Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	king_n	pope_n	rome_n	6,182	5	6.7588	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A10958	The faith, doctrine, and religion, professed, & protected in the realme of England, and dominions of the same expressed in 39 articles, concordablie agreed vpon by the reuerend bishops, and clergie of this kingdome, at two seuerall meetings, or conuocations of theirs, in the yeares of our Lord, 1562, and 1604: the said articles analised into propositions, and the propositions prooued to be agreeable both to the written word of God, and to the extant confessions of all the neighbour churches, Christianlie reformed: the aduersaries also of note, and name, which from the apostles daies, and primitiue Church hetherto, haue crossed, or contradicted the said articles in generall, or any particle, or proposition arising from anie of them in particular, heereby are discouered, laid open, and so confuted. Perused, and by the lawfull authoritie of the Church of England, allowed to be publique.	Rogers, Thomas, d. 1616.; Rogers, Thomas, d. 1616. English creede.	1607 (1607)	STC 21228; ESTC S116041	208,079	284

that the king of Spain and their Catholike faith are so linked together as it is become a point of necessitie in the Catholike faith to put all Europe into the handes of the said King otherwise the Catholike religion will be vtterly extingvished and perish Others of them haue published a new Gospell called Euangelium aeternum Spiritus sancti which they say doth so farre excell the Gospell of Christ as the Cernell surpasseth the shell the Sunne the Moone light darkenes The author whereof was one Cyrellus a Carmelite And lastly the Puritanes and all the speculations of Brown Barrow Greene Penrie Marprelate T.C.E.G.R.H. A.C. I.B. with the newe Sabbatarians and their fancies 21. Article Of the authoritie of generall Councells Generall Councells 1 may not be gathered together without the commandement and will of Princes And 2 when they be gathered together forasmunch as they be an assemblie of men whereof all be not gouerned with the Spirit and word of God they may erre and 3 sometimes haue erred euen in things pertaining vnto God wherfore 4 things ordained by them as necessarie vnto saluation haue neither strength nor authority vnlesse it may be declared that they be taken out of holy Scriptures The propositions 1. Generall Councells may not be gathered together but by the commandement and will of Princes 2. Generall Councells may erre 3. Generall Councells haue erred euen in things pertaining vnto God 4. The things ordained by generall Councells are so farre to be embraced and beleeued as they are consonant to Gods holy word 1. Proposition Generall Councells may not be gathered together but by the commandement and will of Princes The proofe from Gods word GReat is the power and authoritie of Kings and Princes by the word of God For as the defense of Religion is committed vnto them so must they see that all men doe their duties That these things the better may be performed they are as iust occasion is offered not as men vnder the power of others to Simon but as Supreame gouernours within their own terretories and dominions to command all sorts of men to meete together and that either to the implanting of the truth where it is not or to the suppressing of sinne errors idolatrie and superstition where or in whomsoeuer it doth arise or is rooted Such Councells were holden both in the time of the Moisaicall gouernement by the commandement of the most godly Kings Dauid Salomon Asa Ezekiah and Iosiah and since the Gospell hath bin receiued into kingdomes and Commonweales by Christian Princes kings and Emperours who gathered Councells both Generall as the Nicene was by Constantine the great the Councell of Constantinople by Theodosius the elder the Counsell of Ephesus by Theodosius the younger the councell of Calcedon by Marcian Nationall and Prouinciall so the Counsell at Frankford Rhemes Taron Arelot and Moguntia by the will and commandement of Charles the great at Matison by Gunthranus at Paris and Orleance by the direction and appointment of Childebert were kept and holden And neuer yet hath there bin a councell either Generall or nationall or whatsoeuer I only except the councells held by the Apostles and Apostolicall men in a troublesome state and time of the Church there beeing then no Christian Princes Emperours to countenance the truth either begun or ended to the glorie of God but it hath bin I say not called onely but confirmed also by some godly Emperour King or Queene This in effect is granted by all reformed Churches The Errors and adversaries vnto this truth This assertion hath bin oppugned and that diuersly both by the Papists and Puritanes For the Papists they say Emperours and kings be the Pope his Summoners but of themselues are no absolute and powerfull commanders and callers of Councels There ought no councel to be kept without the determinate consent of the Bishop of Rome No councell euer yet had firme and lawful authority which was not confirmed by the Bishop of Rome The Popes of Rome and not Christian Princes haue the authoritie and power of making lawes ecclesiasticall and of