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.
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 roaes before
the 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
§30
gette 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
§10
by 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 of
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.
to be their chiefest doers / and high Commissioners with them / to wring their brethren / if they be God ⟨p. 27⟩his children / and to let papists scape scot free / or to be punished but lightly: what causes deal they in for the good of the church? certainly few at all / but as they should do they deal in none. How are matters dealt in in their courts / but all for mistress money? who can reckon their disorders? in those former Treatises you read of a blessed company / do you not? how stiff & sturdy are they in the maintenance of their disorders? how have they shaken of the honest suits of many §10honest worshipful citizens and others: yea / of honourable personages which have dealt with them for those whom themselves ought to have had most care of? Howe lightly have they esteemed the learned letters of many famous men at home / & abroad / written unto them in the same case? how many honest men have they by their flattery and tyranny perverted / and drawn to their side? whereof many live with wounded con sciences at this day amongst them / and yet for §20fear of loss of living (for they must have a living they say) do therefore serve the bishops appetites. What a charge are they to their clergy? and what a sum have they yearly / that might be saved? and it is no small matter y• maintaineth their courts / all which charges might be saved also / and matters belonging to the government of the church might be better / & more godly ended. To conclude this part withal / what is more expressly forbidden in y• scriptures / §30then those names and offices which they have. Our saviour saith expressly to his Apostles / *you shall not be called gracious Lords: and surely they were as *worthy as any ministers were since / or shall be / yea / they were the Archbuylders / not the Archbishops / nor was there any Archbuilder of them one more then another / and not any since are allowed to have the name of ⟨p. 28⟩Archbuilders. And albeit any would have called them gracious Lords / and given it them / yet they might not have taken it / but our men though they have used the same text / and other learned men as a plain text use it also / against3 the dignity that the Pope challengeth above all other bishops / and against his two swords▪ yet it meaneth no such matter with our men / but that they may be Lords over their brethren / and use civill jurisdiction also.
to be theyr cheefest doers / and hyghe Commissioners wyth them / to wryng their brethren / if they be God ⟨p. 27⟩hys children / and to let papistes scape scotterfree / or to be punyshed but lyghtly: what causes deale they in for the good of the church? certainly fewe at all / but as they should doe they deale in none. How are matters dealt in in their courts / but all for mistresse money? who can recken their disorders? in those former Treatises you reade of a blessed companie / doe you not? howe stiffe & sturdie are they in the maintenāce of their disorders? how haue they shaken of the honest sutes of many §10honest worshypfull citizens and others: yea / of honorable personages whych haue dealt with them for those whome themselues ought to haue had most care of? Howe lyghtly haue they esteemed the learned letters of manye famous men at home / & abrode / wrytten vnto them in the same case? howe many honest men haue they by their flatterie and tirannie peruerted / and drawne to their side? wherof many lyue wyth wounded cō sciences at thys day amongste them / and yet for §20feare of losse of lyuyng (for they muste haue a lyuing they say) doe therfore serue the bishops appetites. What a charge are they to their cleargie? and what a summe haue they yeerely / that myght be saued? and it is no smal matter y• mamtayneth their courtes / all whych charges myght be saued also / and matters belonging to the gouernment of the church myght be better / & more godly ended. To conclude thys parte wythall / what is more expresly forbidden in y• scriptures / §30then those names and offices whych they haue. Oure sauioure sayth expresly to hys Apostles / *you shal not be called gracious Lords: and surely they were as *worthy as any ministers were since / or shall be / yea / they were the Archbuylders / not the Archbishops / nor was there anye Archbuilder of them one more then another / and not anye since are allowed to haue the name of ⟨p. 28⟩Archbuilders. And albeit any woulde haue called them gracious Lords / and geuen it them / yet they myghte not haue taken it / but oure menne though they haue vsed the same texte / and other learned men as a playne text vse it also / agaynste
*Apostles as worthy to have ben Lords / as our bishops but they might not / being expressly forbidden it.Apostles as worthy to haue ben Lordes / as our bishops but they might not / being expresly forbidden it.
3Of y• lordship of bishops.Of y• lordship of byshops.
It forbiddeth them to §10seek it / they say / but if it be offered to them / they take it. Our saviour refuseth to divide the land1 between the two brethren when it was offered him / he avoideth when they sought to make him a king? what think you he would have taken it / if it had been orderly offered by the whole state? no / he saith: my kingdom is not of this world / or a worldly kingdom / I came not to be ministered unto / but to minister / and even so he telleth his disciples / it must be amongst them. §20And yet further / doth that text forbid ambition in the ministers / and allow it in princes? for he disproveth not the kings that they are lords / and exercise authority over their nations / and have great titles / for not only there / but the scripture is plain / that they may so do / and yet not be ambitious / which they may be / if they content not themselves with their own countries / and titles / but covet others. But in this place he showeth §30/ that they must not exercise authority as2 civill magistrates do / and may do / nor be one above another / you shall not be so / he that is chief among you / let him be your servant / so that if they will take it / it may not be given them. The apostles / they also avoided it amongst themselves / and they forbid it in others / as the place of Peter is plain / and so plain / that it is a worldly wise way to seek some other shift to face out ⟨p. 29⟩the matter / and to underprop this ruinous Hierarchy withal. The scriptures are plain against it / and therefore some other device must be found at a pinch / to flap the world in y• mouth with somewhat: to tell them that good and ancient chronicles make mention of the lordly degree of bishops / and to bring forth the heralds craft to help out the matter / to blaze the arms of such worthy prelates as have ben of long time before. This were a worldly wise way / and as §10I hear / is intended to be practised. But surely if this be practised / they must also practise to stop the course of the scriptures / for else the scriptures will on the other side display as fast / the folly of such proud men. Here some keep hot schools / what say they / every one as good as another amongst the ministers? shall not one be better then another? what is disorder if this be not? well this is God his order / and in deed as I said afore / the best order.
