rightly to be observed among them 5. They worship God in the Idol temples of Antichrist Exod. 20.4 with Deut. 12 2 3. 2. King 10 26 27 28. and 18 4. Act. 17 23. Rev. 18 11 12 c 6 The Ministers have their set mayntenance after another manner then Christ hath ordeyned 1. Cor 9 14. And that also such as by which any Ministery at all whether popish or other whatsoever might be maynteyned 7. Their elders chaunge yearly and do not continew in their office according to the doctrine of the Apostles and practise of the Primitive Churches Rom. 12 4 5 6 7 8. 1. Cor. 12 11 12 c Act 20.17.28 1. Pet. 5.1 2.3 4 See also Numb 8.24 c. 8. They celebrate Mariage in the Church as if it were a part of the Ecclesiasticall administration wheras it is in the nature of it merely civill Ruth 4. chap. 9. They vse a new censure of Suspension which Christ hath not appointed Mat. 28.20 Gal. 3.15 2. Tim. 3.16 17. 10. They observe dayes and tymes consecrating certeyn dayes in the yeare to the Nativity Resurrection Ascension of Christ etc. Exod. 20. commaundement 2. and 4. Rev. 1.10 1 Cor. 1â— 1.4.2 Act 20.7 Col. 2 16.17 Esa 66 23. Gal 10.11 11 They receiâ—e vnrepeÌ„tant excommunicates to be membres of their Church which by this meanes becometh one body with such as be delivered vnto SathaÌ„ 1. Cor. 5.5 1. Tim. 1.20 These among other are the corruptions of the church aforesaid which they are neyther able to defend nor willing to forsake Herein therfore we differ from them as they which knowe this estate of theirs may perceive by our confession compared with their errours noted before which the Lord give them to see and mynd And for your self good Sir take you heed in godlynes that in this cause you do not in any respect with hold the duty which you ow vnto them or defence which you ow vnto the truth So let God almighty also love you and Christ our Saviour be mercifull vnto you And this you may do truly Godlye brotherly wisely with great profit to vs and the Church of Christ every where Therfore we exhort and beseech you in the lord that you be carefull alwayes to help no way to hurt the Church and cause of Christ by your studyes endevâ—urs labours which being thus directed the Lord Iesus blesse to the glory of his name and your owne comfort for ever Amen Amsterdam The first day of the seventh moneth called Iuly 1602. Yours in Christ by whose grace we witnesse the truth of his Gospellâ— against the will worship and remnants of Antichrist what soever Francis â—ohnson Stanshall Mercer David Bresâ—o Henry Ainsworth Câ—ristophâ—r Boman Daniel Studley Thomas Bishop With the rest of the brethren of the English Church now living as straungers at Amsterdam A third letter written by Mr. Iunius vpon receipt of the last aforesaid and of his tvvo former imprinted before in England and therevpon by vs sent vnto him included withall To his beloved brethren in Christ the English people at Amsterdam Salutations in Christ AN huge bundell of letters beloved brethren I received from you yesterday in the evening I gave you counsell to rest from questioÌ„s you commaund me to enter into questions I continew still in my purpose for I esteem more of peace in the Church then of the seeds of strife they that are fedde with these seeds shall reap the fruit Where you conclude and pronounce that I do therefore assent vnto you it is a false conclusion As towching the matter I have enjoyned my self silence and although I be an hundred tymes called vpon by letters I will continew still in the argument of counsell till I see another course taken If it like you not let it alone neyther do I like the handling of questions in this tyme. It is more according to God that I be silent from questions in this estate of things then that I powre forth my self and you together into them You move many things in your letters I wil rest froÌ„ those things and will occupy my self religiously in the work of the Lord. Christian wisdome will never suffer me to speak of questioÌ„s controverted the one party being vnheard That my letters vnto you were translated into English I have now first knowen it by you I knew not that it was done You object that my letters were not shewed by you I beleev it for both by letters and reports of many I have ben certifyed that they were not shewed If it please you shew them for me you may All shall see how false reports have ben given forth concerning theÌ„ I neyther am ashamed of them neyther ever will be But I pitty you I speak it vnfeynedly who for my letters give forth in publick your conclusions With good men good dealing should be used That the copyes of my letters were carryed into England your selves may easily coÌ„jecture by what meanes it came to passe About teÌ„ moneths synce the Soveraign Quenes Ambassadour was there and two of your company dined with him What hapned at that dinner you can remember He came hither vnto me he marveled at the fact of your departure I told him that I had writteÌ„ vnto you he desired a copy To you I gave counsell whosoever gave it forth in publick hath done it without my knouwledg I will not answer for an others doing but for myne owne In the meane while I will pray God that he frame your mynds vnto the truth wisdome love and peace and all our mynds vnto his glory Farewell in the Lord. From Leyden in Holland The 16. day of Iuly 1602. Yours vnfeynedly Fr. Iunius The Answer to Mr. Iunius his third letter To the reverend and our beloued brother in Christ Mr. Fr. Iunius at Leyden in Holland Grace and peace in Iesus Christ YOur third and very brief letter beloved Sir we received this last week They were your letters imprinted and included that made the â—uge bundell if so it were It is not well said of you that terme the Confession of Christian faith and defeÌ„ce of publishing it to be questioÌ„s and seâ—ds of strife nor that you say we coÌ„manâ— you to enter into questions For the conclusâ—on whether it be true or false now let others judge which shall see your letters together with ours Towching the matter you have enjoyned your self silence Yea and towching the maner and other things also where you can fynd no answer neyther Yet for the matter it self if so be that with the Papists Anabaptists or any the like we did erre froÌ„ the true faith we doubt not but you would open your mouth to answer to refute to convince But because in our faith you can shew no errour and yet in this tyme and estate of things like not â—o stand for vs and this cause it is safest to be silent Wisely done in deed but not according to God who denouÌ„cing by the Prophet hath said Cursed be