calling Councells And the Puritanes do thinke that priuate persons without the leaue or priuitie of Princes may summon assemblies about Church causes at their pleasures and consult about the publike affaires of the Church Of this minde was Beza and be the disciplinarians both of South and North Brittaine Others aduersaries to both Puritanes and Papists are of minde that were the Pope a good man as he is nothing lesse he might and hee being wicked other good Bishops though subiect vnto Kings and Emperours may summon Counsells at their discretions An error of Seluererus The Muscouites haue a fancie that since the seuenth generall Counsell that was neither Prince nor Pope nor any other men els haue power to call a generall counsell 2. Proposition Generall coucells may erre The proofe from Gods word Generall Councells consisting first of men who may erre nothing more easily for all the imaginations of mans heart are onely euill continually euen from his youth but God onely is true and all men are yea and euery man is a Liar Next of men differing in yeares riches learning iudgement calling and authoritie whereby distractions of opinions often doe arise Thirdly of many mē wherof the wicked be for nūber commonly the maior part and the better in outward countenance of the world Lastly of men not al nor alwaies either gouerned with Gods holy Spirit and word or gathered together in the Name of Christ none of sounde iudgement in Religion do doubt but they may erre If Paphmitius had bin absent at Nice that Councell had erred If Hierome had bine away at Calcedon that Councell had erred At any time if some be beleeued be the Pope of Rome not present at such meetings either per se or per Legatum by himselfe or his Legate no Councell but must erre Therefore Councells may erre That which one Counsell doth establish another will disanull They will not wee must thinke reuoke that which is well decreed Therefore councells may erre The adversaries vnto this truth Therefore erre doe the papists which say that the holy Spirit is the director of all Councells and That councells cannot erre 3. Proposition Generall Councells haue erred euen in things pertaining vnto God The proofe from Gods word Councells both generall and particular haue erred and that in matters of Faith For in the holy Scriptures wee finde that it was ordained If any man did confesse that Iesus was the Christ hee should be excommunicate which could not be but by a Councell A councell was gathered to suppresse Christ and his doctrine A councell consulted how they might take Iesus by subtilty and kill him A councell sought for false witnesse to put him to death By a counsell

slanderous folkes to be offended 3 we giue not to our Prince the ministring either of Gods word or of the Sacraments the which thing the Iniunctions also sometime set forth by Elizabeth our late queene doe most plainely testifie but that onely prerogatiue which wee see to haue bin giuen alwaies to all godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God himselfe that is that they should rule all estates and degrees committed to their charge by God whether they be Ecclesiasticall or Temporall 4 and restraine with the ciuill sword the stubburne and euill doers 5 The Bishop of Rome hath no iurisdictiō in this realme of England 6 The lawes of the realme may punish Christian men with death for heinous and grieuous offenses 7 It is lawfull for Christian men at the commandement of the Magistrate to weare weapons and serue in the warres The Propositions 1. The kings maiestie hath the cheife power in this realme of England and other his dominions 2. The kings maiestie hath the chiefe gouernement of all estates ecclesiasticall and ciuill in all causes within his dominions 3. His Highnesse may not execute the ecclesiasticall duties of preaching and ministring the Sacraments and yet is to prescribe lawes and directions vnto all estates both ecclesiasticall and Temporall 4. The King by his authoritie is to restraine with the materiall sword and to punish malefactors 5. The Bishop of Rome hath no iurisdiction in this realme of England nor other of this kings dominions 6. By the lawes of this realme Christian men for hainous and greiuous offenses may be put to death 7. It is lawfull for Christian men at the commandement of the magistrate to weare weapons and serue in warres 2. Proposition The Kings maiestie hath the cheife power in this realme of England and other his dominions The proofe from Gods word Diuers and sundrie be the formes of Common-weales and magistracie For some where many and they of the inferior people beare the sway as in a democratie some where a fewe and that of choise and the best men doe gouerne as in an Aristocratie and some where one man or woman hath the preheminence as in a Monarchie such is the gouernement of this Kingdome Notwithstanding whatsoeuer the gouernement is either democraticall Aristocraticall or Monarchicall Gods word doth teach vs that There is no power but of God the powers that be are ordained of God and that whosoeuer resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God We must be subiect to the principalities and powers and obedient and readie to euerie good worke We must submit