churche Amonge other thinges they added this that we had geuen them a cause to complaine off vs to the magistrats but that for oure sakes they worlde not do it Afterward some of them departed and sate downe in priuate mennes places neither woulde they suffer so muche as to be called by the name off pastors and Elders Then one in the name off the whole hauinge fullie shewed before that there was no iuste cause geuen theÌ„ by the churche so to forsake their ministerie did afterward in the name of the whole churche verie earnestly desier theÌ„ that they woulde not in suche manner forsake and leaue the churche that had deserued no suche thinge at their hands This was with moste eâ—rneste and effectuall wordes required off them thre or foure tymes in the name off the whole churche but they remained willfull and obstinate in their purpos not so muche as once suffringe themselues to be called by the name off pastors and elders Then at the lenght it was shewed vnto them in the name off the whole churche that the churche woulde not admit that their forsakinge of their ministerie but would stil take and esteme them for their pastor and Elders And when one in the name off the churche did accuse the pastor and Chambers to be suche as had abused the churche leauinge it and forsakinge it in suche manner withowte anie cause or reason shewed and did in the name off the churche desier them to make answere vnto him concerninge this their dede they vtterlie refused the same But horne who then was Pastor hastely takinge a penne wrote to this purpos in a pece of paper in his owne name and in the name off the elders Where as we are vrged and pressed by one in the name off the churche to make answere we generally answere that when so euer we shal be ordinarelie demaunded before the churche or them whiche the churche shall apointe we will then answere or if we shall be called before the ciuill magistrate we will ther answeare other answeare then this they woulde geue none to anie off the questioÌ„s whiche we had proposed in all oure names of the churche and they assigned this writinge by puttinge to their names where as in dede this was not onelie to answere nothinge at all but also to preteÌ„d a cloaked cause of answeringe nothinge at all Moreouer they were desired in the name of the churche that they woulde deliuer to the churche the letters signed withe their owne haÌ„des by whiche they had shewed their renounsall and denyinge of the ministerie or if they woulde not do that that theÌ„ against a certeine daie they woulde grauÌ„te and giue to the churche a coppie therof But neither woulde they geue them the letters whiche they had in their bosome neither woulde promisse any copie to the churche who moste earnestlie required the same off theÌ„ At the laste the pastor and elders departed some certeine fewe folowinge theÌ„ but the multitude remained and so farrforthe as they coulde remember committed to writinge the actes off that daie and the summe off those letters by whiche the Pastor and Elders had willingly put them selues from the ministerie aÌ„d for witnesse subscribed thereto with thirtie and there names The next daie after that is the 3. off February the Pastor and Elders beinge called off the churche by the Deacon to intreate off makinge peace they came together aÌ„d met But the Pastor and elders set them downe in priuate places Afterwardes the pastor because one speakinge in the congregation did not by and by so soone as he bad him holde his peace fayned that he woulde departe But when he perceyued that verie fewe folowed him and by some consailed he returned and suddanly placed himselff in the pastors place and called the elders to him whiche thinge before he had refused to do although he were by the whole churche verie instantly and ernestlie required therto Then he spake to this effecte we in dede saith he did displace oure selues from the ministerie not withstandinge absolutely and fullie we did it not but vnder this condition onely yff yow shulde proceade to deale in suche sorte as yow haue done against the olde aÌ„d receiued discipline Nowe then yff ye goo forwarde as yow haue appointed and purposed then will we wholie and alltogether displace oure selues from oure Ministeries but yff yow will obaie the olde discipline then will we continew pastor and elders as we are Answere was made that there was nothinge at all conteined in the olde discipline wherby they might medle with or proceed againste the pastor and elders iff parhapps they were founde faultie and in some offence Moreouer that there was nothinge put downe concerninge suche causes as in whiche the pastor and elders were an aduersarie parte and therfore it was desired that they woulde suffer the discipline in that behalff to be amended and to be made more perfect Nowe the pastor beinge offended as it shuld seeme with so free speeche woulde imÌ„ediatlie againe haue bin gone and rann euen to the churche dore but yet seinge but fewe folowinge him by the counsaile and aduise off certeine persons he returned and sat him selff downe in the pastors place with the seniors And in like sorte by and by againe vppon the suddaine he ranÌ„ for the thirde tyme but within a litle while after here turned and planted himselff in the pastors accustomed place Afterwards intretie was made with the pastor and elders in the name off the church that they would suffer Ashleis cause in whiche matter they themselues were founde at the lenght to be an aduersarie parte and the hearinge theroff to come before the churche And that the churche woulde yff Ashley were founde faultie verie sharply and seuerely punishe him and in this behalff aboundantly satisfie the pastor and Elders and all good men But the pastor and Elders would at no hande suffer that And as concerninge the amendinge off the discipline the pastor saide that he and the elders with certeine others by the authoritie off the church beinge ioined vnto them woulde yff the churche so thought good â–ª amende the discipline But answere was made vnto bothe in the name off the churche First that it was verie vniust that the churche shuld not be suffred to haue iudgement and determination For therby the authoritie and right off churche was wholie as it were taken from the churche To the seconde it was answered that sith suche ordinaunces and decrees were to be made as by whiche the Pastor and Elders shulde be hereafter deteined in dutie some off them also beinge already accused it shulde be vniuste dealing to admit them to the framinge and makinge off suche decrees And when they affirmed they would answere no other thinge and they were desired to suffer thos things to be coÌ„mitted to writinge whiche were done alreadie they woulde not agree but the pastor sayinge he was a colde made himself ready to departe aÌ„d goinge his waie a fewe folowinge him he
Senators for a place or churche wherin they and all their country men might haue gods worde truly preached and the Sacraments sincerely ministred in their naturall tonge who ientlie promised his furtherance and that he also woulde move the whole Senate theroff the whiche he did accordingly And the 14. daie off the same monethe yt was graunted that they shulde haue libertie to preache and minister the Sacraments in that churche which the freÌ„che men had the freÌ„che one daie and the Englishe an other daie and vpoÌ„ the Sundaie to chuse also theÌ„ houres as they coulde agree amonge them selues but yt was with this commandement that the Englishe shulde not discent from the frenchmen in doctrine or ceremonyes least they shulde thereby minister occasion off offence and willed farther that before they entred their churche they shulde approue and subscribe the same confession off faith that the frenche men had then presented and abowte to put in printe to the whiche all the afore named and others whiche were by this time come thither did subscribe When the churche was in this sorte graunted they consulted amonge themselues what order off seruice they shulde vse for they were not so stricly bownde as was tolde them to the ceremonies off the frenche by the Magistrats but that iff the one allowed off the other it was sufficient At lenght the englishe order was perused and this by generall consente was concluded that the answeringe alowde after the Minister shulde not be vsed the letanye surplice and many other thinges also omitted for that in those reformed churches suche thinges woulde seeme more then strange It was farther agreed vppon that the Minister in place off the Englishe Confession shulde vse an other bothe off more effecte and also framed accordinge to the state and time