Reformation Unjustly Charged as Enemies, Title page – To the reader 2
A TREATISE WHEREIN IS MANIFESTLIE PROVED, THAT REFORMATION AND THOSE that ſincerely fauor the ſame, are vnjuſtly charged to be enemies, vntounto hir Maieſtie, and the ſtate.
WRITTEN BOTH FOR THE clearing of thoſe that ſtande in that cauſe: and the ſtopping of the ſclaunderous mouthes of all the enemies thereof.
ZEPHANIAH 3.18.19.
After a certaine time wil I gather the afflicted, that were of thee, and them that beare the reproch for it: behold at that time will I bruiſe al that afflict thee, and I will ſaue her that halteth, and gather hir that was caſt out, and I wil get them praiſe in al the land of their ſhame. At that time wil I bring you again, and then wil I gather you, for I wil giuegive you a name, and a praiſe amōg al the people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes ſaith the Lord.
1590.
To all thoſe that ſincerelie louelove the Lorde Ieſus, and ſeeke the … eſtate of his kingdoms, and namelie, in the brethren throughout Englande, VVales, & Ireland: IOHN … knowledge, … and … with al other ….
THE Cluds of England, (beloued in the Lorde) to wit, Peace and proſperity, hauehave now of a long time to be … all eſtates among vsus for the moſt part, that in ſtead of our thankfulneſſe vntounto God, for his great & vndeſerued bleſſings: they hauehave cauſed our land to bring forth moſt ſtrange effects, vntounto the diſhonour of the Lords name, the hinderance of his truth, the lykelie ruine of his Church, and the generall griefe and diſcouragement of all his children. VVe knowe wel enough, what kyndneſſe the Lord hath generallie ſhewed vntounto our kingdome at ſuch time as we little deſerued the ſame, and what thankfulneſſe wee hauehave repayed him again, our practiſe doth evidentlie teſtifie.
It is not yet manie yeares aboue 30. ſince we were matched, yea, King Philips mariage.and ouermatched with ſtrangers, readie daye and night to hauehave the ſame crueltie ſhevved vponupon vsus, whiche that proude and bloodie nation the Spainyard, doth now the ſecond tyme purpoſe to execute. But our God deliuered vsus from that imminent bondage. The bleſſing is to be remembred, eſpeciallie ſeeing the kindenes was then ſhewed vntounto our ſtate, when not onelye the whole kingdome being moſte ſhamefullie fallen from God to the worſhip of deuils, was ouergrowne with the weeds of Idolatrous poperie and ſuperſtition: but euen thoſe plantes graffed among vsus by the diuels owne hande, were ſo highly accounted off, that rather thē they ſhould not hauehave their ful growth in England, they were watered with the blood of the ſaints of God. Behold here, O England, thy deliueraunce from bondage, in the day wherein thou didſt deſerue captitutie, and looke for an heauier yoke, if thou continueſt to be vnthankful. But what do I ſpeake of this outward libertie, ſeeing the other freedome of the ſoule beſtowed vponupon vsus at the ſame inſtant, doth vtterlie obſcure this bleſſing, and make it ſeeme nothing in compariſon. The Lord therefore, that al the glorie of his kindnes towardes a rebellious nation might indeede be his owne, and that he might juſtly require the fruit of thankfulneſſe at our handes, together with the government of hir right excellent Majeſtie, brought vntounto vsus the ineſtimable treaſure of his Goſpell, which to this day he hath continued contrarie vntounto our deſerts. Howe this goſpell was at that time, and nowe is receaued among vsus, it ſhalbe partlie declared afterward.
