in ministers and Elders whiche is described for other offenders and to be donne towardes them rather with more seueritie Now folowith the Discipline reformed and confirmed by the authoritie off the churche and magistrate IT is moste cumlie and godly that Christian people resorte together in place and tyme therunto by common consent appointed yff the persecution off the vngodly will suffer the same and they themselues haue no vrgent cause to the contrary there to heare the pure doctrine off Gods worde taught and them selues openly with their presence and voice to declare the consent off their hartes to the same and to confesse with their mouthe agreablely their belieff and faith vpon god and his holy worde according to the scriptures The congregation thus assembled is a particuler visible churche such as maye be in diuers places off the worlde verye manye And all theis particuler churches ioyned together not in place for that is not possible but by the coniunction off true doctrine and faithe in the same do make one whole churche in this worlde And the electe off God that be in this whole churche and euery parte theroff with all the elect that hath byn from the beginninge off the worlde and shall be to the ende theroff doo altogether make that holy catholike and Apostolike churche the spouse off oure sauiour christe wchiche he hathe purified to him selff in his blood wheroff mention is made in the creede I beleue one holie Catholike and Apostolike churche But at this present oure consideration muste be off the visible and particuler churche The signes and notes off a visible churche are thies Firste true and goldly doctrine Secondly the right ministration and vse off the Sacramentes and common praier Thirdly honest and godly liffe yff not in the whole multitude yet in manie off them fourthly discipline that is the correction off vices but the 2. firste notes are suche as withowt the whiche no forme off anie godly visible churche can possibly be Wherfore they be the principall and chieff notes And therfore we define a particuler churche visible to be the congregation off Christen men whither they be fewe or many assemblinge together in place and time conuenient to heare Christes true Doctrine taught to vse his holy Sacramentes rightly and to make their common praier together in the whiche their appearethe a studie off honest aÌ„d godlye liffe and which hathe in it a godly discipline that is to saye ordinaunces and decrees Ecclesiasticall for the preseruation off comely order and for the correction off vices Off the doctrine off the churche which is the first note The Doctrine whiche we holde and professe in oure church is the same that is taught in the canonicall bookes off the holie bible conteininge the olde testamente and the newe in the whiche is conteined the true and liuelie worde off god and the doctrine off helthe bothe as concerninge faithe and godly liffe at full sufficient for the saluation off all the faithfull that vnfainedly beleue therin The summe off the whiche as concerninge faithe is briefly and truly comprehended in the 3. creeds the common creede commonly called the creed off the Apostells the Nicene creed and the crede off Athanasius And as concerninge godly liffe in the ten commaundementes written in the xx chapter off Exodus Off the Sacramentes and common praier the second note We obserue ad kepe the forme and order off the ministraon off the sacramentes and common praier as it is set foorh by the authoritie off the blessed kinge Edwarde off famous memorye in the laste booke off the English seruice Wheroff notwithstanding in the respecte off tymes and places and other circumstances certeine rites and ceremonies appointed in the sayed booke as thinges in different maie be left owte as we at this present doo The times and houres for the teachinge and hearing off goddes worde and the ministration off the sacramenâ—es and and saying and hearing of the coÌ„mon praier such as be nowe vsed or shall heare afâ—er by common coÌ„sent be thought moste meete to be vsed are to be kept and obserued off all men not hauing lauful cause to the contrary Off the Ministers off the worde Sacra ments and common praier It is thought expedient for the churche at this present to haue 2. Ministers or teachers off the worde elected off dotrine and godly liffe such as the rule off the scripture dothe requyre as muche as maie be And that the sayde 2. Ministers and teachers off the worde shall in all things and points be off like authorite and neither off them superior or inferior to other Item that the saied 2. Ministers shall by themselues or fit persons by them and the Seniors in the name off the whole congregation to be appointed when necessarie cause shall so requyre preach the ordinarie Sermons on wensdaies thursdayes and sondaies before noone and after noone instruct and Heare the examination off the youthe in the Catechisme on sondaye in the after noone at the howre accustomed and shall by them selues or other appointed persons as is afore sayed Minister the Sacramentes dewly saye the common prayers distinctly viset and comfort the sick specially at their last tyme and howre off deathe bury the dead comely and obserue all other comely rites and vges in the churche directing all their behauiour actes and life according to the rule off off their vocation set foorth in the holie scriptures Item that sixe either fewer or more as the habilitie off the churche wilâ— beare such as be godly and haue nede off the helpe off the churche be appointed by the Ministers and Seniors in the name off the whole congregation Wheroff 4. to be well lerned who shall reade and expownde the chapters and shall helpe the two ministers off the worde when nede shall require in the doctrine off the worde Catechisinge off youthe Ministringe off the Sacramentes sainge off common praier and the other two or moo shall ayde also the sayed ministers Seniors and Deacons in visitinge off the sick and seinge to strangers and in callinge off the congregation when nede shall be and in all other necessarie and comelie thinges and rytes to be done in the churche Notwithstandinge anie other godly and lerned men whiche lyue off them selues and be not burthenus to the churche maye helpe the Ministers off the worde in the aboue named Ecclesiastical functions iff they themselues so will and be ther vnto called by the saied ministers and Seniors Item for the further instruction off youâ—he and seruants it is thought good that besides the examination off children in the Catechisme ordinarely vsed the said children and seruants with the whole congregation shulde be all presente at oure ordinarie sermon to be made purposely for them on sondayes at afternoone so lernedly that it be yet for their capacitie most plaine and with all possible perspecuâ—tie and that one tenor off Christian doctrine from the beginninge to the ende be obserued and kepte in
