The Ministry of the Church of England, Title page – Preface
A TREATISE ❧ Of the Ministery of the Church of England. Wherein is handled this question, Whether it be to be separated from or joyned vntounto. Which is discussed in two letters, the one written for it, the other against it. Whervnto is annexed, after the preface, A brief declaration of the ordinary officers of the Church of Christ, And, A few positions. Also in the end of the treatise,
Some notes touching the Lordes prayer.
SEVEN QVESTIONS.
A table of some principal thinges conteyned in this treatise.
Trie all thinges: keep that vvhichwhich is good.
1 Thes. 5. 21.
If (the Prophets) had stood in my counsell: then should they have caused my people to heare my vvordes, and have turned them from theyr evil vvay, and from the vvickednes of theyr inventions, 22.
Ierem. 23.
Lord, who hath beleeved our report? and to whom is the arme of the Lord reveled?
Esa. 53. 1. Ioh. 12. 38. Rom. 10. 16.
THE PREFACE.
To the Christian reader, grace and peace from Iesus Christ our Lord.
GReat strife there is at this day, about the ministery of the Church of England, vvhether it be the same that Christ hath ordeyned in his Testament, or an other. And many by conference, some also by vvriting, have controverted this question. There coming to my hands, these tvvo Letters follovving, the one vvritten in defence of the said ministerie, the other as aunsvver therto, and disproving the same: I have thought them meet and needfull to be published for thy good (gentle reader) that the truth in this point may appeare. Neyther will they that vvrote these thinges, blame me for thus doing (I trust), seing the matter … off it ovvne nature publik, and concerneth al men: 2. besides both of them doubtlesse have set dovvne that vvhichwhich they are persvvaded is the truth, and vvhichwhich they vvould vvish others vvith them to receyve and follovv: 3. and sundry copies [especially of the first letter] are already spred abroad in vvriting vntounto the handes of many.
The ground and occasion of these letters (as I vnderstand and as may be perceived also by the vvritinges themselves) vvas this. The…e vvas a gentlevvoman imprisoned, because she vvould not ioyne vvith the publick ministerie of England in the vvorship of God. She being much sollicited to the contrarie, gave in vvriting, a reason of that her faith and practise, to one Mr A: H. a minister, and a man very learned. The reason vvas this (as may also be seen … the letters follovving).
Whosoever he be that dealeth with the holy thinges of God and worketh vponupon the consciences of men, by vertue of an Antichristian power office and calling, him the people of God ought not to receyue and joyne themselves vntounto.
But al the ministers that stand ouer the Church-assemblyes in England, deale with the holy thinges of God and worke vponupon mens consciences, by vertue of an Antichristian power office and calling:
Therefore the people of God ought not to receive them, or ioyne themselves vntounto them.
VNtoUnto this argument Mr H. made aunsvver by a letter vntounto her vvhichwhich follovveth. The letter she communicated vvith some of her friendes: they together advised to get it auns…ered: vvhichwhich vvas obteyned of one Mr. F: Io. prisoner for the same cause: vvho also directed … aunsvver to the foresayd gentlevvoman. Both of these (vvith some fevv other things) are … set forth for thy benefit (good reader) that comparing one vvith an other, and vveyghing thinges by the vvord of truth, thovv maist discerne the right, through the helpe of God and … of his grace, vvhichwhich it shalbe thy dutie instantly to crave, that so knovving his heaven▪ …vvil in these things, thovv maist also be blessed, doing the same. Iohn. 13. 17.
Farevvell.
Desier the peace of Ierusalem: let them be prospered that love thee.
Let peace be in thy fort, tranquillitie in thy pallaces.
Because of my brethren and my fellow-friendes,
I will speak now, peace in thee.
Because of the howse of the Lord owr God,
I will seek-out good for thee.
Psal. 122. 6. 7. 8. 9.