It forbiddeth them to §10seeke it / they say / but if it be offered to them / they take it. Our sauioure refuseth to deuide the land1 betweene the two brethren when it was offered hym / he auoydeth when they soughte to make hym a king? what thinke you he would haue taken it / if it had bene orderly offered by the whole state? no / he sayth: my kingdome is not of thys worlde / or a worldly kingdome / I came not to be ministred vnto / but to minister / and euen so he telleth hys disciples / it muste be amongste them. §20And yet further / dothe that text forbid ambition in the ministers / and allowe it in princes? for he disproueth not the kings that they are lordes / and exercise authoritie ouer their nations / and haue great titles / for not onely there / but the scripture is playn / that they may so doe / and yet not be ambitious / whych they may be / if they contente not themselues wyth their owne countreys / and titles / but couet others. But in thys place he sheweth §30/ that they muste not exercise authoritie as2 ciuill magistrates doe / and may doe / nor be one aboue another / you shall not be so / he that is cheefe among you / let hym be your seruaunte / so that if they will take it / it may not be giuen them. The apostles / they also auoided it amongst thēselues / and they forbid it in others / as the place of Peter is playne / and so playne / that it is a worldly wyse way to seeke some other shyfte to face oute ⟨p. 29⟩the matter / and to vnderprop thys ruinous Hierarchie wythall. The scryptures are playne agaynst it / and therfore some other deuice must be found at a pynche / to flap the world in y• mouth wyth somewhat: to tel them that good and auncient chronicles make mention of the lordly degree of bishops / and to bring forthe the heraldes craft to helpe out the matter / to blase the armes of such worthy prelates as haue ben of long time before. This were a worldly wise way / and as §10I heare / is entended to be practised. But surely if thys be practised / they must also practise to stoppe the course of the scriptures / for else the scriptures will on the other side display as faste / the follie of suche proude men. Heere some keepe hote schooles / what say they / euery one as good as another amongst the ministers? shall not one be better then another? what is disorder if thys be not? well thys is God hys order / and in dede as I sayd afore / the best order.
2mat. 20. 27 If bishops •oe take Lordship upon them others are forbidden to •ive it thē. 1. Pet. 5. 3mat. 20. 27 If bishops •oe take Lordshyp vpon them others are forbiddē to •iue it thē. 1. Pet. 5. 3
How is that saith §20another? Thus I say. First / let no one minister meddle in any cure save his own / but as he1 is appointed by common consent of the next conference / or counsels (as afore) provincial or national / or further if it may fall out so / general of all churches reformed: A conference I call the meeting of some certain ministers / and other brethren / as it might be the ministers of London / at some certain place as it was at Corinth / or2 of some certain deanery / or deanries in the country §30/ as it might be at Ware / to confer and exercise them selves in prophesying / or in interpreting the scriptures / after the which interpretation / they must confer upon that which was done / and judge of it / the whole to judge of those that spake / and yet so / as some one be appointed by all / to speak for them / as they shall amongst them selves agree what shall be spoken / which ⟨p. 30⟩thing was always used among the Apostles / one to speak for the rest / which conferences may sometime be more general then other sometime / as occasion of the Churches may require / to call the brethren together. At which conferences / any one / or any certain of the brethren / are at the order of the whole / to be employed upon some affairs of the church / which they shall show to be needful for the same. So was John & Peter §10sent by the Apostles to Samaria / to confirm3 Philips work. So was Paul and Barnabas sent from Antioch to the business appointed them by the Lord / and yet so (which I would4 have well marked) that the holy Ghost said to the congregation: Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them / he might have called them forth without these words to them of the assembly / but that he would show how he approved of that order / and the more the order is commended / that he would §20have Saul / one of his Apostles / to be thus sent by those whereof none were of the Apostles. At this assembly also / the demeanours of the ministers may be examined / and rebuked / as Paul witnesseth he did in an assembly rebuke Peter.5 This is that which I call a conference / where sundry causes within that circuit / being brought before them / may be decided and ended.
How is that saith §20another? Thus I say. First / let no one minister meddle in any cure saue hys owne / but as he1 is appointed by common consent of the next conference / or counsels (as afore) prouinciall or nationall / or further if it may fall out so / generall of all churches reformed: A conference I call the meeting of some certaine ministers / and other brethrē / as it might be the ministers of London / at some certaine place as it was at Corinth / or2 of some certaine deanrie / or deanries in the countrie §30/ as it might be at Ware / to conferre and exercise them selues in prophesying / or in interpreting the scriptures / after the which interpretation / they must conferre vppon that whiche was done / and iudge of it / the whole to iudge of those that spake / and yet so / as some one be appoynted by all / to speake for them / as they shall amongs them selues agree what shall be spoken / whych ⟨p. 30⟩thyng was alwayes vsed among the Apostles / one to speake for the rest / whych cōferences may sometime be more generall then other sometime / as occasion of the Churches may require / to call the brethren together. At which conferences / any one / or any certaine of the brethren / are at the order of the whole / to be employed vppon some affaires of the church / which they shall shewe to be needefull for the same. So was Iohn & Peter §10sent by the Apostles to Samaria / to cōfirme3 Philips worke. So was Paule and Barnabas sent from Antioche to the businesse appointed them by the Lord / and yet so (which I wold4 haue well marked) that the holy Ghost sayde to the congregation: Separate me Barnabas and Saule for the worke whereunto I haue called them / he myght haue called them forth wythout these words to them of the assemblie / but that he would shewe how he approued of that order / and the more the order is commended / that he would §20haue Saule / one of his Apostles / to be thus sent by those wherof none were of the Apostles. At thys assembly also / the demeanours of the ministers may be examined / and rebuked / as Paule witnesseth he did in an assembly rebuke Peter.
