Senators for a place or churche wherin they and all their country men might haue gods worde truly preached and the Sacraments sincerely ministred in their naturall tonge who ientlie promised his furtherance and that he also woulde move the whole Senate theroff the whiche he did accordingly And the 14. daie off the same monethe yt was graunted that they shulde haue libertie to preache and minister the Sacraments in that churche which the freÌ„che men had the freÌ„che one daie and the Englishe an other daie and vpoÌ„ the Sundaie to chuse also theÌ„ houres as they coulde agree amonge them selues but yt was with this commandement that the Englishe shulde not discent from the frenchmen in doctrine or ceremonyes least they shulde thereby minister occasion off offence and willed farther that before they entred their churche they shulde approue and subscribe the same confession off faith that the frenche men had then presented and abowte to put in printe to the whiche all the afore named and others whiche were by this time come thither did subscribe When the churche was in this sorte graunted they consulted amonge themselues what order off seruice they shulde vse for they were not so stricly bownde as was tolde them to the ceremonies off the frenche by the Magistrats but that iff the one allowed off the other it was sufficient At lenght the englishe order was perused and this by generall consente was concluded that the answeringe alowde after the Minister shulde not be vsed the letanye surplice and many other thinges also omitted for that in those reformed churches suche thinges woulde seeme more then strange It was farther agreed vppon that the Minister in place off the Englishe Confession shulde vse an other bothe off more effecte and also framed accordinge to the state and time And the same ended the people to singe a psalme in meetre in a plaine tune as was and is accustomed in the frenche dutche Italian Spanishe and Skottishe churches that don the minister to praye for â—hassistance off gods holie spirite and so to proceade to the sermon After the sermon a generall praier for all estates and for oure countrie of Englande was also deuised at th ende off whiche praier was ioined the lords praier and a rehersall off tharticâ—es off oure belieff whiche ended the people to singe and other psalme as afore Then the minister pronouncinge his blessinge The peace off god c. or some other off like effecte the people to departe And as touchinge the ministration off the Sacraments sundrie things were also by common consente omâ—tted as superstiâ—ious and superfluous After that the congregation had thus concluded and agreed and had chosen their minister and Deacons to serue for a time they entred their churche the 29. off the same monethe Then was it thought good amonge themselues that forthwith they shulde aduertise their countrie men and betheren dispersed off this singuler benefit the like wheroff coulde nowhere else as yet be obtained and to perswade hem all worldly respectes put aparte to repaier thither that they might altogether with one mouthe and one harte bothe lameÌ„te their foremer wickednes and also be thankfull to their mercifull father that had geuen them suche a churche in a strange lande wherein they might heare gods worde truly preached the Sacraments rightly ministred and Discipline vsed which in their owne countrie coulde neuer be obtained And to this effecte were letters directed to Strausburgh Zurick Densbrugh and Emden in the 2. off Auguste And for that it was thought the churche coulde not longe contynewe in good order withowte discipline there was also a brieff forme deuised declaringe the necessitie the causes and the order theroff wherunto all those that were present subscribed shewinge therby that they were ready and willinge to submitt themselues to the same accordinge to the rule prescribed in gods holie word at whiche time it was determined by the congregation that all suche as shulde come after shulde doo the like before they were admitted as members off that churche Here followethe the generall letter sente from the congregation off Franckforde to Strausbourge Zurick Wezeil Emden c. Grace mercy and peace in Christ our Lord c. We dowte not dearely beloued but yow haue harde aswell by letter as by reporte off the excellent graces and mercy whiche oure good god and heauenly father hathe shewed vnto oure litle congregation in this citie off Franckford for that he hathe not onely made the Magistrats and commons very fauorable towards vs and louinge but also hathe geuen them hartes with muche compassion to tender vs in so muche that euerie man helpethe vs no man is againste vs muche loue no grudge glad to please lothe to annoie vs yea and to declare this good will not to be off the meane sorte nor so small as oure brethern haue felte otherwere they haue graunted that thinge whiche amonge others and in other cities we coulde not obtaine nor durste allmoste hope for For what greater treasure or sweeter comforte can a Christian man desier then to haue a churche wherin he maie serue god in puritie off faithe and integritie off lyfe whiche thinge yff we wishe for let vs not refuse it seinge where we woulde we coulde not there obtaine it And here yet it is graunted in so ample wise that beinge subiecte to no blemishe no nor so muche as the euell off suspition froÌ„ the whiche fewe churches are free we maie preache minister and vse Discipline to the true settinge forthe off gods glorie and good ensample to others And for our partes we haue not bene negligente as touchinge the execution off the sayed benefit graunted For the 29. of Iuly we had god be thanked â— sermons to oure singuler comforte and great ioye off all godly men heere Wherfore brethern seinge your haue indured the paine off persecution with vs we thought it likewise oure dewties to make your partakers off oure consolation that altogether we maie geue thanks to oure louinge father who is more tender ouer vs then the mother ouer hir childe nether suffreth vs to be temped aboue that we maie beare but euen to the issue off the tentation geuethe prosperous successe trustinge by gods grace that he whiche hathe geuen yow that gifte not onely to beleue in Christe but also to suffer for his sake will so directe your hartes that no respecte off commoditie there nor yet feare of burthen here maie once moue yow to shrink from your vocatioÌ„ whiche is in one faithe one ministration one tonge and one consente to serue god in his churche What more manifeste signe what plainer declaration what worde more expresse and lyuely can we haue off dewtie and vocation theâ— when god speakethe in oure hartes by faithe guidethe vs owte off perille throughe his grace and nowe laste of all offrethe vs a restinge place of his exceading mercy Yow remeÌ„ber that before we haue reasoned together in hope to obtaine a churche and shall we nowe drawe
serue antechriste There were other 8. places but this was most noted in that it touched the Emperour But it seemed the magistrates abhorred this bloudly cruell and outragious attempt for that when as certeine off Knox his enemies folowed hardly the Magistrates to knowe what shuld be donne with him they did not onely shewe most euident signes of dislikinge their vnnaturall suite but also sent for maister Williams and Whittingham willinge them that maister Knox shuld departe the City For otherwise as they saide they shuld be forced to deliuer him yff the Emperour his counsaile whiche then lay at Ausburge shuld vppon like information send for him The 25 off marche maister Knox the night before his departure made a moste comfortable sermon at his lodginge to 50. persons or there abowte then present which sermoÌ„ was of the deathe and resurrection off Christe and of the vnspeakable ioyes whiche were prepared for Goddes electe whiche in this liffe suffre trouble and persecution for the testimonie off his blessed name The next daie he was brought 3. or 4. mile in his waie by some off some off those vnto whom the night before he had made that exhortation who with great heauines off harte and plentie off teares coÌ„mitted him to the lorde The verie same daie beinge the 26. off marche one Adulphus Glauburge A Doctor off lawe and nephew to Maister Iohn Glauburge the Senator whom D. Cox and the rest had wonne vnto them sent for wittingham and tolde him that there were presented to the Magistrates thre Docters 13. batchelers off deuinitie besides others and that the magistrates at their suites had graunted them the full vse off the Englishe booke coÌ„maunding and charginge him therfore not to medle any more to the contrary for as he saied it was fullie concluded that so it shuld be And supposing that WhittinghaÌ„ woulde let it what he might the next daie againe he sent for him home to his howse where he gaue the like charge D. Coxe and other present by whose procurement the same was donne Whittingham answered that yff it were so concluded he woulde willingly obaie not dowtinge but that it might be lawful for him and others to ioine themselues to some other churche But D. Coxe besought the lawier that it might not so be suffred wherto whittingham answered that it woulde be to great crueltie to force men contrary to their consciences to obate all their disorderly doinges offringe that iff it woulde please the Magistrates to geue him and others the hearinge they would dispute the matter against all the contrary parte and proue that the order whiche they sought to establishe ought not to take place in anie reformed churche The D. off lawe made a plaine answere that disputation there shulde be none vsing his former wordes off charging and commaundinge not to deale farther in that matter When as the congregation harde off the cruell and more then tirannicall dealinges off this Doctor Maister Gilby and others withe him were sente to maister Iohn Glawburge by whose commaundment as ye harde they had receiued the frenche order puttinge him in remembrance off the same and shewinge him that certeine lately come amonge theÌ„ had sought as they were crediblie enformed to ouerthrowe their churche by placing the Englishe booke amonge them To this maister Glauburg made answere that he was enformed howe that bothe partes were full agreed and contented and that theruppon he had committed the whole matter to the lawier his cousen Then he asked for whittingham it was answered that strait charge was geuen him that he shuld medle no more in that matter The magistrate asked againe off whom he had that commaundement and when it was tolde him that the Doctor his cousen had geuen him that charge he then began verie gentlie to perswade with maister Gilby and the rest that they shulde be contented and he would se that nothinge shulde be vsed but that which shuld be tollerable and so maister Gilby withe the rest departed The 28. off marche D. Coxe assembled all suche as had byn Priests and Ministers in Englande to his lodging and there declared howe the Magistrates had graunted them the vse off the Englishe booke and that he thought requisite that they shulde consulte together whom they thought moste meete to be Bishop Superintendent or Pastor withe the rest off the officers as Seniors Ministers and Deacons Wherunto maister Christopher GoodmaÌ„ answered that his opinioÌ„ was that they ought first to agree vpon some perfect an godly order for the churche and therto to haue the coÌ„sent of the congregation wherby it might appeere that they contemned not the reste off their brethern And farther to proceade to the electioÌ„ which he thought also ought not to be attempted withowte the consent off the whole churche To this was answered that for the order it was already determined and other order then the booke off Englande they shulde noâ— haue so that the perswasions off Goodman nothinge at all preuailed nether in one thinge or other yea the proceadings off sundrie personnes whiche I coulde name were suche as if there had bin nether orders officers or churche there before their comminge or any promes to be kepte off their partes after they came as maie more plainly apeere to the reader by this lette folowinge written by maister Whittingham to a frinde off his in Englande whiche letter is off his owne hande to be seene Grace mercy and peace throught Christ our lorde AS yow require a brieff answere to your shorte letter so nether tyme permitteth nor I intend to trouble yow farther then the verie necessitie off the matter askethe And firste for that ye seeme to hange in suche extreame perplexitie partly bicause of sundry talkes and diuers letters off men off good credit which cause the yow not a litle to merueile and partly by reason off the Good opinion once conceyued and yet reteined off certeine persons bothe godly and lerned whiche maketh yow to dowte â–ª I think it beste briefly and simplie to open a fewe chieff pointes vppon the whiche the reste off the matter dependethe After certeine monethes that we had here liued in great consolation and quietnes it chaunced that as oure nomber did increase so some entred in whiche busilie vndermined oure libertie and labored to ouerthrowe oure discipline whiche troubles grewe at lenght in so great quantitie that by the greatest parte it was concluded that no man shulde neede here after to subscribe to anie discipline for as muche as they presupposed that none wouâ—d come hither whiche shulde haue nede theroff Whiche donne they altered oure orders in praiers and others thinges thinkinge to bringe in place the full vse off the great Englishe booke whiche notwithstandinge by reason off diuers imperfectioÌ„s we coulde not admit so that to growe to a common concord it was agreed and the name off god inuocated that the whole matter shulde be referred to maister Caluin Maister Musculus Maister
to be that praiers and patience can onely salue the same Seinge then that by the sundrie requests off the brethern we are so hardly perswaded that off force we ought to geue them some kinde off aduise We do openly proteste that we so geue to same herein as those that will not in anie wise preiudice the other partie muche lesse chalinge to vs a iusticiers roume ouer anie And all those men into whose handes theis do come we do in the lorde desier that they be not herewith offended but do perswade themselues that theis contentes are bothe simplie and faithfully written off vs as vppon a questioned cause graunted that the consciences off the brethern whiche desier it might some waie be better apeased whiche to set altogether at nought were a dede wholiâ— voide off charitie Therfore the cause standinge as we arâ— informed we professe plainely and in Good faithe that our Iudgementes ouer theis questions are thus It is demaunded whither we can approue this disorder in callinge off men to the function off the Ministery whiche is that the multitude off those whiche sue for order shal be enrolled in the ministerie bothe withowte the voices off elders and also no certeine cure appointed them but lightly examined off their liues and behauiour to whom also at the luste of the Bishoppe shall libertie be geuen afterwards to preache the worde off god for a time prescribed otherwise to reherse onely the churche seruice We answere that suche callinges off Ministers whither we answere them by the rule off Gods expresse wordâ— or ells by force off Cannons that are beste tried and allowed are holden and estemed of vs altogether vnlawfull abeit we knowe that it is better to haue halfe a loffe then no bread But we beseche god with oure whole hartes that it also will please him to bestowe vppon the kingdome off England also the same that is a lawfull and ordinarie callinge off men to the ministerie of the worde and Sacramentes For it beinge either kept owte or hindred the benefit of the doctrine of truthe muste of force by and by vanishe awaie or ells be holde vp by some meanes that is strange yea altogether ghostlie and supernaturall Furthermore we do in Goddes moste holie name most humblie sue to the princes soueraigne maiestie that with the whole force off her minde she endeuour the correction off this point wherin the whole grounde and staie of the churche off England and therfore of the Realme also dothe stand and persiste And thirdly we do with teares beseche bothe those high personages that are of hir maiesties honorable counsaile and those which haue succeded in the place off the popishe Bishopps vndowtedly through the speciall mercie off the high and Good god that they owte off the selff same place where ouerthrowe and distruction did yssue they shulde vtterly destroye that tyraÌ„nye whiche hathe thus caste downe headlonge the verie Christian church and we craue of them in the dredfull name of god before whose redouted throne of iudgement we all shall be arested that with al consideration and mindfullnes of the yeres paste and conscience of their dewtie and charge they will not slack to vowe and beâ—â—othe theâ—r whole diligeÌ„ce aswell in orderinge the meanes that maie accoÌ„pâ—â—â—he this thinge as in perswadinge the Queens maiestie therto and that they cease not at all this thinge beinge vnacheued cheflie seinge god hathe bestowed vppon them the princely maiestie off so singuler a Mistris as â—rom whose handes they can not but hope for all princely and excellent thinges vnlesse they liste in their owne case to faile themselues But some wil aske howe shall we doo in this pointe vntill then verely iff the case were oures we woulde not receiue this ministerie vppon theis conditions iff it were profered a great deale lesse woulde we sue for it Notwithstandinge we exhorte theis men to whom god hathe by this waie made entrance to the enlarging off the glorie off his kingdome that in the feare off god they do couragiously abide therin yet with the condition that it maie be lawfull for them holily and regiliously to exercise all their whole ministerie And therfore maie also propounde and vrge those thinges in their cures which doo allwaies apperteine to the aduauncement off the better estate therin For otherwise if they be forced of this libertie and so willed to winke at manifeste abuses that they shuld also approue theis thinges whiche dowtlesse ought to be redressed what thinge els can we perswade them then that they shulde retire from this to their priuate lyffe rather then withoute conscience to norishe that mischief whiche dothe off force drawe whith it the whole wastinge and decaie of all the congregation Yet we hope that the Queens highnesse and so many honorable and good men will in suche sorte plante their diligence that rather priuiledge off libertie maie be graunted to the consciences of so manie godlie and lerned brethern then that theis horrible eueâ—â—s shulde folowe To were that the pastors off the flockes shulde be constrained either againste the soundnes off their consciences to do that whiche is euell and so to be chained in other mennes sinnes or ells to resigne their ministerie for that third necessitie that will ensue this whiche is that againste the princes and Bishops willes they shouâ—â— excercise their office we do so muche the more tremble at bycause of those reasons whiche off themselues are plaine enoughe albeâ—t we doo not vtter them It is aâ—so desired off vs to answere plainely and truly whither we do allowe tâ—e distinction ordeined in the wearinge off copes and garments aswell for the common vse as for the ministerie We therfore do flattlie answere the cause standinge as we do vnderstande that those men that are authors hereoff do deserue moste euell off the churche and shall answere at the dreadfull barre off Christe his Iudgement For although that we thinke that that politique order whereby not citezins alone but also the degrees off functions are marked and noted is not to be discommended wholie at all yet we are off opinion that not euerie marke and note is straight way to be vsed For put the case that the ministers were commaunded to weare the pied coate off a foole or the garmente off a vice in a plaie were it not manifeste skorninge off the ministerie so to do And those that vse theis other garments and aparrell coÌ„maunded do seeme verely to vs to trespasse somewhat worse then so bicause that the lorde hath not onely reared and set vs this priestlike apparell as a toie to be laughe at euen off many off the Papistes themselues But it is also certeine that the same is poluted and defiled with infinite superstition But some men will pleade the antiquitie theroff Surely they are olde and yet the Apostolique symplicitie wherin the churche did florishe is a great deale more auncient then this Also yff it please him to wade yet further to serche abowte theis
