holy Ghost the festiuall dayes throughout the yere like as they yet remayne in the Church at this day some in commemoration of Christes Natiuety some of his circumsicion some of his Death some of his Resurrection and some of his Assention into heauen c. Likewise they ordayned other Festiuall dayes in commemoration of the deaths and martirdomes of holy saints videlicet Prophets Apostles Euangelists Martirs and confessors c. They haue also ordayned holy sacraments and ceremonyes together vvith an vniformity of God-service to be vsed in the Church onely to houlde in memory before the People in their right significations those holy things vvhich the gospel of Iesu Christ requireth in the Deede of all men and yet notwithstanding vvere then almost of all People forgotten Moreouer they ordayned and established that the Gospells and Epistles c. should be as a New Testament coadioyned to the olde and read dayly in the Churches for holy scripture and so to be taken for euer they also ordayned and built many Churches for holy vse Fastings prayers Almesdeeds confession of sinnes vvith contricion and satisfaction to be made for the same with many other good things more vvhich vvere too longe to resyte And now right noble and honourable audience in what Feare obedience and reasonablenes the People vvere houlden euen vntill this our last Age vnder Catholick Religion and her sacraments and ceremâ—nyes I need not much to speake of but vvill rather leaue it to the Iudgmenâ— and consideration of all those that be vvise and of auncient yeares among you knew their conuersation And therefore to be shorte I hold my Catholique Religion to be of most antiquety ordayned by the consent of the holy Ghost and grounded vpon the Trueth And thus I conclude who soe houldeth vpon the Catholiq Religion In his Right Institucion he houldeth vpon the True Religion And who soe houldeth vpon the Catholique Church houldeth vpon the true Churche And thus he ended Balt. Now surely neighbour Benion if this vvere his talke and if this be true vvhich he hath sayd then this is the Catholique Religion as I thincke layd on such a ground or foundacion bringing also with it such antiquety that I know not presently to the contrary but he is lyke to beare a ray the best game yet vvould I gladly heare how the protestant could answere this matter Ben. Then the Protestant after humble submission c. sayd O most excellent Prince together vvith all you Honourable and worshipfull let me freely speake before you It is not vnknowne vnto you all at this present that this Popish Religion although I graunt she mought happely haue had some reasonable ground in her first Institution hath bâ—n since that tyme diuersly sondry wisâ— altred patched in somuch as sondry Popes haue added sundry seremonyes Videlicet some holy water some holy bread some other haue set vp as bookes fot the vnlearned to looke vpon certaine Images some haue graunted that oblations should be made vnto them some other that sight should be set before them other some haue alowed for the vnlearned beades for to nomber theyr prayers withall And some haue likewise for monyes cause graunted out perdon for sinnes some in one maner some in an other yea and their service wherin they ment to serve God was in a language that the People vnderstood not what should I speaka of Masses Trentalts and Dirges to be sung for the Dead Hallowing of Palmes of Crosses Churches and Church-yeards likewise of Christning and hallowing of Bells c. And this superstition continued like as he sayd therin right well till Mr. Doctor Martin Luther that famous Clarke vvho hath disclosed all their superstition Idolatry Couitousnes and whordome c. vvhich tyme vve God be thancked haue had for the most part this our protestant Religion vvherin the Gospell or Trueth is sincearely Preached all superstition Idolatry and abhomination altogether put downe and god service in the mother tongue so that now euery Carter Cobler can whistle and sing psalmes and euery man can reason and talke of the scriptures in euery place freely where they come yea moreouer euery Bishop and Minister may haue his wife c. And now right honorable Audience what fruites and