Since the enjoying thereof (how vnthankfullie ſoeuer our ſtate hath entertayned the ſame) it is well knowen that in regarde of outwarde peace and proſperitie, this land hath bene in our dayes the miracle of al the kingdomes in the earth. For the Lord hath from heauen commanded the bleſsing of outward plentie to be with vsus in al that we hauehave ſet our handes vntounto: Deu. 28.11.12and as for our peace, it hath beene ſuch as other nations hauehave bene glad to borrow the ſame from vsus, which alſo we hauehave bene able to lend vntounto them. And although the Lord to teſtify his wrath againſt the abuſe of his bleſſings hath ſomtimes chaſtened vsus with ſome taſte of famine, and threatned diuers times to take awaye our peace, yet whenſoeuer wee hauehave had but one deare yeare in all our quarters, hee fullie recompenſed the dearth thereof, with the vnexpected abundance and plentie of the next. And if you look vntounto our enemies that hauehave riſen vp, either at home or abroad to diſturbe our quietnes, they may bee trulie ſaide to come againſt vsus one waye, and to hauehave fallen before vsus ſeauen. So that if within the circuite of heauen, you woulde ſee a kingdome wonderfullie bleſſed with outward peace and proſperity, Englād muſt be the pattern thereof. And I woulde to God that this were the onelie preſident that England doth afforde vntounto vsus and our poſterities? But alas, it is far other wiſe. For as the Lords bleſſings hauehave bene multiplied vponupon vsus, ſo hath our vnthankfulneſſe augmented it ſenſe out of meaſure. Conſider the ſtate of religiō at this day, & ſee what a grateful cuntrie Englande hath bene vntounto hir God. The Lord by the mouthes of his ſeruantes, and by his fore-named bleſſings, hath theſe 31. yeares beſought and earneſtly intreated, yea wooed as it were al eſtates among vsus, to looke vntounto their owne ſoules to day, wrile it is called to day, and to lay a ſure hold vponupon him while he may be found, by a thorow receiuing of the Goſpel: together with the miniſters thereof: and by ſhewing kindenes vntounto his deſolate houſe. But what hath England anſwered? Surelie with an impudent fore-head The hath ſaid: I wil not come neere the holie one. Englands reformation.And as for the building of his houſe, I will not ſo much as lift vp a finger towardes that work, nay I wil continue the deſolations thereof. And if anie man ſpeaketh a worde in the behalfe of this houſe, or bewaileth the miſerie of it: I wil accounte him an enemye to my ſtate. As for the goſpel, and the miniſteries of it, I hauehave already receaued al the Goſpels, and al the miniſteries that I meane to receaue. I hauehave receaued a reading Goſpel, and a reading miniſtery, a pompous Goſpel, and a pompous miniſtery: a Goſpel and a miniſtery that ſtrentheneth the hands of the wicked in his iniquity, a goſpel and a miniſtery that will ſtoupe vntounto me and bee at my beek either to ſpeake or to be mute when I ſhal thinke good. Briefly I hauehave receaued a goſpel & a miniſterie that wil neuer trouble my conſcience with the ſight of my ſinns which is al the goſpels and al the miniſteries that I meane to receaue: & I wil make a ſure hand, that the Lords houſe it I can chuſe, ſhalbee no otherwayes aedified, than by the handes of ſuche men, as bring vntounto me the foreſaid goſpel and the foreſaid miniſtery. Loe heere Englands thankfulnes (beloued) foral the mercies and kindnes whiche hir God hath vouchſaued vntounto hir. And tell me in thy conſcience whether thou thinkeſt that ſhee hath rendred according vntounto the rewarde beſtowed vponupon hir, 2. Chro. 32.25who in ſo great a deſolation of Gods ſervice, hath not once ſhewed hir ſelf to be moued with any compaſsion that way. And I doe apeale vntounto thy conſcience, whether I hauehave not trulie ſet down the affection which all eſtates among vsus generallie conſidered doe beare vntounto the Lords pure worſhip and ſeruice. In ſo much as if he ſhoulde ſende ſome Ieremy to ſtād in our high wayes, & inquire whatſort of men he could finde within our land, who had in any thankful manner remembred the Lords goodenes, by regarding his waſt and ruinous ſanctuary, well hee might meete with ſome one heere and there, as a cluſter of grapes after the vintage, that in ſome gratefull ſort, acknowledged the Lords hand towards vsus: but as for the general ſtate either of the magiſtracy, of the miniſterye or of the common people, behelde nothing els, but a multitude of conſpirators againſt God, againſt his truth, againſt the building of his houſe, againſt his Saints and children: and conſequentlie againſt the wealth of their owne ſoules, and the publike peace and tranquillity of this whole kingdome. Our common people.Concerning the common people, their profanneſſe, impiety, contempt of God and his religion, and their hatred vntounto his children, with al other their wickednes, may ſeeme to deſerue ſome excuſe, Ier. 5.3.4.becauſe they never as yet had anye meanes to know God aright, for the holy ghoſt may truly ſay of them They are poore, they are fooliſh, for they hauehave not knowen the way of the Lord, nor the judgements of their God. And therefore what mervell is it, thoughe they have made their faces harder than a ſtone, and refuſed to returne.
