A Humble Motion, Text (1 of 2)

A Humble Motion · Text (1 of 2)

p. 6AN HVMBLE MOTION VVITH SVBMISSION TO THE Ll. OF THE COVNSELL CONCERNING THE NECESSITY of Chriſts diſcipline in our Land.

WHO ſo calleth to minde the wofull eſtate of this land, before the happye entrance of the gracious raygne of our deare Soueraigne, Queene Elizabeth, (whom God long continue & preſerue,) in what ſort the forrain and vſurped power of the Romiſh Antichriſt, was injurious to the common-wealth, and cruell to the true members of Chriſts church: and compare it with the joyfull liberty and godly tranquillity of all ſortes and degrees of people, in the midſt of ſo many moſt apparant dangers, moſt mildlye and ſweetly begunne, and through ſo ſtrange, ſo ſecrete, ſo mighty, ſo continual, miſcheuous and monſtrous platformes, conſtantly & firmely ſeated and eſtabliſhed: he ſhall ſee great cauſe that we Engliſhmen hauehave, both to admire the wonderful prouidence of our mercifull God, & to magnify the high glory of his vaſpeakeable goodnes; not onelye for his rich bleſſings both heauenly and earthly, with aboundance of peace: but alſo for his rare kindnes of great long ſuffering and miraculous deliuerance. Surely we p. 7may be truly ſaid to be the vineyard of the Lord,Eſay. 5.Isa 5 and his pleaſant plante ſet in the fruitfull hill, dreſſed and fenſed by God himſelf. And this hath hee done this thirtie yeare, looking we ſhould hauehave brought foorth fruit accordingly. Now I would to God that it were not true of vsus, as of Iſrael, that God looked for judgement & behold a leaper fore, for righteouſnes but behold a crying. Many good lawes for maintaining of a quiet and dutifull ciuill life, are very wiſely & prouidently prouided; I pray God it bee notlaide to our charge, that they are negligently and corruptly executed: yea, the aboundance of ſutes, quarrels, cōplaints appeales, preſentments, indightments and ſupplications do argue apparantly the cruelty, extortion, contention, deceit, oppreſſiō, murders, thefts, whordoms, and manye other ſtrange villanies wherewith the vnthankfull people of this land be guilty. And how ſwearing, lying, idlenes, drunkennes, exceſſe of meat, wantonnes, exceſſe by pryde, and an vnmerciful and cunning gripping of the poore by many ſtrange reatches, & Machiauelian plottes, ar left almoſt without check or controlement, it grieueth them who weep ouer Sion, and maketh good men to feare very much, ſeeing that for theſe things God hath puniſhed many people and caſte off them that were moſte neereſt and deareſt vntounto him, as it is written:Hierem. 7. Ezech. 16.Ezek 16 for the tranſgreſſion of the land there are many princes thereof. And againe, hee turneth the floodes into a wildernes,Hoſea 4.1. Proverb. 28.2. Pſal. 107.33.Hos 4:1Ps 107:33 and the ſpringes of water into drynes, and a fruitfull lande into barrennes, for the wickednes of them that dwel therin. This latter we hauehave felt in ſome ſort of late, whiche mighte make vsus to ſuſpect our own wretchednes: and the former (which the Lord in mercy kepe far from vsus,) hath p. 8beene wonderfullye in the great pacience and tender compaſſion of God, and yet not without many fearefull threatnings hitherto preuented, and (as it were) waiting our conuerſion, put off and prolongued: god giuegive eueryevery Engliſh man the grace to ſee it.

But look we into the Churches among vsus (oh that the nakednes thereof is ſo open,) ſhall wee not finde there,2. Tim. 4.10. Ioh. 3.9.2 Tim 4:10John 3:9 Demas embracing this preſent world, Diotrephes louing preheminence, to caſt out the brethrē that do better than himſelf,Mat. 15.6.Matt 15:6 the Scribes and the Phariſies, making the commandement of God of no authoritye by their traditions:Mat. 21.12.Matt 21:12 buyers and ſellers & money changers in the temple? Shall wee not finde there blynde watch men that hauehave no knowledge,Eſa. 56.10.Isa 56:10 dumb dogs that cannot bark, they ly and ſleep, and delyte in ſleeping, euen greedy dogs that can neuer hauehave enough.Amos 7.10.Amos 7:10 Amaſiah the Prieſt complaineth againſt Amos the prophet and the prophets which deceaue the people, byte thē with their teeth and cry peace. Shal we not finde that by theſe,Micha. 3.5. & 6.16.Mic 3:5Mic 6:16 ſome of the ſtatuts of Omri, and of the maner of the houſe of Ahab, are kept and maintained, even the marks of the ſecond beaſt,Reu. 13.11.16Rev 13:11Rev 13:16 which commeth out of the earth? How can theſe things become the holye Churches of Chriſt, and yet we doe thinke our ſelues riche, increaſed with goods, and to hauehave neede of nothing: not knowing our wretchednes, miſery, pouerty, blindnes and nakednes. I praye God it befall not vsus, (as was threatned vntounto the Angell of the Church of the Laodiceans) that becauſe we ar neither hot nor colde,Reu. 3.14.15.Rev 3:14Rev 3:15 the high-prieſt of our profeſſion Ieſus Chriſte, ſpew vsus out of his mouth. Heere we ſee the exceding riches of the bountifulnes, pacience, and long fuffering of God, leading vsus to repentance: and our vnthankfulneſſe p. 9& diſobedience, giuing occaſion of the altering of Gods mercye and our happines. What is then to be done? Salomon anſwereth very wiſely:Prov. 22.3.Prov 22:3 A prudent man ſeeth the plague, & hydeth himſelf, but the fooliſh go on ſtill & ar puniſhed. And again,Cap. ….32. Eaſe ſlayeth the fooliſh, & the proſperity of fooles deſtroieth them, Very ſober and wiſe were thoſe prieſts, Levites, chiefe fathers, and auncient men, who having ſeene the firſt temple of Salomon, wept in the daies of Ezra, when they ſawe the foundation of the Temple,Ezra. 3.12.Ezra 3:12 which was after the captiuity of Babilon, notwithſtā ding that many others ſhouted aloud for joy. And in the time of Nehemiah, the people in the daye of their joyfull ſolemnitye, wept and mourned,Nehem. 8. & 9. & 10.Neh 8 and with one conſent joyned vntounto their feaſt, wherein they covenā ted with God to amend their liues, and make ſtatuts for themſelues to follow his Law. So I am verely perſwaded, that many graue and prudent Chriſtians hauehave their reioicing mixed with griefe, when the want of things yet not attained vntounto, maketh them to feele the leſſe comfort in that which they hauehave, and the feare of Gods anger for the abuſe of that which we poſſeſſe, & for the refuſing of other more graces offered, doeth daunt their courage; while other men think all is well, and follow the pleaſures of their hartes: and this is of all other moſte lamentable, that neither mercye nor threatnings, corrections nor comforts, feares nor deliuerances, though the warnings of God bee neuer ſo apparant, can yet moue our hartes to goe one degree forward in the reedifiing of the decaied places of gods churches, but we ſay with the people in the dayes of the Prophet Haggai. The tyme is not yet come,Haggea. 1.2. that the Lords houſe ſhould be built: but wee marke not p. 10what God ſaieth againe:The reaſon of this booke Is it time for your ſelues to dwell in your ſeeled hou2es, & this houſe lye waſte: Conſider your owne waies in your heartes, you hauehave ſowen much, and bring in little, &c. you looked for much, and lo it came to little: and when you brought it home, I did blow vponupon it, and why ſaith the Lorde of hoſtes? becauſe of my houſe that is waſt, &c.

For this cauſe (Right H.) I hauehave taken in hande this treatiſe, that I might ſhew a way for the continuance of our happy eſtate, which I take to be, by eſtabliſhing the church government according to Gods apointment, by which al the former enormities, and al other being taken away, the glory of God may floriſh the more among vsus, the honour of hir Maieſtye more highly advanced, and by the favor of God our ioyes may be exalted. Which work as an humble motion, I do with all duetifull ſubmiſſion preſent vntounto your honorable wiſdomes, deſiring no further to be eſteemed herein, than the deuine wiſdom of Gods word which cannot erre, & good reaſon (not contrary to the ſame) do warrant that which I ſay, and perſwade that which I ſpeake.

The propoſition which I take in hande to proue is this:The Propoſitiō It is the beſt and ſureſt policy for the maintenāce of peace, & the good eſtate of this land every way, to reforme the diſorders of the church according to the holy Scriptures of God, and to hauehave no other church-government, than that which Chriſt hath ordained & the apoſtles practiſed. The reaſon why I frame my propoſitiō after this order, to mak it a matter of very good policye to ſet vp diſcipline in England according to gods word ariſeth vponupon this: that I heare in many places, and lately hauehave read publikelye ſet forth, as à defenſe p. 11of L. Bb. that it is eſteemed (by the abuſe of the true rules of policy) to bee dangerous to the ſtate,no invectiue. full of many inconveniences, & not fit, yea vnpoſſible for a maine country or region as ours is. Which when I conſidered to be in reaſon and truth far otherwiſe, and that the vnſeated wiſedome of mens frailty and ignorance do greatly ſtumble at it, I thought it my duty to God, to hit Majeſty, and my natiue country to vnfold the ſecrete meditations and obſervations of my hart: which as I ſubmit to the conſideration of the wiſeand godly learned, ſo I referre it wholly to the maiſter of the houſe (which is a God of knowledge,1. Sam. 2.3.1 Sam 2:3 by whome enterpriſes do come to paſſe) to giuegive that ſucces which his good pleaſure thinketh beſt.

In the next place my humble deſire is, that this my propoſition and whole treatiſe, be vnderſtood, not as any invectine againſt the preſent ſtate, or that either I diſanulled the churches of Englād to be the churches of God,Churches of England true viſible churches or that the true doctrine of the goſpell were not preached, or the true ſacramentes adminiſtred, which ar the infallible tokens of y^e true viſible church: but that certaine things of very good moment for the due and right adminiſtration of the church & the holy thinges thereof (whereof God hath lefte as ſtraight commandement as for the reſt) hauehave not yet obtained their due authoritye, but for lacke of that good entertainment which God looketh for of his churches, may argue a change and a ſmal continuance of our preſent welfare.

After this I pray that my meaning may be knowne touching the diſorders of the church: that I tak them to be of two ſortes: namely, of Ceremonies which ar variable according to time, place, & occaſions, which p. 12come vnderunder this generall rule,Diſorders 1. Cor. 14.1 Cor 14Let all things be done honeſtly and orderly. Whereby the church is authorized to conſider and ordaine in ſmal matters, not particularly determined in the worde, touching the tyme & manner of doing ſuch or ſuch a thing, which thing is preſcribed in the worde, that there be no confuſion or vnſeemlines in the time and manner of doing. The other ſort of diſorders whereof I eſpecially ſpeake & meane to ſtande in, is a thing of greater importance: namely, where the church preſumeth to adde, diminiſh or take away any of thoſe things which God hath ordained to be obſerued, or to bring in other of their owne, whereof God hath giuen hir no authoritye by his word: as in the adminiſtrations, giftes, and works of the church: that where 1. Cor. 12. the adminiſtrations are vnderunder one Lord, the giftes of one ſpirit, & the workes of one God: if the church do take vponupon hir to make new adminiſtrations, apointing vntounto thē giftes and works, wherof the Lord, the ſpirit, and god hauehave made no aſſignment to hir, that this is a great diſorder: and ſo I vnderſtand the church governement or diſcipline, not to be in ſmall and trifling ceremonies, (ſuch as are howres, places, garmentes, ſeates, tables, &c. which yet in their kindes are neceſſary, being ordered after the former rule of comelines and order:) but in the very ſwaye and frame of the churche, the pillars, foundations,1. Cor. 3.9.10.1 Cor 3:91 Cor 3:10 building and builders thereof: as the king which is Chriſt, his officers, their offices & commiſſion with their callings, abdications, continuance, giftes, workes, and prerogatiues: for the good ſquaring and laying together of each ſtone,Heb. 3.4.5.6. Kom. 9.5.Heb 3:4Heb 3:5Heb 3:6 and rearing vp the whole forme and beauty of the temple of God, ac cording to the pattern given, not by the ſervant, but p. 13by the ſonne who is ouer the houſe,of two ſortes. and whoſe houſe eueryevery church is, and who is over all, God bleſſed for ever. Amen.

