suche names as be in the congregation and such as shall be here after admitted to be wriâ—ten in the same Item that mariages Christenings and burialls with the daye and yere theroff be registred in the same booke Item for the auoyding all controuersyes that hereafter maye happen it is ordeined that all testamentes and willes made by any off oure nation dyinge in this congregation shall be brought foorthe and exhibited to the Seniors off this congregaâ—ion for the tyme being for a perpetuall testimonye off the truthe in that behalff Item that bicause all mennes doinges be vncerteine and changeable the discipline and orders off the churche shal be read openly once euery quarter and warninge theroff before shall be geuen to the whole congregation bothe that euerie member therof maye knowe their dewtie and that euerie man maye with librrtie quietly speak his minde for the chaunging and amending of it or anye parte therof according to goddes worde and the same exhibited in writinge with the arguments and reasons off that his requeste The names off suche as subscribed to this discipline and were off the churche THomas Crawley Christopher Hales Thomas Ashley Edmond Oldsworth Edmonde Sutton Thomas Acworth Richard Alvaie VValter Franck Richard Leâ—ler Richard Mason Richarde Beâ—sley Richard Nagoâ—â— Robart beste Henry Reignoldes Perciuall Harrington Richard Porter Magnus Elyot Henry Perryus Iohn Browne Dauid VVhitthead Iohn Mullins Iohn Pedder Iohn Hales Gre. Railton Alexander nowell Iohn VVilford Iohn Fauconer Thomas Serbis Thomas VVilsoâ— Iohn Bedell Iohn Olde Iames Peers Thomas Sandes Edward Parpoint Thomas VValker Iohn Kelke Thomas VVatts Leonarde parry Robarte Crowley VVilliam Master Laurance Kent Thomas Knolle Peter sade Iohn Vates VVilliam Raulinges Thomas VVater Thomas VVillobie Edmond Tomson Richard Luddington Thomas oldsworthe Edmond Harries Philipp Adishe Gawin dixson Iohn Geoffrie Anthony Donningâ— Edward Colton Iohn Turpin The 21. off December 1557. theis were added to the churche Sir Frances Knolls Edward Boyes Iohn Browne Frances VVilforde Thomas Knot Thomas Donnell Arthure Saule Richard Sandell Robart Ioyner Henry VVood Richard Lynbroâ—ghe Ralfe Selye Henry Knolls Thomas VVilford VVilliam Dauage Reignolde Baker Robarte Hodgston Iohn Penteny Mighell Coke Thomas Tod Chamber Alaxender Nowell Iohn Ade Thomas Bagster Daniell Rogers Now that yow haue harde bothe the olde discipline and that whiche was by the authoritie off the magistrate deuised order requireth that I place here the reasons whiche Maister Horne and the rest off his side brought against the newe discipline established And to the ende this volume shuld not excede measure in greatnes I think it expedient to do here as I haue done allready and minde to do through owt the whole story whiche is off a leafâ— to take as I might saie a lyâ—e or two as one lothe too weary yow sith a taste maie suffice To the 7. Article off the newe Discipline To the Article off 2. Minâ—sters off like charge and authoritie we think we haue good â—easons to require that there be no moo in the speciall burthen and charge pastorall then one to whom the others ioyned with him for preachinge off the worde and ministringe the Sacraments shall not in cure and charge gouernment and preheminence be in all respectes coequall The Reasons Firste the scripture speakinge or treatinge of the office of a Bishopp or minister so speakethe as it were to be presupposed and as an order receiued that one shuld in cure and charge be burthened aboue other and in gouernement for order sake in preheminence Item the expositions off all auncient Authors and Wryters vpon the scripturs that toucheth that matter do alltogether as they secure to gather owte off the texte conclude declare and teache one Minister or pastor in respectes aforesayde preferred and charged aboue other and thus dothe the newe also Item this order off one in cure charge and gouernement preferred haue all the churches to be red off planted by the Apostels and all others in the primatiue churche obserued whose examples off vs are not to be neglected Item like as good reason off it selff forceth and concludeth so all good autors bothe newe and olde doo freely teache that for conseruation off vnitie and concorde and for auoidinge off schismes and discorde it is requisite and necessarie that a prerogatiue and preheminence for cure charge and gouernemente be committed and geuen to some one to be as it is afore saide charged aboue others Item all the reformed churches off Germany for the moste parte be off that iudgement and therfore obserue that order Item yff Nicene councell decreed and ordered for good order sake that one Bishopp and not many shulde be appoynted to euerye one cytie howe more is it off necessitie for order sake that one litle flocke shulde be content with one Item who is ignorant off this that for the moste parte wher not one but rather two muste haue the especiall cure and charge there commonly thinges be moste negligentlye done and not so muche regarded and cared for as otherwise they woulde be The answer off the churche touchinge this 7. Article to the reasons off the dissenting brethern We se not by the scriptures that anie authoritie is geuen to anie one aboue others but rather to the contrary As concerninge olde wryters we knowe that Ierome expresly declarethe that in the beginninge the churche was ruled equally by manie But after when schismes began to springe the chiefe authoritie was geuen to one for authorities sake and by mannes ordinaunce rather then by deuine authoritie wherfore we coÌ„clude that as for schismes the firste order of many was left aÌ„d one chiefe apointed So nowe for the auoidinge of tyraÌ„nie a worse euell in the churche then schismes whiche as apearethe by the Bishop of Rome is grownded vppon one we thinke it good to returne to the firste order off two or moo equall ministers accordinge to the institution off the Apostells as Saint Ierome teacheth And that those lerned men who do moste earnestly maintaine the gouernment off one confesse that vntill the tyme off Dionysius who was after Christe 300. yeres and more the Regimente was equally committed to manye And as for the newe there be examples off the beste churche to the contrary And Maister Caluin in the 8. Chap. off his Institutions the 42. and 52. dyuisions Declarethe expresly that there were From the beginninge more Ministers off the worde and that it is but off mannes ordinaunce that one was afterwarde made chieff That is alleadged off the reformed churches in Germany the multitude ought to serue no more for one then the best reformed churches for two ministers off the worde As concerninge Nicene councell it is before answered and in that they decreed there shulde be but one it consequenquently folowithe that before the saide decree there were many And iff those godly fathers were nowe lyuinge and did se how Antechriste is established vppon one they woulde more gladly returne to the firste order off many equall for the
he hath heretofore dealt with the companie off poore students at Zurick but also through vntrew reportes off all good mennes deuotions and liberalitie that hereafter woulde ells be bestowed Their reportes whiche amonge many other vntruthes to hinder this poore congregation they slanderously brute abroad are chiefly theis firste that the poore off this churche be so well prouided for that the worste hathe after the rate of 2. shillinges by the weeke SecoÌ„dly that some of the poore here be so stowte thaâ— they disdaine tâ— aske relieff in their nede so that oure poore seeme either not to nede or not to be worthie off helpe And thirdly that men here seeke to knowe the names off the geuers to this congregation to their great perill and vtter vndooinge whiche reportes be all vtterly vntrue but the truthe is that for lack many poore men haue byn driuen bothe to depart hence to seeke their liuinge in other places and some forced to go for relieff into England Theis speciallties besides muche more that we haue thought good and very necessarie that good godly men shulde knowe bothe that they shuld not conceaue anie euell opinion off this congregation by false reporte and also that mindinge to relieff the poore and miserably afflicted members off Christe their brethern in this churche they shulde when god shall moue them to departe with anie thinge to that vse so deliuer it as it maie sauffly come and iustly be distributed where they would haue it bestowed And therfore we considering the state off oure fellowe exiles liuinge here with vs in nede and pouertie and fedde by the onely good prouidence off god desier all Christian men for the loue off oure sauiour Iesus Christe to consider howe pleasant a sacrifice howe sweete a sauor the relieuinge off the poore for his sake is before the face off oure heauenly father A good mannes liffe is almoste nothinge ells then a continuall exercise off mercie All the daie longe he hathe mercy and pitie saith the prophet Dauid Geue almes off thy goodes saith the holie man Tobiah and turne neuer thy face from the poore and so shall it come to passe that the face off the lorde shall not be turned awaie from the. Be mercifull after they power yff thow hastâ— muche geue plenteouslie yf thou haste litle do thy diligence gladlye to geue of that litle for so gatherest thow thy selff a good rewarde in the daie off necessitie for almes deliuereth from deathe and suffreth not the soule to come in darknes A great comforte is almes before the high God vnto all them that doo it Blessed is he that consideth the poore saith the Prophet Dauid the lorde shall deliuer him in the tyme off trouble c. The good man saith Dauid hath distributed abroad and geuen to the poore his righteousnes remaineth for euer his horne shal be exalted with honor he that geueth to the poore shall not lack saith the Wyse man in the prouerbes As water quencheth burninge fire so dothe mercie reconcile synnes whiche god shall rewarde and not forget and the dooer shall fynde a staie to keepe him vpp when he falleth saithe Iesus the sonne off Sirach Break vnto the Hungrie thy bread saith the Prophet Esaie and bringe the poore fatherles into they howse when thow seeste the naked couer him and hide not they face from thine owne fleshe Then shall thy light break foorthe as the morninge and