1Not one minister to meddle in anothers cure without order.Not one minister to meddle in anothers cure wtout order.
But it is to be used continually / for the exercise of the ministers / and others / as it should seem by the §30Apostle in the place to the Corinthians / to exercise their gates in the interpretation of the scriptures. I call that a synod provincial / which is the meeting of certain of the consistory of every parish1 within a province / which is of many conferences / as it might be that which is called Canterburies province / if it be not to large / and therefore of some one or moe dioceses: where ⟨p. 31⟩great causes of the churches / which could not be ended in their own consistories / or conferences / shall be heard and determined / and so they shall stand / except when a more general Synod / and council of the whole land be / which I call national / and they will have it heard there / to whose determination they shall stand / except there be a more general Synod of all churches / and that they will have it heard there / and determined / §10whereto they shall stand / as it was at Jerusalem / except it be a great matter of the faith / or a great matter expressly against the scriptures / as that was in the Nicene council of the marriage of ministers / where the whole council would have concluded against it / had not one man Paphnutius withstood them / or that assembly2 where Nicodemus only withstood the rest / or that at Antioch where Peter and Barnabas3 and all the Jews were entered into a dissimulation §20/ and only Paul withstood them. In which case the scripture saith / you have one father / one master / and hear him / and examine all things / and hold that which is good / and try the spirits whether they be of God / or no / and4 again sayeth the apostle: Though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you then that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed. Except I say it be in such §30a case / they must stand to the determinations as afore. And otherwise then thus / let no one minister use / or challenge any authority out of his own charge.
But it is to be vsed continually / for the exercise of the ministers / and others / as it shoulde seeme by the §30Apostle in the place to the Corinthes / to exercise their gates in the interpretation of ye scriptures. I call that a ••ynode pro••nciall / whych is the meeting of certaine of the cons•storie of euery parishe1 wythin a prouince / which is of manye conferences / as it myghte be that whyche is called Canterburies prouince / if it be not to large / and therefore of some one or moe diocesses: where ⟨p. 31⟩great causes of the churches / whych could not be ended in their owne consistories / or conferences / shall be heard and determined / and so they shall stande / except when a more generall Synode / and councell of the whole land be / whych I call nationall / and they will haue it hearde there / to whose determination they shall stande / excepte there be a more general Synode of all churches / and that they will haue it heard there / and determined / §10whereto they shall stande / as it was at Ierusalem / except it be a great matter of ye fayth / or a great matter expresly agaynst ye scriptures / as that was in the Nicene councell of the mariage of ministers / where the whole councel wold haue concluded agaynst it / had not one manne Paphnutius wythstoode them / or that assembly2 where Nicodemus onely withstoode the rest / or that at Antioche where Peter and Barnabas3 and all the Iewes were entred into a dissimulation §20/ and onely Paule wythstoode them. In which case the scripture saythe / you haue one father / one master / and heare him / and examine all things / and holde that whych is good / and trye the spirites whether they be of God / or no / and4 againe sayeth the apostle: Though we or an angell from heauen preache any other gospell vnto you then that whych we haue preached vnto you let hym be accursed. Except I say it be in suche §30a case / they must stande to the determinations as afore. And otherwyse then thus / let no one minister vse / or chalenge any authoritie out of hys owne charge.
And there let him / or them (if they be two pastors or moe in one charge) not only alone meddle with the charge of preaching / and other such parts of the pastor / but also let him or them in that consistory / and in all other conferences and councils▪ let the ministers go before / as I might say / and guide the other of the assistants ⟨p. 32⟩and elders / in the government / as it is in the council at Jerusalem. But before I speak1 more of the government / let us a little consider of this order of the election of the ministers / and these exercises and conferences for the continuance of sound religion / and of the equality of ministers / whether the bishops course be better / or this be the best. First / this is well warranted2 by the scriptures / and theirs is not. Theirs hath already been the cause of many mischiefs / §10and this the cause of much good in the primitive church / and is so still where it is practised in the reformed churches beyond the seas. This alloweth only painful and true preachers / theirs ignorant Asses / loitering and idle bellied Epicures / or profane and heathenish Orators / that think all the grace of preaching lieth in affected eloquence / in fond fables to make their3 hearers laugh / or in ostentation of learning of their Latin / their Greek / their Hebrew tongue / §20and of their great reading of antiquities: when God knoweth / most of them have little further matter then is in the infinite volumes of common 4places / and Apothegms / culled to their hands.
And there let hym / or them (if they be two pastoures or moe in one charge) not only alone meddle wyth the charge of preachyng / and other suche partes of the pastor / but also let hym or them in that consistorie / and in all other conferences and councels▪ let the ministers go before / as I might say / and guide the other of the assistantes ⟨p. 32⟩and elders / in the gouernment / as it is in the councell at Ierusalem. But before I speake1 more of the gouernement / let vs a little consider of thys order of the election of the ministers / and these exercises and conferences for the continuaunce of sounde religion / and of the equalitie of ministers / whether the bishops course be better / or thys be the best. First / this is well warranted2 by the scriptures / and theirs is not. Theirs hath already bene the cause of many mischeefes / §10and thys the cause of muche good in the primitiue churche / and is so still where it is practised in the reformed churches beyond the seas. This alloweth only painful and true preachers / theirs ignorant Asses / loytering and idell bellyed Epicures / or prophane and heathenishe Oratoures / that thincke all the grace of preaching lyeth in affected eloquence / in fonde fables to make their3 hearers laughe / or in ostentation of learning of their Latine / their Greke / their Hebrue tongue / §20and of their great reading of antiquities: when God knoweth / moste of them haue little further matter then is in the infinite volumes of commō 4places / and Apothegmes / culled to their hands.
2A comparison between the former description of the ministry / and the bishops order.A comparison betweene the former description of the ministerie / and the bishops order.