In the laſt place that I ſay no other governement of the church ought to be ſuffered but that which Chriſt hath ordained, &c. although by many men the ſame hath beene learnedly and truly deſcribed, yet becauſe it is the thing wherwith only in all this treatiſe I binde my ſelfe to medle, I will briefly ſet foorth a ſmall and plaine patterne thereof (as it were in a card lightly.) Leauing the reader to other books already extant, for the larger diſcourſe, and ample confirmation: as by evident and cleare places of ſcripture, God ſhall make me able to ſhew. Firſt this is called (Taxis) order,Col. 2.5.Col 2:5 to which ſoundnes of faith, in Chriſt being joyned, the churches of god ar highly commēded, as thoſe which having the foundation layd, are to walk in Chriſt after the manner of the ſame, rooted and built in him,Diſciplin what. and confirmed in the faith. It is alſo for the manner therof, compared vntounto a body,Rom. 12.4. Ephe. 4.15.16.Rom 12:4Eph 4:15Eph 4:16 where the head is joined to the body, and al the members receauing nouriſhment from it, do grow by joints and bands into the head, & one into an other, where every member hath his ſeuerall action. The head heere is Chriſt, the body ar the churches, the members are the people of all ſortes in the churches, hauing ſeverall callings, gifts & works. as it is ſaid: You are the body of Chriſt,1. Cor. 12.27. Epheſ. 4.7.1 Cor 12:27Eph 4:7 and members eueryevery one for his part: and againe, VntoUnto eueryevery one of vsus is given grace according to the meaſure of the gifte of Chriſt. Now as a body haviug all his members vnderunder one head ſeated in their proper places, and according to their ſeverall faculties doth bring forth in every mēber the proper action for the good of the whole; p. 14is a goodly and well ordered bodie:Diſcipline deſcribed So the members of the church by the ſcriptures are ſet in the churche, 1. Cor. 12 28. vnderunder one head Ieſus Chriſt. Coloſ. 1.18. and hauehave ſeveral gifts as faculties given according to the will of the ſpirit to aedifie withall. 1. Cor. 12.7.11. and euerye one hath his office accordinglye in his place, either to propheſie or otherwiſe, which he muſt wait vponupon: Rom. 12.6. Act. 20.28. 1. Pet. 5.2. and the people are to obey and ſubmit themſelues: Heb. 13.17 Euerye thing being thus conſtituted, ordered and furniſhed, is a well and right gouerned Churche of Chriſt.

Now in this government wee may obſerue diuers ſorts of perſons, and their proper workes, in whiche two things the whole policie is contained. For when euerye one doeth his proper workes of his place, the churche is very well guided. Nowe theſe perſons are the maiſter of the houſe, and the houſhold. And heere firſt we ar very reverently and wiſely, to acknowledge the maiſter and chief gouernour,Chriſt heade of his Church. Gal. 4.4.Gal 4:4 who is Lord & king, and this is the only ſonne of God made man, who by his wiſe and powerful adminiſtration, ordereth and eſtabliſheth his church,Pſal. 110.1.Ps 110:1 and defendeth it againſt al enemies and till all bee deſtroied, and hee deliuer vp his kingdome to his father in the day of glory,1. Cor. 15.24.1 Cor 15:24 and ſo the ſcripture ſpeaketh ſaying: VntoUnto vsus a child is borne, & vntounto vsus a ſonne is given,Eſay. 9.6.Isa 9:6 and the government is vponupon his ſhoulder, and hee ſhall call his name wonderfull, counſeller, the mighty God, the euerlaſting father, the prince of peace, the increaſe of his gouernment & peace ſhal hauehave no end: he ſhal ſit vponupon the throne of Dauid, and vponupon his kingdome to order it, and to eſtabliſh it with judgement and iuſtice from hence, evē p. 15for euer, &c. Which the Apoſtle interpreting, ſaith,by Gods word. Epheſ. 1.22.Eph 1:22that God hath appointed Chriſt ouer all things to be head to the church, which is his body, &c. Moreouer becauſe his kingdome is not of this world. Ioh. 18.36.Chriſts government not civill. that is to ſay, after the māner of earthly princes, which in compariſon of this governement is called the ordinance of man, 1. Pet. 2.13. being in the earth, he tooke vponupon him no earthly or ciuill government, but ſubmitted himſelf, teaching that Caeſar ought to hauehave his due, Mat. 22.21. paying tribute voluntarily, Mat. 17 27 and refuſing ſo much as to deuide betwene brethren, making ſuche civill matters pertaine to other iudges, Luk. 12.13.14 and yeelded himſelf to die without reſiſtance, when by ciuill authority he was wrongfullie judged, Ioh. 19.11.13.14. &c. Hereof it commeth, that the things by which he governeth, are not of the right of any ciuill regiment, being holye and ſpirituall, and his ſervants or officers are not furniſhed with civill power or dignity, 2. Cor. 10.3.4. Luk. 22.25. & his throne is, where he ſitteth at the right hand of the maieſtye in the higheſt places. Heb. 1.3.

The firſt thing he ruleth by in his viſible church,Gods worde Chriſts ſcepter. is his word, which is a ſcepter of righteouſnes. Pſal. 45.7 even the word of truth which is the goſpell. Col. 1.5. which becauſe it is ſpirituall, is called the ſword of the ſpirit. Epheſ. 6.17. in ſharpnes to exceed any two edged ſworde, entring even to the deuiding a ſunder of the ſoule and the ſpirit, and of the iointes and marrow, diſcerning the thoughtes and intents of the hearte, Heb. 4.12. This is the rod of his mouth, and of his power, wherewith he ſmyteth the earth, and ſlayeth the wicked. Eſa. 11.4. Pſal. 110.2. and in the electe who beleeue, Tit. 1.1. it caſteth down the imaginations & p. 16eueryevery high thing that is exalted againſt the knowledge of God,Diſcipline deſcribed and bringeth into captiuity eueryevery thought to the obedience of Chriſt. 2. Cor. 10.5. beeing the power of God vntounto ſaluation, Rom. 1.16. and this is vntounto the church a perfite law, Pſal, 19.7. teaching them judgement and equity and eueryevery good path.EueryEvery good path in Gods word. Pro. 2.9. The ſecond thing be the cēſures of the church adjoined to the word, as vengeance ready prepared if anie diſobeye,The cenſures joined to the word. 2. Cor. 10.6. with 2. Theſ. 3.14. Theſe hath Chriſt given to his churche, as a power to purge out the leven of malitiouſnes, that they may celebrat the Lords feaſt, and ſerue him ſincerely: Mat. 18.17. 1. cor. 5.4.7.8. Theſe cenſures are of two ſorts, according to the party which offendeth, either to heale and reform, or els to cut off for euer. Men are reformed by admonition or ſharper affliction. Admonition is taughte in 1, Theſ. 5.14. Gal. 6.1. 1. Tim. 5.20, Where admonition will not ſerue, according to the qualitye of the offenſe and diſpoſition of the perſon, there are two degrees in ſeeking his reformation. Firſt ſuſpenſion, whē a man is cut off from ſome of the holy exerciſes in the fellowſhip of Saints. Mat. 5.23.24. as namely the lords table, 1. Cor. 11.28. For the greater offenſes and greater contumacy followeth excommnnication, whiche is a caſting of them out of the church, and deliuering them to Sathan, in which ſtate they are to bee holden of vsus as heathen and publicanes, that is ſuch as ar not of the church. 1. Cor. 5.5. Mat. 18 18. and all theſe vponupon their true repentance ar to be forgiuen and comforted of the churche, 2. Cor. 2.6. The other cenſure which cutteth off is ſpoken of in 1. Cor. 16.22. If anye man louelove not the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, let him bee anathema. [Maranatha] viz. accurſed till the Lord come. p. 17Wherevpon ſaith Iohn epiſt. 1. cap. 5.16.by Gods word. There is a ſinne vntounto death, I ſay not that thou ſhouldſt pray for it: and Chriſt ſaith, that he which ſpeaketh againſt the holy ghoſt, it ſhal not be forgiuen him, neither in this world, nor in the worlde to come. Mat. 12.32.The things of Chriſts kingdome, not lyke to the things of earthly rulers. Theſe are then far diſtant from the thinges whiche earthlye princes vſe to rule their ſubiectes with: the one medleth with the outwarde man, afflicteth the bodye, and thinges of this life: but this toucheth, reformeth, and afflicteth the ſoule, the thoughts, and intentes of the heart: and concerneth the thinges of the lyfe to come.

In the next place are the other perſons to be conſidered which are vnderunder Chriſt the king: and theſe are his houſhold, the ſervants and ſubiects of Ieſus Chriſt in his church: according to the dignity of the Lord, & amplitude of his kingdome; are partly ſuperiors,The ſubiects & officers of chriſt and partly inferiours: the firſt ar ſuch as either hauehave charge committed vntounto them ouer others, as the diſpoſers of the ſecrets of God, 1, Cor. 4.1. or miniſters about the holy things of the church, 1. Tim. 3.13. and the other are all the members of the church, called Saints: who ſubmitting themſelues to the voice of the goſpell, are ſanctified in Chriſt Ieſus. Rom. 1.5.6.7. 1. Cor. 1.2. The duty of theſe latter, is in two words, ſubmiſſion, and obedience. Heb. 13.17. The former are of diuers degrees and ſeverall functions, and therfore require a larger diſcouery, in ſpeaking whereof I bynd my ſelfe to that only which is ordinary and perpetuall. In general termes they ar called Biſhops & deacons. Philip. 1.1. The generall termes of their office, bee likewiſe two, propheſie, and a miniſtrie, Rom. 12.6. In deſcription of which diuers offices and officers, the ſcripturs p. 18appointeth their calling and workes.Diſcipline deſcribed The calling of Chriſts officersIn their calling, there is this generall rule, that no man take vponupon him this honorable function except he be called. Heb. 5.4. Secondly that there bee a place or charge whereunto there is neede that they ſhould bee called: ſuche was Mathias, Act. 1.20. the Deacons, Act. 6.1.2. the Elders Act. 14.23. Biſhops in Creta, Tit, 1, 5. In their callings, common to all be election and ordination. Election is a free choiſe with the conſent of the people, and ordination is, by impoſition of handes, and prayer: to cō mend them to the worke of their calling. Act. 6.2.5.6. 1. Tim. 14.13, Act. 4.23. VntoUnto this election as a forerunner this rule is adjoyned, let them firſt be proued, then let them miniſter if they bee founde blameles: 1. Tim. 3.10. that is eueryevery one muſt bee examined before he be choſen.

The workes of theſe offices are either proper according to the diſtinct nature and gift in their ſeuerall office: or els mixt, wher they joine in ſome common action of the church.Chriſt hath ordained diuers officers & their workes. In propheſie, this is peculiar and common to all Biſhops, that they attend vponupon the adminiſtration of the word and prayer, Act. 6.4. & theſe Biſhops are of two ſorts, Paſtors and Teachers. Epheſ. 4.11. their giftes diuers, to the one that is Paſtors, is given the word of wiſdome, to the other the worde of knowledge. 1. Cor. 12.8, their works alſo diſtinct, for the former, is to tende on exhortation, and the latter on teaching. Rom. 12.7.8. In the miniſtrye, (that is ſuche offices as hauehave not to doe with the propheſie or preaching of the word,) there ar governing Elders, & thoſe which properly are called Deacons. The firſte hauehave their authoritye and title, 1. Cor. 12.28. Governours, their gift: 1. Tim. 5.17. to rule well their work, p. 19Rom. 12.8. a diligent practiſe in ruling.by Gods words. The deacons are nominated & ſet down what manner of men they ſhould be, 1. Tim. 3.8. their gifts to be full of the holy Ghoſt and wiſedome. Act 6.3. their work to looke to the tables, ver. 2. that is, to diſtribute with ſimplicity, Rom. 12. VntoUnto theſe are joined widdowes or ſervants of the church, whoſe title, gifts, and properties are ſet down Rom, 16.1. 1. Tim. 5.1.2.3.4.5.6. &c. and their worke, Rom. 12.8. to ſhewe merciemercy with cheerfulneſſe.