And the same ended the people to singe a psalme in meetre in a plaine tune as was and is accustomed in the frenche dutche Italian Spanishe and Skottishe churches that don the minister to praye for â—hassistance off gods holie spirite and so to proceade to the sermon After the sermon a generall praier for all estates and for oure countrie of Englande was also deuised at th ende off whiche praier was ioined the lords praier and a rehersall off tharticâ—es off oure belieff whiche ended the people to singe and other psalme as afore Then the minister pronouncinge his blessinge The peace off god c. or some other off like effecte the people to departe And as touchinge the ministration off the Sacraments sundrie things were also by common consente omâ—tted as superstiâ—ious and superfluous After that the congregation had thus concluded and agreed and had chosen their minister and Deacons to serue for a time they entred their churche the 29. off the same monethe Then was it thought good amonge themselues that forthwith they shulde aduertise their countrie men and betheren dispersed off this singuler benefit the like wheroff coulde nowhere else as yet be obtained and to perswade hem all worldly respectes put aparte to repaier thither that they might altogether with one mouthe and one harte bothe lameÌ„te their foremer wickednes and also be thankfull to their mercifull father that had geuen them suche a churche in a strange lande wherein they might heare gods worde truly preached the Sacraments rightly ministred and Discipline vsed which in their owne countrie coulde neuer be obtained And to this effecte were letters directed to Strausburgh Zurick Densbrugh and Emden in the 2. off Auguste And for that it was thought the churche coulde not longe contynewe in good order withowte discipline there was also a brieff forme deuised declaringe the necessitie the causes and the order theroff wherunto all those that were present subscribed shewinge therby that they were ready and willinge to submitt themselues to the same accordinge to the rule prescribed in gods holie word at whiche time it was determined by the congregation that all suche as shulde come after shulde doo the like before they were admitted as members off that churche Here followethe the generall letter sente from the congregation off Franckforde to Strausbourge Zurick Wezeil Emden c. Grace mercy and peace in Christ our Lord c. We dowte not dearely beloued but yow haue harde aswell by letter as by reporte off the excellent graces and mercy whiche oure good god and heauenly father hathe shewed vnto oure litle congregation in this citie off Franckford for that he hathe not onely made the Magistrats and commons very fauorable towards vs and louinge but also hathe geuen them hartes with muche compassion to tender vs in so muche that euerie man helpethe vs no man is againste vs muche loue no grudge glad to please lothe to annoie vs yea and to declare this good will not to be off the meane sorte nor so small as oure brethern haue felte otherwere they haue graunted that thinge whiche amonge others and in other cities we coulde not obtaine nor durste allmoste hope for For what greater treasure or sweeter comforte can a Christian man desier then to haue a churche wherin he maie serue god in puritie off faithe and integritie off lyfe whiche thinge yff we wishe for let vs not refuse it seinge where we woulde we coulde not there obtaine it And here yet it is graunted in so ample wise that beinge subiecte to no blemishe no nor so muche as the euell off suspition froÌ„ the whiche fewe churches are free we maie preache minister and vse Discipline to the true settinge forthe off gods glorie and good ensample to others And for our partes we haue not bene negligente as touchinge the execution off the sayed benefit graunted For the 29. of Iuly we had god be thanked â— sermons to oure singuler comforte and great ioye off all godly men heere Wherfore brethern seinge your haue indured the paine off persecution with vs we thought it likewise oure dewties to make your partakers off oure consolation that altogether we maie geue thanks to oure louinge father who is more tender ouer vs then the mother ouer hir childe nether suffreth vs to be temped aboue that we maie beare but euen to the issue off the tentation geuethe prosperous successe trustinge by gods grace that he whiche hathe geuen yow that gifte not onely to beleue in Christe but also to suffer for his sake will so directe your hartes that no respecte off commoditie there nor yet feare of burthen here maie once moue yow to shrink from your vocatioÌ„ whiche is in one faithe one ministration one tonge and one consente to serue god in his churche What more manifeste signe what plainer declaration what worde more expresse and lyuely can we haue off dewtie and vocation theâ— when god speakethe in oure hartes by faithe guidethe vs owte off perille throughe his grace and nowe laste of all offrethe vs a restinge place of his exceading mercy Yow remeÌ„ber that before we haue reasoned together in hope to obtaine a churche and shall we nowe drawe
dissipation And woulde to god the slaunder were not allready to our great grieff in sundry places scattered in so muche that in Englande manie take occasion to remaine in their filthe And some thinke they maye dissemble vntill a churche oâ— confirmed perceauinge that this our scatteringe augmentethe the griefe of persecution and so throughe our negligeÌ„ce we leese them for whom Christe died Consider brethren it is gods cause he requirethe yow it is your dewtie necessitie vrgethe time willethe your father speakethe children muste obeie oure enemies are diligente and the aduersary is at hande Almightie god graunt for his sonnes sake that we maie rightly ponder the maâ—ter followe oure callinge serue â—he turne heare the speaker walke in obedience and resist oure enemies We desier yow all take this in good parte seinge we haue written nothinge but what charitie did indite and that whiche we truste and wishe yow woulde haue don to vs in case like From Franckford this 2. off August 1554. Your louynge brethern Iohn Stanton Iohn Makebray VVilliam VVilliams VVilliam VVittingham VVilliam Hammon Thomas VVood. Mighell Gill. SHortlye after the lerned men off Strausbrough answered to this generall letter before mentioned in this sorte That they had considered the contentes theroff and perceiued that the effecte was no other but to haue one or two take the chieff charge and gouernaunce off the congregation And that in case they might get D. poinet Maister Scory D. Bale or D. Cox or two off them they shulde be well furnished yff not they woulde appointe one at Strausbrough and an other shuld come from Zurick to serue the turne at whiche tyme master Grindall wrote to master Scory at Emden perswadinge him to be Superintendent off this churche off Frankf who in 2. seuerall letters to his priuate frinds offred his seruise to the congregation but before the receipte theroff the congregation had writteÌ„ their letters to maister Knox at Geneua to master Haddon at Strausb and master Leuer at Zurick whom they had elected for their ministers and aduertised master Scory by a generall letter off the same Nowe when the answere that came from Strausbrough was read and compared withe the letter written vnto them it did not in anie pointe answere it â–ª For the congregation wrote not particulerly for anie certeine nomber but generally wishinge all mens presence nether did they require to haue anye superintendent to take the chieff charge and gouernement for the choise and election theroff yff suche a one had bene necessary ought to haue byn reserued to the congregation whiche fully determined at that tyme to haue the churche gouerned by 2 or 3. graue godly and lerned Ministers off like authoritie as is accustomed in the beste reformed churches The â—1 off October the Students off Zurick wrote also an answere to the generall letters afore saied in this wise The grace and peace off God the Father and off our Lorde Iesus Christe be vvith your all Amen AS God by his singuler prouidence hathe wonderfully blessed vs aswell in mouinge the hartes off the Senators and ministers here to lament oure state fauor and aid vs in oure requests as also in geuinge happie successe for all kinde off prouision to oure vse and behoufe So he well knowethe that we no other wise esteeme the same then maie stande withe his glory oure professioÌ„ and the comforte off his afflicted churche but dailie labor in the knowledge off his worde to thintent that when god oure mercifull father shall so think good we maie be bothe faithfull and skilfull