Declaration of Ecclesiastical Discipline out of the Word of God

To the godly reader grace / and peace from God the father / and from our Lord Jesus Christ.

I F off longe time, and even almost from the beginning off the world, we had not fully known, and tried the frowardenesse off man's nature no doubt all men would take it as a thing incredible, that any one could be found, which would refuse, or not moste desyrously embrace, so sweet and wholesome discipline off Christ, as both is propounded to us in his word, and set forth in order in this present book. Which as being simply considered it is marvelous so truly seemeth a great deal more strange, if we way how easily men are brought to admit that civil discipline (whereby the commodities off this present life are kept) although hard and confirmed with more severe punishments. But iff we turn our eyes to the over hard and cruel slaughter off the Popish Discipline, and mark a little with what quietness and patience it was born: surely it must needs, not make us wonder, but be astonished. For what foolishness is it, so mutch to care for this frail and britle life, as not only to admit, but often̄ times willingly to desire all severity off discipline even though it be as great, as that off Lycurgus was: and to be so backward cither in gettinge or keeping off that life which always shall endure: as not to yield to the most moderate, and best tempered discipline off all that ever were? And iff this blindness off men were pardoned (which notwithstanding at the lēght shall most certainly be punished) that it both loveth more and followeth with greater diligence, the commodities off this inconstant life then of that which shall abide forever: what madness shall it be thought, that we have so quietly and easily borne, that cruel boutchery off the Popish discipline whereby both body and soul, have miserably been tormented: and so hardly or not at all to suffer, this most souuerein medicine for our vices. For the laws off Discipline which we there felt, written off the Romā dragon as it were with blood: we may here try by our Savior Christ & the Apostles, writ̄ (as one would say) with milk. And this either ignorance of the world iff it know not these things, or pride iff it refuse a known benefit, or other peevishness & peruersity whatsoever, maketh almost all good mē to fear, lest the just God being angry that his fatherly and gentle rod is contemned, and taking up his rod off yrō and justice: those churches that remain (which are very few) be altogether broken, bruised into little pieces, even wholly as it were into small cromes. Which thing as it maketh me pensive for all churches generally, where the Apostles discipline hath no abiding, so for thee O England, to whō being bound both by commune duty off a cytisen, and by public ministry which sometimes I exequuted, I confess that I owe all kind off great and special duty) yt maketh me mutch to doubt, and to be very careful.

I speak nothing off that unrevenged, and vnpurified shedinge off giltlesse blood which was committed in the reign off Queen Mary, especially against those which both were then the authors off that murder, and whose minds thurst, and hands itche ro commit the like wickedness again: only I admonish, that off the rivers thereof, which, run̄e and ouerflowe in all places, evē the least drop might be the destruction off a great, and most mighty kingdom. Therefore to let these and other things pass, which are not now to be spoken off: those bands off vices, whihe have proceeded partly from the absence off th' Apostles Discipline, partly from the presence off the counterfeit thereof, which remaineth with us since Popery, have weakened our church with seidge off fourtene years together, and shortly will destroy the same, except against those battering pieces and cannons off vices, we speedily set the treēche, & truly brazen wale off the Apostles Discipline. And I would to God thow haddest kept some mean there in (iff there can be any mean in Sinninge) and by thrustinge away the Discipline being offered, haddest not more greiuously provoked, the wrath off God against the. For the former things although they were heinous, yet because they came off ignorance might the rather obtain some pardon: now when she hathc made her self known unto us being iniuriousliy handled, and suffringe violence, it is greatly to be feared off us, lest powringe out her complainctes into the bosom off her heavenly father (from whō she cometh) she kindle that wrath against us where with all England unless it speedily repent, may shortly be set on fire. The thinkinge off these things doth often dismay me, and when I greedely seek after, both hope off the health off England, and reasons whereon to gather hope, they drive as it were all hope out off my breast. And that so much the more because these many years, not only the exceadinge great patience and longe suffringe off God, striuinge with our hardness, and greediness off sin that never resteth) hath put to flight our privy enemies, scattered their companyes, brought to nothing their snares laid for us both at home and abroad: but also that God hath eft soones heaped new benefits upon us or at least was ready to have heaped iff we had been so ready to receive as he to give, and had not suffered the opportunities which were offered us, or rather put into our mouths to have slidē frō us. In these so many, so great, so old and as it were hard houldlinge diseases, although I be almost overcome both withe dispeire off recoueringe the former health, and fear off losinge that which we have: yet cease I not now and then to lift up my mind so thrown down, and to advance it to the hope off a better estate off things.

Off which the foundations being laid, in the mercy off God which hath no ende, I cherish and confirm the same by certain signs, which I have observed to that purpose. For calling to mind the former times, when I see that mercy off God to have shined forth, and we not only not thinckinge off it but almost with general consent off all men criynge out to the contrary) to have given us light in the wholesome doctrine off the Gospel: now in the leaninge, or rather affection off the greatest part off Gospellers both high and low towards discipline, if I persuade myself that one day it shall have place amongst us, I ought to seem not to have done it rashly. As for that, that our most Excellēt Prince, and some off the cheiff counseillers off the Realm, unto whom our common wealth is committed, have hitherto been small favorers off Discipline, although it seem to reach as it were even at the throat off our church: yet because all men understand that it is hath happened, as well by secret whisperinges as open accusations partly off Bishops, partly off those which stand for Bishoprics (which perceive that they cā not stand, if the church stand and florishe) we dispeire not of the good will, and redinesse, off the prince, and her counseillers towards this cause. For we hope when the vanity & falseness of slanders, as off treason) Rebellion, destroyinge off common • ealthes, confusion, Anabaptism, Donatism (which all they lay upon discipline, and those that are desirous thereof) shall be seen we hope I say it will come to pass, that those whom we have hitherto felt, somēewhat est raunged from this cause, we shall try hereafter friendly and favorable thereunto. For we so trust to the goodness off the cause that we can hardly think it able to be brought to pass, that it should be condemned not being hard, off so witty a Prince, and so wise counseillers. Now whereas Her Majesty, according to the excellent learning and amongst women without all comparison, which she hath, is delighted with things that are written in latin: we have conceived great hope, that this cause which hitherto she hath tasted here and there, out off the false rumores off those which deal iniustly with us, as it were out of the channels, shall more fully be drawn out of our own books, as it were out off the founteines. Which that she would do we throwinge down our selves at Her Majesty's feet do in most humble manner and with all supplication beseech Her, in the name off Christ (whose matter this is) the noblest, and far moste excellent off all Kings. And in this place, I mark another sign, to confirm my mind in the mercy off God: that our merciful Father, hath provided a notable worckman, whose breast he hath filled with all kind off treasures, both off arts and tongues.

Now seeing that he hath framed a Bezaleel for us, to make the vessels and instruments off the Tabernacle, he seemeth not as yet to have clean left, off to think, off repayringe the ruins off our Church. For he hath so behaved him self in a cause (both for the diverse judgments off many, and the fewness off those that have writ thereof) most hard: as it seemeth, scant that anything could have been taught either more exactly, or more plainly, in one which had been, both allowed by all men's opinions, and commonly written upon by many. For Discipline showeth her self, and cometh forth openly in the sight off all men, not only with good words and excellent sentences, as it were arrayed with costly garments, but also the same as it were with method, comely plaitted and seemly girded. And whereas the very matter off Discipline, is off it self amiable and lovely, being decked withe Rhetoric, Logic, diversity off tongues, pureness off speech, knowledge in the civil Law, as it were withe broidures, what love ought it to kindle in the minds off men? Now iff this fruit to read and look upon hath pleasure in it, howe mutche more pleasant and sweet shall it be to taste? But iff any will say, that I give over hasty judgment in this matter, I am content to lose so mutch off mine estimation (iff I have any) as shall seem to be wanting either off judgment, or learning to this little book. Discipline therefore having twice suffered repulse at our hands cometh unto us the third time, the same which she was before, but with greater train, and ornamētes (as are meet for a most noble dauhter of the noblest king. Wherefore unless we will try the sharpness off the wrath and displeasure off God, let us go forth to meet her coming, let us open unto her all the gates and havens off the realm, let us run into her most loving arms, let us give her the kiss off love and reverence, finally let us both receive her willingly, and keep her constantly, with all kind off service and duty. For that which happeneth sometime to Princes that hide them selves under baser apparel, that they are not greatly angry though they be not known off their subjects, but when they show them selves in princely array and furniture, are offended greiuously iff they be not acknowledged: the same doubtless shall we try in this prince. For iff hitherto she either more basely appareilled, or having a veil before her face, and not suffringe men to know her fully, hath kept in her angre within her breast: yet surely she will newer suffer so great brightness to be contemned, or refused, as may perce the eyes even off men that are blind. And iff they which disdain a costly gift being offered in an earthen vessel, are worthily punished for their rashenesse: certainly they shall never escape a most grievous punishment off their madness, which despise it being given in a gorgeous and costly dis he. Hereunto may be added that the author off the book, not buklinge him self with any adversary, and having his mind bent only on the cause, inueieth not against any man's person. Wherein having understanded off some in part offended with me modestly answeringe an importunate man, and lightely stinginge him again, which thrust others thorough with most sharp reproaches: surely as I am sory that they are displeased withe me, so I rejoice for their cause, that in this treatise all comparison off persons being separated, they shall have nothing, which may offend sutch minds as are somewhat to deinty. Wherefore I have done my endeavor, that I might bring to light, this (both for these and other causes) so excellent a Jewel, committed to my custody, being persuaded, that I could not, witheout the heinous sin off sacrilege, have buried in silence as it were in grave, so notable a thresure. Which truly I have done so faithfully, that although I saw him differinge from me in the interpretatiō off a place or two notwithstanding I have left them vnchaunged, and reserved them whole to the judgment off the church.

It remaineth o England, that thow for whose sake all this pain is taken, bring unto the reading hereoff a mind void of all affection, neither hindered with any error of custom, nor dismayed with the vain noyes and pomp off Bishops, nor rūninge headlonge withe any prejudice, or desire off mainteninge any side: that thow look only upon the matter, try the weight off every argument, not by the deceitful scoles off men, or off the greatest, but by the authority off the word off God, as it were by the gouldsmithes weightes, that thow acknowledge the truth once know̄, keep it in thy mind, bring it into practice (everyone so far as his vocation will suffer) as it were into present possession. Now I most humbly beseech god the father off our Lord Jesus Christ, that out off the threasures off his wisdom and strength, both opening thine eyes to see, and strenghtheninge thy hands to put in execution, he would vouchsafe to perfect, and always to continue, the good thing which is begun in thee.

Necessitye off Disciplyne.

T He manner off government in all human societies / is off greatest force and power either to the preservation or overthrow off the same for there is no common wealth be it never so small / no not a house that can be preserved without some certain manner off government and discipline. And those Kingdoms and common weals hawe always most notably flourished and longest continewed / which first off all were set in good order off government / and afterwards kept the same without any alteracion or change. As contrariwise the destruction off greatest commō weals and most flourishing states have follwed / where either the order of government was ill appointed in the beginning / or ells being well begun / was afterwards / altered and neglected for Pollicie / government / and good laws / are in city or any common wealth whatsoever / as the helm is to the ship / the wrest to the Instrument / Order to an Armye / and as the sowle is to the body.

Hereoff yt came that Athens which was so famous a city after it could no lenger hold / and stere this helm / was tossed with every wave and storm / and in the ende perished and was overthrown. And hereby also that ancient city of Lacedemon changing the severe laws off Lycurgus changed also hir estate / even as a song is changed by altering the time and note in which it was first set. Hereby the Romaines commonwealthe or Armye rather / after that they left the severity off the law off Arms / and warlyke discipline whereby they did always more prevail then by might and power / lost also there ancient glory and renown. And to conclude / Hereoff cometh that we see now everywhere so many towns fallen to ruyne / and lying like the dead carcases off the cities which some times they have been / because that by changing there old government by little and little / at the last the whole state was lost / and went away as the sowle from the body.

And even as the monuments off the Greek and Lattin writers do witness these things to have chanced to many common weals and other societies and companyes / evē so we read in the holy histories that the church (which is a certain society and company off such as profess the true service off God) with no less danger neglected the discipline and order / which God there most louīg and wise lawegeuer had appointed them to be ruled bye yea to there much greater loss and punishment / for that (besides those incommodities which are wont to chance unto others bye changing good laws) They always found by experience / that the lord God there law giver was ready to punish and revenge the contempt off his discipline and order. for to pass over the punishment off God upon the church off the Jews / whosoever doth diligently and attentiuelie read the history off the Christiane Church / shall well understand that the calamity off the former times in which the Church lay Deade as it were by the space off many years came off no other cause / then off the contempt off the most wholesome and most holy Ordinaunces whereupon yt was grounded by our Lord and Savior Christ / that it might have endured forever. Therefore it is a wonder te see (whereas our merciful God off his vnspeable goodness and by a singular miracle / even now off late within the memory off our fathers hath raised up the church as it were out off the grave again / by the voice off the Gospel) that so few are careful for the maynteining and preserving off this life / and that being content as it were to be in good health by preaching off the gospel / they care not for discipline / whereby this health may be the better preserved / and also the strength and beawtie (which was lost by former sickness) be recouerd and gotten again.

And surly / it is greatelie to be feared / lest that they (if they go thus on stille and continue to contemn so necessary an aid) fall again into the calamities off the former times / and lest that these later times become worse and more miserable then the former. But I am most off all afraid for our Church off England / which by the space off so many years as it hath already embraced the Gospel / not only thinketh not off instituting a lawful Discipline therein / but in a manner useth only that / which it hath received from the Papists / nor will not be persuaded to receive and embrace that Discipline which Christ and his Apostles have left unto us: whose state hitherto hath been this until the time off king Henry the eight his reign / for a long space before / it had lien dead and as it were without any life. Then at the length by the greater favor and grace off God towards us / diverse notable men rose up / who / as Elias and Elisha raised up the children which were dead / So they likewise by most earnest prayer and cherishyng yt by all means got at the last some life into yt / so that at the length / yt began as it were to wexe warm and neese: and by certain articles off sound doctrine / to show some tokens off a Church reviving again.

And after wards / in the time of Edward the sixthe a prince off singular hope and towardness in all godliness and vertewe / was fully revived / and recouereed not only hir life / but also hir health again. But our church being thus recovered / was contented with physic only and good diette for hir health / and used no exercise to get hir color and strength again / for although many did exhort to abolish that popish tyranny which then was still remaining in the policy off the Church / and to place in stead thereof a just and lawful manner off government according to the word off God / (wich thing especially that famous man Marten Bucer being then a stranger in England / did in that book which he wrote of the Kingdom off Christ) yet could not England be brought to leave that form of gouernīg the church / whereunto it had been accustomed under Popery / but divided and separated asonder the doctrine and discipline off the Gospel / twoe things / which both by there own nature / and also by the commandment off God are to be joined together. But forasmuch as health cannot long be kept and preserved without due and moderate exercise / not long after / namely in those most cruel times off Queen mary / it fell sick again / that it was not only in danger off death but in a manner past all hope to recover again. And surly even then our church had out off doubt been utterly destroyed (as in deed it was brought all to ashes) unless that heavenly Son Jesus Christ had quickened yt being more then half Deade / and raised yt up like a Phenix out off the ashes again: And except our most noble Queen Elizabeth had risen up as a mother in Israel / to travel with and bring forth our church again.

But this new birth hath not as yet been anymore happy touching the restoring of discipline then were the former times. Therefore I thought yt my duty / even for the kind affection which I bear to that church in which I have been both borne and brought up and therefore love most deerelie for good causes (even as the Apostle saith to live and die together) I thought yt I say my duty to desire and beseech this Church earnestly and carefully to think / off this so great a benefyte / whereby yt may be established forever: And most earnestly to exhort and admonish yt to abolish that popish tyranny / which yet remaineth in the government thereof / and to restore again the most holy policy off •• 〈◊〉 the church / which our Savior Christ hath 〈◊〉 unto us / and to fear / lest that the lord will punishers and will be revenged off us / iff we contynewe still to despise his discipline.

But forasmuch as there be many who (because they delight rather in a fair outward show / then the true symplicitie off the Gospel) strive and contend to retain still this Popish Hierarchy and conterfaite manner off governing the church / blaming that order for many causes / which we persuade unto / This whole controversy is fully and at large to be disputed of: that when they understand the good cause that we have to reprive the one / and require the other / they may join together with us in earnest prayers unto god / and humble suyte unto hir majesty / That this Popish tyranny being at the last utterly abolished and clean taken away / In place thereof a better and more holy government of the church accoding to God's word may be established.

Which cause I purpose so to handle that first drawing out the right pattern and platform off the lawful policy and government off the church / as Christ and his Apostles have left it unto us / together their withal I will note our faults and errors in every pointe / that by this comparison the truth may more clerelie shine and appear / first therefore seeing we have not to do with such as reject all discipline off the Church / that yt may be better understood what it is whereof we dispute / I will declare what the lawful discipline off the church / is.

I call therefore Ecclesiastical Discipline, the policy off the Church off Christ ordained and appointed / off God for the good administracion and government off the same. That I make here / God the Author off discipline (whereupon yt followeth that we have to fetch the rules thereof from no other fountains but from the holy scriptures) had need be more fully proved / because it is denied by many who dare affirm that there is no precept given touching this matter / but contend that it is wholly left unto judgment of the magestrate and off the church. first then let thē tell us why they deny that god hath thus carefully provided for Christiane Churches / and why they affirm yt to be left free for us to rule it as we lift / seeing that in the old church off the Jews / All things which pertained not only to the government off the cyuile state but also off the Ecclesiastical (for although with them god was Author of both / yet he would have them distinguished the on from the other) were so diligently and exactelie destributed and both commanded by god and commended to writing by Moses / that yt was expresslye forbidden / that Nothing should be added unto yt nor taken from yt? For yt appreareth manyfestlye that / that exacte pattern off Discipline came not first from Moses / but from God / by this that Moses testifieth so often that the lord had appointed the manner off creating and ordaining Ecclesiastical officiers / and and there power and authority / who aso always ready to punish the transgressors off his ordinances with most grievous plages / and punyshementes.

There is a notable history in the ninthe off Nōbers / off certain unclean persons who thinking yt no sufficient cause / why they should not eat the Passover with the rest off Israel / because they were polluted with touching off a dead body / which thei must needs do seeing there died daily some emonghest them as off necessity yt cometh to pass in so great a multitude / went to Moses and Aaron / desiring that they might not be secluded from that solempne communion off the church. But what doth Moses in this case? what taketh he upon him? Surelie nothing at all but referreth the cause wholly unto God / by whose answer they were forbidden to eat the Passover with the rest off Israel / and were put off unto the next month. Off which cause properly belonging to this Discipline which we handle and referred to God / yt may be clearly understood / That Moses in all the government off the church did nothing by his private authority / but only delivered unto them that which the lord had commanded: which thing also Moses him self doth plainly testefie / by his often repeating off these words / As the Lord had commanded. And this is that faithfulness which the Apostle to the Hebrews commendeth in him / that he ruled not the house off God by his own will / but by the authority off the Lord the master off the howsholde.

And how precisely ys yt commanded in the Tabernacle that all should be made after the fashō and pattern which had been shown by the Lord in the Montaine? neither so long as kings were in any tolerable state / Any / either kings or priests / toke upon them any such authority to appointe matters belonging to the church / but all things were ruled and governed according to the will and authority off God. For whereas in the fashion and buiding off the temple and in the offices off the Levites and off the Singers / certain things were / somewhat otherwise appointed by danid and Solomon then they had been commanded by Moses That change and alreracion was not made by the authority off David and Solomon as kings / but by the will off God himself who appointed yt so by his Prophets as appeareth / in the Chronicles. Therefore also the fashion and pattern of the temple after it was overthrown / was so exactelie drawn out by Ezekiel that the new temple might he builled again according to the pattern off God shown by his Prophet. Wherefore also Erra and Nehemiah exacte all there reformacion to the pattern off Moses / David / and Ezekiel.

Seeing then so stable and certain a rule off governing the church contynewed unto Christ / the laws and ordinances were appointed by god him self / and that it was accounted wicked and unlawful for any man boldlye to have taken anything in hand in these matters / and that such as did so / eschaped not the grievous punishment and vengaunce off God / why do they now at the last deliver god off this care / or rather spoil the church off hir patron and defender / by whose government / yt might be preserved / and who sitting in the stern at the helm yt never feared any storms or tempests / but was always safe in all danger. And how absurd and unreasonable a thing is it / then especially to think the love and care off God to be demynished towards his church when he hath testified yt with a most certain and undoubted testemony / that is to say / by the sending off his only begotten son to take away our sins / and as the Prophet off God / to declare all the Lord's will and counsel towards us / and to rule the church by his own authority. For this is that Prophet like unto Moses / who should plainly and perfectly declare unto us of God all things which do belong unto our duty / whom we ought to hear and to obey / as the holy ghost by the mowthe off Peter hath expounded that promise / and by that heavenly voice which testefied off him from heaven that he was the dear and only begotten son off god / in whom the father was well pleased and commanded us to hear him. But how should we think him to be like unto Moses / if he either hath wholly omitted / or not so clearly and perfectelie (as far as was needful for us shown and declared / this doctrine off the manner off governing the church being so necessary / and which Moses hath so diligently and faithfully declared.

Thefore we must conclude iff we acknowledge Christ to be that Prophette / that he hath fully and perfectly declared unto us / whatsoever was needful for the government off the church: except we will rob hī of some parte off his Prophetical office / or prefer a seruate be he never so faithful / before the only begotten son / and as yt were Eliezer before Isaac in his fathers house / which surly they do / who think the seruante to haur omitted nothing in this behalffe / that the heir hath omitted all: and that Moses left all things perfect / but Christ either began them not / or did not fynishe that which he began. Now whereas I affirm that Christ hath left us so parfecte a rule and Discipline / I understand yt off that discipline which is common and general to all the church / and perpetual for all times / and so necessary / that without yt this whole society and company and Christiane common wealth / cannot well be kept / under there Prince and king Jesus Christ. And surly we must needs / either confess that Christ hath left us such an order to live by or ells spoil him off his kinglie office. For what doth more belong unto the name office and duty off a king / then to give laws unto his cytezens and subjects▪ and to make such decrees and ordinances whereby all the partes off his kingdom may be maintained. The Papists indeed deny it / and dispute against us and contend that it is lawful for there high priest to rule and order the church off God as he listeth: but we who do detest and abhor this blasphemous voice and according to gods word acknowledge and confess Christ to be the only king off the church. how can we say / either that he neglected so great and so necessary a point off his Kinglie office / or that he hath left yt us to order as we please.

But if there be any whose speech is so contrary to it self / that they grant Christ to be the King and law giver off the church / and yet will say that either he made no laws touching tht government off his people / or fewer then were needful: Let them consider how little they differ from the Papists in this point / and how vnhonorably and unreverantly they speak off Christ our Lord. For if he hath not set in order the whole state off his kingdom / iff he hath not appointed officers / and declared the duty and authority off everyone / if he hath not appointed what should be the order off courts and off Justice / iff he hath taken no order how the controversies off his subjects may be ended: he hath less provided for his church / then not only Moses did for the Jews / but then Lycurgus / Solon / Numa / and other lawegeuers off the gentiles / provided for there cities and common weals. Which if we confess / what shall become off that famous kingdom which the Prophets set out with such pomp and glory / what shall become off that septer off Justice and that Chariotte wherein David describeth him sitting in the midst off the church. Which although we grant properly to belong to the kingdom off Christ in heaven affter th • s life / yet are those Prophecies not so wholly to be referred thereunto / but that they have also some relacion to the beginning off his kingdom in this life.

For seeing his kingdom / in this life differeth from the other by reason and certain respect only / and is not altogether off another kind / so that the things which are here begun shall then be fully accomplished: There is a certain proporcion to be considered here / and all those prophecies are after a sort also to be expopounded off this kingdom. As / where yt is prophesied that in the kingdom off Christ all things shall be ordered by perfect Justice and equity / that all his subjects shall be obedient and full off heavenly knowledge / that there shall be no Cananyte in all the lande / that the gentiles shall be shut out off the city off god / and such other things which the prophets most worthily and notably have set out: we must understand / that all these things after a certain manner are to be referred also to his Kingdom in this life / and declareth that the government of this Kingdom of his church here / owght also to be just and equal / that the faithful who are his subjects / owght not to be brutishe and ignorant / but as conning in heavenly matters and as full off that knowledge as may be: That men off vicious life and given to all sin and wickedness / are to be cast out and banished from the church / and the temple off god / to be kept as nere as is possible free and clean from all pollutions and prophanacions. Furder also / they are convicted by the whole history off the Gospel and by the writings off the Apostles / by which it appeareth / that he hath left unto us fully / all things which were needful for the administracion off government off his kingdom. For howe often̄ talked he with his disciples touching this kingdom? How often did he declare what manner off kingdom yt was? namely that yt was no kingdom off this werlde / that it handled not the business and affairs off this life but such only as parteine to the mind and conscience. How often did he declare / what his officers should be / nāely no gracious nor honorable Lord's / but ministers off the church? How exactelie did he apointe the order off his courts and justice that nothing more could be required to a right government / and lawful pollicye? yea / evē a little before that he went from his / disciples how earnestly and how carefully comēded he the charge off his kingdom unto them? how great authority gave he them to shut or open heaven? and (so great was his care for the dew administering off his kingdom) even then when he toke his triumphant chariotte / wherewith he was after carried into heaven / that sitting there / he might enjoy his kingdom / euerlastinglie) how carefully and how long (even for the space off forty days together) did he talk with his disciples touching his kingdom? For these are those charges and commandments which S. Luk / and S. Matthew do write that he gave to his Apostles and Ambassadors off the administracion and government off his empire: and whereof he commanded them to give his subjects warning to keep them with all duty and reverence.

And after he was set in his kinglie throne / do we not see how he provided all things which were necessary not only for the first foundation off the church by means off Apostles and prophets / but also for the preservation off it forever by Pastors and Doctors? But that I be not longer then is needful in so clear a matter / how cam yt to pass that there was one order form and discipline off all the churches which were founded by the Apostles / except they received the pattern from Christ him self / which they thought not lawful to alter and change.

And S. Paul seeing he had no more received this parte touching discipline from the Apostles / then the rest off • he Gospel (for he had established many godly churches many years before that he had conferred with them off his doctrine) from whence I say received he all that form and order off establishung the church by / except he were taught off Christ by reuelacion as well concerning this / as concerning the rest off the Gospel? But I will shut up all this matter touching the original off discipline / that it cometh from god / and is therefore unchangeable and perpetual and common to all churches / with that earnest charge which S. Paul giveth Timothy touching the keeping and manteining thereof. who having taught his scholar all the order off ruling the house off God which is the church / I charge the (saithe he) in the sight off that God which quickeneth all things / and Jesus Christ who made that worthy confession before Pontius Pilate / that thow keep these precepts without blāe or reproof even to that notable coming off our lord Jesus Christ: and so forth as the Apostle with most earnest words doth charge him. Off which place / I gather / first that almighty God and our Savior Jesus Christ are the authors off that discipline which S. Paul had taught in that epistle. forasmuch as they are noted to be the punyshers and auengers off all those who shall break yt. I note further also that this order off discipline is constaunte and unchangeable: which may neither be broken for any man's power or authority / nor altered for any man's favor: seeing that it is not only called a commandment / but is given also with such a charge: Tymothie being warned before the allmigtie God / and our Savior Jesus Christ / to bear him self therein without blame and reproof. Last off all that yt is no commandment belong • ng to any certain time / but perpetual / and pertaining to all times and states off the church. Seeing yt is so expresselie commanded that it should be kept unto the coming off our lord Jesus Christ. But how blame worthy were many afterwards / and how foully stained with the transgression off this holy commandment: for at the last / Satan that conning workman to dostroie the church / having made them to forgette this earnest charge off the Apostle / and having laid to the walls off the church those twoe engines off Couetoussnes and Ambicion / which destroy as well churches as cities / did cast down the strong holds whereby it was mayntened and preserved.

But what did these so great Patrones and Protectors? how grievously did they punish not only the necligence off men but there sinful and unfaithful wickedness? The stories do testify / how that by little and little with the corruption off Discipline / Doctrine also began to be corrupted until that at the last / they were both almost clean taken away and the church abolished. For they know not I say plainly they know not / who being content with the doctrine off the Gospel neglect discipline / that the disposicion and nature of these two / is like the disposicion off twoe sisters who are twines: or off those brotherne off whom Hypocrates speaketh: who began to be sick together / and to amende together / so that fought the natural inclinaciō and disposiciō of the one towards the other / they were affected one with the others health and infirmity. Wherefore / seeing that god of his infinite goodness gathered together again our church in these days / and that true doctrine as the elder syster is recovered / let us not hinder hir (as hir nature is iff she be not hindered) to affecte also discipline with hir health that as it began to be sick together with doctrine / yt may be also recovered together with yt.

And let us be moved with the remembrance of the former calamities / to the restoring again of a pure government off the church except we esteem it not to have the almighty god and our Savior Jesus Christ ready to punish us and to be revenged on us for the neglect off his discipline / and to know at the last to our great peril and danger / how necessary it is for the church and how acceptable unto god.

But why do I say lest we know at the last / seeing that we have already proved not many years since / by the banyshement and fliing off subjects / by s • so crewell burning and murdryng off our brethren and horrible wastyng of our church / how greatly the former reformacion being not sincere as it owght to have been / displeased our Lord and God. But to return to that from whence I have digressed / I think it plain and manifest by that which hath been said which I purposed to prove in the beginning: that is to say / that the rule and pattern off discipline / is not to be drawn from the ordinances and fantasies off men / but from the word off god. which thing / as it hath long time preserved purity and sincerity in those churches wherein all things are reformed according to gods word / So all the corruptions which are in our church this day / spring from no other head / then this / that we have followed popish dreams and fantasies as most stickyng syncks and chanells leaving the pure fountames off the word off God. For I see and perceive / that the master Builders off our church in repairing off yt again were so wholly bent unto the doctrine / that they never thought off Discipline and so retained yt still almost wholly such / as it was amonghest the Papists. whereupon it cometh that all the government of our church is not takē out of God's word but out off the cannon law and decrees off Popes. Which / wither it were done by reason off the ignorance off those days or off negligence / or for ambition and vain glory or because they thought that popish discipline might be tolerated for a time / or for what purpose soever / Surelie no man can doubt / but that yt was to the great hindraunce and discommoditie off the church / which knoweth it throwglie and with diligētlie considereth / how small fruit hath grow̄ off so long travail and labor in the preaching off the gospel. Out off this Cānon law / came all that romyshe Hierarchy / primates / Archbishoppes / Lord Bishops / Chancellors Achdeacons / and there servants Officials / Commissaries and therest off that Trashe / by whom the church as it were taken prisoner / is now off long time kept in prison and bondage. From hence cometh also that romische court / whereon a most shameful markete off unlawful and wicked dispensacions / and all gainful means off destrouing the church is kept, would to God / that we had rather suffered the papists when they were cast out to have gone away with there bag and baggage / and that we had not had so great a desire / to be enriched by these spoils and prays.

This is not (believe me) to he enriched with the Jewels off the Egyptians / but to be infected with there boy • es and soars. These ear ringe • and Egyptian ornaments which we have got̄ / are fytter to make a golden calf with / then to adorn and beautify the tabernacle off god. Therefore let us send them back again frō whence they come / and at the last take in hand an earnest and sincere reformacion off the church. Let us abrogate and abolish the authority off this Canon law / then the which there is nothing less canonycall / and which is the first and greatest fault in our discipline and the fountain and original off all the rest: and Let this be the first article off the new reformacion / that all things be exacted as nere as may be unto the word off God. That our particular laws grownde upon this foundacon / and let so much be admitted for Ecclesiastical discipline / as may be confirmed by the voice and authority off God him self. And thus much let yt suffice generally to have spoken / what discipline is.

Now let us devide the rest off this treatise (as almost all politique doctrine is wont to be deuaded) into two partes: whereof the first / declareth that which belongeth unto them / who bare any office or have any charge in the church: the other part briefly toucheth the duty off the rest off the body off the church. For as the Apostle saith / all the body is not one member / nor all axe not Prophets or Doctors but there is a certain diuersite and dinstinction off Offices as off members whereby the whole body is preserved. All which diversity and difference / is divided by the Apostle into two sortes / who in the Epistle to the Corrinches / calleth some / Fellowe helpers and laborers naming the rest off the church / by the name off Saints. Thus also the Apostle to the Hebrews divideth the church / into those who had the oversight / and into the rest off the Saints / Now to speak first off the former part / it is to be understood / that to the bearing off any ecclesiastical office / there is a certain vocation and calling to be used / which a man owght to wait for / being necessary to the taking upon him off any charge whatsoever: which manner off apointing to an office wither we call it Creation / or Assignacion / or as the ecclesiastical writers do most usually Vocacion It is the apointement off God to the bearing off some office in his church / in such sort and manner as he hath ordained for every officer to be appointed by.

Which calling to the Bearing or the excuting off any ecclesiastical charge and function / hath all times been hold̄ so necessary / that no man hath been thought to exercise any lawful authority therein / who had not first off all in his own conscience witness off the calling off God thereunto / and after also off the church apointing him according to God's decree and ordinance. For that sentence off the Apostle is general / that no man owght to take this honor vn • o him / but he that is called thereto / as was Aaron.

For this doctrine off the necessytie of a Voca • on and Calling / did not so once grow ou • off that noble rod off Aaron together with the Almandes / that yt fell afterwards also from the tree together with them / but this Almād three off Aaron / set and planted by the wit and labor off Moses / flourisheth even to this day: So that we may yet gather this doctrine off yt / which is much more precious then any Almondes or other fruit whatsoever.

Nere to the same place in Moses / is rehearsed also a notable judgment off God whereby yt seemeth that the lord meant to ratefie this law off the necessity off Vocation forever: wherein we see that neither the heavens could abide to loke vpō / nor the earth to bear / so shameless boldness / but the one melting consumed with fire such as without a calling would take vpō thē the priesthood / and the earth gaping and opening it self swallowed thē up alive. which owght to be a lesson to us forever / not only as Moses writeth / that not man burn incense before the lord but only they which are off the stock off Aaron / and are thereby called thereunto / but also that no man be so bold as to pervert or alter that order which God hath established in his church / and to arrogate unto hī that honor which he hath by no right or lawful calling obtained. Hitherto belongeth also that which is writ̄ off Peres vzzach / that is to say off the breach which the lord made in vzzach who was stricken sodainlie to death / only for that beyond the bonds off his calling he put to his hand and held up the arcke of God which shaked and was ready to fall / which was lawful only for the Levites to touche.

So the the Lord did no more spare Uzzah attempting beyond his vocation to touche the ark / although his intent and purpose were never so good / then he had pardoned before Aaron's kinsmen. But if we require yet witnesses of greater authority / we may read / that king vzziah was stricken with the leprosy / for that being not content with his kinglie office / he would have taken upon him the Priests office also. Thus the lord hath ratified and sealed up this parte of discipline with most grievous and fearful punishment / and the same not once but oftentimes executed to this intent / that this law might forever be off such authority in the church / that no man should ever dare to be so bold and hardie as to break yt.

Wherefore / seeing that god never forgave or left unpunished this fault in any degree / state / or person but punished the Levites / and even Aaron's own house and family / Sathā and Abyram also being Princes off tribes / yea Uzziah being a king / and that so sharpelie and seuerelie: so great punishemēt in such personages / fire from god / the earth opening hir mowthe / Sodaine death / and the most fylthie disease off the leprosy / owght to stricke such a fear into our hearts / that we suffer not sacred functions and offices / to be profaned by volōtarie officers / and such as take them upon them / without any lawful vocation and calling. But how little we are afraid thereof / and how in this behalf that Discipline is neglected in establishing whereof / God hath travailed so carefully / it is to / to manifest / whereas popish priests take in hand to be ministers off the Gospel • / whereas women and mydwiues / administer baptism emonghest us / and Chaūcellors Archdeacons / Commissariers / and such like / deal in the discipline and government off the church without any lawful calling.

