severe and through Repentance servent and devout Prayers godly and unâ—eigned Sorrow spiritual and unspeakable Comfoâ—â—â— well grounded and firm Hope heavenlie and holie Conversation a meek obedience and submission in the general frame of Christian mens carriage Though I have men famous for greatness of Learning soundness of Judgement gravity of Mâ—nâ—ers and Sanctity of Lives yeâ— among my ten thousand Ministers it 's likely some may doe amiss If when there were but three men in the world one was a Murtherer if among Noah's sons one of the three was disobedient if among Iacob's children of two one was prophane if of twelve Apostles one was a Divel another dissembled and a third denyed his Master if among the Asian Angels there is none but was to be reproved if among the few Primitive Preachers there was a Demas that loved the present world a Diotrephes that loved the pre-eminence among my so many thousand Clergy it 's not likely but that some may fall short of the severe exactnesse required in all Ministers who ought to be patterns in good works Oh my Clergy are not Angels but men subject to the like inâ—rmicies with other men If they should say they have no sin they would decerâ—e themselves and the truth would not be in them but if they confess their sins he is faithful and just to forgive them their sins and to cleanse them from all unrighteousness Be Perfection the glory of other Church-members the glory of mine is Sincerity Without all peradventure the most holy and all-seeing God who walketh in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks whose pure eyes are most intent upon the Ministers of the Church hath found iniquity in his servants the Bishops and other Ministers both as to their persons and professions all things being open and naked to him with whom we have to do 1. He observes how many consecrated and set apart to the service of God and his Church in the name place power and authority of Jesus Christ and approaching his gracious presence with Aaron in â—he holy of holies in the glorious â—anifestations of God in Christ to his Church by publick Ordinances and spiritual Influences have not so sanctified the Name of the Lord God their God in their Hearts and Lives in their Doctrines and Duties 2. The great Searcher of hearts knoweth how rashly many of his Ministers undertake how carelesly they manage that great and terrible work under which Angels may swoon and great Apostles cry Who is sufficient for these things how vulgarlâ— they converse how lazily they live how loosely they behave themselves how ambitiously they designe how coveâ—ously they reach how enviously they repine how unexemplarily they walk unworthy of the favour and indulgence shewed them to the amazement of their High-calling the dishonor of their Profession to the forfeiture of their Dignity and Plenty the endangering of their Peace and Safety 3. He that is about our paths and about our dwellings hath observed how unprepâ—â—edly negligently and irreverently rently how partially popularly and passionately how formally and vainly without any power of godliness Life of Religion some performe the work of God the great work of Eternal concernment to our own and other mens souls 4. He whose eyes see whose eye-lids try the children of men hath looked down from heaven and observed the iniquity of some mens holy things their dead and unreasonable instead of a living and acceptable serviee he hath taken notice of that supine negligence which hath sunk some mens Ministrations below the just majesty solidity and gravity of Gospel-dispensations others by an affected height and depth for want of plain instruction and charitable condescending amuse the poor people who know not what they say nor whereof they do affirm 5. He that will reprove and set mens sins in order before them hath taken notice of some mens remiss compliance and others exact rigours according to their private tempers judgements and passions whereby they swerved too much from that just charity discretion legality and constancy which my Canons intented and my constitution health and peace required especially in the peevish touchinesse of these times when so many subtle and envious ones lie in wait to destroy me Yet my Church-mens exorbitancies are not my constitutions their failings are not my frame their infirmities are not my nature their fall is no more mine who disallows it then the Angels fall may be the Heavens that forbid it their weaknesses are humane my authority is divine that charity which thinketh no evil will not lay upon me those enormities which I forbid by a Law which I restraine by Discipline which I mourn for in mine Humiliation and discountenance in those great patterns that shew a most excellent way These sinnes O the Christian world are transgressions of my Law affronts to my Authority the baffles of my Canons and