¶ A SECOND admonition to the Parliament.¶ A SECONDE admonition to the Parliament.
pp. 6457 passagespart 1 of 2
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IT is no new matter to see the faithful and profitable admonitions of God his preachers currishly rejected of them / which should gladly and thankfully hear and embrace them / which should obey them / which should to their uttermost promote them / which should employ themselves to defend them: and yet it is as old a custom as it is lamentable / to find such as should be most friends / most foes. To leave the eldest times / when *a Abel found no worse friend then Came / his own brother / when Ismael *b persecuted Isaac / when Esau *c Jacob / when Joseph *d was persecuted by his own brethren / when Moses *e was fame to flee from Egypt because of the Jews / and so forth till the time of the Prophets / when *f Jeremiah found least favour at the priests hands / when Ozeah saith that Gilead the *g college of priests was a city of wicked doers / and polluted with blood / when Amos was so ill entreated by *h Amazia the priest of Bethel / yea leaving these / and coming nearer / when our saviour Christ crieth *i woe to the Scribes and Pharisees / exact interpreters of God his law / because of their hypocrisy / who though they would fain seem holy / yet had they not the hearts to yield to the truth preached by our saviour / because their credit
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and gain (as they thought) lay another way: they therefore yielded not / but in stead thereof they slandered Christs person / and his doctrine / they bent themselves wholly against him / they persecuted him / yea the text is plain / that Pharisees and priests all of them / *
counselled against him / left him not till they brought him to his death / nay which is more / one of his own company / one of the principal / one of the *
twelve / Judas letrayed him. Let us caste our eyes upon the Apostles / they found not only the Pharisees & priests their masters chief persecutors / to be theirs also / but divers *
false brethren / I say brethren / but false brethren / nevertheless they went and were taken for brethren / these I say they were endangered by:
IT is no new matter to see the faithfull and profitable admonitions of God his preachers currishly reiected of them / which should gladly and thankfully heare and embrace them / which should obay them / which should to their vttermoste promote them / which should employ themselues to defend them: and yet it is as olde a custome as it is lamentable / to finde such as shuld be most frends / most foes. To leaue the eldest times / when *a Abel found no worsse freende then Came / his owne brother / when Ismael *b persecuted Isaac / when Esau *c Iacob / when Ioseph *d was persecuted by his owne brethren / when Moses *e was fame to flee from Egipte bicause of the Iewes / and so forthe till the time of the Prophetes / when *f Ieremie found least fauor at the priests hands / when Ozeah saythe that Gilead the *g colledge of priestes was a citie of wicked doers / and polluted with bloud / when Amos was so ill entreated by *h Amazia the priest of Bethel / yea leauing these / and comming nearer / when our sauioure Christe crieth *i woe to the Scribes and Phariseis / exact intexpreters of God his lawe / bicause of their hypocrisie / who though they would faine seeme holy / yet had they not the heartes to yeelde to the truth preached by oure sauioure / bicause their credite ⟨image 6⟩and gaine (as they thought) lay another way: they therfore yeelded not / but in steede therof they slaundered Christes person / and his doctrine / they bent themselues wholely against hym / they persecuted hym / yea the texte is plaine / that Phariseis and priestes all of them / *k counselled againste hym / lefte him not till they broughte him to hys death / nay which is more / one of his owne compame / one of the principall / one of the *l twelue / Iudas letrayed him. Lette vs caste oure eyes vppon the Apostles / they founde not onely the Phariseis & priestes theyr masters cheefe persecutors / to be theirs also / but diuers *m false brethrē / I say brethren / but false brethren / neuertheles they wēt and were taken for brethren / these I saye they were endanngered by:
so then / to overpass the examples of the church since / as they are reported in the Ecclesiastical histories (because we have and may have ever best light by the scriptures) this is it I would say / that in these our days / the preachers find not less favour / nay they are not more slandered and persecuted / by any / then not only by the learned of the popish profession / but also by such as would seem pillars of the true religion. And surely a strange thing it is / and a marvellous case / and much to the dismay of many that it should be so / saving that in perusing the scriptures / it is found to have been commonly used. There were two little Treatises lately set forth / both tending to one end / namely to admonish the parliament / what it had to do touching religion / and tending to one end / they bear one name / that is / an Admonition to the parliament. The matters therein contained / how true so ever they be / have found small favour. The persons that are thought to have made them / are laid in no worse prison then Newgate. The men that set upon them / are no worse men the Bishops. ⟨image 6⟩The name that goeth of them / is no better then rebels / and great words there are / that their danger will yet prove greater: well / whatsoever is said / or done against them / or whosoever speak or work against them / that is not the matter: but the equity of their cause is the matter. And yet this I will say / that the state showeth not it self upright / if it suffer them so to be molested / for that which was spoken only in the way of admonition to the parliament / which / was to consider of any such admonition / and to receive it or reject it / without further matter to the Authors: except it contained some wilful maintenance of manifest rebellion / or treason / which it cannot be proved to do. Again appealing as they do to that highest Court of Parliament / from the lower of the Bishops / and Commissioners / because they find not equity at their hands / nor cannot / the Bishops / who are in their Admonition most touched / being chiefest in Commission / allege the Parliament what it will (as some say it was not in form of law / and Imprinted / and yet I trow there may be found presidents of the like / as that of Roderick Mors / the way to Common wealth / the Complaint of the beggars / and such like.)
so then / to ouerpasse the examples of the church since / as they are reported in the Ecclesiasticall histories (bicause we haue and may haue euer best lighte by the scriptures) this is it I wold say / that in these our dayes / the preachers finde not lesse fauoure / nay they are not more slaundered and persecuted / by any / then not onely by the learned of the popishe professyon / but also by suche as woulde seeme pillers of the true religion. And surely a straunge thing it is / and a maruellous case / and muche to the dismay of many that it should be so / sauing that in perusing the scriptures / it is found to haue beene commonly vsed. There were two little Treatises lately sette forthe / both tending to one ende / namely to admonishe the parliament / what it had to doe touching religion / and tending to one ende / they beare one name / that is / an Admonition to the parliament. The matters therin contained / howe true so euer they be / haue founde small fauoure. The persones that are thoughte to haue made them / are laide in no worsse prison then Newgate. The men that sette vpon them / are no worsse men the Bishops. ⟨image 6⟩The name that goeth of them / is no better then rebelles / and great woordes there are / that theyr daunger will yet proue greater: well / whatsoeuer is said / or done against them / or whosoeuer speake or worke against them / that is not the matter: but the equitie of their cause is the matter. And yet this I will say / that the state sheweth not it selfe vpright / if it suffer them so to be molested / for that which was spoken only in the way of admonition to the parliament / which / was to consider of anye suche admonition / and to receiue it or reiecte it / without further matter to the Authors: except it contained some wilfull maintenaunce of manyfest rebellion / or treason / which it cannot be proued to doe. Againe appealing as they doe to that hyghest Court of Parliament / from the lower of the Bishops / and Commissioners / bicause they finde not equitie at their handes / nor cannot / the Bishops / who are in their Admonition most touched / being cheefest in Commission / alledge the Parliament what it will (as some say it was not in fourme of lawe / and Imprinted / and yet I trowe there may be founde presidentes of the like / as that of Roderike Mors / the way to Common wealthe / the Complaint of the beggers / and such like.)
All honest men shall find lack of equity / if their safety be not provided for in this respect / yea / and their appeal thought upon / heard / and yielded unto. If it were the case of any number / for worldly respects / this high Court were to provide for it / but being the case of the whole church of England / and Ireland / and in deed God his cause / all good consciences shall condemn that Court / that provideth not for it / but rejecteth it. The scripture is plain / it *n shall be easier for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement / then for such a Court. God give it grace to provide for it / or ever it be dissolved / and pardon the negligence ⟨image 7⟩already committed / for otherwise surely / there is none other thing to be looked for / then some speedy vengeance to light upon the whole land / provide as well as the politic Machevils of England think they can / though God do his worst: but shut God out of your assemblies and courts / as hitherto in this your last Parliament you have don nothing therein as you ought / no though you have been solicited / but have suffered them that were your solicitors / to be molested / you shall find / both that you ought to have sought the *o kingdom of God first / and also you shall find / if you consider not your own ways in your hearts / how you think it a time to build ceiled houses / to devise laws for the preservation and prosperity of your common wealth / and neglect God his church / leave that waste / provide not for that / you shall find (as the *p Prophet saith) ye shall sow much / and bring in little / ye shall eat / and not have enough. As for the Convocation house / whereof many have conceived a marvellous opinion / and which should of duty look to these matters / common experience doth prove / that they do for the most part apply them selves to the time / and seek rather to please and follow worldly policy / then sincerely to promote Gods cause / and to publish his truth. And hereof their last convocations can be good witnesses. But you say the Bishops are good men / & great clerks / they know what they have to do / and possible some of them do / except the God of this world have bl•nded their eyes / and so did some of the popish bishops:
All honest men shall finde lacke of equitie / if their safetie be not prouided for in this respecte / yea / and their appeale thought vppon / heard / and yeelded vnto. If it were the case of any number / for worldly respectes / this high Courte were to prouide for it / but being the case of the whole church of Englande / and Irelande / and in deede God his cause / all good consciences shall condemne that Courte / that prouideth not for it / but reiecteth it. The scripture is plaine / it *n shall be easyer for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of iudgement / then for such a Court. God giue it grace to prouide for it / or euer it be dissolued / and pardon the negligēce ⟨image 7⟩already committed / for otherwise surely / there is none other thyng to be loked for / then some speedie vengeance to lyght vpon the whole land / prouide as well as the politique Macheuils of Englande thinke they can / though God do his worste: but shut God out of your assemblies and courtes / as hetherto in this youre laste Parliament you haue don nothing therin as you ought / no though you haue bene solicited / but haue suffred them that were your solicitoures / to be molested / you shall finde / bothe that you oughte to haue soughte the *o kingdome of God first / and also you shal finde / if you consider not youre owne wayes in youre heartes / howe you thinke it a time to builde seeled houses / to deuise lawes for the preseruation and prosperitie of your common wealth / and neglecte God his churche / leaue that waste / prouide not for that / you shall finde (as the *p Prophet saith) yee shall sowe muche / and bring in little / yee shall eate / and not haue inoughe. As for the Conuocation house / whereof many haue conceiued a maruellous opinion / and which should of duetie loke to these matters / common experience dothe proue / that they doe for the most parte apply them selues to the time / and seeke rather to please and followe worldly pollicie / then sincerely to promote Gods cause / and to publishe his truth. And hereof their last conuocations can be good witnesses. But you say the Bishops are good men / & great clearkes / they knowe what they haue to doe / and possyble some of them doe / excepte the God of thys worlde haue bl•nded their eyes / and so did some of the popishe bishops:
but you were deceived by them / and you are like to be deceived by these / if you trust them so far / as experience teacheth. Nevertheless you shall die in *q your since / you shall both *r fall into the ditch. But some will say that the admonition hindered other things. As who should ⟨image 7⟩say that to further Gods cause / is to hinder other matters that be profitable for the common wealth / doth the knowledge of God / and the promoting of his glory / hinder profitable laws? that is a thing that I would gladly learn / for I could never understand it before. Wherefore this may be as a second Admonition / with the like mind as afore by them / to crave redress of the great abuses in our Reformation of Religion / some being continued from the papists / some devised by the fantastical heads of vain men / and some though not maintained / yet suffered and not reformed unto this day / yea and further / as they afore / do again appeal to this high Court of Parliament from all other Courts / being ready to defend that which I write touching the substance of it against all men / and that upon the peril of my life. Let me be but uprightly heard and interpreted. The matter is God's / overpass it not lightly / for we may not (though you devised laws to cut us off / as by some one bishop you have been ere now provoked) for our parts thus leave it. The other books are short (as it was requisite to present to you) and therefore they have not so much told you how to Reform / as what to Reform. They have told you of many things amiss / and that very truly / they have told you in general / what were to be restored / but how to do these things / as it is the hardest point / so it requireth / as themselves say / a larger discourse. I mean therefore to supply (as shortly as I can / because I write as they did to you) some thing that may make to the expressing of the matter / so plainly / that you may have sufficient light to proceed by / till they which are endued with greater gifts / discuss it more exactly / or till we our selves / who have begun / may have further opportunity to proceed / if it be neglected of ⟨image 8⟩their part which could we it better.