But theſe that would be accounted our Prophetes, Our ſuppoſed Miniſtery.and the miniſters of the Sanctuary, hauehave had better meanes to know the wil of their maiſter, and therefore juſt & righteous ſhal he be, whenſoeuer he rewardeth them with the fruites of their owne handes, if they hauehave broken the yoak: of their obedience, and caſte from them the bondes of that carefulnes, whereby it behoued them to binde themſelues, that they ſhould not forget the houſe of their God. VVil you then come vntounto them, and ſee what they are? Alas, you can beholde heere no other ſight but a multitude of deſperate and forlorne Athieſts, that hauehave put the euil day far from them, and endeuoured to perſwade their owne hartes, that gods holy miniſtery, and the ſauing health of mens ſoules, are matters not to be regarded. You ſhal finde among this crue, nothing els, but a troup of bloody ſoule murtherers, ſacriligious church robbers, and ſuche as hauehave made them ſelues fatte with the bloude of mens ſoules, and the vtter ruine of the Church. The whole endeuour of which curſed generation, ever ſince the beginning of hir Maieſties raigne, hath tended no otherway, then to make a ſure hand to keepe the church in bondage, that being bound in their handes, it ſhoulde not dare for feare of being murthered to ſeeke for liberty. Of theſe men, contained within the nomber of proud and ambitious prelates, our Lord Archbiſhops and Biſhops, godleſſe and murthering Non-reſidentes, profane and ignorant idole ſhepheards, or dumbe doggs, I will ſay no more in this place but this. Revel. 6.10. Pſal. 65.2.How long Lord * juſt & true doeſt thou ſuffer thine inheritance to bee polluted and layd waſte, by this vncircumciſed generation. O * thou that heareſt the prayer, let the ſupplications which thy children hauehave made before thee day and night (for the removing of this our plague,) be at the length effectuall in thine eares, and with ſpeed thruſt theſe caterpillers as one man out of our Church, and let the memory of them be forgotten in Iſean… for ever. Sobeit Lord for thy ſonne Chriſts ſake.
Now if they who woulde bee accounted the miniſters of the holye Sanctuary, Magiſtracy.are found ſo vnanſwerable, both vntounto the callings, which they would claime vntounto them ſelues, and alſo vntounto the Lords kyndnes ſnewed vntounto our Land: it were but folly to demaund what thankfulnes our Magiſtrats and ſuch as deale in the execusion of iuſtice, hauehave repayed vntounto their God. For they hauing ſuffered themſelues, to bee led by the forenamed blinde guides muſt needs ſtumble at that ſtone, which is offenſiue vntounto their leaders. And therefore hande in hande, hauehave our magiſtracye and miniſterye walked in the contempt of true Religion. And the one of theſe hauing vncircumciſed eares, hauehave made that the other cannot hearken, and vntounto both the word of the Lorde, (in which they hauehave no delight) is made a reproche: Inſomuch as among thoſe who deale in the cauſe of juſtice, there are founde wicked perſons, Ier. 5.26.27.as the prophete ſaieth, even wicked lawyers and judges (who ſeeme to know of no other God, but their owne gaine,) that lay waite for the bloud of Gods ſaints, as hee that ſetteth ſnares, and mark whether they can heare of any that goe further in the cauſe of God, than the corruption of our ſtate doth permit. And if they finde any ſuch, they know how to wreſt againſt them, a clawſe of ſome ſtatute, contrarye not onelyonly to the meaning thereof, but even contrary vntounto all juſtice & aequity, yea common reaſon it ſelfe, and the very groundes of al good Lawes, and ſtatutes. So that it is now growne, and hath beene of a long time a common practiſe of theſe godles men, to make of the ſtatutes ordained for the maintenance of Religion and common quietnes a pit wherein to catch the peaceable of the land. The common enditementes of the Lords true and faithful miniſters for matters of trifles, as the omiſsion of the ſurpliſe, Churching of women, Croſſe in baptiſm &c. doeth manifeſtlye witnes the iniquity of theſe Atheiſtes. VVhereby though as the Prophet alſo complaineth they are become great, waxē rich, and growen into fauor with