The mixt worke is of the Paſtors, teachers and governing Elders, who are joined in one worke or gifte of ruling well, 1. Tim. 5.17. hauehave the ſame title of Elders, Act. 14.23. & 20.17. and their worke is joined to looke to themſelues, and the whole flock. ver. 28. and to watche ouer the peoples ſoules. Heb. 13.17. the meeting or aſſembling in this office of governing is called an Elderſhip. 1. Tim. 4.14. And becauſe they beare heerein the power of Chriſt in the church, they are called by excellency of ſpeach, the church. Mat. 18 17. their worke is to ſee all thinges done according to the commandement of God, and ordinance of chriſt. In the callings of the ſeverall offices, and in the vſe of the cenſures that eueryevery man do his duty, as in election to directe the people, and to examine the partie to be choſen, and to lay their hande, and praye over the party in his ordeining, Act. 6.2.3.6. cap. 14.23. 1. Tim. 4.14. and in the cenſures they hauehave the ful authority, Mat. 18.17.18.19. except that in ſo great a matter as excommunication, the people hauehave their intereſt, in that a member is to bee cut off. Therefore that was done in a fuller aſſembly, namely of y^e whole church 1. Cor. 5.4. and the whole church is directed by Paule p. 20to receaue ſuch a one againe.Diſcip. deſcribed by G. word. 2. Cor. 2.6.7. Laſtly, in & about al the former things Chriſt ordained for his church, they hauehave authority giuen thē to appoint, and ſee that al things be done honeſtly & in order, 1. Cor. 14.40. But if a matter fal out too hard or waighty for one church, or y^e any maner of waies ſome one church hath need of help: this is ſupplied by other churches. 2. Cor. 8.13.14. When a matter of controucrſie was at Antiochia, they ſent choſen men to Ieruſalem, and there by a greater meeting of the Apoſtles and Elders, the matter being decided: there were alſo choſen men returned with the decrees of that ſynod. Act. 15.1.23. &c. In theſe meetings of ſynods and Elderſhips, ſome one for the time did moderate the aſſembly, not by any ſtanding office of ſuperiority, but for order to ſee al thinges well and orderly done, and to gather the concluſion. Such was Peter Act. 1.15. and Iames, Act. 15 13.22. and this is the deſcription of the church government,1. Cor. 14.37. cap. 11.1.2. 1. Tim. 6.14.1 Cor 14:371 Tim 6:14 according to the ſcriptures of God, left & commanded by God to his holy churches for ever: & therefore I take that no other can ſtand with the ſafty of our eſtate.

They which oppugne this doctrine do not ſimplye denye, that ſuch a thing is taught and commanded in the word, (for it is ſo cleare that no man can but with a ſhameles face, and ſeared conſcience open his mouth to the contrary) but they partly cavill at ſome places, but eſpecially affirme, that it was not commaunded as vnchangeable, that it was of force when the civill magiſtrate was not freind, but now it is determinable according to the diuers eſtats and governments of coū tries: as being not ſo needfull or convenient. Whome I defire in the feare of God to cōſider theſe few things p. 21Firſt,Chriſts diſcipl. perpetuall. that I hauehave heere ſhewed it by Gods word (and other hauehave done it, and can doe a great deale better) if they bring in ſuch an exception, they muſte ſhewe ſome reaſon out of the word for the ſame. For can any thing which God hath ordained in his worde,Prouer 30.5.6.Prov 30:5Prov 30:6 be altered by man, without his authoritye whiche ordained it? If God hauehave ſet Elders to bee gouernors in his church as 1. Cor. 12.28.Man cannot change Gods precepts without Gods licēce Who that is wiſe will dare to pul them out except he hauehave commiſſion from him that ſet them there? If the queſtion were touching the officer of an earthly prince, men would keepe ſilence waiting the pleaſure of their ſoveraigne: then muſte it needes bee arrogancy, to deny him whome God hath appointed. Remember them who ſaide, wee will not hauehave this man to raigne ouer vsus. Secundlye,Luk. 19.24.27Luke 19:24Luke 19:27 conſider this order of Chriſt is not limited to be only when the civill magiſtrate is no freind, and that the civill government ſupplyeth nothing in the roome of any thing here ſpoken off: for theſe are (as is ſhewed) for the ſpiritual and heauenly adminiſtration, & theirs is carnall and earthly. And howe can an earthly king thruſte into the houſe of God, an officer, a gifte, or a worke, which he knoweth not whether it will be fitte, or wilbe accepted as agreing with the heuenly pattern Theſe then being plantes which our heauenly father hath not planted ſhalbe rooted vp, & where the feare of God is taught by the precepts of men,Mat. 15.13.Matt 15:13 there the wiſdome of the wiſe ſhall periſh, Eſay. 29.2.13.14. Thirdly we hauehave heard that Chriſt is head vntounto the churche in all things, and that princes and judges ſhould learn to be wiſe, and kiſſe the ſonne leaſt he be angry: if thē the churche take vponupon hir to alter his ordinance, or a king doe keepe out that which hee commandeth, and p. 22maintaineth other thinges diuers or contrary,Chriſts diſcipline ar they wiſe and learned? do they kiſſe the ſonne? may they not feare his anger? If it appeare by the goſpell, that all theſe officers are members of the body of Chriſtes church, & are admiſtrations vnderunder one Lorde; if they hauehave giftes by one ſpirit, and operations by one God for the aedifiing of the churche: who louing Chriſte, and knowing Chriſt,Chriſts mēbers ought not to be changed. wil readily diſfigure Chriſts bodye, by mangling the members, changing the giftes of the ſpirit, altering the works of God. Againe, if all this be appointed to endnre for the worke of the miniſtry, to the aedifiing of the body of Chriſt, till we all meete together in the vnity of the faith, and the knowledge of the ſonne of God, vntounto a perfect man, & vntounto the meaſure of the age of the fulnes of Chriſt. Epheſ. 4.11.12. And this commandement of church-governement is to be kept without ſpot, and vnrebukeable vntill the appearing of our Lord Iefus chriſt. 1. Tim 5.21. cap. 6.13.14. then, who is he? or where is he whoſe arme is fleſhe, that will not tremble to ſpeake againſt them? Laſt of al, it is againſt the duty of the church, (who as the pure and chaſt ſpouſe of Chriſt ſhould alwayes be obedient to hir head and lord) to limit the authority,Pſal. 78.41.Ps 78:41 and check the wiſedome of hir king: ought ſhe not rather to hearken & conſider, and incline hir eare (being ſwift to heare,Pſal. 45.10. Iames 1.19.Ps 45:10Jas 1:19 and ſlow to ſpeake,) forgetting alſo hir owne people & hir fathers houſe: ſo ſhall the king hauehave pleaſure in hir beauty, for he is hir Lord, and ſhe ought to reverence him. Būt can this be reverence to his maieſty,Chriſts church ought to obey him or taking him to be Lorde: when ſhe ſubmitteth hir ſelfe, to the lawes of gouernement which ſhe hath receaued of his greateſt enimy, evē Antichriſte, or can ſhe be ſaide to forſake hir fathers houſe p. 23and to hearken:vnchangeable. who puniſheth & afflicteth as a ſtepmother thoſe hir children, that meeklye putteth hir in minde of the husbande of hir youth, and the oathe of God: detecting and bewraying the filthineſſe of hir skirtes, when ſhe hath defiled hir ſelf with ſtrangers, & ſtandeth ſtifly for the cuſtomes and manners of hir fathers houſe, even of vile fleſh and blood, brickle conſtitutions of blinde men? And who I pray you can ſay (except hee will tell a lye for his mother, and that againſt God his father) that ſhe doth not limit his power and controll his prudencye,Mat. 28.20.Matt 28:20 when hee giveth hir charge to obſerue all things whatſoever he hath commanded hir, affirming moſt amiably and comfortably vntounto hir,2. Pet. 1.3.2 Pet 1:3 that by his godly power he hath given hir al things that pertaine vntounto life and godlines, throughe the knowledge of him that hath called vsus vntounto glory & vertue, and namely a perfite Law,Pſal. 19.7. Prov. 2.9.Ps 19:7Prov 2:9 teaching judgemēt and equity, and eueryevery good path: & yet ſhee leaning to hir owne wiſdome, and preſuming of hir owne power, will alter, adde, diminiſh, and change as ſhe thinketh beſt. Therfore the Lord moſt earneſtly complaineth, and in the vehemency of his godly iealouſy crieth againſt hir, and ſaith. Ye heauens bee aſtonied at this, be afraied and vtterly confounded ſaith the lord:Ierem. 2.1….Jer 2:1 for my people hauehave committed two evils: they hauehave forſaken mee the fountaine of living waters, to digge them pittes, even broken pittes that can holde no water.

In this laſt place, for clearing of my propoſition, & that my reaſons for the policye of our countrey maye plainly be ſeene: I am further to ſhewe in parte, what theſe diſorders be, ſmal or great, and howe neare wee come to the ordinance of Chriſt. Firſt wee holde the p. 24head Chriſt Ieſus and renounce al other heads of the church, giuing vntounto the royall perſon of the Queenes highneſſe, the due and lawfull ſupremacy ouer al perſons within hir dominions, and in all cauſes to vſe the ſworde of juſtice, for the maintenance of well doing, and puniſhing of vice: renouncing all forraine power and potentate to hauehave any intereſt or title of any ſuche ſupremacy. Secondly, we receaue the ſcepter of chriſt the goſpel of truth, holding and teaching the doctrine of faith & louelove according to the ſame: the Sacraments alſo as ſeales of the doctrine in their true nature, are taught & adminiſtred with prayers, ſinging of pſalmes and reading of holy ſcripture: We allow alſo paſtors in every church, and ſome teachers: and by theſe miniſteries the word is taught ordinarily in many churches, by meanes whereof the church of England, our mother hath brought forth many notable children to God the father, and notable members of Ieſus Chriſt: Heere one ſteppeth in and ſaith: Is not this wel? you woulde hauehave bene glad in Queene Maries dayes with leſſe liberty, can you not bee content? Truth, this is well indeed, and I pray God we may bee thankfull as we ought to bee thankfull. Yet as I take it, and they confeſſe, all is not well. And if a man hauehave the foundation of his houſe laide, and many parts of the building framed, he will not content himſelf till all be faſtened together, and the roofe couered. And ſhal we content our ſelues to ſee the houſe of God ful of breaches, and vncouered, becauſe ſome principall parte is well begonne? Let vsus then ſee thoſe breaches.

Surely, ſurely, I would your good Hh. ſhould vnderſtand, that of all other, I am loatheſt to ſpeake of thoſe thinges: neither would I, if I thought the truth p. 25of this queſtion might appeare without it: therefore I humbly craue your favorable patience, ſubmitting all that I ſpeake (as before) to your Hh. wiſe conſiderations, not willingly doing anye thing that might giuegive juſte occaſion of offence. The imperfections of our churches are of two ſortes, either in matter of ceremonies, or in thinges ſubſtantiall preſrcibed of God. Of the firſte I will ſay onelye this, that it is well knowen, that ſome of our ceremonies, are part of the character of the beaſt, and therefore not comely for Chriſts vndefiled ſpouſe: but if the other greater things were reformed, they would fall away of themſelues, lyke vntempered morter, after a hard froſt. The other, ar eyther in the holy things, or holy offices. The firſt holy thing is the word, here ſome part of the holy ſcripture is commaunded to be left vnread, the Apocripha are appointed to be read, and that vnderunder the name of holy ſcripture, for inſtruction of manners: and homelies in ſteed of preaching: this I take to be an abuſe to the ſcepter of Chriſt, which is before ſhewed to be perfect The other holy things are the cenſures, and namelye excommunication, which is made a ciuill ordinaunce committed to a civill judge in matters of heritage, in a quarrell often groates, for not appearing the partye may be abſolved by his proctour. A miniſters name is vſed in the forme, but he hath nothing to do to judge or determine, or to receaue againe. And beſides all this, the pennance maye bee changed into money or ſome other thing. Heere the Elder-ſhip is deſpiſed, the congregation looſeth hir right, and earth and heaven are mingled together: no ſmall disfigure vntounto Chriſts church, if you remember howe God woulde hauehave it ordered and adorned.