For as for popish priests I speak off those who do take the ministry upon • hen without any new calling / allowing off / or appointing them thereunto / but only stand upon the right off those horrible orders / whereby they were ordained to sacrifice for the quick and the dead / that is to say to abolyshe the sacrifie off our Savior Christ who can deny but that this there shameless boldenes is clean contrary to the most just and equal laws which the Lord hath made touching the necessity off vocation? For although they be anointed and greased / and have received power off there Bishops to sacrifice for the quick and the dead yet / I deny that oil and that power off sacryfycing to be any sufficient warrant for them / to be ministers off the Gospel and off the Sacraments.

This is a profane oil / and can give no man authority to dispose the mysteries off God. The ministers off God are anointed with another kind off oyntmēt which Christ him self made and prepared / sending out his Apostles to preach the Gospel and to baptize those which should believe wherewithal seeing they are not anointed why are they suffered to preach the Gospel with profane mowthes / or to touche the holy mysteries with unclean and polluted hands? But some man will say. They have received the laieing on off hands / and were ordained as every man thought then to minister the service off God.

I confess indeed that hands were laid upon them neither do I much stand upon yt what or whose hands they were / but I deny that ever they wer • chosen to a lawful ministry / or that hands were laid upon them to this ende: yea rather contrary / they were laid on them for an ende that is most contrary to the ministry off the Gospel / so that by no means / this can be accomp • ed the lawful office off a true Pastor: From whence they are as far off / as the Priests off Israel who were appointed by Jeroboam to sacrifice to the calves were from that lawful calling wich the priests had which were at Jerusalem: So that the same Ordring and institution / can by no means serve to give one man at the same time / twoe offices so diverse and contrary between then se • ues. For thus all the offices / off all Kingdoms and common wealths are distinguished the one from the other / and severed by the diverse ends they are appointed unto.

Thus they are called Senators and Counselors / who are chosen to give council: Judges / who are appointed to give judgment and such like. So likewise in the church one is appointed for teaching: another for disposing the goods off the church: and every office is distinguyshed from other by the form and manner off his creation and calling. By which reason also the Apostle to the Hebrews proveth that the Priesthoode off Chr • ste differeth frō the Priesthoode off the Law / for (saith he) in these words The Lord sware and will not repent, thou art a priest forever after the order off Melchiscdech. Christ is ordained priest after the order off Mechisedeche: but the priests off the law are ordained after another order namely off Aaron: Christ / forever: They only for the small time off this short life: Christ / with an oath: They / without any oath. whereby it appareth / that his priesthood is far other yea much more nobleād excellent thē theirs was. Which axacte manner off disputing of the Apostle iff we follow / and compare the institution off true a ministers which is contained in these words off our savior Christ Proach the Gospel and baptize those which believe / with the orders off the popish priests whereby they are ordained to sacrifice for the quick and the dead / Shall yt not appear more clear then the light / that these twoe offices are not only diverse / but clean contrary the one to the other. For what Agrement is there between a Pastor and a Prieste between the Gospel and a Sacrifice / or rather what may be more contrary to the preaching off the Gospel then this new sacrifice off the mass / for the quick and the dead. The preaching off the Gospel in deed is a sweet savor unto god: and surely / a very acceptable sacrifice is yt unto him when as the ministers off his gospel slay our old man as a sacrifice with the sharp edged sword off his word: neither can any oblation more please him thē when that the cōcupiscēces and affections off our flesh being mortified and killed we are offered upon his altar: but it is so fare off that any sin should be taken away by this sacrifice / that as much as we give unto yt in this behalf / so much we detracte frō the true sacrifice off our only priest Jesus Christ. But say they / the supper off the Lord is meant by this sacrifice / and so by that the whole ministry. Some Papist indeed may say thus that vaunteth the mass for the Lord's supper: but we who according unto gods word / rest our selves in the only sacrifice off Christ / and casting all other hope aside / fly from the wrath off god unto the only altar off the cross off Christ. Let us confess as we believe / that there is nothing more contrary to that holy supper / then there Idolatrous mass and nothing more against the commemoracion off the death off Christ / then this new altar which they have erected against the altar off Christ. Seeing then there is so great contrariety and not difference alone between the offices and between the things whereunto they are appointed / It is plain and manifest that no man by the same ceremony and order / can be assigned to the bearing off two offices so contrary in themselves. And that popish Priests are not to be suffered to serve the church off God without a new examinacion approbacion / election / and calling. How and when they are to be admitted / yt shall after he declared / where occasion shall serve to speak off putting back from the ministry such as be novices in the faith.

But I have tarried to long in this pointe off popish Priests: now there folleweth to add somewhat in this place / touching women and midwives / who without any commandment of God / or rather contrary to his express word take upon thē that parte off the office off the minister To baptize children / in case off danger off there lives and of dying without baptism otherwise. which notwithstanding I would suppose not needful to be done / the error being so absurd and manifest / if we had yet learned after so many years wherein by the great goodness off God / his holy word is freely and sincerely preached unto us / what were the force off our Adoption in Christ: what were the strength off the couenannte which God made with us: what the eternal and everlasting council off god in CHRIste were touching our saluacon: what were the use off the Sacraments / and namely off Baptism. For who can doubt that this fowl error flowed into the church from these heads? and that the ignorance off these things was the cause that some not understanding that place off Saint John / Onlesse a man be borne again off water and off the Spirit. He cannot enter into the Kingdom off God, toke occasion thereof to think Baptism necessary to salvation / and that all that were not baptized should be condemned. Whereas all the Scripture / (to the Anal • ogie and proporcion whereof this place is to be expounded) p • ainly teacheth / that the Electe are saved by the good pleasure and will off god / by reason off the couenante / and off there Adoption in Ihesus Christ: That Abraham was iustefied before his circuncision (which in force and effect answereth to our baptism) and that couenaunce and the promises are not made by the sacraments / but sealed by thē. Which seal also / serveth not to the confyrmyng off the word off god in it self / which in yt se • fe is most constaunte / certain and immutable / and hath no need to borowe credit off anything ells / but that i • may be confirmed in us / whose weakness to the fulie staieng and acquieting off our faith / needed such means to be confirmed by.

So that seeing the lord to have sete his sygnet to the confyrming off our Saluacion / and to have sealed yt up / we might the more quietlie rest and acquiete our selves in his faith and custody. As for the place off S. John / wither yt be to be understood off the holy Ghoste the Author off this regeneracion whereof our Savior speaketh (who as in another place is meant by fire / so may be also here by water) or whither yt be meant off Baptism / yt / in no wise restraineth our salvation to every sprinkling off wa • er but to the sacrament only. But there can be no sacrament without a minister and there can be no embassadge without an embassador.

And if any private man should break bread according to the institucon off Christ / and communicate with others to the commemoracion off his Seathe / who would call that the ho • y supper off the Lord / and not rather an unworthy prophanacion off that most holy minister / rie? And yet although yt be ministered by a minister / our entrance into the kingdom off god is not to be given to the outward baptism / but in as much / as by a sacramental kind of speaking usual in the scriptures in this kind / That is attributed to the Sacraments / for the certain conjunction off the things signified with the / Signs / which indeed is proper to the things whereof they be Sacraments.

Therefore there is not that necessytie off Baptism to salvation which many do suppose / that for this cause the holy ordinance off god whereby it is lawful for the ministers only to minister the Sacraments / should be profaned. And I cannot see / what other cause off his prophanacion they can pretend. And a man may mervailee why at such times / they pu • not rather private men to baptize then women for sure the fault had been so much the less. For women are further removed from this office / for whom yt is unlawful to take the same upon them not only because they are preuate / but also because they are women. For even the very sex is forbidden to exercise any public charge or function in the church by sancte Paul. And is commanded to sit still and be quiette: which quietness and vocation these men will not suffer thē to enjoy / who stir them up / to the exercisyng off authority and doing off these things so expresselie forbidden them.

But if this were to be suffered / for that necessity which they imagine / why should yt not also be suffered in case off like necessity / that they should minister the lords supper and preach the gospel? wherefore seeing they are forbidden by S. Paul. to exercise any ecclesiastical function or authority / Seeing it is an unlawful transgression off the ordinance off Christ and an unworthy prophanacion off baptism to give leave to women and mydwiues to exercise this authority / it were to be wished / that some parte off the mydwiues conning were practiced here to the vnburdening of our church off this fowl error as off a shameful monster that yt travaileth withal and that it were ordained (which the Lord hath commanded) that they who are not chosen nor by any means can be chosen to goo on the Lord's embassadge / should not abuse any longer the place / office / and authority off so woe • thy a calling.

It remaineth now to inquire off Archdeacons / chancellors / commissaries / and the rest off that sort who withou • any grownde off the word off god take upon them authority • o Judge off all such causes as belong to the Assemblie off Elders to Judge off and to govern the chur(+che: and to correct and punish not only the people but even the ministers them selves according to there will and pleasure. who / I know not what answer they can be able to make for them selves / what letters off Order they can show: what signs and seals off there Vocacion: whereas the holy scrip • ures do not only commytie no such charge unto them / but maketh not a word mention off all this sort at all. For in all the Testament wherein our Savior hath declared his last will vn • o us / and appointed Tutors and Gardianes for his church / There is not one word mencyoned off the Tutorshippe off these men / but off Apostles / Prophets / and Evangelists who for a certain time should have the charge off yt: After also off Pastors / Doctors / and Elders / to whom this office was committed forever.

To usurp then without the will off so worthy a Testator not only some parte off this charge (which notwithstanding could not be done without the breaking off the Testament) but even the the whole / and that by displacing those who were lawfully called thereunto / and subjecting them to the usurped authority / and so to break into another man's possession that thow not only put out the right owner and master / but also compel him to become subject and slave to the / hath not only no pretence off right and equity / but being so heinous and unworthy a fact / were worthy to be corrected by the Magistrates authority. For what a confusion is this / that the deacon leaving his proper charge off the poor / should take upon him another man's / and rule / not only the church / but also the Pastors / Doctors / and Elders to whom by gods commandment he owght to be subject. And that every Canonise and Petifogger in the law should usurp the Authority off Ministers and deuines. I pass over that the most off them be Papists / and that such are suffered to sit in the stearn who should no be suffered to sit upon the pomp / let this be the fault off men and not off the laws / I speak off the thing yt self. But some man will say / that the Bishoppe hath this power by the word off God: And they have yt off the Bishoppe / whose office and authority in this behalffe they execute.

What the Bishops power is / and that the authority which he hath / is common also with him to the Pastors and Elders / and hath no proper nor peculiar authority in this pointe / we shall after see in dew place.

But let us put the case / that only the Bishoppe had this power and authority granted to him to govern his own church according to God's word: Is yt therefore lawful for him to sit yd • e and dreamyng at home and let another do his off • ce abroad? But admit also that yt were lawful for him to have another to do his office: yet yt is not lawful for him to substitute whom he listeth in his place / but only some other mā in the same degree that he is / of and that is in equal place and authority with him. For neither in old time could the Consulles off Rome leave any man to do there office for them but only such as were off the Consulles state and dignity: Nor nowadays can the maire off a town leave any Burgess to execute his office for him / but only an Aldermen and one off the same degree and company. How much more unmeet is it to trust any man with the keys off the house off David / but only such to whom the Son and Heir who is set over the government off the house / hath commanded to deliver them.

For how greatly is it to be feared / lest that they oppen and shut they care not how / and order all things not according to the Son and Heirs commandment / but there own will and pleasure: How greatelie I say is it to be feared / lest they cast the lords Jewels before swine: lest they set open his holy mysteries to be abused by everyone: Lest they receive and enterteine stranngers / and put out and refuse thē off the household: finally: Lest they profane and abuse all that they take in hand? And suerlie experience teacheth us how greatly they have erred who have put thē in trust with the kepīg of so weighty things. For we have often̄ times seen and truly do see these things to hap̄ which I have spoken off / that some off this court for a grote or some small duty will excommunicate and as it were banyshe out off heaven the most honest citezens off the kingdom off God / and Curse them and cast them headlong into Hell: And conterwise / account off enemies often times as off free men and cytezens / and suffer them to be partakers off all the freedoms and liberties off the city off god. For it cometh to pass with them as with the hirelinges off whom our Savior Christ speaketh in the tenth off John: who because they do not there own office but another man's / care not how faithfully nor with what credit they use thē selves / but rule and order all things / for there own commodity and pleasure.

But hereoff I trust we shall speak more at large hereafter. Now to go forward / Let us admit both: That the Bishoppe hath this authority / and that he may appointe whom he list to excute it for him: yet how can we think it lawful that a man should be admitted to ordinary and perpetual office in the church / without a right and lawful calling (which as after shall be declared / consisteth in these twoe points / first / that he be chosen / and after that he be ordained) seeing it is general / and belongeth unto all / without exception who do bare any office in the church / which I laid in the beginning as the foundation off all this disputation / that is to say that no man take this honor unto him but he that is called vnyt as was Aaron?

But seeing Archdeacons and Channcellors are appointed only by the Bishops pleasure / and the other under-officiers by theres / and seeing that nothing is used in the apointing off them which shall be shown to be necessary in the calling to any eccleasticall function / Seeing there is no Election / no prayers / no Ordeining / no laiing on off hands and such life as both are wont and owght to be used in such a matter / nay seeing there is not so much as an oath given them without the which no office off any wait in the common wealth is committed to any man: It must needs be confessed as the thing it self declareth / and I have proved by sure and undoubted arguments / That all this rabble and company exercise authority in the church off God without any lawful vocation at all or calling. Wherefore seeing so many voluntary officers have without any lawful calling taken upon them the government off the church / whereby as I have shown the wrath off god is most grievously provoked against us / why do we not fiftene years after that by the grace off God his holy Gospel is preached emongest us / why do we not I say in the ecclesiastical officers that which the Romans did every five years in all degrees / that is to say / why do we not make a search and assaie off every man's calling / That Right and lawful authorie being discerned from that which is unjust and unlawful / those impudent officers who were chosen by them selves or crept in at the back door / and were not called thereunto by the authority off God and off his church / may be compelled to leave there places / and be put out off office.

Therefore let inquiry be made into every man's calling / Let them show how they were chosen and ordained as the leters and seal off there calling / let them rehearse there genealogies and the race off there descente / let them bring there rods and set them before the Arcke off God And they who cannot show the marks and tokens off there Creaciō and Election / They that cannot fetch there Pedigree from Aaaron / and whose rods remain dead before the Arcke / and neither blossom nor florishe / let them by the most just authority off the word off God be displaced and put out off those offices which they most unjustly and wrongfully have desired and usurped And thus much may be sufficient to prove the necessity off a lawful vocation and calling.

Now let us see the / use / fruit / and comēoditie off the same: which seemeth to me to be so great / that although there were no punishment for the neglect and contempt off yt / yet yt were to be tarried and waited for / for the marvelous use and commodity that yt bringeth with yt. For what can so strengthen a man against all dangers which hang over him (discharging his duty faithfully) as the remembrance that he is placed in that standing by the commandment and authority off god / which as it placeth him / so it will be always ready to defend him against the enmyties and lieng in wait off all men. For then only the conscience is not afraid off any wind or weather / off any storm or tempest / when as it stayeth yt self upon the lord / and followeth him in that way / wheren he goeth before.

Furthermore / they that are governed / can by no means better be brought to do there duty and persuaded to do that which they owght / then when they understand that it is the lords will and commandment whose embassador the minister is. For they reverence only that authority which they know to be off god, hereoff we have a manifest example in David / whom it stayed oftentime being ready to fall / and oftentimes also raised up again being beaten down to the ground / that he came not to the kingdom by his own ambition / as his enemies falselie blamed him / but by the authority off god who called him / and off Samuel the Prophet who by the Lord's commandment had anointed him The majesty and authority off which creation at the last so moved all Israel that is to say the ten tribes which for the space off seuē years were not obedient unto him / that they received him willingly for there king / whom before they had disdained. For this cause also S. Paul so diligently almost in the beginning off every Epistle calleth him self an Apostle and seruante off God.

For this cause also he taketh so great pains in his Epistles to the the Corinthes to prove his Apostleshippe / which some false brethren sought to take from him / that by that means they might dyminishe his credit and authority with the church. Neither in deed was he more confirmed by anything in his infinite perilles / troubles and labors which he bare for the Gospel's cause / then that he assured him self off the aide and assistance off God in the discharge off that duty unto which he was appointed by him. Which great fruit and commodity iff it may move us / let us tarie and wait for the Voice of God to call us to bear office in his church and let us first be assured most plainly and manifestly / that we are called thereunto by his government and authority / Lest that having entered in by the back door / we find the lord / to be punisher and Auenger off this ambycion / the people disobedient and untoward / and our own consciences shaking and trembling / not only at great and vndowbted dangers / but at every bugge / and at the shaking off every leaf. Therefore the authority off God is to be waited for to the taking in hand or bearing off any ecclesiastical office / and so to be waited for / that we ambiciouslie seek yt not by any disceitfull or dishonest means. And let no man boast here off his gifts and worthiness and in confidence thereof as a suitor seek and labor for honor. For How fytte soever he seemeth to be for any charge and office / yet nothing is here to be taken rashelie in hand / without the authority off God who will use in his affairs / whom it pleaseth him.

It is rehearsed in the holy history off the judges off what a meruoulons strength / and mete for a Prince / Sampson was: yet notwithstanding iff he had not been borne the Nazarite off the Lord / and chosen and appointed from his Mothers womb to deliver the people / he owght not to have sought vengeance off the Philistines / or to have delivered his own country from there power / and government / but rather / to have excercised that great strength and might / as Arius writeth that Philoctetes bestowed his darts upon birds / and not upon his armed enemies. Neither had it been lawful for Solomon to have taken in hand the government off the kingdom off Israel / to put in practice that excellent and worthy gift off wisdom and government in yt / except the Lord had first chosen him to succeed in the princelie throne off his father David / and the administracion his his kingdom.

And worthily were Absalom and Adonijah rejected who thinking them selves worthy toke that honor unto them: that he who was chosen by the Lord / and thought worthy by him / might rule and govern. As also was Core in the like case / and the rest off his faction: And after also king Uzziah desyring honors and places / besides the good will and pleasure off God. For the Lord knoweth how to rule his family / and whateuerie man is to be put in trust withal according to that honesty and credit that he knoweth everyone to be off. So that he that resteth not in his judgment / but would have and seeketh by all means to procure unto him self more then the Lord hath given him / must needs accuse him off folishenes or off malice / and therefore be guilty off most grievous and haynons sin.

And let them not object against us that saying off the Apostle that He that desireth the office off a Bishoppe desireth a good thing, to prove and cōfirm this ambitious sewing and laboring for the ministry / whereas yt is so far off that these words should kindle and enflame us hereunto / that contrariwise the Apostle seemeth by these words to have sought to bridle our hasty desire. For whereas the Apostle saith / that the office off a Bishoppe is a worthy work / to what ende / think we doth he call yt so / but therewithal to admonish us how hard yt is / and that it requireth a man both off singular learning and godliness. For so yt followeth that Bishoppe owght to be off an honest and blameless life / sober / temperate liberal / meek / apt to teache / and so forth. And this is the worthiness off the off ce off a Bishoppe which the Apostle showeth in this place / and which he so meruaileth at in other places / that he thinketh no man mete to take so great a charge upon him.

By which dignity and worthiness off the office / the Ambicion off men is rather quenched then kindled: For understanding thereby / how great and weighty a calcalling it is / we are warned to take hede that we run̄e not rashelie to it / but rather that we prepare our selves long before with all study care and diligence for the bearing off so great a burden. As for the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which signifieth to couette or desire / yt is ill alleged for the proof off any ambitious seeking off the ministry. Whereas the Apostle understandeth a godly zeal to set forth the glory off god and to edify his church / which wisheth and desireth indeed to be made able once by the grace off God / to serve him and his church in that calling: which meditateth and thinketh daily hereupō / and exerciseth and prepareth him self thereunto / bestowyng wholly all study and labor to that ende / yet notwithstanding waiteth for the voice off God / and authority off the church to call him / and by an unripe and heady desire / or ambitious kind off hastiness / preventeth not the time off his calling.

We read that Christ our Savior him self / although he were endued with all heavenly wisdom / yet lay he hid as yt were (without exercising any public office) to the thyrtie yere off his age / and tarried for that voice of his father / whereby being declared the Beloved son of God in whom only the father was well pleased / he might be sent out to go off his embassage▪ he had disputed indeed once before with the Doctors in the Tēple: but that was no full execuciō off any public office / but as yt were a certain florishe and plaieng at wasters whereby / he prepared him self / unto a full combat and a greater battle. Lykewise did the Apostles who did not thrust them selves in to the church / without his cōmanmandement and apointment / but waited for that voice / Go / preach the Gospel and baptize those which believe.

The same modesty appeared in the Bishops of the primitive church / so long as it cōtinewed uncorrupted and in good estate / for after / as they were not afraid to enter into the church by fraud and doceyte / so being once entered in / they behaved them selves in yt with like faithfulness and modesty / that they entered in. why do we not therefore bridle this posting and spurring for the ministry and contenting our selves with the godly and zealous desire off our mind and our labor and study to prepare our selves thereunto / flee and avoid this shameful ambition.

These so notable and worthy examples let us esteem as a law made against Ambicion: which if we shall be so bold as to transgress / let us assure our selves that one day / in a most solempne court and assembly we shall be charged with Ambicion.

Neither only in the office off a Bishoppe / but in all other Ecclesiastical charges this woyng off places and offices / owght to be esteemed vnmette and unworthy / for the modesty off any Christian man: and how much better were yt / to send back again this laboring for offices and sutorlike care unto Rome / from whence yt came.

For as much then as great fruit ys lost by this ambitious seeking for offices and honor / which they reap who are fully persuaded off there calling and off the wille off God appointing them thereunto / Seeing also the examples off our Savior Christ / off his Apostles / off the purer and primitive church / do call us from yt and exhortethe us to all sobernes and modesty / and that hereby great wrong is done unto God / whose authority is not waited for / and that both the Lord's ordinance and our own proffitte and commodity calleth us back from this hunting after places and and offices / Let us at the length amende the custom which we have: that to come flocking from all partes to that place where orders (as we call them by a popish name) are given by the bishop to seek and sewe for them / to bring letters off Lord's or Justices or some other off our friends in our commendacion and favor.

Finally Let us amend whatsoever yt is / whereby a lawful calling may be corrupted and stained and now at the Lengthe (which we owght to have done long ago) Let us decree according to the word off God / that no man hereafter sewe for any calling in the church. Let every man more shamefastlie and modestlie offer his labor and diligence / Let all men keep them / selves at home and there abide and wait for the voice off God and authority off those who are chosers to the taking upon him off any ecclesiastical charge or function. There do yet remain certain things to be spooken off ecclesiastical officers touching the execucion off that office whereunto they be called.

Off which the first is that the vocation wandre not freely where it listethe but be joined with a charge off some certain place and church. For yt is not here as yt is in the profession off the arts / that we should esteem thes orders as certain commendacions / and the churches allowinge off any man's worthiness / as it is in them that by the Judgment and authority off the universities are preferred to the profession off the liberal sciences / or off the cyuall law or physic or any other such like.

For they have none appointed them whom they should teache or heal or give counsel unto / or where they should exercise there profession / but as they see it commodious for them selves go to thos places which they think fyttest for them / or iff they think good sit idle at home: But the ministers apointement ought not to be such / that having received as it were the commendacion and allowance of learned men / they should after provide a place for them selves as they thought most commodious / or ells sit idle all there life time at vome iff they list.

For thes admissions and allowances off students are given unto thē as honors and rewards which have no more labor hanginge upon thē then they list and judge to be profitable for them. But thes honors are such / that men are rather chareged then preferred by them: and indeed rather to be esteemed burdens then honors / whose nature is such that as gardaynshipppz are granted not for his cause who is chosen but rather for theirs who have need off their care help and labor: So that iff there be no such in the church) there is no cause off apointinge any to ecclesiastical charges.

Therefore the Apostles did at no time appoint ministers or deacons that afterwards should provide them selves churches where they should teache / or whose treasury they should oversee or ells be idle if they would / but they ordained deacons Pastors and Elders as the necessytie off the church did require. Thus we reed in the sixth off the Acts that when the state off the church off Jerusalem did require / the Apostles ordained deacons over the treasury off that church / to see the orderinge off it and the provision for widows and pore folks. Thus also Paul and Barnabas in the xiv. off the acts ordained elders in every church: and neither left the churches as orphans without any to care and provide for them / neither appointed any elders but unto such certain chuches as had need off them. So also Saint Paul expressly commandeth Titus whom he hade left in Crete / to set the churches in order / that he should appoint Elders in every city that is to say / where there was any church or number off thos that believed.

And for this same cause I think there is scarcely any where in the holy scriptures mention made off Elders and Deacous / where together with all is not mentioned the name off the church / place or city where in they did exercise there office. Thus Paul in the Epistle to the Philippians maketh mention off there Bishops and Deacons.

Thus also also Saint Luke writethe in the Acts Saint Paul sent for the Elders off Ephesus / and that the church off Antioch sent unto the Aoostles and Elders at Jerusalem about the question off Circumcision.

And also in Saint Peter writing to the churches wchich wer scattered in Pontus and Galatia in the fifth chapiter / I exhort saithe he the Elders which ar amongst yow: that is to say the Elders which are set over your several churches.

And in the same place he commendeth also unto the Elders the flocks which ar amongst them / that is to say to everyone off them there own flocks: whereby yt may appear that they were set over certain flocks.

And these be not only the examples off the Apostles / but the laws which they give us / and the commandments which they left us / to ordain Elders and Deacous in the church as the necessity and state thereof shall require. And sure I cannot tell how he can think him sellfe to have receyned any office who without doing any man wrong may sit idle iff he list. Offten times the ancient Sinodes made decrees against thes idle orders that leave a man so free / bindinge him to no certain charge.

That no man should be ordained an elder (as they use to speak yt) without a title / that is to say without a church. And surely iff all wer not confused and troubled in the Discipline off our church we could never bear so notable disorder / that such kind off allowinges should be esteemed lawful ministries: which ar then only Mynisteries off the church when they that ar thus commended and allowed off have gotten a church that will use there labor / and who in the mean time either do nothing / or ells go about as they lift in all the realm as roges and masterles servants seekinge some master that will hire them and use there Labor.

Suche times in deed ar spoken off in the stories off the Judges / where Jonathan the Levite wantinge a high place and an altar went rouinge to let out his service to any that would hire him: but it is added in the same place that there was then no king in Israel.

But this great confusion was taken away afterward by David and Solomon / and everyone according to the ancient prescripcion off Moses and Iosus / wer appointed there proper seats towns and cynes • o occupy them in.

Therefore why do we that live under the kingdom off CHRIST our true Solomon who hath set all this in very Good order / why do we I say suffer the church to be stained with so notable a spot and ordain not according to the word off God / that no no man be appointed to any Ecclesiastical office / But he, that is called to a certain church where to to exercise it? And why do we not according to this example call home the Priests to the Arcke off the Lord and the Levites to the appointed cities? Ther remaineth somewhat that lickwise pertaineth to all that bear office in the church. That is / that they so execute them / that they may not be accused for neglectinge or pretermitinge there duties.

For in the church / what so small a charge is there which we ought not to study with all faithfulness / labor / and diligence to make florishe to beautify and adorn: seeing we have the Angels for lookers on to see how we use and behave our selves in the execucion thereof / and the Lord him self a most liberal rewarder off the one parte if we do it well / and contrariwise a most severe Judge and Auenger iff we do it not according to our duty. For that which the Apostle cōmandethe to give Archippus warrninge off / That he should diligently see to his office which he had received off the Lord is to be extended also to all thos that bear any charge or office in the church off God / and everyone ought to think it to pertain to them selves / which the same Apostle admonisheth Tymothie off / that is / That they discharge there duty and make known there ministry by all means. yea further / all that are called to any office or government in the church / must understand that the same hange / he over there headdes / which the Apostle declareth that he was afraid off iff (being called thereunto) he should not preach the Gospel. For there is none so little a charge in the house off god / whereof one day most straight Account shall not be asked.

In vain then shall men dream off pardons / dispensacions and privileges: All shall be called to Account to declare with what faithfulness and diligence they have done there dewties: They shall be • e compelled to answer there most deadly enemies / that off them selves shall be ready to accuse them for not having discharged there duty And the account shall be made in the greatest and most solemn assemble that ever was / for seeing that it appear the by the parable off the talētes comēitted to the servants that a most straight accompt shall be asked off the lest gift off god that we receyne in this world how much straiter do we think it will be for thē that have receeyued government in the church / and iff he shall be so hardly dealt with that neglecteth one talēt that he hath received: They that bear greatest offices in the church / and upon whose faith and credit in discharging off them / the salvation thereof doth in a manner depend / how carefully ought they both day and night to think off dischardging this dewty / having so great a reckoninge to make / not off one Talent but off the church which our Lord Jesus so dearly loved / that for love thereof. he vouchsafed to come frō the highest heavens into thes lower partes off the earth to redeem it and purchase it not with gold or silver / as saithe Saint Peter but with his precious bludd.

But I do otherwise then I was purposed: that am fallen to threatenings and exhortacions / whereas in the beginning I only purposed to declare what ought to be done and what we do not. And yet there be so great faults committed in this behalff / that it seemuch nothing can be grievously and vehemently enough spoken against them. (For the chief charges off the church ar not only left vndischarged for negligence / but dispensacions and privileges are granted / that exempt ministers from the necessary doing off there dewty / and give Pastors leave off this condition to leave there flock and there churches / if they leave another in there place to read service unto them.

And for them that will go to the university / by an ordinary law / it is lawful to be absent three years and the realt with a little money may purchase the like dispensacions in the Archbishops court and market. Off the same sort also be thos bulls / that are bought in the same market that give ycence off heaping so many churches or as they call them. Beneficies to gether, which Faculties (as they call them besides the intolerable covetousness (where with also for some men's diligence in this behalffe is joined extreme need and poverty off a great number off other as commonly it cometh to pass where a few men rake all unto them selves) bring in a • so into the church a necessity off neglectinge off dewty / seeing yt is impossible that one should be able to serve more churches and thos often times / the length off the whole land a sonder. In which horrible destroyinge off the church and neglectinge and for sakinge the Lord's flock streyinge in the mountains and wandringe in the woods without a guide (which he him self spared not to spend his life for to bring yt into the way again) we are in no part inferior to the Papists them selves.

Is this then our discipline? is this that order (which some men often times praisinge in words desire nothing less in deed) Is this the government and administracion off our church / and yet no man may be suffered freely to speak for the reformaciō of the church and restoringe again of the pure and perfect government of the Apostles? Seinge thes are most manifestly contrary to the example off our Savior Christ and off the Apostles / Seinge they threaten the certain ruyne and over throw off the church / Seinge they do not only shake but turn upward the pillars off the same / Have we not Good cause to be moved both for the Glory off God and the salvation of the church / to require more holy ordinances and a better government off the same? Can any man esteem thes light matters and off small weight? that the sacred Laws off God are openly violated and broken without any shame / that the church which Christ hath redeemed with his bludd is neglected / That there is no regard had off discharginge off dewties / That a man taketh to him self which the Aungelles dare not / and that the Archbishopp dare give the Pastor leave contrary to the express commandment off God / to forsake his flock / or grant him such privileges whereof that same doth necessarily follow) which no Archangel may challendge to him self? Or shall thos things also which I have handled from the beginning to this place be esteemed small faults? to ground Ecclesiastical discipline not upon the word off God and the will off the Lord Jesus?

But off the canon law (Which surely I doubt not to affirm to be the very fountain and springe from whence all the rest off the Corruptions do flow) that popish priests / womē / Archdeacons / and Chauncelers with there Officialles / Commissaryes and the rest off that Trashe / do bring there impure hands and never sanctified unto God / to do his holy service / to preach his word / to handle and distribute his facred mysteries / to order and govern his church / And nothing sear any punishment off this there boldness and most unworthy prophanacion off the holy offices? That Jonathan / the Levites shameful example in seekinge a Master / or as we call yt / in gettinge the good will off a Patron is taken to be followed? That David and Solomon's example in calling the Priests and Levites to there cities and towns / and the Apostles in ordeininge no ecclesiastical officer but unto certain churches / is neglected and contemned. And last off all / that Thes wicked and intolerable faculties / Prerogatiues / Privileges / and dispensacions tha • I have spoken off at suffered in our church? Are all thee I say to be countid trifles / or certain light faults and tolerable errors? For my par e surely I think as also I suppose all they will do that will were this by the word off God as by the gold smythes balance) that there is never a one off these light and small to be esteemed / but that they ar all heinous trespasses / and matters off Treason / to be examined and judged off in the highest courts. Therefore in the name off God / let us not seek to bring this holy doctrine off reforminge our discipline into hate and displeasur / under a show that yt is a new / and a false pretence that all innouaciōs and chāges are dangerous / but rather abrogating thes most unjust and unrighteous laws / dispensacions / and (as I may well call them) pardones and indulgencies / at the last / let us call again that manner off gouerninge the church and that discipline (being now lost) which the Lord him self by his ambassadors and Apostles hath appointed.

Thus having described and laid out the lawful vocation off all those which occupy any public place in the church / let us now come to the partes and members of the same: which especially are two / wherein the right manner off giving thes offices doth consist / that is In election and ordination: which is so properly called. Election is the appointinge by the Elders the rest off the church allowing it / off a fit man to the bearinge off some office in the church. And as for Election that it is necessary to the giving off any off thes offices / it may appear even off that that S. Paul joineth it with examinacion and trial / and diligently warneth Timothy that he lay not on his hands upon them that be unworthy but only upon thos that after a just trial being had are found meet and chosen. That same is proved also by the continual use off the Apostles who by the judgment and authority off the church appointed Bishopps to teache / and Deacons for the orderinge off the Treasury off the church. For Christ hath not chosen any certain house or famyly (as it was in old time under the law wherein the government off the church should all ways remain. He gave herein no right off Petigree / stock and blood / no ministers by inheritance but he would have the judgment left free unto his church / and the offices thereof to be given by choice and worthiness. Off which election for as much as it was so necessary for the state off the church / that without yt the church it self could / not longe continue: Our Savior Christ was very careful / and therefore declared particularly and distinctly all things which apperteined to the orderyng thereof. For he hath perfectly and diligently shown both who owght to choose / and to whom especially this care ought to belong / and what ought to be followed / and regarded in chosinge off everyone. For although this question and controversy off the chosers hath been diversely disputed off by learned men / yet almost all off them cōsen in this / that there must be moe to deal therein and that so great and so wayghtie a charge and belonging to the especial and singular commodytie or discomoditie off the wholl church ought not be committed to the authority off any one but be ordered and ruled by the judgment and consent off many.

And this is the general opinion off all thos that ever disputed lernedly and wisely in this cause: from which I think no man can dissent but the Papists and they that have succeeded them in that authority which they most vnuistly and not without open injury and tyranny do usurp. For the Bishopps that challenge this power unto them selves by there mere authority and there own only Judgment and advise to appoint the officers off the church / cannot challenge this by any right or law off God / but exercise a very tyranny though indeed longe ago brought into the church / which lest I may seem to have said without cause / and to have condemned them without hearing them to say what they can / let them show forth / from whom and by what right this infynit power and authority is come into there hands. if they say they have succeeded by inheritance unto the Apostles / and therefore have received yt off them / allthoghe I should grant them the first / the second yet is disprouued by most manifest testimonies and examples of the appostles them selves. For let us see iff ever the Apostles in any election did challendge this power and authority unto them.

