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.
That consisteth first of the ministers of the same congregation / as the guides and mouth of the rest / to direct them by y• scriptures / and to speak at their appointment / that which shall be consented upon amongst them all / because of their gifts / & place amongst them / which maketh them more fit for those purposes / ⟨p. 45⟩The assistants are they / whom the parish shall1 consent upon and choose / for their good judgement in religion and godliness / which they know they be of / whereby they are mete for that office / using the advise of their ministers therein chiefly / and having an eye to a prescript form drawn out of the scriptures / at the appointment of the Prince and state / by the godly learned men of this2 realm / because of y• rawness of this people yet / §10and also using earnest prayers / with fasting / as in the choice of the minister / & having made their choice thereafter / they shall publish their agreement in their parish / and after a sermon by their minister / at their appointment / and upon their consent the minister may lay his hands upon every of them / to testify to them their admission. This consistory is for that only congregation / 3and must do that which they we / wyntly in any common cause of the church. And these are to §20employ themselves / and to be employed by that congregation / upon the necessary and urgent affairs of the same church. These are they in y• church / to whom our saviour commandeth them that have twice / or oftener admonished an offender / and he heareth them not / to utter such an offender: when he saith / tell the church. These are they / whose last admonition he of that church / or they which regard not / shall be taken as a publican4 or heathen. These are they / that shall admonish all such in that congregation / as they
know to live with offence to the church / or as be presented to them / by good testimony of their offence committed. These be they / which shall excommunicate the stubborn / making the whole church privy to their doings / and shall upon repentance / take order for the receiving such an one in again / making open profession of his or their repentance / to the satisfying of y• congregation.
That consisteth first of the ministers of the same cōgregation / as the guides and mouth of the rest / to direct them by y• scriptures / and to speake at their appoyntment / that whych shall be consented vpon amōgst them all / bicause of their giftes / & place amongst them / whych maketh them more fit for those purposes / ⟨p. 45⟩The assistants are they / whome the parish shall1 consent vpon and chuse / for their good iudgemēt in religiō and godlinesse / which they know they be of / wherby they are mete for that office / vsing the aduise of their ministers therin cheefely / and hauing an eye to a prescript forme drawne out of the scriptures / at the appointment of the Prince and state / by the godly learned menne of thys2 realme / b•cause of y• rawnesse of this people yet / §10and also vsing earnest prayers / wyth fasting / as in the choise of the minister / & hauing made their choise thereafter / they shall publishe their agreement in their parishe / and after a sermon by their minister / at their appoyntment / and vppon their consent the minister may lay hys handes vppon euery of them / to testify to them their admission. This consistorie is for that onely congregation / 3and must doe that which they we / wyntly in any common cause of the churche. And these are to §20employe themselues / and to be employed by that congregation / vpon the necessary and vrgent affaires of the same churche. These are they in y• church / to whome our sauiour cōmaundeth them that haue twise / or oftner admonished an offender / and he heareth them not / to vtter such an offender: when he sayth / tell the church. These are they / whose last admonition he of that church / or they which regarde not / shall be taken as a publicane4 or heathen. These are they / that shall admonishe all suche in that congregation / as they §30knowe to liue with offence to the church / or as be presented to them / by good testimonie of their offence committed. These be they / which shall excommunicate the stubburne / making the whole church priuie to their doings / and shall vpon repentāce / take order for the receiuing such an one in againe / making open profession of hys or their repentance / to the satisfying of y• congregation.
1Who the assistants must be.Who the assistantes must be.
2Howe the assistants must be chosen.Howe the assistantes must be chosen.
3wherefore this consistory serveth.wherefore thys consistorie serueth.
Yet ever so must they excommunicate / & receive the excommunicate in again / that they require the assent of their whole congregation / showing1 the grievousness of his fact / and how they have proceeded with him by admonition / and his contempt / which they shall do / both because their upright dealing may appear to y• whole church / and because they may not usurp authority over the whole church / whereby we might caste §10out the tyranny of the bishops / & bring in a new tyranny of theirs: who are appointed by good order / to have the examination of matters / & the rest of the dealing / in the name of the whole congregation. Nevertheless / what they do well / the congregation cannot alter / neither shall the congregation put them / or any of them out / but upon just cause proved / either in that consistory / or in some one of the counsels / and the cause accepted for sufficient. Neither may they / or any of them §20leave to deal in that turn / except they can show good cause to that consistory / and it to be approved by them / with the consent of the whole congregation / and good liking. For neither must they lightly be brought into suspicion / nor they must not lightly cast of so weighty a calling / and2 function of such importance / no more then the ministers may. They also shall examine all disordered ceremonies used in place of prayer / and abolish those which they find evil / or unprofitable §30/ and bring in such orders / as their congregation shall have need of / so they be few / and apparent / necessary both for edifying / and profit & decent order: proving it plainly to the whole3 church that it is so. And in like sort shall they suffer no lewd customs to remain in their parish / either in ga•es / or otherwise / but having conferred of such things amongst themselves / they shall admonish him or them brotherly / that ⟨p. 47⟩he or they / use them not any more / as unseeming to Christian men to use the like / or if they be common / they shall give open admonition / and it shall be left. In all these things / & in all things of the church / they shall not meddle with the civill magistrates office / nor with any other punishment4 but admonition / and excommunication of the obstinate.
Yet euer so must they excommunicate / & receiue the excommunicate in againe / that they require the assent of their whole congregation / shewing1 the greuousnesse of hys fact / and howe they haue proceeded wyth him by admonition / and hys contempt / whych they shall doe / bothe bicause their vpright dealing may appeare to y• whole church / and bicause they may not vsurpe authoritie ouer the whole churche / whereby we might caste §10out the tirannie of the bishops / & bryng in a new tyrannie of theirs: who are appointed by good order / to haue the examination of matters / & the rest of the dealing / in the name of the whole congregation. Neuerthelesse / what they do wel / the congregation cannot alter / neither shall the congregation put them / or any of them out / but vpō iust cause proued / either in that consistorie / or in some one of the counsels / and the cause accepted for sufficient. Neither may they / or any of them §20leaue to deale in that turne / except they can shew good cause to that consistorie / and it to be approued by them / wyth the consent of the whole congregation / and good liking. For neyther muste they lightly be broughte into suspition / nor they must not lightly cast of so waighty a calling / and2 function of suche importance / no more then the ministers may. They also shall examine all disordered ceremonies vsed in place of prayer / and abolishe those which they finde euill / or vnprofitable §30/ and bring in suche orders / as their congregation shall haue neede of / so they befew / and apparant / necessary both for edifying / and profite & decent order: prouing it plainely to the whole3 church that it is so. And in like sorte shall they suffer no lewd customes to remaine in their parishe / either in ga•es / or otherwise / but hauing conferred of suche things amongste themselues / they shall admonish him or them brotherly / that ⟨p. 47⟩he or they / vse them not any more / as vnseming to Christian men to vse the lyke / or if they be common / they shall geue open admonition / and it shall be left. In all these things / & in all things of the church / they shall not meddle wyth the ciuill magistrates office / nor wyth any other punishment
Yet this they must do / that he which hath lived with offence to that congregation §10/ although he hath suffered the punishment of the law for his offence against it / yet he shall by them be admonished / to satisfy the congregation to whom he hath given offence / & amongst whom he dwelleth. As for example: he that hath usury1 proved against him / so that he lose his principal for taking above ten in the hundred / yet shall he also for committing so heinous offence against God / and his church / to the very ill example of others / not be allowed to the Sacraments / until §20he show himself repentant for the fault / and study thereby to satisfy the congregation so offended by him. These shall receive the informations2 of the deacons / for the relief of the pore / & their accounts for that which they shall lay out that way / and of their diligence in visiting them / that the congregations may by the Consistory be certified of all things concerning the poor / §30both y• there may be made provision accordingly / and that the provision made / may be well husbanded / and the pore may by the deacons be visited / comforted / and relieved according to their lack. Lastly / one or moe of these assistants / with one of the ministers / & a deacon or deacons shall3 be those / y• shall at their churches charges meet at the provincial council / or national / if there be any business that concerneth their church. Especially / one of the ministers shall not fail / and one of this assistance / to be parties in any general ⟨p. 48⟩cause of all the churches that may be dealt in there / whether it be concerning doctrine / or manners. Now a word or two of excommunication / and deacons / because I have made mention of them / and then I will show upon what scriptures these orders are grossed / and a little compare them with those which we use / and some certain matters incident to these / & then I will draw to an end by God his grace. Excommunication §10may not be used / but after sundry brotherly4 and sharp admonitions too & great occasions / offences / and contempts showed / as the scripture is pla•e.
