If alwaies often preaching bee
prating, what meant the practise I say, not onely of _Calvin_, and
_Beza_ but of _Chrysostome_, _Basil_, _Ambrose_ with other of the
Fathers, preaching every day in the weeke, some of them twise in the
weeke, none of them so seldome, as such would bear the world in hand.
What meant sundry ancient Councells, (the eleventh of _Tolet_ in Spaine)
yea even of Trent it selfe, to excite the torpor of the Bishoppes of
their times, as their Canons speake, enjoyning frequent preaching,
calling for more then almost any man is able to performe?
But heere I may turne reprooving into rejoycing, that preaching is
growne in any better fashion and grace with our times, by royall and
reverend, both examples and countenance: only I wish that every
_Archippus_ may fulfill his Ministery, be instant and constant in
preaching. _Salomon_ the older, and wiser hee grew, the more hee taught
the people, sharpened his goads, and fastned his nails; whereas many
amongst us are so wise in their youth, as to affect the foolishnes of
preaching; but in their dotage, Ease slayes the foole; when the doore is
oyled, it leaves creaking; they must then fall to make much of
themselves, till contrary with the Prophet they cry out, My fatnesse, my
fatnesse, my belly, my belly; so favouring their lungs, that they will
bee sure never to die of _Davids_ consumption of zeale; let such preach,
say they, that want livings: and if for shame they preach at all, it
must bee rarely and easily, for breaking of their winde (my meaning is
not to tax such, whom God disinables by weaknesse of body; or such as
recompence their rarity with industry, as _Perkins_, &c.
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