dispensers theroff And as runninge in the sweete race off oure vocation ye haue ernestly written vnto vs for to repaier thyther burtheninge vs so sore with your necessitie that ye think our shrinking back in this behalff shulde argue want off charitie keepe manie in Englande still whiche else would willingly come foorth and shewe oure selues careles off that congregation wwhose edefyinge and winninge to Christe we onely pretend to seeke These are great causes but touchinge vs nether so truly obiected so firmely grounded nor yet so aptlie applied but that as sounde reasons on our partes might fully answere the same Yet notwithstanding in as muche as yow appeale to our consciences whiche in the daie off the Lorde shall accuse or excuse vs in this thinge and all other we will not vtterlie deny your requests but shewe oure selues as ready to seeke gods glorie and the increase off his kingdome other there or elsewhere to the vttermoste off oure powers as euer we did pretende to do requiringe yow all in the name and feare off god that as we all respects set aparte and vnfainedly trauelinge in the necessary knowledge off Christe to the profit off his churche here after refuse not for your nedie comforte to accomplishe your desyres So ye will not interrupte oure studies vrge oure remouinge and bringe vs thither feelinge here aâ—lreadie the exceadinge goodnesse off god towardes vs vnlesse ye thinke and that before god that oure absence on th one parte shulde greatly hinder and oure presence one the other side verie muche further your godly attemps alreadye begonne for the furnishinge off that churche so happely obtained to all oure comfortes for the whiche in oure dailie prayers we geue god moste hartie and humble thankes Yff by this doinge ye geue occasion to breake oure godlie feloshippe to hurte our studies to dissolue oure exercises and vtterly to euerte our godly purposes ye haue to answere euen vnto him whiche is a faithfull and a iuste Iudge and will geue to euerie man accordinge to his dedes Wherfore deare brethern in consideration that we be all not onely off one nation but also members off one misticall body in Iesus Christe our head and ought therfore especially in this time off exile and moste worthely deserued crosse by all means possible one to aide and comforte an other besechinge god for his mercies sake to asswage his wrathe to geue vs repentinge hartes and patient continuance to our brethern at home with pity to beholde his vineiarde there miserablie spoiled and trodden vnder foote and to call vs home after his fatherly chastisemente eftsones frutefully to worke in the same we briefly make this answere Yff vppon the receipte here off ye shall withowte cloke or forged pretence But onely to seke Christe aduertise vs by your letters that our beinge there is so needfull as ye haue alreadie signified and that we maie altogether serue and praise god as freely and as vprightly wheroff pryuate letters receiued lately from Franckf make vs muche â—o dowte as the order laste taken in the churche of England permittethe and perscribethe for we are fully determined to admitt and vse no other then abowt easter nexte for afore we cannot god prosperinge vs and no iuste cause or occasion to the contrary growinge in the meane time wherby our intente maie be defeated with one consente we agree to ioine oure selues vnto yow and moste willinglie to doo suche seruise there
as oure poore condition and callinge dothe permit In the meane space we shall moste intirely beseche almightie God so to assiste yow withe his holy spirit that your doings maie helpe to confounde papistrie set forthe gods glorie and shewe suche light in the face off the worlde that bâ—othe the wicked maie be ashamed hauinge no iuste cause off reproche and also oure weake brethern confirmed and woone to the truthe From Zurick this 13. off October â—554 Your louing frinds Robart Horne Richard Chambers Thomas Leuer Nicholas Karuile Iohn Mullingâ— Thomas Spencer Thomas Bentham VVilliam Cole Iohn Parkhuste Roger Kelbe Robart Beamont Laurence Humphry Henry Cockrafft Iohn Pretio Abowte this tyme Letters were receyued from maister Haddon Wherin he desired for diuers considerations to be excused for comminge to take the charge vppon him at Franckford The 24. off October came maister Whitheaâ— to Franckford and at the requeste off the congregation he tooke the charge for a time and preached vppon the Epistle to the Romains Abowte the 4. off Nouember came Maister Châ—mbres to Franckford with letters from Zurick whiche were partlie an answere to an other letter written vnto them from Franckforde the 26. off September whiche was as followithe Grace mercy and peace c. AFter longe hope off Your answere to our letter we thought it good to put you once againe in remembraunc And as we in our former so nowe in theis also in gods behalff moste ernestly require yow deeplie to waie this matter off gods callinge and the necessitie off this congregation We haâ—e throughly lerned your estate and also made yow priuie to oures â–ª and eftsonnes wishe we might be together to bewaile our synnes paste to praie together for oure poore brethern that are vnder Antechristes captiuitie to comforte instructe and profit one an other And finally to bestowe the time off oure persecution together and redeeme theis daies whiche are so euell And iff anye desier off knowledge staye yow certenly it woulde not be so litle increased here that yow shulde iustâ—y repent For as touchinge the companie off lerned men as yow cannot bere be withowte so that thinge whiche chiefly your can require of lerned mens IudgmeÌ„ts and knowledge owte off their workes your maie suck moste plentifully wherof with vs yow can lake no store We nede not brethern to make loÌ„ge discouse in reasoninge â–ª for we partlie knowe that gods spirit whiche workethe in your hartes shall preuaile withe yow more theÌ„ disputinge not dowtiÌ„ge but the same holie spirit knocketh at the dore off your coÌ„scieÌ„ces not only to moue yow of oure behalffs but to admonishe yow to auoide the incoÌ„ueniences of talkes and the offences of oure poore brethern of Englande whose marueilinge cannot otherwise be satisfied Remember therfore dearly beloued that we wryte as bretheren to oure deare brethern who altogether seeke oure fathers honor oure owne discharge and the comforte off oure afflicted countrie men The same sweete father graunt for his Christs sake that we maie assemble together to the buildinge off this his Temple to let the false workemen and vnderminers and diligently in our vocation to helpe to the furnishinge off the same till it rise to perfection Fâ—â— ye well in Christe From Franckford this 16. off Septemb. 1â—54 Your louinge frinds as in the letter afore so vnder this subscribed The answere to them off Franckford was as foloweth WE beinge placed here in quietnes with many and great commodities for oure studies tendinge all to edification off Christes churche haue vnto the earneste requests off your letters vnto vs answered in our letters vâ—to yow that to discharge all dewtie in conscience and to increase and instructe your congregation at Franckford withe oure presence and diligence wilt noâ— deny to remoue from hence vnto yow so that yow charged off conscience do constantly affirme that ye haue so great neede off vs as by letters was signified and certeinly assure vs that we with yow maie and shall vse the same order off seruice concerninge religion whiche was in Englande laste set forthe by kinge Edward And nowe also for the better vnderstaÌ„ding off suche requests and charitable performance of dewtâ—e vpon bothe partes desired and procured Maâ—ster Richard Chambers our beste frinde a man moste charitable and câ—refull for the Christian congregation to take pains to trauell vnto yow and wiâ—he yow for vs so that this matter as it is begon and moued in writingâ— maie be fully debated and concluded by his faithfull means and diligence For we be all agreed and do purpose to allowe and performe what so euer he shall saie and promes in oure names vnto yow Wherfore we beseche yow in Goddes name conscionably to consider the estate and condition bothe off yow and vs and iff there vppon yow conclude withe the saied master Chambers off oure comminge vnto yow then let him not lack your charitable helpe in necessary prouision for our continuance withe yow And thus besechinge god that your doings maie tende to his glorie and the spedy comforte off his afflicted churche we wishe yow all helthe and increase off true knowledge in Christe our lord and sauiour From Zurick this â—7 off October Anno 1554. Your lovinge frinds as