Sum of the Christian Faith, Treatise 1 · Point 5

Sum of the Christian Faith · Treatise 1 · Point 5

Of the Church. The fyft poynt.

1. That there hath alvvaies beene and euer shall be a Church, out of the vvhichwhich there is no ſaluation.

ALl thoſe thinges whereof we hauehave ſpoken to bee eſtabliſhed and performed by the goodneſſe of God, be in vayne, if there were not certaine people which felt and taſted of the fruict and commoditie hereof. But for as much as Ieſus Chriſt hath an eternall kingdome, aa2. Sam. 7 Luke. 1 Pſa. 98 &. 110.2 Sam 7Luke 1Ps 98he can neuer be without ſubiectes: it was meete then from the beginning of the world, that there ſhould be a church, that is to ſaye, a Congregation and aſſemble of people, ſuch as it hath pleaſed God to chuſe by his grace, y^e which hauehave acknowledged and ſerued the true God according to his wyll, by the meanes of p. 78Ieſus Chriſt onelyonly attayned by faith, as it hath bene amply declared. And wee muſt confeſſe moreouer, by the ſame meanes, that his Church and aſſemblye ſhal laſt for euer bbPſal. 132 Ierem. 31 Math. 28Ps 132Jer 31Matt 28, what ſoeuer aſſaults that all the Deuyls in hell can inuent or prepare againſt them ccEſay 54 Math. 18Isa 54Matt 18, Finallye, it muſt be confeſſed neceſſarilye, that wythout Ieſus Chriſte there is no ſaluation. And whoſoeuer dieth, not being a member of this congregation and aſſembly, is excluded and locked out from Ieſus Chriſte, and from his ſaluation ddIoel. 2. 3Joel 2:3: For the vertue to ſaue, whiche is in Ieſus Chriſt, appertayneth not but to thoſe whiche acknowledge him for their God and onelyonly ſauiour eeIohn. 3 Galath. 3John 3.

2. There can be but one true church

AS there is but one God aaEpheſ. 4Eph 4▪ one faith, and one onelye Mediatour betwene God & man, euen Ieſus Chriſte bb1. Tim. 21 Tim 2, heade of his Churche ccEph. 14. … Cole. 1 1. Cori. 11: So lykewiſe there can be but one Churche.

3. VVherefore vve call the Churche catholyke.

FOr as much as God hath ſpred forth his Goſpell, that is to ſaye, the preaching of ſaluation, whiche is the Scepter of his kyngdome, thorowe the vniuerſall worlde aaPſalm. 2 Eſa. 54. 55 Mark. 16 Actes. 1 Coloſ. 1Ps 2Isa 54:55Mark 16Acts 1Col 1, and hath choſen of all nations ſuch as ſéemed good to him: For this cauſe there ought to bée confeſſed one catholike Church, that is to ſaye, a vniuerſal Church: Not that it comprehendeth al men generally (for the greateſt parte be not of it bbMath. 20Matt 20) but becauſe thec Actes. 10 Apoc. 7 Math. 21Acts 10Rev 7Matt 21 faithfull be diſperſed ouer all the earth, according as the Lord hath choſen them, not beyng reſtrayned to any certaine place, tyme nor nation.

4. In vvhat thyng lyeth the communion of ſainctes.

BEcauſe the churche hath but one onelyonly Lord & ſoueraigne prince aaEphe. 4. 3 Colo. 1Eph 4:3, all the faithful in what place ſoeuer they be diſperſed, be conioyned & knyt together as y^e burgeſies or inhabitants of one communaltie, p. 80being all partakers of y^• ſame pryuiledges bbRoma▪ 1… 1. Cor. 10 &. 12 Colo. 3 Pſal. 491 Cor 10Ps 49: that is to ſay of the goods and treaſures of Ieſus Chriſt. who for this cauſe is called their head, as they be called the members of hym, for that hee only by his vertue vniting and ioyning them to himſelfe, doeth quicken them, iuſtifie them, and ſanctifye them ccEphe. 4 Iohn. 17 Roma. 8 1. Cori. 1Eph 4John 17: wherfore none maye lawefully vſe thys title head of the Churche but hee onelyonly. And beholde this is it that we call the communion or communaltye of ſayntes: For in the ſcripture this worde Sainte is attributed to all faithfull, lyuing yet in this worlde, for as much as they hauehave attained to Ieſus Chriſt by fayth, their onelyonly righteouſnes and ſanctification.

5. The churche hath but one heade, that is to ſaye Ieſus Chriſte, to vvhome there needeth no lieu tenaunt.

IEſus Chriſt head of this Churche, for the reaſon which we hauehave ſayde wyll hauehave no companyon aa1 Cori. 3 Epheſ. 4Eph 4, as the wyſe woman in the ſcripture (to the whiche the Church is compared) hath but one Huſbande bb1. Cori. 11 Roma. 7 Epheſ. 5Eph 5, and one body hath but one heade. He hath no néede of any Succeſſor, (for he is God lyuing eternallie ccRoma. 6) nor any Vycar or Lieuetenaunt, for wée hauehave all hys wyll by wrytinge ddIohn. 15 Actes▪ 20 2▪ Tim. 3John 15Acts 202 Tim 3. And moreouer being God, hée is euer preſent hym ſelfe in the myddeſt of hys Churche by his infinite power, neuer departing from it, as he him ſelfe hath promiſed eeMath▪ 28 Iohn. 14Matt 28John 14▪ which neyther Vycar nor Lieuetenaunt can doo. And in déede the blindeſt man in the world may ſee whether thoſe men hée toumbled and fallen beadlonge, which woulde robbe or depr…ue Ieſus Chriſte of this preheminence, where as in déede they hauehave ſcarce one lyttle …rner of the worlde to gouerne, in comparyſon of the whole worlde.

9. The commu…ion of the Saintes letteth nor hind…r…h not the diuerſity of offyces amonge the faythfull.

IEſus Chriſte gouerneth his Churche ſo by his holye ſpirite, that notwithſtandyng he vſeth men as inſtrumentes, for to plant and to water, as S. Paule ſpeaketh aaColo. 3 1. Cor. 5.1 Cor 5: moreouer, be diſtributeth his giftes and graces diuerlly, howe, when, and to whome ſeemeth good vntounto him for the entertainment & gouernment of all the bodye of the church bb1. Cor. 1… whole ch…. bpheſ. 41 Cor 1, in the whiche he wylleth all thynges to be done by good order and pollicy cc1. Cor. 141 Cor 14. It is not Gods pleaſure nor wyll that we ſhould accept all the members of y^• church equal, in their charges and offices, and by this meanes brynge a confuſion into the houſe of God. But contrariwyſe one of the principall differences that we hauehave with oure aduerſaries, is we require that the eccleſiaſticall pollicie be eſtabliſhed and ſet vp agayne according to the woorde of God with the aduyſe and counſell of the auncient fathers, whiche hauehave left vsus theyr Canons for teſtimonies of the conduction and gouernement which they held in theyr tyme: yet notwithſtanding all thinges to be ruled by the worde of God▪ and conſider dilligentlye what thinges are expedient to be reteyned or to be altered for the edifycation of the Church: For in matter of policye, euerye man knoweth well that all thynges bee not conuenient in all tymes nor in al places, marke I ſaye, this is it that wee hauehave alwayes required, and we yet earneſtly require it: But ſeing the negligence of manye, and the ſmall hope that we hauehave to bee prouided for in a generall or common conſent: force hath conſtrained certrine princes & Lordes, hauing knowen and ſeene the common diſorders, to prouide and ſette orders in theyr owne countreyes as we doe ſée. Now they doe not well that fyll the eares of Prynces, that we be ſedicious perſones and Heretickes, and that wee allowe no counſelles nor ordinaūces of the Church, which bee manifeſt ſlaunders and falſe rumours, as yee maye perceiue it ye will geue vsus hearynge as appertayneth, p. 82and not to make our enterparties and enemyes Iudges of our owne cauſes.

7. The markes vvhereby vve maye diſcerne the falſe Churche from the true.

WE require fyrſte that there bee put a difference betweene the true Church and that whiche is not, although they borrowe this name: And alſo betwéene thoſe whiche bee in ſuche wiſe wythin the Churche, as they bee alſo of the Churche: and of thoſe whiche bee not of the Churche although, they bee in the Churche. For it is moſt certaine, that Sathan deſyreth and is buſied to worke ſo, that his Synagog bee eſteemed for the true Churche: and ſo longe as the Church ſtriueth here on earth, it is certayne and ſure that the chaffe ſhall bee medled amongſt the good grayne aaMath. 13. 1. Cor. 11.Matt 131 Cor 11, and the Cockle amonge the Wheate. Nowe to the ende that we bee not deceiued, if it be poſſible, theſe differences be to be vnderſtand. The marke of the true of God there we acknowledge to be the true Church of god, in what ſoeuer place it be, howe ſmall a number aaMatth. 18. Luke. 12. Luke. 10. 1. Cor. 1. Matth. 11.Matt 18Luke 12Luke 101 Cor 1Matt 11or lyttle apparance ſo ouer it hath before man.

8. Whiche be the true members of the Church.

THoſe be of the Churche which hauehave the marke of Chriſtians, that is to ſay faith aaIohn. 8. &. 17. Iohn. 4. 1. Iohn. 4.John 8John 41 John 4. Thoſe hauehave faith whych receiue the only ſauioure Ieſus Chryſte as hath bin ſayde b. Flying from ſynne following righteouſnes, ccIohn. 3. Roma. 16. Roma. 8 Gala. 5.John 3Gal 5that is to ſaye, whiche louelove and feare only the true and eternall God, and their neyghbours, according to the word of God, without turning or ſwaruing eyther to the righte hande or to the lefte: ddIohn. 1. & 2. and 3.John 1not but that there are great infirmites in the moſt perfiteſt, ee1. Iohn. 1. 1. Cor▪ 15. Philip. 3.1 John 11 Cor 15Phil 3and alſo there is greate dyfference betwene thoſe in whom ſinne reygneth fullye, and thoſe in whome there are yet but rem nantes of ſynne. ffRoma. 6. 2. Cor. 7. 1. Iohn. 3.2 Cor 71 John 3Briefe, thoſe ſame be of the true Church in whom the ſpirit (whiche is the gifte of grace proper to the electe and not of nature) ſtriueth againſt p. 90the fleſhe, ggRoma. 7. and all the chap. Gala. 5.Gal 5and whiche may ſaye with S. Paule, I doe the euill whiche I would not, hhRoma. 7.that is to ſay, to the which I giuegive no ſuche conſent. As thoſe doe whiche be not regenerated by the ſpirite of God. Beholde here thoſe which be of the true Churche, but as for the others, of what eſtate or degrée ſoeuer: they bée in the Churche, yea though they were Apoſtles of as good auctoritie as euer was Iudas, iiIohn. 6. 1 Iohn. 1.John 61 John 1yet bee they not of the churche. But aſſoone as God hath reuealed them, they oughte to be kkIohn. 15. 1. Cor 5. 2. Theſſa 3 2.John 151 Cor 5:2reiected and eſchued of all Chriſtians, ſo long as they be irreformable: for ſuche be not of the churche this day in effect, whiche may be or ſhall be to morrowe, or when it ſhall pleaſel 1. Cor. 2.1 Cor 2 God, who according to his eternall councell, hath diſpoſed the monethes and tymes, in the whiche he will call his elect to himſelfe.mmMatth. 20. 1. Cor. 7.Matt 201 Cor 7

9 The markes or tokens of the Churche bée not alvvayes in one eſtate, and hovve it oughte to bee gouerned.

FUrthermore we knowe that the markes and tokens of the true churche be not always in one eſtate, nor they be not alwayes one concerning thēſelues. But God according to hys incomprehenſible wiſedome, in puniſhing the ingratitude of the worlde, ſometimes withdraweth and taketh from vsus parte of his light, in ſuche wiſe, that ſometyme it ſéemeth that the Churche is at an ende or deſtroyed as we ſée it happened in Iſraell in the time that Chryſt came into this worlde. (For ſet the Iewes aparte, there was not one trace or ſteppe of the true markes of the Churche in the worlde. And as for Ieruſalem, what ignorance, what corruption of doctrine, what wyckedneſſe▪ was there when Ieſus Chryſte the true Meſſias, hadde no greater enimies than the blynde guides whyche conducted and taught the other? aaMatth. 15. Iohn. 1. Luke. 11. Eſay. 29.Matt 15John 1Luke 11Isa 29But yet the Lord doth neuer take awaye the whole foundation of his Churche, but alwayes hathe a certayne flocke,bbMatth. 28.Matt 28 ſomtime greater ſomtimec …. Kings. 19. ſmaller, as him ſelfe declared to Helias. p. 91Alſo we may ſée howe it is come to paſſe in our time, that there is no people in the worlde more abuſed, than thoſe whyche wold knit and tie the church to a certaine place, and to the ſucceſſion of thoſe, which they call byſhoppes, which in very déede be nothing leſſe, both by the word of God and by the auncient canons. Whereby it is eaſy to ſhew that from the hed of them al to the ſmalleſt, thei be excōmunicated & cut off from y^e church, if they change not their life and māners. Nowe the duty of the childrē of god is not only to ſerue god, in what place ſoeuer they be, or whatſoeuer ruin or decay there be in the Church, but when it ſhall pleaſe God to eſtabliſhe and build vp again her ruines & decayes, eyther here or in any other place, not being bounde to anye people or Nation, whatſoeuer they bo: but when it pleaſeth him to ſet vp again his ſtandard, whiche is y^e miniſtration of his holy word: y^e duety I ſaye of y^e children of God, is to ioyne themſelues to the true flocke, & ſeparate themſelues from thoſe which be not. Folowing the admonitions whiche the prophetsddEſay. 49. &. 52 …. Iohn. 3.Isa 49John 3 gaue, and alſo that the Lord ſayd, where the deade carkas is, thither wyll the Egles reſorteeMatth. 24.Matt 24.

