points of doctrine necessary to saluation and touching the mysterie of our redemption or the right vse of the Sacraments and true maner of worshipping of God are purely perfectly taught by publike authoritie established in the Church of EnglaÌ„d at this day c we are so farre from beeing thankeful for the same from desiring the continuance of it by heartie prayer that by all meanes possible wee seeke rather to obscure it and deface it because in certaine accident all pointes we haue not our fancies proper deuises So that by this we are iudged to set our selues against God frowardlie disquiet the peace of the Church for external things which is schismaticall trouble the happie peace of the common wealth hazard the whole state of religion with no small reioysing of the wicked greate offence of the weake Ghospellers merueilous griefe of the Queenes Maiestie other that haue care of gouernement If this obiection were as true as it is of greate importance as fitlie applied vnto vs as it layeth vpon vs a most heauie imputation then had wee greate cause to wish our tongues to cleaue to the roofe of our mouthes our handes for euer to forget to vvrite If we haue not both by word writing publiklie priuatlie acknowledged the great mercie of God for her M. in the banishing of al heresies superstitions and namely Popery for planting the true Ghospell of faith among vs if we haue not doe not dayly pray both at Church and at home for the continuance of the same for the ioy and comfort of her M. al our godlie Gouernours and Superiours if al men that knowe vs doe not also euerie day see behold that this is our care and studie and that we doe stirre vp others both publiklie and priuatelie to doe the same then let the Lord reward euery man according to his righteousnes and faithfulnes let the wicked feele his iudgementes We can boldlie commend our selues to the testimony of al our neighbours friends and enemies whatsoeuer whom hardned malice hath not so farre ouercome and blinded that they can not vvill not say and confesse that which in the eies eares of al men appeareth plainly euen as the shining of the Sun in the firmament and the sound of many waters to them which trauell by sea by land But the force power of this accusation is in two things first they say That by all means possible we seeke rather to obscure this mercie of God to deface it 2. The reason which is made of this our so doing Because in certaine accidental points we haue not our fansies and proper deuises If in deed these two things might be proued against vs The cheefest force of this accusation then all the other branches of this surmised slaunder vvoulde shrewdlie wring vs otherwise they fall all to peeces as loose members vvithout ioyntes and ligamentes Therefore let these bee examined Firste vvhat meanes at all haue we vsed to obscure Gods mercie We haue in the knowledge of all men that know and heare vs praysed God and prayed for her M. and the state in regarde of this mercie of God vve haue in our Sermons in all our talke as occasion is offered euer defended the doctrine of faith of the Sacraments the abolishing of al heresie superstition and poperie Wee haue writteÌ„ very much for the maintenaÌ„ce therof against the papists Anabaptists familie of loue Brownists some of vs haue ben vsed in conference with other godlie learned men to dispute with the challengers and chieftaines of poperie more would haue done in that behalf if they might haue ben permitted And this to be true we referre our selues to the iudgement of all the world and we hope so well of our bretheren that write against vs that they will not denie it vnto vs what should theÌ„ be all those possible means which we haue vsed to deface or obscure Gods mercies But it may be it is meant beecause we haue not vsed som certaine ceremonies of the church nor subscribed to the bookes of orders and common prayer c. and haue made petitioÌ„ to the Parliament and after by apologetical writings defended these our doings Other things we know not and for these I hope wee neede not be ashamed First it is apparant that in all these thinges wee haue not medled against the doctrine aforsaide nor against the chiefe substance of anie the said bookes and therefore in regard of the matter it can not bee said that wee haâ—â—â—â—irectlie done anie thing tending to oâ—â—cure or deface this mercie of God Secondlie if it be said that by these thinges which I confesse wee haue indirectly vsed meanes c. I answer that in this wee haue done no otherwise then all Christian Ministers both maye and ought to doe For in not vsing the ceremonies when wee founde our selues doubtfull and troubled What could we doe lesse or better then to repaire to the reuerend Bishoppes for counsell and comfort Which for the space of ten yeares or the most part thereof they did in some good measure afoorde vnto vs till as I take it by the relation of such as were in the same broiles the Papistes had cunninglie wrested our good Fathers from vs. that they could and woulde doe no further for vs. Then yet complayning of our case and opening our doubtes vnto them we did as the lawe affoordeth that the cause shoulde bee brought before the Ordinarie in all doubtes about ceremonies of the church established by law and finding not our selues resolued by our ordinaries alas what could we doe lesse then quietly to suffer our selues with great grief bewailing our flockes to bee suspended imprisoned depriued And this hath beene the cause of all them which haue not vsed the ceremonies so fully as some other of their bretheren Secondlie for the petition or admonition to the Parliament wherein are laide open such imperfections as are found in all these bookes and for all other writtinges which haue come forth in defence of the same if it bee ment that the same is the meanes of obscuring and defacing the mercie of God We answer as partlie the admonition doth wee haue alwayes borne with that wee coulde not amend and haue vsed the booke of common praier in our ministerie so farre forth as wee might reuerencing those times and those persons in which and by whome it was first authorized But now being compelled by subscription to allowe the same and to confesse it not to bee against the worde of God in anye point we could not but shew a reason of our refusall it was meet that we shoulde tender to the Parliament our griefes as all other subiects doe in all other cases Because that is the place which by auncient custome of this Realme serueth for the redresse of all things to be reformed and the establishing of all matters in the state of this
a froward disquieter of the Church And such hath ben our maner of doeing patientlie suffering that which is imposed vpon vs. 5 The next ranke of obiections is concerning her Maiesties person Crowne and Dignitie The thirde great slander concerning her M. person Crowne and Dignitie which are no triflinge matters if we might be iustlie conuicted First touching her Royall person I hearde it obiected in a Sermon by a reuerend man who now is a Bishop that by refusing to subscribe we make the Queenes Maiestie to be an Atheist worse thē papistes namelie of no religion And first touching herrelion For faieth hee you refuse to subscribe to the booke of orders then doe you make that we haue no good ministrie you refuse to subscribe to the booke of common prayer then make you that we haue no good liturgie and seruice of God you refuse to subscribe to the booke of articles which containe the summe of our faith and doctrine then doe you make that wee haue no sounde doctrine But these be the bookes which her Maiestie by her authoritie doth set forth and by them sheweth what religion shee is of and what she holdeth maintaineth there fore if their bee no good liturgie no good doctrine no good ministrie then it followeth that you make the Queene to be of no religion God forbid say we that wee shoulde so much as thinke so wickedly of her sacred Maiestie Who hath endured so many daungers and so many yeares so constantly maintained Gods pure vnchangeable truth holy religion We therefore answer freelie in this behalfe First that we beleeue that neither that reuerend man so preaching nor any other man whatsoeuer that knoweth vs and our cause and the maner how we doe refuse subscription either doth or can so think in his conscience to determine of vs in his secret thoughtes before God takeing God to bee iudge of the simplicitie of his soule that we doe esteeme or make her Maiestie to be of no religion Secondly their colour so to reason against vs because we refuse to subscribe with a verie little breath may be blowne away For first touching the doctrine of the Church of Englande wee holde it stedfastly and haue willingly offered to subscribe to the same according to the statute for that cause prouided praysing God hartelie that the true faith by which men may be saued and the true doctrine of the Sacraments and of the pure worshipe of God is trulie taught and that by publike authoritie contained in the booke of articles so that we can not be blamed concerning that booke Secondly we doe not disallow the booke of common praier but doe vse it non other in our ministrie but if further then the statute layeth vpon vs for that booke wee be required to subscribe and we pray that our doubts might be first answered in some particulers we doe no thing against the law of the Realm nor against the said book especiallie seeing that they the saide law book so farre as we can learne doe not require our subscription to the same Thirdlie for the booke of orders wee enioye our ministrie by the same booke doe allow the preaching Ministrie ordained by the same but if with out law we be required to subscribe and that thereby some things be found questionable and doubtfull let all men iudge whether wee which medled not with that booke or anye of the other bookes to bewray or vtter any thing against any of the said bookes or they which by a forced subscription constraine vs there vnto be most worthie of blame Therefore seeing we are not against any of the said books but commend well of the doctrine ministrie liturgie in not subscribing haue only laboured to keepe a good conscience without any purpose to depraue any of the saide bookes I hope this obiection will returne emptie and without vse The second obiection in this rancke is That seeking to erect discipline we abridge her Maiesties authoritie Secondly touching he authoritie prerogatiue by Elders we diminish her royall prerogatiue by our Pastour and equalising Ministers we set vp a Pope in euerye Parish These things verilie haue an odious sounde but it griueth not vs to answer We doe therefore confidentlie say that in all these things we giue vnto to her Maiestie as much as she her selfe either by law or by practise so farre as I can see doth callenge Which is comprehended in two things In the Iniunctions and admonitioni to simple men 1. That she challengeth not authoritie or power of ministrie of diuine offices in the Church 2. She challengeth vnder God to haue the soueraignitie rule ouer all maner of persons borne within these her Realms Dominions Countries of what estate either Ecclesiasticall or Temporall so euer they be so as no other forraine power shall or ought to haue any superioritie ouer them And such is also the 37 article of the booke of articles All which we doe as fullie hold and beleeue preach maintaine as anye other what so euer acknowledging with all our heartes the same prerogatiue Eam tantum prerogatiuam quam in sacris Scripturis à Deo ipso c. which in the sacred Scriptures we see alwaies to haue bene giuen of God him self vnto all godly Princes So in all and euerie of these things we doe seek after as Discipline Elders and Pastour we abhorre detest that any person or persones what so euer shoulde vsurpe authoritie ouer her M. or that anye state or order committed of God to her protection whether they be ecclesiastical or ciuill should not be vnder her gouernement to bee punished by her ciuil sweard Now if wee verilie beleeue that some thing in the Ecclesiasticall discipline of our Church in the booke of common praier might bee reduced some what neerer to the Canon of holy Scriptures doe we anie whit abridge her authoritie Salomon receiued a pattern of the Temple with the thinges therein contained at the hands of his Father Dauid 1. Cron. 28.15 19. which hee saieth vvas all sent by vvriting to him by the hande of the Lord vvhich made him vnderstand al the workmanshipe of the patterne 2. Cron. 3.1 And Salomon builded it in no other place but in mount Moriah which had bene declared to Dauid his Father Did this any vvhit diminish his authoritie because he was directed by the word of the Lord. And such hath bene the gracious and Christian practise of her Maiestie in setting forth the doctrine of faith Sacraments of the vvorshipe of God c by direction of holy Scripture and in her owne person hearing the vvorde of God receauing of the Sacraments ioyning vvith the Church is prayers In vvhich most notable is that Anno 1588. she publikely came to Paules crosse and then there acknovvledged the Lords great goodnes in his protection ouer this Realme and deliuering vs out of the handes of the
