we trust to the glory of God and your edifying For these and such coÌ„sideracions we haue therfore set forth this humble vnfained confession of our belefe that is to say how we in conscience ar perswaded by the infallible testimony of the scriptures concerning the word of God written and the ministery of the same his Church also and sacrameÌ„ts therof For as these are the principall pointes of the fayth and true ReligioÌ„ which is builded only vpon Christ so if our mindes by the witnes of the holy Gost in his word be fully resolued herein then by the grace of the same most holy spirite neyther our vnderstandynge nor good wylles neyther yet oure bodyes shall be stopte nor hindred from praier â—r fastynge froÌ„ pacience or obedyence from peace or Christian quietnes from doynge our duties to God and man or from eâ—ercisyng of those good works that are comprehended in his holy preceptes and coÌ„maundementes And thus most hertely prayng you to kepe you stil in the Arke with Noah his housholde We assure you in the word of the Lorde that so dooinge the fludde shal not drowne you nether shal the wrath to come ouer take you Amen FIrst because we mind not to build vppon a weke foundation we are stedfastly perswaded and do reuereÌ„tly beleue al the Articles of the christeÌ„ fayth comprehended in thre Eredes commonly called Simbolum Aposâ—olicum Simbolum Nicenum and simbolum Athanasii Item We do stedfastli beleue end reuerence euen from the botome of our hartes al the holy Scriptures of Gods bâ—oke which is the sacred â—yble conâ—teinyng the Olde and Newe-testament being fullye perswaded 〈◊〉 our conscience accordyng to the testimony of the holy gost that the same holy Scripture is able to make men learned vnto saluation throughe the faith which is in Christ Iesu And that like as the sayd holy Scripture was geuen by inspiration of God whose gracious blessed spirit was the worker therof and is profitable to teach to improue to refourme and to instruct in righteousnes that the man of God may be perfect and prepared vnto al good works euen so is it the â—ure word of prophecie very lighte that shineth in a darke place so that who so taketh hede theruÌ„to doth wel vntil the day dawne and til the daye starre arise in his heart Item We beleue that whosoeuer transgresseth or ouer passeth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God so that if any maÌ„ com vnto vs â–ª and bring not this learnyâ—â— of Gods holy word we ought not to receiue him into our house nether to welcome him but rather to beware of such false prophetes as beynge inwardlye rauenynge wolffes woulde spoile vs through philosophy and deâ—eifull vanitie after the tradicions of men and after the ordinaunces of the world and not aâ—ter Christ. Item Our stedfast beliefe is that like as if an Angel from heaueÌ„ or the Apostles them selues should preache vnto vs any other Gospel or doctrin concerning Religion contrary to that thei haue taught alredy we ought to holde them accursed Euen so we are bound to beware least any man with vayn traditions or coloured holines cause vs to shote at a wronge marke or leade vs out of the ryght way Item We beleue verely that whosoeuer doth wilfully follow or teach such doctrin as is contrary to the holy scriptures of God The same for y t he agreeth not vnto the holsome wordes of oure sauior Iesus Christ is a proud ignoraunt person and a verye wast brain And that vnto those which wil not receiue the loue of the said deuine truth and holye scriptures to their saluation â–ª Almyghtie God doth most iustli send stroÌ„g delusioÌ„ suffring theÌ„ to beleue lies to y e damnatioÌ„ of al such as disdainiÌ„g to geue credeÌ„ce vnto y e truth haue plesure in vnrightousnes Item Our beleif is that for al our liplabour and outwarde apperaunce or shewe of Religion â–ª Yet so longe as we â—epe vs not to the rule of the holy scripture but wilfully folowe the corrupt tradicions doctrines preceptes and lawes of men we worship Goâ— in vain and serue him not in such vpryght sort as we ought to do Item Our conscience is fully perswaded that because men are so stubbourne and disobedient so hard herted froward that thei thinke scorne to herkeÌ„ vnto the voyce of God and wilfully refuse to be ordred by the teaching of his holye worde and scriptures God therfore geuing them vp to their owne heartes lust and sufferyng them to folowe their owne imaginations doth most iustly take part against them powrynge vpon theim such great and horrible plaâ—es as the prophet Moses speaketh of Item Our stedfast beleife is that whatsoeuer the almightie and euerliuyng God commauÌ„deth vs by his word which he hath appointed to be the Lanterne vnto our feete lyghte vnto our pathes like as we ought to haue the same in such reuerence that we bowe not aside therfrom neither to the ryght hand nor to the left and that we do not suche thinges as seme good in our own eies but only that which is right in the sight of the Lord adding nothinge vnto his