for the kinde affection which I beare to that churche in which I haue bene bothe borne and browght vp and therfore loue most deerelie for goode causes euen as the Apostle saith to liue and die togither I thought yt I saie my dewtie to desire and beseche this Churche earnestlie and carefullie to thincke off this so greate a benefyte whereby yt maie be established for euer And most earnestlie to exhorte and admonishe yt to abolishe that popishe tyrannye which yet remayneth in the gouernment thereoff and to restore againe the most holie pollicie offâ—◠〈◊〉 the churche which our Sauior Christe hath 〈◊〉 vnto vs and to feare lest that the lorde will punishers and will be reuenged off vs iff we contynewe still to despise his discipline But forasmuche as there be many who because they delight rather in a faire owtwarde shewe then the trew symplicitie off the Gospell striue and contend to retaine still this Popishe Hierarchie and conterfaite manner off gouerning the churche blaming that order for many causes which we persuade vnto This whole controuersie is fullie and at large to be disputed of that when they vnderstand the goode cause that we haue to repriue the one and require the other they maie ioyne togither with vs in earnest praiers vnto god and humble suyte vnto hir maiestie That this Popishe tyrannie being at the last vtterlie abolished and cleane taken away In place theroff a better and more holie gouernment of the churche accoding to Goddes worde maie be established Which cause I purpose so to handle that fyrst drawing out the right paterne and platforme off the lawfull pollicie and gouernment off the churche as Christe and his Apostles haue lefte it vnto vs togither their withall I will note our faultes and errors in euerie pointe that by this comparison the trewthe maie more clerelie shine and appeare fyrst therfore seing we haue not to doe with such as reiecte all discipline off the Churche that yt maie be better vnderstode what it is whereoff we dispute I will declare what the lawfull discipline off the churche is I call therfore Ecclesiasticall Discipline the pollicie off the Churche off Christe ordeyned and appointed off God for the goode administracion and gouernment off the same That I make here God the Author off discipline wherupon yt followeth that we haue to fetche the rules thereoff from no other fountaines but from the holie scriptures had nede be more fullie proued because it is denied by many who dare affirme that there is no precepte geuen touching this matter but contend that it is wholy lefte vnto iudgement of the magestrate and off the churche first then let theÌ„ tell vs whie they denie that god hath thus carefullie prouided for Christiane Churches and whie they affirme yt to be lefte free for vs to rule it as we lifte seing that in the olde churche off the Iewes All thinges which perteined not onlie to the gouernment off the cyuile state but also off the Ecclesiasticall for althoughe with them god was Author of bothe yet he wold haue them distinguished the on from the other were so diligentlye and exactelie destributed and bothe commanded by god and commended to writyng by Moses that yt was expresslye forbidden that Nothing should be added vnto yt nor taken from yt For yt appreareth manyfestlye that that exacte paterne off Discipline came not fyrst from Moses but from God by this that Moses testifieth so often that the lorde had apointed the maner off creating and ordeining Ecclesiasticall officiers and and there power and authoritie who aso allwaies readie to punyshe the transgressors off his ordinances with most grieuous plages and punyshementes There is a notable historie in the ninthe off NoÌ„bers off certeine vncleane persons who thincking yt no sufficient cause whie they shold not eate the Passeouer with the rest off Israell because they were polluted with touching off a deade bodie which thei must needes doe seing there died dailie some emonghest them as off necessitye yt commeth to passe in so greate a multitude went to Moses and Aaron desiring that they might not be secluded from that solempne communion off the churche But what doth Moses in this case what taketh he vpon him Surelie nothing at all but referreth the cause wholie vnto God by whose answere they were forbidden to eate the Passouer with the rest off Israell and were put off vnto the next moneth Off which cause properlie belonging to this Discipline which we handle and referred to God yt maie be clearlie vnderstoode That Moses in all the gouernment off the churche did nothing by his priuate authoritie but onlie deliuered vnto them that which the lorde had commanded which thing also Moses him selfe doth plainlie testefie by his often repeating off these wordes As the Lord had commanded And this is that faithfulnes which the Apostle to the Hebrewes commendeth in him that he ruled not the howse off God by his owne will but by the authoritie off the Lorde the master off the howsholde And how preciselie ys yt commanded in the Tabernacle that all should be made after the fashoÌ„ and paterne which had bene shewed by the Lorde in the Montaine neyther so long as kinges were in any tollerable state Any eyther kinges or priestes toke vpon them any suche authoritie to appointe matters belonging to the churche but all thinges were ruled and gouerned according to the will and authoritie off god For whereas in the fashion and buiding off the temple and in the offices off the leuites and off the Singers certeine thinges were somewhat otherwise appointed by danid and Salomon then they had bene commanded by Moses That chaunge and alreracion was not made by the authoritie off Dauid and Salomon as kinges but by the will off God himselfe who apointed yt so by his Prophetes as appeareth in the Chronicles Therfore also the fashion and paterne of the teÌ„ple after it was ouerthrowne was so exactelie drawne out by Ezechiell that the newe temple might he builled againe according to the paterne off God shewed by his Prophete Wherfore also Erra and Nehemiah exacte all there reformacion to the paterne off Moses Dauid and Ezechiel Seing then so stable and certeine a rule off gouerning the churche contynewed vnto Christe the lawes and ordinances were appointed by god him selfe and that it was accompted wicked and vnlawfull for any man boldlye to haue taken any thing in hand in these matters and that suche as did so eschaped not the grieuous punishement and vengaunce off God whie doe they now at the last deliuer god off this care or rather spoile the churche off hir patrone and defender by whose gouernment yt might be preserued and who sitting in the sterne at the helme yt neuer feared any stormes or tempestes but was allwaies safe in all daunger And how absurde and vnreasonable a thing is it then especially to thincke the loue and care off God to be demynished towardes his churche when
