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
and yet woulde not meete with the others at the appointed time would requeste a copie not so muche to knowe the discipline as to sturre vpp newe broiles Neuertheles when the Magistrate had once seene it leaue to be geuen to anye man that woulde to se it Withe this answere they and some others beinge offended at the second readinge off the discipline they departed a waye and abstained agayne with their whole howsoldes from the churche from publick prayers and sermons whiche thinge blewe vp and increased the reporte off our disagrements and striffes Neither woulde they from that time forwarde vnlesse they were commaunded by the magistrate come to the churche when as notwithstandinge they coulde not shewe vs anie iuste cause to be giuen them why they shulde so departe from the churche and refraine the publicke prayers and godly sermons as yff we had byn Ethnickes or publicannes The 25. daie oure discipline was read the 3. time and the 26. daie it was read the forthe tyme by the commaundement off the Magistrate at the reading wheroff all Englishe men that were off the churche were commaunded to be present The 30. off marche it was read the fyfte tyme and so at diuers times there subscribed 42. in the good allowance theroff whiche was the greater parte by a greate deale off the churche For the whole churche at that present had not aboue 62. And bycause nowe the marte was at hande that there might be some better forme off a well ordred churche fiue were appointed off the churche the 20. off marche to nominate certeine from amonge whom accordinge to the Magistrates decree shulde be chosen the Ministers off the worde Seniors and Deacons The 21. off marche the names off twentie men or there abowte were proponed to those fiue appoynted off the churche and therwithall declared that yff anye woulde or coulde reproue anye off them that were named either in doctrine or manners they shulde shewe it the 23. daie after Vpon the 2â— daie none fyndinge anie faulte in anie of those whose names were propounded it was agayne decreed that yet yff they had anie thinge to saie against anie man they shulde declare that the 21. daie folowing The 25 off marche Maister Chambers maister Binkes Maister Ade Maister Brikbek maister Benâ—ham who were amonge them that were named tolde the churche that yf peraduenture they shulde be chosen for certeine causes they coulde not serue the churche and that they signified this to the churche in time leaste the election were frustrat But when no man coulde obiecte anie faulte in theis or other that were named the election off the Ministers was made the 29. off marche and the ordeininge off them that were chosen was appointed of the churche the daie folowinge In the meane season Maister Horne and Maister Chambers and certaine other lefte not off to sue to the Magistrates that bothe oure election might be hindred and also that it might be lawfull for them to be off our churche and yet not to subscribe to oure Dysciplyne the thinge that they them selues notwithstanding would neuer graunt to anye others The 2â— off Marche after dmner it began to be muttred off certeyne that the Magistrate had forbydden that we shulde go forwarde in the election the whiche thinge surely greued vs for by that meanes we sawe that we shulde haue no forme of a Churche before the marte and that therfore we shulde become a reproche to all men which seemed shulde be spred amonge all nations But this rumor was altogether vaine for the 29. of marche which was the daie before the election shulde be after the sermon the decree of the Magistrate was openly reade in the churche wherin it was commaunded that we shulde take in hand and performe the election off the Ministers in the same order and vpon the same daie that we had apointed and that all Englishe men that were off oure churche shulde be present the same daie at the election and geue their voices The 29. daie off Marche after praiers the sermon and publique faste a litle before twelue the election off the Ministers began to be made and when we were in the middeste off the election â–ª Maister Horne Maister Chambers and others to the nomber off 18. men who before were neither with vs at the sermon nor at praiers but had kepte themselues in some howses not farre from the churche beinge warned of their side that had watched vs in the churche came in suddanlie on a troupe together in to the churche and there eche one striuethe who shall caste in his bill firste vpon the table standinge in the middeste off the churche all whiche bylles conteined one matter and writen almost with like wordes to witt that they coulde not geue their voices in the same election bicause they coulde not off their consciences alowe that discipline by whiche the election was made And that they might enlarge their nomber they brought with them 2. billes off those that were absent and off some others whiche neuer were accompted off the churche And so after they had troubled oure election and after Maister Horne also walking with an other a litle while ouerwhart in the middest off the churche all in a manner departed againe Afterwards the election was fully ended at one off the clock at afternoone there were chosen 2. Ministers off the worde .6 Seniors and 4. Deacons Nowe the Deacons were besides the wonted custome off oure churche off the nomber off those that coulde lyue of their owne for that the common treasure might seeme withowte all suspition to be committed to suche rather then to the poorer sorte â–ª Nowe in that maister Horne neither anie off the other that were before in the Ministerie excepte onely maister Willforde were chosen againe to the Ministerie was specially through their owne faulte For Maister Horne neuer almoste ceased for certeine daies to professe openly that he woulde neuer exercise againe anie Ecclesiasticall ministerie in that churche and beinge before appointed by the magistrate to preache in oure churche he would neuer so muche as once preach And maister Chambers when his name amonge the reste to be chosen was propounded the 25. off marche he professed openly in the churche all men hearinge it before the election that though he were chosen off vs to some Ministerie yet that he woulde neuer vse it And therfore that we shulde not in anie case chuse him vnlesse we woulde haue oure election to be frustrate Wherfore it is no maruell yff they were not chosen who least they shulde be chosen did them selues openly denounce it And therfore in this they do vs great wronge that would seeme to beare men in hande that they were at the firste thruste owte off their ministerie by vs or longe off vs they were not chosen in againe Maister Isaac in like manner Maister Binks Maister Brickbek and Maister Escote openly professed that they woulde in nowise vse any publique ministerie in oure churche And here
dissipation And woulde to god the slaunder were not allready to our great grieff in sundry places scattered in so muche that in Englande manie take occasion to remaine in their filthe And some thinke they maye dissemble vntill a churche oâ— confirmed perceauinge that this our scatteringe augmentethe the griefe of persecution and so throughe our negligeÌ„ce we leese them for whom Christe died Consider brethren it is gods cause he requirethe yow it is your dewtie necessitie vrgethe time willethe your father speakethe children muste obeie oure enemies are diligente and the aduersary is at hande Almightie god graunt for his sonnes sake that we maie rightly ponder the maâ—ter followe oure callinge serue â—he turne heare the speaker walke in obedience and resist oure enemies We desier yow all take this in good parte seinge we haue written nothinge but what charitie did indite and that whiche we truste and wishe yow woulde haue don to vs in case like From Franckford this 2. off August 1554. Your louynge brethern Iohn Stanton Iohn Makebray VVilliam VVilliams VVilliam VVittingham VVilliam Hammon Thomas VVood. Mighell Gill. SHortlye after the lerned men off Strausbrough answered to this generall letter before mentioned in this sorte That they had considered the contentes theroff and perceiued that the effecte was no other but to haue one or two take the chieff charge and gouernaunce off the congregation And that in case they might get D. poinet Maister Scory D. Bale or D. Cox or two off them they shulde be well furnished yff not they woulde appointe one at Strausbrough and an other shuld come from Zurick to serue the turne at whiche tyme master Grindall wrote to master Scory at Emden perswadinge him to be Superintendent off this churche off Frankf who in 2. seuerall letters to his priuate frinds offred his seruise to the congregation but before the receipte theroff the congregation had writteÌ„ their letters to maister Knox at Geneua to master Haddon at Strausb and master Leuer at Zurick whom they had elected for their ministers and aduertised master Scory by a generall letter off the same Nowe when the answere that came from Strausbrough was read and compared withe the letter written vnto them it did not in anie pointe answere it â–ª For the congregation wrote not particulerly for anie certeine nomber but generally wishinge all mens presence nether did they require to haue anye superintendent to take the chieff charge and gouernement for the choise and election theroff yff suche a one had bene necessary ought to haue byn reserued to the congregation whiche fully determined at that tyme to haue the churche gouerned by 2 or 3. graue godly and lerned Ministers off like authoritie as is accustomed in the beste reformed churches The â—1 off October the Students off Zurick wrote also an answere to the generall letters afore saied in this wise The grace and peace off God the Father and off our Lorde Iesus Christe be vvith your all Amen AS God by his singuler prouidence hathe wonderfully blessed vs aswell in mouinge the hartes off the Senators and ministers here to lament oure state fauor and aid vs in oure requests as also in geuinge happie successe for all kinde off prouision to oure vse and behoufe So he well knowethe that we no other wise esteeme the same then maie stande withe his glory oure professioÌ„ and the comforte off his afflicted churche but dailie labor in the knowledge off his worde to thintent that when god oure mercifull father shall so think good we maie be bothe faithfull and skilfull dispensers theroff And as runninge in the sweete race off oure vocation ye haue ernestly written vnto vs for to repaier thyther burtheninge vs so sore with your necessitie that ye think our shrinking back in this behalff shulde argue want off charitie keepe manie in Englande still whiche else would willingly come foorth and shewe oure selues careles off that congregation wwhose edefyinge and winninge to Christe we onely pretend to seeke These are great causes but touchinge vs nether so truly obiected so firmely grounded nor yet so aptlie applied but that as sounde reasons on our partes might fully answere the same Yet notwithstanding in as muche as yow appeale to our consciences whiche in the daie off the Lorde shall accuse or excuse vs in this thinge and all other we will not vtterlie deny your requests but shewe oure selues as ready to seeke gods glorie and the increase off his kingdome other there or elsewhere to the vttermoste off oure powers as euer we did pretende to do requiringe yow all in the name and feare off god that as we all respects set aparte and vnfainedly trauelinge in the necessary knowledge off Christe to the profit off his churche here after refuse not for your nedie comforte to accomplishe your desyres So ye will not interrupte oure studies vrge oure remouinge and bringe vs thither feelinge here aâ—lreadie the exceadinge goodnesse off god towardes vs vnlesse ye thinke and that before god that oure absence on th one parte shulde greatly hinder and oure presence one the other side verie muche further your godly attemps alreadye begonne for the furnishinge off that churche so happely obtained to all oure comfortes for the whiche in oure dailie prayers we geue god moste hartie and humble thankes Yff by this doinge ye geue occasion to breake oure godlie feloshippe to hurte our studies to dissolue oure exercises and vtterly to euerte our godly purposes ye haue to answere euen vnto him whiche is a faithfull and a iuste Iudge and will geue to euerie man accordinge to his dedes Wherfore deare brethern in consideration that we be all not onely off one nation but also members off one misticall body in Iesus Christe our head and ought therfore especially in this time off exile and moste worthely deserued crosse by all means possible one to aide and comforte an other besechinge god for his mercies sake to asswage his wrathe to geue vs repentinge hartes and patient continuance to our brethern at home with pity to beholde his vineiarde there miserablie spoiled and trodden vnder foote and to call vs home after his fatherly chastisemente eftsones frutefully to worke in the same we briefly make this answere Yff vppon the receipte here off ye shall withowte cloke or forged pretence But onely to seke Christe aduertise vs by your letters that our beinge there is so needfull as ye haue alreadie signified and that we maie altogether serue and praise god as freely and as vprightly wheroff pryuate letters receiued lately from Franckf make vs muche â—o dowte as the order laste taken in the churche of England permittethe and perscribethe for we are fully determined to admitt and vse no other then abowt easter nexte for afore we cannot god prosperinge vs and no iuste cause or occasion to the contrary growinge in the meane time wherby our intente maie be defeated with one consente we agree to ioine oure selues vnto yow and moste willinglie to doo suche seruise there
