ouerthrowinge off the common order taken and commaunded by the Magistrate 6. The displacinge off officers withowte anie cause alleadged 7. The bringing in off Papisticall superstitions and vnprofitable Ceremonies whiche were burthens yokes and clogges besides other thinges whiche yff they woulde abide the triall they shulde heare at large When he and some off the rest had rendred their reasons for their departure to this effecte certaine warme wordes passed to and fro from the one to the other and so in some heate departed Not many daies after the oppressed churche departed from Franck. to Basill and Geneua some stayinge at Basill as maister Fox with other The rest came to Geneua where they were receiued withe great fauour and mutche curtesie bothe off the magistrates Ministers and people So soone as they entred their churche they chose Knox and Goodman for their Pastor and Gilby requested to suplie the rome till Knox returned owte off france The lerned men whiche came from all places to Frank. abowte this matter when they had donne that whiche they came for they returned againe from whens they came and some to other places where they might saue charges and not to be either burthened or bownde to the excercises of the congregation so that the exile whiche was to many a poore man full bitter greuous and painefull was to some off the greatest persecutours off their poore brethetn as it were a pleasant progresse or recreation But nowe it shall be necessary to declare what order was taken in this newe erected congregation for the prosperous continuance off the same whiche thinge to do I cannot by a better meane then placinge here this letter folowinge whiche maister cole late deane off Sarum wrote to a frinde off his whiles yet he staied behinde his company in Franck. amonge them his letter is yet to be seene The holie spirit off God that guideth the children off God in truthe and godlines be your comforte thorough oure mercies seate Iesus Christe now and for euer Amen THe tempeste off the swellinge seas whiche in times paste thretned shipwrack to euery vessell that sailed with a faire winde and full sailes to the porte off blessed truthe whiche off her selffe is stronge ynoughe with owte anye barr or wall off mannes inuentions are somewhat the lorde be praised caulmed to me warde so that withowt farther reasoninge they permit me to my conscience as touchinge their ceremonies The cause I iudge is not for that they beare lesse loue to them then in tymes past but that they perceiue the sturdy defendinge off them to worke them that they looke not for or rather that whiche they are lothe to se namely the decreasinge off their companie â–ª yet they labour with policie what they maie or can to preuent this daunger but yet that whiche they feare I suppose will fall vpon them vnlesse god geue them to repent their olde faultes and humble them more to knowe them selues They haue set vp an vniuersitie to repaier againe their estimation by mainteinance of lerninge whiche surely is well done that was fondly brought in decaie by willfull ignorance in defendinge off ceremonies to the whiche Maister horne is chosen to be the reader off the Hebrue lecture Maister Mullings off the Greke and Maister Treherren when he is stronge shall take the diuinitie lecture in hande Maister Whitthead was appointed therunto but bicause he woulde escape the labour off the lecture for iuste causes as he saide he forsooke the pastorall office also stowtly as yow knowe denyinge to be in office anie longer Great holde there was abowte this matter in the congregation in so muche as they hasted to a newe election and verie fewe as it semed were off a contrary minde no not his owne frindes sauinge Maister makebray and Maister Sorby who desired him to take respit and the congregation to geue it But some lookinge for the office themselues woulde not in suche a matter suffer delay but againe Demaunded off Maister Whithead whither he woulde keepe his office or no supposinge that he whiche had so stowtely denied it in worde woulde not soone be flexible to the contrary But he perceauinge that some woulde haue had him owte one the one side and by leauinge off it his estimation was like to decaie on the other side for many rough wordes were geuen him when occasion off intretie was offred non respuit conditionem by that meanes bringinge to him selfe wittily a triple commoditie one the preuentinge off them whiche looked for the office an other the refusall off the diuinitie lecture Thirdly a faster growndinge himselff in that office whiche he lefte in mouthe but as it semed not in harte Thus ended that comedie But shortly after notwithstandinge a vehement sermon made for the purgation from mannes inuentions the seas begin againe to swell so fickle an element is water for Maister Kent hauinge a childe to Christen purposinge to haue it done simplie withowte the bewtifinge off mennes traditions came with his childe accordinge to the frenche order whiche we once receiued and one to holde it there to professe his faith yff it were required but the pastor denied the Christening vnles 2. Godmothers were had after the order off the booke as concerninge the Godfather Maister Makebray who is nowe comme to that office supplied it A lucky matter is attained at Wezell in Westphalia an open churche for oure Englishe men to whiche bicause off nighnesse they feare many will go from hence but moo wil come owte off Englande to yt I pray yow commende me to M. Tell him that Maister wisedom railed on them that were gon to G. Callinge them mad heades with many pretye names I will not saie vnwysely But I maye well say vncharitably in whiche Sermon he shewed him selff an Antagonist for the booke off Englande c. Your Thomas Cole SHortly after thies thinges to wete the 6. off Ian. When as maister Whithead gaue vpp off his owne good will as he saide the pastorall office Maister horne was in the election to succede him who protested that he woulde not medle therwith till he were cleared off certeine suspitions which some had bruted to the discredit off his ministerie and obtaininge his requeste he withe the Seniors entred the churche the first off marche Anno Domini 1556. were they receiued all such persons as members off that churche which were contented to subscribe and submit themselues to the orders off the same From whiche tyme forward the troubles and contious were so sore amonge them that who so shall well waie it with due consideration I ween he shall think it to be the iuste iudgement off our righteous God that fell vpon them for supplantinge a churche there before them in great quietnes and off muche sinceritie The historie of that sturre and strife which was in in the Englishe church at Franckford from the 13. daie off Ian. Anno Domini 1557. forwarde THere fell a certeine controuersie the xiij daie off Ian. at supper betwene