yet is it aboue all other vsually hitt in our teeth Namelie they say we are like Papistes enemies to the Church and sometime they say we are worse and it pleaseth the packing Priest to make vs factious and vnderminers of States and Magistrates as the Iesuites comparing vs with them in fiue twentie lies in one place which although in the conscience of all honest men knowing vs and of the reuerend Fathers them selues it be most manifestly false yet because of the present state of things I will bestow a little time in the opening of the same And this I will doe by Gods grace by three arguments Firste by a simple comparison betweene vs al Papists Secondly by the affection vvhich is in them and vs. And thirdly by the likely effects If vve should both haue fauour toleration alike And this I will handle in three seuerall chapters as briefly as I can Not so much for the defeÌ„ce of our innocencie vvhich by that vvhich is alreadie vvritten is sufficieÌ„tly maintained and approued but for the common good of the vvhole Church and namely of our reuerende Fathers and deare brethren which stand so earnestly for conformitie For I can not but thinke that this calumniation hath his first deuise from some glosing Papistes takeing aduantage by our to hott and eager persuite of each other to prepare a vvay by pulling downe raysing the one side vtterly to turne ouer to destroy the vvhole Church of God which I hope and am perswaded our mercifull God vvill neuersuffer him to doe Cap. 7. Wherein is proued that the Ministers seeking reformation falsly called Puritanes are not in any sorte to be compared to Papists in euill much lesse to be equalized with traiterous seminarie priests or Iesuites 1. By their contradictorie doctrine 2. By their contrarie actes and doings ONe part of the sufferinges of our blessed Sauiour Iesus Christ was this that hee was counted with the the transgressors Esai 53.12 therefore as Saint Marke saieth He was crucified betweene two theeues Wee are not then to think it strange to be matched Mare 15.27.28 with Anabaptists Donatistes Papists rebels and I can not tell what For the seruant is not greater then the Maister Ioh. 15.20 And I hope that if wee suffer with him in righteousnes we shall reioyce with him in glorie Let vs then examine this calumniation If we be like or worse then Papistes in euill to the Church of England it is eyther in our doctrine or in our doeings First I will prooue not in our doctrine We hold all the doctrine of faith with the Church of England the Papistes deny it that by two arguments the former is this we hold beleeue and teache all the articles of the Christian faith according to the holy Scriptures euen as the Church of Englande doth a thing so apparant as the Sun at noon daies And the Papistes are heerein directly contrarie to the faith and doctrine of the Church of Englande to the word of God approouing the same Therefore if sound doctrine and faith be the chief mark to know a good man and that the doctrine and faith of England be good true and that the doctrine of the papists be nought wicked and abhominable then are vve vvho follovv the good and true doctrine of the Church of England not to be compared to the Papistes in euill vvho are deadly enemies to the same Secondlie that part of doctrine vvherein we seem to differ from the reuerend Fathers of our Church being such as is before declared as agreeth to the principall Canon of our Church in generall in particulars vvith the vsage of the Apostles and vvith the lawes iniunctions Canons and apologeticall vvritinges of our Church against all vvhich the Papistes most constantly doe warre cauill therefore in this also vve be not to be compared vnto them My latter argument touching our doctrine We holde the Queenes supremacie the Papistes deny it is concerning the ciuill Magistrate We the Ministers a foresaid desiring the abolishing of all Popish remnants doe hold beleeue confesse that all obedience is to bee performed to the ciuill Magistrate although they vvere euill and infidels as the Scripture teacheth And that no Bishop Rom. 13.1 1. Pet. 2.13 Priest or Minister can depriue a King or discharge the subiects of the oath of allegeance And that our Queene Elizabeth God blesse her is supreame gouernour ouer all persons borne in her dominions whether they bee Ecclesiasticall or ciuill that no forren Potentate as namelye the Pope of Rome hath any iurisdiction vvithin her dominions and countries but is a vvicked vsurper ouer Kings Princes But all Papists if they be true catholikes as they terme themselues namelie all Priests secular Seminarie and Iesuite doe holde cleane contradictorie euen manifest treason and rebellion againste the ciuill power ordained of God Therefore there is no comparison to bee made in regarde of doctrine betweene vs the Papistes And that you may perceaue This slaunder is laid vpon all Protestantes that this concerneth all Protestantes as well as the Ministers falslie called Puritanes doe but consider these words of Bristow Of Catholikes thorowlie discharged of their fealtie yet for common humanity for their accustomed vse Motiue 40. for their coÌ„tinual as it were natural institution the Prince is better obeyed serued theÌ„ of Protestants which in hart ar in a maner all Puritanes Note heere that I may vse M. D. Fulks words that Papistes professe them selues to be subiectes Renâ—â— of curteousie not of duetie of custome not of conscience of naturall institution and not of the law of God O Lord and Sauiour sende her M. few such subiectes seruants The currish obedience of Papistes Now this curteous or rather currish obedience is expounded vvhat it is by that beastly bull of Pius the fifth against our noble Soueraigne vvith the facultie granted to Campion Persons Read D. Fulk Auns to P. Frarin de clam pag. 35. by which the Pope licenseth the Papistes to dissemble their obedience vntill publicke execution of that Bull may be had that is to be priuie traytours till with hope of successe they may be open rebels We are obedient quiet the Papistes seditious and rebellious 2 Now for our doings vvhich it hath bene euer since our troubles vve need not to be ashamed to confes vve referre our selues to all men If vve haue committed any indignitie against her M. person Crowne or Soueraignty or had intelligence vvith anie of her enemies or gone about to drawe away the people froÌ„ their obedience or any such like But vve haue done in the knowledge of al men altogether cleane con trarie both by worde and deede in our preaching openly exhortations and example priuately And in our troubles vve haue willingly patiently submitted our selues to the punishmentes which haue bene inflicted vpon vs
THE PLEA OF THE INNOCENT Wherein is auerred That the Ministers people falslie termed Puritanes are iniuriouslie slaundered for enemies or troublers of the State Published for the common good of the Church and common wealth of this Realme of England AS A COVNTERMVRE Against all Sycophantising Papsts Statising Priestes Neutralising Atheistes and Satanising scorners of all godlinesse trueth and honestie Written By Iosias Nichols a faithfull Minister of the Ghospell of Christ and an humble seruaunt of the English Church Micah 7. vers 8.9 Reioyce not against me O mine enemie though I fall I shall rise when I shall sit in darknes the Lord shall be a light vnto mee I will beare the wrath of the Lorde because I haue sinned against him vntill he pleade my cause and execute iudgement for me he will bring me forth to the light and I shall see his righteousnes 1602. The contentes of this Booke Chapter 1. Wherein is shewed 1 They bee not Puritanes in deede who nowe in Englande are so called Pag. 1. 2 That name is verie fit and proper for all Papistes pag. 4. 3 What are the causes that some of her Maiesties moste faithfull and obedient subiectes are termed Puritanes pag. 5. c. 4 The true state of their cause pag. 12. Capit. 2. Wherein is declared 1 That the Ministers and people which haue desâ—â—d sought reformation of some thinge in the Ecclesiasticall state of this lande are warranted in their doâ—ings by the principall rule and Canon of our Church namelie the holy scriptures pag. 13. 14. c. 2 Martine Marprelate the Brownistes Hacket stirred vp by Satan to hinder their good cause pag. 32. 33. 34. 3 Preaching against Non residentes and the vnpreaching ministerie and all the exercises of the people aggree to holy Scrip. Pag. 35. Cap. 3. That the Ministers and people who haue desired reformation in some church matters haue therein followed the Christian lawes and godlie proceedings of the ecclesiasticall state Pag. 38. 39. c. Chapter 4. Wherein is prooued 1 That it can not bee that the Ministers and people desiring reformation should bee enemies to the state pag. 58. 2 They can not but vnfainedlie loue the Queenes most gracious Maiestie Pag. 60. 3 They doe heartilie reuerence and thankefullie obserue the Lordes of her most honorable priuie Counsell Pag. 65. 4 They reioyce to liue vnder the coÌ„mon lawes and ciuill coÌ„munitie of this Realme Pag. 69. 5 And in all their doeing maintaine the faith and promote the good proceedinge of the state of the Church Pag. 71. 72. c. Chap. 5. This teacheth that the Reuerende Bishoppes and other Prelates of the Church of Englande standing for conformitie such as indeede vnfainedlie doe fauor the present state of the Church and doe faithfully holde and beleeue the true religion and faith of Christ maintayned by publicke authoritie among vs are one and the same with the godlie Ministers and people which desire reformation of some thinges in the Ecclesiasticall state 1 Beeause they doe disagree in some things yet be faithfull brethren Pag. 83. 2 This life affoordeth not absolute and vnchaungeable vnitie Pag. 85. 3 They agree in all substantiall pointes of our Church as it aggreeth with holy Scripture Pag. 90. 4 God by persecution can make them in deed to appeare to be one Pag. 95. Cap 6. Wherein is plainely opened That there can no good reason be shewed that the godlie Ministers seekeing reformation are enemies to the present state 1 Because their consciences is cleare in Gods sight Pag. 99. 2 They defende no euill actions in them selues Pag. 100. 3 They can not bee charged with the faultes of straungers Anabaptistes foolish Martine or of frantick Hacket Pag. 102. 4 Nor with vnthankefull obscuring of Gods mercie for their fansies c. Nor with innouation or schisme Pag. 113. c. 5 They can not bee charged with anie thinge againste her Maiesties Person Crowne or Dignitie Pag. 132. 6 Or that they are againste all Superioritie in Ministers or the true power and honour of the ministerie Pag. 140 Cap. 7. Wherein is proued that the Ministers seeking reformation falsely called Puritanes are not in any sort to bee compared to Papistes in euill much lesse to bee equalized with traitors Seminarie priestes or Iesuites 1 By their contradictorie doctrine Pag. 145. 2 By their contrarie actes doeings Pag. 149. Cap. 8. The Ministers vvhich desire reformation in some thinges of our Church matters can not feare but euer loue her Maiestie and all the godlie wise Magistrates vnder her But the Papistes cleane contrarie Pag. 151.152 c. Cap. 9. Wherein is plainelie shewed 1 That it is most profitable to the present state and gouernement and greatlie for her Maiesties safetie to heare the petitions of the godlie Ministers seeking reformation and to tolerate them in their ministerie Pag. 162. c. 2 To harken to Papistes and to tolerate them is most exceeding daungerous and pernicious Pag. 170.171 c. Cap. 10. Wherein is demonstrated 1 That the vnpreaching Ministrie Non-residencie and subscription are troublers of the state Pag. 184.185 c. 2 They are breeders of Atheisme and Poperie and so ouerthrowers of the whole lande if their be no remedie in time Pag. 212. c. 3 At which the Atheistes laugh to their own confusion Pag. 208. c. Cap. 11. Wherein is discried that neither the reuerend Fathers and learned Prelates standing for conformitie neither the godlie Ministers desiring reformation are the onelie and proper causes of these troublesome dissensions and euils following the same But their are some other thinges more specially to be looked into which may and ought to induce both parties vnto peace and to ioyne louinglie in the building of Gods house and that all English people doe humble themselues by prayer vnto God and carefullie conforme them selues to the Ghospell of Christ Pag. 224.225 c. God saue our most gratious and Christian Queene ELIZABETH To all the Reverend Fathers the Bishops of this lande to all the godly learned Ministers of Iesus Christ to all the true and faithful favourers of the holie faith and religion now publikelie professed and maintayned in Englande IOSIAS NICHOLS the least of the least of all Gods Saintes wisheth all grace peace and ioye in beleeuing A Good name sayeth Salomon is to be chosen aboue greate riches Prou. 22.1 and louing fauour is aboue siluer aboue gold Which then is most excellent when it is founde in the feare of God A good report namely of a minister is a precius thing and our light shineth to the glorie and praise of God But the name of a Minister is yet of more regarde by whose standing and falling many are drawne and the reproach of such men reacheth nerest to the heauens and God is most dishonoured by their dishonour for he hath said I vvill be sanctified in theÌ„ that come neere me Leuit. 10.3 and before all the people
