in ministers and Elders whiche is described for other offenders and to be donne towardes them rather with more seueritie Now folowith the Discipline reformed and confirmed by the authoritie off the churche and magistrate IT is moste cumlie and godly that Christian people resorte together in place and tyme therunto by common consent appointed yff the persecution off the vngodly will suffer the same and they themselues haue no vrgent cause to the contrary there to heare the pure doctrine off Gods worde taught and them selues openly with their presence and voice to declare the consent off their hartes to the same and to confesse with their mouthe agreablely their belieff and faith vpon god and his holy worde according to the scriptures The congregation thus assembled is a particuler visible churche such as maye be in diuers places off the worlde verye manye And all theis particuler churches ioyned together not in place for that is not possible but by the coniunction off true doctrine and faithe in the same do make one whole churche in this worlde And the electe off God that be in this whole churche and euery parte theroff with all the elect that hath byn from the beginninge off the worlde and shall be to the ende theroff doo altogether make that holy catholike and Apostolike churche the spouse off oure sauiour christe wchiche he hathe purified to him selff in his blood wheroff mention is made in the creede I beleue one holie Catholike and Apostolike churche But at this present oure consideration muste be off the visible and particuler churche The signes and notes off a visible churche are thies Firste true and goldly doctrine Secondly the right ministration and vse off the Sacramentes and common praier Thirdly honest and godly liffe yff not in the whole multitude yet in manie off them fourthly discipline that is the correction off vices but the 2. firste notes are suche as withowt the whiche no forme off anie godly visible churche can possibly be Wherfore they be the principall and chieff notes And therfore we define a particuler churche visible to be the congregation off Christen men whither they be fewe or many assemblinge together in place and time conuenient to heare Christes true Doctrine taught to vse his holy Sacramentes rightly and to make their common praier together in the whiche their appearethe a studie off honest aÌ„d godlye liffe and which hathe in it a godly discipline that is to saye ordinaunces and decrees Ecclesiasticall for the preseruation off comely order and for the correction off vices Off the doctrine off the churche which is the first note The Doctrine whiche we holde and professe in oure church is the same that is taught in the canonicall bookes off the holie bible conteininge the olde testamente and the newe in the whiche is conteined the true and liuelie worde off god and the doctrine off helthe bothe as concerninge faithe and godly liffe at full sufficient for the saluation off all the faithfull that vnfainedly beleue therin The summe off the whiche as concerninge faithe is briefly and truly comprehended in the 3. creeds the common creede commonly called the creed off the Apostells the Nicene creed and the crede off Athanasius And as concerninge godly liffe in the ten commaundementes written in the xx chapter off Exodus Off the Sacramentes and common praier the second note We obserue ad kepe the forme and order off the ministraon off the sacramentes and common praier as it is set foorh by the authoritie off the blessed kinge Edwarde off famous memorye in the laste booke off the English seruice Wheroff notwithstanding in the respecte off tymes and places and other circumstances certeine rites and ceremonies appointed in the sayed booke as thinges in different maie be left owte as we at this present doo The times and houres for the teachinge and hearing off goddes worde and the ministration off the sacramenâ—es and and saying and hearing of the coÌ„mon praier such as be nowe vsed or shall heare afâ—er by common coÌ„sent be thought moste meete to be vsed are to be kept and obserued off all men not hauing lauful cause to the contrary Off the Ministers off the worde Sacra ments and common praier It is thought expedient for the churche at this present to haue 2. Ministers or teachers off the worde elected off dotrine and godly liffe such as the rule off the scripture dothe requyre as muche as maie be And that the sayde 2. Ministers and teachers off the worde shall in all things and points be off like authorite and neither off them superior or inferior to other Item that the saied 2. Ministers shall by themselues or fit persons by them and the Seniors in the name off the whole congregation to be appointed when necessarie cause shall so requyre preach the ordinarie Sermons on wensdaies thursdayes and sondaies before noone and after noone instruct and Heare the examination off the youthe in the Catechisme on sondaye in the after noone at the howre accustomed and shall by them selues or other appointed persons as is afore sayed Minister the Sacramentes dewly saye the common prayers distinctly viset and comfort the sick specially at their last tyme and howre off deathe bury the dead comely and obserue all other comely rites and vges in the churche directing all their behauiour actes and life according to the rule off off their vocation set foorth in the holie scriptures Item that sixe either fewer or more as the habilitie off the churche wilâ— beare such as be godly and haue nede off the helpe off the churche be appointed by the Ministers and Seniors in the name off the whole congregation Wheroff 4. to be well lerned who shall reade and expownde the chapters and shall helpe the two ministers off the worde when nede shall require in the doctrine off the worde Catechisinge off youthe Ministringe off the Sacramentes sainge off common praier and the other two or moo shall ayde also the sayed ministers Seniors and Deacons in visitinge off the sick and seinge to strangers and in callinge off the congregation when nede shall be and in all other necessarie and comelie thinges and rytes to be done in the churche Notwithstandinge anie other godly and lerned men whiche lyue off them selues and be not burthenus to the churche maye helpe the Ministers off the worde in the aboue named Ecclesiastical functions iff they themselues so will and be ther vnto called by the saied ministers and Seniors Item for the further instruction off youâ—he and seruants it is thought good that besides the examination off children in the Catechisme ordinarely vsed the said children and seruants with the whole congregation shulde be all presente at oure ordinarie sermon to be made purposely for them on sondayes at afternoone so lernedly that it be yet for their capacitie most plaine and with all possible perspecuâ—tie and that one tenor off Christian doctrine from the beginninge to the ende be obserued and kepte in