wordes least he reproue and plage vs least we be found liars Euen so we should not take away or minish ought from his words least he take awaye from vs our porcion out of the boke of life Item Like as our beleife is that y e sayd holy word and scripture of God alone sheweth meÌ„ y e right path to coÌ„e to god to se him to know him to loue hym to serue hym so to serue hym as he most desireth so ar we fulli perswaded according to s. Austines couÌ„sail y t it is our bouÌ„den dutie aswel to yelde and consent to the authoritie of holy scripture which neither can disceiue nor be desceiued As also in the vnderstanding therof diligeÌ„tly to obserue the circumstauÌ„ces of the places times and persons â–ª and to take good hede not oneli what but also of whoÌ„ any thing therin contained is spokeÌ„ And here with this humble confesion of our fayth in Christ we do eueÌ„ from the botome oâ— our hartes right sore lament and bewaile the present miserable decay of Christes true Religion the manyfold inconueniences the great harme and horrible abuses that are entred in among the generations of men of al sortes and degrees through addyng vnto the sayd holye Scripture throughe minishing of it and for not duely consideryng the circumstances therof That is to say for not regarding for not obeiyng and for not folowyng the infallible truth of the same moost reuerende word of God The curssed and vnhappy contempt wherof vndoubtedli hath brought into this worlde al wickednes aswel of false doctrine as of vngodly and sinful liuyng To the subuerting of al good ordre not oneli in matters of Religion but also in thynges concernyng our
vnto Christes wordes do also practise the same in their life and cōuersaciō plaiing the partes of wisemen whiche against stormes for to come build their house vpon the rocke and sure foundation Of this blessed felowship are thei that endurynge stedfast vnto the ende and fearyng God more thē mē take vp theyr crosse and follow Christ beyng wel content to ieopard all that thei haue their life also for his sake These in al their aduersitie resorte vnto the Lorde takyng his yoke vppon them and lernyng of him to be meke and lowly in heart fynd ease and rest vnto their soules Of thys holy congregation and Churche are thei vnto whom it is geuen to knowe the misteries of the kyngdom of heauē whose eyes are blessed for they se and lykewyse their cares for thei beynge children of Gods kyngdome the good seede sowne in the fortunate grounde do not onely heare the word of God but also vnderstand it and bring furth plentiful fruit some more some lesse accordyng to the measure of such giftes as he hath geuen them These are the Lordes owne shepe whych knowing Hom their shepherd his voice folowe not a straunger but flye from him for thei knowe not the voice of strangers It is the Lordes only voice that thei herken vnto and hym they followe who knoweth them and geueth them eternal life so tha they shal neuer perish neither shal any manne plucke them out of his hand The father of heauen who hath geuen this holye flocke and Congregation vnto Christ his sone is greater then al and no man is able to plucke them out of his heauenly fathers hande Nowe is God the father and Christ his sonne all one to the endles comforte of this his vniuersal Church This flocke of Christ this holy congregation is that blessed Church whose vnrightousnes is forgeuen and whose sinnes are couered and not imputed Yea in this Church hath the Lord himself ordayned appointed the heauēly ministracion of continuall remission and forgeuenes of sinnes to al such as vnfainedly repente of their former wicked lyfe and truelye conuerte vnto hym ▪ For vnto this Church hath he geuen the keyes of heauen that whatsoeuer thei bynde vpon earth shalbe bounde in heauen and whatsoeuer they lose in earth shalbe losed in heauen Vnto this Church hath he geuen his holye gost ▪ so that whose synnes soeuer they forgeue the same are forgeuen And whose sinnes so euer thei retayne the same are retained In this church is the pure word of God and al the worthye exercises of his true Religion the holy Sacramētes praiers thankesgeuynge ecclesiasticall discipline c. duelye and faythfully ministred And thoughe the particuler members of this church maye erre as many both perticuler persons also perticuler churches haue erred and som do at this day while thei are compaced with fleshe and bloud Yet shall not one shepe perishe that is of this holy vniuersall flocke neither the fayth or foundation of this Catholike Churche fayle This holy vniuersall church as the sōne in brightnes hath beames of light whereof it commeth to passe that there be also particuler Churches or congregations Where thoughe there be but two or thre gathered together in y e name of Christe He is in the myddes amonge theim For thoughe we confesse and knowledge that the holy Catholike or vniuersal churche of Christ is inuisible suche as our Crede teacheth vs to beleue y t such a church there is