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
Certayne Letters translated into English being first written in Latine Two by the reverend and learned Mr. Francis Iunius Divinitie Reader at Leyden in Holland The other by the exiled English Church abiding for the present at Amsterdam in Holland Together with the Confession of faith prefixed where vpon the said letters were first written Esa 53.1 Who beleveth our report and to whom is the arme of the Lord revealed Printed in the yeare 1602. R.G. the translatour of M. Iunius his letters To the Christian Reader SVch as of late yeares have rent themselues from the holie service of God used im the publique congregations and Churches of England being destitute of any sound warrant from the worde of God have sought from time to time so much the more earnestly as the manner of such is to shroude themselves vnder the shadowe of humane authoritie HeÌ„ce it came to passe that Master Francis Iunius a maÌ„ of great learning and godlinesse was solicited by some of them as may appeare by these letters ensuing in the yeare 99. to be a favourer of their erronious opinions and of their vnchristian disordered and vndutifull proceedings whose answere being delivered by himselfe to a religious and worshipful knight and so comming to my handes I have presumed to communicate with thee by the motion of some godly and well disposed hoping that through the blessing of God and thy prayers it may proove a good meanes to stay such as are wavering to confirme such as doe stand and to recover such as are fallen For although he doe not enter into an exact discussing of the question with arguments objections and answeres yet he vseth a very grave and godly admonition which is oftentimes of greater fruite then a long and learned disputation And whosoever doth diligently studie the booke of God shal finde that the holy Prophets Apostles do in manie places insist upoÌ„ a plaine simple asleveâ—ation of the truth rather then vpon multitude of proof arguments Besides if we observe the story of the holy Martyrs of our own Church others we may preceive that by the sound profession of their faith and suffering for the same they have glorified God and advanced the kingdome of Iesus Christ aswel as others have done by arguments and reasons And yet notwithstanding if thou do well obserue these letters of Master Iunius thou shalt finde in them not vaine and emptie wordes but waightie and sounde reasons grounded upon the holie Scriptures of God Thus praying thee to take these first fruites of my poore laboures in this kinde in good part and beseching god to give a blessing hereunto I bid thee heartily farewel in the Lord. Thyne in the Lord R.G. The Answer to R.G. his Epistle prefixed before Mr. Iunius letters SUch as have separated themselves from the corrupt service of God vsed in the publick congregations and parishes of England being persecuted with afâ—lictions reproches and slanders both at home and in the land wheâ— now they live exiles have ben constreyned to publish to the world the confession of their Christian faith and causes of their departure from the foresayd English synagogues for clearing of the truth of God and witnesses of the same both which were much and many wayes calumniated More specially they dedicated that litle book to al Christian vniversities neer about to be discussed approved or reproved by the godly learned in them And sending one in particular to the hands of M.H. Iunius a man of great learning and godlines dwelling neer vnto them to be by him and the rest of his brethreÌ„ of the vniversitie at Leyden judged of they received from him a letter lately by one R.G. traÌ„slated and printed in English whether with the authors consent or not is yet vnknowne but the copy as the publisher sayth was given out by the author himself who might had done wel to have given a copy of the answer likewise or if he did the translator hath not dealt indifferently to publish one and not an other How ever it were al men may see how just and necessary occasion those eriled Christians now have to print their answer also which vpoÌ„ the receipt of his Letter they sent vnto him but hitherto have spared to give out any one copy either of his or theirs whether for doubt of their owne cause or reverend regard rather of that maÌ„ let the sequel declare and let the discrete reader by it judge whether party hath most advantage As for the translators censure that they sought to shrowd themselves vnder the shadow of humane authoritie this brief narratioÌ„ of the cariage of the matter and the plaine apologie which they make vnto Mr. Iunius of their proceedings wil shew it vnto al godly wyse to be but the surmise of a malicious hart And were it not that the weaknes and badnes of their cause compelleth them thus to doe it might seem strange that any of the church of England would publish such a writing as this in their owne defence as if it approved their estate and condeÌ„ned those foresayd Christian exiles when any whose eyes ar in his head may see by