When the Erle off warwick was sent to subdue the popish rebells in the north-partes the preachers off the Queens maiesties Army were Kethe Temes and standon who offred themselues in that seruice voluntarily with owte all constraynte And thus it is euidente that theis with a nomber moo who are now so ill thought off as iff they were traitors and rebells haue yet byn so farre off from bringe sedicious that they haue at all times aduentured their liues againste seditious persons and rebells when as suche as nowe so hardly charge them bothe by worde and writinge haue byn right hartely well content to take their ease and reste at home Consideringe then how many waies we are vniustly burthened and brought into hatred withowte iuste cause I supposed that no godly man wolde be offended yff by such lawfull meanes as I might I sought bothe to purge my selff and the rest off my brethern from such heinous and odious crimes as some would seeme to charge vs And that coulde I not doo so well anie waie as by the gatheringe together off this discourse wherin the indifferent reader shall finde that the religion whiche we holde and professe is not onely the true ād sincere religiō of Christe and the self same with all the reformed churches in Christendome but also that whiche this Realme hathe established touching the true doctrine comonly taught therein By this discours also yt maie be seene bothe when where how and by whom this controuersie firste began who cōtinued it who was on the suffring side and who readieste to forget and forgeue that godly peace and concord might be had Nowe iff anie shall seeme to be offended with this that I had don I do moste humblie beseche them to way well and expende with themselues firste whither I haue geuen them anie suche cause yff it be for that I haue in this discours brought to light some thinge that might haue bin keept secret the contention beinge amonge brethern to the ende the common enemie shulde not haue cause to triumphe let this satisfie them firste that the wicked and common enemye cannot for his harte more tryumphe ouer the Godly then he dothe allready and that throughe owte this whole realme Againe the crueltie off Cain to Abell off Ismaell to Isaac off Esau to Iacob off the Patriarkes to their brother Ioseph the hot contention betweene Paule and Barnabas and Paule and Peter c. all theis beinge knowne to the worlde hathe turned notwithstanding to the great glorie off God as my assured hope is that euen this will also in the ende And therfore as the lorde off heauen knoweth that the keepinge off theis thinges almoste by the space off theis twentie yeres in secret might suffice to witnes with me that I had nowe no great pleasure to vtter it so I wote not howe it commethe to passe that euen in the middest off great striuing and struglinge with my selff what to doo I coulde not be by anie meanes resolued or se iuste cause why I shuld any longer conceale it Yff anie shulde thinke that I haue not with indifferencie penned the storie I referre me to satisfie suche to the iudgements and consciences off those persons who were the plaiers off this tragedie off bothe partes many yet liuinge assuringe my selff that neither part shall be able iustlie to charge me excepte it be for that in verie dede I haue sought rather howe to couer manie thinges then to laie them wide open to the worlde as I nothinge dowte to proue iff I might be but harde indifferently in so muche as in this discours I haue asmuche as I coulde passed ouer the names off all where credit might seeme to haue bin impaired therby sauing onely off suche as were off verie necessitie to be noted for the better vnderstanding off the historie To conclude againste the offences whiche some maie take at theis my trauells I haue sett the greate profit that this maie bringe to goddes churche and to the posteritie who beinge taught by other mennes harmes yff they be happie will lerne to beware the hope wheroff had greater force to pushe my pen forwarde to the finishinge off this worke then the displeasures off certaine arisinge so far as I se off no grownd coulde be to withdrawe me from the same besechinge almightie god so strenghē me with his holie spirite that what troubles or trialls so euer shall by the lordes good prouidence happen to me hereby he will vouchsaffe to geue me a contented minde quietly and with patience to beare it before whom I proteste that in wrytinge this discourse I haue had respecte to his glorie the defence off his sacred truthe the cleeringe so farr as I might off so many excellent lerned men on whose neckes this sturre is laied as authors off the same and not that I haue willingly sought the hurte hinderance or discredit off anie man. And this I praie that your loue maie abounde yet more and more in knowledge and in all Iudgement that ye maye discerne thinges that differ one from another that ye maie be pure and withowte offence vntill the daie off Christe Keepe the true paterne off the wholsome wordes whiche thow haste harde of me in faithe and loue whiche is in Christe Iesu Study to shewe thy selff approued vnto god a workman that nedethe not to be ashamed deuidinge the worde off truthe aright The answere off the ministers off Geneua to certeine brethern off the churche off Englande concerninge some controuersie in the Ecclesiasticall policie BEinge right earnestly and often required by certeine deare brethern off the churche off Englande that we woulde in their miserable state geue them some kinde off counsaile whereon theire consciences might be staied the Iudgemente off many beinge therin diuers we did longe differre the satisfinge off their requestes vppon waightie causes And we assure the reader that euē nowe also we moste gladly woulde houlde oure peace were it not a matter of conscience to reiecte the sute of the brethern so often enforced and with moste greuous groninges reneued Off whiche stifned silence off ours theis were the causes firste as on the one part we dowte not off the credit off the brethern as thoughe they had not sincerely described the state off the cause vnto vs so on the other side it is moste harde for to suspecte suche thinges so clene besides all office off Bishopps muche lesse perswade oure selues the same by suche personages done And farther what men are we that we shulde determine vppon suche causes Also iff it were lawfull for vs either by authoritie or els by consent or requeste of either parties to geue sentence here vppon yet were yt a mater moste wrongefull either partie not harde or not present to determine Laste off all feare mistrusted leaste so great a mischieff shuld by this oure counsell howe simple so euer it is rather become rawe thē skin̄ed it beinge a sore of so desperate a nature as that it semeth