Yet this they must doe / that he which hath lyued wt offence to that congregation §10/ although he hath suffred the punishment of the law for hys offence against it / yet he shall by them be admonished / to satisfie the congregation to whom he hath geuen offence / & amongs whō he dwelleth. As for example: he that hath vsurie1 proued agaynst him / so that he lose hys principal for taking aboue ten in the hundred / yet shall he also for committing so hamous offence agaynste God / and hys churche / to the very ill example of others / not be allowed to the Sacraments / vntill §20he shewe hymselfe repentaunt for the faulte / and study thereby to satisfie the congregation so offended by him. These shal receiue the informations2 of the deacons / for the releefe of the pore / & their accomptes for that which they shal lay out that way / and of their diligēce in visiting them / that the congregations maye by the Consistorie be certefyed of all thyngs concerning the poore / §30bothe y• there may be made prouision accordingly / and that the prouision made / may be wel husbanded / and the pore may by the deacons be visited / comforted / and releeued accordyng to their lack. Lastly / one or moe of these assistants / with one of the ministers / & a deacon or deacons shall3 be those / y• shall at their churches charges meete at the prouincial councell / or nationall / if there be any businesse that concerneth their churche. Especially / one of the ministers shall not faile / and one of this assistance / to be parties in any generall ⟨p. 48⟩cause of all the churches that may be dealte in there / whether it be concerning doctryne / or manners. Now a word or two of excommunication / and deacons / because I haue made mētion of them / and then I will shew vpon what scriptures these orders are gros••ed / and a little compare them wyth those which we vse / and some certaine matters incident to these / & then I will draw to an ende by God hys grace. Excommunicat•on §10may not be vsed / but after sondrye brotherly
1Usury.Vsurie.
2Information and accoumpts of the deacons.
3Who shu• repair to the counsels for y• churches affairs.Who shu• repaire to the coūsels for y• churches affaires.
And in these cases they are by the persons / and order afore / not shut out of the church door as we use / but o•t of the church1 of God / and communion and fellowship of the saints / they are delivered to satan / and to be esteemed / and to be no more taken for Christian men / till they repent / then Heathens or Turks §20are / save that / as they may be allowed / yea and procured if it may be to come to hear sermons / so also they may be conferred with by the brethren / to bring them to repentance. But they shall not be allowed to the sacrament / the pledge of Christ his league with his church / until by repentance they may be admitted as afore is said / into the fellowship of the church again. Neither shall any brother / or sister / use his or their company / but to admonish them / and exhort them to repentance §30/ or as he or she may the heathens company / for their necessary affairs in the world / as they may have dealing together / or as a wife / which2 may not depart from her husband if he will abide with her / and yet she may be admitted to the fellowship of the congregation / if she contemn not the doing of the church / but do her uttermost to call her husband home. In like case / if it were y• wife that were excommunicated / he should be admitted / ⟨p. 49⟩and not she. Shortly to say: Excommunication3 is a fearful thing / as it is prescribed by the scriptures / and used by the Churches of Christ reformed accordingly. No punishment to it in this world / but only hell eternally / for he that is in it / either he hath his conscience seared which a hot iron / I mean it is brawned / and he hath no feeling / or else he cannot be without a hell •n his conscience: for he is out of the fellowship of the Saints / he cannot claim to be of Christ his body / nor that his promises and mercy belong to him / if he seek not to be received by repentance into the congregation of Christ again / nor he may not have that comfortable pledge of Christ his supper in fruition with the church / till his repentance be accepted by that church.
And in these cases they are by the persons / and order asore / not shut oute of the church dore as we vse / but o•t of the churche1 of God / and communion and felowshippe of the saintes / they are deliuered to sathan / and to be esteemed / and to be no more taken for Christian men / till they repent / then Heathens or Turkes §20are / saue that / as they may be allowed / yea and procured if it may be to come to heare sermons / so also they may be conferred wt by the brethren / to bryng them to repentance. But they shall not be allowed to the sacrament / the pledge of Christ hys league with hys church / vntill by repentāce they may be admitted as afore is sayde / into the fellowship of the church againe. Neyther shall any brother / or sister / vse hys or their companie / but to admonishe them / and exhort them to repē tance §30/ or as he or she may the heathēs company / for their necessary affaires in the world / as they may haue dealing together / or as a wife / whych2 may not depart from her husband if he wil abide with her / and yet shee may be admitted to the felowship of the congregation / if she contemne not the doing of the churche / but do her vttermoste to call her husband home. In like case / if it were y• wife that were excommunicated / he shuld be admitted / ⟨p. 49⟩and not shee. Shortly to say: Excommunication3 is a fearfull thing / as it is prescribed by the scriptures / and vsed by the Churches of Christ reformed accordingly. No punishment to it in thys worlde / but onely hell eternally / for he that is in it / eyther he hath hys conscience seered wych a hote iron / I meane it is brawned / and he hath no feelyng / or else he cannot be wythout a hell •n hys conscience: for he is out of the felowshyp of the Sainctes / he cannot claime to be of Christ his body / nor that his promises and mercy belong to him / if he seeke not to be receiued by repentance into the congregation of Chryste agayne / nor he may not haue that comfortable pledge of Christ hys supper in fruition with the churche / till hys repentance be accepted by that churche.
1Shutting out of the church door.Shutting out of the churche dore.
Neither may any other church receive him / till he have satisfied that church / but the1 minister and consistory of that church / whereto he newly repaireth / shall inquire from whence he came / and have testimony from thence / and not admit him / no more then the other church / or if otherwise / to answer it at some conference or council provincial / or national. And besides / the civil magistrate / the nurse and foster father o• the church / shall do well to provide some sharp punishment for those that contemn this censure and discipline of the church / for no doubt it is in the degree of blasphemy / of a heathen our saviour saith / that renounceth God / and Christ / and thus much of that. A Deacon is an officer of the church for the behoof of the poor / chosen to this office by the congregation / by such means as afore is prescribed in the choice of Elders / by advise and consent / being a noted man for godly judgement / and faithfulness / as it is plain out of the scriptures / that such a one he should be. His office is to visit the poor in deed / to look ⟨p. 50⟩diligently what they lack / and how many they be / and what be their names / and to certify the Consistory / or such a number in one parish they may be / that they shall need a general contribution / and then the deacon / or deacons / with those of the Consistory afore named / may certify the council provincial / that a provision may be levied for the sustentation of those pore / which provision shall be delivered into these deacons §10hands / to be distributed and turned to y• behoof of that pore / and to give an account of that they distribute / and the rest in their hands to their own Consistory / for that which is collected there / or they / and those of the consistory / as afore / to certify it to the council provincial / for the general contribution / how it is truly employed. This office howsoever papistry hat•e converted / or perverted it / is an office needful / and commanded to the church of God / used by2 the Jews before the coming of Christ / Christ §20himself using in his small company to have one to bear provision for the pore / the Apostles toke it up in the church of Jerusalem.
