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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A19461	A modest and reasonable examination, of some things in vse in the Church of England, sundrie times heretofore misliked and now lately, in a booke called the (Plea of the innocent:) and an assertion for true and Christian church policy, made for a full satisfaction to all those, that are of iudgement, and not possessed with a preiudice against this present church gouernment, wherein the principall poynts are fully, and peaceably aunswered, which seeme to bee offensiue in the ecclesiasticall state of this kingdome. The contentes whereof are set downe in the page following.	Covell, William, d. 1614?	1604 (1604)	STC 5882; ESTC S108881	174,201	234

For in all societies authoritie which cannot be where all are equall must procure vnitie and obedience if vertue will not Now seeing that all men may easily erre that no errors are so daungerous as those which concerne religion the Church should be in a far worse case then the meanest common-wealth nay almost then a den of thieues if it were left destitute of meanes either to conuince heresies or to suppresse them yea though there were neither helpe nor assistance of the christian magistrate without which it were not possible for truth equitie any long time to harbour amongst the sons of men The remedie which in these cases the primitiue Church had when occasion was offered vsed against heresie and iniurie she deriued as well from the promise made by Christs owne words as from the Apostles example in the like case Christ willing them that were grieued by their brethren after the first and second admonition to tell it to the Church And addeth for direction and confirmation of all religious assemblies and conferences where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the middest of them and whatsoever you shall binde on earth shall be bound in heauen and whatsoeuer ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heauen Now whatsoeuer is ment here by the name of Church in the reasonable exposition of any to me it is all one to prooue this order that from priuate admonitiō they went to witnesses and from them to assemblies and seeing there must be an end of controuersies amongst men vnlesse we will plucke vp by the rootes all charitie and right when neither priuate perswasion not frendly mediation can appease parties that violently contend what other order could be prescribed but a iudicial hearing and determining of things in question Now because Christ did not set the sword to be the generall and perpetuall rule to gouerne his Church for then without a Prince there could be no Church so consequently there was none either in the Apostles time or three hundred yeeres after though where they beleeue the defence and maintenance of the Church is committed to their charge it must of necessitie follow that either there is no iudge which were the vtter subuersion of all peace when the christian magistrate is wanting or els the pastors and stewards of Christs Church to whom this care is committed must assemble together and with mutuall conference performe those duties to the Church in generall which otherwise they are bound to do to each particular place and person By Gods law what obedieuce and reuerence the father may expect from his owne childe the same or greater must all beleeuers yeeld to the fathers of their faith the one begetteth vs to this life the other to a life that is much better Those then whom Christ hath placed to be watchmen and leaders the light and salt of his Church must not onely warne and guide but also lighten and season in their measure that whole body for when all other failes this onely is left to clense the house of God from vessels of dishonour yea when there were no beleeuing Magistrates to assist the Church this onely was left as the best meanes and after when christian Princes began to protect the truth they neuer had nor can haue safer direction amongst men then by the Synods of wise and godly Bishops Thus a Synod at Antioch about threescore yeeres before the councell of Nice condemned and deposed Paulus Samosatenus for heresie and when he would not yet yeeld to the Church but keepe it by violence vpon complaint to Aurelianus the Emperor though he were a heathen Samosatenus was with extreame shame driuen from the Church by the worldly Prince All countries in all ages haue had the benefit of this not as a thing arbitrarie and left free to those that peraduenture were careles of the Churches welfare but prescribed by sundrie councels as Nice Antioch Constantinople Chalcedon and commaunded by the imperiall lawes in this manner That all the Ecclesiasticall state and sacred rules may with more diligence be obserued we require saith the Emperor euery Archbishop Patriarch and Metropolitan to call vnto him once or twise euery yeere the Bishops that are vnder him in the same prouince and throughly to examine all the causes which Bishops Clarkes or Monkes haue amongst themselues and to determine them so as whatsoeuer is trespassed by any person against the Canons may be reformed So that wee must either cleane reiect Synods a thing doubtles of no small daunger as the times may fall out and make the presbyters in euery parish supreme iudges or else admit some which be no other but the Bishops both to call and to moderate these meetings for in all those Synods which continued in the Church euen when she mas most sharpely pursued by the sworde from the death of the Apostles to the raigne of Constantine they were