but you were deceiued by them / and you are like to be deceiued by these / if you truste them so farre / as experience teacheth. Neuerthelesse you shall die in *q your synnes / you shal both *r fall into the ditche. But some will say that the admonition hindered other things. As who shuld ⟨image 7⟩say that to further Gods cause / is to hinder other matters that be profitable for the cōmon wealth / doth the knowledge of God / and the promoting of hys glory / hinder profitable lawes? that is a thyng that I would gladly learne / for I coulde neuer vnderstand it before. VVherfore this may be as a seconde Admonition / wyth the like mynde as afore by them / to craue redresse of the great abuses in oure Reformation of Religion / some being continued from the papistes / some deuised by the fantasticall heades of vayne menne / and some though not maintayned / yet suffered and not reformed vnto thys day / yea and further / as they afore / doe againe appeale to thys hyghe Courte of Parliament from all other Courtes / being ready to defende that whych I wryte touching the substance of it againste all men / and that vppon the pearill of my lyfe. Let me be but vprightly heard and interpreated. The matter is Goddes / ouerpasse it not lightly / for we maye not (thoughe you deuised lawes to cutte vs off / as by some one byshop you haue bene ere nowe prouoked) for oure partes thus leaue it. The other bokes are shorte (as it was requisite to present to you) and therefore they haue not so muche tolde you how to Reforme / as what to Reforme. They haue tolde you of many things amisse / and that very truely / they haue tolde you in generall / what were to be restored / but howe to doe these things / as it is the hardest poynte / so it requireth / as themselues saye / a larger discourse. I meane therfore to supplie (as shortly as I can / bicause I wryte as they dyd to you) some thing that may make to the expressing of the matter / so plainely / that you may haue sufficient lyght to proceede by / till they whych are endued wyth greater giftes / discusse it more exactly / or till we our selues / who haue begon / maye haue further oportunitie to proceede / if it be neglected of ⟨image 8⟩theyr part which coulde we it better.
And yet this I dare say / for the substance of those Treatises (which is it that galleth the adversaries most / how so ever they quarrel with them upon words) that it is so grounded upon the undoubted truth of God his book / that the devil of hell / cannot with his colours blemish it / save he may seek to suppress it by violence: nor any but he / and those whom he hath deceived / or whom God hath not yet given so much light unto / will or can stand against it. I would / and do therefore earnestly admonish them that know / to know as they ought / and to do as they know / and to beware of the *God of this world / that he deceive them not / for the time will come / that this * dung shall be thrown openly in their faces / to their everlasting shame / that maintain it / like as at this day it hath befallen to the senseless Papists / who will never give over / till they can neither will nor choose with shame enough. Next I would / and do earnestly admonish those that are ignorant / to learn to know / and to beware of a blind zeal / which is more violent & unjust / then ought else / carrying men headlong / to maintain that / they have no reason for / and wickedly to gainstand the express truth / to their endless perdition. Now to the matter / I say that we are so scarce come to the outward face of a Church rightly reformed / that although some truth be taught by some preachers / yet no preacher may without great danger of the laws / utter all truth comprised in the book of God. It is so circumscribed & wrapped within the compass of such statutes / such penalties / such instructions / such advertisements / such articles / such canons / such sober caveats / and such manifold pamphlets / that in manner it doth but ••epe out from beh••de the screen. The laws of the land / the book of common prayer / ⟨image 8⟩the Queens Injunctions / the Commissioners advertisements / the bishops late Canons / Lindwoodes Proumetais / every bishops Articles in his diocese / my Lord of Canterburies sober caveats / in his licences to preachers / and his high Court of prerogative or grave fatherly faculties / these together / or the worst of them (as some of them be too bad) may not be broken or offended against / but with more danger then to offend against the Bible.
And yet this I dare say / for the substance of those Treatises (which is it that galleth the aduersaries mooste / howe so euer they quarrell wt them vpon wordes) that it is so grounded vpon the vndoubted truthe of God his booke / that the diuell of hell / cannot wyth his coloures blemishe it / saue he may seeke to suppresse it by violence: nor any but he / and those whome he hathe deceiued / or whome God hath not yet giuen so much light vnto / will or can stand against it. I would / and doe therefore earnestly admonishe them that knowe / to knowe as they ought / and to doe as they knowe / and to beware of the *God of this worlde / that he deceiue them not / for the time will come / that this * dung shall be throwne openly in their faces / to their euerlasting shame / that maintain it / like as at this day it hathe befallen to the sencelesse Papistes / who will neuer giue ouer / til they can neither wil nor chuse with shame inough. Next I woulde / and doe earnestly ad••onishe those that are ignorant / to learne to knowe / and to beware of a blinde zeale / which is more violent & vniust / then oughte else / carying men headlong / to maintain that / they haue no reason for / and wickedly to gainstand the expresse truth / to their endlesse perdition. Now to the matter / I say that we are so skarce come to the outwarde face of a Churche rightly reformed / that although some truth be taught by some preachers / yet no preacher may withoute greate danger of the lawes / vtter all truthe comprised in the booke of God. It is so circumscribed & wrapt within the compasse of suche statutes / suche penalties / suche inst•uctions / suche aduertisements / suche articles / suche canons / suche sober caueats / and suche manifo••e pamphlets / that in manner it doth but ••epe out from beh••de the screene. The lawes of the lande / the booke of common prayer / ⟨image 8⟩the Queenes Iniunctions / the Commissioners aduertisements / the bishops late Canons / Lindwoodes Proumetais / euery bishops Articles in his d•ocesse / my Lord of Canterburies sober caueates / in his licences to preachers / and hys highe Courte of prerogatiue or graue fatherly faculties / these together / or the worste of them (as some of them be too badde) may not be broken or offended against / but with more daunger then to offende against the Bible.
To these subscribing / and sub[…]ing again / and the third subscribing / are re[…]red / for these / Preachers and others are endi[…] are fined / are priso•ned / are excommunicated / are banished / and have worse things threatened them: and the Bible / that must have no further s••pe / then by these it is assigned. Is this to profess God his word? is this are formation? He that could not abide strange fire in the old law / but burnt *s them that used it / what will he do to us in the new law / that erect a new and strange course / or word / to rule his church by? What did the Pope but so? he did suffer God his word to have a course as far as it pleased him / so that he might have the whole authority above it. so did the Popish church: but we say the * word is above2 the church / then surely it is above the English church / and above all these books afore rehearsed. If it be so / why are not they over ruled […] / and not it by them? Here falleth forth to be answered a shift of descant to turn and wind this […]er. Forsooth these are not repugnant / saith […] to the word of God / no nor yet say we / are […] consonant / no more is chaff like to quench […] no nor yet can it abide the fire. But gold can. ••uen so are these unable to quench the light of […] gospel / no *t nor yet can they▪ abide the court o• the gospel / but true religion abideth the trial of the word of God. As well reasoned / it were to say / ⟨image 9⟩lay hay or stubble on the fire / for it will not quench the fire / and therefore it will not be consumed by the fire / as to say receive this reformation / for it is not repugnant / therefore it will abide the trial of the word / but the scripture abideth no such distinction of contrary / and divers / for he that is not with me / take he the Jews part / the Turks / the Papists / or the hypocritical English protestants part / * vhe is against me saith Christ. Another / he talketh for the Queens supremacy / Out saith he / may not the Queen do this and that / but you must […]her to a reckoning:
To these subscribing / and sub〈…〉ing againe / and the third subscribing / are re〈…〉red / for these / Preachers and others are endi〈…〉 are fined / are priso•ned / are excommunicated / are banished / and haue worse things threatned them: and the Bible / that muste haue no further s••pe / then by these it is assigned. Is this to professe God his worde? is this are formation? He that could not abide straunge fire in the olde law / but burnt *s them that vsed it / what will he doe to vs in the newe lawe / that erect a new and straunge course / or worde / to rule his church by? What did the Pope but so? he did suffer God his worde to haue a course as farre as it pleased him / so that he might haue the whole authoritie aboue it. so dyd the Popishe churche: but we say the * worde is aboue2 the church / then surely it is aboue the Englishe churche / and aboue all these bookes afore rehearsed. If it be so / why are not they ouer ruled 〈…〉 / and not it by them? Here falleth forthe to be ••swered a shift of descant to turne and winde this 〈…〉er. Forsothe these are not repugnant / saythe 〈…〉 to the woorde of God / no nor yet say we / are 〈…〉 consonante / no more is chaffe like to quenche 〈…〉 no nor yet can it abide the fire. But gold can. ••uen so are these vnable to quenche the lighte of 〈…〉 gospell / no *t nor yet can they▪ abide the courte o• the gospell / but true religion abideth the triall of the word of God. As wel reasoned / it were to say / ⟨image 9⟩lay hay or stubble on the fire / for it wil not quench the fire / and therefore it will not be consumed by the fire / as to say receiue this reformation / for it is not repugnant / therefore it will abide the triall of the word / but the scripture abideth no suche distinction of contrary / and diuers / for he that is not with me / take he the Iewes parte / the Turkes / the Papistes / or the hipocriticall Englishe protestantes parte / *
how allow you then her supremacy in Ecclesiastical things / (which are in deed to be determined in conferences and councils / and that by the warrant of the word) you will prove very Anabaptists / not suffering Magistrates / nor any politic orders besides / and so he runneth away with alleging scriptures that command obedience to magistrates / and say things must be done orderly and decently / and he deviseth many foul names / and reproaches for us. But here her Majesty is to be humbly entreated / that of her clemency / she will abide us (who are bound by duty / and obedience to God) freely to discuss all things as they are set *forth in the word of God / though her Majesty otherwise think it strange / and also have in owe to exasperate her Majesty against us pore men / who are far unable to abide hit displeasure / and would be sorry to offend her / if it might please God to incline her Majesties heart to consider of our cause / and not to be turned from us by the importunateness of our adversaries / nor by other prejudice of our persons or places: but to deal with us even according to the truth of the matters we deal in / which are according to the very word of almighty God / or else if it will not fall out so / we will be content to abide her displeasure ⟨image 9⟩and sharp punishment. Out if it fall out •o / then as an […]our Magistrate may not take the authority of the highest into his hands / no more may any Magistrate usurp Gods. To Ce[…] *give that which is Caesars / & to God that which is his / saith our saviour. Non• is so high at her common wealth / as her majesty: none so use the sword but she / and whom she appointeth under her / according to y• laws §10of this land / so that it be not repugnant to their vocation / as to ministers. Likewise / none is so high in the church as Christ / none to do any thing / nor any thing to be done in his church / but as it is appointed in his word / either by precise or general direction.