are nowe in like vse as were amonge the Papistes onelye verye fewe excepted Then he goethe forwardes to the crede and after that to the sermon iff there be anie Afterwardes the parishe priest byddeth the holie dayes and fastes on their eues iff there be anye that weeke And here the booke warnethe that none defraude the parishe priest off his due or right specially on those feast daies that are dedicated to offrings Then foloweth a praier for the state off the churche militaunte and that not withowte a longe heape and mixture off matters vntill they come after a certeine confession off sinnes to lift vp your hartes the people answeringe we geue thankes to the lorde Let vs geue thanks to our Lorde God the answer It is meete and right so to do It is verie meete right and our bownden dewtie c. vntill they come to that clause O Lorde holie father c. and so the preface accordinge to the feaste is added Afterwards he saithe Therfore withe Angells and Archangells and so endethe with holy holy holy lord god till he come to hosianna in the highest Nowe the priest bowethe his knee acknowledginge oure vnworthynes in the name off all them that shall receiuâ— And settinge owte gods mercye he beseche the God that oure bodies maye be made cleane by his bodie and that our soules maie be washed through his bloude And then he againe standeth vp and takethe in hande a freshe an other praier appointed for this purpos in which are conteined the wordes off the institution all whiche beinge donne he first communicateth then by and by he saithe to an other knelinge Take and eate this in remembrance that Christ died for thee and feede on him in thy harte by faithe with thanksgeuinge Now abowte th ende the Lordes praier it vsed againe the Minister sayinge it alowde and all the people folowinge to conclude they haue a geuinge off thanks in th ende withe Glory to god in the highest as it was vsed amonge the Papistes yff it happen that there be no sermon onely a fewe thinges are omitted but all other thinges are donne in order aforesaid In baptisme the Godfathers are demaunded in the name off the childe wither they renownce the deuell and all his workes the lustes off the worlde c. and they answere I renownce them Then wither they belieue the Artikles off the faithe whiche beinge confessed wilte thow saith he turninge himself to bothe the witnesses be baptized into this faithe and they saie yea I will. After afewe thinge rehersed he takethe the Child and dippeth it in but warely and discretly as it is in the booke vppon whose forehead also he shall make a crosse in token forsoothe that when he is olde he shall not be ashamed to confesse the faithe off Christe Crucified Afterward sendinge awaie the Godfathers and Godmothers be chargeth them that they bringe the childe to be confirmed off the Bishopp as sone as he can saie the Articles off the faithe the lordes praier and the ten CoÌ„maundemeÌ„ts And seinge there be many causes as the booke saithe whiche shulde moue them to the Confirmation off Children this forsoothe off all others is the waightiest that by imposition off hands they maie receiue strenght and defence against all temptations off sinne and the assaults off the world and the deuell bicause that when Children come to that age partlie by the frailtie off their owne fleshe partly by the assaults off the worlde and the deuell they beginn to be in daunger And leafte anie shulde think any error to be in this Confirmation therfore they take a certeine pamflett off a Catechisme whiche consisteth off the Articles off the faithe the Lordes praier and ten commandements and all this is dispatched in lesse then two leaues To these is ioyned their manner off Mariage off whiche that we maie passeouer many petty ceremonies these follies who can suffer The husbande laithe downe a ringe vpon the booke whiche the minister takinge he geuethe it in his hande and biddethe him to put it on the fourthfinger off his wiues left hande Then he vsethe this forme off wordes withe this ringe saithe he I thee wedd withe my body I thee worship withe all my worldly goods I thee endue In the name off the father the sonne and the holy ghoste A litle after the Minister saithe to the newe maried persons knelinge before the lordes table Lorde haue mercy vppon vs Christ haue mercy vpon vs Lorde haue mercy vppon vs Oure father which arte c. Lorde saue thy seruaunt and thy handmaide c. and so a few things beinge rehersed they muste be brought to the Lordes supper The visitation off the sicke is after this manner Peace be to this howse The answere and to all that dwell in the same Lorde haue mercy vpon vs c. our father c. Lorde saue thy seruaunte Answere whiche trustethe in thee Sende forthe thy helpe from thy holy hil and withe spede saue him c. as in the other prefaces withe questions and answers Off the Buriall The Priest meetethe the Corse at the entraunce off the churcheyarde either singing or softly pronouncinge I am the Resurrection and the liffe c. I knowe that my redemer lyuethe Iob. 19. beinge comme to the graue it is sayed Man borne off a woman Iob. 9. When the earthe is throwen in we committ saithe he earthe to earthe duste to duste c. The Lorde hathe geuen the Lorde hathe taken I harde a voice from heauen sayenge Blessed are