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IT is no new matter to see the faithful and profitable admonitions of God his preachers currishly rejected of them / which should gladly and thankfully hear and embrace them / which should obey them / which should to their uttermost promote them / which should employ themselves to defend them: and yet it is as old a custom as it is lamentable / to find such as should be most friends / most foes. To leave the eldest times / when *a Abel found no worse friend then Came / his own brother / when Ismael *b persecuted Isaac / when Esau *c Jacob / when Joseph *d was persecuted by his own brethren / when Moses *e was fame to flee from Egypt because of the Jews / and so forth till the time of the Prophets / when *f Jeremiah found least favour at the priests hands / when Ozeah saith that Gilead the *g college of priests was a city of wicked doers / and polluted with blood / when Amos was so ill entreated by *h Amazia the priest of Bethel / yea leaving these / and coming nearer / when our saviour Christ crieth *i woe to the Scribes and Pharisees / exact interpreters of God his law / because of their hypocrisy / who though they would fain seem holy / yet had they not the hearts to yield to the truth preached by our saviour / because their credit
and gain (as they thought) lay another way: they therefore yielded not / but in stead thereof they slandered Christs person / and his doctrine / they bent themselves wholly against him / they persecuted him / yea the text is plain / that Pharisees and priests all of them / *
counselled against him / left him not till they brought him to his death / nay which is more / one of his own company / one of the principal / one of the *
twelve / Judas letrayed him. Let us caste our eyes upon the Apostles / they found not only the Pharisees & priests their masters chief persecutors / to be theirs also / but divers *
false brethren / I say brethren / but false brethren / nevertheless they went and were taken for brethren / these I say they were endangered by:
IT is no new matter to see the faithfull and profitable admonitions of God his preachers currishly reiected of them / which should gladly and thankfully heare and embrace them / which should obay them / which should to their vttermoste promote them / which should employ themselues to defend them: and yet it is as olde a custome as it is lamentable / to finde such as shuld be most frends / most foes. To leaue the eldest times / when *a Abel found no worsse freende then Came / his owne brother / when Ismael *b persecuted Isaac / when Esau *c Iacob / when Ioseph *d was persecuted by his owne brethren / when Moses *e was fame to flee from Egipte bicause of the Iewes / and so forthe till the time of the Prophetes / when *f Ieremie found least fauor at the priests hands / when Ozeah saythe that Gilead the *g colledge of priestes was a citie of wicked doers / and polluted with bloud / when Amos was so ill entreated by *h Amazia the priest of Bethel / yea leauing these / and comming nearer / when our sauioure Christe crieth *i woe to the Scribes and Phariseis / exact intexpreters of God his lawe / bicause of their hypocrisie / who though they would faine seeme holy / yet had they not the heartes to yeelde to the truth preached by oure sauioure / bicause their credite ⟨image 6⟩and gaine (as they thought) lay another way: they therfore yeelded not / but in steede therof they slaundered Christes person / and his doctrine / they bent themselues wholely against hym / they persecuted hym / yea the texte is plaine / that Phariseis and priestes all of them / *k counselled againste hym / lefte him not till they broughte him to hys death / nay which is more / one of his owne compame / one of the principall / one of the *l twelue / Iudas letrayed him. Lette vs caste oure eyes vppon the Apostles / they founde not onely the Phariseis & priestes theyr masters cheefe persecutors / to be theirs also / but diuers *m false brethrē / I say brethren / but false brethren / neuertheles they wēt and were taken for brethren / these I saye they were endanngered by:
so then / to overpass the examples of the church since / as they are reported in the Ecclesiastical histories (because we have and may have ever best light by the scriptures) this is it I would say / that in these our days / the preachers find not less favour / nay they are not more slandered and persecuted / by any / then not only by the learned of the popish profession / but also by such as would seem pillars of the true religion. And surely a strange thing it is / and a marvellous case / and much to the dismay of many that it should be so / saving that in perusing the scriptures / it is found to have been commonly used. There were two little Treatises lately set forth / both tending to one end / namely to admonish the parliament / what it had to do touching religion / and tending to one end / they bear one name / that is / an Admonition to the parliament. The matters therein contained / how true so ever they be / have found small favour. The persons that are thought to have made them / are laid in no worse prison then Newgate. The men that set upon them / are no worse men the Bishops. ⟨image 6⟩The name that goeth of them / is no better then rebels / and great words there are / that their danger will yet prove greater: well / whatsoever is said / or done against them / or whosoever speak or work against them / that is not the matter: but the equity of their cause is the matter. And yet this I will say / that the state showeth not it self upright / if it suffer them so to be molested / for that which was spoken only in the way of admonition to the parliament / which / was to consider of any such admonition / and to receive it or reject it / without further matter to the Authors: except it contained some wilful maintenance of manifest rebellion / or treason / which it cannot be proved to do. Again appealing as they do to that highest Court of Parliament / from the lower of the Bishops / and Commissioners / because they find not equity at their hands / nor cannot / the Bishops / who are in their Admonition most touched / being chiefest in Commission / allege the Parliament what it will (as some say it was not in form of law / and Imprinted / and yet I trow there may be found presidents of the like / as that of Roderick Mors / the way to Common wealth / the Complaint of the beggars / and such like.)
so then / to ouerpasse the examples of the church since / as they are reported in the Ecclesiasticall histories (bicause we haue and may haue euer best lighte by the scriptures) this is it I wold say / that in these our dayes / the preachers finde not lesse fauoure / nay they are not more slaundered and persecuted / by any / then not onely by the learned of the popishe professyon / but also by suche as woulde seeme pillers of the true religion. And surely a straunge thing it is / and a maruellous case / and muche to the dismay of many that it should be so / sauing that in perusing the scriptures / it is found to haue beene commonly vsed. There were two little Treatises lately sette forthe / both tending to one ende / namely to admonishe the parliament / what it had to doe touching religion / and tending to one ende / they beare one name / that is / an Admonition to the parliament. The matters therin contained / howe true so euer they be / haue founde small fauoure. The persones that are thoughte to haue made them / are laide in no worsse prison then Newgate. The men that sette vpon them / are no worsse men the Bishops. ⟨image 6⟩The name that goeth of them / is no better then rebelles / and great woordes there are / that theyr daunger will yet proue greater: well / whatsoeuer is said / or done against them / or whosoeuer speake or worke against them / that is not the matter: but the equitie of their cause is the matter. And yet this I will say / that the state sheweth not it selfe vpright / if it suffer them so to be molested / for that which was spoken only in the way of admonition to the parliament / which / was to consider of anye suche admonition / and to receiue it or reiecte it / without further matter to the Authors: except it contained some wilfull maintenaunce of manyfest rebellion / or treason / which it cannot be proued to doe. Againe appealing as they doe to that hyghest Court of Parliament / from the lower of the Bishops / and Commissioners / bicause they finde not equitie at their handes / nor cannot / the Bishops / who are in their Admonition most touched / being cheefest in Commission / alledge the Parliament what it will (as some say it was not in fourme of lawe / and Imprinted / and yet I trowe there may be founde presidentes of the like / as that of Roderike Mors / the way to Common wealthe / the Complaint of the beggers / and such like.)
