Besides this they receyued the communion as the sure token or seale off their mutuall agremente whiche was omitted before by the space off 3. monethes Valaran also the frenche Minister was partaker off this communion and a furtherer off concorde and a wittnes off theis thinges Nowe of late daies certeine of our countrey men came to vs who haue indeuored by all meanes to obtrude that huge volume off ceremonies vpon vs to break the couenaunte and to ouerthrough the libertie off the Churche graunted by your beneuolence And no dowte this they enterprise and minde to do vnder the title and name off your defence Wherby they maie abuse the authoritie off your name to satisfie their â—ustâ— We are here coÌ„pelled to omitte manie thinges whiche woulde make for oure cause no lesse rightly then profitabâ—y but we remit thies to oure brethern for concordes sake Yow haue here moste honorable Sen. a brieff summe of oure case and contention wherby yow may easilie vnderstande what to iudge off the whose matter What manner off Booke this â—s for the whiche they so cruelâ—ie contende ye maie consider by the Epistle that Caluin lately wrote vnto vs in the whiche he hathe signified his minde aswell plainly off the booke as also off the vprightnesse off oure cause We coulde haue pointed owte vnto yow the foolishe and fonde things off the booke but passinge ouer an infinite nomber off thinges this one will we bringe for manie the whiche shal be necessarie well to be maâ—â—ed within these three yeres arose a great conflicte betweene the the Bishopps off the realme and the Bishoppe off Glocester Maister Hooper a man worthie off perpetuall memorie whom we heare to be burned off late This man beinge made Bishopp By kinge Edwarde there was obtruded by other B. off the same order accordinge to this booke a rocheâ—â— and and a bishops robe this man being well lerned and a longe tyme nourished and brought vp in Germany as soone as he refused thies proud thinges that fooles marveâ—l aâ— he was caste into prison and at lenght by their importunitie ouercome and relentinge he was compelled to his shame to geue place to their impudency withe the common grieff and sorowe off all godlye mindes But wherfore speake yow off theis thinges will yow saie that apperteneth nothinge to vs yes verely we thinke it touchethe yow verie moche for yff thies men armed by your authoritie shall do what they liste this euell shal be in tâ—me established by yow and neuer be redressed nether shall there for euer be anie ende off this controuersie in Englande But yff it woulde please your honorable authoritie to decree this moderation betweene vs that this whole matter may be referred to the iudgements off the fiue aboue named not we alone that are here present but oure whole posteritie yea oure whole engâ—ishe nation â— and all good men â—o the perpetuall memorie off your names shal be bownde vnto yow for this great benefit We might haue vsed moo wordes in this narration for we feared not that we shulde lake reasons but rather that tyme shulde faâ—â—e yow letted with more serious busines Therfore we by theis thinges leaue the reste to the consideration off your wisdomes The 22 off Marche maâ—ster Glauburge came to the Englishe Churche and shewed the congregation that it was commaunded them by the magistrateâ— when by his procurement the church was graunted that they shulde agree withe the frenche churche bothe in Doctrine and ceremonies and that they vnderstood howe the fallinge from â—hat order had bred muche dissention amonge them Therfore â—e straitâ—y charged and commaunded that from thenc foorthe they shulde not dissent from that order yff they did as he had opened the churche dore vnto them so woulde he shutte it againe And that suche as woulde not obey therunto shulde not tarie within that citie willinge them to consulte together owte off hande and to geue him an answere before he departed D. Coxe then spake to the congregation in this wise I haue saithe he redd the frenche order and do thinke it to be bothe good and godly in all pointes and therfore wished them to obaie the magistrates commaundement wherupon the whole congregation gaue consent so as before the Magistrate departed the churche D. Coxe leuer and whittingham made reporte vnto him accordingly D. Coxe also at that presente requested that it woulde please him notwithstandinge their ill behauiour to shewe vnto them his accustomed fauor and goodnesse whiche he moste iently and louinglie promised At the nexte meetinge off the congregation that order was put in practise to the comforte and reioycinge off the moste parte Neuertheles suche as woulde so faine haue had the booke of England lefte not the matter thus And for that they sawe Knox to be in suche credit withe many off the congregation they firste off all assaied by a moste cruell barbarous and bloudie practise to dispatche him owte off the waie to th ende they might withe more ease attaine the thinge whiche they so gredely sought whiche was the placinge of their booke They had amonge them a booke off his intituled an admonition to Christians written in the English tonge wherin by occasion he spake off the Emperour off Philip his sonne and off Marie then Queene off Englande This booke cericine off them presented to the Magistrates who vpon receipte off the same sente for whittingham and asked him off Knox their Minister what manner off man he was whittingham answered that suche a one their was amonge them and to his knowledge bothe a lerned wise graue and godly man. Then one off the Magistrates saied vnto him certaine off your countrie men haue accused him vnto vs Laesae Maiestatis Imperatoriae that is off high treason againste the Emperour his sonÌ„e and the Queene off England here is the booke and the places whiche they haue noted the true and perfect sence wheroff we commaunde yow sub pena pacis to bringe vnto vs in the latten tonge at one off the clock in the after noone which thinge he did accordingly at whiche time after certeine communication amonge themselues they commanded that Knox shulde preache no more till their pleasure were farther knowen The wordes concerninge the Emperour were theis spoken in the pulpit in a Towne off Buchingham sheere in the beginninge off Queene Maries raigne as by the saied booke apearethe where it is saied O Englande Englande yff thow wylte obstinately returne into Egipte that is yff thow coÌ„tracte mariage confederacy or leage with suche princes as doo maintaine and aduaunce ydolatrie suche as the Emperour who is no lesse enemie to Christ then was Nero yff for the pleasure and frindship I saie of such princes thow returne to thine oulde abhominations before vsed vnder Pâ—pistery then assuredly O England thow shalt be plaged and brought to desolation by the meanes off those whose fauour thow sekeste and by whom thow arte procured to fall from Christe and