our counſel, and ſuch as beare chiefe authority vnderunder hir Maieſty: yet let them be aſſured they procure vntounto their ſoules, ſwift and heauie damnation, without ſpeedye & earneſte repentance. And becauſe our counſaile may be truly ſaid to delight in this iniury and violent oppreſsion of Gods ſaincts and miniſters, therfore whenſoever the Lord ſhal come to ſearch for the ſinnes of Englād with lights, Zeph. 1.12.as Zephaniah ſayth, he wil ſurely eviſite our counſaile with an heauy plague. Becauſe vndoubtedly they are frozē in their dregs, & perſwade their owne hartes that the Lord wil do neither good nor evil in the defence of his meſſengers and children. And then ſhal they feele what it is to winke at (muche more to procure) the oppreſsion of the Churche of Chriſte. I wil not in this place charge our counſel with that which followeth in Ieremy, Ier. 5.28.vponupon the place before aledged, namely that they execute no judgement, no not the judgement of the Fatherles. But this I will ſay, that they cannot poſſibly deale truly in the matter of juſtice betweene man and man, inſo muche as they bend al their forces to beceaue Chriſt Ieſus of that right, which he hath to the governement of his Church. Their Honors.The which vngodly and wicked courſe as they hauehave held on ever ſince the beginning of hir Maieſties …, ſo at this day they hauehave taken greater boldne, and growen more rebellious againſt the Lord and his cauſe then ever they were. Inſomuch as their Honors in token of their thankfulnes to him, that hath exalted them, dare now charge the cauſe of reformation to be an enemy vntounto our ſtate, and ſuch as fauour the ſame, to be vnquiet and factious men diſturbers of the common peace and quietnes, and ſowers of ſedition among the ſubiects. This euil dealing of their Honors with the Lords truth, and vsus that profes the ſame within England, hauehave enforced me to take ſome paines in the writing of this treatiſe. The whiche in regard of mine owne weakeneſſe, and the waight of the matter, I would hauehave left moſt willingly, vntounto the handling of ſome that had beene of greater guiftes than my ſelf, it the cauſe being more depelye charged with the former crimes in my perſon, then in any other that I can hear off at this preſent, did not require my weak labours and endeuours for the clearing of the ſame, from ſo godleſſe and vntrue an accuſation.
For the farther vnderſtanidng of this particular occaſion mouing me to write, thou art to vnderſtand (beloued in the Lord) that within theſe fewe moneths, a warrant vnderunder ſix counſellors hands, hath beene given out from their Honors, and ſent by publick meſſengers vntounto al ſuch places of the Land, as ther was any lykelihood of mine abode. The effect whereof was this. So Amaſiah …ew Amos to be a traytor.That if men hauehave not hitherto knowne ſo much, their Honors whoſe names were hereunto adioined: doe aſſure them of their owne knowledge, that one Iohn Penry, is an enemie to the ſtate, and if they hauehave not taken him for ſuch heretofore, they ſhould now take knowledge and information thereof from them, & ſo henceforth account of him. In which regarde they ſhould be ſo farre from aiding, conſorting, or releuing of him, that if they can by anye meanes apprehend or lay hould of him, they ſhal therein do her Maieſtie good ſervice.
The names of their Honors, who hauehave by theſe letters proclaimed themſelues to be of their nomber that ſhal lend their ſhoulders to vphold the kingdome of darknes, I doe for the reverence whiche I owe vntounto hir Maieſties government conceale, ſaue only Iohn Cant. (as he writeth himſelf) whome both in reſpecte of his Antichriſtian Prelacve ouer Gods Church, and for the notable hatred which he hath euer bewrayed towardes the Lord and his truth, I thinke one of the diſhe norableſt creatures vnderunder he auen, and accordingly doe account of him. Deſiring the Lord, if it be his wil, to conuert both him and al other the detected enemies of Sion, that their ſoules may be ſaued: or if he hath appointed them to damnation, and meaneth not otherwiſe to be glorified by them, ſpeedelye to disburden the earthe of ſuche reprobate caſt-awayes.
