Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	authority_n	church_n	tradition_n	14,231	5	9.4820	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A73049	Englands pvrginge fire Conteyninge two petitions, the one to the Kinges most excellent Majesty, the other to the High Courte of Parliament held at this tyme in England. Shewinge in diverse perticulers, how the Church in England might be ordered, yet more conformably to the Will of God reveiled in his worde then at this day it is. Herewithall is declared, the evell and lamentable effects of our vnable and negligent ministers: and the happy fruict of our learned and painefull pastors. A worke most needefull for theise tymes, as servinge to turne away the wrath and iudgements of God from this lande, through the removinge, (accordinge to the advertisements herein given) such disorders and evells, as for which the wrath of God may be, and is, kindled against this Land, and the church therein.	Proctor, Thomas, fl. 1621.	1621 (1621)	STC 20408.5; ESTC S124597	53,590	98

worde you shall fynde a comforteable shewe of Godliness Here a true evidence of Christian life and conversation Here therefore is indeede an evidence of the inseazoninge and habitation of the Spirit of God both in Pastor and People Here a plaine evidence both of the Kingedome of Heaven in Power and also of the weakeninge if not castinge out of the contrary Kingedome even the Kingedome of Satan Of theise Ministers and Parishes therefore I rejoice and for your gratious favour towards them for their better incouragement in well doing I humbly petition your sacred Majestie in this writing But some and too many of theise are in the number of those whose Ministers are silenced and whose people are reproached with the nick name of Puritanes My Lord and Kinge I petition not that their errors be suffered but this I petition that the Ministers leaving their errors and the people also forsakinge them both Ministers and People may fynde you gratious towards them by restoringe the Ministers to their former Ministration and by acceptinge the people as the Lights of our Lande for Religion There is no Garden where vveedes will not growe neither doe men destroy the Garden for the vveedes sake but rather vveede out the vveedes and preserve the Garden still We may not conceave that none that are true Christians and have the Spirit fal into any errors for Peter had his error Galat. 2 11 and the Churches of Corinth Galatia had their strayinges from the truth vvhen yet neither Peter was silenced but onely the error he fell into withstoode nor those Churches forsaken but onely the vveedes weeded out And it is truly a harde thinge that Mens Ministeryes are wholy suppressed for an error or two in Iudgement whereas rather first they should be but staied from Preachinge such errors and afterwardes upon obstinate persistinge silenced But seinge many of our learned and painefull Divines whose Ministry hath bene very proffitable in this Church of Englande are wholy for some few errors silenced I am now a petitioner that their Ministery may be restored so as they forsake those things which truly are errors in them And for the people I humbly pray that leaving to speake against Lawfull Powers and Offices in the Church and against our Divine Service leaving to condemne Gods people in lawfull things they may be relieved from those scandales which vvicked Men cast upon them Surely Dread Soveraigne theise Congregations vvhere silenced Ministers have bene doe manifestly declare themselvs to be Gods Saincts in your Kingdome yea I have observed that vvhere a Minister conformable to the Ordinances of our Church hath succeeded in the place of a silenced Minister Godliness hath more and more decayed in your People I vvill not say it is the fault of their Conformity God forbid but this I say it is the fault of their not exercisinge like Pastorall dutyes as the silenced Ministers exercised and it is the fault of our Bishops not pressinge them to exercise such but rather leavinge them to a prejudiciall Liberty in Life and Conversation Thus have I my most gratious Soveraigne adventured to set before your viewe the diverse dispositions of your People according to the diversely disposed Ministers set over them I neede not now doubt of your Majesties quick apprehention and discerninge where in your Kingedome the Kingedome of Heaven most prevaileth neither yet where are the best evidencyes of the Spirit of God You have given such Signes of your excellent judgement in theise things that I rather rejoice thereof then infourme you oughts at all True it is that it is not rigour of Punishment no nor Lawes that vvill bring people on