Saint Luke writeth off three elections holden by the appostles / the first / in the first off the Acts where a new Apostle is chosen. The second in the sixth / where the Seacons: the third in the fourtenthe where the Elders ar appointed in every church. For although the Apostles did not choose Matthias But left it to the Lot which should declare the Lord's will and counsel therein / because this was proper and peculiar for that office off Apostles / that / they should not be chosen off men nor by men But immediately from the Lord him self / yet in setting forth two / there is a certene kind off choice and election.

But what is there in all this actiō / that either James whom some say to have been Bishopp at Jerusalem or P •• er / or any off the other Apostles doth take unto him self? For although that Saint Luke declareth that James was present here / yet we read not that he was chief there or took upon him (as he was Bishoppe) authority to appointe an Apostle / Or ells thos two / off whom one should be chosen by the Lot / But contrawise we see that he challenged no more to him self then either Andrew or Philipp / or any other off the rest off the Apostles. In deed Peter as Proloquutor propoundethe all the matter and purteth up as yt wer this grace unto the church off chosinge an Apostle. And he himself declareth what one they ought to choose and what especially in there election they ought to respect and regard.

But used no particular or special authority in choosinge / the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 They set forth. Which is off the plural number used by Saint Luke in that place doth manyfestly declare and prove. Therefore in this first and solemn election off the Apostles / there was nothing done or said / from whence this infynite power and authority may be derived unto the Bishops: But contrariwise seeing James taketh nothing to him self nor Peter nor any other off the rest / nay seeing all the Apostles togeether do nothing here off there own authority / nor choose whom yt pleasethe them / It is sure and manifest / that That Bishopp that will not take him self greater then an Apostle / or then all the Apostles / can by no right challendge to him self any such power or privilege in gyuinge and apointinge the offices off the church.

But Let yt be that this election for the choice off Mathias and the great office and calling whereunto he was chosen / had somewhat singular and extraordinary and let us see the next / that is the election off the Seacons written by Saint Luke in the sixthe chapter off the Acts wherein ik is so far off that Peter or James or any other off the Apostles challenged any thing above the rest unto them selves in choosinge off them / that contrariwise there was nothing done but by the common consent and agreement off them all. For Saint Luke doth expressly declare that the multitude off the disciples we called togeether by the twelve: that the choosinge off Seacōs was propounded by the twelve: and that the election being ended the prayers were made and hands laid on by the twelve. For although they did not all call them to geether / nor propound the election nor make the prayers / yet so express a speaking as Saint Luke useth here / That the twelve called the disciples together, and the words off the plural number which he vsethe in every place off this history do manyfestly prove that nothing was done here by the private commandment or counsel off any / but that contrariwise all things passed by the comēon consent and authority off all the Apostles Therefore in this second and most solemn election both for the presence off all the Apostles and multitude off the disciples / They take the repulse again and cannot obtain this immesurable and princely authority in the church which they seek to have.

The last is the election off Elders written in the fourtenth off the Acts which was heeld not by all the Apostles but only by Paul and Burnabas. wherein although they two ruled all the actiō and did moderate and govern the Judgment off those that gave the voices / yet that they used no power and authority off there own in electinge the Elders off the church even that one word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (Chosinge by lifting up off the hands off the people) doth manyfestly declare. Therefore the Bishopps received not this authority by inheritance from the Apostles whose elections I have declared to have been furthest off from this lordly authority. For so they had been taught off Christ that his kingdom was notlike the kingdoms off this world / wherein someone hath the chief authority / to whom the rest ought to obey and whom they call there Lord an master. But he had appointed • oir greatest or greater then his fellows / they had learned that he was only king / to whom all ought to be obedient / and that they ought to live togeether like fellows in equal place and degree one with another.

But they flee from the Apostles to the Evēgelistes And that favor they could not get off the Apostles / they hope to attain by them: therefore they fetch the beginning off this power and authority from Tymothie and Titus / loff whom they say the one was bishop at Ephesus and the other in Candy. And Timothy (say they) was commanded that he should not lay on his hands to rashly upon any: which commandment had been in vain iff the election off ministers had not been in the Bishopps hands. But I ask them how they prove that Tymothe was bishop at Ephesus: For I think they will not bring me that subscriptiō To Tymothe first chosen bishop off Ephesus, much less Eusebius authority) the Author whereof is unknown and off no great credit which also is not set at the end off the first epistle against the most manifest testimoni off the Scripture which callethe Tymothie not a Bishoppe but an Evangelist for so Saint Paul expressly calleth him in the ende off his second epistle unto him: And the whole history prouethe that it cannot be that he could have tarried long at Ephesus / who followed Paul trauelinge through so many churches and served him in his journey / whom Paul himself doth witness in mani places to have been an eye witness off his afflictions whom he sent some times to Ephesus / namely when he went into Macedonia / sometimes to Corinth / witnessinge that he did the lords work / even as he him self / As also to the Rom. he calleth him his follow laborer / as one that labored to gee • her her with him in plantynge and orderinge off churches. and last • ff all that there may be no way to escape In the end off the same Epistle wherein he is called a Bishop / he sendethe for him from Ephesus to Rome / which surely he would never have done if he had been appointed Bishopp there / or one off thos elders whom Paul in the twentieth off the Acts sent for to miletum and exhorteth to continual watch and ward. And Paul him self writeth that he willed him to tarry at Ephesus / not that he had ordained him biship there.

A like objection they make out off the Epistle to Titus where it is written that Paul left him in Creta that he should appoint Elders in every town.

But it may lickwise be annswered that the Apostle saithe not that he ordeineth him Bishopp off the churches off Creta / But only that he left him in Creta: namely so longe until he had set such things in order / as Paul being otherwise called away could not tarry to do / and had appointed Elders in every city: which apperethe by this that he commanded him when thos things wer done to come to him to Nicopolis into Macedonia. Lickwise in another place he writeth that Titus was gonn into Dalmacia: so that yt is clear enough that Titus had no charge off any certain place or church. Therefore seeing I think yt is sufficiently proved that Titus and Tymothie were Evēgelistes and not Bishops / how doeth that make for the Bishops which we see by there Epistles was granted unto thē. For I think they will not compare them selves with the Evangelists or affirm them selves to be off equal authority with them: which iff they should / they might be easily confuted as after in dew place shall be declared.

But that we may put the case that Timothy was Bishopp at Ephesus / and that we may freely grant that what so ever may apperre to have been lawful for him / to be lawful also for them: Let us see now what the Apostle granted to Timothy. For soothe say they that he might choose off his own authority the officers off the church. Let us then see whether it be so or not. And here is first to be noted that they do ill give that unto Election which pertaineth not to Election But to Ordinacion. For the laying on off hands was not wont to be used in choosinge off any Officers off the church / But in ordeininge off him.

Then that we grant them this also / That election hereby is signified / I say that there Tyranny and Lordly authority is by no place more confuted then by this which they bring for them selves / which that yt may more clearly appear I must first take away a certain false exposicion which they bring off this place / that after I may the more easyly convince them by the true and natural meaning thereof.

Here say they Tymothie is warned that he lay not his hands to hastily upon any nor communicate with other men's faults / namely with thers say they / who although they be unworthy / seek to enter into the ministry. An interpretation very vnfytt either for the words off the Apostle or for those times. Will they confess that even in thos times this ambition had crept into the church / that as now a days so then also they went unto the Bishop for order and laying on off hands? for otherwise / what other men̄s fault is this / wherewith the Apostle warn the Tymothi that he pollute not him self? for what fault can this be. Not to be fit to taky upon him an ecclesiastical function. But herein is the fault / that he that is guilty to him self off his own unworthiness / desirethe notwithstanding to take that upon him which he is not able to be are without great offense.

But who will say that so shameful Ambicion reigned in the church in thos days / which many years after was borne and brought up at Rome? And iff the church had then been steyned with this blott / would not Paul expressly have forbidden this Ambition? seeing that he would have a bishop to be blamles and provided by all means that he should not swell and wax proud / Therefore this is off smaller weight then it may be allowed and the meaning off this place is far otherwise. nam y this: That Paul foreseyng longe before that grievous wolves not sparing the flock would rise up even off the Elders off Ephesus them selves / and that Tymothie was but off equal authority with the Elders in gouerninge off the church and choosinge off others into the same place and degree / and that they that were such would choose to b • Elders / and lay there hands on such as wer like them selves / he warneth Timothy that he do nothing rashly in this behalffe / neither iff any such thing happen although other like never so well off it / yet he shall not suffer him self to be led away by there authority to the allowynge off it / but iff he could not keep others by his counsel from so doing / at the least he should keep him self pure and innocent for so he addeth emphatically. Keep thyself pure & communicate not with other men's faults.

And this is the true and natural meaning off this place / where by yt appeareth that the Apostle not only grauntith him no princely authority / for then he would not have warned him to keep him self pure from allowynge any such Election / but have commanded him off his mere authority to have hindered and stayed yt / and to have made the choice of the rest off no effect / by his negative voice but contrariwise that he was off so equal authority with the rest off the Elders / that iff they had chosen one vnfyt in some respect / yet he could not off his own mere authority have put him back nor done anymore in this matter / thē any off the rest. And that he could only take heed unto him self / that he allowed not any unripe or unworthy Iudgmētes off other officers. Therefore there is no cause which they should make Tymothie the Author off this ambition and tyranny.

Now let us examine also the example off Titus whom they do trewly affirm to have been commanded to appoint Elders in every city / but I suppose no man will think that Paul granted more to Titus / then either he and Barnabas / or then all the rest off the Apostles took unto them selves neither iff he had granted / is it like that Titus being a young man and his scholar and as it wer his son / would have used it? For as the Jews say in a common proverb / it is enough for the servant to be like his master / which saying also Christ him self alloweth when he said that the disciple is not above his master: And that it owght to be enough for the scholar iff he be such as his master is. But I have shown allredy what both Paul and all the rest off the Apostles did. Neither is it • ike that Titus did otherwise ordain Elders in every town then Paul did in every church: especially seeing Paul doth expressly warn him to appoint them as he had commanded / for I se no cause whithis may not as well be referred to all the manner off ordeininge of thē as to that which followeth. Therefore that at the last I may conclude all this matter The Evēgelistes ar no more Patrōes for this matter then the Apostles wer / neither is there any the lest deed or word off eny off them whereby this tyranny may be allowed. Therefore let them confess as the things in deed That this mischife was borne and bred at Rome: which after together with the empier spread it self over into all lands.

But all the question off the chosers off Ecclesiastical officers is not yet thus ended: For all though I have concluded out off the word off god / that one man can not usurp this power without tyranny / yet here arise new pleas and controversies / And it is doubted whether this be equally to be permitted unto all / or only unto certene chosen men that exercise ordinary Jurisdiction in the church. As for me when I consider both the holy scriptures and the example off the best reformed churches / I think it most agreing with / the will off God that that Senate and counsel which exercisethe ordinary authority in all the affairs off the church and whom for the same cause the Apostle calleth leaders and over seers / and exhorteth the church to obey them an suffer it self to be ruled by thē / should also have most a do in this business / to govern the Electiō and to guide and direct the judgment of the rest of the church with there wisdome and authority.

Neither do I bring in here any Oligarky or tyrannous rule off a few and retain still the same tyranny in the church / chaunginge only the persons. For I would not that the judgment off the rest off the church should be contemned and neglected or that the counsel or elders off the church should off there own authority set one over the church whom they list against the churches will / but that the Elders going before / the people also follow / and having hard and vnderstorde there sentence and decree / may either by some outward token or ells by there silence / allow it iff it be to be liked off / or gain say it iff it be not just and upright: And not only gain say yt / but iff just cause of there dislikinge may be brought make it altogether void and off none effect / until at the last a meet one may be chosen by the authority and voices off the Elders / and allowed off by the consent and approbacion off the rest off the church / So that herein there is no cause to cōpleine that by the bringing in off the rule of a few / the majesty off the wholl church is diminished. we read in deed that it was some what otherwise practiced in the sixth and fourth̄et off the Acts / and that the people had the chief power and authority in thos elections: but that me think was done for a special cause which doth not in like manner belong unto us / neither ought to be referred to the ordinary and perpetual government of the church. For as in common wealths not only such where the people is to be made sovereign / or a few / but also evē where the kingdom of one is to be established before it be confirmed all the power is in the people's hands / who of there free will choose magistrates unto them under whose authority they may after be governed: and afterwards not all the people / but only the magistrates chosen by them administer and govern the affairs off the common wealth / So it cometh to pass in the establishinge off the church: So that when as yet there were none set over them / all the authority was in all men's hands: but after that they had once given the helm into the hands off certē chosen men / this power no lenger belonged unto all / but only to thos who wer chosen by them to steare and govern the church off god.

As for the election off Seacons / there was yet another especial reason / why yt was meet that they should have been chosen all the church. For when the Grecians murmured against the hebrues and complained that they had wrong / for that in the distribucion which was daily made for the help off the poor there widows were not dewly regarded / It was need full, that they to whom this charge was to be committed should be chosen by all the company / that all occasiō off complayninge and suspicion might be taken away. therefore / that which once extra ordinarily was done by the people for certain special and particular causes and respects / ought not to be referred to the perpetual / certē / stable / and ordinary manner of gouerninge the church. Althoughe even in this election the Apostles reserved unto themselves the chief authority of •• yinge on of hands and allowing or dissalowinge the judgments and voices off the people / which power and authority seeing in the very time off the Apostles thē selves and that by there allowynge / yt was translated to the Ecclesiastical consell and the Elders that had the ordinari government as after in dew place shall appere / whi shall I not think that the power also of examininge and doing of other things that pertain to the electiō is to gether with the other translated unto them. Therfor keepinge the right liberty off the church I conclude out iff the word off god and the examples off the Apostles / That no thing be done not only against the god will thereof / or vnknowinge to the same / but also not without the consent and approbation off it. But we must keep also the just authority off the elders / that they go before the people in the election: that they try and examine thos that a • e to be chosen / that they judge off there worthiness / and publish unto the church / whom they have thought me • e and worthy / that being allowed by the consent off a •• / they may bey received / for thus the wholl body off the church is b • st preserved when every part and member doth his office / when the eyes do see and lead the way and the other partes suffer them selves to beled and guided in the way. But the Elders in elections as also in all the rest off the government off the church / ar as E • es vn • o the rest: and lead and direct them that either through ignorance / or being blinded with there own desires they slyde not in the way. For which causes I said they ar called governors / Ouer seers and Elders. And how shall the people be able to judge off the diverse gifts off the Spirit off god? to chose this man to govern / that to teache and another to ouerse the treasury off the church: for as thes be diverse offices / so to discharge them well they had need to be endued with diverse guiyftes off the holy ghost that be chosen thereunto: as after shall be declared more at large in there several offices.

But every man is not able to judge off thes diverse guyftes which ar fit for what purpose / and at yt were made and appointed off God: especially in this age and in thes days / wherein all things ar so corrupted that the most part following the pleasures off this life / ar smally careful for the right use off spiritual gifts / where off notwithstanding the Apostle would have no man ignorant / And although many wer able to judge in other charges who ar meet / and unmeet / how few be there that could make trial and assay off a minister / that could examyn his gifftes and make due search and trial what godliness / what lerninge / or what ability he were off to edefy the church. And surely iff all men were so taught off god that they could know and judge off thes things / then in deed we should need no certain choosen men / who by there spiritual wisdom and discretion / should govern and direct the Iudgementes off the people: we should not then need to fear the chosinge off any unworthy or unable to edify the church: there would be no danger off confusion and uproars.

Thes in deed should be the bancketes that they commend so highly / that ar the dayntier the more there be that bring there dishes to it / and the Gosyppe feasts which they praise so much: which when they can prepare for us / we ar so fare off that we would not sit down being bidden that with great thanks to the host that so should receive us we would take great pleasure in the use off so so exquisite daynties: and prefer them before the most deyntie feasts off the Syracusians / and such a table / before that golden table off the son that Herodotus doth mention. But seeing thes things ar rather to be wished then hoped or looked for / let us keep that order which I have described being most agreeable to the decrees of the Apostles / to edificacion / the chiefest and most sacred law off discipline and furthest off from confusion and tumults: which is that the ecclesiastical counsel when need shall be / provide fit men for the church in every function and office / examine and try them diligently and carefully / then choose them / after publish and make known there election unto the church / and last off all being allowed by the church / lay there hands upon them and so stablishe them in there place and calling by there authority.

But peradventure I have tarried longer in this part then needed: seeing we ar not troubled with the lightness and confusion off populer elections / but with lordshipp and tyranny: which I cannot se may continue with the safety off the church which it hath already almost overthrown / so that speedy remedy is to befound lest we lament to late the ruin off our decaying church.

Now as for Elections / there must allwais goo before them a due proof and trial off the worthiness off the parties that ar to be chosen. For that which the Apostle to Timothy commandeth concerning Deakons / That they also be fist examined and then (iff there be no other cause to the contrary) admitted to there deaconshipp / doth plainly prove that examinacion owght to be had before that election and choice be made to any ecclesiastical office and function / for which cause also S. Paul doth no less declare the manner / how to prove and try a bishop or ministers / then to examine the Deacon: and there is the same ende and use off examinaciō in all / which is: That no charge be committed to an unfit man or not able enough for the office / whereby it might come to pass that both the church should want hir needful and necessary helps / and that the holy offices should be profaned. Therefore the church ought to choose no man but whom they know before to be chosen off God: for it standeth upon the government off his house / whose keys it is unlawful to commit unto any / to whom the Son and heir that great steward off the house off David upon whose shoulder the master off the house hath laid the keys / hath not thought good to credit and commit them unto.

But God chooseth no man to any office whom therewith all he doth not indewe with meet gifts for the discharginge off it: for otherwise / how should he ask account off doing the office off him whom he compelled to bear and take it vpō him / knowing him unmeet and unable for it. Therefore no man is sent out off god without worthy gifts into any parte off his government / but for the burden and function that he layeth upon him / he ministereth also strength and force to bear it. And this is the meaning off the often repeatinge in the book off Judges off that sentence. The Spirit off the Lord came upon him and he judged Israel: and many such like examples are to be found in the old Testament off Moses and Joshua / off the Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah and many other / whō when the Lord meant to use in any the lest charge off his church / he therewith all endeweth them with worthy gifts / for the good execution thereof.

And in the New Testament our Savior Christ him self took not vpō hī to deal in the mediator his office / before he had received the holy ghost whereby he might be furnished withmeet gifts for the full discharge and execution off it. For so Isaiah expressly Prophesithe off him / The pirit off the Lord is upon me, therefore he hath anointed me, he hath sent me to preach the Gospel unto the pore, &c. Out off which place whe see that first he received the Spirit / or ever that office and embassage was enjoined him: and that he was anointed before he came to the wrestling and exercise. So lickewise the Apostles although they had been taught by our Savior him self (the most heavenly school master that could be) for three years and more / and had after a sort received the holy ghost by his breathinge upon them / yet because they had a great battle to fight / and much travel to be taken / and many dangers to adventure into / he geuethe them warninge that they enter not into the listes rashly and unprovided / but commandeth them yet to tarry and wait for the promise off the father and more plentiful gifts off the holy ghost. Hither also belongethe the ceremonies used in both the Testaments / in ordination or consecracion as we call it. For what ells doth that anoyntinge off the priests / kings / and Prophets declare But thos guyftes wherewith they who were anointed were endued by the holy ghost for the execucion off there offices? To this also the laying on off hands in the new testament is to be referred / which declareth that the Lord had laid on his hands before and given them worthy gifts for the places they were called unto.

But what do I trauelinge so carefully in this behalf? doth not nature it self and reason and common experience teach us this: when some ar set over the city / and common wealth / that they are choosen counsellors / whom great lerninge and long life and diligent obseruacion and experience it self hath taught that worthy and hard knowledge off gouerninge the common wealth: Ought not I say daily experience teache us that we prefer not them that ar unworthy to honors and offices? Therefore so much the more ought we to be ashamed off our most grievous fault in this behalf that suffer even the most unworthy to take upon them the most weighty calling off the ministry: and set open the church doors to every base Artificer that leapethe from his shopp bord / to the plowman that leaveth his share / to youge scholars in grāmer and Philosophy / that ar nothing more conninge in heavenly things then Artificers and husband men: finally to minstrells and harpers / to noble and gentelmens servants / to Neateherdes Shepherdes and porters and sometimes not only to unlearned men but also men off most filthy life and conversation / chosinge into that most weighty office learned an unlearned / good and bad / worthy and unworthy / without any choice or difference: which how lawfully it is done / yt shall after appere. Here only because the use off examinacion is / that unable men be not admitted to any office in the church / I meant generally te note / how grievously and against the express commandment off God / we offend in this behalffe / and to desire and beseech them that have authority to amend thes things in the name off God / who will not suffer unpunished the transgression off his holy Ordinaunces: and in the behalf off the church to whose destruction and decay such things are daily committed / that we de not with Jeroboam make common this worthy and sacred office with most vile and unworthy persons / that we neglect not the use off examininge / and holy ordinance off god / that we destroy not the church / bringing this sweep into the church / but that rather decreeinge according to the word off god / that unworthy men be not preferred to Ecclesiastical functions / we may both hereafter keep out such / and also thrust out thos that by deceuinge off men and false commendaciō ar crept into the church allreedy / and compel them to leave there places.

But let us retorne from whence we have digressed and follow the manner off examynacion / declaringe it as fare forth as it is general and pertaineth to all the offices and functions off the church. For as every office hath his several guystes / which ar necessary to the dew execucion off it / So certain things ar to be required and looked for in every eccesiasticall office: which as I have observed out off Saint Paul ar chiefly two: whereof the fast is that they be fownd and sincere in the faith / The second / that they be without reprehension in life and manners As for requyringe religion in a minister / I need not to give any reason off it / seeing that they ar choosen to be teachers and interpreters off the same. And for Deacons the Apostle expressly warneth Tymothe that they be such as have the mistery off faith (which after in the same chapter he callethe the mistery off godliness and declareth what it is) in a pure conscience. So lickewise all the Apostles monishe the church off Jerusalem / that they should choose seven Deacons from amongst them selves. It is not needful in this place to declare what they ought to think off religion which is a large matter / and would require a several treatise for it self: yet notwithstanding it is well enough known unto all men and briefly comprehended in that place off Paul which I spake off before / and it is no hard matter / to know what they thīcke off the true knowledge / and worship off God / seeing they make profession off the same that the church doth / whereunto they ordain thenselves. And iff it were needful they might delare there judgment particularly in every point being demanded.

And yet here is not any common or vulgar knowledge and zeal of religiō to be required / but special and singular above other men. For there is no ne so small a functiō in the church / that doth not as it were exempt thē out off the number off other men / and ioyninge them as it were nearer to God / doth lay a necessity upon them being placed in higher degree / to shine and give example unto others and stire them up by there means / to all vertewe and godliness. Therefore the Apostles when the Deacons were to be chosen / required that they should be men full off wisdom and the holy ghost.

As for the examination off manners / the Apostle him self hath declared it so particularly / that no man can be deceived herein / whereas he giveth warninge that they be not infected with covetousness or drunkenness or any other more grievous or infamous crime / but that they be off good report and honest estimation with all men / and such as all men can witness off them that they have lived a good and an honest life, yea it is further also to be considered how they have brought up there children and how they have governed there private families for therein wise men will observe many things / whereby they may be able to judge whither they be meet to take upon them any public charge or no / for he that shall overturn askuller or a payer off Oares in the Temmes / who will think him meet to govern the Queens barge: or some great vessel upon the sea? This is therefore that law off God / which touching the examinaciō and trial off ecclesiastical offices / the Lord him self hath givē unto the church and hath commanded that it should always be kept and observed. In kepinge whereof surely both the estimation and safeguard off the church consisteth. For by this means the church shall have both necessary helps for hir use / and worthy ornaments for hir estimation where by both all occasion off evil speaking should be taken from hir enemies that are allwais ready to deface hir for the least occasion / and the name off God / by means off the church should be glorified before all men.

Therefore lest the name off God and his holy Gospel may be evil spoken off for our cause / lest the church want the necessary helps which yt needeth for the preservation thereof / a careful heed is to be had herein / to whom the charge off admynistringe off yt is to be committed / which trial and examinacion seeing yt is so plainly describeth by the Apostle / yt is meruell how that there be everywhere so many withe us both corrupt in doctrine and defiled in life and conversation. For how many Papists be there now a days / that even fiften years after the reformacion off religion / occupy the place of ministers in the church / partly being left in thos churches which before in time off Popery they unjustly held / partly also entered in our time and since the prechinge off the Gospel? How many also be there admytted to the government off the church off most wicked life and ungodly behavior? Therefore seeing the Papists openly declare that they ar grievously offended herewith / neither can be brought to esteem that to be the true religion off God / whose preachers ar so dishonest and the interpreters whereof ar so defiled / why do some complain that both other myschifes ar spronge of this reformacion which we require / and especially this that the Papists being offended with our contencion are further estranged from embracinge the gospel? For what is it that may more further there salvation then iffthes offenses be taken away whereat they stumble and ar hindered? Off which so shameful disorder as there be many causes / so I always esteemed that the greatest and most weighty / That we leauinge this exact manner off tryenge and examininge which the Lord hath commanded us to observe and follow in this behalf / keep only I cannot tell what shadow and image off yt which we received from the Papists. The receiuinge off which one error (to follow the fancies off men in stead off the certain laws off god) hath brought in (as usually yt doth) infinite other: whereby it cometh to pass that the most worthy order and degree is most unworthily profaned / that the church like the popish sanctuaries is full off vile and vicious persons off all sortes / and the gospel evil spoken off by the enemies.

For whereas certain men have authority that everyone off them twice a year may give orders to whom and to how many they list / and that so great a multitude off suitors come to them at the time off giving off orders / howe is yt possible that one man in a day or two should be able to prove and to examyn so many sewters being all for the most part unknown to him? how can he take any assay or make any trial either off Judgment in religion / or off there honesty in conversation? For to subscribe is a small matter with them that think it the point off a wise man to dissemble / that dispence with them selves to do anything that they may destroy the church thereby / and whom Euripides hath persuaded to swear with the tongue and to keep the mind vnsworne.

Neither is that excuse that is brought for those off dishonest life any thing more sufficient which is wont to be made / by the testimonialles which commonly the suitors being unto them: seeing the Apostle expressly warnethe Timothy that he be not brought by other men's Iudgmentes to lay hands to sone upon any man / But iff other do it rashly / yet he should keep him self free and unspotted from any such fault / Althoughe every man knoweth what weight thes testimonialles ar off / seeing some off favor commend there kinsfolks and Allies unto the Bishopp by there lettres: or others whom they would gratify by there authority: other some even for covetousness / and hopinge to devide the pray with them that by there means obtain the benefice: For the covetousness off some Patrons is to to well known / who for there own gain sake will covenant with him / with whom they may for lease: and sometime iff they have any servant in the house that can read / because the matter may be more easylie gone through / with such a one (who would be very willing to give the greater parte off his benefice iff he obtain yt by his masters commendacion and authority / to change his vile and base estate with some more honest and liberal condition) they writee for him to the Bishop / who having this testimonial / either for negligence / or often times to curry favor with such men / doth easylie adimit him. Therefore there must be a trial off ecclesiastical officers / that all dishonesty may be taken away from that most worthy order and degree / that ought to be a pattern and example to all other. which being done / order would be takē that here after before Electiōs / there be a dew and just proof and trial had of thos that are to be chosen: that we may exactly keep and follow the Lord's Canons and decrees in this behalf / in keepinge whereof other churches at this day florishe and have done now a long time. And thus much off Election, now let us come to ordination. Ordinacion is a setting a part off the party chosen unto his office / and as it were / a kind of investing him into it. For after the election / a certain order and ceremony is wont to be used / whereby the parties chosen enter as it wer anto the possession off there office. Now this ordination as we call it consisteth especially in two ceremonies: Namely in prayer (whereunto also I refer the declaringe off his dewty) and laying on off hands. For the gospel is content to have the ministers thereof invested and ordained by thes most simple ceremonies / nor hath any need off that careful and curious consecracion off the law with which the priests and Levites were consecrated.

And as for prayers / S. Luke telleth that when Paul and Barnabas were commanded by the holy ghost to be separated for the work off God: the brethren prayed for thē before they were sent out to go on there message. Lickwise also the Apostles prayed for the deacōs which the people had chosen / that the lord would bless this new chamberlainshippe as it were / to his honor and the profit of his church: that he would ēdew the parties chosē with worthy gifts and able thē for the worthy execution of there office. For there is no doubt but the Apostles applied there prayers to the time and state of the church / and that as before in the election of Matthias / so now also in the admissiō and allowance off the Deacons / they prayed as the present occasion off the business did require which was then to be done.

The other ceremony is the laying on off hands in prayer time upon the head off the chosen: for so it seemeth that it was wont to be used / as a thing belonging unto prayer: that bringing in the chosen before God / and as it were presentinge thē unto him / the prayers off the church might be kindled and be the more zealous and vehement. and that it was wont to be used to this end / yt apearethe both by other places where menciō is made thereof in the scriptures / and also in the 19. off Matthew / whē he tellethe that children were brought to Christ that he might lay his hands on thē and pray for them / as also in that place of the acts which I named before wherein it is repeated that the Apostles prayed / laying on there hands vpō the Decons which were chosē by the church. But this is a general end. Ther be other proper and peculiar uses of it / whereof the first pertaineth to the party chosē / the second to all the church. The party chosē was warned by this ceremony / that he was separated and set apart to the work off god as appeareth in the 13. off the act. and that he was taken out off the rest of the people to the doing off that office as it were by the hand off god him self / whereby he might understand that it was no longer in his own power to do what he list / but that god had called him to his work off whom he should have a plētiful reward if he did finish and perfect it / and off the other parte a judge and a reuēger if he did contemn and neglect it. Therefore S. Paul stirring up Timothy to the diligent discharge of his duty / in all partes maketh menciō off laying on of hands / warning him that he neglect not that place and calling which he was called unto for to prophesy by the laying on off the hands off the Elders / Furthermore there is yet another use off this ceremony which belongeth to the confirminge and strenghtning off him that is chosen: who was admonyshed thereby to remember that the same hand was always ready to help to ease his burden and to bear him up that had laid it upon him / that being assured to have been called to his office off god / he might execute yt with great corage being terrified with no fear or danger. The second use and commodity hereoff that pertaineth unto the church is / that they seeing this authority to be off god / and the party set over them in his name / should acknowledge and learn to reverence thos that have care and charge over them / and to be obedient unto them in such things as pertain unto there office.

And this is the right use off that laying on off hands which is used in the ordering off ministers. Which being left and forsaken / the Papists and we that without any judgment keep there fond and foolish Traditions use another sort which was never practiced in ordeininge off the Officers off the church / But in giving off the gifts of the holy ghost to all thos that believed and were baptized: not that Ordinary laying on off hands (the use whereof ought allwais to remain in the church / but that which was extraordinary and served only for a certain time and season. For by cause the Apostles. when they as the stewards off God did distribute the holy ghost / that is to say the diverse and manifold gifts off the spirit to them that embraced religion used this sign and as it wer this sacrament off laying on off hands / Thes Ioly fellows who notwithstanding that power off giving the holy ghost was ceased / kept still the sign / and laying there hands vpō the priests / bad them receive the holy ghost which no man gave them / no nor cold give them unless yt were extraordinarilie / this being proper to those times and to the apostles only, neither do they consider that this ceremony is far unlike the other which they used to the ordeininge off the officers off the church / for this was wont to be used in those days all most to all the faithful / The other to thos only that had some charge in the church / and that when they gave the gifts off the holy ghost extra ordinarily: This was nothing so as may plainly appere out off the places which I have named above both off Paul and Barnabas and also off the Deacons.

And as for Paul that he had received the holy ghost and was endued with thos extraordinary guyftes before that hands were laid upon him on this sort / It may be proved by that / that Christ had appeared unto him from heaven and made him a worthy vessel to bear his gospel into all partes / so that straight way he preached in the synagoges and declared Christ to be the son off god. As for Barnabas Saint Luke doth plainly witness that he was full off the holy ghost (whereby I understand the extraordinary guistes) and off faith whom also before he testified to have been one off those that first professed the Gospel / so that the laying on off hands which followed in the xiii. off the acts was no giving off new gifts / but as the holy ghost speakethe in that place a separacion and setting a part / and as it wer a consecracion / to the going about off a great work and taking upon him a more trauellsome charge and office.

As for the Deacons we read that the Apostles when they wer to the chosen / gave warninge that they should choose mē full of wisdom and off the holy ghost / whereby I doubt not But that they signified / that they should choose off them that wer qualified with thos singular and diverse gifts and that the church according to there prescription / did choose the Deacons from emonges thos three thousand which Saint Luke had spoken off before. Therefore that the Bishopp in ordeininge off ecclesiastical officers and laying his hands upon them / biddethe them receive the holy ghost hath no shadow or show of any practice off the Apostles / but is a Popish rite and ceremony foolishly at the first and without any foundation off the scripture instituted by them / or who so ever were the authors off it / off an imitacion off that which is not in deed / But which they thought to be: And after received by the authors of our discipline (by there leave) with no great Judgment / and yet kept in the church with as little.

Ther remainethe yet one thing in this matter off Ordinaciō to be declared / which is to whome the right and authority off ordaining belongs. A pointe not so hard to be declared as that which hath already been handled off Election / Seinge that there can be found no example where any one / or the whole church have used this authority in all the holy scriptures. Neither any precept or commandment / whereby either the Bishops or the people should think the right hereoff to pertain unto them. For as for that place off Paul to Tymothe which allwais they object against us. Take heed thow lay not thy hands rasshly upon any, I trust it is sufficiently answered allredy / and declared how that in thos words there is nothing granted to Timothy above his fellows / And that he was warned only to take heed off him self that he were not led away by other men / or should think that iff he did anything rasshly yet might be excused by the example and authority off others. But contrariwise we read everywhere that in all ordinations there were mo that laid on there hands / or if one did it yet all this matter was ruled by the authority off the counsel off the church. Thus the Docters and Prophets off Antioch ordained Paul and Barnabas in the xiii. off the Acts: lickwise the xii. Apostles in the sixthe off the Acts laid there hands upon the Deacons that were chose by the church.

And lest we should doubt to which off the ordinary offices off the church the Apostles had left this power and authority Saint Paul declareth that yt was the Elders that laid there hands upon Timothy. Off which patrimony left by the Apostles / the Bishoppe in deed (such a one I mean as Paul describeth in his first Epistle to Timothy and the third chapter / and in the first to Titus) is fellow heir with others / and succeeded in some part as after more largely shall be declared when I handle the authority off the Elders: But to be sole and only heir / they shall never prove by any right off the Testament or the will of the Testator / nor that this possession is occupied by them without most unjust fraud and open violence and wrong.

Therefore seeing as I proved hitherto therbe many and grievous faults in our discipline / seeing the most holy laws off god / left unto us by the Apostles for the government off his kingdom are violated and broken / Seinge the fancyes off men and the pleasures off servants are preferred above the commandment of Christ the king / Seinge the church is so destroyed which he redeemed by his blood / the holy offices profaned / and all things mingled and confounded to geether / Let us at the length earnestly and carefully think to amend thes things / let us in deed obey his precepts and laws / whom in words we acknowledge to be our king: Let the church and the good estate and estimation thereof be dear unto us. By fetchinge the discipline off the church frō mē and from the Canon law / we do wrong to Christ our Prophet and our prince / and open a springe and founteine off errors in the church. Let us therefore stop thos pittes and go to the founteine off the word off god. As subjects let us depend upon the will off our king: And let us make this first the most weighty law in the reformaciō of our discipline / that nothing be done in it besides his word and commandment / and that all things be framed to this good will and pleasure. So that if he hath forbid̄ any man to enter into the church / to take vpō him any public person therein or execute any office / but unto which he is chosen and called by him / iff he hath grievously punished the transgressors off this law who despising his commandment and going without the bands that they were compassed with / break into other mens ground and have been so bold to profane the holy charges with there defiled hands / let us see and be careful that there be no such thing emonges us: and at the last let us command thence Popish priests / women that baptize in secret / chauncellors / Archdeacons and there servants the Commissaries / and Officialles and the rest off that trashe that take upon them the administringe of discipline / to leave off / and do there own business / and suffer thes things to be executed by thē that are called thereunto by the lawful apointment of god.