Injunctions O that my Apologie were written yea printed in a book for the satisfaction of the world that the good that I would do that I cannot do and the evil that I would not doe that I do I find a law of my members against the law of my mind So that it 's no more I but the sins and the finners that dwell in me 4. It 's you it 's you whom I have nourished and brought up as children whom I have encouraged as Ministers whom I have promoted as Governours it 's you that have brought this reproach and danger upon me When I had with heroick patience endured the oppression of adversaâ—ies by a Christian prudence defeated the attemps of Schismaticks by an exemplary humility and piety turned the hearts of enemies and by a miracle of Restauration silenced the mouths of all men you my Sons opened the mouth of scandal strengthned the cry of reproach raised the clamours of the envious Oh if an enemy had done this I could with the same Christian courage I have suffered these twenty years have born it but it 's you of my own bosome family and profession O you my Clergy whom I expected more gloriâ—us more steemed more reverenced before all the world after your constant sufferings who coming out of this fiery furnace might shine brighter then ever you did with the love of Christ and of me his Church both as to the care of those private charges and publik inspections committed to you in excellent order and by due authority and I expected that neither pride nor envy pomp nor popularity neither covetousnesse nor ambition should distract the thoughts divide the hearts exasperate the humours or provoke the reproach of an incensed people against my Order and Government and the good of all sorts of Christians Whosoever of you notwithstanding the miracles both of your sufferings and reliefe at such a time as this when the mouth of Hell is open against me shall open any other mouth to joyne in the cry against the Church give life or tongue to any scandalous sin and set that to its clamans
Constitution for many happy years or if you will believe all men in England who have by oaths and Subscriptions by Vows and Protestations resolved to maintain the Protestant Religion as it was established in the Church of England who despair any where to find the way of truth and peace of holiness and happiness but in the use of those holy means and in the exercise of those divine graces which accompany salvation within me proâ—essed and enjoyed I know nothing excellent in any Church for outward policy inward tranquillity and eternal felicity nothing that was pious or peaceable moral or vertuous ritual or spiritual orderly or comely or any way conducing to truth and holiness to grace or vertue to the souls edification and comfort which was not by me entertained with competent Maintenance noble Encouragements ingenious Honours peacâ—able Serenity and munificent plenty In which I flourished so many years by Gods gooduesse and mans indulgence Alas whatever I have done in the settlements of the Rites Circumstances and Decencies of Religion I have observed that modesty wisdom and humility that became a Church of Christ in discreetly and ingeniously compâ—ying with sober primitive and venerable Anâ—iqâ—ity in the Church as far as it observed the Rules of Gods Word and went not beyond the liberty allowed it in point of Order and Decency O you are too knowing to be ignorant and too ingenious to be insensible of your duty to God and your respect to me who was heretoâ—ore so much loved by my Children applauded by my Friends reverenced by my Neighbours feared and envyed by mine Enemies for those spiritual Gifts Ministerial Devotional and Practical which were evidently seen in me those heavely influences which people received from me those grâ—cious examples and frequent good works set â—orth by me the blessed experiences men enjoyed within me the charitable simplicities exercised by my members the numerous Assemblies the frequent Devotions the reverent Attentions the unanimous Communions the well-grounded hopes and unspeakable comforts which thousands enjoyed both living and dying in obedience to and communion with me which to impartial men were most impregnant evidences and valid demonstrations of true Religion and a true Church setled by the joynt consent and publick piety of a Christian Nation He was a wise holy and reverend Son of my bosome who said That in the greatest maturity of his Iudgment and integrity of his Conscience when most redeemed from juvenile Fervours popular Fallacies vulgar Partialities and secular Flatteries be declared to the present Age and Posterity that since be was capable to move in so serious a search and weighty a disquisition as that of Religion is as his greatest design was through Gods grace to find out and persevere in such a profession of Christian Religion as hath most of truth and order of power