freedom this our liberty of the gospell hath brought vvith it since we began to preach I need not to resyte but vvill referre that and all that I haue sayd vnto your vvisdoms to consider of Thus I conclude Right Noble and vvorshipfull that my Religion set out and allowed by the Kinge and his Counsell hath his ground and foundacion from Christ and his Apostles and therefore of greater antiquitie then the Catholike Religion by an hundred yeares and more and is therefore the best and the gospell vvhich vve preach say I that is the Trueth And therewith he made an end Balt Lord haue mercy on vs vvhat shall vve say that are vnlearned in this troublesome tyme of so many Religions and Opinions or vvhom shal vve beleeue For now if this vvere his tale and this be true vvhich he hath sayd doubtlesse he hath so firmely and groundly sayd his plat forme that in myne opinion no man liuing can remoue it or goe beyond him And therefore I see not to the contrary but that he must needs goe away vvith the victory otherwise I am much deceaued yet I pray thee let me heare vvhat the other could say Ben. Then stood vp the Puritan and after submission done he sayd most high and renoumed Prince together with you all that be Honourable and worshipfull like as ye haue heard these 2. men tell their tales concerning the ground of their Religions and the Trueth euen so I beseech you heare me It is vvell knowen vnto you all that I haue bin euen for the Lord my God his cause zealous this 30 yeares and more in so much as I haue bin expulced the Vniversityes depriued of my liuings runne here and there euen for my Conscience cause c and therefore haue matter so well against thee O King and thy Lawes as also against them both and their Religions that haue here spoken As fâ—r thee thou settest vp superstitious lawes vvhich are not correspondent to Gods lawes and therefore I will not obey them And now to answere the Catholike and his Antichristian Religion I need not for asmuch as the Protestant hath sufficiently answered him But as conserning the Protestant and his Religion vvhich he so extolleth aboue all other I am right vvel able to reproue him almost in an 100. places vvhich he hath altogether taken out of the Romish sincke or stincking Popish puddle like as you may easily smell from wence they came if you do but a little holde vp your heads and beholde the situation of your Churches how they yet stand East and West your steeples also full of Bells your Quiers and Alters together vvith Coaps vestments and cornerd caps Tippets Rotchets Sirplusses processions singings organs c.
doctrine ronne here and there â—here â—hey myght be hearde anâ—â—atinge the People against obedience due to the gooâ— manly 〈◊〉 2. and poâ—eâ—ke lawes and ordinances of theyr Prinâ—es and gouernours Aâ—â—ikâ—â—ise whâ—t â—â—â—sâ—â—g vp of tumults whâ—t murdering and â—onâ—umâ—ng one of an other is come to â—â—â—e daylie in other lands therabout videlicet about religion the Trueâ—h it woulde be I say too long to reâ—vie for sâ—eedy reformation wherof aâ—d that the lyke inconuenience in alâ— whiâ—h God forbid coâ—e not to passâ— with in this Land but rather may in tyme through your good providenâ—e and Noble wisdoms in the Lord before seene and peruented May it therefore please the Kings Majestie the Lords Spirituall and Temperall together with the worshipfull and commons here assembâ—ed to let proclamation go forth into all coasts of the Land and that it be permitted and graunted of euery Religion one at the least to come into the peâ—lament house there to speake freely his mynd conserning the Trueth and the effect or ground of his religion And when eueryone hath sayd his mynde and your princely wisdome aduisedly and deeply considered therof as which of them all shall go nearest the Trueth So may you then doe your best in the Lord that the Trueth onely may take place for as-much as God who alone is worthy of all honour is a spirit and wil none otherwise be honored saue in spirit and Trueth And thus to thend all enuy contencion and disobedience mought once seace amongst vs that now boast so much of â—hristianity and that all godly loue obedience vnity peace and concord in the