greuethe me very muche and it is a great shame that contention shulde arise amonge brethern banished and driuen owte of their countrie for one faithe and for that cause whiche onely ought to haue holden yow bounde together as it were withe an holy bande in this your dispersion For what might yow do better in this dolorous and miserable plage then beinge pulled violently from your countrie to procure your selues a church whiche shulde receiue ād nourishe yow beinge ioyned together in mindes and languadge in her motherly lappe But nowe for some men to striue as touchinge the forme off praier and for Ceremonies as though ye were at reste and prosperitie and to suffer that to be an impedimente that ye cannot there ioyne in to one body off the churche as I think it is to muche owte off season Yet notwithstanding I allowe their constancie whiche striue for a iuste cause beinge forced againste their willes vnto contention I do worthely condemne frowardnes whiche dothe hinder and staie the holye carefullnes of reforminge the churche And as I behaue myselff gentle and tractable in meane things as externall ceremonies So doo I not alwaies iudge it profitable to geue place to their folishe stowtenes whiche will forsake nothinge off their oulde wonted custome In the liturgie off Englande I se that there were manye tollerable foolishe thinges by theis wordes I meane that there was not that puritie whiche was to be desired Theis vices thoughe they coulde not at the firste daie be amended yet seinge there was no manifeste impetie they were for a season to be tollerated Therfore it was lawfull to begin off suche rudimentes or absedaries but so that it behoued the lerned graue and godly ministers off Christe to enterprise farther and to setfoorthe some thinge more filed from ruste and purer Yf godly Religion had florished till this daie in Englande there ought to haue bin a thinge better corrected and manie thinges cleane taken awaie Nowe when theis principles be ouer throwne a churche muste be set vp in an other place where ye maie freely make an order againe whiche shall be apparent to be moste commoditious to the vse and edification off the churche I cannot tell what they meane whiche so greatly delite in the leauinges off Popishe dregges They loue the thinges wherunto they are accustomed Firste off all this is a thinge bothe triflinge and Childishe furthermore this newe order farre differeth from a chaunge Therfore as I woulde not haue yow feirse ouer them whose infirmitie will not suffer to ascend an higher steppe so woulde I aduertise other that they please not them selues to muche in their foolishnes Also that by their frowardnes they doo not let the course off the holie buildinge Laste off all least that foolishe vaine glorie steale them awaie For what cause haue they to contende excepte it be for that they are ashamed to geue place to better thīges But I speake in vaine to them whiche perchaunce esteeme me not so well as they will vouchsaffe to admitt the consaile that commethe from suche an authour If they feare the evell rumor in Englande as though they had fallen from that Religion which was the cause off their banishment they are farre deceiued for this true and sincere Religion will rather compell them that theire remaine faithfully to consider in to what deepe gulff they haue fallen For there downefall shall more greuously wounde them when they perceyue your goinge forewarde beionde mid course from the whiche they are turned Fare ye well dearely beloued brethern and faithfull seruants off Christe the Lorde defende and gouerne yow from Geneua this 20. off Ian. Anno. 1555. Your Iohn Caluin WHen this letter of Caluins was redd to them of the congregation it so wrought in the hartes off many that they were not before so stowte to maintaine all the partes off the boke off England as afterward they were bent against it But nowe to returne Whiles these things were in doyinge the congregation as yow haue harde afore coulde not agree vpon anie certeine order till after longe debatinge to and fro it was concluded that maister Knox maister Whittingham Maister Gilby Maister Fox and Maister T. Cole shulde drawe forthe some order meete for their state and time whiche thinge was by them accomplished and offred to the congregation beinge the same order off Geneua whiche is nowe in print This order was verie well liked off many but suche as were bent to the booke off Englande coulde not abide it yea cōtention grewe at lenght so hot and the one partye which sought sinceritie so sore charged with newfanglednes and singularitie and to be the stirrers of cōtention and vnquietnes that Maister Gilby with a godly grieff as well apeared kneled downe before them and besought them withe teares to reforme their iudgementes solemelie protestinge that in this matter they sought not themselues but onely the glorie off god as he was verely perswaded wishinge farther that that hande whiche he then helde vp were stricken of if by that a godly peace and vnitie might ensue and followe In th ende an otherwaie was taken by the congregation whiche was that maister Knox and maister whittingham Maister parry and Maister leauer shulde deuise some order yff it might be to ende all striff and contention Thies 4. assembled for that purpos And first Maister Knox spake to the reste in this wise For so muche saithe he as I perceiue that no ende of cōtention is to be hoped for vnlesse the one parte somethinge relent this will I doo for my parte that quietnes maie insue I will shewe my iudgement howe as I think it maie be beste for the edification off this poore flocke whiche if ye will not accepte nor followe after that I haue discharged my conscience I will cease and cōmit the whole matter to be ordered by yow as yow will answere before Christ Iesus at the laste daie and to this his congregation in this liffe c. Wherupon after some conference an order was agreed vpō some parte takē forthe of the Englishe booke and other things put to as the state of that churche required And this order by the consent of the cōgregation shulde continewe to the laste of Aprill folowing yff anie contention shulde arise in the meane time the matter then to be determined by theis S. notable lerned mē to wete Caluin Musculus Martyr Bullinger and Vyret This agremente was put in wrytinge To that all gaue their consentes This daie was ioyfull Thanckes were geuē to God brotherly reconciliation folowed great familiaritie vsed the former grudges seemed to be forgotten Yea the holie communion was vppon this happie agremente also ministred And this frindshipp continued till the 13. off March folowinge at whiche tyme D. Coxe and others with him came to Frankford owte off Englande who began to break that order whiche was agreed vppon firste in answeringe alowde after the minister contrary to the churches
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
be shall declare vnto the Magistrats wherin likewise the congregation cannot admit Maister Chambers to the office off Senior for certeâ—n Causes And for the rest off the Seniors We saie they geue vnto the Magistrats right humble thankes This done those 3. men whiche came vnto them with the Magistrats edicte did earnestlie exhorte firste in the magistrates name and efâ—sones in their owne to fall to a quiet agremente amonge them selues for that were more honestie then to accuse one an other vnto the congregation Whiche thinge as it is most vnworthly off Christen men so is it vnto vs specially that professe our selues banished for the gospell sake Answere was made in the name off the churche as foloweth We wishe for a brotherly peace from the bottome off our hartes praing Maister Horne and Maister Chambers instantly to bend their mindes vnto quietnes and moste hartely besechinge theis 3 men our brethereÌ„ and banished for the same gospell that we are that they will helpe with their authoritie to set a quietnes amonge vs so as the matter shulde come no more to the Magistrats eare Theis 3. answered that they woulde heare what answer Maister Horne and Maister Chambers would make hereto Maister Horne answered seing the matter is allready before the M the magistrat shall haue the hearing and determining off it Iff anie had ought against him let them put it vp in writing before the magistrate for he was ready to answere all men and either he woulde trie his innocencie or being founde faultie suffer punishement for the same Maister Chambers made like answere for himselff Then for as muche as there could be no other ende the congregation requested those 3. graue and lerned preacherâ—â— to make reporte to the magistrate off their desier And readines to haue agrement And so they as soone as theis things were put in writinge departed And the churche also made an acte off that daie subscribing with their hands to the same The same daie at after noone the Magistrates hauing more plaine intelligence off the matter commaunded by their edicte subscribed with their handes that Maister Horne and Maister Chambers shulde medle no more the one with the pastorshipp and the other withe the Seniorshipp till all the controuersies were throughly harde and decided And commaundement was geuen that the eight daie after whiche was the 3. off marche suche as had to saie off anie parte shuld be present This matter was greuous to the church as maâ—e be thought that things shuld growe to suche extremitie When they had gathered certeine matter they exhibited it to the Magistrates when as they came to the Englishe churche where all the company were assembled before them whiche was the last off February Where the Magistrates made an ende by their owne authoritie off the controuersie as shall be saide here after The laste off Feb. the Magistrate came to oure Temple a litle before ten off the clock and there off his authoritie reconcilied certeine off the congregatioÌ„ that were at variaunce amonge them selues and tooke order that all former offences shulde be vtterly extincte and buried in the graue off forgetfulnes Wheruppon at the commaundement and in the presence off this Magistrate the parties ioined handes together in token that they were reconcilied and were Good frinds and lovers Afterwarde the pastor Elders and Deacons were put from their Ecclesiasticall functions by an Edict signed and subscribed with three off the Magistrates handes and were all made priuate men as the rest off the congregation And by the same edicte off the Magistrates it was decreed that that congregation might freely when they woulde chuse either them or other ministers likewise it was permitted and graunted that accordinge to the abilitie off the congregation they might chuse one or many ministers off the worde or doctors Moreouer order was taken by the same Edicte that the treasure or common monie off the congregation shulde be kept and distributed by the Deacons And that the Deacons shulde at certeine appointed times geue vpp an accounte off it before the Ministers off the worde and Seniors We were licenced by the same Edicte off the magistrats to drawe owte an Ecclesiasticall Discipline wherby the congregation shuld be gouerned Afterward there was thankes geuen to the magistrate in the name off the whole congregation for his singuler good will and affection to the congregation And the magistrate deparâ—â—â— wisshinge well in like sorte to the companie But by whâ—â—e meanes the magistrat came thus vnto vs and toke such order or whither the Magistrate off himselff wrought this deuise we cannot certeinly saie But that we off the churche were not the cause that anie suche thinge was done we take God and oure consciences and the magistrate to witnes who knoweth the whole matter The morowe after whiche was the firste off marche the Magistrate gaue vs Counsaile by a fewe lynes that he wrate vnto vs to drawe forthe the Ecclesiasticall Discipline owte of hande whiles we were as yet all priuate men and therfore might best take counsaill for that that shulde be moste behouable for the whole companie leste that yff we differred the doinge off it vntill the Ministers were chosen and appointed oure coÌ„sultation shulde be more troublesome whiles the ministers on the one side and the congregation on the other might pluck and force more vnto them selues then off right they ought This most wholsome and profitable counsell off the Magistrate was the nexte daie after whiche was the 2. off marche proposed in the congregation and it liked and pleâ—sed the whole company notwithstanding bicause Maister Horne made some matter for that some were absent the matter was differred vnto the nexte daie The thirde off marche by the aduise off that Good and godlie magistrate eight and thirtie off the congregation chose by voices 15. men to write Ecclesiasticall lawes Maister Horne and Maister Chambers and almoste to the nomber off 14 moo saâ— by and woulde geve no voices notwithstanstandinge that we requested and intreated them But they required they might haue leaue to put downe there minds in writinge So then beinge requested to write downe their mindes Maister Horne rose vpp and wrate in the paper in theis wordes folowinge My minde is that the olde discipline be kepâ—e still and not mended Maister Chambers and Maister Isaac and other to the noâ—ber off 14. wrote downe their mynds to the selff same purpose Nowe when we saw farâ— beyounde oure expectation and otherwise then we looked for that there was a newe dissention arâ—singe betweene vs being set at one and recoÌ„ciled one to the oâ—her not scarse 3. daies before and in witnesse therof had geueÌ„ handes eche to other we coulde not otherwise doo but be greued and sorowe greatly to se the growndworke of mo troubles and dissentions laide And bicause those 14. gaue to vnderstande by their hands put downe vnto it in writinge that they thought it noâ— Good to alter their olde discipline to the ende
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
specially whiche I purposed not but that I might be the rather moued to doo as before I had donne And they then required whiche was after promesse made to further my doinges with all faithfull secrecie in suche sorte as I shulde from time to time deuise an requier to bestowe suche summes off monie as shulde hereafter come to my handes to suche vses and purposes as I thought good Therfore as by force off those letters I gathered not So the gatheringe for Franckford churche hathe not byn nor is in my handes nor off any other at my appointmente as ye do write Wherfore as I might so I did and that by the aduise off manie honeste graue and godly men departe from thense withowte making that accoumpte to whiche I am not bownde nor leauinge for the relieff off the poore off whom such haue had their portion in this blessinge for the time as I thought meete to be relieued Vnto the Students whom I neuer placed there I haue performed whar so euer I promised The accoumpt off receiptes paiments and remaines which ye require I intende not to make vnto yow But I shall be ready at all times and in all places to make a iuste accoumpte off my whole dealinges in this behalff vnto them whiche haue authoritie to demaunde it off me In the meane tyme as I shall by gods helpe truly do my indeauour to relieue the poore as I shal haue wherwithe and finde them meete to receiue it So shall I keepe the names and summes secret as I am bownde till by them whiche haue iuste authoritie to louse me I be otherwise appointed Thus I committ yow to the grace off allmightie god from Strasbrough this 20. off Iune Anno. 1557. Richarde Chambers AFter I had written this answere to your firste letters reteining them in my hands vntill I might haue a conuenient Carior I receaued your Seconde letters the principall matters therin are answered before To the rest that be any thinge materiall thus I saie As touching the delaye off mine answere yow call contempte more vncharitablie then truly as vnto godly wise men is well knowen As my departure was not so my returne to Franckfurt maie not be at your appointement Your generall accusations off misbehauiors and contemptes in the whiche yow saie I am faultie I admitt noâ— Iff yow can iustly charge me with particulers I shall make answere to the contentation off all godly mindes Where the discipline off Christe is vsed in iuste causes it is to be regarded but your vnorderly abusinge off it and againste me that am not off your churche I esteeme not Yff yow vse ciuill proffes againste me I shaâ—be as ready to answere the cause as yow to entre the sute As for your displayinge off me to our dispersed brethern to my vndeserued dispraise in this matter cannot be such but that I shall easilie purge my self As god knowethe who with his holy spirite molifie your hartes and geue yow the vnfained true sight off your selues amen From Strasbrough the 30. off Iune 1557. Richard Chambers Deliuered the 20. off Iuly to M. Iohn Hales by Iohn Escot Nowe Whiles theis sharpe and greuous contentions grewe more and more at Franckf as ye haue harde manye thinges happened in other places whiche maie in this place be shortly touched to the glory off god I hope and also to the great comforte off the godlie who maie by the same beholde moste euidently the maruelous prouidence off God towarde his poore afflicted and dispersed churche After that M. Bartue and the dutches of Sulff were saffely arriued at Wezell in Westphalia the brute theroff was the cause that moo Englishe people in shorte time resorted thither It pleased god also that M Couerdale after that he had bin withe the kinge of Denmark shuld come to the same Towne who preached there no longe time till he was sent for by woulgange duke off bypont to take the pastorall charge off Bargzaber one off his Townes off Germany at whose comminge to the duke he made it knoweÌ„ bothe to himselff and to other noble meÌ„ abowte him off M.B. and the dutches beinge in the lowe countries They vnderstaÌ„dinge the daunger that might come vnto them in those partes as also calling to remeÌ„brance what great curteisie strangers had founde in Englande at the dutches handes made offre that iff they were forced to remoue or otherwise if it pleased them they shuld haue the Castle of Winchaim by Hedleberge within the liberties of Otto Henricus theÌ„ Palsgraue and a godly Prince who most gladly as well appeared gaue coÌ„sent to the same M. Bartuc and the Dutches acceptinge this offre lefte Wezeli and came vp to the saide Castle aÌ„d there coÌ„tinued til leauinge Germany they traueled towardes the lande off Pole. The congregation that was at Wezell wantinge amonge them partly the comforte whiche many off them had by M. B. and my L. beinge there and partly also other reasonable coÌ„siderations mouinge them they left Wezel and folowed after But passinge by Franckf and perceauinge the contention to be amoÌ„ge them so boilinge hott that it ran ouer on bothe sides and yet no fier quenched many had small pleasure to tarie there but went to Basil and other places whiles M. Leauer made sute to the lordes of Berna for a churche with in their dominions whose letters he obtained with great fauour to all their subiects for the frindly entertainement off the Englishe nation Theis letters obtained M. Leauer M. Boye 's M. Wilforde M. Pownall and T. Vpchaier came to Geneua to haue the aduice off that churche what was best to be done touching the erection off a new churche They of Geneua gaue god thanks for that it had pleased him so to incline the hartes off the lordes off Berna towardes them and gaue incouragemeÌ„t that they shuld not let slyppe so good an occasion M. I. Bodliegh who was no small staie as well to that churche as to others and W. Ke. he traueiled with them And passinge thorough manie partes of the L. of B. dominion in Sauoy and Switzerland they founde suche fauour in all places where they came as verelie maie be to the great condemnation off all such Englishe men as vse the godly stranger I meane those who come for religion so vncourteously M. Leauer and the company at lenght chose Arrow for their restinge place where the congregation liued together in godlie quietnesse amoÌ„ge themselues with great fauour of the people amonge whom for a time they were planted Not longe after this Maister Horne and maister Chambers came by Arrowe to Geneua seminge at that tyme to like verie well off those congregations as the churche of Frank. also then did as apearethe by their letters afore in so muche as the said Maister Horne and Chambers did distribute larglie to the necessitie of those churches So that it appeared that the olde grudge whiche had bin betweene the churche off Franck. and Geneua had bin cleane forgotten It
