her Maiestie that nowe is There is not one pricke pointing at the Queenes lawes or state of Bb. Therefore it is to be taken strictly of the Queene against whom the Seekers of Reformation haue not writen and by consequent haue not infringed this statute 5 Her maiesty is a body politike and hath members politike in fiction onely and in politicall imagination not in truth and verity In like imagination the lawe sayeth shee cannot doe wronge shee is alwaies of perfect age shee is not subiect to any passion shee can not bee imprisoned sicke or due Thinges in themselues vntrue Therefore he that diffameth her members politike doeth diffame her maiesty only in fiction that is in plaine english not at all 6 If they that write against the state of Bb. diffame her maiesty that vpholdeth it Then doe they that call the gouernement by Elders antichristian a popedome c. diffame the Queene also For hir maiesty hath authorized or at the least openly and notoriously tollerated the gouernement by Elders in forraine Churches that haue fled for succour into Her Dominions and haue bene admitted to vse the gouernement by Elders euen as our fugitiues in Queene Maries time founde like liberty and fauour in strange nations 7 If they that diffame the Queenes members politike diffame the Queene then they that take awaye the life of her members politike commit treason against the Queene The same reason caeteris paribus maketh the same lawe But euery puisne knoweth it is no treason to kill the Bb. though it bee worthily treason to attempt any hurt to her Highnesse Therefore the diffamation of the Bb. is no diffamation of the Queene 8 All men be lyers Churches Vniuersal Councells Parliamentes and lawes of all nations doe controll one another Therefore it is no diffamation to her Maiesty if men ascribe errour in some of their lawes seeing it is incident to all men to erre in some thinges Though Princes be called Gods yet as they die so doe they erre like other men Homines sunt mendaces non angels Men be lyers they bee not Angels sayeth Iustice Shelley 9 If you doe offer violence to the most base subiect in this Realme you doe periudice the Crowne and dignitie of our Soueraine Lady the Queene yet if you diâ—fame them it is no diffamation of the Queene the murthering of them is onelie felony though by estimation of lawe their life doeth more neerely touch the Crowne then can be shewed for the state of Bishops 10 If the diffaming of the Bishops and Queene be al one punishable by one lawe and one penaltie then the lawes defende the name and credite of a subiect with as great care as the name of the Queene Which were absurde in the law and a presuÌ„ptuous challenge in any subiect that doeth not represent the person of the Queene 11 If the writers against the gouernement of Bishops doe maliciouslie diffame the Princes that bear it vp then do they malitiously diffame the Dukes of Saxonie and Hie Almaine that mainteine the state of Bishops as our Prelates say But it were madnes to say that they write aduisedly maliciously to diffame these Christian Germaine Princes who neuer harmed them much lesse our Soueraine Ladie the Queene by whom they haue receyued incomparable benefites and who hath beâ—e more beneficiall to the church then anie Prince or Poâ—â—ntate in all the worlde 12 They that write to diffame the Queene shoulde die as felons by this statute None that writeth against the gouernement of Bishops ought to dye as a felon For they can make that but an errour in Religion at the worst for writing is not materiall to make an error or not an error The papists sayeth D. Bilson bee not executed for making the Pope chiefe pastor ouer their soules or for giuing him an Episcopall authoritte ouer all the vvhole Church though that bee also a frantike heresie but for giuing him an externall dominion ouer this Realme and Prince This is it that the Execution of Iustice doeth dâ—ely respect vvhich is farre froÌ„ anie matter of faith and religion Thus you see hee mainteineth that the papists haue not nor doe not suster for religion or heresie but onely for treason The Christian Emperours Gratian Theodosius c. neuer punished heretikes with death but onelie blasphemers and idolaters They that holde errors shoulde not bee killed but corrected sayeth Augustine And in another place It neuer pleased any good man in the Catholike Church that heretikes much lesse such as erre in externall matters should be put to death Thus it hath bene reasoned by our Diuines against the but châ—ries of the papistes It is also helde in a booke published by authoritie to which D. Bilson had reference and translated into many languages that neuer anie papist did suffer death for his religioÌ„ since hir Highnes raigne Which thing the Papists in Wisbich castell can also witnesse Seeing then our state and Diuines haue sought to remoue from them the suspition of executing any papists for their religion though they defende infinite heresies much lesse should the Seekers of Reformation suffer death for their religion If the papistes ought to be executed but of â—auour and grace are spared much more curtesie shoulde