in the letters before When Maister Chambers had conferred with the congregation and sawe that they coulde not assure him the â—uâ—â— vse off the Englishe booke withowte the hazardinge oâ—f their churche he prepared to departe from whens he came and by this time was Maister Knox come from Geneua and chosen minister vppon the receipte off a letter sent him from the congregation whiche letter was as folowethe WE haue receiued letters from oure brethern off Strausbrough but not in suche sorte and ample wise as we looked for wheruppon we assembled together in the B. Goaste we hope and haue with one voice and consent chosen yow so partâ—culerly to be one off the Ministers off our congregation here to preache vnto vs the moste liuely worde off God accordinge to the gift that God haâ—he geuen yow for as muche as we haue here throughe the mercifull goodnes off God a churche to be congregated together in the name off Christe and be all of one body and also beinge of one natioÌ„ tonge and countrie And at this presente hauinge neede off suche a one as yow we do desier yow and also require yow in the name off God not to deny vs not to refuse theis oure requests but that yow will aide helpe and assiste vs with your presence in this our Good and godlie entreprise whiche we haue take in hand to the glorie off god and the profit off his congregation and the poore sheâ—pe off Christ dispersed abroad who withe your and like presences woulde come hither and be of one folde where as nowe they wander abroad as loste sheepe withowte anie gide we mistruste not but that yow will ioâ—fully accepte this callinge Fare ye well from Franckford this 24. off September Your louinge brethern Iohn
pronownced that he dissolued the assemblie But the companie that taried in the churche and wrote the doings of that daie by their decree and appointed 8. men to amend the discipline and Afterward to offre it the churche to be seene of theÌ„ did also apointe other 8. men of whiche 8. three allwaies stuck the pastor arbitres and iudges to decide the cause betweene the pastor and elders aÌ„d Ashley Theis are their names maister Railton maister Warcope M. Kelke M. faulconer M. Bentham M. Cockroft M. Carell and M. Wison Three off theis were addicted the to pastor but M. Bentham and M. Kelke alwais shewed themselues indifferent and equall to bothe sides From that time forwarde the pastor and elders and certaine others beinge often times called of the churche by the Deacons and certeine other to intreate of making peace and agrement would neuer apeere or be present Morouer the pastor and the Deacons and certaine painefull poore men ceased bothe from preachinge and also the Ecclesiasticall lectures and other ordinary functions and charges whiche they ought to haue executed neither woulde they come to solemne and publick praiers in the churche notwithstanding the churche yet thorough Gods fauour obserued bothe publike praiers sermons and Ecclesiasticall lectures and all other things accustomed and minded to keepe them so longe as the godlie Magistrats shulde suffer and graunt the same And no other matter did so muche spread abroad throughowt the citie as the fame and reporte off oure striffes and as the dede off maister Horne and Maister Chambers For when they off themselues had forsaken the churche and had by their example stirred vp some other with their families to do the like and some off theis nowe frequented and went partely to the frenche churche and partly to the Germanie churches the matter nowe coulde not anie longer be hyd and in secret seinge it was published and knowen not thorowe the citie alone but the fame theroff ranÌ„ to other strangers also â–ª whiche matter and busines withe their brethern woulde to God they had chosen rather to haue had it ended quietlie and peaceablie in their owne churche then in such troblesome sorte to haue consulted so greatly bothe to their owne dishonestie and oures The fourth daie off Februarie which was Thursdaie and appointed for publick praier the pastor who that daie shuld haue preached and all the Elders were absent Nowe the pastor beinge before by the Deacon desired in the name off the churche that either he himselff would preache or apoint some other in his place made answere that neither woulde he preach him selff nor apointe anie other For that matter did nothinge at all belong vnto him After praiers were ended some there were that disputed and reasoned in the pastors behalff and saide that that assemblie whiche remained after the pastors departure in as muche as he had authoritie to call together the churche and to breake vp the assemblie and he goinge his waie saide that he brake vp that assemblie was no lawfull assemblie To whom it was in the name off the churche answered that Maister Horne had put owte himselff from his pastorall dewtie and therfore both for that matter and manie other recited before amonge the Act. of the 2. daie of Feb. he had not anie authoritie or any maÌ„ner of right either to gather together or to break vp the assemblie And although it were graunted that he were their lawfull pastor yet it was affirmed that the churche was aboue the pastor and not the pastor aboue the churche aÌ„d that therfore thowghe the pastor departed before the actes off that daie were confirmed and pronounced that he brake vp the assemblye yet was the assemblie whiche remained aÌ„d taried behind a lawfull assemblie aÌ„d had authoritie to make effectuall decrees by whiche they might binde all aÌ„d euery meÌ„ber of the churche with owte exception And that this question whither the pope was aboue the churche or the churche aboue the pope was stirred vp in the councelles off constance and Basill and vvas decided also by the authoritie off the schole off parise ioyned therto Nowe they whiche reasoned in the pastors behalff did seeme by the space off certein daies after to approue thes 2. councells for they placed the pastor aboue the churche They brought foorth openly all the olde store and howsholde stuffe of Pighius and Eckius of the primacie of the pope vnder the name off the Pastorall authoritie and for the proffe theroff The actes and disputations off that daie were in testimonie signed and confirmed vvith two and thirtie names The 5. off Februa Maister horne and the seniors beinge required off the congregaâ—ion by a deacon to come and treate off reconciliation woulde not appeare After this there were 3. Messengers sente from the congregation vnto them off whom one was to be specially reuerenced off all that be off the congregation bothe for his age and grauitie the otherâ— specially well lerned to the intent they shuld be moued by theis so honest a company off Messengers sent by the congregation Theis men wheÌ„ they had in the churches name instantly desired and praied them that they woulde come to the congregation and there common brotherly amonge themselues for a quyete agrement to be had so as the matter might not come to the magistrates eares nor be bruted anie farther abroade to the great infamie of oure nation coulde do no good with them at all for they saide they woulde not come vnlesse they were ordinarily called As for other answere at that present they would make none When this answere was declared to the congregation it was determined that for asmuche as R Horne had openly put himself owte off his pastorshipp by writinge subscribed with his owne hand and confirmed the same by wordes and deedes in loÌ„ge absteining from preachinge and other pastorall functions and affirminge that suche matters were no point off his charge In as muche as now beinge called of the churche he will not appere and so absteinethe all together from publicke praiers and all Ecclesiasticall meetiÌ„gs And for asmuche also as the Seniors come not at the meetings of the churche leaste the congregation thorough the forwardnes of the saied Robart Horne and absence off the Seniors beinge voide and destitute off common praier preachinge and readinge the scriptures shulde be vtterly dissolued that certein men shuld take charge off the churche and for all things to be done in the congregation as it hathe by Gods goodnesse byn yet hitherto done other decrees also whiche are specified in the Acts off the â— daie off Februa they established all whiche everie one that was present confirmed by his name subscribed with his owne hande as they were wont to do in other actes and decrees And to the decrees off that daie subscribed 33. hands But in this behaâ—ff bothe maister Horne and maister Chambers and other in their behalf did finde verie muche faulte with vs for that we had proceaded vnordinarilie that is yow
