knowledge especially John Wickliff Whose letter to John Huss being then a young man written in the year 1387. being the year before he dyed I finde yet extant in some ancient Records and here insert as followeth Happiness and what ever can be thought of which is dear and desirable in the bowels of Iesus Christ MOst dear Brethren in the Lord whom I love in the Truth and not I â—nely but also all which have known the tâ—uth That truth I mean which by the grace of God is and abideth and shall be in you for ever I joyed very much in the Bâ—ethren which came from you and produced a testim ny of your fa thfulness and that y u walk in the Truth I hear Brethren how Antichrist dâ—th vex you brinâ—ing many and various Tribulations upon them which believe in â—hrist It is no strange thing it should be so with you in as much as the Word of Christ is oppressed by the adversaries in all the World and that great red and many headed Dragâ—n mentioned by John in his Revelation hath sent out of his mouth a great flood upon the Woman to overwhelm her But the faithful Lord will certainly deliver his one onely loyal Spouse Let us be stâ—engthened in the Lord our God and in his immense goodness firmly believing that he will not suffer his dear ones to fall away from their godly purpose onely let us love him as we ought with our whole hearts Afflictions should never prâ—ss us if iniquity prevail not Let no distress or pressure therefore for Christs sake cast us down seeing we know that the Lord chasteneth whomsoever he receiveth for his sons For the Father of mercies is pleased to exercise us with many troubles in this present life that he may spare us hereafter Thâ— Gold which this Supreme Artificer choâ—seth he will here have it purified by fire that hereafter he may lay it up amongst his most pure everlasting Treasures We see our time here is short and swiftly passing away but the life which we expect then is blessed and eternal Let us labour then while we have time that we may be counted worthy to enter into his rest What else I pray do we behâ—ld here but grief vexation weariness and which should affect the faithful most the contempt and treading under foot of the Divine Law Let us then strive to our utmost abridging our senses of those transitory fading vain things to attain those things which abide for ever Let us observe the conversation of our Fathers of old see the Saints in both the Testaments what stâ—rms and tempeâ—ts they endured in the Sea of this World what Prisons what bonds how they were stoned sawn asunder and slain with the edâ—e of the Sword how they went about in Sheep skins and Goats skins c. as the Epistle to the Hebrews records at large They all going the strait way in the steps of Christ who hath said Where I am there shall my servant be We theâ—efore having such a clâ—ud of witnesses of the Saints of all former ages to compass us about let us lay aâ—ide whatever weight there is in us and the sin which round besets us and run with patience the appointed race looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith who for the joy set before him endured the Cross and despised the shame Let us remember him which suffered such contradiction of sinners against himself that we faint not in our hearts and fall away but let us with our whole heart seek help of the Lord and fight manfully against Antichrist his Enemy Let us love his law in our hearts and not he unthankeful in his work But in all things carry our selves with assurance according to the measure of faith which the Lord giveth us and be strong in the cause of God and the hope of the Eternal Reward Therefore thou Huss my dear Brother in Christ unknown indeed unto me by face but not in faith and love for the uttermost ends of the earth cannot set them asunder which the love of Christ hath knit together be strong in the grace which is given to thee fight as a good Souldier of Jesus Christ both by word and work Doctrine and conversation and gain whom you can to return to the way of the truth Inasmuch as the truth of the Gospel ought not to be suppressed in silence for the erroneous lying decrees and defections of Antichrist do you therefore rather notwithstanding the designs of Satan comfort and establish the members of Christ for that Antichrist shall shortly by the will of God be finished I am very much rejoyced that in your Kingdom and other parts God hath so strengthened the hearts of some that they suffer Prisons Banishment yea death it self for the Word of God and that with joy too Dearly Beloved I have little else to write I must needs assure you That I would gladly do any thing to strengthen you and all the lovers of Christs Government In the love of the Law of God remember my most affectionate salutation to them from the bottom of my heart especially to your partner in the Gospel of Christ entreating your prayers for me and for the whole Church of Christ Now the God of Peace which brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ the great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eveâ—lasting Covenant make you ready to every good work that you may do his will working in you that which is pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen 25. Huss being as now Professor of the University and afterward Anno 1400. made Preacher of Bethlehem the University Church he took heart