Trueth myght come in place whereby God myght rightly be honored Iesus Christ myght faythfully be beleeued the King and you all that beare authority dutifully obayed the People that are vnder you become blessed and the common welth alwayes florish to your euerlasting fame I make an end Referring all thing here spoken to the Lord and your wisdomes to consider of and so I committ you to God and to his good tuicion who is well able to endow you with his heauenly wisdom or holy spirit for to doe in all his wil Amen And so he ended Balt. This was no doubt a maruellous good waie for to bring all to one vniformity of Religion as also for to fynde out the Trueth if so be the King majestrates when they haue harde all speâ—ke caÌ„ discerne the Trueth and true religion from all others which thing they may easily doe when as the Lord shall see it good for as much as the Trueth is playne and seeketh no corners and they also Gods Ministers appoynted to that end but yet thou hast not tolde me what was sayd to this matter nor what ensued therupon Ben. Then sayd the King this mans consell is very good let therefore proclamation go forth and let them come before vs to wit of euery Religion one and then shall euery one say his mynde freely conserning his Religion and conserning the Trueth And for my part after I haue heard euery one speak and aduisedly coÌ„sydered therof according vnto the Trueth of the Scriptures I wil by the grace of God giue true Iudgement without perceality because that God whose minister I am mought rightly be honored in Spirit and in Trueth Then spake the Counsell all at once and sayd God saue thee ò Kinge for euer For â—e likewise are good advouching thereunto and therefore wish with all our haertes that it mought euen-so come to passe After that spake the Lords Spirituall and sayd God blesse the King in his determination for we also are zealous for the Trueths cause and therefore woulde gladly that it vvere manifested And then spake the Lords Temperall and sayd God preserue the King and graunt him good suckcesse in all that he taketh in hand for vve are redy to the vttermost of our power to defend the Trueth vvere it once made knowen Then last of all spake the commons and sayd God prosper the King in his good purpose for vvee stand also ready to liue therin mought vve once know certaynlie vvhich vvere the Trueth Balt The God of all Trueth blesse them vvith his euerlasting blessing make manifest his Trueth vnto them and then geve them and vs all grace to liue in the same But vvhat followed I pray you tel me Ben. Vpon this the proclamation vvent forth into all quarters and therevpon came into the Parlament house 4. men diuersly Apareled also of sundry myndes or Religions Videlict A Catholick comonly called a Papist A Protestant câ—monly called a Liberâ—in A Puritan comonly called a Rebell And a playne Plowmâ—n vvhose religion vvas vnknowen comonly called an Heretique Balt Now of Fellowship let me heate more of this matter for there is like alwaeys to iâ—sue some good sporte vvhere so many Players doe resorte Ben After such tyme as they all kneeling vpon their knees had craued perdon and lisence euery man to speak freely his mynde vvithout any interruption for the profe of his Religion and the manifesting of the Trueth and that free liberty vvas graunted them Then vvas it concluded also that the Catholick shoulde speake first next after him the Protestant 3. the Puritane and last of all the playne Plowman Balt. Suerly this vvas excellent vvel now then as thou louest me let me heare vvhat good stuffe the Catholique coulde bring for his old rusty Religion Ben Then the Catholique after his humble submission made to the K. and to the Honourable and vvorshipfull there assembled he sayd Most Noble Prince you all most Honourable worshipfull audience In as much as you haue most graciously graunted me to speake for my Religion and the Trueth so I most humbly beseech you all to heare me Be it knowne vnto you all that the Catholique generall Religion had her first foundacion as it is thought neare vpon 1â— hundred yeares past and hath remayned in force and no other generall Religion among the Christians with in Europe