The Church of Englands Antithesis to Arminianism, Dedication 2

The Church of Englands Antithesis to Arminianism · Dedication 2

TO THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHERS IN GOD, THE ARCH-BISHOPS and Bishops of the Church of ENGLAND.

RIGHT Reuerend Fathers in God,

aaIn…egritas praesidentium, salus est subditotum. Nam totius familiae Domini status et ordo nutabit, si quod requiritur in corpore, non inveniatur in capite: Leo Epist: 87: cap: 1in whose pious integrity, and industrious vigilancie, the chiefest safety; in whose vnfaithfulnesse, negligence, or insollidity, the greatest hazard, the inevitablest danger of our Protestant Church, and long professed religion are suspended: I here most humbly tender vntounto your fatherly and pious considerations, an vninterrupted Antithesis of the Church of England, from her very first reformation to this present, against that bbO…osius, De Libertate Arbitrij Apolog: contra Pelagium, stiles it: Nefaria haeresis: venatissimorum dogmatum abominatio; serpens, suffocans que halitus;most venemous Semi-pelagian heresie, and those Arminian Novelties, which hauehave of late invaded, yea much endangered her ancient, established, and professed Doctrines, which your Ecclesiasticall ccBeneficium datur propter officium, Concil: Lateran, sub Leone 10, Sess: 9, …urius Concil: Tom: 4. pag: 635: B.Dignities, and frequent Subscriptions to the Articles, Homilies, & Tenents of our Church, engage you in a more speciall manner to protect.

It is not, yea it cannot be vnknowne to your grauities, that olde Pelagius, and Faustus, who hauehave lyen dead and rotten in their graues 1100 yeares, or more, hauehave by a kinde of ddSee Plutarch De his qui sero a Numine puniuntur. Diogenes Laert lib 8. Pythagoras. Platonis Phaedon: Tertullian de Anima, Hierom. Epist. 59. cap. 2.Pythagorean Metempsy chosis, revived in Arminius and his followers now of late, (aseeHaec venenatissimorum dogmatum abominatio habet etiam nunc viventes mortuos, mortuosque viventes. Nā Crigines, Priscillianus, et Iovinianus olim apud se mortui in his vivunt; et non solum vivunt, verum etiam loquunt…r; nunc vero Pelagius et Caelestius in his viventes mortui, ecce adversus Ecclesiam, quod mi erum est; et quod multo m…erius est in Ecclesia palam sibilant, &c Orosius de Libertate Arbitrii contr. Pelag. Bibl. Patrum, Tom 15 p 144. Origen, Priscillian, and Iouinian did in them) and not onelyonly spoken openly against the grace of God, and doctrines of our Church, which is miserable; but even publikely preached and written against them in our Church, without any Ecclesiasticall censure or controll; which is farre worse: It was the complaint of a Reuerend and learned Prelate of our Church about some ten yeares since, in an Epistle Dedicatorie vntounto his Maiesty then Prince of Wales: ffTeterrimus hal…tus nostras quoque partes nescio quo vento… impetu perflavit, et Theologos nost…os nonnullos ita de nentarit, vt relicto fi lei trito, et proba…o tramite, …n Arminii ansractas et praecipicia se commiserint, et dogmate etiamnum destruant Articulos Religionis, quos prius propria subscriptione confirmarunt. Robertus. Abbot Epise, Salisbuciensis, De Gratia et Persev, …anctoru…, Epist. Ded…That the stinking vapors of Arminius (whose heresies hee there learnedly encounters) had beene blowne ouer from the Belgique shores vponupon our English coast, and so infatuated some of our Diuines, that leauing the beaten and approued path of faith, they betooke themselues vntounto the crooked wayes and praecipices of Arminius, destroying the Articles of our Religion with their Tenents, which they had formerly confirmed by their owne subscription. What hee lamented and condoled then, we hauehave much more cause to complaine of now; when as these contagious vapours hauehave not onelyonly dangerously infected many, but likewise animated some ggStat ergo Goliah, proh dolor, in Ecclesia, superbia immanissimus, carnah potentia tumidus, omnia se per se posse confidens et non solum stat; verum et provocat; simul que per dies plurimos sanctum Israel manifesti timoris exprobrat: Orosius contra Pelag Apologia.Goliahs, to bid professed defiance to the host of Israel in Arminius his quarrell, and to take vp armes in his defence, against the oft resolued and subscribed Doctrines of their Mother Church, who hath enriched them with sundry fauours; and yet alas, hhOrosius Ib.Ab Ecclesia siquidem haereseos impugnator expellitur, et nutriri in sinu Ecclesiae haereticus inuenitur: the impugners of Arminius his Champions hauehave beene questioned, and molested; when as they were neuer hitherto once publikely conuented by any Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction, for these their dangerous Innouations.

When these Arminian Errours were first broached by Barret, and Baro, in Queene Elizabeths happy Raigne, the zeale of our iiSee pag. 10. to 14. 120 to 123. 127, 128, 129.Reverend Prelates, and kkSee pag 42. to 48. 120. to 1…5.Vniuersity heads was such; that they forthwith proceeded iudicially against them, not suffering them to rest or harbour in our Church: But alas the llFugit mercenarius a r… ctitudine iust… tiae, a defensione Ecclesiae, a liberatione Patriae, vel amore blandientis, vel timore persequentis. Bernard ad Pastores Sermo Col. 1730 D.cowardice, indulgency, and luke warmnesse of our age is such, that mmEt quidem isti sortiti sunt, ministerii locum, sed non zelum. Successores omnes cupiunt esse, imitatores pauci Bernard Sermo ad Cle…um in Concilio Rhemensi Col. 1727, 1728. & sermo super Cantica Col. 802. D.those who hauehave succeeded them in their Episcopall Dignities,nnOperarii quanto rariores in terris, tanto chariores in coelis habentur. Bernard ad Pastores sermo. Col. 1729. E. not their zeale, (some few only excepted, whose paucity indears thē more to God, to man; andooMagna laus pa…corum inter malos inquinatos …ugi virtutum nitore immaculatis vestibus permanere. Primasius in Apocalip lib 1 fol. 5. B. adds vntounto their praise) hauehave scarce so much as once opened their mouths in publike, against those ArminianppFu…es sunt omnes haeretici: hi sunt Fures et Latrones qui veniunt in vestimentis ovium, intrinsecus autem sunt Iupi rapaces quotquot autem venerunt fures sunt et Latrones: Fures latenter nocendo, latrones aperte saeviendo: Bernard ad Pastores Sermo, Col. 1730. D. theeues, and robbers, who by their secret pollicies, and publike writings, hauehave lately preyed vponupon the sheepe and Doctrines of our Church.