Maister Horne the Pastor and Maister Asheley whiche controuersie was handled with somewhat more sharpe wordes then was meete but yet they so departed by the industrie and labour off some certeine persons that they dranke wyne one to an other and all that strife and contention was thought to be wholie taken awaie Afterward to witt the 16. daie off Ian. at one off the clock in the after noone thre off thelders sent for Maister Asheley in to an howse off one off the Elders and they began to debate the matter with him touchinge an iniurye done not to the pastor alone but to all the Elders as they affirmed and to their ministery which thinge Maister Asheley denied that he euer did at any tyme. The next daie beinge the 17. off Ian. After that publique praiers were ended Maister Asheley was by the Pastor and all the Elders called into the churche and there in the name off them all it was obiected vnto him that he had spoken vpon the 13. daie off Ian. in supper while certeine wordes tendinge to the slander off them and their ministery Ashely answered that he perceiued and vnderstood that they all were offended as in their owne matter and that therfore he wouâ—de nâ—t answere before them as competent iudges off the cause but would referre the cause that he had against the Pastor and them seinge they shewed them selues an aduersarie parte to him to the whole churche and Ecclesiasticall discipline Then the Pastor exhorted him that he would not so proceade for yff he so did that then they were minded to seeke and demaunde helpe off the magistrate agaynst him Aâ—ter that the 24. off Ian. Asheley himselff handled his owne cause in his owne name before the pastor and elders and theÌ„ in the afternoone he sent 2. meÌ„ of the churche who in his name require the pastors and elders that they would not proceed against him in that cause wherin they themselues were a parte and therfore not fâ—tt or competent iudges but to geue ouer the whole maâ—ter to 8. or 10. men vpright in conscience and inclininge to nether parte by whose iudgementes iff he were founde in faulte he woulde willingâ—y submit himselff to all Ecclesiasticall discipline Answere was made him by the Pastor in the name off them all that they had receiued their authoritie from the whole churche and vvould reteine and keepe the same till such time as they from vvhom they had receiued it vvoulde againe demaunde it And in the meane vvhile they purposed to proceede thereafter againste all suche as had offended and so muche the more seuerely and sharplie against Maister Asheley by howe muche it might be more profitable for the whole churche to make him beinge a worsâ—hipfull man an ensample to others to take heed and beware by asheley that answere beinge receiued the 26. off Ian. Whiche was a daie off solemne praier fearinge those things whiche Horne had saide before theateninge him with the Magistrate when common praier was ended declared the whole maâ—ter to the churche and desired that the churche woulde vnderstand off the whole matter betwene the pastor and elders as the one partie and him selff as thother Wherupon certeine men did in the name off the whole churche demaunde off the pastor and elders whither they were a parte against Asheley The pastor answered in all their names that they were not a parte against him but that Asheley had slandered them all Againe it was demaunded in the name off the churche who were his accusers to whiche vvhen the pastor answered nothinge neither in his owne name nor in the name of the seniors Asheley was coÌ„maunded by the church publiquely and openlie to reade those things whiche he had comprehended in vvrytinge concerninge his cause Afterward the pastor and elders were asked vvither those things vvhiche Asheley had redd vvere true The pastor answered in all their names that they would not ansvvere either more largely or anie othervvise to anie questions then they had ervvhile ansvvered and so the congregation vvas dismissed vvithowte ansvvere yet not vvith ovvte coÌ„tempt as was thought The same daie at afternoone Maister Hales vvho vvas absent when theis thinges vvere done vnderstanding that this matter tended to more greuous striffe and contention did vvryte his letters to some certeine personnes that semed desirous off the peace off the churche and desired that they would come together the nexte daie after to the churche to consulte and deliberate what were the beste vvaie to pacifie this trouble and turmoile before it waxed more stronge or shulde be more published abroad and made better knowen to the senate or magistrats The very dryfte and purpos off the letters together vvith them that were called as them also whiche came to the place appointed dothe appeere by the letters themselues the copie whereoff insewethe The superscription To his brethern off the Englishe churche Maister Crawley Maister Railton Maister warcope Maister Faulconer Maister Nowel Maister Carell Maister Kente Maister Kelke Maister Dauies Maister Benthame Maister Brikbeke Maistee Sutton Maister Christ Hales Iohn Hales sendethe greetinge in the lorde I Heare brethern that whiche is to me greuous to heare to witt that striffes are arisen in oure churche whiche tende either to the dissolution off the churche or to the hurte and destruction of the poore wherefore I pray yow whose names are in the subscription off the letters that if yow shall so think good we maie meete to morowe in the morninge in oure churche there to consulte and take aduise what maie be the beste waie to quiete this styrre to the glorie off God and our owne quietnes god geue vs his peace This 26. of Ian. 1557. Your louinge brother Iohn Hales I pray yow that so many off yow as will mette at the tyme and place apointed to put downe your names lest some parhap maie come in vaine Nowe all those whose names are before rehersed came except maister warcope After consultation and aduise taken it semed best to al them that were called together and mett there that the nexte daie after one off them in all their names shulde deale withe the Pastor and elders that sith Ashley complained that they were aduersarie parte vnto him they woulde suffer the churche or some suche certeine persons as the churche shulde appoint to take knowledge off the cause and to heare firste whither they were an aduersarie parte to Ashley whiche iff they were not founde to be then the knowledge off the matter shuld be put back againe to theÌ„ and that withe the ignominie and shame off him that had appealed from them But yff they were founde to be aduersary parte that then it shulde seeme vniuste that they shuld sit in their owne cause as iudges but more meete and vpright it would be that then the churche shulde knowe and vnderstand off the whole matter wherupon the next daie after that is to saie the 18 off Ian. when praiers were ended the matter was proposed to the pastor
schisme if yow also iudge of me in like sorte I will departe oute off this companie as one beinge vnmeete to tarie amonge yow in this assemblie This beinge saide he addressed himselff to departe Afterwards he was called back by all the men there assembled and intreated to abide amongest them Afterwarde he drewe foorthe those letters by whiche he had called certaine men together to make peace and ende the stirre as is before saide and preferred them to the church to be openly redd Whiche letter beinge redd that his dede was iudged off all them that were present bothe honest and most meete for a Christian man nether that anie man that had called either others to make peace by their meetinge was for suche a facte to be accounted a schismatick Then they were all desired that seinge they had so iudged and determined they would appoint this their sentence to be registred and put downe in writinge that it might stande in steed off a recorde and testimonye not for Maister Hales onely but for all other in the like case and with all that this newe and present vpstartinge matter might by their iudgemēts be decided and ended least it might bringe forth and stirre vv new contentions amonge them Wherupon it was put downe in wrytinge to this effecte Iff two foure eight twelue or mo or lesse meete in the churche when it was voide off people praier and other exercises or els in priuate howses to make peace betwene some members off the churche or to consulte off anie other thinge profitable for the church that that their dede and acte shulde not in anie case be iudged or esteemed vnorderlie seditious schismaticall or tendinge to schisme Neither that he whiche either by writinge or vvorde off mouth had so called them together shulde be thought to be the