The Ministry of the Church of England, Section 9
¶Mr H. his letter. Section, 9.
VVE have seen hovv vvell our Lavv agreeth vvith the lavv of God in the substance of the Ministers office: Let vsus consider hovv like they …e in the ma…or of his outvvard calling vntounto his office. The vvord …eq…ireth that he onelyonly should be called to the Ministery, that is a man of vnblameable life: If it vvould please you to peruse the book of ordering Deacons and Priests, you shall fynd it requireth the same. The vvord reqaireth that he should be apt to teach: So doth our Lavv. The vvord requireth that before he minister he should be approved: Our lavv commaundeth that before he be admitted, he be by such as are learned examined vvhat gifts he hat… and ability to teach, and by the people vvhat his conversation hath ben. The vvord prescribeth that the people and flock should approve of and choose theyr Minister: Our Lavv commaundeth that none should be admitted to that office but in a solemne assembly, and that liberty should be graunted to any in the congregation to obiect vvhatsoever iust impediment that they shall knevv against him. The vvord requireth that by the imposition of the hands of the Eldership vvith solemne prayers, the Minister should be ordeyned and as it vvere consecrated to that holy office: Our lavv requireth the very same. In deed I confesse that there is great vvant in our Church in the due execution of these things: but that is the fault of the men, not of the calling. And therefore to your reason that is brought to prove…s Antichristian vsurpers, because vve have no other office in the Church but that vvhichwhich the Lavv allovveth, you see I may truly and suffiicienly aunsvver that although vve had no other, yet have we that in substance vvhichwhich the vvord prescribeth.
Aunswer to Section, 9.
RAther by that which hath ben said we have seen such an agreement of theyr Priesthood and Law thereof with the popish Law and priesthood, and such a disagreement of them both from the Law of God and Pastors office prescribed theyrin, as it can not but be discerned of all (whose eyes are not blynded) that both the Pastors office differeth as much from theyr priesthood as light doth from darknes, and that theyr Priesthood in nature and substance agreeth with the popish as daughters of one mother and fethers of one ād the same wing.
Now whereas in the next place Mr H. cometh to their ouward calling to that office of Priesthood, and therein refereth vsus to theyr book of ordering Priests ād Deacons, that we might peruse and so compare together theyr law with the Law of God: it is straunge to see how they do thēselves discover theyr own shame, even when they labour most to hide it. For if any would go about to lay open the filthynes of theyr abominations which in the calling to theyr ministery they have taken out of the whores cup of Babylon, it can no way better be done, then by comparing that book of theyrs (whereto he referreth vsus) with the book and Law of God on the one hand, and with the Popes pontificall on the other. Evidence whereof we have seen sufficient in the comparison handled*Pag. 100. &c. before, and need not repeat it. Yea theyr own consciences are so convinced herein as themselves have confessed and publisht it (in admonition to the Parliament) thatxAdmo… to Parl. 2 … a…ise: sect. 14. theyr Pontificall (thus they call theyr book) whereby they conserate Bishops and make Ministers and Deacons is nothing els but a thing word for word drawen out of the Popes pontificall, wherein he showeth himself to be Ant…christ most lively. And moreouer, thatyIn the same book: sect. 20. they hauehave an Antichristian Hierarchy and popish ordering of Ministers, straunge from the word of God and the vse of all vvel reformed Churches in the world.
Let these things then be layd together, ād well weighed. Now they would perswade vsus that theyr calling to the Ministery is according to the Law of God: Heretofore they published (as the truth is) that they have a popish ordering of ministers straunge from the word of God. Now they would beare vsus inhand that they have the substance of a true calling according to the ordinance of Christ: Heretofore they said (and truly) that theyr making of Minist…rs is taken out of the Popes pontificall wherein he showes himself to be A…tichrist most lively. Is it not lamenta…le to see these men thus turne the truth of God into aly? as if Antichrists apostasy were now sodenly become Gods ordinance, or the Popes pontificall were all one with the Testament of Iesus Christ? Besides this is it not straunge that in this very letter Mr H. should so forget ād contradict himself, as here to say theyr Law agreeth with the Law of God as tovvching the substance of a true calling to the Ministery: ād yetz… 10. afterward accounting right ordination to be a substantiall part of true calling, to affirme that the povver of ordination is by act of Parliament committed to the Prelates, and that by the Lavv of God the Prelates are not capable of that povver and authority? Is it possible to make these things accord together?
