⧠THE HVMBLE and vnfained confessioÌ„ of the belefe of certain poore banished men grounded vpon the holy Scriptures of God and vpoÌ„ the Articles of that vndefiled and onlye vndoubted true Christian faith which the holy Catholicke that is to say vniuersal Churche of Christ professeth ¶ Specially concerning not only the worde of God and the ministerye of the same but also the Church and Sacramentes thereof Which we send moost humbly vnto the Lordes of EnglaÌ„d and al the commons of the same Rom. x. ¶ To beleue wyth the hart iustifieth and to coÌ„fesse with the mouth saueth Lorde increase our faith ⧠Grace and peace in our sauior Iesus Christe be with you euer strengthen and preserue you in the stedfastnes of Christes worde and bringe to luckie and blessed ende that gracious worke y t he hath begunne in you I Must needes with Saint Paule knowledge my selfe debter to all y t cal vpon the name of our Lorde Iesus Christ but to non more theÌ„ to you most dearly beloued both because of such louynge frendship as I haue found in you and most of al for the Christian loue that some time beyng your Curate I founde amonge you that I trust continueth among you stil not onely toward me but to al that love the Lorde Iesus Christe wherfore now consideryng the tyme of trial to be come that both our Sauâ—or Christ and al his holy Apostles warned vs of I haue thought it my part w t this Epistle to coÌ„sort you not mistrusting but you al are strengthened and comforted dayly with the coÌ„fort that is of God and do nowe earnestlye accompt with your selues the price of the buylding of your tower least if the foundation and beginning be layde and the worcke not finished your enemies beginne to laugh you to skorne and to sai these men began to builde but thei were not able to finishe I trust you are not builte vpon the slippery sandes or grauels where euerye waue that beateth shall shake the foundation and cause it to fal but you are built vpon a sure grouÌ„d depe digged and your fouÌ„dation layde vppon the fouÌ„dation of the Apostles Prophetes vpon the corner stone Iesus Christ in whom euery buildinge knitt and coupled together groweth vnto an holye Temple for the Lorde For al though the builders refuse and cast away as a thyng of nought this stone Christ whiche at this daye thei do puttinge out of the Temples Gods holi word in the mother touÌ„g to set vp a Latine vnknowne tounge and in it to maintaine their olde Romyshe beggery Yet shal that stone be the principal corner stone to you that beleue elect and precious And whosoeuer beleueth in him shall not be ashamed And doubtlesse the vnbeleuers and vnfaithful must nedes fal stomble vpon this stoone be broused and vtterlye destroyed at the laste although for a time the Lorde vseth theÌ„ as the rodde of his furye to chasten our waÌ„ton and tomuch worldly vain liuing which in a manner had forgotten God and mere to muche cooled from that ardent loue that Christ willed to be among his Wherfore oure heauenly father doth mercifully call vs again to suffre afflictions with his sonne Christ and so to tri and examin our fayth that it beynge fouÌ„de more precious theÌ„ gold or siluer myght be to the praise and honour of his name Let vs therfore take this correction with al mekenes of heart and submission vnder the hand of God that he may exalte vs when it shalbe his godly pleasure We cal him our father our sauior Christ hath warranted vs so to do wherfore let vs knowe hym to be in deede a father not onelye in king Edwardes daies when we had al welth quiet with his holye word but also now in these perillous daies when the angels of the depe holde stoppe the windes of Christes Gospel that they should not blowe vpon the earth to make it fruitful nor vpoÌ„ the seas to make them aboundaunte with fishe for the Apostles to catche nor vpoÌ„ the trees to make theÌ„ bryng furth their fruites in due season I saâ— euen now the Lord is our father and y â— he correcteth vs it is of very loue and not of crueltie of mercie and pytie and not of seuere iudgement We are corrected saith Saint Paul of the Lord that we should not be damned with the world Wherefore as obedient children we must submit our selues and sai with Dauid O Lord thou art righteous and righteous are thy iudgementes It is good to me that thou hast huÌ„bled me y t I may learne thy iudgementes The lawe of thy mouth is more dearer to me theÌ„ thou sandes of gold and siluer I trust dear brethren that you al do nowe studie how to stand stedfast in Gods word vnto the ende that you may optaine the promisse as the Lord sayth Thus sayth the first and the last which was dead and liueth I knowe thy works and tribulation pouertie but thou art rich and I knowe the blasphemy of those that cal them selues Iewes and are none but are the sinagoge of Sathanas The Lord calleth theÌ„ rich that habounde in the ritche spirit of God in al good workes that gods spirite moued theim vnto as stedfast fayth sure hope ardent loue and charitie diligent often and feruent praier tamyng of the flesh with his lustes and appetites which you may reade Galath v. liberal almes to the poore and nedie especial to the houshoulde of faith and al other good dedes commaunded of God But the other although thei bost neuer so much y t thei ar Iewes y t is confessors of the Lordes name men of the church spiritualtie yea Gospellers if thei wil to yet the Lorde calleth theim blasphemers and of the sinagoge of Sathan Be not a bashed therefore wyth names titles or dignities as Lorde Duke c. or byshop doctor c. for eâ—cept he bring the worde of God and Christes CommunioÌ„ with the maintenaunce of it doubte not but by the fruites knowe him and geue him his name that y e Lorde geueth him A blasphemer of the Sinagoge of Sathanas And though persecutioÌ„ com vpoÌ„ the yet remeÌ„ber what he saith that is first last wheÌ„ no tirauÌ„t shal remain Be not afraied of none of those thinges that thou shalt suffre Behold the deuil wil cast some of you into prison that you mai be proued You se dearly beloued that it is the deuil that raiseth vp these stormes against vs but doubtles at Gods permission and sufferaunce y t we may be proued whether we be Christians in dede as we confesse in word Manye of vs thinketh our selues strong but tempcation declareth that we are but weake Euen as Peter saide Lorde I wil go with the into prison and death But the knower searcher of hertes sayd Truly or the cocke crowe thou shalt deny