But now, since our religious Soueraine hath publikely professed in his late qqpage 42Declaration to all his louing Subiects; to maintaine the true Religion and doctrine established in the Church of England, (of which the Anti Arminian Tenents comprised in this Antithesis are the chiefest branch) without admitting or conniuing at any backsliding, either to Popery, or Scisme: and rrpage 21hath called God to record, that he will never giuegive way to the authorizing of any thing, whereby any innovation may steale or creep into the Church, but preserue that vnity of Doctrine and Discipline established in the time of Queen Elizabeth, ssSee here p: 10 to 14: 42: to 48. 120. to 130.(In whose Raigne Arminianisme was particularly exiled, …ndour Anti-Arminian Assertions settled in our Church:) whereby our Church of England hath stood and flourished ever since: Since King Edward the 6. Queene Elizabeth, and King Iames of blessed memory, (an ttSee pag: 58, 59.implacable, professed Antagonist to Arminianisme, to Arminians, to his dying day) with all our learned Prelates, Divinity Professours, authorized Writers in their raignes; and our godly Martyrs in King Henry the 8. and Queene Maries dayes, whose names and works I hauehave here particularly recorded in their order: since the Fathers and Councels of the primatiue Church: the primitiue and moderne Churches of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with their seuerall established Articles, Homilies, Catechismes, Leiturgies, and Records: (as I hauehave here infallibly demonstrated:) together with the late dissolued Parliament, hauehave professedly oppugned, and solemnly condemned those Semi-Pelagian and Arminian grace-annihilating Errours, which hauehave lately crept into our Church; embracing, authorizing, and establishing their Opposite Positions as the Orthodox, Catholicke, and vndoubted truth. Let mee now beseech your Pieties, as you tender the honour of God, the glory of his grace, (which should be dearer to you then your dearest soules,) as you would gaine the louelove, and discharge the trust of your blessed Sauiour and uu2 Pet: 5. 4. Hebr: 13: 20.Master-shepheard Iesus Christ,xxHebr: 13. 17 1 Pet: 5. 2, …, 4 2 Cor: 5-10 Frattes aliam Synodum pronuncio vobis vbi Dominus sedebit in judicio; et ibi omnes nos oportet repraesentari; et ibi Deus iuste iudicabit orbem terrarum. Ibi omnes nos oportet repraesentati (nisi quod dici nefas est, mentiatur Apostolus) siue sit Papa, siue sit Cardinalis, siue Archiepiscopus, siue Episcopus, siue diues, siue pauper, siue doctus, siue indoctus, vt referat vnusquis que rationem de his quae gessit in corpore, siue bonum, siue malum, Et si reddenda est ratio de his, quae quis que gessit in corpore suo; heu quid fiet de his quae quis que gessit in corpore Christi, quod est Ecclesia? &c. Bernard: ad Clorum in Concil: Rhemensi Sermo, Col, 1725. E. who will summon you ere long before his dreadfull Tribunall, to render an account of all the stewardships and soules committed by him to your charge, (which we may iustly feare, yyMessis quidem multa, et saccrdotes multi, et mercenarii multi, sed operarii pauci: Isti voraciori ingluvie lucrorum, infinitas exigunt pecunias: his insatiabili desiderio inhiant; pro his, ne amittant, timent, et cum amittum, dolent… harum in amore quiescunt. Animarum nec casus reputatur, nec salus, Bernard Ibid: Col 1726. D. 1719. Etoo many sloathfull Ministers who fish for tithes, not soules, do much neglect, as being seldom resident at their charge, which they scarce ever saw; but neuer resident in their pulpits, into which they seldome clime:) As you respect the peace and happinesse of our Church, in which you are aduanced; the safety and dignity of our long professed Religion to which you hauehave subscribed; in which you hauehave beene borne, bred, and nourished: the honour and zzAman, coli, diligi, maius imperio est: Symmachi Relatio: Ambr. Tom. 5. p. 96. E.popularity of our Religious Soveraign, by whom you are now intrusted with Religion, as aaSee his Maiesties Declaration, p 20, 21.with his chiefest treasure;bbSubditi minus meruunt iniurias ab eo Principe quem religio um, et Deorum cultui deditum arbitrantur; ci que velut commilitones Deos et adiutores habenti minus infidiantur. Arist. Polit. l. 5 cap. 11. sect. 131. Magna, praeclara que res est, quum in aliis vniuersis, tum in Imperatore; religiosum esse, et fidei servantem, talem que cognitum esse. Zenophon. Orat, de Agisilao Rege. p 664. D. the conservation of whose purity and freedome, will most ingratiate, indeare his Maiesty to all his faithfull Subiects,ccErrat, si quis existimat tutum ibi esse Regem, vbi nihila Rege tutum est. Securitas securitate mutua paciscenda est. Vnum est inexpugnabile munimentum amor civium, &c. Sencca de Clementia l. 1. cap. 19. whose louelove will proue his strongest guard, his richest mine and best supply. As you would faithfully discharge that great Episcopall trust, and dignity, which now rests vponupon your shoulders; not as a meere ddCastorinas quaerimus et sericas vestes. Et ille inter Episcopos secredit altiorem, qui vestem induerit clariorem. Ambr. De Dignitate sacerd c 5. Vbi proh dolor reperiemus Episcopos, qui post adeptam dignitatem in humilitate se contineant Nempe superbia iis occasio est vt ad tantam dignitatem aspirent, vt in ovile Christi impudenter irrumpant; cum tamen per Psalmistam Dominus dicat: Non habitabit in medio domus meae qui facit superbiam, &c. Ministri Christi sunt, et serviunt Antichristo: honorati incedunt de bonis Domini, cui honorem non deferunt: vn le hine est iis quem quotidie videmus, meritricius nitor, histrionicus habitus, regius apparatus. Inde aurum in fraenis, aurum in sellis et calcaribus. Plus nitent calcaria, quam altaria. Inde mensae splendidae et cibis et scyphis. Inde commessationes et ebrietates Inde cythara, et lyra, et tibia, redundantia torcularia, et promptuaria plena, eructantia ex hoc in illud. Indedolia pigmentaria, inde referta marsuria. Huiusmodi sunt et volunt esse Ecclesiarum Praepositi, Decani, Episcopi, et Archiepiscopi, &c. Dicite ergo Archydiaconi, dicite Presbyteri, dicant etiam Pontifices, in fraenis, in sellis quid facit aurum? In vestimentis tantus ornatus? In cibis tam supersluus apparatus? Esca ventri, et venter escis, Deus autem hunc et has destruct. Quis obsecro, Laicorum avidius Clericis quaerit temporalia, et ineptius vtitur acquisitis? Cum tantu… fastum videant Laici in supellectile Clericorum, nonne per eos potius imitantur ad mundum diligendum quam ad negligendum? Medice cura teipsum: si mundum praedicas contemnendum, contemne tu prius, et ad ipsum essicacius alios invitabis. Non sic profecto est, sed sicut populus sic et sacerdos: sicut Laicus sic et Clericus. Vter que cupit, vter que diligit mundum et ea quae in mundo sunt. Laicus tamen cum labore, sed Clerici sine labore volunt possidere totum mundum. Communicate volunt cupiditati et superfluitati hominum sed non labori: peecare volunt sed non flagellari cum hominibus: vnde timendum est, quod flagellentur cum daemo…ibus, &c. Bernard… ad Clerum et ad Pastores Sermo. Col. 1726, 1627, 1732. bee farre more to this purpose, super Cantica. sermo. 77. De consideratione. lib. 3. & 4. Ad Gnilielmum Abbatem Apologia, et Declamationes.empty, pompous, Lordly, pleasurable, gainfull, sloathfull, or voluptuous honour: not as an Epicurean Euripus, See, or receptacle of delight, which calls men from their former humility, frugality, and diligence in their ministeriall function, vntounto a voluptuous, sloathfull, secular, Pontificall, Lordly, proud, vnpreaching life; as most Prelates deemed it, made it in S. Bernards age: but as a ee2 Cor. 2 16 17. 1 Tim. 3. 1, 2 c. 4 10. to the end c. 5. 17. 18. 2 Tim. 2. 1. to 16. Mat 9. 