Senators for a place or churche wherin they and all their country men might haue gods worde truly preached and the Sacraments sincerely ministred in their naturall tonge who ientlie promised his furtherance and that he also woulde move the whole Senate theroff the whiche he did accordingly And the 14. daie off the same monethe yt was graunted that they shulde haue libertie to preache and minister the Sacraments in that churche which the freÌ„che men had the freÌ„che one daie and the Englishe an other daie and vpoÌ„ the Sundaie to chuse also theÌ„ houres as they coulde agree amonge them selues but yt was with this commandement that the Englishe shulde not discent from the frenchmen in doctrine or ceremonyes least they shulde thereby minister occasion off offence and willed farther that before they entred their churche they shulde approue and subscribe the same confession off faith that the frenche men had then presented and abowte to put in printe to the whiche all the afore named and others whiche were by this time come thither did subscribe When the churche was in this sorte graunted they consulted amonge themselues what order off seruice they shulde vse for they were not so stricly bownde as was tolde them to the ceremonies off the frenche by the Magistrats but that iff the one allowed off the other it was sufficient At lenght the englishe order was perused and this by generall consente was concluded that the answeringe alowde after the Minister shulde not be vsed the letanye surplice and many other thinges also omitted for that in those reformed churches suche thinges woulde seeme more then strange It was farther agreed vppon that the Minister in place off the Englishe Confession shulde vse an other bothe off more effecte and also framed accordinge to the state and time And the same ended the people to singe a psalme in meetre in a plaine tune as was and is accustomed in the frenche dutche Italian Spanishe and Skottishe churches that don the minister to praye for â—hassistance off gods holie spirite and so to proceade to the sermon After the sermon a generall praier for all estates and for oure countrie of Englande was also deuised at th ende off whiche praier was ioined the lords praier and a rehersall off tharticâ—es off oure belieff whiche ended the people to singe and other psalme as afore Then the minister pronouncinge his blessinge The peace off god c. or some other off like effecte the people to departe And as touchinge the ministration off the Sacraments sundrie things were also by common consente omâ—tted as superstiâ—ious and superfluous After that the congregation had thus concluded and agreed and had chosen their minister and Deacons to serue for a time they entred their churche the 29. off the same monethe Then was it thought good amonge themselues that forthwith they shulde aduertise their countrie men and betheren dispersed off this singuler benefit the like wheroff coulde nowhere else as yet be obtained and to perswade hem all worldly respectes put aparte to repaier thither that they might altogether with one mouthe and one harte bothe lameÌ„te their foremer wickednes and also be thankfull to their mercifull father that had geuen them suche a churche in a strange lande wherein they might heare gods worde truly preached the Sacraments rightly ministred and Discipline vsed which in their owne countrie coulde neuer be obtained And to this effecte were letters directed to Strausburgh Zurick Densbrugh and Emden in the 2. off Auguste And for that it was thought the churche coulde not longe contynewe in good order withowte discipline there was also a brieff forme deuised declaringe the necessitie the causes and the order theroff wherunto all those that were present subscribed shewinge therby that they were ready and willinge to submitt themselues to the same accordinge to the rule prescribed in gods holie word at whiche time it was determined by the congregation that all suche as shulde come after shulde doo the like before they were admitted as members off that churche Here followethe the generall letter sente from the congregation off Franckforde to Strausbourge Zurick Wezeil Emden c. Grace mercy and peace in Christ our Lord c. We dowte not dearely beloued but yow haue harde aswell by letter as by reporte off the excellent graces and mercy whiche oure good god and heauenly father hathe shewed vnto oure litle congregation in this citie off Franckford for that he hathe not onely made the Magistrats and commons very fauorable towards vs and louinge but also hathe geuen them hartes with muche compassion to tender vs in so muche that euerie man helpethe vs no man is againste vs muche loue no grudge glad to please lothe to annoie vs yea and to declare this good will not to be off the meane sorte nor so small as oure brethern haue felte otherwere they haue graunted that thinge whiche amonge others and in other cities we coulde not obtaine nor durste allmoste hope for For what greater treasure or sweeter comforte can a Christian man desier then to haue a churche wherin he maie serue god in puritie off faithe and integritie off lyfe whiche thinge yff we wishe for let vs not refuse it seinge where we woulde we coulde not there obtaine it And here yet it is graunted in so ample wise that beinge subiecte to no blemishe no nor so muche as the euell off suspition froÌ„ the whiche fewe churches are free we maie preache minister and vse Discipline to the true settinge forthe off gods glorie and good ensample to others And for our partes we haue not bene negligente as touchinge the execution off the sayed benefit graunted For the 29. of Iuly we had god be thanked â— sermons to oure singuler comforte and great ioye off all godly men heere Wherfore brethern seinge your haue indured the paine off persecution with vs we thought it likewise oure dewties to make your partakers off oure consolation that altogether we maie geue thanks to oure louinge father who is more tender ouer vs then the mother ouer hir childe nether suffreth vs to be temped aboue that we maie beare but euen to the issue off the tentation geuethe prosperous successe trustinge by gods grace that he whiche hathe geuen yow that gifte not onely to beleue in Christe but also to suffer for his sake will so directe your hartes that no respecte off commoditie there nor yet feare of burthen here maie once moue yow to shrink from your vocatioÌ„ whiche is in one faithe one ministration one tonge and one consente to serue god in his churche What more manifeste signe what plainer declaration what worde more expresse and lyuely can we haue off dewtie and vocation theâ— when god speakethe in oure hartes by faithe guidethe vs owte off perille throughe his grace and nowe laste of all offrethe vs a restinge place of his exceading mercy Yow remeÌ„ber that before we haue reasoned together in hope to obtaine a churche and shall we nowe drawe