assembled and gouerned by the Bishops of the chiefe and mother Churches and Cities in euery prouince who by the auncient councels were called Metropolitanes And after when Princes came to imbrace the faith the best meanes they could deuise to procure peace and aduance religion was by their lawes to referre Ecclesiasticall causes to Ecclesiasticall Iudges And least they should be long in strife they charged the Metropolitane to assemble the Bishops of his prouince twise euery yeere there to examine and order what matters of doubt should arise which happely might disturbe the Churches peace Thus the Synode of Rome called by Cornelius against Nouatus consisted of threescore Bishops and many others of the clergie In the councels of Rome vnder Hilarius and Gregorie where foure and thirtie presbyters subscribed after two and twentie Bishops infinit are the examples in this kind which teach vs that neither the Church at any time was or in deed● can safely be without tempests if Synods want nor Synods can be tightly ordered if the Metropolitans and Bishops should be wanting in them Seeing then they haue this vse if this were all to make that societie able with order to suppresse heresies and redresse wrongs without which doubtles the Church of all assemblies were worst gouerned it ought not to seeme vnreasonable to any that a thing so necessarie and auncient should with honour and reuerence be retained amongst vs. But least the name of Bishops should be offensiue to any as some haue thought it onely the ambitious title of a tyrannous gouernment these that would seeme moderate aduisers to equalitie and humilitie in this case must giue vs leaue to tell them that the name is auncient the office needefull and both so warrantable that they must needes be thought at the least malicious enuiers of the peace and prosperitie of Gods Church who are desirous or can be content that order obserued in the Apostles time and those Churches which were purest and next vnto them should be banished

a seuerall portion of men consecrated vnto the seruice of the most high in things wherewith others may not meddle as the peculiar lot of the Lord himselfe they are a di●uict order not vnfitlie expressed by the name of Clergie Whose spirituall power consisting in the execution of holy things properly is conuersant in the affaires of God Now as no kingdome can stand without Religion wherein though they erre yet a religion they must hold so no religion can in seuerall duties bee possiblie performed amongst men where there are not with some fitnesse instruments allotted to that vse And heerein Christianitie hath builded a liberall maintenance in this land to those that are now gouernours in the church of Christ where blind Superstition laid the foundation for the Priests of those Idols which the heathen worshipped As for the persons imployed in this action hee fitted those likewise in a celestiall manner proportioned with his owne working who as in no sort he tooke vpon him the Angels nature but tooke on him the seede of Abraham so hee vsed in this the ministrie of men not of Angels because where weakenesse from aboue is able to receiue strength there the exelentest creatures and the best meanes are not all one Amazement out of feare making our capacities more dull where our teachers are too glorious and charitie not to bee so thankefull when wee are not indebted to men of our owne nature nor our Preachers are clothed with the same infirmities that wee are This being the greatest reason why Prophanesse doth scorne and Wisedome despise what Simplicitie and Humilitie doe both worship Yet the course of Instruction serueth to teach all that the waies in these things which God and man vseth are not both alike Neither was this Office though his worke befitting the Maiestie of God himselfe seeing we are apt to contemne that presence how glorious soeuer if it bee common or to tremble at the brightnesse of so great a power if it bee not common In which respect that wisedome which knew best how most fitlie to prouide for 〈◊〉 weakenesse did sometime though seldome in a cloud in a fire in the shape of a man appeare vnto his own people sometime with Moses he spake face to face yet graunted the desire of his fearefull seruants when they spake to Moses talk● thou with vs and wee will heare but let not God talke with vs least wee die This Wisedome of theirs hauing approbation from God himselfe I haue heard the voice of the words of this people which they haue spoken vnto thee they haue well said all that th●y haue spoken Oh that there were such an heart in them to feare mee and to keepe all my commandements alway that it might goe well with them and with their children for euer But to the Sonne of God when hee became man so being made fittest both to do and to suffer for vs the voice from heauen gaue this testimonie heare him As if the same power which by religion purposed to bring man from earth to heauen found no Instrument fitter for this vse then onely the seruice of man himself Nothing being so comfortable to vs as that voice of the Apostles to the men of Listra wee are euen men subiect to the like Passions that yee bee and preach vnto you that yee should turne from these vaine things vnto the liuing God which made heauen and earth and the sea and all things that in them are this maketh the Church to go● boldlie to the throne of grace that she may receiue mercie and finde grace to help in time of need Thus al things which are from God are sodred as it wer together with so much art and loue causing a mutuall assistance that the