37 38. Luke 10 2. 7. Iohn. 21. 15, 16, 17 Rom. 16 12. 1 Cor. 15. 10. 2 Cor. 11. 23. 1 Thes 5. 12 Episcopatus nomēest operis non honoris. August. De Civit Dei, l. 19 c. 19. Episcopi nomen, non Dominium, sed Officium: Praesides non tam ad imperitandum, quam ad factitandum: sarculo tibi opus est non sceptro: Dominatio interdicitur indicitur ministratio. Bernard. De Consid l. 206. Si quis Episcopatum desiderat, bonum opus desiderat: opusdixit, non honorem: laborem, non dignitatem: Primasius, Hierom, Haymo, Chrysostome, and Theophylact. in 1 Tim. 3. 1. Episcopatus nomen non est in honore, sed in onere: Greg. Mag. Epist. l. 7. Epist, 117.2 Cor 2:161 Tim 3:11 Tim 3:22 Tim 2:1–16Matt 9:37Luke 10:2Luke 10:7John 21:15John 21:16John 21:17Rom 16:121 Cor 15:102 Cor 11:231 Thess 5:12ponderous Office, a laborious Calling, a heauy, difficult, and perpetuall Worke, which ffActs 20. 28. … Pet. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4. Veri sacerdotes non excellentiam suam cogitant provecti, sed sarcinam: nec gloriantur de Officij dignitate, sed sudant potius constituti sub onere. Hos non inflammat honor acceptus, sed exercet labor impositus. Prosper de Vita: Contempl: l. 2. c. 2. Concil Parisiens l 1. c: 4Acts 20:28summons you, to feed the purchased and redeemed flocke of Christ, ouer which the Lord hath made you Ouerseers, with trible diligence, readinesse, and anxiety of heart and hand; because it both redoubles your wages, and augments your worke. As you desire to perpetuate the dignity, the respect of your Episcopall Iurisdiction, which hath grown distastfull vntounto many through the defaults of some. As you tender your owne personall credit and esteeme with all good Christians, ggSe amabiles praebeant, non verbo, sed opere: venerandos exhibeant, sed actu non fascu, Bernard. De Consid l. 4 c. 4. Col. 687. M. Hoc affectare, hoc imitari decet: maximum ita haberi, vt optimus simul habeatur. Seneca De Clementia, l. 1. c. 19.who will reuerence you more for your piety and goodnesse, then your state or greatnesse: As you long to satisfie the expectation, to forestall the secret iealosies and censures of our Church & Kingdome here, whose eyes are now intent vponupon you: or to avoid the irrepealable, the eternall doome of Christ hereafter, hhRev. 21 8.Rev 21:8when all fearefull,iiIer: 23. 1. E. zech. 34. 2, 3. Zech. 11. 17.Zech 11:17 sloathfull, inuigilant, and lukewarme shepheards, who kkIer. 9. 3.Jer 9:3want zeale, and valour for the truth on earth, shall hauehave their portion in the vnquenchable, and fiery brimstone lake, which burnes foreuer. As you desire to anticipaete all future Parliamentary proceedings in matters of Religion, the former, (which no doubt were legall, iust, and honourable, though some repine against them) being occasioned onelyonly (as most coniecture) by the remisnesse, conniuancy, cowardice, or indulgence of some Ecclesiasticall Courts, in questioning, in controlling, the impudency, the treachery, and Errors of such llNon sunt omnes amici sponsi, qui hodie sunt sponsi Ecclesiae: Bernard: ad Clerum Sermo, Col: 1727 KChurchmen, whose mmMulti Catholici sunt praedicando, qui haeretici funt operando: Quod haeretici fac…ebant per prava dogmata, hocfaciunt plures hodie per mala exentpla: seducunt scilicet populum, et inducunt in errorem: et tanto graviores sunt haereticis, quan to praevalent opera verbis Bernard ad Pastores Sermo, Col: 1732. G.hereticall, scandalous, vnorthodox, and pernitious doctrines, Bookes, and liues, hauehave innouated, and blemished our Religion; embroyled and defiled our Church: Let me now I pray (vponupon all these weighty considerations, and ingagement…) if it may stand with my Iuvinility, and your venerable, your h…ary grauity, to exhort you to that duty, which the nnDan: 7. 9: 13 22.ancient of dayes, (yea the verygrauest of our Church, and State require at your hands) excite your ooVere enim Episcopalem vitam sequeris, si per…zelum linguam…; tuam, hos qui a fidei veritate dissentiunt, in Ecclesiae vnitatem reduxeris: Greg: Mag: Epist lib. a. Ex Registro Indict. 11. Epist: 59.Episcopall power, and providence; to extirpate, to exile all Semi-pelagian Errors, and Arminian Nouelties; all grace-defeating, all Church-molesting Heresies, with their chiefe Fomenters: all late-erected Altars, Images, Tapers, Crucifixes: all new reuiued Popish Doctrines, Ceremonies, Duckings, Genuflexions, Easterne, yea Altar-adorations, (complained of not long since in Parliament, as you may remember) with all those other corruptions and superstitious reliques, which hauehave lately crept into our Church, (in despite of all our pp3. & 4 Ed. 6 cap. 11. 2. & 3. Ed. 6. cap. 1. 5. & 6. Ed. 6. cap. 1. 1. Eliz. cap. 2. 13. Eliz cap. 12Statutes,qqRubricks in the Communion. Rubricks, rrAgainst the perill of Idolatry; of the time and place of prayer part 2. p. 131.Homilies,ssArticle. 22, 25, 28, 34. Articles,ttCanon. 14. 20. 75. Canons, and uuQueene Eliz. Iniunctions, Iniunct. 3. 12, 23, 25, 31, 35, 49… & …5. …er Tables in the Church.Iniunctions, which prohibit them) through the audacious practises of some xxPacem habet Ecclesia apud extraneos sed filii nequam, filii s…elcrati saeviunt in eam, qui propriam matrem evisceraut, vt se par…a…t in honorem Bernard, ad Pastores Sermo, Col. 1…33. A.Col 1:33domestique crafty Mountebanks, who would slily Cozen vsus of our Religion vnderunder the golden and holy pretence of Canonicall Devotion: and withall to reestablish these Anti-Arminian orthodox Tenets of our Church, (which here I humbly tender to your best protections) in their ancient, and long enioyed purity, peace, and freedome: that so by these religious atchieuements, you may giuegive some publike, zzEpiscopum non aliud nisi Episcopalis opera designat; ex bono opere magis quam professione noscatur; actione po…ius quam nomine demonstramur. Fac taquei vt nomen congruat actioni, actio respondea… nomini; Ne sit nomen inane et crimen immane; Ne sit honor sub imis et vita deformis: Ne sit de…fica professio et illicita actio: Ne sit religiosus amictus, et irreligiosus provectus. Ne sit gradus excelsus et deformis excessus. Ne habeatur in Ecclesia Cathedra sublimor, et conscientia sacerdotis reperiatur humilier. Ne locutionem simulemus columbinam, et mentem habeamus caninam. Ne professionem monstremus ovinam, et ferocitatem habeamus lupinam, Ambrose de Dignitate Sacerdotali, cap. 3. Tom. 4. p. 179.demonstratiue, actuall testimony to the world, (which is aaPlerun que suspicionibus laboramus, et illudit nobis illa quae conficere bellum solet, fama: Seneca Epist. 13. suspiciones quas de aliquo con epimus animum nostrum ab illo reddunt alieniorem. Quare qui cupit sibi fidem haberi, has prius a se remoueat est necesse. Thucidides histor. lib: 6. p: 571.oft times iealous of your integrities vponupon small occasions) that you are all cordiall, sincere and faithfull to our Religion, Church, and State: that you are all valiant and zealous for the truth committed to your trust: and that you are not onelyonly ti…ular, but reall Bishops, well worthy bbFuerunt ante vos qui se totos ovibus pascendis exponerent, Pastoris opere et nomine gloriantes; nil sibi reputantes indignum nisi quod saluti obvium obviare putarent: non quaerentes quae sua sunt, sed impendentes. Impendere curam impendere substantiam, impendere et seipsos. Vndevnus illorum: Et ego, ait, superimpendar pro animabus vestris. Bernard. De Consid l. …. c. 2. Col 884. K.to succeed those pious and victorious Prelates, who hauehave in graven those Anti-Arminian Conclusions which I hauehave here contracted, with their mellifluous pens, and sealed them with their blood; a sufficient engagement for me, for them to challenge the priuiledge of your Episcopall patronage, against the malignancy of all Opposers.

