it had bene needefull to haue bene vsed ther is no doubt but that Christ would haue warned his Apostles off yt especially seing that these thinges were before so at large set out vnder the lawe For it is not to be thought that Christ was lesse diligent in shewinge how god would be worshipped vnder the Gospell then Moses in shewing the same vnder the lawe Or that Moses being a seruant was more faithfull in the administracion off the Lordes house then Christ the Sonne and heire in his owne fathers howse Therfore to binde the Mynisters to any certen fashion or forme off apparell hath no grownde off any precept off the gospell or commādement out off the word off god They are therfore the inuencions off men and off what men but euen off suche which haue soughte to paint and adorne with these colors the shame off ther wherishe idolatrie ād superstition For as iff they had bene ashamed off the simplicitie off the gospell which they ought rather to haue had in reuerence and in honor They thought good to follow what so euer had any shewe or ostentacion in any Religion and thought it to be vsed to the setting forthe off the gospell Thus they take out off the lawe allmost all ther massing apparell by a folishe and ridiculous imitation that hauing an alter and a priest they might not want apparell for the stage As for the surplice it is notable which is written off hope Siricius who fetcheth the cause and originall off yt from Christ and prouethe that we ought to vse a lin̄en garmēt at deuine seruice be cause Christ was buried in a winding sheete A notable reason surely why we should vse the surplice in our churches but peraduēture they are ignorant off ther owne antiquities and the surplice is to be thought rather to haue bene borowed by them off certen Egyptian monckes who vpon the skinnes which they vsed to weare for there apparell did weare lynnen garmentes from whence also the name off Surplice seemeth to come Such like reasons are to be founde in there wrightinges but to let passe these trifles it is to be lamented that euen amonges vs who professe the Gospell there were some that when the whole papacie was to be consecrated and this Rome to haue been vowed to destruction accordinge to the vowe and curse off the citie off Hiericho who being deceiued with the faire and glitteringe shewe off the Babylonishe garmentes brought them as Acan did into the tentes off Israell For why do they commande a cope and surplice to be vsed in diuine seruice or a Tippet and a Square Cappe to be worne dailie but because they thīk it is of some authority with the people and bringeth some estimacion to ther office and to ther persons ād is thought to be of great force to make a mā seeme to be graue ād off authoritie For thes be the best reasōs which they are wont to bring wherby they would signifie both that thes ij sortes off apparell are not commanded for Religions sake and that the abusing off them heretofore cannot nor ought not to take away the right vse off them which belongeth to comlynes and order to which ende contrary to the Apostles mind they wrest that place off S. Paule That all things are to be done orderly in the church But iff they perteine only to a decency and comlynes what needeth any commandement to be giuen to a minister to vse dailie the tippet and the square cappe and a Priestes gowne and at devine seruice the cope and the surplice seing a minister who is sett ouer the gouernment off the churche and by the Apostles rule ought to be suche a one as not only is able to vse him selffe honestlie in euery thing but also suche as keepeth his familie in order and ought to be an example off all modesty and honest comlines to his flock who suerly iff he be meet for suche an office and worthie to handle the word off god will take heede that he doe not dishonest his worthy office by vile and vnhonest apparell But seing they make no worthie ministers but readers and seruice saiers yt was needfull they should appoint them what cappe they should weare and howe the sleeues and collers off ther gownes should be made and suche like Althoughe they atteine not this decency and comlines which they pretend for often times ther is nothing more filthye and vnhonest then this kinde off apparell And iff any can vse a comely square cappe he can vse also a rounde cap which is as comely and so muche more as it is fitter for his heade thē the square Therfore ther is no cause to prescribe this apparell to be dailie worne for decencie and order But they say the Ministers must be distinguished from other men and that they may be knowne off ther parishiners and church This is euen as great a reason as the other For iff they did set suche a shepheard ouer the sheepfolde off god who were able as well with his voice as the sheppherd with his hooke and staffe to rule his sheepe who were able also to heale the sicke and diseased and to bringe home againe suche as wander and straie out off the waie finallie iff they set a right sheppherd ouer the flocke the sheepe would knowe him by his voice and would not need to haue any marke by his apparell to knowe him Therfore allthoughe this reason might be off some force for hirelinges yet it cannot be of any force for meete and worthie ministers And wheras they alledge also Order and decencye for there surplice I would knowe whie yt should seeme more comelie and decent for a Minister that be should preache or praie in a surpl ce then in a gowne .. In white raiment then in black apparell For as for the coloure me thinketh black to be more comely for him and for the fashion me thinketh a long garment reaching downe to the foote sholde be more honest and seemelie Further more do they not see that Simplicitie liked our sauior Christ that the Gospell is in a maner shadowed and couered by these vayles and figures that by this meanes the waie is made open to bringe in many other moo ceremonies for as good respectes as these be do they not also think that we perceiue that nothing ells is sought by this which they call comelines and order but only a conformitie with Papistes and a superstitious decency as also in vsing the signe off the crosse in baptisme the rounde cake in the Lordes supper and many other suche ceremonies and not that seemely order which the Apostle commandeth For iff the simplicitie and nakednes off the gospell misliked them why did they especially clothe it with popishe apparell seing we ought to be so muche the furder off and to abhorre ther doinges by how muche we are in greater daunger off them then off other heretiques because they liue amonges vs For which cause also
commendeth also vnto the Elders the flocks which ar amonges them that is to say to euery one off them ther owne flockes wherby yt may appeere that they were set ouer certen flockes And these be not only the examples off the Apostles but the lawes which they geue vs and the commandementes which they left vs to ordeyne Elders and Deacous in the churche as the necessitie and state theroff shall require And sure I cannot tell how he can thinck him sellfe to haue receyned any office who with out doinge any man wronge may sitt idle iff he list Offten tymes the auncient Sinodes made decrees against thes idle orders that leaue a man so free bindinge him to no certen charge That no man should be ordeyned an elder as they vse to speake yt without a title that is to say without a churche And suerly iff all wer not confused and trobled in the Discipline off our churche we could neuer beare so notable disorder that suche kind off allowinges should be esteemed lawfull ministeries which ar then only Mynisteries off the churche when they that ar thus commended and allowed off haue gotten a churche that will vse ther labor and who in the meane tyme eyther do nothinge or ells goe about as they lift in all the realme as roges and masterles seruantes seekinge some mayster that will hyre them and vse ther Labor Suche tymes in deed ar spoken off in the stories off the Iudges wher Ionathan the Leuite wantinge a highe place and an aulter went rouinge to let out his seruice to any that would hyre hym but it is added in the same place that ther was then no kinge in Israell But this great confusion was taken away afterward by Dauid and Salomon and euery one accordinge to the ancient prescripcion off Moses and Iosus wer appointed ther proper seates townes and cynes â—o occupy them in Therfore whie do we that lyue vnder the kingdome off CHRIST our true Salomon who hath sett all this in very Good order whie do we I say suffer the churche to be stayned with so notable a spott and ordeyne not accordinge to the word off God that no no man be appoynted to any Ecclesiasticall office But he that is called to a certen churche wher to to exercise it And why do we not accordinge to this example call home the Priestes to the Arcke off the Lord and the leuites to the appointed cities Ther remaineth somewhat that lickwise perteineth to all that beare office in the churche That is that they so execute them that they may not be accused for neglectinge or pretermitinge ther duties For in the church what so small a charge is there which we ought not to studie with all faithfulnes laboure and diligence to make florishe to beautifie and adorne seinge we haue the Angelles for lookers on to see how we vse and behaue our selues in the execucion theroff and the Lord him selfe a most liberall rewarder off the one parte yff we do it well and contrariwise a most seuere Iudge and Auenger iff we do it not accordinge to our dutie For that which the Apostle coÌ„mandethe to geue Archippus warrninge off That he should diligently see to his office which he had receyued off the Lord is to be extended also to all thos that beare any charge or office in the church off God and euery one ought to thincke it to perteine to them selues which the same Apostle admonisheth Tymothie off that is That they discharge ther dutie and make knowne ther ministerie by all meanes yea further all that are called to any office or gouernment in the churche must vnderstand that the same hange he ouer ther headdes which the Apostle declareth that he was afraide off iff being called therunto he should not preache the Gospell For ther is none so litle a charge in the howse off god wheroff one day most streight Accompt shall not be asked In vayn then shall men dreame off pardons dispensacions and priuiledges All shal be called to Accompt to declare with what faithfulnes and diligence they haue done ther dewties They shal be â—e compelled to aunswer ther most deadly enemyes that off them selues shal be readie to accuse them for not hauing discharged ther dutie And the accompte shal be made in the greatest and most solemne assemble that euer was for seing that it appeare the by the parable off the taleÌ„tes comÌ„itted to the seruantes that a most streight accompt shal be asked off the lest gift off god that we receyne in this world how muche streighter do we thinck it wil be for theÌ„ that haue receeyued gouerment in the churche and iff he shal be so hardly delt with that neglecteth one taleÌ„t that he hath receiued They that beare greatest offices in the churche and vpon whos faithe and credit in discharging off them the saluacion theroff dothe in a maner depend how carefully ought they bothe day and nyght to thinck off dischardging this dewty hauinge so great a reckoninge to make not off one Talent but off the churche which our Lord Iesus so deerely loued that for loue theroff he vouchsafed to come froÌ„ the highest heauens into thes lower partes off the earthe to redeeme it and purchase it not with gold or siluer as saithe Sainct Peter but with his precious bludd But I do otherwise then I was purposed that am fallen to threatninges and exhortacions wheras in the beginninge I only purposed to declare what ought to be doone and what we do not And yet ther be so great faultes committed in this behalff that it seemuch nothinge can be greuously and vehemently enoughe spoken against them For the chiefe charges off the churche ar not only left vndischarged for negligence but dispensacions and priuiledges are granted that exempt ministers from the necessary doinge off ther dewty and geue Pastors leaue off this condicion to leaue ther flocke and ther churches yff they leaue an other in ther place to read seruice vnto them And for them that will goe to the vniuersitie by an ordinary lawe it is lawfull to be absent three yeeres and the realt with a litle mony may purchase the like dispensacions in the Archbishops court and market Off the saÌ„e sort also be thos bulls that are bought in the same market that geue ycence off heaping so many churches or as they call them Beneficies to gether which Faculties as they call them besides the intollerable couetousnes wher with also for some mennes diligence in this behalffe is ioyned extreeme need and pouertie off a great nomber off other as commonly it commeth to passe wher a fewe men rake all vnto them selues bringe in aâ—so into the churche a necessitie off neglectinge off dewty seinge yt is impossible that one should be able to serue more churches and thos often tymes the lenght off the whole land a sonder In which horrible destroyinge off the churche and neglectinge and for sakinge the Lordes flock streyinge in the
finishe and perfect it and off the other parte a iudge ād a reuēger if he did cōtemne and neglect it Therfore S. Paule stirring vp Timothe to the diligēt discharge of his dewtie in all partes maketh menciō off layinge on of hādes warning him that he neglecte not that place and calling which he was called vnto for to prophesie by the layinge on off the handes off the Elders Furthermore ther is yet an other vse off this ceremony which belongeth to the confirminge and strenghtning off him that is chosen who was admonyshed therby to remember that the same hād was allways ready to helpe to ease his burden and to beare him vp that had laid it vpon hym that being assured to haue been called to his office off god he might execute yt with great corage being terrified with no feare or daunger The second vse and cōmoditie hereoff that perteyneth vnto the churche is that they seinge this authoritie to be off god and the partie set ouer them in his name should acknowledge and lerne to reuerence thos that haue care and charge ouer them and to be obedient vnto them in such thinges as perteine vnto ther office And this is the right vse off that layinge on off handes which is vsed in the ordering off ministers Which being left and forsaken the Papistes and we that with out any iudgment keep ther fond and foolishe Traditions vse an other sorte which was neuer practized in ordeininge off the Officers off the churche But in geuing off the giftes of the holie ghost to all thos that beleeued and were baptized not that Ordinary laying on off handes the vse wheroff ought allwais to remaine in the church but that which was extraordinary and serued only for a certen tyme and season For by cause the Apostles when they as the stewardes off God did distribute the holy ghost that is to say the diuers and manifold giftes off the spirit to them that embraced religion vsed this signe and as it wer this sacrament off laying on off handes Thes Ioly fellowes who notwithstandinge that power off geuinge the holie ghost was ceased kept still the signe ād laying ther handes vpō the priestes bad them receyue the holy ghost which no man gaue them no nor cold geue them onlesse yt were extraordinarilie this beinge proper to those tymes and to the apostles only neither do they consider that this ceremony is farr vnlike the other which they vsed to the ordeininge off the officers off the churche for this was wont to be vsed in those dayes all most to all the faithfull The other to thos only that had some charge in the church and that when they gaue the guiftes off the holy ghost extra ordinarilie This was nothing so as may plainly appere out off the places which I haue named aboue both off Paule and Barnabas and also off the Deacons And as for Paule that he had receyued the holy ghost and was endewed with thos extraordinary guyftes before that handes were laid vpon him on this sort It may be proued by that that Christ had appered vnto him from heauen and made him a worthie vessell to beare his gospell into all partes so that streight way he preached in the synagoges and declared Christ to be the sonne off god As for Barnabas Sainct Luke doth plainly witnes that he was full off the holy ghoste wherby I vnderstand the extraordinary guistes and off faithe whome also before he testified to haue bene one off those that first professed the Gospell so that the laying on off handes which followed in the xiij off the actes was no geuinge off new giftes but as the holy ghost speakethe in that place a separacion and setting a part and as it wer a consecracion to the goinge aboute off a great worcke and taking vpon him a more trauellsome charge and office As for the Deacons we read that the Apostles when they wer to the chosen gaue warninge that they should choose mē full of wisdome and off the holy ghost wherby I doubt not But that they signified that they should choose off them that wer qualified with thos singuler and diuers gyftes and that the churche accordinge to ther prescription did choose the Deacons from emonges thos thre thousand which Sainct Luke had spoken off before Therfore that the Bishopp in ordeininge off ecclesiasticall officers and layinge his handes vpon them biddethe them receyue the holie ghost hath no shadow or shew of any practize off the Apostles but is a Popishe rite and ceremony folishly at the first ād with out any foundacion off the scripture instituted by them or who so euer were the authors off it off an imitacion off that which is not in deede But which they thought to be And after receiued by the authors of our discipline by ther leaue with no great Iudgment and yet kept in the church with as litle Ther remainethe yet one thinge in this matter off Ordinaciō to be declared which is to whōe the right and authority off ordeining belonges A pointe not so hard to be declared as that which hath allready beene handled off Election Seinge that ther can be found no example where any one or the whole churche haue vsed this authoritie in all the holy scriptures Neyther any precept or commaundement wherby either the Bishoppes or the people should thinck the right hereoff to perteine vnto them For as for that place off Paule to Tymothe which allwais they obiect against vs Take heed thovv lay not thy hands rasshly vppon any I trust it is sufficiently answered allredy and declared how that in thos wordes ther is nothing graunted to Timothe aboue his fellowes And that he was warned only to take heed off him selfe that he were not ledde away by other men or should thinck that iff he did anything rasshly yet might be excused by the example and authoritie off others But contrarywise we reade euery where that in all ordinations ther were mo that layd on ther handes or if one did it yet all this matter was ruled by the authoritie off the counsell off the church Thus the Docters and Prophetes off Antioche ordeined Paule and Barnabas in the xiij off the Actes lickwise the xij Apostles in the sixthe off the Actes laid ther handes vpon the Deacons that were chose by the churche And lest we should doubte to which off the ordinarie offices off the church the Apostles had left this power and authoritie Sainct Paule declareth that yt was the Elders that laid ther handes vppon Timothe Off which patrimony left by the Apostles the Bishoppe in deed suche a one I meane as Paule describeth in his first Epistle to Timothe and the third chapter and in the first to Titus is fellow heyre with others and succeded in some part as after more largely shal be declared when I handle the authoritie off the Elders But to be sole and only heyre they shall neuer proue by any right off the
