it euidently appeare where the fault lyeth This is the intent of this humble petition made onely for the peace of this Church quiet of the Realme Which two things it behooueth all Christian subiectes to aduaunce forward with their whole endeuour The God almighty who to the great wonder of the world hath most miraculousâ—ie defended and deliuered you from all the cursed enterprises against your Realme and person preserue your Maiestie many yeares in health honour prosperity and victory to his glory the good of his Church the reliefe of his Saints to the ioy of Englande and all Nations that professe the trueth AMEN good Lord and cursed be he from heauen that sayeth not from the heart AMEN AMEN To the ende that it may appeare howe vniustlie the Seekers of Reformation are slaundered by the Bishoppes and others I thought good briesâ—â—e and truely to deliuer the opinions of such as sue for Reformation which I haue gathered out of their bookes and seene in their practise and heard in conference which I haue had with them 1 THEY openly professe and acknowledge that they be sinfull men subiect to infirmity as well as others They doe not call or account them selues Catharâ— or 〈◊〉 and therefore if Augustine say true that Catharâ— sunt qâ—i â—eipsos isto nomine quafi propter munditiâ—â— suberbissime at que oâ—iosissimè nominant They bee Puritanes That in conceipt of their owne puritie doâ— most proudly and odiously call them selues by that name then vvithout question they be no Puritanes vnles in that sence that all the Apostles saue Iudas and all other true Christians are called 〈◊〉 or Puritanes in the Scriptures 2 They doe absolutely yeelde and subscribe to all the articles of Christian fâ—â—th and doctrine professed in the Church of Englande according as they bee inioyned by the lawes of the lande and therefore they doe not offende against the Statute made in the thirteenth yeare of her Highnes raigne and withall haue open iniurie in being called schismatikes 3 They doe vnfeinedly giue to her maiesty all that power soueraâ—tie and authoritie whatsoeuer is recognised to be in her Highnes by the othe of the Supremacies as her maiesty 〈◊〉 and the Parliament haue expounded 〈◊〉 and thereâ—ore they be not Traytours by the statutes of 〈◊〉 or quinto of her Maiesty 4 They professe all submission reuerence and obedience to the right Honourable the Lordes of the priuy Councell the Iudges and all other ciuill Magistrates of this state honouring them as Lieutenants of God and her Maiesty and therefore they be not Anababtists who would abandon the authority of Magistrates and distinctions of states among Christians And although they beleeue that it is not agreeable to the doctrine and example of Christ and his Apostles that Bb. and Preachers should accept temporall Lordship and ciuill authority yet they honour that authoritie which is deriued to them from her Maiestie in regard whereof they submit them selues to be conuented imprisoned fined c. by them much lesse will they vvith force and armes resist or rebell against her Maiesties most lawfull authority eyther in her selfe or being deputed to others who are not disabled by Gods worde to vse it and therefore they bee not within the statute of vice â—imo tertio of Raising rebellion against her Highness 5 They hold it lawfull and necessarie before Magistrates to take an oth being called thereunto so that the oth being a matter highly concerning the worship of God be guided and taken as the Scriptures allowe that is not in vaine where a matter may bee otherwise proued by sufficient euidence or witnesse nor yet rashly as swearing to answere they know not to what or before the Articles which they must answere vpoÌ„ their oth be made knowen vnto them 6 They seeke not to pull downe the Courts of Iustice as the high Court of ParliameÌ„t the Starchamber the Kings bench the Chanceriâ— or any of the rest but they desire they may stande as they doe sauing that Bb. Ecclesiasticall persons should be shut out from them set to preach the gospell follow their owne vocation not being charged with other offices vnles they were sometimes called in weighty difficult causes to giue counsell aduise what may or should be done by the word of God 7 They denie not but that matters of Testamentes and Mariages may bee determined by Ciuilians in their Courtes if it seeme not good to the Parliament to transferre these things to the temporall Lawiers alwaies prouided that their Courtes may be made meere teÌ„porall not intermedling wi the Church Censures prouided likewise that the Bb. or other Ministers haue no dealing therin prouided also that causes may be iudged there not by popes lawes but by the word of God the laudable Customes Statutes Iniunctions Synodall and Prouinciall Constitutions accepted in this Realme a greable to the word of God and established by hir Maiesties authoritie and act of Parliament 8 They teach that neyther the Ministerie nor people of this Realme ought to make any general Reformation neither with force and armes or otherwise of their owne authoritie change any lawes made or established for religion by authoritie of Parliament but they holde that the