to theise holy exercises in their familyes and to this blessed restreinte from ungodly conversation so well as the vvorde of God frequently preached wisely directed by a skilfull Minister Neither is there any expectation that a vvhole People should at an instant be brought to this measure of conformity to the Ghospell of Christe Yet if Parishionall Goverment might accompany Parishionall ministration of the vvorde the people would doubtless the sooner be brought hereunto Not that there should be any violent disgracinge or proceedinge against all that presently are not conformable for this were to provoake untymely the people before the Lords tyme for their conversion be come but that by little and little with Meekeness and Gentleness the Parishionall Governours drawe them on to conforme themselvs to the Rules of the Ghospell But where any family is too obstinate refusinge for longe tyme to exercise therein any religious dutyes there I humbly pray that your Majestie incourage the Parishional Governours to proceede on orderly against such for surely a family that within its self doth wholy neglect all pions exercises is neere unto Atheisme yea though they observe customarily their comminge to Church This if your Majestie vouchsafe to doe you shall surely make your Memoriall blessed for ever even as is the memory of theise good Kinges blessed of whom before I have vvritten If it be obiected that Tradition shews us no evidence that ever at all the Church had such a Goverment by Lay Elders also as which I now press for this is the difficultest Change I petition for then I answere If we receave the Office of Bishops Arch-Bishops because Tradition brings them to us when yet we have not any great vvarrant from Scripture both for Bishops and Arch-Bishopps though indeede for one set over Teachers and Churches we have great evidence shall we not much more receave a Goverment by Lay Elders vvhich hath evidence as I have before showen in Scriptures yea though corrupted Tradition affoorde us no Light for such The Lord hath not given such evidence to a Reformation which hath aymed at the purest Tradition onely as to that which hath aymed to Reforme things by his vvorde in Scripture therefore to Conforme the Offices and Goverment Ecclesiasticall to that vvhich the Scripture gives us Light for is surely most acceptable to God and shall receave the greatest blessinges Therefore I vvill conclude this my vvrytinge first vvith a petition to your Majestie for the admittinge of such a Parishionall Goverment having an eye rather at the Ordinance of God as we fynde it in holy Scripture then at corrupted Tradition and its testimony and authority and secondly with my Praier to God That he give you a hearte to execute his will and establish your Throane in the Church continuinge your flourishinge Kingedomes to your selfe and your posterity for ever For truly our Church prayeth well where it saith Almighty God whose Kingedome is everlastinge and power infinite have mercy upon the whole Congregation and so rule the hearte of thy chosen Servante Iames our Kinge and Governour that he knowinge whose Minister he is may above all things seeke thy honour and glory And that we his Subiects duly consideringe vvhose authority he hath may faithfully serve honour humbly obey him in thee and for thee according to thy blessed vvorde and ordinance through IESUS CHRISTE our Lord. Your Majesties Loyall Subiect THOMAS PROCTOR Faults escaped in the Printinge IN the Tytle of the Booke for consormably reade conformably In the Petition to the Lords of the Parliament page 3. line 1 for Ma ●tie reade Matie And lyne 4● for off reade of And line 12. for off reade of In the Petition to the Kiuge page 6 line 32 for ordeninge reade orderinge Page 7 line 9 for your Royall Povverfull reade your Royall and Povverfull Page 7. line 15 for burnts Offeringes reade burnte Offeringee Page 8 line 5 for ovet reade over Page 8 line 11 At conveyed conceave that a full point should be Page 9 line 7 for not reade not Line 31 for miply reade imply Page 10 line 7 for rhus reade thus Page 11 line 6 for frow reade from Line 8 at labour conceave a vvantinge Page 12 line 28 for I vvrite reade I vvrite of Page 14. line 3 for Preachers of the Ghospell are may c reade Preachers of the Ghospell may c Page 14 line 6 for vvho preach the Ghospell exempted reade Preach the Ghospell are exempted Page 16 line 35 for Talks reade Talke Page 17 line 29 at City conceave a full pointe vvantinge and in the same line for for reade For. Page 20 line 17 for the Elders Church reade the Elders of the Church Page 34 line 1 for Scripturies reade scriptures for nstruction reade instruction Page 36 line 14 for as superfluous reade as are superfluous Page 38 line 21 for Officet reade Oflicer Page 39 line 28 for Iudas reade Iudah Page 46 line 18 for Lands reade Lande Page 47 line 20 for petion reade petition Page 49 line 18 for of reade off Page 52 line 3 for and made reade have made Page 55 line 2 for but reade both and line 5 for uuto reade unto Page 5 line 17 for also and reade and also Page 60 line 2. for Offeringes reade Offeringe Page 63 line 3. for Childreu reade Children Page 67 line 7 for iu reade in Page 68. line 12 at idle conceave a full pointe vvantinge Page 69 line 3. for Kingedomes reade Kingedome Page 72 line 13 for commned reade commend