10 Wherein conſiſteth the duetie and authoritie of the Churche generally.

THeſe things conſidered, we be come nowe to declare what is the power and auctoritie of the true Churche, to the whiche wée may aunſwere in one worde, that ſhée conſiſteth in the obedience whiche ſhe oweth to hir only ſpouſe Ieſus Chriſt, as to GOD, aaLuke. 1. …. …t. 1.Luke 1and to giuegive order for the ſeruice of Ieſus Chryſt: conſidering that y^• members be ordeyned for to ayde one an other.bb1. Cor. 14. Matth. 5.1 Cor 14Matt 5 But this ought to bée yet more fully expounded. Wée wyll ſpeake in the fyrſt place of the auctoritie of the vniuerſall Church, and of the particular membres of the ſame, I ſpeake of thoſe whiche hauehave charge of the miniſtration.

11 Of the auctoritie of the Vniuerſall Councels, and firſt what is a vniuerſall Councell.

p. 92THe name of vniuerſall Church comprehendeth properlye the generall aſſemblie and congregation of all the faythfull togither. But for as much as the Lorde did ſeatter and deuyde them into dyuers partes, it was neceſſarye to vſe diſtinction of pariſhes and dioces, for to kéepe a certayne order. Moreouer it is not expedient nor yet poſſyble, that all thoſe which make profeſſion to be of the Church, ſhould be aſſembled togither one by one, when it ſhalbe requiſyte or nedefull to appoynt orders aaActs. 14. Titus. …. 1. Cor. … ▪Acts 14concerning the whole body of the Churche. We call then the vniuerſall Churche, in this matter y^• we hauehave to intreate of, an aſſembly wherto all the churches (as farforth as may be) be gathered or aſſembled togither: although it happen ſomtimes y^• one man do appere in the name of one whole Churche or of one whole nation. When it ſhalbe expedient ſo to do bbActes. 15.Acts 15it muſt then be vnderſtād what is the power & autheritie of ſuche an aſſembly, which they call generall councell.

… Hovve far vve may differ from the councels.

SOme there be y^t contemne the councels of y^e church as things of nothing: ſome other thynke, that all that commeth from the coūcels, ought to be receiued as the word of God without exception. But wée doo not agrée with the one nor the other. For wée doubt not but the lord is amongſt thoſe which be lawfully called in his name, as he hath promiſed, although they wer but two or thrée: aaMatth. 18.Matt 18then much leſſe do we dout, but that he gouerneth with greater power in y^e greater cō pany of his church which he gouerneth by his holy ſpirit. bbActs. 15.Acts 15And we knowe & be aſſured, that the truth of God is ſtedfaſtlier grounded thā vponupon niē, cc1. Cor. 2. 1. Theſſ. 2.1 Cor 21 Thess 2whatſoeuer they be: for we al know not God as yet, but in a part. dd1. Cor. 3.1 Cor 3Moreouer experiēce ſheweth vsus ſufficiently, howe eaſy it is to abuſe this title of councels, & namely what cōtrarietie there is amōg thē. Wherfore we conclude, y^• a meane muſt be kepte whiche is neither to deſpiſe thē, nor yet to extol & ſet them vp aboue god, who only cānot erre. p. 93And ſaincte Auguſtine ſayth, the churche ought not to bee preferred before Ieſus Chriſt. For he iudgeth alwayes truely, but the eccleſiaſticall Iudges oftentimes may deceyue themſelues, & truly ſo they doo. For who condemned Ieſus Chriſte? A counſel lawfully aſſembled, if we conſyder the outewarde ſucceſſion and appearaunce. Who concluded, that thoſe whyche were baptyſed by Heretykes, ſhoulde bée rebaptyſed? A Councell of Affrica, where as was ſainct Cyprian. And to be briefe, if it ſhall be nedeful to conſyder the inconſtancie of the Iudgemente of the councels, I ſpeake namely of thoſe, whyche without controuerſye hauehave ben gathered in the name of God: It ſhall bée eaſye to declare, that ſuche hauehave but a weake ſtaye whiche hauehave no ſurer foundation. But yet wée maruell of thoſe whiche reproue and condemne vsus as contemners of Councels, whiche neuertheleſſe, will kéepe themſelues no one iote of them. Witneſſe the councell of Baſile, which was aboliſhed by all the Popes following and others. Now to the ende that they may the better vnderſtande, whether oure ſayings be conformable to the truthe of God or not, ſée what we ſhall ſaye in this matter hereafter.

13. To vvhome it pertayneth to call a councell.

THe communaltie oughte to be aſſembled by order, and then by authoritye of ſome one elected among them, we doubte not but that it is the offyce of the magiſtrate, to giuegive order and prouide that the eccleſiaſticall eſtate maye bée well gouerned and ruled in peace, and to encreaſe therein. aaTimo. 2.Now yf the chiefe Magiſtrate bee a Chryſtian, by his authoritye ſuche aſſemblies ought to come togither, as it hathe euer beene practiſed in the Churche of God without contradiction, vntill ſuche tyme as the ambition of the Patriarkes, and eſpecially they of Rome, hathe reuerſed and ouerturned the whole order. Notwithſtandynge we confeſſe, that for lacke of p. 94Chriſtian Princes, or when they ſhallReade al the eccleſiaſtical hiſtory, and ye ſhal finde the Emperoure commaundeth & not pope… bulles to holde generall coūcel…. not do their dutie, then muſt the Paſtors which watche ouer the flocke, take héede to thoſe thyngs that be neceſſarie for the Churche, but in ſuche ſorte as all thinges maye be doone without ambition or diſorder, as wée ſée howe the Churche of Antioche hath practiſed, as it is written in the Actes of the Apoſtles.

14 Hovve thoſe oughte to be choſen, vvhiche the Churches doe ſende …o the councels.

WHen it was requiſite, that thyngs ſhoulde be doone extraordinaryly in a Generall aſſemblie, in the name of a whole Church or of a communaltie: as if it were néedefull to ſende one man or diuers, or many men, in the name of a whole pariſhe, Dioceſſe or nation. Although it were ſuppoſed, that thoſe perſons whyche had the ordinarie charges and offices in the Churche, were then the moſte méeteſt to deale with the affaires in councels, whiche was in that time when the offices were gyuen to ſuche perſons as were moſt méete, by a frée eccleſiaſticall election, whyche was then done with faſtyng and prayer. Yet neuertheleſſe, in thoſe dayes there was great choyſe, ſo that all the church with a common conſent had reſpect to chuſe men whyche were indewed with giftes and graces of the holy Ghoſt, as well in lyfe as in learning. As it appeareth in the hiſtory conteined in the Acts of the Apoſtles, concerning the firſt councell holden at Ieruſalem, where the Apoſtles were gathered together. aaActs. 15.Acts 15Muche more nowe when all is ouerturned, and in ſtead of Paſtours, they are Mummers or Maſkers, as all the worde may ſée. Nowe who that woulde chuſe and gather together into one heape and companye, all the fylthye and abhominable rabble of the worlde, let him aſſemble thoſe whiche they now call Prelates of the church, and he ſhall finde that from the greateſt to the leaſt, they bée all bounde by theyrThe forme of the oth is prynted. othe to maynteyne and vpholde the tyranny of him, againſt whom the counſell p. 95ſhoulde be aſſembled and gathered. And the whole rabble of them be entred into the Churche by brykes and ſymonie agaynſt the commaundement of God, bbMatth. …0agaynſt the manacyng and threatninge of Sainct Peter, ccActs. … ▪agaynſt all the cuſtomes of the primatiue Churche, againſt all the auncient Cannons, decrées, and Councels, whereby all ſuche perſonnes be excommunicated, and throwen out of the Churche: then muche leſſe ought they to bée holden for Prelates and gouernoures of the Churche whyleſt there is ſuche diſorders. I ſaye, what folyſhneſſeBeſide the hiſtory eccleſiaſticall read the ſynodes and decrees. is it to all ſuche an aſſemblie, a godly or lawful Councel, where ſ…ant one can be founde whyche is a member of the true Churche of God? We ſay then to aſſemble a lawfull councell, thoſe oughte not whiche (be nothyng leſſe than that they be called) to enterpriſe anye thynge on theyr owne authoritie. But the Churches oughte to aſſemble together, wyth faſtyng and earneſt prayer, with a common conſent (where it may be ſuffered or at the leaſt with the beſte order that may be doone) eueryevery churche to elect and appoynt thoſe which be known to be vnreprouable in their lyues, endued with the ſpirite of wyſedome and vnderſtanding, and other giftes méete and neceſſarie to ſuche an office, without reſpecte of croſſes, myters, double crownes, or any ſuche maſkings, vnderunder the which all the worlde may ſée what knowledge or gifts of the holy Ghoſt dwelleth.