When the Erle off warwick was sent to subdue the popish rebells in the north-partes the preachers off the Queens maiesties Army were Kethe Temes and standon who offred themselues in that seruice voluntarily with owte all constraynte And thus it is euidente that theis with a nomber moo who are now so ill thought off as iff they were traitors and rebells haue yet byn so farre off from bringe sedicious that they haue at all times aduentured their liues againste seditious persons and rebells when as suche as nowe so hardly charge them bothe by worde and writinge haue byn right hartely well content to take their ease and reste at home Consideringe then how many waies we are vniustly burthened and brought into hatred withowte iuste cause I supposed that no godly man wolde be offended yff by such lawfull meanes as I might I sought bothe to purge my selff and the rest off my brethern from such heinous and odious crimes as some would seeme to charge vs And that coulde I not doo so well anie waie as by the gatheringe together off this discourse wherin the indifferent reader shall finde that the religion whiche we holde and professe is not onely the true ād sincere religiō of Christe and the self same with all the reformed churches in Christendome but also that whiche this Realme hathe established touching the true doctrine comonly taught therein By this discours also yt maie be seene bothe when where how and by whom this controuersie firste began who cōtinued it who was on the suffring side and who readieste to forget and forgeue that godly peace and concord might be had Nowe iff anie shall seeme to be offended with this that I had don I do moste humblie beseche them to way well and expende with themselues firste whither I haue geuen them anie suche cause yff it be for that I haue in this discours brought to light some thinge that might haue bin keept secret the contention beinge amonge brethern to the ende the common enemie shulde not haue cause to triumphe let this satisfie them firste that the wicked and common enemye cannot for his harte more tryumphe ouer the Godly then he dothe allready and that throughe owte this whole realme Againe the crueltie off Cain to Abell off Ismaell to Isaac off Esau to Iacob off the Patriarkes to their brother Ioseph the hot contention betweene Paule and Barnabas and Paule and Peter c. all theis beinge knowne to the worlde hathe turned notwithstanding to the great glorie off God as my assured hope is that euen this will also in the ende And therfore as the lorde off heauen knoweth that the keepinge off theis thinges almoste by the space off theis twentie yeres in secret might suffice to witnes with me that I had nowe no great pleasure to vtter it so I wote not howe it commethe to passe that euen in the middest off great striuing and struglinge with my selff what to doo I coulde not be by anie meanes resolued or se iuste cause why I shuld any longer conceale it Yff anie shulde thinke that I haue not with indifferencie penned the storie I referre me to satisfie suche to the iudgements and consciences off those persons who were the plaiers off this tragedie off bothe partes many yet liuinge assuringe my selff that neither part shall be able iustlie to charge me excepte it be for that in verie dede I haue sought rather howe to couer manie thinges then to laie them wide open to the worlde as I nothinge dowte to proue iff I might be but harde indifferently in so muche as in this discours I haue asmuche as I coulde passed ouer the names off all where credit might seeme to haue bin impaired therby sauing onely off suche as were off verie necessitie to be noted for the better vnderstanding off the historie To conclude againste the offences whiche some maie take at theis my trauells I haue sett the greate profit that this maie bringe to goddes churche and to the posteritie who beinge taught by other mennes harmes yff they be happie will lerne to beware the hope wheroff had greater force to pushe my pen forwarde to the finishinge off this worke then the displeasures off certaine arisinge so far as I se off no grownd coulde be to withdrawe me from the same besechinge almightie god so strenghē me with his holie spirite that what troubles or trialls so euer shall by the lordes good prouidence happen to me hereby he will vouchsaffe to geue me a contented minde quietly and with patience to beare it before whom I proteste that in wrytinge this discourse I haue had respecte to his glorie the defence off his sacred truthe the cleeringe so farr as I might off so many excellent lerned men on whose neckes this sturre is laied as authors off the same and not that I haue willingly sought the hurte hinderance or discredit off anie man. And this I praie that your loue maie abounde yet more and more in knowledge and in all Iudgement that ye maye discerne thinges that differ one from another that ye maie be pure and withowte offence vntill the daie off Christe Keepe the true paterne off the wholsome wordes whiche thow haste harde of me in faithe and loue whiche is in Christe Iesu Study to shewe thy selff approued vnto god a workman that nedethe not to be ashamed deuidinge the worde off truthe aright The answere off the ministers off Geneua to certeine brethern off the churche off Englande concerninge some controuersie in the Ecclesiasticall policie BEinge right earnestly and often required by certeine deare brethern off the churche off Englande that we woulde in their miserable state geue them some kinde off counsaile whereon theire consciences might be staied the Iudgemente off many beinge therin diuers we did longe differre the satisfinge off their requestes vppon waightie causes And we assure the reader that euē nowe also we moste gladly woulde houlde oure peace were it not a matter of conscience to reiecte the sute of the brethern so often enforced and with moste greuous groninges reneued Off whiche stifned silence off ours theis were the causes firste as on the one part we dowte not off the credit off the brethern as thoughe they had not sincerely described the state off the cause vnto vs so on the other side it is moste harde for to suspecte suche thinges so clene besides all office off Bishopps muche lesse perswade oure selues the same by suche personages done And farther what men are we that we shulde determine vppon suche causes Also iff it were lawfull for vs either by authoritie or els by consent or requeste of either parties to geue sentence here vppon yet were yt a mater moste wrongefull either partie not harde or not present to determine Laste off all feare mistrusted leaste so great a mischieff shuld by this oure counsell howe simple so euer it is rather become rawe thē skin̄ed it beinge a sore of so desperate a nature as that it semeth
Senators for a place or churche wherin they and all their country men might haue gods worde truly preached and the Sacraments sincerely ministred in their naturall tonge who ientlie promised his furtherance and that he also woulde move the whole Senate theroff the whiche he did accordingly And the 14. daie off the same monethe yt was graunted that they shulde haue libertie to preache and minister the Sacraments in that churche which the freÌ„che men had the freÌ„che one daie and the Englishe an other daie and vpoÌ„ the Sundaie to chuse also theÌ„ houres as they coulde agree amonge them selues but yt was with this commandement that the Englishe shulde not discent from the frenchmen in doctrine or ceremonyes least they shulde thereby minister occasion off offence and willed farther that before they entred their churche they shulde approue and subscribe the same confession off faith that the frenche men had then presented and abowte to put in printe to the whiche all the afore named and others whiche were by this time come thither did subscribe When the churche was in this sorte graunted they consulted amonge themselues what order off seruice they shulde vse for they were not so stricly bownde as was tolde them to the ceremonies off the frenche by the Magistrats but that iff the one allowed off the other it was sufficient At lenght the englishe order was perused and this by generall consente was concluded that the answeringe alowde after the Minister shulde not be vsed the letanye surplice and many other thinges also omitted for that in those reformed churches suche thinges woulde seeme more then strange It was farther agreed vppon that the Minister in place off the Englishe Confession shulde vse an other bothe off more effecte and also framed accordinge to the state and time And the same ended the people to singe a psalme in meetre in a plaine tune as was and is accustomed in the frenche dutche Italian Spanishe and Skottishe churches that don the minister to praye for â—hassistance off gods holie spirite and so to proceade to the sermon After the sermon a generall praier for all estates and for oure countrie of Englande was also deuised at th ende off whiche praier was ioined the lords praier and a rehersall off tharticâ—es off oure belieff whiche ended the people to singe and other psalme as afore Then the minister pronouncinge his blessinge The peace off god c. or some other off like effecte the people to departe And as touchinge the ministration off the Sacraments sundrie things were also by common consente omâ—tted as superstiâ—ious and superfluous After that the congregation had thus concluded and agreed and had chosen their minister and Deacons to serue for a time they entred their churche the 29. off the same monethe Then was it thought good amonge themselues that forthwith they shulde aduertise their countrie men and betheren dispersed off this singuler benefit the like wheroff coulde nowhere else as yet be obtained and to perswade hem all worldly respectes put aparte to repaier thither that they might altogether with one mouthe and one harte bothe lameÌ„te their foremer wickednes and also be thankfull to their mercifull father that had geuen them suche a churche in a strange lande wherein they might heare gods worde truly preached the Sacraments rightly ministred and Discipline vsed which in their owne countrie coulde neuer be obtained And to this effecte were letters directed to Strausburgh Zurick Densbrugh and Emden in the 2. off Auguste And for that it was thought the churche coulde not longe contynewe in good order withowte discipline there was also a brieff forme deuised declaringe the necessitie the causes and the order theroff wherunto all those that were present subscribed shewinge therby that they were ready and willinge to submitt themselues to the same accordinge to the rule prescribed in gods holie word at whiche time it was determined by the congregation that all suche as shulde come after shulde doo the like before they were admitted as members off that churche Here followethe the generall letter sente from the congregation off Franckforde to Strausbourge Zurick Wezeil Emden c. Grace mercy and peace in Christ our Lord c. We dowte not dearely beloued but yow haue harde aswell by letter as by reporte off the excellent graces and mercy whiche oure good god and heauenly father hathe shewed vnto oure litle congregation in this citie off Franckford for that he hathe not onely made the Magistrats and commons very fauorable towards vs and louinge but also hathe geuen them hartes with muche compassion to tender vs in so muche that euerie man helpethe vs no man is againste vs muche loue no grudge glad to please lothe to annoie vs yea and to declare this good will not to be off the meane sorte nor so small as oure brethern haue felte otherwere they haue graunted that thinge whiche amonge others and in other cities we coulde not obtaine nor durste allmoste hope for For what greater treasure or sweeter comforte can a Christian man desier then to haue a churche wherin he maie serue god in puritie off faithe and integritie off lyfe whiche thinge yff we wishe for let vs not refuse it seinge where we woulde we coulde not there obtaine it And here yet it is graunted in so ample wise that beinge subiecte to no blemishe no nor so muche as the euell off suspition froÌ„ the whiche fewe churches are free we maie preache minister and vse Discipline to the true settinge forthe off gods glorie and good ensample to others And for our partes we haue not bene negligente as touchinge the execution off the sayed benefit graunted For the 29. of Iuly we had god be thanked â— sermons to oure singuler comforte and great ioye off all godly men heere Wherfore brethern seinge your haue indured the paine off persecution with vs we thought it likewise oure dewties to make your partakers off oure consolation that altogether we maie geue thanks to oure louinge father who is more tender ouer vs then the mother ouer hir childe nether suffreth vs to be temped aboue that we maie beare but euen to the issue off the tentation geuethe prosperous successe trustinge by gods grace that he whiche hathe geuen yow that gifte not onely to beleue in Christe but also to suffer for his sake will so directe your hartes that no respecte off commoditie there nor yet feare of burthen here maie once moue yow to shrink from your vocatioÌ„ whiche is in one faithe one ministration one tonge and one consente to serue god in his churche What more manifeste signe what plainer declaration what worde more expresse and lyuely can we haue off dewtie and vocation theâ— when god speakethe in oure hartes by faithe guidethe vs owte off perille throughe his grace and nowe laste of all offrethe vs a restinge place of his exceading mercy Yow remeÌ„ber that before we haue reasoned together in hope to obtaine a churche and shall we nowe drawe
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
