The Plea of the Innocent, Chapter 11
Cap. 11.
Wherein is diſcried, that neither the reuerende Fathers and learned Prelats, ſtanding for conformitie: neither the godly Miniſters deſiring reformation, are the onelyonly or proper cauſes of theſe troubleſome diſſentions & euils following the ſame: but there are ſome other things more ſpeciallie to be looked into, which may and ought to induce both parties vntounto peace, and to ioyne louingly in the building of Gods houſe: and that all Engliſh people humbling them ſelues by prayer vntounto God, doe carefullie conforme them ſelues to the Ghoſpell of Chriſt.
AS a dogge runneth too the ſtone which is caſt at him, or leapeth at the arrowe, which is ſhot on high,The people reregard not their puniſhmentes. and hath no wit to marke from whence it commeth. So the moſt part of the people doe behold the troubles of our church, as if it pertayneth not to them: and make it as a ſtage-playe and common talke, delighting in the reherſing the faultes of the miniſtrie: and being void of that diſcretion, which pertaineth to good and wiſe Chriſtians, they doe not knowe nor regard, that the ſmiting of the ſheepheards is the ſcattering of the ſheepe,Zach. 13.7. Heb. 13.17. and the more domage that befalleth to the miniſtrie, the greater is the loſſe & puniſhment of the people. And as a druncken man perceaueth not when hee is ſtricken,Prou. 23.35. and hee that ſleepeth in darkneſſe,1. Theſ. 5.3.4. thinketh not that the theefe ſtealeth vppon him:Eph. 4.18.19. ſo men by ignorance and cuſtome of ſinne, are made paſt feeling, that they doe not conſider when God by his plagues & puniſhmentes calleth them to repentance. Therefore God complaineth of his people,Eſai. 9.13. that they turne not to him that ſmiteth, neither doe they ſeeke the Lord of hoſtes.
Little doe any thinke or waigh with them ſelues,Rom. 10▪ 2. Cor. 3. that the Miniſters preaching the Ghoſpell, are the meanes ordained of God, to bring men to ſaluation; hauing the miniſtrie of the ſpirit & of righteouſnes;Math. 5. 1. Cor. 4.1. & therfore they are called the light of the world; the ſtewards of Gods ſecrets; the Ambaſſadors of Chriſt, to whome is committd the miniſtrie of reconciliation betweene God & man:2. Cor. 5. cap. 2.15. and ſo they are the ſweet ſauour of life vntounto them which ſhall be ſaued. If then their mouthes bee ſtopped, their light ouer-caſt, and by troublous contention, the free and proſperous courſe of their laboures hindred, diminiſhed, or cut of: is not all this the greate hurt and ſpirituall plague of the people: who leeſe ſo great and ſo proper meanes which God hath ordained for mans ſaluation. If God ſhutt the heauens, that there be no raine, men can quickly eſpie that there is a plague. So is it great pittie that men ſee not, that in regard of our ſoules, the miniſtrie is as neceſſarie as the raine: and therefore when the ſame is hindered or taken away, it is a verie great and damnable puniſhment. In ſo much as the holy ſpirit of God, calleth it by the name of a famine. And when the Miniſters doe not teach the people,Amos. 8.11. it is alſo ſaid: The people periſh for lack of knowledge. Hoſhea, 4.6.And if it might be truly ſaid, that the children of Iſraell, committe a treſpaſſe in the excommunicate thing, when this was doone ſecretlie by one man called Achan:Ioſhua. 7. and if for that one mans fault, the wrath of God was iuſtly kindled againſt all Iſraell, ſo that they could not ſtande before their enemies: Howe much more may we thinke,The ſinne of one man may defile the whole land, that the ſinnes of our land, hauehave cauſed the Lords wrath againſt vsus, when we ſee ſo many of our worthie Fathers & godlie Miniſters to be greatly ſmitten by this ciuill diuiſion?