me And so it came to passe Neuertheles after he waâ—ed strong and ouer came that infirmitie and knewe y t to fal we haue of our selues to staÌ„d we haue onely of God So is tribulation profitable to the stroÌ„g and mightie for it bringeth them to the crown of glory it profiteth the weake for it openeth their minde and maketh theÌ„ to seke to the Phisition and curer of our soules and to cry with Dauid O Lord heale my soule for I haue sinned against the. Let vs therfore labour to ouercome our weakenes to accomplishe that the Lorde commaundeth Be faithful vnto the death and I wil geue the a crowne of life You se the Lorde requireth faithfulnesse both in the stewardes that preach his worde and in the seruâ—intes that heare it Death is the ende of al fleshe as well of Kinges and Quenes Dukes and bishops as of poore men For al flesh is grasse and al the glory of fleshe as the flower of grasse WheÌ„ the winde of the Lorde goeth ouer it it falleth fadeth but the Lordes word abydeth for euer and those that doth the wyll of the Lorde abide also for euer Happye are those to whom the Lorde geueth that crowne of lyfe and to loose it is a greater losse then either Emperour King or Quene or an Angel from heauen can either restore or recompence Stand therfore faithfullye to gods word beleue his promis He that hath eares to heare let him hear what the holy Gost saith to the churches He that ouercoÌ„meth shal not be hurt by the seconde death The fyrste death is of the body as the Lord sayd to sinful Adam Earthe thou art and into earth thou shalt returne agayne But the secoÌ„d death is it that Christ admonished vs to flie saying I sai to you my frendes be not afraid of theÌ„ which withe body and after that thei haue nothing more that they can do I wil shew you whom you ought to feare Feare hym that after he hathe slaine the body hath power to cast into hel fyre Trulye I say to you feare him Let not the feare of man so ouercome vâ— but that the fear of god may alway be ruler in our hartes so shall we attaine the croune of life prepared for those that loue the Lorde and hys word vnfeinedly I haue not written this as to those that are ignoraunt of theyr dutye or vnable to streÌ„gthen both them selues and others but as to my moste deare brethren in the Lord trusting y â— Gods spirit that is among you doth dayly moue your harts now to the highest perfeccion of godlines euen to denie your liues for Christes sake to take vp your crosse and to folow him Yf any haue in times past bene negligeÌ„t in the wai of godlynes I prai besech and exhort the same in the Lord Iesu to turn vnto the Lord with his whole hart and not by his euyl and wicked liuing prouoke the Lordes wrath any longer nor to bring plages vpon the whole congregacion for his wickednes Brethren fal to praier dayly euery man for him selfe and for his Christian brethren Fal to weeping wyth Nehemias Ieremye to see the wall of Ierusalem broken the city destroied with sweard and fire and the temple burned Fal to fasting for now y e daies are come that our swete deare Bridegrome Christ is taken from vs. I certeinli beleue that our to to much negligence in praier and our sloutheful and seldome coÌ„myng to the holye Supper of the Lorde are twoo of the great causes why the Lord hath thus plaged vs. Let vs therfore earnestlye turne vnto the Lord that he mai turn to vs cal that he may hear aske that he may giue seke that we may finde knocke that the Lord may open vnto vs. If euer we shewed our selues true ChristiaÌ„s let vs now shew it in godlines of conuersacion and lyuinge in quietnes in patieÌ„t suffering in meeke bearing of wronges doing of none to other in forgeueing our enemyes and praying for them in feedyng the poore and needy Saintes of God in pitying al men and in praying for all men And dearelye beloued praye for vs that God of his mercy strengthen and coÌ„forte vs in these troubles that he nowe layeth vpon vs and that the Lorde leaue vs not to our seluâ—s but â—uer hold his handouer vs and kepe vs vnto the ende For truly I know without his grace and mercyful help no man is able to withsâ—and SathaÌ„s vyolence therefore for Christes loue pray for vs as we shal not faile dayly to do for you Here haue I geÌ„tle Reader setforth the Confession and Faith of certaine learned men that as they haue writteÌ„ it in theyr exile for thy coÌ„fort so maiest thou giue god the praise and helpe to stop the mouthes of suche blasphemers as haue nothing in theyr mouthes but Heretickes Heretickes But I dout not that when thou hast read it with iudgement and coÌ„ferd it with theyr doctrine that they now preach to thee thou shalt se which sort ar the Heretickes Thou mayest see that all theyr struglynge is to brynge thee to theyr stynckyng Romyshe puddels agayne Thus I commende you all dearelye beloued in the tender mercies of Iesu Christ vnto the tuitioÌ„ of the liuing god which is the father of our Lord Iesus Christ beseching him to send his holy Gost among you to bestow his ritch grace and blessing vpon you that you al may be coÌ„stant and perfect in Gods wayes and vnmoueable in Christes faith constantlye perâ—euering vnto the end Amen Grace be with you peace froÌ„ God our Father and from our Lord Iesus Christe who tread down Sathan vnder our fete shortly Amen ⧠To all suche as loue to feare God to serue and worshippe him in spirit and truth and to lyue in charitie and vertue amoÌ„g their neighbours within the Realme of England Grace mercye and peace be multipled with you from God the father through Iesus Christ his only soÌ„ne our Lord and only Sauiour BEcause we are assured that the Deuil not onely as an anucient murtherer proceadeth stil in cruel tirannye and extremities but also as the olde liar from the beginning and father of falsholde in misreporting slaundring and beliynge the moost sacred veritie of Goddes holy worde and vs poore men that haue bene minisâ—ers of the same specially now that we are absent and gone far from our natiue couÌ„try of England Therfor partly to certifie such of you as knowe vs that we shute styl at the olde marke of Gods worde neither recanting nor reuokyng that whiche we haue learned in the â—chole of Goâ— and taught amongst you and partly to signifi to as many of you as know vs not and yet do hear howe our aduersaries raile vpon vs behynde oure backes callyng vs Heretyckes Sâ—â—smatickes c. that we are not as they reporte but better framed bothe in thought word and deede
