Daneus Vrsinâ—â—s Bullinger Stephen Caluetus Collodanius Tremulius Pinaldus Tauergius Perottus Chaussaeus Bertrandus Carpenterius De Pluâ—re Perilius Henricus Sâ—rranus Calâ—â—s Poâ—â—â—us Gâ—lartius Iacomotus Dupleus Szegedinus Hâ—shâ—sius De Loques Bastinguius Pollanus Snecanus Fulke Rainolds and others most rare politikes of this time especially Euseb. Cosmopolitan and Bodin Bodin hauing discoursed vppon the rising falling conuersion and translation of the principall Empires Kingdomes states and common wealthes in the worlde at length descendeth to the stâ—te of Geneua giueth a very honourable testimony of the great profit aâ—â—sing by the Discipline and Eldershippe to that common wealth â—is wordes be these But this is to be commended in Geneua If there bee any thing in the worlde worthy commendation vvhâ—ch also maketh the common wealth to flour she though not in riches and largenesse of dominion yes surely in vertue and Godlinesse I meane the Discipline of the Ministers or Elders vvhich is as excellent and heauenlie a vvaie as can bee deuised to represse the faultes of men and such enormities as can not bee redressed by anie humane Lawes and iudgementes Yâ—t this censure is according to the rule by Christ prescribed Namely at the first secretlie and friendlie afterwarde somewhat more roundelie and sharpely Then if the partie doe not relent hee is interdicted solemnely and seriously from the participation of the heauenlie misteries If this doth no good then the Magistrate punisheth Whereupon it falleth out that such thinges as are not punishable any where by Lawe are without anie stirre or tumult reformed there by those Censors or Elders who bee greatlie reuerenced among the people by reason of their vertue Therefore it is that no whoores no drunkardes no diâ—ncing no begging no idle persons are to bee founde in that cittie The more popishe and corrupt that this Bodin is the more auaileable and lesse partiall is his testimony in this matter I would to God we might see the like effect in any City or Towne in England wrought by the gouernement of â— Bb. 4 This gouernement by Elders is commended to bee vsed in all Churches for euer by the Churches in France the Lowe Countries in Heluetâ—a in their latter confession whereâ—unto subscribed the Churches of Tigure Beâ—ne Scaphusia Saint Galls Rhetia Myllaine Bienna Geneua Sauoy Polonia Hungary and Scotlande Wherein be thousandes and ten thousandes of the most excellent Diuines vpon earth 5 Lastly this gouernement by Elders â—oyned to the ministers hath beene vsed as I haue heard reported vnder the Emperour in Bohemia the Turke and Bassaes in Hungarie the Papistes in France the Protestant magistrates in Scotland Saxonie Countie Palatine of Rhene Heluetia Sauoy France The lowe Countries Scotlande and many places in Germanie Though some Churches and learned men doe not like of excommunication in which matter they condemne our state yet I protest in the presence of â—â—mighty God that in all the course of my studie touching these controuersies I haue not to my remembraunce founde reade or hearde of any protestant Church or learned man in the worlde who misliketh that certaine Elders or graue personages should iointly gouerne the Church with the ministers but onely wee of England Wherein we at vnwares doe impeach the Parliament and hir maiesty of indiscretion which haue thought most meete to giue the chiefe managing of the Church not into the handes of one Bishoppe but of many ecclesiastical Commissioners vvhereof some bee ministers and some lay men therein resembling an ecclesiasticall Eldership The Bishops wishe that the ecclesiasticall Commission were more common And I thinke if it were settled in 500. places more then it is and should gouerne by the worde of God and lawes of this Realme that there would arise more profit thereby to Religion then yet hath beene founde by the Bb. To drawe towardes a conclusion of this matter It may be that they who haue attained to as sounde knowledge in all pointes of doctrine as any since the Apostles time should mistake in Discipline It may be that they whom the spirite of wisedome hath guided in expounding the scriptures shoulde be alwaies forsaken of that spirite vvhen they came to expounde or speake oâ— a text concerning discipline It may bee that all these lightes of the world which aâ—owe there was a gouernement by Elders in the primitiue and best Church did and doe grope in dâ—rkenesse and that the authours of the Remonstrance and Matthewe Sutcliffes treatises haue founde out the trueth but vntill they haue approued themselues as profitable to the Church as the fourmer vvriters haue done men not partiall will still make scruples in these matters Againe it maie be that the exercise of this gouernement is a matter of confusion discord dishonour to the