very daringly to inveigh against those now overflowing Abominations and weild openâ—y against them the Sword of the Divine Word with great applause among the people not onely at Prague but through the whole Kingdom It very much revived his spirit that the same year Jerome of Prague being returned out of England and bringing over Wickliffs books with him rooted up the present prevailing errors with the like boldness in the Schools as Huss did in the Church Against these pious designs to clear the Church of the infection of Superstition the Academicks which were Foreigners overnumbering yet and overvoting the rest opposed themselves all they could and passed a Censure upon Wickliffs Articles But the Bohemians debated the Prerogative of Elections with the Popes Abettors making it good that it did belong to themselves as Natives and not to them being strangers The debate being referred to King Wenceslaus son to Charls he gave sentence on the Bohemians side Hereupon the Germans being angry went away from Prague by Troops which occasioned the erecting of the Universities of Lipsia and Erfurd and the Bohemians chose and created Mr. Huss Head of the University in the year 1409. 26. The Monks being cast off by the King and the University stir up the Archbishop
custom if you would not be offensive to them nor have them so to you Which judgement of Ambrose Augustine saith he always looked on Tanquam coeleste Oraculum As for the state and pomp of that pretended Order which is as the Alder in our Garden I 'll tell you a story There was a Garrison of Souldiers and divers Commanders over them amongst the rest there was one a true Veteran that had been trained up in the School of War under most of the Princes of Christendom This Captain instead of those soft delights other Gentlemen and Commanders wasted their time in spent his inconversing with and training his Souldiers would be upon the Guard when his turn came himself no weather could prevent it his house instead of being furnished with silken beds rare looking-glasses curious pictures was stored with barrels of meal rice pease so placed low that they served instead of chairs and stools his rooms hung with flitches and gammons of Westphaly bacon dried beef fish c. materials with which he kept a constant table and welcomed all his Souldiers in the Sum was always in fight or service and he had these Souldiers close to him they would go through fire and water with him what men soever failed of their duty his never did but were all of a knot and unanimous in their attendance upon him in any service I 'll only apply it thus that would our reverend Fathers of the Church be more upon the guard themselves be employed in the Churches duty and not commit that Solecism in Government which the learned Bacon thinks one of the insolubilia to do their work by deputation of a Chancellor would they instead of keeping distance converse more familiarly with their flocks and step in now and then to a Countrey Minister on a sudden whom it may be they may finde standing sentinel and encourage him in his duty would they instead of giving and forcing on the people Quelchechoses of Forms and Ceremonies give them solid meat and nourishment the pure Word of God in the institutions of Christ suffer that only to be read expunded urged in the Church would they instead of making their houses Lordly Courts to fright poor people and Ministers from coming at them make them Oratories for Prayer and expounding Scripture of Gods institution setting up catechistical and expository Lectures so many days in the week either by themselves or their Chaplains or calling in the assistance of some learned and pious Presbyters would they enquire in their Visitations after prophaneness and censure that more deeply then some have done non-conformity to self-invented will-worship and encourage painful conscientious Ministers more then their Predecessors have done lazy idle drones I durst become their bondman if one or both of thâ—se two things did not follow that all the godly sober religious people in the Land would become their fast friends and strive who should do them most honour or else the Devil and all his Instruments would be as mad against them as they are now again already against the Puritans 3. Once again we see what it is that makes the Church glorious and unanimous viz. living up to the noble principles of Religion in self-denial humility piety in all ranks of people For till the love of the Lord Jesus and the desire of the salvation of souls hath taken more root in the hearts of Pastors and Christians we cannot expect any Settlement Beauty or Order in the Church 'T is not the priding of a mans self in the name of a Son of the Church can advantage Religion no more then the Jews boasting they had Abraham to their Father did promote it among them For our Saviour tells them when that cry was loudest the state of Religion was at the lowest among them No the Church the Spouse of Christ is meek-hearted and lowly full of tenderness and goodness and her children indeed are like her But they which instead of this spirit fall a beating their Brethren or scoffing or envying at them may indeed be in the Church but yet as Cain in Adams and Ishmael in Abrahams family onely the spots and blemishes thereof 4. Yet again I observe the ligaments and soder of these Churches