Besides this they receyued the communion as the sure token or seale off their mutuall agremente whiche was omitted before by the space off 3. monethes Valaran also the frenche Minister was partaker off this communion and a furtherer off concorde and a wittnes off theis thinges Nowe of late daies certeine of our countrey men came to vs who haue indeuored by all meanes to obtrude that huge volume off ceremonies vpon vs to break the couenaunte and to ouerthrough the libertie off the Churche graunted by your beneuolence And no dowte this they enterprise and minde to do vnder the title and name off your defence Wherby they maie abuse the authoritie off your name to satisfie their â—ustâ— We are here coÌ„pelled to omitte manie thinges whiche woulde make for oure cause no lesse rightly then profitabâ—y but we remit thies to oure brethern for concordes sake Yow haue here moste honorable Sen. a brieff summe of oure case and contention wherby yow may easilie vnderstande what to iudge off the whose matter What manner off Booke this â—s for the whiche they so cruelâ—ie contende ye maie consider by the Epistle that Caluin lately wrote vnto vs in the whiche he hathe signified his minde aswell plainly off the booke as also off the vprightnesse off oure cause We coulde haue pointed owte vnto yow the foolishe and fonde things off the booke but passinge ouer an infinite nomber off thinges this one will we bringe for manie the whiche shal be necessarie well to be maâ—â—ed within these three yeres arose a great conflicte betweene the the Bishopps off the realme and the Bishoppe off Glocester Maister Hooper a man worthie off perpetuall memorie whom we heare to be burned off late This man beinge made Bishopp By kinge Edwarde there was obtruded by other B. off the same order accordinge to this booke a rocheâ—â— and and a bishops robe this man being well lerned and a longe tyme nourished and brought vp in Germany as soone as he refused thies proud thinges that fooles marveâ—l aâ— he was caste into prison and at lenght by their importunitie ouercome and relentinge he was compelled to his shame to geue place to their impudency withe the common grieff and sorowe off all godlye mindes But wherfore speake yow off theis thinges will yow saie that apperteneth nothinge to vs yes verely we thinke it touchethe yow verie moche for yff thies men armed by your authoritie shall do what they liste this euell shal be in tâ—me established by yow and neuer be redressed nether shall there for euer be anie ende off this controuersie in Englande But yff it woulde please your honorable authoritie to decree this moderation betweene vs that this whole matter may be referred to the iudgements off the fiue aboue named not we alone that are here present but oure whole posteritie yea oure whole engâ—ishe nation â— and all good men â—o the perpetuall memorie off your names shal be bownde vnto yow for this great benefit We might haue vsed moo wordes in this narration for we feared not that we shulde lake reasons but rather that tyme shulde faâ—â—e yow letted with more serious busines Therfore we by theis thinges leaue the reste to the consideration off your wisdomes The 22 off Marche maâ—ster Glauburge came to the Englishe Churche and shewed the congregation that it was commaunded them by the magistrateâ— when by his procurement the church was graunted that they shulde agree withe the frenche churche bothe in Doctrine and ceremonies and that they vnderstood howe the fallinge from â—hat order had bred muche dissention amonge them Therfore â—e straitâ—y charged and commaunded that from thenc foorthe they shulde not dissent from that order yff they did as he had opened the churche dore vnto them so woulde he shutte it againe And that suche as woulde not obey therunto shulde not tarie within that citie willinge them to consulte together owte off hande and to geue him an answere before he departed D. Coxe then spake to the congregation in this wise I haue saithe he redd the frenche order and do thinke it to be bothe good and godly in all pointes and therfore wished them to obaie the magistrates commaundement wherupon the whole congregation gaue consent so as before the Magistrate departed the churche D. Coxe leuer and whittingham made reporte vnto him accordingly D. Coxe also at that presente requested that it woulde please him notwithstandinge their ill behauiour to shewe vnto them his accustomed fauor and goodnesse whiche he moste iently and louinglie promised At the nexte meetinge off the congregation that order was put in practise to the comforte and reioycinge off the moste parte Neuertheles suche as woulde so faine haue had the booke of England lefte not the matter thus And for that they sawe Knox to be in suche credit withe many off the congregation they firste off all assaied by a moste cruell barbarous and bloudie practise to dispatche him owte off the waie to th ende they might withe more ease attaine the thinge whiche they so gredely sought whiche was the placinge of their booke They had amonge them a booke off his intituled an admonition to Christians written in the English tonge wherin by occasion he spake off the Emperour off Philip his sonne and off Marie then Queene off Englande This booke cericine off them presented to the Magistrates who vpon receipte off the same sente for whittingham and asked him off Knox their Minister what manner off man he was whittingham answered that suche a one their was amonge them and to his knowledge bothe a lerned wise graue and godly man. Then one off the Magistrates saied vnto him certaine off your countrie men haue accused him vnto vs Laesae Maiestatis Imperatoriae that is off high treason againste the Emperour his sonÌ„e and the Queene off England here is the booke and the places whiche they haue noted the true and perfect sence wheroff we commaunde yow sub pena pacis to bringe vnto vs in the latten tonge at one off the clock in the after noone which thinge he did accordingly at whiche time after certeine communication amonge themselues they commanded that Knox shulde preache no more till their pleasure were farther knowen The wordes concerninge the Emperour were theis spoken in the pulpit in a Towne off Buchingham sheere in the beginninge off Queene Maries raigne as by the saied booke apearethe where it is saied O Englande Englande yff thow wylte obstinately returne into Egipte that is yff thow coÌ„tracte mariage confederacy or leage with suche princes as doo maintaine and aduaunce ydolatrie suche as the Emperour who is no lesse enemie to Christ then was Nero yff for the pleasure and frindship I saie of such princes thow returne to thine oulde abhominations before vsed vnder Pâ—pistery then assuredly O England thow shalt be plaged and brought to desolation by the meanes off those whose fauour thow sekeste and by whom thow arte procured to fall from Christe and