knowen or frequented vntill about 80. yeares past that one Matin Luther someâ—ymes a ffryer tooke vpon him vpon a displeasure taken aganst the Pope to vvryte dispitefully there agaynst and this our Religion vvas instituted accâ—rding to the holy scriptures by a generall councell of holy Fathers For after such tyme as they out of a great zeale towards the Trueth beheeld the increase of all Iniquity amongst the People in somuch as Chrâ—st and his doctrine vvas almost forgotten yea and more ouer fearing least in processe of tyme the Natiuety Death and Passion of Christ together vvith his doctrine lyfe and miracles as also the doctrine lyfe and miracles of the Prophets Apostles Euangilests and holy fathers should likevvise be altogether forgotten especially nâ—w in these last lisencious dayes vvherin they vnderstood in the Spirite that all iniquity vvould abound lyke as it is come to passe at this day Then they thought it good to call a generall Councell at the vvhich counsell they ordayned not vvithout the
of life hath bin taken on For the longer this Protestant hath preached vnto the people the worse the liues of the same people are become Ioan. 8 a 13 a â— Esd 16 â— Math. 3.4 experience hath taught vs and no maruell for he in forsaking the good life hath there withal forsaken the Trueth and for that cause onelie the Lorde hath no pleasure in this licencious Protestant nor yet in his absurd Religion And as touching the 3. namely the Puritan for as much as he vvill not liue as a subject vnder all good lawes and ordinances of Kings Magistrates Rom 13. 1. Pet. 2. 2. Pet. 2. Tit. 3 a. 2. Tim. 3. a. b. 1. Ioan. 3. a. 4. b. Ioan. 14. 1. Ioan. 4. b. and therefore hath out of enuious persumption and rebellious heart forsaken the obedience and godlie lyfe due to God and gouernors notwithstanding it is required of vs all in holy scripture so hath he in lyke maner there vvith all forsaken the Trueth it vvere too muche to name how many honest hearted and true faythfull subjects to their Prince haue bin by this Puritan belyed slaundered persecuted and imprisoned for that they held them to obedience and the good lyfe like as they were taught Mala 3.4 Psa 50. â— Ioan. 13. â— and would neuer consent to his rebellyous doctrine nor come to his nightly conuentikles and therefore although he out of his great zeale sought the reformation of the Church and yet he himself not reformed vnto obedience and godlines of lyfe God hath no more pleasure in this disobedient Puritan nor yet in his absurd Religion 4. Esd 16. c. Thus you may see Right Noble 1. Cor. 3. d. Ioan. 8. d. Mar. 8. d. Ioan. 15. a. Ioan. 14. a. Ioan. 8. d. Luc. 8. b. Mar. 4. b. Matth. 13. b. Esa 6. c. Ioan. 12. f. g. Honourable and vvorshipfull how euery one in his vvay seeketh religiously after the Trueth if he myght any way fynde it And againe you may see also that the Trueth is neuerthelesse hid from them all And why for if we consider of the Scriptures vnto all those that walke without the true lyfe and godly obedience which is required in gods holy vvord all things chaunce in similitudes parables and closed bookes because that men should not see with their earthly eyes or myndes nor heare with their earthly eares or thoughts nor yet comprehende in theyr darke stony harts the secrete works of the Holy Spirit of Christ. Ioan. 14. b.c. 1. Pet. 2. Rom. 13. a. 2. Tâ—â— 3. a For that cause all People that are zelous for Religion for the Trueths sake be they what they be or dwell they where they shall so they loue God and desyer to liue vnder obedience to the King and his good lawes or at the leastwise liueth quietly and harmelesly among the People bearing a true and faithfull heart to the Prince of the Land are to be borne withall in their ignorant zeale for Conscience sake in asmuch as all good gifts proceed from God yea and moreouer Math. 13. for that the tyme of haruest is at hand in the vvhich the Lord vvill send out his Angels to gather together the good wheat into his barnes to burne the weeds with vnquenchable fyer Ioan. 1. a. b. 14. a. Ioan. 5. c. 6. e. f. Ioan. 17. 