of Comparison in Teachinge Lastly seing Preachinge is a labour the Apostle might well say specially they that labour and yet without making use of any comparison betweene them and other Teachers neither indeede cann it be said that any one that Teacheth at all laboureth not in the worde and Doctryne Theise things considered we have good warrant from this Scripture to collect and affirme That in asmuch as none may deny but that by this speach some were to have double Honour though they Ruled well onely And in asmuch as no Teacher but deservs reproofe if he Rule well onely and Teach not Therefore here is an evidence That the Christian Church was to have in it Elders who were not to be Teachers but Rulers onely This evidence from sacred Scripture for such Governours considered how cann any safely oppose the worke of one of the speciall Angells of the Reformation even Calvin in his restoringe such to the Church of God Doubtless a speciall Act of a speciall Angell of the Reformation is no smale bond unto the rest of the Churches Reformed specially when it hath this Light from Scripture of the correspondence thereof to the Ordinance of God in the first and Apostolically planted Churches Thus having proved that Governours who were not Teachers were yet ordeined by God to be in the Church I now pray that I may proceede to answer certaine questions which may by some be moved cōcerni●● such Governours Some may say If theise were then in the Church yet is there any necessity that such should be now also in our Church I answere Though all Officers and Offices which we fynde by Scripture to have bene in the Church be not necessarily to be now also in our tymes in the Church for vve read of Apostles Prophets to foretell things also of vvorkers of Miracles Speakers of Tongues Interpreters of Tongues c all which being by extraordinary Guifts of the Spirit the Guift failinge the Office and Officer faileth also yet such Offices as might be executed vvithout such extradinary Gifts vvere to be continued in the Church And indeede vvhy have vve Arch-Bishops Bishops Preists and Deacons if not because such were ordeyned in the first plantation of the Church and might be continued by Ordination vvithout any Neede of any extraordinary Guifts of the Spirit As therefore vve are necessarily to follow the example of Gods Ordinance in the beginning for theise so the same example is a bond for the Churches havinge in it also such Governours as now I vvrite of To conclude as in the Reformation we retayne such Cleargy and Offices as which have some evidence in holy Scripture to be planted by Gods Ordinance in the Church in the first tymes so this evidence in Scripture for Governours who are not to be Teachers ought to be a bond to the Church to restore this Ordinance of God to the Church in the Reformation made For seinge vve followe not Tradition vvithout some evidence in Scripture for other Offices of our Cleargy vve ought not to followe the corruption and neglect of Tradition against the Scriptures light yeilded us for such Governours as now I vvrite Let us not therefore kick against Gods Ordinance Let us not despise it as a needeless thinge Let us not bringe downe visitations upon us for such neglect Let us not say all is already vvell Reformed vvhen yet such Governours are not in our Church but rather let us meekely beare the yoake of this Ordinance of God also that so our people and Congregations may hereby be the more Christianly Governed Cann vve thinke that the Neglect of such an Ordinance of God vvill not breede a defect in the vvell Governinge of the Church Doubtless as all the Ordinances of God rended to the furtherance of the Ghospells out spreadinge and well Governinge them converted by the Ghospell so where so speaciall an Ordinance is omitted as is this of plantinge Governours vvho are not Teachers there both the Ghospell vvill the less prevaile and the people also vvill be the more negligent to bringe fourth the fruicts thereof in their life and conversation Doe