alreadye begone And before all we doo require and with teares humbly craue that oure good and right worshipfull in the lorde the brethern off the Englishe churches all bitternes off minde set aparte whiche we surely feare after what sorte it hathe on either side forced this euell would patiently beare and suffer eche other so longe as puritie off Christian doctrine it selff and soundnes off conscience dothe remaine Willingly to obaye the Queens Maiestie who is full off compassion And all other prelates And fynally that with all concorde minds in the lorde of they manly set against SathaÌ„ who sekethe all occasion of tumulte aÌ„d infinite calamities yea although they haue not like iudgement of all sorte off prealaets at the firste for this oure writinge god is oure witnesse doth not teÌ„de to this purpos that either parte shuld vse it against other as that we shuld send it to yow as an apple of contention Although we haue concerninge theis matters declared oure Iudgements euen symplie as vppon a supposed case god is oure witnes beinge euercome withe the continuall sute off oure brethern And we ioine oure dailie praiers to the groninges off all the godlye on that side the seas that it maie please the moste mercifull god hauinge compassion on mannes frailtie to directe the Queens highenes and all the nobles off the realme off Englande Also euery prelate and fynally eche workman off this spirituall buildinge with his holy spirite moste effectuously so as the worke off the lorde so often begonne and so often staied may luckely be set forwarde to the great quietnes and concorde off all men not onely the olde staines in the docrine it self and Ecclesiasticall discipline also beinge at lenght vtterly done owte but also all monstrousnes off errors and whiche Satan newlie sekethe to bring into the churche againe driuen awaie Whiche vouchesaffe to bring to passe through his holy spirite the moste kinde father in Iesus Christe his verie sonne eternall and consubstantiall with him in whiche persones we professe one god and not diuers ought to he worshipped for euer Amen at Geneua the 24. October 1547. Your brethern in Christe to all your godlines moste assured Theodorâ—s Beza c. Remundus Caluetus Nicolaus Coladonuâ— Io. Gaiâ—gâ—aeziuâ— Io. Tremlerus Iohan â—inaldus Ge. Fauergius Car. P. â—gid Caâ—seuâ— Io. Parnilius Kuds Fauerius Vrb. Calueâ—us Slm. Golerlius Pet. Carpenteruâ— Fransc Portuâ— Cor. Barlierdâ—â— Hen. S. Abâ—â—n Dupâ—euâ— A Copie off the letter sent to the Bishopps and Pastors off Englande who haith renunced the Romaine Antichriste and professe the lorde Iesus in sinceritie The Superintendent Ministers and commissionars off charges within the Realme off Skotland To thair brethern the Bishopps and Pastors off England who haith renunced the Romaine Antechriste and do professe with theim the lord Iesus in sinceritie desire the parpetuall encrease off the holie spirite BY worde and writ it is come to our knowlâ—dge reuerend Pastors that diuers off our deerest brethern amongst whom are some off the beste lerned within that Realme are depriuâ—â— from Ecclesiasticall function and forbidden to preach and so by yow that they are staieâ— to promote the kingdome off Iesus Christe bicaus their consciences will not suffer to take vppon them at the commaundement off the authoritie such garmentes as Idolatres in time off blindes haue vseâ— in thair Idolatrie whiche brute cannot be but moste dolorous to our hartes mindfull off that sentence off the Apostel sainge yff ye byt and deuoure one an other take head leaste ye be consumit one off an other We purpose not at this present to entre into the grownd off that question whilâ—e we heare off â—ither parte to be agâ—tate with greâ—â—er vehemencie then well liketh vs to wit. Whidder that such apparell is to be coumpted amongs thinges that are simplie indifferint or not but in the bowells off lord Iesus we craue the Christian charitie maie so preuaile in yow in yow we saie the pastoris and leaders off the flock within that Realme That ye doo not to others that which yow woulde not others shulde doo to yow Ye cannot be ignorant how â—endeâ— a thinge the conscience off man is All that haue knowledge are not a like perswadet your consciences reclames not aâ— wearinge off such garmentes but many thousants both godlie and lernet are otherwise perswadet whose consciences are continually stricken with theis sentences what haith Christe Iesus to doe with beliall what feloshipp is thair betwâ—xt darknes and licâ—t yff surplese corner capp and tippet haue byn badges off ydolatres in the