ppl. a. [UN-1 10.]
1. Omitting or neglecting to preach; characterized by absence of preaching.
1549. Latimer, 6th Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 167. The deuill … hath set vppe a state of vnpreachynge prelacye in this Realme…. He hath made vnpreachynge prelates.
1585. Abp. Sandys, Serm., iii. 60. Woe therefore to the idle and Idol pastor, to the dumme dogge, to the vnpreaching minister!
1630. J. Taylor (Water P.), Sculler, Wks. III. 20/1. Who dares say that like a drone or moath, Like an vnpreaching Priest he liues by Sloath?
1660. Prynne, Unbish. Tim. (ed. 2), 95. Idle, proud, ambicious, unpreaching Prelates.
1732. Neal, Hist. Purit., I. 372. There are severe expressions against the unpreaching clergy.
1828. J. T. Rutt, Burton’s Diary, III. 203. Praising that Bishop at the expense of unpreaching prelates.
1850. Marsden, Early Purit., iv. 124. Her successor on the throne … discouraged preaching…. We became an unpreaching church.
† 2. spec. Not undertaking the duty of preaching; merely reading the services of the Church. Obs.
1574. Whitgift, Def. Answ., 482. Bycause a chylde may reade the booke, dothe it therefore mainteyne an vnpreaching ministerie?
1588. J. Udall, Demonstr. Discipline (Arb.), 38. If vnpreaching ministers cannot be made without the manifest breach of the commmaundement of God.
1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. xxxii. § 3. That … we … maintaine an vnpreaching ministerie, is neither aduisedly nor truly spoken.
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., V. xi. 402. Sacraments received from ignorant and unpreaching Ministers.
1710. H. Bedford, Vind. Ch. Eng., 161. There were several unpreaching Ministers, whose … Business it was to read the publick Prayers.
