A20920:131
Certain letters, translated into English, being first written in Latin. Two, by the reverend…Certayne letters, translated into English, being first written in Latine. Two, by the reverend…
Certain letters, translated into English, being first written in Latin. Two, by the reverend and learned Mr. Francis Junius, divinity reader at Leiden in Holland. The other, by the exiled English Church, abiding for the present at Amsterdam in Holland. Together with the confession of faith prefixed: where upon the said letters were first writtenCertayne letters, translated into English, being first written in Latine. Two, by the reverend and learned Mr. Francis Iunius, divinitie reader at Leyden in Holland. The other, by the exiled English Church, abiding for the present at Amsterdam in Holland. Together with the confession of faith prefixed: where vpon the said letters were first written
Amsterdam : Printed, in the year. 1602Amsterdam : Printed, in the yeare. 1602
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.
The third (you say) is of the conclusion inferred upon comparing together the doctrine and fact aforesaid. Here first you affirm / you withhold your self in suspense in this cause. Be it so. It is God that can reveal this also unto you / and persuade your conscience by his Spirit and word. Then you annex some things concerning the doctrine and consent of the fathers and all wise men in all ages: but you propound them so doubtfully that (as touching our cause) we cannot perceive what your meaning is. Your words may so be understood / as we most willingly consent with you in this matter: again / they may be so taken / as we dissent from you not a little nor without cause. We are persuaded / that separation should not be made from any Church either rashly / or at all so long as we may remain with sound faith and conscience. You must therefore speak more plainly / what you think of our separation if you suppose we have erred in this behalf: all those things being discussed by the word of God / which we have mentioned in the preface and Confession aforesaid. In the mean time hear and ponder well (we pray you) what Mr. Beza that learned man and well deserving of the Church of Christ hath written and published some while since concerning this question. Thus he hath in his epistles published / in the right epistle sent to Ed: Grir dall heretofore Prelate of London wherein writing of the state and corruptions of the Church of England he sayeth, If it be true which is commonly reported, and whereof my self am not yet persuaded, that private Baptism is there permitted to women, I see not what is to turn back again from whence men came, if this be not: &c But if those things •e true, which I think are not likely, to wit, that the Metropolitans retain in use those most filthy abuses (then which the Church of Antichrist hath not any thing more intolerable) namely, pluralities of benefices, licences of non residency, licences to marry and eat flesh, and other the like: this were certainly (which I speak with horror) not a corruption of Christianity, but a manifest defection from Christ: and therefore they not to be condemned▪ but commended rather, which oppose them selves to such endeavours, &c. These and many other the like sayings he hath in his epistles and other books published.
The third (you say) is of the conclusion inferred vpon comparing together the doctrine and fact aforesaid. Here first you affirme / you with••ould your self in suspence in this cause. Be it so. It is God that can reveale this also vnto you / and perswade your conscience by his Spirit and word. Then you annex some things concerning the doctrine and consent of the fathers and all wise men in all ages: but you propound them so doubtfully that (as touching our cause) we cannot perceive what your meaning is. Your wordes may so be vnderstood / as we most willingly consent with you in this matter: agayne / they may be so taken / as we dissent from you not a lytle nor without cause. We are perswaded / that separation should not be made from any Church eyther rashly / or at all so long as we may remayne with sound fayth and cōscience. You must therfore speak more playnely / what you think of our separation if you suppose we have erred in this behalf: all those things being discussed by the word of God / which we have menconed in the preface and Confession aforesaid. In the meane tyme heare and ponder well (we pray you) what Mr. Beza that learned man and well deserving of the Church of Christ hath wrytten and publyshed some while since concerning this question. Thus he hath in his epistles publyshed / in the right epistle sent to Ed: Grir dall heretofore Pelate of London wherein wryting of the state and corruptiōs of the Churche of England he sayeth, If it be trew which is commōly reported, and wherof my self am not yet perswaded, that private Baptisme is there permitted to women, I see not what is to turne back againe from whence men came, if this be not: &c But if those things e true, which I thincke are not lykely, to wit, that the Metropolytanes retayne in vse those most filhy abuses (then which the Church of Antichrist hath not any thing more intollerable) namely, pruralyties of benefyces, lycences of non residency, lcences to mary and eat flesh, and other the lyke: this were certnly (which I speake with horrour) not a corruption of Christianity, but a manifest defection from Christ: and therfore they not to be condemned but commended rather, which oppose them selves to such endevours, &c. These and many other the lyke sayings he hath in his epistles and other bookes publyshed.