Apostles might not leave the Office of preaching ⟨p. 34⟩to be Deacons, shall one leave it for minting?—
I would here ask one question: I would fain know who controlleth the Devil at home at his Parish, while he comptrolleth the Mint? If the Apostles might not leave the Office of preaching ⟨p. 34⟩to be Deacons, shall one leave it for minting?—
In this behalf, I must speak to England; Hear my Country England, as Paul said in his first Epistle to the Corinthians chapt. 6. For Paul was no sitting Bishop, but a walking and a preaching Bishop: But when he went from them, he left there behind him the Plough going still, for he wrote unto them, and rebuked them for going to Law, and pleading their causes before Heathen Judges. I speak, saith he, to your shame, is there not a Wise man, &c.
In this behalf, I must speak to England; Hear my Country England, as Paul said in his first Epistle to the Corinthians chapt. 6. For Paul was no sitting Bishop, but a walking and a preaching Bishop: But when he went from them, he left there behind him the Plough going still, for he wrote unto them, and rebuked them for going to Law, and pleading their causes before Heathen Judges. I speak, saith he, to your shame, is there not a Wiseman, &c.
So England, I speak it to thy shame, is there never a Noble man to be a Lord President, but it must be a Prelate? is there never a Wise man in the Realm to be a Comptroller of the Mint? I speak it to your shame, I speak to your shame: if there be never a Wise man, make a Water-bearer, a Tinker, a Cobbler, a Slave, a Page Comptroller of the Mint. Make a mean Gentleman a Groom, a Yeoman, make a poor beggar Lord President.
So England, I speak it to thy shame, is there never a Noble man to be a Lord President, but it must be a Prelate? is there never a Wiseman in the Realm to be a Comptroller of the Mint? I speak it to your shame, I speak to your shame: if there be never a Wiseman, make a Water-bearer, a Tinker, a Cobler, a Slave, a Page Comptroller of the Mint. Make a mean Gentleman a Groom, a Yeoman, make a poor begger Lord President.
Thus I speak, not that I would have it so, but to your shame, if there be never a Gentleman meet nor able to be Lord President.