bee shewed to Seekers of Reformation whose offences both to God the Prince and Realme are nothing matchable with the detestable heresies and practises of the traiterous papistes Verely all the Protestants in the world would wonder to hear that among Protestantes vnder a Protestant Prince gouernmeÌ„t any Protestant should haue his bloud shed for maintaining a doctrine of the Protestants imbraced by Christian Churches and confederate Princes round about 13 If the writers against Bishops do offend against this statute then the Speakers and Reporters against Bishops and the publishers or deliuerers from hande to hande of these book â—s or any popishe bookes against the receiued doctrine of Englande be likewise within this statute The Speakers and Reporters must either loose their eares or redeeme them with two hundred poundes or two hundred markes The publishers are adiudged and deemed felons But it were ridiculous to aâ—â—iâ—me that the law had any such intent For theÌ„ there should be more eareles people in Englande then in al Christendome besides and many thousandes of the Bishops friendes shoulde be in case of â—elons Which woulde comfort the writers when they sawe like iustice done to Speakers Reporters and publishers For the Poet truely sayeth Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris It cheereth vp a wofull heart When company doe beare a parte Seeing then that the Speakers Reporters and publishers of such matters against Bishops are not within this statute neither be the writers 14 That is onely lawe which the lawe-makers intende The Law-makers did not intende by this statute protect the Hierarchie For there was no bill preâ—erred in the
word 13 That euery Congregation professing the faith and obedience of Christ might haue one or two sufficient Teachers faithfully labouring in the word of God doctrine so mainteyned as they might keepe hospitalitie not hindred or intangled with ciuill offices wherby their flocke should be neglected 14 That euery such Congregation might haue assistant to their teachings Elders some of the fittest best most godly of the church who should ioin the Teachers with the ecclesiasticall ruling and gouerning of the Church according to the worde of God 15 They would not haue these me any whitt to encroch vpon the Maiesties authoritie to punishe anie man externallie with any pecuniary or corporal penaltie but that they also be subiect to the higher powers keepe theÌ„selues within the compasse of their calling for the seruice of the Church as Christ hath appointed 16 That in euery such Congregation there might bee some appointed of the most honest and sufficient men to gather for the poore to keepe the Church treasurie for the vses of that Church and to the relife of the poore among them other neighbour churches 17 That also there might bee appointed some graue and olde Helpers or Widowes qualified as the Apostle commaundeth 1. Timoth. 5. 5. 9. 10. to thend the sicke aged friendlesse and needy of the Church and as they coulde other neighboures or wayfaringe men that people might not languishe or dye in our streetes and high wayes for want of reliefe as is most pitifully to beholde in manie places 18 That all these shoulde bee chosen and ordeyned in such manner and by such persons as the woorde of GOD the practise of the best primitiue and â—od erne Churches doeth warrant 19 That if any dissention growe or cause of 〈◊〉 bee giuen in any particular Church by the Minister or Officers the partie grieued might appeale to a particular Synode from the particular Synode to a Prouinciall Synode from a Prouinciall Synode to a nationall Synode Which Synodes should bee appointed at sett times The more particular the Synode is the more often the Synode for the time to bee moderated by some fitt man chaungeably by election that might write speake and praye in behalfe and at the direction of the rest Or the paâ—tie grieued might appeale from the particular Congegration or Synode immediatlie or at the firste instaunce to the Magistrate vvho oughte to punishe both the Ministers and other ecclesiastical officers if they abuse their places and authoritie not vsing them according to the direction and warrant of the worde of God 20 They doe not meane that there shoulde bee appointed presently and out of hande these Officers aâ—oresaide in euery of our Churches as they now stande for there do lacke Ministers and people fitt for these purposes but they humbly desire that such people as be alreadie capable hereof and willing to liue as becommeth the Churches of Christ might as they are commaunded by Christ so also bee permitted by the Magistrate thus to ioyne and walke togither according to the worde of God that it might be enacted and required also by publike authoritie of the Magistâ—at that all they should execute their offices and liue in such â—orte manner and 〈◊〉 as Christ hath giuen direction to his Church in his vvill and Testament a that withall good ordâ—r might bee taken for trayning vppe of youth for the ministerie of the Church and thus at length by the blessing of GOD all her Maiesties subiectes vvhich will