schollers of the Cathari Nouatus Papistes are in deed Puritanes Pelagius and of the Ebionites Donatistes and of all such like Puritane heretickes maye iustlie very fitlie be called Puritanes For they hold that in their regenerate men after Baptisme Concil Trid. less 6. ses 5 there is nothing that maye bee saide to haue the reason of sinne and that they are able to fulfill all the commaundements of God and they affirme that they haue an inherent righteousnesse which they keepe as a pure and immaculate robe to the obtayning of saluation and that they are righteous iustified deserue saluation by their workes that they haue among them deuout and holye men whome they call religious Moncks Test Rhem vpon Luc. 10. Friers Nunnes Iesuits Seminaries Ven. 42. and 2 cor 2. vers 10. and ca. 8. vers 14. Wil. Allen of pardons cap. 11. and 1◠vvho in their religious order liue as they say a Seraphicall and angelicall life being virgins voide of all seculare affayres as pure and chaste votaries in contemplation seruing God day night are able to merit not only for them selues but also for others and of the superaboundancie of their vvorkes of Supererogation they maye communicate to others and the Pope maye by indulgence applie their merites for the reliefe of others out of purgatorie and such like These vndoubtedlie may are properlie to be called Puritanes because they indeed arrogate vnto them selues puritie and holines and despise all others vvhich the true children of God though thus belyed slaundered dare not in any case to doe but contrarilie they crie out vvith the Psalmist vnto God Enter not into iudgement Psal 143 2. Luc. 18.13 And vvith the Publicane Haue mercie vppon mee a sinner 3 But the cause originall and order whereby these reproachful termes vvere giuen to good Christians Howe the name of putitanes came vp in England I finde to bee this In the beginning of her Maiesties most happie raigne whome I humblie pray our God to prolong as long as Sun and Moone endure the Ghospell being published and Preachers ordained to teach the people Manie people vvithin a vvhile feeling some taste of the heauenlye comfort began to delight in hearing of Sermons singing of Psalmes in reading and godlie talke of holye Scriptures vvhich they vvere taught And therevvithal did somwhat refrain prophane and vnprofitable customes and sometime they admonished their neighbours if they did sweare pray them to goe with them to the Sermon The greater sort of the people beeing olde barrels vvhich coulde holde no newe vvine addicted partlie to Poperie partlie to licentiousnesse hauing many of them no other God but their bellie vvoulde deride and scoffe at them and called them holye brethren and holye sisterne saying Hee is one of the pure and vnspotted brethren Godlie excercise scorned by the wicked Diuers Ministers also entring vpō that waightie charge when they beeing learned came to the practise of the communion booke founde them selues troubled in some things some certaine ceremonies were a scruple vnto thē And as it is saide in the preface of the saide booke it was not thought fit at the first to take away all those things which seemed to be superstitious but to take the middle waye to abandon some and to retaine some So by this occasion the Papistes other people not well affected to religion and godlines after a while began to find holes in the Ministers coates Papistes and Atheists pick quarrels with good men and deuised diuers wayes of molestation troubled them not a little They open their cause to the reuerend Bishopes of those times and found great kindnes at their hands at the first they were a good and comfortable shadow vnto them for a season But about the tenth year of her Maiesties raigne the Papists as men which began to shake of the feare wherewith the mightie God protecting blessing her Maiesties most godlie and Christian proceedings had strocken them the Papistes I say began to come foorth of their dennes and as it is well knowne to the state practised diuers treacherous attemptes but amōg other they preferred such greeuous accusations againste the godlie and faithfull Ministers that then and from thence forth they were left naked a great storme fell vpon them and so it continued now and then sharper some time their was a calme men breathed returned to the Lords worke About anno 1571. Subscription came foorth first Anno 1571. as I take it Subscription was first enforced vpon the ministrie for which cause in that time certaine men wrote and admonition to the parlament opening diuers things worthie reformatiō Wherupon arose greate volumes of prouing and defending which are famouslie knowne to all men that vnderstand of these cause But how flesh and blood did in these writings ouer-sway the Christian moderation and mildnes which brethren shuld haue ben verie careful of in contending for trueth by the hote pursuite of either side I reioyce not to rehearse and I am sorie as ofte as I thinke vppon the lamentable effectes hurte of the Church in those times How be it our mercifull God whose vnchaungeable loue doeth swallow vp manye of our infirmities and follies graunted vnto vs in the midst of these fierie contentions a goodlie space of quietnesse about the time that the reuerend father Maister Grindall was Archbishoppe of Canturburie In which time in al the south partes of Englande there was greate concorde among the Ministers and they ioyned in great loue and ioy one with another in the Lords worke So that in the space of 4. or 5. yeares as I remember there were infinit soules brought to the knowledge of Christ the people reioysed for the consolation seing beholding how greatly they were bound to praise God for her Maiesties most christian gouernement vnder whose moste godly proceedings they had sucked and tasted the sweet and vndeceaueble milke of Gods trueth euen the holye faith of Gods elect the doctrine of saluation It was a goldē time full of godly fruit great honour to the Ghospell greate loue and kinde fellowship among all the Ministers preaching the faith the people vnited in the true feare of God and cheerefull reuerence to her Maiestie But this life not affoording constant prosperitie to heauenly loue and growth of godlines After the said Archbishops decease there came foorth a newe and fresh assault of subscription vniuersallie imposed Anno Dom. 1584. the wofull year of subscription and againe enforced vppon all the Ministers in three articles First of the Queenes Maiesties Soueraigne authoritie ouer all persons c. Seconde that the booke of common prayer and of or dayninge Bishoppes Priestes and Deacons containe in it nothing contrarie to the woorde of God c. Thirde to allowe and approue all the articles of religion agreed vpon by the Archbishops and Bishops c. 1562. and to beleeue all
that we might haue reformation in these things or at the least such toleration as wee might not be burdened with subscription or the strict obseruation of ceremonies but behauing our selues otherwise peaceable and as good subiectes discreet ministers we might not be troubled nor molested about these things And for this cause we did meet in the Parliament time and at other tymes while our trouble did last to consult and deuise what way wee might take to obtaine fauoure and reconciliation or reformation or releasment of our suspensions or other troubles In all which as I must needes confesse that I was among the Ministers of Kent not one of the hindemost beeing suspended onelie for not subscribing from the last daye of Ianuarie vntill the third day before the natiuitie of Christ So doe I professe to all the worlde that I knowe not anie thing which we did in our meeting or in our supplications or apologeticallwritings but that which was comely for men of our sorte and as our forefathers the faithfull Ministers of Christ in the primitiue Church did in like case before vs. For the Ministers of Christ finding themselues in the testimonie of their consciences to be heauilie burdened with the ordinances of the Church wee liue in humblie to declare their grieuances to the Magistrates in authoritie in tymes and places which may relieue them to shew by publike writings the vprightnes of their cause and by petition to craue some Christian and godlie remedie is doubtles agreeing to all law of God man and therefore I hope I shall not need to vse anie argumentes to prooue the same which we know our aduersaries being in our case would thinke themselues to haue great wrong to be denied Our fault is that we did not cōmend our cause to the Queene But if anie thing bee our fault I take it to be this That wee did not present our cause to the Queenes most excellent M. being a Prince of rare clemencie wisdome and iustice Whome when we did know to be so equal fauourable milde and of such incredible long animitie and that to her greatest aduersaries and deadlie enemies the Papistes who alwaies haue sought mischief against her person Crowne and dignitie we were doubtles much ouerseene that we commended not our cause to her most gracious and Princelie consideration For the goodnes of our cause and the innocencie of our persones being manifested before her Princelie eies it could not haue bene possible but that so prudent Christian a Magistrate vvoulde speedilie haue eased all our sorrovves and ended these vvofull troubles of the Church 2 But vvhile vve partlie fearing partly hoping as though the reuerēd Fathers themselues to vvhome vvee vsed beside our supplications diuers meanes woulde at the length haue ioyned with vs to the ending of these vnvvholsome strifes that vve trusted that our mercifull God pitying his Church vvoulde haue raysed vp some meanes to further his ovvne cause vvhile the time slipt avvay and mens mindes vvauered this vvay that vvay three most greeuous accidents did greatly astonish vs and verie much darken the righteousnes of our cause The first vvas a foolishe iester vvho tearmed himselfe Martin Marprelate and his sonnes Martin Marprelate a filthie Sycophant vvhich vnder counterfeit apish scoffing did play the Sycophant slanderously abused manye persons of reuerend place and note And such was the wisdome of the time that manie filthie and lewd pamphletes came forth against him casting forth much stincking doung and beastlie filth into the faces of honest men to the great contempt of Christes holy Ghospell and the verie apparant disparagement of the faithfull laboures of all godly Ministers on both sides This kindled a meruelous great fire euen that which S. Iames sayeth is set on fire of hell and is a worlde of wickednes Cap 3.6 It beewraied the weaknes of many a man and shewed how hard it is for fleshe and blood to hold in the raines of his own aspiring affections rather to endure reproach then to endamage the Church of God or wiselie to forethinke that we ought rather to suffer wronge then that the glorious Ghospell of our Lord Iesus Christ shoulde be euill spoken of How so euer it was