yet is it aboue all other vsually hitt in our teeth Namelie they say we are like Papistes enemies to the Church and sometime they say we are worse and it pleaseth the packing Priest to make vs factious and vnderminers of States and Magistrates as the Iesuites comparing vs with them in fiue twentie lies in one place which although in the conscience of all honest men knowing vs and of the reuerend Fathers them selues it be most manifestly false yet because of the present state of things I will bestow a little time in the opening of the same And this I will doe by Gods grace by three arguments Firste by a simple comparison betweene vs al Papists Secondly by the affection vvhich is in them and vs. And thirdly by the likely effects If vve should both haue fauour toleration alike And this I will handle in three seuerall chapters as briefly as I can Not so much for the defeÌ„ce of our innocencie vvhich by that vvhich is alreadie vvritten is sufficieÌ„tly maintained and approued but for the common good of the vvhole Church and namely of our reuerende Fathers and deare brethren which stand so earnestly for conformitie For I can not but thinke that this calumniation hath his first deuise from some glosing Papistes takeing aduantage by our to hott and eager persuite of each other to prepare a vvay by pulling downe raysing the one side vtterly to turne ouer to destroy the vvhole Church of God which I hope and am perswaded our mercifull God vvill neuersuffer him to doe Cap. 7. Wherein is proued that the Ministers seeking reformation falsly called Puritanes are not in any sorte to be compared to Papists in euill much lesse to be equalized with traiterous seminarie priests or Iesuites 1. By their contradictorie doctrine 2. By their contrarie actes and doings ONe part of the sufferinges of our blessed Sauiour Iesus Christ was this that hee was counted with the the transgressors Esai 53.12 therefore as Saint Marke saieth He was crucified betweene two theeues Wee are not then to think it strange to be matched Mare 15.27.28 with Anabaptists Donatistes Papists rebels and I can not tell what For the seruant is not greater then the Maister Ioh. 15.20 And I hope that if wee suffer with him in righteousnes we shall reioyce with him in glorie Let vs then examine this calumniation If we be like or worse then Papistes in euill to the Church of England it is eyther in our doctrine or in our doeings First I will prooue not in our doctrine We hold all the doctrine of faith with the Church of England the Papistes deny it that by two arguments the former is this we hold beleeue and teache all the articles of the Christian faith according to the holy Scriptures euen as the Church of Englande doth a thing so apparant as the Sun at noon daies And the Papistes are heerein directly contrarie to the faith and doctrine of the Church of Englande to the word of God approouing the same Therefore if sound doctrine and faith be the chief mark to know a good man and that the doctrine and faith of England be good true and that the doctrine of the papists be nought wicked and abhominable then are vve vvho follovv the good and true doctrine of the Church of England not to be compared to the Papistes in euill vvho are deadly enemies to the same Secondlie that part of doctrine vvherein we seem to differ from the reuerend Fathers of our Church being such as is before declared as agreeth to the principall Canon of our Church in generall in particulars vvith the vsage of the Apostles and vvith the lawes iniunctions Canons and apologeticall vvritinges of our Church against all vvhich the Papistes most constantly doe warre cauill therefore in this also vve be not to be compared vnto them My latter argument touching our doctrine We holde the Queenes supremacie the Papistes deny it is concerning the ciuill Magistrate We the Ministers a foresaid desiring the abolishing of all Popish remnants doe hold beleeue confesse that all obedience is to bee performed to the ciuill Magistrate although they vvere euill and infidels as the Scripture teacheth And that no Bishop Rom. 13.1 1. Pet. 2.13 Priest or Minister can depriue a King or discharge the subiects of the oath of allegeance And that our Queene Elizabeth God blesse her is supreame gouernour ouer all persons borne in her dominions whether they bee Ecclesiasticall or ciuill that no forren Potentate as namelye the Pope of Rome hath any iurisdiction vvithin her dominions and countries but is a vvicked vsurper ouer Kings Princes But all Papists if they be true catholikes as they terme themselues namelie all Priests secular Seminarie and Iesuite doe holde cleane contradictorie euen manifest treason and rebellion againste the ciuill power ordained of God Therefore there is no comparison to bee made in regarde of doctrine betweene vs the Papistes And that you may perceaue This slaunder is laid vpon all Protestantes that this concerneth all Protestantes as well as the Ministers falslie called Puritanes doe but consider these words of Bristow Of Catholikes thorowlie discharged of their fealtie yet for common humanity for their accustomed vse Motiue 40. for their coÌ„tinual as it were natural institution the Prince is better obeyed serued theÌ„ of Protestants which in hart ar in a maner all Puritanes Note heere that I may vse M. D. Fulks words that Papistes professe them selues to be subiectes Renâ—â— of curteousie not of duetie of custome not of conscience of naturall institution and not of the law of God O Lord and Sauiour sende her M. few such subiectes seruants The currish obedience of Papistes Now this curteous or rather currish obedience is expounded vvhat it is by that beastly bull of Pius the fifth against our noble Soueraigne vvith the facultie granted to Campion Persons Read D. Fulk Auns to P. Frarin de clam pag. 35. by which the Pope licenseth the Papistes to dissemble their obedience vntill publicke execution of that Bull may be had that is to be priuie traytours till with hope of successe they may be open rebels We are obedient quiet the Papistes seditious and rebellious 2 Now for our doings vvhich it hath bene euer since our troubles vve need not to be ashamed to confes vve referre our selues to all men If vve haue committed any indignitie against her M. person Crowne or Soueraignty or had intelligence vvith anie of her enemies or gone about to drawe away the people froÌ„ their obedience or any such like But vve haue done in the knowledge of al men altogether cleane con trarie both by worde and deede in our preaching openly exhortations and example priuately And in our troubles vve haue willingly patiently submitted our selues to the punishmentes which haue bene inflicted vpon vs