Bale Edmond Sutton Iohn Makebraie VVilliam VVhitingham Thomas Cole VVilliam VVilliams George Chidley VVilliam Hammon Thomas Steward Thomas wood Iohn Stanton VVilliam VValton Iasper swyft Iohn Geofrie Iohn Graiâ— Mighell Gill. Iohn Samford Iohn VVood. Thomas Sorby Anthony Caâ—iâ—r Hugh Alforde Nowe to ruturne to the tenor of the letter which the congregation off Franckford wrate by Maister Chambers to the students off Zurick WE haue receyued your 2. seuerall letters the one dated the 23. off October sent vs from Strausbrough and the other the 27. off the same by the hands off your deare frinde Maister Chambers and haue conferred with him at large touching the contents theroff And when as after diuers assemblyes and longe debatings the saied Maister Chambers perceyued that we coulde not in all points warrant the full vse off the booke off seruice whiche semethe to be your full scope and marke and also waying in conscience the great benefit that God hathe in this câ—â—e offred to our whole nation he not only reâ—oised at the same but also promised to trauell in perswadinge yow to the futheraunce therof As touchinge the effecte off the booke we desire the execution theroff as muche as yow so farr as Gods worde dothe commende it but as for the vnprofitable ceremonies aswell by his consent as by ours are not to be vsed And althoughe they were tollerable as some are not yet beinge in a strange commoÌ„ wealthe we coulde not be suffred to put them in vre and better it were they shulde neuer be practised then they shulde be the subuersion off oure churche whiche shulde fall in great hassard by vsinge them The matter is not oures more then yours excepte anie excell others in godly zeele but bothe wishe gods honor Iff a larger gate be opened there to the same then to vs vppon your perswatione ye shall not finde vs to drawe back for this is that necessitie brethern that maie not be neglected yff we wishe the comforte and gatheringe together off oure dispersed brethern Yff anie think that the not vsinge off the booke in all pointes shoulde increase our godly fathers and bretherns bands or els anye thinge deface the worthie ordinances and lawes off our Soueraigne Lorde off moste famous memory K. Edward the 6. he semethe ether litle to waie the mater or ells letted through ignorance knowethe not that euen they themselues haue vppon considerations off circumstances altered heretofore many thinges as touchinge the same And iff god had not in theis wicked daies otherwise determined woulde here after haue chaunged more yea and in oure case we dowte not but that they woulde haue don the like Theis fewe lines concerninge bothe our coÌ„munications we haue accordingely written vnto yow referringe the reste to the discretion off oure Good frinde Maister Chambers who knoweth that we haue shewed oure selues most conformable in all thinges that standethe in our powers and moste desirous off your companies accordinge to our former letters The spirit off God moue your hartes to do that which shal be most to his glory and the comforte off your brethern At Franckford this 15. off Nouember Your louinge frinds c. The 28. off Nouember Maister Chambers came againe to Franckford from Sâ—rousbrough and with him Maister Grindall with letters from the lerned men there subscribed with 16. off their handes whiche letter was as folowethe WHen we do consider what inwarde comforte it were for â—he faithfull people off Englande now dispersed for the gospell and wandringe abroad in strange countries as shepe withowte pastor to be gathered together in to one congregation that with one mouth one minde and one spirit they might glorifie God we haue at all tymes and do presently think it oure dewties not only in harte to wishe that thinge but also to labor by all means so muche as in vs lyethe to bringe the same to passe And hauinge nowe perfit intelligence off the Good mindes whiche the magistrats off Franckford beare towardes yow and others oure scattered countrie men and also vnderstandinge off the free graunt off a churche vnto vs wherin we maie together serue god and not dowtinge off their farther frindshipp in permittinge vs franckly to vse our religion accordinge to that godly order sett forthe and receaued in England We bothe geue god thankes for so great a benefit and also thinke it not fit to refuse so frindly an offre or to let slippe so good an occasion Therfore neither dowtinge off their good furtherance hereunto not yet distrustinge your good conformitie and ready desiers in reducinge the Englishe churche now begun there to it former perfection off the laste had in Englande so farre as possiblie can be atteined least by muche alteringe off the same we shulde seeme to condemne the chieff authors theroff who as they nowe suffer so â—re they moste redie to confirme that facte with the price off their blouds and shulde also bothe geue occasion to our aduersaries to accuse oure doctrine of imperfection and vs of mutablitie aÌ„d the godly to dowte in that truthe wherin before they were perswaded and to hinder their coÌ„minge hither whiche before they had purposed For the auoidinge off these and the obtaininge off the other moued hereunto in conscience and prouoked by your ientle letters we haue thought it expedient to sende ouer vnto yow oure beloued brethern the bringers hereoff to trauell withe the magistrats and yow concerninge the premisses whose wisedomes lerninge and godly zeele as they be knowen vnto yow so their doings in this shall fullie take place withe vs And yff they obtaine that whiche we truste will not be denied at no hands Then we intend God willinge to be with yow the firste off February next there to helpe to set in order and stablishe that churche accordingly And so longe altogether to remaine with yow as shall be necessary or vntill iuste occasion shall call some off vs awaie And we dowte not but that our brethern off Zurick Emden Duesbrough c. will do the same accordingly as we haue praied them by oure letters trustinge that yow by yours will make like requeste Fare ye well from Strasbrough this 23. off Nouember Your louing frinds Iames Haddon Edwin Sands Edmond Grindall Iohn Huntington Guido Eaten Iohn Geoffrye Iohn Pedder Thomas Eaten Mighell Reymuger Augustine Bradbridge Arthur Saule Thomas Steward Christ Goodman â–ª Humphry Alcocson Tho. Lakin Tho. Crafton THis letter was red to the congregation at whiche tyme maister Grindall declared the occasioÌ„ of ther coÌ„minge whiche amoÌ„ge other things was chieflie for thestablishinge of the booke off England not that they mente as he saied to haue it so strictly obserued but that suche ceremonies and thinges whiche the countrie coulde not beare might well be omitted so that they might haue the substance and effecte theroff Maâ—ster Knox and whâ—ttingham aâ—ked them what they mente by the substance off the booke It was answered by the other that they had no coÌ„mission to dispute those matters but they requested
he saied onely by warrant of mans authoritie and no grownde in godds worde for the same and had also a longe tyme verye superstitiously in the masse byn wickedly abused But yff he might not be suffred to minister the Sacraments accordinge to his conscience he then requested that some other might minister the Sacraments and he woulde onely preache Iff nether coulde be admitted be besought them that he might be discharged But to that the congregation woulde in no wise consente Whiles these things were thus in handlinge came maister Leuer before elected who assemblinge the congregation requested that he might withe their consentes appointe suche an order as shulde be bothe Godly withowt respecte off the Booke off Geneua or anye other requestinge farther that for so muche as that office was off so great importaunce aÌ„d that he had not byn in the like before that he might betweene that and Easter haue a triall off them and they off him and so at the ende off that terme either take or refuse whiche time off triall as it was willingly graunted him so when they vnderstoode that the order whiche he woulde place and vse was not altogether suche as was fit for a right reformed churche they woulde in nowise yelde to the same Knox whittingham and others perceyuinge that theis beginnings woulde growe to some what yff it were not staid in time drewe forthe a platt off the whole booke off England into the lattin tonge sendinge the same to maister Caluin off Geneua and requestinge his iudgement therin and shewinge him that some off their countrie men went abowte to force them to the same and woulde admit no other sayinge that it was an order moste absolute and that yff euer they came in to their countrie they woulde do their beste to establishe it againe Nowe folowethe the description A description off the Liturgie or booke off seruice that is vsed in Englande FIrste off all morninge praier offreth it selff The minister hauinge put on a white garment whiche they call a surplesse beginninge withe some sentence off holie scripture as for example â–ª yff we shall saie that we haue no sinne we deceyue oure selues c. or some suche of like sorte Then he takethe in harde the exhortat on whiche stirreth vp to a confession off synnes whiche the minister pronounceth with a loude voice the people sainge after him To this is added an absolution and when these thinges are done he rehersethe the lordes praier and afterward lorde open thow my lyppes and my mouthe shall shewe forth thy praise O god be redie to be my helpe c. Then come and let vs singe vnto th Lorde c. By and by also there folowe 3. Psalmes together at th ende off euery one Then foloweth the first lesson whiche conteinethe a whole chapiâ—er off the olde Testament After this lesson they saie or singe we praise â—he lorde or Blessed be the Lorde c. Then an other lesson owte off the Newe testamente vnlesse peraduenture the solemnization off some highe feast haue other set and apointed lessons Nowe in cathedrall churches they vtter their lessons in plaine songe and theÌ„ afterwards is Benedictus added This booke warnethe that they keepe this order through owte the whole yere Afterwards the crede is pronounced by the Minister all the people in the meane tyme staÌ„ding vp Afterwards fallinge downe vppon their knees the Minister saithe The Lorde be with yow The answere And with thy spirite Then Lorde haue mercy vppon vs Christe haue mercy vppon vs Lorde haue mercy vppon vs c. our father c. pronounced owte alowde off all with all boldnesse Then the Minister when he standeth vpp saithe o lorde shewe vs thy mercy The answere and geue vnto vs thy sauinge helthe O Lorde saue the king In the day wherin we shall call vppon thee Iuduâ— thy Ministers withe righteousnes And make thy chosen people ioyfull O Lorde saue thy people And blesse thyne inheritaunce Geue peace in our tyme o Lorde c. At lenghtâ— Collects are had â—n place off a conclusion the firste for the daie the seconde for peace the laste is for the obteininge off Grace Nowe the eueninge praiers are saide 〈◊〉 manner as the other are sauinge that after the firste lessen foloweth my soule doth magnifie the lorde After the 2. lessen Now Lorde c. and in steed off that collect God whiche arte the Author off peace is vsed o God from whom all holie desiers c. besides there is caution added that all Ministers shall exercise them selues continually aswell in morninge praiers as eueninge praiers except perhapp by studie in dyuinitie or some other busynes they be greatly and necessarely let or hindred· Besides vppon euery Sabothe daie wensdaie and fridaie there is yet in vse certeine suffrages deuised off Pope Gregory whiche beginnethe after this manner O God the father off heauen haue mercy vppon vs miserable synners O God the sonne redemer off the worlde c. onely leauinge owte the inuocation off saincts otherwise we vse a certaine coniuringe off god By the misterie off his incarnation by his holy natiuitie and circumcision by his haptisme fastinge and temptation by his agonie and bloudie sweate c. yea it comprehendethe in plaine wordes a praier to be deliuered from suddain deathe the people answeringe to the ende off euery clause either spare vs good lorde or ells Good Lorde deliuer vs or we beseche thee to heare vs Good Lorde O Lambe off God that taketh awaie the sinnes off the worlde is thrise repeated Then Lorde haue mercy vpon vs thrise and then the Lords praier with this praier also o Lord deale not with vs after our sinnes to the same adioined passinge ouer some things least we shulde seeme to syfte all those drosses which remaine still amonge vs. Nowe the manner off the supper is thus The nomber off three at the leaste is counted a fitt nomber to communicate and yet it is permitted the pestilence or some other common siknes beinge amonge the people the Minister alone maie communicate withe the sicke man in his house First therfore the Minister muste be prepared after this manner in a whit lynnin garmente as in sayinge the other seruice he is apointed and muste stande at the Northeside off the Table Then is had the Lords praier after the custome then he reciteth the collect and after folowe in order the ten commaundements but so notwithstanding that euery one off the people maye answere lorde haue mercy vpon vs and inclyne oure hartes to keepe this lawe After the rehersall off the commandements the collect off the daie as it is called and an other for the kinge is had By and by the Epistle and Gospell folowethe to witt suche as the callender apointethe for that daie And there in this place there is a note that euerie holy daye hathe his collect Epistle and Gospell whiche fill 73. great leaues off the booke â— when the reste fill scarse fiftie For all holy daies
Martir Maister Bullinger and Maister Viret that bothe partes shulde drawe their orders and that to be receyued whiche by the iudgements off theis 5. excellent men shuld be thought moste agreable to a reformed churche In the meane time euerie man to stand content withe that order whiche was then agreed vpō and vsed But within fewe daies after this determinatiō was broken ▪ A stranger craftely brought in to preache who had bothe byn at masse and also subscribed to blasphemous Articles ▪ Many tauntinge bitter sermons were made as they thought to oure defacinge in so moche as maister Knox beinge desired therunto off diuers was inforced to purge him self in sundrie pointes and spake his mind freely in the pulpit aswell in reprouinge certeine partes off the Englishe booke as declaringe the punishmente off God whiche partly had light vpon oure countrie for slacknes in Religion so as they seemed to take the matter so to harte that by their false delation in accusinge him before the Magistrates off treason againste the Emperour and the Queene in a certeine boke off his written to oure countrie men off England he was commaunded to departe And the Magistrates vnderstandinge their fetches and greedy cerchinge off their owne glorie who seemed to spare no kinde off contention to purchase the same commaunded that we shulde receiue the frenche order whiche is accordinge to the order off Geneua the pureste reformed churche in Christendome Wherupon all agreed and D. Coxe with others commendinge the same to the congregation gaue thankes to the Magistrate in all oure names Here yow maie note their double faces who bearinge the Magistrate in hande that they receyued his cōmaundement ioyfully priuily practised and so laboured vnder hande that they made this Magistrate vnsaie and so obtained their booke promisinge notwithstandinge bothe to the Magistrate and certaine off the congregation as well to proue by the worde off God so muche off the booke as they woulde vse as also to set forthe the same in writtinge that they before the forsaied order shulde be chaunged might iudge off the equitie theroff But preferringe the ioye off their vnhoped victorie before their promesse did nether the one bycause they coulde not nether the other bicause they durste not And yet haue they not made an ende off their triumphe For beginninge in marche not onely to neglecte all orders in the election off their Ministers and other officers but also to skoff and taunte others in their dailie sermons do not yet ceasse as nowe appearethe by their slanderous and lyinge letters But to th ende we might be deliuered from this vnsupportable yoke God off his mercy hathe prouided better for vs and for this incommoditie hathe graunted vs a double benefit in so muche that contrary to their hope he hathe not onely at Basill moued the Magistrates hartes towardes vs in grauntinge vs a churche but also at Geneua where as Gods worde is truly preached manners beste reformed and in earthe the chiefest place off true comforte Thus in fewe lines I haue gon abowte to satisfie your requeste bearinge with tyme whiche hasteth and also folowinge mine owne Iudgement whiche perswadeth me rather to geue yow a taste off thinges whiche I moued in conscience wryte as moste true then to fill yow with the whole discours whiche iff this maie not suffice yow maie by continuaunce haue at your commaundement Pray for vs brother in this oure banishement that the frutes off this vncorruptible seede maie springe moste abundantly as we praie cōtinually that oure heauenly father woulde so strengthen yow with his spirite off boldenes that yow maie not onely resiste but also triumphe ouer all your enymies to the glorie off God and the confusiō off the aduersaries Knowe before yow iudge and beleue not all fleinge tales keepe one eare open and reporte the the beste Your VVilliam VVhittingham WHere as maister whittingham in this his letter makethe mention off a churche graunted them bothe at Basill and Geneua it is to be noted that he himselff was the man whiche the oppressed congregation required to trauel therin and through goddes great mercy obtained it with great fauour who in his iourney passed by Zurik to knowe off Maister Bullinger what he thought off the booke off Englande for that he who had raported to maister Williams Whittingham Gilbie and others that Cranmer Bishop off Canterbury had drawen vp a booke off praier an hundreth tymes more perfect then this that we nowe haue the same coulde not take place for that he was matched withe suche a wicked clergie and conuocation with other enymies Euen he I saie yet stood in this that maister Bullinger did like well off thinglishe order and had it in his study But when Whittingham had demaunded that question Bullinger tolde him that indede Maister H and Maister C. asked his iudgemente concerninge certeine pointes off that booke as Surples priuate baptisme Churchinge off wemen the ring in mariage with suche like whiche as he saied he allowed not and that he nether coulde yff he woulde nether woulde yff he might vse the same in his churche what so euer had byn reported Whittingham passinge from thence to Geneua maister Caluin shewed him a letter sent from D. Coxe and from 14. more off Franck. in whiche letter they partly excused them selues that they put order in their churche withowte his coūsaile asked and partely reioycīge for that they had as they saide brought the moste parte that had withstande their doynges to their opinion which not withstandinge was farr otherwise They wrote also that they had elected a pastour 2. Ministers 4. Seniors and 2. Deacons c. but howe parciallie they proceaded in their elections those that were in office nether discharged nor yet their consents required I leaue to the consciences off them whiche sawe those disorders To this letter off thers the contentes wheroff are aboue touched maister Caluin answerethe in this wise To the worshippfull my louinge brethern in the lorde maister Richard Coxe and the rest off the Englishemen whiche nowe remaine at Frankford PAraduenture I answere your letter worship frinds and brethern more slowlie then ether ye hoped or looked for but for so muche as ye knowe the wayes for a tyme so to be beset withe thenes that no messenger allmoste coulde passe from hence to yow the excuse of my long delay towardes yow shal be the easier I expressed my minde frankly to oure beloued brother Thomas Sampson off that wheroff I was enformed by the letters off certeine men as touchinge the contention vnluckelie stirred vp amonge yow For certene off my frindes founde thē selues greued that yow woulde so preciselie vrge the ceremonies off Englande wherby it might appeere that ye are more geuen and addicte to your countrie then reason woulde I confesse that I harde certeine reasons alledgod on your behalff whiche woulde not suffer yow to departe from the receyued order but they might be soone and easilie confuted Nowe as I counsailed mine owne frindes
procede aswell as maie be to to the establishing off sure peace we exhorte yow that with all spede ye take in hand this consultation abowte the amendinge off your Discipline wâ—th mindes and meanes moste aplyable to tranquillitie which Allmightie God graunt ye maie happely bringe to passe The first off marche 1â—57 Iohn Glauburg Nowe folowith the discipline both the olde and that which was by the Magistrats appointement corrected The order off the olde discipline in the Citie off Franckford THere be 2. partes off the order off Discipline in the churche The one perteininge to the whole churche The other perteininge to the ministers and Elders alone Off the firste parte In the Discipline perteininge to the whole church is firste to be apointed the order off receiuinge men in to the congregation whiche is this The manner off receiuinge off all sortes off personnes into the saide congregation Fyrste everie one aswell man as woman which desireth â—o be receyued shall make a declaration or Confession off their faithe before the pastor and Seniors shewinge himselff fully to consent and agree with doctrine of the churche and submittinge themselues to the discipline off the same Iff anie person so desyrous to be receiued into the congregation be notoriously defamed or noted off any corrupt or euill opinion in doctrine or slaunderous behauior in liffe the same maye not by the pastor and Elders be admitted till he haue either purged himselff theroff or ells haue declared him selff â—o the pastor and Elders penitent for the same The good behauiour and godly conuersation requyred off such as are receiued Secondarely all the members off the churche so admitted and receiued shall diligently obserue and keepe all suche godlie discipline and orders apoointed with in the churche whiche tend to the increase off knowledge and godlynesse off liffe as the appointed times off praier preachinge and hearinge goddes worde the administration off the Sacramentes with submission to all godly discipline off the churche Thirdly such also as beinge in England after knowledg receiued haue communicated with the popishe masse contrary to their coÌ„sciences by reason of feare weaknes or otherwise may not be receyued till they haue confessed their fall before the pastor and seniors and haue shewed themselues penitent for the same How the youthe shal be Catechised Also for the increase off godly knowledg and vertue all the youthe shalâ— resorte to the churche euerye satterdaie at 2. off the clock at afternoone and when we haue a seuerall churche at one off the clock on the sundaie at afternoone there to be instructed in the Catechisme and not to be admitted to the communion till they be able to make profession off their faith before the whole congregation And also to haue an honest testimony off towardnes in godly conuersation and that euery member off the churche do not refuse to reade a declaration off their faithe before the pastor and Elders when so euer they shall be therto required Th order off correction for priuate and priuie offences Fourthly for as muche as no charge is so perfect but offences maye arise for godly charitable redressinge and reforminge off suche this order is to be obserued Firste yff anye off the congregation be offensiue in manners or doctrine to anie off the brethern so that offence be priuate and not publickly knowen ther can be no better order deuised then that which Christe himselff hathe apointed which is firste brotherly to admonishe him alone yff that do no preuaile call one or 2. Witnesses yff that also do not profit then to declare it to the pastor and elders to whoÌ„ the churche hath geuen authoritie to take order in such cases according to the qualitie and greuousnes off the offence and crime Off the order off correction for publick and open crimes But yff anie person shal be a notorious knowen offender so as he is offensiue to the whole churche then shall the pastor and elders immediatlye call the offender before them and trauel with him to reduce him to true repeÌ„tance and satisfyinge off the congregation whiche if â—e obstinately refuse to doo then â–ª the pastor shall signifie his offence and contempt to the whole congregation desiring them to praie for him and further to assigne him a daie to be denownced excommunicate before the churche except in the meane time the offender submit himself before the pastor and seniors to the order of discipline Finally in case any person of this congregatioÌ„ be knoweÌ„ to be an hinderer or a defacer of anie of the godly vsages nowe excercised in the same congregation either priuely or apertly by worde letter or dede the same shall acknowledg his offence with satisfaction to the churche according to the true order off Discipline The 2. parte off discipline toncerninge the ministers and elders and their elections Firste for the election of ministers and Elders the qualities of the same are to be examined and considered according to the rule off S. Paule 1. Tim. 3. Wheroff this is the summe That no man be elected whose doctrine or liffe can iustlie be reproued and condemned As concerning the order and forme off Electing the same is to be obserued whiche hathe already bin practised and is here vnto anexed Off ther offices and functions The pastor according to the commaundement off the holye ghoste in the scriptures ought with all pastorall care diligently to attende to his flock in preaching goddes worde in ministring the Sacramentes in example off Good lyffe in exhortinge admonishinge rebukinge and as the chieff mouthe off the churche to open and declare all orders taken by him and the elders whiche are to be opened and published to whom no man maye in the face off the congregation replye But yff anie think himselff to haue cause to speak let him come before the elders in the place appointed for their meetinge and thereto open his mynde and to be hard with all charitie indifferently The office off preachers and suche as are lerned in the congregation The office off preachers and such as are lerned in the churche is to assiste the pastor in preachinge the worde ministringe the Sacraments and in all consultations and meetinges off him and the Elders especially in causes off Doctrine and also at other tymes when they shall be required The office off Elders The office off Elders is to be as it were censors ouerseers off manners and disorders And to be with the pastor in all consultations for the publick order off the churche and that all corrections and exercises off discipline be done with their common consaile Deacons Consideringe also the present state off the churche it is thaught requisite that the Deacons besides the speciall office appointed in the Acts off the Apostells in caringe and providinge for the poore do also visit the sick and be assistant in Catechisinge the youthe yff they shall be thervnto required The same order and forme is to be vsed for reformation off offences and crymes