All honest men shall find lack of equity / if their safety be not provided for in this respect / yea / and their appeal thought upon / heard / and yielded unto. If it were the case of any number / for worldly respects / this high Court were to provide for it / but being the case of the whole church of England / and Ireland / and in deed God his cause / all good consciences shall condemn that Court / that provideth not for it / but rejecteth it. The scripture is plain / it *n shall be easier for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement / then for such a Court. God give it grace to provide for it / or ever it be dissolved / and pardon the negligence ⟨image 7⟩already committed / for otherwise surely / there is none other thing to be looked for / then some speedy vengeance to light upon the whole land / provide as well as the politic Machevils of England think they can / though God do his worst: but shut God out of your assemblies and courts / as hitherto in this your last Parliament you have don nothing therein as you ought / no though you have been solicited / but have suffered them that were your solicitors / to be molested / you shall find / both that you ought to have sought the *o kingdom of God first / and also you shall find / if you consider not your own ways in your hearts / how you think it a time to build ceiled houses / to devise laws for the preservation and prosperity of your common wealth / and neglect God his church / leave that waste / provide not for that / you shall find (as the *p Prophet saith) ye shall sow much / and bring in little / ye shall eat / and not have enough. As for the Convocation house / whereof many have conceived a marvellous opinion / and which should of duty look to these matters / common experience doth prove / that they do for the most part apply them selves to the time / and seek rather to please and follow worldly policy / then sincerely to promote Gods cause / and to publish his truth. And hereof their last convocations can be good witnesses. But you say the Bishops are good men / & great clerks / they know what they have to do / and possible some of them do / except the God of this world have bl•nded their eyes / and so did some of the popish bishops:
All honest men shall finde lacke of equitie / if their safetie be not prouided for in this respecte / yea / and their appeale thought vppon / heard / and yeelded vnto. If it were the case of any number / for worldly respectes / this high Courte were to prouide for it / but being the case of the whole church of Englande / and Irelande / and in deede God his cause / all good consciences shall condemne that Courte / that prouideth not for it / but reiecteth it. The scripture is plaine / it *n shall be easyer for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of iudgement / then for such a Court. God giue it grace to prouide for it / or euer it be dissolued / and pardon the negligēce ⟨image 7⟩already committed / for otherwise surely / there is none other thyng to be loked for / then some speedie vengeance to lyght vpon the whole land / prouide as well as the politique Macheuils of Englande thinke they can / though God do his worste: but shut God out of your assemblies and courtes / as hetherto in this youre laste Parliament you haue don nothing therin as you ought / no though you haue bene solicited / but haue suffred them that were your solicitoures / to be molested / you shall finde / bothe that you oughte to haue soughte the *o kingdome of God first / and also you shal finde / if you consider not youre owne wayes in youre heartes / howe you thinke it a time to builde seeled houses / to deuise lawes for the preseruation and prosperitie of your common wealth / and neglecte God his churche / leaue that waste / prouide not for that / you shall finde (as the *p Prophet saith) yee shall sowe muche / and bring in little / yee shall eate / and not haue inoughe. As for the Conuocation house / whereof many haue conceiued a maruellous opinion / and which should of duetie loke to these matters / common experience dothe proue / that they doe for the most parte apply them selues to the time / and seeke rather to please and followe worldly pollicie / then sincerely to promote Gods cause / and to publishe his truth. And hereof their last conuocations can be good witnesses. But you say the Bishops are good men / & great clearkes / they knowe what they haue to doe / and possyble some of them doe / excepte the God of thys worlde haue bl•nded their eyes / and so did some of the popishe bishops:
but you were deceived by them / and you are like to be deceived by these / if you trust them so far / as experience teacheth. Nevertheless you shall die in *q your since / you shall both *r fall into the ditch. But some will say that the admonition hindered other things. As who should ⟨image 7⟩say that to further Gods cause / is to hinder other matters that be profitable for the common wealth / doth the knowledge of God / and the promoting of his glory / hinder profitable laws? that is a thing that I would gladly learn / for I could never understand it before. Wherefore this may be as a second Admonition / with the like mind as afore by them / to crave redress of the great abuses in our Reformation of Religion / some being continued from the papists / some devised by the fantastical heads of vain men / and some though not maintained / yet suffered and not reformed unto this day / yea and further / as they afore / do again appeal to this high Court of Parliament from all other Courts / being ready to defend that which I write touching the substance of it against all men / and that upon the peril of my life. Let me be but uprightly heard and interpreted. The matter is God's / overpass it not lightly / for we may not (though you devised laws to cut us off / as by some one bishop you have been ere now provoked) for our parts thus leave it. The other books are short (as it was requisite to present to you) and therefore they have not so much told you how to Reform / as what to Reform. They have told you of many things amiss / and that very truly / they have told you in general / what were to be restored / but how to do these things / as it is the hardest point / so it requireth / as themselves say / a larger discourse. I mean therefore to supply (as shortly as I can / because I write as they did to you) some thing that may make to the expressing of the matter / so plainly / that you may have sufficient light to proceed by / till they which are endued with greater gifts / discuss it more exactly / or till we our selves / who have begun / may have further opportunity to proceed / if it be neglected of ⟨image 8⟩their part which could we it better.
but you were deceiued by them / and you are like to be deceiued by these / if you truste them so farre / as experience teacheth. Neuerthelesse you shall die in *q your synnes / you shal both *r fall into the ditche. But some will say that the admonition hindered other things. As who shuld ⟨image 7⟩say that to further Gods cause / is to hinder other matters that be profitable for the cōmon wealth / doth the knowledge of God / and the promoting of hys glory / hinder profitable lawes? that is a thyng that I would gladly learne / for I coulde neuer vnderstand it before. VVherfore this may be as a seconde Admonition / wyth the like mynde as afore by them / to craue redresse of the great abuses in oure Reformation of Religion / some being continued from the papistes / some deuised by the fantasticall heades of vayne menne / and some though not maintayned / yet suffered and not reformed vnto thys day / yea and further / as they afore / doe againe appeale to thys hyghe Courte of Parliament from all other Courtes / being ready to defende that whych I wryte touching the substance of it againste all men / and that vppon the pearill of my lyfe. Let me be but vprightly heard and interpreated. The matter is Goddes / ouerpasse it not lightly / for we maye not (thoughe you deuised lawes to cutte vs off / as by some one byshop you haue bene ere nowe prouoked) for oure partes thus leaue it. The other bokes are shorte (as it was requisite to present to you) and therefore they haue not so muche tolde you how to Reforme / as what to Reforme. They haue tolde you of many things amisse / and that very truely / they haue tolde you in generall / what were to be restored / but howe to doe these things / as it is the hardest poynte / so it requireth / as themselues saye / a larger discourse. I meane therfore to supplie (as shortly as I can / bicause I wryte as they dyd to you) some thing that may make to the expressing of the matter / so plainely / that you may haue sufficient lyght to proceede by / till they whych are endued wyth greater giftes / discusse it more exactly / or till we our selues / who haue begon / maye haue further oportunitie to proceede / if it be neglected of ⟨image 8⟩theyr part which coulde we it better.