verie acte off their ydolatrie what haht the preachers off Christian libertie and the open rebuker off all superstition to doe with the dregges off the romishe beast Our brothern that off conscience refusse that vnprofitable apparell doo neither damne your nor molest yow that vse such vaine tryfles yf ye shall do the like to thaim we dowte not but thairin ye â—all pleese god and conforte the hartes of many whilke are wonded with extremitie which is vsed against those godly and our beloued brethern Coloure off rethorik or manlie perswasion will we vse none but charitabâ—â—â— we desire yow to call that sentence off pitie to minde feed the flock off God which which is committed to your charge caringe for them not by constranit but willingly not as though ye were lordes ouer goddis heritage but that ye maie be examples to ye flock And farder also we desier yow â—o meditate that sentence off the Apostle saing geue none offence neither to the Iewes nor to the Grecians nor to the churche off God In what condition off time ye and we bothe trauielâ— in the promoting off Christs kingdomm we suppose yow not to be ignorant And therfore we are more bolde to exhorte yow to walke more circumspectlie then that for such vanities the godly shulde be troubled For all thinges that maie seeme lawfull edifie not Yff the commaundement off authoritie vrge the conscience off yours and our brethern more then they can beere we vnfenedlye craue off yow that ye remember that ye are callit the licht off the worlde and the earthe All ciuill authoritie hath not the licht off God allwaies schinâ—â—ge before their eies in the statutes and commandements but thair affections of times sauour to muche off the earthe and off wordly wisedome And therfore we think that ye shuld baldlie oppone your selff to all pouer that will or dare extoll the selff not onely against God but also against all suche as do burthen the consciences off the faithfull farder then god hes burthenit theim by his owne worde But here in we confesse oure offence in that we haue entred farder in reasoninge then we we purposet an promiset at the beginninge And therfore we shortly returne to our former humble supplication which is that our brethern who amongs yow refuse the Romishe ragges maie finde off yow the prelatis such fauours as our heid and maister commandis euery one off his members to shewe
Senators for a place or churche wherin they and all their country men might haue gods worde truly preached and the Sacraments sincerely ministred in their naturall tonge who ientlie promised his furtherance and that he also woulde move the whole Senate theroff the whiche he did accordingly And the 14. daie off the same monethe yt was graunted that they shulde haue libertie to preache and minister the Sacraments in that churche which the freÌ„che men had the freÌ„che one daie and the Englishe an other daie and vpoÌ„ the Sundaie to chuse also theÌ„ houres as they coulde agree amonge them selues but yt was with this commandement that the Englishe shulde not discent from the frenchmen in doctrine or ceremonyes least they shulde thereby minister occasion off offence and willed farther that before they entred their churche they shulde approue and subscribe the same confession off faith that the frenche men had then presented and abowte to put in printe to the whiche all the afore named and others whiche were by this time come thither did subscribe When the churche was in this sorte graunted they consulted amonge themselues what order off seruice they shulde vse for they were not so stricly bownde as was tolde them to the ceremonies off the frenche by the Magistrats but that iff the one allowed off the other it was sufficient At lenght the englishe order was perused and this by generall consente was concluded that the answeringe alowde after the Minister shulde not be vsed the letanye surplice and many other thinges also omitted for that in those reformed churches suche thinges woulde seeme more then strange It was farther agreed vppon that the Minister in place off the Englishe Confession shulde vse an other bothe off more effecte and also framed accordinge to the state and time And the same ended the people to singe a psalme in meetre in a plaine tune as was and is accustomed in the frenche dutche Italian Spanishe and Skottishe churches that don the minister to praye for â—hassistance off gods holie spirite and so to proceade to the sermon After the sermon a generall praier for all estates and for oure countrie of Englande was also deuised at th ende off whiche praier was ioined the