Mr Iunius his writing vnto them as Christian brethren and refusing at al to vndertake the maintenance of those English parishes or conviction of such as separate from them how far it is froÌ„ justifying those synagogues estate Yea al wiseharted may and will we doubt not easily discerne how naked and helplesse they be which neither by their friends at home nor the most learned abroad can otherwise be â—elieved then by such things as hitherto they have printed Or howsoever this present generation shall judge of these things yet the ages to come which wil be lesse partial wil easily give sentence The better to certify thee good reader of the whole cause and cariage therof here is with these Lecters set forth also their Confession of faith with the Episâ—le and preface as it is in Latine And wheras ther is since that time published also a second epistle of Mr. Iunius ther is now the answer to it set forth likewise which answer was presently written vpon the receipt of his Letter but not then sent for causes partly before noted and now more fully signified and sent to Mr. Iunius himself The things which here are mentioned of corruptions in some other churches and dealings that have passed about theÌ„ ar yet spared from being published in print at large til further occasion and provocation be Onely the general and brief hâ—â—ds of the matter in controversie at now printed as they were sent vnto Mr. Iunius although we were loth to do it but that their was necessarie occasion given by things which passed in the Letters as al meÌ„ may see Moreover it is not to be omitted how in the printed copy of Mr. Iunius Letter some things were corrupted by alteration omission and c. Otherwise then in the original by himself first sent they do stand and ar yet to
be seen This it is not likely Mr. Iunius himself would doe but was perhaps the printers fault or rather indeed the translators evil mind for his mother churches advantage whoÌ„ falshood seeketh to vphold when syncerity and truth hath forsaken her It shal therfore rest vpon him as the first fruits of his evil labours in this kind til he clear himself The Apostles and Prophets and Martyrs by him mentioned dealt not so Neither yet did they alwayes insist vpon a plaine and simple asseveration of the truth but mainteyned it also with proofes and arguments from scripture and sound reason against such as oppugned the same Act. 17.2.3 and 18.28 and 28.23 Rom 1.17 and 3.4.10 and 4.3.7.17 and 9.7.9.12.13.17.20.25.27.29.33 and 10.5.11.15.19.21 and 11.2.9.26 1 Cor. 15.3.4.25.27.45.54.55 Gal. 3.6 8.10.11.13.22 and 4.21.22.27.30 Esa 40.12 and 41.21.22.23.24 and 44.6 and c. Mal. 4.4 Acts monuments in the historie of Mr. Brute Thorp Lambert Ridly Philpot Bradford and many others And though the Apostles and Prophets had yet no maÌ„s asseveratioÌ„ now may be compared with theirs but must be tried by their writings And so these Christian exiles published to that end their faith vnto the world against which to this day neither Mr. Iunius nor any els of that or the other vniversities have to our knowledge vsed any one weighty and sound reason grounded vpon the holy scripture of God as this translator would bear men in hand he doth and as the Prophets did in al their asseverations taking their ground from the law before given Mat. 22.40 The Lord rebuke Satan and make bright the glorie of his name and Gospel and turne to the profit of every faithful soule these things now published by his vnworthy and contemned servants to his owne eternal prayse in Christ Amen To the Reader By the Printers default there are good Reader a few faults escaped in the printing some whereof are here noted Which with the rest thou observest thy self we pray thee amend thus Pag. 11. lin 13. then to make Pag. 12. l. 8. all that Pag. 15. l. 20.21.22.32.33.34 blot out these marcks * ‡ * ‡ Pag. 16. l. 1. also * of old And lin 7. Iob. 1.6 Pag. 17. l. 3. vnwritten And blot out of men Pag. 18. l. 13. Act. 3.22 Pag. 24. l. 34. Eph. 4.11 Pag. 25. l. 20. â—iev 2.1 1. King 12. Pag. 27. l. 28. Gal. 3.28.29 Pag. 29. l. 1. no whit L. 18.1 Tim. 2.2 L. 49. Exod. 18.12 and 10 1â— Pag. 39. l. 7. Churches of this city that etc. and then be delivered L. 27. contend Pag. 40. l. 26. publish Pag. 41. l. 1. their private Confessions of faith their apol L. 7.8 prevaile Pag. 42. l. 22. let vs. Pag. 45. l. 13. ingenuously Pag. 47. in the margent l. 10. licet vobis And l. 13. discindere P. 48. l. 10 coÌ„sent P. 50. li. 9. eveÌ„ to strive earnestly P. 51. l. 32. taunting Pag. 53. l. 3. yea so L. 13. many weak ones before so many deadly Pa. 54. l. 1. Amst is such as being but one yet it meeteth in three severall places wherevpon it is so confus etc. And li. 32. Gal. 4.10.11 Note besides where Mr. Iunius in his second letter Pag. 47. pretendeth as if there had ben some fault in the Messenger or vs that he knew not to whom or whither he should have written his first that in the book it self which was delivered vnto him there was particular mention both of the place and of the partyes from whoÌ„ it