howe allowe you then hir supremacie in Ecclesiasticall things / (which are in deede to be determined in conferences and councels / and that by the warrāt of the worde) you will proue very Anabaptistes / not suffering Magistrates / nor any politique orders besides / and so he runneth away with alleaging scriptures that commaunde obedience to magistrates / and say things must be done orderly and decently / and he deuiseth many foule names / and reproches for vs. But heere hir Maiestie is to be humbly intreated / that of hir clemencie / shee will abide vs (who are bound by duetie / and obedience to God) freely to discusse all things as they are set *forthe in the woorde of God / though her Maiestie otherwise thinke it straunge / and also haue in owe to exasperate hir Maiestie against vs pore men / who are farre vnable to abide hit displesure / and would be sory to offende her / if it might please God to encline her Maiesties heart to consider of our cause / and not to be turned from vs by the importunatenesse of oure aduersaries / nor by other preiudice of oure persones or places: but to deale with vs euen according to the truthe of the matters we deale in / which are according to the very woorde of almightie God / or else if it will not fall out so / we will be content to abide hir displeasure ⟨image 9⟩and sharp punishment. Out if it fal out •o / then as an 〈…〉oure Magistrate may not take the authoritie of the highest into hys hantes / no more may any Magistrate v•urpe Gods. To Ce〈…〉*geue that whych is Cesars / & to God that whych is hys / saythe oure sauioure. Non• is so high at her common wealthe / as hir maiestie: none so vse the sweard but shee / and whom shee appointeth vnder hir / according to y• lawes §10of thys land / so that it be not repugnant to their vocation / as to ministers. Likewyse / none is so hygh in the churche as Christe / none to doe any thing / nor any thing to be done in hys churche / but as it is appointed in hys woorde / eyther by precise or generall direction.
And therefore it is allowed and commanded to Christian men / to try all y* things / and to hold that which is good / whosoever forb•dde without exception / Prince / or other / so that if we examine every thing done in this church of God in England §20by the word of God / and hold that which is good / though the law be offended / that law is to be reformed / and not we to be punished / for whatsoever our persons or places be / if our matters we deal in / be Gods / her majesty we trust / remembereth what the scripture saith: he that despiseth you * zdespiseth me / and he that receiveth you / receiveth me. As we know this case to be clear / so we trust and daily pray / that God will open her majesties heart / to consider of it and us. But to these men again / let them show us (if they can) by what authority they may enjoin us (if God his word bear them to be magistrates) to observe the book of Common3 prayers / both in matter and manner / as in their last Canons they forbid their ministers to depart from one or other? it is wicked to say no worse of it / so to attribute to a book / in deed •ulled out of the vile popish service book / with ⟨p. 10⟩some certain rubrics and glosses of their own devise / such authority as only is due to God his book: and indictments / imprisonments / and such extremities used against them which break it / is cruel persecution of the members4 of Jesus Christ. And of all other grievous enormities laid upon this church of God in England / this is the greatest / that it is not lawful to utter that which we learn truly out of the scriptures. We must be in danger of a §10premunire if we follow not the laws of the land / though they be against the scriptures / and in danger of a twelve months imprisonment / if we speak against the book of common prayer / though it be against the word of God. In deed if there were order taken for conferences / 5such as the scriptures commendeth to the church for the trial of truth / when it is hard & dark / then were the dealing not hard / but upright. As for the Convocation house I told you before §20what it was / and what may be looked for at their hands / and somewhat more shall be said of it hereafter.
And therfore it is allowed and commaunded to Christian men / to trie all y* things / and to holde that whiche is good / whosoeuer forb•dde wythoute exception / Prince / or other / so that if we examine euerye thyng done in thys churche of God in Englande §20by the worde of God / and holde that whiche is good / though the lawe be offended / that lawe is to be reformed / and not we to be punished / for whatsoeuer our personnes or places be / if oure matters we deale in / be Gods / her maiestie we trust / remembreth what the scripture sayth: he that despiseth you * zdespiseth me / and he that receyueth you / receyueth me. As we know thys case to be cleare / so we trust and dayly pray / that God wyll open her maiesties heart / to consider of it and vs. But to these men agayne / let them shewe vs (if they can) by what aucthoritie they may en•oyne vs (if God hys worde beare them to be magistrates) to obserue the boke of Common3 prayers / bothe in matter and manner / as in theyr laste Canons they forbid theyr ministers to depart from one or other? it is wycked to say no worse of it / so to attribute to a booke / in deede •ulled out of the vile popish seruice booke / with ⟨p. 10⟩some certaine rubrikes and gloses of their owne deuise / suche authoritie as only is due to God hys booke: and inditements / imprisonments / and suche extremities vsed agaynst them which breake it / is cruell persecution of the members4 of Iesus Christe. And of all other greeuous enormities layde vppon thys churche of God in England / this is the greatest / that it is not lawfull to vtter that whych we learne truely oute of the scriptures. We must be in daunger of a §10premunire if we folowe not the lawes of ye land / thoughe they be agaynste the scriptures / and in daunger of a twelue monthes imprisoment / if we speake agaynst the booke of common prayer / though it be agaynste the word of God. In deede if there were order taken for conferences / 5such as the scriptures commendeth to ye church for the triall of truthe / when it is hard & darke / then were the dealing not harde / but vprighte. As for the Conuocation house I tolde you before
If that were said for the Bible / which is said for the book of common prayer / and which God saith in his law for his *&word / then were the dealing upright and and good. Now if they mean by / not repugnant that it is consonant in all and every the contents thereof with the word of God / that can they never prove. But could they prove that / §30yet they snare the church of God between that book and other books / which they obtrude with straight charge to be observed / which books do differ amongst themselves: as the book of common prayer / and the injunctions about wafers / the book of common prayer and the advertisements about the church vestures / the Canons against the pontifical / in not ordering of ministers / sine titulo, the preface of the last book ⟨p. 11⟩of homilies / and of the last new Bible against the book of Common prayer in the manner of reading of the scriptures. And in many things the bishops articles in their several dioceses differ from this book / as about the standing of the communion table / & fetching the dead to church / and such like / but the court of Faculties / that2 for marrying without asking the banes / and many moe things differeth from it and all other their books / but chiefly from God his Bible: §10what say we to this case? we are neither free to follow the Bible / nor out of doubt what to do by these books / but to follow God and his word / we are so free / that we are by the Apostle forbidden to become servants *aof men. If this be true / as who can deny it / then is it your parts to rid our church of these shrewd encumbrances. And whereas it was meant to bridle papists / make direct laws against them.4 Further / whereas our church yet misseth of the right course of the scriptures in our reformation / let your learned men be driven to draw a platform out of God his book (where it is described at full) according to his will in the same revealed / and the examples of the best Churches beyond the seas / as Geneva / France / &c.
If that were sayd for the Bible / whych is sayd for the booke of common prayer / and whych God sayth in his law for hys *&woorde / then were the dealyng vpryght and and good. Now if they meane by / not repugnāt that it is consonante in all and euerye the contents thereof wyth the woorde of God / that can they neuer proue. But coulde they proue that / §30yet they snare the church of God betweene that boke and other bookes / whych they obtrude wt straight charge to be obserued / whych bookes doe differ amongs themselues: as the booke of common prayer / and the iniunctions about wafers / the boke of common prayer and the aduertisements about the churche vestures / the Canons against the pontificall / in not ordering of ministers / sine titulo, the preface of the last boke ⟨p. 11⟩of homilies / and of the last newe Bible agaynst the booke of Common prayer in the manner of reading of ye scriptures. And in many things the bishops articles in theyr seuerall diocesses differ from thys booke / as aboute the standyng of the communiō table / & fetchyng the dead to church / and such lyke / but the courte of Faculties / that2 for marrying wythoute asking the banes / and many moe things differeth from it and all other theyr bookes / but cheefely from God hys Bible: §10what say we to thys case? we are neyther free to folowe the Bible / nor out of doubt what to doe by these bookes / but to followe God and hys woorde / we are so free / that we are by the Apostle forbidden to become seruāts *aof men. If thys be true / as who can denye it / then is it your partes to rid our churche of these shrewde encombrances. And whereas it was meant to bridle papists / make direct lawes against them.4 Further / wheras our church yet misseth of the right course of the scriptures in our reformatiō / let youre learned men be driuen to drawe a platforme out of God his boke (wher it is descrybed at ful) according to hys will in ye same reuealed / and the examples of the best Churches beyonde the seas / as Geneua / Fraunce / &c.
And the only1 cause why our church differeth from the churches reformed of the strangers / or amongst our selves / or they amongst themselves / is because one church suffereth not it self so to be directed by the course of the scriptures as an other doth / except it be in those things of order / wherein one parish may many times differ from an other2 without offence / following the general rules of the scripture for order / as in appointing time and place for prayers / and so forth. So that we are so far off from singularity wherewith we are commonly charged / that we desire to draw by one line with the primitive church / and the ⟨p. 12⟩churches best reformed at this day / for we say there is but one * bline throughout all countries / and at all times as the scripture speaketh / there is one * cbody / one spirit / one hope / one Lord / one faith / one baptism / one God and Father of all which is above all / and through all / and in us all. The persons and causes that are to deal and to be dealt with in the church are certain / and expressed in the scriptures. The life of the word is the ministry of the same / how shall §10they hear without a *d preacher saith the Apostle. The former treatises therefore have rightly spoken against the bastard / idol / and unpreaching ministry of this church. And therefore this I say / that first you must provide a sufficient6 maintenance for the ministry / that in every parish they may have a preaching pastor / one or moe / that may only intend that charge. Is not the scripture plain: Thou shalt not *e muzzle the mouth of the Ox▪ that treadeth out §20the corn? for our sakes no doubt this is written / that he that careth should care in hope / that they which sow you spiritual things / might reap of you temporal things / which is no bad exchange for you. Now / to your hands our ancestors have raised a maintenance / which is not so embezzled away / nor the property so altered / but that (though mens devotion be cold to the ministers) the state may easily by law restore §30the same provision again / without loss in manner to any party. If none other way may be found / then have the bishops and cathedral churches temporalties enough / to redeem those livings that be impropriated / or otherwise out / and to better those livings which are too small / and as I think to be employed to other good uses of the church also.
