The Life and Death of Thomas Wilson, Articles – Additional answers
ARTICLES Objected against Mr. Tho. Wilson, Minister of Otham in Kent, April 29. 1635. in the Archbishops Court, with his Answers thereunto, presented May 28. 1635.
I. ARTICLE.
CAnonical Obedience due by Oath, taken at your Institution into your place.
RESP.
'Tis true as I understand the Oath, it is according to Cannons, by Law established in the Church of England, and as it is propounded, in omnibus licitis & honestis.
II. ART.
That the Minister must have popular Election, as necessary to hold his place.
RESP.
I never held such an opinion, neither privately speak, nor publickly Preached such a Tenet.
III. ART.
That there is little comfort to a Minister instituted and inducted, without approbation of the people, as you know and believeth are still of this mind, challenging Mr. Cragge the Competitor of the Rectory before Mr. Barrel, with what conscience he could come without their call.
RESP.
I know and believe the contrary, viz. that a Minister inducted according to the Cannons and Custom of the Church of England, may with good conscience discharge the place; neither do I think fit my Parish should chuse their Minister, nor did I depend on their call, but came in away approved by the Church of England, this I said to Mr. Cragge before Mr. Barrel, the people liked me, and I desire to love them, and that it is a good incouragement for a Minister to take pains among such a people; and he will have little comfort who knows he hath, neither love of the people nor the people, but comes out of love to himself, for the profits and his maintenance, as Mr. Barrel helped him to answer; that was his end.
IV. ART.
Conventicles held in my house, and other private houses, in the Town of Otham within this two years, and used exercises of Religion by Law, prohibited, expounded Sermons, read and expounded Scripture to selected Proselytes, to the number of twenty of six present.
RESP.
I deny holding of Conventicles, and using exercises of Religion by Law prohibited, and the name, nature or number of Proselytes; but this hath been my practice with my Family in my own house, to examine them what they remembred, and to help them where they could not remember, and I did teach Gods Word unto them diligently, as I conceive I was and am bound by Gods Word, Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children, and shall talk of them when thou sittest in thy House, Deut. 6 6, 7. Uses, moreover I took it to be my duty, as I could to teach by way of exhortation and conference from house to house what I had taught in publick, that I might keep back nothing that was profitable, as I am instructed to do, Acts 20. 20. Paul bids the Minister look to his duty, in private towards every member of the Church by his example, as Iunius de natura Ecclesae citet Libro cap. 2. de Officio Pastoris, Acts 20. 20. So that what I had delivered in publick, I might as occasion was offered deliver in private. This is not prohibited by any Law, either Statute or Cannon that I know, but is commanded of God, as I am a Christian in his Word to teach others, Let the words of Christ dwell in you richly, Teaching and Admonishing one another, Col. 3. 16. And it is injoyned by Authors, and Fathers, Zanchy in Col. 3. 16. That the duty of teaching is not only in the Church publickly, but to be much set by, and used in houses privately, and Christians be bound to teach mutually and privately, Chrisostom Archbishop of Constantinople on Gen. Hom. 2. commands, let the Husband tell what we say, that the Wife and Children, and Servants may learn, and the House be a Church, that Sathan may be banished; again Hom. 6. Let your speech be spiritual, let one take the Bible in his hands, and his Neighbours being called together, let him water their mind, and his own with Godly speech; Again, Hom. 8. I will, I pray you all to be Teachers, and not only Hearers of our words, but carry our Doctrine to others; Further more, Hom. 10. He that studieth to teach his Neighbours and Brother, doth him a good turn, and God will reward him, and by repeating our sayings, he will hold them better, adding, we may at home after Dinner take the Bible to profit, and to feed the soul with it. Lastly, Hom. 14. I intreat you all that go hence become Teachers and Admonishers, confer with your Neighbours of the things which we have now said, Caesureus Arcletensis Episcopus de cura animae, Hom. 20. teacheth, he that can retain all that we say, let him thank God, and what he retaineth let him always shew it to others, adding, let people afterwards repeat what they have heard in a Sermon, saying, Christians ought for their own good to seek and ask if need be, also to give rewards, that some may read over again Gods Word unto them.