came as may be seen in the Epistle prefired before it which is of the dedication to the vniversityes And els how knew he at the moneths end more then before to whom and whither to send as he did Which poynt is so very playne as to himself we thought there needed not then so much as any mention of it Yet thought we here to note it least some others not observing so much might thinck the fault wherof he speaketh to ly on vs or the messeÌ„ger which what soever it were is still to rest vpon himself for ought we know The Confession of fayth of certayne English people living in exile in the Low countreyes Together vvith the Preface to the Reader Which we wish of all may be read and considered 2. Cor. 4 13. We beleev therefore have we spoken Harmony of Confess in the preface set before it in the Name of the French and Belgick Churches The Prelates and Priests do alvvay cry out that vve are Hereticks Schismaticks and Sectaryes Hovvbeit let theÌ„ knovv that the crime of Heresy is not to be imputed to theÌ„ vvhose faith doth vvholy rely vpon most sure grounds of the Scripture That they are not Schismaticks vvho entierly cleave to the true Church of God such as the Prophets and Apostles do describe vnto vs Nor they to be counted Sectaryes vvho embrace the truth of God vvhich is one and alvvayes like it self To the reverend and learned men the Students of holy Scripture in the Christian Vniversities of Leyden in Holland of Sanctandrewes in Scotland of Heidelbergh Geneva and the other like famous scholes of learning in the Low countreyes Scotland Germany and France The English exiles in the Low countreys wish grace and peace in Iesus Christ THis true confession of our faith in our judgment wholy agreable to the sacred Scripture we do here exhibit vnto all to be discussed and vnto you reverend Sirs we dedicate it for two causes First for that we know you are able in respect of your singular knowledge in the Scriptures and hope you are willing in respect of your syncere piety to convince our errours by the light of Gods word if in any thing we be out of the way Secondly that this testimony of Christian faith if you also fynd it agree with the word of truth may by you be approved eyther in silence or by writing as you shall think best It may be we shal be thought very bold that being despised of all yet doubted not to sollicite you so many and so great learned men But this we did partly at the request of others to whom we would not deny it partly with desier to have the truth through your help better defended and further spread abroad partly coÌ„streyned by our exile and other calamityes almost infinite partly also moved with love of our native couÌ„trey and of these wherein now we live and others else where wishing that all may walk with a right foot to the truth of the Gospell and praying daily vnto God that the great work of restoring Religion and the Church decayed which he hath happily begun in these latter tymes by our Gracious Soveraigne and the other Princes of these countreyes and ages his servants he would fully accomplish to the glory of his name and eternall salvation in Christ of his elect in all places of the earth As for the causes which moved vs to publish this Confession of faith and to forsake the Church of England as now
iust and â—â—fficient authoritie of the father and in respect of his manhood from the waâ—â—h â—allâ—d and seperated aÌ„d anoynted also most fully and aboÌ„daÌ„tly with all necessary gifts as it is written God hath not measured out the Spirit vnto him 12 This office to be Mediator that is Prophet Priest and King of the Church of God is so proper to Christ as neyther in the whole nor in any part thereof it can be transferred from him to any other 13 Touching his Prophecie Christ hath perfectly revealed out of the bozome of his father the whole word and will of God that is needfull for his servants eyther joyntly or severally to know beleeve or obey Hee also hath spoken and doth speake to his Church in his owne ordinance by his owne ministers and instruments onely and not by any false ministery at any tyme. 14 Towching his Priesthood Christ beeing consecrated hath appeared once to put away sinne by the offring and sacrificing of himself and to this end hath fully performed and suffred all those things by which GOD through the blood of that his crosse in an acceptable sacrifice might be reconciled to his elect and having broken downe the partition wall and therewith finished and removed all those rites shadowes and ceremonies is nowâ— entred within the vayle into the holy of holiest that is to the very heaven and presence of God where hee for ever lyveth and sitteth at the right hand of Maiestieâ— apperring before the face of his Father to make intercession for such as come vnto the throne of grace by that new and living way and not that onely but maketh his people a spirituall howse and holy Priesthood to offer vp spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God through him Neyther doth the Father acceâ—â— or Christ offer vnto the