Neyther may any other church receiue hym / tyll he haue satisfyed that churche / but the1 minister and consistorie of that church / whereto he newly repaireth / shall inquire from whence he came / and haue testimonye from thence / and not admit hym / no more then the other churche / or if otherwyse / to answere it at some conference or councell prouinciall / or national. And besides / the ciuil magistrate / the nurse and foster father o• the churche / shall doe well to prouyde some sharpe punyshment for those that contemne thys censure and discipline of the church / for no doubt it is in the degree of blasphemie / of a heathen our sauioure sayth / that renoūceth God / and Christ / and thus much of that. A Deacon is an offycer of the church for the behoofe of the poore / chosen to thys offyce by ye congregation / by such meanes as afore is prescribed in the choyse of Elders / by aduise and consent / being a noted man for godly iudgement / and faythfulnesse / as it is playne out of the scryptures / that such a one he shoulde be. Hys offyce is to visite the poore in deede / to loke ⟨p. 50⟩diligently what they lacke / and howe many they be / and what be their names / and to certefye the Consistorie / or suche a number in one paryshe they may be / that they shall neede a general contribution / and then the deacon / or deacons / wyth those of the Consistorie afore named / may certefye the counsell prouinciall / that a prouision may be leuied for the sustentation of those pore / which prouisyon shall be delyuered into these deacons §10handes / to be destributed and turned to y• behoofe of that pore / and to giue an accompt of that they destribute / and the rest in their handes to their owne Consistorie / for that whych is collected there / or they / and those of the consistorie / as afore / to certefie it to the councell prouinciall / for the generall contribution / howe it is truely employed. Thys offyce howsoeuer papistry• hat•e conuerted / or peruerted it / is an offyce needeful / and commaunded to the church of God / vsed by2 the Iewes before the cōming of Christ / Christ §20hymselfe vsyng in hys small companye to haue one to beare prouisyon for the pore / the Apostles toke it vp in the church of Ierusalem.
1some shar• punishment would be provided b• the civill magistrate for him y• contemneth excommunication / but with less• charge thē a significavit. What a deacon is. Act. 6. 3.some shar• punishmēt would be prouided b• the ciuill magistrate for him y• cōtemneth excommunication / but wt less• charge thē a significauit. What a deacon is. Act. 6. 3.
The Apostle Paul not only maketh mention of that1 office to the Romans / showing thereby that it was there / but he and Timothy saluteth them / writing to the Philippians / showing thereby2 that they were of great account. And writing to Timothy / he prescribeth their election what §30it should be / to direct not only the choice of them / but to commend the use of them to the church. And therefore such there must be procured in this English church / as at this day there is in reformed churches. Now to let pass the order of deacons at this day / having no ground out of y• scriptures / but foolish / and according to the popish canons / whereby they may as well make them the bishops guard / to defend him when he ⟨p. 51⟩preacheth / as in those canons they are / & the eye of y• bishop to look about many things touching his person / as thus employ them. To let pass to speak thereof / seeing it is noted in the former treatises / this I say further / that this is God his order for the pore / and none that will fit it so well. Surely God be thanked for that care3 which you have had this Parliament of the poor / and of the suppressing of idle and wicked §10vagabonds / being in so good a way / it may be easy to practise this way / to fortify by law th•s course of the scriptures for the pores provision / and to continue that other branch still / for the suppressing of idle and wicked vagabonds. For as touching the pore / which are pore in deed / they must have further provision / & further comfort / then in deed can be procured by this statute. For besides the naming and knowing of them / they are not enjoined to visit and comfort them / §20whereby they might be provoked to godliness / they may seek and wait for their provision / and peradventure have many a hard word to grieve them with / and no christian consolation / & they may lack many things which they ought to have. And these collectors shall not be subject to the consistory / & congregation / to give account not only of the sums collected / but also whether they have visited the poor / and comforted them.
The Apostle Paule not onely maketh mention of that1 offyce to the Romanes / shewing thereby that it was there / but he and Timothie saluteth them / wrytyng to the Philippians / shewing thereby2 that they were of great accompt. And wryting to Timothie / he prescrybeth their election what §30it shuld be / to direct not onely the choise of them / but to commend the vse of them to the churche. And therfore such ther must be procured in this Englyshe church / as at thys day there is in reformed churches. Nowe to let passe the order of deacons at thys day / hauyng no ground out of y• scryptures / but folyshe / and accordyng to the popishe canons / whereby they may as well make them the bishops garde / to defend hym when he ⟨p. 51⟩preacheth / as in those canons they are / & the eye of y• byshop to loke about many things touching hys person / as thus employ them. To let passe to speake thereof / seeing it is noted in the former treatises / thys I say further / that thys is God hys order for the pore / and none that wyll fyt it so well. Surely God be thanked for that care3 whych you haue had thys Parliament of the poore / and of the suppressyng of idle and wycked §10vagaboundes / being in so good a way / it may be easie to practise thys way / to fortifie by law th•s course of the scriptures for the pores prouisyon / and to continue that other braunche still / for the suppressyng of idle and wycked vagabonds. For as touching the pore / whych are pore in deede / they must haue further prouision / & further comfort / then in dede can be procured by this statute. For besydes the naming and knowing of them / they are not enioyned to visit and comfort them / §20wherby they myght be prouoked to godlynesse / they may seke and waite for their prouision / and peraduenture haue many a hard word to greeue them wyth / and no christian consolation / & they may lacke many thyngs whych they oughte to haue. And these collectors shall not be subiect to the consistorie / & congregation / to geue accompt not only of the summes collected / but also whether they haue visited the poore / and comforted them.
For in the primitive church / there was §30such care had of the poor / that there were also widows appointed and maintained / that should1 wash / pick / and keep the things about y• pore / sweet / and clean / and intend them for their necessaries2 / that should entertain the pore strangers that travailed / and were driven from place to place for then conscience / and were not sufficient to maintain their own charges / to entertain them I say / to bathe and wash their feet / ⟨p. 52⟩surbated with going / and to intend to minister to them / the necessaries there provided by that church for that use. O godly care / and very christian custom. I would / we would in some part / in this our great wealth and abundance / resemble the care for the pore (our own brethren / ou• own flesh) which the pore churches had in the time of their own trouble / for the poor y• then were amongst them / and repaired from other places to them / we should not then thus unnaturally §10/ hardly be drawn by law to pay that we are rated at / but we would willingly stretch out our purses / yea and strain our selves far / rather then either they of our own parishes / should lack any thing / or yet the afflicted churches of the strangers / which are amongst us from3 France / Flanders / Italy / Spain / or any other place should be destitute / or lack any thing for their comfort. And yet God knoweth / most unchristianly / and wickedly / many of us cry out §20against pore strangers / as though we never had been strangers / nor were never relieved by them / or that we were not all of one body. Thanks be given to God for the Queens majesty / and the counsel / and the rest of the honourable / worshipful / and others by whose means they are here supported and maintained. And I am sure of it / we all fare the better for it at God his hands. And I beseech the whole state / & beseech God / that the whole stare may bend themselves to have §30more and more care for the godly strangers y• are of the churches in deed / and not to be grieved that they are so many / but to pit their present persecution / and to comfort them. For the other swine that are not of the churches / I pray God they may find little favour / except they repent & join themselves to the churches. Thus much also of the Leacons.
