FRom the ninth verse of this Chapter , the Euangelist doth record the Baptisme , Fasting , Temptation and preaching of Christ . The next thing , is his calling of others to the same worke of preaching . He calleth here two paire of brethren ; Simon and Andrew his brother ; Iames and Iohn his brother .

They were but men , yet he will make them workers together with God : 1. Cor. 3.9 . they were but simple fisher-men , yet he will make them Fishers of men . Follow me , and I will make you Fishers of men .

Consider in the Text two parts : 1. Calling ; Follow me . 2. Qualifying ; I will make you Fishers of men .

Before I speake of the parts , let me consider the order and disposition of the parts : First , Calling ; then , Qualifying . First , Follow ; then , be made fishers .

This first calling of the Apostles , is not to the worke of Apostleship , but rather to the schoole of Discipleship . It is not Follow me , and straightwayes be fishers ; but , Follow , and I will make you Fishers . Neither did these fishers vpon this call , immediatly leaue their nets , and preach the Gospell ; but they left their nets and followed Christ Iesus , and expected another calling and deputation to that great worke : they were not as yet gifted for so high a calling . They must learne before they can teach . First be Disciples , before they can be Apostles ; Followers before Fishers .

Many ouer-skip this degree , and make themselues Apostles , that neuer knew what it was to be Disciples of Christ Iesus : Prophets they are made , that neuer knew the Schoole of the Prophets , nor what it is to be among the sonnes of the Prophets : hauing got a place in the Church ; if you aske them , whence they came thither ? if they will answer truly , Iob 1.7 . they must say as Satan did , From compassing the earth , and from walking to and fro in it , as wanderers that could neuer settle in any good course of liuing ; their indowments of body and mind are so meane , as that no Calling in the world could affoord them bread , for their paines , and therefore are faine to say ( as it was Gods curie vpon Elies wicked sons ) Appoint me , 1. Sam 2. vlt. I pray thee , to one of the Priests offices , that I may eate a morsell of bread . Prou. 6.11 . Thus necessitie pursuing them like an armed man , as Salomon saith , they flie from their enemie , and take hold on the hornes of the Altar ; there they eate the Shew-bread , which is not lawfull to eate , but for the Priests onely .

They that are driuen to this Calling for bread onely , and haue no other testimony of an inward calling , nisi quod inanitate intestina murmurant , Plaui . Cas. for the most part they will transgresse for bread in the execution of their offices , & frusto panis conduci possunt , vel vri taceant , vel vti loquantur ; they will speake good of euill , or euill of good , as they shall finde to make best for their owne priuate aduantage .

It is the Apostles sentence , Act. 6. It is not meete to leaue the word of God , and serue tables : we may inuert the sentence , and say , It is not meet that men should leaue seruing of tables , to become dispensers of Gods word ; It is not meete that Ministers should turne Seruing men ; nor that Seruing-men and such like , mercenary and mechanicall men voide of learning and gifts enabling , should turne Ministers . If euer God open the eyes of these men , to let them see the danger they are in , and feele the weight of the burden that is on their shoulders , and how vnable they are to beare it , they wil then come in , fulfilling the prophecie of Zacharie , and say , I am no Prophet , but an husbandman : Zach 13.5 . for man taught me to be an-herd-man from my youth . Though they haue now high places in the Church , and are great in their parochiall purchases , though they sit vpon pinnacles of the Temple , yet if they consider that the Tempter set them there , to cast them downe headlong , to breake their necks , they will be glad to get downe the fairest way . Though they haue now the honour of Prophets , yet if they consider that they are but the diuels workmen in Gods house , and that it may be said of them as of Saul , Inuasit eum spiritus malus , 1. Sam. 18.10 . & prophetabat ; the euill spirit comes on them , and they prophecie : the euill spirit comes on them , and they turne Priests . When they well weigh these things , they will be glad for the peace of their consciences to betake themselues to their old trades againe , and leaue this Calling to those that can better execute it , and that can deriue their pedigrees from Aaron . Nehem. 7.64 .

If you aske the cause , why in a well gouerned Church such Locusts can so swarme ? One is , sacrilegious Patrons giue their liuings vpon such dishonest termes , that no man of gifts or grace can accept of them ; and therefore they are faine to find out such as will accept of them vpon any termes , euen for Michaes wages , Iudg. 17.10 . ten shekels of siluer by the yeare , a suite of apparell , and meate and drinke .