And the only1 cause why our church differeth from ye churches reformed of the straūgers / or amongs our selues / or they amongs themselues / is because one church suffereth not it selfe so to be directed by the course of the scriptures as an other doth / except it be in those things of order / wherin one parishe may many times differ from an other2 wythout offence / folowing the generall rules of the scripture for order / as in appoynting tyme and place for prayers / and so forth. So that we are so farre off from singularitie wherwyth we are commonly charged / that we desire to drawe by one line with the primitiue churche / and the ⟨p. 12⟩churches best reformed at thys day / for we say there is but one * bline throughout all coūtreis / and at all times as the scripture speaketh / there is one * cbody / one spirite / one hope / one Lorde / one fayth / one baptisme / one God and Father of all which is aboue all / and through al / and in vs all. The persons and causes that are to deale and to be dealt with in the church are certayne / and expressed in the scriptures. The lyfe of the worde is the ministerie of the same / howe shall §10they heare wythout a *d preacher sayth the Apostle. The former tretises therfore haue rightly spoken against the bastard / idol / and vnpreaching ministerie of thys church. And therefore thys I say / that first you must prouide a suffycient6 mayntenance for the ministerie / that in euery parishe they may haue a preaching pastor / one or moe / that may only entend that charge. Is not the scripture plaine: Thou shalt not *e mousel the mouth of the Oxe▪ that treadeth out §20the corne? for our sakes no doubt thys is wrytten / that he that careth should care in hope / that they whych sowe you spirituall things / myght reape of you temporall things / whych is no bad exchaunge for you. Nowe / to your handes oure auncestors haue raised a maintenance / which is not so embeseled away / nor the propertie so altered / but that (though mennes deuotion be colde to the ministers) the state may easely by law restore
1The cause yt all […] ches •o no• agree.The cause yt all 〈…〉 ches •o no• agree.
But we will not stand with you so much in the manner of the raising of their provision / for raise it as it shall please ⟨p. 13⟩God to put you in mind / so y• you provide sufficiently for your ministers / that they may be of ability to maintain their charge / and to bestow upon fit furniture of books and honest hospitality. But in the mean while / until a sufficient provision be made / it is no better then sacrilege and spoiling of God to keep back any way the provision which hath been made in that respect / and the curse of God threatened by Malachi to those that spoiled y• *f Levites then of their provision / belongeth / and will light upon our spoilers now / & upon them in whose hands it is to redress it / if they do it not. Also there must be orders taken and looked unto / for2 the bestowing of the livings provided in the universities (now dens of many thievish nonresidents:) not to the greedy use of many cormorant masters of colleges / and at their wicked pleasure / as they are / but to the bringing up for the most part of such as will be content to be employed upon the charge of the ministry / when as the church shall have need of them / and to take from them that have moe livings / all save one / and that to / except they will be resident / and be able and willing to discharge it / having besides the allowance which afterwards shall be spoken of by God his grace. And this provision must so sufficiently be established / that it may be paid without ado / and not to be3 sought for / or worm by suspensions / or * excommunication §30/ which are applied by y• scriptures to a far more proper and spiritual use / & not at all to this. And also there are many charges going out of benefices / whereof they should be unburdened. Next / you must repeal your statute or statutes / whereby you have authorised that ministry that now is / making your estate partly to consist of Lords spiritual (as you call ⟨p. 14⟩them) and making one minister higher then another4 / appointing also an order to ordain ministers / which order is clean differing from the * scriptures / wherefore you must have the5 order for these things drawn out of the scriptures / which order is this.
But we will not stande wyth you so muche in the manner of the raisyng of theyr prouision / for raise it as it shall please ⟨p. 13⟩God to put you in minde / so y• you prouide sufficiently for your ministers / that they maye be of abilitie to maintaine their charge / and to bestowe vpon fitte furniture of bokes and honest hospitalitie. But in the meane while / vntill a sufficient prouision be made / it is no better then sacrileage and spoyling of God to kepe backe any way the prouision which hath bene made in that respecte / and the cursse of God threatned by Malachie to those that spoiled y• *f Leuites then of their prouision / belongeth / and wil light vpon our spoilers nowe / & vpon them in whose hands it is to redresse it / if they doe it not. Also there must be orders taken and looked vnto / for2 the bestowing of the liuings prouided in the vniuersities (now dennes of many theeuish nonresidentes:) not to the greedy vse of many cormorant masters of colledges / and at theyr wicked pleasure / as they are / but to the brynging vp for the moste parte of such as wil be content to be employed vpon the charge of the ministerie / whē as the church shall haue nede of them / and to take from them that haue moe liuings / all saue one / and that to / except they will be resident / and be able and willyng to discharge it / hauing besides the allowāce which afterwards shalbe spoken of by God hys grace. And thys prouisiō must so sufficiently be established / that it may be paide wythoute adoe / and not to be3 sought for / or worme by suspensions / or * excommunication §30/ which are applied by y• scriptures to a farre more proper and spirituall vse / & not at all to thys. And also there are many charges going out of benefices / wherof they shoulde be vnburdened. Next / you must repeale your statute or statutes / whereby you haue authorised that ministerie that now is / making your estate partly to consist of Lordes spiritual (as you cal ⟨p. 14⟩them) and making one minister hygher then another4 / appoynting also an order to ordayne ministers / which order is cleane differing from the * scriptures / wherefore you muste haue the
2bestowing of university livingsbestowing of vniuersity liuings
3mat. 10. 17 2. cor. 2 67 Ministers maintnance is not to be recovered by excommunication. Unburdening of benefices.mat. 10. 17 2. cor. 2 67 Ministers maintnāce is not to be recouered by excōmunication. Vnburdening of benefices.
When any parish is destitute of a pastor / or of a teacher / the same parish may have recourse to the next conference / and to them make it known that they may §10procure chiefly from the one of the universities / or if otherwise / a man learned / & of good report / 1whom after trial of his gifts had in their conference / they may present unto the parish which before had been with them about that matter / but yet so / that the same parish have him a certain time amongst them / that they may be acquainted with his gifts and behaviour / and give their consents for his stay amongst them / if they can allege no just cause to the contrary: §20for he may not be sent away again / which is so sent to a parish / except a just cause of misliking / the cause alleged being justly proved against him / either amongst themselves in their own consistory / so that he will appeal no further for his trial / or else in the next conference / or council provincial / or national / unto which from one to another he may appeal / if he find himself clear / and if he give over / they may proceed as afore for another. And when such an one is found / to whom the parish must §30give consent / because there is no just cause to be alleged against him / the next conference by whose means he was procured / shall be certified of the parishes liking / whereupon they shall amongst themselves / agree upon one of the ministers / which shall be sent by them to the same parish / and after a sermon made according to the occasion / and earnest prayer to God with ⟨p. 15⟩fasting according to the example of the scriptures made by that congregation to God / ye it would please him to direct them in their choice / and to bless that man whom they choose / he shall require to know their consent / which being gram ted / he & the elders shall lay their hands on him / 2to signify to him that he is lawfully called to that parish to be pastor there / or teacher. Now / for as much as I have made mention of a pastor / and a §10teacher / of a consistory in each parish / of a conference / and of a council provincial / and national / I will as briefly as I can declare / what each of these meaneth / and what the use of them is. There is required in every well reformed church these two things:
When any parishe is destitute of a pastor / or of a teacher / the same parish may haue recourse to the next conferēce / and to them make it knowne that they maye §10procure cheefely from the one of ye vniuersities / or if otherwise / a man learned / & of good report / 1whome after triall of hys gyftes had in theyr conference / they may present vnto the paryshe which before had bene wyth them aboute that matter / but yet so / that the same parishe haue him a certaine time amōgst them / that they may be acquainted wyth his gifts and behauioure / and geue their consentes for his stay amongste them / if they can alleage no iust cause to the cō trary: §20for he may not be sent away again / which is so sent to a parishe / except a iust cause of misliking / the cause alleaged being iustly proued against hym / either amongst themselues in theyr owne consistorie / so that he will appeale no further for hys triall / or els in the next conference / or counsell prouinciall / or nationall / vnto which from one to another he may appeale / if he fynde hymselfe cleare / and if he geue ouer / they maye proceede as afore for another. And when suche an one is founde / to whome the parishe muste §30geue consent / bicause there is no iust cause to be alleaged agaynste him / the nexte conference by whose meanes he was procured / shall be certified of the parishes liking / wherupon they shall amongst themselues / agree vpon one of the ministers / which shall be sent by them to the same parishe / and after a sermon made according to the occasion / and earnest prayer to God wyth ⟨p. 15⟩fasting according to the example of ye scriptures made by that congregation to God / ye it would please him to direct them in theyr choise / and to blesse that man whome they choose / he shall require to know their consent / which being graū ted / he & the elders shall lay their hāds on him / 2to signifie to him yt he is lawfully called to yt parishe to be pastor there / or teacher. Now / for as much as I haue made mētion of a pastor / and a §10teacher / of a consistory in each parish / of a cōference / and of a counsell prouincial / and national / I wil as brefely as I can declare / what eache of these meaneth / and what the vse of them is. Ther is required in euery wel reformed church these two things:
1The choosing of ministers.The chusing of ministers.
A right ministry *g of the word and sacraments / and a right h* government of the church / which two things are by our saviour commended to his church / before there were any churches gathered. And in the Apostles time / when they had gathered several churches or congregations / they not only teach what should be / but they establish orders accordingly. In the ministry therefore / after rehearsal made of those rare and extraordinary functions of Apostles / Prophets / and Evangelists / there is declared in the last place those ordinary functions of *i shepherds and teachers / which endure in every well ordered §30church / till we all meet together into the unity of faith and knowledge of the son of God. There are then in the ministry only two sorts of ministers / namely pastors & teachers / which do not differ in dignity / but in distinction of office / and exercise of their gifts / and yet in many things their office is so like / that they are confounded in the name of Elders / as also the governors are with the ministers in the same name confounded. But these two offices differ in ⟨p. 16⟩this / y• the pastor or pastors / are they y• have y• oversight & charge of the whole parish / to instruct to admonish / to exhort / & to correct by doctrine all and every one in the assemblies or in the private houses of the same parish / and to minister the sacraments in the same parish. The teacher (save that in the consistory of the same parish / and in all conferences of ministers / he is to be joined with the ministers) shall in such places as provision is §10made for him / & being lawfully called as afore / only intend lectors / and expositions of the scriptures / to the end that there may be set forth / and kept a soundness of doctrine / a right & natural sense of the scriptures / and plain and manifest proves of the articles of the Christian religion / so that he ought to be an exquisite and mighty man in the scriptures. The use of such an one4 is most needful / where the fry of the church (as I might call it) is / to enter them well which after §20should be employed to the ministry / whether it be in the university or elsewhere / that such be brought up to this turn.