ther is no cause why any man should feare that sentence as yf it were this thunderbolt which I haue described But as there hath bene fault into muche lightnes and rashenes and pronouncinge so heauy sentences without iust cause so ther hath bene no lesse fault in this that by negligence this wholesome seuerytie when iust cause and occusion requireth is not executed For that meanes being taken awaye which the Lord would haue exercised in his church and wherby offences are to be prouided for and the whole authoritie translated from the consistorye and company off the Elders to the Bishop and his court where the Pastor must come to pleade yff he will hart from the coÌ„munion suche as are to be put back by the word off god the holie mysteries off god are with great lycence and without any punishement daily prophaned the holie thinges are prostituted and set open to Adulterers fornicators drunckerds and all kinde off vicious and sinfull liuers and which our Sauiour forbiddethe precious stoÌ„nes are cast before hogges and swine And the holie mysteries not only prophaned by taking awaie off this means wherby they might be kept from thes pollutions and propanacioÌ„s but the churche also is brought into an vndoubted dauÌ„ger For asmuche as it is to feared lest that the rest off the body be infected with the same contagion and euen they them selues who be suche heape and doble their condeÌ„nacion for that they dare take in hand to be so bold tho come in suche sort vnto the lords table For besides that the worship and seruice off god is preserued and kept chast pure and vndefiled by this seueritie the whole churche also and euen the parties them selues who are giltie are best by this meanes prouided for And that the church is thus preserued the Apostle plaiÌ„ly sheweth wheras willing them to cast out the leauen he geueth them warninge that the whole lumpe is sone sowred with a litle leauen And that this also doth apperteine to the benefit and safety off the gilty parties S. Paule sheweth noting this to be the end off deliueringe the incestuous man vnto Satan that his sowle might be saued in the daie off the Lord. And againe where he saith that they ougt to be contented with that correction which had bene done lest that peradueÌ„tur the partie should be swallowed vp with to muche greefe Wherby we see that this a medicine rather then a deadly punishement a sharpe aÌ„d bitter medicine in deede But we must remember that no remedy is so greuous as that which is most healthfull and holesome Seinge therfore excoÌ„munication hath so profitable necessarie â—od holesome vses in the churche let it be restored to vs agayne and established in suche sort as ys described by the word off God Let the holie Sacramentes off god be carefully kept from all pollucion and and prophanacion Let the leauen be purged and cast out off the churche that we may be a newe lump as we are vnleauened and sweet breade as the Apostle witnesseth Let vs procure diligently the helth off those membres which be in daunger that we enter not lame and maimed but whole into that life which by the word off God we hope for Let the Angell off God therfore be set at the gate off Eden that with his sharpe and glistering sword he may keepe back all polluted and vncleane persons from tastinge or touching off the tree off life Let the safety off the churche be procured and sought for by this kind of purgation and the amendemeÌ„t off suche as goe astray by these remedies sharpe in deed and vnpleasant but holesome notwithstanding and proffitable Thus in those two kindes or sortes all manner off kindes off Ecclesiasticall discipline aÌ„d remedyinge off offences is conteined onles some man think good that that execration be added which S. Paule denounceth and threatneth in the first to the Corinthians and the last chap. against all those who loue not the Lord Iesus and to the Galathians against suche as preache any other Gospell which S. Iude oute off Enoch semeth to thunder against all the wicked Which iff any man so take and referr to excommunication Saint Iohn seemeth to allude to the necessary vse off excoÌ„munication in the church were as it semeth out off Zachary who had prophesyed that in the kingdome of Christ ther should no more be any Cananite in the Land he declareth that in this cyty which he describeth in the xxij chap. ther should no more be any accursed thing as also in the xxj chap. and xxvij ver and the 22. chap. the 25. ver he alludeth to the same thing wheras he say that no prophane or abhominable thing no doggs inchaunters fornicators â—c shall enter into the cyty But that semeth to be more then a Medicine and to be rather a sentence off deathe and a threatning off the last Iudgement without hope off forgyuennes And some think yt agreeth rather to the vices them selues then to any certen persons as also the Apostle denounceth theÌ„ not against certeÌ„ men but generally against the wicked and reprobate Althoughe the primitiue churche pronounced this sentence euen against certeÌ„ meÌ„ as Socrates declareth in his history that Nestorius was accursed by the churche men which curse saith he we Christianes are wont to call the sentence that is pronounced against a blasphemer when as iff it were grauen vpon some pilleâ— we publishe this sentence to all the world Which iff we take in this sense yt semeth so to answer to excommunication as Destruction Which the Hebrews call Abaddon doth answer to that excision and cutting of whiche they call careth Which hath bene spoken off before Touching which Destruction the Hebrew interpretours confesse that they knowe not certenly what it is yet they do proue plainly that it is an other kind off punyshement distinguished from the other and off more greeuous and certen destruction And let thus much suffise to haue bene spokeÌ„ of the chiefe and soueraigne authority off the Assembly off the Elders in the gouernment off the churche wherby we may see by which of the three states of lawfull gouernmeÌ„t which are wher one is soueraigne or more or all the churche is gouerned For asmuche as the state and kind off gouernment is esteemed off the soueraigne whither he be one moo or the commynaltie Therfore for asmuch as all thinges are ordered and gouerned by the authority off certen chosen men who are cheife in the congregation in godlines and vertewe we may call the gouernment off the churche Aristocratie that is that gouernment and state wherin a fewe off the best do beare the rule or rather Theocratie that is the gouernment off god seing that they haue no authoritie to do any thing but by the word and commandement off god But these chosen aÌ„d picked out meÌ„ do so exercise this authoritie that they do well vnderstaÌ„d they execute no ciuill nor politique gouernment but that they so