generall reformation doeth belong to the Magistrate as Gods Lieuetenant to deale in and that for them selues they may and oughte in dutifull and christian forte both preache write and sue to the Magistrates for redresse of enormities and also practise the or dinances of Christ which he hath commanded his Church to keepe to the ende of the world and therefore they haue not incurred the dangers of lawes made against Riots Routes or vnlawfull Assemblies 9 They detest all such as aduisedly falsly or maliciousâ—ie slaunder or disâ—ame her most excellent Maiestie and therfore they be not felons by the statut prouided against spreaders of Newes or false rumours 10 They doe maineteyne that according to the approued doctrine of Englande Emperours or any Christian magistrats whatsoeuer being members of the Church of Christ ought to submit themselues to excommunication or other ecclesiastical censures being duely orderly vpon iust occasion according to the commaundements of Christ executed 11 That a Magistrate standing excommunicated ought to be obeyed and honoured in all respectes of subiection for custome subsidie loue or any other imposition or seruice whatsoeuer of body goods and landes as if hee were not excommunicated And therefore they abhorre the Antichristian and most pestiferous doctrine of the popish â—orte that giueth liberty to the subiect to withholde his seruices and duties from the Magistrate so long as he standeth excommunicate 12 Their suite to her Mâ—iesty and this honorable state is that it may be permitted and enacted by law that the church of Christ may bee ruled by such lawes orders and officers as Christ himselfe hath expressed in his
the dead man was laide and did aske the dead if he would be baptised in whose name the partie vnder the bed did aunswere That is my desire whereupon the liue man was baptised for the dead And whether the questions and answeres at the baptizing of Inâ—ants in the commâ—nion booke bee not of like nature When the Minister saith to the childe as fit to conceiue as a dead man Wilt thou be baptised in this faith and the godfathers make answere That is my desire 8 Quaere Whether a man may with safe conscience subsâ—ribe that the booke of coÌ„mon prayer conteyneth nothing contrarie to the Scriptures whereas the translation of the Psalmes therein comprised in addition substraction and alteration dissereth from the trueth of the Hebrewe in 200. places at the least 9 Quaere Whether it be agreable to the word of God law of England and practise of any well gouerned Church to puniâ—h that which is taken for slaundering ribaudry villanie with returne of libells ribâ—udâ—ie and villanie And whether Almond for the Parret Martins Moâ—ethes minde c. doe not asmuch offend that way as Martin Marprelate or if they oâ—fend at all why are they suffered not punished 10 Quaere of Matthew Sutcliffe who is alwaies caâ—ping at M. Cartw. purchase why M. Cartw may noâ— sell the landes which he had by discent from his father and buye other with the money aswell as some of the Bishops who by bâ—â—berie simony extortion racking of rent wasâ—ing of woods and such like stratagemes wax rich and purchase great Lordships for their posterity 11 Quaere If the Bish. that affirme it is lawfull to giue liuings appointed for ministers to lay men or D. Bridges aâ—â—irming that a priest may bee Lord ouer her Maiestie or Doct. Bancroft that calleth hir Highnes a pety Pope doe not disfame and dishonour her Maiesty and are thereâ—ore selons 12 Quaere If the Prelates who say that the otâ—e of the Supremacie importeth that hir Maiesty may deuise vvhat Church-gouernement she pleaseth be not in the worde of a Prince and by award of lawe Malicious persons seeing therein they ascribe more to hir Highnes then the Oth of Sâ—premacie with the exposition thereof importeth And whether the Seek of Reâ—ormation yeelding to the oâ—he with the exposition be not hir Highnes good and obedient subiectes 13 Quaere Why the Archbishops of Cant. should not rather be called Popes then Primates of all England seeing that a Cardinal gaue them the name of Primates aâ— Pope did assigne them the name of Popes 14 Quaere If Wicleue Luther Calum Latimer Tindall 〈◊〉 and other were nowe aliue and should speake against the Lordship of Bish. as they doe in their writings to which prison the Bishops would sende them whether to the Fleete Clinke Marshalsie or gate house Whether bookes seene allowed publikelie solde by authoritie doe containe matters of felony and difâ—amatory to the Queene 15 Quaere wherein the papists haue deserued so wel that mainteaning errours hereâ—ies and blasphennes accounting in generall our doctrine our Bishops an Magistrates hereticall and impious should finde more grace then Seekers of Reformation and why they â—hould not be condemned as felons for their abhominable doctrine 16 Quaere If the Bb. proceeding against men Perordinem inquisitâ—onis as Do. Cosins said at the examination of Maister Cartur doe not therein imitate the papall order vsed by the Bb. in time of câ—uelty and blindnes 17 Quaere If Christ were before the Bishops were demaunded of them concerning his doctrine and should answere