15. EueryEvery man ought to be heard in the councell. Prouyded that there be no confuſion.

FOr as muche as Hypocrites may deceyue a whole multitude, and alſo the Holy Ghoſt diſtributeth his giftes and graces, to whome hée ſéeth good, aa1. Cor. 12.1 Cor 12and oftentymes to thoſe whiche bee of leaſt eſtimation, bb1. Cor. 1. 8.1 Cor 1:8as it hapned to Hieremie, ccIeremy. 11.Jer 11and to Amos, ddAmos. 1.Amos 1at that tyme when all the Prelates of the churche had conſpired againſt the truth of god, and as we ſée in our tyme the great works of God, whiche he dothe dayly by thoſely ſimple p. 96ones and moſte diſpyſed in the worlde: we ſaye that the aſſembly of a Councell ought to be ſo appointed to certaine perſons as hathe bin ſayde before: yet notwithſtandyng no man ought to be ſhut out or excluded, but all to be heard, for to knowe yf God woulde reueale anye thyng by hys mouth, without diſorder or confuſion, as it was practiſed in the firſte councell of Nyce.eeNicephore in his hiſtory eccleſiaſticall, 8. boke 14. chapter. and …. boke 15. chapter

16. Who ought to preſede or be chiefe in the councell.

IF it bée néedefull to knowe who ought to preſede in thys aſſemblie, for togather the voyces, and to gouerne all the whole action of the councell. It is well knowen what order was ſet amonge the biſhoppes, at the firſt councell at Nyce, aa6. Canon. 7.but it appeareth by the hiſtorye that at that tyme there was no certentie of this proheminence to prefede or be chiefe, but voluntarily the byſhoppe of Alexandria did preſede amonge the byſhoppes, as it appeareth by the actes of the firſt councell of Nice, and of the firſt and ſeconde Councell of Epheſus. And as concernyng the Biſhoppes of Rome, his Vicars had not out the fourth place in the Counſell of Nice. And where as he preſed in the Councell of Chalcedon, it was of fauoure. As it appeareth by the requeſt, which Leo biſhop of Rome made to Martion the Emperoure, and yet the ſucceſſour of Leo, ſ…yned not for the firſt place, in the fifth councel of Conſtantinople, agaynſte Menas Biſhop of the ſayde place. And alſo at the Prouinciall Councell of Carthage, Aurelius prefed without… contradi…ion. There beeing preſent the Vicares of the biſhop of Rome, who at the ſame councell was condemned of falſhoode, in the preſence of Sainct Auguſtine. But notwithſtandyng, Reaſon and Experience teacheth, that to giuegive this degree to one certayne place, without reſpect of the perſon, is a thyng of it ſelfe moſte vnreaſonable. Althoughe it were that the elections of the eccl…ſticall paſtours were done in p. 90ſuch order as appertayned. For as it ought to be he who is moſt méete as far forth as mā may iudge, ought to be preferred before al others, as we ſee y^• in the generall counſell of Aquile, S. Ambroſe gouerned without any mencion making of the Biſhop of Rome. Who ſhall aſſure vsus y^• the greateſt townes hath alwaies y^e beſt learned Paſtors although they had reſpect (in choſing them) to learning and godly life? If reaſon do not content vsus, come to experience, yea, namely in a time far better without compariſon then this our tyme. Let them reade the Acts of the fowre firſt ſynodes, and they ſhall finde what diſorders be happened of ſuch Prelators of hye pontyficall ſ… ges, let them ioygne to it the falſeho… of Boniface the. xl. Biſhop of Rome, diſcouered & reuealed in the third counſell of Carthage, about the yeare of God. iiij. C xxi. where as was Saynct Auguſtyne, and ye ſhall ſée what credite the Biſhop of Rome had then in Affryca, euen he whiche ſayde he ought not to be iudged of man, and was iudged there and condemned.Reade the hyſtorie of the fowrth counſell of Carthage, not as it is falſified in Latin, but as it is in the Greeke text prynted at Paris. And yet it cannot be found that this patriarchall preſidence, the which at that tyme contented the Byſhoppe of Rome, dyd ſtretch ſo far as to hauehave auctoritie to demaunde the ſuffrages, and to hauehave concluſions, but onelyonly to hauehave the firſte place amonge the Byſhoppes: where as at that tyme we fynde, that there was no certaine order kepte in the fyrſt Counſels. Alſo it appeareth by the Actes of the. iiii. vniuerſall counſels that the deputies for the Emperour demaū ded the voyce, and gouerned the action of the Counſels, the Emperours beingd Nicephore 13. booke 30. chapter. The actes of the counſel of Chalcedon. but laye men b▪ far was it from them to vſe that tirannye, which encreaſed and ſproonge vp by lyttle and lyttle after the deceaſe of Gregory the nynth. In fyne, we ſay that in the generall counſell (ſet aſyde all ambition, & take thoſe meanes which ſhalbe moſt eaſie to finde, among thoſe whiche ſeeke but the glorie of God onelye) thoſe ought to procéede and be chiefe, which ſhall be founde the moſte p. 91meeteſt without reſpect of ſea or trone. And concerning the diſtributions of the ſeates and rankes he which diſtributeth and appoynteth them, ſheweth ſufficiently with what ſpirit he is led.

17 How far extendeth the power of the Counſels, and why they be ordained in the Church.

BEhold here how the lawfull counſels ought to be aſſembled, without reſpect to any thing, ſaue onelyonly to the honour of God, and the edification of the churches. As I do vnderſtand & hauehave learned by the holy ſcripture, and by reading of the moſte auncient eccleſiaſticall authors. Let vsus come now to conſider how farre extendeth the authoritie of a Counſell lawfullye aſſembled. We ſaye that a Chriſtian counſell ſhall not be aſſembled, nor neuer ought to aſſemble, to make any newe article of our faith. And that for. ii. reaſons. The firſt is, becauſe it appertayneth to God onelyonly to declare what and how daungerous it is to ſyn againſt him, and what is ſynne, and what is not. Brieflie, it is he onelyonly which hath power ouer our cō ſcience, and vppon our fayth, ſo that no man can vſurpe his office, but hée wyll (after a maner to ſaye) driue God out of his ſeate aaColoſ. 2. 1. Cor. …. Math. 15.Col 2Matt 15. The ſecond is, that God▪ before the comming of Ieſus Chriſt, hath ſufficientlye inſtructed and erected his church by the Patriarkes. Firſt by viſions & other meanes as it pleaſed him, & after by Moyſes and by the Prophetes, Preachers & publiſhers of that doctrine whiche was geuen and alſo written by Moyſes: who bbHebr. 1. Deute. 21.Heb 1expreſſely forbiddeth to adde or diminiſh any thing ccDeut. 4. Eſai. 1.Deut 4Isa 1. Much leſſe then it is lawfull to alter or chaunge ddHebr. 2. 1. Cor. 11.Heb 21 Cor 11any thing. Finally, Ieſus Chriſte at his comming▪ hath fullye and perfectlye declared to vsus the wyll of his Father, leauing out nothyng eeIohn. 15. Hebr. 1.John 15Heb 1. Alſo aſcendyng from vsus into heauen (concerning his corporall preſence) dyd geue his holye ſpirite in ſuch meaſure to his Apoſtles, and other godly perſonnes which were ſtyrred vp, that they dyd vnderſtande all p. 92trueth ffIohn. 14.John 14, the whiche they hauehave preached and wrytten to the entent to put backe and preuent Sathan, that he ſhould not abuſe the world with his lyes ſo eaſelie. And in this dooing wée ſée howe warelie and dilligentlie the Apoſtles obſerued the ſame. Neither ggActs. 20. Galath. 1.Acts 20adding nor diminiſhing to the ſubſtaunce of the word of Ieſus Chriſte: who neuertheleſſe were the very organes, and as interpretours or ſpokes men (and after a manner to ſpeake) notaries of the holy ghoſt, which office was not geuen to their ſucceſſours who ought to content them ſelues with the foundation of the Prophetes and Apoſtles hhGalath. …. Ephe. 4.Eph 4. For if the Apoſtles dyd not knowe all thoſe things which be required to ſaluation, who then hath knowenNote. amongeſt men? And howe can that bee true, which the Lorde hath expreſſelye declared and promiſed to the contrary iiIohn. 14. d. &. 16. b.John 14? And howe ſhould they hauehave bene ſaued? But if they had knowen, and had not publiſhed and declared it, they had not bene faithfull kk2. Tim. 5. 1. Corin. 4.1 Cor 4. If they had preached and had not written but halfe or a part, what aſſuraunce had there bene in their doctrine? And as S. Auguſtine ſpeaking of the Traditions whiche they call Apoſtolikes: If Ieſus Chriſt had kept backe any thing from vsus, who coulde ſaye it is this, or that? Or if any ſhould ſay it, how could he proue it? we conclude then that it is open and manifeſt blaſphemye againſt the auctoritie of Ieſus Chriſt, the onelyonly eſpouſe, Lord ll1. Cor. 8. 2. Cor. 11. Ephe. 5.1 Cor 82 Cor 11Eph 5, maiſter, and head of the Churche, againſt the Prophetes, and Apoſtles, againſt the worde of God and all the Auncient and faythfull Doctours. Briefe it is to reuerſe and ouerturne the foundation of the Churche, to eſtéeme and thinke that it were lawfull to men whatſoeuer they were, to put to or take from that doctrine, contayned in the holie ſcripture mmGala. 1. 1. Cor. 1.Gal 11 Cor 1. But here ye maye ſée what hath cauſed oftentimes y^• faithfull to aſſemble and come together.

Firſt to maintaine the pure & ſyncere doctrine contained in the holy ſcripture, againſt the heretikes which would corrupt p. 93it. Alſo to render and geue an open teſtimonye of the healthfull doctrine of ſaluation, preached and written by the Apoſtles. Farre was it from them to aſſemble or congregate to adde to it any thing, in condemning it as vnperfect nnActes.1….Acts 1. Brieflye, they dyd not aſſemble to ſtabliſhe and confirme the ſcriptures, the which be grounded and ſtabliſhed vponupon the eternall trueth of God, and ſhal continue for euer: but for to confirme them ſelues by the ſcriptures againſt Satan and his adherentes. So then we beléeue the holy church, not as the foundation of the Scriptures oo1. Corin. 3.1 Cor 3, but grounded vponupon the doctrine of y^• ſcriptures, which be pure and the onelye trueth ppActes. 17. 1. Theſ. 5. 1. Iohn. 4.Acts 171 Thess 51 John 4, ſo that for this cauſe the Church is called by S. Paul, and with good right the pyller and ſtay of the trueth qq1. Tim. 3.1 Tim 3. And conſequētly we eſtéeme that aſſembly for a falſe church, which ſwarueth from this foūdation rrGalath. 1. Coloſ. 1.Col 1, and for a whooriſhe Churche that which heareth the voyce of a ſtraunger, not being content with y^• voyce of her ſpouſe ſſRoma. 7. Iohn, 10.Secondlie, the faythfull be gathered together for to appoynt and ſet orders in the church, a… it is to be ſéen in the Actes of the auncient counſel. For of neceſſitie al things muſt be done in the Church of God by good order tt7. Cor. 10.as S. Paule ſayde. But this may not be, but when neceſſities do happen. But of this let vsus mark well the poyntes which folow.

18 The fyrſt poynt to conſider the caſe well, when or at what tyme they should ſet vp politike lawes in the Church.

FIrſt there ought to be put great difference betwene the doctrine of ſaluation, and thoſe things which they eſtabliſh onelyonly for to kéepe the ciuill order required in the church. For the doctrine vnderunder the which alſo we doo comprehende the Sacraments, do teach the conſcience, & dependeth not vponupon man, who is bounde to mayntaine it, vnderunder paine of damnation, without chaūging, putting to, or dyminiſhing any thing, in no manner of wiſe, as we hauehave declared p. 94heretofore: but the canonicall ordinaunces concerning the manner of doing, is all exterior and outwardlye, according to the cyrcumſtances of places, tymes and perſons: by reaſon whereof they can neyther be perpetuall nor vniuerſall without exception.

For ſuch order and faſhion maye be holden in one place, which can nor maye in no wyſe bee vſed in another place. Such thing alſo is good in one place, or in one time, which ſhoulde be vnprofitable or domageable in another. And for this cauſe there is often tymes contrariety among y^e Canons, as it was néedefull to hauehave reſpect to thoſe which were expedient. For as much then as ſuch ordinaunces be mutable, and made by man, it followeth that they concerne not the conſcience, but in caſes of ſlaunder and dyſorder which ſhoulde bee a let or ſtoppe of the purpoſe for the whiche they were ſet vp, that is to ſaye, the edification and quietnes of the Church, as for example. It was agreed vponupon in Ieruſalem by the Counſell where the Apoſtles were, that the onelye grace of God iuſtifieth vsus by faith: againſt thoſe which woulde ioyne the Ceremonies of the lawe, with the Sacrifices of Ieſus Chriſte. And moreouer, fornication is forbidden aaActes. 15.Acts 15. Beholde a doctrine which was not newly ſet vp by the authoritie of the Counſell, but with good ryght approued by this aſſemble. For as much as it is the true doctrine reuealed to the worlde from the begynning, and confyrmed by all the preachynges and writinges of the Prophetes. Finally, it is ordained that the Gentiles ſhoulde abſtayne from eating the Sacrifices of Idolles, from bloud and beaſtes that bée ſuffocate or ſtrangled, I ſaye that this is an ordynaunce dyſtiucte from the other going before, the whiche partayneth not to the conſcience, nor to ſaluation ſimplye, but onelye to the exterior and outwarde lyfe, for to attayne an ende more excellent and perfecte, that is to ſaye, that the doctrine of ſaluation p. 95myght take place among the Iewes bbActs. 15.Acts 15. For if it had béene otherwyſe, the Apoſtles had béene contrary to them ſelues. For in the begynning they agréede and ſtayed vponupon this, that grace onelyonly iuſtifieth by fayth, without the woorkes of the lawe ccActs. 15.Acts 15, and alſo they had béene contrarye to the doctrine of Ieſus Chriſt, which wytneſſeth and ſayth, that which entreth into the mouth, defileth not the man ddMark. 15.Mark 15: and Saint Paule which was in this Counſel, ſhould be contrary to him ſelfe eeRoma. 14. 1. Cor. 8. Coloſ. 3.1 Cor 8Col 3For ſhortly after he wrote, that the kingdome of God was not in meate nor drinke, and that one mighte eate of al things, without making any difficultie for conſcience ſake. Such prohibitions be diue…liſhe doctrines ff1. Tim. 4.1 Tim 4: except they be vſed at lybertie, to the edification of their neyghbours. For auoyding ſlaunder ggRoma. 14. 1. Cor. 7. and. 10.1 Cor 7, let thoſe then which wyll not vnderſtande this dyfference, declare to vsus wherefore they hauehave aboliſhed the Apoſtolycall ordinaunce, or whether they hauehave greater power thē the Apoſtles, or elſe whether they wyll geue place to the trueth of God, and ſtudye with vsus to ſée that whiche maye ſerue to the glorie of God, in ſtéede to ſerue their owne auarice and ambition, in abuſing falſely the title and authority of the ChurchhhColoſ. 1.Col 1