manner off gouernment in all humaine societies is off greatest force and power either to the preseruacion or ouerthrowe off the same for there is no common wealthe be it neuer so small no not a howse that can be preserued without some certeine manner off gouernment and discipline And those Kingdomes and common weales hawe alwaies most notablie florished and longest continewed which first off all were sette in goode order off gouernment and afterwardes kepte the same without any alteracion or chaunge As contrarywise the distruction off greatest commō weales and most florishing states haue follwed where either the order of gouernment was yll apointed in the beginning or ells being well begonne was afterwardes altered and neglected for Pollicie gouernment and goode lawes are in citye or any common wealthe what soeuer as the helme is to the shippe the wrest to the Instrument Order to an Armye and as the sowle is to the bodie Hereoff yt came that Athens which was so famous a citie after it could no lenger holde and stere this helme was tossed with euery waue and storme and in the ende perished and was ouerthrowne And hereby also that auncient cytie of Lacedemon chaunging the seuere lawes off Lycurgus chaunged also hir estate euen as a song is chaunged by altering the tyme and note in which it was first sette Hereby the Romaines commonwealthe or Armye rather after that they lefte the seueritie off the lawe off Armes and warlyke discipline whereby they did allwaies more preuaile then by might and power lost also there auncient glorye and renowme And to conclude Hereoff cometh that we see now euerye where so many townes fallen to ruyne and lying lyke the deade carkases off the cities which some tymes they haue bene because that by chaunging there olde gouernment by litle and litle at the last the whole state was lost and went away as the sowle from the bodie And euen as the monumentes off the Greeke and Lattin wryters doe witnesse these thinges to haue chaunced to many common weales and other societies and companyes euē so we reade in the holye histories that the churche which is a certeine societie and companye off suche as professe the trewe seruice off God with no lesse daunger neglected the discipline and order which God there most louīg and wise lawegeuer had apointed them to be ruled bye yea to there muche greater losse and punishement for that besides those incommodities which are wont to chaunce vnto others bye chaunging goode lawes They alwaies founde by experience that the lorde God there lawe geuer was redie to punishe and reuenge the contempte off his discipline and order for to passe ouer the punishement off God vpon the churche off the Iewes whosoeuer doth diligentlie and attentiuelie reade the historie off the Christiane Churche shall well vnderstand that the calamitie off the former times in which the Churche laye Deade as it were by the space off manye yeres came off no other cause then off the contempte off the most holesome and most holie Ordinaunces wherupon yt was grownded by our Lorde and Sauiour Christe that it might haue endured for euer Therfore it is a wonder te see whereas our mercifull God off his vnspeable goodnes and by a singuler myracle euen now off late within the memorie off our fathers hath raised vp the churche as it were out off the graue againe by the voice off the Gospell that so fewe are carefull for the maynteining and preseruing off this life and that being content as it were to be in goode healthe by preaching off the gospell they care not for discipline whereby this healthe maye be the better preserued and also the strengthe and beawtie which was lost by former sicknes be recouerd and gotten againe And surelie it is greatelie to be feared lest that they if they goe thus on stille and continewe to contemne so necessary an ayde fall againe into the calamities off the former tymes and lest that these later tymes become worse and more miserable then the former But I am most off all afraide for our Churche off England which by the space off so many yeres as it hath alreadie embraced the Gospell not onlie thincketh not off instituting a lawfull Discipline therin but in a manner vseth only that which it hath receyued from the Papistes nor will not be persuaded to receyue and imbrace that Discipline which Christe and his Apostels haue lefte vnto vs whose state hitherto hath bene this vntill the tyme off king Henry the eight his reigne for a long space before it had lien deade and as it were without any life Then at the lengthe by the greater fauoure and grace off God towardes vs diuers notable men rose vp who as Elias and Elizeus raised vp the children which were deade So they likewise by most earnest praier and cherishyng yt by all meanes gotte at the last some life into yt so that at the lengthe yt beganne as it were to wexe warme and neese and by certeine articles off sounde doctrine to shewe some tokens off a Churche reuiuing againe And after wardes in the tyme of Edward the sixthe a prince off singuler hope and towardnes in all godlynes and vertewe was fully reuiued and recouereed not only hir life but also hir healthe againe But our churche being thus recouered was contented with physicke onlie and goode diette for hir healthe and vsed no exercise to gette hir colour and strengthe againe for althoughe many did exhorte to abolishe that popishe tyrannye which then was still remayning in the pollicie off the Churche and to place in steade theroff a iust and lawfull manner off gouernment according to the worde off God wich thing especially that famous man Marten Bucer being then a straunger in England did in that booke which he wrote of the Kingdome off Christe yet could not Englād be browght to leaue that forme of gouernīg the churche wherunto it had bene accustomed vnder Poperie but deuided and separated asonder the doctrine and discipline off the Gospell twoe thinges which bothe by there owne nature and also by the commandement off God are to be ioyned togither But forasmuche as healthe can not long be kepte and preserued without due and moderate exercise not long after namelie in those most cruell tymes off Queene mary it fell sicke againe that it was not onlie in daunger off deathe but in a manner past all hope to recouer againe And surelie euen then our churche had out off doubte bene vtterlie destroied as in deede it was browght all to ashes onlesse that heauenlie Sonne Iesus Christe had quickned yt being more then halfe Deade and raised yt vp like a Phenix out off the ashes againe And excepte our most noble Queene Elizabeth had risen vp as a mother in Israell to trauell with and bring forthe our churche againe But this newe byrthe hath not as yet bene any more happie towching the restoring of discipline then were the former tymes Therfore I thowght yt my dewtie euen