and peace of holiness and solemnity of divine verity and Catholiâ—k antiquity of true charity and holy constancy So he could not apart from all prejudices and prepossessions find in any other Church or Church-way ancient or modern either more of the good he desired or less of the evil he would avoid then he had a long time discâ—rned and upon a stricter scrutiny more and more in the frame and â—orâ— in the Constitution and Dispensation of the Church of England No where saith he diviner Mysteries no where sounder Doctrinals bolier Morals warmer Devotionals apter Rituals or comlier Ceremonials All which together by a meet and happy concurrence of piety and prudence brought forth such Spirituals and Graces both in their Habits Exercises and Comforts as are the Quintessence and Life the Soul and Seal of true Religion those more immediate and special Influences of Gods holy Spirit upon the Soul those joynt Operations of the blessed Trinity for the Iustification Sanctification and Salvation of a Sinner 1. Can you blame my Government that ancient and Catholick Government of godly Bishops which is so agreeable to Right Reason so suitable to the Principles of due Order and Policy among men so consonant to Scripture-wisdome both in Rules and Patterns so conforme to the Catholick and Primitive way of all Christian Churches throughout all Ages and in all places of the world Would you have me against all charity modesty humility or equity to fall away from the Apostolical way of all Famous Churches and religious Christians to cast off the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nec conciliâ—s in titutum sed semper retentum non nist authoritate Apoâ—tolica institutum the Apostolici seminis traduces Episcopos that universam sucessionem Episcoporum those successiones ab initis decurrentium Episcoporum that ordinem Episcoporum qui in Iohannem stat Authorem that toto orbe deâ—retum Shall I not enquire of the former Age and prepare my self to the search of my Fathers for I am but of yesterday and nothing Shall not they teach me and tell me and utter words out of their hearts Shall not I stand in the way and ask for the old way which is the good way and walk therein Would you have me give offence to the whole Christian world which either is or woâ—ld be governmed by Bishops as the most Apostolick Primitive and Universal Way Would you have me disown the right succession of the power Ministerial conferred by Episcopal hands unto this day Shall the Jewish Church have the Heads of their Tribes as Bishops and Rulers over their Brethren the Priests and Levites and the Christian Church in imitation of them as in other particulars so in this have their Ap stles Evangelists their Pastors and Teachers without reproach and may noâ—â— O it is certaiâ— eâ—that what is once well done in a regular publick way is ever after done as to the permanency of that vertue that is alwayes in a great and good example ple shall I lay aside Primitive right Episcopacy which hath sâ—ch grounds from Scripture both as to the divine wisdom so ordering his â—hurch among the Jews as also by the examPrecept and Direction evident from 〈◊〉 Lord Jesus Christ and the holy Apâ—stles in the New Testament who preferred worthy peâ—sons for their Piety Zeal and holy Gravity to exercise a christian authority over Ministers and people for their souls good which might consist with charity and humility for the presâ—rvation of the Churches peace and purity in the best and primitive times â— such grave persons as for their Age were Fathers for their innocency Saints for industry Labourers for constancy Confessors for zeal Martyrs for charity Brethren for their light Angels and venerable for all Excellencies And I own no other Bishops but such in whom are remarkable the vertues of the most ancient and imitable Bishops the industry of St Austin the Courage of St. Ambrose tâ—e Devotion of St. Gregâ—ry the Learning of Nazianzen the Eloqâ—ence of St. Chrysoâ—tome the Mildness of St. Cyprian the Love of St. Ignatius the Constancy of St. Polycarp the
What empty discourses do I hear what incoherent Notions do I râ—â—d what vain trifles am I troubled with what pillering learned mens works do I endure O what abundance of things should a Minister understand O what a great defect is it to be ignorant of themâ— O how much doe we â—â—iss a competent Knowledge in ordinary Ministersâ— 1. To satisfie themselves and others exactly in the true and original will of God 2. To explain and unfold the words in which Gods will is originally expressed and to endeavour by all means a right notion and conception of them as they are to be understood in the Scripture 3. To shew exactly what are those saving truths which are naturally contained in thoâ—e words so explained 4. To confirm those truths so drawn out of the Scripture by such evident Arguments and powerful