whâ—che dissented from yow somewhat to yâ—lde yff they might conueniently soâ—t offended me that there was nothinge graunted or relented on your partes Bicause there was no man named vnto me I durste not entrâ—prise to medle with the matter leaste my credit shuld incurre the suspecte off raâ—henes Nowe that ye are more myleder and tractable in this controuersie and that ye haue as ye saie stilled the matter withe quietnes I am verie glad Verely no man well instructed or off a sounde Iudgement will deny as I think that lights and crossings or suche like trifles sprange or issued owte off superstition wherupon I am perswaded that they whiche reteine theis ceremonies in a freâ— choise or when they maie otherwise doo they are ouer greedy and desyrous to drink off the dregges nether do I se to what purpose it is to but â—hen the churche with tryfflinge and vnprofitable ceremonies or as I maâ—e terme them with their propre name hurtefull and offensible ceremonies when as there is libertie to haue a symple and pure order But I keepe in and refraine my selff leaste I shulde seeme to beginne to moue a newe contention off that maâ—ter whiche as yow reporte is well ended All good men will allowe the Pastours and other Ministers elections with common voices so that none complaine that the other parte off the churche was oppressed fraudulently and with craftye practises For it standethe your wisedomes in hande to consider that howe muche commoditie the goodnesse off the Senate dothe deserue so muche enuie shall yow be giltie off or charged withall yf yow haue abused their lenitie or gentlenesse whiche were so well affected towardes your nation Yet I woulde not haue this so taken that I go abowte to be preiudiciall to anie man but I had rather shewe plainely what maie be saide then to norishe an ill opinion by silence or in holdinge my peace But certenly this one thinge I cannot keepe secret that Maister Knox was in my iudgemen nether godly nor brotherly dealt withall iff he were accused by the subtill suggestion of certeine it had byn better for them to haue â—aried still in their owne lande then vniustly to haue brought in to farr countries the fierbrande off crueltie to set on fier those that woulde not be kindled Notwistandinge because it greueth me to speak sleightly off theis euells the remembrance wheroff I woulde wishe to be buryed in perpetuall forgetfullnes therfore I onely counsaile yow not withowt a cause to be wounded that ye applie your selues to make them amendes for the faulte committed When I harde that the one parte was minded to departe froÌ„ thens I earnestly admonished them as it became me that iff they coulde not well remaine there that the distance off place shulde not dissâ—pate or rent in sunder their brotherly agrement for I feared muche least that some priuie grudge off the former contention remained And certainely nothinge coulde more comforte my harte then to be delyuered from this feare For iff anie haplie come to vs it woulde grieue me that there shulde be as it were but a suspition off any secret debate betwene yow Therfore as touchinge that ye haue written off your agrement I desier that it maie be firme and stable that iff it chaunce the one parte to go to an other place yet that yow beinge so sundred by distance off places maie keepe sure the holie bande off off amitie for the fault alreadie committed is to muche although thorowgh discorde it creepe no further Wherfore it shall well be seeme your wisedomes that ye maie be frinds to purge diligentlie what so euer remainethe off this breache Fare ye well brethern the lorde succour yow with his aide and gouerne yow with his spirite powre his blessinges vpon yow and mittigate the sorowe off your exile From Geneua this last off maie Anno 1555. Your Iohn Caluin BYcause that Maister Caluin in his letter maketh mention off lightes some might gather that he was vntruely enformed that in the Englishe booke lightes were prescribed the contrary wheroff appeareth by the descrâ—ption before where it is manifest to such as be lerned that he vsethe the figure auxesis and that this is his argument a maiore ad minus for so muche as lightes and crossinges be 2. off the moste auncienstest ceremonies hauinge continued in the churche aboue 13 hundreth yere are yet for suche causes abolished howe muche more ought all other that haue noâ— had the like continuance and yet abused be vtterly remoued And for that maister Caluin in this letter earnestly wished that all strife shulde ceasse and that yff anie were minded to departe their departure might be suche as all occasions off offence might be cut of and cleane takeÌ„ awaie it was thought good to suche as were determined to go awaie with in 3. weekes after to folowe his counsaile And the rather for that some whiche tooke them selues to be lerned had openly termed their departure a sisme whervpon they wrote to the pastor Ministers and whole congregation this letter folowinge and deliuered it in the open congregation For so muche as through the benefit off God we haue obtained a churche in an other place we thought it good to aduertise yow of the same And to the intent that not onely slanderous reportes maie ceasse but also iff anie offence be either taken or geuen the same maie come to triall we desier that yow for your parte woulde apointe 2· Arbyters and we shall appointe other 2. Who hearinge our matters throughly opened maie witnes where the faulte restethe at whiche time we will vndertake to defende oure departure to be lawfull contrary to the slanderous reportes off some which vnlernedly terme it a schisme Thus farre brethern we thought good to signifie vnto yow thinkinge this to be the onely meanes of oure mutuall quietnes wheroff howe desirous we are our tedious and chargeable iourney maie be a sufficient proffe beinge throughly perswaded that hereby stryfe maie be ended charitie reuiued frindshipe continued Goddes glory aduaunced and oure brethern edified Fare ye well this 27. off August VVilliam VVilliams VVilliam VVhittingham Anthony Gilby Christopher Goodman Thomas Cole Iohn Fox Thomas VVood VVilliam Kethe Iohn Kelke Iohn Hilton Christ Soothous Nicholas Purfote Iohn Escot Thomas Crofton VVilliam VValton Laurence Kent Iohn Hollingham Anthony Carier WHen the Pastour had redd this letter openly to the congregation and was desired to knowe when they shulde haue an answere he saied vnto them that so farre as he perceiued it required none but that whiche might presently be made whiche was that they might departe seinge they were so minded It was replied that for so muche as it was manifest that they had byn slaundered not onely by letters into diuers partes but also by some that then were present who had affirmed their departure to be a schisme and farther that they coulde finde no indifferency at their handes it was thought necessarie to commit the hearinge off that controuersie to lerned
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
and Elders by one apointed for that purpose When this counsaile was once knoweÌ„ the minister by the consent off the Elders drew owte off his bosome a decree whiche the magistrate off that city had made and redd it with a lowde voice before the whole churche The decree beinge redd he added in graue wordes that theis oure assemblies and meetinges woulde be verie daungerous noâ— to vs onelie but to all the congregations off strangers for it was greatlie to be feared least the magistrate beinge offended withe such meetings did not shut vp the gates off oure churche alone but also off all the strange churches And therfore that he to th end he might in good season prouide for suche daungers would surely by Ecclesiasticall discipline handle according to his deserte maister Halee who then by occasion of sicknes was absente the author of that assemblie and that he woulde pronounce of vs generally that if it were not schismaticall yet that it did withowte dowte teÌ„d to schisme hovv so euer we excused oure mindes aÌ„d purposes moreouer he affirmed that we had don verie yll in that we had excluded and shut owte certeine which came in to the church in the time off oure consultation and meetiÌ„ge· Answere was made in the names of the churche that that decree off the magistrate was by them before bothe read ouer throughly vnd also verie diligentlie waied and that they iudged that decree to be most vpright and iustlie to be feared off wicked and lewde men such as were sectaries and factious persons and that they did assuredly knowe that the threats of that decree did nothinge at all concerne them who were mett together to make peace and vnitie and that they for this deede did so litle feare the angre and displeasure of the magistrats that they trusted the magistrat woulde praise theÌ„ for this matter yff parhappes he knewe off the thinge it selff and that therfore they were assembled and comme together that the whole matter might be quietlie ended amonge themselues and not brought before the magistrat for where we saie they were banished men and had by the meanes off a very good magistrate receiued that singuler and moste excellent benefit off reste and quietnes we shulde do that whiche shulde be most vnfit and vnseemly for vs iff we shulde by occasion of our striffes and hurley burlies trouble the magistrate and to render vnto that verie good Magistrate vnquietnes troubles and stirrs whiche shulde be verie euell thankes for so great a benefit off quietnes and rest as we haue receiued And we affirmed that we so muche the more dililigentlie and wilingly labored in pacifiynge and endinge this controuersie bicause there were amongest vs certeine who rashly and with owte aduise brought vnto the Magistrat all light and small controuersies whiche might easilie haue bin determined and ended amonge our selfes herein deseruinge no fauour at all either at the the handes off so Good a Magistrat whom they oftimes withowte cause troubled or of their countrie men whom they by thies their priuie complaints and accusations did amonge strangers slander as vnquiet and troublesome men and that they had done no lesse displeasure to the gospell we professe whiche by occasion off suche accusations is comonlie euell spoken off amonge the aduersaries then to that so good a magistrate and to their owne countrie men And that we therfore to th ende the Magistrate might not be troubled nor our nation slaundered as vnquiet and troublesome nor the worde off God through vs euell spoken off met together to take counsaile and auise howe al the matter might be peaceably ended and for no other cause or purpose And where it was obiected that in that decree off the Magistrat there was no mention at all made either off the whole churche or off the authoritie off whole churche We answere say they that we do not so interprete the Magistrats decree as though yt were the Magistrats minde and pleasure to take from the churche the right and authoritie due to the Churche and make the whole Churche subiecte to some certeine persons For we bothe well inoughe knowe by the example off the frenche churche in a like controuersie and we haue tried that so verie good a Magistrate hathe very great care off the churche And as concerninge Maâ—ster Hales yt was answered that he was then absente by reason off his sicknesse and not for feare or that he was giltie to him selff off any ill And coÌ„cerninge oure whole purpose and busines bycause it was said thoughe oure mynds parhaps were vpright yet the dede it selff was yff not schismaticall yet verelie tendinge to schisme answere was made in all our names that we woulde render accompte aswell off oure mindes and purpose before God as off our dede before the whole churche and that vnder perill and paine off the laste punishement that Ecclesiasticall discipline can apointe or yff the matter so râ—quiâ—e before the ciuyll Magistrate in paine off oure lyffe And as touchinge them that were not admitted in to the churche to our consultation it was answered that we were vniustlie accused for that it was not a publick and common assemblie of the whole churche But a metinge of some certeine persons to consulte of that whiche might be profitable and that therfore they had no greater iniurie done theÌ„ in not beinge at the consultation to whiche they were not called or sent for then if had not byn admitted in to some certeine priuate stone or howse for as touching the churche seinge it was then emptie and voide off people it was as it were a priuate howse Nether is euery assemblie mett there to be counted the churche For when the pastor or some other readeth there a lecture or moderateth the disputations it is not then a church but a scoole And therfore not the place but the company off men gathered together did make a churche or congregation Afterwards it was skarcely by many wordes obtained off the pastor and Seniors that the churche might withowt their fauour and good will meete together for the finishing and takinge vp off this controuersie and vprightly determine whether the said pastor and elders were an aduersarie parte to ashley yea or no whiche thinge yet at the lenght the pastor and elders graunted to the churche And the pastor and Elders beinge required and desired that they would together be present with vs in the congregation they answered that there was no suche nede nether that they would at anie handâ— hinder vs The next daie after to wit the 29. off Ian. the pastor and Elders agreinge therto as is saide before when the whole churche was mette together maister hales who then was somewhat better and was present when they began to take aduise and couÌ„saile rose vp and spake to this purpose My brethern saithe he seinge I am accused of the pastor before the whole churche as the author of schisme or of a schismaticall facte or at the least rendinge to
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
pronownced that he dissolued the assemblie But the companie that taried in the churche and wrote the doings of that daie by their decree and appointed 8. men to amend the discipline and Afterward to offre it the churche to be seene of theÌ„ did also apointe other 8. men of whiche 8. three allwaies stuck the pastor arbitres and iudges to decide the cause betweene the pastor and elders aÌ„d Ashley Theis are their names maister Railton maister Warcope M. Kelke M. faulconer M. Bentham M. Cockroft M. Carell and M. Wison Three off theis were addicted the to pastor but M. Bentham and M. Kelke alwais shewed themselues indifferent and equall to bothe sides From that time forwarde the pastor and elders and certaine others beinge often times called of the churche by the Deacons and certeine other to intreate of making peace and agrement would neuer apeere or be present Morouer the pastor and the Deacons and certaine painefull poore men ceased bothe from preachinge and also the Ecclesiasticall lectures and other ordinary functions and charges whiche they ought to haue executed neither woulde they come to solemne and publick praiers in the churche notwithstanding the churche yet thorough Gods fauour obserued bothe publike praiers sermons and Ecclesiasticall lectures and all other things accustomed and minded to keepe them so longe as the godlie Magistrats shulde suffer and graunt the same And no other matter did so muche spread abroad throughowt the citie as the fame and reporte off oure striffes and as the dede off maister Horne and Maister Chambers For when they off themselues had forsaken the churche and had by their example stirred vp some other with their families to do the like and some off theis nowe frequented and went partely to the frenche churche and partly to the Germanie churches the matter nowe coulde not anie longer be hyd and in secret seinge it was published and knowen not thorowe the citie alone but the fame theroff ranÌ„ to other strangers also â–ª whiche matter and busines withe their brethern woulde to God they had chosen rather to haue had it ended quietlie and peaceablie in their owne churche then in such troblesome sorte to haue consulted so greatly bothe to their owne dishonestie and oures The fourth daie off Februarie which was Thursdaie and appointed for publick praier the pastor who that daie shuld haue preached and all the Elders were absent Nowe the pastor beinge before by the Deacon desired in the name off the churche that either he himselff would preache or apoint some other in his place made answere that neither woulde he preach him selff nor apointe anie other For that matter did nothinge at all belong vnto him After praiers were ended some there were that disputed and reasoned in the pastors behalff and saide that that assemblie whiche remained after the pastors departure in as muche as he had authoritie to call together the churche and to breake vp the assemblie and he goinge his waie saide that he brake vp that assemblie was no lawfull assemblie To whom it was in the name off the churche answered