and indifferent iudges by bothe partes to be chosen wherby the faulte might appear where it was in dede and so they either excused or founde giltie D. Cox at lenght tolde them that their letter shulde be considered off and an answere shulde be geuen them the fridaie after On fridaie the 30 off Auguste bothe partes mette The Pastor accompanied with the Ministers and elders spake this vnto them It seemeth very fonde that arbytrers shuld be apointed to take vpp strife that maie come hereafter as your letter signifieth And furthermore ye write yff anie offence be taken or geuen whiche semethe as strange for this worde yff importethe a dowte so that yff ye dowte it is but follie to apointe arbitres fynally to excuse your departure yow call them vnlerned whiche iudge it a schisme but saithe he terme it as yow lifte yet can yow not let men to think And yff arbitres shuld pronounce it to be none yet mennes opinions will be diâ—â—â—s Now â—heâ—fore your answere shall be that iff anie man be offended either with any priuate maÌ„ or publiquely let him or them complaine to vs or yff they refuse vs to the Magistrat As for Arbitres we will appoint none Then spake whittingham and saied that it was to him no small wonder that men of suche lerninge and wisedome shuld so shrink in a moste equall requeste and so withowte all reason to cauill where no matter was offred For as concerninge saithe he the firste pointe it was not vnknowen to them that at that time thorough their occasion their was no small contention and that seinge they had geuen such offence it coulde not be but that mennes mindes were moued And therfore to th ende that contention shulde growe no farther Arbytres were very necessary who neded not to deliberate as he saied off thinges to come whiche were vncerteine â–ª but as the letter truly purporteth off iniuries longe agoo begonne yet continued and here after not like to be ended excepte some good meane were vsed to staie their slanderous letters and false reportes to the vtter perishinge and lose off mennes Good names And where ye seeme to be ofended that the letter shulde call them vnlerned whiche terme oure departure a schisme yow omitt saide D. Coxe the 2. pointe whiche is off no small importaunce to whom he answered that he thought he did them a pleasure in omittinge thinges of so small value notwithstandinge he woulde obaie his will but saithe he as touchinge this worde vnlernedly it was not vnaduisedly placed For either they be withowte lerninge and therfore maie be so called in dede or yff they beare the name off lerninge yet in this they shewed their vnskilfulnes for as muche as euery departure from a congregation was not a schisme nether were anie that departed for iuste causes schismatikes as we saith he will proue vnto yow yff yow will take oure reasonable and moste equall offre Naie saithe the pastor Arbitres in this point can litle availe for be it they iudged it none yet mennes thoughts are free and we knowe that all men be not off one mynde in sacraments and predestination shulde men therfore take arbitres Also saith he maister Caluin and Bullinger are against yow To this was answered that thoughtes yff they were not grownded vpon Goddes worde were euell neither was this controuersie off like force withe the matter off the Sacraments and predestination notwithstanding woulde to God that not onely the difference in those articles but also in all other whiche be off waight and importaunce might be decided by the authoritie off Goddes worde and arbytrement off godly lerned men But men maie iustly suspecte your cause to be nought whiche refuse the iudgments off the wise and godly And where yow saie that Caluin and Bullinger are againste vs yow abuse your selff and there names for we knowe bothe what they and other wryte as touchinge this matter Then the Pastor asked what schisma was but a cuttinge off from the body and that it was Caluins definition To this Whittingham answered that he woulde vndertake firste to proue that definition to be false and secondly to be nonone off Caluins definition for yff euery cuttinge off from the body shulde be a schisme then yow and all other whiche once had sworne to the pope and now haue refused him are schismatiques Then the pastor added from a churche well reformed Answere was made that a churche well reformed muste be builded vppon the doctrine off the Prophetes and Apostles the vnitie wheroff S. Paule comprehendeth in theis wordes one god one faithe one baptisme not beggerly ceremomies and obscurations although that sundry causes besides moued them to departe Then Maister Treherren asked whither the donatists were not schismatiques Yes saith Whittingham and also heretiques but yow are deceiued yff yow thinke that they seperated them selues for ceremonies It is manifest said Treherren that the churches off Asia were excommunicate as schismatiques for that they kepte not Easter at the same time that the Romaine churche did And it is no lesse euident said Whitthingham that Ireneus and other godly men aswell off that time as sithens haue sharply reproued and condemned Pope Victor for the same Here D. Coxe put Whittingham in remembraunce that he had not answered to the faultes off the letter Whittingham tolde him that as touchinge that poore worde yff he marueled howe it coulde Minister anie cauillation seinge the text ioininge therto was so plaine whiche declarethe bothe the offences by yow geuen and by vs taken And also your consciences beare yow witnes the thinge to be moste true excepte a man will be wilfully blinde and finde a knot in a rushe so that that worde yf mente not that we do dowte who were oppressed with infinit wronges but iff they woulde dissemble so farre that they mâ—ght seeme to dowte theroff yet at the leaste they woulde abide the tryall theroff before theis Arbitres But here the disputation brake vp with this plaine and finall answere that arbitres they shuld haue none and that yff they founde themselues greued they shulde seeke remedy where they thought Good and he the Pastor withe the reste off the congregation woulde answere them The nexte daie the Pastour D. Coxe maister parry and maister Asheley sent for Whittingham Thomas Cole Iohn Fox William Kethe Roger harte Iohn Hilton with certeine other demandinge off them what shulde be the cause off their departure Whittingham made answere that the daie before they had declared sufficiently and yet woulde farther shewe reasons yff they would permit the controuersie to Arbytrement And to the intent they shulde not counterfait ignorance amonge other theis were some causes firste their breach off promes established with inuocation off goddes name 2. Their ordreles thrustinge themselues in to the churche 3. Takinge awaie the order off discipline established before their comminge and placinge no other 4. The accusasion off maister Knox their godly Minister off Treason and seekinge his bloude 5. Their
and 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