suche names as be in the congregation and such as shall be here after admitted to be wriâ—ten in the same Item that mariages Christenings and burialls with the daye and yere theroff be registred in the same booke Item for the auoyding all controuersyes that hereafter maye happen it is ordeined that all testamentes and willes made by any off oure nation dyinge in this congregation shall be brought foorthe and exhibited to the Seniors off this congregaâ—ion for the tyme being for a perpetuall testimonye off the truthe in that behalff Item that bicause all mennes doinges be vncerteine and changeable the discipline and orders off the churche shal be read openly once euery quarter and warninge theroff before shall be geuen to the whole congregation bothe that euerie member therof maye knowe their dewtie and that euerie man maye with librrtie quietly speak his minde for the chaunging and amending of it or anye parte therof according to goddes worde and the same exhibited in writinge with the arguments and reasons off that his requeste The names off suche as subscribed to this discipline and were off the churche THomas Crawley Christopher Hales Thomas Ashley Edmond Oldsworth Edmonde Sutton Thomas Acworth Richard Alvaie VValter Franck Richard Leâ—ler Richard Mason Richarde Beâ—sley Richard Nagoâ—â— Robart beste Henry Reignoldes Perciuall Harrington Richard Porter Magnus Elyot Henry Perryus Iohn Browne Dauid VVhitthead Iohn Mullins Iohn Pedder Iohn Hales Gre. Railton Alexander nowell Iohn VVilford Iohn Fauconer Thomas Serbis Thomas VVilsoâ— Iohn Bedell Iohn Olde Iames Peers Thomas Sandes Edward Parpoint Thomas VValker Iohn Kelke Thomas VVatts Leonarde parry Robarte Crowley VVilliam Master Laurance Kent Thomas Knolle Peter sade Iohn Vates VVilliam Raulinges Thomas VVater Thomas VVillobie Edmond Tomson Richard Luddington Thomas oldsworthe Edmond Harries Philipp Adishe Gawin dixson Iohn Geoffrie Anthony Donningâ— Edward Colton Iohn Turpin The 21. off December 1557. theis were added to the churche Sir Frances Knolls Edward Boyes Iohn Browne Frances VVilforde Thomas Knot Thomas Donnell Arthure Saule Richard Sandell Robart Ioyner Henry VVood Richard Lynbroâ—ghe Ralfe Selye Henry Knolls Thomas VVilford VVilliam Dauage Reignolde Baker Robarte Hodgston Iohn Penteny Mighell Coke Thomas Tod Chamber Alaxender Nowell Iohn Ade Thomas Bagster Daniell Rogers Now that yow haue harde bothe the olde discipline and that whiche was by the authoritie off the magistrate deuised order requireth that I place here the reasons whiche Maister Horne and the rest off his side brought against the newe discipline established And to the ende this volume shuld not excede measure in greatnes I think it expedient to do here as I haue done allready and minde to do through owt the whole story whiche is off a leafâ— to take as I might saie a lyâ—e or two as one lothe too weary yow sith a taste maie suffice To the 7. Article off the newe Discipline To the Article off 2. Minâ—sters off like charge and authoritie we think we haue good â—easons to require that there be no moo in the speciall burthen and charge pastorall then one to whom the others ioyned with him for preachinge off the worde and ministringe the Sacraments shall not in cure and charge gouernment and preheminence be in all respectes coequall The Reasons Firste the scripture speakinge or treatinge of the office of a Bishopp or minister so speakethe as it were to be presupposed and as an order receiued that one shuld in cure and charge be burthened aboue other and in gouernement for order sake in preheminence Item the expositions off all auncient Authors and Wryters vpon the scripturs that toucheth that matter do alltogether as they secure to gather owte off the texte conclude declare and teache one Minister or pastor in respectes aforesayde preferred and charged aboue other and thus dothe the newe also Item this order off one in cure charge and gouernement preferred haue all the churches to be red off planted by the Apostels and all others in the primatiue churche obserued whose examples off vs are not to be neglected Item like as good reason off it selff forceth and concludeth so all good autors bothe newe and olde doo freely teache that for conseruation off vnitie and concorde and for auoidinge off schismes and discorde it is requisite and necessarie that a prerogatiue and preheminence for cure charge and gouernemente be committed and geuen to some one to be as it is afore saide charged aboue others Item all the reformed churches off Germany for the moste parte be off that iudgement and therfore obserue that order Item yff Nicene councell decreed and ordered for good order sake that one Bishopp and not many shulde be appoynted to euerye one cytie howe more is it off necessitie for order sake that one litle flocke shulde be content with one Item who is ignorant off this that for the moste parte wher not one but rather two muste haue the especiall cure and charge there commonly thinges be moste negligentlye done and not so muche regarded and cared for as otherwise they woulde be The answer off the churche touchinge this 7. Article to the reasons off the dissenting brethern We se not by the scriptures that anie authoritie is geuen to anie one aboue others but rather to the contrary As concerninge olde wryters we knowe that Ierome expresly declarethe that in the beginninge the churche was ruled equally by manie But after when schismes began to springe the chiefe authoritie was geuen to one for authorities sake and by mannes ordinaunce rather then by deuine authoritie wherfore we coÌ„clude that as for schismes the firste order of many was left aÌ„d one chiefe apointed So nowe for the auoidinge of tyraÌ„nie a worse euell in the churche then schismes whiche as apearethe by the Bishop of Rome is grownded vppon one we thinke it good to returne to the firste order off two or moo equall ministers accordinge to the institution off the Apostells as Saint Ierome teacheth And that those lerned men who do moste earnestly maintaine the gouernment off one confesse that vntill the tyme off Dionysius who was after Christe 300. yeres and more the Regimente was equally committed to manye And as for the newe there be examples off the beste churche to the contrary And Maister Caluin in the 8. Chap. off his Institutions the 42. and 52. dyuisions Declarethe expresly that there were From the beginninge more Ministers off the worde and that it is but off mannes ordinaunce that one was afterwarde made chieff That is alleadged off the reformed churches in Germany the multitude ought to serue no more for one then the best reformed churches for two ministers off the worde As concerninge Nicene councell it is before answered and in that they decreed there shulde be but one it consequenquently folowithe that before the saide decree there were many And iff those godly fathers were nowe lyuinge and did se how Antechriste is established vppon one they woulde more gladly returne to the firste order off many equall for the
auoidinge off that moste horrible mischieff As they then did for the auoidinge off Schismes appointe euery citie one Negligence is no more in two then one habilitie off welldoinge thinges is more in two then in one And siknesse beinge so riffe in this citye it is as muche as 2. can well doo and one maie be sicke And one maie wil fully and suddenly leaue his flocke Wherfore two be necessary ells in the suddaine sicknes off one onelie Minister when manie other be sike also dewe visitation off the sike is not well seene to and preachinge omitted as it hathe chauÌ„ced in oure churche yea and although we haue many And therfore reason tellethe vs that it is expedient to haue two rather then one Horne c. Vpon the 8. Artic. Item where it is prouided that the Ministers shall by themselues or their deputies disharge the sermons and other their dueties when necessarie case shall so requyre we saye it is superfluous for a necessarie cause nedethe not to be prouided for by lawe besides that the alowinge off deputies by lawe made for that purpose openethe a windowe off negligence to the ministers in the executinge off their office Whitthead c. A lawe dothe well prouide that suche maye be in a redynes whiche shall serue in necessitie It is prouided in manye cities by a lawe that in dreade off fier euerie man haue a bucket off water at his dore whiche is a thinge necessarie And vniuersally the multitude off good lawes be grownded vppon causes necessarye Wherfore we think that position that necessarie causes nede not to be prouided for by a lawe ought to be taken for no lawe and where it is alleadged that it openethe a windowe off negligence to the Ministers it is not so for the appointemente off those deputies apperteinethe more to the Seniors them to the Ministers by oure discipline Horne c. Artic. 