never allowed and which never entred in to his hart yea which he hath so severely for bydden with fearefull judgements threatned vnto all hat shall so do But because we have bene very grievously slaÌ„dred in our owne nation and the bruit thereoff hath followed vs vnto this land wherby we have bene hardly deemed of by many without cause we have bene forced at length to publysh this briefe but true confession of our fayth for the cleering of our selves from sclander and satisfying of many who desyred to knowe the thinges we hold Wherein if in any thinge we erre as who is so perfit that he erreth not we reade good reader thy Christian brotherly censure and information promysing alwayes through the grace of God to yeild vnto the truth when it shall be further shewed vs and leave our errors when by the light of his word they shal be reproved In lyke manner it shall be thy part and duty to acknowledge and submytt vnto the truth by whome soever it is professed looking allwayes rather to the preciousnes of the treasure it self then to the basenes of the vessells which conteyne it or the infirmities of those that witnes the same in whose mortall bodyes thow shalt see nothing but the markes and dyeing of our lord Ihesus Christ But hold not thy fayth in respect of mens persons neyther be thow moved at the evyl reports wich have bene raised of vs Here hast thow the trewe summe of our Christian fayth try all thinges by the true light of Gods word and if thou shalt reape and profit by these our labours gyve God the glory and remember vs vnto him in thy prayers Farewell in Christ Iesus 1596. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH OF CERTAINE ENGLISH PEOPLE IN THE LOW COvNTREYES EXILED Weâ— beleeue with the heart confes with the mouth THat there is but one God one Christ one Spirit one Church one truth one Faith one true Religion one rule of godlines and obedience for all Christians in all places at all tymes to be observed 2 God is a Spirit whose beeing is of himself and giveth beeing moving and preservation to all other thingâ— beeing himself eternal most holy every way infinitâ— in greatnes wisdome power goodnes iustice truth etc. In this Godhead there be three distinct persons coeternall coequall and coessentiall beeing every one of them one and the same God and therefore not divided but distinguished one from another by theyr severall and peculiar propertie The Father of whom are the other persons but he of none the Sonne begotten of the Father from everlasting the holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Sonne before all beginnings 3 God hath decreed in himself from everlasting touching all things and the very least circumstances of every thing effectually to work and dispose them according to the counsell of his owne will to the glory of his name And touching his cheefest creatures GOD hath in Christ before the foundation of the world according to the good pleasure of his will foreordeyned some â—en and Angels to eternall lyfe to be accomplished through Iesus Christ to the â— prayse of the glorie of his grace 〈◊〉 hath also of alâ— according to his iust purpose foreappointed other both â—â—xesâ— and uiâ—â— to eternall condemnation to be accomplished through their owne corruptioÌ„ and desert to the praise of his iustice In the beginning God made al things of nothing veri good and created 〈◊〉 after his owne image and liknes in righteousnes aÌ„d holines of truth But streight ways after by the subtiltrie of the serpeÌ„t which Sathan vsed as his instrument himself with his Angels having sinned before and not kept their first esstate but left their owne habitation first Eva then Adam being seduced did wittingly and willingly fall into disobedience and traÌ„sgressioÌ„ of the coâ—mnaundâ—â—â—nt of God For the which death came vpon all and reigneth over all pea euen over infants also which have not sinned after the like maner of the trangression of Adam that is actually Hence also it is that all since the fall of Adam are begotten in his owne liknes after his image being conceyved and formed in iniquitie and so by nature children of wrath and servants of sinne and subiect to death and al other calamities due vnto sinne in this world and for ever 5 All mankind being thus fallen and become altogether dead in sinne and subiect to the eternall wrath of God both by originall and actuall corruption Yet the elect all and onely are redeemed quickned raysed vp and saved againe not of themselves neyther by works lest anie man should boast him self but wholly and only by GOD of his free grace and mercy through faith in Christ Iesus who of God is made vnto vs wisdome and rights aâ—sâ—es and sanctification and redemption that according as it is written Hee that resorceth may reioâ—ce in the Lord. 6 This therfort is lyfe eternall to know the only true God and whom hee hath sent into the world Iesus Christ And on the contrarie the Lord will render vengeance in â—laming fire vnto than that know not God and which over not the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ 7 How the rule of this â—nowledge faith and obedieÌ„câ— concerning the worship aÌ„d service of God and all other christiaÌ„ dinityes is not mens opinions devises lawes constitutions or traditions wâ—ritten whatsoeuer of men but onely the written word of God conteyned in the canonicall bookes of the old and new Testament 8 In this word Iesus Christ hath plainely reveled whatsoever his father thought needfull for vs to know beleeue and acknowledge as touching his person and Office in whom all the promises of God are yea and in whom they are Amen to the prayse of God through vs. 9 Touching his person the Lord Iesus of whom Moses and the Prophets wrote and whom the Apostlâ—s preached is the everlasting Sonne of God the father by eternall generation the brightnes of his glorie and the engraueÌ„ forthe of his Person coeffitiall coâ—qual and coeternall God with him and with the holy Ghost Ioy whoÌ„ hee made the worlds vp whoÌ„ hee vpholdeth and governeth all the works hee hath made Who also wheÌ„ the fulnes of tyme was come was made man of a woman of the Tribe of Iudah of the seed of Dauid and Abraham to wyt of Mary that blessed Virgin by the holy Ghost comming vpon hir and the power of the most high ouershadowing hir and was also in al things lyke vnto vs sinne only excepted 10 Touching his Office Iesus Christ only iâ— made the Mediâ—tor of the new TestameÌ„t even of the everlasting Couenant of grace betweeÌ„ God maÌ„ to be perâ—â—câ—ly and fully the Prophet Priest and King of the Church of God for evermore 11 Vnto this office hee was from everlasting by the
