an oâ—her mans seruant He standeth or falleth to his owne Master And yet as that morall wise man saith It little skilletâ— with what minde that is dâ—â—â— which is euill done because thâ—â—â—ede is seene but the minde is not It is no praise not to doe thâ—â—â—â—ich thou canst not And if the best excuse bee allowed both to him and others which can be afforded in so euill a cause wee must needes say That centention in the Church is the hurtfull effect of indiscrete Zeale And howsoeuer men bouldly apply that to themselues which was spoken by our Sauiour Christ. The Zeale of thine house hath euen eaten mee yet they little consider that with this Zeale of Gods honor which eateth them they haue no warrant that Gods house should be eaten by them true Zeale saith S. Austine desireth in his place to amend what is a misse but if he cannot he doth tollerate it and sigh for there is a Zeale that proceedeth from rancor and malice but not from loue Extraordinarie Zeale which exceedeth the limits of our priuate calling is then only no sinne when it proceedeth from the power of the spirit and not a priuate motion the same spirit warranting that Zeale by giuing an extraordinarie power as also an vnresistable strength all which were found in our Sauiour in the sonne of Eleazer in the Sonnes of Leuie in Elias and diuers others And if the Pleader hath performed any thing either more powerfully or more effectually than other men we are readie to confesse that this newe Contention arose from a holy Zeale But under this colour daungerous attempts haue beene committed in Gods Church Thus Anabaptist in Germanie cut off his brothers head in the sight of his Parents perswading them that the holy Ghost was the Author of that fact But because he could not make the Magistrate to beleuee so much hee himselfe by their sentence indured the same death And it were fitt all these Zealous murderers of their bretheren by their hot contentions were examined by the Magistrate of their lawfull calling for it is great pitie that Religion and Zeale and sometimes peraduenture a good cause all which are most innocent should suffer the reproach of a shamefull Act but such Zealous persons haue beene in all ages who vnder pretense to reforme Religion haue been the worst meÌ„ and the greatest enemies that Religion had when Claudins Nero gouerned there were some that called themselues Zealatours and vnder that name were earnest for Religion vntil theÌ„selues had brought fier to consume the Temple for which they stroue and surely if humane reason haue leaue to coniecture what is like to be the euent of these euils Atheisme propanenes and sacrilege must al enter at the dore of Contention to burnvp Religion to robbe the Church And howsoeuer peace be best built vpoÌ„ redeÌ„ptioÌ„ of wrongs for otherwise to make an Vnitie without repeting the causes of discord is but rather to please vs with the name than with equitie to compound the wrongs wherein if we had beene the first yet it may appeare that we are not willing to vrge the Authors of these Contentions too farre in giuing a beginning to his euill surely their fault must needes be the greater which will not suffer it to haue an ende alter principium malo dedit alter modum abstulit neither can we excuse the bitternesse of some whose paines were little required to haue laboured in this cause as the former in the impure coÌ„tentions of Martinisme defaced the gouernment of the Church in the persons of Bishops and Prelates so the other sort did lead into conteÌ„pt the exercises of religion in the persons of sundrie Preachers disgracing as one well noteth the higher matter though in the meaner person we can be coÌ„tent to thinke that in many the beginning of these euils was a detestation which they had to the Church of Rome But we wish such men to know that first they haue iniured greatly the Church of Christ by hindering that increase which Religion in this Land might haue had if these violently had not beene ouer willing to contend with all men and then that as there is nothing of more vse so nothing in respect can be of greater daunger in ReligioÌ„ thaÌ„ Zeale is for this if it be directed aright is mother of much â—olines but being mislead is the Adulterous stepmother of much Hypocrisie and doubâ—lesse the corrupt fountaine of the greatest and most daungerous contentions that haue troubled this Church haâ—â— bin the faise opinion of vndiscret Zeale and when our contentions growe strong they spoyle saith Soloâ—â—â— a house full of facrifices and lest they should thinke wee are willing and esteeme it an honor to contend with them we say we haue taught the truth the auncient and perpetuall gouernment of the Church we haue maintained the reformed discipline by the example of the first and best Churches after the time of persecution we teach nothing but the pure Gospell of Christ wee administer the Sacraments as wee ought we are and haue learned to bee obedient to those that rule ouer vs we wish and prouide that the Ministerie of England may be learned that men may be diligent in that honorable fruction committed to them that all Idolatrie and superstition may be banished in one word that the Church may be cured from all their infirmities by the hand of authoritie and those lawfull meanes prouided for her safetie that noe rayling and contentious speeches to the disgrace of any mans person may be vsed by vs and if any man teach otherwise and consenteth not to the wholsome words of the Lord Iesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to Godlinesse hee is puft vp and knoweth nothing but doateth about questions strife of words whereof commeth enuy strife raylings euill surmisinges froward disputation of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth which thinke that gaine is godlines for doubtlesse the wrath of man doth not accomplish the righteousnesse God for where enuy and strife is there is sedition and all manner of euill workes but wisedome that is from aboue is first pure then peaceable gentle easie to bee entreated full of mercy and good fruits without iudging and without Hypocrisie and the fruit of righteousnesse is sowne iâ— peace of them that can make peace Wee therefore beseech you breathren by the mercies of Christ Let vs be all of one minde let vs seeke peace and ensue it let there be noe strife I pray you betwext you vs neither betwext your beardmeÌ„ nor our beard-men for we are Breatheren But if they will needes proceede in this intemperat manner to nourrish the flame of these vnhallowed Contentions which both strengthen the aduersaries and weaken our selues we can but wish that authoritie may cause their writings to bee abortiue and not see the Sunne but if their policies in this doo preuent lawes