When Iob loſt his goodes by diuers meanes; his oxen taken by the Sabeans; Iob. 1.his ſheepe burnt by fier from heauen; his camells caried away by the Chaldeans, & his ſonns and daughters ſlaine by the falling of an houſe: he caſt his eyes vponupon God, ſaying: The Lord giueth and the Lord taketh. So if we could hauehave ſeen the hand of God, and that thereby we had bene humbled, I verilie think, that this grieuous ſoare, had not runne ſo long, nor encreaſed ſo much as it hath. Sometime the counſell of the Lord by ſuch a thing, is to trie the people,Deut, 13. whether they louelove God with all their harts:Ezech. 14. ſometime when the people ſet vp idols in their hartes, God ſendeth them falſe Prophets to deceaue them: and ſometyme there muſt bee hereſies in the Church,1. Cor. 11.19. The true cauſes of our Church troubles. that they which be approued, may be knowne. Therefore there is a further thing to bee looked into, then either the perſons, or the things which hath happened in our Church. Who knoweth not how much blood of Gods Saintes was ſpilte in former ages, and how many houſes were guilty of blood. And when did this land ſeriouſlie and ſincerelie humble it ſelfe, and by open repentance make reconciliation for the ſame? Nay rather, how many thouſandes repined at the happie raigne of her Maieſtie for the caſting out of the idolatrous and ſuperſtitious worſhipp of God, and for the eſtabliſhing of the true ſeruice of his holy name, and the libertie of the preaching of the Ghoſpell? And who were they that picked quarrelles, againſt the godlye learned Miniſters, and cauſed this diuiſion, but the ignorant and malicious Papiſt, Atheiſt, and Libertines? Therefore it is the iuſt iudgement of God, that as we doe but ſlightlie regard the ſinnes of our fore-fathers, and contend mightelie for idolatrie and wickednes; and light being offered wee louelove darkneſſe more then light: ſo God ſhoulde giuegive vsus ouer to our owne fooliſhnes, by withholding his bleſsing and peace among his Miniſters. For the wicked Papiſtes and vngodly ſinners, are glad and take pleaſure in the troubles and reproaches of the miniſtrie. Therefore in them is fulfilled that which is written: As they regarded not to knowe God: ſo God gaue them ouer too a reprobate minde. Rom. 1.2… ▪And may it not be iuſtlie ſaid, that becauſe we hauehave not bene more zealous in Gods cauſe, but hauehave made Mariages with Papiſtes and Atheiſtes, and done manye other thinges after the courſe of this worlde, ſhewing a verie cold louelove vntounto the Ghoſpell: the Papiſtes and Atheiſtes hauehave bene made by this meanes a ſnare vntounto vsus, a whip vntounto our ſides, and thornes vntounto our eies? And I aſſuredly beleeue, that had it not bene the wonderfull goodneſſe and merciemercy of God to his poore afflicted Saintes, & his louelove to his elect, and that hee woulde make his annointed hande-maide Elizabeth our Queene, a moſt gra…ious inſtrument of his ſaluation & glorie in the midſt of his church and glorifie him ſelfe in, and by her, in the eies of all nations: we had felt more grieuous and palpable darkneſſe, and cruell bitternes, then wee hauehave done; & we had not now come halfe ſo farre in the knowledge and practiſe of his moſt bleſſed Ghoſpell: idolatrie and ſuperſtition ſhoulde not hauehave bene ſo well purged out of this lande, nor the pure doctrine of Chriſt ſoo rightlye taught. Therefore we muſt thinke that our ſinnes and vnthankfulneſſe is the cauſe of our wantes, and Gods righteous iudgementes hauehave brought theſe things to paſſe. Euen as it came of the Lord,1. King. 12. that Rehoboam