lowest of mankinde are appointed to receiue from the nearest vnto themselues what the mercie and the influence of the highest yeeldeth wherein as those whom God imployeth in this busines beeing Embassadours receiue commission onely from him whose inward affaires they menage hee being the father of Spirits and soules the purchase of his owne sonne and thereby may challenge of the children of the Church honor and respect aboue other men so doth the Church likewise require vertuous abiliments matched with good learning at their hands heereof they are fitly remembred by that Vrim and Thummim vpon Aarons brest and by those names of Watchmen Lights Salt Guides and such like which the scripture doth giue vnto them Requiring in all yet accepting though not excusing a lesse measure in some sort an ability sufficient to informe the Church The small difference in this kinde from the common sort in some of those ages that haue beene before vs gaue men occasion to thinck and say that the Laitie and the Clergie were all one Nay diuers amongst vs haue laid this vntrue accusation vpon our Church with what conscience and honestie the world may iudge as if our land onely of all those kingdomes that are reformed were not carefull to haue a learned ministrie but wer absolutely content with those persons who for the discharge of this dutie could but onely reade Let them first vnderstand what we say and then let the world bee our Iudge if wee say true Doubtlesse if the heathen required in those that were their Priests that they should bee able for knowledge to performe those duties of Counsell and Deuotion which others could not let no man think but that wee principally desire a soundnesse of Iudgement knowledge of scripture wisedome to Interpret an eloquence to vtter power to exart zeale to reproue in the ministers of God and all these in farre greater measure then in other men but may wee not seing hee that liueth made all things together the Lord who onely is iust and there is none other but hee and hee remaineth a victorious King for euer hee ordereth the world with the power of his hand and all things obey his will for hee gouerneth all things by his power and deuideth the holie things from the prophane say with the sonne of Sirach to whom hath hee giuen power to expresse his works or who is sufficient for these things neither must this hould all those back who are willing to bestow their labours for the benefit of gods Church because they are not able no not in any tolle●able manner to performe all these seeing his strength is oftentimes perfected in our weaknesse and to discharge our calling as to auoid temptations this must bee our comfort whilst wee desire for to grow better that his Grace is sufficient for vs. For as in distribution of gifts God giueth not the same number of talents to all neither doth hee expect equall proportion of increase nor blameth him that had but one talent that hee got not fiue or two but onely for this that hee did not vse it So that if those of the lowest sort of Clergie who in the plentifull knowledge of this age modestly content

rule nor all with authoritie to rule Apostolicall ordination reason the custome of all Churches auncient and well gouernd and lastly nature it selfe doth ordaine Archbishops in their prouinces as Bishops also in their dioces and both in their places and vnder the Prince for to rule the Church And herein we may boldly say without offence that the causes of displeasure conceiued against Bishops how vehemently soeuer they are followed are surely lesse reasonable then against any one thing which they doe mislike seeing the vse of all other things may either be touched in show with some coullerable pretence of fault or the not vsing warranted with some likely excuse whereas in this the greeuances if there be any that are iust are in the persons not in the office and the remouing them away must leaue a passage to a disorderly confusion and possesse the Church with that fatall disease of all societies want of order whereby for the present she must needes doe many things confusedly and doubtles in short time miserably perish So that to make ambition and couetousnes the originall of this honor and tyrannie ouer their brethren to giue continuance vnto it is to make the best things in the outward pollicies of the Church to proceede from the worst authors and to lay too great an imputation to their charge whom in all reason by the benefit of this gouernment we ought to acknowledge as our spirituall fathers for deriuing the Gospell vnto vs and by a continuall succession euen from the Apostles hands The best warrants that we haue for the execution of our spirituall functions to vs the greatest calling vpon earth and to the world the hallowed and blessed instruments of all happines which being imployed to that end it must needes be an intollerable presumption in any to vndertake the same but by authoritie and power giuen them in lawfull manner for the same God which is no way deficient vnto man in things necessarie and hath giuen vs to that end the light of his heauenly truth without which we must needes haue wandred in continuall darknes hath in the like abundance of mercies ordained certaine to attend vpō the due execution of requisit parts and offices therein prescribed for the good of the whole world which men thereunto assigned doe hold their authoritie from him whether they be such as himselfe imediatly or as the Church in his name inuesteth It being neither possible for all nor for euery man without distinction conucnient to take vpon him a charge