interpreters wheroff ar so defyled why do some complaine that both other myschifes ar spronge of this reformacion which we require and especially this that the Papistes being offended with our contencion are further estraunged from embracinge the gospell For what is it that may more further ther saluacion then iffthes offences be taken away wherat they stumble and ar hindered Off which so shamefull disorder as ther be many causes so I allwayes esteemed that the greatest and most waightie That we leauinge this exact maner off tryenge and examininge which the Lorde hath commanded vs to obserue and followe in this behalfe keepe only I cannot tell what shadow and image off yt which we receyued from the Papistes The receiuinge off which one error to followe the fancies off men in steade off the certen lawes off god hath brought in as vsually yt doth infinite other wherby it cōmeth to passe that the most worthy order and degree is most vnworthely prophaned that the church like the popishe sanctuaries is full off vile and vicious persons off all sortes and the gospell euill spoken off by the enemies For wheras certen men haue authoritie that euery one off them twise a yeere may giue orders to whom and to how many they list and that so great a multitude off suters come to them at the tyme off geuing off orders howe is yt possible that one man in a day or two should be able to proue and to examyn so many sewters beinge all for the most part vnknowne to him how can he take any assay or make any triall either off Iudgment in religion or off ther honestie in conuersacion For to subscribe is a small matter with them that thinck it the point off a wise man to dissemble that dispence with them selues to do any thing that they may distroy the church therby and whom Euripides hath perswaded to sweare with the tonge and to keepe the mynd vnsworne Neither is that excuse that is brought for those off vnhonest life any thinge more sufficient which is wont to be made by the testimonialles which commonly the suters beinge vnto them seinge the Apostle expressly warnethe Timothe that he be not brought by other mens Iudgmentes to lay handes to sone vppon any man But iff other do it rashly yet he should keep him selfe free and vnspotted from any such fault Althoughe euery man knoweth what waight thes testimonialles ar off seinge some off fauor commend ther kinsfolkes and Allies vnto the Bishopp by ther lettres or others whom they would gratifie by ther authoritie other some euen for couetousnes and hopinge to deuide the pray with them that by ther meanes obteyne the benefice For the couetousnes off some Patrons is to to well knowne who for ther owne gaine sake wil couenant with him with whome they may for leaste and sometyme iff they haue any seruant in the house that can read because the matter may be more easylie gon throwgh with such a one who would be very willinge to geue the greater parte off his benefice iff he obteine yt by his maisters commendacion and authority to chaunge his vile and base estate with some more honest and liberal condicion they writee for him to the Bishop who hauinge this testimoniall either for negligence or often tymes to curry fauor with suche men doth easylie adimit hym Therfore ther must be a triall off ecclesiasticall officers that all dishonesty may be taken away from that most worthy order and degree that ought to be a patterne and example to all other which beinge done order would be takē that here after before Electiōs ther be a dew ād iust proofe and triall had of thos that are to be chosen that we may exactly keep and follow the Lordes Canons ād decrees in this behalfe in keepinge wherof other churches at this day florishe and haue done now a long tyme And thus muche off Election now let vs come to ordinacion Ordinacion is a settinge a part off the partie chosen vnto his office and as it were a kind of inuesting him into it For after the election a certen order and ceremonie is wont to be vsed wherby the parties chosen enter as it wer anto the possession off ther office Now this ordination as we call it consisteth especially in two ceremonies Namely in praier wherunto also I referre the declaringe off his dewty and laying on off handes For the gospell is content to haue the ministers theroff inuested and ordeined by thes most simple ceremonies nor hath any need off that carefull and curious consecracion off the lawe with which the priestes and Leuites were consecrated And as for praiers S. Luke telleth that when Paule and Barnabas were commanded by the holie ghost to be separated for the worck off God the breethren praied for thē before they were sent out to go on ther message Lickwise also the Apostles praied for the deacōs which the people had chosen that the lord would blesse this newe chamberlainshippe as it were to his honor and the profit of his churche that he would ēdew the parties chosē with worthy gyftes and able thē for the worthy execution of ther office For ther is no doute but the Apostles applied ther praiers to the tyme ād state of the churche ād that as before in the election of Matthias so now also in the admissiō and allowance off the Deacons they praied as the present occasion off the busines did require which was then to be done The other ceremony is the layinge on off handes in praier time vpon the heade off the chosen for so it seemeth that it was wont to be vsed as a thinge belonginge vnto praier that bringing in the chosen before God and as it were presentinge thē vnto him the praiers off the church might be kindled ād be the more zealous ād vehemēt and that it was wōt to be vsed to this end yt apearethe bothe by other places wher menciō is made therof in the scriptures ād also in the 19. off Mathew whē he tellethe that children were brought to Christ that he might lay his handes on thē and pray for them as also in that place of the actes which I named before wherin it is repeated that the Apostles praied laying on ther handes vpō the Deacōs which were chosē by the church But this is a generall ēd Ther be other proper ād peculier vses of it wheroff the first perteineth to the partie chosē the secōd to all the church The partie chosē was warned by this ceremony that he was seperated ād set apart to the worck off god as appereth in the 13. off the act and that he was taken out off the rest of the people to the doinge off that office as it were by the hand off god him selfe wherby he might vnderstād that it was no longer in his owne power to do what he list but that god had called him to his worke off whome he should haue a plētiful reward if he did