the â—ead whiche die in the Lorde Lorde haue mercy vppon vs c. The purification of women in childbed whiche they call geuinge off thankes is not only in all things withe vs almoste common withe the Papistes but also with the Iewes bycause they are commaunded in stede off a lambe or doue to offre monie Other thinges not so muche shame it selff as a certeine kinde off pitie compelleth vs to keepe close in the meane season nothinge diminishinge the honor due to those reuerende men who partely beinge hindred by those times and by the obstinacie and also multitude off aduersaries to whom nothinge was euer delightfull besides their owne corruptions beinge as it were ouerflowen did alwaies in their minde continually as muche as they coulde striue to more perfect thinges Note that this description is verye fauourably put downe yf ye conferre it with the Booke off order in all points and the vsage off the booke in many churches of this realme yow can confesse no lesse And hereoff ye maie gather what M. Caluin woulde haue written yf they had noted all the abuses of the same The answere and Iudgemente off that famous and excellent lerned man Maister Iohn Caluin the late Pastor off Geneua touchinge the Booke off Englande after that he had perused the same faithfully translated owte off Latten by maister Whittingham To the godly and lerned men Maister Iohn Knox and Maister William Whittingham his faithfull brethern at Frankford c. THis thinge trulie
A Brieff discours off the troubles begonne at Franckford in Germany Anno Domini 1554. Abowt◠the Booke off off common prayer and Ceremonies and continued by the Englishe men they re to th ende off Q. Maries Raigne in the which discours the gentle reader shall see the very original◠and beginninge off all the contention that hathe byn and what was the cause off the same Marc. 4. For there is nothinge hid that shall not be opened neither is there a secreat but that it shall come to light yff anie man haue eares to heare let him heare M.D.LXXIIII The Preface To the Christian readers grace mercy and peace in Christe Iesu our Lorde SVche as doo well obserue the varietie of mēnes Iudgementes abowte these matters off cōtrouersie and the supposed causes of the same shall finde it a thinge more thē wōderfull to beholde and passinge strange to heare But who so shall well waye and cōsider what extreame calamities and miseries this broile hathe brought with it to manie godly persons whiche vnfainedly feare god the same muste off force as I think iff he haue but one drop off humanitie within him drawe forthe deepe and sorowfull sighes from the harte and teares from the eyes To passe ouer sundrie I will note but this one where as in tymes paste bothe at Paules crosse and other places the soundes whiche were wont to be so sweete as might iustely haue moued the godly hearers to crye owte with the Prophet Esay O howe beutifull are the feete off them which bring glad tydinges off peace c. are nowe become commonly so soure and vnsauery that in steede off sweetnes is founde litle or nothinge but wormewood and bitter gall And yet I speak not off suche whose cruell scoffinge and vnbridled natures are to well knowen so farr to exceede as fewe discreete and wise in dede can be muche moued with anie thinge almoste they eyther speak or write but euen off those I meane whose wisedomes grauitie and lerninge as the same claimeth by good right dew reuerence to the persons bycause off those good giftes whiche God hath bestowed vpon them so shuld it also put them in minde especially in such places to vse me semes some other veine And for so muche as some impute the cause off all these troubles to the ambitious heades off certeine speciall persons who shoulde as hathe bene at Paules crosse bothe publickly and very furiously declared stirr vpp this striffe in the churche for that they could not attaine to Bishopprikes when as other enioned them Some also imputinge it to the strange churches aswell beionde the seas as here amonge vs remayninge therby to prouoke the displeasures of the Magistrates against them And some supposinge yea roaringe owte that this hath happened by such fantasticall heades as cā abyde no platforme but off their owne deuisinge I haue for theis and suche like considerations ▪ thought good by a shorte and brieff discours to let your se the verye originall and beginninge off all this miserable contention leauinge neuertheles to your discreet iudgmēntes who in theis matters are to be thought innocente and who most to blame And as one bothe off credit learned and off authoritie thought is not onely meete and expedient openly at paules crosse in presence off the honorable and worshipfull there to signifie vnto them that such a hotte contention abowte theis matters had bin but also noted the place where and the time whan So I in this discours thought it needefull least happelie that honorable audiēce might mistake the matter to set fourthe by writinge the verie order maner and proceadinge off the same followinge herein the steppes off such whom god off his goodnes hath raised vp at all tymes and amonge all nations to commit thinges to memorye whiche hath passed in commonweales who haue with great fredom and libertie byn suffred to make manifest to the whole worlde the ill dealinges euen off Popes Cardinalls Emperours Kinges and Princes where as in this discours the highest that I touche and that with great grieff off hart are to my knowledge but certeine Bishopps and therfore I hope the more to be borne withall besechinge allmightie god that as by theis my poore simple trauailes my meaninge was not either in contempt or sekinge reuenge to prouoke the farther displeasures off the meanest that so iff it be his blessed will the same maie finde fauor in in the eies off oure soueragine L. the queenes most excellēt maiestie and the right honorable whom it hathe pleased him to place in high authoritie for whose prosperitie and welfare it becommeth all true and faithfull subiects as they are dutifully bounde moste earnestly to praie The historie AFTer that yt