But perchance your wisdomes will obiect, that by intermedling with these nice Arminian Controuersies, I hauehave incurred the danger of his Maiesties Declaration prefixed to the late reprinted Articles: therefore I must onelyonly expect an High-Commission Censure from your Lordships, not an Approbation, or friendly enterteinment of this vntimely Treatise; which may chance to proue distastfull vntounto some.

To this I answere first, (and for the truth of it I appeale vntounto your Lordships, by whose advice this Declaration was at first contriued:) that it was neuer his Maiesties, (nor I thinke your Lordships) intention, to silence or suppresse; but rather to aduance by this 1Declaration, the ancient, positiue, established, and resolued Doctrines of the Church of England, (especially those which were professed and ratified in the dayes of Edward the 6. Queene Elizabeth, and King Iames of happy memory, as these Anti-Arminian Positions were) as is cleere by the expresse words of hisccPag. 20, 21 42. Maiesties last Declaration to all his louing Subiects, which well explaines the former. But all these dogmaticall Anti-Arminian Conclusions which I hauehave published, or iustified in this Antithesis, are but the ancient, positiue, established and receiued Doctrine of the Church of England, as the Booke it selfe, (together with two Reuerend**Bp. Hall, & Bp. …, in their …etters annexed to Bp. Hall's reconciler, p… 84, 85 Prelates of our Church, who hauehave lately in two printed Letters, expresly …uer…ed, That the Arminian Errors condemned in the Synod of Dort cannot stand with the Doctrine of the Church of England. And that none can embrace Arminianisme in the Doctrine of Predestination, and grace, but he must first desert the Articles agreed vponupon by the Church of England; nor in the point of Perseverance, but hee must vary from the common Tenet, and receiued opinion of our best approued Doctors in the English Church) will iustifie against all Opposers: Therefore it is not within the intent or limitts, (and so not within the Danger) of his Maiesties Declaration, which I would not wilfully, not willingly oppose.

Secondly, I conceiue, that this Declaration prohibits 2nothing, but vnnecessary and curious Disputes vponupon bare coniectures on, or strained Collections from our Articles: But in this Antithesis you hauehave onelyonly abare historicall recitall, in nature of a Catalogue, of those scattered Records and writers of our Church, which hauehave constantly oppugned these new Arminian Errors, from the beginning of reformation to this present: It comes not therefore within the sphere of this Declaration.

Thirdly, his Maiesties Declaration, was chiefly, to 3suppresse all Innovations in Religion, together with such vnnecessary Controuersi…es, as might disturbe the Peace and settled Doctrines of our Church: But this Antithesis serues onelyonly to suppresse the Innouations in Rel…gion, and to allay all moderne Arminian Controuersies which interrupt our Churches Peace and Doctrines; by disprouing Arminianisme to be the Doctrine of our Church, in such an apparant manner, that none can contradict it. Therefore it is wholly with this Declaration, not against it.

4Lastly, his Maiesties Declaration, prohibits principally, vnnecessary disputes about curious, nice, and needlesse Schoole-points, of which men may be ignorant without great danger: But I take it vnderunder correction, that our Anti-Arminian Tenets, can which the whole fabricke of our saluation, the whole Doctrine and structure both of mans fall and corruption… of grace and glory; of Election, Reprobation, Predestination, Vocation, Iustification, Sanctification, Perseuerance, and Glorification, are suspended) are no superfluous, nice, orddSee Rom: 5 to 12. Ephes. 1. & 2…2 …im 19 c. 2 19 20, 21 1 Pet: 1 & 2 Pet 1. See Article 17. Articles of Ireland: S. August De Corrept. & gratia, c: 14, 15, 16 & Tom 7: 2 part throughout. Calvin Instit. lib. 3 cap: 21. Peter Martyr in Rom: 9. Sturmius De Proedestinatione; Thesis 1. Polanus de Proedestinatione; with a lother Protestants who hauehave written of these points, who accord in this, and therefore all Protestant Churches in their seuerall Confessions hauehave recorded, and defined these as fundamentall truthes, See the harmony of Confessions, section 4. to 10.Eph 12 Pet 1 curious speculations, vnfit, vnneedfull to be taught or published; but most necessary, essentiall, comfortable, and fundamentall Truthes, in which the whole pith and marrow of Divinity, the whole Doctrine of grace, and mans salvation are included. This all the ancient Councels, ana voluminous Treatises of the Fathers in the p…imatiue Church; this all the moderne Synods, Articles, Confessions, Resolutions, and Writings, both of our owne, and other Churches, against Pelagius, Arminius, and their followers; as the professed enemies of the grace, and Gospell of God; as Atheisticall Sectaries; yea wicked, pestilent, and blasphemous heretiques, (as our late learned eeSee pag. 59. 110…Soueraigne hath rightly stiled them) doe abundantly testifie: All which would neuer questionlesse hauehave waged such fierce, such perpetuall, and implacable wars against these Pelagian and Arminian Heresies, were they suchinnoxius, or triuiall Differences; such vnnecessary, such curious speculations, as some of their Abetters, (who then me thinkes should be ashamed conten…iously to foment them, to the great disturbance of our Churches peace) would seeme to make them, ffNeglecta solent incendia sumere vires. Horace Epist: l. 1 Epist: 18.because they would more easily induce men to neglect them till they had gotten strength, and then to imbrace them, to their eternall ruine. Since therefore these Anti-Arminian Tenets (which I here onelyonly vindicate to be the ancient, genuine, & vndoubted Doctrine of the Church of England) are points of highest consequence, of greatest weight and vse; whence they hauehave beene more ab undantly patronized, propagated, and propugned, (not onelyonly in the primitiue C…urch, but likewise in most moderne Protestant Churches, and in the Church of England) then any other substantiall points of Diuinity whatsoeuer; as is most apparently euident. Since their opposite Arminian Errors, (which are in truth meere ggSee Bellar: De Iustif… lib: 3 Dr. Iohn White Way to the true Church Digress: 0, 41, 42 Bryery his Reformed Protestant cap: 11. to the end; Bishop Mortons Protestants Appeale, l: 2 c: 10. accordinglyPopery, and hhSee Pelagius Redivivus: & heere p 59.Semi-Pelagianisme, at least iiSee here p: 122, 123, 1…4.a bridge, a way, and portall to them both) hauehave beene most constantly oppugned, both in the Primatiue, our owne, and other Reformed Churches, as a dangerous, and grace-nullifying Heresie. And since Prosper himselfe hath expresly recorded it, long agoe: **Augustinus pia, constantique doctrina abundan: e… probavit, praedicandam esse Ecclesiae praedestinationem, in qua est gratiae praeparatio; et gratiam in qua est praedestinationis effectus; et praescientiam Dei, qua ante saecula aeterna quiae bus esset co laturus sua dona, praescivit… Cuius predicationis quiquis est impugnator, apertissimus est … clagianae elationis adjutor. Prosper. Responsio ad Excerpta Genuertsium: …ub. 9. fol. 146, 147.That S^t. Augustine hath constantly, piously, and abundantly proued: that predestination in which there is the preparation of grace; and grace in which there is the effect of predestination; and the prescience of God, by which he foreknew before all worlds on whom he would bestow his gifts of grace, ought to be preached to the Church. Of the preaching of which, saith he, (I pray obserue his words, and marke them well) whosoeuer is an impugner, he is a most apparant furtherer of Pelagian pride: (which I dare presume is farre from his Maiesties royall thoughts to be:) I may safely (as I hope) conclude on all these premises: That this my Antithesis, (which I hauehave divulged onelyonly for the peace and benefit of our English Church, and the stopping of all Arminians mouthes, who now must either holde their peace, and yeeld their cause, or else kkVerba …piscoporum et Clericorum, qui Apostolorum sunt filii et haeredes, vim iuratoriam in se habent, vt in iis iusiurandum sit, quod est verbum simplex in aliis: et quod in aliis est simplex periurium, sacrilegium sit in illis, Petrus Blesensis Epist. 51. Bibl. Patrum, Tom: 12. pars 2 p. 741. C.periuriously, sacrilegiously renounce their Mother Church, and these her Doctrines, which they hauehave subscribed, if not sworn to) is clearly without the verge and danger of his Maiesties Declaration; who neuer did intend so farre to countenance, to grace an heresie, so branded, censured and condemned by the primitiue Church; by forraigne Protestant Churches; by the whole Church of England, with all her learned writers, from her first reformation to this present: and more particularly by his Royall Father, whose faith, whose steps he meanes to follow: as for its sake, its growth, and greater safety, to put these established and professed Anti-Arminian Doctrines of our Church to silence: which is almost the highest dignity, the greatest conquest that Arminianisme can, or would aspire to.