V. ART.
Within four, chiefly two years last, to permit Novellist of Maidstone, to the number of 30. or 10. and lead them riding or going, and in some private houses Collected, or cause to be got together afore Supper 60, 50, or 40. persons repeated Sermons, expounded Scriptures, and afore it and after it made tedious extemporary Prayers, full of Tantologies, delivered scandalous Doctrine, to the perverting and corrupting sundry of his Majesties Subjects.
RESP.
I protest against such Doctrine, and such effect on any, as to be corrupted and perverted, I deny the number or nature of persons, and my Leading any, or Collecting any, or causing any to be gathered together. I have no power to restrain any from hearing Sermons, and it may be their Surties for their parts, and duties did call upon them to hear Sermons. I was upon occasion of my Family lodging and sojourning at Maidstone, necessarily to go home, and I have no reason to shun the way home for any company, in which I knew no ill; a way home being not denyed me, and afterwards I examined my Family what they did call to mind of the Sermon, as a Master ought to do: also I prayed at all times, according to the thing of a day in day, and I took it to be no sin, 1 Kings 8. 59. And I am taught to exhort, comfort, and edifie others, as Crysostom in Homily, cited, applyes that 1 Thes. 5. 11. Babington Bishop of Worcester saith on that fourth Commandment, besides the hearing of the Word on the Sabbaoth; it is our duty and a Godly exercise fit for the day amongst our selves, or with our Pastor to confer of what hath been said, that he may expound it, as we read, was done by Christ to his Disciples, when they were alone he expounded all thing unto them, Mark 4. 10. and 34. So I have answered as well as I could, when any thing was asked me by any, for I durst not be dumb when I could satisfie them that did not understand, and yet did desire to know the will of God.
VI. ART.
Refusal to read the Kings Declaration for sports on Sundays, and giving disdainful words toward Power, the Apparitor and Officer of the Court.
RESP.
I said unto the Apparitor, remember you to keep Holy the Sabbaoth day, and added no more words. I refused to read the Book mentioned, not out of any contempt of any Authority, but as being commanded by no Law, for the Kings Majesty doth not in the Book command or appoint the Minister to read it, nor it to be read but published; neither came it with, nor know I of any Seal to confirm it, so that I dared not take notice of it to be the Kings Book, for as I understand all his Majesties Writs, Proclamations, and Mandats, use to come with a Seal; and his Majesty intended (as I conceive) not to trouble any that refused to read it, seeing there is no penalty threatned, nor authority given (that I know of) to any to question them that refuse to read it; my refusal to read it was upon sufficient grounds of Law and Conscience, which for satisfaction to his High Court, and to clear me from contempt, I shall here by way of Answer briefly and fully express thus: His Majesties express Pleasure is, that the Laws of the Kingdom and Cannons of the Church be observed in all places of the Kingdom, Book, Pag. 8. and therefore in Kent and in Otham; now this Book as I conceive is contrary to both.
1. It is against the Law, as the Statute Edward VI. Anno 5. Cap. 3. Christians on all Holy days and times appointed, should apply themselves, only and wholly unto holy works, properly appertaining to true Religion, and such times be dedicated onelyonly to God and his true Worship, and be separated from all prophane uses; but say I, no civil recreation is any part of Gods true Worship, the Stature Caroli, Anno 1. Cap. 1. the Holy keeping of the Lords day is a principal of the true service of God, and it is now prophaned by a disorderly sort of people, by interludes, and other unlawful exercises and pastimes, the 13. Cannon, all manner of persons shall keep the Lords Day, according to Gods Holy will and pleasure.
2. Our Church is against it,
First, In Homilyes, which contain Godly and wholesome Doctrine, and necessary for these times. We keep now the first day of the week, which is our Sunday, and make that our Sabbaoth; by the fourth Commandment, God Commands one standing day in the Week, and all Men, and Women, and Children, and Servants, be to keep it in a holy rest, and use it Holily, and give themselves wholely to Heavenly exercise of Gods true Religion and Service, but I say Archery, May-poles, May-games, Dancings, Morrice-dancing, and the like be not exercises of Gods true Religion and Service.