I spake openly c. why aske ye me aske them that heard mee what I said vnto them beholde they know what I said whether making this answere he should be coÌ„mitted as Maist. Bambridge and Maist. Iohnson were in Cambridge and as many other godly Ministers be ordinarily vpon like occasion 18 Quaere If by the Iudiciall lawes by the course in the Chancerie or Starchamber any man be forced to sweare before he knowe the cause at least in generall whereunto he is to take his oth 19 Quaere whether by the lawes of Englande euery Bish. is not bound to coÌ„firme children as well as Ministers to mary with a ring whether popish young men not yet confirmed by any Bishop may not without daunger of â—awe reâ—use the Communion seeing by the booke of Common prayer nâ—ne must receyue the Lords supper till he be confirmed 20 Quaere whether an ecclesiasticall Iudge may punish Brisâ—one the pâ—pist for writing that our Communion booke is an apishe imitation of the Masse booke seeing the statute giueth onely that authority to Iustices of peace Item whether Bristowe deprauing the Communion booke may bee depriued of all his spirituall promotions for the first offence against the statute seeing the statute appointeth That he who the second 〈…〉 the Communion booke beeing conuicted thereof by verdict c. shâ—lbe depriued of his spirituall promotions Item whether the lawe doeth not fauour the puritane asmuch as the pâ—pist 21 Quaere whether Adultery is to be punished by the Ordinarie seeing the punishment thereof without any sauing to the spirituall Court is giuen by statute to the Iusâ—ices of peace And whether a man may be punished by two corporal or pecumarie puniâ—â—ments in two seuerall Courtes for one the same cause 22 Quaere If any Ordinary haue contriued promulged publiâ—hed Aâ—ticles in his owne name without asâ—ent of her ma iesty vnder seale and inforced hir Highnes subiectes to subscribe vnto the same And for not subscâ—ibing haue suspended or depriued them And whether an ordinary thus doing may not be imprisoned fined at the Queenes pleasure 23 Quaere whether an Ordinarie may cite a man to appeare before him in his Court to depose as awitâ—esse seeing Iustice Fitzherbert sayeth That it is extortion and vviong to the partie And how many of the Bishops be extortioners in that behalfe 24 Quaere whether a man shalbe examined by othe of anie thing that soundeth to his reproch seeing that Nullus tenâ—â—â—â— seâ—psum perdere and vvhether scisme and heresie be not matters that sound to a mans reproch 25 Quaere If an Oâ—dinarie or an ecclesiasticall Iudge citing men ex officio to sweare to accuse them selues in causes neither matrimoniall nor Testamentarie vvhether a Prohibition will ly against them or not Item whether the ordinary his officers ought not to surcease this maner of proceeding vntill the controuersie moued and now depending thereupon in the Starre Chamber by meanes of the opinion of some of the reuereÌ„d Iudges and of the right worshipful and famous Lawier Maister Cooke be determined Item let it be inquired if notwithstanding the displeasure of the Prelattes the graue and learned Iudges of this noble realme priuately debating these matters vvhether among them
Parliament at that time to this purpose but rather for the ouerthrowe of the Hierarchie As many yet aliue can witnes who would with great vehemencie haue spoken against that matter for their owne and their friendes safety When Maister Stubs of Lincolns Inne had written against the mariage intended by Monsieur the Daulphine of France towardes hir Maiestie to the ende that men should bee terrified from writing dishonorably of hir Highnes this statute made that offence felonie which by former statutes was onely the losse of the right hande Which proueth that the â—aw-makers prouided for hir Maiestie not for the Hierarchie The Parliament hath bene more ready for Reformation then against it as appeared most euidently the last Parliament when the bill against Nonresidencie passed the lower house and had like to haue also passed the higher house by the right honorable the Lord Treasurer his meanes and other right noble Lordes who spake for it had not the Bishops laboured against it 15 Some of the lawes be faultie euen in Church matters as our Prell not popish will acknowledge reporte and write if neede be There was a lawe made by King Henrie the 8. and confirmed by hir Maiestie That such Canons Constitutions c. which bee not contrariant to the lawes statutes customes of this Realme nor preiudiciall to the Kinges prerogatiue shalbee executed as before the making of that act Amonge which Canons c. there be many vnlawful foolish thinges though neither against the lawes customes or kings prerogatiue yet repugnant to the Lawe of God As namely That women maie not sue their husbandes for adulterie that Heretikes after their death shoulde be excommunicate that there is such affinitee betweene the Godfather and the childe for whom he promiseth in baptisme that it hindereth mariage that a man maie not fast vpon Thursday That all Clearkes shoulde absteine from flesh 7. whole weekes before Easter Infinite corruptions bee in these Canons yet in force