that Maister Horne had put owte himselff from his pastorall dewtie and therfore both for that matter and manie other recited before amonge the Act. of the 2. daie of Feb. he had not anie authoritie or any maÌ„ner of right either to gather together or to break vp the assemblie And although it were graunted that he were their lawfull pastor yet it was affirmed that the churche was aboue the pastor and not the pastor aboue the churche aÌ„d that therfore thowghe the pastor departed before the actes off that daie were confirmed and pronounced that he brake vp the assemblye yet was the assemblie whiche remained aÌ„d taried behind a lawfull assemblie aÌ„d had authoritie to make effectuall decrees by whiche they might binde all aÌ„d euery meÌ„ber of the churche with owte exception And that this question whither the pope was aboue the churche or the churche aboue the pope was stirred vp in the councelles off constance and Basill and vvas decided also by the authoritie off the schole off parise ioyned therto Nowe they whiche reasoned in the pastors behalff did seeme by the space off certein daies after to approue thes 2. councells for they placed the pastor aboue the churche They brought foorth openly all the olde store and howsholde stuffe of Pighius and Eckius of the primacie of the pope vnder the name off the Pastorall authoritie and for the proffe theroff The actes and disputations off that daie were in testimonie signed and confirmed vvith two and thirtie names The 5. off Februa Maister horne and the seniors beinge required off the congregaâ—ion by a deacon to come and treate off reconciliation woulde not appeare After this there were 3. Messengers sente from the congregation vnto them off whom one was to be specially reuerenced off all that be off the congregation bothe for his age and grauitie the otherâ— specially well lerned to the intent they shuld be moued by theis so honest a company off Messengers sent by the congregation Theis men wheÌ„ they had in the churches name instantly desired and praied them that they woulde come to the congregation and there common brotherly amonge themselues for a quyete agrement to be had so as the matter might not come to the magistrates eares nor be bruted anie farther abroade to the great infamie of oure nation coulde do no good with them at all for they saide they woulde not come vnlesse they were ordinarily called As for other answere at that present they would make none When this answere was declared to the congregation it was determined that for asmuche as R Horne had openly put himself owte off his pastorshipp by writinge subscribed with his owne hand and confirmed the same by wordes and deedes in loÌ„ge absteining from preachinge and other pastorall functions and affirminge that suche matters were no point off his charge In as muche as now beinge called of the churche he will not appere and so absteinethe all together from publicke praiers and all Ecclesiasticall meetiÌ„gs And for asmuche also as the Seniors come not at the meetings of the churche leaste the congregation thorough the forwardnes of the saied Robart Horne and absence off the Seniors beinge voide and destitute off common praier preachinge and readinge the scriptures shulde be vtterly dissolued that certein men shuld take charge off the churche and for all things to be done in the congregation as it hathe by Gods goodnesse byn yet hitherto done other decrees also whiche are specified in the Acts off the â— daie off Februa they established all whiche everie one that was present confirmed by his name subscribed with his owne hande as they were wont to do in other actes and decrees And to the decrees off that daie subscribed 33. hands But in this behaâ—ff bothe maister Horne and maister Chambers and other in their behalf did finde verie muche faulte with vs for that we had proceaded vnordinarilie that is yow
procede aswell as maie be to to the establishing off sure peace we exhorte yow that with all spede ye take in hand this consultation abowte the amendinge off your Discipline wâ—th mindes and meanes moste aplyable to tranquillitie which Allmightie God graunt ye maie happely bringe to passe The first off marche 1â—57 Iohn Glauburg Nowe folowith the discipline both the olde and that which was by the Magistrats appointement corrected The order off the olde discipline in the Citie off Franckford THere be 2. partes off the order off Discipline in the churche The one perteininge to the whole churche The other perteininge to the ministers and Elders alone Off the firste parte In the Discipline perteininge to the whole church is firste to be apointed the order off receiuinge men in to the congregation whiche is this The manner off receiuinge off all sortes off personnes into the saide congregation Fyrste everie one aswell man as woman which desireth â—o be receyued shall make a declaration or Confession off their faithe before the pastor and Seniors shewinge himselff fully to consent and agree with doctrine of the churche and submittinge themselues to the discipline off the same Iff anie person so desyrous to be receiued into the congregation be notoriously defamed or noted off any corrupt or euill opinion in doctrine or slaunderous behauior in liffe the same maye not by the pastor and Elders be admitted till he haue either purged himselff theroff or ells haue declared him selff â—o the pastor and Elders penitent for the same The good behauiour and godly conuersation requyred off such as are receiued Secondarely all the members off the churche so admitted and receiued shall diligently obserue and keepe all suche godlie discipline and orders apoointed with in the churche whiche tend to the increase off knowledge and godlynesse off liffe as the appointed times off praier preachinge and hearinge goddes worde the administration off the Sacramentes with submission to all godly discipline off the churche Thirdly such also as beinge in England after knowledg receiued haue communicated with the popishe masse contrary to their coÌ„sciences by reason of feare weaknes or otherwise may not be receyued till they haue confessed their fall before the pastor and seniors and haue shewed themselues penitent for the same How the youthe shal be Catechised Also for the increase off godly knowledg and vertue all the youthe shalâ— resorte to the churche euerye satterdaie at 2. off the clock at afternoone and when we haue a seuerall churche at one off the clock on the sundaie at afternoone there to be instructed in the Catechisme and not to be admitted to the communion till they be able to make profession off their faith before the whole congregation And also to haue an honest testimony off towardnes in godly conuersation and that euery member off the churche do not refuse to reade a declaration off their faithe before the pastor and Elders when so euer they shall be therto required Th order off correction for priuate and priuie offences Fourthly for as muche as no charge is so perfect but offences maye arise for godly charitable redressinge and reforminge 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 offence be priuate and not publickly knowen ther can be no better order deuised then that which Christe himselff hathe apointed which is firste brotherly to admonishe him alone yff that do no preuaile call one or 2. Witnesses yff that also do not profit then to declare it to the pastor and elders to whoÌ„ the churche hath geuen authoritie to take order in such cases according to the qualitie and greuousnes off the offence and crime Off the order off correction for publick and open crimes But yff anie person shal be a notorious knowen offender so as he is offensiue to the whole churche then shall the pastor and elders immediatlye call the offender before them and trauel with him to reduce him to true repeÌ„tance and satisfyinge off the congregation whiche if â—e obstinately refuse to doo then â–ª the pastor shall signifie his offence and contempt to the whole congregation desiring them to praie for him and further to assigne him a daie to be denownced excommunicate before the churche except in the meane time the offender submit himself before the pastor and seniors to the order of discipline Finally in case any person of this congregatioÌ„ be knoweÌ„ to be an hinderer or a defacer of anie of the godly vsages nowe excercised in the same congregation either priuely or apertly by worde letter or dede the same shall acknowledg his offence with satisfaction to the churche according to the true order off Discipline The 2. parte off discipline toncerninge the ministers and elders and their elections Firste for the election of ministers and Elders the qualities of the same are to be examined and considered according to the rule off S. Paule 1. Tim. 3. Wheroff this is the summe That no man be elected whose doctrine or liffe can iustlie be reproued and condemned As concerning the order and forme off Electing the same is to be obserued whiche hathe already bin practised and is here vnto anexed Off ther offices and functions The pastor according to the commaundement off the holye ghoste in the scriptures ought with all pastorall care diligently to attende to his flock in preaching goddes worde in ministring the Sacramentes in example off Good lyffe in exhortinge admonishinge rebukinge and as the chieff mouthe off the churche to open and declare all orders taken by him and the elders whiche are to be opened and published to whom no man maye in the face off the congregation replye But yff anie think himselff to haue cause to speak let him come before the elders in the place appointed for their meetinge and thereto open his mynde and to be hard with all charitie indifferently The office off preachers and suche as are lerned in the congregation The office off preachers and such as are lerned in the churche is to assiste the pastor in preachinge the worde ministringe the Sacraments and in all consultations and meetinges off him and the Elders especially in causes off Doctrine and also at other tymes when they shall be required The office off Elders The office off Elders is to be as it were censors ouerseers off manners and disorders And to be with the pastor in all consultations for the publick order off the churche and that all corrections and exercises off discipline be done with their common consaile Deacons Consideringe also the present state off the churche it is thaught requisite that the Deacons besides the speciall office appointed in the Acts off the Apostells in caringe and providinge for the poore do also visit the sick and be assistant in Catechisinge the youthe yff they shall be thervnto required The same order and forme is to be vsed for reformation off offences and crymes
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
the saide sermon off the whiche no better forme in oure iudgement can be then Caluins Catechâ—sme receiued in so manye churches and translated into so manie languages â–ª yt is thought good therfore that the preacher off the saied Catechisinge sermon foâ—lowe the good order off that Catechisme in his sermons and confirme tâ—e godâ—y doctrine off the same by the scriptures and after the same sermon the common praier and seruice to be exercised and fynished as at other tymes Item that the one preacher beinge sick the other shall doo or see donne by other fit persons as is before saied all the dewtie and dewties to the other so sick belonginge Item that a lecture off diuinitie and disputations for the exercise off students yff it maie be be mainteined or ells that prophesie be vsed euery fortnight in the Englishe tong for the exercise off the saied studentes and edifinge of the congregation or bothe disputations and Prophesie also iff it so shall seeme good vnto the ministers and Seniors Item that such as shall therunto seeme moste meete off the congregation shall be appointed to translate into Englishe some such bookes as shall be profitable either for the instructioÌ„ or for the comforte off oure countrie in this oure exile and affliction off oure countrie Item that the common bookes or librarie off the churche be aâ— the appointment off the minister and the seniors in such place as all the studentes maie moste conueniently come vnto The thirde note that is Christian liffe and Good workes the frutes off godly doctrine Item we teache that such goods workes are to be done as are commaunded by Goddes worde in the scriptures such euell deedes to be auoided as are forbiden by the same And where as concerninge the frutes off godly doctrine none is more commaunded in the scriptures then the relieuinge off the poore whiche either is donne priuately by euery persone or ells by the common treasury off the churche for the good and right vse and order off the same it apearethe aswell by Goddes worde as by the examples off churches rightly reformed that bothe the keepinge vnd also the distribution off the treasure of the churche apperteineth to the Deacons who be so necessarie Ministers in the churche off Christe that withowte them it cannot well be For Christe saith yow shall haue alwaies poore men amonge yow Wherfore they ought to be honored of all men and they them selues ought to haue this opinion that they highlie please god in that ministery Wherfore we think it expedient for the churche that 4. men of speciall grauitie authoritie and credit in the churche such as off them selues be able to lyue and will do this godlie office rather for Christes sake and the loue they beare to him and his poore flock then for anie there owne necessitie or worldly rewarde be chosen to be Deacons whiche 4. Deacons shall haue the custodye off the treasure and distribution off the same and other almes off the churche remaininge in their handes and kepinge in suche sorte as it shall sâ—me good to the ministers seniors and Deacons for the moste saftie off the said treasure Item that although the Deacons haue in their custodie the treasure off the churche yet the ministers and seniors shall haue knowledge of the whole summe off the sayd treasure Prouided allwaies that neither the saied 4. Deacons ministers Seniors or anie of them shall haue anie knowledge or make anie inquisition of the geuer or geuers of anie Almes to the poore off the sayed churche otherwise then the messinger or bringer off the saied Almes shall of himselff declare to whom and as he hathe commission from the geuers so to doo but that the gyfte be receauid and knowen and the geuer and geuers names vnknowen and kept close with all possible secresie Item that the saied Deacons once in a monethe that is the last daie of euery moâ—ethe shall make there accoumpts be fore the ministers and senyors howe the saied treasures be bestowed and that all the saied companie so appointed to make the accoumpt shall note the remayns of the saied treasure at the daie and yere in the whiche every accoumpt shall be taken Item we thinke good and do decree that there beinge a schole in the saied churche seing the saied scoole is a member of the saied churche as of the whole bodie the treasure for the mayntenance and for the maintenance off the other poore also be all one and ioyned together that neither in the procuring off the saied trea sure or in the distribution theroff anie occasion off diuision emulation or contention do happen amonge them who ought to liue togither lyke bretheren and members of one bodie in all concorde coniunction and vniâ—ie otherwise the schole whiche is of it selff so worthie a member off the bodie maye by abuse cause not onely the hinderance but also the destruction off the whole body Item that in the distribution off the saied treasure a speciall regarde be had of the saied studentes that be poore first for that they be poore and againe for that they be destinate to be workmen in the lordes vinearde and so worthie members in the bodie And that as they be studious of the scriptures specially and yet with all of other liberal artes also as mynisters and handemaides to the settinge foorth off goddes worde so they maye be liberally handled and receyue goddes blessinge whiche is the liberalitie off the godlie withowt the shame and abashment as the gyft off god who geueth to all men and vpraideth no man. Item it is decreed and also the whole congregation desirethe the Deacons monthlie to visit and speake priuately with the saied studentes that be poore and other poore also and to examin their states frindly and charitablie and according to euery mannes necessitie as the treasure of the churche will beare to offre to euerie one off them with obtestation to them that yf they haue no nede theroff they receiue it not For that were nothing ells but to robbe the nedie for so shall bothe the shamefastnes of the honest and liberall natures be saued and the treasure of the churche willingly spared For he that vpon suche obtestation will not refraine to receiue that is offred when he hathe no nede will not be ashamed to begg and craue when he hath no nede and that not onely lyinge but also with periurie yf nede be Item yf anie by euident profes such as cannot be gaine saied be fouÌ„de to haue taken or vsed the treasure of the churche hauinge no nede therof that theÌ„ not onely he be exempted froÌ„ anie more partakiÌ„ge of the saied treasure til it appeere that he haue euident neede but also that he doo make therfore publique satisfaction before he be admitted to the communion Item that the Seniors and Deacons se that the poore off the congregation be not ydle but diligent in well doeinge Item that yff ther be anye off the poore sick that then foorthwith