but looke upon the difference of people and effect of the Ghospell vvhere such Governours are and vvhere they are not restored and by the evidence vvhich experience yeilds be moved to acknowledge the Benefit of restoringe this Ordinance of the Lords Againe some may say How have theise failed all this tyme To this also I answere It is indeede uncertaine hovv but yet seinge vve fynde by the vvorde of God that by Gods Ordinance such vvere planted in the Church vve have good cause to Beleeve that by some corruption of Tradition they failed For my parte I conceave That soone after the Apostles tymes the Church converted all Church Officers into Cleargy and by makinge all Cleargy the use of Lay Governours falled Moreover the convertinge them into Cleargy might occasion that they were not founde in after tyme in every Church because of the insupportable burthen of every Church or Congregations maintayninge of its Charge many Persons Againe some may say Are they then to be Lay Men I answere yes for if God exempt not any as for his Cleargy from labouringe for their owne Meanes but such as Preach the Ghospell none who are not Preachers of the Ghospell are may be accoumpted Cleargy But these as before I have proved were not to be Teachers or Preachers of the Ghospell therefore they were not to be of the Cleargy but of the Laiety And that none but those who Preach the Ghospell exempted as Gods Cleargy from labour may appeare by that which the Apostle 1. Cor. 9 14 saith in theise wordes So also hath the Lord Ordeined that they which Preach the Ghospell should live of the Ghospell And verse 6 he saith Or I onely and Barnabas have not we power not to worke who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock Where we see that it is the Ministration of the Ghospell that conferrs upon any this Priviledge that he is not to worke for his livinge but is to be maintayned of the Charge of Gods People Now Cleargy is as much as Gods Lot set apart to be maintayned of the Charge of Gods people for the Service they do to God for others therefore none but such may be accoumpted Gods Cleargy Moreover if the Apostle argue for this Priviledge from any ones Preaching the Ghospell how shall we vvarrantably ease our selvs of that rabble of Popish Cleargy which by corruption of Tradition Popery would thrust upon us if we understande not the Apostle here that onely they who feede the flock by Preaching are to be accoumpted for Cleargy If it be now obiected that Deacons are Cleargy and yet Deacons Preach not untill they be licensed then I answer That Deacons may be restreyned not for that they may not Preach by right but for that they should first be tried and proved least being yonge Students they preach evell Doctryne through

to observe them Againe some may say What is their Office I answere seinge they are called Governours and Rulers and yet inferior to Teachers it implies that they with though under the Cleargy of a Parrish should Governe the people of the Parrish And seinge Goverment is lame where Power of Iudginge Punishinge is wantinge therefore as vve would not conceave the Lord to give a Lame Ordinance to his Church we are to Beleeve that theise Governours should assist the Cleargy in Iudginge and Punishinge with ecclesiasticall Punishments such in the Parrish as observe not the Ghospell in their life and conversation If here it be obiected that then I make them Ministers of the same Power in bindinge and loosinge as the Lord committed to the Cleargy onely I answere No for there is difference betwixt byndinge and loosinge the sinne its selfe and inflictinge or releasinge of Punishments there is difference betweene byndinge a Man in his sinne or loosinge him from it and punishinge a Man with ecclesiasticall Punishments for offences or releasinge him from the the same And indeede the worde is Iohn 20 23 Whosoevers sinnes ye remit whosoevers sinnes yee retayne not whatsoever Punishment you inflict or remit therefore in the first of theise the Cleargy onely have Power but in the second the mixt Elders of the Church aswell the Lay as Cleargy Elders have Power When the incestuous Corinthian was to be excommunicated the Apostle commits this to a plurality rather then to any one 1. Cor. 5 13 Put away ther fore from amonge your selvs that wicked Man And in the remission or Absolution he doth the like 2. Cor. 2 7 Ye ought rather to forgive him To conclude then Theise Lay Governours Office is to joyne with the Cleargy of the Parrish in observinge those of the Parrish whither they live and converse as beseemeth Saincts and where any are faulty there to judge of the crime to proceede against them as the cause requireth If theise