and people and would deuide all liuings among their Elders Decons whom they appoint to be paymasters of their Pastors if either I charge them with vntruth or any indifferent vnderstanding can thinke this not danngerous to the Church and the Commonwealth let their petitions haue successe their complaints haue audience their cause finde fauor and in that one Act let Religion the Prince peace and all vtterly perish I omitt first fruites Tenthes subsides cōtributions of Ecclesiasticall persons all which are graunted by the lawes vnto the Prince of this Land all which by thē are accounted sacriledge and robberie and left wholy to the disposition of their polliticke Consistorie and where as as wee shall haue occasion to handle heareafter some special men in particular cases both in equitie and conscience are to be exemted by priuiledge from those lawes that doe binde all a power only reserued to the Prince himselfe These hould all dispensations vnlawfull and howsoeuer they fauour it in themselues no lesse than superstitious and Antichristian in others A thing doubtlesse of much vse and great necessitie in all kingdomes and of no daunger at all where the King is vertuous Whilst the true consequēts of their false opinions haue taught the world that these and such like derogations of the Kings authoritie haue beene maintained in that vnlearned Schoole they labour to make all men beleeue that Princes haue not more honest Religious and loyall Subiects than they are A thing surely by experience neuer to be found so longe as they haue entered vnder pretence of Religion to become abbaters and disposers of the Kings Reuenewes as if he that were gouernor of the Church and the Commonwealth were bound in dutie by power and reuenewe but to haue care of the Church only a Diminution of all greatnesse is affected by thē that by the disposition of that which they esteeme to be the superfluitie of all States necessarie defences and moderate Ornaments may all faile to make them rich CHAP. II. The Church visible of all other Societies is fittest to haue a Discipline but neuer the same that some men desire TO thinke that either the Church how putrified soeuer the Religion be be in so good a case for gouernment that nothing can either be added or taken away to make it better or that the same societie how much soeuer disordered be to be altered by priuate warrāt is very daungerously and apparantly to erre in both The first being the effect of too much flattery and self loue the latter the daungerous attempt of an insolent presumption both hazardous to that holy Societie whom either they thinke for gouernment to be absolute or absolutely to be gouerned by their owne fancies In these two Errors the difference is this that they first may easily erre in thinking that to be best which Experiēce hath taught them to be good in the latter there is lesse excuse because they mislike all whatsoeuer may not be esteemed to proceede from their owne deuice that there is a gouernment requisite for that Societie which we call the Church the wisdome of God hath made knowen vnto vs both by proportion of those naturall and Ciuill Societies to which the Church is compared and by the perfection of that fellowshippe which the Saints in all ages and places where the true worship of GOD hath preuailed haue had from the foundation of the worlde amongst themselues The first roote of humane Societie as being impossible to continue without order is distinguisht by God himselfe into seuerall degrees and prerogatiues of Husbands Parents Maisters aboue Wife Children and Seruants and yet all linked in the mutuall agreement of like dueties The greater Branches that rise out of these rootes Cities countries and kingdomes are neither destitute of lawes to prescribe nor Magistrats to execute for the common good all receiuing dignitie and strength from this fountaine that by the benefit of Good lawes they are well gouerned If men were of themselues either willing or constant in that which were good It were needles to haue a discipline for all where euery mans vertue were a lawe to himselfe but seeing our corruption is such that we are easily deceiued by our selues more easily seduced by others but most and most daungerously peruerted through feare and desire the one to spurn vs that we goe not too flowe the other to bridle vs that we runne not too fast there is a line both to direct and to amend necessarily limited to all sorts and this in due season lest disorder indured bread confusion the fore-runner of all ruine Seeing then the Church of Christ is the house of God the Citty of the liuing God the kingdome of his beloued Sonne can wee thinke that he is careful for others and carelesse or negligent for his owne or that disorder is lesse daungerous or lesse to be feared in the Church than in the Common-wealth surely hee that in all places is the Author not of confusion but of peace will haue all thinges performed decently and in order for the Gouernment of his Church To this ende hee appointed Stewardes oouer his houshold Watchmen and leaders ouer his flocke laborers in