father any other worship or worshippers 15 Towching his Kingdome Christ being risen froÌ„ the dead ascended into heaven set at the right hand of GOâ— the Father having all power in heaven and earth given vnto him he doth spiritually governe his Church exercising his power over all Angels and men good and bad to the preservation and salvation of the elect to the overruling and destruction of the reprobate communicating and applying the benefits vertue and fruite of his prophecy and Priesthood vnto his elect namely to the remission subduing and taking away of their sinnes to their iustification adoption of sonnes regeneration sanctification preservation and strengthning in all their conflicts against Sathan the world the flesh and the temptation of them continually dwelling in governing and keeping their harts in his true faith and fear by his holy spirit which having once given it hee never taketh away from them but by it still begetteth and nourisheth in them repentance faith love obedience comfort peace ioy hope and all christian vertues vnto immortalitie notwithstanding that it be somtymes through sinne and tentation interrupted smothered and as it were overwhelmed for the tyme. Agayne on the contrary ruling in the world over his enemies Sathan and all the vessels of wrath limiting vsing restrayning them by his mighty power as seemeth good in his divine wisdome and iustice to the execution of his determinate counsel to wit to their seduction hardning and condemnation delivering them vp to a reprobate mynde to be kept through their owne desert in darcknes sinne and sensualitie vnto iudgement 16 This Kingdome shall be then fully perfected when he shall the second tyme come in glory with his mightie Angels to iudge both quick and dead to abolish all rule authoritie and power to put al his enimies vnder his feet to separate and free all his choseÌ„ from them for ever to punish the wicked with everlasting perdition from his presence to gather ioyne and carry the godly with hmiself into endlesse glory and then to deliuer vp the kingdome to God euen the Father that so the glorie of the father may bee full and perfect in the Sonne the glorie of the Sonne in all his members and God bee all in all 17 In the meane tyme bisides his absolute rule in the world Christ hath here in earth a spirituall Kingdome and aeconomicall regiment in his Church which hee hath purchased and redemed to himself as a peculiar inheritaÌ„ce And albeyt that manie hypocâ—tâ—es do for the tyme lurke amongst them whiles the Church is militant here on earth yet Christ nothwithstanding â—oy the power of his word gathereth them which be his into the body of his Church calleth them from out of the world bringeth them to hid true faith separating them from amongst vnbeleevers froÌ„ idolatrie false worship superstitioÌ„ vanitie dissolute life and al works of darknes c. making theÌ„ a royall Priesthod an holy NatioÌ„ a people set at libertie to shew foorth the virtues of him that hath called them out of darknes into his mervelous light gathering and vniting theÌ„ together as members of one bodi in his faith loue and holy order vnto all generall and mutuall dutyes through his spirit instructing aÌ„d governing them by such officers and lawes as hee hath prescribed in his word by which Officers and lawes hee governeth his Church and by none other 18 To this Church hee hath made the promiseâ— and giuen the seales of his Covenant presence loue blessing and protectioÌ„ Here are the holy Oracles as in the Aâ—ke suerly kept and puerly taught Heere are all the fountaynes and springs of his grace continually replenished and slowing forth Heere is Christ lifted vp to al Nations hither hee inuiteth all men to his supper his mariage feast hither ought all men of all estates aÌ„d degrees that acknowledge him theyr Prophet Priest and King to reâ—â—yre to bee enrolled â—mongst his houshold seruants to bee vnder his heauenly conduct and goverment to leade theyr liues in his wâ—lled sheepfold aÌ„d watered orchard to haue communion heer with the Saincts that they may bee made meet to bee partakers of their inheritaÌ„ce in the kingdome of God 19. And as all his servaÌ„ts and subiects are called hither to presse their bodies and soules and to bring the gyfts God hath given them so beeing come they are heer by himself bestowed in theyr severall order peculiar place but vse beeing fitly compact and knit togeather by every ioynt of help according to the effectuall worke in the measure of every part vnto the edification of it self in love Whervnto when hee ascended vp on high he gave gifts vnto men and distributed them vnto several publik fuÌ„ctions in his Church having instituted and ratified to continue vnto the worlds end onely this publick ordinarie ministery of Pastors Teachers Elders Deacons Helpers to the instruction government and service of his Church 20 This ministerie is craftely described distinguished limited concerning these office their calling to their 〈…〉 administration of their office and theâ—â—
