A Quench-Coal — William Prynne

A Quench-Coal · William Prynne

A QUENCH-COALE. OR A briefe Disquisition and Inquirie, in what place of the Church or Chancell the Lords-Table ought to be situated, especially when the Sacrament is administred?

VVherein is evidently proved, that the Lords-Table ought to be placed in the MIDST of the Church, Chancell, or Quire North and South, not Altar-wise, with one side against the wall: That it neither is nor ought to be stiled an Altar; That Christians have no other Altar but Christ alone, who hath abolished all other Altars, which are either Heathenish, Iewish, or Popish, and not tollerable among Christians.

All the Pretences, Authorities, Arguments of Mr. Richard Shelford, Edmond Reeve, Dr. Iohn Pocklington, and A late Coale from the Altar, to the contrary in defence of Altars, calling the Lords-Table an Altar, or placing it Altar-wise, are here likewise fully answered and proved to be vaine or forged.

By a well-wisher to the truth of God, and the Church of England.

Hebr. 7. 12. 13.

For the Priesthood being changed there is made of necessity a change also of the Law: For he of whom these things are spoken, pertaineth to an other Tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the Altar.

Augustinus de verbis Domini secundum Joannem, Serm. 42.

Christus quotidie pascit; Mensa ipsius est illa in MEDIO constituta.

Printed in the yeare 1637.

To the High and Mightie Prince CHARLES, By the Grace of God, King of Great Brittaine, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.

MOST DREAD SOVERAIGNE,

THE bleeding and almost desperate Condition of the long established Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England, of late yeares, not only secretly undermined by Popish Priests and Jesuites, but openly oppugned, affronted, by some English Priestes and Prelates in divers Visitation-Articles, Sermons and printed Bookes licenced for the Presse, to the intollerable contempt of your Majesties late piousaBefore the 39. Articles, and concerning the causes of the dissolving of the Parliament. An. 1628. Declarations; Hath made me so presumptuous, as not only to compile, but likewise to recommend this unpolished Quench-Coale to your Royall Personage: Wherein like a plain-dealing English-man, I have according to my poore ability, not only defended the established Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England, in the particulars now oppugned, against those treacherous rebellious Sonnes of hers who have professedly both in their Sermons, practises and printed Bookes oppugned them, out of her owne Records and Writers (which I have principally made use of) but likewise discovered and layd open, without flattery or partiallity, their desperate practises, aymes, plots and intentions, to suppresse and roote out our syncere Religion, and usher in Popery by degrees; Together with the method, and progresse they have made and prosecuted in this their pernicious designe.

The reasons inducing me to dedicate this rude incompt Discourse (which I had neither time nor opportunity to polish) to your Sacred Majesty were these.

1. First, to acqu…int your Highnes, with the severall dangers wherewith the Religion, Doctrine and Discipline, by Law establishest in the Church of England, are now surrounded, and those open affronts and oppositions made of late yeares against it; Of which I presume, your Majesty (who commonly see with other mens eyes, and heare with other mens eares, as most Princes are forced to doe) have not beene yet so fully acquainted, as your faithfull Subjects could desire, especially by your Prelates.

2. Secondly, to informe your Majesty, how grosly some of your Prelates and Chaplaines have abused your Highnes and your Subjects eares and eyes, both in the Pulpit, the bSee Acoale from the Altar, p. 64. the Order, of the Counsell-Table concerning S. Gregories Church: And Ibid. p. 15. 16. 17. 19. 53. to 58.Counsell-Chamber, and in printed Bookes, in the point of Altars, and their situation of Communion-Tables Altarwise against the East wall of the Quire; Which Altars & Situs of Lords-Tables, they have peremptorily affirmed, to be consonant to the practise of approred Antiquity; Yea to the Statutes, Doctrine, Canons and Discipline of the Church of England; When as it is most apparant: That the primitive Church laand Christians had no Altars, but Tables only, for aboue 260 teyeares after Christ; And that then and ever since, till now of late, both their Tables and Altars were alwayes placed in the MIDST of their Quires or Churches; As J have here plentrifully manifested; And that they neither bowed to nor towards their Altars, as these new Doctours falsely dogmatize.

3. Thirdly; To present unto your Majesty, the many dangerous Innovations and backslidings to Popery that have crept into our Church of late, and now are publikely justifyed in print, yea enjoyned by some of your potent Prelates, and enforced on your poore Subjects (especially godly Ministers) under paine of suspension, excommunication, deprivation, yea fining, imprisonment and utter ruine in your High Commissions, (at*See 1. Eliz. c. 1. 8. Eliz. c. 1. first erected to suppresse all Poperie, Innovations, Errours and Episcopall enchroachments upon your Eeclesiasticall Prerogative, but now used as the chiefe Instruments, to countenance and set them up,) in professed opposition and rebellion against your Majesties Lawes, Proclamations and two late piouscBefore the 39 Articles; and of the causes moving his Majesty to dissolve the last Parliament, p. 20. 21. 22. 42. Declarations to all your loning Subjects: VVherein your Majesty (to the unspeakeable joy of all your true-hearted people) calling God to record before whom you stand, hath made this solemne Protestation.

That you will never give way to the authorizing of any thing, whereby ANY INNOVATION may steale or creep into the Church, but preserve that unity of Doctrine & Discipline established in the Time of Queen Elizabeth, whereby the Church of England hath stood & florished ever since. That you doe professe to maintaine the true Religiō & Doctrine established in the Church of England, without ADMITTING OR CONNIVING AT ANY BACKSLIDING TO POPERY OR SCHISME.

That you will not INDVRE ANY VARYING OR DEPARTING JN THE LEAST DEGREE, from the se…d Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England now established. And that you will esteeme those subordinate Officers and Ministers that shalbe but negligent in seeing this your Declaration executed (much more then those who apparantly oppugne it,) as culpable both to God and your Majesty; And will expect that hereafter they give you a better account; Yet notwithstanding both these your royall Declarations; Some of your Prelates (who were both privies and parties to them) with others of your Clergie, have since their publication, not only suffered many Jnnovations to creep and steale into our Church, admitted and connived at many backslidings to Poperie and Romish Schisme, and permitted naydSee Shelford, Reeve, Chownaeus, Browne, Pocklington, Heylyn, Bishop White, A Coal frrom the Altar, the Female Glory, with other late licensed Books, Bishop Wrens, Bishop Mountagues and Bishop Peirce their Visitation Articles. licensed in print many varyings and departings in the highest degree from the setled established Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England; But likewise been the chiefe Authours and fomenters, yea the open Abbettours and Commaunders of them both in the Pulpit, High Commission, their Visitation-Articles, Synodes, and in printed Bookes; Especially in setting up, justifying, writing and preaching for Images, Crucifixes, Altars, Priests, Sacrifices of the Altar, bowing to Altars, to Communion-Tables, and rayling them in Altarwise, with other particulars else-where specified in this Discourse; In which we have lately backslided, not only towards Popery, but quite Apostatized to it, (as the Priestes, the Papists glory and cracke in every place:) justifying in some late printed Bookes, eChownaeus Collect: 16. 17. 18. Mr. Robort Shelford Priest Treatise concerning Antichrist.The Church of Rome to be a true Church, and never to have erred in any fundamentall points, no not in the worst times; And publikely maintaining the Pope or Papacy not to be A…tichrist, and Antichrist yet not to be come, in open affront tofFor … against Disobedience and wi… full Rebellion. Serm. 3. 4. 5. our Homilies gOf Ireland, n. 80.Articles, hBishop Downham, Bishop Abbot, Dr. Beard, Mr. Squire, Mr. Powel, Richard Brightwell, Thomas Becon, and others of Antichrist.Authorised Writers of all sorts, and the professed position of all the Reformed Churches of the world.

So much doe some of your Prelates and Priests now dote upon theiRev. 17. 5. 15. 16. Whore of Rome and her abominations.

Yea such hath been the monstruous unparalled presumption of these undutifull, persidious Innovatours, since these Declarations published by your Majesty, that they have dared to purge, corrupt, sophisticate and Innovate the publike Records and Monuments of the Church of England, ratified by sundrie k1. Eliz. c. 2. 13. Eliz. c. 12. 3. Iacobi c. 1.Acts of Parliament, without your Majesties privity; To such an hight of insolency are they growen.

I shall instance only in 3. particulars, worthy your Majesties, yea the whole Kingdomes consideration, and the severest Censures that your Royall Justice can inflict.

First, they have purged & corrupted the Booke of Common-Prayer in two severall places, the first whereof so neerely concernes your Majesty, your Royall Confort and Princely Issue, that J should be no lesse then an Arch-Traytor to you all, should I not discover but conceale it.

In the ancient Common-prayer-Bookes there was this Collect prescribed for the Queen, Prince and Royall Issue O God, who art the Father of thine Elect and of their seed, we humblie beseeth thee to blesse our most gracious Queen, &c.

These busy Innovatours, to testify their loyalty and duty to your Majesty, your Queen and Royall Issue, have presumed to expung you all out of the Catalogue of Gods Elect, and to ranke you all in the number of Reprobates and Castawayes, with one dash; Blotting this clause (who art the Farher of thine Elect and of their seed) quite out of this Collect, in all the late Common-prayer-Bookes; VVhereby they have done as much as in them lies, not only to deprive your Majesty and your Princely Jssue, of that temporall Crowne of Soveraignty over these your Realmes, to which you are Elected by God, but also to rob both your Majesty, your Noble Queen, your Royall Issue, your most Illustrious Sister, and her Princely Progenie, of that eternall Crowne of glory likewise, to which bothlCol. 3. 12 1. Thos. 1. 4. 1. Pet. 4. 1. 2. 2. Iohn. 1. 2. Thes. 2. 13. Charity and Loyalty enjoyne us, to believe you are Elected through Gods mEphes. 1 4, 5. 6. 7. 11, 12. Rom. 11. 5, 6.free grace and everlasting decree; Elect, in the Collect, being taken in both these sences.

VVhether these pragmaticall Refiners of this prayer, deserve not a*Bishop Latimer his 2, and 5. Sermon before King Edward the 6. Tiburne-Tippet, at the least, for this bold attempt, I humbly submit to your Royall Majesty.

2. The second alteration they have made in the Booke of Common-prayer is, in the Epistle for Palme-Sunday; small in appearance, but great in consequence.

All the Common Prayer-Bookes before the yeare of our Lord 1629. (as likewise, Tyndals, Couerdales, Thomas Mathewes and the Bishops Bibles, used in our Churches till Anno 1612.) read that text of Phil. 2. 10. according to the original, the Fathers, all Latine Writers and Translations, but two of late (to witt the Beza and Castalio, who render it Ad nomen, not IN nomine, as all others doe) in this maner. That IN the name of Iesus every knee should bow, &c.