Governours offend in their Goverment whither by Negligence or by untymely Severity or disorderly proceedings they have over them the Bishop Arch-Bishop who are to call them to Accoumpt and to punish them also for any evell administration of their office therefore also so much the rather such Governours may be admitted in every Church and Kingedome and not opposed as in theise tymes as for a dangerous rabble of rude and turbulent Busy-Bodies Neither indeede may any be suffered to Rule contrary to the Ghospell who have their office by the Ghospell therefore if Pastors and Bishops must be 2. Tim. 2 24 gentle towards all Men sufferinge the evell Men patiently provinge if God at any time will give them repentance that they may come to amendment how much more should theise inferior Governours be like minded For if Goverment and Iustice be not hindred by this lenity in Pastors and Bishops why should this preiudice the same if theise Governours doe likewise And if Timothie must not receave an Accusation against an Elder but under two or three witnesses I. Tim. 5 19 much less must theise inferior Governours hand over head trouble Men upon every reporte they heare or suspition they have And if the Elders of the Church be so to be respected are not the Elders of the Kingedome even Princes and Magistrates to be likewise so respected As God tendereth the Elders of the Church that every reporte or every little evidence of evell shall not be presently taken hold of to their disgrace so we may well thinke that even such his will is also concerning the Civill Magistrats of the Kingdome therefore the Governours of the Church ought to be slowe in medling with such S. Peter also 1. Pet 5 3 chargeth the Elders Church that not as though they were Lords over Gods heretage they should Governe the same Whilst this bridle therefore is put into the mouthes of theise Governours and this also by the Ordinance of God theise Governours neede not so to be opposed as some would have it under pretence that they woulde prove in the Kingdome a sorte of ignorant Men puffed up by this Power and Authority and troublers of men upon every the least occasion True it is that we must understande that as the Kingedome so the Church may not so pervert Iustice as not to lay hold on them that sinne openly therefore where there is an open sinninge theise may not be timerous vnder coulour of sufferinge the evell men patiently Yea I say more vvhen it is hearde certainely abroade as was that 1. Cor. 5 1. that such or such a Man is a Drunkarde a whore maister fornicator Adulterer extortioner Railer filthy speaker or the like such fame or report must not be neglected but rather must occasion a watchinge over such and when dut Accusation shall seconde the Reporte then may they no neglect to proceede against such To this I may add as a parte of their care and Goverment that they see the Church decently kept and the Congregation ordered in fit manner aswell for order in sittinge as for perfourmance of such Ceremonies as serue to express Reverence at Divine Service In a vvorde they are to see that Men live and converse as the ordinance of the Ghospell together with the Churches Canons not dissonant from the Ghospells ordinances require Surely the Benefit of such Lay Governours in every Congregation woulde be greate for by their Elderly Gravity of yeares and Authority which such kinde of Eldershipp onely carries with it by the plurality of their Number and their dwellinge in severall parts of the Parrish not onely an Awe of them would fall upon them of that Congregation but also a certainety of crimes would the sooner be attayned so that men could hardly live longe disorderly but they would be knowen so to doe to some or other of theise Governours Moreover by such Governours our people would be bettered and the Churches State and Maiesty would be increased for our people seinge that the Antient amonge them have Authority even by Gods Ordinance to observe Governe Iudge punish them they wil be the more carefull to live converse as beseemeth Christians And the church havinge the Antient of the Laiety in every Congregatiö joyned with the Cleargy in the Goverment of the churche servinge as Governours inferior to the Cleargy the State Authority of the church would greately be augmented To conclude then if God sent out the Ghospell accompanied with this kinde of goveruours also which thing I have before proved from the Scriptures cann we expect any other then detriment yea punishmēt if we deny to admit such governours Shall not our Land and Kingedome suffer visitations for the Neglect and Opposinge of so holy and necessary an Ordinance of God Shall the Ghospell be admitted and its Goverment kept out or cann we expect proffit by the Ghospell if thus vve doe For doubless Iudgements accompany the Ghospell where the Government ordeyned to