walke as the Churches of Christ might be furnished guyded and gouerned in manner aforesaide and so 〈◊〉 in all christian and duetifull obediâ—nce to God and her Maiestie 21 They doe professe and protest that they can and will auowe this ReformatioÌ„ which they desire to be most agreeable to the Scriptures to haue the testimony of the best and most learned men that haue bin since the Apostles that it is not preiudiciall to hir Maiestie to the Lawes to the state but profitable euery way and commaunded by Christ to bee 〈…〉 his Church vnto the ende of the worlde both vnder 〈…〉 HeatheÌ„ Magistrates as they make challenge to proue 〈◊〉 all the learned men in the worlde that are contrary 〈◊〉 if they may be heard This is the summe of their professed opinions and of the Reformation desired as I doubte not but they will testifie if they bee called in question to acknowledge the same They that condemne them vppon their aduersaries reportes who intollerablie doe slaunder them in manie thinges and are altogither partiall in their ovvne cause doe shewe them selues to bee men of smal discretion or Christian charity To the godlie Reader MAruell not good Reader that iÌ„ doe not affixe my name to this my Treatise It is not knowen who was the vâ—riter of the Epistle to the Hebrewes and of diuerse other monumentes of hâ—lie Scripture neyther of sundry bookes published heretofore of latter daâ—es in defence of the doctrine and gouernement of our Church in England If a truth nothing but the truth be deliuered it skilleth not whether the professor therof be knowen or not Wherfore I doe iustlie coÌ„deÌ„ne the vaine cuâ— iositie of some vndisâ—reet persons vvho beeing placed in noe degree of authoritie are not content to eniâ—â—e the fruites of other mens labours with thankesgiuing but doe continuallie exercise and trouble them selues in calculating and diuining vvho bee most likelie to bee the authours and procurers of their good If they had anie consideration of the 〈◊〉 of the time vvherein an indifferent vvell vviller maie scarcely bee hearde to speake the trueth or if they vveighed the grâ—euous molestations to others and vnprofitable pleasure that maie hereby ensue vnto them selues they woulde bridle these vnrulie longing affections least that they preuayling against them in needelesse trifles doe at length gâ—tte ground vppon them in greater matters Rahab hath procured to hir selfe a memorable commendation for hiding Gods seruauntes when their aduersaries and her Maisters sought to apprehende them If the holy man that wrote to the Hebrewes thought it most coÌ„uenient in godly policy to keep his name vnknowen assuredly they should haue beene deemed curious and idle brained that would eyther haue beene inquisitiâ—e to know the same or hauing knowledge thereof would foolishlie haue blabbed it abroad to others Which thinges I speake rather in behalfe of others than in feare of axie danger that might growe vnto my selfe by this enterprise For first that which I haue writen cannot I trust offende anie reasonable and not partiallie affected person or if it doe the vprightnesse of mine owne conscience and loyaltie both to this Church and commonwealth will I hope inable me to sustaine and eâ—dure with cheerefulnesse all the malice and displeasure of anie enemie to a godlie peace Secondlie I doe not desire at any mans hands the fauour of concealement in this action For although I haue attempted and published this my trauell without
ecclesiasticall lawes put in execution rather then to inforce such as be lesse profitable needfull For wâ—ether is it more requisite to the glorie of God and good of hir Maiestie and this Realme that Ministers shoulde Catechise their Pariâ—he that they should debarre notorious offendours from the Communion That Sabboth dayes shoulde be kept holy That Church Wardens and Ministers should admoniâ—he pâ—â—uatelie all euen the most Noble to leaue their faultes The Nonresidentes and fat beneficed persons shoulde relieue the poore at home studious scollers abroade That there should be twelue sermons yerelie in euerie parish through Englande Wales and Ireland That no Aduowsons should be graunted That the pernicious and detestable sinne of Nonresidence and Pluralities shoulde bee reformed and such good orders practised Is it not more requisite I sâ—â—e that these thinges should be looked vnto rather then the wearing of a surplesse Marying with a ring Christening with a crosse Subscription to an Article and such like Yet it is apparaunt to all men that Bishops their Officialles Deacons Doctoures and Fauoures are more curious in vrging and vsing the latter then the former yet both haue like authoritie from hir Maiestie and them selues I suppose the Bishops and their followers would be as vnwilling to execute the Queenes lawes and Iniunctions as any fauourers of reformation if they were vrged there vnto in earnest It is certaine that the Bb. can tollerate the neglect of all these and innumerable other dueties in one of their flatterers whereas if a mâ—n bee but suspected to mislike in hearte the Lordlie goueâ—nement of Bishops hee shâ—lbe sure to