his haruest Husbandmen in his Tyllage and being proportioned to a bodie maketh some to bee Eyes Eares Tongues Handes that is principall members for directing and assistance of the whole without which in all reason it must needes be vnable to prouide for the safetie and securitie of it selfe so that the Honour or happinesse had beene small to haue made it a Church vnlesse this likewise had beene added To haue made it a Church that is well Gouerned for the vnitie of of the Spirit is not kept but in the bande of peace This Regiment of the Church is as well Extelternall as Internall The latter is that gouernment which God hath by his holy Spirit and truth in the hearts of the faithfull which as it is neuer varied so it is not questioned amongest vs in the Church of Englande By this which is the Kingdome of his Sonne all men confesse that GOD inwardly and effectually worketh in his Saintes the Faith of his truth the feeling of his grace and other spirituall blessinges according to the purpose of his will for the praise of his owne Glorie in which no earthly creature is able to ioyne or to concurre with him sauing only in this that the Word and the Sacraments being left as externall meanes there must be fitte persons for both and a power in them to admitte and reiect lest happily holy thinges be defiled whilst Pearles are cast vnto Dogges and Swine From hence ariseth a necessitie of externall Gouernment in Gods Church which respecteth the appointing of meete men and the due approbation of such as are to be credited with the free dispensation of such inestimable Treasures committed to their Charge In this whilst all men agree that it ought and many that are religious are desirous that
and Zeale is thought to bee farre lesse But we will hope much better of these men than that sufferance hath made them proud and their pride more contentious than heretofore And therefore me thinkes it is most straung that any man should haue so little vnderstanding as one of them hath who make vs beleeue that the Countenaunce of the Bishops were more estraunged from them now than euer before for doubtlesse if the great moderation of those persons whom our late Souereigne of blessed memorie thought fit to be aduansed to that place to be called Bishoppes had not with more than fatherly care â—estrained it selfe in compassion towards them from seuere execution of Iust lawes their occasions of complaint peraduenture would haue beene farre greater though not more reasonable but surely the Vnitie of the Church had beene much more There is nothing so daungerous as lenitie in that case where patience giueth occation for insolent contention to be more proud a thing as vnsufferable in it owne nature at all times so then especially most destitute of all excuse when inferiour persons are aptest to prouoke and the things in question in their owne iudgment are of no great momeÌ„t as those then haue don euill offices who haue renued the memorie of almost outworne errors so are they lesse tollerable in this that hauing poysoned the world with so euill opinions they seeme notwithstanding earnestly and humbly desirous to liue in peace assuring themselues that what difference soeuer prosperitie breedes doubtlesse persecution would make vs to be all one but euer reseruing this priuiledge to themselues that the Bishops in submission as offendours must first yeeld But if a man rightly consider the originall of this sinne of contention and what affections they are which giue strength vnto it hee can hardely in reason expect quietnesse to be found in the patrons of this cause pride enuie and vaine Glorie are the originall fountaies of this euill for where inferiour persons both for place and Iudgment haue ouerualued their owne fancies by their owne conceit it is no more like that in humilitie they should once yeeld thaÌ„ it is possible for obedient humilitie to become proude The distance being equall in both only in this the disaduantage greater that wee haue all of vs an aptnesse to doe euill but without grace no possible meanes in our selues to become good Hereunto if we add the second that as out of pride we loue our selues so out of enuie wee hate others no man can maruell if men that are proude vaine glorious and enuious easely also bee founde contentious for that which in different opinions maketh contenâ—iâ—â—s to cease is when men are perswaded of their betters that they are not easily deceiued and of themselues that they may and doe easely erre but all contentions are not of the same nature for some neede no excuse when we resist as we are bound for the defence of a good cause for other a small excuse may serue in that being without order yet they are not scandalous but that which is common with these men is highly sinfull without all colourable show of excuse when they are more vnreuerently bitter than is beseeming the grauitie of the persons with whom they striue and more vehement than is aunswerable to the cause that they would defend For the seruant of the Lord must not striue but must be gentle towards all men apt to teach suffering the euill men patiently so that if any man had these defects that were an aduersarie in this cause We must instruct them with meekenesse that are contrarie minded proouing if at any time God will giue them repentance that they may knowe the truth If any man teach otherwise hee is puft vp and knoweth nothing but doteth about questions and striffe of words whereof commeth enuy strife raylings euill surmisings all which are to no profit but to peruert the hearers And surely as the Apostle telleth vs Where enuie and strifes is there is sedition and all manner of euill workes But if after so much patience so many fould cleare and modest defences of a iust cause any man lust to be contentious we haue noe such custome neither the Churches of God Thus Coutention through the corruption of our nature being seldome limited in the