Sermon Comparing Solomon and Queen Elizabeth, Title page – To the reader
A SERMON BRIEFLY COMPARING THE ESTATE OF KING SALOMON AND his Subiectes togither with the condition of Queene ELIZABETH and her people.
PREACHED IN SAINCT Maries in Oxford the 17. of Nouember, and now printed with ſome ſmall alteration, by IOHN PRIME, 1585.
IMPRINTED AT OXFORD by Ioſeph Barnes Printer to the Vniuerſitie. 1585.
TO THE CHRISTIAN Reader Grace and Peace.
PRESENT occaſion (gentle Reader) moueth me to preſent thee with this litle Sermon, lately preached & earneſtly requeſted at my hands. Once printing doeth eaſe the often copying out. Verily therein is no great matter of ſuch moment, but only a deſire to affect and ſtir vp ſome duetifull cogitations in the mindes of the hearers in theſe laſt and vnthankefull dayes.
And ſoothly, I was the leſſe carefull to perfourm many proofes either of the Princes ſacred authoritie or happie gouernment in the execution and fruites thereof, being priuie afore-hand to the printing of M. D. Bilſons verie learned and like careful booke in theſe reſpects, euen now comming foorth, by way of thorough & perfit anſwere to turbulent wits and troubleſome heades, and vaine defenders of falſly ſo called Catholiques againſt the neceſſary and mercifull execution of due Iuſtice and her Maieſties Lawes.
And herein (good Reader) my verie hart reioyceth that the long barenneſſe of one and the ſame College at length with much adoe firſt hath brought forth him enabled to incounter with the beſt of our olde deceiued predeceſſours, to witte: D. Cole, D. Harpsfield, D. Harding, D. Sanders, Dorman, Raſtall, D. Stapleton, Points, Marſhall, Fouler, Hide, William Rainoldes and the reſt. God of his goodnes increaſe our knowledge zeal and diſcretion, to the diſcharge of our dueties vntounto the ful.Exod. 3. Pharao non dimittet niſi in manu valida: Poperie is not ouercome by ſilence, ignorance and ſufferance. And know you my brethren of greater ability & gifts (who euer you be) it is a certaine experienced truth; Papiſts neuer flocke togither, neuer mutter Aſdod and Spaniſh in corners, neuer vent & ſparſe abroad lies & fables at ordinary meetings, neuer write, crake & vaunt ſo faſt, but as croking toades againſt a ſtorme. God make vsus wiſe to diſcern who be who, and ready preſt alwayes to diuert their ſpite, & defend his truth. Remember that word: Negotiamim, Luc. 13.donec veniam. Hide not your talents, omit not oportunities, occupie till I come. Fare you well in Chriſt Ieſu.
New Colledge in Oxford 27. Nouemb. 1585.