The prophecy of Haggai, interpreted and applied in sundry sermonsThe prophesie of Haggai, interpreted and applyed in sundry sermons

Wherein first to you I need not say so much for the laying of the foundation, if the good order already taken for catechising in every house were diligently and carefully looked unto, but albeit the foundation be laid yet in building the walls, there would be somewhat added. I have heard, and so have others, of strangers of godly zeal and good credit, who coming into our University, have made complaint that on the Sunday in the afternoon there hath not been a sermon in all Oxford, which were a special service for the sanctifying of that day, when there were fewer preachers among us than now there are, yet were there more sermons than now adays there be; so that it might truly be said, the people is increased, but their joy is diminished: although I nothing doubt but there would enow be found voluntarily to perform this work, yet think I it more convenient, and likelier to continue, if the public Readers, the Heads of the Colleges with the Prebends of Christ-church will take the charge of it, that whereas now they are to preach once, they would vouchsafe to do it twice, which might be done with little increase of their pains, and great profit of the University. This thing I doubt not but it would be established, if it would please God to stir up his spirit that is in the room of the Magistrate to propose it in the convocation, by the godly disposition of the Doctors in commending it to the house of the Proctors to gather the voices, and of the body of the University to agree to it.

Wherein first to you I need not say so much for the laying of the foundation, if the good order already taken for catechising in every house were diligently and carefully looked unto, but albeit the foundation be laid yet in building the walls, there would be somewhat added. I have heard, and so have others, of strangers of godly zeale and good credit, who comming into our University, have made complaint that on the Sunday in the afternoone there hath not been a serm•n in all Oxford, which were a speciall service for the sanctifying of that day, when there were fewer preachers among us than now there are, yet were there more sermons than now adaies there be; so that it might truly be said, the people is increased, but their joy is diminished: although I nothing doubt but there would enow bee found voluntarily to performe this worke, yet thinke I it more convenient, and likelier to continue, if the publique Readers, the Heads of the Colledges with the Prebends of Christ-church will take the charge of it, that whereas now they are to preach once, they would vouchsafe to doe it twice, which might be done with little increase of their paines, and great profit of the University. This thing I doubt not but it would bee established, if it would please God to stirre up his spirit that is in the roome of the Magistrate to propose it in the convocation, by the godly disposition of the Doctors in commending it to the house of the Proctors to gather the voyces, and of the body of the University to agree to it.