But these Innovatours, to Jdolize the name Iesus, and usher in the Ceremony of Capping and bowing to it (thereby to make way for bowing to Images, Altars, Adoration of the Eucharist and other Romish Innovations) in the yeare of our Lord 1629. (the very next yeare after your Majesties Declarations) turned this IN into AT the Name (as one Prelate did the like before in the New Translation of the Bible for the same purpose) contrary to the originall, the sence and scope of the place, the Fathers, all former Common-prayer-Bookes, & the very rules of our English Dialect; There being no such phrase in the whole Bible, nor in any English Author, that ever I yet read, as, AT the name, except only in this mistranslated & corrupted text; But only, IN the name. AT the name being pure nonsence; As appeares by turning IN into AT, in all the texts of Scripture where this phrase IN the name is used: As Math. 28. 19. Baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Sonne, and of the Holy Ghost, Iohn 16. 23. Whatsoever yee shall aske the Father IN my name, he will give it you: Acts 3. 6. IN the name of Iesus Christ of Nazareth stand up and walke. Acts 9. 27. 2. 9. He preached boldly at Damascus IN the name of Iesus: And Acts 16. 8. 1. Cor. 5. 4. Ephes. 5. 2. 2. Thes. 5. 20. 2. Thes. 3. 6.

In all which if we convert IN into AT, and read them AT the name, it makes both the English and text Nonsence, and so it doth in this very text, Phil. 2. 10. As somenLame Giles his Haultings; and certaine Quaeries propounded to the Bowers at the name of Iesus, Qu. 1. 2. 3, 4. have manifested at large in particular Treatises of this Subject, and Ceremonies of bowing at the name of Iesus, when it is pronounced, oIbidem, And the Appendix concerning bowing at the name of Jesus.brought in by Popes with indulgences, for idolatrous ends, and not knowne, not used in the Primitive Church for above 1200 yeares after Christ; What ever some have written or preached to the contrary, to abuse your Majesty and Subjects with their Fables.

Who they were that originally caused these two alterations and Corruptions of the Common-prayer-Booke (to omit the changing of Minister into Priest, in some places) I cannot certainly informe your Majesty; But if common same and circumstances may be credited… they were some of your greatest Prelates this day living.

One of the chiefe instruments imployed in this good service, (who can discover the parties that sett him about this worke; Then a Chaplaine to a great Bishop, now to your Majesty) was Dr. Iohn Cosens, as I was long since informed by your Majesties Printer Mr. Norton, upon the first discovery and inquirie after this abuse.

A fit instrument for such a purpose; Who but the yeare before was accused in Parliament for dangerous words against your Majesty and the Reformers of our Religion; To witt.pSee a briefe Historicall Narratiō of some notorious Acts and Speeches of Mr. Iohn Cosens at the end of Mr. Peter Smarts Sermon: Printed at Edinburg An. 1628 That your Majesty was no more Supreame Head of the Church of England next and immediately under Christ, then the Boy that rubbed his horse heeles. That the Reformers of our Church when they tooke away the Masse, tooke away all Religion and the whole service of God: They called it a Reformation, but it was indeed a Deformation; That the Masse was a good thing and a good word: As also for setting up Images, an Altar and no lesse then 220 Tapers & 16 Torches on Candlemasday, in the Cathedral Church of Durham, coutrary*See the Homily against the perill of Idolatry to the established Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England.

All which particulars were substantially proved against him, both in the Parliament-house and at the Assises at Durham, where he was found guilty upon an Indictment. Yet in stead of punishments, answerable to these his offences, (some whereof would have been capitall in other men) he hath been so bolstred up by some great Prelates, neare your Majesty; As that he hath received two or three great livings for his encouragement since, and is now lately advanced to be your Majesties Chaplaine in Ordinary, and an head of a Colledge in Cambridge, (to helpe to poyson that Fountaine of learning and religion, with the drugges and dregges of Rome;) to the great griefe and discontent of thousands; Honest Mr. Smart his prosecutour (for shewing himselfe a faithfull Subject to your Majesty) being in the meane time violently thrust out of his Preberdary of Durham and his Benefice, deprived, degraded, imprisoned, fined and utterly ruinated in his Estate, by your High Commissioners at Yorke, (though a man every way conformable to the established Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England) only for opposing these Innovations of his, and preaching a Sermon against them in the Cathedrall at Durham: That of the Poet being here really verified. qIuveual. Satyr. 2.Dat veniam Corvis, vexat Censura Colnmbis. These things no doubt have been concealed from your Majesty; Which now being discovered, I trust you will lay them to heart, and learne to distinguish good Subjects from bad, in despite of all calumnies cast upon them by these persidious instruments.

I have the rather given your Majesty this hint of Dr. Cosens his words and practises, (whom the Papists of Durham now much honour and challeng for their owne,) because he was one of the first men that brought Altars into our Church, and the first I heare off, that turned his Communion Table Altar-wise, and then into an Altar.

rSee qua… p. before.Mr. Burgin, one of his Disciples, was the next that imitated him, who taking away his Communion-Table, erected an Altar in the East-end of the Chancle of his Parish-Church; within the Bishopricke of Durham; Which Altar (made of a Gravestone) he layd upon a wall of stone, not a frame, adorning it with guilded hangings; Which done, he read Second Service at it, (though above halfe his Parishioners could neither heare nor see him;) and fell devoutly to adore it, till at last his foot hanging in his gowne, he unhappily fell downe against the Altar-steps, brake all his nose and face, so as he sacrificed his owne blood both upon the steps & Altar itselfe in stead of Christs, and was not able to walke abroade in many dayes after.

From these two presidents and beginnings, have all those other Innovation… of this Nature sprung, which now spread themselves farre and neare over all your Realmes of England, Scotland, and Ireland too.

So farre more prevalent and powerfull is Dr. Cosens and his party, then either your Majesty, your Lawes, Declarations and loyall Subjects, or the established Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England; All which with the Booke of Common-prayer, must now be Subject to their correction and controll.

2. The second publike Monument of our Church, which these Innovatours have corrupted, is the Eucharisticall prayer, in the Booke of Common-prayer appointed for the 5. of November, in perpetuall thankfulnes to God for the deliverance of your Royall Father, your Majesty and the whole Realme from that infernall, divelish, matchlesse Powder-plot of the Papists, prescribed and set forth by the expresse Statute of 3. Iacobi, …. 1. which corruption nearely concernes your Majesty, yea the whole Realme, and in my poore understanding deserves as heavy a Censure, as any of those Powder-Traytors suffered.

All the Bookes of this kinde from 3. Iacobi till 1635. rendred the chiefe passages in this prayer, in these tearmes.

Roote out that Antichristian and Babilonish Sect, which say of Ierusalem, downe with it, downe with it, even to the ground, &c.

And to that end strengthen the hands of our Gracious King, the Nobles and Magistrates of the Land, with Iudgement and Iustice to cut off these workers of Iniquity, VVHOSE RELIGION IS REBELLION, VVHOSE FAITH IS FACTION, VVHOSE PRACTICE IS MURTHERING OF SOULES AND BODIES, and to roote them out of the confines of this Kingdome.

This prayer (which some have observed, not to have been read, but purposely omitted in your Majesties Chapple the two fift of Novembers last past, be like by their direction who have since perverted it,) in the last Edition 1635. is thus treacherously Metamorphosed: Roote out that Babilonish and Antichristian Sect (*added. OF THEM) which say of Ierusalem, &c, And to that end strengthen the hands of our Gracious King, &c. to cut off THOSE (for THESE) workers of Iniquity, VVHO TURNE RELIGION INTO REBELLION and FAITH INTO FACTION.

In which strange alteration there are these notorious treacheries, yea villanies, included not to be stighted over.

1. First, there is a diverting of the maine edge and substance of this Prayer from the Iesuites, Priests, Papists, and Antichristian Babilonish Sect of Rome, particularly designed in the first Prayer-Bookes, upon those Loyall Subjects and Religious Christians, whom thesD. Raynolds de Idolatria Rom. Eccles. Epist. ad Angl. Seminaria Sect. 5. p. 21. 22. Papists at first, and prophane licentious Romanizing spirits since, have slaundered with the name of Puritans.tSpeeds History of Great Britaine. p. 1252. 1233. On whom as these Hell…sh Traytours and their Confederates would have fathered this damnable plot at first, had it taken effect, (as blessed be God it never did) to make them more odious to the World; (Which themselves confessed upon their examinations and our Historians record:) So they have now turned the whole scope of this prayer (and by cousequence the very practise and treason itselfe) upon these poore Innocents; The only men aymed at in this alteration; And the chiefe men declaimed against both at Court, Westminster, Paules and our Universities in the Sermons there preached of late yeares on the fift of November, wherein most have paralleld them with, And many affirmed them, to be farre worse then any Priests or Iesuites.

So much wee poore Puritans (never yet guilty of the least treason or Rebellion against their Princes in this Iland, nor of any such forgeries, Jnnovations, or Romish practises, as I have here discovered,) beholding to the Iesuites, Priests and some English Prelates, who have been guilty of many hundred treasons, Conspiracies and Rebellions against your Majesties Royall Progenitors, as ourvMr. Tyndals Practise of Popish Prelates, D. Barnes his Supplication… to King Henry the 8. Fox Acts and Monuments, p. 321. 409. 410. 479. 533. 168, to 234. Antiquitates Ecclesiae Brit. & Godwin in the lives of Anselme, Becket, Edmond, Odo, William, Arundell, Laughton, Stratford, Scroope, Poole, Wolsey, Adam de Orlton, and other Bishops. Historians and writers witnesse.

And here by the way, your Majesty, (in despite of envy and calumny may take Notice) First, that those who are now slaundered under the name of Puritans, are your best and loyallest Subjects, because most hated and slaundered by Iesuites, Priests and Traytors, who would Father all villanies and treasons on them; And hate them most of any people, because truest to their Soveraignes.

2. Secondly, that no kinde of people in the World are xSee Dr. Raynolds de Idol. Eccles. Rom. Epist. Ad Angl. Seminaria Sect. 5.So much slaundered and traduced as they, though the Innocentest men of all othors.

This the practise of the Papists toySpeeds History, p. 1252. 1253. translate this Powderplot with all their treasons and rebellions from themselves to them, and most Sermons preached before your Majesty can witnes; VVherein such things are broached, suchzMr. Boltons Discou…se of true happines, p. 193. slaunders raysed of Puritans by Poeticall braines, and yet vented out in the Pulpit as sacred Oracles, which the Divell himselfe would blush to relate, and the Auditours know to be meere sigments: And all to make Puritans odious to your Majesty, being the only men that keep both your Crowne and Religion safe.

J shall therefore humblie beseech your Majesty, when ever you heare any Legends or Declamations against Puritans hereafter, to consider from what kinde of Persons they proceed, and to put them that utter them to make proofe of what they say, or else to brand them with an hot-iron in the cheekes or forehead with an S for slaunderers; And then you will never heare any more fables of Puritans, with which your Royall eares are now so oft abused by the Iesuite Contzens Disciples; VVho gives this as one chiefe rule how to usher Popery into any Christian State,aPolit. l. 2 c. 17. 18. 19 to slaunder and disgrace the Puritans and zelots, to make them odious both to Prince and people, and then Popery will breake in without any opposition or noyse at all.