magistrate puritanisme rebellion a mâ—â—prince a â—arlawe a marstâ—te and mar-all but it is vnlikely that it should be admitted vnder so many Princes Christiâ—nâ— and infidels papists and proâ—estants and commended by such pearelesse Diuines if it deserued any such taxation It is froÌ„ my puâ—pose in this place to dispute which gouernement is better or worse or whether these authorities and testimonies which I call God to witnes I take to be according to the allegation be agreeable to the trueth or otherwise onely I trust I haue sufficiently prooued mine intention namely that Seeing the lawes established expect a further and better reformation Seeing the writiâ—gâ—s of our Diuines in the common cause against the Papistes Seeing the confession of the Bishâ—ps their fauourers Seeing their doubtfull suspicious handling of these contâ—ouersies and Seeing the testimonies of Councells Fathers late writers and Churches imply so much I conclude that things go not so cleare for the Bb. but that further reformation conference or triall is expedient Till which Reformation tryall and conference be aâ—chieued all that bee not blinde in effection doe wiâ—â—e that these followers of Reformation may receiue more curteous vsage then yet appeareth For most gracious Souerâ—â—â—e they bee your maiesties subiectes aswell as the Bb. They be proâ—esâ—ors of your owne religion aswell as the Bb. They be â—mbasâ—adors of Christ Iesus aswell if not more in regarde of their painfulnesse then the Bishops If you will not heare them whom can they fly vnto If you will not pity their manifolde miseries and molestations then they are destitute of humane comforte They deserue fauour They haue brought many to the knowledge of God who otherwise shoulde haue remained captiues vnder Sathan and traytours to your Highnes They are vnreproueable before all men saâ—e in this question of Reformation Wherein if they offende as it maie bee they doe for the best men bee lyable to errour surelie it is to bee thought they fall of ignorance 1 The writings of the Bb. them selues 2 The disputations of our Diuines against the papistes published
state they still continued as they had begun some of them weake in body though strong in spirite preaching three or foure times a day manie daies togither as London can witnesâ—e incouraging the people to fight for the Gospell and for their soueraigne still calling for repentaunce that God might bee mercifull to vs our Prince and Countrie Also when the expedition was made into Portugall they renewed these exercises a fortnight or 3. weekes before the Bishops sent to their fauorers any precepts or instructions to doe the like Is it likely that these men doe malice her Maiesty Surely they malice hir as Esay Ieremy other prophets did malice Ezechiah Iosiah and other godly Kings of Iudah when they reproued the abuses of the Church vnder them seeking that they might flourish in al honour by the due obseruation of the lawe of God adding vertue to vertue and reformation to reformations till Iudah and Ierusalem were clearely purged Is this malice to Princes No. They that hide froÌ„ princes the deformity of a state crying peace peace where no peace is they be the most malicious and pestilent enemies of the state The men that call for Reformation may pretend cause or coulour of cause both in matters of doctrine fact why they may hate the Bishops which in no sorte may be applyed to hir Maiesty The Bishops impugne that which heretofore they haue deliuered as the trueth of God as I haue shewed They confesse there be infinite corruptions in the Church which yet they will not reforme nor sâ—ffer other to sue for amendment or reformation thereof They confesse that by Gods word a Priest and Bishop are all one yet they and their followers make it heresie so to beleeue building vpon Epiphanius who also erroniously in the same place calleth the Bishops and all them heretikes that denie prayer for the dead Which determination of heresie vpon one mans worde as it is against the lawes of this Realme so it wrappeth in heresie both the Syriake Interpreter vvho vseth one worde Kashisha both for Priest and Bishop And also Chrysostome Ambrose Theodoreâ—e Hierome Occumenius Iâ—idore The Canon Lawe in force in Englande which sayeth That the primitiâ—e Church had no other sacred orders but Deaconship and Priesthood Also Wicklef Marsilâ—â—s of Padâ—a Luther Caluin Musculus Hofman Sadel Mornce Marlorate 〈◊〉 Whitakers Fulke Iewell Bullinger The Waldenses Alley Bâ—shop of Excester Lambert Beza Daneus The Magdeburgenses Knitsius Melaâ—â—thon Szegedinus Many Christian Churches and all Protestants that haue writen of this matter who teach expresly that by the trueth of Gods word Bishops and Priestes bee all one and of like authority therfore are condemned by Bellarmine Turrian Dureâ— Spence Harding The Rhemistes Stapleton Sanders Bristowe and other papistes to bee Aertan heretikes euen as the â—b doe account for the same cause all the maintemers of Reformation The enemies to Reformation doe esteeme it an absurde and monstrous thing to holde That a Pastour and Teacher differ in office though the Syriake interpreter doe distinguishe them aswell as Apostle and Euangeâ—ist vith deragnavathâ— vith demalphane which Guido translateth Ephes. 