this Bishop presents us with a refracted moderate godly Episcopacy wherein we have a Bishop 1. A degree for order not of order 2. For labour not secular Dignity Dominion Domination 3. Having no more power but what is freely delegated and devolved on him by the election and consent of the Ministers not some but all concerned 4. Performing Ordination ordinarily in a general Synod and Jurisdiction in an Ecclesiastical Senate to which he himself is subject 5. Not countenancing male-administration by admitting any unworthy person to Orders or the Lords Supper 6. Without the leaven of Arminianism page 52 7. Promoting the vigilancy of Pastors in the exercise of Discipline 8. Not imposing snares on the Conscience by the made-Religion of Romish Liturgie or Ceremonies made necessary Exhort page 28 29. 9. Not taking the wicked by the hand nor giving life to looseness to bandy against a real Reformation but of vehement goodwill and zeal for the power of godliness Would the Lord bless us with such a Bishop we would not contend whether Bishop or no Bishop whether by election only or by imposition of hands also whether the rite be essential and constitutive or consecutive and declarative only of Ordination whether the consignation should be by the hands of one in the name of the rest they being acknowledged to ordain Actu Potestate or by the hands of all the Session whether the prudentially invested Bishop be temporary or perpetual whether Ordination be an act of simple Office or of Jurisdiction it being acknowledged that ad ordinem non gradum spectat ordinare and who shall live when the Lord works this great work for us But Reader I will not wrong thee by withholding this Legacy much longer from thee onely give thee an account of my purpose in preparing this book for thee and I assure thee and all the world that my design of making this book speak English is not to carry on any design to smooth or please any party but to advance the common interest of Christians in promoting the union of the Churches all but one which this discourse shews how it may be rendred practicable if men would a little unhusk themselves of their own singularities divest themselves of those prejudices they have entertained and minde the things that tend to peace and edification The first motion to the said translation was from a Reverend Brother whose travels in the work of Pacification the following ages will more gratefully acknowledge then the present The Translator thinks himself sufficiently rewarded with thine and his own edification in the assured knowledge of some momentous matters which are herein contained and communicated which are as followeth 1. That there have been and are some in the world that do evince to all men that the Gospel is not a Fable but that the truths thereof do make real impressions and work strange changes upon the mindes and conversations of men and that the Discipline of the Lord Jesus where but so much of it is practiced as is owned by all Christians hath that majestie and power with it that it needs not the whole secular arm to uphold it nor fears the same power though it be against it for the Church had never better Pastors and Government then in Persecution nor ever thrives better then when its Pastors do wholly attend their flocks and retrench themselves from Secularities and Courtly concernments to minde the good of souls the rebuking and suppressing of wickedness Heresie Errors Schisms advancing Piety and Godliness in the strict observation of the Lords-Day expressing more zeal against the Prophaners of the Lords name and those that live so unlike Christians in the world I am but an obscure person in the world I dare presume to say that this way to prosperity and establishment will never fail but I do verily believe that there are not greater enemies in the world to Episcopacy then some Bishops and that the ready way to throw it down is to set themselves up with the premunire of their Jus Divinum and Secular Domination 2. That it is possible to maintain Order and Decency in the Church and disparity among Ministers without a rigorous imposing of Ceremonies and Forms or advancing Bishops into Superior Order above Presbyters Let but Ceremonies keep their proper place and station and be looked upon as things indifferent and the use of them left free to Christians we need have no more contest about them If it appear by experience in them that use them that they do really tend to Edification and Charity as they must or else they are nullities and mockeries the greatest part I believe of Ministers and Christians in England will take them up nor yet are we sure that even in Heaven we shall be all of one size or posture if there be such excellency significancy and teachableness in them and yet no Superstition Let them stand a while without the bolster of penal Statutes and let us see what ground they get For if this were done that Ministers might use them or not as they finde them most convenient in times and places possibly many if not all Ministers might sometime use them For suppose that a Minister were to preach at the Court some Cathedral or Oratory that were trained up to these things prudence would direct him upon such an occasion and for that instant to do many things which he doth not do in his own or in an ordinary Congregation as in Vniversity he would use an hood which it were ridiculous for him to do at home So if a Bishop were to preach in an ordinary particular Congregation or charge where the people were wholly strangers to the usages or forms of the Court Colledge or Cathedral if he came in the ordinary garb of the Minister of the place and preached in the ordinary mode of a countrey Minister I believe it would get him more reverence and esteem in the hearts of the people and tend more to unity and edification then if he should come in his Pontifical formal Procession with a pompous train of attendants For the Apostle became a Jew to them that were Jews that he might gain the Jews and a Gentile to them that were Gentiles c. that is in indifferent things for we abhor to think that he would transform himself into more Religions in any respect whatsoever To this purpose Augustine tells us That he knew no better course for a serious prudent Christian to take in matters of Ceremonies or Custom then to follow the example of the Church where he is for whatsoever is there observed neither against faith nor manners is a matter of it self indifferent and to be observed according to the custom of those with whom we live This was Ambroses counsel I think to Monica Augustines Mother When I am at Rome saith he I fast on the Sabbath day but at Millain I do not so do you likewise when you come to any Church observe its
