StateCounfclls aremore topill the poore, than toprcferite them. Whencefhall roe buy bread? Fromthebeginning ofthe world vntil then, it was neuer propounded in any Princes Councell, how the Hungriefhould be fed, or anycare taken, how the Naked fhould becloathed : But how to raifemoneyfor thePrinces expences, for the more magnificent maintenanceofhisMaieftie,and for the vplioldineof his E(tate, this is euerie dayes example. And ifthe royal Patrimonie }hall be impawned,there fhallbe fitting vpon fitting, proitét vpon proie t, how tobring himout of debt,& to fillhis Coffers,and all of themwill puta helping hand to lay more and more burthens on the backes ofthe Poore; but whence the Poore fhould befed, howyourdecayed Townes shouldbee re- paired, how your ruinedCommonwealths reftored to their former honourand greatness let thegreatones aduife vponthat,(ifit ftandnot with the hurtoftheir greatneffe) for Ican fay little vnto it. Saint Bernardhath obfèrued,That ourSa- uiour Chrift raid thrice vntoPeter, Pafce Oues meu, FeedmySheepe : but that hee neuerfaidvnto him , no not fomuch as once, That he should fheerethem.Sig- nifying thereby, That it is theoffice ofagoodPrelat, tohauean efpeciallcare thathis Sheepe be well fed,both withfpirituall andcorporali food, and notto ftudie the raifingof his Rents, the racking of his Tenants,nor his owneprivatc profit. Whence}hall webuybread. Our Saviour Chrift confulted with all his Difci- ples concerning thisbufineffe. And thereforehe faydvnto them, Giue yee them toBate. And although the Difciples tookecare fortheprouifion ofthefethings, they did not lift theireyes vp any higher,thento the diftriburionoftheiraimes. But our Sauiour beingwilling to taxthem forthis theirlittle faith,lie would firft make a verification ofthofefew loafer that they had in their keeping. notpa- nesbahetis,yc. How many loarres haueyee? He beganfirft with Philip, cyther per- hapsbecaufe he was not prefentat what hadpaffed ; or becaufe hee feemed to takethe greateft care, how thefe fhould haue wherewithal)to case ; orbecaufe hewas leffefrugaIl and prouidentthanthe refs (as Saint Chryfoßomenoteth it;) orbecaufehewas not foquicke witted, and ofthat nimble apprehenfionas his fellowes, (asit feemeth toSaint Cyrill.) In conclufion, twoneceffities incoun- tring together; oneof thebody, anotherof the foule one ofbread, and ano- ther offayth; our SauiourChrift began firft with thatof the foule, hauing re- courfetothathisofficeofaSauiour, whomade more reckoningofthe more, thanoftheleflè. Twohundred worth of bread is not fufficient for them. Saint Marke faith inthe nameofthe reft, Let vsgee andbu twohundredpeonyworthofbread.Wher- untoPhilipanfwered, thattwo hundred penny worth ofbread would not bee fufficient for them ; nay two hundred royalls would not come to abita man. At which timehehad turned his eyeafide from our Sauioursontnipotency,pla- cing his eyes vpon his purfe firingsto fee how ftrong theywere : Whereas the bltiredVirgin caftinghereyes offfrom the Mailerofthe feaft, threw them on her fonnesomnipotencie. So fhort lighted is manswifedome, thatin feeing or- dinarymeanes faile, he holds the relieuingofhis wants defperate, not fomuch as once thinkingwhat a thing it istoput our unit in God. And irisa fearefull thingtothinke, that nun finning, hopes that God willpardonhim; and that fufferinghungerand nakednes, Godfhouldnot helpe him. Thou committe t a mortal! ffnne,thou reckoneftnot muchof it, hopingthatGodwill be goodvft- to thee,and forgiue thee thy trefpaffe; thou fuffereft hunger and nakedneffe, and yetdefpaireft ofcomfort, Elting more tobe ffarued todeath, thantobe damned to hell. Canft thou hope then for fogreat afauourastobe fauedbyhis 0 o ; mercy SondayinLent. Ser.25. +37 Chrift neuer commanded vs tofheare thefheepc,bu : to feede them Philip regar- i ded more Chriffs parte; than his pow- er, and lo doe many their oestre.
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