our selues vnto all manner of ordinance of man for the Lords sake We must pray for Kinges and for all that bee in authoritie Finally we must giue to all men their dutie tribute to whom tribute custome to whom custome feare to whom feare honor to whom honor is due But of the Monarchiall gouernement speciall mention is made in the wrightings of the Prophets and Apostles Kings shall be their nourcing fathers and Queenes shall bee thy nources saith Esay The Apostle Peter calleth the King the superior or him that hath the chiefe power as our King Iames hath in his dominions All Churches Protestant and reformed subscribe vnto this doctrine as both Apostolicall and orthodoxall The errors and adversaries vnto this truth These Churches with vs and wee with them vtterly condemne the opinions Of the dreamers whereof the Apostle speaketh which despice gouernement and speake euill of them which are in authoritie Of the Manichies Fratricellians Flagelliferies Anabaptists and Familie of Loue all which raile vpon condemne magistracie Of them who allowe not of the gouernement by women but vtterly detest the same such were they in Italie which said In●●ritus mundi est á muliere regi againe speaking vnto women Abūde magna ciuitas vobis sit domus publicum neque noscatis neque vos noscat such in France who thinke how the lawe of God and nature is violated where a woman is suffered to reigne and gouerne such in Scotland or Scottish men rather from Geneua which wrote that A womans gouernment is a monstriferous Empire most detestable and damnable Againe I am assured that God hath reuealed to some in this age that it is more then a monster in nature that a woman shall reigne and haue Empire aboue man c And litle differing from these men are they in England which tearmed the harborough for faithfull subiects a carnall and vnlearned booke smelling altogether of earth without rime and without reason for defending the regiment of women ouer men when it falleth vnto them by inhaeritance to gouerne to be lawfull and good Hee which so censureth the said Harborough was the Marprelate and this his Censure declareth that hee was the Mar-prince aswell as the Marprelate 2. Proposition The Kinges maiestie hath the chiefe gouernment of all estates ecclesiasticall and ciuill in all causes within his dominions The proofe from Gods word Wee ascribe that vnto our King by this assertion which is giuen to euerie King or Queene in their owne dominions by the word of God For They are for titles gratious Lords Princes the ministers of God the Nourses of the Church Gods For authoritie the chiefe Which mooueth S. Paule to exhort that supplications be made for all men but first for Kinges as the chiefe Againe euerie soule is commaunded to bee subiect to the higher power c Finally the examples are manifold and pregnant shewing the principallity of kings ouer all persons and causes For Aaron the high preist called Moses the chiefe Prince his Lord so did Abimelech tearme Saul his Lord K. Iehosaphat as cheife in Iudah appointed Iudges Leuites and priests K. Ezekias there also as chiefe sent vnto all Israell and Iudah that they should come to the house of the Lord at Ierusalem to keepe the Passeouer also he appointed the course of Priests and Levites by their turnes and commanded all the priests to offer sacrifice c. and they obeied him and enioyned all the congregation to bring offerings and they brought them Which wee doe vnto ours the very same doe the churches of God ascribe vnto Christian magistrates in their principalities Errors Adversaries to this truth Which being true then false is it which the Papists deliuer viz that The kings excellencie of power is in respect of the Nobilitie and Lay-magistrates vnder him and not of Popes Bishops or Priests as they haue cure of soules kings and Princes be they neuer so great must be subiect vnto some Bishop Priest or Prelate The whole Clergie ought to be free from paying Tribute Sacerdotes etiam Principibus iure diuino subditi deleatur say the expurgators Priests are not by Gods lawe subiect vnto Princes No man is to be subiect vnto his temporall

see at all or Ouersee and what likewise the points of doctrine newly now reuealed their aeternum Euangelium which without great danger may not be preached in England no more then the doctrine and Articles of the Church of England may bee preached at Rome and for defence wherof they ought to afford euen their very liues weare they so many as the haires of euery of their heads is and bee they demonstrate themselues to be most childishly vaine and idle in their imaginations which they take yet to be illuminations of the spirit 13. For all their doings and discourses to say the best of them are but to erect a newe which they tearme a true ministerie and their Discipline among vs. Themselues doe say The controuersie betwixt them and vs is not as the Bishopes and their welwillers they would beare the world in hand for a Cap a Tippet or a Surplesse but for greater matters concerning a true ministerie and regiment of the Church according to the word the one whereof that is a true ministery they shall neuer haue till Archbishops and Bishops be put downe and all Ministers made equall the other also will