But to returne again vntounto our purpoſe, if the accuſation wherwith I am vniuſtly charged in the former warrant, reached no farther then my owne perſon, it were my dutye in regarde of the quietnes of our ſtate, to put it vp: But ſeing that it doth not touch me at al, any further then I hauehave bene an inſtrument to promote the cauſe of Chriſts governmēt and wholly ſtriketh at that truth, in the defence whereof it pleaſed the Lord to vſe my weake and polluted hands: I do make it knowen vntounto the worlde. Firſte that I am accounted an enemye vntounto our ſtate, for no other ſuſpition and colour, but onelyonly becauſe I hauehave by publicke writing, laboured to defend and induce in our churche, that vniforme order of church regiment, which our Sauiour Chriſt hath ordained in his word, to continue perpetually therein: and alſo hauehave endeuored to ſeek the vtter ruine and ouerthrow of that wicked hierarchye of lorde Biſhops, together with whatſoever corruption dependeth therevpon. Nowe that I cannot bee charged of enmitye to our ſtate, for any other cauſe than this which I hauehave expreſſed: I make it clear, in that my bringing vp hauing bene al the dayes of my life at my ſtudies, I never as yet delt in any cauſe more or leſſe, that any wayes concerneth the civil ſtate and government. And as for attempting any thing againſt hir maieſties perſon, I know the diuel himſelf dares not be ſo ſhameles as to intende any accuſation againſt me in that point. The caſe then being thus manifeſt and cleare, that I am thought an enemye to the ſtate, not for intermedling with any civill action, but only for ſeeking the wealthe of Sion. I do in the ſecond place make it known by this preſent treatiſe, that the ſincere handling of this cauſe is ſo far from being an enemye vntounto our ſtate: that they do notably detect their impiety againſt God, and their enmity to the kingdom of his ſonne Chriſt, Our perſecuters are enemies to the ſtate of Chriſts kingdome.whoſoever they be that dare preſume to burden, either the cauſe or the ſincere profeſſors thereof, with ſo palpable and manifeſt a ſclaunder, And as for the iniury, that heerein they offer vntounto hir Maieſtye, who woulde by theſe ſclaunders enforce hir to lay down hir peaceable ſcepter, and to take vp a bloody ſword againſt hir beſt ſubiects: our bloud (though they never hauehave power to ſpill it) which they thirſt after, ſhal in the day of judgement teſtify the ſame to their condemnation, except they repent. And hir Maieſty, if ſhee giuegive eare vntounto ſuch counſellors is to feare, leaſte in the Lords juſt judgement the day maye come vponupon hir and hir Lande, (which in thy mercies Lord remoue far from hir) wherein ſhe ſhal full bitterly lament and bewaile, Enemies to hir Maieſty.that in time ſhe tooke not greater tryall of our loyaity, who now are reckened within the nomber of hir moſte dangerous ſubiects, So that the iniury by the former vniuſt accuſatiō, offered vntounto Gods cauſe and vsus his people, ſtryketh alſo at hir Maieſſies owne eſtate And the Lord vouchafe hir an harte to conſider thereof, before it bee too late. For aſſuredly thoſe that are our enemies for the profeſſion of the truth, cannot be hir ſure fiends, whatſoever they may pretend.