and good in lawe I suppose that our Bb. coulde be content that this statute of 25. were corrected Sure I am the Bishops in King Edwarde the 6. dayes did see manie things out of order in the Canon lawes or else they woulde not haue a whole booke for Reformation of them which booke can haue no intertainement in our time But seeing the Bb. will not deny but that some abuses be established for lawe lette them beare with others that espie greater faultes then those bee 16. Lastly many haue writen both against the state of the Church and common wealth as it was is fenced by law who were neuer accounted diffamers of our Princes Some write against Triall by battell Some against Forfaiture of Traytours landes The returne of writtes in one terme the lingring of men in prison before they come to tryall the priuiledges of Parliament men the pardoning of murtherers pluralitie of farmes c. Some against Racking Some against feined recoueries to defeat them in remainder or reuersion vpon estates taill Some against buying and selling of Wardes and such like Against the gouernement of the Church in England manie subiectes haue written neuer deemed diffamers of the King as In Edwarde the thirdes reigne did Wicleve arise one of whose articles was this That Popes Cardinalls Bishops or other Priests maie not ciuiliter dominari absque mortali peccato may not rule like ciuill Lordes without deadlie sinne Also hee taught That no Prelate ought to haue any prison to punish offendors And that no King should impose vppon any Bishop or Curate any secular matter for then both the King and the Clearke should be proditor Iesu Christi a betrayer of Christ Iesâ—s although the Archbishop of Cant. and the Bishop of London did put Wicleue to silence for this doctrine as their successours do at this day yet they did not call him a diffamer of the king William Swinderby a professour of the Gospell vnder Rich. the seconde helde That the more Lordship a Priest hath the neerer he is to Antichrist Also that The Priestes of the old lawe were for bidden Lordship and that Christ himselfe refused and forbad his Priests Lordships saying Reges Gentium c The Kings of the Heathen beare rule c. but you shall not doe so Piers Plowman likewise wrote against the state of Bishops and prophecied their fall in these wordes If Knighthood and Kinâ—wite and Comone by consciencâ— Together loue Lelly leueth it well ye Bishops The Lordship of Landes for euer shall ye lese And liue as Leuitici as our Lord ye teacheth Deut. 8. Numb 5. per primitias decimas c. Geffry Chaucer also in Henry the fourthes time wrote effectually against the state of the Bb. in this maner The Emperour yafe the Pope sometime So hiâ— Lordship him about That at the last the silly Kime The proude Pope put him out So of this Realme is doubt But Lords beware and them defende But nowe these folke beene wondrous stoute The King and Lords nowe this amend Moses lawe forbade it tho That Priestes should no Lordships weld Christes Gospell biddeth also That they should no Lordships held Ne Christes Apostles were neuer so bold No such Lordships to hâ—m imbrace But smeren her sheepe and keepe her folde God amende hem for his grace Thus wrote this famous Poet against the English Bishops and yet was neuer accounted diffamer of the King though the Bb. in his time did holde their Lordships of the King as they doe now in Englande Sir Geffrey Chaucer his workes were in K. Henry the eight his daies authorized to be Printed by act of Parliament to which that glorious king would neuer haue condescended if hee had thought that the diffamation of the Bishops had beene a diffamation of him selfe In King Henry the eights time the renowmed professor of the Gospell Maister Tindall did write That it was a shame of all shames and a monstrous thing that Bishops should deale in ciuill causes And againe What names haue they My Lorde Bb. My Lord Archbishop If it please your Lordship if it please your Grace D. Barnes a right learned man at the same time did write That he would neuer beleeue nor could euer beleeue That one man may by the lawe of God be Bishop of two or three citties or of a whole Country for that is contrarie to the doctrine of S. Paul c. Maister Hooper in the daies of Edward the sixt did effectually write against the English Bish. For the space saieth he of 400. yeares after Christ the Bish. applyed all their witte onelie to their owne vocation but our Bish. haue so much witte that they can rule and serue they say in both states in the Church and also in the ciuile policie when one of them is more then anie man is able to satisfie