thy helthe flourishe right shortly thy righteousnes shall go before thee and the glorie of the lorde shal embrace thee TheÌ„ yf thow callest the lorde shall answere the yf thou criest he shall faye here I am Laie ye not vp treasures in earthe where the rust and the moth maie destroy it and theues maie digge it owte and steale it saithe Christe but laie vpp your treasures in heauen Geue almes off that ye haue and behold saithe Christe all is cleane vnto yow What ye geue to one off theis litle ones saithe he ye geue it vnto me And also he saith blessed are the mercifull for they shall finde mercie â–ª when the ydolatrus Kinge Nabucaâ—nezer shuld be conuerted vnto god what saied the Prophet Daniell vnto him redeeme they synnes with almes and thy wikednesse with mercie on the poore so perhappes god will pardon they sinnes Think ye that god forgate abdias that preserued the hundreth Prophetes in caues and fedd them there Paule and the other apostells diligently bothe with wordes and writinge did labor for the relieff of the poore brethern that were at Ierusalem and ells where And we hope that god will open your hartes and mindes to consider oure state and by theis saynges and examples moue yow to haue pitie on your poore brethern whiche yff it shall please his mercie to graunte yow cheerfully to doo it is not to be dowted but albeit he suffer yow to slyde and fall for a time yet will he heaue yow vp when it shal be his good pleasure and preserue yow so as at the lenght ye maie be partakers off the ioyfull kingdome off god whiche oure sauior Ie-Christ hathe purchased for his electe with the price off hiâ— blood The holy spirite off god be allwayes with yow amen This controuersie which yow haue now harde from the â—3 off Ianuary hitherto I finde written by the handes off such as are bothe lerned and off credit but yet I muste nedes say by those that were parties in this broyle And for so much as Maister Chambers in this controuersie is very sore charged amonge the reste who yet was thought off manie wise and godlymen to be verye godly vpright and honest aÌ„d so no dowte he tooke his leaue of this lyffe I haue therfore here thought good to place a letter whiche is yet off his owne hande to be seene wrytinge the same in his owne defence touchinge theis matters so as the reader wayinge bothe the one and the other maie vse his iudgemente with discretion â–ª The copie off the letter To the worship Maister Iohn Hales M. Thomas Crawley Maister Iohn Willford and to Maister Whitthead Tho mas Sorsby William Maister and Iohn olde at Franckford Immanuell I wishe vnto yow the peace off god with my commendations The tenor of your demaunde hathe caused me to differr answeringe to your letters vntill this time not off purpos to geue no answere but that I then vppon the suddain wanted sure knowledge in that thinge wherby yow chiefly charge me At my comminge from Zurick to Frankford I was intreated by certaine men to continewe my traueiles in gatheringe the Almes and liberalities off godly meÌ„ to relieue therwith such poore dispersed Englishe brethern As I shuld think moste meete to be relieued euen as before time I had done This requeste put in writinge subscribed by certeine was deliuered vnto me not as letters testimoniall off authoritie whiche as I neded not or I required them not neither yet that I shuld by force off them gather for the church off Franckford onely or
as oure poore condition and callinge dothe permit In the meane space we shall moste intirely beseche almightie God so to assiste yow withe his holy spirit that your doings maie helpe to confounde papistrie set forthe gods glorie and shewe suche light in the face off the worlde that bâ—othe the wicked maie be ashamed hauinge no iuste cause off reproche and also oure weake brethern confirmed and woone to the truthe From Zurick this 13. off October â—554 Your louing frinds Robart Horne Richard Chambers Thomas Leuer Nicholas Karuile Iohn Mullingâ— Thomas Spencer Thomas Bentham VVilliam Cole Iohn Parkhuste Roger Kelbe Robart Beamont Laurence Humphry Henry Cockrafft Iohn Pretio Abowte this tyme Letters were receyued from maister Haddon Wherin he desired for diuers considerations to be excused for comminge to take the charge vppon him at Franckford The 24. off October came maister Whitheaâ— to Franckford and at the requeste off the congregation he tooke the charge for a time and preached vppon the Epistle to the Romains Abowte the 4. off Nouember came Maister Châ—mbres to Franckford with letters from Zurick whiche were partlie an answere to an other letter written vnto them from Franckforde the 26. off September whiche was as followithe Grace mercy and peace c. AFter longe hope off Your answere to our letter we thought it good to put you once againe in remembraunc And as we in our former so nowe in theis also in gods behalff moste ernestly require yow deeplie to waie this matter off gods callinge and the necessitie off this congregation We haâ—e throughly lerned your estate and also made yow priuie to oures â–ª and eftsonnes wishe we might be together to bewaile our synnes paste to praie together for oure poore brethern that are vnder Antechristes captiuitie to comforte instructe and profit one an other And finally to bestowe the time off oure persecution together and redeeme theis daies whiche are so euell And iff anye desier off knowledge staye yow certenly it woulde not be so litle increased here that yow shulde iustâ—y repent For as touchinge the companie off lerned men as yow cannot bere be withowte so that thinge whiche chiefly your can require of lerned mens IudgmeÌ„ts and knowledge owte off their workes your maie suck moste plentifully wherof with vs yow can lake no store We nede not brethern to make loÌ„ge discouse in reasoninge â–ª for we partlie knowe that gods spirit whiche workethe in your hartes shall preuaile withe yow more theÌ„ disputinge not dowtiÌ„ge but the same holie spirit knocketh at the dore off your coÌ„scieÌ„ces not only to moue yow of oure behalffs but to admonishe yow to auoide the incoÌ„ueniences of talkes and the offences of oure poore brethern of Englande whose marueilinge cannot otherwise be satisfied Remember therfore dearly beloued that we wryte as bretheren to oure deare brethern who altogether seeke oure fathers honor oure owne discharge and the comforte off oure afflicted countrie men The same sweete father graunt for his Christs sake that we maie assemble together to the buildinge off this his Temple to let the false workemen and vnderminers and diligently in our vocation to helpe to the furnishinge off the same till it rise to perfection Fâ—â— ye well in Christe From Franckford this 16. off Septemb. 1â—54 Your louinge frinds as in the letter afore so vnder this subscribed The answere to them off Franckford was as foloweth WE beinge placed here in quietnes with many and great commodities for oure studies tendinge all to edification off Christes churche haue vnto the earneste requests off your letters vnto vs answered in our letters vâ—to yow that to discharge all dewtie in conscience and to increase and instructe your congregation at Franckford withe oure presence and diligence wilt noâ— deny to remoue from hence vnto yow so that yow charged off conscience do constantly affirme that ye haue so great neede off vs as by letters was signified and certeinly assure vs that we with yow maie and shall vse the same order off seruice concerninge religion whiche was in Englande laste set forthe by kinge Edward And nowe also for the better vnderstaÌ„ding off suche requests and charitable performance of dewtâ—e vpon bothe partes desired and procured Maâ—ster Richard Chambers our beste frinde a man moste charitable and câ—refull for the Christian congregation to take pains to trauell vnto yow and wiâ—he yow for vs so that this matter as it is begon and moued in writingâ— maie be fully debated and concluded by his faithfull means and diligence For we be all agreed and do purpose to allowe and performe what so euer he shall saie and promes in oure names vnto yow Wherfore we beseche yow in Goddes name conscionably to consider the estate and condition bothe off yow and vs and iff there vppon yow conclude withe the saied master Chambers off oure comminge vnto yow then let him not lack your charitable helpe in necessary prouision for our continuance withe yow And thus besechinge god that your doings maie tende to his glorie and the spedy comforte off his afflicted churche we wishe yow all helthe and increase off true knowledge in Christe our lord and sauiour From Zurick this â—7 off October Anno 1554. Your lovinge frinds as in the letters before When Maister Chambers had conferred with the congregation and sawe that they coulde not assure him the â—uâ—â— vse off the Englishe booke withowte the hazardinge oâ—f their churche he prepared to departe from whens he came and by this time was Maister Knox come from Geneua and chosen minister vppon the receipte off a letter sent him from the congregation whiche letter was as folowethe WE haue receiued letters from oure brethern off Strausbrough but not in suche sorte and ample wise as we looked for wheruppon we assembled together in the B. Goaste we hope and haue with one voice and consent chosen yow so partâ—culerly to be one off the Ministers off our congregation here to preache vnto vs the moste liuely worde off God accordinge to the gift that God haâ—he geuen yow for as muche as we haue here throughe the mercifull goodnes off God a churche to be congregated together in the name off Christe and be all of one body and also beinge of one natioÌ„ tonge and countrie And at this presente hauinge neede off suche a one as yow we do desier yow and also require yow in the name off God not to deny vs not to refuse theis oure requests but that yow will aide helpe and assiste vs with your presence in this our Good and godlie entreprise whiche we haue take in hand to the glorie off god and the profit off his congregation and the poore sheâ—pe off Christ dispersed abroad who withe your and like presences woulde come hither and be of one folde where as nowe they wander abroad as loste sheepe withowte anie gide we mistruste not but that yow will ioâ—fully accepte this callinge Fare ye well from Franckford this 24. off September Your louinge brethern Iohn