he saied onely by warrant of mans authoritie and no grownde in godds worde for the same and had also a longe tyme verye superstitiously in the masse byn wickedly abused But yff he might not be suffred to minister the Sacraments accordinge to his conscience he then requested that some other might minister the Sacraments and he woulde onely preache Iff nether coulde be admitted be besought them that he might be discharged But to that the congregation woulde in no wise consente Whiles these things were thus in handlinge came maister Leuer before elected who assemblinge the congregation requested that he might withe their consentes appointe suche an order as shulde be bothe Godly withowt respecte off the Booke off Geneua or anye other requestinge farther that for so muche as that office was off so great importaunce aÌ„d that he had not byn in the like before that he might betweene that and Easter haue a triall off them and they off him and so at the ende off that terme either take or refuse whiche time off triall as it was willingly graunted him so when they vnderstoode that the order whiche he woulde place and vse was not altogether suche as was fit for a right reformed churche they woulde in nowise yelde to the same Knox whittingham and others perceyuinge that theis beginnings woulde growe to some what yff it were not staid in time drewe forthe a platt off the whole booke off England into the lattin tonge sendinge the same to maister Caluin off Geneua and requestinge his iudgement therin and shewinge him that some off their countrie men went abowte to force them to the same and woulde admit no other sayinge that it was an order moste absolute and that yff euer they came in to their countrie they woulde do their beste to establishe it againe Nowe folowethe the description A description off the Liturgie or booke off seruice that is vsed in Englande FIrste off all morninge praier offreth it selff The minister hauinge put on a white garment whiche they call a surplesse beginninge withe some sentence off holie scripture as for example â–ª yff we shall saie that we haue no sinne we deceyue oure selues c. or some suche of like sorte Then he takethe in harde the exhortat on whiche stirreth vp to a confession off synnes whiche the minister pronounceth with a loude voice the people sainge after him To this is added an absolution and when these thinges are done he rehersethe the lordes praier and afterward lorde open thow my lyppes and my mouthe shall shewe forth thy praise O god be redie to be my helpe c. Then come and let vs singe vnto th Lorde c. By and by also there folowe 3. Psalmes together at th ende off euery one Then foloweth the first lesson whiche conteinethe a whole chapiâ—er off the olde Testament After this lesson they saie or singe we praise â—he lorde or Blessed be the Lorde c. Then an other lesson owte off the Newe testamente vnlesse peraduenture the solemnization off some highe feast haue other set and apointed lessons Nowe in cathedrall churches they vtter their lessons in plaine songe and theÌ„ afterwards is Benedictus added This booke warnethe that they keepe this order through owte the whole yere Afterwards the crede is pronounced by the Minister all the people in the meane tyme staÌ„ding vp Afterwards fallinge downe vppon their knees the Minister saithe The Lorde be with yow The answere And with thy spirite Then Lorde haue mercy vppon vs Christe haue mercy vppon vs Lorde haue mercy vppon vs c. our father c. pronounced owte alowde off all with all boldnesse Then the Minister when he standeth vpp saithe o lorde shewe vs thy mercy The answere and geue vnto vs thy sauinge helthe O Lorde saue the king In the day wherin we shall call vppon thee Iuduâ— thy Ministers withe righteousnes And make thy chosen people ioyfull O Lorde saue thy people And blesse thyne inheritaunce Geue peace in our tyme o Lorde c. At lenghtâ— Collects are had â—n place off a conclusion the firste for the daie the seconde for peace the laste is for the obteininge off Grace Nowe the eueninge praiers are saide 〈◊〉 manner as the other are sauinge that after the firste lessen foloweth my soule doth magnifie the lorde After the 2. lessen Now Lorde c. and in steed off that collect God whiche arte the Author off peace is vsed o God from whom all holie desiers c. besides there is caution added that all Ministers shall exercise them selues continually aswell in morninge praiers as eueninge praiers except perhapp by studie in dyuinitie or some other busynes they be greatly and necessarely let or hindred· Besides vppon euery Sabothe daie wensdaie and fridaie there is yet in vse certeine suffrages deuised off Pope Gregory whiche beginnethe after this manner O God the father off heauen haue mercy vppon vs miserable synners O God the sonne redemer off the worlde c. onely leauinge owte the inuocation off saincts otherwise we vse a certaine coniuringe off god By the misterie off his incarnation by his holy natiuitie and circumcision by his haptisme fastinge and temptation by his agonie and bloudie sweate c. yea it comprehendethe in plaine wordes a praier to be deliuered from suddain deathe the people answeringe to the ende off euery clause either spare vs good lorde or ells Good Lorde deliuer vs or we beseche thee to heare vs Good Lorde O Lambe off God that taketh awaie the sinnes off the worlde is thrise repeated Then Lorde haue mercy vpon vs thrise and then the Lords praier with this praier also o Lord deale not with vs after our sinnes to the same adioined passinge ouer some things least we shulde seeme to syfte all those drosses which remaine still amonge vs. Nowe the manner off the supper is thus The nomber off three at the leaste is counted a fitt nomber to communicate and yet it is permitted the pestilence or some other common siknes beinge amonge the people the Minister alone maie communicate withe the sicke man in his house First therfore the Minister muste be prepared after this manner in a whit lynnin garmente as in sayinge the other seruice he is apointed and muste stande at the Northeside off the Table Then is had the Lords praier after the custome then he reciteth the collect and after folowe in order the ten commaundements but so notwithstanding that euery one off the people maye answere lorde haue mercy vpon vs and inclyne oure hartes to keepe this lawe After the rehersall off the commandements the collect off the daie as it is called and an other for the kinge is had By and by the Epistle and Gospell folowethe to witt suche as the callender apointethe for that daie And there in this place there is a note that euerie holy daye hathe his collect Epistle and Gospell whiche fill 73. great leaues off the booke â— when the reste fill scarse fiftie For all holy daies
Bale Edmond Sutton Iohn Makebraie VVilliam VVhitingham Thomas Cole VVilliam VVilliams George Chidley VVilliam Hammon Thomas Steward Thomas wood Iohn Stanton VVilliam VValton Iasper swyft Iohn Geofrie Iohn Graiâ— Mighell Gill. Iohn Samford Iohn VVood. Thomas Sorby Anthony Caâ—iâ—r Hugh Alforde Nowe to ruturne to the tenor of the letter which the congregation off Franckford wrate by Maister Chambers to the students off Zurick WE haue receyued your 2. seuerall letters the one dated the 23. off October sent vs from Strausbrough and the other the 27. off the same by the hands off your deare frinde Maister Chambers and haue conferred with him at large touching the contents theroff And when as after diuers assemblyes and longe debatings the saied Maister Chambers perceyued that we coulde not in all points warrant the full vse off the booke off seruice whiche semethe to be your full scope and marke and also waying in conscience the great benefit that God hathe in this câ—â—e offred to our whole nation he not only reâ—oised at the same but also promised to trauell in perswadinge yow to the futheraunce therof As touchinge the effecte off the booke we desire the execution theroff as muche as yow so farr as Gods worde dothe commende it but as for the vnprofitable ceremonies aswell by his consent as by ours are not to be vsed And althoughe they were tollerable as some are not yet beinge in a strange commoÌ„ wealthe we coulde not be suffred to put them in vre and better it were they shulde neuer be practised then they shulde be the subuersion off oure churche whiche shulde fall in great hassard by vsinge them The matter is not oures more then yours excepte anie excell others in godly zeele but bothe wishe gods honor Iff a larger gate be opened there to the same then to vs vppon your perswatione ye shall not finde vs to drawe back for this