Though no mortal man can se the regeneratiō of the spirit and the fayth of Christ in it selfe Yet a good tre mai be knowne by his fruts Like as the beames then that procede of the Sūne are testimonies and partakers of the lyght therof Euen so what church or congregation soeuer professeth the name Religiō of Christ hauyng and exercising the pure and sincere doctrine of hys Gospel of his Sacraments and of al his dissipline accordyng to his holye institutiō y e same do we take vndoutedly for Christs church For bi mās wordes and dedes we mai discerne to alowe or disalowe theim True Prophetes also from false may we know by their fruites The heart God only seeth and iudgeth Notwithstandyng to build vpon we are throwli perswaded that as the sayd blessed vniuersal Church and cōgregation of Christ is the pillor and ground of the truth for greate is the misterye of godlines that it teacheth Euen so in such wonderful deuersitie of doctrines sectes and sondry religions of the worlde we should neither haue com to the true knowledge and beliefe of the Gospel neither shoulde we be satisfied in our selues or surelye fixed to continewe and abyde still in in y e sayth therof as we be God haue the praise against al herisies and false opinions If the authoritie of the said holy vniuersal and catholike churche of Christ had not wholly fully moued stirred prouoked admonished and taught vs so to do But whan we considered with S. Augustine the estimation and dignitie the worthines and authoritie of the sayde vnyuersal church and howe vniformally the mēbers of that mistical body accordeth and consenteth together in the vnitie of the holy gost and in the ministracion of heauenly thinges our conscience with al thanful obedience with obedient thākfulnes doth most cherfully and gladli agree aswel to learne what the said church teacheth vs and to beleue gods word that it preacheth vnto vs. As to be warned by the coūsailes that it geueth vs and to folowe the instructions lessons and ensāples that it sheweth vs. For sure we be as we haue cōfessed alredy that the foūdation of this Church is fyrme fast Herein hath the Lord set vp his owne lyght that hath no darknes in it Here is the truth that desceiueth no man the lyfe that kylleth no man and the kynges hye way that bringeth euery man righte to his iourneies ende As for a perticuler mā a perticuler church or Congregation as we sayd before they maye erre thei may be disceiued in one thyng or other at one tyme or other The consideration wherof as it appeareth did moue S. Augustine to haue most prīcipal regard to y e church vnyuersall although the particuler churches of Aphrica in his time were not defiled and poysoned as they be nowe O that mē were so circumspect this day as to builde vppon so sure a ground For though we maye safely geue credence to ani perticuler church whan it followeth the wholesome doctrine wherin the holy gost by his Apostle did stablish the Churche of the Ephesians of the Philippians of the Colossians of the Tessalonians c. Yet if any such Church do shute at another marke we shall but loose oure game in doyng therafter As for ensample what sound doctrine what wholsome religion what good and vpright discipline is there at this present day in any of the said particular Churches
Be they not vtterlye corrupted and poysoned with diuers kindes of horrible idolatrye with shameful supersticious with daÌ„nable sectes and false religions and with the dotyng doctrynes of men Is the Church of the Ephesians yet still light in the Lorde and not rather barckenes in Mahomet Hath the Church of the Philippians this present day felowship stil in the Gospel and not rather in the fylthy doctryne of the Turke Both the church of the Collossians continewe yet styl grouÌ„ded and stablished in the fayth of the word of God and not rather blinded in infidelitie and in such horrible idolatry as is taughte by the false doctrines of men Is the churche of the Tessalonians nowe conuerted still from images to serue the liuynge God or contente to suffre trouble and losse of their goodes for the truthes sake and not rather turned back agayn to their idols as the dogge to hys vomyte and become cruel persecutors of Christes gospel What sound doctrine theÌ„ caÌ„ be had in a church or coÌ„gregation y t is so corrupted Yea is the churche of Rome it selfe nowe obedient vnto the faith of Christ as it was in S Pauls time and not rather to the Popes ordinaunces and decrees Wherfore inconsideration of the premisses and for auoydinge of suche stormes as must needes ouerthrowe the house that is builded vpoÌ„ the saÌ„de we are fully resolued in maner aboue written concerning the sayd holye Apostolicke and Catholike or vniuersal church of Christ. Of the ministery of the word of God VUe are fully perswaded and do sted fastly beleue that the same almighti eternal most gracicious God who in times past diuersly and many waies spake vnto the fathers by the Prophetes hath in these last daies not