lords praier and a rehersall off tharticâ—es off oure belieff whiche ended the people to singe and other psalme as afore Then the minister pronouncinge his blessinge The peace off god c. or some other off like effecte the people to departe And as touchinge the ministration off the Sacraments sundrie things were also by common consente omâ—tted as superstiâ—ious and superfluous After that the congregation had thus concluded and agreed and had chosen their minister and Deacons to serue for a time they entred their churche the 29. off the same monethe Then was it thought good amonge themselues that forthwith they shulde aduertise their countrie men and betheren dispersed off this singuler benefit the like wheroff coulde nowhere else as yet be obtained and to perswade hem all worldly respectes put aparte to repaier thither that they might altogether with one mouthe and one harte bothe lameÌ„te their foremer wickednes and also be thankfull to their mercifull father that had geuen them suche a churche in a strange lande wherein they might heare gods worde truly preached the Sacraments rightly ministred and Discipline vsed which in their owne countrie coulde neuer be obtained And to this effecte were letters directed to Strausburgh Zurick Densbrugh and Emden in the 2. off Auguste And for that it was thought the churche coulde not longe contynewe in good order withowte discipline there was also a brieff forme deuised declaringe the necessitie the causes and the order theroff wherunto all those that were present subscribed shewinge therby that they were ready and willinge to submitt themselues to the same accordinge to the rule prescribed in gods holie word at whiche time it was determined by the congregation that all suche as shulde come after shulde doo the like before they were admitted as members off that churche Here followethe the generall letter sente from the congregation off Franckforde to Strausbourge Zurick Wezeil Emden c. Grace mercy and peace in Christ our Lord c. We dowte not dearely beloued but yow haue harde aswell by letter as by reporte off the excellent graces and mercy whiche oure good god and heauenly father hathe shewed vnto oure litle congregation in this citie off Franckford for that he hathe not onely made the Magistrats and commons very fauorable towards vs and louinge but also hathe geuen them hartes with muche compassion to tender vs in so muche that euerie man helpethe vs no man is againste vs muche loue no grudge glad to please lothe to annoie vs yea and to declare this good will not to be off the meane sorte nor so small as oure brethern haue felte otherwere they haue graunted that thinge whiche amonge others and in other cities we coulde not obtaine nor durste allmoste hope for For what greater treasure or sweeter comforte can a Christian man desier then to haue a churche wherin he maie serue god in puritie off faithe and integritie off lyfe whiche thinge yff we wishe for let vs not refuse it seinge where we woulde we coulde not there obtaine it And here yet it is graunted in so ample wise that beinge subiecte to no blemishe no nor so muche as the euell off suspition froÌ„ the whiche fewe churches are free we maie preache minister and vse Discipline to the true settinge forthe off gods glorie and good ensample to others And for our partes we haue not bene negligente as touchinge the execution off the sayed benefit graunted For the 29. of Iuly we had god be thanked â— sermons to oure singuler comforte and great ioye off all godly men heere Wherfore brethern seinge your haue indured the paine off persecution with vs we thought it likewise oure dewties to make your partakers off oure consolation that altogether we maie geue thanks to oure louinge father who is more tender ouer vs then the mother ouer hir childe nether suffreth vs to be temped aboue that we maie beare but euen to the issue off the tentation geuethe prosperous successe trustinge by gods grace that he whiche hathe geuen yow that gifte not onely to beleue in Christe but also to suffer for his sake will so directe your hartes that no respecte off commoditie there nor yet feare of burthen here maie once moue yow to shrink from your vocatioÌ„ whiche is in one faithe one ministration one tonge and one consente to serue god in his churche What more manifeste signe what plainer declaration what worde more expresse and lyuely can we haue off dewtie and vocation theâ— when god speakethe in oure hartes by faithe guidethe vs owte off perille throughe his grace and nowe laste of all offrethe vs a restinge place of his exceading mercy Yow remeÌ„ber that before we haue reasoned together in hope to obtaine a churche and shall we nowe drawe
