Ebdomas embolimaios a supplement to the eniautos, or course of sermons for the whole year : being seven sermons explaining the nature of faith and obedience in relation to God and the ecclesiastical and secular powers respectively / all that have been preached and published (since the restauration) by the Right Reverend Father in God Jeremy, Lord Bishop of Down and Connor ; to which is adjoyned, his Advice to the clergy of his diocese.

I. Personall Duty.

REmember that it is your great du∣ty, [ I] and tied on you by many Ob∣ligations, that you be exemplar in your lives, and be Patterns and Presidents to your Flocks: lest it be said un∣to you, Why takest thou my Law into thy mouth, see∣ing thou hatest to be reformed thereby? He that lives an idle life may preach with Truth and Reason, or as did the Pharisees; but not as Christ, or as one having Authority.

Every Minister in taking accounts of his life, [ II] must judge of his Duty by more strict and se∣verer measures, than he does of his People; and he that ties heavy burthens upon others, ought himself to carry the heaviest end: and many

things may be lawful in them, which he must not suffer in himself.

[ III] Let every Minister endeavour to be learn∣ed in all spiritual wisdome, and skilful in the things of God; for he will ill teach others the way of godliness, perfectly, that is himself a babe and uninstructed. An ignorant Mini∣ster is an head without an eye; and an evil Minister is salt that hath no favour.

[ IV] Every Minister, above all things, must be carefull that he be not a servant of passion, whether of anger or desire. For he that is not a master of his passions will alwayes be use∣less, and quickly will become contemptible and cheap in the eyes of his Parish.

[ V] Let no Minister be litigious in any thing; not greedy or covetous; not insisting upon little things, or quarrelling for, or exacting of every minute portion of his dues; but boun∣tiful and easie; remitting of his right, when to do so may be useful to his people, or when the contrary may do mischief, and cause re∣proach. Be not over-righteous (saith Solomon) that is, not severe in demanding, or forcing every thing, though it be indeed his due.

[ VI] Let not the name of the Church be made a pretence for personal covetousness; by say∣ing,

you are willing to remit many things, but you must not wrong the Church: for though it be true, that you are not to do pre∣judice to succession, yet many things may be forgiven upon just occasions, from which the Church shall receive no incommodity; but be sure that there are but few things which thou art bound to do in thy personal capaci∣ty, but the same also, and more, thou art ob∣liged to perform, as thou art a publick per∣son.

Never exact the offerings, or customary [ VII] wages, and such as are allowed by law, in the ministration of the Sacraments, nor condition for them, nor secure them before-hand; but first doe your office, and minister the Sacra∣ments purely, readily, and for Christs sake; and when that is done, receive what is your due.

Avoid all pride, as you would flee from [ VIII] the most frightful apparition, or the most cruel enemy; and remember that you can ne∣ver truly teach humility, or tell what it is, un∣less you practise it your selves.

Take no measures of Humility, but such [ IX] as are material and tangible; such which con∣sist not in humble words, and lowly gestures; but what is first truly radicated in your

Souls, in low opinion of your selves, and in real preferring others before your selves, & in such significations, which can neither deceive your selves nor others.

[ X] Let every Curate of Souls strive to under∣stand himself best; and then to understand others. Let him spare himself least; but most severely judge, censure, and condemn himself. If he be learned, let him shew it by wise tea∣ching, and humble manners. If he be not learned, let him be sure to get so much know∣ledge as to know that, and so much humility, as not to grow insolent, and puffed up by his Emptiness. For many will pardon a good man that is less learned; but if he be proud, no man will forgive him.

[ XI] Let every Minister be careful to live a life as abstracted from the Affairs of the world, as his necessity will permit him; but at no hand to be immerg'd and principally im∣ploy'd in the Affairs of the World: What cannot be avoyded, and what is of good re∣port, and what he is oblig'd to by any perso∣nal or collateral Duty, that he may do, but no more. Ever remembring the Saying of our blessed Lord: In the world ye shall have trouble; but in me ye shall have peace: and consider this also, which is a great Truth; That every de∣gree

of love to the world, is so much taken from the Love of God.

Be no otherwise sollicitous of your Fame [ XII] and Reputation, but by doing your duty well and wisely: in other things refer your selfe to God: but if you meet with evil Tongues, be careful that you bear reproaches sweetly and temperately.

Remember that no Minister can govern [ XIII] his people well, and prosperously, unless him∣self hath learn'd humbly and cheerfully to obey his Superiour. For every Minister should be like the good Centurion in the Gospel: himself is under authority, and he hath peo∣ple under him.

Be sure in all your Words and Actions to [ XIV] preserve Christian simplicity and ingenuity; to do to others, as you would be done unto your self; and never to speak what you doe not think. Trust to Truth, rather than to your Memory: for this may fail you, that will never.

Pray much and very fervently, for all your [ XV] Parishioners, and all men that belong to you, and all that belong to God; but especially for the Conversion of Souls; and be very zea∣lous for nothing, but for Gods glory, and the salvation of the World, and particularly of

your Charges: Ever remembring that you are by God appointed, as the Ministers of Prayer, and the Ministers of good things, to pray for all the World, and to heale all the World, as far as you are able.

[ XVI] Every Minister must learn and practise pa∣tience, that by bearing all adversity meekly, and humbly, and cheerfully, and by doing all his duty with unwearied industry, with great courage, constancy, and Christian magnani∣mity, he may the better assist his people in the bearing of their crosses, and overcoming their difficulties.

[ XVII] He that is holy, let him be holy still, and still more holy, and never think he hath done his work, till all be finished by perseverance, and the measures of perfection in a holy Life, and a holy Death: but at no hand must he magnifie himself by vain separations from others, or despising them that are not so holy.