any commandement or vnder anie colour whatsoever 33 And being come forth of this antichristian estate vnto the freedom and true profession of Christ besides the instructing and well guyding of their owne families they are willingly to ioyne together in christian communion and orderly covenant and by free confession of the faith and obedieÌ„ce of Christ to vnite themselves into peculiar and visible congregations wherin as members of one body wherof Christ is the only head they are to worship and serve God according to his word remembring to keep holy the Lords day 34. Then also such to whom God hath given gifts to interpret the Scriptures tryed in the exercise of Prophecy attending to studie and learning may and ought by the appointment of the congregation to prophecy according to the proportion of faith and so to teach publickly the word of God for the edification exhortâ—tion and comfort of the Church Vntill such tyme as the people do meet for and God manifest men with able guifts and 〈◊〉 to such Office or Offices as Christ hath appointed to the publick ministerie of his Church But no Sacraments to be administred vntill the Pastors or Teachers be chosen and ordeined into theyr office 35 And then wheresoever ther shall be a people fit and men furnished with meet and necessary guifts they are not onely still to continue the exercise of Prophecy aforsaid but also vpon due tryall to proceed vnto choyce and ordination of Officers for the ministery aÌ„d service of the Church according to the rule of Gods word And so hold on stil to walke forward in the ways of Christ for theyr mutuall edification and confort as it shall please God to give knowledge and graâ—e therevnto And particularly that such as be of the seed or vnder the governmeÌ„t of anie of the Church be even in their infancie receyved to Baptisme and made partakers of the signe of Gods covenant made with the Faithful and their seed throughout all generations And that all of the Church that are of yeares and able to examine themselves doo communicate also in the Lords supper both men and women and in both kindes bread and wine In which elements as also in the water of baptisme even after they are consecrate there is neyther transubstantiation into nor coÌ„substantiatioÌ„ with the bodye and blood of Iesus Christ whom the heavens must conteyne vntill the tyme that al things be restored But they are in the ordinance of God signes and seales of Gods everlasting covenant with vs representing and offring to all the receyvers but exhibiting only to the true beleevers the Lord Iesus Christ and all his benefits vnto righteousnes sanctification and eternall lyfe through faith in his name to the glorie and prayse of God 36 Thus being righly gathered established and still proceeding in christian communion and obedience of the Gospell of Christ none is to separate for falts and corruptions which may and so long as the Church consisteth of mortall men will fall out and arise among them even in true constituted Churches but by due order to seeke redresse therof 37. Such as yet see not the truth may heare the publik doctine and prayers of the church and with al meeknes are to bee sought by all meanes Yet none who are growne in yeares may bee received into their communion as members but such as doe make confession of their faith publickly desiring to be received as members and promissing to walke in the obedience of Christ Neyther any infants but such as are the seed of the faithfull by one of the parents or vnder their education and government And further not anie from one coÌ„gregation to be received members in another without bringing certificate of their former estate and present purpose 38 And although the particular congregations be thus distinct and severall bodies every one as a compact and knit citie in it self yet are they all to walke by one and the same rule and by all meanes convenieÌ„t to have the coÌ„sell and help one of another in all needfull affaires of the Church as members of one body in the common faith vnder Christ their onely head 39 It is the office and dutie of Princes and Magistrates who by the ordinance of God are supreme governors vnder him over all persons and causes within their Realmes and dominions to suppresse and root out by their authority all false ministeries voluntarie religions and counterfeit worship of God to abolish and destroy the Idoll Temples Images Altars Vestments and all other monuments of idolatry and superstition and to take and convert to theyr owne â—â—vile vses not only the benefit of all such idolatrous buildings and monuments but also the Revenues Demeanes Lordships Possessions Gleaâ—es and maintenance of any false ministeryes and vnlawfull ecclesiasticall functions whatsoever within their dominions And on the other hand to establish and mainteine by their lawes every parâ— of Gods word his Christian Religion pure worship and true ministery described in his word to cherish and protect all such as are carefull â—o worship God according to his word and to lead a godly lyfe in