manner off gouernment in all humaine societies is off greatest force and power either to the preseruacion or ouerthrowe off the same for there is no common wealthe be it neuer so small no not a howse that can be preserued without some certeine manner off gouernment and discipline And those Kingdomes and common weales hawe alwaies most notablie florished and longest continewed which first off all were sette in goode order off gouernment and afterwardes kepte the same without any alteracion or chaunge As contrarywise the distruction off greatest commō weales and most florishing states haue follwed where either the order of gouernment was yll apointed in the beginning or ells being well begonne was afterwardes altered and neglected for Pollicie gouernment and goode lawes are in citye or any common wealthe what soeuer as the helme is to the shippe the wrest to the Instrument Order to an Armye and as the sowle is to the bodie Hereoff yt came that Athens which was so famous a citie after it could no lenger holde and stere this helme was tossed with euery waue and storme and in the ende perished and was ouerthrowne And hereby also that auncient cytie of Lacedemon chaunging the seuere lawes off Lycurgus chaunged also hir estate euen as a song is chaunged by altering the tyme and note in which it was first sette Hereby the Romaines commonwealthe or Armye rather after that they lefte the seueritie off the lawe off Armes and warlyke discipline whereby they did allwaies more preuaile then by might and power lost also there auncient glorye and renowme And to conclude Hereoff cometh that we see now euerye where so many townes fallen to ruyne and lying lyke the deade carkases off the cities which some tymes they haue bene because that by chaunging there olde gouernment by litle and litle at the last the whole state was lost and went away as the sowle from the bodie And euen as the monumentes off the Greeke and Lattin wryters doe witnesse these thinges to haue chaunced to many common weales and other societies and companyes euē so we reade in the holye histories that the churche which is a certeine societie and companye off suche as professe the trewe seruice off God with no lesse daunger neglected the discipline and order which God there most louīg and wise lawegeuer had apointed them to be ruled bye yea to there muche greater losse and punishement for that besides those incommodities which are wont to chaunce vnto others bye chaunging goode lawes They alwaies founde by experience that the lorde God there lawe geuer was redie to punishe and reuenge the contempte off his discipline and order for to passe ouer the punishement off God vpon the churche off the Iewes whosoeuer doth diligentlie and attentiuelie reade the historie off the Christiane Churche shall well vnderstand that the calamitie off the former times in which the Churche laye Deade as it were by the space off manye yeres came off no other cause then off the contempte off the most holesome and most holie Ordinaunces wherupon yt was grownded by our Lorde and Sauiour Christe that it might haue endured for euer Therfore it is a wonder te see whereas our mercifull God off his vnspeable goodnes and by a singuler myracle euen now off late within the memorie off our fathers hath raised vp the churche as it were out off the graue againe by the voice off the Gospell that so fewe are carefull for the maynteining and preseruing off this life and that being content as it were to be in goode healthe by preaching off the gospell they care not for discipline whereby this healthe maye be the better preserued and also the strengthe and beawtie which was lost by former sicknes be recouerd and gotten againe And surelie it is greatelie to be feared lest that they if they goe thus on stille and continewe to contemne so necessary an ayde fall againe into the calamities off the former tymes and lest that these later tymes become worse and more miserable then the former But I am most off all afraide for our Churche off England which by the space off so many yeres as it hath alreadie embraced the Gospell not onlie thincketh not off instituting a lawfull Discipline therin but in a manner vseth only that which it hath receyued from the Papistes nor will not be persuaded to receyue and imbrace that Discipline which Christe and his Apostels haue lefte vnto vs whose state hitherto hath bene this vntill the tyme off king Henry the eight his reigne for a long space before it had lien deade and as it were without any life Then at the lengthe by the greater fauoure and grace off God towardes vs diuers notable men rose vp who as Elias and Elizeus raised vp the children which were deade So they likewise by most earnest praier and cherishyng yt by all meanes gotte at the last some life into yt so that at the lengthe yt beganne as it were to wexe warme and neese and by certeine articles off sounde doctrine to shewe some tokens off a Churche reuiuing againe And after wardes in the tyme of Edward the sixthe a prince off singuler hope and towardnes in all godlynes and vertewe was fully reuiued and recouereed not only hir life but also hir healthe againe But our churche being thus recouered was contented with physicke onlie and goode diette for hir healthe and vsed no exercise to gette hir colour and strengthe againe for althoughe many did exhorte to abolishe that popishe tyrannye which then was still remayning in the pollicie off the Churche and to place in steade theroff a iust and lawfull manner off gouernment according to the worde off God wich thing especially that famous man Marten Bucer being then a straunger in England did in that booke which he wrote of the Kingdome off Christe yet could not Englād be browght to leaue that forme of gouernīg the churche wherunto it had bene accustomed vnder Poperie but deuided and separated asonder the doctrine and discipline off the Gospell twoe thinges which bothe by there owne nature and also by the commandement off God are to be ioyned togither But forasmuche as healthe can not long be kepte and preserued without due and moderate exercise not long after namelie in those most cruell tymes off Queene mary it fell sicke againe that it was not onlie in daunger off deathe but in a manner past all hope to recouer againe And surelie euen then our churche had out off doubte bene vtterlie destroied as in deede it was browght all to ashes onlesse that heauenlie Sonne Iesus Christe had quickned yt being more then halfe Deade and raised yt vp like a Phenix out off the ashes againe And excepte our most noble Queene Elizabeth had risen vp as a mother in Israell to trauell with and bring forthe our churche againe But this newe byrthe hath not as yet bene any more happie towching the restoring of discipline then were the former tymes Therfore I thowght yt my dewtie euen
for the kinde affection which I beare to that churche in which I haue bene bothe borne and browght vp and therfore loue most deerelie for goode causes euen as the Apostle saith to liue and die togither I thought yt I saie my dewtie to desire and beseche this Churche earnestlie and carefullie to thincke off this so greate a benefyte whereby yt maie be established for euer And most earnestlie to exhorte and admonishe yt to abolishe that popishe tyrannye which yet remayneth in the gouernment thereoff and to restore againe the most holie pollicie offâ—◠〈◊〉 the churche which our Sauior Christe hath 〈◊〉 vnto vs and to feare lest that the lorde will punishers and will be reuenged off vs iff we contynewe still to despise his discipline But forasmuche as there be many who because they delight rather in a faire owtwarde shewe then the trew symplicitie off the Gospell striue and contend to retaine still this Popishe Hierarchie and conterfaite manner off gouerning the churche blaming that order for many causes which we persuade vnto This whole controuersie is fullie and at large to be disputed of that when they vnderstand the goode cause that we haue to repriue the one and require the other they maie ioyne togither with vs in earnest praiers vnto god and humble suyte vnto hir maiestie That this Popishe tyrannie being at the last vtterlie abolished and cleane taken away In place theroff a better and more holie gouernment of the churche accoding to Goddes worde maie be established Which cause I purpose so to handle that fyrst drawing out the right paterne and platforme off the lawfull pollicie and gouernment off the churche as Christe and his Apostles haue lefte it vnto vs togither their withall I will note our faultes and errors in euerie pointe that by this comparison the trewthe maie more clerelie shine and appeare fyrst therfore seing we haue not to doe with such as reiecte all discipline off the Churche that yt maie be better vnderstode what it is whereoff we dispute I will declare what the lawfull discipline off the churche is I call therfore Ecclesiasticall Discipline the pollicie off the Churche off Christe ordeyned and appointed off God for the goode administracion and gouernment off the same That I make here God the Author off discipline wherupon yt followeth that we haue to fetche the rules thereoff from no other fountaines but from the holie scriptures had nede be more fullie proued because it is denied by many who dare affirme that there is no precepte geuen touching this matter but contend that it is wholy lefte vnto iudgement of the magestrate and off the churche first then let theÌ„ tell vs whie they denie that god hath thus carefullie prouided for Christiane Churches and whie they affirme yt to be lefte free for vs to rule it as we lifte seing that in the olde churche off the Iewes All thinges which perteined not onlie to the gouernment off the cyuile state but also off the Ecclesiasticall for althoughe with them god was Author of bothe yet he wold haue them distinguished the on from the other were so diligentlye and exactelie destributed and bothe commanded by god and commended to writyng by Moses that yt was expresslye forbidden that Nothing should be added vnto yt nor taken from yt For yt appreareth manyfestlye that that exacte paterne off Discipline came not fyrst from Moses but from God by this that Moses testifieth so often that the lorde had apointed the maner off creating and ordeining Ecclesiasticall officiers and and there power and authoritie who aso allwaies readie to punyshe the transgressors off his ordinances with most grieuous plages and punyshementes There is a notable historie in the ninthe off NoÌ„bers off certeine vncleane persons who thincking yt no sufficient cause whie they shold not eate the Passeouer with the rest off Israell because they were polluted with touching off a deade bodie which thei must needes doe seing there died dailie some emonghest them as off necessitye yt commeth to passe in so greate a multitude went to Moses and Aaron desiring that they might not be secluded from that solempne communion off the churche But what doth Moses in this case what taketh he vpon him Surelie nothing at all but referreth the cause wholie vnto God by whose answere they were forbidden to eate the Passouer with the rest off Israell and were put off vnto the next moneth Off which cause properlie belonging to this Discipline which we handle and referred to God yt maie be clearlie vnderstoode That Moses in all the gouernment off the churche did nothing by his priuate authoritie but onlie deliuered vnto them that which the lorde had commanded which thing also Moses him selfe doth plainlie testefie by his often repeating off these wordes As the Lord had commanded And this is that faithfulnes which the Apostle to the Hebrewes commendeth in him that he ruled not the howse off God by his owne will but by the authoritie off the Lorde the master off the howsholde And how preciselie ys yt commanded in the Tabernacle that all should be made after the fashoÌ„ and paterne which had bene shewed by the Lorde in the Montaine neyther so long as kinges were in any tollerable state Any eyther kinges or priestes toke vpon them any suche authoritie to appointe matters belonging to the churche but all thinges were ruled and gouerned according to the will and authoritie off god For whereas in the fashion and buiding off the temple and in the offices off the leuites and off the Singers certeine thinges were somewhat otherwise appointed by danid and Salomon then they had bene commanded by Moses That chaunge and alreracion was not made by the authoritie off Dauid and Salomon as kinges but by the will off God himselfe who apointed yt so by his Prophetes as appeareth in the Chronicles Therfore also the fashion and paterne of the teÌ„ple after it was ouerthrowne was so exactelie drawne out by Ezechiell that the newe temple might he builled againe according to the paterne off God shewed by his Prophete Wherfore also Erra and Nehemiah exacte all there reformacion to the paterne off Moses Dauid and Ezechiel Seing then so stable and certeine a rule off gouerning the churche contynewed vnto Christe the lawes and ordinances were appointed by god him selfe and that it was accompted wicked and vnlawfull for any man boldlye to haue taken any thing in hand in these matters and that suche as did so eschaped not the grieuous punishement and vengaunce off God whie doe they now at the last deliuer god off this care or rather spoile the churche off hir patrone and defender by whose gouernment yt might be preserued and who sitting in the sterne at the helme yt neuer feared any stormes or tempestes but was allwaies safe in all daunger And how absurde and vnreasonable a thing is it then especially to thincke the loue and care off God to be demynished towardes his churche when