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
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
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
specially whiche I purposed not but that I might be the rather moued to doo as before I had donne And they then required whiche was after promesse made to further my doinges with all faithfull secrecie in suche sorte as I shulde from time to time deuise an requier to bestowe suche summes off monie as shulde hereafter come to my handes to suche vses and purposes as I thought good Therfore as by force off those letters I gathered not So the gatheringe for Franckford churche hathe not byn nor is in my handes nor off any other at my appointmente as ye do write Wherfore as I might so I did and that by the aduise off manie honeste graue and godly men departe from thense withowte making that accoumpte to whiche I am not bownde nor leauinge for the relieff off the poore off whom such haue had their portion in this blessinge for the time as I thought meete to be relieued Vnto the Students whom I neuer placed there I haue performed whar so euer I promised The accoumpt off receiptes paiments and remaines which ye require I intende not to make vnto yow But I shall be ready at all times and in all places to make a iuste accoumpte off my whole dealinges in this behalff vnto them whiche haue authoritie to demaunde it off me In the meane tyme as I shall by gods helpe truly do my indeauour to relieue the poore as I shal haue wherwithe and finde them meete to receiue it So shall I keepe the names and summes secret as I am bownde till by them whiche haue iuste authoritie to louse me I be otherwise appointed Thus I committ yow to the grace off allmightie god from Strasbrough this 20. off Iune Anno. 1557. Richarde Chambers AFter I had written this answere to your firste letters reteining them in my hands vntill I might haue a conuenient Carior I receaued your Seconde letters the principall matters therin are answered before To the rest that be any thinge materiall thus I saie As touching the delaye off mine answere yow call contempte more vncharitablie then truly as vnto godly wise men is well knowen As my departure was not so my returne to Franckfurt maie not be at your appointement Your generall accusations off misbehauiors and contemptes in the whiche yow saie I am faultie I admitt noâ— Iff yow can iustly charge me with particulers I shall make answere to the contentation off all godly mindes Where the discipline off Christe is vsed in iuste causes it is to be regarded but your vnorderly abusinge off it and againste me that am not off your churche I esteeme not Yff yow vse ciuill proffes againste me I shaâ—be as ready to answere the cause as yow to entre the sute As for your displayinge off me to our dispersed brethern to my vndeserued dispraise in this matter cannot be such but that I shall easilie purge my self As god knowethe who with his holy spirite molifie your hartes and geue yow the vnfained true sight off your selues amen From Strasbrough the 30. off Iune 1557. Richard Chambers Deliuered the 20. off Iuly to M. Iohn Hales by Iohn Escot Nowe Whiles theis sharpe and greuous contentions grewe more and more at Franckf as ye haue harde manye thinges happened in other places whiche maie in this place be shortly touched to the glory off god I hope and also to the great comforte off the godlie who maie by the same beholde moste euidently the maruelous prouidence off God towarde his poore afflicted and dispersed churche After that M. Bartue and the dutches of Sulff were saffely arriued at Wezell in Westphalia the brute theroff was the cause that moo Englishe people in shorte time resorted thither It pleased god also that M Couerdale after that he had bin withe the kinge of Denmark shuld come to the same Towne who preached there no longe time till he was sent for by woulgange duke off bypont to take the pastorall charge off Bargzaber one off his Townes off Germany at whose comminge to the duke he made it knoweÌ„ bothe to himselff and to other noble meÌ„ abowte him off M.B. and the dutches beinge in the lowe countries They vnderstaÌ„dinge the daunger that might come vnto them in those partes as also calling to remeÌ„brance what great curteisie strangers had founde in Englande at the dutches handes made offre that iff they were forced to remoue or otherwise if it pleased them they shuld haue the Castle of Winchaim by Hedleberge within the liberties of Otto Henricus theÌ„ Palsgraue and a godly Prince who most gladly as well appeared gaue coÌ„sent to the same M. Bartuc and the Dutches acceptinge this offre lefte Wezeli and came vp to the saide Castle aÌ„d there coÌ„tinued til leauinge Germany they traueled towardes the lande off Pole. The congregation that was at Wezell wantinge amonge them partly the comforte whiche many off them had by M. B. and my L. beinge there and partly also other reasonable coÌ„siderations mouinge them they left Wezel and folowed after But passinge by Franckf and perceauinge the contention to be amoÌ„ge them so boilinge hott that it ran ouer on bothe sides and yet no fier quenched many had small pleasure to tarie there but went to Basil and other places whiles M. Leauer made sute to the lordes of Berna for a churche with in their dominions whose letters he obtained with great fauour to all their subiects for the frindly entertainement off the Englishe nation Theis letters obtained M. Leauer M. Boye 's M. Wilforde M. Pownall and T. Vpchaier came to Geneua to haue the aduice off that churche what was best to be done touching the erection off a new churche They of Geneua gaue god thanks for that it had pleased him so to incline the hartes off the lordes off Berna towardes them and gaue incouragemeÌ„t that they shuld not let slyppe so good an occasion M. I. Bodliegh who was no small staie as well to that churche as to others and W. Ke. he traueiled with them And passinge thorough manie partes of the L. of B. dominion in Sauoy and Switzerland they founde suche fauour in all places where they came as verelie maie be to the great condemnation off all such Englishe men as vse the godly stranger I meane those who come for religion so vncourteously M. Leauer and the company at lenght chose Arrow for their restinge place where the congregation liued together in godlie quietnesse amoÌ„ge themselues with great fauour of the people amonge whom for a time they were planted Not longe after this Maister Horne and maister Chambers came by Arrowe to Geneua seminge at that tyme to like verie well off those congregations as the churche of Frank. also then did as apearethe by their letters afore in so muche as the said Maister Horne and Chambers did distribute larglie to the necessitie of those churches So that it appeared that the olde grudge whiche had bin betweene the churche off Franck. and Geneua had bin cleane forgotten It
When the Erle off warwick was sent to subdue the popish rebells in the north-partes the preachers off the Queens maiesties Army were Kethe Temes and standon who offred themselues in that seruice voluntarily with owte all constraynte And thus it is euidente that theis with a nomber moo who are now so ill thought off as iff they were traitors and rebells haue yet byn so farre off from bringe sedicious that they haue at all times aduentured their liues againste seditious persons and rebells when as suche as nowe so hardly charge them bothe by worde and writinge haue byn right hartely well content to take their ease and reste at home Consideringe then how many waies we are vniustly burthened and brought into hatred withowte iuste cause I supposed that no godly man wolde be offended yff by such lawfull meanes as I might I sought bothe to purge my selff and the rest off my brethern from such heinous and odious crimes as some would seeme to charge vs And that coulde I not doo so well anie waie as by the gatheringe together off this discourse wherin the indifferent reader shall finde that the religion whiche we holde and professe is not onely the true ād sincere religiō of Christe and the self same with all the reformed churches in Christendome but also that whiche this Realme hathe established touching the true doctrine comonly taught therein By this discours also yt maie be seene bothe when where how and by whom this controuersie firste began who cōtinued it who was on the suffring side and who readieste to forget and forgeue that godly peace and concord might be had Nowe iff anie shall seeme to be offended with this that I had don I do moste humblie beseche them to way well and expende with themselues firste whither I haue geuen them anie suche cause yff it be for that I haue in this discours brought to light some thinge that might haue bin keept secret the contention beinge amonge brethern to the ende the common enemie shulde not haue cause to triumphe let this satisfie them firste that the wicked and common enemye cannot for his harte more tryumphe ouer the Godly then he dothe allready and that throughe owte this whole realme Againe the crueltie off