I vvill bee glorified Howbeit the Gospell proclaimeth all them blessed who for Christes sake are reuiled and against whome men doe falslie say all maner of euill For wicked men and infidels speak euill of them which runne not with them to the same excesse of riotte and beastlie men will vtter lewd wordes against those thinges they know not Heereof it commeth that many men fall away beeing not able to be are the reproach yet he which beleeueth as he speaketh knoweth what he beleeueth he suffereth as a Christian and is not ashamed but glorifieth God in this behalfe Notwithstanding when a brother shall reproach his brother Christians to reproach one the other hurtful to the Church and one Christian ill an other and the house of God shall be deuided then is it most dangerous For there will the enemie of mankinde cast in many burning fire brandes and heape on much drye wood that we might be all consumed one of another And such my most reuerend and beloued brethren hath beene our case and condition The state of manie godlie Ministers because we haue desired sought after the good proceeding and perfection of our Church in the seruice and worship of Christ and withholden our hands from doeing and allowing of some thinges in our iudgement hurtfull to the same and contrariant to the Ghospell of trueth Wee haue suffered endured much reproach and contempt which we haue patientlie borne and with great silence for diuers yeares sustayned that on our part the sacred worde of righteousnes might not be ill spoken of and as much as in vs lyeth wee might cut of all occasions to the common aduersarie to preuaile against the holy church of Christ which is among vs. But now it seemeth to me that notwithstanding all this The causes of this treatise the state of thinges is worse then euer before and I can not tell whether our conniuence in suffering all euill speeches against vs hath done the Church harme For nowe the Papist beginne to comfort themselues yea they challeng vnto them the name of honest and true men and good subiectes and by the reproachfullname of Puritan al godlie Protestants are most cunninglie depraued To haue beene called precisian Puritane hoatheaded proud contentious schismatickes and troublers of the Church wee haue borne it patientlie God knowing our innocencie and could yet be are it more so as by our suffring of contempt the Church of England might receaue honour and Gods people reioyce vnder good guiding pastoures But when it is growne so far that we are called accounted worse then Papists enemies to the state worse then Seminarie priestes like Iesuites subuerters of the common wealth enemies to her Maiesties most royall Crowne and dignitie for whose safetie wee doe continuallie and instantlie pray and that this is so farre growne that the traiterous priestes doe brag of extraordinarie fauour and vnder the name of Puritans most frandulentlie and with most grosse and palpable lying and slaundring traduce all Christian Churches so that wee verely thinke that if such thinges goe forward they will in a short time cause a most wofull ouerthrow of the whole state of the Christian Church among vs we cannot now forbeare any longer but that wee must needes shew vnto all the worlde our innocencie that the wrong which by ill false report hath bene done vnto vs thorow our negligēce want of honest defence be not made a strong forge and a close mightie engine to destroy all the happie and godlie proceedinges of her Maiestie turning vp side downe the ioyfull flourishing of the Christian religion Ghospell And we cannot now heale this soare by any priuate doing for it is spread abroad so vniuersall and mens mindes are so vniuersallie possessed therewith that we haue no way to doe good but to come into the open theater of the worlde to pleade for our selues and to make manifest the vprightnes of our cause against all these most false vniust and slanderous imputations Let me therefore intreate you all Reuerend Fathers and Brethren in godly charitie to receaue this our most iust apologie with Christian equitie to consider of it and with heauenlie wisedome waying the estate of the Church and the present necessitie take euerie thing in that meaning as it is written And I doe not doubt but allthough the knowne and professed enemie of all goodnes the popish faction which nowe these three and fortie yeares haue vsed all cunning treacherie and treasonable platformes to bereaue her Maiestie whome God almightie preserue still among vs of this present light and life of this worlde and all this Realm by that meanes of the heauenly light and life of the world to come though I say these vowed enemies of the Ghospell and of this land doe freat chafe and fume yet shall not you my de are brethren neither anie honest Christian and faithful subiect haue anie iust cause to mislike this manner of writing but rather thorow the hande of my God vpon me finde and think it necessarie at this tyme to be published to al Christian people of this English nation For I doe heerein declare and shew what hath beene our cause and maner of proceeding and that as plainelie without concealement The contents of this booke and as faithfullie without partialitie to our selues as I may boldly auoutch euery thing to any mans conscience which wil be content with trueth and all the trueth and secondlie how agreing al our cause doings from time to time hath bene to the present estate and her Maiesties proceedings in the Ghospell Thirdlie in clearing our cause and doings of the greatest accusations and imputations I make it plaine how vnequall and vniust the comparison is betweene vs and the Papist and lastlie I doe a little tourch some other things necessaritie appertaining to the premisses Now it may bee that heerein I shall not satisfie all men Hard satisfie all men paraduenture I shall offend some of the reuerend Bishoppes and some other learned Prelates standing for conformitie and it may bee I shall not perfectlie answer the expectatation of the godly Ministers who desire reformation or of some other wise learned Christians Herein doubtles I haue cause to suspect myne owne insufficiencie For who can tell how to walk perfectly with the Lord and yet auoid all occasions of offence where both the parties haue beene at so hote warre and where there are men of so many contrarie iudgements and affections much lesse a man of so little helpes and so small giftes as I haue How be it I craue the patience and charitable taking of this my writing of them both and I hope they will accept my good will For in an especiall loue toward both parties I haue taken this in hand and haue set God before mine eies before them both that so neere as I coulde and as far as I knowe and am able I vtter that which is right in
his sight not seeking to please ame man of either side but endeuouring to doe a worke pleasing to God and good for his Church I might minister occasion of profit to them both Knowing that nowe is the time that eyther side shoulde cast of the loue of themselues and turning their eies from the sweete reflex of their owne prayse ioyne in one hart against the common enemies for the peace increase perfection and honour of the Church of God in this land Which my good honest meaning if I haue not so fully accomplished as I desire I humble my selfe vnto God and trauell heerein vnder his mercie and I am readie vpon good demonstration of my faulte to make a mends and to satisfie eather parâ—ie But if their be anye of the reuerend Faâ—hers or of the learned Prelates which God forbid that bee proude I appeale from the proude froward or malicious and will stande stiffe vpon their conceaued purpose seeking them selues and their owne things and not the glory of God and the things which are Christs I esteeme them no further then they deserue I pray GOD amende them and turne their heartes So on the other side renounce all hypocrits if their bee anye man who seemeth to like reformation who yet beeing an hypocrite and false hearted hath anye hidden poyson in him for it is no rare thing to haue a Iudas among twelue and false creeping brethren who woulde bring the Church into bondage and make a praye of the same as I knowe none such so I doe renounce them in this Apologie and all other what so euer that doe not loue her M. with al their hart and are not true and vpright fauourers of the Ghospell as it is taught in England by publicke authoritie or haue in him anye treacherous or wicked purpose against the same any maner of way And I pray God to make them to be knowne yea if any man bee guilty in his conscience of any euill let him be ashamed and let him hide him selfe seeke the shiftes of wicked men in darknesse But as for vs our cause is iuste before God and we haue done no hurt to her Maiestie and we know and beleeue that when the appointed time of God shall come and his counsell hath sufficientlie tried vs hee will bring foorth our righteousnesse as the light and our iudgement as the noone day Therefore I thinke it my duety without all feare to open to all the world what maner of trespassers we are and to commend to the conscience of all wise learned and godlie Christians when they shall throughlie vnderstand rightly weigh euerie thing as it is the righteousnes of our cause and the vprightnes of our meaning O God and heauenlie Father thou iudge of all flesh and searcher of the heart and raines send forth thy light and thy trueth iudge thou the cause of thy seruants and take it into thy thine owne handes And cause thy people to returne discerne betweene the righteous and the wicked betweene him that serueth God and him that serueth him not And let thy gratious countenance shine alwaies vpon this land and vpon thine anointed handmaide our Soueraigne Queene Elizabeth defend protect and guid her establish thy couenant of peace with her and this English nation for euer euen the sure mercies of Dauid For thy holy Sonnes sake Iesus Christ Amen At Eastwell in Kent this 4. of Iune 1602. Cap. 1. Wherein is shewed 1. That they be not Puritans in deed who now in England are so called 2. That name is verie fit and proper for al Papists 3 What are the causes that some of her Maiesties most faithfull and obedient subiects are termed Puritans 4 The true state of their cause WE reade in the storie of the primatiue church of diuers sorts of hereticks What be â—ritans who for their opinions of their own Purenes contrarie to the trueth of holye Sicripure might verie well bee called Puritans As namely such as verie proudly odiouslie as Saint Augustine writeth called themselues Cathari De haeres 〈◊〉 3.8 which may well out of the originall worde bee translated by the name of Puritane for their puritie or cleanes and these hee saith followed Nouatus and were therefore called Nouatians The Pelagians also were Puritanes 88 holding as hee saieth that the life of a iust man in this worlde hath no sinne at all