together to the disclosing of falshood and hypocrisie and to the aduauncing of Gods glorie so the contention betweene vs being onelie about ceremonies maner of gouernement we are all of one faith one Baptisme one bodie one spirit haue alone Father Lord and be al of one heart against all wickednes superstition idolatrie heresie and we seeke with one Christian desire the aduauncement so the pure religion worship and honour of God We are Ministers of the worde by one order we administer praiers Sacraments by one forme wee preach one faith and substance of doctrine we reioyce both of her Maiesties happie gouernement the freedome of the Gospell and are professed enemies to all her enemies to the enemies of Gods truth and Ghospell In writing against errors and disputing against Papistes we haue bene all one I preaching her M. supremacie confuting Popish primacie and in calling men from sinne disobedience to serue God and her M. we haue beene all one And shall men thinke that this vnhappie diuision shall seuer vs for euer God forbidde This life with out constant vnitie 2 And here me thinks I cannot but murne to think vpō mans frailtie our ignorance self-loue desire to preheminence many times casteth vs headlong into bitter dissention While men are loftie to acknowledge their ouersights therefore labour to keep their estimation by maintayning an errour they cause much disturbance to themselues with little credite among wise faithful men by ouerstrayning them selues to shadowe ouer mens vpright cause they stirre vp much gar-boile confusion in the Church of God And it is not so easilie stayed as it is vnaduisedlie begun Therefore it is verie wiselie said of Solomon The beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters therefore ere the contention be medled with leaue of Prou. 17.14 Such doe we read to be the ciuil warre of the primitiue Church about Arius which is well known to haue continued many yeares and to be the death of many a faithfull Christian Of which Socrates Scholasticus writeth that in the very beginning it grew so hott Eccles Histor lib. 1. Cap. 6. with such diuision among the Bishoppes and also among the people inveying with such spitefull opprobrius tearmes one against another that it became so haynous shamefull into so lamentable a plight that the Christian Religion was openly derided of all men euen in the publike theaters solemne spectacles And such was the contention of Epiphanius and Iohn Chrysostome both worthy Bishoppes Lib. 6. Cap. 12.13 14. Yea euen in the very infansie of the church that no man shuld stumble at our contention as if it were a new thing when the blessed Apostles by a most excellent and perfite spirite planted the ghospel this humaine fraltie did shew it selfe verie greatlie For what thinke you was the cause of that solemne councill at Hierusalem Act. 15. what was the occasion of the Epist of Paule to the Romanes Corinthians Galathians Philippians Colossians c doe they not bewraye merueilous greate weaknes exceeding great contention some holding of Paul some of Cephas some going to Law and some contending about meate holy dayes some striuing for circumcision and the Lawe of Moyses other denying the resurrection of the bodie others iustification by faith onelie others brought in the worshipping of Angels and other will worshipp and volutarie religion of men in so much that it coste great labour and sweat vnto the Apostles and faithfull Ministers to hold vp the Church to keepe it aliue in the verie birth thereof So great were the waters of contention cōming out of the dragons mouth by the abuse of mans weaknes And this I obserue both in writings disputations of our forefathers of the primitiue ages of the Church also in these latter daies that it is a very rare thing to find any writer thogh he be learned wise sober who in his apologeticall writting can keepe himselfe pure from al gaule bitternes Few writers without bitternes For the vehement desire to defende that he vndertaketh manie times maketh him to sway beyond the mark his penn to breath out filthie smoak and vnsauorie There are manie prettie and wittie thinges which are founde in the studdie of humane learning in these men of great learning haue manie times delight so that when they are in writing of an argument or answer there falleth in some fine ironie or close quib by allusion sometime a bitter sarcasme before they be aware which whē it is red of the aduerse part it raiseth many hott humors vnseemly retaliatiōs which not only hinder the light oftētimes of a good cause but also maketh such a breach as will hardlie bee repaired againe in manie yeares And heere mee seemeth I am taken prisoner and locked vp in a darke and dolesome place to weep mourne to cry and howle for the miserable estate of mankinde thorough sinne How manie stumbling blocks are cast in the way of foolish This contention a plague for Atheists ignorant and peeuish Atheists who refusing the way of truth haue strong delusions of Satan to make them beleeue lyes Yet doth God turne all these contentions too good God turneth it to the good of his elect and his diuine prouidence maketh them profitable to his Church namelie for the elect as it is written There must be heresies euen among you that they which are approued among you 1. Cor. 11.29 may be knowen And this profit hath the Church by the primitiue contentions that in cleare plaine Scripture we se manie things taught as namelie The Christian libertie The doctrine of iustification the rising of the dead and diuers other waightie points which I can not tell if they woulde haue beene otherwise so fully largelie so plainlie written that we may know the loue and power wisdom of our merciful father to ouersway the mightie labours of Sathan which are against the Church to the good of Gods faithfull people Therefore the Apostle is bold to say in the like case I knowe that this shall turne to my saluation And againe We know that all things worke together for the best vnto them that loue God The consideration of this might teach some men to looke vpon themselues and watch ouer their owne corruption to keepe it vnder that they giue no offence other might learne not to stumble at the truth for such a cause which cannot bee altogether auoided And we of our time countrie might vnderstand that we are not by and by seuered into two religions or broken of from being Christian brethren beecause some hote contention hath bene kindled among vs. For then we might say that Friers Monkes Seminarie Priests Iesuites are not Papists yea that Popes Cardinalls and other their great Prelates are no Papistes because those haue stirred vp among themselus most deadlie warre other maner
enlarged it became daungerous both in the Vniversitie and countrie to reproue either of these the people were become conuenticlers if they met together to sing a Psalme or to talk of Gods word And there was not a better way to maintaine an euill cause or to bring any honest man out of fauour then to shew thy selfe an enemie to Puritances and to entitle him whom thou wouldest disgrace with the name of a Puritane Yet let vs see whether this holie Canon of Scripture will not beare vs out to preach speake against these kindes of Prelates or to vse such kind of exercises First the Prophetes call them blind watchmen Esa 56.10.11 dumbe dogges and greedie dogges which can neuer haue inough They cry out vpon them say O idoll sheapheard that leaueth the flocke Zac. 11.17 the sweard shal be vpon his righte arme and vpon his right eye Woe vnto the sheapheardes which feed themselues should not the sheapheardes feed the flockes Ezech. 