author off anie schisme or a schismaticall facte or tendinge to schisme and diuision And bicause nowe no place off speakinge in the congregation withowte offence did seeme anie more to be left to anie man it was ordeined the saide 29. off Ian. that it shulde be lawfull for any man hauinge before desired off the pastor elders and whole churche licence and libertie to speak to shewe his iudgement and opinion in the churche withowt any reproch off a disordered dede therfore so it be that he did it godly quietlie and soberlie ▪ yff he shulde speake anie vngodly thinge that thē it was lawfull for the pastor and Seniors or anie off them foorthwith to commaunde him to holde his toung The laste daie off Ian. beinge the Sabath daie after morninge praier was ended pardon was offred of all priuate offences by the pastor in his owne name and the name off the elders to all the people off the churche ād in like sorte the people were desired to pardon them yet in suche sorte this was done that the Pastor and Elders woulde reserue to themselues suche causes as concerned their Ministerie to be pursued and followed off them It was answered againe in oure names off the churche that we in like sorte did pardon all men all priuate grudges yet that the churche did accordinge to their example reserue vnto it selff publike causes belonginge to the churche and the libertie theroff quietlie and Christianly to be pursued and folovved vvhich ansvvere allthoughe it were measured by the rule off that pardon and forgeuenes vvhiche the pastor had before offred yet it did no white at al please him whiche thing also I warrāte yow he did not dissemble Afterwards the pastor and elders suffered that the same daie in the afternoone the church shulde againe meete and shulde trie owte and knowe the matter betvvene them and Asheley to vvit vvhither they vvere an aduersary parte to Ashley yea or no But the Pastor and Elders beinge desyred that they also vvoulde be present they vvoulde not therto agree Wherfore the churche beinge gathered together in the afternoone it was iudged by the testimonie off some meete mē and by this also that in the vvhole churche there coulde no other be founde that woulde accuse Ashley but the pastor and elders for it vvas 3. times verie diligently enquired of and published amōge the people that if their vvere anie in the vvhole churche whiche either vvould or coulde accuse maister Ashley he shulde then vter it It vvas I saie iudged and determined that the Pastor and Elders vvere an aduersarie parte to Maister Ashley and that therfore they vvere not fit and competent iudges in that matter Furthermore it vvas fullie decreed that the Pastor and elders in suche causes as in vvhiche they vvere an aduersary parte were not fit arbitres or iudges but that suche causes did apperteine and belōge either to the knovvledge off the congregation or off such as the congregation vvoulde appointe to that purpos And bycause the pastor and elders haue bene oftētimes desyred to be present vvith vs and yet vvoulde not notvvithstanding that they themselues suffred the congregation to meete together leaste parhapp some deceite might be amonge many of the congregation as thoughe it were not off it selff lawfull or to small purpose to apointe anie thinge with owte the pastor and elders whiche thing afterwarde tried it was decreed that iff the pastor and elders were required to be present at an assemblie and woulde not come that the assembly was laufull notwithstandinge their absence and that those thinges whiche they decreed shulde be had and esteemed as a lawfull decree Theis Ecclesiasticall decrees and ordinaunces whiche euen nowe we rehersed were subscribed vnto with the names off 33. persons whiche is a great deale the bygger parte off the churche and the 2. off February were offred vpp to the pastor and Elders in the name off the whole churche with this protestation folowinge We present vnto yow theis our decrees and ordinaūces agreing withe right and reason and not contrary to the holie scriptures desyringe to haue yow knowe them and further requiring that yow woulde with vs consent yelde and subscribe to the same Or yff ye will not so do shewe we praye yow vpright reasons and good causes why ye refuse For we are ready to correcte and amend oure faultes yff they be shewed vs at the monition off any priuate person but muche more at yours the pastor and Elders For as we desier their wisedomes to come to perfecte truthe so we will not thorough stubbernes defende anie errour beinge shewed vnto vs to be an errour in dede Yet notwitstanding afterward vpon in the aforesaie daie off February the Pastor did in his owne name and in the name off the Elders openly reade certeine written letters to whiche he and the Seniors had before in the presence off the churche subscribed their names The summe theroff was this Seinge the churche had left vnto them a vaine shadowe onelie off authoritie withowte anie other matter that therfore they did in oure presence shake off from themselues and vtterly forsake all Ecclesiasticall ministerie and seruice to the
in ministers and Elders whiche is described for other offenders and to be donne towardes them rather with more seueritie Now folowith the Discipline reformed and confirmed by the authoritie off the churche and magistrate IT is moste cumlie and godly that Christian people resorte together in place and tyme therunto by common consent appointed yff the persecution off the vngodly will suffer the same and they themselues haue no vrgent cause to the contrary there to heare the pure doctrine off Gods worde taught and them selues openly with their presence and voice to declare the consent off their hartes to the same and to confesse with their mouthe agreablely their belieff and faith vpon god and his holy worde according to the scriptures The congregation thus assembled is a particuler visible churche such as maye be in diuers places off the worlde verye manye And all theis particuler churches ioyned together not in place for that is not possible but by the coniunction off true doctrine and faithe in the same do make one whole churche in this worlde And the electe off God that be in this whole churche and euery parte theroff with all the elect that hath byn from the beginninge off the worlde and shall be to the ende theroff doo altogether make that holy catholike and Apostolike churche the spouse off oure sauiour christe wchiche he hathe purified to him selff in his blood wheroff mention is made in the creede I beleue one holie Catholike and Apostolike churche But at this present oure consideration muste be off the visible and particuler churche The signes and notes off a visible churche are thies Firste true and goldly doctrine Secondly the right ministration and vse off the Sacramentes and common praier Thirdly honest and godly liffe yff not in the whole multitude yet in manie off them fourthly discipline that is the correction off vices but the 2. firste notes are suche as withowt the whiche no forme off anie godly visible churche can possibly be Wherfore they be the principall and chieff notes And therfore we define a particuler churche visible to be the congregation off Christen men whither they be fewe or many assemblinge together in place and time conuenient to heare Christes true Doctrine taught to vse his holy Sacramentes rightly and to make their common praier together in the whiche their appearethe a studie off honest aÌ„d godlye liffe and which hathe in it a godly discipline that is to saye ordinaunces and decrees Ecclesiasticall for the preseruation off comely order and for the correction off vices Off the doctrine off the churche which is the first note The Doctrine whiche we holde and professe in oure church is the