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.
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
§10
of 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.
And these two offices thus set up / according ⟨p. 19⟩to the scriptures / there remaineth no use1 of fat canons / prebendaries / petty canons / singing men / quiresters / virgers / and the rest of that crew / nor yet of roving preachers / which preach quarter sermons / nor of stipendiary curates / & that unbridled (untitled clergy I should say) but that the livings of the former might be bestowed upon the maintenance of the right ministry / and the latter to be no longer an unprofitable §10burden to the church. And further / such provision being made / there shall be no need of such dignities / as they call them / nor of qualifications for many benefices / as pluralities / trialities / totquors / and I wot not what conferring of benefices / or prebends upon bishops / to amend their livings forsooth. All this good cometh of the erecting of a right ministry / besides the faithful discharging of so great a charge as the feeding of Christs flock is. And also this I say / it is so far of that any can take upon him the charge which our Lord Bishops do / as they say / one of them to be parson2 (pastor they seem to mean) of a whole diocese (most dioceses containing divers shires) yea / and some one of a province (containing many dioceses) that in de•de it is in manner too much for one to take charge of one only parish / and to say truth / if every parish were able (as it would be provided for / by restoring impropriations §30by augmenting of the livings / & by joining moe parishes in one) if every parish I3 say / were by some such means made able / it were meet every parish had two pastors at least / both for the common charge that lieth upon the shoulders of the pastors / and for sundry uses that their congregations have to employ them upon / or chiefly / because in the sickness of the one / the other might supply. And ⟨p. 20⟩the pastor or pastors being rightly called / may not be put away / but for such causes / and in such sort as was said before / nor he or they may not leave their charge / for he or they have a necessity * nof tarrying on their charge laid upon them with their charge / except by the good order o• the churches it be thought expedient / or when the sheep are wolves / & so they driven to fly from them:
And these two offices thus set vp / according ⟨p. 19⟩to the scriptures / there remaineth no vse1 of fat canons / prebendaries / petie canons / synging men / quiresters / virgirs / and the rest of yt crue / nor yet of rouing preachers / which preach quarter sermons / nor of stipendarie curates / & that vnbrideled (vntituled cleargye I shoulde say) but that the liuings of the former might be •estowed vpon the maintenance of the righte ministerie / and the latter to be no longer an vnprofitable §10burden to the churche. And further / such prouision being made / there shalbe no nede of such dignities / as they call them / nor of qualifications for many beneficēs / as pluralities / trialities / totquors / and I wot not what conferring of benefices / or prebends vpon bishops / to amende their liuings forsothe. All thys good commeth of the erecting of a right ministerye / besides the faithfull discharging of so greate a charge as the feedyng of Chrystes flocke is. And also thys I say / it is so farre of that anye can take vyon him the charge whych our Lord Bishops do / as they say / one of them to be parson2 (pastor they seme to meane) of a whole diocesse (moste diocesses containing diuers shires) yea / and some one of a prouince (containing many diocesses) that in de•de it is in manner too much for one to take charge of one only parish / and to say truth / if euery parysh were able (as it wold be prouided for / by restoring impropriations §30by augmenting of the liuings / & by ioyning moe paryshes in one) if euerye paryshe I3 say / were by some suche meanes made able / it were meete euery paryshe had two pastors at least / bothe for the common charge that lyeth vpon the shoulders of the pastors / and for sondry vses that theyr congregations haue to employ them vpon / or cheefely / bicause in the sycknesse of the one / the other myght supplye. And ⟨p. 20⟩the pastor or pastors being ryghtly called / maye not be put away / but for such causes / and in such sort as was sayd before / nor he or they maye not leaue their charge / for he or they haue a necessyty * n
1The good yt ensueth of the erecting of a right ministry.The good yt ensueth of the erecting of a ryghte ministerie.
2L. bishops take far more charge upon them / thē they are able to discharge.L. bishops take farre more charge vpon them / thē they are able to discharge.
