By this, then, it appeareth that a prelate, or any that hath cure of soul, must diligently and substantially work and labour.  Therefore saith Paul to Timothy, Qui episcopatum desiderat, hic bonum opus desiderat:  “He that desireth to have the office of a bishop, or a prelate, that man desireth a good work.”  Then if it be a good work, it is work; ye can make but a work of it.  It is God’s work, God’s plough, and that plough God would have still going.  Such then as loiter and live idly, are not good prelates, or ministers.  And of such as do not preach and teach, nor do their duties, God saith by his prophet Jeremy, Maledictus qui facit opus Dei fraudulenter; “Cursed be the man that doth the work of God fraudulently, guilefully or deceitfully:”  some books have it negligenter, “negligently or slackly.”  How many such prelates, how many such bishops, Lord, for thy mercy, are there now in England!  And what shall we in this case do? shall we company with them?  O Lord, for thy mercy! shall we not company with them?  O Lord, whither shall we flee from them?  But “cursed be he that doth the work of God negligently or guilefully.”  A sore word for them that are negligent in discharging their office, or have done it fraudulently; for that is the thing that maketh the people ill.

But true it must be that Christ saith, Multi sunt vocati, pauci vero electi:  “Many are called, but few are chosen.”  Here have I an occasion by the way somewhat to say unto you; yea, for the place I alleged unto you before out of Jeremy, the forty-eighth chapter.  And it was spoken of a spiritual work of God, a work that was commanded to be done; and it was of shedding blood, and of destroying the cities of Moab.  For, saith he, “Cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from shedding of blood.”  As Saul, when he kept back the sword from shedding of blood at what time he was sent against Amaleck, was refused of God for being disobedient to God’s commandment, in that he spared Agag the king.  So that that place of the prophet was spoken of them that went to the destruction of the cities of Moab, among the which there was one called Nebo, which was much reproved for idolatry, superstition, pride, avarice, cruelty, tyranny, and for hardness of heart; and for these sins was plagued of God and destroyed.

Now what shall we say of these rich citizens of London?  What shall I say of them?  Shall I call them proud men of London, malicious men of London, merciless men of London?  No, no, I may not say so; they will be offended with me then.  Yet must I speak.  For is there not reigning in London as much pride, as much covetousness, as much cruelty, as much oppression, and as much superstition, as was in Nebo?  Yes, I think, and much more too.  Therefore I say, repent, O London; repent, repent.  Thou hearest thy faults told thee, amend them, amend them.  I think, if Nebo had had the preaching that thou hast, they would have converted.  And, you rulers