the blame lighted vpon vs and we by it obtained a new name in many pulpites how iustly God knoweth wee are called Martinistes Then did our troubles increase the persuite was hardlie followed against vs the enemie of the Ghospell for slowed not the occasion to make our good iust honest godlie cause to be ill thought of and verie much condemned as if the verie state had taken knowledge that we were wicked men our cause vniust we no longer to be suffered So great hurt is it when an honest lawfull course is begun for foolish hairbraine men to thrust in thēselues to hazard such meanes as God neuer sanctified For God needeth not our follie 1. Cro. 15.13 but will make a breach among vs if we seeke him not in order Howbeit when our cause was left naked and many of vs in great hazard God him self gaue witnes to his truth manifested his iudgements and deliuered his innocent seruants so that it plainly appeared to the wiser discreter sorte that the Deuill was the author of this disgrace In this time also happened the second and third euill the Brownistes tooke offense against both sides The Brownists and Hacket of an euill spirit made a temerarious and wicked separation some two or three men being beewitched with some proud honor by a certaine man frantick spirit lifted vp themselues with hie words of blasphemie whose working this was all wise men know who know the wiles of Sathan How be it these also were drawne vpon vs and made a notable matter to aggrauate our cause But God who seeth in secret and beholdeth the bitter gaule of Simon Magus Act. 8.23 the filthie dissolutenes of Nicholas the freating canker of Hyminaeus Philetus the dogges the euill workers concision and all false Apostles which transforme them selues into Apostles of Christ namelie that these did much mischief and brought great trouble to the first beginning planting of the primitiue Church he euen he knoweth that these things were cunninglie wrought by these deep sleightes and suggestions of that olde serpent too hinder our good cause to hurt the prosperous and godly proceedings of the Church of England For by this meanes we finding the mighty winds and stronge streame against vs were faine to humble our selues vnder Gods mercie and commending our selues our cause to him who iudgeth righteously we reserued ourselues to a better time whē it should please his gracious wisedome to make his owne trueth to appeare and to moue the mindes of our superiours to bee more fauourable 3 Then tooke the idle and vnpreaching Ministers comfort at the heart supposing their standing to be good the non-residents had their mouthes
I vvill bee glorified Howbeit the Gospell proclaimeth all them blessed who for Christes sake are reuiled and against whome men doe falslie say all maner of euill For wicked men and infidels speak euill of them which runne not with them to the same excesse of riotte and beastlie men will vtter lewd wordes against those thinges they know not Heereof it commeth that many men fall away beeing not able to be are the reproach yet he which beleeueth as he speaketh knoweth what he beleeueth he suffereth as a Christian and is not ashamed but glorifieth God in this behalfe Notwithstanding when a brother shall reproach his brother Christians to reproach one the other hurtful to the Church and one Christian ill an other and the house of God shall be deuided then is it most dangerous For there will the enemie of mankinde cast in many burning fire brandes and heape on much drye wood that we might be all consumed one of another And such my most reuerend and beloued brethren hath beene our case and condition The state of manie godlie Ministers because we haue desired sought after the good proceeding and perfection of our Church in the seruice and worship of Christ and withholden our hands from doeing and allowing of some thinges in our iudgement hurtfull to the same and contrariant to the Ghospell of trueth Wee haue suffered endured much reproach and contempt which we haue patientlie borne and with great silence for diuers yeares sustayned that on our part the sacred worde of righteousnes might not be ill spoken of and as much as in vs lyeth wee might cut of all occasions to the common aduersarie to preuaile against the holy church of Christ which is among vs. But now it seemeth to me that notwithstanding all this The causes of this treatise the state of thinges is worse then euer before and I can not tell whether our conniuence in suffering all euill speeches against vs hath done the Church harme For nowe the Papist beginne to comfort themselues yea they challeng vnto them the name of honest and true men and good subiectes and by the reproachfullname of Puritan al godlie Protestants are most cunninglie depraued To haue beene called precisian Puritane hoatheaded proud contentious schismatickes and troublers of the Church wee haue borne it patientlie God knowing our innocencie and could yet be are it more so as by our suffring of contempt the Church of England might receaue honour and Gods people reioyce vnder good guiding pastoures But when it is growne so far that we are called accounted worse then Papists enemies to the state worse then Seminarie priestes like Iesuites subuerters of the common wealth enemies to her Maiesties most royall Crowne and dignitie for whose safetie wee doe continuallie and instantlie pray and that this is so farre growne that the traiterous priestes doe brag of extraordinarie fauour and vnder the name of Puritans most frandulentlie and with most grosse and palpable lying and slaundring traduce all Christian Churches so that wee verely thinke that if such thinges goe forward they will in a short time cause a most wofull ouerthrow of the whole state of the Christian Church among vs we cannot now forbeare any longer but that wee must needes shew vnto all the worlde our innocencie that the wrong which by ill false report hath bene done vnto vs thorow our negligēce want of honest defence be not made a strong forge and a close mightie engine to destroy all the happie and godlie proceedinges of her Maiestie turning vp side downe the ioyfull flourishing of the Christian religion Ghospell And we cannot now heale this soare by any priuate doing for it is spread abroad so vniuersall and mens mindes are so vniuersallie possessed therewith that we haue no way to doe good but to come into the open theater of the worlde to pleade for our selues and to make manifest the vprightnes of our cause against all these most false vniust and slanderous imputations Let me therefore intreate you all Reuerend Fathers and Brethren in godly charitie to receaue this our most iust apologie with Christian equitie to consider of it and with heauenlie wisedome waying the estate of the Church and the present necessitie take euerie thing in that meaning as it is written And I doe not doubt but allthough the knowne and professed enemie of all goodnes the popish faction which nowe these three and fortie yeares haue vsed all cunning treacherie and treasonable platformes to bereaue her Maiestie whome God almightie preserue still among vs of this present light and life of this worlde and all this Realm by that meanes of the heauenly light and life of the world to come though I say these vowed enemies of the Ghospell and of this land doe freat chafe and fume yet shall not you my de are brethren neither anie honest Christian and faithful subiect haue anie iust cause to mislike this manner of writing but rather thorow the hande of my God vpon me finde and think it necessarie at this tyme to be published to al Christian people of this English nation For I doe heerein declare and shew what hath beene our cause and maner of proceeding and that as plainelie without concealement The contents of this booke and as faithfullie without partialitie to our selues as I may boldly auoutch euery thing to any mans conscience which wil be content with trueth and all the trueth and secondlie how agreing al our cause doings from time to time hath bene to the present estate and her Maiesties proceedings in the Ghospell Thirdlie in clearing our cause and doings of the greatest accusations and imputations I make it plaine how vnequall and vniust the comparison is betweene vs and the Papist and lastlie I doe a little tourch some other things necessaritie appertaining to the premisses Now it may bee that heerein I shall not satisfie all men Hard satisfie all men paraduenture I shall offend some of the reuerend Bishoppes and some other learned Prelates standing for conformitie and it may bee I shall not perfectlie answer the expectatation of the godly Ministers who desire reformation or of some other wise learned Christians Herein doubtles I haue cause to suspect myne owne insufficiencie For who can tell how to walk perfectly with the Lord and yet auoid all occasions of offence where both the parties haue beene at so hote warre and where there are men of so many contrarie iudgements and affections much lesse a man of so little helpes and so small giftes as I haue How be it I craue the patience and charitable taking of this my writing of them both and I hope they will accept my good will For in an especiall loue toward both parties I haue taken this in hand and haue set God before mine eies before them both that so neere as I coulde and as far as I knowe and am able I vtter that which is right in
