[souls]
perish, though they go to the devil?" (Latimer's Sermon at Stamford, 9th
Nov. 1550, _Works_, i. 290).--On the general character of the ministers of
England, see the Parker Society's _Zuerich Letters_, ii. 63. Harding calls
them tinkers, tapsters, fiddlers and pipers, Jewel's _Works_, iv. 873,
209; Jewel admits their want of learning, _ib._ 910; many of them were
made of "the basest sort of the people," Whitgift's _Works_, i. 316;
artificers and unlearned men were admitted to the ministry, Archbp.
Parker's _Correspondence_, p. 120; many had come out of the shop into the
clergy, Fulke's _Works_, ii. 118; an order was given to ordain no more
artificers, Archbp. Grindal's _Remains_, p. 241, note; some beneficed
ministers were neither priests nor deacons, Archbp. Parker's _Corr._, pp.
128, 154, 308; laymen were presented to benefices, and made prebendaries,
_ib._ 371, 312; and an Archdeacon was not in orders, _ib._ 142,
note.--_Parker Society's Index_, p. 537--F.

[125] "I will not speak now of them that, being not content with their
lands and rents, do catch into their hands spiritual livings, as
parsonages and such like; and that under the pretence to make provision
for their houses. What hurt and damage this realm of England doth sustain
by that devilish kind of provision for gentlemen's houses, knights' and
lords' houses, they can tell best that do travel in the countries, and see
with their eyes great parishes and market towns, with innumerable others,
to be utterly destitute of God's word; and that, because that these greedy
men have spoiled the livings, and gotten them into their hands; and
instead of a faithful and painful preacher, they hire a Sir John, which
hath better skill in playing at tables, or in keeping of a garden, than in
God's word; and he for a trifle doth serve the cure, and so help to bring
the people of God in danger of their souls. And all those serve to
accomplish the abominable pride of such gentlemen, which consume the goods
of the poor (the which ought to have been bestowed upon a learned
minister) in costly apparel, belly-cheer, or in building of gorgeous
houses." 1562. A. Bernher's Dedication to Latimer's Sermons on the Lord's
Prayer of A.D. 1552. _Latimer's Works_, i. 317 (Parker Soc.).--F.

[126] On the neglect of their duties by the Elizabethan clergy, and
shifting the consequences of it on to the laity, see the Doctor's speech,
on leaves 51-53 of Wm. Stafford's _Compendious Examina