is that necessitie brethern that maie not be neglected yff we wishe the comforte and gatheringe together off oure dispersed brethern Yff anie think that the not vsinge off the booke in all pointes shoulde increase our godly fathers and bretherns bands or els anye thinge deface the worthie ordinances and lawes off our Soueraigne Lorde off moste famous memory K. Edward the 6. he semethe ether litle to waie the mater or ells letted through ignorance knowethe not that euen they themselues haue vppon considerations off circumstances altered heretofore many thinges as touchinge the same And iff god had not in theis wicked daies otherwise determined woulde here after haue chaunged more yea and in oure case we dowte not but that they woulde haue don the like Theis fewe lines concerninge bothe our coÌ„munications we haue accordingely written vnto yow referringe the reste to the discretion off oure Good frinde Maister Chambers who knoweth that we haue shewed oure selues most conformable in all thinges that standethe in our powers and moste desirous off your companies accordinge to our former letters The spirit off God moue your hartes to do that which shal be most to his glory and the comforte off your brethern At Franckford this 15. off Nouember Your louinge frinds c. The 28. off Nouember Maister Chambers came againe to Franckford from Sâ—rousbrough and with him Maister Grindall with letters from the lerned men there subscribed with 16. off their handes whiche letter was as folowethe WHen we do consider what inwarde comforte it were for â—he faithfull people off Englande now dispersed for the gospell and wandringe abroad in strange countries as shepe withowte pastor to be gathered together in to one congregation that with one mouth one minde and one spirit they might glorifie God we haue at all tymes and do presently think it oure dewties not only in harte to wishe that thinge but also to labor by all means so muche as in vs lyethe to bringe the same to passe And hauinge nowe perfit intelligence off the Good mindes whiche the magistrats off Franckford beare towardes yow and others oure scattered countrie men and also vnderstandinge off the free graunt off a churche vnto vs wherin we maie together serue god and not dowtinge off their farther frindshipp in permittinge vs franckly to vse our religion accordinge to that godly order sett forthe and receaued in England We bothe geue god thankes for so great a benefit and also thinke it not fit to refuse so frindly an offre or to let slippe so good an occasion Therfore neither dowtinge off their good furtherance hereunto not yet distrustinge your good conformitie and ready desiers in reducinge the Englishe churche now begun there to it former perfection off the laste had in Englande so farre as possiblie can be atteined least by muche alteringe off the same we shulde seeme to condemne the chieff authors theroff who as they nowe suffer so â—re they moste redie to confirme that facte with the price off their blouds and shulde also bothe geue occasion to our aduersaries to accuse oure doctrine of imperfection and vs of mutablitie aÌ„d the godly to dowte in that truthe wherin before they were perswaded and to hinder their coÌ„minge hither whiche before they had purposed For the auoidinge off these and the obtaininge off the other moued hereunto in conscience and prouoked by your ientle letters we haue thought it expedient to sende ouer vnto yow oure beloued brethern the bringers hereoff to trauell withe the magistrats and yow concerninge the premisses whose wisedomes lerninge and godly zeele as they be knowen vnto yow so their doings in this shall fullie take place withe vs And yff they obtaine that whiche we truste will not be denied at no hands Then we intend God willinge to be with yow the firste off February next there to helpe to set in order and stablishe that churche accordingly And so longe altogether to remaine with yow as shall be necessary or vntill iuste occasion shall call some off vs awaie And we dowte not but that our brethern off Zurick Emden Duesbrough c. will do the same accordingly as we haue praied them by oure letters trustinge that yow by yours will make like requeste Fare ye well from Strasbrough this 23. off Nouember Your louing frinds Iames Haddon Edwin Sands Edmond Grindall Iohn Huntington Guido Eaten Iohn Geoffrye Iohn Pedder Thomas Eaten Mighell Reymuger Augustine Bradbridge Arthur Saule Thomas Steward Christ Goodman â–ª Humphry Alcocson Tho. Lakin Tho. Crafton THis letter was red to the congregation at whiche tyme maister Grindall declared the occasioÌ„ of ther coÌ„minge whiche amoÌ„ge other things was chieflie for thestablishinge of the booke off England not that they mente as he saied to haue it so strictly obserued but that suche ceremonies and thinges whiche the countrie coulde not beare might well be omitted so that they might haue the substance and effecte theroff Maâ—ster Knox and whâ—ttingham aâ—ked them what they mente by the substance off the booke It was answered by the other that they had no coÌ„mission to dispute those matters but they requested
that the congregation would answere to certeine interogatories whiche were thies First that they might knowe whaâ— partes off the booke they woulde admit The seconde was for a seuerall churche and the thirde what assuraÌ„ce they might haue for their quiete habâ—tation To â—he firste answere was made that what they coulde proue off that Booke to stande wiâ—he gods worde and the countrie permit that shuld be graunted them To the 2. whiche was for a church it was tolde them that they vnderstoode by the Magistrats the tyme serued not to moue anie suche matter till the counsaile brake vp at Ausburge To the third it was saied that a generall graunt was made at their first comminge thither to the whole nation and the fredome off the citie offred to all suche as were desyrous off it in as large and ample manner as they coulde require whiche was to them assurance sufficient Theis 3. questions thus answered maister Chambers and Maister Grindall departe back againe with a letter from the congregation whiche was as followethe Grace mercy and peace c. AS it was euer moste true so at this present we feele most sensiblie that where so euer god layeth the foundation to builde his glory there he continueth till he bringe the same to a present worke All thanks and praise be vnto him therfore that hathe moued your hartes so as in no pointye seeme to forslowe your diligence to the furtheraunce off the same And as the worke is off moste excellencie So the aduersaries cease not most craftely to vndermine it or at the leaste through false reportes and defacing off the worke begon to staâ—e the laborers whiche shulde traueil in the finishinge theroff But truthe euer cleareth itselff and as the Sonne consumethe the clowds so misreportes by triall are confounded Oure brethern sent from yow can certifie yow at lenght touchinge the particulers off your letter to whom we haue in all thâ—ngs agreed whiche semed expedient for the state off this congation As for certeine Ceremonies whiche the order off the countrie will not beare we necessarily omit with as litle alteration as is possible which in your letters ye require so that no aduersary is so impudent that dare either blame oure doctrine of imperfection or vs of mutabilitie excepte he be altogether willfull ignorante rather seekinge howe to finde faultes then to amend them Nether doo we discente from them whiche lie at the raunsome off their blouds for the doctrine wheroff they haue made a moste worthye confession And yet we thinke not that anye godlie man will stande to the deathe in the defence of ceremonies whiche as the booke specifie the vpoÌ„ iuste causes maie be altered and chaunged And