his sight not seeking to please ame man of either side but endeuouring to doe a worke pleasing to God and good for his Church I might minister occasion of profit to them both Knowing that nowe is the time that eyther side shoulde cast of the loue of themselues and turning their eies from the sweete reflex of their owne prayse ioyne in one hart against the common enemies for the peace increase perfection and honour of the Church of God in this land Which my good honest meaning if I haue not so fully accomplished as I desire I humble my selfe vnto God and trauell heerein vnder his mercie and I am readie vpon good demonstration of my faulte to make a mends and to satisfie eather parâ—ie But if their be anye of the reuerend Faâ—hers or of the learned Prelates which God forbid that bee proude I appeale from the proude froward or malicious and will stande stiffe vpon their conceaued purpose seeking them selues and their owne things and not the glory of God and the things which are Christs I esteeme them no further then they deserue I pray GOD amende them and turne their heartes So on the other side renounce all hypocrits if their bee anye man who seemeth to like reformation who yet beeing an hypocrite and false hearted hath anye hidden poyson in him for it is no rare thing to haue a Iudas among twelue and false creeping brethren who woulde bring the Church into bondage and make a praye of the same as I knowe none such so I doe renounce them in this Apologie and all other what so euer that doe not loue her M. with al their hart and are not true and vpright fauourers of the Ghospell as it is taught in England by publicke authoritie or haue in him anye treacherous or wicked purpose against the same any maner of way And I pray God to make them to be knowne yea if any man bee guilty in his conscience of any euill let him be ashamed and let him hide him selfe seeke the shiftes of wicked men in darknesse But as for vs our cause is iuste before God and we haue done no hurt to her Maiestie and we know and beleeue that when the appointed time of God shall come and his counsell hath sufficientlie tried vs hee will bring foorth our righteousnesse as the light and our iudgement as the noone day Therefore I thinke it my duety without all feare to open to all the world what maner of trespassers we are and to commend to the conscience of all wise learned and godlie Christians when they shall throughlie vnderstand rightly weigh euerie thing as it is the righteousnes of our cause and the vprightnes of our meaning O God and heauenlie Father thou iudge of all flesh and searcher of the heart and raines send forth thy light and thy trueth iudge thou the cause of thy seruants and take it into thy thine owne handes And cause thy people to returne discerne betweene the righteous and the wicked betweene him that serueth God and him that serueth him not And let thy gratious countenance shine alwaies vpon this land and vpon thine anointed handmaide our Soueraigne Queene Elizabeth defend protect and guid her establish thy couenant of peace with her and this English nation for euer euen the sure mercies of Dauid For thy holy Sonnes sake Iesus Christ Amen At Eastwell in Kent this 4. of Iune 1602. Cap. 1. Wherein is shewed 1. That they be not Puritans in deed who now in England are so called 2. That name is verie fit and proper for al Papists 3 What are the causes that some of her Maiesties most faithfull and obedient subiects are termed Puritans 4 The true state of their cause WE reade in the storie of the primatiue church of diuers sorts of hereticks What be â—ritans who for their opinions of their own Purenes contrarie to the trueth of holye Sicripure might verie well bee called Puritans As namely such as verie proudly odiouslie as Saint Augustine writeth called themselues Cathari De haeres 〈◊〉 3.8 which may well out of the originall worde bee translated by the name of Puritane for their puritie or cleanes and these hee saith followed Nouatus and were therefore called Nouatians The Pelagians also were Puritanes 88 holding as hee saieth that the life of a iust man in this worlde hath no sinne at all and that of them the Church is made vp in this mortall life that it might be altogeather without spote or wrinckle Of this latter sorte were the Donatistes 82 There were also Puritanes called Iouinianistes affirming that a man can not sinne after hee hath receaued the lauacre of regeneration Ebion also and diuers others Eus Pamph. hist lib. 3. cap 27. thought so well of them selues that they claue to the lawe as the Pharisees looking to be iustified by their workes and not by faith onelie All these and manye others hauing opinion of their owne puritie and despising others might iustlie and truelie bee called Puritanes But such ministers and other good christian men weomen Godly Ministers people in EnglaÌ„d no Puritans who in this Lande vnder her Maiesties most happie raigne whome God continue in safetie with the longest liuer haue embraced the Ghospell and by it abandoned all these and all other heresies and falshoodes and endeuour to followe the same Ghospell with all their soules and in simplicitie and humblenes of minde haue ben desirous that them-selues should drawe nearer and nearer vnto God and that the Church of England as it is very well and verie much reformed out of popish idolatrie and superstition might more more growe forward vnto such perfection as in this fraile life might bee attained bee verie vncharitablie and vniustlie called by that odious hereticall name of Puritane For if we woulde search all Englande from the tenth yeare of her Maiesties most gracious raigne aboute which time this wicked slander did first beginne vnto this present time there can not bee brought forth any one out of those vvho faithfullie and in the feare of God haue sought reformation howe so euer for that cause they haue beene and are vntruly so called that euer did arrogate anie such thinge to themselues We account not our selus pure as to be thought purer then other men but alwayes they haue acknowledged themselues to be great greeuous sinners as well as other men accounting their owne righteousnes to be as a stayned cloth and reioysing of no other purenesse but that which is by the bloode of Christ when for his sakes our sinnes are forgiuen and thorough faith in him our soules are purified and his righteousnesse imputed vnto vs by the free mercye and grace of God Therefore except wee woulde call black white and bitter sweete there is no reason in the worlde to call any such by the odious name of Puritanes 2. But the Papistes indeed being the true followers and
the maintenance of Gods true religion Ghospell In so much as beside all other times and occasions vvhen now a little before the last Paliamēt the pert bragging of popish recusants their fauourers here and there straglinglie scattered thorowe the lande did somewhat amase and trouble the mindes of infinite her Maiesties moste godlie louing obedient faithfull subiectes we yet se by firme experience the holie constancie of her Maiesties vnchangeable faith and the honorable cariadge of their wisedomes to the confusion of such vaine persones in their vndutifull wicked hope and to the exceeding ioy and contentation of millions of godlie Christians who depend vpon her Maiesties most gracious present gouernement and whose life is not deere vnto them so as they may se her in helth ioy comfort and honour being readie to bestow the best blood in their heartes to doe her true and faithfull seruice and euerie day night hower to aduenture all they haue for her safetie and to curbe beate downe all wicked Priestes Papistes treasonable persons what so euer The vnchangeable loue of Queene Elizabeth and her godly subiectes And this I thank God I may to the honour and ioy of her Maiestie boast and glorie with an humble gratefull minde reuerence to the diuine magnificent bountie of oureternall Father that neuer Prince King nor Queene since the foundation of the world had more faithfull loue obedience and chearfull duetie of their subiectes then all the Protestantes of England haue most gladly constantlie and vnchangeablie performed and continued to their most louing and kind-mother Queene Elizabeth and that so manie yeares with so little discontentment and disturbance and her loue and holie affection and constancie in religion hath bounde them most neerlie vnto her And therefore I am verely perswaded that if euer any Prince might esteeme the loue of their subiectes a strong wall and bulwark and garde to their person then certes Queene Elizabeth both may 〈…〉 mak high account of the Protestant in England as the most faithfull and loyall people which will not suffer her Maiestie to haue the least indignity if it lye in them by spending verie many thousands of their liues to doe her good And that shall the Papists Priests Seminaries wel know if euer they goe about to put in executiō their hoped butchery bloody obediēce to the Popes cruel buls And this is not all that bindes vs to their honors The Lords of the counsell a great stay to godly Ministers for in our priuate troubles about the ceremonies and subscription wee the poore and faithfull Ministers of Christ when so euer we haue opened our cause and humbled our selues vnto them we haue found great iustice and equitie and diuers times great reliefe and ease from our troubles No doubt they seing our innocencie that of meere conscience without anye the least inclination to disloyaltie to our Soueraigne we did forbeare to doe those thinges they haue tendered our cause and louingly effected that we might not be to to much ouerburdened Yea my L. G. of Cantur himself though he seeme to be the greatest opposite to our cause by wise experience finding the same thing hath many times and vnto divers men whereof I must confesse my self to be one moderated the extremitie which by other men was hotly and vncharitablie persued God bee thanked And I humblie praye almighty God euermore to blesse them that they may be alwaies the faithful eyes eares and hands of her Maiestie to the continuall safetie of her sacred person the vnchangeable vpholding of religion and the ioy of all faithfull and dutifull subiectes the terror and keeping vnder of all wickednes superstition and idolatry to the saluation of their own soules the bright shining glory of God in this land for euer and euer The ciuil and politike state of this land verie good 4. Now if any man vnderstand by the state the constitution of the common lawes and statutes of this land now presently in force whereby vve are combined into one bodie of a ciuill politike common wealth vnder one head and Monarchicall gouernment in all priuileges duties offices and works of Prince and people and of the whole and repulse and repressing of all domesticall and priuate euill in the whole or any member and for defence against all forren power or Potentate whatsoeuer who shall claime any title iurisdictiō or interest within these her Maiesties Dominions of Englande or Irelande or ells make inuasion against our Noble countrie or Soueraigne or offer violence or anie wrong to her Maiesties person Crowne or dignitie In all these thinges wee the Ministers and people aforesaide doe professe ourselues as happie people as anie vnder the Sunne to be vnder so iust equall and free lawes gouernement and iurisdiction right ordered common wealth And we protest before God that we and all we are bounde both by the law of God and of nature to spend our goods strength life and all we haue for the maintenance preseruation and quiet proceeding execution and florishing prosperitie of the same common wealth and monarchicall gouernement and for the maintenance of her Maiesties supreame authoritie ouer all persons in these her dominions either ecclesiasticall or ciuill and in all causes what so euer next immediatelie vnder God and his holy sonne Iesus Christ the King of glorie And I haue that assurance of our vprightnes in this matter that I trust no man euer did or could neither yet at this time either will or can except it bee some popish Priest or seditious person that maligneth our happinesse in this common wealth challenge accuse charge or suspect vs or any of vs that we are not for our places as obedient faithfull glad of present state as any other English men subiectes in this land without inparagement be it spoken and with reuerence to our superiours what so euer 5 Heere vpon it seemeth to me that the question is truely and naturallie about the Ecclesiasticall state constitutions orders maner of gouernement that if it may appeare that heerein we be not enemies then are we no way to be touched of which point the 2 and 3 chapters doe in some sort intreate and doe thus farre iustifie vs that we seeming in some sorte to goe against the present gouernement for not obseruing some ceremonies and for not subscribing c. are yet verie much warranted by the same constitutions articles proceedings of the same Ecclesiasticall state But we haue many moe honest and iust reasons for the approuing of our doinges which I doubt not but that the reuerende Fathers themselues and all other Christians waying with the balance of truth and equitie will afoord to be of better acceptance then in the cōmon account of our cause many doe esteem or affirme The ecclesiasticall state What. First therfore the ecclesiasticall state is the constitution of our churches reformatiō as we are departed from the apostaticall