And becauſe I ſee that we be fallen into thoſe times, wherein Sathan worketh the defacing of the waye of truthe, and ſupporteth his owne kingdome by inſtrumentes of no meane countenance: and alſo perceaue that baſe man beginneth to take ſtrength vntounto himſelfe againſte his maker: I hauehave purpoſely framed my ſelfe to make it knowne vntounto Sathan and his complices that all their might and power in oppugning vsus for this cauſe is ſpent in vaine. For although the cauſe bee ſtood vntounto by weake and ſinful men, if reſpect bee had to that which wee are in ourſelues, I yet let man know that in the ſtrength of our God, we are ſo far from being diſmayed with the wiſedom, countenance, or power of whatſoeuer is made of fleſh, that for mine owne part, I cannot ſufficiently wonder, that any creature dares be ſo bold, as to proclaime war againſt vsus for this cauſe. And therefore whatſoever enemies the Lorde bath raiſed vp againſt me (a contemptible worme,) for the maintenāce of his truth, be they noble or vnnoble, counſellors or inferiour men, I am ſo far from fearing their power, that the more I ſee them rage, the greater ſtrength I ſee reached vntounto me by the Lords free mercies to ſtand to that truth, which they raue againſt. And by how much the more I ſee them banded againſt the ſonne of God, by ſo muche the greater hope do I conceaue, that the caſe wherein I ſtand, ſhal get the vpper hande over them, whether they wil or not. I beleeue, and therefore I am forced to ſpeak theſe things. In the vttering whereof, as I thank my God, I hauehave a feeling of mine own great wants and imperfections: ſo I am not with out ſome comfortable aſſurance of his hand with me in this cauſe, to ſeale whatſoever truth I ſhal vtter heerin, according to his word. In reſpect wherof, I do warne and admoniſh thoſe counſellors with whom and againſt whome, eſpecially I deale in this treatiſe, to repent them of their great inſolency, whereby they hauehave bene puffed vp with Senacharib to magnifie and oppoſe themſelues againſt the cauſe and people of the Lord of Hoſtes: 2. Chron. 32.19. Zeph. 2.8.9 10.as againſt the religion and people of ſome of the gods of the earth. Otherwayes they are to feare, leaſt the Lord hauing rayſed vp many of them, out of meane places into the throne of juſtice, meaneth to ſhew his power and great name, by making them examples of his feareful wrath as he did Pharaoh, who wrought his owne ouerthrow as the * text expreſly noteth: Exod. 9.17.by exalting him ſelf againſt the people of the Lord. For aſſuredly the Lord wil not forget his churche for ever, but at the * appointed time, pſal. 75.3.8.11he wil break the horne of the wicked and the righteous ſhalbe exalted. If men wil wonder that wee being ſo contemptible in the ſight of the world, dare yet be ſo bold, as to controle great ſtates and mighty men, and to challenge them of iniuſtice againſt the ſonne of God and his members, who wil not ſtick to bragge with Pilate, that they hauehave power to crucifie Chriſt, Iohn. 19.10.and to abſolue him they are to vnderſtand, that we know of no power, but from aboue: & therefore of no power, that is able to beare out iniuſtice and wrong: the hilles of the robbers we grant to be high, Iob. 5.3.and vnaſſaileable in the ſight of an eye of fleſh: but we hauehave learned of the holy man, to account the habitation of the wicked to be accurſed even when he ſemeth to be beſt rooted: for we know that the ſteppes of his ſtrength ſhalbee reſtrained, Iob. 18.7.and that his owne counſel ſhal caſt him downe. And as for our ſelues, we confes that we are but baſe worms, (and we would to God that we were lower in our own eyes,) ſuch as liue not according vntounto outward appearance, becauſe our life is hid with Chriſt in God. Col. 3.3.But yet leaſt me ſhould take occaſiō to perſecute vsus, becauſe they know not with whom they deale, becauſe they are ignorant, whence wee are, or whether wee intend: ſeing by our walking they may truly judge vsus to be deſcended of ſome other race than themſelues are, and to look for an other dwelling place than any we can enjoy here. They are to vnderſtand that we are borne not of mortal but of immortal ſeede, 1. Pet. 1.23.by the liuelye worde of God, and that we are the ſervants of that Lord, who is not aſhamed to be called our God. Heb. 11.16.And we are ſo far from hunting after the wages of vnrighteouſnes with them, that we freely confes our ſelues to bee but pilgrimes and ſtraungers vponupon earth: and therefore travell towardes that heavenly city which our God hath prepared for vsus. To be briefe, we are the law full ſucceſſors of thoſe men, who through faith quenched the violence of fire, Heb. 11.34, 36eſcaped the edge of the ſword. Of weake, were made ſtrong, who were tryed by mockings and ſcornings, yea moreover, by bondes and improſonments, who were ſtoned, hewen a ſunder, ſlaine with the ſword, wandered vp and down in ſheep skinnes, being deſtitute, afflicted and tormented, and yet in al theſe diſtreſſes were more then conquerers through the power of their God. VVherrwith alſo we hope to be aſſiſted, whenſoever it ſhal pleaſe the Lord to giuegive our enemies leaue to try our pacience. To conclude, we are thoſe vntounto whom the Lord made this promiſe, Heb. 13 5.6.I wil not fayle thee, nor forſake thee. So that we may boldly ſay, the lord is mine helper, neither wil I feare what man can do vntounto me.