we trust to the glory of God and your edifying For these and such coÌ„sideracions we haue therfore set forth this humble vnfained confession of our belefe that is to say how we in conscience ar perswaded by the infallible testimony of the scriptures concerning the word of God written and the ministery of the same his Church also and sacrameÌ„ts therof For as these are the principall pointes of the fayth and true ReligioÌ„ which is builded only vpon Christ so if our mindes by the witnes of the holy Gost in his word be fully resolued herein then by the grace of the same most holy spirite neyther our vnderstandynge nor good wylles neyther yet oure bodyes shall be stopte nor hindred from praier â—r fastynge froÌ„ pacience or obedyence from peace or Christian quietnes from doynge our duties to God and man or from eâ—ercisyng of those good works that are comprehended in his holy preceptes and coÌ„maundementes And thus most hertely prayng you to kepe you stil in the Arke with Noah his housholde We assure you in the word of the Lorde that so dooinge the fludde shal not drowne you nether shal the wrath to come ouer take you Amen FIrst because we mind not to build vppon a weke foundation we are stedfastly perswaded and do reuereÌ„tly beleue al the Articles of the christeÌ„ fayth comprehended in thre Eredes commonly called Simbolum Aposâ—olicum Simbolum Nicenum and simbolum Athanasii Item We do stedfastli beleue end reuerence euen from the botome of our hartes al the holy Scriptures of Gods bâ—oke which is the sacred â—yble conâ—teinyng the Olde and Newe-testament being fullye perswaded 〈◊〉 our conscience accordyng to the testimony of the holy gost that the same holy Scripture is able to make men learned vnto saluation throughe the faith which is in Christ Iesu And that like as the sayd holy Scripture was geuen by inspiration of God whose gracious blessed spirit was the worker therof and is profitable to teach to improue to refourme and to instruct in righteousnes that the man of God may be perfect and prepared vnto al good works euen so is it the â—ure word of prophecie very lighte that shineth in a darke place so that who so taketh hede theruÌ„to doth wel vntil the day dawne and til the daye starre arise in his heart Item We beleue that whosoeuer transgresseth or ouer passeth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God so that if any maÌ„ com vnto vs â–ª and bring not this learnyâ—â— of Gods holy word we ought not to receiue him into our house nether to welcome him but rather to beware of such false prophetes as beynge inwardlye rauenynge wolffes woulde spoile vs through philosophy and deâ—eifull vanitie after the tradicions of men and after the ordinaunces of the world and not aâ—ter Christ. Item Our stedfast beliefe is that like as if an Angel from heaueÌ„ or the Apostles them selues should preache vnto vs any other Gospel or doctrin concerning Religion contrary to that thei haue taught alredy we ought to holde them accursed Euen so we are bound to beware least any man with vayn traditions or coloured holines cause vs to shote at a wronge marke or leade vs out of the ryght way Item We beleue verely that whosoeuer doth wilfully follow or teach such doctrin as is contrary to the holy scriptures of God The same for y t he agreeth not vnto the holsome wordes of oure sauior Iesus Christ is a proud ignoraunt person and a verye wast brain And that vnto those which wil not receiue the loue of the said deuine truth and holye scriptures to their saluation â–ª Almyghtie God doth most iustli send stroÌ„g delusioÌ„ suffring theÌ„ to beleue lies to y e damnatioÌ„ of al such as disdainiÌ„g to geue credeÌ„ce vnto y e truth haue plesure in vnrightousnes Item Our beleif is that for al our liplabour and outwarde apperaunce or shewe of Religion â–ª Yet so longe as we â—epe vs not to the rule of the holy scripture but wilfully folowe the corrupt tradicions doctrines preceptes and lawes of men we worship Goâ— in vain and serue him not in such vpryght sort as we ought to do Item Our conscience is fully perswaded that because men are so stubbourne and disobedient so hard herted froward that thei thinke scorne to herkeÌ„ vnto the voyce of God and wilfully refuse to be ordred by the teaching of his holye worde and scriptures God therfore geuing them vp to their owne heartes lust and sufferyng them to folowe their owne imaginations doth most iustly take part against them powrynge vpon theim such great and horrible plaâ—es as the prophet Moses speaketh of Item Our stedfast beleife is that whatsoeuer the almightie and euerliuyng God commauÌ„deth vs by his word which he hath appointed to be the Lanterne vnto our feete lyghte vnto our pathes like as we ought to haue the same in such reuerence that we bowe not aside therfrom neither to the ryght hand nor to the left and that we do not suche thinges as seme good in our own eies but only that which is right in the sight of the Lord adding nothinge vnto his wordes least he reproue and plage vs least we be found liars Euen so we should not take away or minish ought from his words least he take awaye from vs our porcion out of the boke of life Item Like as our beleife is that y e sayd holy word and scripture of God alone sheweth meÌ„ y e right