But because they feare not to deale thus doubly in the matters of God: Let vsus (besides that which hath ben sayd) yet a litle more examine theyr maner of calling to the Ministery, even by that book of theyrs which he would have vsus peruse as being agreable to the Law of God: and see if God do not by themselves vncover theyr nakednes, and make his truth (which they would hinder, yet) more abound through theyr vntruth vntounto his glory. It were long to stand vponupon all the particulars which out of that book to this end might be alledged: and this writing is already much langer then at first I purposed. I will therefore but give a tast of some, by which you may perceyv what smack the rest have.
And first the very*That … of making and consecrating Bisshops, Priest, …. title of the book (as a mark in the forehead) evidently showeth the vnlawfulnes both of theyr office, and of theyr entrance into it. It is called thus, The forme and maner of making and consecrating Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Now if these offices, and this maner of entrance were appoynted in the Testament of Christ: what need or vse were there of this book and forme of theyrs? But because they follow not the book of God ād the forme prescribed by Christ, therefore have they framed to themselves this book and forme out of the Popes pontificall, and termed it as aforesayd.
Now as is the title, so be also the contents of that book. By it as likewise by theyr practise it appeareth, that theyr first office of Ministery is the Deaconship (not that auncient office of Deacons appoynted by Christ, but) a meer invention of mans brayne and Antichristian. For first that office is not imployed (according toaAct. 6. 2. 4. Rom. 12. 8. 1 Cor. 12. 28. and 16. 1. compared vvith Ephes. … 11. 12. Christs ordinance) in gathering and distributing the Churches benevolence: but contrary to the word of God, in reading theyr books of common prayer and Homilyes, in administring Baptisme, assisting the Priest in divine service, and (with the Prelates licence) in preaching the word. Secondly, at theyr entrance and calling into that office, they must be presented by an Archdeacon (an Antichristion officer) or his deputy. Thirdly they must promise reverend obedience to theyr Ordinary and other chief Ministers of the Church, that is to the Lordbishop of the Dioces, to the Archbishop, Archdeacon, Chauncelor, Commissary, and the rest of that sort (whose offices also are Antichristian). Fourthly they must be ordeyned by a Lordbishop or his Suffragane, whose office likewise is of Antichrist. Fiftly, they must receyv the Communion with the Lordbishop that day they are ordered. And thus must they testify that they ar… of the same …aith and body with the Prelates, who are knowen to be deadly enemyes of the truth and persecuters of the people of God. Sixtly, in stead of true prayer there must be sayd or sung the Letany and Suffrages, with the Communion of the Day and a number of Collects and stinted prayers, borrowed from the Papists. Finally there must be read a Gospell and Epistle (as they call theyr shredding of the Scripture): in which they abuse and pervert the word of God, falsely fathering vponupon the Apostles an office of Deaconship which they never ordeyned: that is, a Deaco…ry whose dutyes they assigne to be, to read publike prayer, to baptize, to assist the Priest in divine service, and to preach, being licensed therevnto: Whereas neyther in the Apostles example nor doctrine any such dutyes are layd vponupon the Deacons, but such as are directlybAct. 6. 2. 3. 4. opposed to the Ministery of the word and prayer, that is, the having charge of the poore and Church treasure.Rom. 12. 8. Besides that into that office of Deacons prescribed by the Apostles there is no such entrance as is aforesayd, but a lawfull choyse and calling of a true Church according to the word of God: as is recorded in the election of Deacons mentioned in thecAct. 6. 2 3. 5. 6. 1 Tim. 4. 8. 9 10. 1 Cor. 12. 28 vvith 2 Cor. 8. 19. Acts of the Apostles and in other Scriptures. And thus for theyr first office of Ministery it is manifest, that neyther the office nor entrance into it is agreable to the Law of God. Which themselves also have seen and publisht heretofore: Affirming thatdDefence of Eccles. discip. p. 02. theyr Deaconship is a meer humane institution, a degree to the Priesthood, and nothing like the ordinance of God, thateAdmon. to Parle. first treatise. though the Name of Deacons be remayning among them, yet the office is fowly perverted and turned vpside down: finally, thatfDefence of godly … ni…t. p. 108. it is manifestly contrary to the word of God.