2. Secondly; By this perverting of this Prayer, the chiefe Odium against Iesuites, Priests and Papists (thebSpeeds History. p. 1249. Sect. 33. chiefe Authour… of this horrid treason) is mittigated and taken off, that so they may take roote among us againe, to the ruine both of Church, State, and (without Gods speciall protection) of your Sacred Majesty, to whom they will ever be treacherous, as they havecDr. White his Defence of the way, c. 6. 10. The Homily for Whitsunday. D. Barnes his Supplication to King Henry 8. alwayes been to all Christian Princes and Republikes, that would not be their slaves and Vassals to yeild universall obedience to them in what ever they should commaund.

3. Thirdly; By this Metamorphosis of, whose Religion is Rebellion, whose Faith is Faction, &c. into. Those workers of iniquity, who turne Religion into Rebellion, and Faith into Faction: The Romish Religion is acquitted and purged from that damnable, treasonable, Rebellious, factious Doctrine, of the lawfulness of deposing and murthering Christian Kings and Princes, excommunicated or deprived by the Pope or enemies to the Roman Church and Faith; Of which the first prayer, the Statute, of 3. Iacobi c. 4. in the forme of the Oath of Supremacy, thedOn Whitsunday and of wilfull Rebellion. Homilies andeBishop Bilson of Christian Subjection and unchristian Rebellion, Part. 3. Writers of our Church, and among others Dr. John White in his Defence of the way to the true Church,The Institution of a Christ…ā manchap. of Orders. Dens & Rex. c. 6. &c. 10. Sect. 5:6. 7. 8. and Dr. Richard Crakanthrop in his Treatise of the Popes Temporall Monarchie, c. 1. and 11. Which Authours chapters I shall humblie desire your Majesty and all that love either your safety or Religion seriously to read over at their best leisure, and then let them love Popery, Priestes and Iesuites if they can or dare,) prove them deeply guilty both in point… of Theory and Practise; And if all these fayle, yet their obstinate refusall of the Oath of Supremacy (which onlyf3. Iacobi c. 4. Deus & Rex. enjoynes them to renounce this Doctrine of King-killing) proves them deeply guilty of it; (and can your Majesty trust such neare about you, who will by no meanes sweare, they will not murther nor deprive you?)

Now for any thus farre to gratify Traytours and Rebels, as to acquit them from that very Doctrine which makes them such, even then when they are quilty of it, must needs be a danegrous, if not a Trayterous Act, perillous to your Majesty and the whole Realme.

4. Fourthly; This Alteration extenuates the greatnes and execrable odiousnes of that horrid Treason, both in respect of the Actors, and that desperate Doctrine which moved them to committ it; And to mince or extenuate such an unparalleld treason as this, so execrable to all the world; Is nothing else but to turne Traytour, and become guilty of the same treason, or of another as bad as it.

Yea it is to be feared, that those who wilbe so perfidious, as after thus many Yeares, to goe about to extenuate and lessen such a Treason, have a minde to turne Traytours themselves, atleast wise, to favour Treason and Traytours, and have treasonable hearts within them.

5. Fiftly; This corruption is a large step to the abolishing of the memory of this never to be forgotten Treason, and of that solemne Holy-day on the 5. of November, instituted byg3. Iacobi c. 1. Act of Parliament, for this very end, that our unfained thankfulnes for our happy deliverance from this Hellish designe might NEVER BE FORGOTTEN, but be had in A PERPETUALL REMEMBRANCE, that ALL AGES TO COME may yeeld prayses to the Divine Majesty, and have in memory THIS IOYFULL DAY OF DELIVERANCE: (they are the words of the Act.) For when such a treason begins once to be blanched, slighted, and the solemne gratulatory Prayers instituted for its remembrance thus miserablie to be corrupted. the next step can be no other, but the abrogating both of the Booke itselfe, and the solemnity kept in remembrance of the treason; And then when this is effected, the next newes we shall heare of from Rome, will be the deniall of the Fact, that there was ever any such treason plotted, though sundrie Histories specifie it; As they have long sincehBeyerlinke Chro nog…: p. 309. published in print, that Henry Garnet the Iesuite andiSpeeds History, p. 1249. Sect. 33. Archplotter of it, had no hand therein; And that there waskSee Cookes Pope Ione and the Authours quoted by him. Ioannis Valerion de Sac… dotum Barbis. Polychronicon. l. 5. c. 30. Caxion… Chronicle, part. 5. An. 885. Volateranus Cem. 1. 22 f. 228. Marianus Scotus, l. 3. Ae…as. 6. Anno 854. Col. 152. Martini Poloni Supputation…s, An. 855 Col. 152. Papa. 109. never any Pope Ione, though above 20 ancient Popish Writers record there was such a one, and shee a Pope, a strumpet, a most say an English woman.

6. Sixtly, It is apparant, that this alteration was made only to gratify the Priests, the Jesuites, Pap…sts, and men Trayterously affected; Since all loyall Subjects and truebred English spirits cannot but abhor it.

Therefore who-ever were the Authours or occasions of it, (be they either Arch Prelates, Bishops, Priests, or other, for J cannot yet certainly discover the parties, neither have I any sufficient meanes or Commission to doe it, it being a thing worthy your Majesties owne Royall Discoverie, as the Powder-plot itselfe was your Fathers, KING JAMES, his l3. Iacobi c. 1. 2. 3. Speeds History, p. 125l. 1255. 1256. 1257.owne ever-blessed detection:) if it be not *See 1. Eliz. c. 1. 27. Eliz. c. 2. 3. Iacobi, c. 1. 3. 4. 5.Arch-Traytours and Rebels, yet J dare proclaime them no friends to your Majesty, nor yet to the Church or State of England, or to the Religion we professe, but enemies to them all, and friends to none but Rome, whose iustruments they were in this particular.

3. The third corruption and forgery, is in the very Articles of Religion of the Church of England, at first compiled in King Edward the 6. his raigne Anno 1552. Revised and reestablished Anno 1562. in Queen Elizabeths dayes, after that Anno 1571. confirmed by Act of Parliament, 13. Eliz. c. 12. and printed both in Latine and English the same yeare by the Queens Authority.

The 20 Article in all these ancient*Yea in the Latine and English Editions, An. 1553. in King Edwards dayes. Editions, and all others in Queen Elizabeths raigne, (as likewise in the Articles of Ireland, taken verbatim out of the English, printed at Dublin Anno 1615. and twice reprinted at London, An. 1628. & 1629. Artic. 75. of the Authority of the Church;) runs thus: It is not Lawfull for the Church to ordaine any thing that is contrary to Gods Words, &c.

But the Bishops to advance their owne usurped Authority & gaine some colour to arregate to themselves a power of prescribing new rites and Ceremonies, have forged a New Article of Religion, and added it unto this, without either your Majesties or the Parliaments privity or consent, and cu…ningly obtruded it on the Church of England; Making this Article now to run thus: The Church hath power to decree Rues and Ceremonies, and Authority in Controversies of Faith. And yet (so farre runnes the Bishops forgery and addition) it is not Lawfull for the Church to ordaine any thing that is contrary to Gods Word written, &c.

Which whole first clause to yet: Is no part of the Article, but a meere forgery and imposture of the Bishops; Whose, glosse is as pernicious as the text, or woise: For, by Church they understand nothing else but Bishops; Making the sence of this forgery to be this: The Church, that is, the Bishops in their Visitations, Consistories and High Commissions (as they now de facto expound it, witnes their late new Visitation Articles, Rites and Ceremonies which they would hence justify and Authorize) and likewise the Cleargie in their Conuocation without the King and Parliaments consent) have both power to decree Rites and Ceremonies, and Authority in matters of Faith.

An exposition & Doctrine quite contrary to the Statutes of 25. H. 8. 6. 19. 1. Eliz. c. 2. 13. Eliz. c. 12. and all Acts concerning Religion, Heresie, Bishops, and the like, yea directly repugnant to your Majesties Declaration before the 39. Articles; And quite opposite to the Scriptures and all ancient VVriters, who never tooke the word Church for Bishops or Cleargie-men only, but for the whole Congregation, and as well as much for the common-people as the Bishops and Ministers, as the 19. Article next preceeding it, and our mMr. William Tyndall in his Treatise what the Church is Dr. Whitaker de Ecclesia, Dr. Field of the Church, Bishop Bilson of Christian Subjection, &c. part 2. p. 168. 169. 170.Writers plentifully witnes.

This forgery, how ill soever glossed, is thrust into both the late Editions of the Articles, Anno 1628. published by your Majesties speciall commaund, and made a part of the 20 Article, notwithstanding your Majesty in your Declaration before both these Editions; Expressely prohibited, The least difference from the Articles of the Church of England allowed and authorized heretofore in Queen nSee the Declaration concerning the dissoluti… of the Parliament. p. 21.Elizabeths dayes, or any varying and departing from them in the least degree, in which it is not to be found; Nor yet in the Articles of Ireland: n. 75. taken verbatim out of this 20. Article, printed in London the very same yeare, or in the Addition of those Articles An. 1629. a yeare after these two last impressions.

If the Bishops here reply, that they found it added in Rogers his Exposition on the Articles, printed some yeares before.

J answer, that Coppy was not the Authorized Authenticke Originall by which they should be directed but a bastard Coppy, with which your Majesty would not have your poore Subjects cheated or deluded.

Your Majesty therefore, prohibiting any the least difference from the Articles allowed and authorized heretofore in Queen Elizabeths dayes, by Parliament; Prohibited them to insert this forged addition.

If they reply, that they were ignorant of the Originall true Coppyes, and knew not this to be a forgery.

I answer, that this is very improbable, that so many great Bishops should be altogether ignorant, which were the true genuine Articles of our Church, who had read, subscribed and given them in charge to others so often.

But admit it true, yet ignorance in this case is no plea at all for any man, much lesse for Bishops; And if they are so ignorant of the very Articles of our Church, J hope your Majesty and others will thinke them very unmeet to be Bishops in our Church, and trust lesse to their pretended knowledge, judgement and learning in future times, giving little credit to any thing they doe or say, without examination of it, since they are so really or affectedly ignorant of the very*Which they might doe well to study a while, and give over their secular Offices and Affaires, which make thē so blinde and ignorant in divine things. Articles of our Church, in the which they pretend most skill. But if they knew the very Originall Coppyes & Articles (as no doubt they did,) and that this clause was not in them, but a meere late forgery, most fraudelently and corruptly added to them; Then they were accessaries & wilfull consenters to this forgery, to delude both your Majesty and the whole Church of England with it; Yea protessed rebels against your Majesties Declaration before these two impressions, (made by their owne advice) prohibiting the least difference from the sayd true Articles and Originals: And so are they guilty of forgery, treachery and contumacy against your Majesty in the highest degree.

oSee Cromp…os Iurisdiction of Tit. Starchamber and Rastals Abridgmēt forger of false deedsIf a man forge but a private Wil or Deed, to cosen any private man of any Inheritance, Lease or personal estate, he shalbe severely punished in the Star-chāber, fined, pyllored if not loose his eares beside. What punishments then doe they deserve, who have thus corrupted the Commō-prayer-Booke, the Prayers for the Gunpowder-treason and the Articles of Religion, (all ratified by Parliament & so matters of Records & top8. H. 6. c. 12. 5. Elz. c. 14. corrupt or rase Records, or forge deeds the second time is felony,) and to forge a new Article of Religion, to deceive your Majesty & your whole Kingdom, and that not only for the present, but for all future ages?