p. 26The diſorders in the holy offices are either by mingling or mangling. Mingling is of two ſorts, firſte the ſuperfluity of offices and officers, as Archbiſhops, L. Biſhops, Chancelors, Commiſſaries, Archdeacons, Officials Deanes, Vicedeanes, Treaſurers of Cathedrall churches, Prebendes, Cannons, Peticannons, Singing men, Quiriſters, Vergers, Curates and Readers, eueryevery one of theſe hauehave a certaine dignity aboue others: & beſides that there are Deacons, who hauehave no charge of the poore at all, Church-wardens, Sidemen, and collectors for the poore.Proverb. 9.3. Are theſe the maidens whome wiſdome ſendeth forth to cal the ſimple to hir banquet?Ver. 1. Are theſe the pillars that God hath ſet in his church?Eph. 4.8.11.Eph 4:8Eph 4:11 Can it be ſaid that Chriſt when hee aſcended vp on highe, gaue theſe? There is alſo a ſecond mingling in their workes, as hee that preacheth wil alſo ſit in commiſſion, he wilbe a Paſtor ouer ſome 2. or 3. churches, & an Archdeacon ouer many churches. One man wilbe a Paſtor to one church, a Chaplain to an other, and a prebend to an other. In their prayers they ar bound to ſuch a forme as for the moſt part is tranſlated out of the popiſh portues, hauing diuers vngodly mixtures of ſignes, with ſacramentall ſignification, as the croſſe in baptiſme, impoſition of handes in confirmation, and of other rites and obſervations which Gods booke never dreamed of. Concerning all theſe and other ſuch minglings, howe ſhal it be anſwered when the Lorde ſhall ſay, Who requyred theſe things at your hands?Eſay. 1.12.Isa 1:12 The manglings ar very little better. For firſt diuers members are cut off, as governing Elders and Deacons: Preſbyteries of particular churches, and free Synods: In the calling of miniſters many are made without a place, few hauehave their p. 27election with the conſent of the churche: the right of impoſition of handes, is in a L. Biſhop, and ſuche as hee choſeth, manye are made miniſters of the worde that hauehave no giftes, contrary to the rule in examination. In their workes, there wanteth reſidency in many able men: there is no practiſe of preching in many reſident: fowre ſermons a yeare diſchargeth a man before our church. But what ſhould I repeat all? I feare and tremble, that the glorious ſpouſe of Chriſt Ieſus, ſhould thus be defiled with the filthy clouts & rotten patches of the foule & beaſtly ſtrumpet,Revel. 17.1.9.Rev 17:1Rev 17:9 the whore of Babel, which fitteth on the feven hills of Rome. where is the fulneſſe of Chriſt? Col. 1.9. Where are the treaſures of wiſdome and knowledge that are hid in him? cap. 2.13. and howe are wee complete in him? ver. 10. if we ſuffer our ſelues to be led as a pray, through philoſophy, and vaine deceat after the traditions of men, and not after Chriſt. ver. 8.

The queſtion being thus cleared,Proofer of the propoſition. the reaſons that proue the ſame, will ſhew themſelues more readilye, and be ſene more apparantly. My reaſons are either generall or ſpeciall- Generally I firſt conſider the author of church-diſcipline, on the one ſide Chriſt furniſhed with authority from God: on the other ſide, mans wiſdome and Antichriſte, aduerſarye againſt GOD, whoſe comming is by the effectuall power of Sathan:2. Theſ. 2.4.9. The firſt proofe from the autor of diſcipline.2 Thess 2:42 Thess 2:9 ſeing that it is already ſhewed, that God is the author of that we want, the conſideration of his perſon may teach vsus that his is beſte and ſureſt for our eſtate: for he is wonderfull in counſell, and excellent in works, Eſa. 28.29. the fooliſhnes of God is wiſer then men. & the weakenes of God is ſtronger then men, 1. Cor. 2.25. If God thā in counſel be wiſeſt, & in works moſt p. 28perfect & ſtable:Geueral reaſons ſhewing that Chriſts howe ſhould not all ſtate-men thinke that to reform our churches after his coūfell, & to practiſe his workes were ſafeſt for the eſtate of our lande. Look we vponupon mā, Antichriſt, & Sathā, what are theſe to y^e almighty? & their wiſdom to his? Can they teach a church-governmēt more certain for our ſafety, than he? Is not the wiſdome of this world fooliſhnes with God? 1. Cor. 3.19. Doth he not take y^e wiſe in their craf tines, & make y^e coūſel of the wicked fooliſh? Iob. 5.13. And concerning Antichriſt: oght we not to hearkē to him, who calleth vntounto vsus from heaven, and ſaith: Go out of hir my people,Revel. 18 4.Rev 18:4 that ye bee not partakers in hir ſinnes, and that ye receaue not of hir plagues: for hir ſinnes are come vp vntounto heauen, and God hath remē bered hir iniquities. As for Sathan, his wiles are but to deceaue, euen as he deceaued Euah, to the miſery of all mankinde: and as hee ſeduced Ahab to his deſtruction. Therefore I think it beſt, and the ſureſt policy, to be ruled by God.

And this reaſon wilbe the more euident,Our profeſſion is to ſerue God in al he teacheth vsus. if we conſider our ſelues: what we hauehave done, and nowe doe. We hauehave entred into couenant with God, by ſubmitting our ſelues to the ſcepter of his word, and taking vponupon vsus his ſacramentes as badges of our profeſſion. Heere peradventure a wiſe Politian doth not ſee, that it is not ſafe to ſerue two maiſters: though the Lorde ſaith,Luk. 16.13. 2. Cor. 6.15.Luke 16:132 Cor 6:15 You cannot ſerue God & Mammon. And what concord hath Chriſt with Belial.

The next generall reaſon is from the thing it ſelfe, I meane the church-government which is of Gods cō mandement: firſt,The ſecond general reaſon frō the thing if wee conſider that the ſame being Chriſts, and we chriſtians, what can be better for vsus? the ſame is from heauen, heauenly, and ſpirituall: and p. 29we profeſſe the Lord from heauen,Diſcip. is for our ſafety. what then can bee ſafer for vsus? What do we (fuppoſe you) if wee judge any thing vnfit for vsus, when he ſaieth:Pro. 3.8.Prov 3:8 All the wordes of my mouth are righteous, there is no lewdneſſe nor frowardnes in them, If the commandement of God by Moſes the ſervāt was ſuch, that no nation was comparable to Gods people, becauſe no nation had lawes and ordinances ſo righteous, as all that law which hee ſet before them: and if thoſe lawes ſhoulde bee their wiſdome and vnderſtanding before al people:Deut. 4.6.8.Deut 4:6Deut 4:8 ſo that they which ſhould heare, ſhould be forced to confeſſe only this people is wiſe and of vnderſtanding: Shall we think, that the Lawes of the ſonne, Lord and maiſter of the houſe, would make vsus leſſe righteous, wiſe,Chriſts diſcipl. maketh a natiō honorable. 1. King. 10.1 Kgs 10 and honorable before al people? If Salomon for the wiſdom which he had of God, was admired & ſought to of all people, & the glory, wealthe, and peace of his kingdome, was herein eſpecially, in that hee builded the materiall temple after the patterne giuen him of God? Is there not a greater than Salomon with vsus, and ſhall not the glory of our Queene and countrye, be as great, if we in the building of the ſpirituall temple, vſe no other platforme, but that which God doth ſend vntounto vsus?

Ioine herevnto the vſe and end of Chriſts governement: namely, why god appointed Chriſts kingdom: the kings of the earth, and civill ſtates, being ignorant of the myſtery of Chriſts ruling, are many times troubled, when they heare that a king is borne:Mat. 2.1.2.Matt 2:1Matt 2:2 and when they perceaue, that the neuer fay ling worde of the Almighty, doth ſet down that it muſt be ſo, where, and how, they lay priuie netts & engines to prevent him: but wiſe men are contrary minded & doe come from p. 30their owne country,The end of Chriſts diſcipline to ſeeke him out: & are exceding glad when they ſee the tokens of his comming, reioicing to do homage before his holy Majeſty, for they know plainly that hee came not to diſſolue the Lawe,Mat. 5.17.Matt 5:17 as to teach ſubiectes to diſobey their naturall princes, but to fulfill it: and to make men of conſcience, even without feare of temporall ſword,Rom. 12.5.Rom 12:5 to bee ſubiect; and to paye tribute to whome it belongeth. What good ſtate-man that is a chriſtian,Diſcipline cannot hurt the ſtate. can wiſely, and by warrant of good policy once dreame, that that manner of governement whiche not medling or vſurping one whit vponupon the ciuill power, but by the ſpirituall powerfrom Chriſt,Mat. 18.18.Matt 18:18 binding and looſing the ſoule & conſcience, doth ſubdue the will of all euill doers, whiche are ſet againſt the wholſome lawes of God and man, and by the terrour of Sathan doeth make them learne to leaue ſuch euill wayes,1. Cor. 5.4. 1. Tim. 1.20.1 Cor 5:41 Tim 1:20 that when this is done, as it ought to bee done, and by thoſe perſons and orders, which the ordainer thereof hath appointed: that it ſhoulde hurte the eſtate, and diminiſh the happines of a Chriſtian nation? Therefore well ſaid the Prophet Eſay of this government.Eſay. 42 4.Isa 42:4 Hee ſhall not make to ſmok nor bruiſe, till he hauehave ſet judgement in the earth, and the Yles ſhall wait for his Law. By which he meaneth that the government of Chriſt is ſuch, that of it ſelf in his proper nature, it diſquieteth & troubleth no man, no not to the bruiſing of a reed, or quenching of ſmoking flaxe: but it peaceably bringeth men to good order, yea, ſaith he, the nations ſhall attend vponupon him to be ruled by his Law. See how God hath determined the good of the nations by his ſonnes government: cā it be good policy to refuſe it? And we hauehave great experience of this thing ſince wee ſubmitted our ſelues p. 31vntounto Chriſt by receauing the goſpell ſo far as we hauehave done.to help the civill Magiſt. What works of righteouſnes God hath wroght among vsus? Howe is our Queene become an helper of the oppreſſed, and a ſuccour, & a nurſe to the banniſhed? Howe hath our peace vnderunder hir flouriſhed? What age can ſhewe the lyke in this land? And what praiſe hath God brought vponupon this lande, and glorye vntounto hir Royall Majeſty, by worſhipping Chriſt, and conſtant defending of his truth? If wee forget all the mighty deliuerances, yet this laſte yeares ouerthrowe of Gods enemies may teſtifie: being ſtrange to all nations, admired of all people, an aſtoniſhment to the enemy; and triumph to the godly: not by power or policy, but by the faithfull and mercifull hande of God. Doeth not this (I ſaye) teſtifie:Pſal. 144.15.Ps 144:15 Bleſſed is that people that hath the Lord for their God. But if wee hauehave ſo great profite and pleeaſure by a part of Chriſts governement: what would it be, if we receaued all? would he not ſay of vsus, as he did ſometimes of Sion.Pſal. 132.14.Ps 132:14 This is my reſt for euer, heere will I dwell, for I hauehave a delyte therein: I will ſurely bleſſe hir victuals, and ſatiſſie hir poore with bread: and I wil clothe hir prieſts with ſalvation, and hir ſaints ſhall ſhowt for joy. There will I make the horne of Dauid to budde, where I hauehave ordained a light for mine anointed: his enemies will I clothe with ſhame, but on him his crown ſhal floriſh. Looke vponupon Iehu king of Iſrael, he was zealous a little,2. King. 10.30.2 Kgs 10:30 deſtroing the houſe of wicked Ahab, and the abhomination of Baal, & god bleſſed his ſeede to ſit on the thron of Iſrael, vntounto the fourth generation: what wold he hauehave done if hee had bene zealous in all the will of god: but becauſe hee left not the ſinne of leroboam, god loathed Iſraell, and ſmote them in all their coaſts p. 32by the ſworde of Haſael. Looke on Aſa alſo king of Iuda,2. Chro. 14. & cap. 16.2 Chr 14 when hee ſought the Lord our God, the lande had quietnes ten yeares, and after hee had a wonderfull victory and much ſpoiles of an huge hoſte, often hundreth thouſand and three hundreth charets: but when he made fleſh his arme, and caſt the Seer for admoniſhing him into priſon, and oppreſſed certaine of the people, hee had an extreame diſeaſe in his feete in his old dayes, which tooke from him the glory of his youth. Look we farther on that good king Iehoſaphat who cauſed the people to be taught in the law of god, he was wonderfull in peace,1. Chre. 17. cap 18.1. proſpering in wealth, & maruelous in victory:Cap. 19.2. yet when hee joined with wicked Ahabs houſe, helping the wicked, and loving thē that hate the Lord,Cap. 18.31. did he not hazard his owne life? was not he & his people put in feare with a great multitude from beyond the ſea:Cap. 20.2.3.37. and were not his ſhippes broken that they were not able to go to Tarſhiſh. And generally from Ioſhua, and thenceforth in all the ſtory of the Byble, you ſhall hardlye or not at all finde, that ever God bleſſed the people long with peace and proſperitye, when they declined from his Lawes, or that he ſpared good kings, when they followed their owne mindes, and left the will of the Lords word vnperformed. So if we woulde conſider what hath followed the diſorderly and raſh vrging of ſubſcription, (a thing vnderunder pretence of vnity, to cut the throate of Gods ordinance in diſcipline) when the mouthes of Gods faithfull ſervants were ſtopped, and very many of hir Majeſties moſte faithfull ſubiectes fearing God, grieued and moleſted, it may be it were good policie for vsus to beſturre our ſelues to ſet vp reformation: for we know that one feare or plague hath euer ſince followed p. 33an other: firſte in that very yeare, howe manye wayes was hir Majeſties ſacred perſon indangered by the diueliſhe and traiterous Papiſtes, then followed a deare yeare of corne, and after manye were puniſhed with penury: beſides this, we hauehave ſent forth ſouldiers kept watch & ward, & laſtly forced to forſak al to wait vponupon the enimye, whome God brought even in our ſight before our dores, and at this houre wee are ſtill buſie in labour and ſtudy, to keepe the ſworde out of the land. If vntounto Iuda and Iſraell ſuch thinges as theſe were warnings, threatnings, and corrections: let vsus take heed, that we go not to far in flattering our ſelues moleſting Gods ſervants, refuſing Chriſts ordinance, till it be too late, and there be no remedy. O Lord for chriſts ſake, bow thou our harts, that we may not leane too much, vntounto the vncertaine ſtaffe of earthly policy, but looke vntounto thee that ſmiteſt vsus.