Ther is great fruit and commodity that cometh by a lawful calling: Let us take heed therefore that we loose it not by ambitiō and bribery. Christ hath committed a certain province to be governed by his ambassadors / And whō he callethe to any office he apointeth where and amongst wwhom to execute it: why then do so many go wandringe and straying amongst us? Why do we grant so lose embassages? why do we commit an office to any man / whō we appoint not where and amongst whō to execute it (especially seeing thes wandringe and unstable charges / are wont to bring infinite evil after thē. But if any man hath an office committed unto him / if his city / place and church be assigned where to exercise it / let hī diligently perform which he hath taken in hand: And iff he do it not willingly / let the magistrate compel him to amend his dewty / or let him be put out off his office.

And for thos faculties and dispensacions that exempt such as will purchase them from this necessary doing off there duty / let us take away and abolish / as having first proceeded from Antichrist him self / and yet not without great offense received emonges us / and decree according to the word off God that who so ever is chosen to any ecclesiastical office shall carefully and diligently look unto it / as one that is to give accompt off the execution thereof in that noble and famous day off the coming off Christ. In elections / taking away the usurped tyrant̄y off the Bishops and all that confusion which I have declared / whereby dew trial and examinatiō is hindered / let the lawful choosers have there right restored to thē again: Let there be diligent and exact examination had off thos that ar to be chosen: Let offices be given for worthiness and not for other respects / lest both the holy offices be profaned / and the church wanting hir necessary helps and stays fall to the ground: last off all Let us restore the right and true use off Ordeining and laying on off hands / and abolish and take away this false and forged abuse thereof. Thus far have I handled thos things that ar to be amended out off the word off god in this parte / which equally belongeth to all the offices off the church. Now followeth the next part which declareth what is proper and peculiar to everyone: which also hath marvelous need off correction and amendment.

Thus therefore having fynished that part wherein I have fully and at large handled thos things that pertain equally unto all that bear any office in the church / It followeth to show how many sortes off them there be and what every man hath common with other / or proper or peculiar unto him self. Off ecclesiastical offices therefore some are ordinary and perpetual in the church / and some are extraordnary which were used for a time but ceased afterwards to be used anymore. For in the first age off the church / by the great goodness of god towards his people that was but then young and tendre / many diverse heavenly gifts were given. Which after when the church had grown strong and the gospel had been sufficiently confirmed with thos mirackles / wer no lenger given: but a certain firm and stable order was set to govern the church by forever. Which were / rather as Saint Paul calleth them gifts and Graces / then ordinary offices off the church / No man I think can doubt but that they are ceased / seeing the gifts are given no more.

The questiō is somewhat harder off the office of Apostles / Evangelists and prophets / which all seeing they are occupied in preaching off the word I will defer to prove they also are ceased / to that place where I deinde all thos that have charge to interpret the word off god into two sortes: Therefore in the mean season omittinge the extraordinary I will begynn with the ordinary offices off the church / whereof seeing some be simple / and others some compounded / I will in the first place more fully and at large as the matter it self requirethe speak off the first first and more simple part whence also the latter doth wholly springe. Therefore all the perpetual and ordinary offices off the church that are simple / are contained in the holy scripture / in thes two names off Bishopps and Deacons: for all though the words them selffes are not so exactly or as I may say so curiously observed / as also it was not needful they should / yet the some and effect off this division is every where retained. So Saint Paul in his first Epistle to Timothy / instructinge his scholar / how to frame and set in order the church off Ephesus (for the office off an Evangelist which Timothy bare) comprehendeth all the offices and functions off the church in Bishopps and Deacons.

So also the same Apostle writing to the Phillipiās whose church to as already established and set in order / Paul (and as followeth) To the Saints which are at Philippi withe the Bishops and Deacons / &c. In which place understanding hy the name off Saints / the faithful and as it were the citezens and body off the church / under Bishopps and Deacons he conteinethe the governors and thos to whom any public charge in the church is committed. Somewhat otherwise in the xii. to the Romans / but to the same sense / he divideth ecclesiastical offices into prophesing (which is there office whom he calleth Bishopps in the two places afore named) and Deaconshipp which distribution is also kept by Peter in the fourth of his former epistle. But that keeping still the name off Deacon, he useth the word speech for prophesyinge.

This therefore is the true division off ecclesiastical offices / distributed by Christ's chief Apostles into thes partes: whereby yt manifestly appeareth that in a perfect and well established church there be both partes as it wer the right side and the left side off the body / and that neither off them can be wantinge without the great deformity and misshapinge off the whole. As also off the other part there ought to be no office / no charge or functiō in there church / which is not as it wēr a menber off one of thes ii. partes / and inseparably joined with the rest of the body / by which form and pattern off the Apostles / iff we should examine the Roman church (I mean that Roman church that fell from hir first simplicity) and that lively image off the beast which is described by Saint John / framed and fashioned hir self after the form and pattern off the Roman Empire / as is declared by Clement / by other occasions in his Epistles / what need have we here off a heavenly kind off surgery to cut off the superfluity off so many and unnecessary and needles partes / what wenns and what blemishes / wer to be cut off and cured in this behalffe? But there appeareth no less deformity in the want of thos partes which are natural and necessary / seeing that in the romane church / one whole parte that is off Deacons is wanting. Off both which so notable deformities / I would our church wer free / and that there wer nothing in our metropolitan and other mother and cathedral churches / that did imitate the superfluity off needles partes and menbres / for in the other deformity in wantinge necessary partes we ar nothing inferior to the Papists them selves / for the Deacons are alike wanting in them both: as after more plainly shall appere when I come to that place.

Now let us examine particularly the several offices: And first off all let us speak off the Bishopp. The name off a Bishopp cōminge off the greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 doth signify a watchman or a scoutwatch who is appointed to watch in the campe or city and to declare the coming off the enemy: which name also all though yt be sometime given to the Magistrate for that care he ought to have off the people subject unto him / yet oftener and more properly to the chieff charges off the church / and to thos that are as it were the watch off the city off god / to keep it not frō fire and sword which mortal enemies can bring against it / but from that everlasting fire and thos fyry darts as the Apostle calleth them / whereby most mighty spirits and most deadly enemies off the church / go about day and night to enflame the city with all.

But seeing that even off thes / some by special oath are more straitly bound to continual watch and ward / namely they to whom are committed thos holy silver trompettes to declare to all men all the word and commandedement off god / the comēinge off the enemies / to thes properly and specially is given in the third off the first to Tymothi / the first to Titus and other places the name off Bishopp or wachmam. So that in old time this was rather a name off labor then off rest / off burden then off honor / off business then off ease. Now a Bishop (iff we will trewly declare what he is) is the minister off the church in heavenly things and such as pertain unto god. For this / I think good to follow the wisdom off the Apostle in declaringe the office off a priest under the law: seeing that bishops in the new testament have succeeded as touching the government off such things / to the priests off the law. As for that I enclose all the office off a Bishopp in divine service I ground upon the same place off the Apostle who giveth no more to the priests / whose office was nothing less honorable then the Bishops in this behalffe / yea had a greater show off majesty and honor in certene pointes / in respect off thos times which had need off such things. So the Apostle containeth the office off Timothy although he were an Evangelist / in the government / and administracion off the house off god / which is the church: And to omytte many other places to this ende / the Apostle to the Hebrews comprehendeth all the charge off the Elders in the cure off souls.

And what greater and more sufficient witness can we have in this mater then off Christ our Savior and our king who throwghly knew the nature off his kingdom / and had appointed to what use to put everyone / how often doth he declare that his kingdom is not off this world / but off another and more heavenly nature / and such as parteineth to the procuringe off the salvation off men / wherein for as much as his whole embassage / and charge which he received off his father did consist / he was wholly occupied therein / his doingt and meditation was allwais upon it / he meddled not him self with the things off his world: but day and night had his charge before his eyes and exercised him self therein: warning also the Apostles that they should not hope to obtain the glorious show and honor off this world / seeing his kingdom was off another nature: yt rulethe the affections / yt gouernethe the troublesome mocions off the mind / it morateth inordinate lusts / and bringeth every mā to the doing of his duty / yt lifteth and raiseth up again thos that were fallen and beaten to the ground / it confirmeth thos that are sick and weak with the grace mercy and goodness off god: it bringeth men from received errors whereby they were cast hedlong into all danger an mishiefe / to the true honoringe and worshipping off god: he told them that he would use there labor to these ends: They should keep his foulds and feed his flock and his lambes: This should be there race to run in / Thes there listes wherein they should exercise them selves / wherein iff they behaved there selves with praise and commendation they should look for as Saint Peter saithe an everlasting crown off glory.

This is therefore the dewty off a Bishopp / which I will not here curiously enquyre how faithfully they execute / seeing they be bownd to no special charge but content with a general oversight off the Dioces / have exempted them selves from the necessary charge off rhe Bishops dewty. Let us rather see wither I have justly compassed in the whole office off a Bishopp in the handlynge off Religion and the service off God. For it is an old opinion and received off long time / that Bishops are not so limited with doing off the service off God / But that they may also handle the things off this life and govern both at once the church and the common wealth. Heroff yt comethe that our Bishops are Justices off peace / and have authority to see the Queens peace kept and to cast the breakers off yt into prison / and bonds. That they have authority to here pleas / and also to Judge off in there courts / pleas off willes and Testaments and other civil things. Heroff also it is that the same titles off state and honor that are given to the noble men / are given to them: whereas Archbishopes are saluted by the most honorable and Princely title off Grace / An other is called Bishopp off the order off the garter: An other Counte Palatine: And all off them honorable Lord's whereupon some are displeased that the Chauncelorshipp off this realm / The Presidentshipp off york / and such like honorable offices / which were wont in popery to be theres / are now given to horable Lord's off civil estate: And complain off yt as though they had wrong offered them. Therefore they do unjustly and without any cause / and contrary to there dewty / desire / and usurp thes things / or ells / I have not done well to enclose all the office off a Bishopp in the administracion off heavenly and spiritual things: whereof let us se whither is to be thought.

That that is old and ancient / yt may sufficiently enough appere by this / that such Ambition and busyinge off them selves is forbidden by the old Cannons / yea further / the grievous complaint off some off the old farthers touching this matter are known well enough and to be found in there writings / who partly invey and sharply reprove them that brought in this confusion / partly lament that by that means / they were called from there own particular dewty: which also we here say some off ours do complain off / and confess that they have only one hour in the week to think off preaching: And that in a manner won by force out off the importunity off cliētes: whom Terēcies menedemus worthily would merueyle / at to see thē to have so much leisure from there own business / that they may look to other men's.

But this that is now so amplified and grown that it is become intolerable / and no less dangerous for them selves then for thee church / sprange at the first as all most all other mischiefs have done from begynninges that were not so evil. For first off all this business was w holy private / and controversies were freely given over to the Bishops by the consent off the parties / who trustinge there conscience / thought by this means to have the best issue off there matter / After it grew / by the Authorytie of Princes: who partly off a good mind but not wary enough / and off a desire to adorn and beutifie the church / partly also because they them selves were hindered with wars and external business / gave authority to Bishops to correct even such with civil punishment as should trouble the church.

Last off all it so infinitely spread out her bowghes by the couetousines and ambition off the Bishops / that there was no honorable office in the civil state which they did not partly beg / partly receive willingly and with great thanks being offered / till they had mingled the church and the common wealth / civil and ecclesiastical matters / and confounded the kingdom and the bishprick to gether. But as that which god hath joined no mann can separate So we may not think that any mā can join or couple to gether that which he hath severed and divided a sonder. And iff it be unlawful to altor and change the bounds that our fathers have set / how much less is it lawful to change those bounds and lymites that the Lord hath bound us with all / and whereby he would have us severed and divided from others / and by this deceit to increase Patrimonies and possessions. For that there is a great difference between the civil magistrate and them that have charge off ecclesiastical matters / That sufficiently doth prove / that whereas first off all both powers were confounded together in Moses / The lord leaving him only the charge off the common wealth / committed the government off the church to Aaron his brother. And set so great distance between them both / that the kingdom could not on • y not be governed by the high priest him self / but also by none off the same family / name / or trib / Nor contrary wise the priesthood / off any off the kings stock or off the royal b • ud / house / or tribe / and finally off none but a Levite / So they were divided a sonder not only in there own persons / but also by families and by tribes: which distinction and difference was allwais diligently observed by all that came after / until king vzziah being puffed up with pride as it is expressly noted in the holy history usurped the priesthood and burnt incense in the temple off god. But he went not away scot-free with his pride / but being suddenly stricken with the leprousy was made an example for all ages to take heed off the like boldness / to confound and mingle thos to gether which the Lord did devide and set a sonder.

But there was no priest for many years after that meddled him self with the government off the kingdom / until first Aristobolus most unadvisedly after the return from Babylon / joined the kingdom and the priesthood / the myter and the crown together. For whereas we read that Elias / Samuel / and Daniel / exercised both offices / It was alltogither extraordinary / neither ought to be drawn to the ordinary and perpetual government off the church. All though under the law many things wer done by the Priests which cannot be now done by Bishops. And they wer put to many things to which yt wer not lawful that the Bishops under the Gospel should be applied which was in respect off the public law / whereof they wer as well keepers and interpreters as off the moral / being made and given by the same lord / so that it was needful to use them to many things whereunto ours may not neither ought not to be put.

As for the Gospel what can be clearer then the difference that it maketh in this case: whereas our savior him self off whose example we ought to learn / refused to devide the herytage between the brethren as a thing not belonging to his office / and offten times he reprouethe and repressethe the like desyer off the Apostles desyring and longyng after such things / he detested all this lordinge and exercisyng off dominion together with the titles off princes and honorable personages and such like titles and names: professinge freely that thes honors wer civil and worldly and therefore to be sought for at other men's hands: which they should not think might begotten at his hands that had no such like thing in all his kingdom: By whom they wer called indeed to greater offices / greater I say and more honorable in respect off true honor / although not for the outward show.

And this the Apostles wer taught not only by the precepts and voice off there master / but after also by there own experience / that this spiritual charge to be well done can be joined with no other / so that they gave over off them selves / even the charge off the pore with is an ecclesiastical office and so near off kindred unto the other / that it seemed they might well have stood together / and limited there office in he service off God alone.

And iff it be so that the ministers off the word off god ought not to be charged with providing for the widows and for the poor / that being free from any other charge / they might wholly bestow them selves upon there own / how much less lawful is yt / that they should be called away from there own office and dewty to do worldly things and belonging to the civil Magistrate. For thus thow dost not only gather hindrances unto thyself / to hindre thē that thow do not thy duty / otherwise then either good soldiers or conninge wrestlers are wont to do / but also dost wrong unto another into whose ground and possession thow breakest in by force / which thing seeing the Apostle in the xii. off the Romans chargeth with ambytion and 〈…〉 business even in ecclesiastical offices / whe • 〈…〉 •• ligently from this being wiser then we ought to be / exhorteth us to a Christian like modesty / and to be soberly wise / how much more shall he be guilty off the same crime that mingleth and confoundeth together things so far different and diverse off nature.

For who knoweth not that the office off the Magistrate especially consisteth in thos things which belong to our life and to our goods / and hath not to do with the holy ceremonies / but only to see by his authority that it be administered by them / by whom / and in what manner it ought to be by the word off God / but that he admynistred nothing him self: And again who knoweth not that the Bishops Office is bounded and limited with spiritual matters and cure off souls / and hath no charge off the common wealth / nor off the state off this life? Or that the Magistrates are careful for the body and things belonging thereunto / The Bishops of the sowle and that which apparteineth unto the soul? And that the Magistrates are careful for this frail and britie life / but the Ministers off that blessed life which endureth forever? Therefore seeing the Lord God under the law being about to plant the priesthood as a tree hard by the Mgistrate his neighbors ground / knowing well what the nature off this tree was (namely that it enlargeth and spreadeth out his roots far abroad as the fig tree or the olyue tree doth / and therefore was to be set further off lest that any contention or striffe should affterward arise) severed yt by a most great distance / and greater then the space off ix feet which Solon commanded in such like trees / from the Magestrates ground that lay hard by / let godly Magistrates diligently take heed / being admonished both by the ordinance off the most wise god / and the example off the Roman Empire / that they suffer the Bishops to challenge nothing unto thē with in there ground / nor secretly so root them selves with in the same / that they be afterwards compelled (as we read many Emperors have done) to strive with them for there own right and patrimony. And seeing God hath punished the transgression off this his law touching the distinction off the two estates / in a noble prince and godly otherwise / why do we not fear that he will show the like punishment in the like fault off the Bishops? And seeing Christ him self did refuse the kingdom being offered him / nor would handle the lest eyuill matters / no not to agree brethren thereby / Seinge the Apostles would not join any other office though it were off the same kind with there own / no not the charge off the poor and widows / that they might bestow them selves wholly and attend upon there own / seeing this agreethe better with the kingdom off Christ / and the other with the kingdoms off this world / what just excuse can they lay for this ambition and busyinge off them selves / or why do they storm so when we call them frō the civil courts to the church / from the Justices benche / to Moses chair / from a kingdom and a lordshipp / to a Bishopric and ministry.

We read in the holy history that Azariaz the high priest cast out king Vzzrah out off the holy place / and that worthily / because the law so commanded. And Sozomenus telleth that when Theodosius themperor would have gone up to the high part off the temple / Ambrose for bad him / because as he said / that was the Bishops place / and comēanded him to sit below without the chancell. which I do not rehearse to this ende that I do allow off those superstitious and proud separations off the bishops from other mē / but seeing this there inordinate desire off catching to them selves / to stir up kings and magistrates to a just care of maintaining there own right / and in like manner to bownd and lymit them within there chancelles and quyres / and command them to keep them selves with in there bonds and limites / and to know also there bars and ranges. And iff they had carefully seen to to it when this plage began first to creep in / surely the ambition off church men had never come to that unspeakable pride that we have seen it at / that they might glory off the power off both estates / and as we use to speak off both the swords / off a triple crown / off treading vpō the Emperors necks and suffering kings to hold there stirruppes. But seeing they looked not unto it neither regarded it / at the last when the Apostles wer dead / who as in old time that noble worthy Gideon / desired not any unlawful kingdom or Lordshipp in Israel / and there natural children desired lickwise no such thing / At the last I say / this bastard Abimelech rose up: that ambitiously sought an vnlaufull kingdom / and named hymsellffe bobothe a father and a king: but it is to be hoped that same end and the like destruction will come upon this Tyrant that in old time came upon Abimelech / for I doubt not but Ioathans parable is as it wer an orackle uttered against this ambition: And it is alltogither to be hoped / that as the empyre is weakened and almost brought to nothing by him / whereby he hath obtained this infinite and princely power and authority / so it will one day come to pass that he shall be destroyed again by the empyre.

But would to god / that only the Bramble off Rome had desired this kingdom and lordshipp: and that our olyue trees also and our fig trees and our vynes had not left there fatness and there sweetness and most excellent fruit / for the desire off lordshipp and government. For the preaching off the gospel is in deed most sweet and pleasant fruit: and with this there new wine they rejoiced both god and men: as also with the oil off the gospel more precious then any balm / and off sweeter and more fragrant smell / then that which was poured upon Aaron's hedd. For we complain that even or bishops have gotten this lordshipp into there hands: and find great want / and long for / thos excellent fruits again off that wyne / and thos figgas / and Olyues / which in old time the church was wont to gather off there Bishopps. And surely I am afraid that we wish and longe for them in vain / and lest that they being delighted now with another kind off fatness and off sweetness / that is off Riches and Honor / have already begun to neglect and despise the other / and will so contynew to despise yt. But the Lord will see to thes things / who off his good will / will provide for his church / either by them iff they will come to the first root and stock again / or ells without them / if they continue to neglect and despise the same (But peradventure I have been to longe in this part / being moved both with the unworthiness off the thing and the danger off the church.

Now seeing as I suppose yt is sufficiently proved that the office off a Bishopp is limited in the administration off heavenly and spiritual things / let us particularly declare the several partes off this office. Which consist partly in teaching and interpretinge off the word off God / and partly in making prayers for the church. For thes two are so linked together / that they may by no means be separated. For he that takethe cure off teaching the church / hath laid upon him also the praying for the church. And contrariwise the office off praying and making solemn and public prayers for the church in respect off his office / can / nor ought to be committed to no man / but to him that hath power also to teache the church. For we read that thes two wer always so joined and knit together / that he that off office did the one / was bound to the doing off both. Neither have thes at any time been severed or drawn a sonder.

So the Priests under the law wer bound to both: as Moses expressly declarethe in the blessing off Levi. They shall teache saith he Jacob thy judgments and Israel thy law: They shall put incense before thy face and bourne offering • upon thy altar / For / that prayer and Supplication was shadowed under the law by burninge off parfume and incense / It ys plain by many other other places and namely by David who without question in the 141. psalm alludeth hereunto: and the first off Luke where it appeareth that all the church understood it so: whereunto also S. John alludeth in his revelation. Lickwise also the Prophet Samuel answeringe the people that desired him that he would pray to god for them / God forbid saithe he that I should offend against God in ceasinge to pray for yow / for I will also teache yow the good and perfect way. declaringe there by both / to belong to his duty / So then in the Priesthood and the Prophesy two off the chiefest offices in the Jewish church (which our Bishopps do resemble / iff we compare the Pastors with the Priests / and the Doctors with the Prophets) Thes two offices off teachying and praying were joined together.

And do not the Apostles in the gospel where they leave the ministringe to the pore / professing that they did it to this purpose that they might more freely give thē selves wholly to there office / do they not limit there office with thes two partes off preaching and Prayer? Paul also in his epistle to Timothy doth manifestly refer prayer to the office off a Bishoppe: whereas giving order off stablisshinge the church off Ephesus having declared the form off public prayers / after showeth at large / what man̄er off man he ought to be. Therefore seeing it is plain by the perpetual use off the scripture that thes two belong both to one and the same office / They cannot in any sort be drauen a sonder: and an unlawful divorcement it is / when as our ministers (I speak off thos Curates that are unable to teache) are off this condition ordained to the ministry / that they read there seruise and prescript prayers / out off the book: but that they be not so bold to teache or interpret without new and especial authority granted to that purpose.

But some men will say / They are not able to interpret the scriptures / Surely iff yt be so / they are well and worthily and by the commandment off god forbidden to interpret yt / But that is not well / that they are not all so forbidden to read the prayers: seeing that thes two / preaching and prayer which are both but one office / are torn and draw̄ a sonder contrary to the ordinannce off God / and a certain new and lame ministry is brought into the church / by the boldness off men. Thus therefore having described the whole dewty and office off Bishops / let us come to that which is proper and particular / in there eletion and ordination.

The Election therefore off Bishops (that I may be gyn̄ there) because the whole safety of the church is in danger in that actiō) ought to be joined with most ernest prayer to god / that it would please him to direct the judgment off the choosers which his holy spyrit / to provide a worthy and an able Bishopp for his church / and not suffer them being led away by any blind affection to be deceived with so dangerous an error. For hither both the reason which I have already brought and especially the example off 〈◊〉 Savior Christ him self doth lead us / whom Saint Luke rehersethe to have spent the whole might before the choosinge and declaringe off his Apostles / in supplication and prayers / which also the same Luke reherseth to have been practiced by the Apostles in the election off Mathias. Which all men understand ought to be necessarily restored again / that observe and marck the success and fallinge out off our elections / far otherwise taken in hand.

But I trust I shall not need to take much pains in so clear a matter: Therefore I will go forward and declare what a one he ought to be / who should be chosen a Bishopp / It is already plain enough by that which hath been said that in the choosinge off a Bishopp the especial care and respect ought to be off his learning / seeing he is chosen to teach and interpret the word off god unto others: although also there ought to be no common and ordinary but a singular and chief respect in examyninge his manners as being such whose smallest faults for the high place wherein they are / can by no means be hidden and covered. Seeing that the ministers off the word off God as Christ warneth the Apostles / are like unto cities that are upon the mountains. Therefore seeing they must dwell in the eyes off men and in the fairest light / and as our Savior Christ saith in the same place / be put as it wer upon candle sticks that they may give light unto other / It is meet that there holiness off life / godliness and moderate cōuersacion should shine like lights a monges men / whervppon the Apostle Paul setting forth in Timothy a lawful minister off the word / declareth that he ought to be such / as may be an example / or glass and a pattern to all the faithful in love / • n chastity / and in all the order off his life.

And sure good cause it is he should be innocent / that asketh other mē accompt off there life: seeing nothing is more just then that he that teacheth other should first instruct him self / and that calling other men from shame / he hold keep him self free from any spot or blemishe. For what a shame is it / when the sick man may say to him that would help him / Physician heal thyself: or when thos things are cast in a man's teeth which Paul upbraideth the Jews with all / thow that teachest another teachest not thyself and thow that preachest a man should not steal stealest thyself / And again the name off God is blasphemed among the gentiles for your cause. Therefore seeing that they are set in so high a pla •• that the example off there integrity not only edifieth the church but also glorifieth god thereby. And contrariwise there faults and errors do give occasion to strangers to speak evil off the Lord whom they preach / and the gospel which they publish abroad / and to the faithful that are weak / to whom the lest fault that they make is as it wer a law / whereby they think they may lickwise offend without reproof / and seeing herein they hurt by there example no less / yea a great deal more then by the fault it self / a great diligence and singular care is to be had off the life and manners off him who is to be chosen a biship. But seeing the office off a Bishop consisteth chifely in this / that they publish / preach / and interpret all the gospel / especially thos gifts are to be respected which are proper and peculiar to that office / to the executinge whereof he is to be chosen / therefore he is to be examined how well he hath been exercised in the holy scriptures / and whither he be able fruitfully / and to edifyinge / to communicate with the church that which he doth godlilie understand. No unskillful or unlearned man may be called to the stearing off this helm / unless we would have the shipp not only to be in danger / but willingly to run upon the r • kes: But what is he (unless he wer conspired against the safety of the church and of the son̄es off god) that would commit the church which god redeemed with his blood that he might adopt us to be his sons / an this nobleship fraighted full off worthies to any but to some most conninge and expert pilote and master.

Therefore such con̄ing Pylotes and governors ar to be chosen and set to the stearinge off the shipp / who ar able to discern the diverse face and chaungeable contenaunce of the heavens / that ar able to for seestormes and tēpestes / that can guid there ship by the north starr / and finally whom thos heavenly muses have taught the unknown paths and ways of the sea / and that which is in the Poet.

But the word of god is the only starr whereby this life is Our eyes must be bent upon this heaven and fyrmament whereby storms and tempests are much more certainly fore seen then by the other / This is the helm off our life which who so ever hath not learned to steare and govern / he may well be put to some other service / but let him not come into the stern and iff he he do / let him be put out again. For it is very good reason to require off an Artificer knowledge off that art which he professeth / to require off a Captain • and a General / knowledge and skill off war fare and chieualty / off a physicion / that he know how to mayteyne the health and to recover them that are diseased.

And under the law the Lord appointed his priests that they should be such as might be able when they wer asked / to answer out off the law off God. Which wer adorned not only with the diademe and myter but with thos xii. Iewelles and precious stones which Moses for there lightsome clerenes and perfect beauty calleth Vrrim and Thummim: by means whereof they asked off the Lord in all affairs: by which two names sometimes all the priesthood is signified / to teach us that he that hath not them / hath nothing. And that there is no priesthood without Vrim and Tummim. To whom seeing the Bishops as parteininge to to this matter have succeeded / although they had put on Aaron's tunicle Ephod or Diademe / yet iff thos stones shine not in there breast / whereby (as Ennius. saithe) men being doutfull of there matters what to do / may be certefied / that they take not weight • things rasshly in hand / we acknowledge no stock nor succession off the Priesthoode / nor all the rest off the garments off Aaron. And seeing we have now in thes times no other means to be certified off the will off god besides his writ̄ word and the holy scriptures: And seeing it is sure that this word is come in place off the Arck / the Sanctuary / the breastplate off Judgment / and all the other ceremonies off off the old law / even as thos in old time wer necessary for the priests / So now is the understanding and knowledge heroff for the ministers off the word off god. Therefore the Apostle Paul warneth Timothy that a biship ought to be able to teache. Whereas declaringe that he ought to be such / he speaketh not off it as off some help or ornament / but as off the nature / matter and substance off a Bishop • .

And that we may more full • understand what the force off the word is and how many things are contained under it / he declareth it more at large in his epistle to Titus / sainge / a Bishopp ought to besuche a one as holdeth fast the faithful word according to doctrine / that he may be able also to exhort with wholesome doctrine / and reprove them that speak against it. But how is it possible that he should be able to exhort with sound doctrine unless he hath first learned that sound doctrine him self out off the holy scriptures? And by what means can we convince thos that speak against it / but by the scriptures as it is rehearsed in the Acts that Apollos did? Finally how shall he be able to do that which Saint Paul commandeth Timothy / namely to enstruct / to teache to reprehend / reprove / and exhort but by the Scripture? which as the same Apostle in another place teacheth Timothy are able to furnishe the man off god that is to say the minister off his word to do all thes things according to his dewty. And seeing Saint Peter witnessethe that we are begotten again into a new life by this seed and being borne are norished and grow up by this milk / how can it be that any man without this seed should get children unto god / or norishe and bring up such as ar begotten off other. The kingly Prophet David doth witness / that he knew not which way to go if this lamp did not shine allwais before hī to direct him in the right way.

Therefore seeing the Ministers off the word are commanded to lead us in the right way / They ought to be Torch bearers and to carry this light kindled in there hand which may first give light unto them selves / and after also to those off whom they have received charge to lead them in the ways off god. And off this office off leadinge / guiding / and giving light / come those worthy names and titles whereby they are called in the scriptures stars off the heavē / the salt off the earth / the light off the world / and guides off the blind and such like. But unless thes stars do shine / and unless a gret deal off light be first gathered into these Sons as there was in the first creation when the Son was created to rule the day / iff I say the son yt self be not first lighted and kindled / It cannot shine to others / nor show the way by that light it hath not: so likewise if the salt be unsavory wherewith shall a manseason yt. The like may be said off thes who are guydes of the blind: For as our savior saithe / if the blind lead the blind they must both fall into the ditche.

And that we may more surely be persuaded off this doctrine / Let us consider some other names and titles (for it wer an infinite thing to gather all) whereby there office and duty is declared. Saint Paul saithe that the minister is the Stewarde off god: And addeth in the same place / A disposer off the mysteries off god Therefore both he ought to give meat to the lords household in dew time / and the household must ask thes Mysteries off the steward: As the Egyptians when they came to the king in the famyn wer sent by him / to his high steward that had the disposinge off the corn. As it is also expressly said by Malachi the Prophet / That the lips off the priest keep knowledge / and the law shall be asked at his mouthe. Therefore this steward ought to be such another as Joseph was: that hath gathered together great store of corn / and filled his barns and granaries / and stored the store house off his breast longe before with thes victualles / that he may minister to the necessity and famine off the people. And this is that scribe which the lord him self doth witness to be made ready for the kingdom off god / that is for the prechinge off the Gospel: that is able to bring out off his store house / as the household shall have need both new store and old.

To the Ephesians S. Paul saith / that the pastor and the Doctor wer given off Christ / to the buildinge off his body as it wer off the temple off god / that this most noble frame and more meruelous thē the most beautiful frame off this world might the built. But he that cannot tell how to handle the tools and instrumetes that he should occupy for his buildinge / what his he able to do worthy the precious foundaciō whereupon he buildeth. The same Paul as he calleth the the church the Building of God / so he calleth it his husbādry: which although it receiveth increase of the only blessing off god / yet there be some servants set to plant it and to water it / in respect of which wateringe / in other places also they are compared to the heaven and to the clouds and the doctrine with the rain and with the dew. But iff thes clouds be such as S. Jude speakethe off / Clouds without water: and this Heaven / such a one as the lord treatnethe in the law to his people whē they shall offend him / harder then any iron or steel / how shall the field or herytage off the lord florishe or bring fourth fruit? But because it wer an infinite thing to gather all the names off ministers which ar immunerable / let us leave the rest and consider only the name off a Pastor and Shepherd. For how many things are contained under this one name of a Sheppard / how infinite a care and wonderful knowledge off diverse and sundry things / namely that he keep the flock day and night evē with the danger of his life frō the wolves (whereof S. Paul diligently warneth the bishops off the church of Ephesus / that they feed the sheep / rule them with the shepehooke / call thē by name / and lead thē out to the wholesome pastures / and sweet run̄ynge streams / and after bring them to the fold again / which that Archpastor and chief sheppard did fully and thoroughly parforme. Furthermore what lerninge were yt needful to have to do those things / which Ezekiel and Zechariah require off the Pastors? namely / to strengthen the weak / to heal the sick and diseased / to bind the broken / and wind up thos that ar bruised to seek thos that are lost and to bring home again to the fold thos that go astraie. Therefore no man may be chosen to be Pastor or sheppard off the lords flock but he that is endued with thes diverse and manifold gifts whose voice may be insteade off a sheephooke to rule his sheep: at the hearing whereof they may go in and out: that knoweth what feadinge and what waters is fittest for the flock: and fynallie that perfectly understandeth how to help and heal the weak and diseased.

Neither let any man here complain that I am more severe and rigorous then needethe / seeing that which Paul requireth is nothing less / that is to say to teache in sound doctrine / to raise up thos that faint / to convict thos that resist / to strengthen thos that shake and are fallinge / to break the proud and stubborn / to allure the godly by hope of reward to all virtue and honesty / and to terrify the wicked from sin / by menacinge and thretninges.

For / for the first point that is off doctrine / what a man (think we) ought he to be / that ought to understand that he be able to teache thos mysteries / meruaillous to the Angels themselves / and unknown in the world not longe ago / off god manifested in flesh / justified in spirit / received up in glory / and so forth as Paul most notably reherseth / and which (he declareth) that the good minister off Christ ought to teache unto the church. Furthermore who but a learned man / and well taught and brought up in the school off Christ / is able to discern between sound and corrupt doctrine? and to give that as most wholesome food and pleasant waters unto the flock / and that also fitly aceordinge to the variety of diverse times? and of the other part to know and perceive in time / and wisely to avoid / false and corrupt opynions or foolish and vain questions which as the Apostle saith like gangrenes do freat to the ruyne off the church. And doth it not require a marvelous great diligence and singular knowledge in the holy scriptures to prescribe all orders and degrees off men what they ought to do / what is fit for everyone and what every man's duty is? to declare the dewty off kings and magistrates / to show the obedience off subjects / to preach the law / the gospel / repentance / faith which S Paul in Timothes person / prescribeth all ministers to preach / and in the person off the Auncientes off Ephesus / wherein taking to witness that he had done so / exhorteth them to follow him and to do the like? How hard a matter it is to stay thos that are fallinge / by the comfort off the promises / to refresh and ease thos that ar weary and heavy laden / to raise up them that are beaten down to the ground / as it were from the grave again? Thes things had need off a heavenly kind off cun̄inge and knowledge / and off that learned tongue whereby Isaiah witnesseth that he refreshed thos that trauayled and wer weary.

But that I be not to long in this matter / and that I omit both many other things / namely thos divine and marvelous secreates off the election off the faithful and reprobacion off the ungodly / how great is that one thing / to be able to answer whē he is asked in all matters / what the lords will and pleasure is / and to be as it wer the oracle off the church / which it is not possible any man should be able to do / without a great and excellent knowledge off the word off god (which only is left to us in stead off the Sainctuary / off the Ark and orakle off god under the law) no more then it was possible to execute the priesthood without Vrim and Thummim, Therefore seeing there is so great art required to the government off the church / and seeing as it is said by one in another case that it is a piece off work that had need off many taklinges / helmes / and oars / no man ought to have the guidinge heroff committed to him but he that is expert and cōninge: neither is it meet to set a boateman or a skoller to it. Who by reason off his ignorance in the stars / iff he were in the midst off the Sea / cold not tell where aboutes he were / but should be compelled to cry as it is in the Poet.