haue all extremitie shewed against him if hee oâ—â—ende but in the least ceremonie Yea greater seueritie shall be vsed for neglect of the least and most improfitable obseruation then for neglect of the most necesâ—arie and important O Englande Englande howe long wilt thou bee missed by those carnall wordlinges that haue their speciall care to adnance and inriche them selues and their posterity rather then to obey thy lawes or the lawes of thy God bee they neuer so holy so necessarie and godlie Who hath bewitched thee that thou canst not see that they bee more rebellious more sâ—hismaticall more disloyall and disobedient subiectes vvho acknowledge thy lawes to bee good and godly but doe despise them euen the greatest of them then they that yeelding to the greatest matters doe of conscience refuse such thinges as be least profitable and expedient in any Church O that hir Maâ—esty would appoint faithfull trewe christian and â—nglish-harted men indeede to examine these thinges to call the Bb. their Chaplens and Officers to account in these matters shee shoulde finde that they bâ—e of the most vnduetiful subiects in all the lande and they that be now least regarded would bee founde the most trustie most godly and obedient of all other My wordes will proue true in the daies of triall when these things shall be regarded and rewarded with indifferency and then Bishoppes assure your selues that the day of your desolation is at hande Howe long O Lord holie and trewe Reuel 6. 10. Come Lord Iesus come quickelie 22. 21. Certaine Questions or Interrogatories drawen by a fauourer of Reformation out of the former treatises and other writinges concerning Reformation wherein hee desireth to be resolued by the Prelates which the Printer hath thought good here to annexe QVaeâ—e whether the right honorable and chieâ—e â—ustice of England Sir Christopher Wraâ— Knight did not at th' examinâ—tion of H. Barrowe in the Bish of Londons pallace affirme that men should incurre no penaltie for opinions which they helde doubtinglie And whether a man may not without breach of lawe Diuine or Humane for his further satisfaction make quaerees and doubtes in speciall causes shewing withall the reason of his doubting affirming nothinge peremptorily or positiuely but submitting him selfe to sounde resolution If that be graunted why may not I be a Put-case say as followeth 2 Quaere whether the forme of praiers administration of the Sacramentes attire of Ministers and other Church-ceremonies in Englande doe more agree to the Apostolical primitiue order or to the vse of the Romiâ—h Church And whether popish orders be more seemely conuenient then the Apostolike 3 Quaere whether our rites and ceremonies taken from the papistes doe not giue them offence and harden them in their sinne seeing Harding doeth gather thereby that Poperie is not so ill as it is commonlie reputed And Bristowe saith That our religion and Communion were nothing worth vnlesse we borrowed from them their mass-Masse-booke whether al indifferent things that giue ofâ—ence vnto the weake ought not by Paules doctrine be remoued from the church 4 Quaere whether the square Câ—ppe Surplesse and other monumentes of popery and idolatry condemned in generall by the Queenes Iniunctions Bishops Articles and publike doctrine of Englande and other Christian Churches misliked and wished to be abolished by Bullâ—ger Alasâ—o Bucer B. Pâ—â—kington and Bale derided by Bucer and Maister â—ox refused to be worne by Peter Martyr Bucer Hoâ—per Rogers Humfrey Philpot Bradfort Haddon Saunders as I haue credibly hearde whether the Surplesse called by Martyr monstrous apparell by Caluin Player-like apparell and vaine visardes by Bezâ— Insignes of the Baaltticall Priesthoode by B. Râ—â—ley foolish and abhominable too fond for a vice in a play by D. â—aâ—lor apish toyes and toyishe trumperie by D. Poinet a Porters weed at Billingsgate by the Bee-hiue of the Romish Church a smocke and long shirt by Bale pretie toyes by Becon Histâ—â—onicall seeâ—â—call and hick-scorneâ—like appâ—rell Whether I say this apparell thus accounted of by leâ—rned men the best iudges of decencie be decent comely for a preacher of the Gospell and whether things vncomely should not by Paules doctrine be abâ—ndoned the Church 5 Quaere If Maiors Iustices Stageplayers and others may not aswell be inforced to subscribe to the Biâ—â—ops three articles by the â—â—at of 1. â—liz cap. 1. as Ministers seeing the stat vrged by D. Bridges to that purpose doethreach to them aswell as Ministers 6 Quaere If the Bb. that appoint other prayers to be vsed in the Church besides the prayers in the Communion booke doe not oâ—â—ende against their owne articles and the statute of 1. Eli. c. 1. which inioinâ— that Ministers should vse the forme of publike prayer presâ—ribed in that books and no other IteÌ„ whether the Bb. thus oâ—â—ending against the stat ought not to deale more mercifully with the ministers who haue offended in like quality 7 Quaere whether the Marcionites did well who as Chrisostome vpon the words what doe they that are baptized for the dead reporteth when any of their Catechumeni or nouices in religion did die had wont to hide one vnder the bed where