An other generall reaſon is this,The thid reaſon from the euent. that now it is eaſie to eſtabliſhe it, and harde to keepe it back: yea ſaith a milde and reverent man: I would gladly know,D. Some in his treatiſe of decyding certaine queſt. &c. pa. 36 whether it bee poſſible or ſafe, to plante diſcipline in this land, before that Gods holy truth bee ſoundlye both taught and receaued: and that there be fit church-men and people to execute the diſcipline. I am ſory that by publik authority ſuch a boke ſhould be allowed, that hath no better reaſon againſt diſcipline, then that which ſtandeth with the accuſation of the whole ſtate and diſpraiſe of the whole land. For what can be greater ſhame to our ſtate which profeſſe the true & ſound doctrine of the goſpell, then that the ſame ſhould not be ſoundly taught: and what greater diſpraiſe, then after 30. yeares teaching, there ſhould want fit Churchmen and people, Paule was but one,Rom. 15.18.19Rom 15:18Rom 15:19 and yet in verie p. 34few yeares he cauſed the goſpell to abound from Ieruſalem,An eaſie matter to ſet vp and rounde about vntounto Illiricum:The Apoſtles in a ſhort time planted very many churches with the diſcipl. of Chriſt. So that hee durſte not ſpeake of any thing, which Chriſt had not wroughte by him, to make the gentiles obedient in word and deede: & we hauehave diuers L. Biſhops throgh all the ſhieres in England, diſperſed in ſeveral charges, and hauehave not all they done as much in one countrye, as hee did in many? Hee had the ciuill power againſt him, theſe hauehave it for them: he was many times troubled, impriſoned, theſe hauehave nothing to feare that might amongeſt men diſcourage them: he was poore and laboured for his liuing diuers times, theſe hauehave great liuings: he had no humiane help, but the ſimple & ſincere teaching of the truth; theſe hauehave very large authority: and hauehave they not yet prevailed ſo farre, as that Gods holy truth, is ſoundly taught and receiued, but that the lacke hereof muſt hinder the good courſe of diſcipline? In a very ſmall time did Pauland Barnabas preach, and teach, many in Derba, Liſtra, Iconium, and Antiochia:Act. 13. &. 14.20 21.23.Acts 13 and ordained them Elders in eueryevery church. At Epheſus Paule continued three yeare in whch ſpace he taught them al the counſell of god,Act. 20, 17.27.28.31.Acts 20:17Acts 20:27Acts 20:28Acts 20:31 and left them Elders to looke to themſelues and to all the flock. It may be ſome man will object, that Paules calling being extraordinary, and his bleſſing extraordinary, to blame our Bb. may not be fit. I aunſwere, if they will take vponupon them an office and charge of many congregations as Paule, & claime authority in ordering of churches and church men, as Paule: why ſhould it not bee looked for, that they ſhoulde doe as much good in their place, as he did in his, having many more helpes, then he. But this commeth to paſſe, by no other reaſon, but by the want of Gods church p. 35governement.Diſcipline in England. For when they take a calling whereof they hauehave no warrant as Paule had, how can they bee bleſſed as Paule: when they meddle with civill cauſes which Paule did not: how can they, or do they attend vntounto preching in themſelues, & promote it in others, as Paule did: when they by articles and deuiſed plots make daylie trappes to entangle good preachers, and thruſt many out becauſe they teach all the counſell of God, as Paule did: and maintain, & beare with ſome which preach againſt the counſell of God: and more, which preach neuer a whit of gods counſell, whiche Paule did not: when they hauehave in their mouthes the waye of preferment, and in their labours the care of honour, and giuegive diſpenſations to Non-reſidenſy, tollerations to naked Readers, which all were farre from Paule: how can wee look for the fruit of their loyterings, which came of his labours: or that ſuch as ſtriue againſt the goſpel, ſhould do good, as he which ſtroue for it. Let all men conſider by this, what it is to bee L.B. (jure humano) by mans lawe, and to bee a poore miniſter and true ſervant of Chriſt, (jure diuino) by gods Law. But it ſhould ſeeme by this queſtion, that if the holy truth of God wer ſoundly taught, &c. then it were poſſible and ſafe to plāt diſcipline in this land, and ſurely I thinke ſo too. But herein I differ, that I am perſwaded that gods truth is ſoūdly taught in this land (which he ſeemeth ſecretlye to denye,Gods truth is ſoundly taught in England. or elſe his queſtion were no queſtion) and ſo I thinke all men that ſpeake aduiſedly, and all the churches of god will witnes with me: ſo that I think in a matter ſo cleare, I neede not to vſe many vnneceſſary reaſons: therefore it followeth by his own judgement, that it is poſſible and ſafe to plant diſcipline in England, where the holy p. 36truth of god is ſoundly taught. As touching fit church men and people (god be thanked for it) there be more knowen then be accounted of, and more vnknowen than we are worthy of, and more woulde hauehave beene if the reſiſting of diſcipline, and maintening of popiſh diſorders, had not diſcouraged ſome, and prevented very many. But I would faine be taught either by the ſcripture of God, or by ſound reaſon; howe in manye places of this Land the holy truth of God, can bee (as it ought) ſoundly taught and receaued, and fit church men and people:Chriſts orders and diſcipline, maketh fit churchmen and people. till the rule and law of Chriſt be obſerued. For ſee you not, that the orders nowe keepe them out, which would like kynde ſhep-heards feede the flocke, and that it feedeth and foſtereth the Idle & proud Prelacy, who lye lurking in their warme neſts, having manye eaſie impedimentes, and ſweete ſilver coardes to pull them back from their duty, they are ſo inveſted into offices ciuill, and ſo preferred to the honour of the high commiſſion, that their leaſure is ſmal, ſome dwelling in Cathedrall churches, are ſo peſtred with conſultations about leaſes, & changing of church lands, with feaſting and flattering one an other, with rhewmes and ſtitches, and the farnes of the places, or vnholſomnes of the aire, where their charge is: that they commend that buſines to their curate. Some having bene put to learne their Catechiſme, & to make exerciſes now thirtie years, are as fitt church-men for knowledge and vtterance, as a childe of eight yeres of age. No marvell then, thoughe the people in all places be not ſo fit as they ſhould be: when by the order of our diſorderly church government, ſuch wicked & blinde guides may bee ſuffered and defended. But if according to the law of Chriſts church-governement p. 37there were diligent ſearche made in all places of the lande, for wiſe, learned and ſtayed men of all degrees to bee called to the office of Paſtors and teachers: and that by the wiſe circumſpection of theſe, diſcreet and ſober men, with the conſent of ſeveral churches were adjoined as helpers: think you that there woulde bee many places voide of able and godlye teachers. And if there ſhould ſome be, could it long ſo continew, ſeing that the power and ſpirituall authoritye of theſe, would ſoone breed ſuch a light, and bring forth ſuch a harveſt, as the beauty and glory of ſuch churches as were eſtabliſhed and furniſhed, would ſoone draw on the other, and cauſe them like wiſe to bee prouided. Now men thruſt in themſelues, then they ſhould be called by other. Nowe men ſeeke (like journey men) a curatſhip, and (like farmers afore hande) get an advowſen before the incumbents leaſe (I ſhould ſay life) be out: then ſhould ſuch as be good men and of fitte giftes be ſought for, not only in the vniverſity, but in the countrie, court cittie, and gentlemen and noblemens houſes, wherſoeuer any might be found worthy of ſo high a calling. Now many are violently thruſte out, becauſe they do their duty: then ſhoulde manye be ſet in, who would tremble of themſelues, to enter into that calling, for feare they ſhould not diſcharge it Now many change their ſtudies from diuinity, many after ſtudy go to other trades, many parentes are diſcouraged from beſtowing coſte on their children, becauſe they ſee how little they be eſteemed, if they will not yeelde to the corruption of our diſorders. Then many would change their ſtudies from law, phiſicke, muſick, ſchooling, &c. and many woulde leaue their trades, and parents would think their coſt well beſtowed, p. 38& be diuers wayes comforted, to prefer their children to the ſtudy of divinity. Againe, many who now are dumb, if they ſaw Chriſt comming but a fair of with the ſcourge of diſcipline, would ſoone finde their tongues, and the vniting of ſmal pariſhes would make vsus need fewer than be: and the ſending of biſh, and non-reſidentes (ſuche I meane as are meete) to a charge, woulde ſupplye ſome that want: and ſome of their curates, (being as learned, as they) woulde ſerue to fill a gappe: and diuers other things would God offer, if we would go about it. If the Apoſtles in a ſhort time found fitt men to place for Paſtors, Teachers, Elders, and Deacons in eueryevery church: how much more would it appeare eaſy among vsus, if ſo be now after 30. yeares of peace, and increaſe of all kinde of learning, there were liberty for Chriſt; orders, and authority to further the ſame. The worthy example of Iehoſaphat, in this place, might both teach this thing, and incourage our ſtate men.2. Chr. 17.6.7.8.9. cap. 14.4.2 Chr 17:62 Chr 17:72 Chr 17:82 Chr 17:9 For he firſt ſent teaching Levites throughout all his kingdome to teach the people: and after went through all townes, cauſing them to turne to the Lord. And ſo by little and little in a ſhort time reſtored the church to a wonderfull beautye and perfection.

But it may be the godly reader hearkeneth and longeth to know, how I can proue it eaſy at this time to reforme the diſorders in our church, and to plant chriſts diſcipline: hee thinketh peraduenture, that hee ſeeth many things of contrary perſwaſion. Hee that had liued in the day of the death of Chriſt, ſeing howe deſpitefully he was handled, would not eaſily hauehave beleued that which Chriſt ſpeaketh Iohn 12.32 I, if I were lift vp from the earth, wil draw al men after me. But if p. 39he liuing in the dayes of Cōſtantine the great,Chriſts diſcipl. eaſy to be planted the firſt Chriſtian emperour of Rome, hee had reade ouer the horrible battels of all Potentates by fire and ſworde, for the ſpace of three hundreth yeare againſt Chriſte, he might eaſily ſtand aſtonied to thinke, that through ſo many yeares of vnmeaſurable affliction, ſuch horrible tormentes, and infinite butcheries, that the kingdome of Chriſt ſtood faſt and increaſed, according as it is written: Be thou ruler amidſt thine enemies.Pſal. 132.14.Ps 132:14 How much more may wee thinke it eaſie to ſet vp Chriſtes diſcipline in the church, now vnderunder ſo Chriſtian and milde a Queene, ſo highlye honored of God,No good thing hard for our gracious Quene. ſo ten derly beloued of hir ſubiects, after ſo many yeares of peace and preaching the Goſpell, vponupon ſo good occaſion as theſe wonderfull warnings and merciful deliverances, when thouſandes ſighe for it, and ten thouſands hauehave ſought it: and approved and worthy men of all ſheires hauehave conſented vntounto it, and in ſome ſorte craved it, and all men almoſt confeſſe that wee ought to hauehave it (onelyonly they ſay they cannot tell how it may be accompliſhed,) and no man is able ſoundly to confute it. In the dayes of King Henry the eight, a prince of noble memory, by the meanes of one man the true right of the King being revealed: how ſoone, & how eaſily was the Popes ſupremacy caſt out of Englande, in a time of great danger, when the Realme had very little acquaintance with the goſpell, and the Pope did rule in mens hearts as God. And without the realm (for the moſt part) the whole world on the contrarye: yet did that worthy King prevaile and keepe his right. King Edward the ſixte, that rare young prince, being tender for yeares, how did he ſet vp the Goſpell in the midſt of darkneſſe? What fitt church-men and people p. 40was there, if he had taried till they had come of themſelues, howe long mighte hee hauehave ſtayed. Or if the Quenes Majeſty had caſt al perils that in reaſon might hauehave fallen out in reſtoring the churches at hir joifull entraunce into the ſeate of hir rightfull throne: ſhee might hauehave ſaid it was impoſſible, and not ſafe to alter the ſtate of religion. How much more woulde it bee eaſy now to ouercome and turne out the remnants, & taile of the Pope, when there was no hurt to this land nor great matter in the doing of the thing, to ſubdue & banniſh his head.