19 The ſeconde poynt which is to be conſidered in the eccleſiaſticall ordinaunces.

THE ſeconde poynt, for aſmuch as ſuch ordinaunces and ſtatutes be made to encreaſe the doctrine of y^e Goſpell, let them be eſtabliſhed and ſet vp in ſuch wyſe, that not onelie there be no abuſe or kinde of ſuperſtition, but alſo y^e man which of his nature is prompt & ready to turne the beſt thinges in the world into abuſe, ſhould not ſo eaſely abuſe them. And this muſt néeds be graū ted that for lacke of takinge good héede in the begynning to this poynt, hath bene the verie meanes to ſerue Satans turne for to abolyſhe and deſtroye the true ſeruice of God in his Churche: ſo that if néede were, we coulde ſhe we before p. 96…he eyes of all men, from tyme to time and point to point, from what originall & beginning Idolatry dyd ſpring and proceeded, which at this daye they call Gods ſeruice, and howe they hauehave degenerated from degrée to degrée, by the negligence of the Biſhops, and eſpecially by the faulte of thoſe which hauehave bene to quicke to bring thinges into the Church, without hauing reſpect to thoſe thinges which after dyd come to paſſe.

20 The thyrde conſideration that ought to be had in eccleſiaſticall ordinaunces.

THe thyrde poynte, for as muche as men bee ſo prompte and readye to louelove their own inuentions, and to turns the true Religion into ſuperſtition, and alſo the time of the ſhadowes of the law is paſſed, and that God nowe wyll bee ſerued in ſpirite and trueth, and not in outwarde ceremonies aaIohn. 4. Galath▪ …. Al the Epiſtle to▪ the Hebrues.John 4: Therefore aboue all thinges ſpecial regard muſt be had that nothing bee brought into the Churche, but that which is profitable and alſo verye meete and neceſſarie. Wherefore concernyng this poynt wee doo content our ſelues with that ſtate which we know was ordained and vſed in the Churche in the tyme of the Apoſtles, and accept that for the moſte pure and moſt holy ſtate: although of a long tyme many traditions hauehave bene attributed to the Apoſtles, which they neuer thought▪ as Saynt Auguſtine well knew and confeſſed. But certainely the pureſt ſimplicitie is the beſt, and the more Ieſus Chriſt is plainly and ſimply declared, the more it is agreeable to his worde. So on the contrary, theſe other religions whiche feede the worlde with outwarde ſhewes and tryfles (and in deede if the Church of God had neede of ſo manye Ceremonies, wherefore hauehave they then aboliſhed thoſe of Moſes law, conſydering that they were inſtituted and commaunded by the mouth of God) doo they thinke it lawfull to make newe ceremonies and ſacramentes according to their owne deſyre, for to ſhadow and p. 97hide Ieſus Chriſt from vsus againe? Such ceremonies then ought to bée abolyſhed as not only vnprofitable, but alſo cōdemned, being directly againſt y^• inſtitution of Ieſus Chriſte, and him ſelfe witneſſeth bbIOhn. 4. Math. 15. Actes. 10.Matt 15Acts 10. And S. Paule lykewiſe after him ccRoma. 14. Coloſ. 1.Col 1, and to be ſhorte it is at this daye moſt euidentlye perceyued & ſéene in the poore blinde and miſerable ſtate wherin y^• moſt part of chriſtendome is now led. Wherefore Saint Auguſtine complayned of his tyme ddEpiſt. …8. ad …auua.. Which woulde hauehave ſpoke otherwyſe if he had ſéene thoſe thinges whiche were brought in afterwardes, yea and without any authority of the Churche, and ſuch as ſéemed good to them ſelues. But what ſhall then be ſayde of thoſe which be dyrectlye forged and inuented againſt God? And neuertheles, all paſſeth vnderunder the name of the Church, as though the Church aboliſhed or put awaye the worde of God, or all thoſe which call themſelues the Church were truely ſo in déede. If they wyll not beleeue vsus in thys poynte without further declaration let them geue vsus the bearing and we wyll declare it to them truly, or elſe let vsus dye for it.

21 VVhat is to be aunſwered to thoſe which alledge councels againſt vsus.

BEholde brefely the verie ende and marke whereunto the Councelles ought to hauehave regarde. But to conclude this matter, wee doo not reiecte the Councels, but take occaſion by this meanes to declare howe great enemies they be to the Counſell, which brag and vaunt them ſelues moſt of the counſels. Wee do not entende to eſtabliſh the authoritie of Counſels in ſuche wyſe, that our faith be grounded therupon. For S. Paule declareth that he woulde not enterpriſe this preheminence, which appertaineth to the only Lord and maiſter of the church Ieſus Chriſt aa1. Cor. 7.1 Cor 7, but firſt we muſt conſyder what Counſels they alledge: Howe they hauehave bene conuocated and aſſembled: In what tyme, in what place, and who were the Iudges: To p. 162what ende and purpoſe. But principally the doctrine muſt be conſidered whether it be conformable to the woorde of God, and as it was heretofore in the Apoſtles time by the doctrine of Saint Paule, as S. Luke doth wytnes bbActes. 17.Acts 17, and as Saint Paule him ſelfe ordayned cc1. Theſ. 5.1 Thess 5. In fyne we holde and agrée with the teſtimonye of the Church, ſo that it accordeth with the word of God, & that it be the true church and none otherwiſe. And as I hauehave oftē ſayde, ſo farre is it from vsus to reiect the auncient counſels, that on the contrarie if wee had none other defence for our ſelues we hope to declare before GOD & the world, that there is no more greater and open enemyes to the Counſels, then thoſe whiche make the poore i…n… rants to beleeue, that they be the pillers of Chriſtendome, and for this cauſe do ma… and kéepe the world in ignoranc… and …yndnes ….

22. Of particular Counſels as of nations o… prouinces.

THat which we hauehave ſaid hethert… of general or vniuerſal counſels, ought alſo to bee vnderſtande of particulars, as of one or many churches when neceſſitie requireth, to maintaine the doctrine of ſaluation with one common conſent and teſtimony againſt the heretikes, and to prouide for the preſeruation and ſtate of the eccleſiaſticall ordinaunces and diſcipline, as we may ſée of thoſe which were ordained in the primatiue Church, concerning the prouinciall ſynodes and counſels.

23 How many ſortes of ſpeciall gouernours there be in the church.

HAuing finiſhed the poynt of y^• autoritie of the body of the Churche, it reſteth to ſee what is the duty & authority of y^e principall mēbers therof, the which I thinke may be very wel deuided into .4. kindes: the one hath charge to teach, the other to diſtribute the eccleſiaſtical goodes, the other to gouerne the ſpyrituall affayres, which is the eccleſiaſticall p. 163ordinaunces and diſciplyne, the other to hauehave reſpecte as well to the publyke affayres of this lyfe, as generallye to mayntaine the tranquillitie of the whole Churche, with the power of the ſword. But thoſe which hauehave ſeparated themſelues (being called the Church or the cleargye) from thoſe which be called lay people, as though they were not members of the Churche (yea from the moſt noble) hauehave greatly erred, conſydering that Kings in the ſcripture are called the annointed of the Lorde, aaThis is cō mon in all the bookes of the kings & Pſalmes.(as are all the faithfull bbPſal. 105.Ps 105) and S. Peter dyd vnderſtande by this worde clergie cc1. Peter. 5. 1. Iohn. 2.1 Pet 51 John 2(which is as much to ſay a porcion or heritage) all the whole Chuch of God.

24 The offyce of Apoſtles, Euangeliſtes▪ and Prophets in the primatiue Church.

COncernyng …ooſe whiche had the offyce of publyke teachyng in the Church, we fynde in the ſcripture but fyue degrees. Which are Apoſtles, Euangeliſtes, Prophetes, Paſtors, and Doctors aa1. Cor. 12. Ephe. 4.1 Cor 12Eph 4, which are all ſometimes generally called Byſhops, that is to ſaye, watchmē, or ouerſeers bbActes. 20. Philip. 1.Acts 20Phil 1, ſomtime Deacons, that is to ſay miniſters cc1. Cor. 3. Coloſ. 1.1 Cor 3Col 1, ſomtime Preſbiter, that is to ſay Senator or Elder ddActs. 20. 1. Peter. 5.Acts 201 Pet 5. Nowe concerning the three fyrſt of theſe degrées, we are certainely perſwaded that they ſerued onelye at the begynning, when the Lorde eſtablyſhed the kyngdome of the newe allyaunce or couenaunt throughout the worlde. For the Apoſtles were ordayned immediatelye from Ieſus Chriſte, with equall charge among them eeMath. 18. Luke. 22. Acts. 20. Ciprian in the booke de ſimpl. prelatorū. Auguſtine homi…y. 50. S. Iohn. Gaſath. 1.Matt 18Luke 22Acts 20, but yet as principall conductors of the whole buylding, not beyng reſtrayned to any certayne Church or place, as they hauehave dreamed of Saint Peter, who by this meanes they hauehave made biſhop in ſtéede of Apoſtle. But being ſent to preach thorowe out y^• worlde ffActs. 1.Acts 1, according as the ſpirit of the Lord conducted & lead them as ggActes. 16.Acts 16the hiſtorie of the Actes of the Apoſtles declared. And not as theſe falle legendes, p. 194full not onelyonly of folyes and lyes, but alſo of blaſphemies, wherwith Sathan hath ſtuffed and fylled the church, the Euangelyſtes were as coadiutors of the Apoſtles, whome they followed, as we ſée of Sylas, of Timothe, and of S. Luke, and others which ordinarelye accompanyed Saint Paule, and were ſent foorth and appointed by him, as the neceſſity of the churches dyd requyre. The Prophetes were reſtrained more to certaine places who had ſyngular giftes for to expound the ſecreetes of the ſcriptures, and ſometymes they had the gyfte to vnderſtande and reueale thinges to come, for to approue and confyrme by thoſe myracles, the doctrine of the Apoſtles in theſe firſt beginnings of the Church. Then remaineth nowe to declare of the paſtors and doctours, whoſe office is neceſſarie and perpetuall in the Church of God in ſuch meaſure as it pleaſeth God. We ſhall ſpeake of thoſe here particularly.

