The Preaching Bishop Reproving, Title page – Dedication
THE Preaching BISHOP Reproving Unpreaching PRELATES. Being A Brief, but Faithful Collection or 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 the Clergy are most Plainly, Piously and Pithily represented.
He that hateth Reproof, is brutish,
Pro. 12. 1.
LONDON, Printed, and are to be sold by Book-Sellers, 1661.
QUem dabis mihi de numero Praelatorum, qui non plus invigilat Subditorum vacuandis Marsupiis, quam Vitiis exterpandis? O Utinam tam vigiles reperirentur ad curam, quam alacres currunt ad Cathedram,
Barn. Serm. 77. in Cant.
To the Reverend FATHERS, the BISHOPS OF ENGLAND.
My Lords,
THe Name of Bishop Latimer is of all good men had in great Veneration,See his sweet memorial in the Book of Martyrs. and therefore it is not to be doubted, but your Lordships will afford him a Favourable Reception: Where should the Labours of a Reformed Bishop and Martyr, find a safer Patronage, then under the wings of the Bishops of the Reformed Churches? You succeed him in Place and Dignity, tread also in the steps of his Zeal and Diligence. The Tongues and Pens of men are very busie with you; but be confident, if you be clad with the Zeal of your Quondam Brother, they will be as loath to part with you, as they are now willing to be rid of you: For who is he that will harm you, if ye be Followers of that which is good?… Pe. 3. 13.
Your Reverend Brother tels you in these Following Pages, that, though in the time of King Edward the Sixth much was done in the work of Reformation, yet all was not done that was necessary: The greater rubbish of Popery was thrown out, but (saith he) the House is not clean swept yet: The Broom is once more in your Lordships hands, sweep clean, we beseech you, out with the dust of Ceremonies and Superstition, as well as with the Garbidge and Filth of Idolatry. Take not from a Thred to a Shoe-latchet, lest Rome should say, I have made England rich, If Ornaments and Ceremonies (though judged indifferent) be so necessary, can no other be pitcht upon, then such as are found in the Idols Temple? Why should the Spouse of Christ be arrayed in the Attire of an Harlot?Rev. 17. 5
Your pious Brother pleads very heartily for the Ordinance of Preaching, lifting it up above all other parts of Worship, and tels you more then once, Take away Preaching, take away Salvation; a Sentence most worthy the mouth of a Bishop, and fit to be engraven on the doors of your Palaces, and Porches of your Churches.
And your Lordships know what that Jewel of Bishops said, Oportet Episcopum concionātem mori: Oh imitate the zeal and Forwardness of your Famous Predecessors, both in your Persons and Clergical Charge.
My Lords, by a Series of merciful Providences, we are brought under the Government of the best King in the world, whom one of your Brethren not undeservedly stileth,Bish, Reinolds. A Prince of the greatest suavity: His Majesties Gracious Declaration for the ease of tender Consciences, (like a silken Thread) hath tied a faster and closer knot of Love and Loyalty upon the hearts of his Subjects, then all the Cords and Cables of your severest Canons; had your Lordships seconded his Majesties Clemeney, with a Profession of your future Moderation and Gentleness towards Ministers and People, how well had it savoured?
My Lords, Barnard gives you good Counsel, in Serm. 23. super Cantica.
Audiant hoc Prelati, qui sibi commissis semper volunt esse formidini, utilitati raro. Discite subditorum vos esse matres debere, non dominos, studete magis amari, quam metui; & si severitate interdum opus sit, paterna sit, non tyrannica, Matres fovendo, Patres vos corripiendo exhibeatis: Mansuescite, ponite feritatem, suspendite verbera, producite Ubera, pectora lacte pinguescant, non Typho turgeant. Quid jugum vestrum super eos aggravatis, quorum potius onera portare debeatis!—.
You live, my Lords, in a discerning and jealous age;England so called formerly by the Pope. you are like to find the good old Asse more skittish now, then in former times. Your Fathers made our yoke grievous, let it be your Glory, to make the heavy yoke they put upon us, lighter, and we will serve you.
Let not all the trouble seem little before your eyes, that hath come upon us, on our Kings, on our Princes, on our Parliaments, on our Ministers, on this Famous City, and on all this People.
We cannot be deaf to those sad Complaints (His Late Majesty, our dear Sovereign hath left behind him) of the Vulgars violence and tumults in the dawning of our late unhappy Differences: Whence blew the wind that raised the noise and madness of those raging waves? Came it not out of your Quarter?
Remember, and forget not your & caetera Oath,Then sadly complained of. Innovations in Worship, corruption of your Courts Discipline, the decay of the Soul-saving Ordinance of Preaching, the swarming of scandalous and idle Clergy, the steighting and silencing of pious and painful Ministers. These (my Lords) with much more, were those Vapours (which being not purged out, but) by your countenance pent up in the Bowels of the Kingdom, caused that hate overturning Earthquake.
After this Earthquake (through the working of our good God)1 Kings 19. 12. a still small voice is heard, a voice of peace from his Majesty, speaking peace to all his people.
A Voice of Praise from his People, rejoycing and blessing God for such a King.
Beware my Lords, you step not back into your old Circle, and conjure up again the dangerous spirit of this mobile Vulgus.
My Lords,Sir Harbottle Grimston's first Speech in the Banquetting house at Whitehal. His Majesty hath bin twice crowned since his Happy Arrival, once, by the Commons of England, with a Crown of Hearts, and lately, by the Nobles of England, with a Crown of Gold. It is much in your hands, to continue and encrease the Glory of the first and best Crown.
The Management of that Indulgence, His Majesty in His pious Declaration, offers to His Subjects, is like to be committed to your Care: Be tender of His Majesties Honour,See His Majesties Speech to the Lords House. before the People (of which His Majesty is very tender) Clip not His Royal Bounty. Let Ministers and People under your Charge, tast the Fruit of it in its greatest Latitude. What if you decrease in some irregular excesse? If His Majesty encrease His Dominion over the best part of His Subjects Possessions, their hearts,The Kings Declaration mentions some that censure His Majesty for want of Zeal to the Church, because he presseth not a general Conformity to Lyturgies, &c. let it be no Grief of heart to you.
This you may observe (in that which is here dedicated to your Honours) was the genuine Temper and Bent of the Spirit and Labours of,
Your Reverend Brother, Hugh Worcester.