yff the not full vsinge off the booke cause the godly to dowte in that truthe wherin before they were perswaded and to staye theyr comminge hither accordinge as they purposed either it signifieth that they were verye slenderly taught whiche for breach off a Ceremonie will refuse suche a singuler benefit or ells that yow haue harde them misreported by some false brethern who to hinder this worthie enterprise spare not to sowe in euerie place store off suche poore reasons Laste off all it remainethe that ye write that the firste off February nexte yow will come to helpe to set in order and establishe this churche accordingly whiche thinge as we moste wishe for your companies sake and for that ye might se oure godly orders alreadie here obserued So we put yow owte of dowte that for to appointe a iourney for the establishing off Ceremonies shulde be more to your charges then anie generall profit excepte ye were determined to remaine with vs longer then 2 monethes as ye write to our countriemen at Densbrorow and Emden whiche letters notwithstandinge are nowe staid and as apearethe we neuer the neere We referre the reste to oure brethern maister Chambers and maister Grindall who by their diligent inquisition haue learned so farre off our state as we wrote vnto yow in our former letters that is that we haue a churche freely graunted to preach gods word purely to minister the Sacraments sincerely and to execute discipline truly And as touchinge our booke we will practise it so farre as gods worde dothe assure it and the state off this countrie permit Fare ye well At Franckf this 3. off December Your louinge frinds Gorge VVhetnall Thomas VVhetnall Iohn Knox. Iohn Bale VVilliam VVhitingham Edward Sutton Thomas VVood VVilliam VVilliams Iohn Stanton Iohn Samford Iohn fox VVilliam Kethe Iohn Makâ—braie VVilliam VValton Mighell Gill. Laurence Kert Iohn Hollingham The answere to this letter from Sâ—rausbrough was as foloweth Grace mercy and peace c. WE haue receaued your letters and also your answere in wrytinge concerninge certeine Articles and do perceyue aswell by the same as by maister Chambers and Maister Grindall your state But for so muche as your opinion is that the tyme doâ—he not presently serue to moue the magistrats in those requests the obteininge wheroff was the principall cause of our sending vnto yow we cannot at this present condescend vppon anie generall meetinge at anie certeine tyme ether to remaine with yow or otherwise And therfore iff yow shall certeinly perceaue a time conuenient that the Magistrats may be traueled withe all aswell for the good and quiete habitation off the commers and especially Students as also a seuerall churche and to knowe whither the exercise off the booke shall be vsed suche we meane as no reasonable maÌ„ shall iustly reproue and that the certeintie off theis matters maie be knowen at the magistrats hands then yff yow can let vs haue intelligence we will farther consuâ—te what is to be done on oure parâ—ye trustinge god shall directe vs to do so as maye be moste to his glorie in the ende howe so euer the presente tyme shall iudge off it From Strausbrough this 13. off December Your louing frinds c. as in the letteers before WHen this letter was redd to the congregation they requested that for so muche as the lerned men coulde not coÌ„descend vppon any generall and certeine tyme off meetinge as nowe appeared by their letters they might conclude vppon some certeine order by common consent still to continewe and that wihowte farther delaye and also to haue the holie communion ministred whiche the moste part ernestlie desired At lenght it was agreed that the order of Geneua whiche then was alreadie printed in Englishe and some copies there amonge them shulde take place as an order moste godly and fardeste off from superstition But Maister knox beinge spoken vnto aswell to put that order in practise as to minister the communion refused to do ether the one or the other affirminge that for manie considerations he coulde not consente that the same order shulde be practised till the lerned men off Strausbrough Zurik Emden c. were made priuy Neither yet woulde he minister the communion by the booke off Englande for that there were thinges in it placed as
are nowe in like vse as were amonge the Papistes onelye verye fewe excepted Then he goethe forwardes to the crede and after that to the sermon iff there be anie Afterwardes the parishe priest byddeth the holie dayes and fastes on their eues iff there be anye that weeke And here the booke warnethe that none defraude the parishe priest off his due or right specially on those feast daies that are dedicated to offrings Then foloweth a praier for the state off the churche militaunte and that not withowte a longe heape and mixture off matters vntill they come after a certeine confession off sinnes to lift vp your hartes the people answeringe we geue thankes to the lorde Let vs geue thanks to our Lorde God the answer It is meete and right so to do It is verie meete right and our bownden dewtie c. vntill they come to that clause O Lorde holie father c. and so the preface accordinge to the feaste is added Afterwards he saithe Therfore withe Angells and Archangells and so endethe with holy holy holy lord god till he come to hosianna in the highest Nowe the priest bowethe his knee acknowledginge oure vnworthynes in the name off all them that shall receiuâ— And settinge owte gods mercye he beseche the God that oure bodies maye be made cleane by his bodie and that our soules maie be washed through his bloude And then he againe standeth vp and takethe in hande a freshe an other praier appointed for this purpos in which are conteined the wordes off the institution all whiche beinge donne he first communicateth then by and by he saithe to an other knelinge Take and eate this in remembrance that Christ died for thee and feede on him in thy harte by faithe with thanksgeuinge Now abowte th ende the Lordes praier it vsed againe the Minister sayinge it alowde and all the people folowinge to conclude they haue a geuinge off thanks in th ende withe Glory to god in the highest as it was vsed amonge the Papistes yff it happen that there be no sermon onely a fewe thinges are omitted but all other thinges are donne in order aforesaid In baptisme the Godfathers are demaunded in the name off the childe wither they renownce the deuell and all his workes the lustes off the worlde c. and they answere I renownce them Then wither they belieue the Artikles off the faithe whiche beinge confessed wilte thow saith he turninge himself to bothe the witnesses be baptized into this faithe and they saie yea I will. After afewe thinge rehersed he takethe the Child and dippeth it in but warely and discretly as it is in the booke vppon whose forehead also he shall make a crosse in token forsoothe that when he is olde he shall not be ashamed to confesse the faithe off Christe Crucified Afterward sendinge awaie the Godfathers and Godmothers be chargeth them that they bringe the childe to be confirmed off the Bishopp as sone as he can saie the Articles off the faithe the lordes praier and the ten CoÌ„maundemeÌ„ts And seinge there be many causes as the booke saithe whiche shulde moue them to the Confirmation off Children this forsoothe off all others is the waightiest that by imposition off hands they maie receiue strenght and defence against all temptations off sinne and the assaults off the world and the deuell bicause that when Children come to that age partlie by the frailtie off their owne fleshe partly by the assaults off the worlde and the deuell they beginn to be in daunger And leafte anie shulde think any error to be in this Confirmation therfore they take a certeine pamflett off a Catechisme