And yet this I dare say / for the substance of those Treatises (which is it that galleth the adversaries most / how so ever they quarrel with them upon words) that it is so grounded upon the undoubted truth of God his book / that the devil of hell / cannot with his colours blemish it / save he may seek to suppress it by violence: nor any but he / and those whom he hath deceived / or whom God hath not yet given so much light unto / will or can stand against it. I would / and do therefore earnestly admonish them that know / to know as they ought / and to do as they know / and to beware of the *God of this world / that he deceive them not / for the time will come / that this * dung shall be thrown openly in their faces / to their everlasting shame / that maintain it / like as at this day it hath befallen to the senseless Papists / who will never give over / till they can neither will nor choose with shame enough. Next I would / and do earnestly admonish those that are ignorant / to learn to know / and to beware of a blind zeal / which is more violent & unjust / then ought else / carrying men headlong / to maintain that / they have no reason for / and wickedly to gainstand the express truth / to their endless perdition. Now to the matter / I say that we are so scarce come to the outward face of a Church rightly reformed / that although some truth be taught by some preachers / yet no preacher may without great danger of the laws / utter all truth comprised in the book of God. It is so circumscribed & wrapped within the compass of such statutes / such penalties / such instructions / such advertisements / such articles / such canons / such sober caveats / and such manifold pamphlets / that in manner it doth but ••epe out from beh••de the screen. The laws of the land / the book of common prayer / ⟨image 8⟩the Queens Injunctions / the Commissioners advertisements / the bishops late Canons / Lindwoodes Proumetais / every bishops Articles in his diocese / my Lord of Canterburies sober caveats / in his licences to preachers / and his high Court of prerogative or grave fatherly faculties / these together / or the worst of them (as some of them be too bad) may not be broken or offended against / but with more danger then to offend against the Bible.
And yet this I dare say / for the substance of those Treatises (which is it that galleth the aduersaries mooste / howe so euer they quarrell wt them vpon wordes) that it is so grounded vpon the vndoubted truthe of God his booke / that the diuell of hell / cannot wyth his coloures blemishe it / saue he may seeke to suppresse it by violence: nor any but he / and those whome he hathe deceiued / or whome God hath not yet giuen so much light vnto / will or can stand against it. I would / and doe therefore earnestly admonishe them that knowe / to knowe as they ought / and to doe as they knowe / and to beware of the *God of this worlde / that he deceiue them not / for the time will come / that this * dung shall be throwne openly in their faces / to their euerlasting shame / that maintain it / like as at this day it hathe befallen to the sencelesse Papistes / who will neuer giue ouer / til they can neither wil nor chuse with shame inough. Next I woulde / and doe earnestly ad••onishe those that are ignorant / to learne to knowe / and to beware of a blinde zeale / which is more violent & vniust / then oughte else / carying men headlong / to maintain that / they haue no reason for / and wickedly to gainstand the expresse truth / to their endlesse perdition. Now to the matter / I say that we are so skarce come to the outwarde face of a Churche rightly reformed / that although some truth be taught by some preachers / yet no preacher may withoute greate danger of the lawes / vtter all truthe comprised in the booke of God. It is so circumscribed & wrapt within the compasse of suche statutes / suche penalties / suche inst•uctions / suche aduertisements / suche articles / suche canons / suche sober caueats / and suche manifo••e pamphlets / that in manner it doth but ••epe out from beh••de the screene. The lawes of the lande / the booke of common prayer / ⟨image 8⟩the Queenes Iniunctions / the Commissioners aduertisements / the bishops late Canons / Lindwoodes Proumetais / euery bishops Articles in his d•ocesse / my Lord of Canterburies sober caueates / in his licences to preachers / and hys highe Courte of prerogatiue or graue fatherly faculties / these together / or the worste of them (as some of them be too badde) may not be broken or offended against / but with more daunger then to offende against the Bible.
To these subscribing / and sub[…]ing again / and the third subscribing / are re[…]red / for these / Preachers and others are endi[…] are fined / are priso•ned / are excommunicated / are banished / and have worse things threatened them: and the Bible / that must have no further s••pe / then by these it is assigned. Is this to profess God his word? is this are formation? He that could not abide strange fire in the old law / but burnt *s them that used it / what will he do to us in the new law / that erect a new and strange course / or word / to rule his church by? What did the Pope but so? he did suffer God his word to have a course as far as it pleased him / so that he might have the whole authority above it. so did the Popish church: but we say the * word is above2 the church / then surely it is above the English church / and above all these books afore rehearsed. If it be so / why are not they over ruled […] / and not it by them? Here falleth forth to be answered a shift of descant to turn and wind this […]er. Forsooth these are not repugnant / saith […] to the word of God / no nor yet say we / are […] consonant / no more is chaff like to quench […] no nor yet can it abide the fire. But gold can. ••uen so are these unable to quench the light of […] gospel / no *t nor yet can they▪ abide the court o• the gospel / but true religion abideth the trial of the word of God. As well reasoned / it were to say / ⟨image 9⟩lay hay or stubble on the fire / for it will not quench the fire / and therefore it will not be consumed by the fire / as to say receive this reformation / for it is not repugnant / therefore it will abide the trial of the word / but the scripture abideth no such distinction of contrary / and divers / for he that is not with me / take he the Jews part / the Turks / the Papists / or the hypocritical English protestants part / * vhe is against me saith Christ. Another / he talketh for the Queens supremacy / Out saith he / may not the Queen do this and that / but you must […]her to a reckoning:
To these subscribing / and sub〈…〉ing againe / and the third subscribing / are re〈…〉red / for these / Preachers and others are endi〈…〉 are fined / are priso•ned / are excommunicated / are banished / and haue worse things threatned them: and the Bible / that muste haue no further s••pe / then by these it is assigned. Is this to professe God his worde? is this are formation? He that could not abide straunge fire in the olde law / but burnt *s them that vsed it / what will he doe to vs in the newe lawe / that erect a new and straunge course / or worde / to rule his church by? What did the Pope but so? he did suffer God his worde to haue a course as farre as it pleased him / so that he might haue the whole authoritie aboue it. so dyd the Popishe churche: but we say the * worde is aboue2 the church / then surely it is aboue the Englishe churche / and aboue all these bookes afore rehearsed. If it be so / why are not they ouer ruled 〈…〉 / and not it by them? Here falleth forthe to be ••swered a shift of descant to turne and winde this 〈…〉er. Forsothe these are not repugnant / saythe 〈…〉 to the woorde of God / no nor yet say we / are 〈…〉 consonante / no more is chaffe like to quenche 〈…〉 no nor yet can it abide the fire. But gold can. ••uen so are these vnable to quenche the lighte of 〈…〉 gospell / no *t nor yet can they▪ abide the courte o• the gospell / but true religion abideth the triall of the word of God. As wel reasoned / it were to say / ⟨image 9⟩lay hay or stubble on the fire / for it wil not quench the fire / and therefore it will not be consumed by the fire / as to say receiue this reformation / for it is not repugnant / therefore it will abide the triall of the word / but the scripture abideth no suche distinction of contrary / and diuers / for he that is not with me / take he the Iewes parte / the Turkes / the Papistes / or the hipocriticall Englishe protestantes parte / *
how allow you then her supremacy in Ecclesiastical things / (which are in deed to be determined in conferences and councils / and that by the warrant of the word) you will prove very Anabaptists / not suffering Magistrates / nor any politic orders besides / and so he runneth away with alleging scriptures that command obedience to magistrates / and say things must be done orderly and decently / and he deviseth many foul names / and reproaches for us. But here her Majesty is to be humbly entreated / that of her clemency / she will abide us (who are bound by duty / and obedience to God) freely to discuss all things as they are set *forth in the word of God / though her Majesty otherwise think it strange / and also have in owe to exasperate her Majesty against us pore men / who are far unable to abide hit displeasure / and would be sorry to offend her / if it might please God to incline her Majesties heart to consider of our cause / and not to be turned from us by the importunateness of our adversaries / nor by other prejudice of our persons or places: but to deal with us even according to the truth of the matters we deal in / which are according to the very word of almighty God / or else if it will not fall out so / we will be content to abide her displeasure ⟨image 9⟩and sharp punishment. Out if it fall out •o / then as an […]our Magistrate may not take the authority of the highest into his hands / no more may any Magistrate usurp Gods. To Ce[…] *give that which is Caesars / & to God that which is his / saith our saviour. Non• is so high at her common wealth / as her majesty: none so use the sword but she / and whom she appointeth under her / according to y• laws §10of this land / so that it be not repugnant to their vocation / as to ministers. Likewise / none is so high in the church as Christ / none to do any thing / nor any thing to be done in his church / but as it is appointed in his word / either by precise or general direction.
howe allowe you then hir supremacie in Ecclesiasticall things / (which are in deede to be determined in conferences and councels / and that by the warrāt of the worde) you will proue very Anabaptistes / not suffering Magistrates / nor any politique orders besides / and so he runneth away with alleaging scriptures that commaunde obedience to magistrates / and say things must be done orderly and decently / and he deuiseth many foule names / and reproches for vs. But heere hir Maiestie is to be humbly intreated / that of hir clemencie / shee will abide vs (who are bound by duetie / and obedience to God) freely to discusse all things as they are set *forthe in the woorde of God / though her Maiestie otherwise thinke it straunge / and also haue in owe to exasperate hir Maiestie against vs pore men / who are farre vnable to abide hit displesure / and would be sory to offende her / if it might please God to encline her Maiesties heart to consider of our cause / and not to be turned from vs by the importunatenesse of oure aduersaries / nor by other preiudice of oure persones or places: but to deale with vs euen according to the truthe of the matters we deale in / which are according to the very woorde of almightie God / or else if it will not fall out so / we will be content to abide hir displeasure ⟨image 9⟩and sharp punishment. Out if it fal out •o / then as an 〈…〉oure Magistrate may not take the authoritie of the highest into hys hantes / no more may any Magistrate v•urpe Gods. To Ce〈…〉*geue that whych is Cesars / & to God that whych is hys / saythe oure sauioure. Non• is so high at her common wealthe / as hir maiestie: none so vse the sweard but shee / and whom shee appointeth vnder hir / according to y• lawes §10of thys land / so that it be not repugnant to their vocation / as to ministers. Likewyse / none is so hygh in the churche as Christe / none to doe any thing / nor any thing to be done in hys churche / but as it is appointed in hys woorde / eyther by precise or generall direction.
And therefore it is allowed and commanded to Christian men / to try all y* things / and to hold that which is good / whosoever forb•dde without exception / Prince / or other / so that if we examine every thing done in this church of God in England §20by the word of God / and hold that which is good / though the law be offended / that law is to be reformed / and not we to be punished / for whatsoever our persons or places be / if our matters we deal in / be Gods / her majesty we trust / remembereth what the scripture saith: he that despiseth you * zdespiseth me / and he that receiveth you / receiveth me. As we know this case to be clear / so we trust and daily pray / that God will open her majesties heart / to consider of it and us. But to these men again / let them show us (if they can) by what authority they may enjoin us (if God his word bear them to be magistrates) to observe the book of Common3 prayers / both in matter and manner / as in their last Canons they forbid their ministers to depart from one or other? it is wicked to say no worse of it / so to attribute to a book / in deed •ulled out of the vile popish service book / with ⟨p. 10⟩some certain rubrics and glosses of their own devise / such authority as only is due to God his book: and indictments / imprisonments / and such extremities used against them which break it / is cruel persecution of the members4 of Jesus Christ. And of all other grievous enormities laid upon this church of God in England / this is the greatest / that it is not lawful to utter that which we learn truly out of the scriptures. We must be in danger of a §10premunire if we follow not the laws of the land / though they be against the scriptures / and in danger of a twelve months imprisonment / if we speak against the book of common prayer / though it be against the word of God. In deed if there were order taken for conferences / 5such as the scriptures commendeth to the church for the trial of truth / when it is hard & dark / then were the dealing not hard / but upright. As for the Convocation house I told you before §20what it was / and what may be looked for at their hands / and somewhat more shall be said of it hereafter.