But others say , if no such Ministers were made , the Church should not be pestered with such vnworthy creatures . It is true indeed ; and if any that haue power to ordaine , admit such wittingly and willingly , it will be heauie for him to answer for it before the great Bishop of our soules . But to speake truly in the iust defence of those reuerend Fathers ( quos vtinam omnes possem liberare ) the cause for the most part is amongst our selues : for it is not possible that any Bishop should know the life , and conuersation , and education of euery one that is to be admitted into the ministery , but by the testimony of those that know them . Ministers and Gentlemen , for fauour or for by-respects , are too liberall of their hands , in giuing testimony to them whom either they know not , or know , not to be deseruing ; Et hinc illae lachrimae . They that thus commend vnworthy ones to the worke of the ministery , let them consider ( though they be no Bishops ) whether in so doing they haue not transgressed the Apostles precept , 1. Tim. 5.22 . Ne cui cito manus imponas , Lay hands suddenly vpon no man , neither be partaker of other mens sinnes .

There is another sort that out-run their calling too , which being called to follow , straightwayes runne to this fishing before they be furnished : being called to be Disciples , straightwayes they run to the Apostolik function ; contrary to the Apostles precept , Neophitus ne sit , 1. Tim. 3.6 . Let him not be a yong Scholler . Before yeares and experience , reading and other helps bring them to maturitie of iudgement , they take vpon them to diuide the word of God to his people . Let it be granted that these be ( some of them ) of the Tribe of Leui ( I meane yong men trained vp in the Schooles for the Ministery ) yet for their forwardnesse it may be said of them truly , as the factious company to Moses mutinously , Numb . 16 You take too much vpon you , yee sonnes of Leui. Vnder the Law the Leuites had their appointed times for their ages , Numb. 4. before which they might haue no admittance to the seruice in the Tabernacle , though they were neuer so ripe and pregnant . It was not well with the sacrifices when Priests boyes were permitted to intermeddle ; they neuer came to do any good seruice either to God or to his Church : 1. Sam. 2.13 . but they came with their flesh-hookes to fetch sweet morsels from the Altar , and these caused the sacrifices of the Lord to be despised . When the yong sonnes of the Prophets shall be set to gather herbes to make pottage for the food of Gods houshold , they may happely in stead of wholesome pot-herbes , bring in Colloquintida ; that when the broth is serued in , they that taste of it , may say , Mors in olla , 2 King 4.40 . O man of God , death is in the pot .

I doubt not but God may enable some , as he did yong Timothy with rare gifts for his worke , though they haue not many yeares : but it is not common , it is not ordinary . Et da mihi talem Timotheum , saith Bernard , Bernard . & ego illum cibabo auro & potabo balsamo .

Thus farre the order and disposition of the parts . Now followeth the parts of tne Text in order .

To follow Christ Iesus , is not to follow him on foote onely , Augustinus de bono virginali . but to follow his precepts and example of life : Hunc in eo quisque sequitur , in quo imitatur , saith Saint Augustine . To follow Christ , is to be a Disciple of Christ ; Math. 28.19 . to be a Disciple , is to be a Christian . For they that at the first were called Disciples , Act. 11.26 . afterwards at Antioch began to be called Christians . Then to follow Christ , is to become good Christians by the imitation of Christ . And this is the first step to the office of the ministery : he must first be a good man that will be a good Minister . And this first step you ( beloued , of the Laitie ) must tread with vs . For though to follow Christ , be here propounded as the first staire to the office of preaching the word ; yet else where our Sauiour Christ and his Apostles make it a common dutie belonging to all that beare the name of Christ , and are called Christians . It is not said of the Pastors onely , but of the sheepe also , that they follow the chiefe Shepheard : My sheep heare my voice , Iohn 10.27 . and they follow me . And to the whole Church at Ephesus , Be ye followers of God , as deare children , Eph. 5.1 . and walke in loue , euen as Christ hath loued vs , &c.

No sheep in Christs fold is barren of good works , They all go vp from the washing , euery one hath twins , Cant 4.2 . and none is barren amongst them . Shew me thy faith by thy works , saith Saint Iames. Thy faith is best seen by thy following of Christ Iesus .