whiche consisteth off the Articles off the faithe the Lordes praier and ten commandements and all this is dispatched in lesse then two leaues To these is ioyned their manner off Mariage off whiche that we maie passeouer many petty ceremonies these follies who can suffer The husbande laithe downe a ringe vpon the booke whiche the minister takinge he geuethe it in his hande and biddethe him to put it on the fourthfinger off his wiues left hande Then he vsethe this forme off wordes withe this ringe saithe he I thee wedd withe my body I thee worship withe all my worldly goods I thee endue In the name off the father the sonne and the holy ghoste A litle after the Minister saithe to the newe maried persons knelinge before the lordes table Lorde haue mercy vppon vs Christ haue mercy vpon vs Lorde haue mercy vppon vs Oure father which arte c. Lorde saue thy seruaunt and thy handmaide c. and so a few things beinge rehersed they muste be brought to the Lordes supper The visitation off the sicke is after this manner Peace be to this howse The answere and to all that dwell in the same Lorde haue mercy vpon vs c. our father c. Lorde saue thy seruaunte Answere whiche trustethe in thee Sende forthe thy helpe from thy holy hil and withe spede saue him c. as in the other prefaces withe questions and answers Off the Buriall The Priest meetethe the Corse at the entraunce off the churcheyarde either singing or softly pronouncinge I am the Resurrection and the liffe c. I knowe that my redemer lyuethe Iob. 19. beinge comme to the graue it is sayed Man borne off a woman Iob. 9. When the earthe is throwen in we committ saithe he earthe to earthe duste to duste c. The Lorde hathe geuen the Lorde hathe taken I harde a voice from heauen sayenge Blessed are the â—ead whiche die in the Lorde Lorde haue mercy vppon vs c. The purification of women in childbed whiche they call geuinge off thankes is not only in all things withe vs almoste common withe the Papistes but also with the Iewes bycause they are commaunded in stede off a lambe or doue to offre monie Other thinges not so muche shame it selff as a certeine kinde off pitie compelleth vs to keepe close in the meane season nothinge diminishinge the honor due to those reuerende men who partely beinge hindred by those times and by the obstinacie and also multitude off aduersaries to whom nothinge was euer delightfull besides their owne corruptions beinge as it were ouerflowen did alwaies in their minde continually as muche as they coulde striue to more perfect thinges Note that this description is verye fauourably put downe yf ye conferre it with the Booke off order in all points and the vsage off the booke in many churches of this realme yow can confesse no lesse And hereoff ye maie gather what M. Caluin woulde haue written yf they had noted all the abuses of the same The answere and Iudgemente off that famous and excellent lerned man Maister Iohn Caluin the late Pastor off Geneua touchinge the Booke off Englande after that he had perused the same faithfully translated owte off Latten by maister Whittingham To the godly and lerned men Maister Iohn Knox and Maister William Whittingham his faithfull brethern at Frankford c. THis thinge trulie
Martir Maister Bullinger and Maister Viret that bothe partes shulde drawe their orders and that to be receyued whiche by the iudgements off theis 5. excellent men shuld be thought moste agreable to a reformed churche In the meane time euerie man to stand content withe that order whiche was then agreed vpō and vsed But within fewe daies after this determinatiō was broken ▪ A stranger craftely brought in to preache who had bothe byn at masse and also subscribed to blasphemous Articles ▪ Many tauntinge bitter sermons were made as they thought to oure defacinge in so moche as maister Knox beinge desired therunto off diuers was inforced to purge him self in sundrie pointes and spake his mind freely in the pulpit aswell in reprouinge certeine partes off the Englishe booke as declaringe the punishmente off God whiche partly had light vpon oure countrie for slacknes in Religion so as they seemed to take the matter so to harte that by their false delation in accusinge him before the Magistrates off treason againste the Emperour and the Queene in a certeine boke off his written to oure countrie men off England he was commaunded to departe And the Magistrates vnderstandinge their fetches and greedy cerchinge off their owne glorie who seemed to spare no kinde off contention to purchase the same commaunded that we shulde receiue the frenche order whiche is accordinge to the order off Geneua the pureste reformed churche in Christendome Wherupon all agreed and D. Coxe with others commendinge the same to the congregation gaue thankes to the Magistrate in all oure names Here yow maie note their double faces who bearinge the Magistrate in hande that they receyued his cōmaundement ioyfully priuily practised and so laboured vnder hande that they made this Magistrate vnsaie and so obtained their booke promisinge notwithstandinge bothe to the Magistrate and certaine off the congregation as well to proue by the worde off God so muche off the booke as they woulde vse as also to set forthe the same in writtinge that they before the forsaied order shulde be chaunged might iudge off the equitie theroff But preferringe the ioye off their vnhoped victorie before their promesse did nether the one bycause they coulde not nether the other bicause they durste not And yet haue they not made an ende off their triumphe For beginninge in marche not onely to neglecte all orders in the election off their Ministers and other officers but also to skoff and taunte others in their dailie sermons do not yet ceasse as nowe appearethe by their slanderous and lyinge letters But to th ende we might be deliuered from this vnsupportable yoke God off his mercy hathe prouided better for vs and for this incommoditie hathe graunted vs a double benefit in so muche that contrary to their hope he hathe not onely at Basill moued the Magistrates hartes towardes vs in grauntinge vs a churche but also at Geneua where as Gods worde is truly preached manners beste reformed and in earthe the chiefest place off true comforte Thus in fewe lines I haue gon abowte to satisfie your requeste bearinge with tyme whiche hasteth and also folowinge mine owne Iudgement whiche perswadeth me rather to geue yow a taste off thinges whiche I moued in conscience wryte as moste true then to fill yow with the whole discours whiche iff this maie not suffice yow maie by continuaunce haue at your commaundement Pray for vs brother in this oure banishement that the frutes off this vncorruptible seede maie springe moste abundantly as we praie cōtinually that oure heauenly father woulde so strengthen yow with his spirite off boldenes that yow maie not onely resiste but also triumphe ouer all your enymies to the glorie off God and the confusiō off the aduersaries Knowe before yow iudge and beleue not all fleinge tales keepe one eare open and reporte the the beste Your VVilliam VVhittingham WHere as maister whittingham in this his letter makethe mention off a churche graunted them bothe at Basill and Geneua it is to be noted that he himselff was the man whiche the oppressed congregation required to trauel therin and through goddes great mercy obtained it with great fauour who in his iourney passed by Zurik to knowe off Maister Bullinger what he thought off the booke off Englande for that he who had raported to maister Williams Whittingham Gilbie and others that Cranmer Bishop off Canterbury had drawen vp a booke off praier an hundreth tymes more perfect then this that we nowe haue the same coulde not take place for that he was matched withe suche a wicked clergie