Certainly, hanging is to good for them. Should a poore Puritane doe but halfe as much, the Bishops would have drawen, hanged and quartered him long ere this, especially if the thing were derogatory to their Hierarchie and Epis. copall Iurisdiction. But Bishops and their Agents thinke they may doe any thing in these dayes without check or censure. Yet I hope your Majesty will not let them goe scotfree for these their forgeries & corruptiōs; If not all done by their Commaund and privity, yet doubtles by their connivance, negligence and subsequent consents. And is it not now high time for your Majesty to looke to these persidious Innovatours, and to repose no trust in them any longer, since they are lately growen so powerfull, so insolent, as thus to sophisticate, to pervert these very Originall Records of the the Church of England, to which they have subscribed, and to forge new Articles of Religion, to cheat your Majesty & the whole Church of England with, for feare they proceed to further forgeries of an higher nature?

VVee know, that the Bishops of Rome haveqSee Dr. Crakenthorpe his defence of Constantine and of the Popes temporall Monarchie; and excellent Treatise to this purpose. forged a Donation from Constantine and others, with which they have deluded and troubled all the world, thrust the Roman Emperours frō their Throne & Territories, and usurped a temporall Monarchie over all the world: VVe know that the Bishops of England in King Richard the 2. and Henry the 4. his dayesrFox Acts & Monumēt p. 404. 405. 406. 481. 524. and Mr. Fullers Argument, 25. H. 8. …. 15. forged two bloody Acts of Parliament against the true Professours of the Gospell, to which the Commons never consented, though they foisted their assents into them, upon which tyrannous forged Acts most of our Martyrs were butchered, & thousāds of godly Christiās & loyall Subjects imprisoned, martyred, ruinated and stript of all their goods, or else abjured, by blood-sucking tyrannous Prelates.

Whether they may not in time proceed to the like attempts if not severely punished for those fore-past forgeries and corruptions of our Churches, Parliamentary Records; I humblie submit to your Majesties and all wise-mens considerations; Ambition, tyranny, pride, & malice being boundles, when they have once overswolm'd the bankes of due moderation, or growen impudent and unrulie, especially in Bishops.

Having thus represented to your Majesties Royall view these 3 grand forgeries and corruptions, give me leave (I humblie beseech your Highnes) to adde to these, two other late Jmpostures obtruded on the Church of England.

1. The first by Dr. (then Mr.) Iohn Cosens and his confederates; Who Anno 1628. (the same yeare your Majesties Declarations were published,) sett forth a Booke, intiteled: A collection of private Devotions, or, the Howers of Prayer; Wherein was much Popish Trash and Doctrine comprized, and at least 20 several points of Popery maintained, to countenance all which, in the Title and Epistle of this Booke, he writes; That these Devotions of his, were after this maner, published by Queen Elizabeth, and were heretofore published among us by her High and Sacred Authority, to witt, in the Preces of Horary, sett forth by her Royall Authority Anno 1573.

VVhen as there is no Analogie at all either in matter, forme or method, between these Devotions of his and those devout Prayers of her Majesty, nor any of his points of Popery in them, as hath been proved bysCosens his Cosening Doctrine. A tryall of Private Deuotions. two particular Answers to his Devotions in print: Yet these Devotions of his were never yet suppressed, but publikely sold among us, approved by a Bishops license, and now reprinted, to abuse your Majesties poore Subjects, encourage Papists, and scandalize that everblessed pious Queen, as the Authour and Patronesse of his grosse Popery. An abuse not tollerable in a Christian State.

2. The second is as bad or worse. Anno 1631. One Iohn Ailward (not long before a Popish Priest) published a Booke intiteled: An Historicall Narration of the judgement of some most learned Bishops concerning Gods Election; Affirming the Errours of the Arminians, to be the Iudgement and Doctrine of the Church of England, and of the Martyrs and Reformers of it, both in King Edwards and Queen Elizabeths dayes.

This Booke (though written in professed opposition to your Majesties Declaration before the 39. Articles, to Suppresse Arminianisme (yet now made the only iustrument to advance it and suppresse the truth) was licensed by Mr. Martyn, then Chaplaine to the Bishop of London, now Arch-Bishop of Canterbury.

The whole Booke except some 3. or 4. leaves containing nothing else but a Coppy ef an Answer to a Letter, wherein the Answerer purged himselfe and others from Pelagian Errours, &c.

This Master-peece, forsooth, is pretended to be sett out by the Bishops and Reformers of our Church in the inception of Queen Elizabeths raigne by publike Authority, and the Doctrine then taught and professed. When this new Booke was printed, no Coppies must come abrode (as the Stationer then affirmed) before the*Now Canterbury. Bishop of London had presented it to your Majesty, and gained your Royall approbation thereof.

Not long after this it flies abrode ouer all the Realme, to the great amazement and disturbance of many of your Subjects: One of them comming to that learned Knights hands, Sir Humphry Lynde, (better read in Fathers and Popish Authours then English Antiquities,) he was so much stumbled and greiued at it, that he presently repaired with it, to a Gentlemans study of his acquaintance; Telling him, there was a new Booke, freshly published, which proued the Martyrs and Reformers of our Church to be professed Arminians, and that this was the Doctrine publikely taught and printed by Authority in the beginning of Queen Elizabeths-raigne; Saying withall, it would doe infinite harme, and desiring him to take some paines to answer it.

The Gentleman no sooner turned ever two or three leaves of the Booke, but he presently discovered the grand Imposture; Informing the Knight, that this Coppy of a Letter, &c. was written by one Champenies, whom Iohn Venon (Divinity Lecturer of Paules in the first yeare of Queen Elizabeth) tAn Apologie or Defence of the Doctrine of Pred… stination …. 37.expresly affirmed, to be then a ranke Papist and a Pelagian, and that in answer to this Verons Lectu… es of Predestination, then publikely preached at Paules, (dedicated to Queen Elizabeth, and printed by Authority in the second yeare of her Highnes raigne.)

He likewise acquainted him, that this Coppy of his Letter was printed about the third yeare of her Dominion, without any Authours or Printers name thereto, or place where, or yeare when it was printed, or any intimation at all that it was ever licensed; All which were plaine evidences, that it was printed in a corner, without any license at all.

And whereas (sayd he) you desire a speedy Answer to it, if you will give me but a paire of gloves, I will show you two Answers to it, already in print above …0 yeares since, by publike Authority, and one of the first printed Coppies of this Letter to boote.

To which the Knight replied, J am sure you doe but jest with me.

No, sayd the other, I am in good earnest, wil you give me, or wager a paire of gloves hereupon?

That (answered he) I will doe with all my heart. Then, sayd the Gentleman, reach me hither those three Bookes he pointed to.

He did so. The first was a Coppy of the Letter, without name of Authour, Printer, date of time or place; Which compared with that in this new Booke, proved the same verbatim.

Now, sayd the Gentleman, you have seen the Originall, I will shew you the Authour of it, (which he did in Verons Apology, f. 37.) and likewise two severall Answers in print: The first by Iohn Veron himselfe fore-named, intitled: An Apologie in Defence of the Doctrine of Predestination Dedicated to Queen Elizabeth, and imprinted at London by Iohn Tisdale in the fourth yeare of her Raigne; Wherein this whole Letter is fully answered: The second, by that famous Learned Man and exile for Religion in Queen Maries dayes, Robert Crowly; In his Apologie of those English Preachers and Writers, which Cerberus the three-headed Dogg of Hell chargeth with false Doctrine, under the name of Predestination; Seen and allowed according to Her Majesties Injunctions, and printed at London by Henry Denham, Anno 1566. Wherein this whole Letter is at large recited in severall Sections, and then answered Verbatim; This Booke being nothing else but a particular professed Answer to it by publike Authority; As directly contrary to the truth and Doctrine of the Church of England then taught and established.

When the Gentleman had shewed him these two printed ancient Answers to this new Booke; He likewise turned to uSe…m…s London…, 1584. …. 311, 312, 325, 326, 327, 124, 125, 126, 134, 164, 165, 178, 208. 215, 224, 226, 268, 270, 288, 295, 299, 308, 323, 14…, 142, 18…, …some passages in Bishop Latymer, which answered and cleared his words cited in this Booke from any such sence as it would fasten on them: And to answer the Passage in it out of Bishop Hoopers Preface before his Exposition on the ten Commaundements, He shewed him first, the Confession, and Protestation of the Bishops Faith, dedicated to King Edward the 6. and the whole Parliament, and printed at London Cum Privilegio, Anno 1550.

Secondly, x…A briefe and cleare Confession of the Christian Faith, containing 100 Articles, London 1584.

Thirdly, AnyFol. 22 … 24. 29 40. 55, 56 57. 60, 63, 64 65, 78. … Exposition upon certaine Psalmes, London, 1510.

Jn all which this godly Martyr did professedly in expr…e tearmes oppugne all the Arminian points now controverted, and those this new Booke would fasten on him, by over straining some of his words.

VVhichWhich done; Now said the Gentleman, I have shewed you many full old Answers to your, New Booke, and proved it to be a meere lie and forgery from the beginning to the end, yea the most grosse and greatest Imposture, affront and impudent abuse that ever was put upon the Church of England; VVherefore, Sir… since you are acquainted at London-House and Lambeth, I pray informe the Bishop and Arch-Bishop, what you have seen, and desire them to take some speedy course to rectify this most foule abuse.

He did so: Yet the Booke was not called in, in a weekes space or more; VVhichWhich the Gentleman perceiving, went to Lambeth, with his Bookes, shewed the Arch-Bishop, that then was, what he had shewed the Knight; Desiring his Grace, that the Church of England might not have such an impudent strange Imposture thrust upon her.

VVhere upon he thanked the Gentleman; Protesting he had shewed him that he*It seeme… the Bishops are none of the learned … men, … se well acqua… ted with …e W… ters and Doctrine of the Church of England, as some private Gentlemē ar…. never saw nor heard off before; Desiring him to leave his Bookes with him for a weeke, after which he would safely restore them.

VVhereupon, these Bookes, after they were halfe sold and dispersed over the Kingdome, were only called in, but not burned, nor any publike Act made against them, to discover the practise and Imposture: Only the Gentleman was at the cost, to send some of these old Bookes in answer of this new Pamphlet, to the University Library at Oxford, and to Cambridge, acquainting some of his Friends there, with this Decoy.

But now of late this Booke flies abrode into all parts, is publikely sold in all Stationers shops, and thousands of your Subjects, ignorant of the fraud, are meerely cheated and seduced by it; the Licenser (if not the Authour) being since aduanced; and the discouerer of this egregious Jmposture (detestable both to God & man) most despitefully rewarded and miserablie traduced, for his paines. O tempora! O mores! that men should suffer for their good service in this kinde.