A righte ministerie *g of the worde and sacraments / and a right h* gouernement of the churche / which two things are by our sauioure commended to hys church / before there were any churches gathered. And in the Apostles time / when they had gathered seuerall churches or congregations / they not onely teache what shoulde be / but they establishe orders accordingly. In the ministerie therefore / after rehearsall made of those rare and extraordinarie functions of Apostles / Prophets / and Euangelistes / there is declared in the last place those ordinarie functions of *i shepheards and teachers / which endure in euery well ordered §30church / till we all meete together into the vnity of faythe and knowledge of the sonne of God. There are then in the ministery only two sortes of ministers / namely pastors & teachers / which doe not differ in dignitie / but in distynction of office / and exercise of theyr gifts / and yet in many things their office is so like / that they are confounded in the name of Elders / as also the gouernours are with the ministers in the same name confoūded. But these two offices differ in ⟨p. 16⟩this / y• the pastor or pastors / are they y• haue y• ouersight & charge of ye whole parish / to instruct to admonish / to exhort / & to correct bi doctrine al and euery one in the assemblies or in the priuate houses of the same parishe / and to minister the sacraments in ye same parish. The teacher (saue that in the consistory of the same parishe / and in all conferences of ministers / he is to beioyned wt the ministers) shall in such places as prouision is §10made for him / & being lawfully called as afore / onely intend lectors / and expositions of the scriptures / to the end that there may be set furth / and kepte a soundnes of doctrine / a right & naturall sence of the scriptures / and playne and manifest proues of the articles of the Christian religiō / so that he oughte to be an exquisite and mighty man in the scriptures. The vse of suche an one4 is most nedeful / wher the frie of the churche (as I might call it) is / to enter them well which after §20
iEphes. 4• 11. 12. 13. Two sorts of ministers only. The difference of their offices / and wherein they are alike.Ephes. 4• 11. 12. 13. Two sorts of minysters only. The difference of their offyces / and wherein they are alyke.
4The use of the doctors office.The vse of the doctors office.
So that in deed the titles of our university doctors / and bachelors of divinity / are not only for vain glory sought1 and granted / but there they are the names of course / conferred rather by y• profane judgments of them that know not what office of y• church they belong too / and by the importunate suit and means made / by such vain men as desire to clime / and to have high names / and also of a §30blind custom partly / which (besides the graces gotten easily by friendship / or corrupt bribery / compounding I should say / although no show of learning be uttered / nor exercises kept) doth in respect of continuance of standing in manner throw these titles upon many dolts / which neither do / nor can do any thing y• is required in a teacher or doctor. And a plain case it is / y• often tation ⟨p. 17⟩and outward glory is sought by these names / & by the name of master of Art / which is esteemed many degrees beneath the titles of Doctor / or Bachelor in divinity / for otherwise they would not offer those titles to such as the universities would show pleasure unto / as to noble men and others / as though they were noble names / nobilitating them that otherwise were unnoble / and adding to their nobility that without §10them were noble. And thus have they turned upside down / and made a mockery of God his or••• / conferred upon his church for the benefit of the same / except they will not be ashamed to profess themselves herein to follow the2 heathenish tradition of profane schools which rather seek by such titles to advance learning / as they say / then by their learning to advantage the church of God. For none other are true teachers or doctors / but they which do teach / and §20be found meet / and be called by the church to teach / how so ever the university doctors seem to have some indelible Character / that once and ever doctor / as the popish priests once shaven / were ever priests / and can never be no priests after / but such doctors as these / though they had never so many graces / shall be but idol doctors / as truly doctors / as an image •s a man / which hath nothing but the show of a man / eyes and see not / ears and hear not / and so they / teachers & doctors / and teach not. These vain names become §30such vain men / but the church of God they become not / and are forbidden by our saviour.
So that in deede the titles of oure vniuersitie doctors / and bachelors of diuinitie / are not onely for vayn glory sought1 and graunted / but there they are the names of course / cōferred rather by y• prophane iudgmēts of them that know not what office of y• church they belong too / and by the importunate sute and meanes made / by such vaine men as desire to clime / and to haue hygh names / and also of a §30blinde custome partly / which (besydes the graces gotten easely by frendship / or corrupt brtherie / compounding I should say / althoughe no shew of learning be vttered / nor exercises kept) doth in respect of cōtinuāce of stāding in māner throw these titles vpon many dolts / which neither do / nor can do any thing y• is required in a teacher or doctor. And a plaine case it is / y• ostē tation ⟨p. 17⟩and outwarde glorye is soughte by these names / & by the name of master of Arte / which is esteemed many degrees beneathe the titles of Doctor / or Bachelor in diuinitie / for otherwise they would not offer those titles to suche as the vniuersities would shewe pleasure vnto / as to noble men and others / as though they were noble names / nobilitating them that otherwise wer vnnoble / and adding to their nobilitie that without §10them were noble. And thus haue they turned vpside downe / and made a mockery of God hys or••• / conferred vpon his churche for the benefite of the same / excepte they will not be ashamed to professe themselues heerein to folowe the2 heathenish tradition of prophane scholes which rather seke by suche titles to aduance learning / as they say / then by their learning to aduan̄tage the church of God. For none other are true teachers or doctors / but they which doe teache / and §20be founde meete / and be called by the churche to teache / how so euer the vniuersitie doctors seeme to haue some indelible Caracter / that once and euer doctor / as the popishe priestes once shauen / were euer priestes / and can neuer be no priestes after / but such doctors as these / though they had neuer so many graces / shall be but idol doctors / as truely doctors / as an image •s a man / whych hath nothing but the shew of a man / eyes and see not / eares and heare not / and so they / teachers & doctors / and teache not. These vaine names become
1University doctors and bachilers of divinity.Vniuersitie doctors and bachilers of diuinitie.
* hBe not you called Rabbins / and to be called Rabbins is the matter with our doctors / but to teach / that is to base or needless for them. I have spoken the mere of this / because the abuse is great / and not thought of / for howsoever it will be faced out / the name is not a name ⟨p. 18⟩•f dignity / but a name of duty to be done to the church of God / by him that hath y• excellent gift of faithful & right expounding of the scriptures / and of the undoubted proving and avouching of all the articles of our christian religion / which is most requisite in place where I said before / and very requisite every where / & is to be had where competent provision may be made for such an one. Thus you see briefly how these two differ / and what is the use of the teachers or doctors §10office. Now the pastors in their charges and parishes2 / have not only to propound sound doctrine / but also charge to exhort / and to admonish publicly and privately them that they find to need it / and to examine them / and to Catechise them in their faith / upon whom only lieth the charge of the whole congregation / whether there be a teacher / or doctor or no. For if the doctor faithfully keep his lectures / and answer his calling by godly life there is no further thing to be §20required of him / save y• in the consistory (again I say) he apply himself with the pastors to guide and direct the rest of the assistants / and in like sort join himself with the pastors in their conferences councils / and such like meetings. But every congregation must have a pastor / I say not a parson vicar or stipendiary priest / or curate (as they call him) but a pastor or shepherd / which is able / and doth intend feeding of them / every way / by preaching doctrine / by exhorting §30to the same / and to godly life / by admonishing offenders / by conference with them / by visiting the sick / to teach and counsel them / by Catechising the congregation / by making prayers / by ministering the sacraments / and examining before hand the communicants / and whatsoever he is directed unto by the prescript of the word of God.
* hBe not you called Rabbines / and to be called Rabbines is the matter with oure doctors / but to teach / that is to base or needelesse for them. I haue spoken the mere of thys / bicause the abuse is great / and not thoughte of / for howsoeuer it will be faced out / ye name is not a name ⟨p. 18⟩•f dignitie / but a name of duety to be done to the church of God / by him that hath y• excellent gyft of faithfull & right expounding of the scriptures / and of the vndoubted prouing and auouching of all the articles of our christian religion / whych is moste requisite in place where I said before / and very requisite euery where / & is to be had where competent prouision may be made for suche an one. Thus you see breefely howe these two differ / and what is the vse of ye teachers or doctors §10office. Now the pastors in their charges and parishes2 / haue not only to propounde sounde doctrine / but also charge to exhort / and to admonish publiquely and priuately them that they finde to neede it / and to examine them / and to Cathechise them in their faith / vpon whome onely lyeth the charge of the whole cōgregation / whether there be a teacher / or doctor or no. For if the doctor faithfully kepe his lectures / and answer hys calling by godly life there is no further thing to be §20required of him / saue y• in the consistorie (againe I say) he app•y hymselfe wt the pastors to guide and directe the rest of the assistantes / and in lyke sorte ioyne himselfe with the pastors in theyr cō ferences councels / and such like meetings. But euery congregation must haue a pastor / I saye not a parsone vicare or stipendarie priest / or curate (as they call him) but a pastor or shepherd / which is able / and dothe intend feeding of them / euery way / by preaching doctrine / by exhorting §30to the same / and to godly life / by admonishyng offenders / by conference wyth them / by visityng the sicke / to teache and counsell them / by Cathechising the congregation / by making prayers / by ministring the sacraments / and examining before hand the communicantes / and whatsoeuer he is directed vnto by the prescripte of the woorde of God.
2The use of the pastors office / and that it is requisite in every congregation.The vse of the pastors office / and that it is requisite in euerye congregation.
And these two offices thus set up / according ⟨p. 19⟩to the scriptures / there remaineth no use1 of fat canons / prebendaries / petty canons / singing men / quiresters / virgers / and the rest of that crew / nor yet of roving preachers / which preach quarter sermons / nor of stipendiary curates / & that unbridled (untitled clergy I should say) but that the livings of the former might be bestowed upon the maintenance of the right ministry / and the latter to be no longer an unprofitable §10burden to the church. And further / such provision being made / there shall be no need of such dignities / as they call them / nor of qualifications for many benefices / as pluralities / trialities / totquors / and I wot not what conferring of benefices / or prebends upon bishops / to amend their livings forsooth. All this good cometh of the erecting of a right ministry / besides the faithful discharging of so great a charge as the feeding of Christs flock is. And also this I say / it is so far of that any can take upon him the charge which our Lord Bishops do / as they say / one of them to be parson2 (pastor they seem to mean) of a whole diocese (most dioceses containing divers shires) yea / and some one of a province (containing many dioceses) that in de•de it is in manner too much for one to take charge of one only parish / and to say truth / if every parish were able (as it would be provided for / by restoring impropriations §30by augmenting of the livings / & by joining moe parishes in one) if every parish I3 say / were by some such means made able / it were meet every parish had two pastors at least / both for the common charge that lieth upon the shoulders of the pastors / and for sundry uses that their congregations have to employ them upon / or chiefly / because in the sickness of the one / the other might supply. And ⟨p. 20⟩the pastor or pastors being rightly called / may not be put away / but for such causes / and in such sort as was said before / nor he or they may not leave their charge / for he or they have a necessity * nof tarrying on their charge laid upon them with their charge / except by the good order o• the churches it be thought expedient / or when the sheep are wolves / & so they driven to fly from them:
And these two offices thus set vp / according ⟨p. 19⟩to the scriptures / there remaineth no vse1 of fat canons / prebendaries / petie canons / synging men / quiresters / virgirs / and the rest of yt crue / nor yet of rouing preachers / which preach quarter sermons / nor of stipendarie curates / & that vnbrideled (vntituled cleargye I shoulde say) but that the liuings of the former might be •estowed vpon the maintenance of the righte ministerie / and the latter to be no longer an vnprofitable §10burden to the churche. And further / such prouision being made / there shalbe no nede of such dignities / as they call them / nor of qualifications for many beneficēs / as pluralities / trialities / totquors / and I wot not what conferring of benefices / or prebends vpon bishops / to amende their liuings forsothe. All thys good commeth of the erecting of a right ministerye / besides the faithfull discharging of so greate a charge as the feedyng of Chrystes flocke is. And also thys I say / it is so farre of that anye can take vyon him the charge whych our Lord Bishops do / as they say / one of them to be parson2 (pastor they seme to meane) of a whole diocesse (moste diocesses containing diuers shires) yea / and some one of a prouince (containing many diocesses) that in de•de it is in manner too much for one to take charge of one only parish / and to say truth / if euery parysh were able (as it wold be prouided for / by restoring impropriations §30by augmenting of the liuings / & by ioyning moe paryshes in one) if euerye paryshe I3 say / were by some suche meanes made able / it were meete euery paryshe had two pastors at least / bothe for the common charge that lyeth vpon the shoulders of the pastors / and for sondry vses that theyr congregations haue to employ them vpon / or cheefely / bicause in the sycknesse of the one / the other myght supplye. And ⟨p. 20⟩the pastor or pastors being ryghtly called / maye not be put away / but for such causes / and in such sort as was sayd before / nor he or they maye not leaue their charge / for he or they haue a necessyty * n
1The good yt ensueth of the erecting of a right ministry.The good yt ensueth of the erecting of a ryghte ministerie.