Bale Edmond Sutton Iohn Makebraie VVilliam VVhitingham Thomas Cole VVilliam VVilliams George Chidley VVilliam Hammon Thomas Steward Thomas wood Iohn Stanton VVilliam VValton Iasper swyft Iohn Geofrie Iohn Graiâ— Mighell Gill. Iohn Samford Iohn VVood. Thomas Sorby Anthony Caâ—iâ—r Hugh Alforde Nowe to ruturne to the tenor of the letter which the congregation off Franckford wrate by Maister Chambers to the students off Zurick WE haue receyued your 2. seuerall letters the one dated the 23. off October sent vs from Strausbrough and the other the 27. off the same by the hands off your deare frinde Maister Chambers and haue conferred with him at large touching the contents theroff And when as after diuers assemblyes and longe debatings the saied Maister Chambers perceyued that we coulde not in all points warrant the full vse off the booke off seruice whiche semethe to be your full scope and marke and also waying in conscience the great benefit that God hathe in this câ—â—e offred to our whole nation he not only reâ—oised at the same but also promised to trauell in perswadinge yow to the futheraunce therof As touchinge the effecte off the booke we desire the execution theroff as muche as yow so farr as Gods worde dothe commende it but as for the vnprofitable ceremonies aswell by his consent as by ours are not to be vsed And althoughe they were tollerable as some are not yet beinge in a strange commoÌ„ wealthe we coulde not be suffred to put them in vre and better it were they shulde neuer be practised then they shulde be the subuersion off oure churche whiche shulde fall in great hassard by vsinge them The matter is not oures more then yours excepte anie excell others in godly zeele but bothe wishe gods honor Iff a larger gate be opened there to the same then to vs vppon your perswatione ye shall not finde vs to drawe back for this is that necessitie brethern that maie not be neglected yff we wishe the comforte and gatheringe together off oure dispersed brethern Yff anie think that the not vsinge off the booke in all pointes shoulde increase our godly fathers and bretherns bands or els anye thinge deface the worthie ordinances and lawes off our Soueraigne Lorde off moste famous memory K. Edward the 6. he semethe ether litle to waie the mater or ells letted through ignorance knowethe not that euen they themselues haue vppon considerations off circumstances altered heretofore many thinges as touchinge the same And iff god had not in theis wicked daies otherwise determined woulde here after haue chaunged more yea and in oure case we dowte not but that they woulde haue don the like Theis fewe lines concerninge bothe our coÌ„munications we haue accordingely written vnto yow referringe the reste to the discretion off oure Good frinde Maister Chambers who knoweth that we haue shewed oure selues most conformable in all thinges that standethe in our powers and moste desirous off your companies accordinge to our former letters The spirit off God moue your hartes to do that which shal be most to his glory and the comforte off your brethern At Franckford this 15. off Nouember Your louinge frinds c. The 28. off Nouember Maister Chambers came againe to Franckford from Sâ—rousbrough and with him Maister Grindall with letters from the lerned men there subscribed with 16. off their handes whiche letter was as folowethe WHen we do consider what inwarde comforte it were for â—he faithfull people off Englande now dispersed for the gospell and wandringe abroad in strange countries as shepe withowte pastor to be gathered together in to one congregation that with one mouth one minde and one spirit they might glorifie God we haue at all tymes and do presently think it oure dewties not only in harte to wishe that thinge but also to labor by all means so muche as in vs lyethe to bringe the same to passe And hauinge nowe perfit intelligence off the Good mindes whiche the magistrats off Franckford beare towardes yow and others oure scattered countrie men and also vnderstandinge off the free graunt off a churche vnto vs wherin we maie together serue god and not dowtinge off their farther frindshipp in permittinge vs franckly to vse our religion accordinge to that godly order sett forthe and receaued in England We bothe geue god thankes for so great a benefit and also thinke it not fit to refuse so frindly an offre or to let slippe so good an occasion Therfore neither dowtinge off their good furtherance hereunto not yet distrustinge your good conformitie and ready desiers in reducinge the Englishe churche now begun there to it former perfection off the laste had in Englande so farre as possiblie can be atteined least by muche alteringe off the same we shulde seeme to condemne the chieff authors theroff who as they nowe suffer so â—re they moste redie to confirme that facte with the price off their blouds and shulde also bothe geue occasion to our aduersaries to accuse oure doctrine of imperfection and vs of mutablitie aÌ„d the godly to dowte in that truthe wherin before they were perswaded and to hinder their coÌ„minge hither whiche before they had purposed For the auoidinge off these and the obtaininge off the other moued hereunto in conscience and prouoked by your ientle letters we haue thought it expedient to sende ouer vnto yow oure beloued brethern the bringers hereoff to trauell withe the magistrats and yow concerninge the premisses whose wisedomes lerninge and godly zeele as they be knowen vnto yow so their doings in this shall fullie take place withe vs And yff they obtaine that whiche we truste will not be denied at no hands Then we intend God willinge to be with yow the firste off February next there to helpe to set in order and stablishe that churche accordingly And so longe altogether to remaine with yow as shall be necessary or vntill iuste occasion shall call some off vs awaie And we dowte not but that our brethern off Zurick Emden Duesbrough c. will do the same accordingly as we haue praied them by oure letters trustinge that yow by yours will make like requeste Fare ye well from Strasbrough this 23. off Nouember Your louing frinds Iames Haddon Edwin Sands Edmond Grindall Iohn Huntington Guido Eaten Iohn Geoffrye Iohn Pedder Thomas Eaten Mighell Reymuger Augustine Bradbridge Arthur Saule Thomas Steward Christ Goodman â–ª Humphry Alcocson Tho. Lakin Tho. Crafton THis letter was red to the congregation at whiche tyme maister Grindall declared the occasioÌ„ of ther coÌ„minge whiche amoÌ„ge other things was chieflie for thestablishinge of the booke off England not that they mente as he saied to haue it so strictly obserued but that suche ceremonies and thinges whiche the countrie coulde not beare might well be omitted so that they might haue the substance and effecte theroff Maâ—ster Knox and whâ—ttingham aâ—ked them what they mente by the substance off the booke It was answered by the other that they had no coÌ„mission to dispute those matters but they requested
that the congregation would answere to certeine interogatories whiche were thies First that they might knowe whaâ— partes off the booke they woulde admit The seconde was for a seuerall churche and the thirde what assuraÌ„ce they might haue for their quiete habâ—tation To â—he firste answere was made that what they coulde proue off that Booke to stande wiâ—he gods worde and the countrie permit that shuld be graunted them To the 2. whiche was for a church it was tolde them that they vnderstoode by the Magistrats the tyme serued not to moue anie suche matter till the counsaile brake vp at Ausburge To the third it was saied that a generall graunt was made at their first comminge thither to the whole nation and the fredome off the citie offred to all suche as were desyrous off it in as large and ample manner as they coulde require whiche was to them assurance sufficient Theis 3. questions thus answered maister Chambers and Maister Grindall departe back againe with a letter from the congregation whiche was as followethe Grace mercy and peace c. AS it was euer moste true so at this present we feele most sensiblie that where so euer god layeth the foundation to builde his glory there he continueth till he bringe the same to a present worke All thanks and praise be vnto him therfore that hathe moued your hartes so as in no pointye seeme to forslowe your diligence to the furtheraunce off the same And as the worke is off moste excellencie So the aduersaries cease not most craftely to vndermine it or at the leaste through false reportes and defacing off the worke begon to staâ—e the laborers whiche shulde traueil in the finishinge theroff But truthe euer cleareth itselff and as the Sonne consumethe the clowds so misreportes by triall are confounded Oure brethern sent from yow can certifie yow at lenght touchinge the particulers off your letter to whom we haue in all thâ—ngs agreed whiche semed expedient for the state off this congation As for certeine Ceremonies whiche the order off the countrie will not beare we necessarily omit with as litle alteration as is possible which in your letters ye require so that no aduersary is so impudent that dare either blame oure doctrine of imperfection or vs of mutabilitie excepte he be altogether willfull ignorante rather seekinge howe to finde faultes then to amend them Nether doo we discente from them whiche lie at the raunsome off their blouds for the doctrine wheroff they haue made a moste worthye confession And yet we thinke not that anye godlie man will stande to the deathe in the defence of ceremonies whiche as the booke specifie the vpoÌ„ iuste causes maie be altered and chaunged And yff the not full vsinge off the booke cause the godly to dowte in that truthe wherin before they were perswaded and to staye theyr comminge hither accordinge as they purposed either it signifieth that they were verye slenderly taught whiche for breach off a Ceremonie will refuse suche a singuler benefit or ells that yow haue harde them misreported by some false brethern who to hinder this worthie enterprise spare not to sowe in euerie place store off suche poore reasons Laste off all it remainethe that ye write that the firste off February nexte yow will come to helpe to set in order and establishe this churche accordingly whiche thinge as we moste wishe for your companies sake and for that ye might se oure godly orders alreadie here