same that is taught in the canonicall bookes off the holie bible conteininge the olde testamente and the newe in the whiche is conteined the true and liuelie worde off god and the doctrine off helthe bothe as concerninge faithe and godly liffe at full sufficient for the saluation off all the faithfull that vnfainedly beleue therin The summe off the whiche as concerninge faithe is briefly and truly comprehended in the 3. creeds the common creede commonly called the creed off the Apostells the Nicene creed and the crede off Athanasius And as concerninge godly liffe in the ten commaundementes written in the xx chapter off Exodus Off the Sacramentes and common praier the second note We obserue ad kepe the forme and order off the ministraon off the sacramentes and common praier as it is set foorh by the authoritie off the blessed kinge Edwarde off famous memorye in the laste booke off the English seruice Wheroff notwithstanding in the respecte off tymes and places and other circumstances certeine rites and ceremonies appointed in the sayed booke as thinges in different maie be left owte as we at this present doo The times and houres for the teachinge and hearing off goddes worde and the ministration off the sacramenâ—es and and saying and hearing of the coÌ„mon praier such as be nowe vsed or shall heare afâ—er by common coÌ„sent be thought moste meete to be vsed are to be kept and obserued off all men not hauing lauful cause to the contrary Off the Ministers off the worde Sacra ments and common praier It is thought expedient for the churche at this present to haue 2. Ministers or teachers off the worde elected off dotrine and godly liffe such as the rule off the scripture dothe requyre as muche as maie be And that the sayde 2. Ministers and teachers off the worde shall in all things and points be off like authorite and neither off them superior or inferior to other Item that the saied 2. Ministers shall by themselues or fit persons by them and the Seniors in the name off the whole congregation to be appointed when necessarie cause shall so requyre preach the ordinarie Sermons on wensdaies thursdayes and sondaies before noone and after noone instruct and Heare the examination off the youthe in the Catechisme on sondaye in the after noone at the howre accustomed and shall by them selues or other appointed persons as is afore sayed Minister the Sacramentes dewly saye the common prayers distinctly viset and comfort the sick specially at their last tyme and howre off deathe bury the dead comely and obserue all other comely rites and vges in the churche directing all their behauiour actes and life according to the rule off off their vocation set foorth in the holie scriptures Item that sixe either fewer or more as the habilitie off the churche wilâ— beare such as be godly and haue nede off the helpe off the churche be appointed by the Ministers and Seniors in the name off the whole congregation Wheroff 4. to be well lerned who shall reade and expownde the chapters and shall helpe the two ministers off the worde when nede shall require in the doctrine off the worde Catechisinge off youthe Ministringe off the Sacramentes sainge off common praier and the other two or moo shall ayde also the sayed ministers Seniors and Deacons in visitinge off the sick and seinge to strangers and in callinge off the congregation when nede shall be and in all other necessarie and comelie thinges and rytes to be done in the churche Notwithstandinge anie other godly and lerned men whiche lyue off them selues and be not burthenus to the churche maye helpe the Ministers off the worde in the aboue named Ecclesiastical functions iff they themselues so will and be ther vnto called by the saied ministers and Seniors Item for the further instruction off youâ—he and seruants it is thought good that besides the examination off children in the Catechisme ordinarely vsed the said children and seruants with the whole congregation shulde be all presente at oure ordinarie sermon to be made purposely for them on sondayes at afternoone so lernedly that it be yet for their capacitie most plaine and with all possible perspecuâ—tie and that one tenor off Christian doctrine from the beginninge to the ende be obserued and kepte in
within one forthnight after the saied fyrste day off marche vnles some great causes incident do let the same shall be all priuate persons as other meÌ„bers off the congregation and so continewe still till they be newe elected to the same or other ministerie or office euerie one off them yet notwithstanding in the meane tyme from the saied first daie off marche till newe ministers be elected doing the dewtâ—â— and dewties to your offâ—ce belonging Iâ—em that publick praier and fast be made before and at the election off all ministers in time and continuaunce as to the congregation shall seme good Item that before the election off the ministers Seniors and Deacons the places off the scriptures for that purpos most fit be â—penlye redd and a sermon to be made vppon the same As for the present purpose shall be most conuenient Item that election be made by bills euerie man bringing a litle bill rolled vp the names off such persons appointed as they shall think moste meete for the office wherunto the election is then made Item that imposition off handes with praier be vsed at the institution off the saied ministers seniors and Deacons according to the doctrine and examples of the scriptures Off the callinge and assembling off the congregation Item that the ministers and seniors thus electe haue nowe authoritie as the principall members of the congregation to gouerne the saied congregation accordinge to goddes worde and the discipline of the churche as is aforsaied And also to call together and assemble the saied congregation for causes and at tymes as shall to them seme expedient Prouided alwaies that yff anie dissention shall happen betweene the ministers and the seniors or the more parte off them and the bodye off the congregation or the more parte off it and that the saied ministers and Seniors in such controuersie beinge desired therto will not assemble the congregation that then the congregation maye of it selff cum together and consulte and determine as concerninge the saied controuersie or controuersies and the saied assembly to be a lawfull congregation and that which they the more parte of them so assembling shall iudge or decree the same to bâ— a lawfull decreâ— and ordinaunce of sufficient force to bynde the whole congregation and euery member off the same Item that no man being sommoned or warned either by the ministers and Seniors or in the name off the congregation so as afore is saied assembled to appere in the congregation shall absent himselff but vppon a lawfull cause vnder paine off discipline And that none shall departe owt off the said congregation so assembled till it be broken vp with owâ— licence off the whole or the more parte remaining vppon paine of discipline before the whole congregation therfore Item in case some do departe that yet notwithstanding those whiche still remaine yff they be the greater parte to be a lawfull congregation and that whiche they or the more parte off them shall decree to be a lawfull decree off force to bynde the whole body ministers seniors Deacons and euerie other member or members theroff withowt exception Item that no checkinge or taunting be vsed in the saied congregation by anie persons vnder paine off Discipline and that in speakinge all other shall holde their peace and keepe silence absteining also from priuate talke that all thinges maie be donne comely and in order Item that it shall be lawfull that euerie member off the congregation making protestation off licence before to the ministers