interpret the word off god vnto others althoughe also ther ought to be no common and ordinary but a singuler and chiefe respect in examyninge his manners as beinge suche whos smallest faultes for the high place wherin they are can by no meanes be hidden and couered Seing that the ministers off the word off God as Christ warneth the Apostles are like vnto cyties that are vpon the mountaynes Therfore seinge they must dwell in the eyes off men and in the fayrest light and as our Sauior Christ saith in the same place be put as it wer vpon candel stickes that they may gyue light vnto other It is meet that there holines off life godlines and moderat coÌ„uersacion should shine like lightes a monges men whervppon the Apostle Paule setting furth in Timothe a lawfull minister off the word declareth that he ought to be such as may be an example or glasse and a patterne to all the faithfull in loue â—n chastitie and in all the order off his life And sure good cause it is he should be innocent that asketh other meÌ„ accompt off ther life seinge nothing is more iust then that he that teacheth other should first instruct hym selffe and that callinge other men from shame he hould keep hym selffe free from any spott or blemishe For what a shame is it when the sick man may say to hym that wolde help him Physicion heale thy selfe or when thos thinges are cast in a mans teeth which Paule vpbraydeth the Iewes with all thow that teachest an other teachest not thy selffe and thow that preachest a man should not steale stealest thy selffe And againe the name off God is blasphemed amonge the gentils for your cause Therfore seing that they are set in so highe a plaâ—â— that the example off ther integritie not only edifieth the churche but also glorifieth god therby And contrarywise ther faultes and errors do geue occasion to straungers to speake euill off the Lord whom they preache and the gospell which they publishe abrode and to the faithfull that are weake to whom the lest fault that they make is as it wer a law wherby they thincke they may lickwise offend with out reproofe and seinge herein they hurt by ther example no lesse yea a great deale more then by the fault it selfe a great diligeÌ„ce and singuler care is to be had off the life and manners off him who is to be chosen a bishopp But seinge the office off a Bishop consisteth chifely in this that they publishe preach and interpret all the gospell especially thos giftes are to be respected which are proper and peculier to that office to the executinge wheroff he is to be chosen therfore he is to be examined how well he hath been exercised in the holie scriptures and whither he be able fruitfully and to edifyinge to coÌ„municate with the churche that which he doth godlilie vnderstaÌ„d No vnskillfull or vnlerned man may be called to the stearing off this helme vnlesse we would haue the shipp not only to be in daunger but willingly to runne vpon the râ—kes But what is he onlesse he wer coÌ„spired agaiÌ„st the safety of the church and of the sonÌ„es off god that would coÌ„mit the church which god redeemed with his blud that he might adopt vs to be his sonnes an this nobleship fraighted full off worthies to any but to some most conninge and expert pilote and master Therfore suche conÌ„ing Pylotes and gouernours ar to be chosen aÌ„d set to the stearinge off the shipp who ar able to discerne the diuers face and chaungeable contenaunce of the heaueÌ„s that ar able to for seestormes and teÌ„pestes that can guid ther ship by the north starr and finallie whom thos heauenly muses haue taught the vnknowne pathes aÌ„d wais of the sea and that which is in the Poet. From smoky storme fluddes that swell Kepe of the shipp guide it well But the word of god is the only starr wherby this life is Our eies must be bent vpon this heauen and fyrmament wherby stormes and tempestes are much more certenly fore sene then by the other This is the helme off our life which who so euer hath not lerned to steare and gouerne he may well be put to some other seruice but let hym not come into the sterne and iff he he do let him be put out a-againe For it is very good reason to requyre off an Artificer knowledge off that art which he professeth to require off a Captainâ— and a Generall knowledge and skill off war fare and chieualty off a physicion that he know how to mayteyne the health and to recouer them that are diseased And vnder the law the Lord apointed his priestes that they should be suche as might be able when they wer asked to answer out off the law off god Which wer adorned not only with the diademe and myter but with thos xij Iewelles and precious stones which Moses for ther lightsome clerenes and perfit beauty calleth Vrrim and Thummim by meanes wheroff they asked off the Lord in all affaires by which two names sometymes all the priesthood is signified to teach vs that he that hath not them hath nothing And that ther is no priesthood with out Vrim and Tummim To whom seinge the Bishoppes as parteininge to to this matter haue succeded although they had put on Aarons tunicle Ephod or Diademe yet iff thos stones shyne not in ther brest wherby as Ennius saithe men being doutfull of there matters what to do may be certefied that they take not waightâ— thinges rasshly in hand we acknowledge no stock nor succession off the Priesthoode nor all the rest off the garmentes off Aaron And seing we haue now in thes tymes no other meanes to be certified off the will off god besides his writteÌ„ word and the holy scriptures And seing it is sure that this word is come in place off the Arck the Sanctuary the brestplate off Iudgement and all the other ceremonies off off the old law euen as thos in old tyme wer necessary for the priestes So now is the vnderstandinge and knowledge heroff for the ministers off the word off god Therfore the Apostle Paule warneth Timothe that a bishopp ought to be able to teache Wheras declaringe that he ought to be suche he speaketh not off it as off some helpe or ornameÌ„t but as off the nature matter and substance off a Bishopâ— And that we may more fullâ— vnderstand what the force off the word is and how many thinges are conteined vnder it he declareth it more at large in his epistle to Titus sainge a Bishopp ought to besuche a one as holdeth fast the faithfull word according to doctrine that he may be able also to exhort with holesome doctrine and reproue them that speake against it But how is it possible that he should be able to exhort with sound doctrine vnlesse he hath first lerned that sound doctrine him selffe out off the holie scriptures And by what meanes