Secondly, In the Liturgy, a Minister in enjoyned to read the fourth Commandment, Remember thou keep Holy the Sabbaoth Day; and all are to intreat Gods Mercy, to incline their hearts to keep this Law, Ps. 118. 24. is appointed to be read on Easter day, as proper to it, it shews, V. 24. This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoyce and be glad in it, so that the Lord instituted it.
Bishop Andrews on Easter-day 1611. Preaching on that Psalm 118. Psal. 22. &c.
Thirdly, In the Exhortation, fit for the time upon the Fast-days 1625. declaring the apparent cause of the Plague, saith the Lords Day is not kept holy but polluted, and the Ministry of the Word despised, and in the end of that Book mention is made of Playes, Pastimes, Idleness, Drunkenness, the proper sins of our Nation, which pulled Gods wrath upon us, and I dare not by reading seem to allow, what did bring the Plague of God on the Land that year.
3. It is against Scriptures, Exod. 20. 8. Remember the Sabbaoth-Day to keep it Holy; where we are commanded to keep holy the Lords Day, as I learn out of Authors Zanchy on the fourth Commandment, we keep holy the Lords Day and Sanctifie it; Iunius in Animadvers. in Bellar. Controv. Lib. 7. Cap. 10. The Lords Day answereth to the Sabaoth and its proportionable to it, and is commanded in Exod. 20. 8. again in Gen. 2. 82. This Law is established by the fourth Commandment of the Decologue to be observed of all. Alexander Alensis, Tom. 3. Q. 32. Memb. 4. Art. 4. In the observation of the Sabboath is commanded, the observation of the Lords Day, chiefly according to intermination, Isa. 58. 13. If thou turn thy foot from the Sabboath, from doing thy pleasure on my Holy Day, and call the Sabbaoth a delight, the Holy of the Lord, honorable, and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasures, nor speaking thine own words; and Cultetus in locum saith. they took away the Sabbaoth by scandalous deeds, that hinder Gods worship, as drinking, sports, and idle wandring. Isa. 56. 2. The man is blest that keepeth the Sabbaoth from polluting it, Vers. 4. God rewards such abundantly, Vers. 67. Such a one shall be made joyful in Gods House, which is true in the day of the Gospel, when Gods House is a House for Prayers for all people.
4. It is against Councels: Concil. Toletan. 4. cited by Zanchy on the fourth Commandment, Let there be no dancing on Holy Festivals, nor filthy Songs, but let all be at leisure for Godly duties, and Divine Worship, Concil. Laodice, Cannon 59. In the Church there ought not to be sung any common Service, nor Books be Read, besides the Connonical Scripture, but only the Sacred Volums of the Old and New Testament.
5. It is against Divines, Ancient, Augustine on the Ps. 32. concio, Its better to Delve then to Dance on the Sabbaoth, and on Iohn 1. Tract. 3. Its better to Spin then to Dance on the Sabbaoth.
Chrysost. on Gen. Hom. 10. God intimateth from the beginning, that in the circle of the Week one whole entire day should be seperated, and set by for Spiritual works, Ireneus, Lib. 4. Cap. 30. The Sabbaoth requires, and Teaches the continuance of the whole day in the service of God, Ignatius in Epistol. ad magnes, Let every one keep the Sabbaoth Spiritually, rejoycing in the Meditation of the Law, not in the recreation of body, let every one that loveth Christ, now keep holy the Lords Day.
2. Modern and late Divines, Rabington Bishop of Worcester, on the fourth Commandment saith, to keep Holy the Sabbaoth day, is to separate and consecrate it to all Godly exercise, wherein our Faith and Obedience to God is shewen.