Neyther is theyr calling and entrance to theyr next office of Ministery, that is, to theyr Priesthood, any better. For (as appeareth both by theyr book and practise) afore they can be Priests, they must first be Deacons or half Priests: that is, they must be ordeyned by a Prelate according to theyr book to the false Antichristian office aforesayd. For by theyr Law it is the first step to the Ministery, or rather a meer order of Pri… hood: asgA … to …. themselves also have cōfessed heretofore. 2 Then in this Deacōship they must serve a yeare, vnles i… seem otherwise to theyr Ordinary. 3 After a yeares prentiship thereyn, when the Prelate theyr Ordinary giveth Orders agayne, they may be made full Priests: but it must be, of a Lordbishop or his Suffragane which are Antichristian offices. 4 They must be presented to the Prelate by an Archdeacon or his … pu…y to be admitted to the Order of Priesthood. 5. They must promise (as before the Deacons did) reverently to obey theyr Ordinary and other chief Ministers of the Church, that is, the Prelates and theyr Officers. 6. At theyr Ordination must be read ouer a certayne of words of exhortation, of colle… and stinte… prayers, with a Gospell and Epistle prescribed in the book: wherein againe they abuse ād pervert the Scriptures, as before they did about the Deaconship: Yea they are so blynd, as they then read suchhAs namely, Ioh. 10. 1—16. and 20. 21. 22. 23. Mat. 28. 18. 19. 20. Act. 6. 2—6. and 20. 17. 27. 28 29. 30. 1 Tim. 3. ca. Scriptures for theyr Gospels and Epistles as most plainely condemne this theyr maner of entrance and calling. 7. After this, there must be said or sung, Come holy Ghost &c. And sure they had need desire the holy Ghost to come vponupon them and show them a better way: For now doubtles he is not present with them at such profana…ion of Gods name, word, and ordinance, as is among them. 8. When all is said and sung that is appoynted, till it come to the Ordering of the new priests, then must they that are to be made Priests humbly kneel vponupon theyr knees at the feet of the Lordbishop. 9. And he with the Priests present lay theyr hands severally vponupon the head of every one that receyveth Orders. 10. And then the Lordbishop saith to every of them (but not without blasphemy) Receyve the holy Ghost: vvhose sinnes thou doest forgive they as forgiven, and vvhose sinnes thou doest retayne, they are retayned. Wherevpon some of themselves seing the impiety hereof, have publisht thatiAdmon. to Parl. 2. …reatise: se…. 21. the Prelates take vponupon them blasphemously, having neyther promise nor commaundement, to say to theyr nevv creatures (so they call them) Receyve the holy Ghost: as though the holy Ghost vvere in theyr povver to give vvithout vvarrant at theyr pleasure. 11. Being thus made Priests, when they enter into a benefice, it must be by presentation of the patrone of the benefice, and by institution of the Lordbishop of the Dioces. 12. And then moreover must they sweare to yeeld Cano…icall obedience to the Lordbishop theyr ordinary and the rest of that rable.
Thus do themselues and theyr ministery stand subiect to the Prelates and to theyr Antichristian courts ād i…cisdiction: divers particulars whereof have before often ben mentioned. And this is theyr maner of outvvard calling vntounto theyr office of ministery, called the Priesthood. Yet have I not here related all the straunge, ridiculous, and abhominable things, vsed at theyr entrance into these offices: neyther have I spoken at all of theyr consecration of Archbishops and Lordbishops, prescribed also in that book wherevnto Mr H. referreth vsus. It would griev any Christian heart to wade through such filthy myer. And these few things are ynow (yea to many) to show how contrary that theyr book and maner of outvvard calling to the Ministery is to the Book and Law of God.
Now further it is to be mynded, that Mr H. tels you not a word of these and such like abominations vsed at theyr intrance to the ministery: but with much colourable perswasion laboreth to cast a mist before your eyes, that you might not perceyv the Antichristian wickednes of theyr estate. Markethe particulars he noteth here, ād see how subtilly he would …arry away the matter: not onelyonly passing over the impyetyes aforesayd and such like wherewith theyr book and practise aboundeth: but in those things also which he mentioneth, vnderunder the colour of this, that he sayth theyr book requireth men of vnblameable life, and aptnes to teach, to be examined, and admitted in a solemne assembly, would cover and hide theyr receyving and retayning of men in the Ministery, which be of most wicked and shameles life, others also that are no more able to preach thenkPsal. 115 5. vvith zach. 11. 17. Idols, which have a mouth and speak not: whose examination it may be is soone posted over, if they can bring with them a dish of apples well fild with gold angels, or some such ready aunswer to satisfy the Prelate, and his Lordships Examiner and other hungry officers. And commonly in theyr examination of the best learned, it is but to know if he can aunswer a question or two in the Latin toungue: and to see for such and the rest theyr letters testimoniall, which it may be are from some that are as ignorant and prophane as any of themselves. Is this to follow thel1 Tim. 3. 10. rule of the Apostles, Let them first be proved, then let them minister, if they be found blameles? Is this to makem1 Tim. 3. 2—7. vvith Heb. 13. 17. tryall of his gifts and life so as behoveth them to do, that committ theyr soules to his watch and instructiō? Or is this like thenAct. 15. 22 26. 32. and 16. 2. 3. testimony that the Church gave to Barsabas, Silas, ād Timothy? Or is it like to theoAct. 6. 3 5. 1 Tim. 3. cap. vvith Tit. 1. 5—9. diligent search and consideration enioyned by the Apostles and practised by the Church in the choyse of the Deacons? H…w much more of the Bishop… ād Elders?