Reâ—sons as may estaâ—lish the â—â—ue believer and convince the Gainsaâ—er 5. To press those â—â—uths so made manifest upon men with that power that they may have their proper influence and efficacy upon mens hearts and lives The honest men that are industrious I would willingly encourage provided they have what I wished alwaies and shall now expect in all my Priests and Deacons solidity gravity modesty piety and some savour of Learning 〈…〉 with humanity some methods of intelligible Reason and profitable Scripture-Divinitâ— The Law was published by Moses learned in all the Learning of the Egyptians the Gospel was propagated by St. Paul bred up at the feet of Gamaliel 〈◊〉 all the varieties of 〈◊〉 and Jâ—wiâ—h knowledge the Primitive 〈…〉 St. Aug. St. Ambrose Min. â—elâ— Lactâ—nt and â—thers maintained the Faith â—o propagated by their comprehensive Learning Therefore I have taken care that none should be admitted â—o Orders but they who are appâ—oved by sober and wise men as 〈…〉 that their proâ—iâ—ing 〈◊〉 appear 〈◊〉 as men of whom there is some hope because of their promptneâ—s of wit quickness of conceit fastness of memory clearnesse of understanding soundnesse of judgement and readinesse of speech that they â—ay in time by art industry experience and observation become skilful Linguists subtle Disputants â—opiouâ— Orators exact Critiques comprehensive Historians profound Divines and powerful Preachers that throughout the three Kingdomes I may have those that may settle the people rightly instruct the ignorant clearly satisfie the doubtful fully meet with the seducers skilfully and promote piety and peace succesfully As the times now are wherein Learning aboundeth even unto wantonnesse and wherein the world is full of Questions Controversies Novelties and Niceties in Religion and wherein most of our Gentry and people are by the advantage of long peace and the customes of modern Education together with a multitude of English Books are able to look through the ignorance of a Clergy-man and censure it if he be tripping in any point of History Cosmography Moral or Natural Philosophy Divinity or the Arts yea and to chaâ—tise his very method and phrase if he speaks loosely or impertinently or but improperly I as these times are must not admit any Clergy-men without a competency of Learning as who may endeavour by their prayers care and industry to improve the Learning they have so as they may be able upon good occasion to impart a spiritual gift to the people of God whereby they may be established and to speak with such understanding sufficiencie and pertinencie in some good measure of proportion to the quicknesse and ripeness of these present times shewing in their Doctrine uncorruptness gravity sincerity sound speech which cannot be condemned that they which are of the contrâ—ry party may be ashamed â—â—ving no evil to say of them I whose Clergy professed to use and prayed to God to blesse their long Preparative Studies Mediations Writings Readings habitually to fit them for that dreadâ—ul work and for every actual discharge of it I am ashamed of those poor Smatterers who have gathered a few raw and indigested Notions either by superficial reading of the Scriptures or by hearing some Sermons or by gleaning a little here and there from the plainest Writings without any Critical Historical or Polemical Learning who are fit implements to bring in such ignorance irreverence Atheism Superstition and Confusion as shall quite put out the Christian and reformed Religion in this Nation reducing all to the ancient darkness looseness and barbarousness which hath been established by persons of real abilities of good Learning sound knowledge sober Judgements orderly Method grave Utterance and weighty Eloquence which all wise and sober Christians expect should appear in every true Minister of the Church of Christ insuch a competent measure and evident manner as they may be able comfortably to discern them and usefully to enjoy them I am ashamed to see a Roll of four hundred and fix and twenty Tradesmen who 1. out of desultory restlesness 2. out of covetousness and ambition 3. out of â—ullennesse and discontent 4 out of pride and envy having intruded in former years into the sacred Calling of a Minister are now ordained to it I am ashamed that my Authority should consecrate their Extravagancies and that what I looked upon as the misery of late times should be allowed in this that I should countenance vain men that run from that Calling wherein they are called and usurp the 〈◊〉 Honour and Authority of that sacred Priesthood and Evangelical Ministry instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ as sent of God the Father a mischief that greatly threatneth the Church and State Faith and good Manners all things Civil as well as Sacred O what wise and honest hearted Protestant that hath any care