It wer more meet to set here to the government off the ship the con̄ingest master that ever was who lookinge to the word off god in stead off the north star may bring it with straight and direct cuurse to the haven. Further it is also to be considered in this questiō / that the case is touching the government off the church / off feedinge of the flock off the lord / of keeping Hierusalē the city off our god / off building the temple off god / off the body off Christ / then the which there is nothing more to be esteemed in heavē and earth. That we may the rather determine / that such a flock that hath as many golden fleeces in it / as there be sheep / ought to be committed to the keepinge off none / but off a most con̄inge / painful and diligent man / and as it wer another Jacob. For who is he that wer able to answer the Lord for the loss off the lest sheep off this flock? At whose bringing to the fold again after it hath wandered and gone astray / seeing the Aungelles are so gladd off and rejoice / iff it wer lost would they not in a manner Lament / and would not heavē and eaathe put upon them mourninge apparel for the same? if then we commit this flock unto a shepphard / that not only seeketh not the lost sheep / nor bindeth not that which is brokē / but cannot if he would / howe many would be lost / and how greatly do we think that the lord off the flock will esteem so great a loss? What would he say not only to the shepherds but to his stewards that had set such a one over his flock. Surely all there Judgment is pronounced by Ezekiel / namely that both the watchemen / that give not warninge off the enemies / and the city also that seteth such watch men over them / shall be both taken and perish togeether: and by our Savior Christ saying / that if the blind lead the blind / both shall fall into the ditche.

Therefore seeing the Bishopp must speak and preach off so heavenly matters by reason off his office / Seinge he is set over the government off the church off god / Seeing that undoubted danger hangeth over the head both off the minister and church iff such a one be chosen to rule that is not able / and seeing off the other part / all this fitness and ability consisteth in holy knowledge off the sacred doctrine and understanding off the word off God / I think it is sufficiently proved that no man ought to be admitted Bishopp ot minister who is not godly and learned.

And iff any have been o • herwise by error admitted / to be put out again. For so our Savior Christ hath allredy pronounced that the unsavory salt is to be cast out off the doors / and the Prophet Zacharias prophesied that it should come to pass in the kingdom off CHRIST that they should willingly give over that office again freely openly professinge / that they are in deed not Prophets but husbandmen: and that from there you • h up they had never been scholars unto the Prophettes / but Neathearedes. Porters shepherds / seruinge men and such like.

Which seeing yt is so manifest and confirmed by so many Testimonyes off the Scripture that yt cannot be denied / I marvel that ever yt could come to pass in a Christian church / that so clear and express commandments off God / so profitable for us and necessary for the salvation off the church / should be broken and transgressed. But they are not only broken / and that commonly and so offten / that for one fit minister / a man may find a number off unfit and unlearned / but excuses and pretēces are sought to defend this fault with all / as iff in manner it wer lawful to do so: And the most heinous crimes that can be wanteth not there lawer and counsel to plead for them They say that yt is evil in deed / but a necessary evil / and must needs be so nor cannot be otherwise / seeing there be not so many learned men as ar able to suffice for all the kingdom: So that the people must either want altogether a minister or some must needs be admitted although they be not fit and able. It should seem by this defense that all thos that wer learned and fit were already placed throwout the churches: which how true it is / It may be seen in both the universities / wherein there be many both off excellent godliness and lerninge / which neither are called to the ministry / nor never shall be on less they go for it / seek ambiciously after it / buy it and bargayne for it.

But let us put the case they wer all placed abroad and that yet still many churches wanted ministers: They ask us here what is to be done? I answer: Surely even that which our Savior Christ commandeth his disciples to do where the harvest was great and the laborers wer few: That is to say That we pray the Lord off the harvest that he would send out laborers into his harvest. For every man may not be sent into the Lord's feeld to reap his corn because the harvest is great / But the Lord him self is to be desired and prayed that he would have a care off his corn and provide harvest men: who settethe no man to do his work that is not fit and able for it. Therefore iff we be touched with true compassion for the lords harvest fearinge least iff any storm come / it may sustain some damage / let us not be carried awai with a foolish pity / to provide for yt / as we think best: (for what wer this ells / but to blame the lord / as negligent / and not careful enough for his affairs) but let us keep that mean and measure which our Savior hath prescribed us) which is to commend unto the Lord his own harvest by our earnest prayers.

And as all men must pray for it. So the Magystrate to whom god hath committed this charge is bound to provide workmen / as sone as is possible: They must erect schools and collrdges: find and maintain teachers and readers / that the youth may be taught and made fit for this work: finally they must bestow all there care / thought / study and labor upon this that this golden harvest may with all possible speed be provided for / to pray to god that he woold send out workmen / for to pray to god that he would send out workmen / and not to do the diligence for that place and calling whereunto thow art called / that they may be sent / is not to pray / but to moke and tempt the lord.

Therefore such order is to be taken where by in thes days the lord doth ordinarily send out his workmen / or such order being allredy well taken / is diligently and carefully to be looked unto / that it be not neglected. And surely it is not to be doubted / but the lord will bless our prayers and our endeavors / and sent out fit work men into his harvest. But in the mean time until all may sufficiently be provided for / As it was practiced in the Apostles time / men must come to the next churches where the word off god is preached: and to those places where the churches are already established / until such time as moe may besett in order / which things iff they wer not so clear and manifest / and iff we had not so certain a rule to follow herein / yet what necessity is that / which ought to make us break the express commandment off god / to set him over the church whom the lord hath forbidden? Is there (as off all other things) a time also to sin? or may we do any thing against the good will and pleasure off God under pretence to help and edify the churches / and are we not rather bownd to obey that everlasting and most holy law: that no evil is to be done that good may come off it / and seek for that that is good and honest by just and lawful means. Althoughe in deed the church is not holpen by this means? but rather much hindered / where that as / iff they wer sufficiently provided for already / they care not / nor think anymore off providing fit and worthy ministers and preachers off the word off god.

But to the end we should not think but that they wer careful for the church / they have found out a marvelous way / whereby appointing readers to read some part of the scripture / and the prayers and the rest off the service / they should be thought notwithstanding to make meet ministers and preachers off the word off god. For they have made certain homilies off the creation / off providence / off the dewty off the magistrate / off the obedience off the subject / and other things / which they thought needful / which they charge them to read to the people at certain times / supposing that by this means / they remedy that evil off admitting thos that be unworthy / which they say is so necessary. A meruelous strange remedy and never hard off in the church in the Apostles time / and which not only amendethe not the fault but maketh it greater / and most like to the piece that our Savior Christ speaketh off in the gospel whereby the rent is not amended but made a great deal worse. For who may arrogate this unto him to have his writings rehearsed read and propounded unto the church / Is not this proper to god only that his word be read in the church / and ought not the voice off god alone to sound and to be hard in the church?

But they say thes ar holy meditations to good manners taken out off the scriptures and written by great and worthy men: why then do they not read also the holy meditations off Augustine / Chrysostom and other great men? why not also the eccesiasticall history which containeth infinite examples off singular virtue for men to follow? By which means at the last the lord shall be pulled out off his throne / that (as we saw it come to pass in that egyptiacall darkness off popery) men may sit in his place. What then say they / shall we take away all interpretation off the word off god? shall only the writings off the Apostles and prophets be read / and shall not the holy doctrine be more fully expounded: Shall there be no exhortations nor reprehēsions as the times off the church shall give occasion? yes verily: for I have declared above / that such a one is to to be chosen minister / that is able to exhort with sownd doctrine and to convince thos that speak against it / and do suppose this to be the especial dewty off a lawful Pastor to apply the word of god to this church / as time and occasion shall serve / but to bring in other writings into the church which contain either general doctrine / or holy meditations / and are not applied to the special use off the church as being such which are common to all churches and to all times / I think it is no more lawful / thē to translate the glory off god unto men. And if they declare the creation of the world in there homelies / the dewties of all sortes and degrees off mē / why do they not rather declare it out of Moses and the writings of the Prophets and Apostles / then out of there book off homelies? Therefore a worthy Bishop or minister is to be chosen that can interpret the holy scriptures / and apply it as occasion shall serve to the use and necessity of the church: not a reader to rehearse other men's sayings and writings by whose ignorance the church of god may be in danger of there salvation.

They have found out also another remedy for this disease which is as ill as the disease it self: They give them leave to go to the university / and to tarry there for three years that after they have been diligently occupied for that time in the reading / hearing / and meditatīge of the scriptures / They may return again better furnished for the teaching of the church. But what shall be come of the miserable churches in the mean time if they be left as ships without takle and furniture / and without a governor for the space of three years fletyng upon the Seas? It is not to feared that they shall be drowned or broken / or overwhelmed or synke / being subject to so many dangers of Pirates / of rokes / of gulfs / swallows / sandes / storms and tempests? And why are they wise to late in this point / and do not rather send them first to the university to learn / before they begin to teache? And what an after wit is this to appoint hī to teache who must after learn even in the pulpit? Trew it is we can never sufficiently profit in the scriptures / and that the best learned of all ought continually and diligently to read and study them / whereby they may increase there strength and ability for the discharge of there dewties / as we read that both S. Paul exhorted Timothy to do / and it appeareth by the parchementes he sent for to Rome that he did so him self.

But this is it that I reprove and find fault with all / that they admit such to the office off a Bishop / that is to say unto the ministry and expoundinge off the word / who are altogether unmeet / who understand not the scriptures / and who take upon them the place to teache / before they have learned. The lord contrariwise would have his will perfectly known to his Prophets before he send thē out to prophesy in his name. Which is set forth in the third chap. of the prophesye of Ezekiel and the x. of the revelation of S. John under a pretty similitude of eatinge / concoctinge and disgestinge the book and turninge it in a manner into there own substance and blood. So also the Prophet David witnessethe that he laid to his ear to understand the parable before that he went about to sing it and play it upon the instrument in the hearing of all estates of people: declaringe thereby that men ought first thoroughly to understand that which they will take upon them to utter unto others. But this is the nature and property of that which is evil / That being once let go it cannot be s • aide but daily breedeth and bringeth forth many other evils.

Therefore let us return unto the ways of the lord and be obedient to his most just and holy laws and ordinances: and decree that no man be admitted minister or Bishopp who is not so well studied in the holy scriptures before / that he is able also to utter it both purely and sincerely and faithfully to the profit and edification of the church. For it is not sufficient that he be not dumb in the church / but he ought also reuerētlie to handle the holy scriptures / and as S. Peter giveth warninge so v • ter them as the word and oracles of god / that (as S. Paul warnethe Timothy he may show him self a worckman that needeth not be a shamed of his labor. Not such as the same Apostle writeth to have been amongst the Corinthes that build straw / and stubble (which the Lord will consume to there loss) upon the precious foundation / but in a word / that they may rightly devide the word of truth.

Neither am I purposed / here to appointe any manner off making of sermons / but generally to declare that doctrine is to be referred to the edifyinge of the church / and that the holy scriptures are to be expounded simply / and sincerely / and uttered with reverence. For some to show them selves to the people to be learned / stuff there sermons with diverse sentences out off Philosophers / Poets / Orators / and scholemen / and of the ancient fathers / Augustine / Jerome and others / and thes often times rehearsed in greek or latin: by which pieces sometime ill fauoredly pached together / they seek and hunt for commendation / and to be esteemed learned of the people / which also some do that are unlearned: I call them unlearned touching the knowledge of the scriptures / who taking upon them to teache and having not there minds well practiced with the word off god / no nor as the Apostle saithe there senses well exercised / but allwais have been occupied in reading ethnick writers / they bring forth to the people off that store which they have gathered to gether / and play rather the Orators and Philosophers then Prophets and interpreters off the holy scripture.

Other some use I know not what strange kind off interpreting / and pervert the true and natural sense off the scriptures with allegories / and foolish and old wives tales / which Paul admonisheth Timothy and Titus / are to be avoided. Therefore a great care and respect ought to be had herein that the party which is to be chosē / be first heard speak by the chosers that they may know how he expoundeth the scriptures before they admit hī to the ministry off the word and the office off a Bishopp. And thus much for the learinige off him that is to be chosen minister:

Now let us go foreward to other things. For the Apostle thought it not enough that a minister should be able to teache / who for the marvelous care that he had off the church / took great heed that there wer no danger secretly hid in some parte that might hurt the church / especially in that which this building staid upon as a pillar. Therefore he giveth warninge to take heed / that a Bishopp and minister be no new upstart in religion / newly drawn out off Idolatry and superstition: which when it cometh to pass must needs be joined with great damage and loss off the church. For when a minister or teacher off the word off god doth fall / who as I have said is as it were a pillar off the church / or some off the most chifest beams whereon the building doth stay / It must needs be that they which stay upon him being shaken with the same wind should fall to together with it.

Therefore our master Builder wisely and conningly forbiddeth to use thes yonnglinges and startvppes to the buildlnge off the house off god / as grene wood which have not yet swett out there moisture / nor are seasoned by the weather / so that it is to be feared lest that they might be occasion by there shrincking / off the ruin and falling off the buildinge. Therefore they provide ill both for the church / and also for the parties them selves to whom being such they give this office / that receive into the ministry such as scarcely are crept out off superstition and Idolatry and make them captains and guydes in the campe off the lord off hosts / that are scarcely to be received for sold yers: and prefere to the highest dignities off the Christian common wealth / thos with are scarcely made free from the intolerable servitude and bondage off Popery. Wherupon it cometh often times which Dionysius Halicarnaffeus witnesseth to have happened to the Romain common wealth) that we see unclean cappes in the highest places: And many (as Socrates in Plato complainethe off Athens) take in hand the government off the church / who have yet there servants hear growinge still in there minds: that is to say whose servile and slauishe conditions do still remain.

And surely we above others have more cause to complain off so shameful an abuse / who perceive at the last / to our great cost / how great a matter it is to have neglected this holy wisdom off the Apostle: For iff anything ells / surely this hath been a great hindrance to the establishing off discipline in our church / That thes new upstarts in religiō being peeferred to the ministry and to the highest places / wer loath to be brought from that kind off life whereunto they had been off longe time accustomed: Being acquainted with a profitable and gainful priesthood / they abhorred the mean estate off the ministry: being delighted with the pompous show off the ambitious Hierarchy and prelacy off the Romish church / they cold not away with the severity and rigor off the reformed Religion. And having used many years / so many ceremonies and trifles and all that stagelike show off the Papacy / which seemed to thē to carry a goodly gloss off majesty and honor they despised the simplicity off the gospel.

How much better therforr were it and fitter for the edification off the church / iff thes beams had been suffered to have swett out there iewse and moisture and had not been occupied so green in the buildinge off the house off god / whereby they threaten some fear off fall and ruyne? we leave not so easylie our acquainted kind off life: especially iff it be joined with idolatry and superstition which is borne together with us and which we suf with our nurses milk. The remembrance and longing for off our old kind off life cometh often to our minds / so that it is needful to use great labor and diligence to the chaunginge off the wholl state off off our life. Therefore the Lord commanded in the law that iff any man had saved the life off a woman off any off the idolatrous nations being taken prisoner in the war and had a mind to marry her / being converted to the faith / that he should grant hir first a certain time to bewail hir country / hir parents and hir frindes and see that she should shave hir hedd and pare hir nails / and put off the garment that she was taken and finally that he should first suffer her in a manner to be buried touching her former life / and to be raised up again into a new life and profession / and as it were to be new borne again off other parents and in a new country / before he joined him self with her or toke hir to be his wife / how much more ought they that are to be made masters and teachers off a new religion (especially having been priests and teachers of idolatry before) to have been suffered first to have bewailed there old livings ease profit and commodities? For how often think we do they remember the commodities off there former life? And how often there old ease / pomp / and estimation with no less longing for / then iff it were for there country and for there parētes? And as for there hear it is rather to be let grow then to be shaven / for this they were accustomed to.

But the garment they were taken in should have been changed and there raueninge nails pared whereby they were wont to / take and scrape on every side unto them selves: finaly we should have let thē first in a manner to have died / that after as it wer by a new birth they might have bē borne again off new parētes and in another contry. For if he hath been at any time not only an idolater / but also master and a teacher off it / much more hede is to be taken in this case / and so much the more carefully and painfullie must he be cleansed and purged / how much more foully he def • led him self with all kind off filthe and uncleanness: for so the law off god doth command washing and clensinge to be used according to the kind off the pollution and uncleanness. For he is more easily purified and cleansed that had only touched the vessel or garment off an unclean person then he that was infected with leprosy / for the leprous man evē after the disease was healed / yet was he not suffered to enter in • o his tent / for seven days. And after when it appeared manifestly that he was recovered yet was he shaven / washed / and purified.

But what more fowl and shameful leprosy can there be then that pope's he priesthood? So that in this case / we ought to use no less labor in clensinge and purging then in the other yea so much more / by how much the leprosy off the mind is greater then the leprosy off the body. Therefore this leprous priest although he were cured and healed / yet is he to be separated from other men / and to be shut up for a time / both for the shame off so filthy a disease / and for fear it break not out again to the danger off others. Af • er / iff it appere in deed that he is recovered he must put off his clothes and be washed / shaven and purged by sacrifice.

Off which so diligent purginge and clensinge / the papists thē selves put us in mind whereas they (to honor there priesthood when they disgrade any off there priests) make him put off his cope or vestiment / his surples / or albe / his square cup and his other garments / that were polluted with leprousy / they pare his nailys and rase his crown lest peradventure there should some infection yet secretly lie hid in thos places where his disease first appeared: This there diligence and labor / we ought to have followed in the convicted Popish priesthood / and have taken all the garments from yt / and not only washed them seeing the leprousy had spread it self even upon them / but as the law prescribethe to have burnt them.

The nails thereof should have been pared and (which thing only we did as we ought) the crown rased least that any moisture or fatness off that oil might remain. Then we should not have had at this day so great cōtencion for there filthy garments. But it hath come to pass by the ignorance off the priests (when they wer nor able to Judge according to the law / what wer clean and what were unclean / and thought that the leprosy had not spread it self upon the garments) that they have not condemned them to be burned / but to be washed only: the filthe whereof no art or conninge off the fuller is able to wash away. But this in the way off digression / yet I trust not vnprofitablie.

Now let us return to our purpose: and conclude that for such causes as have been alleged / we ought to obey the Apostles decree touching thes Novices and grene kinghtes: and not admit them to ministry off the word. And thes are thos things which are required off a fit Bishopp / and which especially the posers and examiners ought to have respect unto.

For whereas the old Canons require that he be off a certain age / surely the choosers ought wisely to consider off it: for it is not almost possible / but by the singular and especial grace off off god / that youth should be so well ordered and governed / that the want off years appere not in some youthful trick or • oy that may dishonest the sacred office: notwithstanding seeing the Apostle giveth no precept nor commandment touching age / yea rather forbiddethe any man to condemn and despise Tymothi and Titus for there youth / godly and learned young men are not to be kept back from this office. For sometimes thes first fruits are consecrated to god and then commonly they are more holy then the rest off the lompe. And as the Poeth saithe.

That is to sey / They have hoary hears off godliness and holiness / yea and sometimes also hoary knewledge as it appeareth in certain notable examples off Daniel. Thimothy and Titus and some other which are worthy examples for young men to follow / often times also they are more inflamed and set on fire with that heavenly fire off the zeal off god then other. And I know not howe / but thes first fruties off the spirit are oftentimes more holy / and thes first begotten gifts off the holy ghost are more strong and mighty. And thus much off the particular election off bishops and ministers.

Now let us begin a new and speak of there ordinatiō / I said before that all the offices of the church are to be ordained and appointed to certain places and persons / where and amōges whom there may exercise there office. But the orderinge off bishops hath this thing particular in our times (for whereas in times past this was common to them with the rest off the anciētes / that was for a singular respect and especial occasiō off that time) that off there apointinge and ordination to a certain place and flock which they ought diligently to defend and loke unto / certain profit and commodities do depend / whereof they may live and whereby they may be sustained and norished: whereof I shall need to speak more at large that all men may understand that they are bound by the commandment off god to perform this dewty to there bishops and ministers and that I may repress the couetones of some mē which have never enough.

And first off all we must remember here that which was proved before / that bishops that is so say ministers ought to give thē selves continually to prayer and to the administracion off the word: and not suffer them selves to be called from doing that there dewty by any office be it never so honorable / either in the church or in the common wealth. For thes idle bellies that wildo none of there dewty / ought also to have no dewty done to thē again / but they are rather to be dealt with as Paul commandeth the Thessalonians to deal with thos that live disorderly that is say / that / They that labor not should not eat. But and if they be such as do there duty / and refuse to deal with the affairs off the common welche (the handlung where off might be honorable unto thē) for the churches cause / how great wrong wer it to suffer such men to be pore an needy / and compelled • o seek there living by some hādie crafft or occupatiō whereby they should be no less hindered frō doing there duties / then by the honorable charges of the common wealth. And seīge they ar day and night careful for the church / and setting all other things a side wholly think how they may defend it / and promote the saluaciō thereof / what can be more just or equal / then that they again should not be neglected off those for whose cause they take so great pains. For who did ever (as S. Paul notably handlethe this matter to the Corinthians) go to warfare of his own charges? who plātethe a vineiard and eatethe not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock and eatethe non off the milck off it? But the church hath many mortal enemies and continual war with them without any peace or truce / and the bishops be they that take upon them and sustain thes enmyties for the churches cause / and strive to there very great danger for the salvation thereof with most mighty princes and potentares / as S. Paul callethe them and the monarche and prince off this world. For how often think we even for this cause are they assaulted / because there defend the church? how many dangers do they put them selves into and with what fiercnes think we doth the enemies pursue thē / knowing that many ar preserved by there life? Therefore they that would suffer this there soldier or captain to die for hunger / were they not worthy to fall into the hands off there enemies? And what vineiard is there so painfully trimmed and dressed off the husband man / as the churches are dressed of there husband mē? how careful are they in plantinge? what pains take they in pruninge and culting oft / and other such like toile and labor? if thē being so well dressed it should not norishe the husband mā that dressed it / might they not worthily cōplain off it / as the lord by the prophet Isaiah after another sort complainethe off his vine? Seinge also there is nothing more reasonable then that the shepherd should feed off the milk of his flock should not those shepeherdes be fed which the milk / and clothed with the flece and wolle of there flocks who sustain for the flocks cause the assaults of most grievous wolves / and watch forth̄ day and night / suffering the parching heat and chillinge cold for there cause / who feed thē oversee thē and seek thē and often times put there life in extreme danger to defend them.

Nether are these things spoken and grounded only upon human and natural reason or handled according to man's Judgment only / but this is God's ordinance and appointment: and groundeth upon that law which forbiddeth to mussel the ox that treadethe out the corn. For god in making that law had not so great respect to oxen and beasts as he had to men: For he teacheth us thereby that the ploughe man may confort him self in his troublesome labor with the hope off fruit: And that the harvest man ought to be partaker off his hope: And finally that every man ought to live off his labor. Yea futher the Apostle plainly addethe that as they that ministered the holy things under the law did live also off the holy things / and they that served the Aulter / wer partakers of the offering off the altar So the lord did also appoint it that they which preach the Gospel should also live off the Gospel.

And in the fifth chap. off his first Epistle to Tymothy he alledgethe both thes Testimonies: that off the law / and this off the Gospel in the same place to prove / that the Elders that do rule well are to provided for: for saithe he / it is in the Scripture / Thow shalt not mussel the ox that treadethe out the corn: and again / The worckman is worthy off his wages. For so the Evangelists do rehearse / that The Lord when he sent out his Apostles to preach the Gospel and commanded them not to be careful for there meat or apparel / told thē that the workmā is every were worthy off his hire: and Therefore into what cyty so every they should enter / iff there were any man worthy / he cōmandethe them to go to his house and to tarie there / until they depart / upon which ordinance off god in the old law / and off Christ in the New Testament the Apostle growndinge / ordained in the church off the Galatians that he that was instructed in the word off God / should communicate all his goods with him by whom he had been instructed. And further addethe (as one that did forsee the manifold pretences whereby covetous men notwithstanding this law would go about to defraud them and mock the Lord) that the lord cannot be mocked: declaring that it shall come to pass that iff they do not sow to the Spirit / but sow all there seed to the flesh / they should not look at all to reap everlasting life off the spirit / but corruption and destruction off the feeld off the flesh wherein they had so plentifully sowed and scattered. whereof I think it is manifest that the Bishopp ought to be liberally provided for by the churches / lest they be compelled most injuriously by reason off there need and poverty to distract there studies / and to be hindered in the doing off their dewty by exercising off other occupacions: which cannot be otherwise / (iff they need) seeing they / as well as other men / are commanded by the Apostle / to norishe and to loke to there family / and as well as other to be esteemed infidels by the Apostles precept / iff they provide not for there own / especially for there own household.

And although it be not easy to set a certain rate how they should be provided for / by reason off the great diversity off times and persons / yet generally it may be said that we ought not to deal with them sparingly couetously / and pinchingly / but contrariwise friendly / gently and liberally. For iff we have received the gospel off Christ with that mind we ought / we will also make much off the ministers off the same / which mind and affection Paul him self testifiethe that the Galatians had towards him / who saithe that he was received off them as an Angel off God / yea as Jesus Christ him self: So that they wer ready to have bestowed there goods / yea (iff it had been possible) to have plucked out there own eyes to have dōne him Good. Therefore it is plain enough off that which hath been said that Bishops that is to say the ministers / ought to have an honest reasonable and comodious living to maintain them / that they may more freely apply them selves to there vocation and calling.

But this heavenly / holy / and most righteous law / as it is transgressed by the pomp and superfluecry off a few / So much more by the want and need off a great number which surely is so great / that I am ashamed to speak off it: yet It must needs be spoken / and the disease disclosed and freely declared what and how great it is / that we may think and be careful to provide some speedy remedy although I am afraid that the disease already be so great / that in vain may we seek for remedy and give Medycine to that which is past remedy / which Hyppocrates forbiddethe. For what remedy may be found in so troubled and confused a state / where yt wantethe not much that the ministers go a begginge / as in times past the Popish Priests wer wont to do? And they that are charged in many places with the cure off the church are almost in worse condition then any hired seruanntes then shepherds / or laboringe men? who besides there meat and drink / have something given them to carry home towards the norishment off there house and famylie / whereas the Teachers off many churches / have scarcely to find them meat and drink.

The cause off which shameful beggary / is a certain profane ungodliness / joined with an insatiable covetousness / whereby many neglectinge Religion / the service off god and the salvation off men / look to there own profit only and rake to them selves all that they can without respect off right or wrong. So that they had rather all Religion were banished / that all opinion off worshipping and fearing god were abolished / that all faith in Christ and hope and looking for everlasting life were forgotten amongst men / then to maintain it with any penny off thers. Yea further they will not only give nothing to the maintenance off the Ministry / (which being in good estate / the other fonamed virtues do florishe / and likewise fall away by the ruin thereof) But most unjustly scrape unto them selves that which was liberally given by others / and spoil the church / robbing hir off hir goods. For how many churches be there which sometimes wereable to have maintained sufficiently and honestly a godly and learned man to teache them the gospel / which now are scarce able to find a reader and service saier / by reason that thos goods are taken away by impropriation as they call it / (that is to say by an improper and no right title) and distributed into many partes: wherein we show our selves more barbarous / covetous / and ungodly / then all nations have done from time to time / which have allwais been careful and are to this day / for mainteininge amongst them the manner that god ought to be served by / and with all to keep and maintain there priests.

So we read in Genesis that Pharo provided for the Priests off Egypt. And in the story off the kings / that Jezebel provided for the Priests off the groves and that with such love care and affection / that four hundred off them were norished at hir table. And Pharo when the rest off the Egyptians for famyn were compelled / to sell there flocks and droues and even there lands and possessions for corn / until that ar the last all the country by this means was come into the kings hands / he suffered not the priests to sell theirs neither would he increase his treasure by there loss and hinderance / But contrariwise ordained that they should be provided for / giving them even that which was his own. So likewise all other nations and kingdoms provide for there priests and Religious men and think that god would be grievously offended with them iff they should neglect them.

And we see how beneficial and liberal Papists were to the mainteininge off Idolatry and superstition / for yt ys almost incredible what cost they made upon there Idolatry and that show and shadow off Religion / which they had / And how costly and sweet odors they bestowed as it were upon the dead corps off Christ? But we forsake him alive and raised up again. So that it is to be feared / that he will one day upbraid us with his poverty / and need / and complain that we left him naked / hungry thirsty and forsaken without help or succor. But he is not only forsaken / being naked / But even robbed off that apparel which he hath: So that yt apperethe that some men thought to crucify him again when they thus parted his garments amongst them and cast lots for his coat. But although there be many ways off spoilinge / yet me think none more grievous then impropriation / (the only name whereof / declarethe how little right there is in it) which is the translatinge and the alienatinge off the goods off some church / to another that hath no right unto them.

But seeing this wholl matter off the most unworthy spoilinge and robbinge our church is fully handled by that worthy and learned man Master Bucer in that book off his which I named in the beginning / and seeing that in the same book / he handlethe not only impropriacions / but also first fruits which is a certain kind thereof / presentacions / collacions / resignations / and diverse other kind off robberies / I had rather thes things were sought for in the learned wrightinges off that worthy man / that the matter might carry more credit and authority with it. As for me I lament with him this miserable state of our church / which almost in every place is destitute off fit Pastors and ministers / seeing no man is willing to take that condition whereby after he hath taken never so great pains / he shall be scarce able to maintain his life. Neither is it destitute only at this present time but it is to be feared / that it is always like to be so here after / and that the study off god his word shall be neglected. For no man will willingly follow that trade off life / wherein he hath only no hope to live honestly and with some commodity / but wherein (besides the infinite travel / and griefs that follow that profession) he shall be afflicted also with need and poverty.

And iff we had not rather be wise by our own domage and loss then by other men's / there ruyns off the churches round about us might sufficiently teache us / how dangerous this spoilinge off the churches good is / and this neglect off mainteninge the holy ministry. Therefore iff we provide not otherwise / let us assure our selves that even this fault doth threatē the undoubted ruin off the church / and that so worthy gestes as the preachers off the gospel cannot long tarry in an In̄e / where they be so ill received and interteined. And iff we compel them to leave us / surely they will take away wi h them that peace and blessing which they brought / and which we may truly profess came into England with them. Therefore let us not so lightly esteem the great care that the Lord hath over us / in feeding / ouerseinge / and rulinge us by his servants / lest at the last he break his shepherds hook in his anger and cast away all care over us / and go his way: and leste that being provoked with this thirty pence (a notable hire that we pay him) he leave us and depart in his anger (as sometimes he threatened the Jews) not caringe anymore whither the broken be bound up / or the lost be sought again.

Therefore let us at the last amend this shameful neglect off the ministers off the word off god: and seeing as the Apostle saithe / they sow spiritual things to us and such as belong to everlasting life / let us not think much iff they reap carnal things off us again / and some commodities off this present life, yea rather seeing this is a most gainful husbandry for the church / off this so vile seed to reap thos most precious fruits off the Spirit / Love, Peace, Ioye, Long Suffering, Goodness, Faith, Meeknes Temperance, and at the last that golden harvest off life everlasting / let us sow plentifully and with good corage that we may reap a more plentiful harvest. Neither let us now be more weried with sowinge / whiles it is sowinge time / then we will be weary hereafter when harvest shall come / in reapinge and gathering most precious fruit into our barns. Therefore let us embrace the ministers off the gospel with all love / kindness and duty / and that so much the more liberally and plentifully / for that what so ever is bestowed upon them even to a dishe off cold water / shall not only be much more richly requited and recōpensed again but accounted even as it had been bestowed off Christ him self. But we ought not only to lay our clothe and spread our Table for Christ whom we have bidden unto us (as Simon the Pharisee did in S Luke) (iff we would have him know that he is well come to us and that we love him with great affection) but also embrace him and kiss him and wash his feet with water / and anoint his head with oil / and finally to receive with all service and duty so worthy a guest / as both becometh his honor / and also is meet for the great love we bear unto him. And this is the dewty off all men. But kings that are wont to receive no man off any countenance or estimation but honorablie and with great magnificence / and there Equalles with more princely port and stately manner / how ought they to take heed that they be not to pinching and to sparinge when they receive Christ the Lord (the king off heaven and earth / off whom they as Vasselles hold there kingdoms / and lordshippes as off see) nor commit anything that may offend so noble and worthy a guest and rather be careful that all things here be magnificall / gorgeous and princely.

But I would not that any man should think I say thus as iff I thought under pretence off Christ nothing cold be to much that were bestowed upon Bishops and ministers / or that I would have them made drunk with the delights and pleasures off this world / who ought to be an example to other men off continency / frugality / and all moderacion off life / but only that I would have them received as the embassadores off Christ / for the honor off there master / honestly and liberally / that we put not thē down to the meany / to eat with the shepherds and hired servants / nor forget those that labor in the Lord's work / as Moses gave the Jews warnīge / touching the Levites / seeing we sit all of us by the blessing of the Lord quietly and in peace every man under his Olive tree and under his vine / and gather in our hauest and our vintage: seeing I say we enjoy thes commodities we ought not to deal couetously / sparingly / and niggardly with them / but lovingly liberally and bountifully that they may live honestly and cōmodiously off there labors / that they may norishe and maintain there house and family / that they may provide them selves such necessary helps as they stand in need off for there vocation and calling / yea and further that they may be able to relieve and succor the pore and • eedy / for this is the right way to preserve the ministry / that both it become not vile and contēptible thorowghe poue •• y and misery / neither that it wax wanton an profane by great excess and abundance. For as it is a shame for the churches to see there minister in misery / thorough need and necessity / so it is to be feared leste they wax wantō by to great plenty and riches.

For surely it was a right heavenly voice and spoken as an Oracle off the manner off gouerninge the church which the story of the primitive church reherseth was hard from heaven in the time off Constantine the great that godly Emperor that is to say / that the church was poisoned with riches. For so it came to pass that they fell frō labor to idleness / from tēperancie to excess and wantonness / from the mean estate off bishops and ministers to affect and desire to imitate and follow the magnificence and majesty off lords and princes / hereof come the there silver and gilted Crosiers whereby they imitated the scepters off kings: heroff they got them myters: as kings have there crowns: hereoff also because the noble men kept great trains of servants that they might be the better able to serve the common wealth in time off need / they would also have there trains and began to be delighted and to take pleasure in an unprofitable number off servants and waitinge men: to adorn and set out there cuphordes with silver vessel and plate off gold / to array thenselves in costly apparel / (for now a dais a man may see them that wear soft apparel not only in kings courts / as our Savior Christ said but evē in the church) to be called honorable lords / to sit at the right hand off kings and princes / to send them gifts and presents: to bid thē to there bancketes and both seek and maintain there honor and estimation / by a certain courtly pomp and show. This condition I not only wish not to our Bishops / but judge it and esteem it altogether intolerable and by no means to be suffered as a means to hindre there labor and diligence in there office / as a means to make them wanton / lascyuious / and proud / and agreathe not with that mean estate that ought to appere in Bishopps / but is most contrary both to the ordinance and also to the examples off Christ our Savior and off his Apostles.

Neither in my Iudgmen • may any church be esteemed well enough reformed / that even in this behalffe doth not obey to the express commandment off god and take away all this vain pomp and show / and make the Bishops be content with the mean estate off there place and calling: making them able to bid the pore to there table / and the banished for Christ's sake / but not to bidd kings and princes: calling them the servants and Ministers off Christ / and not honorable lords: being careful that they may be such as may shine in godliness learning / modesty temperaunce / continency and all example of good life: not with gold and silver / with trains and trompes off mē / and lordly port and courtly state off honor. Thes are the right ornaments off Bishoppee whereby they may procure to thē selves / an honest report / with credit and authority in the church off god to there ministry / wherbie also they mvy preserve and mayntene the same Therefore let us not take to much pleasure in the outward beauty and fair show off this pomp and glory / but let us see iff there be any use and profit off it / desire rather that which is profitable for others / then that which seruethe only for avaine show. For as the Poet saithe /

But the church liveth not by this pomp and show / nor hath no need off it: but off godliness / lerninge / symplicitie and modesty / by which things Christ would have his kingdom enlarged.