custom if you would not be offensive to them nor have them so to you Which judgement of Ambrose Augustine saith he always looked on Tanquam coeleste Oraculum As for the state and pomp of that pretended Order which is as the Alder in our Garden I 'll tell you a story There was a Garrison of Souldiers and divers Commanders over them amongst the rest there was one a true Veteran that had been trained up in the School of War under most of the Princes of Christendom This Captain instead of those soft delights other Gentlemen and Commanders wasted their time in spent his inconversing with and training his Souldiers would be upon the Guard when his turn came himself no weather could prevent it his house instead of being furnished with silken beds rare looking-glasses curious pictures was stored with barrels of meal rice pease so placed low that they served instead of chairs and stools his rooms hung with flitches and gammons of Westphaly bacon dried beef fish c. materials with which he kept a constant table and welcomed all his Souldiers in the Sum was always in fight or service and he had these Souldiers close to him they would go through fire and water with him what men soever failed of their duty his never did but were all of a knot and unanimous in their attendance upon him in any service I 'll only apply it thus that would our reverend Fathers of the Church be more upon the guard themselves be employed in the Churches duty and not commit that Solecism in Government which the learned Bacon thinks one of the insolubilia to do their work by deputation of a Chancellor would they instead of keeping distance converse more familiarly with their flocks and step in now and then to a Countrey Minister on a sudden whom it may be they may finde standing sentinel and encourage him in his duty would they instead of giving and forcing on the people Quelchechoses of Forms and Ceremonies give them solid meat and nourishment the pure Word of God in the institutions of Christ suffer that only to be read expunded urged in the Church would they instead of making their houses Lordly Courts to fright poor people and Ministers from coming at them make them Oratories for Prayer and expounding Scripture of Gods institution setting up catechistical and expository Lectures so many days in the week either by themselves or their Chaplains or calling in the assistance of some learned and pious Presbyters would they enquire in their Visitations after prophaneness and censure that more deeply then some have done non-conformity to self-invented will-worship and encourage painful conscientious Ministers more then their Predecessors have done lazy idle drones I durst become their bondman if one or both of thâ—se two things did not follow that all the godly sober religious people in the Land would become their fast friends and strive who should do them most honour or else the Devil and all his Instruments would be as mad against them as they are now again already against the Puritans 3. Once again we see what it is that makes the Church glorious and unanimous viz. living up to the noble principles of Religion in self-denial humility piety in all ranks of people For till the love of the Lord Jesus and the desire of the salvation of souls hath taken more root in the hearts of Pastors and Christians we cannot expect any Settlement Beauty or Order in the Church 'T is not the priding of a mans self in the name of a Son of the Church can advantage Religion no more then the Jews boasting they had Abraham to their Father did promote it among them For our Saviour tells them when that cry was loudest the state of Religion was at the lowest among them No the Church the Spouse of Christ is meek-hearted and lowly full of tenderness and goodness and her children indeed are like her But they which instead of this spirit fall a beating their Brethren or scoffing or envying at them may indeed be in the Church but yet as Cain in Adams and Ishmael in Abrahams family onely the spots and blemishes thereof 4. Yet again I observe the ligaments and soder of these Churches to be their mutual consent in Discipline which we see required not onely of Ministers but of all Christians how necessary this is experience doth demonstrate For the first primitive Church had no other bond nor have the Reformed Churches abroad in many places any other not but that the Patronage of Princes and Magistrates is a great Strength and Bulwark to Religion and that people are bound to bless God exceedingly when he raiseth up such Nursing Fathers for the Church to be over it in the Lord. Yet we see that meer Politique bands do snap asunder and make way for schism and division especially when the Prudential superior Order of the Clergie do ride and the inferior grind for then they are apt to take the first opportunity to unyoke themselves But if a superiority among Ministers in the Church on a prudential account be thought necessary for Humanum institutum episcopatus non damnamus sed tantum negamus a Christo esse Imperatum as we say with Junius let it be set up by the mutual consent and choice of the rest or the Body of the Ministry and their obedience will be more constant in the Lord and more fixed then by any subscription of oaths of Canonical obedience whatsoever In a word let the poyson and what was not from the beginning be taken out of the Ordinances and offices of Christ in the Church and the power of godliness in good earnest endeavoured and this Church which is otherwise giving up the ghost will yet through the blessing of God recover and do well and we shall have great cause to bless God for this true Protestant Bishop Comenius his pious Endeavours in laying this Book at his Majesties feet as an expedient for an Accommodation not with the Romish but the Reformed Churches Which that it may effect is the earnest prayer of him how is Thy Servant in the Work of the Lord JOSHVA TYMARCHVS Books printed for and sold by Tho. Parkhurst at the Three Crowns over against the great Conduit at the lower end of Cheap-side Folio's THe History of the Evangelical Churches of the Valleys of Piedmont containing a most exact Geographical description of the place also a relation of the bloody Massacre 1655 and a Narrative of all Transactions to 1658. Justified partly by divers ancient Manuscripts written many hundred years before Calvin or Luther By Samuel Morland A Commentary upon the holy Writings of Job David and Solomon viz. Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs Being part of those which by the ancients were called Hagiographa Wherein the diverse Translations and Expositions of all the most famous Commentators are propounded examined and censured By John Mayor D.D. To the Church of England Hitherto tossed with divers tempests
knowledge especially John Wickliff Whose letter to John Huss being then a young man written in the year 1387. being the year before he dyed I finde yet extant in some ancient Records and here insert as followeth Happiness and what ever can be thought of which is dear and desirable in the bowels of Iesus Christ MOst dear Brethren in the Lord whom I love in the Truth and not I â—nely but also all which have known the tâ—uth That truth I mean which by the grace of God is and abideth and shall be in you for ever I joyed very much in the Bâ—ethren which came from you and produced a testim ny of your fa thfulness and that y u walk in the Truth I hear Brethren how Antichrist dâ—th vex you brinâ—ing many and various Tribulations upon them which believe in â—hrist It is no strange thing it should be so with you in as much as the Word of Christ is oppressed by the adversaries in all the World and that great red and many headed Dragâ—n mentioned by John in his Revelation hath sent out of his mouth a great flood upon the Woman to overwhelm her But the faithful Lord will certainly deliver his one onely loyal Spouse Let us be stâ—engthened in the Lord our God and in his immense goodness firmly believing that he will not suffer his dear ones to fall away from their godly purpose onely let us love him as we ought with our whole hearts Afflictions should never prâ—ss us if iniquity prevail not Let no distress or pressure therefore for Christs sake cast us down seeing we know that the Lord chasteneth whomsoever he receiveth for his sons For the Father of mercies is pleased to exercise us with many troubles in this present life that he may spare us hereafter Thâ— Gold which this Supreme Artificer choâ—seth he will here have it purified by fire that hereafter he may lay it up amongst his most pure everlasting Treasures We see our time here is short and swiftly passing away but the life which we expect then is blessed and eternal Let us labour then while we have time that we may be counted worthy to enter into his rest What else I pray do we behâ—ld here but grief vexation weariness and which should affect the faithful most the contempt and treading under foot of the Divine Law Let us then strive to our utmost abridging our senses of those transitory fading vain things to attain those things which abide for ever Let us observe the conversation of our Fathers of old see the Saints in both the Testaments what stâ—rms and tempeâ—ts they endured in the Sea of this World what Prisons what bonds how they were stoned sawn asunder and slain with the edâ—e of the Sword how they went about in Sheep skins and Goats skins c. as the Epistle to the Hebrews records at large They all going the strait way in the steps of Christ who hath said Where I am there shall my servant be We theâ—efore having such a clâ—ud of witnesses of the Saints of all former ages to compass us about let us lay aâ—ide whatever weight there is in us and the sin which round besets us and run with patience the appointed race looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith who for the joy set before him endured the Cross and despised the shame Let us remember him which suffered such contradiction of sinners against himself that we faint not in our hearts and fall away but let us with our whole heart seek help of the Lord and fight manfully against Antichrist his Enemy Let us love his law in our hearts and not he unthankeful in his work But in all things carry our selves with assurance according to the measure of faith which the Lord giveth us and be strong in the cause of God and the hope of the Eternal Reward Therefore thou Huss my dear Brother in Christ unknown indeed unto me by face but not in faith and love for the uttermost ends of the earth cannot set them asunder which the love of Christ hath knit together be strong in the grace which is given to thee fight as a good Souldier of Jesus Christ both by word and work Doctrine and conversation and gain whom you can to return to the way of the truth Inasmuch as the truth of the Gospel ought not to be suppressed in silence for the erroneous lying decrees and defections of Antichrist do you therefore rather notwithstanding the designs of Satan comfort and establish the members of Christ for that Antichrist shall shortly by the will of God be finished I am very much rejoyced that in your Kingdom and other parts God hath so strengthened the hearts of some that they suffer Prisons Banishment yea death it self for the Word of God and that with joy too Dearly Beloved I have little else to write I must needs assure you That I would gladly do any thing to strengthen you and all the lovers of Christs Government In the love of the Law of God remember my most affectionate salutation to them from the bottom of my heart especially to your partner in the Gospel of Christ entreating your prayers for me and for the whole Church of Christ Now the God of Peace which brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ the great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eveâ—lasting Covenant make you ready to every good work that you may do his will working in you that which is pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen 25. Huss being as now Professor of the University and afterward Anno 1400. made