The Preaching Bishop Reproving, Part 1
Part of a Sermon that the Reverend Father in Christ Mr Hugh Latimer Bishop of Worcester, made to the Convocation of the CLERGY.
Luk. 16. 8.
Filii hujus seculi, &c.
CHrist in this saying, touched the sloath and sluggishness of his, and did not allow the fraud and subtilty of other: neither was glad that it was indeed as he said, but complained rather that it should be so; as many men speak many things, not that they ought to be so, but that they are wont to be so. Nay this grieved Christ, that the children of this world should be of more policy then the children of light; which thing was true in Christs time, and now in our time it is most true. Who is so blind but he seeth this cleerly, except perchance there be any that cannot discern the children of the world, from the children of light? The children of the world conceive and bring forth more prudently, and things conceived and brought forth, they nourish and conserve with much more policy, then do the children of light: Which thing is as sorrowfull to be said, as it seems absurd to be heard. When ye hear the children of the world, you understand the world as a father; for the world is father to many children, not by the first creation, but by imitation and love. He is not only a father, but also the son of another father. If you knew once his father, by and by ye shall know his children; for he that hath the devil to his father, must needs have devillish children. The devil is not only taken for father, but also for Prince of the world, that is, of worldly folk. It is either all one thing, or else not much different, to say, children of the world, and children of the devil, according to that that Christ said to the Jews, Ye are of your father the devil; whereas undoubtedly he spake to the children of this world.—
Then this devil being such a one as can never be unlike himself; Loe, of Envy, his welbeloved Lemmon he begat the world, and after left it with Discord at Nurse: Which world after it came to mans state, had of many Concubines, many sons, he was so secund a father, and had gotten so many children of Lady Pride, Dame Gluttony, Mistress Avarice, Lady Lechery, and of Dame Subtilty, that now hard and scant ye may find any corner, any kind of life, where many of his children be not: In Court, in Cowl's, in Cloisters, in Rochets, be they never so white, yea where shall ye not find them? Howbeit, they that be secular and lay men, are not by and by children of the world; not the children of light, that are called spiritual, are of the Clergy. No, no, as ye may find among the Laity many children of light, so among the Clergy (how much soever we arrogate these holy titles unto us, and think them only attributed to us;Mat. 5. 1 Pet. 2. Vos estis lux mundi, peculium Christi, &c. ye are the light of the world, the chosen people of Christ, a Kingly Priesthood; an holy Nation, and such other) ye shall find many children of the world, because in all places the world getteth many children.—
These be our holy, holy men, that say they are dead to the world, when no men be more lively in worldly things, then some of them be. But let them be in profession and name farthest from the world, most alienate from it, yea so far, that they may seem to have no occupying, no kindred, no affinity, nothing to do with it; yet in their life and deeds they shew themselves no bastards, but right begotten children of the world, as those which the world long since had by his dear wife Dame Hypocrisie; and since hath brought them up, and multiplied to more than a good many, encreasing them too much, albeit they swear by all He-Saints and She-Saints too, that they know not their Father nor Mother, neither the world, nor hypocrisie; as indeed they can semble and dissemble all things, which thing they might learn wonderful well of their Parents. I speak not of all religious men, but those that the world hath fast knit at his Girdle, even in the midst of their Religion.—
And I marvel, if there be not a great sort of Bishops and Prelates, that are Brethren German unto these; and as a great sort, so even as right-born, and worlds Children, by as good Title as they? But because I cannot speak of all, when I say Prelates; I understand Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Archdeacons, Deans and other of such sort, that are now called to this Convocation, as I see to intreat here of nothing, but of such matters as both appertain to the Glory of Christ, and to the wealth of the people of England; which thing I pray God they do as earnestly as they ought. But it is to be feared, lest as Light hath many of her Children here, so the world hath sent some of his whelps hither. I know there can be no agreement betwixt these too, as long as they have minds so unlike, and so contrary Affections, and Judgments so utterly divers in all points: But if the children of this world be either moe in number, or more prudent than the children of Light, what then availeth us to have this Convocation? Had it not been better, we had not been called together at all? For as the children of the world be evil, so they breed and bring forth things evil, and yet there be moe of them in all places, or at least.—
And as now I much pass not how you were ingendred, or by what means ye were promoted to those dignities that ye now occupy, so it be honest, good and profitable, that ye in this your consultation shall do & ingender. The end of your Convocation shall shew what ye have done; the fruit that shall come of your Consultation, shall shew what generation ye be of. For what have ye done hitherto, I pray you, these seven years and moe? What have ye ingendred? What have ye brought forth? What fruit is come of your long and great Assembly? What one thing that the people of England hath been the better of an hair? or your selves either accepted before God, or better discharged toward the people committed unto your cure? For that the people is better learned and taught now, than they were in time past, to whether of these, ought we to attribute it, to your Industry, or to the Providence of God, and the foreseeing of the Kings Grace? Ought we to thank you, or the Kings Highness? Whether stirred other first,Note, Doth not the King in his Declaration do so. you the King, that ye might preach, or He you by his Letters, that ye should preach ofter? Is it unknown, think you, how both ye and your Curates were in a manner by violence enforced to let Books be made by prophane and Lay Persons, and sold abroad, and read for the Instruction of the People? I am bold with you, but I speak Latine, and not English; to the Clergy, not to the Laity. I speak to you being present, and not behind you backs. God is my witness, I speak whatsoever is spoken, of the good will that I bear you: God is my witness, which knoweth my heart, and compelleth me to say that I say.
