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How it is, that the People, as to the generality, are incompe∣tent judges of the Preacher and his Doctrin. [ 1233]

IT is related of a ••ertain Bishop,* 1.1 that a Visitation preached a very godly Sermon, and withall so learned and plain, that the descended to the ca∣pacity of the meanest hearers: He was thereupon very much commended, for his grave gesture, for his distinct and sober delivery, for his fatherly instru∣ctions, speaking plainly and familiarly, as a father to his children, not so ear∣nest; and vehement, and hot, as many young Novices are, &c. For their Mini∣ster, he was but a youngling, and as good as no body, in comparison of him; and if they had but such a Preacher, they would give I know not what, to enjoy him.

This great and generall commendation was signified to the Bishop in private, who, to make tryall of the peoples judgment, came the next year after in the attire of an ordinary and poor Minister, offering himself to be their Preacher, it being noy∣sed abroad,* 1.2 that their own was upon his remove to another place. The Bishop ha∣ving gained the Pulpit, purposely chose another Text, differing from his former in words, but not in matter; so that in a manner, he preached the very self-same Ser∣mon. But the same persons, that did so much commend him before, did now as much discommend him, and said; That he had no good gesture, but a heavy kind of moving 〈◊〉〈◊〉 body; that he bended too much forward, and stood not upright; that he was nothing ripe and ready in his delivery; that he could be no Scholar, because he was so plain spoken; that almost any man might make as good a Sermon; that it differed little from ordinary talk;* 1.3 that he enforc'd nor followed his exhor∣tations, with vehemency and earnestnesse of spirit; and that his words had no life in them, to stir up the attention, or move the affections of the hearers; that none of them would give a penny for his maintenance; and that they would have another kind of Preacher than he, or they would have none. Here now was the same Sermon preached,* 1.4 but here not the same People that heard it; the first Sermon Cryed up, the second cryed down, yet still the same Sermon; the Preacher much commended at the first delivery, and as much discommended at the second, yet still the same Preacher. Hence is it, that the generality of the people are not to be looked on, as fit and competent judges, of the Preacher and his Doctrin, for they are usually led by passion, not by discretion, so that oft-times they commend they know not what, and discommend they know not whom.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Th. Granger Crown of Re∣joycing, a Serm. at S. Fauls, 1616.
• * 1.2

  Populus male∣dicentia dele∣etatur. Pinda∣rus.
• * 1.3

  S••vit{que} animis ignobile vulgus. Virg I. Aencid
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 ex incerti•••••••••• su∣mit anim••••. L•• vii decad. 1. l. 6.