Now J humblie referre to your Majesties most serious consideration, whether all these particular Corruptions, Forgeries and Jmpostures (the vndoubted verity whereor is soone discouered by the Bookes themselves, which w… attest them doe not crie aloud to your Majesty for speedy redresse, and proclaime the authours of them (though never so great or powerfull) unworthy of your Majesties grace, unmeet to be trusted or credited by your Highnes any more, (for those who are thus treacherous and unfaithfull to their Religion and Mother Church, how can they be loyall or trustie to your Majesty? and worthy of the highest Censures your Royall Iustice can inflict upon them.

Your Majesty hath called God to witnes inzConcerning the Dissolution of the last Parliament, p. 21. A Declaration to all your loving Subjects, (who dare credit you without an Oath,) That it is and alw…yes hath been your hearts desire to be found worthy of that Title, which you account the most glorious in all your Crowne, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH.

And how can you better accomplish this desire of your heart, or make yourselfe worthy of this most glorious Motto then by rectifying all these most grosse abuses and Jmpost…res? By rooting out all Innovations and back sl…dings unto Popery, now crept into our Church, by reducing all your Subjects to the unanimous profession of the long established Doctrine of the Church of England; And by taking vengeance upon all the grand Authours and Executioners of the fore-mentioned Forgeries, Impostures & Innovations, which dishonour your Royall Majesty, greive all your Faithfull Subjects, betray and scandalize our Religion, make us a *Who would not laugh at these mad argumēts, Pa…adoxes and Frantique passages of G…les Widdows, Shelford, Reeve, many of which are as ridiculous and absurd as any in Ignoramus.very derision, prey and scorne to our Romish Aduersaries, and draw downe the very plagues and vengeance of our offended God upon us, whose judgements now call for a speedy redresse of these things, at your Majesties hands, whom they have most intollerablie and undutifully dishonoured? For whereas your Roy all Majesty out of the piety and syncerity of your upright heart, hath in your fore-specified aBefo…e the 39. Articles. And concerning the dissolution of the Parliament. p. 21. 42.Declarations, most seriously protested in the very presence of God himselfe your perfect detestation of all Innovations in `Doctrine or Discipline and backsl…dings unto Pope…y, professing and proclaiming that you will by no meanes tolerate or indure them, much lesse then favour or enjoyne them; Yet since these disloyall Novellers, their Clients and Agents forgetting their duty both to God and your Majesty, feare not to give out in private speeches, and to intimite as much inbA Coale from the Altar, p. 36. print, that your Majesty doth not only connive at, but likewise underhand, either countenance or commaund by Letter or Word of mouth, all these their Innovations and Apostacies towards Rome, (with their putting downe of Lectures and preaching, of their late silencing, excommunicating and persecuting godly Ministers in sundrie Diocesses for not yeelding to these Jnnovations, or not reading the late Declaration for Sports in proper person in their Churches, which they humblie conceive not to be your Majesties, and which requires no such thing, that it should be read, much lesse by Ministers themselves in proper person, and gives no man Authority in case they read it not, to suspend or silence them for it, to the Jnnocent peoples prejudice only, whose soules are starved and murthered by this meanes:) and that they doe nothing at all, but what they are enjoyned by your*There was a Letter lately read in some Churches of Ipswitch, as from the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in the audience of all the people, affirming that your Majesty had given the Arch-Bishop order and direction for rayling Communion-Tabes Altarwise, and that all Communicants should come up to the Rayle and receive, which much amazed the people, and Dr. Aylot the Arch-Bishops surragate oft times affirmed the same in Court to divers, who alleaged your Majesties …awes and Declarations to the contrary. Majesties Royall Instructions; Endeavouring by these false Rumors, to make your Subjects believe (had they such a miraculous Faith as to credit this impossibilitie) that your Majesty is the Originall Authority and under-hand enconrager of all these their execrable practises, Ceremonies, Novelties, proceedings and backsliding; Of purpose to draw all the Odium of them on your Highnes, and thereby as much as in them lyeth, to alienate your Subjects hearts and affections from your Majesty; Which intollerable, unpardonable scandal, were it as true as it is false; Yet it were their duty to forbeare such speeches, or cast …uch scruples into your Subjects mindes: But since they are most n…torious falsehoods and disloyall Iesuiticall practises in the highest degree, making your Highnes no better then a notorious Hypocrite or dissembler both towards God and Man, as themselves are, though all the world will be your Compurgatours to acquit your Highnes from any the least suspition of such dissimulation; Your Majesty is now obliged both in point of honour and Iustice to aveng yourselfe of such undutifull Slaunderers and Detractors from your Sacred Fame, and by a speedy redresse of all their Innovations, Superstitions, Ceremonies and Abuses, to proclaime to all the world, that they are none of yours, but their owne spurious issues, and that your words and Actions both in publike and private are ever consonant, uniforme, and the same in every respect, without the least shadow of alteration, much lesse of doubling, either with God or Man.

If your Majesty now demaund of me, who they are who have been the chiefe Authours and instruments of these grosse abuses, forgeries Innovations?

I answer, that although it may prove dangeroos to me to nominate them in particular, before your Majesty shall commaund me so to doe, by reason of their over-swaying power; Yet for your Majesti…s satisfaction herein; (*A Coale from the Altars phrase. who can judge of the Catt by her Claw) I shall give your Highnes a Register of the names of some of the chiefe under-instruments, by which you may easily discrie the heades and Grandes of this disloyall crew.

One of the first and chiefe instruments your Majesty in your RoyallcPage 20. 21. Declaration and Proclamation hath pointed out and nominated to my hands; To witt, Richard Mountague; then Bachi…er of Divinity (since that time punished with the fatt Bishopricke of Chichester for his notorious Schismes and Innovations) whose Booke intituled, Apello Caesarem, published in the yeare 1625. (as the words of your Highnes determine) did open the way to those Schismes and Divisions which have since ensued in our Church. For remedie and redresse whereof, and for Satisfaction of the consciences of your good people, your Majesty did not only by publike Proclamation call in that Booke of his which ministred matter of offence, but to prevent the like danger for hereafter, reprinted the Articles of Religion, established in the time of Queen Elizabeth of famous memory (a plaine resolution, that your Majesty intended to establish only the originall Coppy of the Articles confirmed in Parliament by Queen Elizabeth, in which there is no such forgery or addition to the 20 Article, as is before discovered, not any other corrupted Coppy since;) and by a Declaration before those Articles did tie and restraine all opinions to the sence of those Articles, that nothing might be left for private fancies and Innovations.

Yet notwithstanding this your Rayall care, this Booke of his, (because not burn'd, and the Authour rewarded, advanced to be a governour in our Church, before any publike recantation of his Errours) is bought and sold; And he not only in a newdApparatus ad Hist. Ecclesiast. Latine Booke, but likewise in a Court-Sermon at White Hall in*1636. Lent last, in your Majesties Sacred presense, (forgetfull both of his duty and your Highnes Declaration) hath presumed to plead, not only for a Limbus Patrum, bowing to Altars, and rayling in Lords-Tables Altarwise, but likewise for Altars, Priests, and unbloody Sacrifices offred upon Altars toe, in professed defiance to this your Declaration: For which some of your Majesties Courtiers who heard his Sermon, then openly protested, that he deserued to be hanged up in White Hall gate, (it were a*See B. Latymer his 5. Sermon before King Edward, f. 64. goodly signe, the signe of such a Bishops skin and Rochet thus exalted) and that they wondred how the Arch-Bishops could sit by and heare such a Sermon, and not commaund him out of the Pulpit.

So insolent is this first grand Agent growen, because not punished, but preferred for his first offences.

The next chiefe F…ctor is Dr. Iohn Cosens, whom I have formerly nominated; a man likewise much honoured, enriched & aduanced euen to your Majesties service, and the next in some mens voyce to be recommended to a Bishopricke, (if your Majesty reserve not the disposition of Bishoprickes to your selfe, but suffer others to have a finger in their disposall:) and all for the good Seruice he hath done the Church of Rome, the affronts he hath offred to the Church of England, and using such reproachfull words against your Majesties Supremacy, for which another happily might have had his head and quarters aduanced as high as London bridge ere this, in Leiw of all …ther preferments.

The happy successe of these two leading Instruments, hath since encouraged many others to the like attempts; as eHis first Sermon, p. 5. 37. where he tearmes the Lords-Table an Altar, Gods mercy Seate, & pleades for bowing towards it.Dr. Lawrence, Mr.fHis 5. Treatises Cambridge, 1635. all absurd and Popish. Robert Shelford Priest, gHis Communion Booke Catechisme expounded, London 1635. the Epistles: And p. 17. …22. 35. 38. 39. 48. 60. 61. 62. 63. 74. 75. 76. 77. 90. to 111. (in the first Impression since torne out 127. to 141. 200. 201. 203. 20… 206. 211. 216.Mr. Edmond Reeue, hSunday no Sabbath: Vile throughout.Dr. Iohn Pocklington, iThe History of S. George, and of the Sabbath.Dr. Peter… Heylin, (the Authour as most conclude of A Coale from the Altar) kCollectiones, An. 1635. Collect. 16. 17. 18. 34. 35.Chownaeus, and lThomas Browne his Sermon: Oxon. 1634. The Female glory: Dr. Cosens Collection of private Devotions reprinted, 1636. Bishop Whites Treatise of the Sabbath day the latter part and Epistle Dedicatory. Dr. Reades Visitation Sermon, 1635.others in late printed Bookes and Sermons, in hope, of like preferments, to broach many Arminian and Popish Doctrines, Ceremonies & Innovations, cōtrary to the established Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England, and in high contempt of your Majesties, Declarations; Which Bookes were licensed by William Bray and William Harwood, Chaplaines to the Arch Bishop of Canterbury that now is, by Samuel Baker and Mr. Weekes, Chaplains to the now Bishop of London, and by Dr. Beale, late Vice-Chancellour of the University of Cambridge; Yea one of them, denying your Majesties Supremacy in causes Ecclesiastia…all and affirming the Church of Rome to be a true Church, and not have erred in fundamentals even in the worst times, dedicated to the present Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, was licēsed by his Chaplaine William Harwood, (yea justified publikely by the Arch-Bishop in the High Commission, in the Censure of Dr. Bastwicke.)

Quid facient Domini, audent cum talia Servi?

When the Chaplains dare license such Doctrines, Bookes, and Novelties by their Lords Authority, it is much to be feared, that their Lords themselves dare doe as much or more then this amounts to.

If your Majesty will but inquire of these new Authours and Licensers, who are the men that cherish and countenance them; By whose Privity and Authority they have presumed to attempt the writing and Licensing of such Bookes, you may easily by these Rivulets trace out the Fountaines from whence all these Enormities, Corruptions, Forgeries and Innovations flow; And if you shall vouchsafe with all, to cast your Royall eye upon the Remonstrance, touching the encrease of Popery, Arminianisme, and the decay of Religion, presented to your Majesty by the Commons house the last Parliament, it is a thousand to one, but you will soone, discover the very parties, not only by guesse but by name.