Now I pray you, in Gods name, what did you, so great Fathers, so many, so long a season, so oft assembled together? What went you about? What would you have brought to pass; two things taken away? The one, That ye (which I heard) burned a dead man: The other, that ye (which I felt) went about to burn one being alive: Him, because he did, I cannot tell how, in his Testament withstand your profit; in other Points, as I have heard, a very good man, reported to be of honest life, while he lived, full of good works, good both to the Clergy & also to the Laity. This other, which truly never hurt any of you, ye would have raked in the coals, because he would not subscribe to certain Articles, that took away the Supremacy of the King: Take away these two noble Acts, and there is nothing else left, that ye went about, that I know, saving that I now remember, that somwhat ye attempted against Erasmus, albeit nothing as yet is come to light. Ye have oft sit in Consultation, but what have ye done? Ye have had many things in deliberation, but what one is put forth, whereby either Christ is more glorified, or else Christs people made more holy? I appeal to your own Conscience.
How chanced this? How came this thus? Because there were no children of Light, no children of God among you, which setting the world at naught, would study to illustrate the Glory of God, and thereby shew themselves Children of Light? I think not so: certainly, I think not so. God forbid, that all you which were gathered together under the pretence of Light, should be children of the world. Then why hapned this? why I pray you? Perchance either because the children of the world were more in number, in this your Congregation, as it oft hapneth, or at the least of more policy than the Children of Light in their Generation. VVhereby it might very soon be brought to pass, that those were much more stronger, in gendring the evil, than these, in producing the good: The children of light have Policy, but it is like the policy of the Serpent, and is joyned with dovish simplicity; they ingender nothing but simply, faithfully, and plainly, even so doing all that they do. But the children of this world have worldly policy, foxly craft, lion-like cruelty, power to do hurt, more than either Aspis or Basiliscus, ingendring and doing all things fraudulently, deceitfully, guilfully.— The children of this world be like crafty Hunters, they be mis-named children of light, forasmuch as they so hate light, and so study to do the works of darkness. If they were the children of light, they would not love darkness. It is no marvel, that they go about to keep others in darkness, seeing they be in darkness, from top to toe overwhelmed with darkness, darker than the darkness of Hell. VVherefore it is well done, in all Orders of men, but especially in the Order of Prelares, to put a difference between the children of Light, and children of the world, because great deceit ariseth in taking the one for the other. Great Imposture cometh, when they, that the common people take for the Light, go about to take the Sun and Light out of the world. But these be easily known, both by the diversity of minds, and also their Armors; for whereas the children of light are thus minded, that they seek—
These worldlings set little by such works as God hath prepared for our salvation,Note. but they extol Traditions and works of their own invention: The Children of Light contrary.Note. The worldlings, if they spy Profit, Gains or Lucre in any thing, be it never such a trifle, be it never so pernicious, they preach it to the people (if they preach at any time) and these things they defend with tooth and nail; they can scarce disallow the abuses of these, albeit they be intollerable, least in disallowing the abuse, they lose part of their profit. The Children of light contrary, put all things in their degree, best highest, the worst lowest. They extol things necessary, Christian, and commanded of God. They pull down will-works feigned by men, and put them in their place. The abuse of all things they earnestly rebuke.—
Now to make hast,O Glorious zeal! and to come somwhat nigher to the end, go ye to (good Brethren and Fathers) for the love of God, go ye to, and seeing we are assembled, let us do something whereby we may be known to be the children of light. Let us do somwhat, lest we which hitherto have been judged children of the world, seem even still to be so. All men call us Prelates; then seeing we be in council,Excellent Counsel fit to be taken by this Convocation. let us so order our selves, that as we be Prelates in honour and dignity, so we may be Prelates in holiness, benevolence, diligence and sincerity. All men know, that we be here gathered, and with most fervent desire they can, hale, breath and gape for the fruit of our Convocation. As our Acts shall be, so they shall name us, so that it now lieth in us, whether we will be called Children of the world or children of the light. Wherefore lift up your heads (Brethren) and look about with your eyes, spy what things are to be reformed in the Church of England.—