only spoken vnto vs by his owne deare sone our onlye Sauiour Iesus Christ but hathe also by him ordained appoynted in hys Churche the ministerie of hys holye word willing his Gospel to be preached vnto al creatures to the intent y t al Nacions might become his disciples be taught to obserue al thinges whatsoeuer he hathe commaunded For in consideracioÌ„ of this most gracious purpose he did not onlye geue vnto his Apostles and Disciples the holy Ghost and opened theyr wittes that they might vnderstand the scriptures but also coÌ„mitted vnto them to theyr succession in his Church the office and charge of preaching repentaunce and remission of sinnes in hys name among al nacions For this intent also hath it pleased him to constitute and ordaine diuers and sondrye Ministers some hauyng one charge some another that the Saintes holy members of his mistical body and Church myght haue all thynges necessary to worke and minister wythall for the edifying thereof for the increase also and conseruatioÌ„ of his true doctrine and Religion This holy office which the Apostle calleth y e stewardship of the misteries of God the ministracion of the spirit the ministracion of rightuousnes the preaching of the attonement and the embassage of Christ though the blind se it not and the vnthankefull worlde regard it not is a noble and precious treasure which the ministers haue in earthen vesâ—els that the excellent power therof may appeare to be of god and not of them yea of suche worthynes is it that the true ministers thereof are Messengers in the roume of Christ as if God himselfe did â–ª beseche â—s thorowe them to be at one wyth him So that who so heareth theÌ„ heareth him who so despiseth them despiseth him and he that receaueth whom soeuer the Lord sendeth receaueth the Lord himself When we consider this as we are bound to do it moueth vs to haue the holy ministracion of gods blessed woorde the more in reuerence And euen so are we occasioned to doe when we cal to remembraunce how worthye Apostles Euangeliâ—tes and Disciples it pleased him not onlye to appoinâ—e at the fyrst in hys primatiue Church chiefly for the excecutinge of thys holy office but also to descrybe by hym selfe and them how vpryght Ministers hys wyll was to succeede them what good qualities and giftâ— they ought to be endued withal hoâ—â— wel learned and exercised in the scriptures how apt to teache other howe true shepheardes how painful worke men in Gods vynâ— yarde how dylygent labourers in hys housbandry haruest how faithful stewards of his misteries how honest keepers of hospitality how voyde of fylthynes and corrupcion how discrite vertuous faâ—teles they ought to be how sober honest and faithful wyues howe wel ordered housholdes how obedient godly brought vp children they shuld haue how wel esteemed also and regarded and how worthely prouided of nessary liuinges they ought to be Of these and such like thinges testifyed in the scriptures we ar out of dout concernyng the ministerye of Gods holye woorde Of the Sacramentes YF it be meete and conuenieÌ„t as it is in dede that the circumstaÌ„ces of the scriptures as S. Augustine saieth be diligentlie obserued Then is it lykewyse expedient necessary that in medlyng with Gods holy sacramentes it be also râ—uerently and discretly considered by whom whaÌ„ wher after what maner â–ª for whom and for what intent purpose they were ordeined For the ignoraunce and not regardynge thereof hathe marred al the matter and is the verye occasion that as coÌ„cerning the true vnderstaÌ„ding vse of Gods holy Sacramentes men shute either to wide to shorte or to far of so that therby they loose the game and come not neare the marcke Now because we must nedes confesse as we do reuerently wyth al our hartes that the mistery of Gods holy Sacramentes is most comfortable most worthy to be tasted felt and vnderstand in euery Christen conscieÌ„ce And forasmuch as the Diuel with the cloud of blynd and wilful ignorauÌ„ce hath darkned theeyes of mani a mothers child so that they do not see nor perceiue the swetenes of this treasure what it is wher it lyeth nor the right vse of it Therfore albeit y e holy Gost him selfe hath broken the hard shel of the Nutte already yet seing there are sondry good peeces of the swete kernel caâ—t out and lye some troden vnder feete some shuffeled amonge the shels We mynde as sincerely faithfullye as we can to do our best in taking vp and laying forth such parcels of the said most swete kernell concerning the misâ—ery of Gods holye Sacramentes as the Lord himselfe bi his grace in this our humble confession shal helpe and teach vs to vtter Nowe as it is most requisite worthely to consider the sayde misterye whych is the CommunioÌ„ and felowshyp that we haue in eternal lyfe thorow the meâ—iâ—es of Christ EueÌ„ so we confesse and fynde it so by ecsperieÌ„ce that the verity and truth therof doth much the more comfortably appeare when Gods wonderful and most gragracious working for mankynde froÌ„ the beginniÌ„g is