hospitalitie For that is the cause that you alleadge you must haue thousandes as though you were commanded to keepe hospitalitie rather with a thousande then with an hundred This booke was written in defence of the lawefull regiment of women but now the authour laboureth to suppresse this booke tenderinge more the state of the â—b then the Queenes Crowne 2 Maister Bullingham before hee was Bishop being arriued at Embden after many stormes wrote vnto a godly man in this manner Would God Master Bull that all the Prelates in Englande had beene with mee when wee fell to cutting off Cables reding at anchor in the raging seas There woulde haue beene tearing of square cappes renting of Rochets defyiâ—g of Bâ—shoprickes despising of pompe promising a newe life crâ—ing for mercy O what a tragedie woulde there haue beene VVell well though nowe they walke drâ—e shoode in their pallaces there is a God that will trie them and all his people by fire or by water vnlesse wee hartilie repent Grace to repent graunt vs O Lorde without delaâ—e Amen Amen 3 D. Bridges before he intangled himselfe with the Disciplinarie controuersies writing against the papists vseth these woordes Christ hath put such a barre betweene Bb. and Princes that his spirituall Bb. cannot haue earthly kingdomes And againe where the papists helde that the Pope was not properlie but vnproperly aâ—â— orde to take awaye this he addeth Christ simply debarreth all his spirituall Ministers from ruling of temporall kingdomes Christ hath both properly and vnproperly debarred them Vos autem non sic You shall not doe so These wordes strike deade Maister Sanders Further whereas the papists account Aerius and al Protestants heretikes because they holde that by Gods booke A Bishop and a Priest are all one D. Bridges doeth therein iustifie Aerius and the Protestantes out of Hierome Peter Lambarde Durand and the Institution of Collen But sithens that time writing in defence of Bishops he mainteyneth their Lordshippe and accounteth his brethren Aerian heretikes This doublinge by such as defende the Hierachie must needes cast great doubtes in the heartes of all men 5 Testimonies of learned men imply some further Reformation These followers of Reformation giue greater colour to their cause by the testimonie of auncient and late writers whom they pretend to speake against the manner of our gouernement by Bishops and for the gouernement of their Elders 1 Against the authoritie and practise of our Bb. they alleadge the Canons of the Apostles the Councels of Carthâ—ge Calcedone Constans Turon and Macra the testimonie of Cyprâ—an Tertullian Augustine Hierome Ambrose Chrysostome Gregorie Hillarie Synesius Nazianzene Origene and Bernard 2 Touching late reformed Churches they mainteyne that there is no protestant Church in all Hungarie Poleland Denmark Friselande Swevelâ—nd Heluetia Saxony Auspurg of in anie part of Germanie in France Scotlande the lowe Countries or in any nation truely prosessing the Gospell in all the world that doth either by their doctrine or practise attribute so much authority ciuill and ecclesiasticall in sole excoÌ„munication and ordination of Priestes as is now vsed and challenged by English Bishops 3 Among late writers they drawe to this purpose Luther Melancâ—â—â—on Bucer Martyr Caluâ—â— Beza Bullinger Zanchius Daneus Erastus Gualter Munster and many other 4 Lastly out of our owne English Writers they fetch matter against the Bb. 1 Harding woulde proue by the example of Moses who exercised both a Priestes and Princes office that the Pope may vse ecclesiasticall and ciuill authoritie Master Iewell answereth thus Christ him selfe sayeth to the Pope and to all other Priestes and Bb The kings of the nations rule ouer them and they that are great exercise authoritie ouer the people but it shall not bâ—e so among you Hee addeth the saying of Cyprian Christ by seuerall dueties and distinct honours both set a difference betweene the offices of both powers Also he vrgeth an effectuall speach of Bernard to the Pope That hee cannot be both a successour of the Apostles and a Lord. For doubtles hee was forbidden the one of them Yet our Bb. be both 2 Mai. Nowell Deane of Paules saieth that Christ refused pompe riches and dominions when the Deuill offered them Hee denyed his kingdome to bee of this worlde and forbad his true Disciples the possession of such riches and vvorldelie dominions as the Pope nowe clymeth In another place Christ forbad his Ministers all Dominion and worldly gouernement Mat. 20. And againe S. Peter forbiddeth Ministers to exercise Dominion or Lordship ouer their flockes 3 D. Bilson Warden of Winch. hath thus writen Christ expresly forbiddeth his Apostles to be rulers of Nacions The Kinges of the nations rule ouer their people c. with you it shall not bee so In which wordes Christ doeth not traduce the power of Princes as vniust but distinguisheth the calling of the Apostles from the manner of regiment which God hath allowed the Magistrate Christ saieth not Princes are tyrants you shall