all peace and loyaltie yea to enforce all their subiects whoever ecclesiasticall or civile to do their dutyes to God and menâ—protecting and mainteining the good punishing and restraining the evill according as God hath commaunded whose Lieutenants they are here on earth 40 And thus the protection and coÌ„mandement of the Princes and Magistrates maketh it much more peaceable though no wit at all more lawfull to walke in the wayes and ordinances of Iesus Christ which he hath commanded his Church to keep without spot and vnrebukeable vntill his appearing in the end of the world And in this behalfe therefore the brethren thus mynded aÌ„d proceeding as is before said are both continually to supplicate to God and as they may to their Princes and Governors that thus and vnder them they may leade a quiet and peaceable lyfe in all godlines and honestie 41 And if God encline the Magistrates hearts â—o the allowance and Protecction of the Church therin it ought to be accompted a singular and happy blessing of God who granteth such nourcing Fathers and nourcing Mothers to his Church And it behoveth all to be carefull to walke worthie so great a mercy of God in all thankfulnes and obedience 42 But if God withold the Magistrates allowance and furtheraÌ„ce herein yet must wee notwithstanding proceed together in ChristiaÌ„ covenant and communion thus to walke in the obedience of Christ aÌ„d confessioÌ„ of his faith and Gospell even through the middest of all tryalls and afflictions not accompting our goods lands wiveâ— children Fathers Mothers brethren sisters no nor our lyves dear vnto vs so as we may finish our course with ioy remembring always that we ought to obey God rather then man and grounding vpon
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
vnto vs not by the Ministers of whome you speak but by the Magistrats which we do alwayes and every where acknowledg with thanckes Secondly what if these ministers men indeed learned and wise should be of the same mynd with you that they would not heare or speake any thing concerning our fayth and cause inasmuch as they would not be eyther intercessours or examiners or Iudges Furthermore what if our Confession of fayth have ben exhibited to them above three yeares synce that by them it might eyther be approved or the errours if there be any convinced What if some of them have denounced vs as hereticks and schismaticks What if they have received certayne articles full of lyes and sclaunders spread abroad against vs and yet to this daye have not gyven vs a copy of them no though they were desyred What if vpon occasion offered we have dealt with them touching certaine corruptions yet remayning in their Churches which notwithstanding they would not so much as acknowledg And finally what if we after the concealing and not regarding of all these thinges have now agayne this last yeare delyvered them the Confession of our fayth in wryting before it was put forth in print You see what we could answer in this behalf but we would rather have burned these thinges in forgetfulnes if you had not so vrged vs as from you they might not now be concealed Pardon you therfore and let them also we intreat pardon vs that we speak freely for you would have vs speak yea you constreyne vs against our will to wryte these things which we would have covered in silence hoping hereafter for better Besydes these we answer also that in the preface before our Confession is signified that not here only but almost every where we are traduced as heretickes and schismaticks and that therfore it concerned vs to declare our fayth and cause not to these only but vnto all The very thing which before vs on lyke occasion as is aforesaid both dyvers of the ffathers have don of old and in later wines almost all the reformed Churches and of the Martyrs not a few And hitherto of your reasons alleadged against the publyshing of our our fayth Which how weak they are now judg your self But suppose they were strong and that therfore herein we had erred that our Confession came forth in publyck yet now it is publyshed the errours if any be found in it are certeynly to be shewed and convinced by the word of God Otherwise you may easily gather that we shall be more coÌ„firmed in this fayth And seing you Learned Sr. do purposely wryte coÌ„cerning the Doctrine which we professe and yet shew not any one errour in the Doctrine consider wel what you have done Will you be ready to help them who erre as you think in the manner and circumstaÌ„ces and will you afford no help at all in the matter and fayth it self Far be this from you from your godlynes learning wisdome charity And thus much of the first poynt which you noted concerning doctrine 2 The second head is of the fact wherof as you say we accuse the Englysh Churches Here also we expected that you would have discussed those fower poynts which are particularly rehearsed in the preface of this book and which we shewed to be done and vsed by them dayly in their divine worship for which also we testifyed that we are banished