4. 11. Some Pastours and some Teachers And although Musculus Hâ—perius Caluin Martyr Kemâ—tâ—â—s Bezâ— Sadeel Danâ—us Szegedinus Hemingius Bucer Bertrand de Loques Villiers Iunius and tâ—n Protestante Churches as Maister Rogers confesseth doe account of them as distinct callings The Bishops doe affirme that by the common exposition of all writers Christ by katakyrieuâ—in Matth. 20. 25. doeth onely prohibite in the ministerie tyrannâ—call not lawfull Lordly rule yet of all these writers they can onely name threc or foure whereas the Seekers of Reformation may produce Luther Zuinglâ—us Melancton Caluin Bullinger Hemingius Illiricus Gualter Nowell Iewell Sadâ—â—l Beza Munster Bridges against the papistes Bilson Broughton Rainolds Withers Whitakers Snâ—canus Szegedinus Fulke Erastus and the Churches of Bohemâ—a who say that Christ speaketh there of lawfull Lordely rule for bidding his Apostles and Ministers of the Gospell to vse the same The 〈◊〉 and their friendes adiudge it a popedome and tyranny to excommunicate Princes although themselues do excommunicate inferiour Magistrates whom the Scripture doth honour with the hie title of Gods aswell as the most glorious Emperour and although both Bucer Caluin Snâ—canus De Loques Beza Daneus Zanchius Nowell Poinet Bishop of Winchester Iewell Bâ—â—son and Bridges do by their doctrine in priuiledged bookes approue the same The Bb. charge the Seek of Reformation flatlie and fullâ—â— to agree with the papistes in the article of the Princes Supremacie in matters Ecclesiasticall yet the Seek of Reformation differ froÌ„ them in these substantiall pointes following 1 They giue the Prince authoritie ouer all persons ecclesiasticall whatsoeuer the papistes exempte their cleargie 2 They holde that a Prince may depose a priest as Salomon did Abiathar and accordingly they obey being silenced the papistes deme it 3 They affirme that if Priests do make wicked decrees that the Prince may enforce them to better the papistes denie it 4 They say that Princes may and ought to make lawes for the Church but with the aduise of godly Pastoures the papistes denie it 5 They hold that if the Pastours be vnlearned and vngodly the Prince may of himselfe without their assent or aduise make orders and lawes for ecclesiasticall matters the papistes doe vtterlie denie Lastly they will subscribe in this point to the Articles of Religion established by lawe to the Apologie to the Church of England to the writers of M. Iewell M. Nowell M. Horn Maister Whitakers Maister Bâ—â—son Maâ—ster Rainoldes M. Fulke for I protest I haue sought but found nothing in these mens writinges touching this matter that dissenteth from the opinions of them that sue for Reformat Besides they take the othe of the Supremacie as hir Maiestie and the Parliament doeth expound it Whereupon by expresse allowance of law they are in that respect hir Maiesties good and obedient subiectes and they that inforce more vpon them in this point of the Magistrates authoritie then that othe vvith the Queenes exposition therof comprehendeth are vpon hir Maiesties roy all woorde and enact of lawe Malicious persons Furthermore the Bb. saye That the generall opinion of the best writers is against the gouernement by Elders vvhere as they can name onely foure whereof Caluin and Beza are two who
A petition directed to her most excellent Maiestie wherein is deliuered 1 A meane howe to compound the ciuill dissention in the church of England 2 A proofe that they who write for Reformation do not offend against the stat of 23. Eliz. c. 2. and therefore till matters be compounded deserue more fauour Open thy mouth for the dumbe in the causes of the children appointed to death PROV 31. 8. I beleeued and therefore haue I answered For SIONS sake I will not ceasse and for IERVSALEMS sake I will not holde my tong ESA. 62. 