let him doe alwaies his best diligence If hee be so necessarie for the Court that in ciuâ—ll causes hee can not bee spared let him vse that vocation and spare the other It is not possible hee should doe both well It is a great ouersight in Princes thus to charge them with two burthens If this excellent and right famous man were now aliue and should say thus much hee might peraduenture if some had their will be martyred once againe Hee addeth further That the primitiue Church had no such Bb. as we They had such Bishops as did preach many godly Sermons in lesse time then our Bb. horses bee a bridling Their house was the schoole and treasure house of Gods Ministers If it bee so nowe let euery man iudge The Magistrates that suffer the abuâ—â— of these goods bee culâ—able of the fault If the fourth part of the Bishoprâ—ck remained to the Bishop it were sufficient The third part to schoolemaisters The second to the poore and souldiers were better bestowed If any be offended with me for this my saying hee loueth not his owne health nor Gods lawes nor mâ—ns Out of which I am alwaies readie to prooue the thing I haue saide to be true Further I speake of loue not hatred This was writen by this noble Maâ—tyr against the protestant Bb. vnder king Edward the sixt In these words he doeth not obscurely reproue the King and all Princes that mainteine the state of Bb. yet neither the Bb. nor Iudges in King Edwards time did adiudge this holy man to be a diffamer of princes His bookes touching this maâ—â—er haue bene publikely printed and solde and euen nowe are to be solde vnder hir maiestie Father Latimer another man of God and holy martyr was a Bishop in King Henry the eight his time but he gaue ouer his Bishoprike as also Shaxton Bishop of Salisburie did at the same time being diuested of his Bishoplike habite he skipped for â—oy as maister Foxe reporteth feeling his shoulders so light and being discharged as he said of so heauie a burthen Thus he speaketh of the Bishops in King Edwarde the sixts dayes in his sermon of the ploughe Ye that be Prelats looke well to your office for right Prelacâ—e is busie labouring and not Lording Thus much I say that since Lording and Loitering hath come vppe preaching hath come downe contrarie to the Apostles times They preached and Lorded not And nowe they Lorde and preache not They that bee Lordes will ill to ploughe It is no meete office for them If the ploughmen that nowe be vvere made Lordes they would cleane giue ouer ploughing and fall to Lording out right and let the ploughe stande By the loytering and lording of Prelates preaching and ploughing is cleane gone They are occupied some in the Kinges matters some are Embassadours some of the priuie Councell some to furnishe the Court some are Lordes of the Parliament some are Presidentes and Controllers of Minâ—es Well Well is this their duetie is this their office If the Apostles might not leaue preaching to be Deacons shall one leaue it for minting Heare my country Englande as Paul saâ—â—d in his first Epistle to the Corinths 6. chap. Is there vtterly among you no wise man to be arbitratours in matters of iudgement What none that can chuse between brother and brother c. Ad erubescentiam vestram dicâ— I speake to your shame So Englande I speake to thy shame Is there neuer a Noble man to bee a Lord Preâ—iaent but it must bee a Prelate Is there neuer a wise man in the Realme to bee a controller of the Mâ—nâ—e I speake it to your shame I speake it to your shame If there bee neâ—er a wise man make a Waterbearer a Tiâ—ker a Cobler a Slaue a Pagâ— controller of the Minte Make a meane Gentleman a Grome a Yeoman make a poore begger Lorde President This I speake not that I would haue it so but to your shame if there bee neuer a gentleman meete nor able to bee Lorde President It is a slaâ—â—der to the Noble men as though they lacked wisedome and learning to bee able for such office or else vvere men of no conscience or else vvere not meete for such offices A Prelate hath a charge and a cure otherwise and therefore hee cannot bee both a Lorde President and discharge his duetie too For a Presidentship requireth a vvhole man and a Bishop can not be two man Let the Priest preache and let the Noblâ— man handle temporall matters Then he proceedeth and telleth who is the most diligent Bb. in all England euen the Diuell who is alwaies in his Cure and Dioces keeping alwaies Residence He is no vnpreaching prelate Hee is no lordly loyâ—erer from his cure but a busie ploughman Therefore yee vnpreaching prelates learne of the Diuell to bee diligent in dooing of your office Learne of the Diuell if you will not learne of God nor good men For shame learne of the Diuell Ad erubescentiam vestram dico I speake it to your shame And in a Sermon before the King Though I say that I vvould wishe moe L. Presidents I meane not that I vvould haue Prelates Lorde Presidentes The office of a President ship is a ciuill office and it cannot bee that one man should discharge both offices well Thus Puritan-like wrote Father Latimer the famous martyr yet he vvas neuer esteemed a troubler of the state a Marprince and a diffamer of the King though in deede he was a Mar-bishop and Mar-prelate His Sermons containing this matter are publikelie to bee solde with authoritie testified in these wordes seene and allowed according to the order of the Queenes inâ—â—nctions And Matâ—hewa Sutcliffe saieth That bookes which passe with this approbatioÌ„ doe conteine nothing contrary to the State of this Realme Therefore it were straunge that the Seekers of Reformation should suffer as felons for writing against the ciuill offices of Bishops against their authority in the Parliamâ—nt in the councell and such like ciuill