The life of a Christian is his faith , the life of his faith , is his good workes : for faith without workes , saith Saint Iames , is a dead faith . Iam. 2.17 . A sound Religion makes the professors thereof trees of righteousnesse , saith the Prophet ; not barren and dead trees , like the fig-tree our Sauiour Christ cursed , hauing leaues , and no fruite on it ; but fruitfull trees , Math. 21.19 . Such as be planted in the house of the Lord , Psal. 92.13 . shall flourish in the courts of our God ; they shall bring forth fruit in their age , they shall be fat and flourishing . Though we do not teach you to merit heauen by your good workes , yet we must tell you , that your faith that is emptie of good works , is no good faith . Iustifying faith and a good conscience are inseparable companions , and say one to another as Ruth said to Naomi , Ruth . 1 17. Where thou dwellest , there will I dwell ; and where thou diest , there will I die . A fruitlesse faith is a dead faith . Giue me children , Gen. 13.1 . saith Rachel to her husband , or else I die . So saith Faith to the professors thereof , Let good workes be the fruite of my wombe , or else I am but dead .

We glorie much to compare our age enlightened , to the darknesse of the age of our fore-fathers , what darknesse they sat in , and what light we now do see . But if we looke well about vs , our wants are as great as theirs : they walked in darknesse , because they had no light : but this is the condemnation of this our age , that light is come into the world , and men loue darknesse more then light , because their deeds are euill . The former age indeed was as Leah , bleare-eyd , yet fruitfull in many commendable workes : our age as Rachel , quicke sighted , and beautifull to the eye , but barren : we are fruitfull indeed in professed religion , but fruitlesse of the true practise of pietie . Many that professe to follow Christ Iesus , aequis passibus , as it were at the very heeles , yet are found to halt , and so discredit themselues and their profession , 2. Sam. 12.14 . and cause the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme . The more glorious you are in your profession , if your actions be not answerable , the more do you wrong the Church wherein you stand , and wound your owne soules . Angels tongues , would haue Angels liues , Saints liues at the least . But where there are Angels tongues and diuels liues , there are diuels incarnate ; Satan transformed into an Angel of light . It is better that wickednesse should be seene in her owne colours , then vnder the hood and habit of vertue . A wicked Professor is worse then a professed wicked man .

But this dutie of following our maister Christ , is here chiefly intended to vs of the Ministery , wee must so follow , as that we must be examples to our flocks : we must follow Christ so neare , as that they may follow him in following vs ; that we may say to them as the Apostle Paul , 1. Cor. 11.1 . Be ye followers of me , as I am of Christ : so we must teach them as well by example of life in following , as by doctrine in preaching Christ .

We are by resemblance starres ; Apoc. 1.10 . starres we are in this life , and shall be starres in heauen too , if we fulfill our Ministery effectually : Dan. 12.3 . They that turne many to righteousnesse , shall shine as starres in the firmament for euermore . Starred haue light , that points at our doctrine ; starres haue influence too , Iob. 38.31 . that points at our good works . Canst thou restraine the sweet influence of the Pliades , or loose the bands of Orion , saith almightie God to Iob. As the Philosophers define , Stella est densior pars sui orbis , a starre is a massier part of his orbe : so should good Ministers be more compact of goodnes and grace , then the rest of the people , amongst whom they liue .

Wherefore , beloued brethren , starres of this constellation , since our Calling is high and honorable , let the condition of our liues be suitable : let there not be disparitie and disproportion betwixt our callings and conuersations : Ne sit sedes prima , & vita ima . Ad Oceanum . It is Saint Ieroms annotation vpon the name of Pastor giuen to vs : Talis ●ligendus est Pastor , prae quo reliquus populus grex est . The like note may we as wel haue here from this name of Fisherman : Talis est eligendus Piscator , prae quo reliquus populus pisces sunt . He ought to be so conspicuous for Gods graces eminent in him , that it may be said of him as of the man whom God did chuse to be the first King ouer his people Israel : Videte virum quem elegit Dominus : 1. Sam. 10.24 . Behold the man whom the Lord hath chosen , higher then all the people by the head , there is none like vnto him of all the people .

We aime at , not onely the grosse and greatest sinnes of the people , but euen at the least too , euen motes must we take away : and how cleane must he be himselfe , that should be a mote-finder in other mens liues ? We may not go with beames in our owne eyes , to pull out motes out of our brothers eyes : if we do , they will as soone suffer vs to pull their eyes out of their heads , as any motes out of their eyes . For such is the peruersnesse of people , ( I may well call it peruersnesse in them ) they will not be taught by their doctrines whose liues teach not too ; Math. 7 5. but they haue learned to say , Hypocrite , first pull the beame out of thine owne eye , then shalt thou see more clearely to pull the mote out of thy brothers eye . Motes in our eyes are beames , they are beames indeed in the peoples account , nay , they are beames in Gods account ; I would to God then they might be so in our account too . Our motes are beames in Gods account : for marke it , and it is obserued by Chrysostome , Dial. lib. 6 , cap. 10. that vnder the Law there was as much sacrifice to be offered for the sinne of the Priest , as for the whole multitude ; to signifie , that for the dignity of his place , and for the common mischiefe ensuing vpon his fall by example , his sin weighed as much as the sinne of all the people . And the Priests daughter that did not intermeddle in the Priests office , yet in regard of her descent and family she comes of , her sinne was much more hainous then the same sinne in another woman : Leuit. 21.9 . Cum reliquis vero in eadem culpa depre●ensit mitius agebatur . Exod. 22.16 if she played the whore , she must be burned with fire , though the same sinne in another had an easier punishment .