And I pray yow how do this move the minds off men / to go to the church with a great train off men before him and after him: as the Bishoppe that Eusebius speaketh off in the seventh boke off his ecclesiastical history / to go to the pulpit with officers afore him making Roume for my lord / to preach in a Rochet and a fair square cap / leaninge opon a quishion off clothe off gold? Thes things may delight the eyes for a time and the outward senses take pleasure in this vain show / but I see not how the mind is more easily taught / beaten down / or raised up again by this means. For it must be a certain heavenly power joined with a pure / learned and simple interpretation off the scriptures which must work thes things / which are Jewels more meet to shine in a pulpit / than silver or gold.

Pliny showing the cause off the fruitfulness off the Roman feeldes in times past / more elegantly in deed then truly / Then (saithe he) when the fields wer tilled by Emperors / it is like that the earth rejoiced to be plowed with a share bearing a lawrell garlond upon it / and to be tilled off such a plow man who had before triumphed. More pretilie I say then truly / for that it is better for tillīge off the earth / that the ploughe share be sharp / then that it be crowned with a laurel garlond and that the ploughe man be diligent rather then such a one as had entered the city in great pomp and triumph. Which also the same Author correctinge him self addeth after in the same place / saying / Or ells this might have been the cause off the fruitfulness off the feeldes thē / That thos worthy Captains and Emperors handled there seeds as carefully as there battelles / and were as diligent over there fields / as over there tents. Or ells this / That all things speed more happily which are done by them who are honest and virtuous / because they be also done more painfully and with greater travel / which surely me thinketh is the very cause off the fruitfulness off the lords field. And that then it yieldeth the best fruit / and as it were a golden harvest / when it is diligently / carefully and painfully labored and tilled / when there is a great and a careful heed taken off the seeds / when the churches are looked unto with as great diligence as the campe and army is watched in the feeldes: And finally whē they are labored by honest men. For neither doeth the grownde respect the lawrell garlonde vpō the ploughe share nor whither the plow man weareth riche and costly embroidred garments / but would have him painful / laborsome / diligent and full off travel: neither doth the church look for this outward pomp and show in her biship / but for faith / diligence / labor / good and precious seeds / honest / busy / and painful hands / and had a great deal rather have hir husband man godl / y learned and diligent / then mitred and Rocheted. Whervpon it cometh to pass that when the feelde off Rome was plowed and tilled by Seranus / and Cincinnatus and such like worthy men / and the church by Paul and Peter / and such like / The increase was very plentyfull: but now as far as we are gone from there example and pains taking / so much are our churches behind and inferior to the feeldes off Ephesus and Antioch.

Therefore it is the deuty off all godly bishops who desire to serve the church / and to be well esteemed in it rather for there godliness and learning / then for this pomp and show / seeing they have already declared that the gospel is dearer unto them then all the commodities off this life / that iff they will discharge there dewty / they would better fynishe and make perfect that which they have allreadie well begonn / and even willingly for the rest off the gospel / which yet we want touching discipline / once again leave and forsake that pompous state and dignity and be more careful for the glory off god / the salvation off the church / and keepinge a god conscience unto them selves / then for keepinge or mainteininge this false show off honor and glory and the vain names off titles and dignities / and return again to the work off the ministry and not (as in a sense somewhat diverse frō this the Apostle warnethe the Galatians) finish in the flesh which they have begun in the spirit.

I know in deed how hard it is to persuade them which have once tasted off this sweet inchaunting cup but seeing both the commandment iff god / there own calling and vocation / and the profit and commodity off the church doth require yt / It becometh them for the godliness they are off / and for the life they have spent in the professinge off the Gospel to leave all for CHRIST and the Gospelles cause / and to follow him wither he calleth and leadeth them: and as they in a manner first taught and preached unto us the doctrine off the Gospel / So they would be the first Authors to bring in the Discipline off the Gospel / and use there estimation / credit / and authority not to the overthrowing off the truth off God but to the establishing and preserving off the same. But if there be any (for I cannot but hope well off many especially off thos who have seen other reformed churches) but I say iff there be any who either for covetousness / for ambition / or because they think this lordly state tolerable in Bishops / will by no means be persuaded to rest and quiet them selves in that mean estate which becommethe the men off God / they are to be compelled even against there willes and to be forced to return again to the first and right institution off Bishops.

And surely iff we serche the fountain and original off thes great riches / we shall find that they neither in the beginning Gott this wealth by any right / nor yet keep yt to this day: not only because they do no duty off a Bishopp or Mynister / But also because they wrongfully usurp that / which belongeth unto other. For a great part off there Goodes is that which in the beginning was given for the relief off the poor: which was committed as an alms unto the Bishopp: which as yt apperethe by the old cannons he should distribute by his advise / and the consent off the company off the Elders. But after when they had abolished the power and authority off the Elders / and ruled all things alone according to there own conscience / They made them selves those pore men / and took alms to there own use / and so grew riche and welthie / by the want and necessity off others.

An other part which they have / belongeth to the ministers off other churches / which was united to the Bishopprickes by Impropriations: besides proxies and other tolles and fees which they take off the ministers: Therefore what right have they to usurp that as there own / which was given in times past for the maynteyninge off ministers in other churches? Therefore when they have restored to the pore and to other ministers that which is there own / iff yet they have more then is meet for a Bishop / let them bestow it off other there pore fellow ministers: who in many other places want necessaries by reason off the poverty off the churches which they serve: that at the last / being content which an honest and reasonable living / they may return again to th • r original and first beginning.

Thes words off diminishinge the pomp and wealth off Bishops / as it displeasethe some who think that some credit and authority is gotten to the gospel thereby / So it pleaseth very well thos that think this will be profitable for them and do allreadie gape for this pray and hope for this grea inheritance. For thei thinking that we seek only that the bishops might be put down / wait for the like pray by there puttinge down as they had sometimes at the ouerthowe off • he abbais. For as for Religion they care nor what become off it / so they may wax welthie by sacrilege and robbery / And would not stick iff it were possible to crucify Christ again / that they might cast lots for his coat and devide his garments amongst thē / For this our age hath many such soldiers / many such as Denis the king or rather the tyranne off Syra cusa was / who think that a golden grown is not fit for God / neither in summer neither in winter / and yet that it will serve them well at all times and seasons. But iff they marck diligently what I say / they shall well perceive that I favor not in any respect / there covetousness and greedy desire. For I speak not here off spoilinge the Bishops / or robbing the goods off the church and giving them away to most unworthy men / but rather that the need off a great number / may be relieved by the abundance and excess off a few: that hospitalles may be maintained and provided for: and (which is the chief) that the ministry may be established and maintained thorough ought the realm: so that by thes words / they have no occasion to hope or look for anything / but rather to fear they loose not that which they have / iff at any time they have gotten wrongfully into there hands the patrimony off the church. For they must either restore it again / that the church may be provided for off worthy teachers / or ells make them selves guilty off the loss and destruction off so many souls / as by there means are destitute off a minister / and shall perish in there ignorance. But seeing this place hath been handled now fully enough (as I suppose) let us conclude that which I purposed in the begin̄inge: namely that the churches ought the provide for the ministers / and that in such measure that they be not hindered from doing there dewties either by need and poverty / or by wealth and abundance.

That they be not despised thorowghe need and necessity / nor wax wanton by excessive riches.

As for that point by what means this ought especially to be done / we must understand that (which was commanded in the law / touching the giving the tēthes to the priests and Levites / bindeth not us precisely to the payinge of tēthes. For this was a politique law off the Jews which bindeth us only generally / that we also provide for them / which labor in the Lord's work. But as we are not necessarylie bound to use that way off provision for them / So iff it be commodious for any country / either because the people are allreadie accustomed unto it / or for some orher civil and politique respect / yt may be used so that we remember / that which hath been shown before / That the ministers must honestly and liberally be provided for / without there taking off any such pains as may hindre the doing off there duty. And seeing the Lord would not suffer the Levites and Priests to the with drawinge off them from doing there duty / to go about the feeldes and see that every man pay there tithes / and to see it brought home / how much less ought the work off the ministry to be hindered by doing this business? But also besides this discommoditie / It is a base and a vile thing for them to vewe every man's feelde lest they be deceived / and to know the number and increase off every man's flock or cattle and off other things whereof by the custom off our realm the tenths are paid: especially seeing he shall be forced sometimes to strive with peuishe and covetous men for his right which in such a man / (especially in such a case) were a shameful and unworthy thing.

Therefore iff we think good to keep still the tenths and to pay the Ministers off them / the magistrate must provide for this by his authority / that they may be free from all thes troubles / that they may wholly bestow them selves / in reading / meditating / and expoundinge off the Scriptures / and at one word in doing off there duty. And to see that so doing they may be honestly and liberally provided for / For thus we read that the godly and noble king Hezekiah did: who brought to pass by his authority / first that the Priests were provided for as yt was commanded in the law / Then also he took such order / That there tithes growinge to a great quantity and store) should be so laid up and reserved as might be most commodious for the priests. And howe meet wer it for Christian princes and for the perpetual praise off there godliness in the church / to follow the example off Hezekiah in this behalffe: who not only brought to pass by his authority that as I said before the priests and Levites should be provided for / as it was commanded by the law / but also had a especial care / that That which was liberallie given might be divided to those / to whom yt apperteined / Therefore he built barns and granaries for the better commodity off the priests / and finally appointed certain men by whose means the Levites who were scattered through owt the kingdom were provided for.

Suche Auncetors and so worthy patterns and examples off godliness and all kind off virtue let Good Princes set before them to follow: and not only not spoil the Ministry them selves or suffer it to be robbed off others / but liberallie according to the commandment off our Savior Christ / see it maintained and provided for thorowghe owt there kingdom nor suffer that That which was once given to this ende be prodigallie spent and wasted in courtly Pomp / excess / and wontonness / nor bestowed upon noble men's servants nor other innumerable sortes off ungodly and intolerable abuses by sacrilege and the church robbery / but that yt be faithfully ordered and bestowed upon Religion / the service off god / and publishinge off the word off god thorowghe out the kingdom and the maintenance off the sacred ministry. Thus they shall prove them selves to be such kings and Queens as Isaiah prophesied off / who should norishe / cherish and defeund the church like foster Fathers and nurces.

Thus therefore having ended this pointe off the Liuinge off Bishops or Mynisters / Let us go forward to the next which is touching there garments and appparell / which apparel being off ii. sortes: that is to say either belonging to divine service / or which seruethe in the common and daily use off life / I find nothing written or commanded in in the gospel off either off them / but only that which is generally commannded touching modesty / sobernes and honest conversation with all men / which as yt may be referred to the diet / and household stuff and to all other partes off there life / So also to there garments and apparel. But a certain kind / form and fashion off apparel either in daily use off life / or ells in divine service is nowhere commannded in the Gospel. Neither yet under the law was anything prescribed to the Levites and Priests for there daily wearinge / in what apparel or garments they should daily go.

In deed in the divine service which they did in the tabernacle off the Temple / such things are diligently and exactly prescribed and set forth according to the dispensacion off the Old Testament. But in thes our times wherein by the grace off God we have the truth yt self and the body in Christ our Savior / we have no lenger need off figures and shadows. Thes things were but for a certain time / which so long as God would have kept / he left the form and fashion off there apparel plainly set forth in his law: adioining thereunto the punishment off death iff any man should trangresse the law therein. But this difference off apparel / in divine service doeth no more belong unto us / thē the offering up off sacrifice and the kepinge off other ceremonies off the law. Neither under the law pertained it to any but only to such / as ministered in the tabernacle and temple: and not to the rest off the Levites who were scattered through out Jury / and preached the word off god in the Sinagoges. How much less ought the Interpreters off the gospel use those veils and shadows in thes days / wherein as the Apostle saithe / we behold which open and uncovered face the glory off god. And iff it had been needful to have been used / there is no doubt but that Christ would have warned his Apostles off yt / especially seeing that these things were before so at large set out under the law. For it is not to be thought that Christ was less diligent in showing how god would be worshipped under the Gospel / then Moses in showing the same under the law. Or that Moses being a servant was more faithful in the administracion off the Lord's house / then Christ the Son and heir in his own fathers house. Therefore to bind the Mynisters to any certain fashion or form off apparel hath no grownde off any precept off the gospel / or commandment out off the word off god.

They are therefore the inuencions off men: and off what men / but even off such which have sought to paint and adorn with these colors the shame off there wherishe idolatry and superstition. For as iff they had been ashamed off the simplicity off the gospel / which they ought rather to have had in reverence and in honor / They thought good to follow what so ever had any show or ostentacion in any Religion / and thought it to be used to the setting forth off the gospel. Thus they take out off the law almost all there massing apparel by a foolish and ridiculous imitation: that having an alter and a priest they might not want apparel for the stage. As for the surplice it is notable which is written off hope Siricius who fetcheth the cause and original off yt from Christ: and prouethe that we ought to use a lin̄en garment at divine service because Christ was buried in a winding sheet. A notable reason surely why we should use the surplice in our churches / but peradventure they are ignorant off there own antiquities / and the surplice is to be thought rather to have been borrowed by them off certain Egyptian monckes / who upon the skins which they used to wear for there apparel did wear lynnen garments: from whence also the name off Surplice seemeth to come.

Such like reasons are to be found in there wrightinges: but to let pass these trifles / it is to be lamented that even amongst us who profess the Gospel / there were some / that when the whole papacy was to be consecrated / and this Rome to have been vowed to destruction / according to the vow and curse off the city off Hiericho / who being deceived with the fair and glitteringe show off the Babylonishe garments / brought them as Acan did into the tents off Israel. For why do they command a cope and surplice to be used in divine service? or a Tippet and a Square Cap to be worn daily but because they think it is of some authority with the people / and bringeth some estimation to there office and to there persons / and is thought to be of great force / to make a mā seem to be grave and off authority. For thes be the best reasons which they are wont to bring: whereby they would signify both that thes ii. sortes off apparel are not commanded for Religions sake / and that the abusing off them heretofore / cannot nor ought not to take away the right use off them / which belongeth to comlynes and order / to which ende contrary to the Apostles mind they wrest that place off S. Paul / That all things are to be done orderly in the church. But iff they pertain only to a decency and comlynes / what needeth any commandment to be given to a minister to use daily the tippet and the square cap / and a Priests gown / and at divine service the cope and the surplice / seeing a minister who is set over the government off the church / and by the Apostles rule ought to be such a one / as not only is able to use him self honestlie in everything / but also such as keepeth his family in order / and ought to be an example off all modesty and honest comeliness to his flock: who surely iff he be meet for such an office and worthy to handle the word off god / will take heed that he do not dishonest his worthy office / by vile and dishonest apparel.

But seeing they make no worthy ministers / but readers and service saiers / yt was needful / they should appoint them what cap they should wear: and howe the sleeves and collers off there gowns should be made and such like. Althoughe they attain not this decency and comeliness which they pretend / for often times there is nothing more filthy and dishonest then this kind off apparel. And iff any can use a comely square cap he can use also a round cap which is as comely / and so much more / as it is fitter for his head thē the square.

Therefore there is no cause to prescribe this apparel to be daily worn for decency and order. But they say the Ministers must be distinguished from other men: and that they may be known off there parishiners and church. This is even as great a reason as the other. For iff they did set such a shepherd over the sheepfolde off god / who were able as well with his voice / as the sheppherd with his hook and staff / to rule his sheep / who were able also to heal the sick and diseased / and to bring home again such as wander and straie out off the way / finally iff they set a right sheppherd over the flock / the sheep would know him by his voice / and would not need to have any mark by his apparel to know him. Therefore although this reason might be off some force for hirelinges / yet it cannot be of any force for meet and worthy ministers.

And whereas they allege also Order and decencye for there surplice / I would know why yt should seem more comely and decent for a Minister / that be should preach or pray in a surpl ce / then in a gown.. In white raiment then in black apparel? For as for the color / me thinketh black to be more comely for him: and for the fashion me thinketh a long garment reaching down to the foot should be more honest and seemelie. Further more do they not see that Simplicitie liked our savior Christ / that the Gospel is in a manner shadowed and covered by these veils and figures / that by this means / the way is made open to bring in many other moo ceremonies for as good respects as these be? do they not also think that we perceive that nothing ells is sought by this which they call comeliness and order but only a conformity with Papists and a superstitious decency? as also in using the sign off the cross in baptism / the round cake in the Lord's supper / and many other such ceremonies / and not that seemly order which the Apostle commandeth? For iff the simplicity and nakedness off the gospel / misliked them / why did they especially clothe it with popish apparel / seeing we ought to be so much the further off and to abhor there doings / by how much we are in greater danger off them / then off other heretics because they live amongst us? For which cause also the Lord commanded that greater severity should be used against them off the land off Canaan / then against Idolaters off other nations and cuntries.

But they say further / that men should be admonished that they are now used to another ende / then they were by the Papists / and that the abuse cannot take away the right use off thē: and although the popish priesthood be a most grievous leprosy / yet the apparel which they used / iff yt be washed again may be applied again to our use, but I say / that off all the leprous garments / they have chosen the filthiest and most polluted: and such as cannot be washed nor made clean again by any art or conning off the fuller. For seeing it is manifest that Popish Priests received there orders / by the puttinge on off a surplice and square cap / and that they used the coope even to the singinge off mass / who is he that hath learned by the law off god to distinguish and discern between sore and sore / between holy and unclean / and vnderstandethe not / and even seethe with his eyes / that the leprosy was spredde upon thes garments / and that they are polluted and unclean / not only by the contagion off the leprous man / but even by there own disease: And therefore by the law not to be washed / but to be burned / nor to be purged with water but to be consumed with fire. Seinge then it is so / and that this law off prescripte apparel off ministers / hath no grownde not only off no scripture / but also off no sound Judgment and reason / a marvel it is to see howe earnestly and with great contencion / yt hath been defended and maintained. And it maketh me afraid to remember the bitterness of thos days / the churches bereaved of there ministers / and most faithful Pastors and Doctors driven from there places / the trouble that came in the universities for this cause / and the most toward youth both for godliness and lerninge driven out off there colleges / finally the commandments off god transgressed that the precepts off men might be established.

But they have made me to longe in a matter off small weight / who do so earnestly urge these trifles / as iff they were matter off great weight and were grounded off the commandment off God: But seeing yt appeareth manifestly (as I suppose) by that which I have said that yt is far otherwise / Let us conclude / that no certain kind / form / or fashion off apparel is to be prescribed to ministers neither to be daily worn / nor yet in service time: and that they are only to be admonished that they show them selves sober / modest / and honest both in there apparel and in all the rest off there life and conversation: which iff some shall neglect to do / and being admonished by there brethren do not amend yt / let thē be corrected by the magistrate. And thus much generally off Bishopps: that is to say off ministers.

Now it followeth to declare the diverse sortes and kinds of them: and to show what everyone hath proper and peculiar to hī self. There be therefore two kinds and sortes off Bishops / the one off Doctors / the other off Pastors. For these are not to be confounded / as iff one and the self same office were signified by two names / as some have supposed. For seeing the Apostle in the iv. to the Ephesians doth severally rehearse all the ministers off the church which Christ hath given and appointed to the edifyinge thereof / and distinguisheth Apostles from Prophets / and Prophets from Evangelists / I do not see why we should not think also / that Pastors and Doctors as they are distinguished and severed by name / to be so also in office and duty which also appeareth more manifestly in the xii. to the Romans / where they are distinguished not only by names / but also by gifts proper to several offices. Therefore these are diverse and sundry offices / how near so ever they seem to be together.

Now to prove that only Doctors and Pastors be Bishopps / and that no man ells (as it hath been said here to fore) may or ought to minister the word off god in the church / needeth a longer proof. But seeing it cannot be doubted / that the Apostle rehearseth in the iv. to the Ephesians all the offices and functions which have any thing to do with the work off the ministry / and by which Christ would have his church built up / and seeing that those offices off Apostles / Evangelists / and Prophets / are ceased / (as also they were givē only to to serve for a time / and not for the perpetual government off the church) It is manifest that there remain no other Bishops or ministers off the word off god but only Pastors and Doctors. But that it may the more clearly be shown / that those other offices served but for a time let us more at large consider the nature and condition off everyone off them: And first for the Apostles office / what it was / it apperethe by the word off our Savior / whereby he ordeineth them to the Apostleshipp: namely / This / that they should go preach the Gospel in all the world and baptize those which believe. So that an Apostle was not bound to preach the gospel to any one and certain province / naciō / or country / but to the whole world. So lickwise Christ before his departure commended not to peter and by him to the rest off the Apostles any certain sheep off some certē ground or pasture but all his flock. For as our Savior Christ had given thē marvelous gifts off the Spirit / So he would have them bear greater offices. He assigned them not a few acres / to plow and till / or a little feelde not some small portion off his vyneiard and inheritance to dress / but even all his feeld / his whole vyneiard and inheri • aunce. Suche off all the disciples off Christ there were only xii. to whom afterwards were added Paul and as some think Barnabas / who as certain chief capitaines should bring the world under subjection to the kingdom and Empire off Christ: And as Master builders who should draw out and describe the pattern and platform off all the churches / and lay the first foundacions and grounds: Which so great a charge being laid upon them / excellent gifts were also given them whereby they might be able to bear and uphold so great a burden. For they were endued with a marvelous knowledge off heavenly things / and diverse strange tongues and languages / as is yt rehearsed off the xii. Apostles in the Acts / and as Paul testifiethe off him self to the Corinthes.

Furthermore there were many other things proper and peculiar to this office as / that they should be witnesses off the Lord's resurrection: that they should be immediately called and appointed by CHRIST: and otherlike / Which seeing they can be in no man nowadays / yt is plain and evident / that the Apostleshipp is ceased / and that this worthy and excellent office ys no longer remaininge in the church. whereupon the Apostles who did choose Matthias into Judas place being void / yet when James was slain / they did choose nome into his Roume or the Roume oft any other off the Apostles / when they died: So that yt is plain that this office is abolished.

Which being plain off the Apostles must be likewise understood off the Evangelists who served and ministered unto them / and were after a sort there vicairs and deputies. For as it doth appere in the Acts This was the office of the Evangelists to accompany the Apostles whom they (when they had gathered any company off a church together and must needs depart) left behind them being instructed by them in what sort and order to stablishe the church / who having set the church in order and provided pastors and Elders to govern yt / left it and followed the Apostles again / So they as Emperors and Generalles / when they had overcome any city / left as it were some chief captains behind them / until things could be brought to a better stay / and that ancientes and elders / as certain perpetual garrisons were set over them / for the Apostles were appointed to cōquery and to overcome: The Evangelists to establish and set in order. The elders to maintain and preserve the church of god. Therefore this office off the Evangelist must needs cease / seeing the Apostleshippe is ceased allreadie.

As for the Prophets office / although it consisted in expoundinge the scriptures / yet seeing it was joined with extraordinary gift off foretellinge things to come / necessary for the primitive church / but now no more in use / yt cannot be doubted but that the office ys ceased as well as the gift / whereupon we may conclude / That seeing as Saint Paul witnessethe only Apostles / Evangelists / Prophets / Pastors and Doctors / were given by Christ to the edifyinge off the church and the work off the ministry / That the three first ceasinge / there remain only Pastors and Doctors perpetual and ordinary ministers off the word.

In deed sometimes the lord extraordinarily / in a confused state / where is no place off ordynary calling / stirreth up as be did in our time as yt were certain new Apostles to lighten the world again with the light off the gospel: And Eusebius maketh mention off some / who saith he with a heavenly zeal off following the Apostles went preaching the gospel to the Indians. But I speak off the Ordinary state off the church / such as ours ought to be after so many years. Therefore Saint Paul in the xii. to the Romans speaking off this state maketh no mention off Apostles / Evangelists / or Prophets but only off Teachers and exhorters / calling Pastors / Exhorters as it shall appear hereafter. Neither was i • needful that they should continue any longer in the church: no more then it is needful after the platform be drawn that the master builder tarie any longer / but that there be carpenters and workmen to build and raise the work as he hath appointed.

And it seemethe that our Savior Christ in the stablishinge off his kingdom followed a kind off order not diverse from that which is used by earthly kings and princes / Who at the day off there coronacion / and for a certain time after make many officers for diverse and sundry uses / who serve not only for a solemnity / pomp and show / but also to great use and service for that time / but when things are set in order and the kingdom stablished are used no longer. So Christ our lord and king / when as being ascended into heaven he was as it were invested into his kingdom / created Apostles and such other officers / which should set his kingdom in order and appoint and ordain a certain ordinary state for the government and administracion off it: which being so established and set in order / Those offices should cease / and the kingdom should be governed as they had appointed.

Therefore theris no cause why we should think the love and care off our Savior towards his church to be diminished for this cause / or that he dealethe not bountifully and liberallie with us: no more then subjects for the like cause / have occasiō to suspect there kings good will and favor to be changed towards them. For these things are but for a certain time and pertain to the beginning off the kingdom / which time seemethe necessarily to require some other kind of order then all the rest that followeth. Therefore to cōtinewe the same similiritude / after he was crowned-king / he scattered in great aboundāce spiritual gifts off knowledge / prophesyinge / healinge / and other graces / as gold and silver amongst his people: All the conduites ran with sweet and most pleasant wyne: All the pipes and cockes ran with rose water and other sweet and pleasant waters: But although he giveth us daily all things liberally and plentifully / yet he giveth us not daily a Largesse as at the time off his coronacion. Therefore we ought to be content with that liberality which the lord showeth unto us / and not to look to have allwais alike.

The same reason is off the perpetual ministers off the word: with whom he would have us to be contented and not to wish for the first / and those which were extraordinary and appointed to serve but for a time. For as some thing was given more liberally and extraordinarilie to the extraordinary times off the church / So we are sufficiently provided for / off all things which belong to the continual and necessary use off the church. Therefore being content with this mean estate and condition / Let us use that which is given unto us / and seek not for offices which served but for a time / in the perpetual government off the church / nor will he extraordinary functions in an ordinary state. Wherefore / we ought to have Pastors and Doctors appointed in our church / and not to retain still the extraordinary office off preachers: which yet I reprove more sparingly / for the respect I have to many worthy men who have labored with some fruit after this sort: for I see that some (by the negligence off those who ought to have provided meet Pastors for the churches) for the love they had unto the gospel / thought it lawful for them in these times to take upon them this Apostolical or Evangelical kind off office and embassage: whereas rather they owght to have urged the full and perfect reformacion off our church / and to have striven by the word off god / that every church might have been provided off a fit Pastor. And that the Lord's heritage might be no more left barren and untilled / left that at the last / the Lord be angry with us / and take it from us and let out his farm to other that will dress it better.

But iff there be any which please them selves to much in this gadding abroad thorough out the churches / and will contend they may do so by the example off the Apostles and Evangelists / let them show us the signs off there Apostleship as Saint Paul did to the Corinthians: Let them prove that they are endued with those Apostolical gifts off knowledge and understanding / tongues / healinges / doing off miracles and such like. Let them bring forth the commission off this their so large embassage to all churches: last off all let them prove that they are immediately called thereunto off god. For not only one Bishopp but all the Bishops in the world / are not able to ordain and make and Apostle / seeing that (as it apperethe by the Argument I have alleged) there office is already ceased. They cannot be Evangelists neither / seeing that they were as yt were the Legates off the Apostles / who in respect off them were as Proconsulles or Presidentes. For Prophets I think they will not say they be / seeing they cannot tell us off things to come. Besides that we read not that the Prophets went thus abroad thorough out all churches / but it seemethe rather that they were wont to abide in certain places. Wherefore taking away extraordinary callings and vocations out off the ordinary state off the church / Let us follow that certain rule which the Lord hath prescribed. Let Pastors and Doctors be assigned unto churches who are only the ordinary and perpetual ministers of the word off god appointed to the edificacion off the chu • che.

These things thus set down / let us now see what the particular charges and dewties off these two be. And first let us speak off Doctors: whose office is more simple. Doctors therefore I call Bishops who are occupied in the simple teaching and expoundinge off the holy doctrine and true Religion. For it semethe that this was the office off Doctors simply to teache out of god his word / what was to be thought off god and off his worship and service: what off Christ / what the law is: what the Gospel: what ys the rule off our life: what the hope and expectation off the life to come: fynallye what to think off every point off Religion without those vehement speeches whereby the minds off men are either raised up and comforted / or beaten down and made sad. For seeing that Saint Paul doth lymite and bound the office off a Doctor by Doctrine / and attributethe to another office To exhort / he seemethe to show that a Doctor is as yt were the school master and teacher off the principles off Religion off withe office how great and manifold use there is in the church off god / we shall easily understand iff we consider / how many there be emonges us that be rude and know not the first principles and growndes off religion. Which being unworthy and unseemly for a Christian church and for our profession off the gospel / Let Teachers and Doctors be provided (such as we have but a few right and lawful in these our dais) to teache the churches and especially the rude and ignorant. For although we invent a thousand ways / we shall never promote the edification off the church / but only by those means and instruments which the Lord hath appointed for his work. For with these the blessing of god is joined which is not only wantinge to those who are made by us how goodly a show so ever they have / but contrariwise they have Cursinge for Blessinge. Now to retorne to Doctors again.

In the primitive church / They were set to instruct in the Doctrine off faith and Religion such as were rude and ignorant: For so Eusebius telleth that when in the church off Alexandria many had fled away for fear of persecutiō / so that no man had the charge of Cathechizinge / Origē being a young man and But xviij. years off age / at the request off certain worthy men toke the charge upon him. Wherwith all though in the beginning he joined also teaching off grammar and other arts / yet he afterwards understood / that yt belōged not unto his office so to do / and therefore gave him self wholly to the expoundinge off the scriptures / and instructinge off such as were ignorant in religion. The whom after one Hercules succeeded in the same office / whom before he had taken to him to help him to teache: who afterward was chosen from being Doctor / to be Pastor and Bishopp off the same church / whereof it may be gathered that in the primitive church / this was an ordynarie office: and that before Pastors / and Bishops / there were other also appointed to be Doctors / whose office did consist in expounding the scriptures / and cathechizinge off the ignorant.

But as for our Doctorshippe such as it was in time off popery and as cōtynueth yet still / I know neither from whence it came / nor to what use yt seruethe. For they expound not the scriptures in any certain church appointed unto thē / declaringe the natural and true sense and meaning off the word off god / they do not teache the youth nor cathechize the ignorant / but live idly in the vniuertsities. For it is no name off any lawful office or function in the church no not as yt is used in the universities but only a name and title off honor / and a commendacion off a man's knowledge in divinity so that it rather seemeth to serve to ambition and vainglory / thē to any use and profit.

They say there was sometimes an image maker named Passo who did so engrave the image off mercurye in marble-stone that a man could not judge or discern / whither mercury were within / or without the same. Suche Mercuries / and Images do our universities make us / whose knowledge we cannot tell whither it be within them or without them / for they prove not them selves to be right Mercuries by any speech / eloquence / or utterance / I know not what a shadow and Image off vain contemplacion this is / for true and Christian Religion bestowethe the gifts that are received of god / to the common use and profit off all the body Therefore these Mercuries are to be appointed to churches and to be set up in high and lightsome places / that their speech and talk and other properties may prove them to be right Mercuryes in deed.

For surely it is not tolerable that they should bury the lords treasure in the earth and hid his light under a Bushel / and as it is said off one Aspendius a harper / that they should play on there sweet harps as they selves may only hear it. Therefore let these goodly lights be put on candlestickes / that as Christ commandeth they may shine and give light not only to them selves / but to all that are in the house. Let this riche treasure be laid out to the banck / that when the Lord commethe he may receive his own with advantage: that is to say / let these learned Doctors be assigned and appointed to churches 〈◊〉 expound the Scriptures / to Cathechize the rude and ignorant and by the example off David a better and more excellent harper / Let them awake in the morning to singe: and awake there harps together with them / and call both riche and pore and all degrees and orders to hear them / and sing and play not to them selves only but to the church / and set out there heavenly songs and dities with most pleasant tune and melody in the hearing also off many off other. Let this knowledge be brought to action and to the use our life. Let the Doctor have a chair set for him. Let him have scholars appointed him whom he many teache and instruct in the fear of god and know edge off heavenly mysteries: I mean a chair wherein he may sytte to teache and to cathechize / not wherein taking his ease he may be idle and fall a sleep

And surely it is a marvel to see that when they should especially labor / then they do give though̄ selves most off all unto ease. And that they thē cherish and make most of them selves / as if they were allredy come from the Seas into the haven / when they should rather leave the haven and take the Seas. For when they are once made Doctors / either for their understanding and knowledge / or for their time and continuance / then they obtain I know not what privileges from taking off pains anymore / Prerogatiues off honors and estimation / privileges off heapinge off benefices together / so that they seem to be like old soldiers who be exempted from doing anymore service / or to be arrived at this Doctorshipp / as it were at a haven where they should be at an ende off all their labor and travel.

This is therefore to be corrected by us according to the Ordinaunce off God / Teachinge and Cathechizinge is to be required off a Doctor. Touchinge there examinaciō / how to try them who are to be chosen to this office I think it not needful to speak anymore / both because I have spoken heroff generally and at large before / and also for that there is no great fault in the laws and statutes / but rather in negligence and want off execution off the same laws and good Statutes. I omit also to speak off thee election and the manner off chosinge off them. Which being done by an university and by the consent off so many learned and worthy men I would not disalowe. As for so many foolish trifles as are used in the creatinge and ordeininge off them / they are sufficiently confuted already by that which hath been spoken by the ordeininge off Bishops.

And thus much off Doctors. In which place also some are wont to speak off schools colleges and universities / because they seem to carry a certain lykenes and similitude off Doctors and Disciples / teachers / and Scholars / Prophets / and sons off the Prophets. Which sure is a worthy point and very needful to be handled considering the diverse abuses off schools / colleges / and universities: but yet it conteinethe more matter then may be well handled at this time: For it had need off a several treatise / which I trust / as already touching schools hath been worthily and lernedly handled by master Askham in his Schole master / So touching the rest / some off that learned company whereof there arise daily many noble and most excellent wits will perform. And surely it were worthy the labor off some notable excellent man / to teache the use of universities / and to call them back again to the right ende whereunto they were ordained and appointed: which is this / that they should be means to preserve and make perfect all other noble arts and sciences and especially divinity which knowledge iff it be not diligently kept by the Doctors in the altars off the Universities / as in times past the fire that came down from heaven was by the Levites: Surely it will shortly come to pass / as we have already seen yt and that with in these few years / that the church shall use strange fire / to the doing off all things.

Suche Universities the holy history rehersethe those off Naioth Bethel, Hiericho, and Jerusalem to have been which (when all men thought surely that this fire off gods word and knowledge off the scriptures had been clea • e gone out (as yt came to pass also in these our days) norished certain sparks in the ashes / off which afterwards by good blowing off them / they kindled Religion again. And such universities should we also have now a days / which might both kindle Religion being put out / and also enflame and increase yt being kindled / if the sons off the Prophets did painfullie bestow them selves in reading meditatinge and expoundinge off the scriptures as we read those off Samuells college did. But now in stead off labor / ydlenes is come into the universities: for peace and honest quietness: contention and discord / the greatest poison to good studies that can be: for godliness and the fear off the lord / neglect and almost contempt off all Religion / with dissolute kind off license and liberty whereby they give them selves to all riot and wantonness.