And now right Reuerend Fathers, hauing cleared this obiection, giuegive me leaue to close vp this Epistle with llHebr: 12. 22a word of exhortation, which I beseech you for to suffer. Remember, I intreat you in the name and feare of God, that you (together with the rest of our reuerend and learned …lergie) are the mmIsay: 52, 8. c 62 6. Ezech. 3. 17. c. 33. 2, to 12Ezek 3:17Watchmen, the nnIsay 4 5, 6. c. 26. 1. Psal. 48. 13.Isa 4:5Isa 4:6Ps 48:13Garrisons and Bulwarkes of our Israel; to giuegive her warning of; to protect and shield her against, those pernicious, subdolous, and seducing ooCustodia vt sit sufficiens trifaria erit; a vi tyrannorum, a fraude haereticorum, a tentationibus daemonum: Bernard: super Cant: Ser: 77. Col: 80…. B.heretiques; those Popish and Arminian Aduersaries, which warre against her faith, her peace, Gods grace, our soules. If you then through ppIsay 56. 10, 11, 12. Ier: 23. 1, 2. Ezech: 34. 2. 12. Non est speculator qui in imo est, speculator quippe semper in altitudine stat, vt quicquid venturū est longe prospiciat. Et quisquispopuli speculator ponitur, in altum debet stare per vitam, vt possit prodesse per providentiam. Greg: Mag: Hom: 11. super Ezech fol: 284. L.Isa 56:10Isa 56:11Isa 56:12worldlinesse, negligence, sloathfulnesse, Epicurisme; or the qqRom. 16 18. Haeretici per dulces Semiones corda seducunt innocentium. Chrysost Hom. 24. in Mat.Rom 16:18sweete Syrenian songs of enchanting Mercuries, rrIsay 56. 10.Isa 56:10begin to sleepe, to slumber; to remit, or else giuegive ou… your spirituall watch, and ward, against these ssMatth. 7. 15. 2 Cor. 11. 14.Matt 7:152 Cor 11:14sheep like wolues friend-seeming Enemies, ttIsay 56. 9.Isa 56:9which come for to deuoure vsus: If you uuIsay 56. 10.Isa 56:10proue dumb dogs that will not, cannot barke, at their approach, or treacherous Centinells, false posternes to be…ray vsus to their infernall malice; we must then b… xxEzech 33. 2. to 12 & Greg. Mag. Hom 11 super Ezech. See Hierom & Theodoret in Ezech. 33.Ezek 33:2–12Ezek 33needs surprised, yea captivated & destroyed in a moment, through this your negligence, and default; but yet yyEzech. 33 6. 8. c. 34. 9, …0 Heb. 13. 17. Acts. 20. 26. 27. Sanguis ergo morientis de manu speculatoris requ…itur quia peccatum subditi, culpa esse praepositi si tacuerit reputatur; quia ipse buncoccidit, qui em… tacendo morti prodidit. Greg. Mag. Hom 12. super Ezech.Ezek 33:6Ezek 33:8Heb 13:17Acts 20:26Acts 20:27our blood shall be required at your hands. O therefore rouse vp your selues with speed, and zzIsay 2…. 8. Hab. 2. 1.Isa 2:8Hab 2:1stand vponupon your watch, your guard, for our security: aaPsal. 121. 4, 5, 6.Ps 121:4Ps 121:5Ps 121:6close not your eyes,bbIsay 62. 6.Isa 62:6 holde not your peace,ccNehemiah 4. 21, 22, 23.Neh 4:21Neh 4:22Neh 4:23 lay not downe your armes day nor night: imitate Nehemiah his workmen;ddNehem. 4. 17, 18.Neh 4:17Neh 4:18 build vp the walls of our spirituall Ierusalem with one hand, and holde a weapon alwayes in the other hand, to keepe off eeNehem: 4. 7. 10 15.Samballat, and Tobiah; those Arrabians, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, those Iesuites, Papists, and Arminians, who hauehave conspired together to …ight against our blessed Ierusalem; to breake downe her walls, and lay her waste, as they hauehave done her bordering Churches: Else that brand of holy Bernard, will iustly seize vponupon you. ffSuper Cantica Sermo 77. Col: 802. D. Ad Clerum Sermo Col. 1728. ….Parum est nostris vigilibus quod non seruant nos, nisi et perdant: and then ggIer: 23. …. Ezech: 34. 2. See Bishop Iewels Exposition on the Thessalonians, p. 196.woe be to you saith the Lord your God; whose woe none can stand vnderunder.