path to coÌ„e to god to se him to know him to loue hym to serue hym so to serue hym as he most desireth so ar we fulli perswaded according to s. Austines couÌ„sail y t it is our bouÌ„den dutie aswel to yelde and consent to the authoritie of holy scripture which neither can disceiue nor be desceiued As also in the vnderstanding therof diligeÌ„tly to obserue the circumstauÌ„ces of the places times and persons â–ª and to take good hede not oneli what but also of whoÌ„ any thing therin contained is spokeÌ„ And here with this humble confesion of our fayth in Christ we do eueÌ„ from the botome oâ— our hartes right sore lament and bewaile the present miserable decay of Christes true Religion the manyfold inconueniences the great harme and horrible abuses that are entred in among the generations of men of al sortes and degrees through addyng vnto the sayd holye Scripture throughe minishing of it and for not duely consideryng the circumstances therof That is to say for not regarding for not obeiyng and for not folowyng the infallible truth of the same moost reuerende word of God The curssed and vnhappy contempt wherof vndoubtedli hath brought into this worlde al wickednes aswel of false doctrine as of vngodly and sinful liuyng To the subuerting of al good ordre not oneli in matters of Religion but also in thynges concernyng our
vnto Christes wordes do also practise the same in their life and cōuersaciō plaiing the partes of wisemen whiche against stormes for to come build their house vpon the rocke and sure foundation Of this blessed felowship are thei that endurynge stedfast vnto the ende and fearyng God more thē mē take vp theyr crosse and follow Christ beyng wel content to ieopard all that thei haue their life also for his sake These in al their aduersitie resorte vnto the Lorde takyng his yoke vppon them and lernyng of him to be meke and lowly in heart fynd ease and rest vnto their soules Of thys holy congregation and Churche are thei vnto whom it is geuen to knowe the misteries of the kyngdom of heauē whose eyes are blessed for they se and lykewyse their cares for thei beynge children of Gods kyngdome the good seede sowne in the fortunate grounde do not onely heare the word of God but also vnderstand it and bring furth plentiful fruit some more some lesse accordyng to the measure of such giftes as he hath geuen them These are the Lordes owne shepe whych knowing Hom their shepherd his voice folowe not a straunger but flye from him for thei knowe not the voice of strangers It is the Lordes only voice that thei herken vnto and hym they followe who knoweth them and geueth them eternal life so tha they shal neuer perish neither shal any manne plucke them out of his hand The father of heauen who hath geuen this holye flocke and Congregation vnto Christ his sone is greater then al and no man is able to plucke them out of his heauenly fathers hande Nowe is God the father and Christ his sonne all one to the endles comforte of this his vniuersal Church This flocke of Christ this holy congregation is that blessed Church whose vnrightousnes is forgeuen and whose sinnes are couered and not imputed Yea in this Church hath the Lord himself ordayned appointed the heauēly ministracion of continuall remission and forgeuenes of sinnes to al such as vnfainedly repente of their former wicked lyfe and truelye conuerte vnto hym ▪ For vnto this Church hath he geuen the keyes of heauen that whatsoeuer thei bynde vpon earth shalbe bounde in heauen and whatsoeuer they lose in earth shalbe losed in heauen Vnto this Church hath he geuen his holye gost ▪ so that whose synnes soeuer they forgeue the same are forgeuen And whose sinnes so euer thei retayne the same are retained In this church is the pure word of God and al the worthye exercises of his true Religion the holy Sacramētes praiers thankesgeuynge ecclesiasticall discipline c. duelye and faythfully ministred And thoughe the particuler members of this church maye erre as many both perticuler persons also perticuler churches haue erred and som do at this day while thei are compaced with fleshe and bloud Yet shall not one shepe perishe that is of this holy vniuersall flocke neither the fayth or foundation of this Catholike Churche fayle This holy vniuersall church as the sōne in brightnes hath beames of light whereof it commeth to passe that there be also particuler Churches or congregations Where thoughe there be but two or thre gathered together in y e name of Christe He is in the myddes amonge theim For thoughe we confesse and knowledge that the holy Catholike or vniuersal churche of Christ is inuisible suche as our Crede teacheth vs to beleue y t such a church there is Though no mortal man can se the regeneratiō of the spirit and the fayth of Christ in it selfe Yet a good tre mai be knowne by his fruts Like as the beames then that procede of the Sūne are testimonies and partakers of the lyght therof Euen so what church or congregation soeuer professeth the name Religiō of Christ hauyng and exercising the pure and sincere doctrine of hys Gospel of his Sacraments and of al his dissipline accordyng to his holye institutiō y e same do we take vndoutedly for Christs church For bi mās wordes and dedes we mai discerne to alowe or disalowe theim True Prophetes also from false may we know by their fruites The heart God only seeth and iudgeth Notwithstandyng to build vpon we are throwli perswaded that as the sayd blessed vniuersal Church and cōgregation of Christ is the pillor and ground of the truth for greate is the misterye of godlines that it teacheth Euen so in such wonderful deuersitie of doctrines sectes and sondry religions of the worlde we should neither haue com to the true knowledge and beliefe of the Gospel neither shoulde we be satisfied in our selues or surelye fixed to continewe and abyde still in in y e sayth therof as we be God haue the praise against al herisies and false opinions If the authoritie of the said holy vniuersal and catholike churche of Christ had not wholly fully moued stirred prouoked