had pleased the lorde God to take awaie for our synnes that noble prince off famous memorie kinge Edwarde the sixthe and had placed Queene Marie in his roume Sundrie godly men aswell strangers as off the English nation fledd for the libertie off their consciences ouer the seas some into France some into Flanders and some in to the high countries off the Empire and in the yere of oure lorde 1554. and the 27. off Iune came Edmonde Sutton William Williams William Whittingham and Thomas wood with their companies to the citie off Franckford in Germany the firste Englishe men that the re arriued to remaine and abide The same night came one Maister Valaren pullan Minister vnto their lodginge ād declared howe he had obtained a churche there in the name of all suche as shuld come owte off Englande for the Gospell but Especially from Glassenbury whiche were all french men Answere was made him that as god was to be praised who had moued the Magistrats hartes to shewe the frenche suche fauour Euenso for so muche as fewe off them vnderstoode the frenche tonge it woulde be small commoditie to them or to suche as shulde come afterwarde to ioyne themselues to that churche The nexte daye they communed with Maister Morellio another Minister of the frenche churche and also with maister Castalio a Senior off the same bothe off them godly and lerned mē By their aduise and counsaile it was determined that a Supplication shulde be drawē owt and offred to the Magigistrats to knowe firste whither they woulde be contented that not onely the parties before named but also all other Englishe men that woulde repaire thither for the like cause might through their fauour be suffred saffely to remaine within their city This supplication was subscribed aswell by the sayed Sutton whittingam and the reste off the Englishe men as also by Morellio Castallio and one Adrian a Cittezē there with whom they lodged And within three daies after the offringe vp off their Supplication they obtained their requestes The 8. off Iuly followinge labor was made by the counsaile and aduice off Morellio and Castalio who duringe their lyues shewed them selues fathers to all Englishe men to Maister Iohn Glawberge one off the chiefest
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
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
that the congregation would answere to certeine interogatories whiche were thies First that they might knowe whaâ— partes off the booke they woulde admit The seconde was for a seuerall churche and the thirde what assuraÌ„ce they might haue for their quiete habâ—tation To â—he firste answere was made that what they coulde proue off that Booke to stande wiâ—he gods worde and the countrie permit that shuld be graunted them To the 2. whiche was for a church it was tolde them that they vnderstoode by the Magistrats the tyme serued not to moue anie suche matter till the counsaile brake vp at Ausburge To the third it was saied that a generall graunt was made at their first comminge thither to the whole nation and the fredome off the citie offred to all suche as were desyrous off it in as large and ample manner as they coulde require whiche was to them assurance sufficient Theis 3. questions thus answered maister Chambers and Maister Grindall departe back againe with a letter from the congregation whiche was as followethe Grace mercy and peace c. AS it was euer moste true so at this present we feele most sensiblie that where so euer god layeth the foundation to builde his glory there he continueth till he bringe the same to a present worke All thanks and praise be vnto him therfore that hathe moued your hartes so as in no pointye seeme to forslowe your diligence to the furtheraunce off the same And as the worke is off moste excellencie So the aduersaries cease not most craftely to vndermine it or at the leaste through false reportes and defacing off the worke begon to staâ—e the laborers whiche shulde traueil in the finishinge theroff But truthe euer cleareth itselff and as the Sonne consumethe the clowds so misreportes by triall are confounded Oure brethern sent from yow can certifie yow at lenght touchinge the particulers off your letter to whom we haue in all thâ—ngs agreed whiche semed expedient for the state off this congation As for certeine Ceremonies whiche the order off the countrie will not beare we necessarily omit with as litle alteration as is possible which in your letters ye require so that no aduersary is so impudent that dare either blame oure doctrine of imperfection or vs of mutabilitie excepte he be altogether willfull ignorante rather seekinge howe to finde faultes then to amend them Nether doo we discente from them whiche lie at the raunsome off their blouds for the doctrine wheroff they haue made a moste worthye confession And yet we thinke not that anye godlie man will stande to the deathe in the defence of ceremonies whiche as the booke specifie the vpoÌ„ iuste causes maie be altered and chaunged And yff the not full vsinge off the booke cause the godly to dowte in that truthe wherin before they were perswaded and to staye theyr comminge hither accordinge as they purposed either it signifieth that they were verye slenderly taught whiche for breach off a Ceremonie will refuse suche a singuler benefit or ells that yow haue harde them misreported by some false brethern who to hinder this worthie enterprise spare not to sowe in euerie place store off suche poore reasons Laste off all it remainethe that ye write that the firste off February nexte yow will come to helpe to set in order and establishe this churche accordingly whiche thinge as we moste wishe for your companies sake and for that ye might se oure godly orders alreadie here obserued So we put yow owte of dowte that for to appointe a iourney for the establishing off Ceremonies shulde be more to your charges then anie generall profit excepte ye were determined to remaine with vs longer then 2 monethes as ye write to our countriemen at Densbrorow and Emden whiche letters notwithstandinge are nowe staid and as apearethe