he hath testified yt with a most certeine and vndoubted testemony that is to saie by the sendyng off his onlie begotten sonne to take awaie our sinnes and as the Prophete off God to declare all the Lordes will and couÌ„sell towardes vs and to rule the churche by his owne authoritie For this is that Prophet like vnto Moses who shold plainelie and perfectlie declare vnto vs of God all thinges which doe belonge vnto our dewtie whome we ought to heare and to obeye as the holie ghoste by the mowthe off Peter hath expounded that promise and by that heauenlie voice which testefied off him from heauen that he was the deare and onlie begotten sonne off god in whome the father was well pleased and commanded vs to heare him But how shoulde we thincke him to be like vnto Moses yff he either hath wholy omitted or not so clearlie and perfectelie as farr as was needfull for vs shewed and declared this doctrine off the manner off gouerning the churche being so necessarie and which Moses hath so diligentlie and faithfullie declared Thefore we must conclude iff we acknowledge Christe to be that Prophette that he hath fullie and perfectlie declared vnto vs whatsoeuer was nedefull for the gouernmeÌ„t off the churche excepte we will robbe hiÌ„ of some parte off his Propheticall office or preferre a seruate be he neuer so faithfull before the only begotten sonne and as yt were Eliezer before Isaac in his fathers howse which surelie they doe who thincke the seruante to haur omitted nothing in this behalffe that the heire hath omitted all and that Moses lefte all thinges perfecte but Christe eyther beganne them not or did not fynishe that which he beganne Now whereas I affirme that Christ hath lefte vs so parfecte a rule and Discipline I vnderstand yt off that discipline which is common and generall to all the churche and perpetuall for all tymes and so necessarie that without yt this whole societie and company and Christiane common wealthe cannot well be kepte vnder there Prince and king Iesus Christe And surelie we must nedes either confesse that Christe hath lefte vs suche an order to liue by or ells spoile him off his kinglie office For what doth more belong vnto the name office and dewtie off a king then to geue lawes vnto his cytezens and subiectes â–ª and to make such decrees and ordinauÌ„ces wherby all the partes off his kingdome maie be mainteined The Papistes indeede denie it and dispute against vs and coÌ„tend that it is lawfull for there highe prieste to rule and order the churche off God as he listeth but we who doe detest and abhorre this blasphemous voice and according to goddes worde aknowledge and confesse Christe to be the only king off the churche how can we saie either that he neglected so greate and so necessarie a point off his Kinglie office or that he hath left yt vs to order as we please But yff there be any whose speache is so contrarie to it selfe that they graunte Christe to be the King and lawe geuer off the churche and yet will saye that either he made no lawes touching tht gouernment off his people or fewer then were needfull Let them consider how litle they differ from the Papistes in this poincte and how vnhonorably and vnreuerently they speake off Christe our Lorde For yff he hath not set in order the whole state off his kingdome iff he hath not apointed officers and declared the dewtie and authoritie off euerie one yff he hath not apointed what shoulde be the order off courtes and off Iustice iff he hath taken no order how the controuersies off his subiectes maie be ended he hath lesse prouided for his churche then not only Moses did for the Iewes but then Lycurgus Solon Numa and other lawegeuers off the gentiles prouided for there cities and common weales Which yff we confesse what shall become off that famous kingdome which the Prophetes sette out with such pompe and glorie what shall become off that septer off Iustice and that Chariotte wherein Dauid describeth him sitting in the middest off the church Which althoughe we graunte properlie to belong to the kingdome off Christe in heauen affter thâ—s life yet are those Prophecies not so wholy to be referred therunto but that they haue also some relacion to the begynning off his kingdome in this life For seing his kingdome in this life differeth from the other by reason and certeine respecte only and is not altogether off an other kinde so that the thinges which are here begonne shall then be fully accomplished There is a certeyne proporcion to be considered here and all those prophecies are after a sorte also to be expopounded off this kingdome As where yt is prophesied that in the kingdome off Christe all thinges shal be ordred by perfecte Iustice and equitie that all his subiectes shal be obedient and full off heaueÌ„ly knowledge that there shall be no Cananyte in all the lande that the gentiles shal be shutte out off the citie off god and suche other thinges which the prophetes most worthelie and notablie haue sett out we must vnderstand that all these thinges after a certeyne manner are to be referred also to his Kingdome in this life and declareth that the gouernment of this Kingdome of his churche here owght also to be iust and equall that the faithfull who are his subiectes owght not to be brutishe and ignoraunte but as conning in heauenly matters and as full off that knowledge as maie be That men off vicious lyfe and geuen to all sinne and wickednes are to be cast out and banyshed from the churche and the temple off god to be kepte as nere as is possible free and cleane from all pollutions and prophanacions Furder also they are conuicted by the whole historye off the Gospell and by the writinges off the Apostles by which it appeareth that he hath lefte vnto vs fully all thinges which were nedefull for the administracion off gouernment off his kingdome For howe ofteÌ„ talked he with his disciples touching this kingdome How often did he declare what maner off kingdome yt was namelie that yt was no kingdome off this werlde that it handled not the busynes and affaires off this life but suche only as parteine to the mynde and conscience How often did he declare what his officers should be naÌ„ely no gracious nor honorable Lordes but ministers off the churche How exactelie did he apointe the order off his courtes and iustice that no thing more could be required to a right gouernmeÌ„t and lawfull pollicye yea eueÌ„ a litle before that he went from his disciples how earnestlye and how carefully coÌ„meÌ„ded he the charge off his kingdome vnto them how greate authoritie gaue he them to shutte or open heauen and so greate was his care for the dewe administring off his kingdome euen then when he toke his triumphant chariotte wherewith he was after caried into heauen that sitting there he
might enioye his kingdome euerlastinglie how carefully and how long euen for the space off fortie daies togither did he talke with his disciples touching his kingdome For these are those charges and commandements which S. Luk and S. Mathewe doe write that he gaue to his Apostels and Embassadors off the administracion and gouernment off his empire and whereoff he commaÌ„ded them to giue his subiectes warning to kepe them with all dewtie and reuerence And after he was sette in his kinglie throne doe we not see how he prouided all thinges which were necessarie not only for the first foundacion off the church by meanes off Apostels and prophetes but also for the preseruacion off it foreuer by Pastors and Doctors But that I be not longer then is needefull in so cleare a matter how cam yt to passe that there was one order forme and discipline off all the churches which were founded by the Apostels excepte they receiued the paterne from Christe him selfe which they thowght not lawfull to alter and chaunge And S. Paul seing he had no more receyued this parte touching discipline from the Apostels then the rest off â—he Gospell for he had established many godlye churches many yeres before that he had conferred with them off his doctrine from whence I saie receyued he all that forme and order off establishung the churche by excepte he were taught off Christe by reuelacion as well concerning this as concerning the rest off the Gospell But I will shut vp all this matter touching the originall off discipline that it commeth from god and is therfore vnchaungeable and perpetuall and common to all churches with that earnest charge which S. Paul geueth Timothie touching the keping and manteining theroff who hauing tawght his scholer all the order off ruling the howse off God which is the churche I charge the saithe he in the sight off that God which quickneth all thinges and Iesus Christe who made that worthie confession before Pontius Pilate that thow kepe these preceptes without blaÌ„e or reprofe euen to that notable coÌ„ming off our lorde Iesus Christe and so forth as the Apostle with most earnest wordes doth charge him Off which place I gather first that allmightie God and our Sauiour Iesus Christe are the authors off that discipline which S. Paule had taught in that epistle forasmuche as they are noted to be the punyshers and auengers off all those who shall breake yt I note furder also that this order off discipline is constaunte and vnchangeable which may neyther be broken for any mans power or authoritie nor altered for any mans fauour seing that it is not only called a commandment but is geuen also with suche a charge Tymothie being warned before the allmigtie God and our Sauior Iesus Christe to beare him selfe therin without blame and reprofe Last off all that yt is no commandment belongâ—ng to any certein tyme but perpetuall and perteyning to all tymes and states off the churche Seing yt is so expresselie commanded that it should be kepte vnto the comming off our lorde Iesus Christe But how blame worthie were many afterwardes and how fowlie stained with the transgression off this holie coÌ„mandment for at the last Satan that conning workman to dostroie the churche hauing made them to forgette this earnest charge off the Apostle and hauing laide to the walles off the churche those twoe engines off Couetoussnes and Ambicion which destroye aswell churches as cyties did cast downe the strong holdes whereby it was mayntened and preserued But what did these so greate Patrones and Protectors how grieuouslie did they punyshe not only the necligence off men but there sinfull and vnfaithfull wickednes The stories doe testifie how that by litle and little with the corruption off Discipline Doctrine also beganne to be corrupted vntill that at the last they were bothe allmost cleane taken awaie and the churche abolished For they knowe not I saie plainelie they knowe not who being content with the doctrine off the Gospell neglecte discipline that the disposicion and nature of these two is like the disposicion off twoe sisters who are twines or off those brotherne off whome Hypocrates speaketh who beganne to be sicke together and to amende togither so that fot the naturall inclinacioÌ„ and disposicioÌ„ of the one towardes the other they were affected one with the others healthe and infirmitie Wherefore seing that god of his infinite goodnes gathered togither againe our churche in these daies and that trewe doctrine as the elder syster is recouered let vs not hinder hir as hir nature is iff she be not hindred to affecte also discipline with hir healthe that as it beganne to be sicke togither with doctrine yt maie be also recouered togither with yt And let vs be moued with the remembraunce of the former calamities to the restoring againe of a pure gouernment off the churche excepte we esteme it not to haue the almightie god and our Sauior Iesus Christe readie to punyshe vs and to be reuenged on vs for the neglecte off his discipline and to knowe at the last to our greate perill and daunger how necessarie it is for the churche and how acceptable vnto god But whie doe I saie lest we knowe at the last seing that we haue alreadie proued not many yeres since by the banyshement and fliing off subiectes by sâ— so crewell burnyng and murdryng off our brethren and horrible wastyng of our churche how greatlie the former reformacion being not sincere as it owght to haue bene displeased our Lorde and god But to returne to that from whence I haue digressed I thincke it plaine and manifest by that which hath bene said which I purposed to proue in the beginning that is to saie that the rule and paterne off discipline is not to be drawne from the ordinaunces and fantasies off men but from the worde off god which thing as it hath long tyme preserued puritie and sinceritie in those churches wherin all thinges are reformed according to goddes worde So all the corruptions which are in our churche this daie spring from no other heade then this that we haue followed popishe dreames and fantasies as most stickyng syncks and chanells leauing the pure fountames off the worde off god For I see and perceyue that the master Builders off our churche in repairing off yt againe were so wholy bent vnto the doctrine that they neuer thowght off Discipline and so reteined yt still almost wholie suche as it was amonghest the Papistes whereupon it coÌ„meth that all the gouernmeÌ„t of our churche is not takeÌ„ out of Goddes worde but out off the cannon lawe and decrees off Popes Which wither it were done by reason off the ignoraunce off those daies or off negligence or for ambicion and vaine glorie or because they thought that popishe discipline might be tollerated for a tyme or for what purpose soeuer Surelie no man can doubte but that yt was to the greate hindraunce and discommoditie off the churche which knoweth
vocacion and calling But how litle we are afraide thereoff and how in this behalfe that Discipline is neglected in establishing whereoff God hath trauailed so carefully it is to to manyfest whereas popishe priestes take in hande to be mynisters off the Gospelâ— whereas women and mydwiues administer baptisme emonghest vs and ChauÌ„cellors Archedeacons Commissariers and such like deale in the discipline and gouernment off the churche without any lawfull calling For as for popishe priestes I speake off those who doe take the ministerie vpon â—hen without any newe calling allowing off or appointing them thereunto but only stand vpon the right off those horrible orders whereby they were ordeined to sacrifice for the quicke and the deade that is to saie to abolyshe the sacrifie off our Sauior Christe who can denye but that this there shameles boldenes is cleane contrarie to the most iust and equall lawes which the Lorde hath made touching the necessitie off vocacion For althoughe they be anoynted and greased and haue receyued power off there Bishoppes to sacrifice for the quicke and the deade yet I denye that oile and that power off sacryfycing to be any sufficient warraunt for them to be ministers off the Gospell and off the Sacramentes This is a prophane oyle and can geue no man authoritie to dispose the mysteries off god The ministers off God are anoynted with an other kinde off oyntmeÌ„t which Christe him selfe made and prepared sending out his Apostles to preache the Gospell and to baptise those which should beleue wherewithall seing they are not anoynted why are they suffred to preache the Gospell with prophane mowthes or to touche the holy misteries with vncleane and polluted handes But some man will saie They haue receyued the laieing on off handes and were ordeined as euerie man thowght then to minister the seruice off God. I confesse indede that handes were laide vpon them neyther doe I muche stand vpon yt what or whose handes they were but I denie that euer they werâ— chosen to a lawfull ministerie or that handes were laide vpon them to this ende yea rather contrarie they were laide on them for an ende that is most contrarie to the ministerie off the Gospell so that by no meanes this can be accompâ—ed the lawfull office off a trewe Pastor From whence they are as farre off as the Priestes off Israell who were apointed by Ieroboam to sacrifice to the calues were from that lawfull calling wich the priestes had which were at Hierusalem So that the same Ordring and institucion can by no meanes serue to geue one man at the same tyme twoe offices so diuers and contrarie betwene then seâ—ues For thus all the offices off all Kingdomes and common wealthes are distinguished the one from the other and seuered by the diuers endes they are apointed vnto Thus they are called Senators and Councellers who are chosen to geue councell Iudges who are apointed to giue iudgement and suche like So likewise in the churche one is apointed for teaching an other for disposing the goodes off the church and euery office is distinguyshed from other by the forme and maner off his creacion and calling By which reason also the Apostle to the Hebrewes proueth that the Priesthoode off Chrâ—ste differeth froÌ„ the Priesthoode off the Lawe for saith he in these wordes The Lord svvare and vvill not repent thou art a priest for euer after the order off Melchiscdech Christe is ordeined priest after the order off Mechisedeche but the priestes off the lawe are ordeined after an other order namely off Aaron Christe for euer They only for the small tyme off this shorte life Christe with an othe They without any othe wherby it appareth that his priesthoode is farre other yea muche more nobleaÌ„d excelleÌ„t theÌ„ theirs was Which axacte maner off disputing of the Apostle iff we followe and compare the institucion off trew a ministers which is conteined in these wordes off our sauior Christe Proach the Gospell and baptize those which beleue with the orders off the popishe priestes whereby they are ordeined to sacrifice for the quicke and the deade Shall yt not appear more cleare then the light that these twoe offices are not only diuerse but cleane contrarie the one to the other For what Agrement is there betwene a Pastor and a Prieste betwene the Gospell and a Sacrifice or rather what maie be more contrarie to the preaching off the Gospell then this newe sacrifice off the masse for the quicke and the deade The preaching off the Gospell in deede is a swete sauour vnto god aÌ„d surely a very acceptable sacrifice is yt vnto him when as the ministers off his gospell slea our olde man as a sacrifice with the sharpe edged sworde off his worde neyther can any oblacion more please him theÌ„ when that the coÌ„cupisceÌ„ces and affectioÌ„s off our fleshe being mortified and killed we are offred vpon his aulter but it is so fare off that any sinne should be taken away by this sacrifice that as muche as we geue vnto yt in this behalfe so muche we detracte froÌ„ the trewe sacrifice off our only prieste Iesus Christe But saie they the supper off the Lorde is ment by this sacrifice and so by that the whole ministerie Some Papist indeede maie saie thus that vaunteth the masse for the Lordes supper but we who according vnto goddes worde rest our selues in the only sacrifice off Christe and casting all other hope aside flie from the wrath off god vnto the only aulter off the crosse off Christe Let vs confesse as we beleue that ther is nothing more contrary to that holy supper then there Idolatrous masse and nothing more against the commemoracion off the deathe off Christe then this newe aulter which they haue erected against the aulter off Christe Seing then there is so greate contrarietie and not difference alone betwene the offices and betwene the thinges whereunto they are apointed It is plaine and manifest that no man by the same ceremony and order can be assigned to the bearing off two offices so contrarie in themselues And that popishe Priestes are not to be suffred to serue the churche off God without a newe examinacion approbacion election and calling How and when they are to be admitted yt shall after he declared where occasion shall serue to speake off putting backe from the mynisterie suche as be nouices in the faith But I haue taried to long in this pointe off popishe Priestes now there folleweth to adde somewhat in this place touching women and midwiues who without any coÌ„mandement of God or rather contrary to his expresse worde take vpon theÌ„ that parte off the office off the minister To baptize children in case off daunger off there liues and of dying without baptisme otherwise which notwithstanding I wold suppose not nedefull to be done the error being so absurde and manyfest yff we had yet learned after so many yeres wherin by the greate goodnes off God his holie worde is