seniors and the whole congregation maie speak his mynd in the congregation so he speake quietly and not againste goddes truthe for in case he speake vngodly that then it shall be lawfull for the ministers seniors or anie off them to commaunde him silence by and by The manner or receauing all sortes off persons into the saied congregation Firste for the auoidinge off all heresies and sectes in oure churches euery one aswell men as wemen which desier to be receiued shall make a declaration or confession off their faithe before the ministers and elders shewinge him sâ—â—ffâ—ully to consent and agree wâ—th the doctrine off the churche and submiâ—tinge them selues to the Dâ—scipline off the same and the same to testifie by subscribing theâ—tâ— yf they can wryte Item yff anye person so desyrous to be receyued into the congregation be notoriously defamed or noted off any corrupt behauiour or euill opinion in doctrine or slaunderous behauiour in liffe the same maie not by the Ministers and Elders be admitted â— till he haue either purged himselff theroff or ells haue decâ—ared himselff to the ministers and elderâ— penitent for the same Off admission to the holie communion Item that none off the youthe be admitted to the communion till they be able to make profession off their faâ—the before the whole congregation and also to haue an honest testimony off towardnes in godly conuersation Item that none openly noted as an hereticke sectarye Idolater or other notorious offender shall be admitted to the communion before he either purge or reconcile himselff publiquely before the whole congregation And that euery member off the congregation do not refuse to render a declaration off their faithe before the Ministers and Elders when so euer they shall by them be therunto requyred Th order off proceadinge to the execution off the Discipline and correction off offences For as muche as no churche is so perfect but offences may rise for godly and charitable redressing and reforming off suche this order is to be obserued Firste yff anye off the congregation be offensiue in manners or doctrine to anie off the brethern so that the offence be priuate and not publickely knowen there can be no better order deuised then that whiche Christe himselff hathe appoiâ—ted whiche is firste brotherly to admonishe him alone Iff that do not preuaile to calle one or two witnesses yff that also do not profit Then to declare it to the Ministers and Elders To whom the congregation hathe geuen authoritie to take order in suche cases accordinge to the Discipline off the churche Item that it maye be the better knowne what is ment by this worde discipline or correction off vice we thinke that there be 3. degrees off Eccesiasticall discipline The first that the offender acknowledg his faulte and shewe himselff penitent before the Ministers and the Seniors The seconde that yff he will not so doe as well his originall cryme as also his contempt off the Ministers and Elderss who haue the authoritie off the churche be openly declared by one off the Ministers before the whole congregation and that he therfore make satisfaction bothe for his originall crime and also for his contempt off the Ministers before the whole congregation and that he be not admitted to the communion before he haue satisfied The thirde that yff he remaine still obstinate before the whole congregation after a tyme to him by the whole congregation limited to repent in he then shall be openly
and indifferent iudges by bothe partes to be chosen wherby the faulte might appear where it was in dede and so they either excused or founde giltie D. Cox at lenght tolde them that their letter shulde be considered off and an answere shulde be geuen them the fridaie after On fridaie the 30 off Auguste bothe partes mette The Pastor accompanied with the Ministers and elders spake this vnto them It seemeth very fonde that arbytrers shuld be apointed to take vpp strife that maie come hereafter as your letter signifieth And furthermore ye write yff anie offence be taken or geuen whiche semethe as strange for this worde yff importethe a dowte so that yff ye dowte it is but follie to apointe arbitres fynally to excuse your departure yow call them vnlerned whiche iudge it a schisme but saithe he terme it as yow lifte yet can yow not let men to think And yff arbitres shuld pronounce it to be none yet mennes opinions will be diâ—â—â—s Now â—heâ—fore your answere shall be that iff anie man be offended either with any priuate maÌ„ or publiquely let him or them complaine to vs or yff they refuse vs to the Magistrat As for Arbitres we will appoint none Then spake whittingham and saied that it was to him no small wonder that men of suche lerninge and wisedome shuld so shrink in a moste equall requeste and so withowte all reason to cauill where no matter was offred For as concerninge saithe he the firste pointe it was not vnknowen to them that at that time thorough their occasion their was no small contention and that seinge they had geuen such offence it coulde not be but that mennes mindes were moued And therfore to th ende that contention shulde growe no farther Arbytres were very necessary who neded not to deliberate as he saied off thinges to come whiche were vncerteine â–ª but as the letter truly purporteth off iniuries longe agoo begonne yet continued and here after not like to be ended excepte some good meane were vsed to staie their slanderous letters and false reportes to the vtter perishinge and lose off mennes Good names And where ye seeme to be ofended that the letter shulde call them vnlerned whiche terme oure departure a schisme yow omitt saide D. Coxe the 2. pointe whiche is off no small importaunce to whom he answered that he thought he did them a pleasure in omittinge thinges of so small value notwithstandinge he woulde obaie his will but saithe he as touchinge this worde vnlernedly it was not vnaduisedly placed For either they be withowte lerninge and therfore maie be so called in dede or yff they beare the name off lerninge yet in this they shewed their vnskilfulnes for as muche as euery departure from a congregation was not a schisme nether were anie that departed for iuste causes schismatikes as we saith he will proue vnto yow yff yow will take oure reasonable and moste equall offre Naie saithe the pastor Arbitres in this point can litle availe for be it they iudged it none yet mennes thoughts are free and we knowe that all men be not off one mynde in sacraments and predestination shulde men therfore take arbitres Also saith he maister Caluin and Bullinger are against yow To this was answered that thoughtes yff they were not grownded vpon Goddes worde were euell neither was this controuersie off like force withe the matter off the Sacraments and predestination notwithstanding woulde to God that not onely the difference in those articles but also in all other whiche be off waight and importaunce might be decided by the authoritie off Goddes worde and arbytrement off godly lerned men But men maie iustly suspecte your cause to be nought whiche refuse the iudgments off the wise and godly And where yow saie that Caluin and Bullinger are againste vs yow abuse your selff and there names for we knowe bothe what they and other wryte as touchinge this matter Then the Pastor asked what schisma was but a cuttinge off from the body and that it was Caluins definition To this Whittingham answered that he woulde vndertake firste to proue that definition to be false and secondly to be nonone off Caluins definition for yff euery cuttinge off from the body shulde be a schisme then yow and all other whiche once had sworne to the pope and now haue refused him are schismatiques Then the pastor added from a churche well reformed Answere