one of the Deacons resorte to them and presentâ—y succor their necessitie and the needy straungers off our nation be holpen towardes their traueill and iourney yff the treasure off the churche will beare it Item that in case the treasure off the churche do faile or wax thinne that then such as be off the welthey sorte off the congregation shall quarterly contribute accordinge to their habilitie and godly deuotion for the maintenaunce off the ministerie poore and studentes off the congregation And the same at euerie quarter daye to be deliuered into the handes off the Deacons Item we think Good that declaration be made by the preachers off Goddes worde diuers tymes as iust occasion will serue how comely and profitable for Christes churche that al mennes liberalitie towardes the poore do come to the handes off the saied 4. Deacons by them publickly in the name off the whole churche to be ministred to the poore for by this rule let not thy left hande knowe what they right hande dothe maye beste be obserued And the blowinge off the trumpet before the almes geuer and all wordly reward off vaine commendation maie best be auoided and so our heauenly father who seethe in secret will rewarde euerie man more abundantly in the daie off the reuelation off the thoughts off all men Item we think good that certeine letters in the same sence be written with an exhortation and hartie praier to all such as will relieue the poore off oure congregation with their godly liberalitie that they will deliuer or send their charitable reliffe to the saied 4. Deacons commonly to be bestowed off them vpoon all the poore whither they be studentes or other according to euerie mans necessitie whiche the saied Deacons and the churche here present can best knowe and Iudge rather then to committ the allmes to anie one persons hande to anye priuate vse for the auoyding off sundry suspitions and many other inconueniences that maye bothe presently and here after arise and ensewe off the same And the sayed letters subscribed with as many handes off the congregation as shall seme good with a general superscription to all such as will charitably relieue the poore off oure congregation with owt anye naminge off any persons to be sent where the Ministers Seniors and Deacons or the more off them shall think good by a most faithfull and discreet messinger to all places where such good men by whose liberalitie the churche is releived doe or maie resorte that the sayed letters maye by the sayed messinger be shewed as a testimonie off credit to the said godly men in places and at tymes moste conuenient This article folowing 29. I also fynde in the Copie Item as concerning the relieffe to be had at strangers handes who be not off oure churche such order is to be taken as shall seme most expedieÌ„t to the ministers of the worde and Sacraments It semeth that this article was put in in place off the former whiche they could not agree vppon Item we thinke it expedient that the saied 4. Deacons be charged neither with the helping off the Ministers in the preaching off the worde neither in the Catechising off the youthe neither in ministring off Sacramentes or saing off common praier or specially the visiting off the sick other then the poore for the releyuing of their necessitie as with thinges perteininge to the office off deaconshipp nor with any other offices other theÌ„ is expressedly declared in gods worde apperteine to the Deacons according to the rule off the whiche they shall by all meanes possible direct their dooinges The summe wheroff is diligently to receiue and kepe all and all manner off publik and priuate almes and the same faithfully to bestowe vpon the poore off christes churche accordinge as euery mannes necessitie shall requier and by all meanes possible as well by worde as by writing to procure the maintenaunce off the saied treasure off the churche so to their credit committed Notwithstandinge it is not ment hereby but that anie off the sayed Deacons being lerned when good occasion shall therto serue may preach or instruct the youthe in the Catechisme or doe anie other godly function wherunto they shall be called Item that where there is no godlier acte then to succor such as be bothe sik and poore for that their burthen is moste heauy we think good yff the habilitie off the churche will extend therunto that there be 4. graue and honest wemen either widowes or wyues such as haue nede of the helpe of the churche appointed and chosen with the consente off their husbandes to keepe the poore when they be sicke and to watche with them by course one after an other and that they haue therfore cut off the treasure off the churche a certeine stipende quarterly payde vnto them Off the Discipline off the churche which is the 4. and laste note Firste in all matters touchinge conscience gods worde is the perfect rule as well for those thinges whiche Christen men ought to doe as for such thinges as they are bownd to abstaine from Item in all controuersies ciuill the ciuill or municipall law off the countrie or citie where the churche is is a sufficient rule to be obaied Item all matters touchinge the congregation or the members off the same directly apperteining to neither off the two former partes Ecclesiasticall ordinance and discipline of the saied churche ought by all members off the same to be obaied Item although this worde Discipline generally doâ—â— conteine all Ecclesiasticall orders and ordinaunces yet in this place it is properly taken for the rule off owtward honest orders and manners and off the punishiment and correction off vices Item for the execution off the whiche discipline to the mainteining of all comely order and vertue in the churche and correction off disorder and vice it is agreed that 6. men off speciall grauitie authoritie and wisdom suche as the rule off the holy scriptures dothe set foorthe as muche as maie be shal be chosen to be seniors whiche 6. seniors with the two Ministers off the worde shall haue the execution off the Discipline and gouernement off the churche and shall be reuerenced and in all thinges godly and reasonable obeied and reuerenced of all persons in the congregation vnder paine off moste sharpe discipline Prouided alwaies that the saied Ministers and seniors seuerally and ioyntly shall haue no authoritie to make anie manner off decrees or ordinances to bynd the congregation or anie meÌ„ber therof but shall execute such ordinaÌ„ces and decrees as shal be made by the congregatioÌ„ and to theÌ„ deliuered Off the election off all Ministers Item it is agreed that all seniors Deacons and all other ministers what so euer they be the 2. teachers and ministers off the worde onely excepted shall ones a yere that is the first daie off marche take an ende off their ministerie what so euer it be And they from that daie till a newe election be made which shal be
within one forthnight after the saied fyrste day off marche vnles some great causes incident do let the same shall be all priuate persons as other meÌ„bers off the congregation and so continewe still till they be newe elected to the same or other ministerie or office euerie one off them yet notwithstanding in the meane tyme from the saied first daie off marche till newe ministers be elected doing the dewtâ—â— and dewties to your offâ—ce belonging Iâ—em that publick praier and fast be made before and at the election off all ministers in time and continuaunce as to the congregation shall seme good Item that before the election off the ministers Seniors and Deacons the places off the scriptures for that purpos most fit be â—penlye redd and a sermon to be made vppon the same As for the present purpose shall be most conuenient Item that election be made by bills euerie man bringing a litle bill rolled vp the names off such persons appointed as they shall think moste meete for the office wherunto the election is then made Item that imposition off handes with praier be vsed at the institution off the saied ministers seniors and Deacons according to the doctrine and examples of the scriptures Off the callinge and assembling off the congregation Item that the ministers and seniors thus electe haue nowe authoritie as the principall members of the congregation to gouerne the saied congregation accordinge to goddes worde and the discipline of the churche as is aforsaied And also to call together and assemble the saied congregation for causes and at tymes as shall to them seme expedient Prouided alwaies that yff anie dissention shall happen betweene the ministers and the seniors or the more parte off them and the bodye off the congregation or the more parte off it and that the saied ministers and Seniors in such controuersie beinge desired therto will not assemble the congregation that then the congregation maye of it selff cum together and consulte and determine as concerninge the saied controuersie or controuersies and the saied assembly to be a lawfull congregation and that which they the more parte of them so assembling shall iudge or decree the same to bâ— a lawfull decreâ— and ordinaunce of sufficient force to bynde the whole congregation and euery member off the same Item that no man being sommoned or warned either by the ministers and Seniors or in the name off the congregation so as afore is saied assembled to appere in the congregation shall absent himselff but vppon a lawfull cause vnder paine off discipline And that none shall departe owt off the said congregation so assembled till it be broken vp with owâ— licence off the whole or the more parte remaining vppon paine of discipline before the whole congregation therfore Item in case some do departe that yet notwithstanding those whiche still remaine yff they be the greater parte to be a lawfull congregation and that whiche they or the more parte off them shall decree to be a lawfull decree off force to bynde the whole body ministers seniors Deacons and euerie other member or members theroff withowt exception Item that no checkinge or taunting be vsed in the saied congregation by anie persons vnder paine off Discipline and that in speakinge all other shall holde their peace and keepe silence absteining also from priuate talke that all thinges maie be donne comely and in order Item that it shall be lawfull that euerie member off the congregation making protestation off licence before to the ministers seniors and the whole congregation maie speak his mynd in the congregation so he speake quietly and not againste goddes truthe for in case he speake vngodly that then it shall be lawfull for the ministers seniors or anie off them to commaunde him silence by and by The manner or receauing all sortes off persons into the saied congregation Firste for the auoidinge off all heresies and sectes in oure churches euery one aswell men as wemen which desier to be receiued shall make a declaration or confession off their faithe before the ministers and elders shewinge him sâ—â—ffâ—ully to consent and agree wâ—th the doctrine off the churche and submiâ—tinge them selues to the Dâ—scipline off the same and the same to testifie by subscribing theâ—tâ— yf they can wryte Item yff anye person so desyrous to be receyued into the congregation be notoriously defamed or noted off any corrupt behauiour or euill opinion in doctrine or slaunderous behauiour in liffe the same maie not by the Ministers and Elders be admitted â— till he haue either purged himselff theroff or ells haue decâ—ared himselff to the ministers and elderâ— penitent for the same Off admission to the holie communion Item that none off the youthe be admitted to the communion till they be able to make profession off their faâ—the before the whole congregation and also to haue an honest testimony off towardnes in godly conuersation Item that none openly noted as an hereticke sectarye Idolater or other notorious offender shall be admitted to the communion before he either purge or reconcile himselff publiquely before the whole congregation And that euery member off the congregation do not refuse to render a declaration off their faithe before the Ministers and Elders when so euer they shall by them be therunto requyred Th order off proceadinge to the execution off the Discipline and correction off offences For as muche as no churche is so perfect but offences may rise for godly and charitable redressing and reforming off suche this order is to be obserued Firste yff anye off the congregation be offensiue in manners or doctrine to anie off the brethern so that the offence be priuate and not publickely knowen there can be no better order deuised then that whiche Christe himselff hathe appoiâ—ted whiche is firste brotherly to admonishe him alone Iff that do not preuaile to calle one or two witnesses yff that also do not profit Then to declare it to the Ministers and Elders To whom the congregation hathe geuen authoritie to take order in suche cases accordinge to the Discipline off the churche Item that it maye be the better knowne what is ment by this worde discipline or correction off vice we thinke that there be 3. degrees off Eccesiasticall discipline The first that the offender acknowledg his faulte and shewe himselff penitent before the Ministers and the Seniors The seconde that yff he will not so doe as well his originall cryme as also his contempt off the Ministers and Elderss who haue the authoritie off the churche be openly declared by one off the Ministers before the whole congregation and that he therfore make satisfaction bothe for his originall crime and also for his contempt off the Ministers before the whole congregation and that he be not admitted to the communion before he haue satisfied The thirde that yff he remaine still obstinate before the whole congregation after a tyme to him by the whole congregation limited to repent in he then shall be openly
And to come to the matter ye shall vnderstand that after maister Horne late pastor and the Seniors that were ioyned in the ministerie with him had by a writinge subscribed with their owne handes openly before the congregation surrendred and geuen ouer their offices reteininge neuertheles the writinge off their surrender in their owne handes and yet beinge desired by the congregation not to leaue their ministeries but still to exercise the same they in no wise woulde doo it wherby the churche was diuers daies destitute off the preachinge off goddes worde Wheruppon the more part off the congregation mindinge to haue the churche kept in good order and to redresse those thinges that were a great occasion off the former contention so that after there might be a perpetuall quietnes and concorde amonge vs went earnestly abowte the â—ame But it hapened contrarie to oure expectation the former grudges continuinge and newe busines daily increasinge which at lenght came to the Magistrates eare contrary to oure mindes and determination For when we thought that it shulde withowte anie further brute amongest oure selues haue bin pacified and ended as we would to god it had bin Wheruppon the godly magistrates lamentinge muche oure dissention ad desiringe oure quietnes came into oure churche and there firste made vs to promesse one to an other that from thens foorth no mention shulde be made off anie former grudge or contention betweene vs but that all thinges paste shuld be clene forgotten Afterwarde for the better continuance off loue amonge vs and good order in the churche with the consent off Maister Horne the pastor and the Seniors discharged him and them off their offices and willed the churche to chuse newe ministers and to make a newe discipline for by reason off the vnperfectnes off the olde Discipline a great parte off the former controuersie was as iff there had bin neuer anie churche here before Wheruppon the church diuers times assemblinge at lenght the moste parte of the churche thought moste reasonable that amonge other an order shulde be in this churche like as it was in the primatiue churche and is nowe in all well reformed churches that the treasure shulde be in the custodie off all the Deacons and not off anie one man alone Maister Horne with certeine off the Seniors and a fewe others woulde in no wise agree vnto it but to their vttermoste resiste it which gaue vs occasion off farther iuste suspition that the treasure off the churche in time paste had not bin Christianly vsed And where as also we had deuised an other order that for so muche as the magistrate dothe permit vs to vse the customes and manners off makinge off willes that be vsed in Englande that for the more suretie off oure frindes that were here or ells where yff we were disposed by oure willes to geue vnto them anie off that litle substance that god hath leste vs yff we shulde die here owre willes shulde be seene and exemplyfied by the Seniors aÌ„d so to be owte of all daunger off countre faitinge at anie time Horne and chambers onelie vppon fonde will withowte any iuste consideration or good reason cauilled against the same order onely affirminge it to be pernitious Theis thinges we finde manifestly at lenght not to proceede off anie good minde or purpose but off contentious frowardnes grownded vppon selff loue and gaine that vnder a colour of the churche they might gather good mennes deuotions and neuer distribute anie penny theroff or at the leaste to none had they neuer so great nede vnles they woulde either faune and hange on them or ells sustaine vncharitable tauntes and reproches at their handes For where Chambers aboue 13. monethes paste had off maister Whithead then Pastor and the Seniors then a letter to receaue of one special maÌ„ 20. powndes and besides through Horns procurement a generall proxie to Chambers and his deputie to gather the deuotion off good men for the relieff off this poore congregation whiche by their owne proceedings here before the Magistrates their owne hands wrytinge testifinge the same and otherwise by oure knowledge we are certeine they did put in practise and receiued muche therby yet Chambers vpon the accoumpt here left behinde him neither confesseth that he receyued the saide 20. powndes nor yet anie other summe neither hathe he distributed duringe all the tyme he was in office yet to this daie in this congregation to anie one person sauing to 3. scollers that came with him one penny that he did not receiue here in this congregation and citie And yet at his departure hence he lefte 2. off the saide scollers vnto whom neuertheles he promised sufficient prouision and findinge and neuer warned them to the contrary in dette for their boorde and for other necessaries almost 20. guilderns whiche this poore congregation was forced to paie Finallie where good Mistres Wilkinson off blessed memorie put Horne and Chambers in truste with the deuisinge and makinge of hir will whereby she gaue to this and other poore congregations of the poore banished Englishe men a Christian liberall relief Albeit they haue caused some off the saied congregations to be paide of the same bequeste yet hithertoo wolde they not make this poore congregation priuie to the summe bequethed vnto it muche lesse paie it nor yet accordinge to the order of oure churches discipline aforesaide let the will be seene so as the frindles younge ientle woman hir daughter shuld not be defrauded off hir right nor hir mothers will altered to hir losse Furthermore Maister Chambers vnderstandinge that we were minded accordinge to oure dewties to requyre an accoumpte of him for the vse off his proxie getteth him suddainly hence accompanied with Maister Horne earely in a morninge withowte the consent or leaue takinge off the congregation or the Ministerie theroff and contrarie to his one openly made promesse that he would not departe till he had answered all that any man coulde charge him with And at his goinge awaie he left behinde him an accoumpt which by cuttinge owte the leaues and newe written seâ—â—ethe not to be nowe at the last as it was at the firste albeit it was neuer so perfect as Christian fidelitie woulde haue required it to be And moreouer albeit we haue twise writteÌ„ vnto him charitably exhortinge aÌ„d requiringe him to come hither and discharge himselff of those thinges that shall be saide vnto him in the behalff off this congregation and to the inthent he shuld restore vnto it the proxie he receiued and no longer by himselff or his deputie exercise it in the name off this poore churche as we are informed he dothe he neither commeth nor yet maketh answere to oure letters wherby we cannot but think that he meaneth not onely crafte and subtiltie much vnworthie the integritie and fidelitie that he pretendeth but also to hinder and as muche as in him lieth to vndoo this poore congregation not onely off that he hath already receiued and caried awaie as