admonished and taught vs so to do But whan we considered with S. Augustine the estimation and dignitie the worthines and authoritie of the sayde vnyuersal church and howe vniformally the mēbers of that mistical body accordeth and consenteth together in the vnitie of the holy gost and in the ministracion of heauenly thinges our conscience with al thanful obedience with obedient thākfulnes doth most cherfully and gladli agree aswel to learne what the said church teacheth vs and to beleue gods word that it preacheth vnto vs. As to be warned by the coūsailes that it geueth vs and to folowe the instructions lessons and ensāples that it sheweth vs. For sure we be as we haue cōfessed alredy that the foūdation of this Church is fyrme fast Herein hath the Lord set vp his owne lyght that hath no darknes in it Here is the truth that desceiueth no man the lyfe that kylleth no man and the kynges hye way that bringeth euery man righte to his iourneies ende As for a perticuler mā a perticuler church or Congregation as we sayd before they maye erre thei may be disceiued in one thyng or other at one tyme or other The consideration wherof as it appeareth did moue S. Augustine to haue most prīcipal regard to y e church vnyuersall although the particuler churches of Aphrica in his time were not defiled and poysoned as they be nowe O that mē were so circumspect this day as to builde vppon so sure a ground For though we maye safely geue credence to ani perticuler church whan it followeth the wholesome doctrine wherin the holy gost by his Apostle did stablish the Churche of the Ephesians of the Philippians of the Colossians of the Tessalonians c. Yet if any such Church do shute at another marke we shall but loose oure game in doyng therafter As for ensample what sound doctrine what wholsome religion what good and vpright discipline is there at this present day in any of the said particular Churches
faithfully called to remembraunce For man in hys firste creacion was made to the similitude and likenes of almighty God endued with perfectnes wisdome rightuousnes and lyfe euerlastynge Of the which incomparable kindnes mercye to the inteÌ„t he might styl be mindful and keepe the same euer in thankful remembrauÌ„ce God prescribed vnto him a rule law or coÌ„maundemeÌ„t whych to obey was euen to continu in the felowshyp of the same immortal lyfe that was geuen hym But to disobey it in followyng his own wil contrary to the coÌ„maundement was to be in seruice to euerlasting death and to lose hys porcioÌ„ in euerlastyng life So when man was fallen from the obedience of the commauÌ„demeÌ„t hys owne nakednes appeared vnto him selfe so horrible by reason it was not couered wyth the image of lyfe that he began to dispayre and durste not shew himselfe in the sight of god How beit in this terrible distres and most woful stare of man Almightye God who euer was and is merciful dyd promis him againe euerlastynge lyfe which was laied vp in his owne sonne â–ª but so that accordyng as he euen God hymselfe by an euerlasting decree had appointed he wold be satiâ—â—yed recompenced and pacified againe in the obedience of al his commaundementes by the same nature of man whych because of the corruption of synne that had entred in to it by disobedience could not fully satisfye the law and therefore God made an euerlasting couenaunt of mercye with mankinde promysed the blessed seede namely that hys owne son should put vpon him our nature and therwith in innocency satisfi the law and bryng vs agayne into the felowshyp of that euerlasting lyfe whyche was lost thorow Adams disobedieÌ„ce God now to kepe his people in remembraunce of thys his great merci requyred continual sacrifices to prouoke them vnto thankfulnes and to geue them occasion froÌ„ tyme to time â–ª to setle and reast theyr coÌ„sciences stil 〈◊〉 hope vpon the sayde promes And for thys cause he reneued the said couenaunt of mercy so oft and sondrye â—imes by outward Sacramentes and ceremonies in the which the death of Christ was so present to the faith of y e fathers that thei beleuing the promis made in the blessed seede appreheÌ„ded the sayd life that was lost in Adam In Circumcision whiche was not only an outward visible signe but also a very seale of the rightuousnes of fayth a testimony of his grace fauour â—ewardes them thorow Christ the holy Ghost certified theyr consciences of theyr porcion in the sayde euerlastynge lyfe In the SacrameÌ„t of the Passeouer wheÌ„ the bloud of the Lambe was striked vpon the postes of theyr doores and the fleshe therof eaten rosted and with such other ceremonies as therto wer appointed They geuing faith credite to the said promis made in the blessed seede saw the worthynes and merites of Christes bloud by the coÌ„fortable swetenes wherof in the operacion of the holy Gost they wer assured of the sayd lyfe euerlastyng In the wildernes Manna was geuen them from heaueÌ„ to declare that the very true nourishment and foode to life euerlasting must come froÌ„ heauen which maÌ„kind by stedfast beliefe thorow the merites of Christ should taste and be partaker of and in al the sacrifices slayne offeringes of y e law was the same misteri represented and set forth to the eyes of faith amonge the people of God Thus the benefite of Gods mercy hath bene alway froÌ„ time to time most louingli opened in hys Sacramentes and holy ordinauÌ„ces certifying vs by faith thorow the death of Christ that we haue our porcion againe in euerlasting lyfe which was lost thorow Adams disobedieÌ„ce Now to come somewhat nerer vnto the sacrameÌ„ts of y e new law we do hartely agree and coÌ„sent to the iudgement of S. Augustine not only when he affirmeth y t our Lord Iesus Christ hath knyt together the felowshyp of his new people by SacrameÌ„ts which are very few in nomber very easy to be obserued and very eâ—cellent in signification as is baptime thesupper of the Lord but also when he saieth y t a SacrameÌ„t is the signe token or representacion of an holy thing the visible fourme of an inuisible grace and a visible word