For in the primitiue churche / there was §30suche care had of the poore / that there were also widowes appoynted and maintained / that shuld1 washe / picke / and kepe the thyngs about y• pore / sweete / and cleane / and intend them for their necessaries2 / that should entertaine the pore straungers that trauailed / and were driuen from place to place for then conscience / and were not sufficient to maintaine their owne charges / to entertaine them I say / to bathe and washe their feete / ⟨p. 52⟩surbatted wyth going / and to intende to minister to them / the necessaryes there prouided by that church for that vse. O godly care / and very christian custome. I would / we wold in some part / in thys our great wealth and abundance / resemble the care for the pore (our owne brethren / ou• owne fleshe) whych the pore churches had in the time of their owne trouble / for the poore y• then were amongst them / and repaired frō other places to them / we should not then thus vnnaturally §10/ hardly be drawne by lawe to paye that we are rated at / but we would willingly stretch out our pursses / yea and straine our selues farre / rather then eyther they of oure owne paryshes / shoulde lacke any thing / or yet the afflicted churches of the straungers / whiche are amongste vs from3 Fraunce / Flaunders / Italie / Spaine / or any other place should be des•itute / or lacke any thyng for their comfort. And yet God knoweth / moste vnchristianly / and wakedly / many of vs cry out §20against pore strangers / as though we neuer had bene straungers / nor were neuer releued by thē / or that we were not all of one body. Thanks be geuen to God for the Queenes maiestie / and the counsel / and the rest of the honourable / worshipfull / and others by whose meanes they are heere supported and maintained. And I am sure of it / we all fare the better for it at God hys handes. And I beseche the whole state / & beseeche God / that the whole stare may bend thēselues to haue §30more and more care for the godly straungers y are of the churches in deede / and not to be greeued that they are so many / but to pitte their present persecution / and to comforte them. For the other swine that are not of the churches / I pray God they may fynde litle fauoure / except they repent & ioyne themselues to the churches. Thus muche also of the Leacons.
This order of the ⟨p. 53⟩church government / is grounded upon that saying of our saviour. *Tell the church / wherein it is certain he alludeth to that consistory of the Jews / and the scriptures that direct their government. And it is so certain / that such a consistory they had / and such elders / as it shall not2 need further to examine those scriptures / but to come to the practise of the Apostles / & the churches planted by them. The apostle noteth y• there §10are in the church bearing office / & ruling / which should be had in estimation for their office / two sorts of elders and rulers / whereof the one sort also ruleth / but they labour in the word and doctrine to / and their office is the principal. He distinguisheth them to the Corinthians / the teachers3 and the governors / because all governors are not teachers / but because all teachers are governors / as to Timothy before is said / so to the Romans / dividing the offices of the4 church into two sorts / government / and ministering §20to the pore. To the first office he assigneth doctors / pastors / and governors / calling them by these names / teachers / exhorters / and rulers / and to the second office / he assigneth deacons & widows / calling the first those that minister / and the widows those that show mercy. Of the widows I will say no further / but upon like decasyon it is God his order. But for the other orders / they must be in all well ordered churches of Christians. The Apostle Paul and Barnabas5§30set such order in the churches which they planted. It was so in the churches of Rome / of Corinth / of Ephesus. An order is set down6 what men they must be. How they are to be chosen / the ministers / the assistants / the deacons / yea and the widows / is declared in the Acts of the Apostles / and the epistle to Timothy / as • sore is noted. Howe they are to proceed against ⟨p. 54⟩offenders / is declared by our saviour / and practised7 among the Thessalonians / & the Corinths / and likewise of the receiving again of an excommunicate person / and how they should use him while he abideth excommunicate. And the ordering of things comely / and removing abuses every one to keep himself within his vocation / so plain y• places be that it needeth no more / but that it would please you to read them / and weigh them.
Thys order of the ⟨p. 53⟩church gouernment / is grounded vpon that saying of our sauioure. *Tei the churche / wherin it is certayne he alludeth to that consistorie of the Iewes / and the scriptures that directe their gouernement. And it is so certain / that such a consistory they had / and such elders / as it shall not2 nede further to examine those scryptures / but to come to the practise of the Apostles / & the churches plāted by them. The apostle noteth y• there §10are in the church bearing offyce / & ruling / which should be had in estimation for their offyce / two sortes of elders and rulers / wherof the one sort also ruleth / but they laboure in the woorde and doctrine to / and their offyce is the principall. He distinguisheth them to the Corinthes / the teachers3 and the gouernoures / because all gouernoures are not teachers / but because al teachers are gouernoures / as to Timothie before is said / so to the Romaines / deuiding the offyces of the4 churche into two sortes / gouernment / and ministring §20to the pore. To the first office he assigneth doctors / pastors / and gouernors / calling them by these names / teachers / exhorters / and rulers / and to the second offyce / he assigneth deacons & widowes / callyng the first those that minyster / and the widowes those that shew mercy. Of the widowes I will say no further / but vpon lyke decasyon it is God hys order. But for the other orders / they must be in all well ordered churches of Christians. The Apostle Paul and Barnabas5§30set suche order in the churches whyche they planted. It was so in the churches of Rome / of Cornith / of Ephesus. An order is sette downe6 what mē they must be. How they are to be chosen / the ministers / the assistantes / the deacons / yea and the widowes / is declared in the Actes of the Apostles / and the epistle to Timothie / as • sore is noted. Howe they are to procede against
And in like sort for conferences §10and councils to d•ale for the stay of the churches in true doctrine / and in godly order and quietness to the Corinthians it is plain / and the council at Jerusalem / wherein is dealt for all those causes of the churches at once. The persons that were sent to the council / the persons that chiefly dealt / and how / and the general consent of the Apostles / Elders / and brethren / would be well observed / as giving great light for many purposes. Well / now who are our doers in this church §20government? how are they chosen? what causes do they deal in? and how do they deal? In every1 parish a consistory there is not / nor in every great town containing many parishes / nor in every shire / but only one in a diocese / which containeth divers shires. I may peradventure d• deceived / for there may be so many in a diocese / as there are Archdeaconries / besides the grand consistory of y• bishop / or his substitute the Chancellor / for they say the Archdeacon or §30his substitute y• official / may visit oftener then y• bishop / & keep courts oftener then y• Chancellor / & there are in some diocese divers Archdeacons. But what of all this? whence have they their authority? who called them? what causes deal they in? and how? of God they have not their authority / they hold it by the Canon law / and by the bishop. And some of them pay the bishop full ⟨p. 55⟩well for it / they say. And so they say / that Chancellors offices are so gainful / that some of them are in fee with their bishops for them / yea they say some bishops have payed for their bishoprics other ways / though not to the Queen / and that some of them have large fees going out of their bishoprics / to their friends that helped them to their preferments. These are not rightly called. And whereas there is a statute to avouch §10this calling and authority that the bishops usurp / the statute may make it good by law to hold such titles and dignities / but not before God.