And therfore it is allowed and commaunded to Christian men / to trie all y* things / and to holde that whiche is good / whosoeuer forb•dde wythoute exception / Prince / or other / so that if we examine euerye thyng done in thys churche of God in Englande §20by the worde of God / and holde that whiche is good / though the lawe be offended / that lawe is to be reformed / and not we to be punished / for whatsoeuer our personnes or places be / if oure matters we deale in / be Gods / her maiestie we trust / remembreth what the scripture sayth: he that despiseth you * zdespiseth me / and he that receyueth you / receyueth me. As we know thys case to be cleare / so we trust and dayly pray / that God wyll open her maiesties heart / to consider of it and vs. But to these men agayne / let them shewe vs (if they can) by what aucthoritie they may en•oyne vs (if God hys worde beare them to be magistrates) to obserue the boke of Common3 prayers / bothe in matter and manner / as in theyr laste Canons they forbid theyr ministers to depart from one or other? it is wycked to say no worse of it / so to attribute to a booke / in deede •ulled out of the vile popish seruice booke / with ⟨p. 10⟩some certaine rubrikes and gloses of their owne deuise / suche authoritie as only is due to God hys booke: and inditements / imprisonments / and suche extremities vsed agaynst them which breake it / is cruell persecution of the members4 of Iesus Christe. And of all other greeuous enormities layde vppon thys churche of God in England / this is the greatest / that it is not lawfull to vtter that whych we learne truely oute of the scriptures. We must be in daunger of a §10premunire if we folowe not the lawes of ye land / thoughe they be agaynste the scriptures / and in daunger of a twelue monthes imprisoment / if we speake agaynst the booke of common prayer / though it be agaynste the word of God. In deede if there were order taken for conferences / 5such as the scriptures commendeth to ye church for the triall of truthe / when it is hard & darke / then were the dealing not harde / but vprighte. As for the Conuocation house I tolde you before
If that were said for the Bible / which is said for the book of common prayer / and which God saith in his law for his *&word / then were the dealing upright and and good. Now if they mean by / not repugnant that it is consonant in all and every the contents thereof with the word of God / that can they never prove. But could they prove that / §30yet they snare the church of God between that book and other books / which they obtrude with straight charge to be observed / which books do differ amongst themselves: as the book of common prayer / and the injunctions about wafers / the book of common prayer and the advertisements about the church vestures / the Canons against the pontifical / in not ordering of ministers / sine titulo, the preface of the last book ⟨p. 11⟩of homilies / and of the last new Bible against the book of Common prayer in the manner of reading of the scriptures. And in many things the bishops articles in their several dioceses differ from this book / as about the standing of the communion table / & fetching the dead to church / and such like / but the court of Faculties / that2 for marrying without asking the banes / and many moe things differeth from it and all other their books / but chiefly from God his Bible: §10what say we to this case? we are neither free to follow the Bible / nor out of doubt what to do by these books / but to follow God and his word / we are so free / that we are by the Apostle forbidden to become servants *aof men. If this be true / as who can deny it / then is it your parts to rid our church of these shrewd encumbrances. And whereas it was meant to bridle papists / make direct laws against them.4 Further / whereas our church yet misseth of the right course of the scriptures in our reformation / let your learned men be driven to draw a platform out of God his book (where it is described at full) according to his will in the same revealed / and the examples of the best Churches beyond the seas / as Geneva / France / &c.
If that were sayd for the Bible / whych is sayd for the booke of common prayer / and whych God sayth in his law for hys *&woorde / then were the dealyng vpryght and and good. Now if they meane by / not repugnāt that it is consonante in all and euerye the contents thereof wyth the woorde of God / that can they neuer proue. But coulde they proue that / §30yet they snare the church of God betweene that boke and other bookes / whych they obtrude wt straight charge to be obserued / whych bookes doe differ amongs themselues: as the booke of common prayer / and the iniunctions about wafers / the boke of common prayer and the aduertisements about the churche vestures / the Canons against the pontificall / in not ordering of ministers / sine titulo, the preface of the last boke ⟨p. 11⟩of homilies / and of the last newe Bible agaynst the booke of Common prayer in the manner of reading of ye scriptures. And in many things the bishops articles in theyr seuerall diocesses differ from thys booke / as aboute the standyng of the communiō table / & fetchyng the dead to church / and such lyke / but the courte of Faculties / that2 for marrying wythoute asking the banes / and many moe things differeth from it and all other theyr bookes / but cheefely from God hys Bible: §10what say we to thys case? we are neyther free to folowe the Bible / nor out of doubt what to doe by these bookes / but to followe God and hys woorde / we are so free / that we are by the Apostle forbidden to become seruāts *aof men. If thys be true / as who can denye it / then is it your partes to rid our churche of these shrewde encombrances. And whereas it was meant to bridle papists / make direct lawes against them.4 Further / wheras our church yet misseth of the right course of the scriptures in our reformatiō / let youre learned men be driuen to drawe a platforme out of God his boke (wher it is descrybed at ful) according to hys will in ye same reuealed / and the examples of the best Churches beyonde the seas / as Geneua / Fraunce / &c.
And the only1 cause why our church differeth from the churches reformed of the strangers / or amongst our selves / or they amongst themselves / is because one church suffereth not it self so to be directed by the course of the scriptures as an other doth / except it be in those things of order / wherein one parish may many times differ from an other2 without offence / following the general rules of the scripture for order / as in appointing time and place for prayers / and so forth. So that we are so far off from singularity wherewith we are commonly charged / that we desire to draw by one line with the primitive church / and the ⟨p. 12⟩churches best reformed at this day / for we say there is but one * bline throughout all countries / and at all times as the scripture speaketh / there is one * cbody / one spirit / one hope / one Lord / one faith / one baptism / one God and Father of all which is above all / and through all / and in us all. The persons and causes that are to deal and to be dealt with in the church are certain / and expressed in the scriptures. The life of the word is the ministry of the same / how shall §10they hear without a *d preacher saith the Apostle. The former treatises therefore have rightly spoken against the bastard / idol / and unpreaching ministry of this church. And therefore this I say / that first you must provide a sufficient6 maintenance for the ministry / that in every parish they may have a preaching pastor / one or moe / that may only intend that charge. Is not the scripture plain: Thou shalt not *e muzzle the mouth of the Ox▪ that treadeth out §20the corn? for our sakes no doubt this is written / that he that careth should care in hope / that they which sow you spiritual things / might reap of you temporal things / which is no bad exchange for you. Now / to your hands our ancestors have raised a maintenance / which is not so embezzled away / nor the property so altered / but that (though mens devotion be cold to the ministers) the state may easily by law restore §30the same provision again / without loss in manner to any party. If none other way may be found / then have the bishops and cathedral churches temporalties enough / to redeem those livings that be impropriated / or otherwise out / and to better those livings which are too small / and as I think to be employed to other good uses of the church also.