neuer be brought to passe till Kings Queenes doe subiect themselues vnto the Church and submit their scepters and throwe downe their Crowes before the Church and lick vp the dust of the feete of the Church and willingly abide the censures of the Church that is of the Presbyterie For as the Church is subiect vnto the ciuill magistrate in respect of his ciuill authoritie so must the magistrate the King and Queene subiect themselues and bee obedient to the iust and lawfull authoritie of the Church The ciuill magistrate is none officer at all of the Church For Church officers bee non Magnates aut Tetrarchae not gracious or honorable Lords but Ministers of the Church The Presbyterie is the Church and euerie Congregation or Church should and must in it haue a Presbyterie This is the Light which indeede the Martyrs neuer sawe the Religion which our Brethren striue for the Truth which they may not preach not Childish doctrine like the Bishops Articles but the wise Gospell the maine and materiall points of religion nowe in these last daies last of all yea after the eight Thorowe breaking of H. N. his Euangelium regni reuealed and for furtherance whereof they are to lend and spend euen all their liues if occasion be ministred 14. Strange and strong delusions First to take these and other such assertions for Truths and heauenly mysteries which are but the fancies of troubled braines not grounded nor truly gathered from Gods word Next to teach one another and al their fauorers howe they should be as readie and prepared euen for these matters to giue ouer their liuings and to giue their liues were they as many as the haires of all their heades as Cranmer Ridley Latimer did and Parker Grindall and all other Preachess would and euery Christian man and woman should if they bee called thereunto for the Apostolicall and Catholique doctrine of our Church which all Gods people doe knowe and the Brethren themselues as afore hath bin noted doe confesse is originally from God and his written word These and many moe too many heere to be recapitulate such phantasies of theirs or phrenesies rather this first subscription brought first to light and yet happie had it bin for Gods Church and people they had neuer bin broached 15. Semblablie the next Subscription called for by the last Archb. your L. predecessor an 84. discouered euen the verie thoughts and desires of those Brethren before but nowe stiled faithfull Brethren which haue and doe seeke for the Discipline and reformation of the Church Many Treatises afore but nowe and diuers yeares ensuing they flewe about and abroad like Atomies and by them the same things which afore but in a differing sort and in other words they publish For touching Church officers they name who and howe many sorts they be of them viz. Doctors Pastors Gouernors Deacons and Widdowes no moe no fewer They say Euerie Church must be furnished with a Teacher and a Pastor as with two Eies with Elders as with Feete with Deacons as with Hands Euerie Congregation must haue Eies Hands and Feete and yet neither all nor at all any Congregation is to haue an Head answerable to those Feete Hands and Eies The doctor by their doctrine must be a distinct minister from the pastor and onely teach true doctrine and neither exhort nor apply his doctrine according to the times and his auditorie nor minister the Sacraments For these things the pastor is to performe Which pastor also whensoeuer he administreth the Sacraments must necessarily make a Sermon or els he cōmitteth Sacriledge And concerning discipline by their doctrine euery Congregation must haue absolute authoritie to admonish to censure to excommunicate and to anathematize all offending persons yea euen Kings and Princes if they be of the Congregation And no Prince but must be of some parish and vnder one Presbytery or other alwaies Where this power is not in their iudgements one of the tokens of a true Church is wanting For this Discipline with them is a Marke of the Church and numbred among the Articles of their Faith 16. This say they is the great cause the holy cause which they will neuer leaue suing for though they should be a thousand Parliaments in their daies vntill either ther obtaine it or bring the Lord in vengeance and blood against the Stare and the whole land for repelling the same The Discipline is Gods holy yoke Gods sceptre the kingdome and throne of Christ. Our controuersie say they is whether Iesus Christ shall be King or no. Againe the end of all our trauaile is to build vp the walles of Ierusalem in to set vp the Throne of Iesus Christ our heauenly King the middes thereof the aduauncing whereof is a testimonie vnto vs that wee shall haue part in that glorie which shall be reuealed heereafter So learne we nowe from their said bookes learned and demonstratiue discourses which the Fathers and our fore fathers neuer sawe nor had learned both that their Discipline established and exercised is a visible marke of a true Church and to desire the aduauncement of the same an inuisible token of an elect childe of God so as neither is that a Church at least no true Church where their Discipline is not neither they but titular christians no true christians indeede which either sigh or seeke not to haue it established and Presbyteries in euerie parish to be aduaunced 17. The Articles of our religion concluded vpon by the reuerend Clergie of our Church with these learned and all seeing Brethren are but the Bishops decrees the Articles of the Conuocation house and reueale some little truth but these wise Brethren so faithfull haue they bin betweene God and his Church they haue not failed to shewe vs the whole counsaile of God And