But theyr Law (he saith) commaundeth that none should be admitted to the office but in a solemne assembly, and that liberty should be graunted to any in Congregation to obiect vvhatsoever iust impediment they knovv against him: Well, yet let him tell vsus, what the people of Norwich when they stād gazing vpō the Prelate ād his Archdeacō at his giving Orders, what the conversation is of those that be ordered, wherof one comes out of Sufolk, another out of Lincolneshire, a third from Cambridge, another from Oxford, others from Surrey, Kēt etc. whom perhaps they never saw nor heard of afore, and it may be never after? Let him also tell vsus if the Prelates do not oftē tymes make priests in theyr private chappels, yea ād in theyr closets too: ād whether these be not Priests by the Law, aswell as the rest among them? Now then where is the solemne assembly ād Congregation he speaketh of: vnles he vnderstand it of the Prelates officers ād servitors, who commonly are as wicked and irreligious as theyr Lord and Master? Doth Mr H. write this as of syncerity, as of God, in the sight of God, as he professed in the entrance of his letter? Or doth he not rather go about to deceyv the Reader and darken the truth, when thus colourably he would beare vsus in hand that the Law of God, which prescribeth that the Church and flock should approve and choose their own Minister, is observed among them? And yet further let… him aunswer, whether they be not commonly made Priests at theyr own suite, without any people to attend vponupon, much lesse to approve and choose them? Yea, whether often it be not so, as the people where they are to minister never saw them before, till they come vponupon them with the Patrones presentation and the Prelates induction to the benifice? Which when they bring, the people are most that can do least, even iust nothing at all: For priests they must and will be there, whether the people will or not. Is this to have the Churches choyse and approbation? Is this to follow the Law of GOD and to have that in substance which the word prescribeth: as here Mr H. pretendeth they have?
But above all, it is most straunge that he would perswade vsus theyr law requireth theyr Ministers to be ordeyned by imposition of hands of the Eldership: when all the world knoweth that they imprison, banish, and persecute to death the poore Christians in the Land which follow that rule of God in theyr iudgment and practise. Yea and Mr H. himselfpSection, 10. afterward in this letter confesseth, both that the power of ordination among them is by law committed to the Prelates, and that by the Law of God the Prelates are not capable of it. How then possibly can this be true which here he saith, that theyr Law requireth ordination to be done by imposition of the hāds of the Eldership, as the law of God doth? These must needs be contradictory the one to the other. But to proceed, if it were so as here he pretendeth, why then hath he with the rest of the forward preachers and people so often sued to the Parliament for an Eldership (consisting of Pastors, Teachers, and Elders) in every Church, if already they enioy it? Do they sue for that they have? that were a mockery. Or doth not the Law expresly requier that qBook of ordering… Priests. Also theyr Canōsimposition of hāds among them be done by a Lordbishop or his Suffragane with the Archdeacon and other Priests present? And are these now of late come to be an Eldership? How is it then that the Prelates and theyr followers have heretoforerD. vvhitg last book. pag. 638. 639 written, that in the Apostles tyme there were Elders in every Church, but now it ought not so to be? And that the seekers of Reformation havesAdmon. to Parl. first and second treatise. published, that not onelyonly the office of Elders but theyr Name also is out of this English Church vtterly removed, and that in stead of them in every Church the Pope hath brought in and they in England yet mainteyne the Lordship of one man over many Churches, yea over sundry shires: Which Lordbishops being not able (as the Elders) to execute theyr offices in theyr own persons without substitutes, have therefore theyr vnderunder officers, as Suffraganes, Chauncelors, Archdeacons, Officials, Commissaryes, and such like. Also, that they with theyr Canons and Courts are drawen out of the Popes shop, and take vponupon them which is most horrible the rule of GOds Church, thrusting away most sacrilegiously that order which Christ hath left in his Church and which the Primitive Church hath vsed, yea robbing the Church of lavvfull Pastors, Elders, and Deacons. Thus and much more have themselves written heretofore. Yet see how now Mr H. would perswade vsus they have the Eldership prescribed in the word: And, that vvhereas there is vvant of due execution of such things in theyr Church as the Lavv of God commaundeth, that is the fault of the men, not of the calling. As if the limmes of Antichrist were now become the Eldership ordeyned by Christ? And the Archbishops, Lordbishops, Archdeacons, with theyr other priests and Officers whom the Apostles never knew, were to be accounted those Elders whom the Apostles planted in the Primitive Churches?