obserued So we put yow owte of dowte that for to appointe a iourney for the establishing off Ceremonies shulde be more to your charges then anie generall profit excepte ye were determined to remaine with vs longer then 2 monethes as ye write to our countriemen at Densbrorow and Emden whiche letters notwithstandinge are nowe staid and as apearethe we neuer the neere We referre the reste to oure brethern maister Chambers and maister Grindall who by their diligent inquisition haue learned so farre off our state as we wrote vnto yow in our former letters that is that we haue a churche freely graunted to preach gods word purely to minister the Sacraments sincerely and to execute discipline truly And as touchinge our booke we will practise it so farre as gods worde dothe assure it and the state off this countrie permit Fare ye well At Franckf this 3. off December Your louinge frinds Gorge VVhetnall Thomas VVhetnall Iohn Knox. Iohn Bale VVilliam VVhitingham Edward Sutton Thomas VVood VVilliam VVilliams Iohn Stanton Iohn Samford Iohn fox VVilliam Kethe Iohn Makâ—braie VVilliam VValton Mighell Gill. Laurence Kert Iohn Hollingham The answere to this letter from Sâ—rausbrough was as foloweth Grace mercy and peace c. WE haue receaued your letters and also your answere in wrytinge concerninge certeine Articles and do perceyue aswell by the same as by maister Chambers and Maister Grindall your state But for so muche as your opinion is that the tyme doâ—he not presently serue to moue the magistrats in those requests the obteininge wheroff was the principall cause of our sending vnto yow we cannot at this present condescend vppon anie generall meetinge at anie certeine tyme ether to remaine with yow or otherwise And therfore iff yow shall certeinly perceaue a time conuenient that the Magistrats may be traueled withe all aswell for the good and quiete habitation off the commers and especially Students as also a seuerall churche and to knowe whither the exercise off the booke shall be vsed suche we meane as no reasonable maÌ„ shall iustly reproue and that the certeintie off theis matters maie be knowen at the magistrats hands then yff yow can let vs haue intelligence we will farther consuâ—te what is to be done on oure parâ—ye trustinge god shall directe vs to do so as maye be moste to his glorie in the ende howe so euer the presente tyme shall iudge off it From Strausbrough this 13. off December Your louing frinds c. as in the letteers before WHen this letter was redd to the congregation they requested that for so muche as the lerned men coulde not coÌ„descend vppon any generall and certeine tyme off meetinge as nowe appeared by their letters they might conclude vppon some certeine order by common consent still to continewe and that wihowte farther delaye and also to haue the holie communion ministred whiche the moste part ernestlie desired At lenght it was agreed that the order of Geneua whiche then was alreadie printed in Englishe and some copies there amonge them shulde take place as an order moste godly and fardeste off from superstition But Maister knox beinge spoken vnto aswell to put that order in practise as to minister the communion refused to do ether the one or the other affirminge that for manie considerations he coulde not consente that the same order shulde be practised till the lerned men off Strausbrough Zurik Emden c. were made priuy Neither yet woulde he minister the communion by the booke off Englande for that there were thinges in it placed as
are nowe in like vse as were amonge the Papistes onelye verye fewe excepted Then he goethe forwardes to the crede and after that to the sermon iff there be anie Afterwardes the parishe priest byddeth the holie dayes and fastes on their eues iff there be anye that weeke And here the booke warnethe that none defraude the parishe priest off his due or right specially on those feast daies that are dedicated to offrings Then foloweth a praier for the state off the churche militaunte and that not withowte a longe heape and mixture off matters vntill they come after a certeine confession off sinnes to lift vp your hartes the people answeringe we geue thankes to the lorde Let vs geue thanks to our Lorde God the answer It is meete and right so to do It is verie meete right and our bownden dewtie c. vntill they come to that clause O Lorde holie father c. and so the preface accordinge to the feaste is added Afterwards he saithe Therfore withe Angells and Archangells and so endethe with holy holy holy lord god till he come to hosianna in the highest Nowe the priest bowethe his knee acknowledginge oure vnworthynes in the name off all them that shall receiuâ— And settinge owte gods mercye he beseche the God that oure bodies maye be made cleane by his bodie and that our soules maie be washed through his bloude And then he againe standeth vp and takethe in hande a freshe an other praier appointed for this purpos in which are conteined the wordes off the institution all whiche beinge donne he first communicateth then by and by he saithe to an other knelinge Take and eate this in remembrance that Christ died for thee and feede on him in thy harte by faithe with thanksgeuinge Now abowte th ende the Lordes praier it vsed againe the Minister sayinge it alowde and all the people folowinge to conclude they haue a geuinge off thanks in th ende withe Glory to god in the highest as it was vsed amonge the Papistes yff it happen that there be no sermon onely a fewe thinges are omitted but all other thinges are donne in order aforesaid In baptisme the Godfathers are demaunded in the name off the childe wither they renownce the deuell and all his workes the lustes off the worlde c. and they answere I renownce them Then wither they belieue the Artikles off the faithe whiche beinge confessed wilte thow saith he turninge himself to bothe the witnesses be baptized into this faithe and they saie yea I will. After afewe thinge rehersed he takethe the Child and dippeth it in but warely and discretly as it is in the booke vppon whose forehead also he shall make a crosse in token forsoothe that when he is olde he shall not be ashamed to confesse the faithe off Christe Crucified Afterward sendinge awaie the Godfathers and Godmothers be chargeth them that they bringe the childe to be confirmed off the Bishopp as sone as he can saie the Articles off the faithe the lordes praier and the ten CoÌ„maundemeÌ„ts And seinge there be many causes as the booke saithe whiche shulde moue them to the Confirmation off Children this forsoothe off all others is the waightiest that by imposition off hands they maie receiue strenght and defence against all temptations off sinne and the assaults off the world and the deuell bicause that when Children come to that age partlie by the frailtie off their owne fleshe partly by the assaults off the worlde and the deuell they beginn to be in daunger And leafte anie shulde think any error to be in this Confirmation therfore they take a certeine pamflett off a Catechisme whiche consisteth off the Articles off the faithe the Lordes praier and ten commandements and all this is dispatched in lesse then two leaues To these is ioyned their manner off Mariage off whiche that we maie passeouer many petty ceremonies these follies who can suffer The husbande laithe downe a ringe vpon the booke whiche the minister takinge he geuethe it in his hande and biddethe him to put it on the fourthfinger off his wiues left hande Then he vsethe this forme off wordes withe this ringe saithe he I thee wedd withe my body I thee worship withe all my worldly goods I thee endue In the name off the father the sonne and the holy ghoste A litle after the Minister saithe to the newe maried persons knelinge before the lordes table Lorde haue mercy vppon vs Christ haue mercy vpon vs Lorde haue mercy vppon vs Oure father which arte c. Lorde saue thy seruaunt and thy handmaide c. and so a few things beinge rehersed they muste be brought to the Lordes supper The visitation off the sicke is after this manner Peace be to this howse The answere and to all that dwell in the same Lorde haue mercy vpon vs c. our father c. Lorde saue thy seruaunte Answere whiche trustethe in thee Sende forthe thy helpe from thy holy hil and withe spede saue him c. as in the other prefaces withe questions and answers Off the Buriall The Priest meetethe the Corse at the entraunce off the churcheyarde either singing or softly pronouncinge I am the Resurrection and the liffe c. I knowe that my redemer lyuethe Iob. 19. beinge comme to the graue it is sayed Man borne off a woman Iob. 9. When the earthe is throwen in we committ saithe he earthe to earthe duste to duste c. The Lorde hathe geuen the Lorde hathe taken I harde a voice from heauen sayenge Blessed are the â—ead whiche die in the Lorde Lorde haue mercy vppon vs c. The purification of women in childbed whiche they call geuinge off thankes is not only in all things withe vs almoste common withe the Papistes but also with the Iewes bycause they are commaunded in stede off a lambe or doue to offre monie Other thinges not so muche shame it selff as a certeine kinde off pitie compelleth vs to keepe close in the meane season nothinge diminishinge the honor due to those reuerende men who partely beinge hindred by those times and by the obstinacie and also multitude off aduersaries to whom nothinge was euer delightfull besides their owne corruptions beinge as it were ouerflowen did alwaies in their minde continually as muche as they coulde striue to more perfect thinges Note that this description is verye fauourably put downe yf ye conferre it with the Booke off order in all points and the vsage off the booke in many churches of this realme yow can confesse no lesse And hereoff ye maie gather what M. Caluin woulde haue written yf they had noted all the abuses of the same The answere and Iudgemente off that famous and excellent lerned man Maister Iohn Caluin the late Pastor off Geneua touchinge the Booke off Englande after that he had perused the same faithfully translated owte off Latten by maister Whittingham To the godly and lerned men Maister Iohn Knox and Maister William Whittingham his faithfull brethern at Frankford c. THis thinge trulie