You are hhMatth: 6. 14 15, 16. Phil: 2… 15.the Lights,iiMath: 6 22, 23. 1 Cor: 12. 16. 21. Rev: 3. 8. c. 5 6. the Eyes,kk1 Sam: 9. 9. 11. 18, 19. 2 King: 17 13. 2 Chro: 33. 18, 19 Isay 30 10.Isa 30:10 the Seers, yea llActs 20, 28 Hebr. 13. 17. 1 Pet: 5 2.Acts 20:28Heb 13:17Ouerseers of our Church; tommEzech: 33. 2 to 12. see, foresee her dangers,nnIsay 58. 1.Isa 58:1 discouer her increasing corruptions,ooIsay 21. 8, 9.Isa 21:8Isa 21:9 detect her wily Adversaries, with all their overreaching, vndermining Pollicies,ppMath: 5, 14, 15, 16. c. 6. 22, 23. inlighten her intire body,qqLuke 1. 79.Luke 1:79 direct her in the way of truth, of life, of peace, and rrMat: 15. 14.keepe her safe from falls and stumbles. If you then through ssIsay 56. 10.Isa 56:10ignorance, wilfulnesse, heresie, treacherie, flatterie, feare, earthlinesse, or any other workes of darknesse, ttMicah. 3. 6. Matth: 14 29.Mic 3:6lose your light, your eyesight: If you become either uuLucerna quae in semetipsam non ardet, eam rem cui supponitur non accendit Greg: Mag: Hom: 11. super Ezech.darke Lanthornes which can yeeld no light, or xxIsay 29. 10, 11. c. 56. 10.Isa 29:10Isa 29:11starkblinde, purblinde, squinteyed Seers, which either can, or will not see; or oversee at all; or very little; or quite awry, ouerthwart the sacred word of truth, and Doctrines of our Church. Or if you proue such Pontificallyy1 Pet. 5. 3. Ezech: 34. 4. 3 Iohn: 10. Math: 20. 25, 26, 27. Luke. 22. 24, 25, 26.1 Pet 5:3Luke 22:24Luke 22:25Luke 22:26 haughty, Lordly, or domineering Ouerseers; as contemptuously to disdaine & over-looke; or tyrannically to insult or trample vponupon your fellow-brethren, and the Lords inheritance, a sinne of which thezzQuanti Presbytteri constituti obliti sunt humilitatis; quasi ideitco fuerunt ordinati, vt humiles esse desisterent. Quin potius humilitatem sequi debuerant, quia dignitatem fuerant consequuti; dicente Scriptura: Quanto magnus fueris, tanto humilia teipsum Origen in Ezech: Hom: 9. Tom: 2. fol: 188. H. Peccat autem in Deum quicun que Episcopus, qui non quasi conservis servus ministrat, sed quasi dominus: frequenter autem et quasi amarus dominus dominans per vim, similis constitutus Egyptiis qui affligebant vitam filiorum Israel cum vi. Ergo memores esse debent verborum Christi. Principes Gentium dominantur iis, et maiores eorum potestatem exercent in eis; inter vos autem non sic erit, &c. Origen in Mat: Hom: 31. Tom: 3. fol: 66. B. C. As hoc tantum potentes effecti sumus, vt nobis in subiectos dominationem tyrannicam vindicemus, non vt afflictos contra potentium violen…iam qui in eos ferarum more saeviunt defendamus. Prosper de Vita. Contempl. l. 1. c. 21. Multi autem cum regiminis iura suscipiunt, ad lacerandos subditos inardeseunt. Terrorem potestatis exhibent, & quibus prodesse debuerant, nocent. Et quia charitatis viscera non habent, domini videriap petunt, patres so esse minime recognoscunt: humilitatis locum in elationis dominationem immutant Et si quando extrinsecus blandiuntur, intrinsecus saeviunt. De quibus veritas dicit. Veniunt ad vos in vestimentis ovium, intrinsecus autem sunt lupi rapaces. Greg Mag. Hom. 17. in Evangelia. fol. 320. C. D Fathers, andaaChaucer his Plowmans tale. Mr. Tyndall. Practise of Popish Prelates. Bishop Hooper. Declaration on the 8. Commandement. fol. 76, 77, 78. Dr. Barnes his supplication to King Henry the 8. Our Homily against wilfull Rebellion. part. …5. Bishop Latimer Sermon before the Convocation: and 4. Sermon of the Plough. some others of more punie dayes hauehave much complained, as being incident to divers Prelates of their times,bbNos praesentibus delectati dum in hac uita commoda nostra et honores inquirimus; non vt meliores, sed vt ditiores; non vt sanctiores, sed vt honoratiores simus …aeteris festinamus: nec gregem Domini, qui nobis pascendus, tuendus que commissus est, sed nostras voluptates, dominationem, & caetera blandimenta carnaliter cogitamus. Pastores dici volumus, nec tamen esse contendimus: officii nostri vitamus laborem, appetimus dignitatem. Prosper de Vita Contempl: l. 1… c. 21. Vides omnem Ecclesiasticum zelum fer…ere sola pro dignitate tuenda? Honori totum datur, sanctitati nihil aut parum. Nisi quod sublime est hoc salutare dicamus: et quod gloriam redolet, id iustum. Ita omne humile probro ducitur, vt facilius qui esse, quam qui appare humilis velit invenias Timor Domini simplicitas reputatur, ne dicam fatuitas. Virum circumspectum et amicum propriae conscientiae calumniantur hypocritam &c Bern, de Considerat. l. 4. c. 2. Col. 88 5. B. who were more zealous to maintaine the outward pompe and state, then to discharge the Pastorall charge, and duty of their Episcopall function: ccQuia eo ipso quod caeteris praelati sumus, ad agenda quaelibetmaiorem licentiam habemus, susceptae benedictionis ministerium vertimus ad ambitionis argumentum. Greg Mag Hom. 17. in Evangelia. F. 321. C. Sed plerum que rector eo ipso quo caeteris praeeminet, elatione cogitationis intumescit. Subiectos despicit, eos que sibi aequales naturae origine non agnoscit: & quos sortis potestate excesserit, trancendisse se aetiam vitae meritis credit. Cunctis se existimat amplius sapere, quibus se videt amplius posse. In quodam enim se constituit culmincapud semetipsum; et qui aequa caeteris naturae conditione constringitur, ex equo respicere caeteros dedignatur. Omne sublim… videt, et ipse est rex super omnes silios superbiae. Apostatae quippe Angelo similis efficitur, dum homo hominibus esse similis dedignatur, &c. …x simulatione disciplinae, ministerium regiminis verrit in vsum dominationis. Greg. Mag. Pastoral. par… 2. cap. 6. Rectores qui semetipsos diligunt pulvinos his exhibent, a quibus se noceri posse in studio gloriae temporalis timent. Quos vero contra se nil ualere conspiciunt, hos nimirum asperitate rigidae semper invectionis praemunt, nunquam clementer admonent, sed pastoralis mansuetudinis obliti, iure dominationis terrent, Quos recte per Prophetam divina vox increpat, dicens: Vos autem cum austeritate imperabatis …is, et cum potentia: Plus enim de suo authore diligentes, iactanter erga subditos se erigunt, nec quid agere debeant, sed quid valeant attendunt. Nil de subsequenti iudicio metuunt, qui improbe de temporali potestate gloriantur Libet vt licenter et illicita faciant, et subditorum nemo contradicat. lb cap. 8.exalting themselues aboue their brethren, as if they were kneeded out of some better clay then they; as if they were installed Bishops for no other purpose, butto renounce humility and meeknesse, whose dangerous examples be it farre from any of your Lordships now to imitate, ddEphes. 4. 20.Eph 4:20who hauehave not so learned Christ, as these hauehave done. If you oversee our Church, your stockes, either principal…y, or solely: for gg1 Pet, 5 2, Parvi deiecti que est animi de subditis non profectum quaerere subditorum, sed quaestum proprium. In summo praesertim omnium Pontifice nihil turpius. Bernard de Consid. l. 3. c. 3.. Col. 879. K.filthy lucre, not of a ready minde, seeking not them, but theirs; contrary to St. Paules protestation to the Corinthians,hh2 Cor. 12. 14, 15.2 Cor 12:142 Cor 12:15 that he sought not theirs, but them: for the children ought not to lay vp for the parents, but the parents for the children. Or if you commonly reside so farre remote, so distant from your Bishopricks for your ease, your profit, pleasure, or preferment sake, as that they are quite beyond the compasse of your ken, your view, much more your oversight: (a fault not tolerable in any Overseers, as being diamitrally repugnant to their Office; but iiSee Athanasius Constant: Epise Epistolae 8. De Necessaria Episcoporum residentia: Bibl: Patrum: Tom. 13. p. 487. to 491. Ambrose Ser: 7. 9. Greg. Pastoralium li. August. de Pastoribus. M^r. Tyndall practise of Popish Prelates: Bishop Latimer 4. Sermon of the Plough Bishop Iewell on the Thessalonians, p. 406, 407 accordingly.most odious, most insufferable, in the Master Overseers of Christs most precious flock, and mens most peerelesse soules:) Needes must our Church and we poore Lay-men being destitute of light, of Eyes, of Seers, and vigilant Overseers, kkHosea 4. 9. Isay 24. 2.Hos 4:9Isa 24:2become exceeding darke and blinde:llQuidni peccet licentiusvagum et male liberum vulgus, cum non sit qui arguat. Quidni licentius quo que spolietur et depraedetur inermis religio, cum non est qui defendat. Quo enim refugium illis? Bernard De Consid l. 3. c. 4. be liable to a world of dangers, errors, heresies, falls, and deviations: Needes must we mmMath: 15. 14. Luke 6. 33. Hosea 4. 5.Luke 6:33Hos 4:5fall into a ditch of miserie, and destruction at the last. O therefore nnIsay 60. 1. Math: 5. 14, 15, 16. Phil. 2. 15, 16.Isa 60:1Phil 2:15Phil 2:16arise, and shine forth before vsus, byooNulla alia doctrina sacerdotis debet esse quam vita. Prosper de Vita Contempl. l. 1, c. 23. humility, by purity of life, of doctrine, as the lampes, the splendor of our Church: that soppMath: 15. 16. Luke 12. 33. Acts 26. 18.Luke 12:33Acts 26:18 we from your light, may receiue light, andqqIohn 12 38. Ephes: 5. 8.John 12:38 walke as children of the light: See, see, rea foresee we beseech you, as we trust you doe, and will doe) those hereticall precipices, bypathes, snares and ditches, which are likely to endanger, misleade, intrap vsus, if they are not prevented, yea speedily removed by your providence: and then leade, direct our Church and vsus, in rrIer. 6. 16.Jer 6:16that good, that olde, ssPsal: 119. 30.that true, thatttIsay 30. 21. Ier. 31. 9.Isa 30:21Jer 31:9 straite, thatuuMath. 7. 14.Matt 7:14 narrow, andxxPsal. 101. 2. 6.Ps 101:2Ps 101:6 perfect wayyyPsal: 119. 30. of truth, ofzzIsay 59. 8. Luke 1. 79.Isa 59:8Luke 1:79 peace, ofaaProv: 8. 20. c: 12. 28. c. 16. 31. righteousnesse, bbProv: 6. 23. c. 10. 17. Ier: …1. 8.life, andccIsay 35. 8, 9.Isa 35:8Isa 35:9 holinesse,ddProv: 12. 28. Isay 35. 8, 9. Ier: 31. 9.Isa 35:8Isa 35:9 in which there is no error, danger, death, or stumbling. Remember, you are all (eeMinisterium praedicationis relinquimus, et ad paenam nostram, vt video, Episcopi vocamur, qui honoris nomen, non virtutis tenemus. Greg: Mag: Hom: 17. in Evang: f. 321. B. Non omnes Episcopi, Episcopi sunt. Attendis Petrum, sed et Iudam considera: Stephanum suspicis, sed et Nicholaum respice. Non facit Ecclesiastica dignitas Christianum. Hierom. Epist. 1. cap. 8. at least in name and reputation, and I hope in truth) the Bishops, Seers, and Overseers of our Church: ffActs 20. 28. See Chrysost et Theophyilact. Ibid. Terribilis Sermo, et qui possit etiam impavida quorumvis tyrannorum corda concutere. Bernard super Cantica Sermo 76. Col. 801. A. B.Acts 20:28take heede therefore vntounto your selues, and to all the flocke, over which the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers, to …eed the Church (our Church) of God, which he hath purchased with his owne blood.ggBernard Ibid Civitas est, vigilate ad custodiam, concordiam que . Sponsa est, studete ornatui. Oves sunt, intendite pastui.hhDan. 12. 3. Math. 13. 43. 2. Iohn 8.Dan 12:3Matt 13:432 John 1:8 So shall our safety, our happinesse, and tranquility; your glorie, your reward, your honour be exceeding great.