backe as vnmindfull off gods prouidence whiche hathe procured vs one free from all dreggs off superstitious ceremonies What thinke yow yf the Prophet Dauid had had this offre who desired to be porter in the house of God and more esteemed one daie so spente then a thousande otherwaies Either what mente he when he saied one requeste I demaunde off the Lorde Whiche I will seeke after that is that I maie dwell in the howse off the lorde all the daies off my lyfe Had Dauid no experience or felte he not what grieff yt was to wante the congregation And surely we muste graunt that he was farre more perfect then we be For he beinge conuersant in this worlde sett his delight wholie in heauenly things And many off vs we speake it to our shame as if we had already forgotteÌ„ the ende of our creation are plunged in earthlye affectioÌ„s and worldly respectes so that throughe oure infirmities this excellente benefit is like to be frustrate For some dowte who shal be preferred others seeke increase off lerninge â–ª Many followe the commoditie off lyuinge certein looke for a newe vocation so that it is a wonder to se the deformitie off mans affecâ—ions God grante we maye lerne at their ensamples whiche beinge called to the mariage came not what it is to esteeme in time the worthenes off gods benefits leaste by the losse off the same we after fall vnto vnprofitable repentance seekinge againe oure losse withe teares as the reprobate Esau and yet neuer the neere We charge no one man brethren nor yet meane all and on what considerations theis excuses were pretended we suspende oure Iudgmentes referringe the same to our imperfection and infirmitie wherby the aduersary ceasethe not to batter dailie the walles off Gods temple As touchinge the pointe off prefermente we are perswaded throughly that it hathe this meaninge that euery maÌ„ thought of himself modestlie humblie submittinge himself to all meÌ„ vnablinge no man for so muche as your knowe that he whiche seketh ambition glory aduantage or suche like is not moued withe gods spirite as witnesse the instructions that Christâ—â—ur Maister gaue to his disciples who laboring of like disâ—â—â—e were admonished that he whiche did excell amonge theÌ„ shoulde abase himself to his inferior whiche malady S. Paul perceauinge to infecte like a canker moste diligently framethe his style that he might not seeme to preferr hiÌ„ selffe to others in the course of his ministery And as for lerniÌ„ge as we wishe to all men moste abuÌ„dantly so we moste ernestly require that coÌ„paringe the congregations necessitie with your owne priuate coÌ„moditie your woulde rather for Christs sake chose the better yea and we assure your one good aduertisemente that thorowe gods grace when we shal be asseÌ„bled together suche order wil be taken that besides those thinges whiche oure natioÌ„ shal be able to furnishe we haue the citie moste forwarde to procure others Yff anye woulde pretende the hardnes off the countrie and charges oure experience maâ—e sufficiently satiffie them who hauinge traveiled throwgh moste places where the gospell is preached haue not founde so manie commodites nor lesse charges Restethe the tyme off callinge whiche we referre to your consciences besechinge your for Christes sake to descende into your selues withowt all parcialitie wayinge the grauitie off the matter whiche is goddes and the selie excuse whiche the fleshe ministrethe Consider what god woulde saie I haue prepared a plentifull and ripe harueste whiche standethe in a redines and waitethe for the mower and I haue appointed thee thy taxe I haue geuen instrumentes and all things fit for the labor yff thow forslowe it the croppe is in daunger yff thow loke for oft warning thow declarest great negligence This speache Dearly beloved or very like god vsed to Noah Abraham Ieremiah c. and they thought their vocation stronge But yow through Goddes benefit do not onely heare god thus perswadinge in your hartes but also haue bene by externe callinge confirmed and accordinge therunto haue walked to the great glorie off God and profit off the coÌ„gregation We truste therfore brethern and in Iesus Christe require it that your woulde hyde your talent no longer but hauinge newe occasion to imploye it your woulde put it forthe for your Maister his aduantage and your owne discharge For iff your feele in your hartes comforte as wee doo whiche are here assembled to heare the worde of god preached and the Sacramente ministred we assure yow yow should sensiblie perceaue that which the Prophet speakethe in theis termes as the harte chased pantethe for gredines off waters euen so o lorde my soule seekethe after thee My soule burnethe for thirste in seekinge the Lorde and saithe Alas when shall I be able to appeere before the face off the lyuinge god what thinge then ought we to haue in greater recommendation then the order and policie whiche god hathe established in his churche that we maie be taught by his worde thaâ— we maie worshippe him and call vpon his name with one accorde that we maie haue the true vse off his Sacraments to helpe vs to the same For theis be the means wherby we muste be confirmed in the faithe in the feare off God in holynes off conuersation in the contempte of the worlde and in the loue off life euerlastinge And for this consideration S. Paule saithe not that this order whiche the Lorde hathe set in his churche shulde onely be for the rude and symple but makethe it common to all exceptinge no man For he hathe ordeined saithe he some to be Apostles some prophetes some Euangelistes others to be teachers and instructors to confirme the godly and to labor to finishe the buildinge off Christes body till we be all brought to one consente in faithe to the knowledge off the sonne off god to a perfect man and finally to the iuste measure off a ripe Christian age Let vs all marke that he saithe not that god hathe left the scriptures onely that euery one shulde reade it but also that he hathe erected a policie and order that their shulde be some to teache and not for one daye but all the time off our lyffe euen to the deathe for that is the tyme off our perfection Wherfore brethren let vs submit our selues and leaue off farther to tempte God seinge that yff we wil be off the body off Christ we must obeie to this generall rule Let no respecte off worldly policie staie vs Let no perswasion blinde vs But let vs fulfyll in oure selues that whiche Esaias forwarnethe that goddes children shal be as pigions whiche flee by flocks in to their douehouse whiche is the place where the worde of god is preached the sacraments ministred and praier vsed To conclude therfore dearely beloued let euery man call his conscience to counsaile and besides these sweete allurements let vs learne to preuent our aduersaries who sekinge euer to obscure goddes glorie maye easelie cauell at this
that the congregation would answere to certeine interogatories whiche were thies First that they might knowe whaâ— partes off the booke they woulde admit The seconde was for a seuerall churche and the thirde what assuraÌ„ce they might haue for their quiete habâ—tation To â—he firste answere was made that what they coulde proue off that Booke to stande wiâ—he gods worde and the countrie permit that shuld be graunted them To the 2. whiche was for a church it was tolde them that they vnderstoode by the Magistrats the tyme serued not to moue anie suche matter till the counsaile brake vp at Ausburge To the third it was saied that a generall graunt was made at their first comminge thither to the whole nation and the fredome off the citie offred to all suche as were desyrous off it in as large and ample manner as they coulde require whiche was to them assurance sufficient Theis 3. questions thus answered maister Chambers and Maister Grindall departe back againe with a letter from the congregation whiche was as followethe Grace mercy and peace c. AS it was euer moste true so at this present we feele most sensiblie that where so euer god layeth the foundation to builde his glory there he continueth till he bringe the same to a present worke All thanks and praise be vnto him therfore that hathe moued your hartes so as in no pointye seeme to forslowe your diligence to the furtheraunce off the same And as the worke is off moste excellencie So the aduersaries cease not most craftely to vndermine it or at the leaste through false reportes and defacing off the worke begon to staâ—e the laborers whiche shulde traueil in the finishinge theroff But truthe euer cleareth itselff and as the Sonne consumethe the clowds so misreportes by triall are confounded Oure brethern sent from yow can certifie yow at lenght touchinge the particulers off your letter to whom we haue in all thâ—ngs agreed whiche semed expedient for the state off this congation As for certeine Ceremonies whiche the order off the countrie will not beare we necessarily omit with as litle alteration as is possible which in your letters ye require so that no aduersary is so impudent that dare either blame oure doctrine of imperfection or vs of mutabilitie excepte he be altogether willfull ignorante rather seekinge howe to finde faultes then to amend them Nether doo we discente from them whiche lie at the raunsome off their blouds for the doctrine wheroff they haue made a moste worthye confession And yet we thinke not that anye godlie man will stande to the deathe in the defence of ceremonies whiche as the booke specifie the vpoÌ„ iuste causes maie be altered and chaunged And yff the not full vsinge off the booke cause the godly to dowte in that truthe wherin before they were perswaded and to staye theyr comminge hither accordinge as they purposed either it signifieth that they were verye slenderly taught whiche for breach off a Ceremonie will refuse suche a singuler benefit or ells that yow haue harde them misreported by some false brethern who to hinder this worthie enterprise spare not to sowe in euerie place store off suche poore reasons Laste off all it remainethe that ye write that the firste off February nexte yow will come to helpe to set in order and establishe this churche accordingly whiche thinge as we moste wishe for your companies sake and for that ye might se oure godly orders alreadie here obserued So we put yow owte of dowte that for to appointe a iourney for the establishing off Ceremonies shulde be more to your charges then anie generall profit excepte ye were determined to remaine with vs longer then 2 monethes as ye write to our countriemen at Densbrorow and Emden whiche letters notwithstandinge are nowe staid and as apearethe we neuer the neere We referre the reste to oure brethern maister Chambers and maister Grindall who by their diligent inquisition haue learned so farre off our state as we wrote vnto yow in our former letters that is that we haue a churche freely graunted to preach gods word purely to minister the Sacraments sincerely and to execute discipline truly And as touchinge our booke we will practise it so farre as gods worde dothe assure it and the state off this countrie permit Fare ye well At Franckf this 3. off December Your louinge frinds Gorge VVhetnall Thomas VVhetnall Iohn Knox. Iohn Bale VVilliam VVhitingham Edward Sutton Thomas VVood VVilliam VVilliams Iohn Stanton Iohn Samford Iohn fox VVilliam Kethe Iohn Makâ—braie VVilliam VValton Mighell Gill. Laurence Kert Iohn Hollingham The answere to this letter from Sâ—rausbrough was as foloweth Grace mercy and peace c. WE haue receaued your letters and also your answere in wrytinge concerninge certeine Articles and do perceyue aswell by the same as by maister Chambers and Maister Grindall your state But for so muche as your opinion is that the tyme doâ—he not presently serue to moue the magistrats in those requests the obteininge wheroff was the principall cause of our sending vnto yow we cannot at this present condescend vppon anie generall meetinge at anie certeine tyme ether to remaine with yow or otherwise And therfore iff yow shall certeinly perceaue a time conuenient that the Magistrats may be traueled withe all aswell for the good and quiete habitation off the commers and especially Students as also a seuerall churche and to knowe whither the exercise off the booke shall be vsed suche we meane as no reasonable maÌ„ shall iustly reproue and that the certeintie off theis matters maie be knowen at the magistrats hands then yff yow can let vs haue intelligence we will farther consuâ—te what is to be done on oure parâ—ye trustinge god shall directe vs to do so as maye be moste to his glorie in the ende howe so euer the presente tyme shall iudge off it From Strausbrough this 13. off December Your louing frinds c. as in the letteers before WHen this letter was redd to the congregation they requested that for so muche as the lerned men coulde not coÌ„descend vppon any generall and certeine tyme off meetinge as nowe appeared by their letters they might conclude vppon some certeine order by common consent still to continewe and that wihowte farther delaye and also to haue the holie communion ministred whiche the moste part ernestlie desired At lenght it was agreed that the order of Geneua whiche then was alreadie printed in Englishe and some copies there amonge them shulde take place as an order moste godly and fardeste off from superstition But Maister knox beinge spoken vnto aswell to put that order in practise as to minister the communion refused to do ether the one or the other affirminge that for manie considerations he coulde not consente that the same order shulde be practised till the lerned men off Strausbrough Zurik Emden c. were made priuy Neither yet woulde he minister the communion by the booke off Englande for that there were thinges in it placed as
greuethe me very muche and it is a great shame that contention shulde arise amonge brethern banished and driuen owte of their countrie for one faithe and for that cause whiche onely ought to haue holden yow bounde together as it were withe an holy bande in this your dispersion For what might yow do better in this dolorous and miserable plage then beinge pulled violently from your countrie to procure your selues a church whiche shulde receiue ād nourishe yow beinge ioyned together in mindes and languadge in her motherly lappe But nowe for some men to striue as touchinge the forme off praier and for Ceremonies as though ye were at reste and prosperitie and to suffer that to be an impedimente that ye cannot there ioyne in to one body off the churche as I think it is to muche owte off season Yet notwithstanding I allowe their constancie whiche striue for a iuste cause beinge forced againste their willes vnto contention I do worthely condemne frowardnes whiche dothe hinder and staie the holye carefullnes of reforminge the churche And as I behaue myselff gentle and tractable in meane things as externall ceremonies So doo I not alwaies iudge it profitable to geue place to their folishe stowtenes whiche will forsake nothinge off their oulde wonted custome In the liturgie off Englande I se that there were manye tollerable foolishe thinges by theis wordes I meane that there was not that puritie whiche was to be desired Theis vices thoughe they coulde not at the firste daie be amended yet seinge there was no manifeste impetie they were for a season to be tollerated Therfore it was lawfull to begin off suche rudimentes or absedaries but so that it behoued the lerned graue and godly ministers off Christe to enterprise farther and to setfoorthe some thinge more filed from ruste and purer Yf godly Religion had florished till this daie in Englande there ought to haue bin a thinge better corrected and manie thinges cleane taken awaie Nowe when theis principles be ouer throwne a churche muste be set vp in an other place where ye maie freely make an order againe whiche shall be apparent to be moste commoditious to the vse and edification off the churche I cannot tell what they meane whiche so greatly delite in the leauinges off Popishe dregges They loue the thinges wherunto they are accustomed Firste off all this is a thinge bothe triflinge and Childishe furthermore this newe order farre differeth from a chaunge Therfore as I woulde not haue yow feirse ouer them whose infirmitie will not suffer to ascend an higher steppe so woulde I aduertise other that they please not them selues to muche in their foolishnes Also that by their frowardnes they doo not let the course off the holie buildinge Laste off all least that foolishe vaine glorie steale them awaie For what cause haue they to contende excepte it be for that they are ashamed to geue place to better thīges But I speake in vaine to them whiche perchaunce esteeme me not so well as they will vouchsaffe to admitt the consaile that commethe from suche an authour If they feare the evell rumor in Englande as though they had fallen from that Religion which was the cause off their banishment they are farre deceiued for this true and sincere Religion will rather compell them that theire remaine faithfully to consider in to what deepe gulff they haue fallen For there downefall shall more greuously wounde them when they perceyue your goinge forewarde beionde mid course from the whiche they are turned Fare ye well dearely beloued brethern and faithfull seruants off Christe the Lorde defende and gouerne yow from Geneua this 20. off Ian. Anno. 1555. Your Iohn Caluin WHen this letter of Caluins was redd to them of the congregation it so wrought in the hartes off many that they were not before so stowte to maintaine all the partes off the boke off England as afterward they were bent against it But nowe to returne Whiles these things were in doyinge the congregation as yow haue harde afore coulde not agree vpon anie certeine order till after longe debatinge to and fro it was concluded that maister Knox maister Whittingham Maister Gilby Maister Fox and Maister T. Cole shulde drawe forthe some order meete for their state and time whiche thinge was by them accomplished and offred to the congregation beinge the same order off Geneua whiche is nowe in print This order was verie well liked off many but suche as were bent to the booke off Englande coulde not abide it yea cōtention grewe at lenght so hot and the one partye which sought sinceritie so sore charged with newfanglednes and singularitie and to be the stirrers of cōtention and vnquietnes that Maister Gilby with a godly grieff as well apeared kneled downe before them and besought them withe teares to reforme their iudgementes solemelie protestinge that in this matter they sought not themselues but onely the glorie off god as he was verely perswaded wishinge farther that that hande whiche he then helde vp were stricken of if by that a godly peace and vnitie might ensue and followe In th ende an otherwaie was taken by the congregation whiche was that maister Knox and maister whittingham Maister parry and Maister leauer shulde deuise some order yff it might be to ende all striff and contention Thies 4. assembled for that purpos And first Maister Knox spake to the reste in this wise For so muche saithe he as I perceiue that no ende of cōtention is to be hoped for vnlesse the one parte somethinge relent this will I doo for my parte that quietnes maie insue I will shewe my iudgement howe as I think it maie be beste for the edification off this poore flocke whiche if ye will not accepte nor followe after that I haue discharged my conscience I will cease and cōmit the whole matter to be ordered by yow as yow will answere before Christ Iesus at the laste daie and to this his congregation in this liffe c. Wherupon after some conference an order was agreed vpō some parte takē forthe of the Englishe booke and other things put to as the state of that churche required And this order by the consent of the cōgregation shulde continewe to the laste of Aprill folowing yff anie contention shulde arise in the meane time the matter then to be determined by theis S. notable lerned mē to wete Caluin Musculus Martyr Bullinger and Vyret This agremente was put in wrytinge To that all gaue their consentes This daie was ioyfull Thanckes were geuē to God brotherly reconciliation folowed great familiaritie vsed the former grudges seemed to be forgotten Yea the holie communion was vppon this happie agremente also ministred And this frindshipp continued till the 13. off March folowinge at whiche tyme D. Coxe and others with him came to Frankford owte off Englande who began to break that order whiche was agreed vppon firste in answeringe alowde after the minister contrary to the churches
determination and beinge admonished theroff by the Seniors off the congregation he with the rest that came withe him made answere that they woulde do as they had donne in Englande and that they would haue the face off an English churche And the sundaie folowinge one off his company withowt the consent and knowledg off the congregation gate vpp suddainly into the pulpit redd the lettany and D. Cox withe his companie answered alowde wherby the determination off the churche was broken The same sundaie at after noone it came to maister Knox his turne to preache who hauinge passed so farre in Gen. that he was come to Noah as he laie open in his tente he spake theis wordes folowinge As diuers thinges saithe he ought to be kepte secret euen so suche thinges as end to the dishonor off God and disquieting of his churche ought to be disclosed and openly reproued And therupon he shewed howe that after longe trouble and contention amonge them a godly agremente was made and howe that the same that daie was vngodly broken whiche thinge became not as he saied the prowdest off them all to haue atteÌ„pted alleadginge furthermore that like as by the worde off God we muste seeke oure warrant for the establishing off religion and withowt that to thruste nothinge into anie Christian congregation so for as muche as in the Englishe booke were thinges bothe superstitious vnpure and vnperfect which he offred to proue before all men he would not consent that off that churche it shulde be receiued and that in case men woulde go abowte to burthen that free congregation therwith so ofte as he shulde come in that place the texte offringe occasion he woulde not faile to speak againste it He farther affirmed that amonge manye thinges whiche prouoked godds anger againste EnglaÌ„de slacknes to reforme religion when tyme and place was graunted was one And therfore it became them to be circuÌ„specte howe they laid their foundation And where some men ashamed not to saie that there was no let or stopp in Englande but that Religion might be and was already brought to perfection he proued the contrary by the wante off discipline Also by the troubles which maister Hooper Sustained for the Rochet and such like in the booke commanded and allowed And for that one man was permitted to haue 3.4 or 5. benefices to the great slaunder off the gospell and defraudinge off the flock off Christe off their liuely foode and sustenaunce These were the chieff notes off his sermon whiche was so stomaked off some especially off suche as had many liuinges in Englande that he was verye sharplie charged and reproued so soone as he came owte off the pulpit for the same The twesdaie folowinge was appointed to talke off thies thinges more at large When all were assembled earneste requeste was made that D. Coxe with his companie might be admitted to haue voices in the congregation Answere was made by others that the matter yet in controuersie amonge them ought firste to be determined SecoÌ„dly that they shuld subscribe to discipline as others had don before them and farther yt was greatly suspected that they had byn some off them at masse in Englande and others had subscribed to wicked articles as one off them shortly after euen in the pulpit sorowfully confessed For theis considerations and suche like The congregation withstoode the admission off D. Coxe and his companie â–ª Knox'at â—aste began to make intretie that they might haue their â—oâ—ces amonge the reste to whose requeste when certeine had yelded they then became the greater parte and so were by them admitted as members off the churche They thus admitted by the moste parte D. Coxe foorthwith forbad Knox to meddle anye more in that congregation The nexte daie beinge wensdaie whittingham wente to Maister Iohn Glauburge who was the chieff meane in obtaininge the churche and brake the matter vnto him declaringe howe that certeine nowe come owte off Englande had forbidden their minister apointed to preache that daie and intended to set vpp an other whiche he dowted woulde not be well taken And therfore leaste anie inconuenâ—ence shulde happe he thought good to make him priuie therto Wherupon the saied Magistrat sent immediatlie and gaue coÌ„maundement that ther shulde be no sermon that daie Afterwarde he sent for Valeran the frenche Minister commaundinge him that 2. lerned men shulde be appointed off either parte and that he and they shulde consulte and agree vppon some good ordre and to make report vnto him accordingly Then were apointed D. Cox and leuer off the one side and knox and whâ—ttingham on the otherside To decide the matter Valeran was appointed to put downe in writinge what they shulde agree vpon But when in this conference they came to the order off Mattins and that D. Coxe saide Ego volo habere there coulde be no agrement amonge them and so brake off wherupon the congregation drew vp a supplication in latten and presented it to the saied maister Glauburge requestinge him to be a meane that the same might be considered off amonge the Senators The Englishe wheroff was as folowethe The supplication to the Senate Let it not molest yow moste graue and worthie Senators that your affayers are letted with a fewe wordes And leaste we shulde trouble yow with prolixitie yow shall vnderstande the matter briefly When your great and vnspeakable humanitie through the prouidence of god had graunted vs a churche we vndertooke forthwith as became vs to consulte abowte the orders off the same and to set owâ—â— Liturgie And bicause we sawe that in the prolixe and Ceremonious booke of the liturgie of Englande be manie thinges that we maie speake no worse off it not moste perfecte it seemed beste to reduce it to the perfecte rule off the scriptures and to accommodate our selues to the ensamples off that churche where in we teache and to whom we haue subscribed But when this enterprise offended some off oure countriemen althoughe the greatest nomber agreed vnto vs for that we woulde decline from the decrees off our elders here vppon there grewe to vs for a fewe monethes no small trouble At the lenght wheÌ„ there appeared no ende for peace and concordes sake we gaue place to their will and suffred them at their pleasure to pike owte off their booke the chiefest or beste thinges vpon this condition that the same shulde continewe with owte alteration at the leaste vnto the laste daie off Aprill at the whiche daie iff there shulde anie newe contention arise that then all the matter shulde be referred to these 5. notable men Calvin Musculus Martir Bullinger vnd Viret What nedethe manie wordes This condition was willingly accepted and the couenaunte rated on bothe partes A writinge was also theroff to testifie the promesse made off the one to the other Moreouer thankes were geuen to god withe great ioye and common praiers were made for that men thought that daie to be th ende off discorde