and conuocation with other enymies Euen he I saie yet stood in this that maister Bullinger did like well off thinglishe order and had it in his study But when Whittingham had demaunded that question Bullinger tolde him that indede Maister H and Maister C. asked his iudgemente concerninge certeine pointes off that booke as Surples priuate baptisme Churchinge off wemen the ring in mariage with suche like whiche as he saied he allowed not and that he nether coulde yff he woulde nether woulde yff he might vse the same in his churche what so euer had byn reported Whittingham passinge from thence to Geneua maister Caluin shewed him a letter sent from D. Coxe and from 14. more off Franck. in whiche letter they partly excused them selues that they put order in their churche withowte his coūsaile asked and partely reioycīge for that they had as they saide brought the moste parte that had withstande their doynges to their opinion which not withstandinge was farr otherwise They wrote also that they had elected a pastour 2. Ministers 4. Seniors and 2. Deacons c. but howe parciallie they proceaded in their elections those that were in office nether discharged nor yet their consents required I leaue to the consciences off them whiche sawe those disorders To this letter off thers the contentes wheroff are aboue touched maister Caluin answerethe in this wise To the worshippfull my louinge brethern in the lorde maister Richard Coxe and the rest off the Englishemen whiche nowe remaine at Frankford PAraduenture I answere your letter worship frinds and brethern more slowlie then ether ye hoped or looked for but for so muche as ye knowe the wayes for a tyme so to be beset withe thenes that no messenger allmoste coulde passe from hence to yow the excuse of my long delay towardes yow shal be the easier I expressed my minde frankly to oure beloued brother Thomas Sampson off that wheroff I was enformed by the letters off certeine men as touchinge the contention vnluckelie stirred vp amonge yow For certene off my frindes founde thē selues greued that yow woulde so preciselie vrge the ceremonies off Englande wherby it might appeere that ye are more geuen and addicte to your countrie then reason woulde I confesse that I harde certeine reasons alledgod on your behalff whiche woulde not suffer yow to departe from the receyued order but they might be soone and easilie confuted Nowe as I counsailed mine owne frindes
whâ—che dissented from yow somewhat to yâ—lde yff they might conueniently soâ—t offended me that there was nothinge graunted or relented on your partes Bicause there was no man named vnto me I durste not entrâ—prise to medle with the matter leaste my credit shuld incurre the suspecte off raâ—henes Nowe that ye are more myleder and tractable in this controuersie and that ye haue as ye saie stilled the matter withe quietnes I am verie glad Verely no man well instructed or off a sounde Iudgement will deny as I think that lights and crossings or suche like trifles sprange or issued owte off superstition wherupon I am perswaded that they whiche reteine theis ceremonies in a freâ— choise or when they maie otherwise doo they are ouer greedy and desyrous to drink off the dregges nether do I se to what purpose it is to but â—hen the churche with tryfflinge and vnprofitable ceremonies or as I maâ—e terme them with their propre name hurtefull and offensible ceremonies when as there is libertie to haue a symple and pure order But I keepe in and refraine my selff leaste I shulde seeme to beginne to moue a newe contention off that maâ—ter whiche as yow reporte is well ended All good men will allowe the Pastours and other Ministers elections with common voices so that none complaine that the other parte off the churche was oppressed fraudulently and with craftye practises For it standethe your wisedomes in hande to consider that howe muche commoditie the goodnesse off the Senate dothe deserue so muche enuie shall yow be giltie off or charged withall yf yow haue abused their lenitie or gentlenesse whiche were so well affected towardes your nation Yet I woulde not haue this so taken that I go abowte to be preiudiciall to anie man but I had rather shewe plainely what maie be saide then to norishe an ill opinion by silence or in holdinge my peace But certenly this one thinge I cannot keepe secret that Maister Knox was in my iudgemen nether godly nor brotherly dealt withall iff he were accused by the subtill suggestion of certeine it had byn better for them to haue â—aried still in their owne lande then vniustly to haue brought in to farr countries the fierbrande off crueltie to set on fier those that woulde not be kindled Notwistandinge because it greueth me to speak sleightly off theis euells the remembrance wheroff I woulde wishe to be buryed in perpetuall forgetfullnes therfore I onely counsaile yow not withowt a cause to be wounded that ye applie your selues to make them amendes for the faulte committed When I harde that the one parte was minded to departe froÌ„ thens I earnestly admonished them as it became me that iff they coulde not well remaine there that the distance off place shulde not dissâ—pate or rent in sunder their brotherly agrement for I feared muche least that some priuie grudge off the former contention remained And certainely nothinge coulde more comforte my harte then to be delyuered from this feare For iff anie haplie come to vs it woulde grieue me that there shulde be as it were but a suspition off any secret debate betwene yow Therfore as touchinge that ye haue written off your agrement I desier that it maie be firme and stable that iff it chaunce the one parte to go to an other place yet that yow beinge so sundred by distance off places maie keepe sure the holie bande off off amitie for the fault alreadie committed is to muche although thorowgh discorde it creepe no further Wherfore it shall well be seeme your wisedomes that ye maie be frinds to purge diligentlie what so euer remainethe off this breache Fare ye well brethern the lorde succour yow with his aide and gouerne yow with his spirite powre his blessinges vpon yow and mittigate the sorowe off your exile From Geneua this last off maie Anno 1555. Your Iohn Caluin BYcause that Maister Caluin in his letter maketh mention off lightes some might gather that he was vntruely enformed that in the Englishe booke lightes were prescribed the contrary wheroff appeareth by the descrâ—ption before where it is manifest to such as be lerned that he vsethe the figure auxesis and that this is his argument a maiore ad minus for so muche as lightes and crossinges be 2. off the moste auncienstest ceremonies hauinge continued in the churche aboue 13 hundreth yere are yet for suche causes abolished howe muche more ought all other that haue noâ— had the like continuance and yet abused be vtterly remoued And for that maister Caluin in this letter earnestly wished that all strife shulde ceasse and that yff anie were minded to departe their departure might be suche as all occasions off offence might be cut of and cleane takeÌ„ awaie it was thought good to suche as were determined to go awaie with in 3. weekes after to folowe his counsaile And the rather for that some whiche tooke them selues to be lerned had openly termed their departure a sisme whervpon they wrote to the pastor Ministers and whole congregation this letter folowinge and deliuered it in the open congregation For so muche as through the benefit off God we haue obtained a churche in an other place we thought it good to aduertise yow of the same And to the intent that not onely slanderous reportes maie ceasse but also iff anie offence be either taken or geuen the same maie come to triall we desier that yow for your parte woulde apointe 2· Arbyters