followed the coū ſell of the yong men, that for the ſinnes of the people, & idolatrie in Salomons daies, the kingdome might be diuided. GiueGive me heere a ſpirituall eie, and behold with me,Looke vponupon the Biſhops with a ſpirituall eie. & ſorrow vvith me, that the Lord our God for our ſinnes, ſhuld ſo hold the eies of the reuerend fathers, on the one ſide, that although in their iudgement, they were perſwaded, that the thinges they vrged their brethren vntounto, were but verie trifles, and there…ore not worthie, that any one Pariſh ſhoulde bee ſo greatlye puniſhed for them, as to leeſe their faithfull, learned and painfull Paſtour; yet did not onlie enforce the ceremonies vponupon them; but alſo (not conſidering the difference of good mens iudgements about ſuch things) preſſed vponupon them to ſubſcribe; and for not yeelding to their mindes, ſuſpended, depriued, and impriſoned their learned and godly brethren, and in the meane time preferred the triflyng ceremonies beefore the waightie worke of preaching. So that as Maiſter Calfill ſayeth:Aunſ to the treatiſ. of …he croſſe, artic. 5. The people of God be ſometime oppreſſed with traditions and ceremonies; and for outward ſolemnities the inwarde true ſeruice of God is neglected. Let the ſpirituall eie iudge (I ſay,) whether it was not a merueilous iudgement of God, that they coulde not ſee all this this while any one thing amiſſe, no, not ſo much as the vnlearned miniſtrie, or non-reſidencie: but defende all, and maintaine all, to the vtmoſt. And although they had euerie Parliament, complaintes of all the Realme, & humble ſupplications diuers times made vntounto them by their brethren, and ſo many yeares experience of the inconueniencie (if not of the vnlawfulneſſe) of theſe things; that neither the peace of the Church, nor the pittie of the congregations, nor the louelove of ſo many learned and godlye brethren, coulde moue them: but that euen nowe fortie three yeare, they holde out not reforming any one point. On the other ſide let the ſpirituall man iudge,Looke vponupon the Miniſters with a ſpirituall eie. what a iudgement of God it was, vppon the godlie Miniſters, that they ſo fearcelie with ſo hard and bitter termes, in their firſt admonitions, and in manie phraſes of their apologeticall writtings, did incenſe and moue vntounto wrath the reuerend Fathers; that they eſteemed them as wayward, froward and peeuiſh perſones, ioynt enimies (of the Church) with Papiſtes: and that when that moſt wicked and blaſphemous libeller Martin, did moſt ſcornfullie abuſe manye worthie perſons, and thruſt in him ſelfe by an vngodlie inſinuation: that there was no publike inſtrument on our ſide (ſo farre as euer I could heare) to ſhew our diſlike but that both ſides did wink and ſuffer moſt filthie and lewd calumniations and ſlaunders. O how were our eies blinded that we ſaw not howe vncomelie theſe thinges were for vsus, and what offence theſe thinges might be to Papiſtes, Atheiſtes, and all wicked enemies of the Ghoſpell. Let the ſpirituall eye heere iudge, that God hath blinded vsus exceedinglie, that we could not containe, till the ſtrife did reach, euen almoſt to the ſpilling of innocent blood. And had not God of a ſingular merciemercy, taken away ſome perſones, in the ruffe of their pride; and had not her Maieſtie by the ſpeciall bleſsing of God, with a moſt wiſe and religious care, moderate the extreemitie: I can not tell, how manie of vsus, by this time, had loſt our liues, in giuing teſtimonie to the gouernement and Kingdome of Chriſt: as our breethren in tymes paſt did vntounto his ſacrifice and Prieſthood.