And in lyke sorte for conferences §10and councels to d•ale for the stay of the churches in true doctrine / and in godly order and quyetnesse to the Corinthes it is plaine / and the councell at Ierusalem / wherein is dealt for all those causes of the churches at once. The persons that were sent to the councel / the persons that chefely dealt / and how / and the generall consent of the Apostles / Elders / and brethren / would be well obserued / as geuing great light for many purposes. Well / now who are our doers in this church §20gouernment? how are they chosen? what causes doe they deale in? and how do they deale? In euery1 parishe a consistorie there is not / nor in euery great towne containing many paryshes / nor in euery shire / but onely one in a diocesse / whych contayneth diuers shires. I may peraduenture d• deceyued / for there may be so many in adiocesse / as there are Archdeaconries / besydes the graund consistorie of y• byshop / or his su•stitute the Chauncellor / for they say the Archdeacon or §30his substitute y• officiall / may visite oftner then y• bishop / & kepe courts oftner then y• Chancellor / & there are in some diocesse diuers Archdeacōs. But what of all thys? whence haue they their aucthoritie? who called them? what causes deale they in? and how? of God they haue not their authoritie / they hold it by the Canon lawe / and by the bishop. And some of them pay the bishop full ⟨p. 55⟩well for it / they say. And so they say / that Chancellors offyces are so gainfull / that some of them are in fee wyth their byshops for them / yea they say some bishops haue payed for their byshoppricks other wayes / though not to the Quene / and that some of them haue large fees going out of their bishopprickes / to their frends that holpe them to their preferments. These are not rightly called. And whereas there is a statute to auouche §10thys calling and aucthoritie that the byshops vsurpe / the statute may make it good by lawe to holde suche titles and dignities / but not before God.
1What order we •ave / and what our •ighe pre•ates may •oe by their •an•n law • commission.What or•er wee •aue / and what oure •ighe pre•ates maye •oe by their •an•n lawe • cōmissiō.
I have spoken of it before / and seeing ministers must be equal / and the order must be / that some must be governed by all / and not all by some in the church government / then y• same argument is of force against Archdeacons / and all such high prelates / which is against Lord bishops / Lord bishops (I say) for the name bishop is not the name of a Lord / but of a painful §20minister / and pastor / or teacher: and yet in deed1 in England every bishop is a Lord. I know the common people would marvel / yea / and jolly wise men too / if they heard their pastor say / I am your bishop / a bishop on God his name / when were you made Lord / and so take him to be proud / for no man is a bishop here / but he is also a Lord / which thing I say / because I do not mean that the scripture alloweth not a bishop / but not a Lord bishop. A bishop or overseer §30/ or pastor / and teacher in every congregation the scripture doth allow / and him or them to be the principal of the consistory of their congregation it doth allow / but this high Prelacy it alloweth not / but forbiddeth it utterly. Now then / seeing they have no lawful calling / how can they deal in any causes lawfully? but yet they do deal / though not lawfully before God / ⟨p. 56⟩and that in infinite causes. And the proctors and doctors of that law / say the study of the law is infinite / because the causes are infinite / one I trow en gendering another / and so surely are the delays and fees of those courts infinite. They have to examine all transgressions against the book of common prayer / the injunctions / the advertisements / the canons / the metropolitical articles / the bishops articles of the diocese / all the §10spiritual causes (as they call them) of the whole diocese / or every Archdeacon of his circuit / and the Archbishop of his province / and the Arches of the whole realm / and for certain causes the prerogative court of my Lord his grace of Canterbury / is over the realm also. Also of spiritual / yea and many carnal causes also / and that so handled / that it would grieve a chaste ear / to hear the bawdy pleading of many proctors and doctors in those courts / and the sumners / yea / §20and the registers themselves / master Archdeacon / and master Chancellor / are often fain to2 laugh it out many times / when they can keep their countenance no longer.
I haue spoken of it before / and seeing ministers must be equall / and the order must be / that some must be gouerned by all / and not all by some in the church gouernment / then y• same argument is of force against Archdeacons / and all such highe prelates / which is agaynst Lorde byshops / Lord byshops (I say) for the name bishop is not the name of a Lord / but of a painfull §20minister / and pastor / or teacher: and yet in deede1 in England euery byshop is a Lorde. I knowe the common people would maruel / yea / and ioly wyse men too / if they heard their pastor say / I am your byshop / a byshoppe on God hys name / when were you made Lorde / and so take him to be proude / for no man is a byshop heere / but he is also a Lord / whych thyng I say / because I doe not meane that the scripture alloweth not a byshop / but not a Lord byshop. A byshop or ouerseer §30/ or pastor / and teacher in euery congregation the scripture doth allowe / and hym or them to be the principal of the consistorie of their congregation it doth allowe / but thys hyghe Prelacie it alloweth not / but forbiddeth it vtterly. Nowe then / seeing they haue no lawfull callyng / howe can they deale in any causes lawfully? but yet they doe deale / though not lawfully before God / ⟨p. 56⟩and that in infinite causes. And the proctors and doctors of that law / say the studie of ye lawe is infinite / because the causes are infinite / one I trow en gendering another / and so surely are the delayes and fees of those courtes infinite. They haue to examine all transgressions agaynste the boke of common prayer / the iniunctions / the aduertisements / the canons / the metropoliticall articles / the bishops articles of the diocesse / all the §10spirituall causes (as they call them) of the whole diocesse / or euery Archdeacon of hys circuite / and the Archbishop of hys prouince / and the Arches of the whole realme / and for certayne causes the prerogatiue court of my Lord his grace of Canterburie / is ouer the realme also. Also of spirituall / yea and many carnall causes also / and that so handled / that it woulde greeue a chaste earc / to heare the bawdie pleading of many proctors and doctors in those courtes / and the sumners / yea / §20and the registers themselues / master Archdeacon / and master Chauncellor / are eiten faine to2 laughe it oute many times / when they can keepe their countenance no longer.
1Bishop in England is the only name of a Lord minister / but in scripture • is no lorde• name at all▪Bishop in Englande is the only name of a Lord minister / but in scrypture • is no lorde• name at all▪
An unchaste kind of pleading of unchaste matters. They have much ado in marriage matters: when folk may not marry: what degrees may not marry / and much more ado about divorcements / then either God or equity would / restraining both parties from marriage / as long as they both are alive together. §30Besides they have the trial of titles to benefices / and trial of tithes / & trial of testaments / and by their high commission they may do many moe things / and use other then spiritual coercion (as they call it) they may do what they will / saving life (I think) beat / prison / punish by the purse / banish / & I wot not what? All persons / dicares and curates / all church wardens / all side men / sworn men / and many forsworn / and all ⟨p. 57⟩parishes are at their commandment. They1 may command all Matres / Bailiffs / Constables / and such like officers. All persons are open to them / all jailers obey them / receive their prisoners / and hamper them as they enjoin them. They have good causes and bad brought before them / and punish both sometimes / but the worst seldomest & least / and the best oftenest and most. Many of their causes / & much of their dealings §10are declared in the former treatises / therefore I will be but brief. And thus I say / y• neither they / nor any order we have in England this day doth / or can do that / which only God his order can do / and was appointed to do. Neither their provincials / nor the whole course of their canon law / nor their articles / nor commissions / can rightly order Christs church / nor any statute availeth thereunto / but only that law / which bindeth the whole land to God his orders for the governing of his §20church. And therefore to make laws it availeth not / save mere civil / as in this case (which they count spiritual) for the provision of the ministry / & a law to stablish a right reformation drawn2 out of the scriptures. I would leave to speak any further of their convocation house / because the force of it dependeth upon the other houses of parliament / and my lords the bishops pleasures / for nothing they do but for a fashion / until they come to the subsidy / and they have had pretty devises §30to stop their doing / they have had an order ere now to speak nothing but latin / which was3 the way for many to tell but short tales / for fear of shame.