faithfully called to remembraunce For man in hys firste creacion was made to the similitude and likenes of almighty God endued with perfectnes wisdome rightuousnes and lyfe euerlastynge Of the which incomparable kindnes mercye to the inteÌ„t he might styl be mindful and keepe the same euer in thankful remembrauÌ„ce God prescribed vnto him a rule law or coÌ„maundemeÌ„t whych to obey was euen to continu in the felowshyp of the same immortal lyfe that was geuen hym But to disobey it in followyng his own wil contrary to the coÌ„maundement was to be in seruice to euerlasting death and to lose hys porcioÌ„ in euerlastyng life So when man was fallen from the obedience of the commauÌ„demeÌ„t hys owne nakednes appeared vnto him selfe so horrible by reason it was not couered wyth the image of lyfe that he began to dispayre and durste not shew himselfe in the sight of god How beit in this terrible distres and most woful stare of man Almightye God who euer was and is merciful dyd promis him againe euerlastynge lyfe which was laied vp in his owne sonne â–ª but so that accordyng as he euen God hymselfe by an euerlasting decree had appointed he wold be satiâ—â—yed recompenced and pacified againe in the obedience of al his commaundementes by the same nature of man whych because of the corruption of synne that had entred in to it by disobedience could not fully satisfye the law and therefore God made an euerlasting couenaunt of mercye with mankinde promysed the blessed seede namely that hys owne son should put vpon him our nature and therwith in innocency satisfi the law and bryng vs agayne into the felowshyp of that euerlasting lyfe whyche was lost thorow Adams disobedieÌ„ce God now to kepe his people in remembraunce of thys his great merci requyred continual sacrifices to prouoke them vnto thankfulnes and to geue them occasion froÌ„ tyme to time â–ª to setle and reast theyr coÌ„sciences stil 〈◊〉 hope vpon the sayde promes And for thys cause he reneued the said couenaunt of mercy so oft and sondrye â—imes by outward Sacramentes and ceremonies in the which the death of Christ was so present to the faith of y e fathers that thei beleuing the promis made in the blessed seede appreheÌ„ded the sayd life that was lost in Adam In Circumcision whiche was not only an outward visible signe but also a very seale of the rightuousnes of fayth a testimony of his grace fauour â—ewardes them thorow Christ the holy Ghost certified theyr consciences of theyr porcion in the sayde euerlastynge lyfe In the SacrameÌ„t of the Passeouer wheÌ„ the bloud of the Lambe was striked vpon the postes of theyr doores and the fleshe therof eaten rosted and with such other ceremonies as therto wer appointed They geuing faith credite to the said promis made in the blessed seede saw the worthynes and merites of Christes bloud by the coÌ„fortable swetenes wherof in the operacion of the holy Gost they wer assured of the sayd lyfe euerlastyng In the wildernes Manna was geuen them from heaueÌ„ to declare that the very true nourishment and foode to life euerlasting must come froÌ„ heauen which maÌ„kind by stedfast beliefe thorow the merites of Christ should taste and be partaker of and in al the sacrifices slayne offeringes of y e law was the same misteri represented and set forth to the eyes of faith amonge the people of God Thus the benefite of Gods mercy hath bene alway froÌ„ time to time most louingli opened in hys Sacramentes and holy ordinauÌ„ces certifying vs by faith thorow the death of Christ that we haue our porcion againe in euerlasting lyfe which was lost thorow Adams disobedieÌ„ce Now to come somewhat nerer vnto the sacrameÌ„ts of y e new law we do hartely agree and coÌ„sent to the iudgement of S. Augustine not only when he affirmeth y t our Lord Iesus Christ hath knyt together the felowshyp of his new people by SacrameÌ„ts which are very few in nomber very easy to be obserued and very eâ—cellent in signification as is baptime thesupper of the Lord but also when he saieth y t a SacrameÌ„t is the signe token or representacion of an holy thing the visible fourme of an inuisible grace and a visible word of God Moreouer the Sacramentes that are of the Lordes holy institucion we do reuerently esteme to be no vain or bare signes neither only euidences of the profession of Christen meÌ„ but also certaine assured and effectuous testimonies or rather seales of the rightuosnes grace and good will of God towardes vs wherby he working in vs supernaturally after an inuisible maner doth not only styrre vp our faith towards him but also establisheth and conâ—yrmeth it the more in the assuraunce of euerlastiÌ„g life Wherfore like as stedfast faith in the operacion of the holy Gost doth certify vs euen so the SacrameÌ„tes by propre similitudes being vsed according to the Lordes institucion testyfye the same For the holye Gost who glorifyeth his owne ordinaunces with his blessed preseÌ„ce and also the word it