34.2 And Christ saieth of them Math. 15.14 They be the blind leaders of the blind And the Apostles cal vpon them earnestly saying Take heed vnto your selues to all the flocke whereof the holy Ghost hath made you ouerseers Act. 20.28 to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his owne blood And againe Feede the flocke of God which dependeth vpon you 1. Pet. 5.2 c. If wee speake after this Canon of the Prophets Christ the Apostles are wee troublers of the state or are not they who in their actions do contrarie to the reueiled will of God in his word And whē the same holy Scripture exhorteth men and weomen commandeth them to talke of Gods worde in their houses and when they walke in the way and that the same shoulde dwell plentifullie in vs Deut. 6.7 Colos 3.16 in all wisedome teaching admonishing our selues in Psalmes and Hymnes spirituall songs shall honest men and weomē be therefore called Puritans their godlie Christian meetings bee tearmed conuenticles And if Gods spirit say vnto vs Heb 10 20. Consider one another and prouoke vnto loue good works not for saking the fellowship we haue among our selues as the maner of some is but let vs exhort one another c. Shall honest Christians bee reproached for endeuouring the same And if they admonish anie neighbour for swearing or anie other disorder or call them to heare a Sermon are they by and by vile Puritanes I hope all wise and godlie Christians examining these things aright and waying them with the equall ballaunce of Gods sanctuarie wil conclude with me that in al these thinges especiallie in regarde of the matter of our cause howsoeuer perauenture we cannot be or haue not bene all of vs at all times perfectlie wise in the maner of doing wee haue not broken the principall Canon of our Church but faithfullie laboured to square our actiones after the expresse rule of Gods holy worde and therefore falsly and iniuriously called Puritanes Precisians and troublers of the state Cap. III. That the Ministers and people who haue disired reformation in some Church matters haue therein followed the Christian lavves and godlie proceedinges of the Ecclesiasticall estate THAT some fevv should differ from so many reuerend learned and godlie Fathers of the Church it is and hath bene alvvaies in the opinion of naturall men Men iudge by the outwarde shew a very great preiudice and the authority of the greater part ouersvvaieth the lesser sometime the better For men most commonlie iudge by outwarde appearance And therfore Christ him self being void of outward beautie forme Isai 5.3.2 was despised and reiected of men and it was thought a goodlie mightie reason against his doctrine when they coulde say Doth any of the Rulers or of the Pharises beleeue in him How be it in our Ecclesiasticall state there is matter of great consideration that the one side shoulde conster all thinges that were done at the first with great charitie and Christian pietie the other not to bee so straight as to iustifie euerie particuler The Queenes Maiestie God saue her blesse her comming to her Crowne The most Christian magnanimity of Queene Elizabeth in a troublesome and dangerous time when feare seemed to be on all sides her owne subiectes for the most part male contentes and the mightie Potentates all enemies round about her it shewed doubtlesse the wonderfull work of God most Christian royall magnanimitie in her Maiestie especiallie being a tender branch a maiden Queene that she aduentured to goe so far in reformation of religion in setting forth of the puritie of the Ghospell Wee must thinke also that those few godlie learned men who considered examined and penned the bookes not to haue bene alone without some men of greate learning and countenance which woulde sway against trueth as much as might be therefore no doubt verie wislie for the time they did so carrie the matter that the moste waightie part of that they did is without all exception some thinges may haue a verie good interpretation that which is otherwise perauenture was not espied as in a more peaceable time at more leasure and with greater aduise might haue bene And verelie to speak my conscience It is the singular mercie of God that our Church is so well reformed I take it to bee the singular mercie of God that it happened so well and that the books be so pure as they are the doctrine of faith so fullie and so sincerely declared the order of Gods worshipe so free from idolatrie the ministerie so neerelie framed to the Apostolicall times so that euery good Christiā honest subiect hath very great cause highlie to praise God for such exceeding good libertie and to pray continuallie for her Maiesties moste happie preseruation and to be thankfull to those reuerend men who did so wiselie faithfullie discharge their duetie These things being thus at the beginning the Apologetical writings of verie faithfull and learned men in explaning the Christian purpose of our Church and the statutes articles Canons iniunctiōs seemed to aime at this marke That in peace quietnes wee might not onelie enioy that which was first established but also come the neerest that might be to the pure fountaine of Gods word It doth seeme vnto me that either all these thinges which wee desire or the most needfull to bee reformed had bene long ere this amended if the cōmon enemie of mankinde who enuieth that we should haue any thing so well as we haue had not cast in a block of ciuill debate amongst vs. And I maruell not at it seing so many Papists prophane persons did vse all stratagematicall insinuations to kindle the fire and to nourish it being kindled that if God had not moderated the hote furie immoderate stiffenes of some men to maintaine that they had begunne doubtlesse it
of diuision schisme slaughter and miserie then euer by the grace of God is likelie to be a mong vs. 3 And to deale plainely I can not see that the matter betwene vs is such that either they doe or can make a thorowe breach No matters to separate Gods children for euer betweene the children of God For what so euer is agreeing to holye scripture properlie essentially of our religion profession of the Church of England and what so euer is properlie naturallie belonging to the ministerie by the rule and description of holie Scripture maintained by the reuerend Fathers other Prelats of our Church standing for conformitie we the Ministers people who seeke reformation doe hold professe the same As namely the doctrine of faith of the Sacraments and that the booke of common prayer may bee vsed in the chiefe substance thereof and that the Minister of the word ought to preach c. Therfore in regarde of the maine grounds of religion of the ministerie seruice of God we are all one Nowe the thinges which we desire to be reformed they stande earnestlie to maintaine are but accessorie additamentes brought into the Church by humane constitution as the reading of Apocripha Priestly garmentes the crosse in Baptisme Sacramentall signification to Matrimony Confirmation Lordship ciuill iurisdiction in Bishops execution of Discipline by chauncellors cōmissaries and officialls then in other chief Prelates Deanes Prebends Archdeacons non-residence pluralities totquotts the bare reading ministerie and such like If all these or any of these be the holye plantes which God hath planted in his Church then haue we done ill to speak or write against them But if they bee such as being cleane taken away as we verely think the religion The things in controuersie taken a way the Church is whole entire and no hurt to the Church or Bishoppes to depart from them faith administration of Christ the true worship of God as it is now in the Church of England might vvould remaine vvhole entiere vvithout them then doubtles are vve all one according to Christ Iesus in those thinges vvhich in duetie conscience toward God vve ought of necessity to saluation to agree in one although the outwarde appendants make vs seeme to differ one frō another There be two brethren one vveareth a Babylonitish garment is attired in all thinges like vnto them vvhich inhabit the Easterne