the saide sermon off the whiche no better forme in oure iudgement can be then Caluins Catechâ—sme receiued in so manye churches and translated into so manie languages â–ª yt is thought good therfore that the preacher off the saied Catechisinge sermon foâ—lowe the good order off that Catechisme in his sermons and confirme tâ—e godâ—y doctrine off the same by the scriptures and after the same sermon the common praier and seruice to be exercised and fynished as at other tymes Item that the one preacher beinge sick the other shall doo or see donne by other fit persons as is before saied all the dewtie and dewties to the other so sick belonginge Item that a lecture off diuinitie and disputations for the exercise off students yff it maie be be mainteined or ells that prophesie be vsed euery fortnight in the Englishe tong for the exercise off the saied studentes and edifinge of the congregation or bothe disputations and Prophesie also iff it so shall seeme good vnto the ministers and Seniors Item that such as shall therunto seeme moste meete off the congregation shall be appointed to translate into Englishe some such bookes as shall be profitable either for the instructioÌ„ or for the comforte off oure countrie in this oure exile and affliction off oure countrie Item that the common bookes or librarie off the churche be aâ— the appointment off the minister and the seniors in such place as all the studentes maie moste conueniently come vnto The thirde note that is Christian liffe and Good workes the frutes off godly doctrine Item we teache that such goods workes are to be done as are commaunded by Goddes worde in the scriptures such euell deedes to be auoided as are forbiden by the same And where as concerninge the frutes off godly doctrine none is more commaunded in the scriptures then the relieuinge off the poore whiche either is donne priuately by euery persone or ells by the common treasury off the churche for the good and right vse and order off the same it apearethe aswell by Goddes worde as by the examples off churches rightly reformed that bothe the keepinge vnd also the distribution off the treasure of the churche apperteineth to the Deacons who be so necessarie Ministers in the churche off Christe that withowte them it cannot well be For Christe saith yow shall haue alwaies poore men amonge yow Wherfore they ought to be honored of all men and they them selues ought to haue this opinion that they highlie please god in that ministery Wherfore we think it expedient for the churche that 4. men of speciall grauitie authoritie and credit in the churche such as off them selues be able to lyue and will do this godlie office rather for Christes sake and the loue they beare to him and his poore flock then for anie there owne necessitie or worldly rewarde be chosen to be Deacons whiche 4. Deacons shall haue the custodye off the treasure and distribution off the same and other almes off the churche remaininge in their handes and kepinge in suche sorte as it shall sâ—me good to the ministers seniors and Deacons for the moste saftie off the said treasure Item that although the Deacons haue in their custodie the treasure off the churche yet the ministers and seniors shall haue knowledge of the whole summe off the sayd treasure Prouided allwaies that neither the saied 4. Deacons ministers Seniors or anie of them shall haue anie knowledge or make anie inquisition of the geuer or geuers of anie Almes to the poore off the sayed churche otherwise then the messinger or bringer off the saied Almes shall of himselff declare to whom and as he hathe commission from the geuers so to doo but that the gyfte be receauid and knowen and the geuer and geuers names vnknowen and kept close with all possible secresie Item that the saied Deacons once in a monethe that is the last daie of euery moâ—ethe shall make there accoumpts be fore the ministers and senyors howe the saied treasures be bestowed and that all the saied companie so appointed to make the accoumpt shall note the remayns of the saied treasure at the daie and yere in the whiche every accoumpt shall be taken Item we thinke good and do decree that there beinge a schole in the saied churche seing the saied scoole is a member of the saied churche as of the whole bodie the treasure for the mayntenance and for the maintenance off the other poore also be all one and ioyned together that neither in the procuring off the saied trea sure or in the distribution theroff anie occasion off diuision emulation or contention do happen amonge them who ought to liue togither lyke bretheren and members of one bodie in all concorde coniunction and vniâ—ie otherwise the schole whiche is of it selff so worthie a member off the bodie maye by abuse cause not onely the hinderance but also the destruction off the whole body Item that in the distribution off the saied treasure a speciall regarde be had of the saied studentes that be poore first for that they be poore and againe for that they be destinate to be workmen in the lordes vinearde and so worthie members in the bodie And that as they be studious of the scriptures specially and yet with all of other liberal artes also as mynisters and handemaides to the settinge foorth off goddes worde so they maye be liberally handled and receyue goddes blessinge whiche is the liberalitie off the godlie withowt the shame and abashment as the gyft off god who geueth to all men and vpraideth no man. Item it is decreed and also the whole congregation desirethe the Deacons monthlie to visit and speake priuately with the saied studentes that be poore and other poore also and to examin their states frindly and charitablie and according to euery mannes necessitie as the treasure of the churche will beare to offre to euerie one off them with obtestation to them that yf they haue no nede theroff they receiue it not For that were nothing ells but to robbe the nedie for so shall bothe the shamefastnes of the honest and liberall natures be saued and the treasure of the churche willingly spared For he that vpon suche obtestation will not refraine to receiue that is offred when he hathe no nede will not be ashamed to begg and craue when he hath no nede and that not onely lyinge but also with periurie yf nede be Item yf anie by euident profes such as cannot be gaine saied be fouÌ„de to haue taken or vsed the treasure of the churche hauinge no nede therof that theÌ„ not onely he be exempted froÌ„ anie more partakiÌ„ge of the saied treasure til it appeere that he haue euident neede but also that he doo make therfore publique satisfaction before he be admitted to the communion Item that the Seniors and Deacons se that the poore off the congregation be not ydle but diligent in well doeinge Item that yff ther be anye off the poore sick that then foorthwith
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