we neuer the neere We referre the reste to oure brethern maister Chambers and maister Grindall who by their diligent inquisition haue learned so farre off our state as we wrote vnto yow in our former letters that is that we haue a churche freely graunted to preach gods word purely to minister the Sacraments sincerely and to execute discipline truly And as touchinge our booke we will practise it so farre as gods worde dothe assure it and the state off this countrie permit Fare ye well At Franckf this 3. off December Your louinge frinds Gorge VVhetnall Thomas VVhetnall Iohn Knox. Iohn Bale VVilliam VVhitingham Edward Sutton Thomas VVood VVilliam VVilliams Iohn Stanton Iohn Samford Iohn fox VVilliam Kethe Iohn Makâ—braie VVilliam VValton Mighell Gill. Laurence Kert Iohn Hollingham The answere to this letter from Sâ—rausbrough was as foloweth Grace mercy and peace c. WE haue receaued your letters and also your answere in wrytinge concerninge certeine Articles and do perceyue aswell by the same as by maister Chambers and Maister Grindall your state But for so muche as your opinion is that the tyme doâ—he not presently serue to moue the magistrats in those requests the obteininge wheroff was the principall cause of our sending vnto yow we cannot at this present condescend vppon anie generall meetinge at anie certeine tyme ether to remaine with yow or otherwise And therfore iff yow shall certeinly perceaue a time conuenient that the Magistrats may be traueled withe all aswell for the good and quiete habitation off the commers and especially Students as also a seuerall churche and to knowe whither the exercise off the booke shall be vsed suche we meane as no reasonable maÌ„ shall iustly reproue and that the certeintie off theis matters maie be knowen at the magistrats hands then yff yow can let vs haue intelligence we will farther consuâ—te what is to be done on oure parâ—ye trustinge god shall directe vs to do so as maye be moste to his glorie in the ende howe so euer the presente tyme shall iudge off it From Strausbrough this 13. off December Your louing frinds c. as in the letteers before WHen this letter was redd to the congregation they requested that for so muche as the lerned men coulde not coÌ„descend vppon any generall and certeine tyme off meetinge as nowe appeared by their letters they might conclude vppon some certeine order by common consent still to continewe and that wihowte farther delaye and also to haue the holie communion ministred whiche the moste part ernestlie desired At lenght it was agreed that the order of Geneua whiche then was alreadie printed in Englishe and some copies there amonge them shulde take place as an order moste godly and fardeste off from superstition But Maister knox beinge spoken vnto aswell to put that order in practise as to minister the communion refused to do ether the one or the other affirminge that for manie considerations he coulde not consente that the same order shulde be practised till the lerned men off Strausbrough Zurik Emden c. were made priuy Neither yet woulde he minister the communion by the booke off Englande for that there were thinges in it placed as
marche the fiftene men meete againe vpoÌ„ certeine Articles to whiche excepte one whiche maister Horne and M. Chambers would not subscribe they al subscribed A litle before our departure it was thought profitable that those thinges which we had collected and agreed vppon shulde be brought in to a certeine forme of a booke adding either owte off the olde discipline or by occasion as we were gatheringe theis thiÌ„ges together such things as might seeme profitable Maister horne and maister Chambers beinge intreated that they would gather those things in suche sorte or ells be present to conferre withe other that reade Maister Horne answerethe that he woulde not neither that there was any suche neede The 16. daie of marche they met againe in the churche and there a certeine bill in whiche were writen certeine articles tendinge to discipline is exhibited vnto them that amonge the fiften it might be deliberated vpon and debated maister Isaac spake many things verie sharplie against one Article as verie daungerous and perilous againste those good men through whose liberalitie the poore off the church were susteined and makinge wise as thoughe he woulde knowe the matter better he requested the bil whiche beinge reached vnto him he putteth it vp in his bosome neither woulde he geue it againe And so by this meanes he tooke away the matter for vs to worke vpon sith that we had no other copie Afterwarde the booke in whiche those thinges were written that were agreed vppon amonge the 15. and certeine thinges owte off the olde discipline and other also were gathered in to some order was brought owte amoÌ„ge them to be consulted vpon and beinge redd maister Horne and Maister Chambers fyrste off all complained that booke was gathered they not wittinge theroff and had byn longe beatten vppon amonge certeine of them and therfore that it was reason that a copie shuld be geuen to them and to maister Isaac and a farther tyme also to delyberate maister Isaac affirmed that he neded 2. monethes or one at the leaste to consider off that booke It was answered that although Maister Horne and Chambers complained that they were not admitted to the collectinge off the booke in that they did vs wronge for beinge of vs therunto required they refused it and left it to others In that they required a copie it semed vniuste seinge that the church had decreed that we the 15. shulde debate togâ—ther as concerninge the writinge off the discipline for that thinge tended againe to a newe dissention Againe that they required so longe a tyme to deliberate and especially Maister Isaac it was moste vniuste For seinge the marte was nowe at hande it was profitable or rather necessarie that oure churche shulde with spede be established and oure ministers elected leaste to oure great infamie men comminge hâ—ther owte off all Europe they might also se the broyles off oure churche and so spread them farr abroad