15 Of the offyce of paſtours and doctours.

THe charge and offyce of thoſe in generall, and namelie of paſtors, is to be diligent, & take he de to their doctrine aaActes. 6. 1. Timo. 4Acts 6:1(vnderunder the which alſo we comprehend the ſacraments) & to praier vnderunder the which alſo we vnderſtand the bleſſing of mariages of the faithfull, accordyng to the auncient cuſtome of the Church: although often tymes the deacons hauehave ſupplied that office, of the adminiſtration of the ſacramentes bb1. Cor. 1.1 Cor 1, and alſo that which concerneth mariages: al the which things Ieſus Chriſte dyd vnderſtande by byndinge and lowſynge, ſhutting and opening, and by the keyes of the kingdome of heauen ccMath. 17.Matt 17, which is a matter verye euyll vnderſtoode, & as yet much worſe practiſed. For aſmuch then as Heauen is propoſed and ſet open to vsus as a perpetuall dwellyng place, and there is none other waye to go, nor other gate to enter in, then Ieſus Chriſte ddIohn. 14. and. 10.John 14: And for ſo muche as the onelye meanes to hauehave Ieſus Chriſte is fayth eeColloſ▪ …., the which is created and preſerued p. 195in vsus by the holy Ghoſt, thorow the preaching of the Goſpell ffRoma. 10. 1. Peter. 1.1 Pet 1, and the Sacramentes, as it hath bene ſayde heretofore ggActes. 8. Roma. 4.Acts 8: Behold then wherfore it is ſayd that the paſtours or doctours, to whome this worde and adminiſtration of ſacramentes is committed, hauehave the keye of the kingdome of heauen hhMath. 17.Matt 17. Becauſe that by theyr preachings, the worlde may be brought to eternall life, hauing in their mouthes the word of reconciliation and trueth. Moreouer, becauſe that our ſinnes hold vsus bound. And the preaching of the Goſpell annexed with the Sacramentes,… 2. Cor. 5.2 Cor 5 declareth to vsus the delyuerance from ſinne, from death, and from the deuyll kkActes. 26.Acts 26. For this cauſe it is ſayde, that the Miniſters hauehave power to looſe and to bynde, with the authoritye of God. But here muſt be noted the poynts that foloweth.

26 The difference betweene Paſtors and Doctours.

THe fyrſt dyfference betwéene Paſtours and doctours, conſyſteth in this, that the doctours ought to expounde the ſcriptures ſymplie aa…. Cor. 2.& truly▪ for to hauehave the true vnderſtanding and ſence, and alſo to examine the Cathacuminie, that is to ſaye, thoſe which be yet learning the principles of Chriſtian religion. As Origen dyd in the Church of Alexandria. But the paſtors office extendeth yet further, which is to miniſter true doctrine by preaching for the neceſſitye of the Church, to teach, to reproue, to comfort, and exhort bbActes. 6. Roma. 12. 1. Corin. 14. 1. Timo. 4 2. Timo. 4 Titus 1.Acts 61 Cor 14:1Titus 1, accordyng as is requiſite, publikely and particularly, making common prayers and alſo watchinge daye and nyght ouer theyr flocke whiche they be charged with, to feede publykely… and particularlye ccActes. 20.Acts 20with the worde of lyfe.

27 The paſtours and doctours bee but inſtrumentes by the which God conducteth the miniſterie of his worde.

p. 106THe ſecond is, that neither of them dyrectly, doo eyther bynde or loſe, nor open nor ſhut the kingdome of heauen, for it appertaineth to god only which hath made our harts, to chaūge them aaPſal. 501., and to drawe them bbIohn. 6.John 6, it is hée onelye that geueth remiſſion of ſinnes ccMark. 2.Mark 2▪ to ſaue and dampne bodye and ſoule ddLuke. 12.Luke 12. But for as muche as hée is ſerued with men to declare his worde, and myniſter his Sacramentes ee1. Cor. 4. 2. Cor. 5.1 Cor 42 Cor 5who be as troonckes or conduites thorow whom he deſtilleth and powreth his grace, into the hartes of his electe: ſo it appeareth that this is the cauſe that ſo excellent tyttles and teſtymonies hauehave bene attrybuted to the faithfull miniſters of the Goſpell ffIohn. 20. Actes. 26. Math. 5.John 20Acts 26Matt 5. Chriſte him ſelfe ſayth: He that deſpiſeth you deſpiſeth me ggLuke. 10.Luke 10hauing reſpect to him that worketh in them and by them. hh1. Cor. 15. Galath. 2. 2. Cor. 3.1 Cor 152 Cor 3. As for the miniſters being conſidered a parte by them ſelues, it muſt come to this which Saint Paule ſayde ii1. Cor. 3.1 Cor 3: he that planteth & he that watereth, is nothing, but God which geueth the encreaſe, ther muſt alſo be a reſpect that the Miniſters of God ve not deſpiſed: and on the contrary not to extol them into Gods place nor ſet them in his ſteede, as men do often times. Yea euen thoſe which be nothynge leſſe then the Miniſters of God, how ſhall we do then? Let vsus follow S. Paule, who in ſpeaking of Paſtors and doctors ſaide: let eueryevery one ſo eſtéeme of vsus as the miniſters of Ieſus Chriſt, and diſtributers of the ſecretes of God kk1. Cor. 4.1 Cor 4.

28 The marckes and tokens of falſe doctours and paſtours.

THe thyrde poynte lyeth in thys which S. Paule ioyneth in y^• ſame text, the whiche is required alſo on the Miniſters parte, that euerie of them be found faithfull aa1. Cor. 4.1 Cor 4. Now we accoumpt not them for faithfull, and ſo by conſequent worthye of the honour due to the miniſters bbRoma. 6. Galath. 5. 1. Iohn. 1. 1. Tim. 5.1 John 11 Tim 5, nor yet to be accepted as miniſters ccPhilip. 3. 1. Timo. 6.Phil 3:1, which hauehave not receyued y^e office and charge of the Lord, that is to ſay thoſe which hauehave bene thruſte in without conſent, as is appoynted by the p. 107Church. And namely when the Lord geueth this grace in the worlde, that there is a Churche erected, (excepte God doth ſtur vp ſome one or two extraordinaryly, as he hath alwayes done when it ſéemeth good to him). For howe ſhall they preache ſayth Saynt Paule, if they bée not ſente ddRoma. 10. Ierem. 2. 3.Jer 2:3? And to ſaye trueth what earthly Prince is there that woulde allowe thoſe thinges within his Realme, which bee done without his commaundement?

Wherefore we doo exhort all faithfull to take dillygent heede and beware of thoſe whiche contempne the ordynarie meanes of a lawfull and godly election, which importeth a true and free examination of manners, learning, and doctrine without ambition or wicked meanes, whenſoeuer it ſhal pleaſe God to erect his order in any place of the world. For when this order by gods iuſt iudgemēt cānot be kept, it wilbe folly to hope for any reformation confirmed by them who be the very enemies of the Church.

Alſo all extraordinarie vocations ought to be ſuſpected, and in no wyſe to be admitted, when God hath opened the waye to ordinarie meanes, except there appeare euident and manifeſt cauſes. Alſo theſe be falſe paſtors which be not able or méete to execute the offyce and charge ee1. Tim. 3. Titus. 1.1 Tim 3Titus 1. Item all ſuch as be defamed, and ſlaunderous perſons. Item thoſe which execute not their offyce and duty, for hée is no Paſtor that feedeth not his flocke. Item thoſe which excéede their commiſſion, that is to ſay, which expoūd not faythfully the worde of God, eyther chaunging, putting to, or diminiſhing ffGalath. 1. 1. Cor. 4.1 Cor 4, but declare their owne fantaſies or other mennes traditions in ſteede of the worde of God: all ſuch perſons I ſaye be holden and declared namely by the auncient canons for falſe paſtors and miniſters of Sathan, and not of God. Wherfore all that euer they can ſay or do contrary to this order, is in vayne and fryuelous before God, although they had fiftie crownes vponupon their heads, and as p. 108many Buls: ggPſal. 110. Iohn. 9. Acts. 4. 1. …or. 4. …a…. 6.Ps 110John 9Acts 4:1for the power to bynde & loſe, to open and ſhut, is appoynted & lymitted to the miſterie of the worde hhMath. 28.Matt 28of God, and pertayneth not to thoſe which holde the place of Lordly Paſtors, but to thoſe which be true godly Paſtors. And if Magiſtrates in ſtéede to chaſtice ſuch, doo maintayne them, it foloweth y^• God doth not allowe them nor theyr deedes, but reproueth them.

29 Of degrees which ought to bee among Miniſters of the word, accordyng as they be diſſeuered by companies.

IN all companies it is certayne that there muſt be an order▪ as we ſée there was among the Apoſtles in Ieruſalem, where S. Peter aaActes. 1. and other place.Acts 1had the voyce fréely & wyllingly. But this eſtablyſheth not a preheminence of a ſtate or dignitie, for it was but for a certayne order and tyme as was expedient, and it was in ſuche wyſe that Saynt Peter muſt render accoumpt to the Church of his voyage, after he was burdened to hauehave miſuſed him ſelf bbActs. 11.Acts 11, and alſo ſuffred him ſelfe to bée reproued by S. Paule at Antioch ccGalath. 2.▪ For to conclude we confeſſe y^• ther muſt be a diſtinctiō among paſtors & doctors the more orderly to aſſēble together whē néede ſhall require & to kéepe a decent order, y^• one procéede & be chéefe among thē who was called in the beginning by the Gréekes proeſtio, y^• is to ſay preſident as Iuſtine witneſſeth ddIuſtine in the apologetique.. Now we call him in France Doien, & in ſome places ſuperintendēt. And although we be not ignorant how often the auncient church hath eſtabliſhed degrées among y^e biſhops, in thinking to do wel, neuertheles, conſidering the horryble tiranny & cōfuſion which by this meanes is ſprong vp in the church of God, we content our ſelues with the cuſtome of the Apoſtles which was to choſe thoſe which ſhoulde cōduct their affaires, y^• were moſt godlie and meete, according as it was requiſit▪ whoſe power extēded no further nor longer time, thē the conſent of aſſemble dyd import, much leſſe then had hee power to p. 109do any thing on his own head or authority, or to alledge that he could not erre: as it playnlie appeareth in the election of S. Mathias eeActs. 1.Acts 1, in the election of the Deacons ffActes. 6.Acts 6, in that S. Peter and Saynt Iohn bee ſent to Samaria by the other Apoſtles ggActs. 8.Acts 8, and in that which was ſayd and done in the counſell of Ieruſalem hhActes. 15.Acts 15▪ and in Antioche iiActes. 11. and▪ 14.Acts 11, and by Saint Paule in many places kkThe Epiſtles to Timothe and Titus..

54 The ſecōd degree of eccleſiaſtical offices which is the office of deacōs, & the diſtribution of the goods of the church.

THe ſecōd place of eccleſiaſtical offices lyeth in the miniſtration & the diſtribution of eccleſiaſtical goods, wherof the Apoſtles dyſcharged them ſelues wyth their good wylles, for that they could not beare ſo great a burden. Far▪ vnlike we… they to thoſe which at this day call them ſelues men of the Church a. Firſt in the church of Ieruſalem were elected 7. perſons ful of the holy ghoſt, & of wiſdome▪ & of lyfe approued by ſufficient teſtimony, which were called Deacons, that i… to ſaye Miniſters, although this name oftentimes extendeth further bbRoma. 17. and many other places., this order enſewed, & continued as all the auncient eccleſiaſticall Hiſtories declareth. Alſo it appereth by the auncient canons that the eccleſiaſticall goods were deuyded into fowre partes ccThe. iiij. counſell or ſynode holden at rome anno. 330. Item in the 3. Epiſtle do ſimplicitate Epiſ. Rom. an. 447., whereof one was diſtributed to clarkes, that is to ſay to thoſe which were noriſhed and maintained with the conſent of their parents for to ſerue afterwardes in the Church according as they ſhoulde be found apte and meete, and alſo thoſe which ſerued preſently, yea which ſerued in effect and not onelyonly in name, for the workeman is worthy of his hyre dd1. Corin. 9. Deute. 21. Math. 10.1 Cor 9Matt 10, and on the contrary, he that trauelleth not, is not worthy to eate ee1. Theſ. 3.1 Thess 3, wherein neuertheles this meane was kept, that they reſpected to that which was neceſſary. So farre, that thoſe which might bee mayntayned and kept of the goods of their Parentes, and yet neuertheleſſe, tooke the goods of the Churche, were reproued ff1. Timo. 5., yea as ſacrilegers ggC. clericos 1. q 2.