Those Elders had atAct. 14. 23. Heb. 5 4 Tit. 1. 5. vvith Act. 6. 2. 3. 5 1. Tim. 4. 14. Num. 8. 9. 10. 2 Cor. 8. 19. lawfull calling of a true Church, to av1 Tim. 5. 17. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Act. 20. 17. 28. Rom. 12. 5. 7 8. true office ordeyned by Christ, which also they were bound tovv2 Tim. 3. 16. 17. 1 Pet. 5. 1. 2. 3 1 Tim. 3. 15. and 5. 17. id 6. 13. 14. Tit. 1. 7. 9. Act. 15 …0. 22. 23. id 20. 17. 28. administer according to the word of God, in the Church whereof and whereto they were called: These Prelates and Priests (as hath ben proved) have an vnlawfull calling in a false Church, to a false office never set by Christ in his Church, which also they are bound to administer according to theyr popish Canons, Articles, and Iniunctions: besides that many of them have Lordship ouer many Churches and sundry shires.
Those Elders performed theyr office in theyrx1 Thes. 5. 12. 13 14 Act. 20. 17. 28. Iam. 5. 14 1 Pet. 5. 1. 2. 3. Heb. 13. 7. 17. 24. own persons: These Prelates and Priests have theyr substitutes, Vicars, and vnderunder officers.
Those Elders were iny2 Cor. 6. 14. 15. 16. no office belonging to Antichrist: These Prelates and Priests have thezTheyr Canons, Pō tificall, and constitution shovv it. very offices without which no Church of Antichrist (pretending to be Christs) can be absolute and complete in all the Canonicall functions of Antichrists ministery and government.
Those Elders had offices which musta1 Tim. 5. 17. 19. vvith 6. 13. 14. Ro. 1…. 4—8. Act. 14. 23. and 20. 17. 28. vvith Ephes. 4. 11. 12. 13. Rev. 2. 25. Heb 12. 28. Mat. 28. 20. continew to the end of the world: yea even then, when Antichrist in all the partes offices and power of his Ministery and religion shalbe consumed by the Gospell of IEsus Christ: These Prelates and Priests have such offices as till they be abolished, all the offices of Antichrists Hierarchy are not destroyed: Which theb2 Thes. 2. 3. 8. vvith. Rev. 14. 6. 7. 8. and 17. 1. and 18. 20. 21. and 19. Cap. vvith Ier. 51. 60—64. Scripture testifyeth shall come to passe by the Spirit of the Lords mouth in the light and power of his Gospell.
To coclude then, these Prelates and Priests are as vnlike to those Elders, as darknes is to light, and the forgeryes of Antichrist to the ordinances of IEsus Christ. Where then is the imposition of hands of the Eldership which Mr H. would make vsus beleev theyr Ministers have? Or is the want now among them not of the offices of Elders, but onelyonly of vpright Dealers therein, as here he would perswade? Thus then you see that theyr Ministers having no other office nor calling then the Law alloweth, have not at all the substance of the office or calling of Ministers which the vvord prescribeth, whatsoever colour he pretend to the contrary.
And yet (I pray you) what hath he said more for the maner of calling to theyr Priesthood, then may be alledged for the popish priests? For the Popes pontificall (out of which theyr book is drawen) requireth the same things at the entrance to the priesthood, which Mr H. alledgeth theyr book doth: As, that they be of vnblameable life, apt to teach, examined, allowed, ordered in a solemne assembly, and such like. Yet I trow Mr H. will not cōclude, that the popish priests have therefore the substance eyther of a true office or of a true calling to the Ministery. Or if he should, yet will the consequē ce never be proved eyther for those Priests or for theyr own.