If then our counſellers and great men wil not provoke this God againſt their owne ſoules, they are to be exhorted before they deale any farther againſt the procurers of reformation, to betake them vntounto their ſecond thoughtes, and acknowledge their temeritye in lifting vp their handes againſt God and thoſe whome hee accounteth of, as the apple of his owne eye. Zachar. 2.For in fighting againſt vsus they labor very ſtrongly we grant, to aggrauat & haſten their owne damnation, but their purpoſes are they neuer able to effect.
To come vntounto you beloved, for whoſe ſtrengthening and comforting I hauehave eſpecially taken paines in this treatiſe, if God hath called any of you to ſuffer for this cauſe, think it an exceding preferment that he hath vouchſaued you to be partakers of the afflictions of the goſpel, 2. Tim. 1.8.and in any caſe be not diſmaied at your trobles. The cauſe is proued to be ſuch, as for the which you may not onelyonly ſuffer with a good conſcience: but ſuch as in the defence wherof, you may expect for the affiſtāce of Gods comforting ſpirit: and ſuch, as wherein al chriſtians are bound to ſuffer, when they are thervnto called. I hauehave alſo ſhewed it to be that cauſe, which is compaſſed about with a cloude of wi neſſes, and made commendable and bewtiful vntounto al chriſtians, with the blood of the holye Martyrs of Chriſt. The ſame ſpirit which aſsiſted them vntounto the end, wil not leaue you in any of your temptations. So that by your prayers you ſeek vntounto the Lord for ſtrength, Obedience.and be careful to learne obedience by the things which you ſuffer. As we are taught by his example, who by ſufferings was made vntounto vsus the author of aeternal ſalvation. Be therfore humbled vnderunder the hād of your God, Heb. 5.8.9.& know that you ſtand neither by your owne ſtrength, nor by the goodnes of that cauſe wherein you ſuffer: Heb. 12.28.29but onelye by the aſsiſtance of his ſpirite, who requireth a great care in all his children to pleaſe him in reverence and feare: for even our God is a conſuming fire.
Concerning ſuch of you as the Lord hath not tryed with any afflictiō for this cauſe, I beſeech you be not aſhamed of the chaine of your brethren, mourne with thoſe that lament for the cauſe of God. VVhen they are impriſoned, think your ſelues to be in bondes. And I do eſpecially and aboue al thinges beſeech thoſe that fauor the reformation, to labour more and more in the reforming of themſelues and ſuch as be long vntounto them. VVe know that conſidering the ſeaſon, it is now time to reſt from ſleep. Rom. 13.12.For now is our ſalvation neerer than when we firſte beleved. It might hauehave bene ſomething tollerable in times paſt for a ſincere profeſſor, to hauehave an ignorant, an vntaughte, and a vnreformed family: but in this cleare light, Phil. 1.27. 1. cor. 13.5.13 Zeph. 1.8. Epheſ. 5.11. Col. 1.6.and in a profeſsion of ſo great ſincerity to continew in theſe ſinnes, is altogether vnbeſeeming the goſpel of Chriſt. Long haire, great ruffes, laying out of wemens haire, and ſtrange attyre, is a participating with the vnfruitful works of darkneſſe and a token that the goſpel hath not beene faithfully receaued. And therefore let it be no longer tolle rated among the reformed profeſſours of England. Vow and performe with the holye man Dauid, Pſal. 111.12.that you wil ſing mercy and judgement, & walke in the vprightnes of your harts in the midſt of your families, Iob. 22.22.23.and if you wil make peace indeede with the Lord, follow the counſel of the holye ghoſt in removing iniquitye far, not only from yourſelues, but alſo from your tabernacles & hou ſes. Shew what reformation can do in a whole kingdome, by the practiſe thereof in your owne perſons and families. And that wilbe the beſt argument both to confute the aduerſary, and to draw the indifferent to lyke the cauſe. And as the Lord ſhal giuegive vntounto any of you acceſſe either vntounto hir Maieſty, or any of their Honors, ſo be careful to promote this truth. VVe hauehave al of vsus (we muſt confes,) be ne ſo careleſſe and ſecure in theſe points, and therefore it is, that by the juſte judgement of God, our Biſhops are at this day ſo inſolent againſt the truth. And vnles we labour more ſtrongly to hauehave theſe Cananits rooted out we may write vponupon it, that they wilbe prickes in our eyes, Nomb. 33.55.56.