of posterity or prospect for the future findes not a sad dispondency with an holy impatience arising in his soul while he seeth so many weak shoulders such unwashen hands such unprepared feet such rash heads such empty souls publikly intruding themselves upon all hâ—ly Duâ—ies all sacred Offices all solemn Mysteries all divine Ministrations with equâ—l insolency and insufficiency being for the most part so much the more impudent by how much they are grosly ignorant in whom you cannot discern any either raâ—ional or religious orderly or honest expressions in any degree proportionable to what was observable in my most solid Ministers my most acute Scholars and most profound Divines who have been 〈…〉 Certainly Reverend Fathers you will not so deâ—ase and undervalue the Evangelical Offices of Christ as to admit every self 〈…〉 presenâ—ly to officiate without any due â—â—amination oâ— approbation from those with whom that commission and power hath been ever deposiâ—ed in a regular and visible succâ—ssion from Christ the great Examplar or Originâ—l alâ—hough duely considering the diversities of giâ—â—s frâ—m the same Spirit you are not to exclude any modest peâ—son though of meaner parts and less improved education if he be of ingenious education of pious affâ—ctions anâ— an orderly life from a place in Christs Ministâ—y where one may sow another may reap according to the several
horse married my Patrons daughter or gave bond to resigne Sol. Fie fie Are you called to be Ministers Doe your dutie â—ou may look for your due and make no terms with men for what God freelie gives â—ou Will you add a cheat to your Sacriledge rob God and put a trick upon the Law â—s this is this to obey for conscience sake Object I onely bought an Advowson Sol. If you cannot buy a Living when it is vâ—id how can you buy it over another mans head when it is not What do you aim at in the Advowson Do you aim at the good of souls those souls are provided for alreadie Do you aim at the benefit of the place O unworthie man What embrace the present world is the Tythe a Ministers what need you buy it aforehand Is it the peoples why do you take it at all 2. And is the Church grown so contemptible that it may be bought and sold for money Is Preferment rather a prize for the Richest then a reward for the Worthiest who will spend their daies in serious studie and their life in wearisome retirement and their estates in a chargeable education and at last must either buy their preferment or live neglected and die unobserved What ingenious man can endure tedious allowance unsupportable fees intolerable baffles and not retire to his closet and there give himself to dispondencie and despair cursing the day wherein he was born and the years wherein he was bred up saying as Elijah secretly to his soul Lord it is enough take away my life since I have out-lived the glory of the Church the honour of my Calling the encouragements of Parts and Worth I cannot live usefullie O that I might die comfortablie 3. Have I no true Ministers but a Generation of Demasses that embrace the present world Have I no Ministers called of God that will live upon God none that can trust God with their maintenance Will you all crowch for the Priests office onely that you may eat a Morsel of bread will you all degrade your selves and buy and sell your sacred persons and employments Justlie would the Catholick Church have degraded you Can. ap 10. Conc. Chalc 2. Conc. Aurias 14. And will you go on making merchandize of the Word and will you go on in the Ministrie out of filthy lucre and not out of a ready mind Thus thus are my worthie Sons laid aside the unworthie are promoted my people perish my Religion decaies my enemies break in upon me and I have only here and there one to stand by me The weak the scandalous that came in by Symony betray me Oh sacred Majestie O ye the honourable Nobilitie O ye worthie Gentlemen let it be your honour that you can dispose of Livings to the glory of God the honour of the Church and your own comfort let it be your shame that you make any advantage of your Livings to the dishonour of God the danger of the Church and the ruine of souls Oh ye ingenious Ministers content your selves rather that you deserve Preferment then endeavour to enjoy them in this vile unworthie and dangerous way never stoop to these low terms be rather buried in an honest privacie then appear with a publick infamie Non si nunc olim sic erit Oh sacred and august Authoritie of King and Parliament own your former Laws vindicate your Authoritie meet meet this threatning mischief set a watch upon Patrons and their Stewards frown upon the reaching Clergie find out the Panders of Symony that lie about town and set up as it were an Office for abomination Take heed Oh ye Patrons how you lay the Childes portion in a Parsonage and devour that which is holy and after