And yet is there a more chari…able conſideration of the reuerend Biſhops and godly Miniſters contention.A charitable conſideration of the Biſhoppes and Miniſters doings. Firſt the reuerend Fathers might bee induced to thinke howe greatlye wee are bound to God and to her Maieſtie, that we had obtained ſo much as wee hauehave, and ſo greate and excellent libertie in Chriſt: whereof our fore-fathers would hauehave counted them ſelues happie, if they coulde hauehave come neere vntounto it. And the ſtate being ſetled, they might thinke it was wiſdome and behoofull to maintaine all, leaſt they ſhoulde offende her Maieſtie and the ſtate: and iudge it better to leeſe ſome few Miniſters, then to fall into greater inconueniencie. And being them ſelues perſwaded that there was no impious thing, they might ſuppoſe it their duty and a godlie policie, by Subſcription to bring all men to conformity. And when they had ſome hard and bitter wordes in the admonitions, they might deeme the Miniſters not ſo wiſe, nor ſo godly, as they pretended: and hauing beene enueighed by continuall complaintes, and ſuggeſtions of wicked Papiſts and Atheiſtes, they might conceaue an ill opinion of their breethren, and ſo bee foreſtalled in iudgement. And laſtlie, being prouoked by wicked Martin, they might conclude their cauſe to be abſolutelie good, for ſo much as they were perſued by vnlawfull & wicked means and ſo by a verie ſtronge ſeeming colour of God, they might eaſilie fall into a ſelfe weening, and deſpiſe their good and godlie brethren. So on the other ſide the godlie Miniſters, no doubt hauing the teſtimony of their conſcience, that the thinges they ſtoode againſt, were worthie to be reformed: and that for no other cauſe but meere conſcience, they refuſed to obſerue the ceremonies: & when they had diuers yeares kept themſelues cloſe & ſilēt, to be nothing regarded, nor pittied, but preſſed ſo earneſtly to ſubſcribe & allow againſt Gods word, all maner of things, and as they thought a great deale more then the law did require. Then to bee ſuſpended, depriued, impriſoned, and diuers waies in tearmes moſt vncharitablie prouoked, they might geſſe that theſe reuerend Fathers were not Gods Biſhops, and in their anger they might ſuppoſe it lawfull, to entertaine them with ſuch ſharpe and bitter tearmes, as in the admonitions & other writtinges perauenture is to bee founde. And as concerning Martin, it may be at the firſt they were amaſed, to thinke what it ſhould meane, that God had ſtirred vp ſuch a thinge to diſgrace them which ſtood againſt the good proceedings of the Ghoſpell, & the kingdome of Chriſt they could not tell whether it were in their part to medle in that matter; and ſeeing and feeling the hotte purſuite of that time, to ly heauie vponupon them, they might eaſilie forgett ſomething, that had beene neceſſarie for them to hauehave preuented. And for them both, I hope, I may trulie ſay, that if there were not ſome ſecret matter (which God knoweth and not I) if there were ſome man of authoritie and reuerence,The Biſhopps and Miniſters may be reconciled. who could lay his hande vponupon them both, they might verie well bee reconciled. For both the reuerende Fathers for their part, hauehave and doe beare with many of the godlie Miniſters, and the Miniſters for their parts doe vſe all reuerence & good cariage toward them. Onelie the cauſe of ceremonies and diſcipline is reſerued on both ſides, and ſtandeth vnderunder further tryall. Therefore in my iudgement, the whole and principall fault is not to be laide vponupon the one or the other: but that if the people of this lande, who by this meanes were verie greatlie puniſhed, hauehave humbled them ſelues to God by praier, faſting, and amendement of life, and thankfully embraced, and carefully practiſed the holy Ghoſpell: no doubt God would ſoone hauehave eaſed all this griefe, and quicklie found out a ſweet remedy of brotherly reconciliation.
But if I may ſpeak according to holie Scripture, I thinke it an exceeding merciemercy of God, that he hath ſuffered vsus to hauehave ſo many good Preachers and ſo many daies of the Ghoſpell, as wee hauehave. For if we looke vponupon the people, wee ſhall ſee the grounde of all theſe thinges. How little hauehave they eſteemed the godlie and learned Miniſters! How content they be with ſimple and ignorant men! How hardly are they drawn to pay duties, which law hath appointed. How many quarrells they pick againſt painful Miniſters: and how little reuerence they giuegive to any that are faithfull! How they follow their couetouſnes and pleaſures! How they fil all ſortes of Courtes with brawles, fooliſh and wilfull ſtrifes and ſutes & demures in law, with murders, whoordomes, dronkennes, & all