wherby the doctrine in this land allowed publiquely graced imbraced of all sorts at his entrance into the Realme hath been not only acknowledged to bee agreeable to Gods word sincere and the very same which both his Highnes and the whole Church and kingdome of Scotland yea and the primitiue Church professed but also by his authoritie regall and paramont as one of the maine pillers supporting his Estate ratified to continue and all hope either of allowing or tolerating in this kingdome of any other doctrine religion or faction whatsoeuer opposite or any way thwarting the Faith and confession of the Church of England in most plaine pithy and peremptorie words and speeches cut off The yeare 62. was not more famous for the Vniformitie of doctrine in religion then concluded then the yeare 604. is memorable and will be for seconding the same neither gotte the Clergie in those daies more credit in composing the Articles of our Vnitie in Faith then did the last Conuocation whereat your Grace then Bishop of London was present and President in ratifying the Acts and Articles of their Antecessors neither was Q. Elizabeth more honoured in establishing them at the first then is our K. Iames renowned and more and more will be for approouing vnder the great Seale of England the late and last Constitutions and Canons ecclesiasticall 27. Whereby no person shall hereafter be receiued into the ministery nor neither by Institution or Collation admitted to any ecclesiasticall liuing nor suffered to preach to catechize or to be Lecturer or Reader of Diuinitie in either Vniuersitie or in any Cathedrall or Collegiat Church Cittie or Market towne Parish Church Chappell or in any other place in this realme except c. and except hee shall first Subscribe to these three Articles c. Whereof the third is that he alloweth the booke of Articles of Religion c. Nor any licensed to preach Read Lecture or Catechize comming to reside in any Diocesse shall be permitted there to preach read lecture catechize or minister the Sacraments or to execute any other ecclesiasticall function by what authoritie soeuer he be thereunto admitted vnlesse he first consent and Subscribe to the three Articles Neither shall any man teach either in publike schole or in priuate house except he shall first subscribe to the first and third Articles simply c. Neither shall any man be admitted a Chancellar Commissarie or officiall to exercise any ecclesiasticall iurisdiction except c. and shal Subscribe to the Articles of Religion agreed vpon in the Conuocation in the yeare 1562 c. And likewise all Chancellours Commissaries Registers and all other that doe nowe possesse or execute any places of ecclesiasticall iurisdiction or seruice shall before Christmas next in the presence of the Archbishop or Bishop or in open Court vnder whome or where they execute their offices take the same Oathes and Subscribe as before is said or vpon refusall so to doe shall be suspended from the execution of their Offices vntill they shall take the said Oathes and Subscribe as afore said 28. In which Constitutions the wisedome of his Highnesse sheweth it selfe to be excellent who indeede as exceeding necessary both for the retaine of peace in the Church and preuenting of newe doctrine curious speculations and offenses which otherwise daily would spring vp and intolerably encrease calleth for Subscription in testimonie of mens cordiall consent vnto the receiued doctrine of our Church but exacteth not their Oathes as some doe much lesse Oathes Vowes and Subscription too but onely in a particular respect and that of a very fewe in publike office as our neighbours haue done Againe hee requireth Subscription but not of ciuill magistrates not of the Commons as else-where some doe not of euery man yea of womē aswel as of men as did the persecuted Church at Frankeford in Q. Maries daies not of Noble Gentlemen and Courtiers as in Scotland was exacted in our Kings minoritie but onely of ecclesiasticall Ministers Teachers and spirituall Officers or of those which would be such and so doe the reformed Churches in France and Germanie at this very day Last of all his Maiestie calleth for Subscription vnto Articles of religion but they are not either Articles of his owne lately deuised or the old newely turkened but the verie Articles agreed vpon by the Archbishopes and Bishops of both Prouinces and the whole Clergie in the Conuocation holden at London and that in the yeare of our Lord God 1562 and vnto none other euen the same Articles for number thirtie nine no moe no fewer and for words sillables and letters the verie same vnaugmented vndiminished vnaltered 29. And beeing the same the whole world is to knowe that the Church of England is not in religion changed or variable like the