that make enquiry forcing the hopeful Youth to begin with Perjurie and commence with Sacriledge Oh! words fail me I must leave with you the excellent Jewel's words to Queen Elizabeth 1561. The Livings of such as are in the Ministry are not in their hands to whom they are due they seldom pass now adaies from the Patron if he be no better then a Gentleman but either for the Lease or present money Such merchants are broken into the Church of God a great deal more intolerable then were they whom Christ whipt out of the Temple Thus they who should be carefull for Gods Church that should be Patrons to provide for the consâ—iences of the people and to place among them a learned Minister who might be able to preach the Word to them in season and out of season and to fulfil his ministry séek their own and not that which is Iesus Christs they serve not Iesus Christ but their belly and this is done not in one County in one place but throughout all England Oh mercifull God whither will this grow at the last If the misery which this Plague worketh would reach but to one Age it were intolerable it will be a Plague to Posterity it will be the decay and desolation of Gods Church Young men sée this and they are weary and discouraged they dibert their studies another way I know your Grace heareth not of these matters and I hope God will work in your gracious heart some remedies against them for otherwise the Schools will be forsaken the Church desolate the People wild and dismayed the Gosoed discreâ—ited and this noble Realm which ever was famous for the name of Learning likely to come to such ignorance and barbary as hath not been heard of in any memory before our time Poor souls are destitute without a Guide the afflictes in conscience have noâ—e to quiet them they grow wilâ— and savage as a people that hath no God they are commanded to change their Religion and for lack of instruction they know not whither to turn them Oh if the Kingdom of God be not worthy to be promoted yet the Kingdom of Satan is worthy to be overthrown Oh our Posterity shall rue that ever such Fathers went before them and Chronicles will reâ—â—rt this miscarriage they shall leade it written in whose time and in whose reign 〈…〉 Or if we grow is barbarous thâ—t we consider not this or be not able to draw it into Chronicle yet forreign Nâ—tions will not spare to write this and publish it to our everlasting reproach and shame By these means forreign power which by Gods mercy this Realm is delivered from shall be brought upon us the truth of God shall be taken away the holy Scripture burnt and consumeâ— in fire a marvellous darkness and calamity must needs ensue Oh that your Grace might behold the miserable disorder of Gods Church or that you might sée the calamities that will ensue It is a pâ—rt of your Kingdom and such a part as is the prop and stay of the rest I will say to your Mâ—iesty as Cyrillus someâ—imes said to the godly Emâ—erours Theodorus and Valentinian Ab ea quae erga Deum est piâ—tate reip vestrae status pendet You are our Governour you are
four hundreds pounds yearlie during a short life that you should appear in a Pulpit if yet you doe appear in a Pulpit for a little Maintenance that you should appear very solemnly every Sunday onely to put a trick upon God and men I hope better things of you and things that accompany salvation though thus I speak In the Primitive times every Church of so many souls as are of your Parishes had many Ministers whereof the ablest speakers did most in publick and the rest did the more of the less publick work which some mistake for ruling Elders but now one of you takes the care of many Churches The Popish times I mean years 632. could divide England into Parishes for the better discharging of the cure of souls our times unite those Parishes again for the better maintenance of pride and vanity Is it for this that we are reformed is it for this we are Protestants then each Parish had their Ministers to pray with them ferventlie to teach them faithfullie to comfort them seasonablie to converse with them usefullie to relieve them charitablie to direct them carefullie Ah! in quae nos reservamur tempora Now now my people are neglected my buildings are ruined my hospitalitie is lost my authoritie is shrunk and faln and the Church of England is thought to be nothing else but the interest of a few crafty Clergie-men ordering all things to their best advantage Though Envy may know and Prejudice it self may consider I am a Church made up of godly and religious men Princes Nobles Gentry Bishops Ministers and People maintaining an Orthodox Doctrine a Primitive Government a pure and orderly Worship a severe Discipline and a Christian Communion in Word and Sacrament who have forbid these extravagancies by wholsome Laws checked them by severe Canons and disallowed them by fair and just means imaginable