and have departed from them But of these neyther have you not one word And yet this was the specyall fact which we noted for to be considered in that Church That other of the Prelats tyranny and persecution of vs we touched but by the way and in a few wordes We marvell therfore yea and greatly marvell that these thinges which directly concerne the matter and cause it self should thus every where be let passe by you who yet pretend to bring into the way such as do erre But les vs see nevertheles what the thinges are which you do here so much vrge The first is that those Churches from which we have departed should not by vs be accused About the word accusation we will not contend Onely this we say we vse it noâ— that we remember except wheÌ„ we treat of our owne cause who by them are accused of heresy schisme sedition etc. Of which for asmuch as we are accused among them here and every where what good man will deny vnto vs place of defence But you say no man desyreth to know why we came thence and that the injury also hath left to prosequute vs being departed from them How these things escaped you we marvell For in both of them you wryte other wise then the thing is For both many do dayly desier to know why we came thence and the injury hath prosequuted vs being departed into this place to this very day Of the former we need cyte no witnesses for they are almost infinite Of the latter besydes the Latine bookes publyshed at home by our owne contreymen besydes the libels which they have sparsed against vs in this city besydes the sclaunders wherewith then do also pursue vs every where besydes all these we say the Ministers them selves of the Churches Dutch and FreÌ„ch both here at Amsterdam and at Dordrecht are able to testifye they have received as we said afore certeyne articles full of lyes and sclaunders wrytten against vs and yet still they have them for ought we know Moreover if none of these things had falleÌ„ out opeÌ„ly before the world yet who knoweth not that Antichrists retinew such as be the Prelats do still resemble the nature and conditions of the Dragon who out of his mouth cast waters like a flood after the woman that he might cause her to be caryed away of the flood whom being present he could not devoure Rev. 12. and 13 chap. As for that you annexe of concealing injuryes it hath ben observed by vs as much as we could For neyther have we in particular related them neyther can we if we would We have noted only in generall that these Prelats have done the very things which the Scripture foretold should by the Beast and Antichrist be commytted Neyther are we in this kind of writing eyther the first or alone Thus heretofore have many of the servants of God wrytten who in their severall countries have ben many wayes veâ—ed by Antichrist Neyther that only but they have also noted downe the particuler persons names places tymes martyrdomes causes actions injuryes Search if you please the ecclesiasticall writers almost of everye age search the Acts and momments of the martyrs in this countrey in ours in Scotland in France in the other countryes almost all here about yea search the Acts of the Apostles and see if such particular historyes be not there also recorded Yet further tell vs we pray you if this course had ben held by all which you seem to exact of vs from whence then could you or any other have
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
see not what is to turne back againe from whence men came if this be not c But if those things â—e true which I thincke are not lykely to wit that the Metropolytanes retayne in vse those most filâ—hy abuses then which the Church of Antichrist hath not any thing more intollerable namely pruralyties of benefyces lycences of non residency lâ—cences to mary and eat flesh and other the lyke this were certâ—nly which I speake with horrour not a corruption of Christianity but a manifest defection from Christ and therfore they not to be condemned but commended rather which oppose them selves to such endevours c. These and many other the lyke sayings he hath in his epistles and other bookes publyshed Now as touching the things which he thought not to be so much as lykely we know them to be most true neyther these only but almost an hundreth the lyke as we have touched in the preface of our Confession Among which we besâ—ecâ— you consider these three specially yet so as you turne not your eyes away froÌ„ the rest the confirmation of such aâ— have beâ—â— baptised when nowe they are waxen older administred by the Prelats themselves vnto this day Their holy Orders of Clergy The discipline and sanctions of the CannoÌ„ Law as they call it yet reteyned in that Churche and tell vs we pray you freely and syncerely what now you think of the estate of that Church and of our separation â—erily if we conceive you right your self expound the marke the name and the nomber of the name of the Beast to be vnderstood of these three last aforesaid abhomynations of Antichrist In your exposition of Rev. 13. ver 16.17.18 And to