end becommeth Inordinate and a foule sinne and so consequently without warrant when either we contend about that which is so true or so trifling that we ought not or whether we contend in that maner that doth not become vs or in that place or last of all with those persons that are vnbefitting The error in the first is that of the disciples which should be the greatest which exaÌ„ple saith Beda is willingly reade of many that desire fâ—oÌ„ the Scripture to findâ— example to warrant them to the like coÌ„tention but saith S. Ambrose if the Apostles contend it is not made a pretence of excuse for vs but set downe for a Caueat In the second the fault in those clamorous rayling and vuciuill speaches by aduersaries of all sides wherein if some in our Church had not beene too forward to aunswere their aduersaries in the same kind the best causes had beene handled with better praise and the worst had beene performed with lesse blame hence commeth it that hee who for learning hath not deserued least for the defence of our Church for modestie of writing onely excepted hath deserued best The place and the persons are ordinary circumstances to make our contentions to bee more faultie but seldome though the Scholeman say otherwise doe I finde any reason for men of the Church for to warant either ForÌ„whereas there is amongst vs Enuying strife and diuisions are we not Carnall and walke as men For saith Salomon it is a mans honor to cease from strife but euerie foole will be medling And doubtlesse if in this cause of the Church gouernment many whose conditions and learning might Iustly haue inioyned them silence had not beene medling Moderation with Grauitie might haue determined that cause which stoode only supported with a hott Zeale And seeing the best warrant of our actions must be the sincere Testimonie of our conscience from a true feare I wonder how some Inferiour and meane men could thinke it lawfull for them to vndertake a matter of that moment nay to receiue it being almost deade when men of farre greater learning and dwiseome did remaine silent some excuse peraduenture I could allowe him if others farre more worthie had not had as much Zeale and had not beene as farre better able to defend the cause but it may be he taketh his labour to be well imployed hauing made in his opinion for the good of the Church a benifit of that small Talent which God hath giuen him Other ends for which the world hath censured him hardly I dare not accâ—â—â— him of for who am I that I should condemne
haue no Church this being as essentiall as either the word or the sacraments where this is wanting wee haue great cause both to examine the practises of these men and to consider that discipline which they tender vnto vs for that which we now haue and what benefit by this exchange is likely to redownd vnto Gods Church And surely if both our Disciplines had the like warrant that they were the lawfull â—rdinations of men for the well gouerning of the Church not repugnant to the word of God yet it is like the aduantage would be far greater on our side being auncient not the inuention of our selues found to be safe by experience and duly proportioned with the greatnes riches freedoms glory and gouernment of this kingdome whereas theirs in their owne opinions if they were not ouer partially addicted to it is new the inuention of late time dangerous by experience in a kingdome and no way proportioned but to the limits and bounds of some priuate Citie we haue knowne the aduocates of this discipline to haue much grace for which I do honor them in exhortation and prayer but to be either inuentors or aduisors of lawes and ordinations fit for a Church discipline their manner of liuing doth not allowe them that wisdome so that wee holde it much safer to retaine our owne reforming such parts as the boldnes of sinne maketh vs to thinke now to bee too remisse rather than to aduenture an exchange euen for that which by so many titles they commend vnto vs. For surely no man is lesse fit to lend his tongue to giue praise to a worke than he or they who haue lent their heads and their hands to be authors of it both because all of vs naturally loue what we doe our selues and seldome haue wee so much vnderstanding that we doe aâ—â—isse when we had no more vnderstanding but to faile in the doing of it But where their owne weakenes or want of experience might faile as not affoording them so much wisdome to make lawes if there they will vrge vs with expresse commaundement of holy Scripture then it must not seeme strange vnto them if that for which they pretend scripture without warrant of scripture be not admitted by vs wherein if they faile the Church at their hands receiueth a double wrong first a contention to disturbe her peace and secondly the false pretence of an euerlasting truth to giue authority and warrant to the late unwise inconsiderate and vnholy inuentions of silly men Dealing in this but peraduenture with lesse malice as Satan and all heretikes haue done to couller temptations and heresies with Gods word For seeing that with man especially in the Church nothing is or ought to be of that account as the scriptuâ—es are all men are dâ—sirous for that which they are willing to maintaine to alledge that proofe which hauing gâ—eatest authoritie must with men of reason finde least resistance For in all other things let reason be neuer so apparant with some men they are as easily contemned as they are alledged this onely conteyned in the two testaments both in admonishing is vpright in promising is heauenly and in threatning is fearefull All other writings as the assurance is but weake which they can affoord so their proofes are but the opinions or iudgements of mortall men and where the hearer is of the same nature with him that perswadeth reason oftentimes doth belâ—â—ue that he hath not much reason to be perswaded But in the scriptures as Hugo saith whatsoeuer