amoge all nations more ouer that it woulde fall owte to the great hurte off the poore yff godly men being offended with oure dissentions beinge before beneficiall to the poore withdrawe nowe their liberalitie and that â—herforee there was nede off spedie helpe in pacifiynge and quietinge the churche before the marâ—e beinge nowe at hande Maister Horne answereth that he requireth not to muche tyme 2. or 3. daies shulde be enough for him to delâ—berate notwithstandinge that the copie ought to be graunted for no lesse tyme seinge many thinges were conteined in that booke and some also darke and dowtefull thinges and to him before that tyme vnharde off or at the least vnknowen and that therfore he requested that all shulde be asked maÌ„ by maÌ„ whither they thought not this reasonable aÌ„d iuste that he required For if to the moste it shulde seeme reasonable he would at anie hande hauie a copie off that booke Euery man therfore was asked beginninge at Maister Bentham he aswell forthe causes before alleadged as also that no occasion off wranglinge might arise off the booke and leaste the booke shulde come to the handes off anye other before it were brought to the congregation and for certeine other causes thought it not meete that anie copie shulde be geuen to anie but that the booke shulde be brought foorthe amonge them and all they hearing it that were appointed off the congregation it shulde be after read and that tyme enoughe shulde be geuen to stande vpon euerie decree and sentence and more exactly to examin them and that this seemed to him very iuste and reasonable And this iuâ—gement is condescended to off all the reste and so Maister Horne leaueth off from requestinge the copie Afterwardes the booke is begonne to be redd from the beginnige and in examininge off euerie off the decrees longe time is spente and off some articles in the beginninge mutche disputation and debatinge is had But Maister Horne Maister Chambers and Isaac beinge asked their iudgemeÌ„ts would not answere no not in the moste plainesâ—e maters and knoweÌ„ of all men either to allowe or disalowe as for exaÌ„ple There was one article we professe the selfsame doctrine which is conteined in the Canonicall bookes off all the holie scripture to witt in the bookes off the olde and newe Testamente in whiche is conteined fullie all doctrine necessary for oure saluation To this and suche other beinge moste plaine and manifeste maister Horne answered as to all thother that he woulde answere nothinge with owte great deliberation By whiche his doinges he gaue occasion to all men to wonder And so some other decrees off that booke beinge examined a meetinge off the 15. was appointed againste the nexte daie and so they departed The nexte daie beinge the 17. off march and againe the daie folowinge beinge 18. twelue off the 15. mette For Maister Isaac Maister Horne and Chambers came not Vpon bothe daies the discipline was more diligently read and examined and off eleuen off them whiche were appointed alowed and subscribed vnto Vpon the 20. daie off marche the discipline was offred to the whole congregation that it might of them either in the whole or in parte be alowed or disalowed and the same daie was it twise reade ouer After the readinge Maister Horne and Maister Chambers require a copie off the discipline that at their leasure they might farther deliberate vpoÌ„ it It was answered that it was to be opeÌ„ly read and reade againe bothe to them and others as often as they woulde with time ynough geueÌ„ to euery man more diligently to examine euerie Artikle but seinge the Magistrate had commaunded that we shulde exhibite to them a copie off the discipline turned in to laten so soone as possible might be Therfore we durste not scatter any copice before the Magistrate had seene it Besydes that we feared leaste Maister Horne and Maister Chambers Who were amonge the 15. appointed off the churche for the writinge off the discipline who might also when they woulde not onely he are the discipline but also examine the same diligently
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
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
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
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
as tyme and occasion shall serue Concerninge the Article off contribution when the treasure off the churche faileth it perteineth to the ministers and Deacons to trauell by the waie off exhortation with the riche to helpe in that nede withowte anie further compulsion Concerninge the Article off sendinge off common letters for the relieff off the congregation That there be no mention made off anye parte theroff in the booke off discipline but that the ministerie with all possible secrecie vse such pollicies and means as maie beste serue to the relieff and mainteinance off the congregation Concerninge the Article off makinge off lawes that they be made by the ministerie and bodie off the congregation beinge called together for that purpose And iff the ministerie or anie off them refuse to be present beinge by the bodie off the congregation required therunto whithowte iuste cause by them or him alleaged that then after a dewe time geuen for the hearinge off the cause yff they bringe not in good reason and iuste cause off suche refusall Then to be depriued by the same from their or his ministerie and newe to be chosen Concerninge the article off the election off Ministers That a scrutenie be had euerie yere at the tyme off election for the examination off the Ministers off the worde wherin shal be by the appointmente off the congregation six or eight graue and wise men whiche shall heare what faults be alleadged against the same Minister And yff the faults be waightie and worthie off open correction to signifie the same to thâ— congregation that the offenders or offender maie be corrected or depriued accordingly Yff the offences be lesser then that they ought to be published then the saide ministers or minister offendinge to be monished off his faulte accordinge to the discretion