auoidinge off that moste horrible mischieff As they then did for the auoidinge off Schismes appointe euery citie one Negligence is no more in two then one habilitie off welldoinge thinges is more in two then in one And siknesse beinge so riffe in this citye it is as muche as 2. can well doo and one maie be sicke And one maie wil fully and suddenly leaue his flocke Wherfore two be necessary ells in the suddaine sicknes off one onelie Minister when manie other be sike also dewe visitation off the sike is not well seene to and preachinge omitted as it hathe chauÌ„ced in oure churche yea and although we haue many And therfore reason tellethe vs that it is expedient to haue two rather then one Horne c. Vpon the 8. Artic. Item where it is prouided that the Ministers shall by themselues or their deputies disharge the sermons and other their dueties when necessarie case shall so requyre we saye it is superfluous for a necessarie cause nedethe not to be prouided for by lawe besides that the alowinge off deputies by lawe made for that purpose openethe a windowe off negligence to the ministers in the executinge off their office Whitthead c. A lawe dothe well prouide that suche maye be in a redynes whiche shall serue in necessitie It is prouided in manye cities by a lawe that in dreade off fier euerie man haue a bucket off water at his dore whiche is a thinge necessarie And vniuersally the multitude off good lawes be grownded vppon causes necessarye Wherfore we think that position that necessarie causes nede not to be prouided for by a lawe ought to be taken for no lawe and where it is alleadged that it openethe a windowe off negligence to the Ministers it is not so for the appointemente off those deputies apperteinethe more to the Seniors them to the Ministers by oure discipline Horne c. Artic. 10. Item in the Article of Catechisme we think it is superfluous and tedious to haue 2. Catechismes in one after noone And also think that Maister Caluins Catechisme ought to be vsed no otherwise with vs then it is in Caluins churche that alloweth and vseth the same Whithead c. The first Catechisme is onely ordred for the children and is but an examination and apposinge off them The other is not onely for children but for all the congregation c. Now for so muche as the reasons and answers are verye long and yet some off them repeated in Maister Hornes obiections to the discipline whiche he offred vpp to the Magistrate I will here passe them ouer and come to the saied obiections and the answers off the church to the same Horne and the rest off his side to the Magistrate WE come to that nowe right honorable S. whiche we were charged to doo by your commaundment and appointement that for as much as for the apeasinge and finall puttinge awaie off the contention betweene vs and oure brethern we shulde shewe why we dissente from them and cannot proceade in the same passage and waye that they doo We shall so open vnto yow oure defence and cause euen as we desier to be iustified bothe in oure coÌ„sciences and before god Howbeit we are verye sory that your H. Hathe lymâ—ted vs so shorte tyme so as in a cause whiche for the waightines aÌ„d difficultie off it ought to be debated vppon with more leasure and verie manye thinges to be wayed to and fro we muste off force in a manner holde oure peace and say nothing But oure truste is that your H. will heareafter remedy this displeasure in grauntinge vs longer tyme that we maye more amplie hereafter confirme oure cause whiche we are forced to set foorthe naked and with owte anie defence at all whiche we will moste gladly doo and desier that we maie freely be permitted to doo This is the thinge that we often sought for when we consulted amonge oure brethern for the correctinge and amendinge off oure discipline that as longe as the matter and cause was in consultation we might so longe polishe and finishe more at large that was alleadged to adde vnto all oure sentences before the sentences brought in and to strike owte and take awaie from them yff ought semed worthie to be taken awaie albeit any thinge were put in as firme and established by oure subscription Whiche thinge we nowe eftsonnes desier moste earnestly at your H. Handes that for as muche as nothinge is yet concluded and determined by your H. there be no such preiudice obiected vnto oure cause but that we maye confirme all oure allegations with firme and available argumentes And in deede seinge we muste nowe intreate in order off those thinges whiche we reprehende and condemne in oure bretherns made Discipline This we first reprehend vniuersally that any other alteration or innouation off thinges shuld be in oure affaiers then suche as serue onely to the correctinge and amendinge off that Discipline whiche hathe byn heretofore receaued and vsed in oure churche Wherin we will seeme also somewhat to satisfie oure bretherns curious mindes This we saie bicause there is almoste nothinge that we think is to be innouated with suche poste haste and in dede there are many and waightie causes whiche do alltogether pull vs backe from theis innouations and byd vs stick still to oure olde discipline and not for the pleasure off some men and contrary also to your commaundement geuen for the amendinge and not for the makinge off any newe Discipline to contemne and caste away that whiche so many haue alowed Whithead and the rest off that side anwere in this wise We had purposed right honorable ad righteous Magistrates as we also signified vnto your honours to haue made no answere at all vnto theis vnbrotherly reproches off Maister Horne and Maister Chambers for they are the onely Authors theroff in as muche as they be vnworthy to be answered vnto seinge they haue no sure grownds but baâ—e assertions onely whiche are as easilie denied as affirmed And besides that Maister Horne saide openly in the hearinge off all his complyces before Maister Bartue D. Cox and D. Sandes arbytres appointed by your authoritie that he was not desyrous that we shulde answere wherin indede he was not altogether a foole For he knewe well ynough howe fond geare he had written and would beare awaie this bragg the while not as though we woulde not but coulde not answere so light accusations Whiche petit bragg Wherin he so muche deliteth we woulde haue byn content to haue spared him had not your authoritie who thought it meete for vs in anie wise to make answere come betweene And in case Maister Horne and Maister Chambers shall reade some thinges here in oure answere that they woulde not let them remember that they haue driuen vs to it in that they haue blustred owte in wrytinge so vnworthie matters and that so falsely off suche a multitude off their banished countrie men for they Forgettinge all humanitie and Good
such as be off the richer sorte from vs that they came not hither when they shall se so fewe riche dwell amonge so manie poore whiche neuertheles shal be compelled to sustaine and beare verie great charges at sundrie contributions The answere It is not a compulsion but an almes For no man is constrained otherwise then his owne good will and habilitie is and that that is off good will is no compulsion And there shall no man off the richer sorte that is godlie be fraide awaie from vs by this meane in as muche as suche as be godlie seeke off there owne accorde whom they maye doo good vnto And wher they obiecte vnto vs againe the small nomber off oures whiche haue competent ynough to lyue vpon themselues theis shulde be some men off mightie habilitie that woulde haue the magistrate perswaded that other are but beggers in comparison off them paraduenture Horne whiche is the deuiser here off is admitted vnder hande into the felowshipp off the purce with Chambers and theroff it commethe his so great swellinge such loftynesse and contempte off others And where he addethe that there were but fyne that gaue at the collections before tyme and the summe off that they gaue came scarse to 13. Dallers it is a matter worthie to be knowen For abowte an halff yere paste and more when Horne and Chambers had geuen warninge openly for certeine thinges that they were offended at we wote not what that they woulde geue ouer their Ecclesiasticall ministeries whiche is no noueltie for them to doo nowe afterwarde they went abowte to gather euerie mannes almes to the intent they might seeme at their departure from their ministeries like good husbandes of other meÌ„nes liberalitie to haue left somethinge vnto the churche But seinge they gathered to this ende and it was perfectly knowen to all men that their gatheringe was for this cause certenly we meruaile that there was so muche as one that woulde gaue anie thinge or that the summe whiche they gaue growed to so muche as 13. not Dalers but hallers or pheÌ„ninges But Chambers and Horne were not so euell knowen at that tyme nowe yff they lyst to assaie they shall proceiue that there is not one that will puâ— them in truste with so muche as a myte And yet sins they departed from the congregation there hathe bin more geuen by the grace off god vnto the poore then Horne and Chambers haue geuen off their owne all the daies off their liffe The obiection against the 29. Article This lawe hathe these discoÌ„modities that firste it discloseth the thinge ouermuche that those whiche were wont to be liberall vnto vs are moste desirous to keepe close secondly it is preiuditiall to priuate men whiche haue felte manie mennes priuate beneficence Thirdly it nippeth and thwitethe awaie a great deale off that liberalitie whiche might come to vs in that we so appointe a strange collectour and vnknoweÌ„ to the geuers Fourthelie it dothe wonderous suspiciously importe the infamie off certeine that haue vsed theis labours Fiftlie it shall strike a feare and a terror vnto the geuer when he muste se so manye handes subscribed to publick letters and by this reason they shall be eloigned from vs that would gladly succor the poore Sixthly it shal be excedinge hurtefull to other congregations and a losse to all other banished men whersoeuer they are dispersed Finally thes so openly ordeined lawes shall signifie vnto oure Queene that we norishe and sustaine oure congregation by hir subiectes And that shall off necessitie cause that they whiche were wont to geue vs some what shal be moste diligently sought owte to their vndooinge and oure moste pestilente plage The answere Here is maniefolde fyndinge off faulte as in a matter off moste waightie importance and wherwith Maister Horne and Maister Chambers are wonderfully rubbed on the gall But passinge ouer the firste member as vaine and mingled with others we will firste speake of the seconde Yff this be to the preiudice off priuate men what haue yow Maister Horne and Maister Chambers done whiche nowe a greate while haue by your messengers and letters stopped all the priuate almoses off all men and drawen them into your owne handes And that yow Maister Horne threatned owte off the pulpit that yow woulde do and that yow woulde make poore miserable men to eate haye Where they speake off an vnknowen collectour we answere that the lesse he shal be commonly knowen the lesse daunger shall he cause to them that he shall haue to doo with all For those collectors off yours are nowe by this your diligence in gathering would to god ye were as liberall in distributinge and by theis your close and moste discreet means so knowen that no man dare bydd them god spede muche lesse talke withe them Therfore it is wonderous fyne that Maister Horne hathe forged here coÌ„cerninge an vnknowne colectour â–ª where he saithe that a feare and a terror shall be stricken into suche as shall see manie names subscribed we vnderstande not howe that caÌ„ be It semeth he woulde saie that oure messagers wil shewe not oure names but the messagers names subscribed Furthermore we demaunded off Chambers and Horne why they haue done the same nowe theis 3 yeres and compelled men â—o subscribe against their willes In them this is a godly matter in vs an horrible abhomination Where he saith that this will be exceedinge Hurtefuâ—l to hâ—r congregatioÌ„s certeinlie it hathe bin a most an vndooinge bothe to our congregation and others thaâ— M Horne and M. Chambers haue in this behalff done yet hithertoo For one while they saie they haue gathered alonely for this congregation When any bodie off an other churche ye must vnderstand craue ought off them An other while they boaste that they haue a great deale for other congregations that is when they be offended with vs as they are nowe moste greuously For nowe we beleue they will saie plainly they haue nothinge for oure poore therfore though they speake it not yet they shewe openly by their dedes that they haue all to themselues and keepe all to themselues Where he saithe the Queene shall vnderstande by this meanes that oure congregations are norished by hir subiectes â–ª how so Doo we name Englishe men or vniuersally all good men by whose liberallitie the poore off oure congregation be norished But the Queene will suspecte some thinge off hir subiectes O fine wittâ—e men She suspected nothinge forsoothe before we wrote this discipline That that he hathe in the fourth place set as iâ— were in the middle ranke in saftie we sawe not â–ª therfore we will speake off it laste But this is the greuouse matter off all and that whiche alone tormenteth theis men in dede for other causes are pretended but this is the verie thinge whence as the man saithe comethe all this anguishe and anger too forsoothe it wil be suspected saieth he iff some other collecte in the name off the congregation that