is taught is truth whatsoeuer is commaunded is goodnes and whatsoeuer is promised is happines and therefore these men haue proceeded aright if they be able to proue what they vndertake in making the plaine scripture to be the commaunder of all parts of that discipline which doubtlesse whithout scripture reason hath little warrant to thinke that lawfull we understand then by discipline in this chapter which notwithstanding few of the patrones haue defined vnto vs that eternal gouernment of the church and of euery member thereof in respect they are of the Church whereby manners are reformed the peace of the Church maintained God glorified and order and decency procured this whether in substance it be such that nothing is to be added altered or diminished is the principall contention betwixt them and vs our Church holding that it hath this libertie to prescribe orders for the whole assemblie to giue direction for the goods of the Church and the maintenance of the clergie for the proceeding in matters of Church gouernment making lawes and ordâ—rs iudiciall notice censures election of offices and such like and this not without the authoritie of him who hath the supremacie in all causes all these we hold changeablâ— according to times and places whereas those who will needes be our aduersaries in this cause will haue all such as concerne the substance of discipline to be appointed by God and to be alwaies firme and immutable and the Eldership to haue the execution of them and to this end in euery parish or precinct there must be a presbyterie of doctors pastors elders and deacons and of diuers presbiteries conferences and synodes all which say they are precisely required in Gods word But seeing remonstrance hath been made both of the errors of them all and the infinit dissentions amongst themselues we can be content to let that discipline fall which stronger then they if they were willing could hardly haue strength for to hold vp This discipline of the Church ought to see the execution of those lawes and ordinances which God by his Apostles in their time and daily since by the Church maketh neither doe we thinke that any in the bosome of the Church after so long a time of knowledge can now doubt but that God hath left vnto his Church an authoritie to make lawes the execution whereof in reason is committed to those who succeed in place and authoritie the Apostles of Christ that did plant the Church whose dominion notwithstanding we make not so absolute that like tyrants at their pleasure they may rule ouer Christs flocke yet the power that the rulers of the Church haue in matters of a lower nature are lesse limited by farre hauing warrant to ordaine and appoint things indifferent which serue for order comlines and the edification of Christs Church By this authoritie the Apostles ordained many things in the Church whereof from Christ they had no expresse mention by this power S. Paul ordained that gatherings should be made at Corinth vpon the Lords day that the man should pray bare headed and the woman couered Such authoâ—itie at this day a particular Church hath as of England France end Scotland or any other that the clergie with the allowance of the prince and the rest whom it may concerne for to make lawes may ordaine and appoint â—uch ordinances as seruing for edification order and comlines in the Church are so long in force vntill they
shall be abrogated by that authoritie that did first make them To this we referre the time and manner of publike prayer administring the Sacraments ecclesiasticall censures apparell for diuine seruice ornaments of Churches and such like all which as the Church froÌ„ Christ hath lawfull authoritie to ordaine so it is peeuish disobedience in those men who had rather without warrant impose vpon the Church lawes of their own making then by commaundement obey the lawful ordinations that others make Now because in no societie al men will be obedient at all times and that it is little auaileable to make lawes and no way to see to the execution of them as the Church hath left vnto her admonitions to warne theÌ„ correctioÌ„s to restraine so last of al she hath power to suspend froÌ„ partaking of the best things that the church hath because they haue refused to obey the voyce of the Church in those lesser ordinations that she made the seueritie of the Church tending to this end the amendment of such whoÌ„ she doth correct and the terrifying of others from the like offence wherein if our Church administer this discipline with two much lenitie a fault surely if at all in inferior officers we had rather aduenture the manifest inconuenience of that euill then hazard by a new course the certaine molestation of a farre greater Now because all men will seeme to haue reason for that they doe and no reasons are equall to those which the scripture yeeld some wise men amongst them haue vndertakeÌ„ to make proofes from hence absolutely in their opinions sufficient to establish this new discipline The consideration of which weaknes as also the great iniurie vnto Gods word must needes make that their discipline doth want proofes which themselues are rather desirous theÌ„ able to alledge for it It must needs seeme strange that because Moses and Aaron when they came into Egypt did at Gods commandement cal together the elders of the children of Israel that the very mention of their names shuld be alledged as a warrant for the elders of the church in this new discipline But one of Geneâ—a writing vpon that place faith such were vnderstoode as by doctrine and example did rule the people whereas their elders are laymen and by no meanes are admitted to teach others Others peraduenture more truly men of that time and not much diffeâ—ing from that humor saâ— that neither preachers nor lay elders are vnderstoode by it but only such ciuill gouernors as were Senators princes to beare rule And doubtles whatsoeuer they