that knowledg and evidence as now is had of the fulfilling throughout severall ages of those prophecyes which are in the Scriptures of the Beast of the false Prophet of Antichrist of his mystery exaltation tyranny marchants discovery fall etc. How should from their owne Acts the adversaryes mouthes be so stopped as now we see heare and read is dayly done by the martyrs and servants of Christ Lastly how could your self and other learned men have so expounded that divine book of the Revelation not to speak of other Scriptures lykewise interpreted as you have now already done which great fruit and gratulation of all the godly Of the end which here againe you vrge we have spoken both before in this letter and in the epistles prefixed to the book it self Adde herevnto that if the Prelats and other adversaryes of the truth be not by these and the lyke wrytinges amended they shall yet doubtlesse be made the more vnexcuseable The visard also by which they have deceyved you as it seemeth and almost all others was to be pulled of But this could not be donne for the knowledg of all as was meeâ— otherwise then by publyck wryting To omytt others we appeale vnto your conscience learned S. whether you did think the estate of that Church and of those Prelats to be such in any measure touching their Antichristian constitution leitourgy ministery Hierarchy which your self acknowledg to be that other beast in Rev. 13 11.18 as now for certeyne you heare and see it in that book as it were paynted out before your eyes But of these things ynough is sayd in the book it self Surely these and the lyke their vnfruitfull workes of darknes were to be reprooved not dissembled not allowed especyally seing they are so stiffely by them retayned defended vrged and that vnder a pretence of the Gospell with which they have no more agreement then darknes hath with light Beliall with Christ Neyther is this to take vp burthens of Accusations but to take away the visard of Antichristian apostasy and to witnes the truth of Iesus Christ against Antichrist which duty our Lord and Saviour Christ requireth of you of vs of all the godly the Lord we say who in these latter tymes hath begunne to discover that lawles man of sinne and will at length consume him with the spirit of his mouth by the word of the testimony of his servants So far of is it that they should be accounted busy bodyes which performe this duty to Christ or that we herein have don you any iniury So far of also is it that we should think what you speak of your self the same to be answered vs by the rest of the bretheren that are any where els in Churches in Vniversityes Not to speak of others we know that Mr. Beza that worthy servant of God hath in causes not much vnlyke answered otherwise But of this matter more herafter In the meane tyme that we also may deale syncerely and brotherly with you mynd we pray you whether you have not done your self iniury whiles you have climed into this seate so confidentâ—â— to pronounce that of others wherof as we think you cannot any way have certaine knowledg yea whiles you alone determyne of that matter which to use your owne wordes requireth serious consultation and holy communication Touching the event we commit it to God who we certeynly hope will worck al these things for good both to vs and to theÌ„ by whom we are exiled and to these amonge whom we sojorne and to the Church of God every where And to whom we pray you would it not be good if that were done which we desâ—er ffor our selves if we erre let the righteous smyte and reprove vs it shal be a benefyt and precious oyntment vnto vs. For our adversaries if they be the more estraunged it shal be their own fault not ours nor theirs that shall godlyly and freely testifie what they see in this cause And who knoweth whether by this meanes they may be brought to consider more then heretofore both of the vnlawfull constitution of that Church and of their outragious cruelty and therevpon seriously endevour a godly redressing of the former and an vtter repressing of the latter For the good among whom we sojourne they shall have better knowledg of our fayth and cause they may also grow vp together more strongly in the truth of the Gospell whiles thus they are stirred vp more carefully to endevour that the corruptions wherewith their Churches yet are faulty may be duly abolyshed and whiles such as are seduced by the errours of the Papists Anabaptists and other hereticks troubling these Churches are vpon this occasion drawne from such estate and stirred vp to search knowe and embrace the truth of Gospell Fynally for the whole Church we hope it shall hence also receive much profyt if this fayth and cause which now a long tyme hath ben condempned for schisme and heresy if also that Antichristian Apostasy which now a long tyme vnder the visard of godlynes hath deceived the world in the mystery of iniquity if these things we say being of so great moment be examyned and discussed by the canon of the Scriptures of so many and so worthy men furnyshed with learning godlynes judgment wisdome And thus much of the second poynt which was concerning the fact The third you say is of the conclusion inferred vpon comparing together the doctrine and fact aforesaid Here first you affirme you withâ—â—ould your self in suspence in this cause Be it so It is God that can reveale this also vnto you and perswade your conscience by his Spirit and word Then you annex some things concerning the doctrine and consent of the fathers and all wise men in all ages but you propound them so doubtfully that as touching our cause we cannot perceive what your meaning is Your wordes may so be vnderstood as we most willingly consent with you in this matter agayne they may be so taken as we dissent from you not a lytle nor without cause We are perswaded that separation should not be made from any Church eyther rashly or at all so long as we may remayne with sound fayth and coÌ„science You must therfore speak more playnely what you think of our separation if you suppose we have erred in this behalf all those things being discussed by the word of God which we have mencâ—oned in the preface and Confession aforesaid In the meane tyme heare and ponder well we pray you what Mr. Beza that learned man and well deserving of the Church of Christ hath wrytten and publyshed some while since concerning this question Thus he hath in his epistles publyshed in the right epistle sent to Ed Grir dall heretofore Pâ—elate of London wherein wryting of the state and corruptioÌ„s of the Churche of England he sayeth If it be trew which is commoÌ„ly reported and wherof my self am not yet perswaded that private Baptisme is there permitted to women I