1. Herevnto is annexed Some opinions of such as sue for Reformation By vvhich is made appeare hovve vniustlie they are slaundered by the Bishops c. pag 53. Together vvith the Authours Epistle to the Reader pag. 58. Also Certeyne Articles wherein is discouered the negligence of the Bishoppes their Officialls Fauourers and Follovvers in performance of sundrie Ecclesiasticall Statutes Lawes and Ordinances Royall and Episcopall published for the gouernement of the Church of England pag. 60. Lastlie Certeyne Questions or Interrogatories dravven by a fauourer of Reformation vvhich he desireth to be resolued by the Prelates pag. 74. To the Queenes most excellent Maiestie Elizab. by the grace of God Queene of Englande France and Ireland supreme gouernesse in all causes and ouer all persons within her Maiesties Realmes and Dominions CRauing vppon my knees pardon for my boldnes I beseech your most excelleÌ„t maiesty to heare me a little All your Highnes subiects that loue the religion honour your maiesty and desire the good of the Realme doe hartily bewaile the bitter contentioÌ„ about the questions of reforming the Church Many seeke to increase this contention Some labour to appease it but this will neuer bee till the trueth in these matters be assured in the hearts of both parties I doe not nowe write eyther to pull downe Bishoprickes or erect presbiteries With whom the trueth is I will not determine For I knowe not What seemeth most probable and true to me that I knowe Howe trueth should come to light that is the question Writing of bookes in such manner as is nowe vsed is endlesse wearinesse to the fleshe matter of further contention by reason of impertinent and personall discourses The troubles of Churches and enmitie of Princes wil not admit a generall Councell A free Nationall or Prouinciall Councell at home were much to be wished so that the Bb. and their followers did not ouerrule the rest For it is against religion law and reason that the same men should be both iudges and parties Or if this be not thought so conuenient There is a way deuised and much commended by learned men as a notable meane to compounde controuersies namely priuate conferences by aduised writing not extemporall speaking the question agreed of The arguments thâ— answeres replies and reioinders set downe till both parties had fully said all by-matters laid aside In fine the whole to be published that your maiesty the honourable Councellours and Parliament may iudge thereof that those thinges which on eyther part are founde faultie may be redressed That all thinges be not so cleare with the Bb. but that further conference triall and reformation is requisite appeareth 1 By the lawes established which expect a better and further reformation in Church-causes 2 By the writings of our Diuines in the common cause against the papistes 3 By the confession of the Bb. them selues and such aâ— write in their defence 4 By their suspicious and doubtfull handling of the matters in question 5 By the testimony of learned men and christian Churches who seeme to speake against the gouernment by Bb. and for the gouernement by assisting Elders 1 The lawes expect a further reformation of the Church Your Maiesties most noble Father vnderstanding that the lawes Ecclesiasticall of this lande were corrupt prouided by Parliament that 32. persons should peruse and correct them gathering into one booke those that were good which by his Royall assent should haue the strength of lawe all other Ecclesiasticall lawes to be abandoned out of this Church for euer Maister D. Cranmer and other reuerend men were delegated to this purpose They collected into one booke many good thinges as they thought touching Aduouson of benefices Excommunication for small matters Residence of Vniuersitie men vpon their benefices Mariages without consent of parentes Nursing of children by their owne mother Diuorces for infirmitie of body Pluralities Broken Musicke in Cathedrall Churches Deacons The solemnitie of ExcoÌ„munication and absoâ—ution with the assent of the people and many other things which are directly contrary to the practise and orders of the moderne Bishops But this booke wanteth the Kinges confirmation and the lawes Ecclesiasticall remaine in the same corruption as your Maiesties Father left them notwithstanding the labours of those Reuerend personages and the act of Parliament which was reuiued and confirmed in the beginning of your Highnes most happy reigne 2 Also in the booke of common prayer which was sette forth by your Maiesties brother accepted by your highnes there is prescribed a Commination to bee vsed at a certaine time in the yeare not to continue euer but till an order of Discipline practised in she primitiue Church bee restored which were greatly to bee wished as the authours of that booke doe saie Yet this Commination staÌ„deth and the Discipline there mentioned is yet wanting 3 The booke of ordering Ministers confirmed by lawe presumeth that euery Minister should be a Preacher For at the Ordination the Bishop sayeth Take thou authority to preach the word of God Yet where the Bb. ordeine one Minister that can preach they make twenty that can not 4 â—astly it is enacted That all ornaments of the Church and Ministers thereof such as are Surples Coapes c. shall be retained and be in vse as was appointed by King