Besides this they receyued the communion as the sure token or seale off their mutuall agremente whiche was omitted before by the space off 3. monethes Valaran also the frenche Minister was partaker off this communion and a furtherer off concorde and a wittnes off theis thinges Nowe of late daies certeine of our countrey men came to vs who haue indeuored by all meanes to obtrude that huge volume off ceremonies vpon vs to break the couenaunte and to ouerthrough the libertie off the Churche graunted by your beneuolence And no dowte this they enterprise and minde to do vnder the title and name off your defence Wherby they maie abuse the authoritie off your name to satisfie their â—ustâ— We are here coÌ„pelled to omitte manie thinges whiche woulde make for oure cause no lesse rightly then profitabâ—y but we remit thies to oure brethern for concordes sake Yow haue here moste honorable Sen. a brieff summe of oure case and contention wherby yow may easilie vnderstande what to iudge off the whose matter What manner off Booke this â—s for the whiche they so cruelâ—ie contende ye maie consider by the Epistle that Caluin lately wrote vnto vs in the whiche he hathe signified his minde aswell plainly off the booke as also off the vprightnesse off oure cause We coulde haue pointed owte vnto yow the foolishe and fonde things off the booke but passinge ouer an infinite nomber off thinges this one will we bringe for manie the whiche shal be necessarie well to be maâ—â—ed within these three yeres arose a great conflicte betweene the the Bishopps off the realme and the Bishoppe off Glocester Maister Hooper a man worthie off perpetuall memorie whom we heare to be burned off late This man beinge made Bishopp By kinge Edwarde there was obtruded by other B. off the same order accordinge to this booke a rocheâ—â— and and a bishops robe this man being well lerned and a longe tyme nourished and brought vp in Germany as soone as he refused thies proud thinges that fooles marveâ—l aâ— he was caste into prison and at lenght by their importunitie ouercome and relentinge he was compelled to his shame to geue place to their impudency withe the common grieff and sorowe off all godlye mindes But wherfore speake yow off theis thinges will yow saie that apperteneth nothinge to vs yes verely we thinke it touchethe yow verie moche for yff thies men armed by your authoritie shall do what they liste this euell shal be in tâ—me established by yow and neuer be redressed nether shall there for euer be anie ende off this controuersie in Englande But yff it woulde please your honorable authoritie to decree this moderation betweene vs that this whole matter may be referred to the iudgements off the fiue aboue named not we alone that are here present but oure whole posteritie yea oure whole engâ—ishe nation â— and all good men â—o the perpetuall memorie off your names shal be bownde vnto yow for this great benefit We might haue vsed moo wordes in this narration for we feared not that we shulde lake reasons but rather that tyme shulde faâ—â—e yow letted with more serious busines Therfore we by theis thinges leaue the reste to the consideration off your wisdomes The 22 off Marche maâ—ster Glauburge came to the Englishe Churche and shewed the congregation that it was commaunded them by the magistrateâ— when by his procurement the church was graunted that they shulde agree withe the frenche churche bothe in Doctrine and ceremonies and that they vnderstood howe the fallinge from â—hat order had bred muche dissention amonge them Therfore â—e straitâ—y charged and commaunded that from thenc foorthe they shulde not dissent from that order yff they did as he had opened the churche dore vnto them so woulde he shutte it againe And that suche as woulde not obey therunto shulde not tarie within that citie willinge them to consulte together owte off hande and to geue him an answere before he departed D. Coxe then spake to the congregation in this wise I haue saithe he redd the frenche order and do thinke it to be bothe good and godly in all pointes and therfore wished them to obaie the magistrates commaundement wherupon the whole congregation gaue consent so as before the Magistrate departed the churche D. Coxe leuer and whittingham made reporte vnto him accordingly D. Coxe also at that presente requested that it woulde please him notwithstandinge their ill behauiour to shewe vnto them his accustomed fauor and goodnesse whiche he moste iently and louinglie promised At the nexte meetinge off the congregation that order was put in practise to the comforte and reioycinge off the moste parte Neuertheles suche as woulde so faine haue had the booke of England lefte not the matter thus And for that they sawe Knox to be in suche credit withe many off the congregation they firste off all assaied by a moste cruell barbarous and bloudie practise to dispatche him owte off the waie to th ende they might withe more ease attaine the thinge whiche they so gredely sought whiche was the placinge of their booke They had amonge them a booke off his intituled an admonition to Christians written in the English tonge wherin by occasion he spake off the Emperour off Philip his sonne and off Marie then Queene off Englande This booke cericine off them presented to the Magistrates who vpon receipte off the same sente for whittingham and asked him off Knox their Minister what manner off man he was whittingham answered that suche a one their was amonge them and to his knowledge bothe a lerned wise graue and godly man. Then one off the Magistrates saied vnto him certaine off your countrie men haue accused him vnto vs Laesae Maiestatis Imperatoriae that is off high treason againste the Emperour his sonÌ„e and the Queene off England here is the booke and the places whiche they haue noted the true and perfect sence wheroff we commaunde yow sub pena pacis to bringe vnto vs in the latten tonge at one off the clock in the after noone which thinge he did accordingly at whiche time after certeine communication amonge themselues they commanded that Knox shulde preache no more till their pleasure were farther knowen The wordes concerninge the Emperour were theis spoken in the pulpit in a Towne off Buchingham sheere in the beginninge off Queene Maries raigne as by the saied booke apearethe where it is saied O Englande Englande yff thow wylte obstinately returne into Egipte that is yff thow coÌ„tracte mariage confederacy or leage with suche princes as doo maintaine and aduaunce ydolatrie suche as the Emperour who is no lesse enemie to Christ then was Nero yff for the pleasure and frindship I saie of such princes thow returne to thine oulde abhominations before vsed vnder Pâ—pistery then assuredly O England thow shalt be plaged and brought to desolation by the meanes off those whose fauour thow sekeste and by whom thow arte procured to fall from Christe and
whâ—che dissented from yow somewhat to yâ—lde yff they might conueniently soâ—t offended me that there was nothinge graunted or relented on your partes Bicause there was no man named vnto me I durste not entrâ—prise to medle with the matter leaste my credit shuld incurre the suspecte off raâ—henes Nowe that ye are more myleder and tractable in this controuersie and that ye haue as ye saie stilled the matter withe quietnes I am verie glad Verely no man well instructed or off a sounde Iudgement will deny as I think that lights and crossings or suche like trifles sprange or issued owte off superstition wherupon I am perswaded that they whiche reteine theis ceremonies in a freâ— choise or when they maie otherwise doo they are ouer greedy and desyrous to drink off the dregges nether do I se to what purpose it is to but â—hen the churche with tryfflinge and vnprofitable ceremonies or as I maâ—e terme them with their propre name hurtefull and offensible ceremonies when as there is libertie to haue a symple and pure order But I keepe in and refraine my selff leaste I shulde seeme to beginne to moue a newe contention off that maâ—ter whiche as yow reporte is well ended All good men will allowe the Pastours and other Ministers elections with common voices so that none complaine that the other parte off the churche was oppressed fraudulently and with craftye practises For it standethe your wisedomes in hande to consider that howe muche commoditie the goodnesse off the Senate dothe deserue so muche enuie shall yow be giltie off or charged withall yf yow haue abused their lenitie or gentlenesse whiche were so well affected towardes your nation Yet I woulde not haue this so taken that I go abowte to be preiudiciall to anie man but I had rather shewe plainely what maie be saide then to norishe an ill opinion by silence or in holdinge my peace But certenly this one thinge I cannot keepe secret that Maister Knox was in my iudgemen nether godly nor brotherly dealt withall iff he were accused by the subtill suggestion of certeine it had byn better for them to haue â—aried still in their owne lande then vniustly to haue brought in to farr countries the fierbrande off crueltie to set on fier those that woulde not be kindled Notwistandinge because it greueth me to speak sleightly off theis euells the remembrance wheroff I woulde wishe to be buryed in perpetuall forgetfullnes therfore I onely counsaile yow not withowt a cause to be wounded that ye applie your selues to make them amendes for the faulte committed When I harde that the one parte was minded to departe froÌ„ thens I earnestly admonished them as it became me that iff they coulde not well remaine there that the distance off place shulde not dissâ—pate or rent in sunder their brotherly agrement for I feared muche least that some priuie grudge off the former contention remained And certainely nothinge coulde more comforte my harte then to be delyuered from this feare For iff anie haplie come to vs it woulde grieue me that there shulde be as it were but a suspition off any secret debate betwene yow Therfore as touchinge that ye haue written off your agrement I desier that it maie be firme and stable that iff it chaunce the one parte to go to an other place yet that yow beinge so sundred by distance off places maie keepe sure the holie bande off off amitie for the fault alreadie committed is to muche although thorowgh discorde it creepe no further Wherfore it shall well be seeme your wisedomes that ye maie be frinds to purge diligentlie what so euer remainethe off this breache Fare ye well brethern the lorde succour yow with his aide and gouerne yow with his spirite powre his blessinges vpon yow and mittigate the sorowe off your exile From Geneua this last off maie Anno 1555. Your Iohn Caluin BYcause that Maister Caluin in his letter maketh mention off lightes some might gather that he was vntruely enformed that in the Englishe booke lightes were prescribed the contrary wheroff appeareth by the descrâ—ption before where it is manifest to such as be lerned that he vsethe the figure auxesis and that this is his argument a maiore ad minus for so muche as lightes and crossinges be 2. off the moste auncienstest ceremonies hauinge continued in the churche aboue 13 hundreth yere are yet for suche causes abolished howe muche more ought all other that haue noâ— had the like continuance and yet abused be vtterly remoued And for that maister Caluin in this letter earnestly wished that all strife shulde ceasse and that yff anie were minded to departe their departure might be suche as all occasions off offence might be cut of and cleane takeÌ„ awaie it was thought good to suche as were determined to go awaie with in 3. weekes after to folowe his counsaile And the rather for that some whiche tooke them selues to be lerned had openly termed their departure a sisme whervpon they wrote to the pastor Ministers and whole congregation this letter folowinge and deliuered it in the open congregation For so muche as through the benefit off God we haue obtained a churche in an other place we thought it good to aduertise yow of the same And to the intent that not onely slanderous reportes maie ceasse but also iff anie offence be either taken or geuen the same maie come to triall we desier that yow for your parte woulde apointe 2· Arbyters and we shall appointe other 2. Who hearinge our matters throughly opened maie witnes where the faulte restethe at whiche time we will vndertake to defende oure departure to be lawfull contrary to the slanderous reportes off some which vnlernedly terme it a schisme Thus farre brethern we thought good to signifie vnto yow thinkinge this to be the onely meanes of oure mutuall quietnes wheroff howe desirous we are our tedious and chargeable iourney maie be a sufficient proffe beinge throughly perswaded that hereby stryfe maie be ended charitie reuiued frindshipe continued Goddes glory aduaunced and oure brethern edified Fare ye well this 27. off August VVilliam VVilliams VVilliam VVhittingham Anthony Gilby Christopher Goodman Thomas Cole Iohn Fox Thomas VVood VVilliam Kethe Iohn Kelke Iohn Hilton Christ Soothous Nicholas Purfote Iohn Escot Thomas Crofton VVilliam VValton Laurence Kent Iohn Hollingham Anthony Carier WHen the Pastour had redd this letter openly to the congregation and was desired to knowe when they shulde haue an answere he saied vnto them that so farre as he perceiued it required none but that whiche might presently be made whiche was that they might departe seinge they were so minded It was replied that for so muche as it was manifest that they had byn slaundered not onely by letters into diuers partes but also by some that then were present who had affirmed their departure to be a schisme and farther that they coulde finde no indifferency at their handes it was thought necessarie to commit the hearinge off that controuersie to lerned
and indifferent iudges by bothe partes to be chosen wherby the faulte might appear where it was in dede and so they either excused or founde giltie D. Cox at lenght tolde them that their letter shulde be considered off and an answere shulde be geuen them the fridaie after On fridaie the 30 off Auguste bothe partes mette The Pastor accompanied with the Ministers and elders spake this vnto them It seemeth very fonde that arbytrers shuld be apointed to take vpp strife that maie come hereafter as your letter signifieth And furthermore ye write yff anie offence be taken or geuen whiche semethe as strange for this worde yff importethe a dowte so that yff ye dowte it is but follie to apointe arbitres fynally to excuse your departure yow call them vnlerned whiche iudge it a schisme but saithe he terme it as yow lifte yet can yow not let men to think And yff arbitres shuld pronounce it to be none yet mennes opinions will be diâ—â—â—s Now â—heâ—fore your answere shall be that iff anie man be offended either with any priuate maÌ„ or publiquely let him or them complaine to vs or yff they refuse vs to the Magistrat As for Arbitres we will appoint none Then spake whittingham and saied that it was to him no small wonder that men of suche lerninge and wisedome shuld so shrink in a moste equall requeste and so withowte all reason to cauill where no matter was offred For as concerninge saithe he the firste pointe it was not vnknowen to them that at that time thorough their occasion their was no small contention and that seinge they had geuen such offence it coulde not be but that mennes mindes were moued And therfore to th ende that contention shulde growe no farther Arbytres were very necessary who neded not to deliberate as he saied off thinges to come whiche were vncerteine â–ª but as the letter truly purporteth off iniuries longe agoo begonne yet continued and here after not like to be ended excepte some good meane were vsed to staie their slanderous letters and false reportes to the vtter perishinge and lose off mennes Good names And where ye seeme to be ofended that the letter shulde call them vnlerned whiche terme oure departure a schisme yow omitt saide D. Coxe the 2. pointe whiche is off no small importaunce to whom he answered that he thought he did them a pleasure in omittinge thinges of so small value notwithstandinge he woulde obaie his will but saithe he as touchinge this worde vnlernedly it was not vnaduisedly placed For either they be withowte lerninge and therfore maie be so called in dede or yff they beare the name off lerninge yet in this they shewed their vnskilfulnes for as muche as euery departure from a congregation was not a schisme nether were anie that departed for iuste causes schismatikes as we saith he will proue vnto yow yff yow will take oure reasonable and moste equall offre Naie saithe the pastor Arbitres in this point can litle availe for be it they iudged it none yet mennes thoughts are free and we knowe that all men be not off one mynde in sacraments and predestination shulde men therfore take arbitres Also saith he maister Caluin and Bullinger are against yow To this was answered that thoughtes yff they were not grownded vpon Goddes worde were euell neither was this controuersie off like force withe the matter off the Sacraments and predestination notwithstanding woulde to God that not onely the difference in those articles but also in all other whiche be off waight and importaunce might be decided by the authoritie off Goddes worde and arbytrement off godly lerned men But men maie iustly suspecte your cause to be nought whiche refuse the iudgments off the wise and godly And where yow saie that Caluin and Bullinger are againste vs yow abuse your selff and there names for we knowe bothe what they and other wryte as touchinge this matter Then the Pastor asked what schisma was but a cuttinge off from the body and that it was Caluins definition To this Whittingham answered that he woulde vndertake firste to proue that definition to be false and secondly to be nonone off Caluins definition for yff euery cuttinge off from the body shulde be a schisme then yow and all other whiche once had sworne to the pope and now haue refused him are schismatiques Then the pastor added from a churche well reformed Answere was made that a churche well reformed muste be builded vppon the doctrine off the Prophetes and Apostles the vnitie wheroff S. Paule comprehendeth in theis wordes one god one faithe one baptisme not beggerly ceremomies and obscurations although that sundry causes besides moued them to departe Then Maister Treherren asked whither the donatists were not schismatiques Yes saith Whittingham and also heretiques but yow are deceiued yff yow thinke that they seperated them selues for ceremonies It is manifest said Treherren that the churches off Asia were excommunicate as schismatiques for that they kepte not Easter at the same time that the Romaine churche did And it is no lesse euident said Whitthingham that Ireneus and other godly men aswell off that time as sithens haue sharply reproued and condemned Pope Victor for the same Here D. Coxe put Whittingham in remembraunce that he had not answered to the faultes off the letter Whittingham tolde him that as touchinge that poore worde yff he marueled howe it coulde Minister anie cauillation seinge the text ioininge therto was so plaine whiche declarethe bothe the offences by yow geuen and by vs taken And also your consciences beare yow witnes the thinge to be moste true excepte a man will be wilfully blinde and finde a knot in a rushe so that that worde yf mente not that we do dowte who were oppressed with infinit wronges but iff they woulde dissemble so farre that they mâ—ght seeme to dowte theroff yet at the leaste they woulde abide the tryall theroff before theis Arbitres But here the disputation brake vp with this plaine and finall answere that arbitres they shuld haue none and that yff they founde themselues greued they shulde seeke remedy where they thought Good and he the Pastor withe the reste off the congregation woulde answere them The nexte daie the Pastour D. Coxe maister parry and maister Asheley sent for Whittingham Thomas Cole Iohn Fox William Kethe Roger harte Iohn Hilton with certeine other demandinge off them what shulde be the cause off their departure Whittingham made answere that the daie before they had declared sufficiently and yet woulde farther shewe reasons yff they would permit the controuersie to Arbytrement And to the intent they shulde not counterfait ignorance amonge other theis were some causes firste their breach off promes established with inuocation off goddes name 2. Their ordreles thrustinge themselues in to the churche 3. Takinge awaie the order off discipline established before their comminge and placinge no other 4. The accusasion off maister Knox their godly Minister off Treason and seekinge his bloude 5. Their