For where as all the reformed churches differ amoÌ„ge them selues in diuers ceremonies and yet agree in the vnitie of doctrine we se no in conuenience if we vse some ceremonies diuers from them so that we agree in the chief points of oure religioÌ„ â–ª notwithstandinge if anie shal be intruded that shal be offensiue we vpon iuste conference and deliberation vpon the same at oure meetinge with yow in Englande whiche we truste by gods grace will be shortly wil brotherly ioine with yow to be sewters for the reformatioÌ„ and abolishinge of the same In the meane season let vs with one harte and minde cal to the almightie god that off his infinit mercie he will finishe and establishe that worke that he hathe begon in oure countrie and that we maie all louingly consent together in the earnest settinge foorthe off his truthe that god maie be knowen and exalted and his church perfectly builded vp throwgh Christe our lorde From Franckford this 3. off Ianuarie 1559. Your lovinge frinds in the name off the rest off the churche Iames Pilkâ—ngton Iohn Mullings Henry Carowe Edmond Isaac Iohn Browne Henry Knolls Frances VVilford Alexander nowell Richard Beesley Iohn Graye Christopher Brickbate An Answer brought from the congregation off Arrow by W. Kethe The Father off mercies and God off all consolation confirme increase and continewe yow allwaie in the loue off his sonne Iesus Christe our lorde PRaised be God through oure lorde Iesus Christe whiche pulled downe marie that did persecute and hathe set vpp the godly lady Elizabeth Queene off Englande to restore and maintaine there the pure preachinge off his word And for that it hathe pleased god to moue your good hartes for the furtherance off the same with godly zeele and charitable desier by your letters to shewe vnto vs your aduise and purpos and also to require oures to be returned and sent vnto yow by oure brother Kethe We doo with moste hartie thanks vnfainedly afore god certifie yow that to your counsell and conference with vs we do consent willingly concerninge your most godly requeste for that we acknowledge that the same shall be to the aduauncement off his glorie and quietnes off his churche Also we desier yow that as ofte as we maie finde hereafter anie occasion to consulte and conferre by worde or writinge that then bothe yow and we so take and seeke the same as maie be moste to our vnitie in mindes and diligence to do good in the lordes worke And farthermore for the forgettinge and puttinge awaie all occasions off offences we do likewise consente vnto your good ensample and requeste And so finallye for the preachinge or professinge off sincere doctrine so as we haue seene and lerned in the beste reformed churches we do gladly heare your aduise to be so agreable to oure purpos that we beseche yow to praie with vs that yow and all we together that be faithfull maie continewe proceade and prosper in godly zeele charitable concorde and earnest diligence to honor and serue god and to comforte and edifie his elect all times and in euery place and especially nowe in England O lord not vnto vs but vnto they name be honor and praise for euer From Arrowe this 16. off Ian. 1559. Your louinge frinds off the ministery in the in the name and by the consent of the vvhole church Thomas Leauer Robart Pownall Richard Laughorne Thomas Turpin NOwe when as W. Kethe was returned to Geneua with answer from the congregations and companies that were dispersed in sundry places off Germany and Heluetia the congregation after that they had rendred their humble thankes to the magistrates for their great goodnes towards them prepared themselues to depart sauinge certeine whiche remained behinde the reste to witt to finishe the bible and the psalmes bothe in meeter and prose whiche were already begon at the charges off suche as were off most habilitie in that congregation And with what successe those workes were finished especially the Bible I must leaue it to the Iudgementes off the godly lerned who shulde best Iudge off the same But yff that Bible be suche as no enemie off god coulde iustly finde faulte with then maie men maruell that suche a worke beinge so profitable shulde finde so small fauor as not to be printed againe Yff it be not faithfully translated then let it still finde as litle fauour as it dothe bicause off the inconueniences that a false translation bringes with it The Ministers off Geneua in an Epliste whiche they wrote before the newe Testament haue theis wordes There is nothinge more requisite to attaine the right and absolute knowledge off the doctrine off saluation wherby to resist all herisie and falshod then to haue the texte off the Scriptures faithfully and truly translated the consideration wheroff moued them with one assent as they saie in that Epistle to requeste 2. off their brethern to witt Caluin and Beza efsonnes to peruse the same notwithstandinge their former trauells Beza also in his Epistle to the prince off condy and nobles of France hathe these wordes Seinge then all theis controuersies muste be discussed by Goddes worde I suppose that this thinge ought chiefly to be prouided for that seinge all caÌ„not haue the knowledge to vnderstand the worde off God in theis peculiar languages the Hebrue and the greek whiche were to be wished that there shulde be some true and apte translation of the olde and newe testameÌ„te made the whiche diuers haue already labored to bringe to passe but yet no man hathe hitherto sufficiently performed it For the olde translation whose so euer it is although it ought not to be condemned yet is it founde bothe obscure vnperfect and superfluous and also false in many places to speake nothinge off an infinite varietie off the copies The whiche texte therfore many lerned and godly men haue labored to amende but not with like successe And yet howe necessary a thinge this is who so euer shall reade those moste lerned wryters off the gretians and shall compare their interpretations whiche are manie times farr from the purpos with the Hebrue veritie he shall confesse it with great sorowe And the same euill was not onely hurtefull amonge the latten wriâ—â—rs but also the ignorance off the greeke tonge wherwitâ— many off them were troubled whiles they did depend off the common translation they oftimes seeke a knott in a rushe accordinge to the olde prouerbe and fell into moste fowle errors This cause therfore hathe moued me to compare moste diligently the diuersitie off copies and to waie the sentences and Iudgementes off the moste parte off the lerned men specially off them that this age hathe brought foorthe skillfull in the languages who are moo in nomber dowteles and better lerned then the churche hath had sithens the time of the Apostles and so ease them some what that desier a more pure interpretation And that it might be done with more profit I haue allso added annotations in the whiche