Edward the 6. not for vnchangeable continuaunce but vntill other order were taken by your Maiestie and your Highnes Ecclesiasticall Commissioners 2 The Defenders of our common cause expect a further Reformation Those thinges in effect be acknowledged by some of our chiefe defendours of religion against the papistes For vvhen they obiect That we are glad to borrowe their ceremonies to haue an apish imitation of their Masâ—e booke answere is returned That diuers abuses in Ceremonies and Discipline were tollerated among vs our Church therein yeelding to the infirmitie of the weaker sorte which were to be altered when people grewe to ryper knowledge 3 The Defenders of the state of Bb. expect further Reformation 1 Al the Bishops in their Canons do confesse that Non-residencie is a filthie thing odâ—ous to men pernicious to the church yet what is more common 2 By the lawes of England in the ordination of Bb. the Archbishop should lay the Bible vpon the Bishops neck
Reformation as felons that yet it is Expedient I answere that if such law be admitted it will be the most daungerous perillous practise that euer was receiued within this Realme of Englande For neither the Prince the Councellours the Magistrates Bishops Iudges or best subiectes can liue in security If men may violate law and iustice vpon a colour or pretence of Expediencie what endlesse mischieâ—es may insue vnto the common wealth What kinde of president would this be to al succeding ages To what purpose haue our auncestours prouided that there shoulde bee euery yeare or oftner a Parliament to supply the defectes of law if vppon a surmise of experiencie men might goe beyond the listes and limites of lawe If the reuerende Iudges of the lande who ought to preserue the integrity and honour of the lawe shoulde admit any such learning besides that it would ouerthrow both the common and statute law it would indaunger the keeping of their oth giue their goods landes and liues to the Princes pleasure Some will expect that I shoude answere the charge against the writer of the Demonstration if one man made both the Epistle and the booke which I haue not as yet hearde to bee proued but seeing he is conuicted by the verdict of 12. men the proceeding against him notoriouslie knowen the accusation and woordes wherevpon hee was conuicted in euerie mans mouth I leaue it to the iudgement of the great day when the Iudge all Iudges shalbe iudged before the Iudge of heauen and earth who will rewarde euery man according to that which he hath done good or ill Precious in the eies of the Lorde is the death of his Saintes O earth thou canst not couer bloude It still cryeth in the eares of the Lord for vengeance saying How long Lorde holy and true doest not thou Iudge and auenge our bloude on them that dwell on the earth Surelie he that preserueth the haires of the head and putteth the teares of his seruantes into a bottel will much more preserue in his bottel the drops of the bloude that fall from the bodies of his saintes Therefore be warned bee wise and take heede what you doe ye Iudges of the earth It is one thing to deale with a theefe and murtherer another thing to iudge a Minister preacher of the Gospell of Christ your redeemer and that in matters of religion wherein God knoweth you haue small vnderstanding Thus haue I runne ouer the obiections made to proue the writers of Reform against the Hierarchie to bee diffamers of hir Maiestie and rebelles I will proceede a little further to shew that if men would be curious in their writings that deale for the Bb. and if their wordes were a little inforced as they might be by M. Dolion or some such factor for the Bish I feare they might incurre the daunger of this â—tatute as easily as others The Bb. in their booke doe write That it is not lawfull to bestowe such liuings vpon late men as are appointed by 〈◊〉 to Preachers of the worde Though this might stande good and yet ouerthrowe many of our Bb. states honors who preach not the word yet this doeth reproch hir Maiestie who doeth imploy some of the â—b liuings oâ—tentimes to better vses then Bb doe bestowe them M. VVicleve that famous protestant taught another lesson 〈…〉 And who will not thinke the superfluitie of a Bb. liuing better bestowed vppon such a man as Sir Frauncis Walsingham that right honorable Councelor and benefactor of the Church and Countrie then vppon any Bb. that referreth al abondance to the aduancement of his house and posteritie D. Brâ—ages mainteineth in writing That a Priest maie haue a moderate Lordely iurisdiction ouer all the Lordes allotment and 〈◊〉 Which implieth and externall â—ordely iurisdiction ouer hir Maiestie vâ—les he will say That she is none of Gods heritage both which might be made a daungerous doctrine D. Bancroft writeth That her Mâ—iestie is a Pâ—ty pope and ascribeth