climate the other goeth in the good wholesome clothes that a Yeomen or citizen of England vsually doth both these being borne of one father in one countrie being of one language and house shal men say that they are not brethrē if they agree in all naturall thinges sauing that one of them hath gottē some new fashions And if the other desire his brother to goe after his owne cuntrie fashion are they straight vvaies enemies Consider I humblie beseech you most deare reuerend fathers brethren the foundatiō of these things for vvhich you stand and vveigh vvith your selues that the departing from these things will bee no hinderance to you nor to the church of God First you know that the holy Scriptures are sufficiēt to make the man of God perfect absolute vnto all good workes 2. Tim. 3. if we grant you whatsoeuer the Lord Christ hath granted in his holy written word what iniurie doe we offer to the church or to your ministerie This you knowe that necessity is laid vpon vs to preach the Ghospell 2. Cor. 9. and vvoe is vnto vs if we preach not the ghospell if we be suters that all the ministers shoulde doe this so avoide Gods curse doe we desire their hurt 2. Cor. 10. you know that Christs kingdome is spirituall if then these thinges which we desire vvere remooued bee carnall the weapons of the carnall man you shall leefe nothing to put off the earthlie carnal to keep onely that vvhich is spirituall You know the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ 2. Cor. 8.9 Philip. 2. that he being rich for your sakes became poore that ye thorow his pouertie might bee made rich yea hee made himselfe for our saluation of no reputatiō tooke on him the forme of a seruant c. Hee humbled himselfe became obedient to the death euen to the death of the crosse vvhat hurt I beseech you would it bee vnto you or to the Church if for his sake you did in some sort follow his example and hauing the same minde which hee had to let goe some of these outward things to maintaine peace to feede the flock of God for which he gaue his owne blood Math. 2. Christ by humbling himselfe became one with vs our Emmanuell And why shoulde these humaine accessories diuide vs his seruants members that we should not be one among our selues which so manifestly are one in him in faith in him in professing of his word in the worship of his name The Apostles forsooke all to follow Christ Mat. 9.27.28 and they followed him in the regeneration namely S. Paul made this choise with his own hands to minister to his necessities to make himfelf a seruant to all men Act. 20. 1. Cor. 9. thogh he were free frō al men so to leefe some parte of his right that he might make the Ghospell free I beseech you consider whether you haue done so and that if you did in some part follow him heerein as he followed Christ whether their would not be a most blessed ioyfull vnitie amongst Gods labourers and a more excellent merueilous freedome of the preaching of heauenly peace 4 If these arguments maye not yet make it manifest that wee are one or ought to striue to bee one there is yet one other argument vvhich is very demonstratiue cannot be denyed but that is not in man to frame Persecution persecution when it hath stripped vs out of all those humane deuises outward things and Gods rodde hath made vs equall and taught vs to bee spirituall then will it be knowne that we are all one I meane such as are not hypocrits nor false brethren that we are brethren and members one of another Christ onely the head Then shal we learne to say one to another Act and monuments pag. 1431. print 1576. * Now my deare brother for as much as I vnderstand that wee throughlie agree and wholy consent together in those thinges which are the groundes and substantiall points of our religion against the which the worlde so furiously rageth in these our dayes howsoeuer in times past in certaine by-matters circumstances of religion your wisedome my simplicitie I graunt hath a little iarred each of vs following the aboundance of his owne sense iudgement nowe I say be you assured that euen with my whole heart God is my witnesse in the bowelles of Christ I loue you in
that the Ministers of Christ should reuerently admonish the state of some points needfull to be reformed by the holy Scriptures and vsage of the blessed Apostles But aboue all other Imeruaill how this can be to hazard the whole state of Religion except a man would say that to goe about in honest sort to make perfect that which is verie well and excellentlie begun is the high way to destroy all But it may bee the mysterie of this point of this obiection is contained in the seconde The obiectiō of innouation which is also a matter of great consequence Namelie that beeing a setled gouernement of all thinges it is a dangerous thing to goe about to alter the same For all innouationes are dangerous to the state Which as it is an argument not to be despised so is it vrged by some in the hiest degree And wee our selues doe freelie acknowledge that it is worthie due consideration How bee it we verilie thinke that it is not on our part or in cause so heynous as it is made First because as is before shewed we desire not the new forming of the Church but onely the rectifying and perfecting of diuers things in the Church and that euerie thing might agree be according to the doctrine of our Church To make perfect is not to innouate and namelie that holie Canon which saieth All our actions shoulde bee squared after the will of GOD reueiled in his worde In the tyme of King Dauid by vniforme consent of all estates the arke of God was sought after ◠Cor. 13. and to bee brought vnto Hierusalem but they bringing it in a carte God made a breach so as they durst not for that time carrie it further then the house of Obed Edom the Gittite yet after vpon more better examination of Gods worde they brought it by the Priestes Leuites Cap. 15. and found that God made a breach among them for not seeking him in order Heere shall it be saide that this latter was an innouation or not a perfecting of that which of a good and honest minde was begunne before but wanted some part of Gods order So if we craue no alteratiō in religion but onelie that the thinges which are standing as they doe may be brought to the order of the Apostles vse and to the canon of Gods holye woorde in those circumstances which remaine yet vnreformed I hope it will not bee an innouation Iosiah one of the moste excellent Kings of Iudah and Hierusalem 2. Cron. 34. 35. being young in the eight yeare of his raigne began to seeke after the God of his Father and in the twelfth hee beganne to purge Iudah and Hierusalem from the high places and the groues and the carued and molten images then in the eightenth yeare of his raigne hee repaired the house of the Lorde finding the booke of the Lawe caused all estates to couenant vvith God to followe his law keepe his testimonies and statutes and lastly solemnized the feaste of the passeouer Here you see are many and great alterations such as I may boldly say there woulde not be so great if wee had all the things wee desire and yet it proued to be no daungerous innouation And is not God as well able to blesse vs if we goe forward in his Gospell as hee was in prospering them Is it more dangerous to adde a little now religion is setled in mens heartes then it was at the first to make an whole in nouation change of all when men had little or no taste of religion I am perswaded that if the streame did not so mightilie and violentlie runne against vs but that our Reuerend Fathers and others were as willing to come a degree neerer to the Apostles vse If things were reformed the shew of innouation would be small that by the very lawes and orders alreadie established we might haue the most parte brought into good order as partly may appeare by the 2. 