2L. bishops take far more charge upon them / thē they are able to discharge.L. bishops take farre more charge vpon them / thē they are able to discharge.
3Respects require •ather two p• stors over one flock then one over many.Respects require •ather two p• stors ouer one flocke then one ouer many.
n•. cor. 9. 16. The pastor may not •eave his •lock at his •wne pleasure.•. cor. 9. 16. The pastor maye not •eaue hys •lock at hys •wne plea•ure.
so y• our resignations will not stand with y• word of god / m•ch less will our non residents abide y• trial / both serving §10the covetousness of greedy bellied wolves / the one to fleece without care of feeding / except it be themselves either in some chaplains room / or in some other sty / to spare their labour where they should intend: The other serveth him that ever gapeth for a greater pray / or to make money when other shifts sail. And further / I will not excuse all those that either resign / or suffer them selves to be deprived to avoid further trouble / without consideration of their flock / §20if the same conspire not generally against them / seeing they ought to give their lives for their1 flock. But this is not thought to be so needful / nor in deed were so needful / if to read the scriptures / the homilies / and the course of our book of common prayers were mough / for then a boy of ten years old may do the ministers office / for the substance of their office is not in the years / but in the reading. And in deed boys and senseless asses are our common ministers §30for the most part / for / but common reason may serve this turn / and do this feat well mough. It is in deed les•• busy then popish priests2 service / because the calendar and the rubrics of the book are fewer: and plainer then his portuise and pie were / so that less clerks then popish priests / which had but some blind Latin in their b•lly / may serve for our store / & therefore ⟨p. 21⟩in deed the blindest buzzard of them / if he will keep his conscience to himself / nay he is not so narrowly looked unto / if he will subscribe to our Articles of Christian religion before his ordinary / and blindly read them at his benefices / he shall not only be serving priest (I use their own terms) but he may have one Benefice or moe / and nothing shall / nor may be said against him / and so he provi•• his quarter sermons §10or pay his Ordinary for that default and such like / he is as good a Pastor as the ••st.
so y• our resignatiōs wil not stād wt y• word of god / m•ch lesse wil our non residēts abide y• triall / both seruing §10ye couerousnesse of gredy bellied wolues / the one to fleece wythout care of feedyng / excepte it be themselues eyther in some chaplams roume / or in some other stye / to spare theyr labor where they should entende: The other serueth hym that euer gapeth for a greater pray / or to make mony when other shyftes sayle. And further / I wyll not excuse all those that eyther resygne / or suffer them selues to be depryued to auoyde further trouble / wythout consyderation of theyr flocke / §20if the same conspire not generally against them / seeing they oughte to giue theyr lyues for their1 flocke. But thys is not thought to be so needefull / nor in deede were so nedefull / if to reade the scryptures / the homilyes / and the course of oure booke of common prayers were mough / for then a boy of ten yeares olde may do the ministers office / for the substance of their offyce is not in the yeares / but in the reading. And in deede boyes and sencelesse asses are oure common minysters §30for the moste parte / for / but common reason may serue thys turne / and doe thys feat well mough. It is in deede les•• busye then popyshe priestes2 seruyce / bycause the kalender and the rubrikes of the booke are fewer: and playner then his portuise and pie were / so that lesse clarkes then popyshe priestes / whych had but some blinde Latin in their b•lly / may serue for our store / & therfore ⟨p. 21⟩in deede the blindest bussarde of them / if hee wyll keepe hys conscience to hymselfe / nay he is not so narowly loked vnto / if he wyll subscribe to our Articles of Christian religyon before hys ordinarye / and blindely reade them at hys benefyces / he shall not onely be seruing priest (I vse their owne termes) but he may haue one Benefyce or moe / and nothyng shall / nor may be sayde against hym / and so he proui•• hys quarter sermons §10or pay his Ordinarie for that default and suche lyke / he is as good a Pastor as the st.
1Ih. 10. 11.
2Our course • religion destroyeth •ys care of Christs •ocke.Our course • religyon •estroyeth •ys care of Chrystes •ocke.
And yet I think verily / the last Parliament1 save this / meant very well in this respect / by a statute provided in this case / so that many a lewd Priest of them (if the Ordinary had been good / not being corrupted by bribes / or by their bribed officers and servants) would have been removed / and the benefices ready for better pastors / but I can hear of none / of few so bad / but he §20is where he was / and my Lord Bishop his great friend commonly / for it seemeth by some of them / that they sin•ll my Lords the Bishops meaning / is to make their hand now / and to money themselves now / and provide for their wife and children somewhat, honestly (I will not say pompously) for fear of after claps against a rainy day / whatsoever time or change come / and this humour these Priests / and all other Time servers f•e•• full handsomely / and it serveth their purposes in deed fully. No / no / this is not that ministry / which we have ne••e of / and which God erected in his church / reading2 an Homily / is Popish and s•nd / whether they •••edes homilies / or any other ancient writers homilies / which in times past upon the like error were […]sed so supplie the like lack of preaching a• though afterward they red them or sung them in an un[…] tongue: or they ••⟨p. 22⟩our bishops homilies in our own tongue / for faith cometh by hearing / and hearing not by homilies: but by the * oword of God / & in deed reading of the word is as good / and better preaching / then reading of homilies / but the ministry of faith is the preaching of the same / out of the word of God / by them that are sent of God. How can they preach except they be * psent / as it is written / how beautiful are the feet of them which bring good tidings of peace: they §10must be sent of God / endued with the gifts of God / furnished with his graces unto that ministry / that they may be able to bring the good tidings of peace / and good things to their congregations / that their feet may be beautiful to them / that they may know that they are jewels of God bestowed upon his church / that every church may be assured they have a treasure of their minister or ministers.
And yet I thynke verely / the laste Parliament1 saue thys / meant very well in this respecte / by a statute prouided in this case / so that many a leud Priest of them (if the Ordinarie had bene good / not being corrupted by bribes / or by their bribed offycers and seruaunts) would haue bene remoued / and the benefyces readye for better pastors / but I can heare of none / of few so badde / but he §20is where he was / and my Lorde Byshoppe hys great frende commonly / for it seemeth by some of them / that they sin•ll my Lords the Byshoppes meanyng / is to make their hande nowe / and to money themselues nowe / and prouide for their wyfe and children somewhat, honestly (I will not say pompously) for fear of after claps against a rainye day / whatsoeuer tyme or change come / and thys humoure these Priestes / and all other Time seruers f•e•• full handsomely / and it serueth their purposes in deede fullye. No / no / thys is not that mynisterie / whych we haue ne••e of / and whych God erected in hys churche / reading2 an Homilie / is Popishe and s•nd / whether they •••edes homilies / or anye other auncient wryters homilies / whych in tymes past vpon ye lyke erroure were 〈…〉sed so supplie the lyke lacke of preaching a• thoughe afterward they red them or sung them in an vn〈…〉 tongue: or they ••⟨p. 22⟩our bishoppes homilies in oure owne tongue / for fayth commeth by hearing / and hearing not by homilies: but by the * oworde of God / & in deede readyng of the word is as good / and better preaching / then readyng of homilies / but the ministerie of faythe is the preaching of the same / oute of the woorde of God / by them that are sent of God. How cā they preach except they be * psent / as it is wrytten / howe beautifull are the feete of them whych bryng good tidings of peace: they
1A good statute of y• last parliament / taketh little effect / by y• negligence and corruption of the Ordinaries as they call them.A good statute of y• last parliamēt / taketh little effecte / by y• negligence and corruption of the Ordinaries as they call them.
2Reading of Homilies came in by abuse / and maintenieth an •ooll •• […].Reading of Homilyes came in by abuse / and maintenieth an •ooll ••〈…〉.
oRo. 10. 17 The ministry of faith is the preaching of the same.Ro. 10. 17 The ministery of faith is the preaching of the same.
This is the right §20way to bring y• ministry into credit and estimation1 / their gifts given them of God / & their painfulness / and honest life amongst their congregations / & not to make some of them Lords / Graces / Earls / Prelate / and Register of the Garter / Barons / Suffragans / some of them rich Deans / Archdeacons / masters of Colleges / Chancellors / Pre••ndes / rich persons and vicars / and though some of them be poor enough / to get them credit by their rochets / hoods / caps / cloaks / tippets and gowns / or §30such like implements used by the * qPharisees which claimed high rooms / and made large borders on their garments / & loved to be greeted / and to be called Rabbi / which things by our saviour are forbidden his ministers / and an order enjoined / that they which look for it / should not have it / but be least esteemed. This is true / read the scriptures your selves I pray you / if ⟨p. 23⟩you find it not so / disprove us / if it be found so / strengthen us by your authorities / and let the word of God have the free course that it ought to have. They be but pretences to serve the glorious course that some of our ministers are entered into / when they say / it is the credit of the ministry / and the upholding of the same / and this way of ours / is the discrediting and overthrowing of the ministry / & of all good orders / §10and to bring confusion into the church / and as they pretend plain Anabaptistrie. But they are no better but pretences and flat untruths / for it is God his own order set by our saviour and his Apostles in his church / and I trust (as briefly as I can) to make it appear to be God his order / and the lest order / and the only order which should be in the church of God.
Thys is the ryghte §20way to bryng y• ministerie into credyte and estimation1 / their giftes giuen them of God / & theyr paynfulnesse / and honest lyfe amongst their congregations / & not to make some of them Lordes / Graces / Earles / Prelate / and Register of the Garter / Barons / Suffraganes / some of them ryche Deanes / Archdeacons / masters of Colledges / Chauncellors / Pre••ndes / rych persons and vicares / and thoughe some of them be poore inoughe / to gette them credite by their rochets / hoodes / cappes / clokes / tippets and gownes / or §30suche lyke implements vsed by the * qPhariseis whyche claimed hyghe roumes / and made large borders on their garmentes / & loued to be greeted / and to be called Rabbi / whyche thyngs by our sauioure are forbidden his ministers / and an order enioyned / that they which loke for it / shuld not haue it / but be least esteemed. Thys is true / reade the scriptures youre selues I pray you / if ⟨p. 23⟩you finde it not so / disproue vs / if it be founde so / strengthen vs by your authorities / and lette the worde of God haue the free course that it ought to haue. They be but pretences to serue the glorious course that some of oure ministers are entred into / when they say / it is the credyte of the ministerie / and the vpholding of the same / and thys way of oures / is the discrediting and ouerthrowing of the ministerie / & of all good orders / §10and to bring confusion into the churche / and as they pretende playne Anabaptistrie. But they are no better but pretences and flat vntruthes / for it is God hys owne order set by our sauioure and hys Apostles in his church / and I trust (as breefely as I can) to make it appeare to be God his order / and the lest order / and the onely order which should be in the churche of God.