But if they carry away the praise of the people for their learning / though the people have learned little or nothing at their hands (for they can not learn much / where little is spoken to purpose) or for some merry tales they have told / or §301such like pageants to please itching ears withal / such a fellow must have the benefices / the prebends / the Archdeaconries / and such like loiterers preferments / especially if he can make low courtesy to my Lords / and know his manners to every degree of them / or can creep into some noble mans favour to bear the name of his chaplain / this is he y• shall bear the preferments away from all other / and to flaunt it ⟨p. 33⟩out in his long large gown / and his tippet / and2 his little fine square cap / with his Tawny coats after him / fisking over the city to show him self / none can have that he may have / except some certain fat fellows / with long bags3 at their girdles / and some in their sleeves / or with a dish of M. Latimer's apples. Corruption / too much corruption in these matters. This order avoideth intrusion into any benefices / but to be §10chosen by the consent of that parish where they shall be ministers / and there to tarry. Theirs / so the patron present / and the bishop institute / thrusteth upon parishes such / as what so ever they are / they cannot be refused / and may resign or otherwise depart as they list. Theirs appointeth not only moe hoy ministers / & dumb dogs not able to bark / then they wot where to bestow / but also many roving preachers / to preach in whose cure they list / out of all order. §20This / appointeth every pastor to his charge / and by a very good order / none to meddle out of his own charge. By this / all without exception / are drawn & driven to exercise them selves among them selves / for the increase of knowledge / and for the confirmation of them in the undoubted truth. Theirs appointeth at their lordships pleasure / and their Archdeacons / their men either to say a part of one of the Epistles without book / or to turn it out of Latin into §30English / or to write their fantasies of some Theme given them / wherein there is much good stuff if it were well known / or to learn M.
But if they carye away the praise of the people for their learning / thoughe the people haue learned little or nothing at their handes (for they can not learne muche / where little is spoken to purpose) or for some mery tales they haue tolde / or §301such like pageāts to please itching eares wythall / suche a fellowe muste haue the benefices / the prebendes / the Archdeaconries / and suche lyke loyterers preferments / especially if he can make lowe curtesie to my Lordes / and know his manners to euery degree of them / or can creepe into some noble mannes fauoure to beare the name of hys chapleine / this is he y• shall beare the preferments awaye from all other / and to flaunte it ⟨p. 33⟩out in hys long large gowne / and hys tippet / and2 hys little fine square cappe / with hys Tawnie coates after hym / fisking ouer the citie to shewe him selfe / none can haue that he may haue / except some certaine fatte fellowes / with long bagges3 at their girdels / and some in their sleeues / or wt a dyshe of M. Latuners apples. Corruption / too muche corruption in these matters. Thys order auoydeth intrusion into any benefices / but to be §10chosen by the consent of that parishe where they shall be minysters / and there to tary. Theirs / so the patrone present / and the bishoppe institute / thrusteth vppon parishes suche / as what so euer they are / they cannot be refused / and may resigne or otherwyse departe as they liste. Theirs appoynteth not onely moe hoy ministers / & dumbe dogges not able to barke / then they wot where to bestowe / but also many rouing preachers / to preache in whose cure they list / out of all order. §20Thys / appoynteth euery pastor to hys charge / and by a very good order / none to meddle out of hys owne charge. By thys / all wythout exception / are drawne & driuen to exercise them selues among them selues / for the encrease of knowledge / and for the cōfirmation of them in the vndoubted truth. Theirs appoynteth at their lordshippes pleasure / and their Archdeacons / their men eyther to say a parte of one of the Epystles wythout booke / or to turne it out of Latine into §30Englyshe / or to wryte their fantasyes of some Theme geuen them / wherein there is muche good stuffe if it were well knowne / or to learne M.
Nowels Catechism by rote / rather then by reason / or if they have some exercises of prophesying any where / it is so raw / and without order / except perhaps an order not to speak against any of their proceedings / that as good never a whit / as never the better. This showeth a ⟨p. 34⟩ready and a right way / to resolve all doubts and questions in religion / and to pacify all controversies of the churches / to pass from one or few to moe / & from moe / to moe godly and learned / to be decided by them / according to the truth and word of God. Theirs raiseth many doubts and questions in religion / breedeth many troubles and contentions / and will have nothing examined that they do / but many must able for the §10pleasure of some one of them / and all must abide the determination of one / such Lordship they claim over the faith of their christian brethren.1 The Apostle renouncing it / and acknowledging himself to be a helper. If they say Lordship of bishops is agreeable to the word of God / who may say against them / without much trouble? yea / dare say against them? yea / what prevaileth it to say against them / if they hold together? to whom it is to sweet to say say against it / or if my Lords grace / Metropolitan of all England §20hold / & stick fast in the matter? for so it goeth / many must to one / & so from one to one / till it come to the Pope of Lambeth / as it was wont in the Po•ishe church / clean contrary to the course of the scriptures / for there is no more ones / but only one one / to whom all the church must obey / and from him / the whole church hath authority over the members of the same / for so goeth the scriptures / you have but one master / all you are §302brethren / hear him / and tell the church / this is the scripture. Now / except they will follow the Popes rule / and bring the universal church to be but a particular place / and a particular man in that place / as Rome is the place / and the pope is y• man / or as Canterbury or Lambeth might be the place / and my Lord his grace the man / the scriptures and their doings will not agree. And his Lordship shall be a Pope / and his confederates ⟨p. 35⟩the Popes underlings / except they leave their Lordliness / and submit them selves to the church of God / to be ordered by the same / according to the word.