p. 110The ſeconde parte of the fowre, was dyſtributed to the poore, the thyrde employed to maintaine the buyldinges, and ſuch other eccleſiaſticall neceſſities▪ Yet neuertheleſſe, all the ornaments of the Temples (in the which as yet they kept a meaſure and meane order) was employed for the poore in tyme of neceſſyties, hhThe Epiſtle to Nepotian.although S. Ierome complained of his tyme, and Saynte Ambroſe iiA booke of offices. 28. chapter.alſo, that they were to much geuen euen then to ſuch exceſſe and pompes, rather lyke Painims then Chriſtians. The fowrth parte was aſſigned to the Byſhop kkCanon apoſtolike. 30., net for to diſpoſe at his appetite or pleaſure (the whiche coulde not be done without great ſacrilege and euident contrarietie of al that which is ordained and limited by the counſel of Carthage the fourth llCanon. 15. 17. 20. 31.) but for his neceſſarie charges, & to comforte the priſoners mmCanon apoſtolike. &. c ſacrotum 12. q. a, and to receiue and relieue the poore ſtraungers nn1. Tim. 3. Titus. 1.1 Tim 3Titus 1, as recyteth Gelaſius ooC. Preſ… um. 16. q. 3, & S. Ierom ppEpiſtle to Nepotian.declareth it plainely. The offices to receiue and to diſtribute & other ſuche lyke were geuen to the Deacons, which neuertheles rendredReade the Epiſtle of Pope Clement▪ which they ſaye was wrytten to ſaynt Iames, but it is a falſe tytle. a count to the paſtors, and eſpecially to the Byſhop, as it appeareth by the canons, which they call apoſtoliques qqCanon. 15. and. 41., in ſuch ſorte that it was not permytted neither to Deacons, nor to Biſhops, to diſtribute or employ any thing without conſent the one of the other, as it appeareth by the counſell of Antioch rrCanon. 24. and. 25.. Afterwardes becauſe of the difficultie of the great charge they ioygned to them ſubdeacons as coadiutors of the Deacons, there where it was expedient. And alſo archdeacons to gouerne althings in good order, one or many according as néede required, of the which Saint Hierome ſſEpiſt. 10. Nepotian, and Saint Gregory ttEpiſtle. 10. of the fyrſt booke.maketh mencion. Alſo there was appoynted to the ſubdeacons certaine Wyddowes whiche were entertained to kéepe and gouerne the ſicke, & for other neceſſyties of the poore, wherein the miniſterie of Women is more handſome and méete then of men. The ſame is ſpoken of in Saynt Luke, vvActes. 6.Acts 6and in Saynte Paule xx1. Tim. 5.1 Tim 5, where it p. 111was ordayned that no wydowe ſhoulde bee appoynted vnderunder. lx. yeares and alſo to hauehave good teſtimony of her chaſte lyfe and conuerſation.

31 Of the fowre orders which they call minores ordines.

BEſyde thys amonge the olde wryters, there is mencyon of three degrees, whiche afterwarde were called Minores ordines, although ſome count of fowre, and other count more. There was alſo Porters, or Vſſhers, which were called Oſtiarii, who kept at the gates of the Churche to open and to ſhutte, eſpeciallye becauſe of the Cathacumines, the excommunicated, and the penytentes whiche were not permytted to be preſent at the myniſtration of the Sacramentes aaCanon. 9. the fowrth counſell of Carthage.. There were thoſe alſo which followed the Paſtour ordynarylye, as well to doo hym reuerence and honour, as to be wytneſſes of thoſe thynges whiche hee dyd or ſayde, and alſo to acquaynt and make them ſelues knowen to the church, and alſo to learne to knowe and exerciſe their offyces, and thoſe they called Acolites, that is to ſay, following, and alſo they dyd vſe to ſet them to other ſmall affayres néedeful in the aſſemblie bbCanon. 6. the aforeſayde.. Moreouer there were thoſe which they called Lectors who dyd reade openly the textes of the ſcripture which the paſtour or doctour afterward expounded in the Church ccCanon. 7. the ſame counſell., they ioygned to them Exorciſtes, that is to ſay, coniurers, the which office as I think is now ceaſed, or at the leaſt ought to ceaſe in the Churche with the gyft of myracles, which was not but for a time, for to confyrme and ſtablyſhe the veritye of the word of God, newly declared and reuealed to the world, they ſerued for all thoſe ſmall affaires, which concerne the eccleſiaſticall ſeruice. To trye and proue by lytle and lytle thoſe whome they myght afterwardes appoint to offyces of greater importaunce. And whenſoeuer good orders ſhall be ſet vp and appoynted in p. 112the Church, for ſuch or ſo good purpoſes, wée wyll not gaynſaye or refuſe them: prouided that they hauehave reſpecte to that which is neceſſary to edification.

32 The thirde degree of eccleſiaſticall offyces whiche is the Iuriſdiction and offyce of the elders.

THe thyrde eſtate of eccleſiaſticall offices lieth in the ſpiritual iuriſdiction, y^e which was committed to thoſe, who were called in the wryttinges of the Apoſtles & auncient Doctours both counſels, and canons, partycullarly preſbiter, that is to ſay, Senior or Elder, which alſo ſomtimes be called gouernours by ſaint Paule aa1. Cor. 12. Roma. 12.1 Cor 12, and were choſen not onelye by the clargye, but by all the body of the Churche, as it appeareth euidently by the complaynt whiche ſaint Ambroſe bbS. Ambro…e in the fyrſt Epiſt. 5. c. to Timothe. 5. Epiſtle. 2 booke. epiſtle, item 10. 14. 15. & other following the. 3. booke.made, that euen in his tyme certayne perſons tooke vponupon themſelues this offyce. And by that which S. Cyprian c hath wrytten, wherein it is eaſye to gather, that the Byſhoppe proſeded and was chiefe in this companye, not for to rule and raygne ouer them, but to doo nothyng without the aduyſe of the Church. Now this iuriſdiction lyeth not in worldlie & temporal thinges, but altogether in thoſe thinges whiche concerneth the conſcience. So that it is fully diſtinde from the offyce of a cyuill magiſtrate, according as the lord Chriſt not only ſaid to his Apoſtles, but practiſed ddLuke. 12. Iohn. 18. Acts. 6.Luke 12John 18Acts 6, and S. Paule after him ee1. Cor. 10.1 Cor 10. True it is that in the tyme when there were no magiſtrates, which made profeſſion or vowed openly to be Chriſtians, ſ. Paule would that for to eſchew ſlaunders and offences, the faythfull ſhould decyde and ende all controuerſies among themſelues when neede required, but this was but for a certaine tyme. And ſurely asf▪ 1. Cor. 6.1 Cor 6 I thinke ſuch perſons were but as arbitrers, choſen by the parties, or at the leaſt was an offyce diſtincte from thoſe which we ſpake of. Alſo it is certayne that euen vnderunder Chriſtian Emperours the good Byſhoppes hauehave beene maruelouſlie letted and troubled, about the ending p. 113of controuerſies, but it was more for to appoynt and agree the partyes by amiable and friendlye abytrement, then to meddell the ſpyrituall Iuriſdiction with the temporall. And Saint Auguſtine ſheweth plainely in many places, how it gréeued him for that he was conſtrayned to employe, and beſtowe ſo much tyme for the importunitie of the people. All Byſhoppes hauehave not ſo done, but rather hauehave deſyred nothing more, then to ſerue theyr ambition vnderunder the ſhadowe of holynes, whereof it came to paſſe that the Emperours hauehave graunted to them more in this caſe then was needefull or appertayned to them, or the profyte of the Churche required.

33 To what purpoſe or ende ſerueth the eccleſiaſticall iuriſdiction and which be the partes therof.

THe cauſe and purpoſe of the eccleſiaſticall, iuriſdiction tendeth to one ende, that is to ſaye, that all the body of the Church in generall, and eueryevery member of the ſame in particular, bee p…eſor…ed and entertained in doctrine and wel doing according to the wyll and word of God. Now the continuance hereof conſiſteth in good lawes, and in the good obſeruation of the ſame. And that y^e lawes eyther be made, touching the doctrine of ſaluation generally, that is to wéete, concerning their duetie which they owe to God and their neyghbours, or concerning the regiment or manner of doing, which euerye one ought to kéepe in his charge or office. It followeth then that this iuriſoiction ought to be deuided into two principall partes. The firſt is concerning the authoritie to ordayne & appoint thoſe thinges whiche concerne as well doctrine and manners, as the regiment which eueryevery one ought to kéepe in his degrée. The ſecond in the puniſhing of thoſe which offend, in the obſeruation p. 114of any of theſe two things, But concerning the firſt parte, which lyeth in the power to decrée or ordayne, we hauehave alreadye declared here aboue, that God hath receyued to him ſelfe, fully and entirelye to preſeribe lawes pertayning to the conſcience, for vsus to walke in them vprightly before God and man. Wherfore there reſteth no more but the other part, which concerneth the diſcipline and regimēt which is required, that all thinges be done by good order, as we hauehave treated amply in ſpeaking of the authority of the body of the Church.

34 VVhat is the office of the Elders in the Church.

IT is the office of the Elders principally to watche, that the Church whiche is committed to them, begouerned by good order, according to the rule of the Goſpel, and that the eccleſiaſticall lawes and ordinaunces, eyther vniuerſall or particular, be mayntained and executed dilygentlye, accordinge to their charge. And if there ſhall happen any new inconuenience, their duty is to prouide therefore by newe ordinaunces & iniunctions conformable to the Chriſtian religion & charitie: Without burdening of mens conſcience, neyther to charge the Churche with a multitude of lawes, nor brynging in ſuperſtition according to that which hath beene ſayde herebefore, where it ſpeaketh of coūſels, eyther to be done by thēſelues, or to take the aduiſe and counſel of other churches, and the ſayd lawes and ordinances to be incontinent allowed & auctoriſed by the magiſtrate, if ſo be that he be a Chriſtiā. And for this cauſe in all the prymatiue Churche they hauehave beene accuſtomed to holde prouinciall ſynodes twiſe a yeare. It is their office lykewiſe when any peryl or daūger doth happen among them, to appoynt prayers & faſting extraordinarilye, & to practiſe & vſe them in theyr churches, when any ſuch chaūces do happen with the conſent of y^e Chriſtian magiſtrate if there be any: ſo that the godly p. 115orders of the church may be maintained w^t diſcipline. And aboue al things let the word of god be diligētly & ſincerely preached, w^t the ſacraments truly miniſtred, y^e eccleſiaſtical goods wel gouerned, & althings wel ordred. Their duty is alſo to elect men méete for the ſame: I ſay elect, for it cānot be found that euer ther was any other lawful, eccleſiaſtical vocation in the Chriſtian Churche, ſynce it was brought into any good order of gouernement, but by the way of ellection, except God called any extraordinarily, without ordinary meanes. Now concerning the election that it may be lawful, behold the pointes which we conſider therin. Firſt who ought to bee electours, what perſons ought to be elected, and howe they ought to elect, and howe to confirme the election.