of God Moreouer the Sacramentes that are of the Lordes holy institucion we do reuerently esteme to be no vain or bare signes neither only euidences of the profession of Christen meÌ„ but also certaine assured and effectuous testimonies or rather seales of the rightuosnes grace and good will of God towardes vs wherby he working in vs supernaturally after an inuisible maner doth not only styrre vp our faith towards him but also establisheth and conâ—yrmeth it the more in the assuraunce of euerlastiÌ„g life Wherfore like as stedfast faith in the operacion of the holy Gost doth certify vs euen so the SacrameÌ„tes by propre similitudes being vsed according to the Lordes institucion testyfye the same For the holye Gost who glorifyeth his owne ordinaunces with his blessed preseÌ„ce and also the word it selfe assureth vs that nothing though it be outward external appointed and appertainiÌ„g to the right whole and perfect vse of Gods holy sacramentes is in vaine or but a bare signe for asmuch as when the minister doth execute the Lordes wil according to his holy ordinaunce in the ministration of the visible SacrameÌ„t by an outward action The holy gost not only certifieth the faithful â—eaceiuers y t they are partakers of the thing promised that is to sai euerlasting life which life euerlasting is euen God y e sonne whose diuine nature is ioyned with the humanitie nowe syttyng in glory not only we say certifieth but also inuisibly worketh in them those vertues wherby thei be vndoubtedly ioyned vnto Christ and one towards another hys mistical membres partakers of eternall lyfe So that to be partaker of that euerlasting lyfe is to be as verely ioyned vnto him to be a member of his glorious boâ—y of his flesh of his bones as his own diuine nature is ioyned vnto his humanitie O worlde howe mad o man howe blinde art thou that seest not this precious treasure and taistest not the incomparable swetenes and moste heauenly comfort of this greate mistery betwene Christ and his coÌ„gregation â–ª Thou gnawest vpon the harde shelle but vpon the swete kernel wherein is spirit and life thou fedest not Wolde God his truth coulde perswade vs y t to be worthy pertakers hereof is thorowe fayth by the operatioÌ„ of the holy gost to be assured and fully certified that followyng also the Lords will in the outward actions of his holy ordinaunces and framynge our lyues accordyng to his wholsome doctrine taught vs therein we haue vndoubttedly the thinge that ther is promised which is euerlasting lyfe in his bodye and bloude For first as concernyng fleshe and bloude we were in felowshippe with Christ in
prescribed order rule And so that thys holy sacrament be accordynge to the practise of his blessed institution both ministred and receiued to gether The election and appoyntmeÌ„t of the time thereof is referred and left to y e godly discression of Christes Church For y e Apostle saith Quotiescumque c. As oft as ye eate this breade and drynke of this cuâ—pe ye shal shew the Lordes death vntil he come Neuerthelesse omitted it may not be nor left vndone but vsed in due time accordingly and in suche sorte as is appointed by the word of God who saith ☞ Take ye eate ye drincke ye al of it Do this in the remembraunce of me And by his Apostle he hath geuen this ordre that we whiche mynde to be partakers of this holy Communion shall haue no contencion nor strife amoÌ„g our selues but refourme our abuses commynge here vnto not onely together but also after a better sort rather then after such euil wyse as we happlye heretofore haue done One to tarye for another without disdayne and afore we eate of this bread and drinke of thys cuppe to proue try and examine our selues our myndes and consciences our wordes and dedes callynge oure whole lyfe and conuersation earnestly to remembraunce lamentyng and confessyng our sinnes vnto God callyng vpon him for mercy conuerting vs whollye vnto him knittynge our selues together in the vnitie of fayth and godly loue and so to come to the holy Sacrament Where first the minister takyng the bread geuyng thankes breaking it ought by the Lords ensample to deliuer it vnto other willynge theim also to take and eate it in remembraunce of the Lorde whose wordes also he ought to repete accordingly And likewise takyng the cup to geue thanckes and to deliuer it to the communicantes willyng them al to drinke therof in remembraunce of the Lorde This is nowe the ordre appointed to be obserued at the ministration of this holy sacrament which the scripture calleth ☞ the Supper of the â—ord the Communion or felowship of the body and bloud of Christ. CoÌ„cerning the which if the Lorde had authoritie to make a lawe or to set an ordre for the due ministration and vse thereof Then we also that be his subiectes ar bouÌ„d to obserue the same and nether to ad ought therto coÌ„trary vnto it nether to minish or take away froÌ„ it ani thinge that he hath wylled vs to vse Or els we playnly disapoynt our selues of the ryghte title and possession of such comfortable commodities as we by vertue of this heauenlye couenaunt and bargayne shoulde elece be sure of For as this is a special gift appointed by the last wyl and testameÌ„t of our Sauior Christ who in the true ministration of this his holye sacrament by the operacion of this blessed spirite hath promised to make iust deliueraunce of the thing promysed So is it by him condicioned afore hand that we shal duly receiue and vse the same and not to eate of the breade or drincke of the cup of the Lord vnworthely to our owne damnation In Ciuile causes the like order taketh place Where a leace is made it must not only be signed sealed deliuered but also receiued and the partie put in possession Not deliuered I say by euery man but only by hym or his deputie that hath authority to make or geue the leace neither maye euery man receiue and eÌ„nioye it saue only he to whom it is made or geueÌ„ or that hath ryght thereto Agayne a leace coÌ„monly is not made wythout condicions whych if they be broken doth not y e farmer theÌ„ forfeit