ouerthrowinge off the common order taken and commaunded by the Magistrate 6. The displacinge off officers withowte anie cause alleadged 7. The bringing in off Papisticall superstitions and vnprofitable Ceremonies whiche were burthens yokes and clogges besides other thinges whiche yff they woulde abide the triall they shulde heare at large When he and some off the rest had rendred their reasons for their departure to this effecte certaine warme wordes passed to and fro from the one to the other and so in some heate departed Not many daies after the oppressed churche departed from Franck. to Basill and Geneua some stayinge at Basill as maister Fox with other The rest came to Geneua where they were receiued withe great fauour and mutche curtesie bothe off the magistrates Ministers and people So soone as they entred their churche they chose Knox and Goodman for their Pastor and Gilby requested to suplie the rome till Knox returned owte off france The lerned men whiche came from all places to Frank. abowte this matter when they had donne that whiche they came for they returned againe from whens they came and some to other places where they might saue charges and not to be either burthened or bownde to the excercises of the congregation so that the exile whiche was to many a poore man full bitter greuous and painefull was to some off the greatest persecutours off their poore brethetn as it were a pleasant progresse or recreation But nowe it shall be necessary to declare what order was taken in this newe erected congregation for the prosperous continuance off the same whiche thinge to do I cannot by a better meane then placinge here this letter folowinge whiche maister cole late deane off Sarum wrote to a frinde off his whiles yet he staied behinde his company in Franck. amonge them his letter is yet to be seene The holie spirit off God that guideth the children off God in truthe and godlines be your comforte thorough oure mercies seate Iesus Christe now and for euer Amen THe tempeste off the swellinge seas whiche in times paste thretned shipwrack to euery vessell that sailed with a faire winde and full sailes to the porte off blessed truthe whiche off her selffe is stronge ynoughe with owte anye barr or wall off mannes inuentions are somewhat the lorde be praised caulmed to me warde so that withowt farther reasoninge they permit me to my conscience as touchinge their ceremonies The cause I iudge is not for that they beare lesse loue to them then in tymes past but that they perceiue the sturdy defendinge off them to worke them that they looke not for or rather that whiche they are lothe to se namely the decreasinge off their companie â–ª yet they labour with policie what they maie or can to preuent this daunger but yet that whiche they feare I suppose will fall vpon them vnlesse god geue them to repent their olde faultes and humble them more to knowe them selues They haue set vp an vniuersitie to repaier againe their estimation by mainteinance of lerninge whiche surely is well done that was fondly brought in decaie by willfull ignorance in defendinge off ceremonies to the whiche Maister horne is chosen to be the reader off the Hebrue lecture Maister Mullings off the Greke and Maister Treherren when he is stronge shall take the diuinitie lecture in hande Maister Whitthead was appointed therunto but bicause he woulde escape the labour off the lecture for iuste causes as he saide he forsooke the pastorall office also stowtly as yow knowe denyinge to be in office anie longer Great holde there was abowte this matter in the congregation in so muche as they hasted to a newe election and verie fewe as it semed were off a contrary minde no not his owne frindes sauinge Maister makebray and Maister Sorby who desired him to take respit and the congregation to geue it But some lookinge for the office themselues woulde not in suche a matter suffer delay but againe Demaunded off Maister Whithead whither he woulde keepe his office or no supposinge that he whiche had so stowtely denied it in worde woulde not soone be flexible to the contrary But he perceauinge that some woulde haue had him owte one the one side and by leauinge off it his estimation was like to decaie on the other side for many rough wordes were geuen him when occasion off intretie was offred non respuit conditionem by that meanes bringinge to him selfe wittily a triple commoditie one the preuentinge off them whiche looked for the office an other the refusall off the diuinitie lecture Thirdly a faster growndinge himselff in that office whiche he lefte in mouthe but as it semed not in harte Thus ended that comedie But shortly after notwithstandinge a vehement sermon made for the purgation from mannes inuentions the seas begin againe to swell so fickle an element is water for Maister Kent hauinge a childe to Christen purposinge to haue it done simplie withowte the bewtifinge off mennes traditions came with his childe accordinge to the frenche order whiche we once receiued and one to holde it there to professe his faith yff it were required but the pastor denied the Christening vnles 2. Godmothers were had after the order off the booke as concerninge the Godfather Maister Makebray who is nowe comme to that office supplied it A lucky matter is attained at Wezell in Westphalia an open churche for oure Englishe men to whiche bicause off nighnesse they feare many will go from hence but moo wil come owte off Englande to yt I pray yow commende me to M. Tell him that Maister wisedom railed on them that were gon to G. Callinge them mad heades with many pretye names I will not saie vnwysely But I maye well say vncharitably in whiche Sermon he shewed him selff an Antagonist for the booke off Englande c. Your Thomas Cole SHortly after thies thinges to wete the 6. off Ian. When as maister Whithead gaue vpp off his owne good will as he saide the pastorall office Maister horne was in the election to succede him who protested that he woulde not medle therwith till he were cleared off certeine suspitions which some had bruted to the discredit off his ministerie and obtaininge his requeste he withe the Seniors entred the churche the first off marche Anno Domini 1556. were they receiued all such persons as members off that churche which were contented to subscribe and submit themselues to the orders off the same From whiche tyme forward the troubles and contious were so sore amonge them that who so shall well waie it with due consideration I ween he shall think it to be the iuste iudgement off our righteous God that fell vpon them for supplantinge a churche there before them in great quietnes and off muche sinceritie The historie of that sturre and strife which was in in the Englishe church at Franckford from the 13. daie off Ian. Anno Domini 1557. forwarde THere fell a certeine controuersie the xiij daie off Ian. at supper betwene
must vnderstand contrary to the olde discipline For where they coulde not iustâ—y finde faulte with those thiÌ„gs that the churche had done they made cauillation at the manner off doinge off things as an vnordinary manÌ„er And we answered as well manye other things grewe now by occasion off that matter as this chiefly in case Maister Chambers or anie other man either woulde or coulde shewe anie ordinarie waie in the olde discipline wherby the congregation or anie other might comâ— mence matter and proceade against him or againste a Senior or Seniors beinge accused or howe we might proceade ordinarely according to the olde discipline in causes wherin he aÌ„d the seniors were the one parte as they nowe were proued to be And yff Maister Horne or anie other man either woulde or coulde shewe the tytle or wordes in the ould Discipline wherin this ordinarie waie is set forthe and conteined Then we would confesse thvt we had gon amisse owt off the ordynary way and olde discipline But yff neither he nor anie other woulde or coulde shewe in deede that they would not be discontent at vs that reduced the congregation to their right authoritie and amended that olde discipline as athinge amisse or filled it vp as a thinge vnperfect and brought the matter to the hearinge off the churche as it ought to be And that they woulde at lenght geue ouer to vaunte them selues so off the order whiche they neuer had or to blame vs hereafter for proceading vnordinarely The summe off this answere we dyuyded in to certein Articles and sent them pryuately to Maister Horne to peruse requiring his answere to the same vnd also we sticked them vpon the puâ—pit in the churche where they remained a great many daies And where it was required in that same writinge that Maister Horne or the Seniors or some other man shulde make answere vnto thes matters there is no man yet hitherto that hather made anye answere either by worde or by writinge sauinge that Maister Horne fallinge to his olde generall answere saide he woulde make answere when he were ordinarely called or questioned withe for by this shift he thinkethe he vndoeth all dowtes at once where as in dede to answere after that sorte is to answere nothing at all but to pretend false causes to holde his tonge when he is able to shewe no reason for himselff For this was his meaninge that he is not ordinarely called nor questioned with all nor accused ordinarely sauinge onely before him selff and the Seniors as Iudges Where as they bothe in their geuinge ouer off their ministery and in the principall cause against maister Ashley were the aduersary parte so that by his iudgement there is no ordinary waie to medle against the pastor and Seniors excepte they call themselues to be hearers of their owne cause and their owne Iudges themselues For other ordinary waie against the pastor and Seniors in that olde discipline off theirs neither he nor anie other shall be hable to shewe After this when those 8. Persons which were appointed by the Churche to heare the variance betwene Maister Horne and Maister Chambers one thoneside and Maister Asley one the other side shulde proceade in the hearinge off that matter Maister Horne and Maister Chambers whiche had absented themselues nowe 11. daies from the churche were commaunded by the Magistrate the 12. off February for that daye they and certeyne others were seen with the Magistrate that they shuld in no wise comme at our church when we harde off yt we had maruell fyrste that the matter was comme to the Magistrats eare for Maister Horne and the reste testified the 2. off February by their owne hand writinge that they would neuer open it to the Magistrate and secondarely seinge Maister Horne and Maister Chambers coulde by no meanes be intreated to come to the churche yt semed awonder that yt was commaunded by the Magistrats that they shulde not come as though they had byne desyrous to come whiche in dede neded not Therfore the moste parte thought that that commaundement was obtained by their owne sute at the Magistrates hands bothe that such persons as knewe not the matter shuld be perswaded that yt was longe off the Magistrats commaundement that they did not their offices in the Church Where as before this Commaundement was geuen they had off a purposed frowardnes absented themselues now allready more then ten dayes from the congregation And also besides that the congregation might not proceade agaynst them seinge the Magistrate commaunded them that they shulde not appeere And this was the very let in dede why the congregation proceaded not in hearinge and determining off the varyance betweene Maister Horne and Chambers off the one partie and Ashley on the other And in this they burthen vs maliciously with owte cause As thoughe we woulde haue Ashley ridd from Iudgment off that matter and as though that were the onely thinge whiche was sought in oure contention where as in deede yt was longe off them that his cause was not determined Wetherfore hauing knowledge off this matter for feare least we shulde be falsely accused as though we had vttered yt to the Magistrate and had seemed first to haue accused our brethern vnto the Magistrate whiche we might not abide to do assembled together in the churche the 13. off Februar and there was openly recited in writing this that folowith Forasmuche as oure contention is alreadie bruted abroad not onely through this citie but also come to the Magistrats eare for we heare saie that maister Horne and maister Chamber were commaunded by the magistrat yester daie that is the 12. off Febr. that they shulde in no wise come at the congregation till the magistrate had fuller knowledge off the maâ—ter we professe that neither Maister Horne nor Maister Chamber nor no man els was complained vpon to the magistrate by vs or any off vs or by oure meanes but that we sought rather by all diligent endeauor that the matter shuld not come abroade but that all matters might haue byn secretly agreed amonge oure selues and that we woulde all men shulde vnderstand by this oure writinge This done those that knewe themselues to be of an vpright coÌ„scieÌ„ce in this behalf were reqâ—â—red to set their handes to that writinge and so there were 37 hands subscribed as appearethe in the actes off the 13. off Febru And were Maister Horne and Maister Chamber beinge so often desyred by all instant means off the congregation that they woulde be content to haue all maâ—ters pacified amonge â—e by brotherly communication did neuer suffer them selues to be â—alked with all off anie matter leaste they shuld afterward alleadge to suche as knewe not the matter that they did it off force bicause off the magistraies commaundement whiche forbad them to come to the congregation All the tyme wherin they absented them selues and contemned so manie desires and intreties off the churche to haue met vpon agrement makinge before anie commaundement was
be shall declare vnto the Magistrats wherin likewise the congregation cannot admit Maister Chambers to the office off Senior for certeâ—n Causes And for the rest off the Seniors We saie they geue vnto the Magistrats right humble thankes This done those 3. men whiche came vnto them with the Magistrats edicte did earnestlie exhorte firste in the magistrates name and efâ—sones in their owne to fall to a quiet agremente amonge them selues for that were more honestie then to accuse one an other vnto the congregation Whiche thinge as it is most vnworthly off Christen men so is it vnto vs specially that professe our selues banished for the gospell sake Answere was made in the name off the churche as foloweth We wishe for a brotherly peace from the bottome off our hartes praing Maister Horne and Maister Chambers instantly to bend their mindes vnto quietnes and moste hartely besechinge theis 3 men our brethereÌ„ and banished for the same gospell that we are that they will helpe with their authoritie to set a quietnes amonge vs so as the matter shulde come no more to the Magistrats eare Theis 3. answered that they woulde heare what answer Maister Horne and Maister Chambers would make hereto Maister Horne answered seing the matter is allready before the M the magistrat shall haue the hearing and determining off it Iff anie had ought against him let them put it vp in writing before the magistrate for he was ready to answere all men and either he woulde trie his innocencie or being founde faultie suffer punishement for the same Maister Chambers made like answere for himselff Then for as muche as there could be no other ende the congregation requested those 3. graue and lerned preacherâ—â— to make reporte to the magistrate off their desier And readines to haue agrement And so they as soone as theis things were put in writinge departed And the churche also made an acte off that daie subscribing with their hands to the same The same daie at after noone the Magistrates hauing more plaine intelligence off the matter commaunded by their edicte subscribed with their handes that Maister Horne and Maister Chambers shulde medle no more the one with the pastorshipp and the other withe the Seniorshipp till all the controuersies were throughly harde and decided And commaundement was geuen that the eight daie after whiche was the 3. off marche suche as had to saie off anie parte shuld be present This matter was greuous to the church as maâ—e be thought that things shuld growe to suche extremitie When they had gathered certeine matter they exhibited it to the Magistrates when as they came to the Englishe churche where all the company were assembled before them whiche was the last off February Where the Magistrates made an ende by their owne authoritie off the controuersie as shall be saide here after The laste off Feb. the Magistrate came to oure Temple a litle before ten off the clock and there off his authoritie reconcilied certeine off the congregatioÌ„ that were at variaunce amonge them selues and tooke order that all former offences shulde be vtterly extincte and buried in the graue off forgetfulnes Wheruppon at the commaundement and in the presence off this Magistrate the parties ioined handes together in token that they were reconcilied and were Good frinds and lovers Afterwarde the pastor Elders and Deacons were put from their Ecclesiasticall functions by an Edict signed and subscribed with three off the Magistrates handes and were all made priuate men as the rest off the congregation And by the same edicte off the Magistrates it was decreed that that congregation might freely when they woulde chuse either them or other ministers likewise it was permitted and graunted that accordinge to the abilitie off the congregation they might chuse one or many ministers off the worde or doctors Moreouer order was taken by the same Edicte that the treasure or common monie off the congregation shulde be kept and distributed by the Deacons And that the Deacons shulde at certeine appointed times geue vpp an accounte off it before the Ministers off the worde and Seniors We were licenced by the same Edicte off the magistrats to drawe owte an Ecclesiasticall Discipline wherby the congregation shuld be gouerned Afterward there was thankes geuen to the magistrate in the name off the whole congregation for his singuler good will and affection to the congregation And the magistrate deparâ—â—â— wisshinge well in like sorte to the companie But by whâ—â—e meanes the magistrat came thus vnto vs and toke such order or whither the Magistrate off himselff wrought this deuise we cannot certeinly saie But that we off the churche were not the cause that anie suche thinge was done we take God and oure consciences and the magistrate to witnes who knoweth the whole matter The morowe after whiche was the firste off marche the Magistrate gaue vs Counsaile by a fewe lynes that he wrate vnto vs to drawe forthe the Ecclesiasticall Discipline owte of hande whiles we were as yet all priuate men and therfore might best take counsaill for that that shulde be moste behouable for the whole companie leste that yff we differred the doinge off it vntill the Ministers were chosen and appointed oure coÌ„sultation shulde be more troublesome whiles the ministers on the one side and the congregation on the other might pluck and force more vnto them selues then off right they ought This most wholsome and profitable counsell off the Magistrate was the nexte daie after whiche was the 2. off marche proposed in the congregation and it liked and pleâ—sed the whole company notwithstanding bicause Maister Horne made some matter for that some were absent the matter was differred vnto the nexte daie The thirde off marche by the aduise off that Good and godlie magistrate eight and thirtie off the congregation chose by voices 15. men to write Ecclesiasticall lawes Maister Horne and Maister Chambers and almoste to the nomber off 14 moo saâ— by and woulde geve no voices notwithstanstandinge that we requested and intreated them But they required they might haue leaue to put downe there minds in writinge So then beinge requested to write downe their mindes Maister Horne rose vpp and wrate in the paper in theis wordes folowinge My minde is that the olde discipline be kepâ—e still and not mended Maister Chambers and Maister Isaac and other to the noâ—ber off 14. wrote downe their mynds to the selff same purpose Nowe when we saw farâ— beyounde oure expectation and otherwise then we looked for that there was a newe dissention arâ—singe betweene vs being set at one and recoÌ„ciled one to the oâ—her not scarse 3. daies before and in witnesse therof had geueÌ„ handes eche to other we coulde not otherwise doo but be greued and sorowe greatly to se the growndworke of mo troubles and dissentions laide And bicause those 14. gaue to vnderstande by their hands put downe vnto it in writinge that they thought it noâ— Good to alter their olde discipline to the ende
and yet woulde not meete with the others at the appointed time would requeste a copie not so muche to knowe the discipline as to sturre vpp newe broiles Neuertheles when the Magistrate had once seene it leaue to be geuen to anye man that woulde to se it Withe this answere they and some others beinge offended at the second readinge off the discipline they departed a waye and abstained agayne with their whole howsoldes from the churche from publick prayers and sermons whiche thinge blewe vp and increased the reporte off our disagrements and striffes Neither woulde they from that time forwarde vnlesse they were commaunded by the magistrate come to the churche when as notwithstandinge they coulde not shewe vs anie iuste cause to be giuen them why they shulde so departe from the churche and refraine the publicke prayers and godly sermons as yff we had byn Ethnickes or publicannes The 25. daie oure discipline was read the 3. time and the 26. daie it was read the forthe tyme by the commaundement off the Magistrate at the reading wheroff all Englishe men that were off the churche were commaunded to be present The 30. off marche it was read the fyfte tyme and so at diuers times there subscribed 42. in the good allowance theroff whiche was the greater parte by a greate deale off the churche For the whole churche at that present had not aboue 62. And bycause nowe the marte was at hande that there might be some better forme off a well ordred churche fiue were appointed off the churche the 20. off marche to nominate certeine from amonge whom accordinge to the Magistrates decree shulde be chosen the Ministers off the worde Seniors and Deacons The 21. off marche the names off twentie men or there abowte were proponed to those fiue appoynted off the churche and therwithall declared that yff anye woulde or coulde reproue anye off them that were named either in doctrine or manners they shulde shewe it the 23. daie after Vpon the 2â— daie none fyndinge anie faulte in anie of those whose names were propounded it was agayne decreed that yet yff they had anie thinge to saie against anie man they shulde declare that the 21. daie folowing The 25 off marche Maister Chambers maister Binkes Maister Ade Maister Brikbek maister Benâ—ham who were amonge them that were named tolde the churche that yf peraduenture they shulde be chosen for certeine causes they coulde not serue the churche and that they signified this to the churche in time leaste the election were frustrat But when no man coulde obiecte anie faulte in theis or other that were named the election off the Ministers was made the 29. off marche and the ordeininge off them that were chosen was appointed of the churche the daie folowinge In the meane season Maister Horne and Maister Chambers and certaine other lefte not off to sue to the Magistrates that bothe oure election might be hindred and also that it might be lawfull for them to be off our churche and yet not to subscribe to oure Dysciplyne the thinge that they them selues notwithstanding would neuer graunt to anye others The 2â— off Marche after dmner it began to be muttred off certeyne that the Magistrate had forbydden that we shulde go forwarde in the election the whiche thinge surely greued vs for by that meanes we sawe that we shulde haue no forme of a Churche before the marte and that therfore we shulde become a reproche to all men which seemed shulde be spred amonge all nations But this rumor was altogether vaine for the 29. of marche which was the daie before the election shulde be after the sermon the decree of the Magistrate was openly reade in the churche wherin it was commaunded that we shulde take in hand and performe the election off the Ministers in the same order and vpon the same daie that we had apointed and that all Englishe men that were off oure churche shulde be present the same daie at the election and geue their voices The 29. daie off Marche after praiers the sermon and publique faste a litle before twelue the election off the Ministers began to be made and when we were in the middeste off the election â–ª Maister Horne Maister Chambers and others to the nomber off 18. men who before were neither with vs at the sermon nor at praiers but had kepte themselues in some howses not farre from the churche beinge warned of their side that had watched vs in the churche came in suddanlie on a troupe together in to the churche and there eche one striuethe who shall caste in his bill firste vpon the table standinge in the middeste off the churche all whiche bylles conteined one matter and writen almost with like wordes to witt that they coulde not geue their voices in the same election bicause they coulde not off their consciences alowe that discipline by whiche the election was made And that they might enlarge their nomber they brought with them 2. billes off those that were absent and off some others whiche neuer were accompted off the churche And so after they had troubled oure election and after Maister Horne also walking with an other a litle while ouerwhart in the middest off the churche all in a manner departed againe Afterwards the election was fully ended at one off the clock at afternoone there were chosen 2. Ministers off the worde .6 Seniors and 4. Deacons Nowe the Deacons were besides the wonted custome off oure churche off the nomber off those that coulde lyue of their owne for that the common treasure might seeme withowte all suspition to be committed to suche rather then to the poorer sorte â–ª Nowe in that maister Horne neither anie off the other that were before in the Ministerie excepte onely maister Willforde were chosen againe to the Ministerie was specially through their owne faulte For Maister Horne neuer almoste ceased for certeine daies to professe openly that he woulde neuer exercise againe anie Ecclesiasticall ministerie in that churche and beinge before appointed by the magistrate to preache in oure churche he would neuer so muche as once preach And maister Chambers when his name amonge the reste to be chosen was propounded the 25. off marche he professed openly in the churche all men hearinge it before the election that though he were chosen off vs to some Ministerie yet that he woulde neuer vse it And therfore that we shulde not in anie case chuse him vnlesse we woulde haue oure election to be frustrate Wherfore it is no maruell yff they were not chosen who least they shulde be chosen did them selues openly denounce it And therfore in this they do vs great wronge that would seeme to beare men in hande that they were at the firste thruste owte off their ministerie by vs or longe off vs they were not chosen in againe Maister Isaac in like manner Maister Binks Maister Brickbek and Maister Escote openly professed that they woulde in nowise vse any publique ministerie in oure churche And here