withholdeth that he might be reveiled in his tyme so indeede it fell out for the Emperors keepinge his Seate at Rome withheld the Bishopp of Romes Reveilinge but the Emperor removinge his Seate to Constantinople this Councill of Nice some few yeares after was assembled where theise huge extents of Iurisdiction beinge confirmed the Bishop of Rome beinge held as Cheife of them this caused his first measure of Reveilinge It is fit therefore that that Councils proceedings be examined whither in oughts God left it to dissent from his sacred Worde Papists usually alleadge that Councill as countenancinge the offeringe up of the Body and Blood of the Lord in the Service of the Lords Supper but if this that Councill did then expressly erred it from the Scriptureis nstruction concerninge that Service And how neere it was to forbid Preists the copulation with their vvives vvhich Gods worde commandes 1. Cor 7 3 is well knowen to all that have read the Story of those tymes To this I may add the uncertainety of its Canons seinge they are with such uncertainety brought us by Tradition For all theise reasons I conclude that that Councill is not so to be maintayned in its Ordinances as that the instruction of sacred Scripture is not rather to be followed But who that looketh into the holy Scripture shall not see That Timothy and Titus such as were like them held the highest ordinary Offices in the Church next unto the Apostles themselvs for by the Epistles of Timothy and Titus it is evident that the Apostle set them in Office next himselfe over the Churches that were planted Churches were planted and they had their Officers and Governours but then the Apostle ordeyned theise over them againe and this is manifest in that Titus had Charge over diverse Cityes Whilst therefore there is this evidence for their Office and whilst there is that evidence before noted that our Arch-Bishops succeede them in that Office and vvhilst the Church ever held a cessation of Apostles and the Apostle 1. Cor. 4 9 saith I thinke that God hath set fourth us the last Apostles c We have good reason not to suffer other offices to usurpe Authority over Arch-Bishops or any Arch-Bishopps to be subiugated unto any other Ecclesiasticall Ministration But if we permit the continuance of those huge extents whereof we read then as necessarily many Arch-Bishopdomes yea Patriarchdomes must be comprised therein so the Bishop of that Seate must be advanced over and exercise a Ministration ovet Arch-Bishopps yea over Patriarchs which thinge what is it but both an evertion of the Politie ecclesiasticall which God by his Ordinance Apostles taken away sent the church withall under the Wings of Kinges and Princes and also a bringinge in Superiorityes Throanes and Powers never ordeyned by the Lord As therefore experience hath showen that when an Arch-Bishoprick hath necessarily bene divided then tvvo Arch-Bishops are placed therein without subiugating the one under the other so those antient extents of bounds ought with the increase of the Convertion of people to have bene divided into many Arch-Bishopdomes and this without subiugatinge every of them to the Arch-Bishopp of some one city who by this meanes as he is to take a New Title so also he entereth into a new Ministration never ordeyned by the Lord. If any say hath not every Snccessor right to retayne the bownds of his predecessors jurisdiction I answere yes where there is no prejudice thereby to the Church and to the Ordinances of God but when retayninge the same he must necessarily Rule over them whom God by his Ordinance set next unto Apostles he then subverts the Ordinance of God so longe as he cannot make himselfe an Apostle Neither cann any ones succeedinge in the Seate of an Apostle conferr upon him an Apostles Dignity and Office for this were to make such a one an Apostle but we have good cause to aske of such a one the signes of his Apostleship 2. Cor. 12 12. I conclude therefore that those extents of Iurisdiction which carry with them a bringinge into the Church Powers and Ministrations above that of Arch-Bishops are unlawfull as bringinge into the Church strange Ministrations which have no manner warrant from Gods Worde in Scripture but rather are contrary to the Politie which there God manifesteth to his Church And indeede because of the huge extent of the Pope of Romes jurisdiction we fynde that above Arch Bishopps are Patriarchs as also Cardinalls as now Cardinalls are Popes Legats and a rabble of other who all serve