Nowels Catechisme by roate / rather then by reason / or if they haue some exercises of prophesying any where / it is so rawe / and wythoute order / except perhaps an order not to speake against any of their proceedings / that as good neuer a whit / as neuer the better. Thys sheweth a ⟨p. 34⟩ready and a right way / to resolue all doubts and questions in religion / and to pacifie all controuersies of the churches / to passe from one or few to moe / & from moe / to moe godly and learned / to be decided by them / according to the truthe and worde of God. Theirs raiseth many douts and questions in religion / breedeth many troubles and contentions / and wyl haue nothyng examined that they doe / but many must ab•e for ye §10pleasure of some one of them / and all must abide the determination of one / suche Lordshyp they claime ouer the faithe of their christian brethren.1 The Apostle renouncing it / and acknowledging hymselfe to be a helper. If they say Lordshyppe of bishops is agreeable to the word of God / who may say agaynst them / wythout much trouble? yea / dare say against them? yea / what preuayleth it to say against them / if they hold together? to whom it is to swete to say say agaynst it / or if my Lords grace / Metropolitane of al England §20holde / & sticke fast in the matter? for so it goeth / many must to one / & so frō one to one / til it come to the Pope of Lambeth / as it was wont in the Po•ishe church / cleane contrary to the course of the scriptures / for there is no more ones / but only one one / to whome all the churche must obey / and from him / the whole church hath authoritie ouer the membres of the same / for so goeth the scriptures / you haue but one maister / all you are §302brethren / heare him / and tell the church / thys is the scripture. Now / except they will followe the Popes rule / and bryng the vniuersal churche to be but a particulare place / and a particulare man in that place / as Rome is the place / and the pope is y• man / or as Caunterbury or Lambeth might be the place / and my Lorde hys grace the man / the scriptures and their doings will not agree. And hys Lordship shallbe a Pope / and his confederates ⟨p. 35⟩the Popes vnderlings / excepte they leaue their Lordlynesse / and submit them selues to the church of God / to be ordered by the same / according to the woorde.
And take them for better / who shall / they are none other / but a remnant of Antichrists brood / and God amend them / and forgive them / for else they bid battle to Christ and his church / and it must bid the defiance to them / all they yield. And I protest before §10the eternal God I take them so / and thereafter will I use my self in my vocation / and many moe to no doubt which be careful of God his glory / and the churches liberty / will use themselves against them / as the professed enemies of the church of Christ / if they proceed in this course / and thus persecute as they do. What talk they of their being beyond y• seas in Queen Mary's days because of the persecution / when they in Queen Elizabeth's days / are come §20home to raise a persecution. They boast they follow1 the steps of good master Ridley the martyr: let them follow him in the good / and not in the bad. What man / Martyr or other / is to be followed in all things? why follow they not M. Hooper as well as him / who is a martyr also? or Rogers / or Bradford / who are martyrs also? They say all those good men in Queen Mars2 days died for the book of common prayer / but they slander them / for they toke not so slender a §30quarrel / they dyed for god his book / and for a true faith grounded upon the same. Divers of those martyrs / would not in those days of king Edward / abide all the orders in that book / but if they had had such a time beyond the seas in the reformed churches / to have profited and increased in knowledge of a right reformation as these men had / it is not to be doubted / but that they would have done better then he promised / y• had ⟨image 23⟩rather all England were on a fishpoole / then he would be brought to matters f•r less / then now of his own accord he wilfully thrusteth him self upon. Why we they not follow the examples which they saw beyond y• seas? In which of the reformed churches saw they a Lord bishop allowed? or the Canon law to direct church orders? or will they translate the book of common prayer into Latin / and their pontifical / and use §10the Latin of the popish portuise / manual / and3 pontifical in those matters wherein they have followed those books / and but translated them out of Latin / and will they require & abide y• judgements of the reformed churches concerning the matters?
And take them for better / who shall / they are none other / but a remnaunt of Antichristes broode / and God amende them / and forgeue them / for else they bid battell to Christ and his church / and it must bid the defiance to them / all they yeelde. And I protest before §10the eternall God I take them so / and thereafter wil I vse my self in my vocation / and many moe to no doubt which be careful of God his glory / and the churches libertie / wyll vse themselues agaynst them / as the professed ennemies of the churche of Christ / if they proceede in thys course / and thus persecute as they doe. What talke they of their being beyond y• seas in Quene Maries dayes because of the persecution / when they in Queene Elizabethes dayes / are come §20home to rayse a persecution. They bost they followe1 the steps of good maister Ridley the martir: let them followe hym in the good / and not in the badde. What man / Martyr or other / is to be followed in all things? why follow they not M. Hooper as well as him / who is a martir also? or Rogers / or Bradforde / who are martirs also? They say all those good men in Quene Marres2 dayes died for the booke of common prayer / but they slaunder them / for they toke not so slender a §30quarel / they dyed for god his boke / and for a true faith grounded vpon the same. Diuers of those martires / would not in those dayes of king Edwarde / abide all the orders in that booke / but if they had had such a time beyonde the seas in the reformed churches / to haue profited and encreased in knowledge of a right reformation as these men had / it is not to be doubted / but that they would haue done better then he promised / y• had ⟨image 23⟩rather all England were on a fishpoole / then he would be brought to matters f•r lesse / then now of hys owne accorde he wilfully thrusteth hym selfe vpon. Why we they not followe the examples which they sawe beyonde y• seas? In which of the reformed churches saw they a Lord bishop allowed? or the Canon lawe to direct church orders? or will they translate the boke of common prayer into Latine / and their pontilicall / and vse §10the Latine of the popishe portuise / manual / and
1Persec• raised.
2The m• tyrs in Mary o• days / they suffered?The m• tyrs in Mary o• dayes / they sufred?
3Turning y••oke o• con •ion prayer • the pon•ficall / unto •ortuis la•ive / to try y• judgment •s •f y• reformed churches con•rmng thē required.Turning y••oke o• cō •ion prayer • the pon•ficall / unto •ortuis la•iue / to try y•••dgemē •s •f y• refor•ed chur•hes con•rmng thē •equired.