And the only1 cause why our church differeth from ye churches reformed of the straūgers / or amongs our selues / or they amongs themselues / is because one church suffereth not it selfe so to be directed by the course of the scriptures as an other doth / except it be in those things of order / wherin one parishe may many times differ from an other2 wythout offence / folowing the generall rules of the scripture for order / as in appoynting tyme and place for prayers / and so forth. So that we are so farre off from singularitie wherwyth we are commonly charged / that we desire to drawe by one line with the primitiue churche / and the ⟨p. 12⟩churches best reformed at thys day / for we say there is but one * bline throughout all coūtreis / and at all times as the scripture speaketh / there is one * cbody / one spirite / one hope / one Lorde / one fayth / one baptisme / one God and Father of all which is aboue all / and through al / and in vs all. The persons and causes that are to deale and to be dealt with in the church are certayne / and expressed in the scriptures. The lyfe of the worde is the ministerie of the same / howe shall §10they heare wythout a *d preacher sayth the Apostle. The former tretises therfore haue rightly spoken against the bastard / idol / and vnpreaching ministerie of thys church. And therefore thys I say / that first you must prouide a suffycient6 mayntenance for the ministerie / that in euery parishe they may haue a preaching pastor / one or moe / that may only entend that charge. Is not the scripture plaine: Thou shalt not *e mousel the mouth of the Oxe▪ that treadeth out §20the corne? for our sakes no doubt thys is wrytten / that he that careth should care in hope / that they whych sowe you spirituall things / myght reape of you temporall things / whych is no bad exchaunge for you. Nowe / to your handes oure auncestors haue raised a maintenance / which is not so embeseled away / nor the propertie so altered / but that (though mennes deuotion be colde to the ministers) the state may easely by law restore
1The cause yt all […] ches •o no• agree.The cause yt all 〈…〉 ches •o no• agree.
But we will not stand with you so much in the manner of the raising of their provision / for raise it as it shall please ⟨p. 13⟩God to put you in mind / so y• you provide sufficiently for your ministers / that they may be of ability to maintain their charge / and to bestow upon fit furniture of books and honest hospitality. But in the mean while / until a sufficient provision be made / it is no better then sacrilege and spoiling of God to keep back any way the provision which hath been made in that respect / and the curse of God threatened by Malachi to those that spoiled y• *f Levites then of their provision / belongeth / and will light upon our spoilers now / & upon them in whose hands it is to redress it / if they do it not. Also there must be orders taken and looked unto / for2 the bestowing of the livings provided in the universities (now dens of many thievish nonresidents:) not to the greedy use of many cormorant masters of colleges / and at their wicked pleasure / as they are / but to the bringing up for the most part of such as will be content to be employed upon the charge of the ministry / when as the church shall have need of them / and to take from them that have moe livings / all save one / and that to / except they will be resident / and be able and willing to discharge it / having besides the allowance which afterwards shall be spoken of by God his grace. And this provision must so sufficiently be established / that it may be paid without ado / and not to be3 sought for / or worm by suspensions / or * excommunication §30/ which are applied by y• scriptures to a far more proper and spiritual use / & not at all to this. And also there are many charges going out of benefices / whereof they should be unburdened. Next / you must repeal your statute or statutes / whereby you have authorised that ministry that now is / making your estate partly to consist of Lords spiritual (as you call ⟨p. 14⟩them) and making one minister higher then another4 / appointing also an order to ordain ministers / which order is clean differing from the * scriptures / wherefore you must have the5 order for these things drawn out of the scriptures / which order is this.
But we will not stande wyth you so muche in the manner of the raisyng of theyr prouision / for raise it as it shall please ⟨p. 13⟩God to put you in minde / so y• you prouide sufficiently for your ministers / that they maye be of abilitie to maintaine their charge / and to bestowe vpon fitte furniture of bokes and honest hospitalitie. But in the meane while / vntill a sufficient prouision be made / it is no better then sacrileage and spoyling of God to kepe backe any way the prouision which hath bene made in that respecte / and the cursse of God threatned by Malachie to those that spoiled y• *f Leuites then of their prouision / belongeth / and wil light vpon our spoilers nowe / & vpon them in whose hands it is to redresse it / if they doe it not. Also there must be orders taken and looked vnto / for2 the bestowing of the liuings prouided in the vniuersities (now dennes of many theeuish nonresidentes:) not to the greedy vse of many cormorant masters of colledges / and at theyr wicked pleasure / as they are / but to the brynging vp for the moste parte of such as wil be content to be employed vpon the charge of the ministerie / whē as the church shall haue nede of them / and to take from them that haue moe liuings / all saue one / and that to / except they will be resident / and be able and willyng to discharge it / hauing besides the allowāce which afterwards shalbe spoken of by God hys grace. And thys prouisiō must so sufficiently be established / that it may be paide wythoute adoe / and not to be3 sought for / or worme by suspensions / or * excommunication §30/ which are applied by y• scriptures to a farre more proper and spirituall vse / & not at all to thys. And also there are many charges going out of benefices / wherof they shoulde be vnburdened. Next / you must repeale your statute or statutes / whereby you haue authorised that ministerie that now is / making your estate partly to consist of Lordes spiritual (as you cal ⟨p. 14⟩them) and making one minister hygher then another4 / appoynting also an order to ordayne ministers / which order is cleane differing from the * scriptures / wherefore you muste haue the
2bestowing of university livingsbestowing of vniuersity liuings
3mat. 10. 17 2. cor. 2 67 Ministers maintnance is not to be recovered by excommunication. Unburdening of benefices.mat. 10. 17 2. cor. 2 67 Ministers maintnāce is not to be recouered by excōmunication. Vnburdening of benefices.