rather as Ministers of this Corruption of Ecclesiastical Politie warranted by God then of the church of the Ghospell For how many are the Officers which the Pope of Rome needeth for to serve him only in the executiō of so large a jurisdictiō as now he exerciseth even so proportionably is it with every Patriarch yea with every Arch-Bisshop when he hath a Iurisdiction so farr extended fourth as that neither he can personally visit conveniently the parts of his Charge nor they of his Charge cann conveniently make Accusatiōs unto him if the Parishional or Episcopal Goverments faile in executiō of Iustice But now seinge God hath given so blessed Testimony to the Reforminge of things by his worde in Scripture why should not such Offices be cut off as superfluous and justly Offensive which exercise any Authority over the Arch-Bishops of the Christian church Should we not thinke that the Lord expects a Reformation even herein aswell as in Doctryne Should not his vvords direction be of power with us aswell in Reforminge errors of Iurisdictions or Powers Offices as in reforminge of Doctrynes Therefore if the Scripture shew that the Offices of Timothy Titus was the highest ordinary Office in the Church after Apostles ceased as beinge in the life tyme of the Apostles next to the Apostles and if there be good evidence that those had under them at the most but Bishopps of Cityes then why should not Arch-Bishopps be acknowledged as Succeeders into their Office and consequently to be the highest ecclesiasticall Officer which God sent the Church with amonge the Nations after his taking away of Apostles If it be said that those who succeeded into the Seates of Timothy or Titus and others like them are Patriarchs not Arch-Bishopps then I demande what Manner Bishops cann any prove that either Timothy or Titus or the next Successors ruled over whither were they Arch-Bishos or onely Bishopps of Cityes Surely the greatest evidence of purest and most antient Tradition is that those of those Seates were first accoumpted but Arch-Bishops and though they seemed to have Charge of a greate circuit of grownde yet where any Arch-Bishop was ordeyned I fynde not any good evidence that they exercised Authority over them also as now Patriarchs doe over them and the Pope over Patriarches As for the extendinge out of Care or seeminge-Charge of the Churches in greate extent we fynde in antient tyme not

vvere used to theise pious exercises it would occasion a makinge conscience to resorte to Church and there to vvorshipp God vvith faith in the Spirit aswell as in the externall Gestures of the Body as also it would make them carefull of that taught to remember a parte and some speciall things either to Beleeve them heartily or to practise them in their Actions and Speach all the tyme of their life for some things are to be Beleeved onely other things are to be practised and in both every hearer ought to be carefull that he doe it as he is taught by the GHOSPELL of CHRISTE Thus havinge vvritten of some sorts of Ministers and observed unto your Majestie the effects of their defects in your People I now humbly pray that I may proceede to vvrite also of those other Ministers in vvhom I cannot but rejoice blessinge God also for them and for the rich and plentifull Fruicts of their zealous and painefull Ministration Other Ministers there are in this Church of Englande who beinge learned are also painefull Preachers of the word They preach once at the least but ordinarily twice on the Sabbaoth day if not once in the weeke dayes also Theise observe their Parishioners whither usually in their life and conversation they bringe fourth any Fruicts of their Preachinge Theise vvatch over any erroneous opinions in their Parishioners informinge them better and stayinge their outspreadinge Theise watch also over the Manners of their Parishioners aswell their conversation as their dealinge observinge vvhen they are either vitious or vertuous Theise apply themselvs to fit their Preaching also unto theise observations usinge Comminations or Consolations as the peoples vices or vertues neglect or observation of Doctryne gives occasion Which that they may the better doe they observe marke the common fame that goes of any in the Parrish and herewithall they have their eyes and eares abroade in the Parrish even faithfull and godly Men vvho observinge the common conversation and dealings of their Neighbours doe faithfully informe them how they fynde their Neighbours commonly disposed whither to observe religiously what is Taught them or to neglect to observe the same All this they doe before any of their Parishioners come to such height of iniquity as to be