freelie and sincerelie preached vnto vs what were the force off our Adoption in Christe what were the strengthe off the couenannte which God made with vs what the eternall and euerlasting councell off god in CHRIste were touching our saluacon what were the vse off the Sacramentes and namelie off Baptisme For who can dowbte that this fowle error flowed into the churche from these heades and that the ignoraunce off these thinges was the cause that some not vnderstanding that place off Saincte Iohn Onlesse a man be borne againe off vvater and off the Spirite He cannot enter into the Kingdome off God toke occasion thereoff to thincke Baptisme necessarie to saluacion and that all that were not baptized shold be condemned Whereas all the Scripture to the Analâ—ogie and proporcion whereoff this place is to be expounded pâ—ainly teacheth that the Electe are saued by the goode pleasure and will off god by reason off the couenante and off there Adoption in Ihesus Christe That Abraham was iustefied before his circuncision which in force and effecte answereth to our baptisme and that couenaunce and the promises are not made by the sacramentes but sealed by theÌ„ Which seale also serueth not to the confyrmyng off the worde off god in it selfe which in yt seâ—fe is most constaunte certeine and immutable and hath no neede to borowe credite off any thing ells but that iâ— maie be confirmed in vs whose weakenes to the fulie staieng and acquieting off our faithe neded suche meanes to be confirmed by So that seing the lorde to haue sete his sygnet to the confyrming off our Saluacion and to haue sealed yt vp we might the more quietlie rest and acquiete our selues in his faithe and custodie As for the place off S. Iohn wither yt be to be vnderstoode off the holie Ghoste the Author off this regeneracion whereoff our Sauior speaketh who as in an other place is ment by fyre so maie be also here by water or whither yt be ment off Baptisme yt in no wise restraineth our saluacion to euerie sprinckling off waâ—er but to the sacrament only But there can be no sacrameÌ„t without a minister and there can be no embassadge without an embassador And yf any priuate man shold breake breade according to the institucon off Christe and communicate with others to the commemoracion off his Seathe who wold call that the hoâ—y supper off the Lorde and not rather an vnworthie prophanacion off that most holie mynister rie And yet althoughe yt be ministred by a minister our entraunce into the kingdome off god is not to be geuen to the outward baptisme but in as muche as by a sacramentall kinde of speaking vsuall in the scriptures in this kinde That is attributed to the Sacramentes for the certeine coniunction off the thinges signified with the Signes which indede is proper to the thinges whereoff they be Sacramentes Therefore there is not that necessytie off Baptisme to saluacion which many doe suppose that for this cause the holie ordinaunce off god whereby it is lawfull for the mynisters onlie to minister the Sacramentes should be prophaned And I can not see what other cause off his prophanacion they can pretend And a man maie mervailee whie at suche tymes they puâ— not rather priuate men to baptize then women for sure the faulte had bene so muche the lesse For women are further removed from this office for whome yt is vnlawfull to take the same vpon them not onlie because they are preuate but also because they are women For euen the verie sexe is forbidden to exercise any publique charge or function in the churche by sancte Paull And is commanded to sitte still and be quiette which quietnes and vocation these men will not suffer theÌ„ to enioie who styrre them vp to the exercisyng off authoritie and doing off these thinges so expresselie forbidden them But yff this were to be suffred for that necessitie which they imagine whie shold yt not also be suffred in case off like necessitie that they should minister the lordes supper and preache the gospell wherefore seing they are forbidden by S. Paul. to exercise any ecclesiasticall function or authoritie Seing it is an vnlawfull transgression off the ordinaunce off Christe and an vnworthie prophanacion off baptisme to geue leaue to women and mydwiues to exercise this authoritie it were to be wished that some parte off the mydwiues conning were practized here to the vnburdening of our churche off this fowle error as off a shamefull monster that yt trauaileth withall and that it were ordeined which the Lord hath commanded that they who are not chosen nor by any meanes can be chosen to goo on the Lordes embassadge should not abuse any longer the place office and authoritie off so woâ—thy a calling It remaineth now to enquire off Archedeacons chancellors commissaries and the rest off that sorte who withouâ— any grownde off the worde off god take vpon them authoritie â—o Iudge off all suche causes as belong to the Assemblie off Elders to Iudge off and to gouerne the chur +che and to correcte and punyshe not only the people but euen the ministers them selues according to there will and pleasure who I knowe not what answere they can be able to make for them selues what letters off Order they can shewe what signes and seales off there Vocacion whereas the holy scripâ—ures doe not onlye commytie no suche charge vnto them but maketh not a worde mencion off all this sorte at all For in all the Testament wherein our Sauior hath declared his last will vnâ—o vs and appointed Tutors and Gardianes for his churche There is not one worde mencyoned off the Tutorshippe off these men but off Apostles Prophetes and Euangelistes who for a certeine tyme should haue the charge off yt After also off Pastors Doctors and Elders to whome this office was committed for euer To vsurpe then without the will off so worthie a Testator not onlie some parte off this charge which notwithstanding could not be done without the breaking off the Testament but euen the the whole and that by displacing those who were lawfullie called therunto and subiecting them to the vsurped authoritie and so to breake into an other mans possession that thow not onlie put out the right owner and maister but also compell him to become subiecte and slaue to the hath not only no pretence off right and equitie but being so heynous and vnworthie a facte were worthie to be corrected by the Magistrates authoritie For what a confusion is this that the deacon leauing his proper charge off the poore should take vpon him an other mans and rule not onlie the churche but also the Pastors Doctors and Elders to whom by goddes commandement he owght to be subiecte And that euerie Canonise and Petifogger in the lawe should vsurpe the Authoritie off Ministers and deuines I passe ouer that the most off them be Papistes and that suche are suffred to sitte in the stearne who should no
voice of his father whereby being declared the Beloued sonne of God in whome only the father was well pleased he might be sent out to goe off his embassage ▪ he had disputed indeede once before with the Doctors in the Tēple but that was no full execuciō off any publique office but as yt were a certeine florishe ād plaieng at wasters whereby he prepared him selfe vnto a full combate and a greater battel Lykewise did the Apostles who did not thrust them selues in to the churche without his cōmanmandement and apointment but waited for that voice Goe preache the Gospell and baptize those which beleue The same modestie appeared in the Bishoppes of the primitiue churche so lōg as it cōtinewed vncorrupted and in goode estate for after as they were not afraide to enter into the churche by fraud and doceyte so being once entred in they behaued them selues in yt with like faithfullnes and modestie that they entred in whie doe we not therfore bridle this posting and spurring for the mynisterie and contenting our selues with the godlie and zealous desire off our mynde and our laboure and studie to prepare our selues thereunto flee and avoide this shamefull ambicion These so notable and worthie examples let vs esteme as a lawe made against Ambicion which yff we shal be so bolde as to transgresse let vs assure our selues that one daie in a most solempne courte and assemblie we shal be charged with Ambicion Neyther only in the office off a Bishoppe but in all other Ecclesiasticall charges this woyng off places and offices owght to be estemed vnmette and vnworthie for the modestie off any Christian man and how muche better were yt to send backe againe this laboring for offices and sutorlike care vnto Rome from whence yt came For as muche then as greate fruite ys lost by this ambicious seking for offices and honor which they reape who are fully persuaded off there calling and off the wille off God appointing them thereunto Seing also the examples off our Sauior Christe off his Apostles off the purer and primitiue churche doe call vs from yt and exhortethe vs to all sobernes and modestie and that hereby greate wrong is done vnto God whose authoritie is not waited for and that bothe the Lordes ordinaunce and our owne proffitte and commoditie calleth vs backe from this hunting after places and and offices Let vs at the lengthe amende the custome which we haue that to come flocking from all partes to that place where orders as we call them by a popishe name are geuen by the bishoppe to seke and sewe for them to bring letters off Lordes or Iustices or some other off our frendes in our commendacion and fauoure Fynally Let vs amend whatsoeuer yt is whereby a lawfull calling may be corrupted and stained and now at the Lengthe which we owght to haue done long agoe Let vs decree according to the worde off God that no man hereafter sewe for any calling in the churche Let euerie man more shamefastlie and modestlie offer his labour and diligence Let all men kepe them selues at home and there abyde and wayte for the voice off God and authoritie off those who are chosers to the taking vpon him off any ecclesiasticall charge or function There do yet remaine certaine thinges to be spooken off ecclesiasticall officers touching the execucion off that office wherunto they be called Off which the first is that the vocacion wandre not freely wher it listethe but be ioined with a charge off some certeine place and churche For yt is not here as yt is in the profession off the arts that we should esteeme thes orders as certein commendacions and the churches allowinge off any mans worthines as it is in them that by the Iudgment and authoritie off the vniuersities are preferred to the profession off the liberall sciences or off the cyuall law or phisick or any other such like For they haue none apointed them whom they should teache or heale or geue counsell vnto or wher they should exercise ther profession but as they see it commodious for them selues go to thos places which they thinck fyttest for them or iff they thinck good sit idle at home But the ministers apointement ought not to be suche that hauinge receiued as it were the commendacion and allowance of lerned men they should after provide a place for them selues as they thought most commodious or ells sit idle all ther life tyme at vome iff they list For thes admissions and allowances off studentes are geuen vnto thē as honors and rewardes which haue no more labor hanginge vpon thē then they list and iudge to be profitable for them But thes honors are suche that men are rather chareged then preferred by them and indeed rather to be esteemed burthens then honors whose nature is suche that as gardaynshipppz are graunted not for his cause who is chosen but rather for theirs who haue neede off their care helpe and labor So that iff ther be no suche in the churche ther is no cause off apointinge any to ecclesiasticall charges Therfore the Apostles did at no tyme appoint mynisters or deacons that afterwards should prouide them selues churches wher they should teache or whos treasury they should ouersee or ells be idle if they would but they ordeined deacons Pastors and Elders as the necessytie off the churche did require Thus we reede in the sixth off the Actes that when the state off the churche off Ierusalem did require the Apostles ordeined deacons ouer the treasury off that churche to see the orderinge off it and the prouision for widowes and pore folkes Thus also Paule and Barnabas in the xiiij off the actes ordeined elders in euery churche and neyther lefte the churches as orphanes with out any to care and prouide for them neither apointed any elders but vnto suche certen chuches as had need off them So also Sainct Paule expressely commandeth Titus whom he hade left in Crete to set the churches in order that he should appoynt Elders in euery citye that is to say wher ther was any churche or nomber off thos that beleeued And for this same cause I thinck ther is scarcely any wher in the holy scriptures mencion made off Elders and Deacous wher together with all is not mencioned the name off the churche place or cytie wher in they did exercise ther office Thus Paule in the Epistle to the Philippians maketh mencion off ther Bishoppes and Deacons Thus also also Sainct Luke writethe in the Actes Sainct Paule sent for the Elders off Ephesus and that the churche off Antioche sent vnto the Aoostles and Elders at Ierusalem aboute the question off Circumcision And also in Saint Peter writinge to the churches wchich wer scattered in Pontus and Galatia in the fifte chapiter I exhort saithe he the Elders which ar amonges yow that is to say the Elders which are set ouer your seuerall churches And in the same place he
mountaines and wandringe in the woodes with out a guyde which he him selfe spared not to spēd his life for to bring yt into the way againe we are in no part inferior to the Papistes them selues Is this then our discipline is this that order which some men often tymes praisinge in wordes desire nothinge less in deed Is this the gouernment and administracion off our churche and yet no man may be suffred freely to speake for the reformaciō of the churche and restoringe againe of the pure and perfit gouernmēt of the Apostles Seinge thes are most manifestly contrary to the example off our Sauior Christ and off the Apostles Seinge they threaten the certeyne ruyne and ouer throw off the churche Seinge they do not only shake but turne vpward the pillers off the same Haue we not Good cause to be moued bothe for the Glory off God and the saluacion of the churche to requyre more holye ordinaunces and a better gouernment off the same Can any man esteeme thes light matters and off small waight that the sacred Lawes off God are openly violated and broken with oute any shame that the churche which Christ hath redemed with his bludd is neglected That ther is no regard had off discharginge off dewties That a man taketh to hym selfe which the Aungelles dare not and that the Archbishopp dare geue the Pastor leaue contrary to the expresse commandement off God to forsake his flock or graunt him suche priuiledges wheroff that same dothe necessaryly follow which no Archangell may challendge to him selff Or shall thos thinges also which I haue handled from the begynninge to this place be esteemed small faultes to ground Ecclesiasticall discipline not vpon the word off God and the will off the Lord Iesus But off the canon lawe Which suerly I doubt not to affirme to be the very fountaine and springe from whence all the rest off the Corruptions do flow that popishe priestes womē Archdeacons and Chauncelers with ther Officialles Commissaryes and the rest off that Trashe do bringe ther impure handes and neuer sanctified vnto God to do his holie seruice to preache his word to handle and distribute his facred mysteries to order and gouerne his churche And nothinge seare any punishement off this ther boldnes and most vnworthie prophanacion off the holie offices That Ionathan the Leuites shamefull example in seekinge a Maister or as we call yt in gettinge the good will off a Patrone is taken to be followed That Dauid and Salomons example in callinge the Priestes and Leuites to ther cyties and townes and the Apostles in ordeininge no ecclesiasticall officer but vnto certen churches is neglected and contemned And last off all that Thes wicked and intollerable faculties Prerogatiues Priuiledges and dispensacions tha◠I haue spoken off at suffered in our churche Are all thee I say to be countid trifles or certen light faultes and tollerable errors For my par e suerly I thincke as allso I suppose all they will do that will were this by the word