there were any likelihood that such men would fauour the enemies of God and of the Queene Libelling Priestes like rogues They are like vnto rogues who in time past woulde recite all the Iustices of peace in the shire by mustering of whose names they would fortifie themselues against all gainsaiers So these vagabund and roguing Priestes abuse the names of worthy men to shadow their diuelish and traiterous designements For I haue great reason to iudge that their malicious Machiauellian drift is no otherwise but to bringe them in hatred with all her Maiesties good and faithfull subiectes And they care not what they say so as they might kindle a fierie faction among vs and they accomplish their moste wicked complottes Can they make vs beleeue that these reuerende men doe fauour such Popish traitors or that they doe not by such grosse and palpable flatterie prepare a net for their feete Doe they not know how these reuerend fathers doe maintaine and alow all learned godly preachers which enueigh against all such wicked seditious persons and all bookes writings which bewray confute destroy their abhominable minable heresies Doe they not know that they stand for defence and promoting of the Ghospel and the execution of all Ecclesiasticall lawes of this land for the vpholding of the same as Fathers Pastours of the Church of England vpon whome the eies of all men are bent expecting and looking that they aboue all other shuld shew them selues zealous for the truth enemies to Antichrist What Doth he thinke them so vnwise that they knowe not where they are or how they are or so childish that they vvill reuolt from the truth vvhich they haue sucked in euen from their cradle or so vnthankefull that they will take part with Gods aduersaries Doth he think them so blind that they will goe contrarie to all the reuerend Bishoppes and learned men which haue writtē euer since her Maiesties raigne against the Romish heresie that now they woulde take a new course to seuer from all Christiā Churches and be content to heare the most excellent lightes of the world to bee so vilie and maliciously traduced Doth he think them so void of all conscience and honestie that they would take the greatest and chiefest promotions of our Church and so farre abuse the trust committed to them by her Maiestie that they woulde vnder-hande deale cleane contrarie to the same What sodaine toy is come into this mans dreaming braines to think that the learned men of other nations Churches hauing now aboue fiftie yeares bene all one with the English Bishoppes and Protestantes English Bishopes readie to helpe the straungers and alwaies readie not onelie by worde and writing but also vvith monie armour and life to helpe one another should now after so many yeares friendship and loue in our religion and true vvorship of God vvithout any breach or alteration be likelie suddenly to be drawne one against another so that it shuld be a pleasure to our reuerend Fathers to heare such godly learned men Christian Churches our deare friendes and brethren in Christ to bee ill spoken of traduced and slaundered None els a man would think but such as braine madd would imagine such a thing A man that had in him no more but meere reason and pollicie might easilie see further into this matter but only that Papists desire nothing but hurlie burlie confusion that if they had no feare of God before their eies yet they might well thinke with them selues that if by their fauour shewed to Priestes Seminaries or Iesuites they shoulde haue accesse to such places or come so neere her Maiestie that anye hurte should happen to her sacred person vvhich God for Christes sake keep farre from her that the oath of association would stirr vp some and the loue wherewith her Maiestie hath bound thousands and thousands of her faithfull subiectes vnto her would constraine both Noble men Knights Gentillmen and all sortes of the commons to bee reuenged vpon them that haue bene meanes of such euill And they can not bee ignorant that if there bee such a thing and that it may bee now for some consideration wincked at yet there may come a time when such things may be ripped vp and called to accountes and then I dare say they woulde not bee willing to take vpon them such Popish treasonable irreligious writings No meruell therefore if they care not what they say against vs poore Ministers when they dare make it by a question answer lawfull to sue for fauour at the hands of so reuerend wise iuditious men whose place is so directlye opposite to such vvicked hypocrites and they stand as vvatchmen to discouer them and as Iudges to punish them But if among all the Protestant writers there bee some one that hath put forth some priuate opinion of his owne concerning the authoritie of Princes are vve to be blamed vvith that where vvith we were neuer acquainted But this is a stale slaunder against all Protestantes Of the differēce between Christ sub part 3. pag. 3.6 Auns to P. Frarine pag 35. ansvvered by M. D. Bilson Doctor Fulk and commeth to late to be laid vpon vs. But heere vve may see their beggerly pouertie or els some secret secular Popish malice that they must bee faine to thrust into the ballance of their false accusation against vs what so euer colour may be deuised against all forren Protestantes to vvay downe the good estimation of a fevve poore Ministers of England Such is the actions of the Anabaptistes of Martin Marprelat Harding auns Artic. 25. diuis 12. frantick Hacket euen as iust as the furious disobedience of these verie Anabaptistes is laid to the charge of all other Protestantes by the malicious wicked Papistes It is now at the least 33. yeare since our troubles began to be verie heauie vpon vs let thē shew how vve haue mooued the least finger against our dread Soueraigne The present toleration of some of the chief vvho haue vvritten in this cause in the conscience of those reuerende honourable wise persons who either haue caused their libertie or effected it themselues may testifie our innocēcie And surely I vvould not desire any fauour if I might be conuicted of the euil cariage of the best of those three Neyther doe I feare that any honest mind not blinded vvith hatred vvill impute anye of their vvicked dealing to anye godlie Minister vvhich desireth the good of our Church The second great slāder touching Gods mercie vpon this land 4 Therfore wil I come to the second sorte of obiections which seeme more neerely to touch vs and our cause The most principal obiection cōmeth within this circle That we acknowledging not this singular benefite proceeding from the mercie of God namelie that all heresies corrupt doctrines all superstitions and papisticall opinions haue bene banished by the Prince Realme c and all
in danger by this meanes For vvhen the people be so ignorant may not euerie Seminarie entise them as they list and if euer the Papist shoulde set one foote their longed hope Alas hovv coulde the state trust them that vere ignorant that no conscience nor honestie could mooue them but rather the bellie and that part that would vse them best and vvere most liklie to preuaile Where as the Protestant that hath knowledge of his dutie and faith in Christ he stands immoueable thogh all the world would forsake his Prince yet vvould he neuer A mirrour of this had you in Queene Maries daies vvhen the learned Protestante knowing his dutie did patiently and constantly suffer for the truth but the ignorant multitude were quickly turned from God Furthermore the vviser sort of Papists and Atheistes vvhen they see that vve speake against the hedge-Priestes of Poperie and the pride idlenesse and pleasure of their greate and glorious Prelates and that we our selues fall into the same scandall doe they not despise vs and count vs at the least as bad as they yea and verie hypocrites and time-seruers taking the ministrie vpon vs for vvealth and pleasure and not for the feare of God or the loue of his people And so their hartes are hardened and they fall away more more vvhereby the Queene is robbed of her faithfull subiectes and the strength of her estate is effeebled Whereas if vve could be content vvith a measure and that euerie Parish had a godly learned teacher vvee should see a merueilous encrease of good Christian people and an inuincible power of the great King of heauen among vs. Subscription a bar against good preacherâ— and so hurteth the common wealth Then commeuh in subscription and doth as much harme an other way namelie it maketh a barre against manie good and painfull learned Ministers and some it thrustes out And so for vvant of good lightes much people of this lande vvalke in darknes vnto this hower Little doe men think vvhat domage this is to the common wealth For let the neutrall Politician saye vvhat they vvill this I dare aduenture vpon my â—â—fe to auoutch that if the vvhole people of this land vveâ—e in euerie Parish furnished vvith learned and godly teachers the power of the Queene which coÌ„sisteth in the multitud of faithfull people vvould haue bene augmented by vere manie degrees and the enemies exceeding much abated euen in the eyes and knowledge of all men For if the Southern partes of the Realme and the cittie of London bee compared to the other partes where they haue had little or no teaching men shall easilie discerne that which I say to bee true namely if they weigh well the number of Papistes and Recusantes and the manifold dotages of the common people in such places where the godly Preacher hath not continued Therefore in regarde of my loue to my most gratious Soueraigne and natiue countrie I can not passe this ouer so slightly The subscription being vrged and the ceremonies they cause an honest godly painfull Preacher to bee suspended imprisoned and depriued What then The multitude reuerencing as it is meet their superiours presently iudge the godly Preacher to be a naughtie man Againe when they looke vppon the simplicitie of the vnpreaching Minister and the pride and coueteousnes of the non-resident