3. chapters of this booke partlie by a booke called the Abstract and partly by the authoritie which is giuen to Ministers touching communicants diuers other thinges which I knowe wise and godly men would finde out that in shew there would be no great odds though so much were reformed as might make vp the breach which is betweene vs because wee haue not sought God altogether in perfect order If Subscription were kept within the compasse of law according to the meaning of the statute Anno 13. and the ceremonies made indifferent to vse or not to vse excōmunication execution of Ecclesiastical censurers restored and reserued to the Bishops and Pastours of our Church and if the vnpreaching Minister were tyed to performe his promise in his ordination and the not resident sent to their flockes the wound would be by and by healed and we should be alone ioyfull bretheren together Which thing I vvould not haue touched but that it might appeare that the obiection of innouation is not so materiall and of such waight as it seemeth And I am persvvaded there be of the Reuerend Fathers and others in this lande being as notable men as euer vvere in all Europe that if it vvould please God to encline our heartes to agree in this point to take a brotherlie order for cutting of all contention and for the more straight curbing of the vndermining enemie who would and could by their vvisedome learning doe a great deale more excellentlie that vvay then I poore weake man am able vvho vvell knowing mine owne vvantes and imperfection can vvillinglie set mine handes vnder their feete In the next place it is to be considered vvhether that because the thinges in controuersie are called external we may be called schismaticks Saint Paul mee thinketh doeth helpe vs in this case vvhere hee saith Rom 16.17 I beseech you brethren marke them diligentlie whiche cause diuision and offences contrarie or as the Greeke worde signified beside the doctrine vvhich yee haue learned and auoide them Nowe vvhen it is before declared that the thinges vvee desire and stand for are according to the doctrine vve haue receaued as our reuerend Fathers and Brethren confesse vsed in the Apostles tyme we humbly suing for and teaching these things by the vvord of God vvhatsoeuer terme you giue the things themselues vve can not in any sort be called schismatickes And if I being called into question for one of the leaste ceremonies to the vse vvhereof I can not frame my conscience yet if being in mine owne iudgement weak in cōparison of other learned men whose iudgement I reuerence or in the opnion of some other I be accoūted foolish or as some will say peeuish I bee afeard to offend myne owne conscience and doe choose rather to be suspended or depriued and quietlie submit my selfe to the punishment of law and abide peaceablie in the vnitie and fellowship of the Church I hope I am no schismaticke nor
a froward disquieter of the Church And such hath ben our maner of doeing patientlie suffering that which is imposed vpon vs. 5 The next ranke of obiections is concerning her Maiesties person Crowne and Dignitie The thirde great slander concerning her M. person Crowne and Dignitie which are no triflinge matters if we might be iustlie conuicted First touching her Royall person I hearde it obiected in a Sermon by a reuerend man who now is a Bishop that by refusing to subscribe we make the Queenes Maiestie to be an Atheist worse thē papistes namelie of no religion And first touching herrelion For faieth hee you refuse to subscribe to the booke of orders then doe you make that we haue no good ministrie you refuse to subscribe to the booke of common prayer then make you that we haue no good liturgie and seruice of God you refuse to subscribe to the booke of articles which containe the summe of our faith and doctrine then doe you make that wee haue no sounde doctrine But these be the bookes which her Maiestie by her authoritie doth set forth and by them sheweth what religion shee is of and what she holdeth maintaineth there fore if their bee no good liturgie no good doctrine no good ministrie then it followeth that you make the Queene to be of no religion God forbid say we that wee shoulde so much as thinke so wickedly of her sacred Maiestie Who hath endured so many daungers and so many yeares so constantly maintained Gods pure vnchangeable truth holy religion We therefore answer freelie in this behalfe First that we beleeue that neither that reuerend man so preaching nor any other man whatsoeuer that knoweth vs and our cause and the maner how we doe refuse subscription either doth or can so think in his conscience to determine of vs in his secret thoughtes before God takeing God to bee iudge of the simplicitie of his soule that we doe esteeme or make her Maiestie to be of no religion Secondly their colour so to reason against vs because we refuse to subscribe with a verie little breath may be blowne away For first touching the doctrine of the Church of Englande wee holde it stedfastly and haue willingly offered to subscribe to the same according to the statute for that cause prouided praysing God hartelie that the true faith by which men may be saued and the true doctrine of the Sacraments and of the pure worshipe of God is trulie taught and that by publike authoritie contained in the booke of articles so that we can not be blamed concerning that booke Secondly we doe not disallow the booke of common praier but doe vse it non other in our ministrie but if further then the statute layeth vpon vs for that booke wee be required to subscribe and we pray that our doubts might be first answered in some particulers we doe no thing against the law of the Realm nor against the said book especiallie seeing that they the saide law book so farre as we can learne doe not require our subscription to the same Thirdlie for the booke of orders wee enioye our ministrie by the same booke doe allow the preaching Ministrie ordained by the same but if with out law we be required to subscribe and that thereby some things be found questionable and doubtfull let all men iudge whether wee which medled not with that booke or anye of the other bookes to bewray or vtter any thing against any of the said bookes or they which by a forced subscription constraine vs there vnto be most worthie of blame Therefore seeing we are not against any of the said books but commend well of the doctrine ministrie liturgie in not subscribing haue only laboured to keepe a good conscience without any purpose to depraue any of the saide bookes I hope this obiection will returne emptie and without vse The second obiection in this rancke is That seeking to erect discipline we abridge her Maiesties authoritie Secondly touching he authoritie prerogatiue by Elders we diminish her royall prerogatiue by our Pastour and equalising Ministers we set vp a Pope in euerye Parish These things verilie haue an odious sounde but it griueth not vs to answer We doe therefore confidentlie say that in all these things we giue vnto to her Maiestie as much as she her selfe either by law or by practise so farre as I can see doth