of so great importance The power of this ministerie translareth out of darknes into glorie it raiseth men from the earth and bringeth God himselfe downe from heauen by blessing visible elements it maketh them inuisible grace It giueth daily the holy Ghost It hath to dispose of that flesh which was giuen for the life of the world and that blood which was powred out to redeeme soules When it powreth out malediction vpon the heads of the wicked they perish whē it reuoketh the same they reuiue O wretched blindnes faith one if we admire not so great power more wretched if we consider it aright and notwithstanding imagine that any but God can bestowe it It is a power which alone ought to make the authors of it to man vnder God deare vnto vs which neither Prince nor Potentate King nor Caesar on earth can giue Yet neither is it being duly waied in the Bishops successors to the Apostles which bestow this nor in those who are desirous to enter into that calling any ambitiō as some men surmise seeing such reputation it hath in the eye of this present world that both neede rather incoragement to beare contempt then deserue blame as men desirous to aspire higher Now because men dying there must be a continuall supply into this calling and that those who had first the authoritie to ordaine I meane the Apostles were mortall their care doubtles must extend it selfe thus far though they could not indew men with the same measure of grace which themselues had yet they should and so doubtles did impart the same power to ordaine which was giuen to them that neither men might rush into it without admission nor the power of admission be granted to all nor the Church bee left destitute of so great a blessing And because in the executiō of holy things where the persons put in trust are but men discord disorder vsually doe breake in the wisdome of God thought it necessarie that amongst them who for their ministerie were equal an inequalitie for order and superioritie to command should be granted that by this meanes order and vnion should both be preserued in Christs Church They that most dissent in the kinde of gouernment doubtles will confesse with Nazianzen that order is the mother and preseruer of all things Which if it concerne all persons and ages in the Church of Christ as surely it doth the gouernment must not cease with the Apostles but so much of that authoritie must remaine to them who frō time to time are to supply that charge doubtles to that end haue succeeded in the apostles roomes For we easily see that equality doth breed factions and therefore wise men to suppresse the seedes of dissentions haue made one aboue the rest And the best deuisers of the new presbyterie do hold it necessarie that one chiefe in place and dignitie moderate rule euery action with that right which is allowed him by Gods law For surely a multitude vngouerned must needes be easily confused and there cannot well be obedience where all are equall where shepheards leade sundrie waies it is hard for the sheepe to know whom to follow and if no man can serue two maisters which haue equall authoritie ouer him and perhaps command contrarie things for whilest they agree though diuers they are but one then surely the Church ought not to be put to this hazard by multitudes equally ruling in one place seeing to dissent is vsuall in all places and if not yet in all persons it is casuall whereas the wisedome of the Church in them that gouerne must as wel looke vnto that which may happen as vnto that which alreadie is Now if this were the principal meanes to preuent schismes and dissentions in the primitiue Church whē the graces of God were far more aboundant eminent then now they are nay if the twelue were not lik to agree except there had bin one chiefe amongst thē for saith S. Hierom amongst the twelue one was therfore chosen that a chiefe being appointed occasion of dissention might be preuented and if euery presbytery by Gods ordinance must haue a ruler as themselues confesse how can they thinke that equalitie would keepe all the pastors of the world in peace and vnitie or that the Bishops of a whole prouince or kingdome could meete conferre conclude as often as neede requireth vnlesse their assemblies were moderated and ruled by some one

such be seruants to the state in the executiō of these lawes as are furthest from partialitie and pittie yet least to be suspected for vnsatiable desiring of their own gaine But there is a greater defect in most kingdomes wherein this Church is an humble suter to your Highnesse that it would please your Grace a thing absolutely hoped for at your Maiesties hands as well to reward those that deserue well as to punish those that are dangerous to the Church or the commonwealth doubtlesse there is no politike consideration of greater vse in a kingdome that all parts of it may florish than the iust bestowing of these two reward and punishment seeing they are the spurre and the bridle absolutely requisit for the right commanding of a whole Realme And surely it is a great question whether to the happinesse of a state it be safer to want punishment for the euill or rewards for the vertuous But seeing all kingdomes haue greater feeling and can better iudge of what is euill than well done therefore punishments are by the lawe due to the one whereas the other is many times a matter of great suit fauour and sometimes of infinite corruption which the best and most worthy obseruing they are in al likelihood furthest from being preferred because least subiect to such corruption It was an Honorable farewell the