vpon it came specially to passe that onely Maister willford who had not made anie suche exception was from amonge theÌ„ which were before in the ministery chosen agayne The thirde off Aprill the Magistrate who desired that theis churche dissentions off oures might be pacified and quietted and he now bicause off the marte had no leasure to do the same writeth his letters to D. Cox D Sandes and maister Bartue in whiche he exhorteh them that they yff they coulde by anie conueniente meanes as arbitres off some estimation ende this striffe amonge vs. Nowe when either side was come before them and all we in the name off the churche for all had graunted oure controuersies to be harde and determined with owte anye exception at all to them and to other arbytres what so euer whom they shulde call vnto them and had offred this thinge to the arbytres written and all oure names subscribed vnto it Maister Horne Maister Chambers and others firste requested that maister Horne might be restored to his office off pastorshippe Maister Isaac Maister Chambers and others into their offices off Seniors and the olde discipline into his former place and autoritie so as they were in the beginninge off theis controuersies For then said they will we leaue all controuersies to the arbitres When we had refused this as moste vniuste and vnreasonable then they requested that seinge we woulde not restore the olde discipline and them to their former authoritie that then we would suffer oure discipline and Mynisters to be none otherwise then their olde withowte all authoritie and no minister at all nor discipline to be in oure churche but that the matter shulde remaine in that state and condition that it was in the last off February when the Magistrate hauinge put all the ministers from their offices departed froÌ„ vs and so shuld the mater be lefte to arbitres Whan we remembred what and howe great trauelles that discipline election off Ministers had coste vs and sawe that by this meanes oure churche shulde be made destitute off Ministers and a large windowe to be opened for newe contentions and had also denied that thinge Maister Horne requested that it might be lawfull for him to goo a litle a side and to consulte with some off his side abowte the whole matter A litle after returninge againe and sainge that they woulde leaue no waie vnsought after wherby peace might be gotton although they yelded muche from their right Then he readeth a certeine bill to those 3. appointed off the magistrate and to vs writen in his owne name and the names off others which I haue added vnder here writen worde for worde least anie man shulde thinke that anie thinge off purpose were altred by vs. The Bill off maister Horne and Others WE offre and permit with moste willinge myndes hauinge the licence of the magistrate as it maye well be for this purpose that all oure controuersies and contentions what so euer whiche haue byn sowe and brought in amonge vs sitheÌ„s the beginnige of this breache and synce the firste daie we began to striue vntill this present time and houre to be debated decided and determined by Arbytres beinge none off this oure congregation and yet from amonge the brethern oure countrie men equally and indifferently by the parties disagreinge to be chosen vpon this condition that not onely the election off Mynisters and besides all others thinges don by the order off the saied discipline stande in suspence to be allowed or dissalowed by the determination and iudgemente off the arbytres to be chosen as is aforesaide writen the 5. off Aprill Anno 1557. And that the indifferent reader maie by comparinge their offre and oures se whiche is moste resonable we haue added oures also writen owte worde for worde as we offred it vpp before the forsaied Maister Bartue D. Coxe and D. Sandes and to the dissentinge brethern The copie wheroff is this WE submit our selues and are contented to commit all maner off controuersies that haue here tofore rysen amongest vs in the churche to suche Arbitres as the magistrate hathe apointed and to all suche as they call vnto them to the hearinge aÌ„d determininge therof accordinge to gods word and godd reason And thus symplie and plainely withowte anie manner off excepâ—ion or condition In witnes wheroff we haue subscribed oure names the 5. off Aprill Anno 1557. Thow maiste se here gentle reader that albeit we had oure Discipline writen and allowed off a 11. off the 15. men whom the congregation by the Magistrates authoritie had apointed to wit the Dyscipline and therupon confirmed with the hands off 42. men which was the greateste parte off our churche by a great deale Albeit we had also all eccleasticall ministers by the magistrats decree and the authoritie of the congregation lawfully elected yet for quietnes sake we put all to the Arbitres wholie either to be allowed or disalowed with owte anie manner off exception But maister Horne and maister Chambers and others sekinge more their owne will then anie quiete agremente woulde not at the first admit those three Arbitres appointed off the magistrates For Maister Horne made exception againste some off them And afterwardes woulde abide no order or offre vnlesse we wolde with oure subscriptions suffer and commit oure discipline the election off ministers and all other matters off oure churche to stande in suspence as they call it so that by their dryfte we shulde haue had no discipline no certein ministery no order and so consequently no churche They would that thies Arbiters shulde be chosen indifferenly from amonge suche as were oure countrie men But not of oure congregation so that it shulde be lawfull for them to chuse where they lyste and whom they liste Nowe consider with me who so euer thow arte indiffent reader yff we firste hauinge geuen and sealed oure writinge in the name off the whole churche had granted our discipline ministers and all other orders off oure churche to stande in suspence vntill they shulde either be allowed or disalowed of the arbitres chosen in suche sorte and till maister Horne and Maister Chambers accordinge to their canuasinge craftines nowe ynough and more then ynough knowen vnto vs had chosen Arbitres for their parte owte off farr places who either coulde not or ells woulde not meete together abowte this matter or whiche was moste certeine to come to passe yff Maister Horne and Maister Chambers whersoeuer at lenght they had choosen arbitres had not for all that chosen suche for their side who vnlesse thinges vvere don accordinge to their ovvne minde vvould decree nothinge at all But the Arbitres disagreinge on bothe sides the matter shulde be lefte vndon vvhat then shulde haue become off oure churche vvith thies their suspensyue ministers and vvitherhe discipline and all other thinges For the condition offred vpp off Maister Horne and Maister Chambers vvas declared to be this that so longe all shulde remaine in suspence till they shuld be allowed or
disalowed by the arbytres so that yff the arbyters shulde haue bin deuided equally as many times it comethe to passe the Ministers off the churche might determine nothinge but the Discipline and all other thinges muste continually hange in suspence Againe the churche thoughe it were in great perill and daunger yet least it shulde leaue anye waye vnproued for the obtayninge off peace bicause they thought that some off those three were not meete whom the magistrates had appointed for Arbitres offred vpp an other bill conteining alltogether the selff same matter and write withe the same wordes that they woulde stande to the Iudgement off any other Arbitres who so euer beinge chosen indifferently by the other partie from amonge oure countrie men and leaue all thinges to them plainely and symplie withowte anie exception or condition to be determined and decided But they would allowe no condition offred off vs vnlesse we woulde firste by the subscribinge off oure names allowe that moste vniuste and vnreasonable condition off thers and by oure preiudice condemne oure Mynisters oure Discipline and all other thinges that we had donne And so by this meanes had opened a gapp to them to ouerthowe oure churche And when they had thus behaued them selues before Maister Bartue D. Cox and D. Sandes yet certeine off them when nowe the marte was in the chieff flowre reported through owte the whole cytie that we had reiected their most iuste and paeceable requestes and that we were alltogether troublesome men and plainely bent to suffer no peace nor quietnes howbeit we had rather that they shuld shewe theis thinges that are false off vs to others then that they together with others shulde openly deride oure follie yff we had yelded to such requests as they that with oure great â—oile and trauell had to the quiete off the churche establyshed some churche and nowe vppon a suddaine by the subscribinge off one bill thorough headinesse and foolishe facilitie shulde haue ouerthrowen the whole But they when they coulde not obtaine this went abowte this verie buselie that the whole churche might then be dissolued and broken vpp For Maister Chambers for halff a monethe space and more would geue nothinge to anie man that remained in the churche and folowed not maister Horne and him departinge from the churche To certeine other also he woulde geue nothinge at all whiche were in the publique Ministerie to preache the word and reade lectures and also in the exercise of disputinge by his owne appoyntemente and the order taken by Maister Horne alwais from the time sithens they came to oure churche when nowe they were for their bourde in debte to their hostesses for 4. monethes neither had don anie other faulte vnlesse it were bicause they remained in their functions off preachinge and readinge lectures in whiche they were placed by Maister Horne and Maister Chambers leaste the churche shuld altogether be destitute bothe off sermons and lectures Onely bicause in this dissention they agreed not with them and tooke their partes and had with them withdrawen them selues from the churche that it might be vtterlie scattered wheÌ„ as notwithstandinge which is moste vnhonest they had promised to geue 3. monethes warninge before they woulde forsake them whiche notwithstandinge Maister Chambers affirmed they woulde neuer do vnlesse it were that they were constained by extreame necessitie Abowte the middest off the marte or a litle after ther beganÌ„e a rumor to be spread off the departure of maister Horne and maister Chambers from this citie but whither they woulde go or whither they woulde at all departe it was yet vncerteine For neither was it likely that maister Chambers hauinge gathered so muche common mony and that by the authoritie and in the name off the churche seinge he had bin here so longe with owte makinge off anie accoumpte to the churche woulde go awaie in suche sorâ—e Neither was it credible that M. Horne who had gouerned in his pastorall office and charge so longe no reconciliation nor pacification beinge made for so great offences woulde so departe yea not so muche as haue taken his leaue of the churche In the meane time it is incredible to be spoken but more shameful to be hearde what reportes certeine had spred that marte tyme secretly and especially amonge the rycher sorte that were able to helpe the poore off oure churche forsoothe that there were certeine traitors amonge vs That we desired to knowe the names off those persons that were liberall towardes the poore off oure churche to the ende to betraie them and vndoo them That we had caste our Pastor and Ministers owte headlonge from ther ministeries and offices In all whiche thinges they went aboute nothinge ells but to stirre vp newe braules and contentions And that they maie alienate the hartes off the welthie sorte from vs and so bringe the poore of oure churche first to famine and then vs into deadly hatred off them as thoughe they were by vs throwen in to theis miseries But foras muche as all theis thinges are vaine and vntrue and fained by the secret sleightes off those priuie whisperers who dare speake nothinge openly we haue thought them rather to be contemned theÌ„ to be answered hopinge that at laste when they are weary off lyinge they will be quiet But iff they go forwarde still to belie vs so impudently and outragiously surely we will not neglecâ—e oure fame and honest estimation but we wil diligently wipe awaie all their slanders with one spunge and there with all will open to the worlde their wicked endeauors against oure churche In the meane time nothinge distrustinge the lordes mercie how soeuer the deceites off men would let it hopinge that neither liuinge nor foode shall euer want to oure poore congregation who also feedeth the rauens and that he will allwaies be present by his spirit to vs and to oure whole churche continually whiche thinge that it maie please him to bringe to passe we beseche the good reader who so euer thow art praie vnto god togither with vs and farewell Here folowithe the exhortation off the Magistrate for the amendinge and establishinge off the Discipline The Englishe Thus. WE think it Good and profitable for the establishinge off peace and tranquilitie off your churche that yow altogether consulte and determine as concerninge the amendinge off discipline nowe whiles ye all be yet priuate men and withowte anie Ecclesiastâ—call ministerie For whiles none off yow dothe yet knowe wither he shall be a priuate person or ells shall haue anie authoritie Ecclesiasticall euerie man man wiâ—l applie his minde and studie to that whiche shall seme moste reasonable and profitable aswell for the coÌ„gregation as for the Mynisters But after that the Mynisters be once elected it is to be feared leaste they will drawe some what more then reason to themselues and in likewise the congregation to it selff And so your consulation maie chaunce to be somewhat troublous whiche we woulde not shuld happen Wherfore that all thinges maie
the saide sermon off the whiche no better forme in oure iudgement can be then Caluins Catechâ—sme receiued in so manye churches and translated into so manie languages â–ª yt is thought good therfore that the preacher off the saied Catechisinge sermon foâ—lowe the good order off that Catechisme in his sermons and confirme tâ—e godâ—y doctrine off the same by the scriptures and after the same sermon the common praier and seruice to be exercised and fynished as at other tymes Item that the one preacher beinge sick the other shall doo or see donne by other fit persons as is before saied all the dewtie and dewties to the other so sick belonginge Item that a lecture off diuinitie and disputations for the exercise off students yff it maie be be mainteined or ells that prophesie be vsed euery fortnight in the Englishe tong for the exercise off the saied studentes and edifinge of the congregation or bothe disputations and Prophesie also iff it so shall seeme good vnto the ministers and Seniors Item that such as shall therunto seeme moste meete off the congregation shall be appointed to translate into Englishe some such bookes as shall be profitable either for the instructioÌ„ or for the comforte off oure countrie in this oure exile and affliction off oure countrie Item that the common bookes or librarie off the churche be aâ— the appointment off the minister and the seniors in such place as all the studentes maie moste conueniently come vnto The thirde note that is Christian liffe and Good workes the frutes off godly doctrine Item we teache that such goods workes are to be done as are commaunded by Goddes worde in the scriptures such euell deedes to be auoided as are forbiden by the same And where as concerninge the frutes off godly doctrine none is more commaunded in the scriptures then the relieuinge off the poore whiche either is donne priuately by euery persone or ells by the common treasury off the churche for the good and right vse and order off the same it apearethe aswell by Goddes worde as by the examples off churches rightly reformed that bothe the keepinge vnd also the distribution off the treasure of the churche apperteineth to the Deacons who be so necessarie Ministers in the churche off Christe that withowte them it cannot well be For Christe saith yow shall haue alwaies poore men amonge yow Wherfore they ought to be honored of all men and they them selues ought to haue this opinion that they highlie please god in that ministery Wherfore we think it expedient for the churche that 4. men of speciall grauitie authoritie and credit in the churche such as off them selues be able to lyue and will do this godlie office rather for Christes sake and the loue they beare to him and his poore flock then for anie there owne necessitie or worldly rewarde be chosen to be Deacons whiche 4. Deacons shall haue the custodye off the treasure and distribution off the same and other almes off the churche remaininge in their handes and kepinge in suche sorte as it shall sâ—me good to the ministers seniors and Deacons for the moste saftie off the said treasure Item that although the Deacons haue in their custodie the treasure off the churche yet the ministers and seniors shall haue knowledge of the whole summe off the sayd treasure Prouided allwaies that neither the saied 4. Deacons ministers Seniors or anie of them shall haue anie knowledge or make anie inquisition of the geuer or geuers of anie Almes to the poore off the sayed churche otherwise then the messinger or bringer off the saied Almes shall of himselff declare to whom and as he hathe commission from the geuers so to doo but that the gyfte be receauid and knowen and the geuer and geuers names vnknowen and kept close with all possible secresie Item that the saied Deacons once in a monethe that is the last daie of euery moâ—ethe shall make there accoumpts be fore the ministers and senyors howe the saied treasures be bestowed and that all the saied companie so appointed to make the accoumpt shall note the remayns of the saied treasure at the daie and yere in the whiche every accoumpt shall be taken Item we thinke good and do decree that there beinge a schole in the saied churche seing the saied scoole is a member of the saied churche as of the whole bodie the treasure for the mayntenance and for the maintenance off the other poore also be all one and ioyned together that neither in the procuring off the saied trea sure or in the distribution theroff anie occasion off diuision emulation or contention do happen amonge them who ought to liue togither lyke bretheren and members of one bodie in all concorde coniunction and vniâ—ie otherwise the schole whiche is of it selff so worthie a member off the bodie maye by abuse cause not onely the hinderance but also the destruction off the whole body Item that in the distribution off the saied treasure a speciall regarde be had of the saied studentes that be poore first for that they be poore and againe for that they be destinate to be workmen in the lordes vinearde and so worthie members in the bodie And that as they be studious of the scriptures specially and yet with all of other liberal artes also as mynisters and handemaides to the settinge foorth off goddes worde so they maye be liberally handled and receyue goddes blessinge whiche is the liberalitie off the godlie withowt the shame and abashment as the gyft off god who geueth to all men and vpraideth no man. Item it is decreed and also the whole congregation desirethe the Deacons monthlie to visit and speake priuately with the saied studentes that be poore and other poore also and to examin their states frindly and charitablie and according to euery mannes necessitie as the treasure of the churche will beare to offre to euerie one off them with obtestation to them that yf they haue no nede theroff they receiue it not For that were nothing ells but to robbe the nedie for so shall bothe the shamefastnes of the honest and liberall natures be saued and the treasure of the churche willingly spared For he that vpon suche obtestation will not refraine to receiue that is offred when he hathe no nede will not be ashamed to begg and craue when he hath no nede and that not onely lyinge but also with periurie yf nede be Item yf anie by euident profes such as cannot be gaine saied be fouÌ„de to haue taken or vsed the treasure of the churche hauinge no nede therof that theÌ„ not onely he be exempted froÌ„ anie more partakiÌ„ge of the saied treasure til it appeere that he haue euident neede but also that he doo make therfore publique satisfaction before he be admitted to the communion Item that the Seniors and Deacons se that the poore off the congregation be not ydle but diligent in well doeinge Item that yff ther be anye off the poore sick that then foorthwith