callenge Which is comprehended in two things In the Iniunctions and admonitioni to simple men 1. That she challengeth not authoritie or power of ministrie of diuine offices in the Church 2. She challengeth vnder God to haue the soueraignitie rule ouer all maner of persons borne within these her Realms Dominions Countries of what estate either Ecclesiasticall or Temporall so euer they be so as no other forraine power shall or ought to haue any superioritie ouer them And such is also the 37 article of the booke of articles All which we doe as fullie hold and beleeue preach maintaine as anye other what so euer acknowledging with all our heartes the same prerogatiue Eam tantum prerogatiuam quam in sacris Scripturis à Deo ipso c. which in the sacred Scriptures we see alwaies to haue bene giuen of God him self vnto all godly Princes So in all and euerie of these things we doe seek after as Discipline Elders and Pastour we abhorre detest that any person or persones what so euer shoulde vsurpe authoritie ouer her M. or that anye state or order committed of God to her protection whether they be ecclesiastical or ciuill should not be vnder her gouernement to bee punished by her ciuil sweard Now if wee verilie beleeue that some thing in the Ecclesiasticall discipline of our Church in the booke of common praier might bee reduced some what neerer to the Canon of holy Scriptures doe we anie whit abridge her authoritie Salomon receiued a pattern of the Temple with the thinges therein contained at the hands of his Father Dauid 1. Cron. 28.15 19. which hee saieth vvas all sent by vvriting to him by the hande of the Lord vvhich made him vnderstand al the workmanshipe of the patterne 2. Cron. 3.1 And Salomon builded it in no other place but in mount Moriah which had bene declared to Dauid his Father Did this any vvhit diminish his authoritie because he was directed by the word of the Lord. And such hath bene the gracious and Christian practise of her Maiestie in setting forth the doctrine of faith Sacraments of the vvorshipe of God c by direction of holy Scripture and in her owne person hearing the vvorde of God receauing of the Sacraments ioyning vvith the Church is prayers In vvhich most notable is that Anno 1588. she publikely came to Paules crosse and then there acknovvledged the Lords great goodnes in his protection ouer this Realme and deliuering vs out of the handes of the
only crauing fauour ease so farre as agreeth to holy scripture the peace of the church and in al that we haue gone about vve haue labored for the good for the beautie and perfection of our Church that it might increase and florish more more to the glory of God to the honour comfort of her M. These meÌ„ the papists haue done cleane contrarie especially since the 10. yeare of her M. happie raigne neuer being without one cruell treason or another sometime by desperate bluddie murderers sometime by open rebellioÌ„ forraineinuasion and procuring of Bulles from Rome sometime by Priests sometime by Iesuites sometime by other meanes as is plainly set foorth in the book called the execution of iustice in the writings of Sir Frauncis Hastings D. Sutliefe D. Fulke and diuers others The things on both sides are so not oriouslie knowne that I need not heere to repeate them in particular I pray God that for our sinnes hee doe not giue vs ouer to blindnes that in such palpable manifest experieÌ„ce of the traiterous hartes of Papistes vvee suffer not our selues to be taken by their wylie flatteries and forsaking our trustie faithfull friendes vvee yeelde ourselues to the bloodie slaughter of enemies CHAP. 8. The Ministers which desire reformation in some things of our Church matters can neuer feare but euer loue her M. and all the godly wise Magistrates vnder her but the Papistes cleane contrarie PRinces saieth the Apostle are not to bee feared for good works but for euill Rom. 13.3 And the euill life of the wicked meÌ„ is the cause that Princes make many good lawes Because he is the Minister of God to take vengeaÌ„ce on him that doth euill Therefore euill men are a fraid of the higher power an euill conscience maketh them desire there were none such to bridle their wickednes Euen as it is saide by the wisedome of God Euerie man that doth euill hateth the light Iohn 3.20 neither commeth to the light least his deedes be reprooued No meruaile then though it bee a principle among traiterous Papistes That euerie man of any faction A traiterous Popish principle desireth the remoouing of the Prince whose lawes are contrarie to his faction For their conscience being euill and defiled with most filthie superstition abhominable idolatrie they can not loue any godly Prince such as is our most deare gratious Soueraigne Queene Elizabeth because a wise King scattereth the wicked causeth the wheel to goe ouer them And verilie there are two things which doe manifest their inward affection prou 20.26 First their doctrine not only because it is in moste of the substantiall points opposite to that which her Maiestie as the true defender of the faith maintaineth and that which her lawes and gouernement commandeth but also because they place another Soueraigne authoritie aboue hers The Papists haue giuen their harts to the Queenes deadlie enemies to whome as vnto an higher Lord and Ruler they preferre their chiefe obedience And looking hoping for ghostly comforte and remission of sinnes at the hands of that man of sinne they can not loue the righteous godly Prince who hath banished his power and abhominable forgeries Neither in truth is it possible For how can they loue her who haue giuen their harte to a stranger euen her most deadly enemie And not onlie that but all men know that as light darknes Christ and Beliall the Temple of God and idols They are as contrarie to her as darknes to light can not agree So her Maiestie being a louer of righteousnes and they of vnrighteousnes She a beleeuer they infidells She a worshipper of the true and liuing God and they of images and diuers sortes of creatures She of the faith of Christ and they of Antechrist seeing God hath put enimitie betweene the seede of the woman and the seed of the serpent it is not possible that they can loue her And they haue cause for their wicked liues treason superstition and idolatrie to feare her righteous lawes and vpright iudgements And she hath great cause to reioyce and glorifie God in this behalf She may reioyce Gods enemies are hers that the enemies of God be her enemies and the mightie God of hoastes is her protector who with his fauour compasseth her as with a shield Secondly their deedes declare no lesse For if a true man bee knowne by his fruite and as our Sauiour Christ saieth Math 7.18 A good tree can not bring forth euill fruite The fruites of Papists shew their hatred to her Majestie neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruite Then if lying dissimulation treacherie treason if false doctrine drawing away the heartes of subiectes from the Prince if procuring of open rebellion and forren inuasion if many cruell and secret conspiracies and murtherous attempts may be iustlie called euill fruites and certaine true markes of disloyall subiects hateing the Prince and desiring her distruction then may we boldlie pronounce that the affection of the Papistes can not be good nor their loue vpright toward her Maiestie What calling or state haue they not caused and made to worke in hostile maner against her First for Popes you