desyred your opinion And by this appeareth also how needfull it was for vs to set forth the Confession of our fayth as now we have done in respect of the Church of England with which we have to doe and from which for that we dissent we are accused as hereticks and schismaticks yll reported of and dryven into crile Touchinge the end fact and event they being all in our former letters discussed we will now speake no more of them agayne save this only that in the Preface besydes other thinges we noted this that we therfore publyshed the Confession of our fayth to the end the truth of God what lay in vs might be cleared from reproch of men and that others might be brought together with our selves to the same knowledg and fellowship of the Gospell Of the lyke wrytings and acts of others approved by all the godly we need say nothing Neyther will we speake more of the many and grievous afflictions which for this fayth now a long tyme we have susteyned Only we will mention because you do thus vrge vs agayne a litle booke wrytten by your self of your owne lyfe In which you relate many troubles and afflictions which heretofore you have suffered for religioÌ„ sake being pursued by the enemyes of Christ and his truth Now if any should obiect against you That many godly men knew not these things concerning you neyther should yet have knowen them if you â—ad held your peace that you have given place and have passed ouer into another Court that former injuryes if any have bene should by your self be borne in silence and hope be forgiven by ChristiaÌ„ charity to those from whom you received them and hid from others by Christian wisdome that there is no feare least by so doing you should be burst that every one should rather approve him self and his cause by dueryes of piety and charity then by outcryes and publyshing of wrytings that the adversaries are noâ— by this meanes made better but more provoked by such a grievous sting that you might if so be you knew the thing so well have the judgment of it with yoâ—r self and not publysh it abroade that you should not take vp burthâ—ens of accusations nor have judiciall confidence that it is a point of wisdome to look to the event that rash and heady judgments are not to be required not to be endured not to be heard c. If any we say should object these thinges against you which you do against vs would you not think it were vnjustly done of theÌ„ Why then do you that to others which you would not have done to your self Why vrge you these thinges so vnjustly against this Church of Christ and all the members of it which hath suffered mo afflictions of all sortes mo reproches imprisonments losses banishments deathes then your self and divers other good men yea though your troubles were teÌ„ tymes doubled whose particular storyes notwithstanding are wrytten publyshed and approved But we will let these thinges passe for neyther do we lyke this course of aunting disdayning wynding away from the point in hand so often used by you in your letters vnworthely Neyther do we deny but your aflictions were as you have related heavy and to be lamented which also if you contynew fayth full to the end the Captaine of our faith and beholder of our warfare will abundantly reward in the heavens even Iesus Christ to whome we commytt and commend this whole cause The Conclusion also hath ben debated before And now what others think of our cause we referre to themselues eyther by silence to be insinuated or other wise as they think best to be expressed In the meane tyme we cannot omit M Bezaes modest and yet confident judgment whose supposition because it is knowne to be of things most true and certaâ—ne it is all one as if it had bâ—n simply propounded And thus to collect we are perswaded is neyther to deale â—ll with good men neyther hath God reason or the tymes ever taught it to be daungerous Nay this rather do all these teach vs to be full of daunger wheÌ„ as men are content to wink at the defection and remnants of Antichrist and do not so much as by way of supâ—osition beare witnes to the truth of Christ against them being called intoâ— question And here if you please ponder with your self the first originall of that Antichrist his growth his exaltation Which Beza considering judged 〈…〉 daungerous as in the same epistle he professeth that it putteth him ingreat hoâ—rour and feare as often as he thinketh of these things and foreseeth the same or indeed more grievous punishments to hang over the heads of many people who at first did gladly reâ—ive the Goâ—pell â—to which now by litle and litle they fall away As touchinge our selves we are not then who eyther can or will prescribe laâ—es vnto others We are of al men the meanest and weakest And this wâ— do freely and syncerely professe and by all meanes we desyre to absteyne from to much confidence and to follow after an holy modesty And now of you learned Sr. and of other lyke godly learned strong discreet men we desyre to be instructed and informed yea to be brought agayne into the way if any where we be found to erre in our fayth and cause This also do those three things which according to God and vnder him ought to be a law to all men verity charity and discretion instantly call for at your handes In which respect we exhort pray and beseech you by the most sacred name of Christ that you come to help the Lord among the mighty Religious feare which in all and every where is commendable will nothing hinder this Day it will further rather whiles we coÌ„sider that we are so to feare least we offend as we do still remember withall that God hath not gyven vs the spirit of fearefulnes but of strength and love and soundnes of mynde that we should not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord neyther of them that be his prisoners exiles witnesses 2 Tim. 1.7.8 Pardon we pray you that we wryte thus freely vnto you The regard of the truth and love of you wringeth it from vs. For we are studious of the truth of God and also of your name and estimation If there be any thing wherein we may be serviceable vnto you without hinderance of the truth and love you shall commaund vs. And we trust you will require nothing of vs otherwise Farewell in Christ Iesus to whome we do hartely commend your holy and profitable labours and studyes Amsterdam the 18 of March 1599. Yours with entier affection in the Lord The brethren of the English Church at Amsterdam exiles of Iesus Christ Another letter of the same Church to Mr. Francis Iunius wherin their second aforesaid was included and sent vnto him HEre included learned Sir we send the answer to your second letter longe synce delyvered