was made that a churche well reformed muste be builded vppon the doctrine off the Prophetes and Apostles the vnitie wheroff S. Paule comprehendeth in theis wordes one god one faithe one baptisme not beggerly ceremomies and obscurations although that sundry causes besides moued them to departe Then Maister Treherren asked whither the donatists were not schismatiques Yes saith Whittingham and also heretiques but yow are deceiued yff yow thinke that they seperated them selues for ceremonies It is manifest said Treherren that the churches off Asia were excommunicate as schismatiques for that they kepte not Easter at the same time that the Romaine churche did And it is no lesse euident said Whitthingham that Ireneus and other godly men aswell off that time as sithens haue sharply reproued and condemned Pope Victor for the same Here D. Coxe put Whittingham in remembraunce that he had not answered to the faultes off the letter Whittingham tolde him that as touchinge that poore worde yff he marueled howe it coulde Minister anie cauillation seinge the text ioininge therto was so plaine whiche declarethe bothe the offences by yow geuen and by vs taken And also your consciences beare yow witnes the thinge to be moste true excepte a man will be wilfully blinde and finde a knot in a rushe so that that worde yf mente not that we do dowte who were oppressed with infinit wronges but iff they woulde dissemble so farre that they mâ—ght seeme to dowte theroff yet at the leaste they woulde abide the tryall theroff before theis Arbitres But here the disputation brake vp with this plaine and finall answere that arbitres they shuld haue none and that yff they founde themselues greued they shulde seeke remedy where they thought Good and he the Pastor withe the reste off the congregation woulde answere them The nexte daie the Pastour D. Coxe maister parry and maister Asheley sent for Whittingham Thomas Cole Iohn Fox William Kethe Roger harte Iohn Hilton with certeine other demandinge off them what shulde be the cause off their departure Whittingham made answere that the daie before they had declared sufficiently and yet woulde farther shewe reasons yff they would permit the controuersie to Arbytrement And to the intent they shulde not counterfait ignorance amonge other theis were some causes firste their breach off promes established with inuocation off goddes name 2. Their ordreles thrustinge themselues in to the churche 3. Takinge awaie the order off discipline established before their comminge and placinge no other 4. The accusasion off maister Knox their godly Minister off Treason and seekinge his bloude 5. Their
ouerthrowinge off the common order taken and commaunded by the Magistrate 6. The displacinge off officers withowte anie cause alleadged 7. The bringing in off Papisticall superstitions and vnprofitable Ceremonies whiche were burthens yokes and clogges besides other thinges whiche yff they woulde abide the triall they shulde heare at large When he and some off the rest had rendred their reasons for their departure to this effecte certaine warme wordes passed to and fro from the one to the other and so in some heate departed Not many daies after the oppressed churche departed from Franck. to Basill and Geneua some stayinge at Basill as maister Fox with other The rest came to Geneua where they were receiued withe great fauour and mutche curtesie bothe off the magistrates Ministers and people So soone as they entred their churche they chose Knox and Goodman for their Pastor and Gilby requested to suplie the rome till Knox returned owte off france The lerned men whiche came from all places to Frank. abowte this matter when they had donne that whiche they came for they returned againe from whens they came and some to other places where they might saue charges and not to be either burthened or bownde to the excercises of the congregation so that the exile whiche was to many a poore man full bitter greuous and painefull was to some off the greatest persecutours off their poore brethetn as it were a pleasant progresse or recreation But nowe it shall be necessary to declare what order was taken in this newe erected congregation for the prosperous continuance off the same whiche thinge to do I cannot by a better meane then placinge here this letter folowinge whiche maister cole late deane off Sarum wrote to a frinde off his whiles yet he staied behinde his company in Franck. amonge them his letter is yet to be seene The holie spirit off God that guideth the children off God in truthe and godlines be your comforte thorough oure mercies seate Iesus Christe now and for euer Amen THe tempeste off the swellinge seas whiche in times paste thretned shipwrack to euery vessell that sailed with a faire winde and full sailes to the porte off blessed truthe whiche off her selffe is stronge ynoughe with owte anye barr or wall off mannes inuentions are somewhat the lorde be praised caulmed to me warde so that withowt farther reasoninge they permit me to my conscience as touchinge their ceremonies The cause I iudge is not for that they beare lesse loue to them then in tymes past but that they perceiue the sturdy defendinge off them to worke them that they looke not for or rather that whiche they are lothe to se namely the decreasinge off their companie â–ª yet they labour with policie what they maie or can to preuent this daunger but yet that whiche they feare I suppose will fall vpon them vnlesse god geue them to repent their olde faultes and humble them more to knowe them selues They haue set vp an vniuersitie to repaier againe their estimation by mainteinance of lerninge whiche surely is well done that was fondly brought in decaie by willfull ignorance in defendinge off ceremonies to the whiche Maister horne is chosen to be the reader off the Hebrue lecture Maister Mullings off the Greke and Maister Treherren when he is stronge shall take the diuinitie lecture in hande Maister Whitthead was appointed therunto but bicause he woulde escape the labour off the lecture for iuste causes as he saide he forsooke the pastorall office also stowtly as yow knowe denyinge to be in office anie longer Great holde there was abowte this matter in the congregation in so muche as they hasted to a newe election and verie fewe as it semed were off a contrary minde no not his owne frindes sauinge Maister makebray and Maister Sorby who desired him to take respit and the congregation to geue it But some lookinge for the office themselues woulde not in suche a matter suffer delay but againe Demaunded off Maister Whithead whither he woulde keepe his office or no supposinge that he whiche had so stowtely denied it in worde woulde not soone be flexible to the contrary But he perceauinge that some woulde haue had him owte one the one side and by leauinge off it his estimation was like to decaie on the other side for many rough wordes were geuen him when occasion off intretie was offred non respuit conditionem by that meanes bringinge to him selfe wittily a triple commoditie one the preuentinge off them whiche looked for the office an other the refusall off the diuinitie lecture Thirdly a faster growndinge himselff in that office whiche he lefte in mouthe but as it semed not in harte Thus ended that comedie But shortly after notwithstandinge a vehement sermon made for the purgation from mannes inuentions the seas begin againe to swell so fickle an element is water for Maister Kent hauinge a childe to Christen purposinge to haue it done simplie withowte the bewtifinge off mennes traditions came with his childe accordinge to the frenche order whiche we once receiued and one to holde it there to professe his faith yff it were required but the pastor denied the Christening vnles 2. Godmothers