and that of them the Church is made vp in this mortall life that it might be altogeather without spote or wrinckle Of this latter sorte were the Donatistes 82 There were also Puritanes called Iouinianistes affirming that a man can not sinne after hee hath receaued the lauacre of regeneration Ebion also and diuers others Eus Pamph. hist lib. 3. cap 27. thought so well of them selues that they claue to the lawe as the Pharisees looking to be iustified by their workes and not by faith onelie All these and manye others hauing opinion of their owne puritie and despising others might iustlie and truelie bee called Puritanes But such ministers and other good christian men weomen Godly Ministers people in EnglaÌ„d no Puritans who in this Lande vnder her Maiesties most happie raigne whome God continue in safetie with the longest liuer haue embraced the Ghospell and by it abandoned all these and all other heresies and falshoodes and endeuour to followe the same Ghospell with all their soules and in simplicitie and humblenes of minde haue ben desirous that them-selues should drawe nearer and nearer vnto God and that the Church of England as it is very well and verie much reformed out of popish idolatrie and superstition might more more growe forward vnto such perfection as in this fraile life might bee attained bee verie vncharitablie and vniustlie called by that odious hereticall name of Puritane For if we woulde search all Englande from the tenth yeare of her Maiesties most gracious raigne aboute which time this wicked slander did first beginne vnto this present time there can not bee brought forth any one out of those vvho faithfullie and in the feare of God haue sought reformation howe so euer for that cause they haue beene and are vntruly so called that euer did arrogate anie such thinge to themselues We account not our selus pure as to be thought purer then other men but alwayes they haue acknowledged themselues to be great greeuous sinners as well as other men accounting their owne righteousnes to be as a stayned cloth and reioysing of no other purenesse but that which is by the bloode of Christ when for his sakes our sinnes are forgiuen and thorough faith in him our soules are purified and his righteousnesse imputed vnto vs by the free mercye and grace of God Therefore except wee woulde call black white and bitter sweete there is no reason in the worlde to call any such by the odious name of Puritanes 2. But the Papistes indeed being the true followers and
therein contayned to bee agreeable to God When in the visitations and publike meetinges the Ministers were called to subscribe they offered very freely and willingly to subscribe the first article of her Maiesties most lawfull authoritie And for the other two they refused to doe anye further thē by law they were bound name lie according to the statute made for that purpose anno 13. Herevpon manie in diuers Shires were suspended from the execution of their Ministerie and some depriued And great diuision arose in the Church the one suing for reformation and to be eased of such burdens and the other vrging verie straightly the former things punishing such as woulde not be conformable Then came there forth a newe cloude of writing and mennes affections waxing vvhote drawing to the worse it was a verye common name to all these Ministers to be called Puritanes As men which made conscience of many things which the reuerend Fathers and many learned men affirmed to be lawfull In all this time there was much preaching in the Vniuersities aboute nonresidents and vnpreaching ministers and there should you see a plain diuision one sorte called youths and the other sorte which tooke not such libertie were called Precisians And this is growne both in the Vniuersitie in the countrie town and citie that who so feareth an oth or is an ordinary resorter to sermons earnest against excesse ryot poperie or any disorder they are called in the vniuersitie precisians and in other places Puritans 4 And thus as faithfully as I can I haue shewed how this name came vp and whereupon honest godly men haue beene and ar called puritans or precisians here it foloweth to bee considered out these thinges what is their offence and the state of their cause For fower thinges men are called puritanes which may be referred to foure heads 1 scruple in the vse of certaine ceremonies 2 scruple in subscribing beyond the state 3 seeking for reformation of some ceremonies and of some parte of the ecclesiasticall discipline 4 the people do heare sermons talke of the Scriptures singe Psalmes together in priuate houses c. Nowe whether for these causes they be iustlie called puritans troublers of the state c. it remaineth to be examined and discussed For the plaine opening whereof I will first shewe such honest reasons as make for their lawfull excuse proouing manifestlie that they are to be holden as good and faithfull subiectes honest Christians and godlie ministers Secondlie I will open the vanitie of the principall imputations which are vrged against them and thirdlie propound some other such considerations as are necessarilie annexed to both Cap. 2. Wherein is declared 1. That the ministers people which haue desired and sought for reformation of some things in the ecclesiastical state of this land are warranted in their doings by the principall rule and Canon of our Church namely the holy Scriptures 2. Martin Marprelate the Brownistes Hacket stirred vp by Satan to hinder their good cause 3. Preaching against nonresidence and vnpreaching ministers and all the Christian exercises of the people agreeth to the holie Scriptures THe greatest glorie of the militant church is the presence of God Gods presēce the glory of the Church and if GOD forsake them their glorie is departed therefore when hee honoureth his Church he saieth This is my rest for euer here will I dwell Psal 132.14 And this is the glorious renowne of Gods people The Lorde his God is with him and the ioyfull shout of a King is among them Num. 24.21 Cap. 52.7 For which cause as saieth the Prophet Esay The feete of his messen gers bee beautifull vpon the mountaines when they preach these glade tyding saying to the Church Thy God raigneth And there indeede God raigneth where his worde beareth the preheminence For his worde is his Scepter and the rodde of his mouth And this is the great priuiledge of his Church Rom. 3.2 Psal 147 19. that to them be committed the oracles of God He sheweth his worde vnto Iacob his statutes and his iudgmentes vnto Israell hee hath not dealt so with euerie nation c. Heere is my ioy and the precious comfort of all Gods children in this land Queene Elizabeth the ioye of the godlie that the Lord our mercifull and louing God of his rich grace and free fauour hath giuen vs such a vertuous and religious Princes who beeing stirred vp by his spirit and guided by his holie hande in the midst of so many enemies and thorow so many wonderfull daugers hath cheerefullie bouldly and with the Maiestie of the Lordes annoynted proclaimed Gods trueth and aduauncing Gods holye Testamēt hath banished the beggarlie rudiments of this world the traditions and vnwritten falshoodes of men and as a true faithfull Noursemother hath fostered his Church nowe these three fourtie yeares in great plentie and peace vnder his blessed presence and glorious protection So that our enemies beeing Iudges it must needes be confessed that God is with vs of a trueth Therefore as it becommeth the true people and Congregation of GOD the Church of England humblie submitting it selfe to his lawe doth meekelie and constantlie confesse that It is not lawfull for the Church to ordaine any thing that is contrarie to Gods written worde Artic. 20. And for this cause they describe the visible Church of Christ to be A Congregation of faithfull men in the which the pure word of God is preached dutifully trulie affirme Artic. 19. that In our doings that the will of God is to be followed which we haue expreslie declared vnto vs in the worde of God Artic. 17. Now my deare brethren and fathers if I shall shewe that the things we haue done doe answer to his holy Canon of Gods written worde The godlie Ministers guided by the Canon of holy scripture I hope it shall appeare that wee haue not bene against the Church but for the Church And first for the ceremonies they are reputed verie small things and therefore we ought not to trouble the church about them Consider therefore with me Of ceremonies I beseech you that as a verie small thing troubleth the eye of a mans body so is the conscience and faith of a true Christian and especiallie of a faithfull Minister Exod. 10.26 Therefore Moses when he was in greatest danger of life woulde not yeeld that one hoofe should be left behind of that which God had commanded to goe out of Egypt Dan. 6 10. And Daniel when he knew that there was a lawe sealed against him of present death yet would hee not shut his window or leaue of praying to God anye one time of thrise in the day to saue his life Gal. 2.3.4.5 And the Apostle Paule in a matter of Christian libertie woulde not giue place by subiection for the space of one hower And of this precisenes god himself is the
that we might haue reformation in these things or at the least such toleration as wee might not be burdened with subscription or the strict obseruation of ceremonies but behauing our selues otherwise peaceable and as good subiectes discreet ministers we might not be troubled nor molested about these things And for this cause we did meet in the Parliament time and at other tymes while our trouble did last to consult and deuise what way wee might take to obtaine fauoure and reconciliation or reformation or releasment of our suspensions or other troubles In all which as I must needes confesse that I was among the Ministers of Kent not one of the hindemost beeing suspended onelie for not subscribing from the last daye of Ianuarie vntill the third day before the natiuitie of Christ So doe I professe to all the worlde that I knowe not anie thing which we did in our meeting or in our supplications or apologeticallwritings but that which was comely for men of our sorte and as our forefathers the faithfull Ministers of Christ in the primitiue Church did in like case before vs. For the Ministers of Christ finding themselues in the testimonie of their consciences to be heauilie burdened with the ordinances of the Church wee liue in humblie to declare their grieuances to the Magistrates in authoritie in tymes and places which may relieue them to shew by publike writings the vprightnes of their cause and by petition to craue some Christian and godlie remedie is doubtles agreeing to all law of God man and therefore I hope I shall not need to vse anie argumentes to prooue the same which we know our aduersaries being in our case would thinke themselues to haue great wrong to be denied Our fault is that we did not cōmend our cause to the Queene But if anie thing bee our fault I take it to be this That wee did not present our cause to the Queenes most excellent M. being a Prince of rare clemencie wisdome and iustice Whome when we did know to be so equal fauourable milde and of such incredible long animitie and that to her greatest aduersaries and deadlie enemies the Papistes who alwaies haue sought mischief against her person Crowne and dignitie we were doubtles much ouerseene that we commended not our cause to her most gracious and Princelie consideration For the goodnes of our cause and the innocencie of our persones being manifested before her Princelie eies it could not haue bene possible but that so prudent Christian a Magistrate vvoulde speedilie haue eased all our sorrovves and ended these vvofull troubles of the Church 2 But vvhile vve partlie fearing partly hoping as though the reuerēd Fathers themselues to vvhome vvee vsed beside our supplications diuers meanes woulde at the length haue ioyned with vs to the ending of these vnvvholsome strifes that vve trusted that our mercifull God pitying his Church vvoulde haue raysed vp some meanes to further his ovvne cause vvhile the time slipt avvay and mens mindes vvauered this vvay that vvay three most greeuous accidents did greatly astonish vs and verie much darken the righteousnes of our cause The first vvas a foolishe iester vvho tearmed himselfe Martin Marprelate and his sonnes Martin Marprelate a filthie Sycophant vvhich vnder counterfeit apish scoffing did play the Sycophant slanderously abused manye persons of reuerend place and note And