he that doth the worck of the Lord frauduleÌ„tly and cursed be he that kepeth back his sword from blooâ— On the contrary Blessed be he that shall reward thee as thou hast rewarded vs o daughter of Babel to be destroyed Blessed be he that shall take and scattering dash thy children against the stones If this against Moab and the materiall BabyloÌ„ how much more against Antichrist and the spirituall Babylon with al the daughters and abominatioÌ„s thereof If this against the shadow and type how much more against the substance and body it self Of the argument of coâ—nsell ynough is said If you repeat it a thousand tymes and yet take not away our answer and reasons alledged in our first letters we will alwayes repeat the same answer againe Those many things which are conteyned in your letters and ours do now come forth in publick Neyther doubt we but this is the work of the Lord. See therefore that you be occupied therein religiously That any should speak of things controverted we desier not otherwise then the reformed Churches and those godly meÌ„ and Martyrs of Iesus who with like purpose have published their confessions of faith and causes of their troubles being so constreyned That your letters were not shewed by vs we wrote not but this that we gave not a copy of them to any for what cause we wrote in our former Shewed they were and read in the publick meeting of our Church If your mynd were to have them shewed to others that knew we not But now that you write this is your mynd we shall shew them together with ours publickly vnto all And if any have giveÌ„ forth any false reports conâ—erning them let theÌ„ now be ashamed In the meane time your self provided by sending yours at first vnsealed that they should be shewed to others and be read also of others before vs. Neyther doth it excuse the matter which you wrote in your second that â—â—e messenger shewed you not to wâ—oÌ„er whither you should have written and that therefore you sought and wayted an whole moneth being vncertayne thereof For we did signify both these expressely in the Epistle dedicatory prefixed before that book which by the messenger was delivered vnto you Els how knew you at the moneths end more theÌ„ before whither and to whoÌ„ to send Or when you knew why did you not seale your letters Was it because you would have the shewed We beleev it as also that for the same cause the copyes of theÌ„ were caryed into England And this too we knew before they were translated in English but we held our peace wayting to see what would follow therevpon Now your self see they are translated and given forth in publick For them therefore and with them we traÌ„slate and publish ours by which will appeare that we have dealt well with good men You may call them as you please it skilleth vs litle this is the very thing we desier and endevour that the simplicity of the Gospell of Christ the iniquity of the defectioÌ„ of Antichrist may more and more be made knowen vnto all If for this thing you pity vs we will beare it praying that God in Christ would pitty you Where you write that two of our company dined with that honorable Ambassadour it is not true that we know of Neyther can we cell what hapned at that dinner He sent not for vs to come vnto him neyther did we like to intrude our selves If by vs he would have ben certifyed of our cause we would have done it willingly and syncerely And you also when he demaunded of you might have shewed our letters with your owne and the coÌ„fession of our faith and given also copyes of both the letters So might the Translatour have given forth both in publick So had you provided that sentence should not be given the one party being vnheard Which thing Christian wisdome your self say suffreth not â—o be done in questions controverted In this behalf therfore you have erred and this by you is to be answered notwithstaÌ„ding that for his doing himself is to answer that translated and published yours without your knowledg For our selves if any where we erre shew it we pray you agayne and agayne by the word of God that is by the onely rule of truth and we shal yeeld most willingly And thus we pray God that he would guyde you together with vs and all his alway vnto Iesus Christ and that he would keep vs in him who onely is the way the truth and the life Whose name be blessed for ever Amen Amsterdam Iuly 21. 1602. Yours in the truth and peace of the Gospell of Christ F. Io. H. Ains D. St. S. Mer. C. Bom. T. Bis D. Bre. Together with the other brethren of the English Church at Amsterdam * For proof herof see Mr. Iunius owne words noted in the margine of his letter herafter folowing and compare also this edition of it with the translators before published Act. 28 22 b Rev. 12. c Psal 105 13 14. d 1 Pet 2.9 e Psal 46.1 f Apoc. 2 5. gap 2 Cor 6 14 15 c. Psal 9â— 20. 2 Thes 2 3. h Psa 37 27 Ier. 51 6. Rev. 18 4. 14 1. Neh. 6 6.7.8 Harmon of confess i 1 Pet. 2 5. Ier. 51 26 k Act. 2 38 40 41 8 36 37 15 9. Ioh. 10 3.4 5. Esa 35 8.9 l Ioh. 15 2.5 Mat â—8 15 17 Lev. 13 46. Numb 4.13 m Ioh 15 19. and 17.14 16. Mat. 3 12 Lev. 20.24 26. 1. Ioh. 4.5.6 About forty ecclesiastical popish offices are at this daye in the Churche of EnglaÌ„d never a one appointed by Christ in his testament Apoc. 13. vvith what words rites in what habit gesture these things are to be done they are taught in their rubâ—ik Some of them in certaine English books seâ— forth have reckned aboue 100. popish corruptions yet reteyned in this church o Rom. 12 1. Cor. 12. Eph. 4. p Iohn 4 24 Mat 15 9 q Deu 6 4 5 Mat. 16 6 2. Cor. 6 14 15 Psal 106 34 35.36 s Iude ver 3 t 2 Cor. 6 17. u Eph. 5 11. w Reb. 18 4 14 10 11. Mat. 6 24. x 2. King 16 10 11 12. Apoc 13 12 14 15. y Ier. 51 6. Mich. 2 10. Rev. 18 4. 2 Cor. 6 17. Act. 2 40. z Ps 9.12 Heb. 13 3 A Gal. 4.4.5 6. 5.1.2 Heb. 8. 9 10. chap. 2 Cor. 4 7 Iam. 2 1 * Deut. 6.4 1. Tim 2.5 Ephe. 4.4.5.6 1 Cor. 8.6 12.4.5.6.13 Ier. 6.16 Ioh. 14.6 ‡ 1 Tim. 6.3.13.14 Mat. 15.9 28.20 Deut. 4.2.6 12.32 1 cor 4.17 14.33 2 Tim. 3.15.16.17 Gal. 1.8.9 Reâ—el 22.18.19 * Ioh. 4.24 ‡ Exod. 3.14 Rom. 11.36 Act. 17.28 ☽ 1 Tim. 1.17 Esa 6.3 66.1.2 1 Ioh. 5.7 Mat. 28.19 Prou. 8.22 Heb. 1.3 Phil. 2.6 1 Cor. 8.6 Micah 5.2 Psal 2.7 Gal. 4.6 Ioh. 1.1.2.18 10.30.38 15.26 Heb. â— 14 * Ioh.