off God as by the gold smythes ballance that ther is neuer a one off these light and small to be esteemed but that they ar all heynous trespasses and matters off Treason to be examined and iudged off in the highest courtes Therfore in the name off God let vs not seeke to bringe this holie doctrine off reforminge our discipline into hate and displeasur vnder a shew that yt is a newe and a false pretēce that all innouaciōs ād chāges are dangerous but rather abrogating thes most vniust and vnrighteous lawes dispensacions and as I may well call them pardones and indulgencies at the last let vs call agayne that maner off gouerninge the churche and that discipline being now lost which the Lord him selfe by his embassadors and Apostles hathe apointed Thus hauinge described and layd out the lawfull vocacion off all those which occupie any publique place in the churche let vs now come to the partes and members of the same which especially are two wherin the right maner off geuinge thes offices doth consist that is In election and ordinacion which is so properly called Election is the appointinge by the Elders the rest off the churche allowing it off a fitt man to the bearinge off some office in the churche And as for Election that it is necessary to the geuinge off any off thes offices it may appeare euen off that that S. Paul ioineth it with examinacion and trial and diligently warneth Timothie that he lay not on his handes vpon them that be vnworthie but only vpon thos that after a iust triall beinge had are found meet and chosen That same is proued also by the continuall vse off the Apostles who by the iudgmēt and authoritie off the churche apointed Bishopps to teache and Deacons for the orderinge off the Treasury off the churche For Christ hath not chosen any certen hous or famyly as it was in old tyme vnder the law wherin the gouernment off the churche should all wais remaine He gaue herein no right off Petigree stock and blood no ministers by inheritance but he would haue the iudgement left free vnto his churche and the offices theroff to be gyuen by choyse and worthines Off which election for asmuche as it was so necessary for the state off the churche that without yt the churche it selfe could not longe continew Our Sauior Christ was very carefull and therfor declared particularly and distinctly all thinges which apperteined to the orderyng theroff For he hath perfectly and diligently shewed bothe who owght to choose and to whom especially this care ought to belonge and what ought to be followed and regarded in chosinge off euery one For althoughe this question and controuersy off the chosers hathe beene diuersly disputed off by lerned men yet allmost all off them cōsen in this that ther must be moe to deale therin and that so great and so wayghtie a charge and belonginge to the especiall and singuler commodytie or discomoditie off the wholl churche ought not be committed to the authoritie off any one but be ordered and ruled by the iudgement and consent off many And this is the generall opynion off all thos that euer disputed lernedly and wisely in this cause from which I thinck no man can dissent but the Papists and they that haue succeded them in that authoritie which they most vnuistly and not without open iniury and tyranny doe vsurpe For the Bishopps that challeng this power vnto them selues by ther meere authoritie and ther owne only Iudgment and aduise to apoint the officers off the churche cannot challenge this by any right or law off God but exercise a very tyranny thoughe indeed longe agoe browght into the churche which lest I may seeme to haue said with out cause and to haue condemned them with out hearinge them to say what they can let them shew forth from whom and by what right this infynit power and authoritie is come into ther handes yff they say they haue
to escape In the end off the same Epistle wherin he is called a Bishop he sendethe for him from Ephesus to Rome which suerly he would neuer haue done yff he had beene appointed Bishopp ther or one off thos elders whom Paule in the twentieth off the Actes sent for to miletum and exhorteth to contynuall watche and ward And Paule hym selfe writeth that he willed him to tary at Ephesus not that he had ordeined him bishopp ther. A like obiection they make out off the Epistle to Titus wher it is written that Paule left him in Creta that he should appoint Elders in euery towne But it may lickwise be annswered that the Apostle saithe not that he ordeineth him Bishopp off the churches off Creta But only that he leaft him in Creta namely so longe vntill he had sett suche thinges in order as Paule beinge otherwise called away could not tarry to do and had appointed Elders in euery citie which apperethe by this that he commanded hym when thos thinges wer done to come to him to Nicopolis into Macedonia Lickwise in an other place he writeth that Titus was gonn into Dalmacia so that yt is cleere enoughe that Titus had no charge off any certen place or church Therfore seing I thinck yt is sufficiently proued that Titus and Tymothie were EuaÌ„gelistes and not Bishoppes how doeth that make for the Bishoppes which we see by ther Epistles was granted vnto theÌ„ For I thinck they will not compare them selues with the Euangelistes or affirme them selues to be off equall authoritie with them which iff they should they might be easelie confuted as after in dew place shal be declared But that we may put the case that Timothie was Bishopp at Ephesus and that we may freely graunt that what so euer may apperre to haue beene lawfull for him to be lawfull also for them Let vs see now what the Apostle graunted to Timothie For soothe say they that he might choose off his owne authoritie the officers off the church Let vs then see whether it be so or not And here is first to be noted that they do yll geue that vnto Election which perteyneth not to Election But to Ordinacion For the laying on off handes was not wonte to be vsed in choosinge off any Officers off the churche But in ordeininge off him Then that we graunt them this also That election hereby is signified I say that ther Tyranny and Lordly authoritie is by no place more confuted then by this which they bring for them selues which that yt may more cleerly appeere I must first take away a certen false exposicion which they bringe off this place that after I may the more easyly convince them by the true and naturall meaninge theroff Heere say they Tymothie is warned that he lay not his handes to hastely vpon any nor communicate with other mens faultes namely with thers say they who allthoughe they be vnworthy seeke to enter into the ministery An interpretacion very vnfytt either for the wordes off the Apostle or for those tymes Will they confesse that euen in thos tymes this ambicion had crept into the churche that as now a dayes so then also they went vnto the Bishop for order and layinge on off handes for otherwise what other menÌ„s fault is this wherwith the Apostle warne the Tymothi that he pollute not him selfe for what fault can this bee Not to be fitt to taky vpon him an ecclesiasticall function But herein is the fault that he that is giltie to him selfe off his owne vnworthines desirethe notwithstandinge to take that vpon him which he is not able to be are with out great offence But who will say that so shamfull Ambicion raigned in the churche in thos daies which many yeeres after was borne and brought vpp at Rome And iff the church had then been steyned with this blott would not Paule expresly haue forbidden this Ambition seinge that he would haue a bishoppe to be blamles and prouided by all meanes that he sholde not swell and wax prowd Therfore this is off smaller waight then it may be allowed and the meaninge off this place is farr otherwise nam y this That Paule foreseyng longe before that greeuous wolues not sparing the flock would ryse vp euen off the Elders off Ephesus them selues and that Tymothie was but off equall authoritie with the Elders in gouerninge off the churche and choosinge off others into the same place and degree and that they that were suche wold choose to bâ— Elders and lay ther handes on suche as wer like them selues he warneth Timothy that he do nothing rashely in this behalffe neyther iff any suche thing happen althoughe other like neuer so well off it yet he shall not suffer him selfe to be led away by ther authoritie to the allowynge off it but iff he could not keep others by his counsell from so doinge at the least he should keepe hym selff pure and innocent for so he addeth emphatically Keepe thy self pure communicate not vvith other mens faultes And this is the true and naturall meaninge off this place wher by yt appeareth that the Apostle not only grauntith him no princely authoritie for then he would not haue warned him to keepe him selfe pure from allowynge any suche Election but haue commanded him off his meer authoritie to haue hindered and stayed yt and to haue made the choise of the rest off no effect by his negatiue voice but contrariwise that he was off so equall authoritie with the rest off the Elders that iff they had chosen one vnfyt in some respect yet he could not off his owne meere authoritie haue put hym back nor done any more in this matter theÌ„ any off the rest And that he could only take heede vnto him selfe that he allowed not any vnripe or vnworthie IudgmeÌ„tes off other officers Therfore ther is no cause which they should make Tymothie the Author off this ambition and tyranny Now let vs examin also the example off Titus whom they do trewly affirme to haue beene commanded to appoint Elders in euery citie but I suppose no man will thinck that Paule graunted more to Titus then eyther he and Barnabas or then all the rest off the Apostles tooke vnto them selues neyther iff he had graunted is it like that Titus being a yonge man and his scholler and as it wer his sonne would haue vsed it For as the Iewes say in a coÌ„mon prouerbe it is enoughe for the seruaÌ„t to be like his maister which sayinge allso Christ him selfe alloweth when he said that the disciple is not aboue his maister And that it owght to be enowghe for the scholer iff he be suche as his maister is But I haue shewed allredy what both Paule and all the rest off the Apostles did Neither is it â—ike that Titus did otherwise ordeine Elders in euery towne then Paule did in euery churche especially seing Paule doth expressly warne him to appoint them as he had commaÌ„ded
interpreters wheroff ar so defyled why do some complaine that both other myschifes ar spronge of this reformacion which we require and especially this that the Papistes being offended with our contencion are further estraunged from embracinge the gospell For what is it that may more further ther saluacion then iffthes offences be taken away wherat they stumble and ar hindered Off which so shamefull disorder as ther be many causes so I allwayes esteemed that the greatest and most waightie That we leauinge this exact maner off tryenge and examininge which the Lorde hath commanded vs to obserue and followe in this behalfe keepe only I cannot tell what shadow and image off yt which we receyued from the Papistes The receiuinge off which one error to followe the fancies off men in steade off the certen lawes off god hath brought in as vsually yt doth infinite other wherby it cōmeth to passe that the most worthy order and degree is most vnworthely prophaned that the church like the popishe sanctuaries is full off vile and vicious persons off all sortes and the gospell euill spoken off by the enemies For wheras certen men haue authoritie that euery one off them twise a yeere may giue orders to whom and to how many they list and that so great a multitude off suters come to them at the tyme off geuing off orders howe is yt possible that one man in a day or two should be able to proue and to examyn so many sewters beinge all for the most part vnknowne to him how can he take any assay or make any triall either off Iudgment in religion or off ther honestie in conuersacion For to subscribe is a small matter with them that thinck it the point off a wise man to dissemble that dispence with them selues to do any thing that they may distroy the church therby and whom Euripides hath perswaded to sweare with the tonge and to keepe the mynd vnsworne Neither is that excuse that is brought for those off vnhonest life any thinge more sufficient which is wont to be made by the testimonialles which commonly the suters beinge vnto them seinge the Apostle expressly warnethe Timothe that he be not brought by other mens Iudgmentes to lay handes to sone vppon any man But iff other do it rashly yet he should keep him selfe free and vnspotted from any such fault Althoughe euery man knoweth what waight thes testimonialles ar off seinge some off fauor commend ther kinsfolkes and Allies vnto the Bishopp by ther lettres or others whom they would gratifie by ther authoritie other some euen for couetousnes and hopinge to deuide the pray with them that by ther meanes obteyne the benefice For the couetousnes off some Patrons is to to well knowne who for ther owne gaine sake wil couenant with him with whome they may for leaste and sometyme iff they haue any seruant in the house that can read because the matter may be more easylie gon throwgh with such a one who would be very willinge to geue the greater parte off his benefice iff he obteine yt by his maisters commendacion and authority to chaunge his vile and base estate with some more honest and liberal condicion they writee for him to the Bishop who hauinge this testimoniall either for negligence or often tymes to curry fauor with suche men doth easylie adimit hym Therfore ther must be a triall off ecclesiasticall officers that all dishonesty may be taken away from that most worthy order and degree that ought to be a patterne and example to all other which beinge done order would be takē that here after before Electiōs ther be a dew ād iust proofe and triall had of thos that are to be chosen that we may exactly keep and follow the Lordes Canons ād decrees in this behalfe in keepinge wherof other churches at this day florishe and haue done now a long tyme And thus muche off Election now let vs come to ordinacion Ordinacion is a settinge a part off the partie chosen vnto his office and as it were a kind of inuesting him into it For after the election a certen order and ceremonie is wont to be vsed wherby the parties chosen enter as it wer anto the possession off ther office Now this ordination as we call it consisteth especially in two ceremonies Namely in praier wherunto also I referre the declaringe off his dewty and laying on off handes For the gospell is content to haue the ministers theroff inuested and ordeined by thes most simple ceremonies nor hath any need off that carefull and curious consecracion off the lawe with which the priestes and Leuites were consecrated And as for praiers S. Luke telleth that when Paule and Barnabas were commanded by the holie ghost to be separated for the worck off God the breethren praied for thē before they were sent out to go on ther message Lickwise also the Apostles praied for the deacōs which the people had chosen that the lord would blesse this newe chamberlainshippe as it were to his honor and the profit of his churche that he would ēdew the parties chosē with worthy gyftes and able thē for the worthy execution of ther office For ther is no doute but the Apostles applied ther praiers to the tyme ād state of the churche ād that as before in the election of Matthias so now also in the admissiō and allowance off the Deacons they praied as the present occasion off the busines did require which was then to be done The other ceremony is the layinge on off handes in praier time vpon the heade off the chosen for so it seemeth that it was wont to be vsed as a thinge belonginge vnto praier that bringing in the chosen before God and as it were presentinge thē vnto him the praiers off the church might be kindled ād be the more zealous ād vehemēt and that it was wōt to be vsed to this end yt apearethe bothe by other places wher menciō is made therof in the scriptures ād also in the 19. off Mathew whē he tellethe that children were brought to Christ that he might lay his handes on thē and pray for them as also in that place of the actes which I named before wherin it is repeated that the Apostles praied laying on ther handes vpō the Deacōs which were chosē by the church But this is a generall ēd Ther be other proper ād peculier vses of it wheroff the first perteineth to the partie chosē the secōd to all the church The partie chosē was warned by this ceremony that he was seperated ād set apart to the worck off god as appereth in the 13. off the act and that he was taken out off the rest of the people to the doinge off that office as it were by the hand off god him selfe wherby he might vnderstād that it was no longer in his owne power to do what he list but that god had called him to his worke off whome he should haue a plētiful reward if he did