such was the wisdome of the time that manie filthie and lewd pamphletes came forth against him casting forth much stincking doung and beastlie filth into the faces of honest men to the great contempt of Christes holy Ghospell and the verie apparant disparagement of the faithfull laboures of all godly Ministers on both sides This kindled a meruelous great fire euen that which S. Iames sayeth is set on fire of hell and is a worlde of wickednes Cap 3.6 It beewraied the weaknes of many a man and shewed how hard it is for fleshe and blood to hold in the raines of his own aspiring affections rather to endure reproach then to endamage the Church of God or wiselie to forethinke that we ought rather to suffer wronge then that the glorious Ghospell of our Lord Iesus Christ shoulde be euill spoken of How so euer it was the blame lighted vpon vs and we by it obtained a new name in many pulpites how iustly God knoweth wee are called Martinistes Then did our troubles increase the persuite was hardlie followed against vs the enemie of the Ghospell for slowed not the occasion to make our good iust honest godlie cause to be ill thought of and verie much condemned as if the verie state had taken knowledge that we were wicked men our cause vniust we no longer to be suffered So great hurt is it when an honest lawfull course is begun for foolish hairbraine men to thrust in thēselues to hazard such meanes as God neuer sanctified For God needeth not our follie 1. Cro. 15.13 but will make a breach among vs if we seeke him not in order Howbeit when our cause was left naked and many of vs in great hazard God him self gaue witnes to his truth manifested his iudgements and deliuered his innocent seruants so that it plainly appeared to the wiser discreter sorte that the Deuill was the author of this disgrace In this time also happened the second and third euill the Brownistes tooke offense against both sides The Brownists and Hacket of an euill spirit made a temerarious and wicked separation some two or three men being beewitched with some proud honor by a certaine man frantick spirit lifted vp themselues with hie words of blasphemie whose working this was all wise men know who know the wiles of Sathan How be it these also were drawne vpon vs and made a notable matter to aggrauate our cause But God who seeth in secret and beholdeth the bitter gaule of Simon Magus Act. 8.23 the filthie dissolutenes of Nicholas the freating canker of Hyminaeus Philetus the dogges the euill workers concision and all false Apostles which transforme them selues into Apostles of Christ namelie that these did much mischief and brought great trouble to the first beginning planting of the primitiue Church he euen he knoweth that these things were cunninglie wrought by these deep sleightes and suggestions of that olde serpent too hinder our good cause to hurt the prosperous and godly proceedings of the Church of England For by this meanes we finding the mighty winds and stronge streame against vs were faine to humble our selues vnder Gods mercie and commending our selues our cause to him who iudgeth righteously we reserued ourselues to a better time whē it should please his gracious wisedome to make his owne trueth to appeare and to moue the mindes of our superiours to bee more fauourable 3 Then tooke the idle and vnpreaching Ministers comfort at the heart supposing their standing to be good the non-residents had their mouthes
and supreame dignitie of the. Prince If our state in the orderinge of Ministers ordaine them to preach are we enemies if we would haue none tolerated but such as can and will preach if our state say the absence of the Pastor from his flock is a pernicious thing in it selfe are we disturbers of the peace if we desire such pernitious thinges to bee abolished altogether And if wee finde that the power to commaunde Ministers and to direct orders of the Church commeth from the statutes of the land made in her Maiesties gracious raigne namelie that they commaund a kinde of subscription giuing authoritie to the Bishoppes and Ordinaries to depriue and keepe out men from Ecclesiasticall promotions who will not so subscribe shall we bee enemies to the state if offering so subscribe according to the statute we humblie craue to be free so farre as the lawes statutes doe free vs And that the reuerend Bishops content themselues with that power which her Maiestie the lawes of the Realme doe giue vnto them If we submitte our selues to that subscription which the lawe commandeth are we disobedient and enemies If we meeklie beseech them not to bee molested for such a subscription as the law and statute doth not commaunde And if the Ecclesiasticall state call vs vnto sermons to sing Psalmes reuerentlie in the feare of God to common about the word of God alas are we Puritanes and vile Precisians conuenticlers schismatikes wicked people if we doe the same I desire therefore all the reuerend Fathers and all other good Christian subiectes to consider of our cause as it is and to take pittie vpon vs and to vse vs as the truth of our cause requireth let them not spare if in deed they find any of vs trulie schismaticall a trobler of the church and an enemie to the state 6 Lastlie let it be examined what hath bin our doings and proceedings from the first great storme that rose against vs The cariage of the Ministers people verie dutifull and peaceable which was about the 10 yeare of her Maiesties raigne when the Papistes begann to aduaunce themselues in their treacherous platformes and euer since that tyme wee haue had more or lesse at one time or another some tryales and namelie verie great was that of subscription and since that time a great while together was there euer any of vs that went about anye treacherous practise had we intelligence with anye other nation against her Maiestie or the state Was not all our doings by humble supplications honest Christian Apologeticall writing and by lowlie and earnest suing and intreating by our friends Neuer did wee iustifie any man neither yet doe if either by word or writing he pas the bonds of comely modestie and not with a meek and quiet spirit constantlie perseuer in following of this good cause And I my selfe should bee right sorie if vnwittinglie I shoulde in this treatise let fall any thing which might be an vniust and vncharitable disgrace to any mans person which vnfainedlie fauour the present state and gouernement And that I may end this chapt with words of peace I meeklie humblie desire the reuerend Fathers and all other good men to iudge whether wee haue not done as good Ministers and Christian subiectes ought to doe when we haue quietlie borne such punishments as haue bene inflicted vpon vs till by great sure and tract of tyme we haue respit or deliueraunce And diuers honest men haue changed their dwellings from vnder vnable and vnpreaching Ministers because they and their families found not that comforte which they did in other places that by this meanes with great losse they might cut a way occasion from them which desired to count them disquiet persons and troublers of the Church And if we be called Puritans for suing to the honourable house of Parliament or the Lords of her Maiesties Councill for any case of our greeuances then may all men of all sortes bee so accounted Let them yeeld vs the libertie of Christians grant vs that freedome which other subiectes haue and there will be but little matter left to make any good ground whereby we should bee called or reputed troublers or enemies to the State Cap. 5. This teacheth that the renowned Fathers and other Prelates of the Church of England standing for conformitie such as vnfainedlie doe fauour the present estate of the Church and doe faithfullie hold and beleeue the true religion and faith of Christ maintained by publike authoritie among vs are one and the same with the godlie Ministers people who desire reformation of some things in the Ecclesiasticall state 1. Because they may disagree in some things and yet be faithfull brethrē 2. This life afoordeth not absolute vnchangeable vnitie 3. They agree in all substantiall pointes of our Church as it agreeth with holie Scripture 4. God by persecution can make them indeed to appeare to be one THIS argument seemeth to bee a strange paradoxe a matter not to be beleeued or hoped for if we remember how greatlie mens affections haue bene alienated and their countenances estranged and now more then euer 1. How be it it is also a false position to say Faithfull brethren may disagree that hote discord should not light sometime betweene friends Who more neerlie ioyned in christian faith and loue then Paule and Barnabas Act. 15 37.3◠and I thinke no man will aduenture to say that they were not alwaies of one faith and loue in Christ Iesus and in their ioynt laboures to further the Ghospell yet fell there out an hotte contention betweene them where neither yeelding to other they separated one from another Yet to declare their vnseparable vnitie Saint Paule doeth giue honourable testimonie of Barnabas 2. Cor. 9 6. Gal. 2.9 concerning their vnited office and laboure in the Ghospell So doe I finde that all our best learned writers doe prooue the vnion of all the reformed Churches although in some things there be happelie some difference betweene them And namelie in this presēt cause I remember Maister D. Fulk hath these words Also the contention of those whome hee calleth Puritanes in Englande is not so great nor about so great matters that anye such deuision is to bee feared which might cause disolation of the kingdom In his reten again Bristow mot 47 in 50. deman Pag. 129. Adde hereunto that Bristow said in the 40. motiue that the Protestants in England be in a maner in heart al Puritans whereby he confesseth against himselfe that there can bee no deadlie contention betweene them that in hart are all one Therefore I hope as that reuerend Father Bb. Iewell calleth Luther and Zuinglius worthie members and learned Fathers of Christs church Reply to Harding Artic. 8. of adoring deuis 17. pag. 396. who disagreeing of the maner of Christes presence in the Sacrament He affirmeth that otherwise their whole he artes were ioyned and bent
of diuision schisme slaughter and miserie then euer by the grace of God is likelie to be a mong vs. 3 And to deale plainely I can not see that the matter betwene vs is such that either they doe or can make a thorowe breach No matters to separate Gods children for euer betweene the children of God For what so euer is agreeing to holye scripture properlie essentially of our religion profession of the Church of England and what so euer is properlie naturallie belonging to the ministerie by the rule and description of holie Scripture maintained by the reuerend Fathers other Prelats of our Church standing for conformitie we the Ministers people who seeke reformation doe hold professe the same As namely the doctrine of faith of the Sacraments and that the booke of common prayer may bee vsed in the chiefe substance thereof and that the Minister of the word ought to preach c. Therfore in regarde of the maine grounds of religion of the ministerie seruice of God we are all one Nowe the thinges which we desire to be reformed they stande earnestlie to maintaine are but accessorie additamentes brought into the Church by humane constitution as the reading of Apocripha Priestly garmentes the crosse in Baptisme Sacramentall signification to Matrimony Confirmation Lordship ciuill iurisdiction in Bishops execution of Discipline by chauncellors cōmissaries and officialls then in other chief Prelates Deanes Prebends Archdeacons non-residence pluralities totquotts the bare reading ministerie and such like If all these or any of these be the holye plantes which God hath planted in his Church then haue we done ill to speak or write against them But if they bee such as being cleane taken away as we verely think the religion The things in controuersie taken a way the Church is whole entire and no hurt to the Church or Bishoppes to depart from them faith administration of Christ the true worship of God as it is now in the Church of England might vvould remaine vvhole entiere vvithout them then doubtles are vve all one according to Christ Iesus in those thinges vvhich in duetie conscience toward God vve ought of necessity to saluation to agree in one although the outwarde appendants make vs seeme to differ one frō another There be two brethren one vveareth a Babylonitish garment is attired in all thinges like vnto them vvhich inhabit the Easterne climate the other goeth in the good wholesome clothes that a Yeomen or citizen of England vsually doth both these being borne of one father in one countrie being of one language and house shal men say that they are not brethrē if they agree in all naturall thinges sauing that one of them hath gottē some new fashions And if the other desire his brother to goe after his owne cuntrie fashion are they straight vvaies enemies Consider I humblie beseech you most deare reuerend fathers brethren the foundatiō of these things for vvhich you stand and vveigh vvith your selues that the departing from these things will bee no hinderance to you nor to the church of God First you know that the holy Scriptures are sufficiēt to make the man of God perfect absolute vnto all good workes 2. Tim. 3. if we grant you whatsoeuer the Lord Christ hath granted in his holy written word what iniurie doe we offer to the church or to your ministerie This you knowe that necessity is laid vpon vs to preach the Ghospell 2. Cor. 9. and vvoe is vnto vs if we preach not the ghospell if we be suters that all the ministers shoulde doe this so avoide Gods curse doe we desire their hurt 2. Cor. 10. you know that Christs kingdome is spirituall if then these thinges which we desire vvere remooued bee carnall the weapons of the carnall man you shall leefe nothing to put off the earthlie carnal to keep onely that vvhich is spirituall You know the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ 2. Cor. 8.9 Philip. 