Moone nor affecteth noueltie or newe lessons but holdeth stedfastly and conscionably that truth which by the Martyrs and other Ministers in this last age of the world hath bin restored vnto this kingdome and is grounded vpon Gods written word the onely foundation of our Faith And being the same all men againe may see that we are stil at Vnitie both among our selues at home and with the neighbour Churches abroad in all matters of cheifest importance fundamentall points of religion though our adversaries the Papists would faine beate the contrarie into the common peoples heads And being the same there is nowe as also from the first restauration of the Gospell among vs there hath beene an Vniformitie likewise of doctrine by authoritie established which at the King his first arriuall among vs was so much desired by the Brethren And finally being the same let vs not doubt but perswade our selues that we shall find the Antichristian Church of Rome too the same which for the same doctrine and for none other cause prosecuteth all Christian churches but ours of England especially with sworde fire and powder in most hostile yea and hellish manner the effect of whose hatred against vs as we haue often seene so especially had wee felt the same the next yeare after our Kings ratification of these Articles had not our euer mercifull God most miraculouslie detected both the Treason and Traitors For which his fauours his holy Name be glorified of vs and our posteritie throughout all generations 30. So our Church is the same But be the Brethren the faithfull and godly Brethren too the same nowe which they haue also beene If they bee then will they not denie which an 72. they writ that We hold the substance of religion with them nor which an 602. they published is afore remembred that the true Faith by which we may be saued and the true doctrine of the Sacraments the pure worship of God be truly taught and that by publike authoritie and retained in the booke of Articles And in this Confession I pray God they may constantly perseuere Howebeit euen these men which in a

generalitie doe allowe the doctrine of our Church being called by authoritie to acknowledge their assent vnto euerie Article thereof in particular they doe not a little debase the estimation of this doctrine of our● and shewe themselues but too apparent and professed disseruors from the same And though all of them doe and will approoue some yet not one of them will subscribe vnto all and euery of the Articles For vnto the Articles of religion and the Kings Supremacie they are willing to subscribe And they may subscribe as afore hath beene noted vnto such of them as containe the summe of Christian Faith and the doctrine of the Sacraments But vnto the same Articles for number 39. agreed vppon in this Conuocation at London an 62. they neither will nor dare nor may subscribe For neither the rest of the Articles in that booke nor the Booke of common prayer may bee allowed no though a man should be depriued from his ministerie for it say the sayd Brethren in a certaine Classical decree of theirs The late Politician is not affraide to mooue the high and most honorable Court of Parliament that Impropriations may bee let to Ferme vnto Incumbent ministers viz. which faithfullie preach in the Churches the true doctrine of the Gospell according to the Articles of religion concerning Faith and Sacraments meaning that such Ministers as preach the same doctrine if they proceed to the rest of the Articles Concerning either Conformitie in externall and ceremoniall matters or Vniformitie in other points of doctrine contained in that booke should not be partakers of that benefit or of Benefices Impropriat 31. If it be demaunded what the causes may be why they will vnto some but will not vnto all or why they will vnto those Articles which concerne Faith and the Sacraments but will not vnto the rest subscribe The reasons hereof be two whereof The one is for that in their opinion there is no Law to compell them to subscribe vnto all For say the brethren resiant I know not where Wee haue alwaies beene readie to subscribe to the Articles of religion concerning the doctrine of Faith and of the Sacraments which is all that is required by Lawe Also the Brethren in Deuonshire and Cornewale Wee are readie say they to subscribe to the third which concerneth the booke of Articles of religion so farre as wee are bound by Statute concerning the same viz. as they concerne the doctrine of the Sacraments and the confession of the true faith And the 22 London Brethren tell K. Iames to his head how the Subscription which he calleth for is more then the Lawe requireth Their other reason is because as the Lincolnshire doe say sundry as the London Brethren affirme many things in that booke be not agreable but contrary to Gods word 32. If these things be true which they doe alleadge surely then are those men to be chronicled for the Faithfull the godly and innocent Brethren indeede whome neither present Benefices can allure nor the angry countenance and displeasure of a king euen of the puissant and powerfull king of great Brittaine can force to doe any thing at his beck and pleasure either against Lawe or for which there is no