Testament or the will of the Testator nor that this possession is occupied by them without most vniust fraud and open violence and wronge Therfore seinge as I proued hitherto therbe many and greeuous faults in our discipline seinge the most holy lawes off god left vnto vs by the Apostles for the gouernment off his kingdome are violated and broken Seinge the fancyes off men and the pleasures off seruantes are preferred aboue the cōmaundement of Christ the king Seinge the churche is so destroyed which he redeemed by his blud the holie offices prophaned and all thinges mingled and confounded to geether Let vs at the lenght earnestly and carefully think to amend thes thinges let vs in deed obey his preceptes and lawes whome in wordes we acknowledge to be our kinge Let the churche and the good estate and estimation theroff be deare vnto vs By fetchinge the discipline off the church frō mē and from the Canon law we do wronge to Christ our Prophet and our prince and open a springe and founteine off errors in the churche Let vs therfore stopp thos pittes and go to the founteine off the word off god As subiectes let vs depend vpon the will off our king And let vs make this first the most waightie law in the reformaciō of our discipline that nothinge be doone in it besides his word and commandemēt and that all thinges be framed to this good will and pleasure So that if he hath forbiddē any man to enter into the church to take vpō him any publique person therin or execute any office but vnto which he is chosen and called by him iff he hathe greeuously punished the transgressors off this law who despising his commandement and goinge without the bandes that they were compassed with breake into other mēs ground and haue beene so bold to prophane the holie charges with ther defiled handes let vs see and be carefull that ther be no suche thing emonges vs and at the last let vs commaund thence Popishe priestes women that baptize in secret chauncellors Archedeacons and ther seruantes the Commissaries and Officialles and the rest off that trashe that take vppon them the administringe of discipline to leaue off and do ther owne busines and suffer thes thinges to be executed by thē that are called therunto by the lawfull apointment of god Ther is great fruit and cōmoditie that commeth by a lawfull calling Let vs take heed therfore that we loose it not by ambitiō and bribery Christ hath cōmitted a certen prouince to be gouerned by his embassadors And whō he callethe to any office he apointeth wher and amonges wwhom to execute it why then do so many go wandringe and straying amonges vs Why do we graunt so lose embassages why do we cōmit an office to any man whō we apoint not wher ād amonges whō to execute it especially seinge thes wandringe and vnstable charges are wont to bringe infinit euill after thē But if any man hath an office comitted vnto him if his citie place ād church be assigned wher to exercise it let hī diligētly performe which he hathe taken in hand And iff he do it not willinglie let the magistrat compell hym to amend his dewty or lette him be put out off his office And for thos faculties and dispensacions that exempt suche as will purchase them from this necessary doinge off ther duty let vs take away and abolishe as hauing first proceded from Antichrist him selfe and yet not with out great offence receyued emonges vs and decree accordinge to the word off God that who so euer is chosen to any ecclesiasticall office shall carefully and diligently look vnto it as one that is to geue accompt off the execution theroff in that noble and famous day off the comminge off Christ In elections taking away the vsurped tyran̄y off the Bishoppes and all that confusion which I haue declared wherby dew triall and examinatiō is hindered let the lawful choosers haue ther right restored to thē againe Let ther be diligent and exact examination had off thos that ar to be chosen Let offices be geuen for worthynes and not for other respectes lest bothe the holy offices be prophaned and the churche wanting hir necessary helpes and stayes fall to the ground last off all Let vs restore the right and trew vse off Ordeining ād laying on off handes and abolishe and take away this false and forged abuse theroff Thus farr haue I handled thos thinges that ar to be amended out off the word off god in this parte which equally belongeth to all the offices off the church Now followeth the next part which declareth what is proper and peculier to euery one which also hath merueilous need off correction and amendement Thus therfore hauing fynished that part wherin I haue fully and at large handled thos thinges that perteyne equally vnto all that beare any office in the church It followeth to shew how many sortes off them ther be and what euery man hath cōmon with other or proper or peculier vnto him selffe Off ecclesiasticall offices therfor somme are ordinary and perpetuall in the church and some are extraordnary which were vsed for a tyme but ceased afterwardes to be vsed any more For in the fyrst age off the church by the great goodnes of god towardes his people that was but then yong and tendre many diuers heauenly gyftes were giuen Which after when the church had growen strong and the gospell had been sufficiently confirmed with thos mirackles wer no lenger giuen but a certen firme and stable order was set to gouerne the churche by for euer Which were rather as Sainct Paule calleth them gyftes and Graces then ordinary offices off the churche No man I thinck can doubt but that they are ceased seinge the gyftes are geuen no more The questiō is somwhat harder off the office of Apostles Euangelistes and prophetes which all seinge they are occupied in preachinge off the word I will deferre to proue they also are ceased to that place wher I deinde all thos that haue charge to interpret the word off god into two sortes Therfore in the meane season omittinge the extraordinary I will begynn with the ordinary offices off the church wheroff seinge some be simple and others some compounded I will in the first place more fully and at large as the matter it selffe requirethe speake off the first first and more simple part whence also the latter dothe wholy springe Therfore all the perpetuall and ordinary offices off the church that are symple are conteined in the holi scripture in thes two names off Bishopps and Deacons for all thoughe the wordes them selfes are not so exactly or as I may say so curiously obserued as also it was not needfull they should yet the somme and effect off this deuision is euery wher reteined So Sainct Paule in his first Epistle to Timothe instructinge his scholler how to frame and sett in order the churche off Ephesus for the office off an
Euangelist which Timothy bare comprehendeth all the offices and functions off the church in Bishopps and Deacons So also the same Apostle writinge to the Phillipiās whos church to as allready established and set in order Paule and as followeth To the Saincts vvhich are at Philippi withe the Bishoppes and Deacons c. In which place vnderstandinge hy the name off Sainctes the faithful and as it were the citezens and body off the church vnder Bishopps and Deacons he conteinethe the gouernours ād thos to whom any publique charge in the church is committed Somewhat otherwise in the xij to the Romans but to the same sence he deuideth ecclesiasticall offices into prophesing which is ther office whom he calleth Bishopps in the two places afore named and Deaconshipp which distribution is also kept by Peter in the fourthe of his former epistle But that keeping still the name off Deacon he vseth the word speache for prophesyinge This therfore is the true diuision off ecclesiasticall offices distributed by Christes chiefe Apostles into thes partes wherby yt manifestly appereth that in a perfecte and well established church ther be both partes as it wer the right side ād the left side off the body and that neither off them can be wantinge with out the great deformity and misshapinge off the whole As also off the other part ther ought to be no office no charge or functiō in ther church which is not as it wēr a mēber off one of thes ij partes and inseperably ioined with the rest of the body by which forme and paterne off the Apostles iff we should examin the Romane churche I meane that Romane church that fell from hir first simplicity and that liuelie image off the beast which is described by Sainct Ihon framed and fashioned hir selfe after the fourme and patterne off the Romane Empire as is declared by Clement by other occasions in his Epistles what need haue wee heere off a heauēly kind off surgery to cut off the superfluity off so many and vnnecessary and needles partes what wenns and what blemishes wer to be cut off and cured in this behalffe But ther appereth no lesse deformity in the want of thos partes which are naturall ād necessary seing that in the romane church one whole parte that is off Deacons is wanting Off both which so notable deformities I would our church wer free and that ther wer nothinge in our metropolitane and other mother and cathedrall churches that did imitate the superfluity off needles partes and mēbres for in the other deformitie in wantinge necessary partes we ar nothing inferior to the Papistes them selues for the Deacons are alike wanting in them both as after more plainly shall appere when I come to that place Now let vs examin particularly the seuerall offices And first off all let vs speake off the Bishopp The name off a Bishopp cōminge off the greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth signifie a watchman or a scoutwatch who is appointed to watche in the campe or citie and to declare the comminge off the enemy which name allso all thoughe yt be sometyme gyuen to the Magistrat for that care he ought to haue off the people subiect vnto him yet oftner and more properly to the chieff charges off the church and to thos that are as it were the watche off the cytie off god to keepe it not frō fire and sword which mortall enemyes can bring against it but from that euerlasting fier and thos fyry dartes as the Apostle calleth them wherby most mighty spirites and most deadly enemyes off the church go about day and night to enflame the cytie with all But seinge that euen off thes some by speciall othe are more streightly bound to cōtinuall watche and ward namely they to whom are cōmitted thos holy siluer trompettes to declare to all men all the word and commandedement off god the com̄inge off the enemyes to thes properly and specially is gyuen in the third off the first to Tymothi the first to Titus and other places the name off Bishopp or wachmam So that in old tyme this was rather a name off labor then off rest off burden then off honor off busines then off ease Now a Bishop iff we will trewly declare what he is is the minister off the churche in heauenly thinges and such as perteine vnto god For this I thinck good to follow the wisdome off the Apostle in declaringe the office off a priest vnder the law seing that bishoppes in the new testament haue succeded as touching the gouernment off such thinges to the priestes off the law As for that I enclose all the office off a Bishopp in deuine seruice I ground vpon the same place off the Apostle who giueth no more to the priestes whose office was nothing lesse honorable then the Bishopes in this behalffe yea had a greater shew off maiesty and honor in certene pointes in respect off thos tymes which had need off suche thinges So the Apostle conteineth the office off Timothe although he were an Euangelist in the gouerment and administracion off the house off god which is the churche And to omytte many other places to this ende the Apostle to the Hebrues cōprehendeth all the charge off the Elders in the cure off soules And what greater and more sufficient witnes can we haue in this mater then off Christ our Sauior and our kinge who throwghly knewe the nature off his kingdome and had appointed to what vse to put euery one how often doth he declare that his kingdome is not off this world but off an other and more heauenly nature and suche as parteineth to the procuringe off the saluacion off men wherin for asmuche as his whole embassage and charge which he receyued off his father did cōsist he was wholy occupied therin his doingt and meditation was allwais vpon it he medled not him selffe with the thinges off his world but day and night had his charge before his eyes and exercised him selffe therin warning also the Apostles that they should not hope to obteine the glorious shew and honor off this world seinge his kingdome was off an other nature yt rulethe the affections yt gouernethe the troublesome mocions off the mynd it morateth inordinate lustes and bringeth euery mā to the doinge of his duty yt lifteth and raiseth vp againe thos that were fallen and beaten to the ground it confirmeth thos that are sick and weake with the grace mercy and goodnes off god it bringeth men from receiued errors wherby they were cast hedlong into all daunger an mishiefe to the true honoringe and worshipping off god he tould them that he would vse ther labor to these endes They should keep his foulds and feed his flock and his lambes This should be ther race to runne in Thes ther listes wherin they should exercise them selues wherin iff they behaued ther selues with praise and commendation they should look for as
in glory and so forth as Paule most notably reherseth and which he declareth that the good minister off Christ ought to teache vnto the churche Furthermore who but a lerned man and well taught and brought vp in the schoole off Christ is able to discerne betwene sound and corrupt doctrine and to geue that as most holesome foode and pleasaunt waters vnto the flock and that also fitly aceordinge to the varietie of diuers times and of the other part to knowe and perceiue in tyme and wisely to auoide false and corrupt opynions or foolishe and vaine questions which as the Apostle saith like gangrenes doe freat to the ruyne off the churche And doth it not require a merueilous great diligence and singuler knowledge in the holie scriptures to prescribe all orders and degrees off men what they ought to doe what is fitt for euery one and what euery mans dutie is to declare the dewty off kinges and magistrates to shewe the obedience off subiectes to preache the law the gospell repentaunce faith which S Paule in Timothes person prescribeth all ministers to preache and in the person off the Auncientes off Ephesus wherin takinge to witnes that he had done so exhorteth them to followe hym and to do the like How hard a matter it is to stay thos that are fallinge by the comfort off the promises to refreshe and ease thos that ar weary and heauie laden to raise vp them that are beaten downe to the ground as it were from the graue againe Thes thinges had neede off a heauenly kind off cunÌ„inge and knowledge and off that learned tonge wherby Esay witnesseth that he refreshed thos that trauayled and wer weary But that I be not to long in this matter and that I omitt both many other thinges namely thos devine and merueilous secreates off the election off the faithfull and reprobacion off the vngodly how great is that one thinge to be able to answer wheÌ„ he is asked in all matters what the lords will and pleasure is and to be as it wer the oracle off the church which it is not possible any man should be able to doe with out a great and excellent knowledge off the word off god which only is left to vs in steade off the Sainctuary off the Arke and orakle off god vnder the lawe no more then it was possible to execute the priesthoode with out Vrim and Thummim Therfore seinge ther is so great art required to the gouernment off the churche and seinge as it is said by one in an other case that it is a pece off worck that had need off many taklinges helmes and oares no man ought to haue the guidinge heroff committed to him but he that is expert and coÌ„ninge neither is it meet to set a boateman or a skoller to it Who by reason off his ignorance in the starres iff he were in the middest off the Sea cold not tell wher aboutes he were but shold be compelled to crie as it is in the Poet. O Syrs we know no east nor west wher Sonne doth rise or goeth to rest It wer more meet to set heere to the gouernmeÌ„t off the ship the conÌ„ingest master that euer was who lookinge to the word off god in steade off the north starre may bring it with streight and direct cuurse to the hauen Further it is also to be considered in this questioÌ„ that the case is touchinge the gouernmeÌ„t off the churche off feedinge of the flock off the lord of keping HierusaleÌ„ the citie off our god off building the temple off god off the body off Christ then the which ther is nothinge more to be esteemed in heaueÌ„ and earth That we may the rather determin that suche a flock that hath as many goulden fleeces in it as ther be sheepe ought to be committed to the keepinge off none but off a most conÌ„inge painefull and diligeÌ„t man and as it wer an other Iacob For who is he that wer able to answer the Lord for the losse off the lest sheepe off this flock At whos bringinge to the fould againe after it hath wandred and gone astray seinge the Aungelles are so gladd off and reioyce iff it wer lost would they not in a maner Lament and would not heaueÌ„ and eaathe put vpon them mourninge apparell for the same yff then we commit this flock vnto a shepphard that not only seketh not the lost sheepe nor bindeth not that which is brokeÌ„ but caÌ„not if he would howe many would be lost and how greatly do we thinck that the lord off the flock will esteeme so great a losse What would he say not only to the shepherdes but to his stewardes that had set such a one ouer his flock Surely all ther Iudgement is pronounced by Ezechiel namely that both the watchemen that geue not warninge off the enemyes and the cytie also that seteth such watch men ouer them shal be bothe taken and perishe togeether and by our Sauior Christ sayinge that if the blynd leade the blynd both shall fall into the ditche Therfore seinge the Bishopp must speake and preache off so heauenly matters by reason off his office Seinge he is set ouer the gouernment off the church off god Seing that vndoubted daunger hangeth ouer the head both off the minister and churche iff such a one be chosen to rule that is not able and seinge off the other part all this fitnes and abilitie consisteth in holie knowledg off the sacred doctrine and vnderstandinge off the word off God I thinck it is sufficiently proued that no man ought to be admitted Bishopp ot minister who is not godly and lerned And iff any haue bene oâ—herwise by error admitted to be put oute againe For so our Sauior Christ hath allredy pronounced that the vnsauery salt is to be cast out off the dores and the Prophet Zachary prophesied that it should come to passe in the kingdom off CHRIST that they should willingly geue ouer that office againe freely openly professinge that they are in deed not Prophetes but husbandmen and that from ther youâ—h vp they had neuer beene schollers vnto the Prophettes but Neathearedes Porters shepherdes seruinge men and suche like Which seinge yt is so manifest and confirmed by so many Testimonyes off the Scripture that yt can not be denyed I merueile that euer yt could come to passe in a Christian churche that so clere and expresse commandementes off God so proffitable for vs and necessary for the saluacion off the churche should be broken and transgressed But they are not only broken and that commonly and so offten that for one fyt minister a man may find a nomber off vnfit and vnlerned but excuses and preteÌ„ces are sought to defeÌ„d this fault with all as iff in manner it wer lawful to do so And the most hainous crymes that can be wanteth not there lawer and counsell to pleade for them They say that yt is euill in deed but a necessary euill