Preacher of Bethlehem the University Church he took heart very daringly to inveigh against those now overflowing Abominations and weild openâ—y against them the Sword of the Divine Word with great applause among the people not onely at Prague but through the whole Kingdom It very much revived his spirit that the same year Jerome of Prague being returned out of England and bringing over Wickliffs books with him rooted up the present prevailing errors with the like boldness in the Schools as Huss did in the Church Against these pious designs to clear the Church of the infection of Superstition the Academicks which were Foreigners overnumbering yet and overvoting the rest opposed themselves all they could and passed a Censure upon Wickliffs Articles But the Bohemians debated the Prerogative of Elections with the Popes Abettors making it good that it did belong to themselves as Natives and not to them being strangers The debate being referred to King Wenceslaus son to Charls he gave sentence on the Bohemians side Hereupon the Germans being angry went away from Prague by Troops which occasioned the erecting of the Universities of Lipsia and Erfurd and the Bohemians chose and created Mr. Huss Head of the University in the year 1409. 26. The Monks being cast off by the King and the University stir up the Archbishop
man can minde and do all things at one and the same time All things as they should be we cannot do all Nor yet to one do Gods gifts wholly fall As Luther himself writes in his Piece de Servo Arbitrio of Enslaved Freewil ripeness of mans knowledge hath and doth still come on by length of time Adde this many things are wanting in some to be supplied by others Thus far Lasitius 78. Now these Transactions with Luther being over writes the same man there came out of France to Bohemia two learned men bringing commendations from the Brethren the Waldenses to acquaint them with the calamities of them which sent them by reason both of the continuance of the Hostile Persecution as also their difference arising amongst themselves that giving them fully to understand the better condition of the Brethren of Bohemia they might receive some consolation and to carry iâ— home to their own To this end they stayed with ours six whole moneths seeing their Order and unity in all matters the diligent care of their Pastors over the flock the observance of the youngers to the Elders and their daily performance of all kinde of labours and services c. as also ours beholding in like manner their pious Conversation and zeal and by these two were able to judge what the rest were And inasmuch as they found them sound in Doctrine and Faith they admitted them into Communion with them So at length the beloved strangers take their leaves of each other with mutual consolation c. 79. The Divines of Strasburg having some counsels in hand for the repairing of Ecclesiastical Discipline amongst themselves write to the Brethren of Bohemia Anno 1433. by the hand of Fabritius Capito and received in writing an answer thereunto again Anno 1540. by the hand of Marvin Bucer then the Brethren send Mathius Erithreus one of their own to them These Transactions are set down by Lasitius but it may suffice here onely to present you with some few Elegancies out of the sayings of the most pious Divine Bucer Ecclesiastical Discipline saith he is the Throne of Christ reigning in the Church And when Mathias entreated him to excuse his impolite speaking Bucer answers â—iety is to be looked at in a Christian not quaintness of speech it is apparently from the Divine hand that you being not so learned have yet so well a governed Church But as for us though we may seem more learned yet because we neglect the care of Discipline we profit very little wherefore we are thinking by all means how to settle it And when Matthias the Divines being now come together to hear his message was relating to them the usual way of the Brethrens Order in the Church Bucer not able to refrain from tears turning to the Divines sitting about him said Now verily this Hierarchy or holy Government is rather Celestial above then Ecclesiastical here on earth He also yet further inserts in his Letter to the Brethren Many with us have shaken off the yoke of Antichrist but yet refuse to take upon them the yoke of Christ c. I am perswaded that you alone are they that at this day are found in all the World amongst whom onely flourishes sound Doctrine pure edifying and wholesome Discipline I have perused the Confession you sentime rejoycing very much to finde amongst you so great a lustre of the Truth and such Order and Purity in your Administration Great indeed is the goodness of God toward you in that you retain the Doctrine so pure and have such disciples as diligently take care to bring back the Discipline into the Church as it were out of banishment Truly we are much ashamed of our selves when we compare at any time our Church with this of yours And publiquely in his Piece against Latomus in print thus That way is surely the most excellent which is observed by the Brethren called the Piccards who alone in all the World again still retain among them together with the purity of Doctrine also the Discipline of Christ in force The thing it self is so plain that we cannot but as give them the commendation thereof so praise the Lord which hath so wrought upon them Howbeit those Brethren are lightly esteemed of some Preposterous though Learned men 80. At the same time there wrote to the Brethren of Bohemia also two other Divines Fabricins Capito and John Calvin Pastor of the banished French Church then at Argentorat Part of Fabricius Letter runs thus The Express of your Faith which came to our hands was very acceptable to us it containing your Church Order absolutely the best that I finde in our generation in that together with a solid Confession of Faith and right use of the Sacraments it beareth the sweet savours of holy Discipline and the watchful Pastoral care among you of your Pastors For Calvins Letter it is extant in the Volumn of his Epistles under this title To the Bohemian Pastors of which these words are a fragment I heartily congratulate your Churches upon which besides sound Doctrine God hath bestowed so many excellent gifts whereof