Gildas Salvianus: The Reformed Pastor

From Frankford the sad division at the death of Queen Mary was transported into England; and the seeds that were sown or began to spring up in the Exiled Congregation, did too plentifully fructify in the Land of their prosperity. No sooner doth the Sun shine upon them, but contentious spirits begin to swarm; and the prison doors are no sooner open, and their bolts knocked off, but they continue the suppressing of their Brethren, as if they had been turned loose as fighting Cocks to fall upon one another, and to work for Satan when they had suffered for Christ. The party that was for Prelacy and Ceremonies, prevailed for the countenance of the state, and quickly got the staff into their hands, and many of their Brethren under their feet: and so contrived the business that there was no quiet station to be had in the Ministry, for those that would not be of their mind and way. And many of them endeavoured to have a brand of ignominy set upon their names, who desired the Discipline and order of other reformed Churches; That all might be accounted Schismatics that would not be ruled by them even in Ceremonies. The contrary-minded also were some of them too intemperate, and impatient, and unpeaceable; and some few of them turned to flat separation, ⟨p. 151⟩and flew in the faces of the Prelates with reviling: For their sakes many wise and peaceable men were the worse used; and they that were got into the Chair, began to play the scorners and the persecutors: and thought meet to impose upon them all the nick-name of Puritans, as knowing how much names of reproach and scorn could do with the vulgar for the furthering of their cause; some of these Puritans (as now they had named them) were imprisoned, and some put to death, and some dyed in and by imprisonment: They are all made uncapable of being Preachers of the Gospel in England, till they would change their minds, and subscribe to the lawfulness of Prelacy, and the Liturgy and Ceremonies, and use these accordingly when they use their Ministry. O how much did many good men rejoice that the Lord had visited their native Country with deliverance, and the light of the glorious Gospel of his Son? How much did they long to lay out themselves for the saving of their dear Countrymen, and to improve the present freedom for the most effectual propagation of the Truth?

From Frankford the sad division at the death of Queen Mary was transported into England; and the seeds that were sown or began to spring up in the Exiled Congregation, did too plentifully fructifie in the Land of their prosperity. No sooner doth the Sun shine upon them, but contentious spirits begin to swarm; and the prison doors are no sooner open, and their bolts knockt off, but they continue the suppressing of their Brethren, as if they had been turned loose as fighting Cocks to fall upon one another, and to work for Satan when they had suffered for Christ. The party that was for Prelacy and Ceremonies, prevailed for the countenance of the state, and quickly got the staff into their hands, and many of their Brethren under their feet: and so contrived the business that there was no quiet station to be had in the Ministery, for those that would not be of their mind and way. And many of them endeavoured to have a brand of ignominy set upon their names, who desired the Discipline and order of other reformed Churches; That all might be accounted Schismaticks that would not be ruled by them even in Ceremonies. The contrary-minded also were some of them too intemperate, and impatient, and unpeaceable; and some few of them turned to flat separation,