deale more courteouslie but he saieth Princes be Rulers by Gods ordinaunce you shall not be so c. Then he proueth that Katakyrieuein is not meant of Tyrannical but of Rule with authority and shutteth vp his argument in this sorte Therefore the conclusion is ineuitable That Princes may lawfullie compell and punish their subiectes buâ— Bishops may not This manner of reasoning against the papistes hath incensed men vehemently against L. Bb. If these reasons be not good Maister Iewell Maister Nowell and D. Bilson haue much to aunswere 5 On the other side these whoâ—e pursuers of Reformation haue had great inducementes to enforce the â—Idership 1 That there was a gouernement by Elders assisting the ministerie in the primitiue Church is collected obscurely out of Ignatius Tertullian Cyprian Augustine More clearely out of Ambrose Hierome Possidonius Socrates and the Canon lawe 2 The Diuines of later time almost generally doe gather the Eldership out of the Script namely Zuinglius Martyr Aretius Caluâ—â— Illiricus Hemingâ—â—s Hiperius Iunius Bucer Beza Piscator Oleuian Bulliâ—ger Szegedinus Musculus Heshusius Robert Stephen Daneus an Italian Bertrand de Lâ—ques Bastingius Morneus Sadâ—ell Nowell Fulk Whitakers Snecanus Vâ—sinus and Trelcaâ—ius Lastly the Churches in the lowe Countries France â—eluetia and Scotlande doe consent herein 3 That the same gouernement by Elders should continue vnder the Christian magistrates is agreed by Iohn Alasco Vâ—enhouius Microâ—â—us Zuinglius Oecolampidius Zuichius Capito Miconius Farell Viret Melancthon Bucer Caluin Martyr Iunius Beza Zanchius
suâ—plication as before hee had mentioned to her maiesty that they vvould make aunswere that to deale in such a suite were to rebell to pull the Crowne off her Highnes head to make a faction to vvrest the scepter out of her Maiesties hande and to shake off all authoritie A wonderfull thing sayeth heâ— it is that humblie and duetifullie to entreate should in the English tongue signifie by vnbrideled force vnduetifullie to compell and that to seeke the remoouing of vnlawefull callinges out of the Church should bee to threaten that the lawefull Magistrate shoulde bee thrust out of the common vvealth Thus farre writeth this Martin explaning fullie that though it was like the Bb. woulde peruert and miâ—conster his wordes as if he meant to moue rebellion that yet notwithstanding he went about no other thing but to incline the magistrate by his owne authority to reforme all matters that were amisse That an hundred thousand hands would strike a great stroke in this suite hath no other sence then this that if her maiesty should vnderstand that an hundred thousand of her most louing and loyall subiectes should subscribe to such a petition it would greatly mooue her Highnes to accept the same This phrase is vsuall and knovven to an English man For we vse to saye the cause hath receyued a great blowe or a great stroke So D. Bridges writing against Lordship of Bb. sayeth that vos autem non sic striketh dead that is vtterlie ouerthroweth Lordly authorâ—tie in the Ministers A man by wresting of such speaches as this might make the best subiect in this Realme a very traytor if his writing and speaking were well obserued But let traitours be traitours and rebels be rebells and suffer as is due to traytours or rebells God forbid that a Tropologicall or Metaphoricall speach without intendement of anie harme should come within the compasse of treason or rebellion Touching the wordes of Franc. Iunius we desire D. Consins to take a little paines in shewing which Franc. Iunius he meaneth If he vnderstand Fraâ—ciscus Iunius the famous learned man who with Tremellius translated and of late hath reviewed the Bible who hath also writen a whole booke in defence of the Eldership and Discipline he doeth that worthie man exceeding wrong It can not be proued that euer he wrote any such thing But if he meane one who calleth him selfe Stephen Iunius in a booke against tyrants whom peraduenture it pleased D. Cosins of purpose to call Franc. Iunius that men might suppose a louer of the Eldership to be a fauourer of treason I aunswere that this Stephen Iunius doth not mention the Praesbyteries in all his booke And whether he doth approue any such Eldership it doeth not appeare or if hee helde anie such frensie as D. Cossins fasteneth vppon him the Seek of Reform doe disclaime him That many thousandes in Englande Desire the Discipline is true and the number doeth increase daily That great trouble would come of it if it were not admitted hath appeared For we see howe schismatikes doe trouble the Church and what endles writing is on both sides and all touching this Discipline that yet wanteth But what is here that carieth the countenance of any sedition or rebellion vnlesse D. Cosins thinketh there can bee no trouble but in rebellious and warlike order D. Bancroft not finding pregnent matter for his purpose at home to giue shewe that the Seekers of Reformation bee rebellious he maketh roade into Scotlande challenging those Churches as his friendes the Papistes had done before That the Scottishe Ministers who