serue antechriste There were other 8. places but this was most noted in that it touched the Emperour But it seemed the magistrates abhorred this bloudly cruell and outragious attempt for that when as certeine off Knox his enemies folowed hardly the Magistrates to knowe what shuld be donne with him they did not onely shewe most euident signes of dislikinge their vnnaturall suite but also sent for maister Williams and Whittingham willinge them that maister Knox shuld departe the City For otherwise as they saide they shuld be forced to deliuer him yff the Emperour his counsaile whiche then lay at Ausburge shuld vppon like information send for him The 25 off marche maister Knox the night before his departure made a moste comfortable sermon at his lodginge to 50. persons or there abowte then present which sermoÌ„ was of the deathe and resurrection off Christe and of the vnspeakable ioyes whiche were prepared for Goddes electe whiche in this liffe suffre trouble and persecution for the testimonie off his blessed name The next daie he was brought 3. or 4. mile in his waie by some off some off those vnto whom the night before he had made that exhortation who with great heauines off harte and plentie off teares coÌ„mitted him to the lorde The verie same daie beinge the 26. off marche one Adulphus Glauburge A Doctor off lawe and nephew to Maister Iohn Glauburge the Senator whom D. Cox and the rest had wonne vnto them sent for wittingham and tolde him that there were presented to the Magistrates thre Docters 13. batchelers off deuinitie besides others and that the magistrates at their suites had graunted them the full vse off the Englishe booke coÌ„maunding and charginge him therfore not to medle any more to the contrary for as he saied it was fullie concluded that so it shuld be And supposing that WhittinghaÌ„ woulde let it what he might the next daie againe he sent for him home to his howse where he gaue the like charge D. Coxe and other present by whose procurement the same was donne Whittingham answered that yff it were so concluded he woulde willingly obaie not dowtinge but that it might be lawful for him and others to ioine themselues to some other churche But D. Coxe besought the lawier that it might not so be suffred wherto whittingham answered that it woulde be to great crueltie to force men contrary to their consciences to obate all their disorderly doinges offringe that iff it woulde please the Magistrates to geue him and others the hearinge they would dispute the matter against all the contrary parte and proue that the order whiche they sought to establishe ought not to take place in anie reformed churche The D. off lawe made a plaine answere that disputation there shulde be none vsing his former wordes off charging and commaundinge not to deale farther in that matter When as the congregation harde off the cruell and more then tirannicall dealinges off this Doctor Maister Gilby and others withe him were sente to maister Iohn Glawburge by whose commaundment as ye harde they had receiued the frenche order puttinge him in remembrance off the same and shewinge him that certeine lately come amonge theÌ„ had sought as they were crediblie enformed to ouerthrowe their churche by placing the Englishe booke amonge them To this maister Glauburg made answere that he was enformed howe that bothe partes were full agreed and contented and that theruppon he had committed the whole matter to the lawier his cousen Then he asked for whittingham it was answered that strait charge was geuen him that he shuld medle no more in that matter The magistrate asked againe off whom he had that commaundement and when it was tolde him that the Doctor his cousen had geuen him that charge he then began verie gentlie to perswade with maister Gilby and the rest that they shulde be contented and he would se that nothinge shulde be vsed but that which shuld be tollerable and so maister Gilby withe the rest departed The 28. off marche D. Coxe assembled all suche as had byn Priests and Ministers in Englande to his lodging and there declared howe the Magistrates had graunted them the vse off the Englishe booke and that he thought requisite that they shulde consulte together whom they thought moste meete to be Bishop Superintendent or Pastor withe the rest off the officers as Seniors Ministers and Deacons Wherunto maister Christopher GoodmaÌ„ answered that his opinioÌ„ was that they ought first to agree vpon some perfect an godly order for the churche and therto to haue the coÌ„sent of the congregation wherby it might appeere that they contemned not the reste off their brethern And farther to proceade to the electioÌ„ which he thought also ought not to be attempted withowte the consent off the whole churche To this was answered that for the order it was already determined and other order then the booke off Englande they shulde noâ— haue so that the perswasions off Goodman nothinge at all preuailed nether in one thinge or other yea the proceadings off sundrie personnes whiche I coulde name were suche as if there had bin nether orders officers or churche there before their comminge or any promes to be kepte off their partes after they came as maie more plainly apeere to the reader by this lette folowinge written by maister Whittingham to a frinde off his in Englande whiche letter is off his owne hande to be seene Grace mercy and peace throught Christ our lorde AS yow require a brieff answere to your shorte letter so nether tyme permitteth nor I intend to trouble yow farther then the verie necessitie off the matter askethe And firste for that ye seeme to hange in suche extreame perplexitie partly bicause of sundry talkes and diuers letters off men off good credit which cause the yow not a litle to merueile and partly by reason off the Good opinion once conceyued and yet reteined off certeine persons bothe godly and lerned whiche maketh yow to dowte â–ª I think it beste briefly and simplie to open a fewe chieff pointes vppon the whiche the reste off the matter dependethe After certeine monethes that we had here liued in great consolation and quietnes it chaunced that as oure nomber did increase so some entred in whiche busilie vndermined oure libertie and labored to ouerthrowe oure discipline whiche troubles grewe at lenght in so great quantitie that by the greatest parte it was concluded that no man shulde neede here after to subscribe to anie discipline for as muche as they presupposed that none wouâ—d come hither whiche shulde haue nede theroff Whiche donne they altered oure orders in praiers and others thinges thinkinge to bringe in place the full vse off the great Englishe booke whiche notwithstandinge by reason off diuers imperfectioÌ„s we coulde not admit so that to growe to a common concord it was agreed and the name off god inuocated that the whole matter shulde be referred to maister Caluin Maister Musculus Maister
whâ—che dissented from yow somewhat to yâ—lde yff they might conueniently soâ—t offended me that there was nothinge graunted or relented on your partes Bicause there was no man named vnto me I durste not entrâ—prise to medle with the matter leaste my credit shuld incurre the suspecte off raâ—henes Nowe that ye are more myleder and tractable in this controuersie and that ye haue as ye saie stilled the matter withe quietnes I am verie glad Verely no man well instructed or off a sounde Iudgement will deny as I think that lights and crossings or suche like trifles sprange or issued owte off superstition wherupon I am perswaded that they whiche reteine theis ceremonies in a freâ— choise or when they maie otherwise doo they are ouer greedy and desyrous to drink off the dregges nether do I se to what purpose it is to but â—hen the churche with tryfflinge and vnprofitable ceremonies or as I maâ—e terme them with their propre name hurtefull and offensible ceremonies when as there is libertie to haue a symple and pure order But I keepe in and refraine my selff leaste I shulde seeme to beginne to moue a newe contention off that maâ—ter whiche as yow reporte is well ended All good men will allowe the Pastours and other Ministers elections with common voices so that none complaine that the other parte off the churche was oppressed fraudulently and with craftye practises For it standethe your wisedomes in hande to consider that howe muche commoditie the goodnesse off the Senate dothe deserue so muche enuie shall yow be giltie off or charged withall yf yow haue abused their lenitie or gentlenesse whiche were so well affected towardes your nation Yet I woulde not haue this so taken that I go abowte to be preiudiciall to anie man but I had rather shewe plainely what maie be saide then to norishe an ill opinion by silence or in holdinge my peace But certenly this one thinge I cannot keepe secret that Maister Knox was in my iudgemen nether godly nor brotherly dealt withall iff he were accused by the subtill suggestion of certeine it had byn better for them to haue â—aried still in their owne lande then vniustly to haue brought in to farr countries the fierbrande off crueltie to set on fier those that woulde not be kindled Notwistandinge because it greueth me to speak sleightly off theis euells the remembrance wheroff I woulde wishe to be buryed in perpetuall forgetfullnes therfore I onely counsaile yow not withowt a cause to be wounded that ye applie your selues to make them amendes for the faulte committed When I harde that the one parte was minded to departe froÌ„ thens I earnestly admonished them as it became me that iff they coulde not well remaine there that the distance off place shulde not dissâ—pate or rent in sunder their brotherly agrement for I feared muche least that some priuie grudge off the former contention remained And certainely nothinge coulde more comforte my harte then to be delyuered from this feare For iff anie haplie come to vs it woulde grieue me that there shulde be as it were but a suspition off any secret debate betwene yow Therfore as touchinge that ye haue written off your agrement I desier that it maie be firme and stable that iff it chaunce the one parte to go to an other place yet that yow beinge so sundred by distance off places maie keepe sure the holie bande off off amitie for the fault alreadie committed is to muche although thorowgh discorde it creepe no further Wherfore it shall well be seeme your wisedomes that ye maie be frinds to purge diligentlie what so euer remainethe