one to an other whilke we lucke to resaue of your gentlenes not onely for that ye seer to offend Goddes maiestie in troubling off your brethern for such vane triffles But also bicause ye will not refuse the humble requestes off vs your brethern and felowe preachers off Christs Iesus in whom albeit their appeere no great wordly pompe yet we suppose yow will not so farr despise vs but that ye will esteeme vs to be off the nomber off those that fight against that Romain Antechriste and traueil that the kingdomme off Christ Iesus vniuersally maie be mainteened and auanced The daies are euill Iniquitie abownds Christian charitie alas is waxin colde And therfore we ought the more diligently to watche For the howre is vncerteine when the lorde Iesus shall appeere before whom we your brethern and ye may geue an accoumpt off our administration And thus in conclusion we once againe craue fauor to our brothern which graunted ye in the lorde shall commaunde vs in thinges off dooble more importance The lorde Iesus rewle your hartes in his true feare to the ende And geue vnto yow and vnto vs victorie ouer that coniured enemie off all true Religion â–ª To witt ouer that Romaine Antechriste whose wonded heâ—d Sathan by all mannes labâ—ris to cure againe but to destruction shall he and his mainteiners go by the power off the lorde Iesus To whose mightie power and protection we hartely committ yow Subscribet by the handes off Superintendentes one parte off Ministers and scribet in oure generall assemblies and fourth session theroff Ad Edenbroug the 28. daie off December 1566. Your louinge brethern and fellovv preachers in Christ Iesus Io. Craig Iaco. Mailuil Rob. Pont. Guil. Gislisonus Nic. Spittall Io. Row Da. Lyndesay Io. Erskin Io. VViram Io. Spottiswoood THus haue yon hard in theis .2 letters the Iudgementes off those excellent churches of the french and the Skottishe touchinge the thinges in controuersie Nowe yff to theis I shuld adde all other whiche are off the same Iudgement and of their opinion the nomber off churches would be so many that the aduersaries shuld euidently se and perceaue what small cause they haue to charge vs thus with singularitie as though we were post alone and none to be off oure opinion And it maie here also be noted that the moste auncientest fathers of this oure owne countrie as maister Couerdale maister D. Turner maister Whithead and many others some dead some yet liuinge from whose mouthes and pennes the vrgers of theis receiued first the light off the gospell could neuer be brought to yelde or consent vnto such thinges as are now forced with so greate extremitie Finis By D. Yonge in NoueÌ„ber Anno 1573. Such as D. Elbowrome M. Mullinâ— in October An. 1573. Franckford the place in Q. Maryes tyme. Platina Paulus â—ouius Slede in Fox with many other Cor. 10. Phil. 2. Psal. 4â— Psal. 27. Matth. 22. Mich. 3. Heb. 11. Philip. 1. Col. 1. Psal. 42. Ephes 4. Mark the calling off Knox to the pastorshipp Knox and VVhittingham ashamed to opeÌ„ some things Many tollerable foolishe things in the book by Caluins iudgement The booke trifling and Childishe by Caluins iudgement The humblenes of Gilby and his godly zeele The modestie of Knox This order was taken the 6. off Feb. D. Cox with others come to Frankf Th effecte of Knox sermon D. Cox sharply rebuked him But that they refused and at lenght ouer threw yt M. Iewell Knox putowt by those which he brought in To weet the frenche churche The letter a litle before This controuersie hath byn siâ—hins kinge Edward his raigne as ye se Knox accused off treason The places in all were 8. The banishment off Knox. Many off the lerned men were now come from al places This Adulphus was before this tyme a great fartherrer off the churche and the orders off the same howe so euer he was turned Marck the placing off the Englishe book and off the reiecting thother Marck this practise At lenght they agreed vppon the name Pastor An answere to a letten sent him owte off England They begin preâ—ely VVittinghaÌ„ here interrupted Maister No wel was the mouthe for the rest The simple sutteltie off â— factious head Horne and his companie subscribs to the other parte M. Horne came not til two The book of discipline brought foorth and read M. Horne came at 3. Yff maister Horne tooke such deliberattoÌ„ before he would subscribe to that article what meanethe this that poore ignorant men and wemen must thus subscribe vpoÌ„ the sudden or ells to newgate Theis three arbytres had their beinge owte from the Englishe churches The olde Discipâ—ine â–ª This article I finde rased in the copie what they meÌ„t by it â–ª I know not The new discipline VII 13. Sept. Horne Isaac Chambers VVilford with diuers others To â—he 1. To the 2â— 3.4 Hales VVhithead Nowell Mullins VVattes Crowley Boetley Pedder Parry VVilson â–ª Sorby Bedell Fauconer Railton Crawley Ashley Sutton Raulings Best and diuers others To the 5. To the 6. To the 7. Yea but though he did so then he will not doo so nowe I warrant yow Horne Yet olde blind father lidford being an almes man was forced by the B. off L. to sâ—bscribe to the booke off prayer among others more blynde then he VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne Yff Caluin be so in your iudgement I hope yow will allowe his 2. letters beforâ— VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead A small fault in theis daies Horne VVhithead VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Then I hope it may be now spred againe withowt offence all thinges wel waied Horne VVhithead M. couerdale sent by the duke of bipont The curtesie off the noble men off Germany to M. Bartuc the D. oâ— Sulff Englishe men placed at Arrow Horne and Chambers come to geneua Kethe sent into Germany and Helâ—â—ia Phiâ— â— Tim. â— 2. Tim. â— Correction off thos faultes which might somâ—what stay the reader the first nombre shewing the page the second the line PAge 2. line 18. enioned reade enioyed pag. 3. lin 5. is Re. yt pag. 10. li. 22. your R. yow pag. 25. li. 12. discent R. dissent pag. 27. li. 4. parie R. partie pag. 38. lin 24. ende R. tende pa. 44· li. 9. ceriâ—ine R. certeine pa. 47. li. 20. lette R. letter pa. 65. li. 17. subscription R. superscription pa. 72. l. 36. world R. would pa. 76. li. 10. stucke the pastor R. stucke to the pastor Li. 15. wison R. wilson pag. 82. lin 19. were R. where pag. 86. li. 5. congregagation R. congregation pag. 97. lin 30. dinner R. dynner pag. 123. lin 7. the R. then Pa. 132. lin 22. incompent R. incompetent pa. 179. l. 23. td R. to pag. 194. lin 8. consâ—ners R. couseners pag. 200. lin 22. to R. the.
must vnderstand contrary to the olde discipline For where they coulde not iustâ—y finde faulte with those thiÌ„gs that the churche had done they made cauillation at the manner off doinge off things as an vnordinary manÌ„er And we answered as well manye other things grewe now by occasion off that matter as this chiefly in case Maister Chambers or anie other man either woulde or coulde shewe anie ordinarie waie in the olde discipline wherby the congregation or anie other might comâ— mence matter and proceade against him or againste a Senior or Seniors beinge accused or howe we might proceade ordinarely according to the olde discipline in causes wherin he aÌ„d the seniors were the one parte as they nowe were proued to be And yff Maister Horne or anie other man either woulde or coulde shewe the tytle or wordes in the ould Discipline wherin this ordinarie waie is set forthe and conteined Then we would confesse thvt we had gon amisse owt off the ordynary way and olde discipline But yff neither he nor anie other woulde or coulde shewe in deede that they would not be discontent at vs that reduced the congregation to their right authoritie and amended that olde discipline as athinge amisse or filled it vp as a thinge vnperfect and brought the matter to the hearinge off the churche as it ought to be And that they woulde at lenght geue ouer to vaunte them selues so off the order whiche they neuer had or to blame vs hereafter for proceading vnordinarely The summe off this answere we dyuyded in to certein Articles and sent them pryuately to Maister Horne to peruse requiring his answere to the same vnd also we sticked them vpon the puâ—pit in the churche where they remained a great many daies And where it was required in that same writinge that Maister Horne or the Seniors or some other man shulde make answere vnto thes matters there is no man yet hitherto that hather made anye answere either by worde or by writinge sauinge that Maister Horne fallinge to his olde generall answere saide he woulde make answere when he were ordinarely called or questioned withe for by this shift he thinkethe he vndoeth all dowtes at once where as in dede to answere after that sorte is to answere nothing at all but to pretend false causes to holde his tonge when he is able to shewe no reason for himselff For this was his meaninge that he is not ordinarely called nor questioned with all nor accused ordinarely sauinge onely before him selff and the Seniors as Iudges Where as they bothe in their geuinge ouer off their ministery and in the principall cause against maister Ashley were the aduersary parte so that by his iudgement there is no ordinary waie to medle against the pastor and Seniors excepte they call themselues to be hearers of their owne cause and their owne Iudges themselues For other ordinary waie against the pastor and Seniors in that olde discipline off theirs neither he nor anie other shall be hable to shewe After this when those 8. Persons which were appointed by the Churche to heare the variance betwene Maister Horne and Maister Chambers one thoneside and Maister Asley one the other side shulde proceade in the hearinge off that matter Maister Horne and Maister Chambers whiche had absented themselues nowe 11. daies from the churche were commaunded by the Magistrate the 12. off February for that daye they and certeyne others were seen with the Magistrate that they shuld in no wise comme at our church when we harde off yt we had maruell fyrste that the matter was comme to the Magistrats eare for Maister Horne and the reste testified the 2. off February by their owne hand writinge that they would neuer open it to the Magistrate and secondarely seinge Maister Horne and Maister Chambers coulde by no meanes be intreated to come to the churche yt semed awonder that yt was commaunded by the Magistrats that they shulde not come as though they had byne desyrous to come whiche in dede neded not Therfore the moste parte thought that that commaundement was obtained by their owne sute at the Magistrates hands bothe that such persons as knewe not the matter shuld be perswaded that yt was longe off the Magistrats commaundement that they did not their offices in the Church Where as before this Commaundement was geuen they had off a purposed frowardnes absented themselues now allready more then ten dayes from the congregation And also besides that the congregation might not proceade agaynst them seinge the Magistrate commaunded them that they shulde not appeere And this was the very let in dede why the congregation proceaded not in hearinge and determining off the varyance betweene Maister Horne and Chambers off the one partie and Ashley on the other And in this they burthen vs maliciously with owte cause As thoughe we woulde haue Ashley ridd from Iudgment off that matter and as though that were the onely thinge whiche was sought in oure contention where as in deede yt was longe off them that his cause was not determined Wetherfore hauing knowledge off this matter for feare least we shulde be falsely accused as though we had vttered yt to the Magistrate and had seemed first to haue accused our brethern vnto the Magistrate whiche we might not abide to do assembled together in the churche the 13. off Februar and there was openly recited in writing this that folowith Forasmuche as oure contention is alreadie bruted abroad not onely through this citie but also come to the Magistrats eare for we heare saie that maister Horne and maister Chamber were commaunded by the magistrat yester daie that is the 12. off Febr. that they shulde in no wise come at the congregation till the magistrate had fuller knowledge off the maâ—ter we professe that neither Maister Horne nor Maister Chamber nor no man els was complained vpon to the magistrate by vs or any off vs or by oure meanes but that we sought rather by all diligent endeauor that the matter shuld not come abroade but that all matters might haue byn secretly agreed amonge oure selues and that we woulde all men shulde vnderstand by this oure writinge This done those that knewe themselues to be of an vpright coÌ„scieÌ„ce in this behalf were reqâ—â—red to set their handes to that writinge and so there were 37 hands subscribed as appearethe in the actes off the 13. off Febru And were Maister Horne and Maister Chamber beinge so often desyred by all instant means off the congregation that they woulde be content to haue all maâ—ters pacified amonge â—e by brotherly communication did neuer suffer them selues to be â—alked with all off anie matter leaste they shuld afterward alleadge to suche as knewe not the matter that they did it off force bicause off the magistraies commaundement whiche forbad them to come to the congregation All the tyme wherin they absented them selues and contemned so manie desires and intreties off the churche to haue met vpon agrement makinge before anie commaundement was
geuen them off the magistrate whiche commaundement notwithstandinge maie seeme that they at lenght for the causes before mentioned procured themselues was recorded amonge the Acts off that 13. off Febru and confirmed by the testimonies off 37. names subscribed as in the acte appâ—arethe more at large The 14 off Febru those 8. whiche were appointed the â— off Febru by the congregation to amende the discipline presented the booke off the Discipline to the congregation agayne and the congregation allowed it And those matters that were altered or augmented in the discipline were such as specially perteined to those causes wherin the pastor and seniors were the one parte and howe it muste be proceaded against the pastor and seniors in case anie off them were accused For concerninge theis thinges there was neuer a worde in the olde discipline And where in the olde discipline there was no certeine mention howe the churche shulde be gouerned and seinge maister Horne and other had now vtterly forsaken the congregation who in leauinge there offices had drauen awaie with them the moste parte off them that were appoynted preachers and disposinge off the churche monie were more largely and more trulie set forthe and expressed For where maister Chamber had authoritie to gather all godly mennes almese for the poore off the congregation confirmed vnto him as he him selff required in writinge signed by the pastor and seniors and certeine other off the chieff men off the churche with their owne hands and had exercised the same gathering nowe a yere and half that he alone shulde receiue all he alone distribute and be accomptable to no maÌ„ and he alone to be priuie to the mony that matter were he neuer so faithfull a man semeth verie suspitious to him and â—urtefuâ—l to the churche yff he shulde dye suddanly as the state off man is casuall And the example also shulde seeme pernitious to the churche least parhapp an other man off small fidelitie shuld by the same reason drawe all the churche mony in to his owne onely handes And for as muche as the Deacons vnto whom the charge off the churche monie semeth to apperteine by the worde of God and by the example off all rightâ—y instituted churches in oure congregation had not a mite to bestowe for their were made Deacons honest men in dede but yet such as for their poueritie semed not fit men to whom the common mony shuld be coÌ„mitted and by that coulour Maister Chamber thought he might with owte controlinge receiue all the coÌ„mon monye in his owne handes alone The congregation thought good to haue a deaconshipp appointed more vprightly according to the rule described in the Actes off the Apostles and the example off other Godly instituted churches and to the intent the Church mony might be medled with all by the Deacons with owte all suspition it is prouided in the amendinge off the discipline that suche men shulde be chosen Deacons as be not onely off a most aproued Good fidelitie but also suche as were able hansomly to liue off their owne withowte anie nede off the Churches Almes And in dede this seemed to be nowe so muche the more necessary for that many complained some that the almes whiche they receyued before priuatlie off priuate frinds was taken vpp by the waye sythens Maister Chamber began to gather as in dede Maister Horne then Pastor threatned openly owte off the pulpit in his Sermon sayinge that he woulde stoppe all mennes vents as he termed it and receiptes Againe some complaine that they coulde haue nought at Maister Chambers hande but after beseching and vnreasonable longe delais some that they coulde haue nothing with owte bytter vpbraidâ— and some that they could obtaine nothing off gyfte but onely off loane and other some that they coulde gett nought at all So that nowe it semed requisite off necessytie to seeke some remedie for theis misheues All whiche complaints we shall be constrained off extreame necessitie to put in to one seuerall peece off worke touching the whole matter and communicatinge it to good men And concerning the Discipline seinge there was no certeine expresse waye in the olde disciplyne how the congregation shuld be gouerned neither coulde anie longe