continency frugalitie and all moderacion off life but only that I would haue them receiued as the embassadores off Christ for the honor off ther master honestly aÌ„d liberally that we put not theÌ„ downe to the meany to eate with the shepherdes and hired seruantes nor forget those that labor in the Lordes worck as Moses gaue the Iewes warniÌ„ge towchinge the Leuites seing we sit all of vs by the blessinge of the Lord quietly and in peace euerie man vnder his Oliue tree and vnder his vine aÌ„d gather in our hauest and our vintage seinge I say we enioy thes coÌ„modities we ought not to deale couetously sparingly and niggardly with them but louingly liberally and bountifully that they may liue honestly and coÌ„modiously off ther labors that they may norishe and mainteine ther house and familie that they may prouide them selues suche necessary helps as they stand in need off for ther vocation and callinge yea and furder that they may be able to releiue and succor the pore and â—eedy for this is the right waie to preserue the ministerie that bothe it become not vile and conteÌ„ptible thorowghe poueâ—â—y and misery neither that it wax wanton an prophane by great excesse and abundance For as it is a shame for the churches to see ther minister in miserie thoroughe neede aÌ„d necessitie so it is to be feared leste they wax wantoÌ„ by to great pleÌ„ty aÌ„d riches For surely it was a right heauenly voyce and spoken as an Oracle off the maner off gouerninge the church which the story of the primitiue church reherseth was hard from heauen in the time off Constantine the great that godly Emperor that is to say that the churche was poisoned with riches For so it came to passe that they fell froÌ„ labor to idlenes from teÌ„perancie to excesse and wantonnes from the meane estate off bishopes and ministers to affect and desire to imitate aÌ„d follow the magnificence and maiesty off lordes and princes hereof come the ther siluer aÌ„d gilted Crosiers wherby they imitated the sceptres off kinges heroff they got them myters as kinges haue ther crownes hereoff also because the noble men kept great traines of seruaÌ„ts that they might be the beter able to serue the comon wealthe in tyme off need they wold also haue ther traines and began to be delighted and to take pleasure in an vnprofitable nomber off seruantes and waitinge men to adorne and set out ther cuphordes with siluer vessell and plate off gold to array theÌ„selues in costly apparell for now a dais a man may see them that weare soft apparell not only in kiÌ„ges courtes as our Sauior Christe saide but eueÌ„ in the church to be called honorable lords to sit at the right hand off kinges and princes to send them giftes and presentes to bid theÌ„ to ther bancketes and bothe seeke and mainteine ther honor and estimation by a certen courtly pompe and shewe This condicion I not only wishe not to our Bishoppes but iudge it and esteeme it alltogether intollerable and by no meanes to be suffered as a meanes to hindre there labor and diligence in ther office as a meanes to make them wanton lascyuious and proud and agreathe not with that meane estate that ought to appere in Bishopps but is most contrary bothe to the ordinance and also to the examples off Christ our Sauior and off his Apostles Neither in my Iudgmenâ— may any church be esteemed well enoughe reformed that euen in this behalffe doth not obey to the expresse commandement off god and take away all this vaine pompe and shewe and make the Bishoppes be content with the meane estate off ther place and callinge making them able to bidde the pore to ther table and the banished for Christs sake but not to bidd kinges and princes calling them the seruantes and Ministers off Christ and not honorable lordes beinge carefull that they may be suche as may shine in godlines learninge modesty temperaunce continencie and all example of good life not with gold and siluer with traines and trompes off meÌ„ and lordly port and courtly state off honor Thes are the right ornamentes off Bishoppee wherby they may procure to theÌ„ selues an honest report with credite aÌ„d authority in the church off god to there ministerie wherbie also they mvy preserue and mayntene the same Therfore let vs not take to muche pleasure in the outward beautie and faire shewe off this pompe and glory but let vs see iff ther be any vse and proffit off it desyre rather that which is proffitable for others then that which seruethe only for avaine shewe For as the Poet saithe Seeke not the thing that faire is to eye But rather that the cyty may liue by But the church liueth not by this pompe and shewe nor hathe no neede off it but off godlines lerninge symplicitie and modesty by which thinges Christ would haue his kingdome enlarged And I pray yow how do this moue the mindes off men to goe to the church with a great traine off men before him and after him as the Bishoppe that Eusebius speaketh off in the seuenth boke off his ecclesiasticall historie to goe to the pulpit with officers afore him makinge Roume for my lorde to preache in a Rochet and a faire square cappe leaninge opon a quishion off clothe off gold Thes thinges may delight the eyes for a tyme and the outward senses take pleasure in this vaine shewe but I see not how the miÌ„d is more easilie taught beaten downe or raised vp againe by this meanes For it must be a certen heauenly power ioyned with a pure lerned and simple interpretation off the scriptures which must work thes thinges which are Iewells more meet to shyne in a pulpit than siluer or gold Plinie shewinge the cause off the fruitfulnes off the Roman feeldes in times past more elegantly in deed then truly Then saithe he when the fieldes wer tilled by Emperors it is like that the earthe reioysed to be plowed with a share bearing a lawrell garlond vpon it and to be tilled off such a plow man who had before triumphed More pretilie I say then truly for that it is better for tilliÌ„ge off the earthe that the ploughe share be sharpe then that it be crowned with a laurel garlond and that the ploughe man be diligent rather then suche a one as had entred the citie in greate pompe and triumphe Which also the same Author correctinge him selffe addeth after in the same place sayinge Or ells this might haue beene the cause off the fruitfulnes off the feeldes theÌ„ That thos worthie Captaines and Emperors handled ther seedes as carefully as ther battelles and were as diligent ouer ther fieldes as ouer ther tentes Or ells this That all thinges speede more happilie which are done by them who are honest and vertuous because they be also done more painfully and with greater trauell which surely me thincketh is the very cause off the fruitfulnes off the lordes field And that then