An vnchast kinde of pleading of vnchast maters. They haue much adoe in marriage matters: when folke maye not marrie: what degrees may not marrie / and much more adoe about diuorcements / then either God or equitie would / restraining bothe parties from marriage / as long as they bothe are aliue togyther. §30Besides they haue the triall of titles to benefices / and trial of tithes / & trial of testaments / and by their high commissyon they may do many moe things / and vse other then spirituall coertion (as they call it) they may do what they will / sauing life (I thinke) beat / prison / punysh by the purse / banishe / & I wot not what? All persons / dicares and curates / all church wardens / all side men / sworne men / and many forsworne / and all ⟨p. 57⟩paryshes are at their commaundement. They1 may commaund al Matres / Bailiffes / Constables / and such like officers. All persons are open to them / all iaylors obay them / receiue their prysoners / and hamper them as they enioyne them. They haue good causes and bad brought before them / and punish both sometimes / but the worst seldomest & least / and the best oftenest and moste. Many of their causes / & much of their dealings §10are declared in the former treatises / therefore I wil be but brefe. And thus I say / y• neither they / nor any order we haue in Englād this day doth / or can do that / which only God his order can do / and was appoynted to do. Neither their prouincials / nor ye whole course of their canon lawe / nor their articles / nor commissions / can rightly order Christes church / nor any statute auaileth therevnto / but only that lawe / which bindeth ye whole land to God hys orders for the gouerning of hys §20church. And therfore to make lawes it auayleth not / saue mere ciuil / as in thys case (which they count spiritual) for the prouisyon of the ministery / & a law to stablysh a ryght reformatiō drawn2 out of the scriptures. I would leaue to speake any further of their conuocation house / bicause ye force of it depēdeth vpon the other houses of parliament / and my lords the bishops pleasures / for nothyng they doe but for a fashion / vntyll they come to the subsidie / and they haue had prety deuises §30to stop their doing / they haue had an order ere now to speake nothing but latin / which was
1A large scope.
2Conuocatio house.
3Clerks of the parliament house.Clarkes of the parliament house.
But yet among abuses of these clergy men / this is a great one / the whole house is a great abuse / but the polling of their clergy for their clerks fees / and their disorderous choosing of their clerks may be numbered among the rest of their enormities / following none other order / ⟨p. 58⟩but for the face of a thing / saving only my Lord bishops pleasure / or else he will know why / and yet it shall be as he will / when at is done / for either his Archdeacon shall have one room to bear his charges withal / which otherwise must be there Ex officio / & so ware his own charges / or some other of his friends shall have that room / & his Chancellor shall have the other to pleasure him with / not for any pleasure commonly y• the Chancellor can do in this house / who can scarce say (as §10they say) shoo to a goose / and if they had need of1 a divines answer or him / wing most commonly a drudging Canonist / & sometime a Doctor. But when he is best / best is to bad. Thus I say / for this matter the bishop dealeth / or to testowe it upon his chaplain / which shall wait at the stirrup / or at y• bridle / to buy him a new gown / & somewhat with / but as unfit for the house as the former commonly / but the bishop will have the appointing of both ro•me•. O the tyranny §20that they use many / many ways. I have thus briefly as I could / and handling matters as I ought / passed through many abuses in the ministry / and government of the church of Christ in England / and I have according to my pore talent declared / what should be the state of a well ordered and reformed church. How many sorts of ministers / how they should be called to y• function / what their office is / what order should be amongst them / what meetings & conferences there §30should be for the continuing of true religion / and for them to increase in knowledge by. And in like sort I have waded in declaring what officers there should be in the government / what stroke they may b•are / so it be by the congregation / what a consistory is / what excommunication is / what provision there should be made for the pore / what the deacons office is / and or all other orders of the ⟨p. 59⟩consistory / which it pleased God that I had in mind / and thought most profitable to utter. It remaineth for me now to return again to the state.
But yet among abuses of these clergye men / thys is a great one / the whole house is a great abuse / but the polling of their cleargye for their clarkes fees / and theyr disorderous chusing of their clarkes may be numbred among the rest of their enormities / following none other order / ⟨p. 58⟩but for the face of a thyng / sauing only my Lord byshops pleasure / or else he will know why / and yet it shalbe as he wil / when at is done / for either his Archdeacon shal haue one roume to beare his charges wythall / whych otherwise must be there Ex officio / & so ware hys owne charges / or some other of hys frends shall haue that roume / & hys Chancellor shall haue the other to pleasure hym wyth / not for any pleasure commonly y• the Chā cellor can do in thys house / who ca scarse say (as §10they say) shue to a goose / and if they had neede of1 a deuines answer or hym / wing most commonly a dudging Canonist / & sometime a Doctor. But when he is best / best is to bad. Thus I say / for thys matter the byshop dealeth / or to testowe it vpon hys chapleyne / whych shall wayte at the stirrop / or at y• brydle / to buy hym a new gowne / & somewhat wyth / but as vnfit for the house as the former commonly / but the byshop wyll haue the apoynting of bothe ro•me•. O the tyrannie §20that they vse many / many wayes. I haue thus brefely as I could / and handling matters as I ought / passed through many abuses in the ministery / and gouernment of the church of Christ in England / and I haue accordyng to my pore talent declared / what shoulde be the state of a well ordered and reformed church. How many sortes of ministers / how they shuld be called to y• function / what their effice is / what order should be amongst them / what metings & conferences there §30should be for the continuing of true religion / and for them to increase in knowledge by. And in like sorte I haue waded in declaring what offycers there should be in the gouernment / what stroke they may b•are / so it be by the cōgregation / what a consistorie is / what excommunication is / what prouision there shuld be made for the pore / what the deacons office is / and or al other orders of the ⟨p. 59⟩
To the Queens most excellent majesty / the how[…] able Co[…]rs / all the Nobility & all the worshipful Commons of this realm. And I humbly beseech her Majesty in principal1 to vouchsafe the hearing of us / and like as […] make our appear from the L. bishops to be uprightly heard / what may be said of our parts §10further / and more […]ghly in this matter of Gods / by divers o• no small learning and judgement / & […]tie of li•e / so it will please her majesty / and you all / jerem to accept our appeal / y• not only we may […] jus be oppressed / & wrung2 as we are / against all equal and conscience / but also that God his cause should not i• so trodden under foot / the benefit of his church so little regarded / such daily contentions raised by / and not pacified / such grieving of godly mens consciences §20/ & they not relieved. In so quiera reign of our sovereign / that Papists for pity are not much disquieted / and yet there should be a persecution of pore christians / and the professors of the gospel suffered not far unlike to the s••e articles3 which crafty heads devised / and prought y• king her noble father unto as they would do her majesty how. That we should have God his cause by us truly and faithfully propounded / & by others wickedly oppugned / and withstood / & yet it may §30not by us again be maintained without great peril. We beseech you to pity this case / and to provide for it. It is the case already of many a thousand in this land / yea it is the case of as many as seek the Lord aright / & desire to have his own orders restored. Great troubles will come of it / if it be not provided for / even the same God that hath stirred me / a man unknown to speak / ⟨p. 60⟩though those poor men which are locked up in Newgate / neither do / nor can be suffered to speak / will daily stir up moas yet unknown / though I were known & an hundred •o / well able to write and speak in the matter. Except you will profess to persecute us (which we hope her majesty of her wonted rare clemency will not suffer though no doubt she shall be by many importunately solicited / and in manner forced) our cause unheard / we do require and humbly beseech you / if by these §10books you be not resolved what to do / yet to provide for our safety / & give us the hearing.