fauour Discipline haue abused their King preaching factions and seditious doctrine treading vpon his scepter imitating the papall iurisdiction labouring to establishe an ecclesiasticall tyrannie of an infinite iurisdiction putting the King in daunger of his life whereupon the King ouerthrewe their presbytertes and restored the Bishops to their places And galloping on the way in this order he making in effect that right noble Christian King hir Maiesties most neere friende and knisman a â—lat hypocrite grounding himselfe vppon a booke counterfait by the gracelesse Archbishop of S t Andrewes in the Kings name Wherevnto the King neuer assented as the Ministers can shewe by his Royall letters yet reserued in Edinborowe the wicked Prelate since that time hauing sought to be reconciled to the Ministers whome hee slaundered Which thing you may the rather beleeue if you consider that the King hath taken so good liking of the Ministers the Presbyteries that he hath made publike protestation to mainteine the fame while he liueth And to subiect the Nobilitie therevnto Likewise when the King reade D. Banc. booke and came to the pag 75. where the Doctor chargeth him to be an hypocrite or dissembler The King vppon the margent of the booke did write these wordes My speking vvriting and actions were and are euer one vvâ—tthout dissembling or bearing vp at any time what euer I thought Ergo Castes the libell ne quid asperius that is Therefore the Doctor sayeth vntruely that I vse no rougher wordes Signed thus I. R. that is Iacobus Rex Iames the King The same Doctor bringeth in some forraine authoures whom he saieth were fauoures of Discipline yet brochers of rebellious and straunge propositions These authours did write either against such as they accounted vsurpers or Princes by election popishe tyrants such as hated our religion they did not write aginst any protestant Prince neither in defence of the Disciplice but rather of the doctrine which is nowe mainteined in Englande As D Bancroft doth alleadge these authours to proue the Discipline to bee trayterous and rebellious so the papistes do alleadge the same meÌ„ to proue that the doctrine of the Protestantes is seditious The allegation doeth holde against both alike Our Religion doeth not depende vpon the opinions of one or two men Where one fauourer of the Eldership hath written trayterously I coulde produce fiue hundred who were mainteiners of the Hierarchie and ranke traytors Our English Bish. haue resisted rebelled and deposed many kings of England They haue most sawcilie abused the Nobilitie as might bee shewed I heare of none that either attempted or effected treason or rebellion against hir Maiesty but papists all such do approue the principâ—lity and iurisdiction of L1 Bb. Thus farre haue â— proued as I hope sufficientlie that it is not lawfull or agreeable to the trewe intent of this staâ—ute to iudge these writers for Reformation as diffamers of hir Maiestie or rebels and therefore that they ought not suffer as felons Some haue helde that though it be not consonant to the lawes of England that the Bishops should presse the othe ex officio as they vse to doe yet that it is expedient they shoulde continue their proceedings as they haue begunne if any in the same conceite should holde that albeit it is not lawfull to execute the Seekers of
the maior saniorque pars polloâ— kagathoi did not condemne the practises of the Prelates as repugnant to lawe 26 Quaere if these Iudges that haue onely commission to deale in causes which by Ecclesiasticall authoriâ—ie may bee ordred may cite men ex officio to take an othe before them to accuse them selues in matter neither Testaâ—entarie nor Matrimoniall Item vvhether such ecclesiasticall Iudges may by vertue of the stâ—tute whereupon their commission is grounded commit the Queenes naturall subiestes to prison espeally for refusing to take the oth ex officio beeing ministred in causes neither Matrimoniall or Testamentarie â—tem whether they ought to commit any of the Queenes subiectes to prison when he tendreth sufficient baile or â—â—ertie especiallie in cases where baile and mainprise is not taken away by anie statute Item whether if any in such case be committed the Writt Dâ— homine replegiandâ— doeth not ly Item what satisfaction D. Cosins D. Bancroft D. Stanop and others hauing onely commission in matters to be ordered by Ecclesiasticall power ought to make hir Maiesty free and louinge subiectes who haue ex officio bene cited by them to take an othe in cases neither Matrimoniall nor Testamentarie and refusing to take that othe haue bene committed by great multitudes to prison without baile or mainprise in cases not debarred from baile by any statute Item whether may they keepe such persons by them committed in prison monethes and yeares without calling them to aunswere or accusing them of any crime Item whether for this dealing they doe not deserue to smell of the like punishment themselues 27 Quaere whether any Ecclesiasticall Iudge hath conuented examined and committed any for matters felonious touching the Queenes Crowne dignitie whether these