selfe assureth vs that nothing though it be outward external appointed and appertainiÌ„g to the right whole and perfect vse of Gods holy sacramentes is in vaine or but a bare signe for asmuch as when the minister doth execute the Lordes wil according to his holy ordinaunce in the ministration of the visible SacrameÌ„t by an outward action The holy gost not only certifieth the faithful â—eaceiuers y t they are partakers of the thing promised that is to sai euerlasting life which life euerlasting is euen God y e sonne whose diuine nature is ioyned with the humanitie nowe syttyng in glory not only we say certifieth but also inuisibly worketh in them those vertues wherby thei be vndoubtedly ioyned vnto Christ and one towards another hys mistical membres partakers of eternall lyfe So that to be partaker of that euerlasting lyfe is to be as verely ioyned vnto him to be a member of his glorious boâ—y of his flesh of his bones as his own diuine nature is ioyned vnto his humanitie O worlde howe mad o man howe blinde art thou that seest not this precious treasure and taistest not the incomparable swetenes and moste heauenly comfort of this greate mistery betwene Christ and his coÌ„gregation â–ª Thou gnawest vpon the harde shelle but vpon the swete kernel wherein is spirit and life thou fedest not Wolde God his truth coulde perswade vs y t to be worthy pertakers hereof is thorowe fayth by the operatioÌ„ of the holy gost to be assured and fully certified that followyng also the Lords will in the outward actions of his holy ordinaunces and framynge our lyues accordyng to his wholsome doctrine taught vs therein we haue vndoubttedly the thinge that ther is promised which is euerlasting lyfe in his bodye and bloude For first as concernyng fleshe and bloude we were in felowshippe with Christ in
me And so it came to passe Neuertheles after he waâ—ed strong and ouer came that infirmitie and knewe y t to fal we haue of our selues to staÌ„d we haue onely of God So is tribulation profitable to the stroÌ„g and mightie for it bringeth them to the crown of glory it profiteth the weake for it openeth their minde and maketh theÌ„ to seke to the Phisition and curer of our soules and to cry with Dauid O Lord heale my soule for I haue sinned against the. Let vs therfore labour to ouercome our weakenes to accomplishe that the Lorde commaundeth Be faithful vnto the death and I wil geue the a crowne of life You se the Lorde requireth faithfulnesse both in the stewardes that preach his worde and in the seruâ—intes that heare it Death is the ende of al fleshe as well of Kinges and Quenes Dukes and bishops as of poore men For al flesh is grasse and al the glory of fleshe as the flower of grasse WheÌ„ the winde of the Lorde goeth ouer it it falleth fadeth but the Lordes word abydeth for euer and those that doth the wyll of the Lorde abide also for euer Happye are those to whom the Lorde geueth that crowne of lyfe and to loose it is a greater losse then either Emperour King or Quene or an Angel from heauen can either restore or recompence Stand therfore faithfullye to gods word beleue his promis He that hath eares to heare let him hear what the holy Gost saith to the churches He that ouercoÌ„meth shal not be hurt by the seconde death The fyrste death is of the body as the Lord sayd to sinful Adam Earthe thou art and into earth thou shalt returne agayne But the secoÌ„d death is it that Christ admonished vs to flie saying I sai to you my frendes be not afraid of theÌ„ which withe body and after that thei haue nothing more that they can do I wil shew you whom you ought to feare Feare hym that after he hathe slaine the body hath power to cast into hel fyre Trulye I say to you feare him Let not the feare of man so ouercome vâ— but that the fear of god may alway be ruler in our hartes so shall we attaine the croune of life prepared for those that loue the Lorde and hys word vnfeinedly I haue not written this as to those that are ignoraunt of theyr dutye or vnable to streÌ„gthen both them selues and others but as to my moste deare brethren in the Lord trusting y â— Gods spirit that is among you doth dayly moue your harts now to the highest perfeccion of godlines euen to denie your liues for Christes sake to take vp your crosse and to folow him Yf any haue in times past bene negligeÌ„t in the wai of godlynes I prai besech and exhort the same in the Lord Iesu to turn vnto the Lord with his whole hart and not by his euyl and wicked liuing prouoke the Lordes wrath any longer nor to bring plages vpon the whole congregacion for his wickednes Brethren fal to praier dayly euery man for him selfe and for his Christian brethren Fal to weeping wyth Nehemias Ieremye to see the wall of Ierusalem broken the city destroied with sweard and fire and the temple burned Fal to fasting for now y e daies are come that our swete deare Bridegrome Christ is taken from vs. I certeinli beleue that our to to much negligence in praier and our sloutheful