1The way to bring the ministry •nto credit • estimation.The waye to bring the ministerie •nto credite • estimatiō.
qMath. 23. •. 6. 7. 11. •ur saviour orbiddeth •ys miny•ers to seek • be noted • outward •parel and •uises.Math. 23. •. 6. 7. 11. •ur sauior orbiddeth •ys miny•ers to seke • be noted • outward •parel and •uises.
And as1 for the order which they pretend to be maintained by them / it may be that they know their order when they ride in their scarlet roa•es before §20the Queen / and how to poll their clergy as they call them / and all other in their dioceses / & how to lease out benefices to the patrons / or by the person or vicar and patron's means royally to lease them out to some other / or to alienate the house / or the glebe for a round sum of money to their Lordships chests / or bribes to their wives / or to their children / or to their officers / or servants / that they may have their share thereby / or how to keep their courts / and §30get them officers for their best advantage / or how to rattle up these new fellows / these young boys that will not obey at a beck to their articles / advertisements / canons / caveats / and such like stuff of their own forging / or whatsoever proceedeth / or is from / or: for their Lordly estate and degree / or how to pleasure their friend / or friends / or friends friend / with a Benefice / ⟨p. 24⟩or with a Pr[…]: so that it may be a good turn to themselves / coming by simony away / or how to lease out their own temporalties of their bishoprics / yea & possible alienate them from their successors / and how to match their sons and their daughters together / with great sums of money passing between them / and how to purchase lands and leases in their wives & children's names / because if they were priests / their children cannot inherit / nor are legitimate §10by the laws / and how to raise fines and rents / and many such good orders moe / they are very skilful in / and keep very diligently. I would for experience / some of their doings were examined / and then no doubt we should see many of2 these goodly orders brought to light.
And as1 for the order whych they pretend to be maintained by them / it may be that they knowe their order when they ride in their scarlet roa•es before §20the Queene / and howe to poll their cleargye as they call them / and all other in their diocesses / & howe to lease oute benefices to the patrones / or by the persone or vicare and patrones meanes royally to lease them out to some other / or to alienate the house / or the gleebe for a round summe of money to their Lordships chestes / or brybes to their wiues / or to their children / or to their offycers / or seruauntes / that they may haue their share thereby / or how to kepe their courtes / and §30gette them officers for their best aduauntage / or howe to rattle vp these new fellowes / these yong boyes that will not obey at a becke to their articles / aduertisements / canons / caueates / and such lyke stuffe of their owne forging / or whatsoeuer proceedeth / or is from / or: for their Lordly estate and degree / or howe to pleasure their frende / or frendes / or freendes freende / with a Benefice / ⟨p. 24⟩or wyth a Pr〈…〉: so that it maye bee a good turne to themselues / comming by simonie away / or howe to lease out their owne temporaltyes of their bishopprickes / yea & possible akenate them from their successors / and howe to matche their sonnes and their daughters together / with great summes of money passing betweene them / and how to purchase lands and leases in their wiues & childrens names / bicause if they were priests / their children cannot inherite / nor are legitimate §10by the lawes / and howe to raise fines and rentes / and many suche good orders moe / they are verye skilfull in / and keepe very diligently. I woulde for experience / some of their doings were examined / and then no doubt we shoulde see manye of2 these goodly orders brought to lyght.
1The covetous abuses that are too common among the bishops.The couetous abuses that are too common among the byshops.
2Examination of y• bishops doings very expedient.Examination of y• byshops doings very expedient.
And till it be examined / I would that they which are honest men / would bring to light their doings which they know / for as finely as they have handled the matters / there are some which know §20enough / and I trust they will impart it ere long to the state / y• they which are of so sharp a sight to see who offend them / may themselves lie open / and show how they offend God and his church / and how utterly unnecessary they are / and to be removed from their rooms / and their rooms from the church / which by them are continued to stall the popish Bishops in their pomp again / if ever their time serve them here. For good orders / let us hear any one they make / §30but even as the law directeth them / which any other temporal officers might / and would do as well as they / if the laws did not prohibit it. And there is none other but laws with them / no God his book / no brotherly talk with them / they will not run in a premunire for any of all their brethren / nor for any of God his matters neither / they will not have the Queens displeasure ⟨p. 25⟩for any of them all / they will not be defaced1 whatsoever cometh of it / nay they will rail upon / and revile their brethren / they will persecute and prison them / they will stir her majesty and all other against them / they will starve / stifle / and pine them to death. Howe many good mens deaths have they been the cause of / by an inward sorrow conceived of their doings? how suddenly dyed master Pullen after they began to rage? M. Horton? M. Caruell and many §10others? and how did they kill y• good mans heart / old good M. Coverdale? although they pretended they would provide for him / after much ado from the council / and as they say / from the Queen to them / & yet they allotted him a small portion / and paid him by fits / and sometimes with base gold / and money if they had any worse then other / which I have heard very credibly reported. Old D. Turner was much beholding §20to them / being a good man / & an ancient preacher / never shaven nor greased / & yet he had no small stir by them / M. Leaver / M. Samson / and some other / at this day learned & godly / how have they grieved their good hearts? utterly leaving some of them without living / to the wide world / to shift as they can.
And tyll it be examined / I would that they whych are honest men / woulde bryng to lyghte their doings whych they knowe / for as finely as they haue hādled the matters / there are some which know §20inough / and I trust they will impatt it ere long to the state / y• they whych are of so sharp a sight to see who offende them / may themselues lie opē / and shew how they offend God and his church / and howe vtterly vnnecessary they are / and to be remoued from their roumes / and their roumes from the churche / whych by them are continued to stall the popishe Bishops in their pompe againe / if euer their tyme serue them heere. For good orders / lette vs heare any one they make / §30but euen as the lawe directeth them / which any other temporall officers myght / and woulde doe as well as they / if the lawes dyd not prohibite it. And there is none other but lawes wt them / no God his booke / no brotherly talke wt them / they will not runne in a premunire for any of all their brethren / nor for any of God hys matters neyther / they will not haue the Queenes displeasure ⟨p. 25⟩for any of them all / they wil not be defaced1 whatsoeuer commeth of it / nay they wil raile vpon / and reuyle their brethren / they will persecute and prisone them / they will stirre her maiestie and all other agaynst them / they will sterue / stiffle / and pine them to death. Howe many good mennes deathes haue they bene the cause of / by an inwarde sorrowe conceyued of their doings? howe sodainly dyed master Pullen after they began to rage? M. Horton? M. Caruell and many §10others? and howe did they kill y• good mannes heart / olde good M. Couerdale? although they pretended they wold prouide for him / after much adoe from the counsell / and as they say / from the Queene to them / & yet they allotted hym a small portion / and paide hym by fittes / and sometymes wyth base golde / and mony if they had any worse then other / whych I haue heard very crediblye reported. Olde D. Turner was muche beholding §20to them / being a good man / & an auncient preacher / neuer shauen nor greased / & yet he had no small stirre by them / M. Leauer / M. Samson / and some other / at this day learned & godly / howe haue they greeued their good heartes? vtterly leauing some of them wythout lyuing / to the wyde worlde / to shifte as they can.
1The Bishops own talk / and extreme cruelties.The Bishops owne talke / and extreme cruelties.
And yet they may not shift some of them by those gifts which God hath given them / they may neither preach / nor teach children publicly nor privately. §30And they that are in some livings / what sorrow do they hold them withal / and how ticklishly do they hold them to / evermore in dā ger of being called before the high Commissioners / and to loose those livings. How many have they driven to leave the ministry / and to live by Physic / and other such means / or to leave their country? Howe many students have they discouraged from the study of divinity / and to ⟨p. 26⟩change their minds since they saw their dealings / and to change their studies also? Howe many poor Artificers and other commoners in this city / and elsewhere / have they ill entreated? brought up slanders upon? and by their ill usage and lack of diligent conference / have they not suffered to fall / but have been the cause that they have fallen into errors? Contrariwise / what encouragement and favour have they showed to papists? how have they opened their ears to their §10complaints against the ministers / and shut their ears when Papists have been complained upon / or slightly overpassed it. Yea some of them have said / that conformable Papists were more1 tolerable then these precisians and godly men that seek for reformation? Hanson of Oxford / which amongst other articles was charged justly / and is yet to be proved that he said Story was an honest man / & was put to death wrongfully / and had friends alive would revenge his §20death one day / how slightly did the Bishop of Canterbury use him: what friendship found Thurlbie in his house? may poor preachers be half so well used / or such other poor men / which led by the word of God / do freely utter their con sciences against the abuses in our Reformation? Or rather shall not they find harder dealing then Hanson did: will not they take on more against the author of this book and such like / then against Hanson? Let us proceed / who be their §30Chancellors? but most suspected papists / I hear not of one of them that is no briber. Who be their summers but the veriest varlets? What are the Canonists? What are they but suspected Papists? and where have they their most countenance / but of the bishops?
And yet they may not shyfte some of them by those giftes whych God hath giuen them / they may neyther preache / nor teache chyldren publikely nor priuately. §30And they that are in some liuings / what sorowe doe they holde them wythall / and howe ticklishly doe they holde them to / euermore in dā ger of being called before the hyghe Commissioners / and to loose those liuings. How many haue they driuen to leaue the ministerie / and to liue by Phisicke / and other suche meanes / or to leaue their countrey? Howe many students haue they discouraged from the studie of diuinitie / and to ⟨p. 26⟩chaunge their mindes since they sawe their dealings / and to chaunge their studies also? Howe many poore Artificers and other commoners in this citie / and elsewhere / haue they ill entreated? brought vp slaūders vpon? and by their ill vsage and lacke of diligent conference / haue they not suffered to fall / but haue bene the cause that they haue fallen into errors? Contrarywise / what incouragement and fauor haue they shewed to papists? how haue they opened their eares to their §10complaints against the ministers / and shut their eares when Papists haue bene complained vpon / or slightly ouerpassed it. Yea some of them haue sayde / that cōformable Papistes were more1 tollerable then these precisians and godlye men that seeke for reformation? Hanson of Oxforde / whych amōgst other articles was charged iustly / and is yet to be proued that he sayde Storie was an honest man / & was put to death wrongfully / and had frendes alyue would reuenge hys §20death one day / howe slightly dyd the Byshop of Canterbury vse hym: what frendshippe founde Thurlbie in hys house? may poore preachers be halfe so wel vsed / or such other poore men / which led by the word of God / doe freely vtter their cō sciences against the abuses in our Reformation? Or rather shal not they find harder dealyng then Hanson did: will not they take on more agaynste the author of thys booke and suche lyke / then against Hanson? Lette vs proceede / who be their §30Chauncelloures? but most suspected papistes / I heare not of one of them that is no briber. Who be their summers but the vertest varlets? What are the Canonistes? What are they but suspected Papistes? and where haue they their moste countenaunce / but of the byshops?