Besides, if your Majestie will once more cast your prying eye upon the late Visitation Articles of Bishop Wren, Bishop Peirce, Bishop Monntague, and other your Prelates and Arch-Deacons, visiting in their owne names and by their owne Authority; Or cause a diligent inquiry to be made in all places where Altars, Images, Crucifixes, bowing to Altars, Tapers, rayling Communion-Tables Altar-wise, reading Second-Service at the Altar, Consecrations of Altars, Churches, Chappels are introduced, urged and many godly conformable Ministers excommunicated, silenced, suspended & persecuted for not submitting to these with other such Innovations and New-Doctrines; By whose Authority and commaund these things are done and inforced; Or by what Authority some Schollers, Ministers and Lecturers have been refused to be admitted to holy Orders, Benefices and Lectures, for not subscribing to certaine New-Doctrines & Ceremonies underhand propounded to them; (And with all take this into your Royall consideration, that inmEdmond Reeve his Communion Booke Catechisme expoūded Epistle Dedicatory, and p. 20. 205. 206. 211. 216. Robert Shelford his Treatise of Gods House, p. 20. A Coale from the Altar, p. 1. 26. 27. 64. three late printed Treatises, Arch-Bishops, Bishops and Cathedrall Churches, are made the Originall Patternes, by which all other Persons and Churches must be regulated, in these very Innovations;) Your Majesty without any further helpe or character, may infalliblie discover, both the roots, the fountaines and Seminaries, from whence all the premises issue.

More particular light then this, is neither yet safe for me to give, nor necessary for your Majesty to require.

If any thinke I have gone to farre in this; Let him know; That it is only the zeale of doing your Majesty, my Country and Mother Church of England, faithfull service without feare or flattery, (it being now no time to mince things, or dissemble longer,) which hath thus farre transported me; In whose just important cause and quarrell (how faint hearted soever others shew themselves,) I shalbe ever ready, through Gods assistance, not only to spend my Li…e, my Limbes, my Fortunes and Liberty, but my very Life and Soule, Chusing rather to hazard all or any of these, then to behold my God, my Soveraigne, my Country, my Rel…gion, secretly undermined, abused, betrayed, trampled upon, or ruined, and yet sit mute, neither discovering the contrivers, the instruments, nor close cariages of such Antichristian, treacherous, disloyall designes for feare of any danger, person, or Prelate whatsoever… And if J did it not when I had meanes and oportunity, I should neither deeme my selfe, a faithfull Servant to my God, nor a loyall Subject to your Majesty, my Soveraigne.

And now since I have lanched thus farre out into this tempestuous Ocean. (perchance with hazard of drowning, or Pyrats, unlesse your Majesty rescue me by a Patent of safe conduct, and calme these boysterous Seas when they arise to overflow me,) give me leave to wade but one step further, to acquaint your Highnes with the evill dangerous fruites of these lewd practises, Bookes Innovations, and then I shall cast anker in the secure Harbour of your Royall Grace and Protection.

1. First, they have produced aboundance of Schismes, Factions, …arres, discontents, quarrels, heart-burnings, if not mutuall malice, hatred and reproaches, among your people in all places of your Realmes, and quite rent asunder that ancient unity, peace, love and mutuall charity which flourished among them, before these Innovations crept into the Church.

2. Secondly, they have not only grieved, & vexed the righteous soules, but even quite dejected the spirits, and broken the hearts of many thousand godly L…ts and most faithfull Subjects to your Majesty, who even pine away and languish under them, for griefe and sorrow of heart.

3. Thirdly, they have bred a generall feare in the hearts, & an over-great jealousie in the heades of your Loyall Subjects of an approaching alteration of Religion, and totall Apostasie unto the Sea of Rome; They having little left to secure or arme them against this feare and jealousie, but the syncerity of your Majesties owne Royal heart to our Religion, your comfortable, pious Declaracions (now trampled by these Novellers under feet in open scorne) and the zeale of divers of your Nobility, to whom Gods truth and our Religion are dearer then their soules: Which no doubt they will now declare by their actions in this time of need; To your Majesties great joy and ease, and the daunting of these strange audacious Innovatours, though hitherto many of them have been over-silent.

4. Fourthly, they have caused many to turne Atheists, Skeptickes or Newters in Religion, seeing our Church so wavering and unconstant; Many to fall off to Popery, and hundred thousands of Papists from conversion, by encouraging and hardning them in their Antichristian Errours and Superstitions, to which they see us running, if not flying so fast of late, that they say they need not come towards us, since wee are posting so fast to them.

5. Fiftly, they have caused thousands of godly Christians (thenGen. 18. 24. to 33. Acts 27. 23. 24 Ier. 5. 1. Ezech. 22. 30. 31. Psal. 106. 23. Exod. 32. 10, &c. best Preservatives against Plagues and Iudgments) to flie out to forraigne Countries and Plantations; Hundreds to seperate from our Church, as now quite Romish and Antichristian; And made thousands ready for to seperate, it being now a common received opinion among many;*See a Booke intiteled, The necessity of Seperation from the Church of England. That our Churches (especially our Cathedrals) are now so farre Popish in all respects, (Latine Service only excepted, which they say is countervayled by their merry all-sung never-wept Service, which the people understand no more then Latine,) that we have now the same, or at least as just cause to seperate from them, as our godly Martyrs and Church had to seperate from Rome in the beginning of Reformation.

And though the same reasons hold not alike of all Churches for the present, yet that they hold as firme in regard of the future, since now wee and all our Churches are taught and commaunded, to oReeve p. 20. 205 206. 211. 216. Shelford, p. 20 A Coale from the Altar, p. 1 26. 27. 63. 64.imitate our Prelates and Cathedrals in all their Romish Rites and Ceremonies as their Mother Churches and true patternes of Imitation.

So that unlesse a speedy Reformation follow of these late Corruptions and Innovations, halfe the Kingdome, for ought I can conjecture, are like, either to turne professed Seperatists, or else to leave the Realme; To such a passe have your busy Prelates lately brought things by their new Devises, Bookes, Articles, Ceremonies, Superstitions, and their Suppressing of Lectures, Preaching, and godly comformable Ministers, Sermons of Lords-dayes after-noones, Repetition of Sermons, and the like.

6. Sixtly, they give a great occasion to Iesuites, Seminarie-Priests and Friers, (of which there are now swarmes in England, (there being above 60. Benedictine Monkes only, besides other Orders in England, Anno 1624. as appeares by thepNam sexaginta amplius Monachos Benedictinos Congregationi nostri subditos in Anglia memora… Apud N. le Maistre Instauratio Antiqui Episcoporum Principatus. Parisijs, 1633. l. a. p. 280. Letter of Rudesindus Barlo, President of the English FRIERS of that Order, to the C…lledge of the Cardinals at Rome, dated the 12. of December, 1624. and many more, no question, of that order now;) Who at this present use few other Arguments to seduce your Majesties Subjects from their alleagiance and Religion to Popery, then the fore-named Jnnovations and new printed Popish Bookes, which they buy up with greedines.

qIbid. p.Resi…dus Barlo in his fore-cited Letter to the Cardin…s of Rome, to institute either Dr. Kellyson or Dr. Smith two of his order) or both of them Bishops over the Priests in England, writes very confidently; That if one of these were made a Romish B…shop here, Latio…es intra unicum biennium fructus in Angl…cana missione aspecturi sitis, quàm hactenus in …adem nullo existente Episcopo per sexaginta jam elapses annos, conspexoritis; They should see more joyfull fruites in this English mission within one two yeares, then before they had seen in three-score when there was no Bishop.

And I may as truely say, that since these Innovations have growen publike and got head among us, these (rSee Franc…scus de Sancta Clara: Edit. 3. printed all as most thinke in England to recōcile us to Rome, who makes good use of our Novell Authours & Vniversity Acts; To hearten his Roman Catholick, and seduce Protestants. new Bookes been licensed, and all Confutation of them stopped at our Presses, the Priestes, Iesuites and Popish Monkes (who have now a Bishop or two at least) have perverted more by meanes of them alone (for they could never hurt or wound us but with our owne men and weapons) then in sixtie yeares before. As therefore the encrease of Papists was one maine ground and chiefe cause lately alleadged in the Star-chamber, of resuming the London-Derry plantation into your Majesties hands: So the selfe same reason should now move your Majesty to recall these severall Innovations, and burne up these late Novell *Widd…w…, Shelford, and Reeue especially, … to make sport in aki…de.ridiculous Pamphlets, in affront of our best and solidest Writers, which withdraw so many from your Alegiance, and give the Priests and Iesuites cause to triumph over us, yea to deride and flout us for our follies, Apostasies & miserable publike contradictions.

7. Seventhly, they open the mouthes of this Babilonish Crew, and of forraigne and domesticke Papists, to slaunder both our Church and Arch-Prelates, as if shee and they, with many other of our Prelates and Cleargie of chiefe note, were nows2. Pet. 2. 22. returning with the dogge to his vomit, and the washed Sow to her wallowing in the mire, yea to the very vomit and mire of that VVhore of Rome, which we had formerly spned and cast out.

That this is the common Newes in most forraigne parts, not only the reports of Travellers witnes, but Sr. Iohn Cooke your Majesties principall Secretary of State, some few yeares since (in the very infancy of these Innovations and backeslidings) affirmed openly in Star-chamber (in the now Arch-Bishop of Canterburies case) that this newes was spread as farre as the very Wals of Rome itself, upon his certaine intelligence thence; And therefore it was high time for your Majesty, your Prelates and the State to looke more strictly to our Religion, and to take away all occasions of such Rumours; Since which there have been more occasions of them given then in forty yeares before.

So as this Rumour is generally believed abroad as a most certaine truth… and crept into some of their late printed Bookes.

This likewise is the common confident discourse and persuasion of most Priests and Papists at home, both among themselves and in the Company of Protestants, over whom they now seeme to triumph, and sticke not openly to affirme and justify, that both our Arch-Bishops (to omit others) are theirs.

To make this good, I shall give your Majesty two late instances, of which I have certaine intelligence, (and witnesses too if need be,) worthy your Royall consideration.

A Barkeshire Gentleman, of some worth, a Popish Recusant, was since Easter last 1636. at a publike meeting, where were divers prime Gentlemen of the Shire, and 3 or 4 Iustices of Peace, if not more; VVhere entring into Discourse concerning some Controversies of Religion between the Papists and us, with some of the Company, he used these words in the hearing of them all; Well Gentlemen, you may talke and discourse of your Religion as long as you please, but we have the Queens Majesty and the Arch Bishop of Canterbury firme on our side; And so long wee shall make our partie good enough with you.

Some of the Company questioning him for these words; He answered, He would justify and make good what he sayd; But was*Had a Puritan, as they stile them spoken but halfe so much… he should have been fined, imprisoned, pilloried, & lost his eares ere this. never yet (for ought I heare) required to doe it, though intimation hath been given of these speeches to some whom they much concerne.