the commandement commission and promise of our Saviour Christ who as hee hath all power in heaven and in earth so hath also promised if we keep his commandements which he hath given without limitation of tyme place Magistrates allowance or disallowance to be with vs vnto the end of the world and when we have finished our course and kept the faith to give vs the crowne of righteousnes which is layd vp for all that love his appearing 43 Vnto all men is to be given whatsoever is due vnto them Tributes Customes and all other such lawfull and accustomed dutyes ought willingly and orderly to be payed and performed Our lands goods and bodyes to be submitted in the Lord to the Magistrates pleasure And the Magistrates themselves every way to be acknowledged reverenced and obeyed according to godlines not because of wrath only but also for conscience sake And finally all men so to be esteemed and regarded as is due and meet for their place age estate and condition 44 And thus wee labour to give vnto God that which is Gods and vnto Cesar that which is Cesars and vnto all men that which be longeth vnto them Endevoring our selves to have alwayes a cleare conscience towards God and towards men And having hope in God that the resurrection of the dead shal be of the iust vnto life and of the vniust vnto condemnation everlasting Now if any take this to be heresie then do wee with the Apostle freely confesse that after the way which they call heresie wee worship God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ beleeving all things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets and Apostles And what soever is according to this rule of truth published by this State or holdē by anie reformed Churches in their Confessions abrode in the world We do also reiect and detest all straunge and hereticall opinions and doctrines of all Hereticks both old and new whatsoever 45 Finally wheras wee are much flandered and traduced as if we denyed or misliked that forme of prayer commonly called the Lords prayer wee thought it needfull here also concerning it to make known that we beleeve ād acknowledg it to be a most absolute and most excellent forme of prayer such as no men nor Angels can set downe the like And that it was taught and appointed by our Lord Iesus Christ not that we should be tyed to the vse of those very words but that we should according to that rule make all our requests and thanksgyuing vnto God forasmuch as it is a perfect forme and paterne conteining in it plaine and sufficient directions of prayer for all occasions and necessities that have ben are or shal be to the Church of God or any member therof to the end of the world Now vnto him that is able to keep vs that wee fall not and to present vs faltlesse before the presence of his glorie with ioy that is to God only wise our Saviour be glory and maiestie and dominion power both now for ever Amen MAISTER IVNIVS HIS FIRST LETTER CONCERNING THE CONFESSION OF FAITH AFORESAID To his beloved in Christ the Brethren of the English Church now abiding at Amsterdam GRace mercie and peace from God the Father and our Saviour Iesus Christ I have received of late belooved Brethren in Christ a little booke by one of your companie which is intituled The confession of faith of some English men banished in Belgia and have knowne your desire partly by the speach of the same messenger partly by the preface of the writing But as concerning my selfe beloved brethren whom for nearnes sake peradventure yee have thought meete to be called vpon a part I verily see not how much I can doe in this cause or how I can fit your purpose For I knowe that now long since euery man doth abound in his owne sense and that those that are other wise minded are with a brotherly mynd so fare to be borne with holding the heade and fundation til the Lord reveale things further vnto them I know it is my part not to play the busie body but that I should serve the truth and charitie in my standing and measure which the Lord hath bestowed vpon me in Christian modestie and simplicitie as farre as my skil and abilitie wil stretch vnto Certainely when I considered this cause more diligently I thought nothing more commodious or more safe for the publick and for you and my selfe in all this matter thē that we should embrace a holy silēce if there be any thing wherein we be offended and that we commit our cause to the Lord the author of our faith and righter of our cause But because after a sort you will not suffer mee to be silent and to cōdole in secret for the woundes of the Church which is rent more then inough by actions especially being thrust forth in publik in this our age I wil declare faith fully and with a good cōscience before God what I thinke beseeching him who is author of truth and peace that he would leade both you and me alike into all truth according to his promise also dispose each of our mindes and affections to interpret brotherly one anothers requestes answeres admonitions and finally all our duties although as it commeth to passe and is incident to man disagreeing from our sense and taste I obserue therefore that there are three heads or chief poynts in your little booke wherein you desire our counsell and iudgement The first head is of doctrine which you professe in your little booke The secōd is of fact whereof yee accuse the English Churches Lastly the third is of the conclusion which you inferre by comparing that your doctrine with that practise of England namely that yee cannot with good conscience entertaine a communiō with those Churches but that yee doe abhorre them with all your heartes Therefore I will speak briefely of these 3. things what I think entreating you brotherly to take my answere in good part I marvell that the point of doctrine or little booke of your confession beloved brethrē is sent ouer to me I marvell that it was sent ouer to all the students of holy Scriptures in all Christian Vniuersities for if there be a certaine consent of doctrine as you pretend it truely I do not see what need there was that you should set forth a newe confession in this consent of holy and auncient doctrine But if there be a dissention peradventure in the doctrine or rather a differēce that in deed ought not to bee dissembled if so be that yee thought it necessarie that your doctrine should be declared Besides in that you send to mee yea that you send to publicke viewe your confession I marvell brethren yea I greatly maruell what your meaning should bee both in respect of the ende and the fact For if ye haue set it foorth to that end that yee might