If they be not singular / if they mean plainly / let them do thus. If it will abide the trial / then let them use it still. They shall not be disgraced / but we for disquieting of them. They have f•cendes that will say for them / they are a learned company and ne•oe not the help of any §20other churches. Then let them offer to defend their course by learning. Let them never go over sea for the matter (and yet surely I would some toke that translation in hand / & toke some pains in the matter / to procure the judgements of those reformed churches) but let them offer free conference here at home. Nay / let them take our offer for conference (by writing to avoid much brabble if they will) and show themselves ready to the state / without cunning practise to §30stop it by their friends / and let us join in it freely / and then we will think better of them / and yield our selves to have been deceived in them / if they deal plainly. O Lord that we were deceived •n them. That they were not wickedly bent / to maintain that which they are entered into / to the great disquieting of this Church of Christ in England / until the Master come / ⟨image 23⟩(which they think will defer his coming) and disquiet them / whom he findeth like lordly Epicures / eating & drinking with y• worldly drunkards / and beating their fellow servants. They that are poor men / already beggared by them / and which have many ways b•ne molested and imprisoned / some in the Marshalsea / some in the white Lion / some in the Catchouse1 at Westminster / others in the counter / or in the Clink / or in the Fleet / or in Bridewell / or in §10Newgate / they which have these many ways and times been hampered & ill handled by them / they still offer themselves to all their exercinities / and therefore put for the their treatises / because they pass not how dear they bought it / so they might redeem our state out of this deformed reformation / to a right platform drawn out of the scriptures. They say / such are men pleasers. Surely / if they sough•e advantage that way / it were best for them to please my Lords.
If they be not singulare / if they meane plainely / lette them doe thus. If it will abyde the triall / then let them vse it still. They shal not be disgraced / but we for disquieting of thē. They haue f•cendes that will saye for them / they are a learned company and ne•oe not the helpe of any §20other churches. Then let them offer to defende their course by learning. Let them neuer goe ouer sea for the matter (and yet surely I woulde some toke that translation in hande / & toke some paynes in the matter / to procure the iudgements of those reformed churches) but lette them offer free conferēce heere at home. Nay / let them take our offer for conference (by wryting to auoyde muche brabble if they will) and shew themselues ready to the state / wythoute cunning practise to §30stoppe it by their freendes / and let vs ioyne in it freely / and then we will thincke better of them / and yeelde oure selues to haue beene deceiued in them / if they deale plainly. O Lord that we wer deceiued •n them. That they were not wickedly bent / to maintaine that which they are entred into / to the great disquieting of thys Churche of Christe in Englande / vntill the Maister come / ⟨image 23⟩(which they thinke will deferre hys commyng) and disquiet them / whome he fynedeth like lordly Epicures / eating & drynking wyth y• worldly drunkardes / and beatyng their fellow seruaūts. They that are poore men / already beggered by them / and which haue many wayes b•ne molested and imprysoned / some in the Marshalsey / some in the white Lion / some in the Catchouse1 at Westmi•ster / others in the counter / or in the Clynke / or in the Ficete / or in Bridewell / or in §10Newgate / they whych haue these many wayes and times bene hampered & ill handled by them / they stil offer themselues to al their exercinities / and therefore put for the their treatises / because they passe not howe deare they bought it / so they myght redeme our state out of this defor•ed reformation / to a ryght platforme drawne oute of the scriptures. They say / such are men pleasers. Surely / if they sough•e aduauntage that way / it were best for them to please my Lords.
1There is no persecu• tion n•we • they say / • report m• to these examples.There is no persecu• tion n•we • they say / • reporte m• to these examples.
They say they are desirous to be said to be in prison / &1 that they profit by it / they would not then keep themselves out of the way / nor when they are in / be such suitors to come torch / nor abide to be stifled and choked with the stench of the prison / but that is an old shift and cunning of he adversary to say so. No, no / God his cause is the matter. You pretend a reformation / and follow not the word of God / nor will be led by that. The §30sum of all therefore is this / that either you of the Parliament must •ake order to have all reformed according to the word of God / whereof already you have heard a part / and sh•ll hear briefly the rest by God his grace / or else they to bring your reformation to the trial of the word of God / and to overthrow by the same all that we say / and all that the other of the ••st reformed churches do use. Well they may confer and ⟨image 24⟩yield / for never shall they overthrow the truth which we utter / and which the reformed churches do practise / nor shall they be able to maintain their own doings / but by cruelty / & wl, at success that hath ever had / judge by y• scriptures and by the papists experience. For this order of choosing of ministers for their conferences and equality therefore / you shall prove none to be so good as this / which I have mentioned / nor disprove §10/ but that this ought to be in a reformed church. Shall I examine their other orders? y• were infinite / but yet for the book of common prayer / which of all other must not be touched / 2because they have gotten the state so to bear it out / Even for the very states sake / for the princes sake / for the churches sake / and for conscience sake / he hath but a bad conscience that in this time will hold his peace / and not speak it for fear of trouble / knowing y• there are such intolerable abuses in it / as it is plain there are. First I say / that if it were praying / & that there were never an ill word / nor sentence in all the prayers yet to appoint it to be used / or so to use it as Papists did their matins and evensong / 3for a set service to God / though the words be good / the use is naught. The words of the first chapter after S.