2. Ioan. 4. b. For doubtles the Trueth it self wherabout men so striue is an other maner of thing then flesh and bloud was euer able to fynd out for it is the louely lyfe or being of God or of his holy word vvhich lyfe is the thing as I sayd before that all sacrifices signes or shadowes in the whole lawe as also the Sacraments and ceremonyes of the new Testament ordained in the Christian Catholicke Church together with all that the holy scriptures Ioan. 3. a b. c. d. c. Ioan. 16. d. e. f 17. c. â—1 c. Gen. 2. b. 3. a. Prov. 3. c. Apo. 2. b. â— Cor. 15. c. Gen. 3. 2 Cor. 1. d. 3. a. b. c. Deut. 1â— a. b 1. Tit. 3. a. 1. Pet 2. â— Cor. 13. Matth. 7. b. Ioan. 13. d. 14 15. Gal. 2. d. e. Ioan â— â— Gen. 2 b. â— a. d 〈…〉 1â— a. b c. do â—oynt vpon signify and requier at all our Hands I say once agayne the louely lyfe of God or of his holy worde is the very Trueth namely Iesus Christ It is also the Tree of lyfe that was plaÌ„ted in the beginning in the midst of the Paradise or Lust-garden of the Lord which tree of lyfe euen like as the first through the disobedience in the knowledge hath lost the same euen so the second man through the obedience in the lyfe winneth the same agayne it is very true And therefore to liue in Obedience to God and his holy vvord also in obedience to the King and his good lawes and ordinances and to loue myne neighbour as myne owne selfe also to deale louingly vprightly vvith all men like as I vvould be dealt with all is the effect of my religion grounded vpon the Trueth vvhich obedience had his originall from Adam Abell Seth Noah Abraham c and is also confirmed by Christ and his Apostles c. and therefore shal continue for euer Ioan. 13 c. 14 a 15. a. b. c 1. Cor. 13. 2. Ioan. 3. a.b. c. 4 a.b. Thus I conclude that my Religion in the good lyfe goeth beyond them all so farre as the Heauens from the Earth or the Light from Darknes also that all maner of Religious people boast they neuer somuch of their Religions Preachings Seruices Sacraments Seremonyes Freedomes by Christ or elswhat that are found vvithout this obedience to God and Gouernours Ioan 8. a. 〈◊〉 8 d. â—oan 14 a b. 1. Cor. 13. Eph 4 a.b. c. 6. b c. Ioan 〈…〉 Colo. 1. c. 2. b. vvithout this goodlyfe aforesayd or at the least haue not any earnest inclination thereto somuch as they may in the Lord the Religion their God seruice and all els that they boast vpon is nothing worth in the Lords sight and the cause is they haue forsaken the Trueth vvhich is the flower and beauty of all good Religions yeâ— and is all in all Now haue I shewed you Right High and Honorable the inconfutable ground of my Religion which God of his gracious goodnes hath made knowen vnto me 1 Cor. 13. 2. c. 13. Ioan 13. c. 14. a. b. and for the vvhich I haue bin long suspected together vvith the vnfallible Trueth vvherout all right obedience vnto God and Gouernours proseedeth and vvherout also the right repentance appeareth Gal 2. d. 3. a. b d Ioan. 14 a b. Gal. â— â— Colo 1 c. Ioan. 8. d. 15. a. and the true and liuing fayth is alwayes working by loue so well towards God and Christ also towards my neighbour and vvherunto I meane by the grace of God to indevour my self night and day by prayer and supplication
to th end I mought once attayne to the same Trueth vvithout the vvhich there is for me no Salvation Therefore consider hereof aduisedly I most humbly beseech you so many as haue rejected obedience they haue rejected the true Religion Eph 4. d. Ioan. â—â— c Ioan. 14 a.b. Hab. 1. a. Gal. 2. d. And so many as haue rejected the holy and godly lyfe haue rejected forsaken the Trueth namely Iesus Christ Therefore am I boulde to say as vnder correction and submission that this â—y Religion and this Trueth vvhereof I haue spoken being once fast grounded in our myndes and spirits is the principall good wherein the Lord hath set his whole delight and vvherout he vvil onely be honored serued Also vverunto all Christian and Catholique Religions Kings Princes Magistrates people ought of right for evermore to geue place as one flocke vnder one shepheard For it is an Euerlasting lyfe in the which and through which vve being vnited soule and spirit vvith God the Father shall rise againe in this same flesh and liue vvith Christ our Sauiour in ioyes everlastingly It is very True