and we shall appointe other 2. Who hearinge our matters throughly opened maie witnes where the faulte restethe at whiche time we will vndertake to defende oure departure to be lawfull contrary to the slanderous reportes off some which vnlernedly terme it a schisme Thus farre brethern we thought good to signifie vnto yow thinkinge this to be the onely meanes of oure mutuall quietnes wheroff howe desirous we are our tedious and chargeable iourney maie be a sufficient proffe beinge throughly perswaded that hereby stryfe maie be ended charitie reuiued frindshipe continued Goddes glory aduaunced and oure brethern edified Fare ye well this 27. off August VVilliam VVilliams VVilliam VVhittingham Anthony Gilby Christopher Goodman Thomas Cole Iohn Fox Thomas VVood VVilliam Kethe Iohn Kelke Iohn Hilton Christ Soothous Nicholas Purfote Iohn Escot Thomas Crofton VVilliam VValton Laurence Kent Iohn Hollingham Anthony Carier WHen the Pastour had redd this letter openly to the congregation and was desired to knowe when they shulde haue an answere he saied vnto them that so farre as he perceiued it required none but that whiche might presently be made whiche was that they might departe seinge they were so minded It was replied that for so muche as it was manifest that they had byn slaundered not onely by letters into diuers partes but also by some that then were present who had affirmed their departure to be a schisme and farther that they coulde finde no indifferency at their handes it was thought necessarie to commit the hearinge off that controuersie to lerned
marche the fiftene men meete againe vpoÌ„ certeine Articles to whiche excepte one whiche maister Horne and M. Chambers would not subscribe they al subscribed A litle before our departure it was thought profitable that those thinges which we had collected and agreed vppon shulde be brought in to a certeine forme of a booke adding either owte off the olde discipline or by occasion as we were gatheringe theis thiÌ„ges together such things as might seeme profitable Maister horne and maister Chambers beinge intreated that they would gather those things in suche sorte or ells be present to conferre withe other that reade Maister Horne answerethe that he woulde not neither that there was any suche neede The 16. daie of marche they met againe in the churche and there a certeine bill in whiche were writen certeine articles tendinge to discipline is exhibited vnto them that amonge the fiften it might be deliberated vpon and debated maister Isaac spake many things verie sharplie against one Article as verie daungerous and perilous againste those good men through whose liberalitie the poore off the church were susteined and makinge wise as thoughe he woulde knowe the matter better he requested the bil whiche beinge reached vnto him he putteth it vp in his bosome neither woulde he geue it againe And so by this meanes he tooke away the matter for vs to worke vpon sith that we had no other copie Afterwarde the booke in whiche those thinges were written that were agreed vppon amonge the 15. and certeine thinges owte off the olde discipline and other also were gathered in to some order was brought owte amoÌ„ge them to be consulted vpon and beinge redd maister Horne and Maister Chambers fyrste off all complained that booke was gathered they not wittinge theroff and had byn longe beatten vppon amonge certeine of them and therfore that it was reason that a copie shuld be geuen to them and to maister Isaac and a farther tyme also to delyberate maister Isaac affirmed that he neded 2. monethes or one at the leaste to consider off that booke It was answered that although Maister Horne and Chambers complained that they were not admitted to the collectinge off the booke in that they did vs wronge for beinge of vs therunto required they refused it and left it to others In that they required a copie it semed vniuste seinge that the church had decreed that we the 15. shulde debate togâ—ther as concerninge the writinge off the discipline for that thinge tended againe to a newe dissention Againe that they required so longe a tyme to deliberate and especially Maister Isaac it was moste vniuste For seinge the marte was nowe at hande it was profitable or rather necessarie that oure churche shulde with spede be established and oure ministers elected leaste to oure great infamie men comminge hâ—ther owte off all Europe they might also se the broyles off oure churche and so spread them farr abroad amoge all nations more ouer that it woulde fall owte to the great hurte off the poore yff godly men being offended with oure dissentions beinge before beneficiall to the poore withdrawe nowe their liberalitie and that â—herforee there was nede off spedie helpe in pacifiynge and quietinge the churche before the marâ—e beinge nowe at hande Maister Horne answereth that he requireth not to muche tyme 2. or 3. daies shulde be enough for him to delâ—berate notwithstandinge that the copie ought to be graunted for no lesse tyme seinge many thinges were conteined in that booke and some also darke and dowtefull thinges and to him before that tyme vnharde off or at the least vnknowen and that therfore he requested that all shulde be asked maÌ„ by maÌ„ whither they thought not this reasonable aÌ„d iuste that he required For if to the moste it shulde seeme reasonable he would at anie hande hauie a copie off that booke Euery man therfore was asked beginninge at Maister Bentham he aswell forthe causes before alleadged as also that no occasion off wranglinge might arise off the booke and leaste the booke shulde come to the handes off anye other before it were brought to the congregation and for certeine other causes thought it not meete that anie copie shulde be geuen to anie but that the booke shulde be brought foorthe amonge them and all they hearing it that were appointed off the congregation it shulde be after read and that tyme enoughe shulde be geuen to stande vpon euerie decree and sentence and more exactly to examin them and that this seemed to him very iuste and reasonable And this iuâ—gement is condescended to off all the reste and so Maister Horne leaueth off from requestinge the copie Afterwardes the booke is begonne to be redd from the beginnige and in examininge off euerie off the decrees longe time is spente and off some articles in the beginninge mutche disputation and debatinge is had But Maister Horne Maister Chambers and Isaac beinge asked their iudgemeÌ„ts would not answere no not in the moste plainesâ—e maters and knoweÌ„ of all men either to allowe or disalowe as for exaÌ„ple There was one article we professe the selfsame doctrine which is conteined in the Canonicall bookes off all the holie scripture to witt in the bookes off the olde and newe Testamente in whiche is conteined fullie all doctrine necessary for oure saluation To this and suche other beinge moste plaine and manifeste maister Horne answered as to all thother that he woulde answere nothinge with owte great deliberation By whiche his doinges he gaue occasion to all men to wonder And so some other decrees off that booke beinge examined a meetinge off the 15. was appointed againste the nexte daie and so they departed The nexte daie beinge the 17. off march and againe the daie folowinge beinge 18. twelue off the 15. mette For Maister Isaac Maister Horne and Chambers came not Vpon bothe daies the discipline was more diligently read and examined and off eleuen off them whiche were appointed alowed and subscribed vnto Vpon the 20. daie off marche the discipline was offred to the whole congregation that it might of them either in the whole or in parte be alowed or disalowed and the same daie was it twise reade ouer After the readinge Maister Horne and Maister Chambers require a copie off the discipline that at their leasure they might farther deliberate vpoÌ„ it It was answered that it was to be opeÌ„ly read and reade againe bothe to them and others as often as they woulde with time ynough geueÌ„ to euery man more diligently to examine euerie Artikle but seinge the Magistrate had commaunded that we shulde exhibite to them a copie off the discipline turned in to laten so soone as possible might be Therfore we durste not scatter any copice before the Magistrate had seene it Besydes that we feared leaste Maister Horne and Maister Chambers Who were amonge the 15. appointed off the churche for the writinge off the discipline who might also when they woulde not onely he are the discipline but also examine the same diligently