to hir all the iurisdiction that the Pope euer had by vsurpation M. Iewell saieth That the popish Prelates gaue K. Henrâ—â— the 8. the strange and vnvsed â—ule of head of the Church to bring him into the slander and taske of the worlde And the Parliament for auoyding scandale changed the title of Supreme heade to Suprem Gouernour If Maist. Iewell misliked that thâ— Queene should be called Supreme heade what would he haue thought of Pety pope or howe can the Parliament beare this Do not the Protestantes detest in the pap their woman pope The Archb. of Canterb. would bee displeased and I can not blame him if a man should call him Pope Notwithstanding the Pope saide of one of his predecessors Includamus hunc in orbe nostro tanquam 〈◊〉 orbis Papam Let vs include this Aâ—selme in our woorlde as Pope of another worlde meaning great Britaine called by the auncient writers a world by it selfe yet it is thought nothing to call hir Maiestie a Peâ—y pope Doctor Whitakers sayeth That the Name authoritie and person of the Pope all Protestantes doe abhorre and accurse to the Prince of darknesse whence it came The papistes doe slaunder hir Maiestie to be a Pope or Pety pope but M. Nowell telleth the papistes and D. Bancroft also That wee doe not teach that the Princes be either Popes or Pety popes The papistes also doe abuse hir Highnes as D. Bancroft doeth saying That vve take the Supremacie from the Pope and giue it to the Prince But Doctor Rainolds aunswereth That the Supremacie which vvee take from the Pope vve giue to no mortali creature Prince or other But D. Banc. who thinketh himselfe a great Clerke as if he were a deeper Diuine then either M. Nowell or M. Rainolds whom he vseth to call a Precâ—fian maketh hir Maiestie a Petie pope assigneth hir not some of the Popes power but ALL honors dignities preeminences iurisdâ—ctions priuileges authorities profites and commodities which by vsurpation did at anie time appertaâ—e vnto the Pope If a man can diffame by foolishe flatterie then D. Bancâ—s the most notorious diâ—â—amer of hir Maiestie in al England Neither lawe reason religion or good manners doeth waâ—rant this God forbid that like extremity were extended for these faultes as hath bin vsed against the Seek of Reformat I doe not recount them for that purpose but onely that the Bb. and their friendes seeing their owne case if hir Maiestie vvere not mercifull may deale more curteously with their brethren Conclusion Considering the doubtfulnes of these controuersies I trust your Maiesty will take some good order for the peaceable debating compounding of them In the meane time we hope that these things which are here writen being well weighed your gratious and tender heart will neuer suffer one drop of bloud to fall to ground for these causes of Reform till
it euidently appeare where the fault lyeth This is the intent of this humble petition made onely for the peace of this Church quiet of the Realme Which two things it behooueth all Christian subiectes to aduaunce forward with their whole endeuour The God almighty who to the great wonder of the world hath most miraculousâ—ie defended and deliuered you from all the cursed enterprises against your Realme and person preserue your Maiestie many yeares in health honour prosperity and victory to his glory the good of his Church the reliefe of his Saints to the ioy of Englande and all Nations that professe the trueth AMEN good Lord and cursed be he from heauen that sayeth not from the heart AMEN AMEN To the ende that it may appeare howe vniustlie the Seekers of Reformation are slaundered by the Bishoppes and others I thought good briesâ—â—e and truely to deliuer the opinions of such as sue for Reformation which I haue gathered out of their bookes and seene in their practise and heard in conference which I haue had with them 1 THEY openly professe and acknowledge that they be sinfull men subiect to infirmity as well as others They doe not call or account them selues Catharâ— or 〈◊〉 and therefore if Augustine say true that Catharâ— sunt qâ—i â—eipsos isto nomine quafi propter munditiâ—â— suberbissime at que oâ—iosissimè nominant They bee Puritanes That in conceipt of their owne puritie doâ— most proudly and odiously call them selues by that name then vvithout question they be no Puritanes vnles in that sence that all the Apostles saue Iudas and all other true Christians are called 〈◊〉 or Puritanes in the Scriptures 2 They doe absolutely yeelde and subscribe to all the articles of Christian fâ—â—th and doctrine professed in the Church of Englande according as they bee inioyned by the lawes of the lande and therefore they doe not offende against the Statute made in the thirteenth yeare of her Highnes raigne and withall haue open iniurie in being called schismatikes 3 They doe vnfeinedly giue to her