it had bene needefull to haue bene vsed ther is no doubt but that Christ would haue warned his Apostles off yt especially seing that these thinges were before so at large set out vnder the lawe For it is not to be thought that Christ was lesse diligent in shewinge how god would be worshipped vnder the Gospell then Moses in shewing the same vnder the lawe Or that Moses being a seruant was more faithfull in the administracion off the Lordes house then Christ the Sonne and heire in his owne fathers howse Therfore to binde the Mynisters to any certen fashion or forme off apparell hath no grownde off any precept off the gospell or commādement out off the word off god They are therfore the inuencions off men and off what men but euen off suche which haue soughte to paint and adorne with these colors the shame off ther wherishe idolatrie ād superstition For as iff they had bene ashamed off the simplicitie off the gospell which they ought rather to haue had in reuerence and in honor They thought good to follow what so euer had any shewe or ostentacion in any Religion and thought it to be vsed to the setting forthe off the gospell Thus they take out off the lawe allmost all ther massing apparell by a folishe and ridiculous imitation that hauing an alter and a priest they might not want apparell for the stage As for the surplice it is notable which is written off hope Siricius who fetcheth the cause and originall off yt from Christ and prouethe that we ought to vse a lin̄en garmēt at deuine seruice be cause Christ was buried in a winding sheete A notable reason surely why we should vse the surplice in our churches but peraduēture they are ignorant off ther owne antiquities and the surplice is to be thought rather to haue bene borowed by them off certen Egyptian monckes who vpon the skinnes which they vsed to weare for there apparell did weare lynnen garmentes from whence also the name off Surplice seemeth to come Such like reasons are to be founde in there wrightinges but to let passe these trifles it is to be lamented that euen amonges vs who professe the Gospell there were some that when the whole papacie was to be consecrated and this Rome to haue been vowed to destruction accordinge to the vowe and curse off the citie off Hiericho who being deceiued with the faire and glitteringe shewe off the Babylonishe garmentes brought them as Acan did into the tentes off Israell For why do they commande a cope and surplice to be vsed in diuine seruice or a Tippet and a Square Cappe to be worne dailie but because they thīk it is of some authority with the people and bringeth some estimacion to ther office and to ther persons ād is thought to be of great force to make a mā seeme to be graue ād off authoritie For thes be the best reasōs which they are wont to bring wherby they would signifie both that thes ij sortes off apparell are not commanded for Religions sake and that the abusing off them heretofore cannot nor ought not to take away the right vse off them which belongeth to comlynes and order to which ende contrary to the Apostles mind they wrest that place off S. Paule That all things are to be done orderly in the church But iff they perteine only to a decency and comlynes what needeth any commandement to be giuen to a minister to vse dailie the tippet and the square cappe and a Priestes gowne and at devine seruice the cope and the surplice seing a minister who is sett ouer the gouernment off the churche and by the Apostles rule ought to be suche a one as not only is able to vse him selffe honestlie in euery thing but also suche as keepeth his familie in order and ought to be an example off all modesty and honest comlines to his flock who suerly iff he be meet for suche an office and worthie to handle the word off god will take heede that he doe not dishonest his worthy office by vile and vnhonest apparell But seing they make no worthie ministers but readers and seruice saiers yt was needfull they should appoint them what cappe they should weare and howe the sleeues and collers off ther gownes should be made and suche like Althoughe they atteine not this decency and comlines which they pretend for often times ther is nothing more filthye and vnhonest then this kinde off apparell And iff any can vse a comely square cappe he can vse also a rounde cap which is as comely and so muche more as it is fitter for his heade thē the square Therfore ther is no cause to prescribe this apparell to be dailie worne for decencie and order But they say the Ministers must be distinguished from other men and that they may be knowne off ther parishiners and church This is euen as great a reason as the other For iff they did set suche a shepheard ouer the sheepfolde off god who were able as well with his voice as the sheppherd with his hooke and staffe to rule his sheepe who were able also to heale the sicke and diseased and to bringe home againe suche as wander and straie out off the waie finallie iff they set a right sheppherd ouer the flocke the sheepe would knowe him by his voice and would not need to haue any marke by his apparell to knowe him Therfore allthoughe this reason might be off some force for hirelinges yet it cannot be of any force for meete and worthie ministers And wheras they alledge also Order and decencye for there surplice I would knowe whie yt should seeme more comelie and decent for a Minister that be should preache or praie in a surpl ce then in a gowne .. In white raiment then in black apparell For as for the coloure me thinketh black to be more comely for him and for the fashion me thinketh a long garment reaching downe to the foote sholde be more honest and seemelie Further more do they not see that Simplicitie liked our sauior Christ that the Gospell is in a maner shadowed and couered by these vayles and figures that by this meanes the waie is made open to bringe in many other moo ceremonies for as good respectes as these be do they not also think that we perceiue that nothing ells is sought by this which they call comelines and order but only a conformitie with Papistes and a superstitious decency as also in vsing the signe off the crosse in baptisme the rounde cake in the Lordes supper and many other suche ceremonies and not that seemely order which the Apostle commandeth For iff the simplicitie and nakednes off the gospell misliked them why did they especially clothe it with popishe apparell seing we ought to be so muche the furder off and to abhorre ther doinges by how muche we are in greater daunger off them then off other heretiques because they liue amonges vs For which cause also