35 How the eccleſiaſticall elections ought to be.

FOr the fyrſte poyncte, wée neyther fynde it a cuſtome nor yet reaſonable in the Churche of God, that be which ſhoulde ſerue a Churche, already erected, can bee elected without the good wyll of the ſame aaActes. 14.Acts 14. Yet neuertheles according to the places and the conditions of the people, it is requiſyte that the eccleſiaſticall gouernours hauehave fyrſt a reſpect to thoſe and appoynt moſt méeteſt, & then to aduertyſe the people who oftentymes the greateſt parte be ignoraunt who are méeteſt for them bbActs. 1.Acts 1. And in the primatyue Churche it happened ſometyme that good Byſhoppes hauehave named thoſe which they deſyred to hauehave for theyr ſucceſſors, but it was without reſpecte of their owne priuate or partycular affections. And this nomination was none otherwyſe then a declaration of theyr opinyon, which incontinent after was conſydered and examyned by the whole Church ccReade the actes of the counſell holden at rome in the tyme of Pope Hilarie., as we ſee by the example of S. Auguſtin ddEpiſt. 110., and of Anaſtaſius eeTheodorete in the eccleſiaſticall hiſtory. 4. lib. c. 20.. Moreouer the eccleſiaſticall rulers ought to take order, to preuent all things which may be a let or hyndrance p. 116that the election be not fréelye done as it appertayneth. And firſt to be authoriſed by the Chriſtian magiſtrate, when God ſhall appoynt him after by good delyberation and admonitions. But without the approbation and conſent of the body of the Churche where they be, the election cannot be lawfull ffLeo epiſtle 60. and. 52. Nulla ratio.. Alſo good he…de muſt be takē, that this approbation and election of a multitude, bee done without confuſion. As it was ordayned and decreed in the counſel of Laodicia ggCanon. 13. of the counſell of Laodicia.. The ſame order we ſee was kept in the election of ſaint Mathias hhActs. 1.Acts 1, & of the deacons, iiActes. 6.Acts 6by the Apoſtles. Such order alſo was dillygentlye kepte and obſerued in the Church by a long ſpace, as it appeareth by all the auncient wryters, eſpeciallye, when there was occaſion to receyue any into the clergye, as it appeareth by y^• S. Cypriā kkReade Cyprian. 4. Epiſtle, fyrſt booke, and. … Epiſtle. …. booke.wrote And concerning prieſts that is to ſaye Elders, there is a playne Canon for them which hath the tytle of Anaclete, whiche they coumpt for the fowrth Byſhop of Rome. Item Leo firſt of that name in his Epiſtles, hath expreſſed the ſame in a doſen places, at the leaſt llEpiſtle. 87. and others often.. S. Gregorie in his Epiſtles writeth the lyke mm1. Booke. 5. Epiſtle, and 2. booke. 9. Epiſtle.. And alſo let them conſyder the maner of electing the Pope him ſelf, which Nicolas the ſecōd nnDiſt. 28. c In nomine.ordayned about a fiue. C. yeares paſte, & they ſhall find that the conſēt of the people was among them although the Emperour dyd ratifie and allow altogether afterward.

36 Of the qualities and conditions of thoſe which they ought to elect.

AS concernynge the conditions requyred in thoſe whiche ſhoulde be elected and choſen, it is manyfeſtlye declared at large by the ſpyrite and worde of God aaActs. 1. 1. Timo. 3. Titus. 1. 1. Peter. 5.Acts 1:1Titus 11 Pet 5. Wherefore we maye conclude that hee which wyll dyſpence with any for money or rewardes cannot be led but with the ſpirite of Sathan.

37 The order and maner to geue the voyces.

p. 117COncerning the manner to elect, wée find that faſting & prayers were the beginning of the electiōs, the which don aaActes. 13. and. 14.Acts 13ſhortlie after in the moſt beſt and wyſeſt maner, they gaue their voices in the great feare of God, after they had examined the lyues and ſufficiencie of thoſe which were named, according as God ordained by Saint Paule bb1. Timo. 3. Titus. 1.Titus 1.

38 Of confyrmation and conſecration of the perſons elected.

COncerning the confyrmation & conſecratiō of the perſon elected it was done by laying handes vponupon the head of him which was elected, & commendyng him to the Lord by the prayers of all the Churche whiche were there aſſembled: which ceremony hath ben vſed from the law of Moiſes & after retained and vſed by Ieſus Chriſt & by the apoſtles aaActes. 6. 1. Timo. …. and. 5.Acts 6:1. Neuertheles in the election of biſhops, this was added by the auncient Canons that the nexte Byſhops ſhould be there at the leaſt, to the number of thrée with the metropolitane.

39 Of mariage, of faſting, and of the difference of dayes, and meates.

BEcauſe that matrymonyall cauſes be partlie eccleſiaſticall aaMath. 19. 1. Cor. 7.Matt 191 Cor 7, and alſo faſting pertayneth to thē exteriour diſcipline of the Churche, I hauehave gathered in a fewe wordes that which we beléeue and vſe according to the ſcripture.

We do not put any part of our ſaluation in thoſe things, that is to ſay, either in mariage, or virginity, either in fleſhe or fyſhe, eyther to eate or not to eate bb1. Cor. 7. Roma. 14.1 Cor 7: but we do ſtay and eſtabliſhe our ſelues in Ieſus Chriſt onelyonly as hath bene ſaide afore. And as for good workes wherein the Chriſtians ought to ex…yſe them ſelues, they do far excell theſe aforeſayd according as is commaunded or forbydden in the two tables of the. …. commaū dementes cc1. Timo. 4.▪ Yet notwithſtanding we doo commende and prayſe ſuch thinges, as farre forth as the ſpirite of God doth commend them to vsus. That is to weete as foloweth. Fyrſt we know that y^• ſeat p. 118of chaſtity reſteth in the hart. And therfore let not thoſe brag or boaſt of virginitye, which doo abſtayne from the outward acte, but thoſe in whom the natural concupiſcēce is ſo mortified, that they hauehave no néede of y^• remedy of mariage dd1. Cori. 7. Secondarily, we know by the worde of God, & by moſt euident experience, that continency is a ſpeciall gyft, which God geueth to thoſe whiche ſéemeth good to him. And for as long tyme as it pleaſeth him ee1. Cori. 7 Math. 12Matt 12. Thirdly to abſtaine frō mariage, is not a thing that of it ſelfe doeth make vsus acceptable to God, nor yet mariage. But he that is vnmaried hath more leyſure to execute the publike or particular office that God hath geuen him, and in this reſpecte we prayſe continencie as a thing which ſerueth vsus to vſe our vocation better and none otherwyſe ff1. Cori. 7. and vntounto the ende of the chapter.▪

Concerning mariage, firſt we ſay that it is ordained of God ggGeneſ. 2 Math. 19 Epheſ. …Gen 2Matt 19, & honorable in al eſtates as the holy ſcripture hhHebre. 1…teacheth, ſo that who ſo euer hath not the gyfte of continency, that is to ſay, who y^• féeleth in him ſelfe ſuche a naturall deſyre, that he maye bee drawen to euyll thoughtes, is oblyged and bound to mary ii1. Cori. 7.

Secondlye, we admoniſhe the maryed perſons, bothe men and women to take heede, for there is a kinde of whordom in mariage, that is when they ouer flow or excéede in abuſing the gyft of God, which of it ſelfe is pure & holy. And alſo each of thē are bound to lyue & kéepe themſelues in all chaſtitie and coniugall honeſtie kk1. Theſ. 4. 1. Peter. 51 Thess 41 Pet 5. Thyrdly, we kéepe the diſtinction of mariages & degrées of kinreds according to the ordinaunce & worde of God And contrary to that we thinke there is no wyſdom of man ought to preuayle llLeuit. 18. 1. Cor. 5.Lev 181 Cor 5Neuertheles, for Coſins garmaines which is a degrée not forbidden of God, we exhort & admoniſhe all men to take heede and beware, not what maye be done, but what is expedient to edifye, according to the doctrine of S. Paule mm1. Cori. 6.

Fourthly for y^• reaſōs aboueſayd, we cal w^t ſ. Paul nn…. Timo. 4.in the for bidding of mariage and by conſequent the vow of perpetuall p. 119virginity, a diuiliſh doctrine & diabolical. Foraſmuch as it is inuented flat againſt y^• word of god oo1. Cori. 7. 9 1. Timo. 3 Hebre. 13. 41 ber. 2. Hiſtoria tripertit. … 14. canon. 5. of the Canons Apoſtolyke, Canon. 10. of the counſell of Ancite. Looke diſt. 26. where is recyted the wordes of Innocent. the fyrſt, and Auguſtine in diſti. 27. canon. 13. of the counſell of Conſtantinople which was called the 6. vniuerſall counſell.And alſo y^• fruits therof declareth very euidently w^t what ſpirite it was brought into the world, & how al the earth is by that meanes defiled & almoſt chaūged into a Sodom & Gomor. By y^• ſame reaſon alſo we condēne & puniſh all whordome w^tout exception, & we think y^• it is in no wiſe tollerable in chriſtēdom to tolerate & ſuffer brodels or opē whorehouſes. Yet neuertheles we ſee y^• y^• great faire or market of ba…dry is kept moſt nereſt to y^• ſe which they cal (falſly) the catholike & apoſtolike church, and by thoſe which wold be ſeen to be the protectors of virginity. As concerning faſting firſt we cōmend it in al ſobrietie, not for certain daies, but for al y^• life of a chriſtian. Secōdly, we call not faſting to fyl vsus at once for two daies, nor for to eate fiſh in ſtead of fleſhe or ſuch lyke myſteries. But to reſtrayne our dyete & fare, more then it hath bene accuſtomed, and to vſe a more ſtrayte temperaunce in féedyng then was ordinarye vſed before. Thirdlye wée allowe not faſting ſymplye as a woorke that maketh vsus acceptable or pleaſing to God of it ſelfe, but becauſe it ſerueth vsus to thrée good endes, the firſt to preſſe down our fleſh, abating y^• ſtrēgth thereof pp1. Timo. 4, touching many violent and euil affections qqLuke. 2 1. Cori.Luke 2:1: the ſecond, the earneſtlier to make and diſpoſe our praiers and ſpiritual thankes geuing to God rrActes. 13. 1. Cor. 7.Acts 131 Cor 7. The thyrde, to bee an exteriour teſtimony of our in warde humilitie before God, and before men as is expedient ſſIudges. 20. 1. Samu. 1 Ionas. 3Judg 20:1Jonah 3. Fourthly, wée make no lawes for certayne faſting dayes & tymes, knowing that this were euen to brynge in agayne the Iewiſhe lawe ttLooke the hyſtorie eccleſiaſticall 5. booke. …, but for particular faſtyng, it ſufficeth vsus to exhort all perſons to faſte in ſobrietie, and do their duties: and as for ſuch cauſes as concerne y^e whole church, we remyt it to the diſcretion of the Gouernours of the Church, for to ordayne and appoynt faſtinges according as the caſe and tyme requyreth vvIoel. 3. and. 3. ….Joel 3. Concerning the dyſtinction or dyfference of dayes, p. 120we ſaye that it is a beaſtly ſuperſtition, to eſtéeme one day more holy then another, or to thinke that abſtayning from worke were a thing of it ſelfe that pleaſeth God xxColoſ. 2.Col 2. Notwithſtanding among the ſeuen dayes wée obſerue and keepe one, accordyng to the commaundement of God yyExod. 20.Exod 20, for to beſtowe it to heare the worde of God in the Congregation, and principallye to dedycate and geue our ſelues to learne and vnderſtande our duties towardes God, and towards our neighbours. Thus we ſpende the Sondaye. And concerning other Feſtiuall daies, we hauehave put away as many as is poſſyble for vsus: knowing the abuſe that hath come thereby, and the lyttle neede that Chriſtendome hath of them. Yet neuertheles, becauſe there bee certayne dayes dedycated to the miſteries of our redemption, we vſe the Chriſtian libertye, and hauehave reſpecte to that which eyther may hurt, or ſerue to the edification of the Churche, according to the circumſtaunce of tyme, place, and perſons.

As concerning the diſtinction or difference of meates, we deſire all tēperance to be had, as hath bene ſayde, & then eate and drink with geuing thanks for thoſe things which God geueth, without ſcruploſ…ty of conſcience zz1. Cori. 10., knowing that the kingdome of God lyeth neither in meate nor drink aaRoma. 16. 1. Cor. 8. Coloſ. 3.1 Cor 8Col 3, and al things be pure to him that vſeth them purely bbRoma. 14. Titus. 1 Marke. 7.Titus 1Mark 7, and without offence ccRoma. 1. 1. Corin. 8.1 Cor 8, as S. Paul bath plainly ſayd in many places. And with him we call the forbidding to eate certain meates in certaine tymes, a diuellyſhe doctrine▪ dd1. Tim. 4.1 Tim 4and vaine ſuperſtition eeColoſ. 2.Col 2.