to be their mutual consent in Discipline which we see required not onely of Ministers but of all Christians how necessary this is experience doth demonstrate For the first primitive Church had no other bond nor have the Reformed Churches abroad in many places any other not but that the Patronage of Princes and Magistrates is a great Strength and Bulwark to Religion and that people are bound to bless God exceedingly when he raiseth up such Nursing Fathers for the Church to be over it in the Lord. Yet we see that meer Politique bands do snap asunder and make way for schism and division especially when the Prudential superior Order of the Clergie do ride and the inferior grind for then they are apt to take the first opportunity to unyoke themselves But if a superiority among Ministers in the Church on a prudential account be thought necessary for Humanum institutum episcopatus non damnamus sed tantum negamus a Christo esse Imperatum as we say with Junius let it be set up by the mutual consent and choice of the rest or the Body of the Ministry and their obedience will be more constant in the Lord and more fixed then by any subscription of oaths of Canonical obedience whatsoever In a word let the poyson and what was not from the beginning be taken out of the Ordinances and offices of Christ in the Church and the power of godliness in good earnest endeavoured and this Church which is otherwise giving up the ghost will yet through the blessing of God recover and do well and we shall have great cause to bless God for this true Protestant Bishop Comenius his pious Endeavours in laying this Book at his Majesties feet as an expedient for an Accommodation not with the Romish but the Reformed Churches Which that it may effect is the earnest prayer of him how is Thy Servant in the Work of the Lord JOSHVA TYMARCHVS Books printed for and sold by Tho. Parkhurst at the Three Crowns over against the great Conduit at the lower end of Cheap-side Folio's THe History of the Evangelical Churches of the Valleys of Piedmont containing a most exact Geographical description of the place also a relation of the bloody Massacre 1655 and a Narrative of all Transactions to 1658. Justified partly by divers ancient Manuscripts written many hundred years before Calvin or Luther By Samuel Morland A Commentary upon the holy Writings of Job David and Solomon viz. Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs Being part of those which by the ancients were called Hagiographa Wherein the diverse Translations and Expositions of all the most famous Commentators are propounded examined and censured By John Mayor D.D. To the Church of England Hitherto tossed with divers tempests
Bohemians always getting the better 34. Besides at home also the affairs of the Bohemians were in great confusion For some abetted Caesar and the Pope others maintained the Sacrament cause of the Cup So that both were incensed unto onslaughts on each other with horrible outrage the Papist especially raging against the greatest Zealots against the Superstitious as it is recorded in the History of the Persecutions of the Bohemian Church Chap. 10. where many instances of Martyrdom are recited 35. So that the Bohemians falling into Schisms among themselves the greater part of them which was the worst helped on the Persecution of the true faithful Christians They had been indeed all zealous in opposing Antichrist after the example of Mr. Huss but now by reason of his death they being destitute of some eminent prudent valiant Person to bâ— their Captain which might keep the hurring rout in some good order they fell a pieces one against another and stirred up cruel dissention among themselves for the meaner sort both of the Laity and Clergy onely letting out their strength for the Cup-communion whence they were called Calixtini were securely negligent of the other points of Mr. Luther But the Taborites among whom Wencenslaus Coranda and Nicholaus Episcopius far excelled the rest with a few others attempted to keep up simplicity and purity in all the Articles and Ceremonies The one part cryed we must not separate from the Church in all Rites the other we will not endure any Superstitious Altars 36. Some persons also stept in under an hypocritical disguise which to promote the Kings and the Popes cause widened the breaches and traducing the Abettors of more pure Doctrine with the odious name of Piccardi stirred up the common peoples abhorrence of them Now the Waldenses were called Piccardi who in former time being banished out of France seated themselves in Austria and had been there branded with the name of the foulest Hereticks Nay some also there were that so powerfully wrought upon Zisca the Captain of the Taborites that he came over and adhered to the Calixtini and Persecuted the said Piccardi with fire and sword even as much as the very Pontificians did Thus tumultuously were all things in all places carried 27. So that truly it had been no wonder if the Pontifical Faction had utterly rooted out this people they being at such variance among themselves But wonderful was the goodness of God which so wisely over-ruled Humane folly that neither foes nor friends got any thing of which they could boast themselves For as often as the King came near the self-divided Bohemians with his Army so often did they renewing peace among