off this breache Fare ye well brethern the lorde succour yow with his aide and gouerne yow with his spirite powre his blessinges vpon yow and mittigate the sorowe off your exile From Geneua this last off maie Anno 1555. Your Iohn Caluin BYcause that Maister Caluin in his letter maketh mention off lightes some might gather that he was vntruely enformed that in the Englishe booke lightes were prescribed the contrary wheroff appeareth by the descrâ—ption before where it is manifest to such as be lerned that he vsethe the figure auxesis and that this is his argument a maiore ad minus for so muche as lightes and crossinges be 2. off the moste auncienstest ceremonies hauinge continued in the churche aboue 13 hundreth yere are yet for suche causes abolished howe muche more ought all other that haue noâ— had the like continuance and yet abused be vtterly remoued And for that maister Caluin in this letter earnestly wished that all strife shulde ceasse and that yff anie were minded to departe their departure might be suche as all occasions off offence might be cut of and cleane takeÌ„ awaie it was thought good to suche as were determined to go awaie with in 3. weekes after to folowe his counsaile And the rather for that some whiche tooke them selues to be lerned had openly termed their departure a sisme whervpon they wrote to the pastor Ministers and whole congregation this letter folowinge and deliuered it in the open congregation For so muche as through the benefit off God we haue obtained a churche in an other place we thought it good to aduertise yow of the same And to the intent that not onely slanderous reportes maie ceasse but also iff anie offence be either taken or geuen the same maie come to triall we desier that yow for your parte woulde apointe 2· Arbyters and we shall appointe other 2. Who hearinge our matters throughly opened maie witnes where the faulte restethe at whiche time we will vndertake to defende oure departure to be lawfull contrary to the slanderous reportes off some which vnlernedly terme it a schisme Thus farre brethern we thought good to signifie vnto yow thinkinge this to be the onely meanes of oure mutuall quietnes wheroff howe desirous we are our tedious and chargeable iourney maie be a sufficient proffe beinge throughly perswaded that hereby stryfe maie be ended charitie reuiued frindshipe continued Goddes glory aduaunced and oure brethern edified Fare ye well this 27. off August VVilliam VVilliams VVilliam VVhittingham Anthony Gilby Christopher Goodman Thomas Cole Iohn Fox Thomas VVood VVilliam Kethe Iohn Kelke Iohn Hilton Christ Soothous Nicholas Purfote Iohn Escot Thomas Crofton VVilliam VValton Laurence Kent Iohn Hollingham Anthony Carier WHen the Pastour had redd this letter openly to the congregation and was desired to knowe when they shulde haue an answere he saied vnto them that so farre as he perceiued it required none but that whiche might presently be made whiche was that they might departe seinge they were so minded It was replied that for so muche as it was manifest that they had byn slaundered not onely by letters into diuers partes but also by some that then were present who had affirmed their departure to be a schisme and farther that they coulde finde no indifferency at their handes it was thought necessarie to commit the hearinge off that controuersie to lerned
and indifferent iudges by bothe partes to be chosen wherby the faulte might appear where it was in dede and so they either excused or founde giltie D. Cox at lenght tolde them that their letter shulde be considered off and an answere shulde be geuen them the fridaie after On fridaie the 30 off Auguste bothe partes mette The Pastor accompanied with the Ministers and elders spake this vnto them It seemeth very fonde that arbytrers shuld be apointed to take vpp strife that maie come hereafter as your letter signifieth And furthermore ye write yff anie offence be taken or geuen whiche semethe as strange for this worde yff importethe a dowte so that yff ye dowte it is but follie to apointe arbitres fynally to excuse your departure yow call them vnlerned whiche iudge it a schisme but saithe he terme it as yow lifte yet can yow not let men to think And yff arbitres shuld pronounce it to be none yet mennes opinions will be diâ—â—â—s Now â—heâ—fore your answere shall be that iff anie man be offended either with any priuate maÌ„ or publiquely let him or them complaine to vs or yff they refuse vs to the Magistrat As for Arbitres we will appoint none Then spake whittingham and saied that it was to him no small wonder that men of suche lerninge and wisedome shuld so shrink in a moste equall requeste and so withowte all reason to cauill where no matter was offred For as concerninge saithe he the firste pointe it was not vnknowen to them that at that time thorough their occasion their was no small contention and that seinge they had geuen such offence it coulde not be but that mennes mindes were moued And therfore to th ende that contention shulde growe no farther Arbytres were very necessary who neded not to deliberate as he saied off thinges to come whiche were vncerteine â–ª but as the letter truly purporteth off iniuries longe agoo begonne yet continued and here after not like to be ended excepte some good meane were vsed to staie their slanderous letters and false reportes to the vtter perishinge and lose off mennes Good names And where ye seeme to be ofended that the letter shulde call them vnlerned whiche terme oure departure a schisme yow omitt saide D. Coxe the 2. pointe whiche is off no small importaunce to whom he answered that he thought he did them a pleasure in omittinge thinges of so small value notwithstandinge he woulde obaie his will but saithe he as touchinge this worde vnlernedly it was not vnaduisedly placed For either they be withowte lerninge and therfore maie be so called in dede or yff they beare the name off lerninge yet in this they shewed their vnskilfulnes for as muche as euery departure from a congregation was not a schisme nether were anie that departed for iuste causes schismatikes as we saith he will proue vnto yow yff yow will take oure reasonable and moste equall offre Naie saithe the pastor Arbitres in this point can litle availe for be it they iudged it none yet mennes thoughts are free and we knowe that all men be not off one mynde in sacraments and predestination shulde men therfore take arbitres Also saith he maister Caluin and Bullinger are against yow To this was answered that thoughtes yff they were not grownded vpon Goddes worde were euell neither was this controuersie off like force withe the matter off the Sacraments and predestination notwithstanding woulde to God that not onely the difference in those articles but also in all other whiche be off waight and importaunce might be decided by the authoritie off Goddes worde and arbytrement off godly lerned men But men maie iustly suspecte your cause to be nought whiche refuse the iudgments off the wise and godly And where yow saie that Caluin and Bullinger are againste vs yow abuse your selff and there names for we knowe bothe what they and other wryte as touchinge this matter Then the Pastor asked what schisma was but a cuttinge off from the body and that it was Caluins definition To this Whittingham answered that he woulde vndertake firste to proue that definition to be false and secondly to be nonone off Caluins definition for yff euery cuttinge off from the body shulde be a schisme then yow and all other whiche once had sworne to the pope and now haue refused him are schismatiques Then the pastor added from a churche well reformed Answere was made that a churche well reformed muste be builded vppon the doctrine off the Prophetes and Apostles the vnitie wheroff S. Paule comprehendeth in theis wordes one god one faithe one baptisme not beggerly ceremomies and obscurations although that sundry causes besides moued them to departe Then Maister Treherren asked whither the donatists were not schismatiques Yes saith Whittingham and also heretiques but yow are deceiued yff yow thinke that they seperated them selues for ceremonies It is manifest said Treherren that the churches off Asia were excommunicate as schismatiques for that they kepte not Easter at the same time that the Romaine churche did And it is no lesse euident said Whitthingham that Ireneus and other godly men aswell off that time as sithens haue sharply reproued and condemned Pope Victor for the same Here D. Coxe put Whittingham in remembraunce that he had not answered to the faultes off the letter Whittingham tolde him that as touchinge that poore worde yff he marueled howe it coulde Minister anie cauillation seinge the text ioininge therto was so plaine whiche declarethe bothe the offences by yow geuen and by vs taken And also your consciences beare yow witnes the thinge to be moste true excepte a man will be wilfully blinde and finde a knot in a rushe so that that worde yf mente not that we do dowte who were oppressed with infinit wronges but iff they woulde dissemble so farre that they mâ—ght seeme to dowte theroff yet at the leaste they woulde abide the tryall theroff before theis Arbitres But here the disputation brake vp with this plaine and finall answere that arbitres they shuld haue none and that yff they founde themselues greued they shulde seeke remedy where they thought Good and he the Pastor withe the reste off the congregation woulde answere them The nexte daie the Pastour D. Coxe maister parry and maister Asheley sent for Whittingham Thomas Cole Iohn Fox William Kethe Roger harte Iohn Hilton with certeine other demandinge off them what shulde be the cause off their departure Whittingham made answere that the daie before they had declared sufficiently and yet woulde farther shewe reasons yff they would permit the controuersie to Arbytrement And to the intent they shulde not counterfait ignorance amonge other theis were some causes firste their breach off promes established with inuocation off goddes name 2. Their ordreles thrustinge themselues in to the churche 3. Takinge awaie the order off discipline established before their comminge and placinge no other 4. The accusasion off maister Knox their godly Minister off Treason and seekinge his bloude 5. Their
