A49701:91
The preaching bishop reproving unpreaching prelates Being a brief, but faithful collection of observable…The preaching bishop reproving unpreaching prelates Being a brief, but faithful collection of observeable…
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.
And you Rulers and Officers, be wise and circumspect, look to your charge, and see you do your duties, and rather be glad to amend your ill living, then to be angry when you are warned and told of your fault; what a doe there was made in London at a certain man, because he said (and indeed at that time on a just occasion) Burgesses (quoth he) nay Butter-flies. Lord! what a doe there was for that word. And yet would God they were no worse then Butterflies. Butterflies do but ⟨p. 27⟩their nature, the Butterfly is not covetous, is not greedy of other mens goods, is not full of envy and hatred, is not malicious, is not cruel, is not merciless.1 The Butterfly glorieth not in her own deeds, nor preferreth the traditions of men before Gods Word, it committeth not Idolatry, nor worshippeth false Gods; but London cannot abide to be rebuked, such is the nature of men, if they be pricked they will kick, if they be rubbed on the gall, they will winch: but yet they will not amend their faults, they will not be ill spoken of. But how shall I speak well of them? if you could be content to follow the Word of God,2 and favour good Preachers, if you could bear to be told of your faults, if ye could amend them when ye hear of them, if ye would be glad to reform what is amiss: If I might see any such inclination in you, that you would leave to be merciless, and begin to be charitable, I would then hope well of you, I would then speak well of you. But London was never so ill as it is now. In times past, men were full of pity ⟨p. 28⟩and compassion; but now there is no pity,3 for in London their Brother shall die in the streets for cold, he shall lie sick at the door between stock and stock, I cannot tell what to call it, and perish there for hunger, was there any more unmercifulness in Nebo? I think not.
And you Rulers and Officers, be wise and circumspect, look to your charge, and see you do your duties, and rather be glad to amend your ill living, then to be angry when you are warned and told of your fault; what a doe there was made in London at a certain man, because he said (and indeed at that time on a just occasion) Burgesses (quoth he) nay Butter-flies. Lord! what a doe there was for that word. And yet would God they were no worse then Butterflies. Butterflies do but