haue Pope Pius the fifth and Gregorie the 13. and their successours then for Monarches Princes The King of Spaine and the Queene of Scottes after for Dukes and Noble men The Duke of Northfolke the Duke of Guise the Duke of Alba the Duke of Medina The Earle of Northumberland and I can not tell how manie Earles and Lordes in Ireland from time to time haue taken armes against her Moreouer for Gentilmen there hath bene M. Arden and Someruill ThrockmortoÌ„ Sir William Stanlie Anthonie Babington and his complices Doctor Parrie a ciuilian Doctor Lopez a Physicion for Priestes and Iesuites no man can tell how many and of raskall ruffian murdering verletts not one or two Therefore how is it possible to shewe more plaine euidence of most can kered hatred They proâ—â—â— her milde nature to doe them iustice inueterate malice And yet her Maiestie is a most milde Christian Prince giuen to peace mercie and long suffering neuer vsed anie the least hard dealing towarde any of them saue onlie as conscience and dutie to god did bind her by publike law she put downe all idolatrie superstition and Antichristian primacie otherwise they had all libertie peace quiet freedome as any subiect coulde desire vnder anie Prince whatsoeuer vntill that by their vnnatural vngodly conspiracies and most wicked desighements she was forced to stand vpon her garde to prouide such remedie â—s was fitte for such as vniustly prouoked their lawfull and gracious Soueaigne But they haue so bestirred them selues and prepared so many mischiefs â—o often and so manifolde and continuâ—ll that there are few yeares wherein â—â—e hath not bene driuen to seeke one â—ay or another for her necessarie deâ—ence How
2. That to harken vnto Papistes and to tolerate them is most exceeding dangerous and pernitious A Minister being suspended for omitting a ceremonie made sute to a learned Arch-deacon to speake for him to the Bishop of the diocesse that he might be released and tolerated alleadging for himselfe that their godly wisdome hee hoped would consider that the thing in their opinion being but a trifle although to him it were a grieuous burden they would not for it silence or displace a Minister of the Ghospell which might doe greater good in the Church then the obseruing of a trifling ceremonie but if I be said he a dishonest man and liue not as becommeth a Minister of Christ if I preach not sounde doctrine if I doe not boeth in worde and example teach the people obedience to God and her Maiestie maintaine all peace and quietnes in the place where I haue then I craue no fauour It was answered by the same learned Archdeacon you may be bonus vir but not bonus ciuis that is a good man but not a good cietizen It was replied againe by the Minister that if he could not proue he were a good Cietizen thē he was not to open his mouth in his owne cause therefore he said he would refer the matter to that issue And thus hee pleaded for himself Some lawes statutes of the cittie are such as concerne the state All statutes not a like necessarie safetie benefite of the common wealth and preserue the peace welfare thereof who so euer breaketh such lawes and will not bee reformed may be said to be an euill Cittizen because of the hurt which commeth to the cietie by his deede But there are some things which are enacted in a cittie for the profitte or pleasure of some priuate men and some thinges which are but dependances as for ornament or outward shew which being taken away or broken the common wealth receaueth no damage as if we shoulde make an acte touching cappes or for preseruing of phesants or partriges If a man doe obserue the former order of lawes which concerne the safetie and good of the common wealth breake the latter shall he by by be an euill cietizen then verilie there bee fewe Archdeacons or Bishoppes which can be reputed good cietizens who admitt vnpreaching Ministers into orders and cures when as their ordination is that they should preach If euerie one that breaketh a penall statute should by by be a rebell and an euil subiect then I pray you whome would not the statute for fish and the statutes for apparell conuince to be wicked subiects and rebells to her Maiestie And diuers other statutes there be as the act for artillerie matters of great importance that might touch men of good place if they were pressed vpon as we Ministers be yet they are not at all reputed for euill subiectes What should be the reason then that seeing we breake not the law in any poynt domegable eyther to the Church or cōmon wealth we shuld be so heynouslie prosecuted and impeached we breake the lawe in no point hurtfull to Church or common wealth as rebelles and troublers of the state more then other men What good can the surplice the crosse in baptisme the reading of erroneous bookes the giuing of symbolicall signification to Matrimonie or confirmation or anye such like doe to the Church or common vvealth or vvhat harme if they were taken away surelie none at all But cleane contrarye For the nearer we approach in our actions to the rule of holy Scripture the more vve please God the further vve depart from euill or the appearance of euill the more blessed is our estate vnder the promised assured fauour grace of almightie God Therefore for as much as we breake the law onely in that which can doe no good but hurt to the Church or common wealth if we doe them which if they were altogether takē away would be more acceptable to God and so more likelie of a further encrease of Gods mercies for being contrariant to Gods word they must needs offend God hinder manie good things from vs we can not be rightlye deemed euill citizens for not doeing of them And seeing it is apparant that these things are an offence that iustlie to manye of her Ma. good To discourage wise faithfull subiectes dangerous therefore good to take away the offence wise and faithfull subiects and that it is verie hurtfull to discontent discourage the good and godly citizens and that in long experience these thinges haue beene a great block of stumbling matter of offence how much would it bee beneficiall to the whole state if they wer remoued and Gods faithfull seruants set at libertie from them For we haue had sufficient proofe from the first shining appearing of the Ghospel in King Edwards dayes in this land Queene Maries dayes in Franckford now in her M. raigne these 43. yeares that the offence of these things by tract of time can not be blotted out that thereby manie a worthie preacher hath beene imprisoned silensed depriued to the greate dishonour of almightie God whose seruants they were and to the great damage of the Church and common wealth which in this greate scarsitie of good and learned Ministers did much want their seruice therefore it must needs follow that it would haue bene great benefite both to the Church common wealth if their petitions had bene hard and a remedie prouided that such necessarie seruice had not bene withholden kept back by these vnnecessarie ceremonies Manie benefites by the godly Ministers Moreouer beside that it can not but offende God to see his holie seruantes so lightlie regarded and that euerie beggerlie trifle of mans deuise should bee preferred before his holye commaundements Experience sheweth that neither learning nor religion is of such estimatiō as otherwise doubtlesse it would haue bene if these occasions of euill had not bene maintained Also it is well knowne that where such Ministers haue or doe dwell how many thousands of people haue bene instructed and made verie faithfull subiectes in their heartes and conscience what might this haue wrought if by the troubles about ceremonies such fruitfull teachers had not bene remooued discouraged disgraced Doubtlesse doubtlesse there could not possiblie haue bene so great encrease of Papistes nor anie shew of that brauerie which now they are growne vnto if the happie course of diligent preaching and teaching had not beene greatlie stopped by troubling of these men For this I can avow that no Papist Atheist or wicked man hath any ioy to liue where there is a good teacher but that eather they are brought home by repentance become notable Christians or els they shifte from such places as men with soare eies doe fly the light of the bright shining sunne For if in euerie parish there were a faithful preacher teaching both publikelie