10. Item in the Article of Catechisme we think it is superfluous and tedious to haue 2. Catechismes in one after noone And also think that Maister Caluins Catechisme ought to be vsed no otherwise with vs then it is in Caluins churche that alloweth and vseth the same Whithead c. The first Catechisme is onely ordred for the children and is but an examination and apposinge off them The other is not onely for children but for all the congregation c. Now for so muche as the reasons and answers are verye long and yet some off them repeated in Maister Hornes obiections to the discipline whiche he offred vpp to the Magistrate I will here passe them ouer and come to the saied obiections and the answers off the church to the same Horne and the rest off his side to the Magistrate WE come to that nowe right honorable S. whiche we were charged to doo by your commaundment and appointement that for as much as for the apeasinge and finall puttinge awaie off the contention betweene vs and oure brethern we shulde shewe why we dissente from them and cannot proceade in the same passage and waye that they doo We shall so open vnto yow oure defence and cause euen as we desier to be iustified bothe in oure coÌ„sciences and before god Howbeit we are verye sory that your H. Hathe lymâ—ted vs so shorte tyme so as in a cause whiche for the waightines aÌ„d difficultie off it ought to be debated vppon with more leasure and verie manye thinges to be wayed to and fro we muste off force in a manner holde oure peace and say nothing But oure truste is that your H. will heareafter remedy this displeasure in grauntinge vs longer tyme that we maye more amplie hereafter confirme oure cause whiche we are forced to set foorthe naked and with owte anie defence at all whiche we will moste gladly doo and desier that we maie freely be permitted to doo This is the thinge that we often sought for when we consulted amonge oure brethern for the correctinge and amendinge off oure discipline that as longe as the matter and cause was in consultation we might so longe polishe and finishe more at large that was alleadged to adde vnto all oure sentences before the sentences brought in and to strike owte and take awaie from them yff ought semed worthie to be taken awaie albeit any thinge were put in as firme and established by oure subscription Whiche thinge we nowe eftsonnes desier moste earnestly at your H. Handes that for as muche as nothinge is yet concluded and determined by your H. there be no such preiudice obiected vnto oure cause but that we maye confirme all oure allegations with firme and available argumentes And in deede seinge we muste nowe intreate in order off those thinges whiche we reprehende and condemne in oure bretherns made Discipline This we first reprehend vniuersally that any other alteration or innouation off thinges shuld be in oure affaiers then suche as serue onely to the correctinge and amendinge off that Discipline whiche hathe byn heretofore receaued and vsed in oure churche Wherin we will seeme also somewhat to satisfie oure bretherns curious mindes This we saie bicause there is almoste nothinge that we think is to be innouated with suche poste haste and in dede there are many and waightie causes whiche do alltogether pull vs backe from theis innouations and byd vs stick still to oure olde discipline and not for the pleasure off some men and contrary also to your commaundement geuen for the amendinge and not for the makinge off any newe Discipline to contemne and caste away that whiche so many haue alowed Whithead and the rest off that side anwere in this wise We had purposed right honorable ad righteous Magistrates as we also signified vnto your honours to haue made no answere at all vnto theis vnbrotherly reproches off Maister Horne and Maister Chambers for they are the onely Authors theroff in as muche as they be vnworthy to be answered vnto seinge they haue no sure grownds but baâ—e assertions onely whiche are as easilie denied as affirmed And besides that Maister Horne saide openly in the hearinge off all his complyces before Maister Bartue D. Cox and D. Sandes arbytres appointed by your authoritie that he was not desyrous that we shulde answere wherin indede he was not altogether a foole For he knewe well ynough howe fond geare he had written and would beare awaie this bragg the while not as though we woulde not but coulde not answere so light accusations Whiche petit bragg Wherin he so muche deliteth we woulde haue byn content to haue spared him had not your authoritie who thought it meete for vs in anie wise to make answere come betweene And in case Maister Horne and Maister Chambers shall reade some thinges here in oure answere that they woulde not let them remember that they haue driuen vs to it in that they haue blustred owte in wrytinge so vnworthie matters and that so falsely off suche a multitude off their banished countrie men for they Forgettinge all humanitie and Good
and then thorough other cities off Germany And last off all when they wolde not come to the churche in the marte time but by the Magistrates commaundement neither coulde they then be quiet they spreed the like rumours almoste throughowt all Europe And when they haue plaied theis prancks themselues they charge vs with their owne faultes and go abowte to laie the infamie vppon vs whiche they themselues haue stirred vp Iff yow shall crie owte that olde matters are rehersed by this meanes yow ought to haue abstained from prouokinge vs hereunto neither to haue mentioned offences committed olde subscriptions ne yet to haue called vs vs backe thus to the olde discipline the fountaine off all contentions The names subscribed to the obiections with a postscripte Robart Horne Edwarde Isaac Richard Chambers Christopher Brickbeck Anthonie Mahewe Richard Dauids Cutbert warcope Robart Harrington Iohn Binkes Iohn Escot Nicholas caruâ—â—â— Iohn Machet The reste off oure consentinge brethern we coulde not call together vnto this subscribinge by reason off shortnes of time whose names shall be put afterward hauinge your H. licences therto The answere to the postscripte Where they complaine off shortnes of time in the ende as they did in the beginninge and that they could not by reasen therof cal their coÌ„sentinge brethern together to the subscribinge What meaneth that For where they haue set to the names off them whiche dwell most farr asunder and haue left owte almost none but the names off their owne seruants whom they haue allwaies at a becke yet they could not call the rest off their brethern together forsoothe to the intent they might by this shift make a shewe to suche as knowe not the matter off some multitude off men off some estimation whiche are leste owte And they desier also as in a matter off waight that they maye set too the names off the others afterwardes And as here in the ende they vaunte a certeine shewe of some great multitude that will subscribe Euen so in the beginninge and in many other places of their booke they make a great bragge as though they would exhibite some notable matter to the magistrate so they maie haue time ynough geuen them to bethink themselues But maister Horne and maister Chambers shall with theis their mightie and great promisses bothe off subscriptions declarations and confirmations bringâ— to passe as good as nothinge But yet this they are desirous to bringe to passe in the meane time that whiles theis gaye glorious promises off thers be loked for they may a longe time hinder the peace and quietnes off the churche whiche their onely desier is to haue disquieted And iff it be possible that thei maie recouer a moste intollerable lordeshipp ouer the congregatioÌ„ or in case they cannot obtaine the chief state in the coÌ„gregatioÌ„ that they may leaue the churche in worste or in no state at all but that they maye rendeÌ„ it and all to scatter it Theis be the deuises off Horne and Chambers Theis be therfetches right honorable and most righteous Magistrates And yet we haue no distruste but almightie god for his mercies sake towardes oure most afflicted churche and that your authoritie for your equities sake and singuler beneuolence towardes vs will withstande the same And for as muche as we haue proued that one off theis thinges whiche they haue reprehended in oure discipline be other against gods worde or againste good reason and for as muche also as we are ready to proue that all thinges conteined in oure Discipline are taken owte either off