publickly accused and proceeded against in any courte of lustice Yea and hereby they so prevent peoples so offendinge that well neere rather they by their well directed Doctryne and grave or Pastorly Authority then the feare of the Punishment which is by your Law to be inflicted doe bridle and restreine your people from offendinge your Lawes Theise in their owne familyes use Morninge and Eveninge Praier Grace before and after Meate Readinge the Scriptures thorowe in time every one of the household their turne or parte Theise use their family to Repeatinge of Sermons and also Catechise them conveniently often If you talke with theise you shall fynde them religiously disposed affectinge also in all conference with Men to leave some Seedes and gratious impressions either confirminge Men in the faith of some speciall thinge of the Ghospell or dehortinge them from some wickedness to which they are by reporte inclyncable Theise are religiously courteous and affable lovinge their Parishioners not for their owne private gaine they have by them onely nor onely for neighbourhood and freindshipp but after the example of the Apostles for the evidence of their faith and for the evidence of their receavinge carefully and practisinge conscionably the worde of Life Theise shew themselvs by many apparant Signes that they love and seeke the Salvation of their People rejoycinge of the comforteable likelihood of many and assurance of some that they shall be partakers in the future Glorification Theise are grave in gesture sober and meeke in conversation they are devoute they are Holy yea a Man may by good Signes discerne that from a Springe of faith in themselvs they exhorte others unto faith and from a sence of the sweeteness of obedience in themselvs they incourage or animate others to obey the Ghospell In a worde theise goe before their Parishioners in those things vvhereunto by their Preaching they exhorte them This for the Ministers themselvs and their familyes now consider the people also under them You shall fynde here the common voice of the Parishioners to be to this effect We have God be blessed a learned and a good Man to our Teacher he taketh greate paines to teach us he loves us he is ready to instruct and teach us even in private conference upon any scruple of conscience he is courteous even to the meanest of us shewinge also by evident signes that he heartily desires the Salvation of our Soules In theise Parishes you shall fynde in the people in the meanest aswell as in the greatest more knowledge in Divine Mysteries then in the Parishes formerly written of Here more evidence of faith of those holy Mysteries and in God and in Christe accordinge to the direction of those Mysteries Here you shall fynde more store of Bibles in families more readinge in them more proffit by readinge in them then in the other Parishes Here eveninge if not morninge and eveninge Praier Here grace before and after Meate and the same done with Reverence also and an evidence of faith and feare of God Here you shall fynde repeatinge of the Sermons at convenient tymes Here catechisinge also conveniently often Here the Neighbours will conferr some tymes one with another aswell of heavenly things as of vvordly yea and this they vvill doe not to shew what they cann say of such things or to get a Mastery in conference but with a mutuall Hope for such things confirminge one another in the faith and esteeme of such things animatinge one another to preferr them in their love and desire before theise vvorldly things which all men have and enjoy When I sawe this in some I rejoyced as one who had founde some who are answerable to that exhortation of the Apostles where he describinge in some measure the future resurrection of our Bodyes 1. Thssal 4 17 saith Comforte your selvs one another vvith theise wordes Doubtless where people thus doe as fit opportunity and mutuall disposition of myndes vvill serve the Lord vvill drawe neere to heare their talke openinge also their understandinges yet better as we reade of him that he did Luke 24 13. Furthermore in theise Parishes vve fynde the People not onely to reverence their Pastor but heartily to love him beinge glad also to have occasion of doinge any thinge whereby they may manifest the Love they beare him Here there is an abstayninge from usuall and unlavvfull swearing Here you shall not fynde usually any excess in drinkinge Here no lasciviouss filthy or beastly talke no bold lustfull and filthy gestures but rather you shall fynde here the contrary vertues even an abstinence from evell and yet a freedome of Love and delight as youth requires but with a restreinte of such wicked excess Here in a