Animadversions on Doctor Heylins Quinquarticular History, Part 59 – Part 61
Dr. H. page 18.
Here the Doctor supposeth a Question to be asked, On whom, or on whose judgements the first Reformers relied in the weighty business? And answers it first negatively. They had no respect of Calvin, whose offered assistance they refused, when they went about it; of which he sensibly complains unto some of his Friends in one of his Epistles.
Answ. Here are three things affirmed, 1. That our first Reformers had no respect to Calvin. 2. That the Reformers refused his profered assistance. 3. That Calvin sensibly complaineth of this in one of his Epistles. But the Historian is wiser than to tell us in what Epistle for number, Calvin makes this complaint, or what was the name of that Friend to whom this Epistle was directed. Such a reference might have spoiled his whole design, and discredited his future proceedings; for it would have let his Reader understand, that he could confidently aver things, that were neither vera, nor verisimilia. Is any man so facil as to believe, that our first Reformers had no respect to Calvin? when as, among the different opinions concerning the Sacrament, they followed his, and sent for Peter Martyr, and Martin Bucer, and Paul Fagius (men that they might be sure he had influenced and would influence) to assist them in carrying on their work, and to defend them by their learning against all opposition. I will once more look into Calvin's Epistles and Answers, that I may see what thoughts our first Reformers had of that now so much decried man. One, and but one Epistle, I find written by Cranmer to Calvin, intimating his desire that learned and godly men, who excell others in learning and judgement, might meet in some safe place, where they might handle all the heads of Ecclesiastical Doctrine, and agree, not only as to the things themselves, but also as to words and forms of speaking. This his desire being signified, he intreateth Calvin that he and Melancthon and Bullinger would deliberate among themselves, how such a Synod might most commodiously be congregated: The Letter bears date March 20. 1542. Calvin from Geneva answers this Letter; approves the Arch-Bishops design of calling an Assembly of Divines; adds, that if there might be any use of him, he would not refuse to pass over ten Seas to further it, but hoped that his tenuity would effect that he might be spared; he would think he had done his part if he should accompany others with his Prayers. This certainly is not profering his service, and complaining that his serv…ce when profered was refused. Calvin also did write to the Protector, the Duke of Somerset: that Letter was so kindly accepted, that he of his own accord offered to present another Letter, which Calvin sent to King Edward himself. But it may be this Letter to the King was not accepted. I answer, It was not only accepted by the King, but also pleased his whole Council. And Cranmer admonished Calvin, that he could not do any thing more profitable, than to write often to the King; as I find in a Letter to Farel from Calvin, dated Iune 15. 1557. Bucer at Cambridge undestood that Calvin's Letters prevailed much with Somerset, and therefore intreats him, when he did write to him to admonish him, not to suffer the Churches to be left void of Preachers and so to be betrayed. Bishop Hooper so much valued Calvin, that he did write to him, even when he was imprisoned; saluting him with the Compellation of Vir praestantissime, earnestly…begging his Churches prayers, and at last subscribing himself Tuae pietatis studiosissimus Jo. Hooperus. These things put together, make it impossible that our first Reformers had no respect to Calvin.
Let the Doctor now have leave to tell us, to whom or to what our Reformers had respect.
Dr. H. pag. 18.
In the first place, saith he, to the most pure and sincere Christian Religion in the Scriptures, and in the next place to the usages of the Primitive Church.
Answ. This I grant, but must also add, that they had a respect unto the condition of the English People, much at that time wedded to Superstition; and therefore they were feign to recommend to Authority for establishment, not every thing which they accounted best, but what they thought the weak People would be able to bear.
Dr. H. Ibid.
Being satisfied in both which waies, they had thirdly a more particular respect to the Lutheran platforms, the English Confession, or Book of Articles, being tak…n in many places word for word out of that of Ausberg.
Answ. If this be true, that our Reformers had such an eye to the Augustan Confession, I infer, that seeing Calvin could, and did subscribe to the Augustan Confession, there is nothing in our Articles but what he might have subscribed to. But the present Lutherans will hardly be perswaded, that the Composers of our Articles had so tender a respect to the Con…ession of Ausberg, at least as now by them understood; for Ubiquity in the Article concerning the Lord's Supper, is plainly condemned, whiles it is defined, that the Body of Christ cannot be present at one time in many and diverse places.