off the Scrutiners Concerninge the Article off Testamentes That no man by order in this congregation shall be forced to Register his Testamente but that their be eight or 10. graue wise substantiall and honeste men chosen by the congregation owte off whiche nomber the Testator shall haue his choise or yff he omit the thinge his executours shall haue the choise to take 2. off the saied 8. or 10. besides suche as are made wittnesses whom the executers withâ—in a monethe after the death off the Testator shall make priuie to the Testamente and that the same two beinge required therunto shall faithfully declare vnto euery partie comprehended in the will so muche off the will as shall particulerly appertaine to euery off them and shall keepe secrete all the reste off the will or Testament as they shall proteste before God and the congregation vppon there consciences at the time off their election And nowe in case it shall seeme good vnto all your wisedomes as well off the Ministerie and bodie off the congregation off the one part as off the dissentinge brethern off the other part That we shall by oure mediation proceede anye further accordinge vnto this forme off reconciliation whiche is here described We doo hartely require yow that signifinge your mindes vnto vs with as conueniente spede as ye maie ye will also appoint owte on either parte 2. Discreet and sober persons louers off peace and concorde whiche by conference with other two off vs whom we shall appointe may drawe theis Articles afore written into such a forme as they maie be conueniently anexed to the reste off your Discipline The 29. September 1557. Your lovinge bâ—ethern and countrie Thomas VVrothe Frances Knollys Roger Parker Iohn Abell Henry Knollys Iohn Browne Fran. willforde Iohn Turner Edwin Sandes Thomas Eaton Ricard Springham The answere off the churche to this offre or the effect off the same We cannot allowe this waie off reconciliation offred to oure churche by oure countrie men for as muche as we shulde condemne oure selues as euell doers and oure doinges vngodly and vnreasonable but we are assured we haue not done in oure discipline anie thinge contrary to goddes worde and good reason The last off Septemb. Dauid VVhithead Iohn Hales Thomas Sorby Iohn Pedder Vhomas Ashley Henry Parry Richard Beesley Robart Crowley Thomas wattes Richard Rogers VVilliam Rawlinges Robart Beste Richart Luddington Edmond Haries The copie off the letters off request sentfoorth for relieff off the poore by Maister Sutton 25. Iuly 1557. To all them that beare an vnfayned Reuerence and zeele vnto the eternall Testament off Iesus Christe ioyned withe the charitable and syncere bowells off mercie towardes the poore Grace Mercie and Peace from God the Father by the same oure Lorde Iesus Christe his sonne the common and onely Sauiour off the worlde IT is not like that the brute of the coÌ„trouersie which hathe nowe at the ende off six monethes continued in this Enshe churche at Franckford is vnknoweÌ„ to strangers it is more like that so manie beinge priuie therto it is caried and spread to farre abroad and moste like by the fruites springinge theroff that it hath byn vntruly reported by the willfull authors and stubburne mainteiners off it not onely to the infamie reproche and discredit off the bodie off this churche and to the intent to stopp all relieff from the poore members off the same but also that their vncharitable and leude behauiours shulde not come to light For it is well knowen that diuerse charitable men albeit their persons and names be neither knowen nor desired to be knowen were before the beginninge off this controuersie verie liberall in sendinge their charitie to the vse off this whole congregation vniuersally and some were beneficiall to sundrie members off the same particulerlie whiche sithe that time to oure knowledge they haue left vndone vtterlie We the Ministers off the churche hopinge that theis men the authors and mainteners off this controuersie would in time haue knowen their faults and made satisfaction to the churche as it becomethe christen men to doo did not onelie with pacience suffer their slaunderous talke and vnquiet demenour but also beare with their vniuste dealinge and as much as in vs laye studied to couer their faultie doinges Neuertheles seinge no likelyhood off their amendment but moste manifeste proffes off their malice this poore congregation rather dailie encreasinge then in anie parte abatinge and thereby the pouertie theroff continually augmentinge we thought it oure bownden dewtie in conscience no longer to hide the matter but thus off necessitie constrained to disclose it so as seinge they will not be as they ought to be they maie at leaste be knowen as they be And thus we doo not for anie malice that we beare to anye mannes person as god the sercher off all hartes knoweth but that the truth beinge knowen such good people as through vntrue reporte haue byn perswaded to withdrawe their good mindes and fauor from this poore congregation might vnderstande that withowte iuste cause they haue so longe done it and hereafter be the more willinge to renewe their charitie in the relieuinge off this poore church off Christe
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