& thornes in our ſides, & ſtil vexe vsus as they do at this day. VVhere I ſay that profeſſors ſhould labour ſtrongly, to hauehave our hierarchy and contemptible Idoles rooted out of our Church, my meaning is not that any priuate ſtrength ſhould ſo much as lift vp a hand, muche leſſe vſe any violence againſt theſe caterpillers: but I meane that we ſhould more vehemētly labour with the Lord by prayers, and by the reforming ourſelues & our families, and deale earneſtly with hir Maieſty & their Honors that our cauſe may be aequally heard.
My meaning in the former point I thought needful to expreſſe, becauſe I know what ſclanders would otherwiſe be raiſed againſt me, to the hurt of the cauſe by thoſe that are enemies therevnto: whoſe madnes (I doubte not) will ſhortlye appeare vntounto all men. And I truſt in the Lord, that he wil one day giuegive hir Maieſty a deſcerning ey, to judge aright between them and vsus, and then ſhal it appeare, whether we or they do ſeek the peace and quietnes of hir kingdome. In the meane time we wil content our ſelues with the eye of our God. Yet one thing I would wiſh to be conſidered of by hir right excellent Maieſty, namely whether it be not an inconvenient ſeaſon when our fortaine enemies are at the dores, publikly to traduce hir beſte and moſt truſty ſnbiects as enemies to hir ſtate. For if the Spainyard ſhal heare, that (beſids the popiſh faction) the fore-wardeſt profeſſors of the goſpel in Englande are but her Maieſties half frendes, Mark the iſſue.what wil not the hope of a threfold diſcorde in our ſtate moue him to attempt? I doe therefore feare that many of the forwardeſt enemies of reformation, are not the backwardeſt friends that the King of Spaine hath in England at this day. But leaſt the enemy ſhould deceaue himſelf, with a golden dreame: I am to make it knowen vntounto al Spaniards and Spaniſh practiſers, that we are ſuch enemies vntounto Queene Elizabeth, The enmity which the favorers of reformation beare vntounto hir Maieſty and the ſtate.as we do not onelyonly pray day and nighte for the ſtate of hir Kingdome and hir perſon: but alſo wee are readye to ſtande in the defence of hir royal perſon and right, to the loſſe not onelyonly of our goods and blood, but even of our lyues, and that againſt men and Angels, even al creatures without exception. Thus much my good brethren, I may boldly ſet down in the name of you al, becauſe I know by what ſpirit you are guided. And as for your ſakes, nexte vntounto the defence of the truth, I hauehave taken this labour in hand: So I do with the Apoſtle humbly entreat the Lord, Rom. 15.31.that my ſervice herein may be acceptable vntounto the Saints throughout England, VVales & Ireland: whome together with my ſelf: and al the Lords elect, I commit vntounto his hand, who is able to reſerue vsus vntounto the day of redemption.
TO THE READER.
¶ M.D. Anno 12. or 13 Elizab.Haddon deliuered in Parliament a Latine book concerning church diſcipline, written in the dayes of king Ed. 6. by M. Cranmer, & Sir Iohn Cheek knight &c. This book was committed by the houſe to be tranſlated vntounto the ſaid M. Hadon, M. George Bromely, M. Norton, &c. If thou canſt good reader help me, or any other that labour in the cauſe vntounto the ſaid book: I hope (though I never ſaw it,) that in ſo doing thou ſhalt doe good ſervice vntounto the Lord and his Church