Zanchy on the fourth Commandment, All the day is to be consecrated to the Worship of God, by day, understanding the true natural day; the true observing of the Sabbaoth, is, that we do not what we please, but what Gods will is; the rest on Holy days is not to be set a part, for our lusts and pleasure, plays, and sins, but for Gods worship onelyonly; They do not keep holy a day, which instead of Gods worship, give themselves to pleasure.
Iunius on Numbers 15. He who neglected the Sabbaoth, in the least observation, was guilty of casting off the whole worship of God.
Alsted Catech. on the fourth Commandment, after Sermon the Sabbaoth is profaned, by being spent in given to Plays, Dancing, Idleness, &c.
6. Its against Schoolmen, Alexander Alensis, Tom. 3. Q. 32. Memb. 4. Art. 4. morrally in the fourth Commandment is forbid any work that hinders ones leisure to wait upon God.
Thomas Aquinas, Sum. Theol. 22. Quest. 122. Art. 1. in observing the Sabbaoth, the end is that a man may be at leisure for Heavenly things.
7. Reasons be against it.
I. Reason.
If any civil work be forbid on the Lords Day, then civil recreations, for honest pleasure calls a man away from things Spiritual; Zanchy on the fourth Commandment as well as honest labour, recreation breaks the rest as much as civil work.
II. Reason.
If recreations civil be not fit for consecrated places, then not fit for consecrated times, fo…me that is holy, is the measure of holy Actions, for divers be called holy, not from the formal cause, but final, as ordained to holy things; Zanchy on the fourth Commandment, A day applyed to civil works is no more holy but common, and a thing consecrated is profaned; by a civil use, and is not the Lords Day profaned by sports, though civil; now Recreations, Archery, May-games, Dancing, Morris-dancing, may not be in consecrated places, Cannon 88. no Plays, and to play and dance is all one, as Exod. 32. 6, 19. And therefore not sit for consecrated times, as the Lords Day is, for greater is he that Sanctified the Day, then he that Sanctified the place, whether it were by the Lord, or the Apostle, or the Church. Now I know not why they may not be fittest in consecrated places, if they be most sit for consecrated times; and I cannot in conscience read that which I take to be against mans Law, and our Church, the Scriptures, Councils, Divines, Ancient, and Modern Schoolmen, and Reasons, but think my self bound for conscience towards God, to maintain the Truth and Holiness of the two Testaments, and to keep the Commands of God, and the Faith of Jesus Christ, as a Preacher of Christs everlasting Gospel, least people should think Preaching to be yea and nay.
VII. ARTICLE.
1633. When Commission came for reparation of St. Pauls; in work to build sumptuous Temples, is to justifie Anti-christ Writings, Hos. 8. 14.
RESP.
I know not the time of the Commission for St. Pauls reparation, I deny such words, for I handled that Text, Luke 7. 35. Wisdom is justified of all her Children; Shewing that all the Children of God justifie Christ, which doth reprove them that justifie Antichrist, in erecting Altars to sin, and in building Temples for Idols, alledging for this, Hos. 8. 11. 14. Ephraim hath made many Altars to sin; Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and Buildeth Temples, according to the mind of the Prophet as I learned out of Authors, Learned Zanchy, Pareus, Ribera, who all understand it of Temples, wherein they placed, honoured, and adorned Idols, by forgetting God, and out of contempt of God, brought in a different worship.
VIII. ART.
About the end of April 1634. he bid take heed of dealing with High Priests, servants, in great scorn and derision.
REPS.
I deny both time and words, but in May handling, 2 Tim. 2. 12. If we deny him, he will deny us: perswading people not to deny Christ, I admonished them to avoid, as pernitious unnecessary company, with the enemies of Christ, producing Peters example, who being brought into the High Priest Hall amongst the Servants, denyed his Master, affirming it, was dangerous company, naming the very words of the Text, as is usually done by Writers, Preachers, Iohn 18. 16. Peter is brought in, standing with the Servants and Officers, is questioned by one of the High Priest Servants, Vers. 26. denyed Christ upon it, Vers. 27. which I spake in the fear and sight of God,
IX. ART.
At Boxley-Inn 29. 1632. no man can have a broken heart that hath two Steeples, moaning two Benifices, alledging, Acts 20 20.