last Deanry that was giuen by Queene Elizabeth Honorab●e to him that procured it freely as I heard of his owne motion Honorable to him that had it without al corruptiō neither in acquitting of him do I condēn al others and most Honorable to her who no sooner heard of a man worthy but was most willing to preferre him There are few things of a greater aduantage to the Church than to haue the eyes of the Prince if sometimes his occasions diuert him otherwise drawne to looke at men of very speciall and singular deserte who peraduenture are neither so corrupt so fortunate so seasonable so well frended nor indeed so any thing sauing only worthy that they can obtaine that which men of farre meaner deserts if not easily yet commonly doe And surely for vs of the Church there is not out of the Vniuersitie excepting the Kings Chappell a better stand for the nobilitie to take ●ew of such than the Sermons at Pauls Crosse this being sincerely lookt at vertue shall haue incouragment to take paines because vertuous paines shall be sure to haue recompence a thing where it wanteth that want must of necessitie fill all places with the worst and the worst disposed So shall men that are worthy and very excellent be preferred either slowly or not at all whilst euery ignorant vnhonest vnprofitable flatterer shall depart loaden with the best preferments the due recompence that belongs to vertue for redresse whereof I dare not take vpon me to aduise only I wish that they especially the Honorable and reuerend Bishops Fathers of the Church who haue any stroake in the disposition of such preferments as appertaine vnto learned men would be thinke themselues what it is to respect any thing either aboue or besides merit considering as one well noteth how hardly the world taketh it when to men of commendable note and qualitie there is so little respect had or so great vnto them whose deserts are very meane that nothing doth seeme more straunge than the one sort because they are not accounpted of and the other because they are It being euery mans hope and expectatiō that the only purchase of greater rewards should be alwaies greater deserts that nothing should euer be able to plāt a thorne where a vine ought to growe or to commit that to a Fox or an Asse which requireth the strength the toyle of the painful Ox the careful obseruatiō of this which the Church humbly intreateth at your Graces hands shal roote out all Idolatours from your lands banish all Heretikes from Christs fold which steale in like rauenous wolues discouer those Anabaptists who stirre vp contentions to hinder Religion labour to haue magistrates contemned inueying against the lawfull ordination of our Clergie accounting them to be but Scribes and Pharisies Idle haue too great liuings flatterers of the Ciuill Magistrate saying the reformation of the Church is not spirituall enough perfect and their vnhallowed priuate conuenticles are more holy making their pretence of all the puritie of the Gospell these pretend grauitie reprehend seueritie speake gloriously and all in Hypocrisie these dayly inuent newe opinions and run from error to error their wilfulnes they account constancie their deserued punishment persecution their mouthes are euer open to speake euill they giue neither reuerence nor titles to any in place aboue them in one word the Church cannot feare a more dangerous and fatall enemie to her peace and happines a greater cloud to the light of the Gospell a stronger hand to pull in Barbarisme and pouertie into all our La●d a more furious monster to breed contempt and disobedience in all states a more fretting Cankar to the very marrowes and sinewes of this Church and kingdome than the Anabaptist who is proud without learning presumptuous without authoritie Zealous without knowledge holy without Religion in one word a dangerous and malicious Hypocrite Sundrie of these m●nifest and violent disturbers of the peace of this Church and the Common-wealth were banished from amongst vs in the dayes of out late Souereigne we heare they are returnd they make petitions they hope for fauour Consided great and mightie Prince right Honorable Lords and all yee whom it may concerne to defend this state that now is the time to make and execute lawes against them for these are more daungerous than other Heretikes because they are transformed into the shapes of some amongst vs The Church of England which lyeth prostrate at your Graces feet desireth not to be fauoured in her errors not to haue her corruptions warranted by authoritie to haue staines not washed because shee hath had them long to haue idolatrie and superstition harbored in her bosome to be loadē in her Religiō with the inuentions of man and vnhalowed Ceremonies to be supported with a prophane Hierarchie an vsurping dominion to bee poysoned with humane learning to be murdered with Idle and vnpreaching Ministers but she humbly intreats showing her wounds with teares in her eyes sights in her hart humilitie in her whole behauiour that she may be defended protected and armed in that truth which Christ and his Apostles haue taught her which Queene Elizabeth hath Cherished maintained in her which the earth hath wondered at heauens haue blessed that her beautie may not be defaced vnder pretence of washing that she may not be left naked of her comely decent and Religious ceremonies that the gouernment of her Bishops auncient warrantable and safe may not be taken from her that her schooles may florish with all sacred and Heathen learning that her Ministers may be painefull and liberally maintained and last