The eaſines of this, may farther appeare if we conſider,Maintainers of mens traditions deſpiſed. firſt how the maintainers of mens traditions againſt Chriſts church-gouernment by the juſte judgement of God,Malach. 2.4.Mal 2:4 (as he telleth them in the Propher) are made to be deſpiſed & vile before al people: becauſe they kept not his wayes, but hauehave beene partiall in the Lawe. So that a poore ſimple miniſter that handleth the worde of God aright, though all his liuing peradventure be not worth fourty markes the yeare, is hard with more reverence, & reſorted vntounto with more diligence, than one of thoſe that imagineth that the dignity of miniſters conſiſteth in outward things, though he hauehave the great bell rung, and men to helpe him to the pulpit.Men cty out for lack of teching. Againe, who is ignorant howe men crye out for able miniſters in eueryevery place: what ſutes and ſupplications in time of Parliament, what meanes hath bene made to counſellours?

In the next place conſider, that the ſame which the L.Bb. and the Cathedrall churches doe poſſeſſe, if it be takē in time,There is liuing for able miniſters, if it were taken in time. before it be too much ſcambled, how well woulde it ſerue to redeeme impropriations, and augment the ſmaller liuings, and with the ouerplus p. 41ſerue to other good vſes, for hir Majeſt. warres, & increaſe of learning: how eaſily might two or three, or more ſmall congregations bee vnited into one, when there is law already to do the ſame.

Againe, ſome of themſelues will ſay in ſome places, that if it pleaſed hir Majeſty they would bee willing, but we muſt not go before a law. But I cannot be perſwaded, but they ſlander hir godly & chriſtian minde: for if they would deale faithfully with hir, & by themſelues, & by ſuffering others, make this holy trueth of Chriſts Eccleſiaſtical government,The Queenes Majeſty abuſed by the Bb. plainly knowen to hir royall and princely vnderſtanding: it is impoſſible that ſo zealous and godly a prince, hauing ſo manye yeares in ſo many perils of hir life, againſte ſo manye mighty men abroad, and falſe harts at home, ſo wiſely & conſtantly maintained the goſpell of Ieſus chriſt, and comfortably receaued ſo many bleſſings, deliuerances, and aduancements of honor, ſo that hir name is great and terrible to al lands, would be ſo negligent of hir duty, ſo vnthankfull to God, ſo fearefull of any danger, or any way ſo backward: that in hir onelyonly, ſo holy, ſo worthy, ſo hye and neceſſarye a thing, moſte profitable to hir ſubjects, moſt certaine for hir ſafety, ſhould be withſtood & reſiſted. Do not they preach? do they not perſwad? do not they ſue for cōmiſſions? Do not they ſuſpend, impriſon, and keep back al they can from the courte and Paules croſſe, whiche might detect their vnfaithfulneſſe to God, and abuſing of hir Maieſty.

Furthermore, if we weigh how the Papiſtes courages are wel alayed, their nets broken, and many fallen into their own pits, and their long wouē ſpiders web, their filthy plots, by Gods merciful providence made p. 42voide,No hard thing to caſt out & that the zeale of many hath bene lately ſturred vp, and made more deſirous to ſerue God, & follow his law: were it not eaſie now to plant diſcipline? and would not all men thinke, that the mercifulnes of God calleth vntounto it? and would not his mercies bow thouſāds to like of it? how redily did the people leaue their work without all conſtraint, and with very ſmall and ſlight warning in many places, when they kne we that hir highneſſe was deſirous that God ſhoulde bee ſolemnly praiſed of hir people, howe did this pearce the peoples harts towards hit? how much more wold the Lord frame the peoples harts towardes hir, if this noble worke were enterpriſed, and the fruite thereof would be a thouſand fold doubled.

Laſtly,The Pope in a conſumption. conſider that ſince the time of Luther, the Lord hath breathed vponupon the Pope, and ſtroken him in a mervelous conſumption: and that is a ſure worde of propheſy,3. Theſ 2.8. that by preaching he ſhal be conſumed, and the people of God hauehave commiſſion to rewarde him,Renel. 18.16. and giuegive him double, according to his workes: think you it wilbe a hard thing to caſt out of England, ſome reliques and ſcattered remnantes of the raile of the beaſte, when wee hauehave experience that theſe prophoſies are true, in the great and moſt ſubſtantial frō tiers of his power. Let vsus not feare then, as an harde thing, when God and man, heaven and earth, tyme & place do fauor the worke, and warrant good ſucceſſe.

Out of this followeth the ſecond part of my reaſon, for if the Pope muſt conſume, and that by the breathe of Chriſts mouth,3. Theſ. 2.3. then ſurely Chriſts meaning is, that his owne kingdome ſhall preuaile. This is the ſtone that was cut without handes, that breaketh the image in pieces,Dan. 2.34.44.45.Dan 2:34Dan 2:44Dan 2:45 & maketh the great monarckes of the world p. 43lyke the chaffe of the ſommer flowres,the reliks of Popery. caried by the winde,Chriſts kingdome … preuaile. where the place cannot be found, and it ſelfe groweth into a great mountaine to fil the whole earth. This is Michaell the great prince that ſtandeth vp for his people, and caſteth out the great dragon.Dan. 12.1.Dan 12:1 This is the King of Kings, and Lorde of Lords.Reuel. 12.9. cap. 19.16.Rev 12:9 Now ſeing we craue no other governement but his, and his cannot bee withſtood: let all ſtate-men judge, whether it bee not harde, and contrary to ſafety, to ſtand againſt him. And if we knew what the Prophet meaneth,Eſay. 49.23.Isa 49:23 whē he ſaieth: that Kings ſhalbe the nurſing fathers of the church, and Queens hir nources, that they ſhal worſhip with their faces towardes the earth, and licke vp the duſt of hir feet,Pſal. 110.6.Ps 110:6 & that Chriſt ſhalbe judge among the heathen. Hee ſhall fill all with deade bodies, and ſmite the head ouer great countries. We might ſoone perceaue that it wil be hard kicking againſt the prick, and as the Apoſtle ſaid to the Corinthians, for mingling themſelues with the table of the Lord, and table of Deuils. So it may be conſidered of vsus for mingling the holy things of Chriſt, with the prophane thinges of Antichriſt. Do we provoke the Lord to anger,1. Cor. 10.22.1 Cor 10:22 are we ſtronger than he?

When D.W. was made Archb. and ſet forth his vnaduiſed deuice of ſubſcription,Subſcription did but trouble the church and commō-wealth it ſeemed as a ſtrong pot of braſſe that would ſoone hauehave broken in pieces all the power of poore miniſters, and made diſcipline in vtter contempt. But marke what followed by diſtur bing Gods ſervants and many churches, the cauſe of diſcipline is better known and more favored, & their Hh. and Lordly preſumptions, by a contemptible & very baſe and ſtrange meanes, not once dreamed of by a thouſande of gods ſaints, even when their creaſes p. 44were ſet vp,To keepe out diſcipline and they began to ſay, all is ours, was ſo daſhed, daunted and taken down, that the more they ſtirre for their owne glory, againſt the glory of God, the more ſhall they fall before the preſence of his power and the glory of his truth. And in them is fulfilled that which the Lorde ſpake againſt Ely, who ſuffered his ſonnes to prophane the holy things of God. Thē that honour mee I will honour,1. Sem. 2.30. and they that deſpiſe me, ſhalbe deſpiſed. Alas, what armour had Dauid againſt Goliah the great, armed with ſpeare, ſhield, and ſworde,1. Sam. 17.40.1 Sam 17:40 and brigandine, that he made the whole hoſt to feare: had he any more but his ſhepe-heardes ſling with a ſtone, who fighting in a good cauſe, and in the name of the Lord, ſubdued the Philiſtim, and ſmote off his head with his own ſword.Iudg. 8.5.6.Judg 8:5Judg 8:6 How did the princes of Succoth, and the men of Penuel diſpiſe Gideon with his ſmall power, refuſing to giuegive them breade, when he purſued Zcba and Zalumna kings of Midian, yet wee know, that hee had the victory, and they the ſmart of ſuch contempt.

Let them conſider I praye you, that by that verye meanes which the children of Iacob thoughte to bee rid of Ioſeph, did God bring to paſſe, that which they feared: and a time came wherin they remembred that they had no compaſſion on the teares of their brother It may be remembred,Booke of mart. pag. 1430. & 1431. what hard dealing was againſt the reverend and godly man, B. Hooper, and howe God made them to ſee their faultes, and to be reconciled that did it. It may be conſidered that Anno do. 1538. there was an injunction by the noble king Henry the eight, that the byble ſhould be ſet in churches to bee reade of all men: and anno 1540. the 6. articles followed. Theſe two, lyke vntounto the arke of God, and p. 45Dagon in the verye temple of Dagon, had their conflict,no eafie matter. but where was the victory? we this day ſee. So can it not be poſſible to keepe out diſcipline, ſeeing we hauehave the ſcepter of Chriſt, not only read, but preached among vsus? For in the dayes of King Henry, Dagon fell down vponupon his face on the ground before the arke, and his head and hands were cut off in King Edwards time: he was ſet vp in a patching manner in the dayes of Queene Mary: he hath receaued the ſecond wound by Queene Elizabeth. And I pray God, that by the emrodes ſent from God, thoſe which maintain the ſtomp that remaineth, be not forced with homage and honour to Chriſt, to giuegive the Arke of God his free paſſage. I would wiſh rather, & I deſire God moſt hartily, (that now they are in a rage, & furniſhed with commiſſion for their priuat reuenge,) the Lord would ſtryk them as he did Paule, when he went with letters to Damaſcus, and make them to ſee their folly,Acts 9.Acts 9 that by their happy converſion there may bee reſt to the churches of England: and that they may bee aedified and walke in the feare of the Lorde, and be multiplied by the comfort of the holy Ghoſt. O if it woulde pleaſe God to giuegive them grace like good Elders to fal down before him that ſitteth on the throne, and worſhip him that liueth for euer, to caſt away their popiſh crowne,Reuel. 4.10.Rev 4:10 and curſed juriſdiction before his throne, and ſuffer not themſelues to bee called Rabbi,Mat. 23.8. … Pet. 5.3.4. Heb. 7.26.Matt 23:8Heb 7:26 or lords of Gods heritage, but let Chriſt bee the onelyonly Teacher, chiefe ſhepe-heard, and Archbiſhop, and liue with their brethren, as examples to the flock. Let them conſider the good example of the faithfull and humble ſervant of Chriſt, Iohn the Baptiſt, who gaue Chriſt the honor, (though his owne diſciples repined) to bee the bridegrome, p. 46and he as a friend ſtood by,Ioh. 3.29.John 3:29 reioicing to heare his voice, and confeſſing this to bee his joy, and to fill him with joye, ſaying: Hee muſt increaſe, but I muſte decreaſe.

Seing then that God is the author of this Eccleſiaſticall diſcipline which we ſeeke,The end of the general reaſons and that hee is the wiſeſt, and his workes moſte permanent, and that mans vaine wiſedome, Antichriſt which conſumeth before him, and Sathan the deceauer, bee the inventers and maintainers of diſorders and vſurped authority in the churche: and that we hauehave covenanted with God in Chriſt, profeſſe his word, renounce Antichriſte, and God accepteth not Iuke-warme goſpellers, and to be worſhipped by peece-meale, ſeing the thing itſelfe is pure, perfect, and full of all goodneſſe, for the peace, wealth and honour of Gods people, and that it is ordained for the joy and happines of all nations. Seing that it is eaſy to be done among vsus, hauing the goſpel ſoundly taught, and receaued now thirtie yeares, and the head of Antichriſt broken in peeces, in more dangerous times, and the ſincerity of doctrine is and hath bene among vsus ſet vp, maintained, and zealouſly and conſtantly defended by a moſte chriſtian Princeſſe, & that the enemies are in deriſion, the Papiſtes cooled, the people inflamed with zeale, and the occaſion of Gods mercy calleth vsus thereunto; and the very tyme of Antichriſtes conſumption, and that there is living ſufficient, and men, and meanes to accompliſh it. And laſtly, ſeeing it is harde, dangerous, and impoſſible to ſtand againſt it: I moſte humblye beſeech, and moue your Hh. to conſider, whether it be not the beſte and ſureſt policy for this realm, that it may continue quiet and happy, to reforme al diſorders in the church, after p. 47the ſcriptures of God, and to ſuffer no other churchgouernment, but that which Chriſt ordained, and the Apoſtles practiſed.