40 Of the ſecōd part of the ecclaſiaſticall iuriſdiction, concerning correction.

THe ſeconde parte of the offyce of the eccleſiaſticall Senators, is to reproue thoſe which breede trouble in y^• church, wherin it is to be noted: Fyrſt, the maner to puniſhe which the Churche vſeth, is contrary to the ciuyll puniſhments. For the Church vſeth no priſonmentes, nor amerciamentes with money, nor corporal paines, but onelyonly with p. 121the pure word of God, as it ſhalbe ſayde hereafter aaLuke. 22 Iohn. 18. 2. Cor. 10.Luke 22John 182 Cor 10. And if the apoſtles did at any time procéede with corporall paines bbActs. 5Acts 5, it was by an extraordinary power becauſe that at y^• tyme, there was no Chriſtian magiſtrate. Secondly, all the eccleſiaſtical cauſes maye bée deuided into thrée kindes, the one concerning the doctrine: The other concernynge the manners of Chriſtians, the thyrde touchinge the order which al men ought to kéepe in their eſtate, accordinge to the eccleſiaſticall lawe. Concerning the doctrine, they maye fayle and erre by Ignorance, or by malyce, or by thē both. Alſo malyce bringeth foorth his fruytes accordinge to his quantitie, and according to that artycle of faith which it enuyeth againſt. In all ſuch caſes, firſt there muſt be vſed y^• moſt eaſieſt meanes. As in teaching the ignoraunt, and reprouing the faulte of thoſe whiche offende by malyce or purpoſe, accordynge to the quallytie and greatneſſe of theyr offence, and ſo to beare with them, if it bee poſſible to wynne them by admonitions, both particularly and publikely, & alſo to call them before the eccleſiaſticall ſenators, if it be needefull. Not to confound them but to bring thē againe into y^e right way, if it be poſſible ccRoma, 14. and. 15. Epheſ. 4. 1. Timo. 2.Eph 4:1. If al this wil not ſerue, then they muſt procede to the laſtremedy which is againſt the ſtubborn and incorrigible, of the which we ſhall ſpeake hereafter.

Concerning behauour & maners there ought to be a difference betwene the offences commytted againſt a particular perſon, and publike offences, & betweene the offences which be publikely committed. And alſo he which enforceth himſelf to doo euyll, who deſerueth to be otherwiſe dealt with all then he which is fallen by humane infirmitie.

Concerning particular faults, or wher the offence is not manifeſt, our Sauior Chriſte hath ſet an order which ought to be kept in all degrées ddMath. 18.Matt 18. Concerning publike offences, S. Paul wylleth that they ſhould be reproued publikely ee1. Timo. 5.for to redreſſe the ſlaunder, and alſo practyſed it p. 122him ſelfe in reprouing S. Peter ffGalath. 2.. If the moſt eaſieſt meanes can profite, it ſufficeth: if not they muſt procéede frō degrée to degrée, vntyl they come to the laſt remedy ggMath. 18. 1. Cori. 5. 1. Tim. 6. 1. Timo. 4. Titus. 3. 2. Iohn. 2. 1. The…. 3.Matt 18:11 Tim 6:1Titus 3w^t ſuch diſcretion that principally the honour of God may be kept, & that all maye be done to the edification of the body of the Churche hhColoſ. 5. 1. Cor. 2.1 Cor 2. As for offences which concerne the eccleſiaſticall order, there be aūcient canons ordayned, from degrée to degrée, yet neuertheles the rygour ought to bee moderated, and out of them to choſe thoſe which bee moſt connenient for to edifie.

41 vvhat excommunication is, & what the right vſe thereof is.

THe eccleſiaſticall corrections hath to degrées, the firſte is admonition. Sometime eaſye and ſometime ſharpe, according as the offēce of the caſe requyreth. The ſecond and laſt degrée is that we call excommunication, wherin muſt be noted the poynt folowing.

Firſt what is excommunication? We cal excōmunication aa1. Cor. 9.1 Cor 9a ſentence wherby the eccleſiaſticall Seniors after lawfull knowledge of the cauſe, dooth declare in the name and authoritie of God and his holy word, that ſuch or ſuch, one or many be iuſtlye excluded and ſeperated from y^e company or communion of the Saynts that is to ſay y^e Church of God, & by conſequent delyuered to ſathan, for aſmuch as without the Church there is no ſaluation: yet not to continue for euer, but ſo long as they continue vnreformed, and vntil that they hauehave ſatiſfied for the ſlander or offence geuen.

Secondly, it muſt be vnderſtande that ſuch a power is not groūded vponupon man, for man hath no manner of power ouer the ſoule, but by the authoritye of God, who vſeth them in the Churche as organes and inſtrumentes by whome hee ſpeaketh, & therefore it is not to be doubted, but ſuch ſentences be ratified and confyrmed in heauen. For as muche as Ieſus Chriſt hath ſo ſayde and promiſed to all his church in the perſon of hys xii. Apoſtles, vnderunder the name of keies of the p. 123kingdome of heauen bbMath. 18.Matt 18and to bynde and vnbinde, as alſo S. Paule practiſed the lyke with the Churche of Corinthe and others cc1. Cori. 5. 1. Timo. 1. Yet neuertheles, the Churche ought after lawful ſatiſfactiō, to receyue him again which hath bene caſt out, that is to ſaye, if afterward be ſhall ſatiſfy to the Church, & make amends for the publyke offence, according to the ordinaunce of the Church & ſufficient proofes had of true amendment, as farre foorth as man may iudge. And there is no doubte but ſuch abſolutary ſentence is ratifyed and confirmed in heauen dd2. Cor. 2. Ciprian, 1. booke. 2. Epiſtle, and 1. booke. 14. Epiſtle &. 162 Cor 2.

Thirdly it is to be noted diligently that ſuch authoritie neuer pertayneth to one man alone (except God worketh at any tyme extraordinarilye) but to the whole eccleſiaſticall ſenate eeMath. 18. 1. Cori. 5.Matt 18:1.

Fourthly, this is not geuen to al thoſe whiche call them ſelues of the Churche, but to the true eccleſiaſtical ſenate lawfullye and cannonicallye elected, as wee hauehave ſayde for to gouerne the affayres of the Church.

The fift poynt is, y^• the very true eccleſiaſticall ſenate, cannot, nor may not vſe it at their wyls, as we ſee al men be ſubiect to many infirmities. But this power is lymitted & appointed by the worde of God. And for this cauſe Ieſus Chriſt and his Apoſtles deſpiſed the excommunications of the Scrybes & Phariſees ffIohn. 16. and. 10John 16. And according to y^e ſame, Irene a moſt auncient Biſhop of Lyons, reproued verye ſharplye the temerious excommunication which Victor Biſhoppe of Rome made, about the yeere of God, a hundred nynetie and eight, which declareth very well what was the primatiue or firſt be gynninge of the Byſhoppes of Rome, where as then they walked in vpryght conſcience. And there were other Byſſhops y^• vnderſtoode their office: and one of the cauſes that the prouincial and nationall counſels were ordained and holden for, was to heare and decide the cauſes of thoſe whiche complayned of theyr paſtors ggCanon. 5. c firſt counſell of Nice.. Alſo it appeareth ſufficiently thorowout the whole eccleſiaſticall hyſtorye, p. 124howe the Byſhoppes in theſe caſes ought to helpe one another to edyfye without ambition. Beſide this the Metropolitans ought to be content thē ſeues with their lymites, and ought to doo nothyng without the deuiſe of theyr brethrē in their Iuriſdiction hhCanon. 116. of the fyrſt Counſell of Nice, and. 9 Counſell of Antioche.. But ambition hath ſo wrought, that of longe tyme the Biſhops of the principall townes, (and aboue all hée of Rome) hath drawn all to themſelues: witneſſeth the falſehood of Boniface whiche was diſcouered and reuealed at the Counſell ofThis counſel was holden at Carthage, about the yeere. 422 Carthage, where as was S. Auguſtine, where it was ordayned that thoſe of the Clergie of Affrica, which appealed ouer the ſea to Rome, ſhould be depoſed from theyr office.

For the ſixt poynt it is to bee noted to what end excommunication was ordayned of God. Firſt that the church of God ſhoulde he as pure as might be poſſyble, and that there myght be no occaſion to think, that it ſhould be a refuge or den of the wicked ii1. Cor. 51 Cor 5. Secondly for feare that the infected ſhoulde not defyle thoſe whiche were whole. kk1. Cori. 5.Thirdly if it were poſſible y^• the ſynner might bée brought home tol 1. Cor. 5. 2. Theſ. …. 2. Timo. 1.1 Cor 5 the flocke againe. It followeth then that this puniſhment muſt be applyed and vſed for to edifie, as may be expedient, and that there be good héede taken, leaſt they confounde the ſinner by too much heauynes and ſorowr, when he geueth a ſgyne of repentaunce, but ther to mitigate the puniſhment when néede ſhall require▪

42 Of the ciuill and Chriſtiā magiſtrate and to what ende his office tendeth.

IT reſteth nowe to ſpeake of Magiſtrates, which bee in their eſtate the pryncipall members of the Churche ordained of God, yea namely aboue al others in their eſtate aaRoma, 15.. To theſe appertayneth the doing & execution of ciuyll and temporall affayres, ſo as their ſubiectes maye lyue in peace. By reaſon whereof the taxes, and ſubſidies, are due vntounto them bbMath. 22 Roma. 13.Matt 22, and to them appertayneth to vſe p. 125the ſwoord which God hath geuen thē ccRoma. 13., for the preſeruation aſwell of the countreyes which be committed to them, as alſo for the defence and mayntenaunce of good lawes, and puniſhment of the euyll and wicked doers. Secondlye, the duetye and offyce of the magiſtrates is not to regarde ſimplye the peace and concorde of ſubiectes, but principallye for thys ende, that the peace and concorde maye tende to the honour and glorie of God, that all men maye lyue not onelye in a certayne ciuyll honeſtye, but alſo with pyetie and true worſhyppe of God▪ as wytneſſeth Saynte Paule dd1. Timo. 2.. For thys cauſe eſpeciallye it appertayneth to the Magiſtrate, that the Lawes whiche hée vſeth and executeth maye bée conformable to the wyll of God: and pryncipallye to geue order that the relygyon bee perfecte and holye, and that all the Churche bee ordered accordynge to the woorde of God, forbyddyng and punyſhynge, as the caſe requyreth, All thoſe which trouble the Churche or concerning the diſcipline thereof. Alſo Dauid diſcribed the eſtate of a faithfull Prince ccPſal. 108 and many other textes.Ps 108, as himſelfe hath vſed, with all thoſe which hauehave wyllinglye done their duetie, as Salomon, Ezechias, Ioſias & other faithful Kinges and Emperours.

33 Howe far they are bounde to obey the magiſtrate.

AS there is no faythfull man exempt from the obedience whiche be oweth to Ieſus Chriſte, reigning in his Church, be it king, prince or ſubiect, ſo ther is none from the greateſt to the leaſt which oweth not voluntarie obedyence to his Magiſtrate, as ordayned of God aaRoma. 13 Titus. 2. 1. Peter. 2▪Titus 21 Pet 2. Yea, although the Magiſtrate were a tirant, except in one point onelye, that is to ſaye, if he commaunde to doo things which were againſt Gods woorde. For in this caſe as the Apoſtles ſaid, we muſt rather obey God then mā, for otherwiſe we extol mē aboue God bbActs. 4Acts 4. p. 126It is not then rebellion to diſobey Princes, when they woulde cauſe vsus to doo that which God forbyddeth, or to defend… or forbyd that which God commaūdeth. But in this poynt… there muſt bee ſuche a meane kepte, that they doo not paſſe or excéede their vocation. For the Apoſtles obeyed not to thoſe which for bad and defended them to preach Ieſus Chriſte, as alſo they tooke to them no weapon or armour, which appertayned not to them. Alſo we muſt note, that there is difference betweene doing wrong to another and to ſuffer wrong done to vsus. Nowe for the firſte, it is forbydden vsus▪ neuer to doo wrong: But eſpecially commaunded vsus to ſuffer the iniuryes done to vsus for the honour of GOD cc1. Peter. 2.1 Pet 2, as much as maye or can bee done wythout preiudice, or againſt our vocation, as we reade that Ieſus Chriſte although hee were free, neuertheleſſe payed trybute wyllynglye ddMath. 17Matt 17. It is then a manyfeſt and falſe ſlaunder to ſaye, that the doctrine which we teach and vſe bringeth men to bee ſedicious, and diſobedient to kinges and ſuperious. But cleane contrarie, the Goſpell eſtabliſheth their power. But this is impudently done of thoſe which hauehave notoriouſly exempted themſelues from the ſubiection of Princes, & which do vnderſtand no otherwiſe by the lyberties of the Church, then that which they hauehave vſurped vponupon Princes, againſt all right both diuine & humaine: and yet hauehave no ſhame to burdē vsus with that wherin they them ſelues be notory…ſlie culpable and offenders.