To the Queenes most excellent maiestie / the hou〈…〉 able Co〈…〉rs / all the Nobilitie & all the worshypfull Commons of thys realme. And I humbly •eseeche her Maiestie in principall1 to vouchsafe the hearyng of vs / and lyke as 〈…〉 make our appeare from the L. byshops to be vprightly heard / what may be sayd of our partes §10further / and more 〈…〉ghly in thys matter of Gods / by diuers o• no small learning and iudgement / & 〈…〉tie of li•e / so it will please her maiestie / and you all / •erem to accept our appeale / y• not only we may 〈…〉 jus be oppressed / & wrung2 as we are / against all equale and conscience / but also that God hys cause should not i• so troden vnder foote / the benefite of hys churche so lyttle regarded / suche daily contentions raised by / and not pacified / such greeuing of godly mennes consciences §20/ & they not releeued. In so quiera raigne of our soueraigne / that Papists for pitie are not much disquieted / and yet there should be a persecution of pore christians / and the professors of ye gospel suffered not farre vnlike to the s••e articles3 whych cratty heades deuised / and prought y• king her noble father vnto as they wold do her maiestie how. That we should haue God his cause by vs truely and faithfully propounded / & by others wyckedly oppugned / and withstode / & yet it may §30not by vs againe be maintained wythout great per•l. We beseeche you to pitie thys case / and to prouide for it. It is the case already of manye a thousand in this land / yea it is the case of as many as seeke the Lord aright / & desire to haue hys owne orders restored. Great troubles will come of it / if it be not prouided for / euen the same God that hath stirred me / a man vnknowne to speake /
They would bear men in hand that we despise authority / and contemn laws / but they shamefully slander us to you / that so say. For it is her majesties authority we fly to / as the supreme governor1 in all causes / & over all persons within her dominions appointed by God / and we fly to the laws of this realm / the bonds of all peace & good orders in this land. And we beseech her majesty §20to have y• hearing of this matter of Gods / and to take the defence of it upon her. And to fortify it by law / that it may be received by common order throughout her dominions. For though the orders be / & ought to be drawn out of the book of God / yet it is her majesty that by her princely authority should see every of these things put in practise / and punish those that neglect them / making laws therefore / for the church may keep these orders / but never in peace / except the comfortable §30and blessed assistance of the states & governors link in to see them accepted in their countries / and used. For otherwise the church may and must keep God his orders / but always in troubles and persecution / which is like to light upon us / except a reformation of Religion / or a direct Proviso for us be made / for surely only this is God his order / & ought to be used in his ⟨p. 61⟩church / so y• in conscience we are forced to speak for it / and to use it / & in conscience / & in the reverence of God / we are forced to speak as we do of that reformation / which we now use / not so much for ought else / as to set out the deformities thereof / that we might think upon the amending of them. It is showed in the former treatises / how we think of the time and the persons / when / and by whom it was first made and authorised: yea & we know / that hetherunto y• state §10that now is / hath not been sufficiently instructed in any better then they use / wherefore we lay the fault where the fault is / upon the bishops / & that sort who are so soft set / & fat fed / that they think they cannot better themselves by god his orders / not for worldly ease & pomp / and therefore they neither have dealt / nor will deal themselves / to change the course / nor for ought I see / will suffer any other to deal / but their authority & friends shall fail them / but they will oppress them. §20They pretend much y• her majesty is sore bent against us / and that it is not so much their doing:
They would beare men in hand that we despise authoritie / and contemne lawes / but they shamefully slaunder vs to you / that so say. For it is her maiesties authoritie we slye to / as the supreme gouernour1 in all causes / & ouer all persones within her dominions appoynted by God / and we flie to the lawes of this realme / the bonds of all peace & good orders in thys lād. And we beseche her maiestie §20to haue y• hearing of thys matter of Gods / and to take the defence of it vpō her. And to fortifie it by law / that it may be receiued by common order throughout her dominions. For though the orders be / & ought to be drawne out of the booke of God / yet it is hir maiestie that by hir princely authoritie shuld see euery of these things put in practise / and punish those that neglect them / making lawes therfore / for the churche maye keepe these orders / but neuer in peace / except ye comfortable §30and blessed assistance of the states & gouerners linke in to see them accepted in their countreys / and vsed. For otherwise the churche may and must keepe God hys orders / but alwayes in troubles and persecution / whych is lyke to light vpon vs / except a reformation of Religion / or a direct Prouiso for vs be made / for surely onely thys is God his order / & ought to be vsed in hys ⟨p. 61⟩church / so y• in conscience we are forced to speake for it / and to vse it / & in conscience / & in the reuerence of God / we are forced to speake as we doe of that reformation / which we now vse / not so much for oughte else / as to set out the deformities therof / that we might thinke vpon ye amending of them. It is shewed in the former treatises / how we thynke of the time and the persons / when / and by whome it was first made and aucthorised: yea & we know / that hetherunto y• state §10that now is / hath not bene sufficiently instructed in any better then they vse / wherfore we lay the fault where the fault is / vpon the bishops / & that sort who are so soft set / & fat fed / that they think they cannot better themselues by god his orders / not for worldly ease & pompe / and therefore they neyther haue dealt / nor will deale themselues / to chaunge ye course / nor for ought I see / wil suffer any other to deale / but their authoritie & frendes shall fayle them / but they wyll oppresse them. §20They pretend much y her maiestie is sore bent against vs / and yt it is not so much their doing:
1The magistrates authority / and the laws we fly to.The magistrates authoritie / and the lawes we flie to.
if y• were so / then should they themselves deal for1 us to her majesty / and cease that course they have gone. But we know because it most toucheth them / they must hate us. Wherefore we beseech your godly wisdoms to have consideration of the matter / and not to leave us in their danger / nor in danger of such justices & other / which be glad to have a quarrel to us for our conscience / which §30can find none in our lives / inditing us / fining us. &c. Now it is thus propounded unto you / if it seem strange & hard to you (as no doubt to them ye are not acquainted with the matter it will do / because they are better acquainted with another course / we beseech you to suffer / & to procure it to be further discussed by free conference among the learned men in this realm. There are many ⟨p. 62⟩well able to do it / & will be ready to do it / if they2 were called upon / & so shall you have sufficient light. There be that say. It will be troublous to proceed in these things by public authority / & that it cannot be done. I would desire them y• say so ▪ to remember how troublous it is / and will be the while / to many good consciences / & how that God cannot but be highly displeased in y• mean time / & how y• he cannot but revenge this trouble §10/ that is raised against pore men his faithful servants. There are ye say this order cannot be throughout a realm / we cannot erect a consistory in every town / we cannot find in every town faithful men / & some p••ish hath small choice of any kind of men. Surely there would be somewhat thought of the uniting of small parishes in one. But yet there is no parish so small / but if it have need of Christ / and to be saved / then it hath need of Christs orders. And there is no subject §20(though in deed it be a raw time for to find in most parishes a competent number of faithful men to deal / or to have skill to deal in these matters / there is no subject I say / but if (making the best choice) he were chosen as it is directed afore / and a great penalty upon him to deal in it faithfully / but he could not choose but deal in it / & that trustily & well / so that withal there were drawn certain general orders / to direct him or them how to deal / & an honest learned pastor placed over every s•ocke.