quietnes indure so longe as Maister Horne had the gouernement by that discipline And seing nowe Maister Horne and Maister Chambers haue vtterlie forsaken the Churche not onely themselues but also haue drawen awaie with them many other and of them the most parte such as were appointed preachers and readers off the Scriptures so as they might plainely appeere to seke nothinge ells but that the congregation beinge destitute off preaching and reading as thoughe it coulde not stand withe owt those men shulde be vtterlie broken vpp the congregation was off necessitie enforced to deuise and prouide for some certeine waie for the gouerning off the churche wherby the congregation might be set at a fyrme and a constant quietnes After this 14. off Februar preachers off the frenche and Flemishe Churches and Maistâ—r Valeran pullain came to the congregation with the Magistrats Edicte The meaninge off the edicte was that Maâ—ster Horne Maister Chambers Maister Isaac and the reste off the Seniors shulde be restored into their former full authoritie and that Maister Horne shulde do the office off pastor and they off Seniors in our churche till the Magistrates might haue the hearing and determining off the matter more at large And yt was commaunded that all suche men as had anie thing to saie against Maister Horne and the reste shulde exhibit the same to the Magistrate in writing Maister Horne the decre beinge red consulting first with some off his complices as in a newe matter that he neuer knewe before said to this effecte that he was ready to obeie the honorable Magistrate as conâ—cerninge other functions belonginge to the Pastor that is to saie consultations with the Seniors and administration off discipline but he woulde not medle with preaching bicause his ministerie was infamed by some men he coulde not do yt with owt the offence off himselff and off many Answere was made in the Churches name for that the honorable Magistrate had sent the Seniors againe to the Churche the churche was glad off it For they were all sory for their departure and nowe were verie ioyous off their comminge againe Concerninge Maister Horne for so muche as he refused the chiefeste parte off the Pastors office wherin he hathe behaued himselff well yff in anye thinge well that is in the office off preachinge Againe where he woulde take vppon him that parte wherin he is iustly reprehended as wantinge discretion and sobernes therin that is the administration off Ecclesiasticall discipline with the Seniors he ouer shoteth him selff in bothe thes pointes Therfore in as muche as he exempteth himself from that office wherin he might profit the congregation the congregagatioÌ„ in like case will not admit him to that office wherin he bothe ill behaued him selff before as the congregation yff nede
Chambers tooke vppon him especially at the intreaty off Maister Horne the charge off gathering godlye mens almes publickely in the name of the churche for the relieff the off poore off oure congregation as it is already knowen vnto many and shall hereafter by the whole matter seuerally setforth be moste euidently knowen to moo what mercie and pitye is this off thers towardes their brethern to leaue so many miserable people behinde them contrary to their promesse made to the congregation and to runne awaie not onely from the congregation but also owte off the cytye snappinge awaie the bagge with them whiche conteinethe many mennes almes gathered for the poore in the name off the congregation and to leaue them all destitute and also to leaue certeine preachers appointed by them whiche haue serued the churche a yere and moore and to whom they promised that they shulde lack nothing in a great deale off deâ—t to other men for their necessary bourde â–ª And where they playe such prankes they caste oâ—â—â— brethern in the teeth still with pouertie by the waie off reproche before the Magistrate Let them go too therfore seinge their pleasure is suche and nomber their owne coÌ„panye and leaue owte their seruauntes their boyes and suche as depende vppon Chambers purse for he hathe made it his owne and dedicated it to his owne propertie and let them tell vs then howe many there be left on their parte yff they be not ashamed to tell howe manie they be Where we did comforte our poore brethern to oure power whom Chambers running awaye with the bagge Had made astonished and woulde haue had them vtterly discouraged they lay it to oure charge as euell done what is there manifeste declaration els but that the poore of our congregation shuld be vtterly destitute not onely of relieff but also off all hope of reliefe whiche hathe euer bin the vttermoste comforte off suche as be in myserie In the Discipline it selff an obiection The next thinge nowe where in we agree not is that whiche is spoken off the 2. newe Ministers This they treat vppon in the 7. Article Thâ—s we defende that the scripture doth leane and inclyne rather vnto one than vnto 2. whiche one as he muste not be aboue the reste by lordeshipp so yet ought he to be aboue other in charge and in burtheÌ„ in as muche as he muste nedes geue a greater accoumpte then the reste for the flock coÌ„mitted vnto him and to his charge Theis we are able to proue Firste by the circumstances off the places off scriptures considered secondly by the interpretacions off auncient fathers and the best lerned men off oure tyme or latter daies Thirdly in the examples of the churches instituted by the Apostells and most holy men after their tyme foorthly this newe order off 2. Ministers or moo hathe bene as all the wyseste men haue alwaies reasoned the seeds aÌ„d fountains of all dissentions and coÌ„tentions And like as for order sake and for conseruation off the churches in peace oure elders thought that one shulde necessarely be aboue the reste so also in this oure remembrance the greatest lerned men as Caluin Brentius and many other do think Off theis matters the beste instituted and reformed churches in Germany can also be the beste witnesses Theis we professe that we bothe can and will more largely shewe as farther occasion shal hereafter serue whiche we cannot doo nowe for that we be lymited to so short a time The answere As concerninge the two Ministers off the worde We affirme that it is lawfull by the worde off God to haue either 2. or moo Where theis men saye the scriptures do leane rather to one that is to affirme onely and to proue nothinge where as Paule almoste in all his Epistles writeth allwaies as vnto moo off equall authoritie in euerie churche and not as vnto one principall Where they alleadge the ancient Doctors Ierome whiche is the moste diligent in Hâ—storie matters reporteth moste plainly that in the beginninge there were many and afterwarde for the auoidinge of dissentions the chieff authoritie was coÌ„mitted vnto one as the chieff But yet saithe he that was donne rather by the statute off men then by the authoritie off god Where they speake so muche off the mischâ—ffe off contention in the churche we confesse it is a great euell But that tyranny â—s a more pestiferous destruction to the churche and that tyranny crept into the churche by one the Bishopp off Rome maye teache vs at large Therfore for as muche as bothe waies either by one or by moo euells maie happen we thought good to beware more diligently of the greater euell Where they bringe in Caluin for one we maruell with what face they can do that seinge it is owte off all dowte that he vpon one daie and in one houre instituted two Ministers off equall authoritie in all thinges in the Englishe congregation whiche is at Geneua And also seinge that in the 8. chapter and 42. and 52. diuisions off his Christian Institution he declareth openly that there were from the beginninge moo ministers off the worde off equall authoritie in the churche off Christe Where they alleage the examples off the churches off Germany we also want not examples off the dutche churche at Emden wherin their be 3. Ministers off the worde off equall authoritie And off the frenche churche off this Citie and off the Englishe churche off Geneua yea and Caluin himselff is counted superior to his felowes not by authoritie off office but in respect off his lerninge and me rites Therfore in asmuche as it is also permitted vnto vs by the magistrates appâ—intement to chuse one or moo let them leaue their wranglinge for a thinge indifferent as though iâ— it were for lyffe and lande Where they professe that they will make large proffe off this matter at leysure let them professe theis gaye glorious promyses so longe as they will so they knowe the longer they labor in this matter so muche lesse shall they bothe shewe and bringe to passe The obiection to the 8. Article In the 8. Article Ministers committ and assigne the burthen and cure wherwith they are charged vnto others with ouer muche facilitie We demaund also this whiche appeareth not plainly inough in their Discipline to whom perteineth it to allowe their allegations and excuses when they will leaue their charges vnto others The answere What inhumanitie is it not to be content that the ministers off the worde vpon waightie causes as sicknes or vrgent busines off importance shuld be eased off their burthens as though they that fynde faulte at this nowe permitted not the same to themselues before rough againste other and ouer fauorable to themselues And where they demaunde vnto whom it perteinethe to allowe their lawfull causes we wonder that they nother redde ioyntly in the same place the name off Seniors to whom the matter is committed nor remember that generall pointe in the
36. article that the gouernement off the whole churche is committed to the ministers and Seniors The obiection to the 13. Article We allowe the translatinge off bookes But that so open a lawe shulde be made for that matter that is the thinge we fynde fault withe For it bothe conteineth that whiche is a pestilent matter to oure congregation by meanes off danger off such as are wont to traueile as strangers vpp hither vnto vs owt of Englande as also it maie be reprehended in that it semeth to smell and tend openly to the priuate commoditie off some men The answere Where it is signified that certeine bookes godly and fitt either to instructe or comforte oure countrie men in this calamitie off oures and off oure countre shuld be translated in to our tonge then the whiche there can be nothinge more profitable or necessarie they saie it is a pestilente matter forsoothe bicause it is so openly mentioned as though by speaking nothinge it might be perswaded that we do nothinge here but slepe for wher they add towching the priuate commoditie off some in so common a profit we cannot gesse what that meanethe in as muche as all men that haue in theis miserable daies yet hitherto caused bookes to be set foorthe in oure tonge haue rather lost then wonne by them The obiection to the 16. Article In the 16. Article the custodie off the treasure off the churche perteineth not necessarily to the Deacons by the worde off god And at this daye many reformed churches do not obserue it and moreouer it semethe more profitable vnto oure congregation to haue it otherwise Fowrthly the moste parte off the auntientest churches keepe a plaine other custome The answere Iff they be able to shewe so plaine a place in all the whole Scripture for anie other that ought to haue the custodie off the treasure off the churche as is in the 6. off the Actes off the Apostells for the Deacones we yelde vnto them Yea and Caluin shall yelde also whose name they oftentimes wonderous confidently and falsely alleadge who in the â— Chapter off the Institution off a Christen man in the 55. diuision thinketh plainly as we doo aswell concerninge the custodie as the distribution off all churche mony and vtterethe the same in plaine wordes In the primatiue churche saith he the Deacons receaued euen as it was vnder the apostells faithfull peoples dayly oblations and the yerely reuenewes off the churche to th entent they shuld bestowe them vppon true vses We desier them nowe to shewe vs more plainly vnto what other men that charge dothe rather belonge then to the deacons c. But they saye manie reformed churches obserue not this aÌ„d that it will be more profitable for oure congregatioÌ„ to haue it otherwise And that the moste parte of the auncieÌ„test churches keepe still an other custome This as we sayde before is onely to affirme and proue nothinge But thus they doo aâ—moste allwaies But where they speake off the auntientest churches we beleue they meane the popishe churches but would not for shame vtter it or ells let them shewe vs what auncient churches those be yet this we maye not ouerpasse how that they affirme that it will be profitable for oure churche to haue it otherwise that is that one as it is nowe haue the custodie alone know alone and distribute the churche mony alone and make accoumpt alone and to himselff alone But we are ready to proue either to the magistrate or to the worlde in case the Magistrate so permit it bothe by testimonies reasons and matters in dede that this is not onely not profitable but also it hathe and is vtterly pernitious and to the plaine vndooinge off oure churche The obiection to the 17. Article We fynde faulte that the election off the Deacons is not free ynough For the riche men muste be allwaies taken Also in that they ought to depend vppon the will and councell off the elders where nowe agreat parte off the elders bothe liue and depende vpon the Deacons purce There mouth therfore semethe to be stopped so as they dare neuer reproue and ouersore correcte the Deacons when they offende The answere There was neuer man that was in his right witt whiche denied iâ— to be moste profitable for the churche to haue suche men chosen to be Deacons as the least suspition can be had in Where Horne and Chambers affirme that a great parte off the Elders liue and depend vpon the Deacons purce it is a plaine slaunderous reporte But admit there be one or two amonge them off the poorer sorte that shall perhapps haue nede now and then off some relieff off the churche monie Do not yow Horne and Chambers knowe that they haue byn richer in tymes paste and excepte they preferred Religion to riches maye be richer when they will And nowe as they are become willingly banished men so are they willinglye poore men for the same Religions sake that ye will seeme to professe Wherfore then had ye rather enuiously to reprehend pouertie in suche a one then gentlie to coÌ„mend so great a vertue but that ye are driuen hereto by griefe of your stomakes through malice What Dothe Paule require welthe in Elders as ye doo or vertue Go too and shewe vs owte off Paule that this your purce welthe is so necessary in an elder We dare affirme that suche a one shulde haue byn off more authoritie with Paule as also with all men that be godly and more worthie to be an elder by reason off his pouertie for the whiche he is so contemned at your hande But poore elders dare not ye muste vnderstande reproue offendinge Deacons Do not yow Horne and Chambers knowe that in the primatiue churche Bishopps them selues had their appointed liuinge owte off the treasure off the churche whiche was in the Deacons handes and yet the Deacons in case they did amisse were neuer the lesse sharply corrected off them And yet theis men that requier such ruffling riche elders woulde haue Deacons off the poorer sorte But by what example and by what reason why cannot ye beinge Christians be content in exile aswell with poore Elders as with poore Deacons we remember that one off yow saied openly in our hearinge and in the hearing of manie other that yow coulde not with your conscience be vnder such ministers and such Seniors as oure church hathe nowe chosen If ye can finde no other faulte in them then willfull pouertie the congregation also can not repent them yet off the ministers and Seniors whom they haue chosen and as for this pure conscience off yours we passe not for it But we think yff welthe be to respected in anie that is in Ecclesiasticall Ministery it is to be be respected chieffly in Deacons that they medle with the churche monie with owte sinistre suspition In dede abowte 4. monethes paste ye had Deacons surely honest men we saie not nay but yet suche as for