what followeth They esteeme of no Ministers at all they stumble and fall and continue verie Atheistes readie to bee caried awaye after euerye deceauer which maketh a shew of godlines and to be drawne away by these pestilent Seminaries and wicked Priests and I esuites from their allegeance Whereas if the one of these were reformed after the rule of holy Scripture and the other Subscription being taken away c. had the fauour that their labours doe deserue you shoulde see an other maner of working namelie that reuerence to the Ghospell and loue to the Magistrate that no deceauer coulde possible enter into them The fruite of preaching before Subscription was last vrged Some fiue yeares to gether before that vnhappie time that Subscription was so generallye offered vvhich is nowe some 18. yeares past there was such vnitie betweene the Ministers and they ioyned in all places so louingly and diligentlie in laboure that not onely did the vnpreaching Minister and non-resident quake prepare them selues in measure to take paines in the Church but also many thousandes were conuerted from Atheisme poperie and became notable Christians And I am perswaded that the fruite of that time will be able thorow Gods blessing when so euer the Queene shall haue need which I pray God may neuer bee to Maister and calme all the storming Papistes and traitoures what soeuer But when Subscription came abroad how did it shake the heauens darken the skies O Lord mine hart trembleth to think vpon it how manie godly and worthie learned Preachers were silenced depriued and greatly disgraced Howe were the holy Ministers diuided and distracted Howe were the Christian subiectes grieued and offended and the Papistes and wicked men encouraged and emboldened What a dampe brought it to all godlines religion since that time what horrible wickednesse whoordome drunkenesse and al shameles filthienes and what grieuous plagues of God one succeeding an other haue followed eueriegood Christian subiect must needs see lament And the laste degree of these euills shewed it self about the time of the last Parliament so farre and apparant as I thinke manie of the reuerende Fathers were not a little touched with the grief thereof as their zealous preaching did most plainly testifie to the no small reioysing of many good gentilmen and others whoe louing her Maiesties honoure and present gouernement did blesse them in their heartes and with their mouthes praysed God for their zeale and faithfull dealing Now what will follow all this when God hath so long called vnto vs and admonished vs of these three capitall enemies beside all other our sinnes and we still remaine in them and maintaine them and make so little regarde of his faithfull seruantes they which knowe the holie Scriptures may easilye iudge I will saye no more but the Lorde bee mercifull vnto vs and keep farre away his deserued wrath displeasure from vs. 3 Now heere me thinketh I see the scorning Atheist to laugh in his sleeue thinking that all men are fooles but him selfe Atheistes doe thinke them selues the only wise men And some beginne to say that the wiser and greater sort of men make no account of religion but think baselie of it namelie that it serueth but to keepe the simple people in awe Some cause I must confesse they haue this their stumbling when they see the better sort of Christians so diuided But yet by this verye thinge they confute them selues and shewe their naked shame by proouing and fulfilling in thâ—mselues the truth of holy Scripture First they shew the want of faith according to the saying of Christ saying When the Sonne
enlarged it became daungerous both in the Vniversitie and countrie to reproue either of these the people were become conuenticlers if they met together to sing a Psalme or to talk of Gods word And there was not a better way to maintaine an euill cause or to bring any honest man out of fauour then to shew thy selfe an enemie to Puritances and to entitle him whom thou wouldest disgrace with the name of a Puritane Yet let vs see whether this holie Canon of Scripture will not beare vs out to preach speake against these kindes of Prelates or to vse such kind of exercises First the Prophetes call them blind watchmen Esa 56.10.11 dumbe dogges and greedie dogges which can neuer haue inough They cry out vpon them say O idoll sheapheard that leaueth the flocke Zac. 11.17 the sweard shal be vpon his righte arme and vpon his right eye Woe vnto the sheapheardes which feed themselues should not the sheapheardes feed the flockes Ezech. 34.2 And Christ saieth of them Math. 15.14 They be the blind leaders of the blind And the Apostles cal vpon them earnestly saying Take heed vnto your selues to all the flocke whereof the holy Ghost hath made you ouerseers Act. 20.28 to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his owne blood And againe Feede the flocke of God which dependeth vpon you 1. Pet. 5.2 c. If wee speake after this Canon of the Prophets Christ the Apostles are wee troublers of the state or are not they who in their actions do contrarie to the reueiled will of God in his word And whē the same holy Scripture exhorteth men and weomen commandeth them to talke of Gods worde in their houses and when they walke in the way and that the same shoulde dwell plentifullie in vs Deut. 6.7 Colos 3.16 in all wisedome teaching admonishing our selues in Psalmes and Hymnes spirituall songs shall honest men and weomē be therefore called Puritans their godlie Christian meetings bee tearmed conuenticles And if Gods spirit say vnto vs Heb 10 20. Consider one another and prouoke vnto loue good works not for saking the fellowship we haue among our selues as the maner of some is but let vs exhort one another c. Shall honest Christians bee reproached for endeuouring the same And if they admonish anie neighbour for swearing or anie other disorder or call them to heare a Sermon are they by and by vile Puritanes I hope all wise and godlie Christians examining these things aright and waying them with the equall ballaunce of Gods sanctuarie wil conclude with me that in al these thinges especiallie in regarde of the matter of our cause howsoeuer perauenture we cannot be or haue not bene all of vs at all times perfectlie wise in the maner of doing wee haue not broken the principall Canon of our Church but faithfullie laboured to square our actiones after the expresse rule of Gods holy worde and therefore falsly and iniuriously called Puritanes Precisians and troublers of the state Cap. III. That the Ministers and people who haue disired reformation in some Church matters haue therein followed the Christian lavves and godlie proceedinges of the Ecclesiasticall estate THAT some fevv should differ from so many reuerend learned and godlie Fathers of the Church it is and hath bene alvvaies in the opinion of naturall men Men iudge by the outwarde shew a very great preiudice and the authority of the greater part ouersvvaieth the lesser sometime the better For men most commonlie iudge by outwarde appearance And therfore Christ him self being void of outward beautie forme Isai 5.3.2 was despised and reiected of men and it was thought a goodlie mightie reason against his doctrine when they coulde say Doth any of the Rulers or of the Pharises beleeue in him How be it in our Ecclesiasticall state there is matter of great consideration that the one side shoulde conster all thinges that were done at the first with great charitie and Christian pietie the other not to bee so straight as to iustifie euerie particuler The Queenes Maiestie God saue her blesse her comming to her Crowne The most Christian magnanimity of Queene Elizabeth in a troublesome and dangerous time when feare seemed to be on all sides her owne subiectes for the most part male contentes and the mightie Potentates all enemies round about her it shewed doubtlesse the wonderfull work of God most Christian royall magnanimitie in her Maiestie especiallie being a tender branch a maiden Queene that she aduentured to goe so far in reformation of religion in setting forth of the puritie of the Ghospell Wee must thinke also that those few godlie learned men who considered examined and penned the bookes not to haue bene alone without some men of greate learning and countenance which woulde sway against trueth as much as might be therefore no doubt verie wislie for the time they did so carrie the matter that the moste waightie part of that they did is without all exception some thinges may haue a verie good interpretation that which is otherwise perauenture was not espied as in a more peaceable time at more leasure and with greater aduise might haue bene And verelie to speak my conscience It is the singular mercie of God that our Church is so well reformed I take it to bee the singular mercie of God that it happened so well and that the books be so pure as they are the doctrine of faith so fullie and so sincerely declared the order of Gods worshipe so free from idolatrie the ministerie so neerelie framed to the Apostolicall times so that euery good Christiā honest subiect hath very great cause highlie to praise God for such exceeding good libertie and to pray continuallie for her Maiesties moste happie preseruation and to be thankfull to those reuerend men who did so wiselie faithfullie discharge their duetie These things being thus at the beginning the Apologetical writings of verie faithfull and learned men in explaning the Christian purpose of our Church and the statutes articles Canons iniunctiōs seemed to aime at this marke That in peace quietnes wee might not onelie enioy that which was first established but also come the neerest that might be to the pure fountaine of Gods word It doth seeme vnto me that either all these thinges which wee desire or the most needfull to bee reformed had bene long ere this amended if the cōmon enemie of mankinde who enuieth that we should haue any thing so well as we haue had not cast in a block of ciuill debate amongst vs. And I maruell not at it seing so many Papists prophane persons did vse all stratagematicall insinuations to kindle the fire and to nourish it being kindled that if God had not moderated the hote furie immoderate stiffenes of some men to maintaine that they had begunne doubtlesse it