In the darkest and most superstitious times I ordered That no Monks i.e. idle persons should take Livings of Bishops or appropriate the Revenues of them to themselves but that the Priests serving in those Cures and the Churches might be provided with necessaries Do you know why Monks were pulled down in H. 8. time Lay it to heart I beseech you for many look for your fall too 1. They were accused for engrossing Wealth and trade and do you hear what the world saith of you 2. They were accused for impoverishing Parish-Priests by decrying Preaching as ministring matter of Schisms and Disputes and magnifying their own performances of Prayer and Devotion by which and other Artifices they undermined the poor Priests and procured that many Churches presentative with their Glebes and Tythes were appropriated to their Covents leaving but a poor pittance for the Parish-Vicar This was the occasion of the first Impropriations I pray God your carelesness doth not occasion another Oh remember Robert Whigifts the Abbot of Wellow's speech who was wont to say That they and their Religion could not long continue because said he I have read the whole Scripture over and over and never found that Monasteries and I may adde Pluralities were founded by God for said the honest Abbot every planting which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up Do you remember that Lay-parliament in King H. 8. his time wherein the Nobles and Commons assembled signified to the King That the Temporal profession of Abbots Priors c. vainly spent would suffice to finde 150 Earls 1500 Knights 6200 Esquires 100 Hospitals Doe you remember those Mock-parliaments that often considered how many 1000 men your Tythes ill bestowed upon you as they thought would maintain You were once undone now are you made whole I beseech you my Sons sinne no more left a worse thing come unto you Bishop Iewel on 1 Thes. p 71. Forasmuch brethren as we were kept from you for a season concerning sight but not in heart we are enforced the more to sâ—e your face with great desire Therefore we would have come unto you I Paul at least once or twice but Satan hindred us Such a zeal and care had he over the people of God Oh in what case then are they that are careless and have no regard of the people of God! which hunt after 〈◊〉 and bend not themselves to do good which serve their own belly and seek to be rich and eat up the people of God as if they were bread They cannot say they have a desire to sée the face of their flock and that their heart is with them howsoevar they find time for other matters they can never take time to know their sheep and 〈◊〉 doe the work of the Ministry among them they care not for them they think not of them they plant not they water not they watch not they give no warning of the dangers at hand they teach them not to deny all ungodliness and worldly lustâ— and to live soverly righteously and godly in this present world It were happy if all such were removed out of the Church of God they destroy the souls and lead them to destruction by their negligence What account shall they give unto God for the souls of their Brethren Where shall they stand or what will they say when he shall bid them make a strait account This is the practise of Satan he useth all means to snare us and withdraw us from that blessed hope sometimes he letteth the encrease of the Gospel by raising up tumults and disquieting the Church of God 〈…〉 the heart of such as are in Authority to perâ—ecute by all means the teachers of the Gospel of Christ. Again when God gives peace and quietness to his Church he leadeth the Overséers of the people to a forgetfulness of their duty to séek the pleasures and delight of this life and to have no regard of the work of the Lord such occasion the Devil séeketh to hinder our salvation and to withstand the truth and glory of God CHAP. V. The Church of England's resentment of Non-residence OH my Sons I have no pleasure in exposing you yet have I no power to excuse you you know that I have charity for you that suffereth long that is kind that is not easily provoked thinketh no evil beareth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things Alas what shall I do now my people complain my adversaries reproach my Soveraign is displeased my Nobility and Gentry are incensed and where-ever I turn my self Complaints are made Petitions are drawn up Jealousies are whispered and Fears are murmured If I should hold my peace I should be thought altogether such a one as you are if I should speak my tongue fails me I am in a great strait yet you had better hear your miscarriages faithfully reproved by me to your reformation then maliâ—iously aggravated by others to your destruction My words may be smart yet they are wholsome severe they may be yet kind you hear me with sorrow but not with more then I speak to you with 1. It