2. that he being rich for your sakes became poore that ye thorow his pouertie might bee made rich yea hee made himselfe for our saluation of no reputatiō tooke on him the forme of a seruant c. Hee humbled himselfe became obedient to the death euen to the death of the crosse vvhat hurt I beseech you would it bee vnto you or to the Church if for his sake you did in some sort follow his example and hauing the same minde which hee had to let goe some of these outward things to maintaine peace to feede the flock of God for which he gaue his owne blood Math. 2. Christ by humbling himselfe became one with vs our Emmanuell And why shoulde these humaine accessories diuide vs his seruants members that we should not be one among our selues which so manifestly are one in him in faith in him in professing of his word in the worship of his name The Apostles forsooke all to follow Christ Mat. 9.27.28 and they followed him in the regeneration namely S. Paul made this choise with his own hands to minister to his necessities to make himfelf a seruant to all men Act. 20. 1. Cor. 9. thogh he were free frō al men so to leefe some parte of his right that he might make the Ghospell free I beseech you consider whether you haue done so and that if you did in some part follow him heerein as he followed Christ whether their would not be a most blessed ioyfull vnitie amongst Gods labourers and a more excellent merueilous freedome of the preaching of heauenly peace 4 If these arguments maye not yet make it manifest that wee are one or ought to striue to bee one there is yet one other argument vvhich is very demonstratiue cannot be denyed but that is not in man to frame Persecution persecution when it hath stripped vs out of all those humane deuises outward things and Gods rodde hath made vs equall and taught vs to bee spirituall then will it be knowne that we are all one I meane such as are not hypocrits nor false brethren that we are brethren and members one of another Christ onely the head Then shal we learne to say one to another Act and monuments pag. 1431. print 1576. * Now my deare brother for as much as I vnderstand that wee throughlie agree and wholy consent together in those thinges which are the groundes and substantiall points of our religion against the which the worlde so furiously rageth in these our dayes howsoeuer in times past in certaine by-matters circumstances of religion your wisedome my simplicitie I graunt hath a little iarred each of vs following the aboundance of his owne sense iudgement nowe I say be you assured that euen with my whole heart God is my witnesse in the bowelles of Christ I loue you in
there were any likelihood that such men would fauour the enemies of God and of the Queene Libelling Priestes like rogues They are like vnto rogues who in time past woulde recite all the Iustices of peace in the shire by mustering of whose names they would fortifie themselues against all gainsaiers So these vagabund and roguing Priestes abuse the names of worthy men to shadow their diuelish and traiterous designements For I haue great reason to iudge that their malicious Machiauellian drift is no otherwise but to bringe them in hatred with all her Maiesties good and faithfull subiectes And they care not what they say so as they might kindle a fierie faction among vs and they accomplish their moste wicked complottes Can they make vs beleeue that these reuerende men doe fauour such Popish traitors or that they doe not by such grosse and palpable flatterie prepare a net for their feete Doe they not know how these reuerend fathers doe maintaine and alow all learned godly preachers which enueigh against all such wicked seditious persons and all bookes writings which bewray confute destroy their abhominable minable heresies Doe they not know that they stand for defence and promoting of the Ghospel and the execution of all Ecclesiasticall lawes of this land for the vpholding of the same as Fathers Pastours of the Church of England vpon whome the eies of all men are bent expecting and looking that they aboue all other shuld shew them selues zealous for the truth enemies to Antichrist What Doth he thinke them so vnwise that they knowe not where they are or how they are or so childish that they vvill reuolt from the truth vvhich they haue sucked in euen from their cradle or so vnthankefull that they will take part with Gods aduersaries Doth he think them so blind that they will goe contrarie to all the reuerend Bishoppes and learned men which haue writtē euer since her Maiesties raigne against the Romish heresie that now they woulde take a new course to seuer from all Christiā Churches and be content to heare the most excellent lightes of the world to bee so vilie and maliciously traduced Doth he think them so void of all conscience and honestie that they would take the greatest and chiefest promotions of our Church and so farre abuse the trust committed to them by her Maiestie that they woulde vnder-hande deale cleane contrarie to the same What sodaine toy is come into this mans dreaming braines to think that the learned men of other nations Churches hauing now aboue fiftie yeares bene all one with the English Bishoppes and Protestantes English Bishopes readie to helpe the straungers and alwaies readie not onelie by worde and writing but also vvith monie armour and life to helpe one another should now after so many yeares friendship and loue in our religion and true vvorship of God vvithout any breach or alteration be likelie suddenly to be drawne one against another so that it shuld be a pleasure to our reuerend Fathers to heare such godly learned men Christian Churches our deare friendes and brethren in Christ to bee ill spoken of traduced and slaundered None els a man would think but such as braine madd would imagine such a thing A man that had in him no more but meere reason and pollicie might easilie see further into this matter but only that Papists desire nothing but hurlie burlie confusion that if they had no feare of God before their eies yet they might well thinke with them selues that if by their fauour shewed to Priestes Seminaries or Iesuites they shoulde haue accesse to such places or come so neere her Maiestie that anye hurte should happen to her sacred person vvhich God for Christes sake keep farre from her that the oath of association would stirr vp some and the loue wherewith her Maiestie hath bound thousands and thousands of her faithfull subiectes vnto her would constraine both Noble men Knights Gentillmen and all sortes of the commons to bee reuenged vpon them that haue bene meanes of such euill And they can not bee ignorant that if there bee such a thing and that it may bee now for some consideration wincked at yet there may come a time when such things may be ripped vp and called to accountes and then I dare say they woulde not bee willing to take vpon them such Popish treasonable irreligious writings No meruell therefore if they care not what they say against vs poore Ministers when they dare make it by a question answer lawfull to sue for fauour at the hands of so reuerend wise iuditious men whose place is so directlye opposite to such vvicked hypocrites and they stand as vvatchmen to discouer them and as Iudges to punish them But if among all the Protestant writers there bee some one that hath put forth some priuate opinion of his owne concerning the authoritie of Princes are vve to be blamed vvith that where vvith we were neuer acquainted But this is a stale slaunder against all Protestantes Of the differēce between Christ sub part 3. pag. 3.6 Auns to P. Frarine pag 35. ansvvered by M. D. Bilson Doctor Fulk and commeth to late to be laid vpon vs. But heere vve may see their beggerly pouertie or els some secret secular Popish malice that they must bee faine to thrust into the ballance of their false accusation against vs what so euer colour may be deuised against all forren Protestantes to vvay downe the good estimation of a fevve poore Ministers of England Such is the actions of the Anabaptistes of Martin Marprelat Harding auns Artic. 25. diuis 12. frantick Hacket euen as iust as the furious disobedience of these verie Anabaptistes is laid to the charge of all other Protestantes by the malicious wicked Papistes It is now at the least 33. yeare since our troubles began to be verie heauie vpon vs let thē shew how vve haue mooued the least finger against our dread Soueraigne The present toleration of some of the chief vvho haue vvritten in this cause in the conscience of those reuerende honourable wise persons who either haue caused their libertie or effected it themselues may testifie our innocēcie And surely I vvould not desire any fauour if I might be conuicted of the euil cariage of the best of those three Neyther doe I feare that any honest mind not blinded vvith hatred vvill impute anye of their vvicked dealing to anye godlie Minister vvhich desireth the good of our Church The second great slāder touching Gods mercie vpon this land 4 Therfore wil I come to the second sorte of obiections which seeme more neerely to touch vs and our cause The most principal obiection cōmeth within this circle That we acknowledging not this singular benefite proceeding from the mercie of God namelie that all heresies corrupt doctrines all superstitions and papisticall opinions haue bene banished by the Prince Realme c and all