ouerthrowinge off the common order taken and commaunded by the Magistrate 6. The displacinge off officers withowte anie cause alleadged 7. The bringing in off Papisticall superstitions and vnprofitable Ceremonies whiche were burthens yokes and clogges besides other thinges whiche yff they woulde abide the triall they shulde heare at large When he and some off the rest had rendred their reasons for their departure to this effecte certaine warme wordes passed to and fro from the one to the other and so in some heate departed Not many daies after the oppressed churche departed from Franck. to Basill and Geneua some stayinge at Basill as maister Fox with other The rest came to Geneua where they were receiued withe great fauour and mutche curtesie bothe off the magistrates Ministers and people So soone as they entred their churche they chose Knox and Goodman for their Pastor and Gilby requested to suplie the rome till Knox returned owte off france The lerned men whiche came from all places to Frank. abowte this matter when they had donne that whiche they came for they returned againe from whens they came and some to other places where they might saue charges and not to be either burthened or bownde to the excercises of the congregation so that the exile whiche was to many a poore man full bitter greuous and painefull was to some off the greatest persecutours off their poore brethetn as it were a pleasant progresse or recreation But nowe it shall be necessary to declare what order was taken in this newe erected congregation for the prosperous continuance off the same whiche thinge to do I cannot by a better meane then placinge here this letter folowinge whiche maister cole late deane off Sarum wrote to a frinde off his whiles yet he staied behinde his company in Franck. amonge them his letter is yet to be seene The holie spirit off God that guideth the children off God in truthe and godlines be your comforte thorough oure mercies seate Iesus Christe now and for euer Amen THe tempeste off the swellinge seas whiche in times paste thretned shipwrack to euery vessell that sailed with a faire winde and full sailes to the porte off blessed truthe whiche off her selffe is stronge ynoughe with owte anye barr or wall off mannes inuentions are somewhat the lorde be praised caulmed to me warde so that withowt farther reasoninge they permit me to my conscience as touchinge their ceremonies The cause I iudge is not for that they beare lesse loue to them then in tymes past but that they perceiue the sturdy defendinge off them to worke them that they looke not for or rather that whiche they are lothe to se namely the decreasinge off their companie â–ª yet they labour with policie what they maie or can to preuent this daunger but yet that whiche they feare I suppose will fall vpon them vnlesse god geue them to repent their olde faultes and humble them more to knowe them selues They haue set vp an vniuersitie to repaier againe their estimation by mainteinance of lerninge whiche surely is well done that was fondly brought in decaie by willfull ignorance in defendinge off ceremonies to the whiche Maister horne is chosen to be the reader off the Hebrue lecture Maister Mullings off the Greke and Maister Treherren when he is stronge shall take the diuinitie lecture in hande Maister Whitthead was appointed therunto but bicause he woulde escape the labour off the lecture for iuste causes as he saide he forsooke the pastorall office also stowtly as yow knowe denyinge to be in office anie longer Great holde there was abowte this matter in the congregation in so muche as they hasted to a newe election and verie fewe as it semed were off a contrary minde no not his owne frindes sauinge Maister makebray and Maister Sorby who desired him to take respit and the congregation to geue it But some lookinge for the office themselues woulde not in suche a matter suffer delay but againe Demaunded off Maister Whithead whither he woulde keepe his office or no supposinge that he whiche had so stowtely denied it in worde woulde not soone be flexible to the contrary But he perceauinge that some woulde haue had him owte one the one side and by leauinge off it his estimation was like to decaie on the other side for many rough wordes were geuen him when occasion off intretie was offred non respuit conditionem by that meanes bringinge to him selfe wittily a triple commoditie one the preuentinge off them whiche looked for the office an other the refusall off the diuinitie lecture Thirdly a faster growndinge himselff in that office whiche he lefte in mouthe but as it semed not in harte Thus ended that comedie But shortly after notwithstandinge a vehement sermon made for the purgation from mannes inuentions the seas begin againe to swell so fickle an element is water for Maister Kent hauinge a childe to Christen purposinge to haue it done simplie withowte the bewtifinge off mennes traditions came with his childe accordinge to the frenche order whiche we once receiued and one to holde it there to professe his faith yff it were required but the pastor denied the Christening vnles 2. Godmothers were had after the order off the booke as concerninge the Godfather Maister Makebray who is nowe comme to that office supplied it A lucky matter is attained at Wezell in Westphalia an open churche for oure Englishe men to whiche bicause off nighnesse they feare many will go from hence but moo wil come owte off Englande to yt I pray yow commende me to M. Tell him that Maister wisedom railed on them that were gon to G. Callinge them mad heades with many pretye names I will not saie vnwysely But I maye well say vncharitably in whiche Sermon he shewed him selff an Antagonist for the booke off Englande c. Your Thomas Cole SHortly after thies thinges to wete the 6. off Ian. When as maister Whithead gaue vpp off his owne good will as he saide the pastorall office Maister horne was in the election to succede him who protested that he woulde not medle therwith till he were cleared off certeine suspitions which some had bruted to the discredit off his ministerie and obtaininge his requeste he withe the Seniors entred the churche the first off marche Anno Domini 1556. were they receiued all such persons as members off that churche which were contented to subscribe and submit themselues to the orders off the same From whiche tyme forward the troubles and contious were so sore amonge them that who so shall well waie it with due consideration I ween he shall think it to be the iuste iudgement off our righteous God that fell vpon them for supplantinge a churche there before them in great quietnes and off muche sinceritie The historie of that sturre and strife which was in in the Englishe church at Franckford from the 13. daie off Ian. Anno Domini 1557. forwarde THere fell a certeine controuersie the xiij daie off Ian. at supper betwene
Maister Horne the Pastor and Maister Asheley whiche controuersie was handled with somewhat more sharpe wordes then was meete but yet they so departed by the industrie and labour off some certeine persons that they dranke wyne one to an other and all that strife and contention was thought to be wholie taken awaie Afterward to witt the 16. daie off Ian. at one off the clock in the after noone thre off thelders sent for Maister Asheley in to an howse off one off the Elders and they began to debate the matter with him touchinge an iniurye done not to the pastor alone but to all the Elders as they affirmed and to their ministery which thinge Maister Asheley denied that he euer did at any tyme. The next daie beinge the 17. off Ian. After that publique praiers were ended Maister Asheley was by the Pastor and all the Elders called into the churche and there in the name off them all it was obiected vnto him that he had spoken vpon the 13. daie off Ian. in supper while certeine wordes tendinge to the slander off them and their ministery Ashely answered that he perceiued and vnderstood that they all were offended as in their owne matter and that therfore he wouâ—de nâ—t answere before them as competent iudges off the cause but would referre the cause that he had against the Pastor and them seinge they shewed them selues an aduersarie parte to him to the whole churche and Ecclesiasticall discipline Then the Pastor exhorted him that he would not so proceade for yff he so did that then they were minded to seeke and demaunde helpe off the magistrate agaynst him Aâ—ter that the 24. off Ian. Asheley himselff handled his owne cause in his owne name before the pastor and elders and theÌ„ in the afternoone he sent 2. meÌ„ of the churche who in his name require the pastors and elders that they would not proceed against him in that cause wherin they themselues were a parte and therfore not fâ—tt or competent iudges but to geue ouer the whole maâ—ter to 8. or 10. men vpright in conscience and inclininge to nether parte by whose iudgementes iff he were founde in faulte he woulde willingâ—y submit himselff to all Ecclesiasticall discipline Answere was made him by the Pastor in the name off them all that they had receiued their authoritie from the whole churche and vvould reteine and keepe the same till such time as they from vvhom they had receiued it vvoulde againe demaunde it And in the meane vvhile they purposed to proceede thereafter againste all suche as had offended and so muche the more seuerely and sharplie against Maister Asheley by howe muche it might be more profitable for the whole churche to make him beinge a worsâ—hipfull man an ensample to others to take heed and beware by asheley that answere beinge receiued the 26. off Ian. Whiche was a daie off solemne praier fearinge those things whiche Horne had saide before theateninge him with the Magistrate when common praier was ended declared the whole maâ—ter to the churche and desired that the churche woulde vnderstand off the whole matter betwene the pastor and elders as the one partie and him selff as thother Wherupon certeine men did in the name off the whole churche demaunde off the pastor and elders whither they were a parte against Asheley The pastor answered in all their names that they were not a parte against him but that Asheley had slandered them all Againe it was demaunded in the name off the churche who were his accusers to whiche vvhen the pastor answered nothinge neither in his owne name nor in the name of the seniors