They say they are desirous to be sayd to be in pryson / &1 that they profite by it / they would not then kepe themselues out of the way / nor whē they are in / be suche suters to come toor•he / nor abide to be stifeled and choked with the stench of the prison / but that is an old shift and cunning of he aduersary to say so. No, no / God hys cause is the mater. You pretend a reformation / and followe not the worde of God / nor will be led by that. The §30summe of all therfore is thys / that eyther you of the Parliament muste •ake order to haue all reformed according to the worde of God / whereof already you haue heard a parte / and sh•ll heare breefely the rest by God his grace / or else they to bryng your reformation to the trial of the word of God / and to ouerthrowe by the same all that we say / and al that the other of the ••st reformed churches doe vse. Well they may conferre and ⟨image 24⟩yeelde / for neuer shall they ouerthrow the truthe which we vtter / and which the reformed churches doe practise / nor shall they be able to maintaine their owne doings / but by crueltie / & wl, at successe that hath euer had / iudge by y• scriptures and by the papistes experience. For this order of chusing of ministers for their conferences and equalitie therefore / you shall proue none to be so good as thys / which I haue mentioned / nor disproue §10/ but that thys oughte to be in a reformed churche. Shall I examine their other orders? y• were infinite / but yet for the booke of common prayer / which of all other muste not be touched / 2because they haue gotten the state so to beare it out / Euen for the very states sake / for the princes sake / for the churches sake / and for conscience sake / he hath but a badde conscience that in thys time will holde hys peace / and not speake it for feare of trouble / knowing y• there are suche intollerable abuses in it / as it is plaine there are. First I say / that if it were praying / & that there were neuer an ill woorde / nor sentence in all the prayers yet to appoynt it to be vsed / or so to vse it as Papistes did their mattens and euensong /
John / be good / but to be put in a tablet of gold / for a sovereign thing to be worn / that use is superstitious and naught / §30and so is the use of this service / for the order must be kept / and that being done / they have served God. And if they allege that that use was not meant / and that it is an abuse. I say and can prove it / that if it be an abuse / it is so settled it will not be reformed / till there be a reformation of prayer. Again / wherelearned they to multiply up many prayers of one effect / so many times Glory be to the Father / so many times the Lord ⟨image 24⟩be with you / so many times let us pray. Whence1 learned they all those needless repetitions? is it not the popish Gloria patri? their Dominus vobiscum? their Oremus? Lord have mercy upon us / Christ have mercy upon us / is it not kyrie eleeson / Christ eleeson? their many Pater nosters / why use they them? But as though they were at their beads. The words be good / so were they when they were in Latin / but the use is naught / forbidden by our saviour: you when you pray use not vain repetitions as the2 heathen do / saith he. And then the Collect for the day to be used at end of matins / what shall I call it? and afore the epistle and gospel as they call it. The book is such a piece of work as it3 is strange we will use it / besides I cannot account it praying as they use it commonly / but only reading or saying of prayers / even as a child that learneth to read / if his lesson be a prayer / he readeth a prayer / he doth not pray / even so is it commonly a saying / and reading prayers and not praying / the child putteth of his cap as well as the minister. For though they have many guises / now to kneel / and now to stand / these b• of course / and not of any prick of conscience / •• purring of the heart most commonly. One he kneeleth on his knees / and this way he looketh / and that way he looketh / another he kneeleth him self a sleep / another kneeleth with such devotion that he is so far in talk / that he forgetteth to arise till his knee ache / or his talk endeth / or service is done. And why is all this? but y• there is no such praying as should touch the heart.
Iohn / be good / but to be putte in a tablet of golde / for a soueraigne thyng to be worne / that vse is superstitious and naughte / §30and so is the vse of thys seruice / for the order must be kept / and that being done / they haue serued God. And if they alledge that that vse was not meant / and that it is an abuse. I say and cā proue it / that if it be an abuse / it is so setled it wil not be refor•ed / till there be a reformatiō of praier. Agayne / wherelearned they to multiplye vp many prayers of one effect / so many times Glorye be to the Father / so manye times the Lorde ⟨image 24⟩be wyth you / so many times let vs pray. Whēce1 learned they all those needelesse repetitions? is it not the popishe Gloria patri? their Dominus vobiscum? their Oremus? Lorde haue mercye vpon vs / Christe haue mercy vpon vs / is it not kyrie eleeson / Christe eleeson? their many Pater nosters / why vse they them? But as though they were at their beades. The words be good / so were they when they were in Latine / but the vse is naught / forbidden by oure sauioure: you when you pray vse not vaine repetitions as the2 heathen doe / saythe he. And then the Collect for the day to be vsed at ende of mat•ens / what shall I call it? and afore the epistle and gospel as they call it. The boke is suche a peece of worke as it3 is straunge we will vse it / besydes I cannot accompt it praying as they vse it commonly / but only reading or saying of prayers / euē as a childe that learneth to reade / if hys lesson be a prayer / he readeth a prayer / he dothe not pray / euen so is it commonly a saying / and reading prayers and not praying / the childe putteth of hys cap as wel as the minister. For thoughe they haue manye guises / nowe to knele / and nowe to stande / these b• of course / and not of any pricke of conscience / •• pureing of the heart most commonly. One he kneeleth on hys knees / and thys way he loketh / and that way he loketh / another he kneeleth him selfe a sleepe / another kneeleth wyth suche deuotion that he is so farre in talk / that he forgetteth to arise till hys knee ake / or hys talke endeth / or seruice is done. And why is all thys? but y• there is no suche praying as should touche the hearte.
1Gloria patri. Dominus vobiscum. Oremus. Kyriele•sō. Many pater nosters.Gloria patri. Dominus vobiscum. Oremus. Kyriele•sō. Many pater nosters.
3Reading prayers no praying. In praying many guises taken up • used rather of custom / then of reason & knowledge or conscience▪Reading prayers no praying. In praying many guises takē vp • vsed rather of custome / then of reason & knowledge or cōsciēce▪
And therefore another hath so little feeling of the common prayer / that he bringeth a book of his own / and though he sit when they sit / stand when they stand / kneel when they kneel / he may pause sometime also / but mos•e of all he in•endetly ⟨p. 40⟩his own book / is this praying? God grant us to feel our lacks better then this / and to take a better order then this for prayer / it is & will be all naught else. Again / the Psalms be all red in form o• prayer / they be not all prayers / the people seldom mark them / and sometime when they mark them / they think some of them strange gear / and all for that they are1 bu• only red / and scarce red oftentimes. It is a very simple shift that you use to shift it with an Homily / to expound dark places of scripture / for they be darkly expounded that be expounded / and many places more dark then you rehearse •ny which are not once touched. Simple and homely gear in divers homilies there is. There is none other help I came tell you / but plain preaching which is God his plain order.