kingdome If in the stile and maner of doeing they or anye other writing in defence of them Curious and bitter wordes not iustifiable haue ben ouer curious bitter or sharpe by which they haue incensed theÌ„ whome they should haue wonne by milde meeke vsage I for my part doe not reioyce in it I dare not defend anie the least vnsemelie word Howsoeuer I know the hard pursuite vpon them and that being as they verilie thought further and beeyonde the lawe of this Realm did giue them great cause to bee grieued and offended that their consciences should be so straightlie pressed their labors so little regarded and being Ministers of the Ghospell they shoulde bee so smallie esteemed and that the Reuerend Fathers accounting those thinges for which they contend but meere trifles would yet preferre them before the ministery of so many worthy Preachers and prouoke their breethren more and further then they need This doubtlesse vexed their spirit and such is our weaknesse and imperfection in this life that it is an harde thing to keepe measure at all times And when men are perswaded in conscienee that their cause is good their griefe is the more and they are the more confident to speake And it were almost a wonder that in such perplexitie euerie thing should be perfect and without blemish Doe we not know that Moses beeing by the spirite of God Num. 12.3 called a verie meeke man aboue all men that euer were vpon the earth yet God punished him Because his spirite beeing vexed by the people Ps 106.72.73 hee spake vnaduisedlie with his lippes So no merueill though we poore weake soules farre inferiour to that most rare man haue felt the smart of our griefe and zeale I would to God that our brethren fathers coulde be iustified in this matter and that they had not their parte of iuste punishment with vs for that wherein they haue beene ouerseene in their dealing toward vs toward the Church of Englande in these causes And I hartly pray God that they doe not one day confesse and say Wee haue verelye sinned againste our brethren Gen. 42.41 in that wee sawe the anguish of their soules when they besought vs and wee woulde not heare them therefore is this trouble come vpon vs. The Lorde our God euen our mercifull Father bee iudge betweene vs. Touching subscription I haue sufficiently spoken before and there will be occasion after therefore I need not in this place to say any thing Now I come to the second point the cause of our doeing it is saide Because in certaine accidentall poyntes they haue not their fansies and proper deuises If it may appeare that this is an Elench No cause set for A cause and that a good iust and waightie cause founded in Gods word is iniuriously reputed and tearmed accidentall fansie and deuise then I hope godlie and vvise Christians will pittie our estate bee more fauourable iudges of our cause To reade bookes Apocryphall and chapters contayning errours and vntruthes vnder the name of holy scripture is no accidentall pointe vnlesse we will say that our conference with papistes and our apologeticall writtings prouing errours to bee in those bookes and therefore to be no Canonicall Scriptures be accidental points The desire that euerie Minister bee a Preacher of Gods word and to administer discipline is no accidental point vnlesse the chiefest pointe of the Minister office as they are ordained by the â—ooke of orders be but an accidentall â—ointe To desire that Chauncelers Officialls and Commissaries shoulde â—ot administer discipline and nameâ—e excommunication which D. Sutâ—ef saith is against all reason for a laye â—an to do that the Pastour should â—ot be a non-resident which the reueâ—end Fathers say is a pernitious thing â—r to say that God hath consecrated natrimonie to such an excellent myâ—erie that in it is signified and repreâ—ented the spirituall mariage betwixt Christ and his Church which is not â—o to be founde in holye Scripture but 〈◊〉 a belying of his glorious Maiestie â—o saye that these and manye such like â—e accidentall pointes I hope no aduied man that looketh throughly into â—ur cause will aduenture And where 〈◊〉 is saide that wee woulde herein haue â—ur fancies and proper deuises let the â—oste reuerend Father determine for â—s where hee hath these wordes D. Whitg in the preface of the defens of the auns to the admonition The â—ontrouersie is not whether manye of the â—hinges mentioned by the platformers were â—tlie vsed in the Apostles time or may â—ee well vsed in some places yea or hee conueniently vsed in sundrie reformed Churches at this day For none of these branches at denied c. Now if as this reuerend Father saieth manye of the thinges wee desire were fitlie vsed in the Apostleâ— times c. How can they be our fansies proper deuises which were vsed by the Apostles some a thousand fiue hundreth years before we were borne And let it be considered whether the Apostles vsing such thinges haue deserued to be reproached with our fansies and proper deuises who are liuing so manie hundred yeares after them haue our selues learned those thinges out of their holie writings if this bee well looked into and aduisedlie iudged of by an equall and iuste line I hope the ground of this greate and terrible accusation being voide and emptie all the other greeuous inferences will fall and vanish away and that the contrarie will be euident and apparant to the conscience of all men Namelie That for so much as we faithfullie preach the doctrine of faith and sacraments and humblie and quietlie vse our ministrie according to the booke of orders and administer Prayer and Sacraments by no other forme but that of the booke of common prayer and that in our publike preaching priuate talke in all accasions wee doe praise God acknowledge his mercie pray for the continuance thereof and stirre vp others so to doe and therevpon doe humbly present to the reuerend Fathers the whole state verie good waightie points agreeing to holy Scripture needfull to bee considered for the further perfection of our Church and the glorie of God being no fansies of ours or deuises but such as the holye Apostles did vse in the first and purest Churches wee caÌ„ not be said to sett our selues against god frowardly to disquiet the church trouble the common wealth hazarde the whole state of religioÌ„ reioyce the wicked or grieue any godly person whatsoeuer but rather to promote the glorye of God further the present good encrease of our Church to the great benefit comfort and ioye of Gods people And I can not thinke so vndutifullie of her Maiestie or of any other that haue care of gouernement that they would be merueilouslie grieued to se any subiect in humble and dutifull maner sue to be eased of any grieuance according to the auncient custome and vsuall order of this Realme and
bloodie Spaniards In all which she is as vvorthie and renoomed a Prince as any this day in Europe shevving her selfe to be a true vvorshipper of God and a carefull obseruer of his vvord If vve should offer anye further matter then that is heare shevved to bee her meaning and doeing vve might iustlie haue this accusation laid against vs but that you see hath as easie a denyall as it is a most manifest slaunder But as for the diminishing of her prerogatiue by Elders or that the Pastour should be a Pope I vvonder at the skantling they take should either of these take vpon him any thing diuers from the Scriptures and which he might dare to doe beeing not authorized thereunto by publike order of the Church and confirmed by her Maiesties authoritie And how can a poore Minister bee a Popâ— when his authority should reach butteâ— one parish and that therein he shoulâ— not doe his own mind but be measured by a law and superior authoritie This they know well or may know that obiect these things against vs I merueill they dare hazard their credite to publish such kinde of vncharitable inuentions But we are not to good to come vnder such vniust imputations seeing our Sauiour Christ dranke of the same cupp but our grief is the more to haue such measure from our reuerende Fathers deare brethren The next besitting this kind is that we affect popularitie to bring al to a popular state Thirdly touching populâ—ritie This slaunder seemeth to mee to haue tvvo forckes First in regairde of the peoples choosing of their Pastour and second that vve should bee enemies to Magistrates or Monarchicall gouernement I ansvver in the first vvee leaue not all to the people but onlye vvee vvoulde not haue the people left out but as Act. 6. and 14.23 The Bishopes and Ministers should order and guide the people and both ioyning together the choise might bee free and most for the benefit of the Church Novv vvhen the Bishops of our Church in England before they ordaine a Minister vvill haue him to nominate a place and as I haue seene in practise send their letters to that place to see if any coulde except against him and lastly ordaine him with these words Take authoritie to preach to this congregation meaning as I take it the Parishe which had chosen him alas what popularitie is this This obiection Maister D. Fulke answereth against the Papistes by those words And as for the popular election if you haue red those bookes you make mention of Defen of English transl cap 15. pag. 797. you might perceaue that neither of both partes allow a meere popular election And that Maister Whitgift doth not so much contend what forme of election was vsed in the time of the Apostles c. The other forcke is a meer deuise a deuilish quarell and calumniation against all Protestantes for Bristow saieth Motiue 40 Protestantes be malignoures of the hier powers and hath no colour in the world in any of our doeings writings or practise whatsoeuer therefore I think it not worthie to be answered 6 The other arguments obiections are not of so great a prayse Obiections of more equitie yet wil I answer some few of them that if it be possible the chiefe heads vnto which all other may be referred being found light and vaine all the rest might bee accounted no better then they are First our friends say vnto vs if their be no superior how can there be any good order We answer that we meruil they vnderstand not that wee meane that the lawe and authoritie of the Prince shal be superiour to all the Magistrates and Commissioners as signed by her to see all her good lawes executed And as Maister Fulke saieth wee graunt among the Ministers themselues An ouerthrewe ' of the answ to M. Chark prefaâ— pag. 112. a primacie of order as it was among the Apostles namely according to which Iames was president of the councill at Hierusalem Act. 15. But it is further vrged that the honour of Bd. is more for the protection of the Ministers for their reputation I will not heere for reuerence sake answer all that I can and which miserable experience afordeth only I would such to consider that our armour is spirituall and that the Apostles subdued all the worlde without this earthly honour which this obiection pretendeth But a Christian Magistrate being friend wee haue now lesse cause to feare our reputation if we doe well then they being base and poore fishermen of low estate at that time had when all the power and glorie of the world was against them Therefore the Psalme speakes another maner of conquest Namely that Christ shoulde prosper with his glorie Psal 45 4â— and ride vpon no other pompeous chariot but that of Gods word all laid ouer with golde of trueth and drawne with no other horses but meeknes and righteousnes So am I perswaded that although this great dignitie of our Prelats were takeÌ„ a way yet if we did diligently and faithfully in humble vpright maner teach the people Gods word of truth and saluation it woulde procure vs honour and reputation sufficientlye beseeming Gods Ministers finding that ielous word of God true Them that honour me 1. Sam. 2.30 I will honor c. And lastlie Of sufficient Ministers and maintenance for them it is demaunded where wee will find sufficient Ministers to bee preachers liuing for such worthie men This obiection with many other might be left out for there be God be thanked ynough worthie men if they were sought after both in the Vniuersities other where but while men are suffered to runne and ride and ketch before they fall manye worthie men are passed ouer and not knowne some are faine to be scholemaisters some because of these troubles change their studies Manie are afearde to set their sonnes to schoole seing Ministers so little regarded Littleton Galen and the godly houses of Noble men and Gentlemen woulde helpe to make vp the number And this wee see dailie that there can not be a place void but there be many schollers of reasonable competent giftes to fullfill the same As for maintenaunce God bee praised this Realme aboue all other is to bee commended only the ioyning of smaler liuings and Parishes into one with redeeming of impropriations woulde quickly fill vp that gappe that no man of a moderate gouernement and desire if euerie one be placed after his giftes should haue iust cause to complaine These thinges beeing considered I hope it will appeare to all reasonable men that it can be proued by any good reason that the godlye Ministers desiring reformation are enemies to the state or causes of these troubles which are among vs. But yet there remaineth one imputation which I can not passe ouer Because although it haue not so much as a shadowe of truth The last great flaunder touching Papists and Ieusites