and must needes be so nor can not be otherwise seinge ther be not so many lerned men as ar able to suffice for all the kingdom So that the people must either want alltogether a minister or some must needes be admitted althoughe they be not fitt and able It should seeme by this defence that all thos that wer lerned and fitt were allready placed throwout the churches which how trew it is It may be seene in both the vniuersities wherin ther be many bothe off excellent godlines and lerninge which neither are called to the ministerie nor neuer shal be on lesse they go for it seke ambiciously after it buye it and bargayne for it But let vs put the case they wer all placed abrode and that yet still many churches wanted ministers They aske vs heere what is to be done I answere Surely euen that which our Sauior Christ commandeth his disciples to do wher the haruest was great and the laborers wer fewe That is to say That we praie the Lord off the haruest that he would send out laborers into his haruest For euery man may not be sent into the Lordes feeld to reape his corne because the haruest is great But the Lord him selffe is to be desired and praied that he wold haue a care off his corne and prouide haruest men who settethe no man to do his work that is not fit and able for it Therfore iff we be towched with trew compassion for the lordes haruest fearinge least iff any storme come it may susteine some damage let vs not be caried awai with a folishe pitie to prouide for yt as we think best for what wer this ells but to blame the lord as negligent and not carefull enoughe for his affaires but let vs keepe that meane and measure which our Sauior hath prescribed vs which is to commend vnto the Lord his owne haruest by our earnest praiers And as all men must pray for it So the Magystrate to whom god hathe committed this charge is bound to prouide workmen as sone as is possible They must erect schooles and collrdges finde and mainteine teachers and readers that the youth may be taught and made fitt for this work finally they must bestowe all ther care thought studie and labor vpon this that this golden haruest may with all possible speed be prouided for to pray to god that he woold send out workmen for to praie to god that he wold send out workmen and not to doe the diligence for that place and callinge wherunto thow art called that they may be sent is not to praye but to moke and tempt the lord Therfore suche order is to be taken wher by in thes dayes the lorde doth ordinarily send out his workemen or suche order beinge allredy well taken is diligently and carefully to be looked vnto that it be not neglected And surely it is not to be doubted but the lord will blesse our praiers and our endeuors and sent out fit worck men into his haruest But in the meane time vntill all may sufficiently be prouided for As it was practized in the Apostles tyme men must come to the next churches wher the word off god is preached and to those places wher the churches are allready established vntill suche tyme as moe may besett in order which thinges iff they wer not so cleere and manifest and iff we had not so certen a rule to followe herein yet what necessitie is that which ought to make vs breake the expresse commandement off god to set him ouer the church whom the lord hathe forbidden Is ther as off all other thinges a tyme also to synne or may we do any thinge against the good will and pleasur off God vnder pretence to helpe and edifie the churches and are we not rather bownd to obey that euerlastinge and most holy law that no euill is to be done that good may come off it and seeke for that that is good and honest by iust and lawfull meanes Althoughe in deed the churche is not holpen by this meanes but rather much hindered wher that as iff they wer sufficiently prouided for allready they care not nor thinck any more off prouiding fit and worthy ministers and preachers off the word off god But to the end we should not thinck but that they wer carefull for the churche they haue founde out a merueilous way wherby appointing readers to reade some part of the scripture and the praiers and the rest off the seruice they should be thought notwithstanding to make meet ministers and preachers off the word off god For they haue made certen homilies off the creation off prouidence off the dewty off the magistrat off the obedience off the subiect and other thinges which they thought needefull which they charge them to reade to the people at certen times supposing that by this meanes they remedy that euill off admitting thos that be vnworthy which they say is so necessary A meruelous straunge remedy and neuer hard off in the churche in the Apostles tyme and which not only amendethe not the fault but maketh it greater and most like to the pece that our Sauior Christ speaketh off in the gospell wherby the rent is not amended but made a great deale worse For who may arrogate this vnto hym to haue his writinges rehersed read and propounded vnto the church Is not this proper to god onlie that his worde be reade in the churche and ought not the voice off god alone to sound and to be hard in the church But they say thes ar holie meditations to good manners taken out off the scriptures and written by great and worthy men why then do they not reade also the holy meditations off Augustin Chrysostome and other great men why not also the eccesiasticall history which conteineth infinite examples off singuler vertue for men to follow By which meanes at the last the lord shal be pulled out off his throne that as we sawe it come to passe in that egyptiacall darcknes off popery men may sit in his place What then say they shall we take awaye al interpretation off the word off god shall only the writinges off the Apostles and prophetes be read and shall not the holy doctrine be more fully expounded Shall ther be no exhortations nor reprehēsions as the times off the church shall geue occasion yes verely for I haue declared aboue that suche a one is to to be chosen minister that is able to exhort with sownd doctrine and to conuince thos that speake against it and doe suppose this to be the especiall dewty off a lawfull Pastor to applie the word of god to this churche as time and occasion shall serue but to bring in other writinges into the churche which cōteine either generall doctrine or holie meditatiōs and are not applied to the speciall vse off the churche as beinge such which are common to all churches and to all times I thinke it is no more lawfull thē to translate
yet when Iames was slaine they did choose nome into his Roume or the Roume oft any other off the Apostles when they died So that yt is plaine that this office is abolished Which beinge playne off the Apostles must be likewise vnderstood off the Euangelistes who serued and mynistred vnto them and were after a sort ther vicairs and deputies For as it doth appere in the Actes This was the office of the Euangelistes to accōpany the Apostles whom they when they had gathered any company off a churche together and must needes depart left behind them beinge instructed by them in what sort ād order to stablishe the churche who hauinge set the churche in order and prouided pastors and Elders to gouerne yt left it ād followed the Apostles againe So they as Emperors and Generalles when they had ouercome any citie left as it were some chiefe captaines behinde them vntill thinges could be brought to a better stay and that ancientes and elders as certen perpetuall garrisons were set ouer them for the Apostles were appointed to cōquere and to ouercome The Euangelistes to establishe and set in order The elders to mainteine and preserue the churche of god Therfore this office off the Euangelist must needes cease seinge the Apostleshippe is ceased allreadie As for the Prophetes office althoughe it consisted in expoundinge the scriptures yet seinge it was ioyned with extraordinary gyft off foretellinge thinges to come necessary for the primitiue churche but now no more in vse yt can not be doubted but that the office ys ceased as well as the gyft wherupon we may conclude That seinge as Saint Paule witnessethe onely Apostles Euangelistes Prophetes Pastors and Doctors were geuen by Christ to the edifyinge off the churche and the work off the ministery That the three first ceasinge there remaine only Pastors and Doctors perpetuall and ordinary ministers off the word In deede sometymes the lord extraordinarily in a confused state where is no place off ordynary callinge stirreth vp as be did in our tyme as yt were certen newe Apostles to lighten the world agayne with the light off the gospell And Eusebius maketh mencion off some who saith he with a heauenly zeale off followinge the Apostles went preachinge the gospell to the Indians But I speake off the Ordinary state off the churche suche as oures ought to be after so many yeeres Therfore Sainct Paule in the xij to the Romans speakinge off this state makethe no mencion off Apostles Euangelistes or Prophetes but only off Teachers and exhorters callinge Pastors Exhorters as it shall appeere hereafter Neither was i◠needfull that they should continewe any longer in the churche no more then it is needfull after the platforme be drawen that the master builder tarie any longer but that there be carpenters and workmen to builde and raise the worck as he hathe appointed And it seemethe that our Sauior Christ in the stablishinge off his kingdome followed a kind off order not diuers from that which is vsed by earthly kinges and princes Who at the daie off ther coronacion and for a certen time after make many officers for diuers and sondry vses who serue not only for a solemnitie pompe and shewe but also to great vse and seruice for that time but when thinges are set in order and the kingdome stablished are vsed no longer So Christ our lord and king when as beinge ascended into heauen he was as it were inuested into his kingdome created Apostles and suche other officers which should set his kingdome in order and appoint and ordeine a certen ordinary state for the gouernment and administracion off it which being so established and set in order Those offices should cease and the kingdome should be gouerned as they had appointed Therfore theris no cause why we should think the loue ād care off our Sauior towardes his churche to be diminished for this cause or that he dealethe not bountifully and liberallie with vs no more then subiectes for the like cause haue occasiō to suspect ther kinges good will and fauor to be chaunged towardes them For these thinges are but for a certeyne time and perteine to the beginninge off the kingdome which time seemethe necessarilie to require some other kinde of order then all the rest that followeth Therfore to cōtinewe the same similiritude after he was crowned-kinge he scattered in great aboundāce spirituall giftes off knowledge prophesyinge healinge and other graces as gold and siluer amonges his people All the conduites ranne with sweet and most pleasant wyne All the pipes and cockes ranne with rose water and other sweet and plesant waters But allthoughe he geueth vs dailie all thinges liberally and plentifully yet he geueth vs not dailie a Largesse as at the tyme off his coronacion Therfore we ought to be content with that liberalitie which the lord shewethe vnto vs and not to looke to haue allwais alike The same reason is off the perpetuall mynisters off the word with whom he would haue vs to be contented and not to wishe for the first and those which were extraordinary and apointed to serue but for a tyme For as some thinge was geuen more liberally and extraordinarilie to the extraordinary tymes off the churche So we are sufficiently prouided for off all thinges which belonge to the continuall and necessarie vse off the churche Therfore beinge content with this meane estate and condicion Let vs vse that which is giuen vnto vs and seeke not for offices which serued but for a tyme in the perpetuall gouernment off the churche nor wil he extraordinary functions in an ordinary state Wherfore we ought to haue Pastors and Doctors appointed in our churche and not to reteine still the extraordinary office off preachers which yet I reproue more sparingly for the respect I haue to many worthie men who haue labored with some fruite after this sort for I see that some by the negligence off those who ought to haue prouided meete Pastors for the churches for the loue they had vnto the gospell thought it lawfull for them in these tymes to take vpon them this Apostolicall or Euangelicall kind off office and embassage wheras rather they owght to haue vrged the full and perfit reformacion off our churche and to haue striuen by the word off god that euery church might haue bene prouided off a fit Pastor And that the Lordes heritage might be no more left barren and vntilled left that at the last the Lord be angry with vs and take it from vs and let out his farme to other that will dresse it better But iff there be any which please them selues to muche in this gadding abroade thorough out the churches and will contend they may do so by the example off the Apostles and Euangelistes let them shew vs the signes off ther Apostleship as Saint Paule did to the Corinthians Let them proue that they are indewed with those Apostolicall gyftes off knowledge and vnderstanding tonges healinges doinge off