were had after the order off the booke as concerninge the Godfather Maister Makebray who is nowe comme to that office supplied it A lucky matter is attained at Wezell in Westphalia an open churche for oure Englishe men to whiche bicause off nighnesse they feare many will go from hence but moo wil come owte off Englande to yt I pray yow commende me to M. Tell him that Maister wisedom railed on them that were gon to G. Callinge them mad heades with many pretye names I will not saie vnwysely But I maye well say vncharitably in whiche Sermon he shewed him selff an Antagonist for the booke off Englande c. Your Thomas Cole SHortly after thies thinges to wete the 6. off Ian. When as maister Whithead gaue vpp off his owne good will as he saide the pastorall office Maister horne was in the election to succede him who protested that he woulde not medle therwith till he were cleared off certeine suspitions which some had bruted to the discredit off his ministerie and obtaininge his requeste he withe the Seniors entred the churche the first off marche Anno Domini 1556. were they receiued all such persons as members off that churche which were contented to subscribe and submit themselues to the orders off the same From whiche tyme forward the troubles and contious were so sore amonge them that who so shall well waie it with due consideration I ween he shall think it to be the iuste iudgement off our righteous God that fell vpon them for supplantinge a churche there before them in great quietnes and off muche sinceritie The historie of that sturre and strife which was in in the Englishe church at Franckford from the 13. daie off Ian. Anno Domini 1557. forwarde THere fell a certeine controuersie the xiij daie off Ian. at supper betwene
churche Amonge other thinges they added this that we had geuen them a cause to complaine off vs to the magistrats but that for oure sakes they worlde not do it Afterward some of them departed and sate downe in priuate mennes places neither woulde they suffer so muche as to be called by the name off pastors and Elders Then one in the name off the whole hauinge fullie shewed before that there was no iuste cause geuen theÌ„ by the churche so to forsake their ministerie did afterward in the name of the whole churche verie earnestly desier theÌ„ that they woulde not in suche manner forsake and leaue the churche that had deserued no suche thinge at their hands This was with moste eâ—rneste and effectuall wordes required off them thre or foure tymes in the name off the whole churche but they remained willfull and obstinate in their purpos not so muche as once suffringe themselues to be called by the name off pastors and elders Then at the lenght it was shewed vnto them in the name off the whole churche that the churche woulde not admit that their forsakinge of their ministerie but would stil take and esteme them for their pastor and Elders And when one in the name off the churche did accuse the pastor and Chambers to be suche as had abused the churche leauinge it and forsakinge it in suche manner withowte anie cause or reason shewed and did in the name off the churche desier them to make answere vnto him concerninge this their dede they vtterlie refused the same But horne who then was Pastor hastely takinge a penne wrote to this purpos in a pece of paper in his owne name and in the name off the elders Where as we are vrged and pressed by one in the name off the churche to make answere we generally answere that when so euer we shal be ordinarelie demaunded before the churche or them whiche the churche shall apointe we will then answere or if we shall be called before the ciuill magistrate we will ther answeare other answeare then this they woulde geue none to anie off the questioÌ„s whiche we had proposed in all oure names of the churche and they assigned this writinge by puttinge to their names where as in dede this was not onelie to answere nothinge at all but also to preteÌ„d a cloaked cause of answeringe nothinge at all Moreouer they were desired in the name of the churche that they woulde deliuer to the churche the letters signed withe their owne haÌ„des by whiche they had shewed their renounsall and denyinge of the ministerie or if they woulde not do that that theÌ„ against a certeine daie they woulde grauÌ„te and giue to the churche a coppie therof But neither woulde they geue them the letters whiche they had in their bosome neither woulde promisse any copie to the churche who moste earnestlie required the same off theÌ„ At the laste the pastor and elders departed some certeine fewe folowinge theÌ„ but the multitude remained and so farrforthe as they coulde remember committed to writinge the actes off that daie and the summe off those letters by whiche the Pastor and Elders had willingly put them selues from the ministerie aÌ„d for witnesse subscribed thereto with thirtie and there names The next daie after that is the 3. off February the Pastor and Elders beinge called off the churche by the Deacon to intreate off makinge peace they came together aÌ„d met But the Pastor and elders set them downe in priuate places Afterwardes the pastor because one speakinge in the congregation did not by and by so soone as he bad him holde his peace fayned that he woulde departe But when he perceyued that verie fewe folowed him and by some consailed he returned and suddanly placed himselff in the pastors place and called the elders to him whiche thinge before he had refused to do although he were by the whole churche verie instantly and ernestlie required therto Then he spake to this effecte we in dede saith he did displace oure selues from the ministerie not withstandinge absolutely and fullie we did it not but vnder this condition onely yff yow shulde proceade to deale in suche sorte as yow haue done against the olde aÌ„d receiued discipline Nowe then yff ye goo forwarde as yow haue appointed and purposed then will we wholie and alltogether displace oure selues from oure Ministeries but yff yow will obaie the olde discipline then will we continew pastor and elders as we are Answere was made that there was nothinge at all conteined in the olde discipline wherby they might medle with or proceed againste the pastor and elders iff parhapps they were founde faultie and in some offence Moreouer that there was nothinge put downe concerninge suche causes as in whiche the pastor and elders were an aduersarie parte and therfore it was desired that they woulde suffer the discipline in that behalff to be amended and to be made more perfect Nowe the pastor beinge offended as it shuld seeme with so free speeche woulde imÌ„ediatlie againe haue bin gone and rann euen to the churche dore but yet seinge but fewe folowinge him by the counsaile and aduise off certeine persons he returned and sat him selff downe in the pastors place with the seniors And in like sorte by and by againe vppon the suddaine he ranÌ„ for the thirde tyme but within a litle while after here turned and planted himselff in the pastors accustomed place Afterwards intretie was made with the pastor and elders in the name off the church that they would suffer Ashleis cause in whiche matter they themselues were founde at the lenght to be an aduersarie parte and the hearinge theroff to come before the churche And that the churche woulde yff Ashley were founde faultie verie sharply and seuerely punishe him and in this behalff aboundantly satisfie the pastor and Elders and all good men But the pastor and Elders would at no hande suffer that And as concerninge the amendinge off the discipline the pastor saide that he and the elders with certeine others by the authoritie off the church beinge ioined vnto them woulde yff the churche so thought good â–ª amende the discipline But answere was made vnto bothe in the name off the churche First that it was verie vniust that the churche shuld not be suffred to haue iudgement and determination For therby the authoritie and right off churche was wholie as it were taken from the churche To the seconde it was answered that sith suche ordinaunces and decrees were to be made as by whiche the Pastor and Elders shulde be hereafter deteined in dutie some off them also beinge already accused it shulde be vniuste dealing to admit them to the framinge and makinge off suche decrees And when they affirmed they would answere no other thinge and they were desired to suffer thos things to be coÌ„mitted to writinge whiche were done alreadie they woulde not agree but the pastor sayinge he was a colde made himself ready to departe aÌ„d goinge his waie a fewe folowinge him he