Neyther let any think it straunge, that theyr book and pontificall should have some things that the Law of GOd hath, and yet that this should nothing help them for having a true calling to the Minist…ry. In the prophecy of Daniel we read, thatcDan. 5. 1. 2. 3. when king Be…shazar made a great feast to his Princes, he commaunded that the golden and siluer vessels that were taken out of the Temple of the Lords house at Ierusalem should be brought, and the king and his Princes, his wines and his concubynes drank therein. Now although they had there the vessels of the Lords house and drank in them, yet was it not therefore a feast of the Lord, but a feast of Babylon notwithstanding. Even so it fareth with the Ministery and entrance into it, vsed in England and among the Papists: Towching which although theyr book and pontificall have taken some things out of the scripture (as it were some of the Lords vessels out of his Temple) yet inasmuch as they are applyed by them to a false office, ordination, and ministration never appoynted by Christ but invented by Antichrist (even as it were in a Caldean banket), they do no more make theyr Priesthood or calling vntounto it to be the Ministery and calling ordeyned by Christ, then those vessels taken out of the LOrds house made that banquet of Babylon to be one of the Lords dof vvhichwhich read Levit. 23.feasts. Likewise in the prophecy of Ezechiel we are taught that albeit men set theyr thresholds by Gods thresholds ād their posts by Gods posts (that is,eE…ch. 43. 8, theyr inventions by Gods ordinances) yet it maketh them not therefore to be the house and Temple of God and to have his true worship and ministery among them: but as the Lord there testifyeth by his Prophet, by this meanes they set a wall between God and themselues and defile his holy Name with theyr abominations.
This is the account the Lord maketh of the ioyning of his ordinances with mans inventions: And what then will it help the Priests of England or Rome, that theyr book and Law requier some things that the word of God prescribeth, seing they ioyne and apply them to a false ministery devised by mā? It may in deed make the mist which through theyr delusions they cast before the eyes of the people to be far the greater: but it can no way iustify theyr standing or lessen theyr sinne. Nay rather it doth increase it, because thus they prohaue the word of God and defile his holy Name, and cause them to …rre that are led by them. And thus against themselves they verify thef2 Thes. … 7. Rev. 17. 5. Scripture which calleth the apostasy of Antichrist and the working thereof a mystery of iniquity.
But yet further, if theyr Law agree in deed with the Law of God as it should, what need Mr H. coy…e so many excuses for the authority of theyr Lordbishops and the calling receyved from them, asgSection 10. afterward he doth? For if it agree with Gods Law, it need no excuse: If it do not (which in deed is theyr case) no excuses will help: no figge tree leaves wil cover the nakednes of such deformity: Specially now, when by the light of Gods word it is so discovered, as themselves have seē it ād laid it opē to the view of others: howsoever now they win… with theyr eyes that they might not see, and would also blyndfold others by theyr pleading to the contrary. Therefore will I conclude this poynt with theyr own testimony whereinhAdmon, to Parliam. …treatise section, 14. 16. 20. they confesse (as the truth is) that theyr pontifical whereby they make ministers is taken out of the Popes pontificall: that theyr ordering of Ministers is straunge from the word of God: that theyr entrance is not by Christ but by a popish and vnlavvfull vocation: that vvhen the Bishops have made them Ministers, eyther they may tary in their Colledges and lead the lives of loytering losels as long as they live, or els go abroad with the Bishops Buls like to Circumcellions to preach in other mens charges vvhere they list, or els get benefices by frendship or money or flattery where they can catch them, or to conclude, if all these fayle, that they may go vp and down like beggars and fall to many follyes, or els (as many have done) set vp bils at Paules or at the Royall exchaunge and in such publick places, to see if they can heare of some good Masters to entertayne them into service. This is theyr own confession towching theyr entrance to the Ministery, ād this is the testimony which themselves have heretofore given vntounto the truth, though now (as you see) they labour by all meanes they can to obscure it: eveniIer. 51. 8. 9. 58. 64. wearying themselves in vayne, whiles they would cure Babel, ād lay plaisters on her sore, which can not be healed. To which end besides all that hath ben brought hitherto, yet see what more balme Mr H. bringeth now also in the conclusion of his matter: Which is thus as followeth, being the last words of his letter.