Ministers to be carefull in the practice of that which they preach unto others. [ 1152]
IN a certain battle against the Turks, there was a Bishop, that thus encoura∣ged the Army; Play the Men,* 1.1 Fellow Souldiers, to day, and I dare promise you, that if you die fighting, you shall sup to night with God in Heaven: Now after the battell was begun, the Bishop withdrew himself; And when some of the Soul∣diers enquired among themselves, what was become of the Bishop; and why he would not take a Supper with them that night in Heaven; Others answered,* 1.2 Hodiè sibi jejunium indixit, &c. This is Fasting-day with him, therefore he will eat no Supper to night, though it were in Heaven: Thus it is a sad thing when Ministers like those Pharisees of whom Christ himself spake, shall say and do not, have tongues to speak by the talent, and hands that scarce act by the ounce, have Heaven like that ridiculous Actor of Smyrna at their tongues end,* 1.3 but Earth at their fingers end; Whereas Christ was full of Grace as well as Truth; Iohn Baptist a burning and a shining light; It was Origen's Iussit et gessit, his teach∣ing and his living were both one; And that's the best Sermon surely,* 1.4 that's digg'd out of a Mans own breast, when he practiseth what he preacheth: the want where∣of occasioned Campian our Jesuited Countryman to write,* 1.5 Ministris eorum nihil vilius, their Ministers are most base.