Goodes worde or off the edicte off the Senate and Magistrate either owte off their owne olde discipline which they stick so fast vnto either ells off the iudgement off good reason we humblie beseche the right honorable and righteous magistrates that they will vouchsaffe to confirme it with their authoritie Where as bothe partes gaue consent that certeine others very worshippfull shuld also deale in this controuersie betweene them to appease yff it might be the same I haue here folowinge placed the order whiche they tooke for their quietnes To the ministerie and bodie off the congregation off the Englishe Churche off Franckford FOr as muche as at the request off all oure brethern and countrie men off this churche off Franckford we haue vndertakeÌ„ to endeauour oure selues to make an ende of this sorowfull controuersie whiche so grieuously so longe tyme hath vexed this congregation slaundered Religion and infamed the name off all Englishemen we thought we coulde neither satisfie the duetie off Christian charitie nor the office off louinge countrie men iff we did omitt any thinge whiche by anie probable coniecture might seeme to bringe to effecte oure honest entreprise in this behalfe wherupon we haue thought good to offer vnto yow oure brethern on bothe parties such a forme off agremente touchinge certeine pointes off your discipline as had semed vnto vs vppon conference betwene certeine chosen persons on bothe sides before vs most conuenient so to satisfie all men that euery man might willingly and cheerfully submitt him selff vnto the the obedience theroff Desiring yow all as ye hope to haue fauour at goddes handes in the bloude off Iesus Christe so to applie your fauorable mindes eche to other that all striff and contention seâ— aparte yow maie ioine together in a blessed Christian and happie societie peace and concorde and the thinge wherevnto we wishe bothe the parties shuld agree is as folowithe The forme off reconciliation Firste where as in this whole treatie off reconciliation and alteration of discipline some thinges might happeÌ„ to seeme to reÌ„de to the condeÌ„nation of some partie or parson we do all frelie pronounce and testifie eche parte off other that neither off vs do condemne either partie or anie person as those whiche haue don anie thinge contrary to gods word or probalitie off reason in this matter off discipline but frindly and louingly euerie man dothe imbrace all men omittinge all rehersall and disputation off thinges paste with common and hartie praier vnto god that from hens forthe we maie remaine and liue together in brotherly loue to the glorie off god and comforte off vs all Concerninge the article for exercise off lerninge that there be no mention made off the same in the booke off discipline but that for so muche as lerned men remaine in the congregation that the ministerie shall for the furtheraunce off lerninge labor to put in vre such exercise off lerninge as the lerned can performe and the abilitie off the churche beare Concerninge the receiuinge and distributinge off the treasure off the churche· The receauinge and distributinge theroff dothe apperteine to the Deacons yet not so that they doo it withowt the knowledge and consent off the Ministers and Seniors concerninge the kepinge off the saide treasure it maie verie well apperteine to the Deacons yet is it not off such necessitie out that the reste off the ministerie maie otherwise set order for the custodie theroff
And to come to the matter ye shall vnderstand that after maister Horne late pastor and the Seniors that were ioyned in the ministerie with him had by a writinge subscribed with their owne handes openly before the congregation surrendred and geuen ouer their offices reteininge neuertheles the writinge off their surrender in their owne handes and yet beinge desired by the congregation not to leaue their ministeries but still to exercise the same they in no wise woulde doo it wherby the churche was diuers daies destitute off the preachinge off goddes worde Wheruppon the more part off the congregation mindinge to haue the churche kept in good order and to redresse those thinges that were a great occasion off the former contention so that after there might be a perpetuall quietnes and concorde amonge vs went earnestly abowte the â—ame But it hapened contrarie to oure expectation the former grudges continuinge and newe busines daily increasinge which at lenght came to the Magistrates eare contrary to oure mindes and determination For when we thought that it shulde withowte anie further brute amongest oure selues haue bin pacified and ended as we would to god it had bin Wheruppon the godly magistrates lamentinge muche oure dissention ad desiringe oure quietnes came into oure churche and there firste made vs to promesse one to an other that from thens foorth no mention shulde be made off anie former grudge or contention betweene vs but that all thinges paste shuld be clene forgotten Afterwarde for the better continuance off loue amonge vs and good order in the churche with the consent off Maister Horne the pastor and the Seniors discharged him and them off their offices and willed the churche to chuse newe ministers and to make a newe discipline for by reason off the vnperfectnes off the olde Discipline a great parte off the former controuersie was as iff there had bin neuer anie churche here before Wheruppon the church diuers times assemblinge at lenght the moste parte of the churche thought moste reasonable that amonge other an order shulde be in this churche like as it was in the primatiue churche and is nowe in all well reformed churches that the treasure shulde be in the custodie off all the Deacons and not off anie one man alone Maister Horne with certeine off the Seniors and a fewe others woulde in no wise agree vnto it but to their vttermoste resiste it which gaue vs occasion off farther iuste suspition that the treasure off the churche in time paste had not bin Christianly vsed And where as also we had deuised an other order that for so muche as the magistrate dothe permit vs to vse the customes and manners off makinge off willes that be vsed in Englande that for the more suretie off oure frindes that were here or ells where yff we were disposed by oure willes to geue vnto them anie off that litle substance that god hath leste vs yff we shulde die here owre willes shulde be seene and exemplyfied by the Seniors aÌ„d so to be owte of all daunger off countre faitinge at anie time Horne and chambers onelie vppon fonde will withowte any iuste consideration or good reason cauilled against the same order onely affirminge it to be pernitious Theis thinges we finde manifestly at lenght not to proceede off anie good minde or purpose but off contentious frowardnes grownded vppon selff loue and gaine that vnder a colour of the churche they might gather good mennes deuotions and neuer distribute anie penny theroff or at the leaste to none had they neuer so great nede vnles they woulde either faune and hange on them or ells sustaine vncharitable tauntes and reproches at their handes For where Chambers aboue 13. monethes paste had off maister Whithead then Pastor and the Seniors then a letter to receaue of one special maÌ„ 20. powndes and besides through Horns procurement a generall proxie to Chambers and his deputie to gather the deuotion off good men for the relieff off this poore congregation whiche by their owne proceedings here before the Magistrates their owne hands wrytinge testifinge the same and otherwise by oure knowledge we are certeine they did put in practise and receiued muche therby yet Chambers vpon the accoumpt here left behinde him neither confesseth that he receyued the saide 20. powndes nor yet anie other summe neither hathe he distributed duringe all the tyme he was in office yet to this daie in this congregation to anie one person sauing to 3. scollers that came with him one penny that he did not receiue here in this congregation and citie And yet at his departure hence he lefte 2. off the saide scollers vnto whom neuertheles he promised sufficient prouision and findinge and neuer warned them to the contrary in dette for their boorde and for other necessaries almost 20. guilderns whiche this poore congregation was forced to paie Finallie where good Mistres Wilkinson off blessed memorie put Horne and Chambers in truste with the deuisinge and makinge of hir will whereby she gaue to this and other poore congregations of the poore banished Englishe men a Christian liberall relief Albeit they haue caused some off the saied congregations to be paide of the same bequeste yet hithertoo wolde