the Saints The one of these we take it must needes be donne And we gather it by comparing together Iam. 5.19.12 with Iude ver 3. This also is the very thing which we did desire and still do desire in that Epistle dedicatory And let these thinges once spoken suffyce we pray you for the crimination of calling on you apar◠which in this letter of yours you have so oftē objected and repeated Next you propound three tinges to be considered in the booke it self of which you promyse to speake briefly and brotherly what you thinke 1. The first head you say is of the doctrine which we professe in our booke Be it so indeed Here we expected because you purpose to wryte of the doctrine we professe that you would have discussed the articles of our fayth and reproved the errours if there be any by the light of Gods word And who would not have expected this But behold there is not a word of the doctrine and fayth it self What may this meane Is it because your self beleeu this faith to be trew-sound groūded on the word of God and agreable thervnto If so why thē wryting these thinges do you not professe it Why do you dissemble it specially whē you heare that this fayth is traduced as schisme as heresy but you see perhaps that in the doctrine of faith we erre from the truth If it be so why then wryte you and yet shew not the errours why do you not as much as in you is bring into the way such as do erre Do not whē request is made that the errours may be shewed by the light of the holy Scripture Certainly your godlynes perswadeth otherwise yea God himself requireth otherwise Iam. 5.19.20 Yet now when you touch not the doctrine it self what is it that you wryte in this behalf Even this only that you would perswade we have erred herein that we have publyshed the confession of our faith First of al this concerneth the maner not the matter it self But yet let vs weigh your reasons If say you there be a certayne consent of doctrine then there was no need that we should set forth a new Confession in this agreement of holy and ancient doctrine Doe you indeed speak as you thinke How is it then that some while synce when the Germane and French Churches had before publyshed their Confessions of fayth yet afterward the Belgick Scotish and other Churches set forth theirs also notwitstanding that they agreed with them in the holy and anncient doctrine Yea tell vs we pray you what you think of that godly and learned Mr. Beza his pryvate Confession of fayth lately publyshed Not to speake of many other wrytten and divulged by many of the martyrs also in their severall ages Do not all these agree in the holy and anncyent doctrine of Godlynes Or should not therfore these Confessions have bene publyshed What soever you shall say for them mynd the same also as spoken for vs. Secondly you say if there be any dissention in doctrine that ought not to be dissembled c. But what is this to vs who have playnely shewed and reckned vp the thinges wherein we dissent from the Church of England with whom we have to do in this behalf Neyther that only but have also in our Confession not obscurely signified concerning the thinges wherein the other Churches of this city and ours as yet do not agree After these thinges you come to discusse the end and fact of our publyshing this Confession Touching the end we have shewed it in the epistle and preface set before the booke it self And we answer further that we did this to the same end that all the reformed Churches of late did publysh theirs For proof wherof let the preface of the Harmony of Confessions compared with ours speak for vs. If you take away the reasons by both alleadged we yeeld But if you cannot then see whether both here and other where often in this letter you do not through our sydes strike at all these Churches lykewise Our cause and cleering we commyt to God and to all godly that love the truth Such as before knewe not our cause they may now by this meanes have knowledg therof Such as be enemyes of God of the Church of the truth have nothing by this book of ours wherof to rejoyce They will rather be grieved when thus they shall see Antichrist that man of synne to be more and more discovered whom the Lord in the end will wholy consume and abolysh with the spirit of his mouth in the testimony not in the silence of his servants 2. Thes 2.8 with Rev. 12.11 and 14 6 7 8. and 20.4 Fynally such as be weak and by reason of the stink of schismes know not the true body of Christ whervnto they should joyne themselves they may by this meanes be better instructed and induced more certainly to know and imbrace the true Church and fayth of Christ Thus desyre we that the publyck good of the Church be holye forward that Christ may have the preeminence over all And thus have we spoken of the end in which as yet we see not any mistaking or errour Touching the fact we answer in lyke maner as before concerning the end Yea and the thinges which here you bring for not doing it in publyck you may vrge the very same lykewise against all the reformed Churches against Athanasius Origen Augustine Tertullian and others of the fathers against Zuinglius Luther Calvine Beza and many other of these ages godly men and divers of them also Martyrs of Iesus Christ who have set forth in publyck their Confessions of fayth private their apologies complaynts disputations yea and their letters concerning matters in religion publyckly controverted But these things perhaps came not in your mynd whiles there was before your eyes only the contemplation of our particular cause which thing your self we trust will perceive if you turne your eyes a lytle from vs vnto others approved by your self Moreover howsoever the evill wherof you wryte do prevayte in publyck yet alwayes and every where wisdome is justified of her children as Christ hath taught Mat. 11.16.19 And this shall suffice vs and all that are godly Lastly in a case of such weight and necessity who should rather be called vpon then the students of the holy Scriptures in Christian vniversityes Who we pray you are esteemed to be of better or sounder judgment Whome doth it more concerne to take knowledg of the truth and errours in religion Who should better instruct in the truth or convince falshoold And to conclude who can or ought to attend more to the discussing of these things But you object that seeing we have here found place of rest here also we must receive the judgment of our doctrine and fayth if we will have the same lawfully knowen and approved c. Here come many things to be considered First what if the rest and breathing which here we enjoye come