denounced excommunicate which excommunication seing it is the vttermoste penaltie off Ecclesiasticall power shall not therfore be executed vntill the matter be hard by the whole churche or such as it shall specially appoint therunto Item yff anie person shall be a notorious knowen offender so as he is offensiue to the whole congregation then shall the Ministers and elders â—mmediatly call the offender before them and trauell with him to reduce him to true repentaunce and satisfyinge off the congregation Whiche yff he obstinatly refuse â—o do then one off the Ministers shall sâ—gnifie his offence and contempte to the whole congregation desyring them to praie for him and further to assigne him a daye to be denownced excommunicate before the congregation except in the meane time the offendor submit himselff before the whole congregation to the order off the discipline Item that neither the Seniors and Ministers nor the whole congregation shall medle in anie ciuill matters as iudges or determiners off the same but onely as arbitres For peace makinge that the magistrates be troubled as litle as maye be with oure controuersies but in case the Seniors and first and afterwardes the congregation or such as the congregation shal appoint can make no peaceable ende by waye off arbitrement then the iudgement off the saied matters to be referred to the Magistrates off the citie and there to be ended Item we thinke good for oure quietnes sake and for the conseruinge off the good reporte of oure nation that all matters and controuersies amonge oure selues yff they cannot priuately be pacified whiche firste ought to be attempted be brought before the Seniors and Ministers and there to be harde And in case they cannot ende them then afterward to be referred to the whole congregation or such as the congregation shall apoint to the hearinge and determininge theroff yff they can and that no matter be brought vnto the magistrate or senate to hinder derogate or let the authoritie off the churche or the discipline theroff before theis waies be proued vnder paine off discipline before the congregation vnlesse the thinge appeteine directly to the state off the citie or offence against the lawes Senate or magistrate off the same In whiche cases euerie man maie and ought forthwith to complaine to the magistrates Item where as the best waie off Christian reconciliation is that the parties priuately betwene them selues agree and the next that agrement be made by mediation off some paceable and godly men We decree that in case 2.4.6 moo or lesse do consult amonge themselues or trauell with the parties for peace making quietly and charitably then the saied parties in so doinge do nothinge against good order off discipline but according to the dewtie and office off Christian and peaceable men Item that the ministers and Seniors shall haue authotie tâ— heare and determine on the behalff off the whole churche all offences determinable by the congregation committed by any person in the congregation vnlesse the partie called before them haue iust occasion to take exceptions to the sayed ministers and Seniors or to appeale from them as not competent iudges Item yff anye haue iust occasion to take exception to some off the Ministers and Seniors and not to the more parte that then those off the Ministers and Seniors to whom the exception is made in this case shall not be iudges but in this case for the tyme remoued from the ministery and that the rest off the Ministers and Seniors to whom no exception shall be made with as maine off the congregation ioyned to them as they be in nomber whiche shall be excepted shal be arbitres and iudges in the saied causes and that the saied persons so to be ioined to the Ministers and Seniors shal be appointed by the congregation the Ministers and seniors not excepted geuinge their voices as others off the congregation Item yf exception be taken to the more parte of the ministers and Seniors that then the churche shall appointe 6. moo to be Iudges wirh the reste off the ministers agaynst whom exception is not made the same reste off the ministers hauing their voices in the election off the 6. as other members off the churche Item yff all the ministers and Seniors be suspected or sounde parties or yff anie appeale be made from them that then such appeale be made to the bodie off the congregation The ministers seniors and parties excepted And that the body off the congregation maye appoint so manie off the congregatioÌ„ to heare and determine the sayed matter or matters as it shall seeme good to the congregation Item iff anie person doo vniustly take exceptions to anie off the Ministers or appeale from the whole ministery that then such persons besides the punishement for the principall cause shall also be punished as a contemner off the ministerie and a disturber off the churche Item yff all the ministers and seniors from whom it shall be appealed as is aforesaied shall saye and chalenge the more parte off the congregation as not indifferent iudges that then they maye appeale from the congregation to the magistrate prouided that iff any minister or senior aopeale to the Magistrate and be founde to haue done it with owte iuste cause that then by that facte he shall be remoued from his ministerie and shall neuer after be admitted in the ministery before he hathe made publick satisfaction for the same Item that the Ministers and Seniors and euerie off them be subiect to Ecclesiasticall Discipline and correction as other priuate members off the churche be And that in case anie person or persons accuse anie off the Ministers or elders or the more parte off them or them all of anie crime or crimes the same order off proceadinge in all pointes be vsed as it is heretofore particulerly expressed in the making off the exception to summ or the more part or all the saied Ministers and Seniors as parties or otherwise incompent arbitres Item that no accusation against any off the Ministers and Seniore be admâ—tted vnder 2. Witnesses at the leaste And that yff anie do vniustlie accuse the Ministers and Seniors or any off them that he or they shall therfore be moste sharply disciplined as a coÌ„temner and defacer of the ministerie and a disturber off the whole churche Item yf anie controuersie be vppon the dowtfull meaning off anie worde or wordes in the discipline that first it be referred to the ministers and Seniors And yff they cannot agree therupon then the thing to be brought and referred to the whole congregation Item for the auoyding off occasâ—on off contention hereafter that bookes of discipline coÌ„cerning this churche heretofore made be of no effecte hereafter but voyde and Canceled Item that all bookes and writinges off recorde concerning actes and orders in this churche be deliuered and remaine in the custodie off the ministers and elders for the tyme being Item that a Râ—gister booke be kept by the ministers and Seniors off all
suche names as be in the congregation and such as shall be here after admitted to be wriâ—ten in the same Item that mariages Christenings and burialls with the daye and yere theroff be registred in the same booke Item for the auoyding all controuersyes that hereafter maye happen it is ordeined that all testamentes and willes made by any off oure nation dyinge in this congregation shall be brought foorthe and exhibited to the Seniors off this congregaâ—ion for the tyme being for a perpetuall testimonye off the truthe in that behalff Item that bicause all mennes doinges be vncerteine and changeable the discipline and orders off the churche shal be read openly once euery quarter and warninge theroff before shall be geuen to the whole congregation bothe that euerie member therof maye knowe their dewtie and that euerie man maye with librrtie quietly speak his minde for the chaunging and amending of it or anye parte therof according to goddes worde and the same exhibited in writinge with the arguments and reasons off that his requeste The names off suche as subscribed to this discipline and were off the churche THomas Crawley Christopher Hales Thomas Ashley Edmond Oldsworth Edmonde Sutton Thomas Acworth Richard Alvaie VValter Franck Richard Leâ—ler Richard Mason Richarde Beâ—sley Richard Nagoâ—â— Robart beste Henry Reignoldes Perciuall Harrington Richard Porter Magnus Elyot Henry Perryus Iohn Browne Dauid VVhitthead Iohn Mullins Iohn Pedder Iohn Hales Gre. Railton Alexander nowell Iohn VVilford Iohn Fauconer Thomas Serbis Thomas VVilsoâ— Iohn Bedell Iohn Olde Iames Peers Thomas Sandes Edward Parpoint Thomas VValker Iohn Kelke Thomas VVatts Leonarde parry Robarte Crowley VVilliam Master Laurance Kent Thomas Knolle Peter sade Iohn Vates VVilliam Raulinges Thomas VVater Thomas VVillobie Edmond Tomson Richard Luddington Thomas oldsworthe Edmond Harries Philipp Adishe Gawin dixson Iohn Geoffrie Anthony Donningâ— Edward Colton Iohn Turpin The 21. off December 1557. theis were added to the churche Sir Frances Knolls Edward Boyes Iohn Browne Frances VVilforde Thomas Knot Thomas Donnell Arthure Saule Richard Sandell Robart Ioyner Henry VVood Richard Lynbroâ—ghe Ralfe Selye Henry Knolls Thomas VVilford VVilliam Dauage Reignolde Baker Robarte Hodgston Iohn Penteny Mighell Coke Thomas Tod Chamber Alaxender Nowell Iohn Ade Thomas Bagster Daniell Rogers Now that yow haue harde bothe the olde discipline and that whiche was by the authoritie off the magistrate deuised order requireth that I place here the reasons whiche Maister Horne and the rest off his side brought against the newe discipline established And to the ende this volume shuld not excede measure in greatnes I think it expedient to do here as I haue done allready and minde to do through owt the whole story whiche is off a leafâ— to take as I might saie a lyâ—e or two as one lothe too weary yow sith a taste maie suffice To the 7. Article off the newe Discipline To the Article off 2. Minâ—sters off like charge and authoritie we think we haue good â—easons to require that there be no moo in the speciall burthen and charge pastorall then one to whom the others ioyned with him for preachinge off the worde and ministringe the Sacraments shall not in cure and charge gouernment and preheminence be in all respectes coequall The Reasons Firste the scripture speakinge or treatinge of the office of a Bishopp or minister so speakethe as it were to be presupposed and as an order receiued that one shuld in cure and charge be burthened aboue other and in gouernement for order sake in preheminence Item the expositions off all auncient Authors and Wryters vpon the scripturs that toucheth that matter do alltogether as they secure to gather owte off the texte conclude declare and teache one Minister or pastor in respectes aforesayde preferred and charged aboue other and thus dothe the newe also Item this order off one in cure charge and gouernement preferred haue all the churches to be red off planted by the Apostels and all others in the primatiue churche obserued whose examples off vs are not to be neglected Item like as good reason off it selff forceth and concludeth so all good autors bothe newe and olde doo freely teache that for conseruation off vnitie and concorde and for auoidinge off schismes and discorde it is requisite and necessarie that a prerogatiue and preheminence for cure charge and gouernemente be committed and geuen to some one to be as it is afore saide charged aboue others Item all the reformed churches off Germany for the moste parte be off that iudgement and therfore obserue that order Item yff Nicene councell decreed and ordered for good order sake that one Bishopp and not many shulde be appoynted to euerye one cytie howe more is it off necessitie for order sake that one litle flocke shulde be content with one Item who is ignorant off this that for the moste parte wher not one but rather two muste haue the especiall cure and charge there commonly thinges be moste negligentlye done and not so muche regarded and cared for as otherwise they woulde be The answer off the churche touchinge this 7. Article to the reasons off the dissenting brethern We se not by the scriptures that anie authoritie is geuen to anie one aboue others but rather to the contrary As concerninge olde wryters we knowe that Ierome expresly declarethe that in the beginninge the churche was ruled equally by manie But after when schismes began to springe the chiefe authoritie was geuen to one for authorities sake and by mannes ordinaunce rather then by deuine authoritie wherfore we coÌ„clude that as for schismes the firste order of many was left aÌ„d one chiefe apointed So nowe for the auoidinge of tyraÌ„nie a worse euell in the churche then schismes whiche as apearethe by the Bishop of Rome is grownded vppon one we thinke it good to returne to the firste order off two or moo equall ministers accordinge to the institution off the Apostells as Saint Ierome teacheth And that those lerned men who do moste earnestly maintaine the gouernment off one confesse that vntill the tyme off Dionysius who was after Christe 300. yeres and more the Regimente was equally committed to manye And as for the newe there be examples off the beste churche to the contrary And Maister Caluin in the 8. Chap. off his Institutions the 42. and 52. dyuisions Declarethe expresly that there were From the beginninge more Ministers off the worde and that it is but off mannes ordinaunce that one was afterwarde made chieff That is alleadged off the reformed churches in Germany the multitude ought to serue no more for one then the best reformed churches for two ministers off the worde As concerninge Nicene councell it is before answered and in that they decreed there shulde be but one it consequenquently folowithe that before the saide decree there were many And iff those godly fathers were nowe lyuinge and did se how Antechriste is established vppon one they woulde more gladly returne to the firste order off many equall for the
Chambers tooke vppon him especially at the intreaty off Maister Horne the charge off gathering godlye mens almes publickely in the name of the churche for the relieff the off poore off oure congregation as it is already knowen vnto many and shall hereafter by the whole matter seuerally setforth be moste euidently knowen to moo what mercie and pitye is this off thers towardes their brethern to leaue so many miserable people behinde them contrary to their promesse made to the congregation and to runne awaie not onely from the congregation but also owte off the cytye snappinge awaie the bagge with them whiche conteinethe many mennes almes gathered for the poore in the name off the congregation and to leaue them all destitute and also to leaue certeine preachers appointed by them whiche haue serued the churche a yere and moore and to whom they promised that they shulde lack nothing in a great deale off deâ—t to other men for their necessary bourde â–ª And where they playe such prankes they caste oâ—â—â— brethern in the teeth still with pouertie by the waie off reproche before the Magistrate Let them go too therfore seinge their pleasure is suche and nomber their owne coÌ„panye and leaue owte their seruauntes their boyes and suche as depende vppon Chambers purse for he hathe made it his owne and dedicated it to his owne propertie and let them tell vs then howe many there be left on their parte yff they be not ashamed to tell howe manie they be Where we did comforte our poore brethern to oure power whom Chambers running awaye with the bagge Had made astonished and woulde haue had them vtterly discouraged they lay it to oure charge as euell done what is there manifeste declaration els but that the poore of our congregation shuld be vtterly destitute not onely of relieff but also off all hope of reliefe whiche hathe euer bin the vttermoste comforte off suche as be in myserie In the Discipline it selff an obiection The next thinge nowe where in we agree not is that whiche is spoken off the 2. newe Ministers This they treat vppon in the 7. Article Thâ—s we defende that the scripture doth leane and inclyne rather vnto one than vnto 2. whiche one as he muste not be aboue the reste by lordeshipp so yet ought he to be aboue other in charge and in burtheÌ„ in as muche as he muste nedes geue a greater accoumpte then the reste for the flock coÌ„mitted vnto him and to his charge Theis we are able to proue Firste by the circumstances off the places off scriptures considered secondly by the interpretacions off auncient fathers and the best lerned men off oure tyme or latter daies Thirdly in the examples of the churches instituted by the Apostells and most holy men after their tyme foorthly this newe order off 2. Ministers or moo hathe bene as all the wyseste men haue alwaies reasoned the seeds aÌ„d fountains of all dissentions and coÌ„tentions And like as for order sake and for conseruation off the churches in peace oure elders thought that one shulde necessarely be aboue the reste so also in this oure remembrance the greatest lerned men as Caluin Brentius and many other do think Off theis matters the beste instituted and reformed churches in Germany can also be the beste witnesses Theis we professe that we bothe can and will more largely shewe as farther occasion shal hereafter serue whiche we cannot doo nowe for that we be lymited to so short a time The answere As concerninge the two Ministers off the worde We affirme that it is lawfull by the worde off God to haue either 2. or moo Where theis men saye the scriptures do leane rather to one that is to affirme onely and to proue nothinge where as Paule almoste in all his Epistles writeth allwaies as vnto moo off equall authoritie in euerie churche and not as vnto one principall Where they alleadge the ancient Doctors Ierome whiche is the moste diligent in Hâ—storie matters reporteth moste plainly that in the beginninge there were many and afterwarde for the auoidinge of dissentions the chieff authoritie was coÌ„mitted vnto one as the chieff But yet saithe he that was donne rather by the statute off men then by the authoritie off god Where they speake so muche off the mischâ—ffe off contention in the churche we confesse it is a great euell But that tyranny â—s a more pestiferous destruction to the churche and that tyranny crept into the churche by one the Bishopp off Rome maye teache vs at large Therfore for as muche as bothe waies either by one or by moo euells maie happen we thought good to beware more diligently of the greater euell Where they bringe in Caluin for one we maruell with what face they can do that seinge it is owte off all dowte that he vpon one daie and in one houre instituted two Ministers off equall authoritie in all thinges in the Englishe congregation whiche is at Geneua And also seinge that in the 8. chapter and 42. and 52. diuisions off his Christian Institution he declareth openly that there were from the beginninge moo ministers off the worde off equall authoritie in the churche off Christe Where they alleage the examples off the churches off Germany we also want not examples off the dutche churche at Emden wherin their be 3. Ministers off the worde off equall authoritie And off the frenche churche off this Citie and off the Englishe churche off Geneua yea and Caluin himselff is counted superior to his felowes not by authoritie off office but in respect off his lerninge and me rites Therfore in asmuche as it is also permitted vnto vs by the magistrates appâ—intement to chuse one or moo let them leaue their wranglinge for a thinge indifferent as though iâ— it were for lyffe and lande Where they professe that they will make large proffe off this matter at leysure let them professe theis gaye glorious promyses so longe as they will so they knowe the longer they labor in this matter so muche lesse shall they bothe shewe and bringe to passe The obiection to the 8. Article In the 8. Article Ministers committ and assigne the burthen and cure wherwith they are charged vnto others with ouer muche facilitie We demaund also this whiche appeareth not plainly inough in their Discipline to whom perteineth it to allowe their allegations and excuses when they will leaue their charges vnto others The answere What inhumanitie is it not to be content that the ministers off the worde vpon waightie causes as sicknes or vrgent busines off importance shuld be eased off their burthens as though they that fynde faulte at this nowe permitted not the same to themselues before rough againste other and ouer fauorable to themselues And where they demaunde vnto whom it perteinethe to allowe their lawfull causes we wonder that they nother redde ioyntly in the same place the name off Seniors to whom the matter is committed nor remember that generall pointe in the
one to an other whilke we lucke to resaue of your gentlenes not onely for that ye seer to offend Goddes maiestie in troubling off your brethern for such vane triffles But also bicause ye will not refuse the humble requestes off vs your brethern and felowe preachers off Christs Iesus in whom albeit their appeere no great wordly pompe yet we suppose yow will not so farr despise vs but that ye will esteeme vs to be off the nomber off those that fight against that Romain Antechriste and traueil that the kingdomme off Christ Iesus vniuersally maie be mainteened and auanced The daies are euill Iniquitie abownds Christian charitie alas is waxin colde And therfore we ought the more diligently to watche For the howre is vncerteine when the lorde Iesus shall appeere before whom we your brethern and ye may geue an accoumpt off our administration And thus in conclusion we once againe craue fauor to our brothern which graunted ye in the lorde shall commaunde vs in thinges off dooble more importance The lorde Iesus rewle your hartes in his true feare to the ende And geue vnto yow and vnto vs victorie ouer that coniured enemie off all true Religion â–ª To witt ouer that Romaine Antechriste whose wonded heâ—d Sathan by all mannes labâ—ris to cure againe but to destruction shall he and his mainteiners go by the power off the lorde Iesus To whose mightie power and protection we hartely committ yow Subscribet by the handes off Superintendentes one parte off Ministers and scribet in oure generall assemblies and fourth session theroff Ad Edenbroug the 28. daie off December 1566. Your louinge brethern and fellovv preachers in Christ Iesus Io. Craig Iaco. Mailuil Rob. Pont. Guil. Gislisonus Nic. Spittall Io. Row Da. Lyndesay Io. Erskin Io. VViram Io. Spottiswoood THus haue yon hard in theis .2 letters the Iudgementes off those excellent churches of the french and the Skottishe touchinge the thinges in controuersie Nowe yff to theis I shuld adde all other whiche are off the same Iudgement and of their opinion the nomber off churches would be so many that the aduersaries shuld euidently se and perceaue what small cause they haue to charge vs thus with singularitie as though we were post alone and none to be off oure opinion And it maie here also be noted that the moste auncientest fathers of this oure owne countrie as maister Couerdale maister D. Turner maister Whithead and many others some dead some yet liuinge from whose mouthes and pennes the vrgers of theis receiued first the light off the gospell could neuer be brought to yelde or consent vnto such thinges as are now forced with so greate extremitie Finis By D. Yonge in NoueÌ„ber Anno 1573. Such as D. Elbowrome M. Mullinâ— in October An. 1573. Franckford the place in Q. Maryes tyme. Platina Paulus â—ouius Slede in Fox with many other Cor. 10. Phil. 2. Psal. 4â— Psal. 27. Matth. 22. Mich. 3. Heb. 11. Philip. 1. Col. 1. Psal. 42. Ephes 4. Mark the calling off Knox to the pastorshipp Knox and VVhittingham ashamed to opeÌ„ some things Many tollerable foolishe things in the book by Caluins iudgement The booke trifling and Childishe by Caluins iudgement The humblenes of Gilby and his godly zeele The modestie of Knox This order was taken the 6. off Feb. D. Cox with others come to Frankf Th effecte of Knox sermon D. Cox sharply rebuked him But that they refused and at lenght ouer threw yt M. Iewell Knox putowt by those which he brought in To weet the frenche churche The letter a litle before This controuersie hath byn siâ—hins kinge Edward his raigne as ye se Knox accused off treason The places in all were 8. The banishment off Knox. Many off the lerned men were now come from al places This Adulphus was before this tyme a great fartherrer off the churche and the orders off the same howe so euer he was turned Marck the placing off the Englishe book and off the reiecting thother Marck this practise At lenght they agreed vppon the name Pastor An answere to a letten sent him owte off England They begin preâ—ely VVittinghaÌ„ here interrupted Maister No wel was the mouthe for the rest The simple sutteltie off â— factious head Horne and his companie subscribs to the other parte M. Horne came not til two The book of discipline brought foorth and read M. Horne came at 3. Yff maister Horne tooke such deliberattoÌ„ before he would subscribe to that article what meanethe this that poore ignorant men and wemen must thus subscribe vpoÌ„ the sudden or ells to newgate Theis three arbytres had their beinge owte from the Englishe churches The olde Discipâ—ine â–ª This article I finde rased in the copie what they meÌ„t by it â–ª I know not The new discipline VII 13. Sept. Horne Isaac Chambers VVilford with diuers others To â—he 1. To the 2â— 3.4 Hales VVhithead Nowell Mullins VVattes Crowley Boetley Pedder Parry VVilson â–ª Sorby Bedell Fauconer Railton Crawley Ashley Sutton Raulings Best and diuers others To the 5. To the 6. To the 7. Yea but though he did so then he will not doo so nowe I warrant yow Horne Yet olde blind father lidford being an almes man was forced by the B. off L. to sâ—bscribe to the booke off prayer among others more blynde then he VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne Yff Caluin be so in your iudgement I hope yow will allowe his 2. letters beforâ— VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead A small fault in theis daies Horne VVhithead VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Horne VVhithead Then I hope it may be now spred againe withowt offence all thinges wel waied Horne VVhithead M. couerdale sent by the duke of bipont The curtesie off the noble men off Germany to M. Bartuc the D. oâ— Sulff Englishe men placed at Arrow Horne and Chambers come to geneua Kethe sent into Germany and Helâ—â—ia Phiâ— â— Tim. â— 2. Tim. â— Correction off thos faultes which might somâ—what stay the reader the first nombre shewing the page the second the line PAge 2. line 18. enioned reade enioyed pag. 3. lin 5. is Re. yt pag. 10. li. 22. your R. yow pag. 25. li. 12. discent R. dissent pag. 27. li. 4. parie R. partie pag. 38. lin 24. ende R. tende pa. 44· li. 9. ceriâ—ine R. certeine pa. 47. li. 20. lette R. letter pa. 65. li. 17. subscription R. superscription pa. 72. l. 36. world R. would pa. 76. li. 10. stucke the pastor R. stucke to the pastor Li. 15. wison R. wilson pag. 82. lin 19. were R. where pag. 86. li. 5. congregagation R. congregation pag. 97. lin 30. dinner R. dynner pag. 123. lin 7. the R. then Pa. 132. lin 22. incompent R. incompetent pa. 179. l. 23. td R. to pag. 194. lin 8. consâ—ners R. couseners pag. 200. lin 22. to R. the.