When Dr. Cosens the last Summer 1636. removed from the Bishopricke of Durham, to his Colledge at Cambridge; He gave his Friends of New-Castle a farewell Sermon in the Towne, at which Sermon (preached in the after-noone) most of the Papists in that Towne were present: Two of them the next morning meeting with two Marchants of the Towne, who were Protestants, they went all into a Taverne to drinke their mornings draughts: The Papists demaunded of the Protestants, whether they heard Dr. Cosens his Sermon? One replied, that he only heard of it, but heard it not, by reason of some busines that hindred him: The other made Answer, that he heard it: The Papists demaund of him how he liked it? He replied; That it was but a plaine ordinary Sermon, and that he heard nothing extraordinary in it: Yea, but said the Papists, did you marke his garbe, his cringes to the Altar, and how he bowed himselfe when Iesus was named? He hath the right garbe and duckes of our Priests.

The other answered, he did not much observe his gestures.

Well, said the Papists, Dr. Cosens is a learned honest Gentleman, and to tell you truely, He and the*Some reported it of Canterbury. Arch-Bishop of Yorke are both ours.

The other bade them, take heed what they said. Wee know well enough (said they) what we say, we tell you againe, they are both ours.

Whereupon one of the Protestants merrily replied: If you will needs have both of them to be yours, pray take them to yourselves, we can spare them well enough.

Many words past to this purpose. The Protestants complained of these speeches as scandalous to the Arch-Bishop, and acquainted him there-with.

Whereupon the Papists were Articled against in the High Commission-Court at Durham, and cited to appeare there; Appearance they made, but they have not yet made any full answer, the busines being hushed up in a maner, and layd asleepe.

Dr. Cosens in the meane time takes his journy towards Cambridge; Most of the Gentlemen Papists in the Bishopricke, to prove him theirs, brought him a dayes-journy on his way, and some of them as farre as Yorke.

Like speeches have been used by other Papists, yet more privately & modestly. The like report they intIn a Dr. new Pamphlet stolen out of Studley his rayling Booke, for the most part, and of the same Subject. print of Dr. Theodor Price, Subdeane of West-minster, that however he lived like an Atheist, yet he died like a professed Papist.

This, J confesse, is not only a report, but a truth; He being a reported Papist long before his death; Which made many wonder at the impudency of that great Prelate, who knowing him intus & in cute, durst recommend him to your Majesty as the fittest man he in his conscience could pitch upon to make a Welsh Bishop; And so earnestly, to stickle for him against your Lord High Chamberlaine and his Chaplaine Dr. Griffirth Williams; Especially being a man that never preached all his life, but one Sermon (as was reported) and that in Latine, penned (as was bruited in Oxford long ago…) by his Kinsman D. Lewes; And he not long after a notorious Sodomite,… Edmond Reeve the Catechism in the Communion Booke expoūded, p. 206. flying the Realme and losing his Provostship in Oxford for this very Sinne; Yet now (without any purgation or satisfactiō for so foule a crime) is preferred not only to the Mastership of S. Crosses, but likewise made your Majesties Chaplaine in Ordinary, (I will not say by whom,) and the chiefe man imployed for the now Chancellour of Oxford in his canvase for that dignity against the Earle of Pe…broke your Lord High Chamberlaine, who had most voyces, though not the fairest play: It may be these Arch-Prelates countenancing and preferring of such persons, is one maine ground of these Papists speeches; VVho are worthy to be punished for them, if they cannot justify and make them good; And they unworthy to stay one hower in their places, in case they shall not or cannot both by their Actions, Doctrines &c preceedings disprove them to be true, as J hope their Graces wil, being Fathers in God, highest growen up into Christ in all things, and the Eldest in Grace, for which cause the word Grace is used unto Arch-Bishops, as Mr. Reeve learnedly informes us.

But how-ever that shall fall out upon tryall, yet this certainly is one fruite of these late Jnnovations and Bookes to produce such speeches in these, and more mens mouthes then three or foure.

8. Eightly, these Bookes, Innovations and Apostasies both in Doctrines, Ceremonies and Religion, defiling our Church, corrupting our divine worship, depraving our lives and provoking God himselfe to anger in an high degree, have (to our present terrour, feare and punishment) drawen downe the heavy plagues and Iudgements of God among us, in sundrie quarters and places of the Realme; Especially in New-Castle (almost wholy unpeopled) and London; VVhere the Pestilence hath already swept many thousands, and yet still spreads and sweepes away more and more, and is likely so to doe, till we allv2. Chrō. 6. 28, 29. 30. c. 7. 13. 14. 15 c. 2. 12. 13 14. 15. 16 17. 18. joyntly humble our selves with fasting,Zeph. 2. 1. 2. 3. weeping and mourning both in publike and private for our sinnes and Innovations,Luke 13. 3. 5. reforme our wicked and prophane ungodly lives, and purge out all these Idolatries, Superstitions, Errours, Ceremonies and Innovations that have defiled our Church; VVhichWhich Pest now earnestly cals upon your Majesty, (whosexI say. 49. 23. Rom. 13, 1. 2. 3. Psal. 101. 3. 4…. 6. 7. 8. chiefe charge and office this is, (neither will your Bishops or under-Officers negligence excuse your Majesty before Gods Tribunall, in case it be not done,) even speedily, really, heartily and thorowly to effect, for feare he whoyPsal. 11…. 5. Psal. 135. 10. …. Iob. 12. 18. 19. even strikes through Kings in the day of his wrath, with this pestiferouszPsal. 91. 5. 6. 7. arrow of his, which flies farre and neare among us (from which … …, Ayre, Fort, Cordials, nor aaIsay 38. 1. 21. which sicknes most accord to be the plague of which the Emperour Theodosius the third died. Gri…ston Imperiall History, p. 281. and the King of late, with sundrie heretofore. Crowne itselfe can secure any) should likewise smite your Highnes or any of Royall Seed as well as others, either to sicknes or death; Either of which, the Lord forbid, & shield you from, as he hath done hitherto to our greatest joy.

What other future euents and fruites these Innouations may produce, unlesse the encrease and ushering in of Popery, J cannot divine: Either of which would proue dangerous to your Majesties, should they euer come to passe, as we trust, we pray they shall not.

For that Christian King who lives under the Iurisdiction of the Sea of Rome, or where Papists get the start (as all Histories andbMr. Tyndals practise of Popish Prelates. D. Barnes his Supplication to Henry the …. D. Iohn White, Defence of the way, c. 6. 10. Fox Acts and Monuments, p. 214. to 220. 717, to 728. 321. 409. 410. 479. 533. Dr. Crakanthorpe of the Popes temporall Monarchie, c. 10. 11. 12. our Writers witnes) are more miserable then the poorest peasant, living in continuall danger both of his Crowne and life; vnlesse he will be a meere vassall to the Pope & his Cardinals, to feed those deuouring Harpyes with their treasures, to fight for them with their armes, when euer they commaund, and be vniuersally obsequious to them in all their exorbitant Imperious requests; yea not only the Pope and his Cardinals, but the poorest Priest and Frier will be able to commaund and beard him at his pleasure in despight of all his wealth and power, of which your Majesties Royall Progenitours here in England have had sufficient experience.

VVhat base and despicable account the Pope, his Bishops and Cleargie make of Christian Kings, even of those who are most obsequious to them, and how they jeare and flout them even in print, I shall only instance out of the authorised writings of a late Iesuites, which learnedcOf the Popes temporall Monarchie, c. 1. p. 24. 25. 26. Dr. Crakanthorpe hath thus quoted and Englished to my hand, worthy your Majesties most serious contemplation.

The former of them isdBe…anut Contro…: Angl. q. 3 n. 14. 15. & 16. Becanut, who calling the Pope a Shepheard, and Kings and Emperours DoggesePer Canes intellig… n…ur partim Reges & Imperatores. Ibid. nu. 15. or Curres of this Shepheard, and sporting himselfe with these Titles, saith, Igitur hi Can…, therefore if these Dogges be watchfull and trusty, they must be ready at the Shepheards hand; But if they be lazie, mad or troublesome, the Shepheard must presētly remove them, and put them from their Office. This doth reason teach, this doth the Caunsell of Lateran decree.

Againe, Christian Kings are Sheepe, are Rammes, are VVolves, and are Dogges. VVhence it is that the Pope carrieth himselfe in a divers maner towards them. As they are Sheepe, if they be scabby, he may put them out of the fold: As they are Rammes, if they be troublesome, and push with their hornes, he may shut them up; As they are VVolves, he may drive them away; Quatenus Canes; As they are Dogges, he may put them from their Office, if they be defective therein: And some of these he doth by Excommunication, some by deposition. So Becanus of late.

The other is Gasp. Scioppius, whose words are so contumelious, even in the highest degree, that one may justly wonder that any of their Catholickes, but especially their Catholicke Kings, can patiently digest them.

The Church, saith hefEcclesia est Mandra, sive Grex, aut … jum…st…rum sive Asinorum, clitellariorum aut Sagmari…rum. Gasp. Sciop. in Praesat. ad Imper. in Summa Cap. 147. is mandra jumentorum, sive As…rum, a great fold of Beasts or Asses; Some are Pack-Asses, gCum nos Christiani simus Dei jumenta sive pecora subjugalia, equi, muli, sive Asini Clitellarij, Dossuarij, Sarcinarij. Idem in Eccles, c. 147. p. 534.some Dosse-Asses, and other Burden-Asses.

And then telling, cujusmodi hIbid. in Marg.Asini sumus nos Catholici, what maner of Asses himselfe, and other Catholikes are; We, saith he,iIbid. must be beasts which have understanding and reason to obey Bishops with all humility and patience; For theykIlli enim sunt Homines, sive Agasones, Muliones Iugarij: Illi nos Fraenant, illi loro alligant, nos agunt, nos stimulant, nobis jugum imponunt. Ibid. p. 534. are the Men, they are the Muliters and Assedrivers, they must yoake, bridle and saddle us, put halters about our neckes, load and drive us; For others,lIbid. p. 535. they are like to beasts, but tame & obedient beasts, such as must doe what they are commaunded: For a goodmBonus & intelligens Asimus audit Consilia & praeceptasal Malionis. Ibid. p. 536. and understanding Asse is hee, that heareth and followeth the direction and commaund of the Muliter.

Further, yet he addes concerning Kings, that Reges nIbid. in Marg.Catholici sunt Asini cum tintinnabulis; Catholike Kings are Asses with belles about their neckes, as being the fore-Asses, which leadoTum caeteros Asinos, qui sonitum ti… tinnabuli de collo vestro pendentis audiunt, via… ingredi faciatis. Ibid. the way to inferiour Asses.