How think you by the Ceremonies,Note. that are in England, oftentimes with no little offence of weak consciences continued, more often with superstition so defiled, and so depraved, that you may doubt whether it were better for them to tarry still, or utterly to take them away?Note. have not our fore-Fathers complained of the Ceremonies, of the superstitions, and estimation of them? do ye see nothing in our Holy-dayes? of the which very few were made at the first, and they to set forth goodness, virtue, and honesty. But sithence, there is neither mean or measure in making new Holy-dayes:Was it not so of late. as who say this one thing in serving of God, to make this Law that no man may work. But what do the people on these Holydayes, do they give themselves to godliness, or else ungodliness? See you nothing Brethren? if you see not, God seeth: God seeth all the whole Holydayes to be spent miserably in drunkenness, in glossing, in strife, in envie, dansing, dicing, idleness, and gluttony. Thus men serve the Devil, for God is not thus served, albeit ye say ye serve God; no the Devil hath more service done unto him in one Holy-day then on many working dayes; let all these abuses be counted as nothing, who is he that is not sorry to see in so many Holy-dayes rich and wealthy Persons to flow in delicates, and men that live by their travel, poor men to lack necessary meat and drink for their Wives and Children, and that they cannot labour upon the Holy-dayes, except they will be cited, and brought before our Officials. Were it not the office of good Prelates,This winking caused God to open his eyes, and so sorely to visit us as of late. to consult upon these matters and to seek some remedy for them? Ye shall see (my Brethren,) ye shall see once what will come of this our winking.
What think ye of these images.—
If there be nothing to be amended abroad, concerning the whole, let every one of us make one better. If there be nothing at home or abroad to be amended and redressed; My Lords, be ye of good cheer, be merry: and at the least because we have nothing else to do, let us reason the matter how we may be richer; let us fall to some pleasant communication; after let us go Home, even as good as we came hither, that is right begotten Children of the World, utterly Worldlings. And while we live here let us all make boon cheer. For after this life there is small pleasure, little mirth for us to hope for, if now there be nothing to be changed in our factions.1. Pet. 4 Let us say, not as St. Peter did: Our end approacheth nigh, this is an heavy hearing, but let us say as the evil Servant said: It will be long ere my Master come. This is pleasant; let us beat our fellow Servants: let us eat and drink with Drunkards. Surely as oft as we do not take away the abuse of things, so oft we beat our fellows. As oft as we give not the people their true food, so oft we beat our fellow. As oft as we let them dye in superstition, so oft we beat them. To be short, as oft as we blind, lead them blind, so oft we beat, and grievously beat our fellows. When we welter in pleasures and idleness, then we eat and drink with Drunkards.
But God will come, God will come, he will not tarry long away. He will come upon such a day as we nothing look for him; and at such an hour as we know not. He will come and cut us in pieces. He will reward us as he doth the Hypocrites. He will set us where wailing shall be, my Brethren, where gnashing of Teeth shall be, my Brethren. And let here be the end of our Tragedy, if ye will. These be the delicate dishes, prepared for the world's well-beloved Children. These be the wafers and junckets provided for worldly Prelates, wailing and gnashing of Teeth: Can there be any mirth, where these two courses last all the Feast? Here we laugh, there we shall weep; our Teeth make merry here, ever dashing in delicates, there we shall be torne with Teeth, and do nothing but gnash and grinde our owne: To what end have we excelled others in policy: what have we brought forth at last? Ye see Brethren what sorrow, what punishment is provided for you, if you be worldling? if ye will not thus be vexed, be ye not the Children of the world: if ye will not be the Children of the world, be not stricken with the love of worldly things, leane not upon them, if ye will not dye eternally, live not worldly. Come, go to; leave the love of your profit, study for the glory and profit of Christ, seek in your Consultations,Let the Bishops learn their duty from this blessed Saint. such things as pertain to Christ, and bring forth something at last that may please Christ. Feed ye tenderly with all diligence the Flock of Christ. Preach truly the word of God, love the Light, walk in the Light: and so be ye the Children of Light while ye are in this world; that ye may shine in the world that is to come bright as the Sun, with the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost; To whom be all Honour, praise and Glory. Amen.