receive these you know also well iâ— forbydden vnto all vnder payne of eternall damnation Rev. 14.9.10 11. and 18.4.5 But to returne to M. Beza agayne in him there are many thinges coÌ„cerning our cause to be carefully observed first that his private epistles he set forth in publyck secondly that in tâ—â— he diâ— not dissemble but freely and ingeniously declare his iudgment of the estate of the Church of England thirdly that yet he was nâ— busibody or vnwise which would clime into thâ—â— seate or by provoking that church made his cause the worse with good meÌ„ etc. fourthly if ther were nothing els yet by this we may well think that what you say of your self is not the answer of the other brethreÌ„ which are in any place in Churches and Vniversityes lastly that he should not have burst if he had dissembled these things nor yet while he wrote the godly and faythfully was factious vnciuill or sowed any â—aâ—es but haâ—e witnes to the truth of the Gospel of Christ and did truly shew that â—e trod in the steps of the Apostle who wryteth and testifyet thus of himself and of all the faithful servaÌ„ts of Christ we caÌ„not â—o any thing against the truth but for the truth 2 Cor. 13.8 But these things by the way Yet so as you may well consider with your self beloved Brother whether the things which here and ther in your letter you seem to insinuate against vs fal not vpoÌ„ the very head of that most godly maÌ„ Mr. Beza by lyke right or rather indeed by lyke wroÌ„g Of other lyke godly and learned 〈◊〉 we will not now speake it shall suffice here to have mencioned him alone And where you seem to acknowledg for true Pastors the Prelats and Priests by theÌ„ created such as the English ministery is knoweÌ„ to be mynd how well you have done this and how agreably with the Spirit of God which calleth such Locusts false Prophets the whores marchants c. But touching that which you speak of Christ our Saviour how he brought iudgment to victory not by crying out and filling the streets with clamours but by blowing softly vpon the smoking flax and handling tenderly the brused reed This we do indeed most willingly acknowledg and pray that we may alwayes followe this his most sacred example Neverthelesse this also must be remembred that Christ dealt after one maner with the weack of whome here the speach is after an other with the * Scribes and Pharisees and other the like sworne enemyes of the truth such as at this day be the Prelats and their complices which who is it that doth not know who is it that doth not acknowledg The same also may be seeÌ„ in the Apostles of Christ and in their dealing with Simon Magus Elymas Hymenaeus Alexander Philetus Diotrephes c. Which things being so we humbly besech you reverend and beloved Sr. by that most holy name of Christ which you professe by the mercyes of God wherewith he hath loved vs in Christ that you would thnik of another course then such as yet it seemeth you allow that you would take an other way for discovering and destroying the defection of Antichrist for setting forward the salvation edificatioÌ„ and peace both of vs and others Hold on to defend the true fayth as now a good while you have done with great praise and fruit of the godly and discover errours maynteyne good causes and forsake evill Strive for Christ and the truth of his Gospell and fight against Antichrist and the remnants of his Apostasy Let it be manifest to all what your mynd and judgment is not only concerning the fayth of Christ but also concerning the mystery Apostasy and iniquity of Antichrist ffinally as touching our selves in specyall if you wryte agayne we do humbly and earnestly entreat if any where we have erred in our fayth and chuse that you vouchsafe to shew it vs by the light of Gods word Otherwise it wil be suspected seing you bestow so much paynes in discussing these things which concerne the maÌ„ner and not the matter it self that eyther you do dissemble your iudgment what soever it be or that in very deed you are of the same mynd with vs specially seing now you have wrytten that you do not any preiudice at all to our cause and have spoken this religiously before the Lord. Pityâ— we pray you our Church here exiled every where reproched eaten vp in a maner with deep poverty despised and afflicted wel nere of al against which sathan hath now a long tyme attempted all vtmost extremyties Pity them from whome we have departed who vnder pretence of the Gospell contynew still in Antichristian defection and do so stifley hold and eagerly maynteyne it as there is scant any among them that dare so much as hisse against it Pity these Churches among whome we sejourne in which wheter you look at the publyck prayers or the Administration of the Sacraments or the execution of discipline there be sundry â—aâ—es if they may be called â—ares or rather corruptions and those also not of small moment at which as is reported the Anabaptists and others not a few that lyve here do stumble of which also we have heretofore conferred frendly with the ministers of these Churches