3Respects require •ather two p• stors over one flock then one over many.Respects require •ather two p• stors ouer one flocke then one ouer many.
n•. cor. 9. 16. The pastor may not •eave his •lock at his •wne pleasure.•. cor. 9. 16. The pastor maye not •eaue hys •lock at hys •wne plea•ure.
so y• our resignations will not stand with y• word of god / m•ch less will our non residents abide y• trial / both serving §10the covetousness of greedy bellied wolves / the one to fleece without care of feeding / except it be themselves either in some chaplains room / or in some other sty / to spare their labour where they should intend: The other serveth him that ever gapeth for a greater pray / or to make money when other shifts sail. And further / I will not excuse all those that either resign / or suffer them selves to be deprived to avoid further trouble / without consideration of their flock / §20if the same conspire not generally against them / seeing they ought to give their lives for their1 flock. But this is not thought to be so needful / nor in deed were so needful / if to read the scriptures / the homilies / and the course of our book of common prayers were mough / for then a boy of ten years old may do the ministers office / for the substance of their office is not in the years / but in the reading. And in deed boys and senseless asses are our common ministers §30for the most part / for / but common reason may serve this turn / and do this feat well mough. It is in deed les•• busy then popish priests2 service / because the calendar and the rubrics of the book are fewer: and plainer then his portuise and pie were / so that less clerks then popish priests / which had but some blind Latin in their b•lly / may serve for our store / & therefore ⟨p. 21⟩in deed the blindest buzzard of them / if he will keep his conscience to himself / nay he is not so narrowly looked unto / if he will subscribe to our Articles of Christian religion before his ordinary / and blindly read them at his benefices / he shall not only be serving priest (I use their own terms) but he may have one Benefice or moe / and nothing shall / nor may be said against him / and so he provi•• his quarter sermons §10or pay his Ordinary for that default and such like / he is as good a Pastor as the ••st.
so y• our resignatiōs wil not stād wt y• word of god / m•ch lesse wil our non residēts abide y• triall / both seruing §10ye couerousnesse of gredy bellied wolues / the one to fleece wythout care of feedyng / excepte it be themselues eyther in some chaplams roume / or in some other stye / to spare theyr labor where they should entende: The other serueth hym that euer gapeth for a greater pray / or to make mony when other shyftes sayle. And further / I wyll not excuse all those that eyther resygne / or suffer them selues to be depryued to auoyde further trouble / wythout consyderation of theyr flocke / §20if the same conspire not generally against them / seeing they oughte to giue theyr lyues for their1 flocke. But thys is not thought to be so needefull / nor in deede were so nedefull / if to reade the scryptures / the homilyes / and the course of oure booke of common prayers were mough / for then a boy of ten yeares olde may do the ministers office / for the substance of their offyce is not in the yeares / but in the reading. And in deede boyes and sencelesse asses are oure common minysters §30for the moste parte / for / but common reason may serue thys turne / and doe thys feat well mough. It is in deede les•• busye then popyshe priestes2 seruyce / bycause the kalender and the rubrikes of the booke are fewer: and playner then his portuise and pie were / so that lesse clarkes then popyshe priestes / whych had but some blinde Latin in their b•lly / may serue for our store / & therfore ⟨p. 21⟩in deede the blindest bussarde of them / if hee wyll keepe hys conscience to hymselfe / nay he is not so narowly loked vnto / if he wyll subscribe to our Articles of Christian religyon before hys ordinarye / and blindely reade them at hys benefyces / he shall not onely be seruing priest (I vse their owne termes) but he may haue one Benefyce or moe / and nothyng shall / nor may be sayde against hym / and so he proui•• hys quarter sermons §10or pay his Ordinarie for that default and suche lyke / he is as good a Pastor as the st.
1Ih. 10. 11.
2Our course • religion destroyeth •ys care of Christs •ocke.Our course • religyon •estroyeth •ys care of Chrystes •ocke.
And yet I think verily / the last Parliament1 save this / meant very well in this respect / by a statute provided in this case / so that many a lewd Priest of them (if the Ordinary had been good / not being corrupted by bribes / or by their bribed officers and servants) would have been removed / and the benefices ready for better pastors / but I can hear of none / of few so bad / but he §20is where he was / and my Lord Bishop his great friend commonly / for it seemeth by some of them / that they sin•ll my Lords the Bishops meaning / is to make their hand now / and to money themselves now / and provide for their wife and children somewhat, honestly (I will not say pompously) for fear of after claps against a rainy day / whatsoever time or change come / and this humour these Priests / and all other Time servers f•e•• full handsomely / and it serveth their purposes in deed fully. No / no / this is not that ministry / which we have ne••e of / and which God erected in his church / reading2 an Homily / is Popish and s•nd / whether they •••edes homilies / or any other ancient writers homilies / which in times past upon the like error were […]sed so supplie the like lack of preaching a• though afterward they red them or sung them in an un[…] tongue: or they ••⟨p. 22⟩our bishops homilies in our own tongue / for faith cometh by hearing / and hearing not by homilies: but by the * oword of God / & in deed reading of the word is as good / and better preaching / then reading of homilies / but the ministry of faith is the preaching of the same / out of the word of God / by them that are sent of God. How can they preach except they be * psent / as it is written / how beautiful are the feet of them which bring good tidings of peace: they §10must be sent of God / endued with the gifts of God / furnished with his graces unto that ministry / that they may be able to bring the good tidings of peace / and good things to their congregations / that their feet may be beautiful to them / that they may know that they are jewels of God bestowed upon his church / that every church may be assured they have a treasure of their minister or ministers.