to be that praiers and patience can onely salue the same Seinge then that by the sundrie requests off the brethern we are so hardly perswaded that off force we ought to geue them some kinde off aduise We do openly proteste that we so geue to same herein as those that will not in anie wise preiudice the other partie muche lesse chalinge to vs a iusticiers roume ouer anie And all those men into whose handes theis do come we do in the lorde desier that they be not herewith offended but do perswade themselues that theis contentes are bothe simplie and faithfully written off vs as vppon a questioned cause graunted that the consciences off the brethern whiche desier it might some waie be better apeased whiche to set altogether at nought were a dede wholiâ— voide off charitie Therfore the cause standinge as we arâ— informed we professe plainely and in Good faithe that our Iudgementes ouer theis questions are thus It is demaunded whither we can approue this disorder in callinge off men to the function off the Ministery whiche is that the multitude off those whiche sue for order shal be enrolled in the ministerie bothe withowte the voices off elders and also no certeine cure appointed them but lightly examined off their liues and behauiour to whom also at the luste of the Bishoppe shall libertie be geuen afterwards to preache the worde off god for a time prescribed otherwise to reherse onely the churche seruice We answere that suche callinges off Ministers whither we answere them by the rule off Gods expresse wordâ— or ells by force off Cannons that are beste tried and allowed are holden and estemed of vs altogether vnlawfull abeit we knowe that it is better to haue halfe a loffe then no bread But we beseche god with oure whole hartes that it also will please him to bestowe vppon the kingdome off England also the same that is a lawfull and ordinarie callinge off men to the ministerie of the worde and Sacramentes For it beinge either kept owte or hindred the benefit of the doctrine of truthe muste of force by and by vanishe awaie or ells be holde vp by some meanes that is strange yea altogether ghostlie and supernaturall Furthermore we do in Goddes moste holie name most humblie sue to the princes soueraigne maiestie that with the whole force off her minde she endeuour the correction off this point wherin the whole grounde and staie of the churche off England and therfore of the Realme also dothe stand and persiste And thirdly we do with teares beseche bothe those high personages that are of hir maiesties honorable counsaile and those which haue succeded in the place off the popishe Bishopps vndowtedly through the speciall mercie off the high and Good god that they owte off the selff same place where ouerthrowe and distruction did yssue they shulde vtterly destroye that tyraÌ„nye whiche hathe thus caste downe headlonge the verie Christian church and we craue of them in the dredfull name of god before whose redouted throne of iudgement we all shall be arested that with al consideration and mindfullnes of the yeres paste and conscience of their dewtie and charge they will not slack to vowe and beâ—â—othe theâ—r whole diligeÌ„ce aswell in orderinge the meanes that maie accoÌ„pâ—â—â—he this thinge as in perswadinge the Queens maiestie therto and that they cease not at all this thinge beinge vnacheued cheflie seinge god hathe bestowed vppon them the princely maiestie off so singuler a Mistris as â—rom whose handes they can not but hope for all princely and excellent thinges vnlesse they liste in their owne case to faile themselues But some wil aske howe shall we doo in this pointe vntill then verely iff the case were oures we woulde not receiue this ministerie vppon theis conditions iff it were profered a great deale lesse woulde we sue for it Notwithstandinge we exhorte theis men to whom god hathe by this waie made entrance to the enlarging off the glorie off his kingdome that in the feare off god they do couragiously abide therin yet with the condition that it maie be lawfull for them holily and regiliously to exercise all their whole ministerie And therfore maie also propounde and vrge those thinges in their cures which doo allwaies apperteine to the aduauncement off the better estate therin For otherwise if they be forced of this libertie and so willed to winke at manifeste abuses that they shuld also approue theis thinges whiche dowtlesse ought to be redressed what thinge els can we perswade them then that they shulde retire from this to their priuate lyffe rather then withoute conscience to norishe that mischief whiche dothe off force drawe whith it the whole wastinge and decaie of all the congregation Yet we hope that the Queens highnesse and so many honorable and good men will in suche sorte plante their diligence that rather priuiledge off libertie maie be graunted to the consciences of so manie godlie and lerned brethern then that theis horrible eueâ—â—s shulde folowe To were that the pastors off the flockes shulde be constrained either againste the soundnes off their consciences to do that whiche is euell and so to be chained in other mennes sinnes or ells to resigne their ministerie for that third necessitie that will ensue this whiche is that againste the princes and Bishops willes they shouâ—â— excercise their office we do so muche the more tremble at bycause of those reasons whiche off themselues are plaine enoughe albeâ—t we doo not vtter them It is aâ—so desired off vs to answere plainely and truly whither we do allowe tâ—e distinction ordeined in the wearinge off copes and garments aswell for the common vse as for the ministerie We therfore do flattlie answere the cause standinge as we do vnderstande that those men that are authors hereoff do deserue moste euell off the churche and shall answere at the dreadfull barre off Christe his Iudgement For although that we thinke that that politique order whereby not citezins alone but also the degrees off functions are marked and noted is not to be discommended wholie at all yet we are off opinion that not euerie marke and note is straight way to be vsed For put the case that the ministers were commaunded to weare the pied coate off a foole or the garmente off a vice in a plaie were it not manifeste skorninge off the ministerie so to do And those that vse theis other garments and aparrell coÌ„maunded do seeme verely to vs to trespasse somewhat worse then so bicause that the lorde hath not onely reared and set vs this priestlike apparell as a toie to be laughe at euen off many off the Papistes themselues But it is also certeine that the same is poluted and defiled with infinite superstition But some men will pleade the antiquitie theroff Surely they are olde and yet the Apostolique symplicitie wherin the churche did florishe is a great deale more auncient then this Also yff it please him to wade yet further to serche abowte theis