The ſpeciall reaſons are nowe to follow,More ſpeciall proofes of the propoſition, frō the church or commō-wealth which are ſuch as ſpecially concerne, either the common-wealth or the church, for theſe are two twinnes which are vnited together, and remaine diſtinct in euerye nation fearing God, for the double benefite of the inhabitāts thereof, whereby God hath that which is his,Mat. 22.21.Matt 22:21 and Caeſar that which is his: and ſome are put a parte in the church, for the matters of God, and ſome in the common wealthe hauehave civill offices for the affaires of the King. When theſe two are rightly ordered,2. Chro. 19.11.2 Chr 19:11 and being joyned together, and remaining diſtincte, doe in their ſeverall natures and proper places worke together, they make a happy ſtate and people. Which two things, if it may appeare that the eſtabliſhing of diſcipline after Gods worde, will bring to paſſe: I hope it wilbe graunted that the true rules of policy will challenge Chriſts church government for this Land, and banniſh the vſurped and Antichriſtian hierarchy.

In the common-wealthe, there are the perſons and times to be conſidered: the perſons, for the wiſe and vpright executing of Lawes, and the times of peace & warre, or any other calamity, which requyre a diuers kinde of trauaile and providence. Concerning the temporall and common Lawes and ſtatutes of this realme,The civil eſtate and common lawes of England worthy great commendation. ſo far as I can ſee, there can be few nations preferred before vsus, and for the wiſe fore caſt of thinges in the ſway of the common-wealth, both for the main tenance of peace, and ſtrength for warre, as my purpoſe is not to meddle with it, ſo I cannot but admire, & giuegive god thanks for the rare and honorable vertues p. 48of wiſedome and magnanimity,The orders of Chriſt in hir moſt excellent Majeſty, and the conſtant, faithfull, and diligent prouidence and labour of hir moſt honorable and graue counſellors: praying God alwaies for the bleſſed continuance of the ſame. The thing which I endeuour, is onelyonly to ſhew how this happy tract of time, vnderunder ſo wiſe, both lawes and gouernours may be beſt and ſureſt kept and enlarged, either by that church gouernment which is borrowed and left as the ſmoaking taile of Antichriſt, or by the ordering of the churches, after the word of God.

If wee ſpeake of the perſons in common,1. ſpecial reaſon for the execution & practiſe of good lawes, Chriſts diſcipl is beſt. howe the good and wholſome lawes ſhould take good effecte both in them, and for them: & we conſider the looſe handling of holy things, whiche is in the very nature of the baſtard diſcipline, & the great occaſions which the church governours and church-men hauehave, to be drawen away from the juſte and due practiſe of their offices, you ſhal eaſily perceaue, that the matter is cleared by the experience of times paſte: for as touching the worde, when on the one ſide in the moſt places, there wanteth the quickening work of preaching: and on the other ſide, where that worke is, it is hindred with diſpenſations, Totquots, & ciuill dignities: how can the word of God enter into the conſcience of all degrees, as it were neceſſary to breed a conſcience, either in the Magiſtrates to execute the lawes juſtly, or in the people to obey them faithfully, being ſo little, being ſlightly & ſo vntimely taught. Wheras Gods order is,Act. 14.23. Tit. 1.5.6.Acts 14:23Titus 1:5Titus 1:6 that eueryevery church be furniſhed with able mē; of good life and diligent teaching,2. Tim. 2.3.4.2 Tim 2:32 Tim 2:4 to be as ſouldiers free from all buſines to ſerue their captaine Chriſt, which a thouſand times more effecteth the due executing, & p. 49practiſe of Lawes wholſome and good.Maintaine the common lawes.

And as touching the cenſures; firſt when they may bee executed for trifles, and then in waighty matters changed for money: thirdly by perſons which in the nature of the thing ought not to meddle with ſuch ho ly matters; and in regarde of diſtance of place cannot deale ſo juſtly as a good man would and ſhould, (for a man though he be letted with ſicknes, or the Queens Majeſties buſines, is excomunicated before the cauſe of his not appearing bee examined.) Verely all theſe things which lye in the very nature of our diſordered government, & not in the corruption of the perſons, make the holy things of God contemned, the execution hated and derided. Very hardlye then can anye man be well and ſoundly brought to be a good Magiſtrate, or ſubiect by theſe, wheras Gods order is,Heb. 13.17. Act. 20.28.1 Pet. 5.2. Gods order maketh good magiſtrates and good ſubiectes.Heb 13:17Acts 20:281 Pet 5:2 that the Elderſhip ſhall watch ouer eueryevery congregation or pariſh, and ſo eueryevery mans cauſe may eaſily be known: and that ſhalbee by men of Eccleſiaſticall function, ſet apart onelyonly for the ſame, according to the qualitye of the offence, without change of any cenſure into a ciuil mulct, without reſpect of perſon be duly and truly exerciſed. If you compare theſe together, and judge in the lykelihood of the ſeuerall nature of thinges (for I meddle not with perſons, in whome alwaies ther may be corruption) you ſhall perceaue that the one is like the leaden rule of Lesbos, which wil bend where the partie to be ruled will not bowe, and the other is the blade of a ſhaken ſworde in the hande of the Cherubins, to keep the way of the tree of life. Tell mee then I pray you, which moſt agreeth with policy (if we were deſirous to hauehave al good lawes duly executed) a thing contemptible and vile, which is far from true juſtice, p. 50or that which hath power and pearceth the ſoule.The diſcipl. of Chriſt altereth not

And ſurely this may eaſilye bee obſerued, that the moſt part of ſuch as are againſt the orders of god, are a people that delight in licentiouſnes,VVicked like not Chriſts diſcipline. which cannot abyde to heare of their ſinne, and hate to be admoniſhed. By whiche it is manifeſt, that the other is of no powerfull nature to keepe men in good order, & that which of all other is a very waighty matter, the nature of theſe diſorders is ſuch, that they keep out & thruſt out of the miniſtery, ſuch worthye men as of all other, are knowne moſt diligent and wiſe, in framing the cō ſcience to all good lawes, for executing of juſtice, and practiſe of obedience.††By T.C. In the admonition to the people of Eng. pag. 77. &c. Heere it is objected, that the whole ſtate of the lawes of this realme wilbee altered, which is a manifeſt vntruth, as al men may ſee, that the church-gouernment intermedleth not in the temporall lawes, but onelyonly with ſuch cannons and lawes, as concerne the eccleſiaſticall juriſdiction and orders: & the proofes from the cannon lawe, and ſtate of ciuilians, of tithes and matrimonye, &c. whiche containe but ſome very ſmall parte of the law, doe of themſelues convince the contrary. But as for the cannon law, it is no way hurtful, but good for the ſtate of the lawes of this realme, if it were aboliſhed: being (as heerafter wil appeare) not neceſſary but dangerous to the ſtate, and by former ſtatutes already**Anno 25. H. 8. cap. 19. indighted, and to remoue a dangerous thing already founde guiltye by other wholſom lawes, was neuer inconuenient. As for the maintaining of ciuilians, as the law already maketh no great neceſſity of them,There is little need of cannon or ciuil law. hauing little other way to ſet them on worke, but by the cannon lawe: if ſuch mens ſtudies were converted an other waye to more profit, in the church and common wealth, little or no p. 51loſſe or inconuenience would follow.the eſtate of lawes eſtabliſhed. As touching tithes, teſtament, and matrimony, judgements of adultery, ſlander, &c. if they bee temporall, why ſhoulde not the magiſtrate hauehave his right to deale with them: and the alteration will not be great, but onelye peradventure ſome ſmal addition vntounto thoſe lawes and ſtatutes which are already prouided, with an increaſe of matter to thoſe courts and offices already eſtabliſhed, whoſe proceſſe and proceding in judgement, will bee no harder to be apointed, then from time to time in eueryevery ſtatute, that hath bene made, partly in thoſe matters, & partly in others, ſince the firſt yeare of hir highnes raigne, hath vſually bene accuſtomed. Touching the Iudiciall lawes, that is nothing to the queſtion, for whether theſe thinges be altered or no, it is all one in reſpecte of diſcipline, which intermedleth not therewith, and they may be altered if the wiſeſtates of this land ſee it neceſſary, though the diſciplin craue it not: and if they ſhould be altered, the inconvenience can be no greater, than in ſuch caſes is vſual: for Princes re peale and alter ſuch lawes without hurt, as they finde neceſſary to be repealed and altered, or elſe what need ſo many parliaments, and ſo many new Lawes. As for that is alleadged, concerning the lawes whiche maintaine the Queenes ſupremacy. &c. It is a manifeſt ſlā der, as is declared plainly in an anſwere to D.Sect …. Bridges preface, intituled, A defence of the godlye miniſters, and ſhall after be ſeene alſo in this treatiſe.A lamentable abuſe in impropriations and patronages. As for impropriations and patronages, if they confeſſe a lamen table abuſe, then they joine with vsus, that there ought to bee amendement. As for the difficultye, it is ra her preſumed, than any way proued, as ſhal appeare afterward: and to ſpeake generally to all the reſt, what hurt p. 52can there now come to go forward in religion,The diſcipl. of Chriſt altereth not to augment and alter a little,No danger to go forward in religion. ſeeing that when indeede the whole ſtate of lawes were altered, at the entrance of hir Maieſties moſte happy regiment, in time of more danger as is aforeſaid, the Lord gaue a contrary euent and happy bleſſing. And though it ſeeme a matter of great waight, to alter one of the three eſtats, by which the lawes hauehave ſtood, yet the Lord hath by the miniſtry of your honorable wiſdomes, effected more greater and difficult matters than this. Howbeit (as the Lawiars reporte) the L.Bb. are not one of three eſtats in making lawes,The L.Bb. not one o the three eſtates by which the lavves do ſtand. but are mingled with the Lords of the vpper houſe, whiche Lords are one of the three eſtates. For they deſcribe the ſtate and body of a Parliamen, & the members it conſiſteth of, in this order: Namely,See the L. Diars book or reports An. 36. H. 8. fol 59. b. and An. M. 1. fol. 93.a. that it doth conſiſt firſt of the King as chief: ſecondly, of the Lords as chiefe members of that body: thirdly, of the commons, that is knights, citizens & burgeſſes as the inferiour members, & al this make the body of the Parliament by whiche the lawes doe ſtand. Whereby I gather, that as before the pryde of Antichriſt brought in the L.Bb. to be lords, joined to the lords temporal in the vpper houſe, the laws ſtood by the ſaid three eſtates without them: ſo it maye bee very well at this time, ſeeing they are not an eſtate of themſelues,Lavves made without L.Bb. Raſtal. tit. prouiſion & premu mire. cap.4. but joined to the eſtate of the lords, and that diuers ſtatutes hauehave beene made without them. And if their lordly title and dignity were taken away, might there not bee preſent in the Parliament houſe, ſome wiſe and graue miniſters of eſpecial giftes & learning, ſorted out of all the land, to yeald their counſel according to Gods heauenlye lawe, even as the ciuill judges are ready to giuegive their aduiſe, according to the p. 53temporall lawe,the eſtate of lavves eſtablished and for matters of greater difficultye, there might bee a free Synode after the manner of the Convocation houſe, at all times to miniſter further helpe.