law and who had rather to forgoe all their earthly commodities liuings yea to goe from their charges and ministery and to expose themselues their wiues and children to the myseries of this world grieuous for flesh and blood to endure then to approoue any thing for true and sound by their hands which is opposite or not agreeable to the reuealed will and Scriptures of God But if these allegations of theirs be but weake and sinfull surmises or rather apparently most false scandalous and slaunderous imputations to their Prince their mother Church and this State then doubtlesse as they euen Christians now liuing cannot but take them so the ages to come will euerlastingly note and censure them both for disloyall Subiects that so traduce a truly and most christianly religious King il deseruing children that so abuse their honourable and reuerend Fathers and superiors of State and authority turbulent spirits not peaceable men which raise such broiles troubles and diuisions in the Church and kingdome the issues whereof no tongue can foretell and are fearefull being thought of without cause and finally neither faithfull nor godly Preachers but vngodly broachers of vntruthes and slaunders and the very authors and fautors of horrible cōfusion faction in Gods Church whose peace they shold seek promote euē with their deerest blood 33. Since the Statute for Vniformitie in rites and doctrine was first enacted moe then 35. yeeres haue passed in all which space neither the Brethren nowe being nor the Brethren afore them liuing haue hetherto shewen of the 39. Articles for names and titles Which for number Howe manie the Articles be which ecclesiastical Ministers necessarily must howe many which they may not or neede not vnlesse they list subscribe vnto which I am sure they or some of them at one time or other would haue expressed had the Lawe fauored their recusancie and they beene able to haue iustified their Maxime which is That they are not compellable by subscription to approoue them all Againe since the first establishment of that Statute Lawe the most reuerend Fathers and truely reformed Ministers of this Church sound for iudgement profound for learning zealous for affection sincere for religion faithfull in their Churches painefull in their charges more profitable many waies of as tender consciences euery way as any of these Brethren combined according both to their bounden duties and as they are perswaded to the very purport and true intent of the said Statute haue alwaies both with their mouthes acknowledged and with their pennes approoued the 39. Articles of our religion for truthes not to bee doubted of and godly Yea and the Brethren too themselues which nowe so scrupulouslie when they are orderly called thereunto doe holde backe their hands and will subscribe but choisely vnto some of them euen they with their mouthes which is equiualent and all one haue that according to the Statute or else their liuings be void vpon their first entrance into all and singular their ecclesiasticall benefices openly both read and testified their consent vnto the said Articles for number euen nine and thirty acknowledging them I say all of them to be agreeable to Gods word whereof the people in there seuerall charges be ready witnesses to testifie so much before God the world 34. Againe of these Brethren that will subscribe but vnto which they please of these Articles there be some who faine would beate into mens heads if they could tell howe to make it credible that the Doctrine of our Church is altered from that it was in the raigne of Queene Elizabeth But this assertion being too grosse egregiouslie vntrue and no way iustifiable they secondly giue out and report so industrious be they to inuent newe shifts to

prince and superior in matters of religion or regiment of his soule but in such things onely as concerne the publike peace and policie False also is it which the Puritanes doe hold namely that Princes must be seruants vnto the Church be subiect vnto the Church submit thier scepters vnto the Curch and throw downe their Crownes before the Church Magistrates aswel as other men must submit themselues and be obedient to the iust and lawfull authorite of the church that is of the Presbyterie Quis tandem reges principes who can exempt euen kings princes from this Non humana sed diuinâ Dominatione Not humane but diuine Domination meaning of the Presbytery saith Beza which Presbyterie they would haue to be in euery parish Quotquot ecclesiae Christi as many as be members of Christ and of the Church they must subiect themselues to the consistorian discipline Non hic excipitur Episcopus aut Imperator Neither Bishop or Emperour is excepted here Nulla hic acceptio aut exceptio est personarum Here is no acception or exception of persons 3. Proposition His Highnes may not execute the ecclesiasticall duties of Preaching and ministring the Sactaments and yet is to prescribe Lawes and directions vnto all estates both ecclesiasticall and Temporall The proofe from Gods word K. Ezekiah said vnto the Priests and Leuites of his time My sonnes be not deceiued For the Lord hath chosen you to stand before him and to serue him and to be his ministers and to burne incense So