A17189:26
The judgement of the Godly and learned father M. Henry Bullinger chief preacher and…The iudgement of the Godly and learned father M. Henry Bullinger chiefe preacher and…
The judgement of the Godly and learned father M. Henry Bullinger chief preacher and pastor of the Church of Zurich in Switzerland, declaring it to be lawful for the ministers of the Church of England, to wear the apparel prescribed by the laws and orders of the same realm.The iudgement of the Godly and learned father M. Henry Bullinger chiefe preacher and pastor of the Church of Zurich in Swicerlande, declaring it to be lawfull for the ministers of the Churche of Englande, to weare the apparell prescribed by the lawes and orders of the same realme.
London: printed by William Seres, 1566
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Whether the Prince ought to prescribe any thing to the Churches in Ceremonies without the good will and free consent of ecclesiastical persons. I answer, if the Prince should always have stayed for the good will of his clergy, peradventure the most wise and godly kings Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, Asa and Josiah and other good Princes, had never brought the Levites and Ministers of the Churches into order. Albeit my mind is not at all, that Bishops should be shut out of consultations for the Church. Again I would not have them challenge such authority to themselves as they have usurped against Princes and Magistrates in Papacy. Neither would I have Bishops to hold their peace and agree unto unjust ordinances of Princes.
Whether ye Prince ought to prescribe anye thing to the Churches in Ceremonies without the good will and frée consent of ecclesiasticall persons. I answere, if the Prince shoulde alwayes haue stayed for the good will of his cleargie, paraduenture the moste wise and godly kings Iosaphat, Ezechias, Asa and Iosias and other good Princes, had neuer brought the Leuites and Ministers of the Churches into order. Albeit my mind is not at all, that Bishops shoulde be shut out of consultations for the Church. Againe I would not haue them chalenge such authoritie to themselues as they haue vsurped against Princes and Magistrates in Papacie. Neyther woulde I haue Bishops to holde their peace and agrée vnto vniust ordinaunces of Princes.
The last two questions touch the matter nearer. Whether it were better in this order to serve the Church, or ⟨image 13⟩for these things to be cast out of ecclesiastical function? And whether good Pastors may for the neglecting of such Ceremonies, justly be put from the ministry? I answer, if there be no superstition nor impiety in the rites, and yet they are enforced, and enjoined good Pastors, which had rather be discharged of them, in deed I will grant, and that more liberally than needeth, that a burden and servitude is laid upon them, but I will not grant, and that for most just causes, that therefore they should forsake their place or ministry, and give over unto Wolves, as it hath been said already, or to unfitter Ministers, specially when liberty to preach is not taken away, and provision may be made that no further servitude creep in, and many such like things.