The world is much giuen to fault-finding with vs for our liues , and many times without a cause : for they thinke to extenuate their owne faults , by agprauating ours ; Gen. 3.12 . and pleade in defence of their sins like Adam : The woman that thou gauest me , gaue it vnto me , and I did eate . The Pastor that thou didst set ouer me , was an example vnto me of sinning , and I did sinne . Querentes licentiam male viuendi , August . de vita & moribus clir . Serm. 2. querunt sibi exempla malè viuentium , & multos infamant , vt socios inuenisse videantur : And if they find such examples amongst vs , though it excuse not themselues , yet it makes vs inexcusable if we be guiltie .

Voi soli non potestis perire . Ber● Beloued , it stands vs in hand to looke to our own footing . We liue not to our selues ; many do stand or fall by our example . The sinnes of Elies sonnes made the people of the Lord to trespasse . And exemplary sinnes must haue exemplarie punishments .

The next in the Text , is qualifying : I will make you Fishers of men . First , Fishers must be skilfull both to guide their boate vpon the tempestuous sea , and also to know when , and how , and where to cast out their nets to make a draught .

Secondly , Fishers must be painfull , alwayes busie about their fishing , either letting downe their nets for a draught , or pulling them vp , or launching into the deepe , or haling to the shore , or mending or washing their nets .

Thirdly , Fishers must agree in their worke , else by discord and wrangling amongst themselues the worke is hindered that it neuer goeth forward . When Peter saith , I go a fishing ; the rest agree , and say , We will go with thee .

Fourthly , Fishers , if they be compared to the fishes that they lay for , one man ( though but a fisherman ) is of more worth then millions of fishes . Fishers then , fishers in this kind , fishers of men are of no base trade . The subiect commends the work : they fish not for fishes , but for men : for men , not to prey vpon them , but to saue them ; not for the bodies or goods of men , but for the soules of men ; they fish for the soules of men , purchased by the blood of the Sonne of God . Thus by the name of Fisher-man , we haue commended vnto vs these foure qualities in Gods fisher-men , Skilfulnesse , Painfulnesse , Concord , and Dignitie .

1 First for Skilfulnesse . Since our fishing is not for transitory things , but for gaining of soules to God , it behoueth vs to vse our best skill for the effecting of so great a worke : all the helpes of nature and art are to be sought for for this work : arts and tongues , meditations and readings , should be hand-maides for this Art .

Gods fisher-men here by the like metaphors are called Gods builders , 1. Cor. 3. In the building of the materiall Temple , there must not be a stone layed , nor scarce a pin driuen but by diuine art taught of God . How shall men vntaught then presume to worke in Gods spirituall building with vntempered morter , and hands vnsanctified for the worke ?

It is intollerable and impious boldnesse , that euery vnskilfull know-little shall presume at his pleasure to diuide the sacred word of God , the holy Gospell to Gods people , and that in the sight and presence of God himselfe , and all his holy Angels . He that doth this worke aright , Isa. 12.3 . doth draw water from the well of saluation for the people of God , saith the Prophet . Let therefore euery faithfull Pastor draw this water ; but euery one with his owne pitcher . If any haue not a pitcher , or but a broken pitcher , how should he draw . I may say with the woman of Samaria , the well is deepe , Ioh. 4.11 . and if thou hast nothing to draw with , whence shouldst thou haue that water of life .

Many to auoide the imputation of dumbe dogs in the Church , breake silence , and become Preachers , sometimes ( through ignorance ) of vnsound doctrine , many times of vnsauory , that worketh nothing either to the information of the iudgement , or to the reformation of the affections of the hearer . I speake not to discourage any of meane gifts , if they can be any wayes profitab●e . He that hath but one talent , if he vse it well , shall haue his reward with God . But I would haue no man presume , that he hath a talent in his napkin , when he hath but an emptie napkin .