And now as I haue here acknowledged right High and Honorable c before you all one onely true Christian Catholik Religion so let no man from hence forth charge me to be of no Religion neither yet to be of all Religions but rather such a one as would good vnto all to vvit that all religions in most louing vvise mought be gathered together now in these last dayes according to the promisses through the gospell of Iesus Christ vnto this onely true Religion aforesayd of faythfull obedience to God Gouernours and Trueth towards all men For then vvhosoeuer is a right Catholique Protestant or Puritan and liueth in the sayd obedience and Trueth I can in no vvise disalowe of him in somuch as I my self indevour me dayly by the grace of God to accomplish or attayne vnto vvith them that most holy religion of obedience and Trueth because there mought bee no more in th end saue one God one Christ and sauiour one Holy Ghost one Fayth one Baptisme one obedience one Trueth one Flocke one shepheard euen such is my mynd so would I bee conceived of and no other vvise Great is the King great and mighty is his power yea greate is the knowleÌ„dge that the sonnes of men haue found out vpon the Earth Also great and many maner are the Religions services and ceremonyes which men haue deuised to serue the Lord wâ—â—hâ—ll yet notwithstanding much greater is obedienâ—e in the Trueth That louely lyfe of â—od or of hâ—s holy vvord for it is as I sayd before Christ â—esus the vvay wherin 〈…〉 ought to waâ—ke the Trueth vvherin all men ought to beâ—â—eâ—e And the lyfe wherin all mâ—n oughâ— to liue Therefore great is Oâ—e lunâ—â— in the Trueth and of worthynes part goeth beyond them all And so after reverence done he ended Balt. O most mâ—rcyfull God what shalâ— become of all such Ignoâ—ant sâ—ules as I am which are redy to runne now afâ—er this Relâ—gion then after thâ—t alas neighbour alas iâ—â—eemeth noâ— by these his speeches which doubtles are very true Ioan. 8 d Mar. 1. b. 6. b. Ioan. 15. a.b. that all People on Earth â—hich haue chosen to them selves a Religion wherin they supposed to haue obtayned their freedome Iustification and salvation by Christ and yet neuer attayned to true repentance muâ—h lesse to Obedienâ—e in the godly lyfe vvhich he callâ—th the Trueth or Christ himself are cleane set besyde the saâ—dle For I now perceaue right well the Oâ—edience in the good lyfe is a most precious treasure proseeding from God and vvherewith God the King and a mans neighbour is serued Moreouer by the lyfe men may knowe the workes of God from the workes of men alwayes As for example let vs looke vpon all the Creatures that the Lord hath made yea whâ—tsoeuer thing the eye of man can beholde and see it hath or it hath had a kynde of lyfe in it Likewise let vs looke vpon all the workes of man seeme they neuer so bewtifully and loe they haue no lyfe in them So that although one man may fashion an other man â— Cor. 13. Ioan. 14 a.b. Ioan. 3. a. Gala. 6. c. through smoth words deepe knowledges to an outward shew of holines yet is he no better before such tyme as God worketh through his grace and the ministration of his holy word the new birth or true godly lyfe in the man then a dead Image or paynted Sepulcher which the man had made vvith his owne hands And now therefoâ—e it cometh redâ—ly to my remembrance how it standeth written in the Scriptures to the same effect 2. Cor. 13. Rom. 8. Gala 4. Ephes 3 2. Cor. 4. c. Videlicet Except Christ be in you sayth Paul to the Christian Congregations you are cast awaâ—es also if a man haue not the spirit of God the same is none of his moreouer I trauell in birth till Christ be fashioned in you agayne a newe with a number of such like savings in scriptuer more vvhich vvere too long to resite Rom. 13. 