alreadye begone And before all we doo require and with teares humbly craue that oure good and right worshipfull in the lorde the brethern off the Englishe churches all bitternes off minde set aparte whiche we surely feare after what sorte it hathe on either side forced this euell would patiently beare and suffer eche other so longe as puritie off Christian doctrine it selff and soundnes off conscience dothe remaine Willingly to obaye the Queens Maiestie who is full off compassion And all other prelates And fynally that with all concorde minds in the lorde of they manly set against SathaÌ„ who sekethe all occasion of tumulte aÌ„d infinite calamities yea although they haue not like iudgement of all sorte off prealaets at the firste for this oure writinge god is oure witnesse doth not teÌ„de to this purpos that either parte shuld vse it against other as that we shuld send it to yow as an apple of contention Although we haue concerninge theis matters declared oure Iudgements euen symplie as vppon a supposed case god is oure witnes beinge euercome withe the continuall sute off oure brethern And we ioine oure dailie praiers to the groninges off all the godlye on that side the seas that it maie please the moste mercifull god hauinge compassion on mannes frailtie to directe the Queens highenes and all the nobles off the realme off Englande Also euery prelate and fynally eche workman off this spirituall buildinge with his holy spirite moste effectuously so as the worke off the lorde so often begonne and so often staied may luckely be set forwarde to the great quietnes and concorde off all men not onely the olde staines in the docrine it self and Ecclesiasticall discipline also beinge at lenght vtterly done owte but also all monstrousnes off errors and whiche Satan newlie sekethe to bring into the churche againe driuen awaie Whiche vouchesaffe to bring to passe through his holy spirite the moste kinde father in Iesus Christe his verie sonne eternall and consubstantiall with him in whiche persones we professe one god and not diuers ought to he worshipped for euer Amen at Geneua the 24. October 1547. Your brethern in Christe to all your godlines moste assured Theodorâ—s Beza c. Remundus Caluetus Nicolaus Coladonuâ— Io. Gaiâ—gâ—aeziuâ— Io. Tremlerus Iohan â—inaldus Ge. Fauergius Car. P. â—gid Caâ—seuâ— Io. Parnilius Kuds Fauerius Vrb. Calueâ—us Slm. Golerlius Pet. Carpenteruâ— Fransc Portuâ— Cor. Barlierdâ—â— Hen. S. Abâ—â—n Dupâ—euâ— A Copie off the letter sent to the Bishopps and Pastors off Englande who haith renunced the Romaine Antichriste and professe the lorde Iesus in sinceritie The Superintendent Ministers and commissionars off charges within the Realme off Skotland To thair brethern the Bishopps and Pastors off England who haith renunced the Romaine Antechriste and do professe with theim the lord Iesus in sinceritie desire the parpetuall encrease off the holie spirite BY worde and writ it is come to our knowlâ—dge reuerend Pastors that diuers off our deerest brethern amongst whom are some off the beste lerned within that Realme are depriuâ—â— from Ecclesiasticall function and forbidden to preach and so by yow that they are staieâ— to promote the kingdome off Iesus Christe bicaus their consciences will not suffer to take vppon them at the commaundement off the authoritie such garmentes as Idolatres in time off blindes haue vseâ— in thair Idolatrie whiche brute cannot be but moste dolorous to our hartes mindfull off that sentence off the Apostel sainge yff ye byt and deuoure one an other take head leaste ye be consumit one off an other We purpose not at this present to entre into the grownd off that question whilâ—e we heare off â—ither parte to be agâ—tate with greâ—â—er vehemencie then well liketh vs to wit. Whidder that such apparell is to be coumpted amongs thinges that are simplie indifferint or not but in the bowells off lord Iesus we craue the Christian charitie maie so preuaile in yow in yow we saie the pastoris and leaders off the flock within that Realme That ye doo not to others that which yow woulde not others shulde doo to yow Ye cannot be ignorant how â—endeâ— a thinge the conscience off man is All that haue knowledge are not a like perswadet your consciences reclames not aâ— wearinge off such garmentes but many thousants both godlie and lernet are otherwise perswadet whose consciences are continually stricken with theis sentences what haith Christe Iesus to doe with beliall what feloshipp is thair betwâ—xt darknes and licâ—t yff surplese corner capp and tippet haue byn badges off ydolatres in the verie acte off their ydolatrie what haht the preachers off Christian libertie and the open rebuker off all superstition to doe with the dregges off the romishe beast Our brothern that off conscience refusse that vnprofitable apparell doo neither damne your nor molest yow that vse such vaine tryfles yf ye shall do the like to thaim we dowte not but thairin ye â—all pleese god and conforte the hartes of many whilke are wonded with extremitie which is vsed against those godly and our beloued brethern Coloure off rethorik or manlie perswasion will we vse none but charitabâ—â—â— we desire yow to call that sentence off pitie to minde feed the flock off God which which is committed to your charge caringe for them not by constranit but willingly not as though ye were lordes ouer goddis heritage but that ye maie be examples to ye flock And farder also we desier yow â—o meditate that sentence off the Apostle saing geue none offence neither to the Iewes nor to the Grecians nor to the churche off God In what condition off time ye and we bothe trauielâ— in the promoting off Christs kingdomm we suppose yow not to be ignorant And therfore we are more bolde to exhorte yow to walke more circumspectlie then that for such vanities the godly shulde be troubled For all thinges that maie seeme lawfull edifie not Yff the commaundement off authoritie vrge the conscience off yours and our brethern more then they can beere we vnfenedlye craue off yow that ye remember that ye are callit the licht off the worlde and the earthe All ciuill authoritie hath not the licht off God allwaies schinâ—â—ge before their eies in the statutes and commandements but thair affections of times sauour to muche off the earthe and off wordly wisedome And therfore we think that ye shuld baldlie oppone your selff to all pouer that will or dare extoll the selff not onely against God but also against all suche as do burthen the consciences off the faithfull farder then god hes burthenit theim by his owne worde But here in we confesse oure offence in that we haue entred farder in reasoninge then we we purposet an promiset at the beginninge And therfore we shortly returne to our former humble supplication which is that our brethern who amongs yow refuse the Romishe ragges maie finde off yow the prelatis such fauours as our heid and maister commandis euery one off his members to shewe