And therfore another hath so little feeling of the common prayer / that he bryngeth a booke of hys owne / and though he sitte when they sitte / stand when they stande / kneele when they kneele / he may pause sometime also / but mos•e of all he in•endetly ⟨p. 40⟩hys owne booke / is thys praying? God graunt vs to feele oure lackes better then thys / and to take a better order then thys for prayer / it is & will be all naught else. Againe / the Psalmes be all red in forme o• prayer / they be not all prayers / the people seldome marke them / and sometime when they marke them / they thinke some of them straunge geare / and all for that they are1 bu• only red / and scarse red oftentimes. It is a very simple shift that you vse to shift it wyth an Homilie / to expounde darke places of scripture / for they be darkly expounded that be expounded / and many places more darke then you rehearse •ny whiche are not once touched. Simple and homely geare in diuers homelies there is. There is none other helpe I came tell you / but playne pre•ching whych is God hys plaine order.
What reason to sing the chapters of scriptures / 1and yet so they may in a plain tune. Are all the §20prayers that are ••ed / agreeable to y• scriptures? to let pass the Benedi•tus / where I would2 know how I might say in my prayer: for thou child shalt be called the Prophet of the highest / and the Magnificat / where I woul•e know3 how any man / yea / or woman either might say the tenure of these very words: for he hath regarded the low degree of his handmaid / for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed? mark this well / and you can never §30answer it well / but that it is a palpable folly / and vain praying. To let these pass / I would know in what canonical scripture they find this prayer: O all ye works of the Lord? and what they mean when they say O Ananias / Azarias4 / and Misael praise the Lord? which part of prayer is not according to the scripture / if all the rest be / but the whole thanks giving is Apocryphal / and yet those men that are named / ⟨p. 41⟩were then alive / & said it themselves / if it were truly their prayer / and it belongeth not to us to speak to them now / that are dead / and why to them more then to the virgin Mary / Peter or Paul. &c? Let him that speaketh / speak as the5 word of God / sayeth the Apostle. with what truth can we say / that one Collect which is appointed to be said from the Nativity to New Year's6 day? which is / that upon the nativity day I must say / that Christ vouchsafed this day to be borne / & when I read it another day / I must say he vouchsafed this day to be borne / and the next day again this day. Surely I lie / one of the days / and such a prayer is at whitsuntide appointed. I would know where upon they ground their Collect appointed for the service of s. Bartholomew (for we have Saints / and Angels / 7and all Hallows service which the first treatises speak of) I would I say know whereon they ground that Collect? wherein they pray y• they may follow Bartholomews sermons / seeing there is never a sermon of his extant / and so we shall follow we w•t not what? or y• they pray y• the church may preach as he did. when as they neither have his sermones / nor yet the whole church may preach / but the ministers of y• church only. Is this praying? God forgive us / it is a wicked prattling. By what scripture have they Lent service: A sowedensday service?
What reason to sing the chapters of scriptures / 1and yet so they may in a plaine tune. Are all the §20praiers that are ••ed / agreeable to y• scriptures? to let passe the Benedi•tus / where I woulde2 knowehowe I might say in my prayer: for thou childe shalt be called the Prophet of the highest / and the Magnificat / where I woul•e knowe3 howe any man / yea / or woman eyther might say the tenure of these very wordes: for he hathe regarded the low degree of hys handmayde / for beholde from henceforthe all gencrations shall call me blessed? marke this well / and you can neuer §30answere it well / but that it is a palpable follye / and vaine praying. To let these passe / I woulde knowe in what canonicall scripture they fynde thys prayer: O all ye workes of the Lorde? and what they meane when they say O Anamas / Azarias4 / and Misael prayse the Lord? which part of prayer is not according to the scripture / if all the rest be / but the whole thankes geuing is Apochriphall / and yet those men that are named / ⟨p. 41⟩were then aliue / & sayde it themselues / if it were truely their prayer / and it belongeth not to vs to speake to them nowe / that are deade / and why to them more then to the virgin Marie / Peter or Paule. &c? Let hym that speaketh / speake as the5 woorde of God / sayeth the Apostle. wyth what truthe can we say / that one Collect which is appoynted to be saide from the Natiuitie to Newyeares6 day? which is / that vpō the natiuitie day I must say / that Christe vouchsafed this day to be borne / & when I read it another day / I must say he vouchsafed thys day to be borne / and the next day againe this day. Surely I lie / one of ye dayes / and suche a prayer is at whitsontide appoynted. I would know wher vpon they groūd their Collect appointed for the seruice of s. Bartholomew (for we haue Sametes / and Angels /
the dignitie that the Pope chalengeth aboue all other byshops / and against hys two swordes▪ yet it meaneth no suche matter wyth oure men / but that they may be Lords ouer their brethren / and vse ciuill iurisdiction also.
pontifical in those matters wherin they haue folowed those bokes / and but translated them out of Latin / and will they require & abide y• iudgements of the reformed churches concerning the matters?
and all Hallowes seruice whych the first treatises speake of) I w•ulde I say knowe whereon they ground that Collect? wherein they pray y• they may follow Bartholomews sermons / seeing there is neuer a sermon of hys extant / and so we shall folow we w•t not what? or y• they pray y• the church may preach as he did. when as they neyther haue his sermones / nor yet the whole church may preach / but the ministers of y• church only. Is thys praying? God forgeue vs / it is a wicked pratling. By what scripture haue they Lent seruice: A sowedensday seruice?