doe we say the Lord hath appointed a companie and calling of men to teach the people to expound the Scriptures to celebrate the Sacraments to handle the keies of the celestial kingdome insomuch as hee whosoeuer that shall presume to doe these things not called thereunto and that lawfully though he be a King or Prince he may feare that punishment which fell vpon Vzzah Notwithstanding all Kings Queenes and Princes in their places may yea and must as occasion serueth with K. Salomon build an house for the Lord and set the courses of preists to their office with K. Ezekiah breake the Images cut down the Groaues take away the high places appoint the courses of the Preists and Leuites and enioyne all the people to minister sustenance vnto the Priests with K. Iosiah put downe and burne the horses of the Sunne breake downe the houses of the Sodomites Purge Iudah and Ierusalem from the high places Groaues carued and molten Images appoint the Priests to their charges and compell all that are found in Israell to serue the Lord their God and with the K. of Niniueh proclaime a fast and command euery man to turne from his euill way c. Of the same iudgement be other Churches The Errors and adversaries vnto this truth Much therefore out of the way are and offend greatly doe first the Papists who publish that The care of religion pertaineth not vnto kings Religionis curam semper pertinuisse ad Reges dele say the Expugators Blot it out Queenes may not haue or giue voice either deliberatiue or definitiue in Councells and publike assemblies concerning matters of religion nor make ecclesiasticall lawes concerning religion nor giue any man right to rule preach or execute any spirituall function as vnder them and by their authoritie In matters of religion and of their spirituall charge neither Heathen nor Christian kings ought to direct Clergie men but rather to take direction from them The Emperour of the whole world if he take vpon him to prescribe lawes of religion to the Bishops and preists c. hee shall be damned assuredly except he repent Next the Anabaptists who beeing priuate men and no princes will take vpon them the ordering and reformation of the Church as did Monearius and Muncer in Germanie And thirdly the disciplinarian Puritanes whose doctrine is that 1. The making of Ecclesiasticall constitutions and ceremonies belongeth vnto the ministers of the Church and ecclesiasticall gouernours vnto the Elders who are to consult admonish correct and order all things pertaining to the congregation 2. Ciuil magistrates haue no power to ordaine ceremonies pertaining vnto the Church but are to ordaine ciuill discipline onely as being no Church officers at all 3. The ecclesiasticall Officers be Doctors Pastors Elders and Deacons the onely officers instituted of God or at the most Pastors Doctors Elders Deacons and widdowes These are all no mo eno fewer and are onely sufficient and wee are to content our selues with these and rest in them saith the Preacher In which number vnlesse the King be included hee cannot possibly haue any thing to doe in Church affaires in these mens opinions 4. Without the prince the people may reforme the Church and must not tarrie for the magistrate so thought Barrow Greenewood and Wigginton Hence Hackets Coppingers and Arthingtons insurrection at London an 1591. Without the Prince also the Lords and Burgesses of the Parliament haue power of themselues to reforme the abuses and take away the corruptions of the Church Hence their manifold petitions Supplications politike Assertions exhibited vnto the Parliament from time to time In one of which their supplications saith one speaking vnto the parliament You must enioine euery one according to his place to haue a hand in this worke You must encourage and countenance the Gentlemen and people that shall be found forward c. And you of the Parliament must not suffer an vncircumcised mouth to bring a slander vpon that land c. sciz vpon their discipline This hath Penrie 4. Proposition The king by his authoritie is to restraine with the materiall sword and to punnish malefacters whosoeuer ●hey be The proofe from Gods word The office of the ciuill magistrate is to restraine and if need be to punnish according to the qualitie of their offences the disturbers of the quiet and peace of the Common-weale and that as occasion shall require sometime by force of armes if the enemies of his State bee either forraigne or domesticall and they gathered together be many and mighty To this end Kings and Princes haue both men munition Subsidies and Tributes So against the enimies of God and good men went of Israell and Iudah the valiant Iudges and the noble and puissant Princes And sometimes they execute their wholesome and penall Statuts vpon the goods cartell Lands and Bodies of their disorderly and rebellious subiects For the King is the minister of God to take vengeance on him that doth euill Therefore Princes are to be feared not of them which doe well but of such as doe wickedly And this doe the people of God acknowledge to bee true Adversaries vnto this truth Contrarilie heereunto The Cresconians were of opinion that Magistrates were to punnish no malefactors One Rabanus maintained that magistrates