together to the disclosing of falshood and hypocrisie and to the aduauncing of Gods glorie so the contention betweene vs being onelie about ceremonies maner of gouernement we are all of one faith one Baptisme one bodie one spirit haue alone Father Lord and be al of one heart against all wickednes superstition idolatrie heresie and we seeke with one Christian desire the aduauncement so the pure religion worship and honour of God We are Ministers of the worde by one order we administer praiers Sacraments by one forme wee preach one faith and substance of doctrine we reioyce both of her Maiesties happie gouernement the freedome of the Gospell and are professed enemies to all her enemies to the enemies of Gods truth and Ghospell In writing against errors and disputing against Papistes we haue bene all one I preaching her M. supremacie confuting Popish primacie and in calling men from sinne disobedience to serue God and her M. we haue beene all one And shall men thinke that this vnhappie diuision shall seuer vs for euer God forbidde This life with out constant vnitie 2 And here me thinks I cannot but murne to think vpō mans frailtie our ignorance self-loue desire to preheminence many times casteth vs headlong into bitter dissention While men are loftie to acknowledge their ouersights therefore labour to keep their estimation by maintayning an errour they cause much disturbance to themselues with little credite among wise faithful men by ouerstrayning them selues to shadowe ouer mens vpright cause they stirre vp much gar-boile confusion in the Church of God And it is not so easilie stayed as it is vnaduisedlie begun Therefore it is verie wiselie said of Solomon The beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters therefore ere the contention be medled with leaue of Prou. 17.14 Such doe we read to be the ciuil warre of the primitiue Church about Arius which is well known to haue continued many yeares and to be the death of many a faithfull Christian Of which Socrates Scholasticus writeth that in the very beginning it grew so hott Eccles Histor lib. 1. Cap. 6. with such diuision among the Bishoppes and also among the people inveying with such spitefull opprobrius tearmes one against another that it became so haynous shamefull into so lamentable a plight that the Christian Religion was openly derided of all men euen in the publike theaters solemne spectacles And such was the contention of Epiphanius and Iohn Chrysostome both worthy Bishoppes Lib. 6. Cap. 12.13 14. Yea euen in the very infansie of the church that no man shuld stumble at our contention as if it were a new thing when the blessed Apostles by a most excellent and perfite spirite planted the ghospel this humaine fraltie did shew it selfe verie greatlie For what thinke you was the cause of that solemne councill at Hierusalem Act. 15. what was the occasion of the Epist of Paule to the Romanes Corinthians Galathians Philippians Colossians c doe they not bewraye merueilous greate weaknes exceeding great contention some holding of Paul some of Cephas some going to Law and some contending about meate holy dayes some striuing for circumcision and the Lawe of Moyses other denying the resurrection of the bodie others iustification by faith onelie others brought in the worshipping of Angels and other will worshipp and volutarie religion of men in so much that it coste great labour and sweat vnto the Apostles and faithfull Ministers to hold vp the Church to keepe it aliue in the verie birth thereof So great were the waters of contention cōming out of the dragons mouth by the abuse of mans weaknes And this I obserue both in writings disputations of our forefathers of the primitiue ages of the Church also in these latter daies that it is a very rare thing to find any writer thogh he be learned wise sober who in his apologeticall writting can keepe himselfe pure from al gaule bitternes Few writers without bitternes For the vehement desire to defende that he vndertaketh manie times maketh him to sway beyond the mark his penn to breath out filthie smoak and vnsauorie There are manie prettie and wittie thinges which are founde in the studdie of humane learning in these men of great learning haue manie times delight so that when they are in writing of an argument or answer there falleth in some fine ironie or close quib by allusion sometime a bitter sarcasme before they be aware which whē it is red of the aduerse part it raiseth many hott humors vnseemly retaliatiōs which not only hinder the light oftētimes of a good cause but also maketh such a breach as will hardlie bee repaired againe in manie yeares And heere mee seemeth I am taken prisoner and locked vp in a darke and dolesome place to weep mourne to cry and howle for the miserable estate of mankinde thorough sinne How manie stumbling blocks are cast in the way of foolish This contention a plague for Atheists ignorant and peeuish Atheists who refusing the way of truth haue strong delusions of Satan to make them beleeue lyes Yet doth God turne all these contentions too good God turneth it to the good of his elect and his diuine prouidence maketh them profitable to his Church namelie for the elect as it is written There must be heresies euen among you that they which are approued among you 1. Cor. 11.29 may be knowen And this profit hath the Church by the primitiue contentions that in cleare plaine Scripture we se manie things taught as namelie The Christian libertie The doctrine of iustification the rising of the dead and diuers other waightie points which I can not tell if they woulde haue beene otherwise so fully largelie so plainlie written that we may know the loue and power wisdom of our merciful father to ouersway the mightie labours of Sathan which are against the Church to the good of Gods faithfull people Therefore the Apostle is bold to say in the like case I knowe that this shall turne to my saluation And againe We know that all things worke together for the best vnto them that loue God The consideration of this might teach some men to looke vpon themselues and watch ouer their owne corruption to keepe it vnder that they giue no offence other might learne not to stumble at the truth for such a cause which cannot bee altogether auoided And we of our time countrie might vnderstand that we are not by and by seuered into two religions or broken of from being Christian brethren beecause some hote contention hath bene kindled among vs. For then we might say that Friers Monkes Seminarie Priests Iesuites are not Papists yea that Popes Cardinalls and other their great Prelates are no Papistes because those haue stirred vp among themselus most deadlie warre other maner
bloodie Spaniards In all which she is as vvorthie and renoomed a Prince as any this day in Europe shevving her selfe to be a true vvorshipper of God and a carefull obseruer of his vvord If vve should offer anye further matter then that is heare shevved to bee her meaning and doeing vve might iustlie haue this accusation laid against vs but that you see hath as easie a denyall as it is a most manifest slaunder But as for the diminishing of her prerogatiue by Elders or that the Pastour should be a Pope I vvonder at the skantling they take should either of these take vpon him any thing diuers from the Scriptures and which he might dare to doe beeing not authorized thereunto by publike order of the Church and confirmed by her Maiesties authoritie And how can a poore Minister bee a Popâ— when his authority should reach butteâ— one parish and that therein he shoulâ— not doe his own mind but be measured by a law and superior authoritie This they know well or may know that obiect these things against vs I merueill they dare hazard their credite to publish such kinde of vncharitable inuentions But we are not to good to come vnder such vniust imputations seeing our Sauiour Christ dranke of the same cupp but our grief is the more to haue such measure from our reuerende Fathers deare brethren The next besitting this kind is that we affect popularitie to bring al to a popular state Thirdly touching populâ—ritie This slaunder seemeth to mee to haue tvvo forckes First in regairde of the peoples choosing of their Pastour and second that vve should bee enemies to Magistrates or Monarchicall gouernement I ansvver in the first vvee leaue not all to the people but onlye vvee vvoulde not haue the people left out but as Act. 6. and 14.23 The Bishopes and Ministers should order and guide the people and both ioyning together the choise might bee free and most for the benefit of the Church Novv vvhen the Bishops of our Church in England before they ordaine a Minister vvill haue him to nominate a place and as I haue seene in practise send their letters to that place to see if any coulde except against him and lastly ordaine him with these words Take authoritie to preach to this congregation meaning as I take it the Parishe which had chosen him alas what popularitie is this This obiection Maister D. Fulke answereth against the Papistes by those words And as for the popular election if you haue red those bookes you make mention of Defen of English transl cap 15. pag. 797. you might perceaue that neither of both partes allow a meere popular election And that Maister Whitgift doth not so much contend what forme of election was vsed in the time of the Apostles c. The other forcke is a meer deuise a deuilish quarell and calumniation against all Protestantes for Bristow saieth Motiue 40 Protestantes be malignoures of the hier powers and hath no colour in the world in any of our doeings writings or practise whatsoeuer therefore I think it not worthie to be answered 6 The other arguments obiections are not of so great a prayse Obiections of more equitie yet wil I answer some few of them that if it be possible the chiefe heads vnto which all other may be referred being found light and vaine all the rest might bee accounted no better then they are First our friends say vnto vs if their be no superior how can there be any good order We answer that we meruil they vnderstand not that wee meane that the lawe and authoritie of the Prince shal be superiour to all the Magistrates and Commissioners as signed by her to see all her good lawes executed And as Maister Fulke saieth wee graunt among the Ministers themselues An ouerthrewe ' of the answ to M. Chark prefaâ— pag. 112. a primacie of order as it was among the Apostles namely according to which Iames was president of the councill at Hierusalem Act. 15. But it is further vrged that the honour of Bd. is more for the protection of the Ministers for their reputation I will not heere for reuerence sake answer all that I can and which miserable experience afordeth only I would such to consider that our armour is spirituall and that the Apostles subdued all the worlde without this earthly honour which this obiection pretendeth But a Christian Magistrate being friend wee haue now lesse cause to feare our reputation if we doe well then they being base and poore fishermen of low estate at that time had when all the power and glorie of the world was against them Therefore the Psalme speakes another maner of conquest Namely that Christ shoulde prosper with his glorie Psal 45 4â— and ride vpon no other pompeous chariot but that of Gods word all laid ouer with golde of trueth and drawne with no other horses but meeknes and righteousnes So am I perswaded that although this great dignitie of our Prelats were takeÌ„ a way yet if we did diligently and faithfully in humble vpright maner teach the people Gods word of truth and saluation it woulde procure