places seeing writings to that effect be seene solde and allowed as not preiudicall to our estate neither diffamatorie to her maiesty Maister Nowell in his Catechisme fully grounded on Gods worde and receyued and allowed by the church of England as the Bishops say and commaunded to be learned of ministers taught of all schoolemaisters doeth write thus of the Eldership If the Church were well ordered there should be in it a gouernement by chosen Elders or ecclesiasticall Magistrates such as was in the primitiue Church Shall men suffer as felons for such things as are fully grounden on Gods worde and receyued allowed and coÌ„maunded to be taught in the church and schooles of Englande The Lord forbid Doctor Rainolds the iewell of Englande publike professor of Diuinitie in Oxforde at the appointement and charges of the right vertuous and noble Earle of Essex did alleadge in open
friuolous against the state why is it not so against the members and partes of the state I might adde here that all Pâ—inters who sell popish bookes and all others who publish or deliuer from hande to hande any popiâ—he or other booke that crosseth the present gouuernement were felons by this statute if this argument might haue place I might also giue a caueat to Maister Doctor Percie that he doe not proceede in perfecting the booke which Crammer Cox Haddon and others beganne touchinge reformation of the lawes ecclesiasticall least peraduenture he should draw the people to be discontented with the lawes in force and by that meanes incurre the penaltie of this statute I might also shew that they who hauing receyued greate benefites of hir Maiestie doe contrarie to the trust reposed in them maineteyne preferre and aduance notoriously suspected papistes hollow-harted traitours and close enemies to hir Highnes hir Crowne and Dignitie opposing themselues against they knowe not what I might I saye shewe that those men doe prouoke a discontentement in hir Maiesties subiects but I will not stande her cupon For whatsoeuer discontentement is raised in men I knowe none that are falne into such madnes as to endeuour a rebelliâ—â— Neither can I conceyue cause of such feare vnles we doubt that the popish â—orte being incouraged by the aduancement of their friends the disgrace of their greatest enimies the passing by of them pursuing of others should increase in number as they doe without question mightily and then returne to their aunciâ—t rebellions ad diuelish practices Thus much may suffice to be spoken to the generall argument vsed by the Bb. their solicitours to proue the writings for ReformatioÌ„ to be rebellious Their reason is so sencelesse that I maruell how it can proceede from men of wisedome I am ashamed to bestowe more labour vpon it The seconde accusation of writing to moue rebellion concerneth particular speaches scattered here and there in some bookes which I would willingly deale vvithall sauing that I haue resolued to open my mouth in the cause of the innoceÌ„t and to speake in their behalfe that are vnworthily in mine opinion adiudged to death Which trauell I would take aswell for the Bish. as for the Seekers of Reformation if they should come into the like perill There neuer yet hapned any rebellion vnder her Maiesty by the instigatioÌ„ of them that wâ—ite in the cause of reforming the Church-gouernemeâ—t But if any should write to the intent to stâ—rre rebellion or insurrection though no insurrection or rebellion thereupon ensue yet they be felons by this statute Now whether the authors aboue named haue writen to that intent that commeth next to be discussed We ought not to bring newe sences vnto wordes but take that sence onely which the authour bringeth To take the wordes without the sence is to catch at the shadowe leaue the body Where wordes haue diuers sences some good and some ill by the rule of loue vnlesâ—e vehement presumption doe force the contrary we ought to take the better leaue the worse especially in criminall and capitall causes Because the Gods of the earth I meane the Magistrates ought after the example of the God of heauen incline rather to mercie then iustice Which is the reason that by the lawe The interpretation most beneficiall for the defendant should bee accepted For it is better to spare the guiltie then take away the innocent because Bloud being spilt vpon the grounde like water can not bee gathered vp againe but a guilty person spared at one time may be requited at another Wherefore it is needeful that â—uidences in cases of bloud should haue Claritatem probationis in quadam excellentia A clearenes of proofe in an excellent brightnesse If there be no euidence of trueth to induce vs to interprete the woordes vrged by aduersaries to ReformatioÌ„ of anie rebellious intendement then it will appeare that the writers for Discipline bee not iustly dravven within this statute That which D. Bancroft alleadgeth of Martine threatning of fistes cannot in any equitie be drawen tor bellion In saying That D. Brâ—dges for writing against the Reformat woulde shortlie the haue twentie fistes about his eares more then his owne hee meaneth nothing else but that manie would exercise their handes