wrest out of the old testament to make Moses the author of it yet Caluin to whose iudgement the chiefest amongst them hath promised to stand in this case saith that the pretended eldership till after the time of the captiuitie was neuer thought of and the reason as M. Calâ—iâ— saith why they thought of it then was because it was not lawfull for them to haue a King as if the gouernment by a King which in former times they had might haue bin graunted to theÌ„ this institution of their Sanedrim of elders had been of no vse So that all those scriptures out of the old testament by them alledged to this end as they haue alledged many are to small purpose or if they were that gouernment were needles in a realme where there were a King And that Sanedrim or councell of the Iewes erected after their returne from Babilon being seuentie elders were of the stocke of Dauid and of their former Kings but to bring these into the Church by the mistaken example of those times cannot but be daungerous and the foundation being so weake this building of theirs cannot long continew Doubtles it is not safe in wresting of scriptures to follow the streme of their owne fancies seeing he that held that all who would be saued must goe to Ierusalem forced all places out of the scripture that gaue any testimonie to commend Ierusalem either litterall or otherwise as apparant demonstration to maintaine his error As these men haue delt in the old testament so in the new what M. Caluin doth expound of pastors and preachers only some others do wrest for the establishing of these lay elders in their Church discipline I am sorie that men of learning that would seeme vertuous holy should be charged so truely with so manifold wresting of the scriptures as in this whole matter of discipline they are by sundrie that doe write against them Let men loue and aduance their owne fancies as they thinke safe but let the scripture not be vrged to giue strength vnto them For doubtles heresies and erroneous opinions do no otherwise spring vp then when the good scriptures are not well vnderstoode and because that which is not well vnderstoode is notwithstanding boldly affirmed to be the meaning of them For few things hitherto haue been so fondly deuised but the authors did pretend they had scripture for it or else saith S. Hierom the garrulity of such persons would hardly haue got credit for when through vanitie pride men haue ingaged themselues by the broaching of new opinions they wil rather labour to bring the scripture to yeeld vnto their fancies then suffer their fancies to be ouerruled by them a fault as it is great in it selfe so it carieth a manifold disaduantage with it that the aduersaries of the truth want not a couller to refuse the interpretations of such at another time whom men of the same profession for saith and the sacraments haue worthely charged to haue wronged the scriptures It had been doubtles a greater honour to them much better dealing with the word of God and a course of more reason in the opinion of wisemen that this discipline had been commended to vs as a politike gouernment which they found safe as the best deuise which necessitie in Geneua betwixt the putting out of their Romish Bishop the keeping out of the Duke of Sauoy did inforce vpon them as a platforme sutable enough for such a citie at such a time But to offer it to the greatest kingdomes that imbrace the truth who happily florish vnder the prosperous gouernment of vertuous princes where all things are established in the Church with a most auncient Apostolike holy order and al this vnder the name of Gods word It is to poyson the world with much euill and to couer the pollicie of their first teachers with the vnhallowed contentions of all after times And yet for all that we can neither mislike the gouernment of our Church which alreadie we haue by Bishops nor accept theirs by Elders vntill they haue answered all such as soundly and with iudgement doe write against them Add surely I may make the same protestation which a wise man doth in this case that if I were to leaue this life and should speake what I thought of the present forme of Ecclesiasticall gouernment at this time in
For in all societies authoritie which cannot be where all are equall must procure vnitie and obedience if vertue will not Now seeing that all men may easily erre that no errors are so daungerous as those which concerne religion the Church should be in a far worse case then the meanest common-wealth nay almost then a den of thieues if it were left destitute of meanes either to conuince heresies or to suppresse them yea though there were neither helpe nor assistance of the christian magistrate without which it were not possible for truth equitie any long time to harbour amongst the sons of men The remedie which in these cases the primitiue Church had when occasion was offered vsed against heresie and iniurie she deriued as well from the promise made by Christs owne words as from the Apostles example in the like case Christ willing them that were grieued by their brethren after the first and second admonition to tell it to the Church And addeth for direction and confirmation of all religious assemblies and conferences where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the middest of them and whatsoever you shall binde on earth shall be bound in heauen and whatsoeuer ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heauen Now whatsoeuer is ment here by the name of Church in the reasonable exposition of any to me it is all one to prooue this order that from priuate admonitiō they went to witnesses and from them to assemblies and seeing there must be an end of controuersies amongst men vnlesse we will plucke vp by the rootes all charitie and right when neither priuate perswasion not frendly mediation can appease parties that violently contend what other order could be prescribed but a iudicial hearing