vs which we wrote the day after we had received yours not afterward thought we needed not send it vnles some other occasion were offered both because your self intimated as if you would be silent if we wrote agayne and because in very deed you did in those letters yeeld vs the cause and answered nothing at all to any purpose eyther touching our Confession of faith which was publyshed or touching our former letters which we sent vnto you thereabout Of all which things now let the Reader judge If you aske why we chaunged our purpose and have now sent you this letter which was wrytten so longe synce â—o here this litle booke included withall to witt your letters traÌ„slated into English and set forth in print Wherevpon we are constreyned not only to send these wrytten vnto you but to set them forth in publyck also in the English tounge Yet let nothing here offend you for it is we if any that are injuried yea and the truth it self inasmuch as your first letter was publyshed alone without our answer which you receyved from vs. By whose fault to what end with what equitie mynd you well Sure that Priest which traÌ„slated yours wryteth in his preface how truly you know that your self delyvered the copy of your first letter to a worshipfull knight of whoÌ„ he receved it and turning it into English imprinted it Yet have we not hitherto gyveÌ„ vnto any so much as a copy eyther of yours or our owne providing what we could for your credyt ye so as we neglected our owne our selves and were traduced by others as now by this book publyshed will appeare vnto all But perhaps in this matter you purposed one thing he another Whatsoever it were now you cannot but see how the Prelats and Priests of our countrey do so interpret your letters as if they had bene wrytten against the truth of the Gospell of Christ which we professe and for defence of the Antichristian Apostasy and tyranny wherein they persist Which thing we leave vnto you to be weighed seriously before the Lord. Neyther is it to be omitted that your private letters are set forth in publyck yours we say who took it so yll that the CoÌ„fession of fayth of this whole Church should be made publyck whom these very letters of yours wrote so much of the publyck view of publishing the woundes of the Church vndiscreetly before so many deadly enemyes of God and the Church of not offending any one of Christs disciples of not provoking Churches of every one abounding in their owne sence c. It is marvell if your translatour turne not your owne wordes vpon your self and tell you that a Christian an humble and godly mind ought to be otherwise affected and setting a side the respect of their owne pryvate regard c. But this the more vnjustly if he made your letters publyck without your knowledg Which we indeed at first did suspect tyll we saw your second Epistle come forth some while after the other Neyther could we well thinke other wise of the matter specially seing you wrote vnto vs that we might rent the letters and that you also would conceale it Knowe moreover that in the edition of your letters there be certeyne clauses wherin the translation is not answerable to yours in latine sent vnto vs which we by your originall amend in our edition nowe ready to be published These and many other things which yet we conceale seem vnto vs to be of some moment But we are deceived perhaps in our owne cause and therfore you and your Translatour would omytting all coÌ„futation that others should have the iudgment therof you in delyvering he in publyshing your letters But why then did you not douchsafe to give vs any knowledg therof At least why did you not so provide as that letter of ours which was in your handes should also be translated and published Did you thinck that he which is first in his owne cause is iust Why then did you not also mynd that his neighbour comyng after him will make inquiry of him that so both partyes being heard judgment may be gyven according to truth and equity For which cause though we have hytherto borne this yet will we hereafter meet with such dealing by the best and fyttest meanes we can Neither doubt we but all these things howsoever now they stand will at length fall out for good both to vs and to all other which love Christ with all his ordinances and hate Antichrist with all his abhominations And having this hope we will expect and endure whatsoever it shall please God who is the Lord and faythfull maynteyner of his servants Concerning the differences wherof you write agayne in your letters which are betwene vs and the dutch Church of this city it needeth not that we wryte vnto non of the particulars otherwise then as before we have donne If you do yet desyre more we give you to vnderstand that above a yeare synce we delyvered in wryting the true and particular narration of the whole matter to the ministers and whole eldership of that Church who if yet they have not maâ— now communicate it with you By it also will appeare that we have donne what was our duty and as brotherly as we could If not let the errour be shewed and it shal be corrected God willing In the meane tyme because we are both pryvatly and publyckly so much vrged by you herevnto we will briefely note the chief heades wherin we differ from them and where about we have had dealing with them both before and synce you wrote vnto vs. They are these which follow 1. The estate of the Dutch Church at Amsterdam is so confused as the whole Church can never come together iâ— one the ministers can never together with the flock sanctify the Lords â—aâ—e the pâ—esence of the members of the Church cannot certeynly be knowen and fynally no publyck action wheâ—her exâ—ommunication or any other can riggâ—ip be performed VVhich is cotrary to these Scriptures 1. Cor. 12.27 and 11.20 23. Math. 18 â—7 with 1. Cor. 5 4. Act. â— 2.5 Numb 8.9 Act. 20 28. 2. They baptize the seed of them who aâ—e not members of any visible Church of whom moreover they have not care as of membeâ—s neyther admytt their parents to the Lords Supper Gen. 17 7.9.10.11 1. Cor. 7 14. Exod. 12.48 with 2. Caron 30 6. c. Numb 9.13 Hos 2 â— 4. with Rev. 17.1 Ezech 16 59 c. 3. In the publyck worship of God they have devysed and vse an other forme of prayer besydes that which Christ our lord hath prescribed Mat. 6. reading out of a book certayne prayers invented and imposed by man Exod. 20 4 5. and 30 9. with Psal 141.2 and Rev. 8 3. Lev. 10 1. Esa 29 14. with Mat. 15.9 Rom. 8 26. Eph. 4.8 1. Pet. 2 5. 4. That rule and commandement of Christ Mat. 18 15 16 17. they neyther observe nor suffer