Come we now to the ſeveral ſortes of perſons, they are either ſuperiors or inferiors: and amongſt theſe (as Peter ſaith) the King is the chiefe.1. Pet. 2.13.1 Pet 2:13 Dauid on a tyme was in a hazarde by a mighty Philiſtime,2. Sam. 23.26,2 Sam 23:26 and reſcued by a valiaunt and faithfull captain Abiſhai. To whom his men ſware, that he ſhoulde go out no more to battell, leaſt hee quench the light of Iſraell. Theſe men no doubt did knowe that the glory and ſafety of the whole common wealth did depend vponupon a good ma giſtrate: who being taken away, as a light quenched,A good prince is the light of y^e weale-publick. the whole land was lyke to be in great diſtreſſe and hazarde, and this verily is alwayes a principle that neuer faileth. When the righteous are in authority,Pro. 29.2.Prov 29:2 the people reioice, but when the wicked beare rule the people ſigh. Therefore wee of England are much bound to praiſe God, both for ſo happye a light which hee hath vouchſaued to giuegive and keepe vntounto vsus, our moſte ſacred ſoveraigne lady Elizabeth, and for the great and wiſe trauaile of hir honorable counſellers, ſo far as in them lyeth, to prevent all daungers to hir perſon, and performe eueryevery action that may make for hir preſeruation. Graunt mee then I beſeech you, your gracious favour, though I bee the leaſte and baſeſt of the thouſands of England, to ſhew my good-will, my hartye deſire and faithfull minde in this thing.2. ſpecial reaſon For I am perſwaded that there is nothing that can by any pollicye be deuiſed, comparable for hir ſafety; vntounto the eſtabliſhing of diſcipline after gods word.Princes keping Chriſts worde are his friends. For if it be true,1. Sam. 12.25.1 Sam 12:25 that they that do wickedly ſhall periſh with their king p. 54and to diſobey Chriſts commandement be ſinne and wickednes,Diſcipline after Gods word 1. Tim 1.9.10.1 Tim 1:91 Tim 1:10and he ſaith you are my friends if you doe whatſocuer I cōmand you:Ioh. 15.14.John 15:14 then it is a point of great policy that you labour wiſely, to ſet vp Gods orders in his churches, if you deſire the continuall preſervation of our Queene.

Againe,Good policy to roote out the ſpriggs of popery, that he grow no more to hurt the ſtate. in al hiſtorics it is found to be moſt agreeing to policy, when thou haſt ſubdued thy capitall enemy, or banniſhed him, to roote out al his friendes, and whatſoeuer may miniſter occaſion of his returne: and in your bookes of policy, you ſhall finde diuers princes for their ſafety, hauehave both takē away the heads of the men that might hauehave beene dangerous to their eſtate, and as conveniently (as poſſible they could) altered the forme of government. But ſeeing wee hauehave ſufficient in Gods word,1. King. 2.26.1 Kgs 2:26 I wil not lade you with other. Salomon was a wiſe king as euer liued, he vſed this policye towardes Adonijah, Ioab, and Shimei: and the text ſaith, after he had ſlaine theſe three, the kingdom was eſtabliſhed in the hande of Salomon. Nowe this king needed not to change the law, becauſe comming to his crowne by lawfull ſucceſſion, he might ſafelye continue the olde. And yet in the matters of God, he went farther then his father, in building the temple, and ſetting foorth the true ſeruice and worſhip of Almighty God therein: which when he ſwarued from, and followed the lawes of the nations rounde about him, which were enemies by nature vntounto him, his eſtate was troubleſome, and his ende not ſo glorious. For this cauſe God gaue his people when they ſhould enter into the lande of Chanaan this lawe, that they ſhould vtterly deſtroy thoſe nations,Deu. 7.2.3.4. Cap. 12.2.3.Deut 7:2Deut 7:3Deut 7:4 make no covenāt nor hauehave compaſſion of them; nor make any mariages p. 55with them: and ſecondly,is for the Queenes Maieſt, ſafety that they ſhold deſtroy their Idoles, and all monuments of Idolatry, ſo that the very names of ſuch ſhould not be heard of among them. Which when they did not carefully followe, they were pricks in their ſides, and ſnares to their feet,Iudg. 2.3Judg 2:3 and greatly to their wo and miſery. So I doe ſeare, and very much beleue, that one great cauſe of many ſcourges and feares, and flights that wee hauehave bene put vntounto, commeth by a contrary policy which foſtereth the enemies of hir Maieſty, and giueth occaſion of manie miſchiefes. What made the I urke preuaile againſt the eaſt churches,Anno 1245. and that he came even to the borders of Germany, even the ſupremacy of the Pope, which is the maine breach of this diſcipline. But when & how was hee ſtayed? even then when Luther had detected the diſorder of the Antichriſtian Prelacy,Anno 1529. and at Vienna where ſerued the value of reſolute Prote ſtantes,The breach of Chriſts diſcipl. hath ouer throwen many kingdomes, and namely the Romain empire, he had his firſt ſtoppe, and a very great ouerthrow: & why prevailed he ſo farr into Hungarye, but onelyonly becauſe they which ſhoulde hauehave given reſcue, as vaſſals to the Pope, were ſo buſy in healing the wound which the triple crowne had receaued in Saxonye: and that they neglected the true duty to their country.Anno 604. When Phocas to get fauour after the murthering of Mauritius his Lorde and maiſter, had graunted to the B. of Rome, to be B. of Bb. and head of all Chriſtian churches: did not the authoritye of the Empire decay and the power of the Empire waxe weake euer ſince? hauehave not the ſeruants benelords ouer their Lord? Conſider I pray you what difference there is betweene the B. of Rome vnderunder the Emperor, to be made chiefe B. of all Bb. in the Empyie: and that the B. of Canter. ſhould be chief, or Archb. Primate and Metropolitan p. 56ouer all the Bb. & churches in England.Diſcipline after Gods word If that were dangerous to the empyre & Emperour, how can this be fafe for England and the Queene thereof? If Thomas Becket his predeceſſour, coulde wreſtle with the King, who then was Henry the ſecond: peradventure this man (if occaſion were offred) by his place (I ſpeak not of his perſon) might be made ſtrong to doe ſome thing. If king Henry the eight had not beene wiſe & ſtout, it is to bee doubted that the wiles of Stephen Gardiner, & the pride of Cardinall Woolſey (as one of them in diuers things did croſſe him, and the other many wayes ledd him) might hauehave very greatly endā gered him and his countrey. If you looke on our L. Bb. their Chancelors,The Bb. ſeas & cathedral dignities with the cannon law, are entiſements to the Queenes deadly enemies. Archdecons, Commiſſaries &c. and joine (that which they work by) the cannon law: What ſhal you finde but that the Pope hath his horſe readye ſadled and brydled, watching but the time to get vp againe. For if Allin that filthy traitor, and ſuch lyke, had not bene ſet on fire with the louelove of the Sea of Canterbury, and other lyke places, & that the cannons were not ſo fit for popiſh purpoſes, would there not bee a great deale leſſe ſtomacke in thoſe men, to venture their liues, and very vnhand ſome ſitting for the deadly man of ſinne. Theſe ſeas and Cathedrall cloiſters, are fit for their pompous dwellings, and the cannon lawe is the foundation of his throne. What policye can there bee to leaue anye thing in the lande which might either encourage, or entice, or any manner of wayes, ſerue, helpe, or ſtrengthen, the greateſt and moſt deadly foe & hoſtile enemy, which hir Majeſty hath, or can hauehave: and howe can wee long hope that our armies ſhall ſtand before our enemies in battell (though for a while God ſpare vsus and call vsus to repentance) p. 57as long as the greedye mindes of many Achams which luſt after the Babilonitiſh garment,is for the Queenes Ma. ſafety and the wedge of gold, and the curſed and damned thing of the cannon Law, bee ſuffered and foſtered among vsus.

But let vsus goe a little neerer, may wee not ſee that theſe offices are fitt for Papiſtes, whome no reward (if we beleue D. Parry) can make true ſubiects:Read the booke of his tragedy. Popiſh church-offices, cloakes for the Queens diſſembling friends. may they not be civilians, and doctors of the cannon law? may they not be Chancelors, and L. biſhops chief counſellours? may not they in their courtes, nay doe wee not ſee them daily to ſpare and wink at open recuſants and trouble honeſte poore men, and eſpecially thoſe which are readieſt, to detecte and bewraye their diſobedience to hir Maieſty? So the very order and nature of theſe vnnatural diſorders, is againſt the ſafety of hir Maieſtye. For whatſoeuer foſtereth the fitteſt inſtrumentes, to obey the bulles in the great day they look for, that muſt needes bee againſt the Queenes Maicſties ſafety.

But beſides that before ſaid, there is an other thing in the being of this corrupt church-gouernment: firſt the lack of teaching of youth: ſecondly, by theſe couloured offices a man may hauehave a popiſh ſchoole-maiſter, eſpecially if he can ſemble a little: thirdly, when ſome are ſecretlye intiſed and wauereth; who ſhall reſolue them? the vanity of ſome, and the ignorance of ſo many, (though a fewe no doubt, bee well able and meet) doth ſo driue them back, and make them ſtumble,Chriſts diſcipl. preventeth revolters from his Maieſties obedience. that hardly can you heare, that by theſe anye bee drawen to their due and true obedience. But on the other ſide, the whole frame of Gods order is cleane another way. Firſt, al the officers and cannons, horſe, p. 58ſadle,Diſcipline after Gods word and brydle is taken awaye. Secondly, a learned miniſtry, eueryevery way to write obedience in their heart is heere ſeated. And as he that planteth a right & true catholick Papiſt, cannot plant any other, but a traitor in hart & conſcience: ſo he that by preaching frameth a true chriſtian, cannot but frame a true ſubject in hart and conſcience, when the preaching is the right waye to make true Chriſtians, many revolters may bee prevented, which otherwiſe ſwarme and grow into great nombers.

This ſaieth one,… By T.C. In the admonition to the people of Eng. pag. 77. is [non cauſa pro cauſa,] a wrong cauſe, that for lacke of preaching the euill of reuolting hath hapned: ſeing it was not ſo, or ſo much in King Edwards dayes, or in the firſte ten yeares of hir Maieſties raigne, when we had not half ſo much preaching and a thouſande leſſe preachers: but the true cauſe is the euill hart of men, who heare the word of God vnreuerētly, the ſchiſme of the church, and the Diuel taking occaſion by ſciſme. Whome I meekely deſire to conſider, that the merciful providence of God, might, did, and doth wonderfully ſtay the hearts of the people, when it pleaſeth him, even without & contrary to meanes:VVant of a learned miniſtery a cauſe of revolting. Prou. 19.2. & 29.18. Rom. 10.14.15Prov 19:2Prov 29:18Rom 10:14Rom 10:15 yet by al reaſon, ſeing it is written, that without knowledge the minde is not good, and that the people periſh, where the viſion faileth, and the ordinarie means of God to inſtruct and bring into the way of truth, is the preaching miniſtery, it muſt needs followe that the lack heereof is ſome cauſe of their reuolting and backſliding. For inquire we into all men, and they will anſwere, ſo we did, becauſe ſo we wereledd and taught. And though the wicked hart of man and ſchiſme, and the Diuell be great occaſions, and ſometimes cauſes of ſuche thinges, yet the power of preaching p. 59& the due adminiſtration thereof,is for the Queenes Maieſt. ſafety is the means to preuent and bridle al theſe: as may appeare, in that the preaching is ordained to open the eyes of the people,Act. 26.18.Acts 26:18 that they may turn from darknes to light, & from the power of Sathan to God. And how can any man in reaſon thinke, that teaching men obedience & truth ſhould not more draw them to obedience and truth, than not teaching. And if God hauehave ordained it to do it, why ſhould not the want of Gods ordinance bee a cauſe, that it is not done: as it is written, My people is deſtroied for lack of knowledge. And whence is the euill hart of men maintained, and ſchiſme foſtered,Hoſh. 4.6. & the Diuell occaſioned to worke his will, but hence: namely, that the one is not taught diligently by preaching, and kept in order by diſcipline, and the other are let out at random for lack of them both. For if by Gods order things were ſquared, where were the ſciſme, and the dore for the Diuell: where doth the wolf prevaile, but where the ſhepe-heard ſleepeth, and the dogg doth not bark, and why ſhould we pray the lord of the harueſt, to thruſt in labourers into his harueſt,Mat. 9.38.Matt 9:38 if the want of ſuch laborers, could be no cauſe of harm. For tryall heereof, looke on the country and pariſhes where preaching is by a ſtanding miniſtery, and compare them with other, I could name ſome place of two thouſand communicantes, where there is not a ſuſpected papiſt, and hardly ſhall you ſee ſuch a one tary in ſuch a place, except it be in hope, through the popiſh diſorders, to driue away him who is the meanes of the good ſubiects faithfull hartes. Secondly, if there had beene an Elderſhip joined with ſuch a miniſtery, think you that there could hauehave beene ſo manye ſeduced as there are, and ſo many hanged, drawen and quartered p. 60as there are? When the nature of our diſorders doth ſo negligently prouide a remedy, no maruell thoughe the Ieſuites preuaile as they do. Add hereunto, that by theſe diſorders, thoſe men are broughte into contempt, which hauehave written moſt for hir Maieſties right and labored with moſt profit, for the increaſe of good harty ſubiects.