and determining of things in question Now because Christ did not set the sword to be the generall and perpetuall rule to gouerne his Church for then without a Prince there could be no Church so consequently there was none either in the Apostles time or three hundred yeeres after though where they beleeue the defence and maintenance of the Church is committed to their charge it must of necessitie follow that either there is no iudge which were the vtter subuersion of all peace when the christian magistrate is wanting or els the pastors and stewards of Christs Church to whom this care is committed must assemble together and with mutuall conference performe those duties to the Church in generall which otherwise they are bound to do to each particular place and person By Gods law what obedieuce and reuerence the father may expect from his owne childe the same or greater must all beleeuers yeeld to the fathers of their faith the one begetteth vs to this life the other to a life that is much better Those then whom Christ hath placed to be watchmen and leaders the light and salt of his Church must not onely warne and guide but also lighten and season in their measure that whole body for when all other failes this onely is left to clense the house of God from vessels of dishonour yea when there were no beleeuing Magistrates to assist the Church this onely was left as the best meanes and after when christian Princes began to protect the truth they neuer had nor can haue safer direction amongst men then by the Synods of wise and godly Bishops Thus a Synod at Antioch about threescore yeeres before the councell of Nice condemned and deposed Paulus Samosatenus for heresie and when he would not yet yeeld to the Church but keepe it by violence vpon complaint to Aurelianus the Emperor though he were a heathen Samosatenus was with extreame shame driuen from the Church by the worldly Prince All countries in all ages haue had the benefit of this not as a thing arbitrarie and left free to those that peraduenture were careles of the Churches welfare but prescribed by sundrie councels as Nice Antioch Constantinople Chalcedon and commaunded by the imperiall lawes in this manner That all the Ecclesiasticall state and sacred rules may with more diligence be obserued we require saith the Emperor euery Archbishop Patriarch and Metropolitan to call vnto him once or twise euery yeere the Bishops that are vnder him in the same prouince and throughly to examine all the causes which Bishops Clarkes or Monkes haue amongst themselues and to determine them so as whatsoeuer is trespassed by any person against the Canons may be reformed So that wee must either cleane reiect Synods a thing doubtles of no small daunger as the times may fall out and make the presbyters in euery parish supreme iudges or else admit some which be no other but the Bishops both to call and to moderate these meetings for in all those Synods which continued in the Church euen when she mas most sharpely pursued by the sworde from the death of the Apostles to the raigne of Constantine they were assembled and gouerned by the Bishops of the chiefe and mother Churches and Cities in euery prouince who by the auncient councels were called Metropolitanes And after when Princes came to imbrace the faith the best meanes they could deuise to procure peace and aduance religion was by their lawes to referre Ecclesiasticall causes to Ecclesiasticall Iudges And least they should be long in strife they charged the Metropolitane to assemble the Bishops of his prouince twise euery yeere there to examine and order what matters of doubt should arise which happely might disturbe the Churches peace Thus the Synode of Rome called by Cornelius against Nouatus consisted of threescore Bishops and many others of the clergie In the councels of Rome vnder Hilarius and Gregorie where foure and thirtie presbyters subscribed after two and twentie Bishops infinit are the examples in this kind which teach vs that neither the Church at any time was or in deed◠can safely be without tempests if Synods want nor Synods can be tightly ordered if the Metropolitans and Bishops should be wanting in them Seeing then they haue this vse if this were all to make that societie able with order to suppresse heresies and redresse wrongs without which doubtles the Church of all assemblies were worst gouerned it ought not to seeme vnreasonable to any that a thing so necessarie and auncient should with honour and reuerence be retained amongst vs. But least the name of Bishops should be offensiue to any as some haue thought it onely the ambitious title of a tyrannous gouernment these that would seeme moderate aduisers to equalitie and humilitie in this case must giue vs leaue to tell them that the name is auncient the office needefull and both so warrantable that they must needes be thought at the least malicious enuiers of the peace and prosperitie of Gods Church who are desirous or can be content that order obserued in the Apostles time and those Churches which were purest and next vnto them should be banished