and seldome coÌ„myng to the holye Supper of the Lorde are twoo of the great causes why the Lord hath thus plaged vs. Let vs therfore earnestlye turne vnto the Lord that he mai turn to vs cal that he may hear aske that he may giue seke that we may finde knocke that the Lord may open vnto vs. If euer we shewed our selues true ChristiaÌ„s let vs now shew it in godlines of conuersacion and lyuinge in quietnes in patieÌ„t suffering in meeke bearing of wronges doing of none to other in forgeueing our enemyes and praying for them in feedyng the poore and needy Saintes of God in pitying al men and in praying for all men And dearelye beloued praye for vs that God of his mercy strengthen and coÌ„forte vs in these troubles that he nowe layeth vpon vs and that the Lorde leaue vs not to our seluâ—s but â—uer hold his handouer vs and kepe vs vnto the ende For truly I know without his grace and mercyful help no man is able to withsâ—and SathaÌ„s vyolence therefore for Christes loue pray for vs as we shal not faile dayly to do for you Here haue I geÌ„tle Reader setforth the Confession and Faith of certaine learned men that as they haue writteÌ„ it in theyr exile for thy coÌ„fort so maiest thou giue god the praise and helpe to stop the mouthes of suche blasphemers as haue nothing in theyr mouthes but Heretickes Heretickes But I dout not that when thou hast read it with iudgement and coÌ„ferd it with theyr doctrine that they now preach to thee thou shalt se which sort ar the Heretickes Thou mayest see that all theyr struglynge is to brynge thee to theyr stynckyng Romyshe puddels agayne Thus I commende you all dearelye beloued in the tender mercies of Iesu Christ vnto the tuitioÌ„ of the liuing god which is the father of our Lord Iesus Christ beseching him to send his holy Gost among you to bestow his ritch grace and blessing vpon you that you al may be coÌ„stant and perfect in Gods wayes and vnmoueable in Christes faith constantlye perâ—euering vnto the end Amen Grace be with you peace froÌ„ God our Father and from our Lord Iesus Christe who tread down Sathan vnder our fete shortly Amen ⧠To all suche as loue to feare God to serue and worshippe him in spirit and truth and to lyue in charitie and vertue amoÌ„g their neighbours within the Realme of England Grace mercye and peace be multipled with you from God the father through Iesus Christ his only soÌ„ne our Lord and only Sauiour BEcause we are assured that the Deuil not onely as an anucient murtherer proceadeth stil in cruel tirannye and extremities but also as the olde liar from the beginning and father of falsholde in misreporting slaundring and beliynge the moost sacred veritie of Goddes holy worde and vs poore men that haue bene minisâ—ers of the same specially now that we are absent and gone far from our natiue couÌ„try of England Therfor partly to certifie such of you as knowe vs that we shute styl at the olde marke of Gods worde neither recanting nor reuokyng that whiche we haue learned in the â—chole of Goâ— and taught amongst you and partly to signifi to as many of you as know vs not and yet do hear howe our aduersaries raile vpon vs behynde oure backes callyng vs Heretyckes Sâ—â—smatickes c. that we are not as they reporte but better framed bothe in thought word and deede
duties one towardes another Wherfore beynge fullye perswaded that the eternal God hath appoynted the ministery of his worde to be continued in his churche or congregation and hath geuen giftes vnto meÌ„ to edifie it withal aswel bi teachyng of true doctrine and improuiÌ„g of false aswel bi planting of godlines and al vertues as by instructyng of the ignoraunt rebukyng of the â—uyll and refourmynge of thinges that be a misse We mynde therfore nowe to confesse what oure beliefe is consernyng the Church of Christ. Of the Churche THough this word church betakeÌ„ in diuers significatioÌ„s as for a perticuler congregation somtime of the good somtime of the wicked sometime for an assemble of both good and euyll together And other wise vsurped partly for an house of commen resorte and partly for the only state of the Cicargie yeâ— are we fullye perswaded and do stedfastly beleue that there is but oneonly Apostolicke and holy Catholicke or vniuersal Church and congregation of God which being moued â—aught and gathered together froÌ„ among al nations of the whole world by the operation of the holy ghost into the vnitie and truth of the faith and vndefiled Religion of the Apostles Is not onely sanctified clensed and purified in the bloud of our sauior Christ but specialli also endued with vnfained holines of life This Church hath the Lord Iesus builded vpon the sure stedfast and hard stony rocke that is to say vpon him self against whom the gates of hel cannot preuayle Nether hath this Church any other foundaâ—ion theÌ„ that which as the prophet sayth Almyghti God the father hath â—ayde alredy which the Apostle declareth to be euen Iesus Christ. This Churche is the house the