1. Pet. 2. Ioan. 14.15 a. b. c. d. So that now I perceaue his mynd right well whiâ—h is this he that obayeth the vvord obayeth the King and leadeth a godly lyfe and he that leadeth a godly lyfe hath Christ dwâ—lling in him And herefore Christ sayth without me ye can doe nothing Ioan 8 d. Gal. 2. d. 1. Cor. 13. Rom. 8. a. Eph. 5. a. â— Ioan 4. b. c. for I am the Wâ—y the Trueth and the Lyfe So then when any good worke is wrought it is Christ onely that doth the good-workâ— that are acceptable vvith God and not the man and therefore vvhere he so extolleth the Trueth or good lyfe aboue all he meaneth Iesus Christ vvhich ought to dwell in the man vvhose spirit at that tyme vvill lead the man into all right obedience and Trueth vvhich lyfe doubtlesse I see now being wel considered of is the principall good vvherunto all People vvith their high knowledges Religions Services Sacraments and Ceremonyes ought for evermore to geve place And now therefore in myne opinion if any man shall henceforth resist or deny this same playne Ploâ—mans Religion or he Tâ—ueth aforesayd vvhich is now so manyfestly expressed aâ—proueâ— by the holy scriptures his conscience bâ—â—â—â—â—g him record that it is euen so then doubtlesse he is eyâ—hâ—r an â—gnorant and supersticious Papist vvho being digressed from the right ground of the Cath lique Religion esteemeth more of the Sacraments Misteryes Ceremonyes or shadows then of the very thing vvhich hey signify or hâ—ue hidden in them Or els he is a lisencious Protestant vho contrary to the vvord â—f God as also contraâ—y to the good meaning of the King abuseâ—h that gooâ— Relâ—gâ—on vvhich his Majeste hath appoynted to be frequented amongst vs and liueth afâ—er his owne filthy lusts and
desyers Eyther also he is a disobedient and rebellious Puritan vvho being altogether inclyned to Envy Pryde and presumption shameth not to resist the good lawes of the King 1. Pet. 2. and in steed theâ—â—â—f to set vp his owne Imaginations meaning thereby to alluer â—he hearts â—f the People from their dutifull obedience to God and gouernours whosâ— Conscience shall in the end testify agaynst him and if he repent not in tyme to his owne condemnation But now I would gladly knowe how all things were taken in the end And whose Religion was best accepted of the King and the rest there assembled Ben. After great aduise and deliberation taken among them all The King sayd this Plowman hath last of all manifested vnto vs in playne speech the right Rel gion and the very Trueth which may not in any wise be denyed Therefore great is Obedience great is the Trueth Mar. 12. a. I see well now that it was not for naught that it standeth written I am the God of braham 1. Cor. 13. 1. Pet. 2. Rom. 13. Iaco. 2. c. d. the God of Isack the God of Iacob a God of the Liuing but not of the Dead Let Proclamation the efore goe forth into all parts of the Land and let it also be made knowen from vs the King to all mens preservation thâ—t he which wil become a Christyan and would be saved by Iesus Christ must after true repentance shewforth the fruits of fayth in his obedience and Christian lyfe Then last of all spâ—ke the Counsell the Lords Spiritual and Temperall together with the Commons all at oâ—ce and sayd lâ—â—de honour and thanksgeuing be to that God for euer more which hâ—â—h gevâ—n us such a wâ—se King to raigne ouer vs â—hat can so righâ—ly discerne the best Religion and the Trueth from all others and thereupon gâ—uâ—n true Iudgement wiâ—hout parcealâ—ty And now if vve should not henceforth auouch publish for â—h mayntayne and allowâ— as also liue according to the same so farre-forth as God shall geue vs grâ—â—e then vvere vve very much to blame because that vve see that Obedience is the thing that the Lord hath commaunded all men to liue in yea and more it is whereby we his Ministers Rule and gouerne vnder him in peace quietnes Also that Iesus Christ once dwelling in vs is the Trueth or good lyfe it self so fast coupled vnto Fayth as is the Soâ—ne vnto brightnes or fyer vnto heat and therefore bringeth with it everlasting lyfe and felicity And so the Parlament brake vp and I came away GOD SAVE THE KING Amen Behold euen through such a great Trouble and trauell aforesayd will gentle Ladye Tyme bring forth her most bewtifull Daughter Trueth now in these last daungerous dayes to the glory of God the preseruation of Princes and to an euerlasting peace among all People Amen Amen TO THE READER After such tyme as I had considered the many-maner of Religions Sects and Opinions gentle Reader that are now risen vp out of mens high knowledge and