And surely yt grieveth me to think how far off they be from the Muses and lerninge who dwell even in the very houses and palaces off the Muses. And that these places which are set furthest from any noise off the world that we might the more freely give our selves to good and honest studies / ringe with cries / noises / and alarms / raised up by troublesome wits / and sound again with mutual reproaches / hatred / injuries / and revenges: and that even the very temples off Religion the altars off holiness / and the chappelles off godliness and off the fear off the lord do wax profane unholy and void off all true Religion. What do we think that those noble worthies which at there great costs and charges founded colleges to this end that the service off god and holiness off life might spring from them / and from those foūtaines flow to the rest of the church / what do we think I say / would they say if they were gathered to gether and should look down from heavē upon there colleges? dowe not think they would cōplain one to another / that there colleges were become like unto tents off war wherein nothing were exercised but hate and enmity / and that evē in those places which they had made to be hyues off a heavenly kind off honey / an innumerable sort off oranes are risen up who not only gather no honey themselves / but so mislike also off the labor and diligence off other that take great pains to gather / that they never cease to vex and molest them until they have driven them out off there h •• s from amongst them.

What iff I should raise out off there grave / some / either off the holy Bishops founders off the university off Oxeford / or off the famous kings founders off the university off Cambridge / what iff that noble kink Henry the eight the last off that worthy company (as Hercules was the last of the worthies) because he is last to deal with the universities in behalffe off the rest / what I say could they annswer him iff he should complain / that That which was most liberallie and bountifullie given for the maintenannce off good learning is abused to riott and idleness? That the hiues for Bees / are become den̄s for droanes? that They are no more / colleges off students / but monasteries and cloisters off idle and snoring monckes? That not only barren / and unfruitful trees / but alalso off hurtful and most noisesome shadow to those young and fruitful plants / that grow up under them / are in those places / which they meant should have been Orchiardes off most precious fruit / and off the most noble and rare plants that might be.

The universities ought to be the seed and the frye off the holy ministry thorowghe out the realm: but now there is scarce one sent out in to the church in many years that is fit for such an office. It ought in deed to be like the Aple treoff Persia whereof Theophrastus maketh mention: which doth bud / blossom and bear fruit at all times off the yere: and bringeth forth some fruit which is already ripe and some other buddinge / and new geowing out. So the universities should have some allwais fit / and as it wer ripe already to take the ministry / and some other ripening and budding out: but now neither ripe fruit fallethe from the tree / neither is the blossom such as declareth any plenty or store to come hereafter: iff further he should complain that it is a heavy sight for them to see the universities thorough contention (and that many times for small occasion) so inflamed and set on fire. And that as they are grieved / who do behold there feeldes and possessions wasted and burnt / So they with no less sorrow behold / good / learned and worthy men expulsed out off there universities / godly / and learned young men driven from there places / the schools deprived off most famous professors and Teachers / Colleges bereaved of youth of marvelous hope and towardness / off singular virtue and learning / and the church deceived off that which she looked for at there hands.

Therefore iff they loved god there chief founder and Author off all that had been bestowed upon them / or feared that he would be a punisher and revenger iff they continue to abuse the same / iff they bare any respect and reverence to them there Patrones and founders and would be ruled by them / they should leave there striuinge and runninge one against and other with mutual wrongs and injuries / they should banishe out ydlenes and expulsing the droanes out off there hiues fall to labor and take pains again: they should apply the study off the liberal arts and off the tongues / they should meditate upon the Scriptures and exercise them selves therein as the Prophets and the sons off the Prophets: They should think with them selves / and remember that the church hangeth upon there breasts / desyring to suck that sweet milk off heavenly doctrine (and as Peter calleth it the sincere milk off the word: that they should make ready every year a great nonebre off fit interpreters and Teachers off Religiō for the use of the church: that they would be the Authors and seekers of a more full and perfect reformacion: and when they had obtained it constantly to keep / and preserve the same. Thes things would be acceptable to god there Arch founder and to them there founders / and be most seemly and becomminge the name off an university.

Iff I say we hard him speak these and such like things unto us would we not be a shamed to be so sharply reproved? Yet although we hear not either king Henry the eight / or any other off those worthies speak thus unto us / yet notwithstanding we ought not to be less moved with the thing yt self / seeing these things may trewly be objected unto us and cast in our teethe. Which neuertherles I speak not off all such as be in the universities / for I know there be many such as we would wish that all should be: and undoubtedly there would be many moe / iff Samuelles Elijah's and Elishas wer set over the sons off the Prophets / who (as they were wont to do) might live together with the Scholars / be present at there exercises / help an further there indeuors / and by there example frame them and stir them up to all godliness / knowledge / zeal / and finally to everything that is praise worthy. Iff our universities had many such Samuells, Elijah's, Doctors and Pastors would be prepared for the churches which are abroad / the number off students (as yt did under) Elisha would increase and multiply: and most pleasant streams as out of Eden, the garden off the Lord / would flowe from them and water all the Land.

But seeing that is far otherwise / being content with this moderate reproufe / and light showing off the disease only / for help and remedy / first most humbly I be seeche the Lord god the chief chauncellor off our universities / and then also the Magistrates that by his apointemēt and in his name are set to govern us / that they would earnestly and carefully think off reforminge the universities / and restoring them to there right use again / that they may serve to the preseruinge / polishing and perfiting off all other the liberal sciences / and especially off the study off divinity and maintenance off the sacred ministry. And let it be sufficient to have spoken thus much off Doctors and therwithall of schools / Colleges and universities.

Now let us speak off Pastors: whose office and function although it be near of kindred unto the doctors functiō / yet it conteinethe in it besides / certain other things neither off less weight nor less necessary then these be. A Pastor therefore I call a Bishopp / who appliethe the Scriptures to the diverse occasions and necessities off the church: and ministrethe the Sacraments to those which do believe. For Pastors touching the office they bare in the churches / succeed the Apopostles: and after a sort also the priests off the law: whereas Doctors do rather resemble and are more like unto the Prophets and the Levites. Therefore Pastors administre not only the word / but also the Sacraments. And seal up our salvation with the Lord's signet / which they preach by word. For this is the nature off the Sacraments / to seal up as it were the promises / that when we have them under seal / we might keep them more safely and possess them more securely. Wherefore the Pastor to whom the promises are committed to be declared and uttered / and as yt were the writings and indētures off our saluaciō to be made / hath also authority to set the seal thereunto. For so the Lord commanded his Apostles that they should preach the Gospel / and baptize those which should believe. Wherefore the administracion off the Sacraments perteinethe to the office off a Pastor and that in such sort to a Pastor / that no man ells may take yt upon him / and arrogate that to him self which the Lord hath committed to another to do.

But besides the administracion off the Sacraments this is also proper and peculiar to the Pastors / even in the ministry off the word to apply the Scriptures to the diverse occasions and necessities off the churches: And as time and occasion seruethe / to correct / reprove / and reprehend / to raise up those that be cast down / to break the stubborn / to use exhortacions / and dehortacions / to cmofort the godly with the hope off the promises / to terrify the wicked with the thunder off the judgment off god / whereat they may be cast down and as if they had been stricken with a thunder bolt from heaven and consumed / if they repent not / to lift up some as yt were to heaven / and to cast down other to the bottom off hell. All which Saint Paul doth signify to the Romaine figuratiuelie by nanynge one kind thereof (that is to say off Exhortation) for all the rest. In his Epistle to Timothy he settethe out every thing more at large: commandinge Timothy to preach the word / to correct / to reprove / to exhort.

Seeing therefore the Pastors office is so wayghty and so diverse: I will not show that they which be unable to teache are not to be admitted unto it / for that I have handled this before / but how weak there defense herein is which they are wont to bring: that is to say / That the want off these unable ministers / is supplied by the diligence off others / whereas they read and rehearse out off the book unto the people / homelies / touching all the necessary pointes off Religion. I dispute not here against homelies / nor mind to show what injury is done unto god his word when the wrightinges off men are redd and rehearsed in the church: or howe dangerous a thing it is for giving occasion off bringing in to the church / the writings and sermons also off other godly men / the stories off martyrs / and at the last also the Popish Legend / For that it belongeth to another place to speak off thes things: this one thing I will show / that the reading off Homilies is no sufficient excuse for an unable and unlearned Pastor / seeing that it belongethe to the duty off a Pastor / to apply the doctrine off the Scriptures to the diverse times / necessities and occasion off the church.

For seeing that the Homilies be domme / and speak only that which hath been endited a long time a fore / how can they either know or understand / or cure and remedy the diseases off the church. Therefore let us not think that the Ordeininge of • unable Pastors can be excused by this pretence. nor that Homilies (as it is said off a sword in old time as Delphi which did serve for all uses) can serve for all occasions which do arise in the church.

Here the Pastor had need off great and profounde knowledge to know the change off times / the diversity off things / the variety off persons / and to deal thus or otherwise / according to that variety and difference. For a Shepherd hath not only one way both to heal the sike / and cure the broken and bruised: And the phisicion cureth some men by diet and medicine / some by cutting and surgerie / so likewise this only way off reading off Homilies can in no wise be sufficient to cure and to remedy all the sundry necessities off the church / To be cōninge in the profession off this kind off physic / a man had need be perfect in his simples / he had need to know many kinds off herbs / flowers / rotes / an infynite sort off other things: fynallie he must needs thouroughly know all Eden and the whole garden off God / that he may know what herbs are fit to raise up those who are cast down / and as it were to comfort and restore again such as be in a consumpcion / which also are meet to purge and cleanse those that are full and stuffed / finally what so ever is proper for the curinge off every disease / and in what sort and after what manner / and at what time yt ys to be ministered and applied.

Which most worthy and necessary office for the salvation off mankind and chiefest off all which be under the Son Good Lord how infinite ways is it profaned? So that now a days to make a Pastor is nothing ells but to make a service saier / or reader off prayers out off his book. And this not only emonges the people but even in the midst off the universities / in the schools and Colleges them selves (from whence as frō certain sacred and pure fountains reformatiō ought to flowe) from thence I say even from thence shameful examples off this great disorder and prophanacion do springe and come forth into all the realm. iff we seek thorough both the universities what school is there / what College / society and fellowshipp off learned men that hath a right and a lawful Pastor amongst them? But either one or moe chaplaines and conductes as they call them are hired to read the service at the hours appointed / or ells the fellows off Colleges them selves do read yt being bound by oath to enter into the ministry at a certain time appointed / after they become Fellowes. Wherupon it cometh to pass that a man may find sometimes / ten or a dossen off these Pastors in a little College / But one such Pastor as the word off God doth set out is hardly or not at all to be found amongst them.

Further also this fault is made in the apointinge off pastors. That under pretence off making a more full and perfect trial off such as are to be appointed / they ordain not any man wholly / and at once to the office off a pastor / but I know not by what degrees they lead him up to this pulpit. They must first be Deacons as they call yt for a yere / that is to say they must receive authority to say prayers and read the Scriptures / But in no case to admynister the Sacraments or to expound / without further lycense: Then at the last he is fully admitted to he office off a Pastor. Which as I perceive well enough to have been translated from the manner off Popish ordres / So know I not what ground off Scripture yt hath or can have / But rather cōtrarywise / yt semethe to be clean against the express appointment off the Scriptures which make no more degrees to come to the office / But the godliness and integrity off his former life in what sort so ever he hath occupied him self unto that time / and the knowledge off the holy scriptures: So that it is needles for a man to come thorough all the offices off the church before he can ever attain to this.

Wherein also there was to to curious a diligence in Sylvester Bishopp off Rome and others / who appointed that before a man was ordained a Pastor / he should first come up unto yt as yt were by certain stairs / steppes / and degres thorough out all those offices off the church which they had invented. And first he must be Accolythus twenty year. Deacon xxvj. and so forth. That at the last after fyfty or three score years trial thus had / he should be admitted to the full priesthood.

Leauing therefore these vain inventions off the brain off man / Let us keep that certain order which is taught us by the Apostles: which is That after dew examination had of his life and doctrine / he be admitted to this ministry and office off a Bishopp / Lest by this drawing a sonder and quarteringe off the right office off a Pastor we be justly thought to have brought into the church off god without his word / off our own authority so many new offices and functions / as into how many partes and members this one office is divided.

Touchinge those things which besides this are faulty in the Election and Ordinacion off Pastors / they have been spoken off in other places before / neither is it needful to repeat the same again: Therefore to conclude all this treatise off Bishops / taking away extraordinary functions and offices and abolishing the pomp and tyranny off the Lord Bishops / Let us esteem the office off a Bishopp and minister as yt is declared unto us in the word off god: Let us remember that this is a service and Ministry not off the affairs off this life / But off the holy word off god: Let this most neceessary office amongst all other offices that be in the earth both for the service and Religion off God and for the salvation off man be ordained and established thorough out this Realm: Let an Assay be made / that they which being unmeet for the office / being put out / godly / learned / and worthy men be chosen thereunto: who discharging there offices faithfully / may be sufficiently provided for / concerning the necessaries off this life / as the Lord hath commanded: Let us fetch the manner and fashion off our examininge / choosinge / and ordeininge out off the Scriptures: Let Doctors be appointed to teache / and Cathechize the rude and ignorant: Let Pastors be ordained to Mynister the Sacraments and to apply the general Docrine to the particular uses and occasions off the church: That faults being amended and reformed according to to the right line off the word off God / a just and lawful ministry such as the Lord hath appointed may be established amongst us: That Christ powringe his blessing upon his own Ordenance and apointment (as the Apostle noteth thes to be the ends off the ministry) the work off the ministry may be done / The body off Christ which is the church may be edified and builded up / and the Saints may be fitly / orderly / and proportionally joined and knit together one with another.

Thus now having finished one part off ecclesiastical functions and charges / namely that which consisteth in the duty off a Bishoppe and the Ministry off the word / Let us come to that which remaineth and concerneth deacons: But to the ende we may hereī also orderly proceed / first / I say that Saint Paul in his first epistle to Timothy and third chap. and in the other places before alleged off me to the same ende calleth all those Deacons / which do exercise any office or or charge in the church / not belonging to the Ministry off the word. For there be also other offices besides the ministry off the word / needful for the preservation off the church. Which what they be we shall see hereafter.

But iff they were not necessary for the preseruatiō off the whole body / Surely Jesus Christ the most wise ruler and gouerner off his church would never have appointed them: if then this other order off Deacons be so necessary / why do we want it wholly in our church: deforminge the body no less / yea a great deal more by so notable want off those partes that are necessary / then by the superfluity off those which are not off the body as hath been already before shown. For let them not here speak off there Chancelors / whom I have already proved to have no lawful place in the church: nor off the church wardens / off whom I shall speak more hereafter. For I say we want and require Ecclesiastical Deacons / who according to the ordinance off god are lawfully chosen / created and ordemed to there offices: not civil and politique men who by the authority off the Magistrate deal in some such matter / but what these be we shall see hereafter more at large.

Here I cannot sufficiently wonder at the boldness off the brain off man who thus altereth and perverteth wholly / the lords government in his own house: appointinge some besides those which are appointed by him / to the rulinge off his house: and putting out those (as iff the church off god had no need off there labor) whō the Lord him self had appointed / finally licensing them selves in the lords matters to set down and take away / to add and diminishe what they list / and to rule and dispose all thing according to there own will and fantasy: Thē the which seeing there cā be nothing more against the honor off our Savior / let us at the last learn to be modest and to be ruled by his word: let us suffer him to rule his own house by his own authority and restore again to the church those offices and functions / which he hath thought meet and profitable for it.

But that thes things may be the better understood / and that we proceed the more orderly forewarde. As I shown in the former parte / first what was ordained off God / whereby it was easy to understand what was superfluous or to much / So I must likewise do in this part / that yt may be the better understood / what we want / and what is to to be supplied in this behalffe.

There be therefore ii. sortes off Deacons as they are divided by Saint Paul in the xii. to the Romans: The one sort are called distributers (who also in the sixte off the Acts are properly called Deacons) The other over seers / who also in other places are called Elders and Governors off the church. Those therefore who are properly called Deacons / are officers off the church / set over the bestowing and distributing off the church goods and treasury.

How great cause there was off institutinge this office in the church / it appereath in the sixth off the Acts / where the the Apostles who in the beginning administered the treasury off the church / when they perceived that they were not able to serve both / that is to say the preaching off the word and the caringe for the pore / gave over this office to be Treasurers anymore / and propounded yt to the church / that there might be a several office appointed for this charge / that might take upon them the prouidinge for the poor: To whom should be given / what so ever was bestowed for the relief off the needy that they might after dispose yt according as everyone had need. That the poor might not be despised in the church off God whom he declareth to be so dear unto him / and that all complaints being taken away / everything might be orderly and honestly governed in the house off God. Therefore the Treasury off the church whither yt be in daily offringes / or in rentes and reuenuews appointed to that ende is to be committed unto the Deacons. The hospitalles and houses which are appointed for the relief off strangers and off the poor are to be ruled by them: finally / what other such like thing there is / belongeth to the office off Deacons.

In old time in deed in the prymitiue church / this Treasure was committed to the Bishops / because all men trustinge to there conscience / whom they thought to have a special care off yt / hoped that all things would be more faithfully ordered for the benefit off the church and maintenance off the poor: But they whereas they ought rather to have followed the example off the Apostes / and to have requested that they might give them selves to preaching and prayer / and that they would choose some other to take that charge upon them / did not only suffer them selves to be entreated to take yt / But also did unfaithfully behave them selves in disposing the poor men's box / that at the last they ceased to be Almners anymore or distributers unto others / and as if they had been the poor men gave all unto them selves: concerning which matter the Deacons (iff we had any) ought to deal with the Bishops in the behalffe off the poor / (whose charge is committed unto them by the church) and enter an action against them for recovering this money again: to require again there silver vessels and the golden plate wherewith they have so gorgeously garnished and adorned there cuphordes and plead against them / that all that / belongeth to the poor: by whose poverty / they have waxen riche: by whose want and need they are become full and wealthy.

Therefore seeing the office off a Deacon is so necessary / yt may seme a marvel / how the church could suffer that the poor and the strangers / who for Christ's cause ought to be most deer unto us / should want there Gardyanes and Tutors. We have brought in other Collectors / gatherers and church ward̄s into there room / But yt were better that we had none such at all / then that by them so necessary an office should be abolished: For seeing the charge requirethe / both a singular wisdom / simplicity and integrity / why should there not be choice made as in the other offices off the church / trial had that the wisest may be chosen by the church and as the Apostle Saint Peter speakethe / such / as be full off the holy ghost and off wisdom. Why are not hands laid upon them / that they may know that they deal in the Lord's business? Why are they not prayed for / that they may have grace to discharge there duty? Finally why had they rather that they should be civil then Ecclesiastical Officers? this therefore is the charge and office off Deacons: In whose Election and ordynacion / seeing there is nothing ells partyculerly to be considered besides that which hath been Generallie spoken off all heretofore / Let us come to the Elders which are the second kind and sort off Deacons.

Elders therefore are Deacons / who are appointed to take heed off the offenses that arise in the church: Therefore in well reformed churches / everyone off them have there ward / and as yt were there watch to look unto off that portion off the church in which they may most fytlye serve / Wherein iff any thing be done otherwise then ought to be that shall deserve just reproufe / if yt be privately committed / He Goeth unto the party and admonisheth him privately for his fault according to the word off God / exhortinge him that he do so no more: but iff openly / he certifiethe the counsel or consistory off the church: lest the fault off one man be spread to the destruction off all the rest.

For although after a sort / yt is all men's duty to bring him into his way / which goeth astray / yet better and more diligent heed is takē that offenses arise not in the church / when every part off the church should have there watchmen assigned to them / to whose office especially it should belong to mark / oversee and observe all men's manners. Whereas otherwise there are many faults which may easily escape those who have not a careful eye over them. For which cause Saint Paul to the Thessalonians attributeth admonitions and reprehensions / specially unto the Elders / which notwithstanding afterwards in another sort he declareth to belong unto all the faithful.

Therefore those Elders be such as those officers off the Athenienses were / who had charge to see the laws kept / or as the Censors off Rome / who exacted and examined every citezens life according to the laws. So they mark and observe every man's manners / and they them selves do admonish men off the lighter faults / and bring the greater to the Consistory. Finally they take heed by all means / lest God be offended with the church by reason off some man's fault / and see that things be done honestly godly and comely in the church off God.

Therefore if there come into there ward any strangers / from other places to inhabit whose Religion is not yet known / They certify the Ministers that they may have means to talk with thē before they come to the Lord's supper. So likewise iff there be any children to be baptized / they admonish the minister of it / and finally off all such things which do belong to the good and semely government off the church / that the minister should understand thereof.

Furder more also in the administration off the Lord's supper for the better commodity off the church / they help the pastor and take heed that none come unto the lords supper whose Religion and honesty is not known / and with whom the ministers have not dealt withal before: and other such like things which although they be not all expressly mentioned in the Scriptures yet seeing it belongethe not only unto Order and to comeliness / But also to the profit and commodity off the church / that some should be set over thes matters / such as emonges the Jews were those who were called Cheeff off the Synagogue / and seeing the Scripture mencionethe no other Elders to whom the charge off these things should appertain / I think it plain enough that these things by the word off god / ought to be referred to the office off Elders.

And as for that part off there office / off taking heed to offenses / who can doubt that / That charge properly appertaineth unto the Elders? seeing that they are said also in the Scriptures to rule / to oversee and to govern? For this oversight can have but two partes only / whereof the first perteinethe to Doctrine and Religion / the other to life and manners. Seeing then that two kinds off Elders are expressly named by Saint Paul / where off the first sort are occupied in preaching and Doctrine / Iris necessary that the other should have charge off manners and conversation / which part only remaineth.

And hitherto the example off the primitive church doth lead us / which for as much as they were next to the Apostles time / might best understand to what use Elders had been appointed in the church by them. But how the primitive church took those degrees off the Apostles / both Ecclesiastical histories do witness / and reformed churches which in our time have reformed them selves according to there example / do sufficiently declare.

Therefore seeing the office off Elders was appointed in the church / off our Savior Christ by his Apostles / and seeing it is so profitable and necessary for the same / have we not just cause now to complain / that our church wanteth so worthy an office? do not the slanders off our adversaries who are ready to take all occasions to speak evil off the Gospel require such watchemen to watch and see that offenses rise not in the church? doth not the shameful wickedness off men require such Censors? And can this noble law off doing all things orderly and comely in the church off God want those any longer who should have a care to see it kept? That all things come not to confusion and be turned upside down?

Therefore let Elders be restored to our church again which are both necessary helps for the safety and preservation off yt and worthy ornaments for the estimation off the same. Let us obey the Lord's Commandment touching the ordeyninge off Elders / if either the safety or estymacion off the church be dear unto us / or if we have any care off doing our duty unto god.

As for election and Ordynacion off them / seeing yt may be taken out off those General rules which I have given before / and doth not require any thing to be specially spoken in this behalffe / Let us conclude this matter / and together with all / even the whole treaty which hath been handled concerning the simple charges and offices off the church / beseech ing God our most merciful father / that yt may please him to have mercy off our church and that as he hath raised yt in a manner from the dead and out of the grave again So he would also vouchsafe / to adorn and beautyfy yt being raised up: That yt may please him to take away the deformyties off yt / cutting off that which is superfluous / and supplyinge that which wantethe / To increase hir beau • y and ornaments and to Poolishe and perfect her with his most fresh and lively colors: To restore true Discypline again / To abolish the Canon law / that only they which are called may bare office in the church / That Ambition may be repulsed and put back / That the the laws off lawful Election and ordynation may be kept: Finally that a lawful Mynistery may be established throughout the Realm which may continue forever: That Deacons may be made for the poor / and Elders to admonish such as go astray / And last off all that as he hath most mercifully already begonn in our church all things / which he hath most wisely appointed to the glorifyinge off his name and preseruinge off his church / So yt may please him of like grace and favor to perfect and finish his work emonges us. And thus much off those offices and charges off the church which we call simple.

It followeth now to speak off the Consystory or Council off the church. Whereoff although there be no new or special Eelection and ordynacion / because yt consisteth off such as are allredy called to the former offices / yet I thought Good even for this cause to distinguish them from the former / for that here no one man hath any office or authothoritye to do anything as in the former: But there is one office off all / which they all do execute in common together: For the Consistory or Council off the church is the company and Assemblye off the Elders off the church / who by common Counsel and authority do rule and govern the same.

Under the name off Elders / I do mean only Pastors / Doctors and those who are by proper named called Elders. For I see not what ground yt hath that some would also have Deacons to be off this company. For seeing that Saint Paul / calleth this assembly the company off Elders / It followeth that they must be Elders who be off this assembly. But the name off Elders is no where in the Scriptures that I can remember attributed unto Deacons / But only unto Pastors / Doctors / and such as are properly so called. To prove that Pastors and Doctors be Elders I need not cite many places (which are infinite) where they are so named. As for them who are specially called by this name / That one place in the xii. off the Romans may sufficiently prove. Where the Apostle distinguishinge the office off a Deacon into two partes giveth to those only / the name off Elders and governors: calling the other / by another name.

This Consistory therefore consisteth of these three ordres / Pastors / Doctors and Elders: which is called by S. Paul the Assembly off Elders: as also by the same Apostle they are all called by the name off Elders in another place. In the xviij. off Matthew our Savior calleth them by the name of the church: because they rule and govern church matters under the name and authority off the churchr. So likewise the name off all the assembly / by Moses is given to the Elders off the Jews: that is to say unto certain chosen and picked out men who were assigned by all the congregation to the government off the affairs.

Thus plainly it is taken in the viii. of nombres where the Lord appointeth that the Congregation shall lay hands vppō the Levites: But I think no man will say that this is to be understood off all the congregatiō / that so many thousands should lay there hands upon them / as are rehearsed to have been then in the host off Israel / but the Elders and princes only / as Ibn Ezra doth rightly interpret yt. Which is to be noted the rather / because some will have the words off our Savior to be expounded off all the church: where as according to the manner off speaking which the Hebries use / the Consistory or counsel off the church / is called the church: where also it is to be observed / that together with the name / the thing it self is translated from the Jews unto us: That look what a Counsel the Jews used for the government off the church / we ought to understand by this name that such a one is appointed by our Savior / to be in our church. Therefore in the same place he attributeth to this Counsel the chief government off all church matters: that all such things as cannot otherwise be agreed and ended / be at the last brought unto them / and ended by there au • horitie and judgment.

And iff there should be any off so desperate boldness / that should despise the authority off this Assembly off Elders / Our Savior Christ pronounceth him to he as an ethnik or a publycan / assuringe such a one / that his stubburnnes and rebellion shall not escape unpunished. Wherefore he granteth unto them chief authority according to his word to forgive or retain sins: which the Doctors off the church are wont to call the keys off heaven / because that heaven is in a manner set open for them to enter into / whom they have thus according to god his word forgiven there sins / as contrariwise it is shut / and barred against them / whose sins they do retain.

And seeing that God hath givē to our Savior Christ all power in heaven and in earth / and that the key off the house off David which is the church off god is given to him / and laid upon his shoulders / so that no man may shut iff he doth open / neither open iff he do shut / yt is not to be doubted / but that heaven is open and shut also / when they do open and shut who have received his authority and unto whom he hath committed this key.

Therefore as Lacedemon had an assembly off Elders / Athens a high court named Areopagus / Rome a Senate / and finally / every kingdom and common wealth a Counsel whose authority is chief and sovereign in all affairs / and by whom the rest off the society are governed / So likewise the church hath an Assembly off Elders / by whose authority / ecclesiastical and church matters are governed and administered. But these things are to be declared more at large: and all this power and authority more especially and particularly to be shown / that we may know how far it extendeth it self / and off how great force and weight it is to the lawful government off the church.

Therefore the whole authority of the cōsistory consisteth in ii. partes. off which the first concernethe the officers off the church / that is to say / touching both the choosinge and deposinge off thē: whereof I shall not need to speak in this place / seig I have sufficiently spoken before off Elections: whereby also may be easily understood / that which apperteynethe to the other pointe off depositions.

The second part off this authority consisteth almost wholly in taking heed to offenses and correcting and remouinge them out off the church. Which offenses / Saint Paul seemeth in the xvj. off the Romans / to devide into two sortes: into sects / and Offences: whereof the first seemeth to appertain unto Doctrine / and the other unto manners All which authority off Correctinge is spiritual / as proceeding not from the Magistrates but from the Elders off the church. For as this counsel is Ecclesiastical / and the court a spiritual court (as we use to call yt (as also it is manifestly distinguished by S. Paul / from the civil courts and places which the Apostle calleth courts for things belonging to this life) So also the punishment is special and such as belongeth to the sowle and Conscience / and concerneth not this life nor those things with which the civil magistrate is wont to deal.

So that they are the more to blame / who for this cause reject and refuse all Ecclesasticall kind off punishment / as injurious to the magistrate / seeing it handleth nothing that the magistrate can in such sort deal with all / but is limited and bounded with reprehensions taken out off the word off god by taking away the use and communication off Sacraments and public prayers from them and such like things as do appertain to the soul and conscience.

But most off all they are to be blamed who do falsely charge this lawful discipline as I shown (with offendinge against Princes and magistrates: whereas yt neither punysheth any thing which belongeth to the courts off civil officers / nor yet punysheth with civil punishemēt / as off goods or off body / any fault which it correcteth: but only in such sort as hath been declared whereas they who do object this / may be charged with both faults. For this discipline off theirs both dealeth in civil causes / and by right apperteyninge to the courts off the Magystrates / and often times those whom they have authority to correct / they punish by the purse or emprisonment. But to pass thes lightly over for hast (which notwithstanding are most weighty accusations / and worthy for the haynousnes off them to be de • ie with in the kings benche / as offending so highly against the state and authority off the prince and Magistrate) Let us come to the diverse kinds of Censures and reprehensions which are used in this lawful discipline.

Now this correction is off two sortes: and is done either by Speeche or words only / as when a man is rubuked for some fault which he hath committed and is warned to take heed that he offend not so again / or ells when besides the chastisement off words / there is some spiritual punishment and correction adjoined thereunto) Example we have off the first sort in the fourth off the Acts / where Theapostells Peter and John being brought to the Assembly off the Elders / they were asked by what authority they taught the people / and preached the resurrection from the dead in the name of Jesus: for which after that they had been rebuked and threatened / they were forbidden to preach or speak anymore to any man in the name off Christ / and so let go.

In deed they did wickedly to rebuke them for the preaching the of gospel / the best thing that cā be and most necessary for the salvation off man: but yet by this there doing we may perceive what was the form off government off the church emonges the Jews / which our Savior Christ hath translated to his church: For this is it that our Savior Christ meanethe in the xviij. off Matthew / and xvij. verse / when he commandeth the stubborn that will not be obedient to the admonytion off two or three / to be brought to the church / that he may be admonished and corrected by the church. Wher unto also belongeth that / where S. Paul admonisheth Tymothy off reprouinge the Elders openly: that is to say / such / as had been lawfully convicted.

And for those admonitions and corrections which have some punishment joined with them / for the diversity both of faults and punishments they are divided into two sortes: And resemble in a manner those two punishments off the Romans / whereby the state / condition / and privilege off such as did offend was diminished: whereof the first is called by Ecclesiastical writers Suspension / the second Excommunication.

Now suspension is a charge given by the assembly of the Elders to abstain a certain time from the communication off the supper off Lord. Hereoff there is some example and shadow in the law / which forbiddeth such as be unclean to be partakers off ho • y things / and suffered not indifferently any to enter into the Temple / and to be partakers off the Sacraments and sacrifices which were offered. Therefore there were appointed keepers off the gates off the temple by Iehoyada the priest to keep every filthy and unclean person from entringe into the temple. So also in the xii. off Exodus It is forbidden that any man being vncircuncised should be admitted to the cmomunicatinge off the Passover: or that any stranger who by receiuinge circuncision / professed not the like Religion with them should be admitted.

In the ix. off Nombres there is a notable example concerning this matter / off certain who being driven from communicatinge the Passover because they had polluted them selves by touching a dead body / went to Moses and Aaron / that is to say syttinge in the Counsel house (as it is well noted by an Hebrew Interpretor) and desired that there uncleanness might be forgiven them / that they might eat the passover with the rest off Israel / alledginge that seeing off necessity some must daily die in so great a multitude / yt seemed not that / that uncleanness wherewith they were polluted by doing there necessary dewry to there friends and neighbors (in burying off them) should be so great / that they therefore should be forbidden to eat off the Passover with the rest off the church. But Moses askinge counsel off god what was to be done in this case / Answer was made that they should not eat the passover with the rest off there brethren / and a law made forever after / touching that matter. That those kind off unclean persons should not eat the passover with the rest of Israel in the first monethe / but should tarie to eat yt in the second month.

Out off which places we have many things to gather which belong to the discipline off the church. And first off that which is in the xii. off Exodus. That no uncircumcised person should be admitted to eat the passover / no although they were Jews / and by nature borne heirs off the covenant and off the promises / but that open profession off true Religion was necessarily required as well off Jew as off stranger before they were admitted to eat off the passover.

Off this I say we learn / that now no mā ought to be admitted to the Lord's table and to the holy communiō / but he that is known by his open profession to be off true Religion: for Asmuche as the body excelleth the shadow / and the Trewth the figure / So much more carefully ought we to take heed / that the Sacraments / wherein we have the truth / and the body it self / be not communicated with uncircumcised and unclean persons. So that diligent Inquisicion is to be had off every man what saith he holdeth and how he serveth God / lest we communicate them with any who profess not the same true Religion off Christ.

Which was so well taken heed unto in the primitive church / that Eusebius reportethe in his Ecclesiastical history / that a Romaine Emperor named Philippe who f • rst became Christian off all the Emperors / and first submitted the romaine Empire unto Christ) desyringe to communicate with the rest off the church / was not admitted thereunto by the Bishop off that church (for that he was yet suspected for diverse causes) before that he had openly made profession off true Religion / And in those our days / in these churches which have received the Doctrine off the Gospel and true discipline together / as in old time no man was suffered to eat off the Passover / being either a stranger or a hired servant unless he had his part in the lamb / So likewise in the holy Communion off the Lord's supper / Christ the true pascal lamb is communicated only to such (as far as men can judge by there outward profession) unto whom Christ him self belongethe.

Now thē / seeing we have a law touching this matter off no less weight then theirs / why do we suffer yt to Remayne in the book off the gospel / as in a scabbard / and suffer the edge off yt to wax dull / now fyften years together? why do we communicate the holy Sacraments with the Papists / and require not before they be admitted a sincere / open / and franck Confession off true Religion? The holy Mysteries off God are profaned / The Gentles enter into the Temple off God / The holy things are indifferently communicated with clean and unclean / cyrcuncised and vncyrcuncised / and yet we s • t no porters at the church doors / nor shut up the unclean and polluted together by them selves. Therefore / Let this so necessary a part off Eclesiasticall discipline be established Let an open profession off true Religiō be exacted of those / who are admitted to the use off holy things: and Let no longer the heavenly mysteries off God be profaned / by communycating them with the Papists.

The next thing which is to be noted out off these places / which I have alleged belongeth unto those / who are in deed heirs off the promises / and as Saint Peter speaketh in the Acts Sons off the Testament and covenant made withe the Fathers / but yet for some fault made / are for a time excluded from the use off holy things. And hitherto belongeth that example which I alleged out off the ix. off Nombres / off those who were put over unto the second monethe before they might eat the Passover.

Touching which kind off punishment / all though there be nothing expressly mentioned and commanded in the gospel / yet seeing it is commanded in the fifth off Matthew / that he at whom a brother is offended / bringing an offering to the altar of the lord should leave his offering there and goo first and be recōc • led to his brother / how much more ought this to be done / where the Anger hath been so hot / that it hath broken out into reprochefull and contumelious words / and such as our Savior manifestly declareth to be such as the Counsel off the church hath to deal with? that is to say / That they be commanded to abstain from the altar off the lord / until they be reconciled with there brother who is offended. For otherwise If without reconciliacion they offer there gift / the offringe is profaned and they that do such things / are giltye off great offense / and for a small fauit that was made before / have now committed a great and a heinous trespass. For so the law threateneth to that unclean person / that durst touche the holy flesh / and eat of the sacrifices / that he should surely pay for it / and that no other sacrifice should serve to take away his sin̄e / but evē his own blood: As also our Savior Christ threateneth in the gospel / that they which reconcile not them selves / shall surely pay for it / even to the uttermost farthing. And S Paul saithe that they that drink and eat the Lord's body unworthily / eat and drink there own damnation.