vs honour and reputation sufficientlye beseeming Gods Ministers finding that ielous word of God true Them that honour me 1. Sam. 2.30 I will honor c. And lastlie Of sufficient Ministers and maintenance for them it is demaunded where wee will find sufficient Ministers to bee preachers liuing for such worthie men This obiection with many other might be left out for there be God be thanked ynough worthie men if they were sought after both in the Vniuersities other where but while men are suffered to runne and ride and ketch before they fall manye worthie men are passed ouer and not knowne some are faine to be scholemaisters some because of these troubles change their studies Manie are afearde to set their sonnes to schoole seing Ministers so little regarded Littleton Galen and the godly houses of Noble men and Gentlemen woulde helpe to make vp the number And this wee see dailie that there can not be a place void but there be many schollers of reasonable competent giftes to fullfill the same As for maintenaunce God bee praised this Realme aboue all other is to bee commended only the ioyning of smaler liuings and Parishes into one with redeeming of impropriations woulde quickly fill vp that gappe that no man of a moderate gouernement and desire if euerie one be placed after his giftes should haue iust cause to complaine These thinges beeing considered I hope it will appeare to all reasonable men that it can be proued by any good reason that the godlye Ministers desiring reformation are enemies to the state or causes of these troubles which are among vs. But yet there remaineth one imputation which I can not passe ouer Because although it haue not so much as a shadowe of truth The last great flaunder touching Papists and Ieusites
manie times hath she bene â—â—rced to make lawes and statutes to curbe bridle them How many times hath she bene forced to sende soldiers and money to preuent them How manie times hath her Nauie and shippes bene drawne out into the seas to meet them How continuallie almost hath shee bene vexed with Irish insurrections and rebellions How many times hath she bene constrained against her owne most gentle and mercifull disposition for treason and rebellion to cut of rotten members with the iust reuenging swearde Yea how often haue wee bene driuen to watch and ward either to resiste domesticall rebels or to waite for forren inuaders So that to declare a most viperous spitefull and vngratious generation and an hereticall and apostaticall malice there can bee nothing added And heere both she and all her louing and Christian subiectes haue verie great matter of reioycing and praysing God For if euer God from heauen God sheweth his Ioue from heauen in the defeÌ„ce of our Queene testified his loue to aâ—â—â— Prince or caused his Angells to watch gard them if euer there were Princâ— made glorious for deliuerance honoâ—rable for constancie in truth famoâ—â— for continuall prosperous successe 〈◊〉 the great admiration of all men and wonderfull happie quietnes and ioy of Gods people if euer God sought against wicked rebels mischieuous traitors bloodie vsurpers and vniust inuaders to defend the innocent iust and vpright in his cause then surelie may wee boldly and ioyfullie both say and sing that God hath openlie and in the sight of all the worlde done all these thinges for his annointed hand-maide Elizabeth our Queene So that she may with the Psalmist confes vnto the Lord They haue often times afflicted me from my youth but they could not preuaile against me Psal 129. â—â— 124. praysed be the Lord which hath not giuen vs as a praye vnto their teeth Our helpe is in the name of the Lord who hath made both heauen earth So let all thine enemies perish O Lord but vpon thy seruant Elizabeth and vpon her throne be peace for euer more and let her and all that loue thy name bee as the Sunne when he riseth in his might and say all way The Lorde be praised But as for the Ministers and people desiring reformation in some thinges they alwaies carefully following the word of God and delighting in the reading preaching and meditation of holy Scripture haue all their ioy comfort in that faith religion which her most Christian Maiestie professeth setteth forth defendeth And hauing libertie of conscience freedom to worshipe God aright protection in well doing with health wealth peace and pleasure of bodie and soule they feele the pleasant sweete and comfortable milke with a most ioyfull refreshing of a tender noursemother vnder the shadow of her most faithfull and constant proceedinges in the Ghospell If euer there were loue betweene Prince and people it is betweene vs. For what Christian subiect can not loue a Christian Ruler What godly childe cannot loue a godly mother What afflicted soule can not loue a sweet and faithfull comforter And what man being in miserie loueth not him that hath deliuered him Shee is our most Christian Prince she is our godlie mother she is our sweete and faithfull comforter our deliuerer and vnder God our assured defence against all our enemies Her ioye is our life her lawe our safetie her safetye our castell her swearde our shielde her peace our wealth her death which God forbid our miserie Therefore we haue counted our selues happie to doe any seruice to her Mai. either in our goods or in our persons or in spending our liues Wee haue willinglye gone in her seruice into Fraunce into the Low Countries and Irelande and into the furthest Seas We haue written disputed aduentured our liues in diuers places to testifie our vnfained loue faithful obedieÌ„ce vnto her And what is there that we could not goe vnder if occasion be offered to doe her any seruice vvhich godly Christians ought to doe to their dread Soueraigne If at anye time the traiterous papists aduance themselues dare presume to attempt their most wicked vngodly desire wishing it shal by Gods grace very wel appeare that her M. hath many thousand Protestants sufficiently able thorow Gods helpe to beate them downe to tame them Our ministriâ— hath brought foorth many good subiects Witnes Anno. 88. whome it hath pleased God by our ministerie to bring vnto the knowledge of the trueth And this I am the bolder to affirme because I saw in our countrie in Anno 88. such bands of honest men so many so well furnished so chearfull to fight for her M. and their Countrie so resolute valiant so forwarde and vnfearfull that it reioyced mine heart to thinke how fruitfull our ministerie had bene in these her goldeÌ„ dayes how happie honourable her M. is who hath by her godlie Christian gouernement breade brought forth nourished broght vp so many so worthye so godly Gentill-men and Yeomen that of meere conscience and loue so willinglie and resolutely could and woulde fight for her safetie preseruation So that if the Papistes would regarde no more but naturall reason though they did forget the mightie hand of God which hath continuallie fought for vs they would quiet themselues be thankful for her Maiesties great clemencie and patience toward them not once dare to broach such treacherous deuises seing they are not able to stand before the mightie forces resolute bands of her Maiesties most louing faithfull subiects true vndoubted Christians which reioyce in her present gouernemeÌ„t desire that it may more and more be perfected after Gods worde and prosper to Gods glory Alace then how should we feare in whose heartes is fixed and grounded such perfect loue We can not feare her whome we loue perfect lie that casteth out all feare We appeale vnto the god of heuen who seeth all secretes and commend our doings sayings writtings to the conscience of all good honest wise harted christians that if there be a false heart in any of vs and not a faithfull loue and reuerence to her Maieste from the verie bottome of our soule that euery such man or woman should be made an ensample and a reproach a byeword for the terror of all wicked hipocrits vnthankful miscreaÌ„ts But wee are not able to giue sufficient thanks to our good God who hath hetherto so mercifullie watched ouer vs that hee hath not suffered anie such wretchednesse to sease vpon vs or to preuaile ouer vs to the dishonoure of his Ghospell or iust discredit of our ministrie and godly cause His name bee glorified for euer Amen Cap. 9. Wherein is plainly shewed 1. That it is most profitable to the present state and gouernement and greatlye for her Maiesties safetie to heare the petitions of the godly Ministers and to tolerate them in their ministrie
to be admonished of these things and that the wise godly taking vsing applying thereof which I hope I shall finde at their hands may be for the good of her Maiestie and the State I would neuer haue aduentured in this sort to medle or to set forth one word at this time in this cause For how foolish were I to procure my self trouble without a warrant from God and his worde and hauing quietlie enioyed my place euer since the forlorne yeare of subscription except that I was at two times suspended some two yeare in peace and quietnes vnder the wise and fatherlie ouersight of the most reuerende Father our Diocesan of Cauntorburie not hauing subscribed in any sort neither vsed all the ceremonies so preciselie as peraduenture some other doe If the loue of the whole Church the necessitie and goodnes of the cause the glorie of God and the good of the whole lande did not in me way downe all reasoning and disputes I coulde easilie fore cast 500. cautions which would mightelie draw me back and make me afeard of such an enterprise vvhich protestation I make choise of rather in this place because doubt this chapter vvill not be altogether defensiue as I suppose the rest be but rather offensiue displeasing but I vvill frame my selfe as neere as I can to giue the least cause that any man should take occasion I vvill medle vvith no mans person onely I propound such reason for the reforming of these things as I hope shall become a Minister of Christ 1. These three thinges The vnpreaching ministrie the absence of the Pastor from his flock and subscription I take to be sin in the sight of God and if that be true then they may rightly be called troublers of the state because it is written Hier. 5.25 Esai 50.2.1 King 18. that Sinne hindreth good things from Gods people and iniquitie maketh a separation betweene God them And to forsake the commandement of the Lord is the cause of trouble to Gods Church The vnpreaching ministrie sinne Let vs first examine the vnpreaching Minister vvhether it bee not sinne Gods commaundement is that euerie Minister should be apt to teach no nouice in knowledge 1. Tim. 3.2.6 one that holdeth fast the faithfull word according to doctrine that he also may be able to exhort with wholsome doctrine Tit 1.9 improue them that say against it If then the breach of Gods commaundement be sinne as Saint Iohn saieth Seing our ministrie vvhich doth not can not preach ◠Ioh. 3.4 is contrarie to this cōmandement it must needs