the true iustifying faith of Christ repentance towards God and also did euer and anon make plaine demonstration of the Queenes Maiesties lawfull authoritie and of the Popes most wicked and abhominable vsurpatiō without all questiō the chiefest enemies to our peace and to her Maiesties safetie would bee so diminished dispersed put downe that wee coulde not heare of so many practises and wicked treacheries as we doe and in euerie corner the people woulde cry out vpon them Ministers hated for doing good bewray them and scorne them And this is the cause that the Papistes Popish abetoures doe make so many grieuous accusations against vs and procure so many troublers all vnder colour of fauouring the Queenes proceedinges whith they hate that so the faith of Christ being but little hard of and her Maiesties supremacie but little spoken of both the glorie of Christ and our Queenes honour might bee forgotten and the deuill and Antichrist steale into the hartes of her M. poore seduced people I woulde it were considered how little her Maiesties authoritie and the iustification of Christ by a greate many hath bene taught these 17. or 18. yeares Therefore by iust plaine experience I may boldlie say that great benefit to the common wealth manie good things for her Maiesties safetie would come to pas by fauour shewed vnto these godly teachers faithfull Ministere of Iesus Christ But because perauenture some will say that heerein I proudlie praise our selues like Pharises despise others I doe heere humblie desire that all men would but indifferently way What hath ben our doeings and the labours of our ministrie and the fruite of the same and esteeming vs as baselie as they can doe only set before their eyes Gods glorie the good of this Realme and her Ma. happines Diligent preaching cause of verie great good let them but consider that where there is diligent preaching how wise how honest how iust the people be how dutifull to her Maiestie readie to all seruices how louing among them selues then shall hee easilie conclude that if these ceremonies subscription were abolished or the Ministers not tyed to them nor troubled for them what encrease there woule be of all faithfull labourers how all godlines and vertue would florish among vs lastly how happie how quiet how free from all danger the estate would bee 2. Leauing this therefore to the conscience of all honest men good subiectes who loue God our most gracious Queene I will now enter to speak a little of the great mischiefes and manifold euills which come by toleration or fauour shewed to the Papists These euills come vnder two heades either such as God afflicteth for bearing with or fauouring such persones God will punish fauourers of Papistes or such as they them selues doe bringe alwayes with them In the first kinde we are to consider whether the religion of Poperie bee within the compasse of those things which God hateth I finde in Israell two kinds of idolatrie one in Ahabs time the worshppping of Baall 1. King 18.23 Which beateth against the first commaundement which saieth thou shalt haue no other Gods but mee Another brought in by Hieroboam the Sonne of Nebat 1. King 123 wherefore he is said to make Israell to sinne this was the making of images to worshipe God by as the two calues in Dan and Bethell 28 and this beateth against the second commaundement which saieth thou shalt not make to thy self any grauen images Of the former kinde I woulde willinglie free the Papistes if they would not honour the Pope as God to binde where God openeth to open where God shuteth The Papista most grosse idolaters giuing power to forgiue sins to giue dispensation contrarie to Gods worde dwelling in their hartes as if hee were God if they did not worshippe the Sacrament as verie God and make the image of the Trinitie turning the glorie of the incorruptible God into the image of a corruptible man if they did not ascribe to the Virgin Marie to Peter Paule that which is proper to God alone But the latter kind is without out all expectation one and the same with the Papistes for they haue images to worship God by euen as Hieroboams calues Exoe 32. and as the children of Israell in the Wildernes Now if it be the voyce of God which saieth Confounded bee all they that serue grauen images Psal 97.7 and that glorie in idoles and againe I am the Lord this is my name my glorie will I not giue to another neither my praise to grauen images Esai 42.8 And if hee haue commaunded to put to death euerie man that intiseth to idolatrie and to spare neither brother Deut. 13. Son daughter wife nor the dearest friende and if any cietie be founde guiltie of this crime to put all the inhabitantes to the sweard with their cattell vtterly to rase the same and to make it in an heape for euer If God set such a marke vpon Hieroboam that hee did not only vtterly roote out his seed but also made his name a reproach to all generations as the author of Israels sinn If the children of Israell after they fell into this greate sinne of worshipping images did neuer prosper or be without ciuill or forren warrs till they were vtterly made desolate and if all the greatest plagues that euer Iudah had came principallie by this sinne then may wise men quicklie iudge howe good it will be for England to tolerate Papists Poperie which hath not only this most grieuous trespasse but also innumerable more of moste horrible blasphemies most intolerable both against God and against his Christ and also derogatorie to his holy spirit and testament And this is so well knowne to all the Queenes Christian subiectes and especiallie to the learned sorte and holy Ministers of the Ghospell that I neede not to dispute further of it But if we looke vpon that which they bring with them what is it Papists bring most horrible euills Euen the direct contradictorie learning vnto truth ouerthrowing all the religion faith and order of Gods worship doth abandon her Maiesties royalty supreame dignitie and such as will quickly bring low the verie state of the cōmon welth and ciuill power as Maister Trauers hath verie faithfullie and plainly declared all their religion Answ to the supplication to the Lords of the couns in their seuerall branches is euerie way an enemie and a meanes to turne vp side downe the whole state of the Queenes Maiesties most happie gouernement Moreouer it will bring great occasion of ciuill warre and bloodshed a thing which her M. alwaies abhorred which being once kindled inflamed it will trouble the wisest men in this Realme to quench suddainlie or hastelie For it is well knowne that there is an inueterate hatred betweene these two religions and the opposition is impossible to bee
of man commeth shall hee finde faith vpon the earth Luc. 18.8 Which doth argue the great encrease of Atheistes in these last daies And Saint Peter foretelling of such mockers they doe fulfill his wordes by their so deriding of religion 2. Pet. 3. And when they leaue the hearing of godlie sermons and take vnto them skilfull Philosophers and wife Naturalistes doe not they fulfill the Scripture which saieth The time will com when they will not suffer wholsome doctrine but hauing their eares itching 2. Tim. 4.3 shall after their owne lustes get them an heape of teachers and shall turne their eares from truth begiuen to fables Because they are Atheists 2. Thes 2.10 and God hath giuen them ouer to a reprobate mind for not beleeuing a manifest truth that by beleeuing lies they might fulfill the Scriptures and bee damned Therefore they care not and doe not vnderstand that God hath foreshewed all these things shoulde so come to passe They perceaue not that God hath decreed for mens punishment Gen. 3.13 continuall warre betweene wicked good men betweene Christ and Sathan They can not see that by the comming of Christ and preaching of his Ghospell God hath perswaded Iapheth to come into the tentes of Sem. Gen. 9.27 That is the Gentills are ingrafted into the Church of God among the Iewes They cannot consider that this teligion which wee now professe in Englande is the same that God preached and taught Abraham Gen. 12.2 with Gal. 3.8 and that the power of his worde vnto Abraham hath effected that no tract of time no inundation or change of states coulde ouerthrow that religion And that when Christ and his Apostles at the time by God appointed did incounter with the Prince of this world then was fulfiled the Scriptures which say Esai 45.25 Euerie knee shall bow to me and euerie tongue shall sweare by me Confounded bee they that worshippe grauen images c. Psal 97.7 Then all religions in the world which were nothing but Atheisme though they fought againt God and his Christ killed his seruants were crusht with the iron Scepter of his word Psal 2. and broken in peeces like a potters vessell and all the Monarches of the world fledde before him Dan. 2.35.44 and vanished as the sommer flowers And they marke not that the same which the Scripture hath told vs of Antichrist to be reueiled 2. Thes 2. and of the Apostasie of the whole world and of the manifold false Prophets and deceauers Mat. 24. is nowe truely come to passe Lastly they doe not regarde that the uertue of the same worde in these last daies hath preuailed aboue all reason against the Emperour and Pope and that by the simple preaching thereof that it is so mightie 2. Pet. 1.24.25 that it changeth the nature of a man to bee an other then hee was before namelie to turne from dumme idoles to serue the liuing God 1. Thes 1.1 And this I dare prouounce in the behalfe of Gods word preached that if the Atheist woulde heare but such a meane preacher as I am diligently and attētiuely but one half yeare he should find the power of the mightie King to pearce his heart and to make him to tremble like to Felix and Agrippa And though he beleeue not yet should he wonder as Simon Magus These and a great manie things more the Atheist not seeing nor considering hee stumbleth at the stumbling stone Esai 28.16 with ca. ◠14 And so to my comfort and soules health he proueth Gods word to be true the name of the most high and euerlasting God bee blessed and magnified for euer Cap. 11. Wherein is discried that neither the reuerende Fathers and learned Prelats standing for conformitie neither the godly Ministers desiring reformation are the onely or proper causes of these troublesome dissentions euils following the same but there are some other things more speciallie to be looked into which may and ought to induce both parties vnto peace and to ioyne louingly in the building of Gods house and that all English people humbling them selues by prayer vnto God doe carefullie conforme them selues to the Ghospell of Christ AS a dogge runneth too the stone which is cast at him or leapeth at the arrowe which is shot on high The people reregard not their punishmentes and hath no wit to marke from whence it commeth So the most part of the people doe behold the troubles of our church as if it pertayneth not to them and make it as a stage-playe and common talke delighting in the rehersing the faultes of the ministrie and being void of that discretion which pertaineth to good and wise Christians they doe not knowe nor regard that the smiting of the sheepheards is the scattering of the sheepe Zach. 13.7 Heb. 13.17 and the more domage that befalleth to the ministrie the greater is the losse punishment of the people And as a druncken man perceaueth not when hee is stricken Prou. 23.35 and hee that sleepeth in darknesse 1. Thes 5.3.4 thinketh not that the theefe stealeth vppon him Eph. 4.18.19 so men by ignorance and custome of sinne are made past feeling that they doe not consider when God by his plagues punishmentes calleth them to repentance Therefore God complaineth of his people Esai 9.13 that they turne not to him that smiteth neither doe they seeke the Lord of hostes Little doe any thinke or waigh with them selues Rom. 10 2. Cor. 3. that the Ministers preaching the Ghospell are the meanes ordained of God to bring men to saluation hauing the ministrie of the spirit of righteousnes Math. 5. 1. Cor. 4.1 therfore they are called the light of the world the stewards of Gods secrets the Ambassadors of Christ to whome is committd the ministrie of reconciliation betweene God man 2. Cor. 5. cap. 2.15 and so they are the sweet sauour of life vnto them which shall be saued If then their mouthes bee stopped their light ouer-cast and by troublous contention the free and prosperous course of their laboures hindred diminished or cut of is not all this the greate hurt and spirituall plague of the people who leese so great and so proper meanes which God hath ordained for mans saluation If God shutt the heauens that there be no raine men can quickly espie that there is a plague So is it great pittie that men see not that in regard of our soules the ministrie is as necessarie as the raine and therefore when the same is hindered or taken away it is a verie great and damnable punishment In so much as the holy spirit of God calleth it by the name of a famine And when the Ministers doe not teach the people Amos. 8.11 it is also said The people perish for lack of knowledge Hoshea 4.6 And if it might be truly said that the children of Israell committe a