to be admonished of these things and that the wise godly taking vsing applying thereof which I hope I shall finde at their hands may be for the good of her Maiestie and the State I would neuer haue aduentured in this sort to medle or to set forth one word at this time in this cause For how foolish were I to procure my self trouble without a warrant from God and his worde and hauing quietlie enioyed my place euer since the forlorne yeare of subscription except that I was at two times suspended some two yeare in peace and quietnes vnder the wise and fatherlie ouersight of the most reuerende Father our Diocesan of Cauntorburie not hauing subscribed in any sort neither vsed all the ceremonies so preciselie as peraduenture some other doe If the loue of the whole Church the necessitie and goodnes of the cause the glorie of God and the good of the whole lande did not in me way downe all reasoning and disputes I coulde easilie fore cast 500. cautions which would mightelie draw me back and make me afeard of such an enterprise vvhich protestation I make choise of rather in this place because doubt this chapter vvill not be altogether defensiue as I suppose the rest be but rather offensiue displeasing but I vvill frame my selfe as neere as I can to giue the least cause that any man should take occasion I vvill medle vvith no mans person onely I propound such reason for the reforming of these things as I hope shall become a Minister of Christ 1. These three thinges The vnpreaching ministrie the absence of the Pastor from his flock and subscription I take to be sin in the sight of God and if that be true then they may rightly be called troublers of the state because it is written Hier. 5.25 Esai 50.2.1 King 18. that Sinne hindreth good things from Gods people and iniquitie maketh a separation betweene God them And to forsake the commandement of the Lord is the cause of trouble to Gods Church The vnpreaching ministrie sinne Let vs first examine the vnpreaching Minister vvhether it bee not sinne Gods commaundement is that euerie Minister should be apt to teach no nouice in knowledge 1. Tim. 3.2.6 one that holdeth fast the faithfull word according to doctrine that he also may be able to exhort with wholsome doctrine Tit 1.9 improue them that say against it If then the breach of Gods commaundement be sinne as Saint Iohn saieth Seing our ministrie vvhich doth not can not preach ◠Ioh. 3.4 is contrarie to this cōmandement it must needs follow that the standing thereof in our Church is sinne so a troubler of the state That vvhich causeth the people to perish is sinne but the vnpreaching ministrie causeth the people to perish therefore it is sinne This argument is testified by manie vvitnesses First Salomon saieth Where there is no visiō Prou. 29.18 the people decay And Christ addeth further If the blinde leade the blinde they shall both fall into the ditch And Oseah the Prophet applyeth the same to euerie vnpreaching Minister saying Mat. 15.14 My people are destroyed for lacke of knowledge Oseah 4.6 because thou hast refused knowledge I will also refuse thee that thou shalt be no Priest to me and seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God I will also forget thy children Looke the booke of orders in the ordayning of Priestes If the vnpreaching ministrie be no sinne why are they ordained to preach the vvord of God vvhy are they made to promise to giue faithfull diligence to minister the doctrine Sacraments and the discipline of Christ as the Lord hath commanded and to vse both publike and priuate monitions and exhortations And why are they at that time exhorted in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ to haue in remembrance to how hie a dignitie and to how chargeable an office they be called that is to say to be the messengers the watchmen the Pastours and stewards of the Lord to teach to premonish to feede prouide for the Lordes familie c. And why is it there also said vnto them Seing that you can not by anye other meanes compasse so waightie a worke pertayning to the saluation of man but with doctrine and exhortation taken out of holy Scripture and with a life agreeable to the same ye perceaue how studious you ought to be in reading learning the holy Scriptures c. And why are wee taught in the booke of common prayer to pray that all Bishoppes Pastours and Curates should set forth Gods true and liuelie worde and rightlie and duelie administer the holy Sacramentes if an vnpreaching ministrie were no sin The conscience heereof no doubt caused that reuerend Father M. D. Fulke to write that hee would not excuse any vnsufficient Minister nor their ordainers Ouerthrow of Stapletons fort cap 8. pag 113. Defens of trans of Engl. lib. cap. 15 pa. 401. And that hee which is voide of giftes is ordained vnworthelie and with great sinne both of him that ordaineth and of him that is ordained Now if these things bee true let wise men consider what daunger it is to suffer or maintaine a knowne sinne fortie three yeare in the Church of Christ and so whether this bee not a iust cause of the troubles of the state by the righteous iudgements of God In the next place let vs looke vpon the learned non-resident Non-residēce sinne examine whether the absence of the Pastour from his flocke and negligence as it is vsed among vs be not sin For a man may bee called by the Church as Epaphroditus was to some speciall work for a tyme Philip. 2.25 for the common good of the whole But our question is whether a man may lie in a cathedrall Church or in the Vniuersitie or dwell in some towne like a Gentilman and ioyne benefice to benefice and liuing to liuing passing his time in wealth and pleasure and his flocke 20.30.40 or 100. miles of more or lesse comming verie rarely or seldome amongst them Heere I will not dispute but onlie I humblye beeseech and adiure all those my reuerend and learned brethren by the name of our Lord Iesus Christ and by the great fearefull day of his comming when all dispensation of men shall be voide and wee shall giue a straight accounts of all our workes which we haue done in our bodies that how so euer I am a verie meane and simple man not worthie to carrie your bookes you would looke into your owne consciences and see how you can answer to God where he saieth Ezech. 34.2 Wee be vnto the sheapheards of Israell that feede them selues shoulde not the sheapheardes feede the flockes c. Take heede vnto your selues and to all the flocke whereof the holye Ghost hath made you ouerseers Act. 20.28 to feede the Church of God which hee hath purchased with his owne blood I charge thee