And yet I thynke verely / the laste Parliament1 saue thys / meant very well in this respecte / by a statute prouided in this case / so that many a leud Priest of them (if the Ordinarie had bene good / not being corrupted by bribes / or by their bribed offycers and seruaunts) would haue bene remoued / and the benefyces readye for better pastors / but I can heare of none / of few so badde / but he §20is where he was / and my Lorde Byshoppe hys great frende commonly / for it seemeth by some of them / that they sin•ll my Lords the Byshoppes meanyng / is to make their hande nowe / and to money themselues nowe / and prouide for their wyfe and children somewhat, honestly (I will not say pompously) for fear of after claps against a rainye day / whatsoeuer tyme or change come / and thys humoure these Priestes / and all other Time seruers f•e•• full handsomely / and it serueth their purposes in deede fullye. No / no / thys is not that mynisterie / whych we haue ne••e of / and whych God erected in hys churche / reading2 an Homilie / is Popishe and s•nd / whether they •••edes homilies / or anye other auncient wryters homilies / whych in tymes past vpon ye lyke erroure were 〈…〉sed so supplie the lyke lacke of preaching a• thoughe afterward they red them or sung them in an vn〈…〉 tongue: or they ••⟨p. 22⟩our bishoppes homilies in oure owne tongue / for fayth commeth by hearing / and hearing not by homilies: but by the * oworde of God / & in deede readyng of the word is as good / and better preaching / then readyng of homilies / but the ministerie of faythe is the preaching of the same / oute of the woorde of God / by them that are sent of God. How cā they preach except they be * psent / as it is wrytten / howe beautifull are the feete of them whych bryng good tidings of peace: they
1A good statute of y• last parliament / taketh little effect / by y• negligence and corruption of the Ordinaries as they call them.A good statute of y• last parliamēt / taketh little effecte / by y• negligence and corruption of the Ordinaries as they call them.
2Reading of Homilies came in by abuse / and maintenieth an •ooll •• […].Reading of Homilyes came in by abuse / and maintenieth an •ooll ••〈…〉.
oRo. 10. 17 The ministry of faith is the preaching of the same.Ro. 10. 17 The ministery of faith is the preaching of the same.
This is the right §20way to bring y• ministry into credit and estimation1 / their gifts given them of God / & their painfulness / and honest life amongst their congregations / & not to make some of them Lords / Graces / Earls / Prelate / and Register of the Garter / Barons / Suffragans / some of them rich Deans / Archdeacons / masters of Colleges / Chancellors / Pre••ndes / rich persons and vicars / and though some of them be poor enough / to get them credit by their rochets / hoods / caps / cloaks / tippets and gowns / or §30such like implements used by the * qPharisees which claimed high rooms / and made large borders on their garments / & loved to be greeted / and to be called Rabbi / which things by our saviour are forbidden his ministers / and an order enjoined / that they which look for it / should not have it / but be least esteemed. This is true / read the scriptures your selves I pray you / if ⟨p. 23⟩you find it not so / disprove us / if it be found so / strengthen us by your authorities / and let the word of God have the free course that it ought to have. They be but pretences to serve the glorious course that some of our ministers are entered into / when they say / it is the credit of the ministry / and the upholding of the same / and this way of ours / is the discrediting and overthrowing of the ministry / & of all good orders / §10and to bring confusion into the church / and as they pretend plain Anabaptistrie. But they are no better but pretences and flat untruths / for it is God his own order set by our saviour and his Apostles in his church / and I trust (as briefly as I can) to make it appear to be God his order / and the lest order / and the only order which should be in the church of God.