1I wis you shall send Precisions / as you call them / better subjects then these / as b•d as you make them.I wis you shall synde Precisiōs / as you call them / better subiects then these / as b•d as you make them.
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 /
three Collects1 for that day? There is also *a Commination grounded upon great reason / if that be well marked / which the priest (forsooth) must say at the entrance into the matter / that is / what a piece of Discipline was in former times kept about the holy time of Lent / which until it be restored / would be supplied with this Jewish *order. But what place of scripture doth induce them to reduce this ceremony? or what place of ⟨p. 42⟩scripture would warrant such a piece of discipline / as there they seem very desirous to have restored? as who should say such devises of observances for *days and times were profitable or sufferable in Christs church. Let them endeavour to commend god his discipline / which should be all the days and times of our life exercised in Christs church. Let them require that. I would know what there is in Athanasius §10Creed / that that must be upon high5 days (as they term them) rather then the Apostles Creed: I would know why Venite may not serve at Easter as it must all the year afore / and after follow Domine labia? it is surely a strange thing to see the fancies that this book is full of. I overpass the dry Communion (as they call it) the Epistle / the Gospel / the Offertory / and because they have in the former treatises touched many things of the sacraments / of matrimony §20/ of confirmation / & of y• rest / I y• more willingly skip over many things else / saying shortly y• the sacraments are wickedly mangled & profaned. But as for Confirmation / as it hath no ground out of the scriptures at all / so I would6 have their prayer marked / how they reckon up y• sevenfold grace as the papists did? neither more nor less / where they have one grace more / then the. 11. of Isaiah hath / which they allude to. And again / they have far fewer then are mentioned §30in the rest of the scriptures. Lord / to se• these very follies / may not this book be altered neither in matter nor manner? Surely / then have7 you a mannerly sort of ministers that strain courtesy to forbear to lie / and to forbear superstition / when they seem to present themselves before the Lord / which can worse like such service then you can to forbear it.
thre Collects1 for that day? There is also *a Commination grounded vppon great reason / if that be well marked / which the priest (forsothe) must say at the entraunce into the matter / that is / what a peece of Discipline was in former times kept about the holy time of Lent / which vntill it be restored / would be supplied wyth this Iewishe *order. But what place of scripture dothe induce them to reduce thys ceremonie? or what place of ⟨p. 42⟩scripture woulde warrante suche a peece of discipline / as there they seeme verye desirous to haue restored? as who shoulde saye suche deuises of obscruances for *dayes and tymes were profitable or sutterable in Christes churche. Let them endeuoure to commend god hys discipline / whych should be all the dayes and tymes of oure lyfe exercised in Christes churche. Let them require that. I would knowe what there is in Athanasius §10Creede / that that must be vpon hyghe5 dayes (as they terme them) rather then the Apostles Creede: I woulde knowe why Venite may not serue at Easter as it must all the yeare afore / and after folow Domine labia? it is surely a straunge thyng to see the fansies that this boke is full of. I ouerpasse the dry Communion (as they call it) the Epistle / the Gospel / the Offertorie / and because they haue in the former treatises touched many things of ye sacramēts / of matrimonie §20/ of confirmation / & of y• rest / I y• more willingly skippe ouer manye things else / saying shortly y• the sacraments are wickedly māgled & prophaned. But as for Confirmation / as it hath no ground out of the scriptures at all / so I wold6 haue their prayer marked / how they recken vp y• seuenfold grace as the papistes did? neither more nor lesse / where they haue one grace more / then the. 11. of Esay hath / which they allude to. And again / they haue farre fewer then are mentioned
1Service for Lent / • shwedensday. &Seruice for Lent / • shwedensday. &
I have thus much further ⟨p. 43⟩examined the orders that these men use in prayer / beside the general observation / that they allow prayer in public place without a sermon / which is rightly prohibited in Churches reformed. Would the word of God thus negligently / thus fantastically / profanely / and heathenishly be preached? or the sacraments be so wickedly / with out examination at the supper / or sincerity at baptism / be so (I say) wickedly ministered? would prayers be made either that were so foolish / or so §10superstitious / or so false / or y• best of them so undevoutlye / if there were such right orders as were in the churches planted by the Apostles / as is in the best reformed churches / and ought to be in ours? What though these men be / and will be taken so learned / so right / that they need learn of none other / are not these their orders? do they not maintain them? do they not persecute them that speak against them? and yet I pray you are they not stark naught? yea / and so are divers §20of them / not only for their bribing and corruption / and their arrogance / their tyranny / but for flat heresy in the sacrament / and some be suspected of the heresy of Pelagius. For the first / y•1is concerning the sacrament / the bishops are notoriously known which err in it / and for Free will not only they are suspected / but others also. And in deed the book of the Articles of christian religion speaketh very dangerously of falling §30from grace / which is to be reformed / because it too much inclineth to their error. Other things there are maintained by some of them which are not agreeable with the Scripture: namely the false interpretation of this clause in our Creed (he descended into hell) which is expressly2 set down contrary to the scriptures in the Creed made in meter in these words: His spirit did after this descend into the lower parts / ⟨p. 44⟩to them that long in darkness were / the true light of their hearts. If they can warrant this out of the scriptures / then Limbus patrum / & within a while purgatory will be found out there.
I haue thus much further ⟨p. 43⟩•xamined the orders that these men vse in prayer / beside the generall obseruation / that they allowe prayer in publique place without a sermō / which is rightlye prohibited in Churches reformed. Would the word of God thus negligently / thus santastically / prophanely / and heathemshly be preached? or the sacraments be so wickedly / with out examination at ye supper / or sinceritie at baptisme / be so (I say) wickedly ministred? woulde prayers be made eyther that were so folyshe / or so §10superstitious / or so false / or y• best of them so vndeuoutlye / if there were suche righte orders as were in the churches planted by the Apostles / as is in the best reformed churches / and ought to be in oures? What though these men be / and wil be taken so learned / so right / that they neede learne of none other / are not these their orders? doe they not maintaine them? doe they not persecute them that speake agaynste them? and yet I praye you are they not starke naught? yea / and so are diuers §20of them / not onely for their bribing and corruption / and their arrogancie / their tyrannie / but for flat heresie in the sacrament / and some bee suspected of the heresy of Pelagius. For the first / y•1is concerning the sacrament / the bishops are notoriously knowne which erre in it / and for Free will not onely they are suspected / but others also. And in deede the booke of the Articles of christian religion speaketh very daungerously of falling §30from grace / which is to be reformed / bicause it too muche enclineth to their erroure. Other thyngs there are maintained by some of them whych are not agreeable wyth the Scrypture: namely the false interpretation of thys clause in our Creede (he descended into hell) whych is expresly2 set downe contrary to the scriptures in the Creede made in meter in these wordes: Hys spirite dyd after thys descend into the lower parts / ⟨p. 44⟩to them that lōg in darknesse were / the true light of their heartes. If they can warrant thys oute of the scriptures / then Limbus patrum / & within a while purgatorie will be founde oute there.
1Bishops themselves / some of them in heresies / and some suspected. The book of Articles of christian religion.Byshops thēselues / some of thē in heresies / and some suspected. The boke of Articles of christian religion.
And yet this must be privileged / and such like divers matters disagreeing with the scriptures / 1as in the humble suit of a sinner it is said / that the Saints and Angels see Christs bloody wounds as yet / and in their last great Bible in §10the first edition of it / such a sight of blasphemous pictures of God the father / as what they deserve for it / I will refer them to none other judge then their own note upon the. 15. verse of the fourth of Deuteronomy / we hold I wot not what heresies that speak against their pride & traditions / but they that expressly speak and we against the scriptures / hold nothing I trow but […]. But let these guides weigh the scripture / which saith / you strain a gnat / and §20swallow down a Camel. Well now / seeing we2 have thus far weighed / partly God his orders for the ministers election / for their exercises / and for their equality / that it is better then our L. Bishops / for the continuing of sound religion / and that the order of bishops is contrary to the scriptures / and that they make and maintain with cruelty against the scriptures many wicked orders / let us now come to the other part / which is of the government of the church / to see how §30that standeth by the scriptures. I have already made mention of a Consistory / which were to be3 had in every congregation.
And yet thys must be priuiledged / and suche like diuers matters disagreeing with the scriptures / 1as in the humble sute of a synner it is sayde / that the Saintes and Angelles see Christes bloudye woundes as yet / and in their last great Bible in §10the first edition of it / such a sight of blasphemous pictures of God the father / as what they deserue for it / I will referre them to none other iudge then their owne note vppon the. 15. verse of the fourth of Deuteronomie / we holde I wotte not what heresies that speake agaynst their pride & traditions / but they that expresly speake and we againste the scriptures / holde nothyng I trowe but 〈…〉. But lette these guides weyghe the scripture / which saythe / you strame a gnatte / and §20swallowe downe a Camell. Wel now / seeing we2 haue thus farre weyghed / partly God his orders for the ministers election / for their exercises / and for their equalitie / that it is better then oure L. Bishops / for the continuing of sounde religion / and that the order of bishops is contrarye to the scriptures / and that they make and maintaine wt crueltie agaynst the scriptures many wicked orders / let vs nowe come to the other parte / which is of the gouernment of the churche / to see howe §30that standeth by the scriptures. I haue alreadye made mention of a Consistorie / which were to be3 had in euery congregation.
1The humbl• suit of a sinner. The last great Bible.The humbl• sute of a synner. The last great Bible.
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 §30know 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.
he is against me sayth Christe. Another / he talketh for the Quenes supremacie / Out saythe he / may not the Queene doe thys and that / but you muste 〈…〉her to a reckening:
§20
what it was / and what may be looked for at theyr handes / and somewhat more shall be sayde of it heereafter.
§30
the same prouision againe / without losse in manner to any partie. If none other way may be founde / then haue the bishops and cathedrall churches temporalties inough / to redeme those liuings that be impropriated / or otherwyse out / and to better those liuings whych are too small / and as I thynke to be employed to other good vses of the church also.
order for these things drawne oute of the scriptures / which order is this.
shuld be emploied to the ministrie / whether it be in the vniuersitie or elswhere / that such be brought vp to this turne.
§30
suche vaine men / but the churche of God they become not / and are forbidden by oure sauioure.
of tarying on theyr charge laide vpon them wt their charge / except by ye good order o• ye churches it be thought expediēt / or when ye shepe are wolues / & so they dryuē to flie frō them:
••
§10
must be sent of God / endued wyth the gyftes of God / furnyshed wyth hys graces vnto that ministerie / that they may be able to bring the good tidings of peace / and good thyngs to their congregations / that their feete may be beautifull to them / that they may knowe that they are iewels of God bestowed vpon hys churche / that euerye churche may be assured they haue a treasure of their minister or ministers.
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?
§30
in the rest of the scriptures. Lorde / to se• these very follies / may not thys booke be altered neyther in matter nor manner? Surely / then haue
you a mannerly sort of ministers that strain curtesie to forbeare to lie / and to forbeare superstition / when they seeme to present themselues before the Lord / which can worse like such seruice then you can to forbeare it.