his leace And what meane we els by thys but euen to shew that it is an horrible thing farre out of order that whyle the Lord in this hys holy SacrameÌ„t offreth vs so large a couenauÌ„t of mercy we shal thincke scorne to kepe the condicions therof and the rules that he hath prescribed vnto vs No man doubtles no not in Ciuile matters would be so serued wher like as it is no bargaine til both parties be agreed so coÌ„meth it to no perfect effecte neither can it stand vnlesse the duties coÌ„dicions promises be kept Neuertheles this thing shal appeare muche more euident if we compare the practise of these present miserable dayes â–ª to the order of the â—ord and his Apostles in the primitiue church lay the one agaynst the other As for the perfourmauÌ„ce of the condicions on hys party ther is no doubt For wher as he couenanteth with vs in thys holy Sacrament so to feede nourish coÌ„fort our consciences that he wyl euen seale vs vnto him selfe set hys marke vpoÌ„ vs and take vs for hys own He certifâ—eth vs assuredly that vpon such condicions as we also vpon our allegiaunce are bouÌ„d to kepe whych we must either do or els become vnworthy Receauers to our damnatioÌ„ we haue felowship with him and are partakers of the same eternall lyfe that he hym selfe hath purchased for vs in hys body and bloud But how now How kepe we our touche with him By his order there should be no â—cisme nor discencion among vs about this matter And yet Lord what a busines is ther about the defence of a new found transubstanciaâ—ion to proue y t bread is not bread and that after the recityng of a fewe wordes of the Lord ther remayneth the substaunce neither of breade nor wyne And what a doo is ther about the maner of Christes presence in the Sacrament Lord what tossing turnyng what detorting and wrestinge of the Scriptures is there to proue the carnal natural presence of Christes flesh and bloude yea that in the fourme of bread ther is contained the only natural substaÌ„ce of Christ God and man flesh bloud bone to the vtter confounding of the two natures in Christ though both the circuÌ„staÌ„ce of Christes action the propertyes of hys humaniti the nature of a SacrameÌ„t the Articles of y e Christian faith the euident testimonies aswell of the scripture as of those that are estemed the best and moost worthye auncient wryters declare the contrary Men should refourme al abuses about thys mater and come to it in a better sorte then they haue done And do they not wilfully kepe maintaiâ— theyr abuses styl Yea are they not eueri dai in their doings wors wors â–ª Men shoulde come to the Sacrament together and the wole godly assemble to coÌ„municate as brothers sisters in y e Lord. But Alas thei make a massing matter of it where on man alone taketh vpon hym to receyue y e thinge that the whole congregacion ought to be partakers of where one shoulde rather tarye for another then that any disorder shuld be committed about so worthy a Sacrament Men ought fyrst to proue and eramen wel theyr consciences to cal theÌ„selues theyr thoughtes woordes and deedeâ— iustly to accompt earnestly to repent them of theyr sinnes to lameÌ„t
bewayle theyr manyfold offences to acknowledge and confesse theÌ„ vnto God hartely to cal on him for mercye wholy to conuert vnto hym and louingly to reconcile theÌ„selues witâ— their neighbours afore they presume to aproche vnto the table of the Lord. And doo they not yet fall into it lyke Hogges walowing styl in the filthenes of their abhominable liuing with out any iust remorce of conscience w t out any true repentaunce or amendement of lyfe wythout suche charytable reconâ—iliacion as was wont to be among the worthy CoÌ„municaÌ„tes of Christes holy Sacrament The Priest ought so to minister in such a language y t the people might vnderstaÌ„d what he saith But he hudling it vp in a corner by hym self muÌ„bleth we can not tel what His dutye is seÌ„sibly to declare vnto vs the Lordes death that we therby myghte be styrred vp aswel to remember taste the swetenes of this mistery of our redemption as to be thankful vnto the Lord for the same But the Prest speaking to the wal not vnto vs kepeth vs stil in blynde ignoraunce So that as we cannot consider what the Lord hathe done doth or offereth to do for vs so is it no maruayle that we remayne styl vnthankful We should at the ministracion and recept of the Sacrament haue good natural bread but in stede thereof we haue printed waifers and suche starched stuffe as is not pure perfecte bread nor lyke vnto that whych was vsed in the eating of the Lordes holy Supper at the first The Lord biddeth his disciples take the breade but oure lay people whoÌ„ we trust yet to be the Lords disciples are forbiddeÌ„ to touch it The Lord saith Take ye eate ye he saith not take thou it alon and let no maÌ„ els eate with the. He saith take and eate he saith not lift it vp aboue your heades But nowe the Priestes take and lyft it vp an high He sayeth Take and eate and saieth not hang it vp But now it is taken hanged vp by a lyne or cord He sayth Take and eate and saith not take and worshyp it as God But now men crouch and kneele vnto it honour and worship it as theyr maker The Lord saith Take eate He saith not put it vp in store or kepe it in a boxe tyl another tyme But now it is reserued caried about in procession and in the streetes that the people may fal downe yea when they se it not knocke theyr breastes worship it The Lord saith Do this in remembraunce of me He sayeth not do it in remembraunce of others but now the Priestes do theyr Masse in remembraunce of the quicke deade in remembraunce of Angels saints they make an oblacion sacrifice of it for the soules departed for beasts and Catfel for syknesses and diseases c. The Lord willeth al the Disciples that were with him to drinke of the Cup and the Euangelist saith â–ª that they al dranke of it But now the part of the Sacrament is takeÌ„ from the lay people as though Christ had not shed his bloud for theÌ„ as wel as for others What can we then iustly looke for at the Lordes