if y• were so / then should they themselues deale for1 vs to her maiestie / and cease yt course they haue gon. But we know because it most toucheth thē / they must hate vs. Wherefore we beseeche your godly wisdomes to haue consideration of ye matter / and not to leaue vs in their daunger / nor in danger of such iustices & other / which be glad to haue a quarell to vs for oure conscience / which §30can finde none in oure liues / enditing vs / fyneing vs. &c. Now it is thus propoūded vnto you / if it seeme strange & harde to you (as no dout to them ye are not acquainted wt the mater it wil do / bicause they are better acquainted wyth another course / we beseche you to suffer / & to procure it to be further discussed by free conference among the learned men in this realme. There are many ⟨p. 62⟩well able to doe it / & wil be ready to doe it / if they2 were called vpon / & so shall you haue sufficient light. There be that say. It wil be troublous to procede in these thyngs by publique authoritie / & that it cannot be done. I wold desire them y• say so ▪ to remember how troublous it is / and wil be the while / to many good consciences / & how that God cannot but be hyghly displeased in y• meane tyme / & how y• he cannot but reuenge thys trouble §10/ that is raised against pore men hys faithfull seruaunts. There are ye say this order cannot be throughout a realme / we cānot erect a consistorie in euery towne / we cānot finde in euery town faithful men / & some p••ish hathe small choise of any kinde of men. Surely there would be somewhat thought of the vniting of small parishes in one. But yet there is no parish so small / but if it haue nede of Christ / and to be saued / then it hath nede of Christes orders. And there is no subiect §20(though in deede it be a raw time for to fynde in moste parishes a competent number of faithfull mē to deale / or to haue skil to deale in these matters / there is no subiect I say / but if (making ye best choise) he wer chosen as it is directed afore / and a great penaltie vpō him to deale in it faithfully / but he could not chuse but deale in it / & that trustely & wel / so that withall there wer drawne certaine general orders / to direct him or thē how to deale / & an honest learned pastor placed ouer euery socke.
But some say it will be hard to find §30a preacher such a one as I spake of before for every parish to furnish the realm any thing like. To this I say / use those you have. First place in manner as afore / all your bishops in benefices / y• be of a sound religion / and you shall furnish so many benefices as they be in number / for they have none. Yet they say / some of them have some benefices / as I said before to amend their livings ⟨p. 63⟩withal. Besides / use all you have abroad which be fit for it / and in the universities. And let such exercises be taken up / as I have spoken of / and let the towardliest of those that already have been in benefices / if they will be content to go to their books / & afterward be employed upon the ministry / let them be sent to the universities / or such like places / and be provided for / by y• colle•ges / y• they may proceed in learning. And you §10know not the store y• God will raise you •• short time / if you go about this godly purpose throughly. Take order y• those faithful ministers which you have / may be placed in the greatest congregations. And for the sacraments / let those parishes / that are yet unprovided / repair to the parishes next adjoining y• are provided of pastors / that they may use the sacraments as they ought / not without the preaching of the word so that they be con tent to be examined & allowed / as in that church §20whereto they shall resort / they shall find it ordered. And in the mean whil• / till preachers increase to furnish the places unfurnished / if upon conference among the learned / it be thought meet / let1 the places unfurnished be appointed some discrete man / or to make some entire prayer / publicly with them for all the church / this realm / our sovereign / the state / and the particular occasions of that congregation / for such prayer should be2 made. He majesty / and other that have had the gift of benefices are to be desired to depart with it that in manner as afore / the choice of the minister may be free / without all corruption / the minister being sought and received for his fitness only. For the contrary cannot be continued with out great tyranny exercised over the Church of God / and many corruptions necessarily •••oent thereupon.
But some say it wil be hard to finde §30a preacher such a one as I spake of before for euery parish to furnish the realme any thing like. To thys I say / vse those you haue. First place in manner as afore / all your bishops in benefices / y• be of a sound religion / and you shall furnish so many benefices as they be in nombre / for they haue none. Yet they say / some of thē haue some benefices / as I sayde before to amende their lyuings ⟨p. 63⟩wythall. Besides / vse all you haue abrode which be fit for it / and in the vniuersities. And let such exercises be taken vp / as I haue spoken of / and let the towardliest of those yt already haue bene in benefices / if they wil be content to goe to their bokes / & afterward be employed vppon the ministerie / let them be sent to the vniuersities / or such like places / and be prouided for / by y• colle•ges / y• they may procede in learning. And you §10know not the store y• God will raise you •• short time / if you go about this godly purpose throughly. Take order y• those faithfull ministers which you haue / may be placed in the greatest congregations. And for the sacraments / let those parishes / yt are yet vnprouided / repair to the parishes next adioyning y• are prouided of pasto•s / yt they may vse the sacraments as they ought / not without the preaching of the word so that they be cō tent to be examined & allowed / as in that churche §20wherto they shall resort / they shall finde it ordered. And in ye meane whil• / til preachers increase to furnish the places vnfurnished / if vpon conference among the learned / it be thought meete / let1 ye places vnfurnished be appoynted some discrete man / or to make some entier prayer / publiquely wyth them for all the churche / thys realme / oure soueraigne / the state / and the particular occasiōs of that congregation / for suche prayer shoulde be2
1What prayer should be made.
2Patrons / presentations / institutions & inductions now used must cease.Patrons / presentations / i•stitu•ions & inductions now vsed must cease.
amōg the Thessalonians / & the Corinths / and likewyse of the receiuing agayne of an excommunicate persone / and howe they should vse hym while he abydeth excommunicate. And the ordering of things comely / and remouing abuses euery one to keepe hymselfe wythin his vocation / so playne y• places be that it nedeth no more / but that it would please you to reade them / and waighe them.
the way for many to tell but short tales / for fear of shame.
consistorie / which it pleased God that I had in mynde / and thought most profitable to vtter. It remayneth for me now to returne agayne to the state.
⟨p. 60⟩
thoughe those poore men which are locked vp in Newgate / neither do / nor cā be suffred to speake / wil dayly stir vp moas yet vnknown / though I wer knowne & an hundred •o / wel able to write and speake in ye matter. Except you will professe to persecute vs (whych we hope her maiestie of her wonted rare clemencie will not suffer though no doubt she shalbe by many importunately solicited / and in manner forced) our cause vnheard / we do require and humbly beseche you / if by these
§10
bokes you be not resolued what to do / yet to prouide for our safetie / & giue vs the hearyng.
•
•
made. He maiestie / and other that haue had the gift of benefices are to be desired to depart with it that in manner as afore / the choise of the minister may be free / without al corruption / the minister being soughte and receyued for hys fytnesse only. For the contrary cannot be continued wt out great tyrannie exercised ouer the Churche of God / and many corruptions necessarily •••oent therupon.