goodthinking and whereout for the most parte proseedeth also all contention Envy Disobedience Rebellion Lying Baâ—kbyting Slaundering Imprisoning Killing Murdering c together with al liberty of life in committing wickednes which is now frequented without feare or shame among the children of men I tooke this deuise in hand for six speciall causes The first was for that the Magistrats who are Gods ministers on earth mought the better remember their office and calling and how that they are appointed of the Lord to suppresse euill Disobedience Falshood and wickednes and to maintayne Gods obedience Trueth or godlynes of lyfe The second was for that all simple and ignorant people mought see how easily men may be seduced now in these dangerous dayes through faire speeches and outward shewes of holines yet neuerthelesse I am not against the right Cathâ—lique the true Protestant or the perfect Praecisian so long as they holde them to Obedience in the holy life aforesayd The third was for that my hope standeth in the Lorde there are many good willing hearts to the righteousnes yet remayning vpon the earth 2. Cor. 5. c.d. 6. c. Rom. 8. a. c. who once knowing the Trueth and what euerlasting felicitie it bringeth with it will not by any sinister meanes of the disobedient and rebellious route be drawne away therefrom whether it be then by theyr smothe speeches cruell threats feare of Persecution Blasphemyes Tyranous handling Imprysonments 2. Cor. 10. a. b. c. 1. Pet. 2. Vnjustice or most cruell death that they can deuise but will rather indevour them still to liue vnder Obedience to God and gouernours so exercise them dayly in the godly life that right Religion fast grounded on the vnconfutable Trueth wherein the Lord had alwayes still hath and for euermore shall haue his pleasure and delight The fourth cause was this 2. Cor. 5. b. for that all men if it were possible mought see or vnderstande that the good life is not so slight a thing as many men make accompte of For the Lorde looketh not so muâ—h vpon the outward oblations Sacrifices Seruices or Ceremonyes which the man offereth or vseth for to serue him withall as he doeth vpon the single heart of the man Psal 51. d. Ioh. 4. c. Mar. 12. c. in his Obedience and good lyfe for the Lorde will be honoured onely of his in spirit and Trueth therefore the Oblations Seruices and Ceremonies are respected of the Lorde for the good hearts cause and nor the euill hearted respected for the Oblations Seruices or ceremonies cause Example by Cain and Abell Gen 4. a. they both offered sacrifice to the Lord The one for the bloudynes of his heart his Oblation was refused And the other for the singlenes of his heart his Oblation was accepted c. The fift cause was for to answere and satisfie all such as praesently stand at the gaze as it were afarre-of wayghting what will come of this my Religion or els doubting of the goodnes and contynuance thereof c. 2. Cor. 4. c. And the sixt or last cause is this for that I who haue bin these many yeres most Injuriously slaundered and defamed most cruelly persecuted and Imprisoned as also most dispitefully spoyled and Impouerished to my vtter discredit and vndoing Like as some that be honourable if they remember it can partly tell am still ready during lyfe to answere boldly for my felfe beleefe and Religion in the Trueth And therefore for the clearing of my selfe and for the recouering of my good name which I esteeme aboue golde and syluer I am bolde to dedicate this my deuise to her Majesty and to make knowne there through my Religion openly And moreouer I meane hereafter by Gods grace and vnder correction and submission of my Prince to perswade all my friends and acquaintance whether they be then Catholiques Protestants Puritans or what other Religions soeuer so much as I may in the Lorde to inclyne theyr hearts wholely to lyue vnder such obedience and godlynes of lyfe as is aforesayde Also to pray for the Queenes Majesty and al the honourable of his priuie Counsell for that they mought so maintayne the gospell of Iesus Christ whereby the Trueth mought get the victorie in all our hearts To the end all mought become one in Christ And Christ one in all AMEN