the Lord commanded that greater seueritie should be vsed against them off the land off Canaan then against Idolaters off other nacions and cuntries But they saie further that men should be admonished that they are nowe vsed to an other ende then they were by the Papistes and that the abuse cannot take awaye the right vse off theÌ„ and althoughe the popishe priesthoode be a most greuous leprosie yet the apparell which they vsed iff yt be washed againe may be applied againe to our vse but I say that off all the leprous garmentes they haue chosen the filthiest and most polluted and suche as cannot be washed nor made cleane againe by anie art or conning off the fuller For seing it is manifest that Popishe Priestes receiued ther orders by the puttinge on off a surplice and square cappe and that they vsed the coope euen to the singinge off masse who is he that hathe lerned by the lawe off god to distinguishe and discerne betwene sore and sore betwene holie and vncleane and vnderstandethe not and euen seethe with his eies that the leprosie was spredde vpon thes garmentes and that they are polluted and vncleane not only by the contagion off the leprous man but euen by ther owne disease And therfore by the lawe not to be washed but to be burned nor to be purged with water but to be consumed with fier Seinge then it is so and that this lawe off prescripte apparell off ministers hath no grownde not only off no scripture but also off no sownde Iudgment and reason a merueile it is to see howe earnestly and with great contencion yt hath bene defended and mainteined And it makethe me afraide to remember the bitternes of thos daies the churches bereaued of there ministers and most faithfull Pastors and Doctors driuen from there places the troble that came in the vniuersities for this cause and the most toward youth both for godlines and lerninge driuen out off ther colledges finally the commandementes off god transgressed that the preceptes off men might be established But they haue made me to longe in a matter off small waight who do so earnestly vrge these trifles as iff they were matter off great waight and were grounded off the commandement off God But seinge yt appereth manifestly as I suppose by that which I haue said that yt is farre otherwise Let vs conclud that noe certeine kinde forme or fashion off apparell is to be prescribed to ministers neither to be dailie worne nor yet in seruice tyme and that they are only to be admonished that they shewe them selues sober modest and honest both in ther apparell aÌ„d in all the rest off there life and conuersation which iff some shall neglect to doe and beinge admonished by there breethren doe not amend yt let theÌ„ be corrected by the magistrate And thus muche generallie off Bishopps that is to say off ministers Now it followeth to declare the diuers sortes and kindes of them and to shew what euery one hath proper and peculier to hiÌ„ selffe There be therfore two kindes and sortes off Bishopes the one off Doctors the other off Pastors For these are not to be confounded as iff one and the selfe same office were signified by two names as some haue supposed For seinge the Apostle in the iiij to the Ephesians doth seuerally reherse all the ministers off the church which Christ hathe geuen and appointed to the edifyinge theroff and distinguisheth Apostles from Prophets and Prophetes from Euangelistes I do not see why we shold not think also that Pastors and Doctors as they are distinguished and seuered by name to be so also in office and duty which also appereth more manifestly in the xij to the Romans wher they are distinguished not only by names but also by giftes proper to seuerall offices Therfore these are diuers and sundry offices how neere so euer they seeme to be togither Now to proue that only Doctors and Pastors be Bishopps and that no man ells as it hathe bene saide here to fore may or ought to minister the word off god in the church needeth a longer proofe But seing it cannot be doubted that the Apostle rehearseth in the iiij to the Ephesians all the offices and functioÌ„s which haue any thinge to doo with the worck off the ministery and by which Christ would haue his church builded vp and seing that those offices off Apostles Euangelistes aÌ„d Prophetes are ceased as also they were geueÌ„ only to to serue for a tyme and not for the perpetuall gouerment off the churche It is manifest that ther remaine no other Bishoppes or ministers off the word off god but only Pastors and Doctors But that it may the more clerely be shewed that those other offices serued but for a time let vs more at large consider the nature and condition off euery one off them And first for the Apostles office what it was it apperethe by the word off our Sauior wherby he ordeineth them to the Apostleshipp namely This that they should go preache the Gospell in all the world and baptize those which beleue So that an Apostle was not bound to preache the gospell to any one and certeine prouince nacioÌ„ or country but to the whole world So lickwise Christ before his departure commended not to peter and by him to the rest off the Apostles any certen sheepe off some certeÌ„ grownd or pasture but all his flock For as our Sauior Christ had geuen theÌ„ merueilous giftes off the Spirit So he would haue them beare greater offices He assigned them not a fewe acres to plowe and till or a litle feelde not some small porcion off his vyneiard and inheritaunce to dresse but euen all his feeld his whole vyneiard and inheriâ—aunce Suche off all the disciples off Christ ther were only xij to whome afterwardes were added Paule and as some think Barnabas who as certeyne chiefe capitaines should bring the world vnder subiection to the kingdome and Empire off Christ And as Maister builders who should drawe out and describe the patterne and platforme off all the churches and lay the fyrst foundacions and groundes Which so great a charge beinge laid vpon them excellent giftes were also geuen them wherby they might be able to beare and vphold so great a burthen For they were endewed with a merueilous knowledge off heauenly thinges and diuers straung tongues and languages as is yt rehersed off the xij Apostles in the Actes and as Paule testifiethe off him selffe to the Corinthes Furthermore there were many other thinges proper and peculier to this office as that they should be witnesses off the Lordes resurrection that they should be immediatly called and appointed by CHRIST and otherlike Which seing they can be in no man now adayes yt is playne and euident that the Apostleshipp is ceased and that this worthy and excellent office ys no longer remaininge in the churche wherupon the Apostles who did choose Matthias into Iudas place beinge voyd