this is none of the least to have such Pastors to govern and order them and such people as are so well affected and disposed towards Government To be constituted in so excellent a sorm adorned with the most excellent Discipline which we worthily call the most excellent yea and the onely bond whereby obedience can be preserved I am sure we finde with us by woful experience what the worth of it is by the want of it nor yet can we any way attain unto it God bless me this very thing makes me often faint in my minde and feeble in the discharge of my Function yea I should quite despair did not this comfort me that the edification of the Church is always none other then the work of the Lord which he himself will carry on by his own power though all help besides fails But yet this is a great and rare blessing to be assisted with other necessary advantages therefore I shall never take our Churches to be in any posture of strength or firm establishment until we can be knit together with that nerve c. This excellent man was not long after by prime choise called to exercise his Ministery in the Church of Geneva where he erected this kinde of Discipline and it is famous at this day in all the World 81. In the year 1542. was made another and that the last application of the Brethren from Bohemia unto Luther and it was not so much by Legates as in the way of a personal friendly Visitation For John Augusta himself the then chief Antistes of the Unity taking with him of the Ministers George Israel and of the Nobility Joachimius Prostibore comes to Witteberg to understand what hopes there were of the Gospel-Churches their receiving and embracing the Discipline which the Strasburg Divines had expressed themselves so much desirous of They being kindely embraced
relate how the Hussian Churches in Bohemia and Moravia being by degrees turned to Lutheranism as they call it retained indeed the Doctrine of the Gospel but reformed indeed nothing as to the endeavour of a Christian Conversation That this redounded much to the prejudice of our Churches so well approved of by Luther and his Colleagues for the care of Discipline Whilest the Libertines boasting that without the yoke of Discipline they could bring it so to pass to enjoy the Gospel pure in any other place so that there are none that any more joyn themselves to us yea and some depart from us They therefore demand Whether so great an abuse of the Gospel may be suffered Luther replied in the presence of all the whole Colledge of Divines That Popery could not be subdued but by rooting out all those usages which savour of the yoke of Humane Superstition and violation of the liberty of Conscience and that at this time especially when they take notice that all the world is making head against them it must needs be granted a matter of necessity for us to withstand them what we can and to repair Discipline That to this end he would seriously attend the business as soon as ever he could get any breathing time For the Pope was at this very time in confident expectation of a new Councils making disturbance in all places c. to the like purpose The Brethren then added that they could not expect their endeavours should come to any good effect as they had formerly said in their Letter to Luther Anno 1523. as long as they saw that in their Universities and â—chools so much care was taken of Science and so little regard had unto Conscience entreating them that whilest they set themselves to obviate impendent dangers they would seriously minde those more specially which as to the matter of Conscience warlikely break in upon the Church and overwhelm it c. After this when they had had about two weeks most familiar converse and mutual conference about their whole business with Luther and the rest of the Divines being now ready to return from Witteberg Luther entertaining them with a feast and in the presence of many of the Professors of that University taking his solemn and last farwel of them gave the whole Unity of the Brethren the right hand of holy Fellowship parting with these words Be you the Apostles of Bohemia and I with my Colleagues will be the Apostles of Germany Do you the work of Christ as opportunity shall be given you there and we will do it in like manner here as we may have opportunity 82. Some moneths after the same year Luther writing to the same Augusta inserts these words following Moreover I charge you in the Lord that you hold out with us to the last in the Communion of the Spirit and Doctrine wherein you have begun and strive with us by word and prayer against the Gates of Hell c. Commend me c. respectfully unto all the Brethren in the Lord at Strasberg the day after S. Francis Anno 1542. This great soul'd Luther notwithstanding all the importunities of the Brethren for the restoring of Discipline and the life of Christianity not at all displeased with them persisted in friendly correspondency with them to the end expressing a gracious dear affection towards them and toward the business Lasitius produceth notorious witnesses taking from the mouth of Luther these words following There hath not arose any people since the times of the Apostles whose Church hath come nearer to the Apostolical Doctrine and Orders then the Brethren of Bohemia and again Although these Brethren in purity of Doctrine excel not us all the Articles of Faith with us being sincerely and purely taken out of the Word of God yet in the ordinary Discipline of the Church which they use and whereby they happily govern the Churches they go far beyond us and in this respect are far more praise-worthy And we cannot but acknowledge and yield this to them for the glory of God and of his truth whereas our people of Germany cannot be perswaded to be willing to take the yoke of Discipline upon them 83. Absolutely without doubt this excellent man saw the mischief of the first Errour and was very desirous it should be amended but could not being constrained to divide his attendance between this and other conflicts with so many monstrous abominations sufficiently dispatch all things as true hearted men frequently apologize for him Yea and our Lasitius himself too as was said before Sect. 77. and for certain he commended to God and his Successors prayers and hopes