they not make this poore congregation priuie to the summe bequethed vnto it muche lesse paie it nor yet accordinge to the order of oure churches discipline aforesaide let the will be seene so as the frindles younge ientle woman hir daughter shuld not be defrauded off hir right nor hir mothers will altered to hir losse Furthermore Maister Chambers vnderstandinge that we were minded accordinge to oure dewties to requyre an accoumpte of him for the vse off his proxie getteth him suddainly hence accompanied with Maister Horne earely in a morninge withowte the consent or leaue takinge off the congregation or the Ministerie theroff and contrarie to his one openly made promesse that he would not departe till he had answered all that any man coulde charge him with And at his goinge awaie he left behinde him an accoumpt which by cuttinge owte the leaues and newe written seâ—â—ethe not to be nowe at the last as it was at the firste albeit it was neuer so perfect as Christian fidelitie woulde haue required it to be And moreouer albeit we haue twise writteÌ„ vnto him charitably exhortinge aÌ„d requiringe him to come hither and discharge himselff of those thinges that shall be saide vnto him in the behalff off this congregation and to the inthent he shuld restore vnto it the proxie he receiued and no longer by himselff or his deputie exercise it in the name off this poore churche as we are informed he dothe he neither commeth nor yet maketh answere to oure letters wherby we cannot but think that he meaneth not onely crafte and subtiltie much vnworthie the integritie and fidelitie that he pretendeth but also to hinder and as muche as in him lieth to vndoo this poore congregation not onely off that he hath already receiued and caried awaie as
to be that praiers and patience can onely salue the same Seinge then that by the sundrie requests off the brethern we are so hardly perswaded that off force we ought to geue them some kinde off aduise We do openly proteste that we so geue to same herein as those that will not in anie wise preiudice the other partie muche lesse chalinge to vs a iusticiers roume ouer anie And all those men into whose handes theis do come we do in the lorde desier that they be not herewith offended but do perswade themselues that theis contentes are bothe simplie and faithfully written off vs as vppon a questioned cause graunted that the consciences off the brethern whiche desier it might some waie be better apeased whiche to set altogether at nought were a dede wholiâ— voide off charitie Therfore the cause standinge as we arâ— informed we professe plainely and in Good faithe that our Iudgementes ouer theis questions are thus It is demaunded whither we can approue this disorder in callinge off men to the function off the Ministery whiche is that the multitude off those whiche sue for order shal be enrolled in the ministerie bothe withowte the voices off elders and also no certeine cure appointed them but lightly examined off their liues and behauiour to whom also at the luste of the Bishoppe shall libertie be geuen afterwards to preache the worde off god for a time prescribed otherwise to reherse onely the churche seruice We answere that suche callinges off Ministers whither we answere them by the rule off Gods expresse wordâ— or ells by force off Cannons that are beste tried and allowed are holden and estemed of vs altogether vnlawfull abeit we knowe that it is better to haue halfe a loffe then no bread But we beseche god with oure whole hartes that it also will please him to bestowe vppon the kingdome off England also the same that is a lawfull and ordinarie callinge off men to the ministerie of the worde and Sacramentes For it beinge either kept owte or hindred the benefit of the doctrine of truthe muste of force by and by vanishe awaie or ells be holde vp by some meanes that is strange yea altogether ghostlie and supernaturall Furthermore we do in Goddes moste holie name most humblie sue to the princes soueraigne maiestie that with the whole force off her minde she endeuour the correction off this point wherin the whole grounde and staie of the churche off England and therfore of the Realme also dothe stand and persiste And thirdly we do with teares beseche bothe those high personages that are of hir maiesties honorable counsaile and those which haue succeded in the place off the popishe Bishopps vndowtedly through the speciall mercie off the high and Good god that they owte off the selff same place where ouerthrowe and distruction did yssue they shulde vtterly destroye that tyraÌ„nye whiche hathe thus caste downe headlonge the verie Christian church and we craue of them in the dredfull name of god before whose redouted throne of iudgement we all shall be arested that with al consideration and mindfullnes of the yeres paste and conscience of their dewtie and charge they will not slack to vowe and beâ—â—othe theâ—r whole diligeÌ„ce aswell in orderinge the meanes that maie accoÌ„pâ—â—â—he this thinge as in perswadinge the Queens maiestie therto and that they cease not at all this thinge beinge vnacheued cheflie seinge god hathe bestowed vppon them the princely maiestie off so singuler a Mistris as â—rom whose handes they can not but hope for all princely and excellent thinges vnlesse they liste in their owne case to faile themselues But some wil aske howe shall we doo in this pointe vntill then verely iff the case were oures we woulde not receiue this ministerie vppon theis conditions iff it were profered a great deale lesse woulde we sue for it Notwithstandinge we exhorte theis men to whom god hathe by this waie made entrance to the enlarging off the glorie off his kingdome that in the feare off god they do couragiously abide therin yet with the condition that it maie be lawfull for them holily and regiliously to exercise all their whole ministerie And therfore maie also propounde and vrge those thinges in their cures which doo allwaies apperteine to the aduauncement off the better estate therin For otherwise if they be forced of this libertie and so willed to winke at manifeste abuses that they shuld also approue theis thinges whiche dowtlesse ought to be redressed what thinge els can we perswade them then that they shulde retire from this to their priuate lyffe rather then withoute conscience to norishe that mischief whiche dothe off force drawe whith it the whole wastinge and decaie of all the congregation Yet we hope that the Queens highnesse and so many honorable and good men will in suche sorte plante their diligence that rather priuiledge off libertie maie be graunted to the consciences of so manie godlie and lerned brethern then that theis horrible eueâ—â—s shulde folowe To were that the pastors off the flockes shulde be constrained either againste the soundnes off their consciences to do that whiche is euell and so to be chained in other mennes sinnes or ells to resigne their ministerie for that third necessitie that will ensue this whiche is that againste the princes and Bishops willes they shouâ—â— excercise their office we do so muche the more tremble at bycause of those reasons whiche off themselues are plaine enoughe albeâ—t we doo not vtter them It is aâ—so desired off vs to answere plainely and truly whither we do allowe tâ—e distinction ordeined in the wearinge off copes and garments aswell for the common vse as for the ministerie We therfore do flattlie answere the cause standinge as we do vnderstande that those men that are authors hereoff do deserue moste euell off the churche and shall answere at the dreadfull barre off Christe his Iudgement For although that we thinke that that politique order whereby not citezins alone but also the degrees off functions are marked and noted is not to be discommended wholie at all yet we are off opinion that not euerie marke and note is straight way to be vsed For put the case that the ministers were commaunded to weare the pied coate off a foole or the garmente off a vice in a plaie were it not manifeste skorninge off the ministerie so to do And those that vse theis other garments and aparrell coÌ„maunded do seeme verely to vs to trespasse somewhat worse then so bicause that the lorde hath not onely reared and set vs this priestlike apparell as a toie to be laughe at euen off many off the Papistes themselues But it is also certeine that the same is poluted and defiled with infinite superstition But some men will pleade the antiquitie theroff Surely they are olde and yet the Apostolique symplicitie wherin the churche did florishe is a great deale more auncient then this Also yff it please him to wade yet further to serche abowte theis