in writing against D. Bridges vvhich hath prooued true Thus he explaneth him selfe in his seconde booke the wordes in our vsuall phrase importing such a matter To vnderstande this as if Martin did incite to insurrection or rebellion is altogither without reason Here is neither argument exhortation or denunciation that implieth any motion to rebellion Matin could not be so mâ—d as to imagine that such a light speach as this were sufficient to drawe men to seditioÌ„ especially such men as holde for an article of religion that it is altogither vnlawefull for any subiect to resist his lawefull Prince that holdeth of no creature but the God of heauen If Martin had beene an Acheist or Papist who by their religion may Rebell against lawfull soueraine Princes theÌ„ there might be some colour of this accusation especially if insteed of twenty fists Martin had saide twentie Halberds as the Bb. of LoÌ„don doeth comment vppon him Though twentie Halber deâ— much lesse twentie fistes coulde doe little to the raising of rebellion within Englande Doubtles Martin doeth abhorre such horrible purposes or if he cary any such minde hanging is too good for him Whereas Martin Senior speaketh of an hundred thousand handes and of striking his wordes bee carried as I am perswaded altogether from his sence and meaning In that place he exhorteth the Lords Gentlemen and people of England to become ioint-suiters by one supplication to her maiestie that in euery parishe there may be a preacher so neare as may be that vnlawfull callings may be remooued and Christes officers restored to the Church that there might bee a quiet meeting for the debating of the controuersies or that men might be suffered to sue the Prelates at the Kinges bench in cases where they abuse the subiectes against the lawes of â—â—gland He addeth that there might be procured an hundred thousande handes to this supplication of knowen men in this lande all her Maiesties most loyall and trustie louing subiectes that these togither vvoulde strike a great stroke especiallie in so reasonable and iust a sute These are his words For opening of which I propounde this question whether any man doeth knowe the meaning of these wordes better then the authour himselfe which no man will affirme as I thinke Then looke further vppon the wordes that follow He falleth into a discourse of the Bishoppes English as he tearmeth it showing that they peruert by sinister exposition the ordinary proprietie of our English phrase vvhereof he giueth diuerse examples and at length commeth to this That if a man should aske the Bb. vvhat it were in their language to preferre such duâ—tiful
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 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
other Christian and noble Potentates who haue maineteyned fauoured preferred the Ministers that stande for ReformatioÌ„ And whether here in England the Right honorable Sir Nicholas Bacon L. Keeper the Earles of Bedforde Warwicke and Leicester Sir Frauncis Walsingham Sir Water Mildmay Sir Amias Paulet other right noble Lords Councellours Countees and Countesses would haue couÌ„tenanced and protected the Ministers that seeke Reformation if they had perceiued them to be enemies to the Queene aâ—d state worse then papistes and miscreantes And whether our Prelates be more trustie to hir Maiesty and prouident to auoide daunger then those excellent personages were 40 Quaere whether a Minister ought not to admonish the mightiest Prince of his duty refuse to administer the Sacrament vnto him if he be a notorious offendour and pronouÌ„ce him to be no member of Christ in the Communion of Saints if he continue obstinate in open crimes And whether vnder the Lawe Dauid and other Princes were not subiect to ceremoniall expiations and the spirituall power of Priestes and Prophets And whether Ambrose did well in vsing like authority towardes an Emperour And lastly whether Zanchius Caluin Bucer Nowell Iewell Bilson and Bridges approuing the like be traytours popes and tyrants 41 Quaere why there may not be vnder a Christian Magistrate Pastours Teachers Elders Deacons and widowes aswell as Parsons Lectures or Schoolemaisters Church Wardens Chauncellours Collectours for the poore and Hospitall Women seeing these doe and may execute in authority and power the whol forme of Church-gouernement desired though their practise thereof is infinitely corrupted against the Canons of the Apostles to the daunger of the Church and dishonour of the Realme 42 Quaere whether the Ecclesiastical High Commission be not in effect an Eldership wherein some gouerne with ministers who by profession are temporall Lawiers Ciuillians meere lay men And whether their gouernement consisting of spirituall and temporall persons be a Medley a Linsie woolsie Discipline as the RemonstraÌ„ce calleth the Eldership which is now desired 43 Quaere If the sole gouernement of a Bishop in a Dioces bee sufficient and most agreeable to Gods worde why is there an Ecclesiasticall Commission standing of many persons ciuill and Ecclesiasticall or if an Ecclesiasticall Commission be needefull in a Realme who in a prouince if in a Prouince why