hand to be partakers of in this worthy Sacrament when we so vnworthely disdaine think scorne to minister receaue and vse it according to the Lordes most holy institucion but chop and chaunge adde and minysh after the pleasures imaginacions and fond fantasies of men not after the word of the Lorde nor after the rightful practise of hys primitiue and most pure Church Because the Corinthians did so vnworthely behaue them selues aboute thys holy Sacrament by reason of these and such like abuses as we haue now spoken of and for that thei made no difference of the Lordes body that is to say because thei so litle regarded not only his mistical body the church and congregacion but also the death and merites of his natural blessed body that suffred and was crucified for them therfore saith the Apostle many are weake and sicke among you and many sleepe And what thing els vnder the Sunne hathe more prouoked the wrath and indignatioÌ„ of god ouer vs or is a greater occasion why he withdraweth his grace holy spirit from vs and otherwise also seÌ„deth his sondrye plages amongst vs Yea what hath bene or is at thys daye a greater cause of his displeasure theÌ„ is the most filthy and abhominable idolatry and supersticion of theyr masse the blinde and wylfull abusing of the SacrameÌ„t when neither the doctrine of the Lord is trulye taught nor beleued neither those worthye fruites of repentaunce folow that so godly florished in the primitiue churche that so vertuously shuld appeare in euerie one that receaueth y e holy coÌ„munion But now to conclude for our own part This worthy Sacrament of our Lord and only sauiour Iesus Christ we so honour and reuerence that we are fully resolued and perswadeâ— by the testimony of hys holy word that it is a synguler and precious Iewell â–ª which the Lorde himselfe by hys last wyl and testament hath moste graciously coÌ„mitted and left to hys owne holy congregacion and church to the intent that the same worthye Sacrament which he ordayned to be a special renewing of hys gracious couenaunt with vs and an vndoubted testimony and seale of his louing mercy towardes vs should be also a continual and frutful exercise of our faith loue hope to himward a myghtye prouocacioÌ„ vnto charity and al good workes among our selues So as we fyrst duely examining our owne consciences and then assembling our selues orderly to that solempne memorial of our redemption hearing there the death of the Lorde declared vnto vs callyng the same in special and all other hys benefites in general moste thankfully to remembraunce lamenting bewailing and repeÌ„ting vs earnestly of our sinnes knowledgyng coÌ„fessing them vnto God â—euoutlye calling vpoÌ„ him for mercy professing a new vertuous life conuertynge vs wholy vnto him forgeueing one another in brotherly reconsiliacion froÌ„ the botome of our hartes shoulde in the vnity of the holy Ghost aproche reuerently vnto the table of the Lord and worthely receiue such notable increase of heauenly coÌ„fort spirituall repaste in our conscieÌ„ces as He there for that purpose by the coÌ„munioÌ„ and felowship that we haue with hym in his precious body bloude most louinglye doth offer vnto vs euen clothing vs as it were wyth a newe power and strengthe froÌ„ aboue that we being armed a freshe with hys owne weapons may froÌ„ henceâ—orthe fyght themore valeauntly vnder his baner against the flesh y â— world the Diuel whiche to do he graunt vs hys grace and holy spirit Amen ¶ From Wittonburge by Nicholaâ— Dorcastor Ann. M.D.Liiii the .xiiii. of May. Roma i. Mat. xxiiii i. Pet. iiii ii Tim. iii. i. Iohn ii iii.iiii Luke xiiii Mat. vii i. Cor. ii Ephe. ii Psa. cxvii Mark xii i. Pete ii Esa. xxviii Esay x. i. Pet. v. Math. vi Luke xi Apoc. vii i. Cor. xi Psa. cxviii Apo. ii Math. v. i. Tim. vi Iob. i. ii Math. vii Mat. xxvi Psalm vâ— i. Cor. iiii Esay xl Genes iii. Luke xii Mat. xvi Esay lix Iosu. vii ii Esdr. Thre i. Math. ix Ioel. ii Mat. vii Luke xi Ephes. iiii Col. iii. iiii â—i Tim. iii ii Pet. i. â—â— Iohn i Math. vii Colâ—o ii Gala. i. Collo ii i. Tim. vi ii Tess. ii Esay xxix Math. xv Mar. vii Psa. lxxxi Psal. cxix * Iosu. xxiii Deut. xi Deut. iiii xii Pro. xxx Apo. xxii The Byshops of England in theyr booke to king Henrye â–ª y e .viii. circa An. M.D.XXXviii â–ª De doct Christia lib. iii. ca. In lib. ad Orosin coÌ„tra Priscilliam et Origenis Rom. xii i. Cor. xii â–ª ii Tim. iii â–ª * Ez. xxxvii Cant. vi Iohn x. * Act. ii iiii Eph. iiii * Ez. xxxvii Ioh. xiiii xvi i. Iohn ii Eph. iiii * i. Ihon. i. Heb. ix Ephes. v. * i. Pet. i. * Mat. xvi i. Cor. xiii * Es. xxviii * i. Pet. ii i. Tim. iii. Ephe. i. Collos. i. Psal. xlv Eph. v. Titus iii. Ephe. iiii Roma xii i. Cor. xii Ephe. iiii Hebr. xiii Ephe. ii Heb. xii Iohn iiii Luke i. Psa. i. iii Math. v. Math. vi Mat. vii Math. x. Math. xi Mat. xiii Luke xi Iohn â— Psa. xxxii Rom. iiii Mat. xviii Iohn xx Act. i. ii.iiii i. Cori. xi x.iii Titus ii Iohn x. Math. xvi Mat. xviiâ— â–ª Mat. vii Mat. xii vii iii. Re. viii i. Tim. iii. CoÌ„tra epistolam fundamenti cap. v. Iohn xii Psa. xxvi Roma iii. Iaco. iii. Ephe. v. Philip. â— â–ª Collo ii i. Tessa i. Rom. xvi Hebru i. Mar. xvi Madateu saie Mat. xxviii Iohn xx Luk. xxiiii Roma xii i. Cor. xii i. Cor. iiii ii Cor. iii. ii Cor. viii ii Cor. iiii ii Cor. iiii ii Cor. v. Luke x. Iohn xiii Mat. x. Luke x. Actes i. Mat. ix.x. Act. xx Titus i. i. Pet. v â–ª i. Cor. iii. i. Cor. iiii i. Tim. iii. Deâ—oâ— Christian. lib. iii. cap. xii The misterye Gene. i. ii Genes ii Genes iii. Roma â— Gen. xvii Roma iiii Exod. xii Heb. xi Exod. xvi Iohn vi Ad Ianuâ—rium Rom. iiii Roma v. Iohn vi Gala. v. Ephes v. Gene. iii. Heb. ii Iohn vi Iohn vi i. Iohn i. i. Corin. â— Ephes. v. Mat. xxvi Mar. xiiii Luke xxii i. Cor. xi Gen. xvii Exod. xii ma. xxviii Maâ— xvi Iohn iii. Actes ii Titus iii i. Cor. xi mat xxvi Luke xx i. Cori. xi What things ar requyred afore the holy communion The order to be kepte at y e holye coÌ„munion The name of thys holy Sacrament i. Cor. x. xi i. Cor. xi Ye shal se shortlye a boke wheÌ„ eueri part of y e masse began