Lastly, You are the chiefe iiIer: 3. 15. c. 17. 16, c. 23. 1. Eph. 4. 11.Eph 4:11Pastors, andkkIsay 40. 11. Ier. 23. 4. c. 33. 12. c. 50. 6. …zech. 34. 2, 3. 9. 10. 22.Isa 40:11Jer 23:4 Shepheards of our Church;ll1 Sa. 17. 24, 25. Ezech. 34. 2. to 20. Ioh. 10. 10. to 16.1 Sam 17:241 Sam 17:25Ezek 34:2–20John 10:10–16 to guard, to rescue her from those wolues, those theeues, and robbers which seek for to devoure her:mmIer: 31. 9, 10. Ezech: 34. 4, 5, 6, 12. to keep her from straying from the folde of Christ, and sacred pastures of his word:nnIsay 40. 10. Ier. 3. 15. c. 23. 4. Ezech. 34. 2. to 24. Acts 20. 28. Ioh. 21. 15, 16, 17. 1 Pet. 5. 2. Petro terrio dictum est; Pasce: nec mulge, seu tonde semel additum est. Bernard Declam. Col. 928. V.Isa 40:10Jer 3:15Ezek 34:2–24Acts 20:28John 21:15John 21:16John 21:171 Pet 5:2 to feede her with the word and bread of life:ooIer. 23. 4. Ezech: 34. 16. 22. Zech: 11. 16, 17. Ioh: 10. 12, 13.Jer 23:4 to sticke to her in all her dangers and distresses: and if occasion serue, ppIohn 10. 11. 15. 17.John 10:11John 10:15John 10:17to lay downe your liues for her securitie. If any of you then (which God forbid either you to act, or vsus to suspect) should either degenerate intoqqConsiderate ergo quid de gregibus agatur, quando pastores lup… fiunt. Greg. Mag. Hom. 17. in Evang. f. 321. C. wolues, or ioyne with wolues, to teare and spoile her dearest stockes, as Paul prophesied long since: rrActs 20. 29, 30.Acts 20:29Acts 20:30that some Elders of the Church of Ephesus should doe, and as ssNon sunt pastores, sed traditores: dicimini pastores, cum sitis raptores. Et paucos habemus, heu pastores, multos tamen excommunicatores. Etivtinam sufficeret vobis lana et lac; sititis enim sanguinem: Bernard ad Clerum Sermo. Rectores moderni, non pastores, sed raptores: ovium tonsores, non ad viridia pascua ductores: non dispensatores bonorum crucifixi, sed voratores, &c. Rodericus spec. vitae l. 2. c. 20. p. 316. see Bp. Whites Reply to Fisher p. 84, 85.others since their times hauehave done, in former ages: If you should turne ttIoh: 10. 12, 13. See Bernard ad Pastores Sermo.hirelings, or faint-hearted Shepheards, to flee away, giuegive backe, or hide your selues in times of tryall, when you see the wolues and theeues approaching to assaile her: and so leaue her openly exposed to their malice, when as you uuGubernatorem in tempestate, in acie militem intelligas Avida est periculi virtus, et quo tendat, non quid passura sit, cogitat: quoniam et quod passura est, gloriae pars est; Seneca: Cur boniviri mali fiant cap: 4.should especially march before her, taking vp spirituall armes and courage for her rescue. If you suffer her to deviate from the folde of Christ, and pastures of his word; to stray vntounto the broad, the beaten rode of Poperie, or by pathes of Arminianisme, which lead vntounto destruction, not labouring to reduce her. If you sheere her fleece, and eate her milke, (as wee all confesse, youxxGal: 6. 6. 1 Cor: 9. 7. to 15. 2 Thess: 3. 8, 9, 10. 1 Tim: 1. 17, 18. Quanti mercenarii in domo patris mei abundant panibus? Si panibus abundant mercenarii, nunquid same peribunt operarii? Bernard ad Pastores Sermo, Col: 1729. E. may, whiles you hauehave care to keepe, to feede, and cherish her) and yet neglect to clothe, to feede her with that heavenly word, that spirituall daily bread of life, which must nourish her vp vntounto eternall life: a thing of which yyLac et lanas ovium Christi oblationibus quotidianis, et decimis fidelium gaudentes accipimus, et curam pascendorum gregum et reficiendorum a quibus peruerso ordine volumus pas…i, deponimus. de Vita Contempl: l. 1. c. 21.Prosper, and zzQuid nos, (quod tamen sine dolore dicere nō possumus) quid nos O Pastores agimus, qui et mercedē consequimur, et tamē operarii nequaquam sumus? Fructus quippe sanctae Ecclesiae in stipendio quotidiano accipimus, sed tamen pro aeterna Ecclesia minime in praedicatione laboramus. Pensemus cuius damnationis sit, sine labore, hic percipere mercedem laboris. Ecce ex oblatione fidelium vivimus, sed nunquid pro animabus fidelium laboramus? Illa in stipendium nostrum sumimus quae pro redimendis suis peccatis fideles obtulerunt, nec tame… contra eadem vel orationis studio, vel praedicationis, vt dignum est insudamus, Hom: 17. in Evangelia fol. 320. G.Gregory much complained in their ages. If you retreat or fall off from her in times of neede, and so proue her aaPraepositorum est, praeceptum tenere, et vel properantes veligno rantes instruere…ne qui ovium pastores esse debent, lanii fiant. Cyprian Epist. l. 3. Epist. 15. p. 145.slaughter-men, or bbQuidemittit oves in pascuaabs que custode, Pastor est, non ovium, sed Luporum: Bernard super Cant. Ser. 77. See Ier. 23. 2. 3. Ezech: 34. 2. to 16. 1 King 12. 17. Numb: 27. 17. Zech: 10. 2.Jer 23:2Jer 23:31 Kgs 12:17wolfe-feeding, not sheepe…preserving Pastors: as some Fathers phrase it: ccQuidni peccet licentius vagum et male liberum vulgus, cum non sit qui arguat? Quidni etiam licentius spolietur et depraedetur mermis religio, cum non est qui defendat? Quo enim resugium illis? Bernard de Consid: l. 3. cap. 4. Col. 88 …. A.Needes must her sheepe and shee be scattered, lost, destroyed, and made a common prey to all revenous beasts that will invade them; or else exorbitate in their course to their iust perdition. O therefore for the glory of God the Father, who hath called; the honour of God the holy Ghost, who hath consecrated; the louelove of the Lord Iesus Christ, who hath delegated you to the Ministrie; (whoseeeSi diligis me, pasce oves meas. Si ergo dilectionis testimonium est cura pastionis; quisquis virtutibus pollens, gregē Dei pascere renuit, pastorem summum convincitur non amare. Greg: Mag: Pastoral: l. 1. c. 5. person you can never truly louelove, vnlesse you louelove his sheepe:) take courage, zeale, and resolution to your selues, (as some of you to their ffGloria recte factorum p…erun que comes est. Cicero Tuse: Quaest: l. 3.honour hauehave already done) and now rescue vsus from those Iesuiticall, Romishravening wolues; those …rminian theeues, and wily foxes, who seeke to make our Church their prey. Alas, why should any of you flie? why should you now feare them, or giuegive place vntounto them? Yea why should you not encounter, and suppresse them; since you hauehave God himselfe, our gracious Soveraigne (as his late ggSee pag. 20, 21, 22.Declaration can sufficiently testifie) together with the whole State and Kingdome, for to back you: the ensamples of your worthy Predecessors, of some few of your coetanian Brethren, to encourage you in this right Christian action? You are our Pastors; you hhIer: 23. 1, 2. Ezech: 34. 2, to 20.tithe; we giuegive our fleece: ô therefore keepe, ô rescue, cloth vsus, and protect vsus (together with our Church, and her received Doctrines) for it. You are our Shepheards, you eate, we yeeld our milke: ô feede vsus for it, with the wholesome the soule-saving word, and bread of life: You iiRom. 15. 27. 1 Cor: 9. 11.Rom 15:27reape our temporall; ô sow, ô giuegive vntounto vsus spirituall things. You are our Master-heardsmen: your wages, yea your flockes are great: ô then be vigilant, diligent, carefull and laborious for them, **The Bishops assembled at. 4. rimin… requested this of Constantius; that Bishops might bee resident with their flockes, and not be banished their Churches. Socrates Scholast l. 2 c. 2 9 p. 281.resident, and present with them; that so kkIoh: 10. 3, 4 14. 27.you may know them all by name,llIohn: 10. 3, 4 goe in and out before them; becomemm1 Pet. 5. 3 1 Tim: 4. 11. Ad amorem patriae coelest is plus exempla, quam praedicamenta succendunt. Greg. Mag Dialog. l. 1. fol. 231. D. Validiora sunt exempla quam verba, et plenius est opere docere quam voce. Leo de S Laurent. Sermo. cap. 2. fol. 167. Facere maiorem vim habet quam dicere. Doctor magis debet esse vitae Doctor, quam sermonis. Chrysost Hom. 19 in Hebr. Tom. 4. Col 1608. & Hom. 5. in 2 Thess. Tom. 4. Col. 1299. A.1 Pet 5:3 even reall, instructing ensamples to them, both in life, and Doctrine: that they againe may nnIoh. 10. 3. 16. 27.John 10:3John 10:16John 10:27heare, may ooIoh 10. 4. 5.John 10:4John 10:5know your voice; and ppIoh. 10. 4, 5, 9, 10, 28, 29.John 10:4John 10:5John 10:9John 10:10John 10:28John 10:29follow you safe from earth to heaven, to your rr1 Thests. 2 19, 20.eternall ioy, in that ssPensemus ergo, qui vnquam per linguam nostram conversi, quide perverso suo opere nostra increpatione correpti, poenitentiam egerunt; quis luxuriam ex nostra institutione deseruit, quis avaritiam, quis superbiam declinavit? Pensemus quod lucrum Deo fecimus nos, qui accepto talento, ab eo ad negotium missi sumus. Etenim dicit: Negotiaminidum venio. Ecceiam venit, eccede nostro negotio lucrum requirit. Quale ei animarum lucrum de nostra negotiatione monstrabimus? Quot eius conspectui animarum manipulos de praedicationis nostrae segite illaturi sumus? Ponamus ante oculos nostros illum tantae districtionisdiem quo index veniet, et rationem cum servis suis quibus talenta credidit, ponet: Ibi Petrus cum Iudaea conversa, quam post se traxit, apparebit: Ibi Paulus conversum, vt ita dixerim, mundum ducens: Ibi et Andreas post se Achaiam; ibi Iohannes Asiam, Thomas Indiam in conspectum sui iudicis conversam ducet. Ibi omnes Dominici gregis arietes cum animarum lucris apparebunt, qui sanctis suis praedicationibus post se subditum gregem trahunt. Cum igitur tot pastores cum gregibus suis ante aeterni Pastoris oculos venerint, nos miseri quid dicturi sumus, qui ad Dominum nostrum post negotium vacui redimus… qui pastorum nomen habuimus, et oves quas ex nutrimento nostro debemusostendere, non habemus? Hic Pastores vocati sumus, et ibi gregem non ducimus, &c. Greg: Mag Hom in Evangelia. fol. 321. F.great audit-day, when all the faithfull and soule-winning shepheards shall present their severall regained flockes vntounto theirtt1 Pet: 5. 3, 4 Master-shepheard, Iesus Christ, who shall then reward them with a crowne of glory which fadeth not away: whereas he shall cloth all theeues, all wolues, all hirelings, all invigilant, vnfaithfull, sloathfull and voluptuous shepheards, who hauehave no flockes of saved, of converted soules to follow them, with eternall shame. I shall wind vp all, in the words of Bernard.uuAd Pastores Sermo Col: 1728. L. Ecce sacrū Evangeliū sub numero triū personarū, includit multitudinem vniversam Praelatorum. Proposuit enim nobis bonū Pastorem, mercenarium, et furem. Si boni Pastores estis, gaudete; quia merces vestra copiosa est in coelis. Si mercenarii estis, timete; quia periculum vestrum grande est in terris. Si fures estis, ingemescite; quia locus vester magnus est in paenis: nisi properaveritis ad paenitentiam, et quae vovistis Domino Deo vestro, dignè reddideritis.