maiesty all that power soueraâ—tie and authoritie whatsoeuer is recognised to be in her Highnes by the othe of the Supremacies as her maiesty 〈◊〉 and the Parliament haue expounded 〈◊〉 and thereâ—ore they be not Traytours by the statutes of 〈◊〉 or quinto of her Maiesty 4 They professe all submission reuerence and obedience to the right Honourable the Lordes of the priuy Councell the Iudges and all other ciuill Magistrates of this state honouring them as Lieutenants of God and her Maiesty and therefore they be not Anababtists who would abandon the authority of Magistrates and distinctions of states among Christians And although they beleeue that it is not agreeable to the doctrine and example of Christ and his Apostles that Bb. and Preachers should accept temporall Lordship and ciuill authority yet they honour that authoritie which is deriued to them from her Maiestie in regard whereof they submit them selues to be conuented imprisoned fined c. by them much lesse will they vvith force and armes resist or rebell against her Maiesties most lawfull authority eyther in her selfe or being deputed to others who are not disabled by Gods worde to vse it and therefore they bee not within the statute of vice â—imo tertio of Raising rebellion against her Highness 5 They hold it lawfull and necessarie before Magistrates to take an oth being called thereunto so that the oth being a matter highly concerning the worship of God be guided and taken as the Scriptures allowe that is not in vaine where a matter may bee otherwise proued by sufficient euidence or witnesse nor yet rashly as swearing to answere they know not to what or before the Articles which they must answere vpoÌ„ their oth be made knowen vnto them 6 They seeke not to pull downe the Courts of Iustice as the high Court of ParliameÌ„t the Starchamber the Kings bench the Chanceriâ— or any of the rest but they desire they may stande as they doe sauing that Bb. Ecclesiasticall persons should be shut out from them set to preach the gospell follow their owne vocation not being charged with other offices vnles they were sometimes called in weighty difficult causes to giue counsell aduise what may or should be done by the word of God 7 They denie not but that matters of Testamentes and Mariages may bee determined by Ciuilians in their Courtes if it seeme not good to the Parliament to transferre these things to the temporall Lawiers alwaies prouided that their Courtes may be made meere teÌ„porall not intermedling wi the Church Censures prouided likewise that the Bb. or other Ministers haue no dealing therin prouided also that causes may be iudged there not by popes lawes but by the word of God the laudable Customes Statutes Iniunctions Synodall and Prouinciall Constitutions accepted in this Realme a greable to the word of God and established by hir Maiesties authoritie and act of Parliament 8 They teach that neyther the Ministerie nor people of this Realme ought to make any general Reformation neither with force and armes or otherwise of their owne authoritie change any lawes made or established for religion by authoritie of Parliament but they holde that the generall reformation doeth belong to the Magistrate as Gods Lieuetenant to deale in and that for them selues they may and oughte in dutifull and christian forte both preache write and sue to the Magistrates for redresse of enormities and also practise the or dinances of Christ which he hath commanded his Church to keepe to the ende of the world and therefore they haue not incurred the dangers of lawes made against Riots Routes or vnlawfull Assemblies 9 They detest all such as aduisedly falsly or maliciousâ—ie slaunder or disâ—ame her most excellent Maiestie and therfore they be not felons by the statut prouided against spreaders of Newes or false rumours 10 They doe maineteyne that according to the approued doctrine of Englande Emperours or any Christian magistrats whatsoeuer being members of the Church of Christ ought to submit themselues to excommunication or other ecclesiastical censures being duely orderly vpon iust occasion according to the commaundements of Christ executed 11 That a Magistrate standing excommunicated ought to be obeyed and honoured in all respectes of subiection for custome subsidie loue or any other imposition or seruice whatsoeuer of body goods and landes as if hee were not excommunicated And therefore they abhorre the Antichristian and most pestiferous doctrine of the popish â—orte that giueth liberty to the subiect to withholde his seruices and duties from the Magistrate so long as he standeth excommunicate 12 Their suite to her Mâ—iesty and this honorable state is that it may be permitted and enacted by law that the church of Christ may bee ruled by such lawes orders and officers as Christ himselfe hath expressed in his