RESP.
I never spake such words, but at the funeral of a grave ancient and learned Minister; I did not exhort but intreat Ministers to prepare to give an account of their Life and Livings, shewing the vanity of Men, that plead for pluralities, saying, That, were a mans heart broken, it would not bear the weight of three Churches, and I followed in this no private opinions, but the general Tenet of Divines.
1. Ancients, Chrysostom Tom. 5. Pag 104. Edit Paris 1536. When that the Pastor is away, great danger is at hand, seeing there is none which can defend and keep the Flock. Damasus cited by Dr. Willet, saith, men that put people over to others, seem like Strumpets, which put their Infants as soon as they be born to other Nurses to be brought up, that they may sooner fill themselves with filth.
2. Moderne Bishops, Bishop Iewel, on 1 Thes. 2. 17, 18. and on Iohn 6. Non residents and plurality men, that hunt after many livings, serve their Belly, seek to be rich, destroy the souls of many, bring confusion and shame into Gods House, be blind Guides, and the darkness of this World, be the remnant of the wicked Inhabitants of Iericho, and the overthrow of Ierusalem, resist the passage of Gods people, towards the Land of Promise, the curse of God will fall on them, the blood of Gods People shall be required at their hands, they bring the Abomination of desolation in the Holy place, they suffer the flock of Christ to perish for lack of knowledge, Pilkington Bp. of Durham 1585. saith there is remaining among us a sort, not Popish as they pretend, but earnest builders of Gods cause in their own opinion, where indeed they be overthrowers of it, which are in effect as ill Pharisees as the Papists be; They will take a Benefice and Cure of souls, promising solemnly to feed the Flock, but when they have turned their back, they have a Dispensation in a Box to lye from it, and flock; and flout whosoever would have them continue there, and do their duty; contending, by Law they may do it, and stand on their defence, Domine nos exempri sumus, God in mercy grant such unprofitable Caterpillers, some remorse of conscience, that they may become Pillers to uphold Gods Church, and not poulers of his people, the great God will take a strict account of them at the last day, when their dispensation may not be pleaded, nor will be allowed, nor the dispensor can justly excuse himself nor them, but both like Wolves and Hirelings shall be changed, Vae Pastor. & Idolum, Zach. 11. Wo to the Idol Shephard that leaveth the Flock, Vers. 17. and Ezek. 3. Their blood will I require at thine hand, on Nehem. 3. Pag. 45. 46. Bishop Downam on the fourth Commandment calleth non residenss alin. against the fourth Commandment, and on the fifth Commandment saith, it ariseth of coveteousness.
Bishop Carleton in vita Gilpini a most holy and famous man, writeth that Cutbert Tunstall Bishop of Durnham, would have given Gilpin a Living, and a Dispensation to hold it, but he answered, The Devil would not be held from destroying the people with a Dispensation; and adds, I fear it will be a vain answer, when God calls me to an account, to say, I was dispensed with all, I cannot in conscience reap profit, and another take the pains, when another was promised him to feed the people.
2. Doctors, Doctor Challener, Math. 29. 6. saith, If we budge from our station, Sathan will immediately find entrance, pronouncing a wo to the idle Shephard that leaveth the Flock, adding before Gods Tribunal, men must be proceeded against, not by common Law.
Dr. Willet on 1 Sam. 17. 28. saith, non residency, and pluralities be the scandal of Gods Church, hinders the due service of the Churches, 'tis Robbery, worse then of goods, excludes many sufficient men, and so any step in, that the Blind and the Lame keep sick, as 2 Sam. 5.8. Saying to have many Cures, is unlawful, producing Iodocus Gallus: They shall go to Heaven by their Vicar, and to Hell in their Parsons.
Cannons Anno 1571. shew the absence of the Shephard from the Lords Flock, and that careless negligence which we do see in many, and forsaking the Ministry, is a thing in it self to be abhorred and odious to the people, and pernicious to the Church of God.