Now the Lord Iesus Christ, the xxHebr. 13. 20Heb 13:20great shepheard of his sheepe, inspire all your Lordships with zeale, & courage, for the perennious defence, & propagation of those established Doctrines of our Church, (which here I recommend vntounto your best protection) and with all other graces, requisite for the compleat discharge of your Episcopall function: that so you may carefully keep, & indefatigably yy1 Pet. 5. 2, 3, 4, 5.1 Pet 5:21 Pet 5:31 Pet 5:41 Pet 5:5feed the flock of God which is among you; taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready minde. Neither as being Lords over Gods heritage, but being**Praepositi vita, subditorum regula: et quantum perniciosum est ad sequentium lapsum, ruinapraepositi, in tantum contra vtile est, ac salutare, cum se Episcopus per firmamentum fidei fratribus praebet imitandum Cyprian. Epist l… 3. Epist. 23. Sacerdotis praedicatio operibus confirmanda est, ita vt quod docet verbo, instruat exemplo. Vera est illa doctrina quam vivendi sequitur forma. Tune vtiliter praedicatio profertur, quando efficaciter adimpletur. Isiodor. Hisp de summo Bono. l. 3. c. 36. ensamples to the flock: thē whē the chief shepheard shal appear, you shal receiue a crown of glory which fadeth not away.

Your Lordships in all humble respect, as far as you stand for Christ, or for his truth: WILLIAM PRYNNE.