not in a Dioces if in a Dioces why not in a Deanrie if in a Deaâ—rie why not in a Parishe Lasty why might there not without absurditie and breach of true vniformitie be planted in some places already capable a Consistory or commission of Elders though the like cannot presently be accompliâ—hed in all seeing there be newe ecclesiasticall Commissions erected Deanes and Chapters Broken musicke and Organes in some places not in other Hearken you Sages and Iudges of the lawe it is expected at your hands that you see Euen Iustice done to all her Highnes subiectes rich and poore without regard to any person papist Protestant puritane or other If you suffer her maiesties subiected that sue for iustice to be cited punished imprisoned vexed and molested against lawe by any Prelate or ecclesiasticall iudge whatsoeuer doe incurre the breach of your oath are in her maiesties mercy for your bodies landes and goods Pereat mundus fiat Iustitia 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 b 25. H. 8. ca. 19. â— E â— ca 11. 〈…〉 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 d pag. 29. e pag. 80. f pag. 57. g pag. 20. h pag. 22. i pag. 27. k pag. 31. l pag. 43. m pag. 47. n pag. 81. o 1. Eli. 2. c. ◠〈…〉 p 5 6. 〈…〉 q 1. Eliz. c. 2. r Bâ—â—ke of ordering Ministers 〈…〉 s 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 u 〈…〉 x Caâ—on dis pag â—0 y 〈…〉 The Bb sâ—ould aswell vse pastorall staue◠〈…〉 z 〈…〉 pag. 679. 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 b Disputat Mat. 〈◊〉 pag. 83. c Admoni ag 〈…〉 pag. 53 1. eds 〈…〉 d Ibid pa. 99. Ibi pa. 139. f 〈…〉 Puniâ—â—ment of Adulâ—erie g 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 h 〈…〉 i 〈…〉 k Ibid p. 135. l 〈◊〉 pag. 166. m pag. 9. 〈…〉 〈…〉 n 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 1. Sam. 21. 〈…〉 〈…〉 D. Bridges 〈…〉 p 〈…〉 D Bridges 〈…〉 q Of the Princ. Supre pag 359. r Defence of gouernment pag. â—48 c. s â—bid pag. 281. 372. 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 〈…〉 x 〈…〉 y 〈…〉 z 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 b 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 d 〈…〉 e 〈…〉 f 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 h 〈…〉 i 〈…〉 k 〈…〉 l 〈…〉 m 〈…〉 n 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 p 〈…〉 q 〈…〉 r 〈…〉 s 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 y 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 b 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 〈…〉 d 〈…〉 e 〈…〉 f 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 〈…〉 h Ibid pa. 4â— i Ibid. pag. 57. 〈…〉 k 〈…〉 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 b 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 d 〈…〉 e 〈…〉 f 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 h 〈…〉 i 〈…〉 h 〈…〉 〈…〉 m 〈…〉 n 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 p 〈…〉 q 〈…〉 r 〈…〉 s 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 u 〈…〉 w 〈…〉 x 〈…〉 y 〈…〉 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 b 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 d 〈…〉 e 〈…〉 f 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 h 〈…〉 i 〈…〉 k 〈…〉 l 〈…〉 m 〈…〉 n 〈…〉 m Table of all n 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 p 〈…〉 q 〈…〉 〈…〉 r 〈…〉 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 u 〈…〉 w 〈…〉 x 〈…〉 y 〈…〉 z 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 b 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 d 〈…〉 e 〈…〉 f 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 h 〈…〉 i 〈…〉 k 〈…〉 l 〈…〉 m 〈…〉 n 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 p 〈…〉 q 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 r 〈…〉 s 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 a Ser pag. 83. b 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 d 〈…〉 The Bb. be not one of the threâ— states e 〈…〉 〈…〉 f 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 〈…〉 h 〈…〉 i Dorm Rep. pag. 〈◊〉 k Act. and Mâ—n pag â—21 l 〈…〉 m 〈…〉 a D With pag. 309. 〈…〉 b 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 The Seekers of 〈…〉 a Esa. â—6 10. Vnprâ—aching ministers b Esai 56. 10. 〈…〉 Priestes c 〈◊〉 44. 8. 〈…〉 d Esa. 56. 11. 〈…〉 e 〈…〉 〈…〉 f 1 King 15. 14 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 〈…〉 The Seekers of 〈…〉 Color of canâ—â—◠〈…〉 d 〈…〉 〈…〉 e Admoniâ— aga M. M. 183. f D 〈…〉 A Priest and Bish by Gods 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 pag. 281. 〈…〉 pag 18. Admonit agai M. M. pag. 44 h Cont. Haeres lib. 3. 〈…〉 75. i 〈…〉 pag. 668. 748. 〈◊〉 Whiâ—ak Con. Duâ— pag. 447. 〈…〉 Tim. 5. Harding Def. 〈◊〉 pag. 2â—0 Staâ—leton Bridg. of Princ. Supr pag. 359. 〈…〉 k In 1. Tim 3. 2. 1. Tim. 5. 17. 1. Tim 3. 1. What the law 〈…〉 See the statâ—â— l 〈…〉 m 〈…〉 n 〈…〉 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 p 〈…〉 q 〈…〉 r 〈…〉 s 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 〈…〉 w 〈…〉 x 〈…〉 y 〈…〉 〈…〉 z 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 b 〈…〉 c 〈…〉 d 〈…〉 e 〈…〉 f 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 h 〈…〉 i 〈…〉 k 〈…〉 l 〈…〉 m 〈…〉 n 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 p 〈…〉 q 〈…〉 r 〈…〉 〈…〉 s 〈…〉 t 〈…〉 〈…〉 w 〈…〉 x 〈…〉 y 〈…〉 z 〈…〉 a 〈…〉 b 〈…〉