Note 64 — INTRODUCTION.
Reading edition
Dr. Donne preached a sermon at Paul's Cross on the 14th September, 1622, in which he took occasion "for the publication of some reasons which His Sacred Majesty had been pleased to give, of those directions for preachers which he had formerly set forth."—Works, vi. 191. The preacher declared the King was "grieved with much bitterness, that any should so pervert his meaning as to think that these directions either restrained the exercise of preaching or abated the number of sermons."—Ib. 220. One is sorry to find such a man as Donne excusing James's despotic interference with preaching, and to read the absurd eulogium on his royal master's "books." "Our posterity shall have him for a father—a classic father—such a father as Ambrose, as Austin was."—Ib. 221. Such sycophancy on the part of Donne and others greatly tended to prejudice the people against them and their teaching.