as tyme and occasion shall serue Concerninge the Article off contribution when the treasure off the churche faileth it perteineth to the ministers and Deacons to trauell by the waie off exhortation with the riche to helpe in that nede withowte anie further compulsion Concerninge the Article off sendinge off common letters for the relieff off the congregation That there be no mention made off anye parte theroff in the booke off discipline but that the ministerie with all possible secrecie vse such pollicies and means as maie beste serue to the relieff and mainteinance off the congregation Concerninge the Article off makinge off lawes that they be made by the ministerie and bodie off the congregation beinge called together for that purpose And iff the ministerie or anie off them refuse to be present beinge by the bodie off the congregation required therunto whithowte iuste cause by them or him alleaged that then after a dewe time geuen for the hearinge off the cause yff they bringe not in good reason and iuste cause off suche refusall Then to be depriued by the same from their or his ministerie and newe to be chosen Concerninge the article off the election off Ministers That a scrutenie be had euerie yere at the tyme off election for the examination off the Ministers off the worde wherin shal be by the appointmente off the congregation six or eight graue and wise men whiche shall heare what faults be alleadged against the same Minister And yff the faults be waightie and worthie off open correction to signifie the same to thâ— congregation that the offenders or offender maie be corrected or depriued accordingly Yff the offences be lesser then that they ought to be published then the saide ministers or minister offendinge to be monished off his faulte accordinge to the discretion off the Scrutiners Concerninge the Article off Testamentes That no man by order in this congregation shall be forced to Register his Testamente but that their be eight or 10. graue wise substantiall and honeste men chosen by the congregation owte off whiche nomber the Testator shall haue his choise or yff he omit the thinge his executours shall haue the choise to take 2. off the saied 8. or 10. besides suche as are made wittnesses whom the executers withâ—in a monethe after the death off the Testator shall make priuie to the Testamente and that the same two beinge required therunto shall faithfully declare vnto euery partie comprehended in the will so muche off the will as shall particulerly appertaine to euery off them and shall keepe secrete all the reste off the will or Testament as they shall proteste before God and the congregation vppon there consciences at the time off their election And nowe in case it shall seeme good vnto all your wisedomes as well off the Ministerie and bodie off the congregation off the one part as off the dissentinge brethern off the other part That we shall by oure mediation proceede anye further accordinge vnto this forme off reconciliation whiche is here described We doo hartely require yow that signifinge your mindes vnto vs with as conueniente spede as ye maie ye will also appoint owte on either parte 2. Discreet and sober persons louers off peace and concorde whiche by conference with other two off vs whom we shall appointe may drawe theis Articles afore written into such a forme as they maie be conueniently anexed to the reste off your Discipline The 29. September 1557. Your lovinge bâ—ethern and countrie Thomas VVrothe Frances Knollys Roger Parker Iohn Abell Henry Knollys Iohn Browne Fran. willforde Iohn Turner Edwin Sandes Thomas Eaton Ricard Springham The answere off the churche to this offre or the effect off the same We cannot allowe this waie off reconciliation offred to oure churche by oure countrie men for as muche as we shulde condemne oure selues as euell doers and oure doinges vngodly and vnreasonable but we are assured we haue not done in oure discipline anie thinge contrary to goddes worde and good reason The last off Septemb. Dauid VVhithead Iohn Hales Thomas Sorby Iohn Pedder Vhomas Ashley Henry Parry Richard Beesley Robart Crowley Thomas wattes Richard Rogers VVilliam Rawlinges Robart Beste Richart Luddington Edmond Haries The copie off the letters off request sentfoorth for relieff off the poore by Maister Sutton 25. Iuly 1557. To all them that beare an vnfayned Reuerence and zeele vnto the eternall Testament off Iesus Christe ioyned withe the charitable and syncere bowells off mercie towardes the poore Grace Mercie and Peace from God the Father by the same oure Lorde Iesus Christe his sonne the common and onely Sauiour off the worlde IT is not like that the brute of the coÌ„trouersie which hathe nowe at the ende off six monethes continued in this Enshe churche at Franckford is vnknoweÌ„ to strangers it is more like that so manie beinge priuie therto it is caried and spread to farre abroad and moste like by the fruites springinge theroff that it hath byn vntruly reported by the willfull authors and stubburne mainteiners off it not onely to the infamie reproche and discredit off the bodie off this churche and to the intent to stopp all relieff from the poore members off the same but also that their vncharitable and leude behauiours shulde not come to light For it is well knowen that diuerse charitable men albeit their persons and names be neither knowen nor desired to be knowen were before the beginninge off this controuersie verie liberall in sendinge their charitie to the vse off this whole congregation vniuersally and some were beneficiall to sundrie members off the same particulerlie whiche sithe that time to oure knowledge they haue left vndone vtterlie We the Ministers off the churche hopinge that theis men the authors and mainteners off this controuersie would in time haue knowen their faults and made satisfaction to the churche as it becomethe christen men to doo did not onelie with pacience suffer their slaunderous talke and vnquiet demenour but also beare with their vniuste dealinge and as much as in vs laye studied to couer their faultie doinges Neuertheles seinge no likelyhood off their amendment but moste manifeste proffes off their malice this poore congregation rather dailie encreasinge then in anie parte abatinge and thereby the pouertie theroff continually augmentinge we thought it oure bownden dewtie in conscience no longer to hide the matter but thus off necessitie constrained to disclose it so as seinge they will not be as they ought to be they maie at leaste be knowen as they be And thus we doo not for anie malice that we beare to anye mannes person as god the sercher off all hartes knoweth but that the truth beinge knowen such good people as through vntrue reporte haue byn perswaded to withdrawe their good mindes and fauor from this poore congregation might vnderstande that withowte iuste cause they haue so longe done it and hereafter be the more willinge to renewe their charitie in the relieuinge off this poore church off Christe