4. Reasons against pluralities,
1. Plurality men cannot do their duties, which be mentioned in Ezek. 34. 4. Therefore may not hold the place.
2. They that have pluralities, feed themselves and not their Flock, therefore they be base Shephards, Ezek. 34. 1. 8.
3. A good Minister is to feed by example, which requires residence and presence, I Pet. 5. 8. Take heed to the Flock in your own person, as Zyra, Acts 20.28. And so I understand that place.
4. They that love Christ themselves, must feed the Flock of Christ themselves, for loving Christ and feeding his Sheep, be spoken both to one person, Iohn 21. 15. Now a personal duty may not be put of to another, as praying, hearing, reading, receiving Sacraments, and doing good works, and I cannot see how feeding the Flock of Christ in a mans own person, can be put off with the manifesting his love to Christ.
5. If our Church or Flock may need many Pastors, then one Pastor is hardly sufficient for three Churches or Flocks twenty miles distant, but one Church or Flock may need many Pastors, Phil. 1. 1. Bishops plural musculus, & Calvin in locum, Ergo one Pastor is hardly sufficient.
X. ART.
Scandalising Governours and Government of the Church of England, as Persecutors of Gods faithful Ministers and people, disgressing from the Text.
RESP.
'Tis not true in the whole, nor any part thereof.
XI. ART.
April 1633. Delivered a dangerous Doctrine, that if a Magistrate make a penal Law, if the Subject that transgresseth it suffer, he is quit from sin.
RESP.
I deny Time, Month, Year, and Words, for such a Doctrine I never taught, nor read, nor heard, till I heard this Article, and I abhor it and disclaim it as a dangerous Doctrine, but May the 10th 1632. handling those words, Eph. 4. 6. There is one God and Father, of all, observing the Godly, be all children of one Father; I exhorted them not to censure rashly their Brethren for indifferent things.
XII. ART.
April 22. 1634. Lecturing and expounding after Inhibition by the Vicar General.
REPS.
'Tis not so, I did not Preach but upon the Lords Days and Holy days, neither did I expound, yet I had a Licence to expound, and was not forbid expounding (but only Preaching) for I heard not a word of the prohibition of it: yet upon prayer days appointed by the Church, viz. Wenesdays, Frydays, all the Eves, constantly I did instruct by Question and Answer in the Catechism, such as came to Prayers, for which I had my Institution and Licence, from which I never had prohibition, nor is it any sin against God or Man, so far as I can understand.
XIII. ART.
Deemed and accounted a man against the Church of England, and for Schism draw aside after me.
RESP.
I deny the whole and every part.
XIV. ART.
The promises be true by Voice and Fame.
RESP.
I believe what is in the Answer confessed, and deny what is in the Answer denied in any part.
Additional Answers
I. ART.
BEing upon occasion absent, I procured one to Read Prayers and Preach on Palm Sunday.
RESP.
I was suspended ab Officio, and so by the leave of Sir Nathaniel Brent, who left it to me, I procured one to supply the place.
II. ART.
A Letter scandalous and offensive was sent to Otham to nourish Schism, and tending to confirm people in the dislike of Government.
RESP.
A Letter was writ and sent to the Parishoners of Otham, which I know not who hath, nor did I keep any Copy of it; but I know, belief and remember, the sum of it was to exhort them to fear God and the King, and meddle not with them that are given to change; to walk by Faith and in Love, and to call upon God, but I utterly deny all occasion of derogating from the Church of England, or confirmation of any in the dislike of Government, and protest against all such Aspertions and Imputations of Schism or scandal, neither did I direct it to any to read it, nor intended, or desired it should be read at Church.
III. ART.
I or Dr. Tuck for reading the Letter in the Church against Orthodoxal Ministers and Cannons, and Governours.
RESP.
This Article appertaineth not to me at all, further then is above answered.
IV. ART.
The premises be true by Voice and Fame.
RESP.
'Tis contrary to truth in every part, but as is above confessed.
Credo Credita nego negata.
Th. WILSON.
Rector de Otham in Kent.