of a further and more perfect degree of Reformation to be attained Howbeit the accomplishment of his Hope hitherto fell short of his prayers For wthin three years and four moneths after these Transactions with the Brethren he departed this life There followed upon his death saith Bucholcer the â—hronologer a double War of the Divines and also Civil wars of the Evangelici among themselves Alass that we rested in vindicating the Theory of the Doctrine of the Gospel without the practice of Discipline God bless us I could wish the Brethren of Bohemia had been proved false Prophets when at the very beginning of this Reformation in Germany in their first Letter to Luther dated 1523. and frequently afterward they foretold these sad events viz. upon this ground because it prevailed in their Schools and Churches contrary to that Apostolical Protestation 1 Cor. 1.1 2. to study knowledge rather then Charity and Edification So that notwithstanding all that Bucer Melancthon Hemingius Saubertus Arnd. J. Valent the Andreas's and many other faithful men acted by the Divine Spirit could do no remedy could take place to rectifie this distemper Not that nothing at all was effected by the endeavours of these holy men but that nothing they could do was sufficient to quench the general flame of malice and prophaneness God amend it even at least by this his smart and general overflowing Discipline of his scourge 84. To return to the Brethren I will briefly touch that Persecution whereby after the Scmalcaldick war was ended they also in Bohemia were oppressed When the Pope had reconciled the King of France to the King of Spain the same being now also Emperour Charls the fifth upon this Article or Condition amongst the reâ—â— that both parties should turn their Forces against the Lutherans it came to pass in France not long after that the Waldenses in the Province of Narbon were cut off and destroyed Caesar also prepared war against the Germans which beginning just â—fter the death of Luther ended the year following in the overthrow of the Protestants At which time Ferdinand dragged the Bohemians to execution for that they had refused to assist Caesar against the Prince Elector of Saxony punishing the chief of the Nobles with imprisonment banishment or confiscation of goods He raged most of all against the Brethren commanding their
Heidelberg then piously solicitous about the erecting of Order in the Churches of the Palatinate under Pious Frederick as appears in their Embassy and Letters to the Brethren of Bohemia for Zech. Vrsin in his to Andreas Stephanus the Antistes of the Brethren writes thus We are fully certified by your Confession both of your consent with us in all the heads of Christian Doctrine and also of your care and diligence to keep up a conversation worthy of a Christian and indeed upon this account we must needs joy you with an happiness far beyond us And we entreat you to help us in your prayers to the Lord that we may obtain his grace for some further attainment of the beauty of Christian Order amongst us also and that we judging our selves may not be condemned of the Lord for notwithstanding our prayers and endeavours many a day have been reaching hereunto that something of better Order may at last be seen amongst us yet because the name of Church-Discipline some imprudently and importunately urging it others bitterly and altogether rejecting it is become so odious that a great part do not onely decline it but would have it demolished and we can scarce hitherto enjoy the name or the least slight shadow of Discipline Therefore with shame and grief we are sensible that you ascribe more to us in your opinion then is to be found amongst us yet this advantage we have by it that from hence we apprehend you ply us as with a spur to quicken us to endeavour to be more answerable the better to answer to that good opinion which you and the rest of the godly conceive of us c. Mart. 19. 1574. 114. Answer hereunto being received the Church of Heidelberg dispatch to the Brethren one Badius with Letters to the same Antistes written by Mr. Olevian to this effect Mr. Vrsin shewed me your Letters and them of Mr. Languet whereby I understand that you of a long time have vigorously laid at that design whereto also we aspire namely to place the beginning middle and end of Religion not in disputing but in doing i. e. in true conversion to God and solid faith in Christ Let me therefore beg of you not onely in mine but in the name of the Brethren which are here in the service of the Church that you would furnish this John Badius with understanding of the whole Oeconomy or Administration of your Church and make him welcome for he is a learned and very pious man Mr. Vrsin and all the Colleagues salute you At Heidelberg April 28. 1574. 115. Now what opinion the Divines of Heidelberg had of those things which Badius observed in the Churches of the Brethren is evident by Olevians Letters again to Stephen given Sept. 6. in these words It cannot be expressed what high thoughts I have of that work of the Lord which he hath not onely began but also carried on so many years in your Churches The extreme corruptions of this age makes me and my Coleagues not a â—ittle desirous to confer with you about the most excellent Government of the Church for we would so build that the building may stand firm for after ages but we see how great differences and what sudden changes there are in those Churches which are deprived of their Priviledge and wholly depend upon the Civil power unless we seasonably obviate these evils many of the godly will think at least in a great part that they have run in vain I mean as to the stability of the building and the preservation and propagation of the whole Oeconomy of the Kingdom of Christ Wherefore we thankfully own what the Lord hath given us and we desire to make more full acknowledgment thereof and beseech the Lord that he would supply us with sufficient means hereunto to that purpose Veriâ—y when I behold the sad face of the Reformed Churches in Germany I am utterly afraid I apprehend that secular powers have been heretofore the Churches entreatments but now in many places they are turned into a kind of Dominion to domineer at their pleasure over the Churches