When any parish is destitute of a pastor / or of a teacher / the same parish may have recourse to the next conference / and to them make it known that they may §10procure chiefly from the one of the universities / or if otherwise / a man learned / & of good report / 1whom after trial of his gifts had in their conference / they may present unto the parish which before had been with them about that matter / but yet so / that the same parish have him a certain time amongst them / that they may be acquainted with his gifts and behaviour / and give their consents for his stay amongst them / if they can allege no just cause to the contrary: §20for he may not be sent away again / which is so sent to a parish / except a just cause of misliking / the cause alleged being justly proved against him / either amongst themselves in their own consistory / so that he will appeal no further for his trial / or else in the next conference / or council provincial / or national / unto which from one to another he may appeal / if he find himself clear / and if he give over / they may proceed as afore for another. And when such an one is found / to whom the parish must §30give consent / because there is no just cause to be alleged against him / the next conference by whose means he was procured / shall be certified of the parishes liking / whereupon they shall amongst themselves / agree upon one of the ministers / which shall be sent by them to the same parish / and after a sermon made according to the occasion / and earnest prayer to God with ⟨p. 15⟩fasting according to the example of the scriptures made by that congregation to God / ye it would please him to direct them in their choice / and to bless that man whom they choose / he shall require to know their consent / which being gram ted / he & the elders shall lay their hands on him / 2to signify to him that he is lawfully called to that parish to be pastor there / or teacher. Now / for as much as I have made mention of a pastor / and a §10teacher / of a consistory in each parish / of a conference / and of a council provincial / and national / I will as briefly as I can declare / what each of these meaneth / and what the use of them is. There is required in every well reformed church these two things:
When any parishe is destitute of a pastor / or of a teacher / the same parish may haue recourse to the next conferēce / and to them make it knowne that they maye §10procure cheefely from the one of ye vniuersities / or if otherwise / a man learned / & of good report / 1whome after triall of hys gyftes had in theyr conference / they may present vnto the paryshe which before had bene wyth them aboute that matter / but yet so / that the same parishe haue him a certaine time amōgst them / that they may be acquainted wyth his gifts and behauioure / and geue their consentes for his stay amongste them / if they can alleage no iust cause to the cō trary: §20for he may not be sent away again / which is so sent to a parishe / except a iust cause of misliking / the cause alleaged being iustly proued against hym / either amongst themselues in theyr owne consistorie / so that he will appeale no further for hys triall / or els in the next conference / or counsell prouinciall / or nationall / vnto which from one to another he may appeale / if he fynde hymselfe cleare / and if he geue ouer / they maye proceede as afore for another. And when suche an one is founde / to whome the parishe muste §30geue consent / bicause there is no iust cause to be alleaged agaynste him / the nexte conference by whose meanes he was procured / shall be certified of the parishes liking / wherupon they shall amongst themselues / agree vpon one of the ministers / which shall be sent by them to the same parishe / and after a sermon made according to the occasion / and earnest prayer to God wyth ⟨p. 15⟩fasting according to the example of ye scriptures made by that congregation to God / ye it would please him to direct them in theyr choise / and to blesse that man whome they choose / he shall require to know their consent / which being graū ted / he & the elders shall lay their hāds on him / 2to signifie to him yt he is lawfully called to yt parishe to be pastor there / or teacher. Now / for as much as I haue made mētion of a pastor / and a §10teacher / of a consistory in each parish / of a cōference / and of a counsell prouincial / and national / I wil as brefely as I can declare / what eache of these meaneth / and what the vse of them is. Ther is required in euery wel reformed church these two things:
1The choosing of ministers.The chusing of ministers.
A right ministry *g of the word and sacraments / and a right h* government of the church / which two things are by our saviour commended to his church / before there were any churches gathered. And in the Apostles time / when they had gathered several churches or congregations / they not only teach what should be / but they establish orders accordingly. In the ministry therefore / after rehearsal made of those rare and extraordinary functions of Apostles / Prophets / and Evangelists / there is declared in the last place those ordinary functions of *i shepherds and teachers / which endure in every well ordered §30church / till we all meet together into the unity of faith and knowledge of the son of God. There are then in the ministry only two sorts of ministers / namely pastors & teachers / which do not differ in dignity / but in distinction of office / and exercise of their gifts / and yet in many things their office is so like / that they are confounded in the name of Elders / as also the governors are with the ministers in the same name confounded. But these two offices differ in ⟨p. 16⟩this / y• the pastor or pastors / are they y• have y• oversight & charge of the whole parish / to instruct to admonish / to exhort / & to correct by doctrine all and every one in the assemblies or in the private houses of the same parish / and to minister the sacraments in the same parish. The teacher (save that in the consistory of the same parish / and in all conferences of ministers / he is to be joined with the ministers) shall in such places as provision is §10made for him / & being lawfully called as afore / only intend lectors / and expositions of the scriptures / to the end that there may be set forth / and kept a soundness of doctrine / a right & natural sense of the scriptures / and plain and manifest proves of the articles of the Christian religion / so that he ought to be an exquisite and mighty man in the scriptures. The use of such an one4 is most needful / where the fry of the church (as I might call it) is / to enter them well which after §20should be employed to the ministry / whether it be in the university or elsewhere / that such be brought up to this turn.
A righte ministerie *g of the worde and sacraments / and a right h* gouernement of the churche / which two things are by our sauioure commended to hys church / before there were any churches gathered. And in the Apostles time / when they had gathered seuerall churches or congregations / they not onely teache what shoulde be / but they establishe orders accordingly. In the ministerie therefore / after rehearsall made of those rare and extraordinarie functions of Apostles / Prophets / and Euangelistes / there is declared in the last place those ordinarie functions of *i shepheards and teachers / which endure in euery well ordered §30church / till we all meete together into the vnity of faythe and knowledge of the sonne of God. There are then in the ministery only two sortes of ministers / namely pastors & teachers / which doe not differ in dignitie / but in distynction of office / and exercise of theyr gifts / and yet in many things their office is so like / that they are confounded in the name of Elders / as also the gouernours are with the ministers in the same name confoūded. But these two offices differ in ⟨p. 16⟩this / y• the pastor or pastors / are they y• haue y• ouersight & charge of ye whole parish / to instruct to admonish / to exhort / & to correct bi doctrine al and euery one in the assemblies or in the priuate houses of the same parishe / and to minister the sacraments in ye same parish. The teacher (saue that in the consistory of the same parishe / and in all conferences of ministers / he is to beioyned wt the ministers) shall in such places as prouision is §10made for him / & being lawfully called as afore / onely intend lectors / and expositions of the scriptures / to the end that there may be set furth / and kepte a soundnes of doctrine / a right & naturall sence of the scriptures / and playne and manifest proues of the articles of the Christian religiō / so that he oughte to be an exquisite and mighty man in the scriptures. The vse of suche an one4 is most nedeful / wher the frie of the churche (as I might call it) is / to enter them well which after §20
iEphes. 4• 11. 12. 13. Two sorts of ministers only. The difference of their offices / and wherein they are alike.Ephes. 4• 11. 12. 13. Two sorts of minysters only. The difference of their offyces / and wherein they are alyke.
4The use of the doctors office.The vse of the doctors office.
So that in deed the titles of our university doctors / and bachelors of divinity / are not only for vain glory sought1 and granted / but there they are the names of course / conferred rather by y• profane judgments of them that know not what office of y• church they belong too / and by the importunate suit and means made / by such vain men as desire to clime / and to have high names / and also of a §30blind custom partly / which (besides the graces gotten easily by friendship / or corrupt bribery / compounding I should say / although no show of learning be uttered / nor exercises kept) doth in respect of continuance of standing in manner throw these titles upon many dolts / which neither do / nor can do any thing y• is required in a teacher or doctor. And a plain case it is / y• often tation ⟨p. 17⟩and outward glory is sought by these names / & by the name of master of Art / which is esteemed many degrees beneath the titles of Doctor / or Bachelor in divinity / for otherwise they would not offer those titles to such as the universities would show pleasure unto / as to noble men and others / as though they were noble names / nobilitating them that otherwise were unnoble / and adding to their nobility that without §10them were noble. And thus have they turned upside down / and made a mockery of God his or••• / conferred upon his church for the benefit of the same / except they will not be ashamed to profess themselves herein to follow the2 heathenish tradition of profane schools which rather seek by such titles to advance learning / as they say / then by their learning to advantage the church of God. For none other are true teachers or doctors / but they which do teach / and §20be found meet / and be called by the church to teach / how so ever the university doctors seem to have some indelible Character / that once and ever doctor / as the popish priests once shaven / were ever priests / and can never be no priests after / but such doctors as these / though they had never so many graces / shall be but idol doctors / as truly doctors / as an image •s a man / which hath nothing but the show of a man / eyes and see not / ears and hear not / and so they / teachers & doctors / and teach not. These vain names become §30such vain men / but the church of God they become not / and are forbidden by our saviour.