follow that the standing thereof in our Church is sinne so a troubler of the state That vvhich causeth the people to perish is sinne but the vnpreaching ministrie causeth the people to perish therefore it is sinne This argument is testified by manie vvitnesses First Salomon saieth Where there is no visiō Prou. 29.18 the people decay And Christ addeth further If the blinde leade the blinde they shall both fall into the ditch And Oseah the Prophet applyeth the same to euerie vnpreaching Minister saying Mat. 15.14 My people are destroyed for lacke of knowledge Oseah 4.6 because thou hast refused knowledge I will also refuse thee that thou shalt be no Priest to me and seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God I will also forget thy children Looke the booke of orders in the ordayning of Priestes If the vnpreaching ministrie be no sinne why are they ordained to preach the vvord of God vvhy are they made to promise to giue faithfull diligence to minister the doctrine Sacraments and the discipline of Christ as the Lord hath commanded and to vse both publike and priuate monitions and exhortations And why are they at that time exhorted in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ to haue in remembrance to how hie a dignitie and to how chargeable an office they be called that is to say to be the messengers the watchmen the Pastours and stewards of the Lord to teach to premonish to feede prouide for the Lordes familie c. And why is it there also said vnto them Seing that you can not by anye other meanes compasse so waightie a worke pertayning to the saluation of man but with doctrine and exhortation taken out of holy Scripture and with a life agreeable to the same ye perceaue how studious you ought to be in reading learning the holy Scriptures c. And why are wee taught in the booke of common prayer to pray that all Bishoppes Pastours and Curates should set forth Gods true and liuelie worde and rightlie and duelie administer the holy Sacramentes if an vnpreaching ministrie were no sin The conscience heereof no doubt caused that reuerend Father M. D. Fulke to write that hee would not excuse any vnsufficient Minister nor their ordainers Ouerthrow of Stapletons fort cap 8. pag 113. Defens of trans of Engl. lib. cap. 15 pa. 401. And that hee which is voide of giftes is ordained vnworthelie and with great sinne both of him that ordaineth and of him that is ordained Now if these things bee true let wise men consider what daunger it is to suffer or maintaine a knowne sinne fortie three yeare in the Church of Christ and so whether this bee not a iust cause of the troubles of the state by the righteous iudgements of God In the next place let vs looke vpon the learned non-resident Non-residēce sinne examine whether the absence of the Pastour from his flocke and negligence as it is vsed among vs be not sin For a man may bee called by the Church as Epaphroditus was to some speciall work for a tyme Philip. 2.25 for the common good of the whole But our question is whether a man may lie in a cathedrall Church or in the Vniuersitie or dwell in some towne like a Gentilman and ioyne benefice to benefice and liuing to liuing passing his time in wealth and pleasure and his flocke 20.30.40 or 100. miles of more or lesse comming verie rarely or seldome amongst them Heere I will not dispute but onlie I humblye beeseech and adiure all those my reuerend and learned brethren by the name of our Lord Iesus Christ and by the great fearefull day of his comming when all dispensation of men shall be voide and wee shall giue a straight accounts of all our workes which we haue done in our bodies that how so euer I am a verie meane and simple man not worthie to carrie your bookes you would looke into your owne consciences and see how you can answer to God where he saieth Ezech. 34.2 Wee be vnto the sheapheards of Israell that feede them selues shoulde not the sheapheardes feede the flockes c. Take heede vnto your selues and to all the flocke whereof the holye Ghost hath made you ouerseers Act. 20.28 to feede the Church of God which hee hath purchased with his owne blood I charge thee
him selfe to be rather heaped vp to make a terrible shevv then indeede for any substance of trueth in them But these obiections I will make speciall choise of vvhich are of moste waight sounding out very loud against vs the alarum of schismatickes troublers of the Church enemies to the staie rebels traitors vvorse then Papists And these I find to be of two sorts either they are of thinges vvithout vs vvherein vve haue not had any intelligence or medling or else they are directlye ayming at our doings and the cause vve suffer for The first slander touching strangers 3. In the first they carry vs into Geneua Fraunce the Low countries Scotland and make vs to bee French-men Hollanders and Scottes that what so euer in the actions of the Protestantes or their vvritings may seeme to carry coulour of any disloyalty to their seuerall Princes or Magistrates all that is dravvnâ— vvith cartropes laid open our shoulders This stratageme you shall find in Quaerimonia eccle in the booke of Scotising and Genevatising and in these late statising counterfeit Seminarian and Iesuatising Priests which I ioyne together because the two first being vvithout their Fathers name prosecute their cause like as these latter For as the one pretending pursuite against Iesuites laboureth by the name of Puritanes to cutt the throate of all Protestantes so the other doe dravv in all Protestants vnder the name of Puritanes pretending to proue the Ministers falsly called Puritanes daungerous to the state by that wherewith they accuse other men of other countries and so bring a reproach vpon all Protestant Churches But surelie in my iudgemeÌ„t they speak as much against the state of the present gouernement as almost possible may be And therefore in this argument we haue cause to reioyce that they ioyn vs to all the Protestants godly learned Diuines of this age Our best writters defend the protestantes of other cuntries whome our reuerend Fathers writers for the maintenance of this our English Church do defend and maintaine against all maner of Popish writers and Antichristian heretikes as well men which know the bookes set forth since her Maiesties most happie raigne must needs vnderstand whereof something I will touch And first let vs heare M. Calfill who saieth Because the prouidence and mercie of our God Ans to the trear of the crosse in the preface hath frustrate their hope in their opinion to long they haue thought it best to make open warre against God and all honestie to send for their friends sommon their diet in the Low Countries Thence haue proceeded the Popish practises the smokie stirres that were blowen in Scotlande the fierie factions inflamed in Fraunce the Popish treason condemned in England the Popish conspiracie attempted in Ireland c. And the reuerend Father M. D. Bilson doth particularlie defend M. Calum Difference betweene true Christ subjection-part 3. pag. 502. 510. 511. M. Beza and the Nobles of Fraunce to haue wrought done nothinge against the ciuill Magistrates lawfull authoritie There is a speciall treatise of M. D. Fulk against the rayling declamation of Peter Frarine wherin Beza Caluin and Geneua are cleared of all wicked and disloyall actions and the Protestants of Fraunce in all their warre by the Kings edictes and many other reasons out of their true stories So for the low Countries you shall find that the States as well Papists as Protestants * Inâ—r and 2â— booke of A. E. Meteranus Hist Belgic stood for their priuiledges as well as for religion And the Guises of Fraunce the principall troublers as wel of Scotland as of Fraunce that with such pretence of religion as they did entitle their Neece the Queene of Scottes with those royall dignities and armes of England and Ireland which were are proper to our gracious Soueraign Queene Elizabeth this they did as Buchanan sayeth as soone as Queene Marie was dead Re. Scot. lib. 16. Therefore I can not tell what men should meane by wrapping within our cause al other Protestant Churches vnto whome her Maiestie vnto her immortal fame hath bene a verie great stay and as it were a nours-mother but that they haue some hidden stratageme that in the coÌ„mon slander of Puritanes either they might make ciuill warre betweene all reformed churches or else prepare a way for the Popish superstition Queene Elizabeth a nurs to strangers to her immortall fams by the dishonour and ouerthrowe of her Maiesties sacred person primacie and gouernement and of all Protestantes Estates throughout Christendome At the least they bring her Maiesties name in question and after a sort challenge all her Princelie and Christian enterprises in regard whereof all the Christian Churches of Europe as namelie Geneua Fraunce The Low Countries and Scotlande doe and ought to acknowledge themselues debtours to her highnes and for which al ages to come shall finde them selues bound to praise God and to remember her name as a most precious thing and a most singular gifte of the Highest Lord for the comfort of his elect people And that I may speak as M. Beza is forced with great ioy to confes She hath so well and faithfully purged the true worship of God In his preface before the new Testament with his large notes from the most filthie pollutions of Antichristianisme in England She hath made such peace in Scotland and so happily succoured the afflicted both there and in Fraunce and God hath so blessed her therein by her example the noble Princes oâ— Germanie that we may iustly say that God hath aduanced her aboue all the Kings of this our age so that the verie Angels out of heaueÌ„ doe seeme to giue their assent of her most noble Kinglye deeds for the protection of the Churches of Iesus Christ And verilye they doe her Maiestie great wrong to impute all these things vnto vs who aâ—as were neuer able to doe the smallest action which to her eternall praise she hath most wisely most iustly most equallie with a most constant and royal magnanimitie performed as Buchanan Meteranus other histories of our time doe most truly and deseruedly report her renowm in this respect will neuer be forgotten as long as the worlde doth stande The Priestes libellers do cunningly traduce the reuerend Fathers Seauenth Gen. quod l. Artic. 3. But there is another thing which grieueth mee not a little that these bookes seeme to insinuate that some of our reuerend Fathers should bee in some sort fauorers and abettoures of their most malitious imputations of all Protestant Churches godly writers As namely this wicked William Watson â—n his moste treacherous and childish quodlibets rehearseth the names of some of them as if they were fit persons â—o be sued vnto by Priests and Iesuites to obtaine fauor God forbid that these â—euerend Fathers should giue them the â—east shew of cause to thinke or say so wickedly of them as though