Thys is the ryghte §20way to bryng y• ministerie into credyte and estimation1 / their giftes giuen them of God / & theyr paynfulnesse / and honest lyfe amongst their congregations / & not to make some of them Lordes / Graces / Earles / Prelate / and Register of the Garter / Barons / Suffraganes / some of them ryche Deanes / Archdeacons / masters of Colledges / Chauncellors / Pre••ndes / rych persons and vicares / and thoughe some of them be poore inoughe / to gette them credite by their rochets / hoodes / cappes / clokes / tippets and gownes / or §30suche lyke implements vsed by the * qPhariseis whyche claimed hyghe roumes / and made large borders on their garmentes / & loued to be greeted / and to be called Rabbi / whyche thyngs by our sauioure are forbidden his ministers / and an order enioyned / that they which loke for it / shuld not haue it / but be least esteemed. Thys is true / reade the scriptures youre selues I pray you / if ⟨p. 23⟩you finde it not so / disproue vs / if it be founde so / strengthen vs by your authorities / and lette the worde of God haue the free course that it ought to haue. They be but pretences to serue the glorious course that some of oure ministers are entred into / when they say / it is the credyte of the ministerie / and the vpholding of the same / and thys way of oures / is the discrediting and ouerthrowing of the ministerie / & of all good orders / §10and to bring confusion into the churche / and as they pretende playne Anabaptistrie. But they are no better but pretences and flat vntruthes / for it is God hys owne order set by our sauioure and hys Apostles in his church / and I trust (as breefely as I can) to make it appeare to be God his order / and the lest order / and the onely order which should be in the churche of God.
1The way to bring the ministry •nto credit • estimation.The waye to bring the ministerie •nto credite • estimatiō.
qMath. 23. •. 6. 7. 11. •ur saviour orbiddeth •ys miny•ers to seek • be noted • outward •parel and •uises.Math. 23. •. 6. 7. 11. •ur sauior orbiddeth •ys miny•ers to seke • be noted • outward •parel and •uises.
And as1 for the order which they pretend to be maintained by them / it may be that they know their order when they ride in their scarlet roa•es before §20the Queen / and how to poll their clergy as they call them / and all other in their dioceses / & how to lease out benefices to the patrons / or by the person or vicar and patron's means royally to lease them out to some other / or to alienate the house / or the glebe for a round sum of money to their Lordships chests / or bribes to their wives / or to their children / or to their officers / or servants / that they may have their share thereby / or how to keep their courts / and §30get them officers for their best advantage / or how to rattle up these new fellows / these young boys that will not obey at a beck to their articles / advertisements / canons / caveats / and such like stuff of their own forging / or whatsoever proceedeth / or is from / or: for their Lordly estate and degree / or how to pleasure their friend / or friends / or friends friend / with a Benefice / ⟨p. 24⟩or with a Pr[…]: so that it may be a good turn to themselves / coming by simony away / or how to lease out their own temporalties of their bishoprics / yea & possible alienate them from their successors / and how to match their sons and their daughters together / with great sums of money passing between them / and how to purchase lands and leases in their wives & children's names / because if they were priests / their children cannot inherit / nor are legitimate §10by the laws / and how to raise fines and rents / and many such good orders moe / they are very skilful in / and keep very diligently. I would for experience / some of their doings were examined / and then no doubt we should see many of2 these goodly orders brought to light.
And as1 for the order whych they pretend to be maintained by them / it may be that they knowe their order when they ride in their scarlet roa•es before §20the Queene / and howe to poll their cleargye as they call them / and all other in their diocesses / & howe to lease oute benefices to the patrones / or by the persone or vicare and patrones meanes royally to lease them out to some other / or to alienate the house / or the gleebe for a round summe of money to their Lordships chestes / or brybes to their wiues / or to their children / or to their offycers / or seruauntes / that they may haue their share thereby / or how to kepe their courtes / and §30gette them officers for their best aduauntage / or howe to rattle vp these new fellowes / these yong boyes that will not obey at a becke to their articles / aduertisements / canons / caueates / and such lyke stuffe of their owne forging / or whatsoeuer proceedeth / or is from / or: for their Lordly estate and degree / or howe to pleasure their frende / or frendes / or freendes freende / with a Benefice / ⟨p. 24⟩or wyth a Pr〈…〉: so that it maye bee a good turne to themselues / comming by simonie away / or howe to lease out their owne temporaltyes of their bishopprickes / yea & possible akenate them from their successors / and howe to matche their sonnes and their daughters together / with great summes of money passing betweene them / and how to purchase lands and leases in their wiues & childrens names / bicause if they were priests / their children cannot inherite / nor are legitimate §10by the lawes / and howe to raise fines and rentes / and many suche good orders moe / they are verye skilfull in / and keepe very diligently. I woulde for experience / some of their doings were examined / and then no doubt we shoulde see manye of2 these goodly orders brought to lyght.