This frothy kind of preaching makes the multitude to contemne so high and holy an ordinance : when after a long and tedious Sermon heard without fruit , it may be said of the hungry multitude , as the Prophet speakes of Ephraim , Hos. 12.1 . Ephraim is fed with the wind : for they get nothing but emptinesse : Vox est , praeterea nihil , a great sound of much food , but no sound food at all .

Of such teachers , which through ignorance many times proue teachers of lies , I say no more , but as Iob said to his comfortlesse comforters , Iob 13.5 . O that you would hold your tongues , that it might be imputed vnto you for wisedome .

Some of these , though but meanly qualified , yet if in humilitie they would take notice of the meannesse of their gifts , they might be more profitable in more silence : but whilest they thinke to cleare themselues of insufficiencie and of idlenesse by their often preaching , they are faine for want of matter , to fill vp their houres with vaine tautalogies and idle discourses , that the meanest of their auditory can discerne their barrennesse , and count their preaching but babbling .

When the people of Rome heard that the fields belonging to some of their Colonies waxed barren , their aduice was ( as Plinie recordeth ) that the Husband-men should melius arare , Nat. hist. & minus serere , plough better , and sow lesse : so when Gods field waxeth barren , and the people profit not by preaching of the word , by reason of a negligent kind of preaching , I hope it wil not be counted vngodly counsell to such as cannot speake often , and well too , that they spend more time in their studies , and be lesse seene in their pulpits . If they haue fished all night and caught nothing , it were not amisse that they should sit downe a while vpon the shore and mend their nets , afterwards with Gods blessing they may fish with better successe .

Till I come ( saith Saint Paul to Timothy ) giue attendance to reading , to exhortation , and to doctrine . 1. Tim. 4.13 . The better we giue attendance to reading , the better we shall be furnished for doctrine and for exhortation . He that heareth , speaketh continually , saith Salomon , Prou. 21.28 . And since auditus est sensus disciplinae ; by hearing ( in this place I take it ) is not onely meant the hearing of the eare , but any means whereby the minde is enriched with knowledge , whether it be hearing , or reading , or meditation , or conference : in this sense then , he that heareth speaketh continually . But he that will be speaking continually , and neuer heareth , shall be sure alwayes to speake that that is not worth the hearing . It is better the people should heare fewer Sermons to their edification , then many without profit . Col. 4.6 . Let our words be gracious alwayes , saith the Apostle , and seasoned with salt : and let vs not more regard the number of them , then the weight . 1. Cor. 14.19 . I had rather ( saith Saint Paul ) speake fiue words with vnderstanding , and to the edification of others , then ten thousand in a barbarous tongue without profit .

But to those that are able to be frequent , the counsell of the King and Preacher is to be followed , Eccles. 11.6 . In the morning sow thy seed , and in the euening let not thy hand cease : for thou knowest not whether shall prosper , this or that , or whether both alike . But to others ( such as now I speake of ) they should speake no oftener in the name of God to his people , then when almightie God commands them to speake : and then onely God commands to speake , when he furnisheth his speaker with good matter ; according to that of Elihu in Iob , Iob 32.18 . I am full of matter , and the Spirit within me compelleth me .

It behoueth vs , not onely to haue the tongues of the learned , to speake sound & iustifiable doctrine ; but also to haue the tongues of the discreet too , to speake seasonably , respecting persons , times and places : this was the Prophet Isaies gift , Isa. 50.4 . The Lord hath giuen me the tongue of the learned , that I should know to minister a word in due season to him that is weary . It behoueth vs to know how to giue to euery one his portion in due season ; milke to them that are weake , strong meate to the stronger . We must learne to know the maladies of the people , and how to cure them , and not always ( which the Prophet reproues ) to heale the sores of Gods people with sweet words . Ier. 6.14 . If the wound be festring and putrifie , we must know how to make incision ; if it be a broken wound , how to heale it vp . We must know how to vse sometimes oyle to supple a wound , sometimes wine to search it : the good Samaritan vsed both , Luk. 10. he powred in wine and oyle .

A skilfull Pastor must sometimes be a Boanerges , that is , the sonne of thunder , to thunder out the curses of the Law against obstinate sinners . Again , he must sometimes be a Barnabas , that is , the sonne of consolation , to comfort with the sweet promises of the Gospell those that feele the weight and burden of their sinnes . It is not the least part of our skill to know how to reprehend with good effect . Many do lose many times the reprehension and the man too , because they are not cautelous in the application of it : if it haue the least sauour of ill wil and reuenge , it marres all . The very matter of reprehension hath in it a certaine kind of harshnesse and bitternesse ; therefore must be qualified in the manner . We must do as Physitions , that vse to giue their wholesome-bitter pils lapt vp in sweete-meates .