myracles and suche like Let them bring forthe the commission off this theyr so large embassage to all churches last off all let them proue that they are immediatly called therunto off god For not only one Bishopp but all the Bishops in the world are not able to ordeine and make and Apostle seinge that as it apperethe by the Argument I haue alleadged ther office is allready ceased They cannot be Euangelistes neither seinge that they were as yt were the Legates off the Apostles who in respect off them were as Proconsulles or Presidentes For Prophetes I think they will not say they be seinge they cannot tell vs off thinges to come Besides that we reade not that the Prophetes went thus abroade thoroughe out all churches but it seemethe rather that they were wont to abyde in certen places Wherfore takinge away extraordinary callinges and vocations out off the ordinarie state off the churche Let vs follow that certeine rule which the Lord hathe prescribed Let Pastors and Doctors be assigned vnto churches who are only the ordinary and perpetual ministers of the word off god apointed to the edificacion off the chuâ—che These thinges thus set downe let vs now see what the particuler charges and dewties off these two be And first let vs speake off Doctors whose office is more symple Doctors therfore I call Bishoppes who are occupied in the symple teachinge and expoundinge off the holie doctrine and trew Religion For it semethe that this was the office off Doctors symply to teache oute of god his word what was to be thought off god and off his worshipp and seruice what off Christ what the law is what the Gospell what ys the rule off our life what the hope and expectation off the life to come fynallye what to think off euery point off Religion without those vehement speeches wherby the mindes off men are either raised vp and comforted or beaten downe and made sadd For seing that Sainct Paule dothe lymite and bound the office off a Doctor by Doctrine and attributethe to an other office To exhort he seemethe to shewe that a Doctor is as yt were the schole maister and teacher off the principles off Religion off withe office how great aÌ„d manifold vse there is in the churche off god we shall easely vnderstand iff we consider how many there be emonges vs that be rude and know not the first principles and growndes off religion Which beinge vnworthy and vnseemely for a Christian churche and for our profession off the gospell Let Teachers and Doctors be prouided suche as we haue but a fewe right and lawfull in these our dais to teache the churches and especially the rude and ignorant For allthoughe we inuent a thousand waies we shall neuer promote the edification off the churche but only by those meanes and instrumentes which the Lord hath appointed for his work For with these the blessinge of god is ioyned which is not only wantinge to those who are made by vs how goodly a shewe so euer they haue but coÌ„trariwise they haue Cursinge for Blessinge Now to retorne to Doctors againe In the primitiue churche They were set to instruct in the Doctrine off faithe and Religion suche as were rude and ignorant For so Eusebius telleth that when in the churche off Alexandria many had fled away for feare of persecutioÌ„ so that no man had the charge of Cathechizinge OrigeÌ„ beinge a yonge man and But xviij yeres off age at the request off certen worthy men toke the charge vpon hym Wherwith all thoughe in the beginninge he ioyned also teachinge off grammar aÌ„d other artes yet he afterwards vnderstoode that yt beloÌ„ged not vnto his office so to doe and therfore gaue him selfe wholie to the expoundinge off the scriptures and instructinge off suche as were ignorant in religion The whom after one Hercules succeded in the same office whom before he had taken to him to helpe hym to teache who afterward was chosen from beinge Doctor to be Pastor and Bishopp off the same churche wheroff it may be gathered that in the primitiue churche this was an ordynarie office and that before Pastors and Bishops there were other also appoynted to be Doctors whose office did consist in expounding the scriptures and cathechizinge off the ignorant But as for our Doctorshippe suche as it was in tyme off popery and as coÌ„tynueth yet still I knowe neither from whence it came nor to what vse yt seruethe For they expounde not the scriptures in any certeine churche appointed vnto theÌ„ declaringe the naturall and true sence and meaninge off the word off god they do not teache the youthe nor cathechize the ignorant but lyue idly in the vniuertsities For it is no name off any lawfull office or function in the churche no not as yt is vsed in the vniuersities but only a name and title off honor and a commendacion off a mans knowledge in diuinitie so that it rather seemeth to serue to ambicion and vainglory theÌ„ to any vse and proffit They say there was sometimes an image maker named Passo who did so engraue the image off mercurye in marble-stone that a man could not iudge or discerne whither mercury were within or without the same Suche Mercuries and Images do our vniuersities make vs whose knowledge we cannot tell whither it be within them or without them for they proue not them selues to be right Mercuries by any speache eloquence or vtterance I knowe not what a shadowe and Image off vain contemplacion this is for true and Christian Religion bestowethe the gyftes that are receiued of god to the common vse and proffit off all the bodie Therfore these Mercuries are to be apointed to churches and to be set vp in highe and lightsome places that their speache and talke and other properties may proue them to be right Mercuryes in deed For suerly it is not tollerable that they should bury the lordes treasure in the earthe aÌ„d hid his light vnder a Bushell and as it is saide off one Aspendius a harper that they should playe on ther sweete harpes as they selues may onlie heare it Therfore let these goodly lights be put on caÌ„dlestickes that as Christ commandeth they may shine and geue light not only to them selues but to all that are in the house Let this riche treasure be laid out to the banck that when the Lord commethe he may receiue his owne with aduantage that is to say let these lerned Doctors be assigned and appointed to churches 〈◊〉 expound the Scriptures to Cathechize the rude and ignorant and by the example off Dauid a better and more excellent harper Let them awake in the morning to singe and awake ther harpes togither with them and call bothe riche and pore and all degrees and orders to heare them and sing and play not to them selues only but to the churche and set out there heauenly songes and dities with most plesant tune and melody in the hearinge also off many off
ther dewties off the helpe off Deacons as the Apostles had Let them remember that the bodye would bee destroyed yff there were no member in yt but the eye And that churche in like manner wherin no man beareth any office but the Bishopp Let them remember that god hathe so made the bodye that there is a merueilous necessary vse off the diuers membres theroff which variety off partes and members must needes be preserued yff we would haue the bodie whole healthfull and stronge Let this infinite Ambition and desyre off rule and off medlinge with euery thinge that is in the Lord Bishoppes be corrected Let the Consistorie and Assembly off the Elders being so necessarie and so profitable for all the affaires off the churche be established wherin they may haue indeede the fyrst place in respect off the worthines off ther office S that they leaue the second to the Doctors and the third to the Elders For the churche perceiue the howe hurt full a thinge yt is that they should take all vnto them selues and can beare yt no longer perceiuinge well that the shamfull prophanacion off the Sacramentes the manifold and intollerable abuses off excommunication which is the highest Iustice off the churche and other innumerable euilles flow and springe from no other fountaine then from this pride off theâ—â—â— and busy medling very hurtfull and daungerous for the state off the churche And thus muche off Ecclesiasticall officers off whom because I haue spoken more at large how they ought to be appointed for that in the appoyntinge off them Ecclesiasticall discipline dothe in a manner wholie consist I will recompense yt with the shortenes off that part which followeth which is touchinge the dewtie off all the Saintes and faithfull Vnder the name off the Sainctes are conteined all the rest off the churche which doe not exercise any publique office or function therin whose dewtie as in all other societies ys only this to suffer them selues willingly to be ruled and gouerned by those whom god hathe set ouer them whervnto there is a short but a notable and pithy exhortacion off the apostle to the Hebrevvs wherin he exhorteth them aÌ„d by them all other churches to obedience vnto them who haue the ouersight off theÌ„ that they may geue vp their accoÌ„pte of the charge off sowles which they haue taken in hand with ioye and comforte and that they maye readilie aÌ„d with good courage beare for the churches sake all suche labor grees cares and sorwes as are ioined vnto ther offices Neither let Magestrates think allthough in respect off ther ciuill authoritie the churche be subiect to them that in this behalffe they are to be exempted from this precept and commanndement off the Appostle who chargeth euery one to be subiect to those who in Lord are set ouer them for seing they ought to be carefull as well off the saluacion off the Magystrate as off others and that the sowle off the magystrate as well as of the rest is committed to theyr charge They must also as well as the rest submit them selues and be obedient to the iust and lawfull authoritie off the Officers off the churche For seinge they not onlie rule by the authoritie off Iesus Christ but in a maÌ„ner do represent his person seing they rule not as they them selues list accordinge to ther owne will but only accordinge to this word and commandement Is it not meete that euen kinges and the highest magystrates should be obedient vnto them For yt is meet that all the princes and Monarches off the world shold geue vpp their sceptres and crownes vnto him whome god had made and appointed the Heyre off his kingdome and Lord off heauen and earthe I might alledge heare oute off the histories off all times diuers examples off godlie princes who submitted them selues to the order and gouernment off the churche apointed by god Who allthoughe as touching this life they did rule and gouerne yet they despised not the discipline aÌ„d correction off the Lord I might name out off the most auncient historye and holie Chronicles off the Hebrevvs kinge Azarias who allthoughe he proudely and boldly vsurped the priesthood yet when he was stryken by the Lord with a Leprosy and was therfore cast out of the temple and seperated from the coÌ„mon society off men by the highe priest accordinge to the lawe which God had made therin He obeied the priest coÌ„mandinge according to God his word and letting his sonne rule is his steade passed the rest of his life in solitarines alone by himselfe Amonges the Christian Emperors allthoughe ther be many worthy examples which now a dayes Princes may set before them to follow yet those two which the ecclesiasticall story reherseth off Philipp the first Christian Emperor and off Theodosius conteine a singuler example aboue the rest off godlie subiection wheroff the one beinge commaunded to absteine from the Sacramentes vntill he had first professed him selffe to be a penitent for that he had committed certen faultes and had made open protestacion off his Religion for that he was suspected He willinglie obeied the Bishopp or rather the word off god And both protested openly his grefe and srowe for the synnes he had committed and professed before all the churche his faithe and Religion The other that is Theodosius being not admitted by Ambrose into the churche into the which he would haue come did likewise so willinglie obeie that prostratinge hym selffe vppon the grownd and pauement off the temple in the sight off god and his Angells and all the churche followinge the meeknes off Dauid reprehended off Nathan declared the wuÌ„derfull sorowe which he had for his wiked fact and the slaughter committed at Thessalonica by his commaundement rehersing these wordes out off the Psalme My soule did cleane vnto the pauement Therfore all the faithfull and euen the princes and magistrates them selues ought to be subiect to the word off god and to Ecclesiasticall Discipline and then is the churche in florishing estate when bothe they who beare rule do commannd according to gods word and theâ— who be subiectes do willingly obeye But the Magistrates haue this proper and peculier to them selues aboue the rest off the faithfull To set in order and establishe the state off the churche by ther authoritie and to preserue and mainteine it according to godds will being once established Not that they should rule the Ecclesiasticall matters by their authoritie for this belongeth vnto Christ alone and to hym he hath committed this charge but for asmuche as the Apostle teachethe that they are apointed off God to th end that we may lyue a godlie aÌ„d a peceable life aÌ„d that the kinges off Israell by the apointement off god had charge to see the execution off all the lawe they ought to prouide and see that the seruice off god be established as he hathe appointed and administred by suche as ought to administre the same and afterwardes preserued
Doctors Elders haue the chiefe care and charge off this commoÌ„ wealthe to see that no office want his officer and how faithfullie euery one beareth hiÌ„selfe in doinge off his office regarding all with one eye how offeÌ„ses may be auoided and how they may be remedied when they do arise As for the placinge off euery one in his degree how honest and orderly ys it wheras all do generally reuerence and respect the Assembly for their Authoritie And euery one knoweth his place and degree and lifteth not him selfe aboue his callinge But the Deacons sitting downe in the lowest Roume geue place vnto the Bishopps who sitting as Stevvards off the Lordshouse at the higher ende off the table enuie not other officers to sit together with them And the Stewards also do so know them selues to beare the same office that notwithstanding the Pastors go before and the Doctors follow after After whom next be the Elders and in the last place the Deacons sitting notwitstandinge at the Officers table As for euery mans garments and apparell howe seemely are they how meet for ther callinges and how precious aÌ„d excellent The common Araie off them all is a certen godlie and holie knowledge and profession off Religion and an vndefiled life and coÌ„uersacion wherwith being clothed as with those white garmentes which Saint Iohn mencioneth in his reuelacion they need no cloth off gold our suche like costly apparell to set them out with all Yet besides this common Aray euery one carieth the proper tokens and badges off his office For the Bishopps as the kinges stewardes in steade off ther staues haue sounde knowledge of the scriptures besides which the Pastors haue allso that mouiÌ„ge aÌ„d percinge speeche wherby they haue bothe power and authoritie to strenghten and to terrefie to comfort and to cast downe againe as the Reye off openinge and shuttinge which Eliachim great steward off kinge Ezechias house is described to beare vpon his shoulder As for the rest off the Deacons their seuerall signes and markes are Diligence Symplicitie Which so merueilous gouernment off the howse off God apointed by the most devine and heauenly wisdome seing it passethe aboue measure the ordre off Salomons house with the loue wheroff the Queene off Saba was Rauished the God off all mercy graunt that yt may muche more rauishe our most noble Queene and hir right honorable Counsellors with the love theroff then the other did the Queene off the Sowthe and hir Courtiers For then shall we bee all most happy who liue in the churche as in the court off Christ our trewe Salomon when we may allwais stand in his presence before him and heare him speake being the wisdome off his Father Then shall we confesse that king Salamon doth reigne in deede and that all thinges are trew which the Prophetes prophesied touching his kingdome when we see the churche in this ordre when we see the Ministers and officers theroff thus araied and apointed For althoughe as we saie the court is wher the king is So also the church is wher as Christ is present And allthoughe this be the cheifest end most principall To heare the voice and wisdome off Salomon yet it is not possible that he should tary any longe tyme in a place that he appoint not and set in ordre his Court according to his heauenlie wisdome It may be that in time of his progresse where he soiourneth but for a short tyme being ready by and by to depart againe that this whole ordre and gouernment off his court canÌ„ot so well be seene and appeere but it cannot be that where he is purposed to dwell and where he hath chosen a certen place to abyde and continewe in that he set not all thinges in ordre according to his wisdome meetest both for his state aÌ„d maiestie and for the perpetuitie off his reigne For which cause I am the more a fraid lest that he be come into England as into some castle in the waie off his progresse for a small tyme vnles this confusion and disordre which coÌ„monly followeth progresses be taken awaye and a certeine and sure ordre off gouerninge the churche be established for I cannot fullie reioice in the state off our churche vntill that I see both for religion sownde faithe and doctrine in Christ and for discipline a commely and meet order off gouerninge the churche which Saint paule reioised to see in the churche off the Colossians For the stable and perpetuall state and condition off the churche standethe vpon these ij pillers Wherfore I most humblie pray and beseech all men that haue any care to preserue and keepe the kingdome off Christ emonges vs to deliuer the trew seruice and worshipp off God to our posteritie that to their power euery one would seeke for this lawfull discipline off the churche which I haue described and boâ—he all seeke to furder yt with their good will and prayers and especially the ministers by preachinge and the Maiestrates by authoritie As for me I bynd my selffe as it were by this Obligation to god and to the churche that my labor and diligenc shall neuer be wanting in any thing that may helpe and furder by any meanes this reformation which our Eyes dasell and our sowles pyne away with so long looking and waiting for which yff I may once see I shall thinck that parte off any life the happiest wherin so great a benefit shall comme vnto the churche but Iff I shall neuer see yt with mine eyes yet I am glad that I haue seene the forme and patterne off it allready in my mind and left it to those that shall come after and so by the example off Dauid and Ezechiel whose condicion was not vnlyke in this behalffe and by the testimony off my conscieÌ„ce that I haue dischardged my dewty to my God and to our churche I will rest and confort my selffe herewithall in the want off that which with so great desyer I haue longed for To God alone be honor glorye a 2. Corr. 7.3 what discipline is Hebr. 3.3 Exodus 25 40. a 2. Chro. 8.14.29 25. b Ezechie 40. 41. 42. a Artes 3.22 b Matth. 17.5 c Eliezer was Abrahams seruant whose faithfulnes is shewed in that 24. off Genes Psal. 45.7.5 Esaie 32.1.4 35.5.6.7.8.9 Zachar. 14.21 Luk. 9.58 Luk. 12.13.14 Luk. 21.25.26 Iohn 19.36 Math. 18.15.15.17 Act. 1.2.3.4 Math. 28.20 Ephe. 4.8.10.11 1. Timoth. 6.13 Diuision of discipline 1. Corrint 32.19.29 1. Corrint 10.15.16 Heb. 13 24. Hebr. 4.5 Nomb. 17. â— â— Samuel â—â— 2. King. 15.5 Nomb. 1â— 32.35 Math. 28. â—â— Hebr. 7. Iohn 3.5 Ephes 1.5 Rom. 4.11 1. Tâ—moth 2.11.12 Iudges 13.5 1. Timoth. 1.3 2. Corinth 2.16 Luk. 3.23 Math. 3.17 Luk 2.49 Math. 28.19 Actes 14.23 Titus 1.5 〈…〉 1. Act. 20.17 Act. 15.2 2. epist. Peter 5.1 Iosue 22. Coloss 4.17 2. Timoth. 4.5 2. Cor. 9.16 Ephe. 4.9 1. Pet. 1.18.19 1. Timoth 3.10 1. Timoth. â— â—2 Actet 1.23 Math