Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the adversaries of the sameQuestions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the aduersaries of the same

The whole scope and drift¹ of this question is this, that if there chance a free conference or disputation in any counsel, wherein they are required to render a reason of their faith and Religion, and so may not refuse the same, that then they may have at the least some kind of prerogative, to the end that nothing may be decreed against them, & that they may not be drawn from their sins, errors, & other abuses, to a virtuous & acceptable life before god. ⟨p. 37⟩Therefore seek they by all means, that them selves only may be placed in th• councils, and that they may not be constrained to admit any lay man, or such as are not of their stamp, amongst them, but that they alone may have full power and authority to accuse, to be witnesses, to determine and to judge, and that by this means nothing may be done, but as it listeth them. And even in this sort, have some of their forefathers now a great while holden councils, being the ready way (as they thought) to provide for them selves. But whether this were acceptable before God, upright before men, or profitable to the church, the time it self, the oppressing of the truth, the slaughters of most godly men, and the miserable government of the thurche, doth evidently declare, yea and all faithful and wise men, may easily judge. Of this²