To a naturall man to be reprehended for his sin , his sweet sin , his darling sin , oh it goes like daggers to his heart ; he is ready to crie out , Murder , murder ; Act. 7.28 . Wilt thou kill me as thou didst the Egyptian yesterday ? There is in this a Christian art to be vsed , Vt secantem gladium sentiat aeger antequam cernit , saith Bernard , that the soule-ficke man may gulpe downe his physicke before he is aware , and let it worke on him afterwards .

Many omit this dutie of reprehending altogether , especially towards great ones , lest they should offend ; and so do not fulfill their ministery wholy , but in part onely : that is no good course : Habet etenium suum virus blan●a adulatio . Seneca . great persons must not be alwayes poisoned with flattery ; Is there for them no balme in Gilead ? Must they be alwayes serued in with butter in a lordly dish to their owne confusion ? No , they must be admonished too , but in good termes , and with due respect . De regim . Abbatif . ad Eustoch . Nihil est in rectore periculosius quam vana humilitas ad correptionem erga superbos protervosque subditos , saith Ierom , It is dangerous humilitie to be afraid to speake in Gods cause , and for the gaining of any , of what degree soeuer . Fishers do not vse to cast nets for smal fishes , & let great ones go : we may not so make fish of one , and flesh of another : yet regard must be had to the qualitie of the person . Is it fit ( saith Elihu to Iob ) to say vnto a King , Iob 34.18 . thou art wicked ; and to Princes , Ye are vngodly ? No ; Saint Paul would haue a difference obserued towards persons of meaner qualitie : Seniorem ne increpaueris , sed obseora vt patrem , 1. Tim. 5.1 . Rebuke not an Elder , but intreate him as a father .

Dauid could well brooke that Nathan should tell him of his greatest sinnes ; because as he did his message faithfully from the Lord , so he did it with due reuerence , and respect to the person of the King . Vir sanctus ( saith Bernard ) & regem considerans , & peccatorem . But whem Shimei rebuked him for the same sinne , he was highly displeased with him , and that iustly ; for he vsed vnreuerent and disgracefull railing on the King .

The second qualitie in Fisher-men , is Painfulnes . Fishing is a painfull trade . As Peters trade of fishing for fishes of the Sea was painfull , in the sweate of his browes : so this his trade in fishing for men is as painfull , in the sweate of his braine . For as in that he had many times sore trauell , without fruite : so in this it may sometimes befall him to haue cause to complaine with the Prophet Isay , I haue laboured in vaine , Isai. 49.4 . and 55.2 . I haue spent my strength in vaine : all the day long haue I stretched out my hands to a rebellious people . This Chaire of Peters , is not a Chaire to sit and sleepe in : he that sits in it , must think that spoken to him , which our maister Christ spake to Peter : Peter , louest thou me ? then feed my sheepe , feed my lambes ; if thou louest me Peter , feede . The lips of the righteous ( saith Salomon ) feede many . Prou. 10 21. And the hungrie flock of Christs fold expect their food from them that are their Pastors : they must therefore with all diligence giue them their meate in due season . Many Pastors are not painfull in feeding , because their flocks are ignorant , and cannot iudge of their paines : and some Pastors reioyce that they haue such a people , with whom they may be idle , and none complaine of their idlenesse , whether it be silent idlenesse in not preaching , or speaking idlenesse in preaching without meditation . Such a stupiditie in the people , should be no reioycing to the Pastor , but rather stirre him vp to greater paines . Crat. ●iguri habitae . Impostoris est non probi viri stupidos & ignaros quaerere auditores quos possit fallere , saith Peter Martyr . Some there are that presuming vpon their owne extemporall facultie , and their peoples simplicitie , bid faire for that curse that almightie God denounceth against those that do the worke of the Lord negligently , Ier. 48.10 . In the 34 of Ezekiel , amongst many other curses which almightie God threatneth against idle Pastors , this is one , that they shall be depriued of their gifts . A talent hid in a napkin , shall be taken away . Excellent gifts are lost many times , because they are not vsed . Wherefore let the heart indite a good matter , and then the tongue will be the pen of a ready writer : but if the heart wax fat with idlenesse , no maruell then though the tongue cleaue to the roofe of the mouth , and the right hand forget her cunning .