Asheley was coÌ„maunded by the church publiquely and openlie to reade those things whiche he had comprehended in vvrytinge concerninge his cause Afterward the pastor and elders were asked vvither those things vvhiche Asheley had redd vvere true The pastor answered in all their names that they would not ansvvere either more largely or anie othervvise to anie questions then they had ervvhile ansvvered and so the congregation vvas dismissed vvithowte ansvvere yet not vvith ovvte coÌ„tempt as was thought The same daie at afternoone Maister Hales vvho vvas absent when theis thinges vvere done vnderstanding that this matter tended to more greuous striffe and contention did vvryte his letters to some certeine personnes that semed desirous off the peace off the churche and desired that they would come together the nexte daie after to the churche to consulte and deliberate what were the beste vvaie to pacifie this trouble and turmoile before it waxed more stronge or shulde be more published abroad and made better knowen to the senate or magistrats The very dryfte and purpos off the letters together vvith them that were called as them also whiche came to the place appointed dothe appeere by the letters themselues the copie whereoff insewethe The superscription To his brethern off the Englishe churche Maister Crawley Maister Railton Maister warcope Maister Faulconer Maister Nowel Maister Carell Maister Kente Maister Kelke Maister Dauies Maister Benthame Maister Brikbeke Maistee Sutton Maister Christ Hales Iohn Hales sendethe greetinge in the lorde I Heare brethern that whiche is to me greuous to heare to witt that striffes are arisen in oure churche whiche tende either to the dissolution off the churche or to the hurte and destruction of the poore wherefore I pray yow whose names are in the subscription off the letters that if yow shall so think good we maie meete to morowe in the morninge in oure churche there to consulte and take aduise what maie be the beste waie to quiete this styrre to the glorie off God and our owne quietnes god geue vs his peace This 26. of Ian. 1557. Your louinge brother Iohn Hales I pray yow that so many off yow as will mette at the tyme and place apointed to put downe your names lest some parhap maie come in vaine Nowe all those whose names are before rehersed came except maister warcope After consultation and aduise taken it semed best to al them that were called together and mett there that the nexte daie after one off them in all their names shulde deale withe the Pastor and elders that sith Ashley complained that they were aduersarie parte vnto him they woulde suffer the churche or some suche certeine persons as the churche shulde appoint to take knowledge off the cause and to heare firste whither they were an aduersarie parte to Ashley whiche iff they were not founde to be then the knowledge off the matter shuld be put back againe to theÌ„ and that withe the ignominie and shame off him that had appealed from them But yff they were founde to be aduersary parte that then it shulde seeme vniuste that they shuld sit in their owne cause as iudges but more meete and vpright it would be that then the churche shulde knowe and vnderstand off the whole matter wherupon the next daie after that is to saie the 18 off Ian. when praiers were ended the matter was proposed to the pastor
as tyme and occasion shall serue Concerninge the Article off contribution when the treasure off the churche faileth it perteineth to the ministers and Deacons to trauell by the waie off exhortation with the riche to helpe in that nede withowte anie further compulsion Concerninge the Article off sendinge off common letters for the relieff off the congregation That there be no mention made off anye parte theroff in the booke off discipline but that the ministerie with all possible secrecie vse such pollicies and means as maie beste serue to the relieff and mainteinance off the congregation Concerninge the Article off makinge off lawes that they be made by the ministerie and bodie off the congregation beinge called together for that purpose And iff the ministerie or anie off them refuse to be present beinge by the bodie off the congregation required therunto whithowte iuste cause by them or him alleaged that then after a dewe time geuen for the hearinge off the cause yff they bringe not in good reason and iuste cause off suche refusall Then to be depriued by the same from their or his ministerie and newe to be chosen Concerninge the article off the election off Ministers That a scrutenie be had euerie yere at the tyme off election for the examination off the Ministers off the worde wherin shal be by the appointmente off the congregation six or eight graue and wise men whiche shall heare what faults be alleadged against the same Minister And yff the faults be waightie and worthie off open correction to signifie the same to thâ— congregation that the offenders or offender maie be corrected or depriued accordingly Yff the offences be lesser then that they ought to be published then the saide ministers or minister offendinge to be monished off his faulte accordinge to the discretion off the Scrutiners Concerninge the Article off Testamentes That no man by order in this congregation shall be forced to Register his Testamente but that their be eight or 10. graue wise substantiall and honeste men chosen by the congregation owte off whiche nomber the Testator shall haue his choise or yff he omit the thinge his executours shall haue the choise to take 2. off the saied 8. or 10. besides suche as are made wittnesses whom the executers withâ—in a monethe after the death off the Testator shall make priuie to the Testamente and that the same two beinge required therunto shall faithfully declare vnto euery partie comprehended in the will so muche off the will as shall particulerly appertaine to euery off them and shall keepe secrete all the reste off the will or Testament as they shall proteste before God and the congregation vppon there consciences at the time off their election And nowe in case it shall seeme good vnto all your wisedomes as well off the Ministerie and bodie off the congregation off the one part as off the dissentinge brethern off the other part That we shall by oure mediation proceede anye further accordinge vnto this forme off reconciliation whiche is here described We doo hartely require yow that signifinge your mindes vnto vs with as conueniente spede as ye maie ye will also appoint owte on either parte 2. Discreet and sober persons louers off peace and concorde whiche by conference with other two off vs whom we shall appointe may drawe theis Articles afore written into such a forme as they maie be conueniently anexed to the reste off your Discipline The 29. September 1557. Your lovinge bâ—ethern and countrie Thomas VVrothe Frances Knollys Roger Parker Iohn Abell Henry Knollys Iohn Browne Fran. willforde Iohn Turner Edwin Sandes Thomas Eaton Ricard Springham The answere off the churche to this offre or the effect off the same We cannot allowe this waie off reconciliation offred to oure churche by oure countrie men for as muche as we shulde condemne oure selues as euell doers and oure doinges vngodly and vnreasonable but we are assured we haue not done in oure discipline anie thinge contrary to goddes worde and good reason The last off Septemb. Dauid VVhithead Iohn Hales Thomas Sorby Iohn Pedder Vhomas Ashley Henry Parry Richard Beesley Robart Crowley Thomas wattes Richard Rogers VVilliam Rawlinges Robart Beste Richart Luddington Edmond Haries The copie off the letters off request sentfoorth for relieff off the poore by Maister Sutton 25. Iuly 1557. To all them that beare an vnfayned Reuerence and zeele vnto the eternall Testament off Iesus Christe ioyned withe the charitable and syncere bowells off mercie towardes the poore Grace Mercie and Peace from God the Father by the same oure Lorde Iesus Christe his sonne the common and onely Sauiour off the worlde IT is not like that the brute of the coÌ„trouersie which hathe nowe at the ende off six monethes continued in this Enshe churche at Franckford is vnknoweÌ„ to strangers it is more like that so manie beinge priuie therto it is caried and spread to farre abroad and moste like by the fruites springinge theroff that it hath byn vntruly reported by the willfull authors and stubburne mainteiners off it not onely to the infamie reproche and discredit off the bodie off this churche and to the intent to stopp all relieff from the poore members off the same but also that their vncharitable and leude behauiours shulde not come to light For it is well knowen that diuerse charitable men albeit their persons and names be neither knowen nor desired to be knowen were before the beginninge off this controuersie verie liberall in sendinge their charitie to the vse off this whole congregation vniuersally and some were beneficiall to sundrie members off the same particulerlie whiche sithe that time to oure knowledge they haue left vndone vtterlie We the Ministers off the churche hopinge that theis men the authors and mainteners off this controuersie would in time haue knowen their faults and made satisfaction to the churche as it becomethe christen men to doo did not onelie with pacience suffer their slaunderous talke and vnquiet demenour but also beare with their vniuste dealinge and as much as in vs laye studied to couer their faultie doinges Neuertheles seinge no likelyhood off their amendment but moste manifeste proffes off their malice this poore congregation rather dailie encreasinge then in anie parte abatinge and thereby the pouertie theroff continually augmentinge we thought it oure bownden dewtie in conscience no longer to hide the matter but thus off necessitie constrained to disclose it so as seinge they will not be as they ought to be they maie at leaste be knowen as they be And thus we doo not for anie malice that we beare to anye mannes person as god the sercher off all hartes knoweth but that the truth beinge knowen such good people as through vntrue reporte haue byn perswaded to withdrawe their good mindes and fauor from this poore congregation might vnderstande that withowte iuste cause they haue so longe done it and hereafter be the more willinge to renewe their charitie in the relieuinge off this poore church off Christe