may freely make an order againe which shal be apparent to bee most commodious to the vse edification of the Church c. We wil not take vpon vs to censure this letter onely we see not how the same things could be thought in his iudgemēt Foolish yet tearmed Tollerable in a Church Liturgie or how they are called vices which notwithstanding hee freeth from manifest Impietie or if that this libertie of reformation were to bee giuen where a Church was to bee new set vp how it could bee agreable to them who still I think desired to bee a part euen for outward cerimonies of that Visible Church which then suffered persecution in England But it sufficeth in these troubles all were not of one minde the most and the best were before their departure and in their banishment after their returne Zealous discreet and learned maintainers of the Communion Booke And most of them afterward became worthily worthy gouernors in this Church For God who sawe their Fidelitie constancie and truth rewarded them seauen fould into their bosome this booke then but somewhat purer and more reformed then at that time is that huge volume of Ceremonies for I vse their owne words which is in their opinion vnlawfull Idolatrous but in ours a most holie and chast forme of Church Seruice and least in this case our opinion and defence should be thought but the corrupt flatterie of those who are or hope to bee aduanced by the present time the wise and graue approbation of the holie Martire Doctor Tailour is fit by vs to bee alledged in this place There was saith hee set foorth by the most innocent King Edward for whom God bee praised euerlastinglie the whole Church seruice with great deliberation and the aduice of the best learned men of the Realme and authorised by the whole Parliament and receiued and published gladly by the whole Realme which Booke was neuer reformed but once and yet by that one reformation it was so fully perfected according to the rules of our Christian religion in euerie behalfe that no christian conscience can bee offended with any thing therein contained I meane of the Booke reformed Thus farre Doctor Tailour and shall wee now make light account of so honorable a Testimonie or alter these things onelie to satisfie the vnreasonable fancies of some men nay surelie in that most memorable Act of our gracious and dread Soueraīgne whose wisdome appeares in these Importunate sutes like the wisdome of Salomon there is no one thing which shal heape more honourable and euerlasting glorie vnto his name which is or can bee a greater blessing to this land a more religious dutie towards God a more thankfull requitall of all the fauours that Queene Elizabeth did performe vnto him then without any alteration or change in the strict commaundement of publishing this order of common praier in any matter of substance Let thy dew O Lord from aboue fall downe vpon his head to make him wise in the councells of thy law sanctifie his hart with the reuerend and holie estimation of thy truth make his wisdome powerfull against all Achitophells perfect O Lord and blesse these beginnings that wee and our posteritie without chaunge may worship thee in this land so long as the sonne is before thee that it may neuer sound in tents of our enemies that thy worship as erronious is now altered which in mercie thou hast protected fourtie and foure yeeres in the happie daies of Queene Elizabeth And surelie reason must needs tell vs that if wee should ouer easilie yeeld to alter what paraduenture they wish doubtlesse the same reproofe must iustlie fall vpon our own Liturgie of Varietie vncertaintie and Inconstancie which one laieth verie truelie vpon the Romane Missall Besides it were as they of Strausburge wrote of them of Francford to condemne the chiefest authors therof who most of them suffered as Martirs it would giue occasion to our aduersaries to accuse our doctrine of imperfection and vs of mutabilitie and the godlie to doubt in that truth wherein beefore they were perswaded and to hinder their comming hether which beefore they had purposed Thus far did they of Strausburg wiselie answere to them of Francford so that wee may safelie conclude and say of this Booke as S. Austin doth in another case if thou runnest through all the words of the holie Praiers I suppose thou shalt finde nothing which the Lords praier doth not containe and comprehend therefore we may in other words speake the same things in our praiers but wee may not speake contrarie things Yet because reason hath not beene sufficient to restraine the intemperate proceedings of some men they thinke this Church is little beholding vnto them vnlesse they traduce the gouernment and the Liturgie which she vseth for which notwithstanding others out of greater wisedome and conscience haue made against the common aduersarie this challenge Looke if any Line bee blameable in our Seruice and take hold of your aduantage I think M. Iewell will accept it for an Article our Seruice is good and Codly euery title grounded vpon holie Scriptures and with what face doe you call it darknesse Wee are content after the learned indeauours of other men to adde some thing to those principall points which in the Communion booke is and hath beene misliked by them that to whose hands the writings of other peraduenture come not this short answere to such may giue some satisfaction in the principall things which they doe mislike 1 The forme of the Liturgie of the Church of England is taken from Antichrist Wee are sorie that their weakenesse taketh offence at that which wee hold as an honour and a vertue in the Church of England namely that wee haue so sparingly and as it were vnwillingly disented from the Church of Rome for surely by Antichrist they meane her with whom if the corruptions of that Church would haue giuen vs leaue we would haue willingly consented in their whole seruice which being vnsafe and vnlawfull wee follow them notwithstanding in all wherin they follow those holie and auncient fathers which first planted the truth amongst them And as we acknowledge them our fathers in the Faith so wee are willing euen to borrow that from them which vertuouslie was vsed in that Church when it was worthie to bee called our mother◠and if now the holie Citie bee become an harlot yet we as most Churches haue receiued light from them for there was a time that their Faith was published ouer all the world and if now they bee at enmitie with God and vs yet wee had rather follow the perfections of whom wee like not then the defects and Imperfections of those wee loue nay the spoiles of the heathe◠taken from the Deuill are deuided to the furniture and ornament of the Church of God For doubtlesse as one saith all true Godlie men may vertuouslie vse those rites