practises do not instanter instantius instantissime craue the Prâ—munire 28 Quaere Whether Sir Iohn Markham chiefe Iustice of Englande did not tell King Edwarde the 4. that hee might not arrest any man for suspicion of treason or felonie as any of his subiects might because that if he did any man wronge the party might haue no actioÌ„ against him And if the King by imprisoning a man may do him wrong much more may any subiect and therefore good remedy may be had against him for so doing 29 Quaere Whether it be not lesse danger to blaspheme the blessed Name of the great God then to speake against a L. Bishop Item whether â—oe â—inisters haue bene depriued within these seauen yeares for ceremonies of men then for drunkenesse whoredome and other breaches of the lawe of God 30 Quaere Why the Ministers may not refuse to weare a Surplesâ—e as a Bishop to vse a Pastoral staff seeing the lawes inforce them both alike 31 Quaere whether the Seek of Reformation bee not indaungered of their life and withhelde from their liberty on lie for their religion and conscience in matters of Discipline proâ—essed by forraine Christian Churches yea and authorized in Englande seeing notwithstanding all 〈◊〉 of dâ—ffaming hir Maiesty or raâ—â—ing Rebellion their life and libertie is daiely offered to them by the Bishops if they will renounce and recant their opinions And whether 〈◊〉 the popishe peâ—secuting â— b in â—nglande at any time heretofore executed any man that agreed with them in their fâ—ith and 〈◊〉 onely because he differed from them in matters of externall forme ceremonie or circumstance as our â—b doe attempte by all indeuâ—ur 32 Quaere whether he that publisheth bookes with long premeditation fore-consideration doeth publish the same with a Malicious intent seeing fewe men deale in any action of importance but with great deliberation though it falleth out often that they labour against the trueth and yet are not adiudged Malicious persons And if a Councelour or Seâ—ieant doeth often by long aduise argue against the trueth and yet without Malice howe doeth a prepensed and long intended purpose proue a Malice in the Authour of Demonstration or any other writer 33 Quaere whether the Bishops and their Officialles doe not oftentimes in their Courts sentence iudge and rule cauâ—es contrarie to the customarie and common lawes of Englande aswell as against the Statutes in matters of Diffamation Testaments such like And whether a Prohibitâ—o shoulde not proceed against them if they determine any case against the common lawes customes and statutes of this Realme seing the statute of 25. H. 8. cap. 19 doth establish such spirituall lawes onely as are not repugnant to the Lawes Customes and Statutes of Englande 34 Quaere By what authoritie the Bishops do practise put in execution the Popish and Ciuill Lawes in their Courtes seeing the statute of 1 Eliz cap. 1. doeth banishe out of this Realme all forreine authoritie And seeing the statutes of 25. H. 8. cap. 19. 1. Eliz. cap. 1. doe onely respect and authorize the Canons Constitutions c. Prouinciall and Synodall vvhich haue bene made heretofore within this Realme of Englande And whether the Bb. for doing thus be not in the Premunire or at least imprisonable and finable at hir Maiesties pleasure 35 Quaere Whether they incroache more vppon the ciuill Magistrate that in their Courtes deale with Willes Tithes Mariages c. That excommunicate for mony â—hat disable men by their excommunications to sue any accusations in their owne right That make dispensations to their Soueraine vnder their hande and seale That be Barons of the Realme â—ustices of peace And punish by fine imprisonment losse of limme and 〈◊〉 as the Bishops doe or they that onely admonishe suspende and excommunicate and proceede no whit at all any further as the Eldershâ—p doth would doe 36 Quaere if Moses vnder the lawe and Timothie and others vnder the Gospell needed to haue a forme of gouuerning the Church prescribed to them by the Lorde whether it be likely that the Lorde woulde commit the Church to M. Whitgift M. Cooper M. Bancroft and others to frame a gouernment for it at their pleasures 37 Quaere if Iohn a Stile should graunt there vvas a gouuernement by Elders in the primitiue Apostolicall and best Church and should call the same gouernement a popedome and tyranâ—y whether this did not ranckly smell of detestable atheisme 38 Quaere whether the Churches in Scotlande France the lowe Countries Hungarie Polelande Bohemiâ— Saxonâ—e Heluetâ—a And the County Palatine of Rhene and vvhether Zumglâ—us Occolampadâ—us Melancthon Bucer Caluin Zanchius Martyr and infinite other the most excellent Diuines in all the worlde commending the continuance of the Eldership be all Anabaptistes Puritanes rebells traytours mare-states mar-lawes mar-princes and mar-alls and Doctor Bancrofte Matthewe Sutcliffe c. the onely good subiectes in all the worlde 38 Quaere whether the Kinges of France and Scotlaâ—de the Princes of Condy and Orange the Duke of Saxonie the Countie Palatine of Rhene the States of the lowe Countries manie other Dukes Princes Marquesses Earles Barons and