and the heavenly doctrine Of the causes hereof this seems not to be the least that many Churches have too much given up themselves to the Polities of the world as if they were an essential part of the Kingdom of Christ Therefore I cannot but extoll your way of edifying who would have your Churches so subjected to the Polities of this world yea and to all men for good as yet to part with nothing of that liberty which Christ hath purchased for them with his blood 116. Hubert Languet mentioned before was the Elector of Saxonies Legat in Cesars Court at Vienna a man of great authority I find some letters of his to Andreas Stephanus and in one of them these words The Pope fears nothing more then our consent and uniting together which is his sure destruction if it can be effected but we have some unsound Divines amongst us which reject all good counsels and therein do much advance the Popes interest I would have the Churches of Bohemia which you write desire the Augustan Confession first joyn themselves with your Churches But these things are belonging to the good pleasure of God onely unto whom we must earnestly pray that he would defend his Church against them which labour to dissolve it Of the Gentleman D. of Z. I think as you do he seems to me to be of that sort of men which prudently and simply judge of things as nothing at all byassed by their affections of which there are to be found but very few Tho most and those not otherwise wanting parts and ingenuity being so hurried away with their affections that they seem sometimes when they give their judgement to be destitute of common sence At Vienna 15. Feb. 1574. 117. There was come forth before this time an 1572. the famous four-languaged Bible of Benedict Arias Montanus printed at Antwerp and not much after that was the new Latin Translation of the Bible of Francis Junius and Imanuel Tremel printed at Heidelberg This put the Brethren upon preparing in like manner a new version of the Bible in their own language conformable to the Original for all that they had hitherto had was the Latin version they therefore set about this business and in pursuance hereof they send to the Universities of Wittenberg and Basil some Candidates in Divinity to give themselves diligently to the study and thorough-knowledge of the holy Tongues To these was adjoyned a Jew born Lucas Helitz of Posnania a learned and pious man ordained also a Minister of the Gospel among us and that these might be able quietly to attend this sacred work there was assigned them in the heart of Moravia an accommodation for their dwelling together viz. the Castle of Kratlitz a Printing office being there also erected under the patronage of the Right honourable Lord John Baron of Zerotin having his Mansion in the next adjoyning
Kings hath said All power is given to me in heaven earth go you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 make all Nations my Disciples Matth. 28. i. e. advance my kingdom both by outward preaching unto all Nations and by the inward power of my Spirit learning of me to live not an earthly but a heavenly life O how invaluable and incomparable would this be if you did but know how much you are advanced above all earthly things but alas the highest of the Bishops at this day stick in the very first rudiments of the Apostles not aspiring unto any degree of high Apostolical perfection What was their first rudeness To dream of Earthly Kingdoms and Thrones with Christ where to sit on the right hand and on the left What their high perfection To count all things here as dung for the excellency of Christ and casting all Worldly Interests behinde them to press forward for the prize of the High Calling Phil. 3. and so to rejoyce in the hope of future glory and glory in Affliction the Cross Martyrdoms c. I would here lay down my Pen but that this swelling excrescence of the Church by tract of time hath gotten such an extreme hard crust upon it that it seems needful to ply it with oft-renewed-mollifying applications Let it be taken therefore how it will I offer in the sight of the Church my desire of things of the better sort Now that which God makes and ordains must needs be better than that which man institutes for the works of God are perfect Deut. 32.4 that which he establishes for ever and the decrees which he makes no man may pass over Psal 148.6 behold then whosoever they be among men which God doth appoint to be guides of others unto heaven all those he absolutely declares in both the Testaments that he would have them altogether free from earthly cares first straitly forbidding his people Israel by Moses to allot to them any inheritance amongst them and then severely charging the Priests themselves that they should not admit of any such terrene possession And Christ did the same for those which he chose for himself to be Messengers to the Gentiles he made leave their Nets Customs and all wayes what ever of getting gain yea and himself also being about to discharge his Commission in reference to mankinde laid aside even his heavenly Riches Honours Thrones to reach that these at least are utterly incompatible and became poor contemptible and low having not upon earth whereon to lay his head Verily it was to be fulfilled which was typified in David who had no hopes to triumph over Goliah till he put off the Royal accoutrements and addressed himself in the habit of a Shepherd and in Gideon who being to discomfite the Midianites was first to dismiss his numerous Armed Forces reserving to himself nothing but his Lamps and Trumpets and then as Gideon said to his company As I do so do ye Judg. 7.17 So Christ bespeaks his I have set you an example that what I do ye may do also John 13.15 Why do we not then imitate him if we would perswade our selves that we are the Sub-Delegates of that Legate from heaven He though they made him an overture of Regal Dignity accepted it not John 6. though they would proclaim him King Luke 19.38 yet he persisted taking to himself no Title but that of Master 22.11 being asked whether he was a King He made answer My Kingdom is not of this World Being assured that there was reserved for him a Royal Throne in Heaven Why not we in like manner having a promise of the same Throne Howbeit not unless we