1The covetous abuses that are too common among the bishops.The couetous abuses that are too common among the byshops.
2Examination of y• bishops doings very expedient.Examination of y• byshops doings very expedient.
And till it be examined / I would that they which are honest men / would bring to light their doings which they know / for as finely as they have handled the matters / there are some which know §20enough / and I trust they will impart it ere long to the state / y• they which are of so sharp a sight to see who offend them / may themselves lie open / and show how they offend God and his church / and how utterly unnecessary they are / and to be removed from their rooms / and their rooms from the church / which by them are continued to stall the popish Bishops in their pomp again / if ever their time serve them here. For good orders / let us hear any one they make / §30but even as the law directeth them / which any other temporal officers might / and would do as well as they / if the laws did not prohibit it. And there is none other but laws with them / no God his book / no brotherly talk with them / they will not run in a premunire for any of all their brethren / nor for any of God his matters neither / they will not have the Queens displeasure ⟨p. 25⟩for any of them all / they will not be defaced1 whatsoever cometh of it / nay they will rail upon / and revile their brethren / they will persecute and prison them / they will stir her majesty and all other against them / they will starve / stifle / and pine them to death. Howe many good mens deaths have they been the cause of / by an inward sorrow conceived of their doings? how suddenly dyed master Pullen after they began to rage? M. Horton? M. Caruell and many §10others? and how did they kill y• good mans heart / old good M. Coverdale? although they pretended they would provide for him / after much ado from the council / and as they say / from the Queen to them / & yet they allotted him a small portion / and paid him by fits / and sometimes with base gold / and money if they had any worse then other / which I have heard very credibly reported. Old D. Turner was much beholding §20to them / being a good man / & an ancient preacher / never shaven nor greased / & yet he had no small stir by them / M. Leaver / M. Samson / and some other / at this day learned & godly / how have they grieved their good hearts? utterly leaving some of them without living / to the wide world / to shift as they can.
And tyll it be examined / I would that they whych are honest men / woulde bryng to lyghte their doings whych they knowe / for as finely as they haue hādled the matters / there are some which know §20inough / and I trust they will impatt it ere long to the state / y• they whych are of so sharp a sight to see who offende them / may themselues lie opē / and shew how they offend God and his church / and howe vtterly vnnecessary they are / and to be remoued from their roumes / and their roumes from the churche / whych by them are continued to stall the popishe Bishops in their pompe againe / if euer their tyme serue them heere. For good orders / lette vs heare any one they make / §30but euen as the lawe directeth them / which any other temporall officers myght / and woulde doe as well as they / if the lawes dyd not prohibite it. And there is none other but lawes wt them / no God his booke / no brotherly talke wt them / they will not runne in a premunire for any of all their brethren / nor for any of God hys matters neyther / they will not haue the Queenes displeasure ⟨p. 25⟩for any of them all / they wil not be defaced1 whatsoeuer commeth of it / nay they wil raile vpon / and reuyle their brethren / they will persecute and prisone them / they will stirre her maiestie and all other agaynst them / they will sterue / stiffle / and pine them to death. Howe many good mennes deathes haue they bene the cause of / by an inwarde sorrowe conceyued of their doings? howe sodainly dyed master Pullen after they began to rage? M. Horton? M. Caruell and many §10others? and howe did they kill y• good mannes heart / olde good M. Couerdale? although they pretended they wold prouide for him / after much adoe from the counsell / and as they say / from the Queene to them / & yet they allotted hym a small portion / and paide hym by fittes / and sometymes wyth base golde / and mony if they had any worse then other / whych I haue heard very crediblye reported. Olde D. Turner was muche beholding §20to them / being a good man / & an auncient preacher / neuer shauen nor greased / & yet he had no small stirre by them / M. Leauer / M. Samson / and some other / at this day learned & godly / howe haue they greeued their good heartes? vtterly leauing some of them wythout lyuing / to the wyde worlde / to shifte as they can.
1The Bishops own talk / and extreme cruelties.The Bishops owne talke / and extreme cruelties.