dwellynge place and congregation of the liuing God the piller and ground that is to say the mayntainer and defendor the â—ure staye and vpholder of the truth This Church is the mistical bodye and beloued Spouse of Christe who is the head and Sauiour therof who also for the entire loue that he beareth therunto not only gaue him selfe for it to sanctifie it clensed it in the fouÌ„taine of water thorow the woorde to make it vnto him selfe a glorious coÌ„gregacion or church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing y t it should be holy and without blame But also after his ascencion when he led captiuitie captiue prouided ritchlye for it aswel with a most bewtiful diuersitye of offices and ministrations as wyth his owne worthy giftes meete conuenient for the same in a moste eccellent order vnitie agreement â–ª to the intent that his said church louinglye â—olowing his truth and in al thynges growyng in hym as an whole bodye coupled and knyt together in euerye ioynt wâ—erwyth one member ministreth vnto a nother according to the measure of his gift may helpe edify it selfe coÌ„stantly to increase in al godlynes and not to wauer therfroÌ„ neyther to be caried with euery winde of doctrine by the wilynes subtelty of men Of this Church are they whom the Apostle calleth Citizens wyth the Saints and of the houshold of God Which being built together vpon the same foundation that the Prophetes and Apostles were builded vpon are made an habitacioÌ„ of God in the spirite This Church and CongregacioÌ„ is the CoÌ„munion of Saintes the heauenly felowship and blessed compani of al Gods elect and chosen children that euer were from the beginning of the world be now or shalbe hereafter euen aâ—l true worshyppers that serue him in the spirit and in the veritye in such holynes righteousnes as is alowed in his â—ight they that vnfainedly feare y t Lord that walke not on styl in the counsaile of the vngodlye that stand not in the way of wycked synners and that remain not among the spiteful scorners but euer delite in the law of the Lorde alway study to obserue and kepe his coÌ„maundements his rules his ordinaunces hys actes and statutes Of this Churche are the poore in spirite the true penitent the meeke harted the mercifull the pure and cleane minded the peacemakers Here are they that being hongry and thyrsti for righteousnes do suffer persecution for the same and be reuyled troubled and falsly belied of men for the Lordes sake Of this Churche are they whom the Lord calleth the salte and seasoners of the earth the light of the world which so shine before men that they seing theyr good woorkes godly liuing do glorify praise theyr father whyche is in heauen Of thys Church are thei that both obserue the coÌ„maundements of Christ theÌ„ selues and teache others also to do the lyke who vnderstanding the law spiritually accordyng to the Lordes interpretacion declare them selues to be the perfect childreÌ„ of God in louing their enemies blessing those that cursse theÌ„ â–ª doing good to such as hate theÌ„ praying for those that do them wrong and persecute them Of thys Churche are they y t when they do almes let not y e left hand know what the right hande doth seke no vaine glory or to be sene of men And when they pray they enter into the priuye chamber of theyr conscience shutting the dore to them and praying to theyr heauenly father which is in secret And thoughe they babble not much in theyr prayers as the Hethen doo and are assured that theyr heauenly Father dothe knowe what thinges thei haue nede of afore they aske of him Yet being taught of the Lord how vnto whom and what to pray they most obediently folowe his order forgiuing others theyr offeÌ„ces as they them selues haue forgiuenes and desyre styll to be forgeuen of God These when they fast do it not to be sene of men but of theyr father which seeth in secret Of thys Church are they that gather them selues treasure together not vpon earthe but in heauen wher neither rust nor mothes corrupt wher theues nether breake vp nor steale These dependyng vpon the only prouidence of God though they â–ª abhorring idelnes do faithfully labour and trauaile euery one in their vocation the haÌ„des working the eies looking the mouth speaking the fote going c. yet take they no vnlawfull care or thought for this life but fyrste seke the kingdom of God the righteousnes therof and so enioye at his hand the rich prouision of al necessary thinges with a good conscience Of this Church are thei that geue not that which is holy vnto dogges nether cast their pearles before swyne These aske and haue Seke and fynde knocke and the dore is opened vnto them These doynge vnto others as thei would be done vnto them selues entre in at the streight gate and bi the narrow way which ledeth vnto lyfe Of this Churche are the good trees â–ª that oute of the good treasure of the heart bring furth good fruitfull thinges As thei that beynge ware of false prophetes and herkening onely