first overcome Apoc. 5.21 Most certain then it is that Episcopal pre-eminence consists not in this to possess vast Demesnes to shine in Gold to be surrounded with a Retinue to be carryed in Coaches or lie on Beds of Doun to be clothed in Scarlet c. but to be deep in inward Piety of the heart and profound in Divine Knowledge with Zeal for the Glory of God and the Salvation of the Church as also of improved experience in the things of God renouncing and abjuring our own private profit these are the things which make up the Pourtraiture or Essence of a true Bishop and his outward Characters are many to be much in Labour and Travel in Watchings in Hunger and Thirst in Fastings and Solicitousness for all the Churches to be weak with them that are weak and to burn when others are offended 2 Cor. 11. and so to bear about in their bodies the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ Gal. 6.17 and when he meets with one sick of the spiritual Palsie to say Silver and Gold I have none but such as I have I give thee in the name of Jesus Christ arise out of the bed of vain and sinful state and walk in the wayes of Christ Acts 3. In a Word not at all to savour Earthly things for he which talks of the earth is earthly John 3.31 but to shew in word and works that he is the Messenger of the Lord from Heaven who gives life to all 1 Cor. 15.45.47 If Bishops and all they that discharge any Embassie for Christ hope to be such verily their worldly additaments earthly dominions and secular honours must be taken away for these are baits which prophane persons swallowing and being caught withal croud themselves into Ecclesiastical preferments shutting and thrusting out their betters For it is vain that Bellarmine saith The Sea of Rome either admits them which are Saints or makes them such It is more truly retorted by another that it either embraceth them that are wicked or makes them such For men cannot reach to such an height but they must be very worldly ambitious subtle to deceive by a thousand tricks more than are good Yea if it be so that haply some of the better sort fly so high yet it is almost impossible but they will be taken wiâ—h a spirit of giddiness by reason of the very heighth of their condition And the same must be said of every Bishops Sea set out with such pomp and riches that these things either are possessed by such as are ambitious covetous idle drones and effeminate or else they soon make them such These sweet poysons the pomps of Riches and Honours can hardly be drunk deeply off by any one and he remain innocent Let no man say within himself the Mendicant condemns them that have riches because he hath none himself for indeed he which is out of the mist can the better see the cloud nor yet need we to be so indigent if modesty and fear of venomous dregs stood not in our way I could tell you the spirit of zeal hath somtime raised up them among us also that by liberal Donation would have setled sufficient large Revenues upon our Church for ever as in Moravia B. B. of Z. in Bohemia Pr. of Rosenberg they were only finding out a way how these Demesnes might with some colour be made over to be possessed by some others so as yet the rents might be paid to the Antistites of the Unity But it was not accepted both because it could hardly be concealed but and if it should have been known it would have provoked envie and because our Ancestors dreaded the not returning footsteps reckoning themselves to be but men and so liable also to abuse this worlds goods but most of all because of the Divine Inhibition and Command God grant the Successors of the Apostles the Spirit of the Apostles that being fully perswaded that there is nothing urged but that which is Apostolical if haply the Church shall think fit otherwise to dispose of her Benefices yet none dare to have a thought of raising tumults or wars upon that account as they Mich. 3.5 or cast off their charge But rather be so much the more instant and cheerful in the work of their Divine Calling in as much as any fight or work is managed with the greater ease when clogs and incumbrances are removed Did not the Apostles of their own accord committing the care of inferiour matters to others Acts 6. chuse to be Dispencers of the Divine Word and not of Tables Let then the followers of the Apostles do the same esteeming it that they are Stewards of those Spiritual Heavenly and Eternal Treasures a thousand times more than if they had the charge of earthly riches Nor doe these things tend thereunto That the faithful Servants of Christ should be defrauded of their Rewards and Honours but that they should learn how to estimate as well their labours as the rewards thereof better then they seem to know how to do it which gaping so greedily after these outward things are carried with a cursed negligence and indifference as to the internal and eternal matters God indeed liberally provided for his Ministers under the old Covenant appointing that the whole people should bring in to them all the First Fruits of their increase and all the Tenths with their Free-will offerings besides even all the best of their Oyles and Wines and Corn as God himself saith Numb 18.12 and yet he commanded them to look after somthing higher saying v. 20. I am thy part and thy possession and commanding the people that they reverence and esteem them as his Angels Mal. 2.7 therefore let all Christian people know that there is due to the Messengers of God maintenance Mat. 10.10 and reward Luke 10.7 and reverence as to the Angels of God yea as to Jesus Christ Gal. 4.14 in whose name and stead they perform the Office of Ambassadors 2 Cor. 5.20 O! how happy the Church would be if we could get back to the times of the Apostles Come Lord Jesus repair us after thy own good pleasure Restore to thy Church the Bands of Unity Restore the beauty of Order Restore the reverence of their Government Restore the fervour of thy Spirit that the Kingdom of God may suffer violence as of old Or if this last age be past cure and incorrigible irreformable take down the stage of the world that we may enter upon that Blessed Kingdom where shall be Unity without Distraction Order without Confusion Love without Intermission and God shall be all in all for ever and ever Amen FINIS