And particularly for Charles the Great, whom he much commends, he saith,pIbid. p. 536. 537. that Charles was a farre greater and wiser Asse, then those Kings, who cast off the Popes yoake; For Charles being tantus Asini…, so great an Asse, cryed (or rather brayed) out with a loud voyce, universa Asinorum mandra, to the whole fold of Asses, that is, to the whole Church, in this maner; For the memory of S. Peter. Let us honour the Roman Church, and though they yoake which the Pope imposeth be such, as wee can scarcely beare, yet let us with devotion endure the same.

Ex-quibus verbis, saith Scioppius, …rum Issachar agnosca…, de quo Genes. chap. 49. Issachar Asinus fortis.

By these words of Charles you may see, that he was a very Issachar, of whom it is said, Issachar is a stronge Asse.

Is not this (may it please your Majesty) a fine peece of Catholike Divinity, to account and call the whole Catholike Church a fould of Asses; All Catholike Kings, Asses with bels, all other Lay persons, Asses without bels; None but Bishops to be Men and Muliters, and the Pope the chiefe Muliter and driver of all the Asses?

So shall the Man be honoured, whom the Pope will honour.

The more zealous and devout one is in obeying him and imbracing his Doctrine, the greater Asse they account and call him.

Seeing therefore this is the high account, that the Pope, his Bishops and Cleargie make of Christian Princes; I presume your Majesty will never suffer the Pope the chiefe Muliter, nor any of his, nor your owne Bishops, the under-Muliters, to yoake, bridle, sadle, or put halters about your Royall necke, or the neckes of any of your Loyall Subjects, much lesse then to ride, jade, loade, or drive either yourselfe or them, (all which they now attempt and aspire to doe;) Since if your Highnes should honour them in all this, yet shall you receive from them no other applause or thankes, no other Honour or Title for your labour, then here Scioppius, and they all by him, gives unto Charles the Great, to be: Tantus Asinus, & verus Issachar Asinus fortis.

A Title J am certaine your Highnes will not so highly esteeme of, as to deeme it,qDeclaration concerning the Parliaments Dissolution. p. 21. the most glorious in all your Crowne, as you deservedly doe that other, Defender of the Faith, which you have better right to farre then this, which all Christians cannot but detest, though these Popish Heraulds would bestow it on them.

Wherefore to draw toward a conclusion, J shall now most humbly beseech your Majesty, upon the bended knees of my soule, to receive the premises and this poore Quench-Coale into your most Royall and pious consideration; And thereupon to take the Raines of Ecclesiasticall government and affaires, from those who have thus abused them, (to your Highnes, your Subjects and the whole Church of Englands prejudice.) into your owne immediate hands; That so these Abuses, Novelties and Corruptions here discovered; may be thoroughly reformed, and the Kingdome of Jesus Christ restored perfectly and incorrupt among us.

Jt was an excellent Counsell, that the late famous Emperour Ferdinand gave to Maximilian his Sonne and Successour when he lay upon his death-bed:rGrimstons Imperiall History in the life of Ferdinād, p. 684. Banish from thee such as seeke new meanes to oppresse and grieve thy Subjects. O how well it becomes a Prince, to heare the afflictions and grievances of his People, and to redresse them! Imitate not those who unburthen themselves all they can of matters of Justice or Government, for it is thy chiefe Office.

Unlesse your most Sacred Majesty follow this his Royall advice, things are likelyer to grow worse then better, if you remit all to your Prelates, and expect a reformation to proceed from them; VVho need most reformation, and are the chiefe delinquents.

Martin Bucer (one of the wisest and learnedst men of his age) in his BookesLib. 2. c. 1. 2. Inter Scripta Anglicana. p. 56. 57. De Regno Christi, dedicated to King Edward the 6. Discoursing by what way and meanes the Kingdome of Christ might and ought to be restored by pious Kings, and what Counsellers they should use in this Reformation, is bold to acquaint that godly King (who had then at least as many godly Bishops as your Majesty hath now, if not more,) that if he would have any restitution of the Kingdome of Christ here in England, he must not looke that it should proceed from the Bishops, neither must he much depend on, or trust to their advice therein; But must be the principall actor himselfe, and advise most with men of an inferiour ranke.

His words (worthie your Majesties speciall observation and fit for our present purpose) are these.Primum, haud dubito Serenissime Rex, M. T. ipsam videre hanc, quam requirimus, imò quam requirit salus omnium nostrum, Regni Christi restitutionē, AB EPISCOPIS NVLLO MODO EXPECTANDAM, dum adeò PAVCI inter eos sunt, qui vim hujus regni, & propria munia plane ipsi cognoscūt PLERIQVE AVTEM EORVM ILLVD ET IAM QVIBVS POSSVNT & AVDENT MODIS, VEL OPPVGNENT, VEL DIFFERANT, VEL REMORENTVR. Meminisse ita que S. M. T. necesse est, regiam sibi ī hoc Regno potestatē, a summo Rege Regum, & Domino Dominantium, Iesu Christo, esse commissam; Omnemque animam suo imperio subjectam, etiam Episcoporum & Cleri Universi. Quocirca de horū munere & Ministerijs rite instaurandis, hoc decet S. M. T. solititius ad vigilare, & studio ardentiore in hoc ipsū incumbere, quo hujus reparatio functionis, ad salutē omnium plus adfert momenti; Et neglectus ejus atque dissipatio majus omnibus salutis creat periculum & infert damnum. Exempla itaque S. M. tuae proponenda sunt, & summa religione imitanda, Davidis, Salomonis, Asae Hiskiae, Iosiae, N…h…miae, & similium, quibus solidā pietatis laudem, & probè administrati regni Scriptura attribuit. Hi vero cum religio vera esset gravissimè ipsorum temporibus collapsa, & Sacerdotium pernitiosè corruptum, ipsi sibi religionis OMNEM PROCURATIONEM & RESTAU| RATIONFM IURE & DEBITO R…GII MUNERIS SUMPSERANT: E…s…; sibi ex Sacerdotibus & Prophetis ALIISQUE PIIS VIRIS ad hoc tam sanctum & arduum opus adjunxerunt consiliarios & administres, o… depraehenderant Dei scientia & zelo plurimum pollere.

Tum ante omnialegem Dei populo exponi, explicarique MAXIMO STUDIO curaverunt. Deindè, nt Foedus Domini ru…sus toto corde omnes reciperent, & in veritate sancirent legis obedientiam professi, persuaserunt. Atque tum demam, ordinem & Ministeria Sacerdotum atque Levitarum, cunctamque Religionis juxta Legem Dei administrationem, reconcinnaverunt: Ac nequis eam rursus convelleret, vigilantissimè caverunt. De his piorum Principum studijs & conatibus ad restituendum suis populis Regnum Dei, legantur & pie expendantur, quae divinae Historiae narrant de Davide, 2. Sam. 6. 1. Par. 13. 14. 15. 16. 23. Et tribus sequentibus capitibus. De Salomone, 1. Regum 8. & 2. Paral. 5. 6. 7. De Asa, 2. Paral. 15. & de Jehiskiah,Regi summam procurationem Regni Christi competer…. Quibus opus sit Regi ad hoc negotium Consi…ijs. 1. Pa…al. 13. 2. Regum. 18. & 2. Paral 18. & 19. De Iosia, 2. Regum 22. & 23. 2. Paral. 21. & 25. De Nehemia, per totum ejus librum. In his itaque Historijs. & Exemplis S. M. T. clare perspiciet, PRIMUM, in officio esse suo, & sicut aliorum ordinum & numerum in suo Regno, itá MAXIME SACERDOTALIS ORDINIS ETMVNERIS IPSA SVSCIPIAT INSTAVRATIONEM. Deinde videbit, ad hanc rem in Consilium ei esse adhibendos, non qui magnificis modo titulis, se Theologos & Sacerdotes profitentur, horumque sanctissimorum munerum stipendia lauta invaserunt: Sed quos ex fructibus ipsorum agnoverit, Regni Christi, & cognitione, & studio esse prae alijs praeditos, atque flagrantes. S cut David Consilium de instauranda Religione primum coepit cum Principibus millenarijs, cum Centuriombus, & Ducibus. Nec enim potest quisquam ad reparandam Christi Regnum Consilium & operam suā constanter conferre, qui non se jugo Christi ipse quoque totum submiserit. Tales verò Christus Rex noster sibi regignit & format, ex quibus vult hominum ordinibus, nec ullis hanc beneficentiam suam alligat hominum ordinibus, multò minus inanibus titulis & larvis. Quo itaque pauciores sunt in omnibus ordinis us, qui Christi Regnum & solide habent cognitum, & in veritate cupiunt restitutum; … diligentiore cura quaerendi, & selegendi sunt, in quacunque illi hominum sorte inveniantur, qui S. M. T. in hae causa & negotio Regni Christi plane suscipiendi, & ad omnes Subditos ejus revocandi sint PRIMO LOCO A CONSILIIS. Qui corporis restitui valetudinem expetit, is cerrè Medicos non adhibit sibi pro magnificis Titulis & amplisopibus, quas Artis sibi praetextu cumulaver…nt; Sed quos cognoverit medendi & solida scientia, fidelique voluntate pollere. Sic nemo se ei libenter navi committat, quae ab eo regatur, qui nomine tantum & opibus se Gubernatorem jactet, peritiam autem navigandi nullam teneat; Sed mavult quisque cum eo navigare, qui tametsi obscuro sit nomine & tenuibus facultatibus, ad ritè tamen gubernandam navem existat Probe doctus & exercitatus. Quanto vero majore cura ac studio S. M. tuae inquirendi sunt atque approbandi, quibus non corpora, sed summam credat Religionis Christi reconcinnandae qua aeterna omnium salus continetur? Adsit ergo S. M. T. Rex nostet Christus, ut summam de Religione restituenda Concilium eos sibi delegat Consiliarios, qui & vim Regni Christi probè norint, & toto illud corde expetunt obtinere, cum primis apud semetipsos, tùm etiam apud omnes alios; Nihilque in eo humani commodi vel gratiae spectent, sed paratissimi sint extrema potius carnis incommoda subire, quam ullam praeterire occasionem Regnum Christi adferendi & propagandi.

This was Bucers advice to your pious Predecessour King Edward, I hope it will not be unseasonable for me now to recommend it to your Majesty: At whose Royall feet, I now in all humility prostrate both my selfe and these my unworthy Labours, (voyd of all Courtship, Flattering Elegancie or Trappings, and having nothing else but loyalty and plaine Rusticke downe-right dealing, to make them acceptable to your Highnes:) beseeching your Majesty (what ever others may buze into your cares against them) to make a charitable construction of them, as proceeding from the reall syncerity and fidelity of his heart, who as he dayly prayes to God for your Majesties long life and happines, as his duty bindes him, and shall continue thus to doe; So he is, and ever shalbe, ready to Sacrifice, not only his studies, but life, and what ever else he hath, unto your Majesties service; And, in despite of enuy and calumny, shall ever manifest himselfe in all things,

Your Majesties Loyall, dutifull and obedient Subject; Though yet I conceale my name, till I may doe your Majesty further Service.

A Quench-Coal, Title page – Dedication

To the High and Mightie Prince CHARLES, By the Grace of God, King of Great Brittaine, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.