So that in deede the titles of oure vniuersitie doctors / and bachelors of diuinitie / are not onely for vayn glory sought1 and graunted / but there they are the names of course / cōferred rather by y• prophane iudgmēts of them that know not what office of y• church they belong too / and by the importunate sute and meanes made / by such vaine men as desire to clime / and to haue hygh names / and also of a §30blinde custome partly / which (besydes the graces gotten easely by frendship / or corrupt brtherie / compounding I should say / althoughe no shew of learning be vttered / nor exercises kept) doth in respect of cōtinuāce of stāding in māner throw these titles vpon many dolts / which neither do / nor can do any thing y• is required in a teacher or doctor. And a plaine case it is / y• ostē tation ⟨p. 17⟩and outwarde glorye is soughte by these names / & by the name of master of Arte / which is esteemed many degrees beneathe the titles of Doctor / or Bachelor in diuinitie / for otherwise they would not offer those titles to suche as the vniuersities would shewe pleasure vnto / as to noble men and others / as though they were noble names / nobilitating them that otherwise wer vnnoble / and adding to their nobilitie that without §10them were noble. And thus haue they turned vpside downe / and made a mockery of God hys or••• / conferred vpon his churche for the benefite of the same / excepte they will not be ashamed to professe themselues heerein to folowe the2 heathenish tradition of prophane scholes which rather seke by suche titles to aduance learning / as they say / then by their learning to aduan̄tage the church of God. For none other are true teachers or doctors / but they which doe teache / and §20be founde meete / and be called by the churche to teache / how so euer the vniuersitie doctors seeme to haue some indelible Caracter / that once and euer doctor / as the popishe priestes once shauen / were euer priestes / and can neuer be no priestes after / but such doctors as these / though they had neuer so many graces / shall be but idol doctors / as truely doctors / as an image •s a man / whych hath nothing but the shew of a man / eyes and see not / eares and heare not / and so they / teachers & doctors / and teache not. These vaine names become
1University doctors and bachilers of divinity.Vniuersitie doctors and bachilers of diuinitie.
* hBe not you called Rabbins / and to be called Rabbins is the matter with our doctors / but to teach / that is to base or needless for them. I have spoken the mere of this / because the abuse is great / and not thought of / for howsoever it will be faced out / the name is not a name ⟨p. 18⟩•f dignity / but a name of duty to be done to the church of God / by him that hath y• excellent gift of faithful & right expounding of the scriptures / and of the undoubted proving and avouching of all the articles of our christian religion / which is most requisite in place where I said before / and very requisite every where / & is to be had where competent provision may be made for such an one. Thus you see briefly how these two differ / and what is the use of the teachers or doctors §10office. Now the pastors in their charges and parishes2 / have not only to propound sound doctrine / but also charge to exhort / and to admonish publicly and privately them that they find to need it / and to examine them / and to Catechise them in their faith / upon whom only lieth the charge of the whole congregation / whether there be a teacher / or doctor or no. For if the doctor faithfully keep his lectures / and answer his calling by godly life there is no further thing to be §20required of him / save y• in the consistory (again I say) he apply himself with the pastors to guide and direct the rest of the assistants / and in like sort join himself with the pastors in their conferences councils / and such like meetings. But every congregation must have a pastor / I say not a parson vicar or stipendiary priest / or curate (as they call him) but a pastor or shepherd / which is able / and doth intend feeding of them / every way / by preaching doctrine / by exhorting §30to the same / and to godly life / by admonishing offenders / by conference with them / by visiting the sick / to teach and counsel them / by Catechising the congregation / by making prayers / by ministering the sacraments / and examining before hand the communicants / and whatsoever he is directed unto by the prescript of the word of God.
* hBe not you called Rabbines / and to be called Rabbines is the matter with oure doctors / but to teach / that is to base or needelesse for them. I haue spoken the mere of thys / bicause the abuse is great / and not thoughte of / for howsoeuer it will be faced out / ye name is not a name ⟨p. 18⟩•f dignitie / but a name of duety to be done to the church of God / by him that hath y• excellent gyft of faithfull & right expounding of the scriptures / and of the vndoubted prouing and auouching of all the articles of our christian religion / whych is moste requisite in place where I said before / and very requisite euery where / & is to be had where competent prouision may be made for suche an one. Thus you see breefely howe these two differ / and what is the vse of ye teachers or doctors §10office. Now the pastors in their charges and parishes2 / haue not only to propounde sounde doctrine / but also charge to exhort / and to admonish publiquely and priuately them that they finde to neede it / and to examine them / and to Cathechise them in their faith / vpon whome onely lyeth the charge of the whole cōgregation / whether there be a teacher / or doctor or no. For if the doctor faithfully kepe his lectures / and answer hys calling by godly life there is no further thing to be §20required of him / saue y• in the consistorie (againe I say) he app•y hymselfe wt the pastors to guide and directe the rest of the assistantes / and in lyke sorte ioyne himselfe with the pastors in theyr cō ferences councels / and such like meetings. But euery congregation must haue a pastor / I saye not a parsone vicare or stipendarie priest / or curate (as they call him) but a pastor or shepherd / which is able / and dothe intend feeding of them / euery way / by preaching doctrine / by exhorting §30to the same / and to godly life / by admonishyng offenders / by conference wyth them / by visityng the sicke / to teache and counsell them / by Cathechising the congregation / by making prayers / by ministring the sacraments / and examining before hand the communicantes / and whatsoeuer he is directed vnto by the prescripte of the woorde of God.
2The use of the pastors office / and that it is requisite in every congregation.The vse of the pastors office / and that it is requisite in euerye congregation.
he is against me sayth Christe. Another / he talketh for the Quenes supremacie / Out saythe he / may not the Queene doe thys and that / but you muste 〈…〉her to a reckening:
§20
what it was / and what may be looked for at theyr handes / and somewhat more shall be sayde of it heereafter.
§30
the same prouision againe / without losse in manner to any partie. If none other way may be founde / then haue the bishops and cathedrall churches temporalties inough / to redeme those liuings that be impropriated / or otherwyse out / and to better those liuings whych are too small / and as I thynke to be employed to other good vses of the church also.