themselves make good the common cause with common strength Zisca and Procopius both as one Captain of the Taborites having the chief conduct of affairs and God granting them wonderful successes and victories 38. Now therefore the King and Pope seeing they could make no work of it by force of Arms betook themselves to fraud and calling yet another Council to Basil in the year 1432. there very fairly cog the Bohemians into a friendly Treaty about these differences and for their publique security they would give them any satisfaction whatever they would desire The Legates then being sent to the Council among whom of Divines the chief were John Rokyzanus Bishop of Prague and Nicholaus Episcopius Bishop of the Taborites of the Statesmen Procopius Holy Duke of the Taborites Wilhelmus Kostka Baron of Postupira c. They were courteously entertained and their Questions or Positions being demanded they offered four Articles which they desired might be granted them or they were ready to make them good The Articles were thus formed 1. That the use of the Cup ought to be restored to the people and all the holy things to be celebrated in their Mother Tongue 2. That the Clergy must have no secular Government 3. That the Word of God must be freely taught 4. That publique offences must be publiquely reproved The Popes Legate demanding Whether they had any more for he was told that they held that the Orders of the Monks was from the Devil Procopius answered Why whence can it be which is instituted neither by Patriarchs nor Prophets nor by Christ nor his Apostles c. 39. Then appointed they some on both sides to hold the Disputation concerning the Questions given and the Dispute lasted full fifty days Now when they could not confute the Bohemians they came to a friendly Composition and all things were so carried Rokyzan being charmed and he inchanting others with the hope of an Archbishoprick that the said Articles were yielded to the Bohemians onely that they should promise to return to their obedience to the Roman See and to observe the Ceremonies thereof This Transaction they called Compactata i. e. Articles of Agreement or Covenants and so the Legates were dispatched from the Council and the King into Bohemia to acquaint them That the Bohemians were received into the bosom of the Church and esteemed as dear Sons thereof They call a Convention of Estates wherein Rokyzan sets before them in much state of words how that according to their own hearts desire they had now obtained those things for which they had so much wasted the Kingdoms treasure telling them that now they had better thoughts of the King and Pope then sometime afore when they called them the Apocalyptical Whore and Beast 40. It grieved most of them especially the Zelots of Tabor that they should thus swerve from Husses steps and return into the Tents of Antichrist again So that they opposed the agreement what they could and it came to blows again But herein the Taborites were worsted and fain to yield being so grosly beaten out that they could not rally to make any further head or attempt So that they had nothing left to defend themselves withal save onely the Sword of the Word and the Shield of Patience This was done in the year 1434. 41. In year 1435. Rokyzan was solemnly in the Convention of Estates chosen Archbishop but he taking it impatiently that his Consecration with the solemn Rites was put off by the King and he deluded began again together with his Faction to busle against the injustice of the King and State and domineering power of the Pope But fearing the King he withdrew himself from â—rague for three years For a little after this time Sigismund dyed and Albert his Successor also within two years space leaving behinde him his Son Ladislaus who had been brought up with Frederick the Emperour 42. Now here in the interregnum and much more when Ladislaus being deceased George Podebrand whom Rokyzan had fully at his lure succeeded began that prophecy very much to be fulfilled Manassâ—h shall devour Ephraim and Ephraim Manassâ—h and both shall be against Judah For the Pope with Interdicts Censures Execrations raved against George and the Calixtins they banding back again upon the Pope and the Monks even as good as they brought
plagues and that yet we should not be awakened That yet Jonas should transgress that he by reason of whom the sad Tempest was now raised to toss and wrack all should be lying still in the sides of the ship fast asleep so utterly careless of the danger which was now like to cast them all away Jon. 1.5 We all are as this Jonas disobedient to God by reason of whom the Depths of God's wrath are stirred up even now ready to swallow up the ship of all Christendom although that of Jonas escaped For there though they were such as worshipped other gods yet in the common jeopardy they were all in common turned to their prayers every one calling upon his god v. 5. We that worship but one God even the very jawes of death cannot bring us generally to turn to God but some screeking others are shouting some perishing others are making merry Alas for the general confusion in our ship And which is more there we finde Jonas confessing his fault and the rest for the safety of whom he doomed himself to be cast away not hasty to cast him over-board but seeking rather if by any means they might save him v. 