Cain to Abell off Ismaell to Isaac off Esau to Iacob off the Patriarkes to their brother Ioseph the hot contention betweene Paule and Barnabas and Paule and Peter c. all theis beinge knowne to the worlde hathe turned notwithstanding to the great glorie off God as my assured hope is that euen this will also in the ende And therfore as the lorde off heauen knoweth that the keepinge off theis thinges almoste by the space off theis twentie yeres in secret might suffice to witnes with me that I had nowe no great pleasure to vtter it so I wote not howe it commethe to passe that euen in the middest off great striuing and struglinge with my selff what to doo I coulde not be by anie meanes resolued or se iuste cause why I shuld any longer conceale it Yff anie shulde thinke that I haue not with indifferencie penned the storie I referre me to satisfie suche to the iudgements and consciences off those persons who were the plaiers off this tragedie off bothe partes many yet liuinge assuringe my selff that neither part shall be able iustlie to charge me excepte it be for that in verie dede I haue sought rather howe to couer manie thinges then to laie them wide open to the worlde as I nothinge dowte to proue iff I might be but harde indifferently in so muche as in this discours I haue asmuche as I coulde passed ouer the names off all where credit might seeme to haue bin impaired therby sauing onely off suche as were off verie necessitie to be noted for the better vnderstanding off the historie To conclude againste the offences whiche some maie take at theis my trauells I haue sett the greate profit that this maie bringe to goddes churche and to the posteritie who beinge taught by other mennes harmes yff they be happie will lerne to beware the hope wheroff had greater force to pushe my pen forwarde to the finishinge off this worke then the displeasures off certaine arisinge so far as I se off no grownd coulde be to withdrawe me from the same besechinge almightie god so strenghē me with his holie spirite that what troubles or trialls so euer shall by the lordes good prouidence happen to me hereby he will vouchsaffe to geue me a contented minde quietly and with patience to beare it before whom I proteste that in wrytinge this discourse I haue had respecte to his glorie the defence off his sacred truthe the cleeringe so farr as I might off so many excellent lerned men on whose neckes this sturre is laied as authors off the same and not that I haue willingly sought the hurte hinderance or discredit off anie man. And this I praie that your loue maie abounde yet more and more in knowledge and in all Iudgement that ye maye discerne thinges that differ one from another that ye maie be pure and withowte offence vntill the daie off Christe Keepe the true paterne off the wholsome wordes whiche thow haste harde of me in faithe and loue whiche is in Christe Iesu Study to shewe thy selff approued vnto god a workman that nedethe not to be ashamed deuidinge the worde off truthe aright The answere off the ministers off Geneua to certeine brethern off the churche off Englande concerninge some controuersie in the Ecclesiasticall policie BEinge right earnestly and often required by certeine deare brethern off the churche off Englande that we woulde in their miserable state geue them some kinde off counsaile whereon theire consciences might be staied the Iudgemente off many beinge therin diuers we did longe differre the satisfinge off their requestes vppon waightie causes And we assure the reader that euē nowe also we moste gladly woulde houlde oure peace were it not a matter of conscience to reiecte the sute of the brethern so often enforced and with moste greuous groninges reneued Off whiche stifned silence off ours theis were the causes firste as on the one part we dowte not off the credit off the brethern as thoughe they had not sincerely described the state off the cause vnto vs so on the other side it is moste harde for to suspecte suche thinges so clene besides all office off Bishopps muche lesse perswade oure selues the same by suche personages done And farther what men are we that we shulde determine vppon suche causes Also iff it were lawfull for vs either by authoritie or els by consent or requeste of either parties to geue sentence here vppon yet were yt a mater moste wrongefull either partie not harde or not present to determine Laste off all feare mistrusted leaste so great a mischieff shuld by this oure counsell howe simple so euer it is rather become rawe thē skin̄ed it beinge a sore of so desperate a nature as that it semeth