diſorder. For braue buildinges, coſtlie apparell, and dainty dyet, they hauehave great plentie: but euerie little thing which is beſtowed vponupon the Church, is thought to much: nay, I woulde they did not vſe deuiſes, to diminiſh the liuinges of the Church, and to oppreſſe poore men, when they enter into their charges. If the Lord hauing placed his worde among vsus, beholding their little thankfulnes to him ſelfe, and greate vnkindnes to his ſeruantes. If hee looking for fruite at their hands, find nothing but a leaper ſoare. If he finde that they bee in friendſhipe with Papiſtes and Atheiſtes for worldly wealth: and giuegive more countenance to dronkards and whoormaiſters, then to the frithfull Miniſters of Chriſt: what man iudgeing with a ſpirituall eie according to the holy Scripture, can otherwiſe deeme, but that God hath laid theſe thinges iuſtlye vponupon vsus for our ſinnes, and for the vngratefulnes of the people. So that I may boldly ſay, that although wee hauehave ſeene great tentations, and God hath outwardlie ſhaken his rod, in the heauens by blaſing ſtars and tempeſtes, windes and vnſeaſonable weather; in the earth by earthquaks and greate dearth; in our bodies with peſtilence and manie ſtrange ſickneſſes. And beſide all this the enemies abroade hath offered to inuade vsus. We hauehave ſent out thouſandes and there hath come home but hundredes; wee hauehave had almoſt continuall ſtirre in Ireland: yea we hauehave had the ſweard of ſedition diſplaying it ſelf in our ſtreets, and ſometime rebellion; and now the Papiſtes lifting vp their beardes to out face vsus: and yet our ſwearing, lying dronkennes, vſurie, oppreſsion and whoordomes are without meaſure: may it not be ſaide that yet theſe fortie three yeares, the Lord hath not giuen vsus, an heart to perceaue, and eies to ſee and eares to heare vntounto this day. May wee not looke euerie daye to hauehave it worſe, if we continue thus in our wickedneſſe, without true repentance? O that it woulde pleaſe God, to open our eies, that euen now at the length, euen in this day, we could know the things, which belong vntounto our peace!A prayer for concord and conformitie to the Ghoſpell. Seeing then wee are thus wrapped and intangled in the nett of Gods heauie iudgements, I doe therefore humblie praye and deſire hartely almightie God, that hee woulde conuert vsus vntounto him ſelfe boeth Miniſters & people: and that we the Miniſters of the word, would ſeriouſlie remember that we are brethren: and howſoeuer we differ in iudgement we woulde be carefull that nothing be done among vsus, thorowe contention and vaine glorie, or deſire of preheminence, for reuenge of a malicious froward or vvayward minde: but that in meeknes of mind, euerie man eſteeme other better then him ſelfe: that where vntounto we are come, we may proceede by one rule, minding one thing, forbearing one an other, and forgiuinge one an other, euen as hee forgaue vsus. And that the reuerende Fathers and learned Prelates for their part, following the example of our greate Father Abraham, vvould rather yeelde their right, then that there ſhoulde be continued ſuch ciuill diſsenſion, ſo pernicious to the Church & common wealth, and that the godlie Miniſters would be verie carefull to giuegive no offence, by word or deede, which iuſtly might prouoke their diſpleaſure againſt them, and that they woulde ioyne louinglie together in the careful feeding of Gods people. And that he would encline the peoples hearte to conſider that theſe thinges are Gods heauie correctiones: and by true humiliation and prayer inſtantlie to God; for the forgiueneſſe of our ſinnes; for the proſperitie and long life of her Maieſtie; for vnitie and encreaſe of the faithfull Miniſters; for the aduancement of the Ghoſpell; for the ſpirit of holie and godlie wiſedome in the whole ſtate; and for Gods protection againſt all our enemies, both bodelie and ghoſtelie: And by there chearefull obedience to God, and thankfull declaration of their louelove vntounto their Prince, and dutifull practiſe of iuſtice, equitie, truth, merciemercy and concord, one with an other: ſhewe themſelues, the true and faithfull profeſſors of Chriſtes moſt bleſſed Ghoſpell. Not ſufferinge themſelues to be carried away with the louelove of this world; but to labour chiefly for thoſe thinges which concerne the kingdome of God. That ſo his gracious goodnes and holie fauour may alwaie ſhine vponupon vsus; his mightie arme be our defence; his holy ſpirit our guid and directour; his bleſſed Sonne, our Lord & Sauiour; his couenant of grace be eſtabliſhed and confirmed toward vsus and our children for euer and euer, Amen.
The Lords name be praiſed.
End of the text · Josias Nichols, The Plea of the Innocent (1602)