10. But we imputing the cause of the Tempest one to the other furiously post to destruction every one his fellow whom he can Alas there to get the ship to the shore and save the nocent with the innocent they all work as for life v. 13. But with us some sweating at it even while they faint others do nothing others again taking the Oars from them that would rowe others again if they seem willing to stir yet some of them rowe this way others that way all confused there being nothing but tumults brawlings fightings some being so stark mad that they make holes in the common bottome resolving that they may see others perish to cast away themselves Alas Alas What will become of us if we go on to take this course of necessity the ship wherein we all are must needs be lost whether by the waves coming upon her from without and we be overwhelmed by the invasion of the heathen Nations or from within by our selves being thus enraged unto our own mutual destruction Wo to thee O ship of the Church that thou hast such Ship-masters such Oars such Pilots God change our mindes and deliver us from this madness But then what counsel or hope is there Much hope in the mercy of God if men would hearken to wholsome counsel what is that Such as we finde in Jonas's ship now ready to be cast away but yet saved and in the City of Nineveh now ready to be overthrown but yet standing First that every offender with Jonah should awake and acknowledging his offence humbly yeild himself up to the Abysse of God's judgements perhaps by the same labour he may save others from perishing and himself also may finde mercy And then that the Pilots of this ship the Heads of the Christian world taking counsel together among themselves for the common salvation order all things well whereby God may be reconciled and man may be brought into order And last of all that the whole people stirred up by the good example and warning of their Superiours would suffer themselves to be reduced and brought home again as to God and goodness unanimously calling upon God as they did both in the ship and in Nineveh and leaving nothing undone nor giving over what ever it is whereby they returning into peace with God and one another may take Oars all as one man and strain all the sinews of their endeavours to arrive at the Haven of Deliverance But to come nearer the business there are four Cardinal points of the Churches safety viz. 1. That the whole Christian People unite together 2. That they be likewise brought into order 3. That they knit together with the bands of Disciples 4. And then be filled with the Spirit of life First Let them unite I say that they be not any more as scattered sheep or a flock of Lyons Bears Wolves Serpents and Basilisks devouring one another but as 't is promised peaceably lying down and feeding together the tame or gentle with the wilde the strong with the weak c. as one Flock under one Shepherd and yet not one so as a flock of Cattle where all are alike one with another but as an Army well ordered Cant. 6.3 as the Kingdom of the Messias which was better governed then that of Solomon 1 Kings 9. 10. as the City of the great King Psal 48.3 as the House of God 1 Tim. 3.15 Lastly as the living body perfectly set with its various members for various offices and put together with all the joynts and all full of the Spirit of life 1 Cor. 12.12 Eph. 4.14 c. without which the rest as union order connexion are all in vain for let the parts and number of them be full and set comely in their proper places and well knit together yet the body wanting only the soul is nothing else but a carkass O you Christian people dispersed through Europe Asia Africa America and the Islands of the Sea into so many Religions Sects Opinions and multiplyed different Ceremonies what else I pray are you now become but as those bones of Israel in Ezekiel scattered abroad in the field of the world Ezek. 37.1 2. O! that it would please God to bring on that day wherein he will put forth his omnipotent power among you to command that there may be a noise and a shaking that so the bones may draw near one to another and come together v. 7. this would be the union Every one the one to the other even in his order the sinews knitting all together the flesh coming upon them and the skin covering them over v. 8. there would be the bands and then the breath come from the four winds to inspire all that are spiritually dead that they may live v. 9 10. viz. the life of Christ and who shall live when God doth this Num. 24.23 You vainly wish may some say things impossible and which can never come to pass and yet we must wish what ever is good and the holy Spirit teacheth us so to do Psal 122. that Jerusalem be one City well built a City compact and put together every way within its self v. 3. where all the Tribes of the Lord go up together with one accord to praise the Name of the Lord v. 4. where there is set the Tribunal of Christ v. 5. to preserve peace and prosperity as well within the walls as in the Palaces v. 6 7. where all the Citizens of the Church are brethren and friends in perfect peace v. 8. studious to seek and procure the common good v. 9. he is therefore no good Citizen of the Church that doth not seek or at least desire and wish the common good thereof Every man seeks after that which he loves they say I therefore because God hath