And yet they may not shift some of them by those gifts which God hath given them / they may neither preach / nor teach children publicly nor privately. §30And they that are in some livings / what sorrow do they hold them withal / and how ticklishly do they hold them to / evermore in dā ger of being called before the high Commissioners / and to loose those livings. How many have they driven to leave the ministry / and to live by Physic / and other such means / or to leave their country? Howe many students have they discouraged from the study of divinity / and to ⟨p. 26⟩change their minds since they saw their dealings / and to change their studies also? Howe many poor Artificers and other commoners in this city / and elsewhere / have they ill entreated? brought up slanders upon? and by their ill usage and lack of diligent conference / have they not suffered to fall / but have been the cause that they have fallen into errors? Contrariwise / what encouragement and favour have they showed to papists? how have they opened their ears to their §10complaints against the ministers / and shut their ears when Papists have been complained upon / or slightly overpassed it. Yea some of them have said / that conformable Papists were more1 tolerable then these precisians and godly men that seek for reformation? Hanson of Oxford / which amongst other articles was charged justly / and is yet to be proved that he said Story was an honest man / & was put to death wrongfully / and had friends alive would revenge his §20death one day / how slightly did the Bishop of Canterbury use him: what friendship found Thurlbie in his house? may poor preachers be half so well used / or such other poor men / which led by the word of God / do freely utter their con sciences against the abuses in our Reformation? Or rather shall not they find harder dealing then Hanson did: will not they take on more against the author of this book and such like / then against Hanson? Let us proceed / who be their §30Chancellors? but most suspected papists / I hear not of one of them that is no briber. Who be their summers but the veriest varlets? What are the Canonists? What are they but suspected Papists? and where have they their most countenance / but of the bishops?
And yet they may not shyfte some of them by those giftes whych God hath giuen them / they may neyther preache / nor teache chyldren publikely nor priuately. §30And they that are in some liuings / what sorowe doe they holde them wythall / and howe ticklishly doe they holde them to / euermore in dā ger of being called before the hyghe Commissioners / and to loose those liuings. How many haue they driuen to leaue the ministerie / and to liue by Phisicke / and other suche meanes / or to leaue their countrey? Howe many students haue they discouraged from the studie of diuinitie / and to ⟨p. 26⟩chaunge their mindes since they sawe their dealings / and to chaunge their studies also? Howe many poore Artificers and other commoners in this citie / and elsewhere / haue they ill entreated? brought vp slaūders vpon? and by their ill vsage and lacke of diligent conference / haue they not suffered to fall / but haue bene the cause that they haue fallen into errors? Contrarywise / what incouragement and fauor haue they shewed to papists? how haue they opened their eares to their §10complaints against the ministers / and shut their eares when Papists haue bene complained vpon / or slightly ouerpassed it. Yea some of them haue sayde / that cōformable Papistes were more1 tollerable then these precisians and godlye men that seeke for reformation? Hanson of Oxforde / whych amōgst other articles was charged iustly / and is yet to be proued that he sayde Storie was an honest man / & was put to death wrongfully / and had frendes alyue would reuenge hys §20death one day / howe slightly dyd the Byshop of Canterbury vse hym: what frendshippe founde Thurlbie in hys house? may poore preachers be halfe so wel vsed / or such other poore men / which led by the word of God / doe freely vtter their cō sciences against the abuses in our Reformation? Or rather shal not they find harder dealyng then Hanson did: will not they take on more agaynste the author of thys booke and suche lyke / then against Hanson? Lette vs proceede / who be their §30Chauncelloures? but most suspected papistes / I heare not of one of them that is no briber. Who be their summers but the vertest varlets? What are the Canonistes? What are they but suspected Papistes? and where haue they their moste countenaunce / but of the byshops?
1I wis you shall send Precisions / as you call them / better subjects then these / as b•d as you make them.I wis you shall synde Precisiōs / as you call them / better subiects then these / as b•d as you make them.
Greek or Hebrew the transcribers did not key
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illegible punctuation
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a page break in the printed book
§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.
order for these things drawne oute of the scriptures / which order is this.
shuld be emploied to the ministrie / whether it be in the vniuersitie or elswhere / that such be brought vp to this turne.
§30
suche vaine men / but the churche of God they become not / and are forbidden by oure sauioure.
of tarying on theyr charge laide vpon them wt their charge / except by ye good order o• ye churches it be thought expediēt / or when ye shepe are wolues / & so they dryuē to flie frō them:
••
§10
must be sent of God / endued wyth the gyftes of God / furnyshed wyth hys graces vnto that ministerie / that they may be able to bring the good tidings of peace / and good thyngs to their congregations / that their feete may be beautifull to them / that they may knowe that they are iewels of God bestowed vpon hys churche / that euerye churche may be assured they haue a treasure of their minister or ministers.