that it might euidently appeare howe many we were that had consented vppon the choise off 1â— men whiche shulde set downe in writinge a forme off discipline accordinge as the magistrate had commanded we on the otherside trusted that we thought it for the behouff and profit off the congregation that a forme of discipline shuld be made and put downe as the magistrate had commaunded And to this determination and senteÌ„ce beinge put in writinge we in nomber eighte and thirtie subscribe doure names with protestation that we did nothinge but that was Good and lawfull and accordinge to the magistrates will and mind requestinge them to geue their consent and to agree with vs. But they after muche debatinge and many wordes to and fro for their olde discipline that it neded not to be displaced or altered came to this passe at the lenght that they saide we had to consulte off correctinge but not off makinge a discipline and verie instantly vnd earnestlye vrged the same vpon the wordes off that aduice and councell whiche the magistrate had geuen touchinge the spedie dispatche off the discipline of the churche before the election of the ministers we therfore which thought it not muche materiall whither it were termed a newe made or a corrected discipline to haue no occasion of dissentioÌ„ chaunged oure copie and put in in steade of the is wordes discipline shulde be made shuld be corrected And so those 14. whiche made ashewe before as though they wolde not suffer anie one iote of the olde discipline to be altered aÌ„d chaunged callinge to minde I suppose either their fewnesse off their nomber or the oddes off the matter bycause â—hat olde discipline was vtterly taken awaie by the Magistrates edicte the laste off Februa as the chiefest cause off oure controuersies or ells foreseinge that the magistrate would be offended with that their dissention they all ioyntly together Maister Horne and Maister Chambers beginninge the daunce put their hands to oures for the correction off the discipline Then did Maister Horne request that seinge nowe they had consented vnto vs for the wrytinge downe off the discipline he and the residewe for that fourtene might freely geue their voices for the chosinge of those fourtene whiche they had alreadie appointed or some suche other as they woulde But we bicause we had before requested them to geue their voices and three refused coÌ„sidering that those fourtene drew all one line and were fullye bent in all points to do one as the other beinge all like affected and by that meanes might off purpos wholie bestowe their voices vpon some certeine and so ouerthrow oure election whiche they knewe already denied to graunt and suffer them and yet we saide that yff they woulde we wold not refuse to appointe an oâ—her daie to chuse the sayde 14. men or other yet geuinge Maister Horne in the meane while to wit that that matter whiche might haue bin quietlie dispatched in three houres would scarsly by his meanes be fynished in three daies At the lenght Maister Horne after consultation had with certain spake alowde in the name off the fourtene in this wise Although saide he it were meete that we all seuerally geue oure voices yet that we maie be no longer an hinderance I pronouÌ„ce in all their names that we all do by our voices chuse those 14. men Whom yow haue alreadye appointed When the residew were asked whither they consented to this or no â–ª Maister Isaac answered that all agreed otherwise yff anie were contrarie minded he woulde speake And thus by a generall consente off all not one man excepte fiuetene men were chosen to write Ecclesiastical lawes the thirde off marche The 15. Elected agreed betwene themselues to assemble and come together the fourth of marche at one of the cloke at afternoone WheÌ„ they came together ther was muche a doo a great while whither the olde discipline shulde be corrected or a newe made We of the churche alleadged that all occasions off olde controuersies wheroff the olde disciplie but vnperfecte and naught was one were vtterly taken awaye by the magistrates Edicte some vrged this worde corrected or amended which was in the aduise and counsaile that the Magistrat gaue vs for the spedie dispatche off discipline For saide they that is not corrected whiche is cleane taken waie At lenght the booke off the olde discipline and an other off the newe discipline whiche was corrected in the absence off maister Horne and others were read and so they departed for that daie appoynting to meete agayne the 8. off marche the same houre The 8. off marche the 15. men assembled againe and there agreed vpon articles for makinge off discipline whiche were set downe in a paper and subscribed all vnto them sauinge that maister Horne Maister Chambers and Maister Isaac and Maister Bentham woulde not subscribe to that Article concerning the hauinge off two ministers off the worde and yet notwithstandinge they all agreed vpon this that is was a matter indifferent whither there shuld be one or many ministers off the worde for it is not defined in the scriptures but left free Afterward Maister Hales gaue to Maister Chambers a booke off discipline which was writen in the absence off maister Horne and others and was off the same Articles as the congregation had made and agreed vpon that maister Horne and he and maister Isaac might reade it ouer and if they allowed ought therin that it might be annexed to the discipline that was in hande But afterwarde when maister Horne through occasion off talke abowte the correctinge off the discipline saide that there had byn no other discipline in the churche but that olde discipline and that therfore the magistrate spake off correctinge off that noâ— off the vâ—ter abolishinge theroff and that it was answered that that same other booke off discipline beinge written when he was absent might as well be vnderstoode to be ment as that same olde discipline â–ª bothe for that there was more equitie in it and also was suscribed vnto off so many as well as that olde discipline whiche he so extolled Then maister Horne brake owte in to most spitefull wordes against all his countrie men that had agreed to that discipline which were at the leaste 36. persons affirminge that all they that had thus conspired together for the establishing off those articles accordinge to the shortnes off the time wherin they met that they were in a certeine degree giltie off treason againste the magistrat against the Senate and to be shorte against the whole citie Then maister Hales vnderstandinge by maister Hornes wordes that nothinge was sought but newe trouble and beinge put in minde also aff maister Bentham reherseth agayne that booke off discipline which a litle before was offred to maister Chambers affirminge that he vnderstode they went abowte to seeke rather an occasion off chalinginge at the booke by readinge off it then a way off makinge a new discipline The eleuenth off