Seeing thē it is so and that the lord is so grievously displeased with the neglectinge off these dewties / and profanation off his holy mysteries / Seeing also that those men thē selves who do thus boldly profane them / do make them selves gilty by this means of more grievous judgment and condenmnatiō / this part off discipline also being no less necessary then the other / which we want now to long time / is to be restored again: and the keepinge off it to be as much esteemed / as we esteem and set by the heavy judgments of god / and his wrath punishinge and reuēginge the prophanatiō of his holy mysteries.

For let no man here object unto me the Bishops Consistory / and the Officiall / and Cōmissarie giving charge from the Bishop to be recōcyled and punishinge by the purse such as do offend / as if we wanted not those things that I say we want / for all those are but toys and trifles / which seeing it hath abolished the lawful man̄er of taking away off offenses / appointed by our Savior Christ to be kept in his church / what hope can we look for / to have any wholesome remedy by these means off so dangerous diseases? Therefore Let there be a lawful Counsel establyshed in the church / and Let them use that authority / which they have appointed them off the Lord / for the thrustinge back off Profane and unclean persons / off the keepinge chaste and pure the service off god / off taking away off offenses / and prouidinge off meet remedies for every fault and transgression.

Now remaineth the other parte touching excommunication / a large point and off great weight and use in the church: but so much the more foully abused as the right use off yt / is good and profitable. But as I purposed / touching only those faults which are committed in our discipline in this behalffe / I will omit all other: and first off all I pass over them who take away all use off excommunication / and contend that it is not necessary in a Christian church. For our men who retain yet still such a kind off excommunication as they have received from the papists deny not that there is some use off yt / but rather contrarilie do prove it to be necessary thinking it better to use this being as yt wer a leaden sword / then none at all. Althoughe / that which shall be alleged by me out of the Scriptures touching the lawful use hereoff / shall be sufficient to cōnfute them also / who do deny any use off yt at all.

Excommunication therefore is a sentence given by the Assembly off the Elders / whereby the party that is convicted off some grievous crime and offense / and can by no means be brought to repentannce / being first forbidden to come to the lords table / without prescription off any other certain time then off his repentance / is driven out from the church / and cut off from the communion and felowshippe off the faithful.

This part of Ecclesiastical censure as also the first were translated unto us from the Jews. For the church off Christ / in all this matter off discipline hath received all hir laws and decrees from the Jews: for as it hath been shown before / It is plain and manifest / that our Savior in the xviij. off Matthew alluded to the manner off the Jews / because that otherwise his speech should have been very obscure / and such as no man had bē able to understand. But this appeareth most manifestly by the excommunication off the blind man in the ix. off John / and by the xvij. off the same Gospel / where Christ geuethe the Apostles warninge / that they should be excommunicate for his sake.

Some fetch the Original hereoff even from Adam whom the Lord cast out off Eden / and set an Angel at the entrye / who by shakinge the blade off a glistering sword fraied him from entering in / and suffered him / not to taste or touche that tree which was a Sacrament off life unto him. Suche a like thing also the Hebrew Interpretours observe off Cain / whom the Lord with a certain curse caste out off the Land where his Father Adam dwelt: which place was nere unto Eden / and had certain undoubted tokens off the presence and favor off god remaning in it. For that there was certeiteine place there wherein the sacrifices were offered / Ibn Ezra / doth learnedly note upon this where yt is said off Cain and Abel / that they brought there oblations to offer / which must needs be understood That they brought them to a certain place: and in the same chap. Cain complaineth / thathe is cast out from before the face of god. Furder also some shadow hereoff apperethe in the Leepers / who for there leprosye were cast out off the city.

And surely thos be no obscure and dark shadows / but plainly and lyuelie do represent unto us the nature off excommunication / if they be well and narrowly observed: which not withstandinge is set forth more plainly in the xvij. off Genesis where the lord institutinge the sign off circumcision / for a seal off the covenant made between him / and Abraham / and his seed / threateneth that the contemner off this sign / that shall refuse to be circumcised / shall be shut out from the covenant / and to be cut off from the people / with whom he had made his covenant / and to be esteemed as one that had been borne emonges the other profane nations.

Afterwards also this covenant being renewed with the Israelites under the law / as the promises were signed with moo seals / and as they were assured off them by moo means / So this cutting off which they call Carith is more often times threatened and mentioned: which / that yt was the same in the time off the law / that our excommunication is now / appeareth by that that the very forms of speakīg and the names thereof / are borrowed from it / and translated unto ours. For what other thing ys yt / to be an ethnik and a publican / by which kind of speaking Christ noteth excommunication and that also which is in the ix. of John / To be cast out off the Synagogue / and those manners off speaking used in this case by the primitive church / To be cast out from the Communyon off the faithful. To be banished. And to be, acompted strangers from the church, And that which Paul saith in the first to the Corinthes. chap. 5.2. That he may be taken out from emongs yow, and the 8. verse Put out that wicked man frō emonges yow / what other thing I say is declared in all these kinds off speaking / but that which is so often repeared in the law / To be be cut off from Israel & te be cut off from his people▪ Yea further / both our Savior Christ in the 18. off Matthew and the 8. verse / and S. Paul to the Galatians / and S Peter in the Acts / seme manifestly to allude / to this name off Cutting off.

That same also which is in the 9. off Nōbres where the lord threatening that he shall be cut of from his people that eareth off his sacrifice after yt was offered / saith / that his sacrifice shall profit him nothing / nor be accounted to him to take away his sin, but that his sin shall remain still upon his own head, & be punished upon him self, For so Ibn Ezra doth expound yt: or as man might peradventure turn the words and more fytlie / He threateneth / that such a one shall bear his own sin.

And that same also in the xviij. off Deuteronomye / where threatening the same cuttinge off / to the contemner off the Prophet which should be sent / I willl require, saith he, his sin at his hands: what other thing do these two kind off speeches signify / then the words off Bynding & not Forgiuing Synnes, which are used by our Savior Christ in the xviij off Matthew in this behalffe? Last off all doth not Saint Paul in his first epistle to the Corinthes and 5. chap. the 6.7. and 8. verses / seem to have taken the ground and foundation off that excommunication from that Cutting off, which is mentioned in the 12. off Exodus the 15. and 19. verses? And very properly and fitly to have translated yet thereunto? For whereas Moses had threatened that he should be cut of from his people / who duringe the seauē days of his Passover had any leaven in his house / but only sweet bread / Saint Paul making our whole life to answer to those 7. days off the Passover / and Christ to be our Paschal Lamb / the house to be the Assembly and Companye off Communicantes (as also some off the Hebrew interpretors expound yt) Sweate bread / to be sincerity and true the / and Leaven / to be malicioiusness and wikednes / seemeth he not I say to ground and gather herevppon / that that same Corinthian / who in the time off the feast off our true Passover had that leaven found in his house / that is to say had so grievously sinned after the profession off Christian Religion / was to be cast out off the church? And having changed a little the manner off Speakyng, / he addeth in the same place / that this old leaven was to be purged out from the church off God / which he calleth a new Lump and Sweet / or unleavened bread. Herebye therefore / as I think yt is plainly proved / both that the use offexcommunication hath been at all times necessary in the church / and also that is was first translated unto us from he Jews by Lord him self. And that yt was afterwards used by the Apostles and since the Apostles time even unto this age / in the church off God / Allthoughe myserablye depraved and corrupted in this later age wheruppon I conclude that it ought to be used in Christian churches when time and occasion doth serve.

Furder / it hath been declared hereby what excommunication is / and what the force and nature off it is namely that yt cutteth off from the church / (that is to say that company which professeth the true service off god) the party against whom such a sentence is given / and depriveth him from the blessed hope • ff the children off God and waiting for the promises / together with the signs and seals thereof: which both promises & Sacraments / are given to the church alone. So that by this / as it was in that most grievous sentence and condemnacion off the Romaines spoken off before / all the rightes privileges and freedoms off a citezin off the cyty off God / are clean lost and taken away / and so much the more grievous is this sentence to be esteemed / that whereas he that had lost his freedom in Rome might have been denyzed into some other free town or place: but he that loseth the freedom off this city / cannot be received as Denison into any other free state or common wealth / but being cast out off the kingdom off god is delivered to the kingdom off darkness and to extreme bondage / seeing there is no mean / but that he who is not off the one kingdom must be off the other as doth appear in the example to the Colossians.

Therefore our Savior Christ / declareth that by this sentence a man is pronounced to be an ethnick and a publycā which being spoken in respect off the Jews / is as as much as one should say now in respect off the Christians / a Panym a Saracene / or a Turcke. And Saint Paul / declareth it to be a delyuering to Satan: whereupon also we are commanded in the Epistle to the Thessalonians / that we have not to do with thē who are such / which Sentence the more grievous yt is / and how much more terrible this sword is / then that the Angel shaked before Adam to fear him with all: So much the more care and heed is to be taken here / against whom we pronounce such a sentence / against whom we draw out so sharp • n edged sword: lest that iff it be against and Innocent / or one that is not guilty off some heinous offense and unrepentant / we make our selves by prophaninge / the most holy and sacred Justice off god / gyltie off his heavy judgment and displeasure. Therefore this sword is to be handled and ruled by the word and commandment off the high Judge / and to be drauen out only against them / against whom he shall command it to be drauen / neither is so sharp a kind off surgerie to be used to the curing off the rest off the body / except yt evidently appere that some member be clean rotten / and putrefied.

Wherein lest we should offend by any error / certain express rules are given us / which do fully set out all the order whereby we ought to proceed in this case. For our Savior Christ declareth generally that everyone who shall be disobedient unto the church / exhorting him to acknowledge / and bewail his offenses / should be holden as an ethnick and a publican. And Saint Paul more particularly declarethe an heretic is be excommunicated / A schismatic / a Blasphemer an Idolater / or he that offendethe so grievously in manners that he is an incestuous person or a fornicator or guilty off any of thos crimes which are rehearsed in the first Epistle to the Corinthes the v. chap. and the xi. verse and to the Thessalonie in the ii. Epistle the iii. chap. and ii verse.

For although (as our Savior Christ most wisely and worthily handleth this matter in the xviij. off Math.) yt be better that one member be cut off then that all the body do perish / yet where the case is concerning the cutting off / off some part off our body / or off pulling out the eye / we ought to considre first diligently / if there be any hope to recover yt again. if there be any medicine that may do yt good: if the public fast off the church as a certene spiritual diet off the whole body may remedy it: finally wither yt be altogether putrefied and rotten / so that the part must needs be plucked away or cut of that the rest of the the body may be preserved before we suffer yt to be pulled out or cut off from the body. Yea futhermore although it plainly appeerethe to be putrefied / and that the sore be altogether desperate and past hope of remedy / yet notwithstanding we ought not to mayme the body / or put out the eye / although that part and member be become vnproffitable / nay although yt be hurtful and and noisome to the rest / without great grief and sorrow off the whole body / nor without sense and feelinge / and natural compassion off so great a myserie.

In which behalffe / as the Papists were wont most grievously to offend when as for every light cause / and even for not payinge the Officiall or some Officer off his court some shillinge or two or other dewties / men that were otherwise very honest and godly had both other sentences / and even this most grievous emonges all / given against them. So that to this day this notable corruption off this divine Justice is not corrected nor amended: But even as yt was wont to be in time off darkness / matters off lest weight and importance are punished with those grievous and fearful sentences. But seeing that the Edge both off the other sentences and also off this which is most grievous / is the commanndement off god / and that not only one off the Bishopps officers / but all men alive are not able to cut off from the church / whom Christ from heaven doth quicken which his spirit as a member off. his body / there is no cause why any man should fear that sentence / as if it were this thunderbolt which I have described.

But as there hath been fault into much lightness and rashenes / and pronouncinge so heavy sentences without just cause / so there hath been no less fault in this / that by negligence this wholesome seuerytie when just cause and occusion requireth / is not executed. For that means being taken away which the Lord would have exercised in his church and whereby offenses are to be provided for / and the whole authority translated from the consistorye and company off the Elders / to the Bishop and his court / where the Pastor must come to plead / if he will heart from the communion such as are to be put back by the word off god the holy mysteries off god are with great lycence and without any punishment daily profaned / the holy things are prostituted and set open to Adulterers / fornicators / drunckerds / and all kind off vicious and sinful livers / and (which our Savior forbiddethe) precious stōnes are cast before hogs / and swine. And the holy mysteries not only profaned by taking away off this means whereby they might be kept from thes pollutions and propanaciōs but the church also is brought into an undoubted danger / For as much as it is to feared / lest that the rest off the body be infected with the same contagion: and even they them selves who be such / heap and doble their condēnation / for that they dare take in hand to be so bold though come in such sort unto the lords table.

For besides that the worship and service off god is preserved and kept chaste / pure / and undefiled by this severity / the whole church also and even the parties them selves who are guilty are best by this means provided for. And that the church is thus preserved / the Apostle plaīlie showeth whereas willing them to cast out the leaven / he giveth them warninge / that the whole lump is sone soured with a little leaven. And that this also doth appertain to the benefit and safety off the gilty parties S. Paul showeth / noting this to be the end off deliueringe the incestuous man unto Satan / that his sowle might be saved in the day off the Lord. And again where he saith / that they ougt to be contented with that correction which had been done / lest that peraduētur the party should be swallowed up with to much grief. Whereby we see / that this a medicine / rather then a deadly punishment: a sharp and bitter medicine in deed / But we must remember that no remedy is so grievous as that which is most healthful and wholesome.

Seinge therefore excommunication hath so profitable / necessary • od wholesome uses in the church / let it be restored to us again and established in such sort as ys described by the word off God / Let the holy Sacraments off god be carefully kept from all pollucion and and prophanacion / Let the leaven be purged and cast out off the church / that we may be a new lump as we are unleavened and sweet bread as the Apostle witnesseth. Let us procure diligently the health off those members which be in danger / that we enter not lame / and maimed / but whole into that life / which by the word off God we hope for. Let the Angel off God therefore / be set at the gate off Eden / that with his sharp and glistering sword he may keep back all polluted and unclean persons from tastinge or touching off the tree off life. Let the safety off the church be procured and sought for by this kind of purgation / and the amendemēt off such as go astray / by these remedies: sharp in deed and unpleasant but wholesome notwithstanding and profitable.

Thus in those two kinds or sortes / all manner off kinds off Ecclesiastical discipline and remedyinge off offenses / is contained: unless some man think good that / that execration be added which S. Paul denounceth and threateneth in the first to the Corinthians and the last chap. against all those who love not the Lord Jesus: and to the Galatians against such as preach any other Gospel: which S. Jude out off Enoch seemeth to thunder against all the wicked. Which iff any man so take and refer to excommunication / Saint John seemeth to allude to the necessary use off excommunication in the church / were (as it seemeth out off Zacharias who had prophesied that in the kingdom of Christ there should no more be any Canaanite in the Land) he declareth that in this cyty which he describeth in the xxij. chap. there should no more be any accursed thing / as also in the xxj. chap. and xxvij. ver. and the 22. chap. the 25. ver. he alludeth to the same thing / whereas he say that no profane or abhominable thing / no dogs / inchaunters fornicators / • c. shall enter into the cyty.

But that seemeth to be more then a Medicine / and to be rather a sentence off death and a threatening off the last Judgment without hope off forgyuennes: And some think yt agreeth rather to the vices them selves then to any certain persons: as also the Apostle denounceth thē not against certē men but generally against the wicked and reprobate. Althoughe the primitive church pronounced this sentence even against certē mē / as Socrates declareth in his history / that Nestorius was accursed by the church men / which curse / saith he we Christians are wont to call the sentence that is pronounced against a blasphemer / when as iff it were graven upon some pille • / we publish this sentence to all the world. Which iff we take in this sense / yt seemeth so to answer to excommunication / as Destruction. Which the Hebrews call Abaddon / doth answer to that excision and cutting of which they call careth / Which hath been spoken off before. Touching which Destruction the Hebrew interpretours confess that they know not certainly what it is / yet they do prove plainly that it is another kind off punishment distinguished from the other / and off more grievous and certain destruction.

And let thus much suffice to have been spokē of the chief and sovereign authority off the Assembly off the Elders in the government off the church: whereby we may see by which of the three states of lawful government (which are / where one is sovereign / or more / or all) the church is governed. For as much as the state and kind off government / is esteemed off the sovereign whither he be one / moo / or the commynaltie / Therefore for as much as all things are ordered and governed by the authority off certain chosen men who are chief in the congregation in godliness and vertewe / we may call the government off the church / Aristocratie that is / that government and state wherein a few off the best do bear the rule: or rather Theocratie that is the government off god / seeing that they have no authority to do anything but by the word and commandment off god.

But these chosen and picked out mē / do so exercise this authority / that they do well understand they execute no civil nor politique government / but that they so rule over the people off god: that there be no violence nor tyranny used: or such like / as commonly is used in that state / which degenerating from the government of a few off the best / cometh to a few off the richest: but that they adjoin also to there own authority (especially in matters off great weight as in choosinge / or deposinge off any Ecclesiastical Officer / or in suspendinge or excommunicatinge any man) the consent and agreement off all the people. For we read it to have been thus done / evē frō the Apostles times until that Discipline was corrupted / as appeareth in the Acts off the Apostles written by Saint Luke / and the Ecclesiastical history off the primitive church. So that in this respect yt seemeth that the church is governed rather by all / then by a few. And therein to resemble that state off government wherein the cōminaltie is the chief. Which society must needs be governed by a heavenly order / for it is the best state off all whereas all these three meet in one kind off government: as both Plato thought and Aristotle and the other chief and excellent Philosophers: that state I say / wherein all the cytezins obediently submit them selves to god which commandeth / as king and monarche / and the assembly which decreeth by his will and authority / where also the assembly decreeth no weighty matter without the consent and approbacion off the rest off the church and people.

Neither is this the manner of government off parish churches only / but the same is also kept where more churches are either for that they be nigh togeether / or because they are all subject to the same Magistrate / or for there common profit and commodty / join togeether / and make as yt were one body. For off this sort also be all the assemblies which are gathered for the government off the church: both those which are called Conferences and Synods wither they be less Synods / such as they were wont to have twice a year in every province / or greater which are gathered to geether by the authority off any one whole kingdom / free state / or common wealth: or ells off mo kingdoms and countries. For the souerantie allwais reserved unto Christ by whose word all things are governed as in a Monarchy / The counsel or Assembly off Elders as in the second state off government which I described before / decreeth by common counsel and authority / that which is for the wealth and commodity off the church: the people with all good will allowing off the godly just and honest determinacions off the Assembly / or making them void and off none effect / if they be not such / as in the last ststate wherein the people hath to rule and govern.

Off which Assemblye both Conferences and Synods of both sortes / although many things might be said very necessary and profitable for the use off our church / to which nothing could be more profitable then these assemblies being so used as they are appointed to be used by the word off god and used by other purer and better reformed churches (as contrariwise nothing doth more hurt then these Synods visitacions and convocations / which are come into there places / which as we use them are full off infinity abuses wherein almost no other thing is talked of or detreed but of square cappes copes and surplises / what fashiō the ministers gown and cloke must be off an such like trifles) yet seeing this hangeth off that which hath been already spoken off the government off particular churches / and the more full handling off those things may be taken out of the learned writings of some off our days which have lately writē / touching this matter / passinge this thus briefly over / let us return again to the assembly and company off Elders / which seeing I have declared both to have been instituted by our Savior Christ and to be very necessary for the preservation off the church / because that thereby controversies are ended / offenses are taken away / the church being purged is delivered from the fear off the punishment off god / the Sacraments are kept holy and undefiled / finally all things are done seemly and orderly as the Apostle commandeth to be done in the church off god / By what subtelty off Satan and negligence of our selves are our churches bereaved off so singular and heavenly a benefit? can any mā deny but that Christ hath thus appointed that this assembly should thus govern in his church? iff there be any man that can deny it / Let him tell us what the meaning ys off thes words / Tell the Assembly in the xviij. off Matthew: or what keys / that is to say what power off opening and shutting off heaven / off bindinge or losinge sin our Savior speaketh off in that place: Or what that Assembly off Elders is which Paul in his Epistle to Tymothy speaketh off: or what Elders they be that he speaketh off in the chap. following. And Peter likewise in his Epistle / who they be that to the Corinthians he calleth governors. To the Thessalonians Rulers and Ouersers: And who they be whom the Apostle to the Hebrews saith / to be set over the congregation unto whom he willeth them to be obedient / and to submit them selves: And who they be also whom Saint Luke in the Acts calleth the Elders off the church off Jerusalem and off Ephesus? would they have us prove that it is necessary? Let them teache us contrary to that which our Savior Christ hath given us warning off) that yt is not necessary that offenses should arise: or ells show some better means how to redress them or take away when they be risen / then that which our Savior hath appointed / which is to be exercised by the Assembly: Let them show it to be a needles care to keep the Sacraments impolluted and undefiled? or iff they confess yt to be needful / let them teache us some better way to do yt by then that which our Savior Christ hath taught us already.

For I think there is no man off any sound Judgment / that will say / That which we use now is fytter for this purpose: that is to say / that one Bishopp and he not oftentimes by him self / but by his Chancellor and he by his Surroga • e / should take him so self all this authority / alone rule / as he listeth / in stead off a lawful Assembly off Elders / who by common counsel and authority should govern the church For as I declared before the Bishop took upon him the office off Deacons / that they being taken away he might distribute the church goods all alone / and how after also taking upon him t • e office off the Elders / when he had likewise thrust ou • them / he took upon him alone all the care off the church: So here also he hath abolished the whole Assembly that he alone may be asked Counsel off / he alone may have knowledge / judge and determine off all matters. For he spreadeth him self over all the body / even as the eye which S. Paul speaketh off in the first to the Corinthes: For as the eye will have no ear nor hearing in the body / no nose nor smellinge / no hands nor fealinge / finally nothing but the Eye and seeing / So the Bishop cutteth off the Deacons / as the hands from the body / taketh away the Elders who do necessarily serve to smell out and understand many matters / abolisheth the Assembly / as if he should stop up the ears which are appointed for the hearing off controversies / and fynallie hath destroyed the whole body / whiles he will have yt nothing but an eye: neither will suffer either the Deacons or the Elders / or the Assembly / to do anything but only himself to hear handle and deal / with all manner matters. But what a body is this which is nothing but an eye for as the Apostle saith / The whole body is not one member but many: And if there be nothing but an eye / then where is the smellinge? where is the hearing? where be the hands? and where be the other partes / Surely God made the body otherwise / appointed to every member his office and function. Neither can the Bishopp say unto the Deacon no more then the Eye unto the hand that he hath no need off him / seeing we see Apostles who were the clearest Eyes which ever were had need off the Deacons help. Muche less can I say that he hath no need off the Elders / or off the whole assembly.

Neither durst the Bishops arrogate thus much to them selves in the beginning / but by little and little / as Ambition / and dysyre off bearinge rule did increase in them / and the care off the church did decrease in there fellows / at the last they came to this unspeakable pride. Wherunto this was the first step / when as the name off a Bishopp which is common to all other ministers and there fellows / as yet appeerethe in the xx. off the Acts began to be attributed to one alone / who was chosen by the rest to this end that he might propound the matters which were to be handled unto the Assembly / and gather the voices / and bear as yt were that office which the Consul did in the Senate off Rome. But as yet he was chosen by the rest / and that not forever but for a time: And although he had the honor off the name / yet for other things he used no private authority neither toke unto him self anymore giving off voices or determyninge off matters / then any off the rest / he contynewed still in the common care and chardge off all the Assemblie / to watch and over see the flock / and was careful also off his own particular dewty / to preach and to teache the people / neither pretended the charge off the common care which he had with the rest / to make yt a cloke for his ydlenes and to live at ease and leave his proper and peculiar charge off preaching / but kept still his own church / as his standing upon the wall / so that yet hither to everything But only the Arrogatinge off the name off Bishopp unto him self was tolerable. But afterwards when as by the negligence and ignorance off Bishopps and ministers / there were but a few / who were meet to handle such matters / and many were unlearned / some also idle / and negligent / and cared not for the church / then began this authority and charge touching the Discipline off the church / to be almost wholly given unto one: which occasion Ambition took / and seeing the time to serve so fit for the purpose / hoised up the sails unto honor: So yt became a perpetual office / whereas before they were chosen unto yt for a time: And all matters were governed and ruled by one man's Authority alone / and no more by the voices off his fellows / and off the Assembly.

But afterward / that darkness encreasinge / and covering all the church / when as few fit Mynisters were to be found not only in one town or city / But in some whole country or province / the Tyranny grew greater and increased still / and brought under the subjection off one man / all the churches which were in a whole Dioces: wheruppon the charge off a particular and as we will call yt a parish church / was shaken off under pretence off this great burden off the oversight off so many churches: So that they left unto them selves no more off the true office off a Bishop and ministry then that served for there honor / that is / they reserved only so much / that they might speak to the people / where / and in what church / and when they would.

Thus they usurped all the authority off the Assembly yea over the Assembly / ruling them as they listed / choosing and putting out whom they would / until at the last the Assemblies were clean taken away / and the churches off every Dioces / had Lord's set over them. But ambition which as the flame or fire / goeth vpwardes still / and cannot be kept with in any bands / stayed not thus in Dioces and small provinces / But ascended up to greater / from whence come our Metrapolitanes who were called Archbishopps (and first begann that Authority to be given them in their name / which in deed they had usurped before / Then from the greater provinces and Archebishoprickes they came higher / to the rule off all the churches in a whole kingdom / whervppon they wer called primates. Then the whole church thorough out the world was ruled by a Quadrumvirat / that is by four / who had the chief charge off all the world / and were called Patriarchs / until at the last Antychrist by thes stairs went up to the throne off god / and sat him down in the midst off the church / as Paul had prophesied / and boasted him self as god.

This is the true history off the confusion off Ecclesiastical offices: This was the cradle and the beginning off the Ambition off church men: Thus they grew forewardes up and increased: whereby iff we perceive all things to be so out off order / that the state off the whole body is to be feared by yt / Let us at the last give warninge to our Prymat / to our Metropolitans / and to our Lord Bishops / that if they think yt a shameful and an ambytious thing / and vnbesceminge the modesty off the servant off Christ and off a true Pastor / for the pope to take the Authorytye off General Counsels / and to suffe nothing to be done nor decreed in them but what he only doth or alloweth / that I say / if they think this shameful in the pope to do to general Counsels / they would not play the petipopes in Conuocations or provincial Synods / and taking away the liberty off the Ecclesiastical Synods and Assemblies / rule / govern / and appoint all alone by tyranny / lest they seem not to have desired to deliver the church clean out off Bondage / but only to change the master / and to make it become subject unto them / and to have sought only that we should have no foreign popes / not that we should have none at home / or none altogether / and rather to have abhorred the pope off Rome / then the popedom yt self.

Let them remember at the last / that they have as great need (iff they do there dewties) off the help off Deacons as the Apostles had: Let them remember that the body would be destroyed / if there were no member in yt but the eye: And that church in like manner wherein no man beareth any office but the Bishopp: Let them remember that god hath so made the body / that there is a marvelous necessary use off the diverse members thereof: which variety off partes and members must needs be preserved / if we would have the body whole / healthful and strong. Let this infinite Ambition and desire off rule / and off medlinge with every thing that is in the Lord Bishops / be corrected: Let the Consitory and Assembly off the Elders being so necessary and so profitable for all the affairs off the church / be established: wherein they may have indeed / the first place in respect off the worthiness off there office / S that they leave the second to the Doctors and the third to the Elders. For the church perceive the howe hurt full a thing yt is / that they should take all unto them selves and can bear yt no longer / perceiuinge well that the shameful prophanacion off the Sacraments / the manifold and intolerable abuses off excommunication / which is the highest Justice off the church / and other innumerable evils flow and springe from no other fountain then from this pride off the ••• and busy meddling / very hurtful and dangerous / for the state off the church. And thus much off Ecclesiastical officers / off whom because I have spoken more at large / how they ought to be appointed / for that in the appoyntinge off them Ecclesiastical discipline doth in a manner wholly consist / I will recompense yt with the shortenes off that part which followeth: which is touching the duty off all the Saints and faithful.

Under the name off the Saints are contained all the rest off the church / which do not exercise any public office or function therein / whose duty as in all other societies ys only this / to suffer them selves willingly to be ruled and governed by those / whom god hath set over them whereunto there is a short / but a notable and pithy exhortation off the apostle to the Hebrews: wherein he exhorteth them and by them all other churches / to obedience unto them who have the oversight off thē / that they may give up their accōpte of the charge off souls which they have taken in hand with joy and comfort / and that they may readily and with good courage / bear for the churches sake / all such labor / grees / cares / and sorwes as are joined unto there offices.

Neither let Magestrates think (although in respect off there civil authority the church be subject to them) that in this behalffe / they are to be exempted from this precept and commanndement off the Apostle / who chargeth everyone to be subject to those who in Lord are set over them / for seeing they ought to be careful as well off the salvation off the Magystrate as off others / and that the sowle off the magystrate / as well as of the rest / is committed to their charge. They must also as well as the rest submit them selves and be obedient to the just and lawful authority off the Officers off the church. For seeing they not only rule by the authority off Jesus Christ / but in a manner do represent his person / seeing they rule not as they / them selves list according to there own will / but only according to this word and commandment / Is it not meet that even kings and the highest magystrates should be obedient unto them? For yt is meet that all the princes and Monarchs off the world should give up their scepters and crowns unto him / whom god had made and appointed the Heyre off his kingdom and Lord off heaven and earth.

I might allege hear out off the histories off all times diverse examples off godly princes who submitted them selves to the order and government off the church appointed by god. Who although as touching this life they did rule and govern / yet they despised not the discipline and correction off the Lord / I might name out off the most ancient history and holy Chronicles off the Hebrews / king Azarias who although he proudely and boldly usurped the priesthood / yet when he was stryken by the Lord with a Leprosy / and was therefore cast out of the temple and separated from the common society off men by the high priest according to the law which God had made therein / He obeyed the priest cōmandinge / according to God his word / and letting his son rule is his stead passed the rest of his life in solitariness alone by himself.

Amonges the Christian Emperors / although there be many worthy examples which now a days Princes may set before them to follow / yet those two which the ecclesiastical story reherseth off Philipp the first Christian Emperor and off Theodosius contain a singular example above the rest off godly subjection: whereof the one being commanded to abstain from the Sacraments until he had first professed him self to be a penitent (for that he had committed certain faults) and had made open protestacion off his Religion (for that he was suspected) He willingly obeyed the Bishopp or rather the word off god: And both protested openly his grefe and srowe for the sins he had committed / and professed before all the church his faith and Religion.

The other that is Theodosius / being not admitted by Ambrose into the church / into the which he would have come / did likewise so willingly obeie / that prostratinge him self upon the ground and pavement off the temple / in the sight off god and his Angels and all the church / following the meekness off David reprehended off Nathan) declared the wūderfull sorrow which he had for his wicked fact and the slaughter committed at Thessalonica by his commandment rehersing these words out off the Psalm. My soul did clean unto the pavement. Therefore all the faithful and even the princes and magistrates them selves ought to be subject to the word off god / and to Ecclesiastical Discipline: and then is the church in flourishing estate / when both they / who bear rule / do commannd according to gods word and the • who be subjects do willingly obey.

But the Magistrates have this proper and peculiar to them selves above the rest off the faithful. To set in order and establish the state off the church by there authority and to preserve and maintain it according to godds will being once established Not that they should rule the Ecclesiastical matters by their authority / for this belongeth unto Christ alone and to him he hath committed this charge / but for as much as the Apostle teachethe / that they are appointed off God / to the end that we may live a godly and a peceable life / and that the kings off Israel by the apointement off god had charge to see the execution off all the law / they ought to provide / and see that the service off god be established as he hath appointed / and administered by such as ought to administre the same / and afterwards preserved in the same simplicity and sincerity undefiled.

In which so worthy an office / Godly Princes now a days may choose out of the holy history many patterns to look upon and to follow / as David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Josiah, Zerubabell, and others / whose labor was famous and notable partly in apointinge the order off religion according to the word of god and the voice of the prophets / partly in restoringe yt again / after it had been decayed. By religion I understand / not only the doctrine which we profess / touching the manner off serving god / and the obteininge of our saluaciō by his sonē but also the manner of gouernīge the church / of apointing the Officers thereof / off correctīge and taking away off offenses: which all / those most noble worthies did trewlie and according to the will off god judge to belong to the office and dewty off the magistrate.

Whose worthy examples / O most noble Queen Elizabeth, iff as your Majesty hath well begun̄ / so yow do continue to follow / I hope surly / that for the godly disposition thereof / both your honorable nobility and many notable and famous men off the Ecclesiastical degree / and even the whole Parliament will be ready to further / your Graces godly purpose: which bote the scriptures do witness to have happened to David Solomon and other Religious Princes and famous / (even for Religion and reformacions sake) in the like cause: And we have also seen to have happened unto your Majesty not without the divine and marvelous providence off god at the abolishing off popery in the beginning off your reign. Especially your Highnes right honorable Counsellers / and chosen by your Majesty unto the bearinge off the chiefest offices in your realm / will further this noble enterprise who everyone / will choose unto him self some worthy pattern out off the godly courts off those noble kings for him to follow: in this behalffe: and some man peradventure Eliachim / great steward off king Hezekiah house. Some other Shaphan Chan̄cellor in Josiah time: other the honorable Secretaries off king Solomon: And the rest some other off the godly officers in David's and Solomon's courts: finally all off them choosinge to them selves some such patterns to follow in all virtue and Religion / will strive which off them shall be most foreward to promote your Graces godly decrees and purposes.

Seeing then that all will be so ready. O most noble Queen fynishe and make perfect now at the last with the ready will and consent off all your Highenes subjects / this heavenly work off the service and Religiō off god which your majesty hath begōne / and that not only by the example of these excellent and famous kings / whom I have set before your eyes / but also by the example off your Graces most noble Father Henry the viii. off most famous memory / and off the most godly prince Edward the vi. your Highnes brother / that in the same family wherein the praise off religion and reformacion begann to florishe / yt may be also perfected and finished by your majesty. For these are almost the special praises off your Highnes house and progeny / To banishe Idolatry / and to set up the true service off god: whereby / the one / that is to say the abolishinge off popery / we owe in a great parte to your highness most noble Father / the other / that is the restoringe off true religion / first to your Highnes most worthy brother that godly Prince Edward the vi. and after also to your majesty / who as yt is written off the good king Hezekiah opened unto us again the doors off the temple of the Lord which had been shut and closed up before / erected up his altars again / which had been beat̄ down / and lighted again the clear lamp off the word off the Lord which had been put out. Which Princely vertewes off your Highnes most worthy house iff your majesty crown with restoringe off lawful discipline unto the church / which yet remaineth / Then shall our church of England most worthily acknowledge to have received hir full liberty and perfect restoringe again next after god / only to that most noble house whereof your Highnes is: And confess to have found most true in that one famous house off Tedder hir estate / that worthy prophesy off Isaiah. Kings shall be thy foster fathers & Queens thy Nurces. which I pray God move your Graces heart to perform to the honor off his most holy name / the edifying off this our church off England and the discharge off your Highnes dewty unto both and last off all to the longe and prosperous continuance off your majesties reign over us.

Thus now the lawful and true discipline hath been described: which government of the church off Christ as off the Lord's house / who so ever diligently and attentively consider / shall easily perceive a marvelous heavenly wisdom to shine in all the government of the same. And so much the more merveilous then was the government off the house and court off Solomon / weroff mention is made in the holy history off the kings / as he is wiser then Solomon / who did appoint all the order and manner off the ordring off it. For wither we consider the ordres and degrees off Officers / or there orderly sitting down / or the diverse ornaments and apparel off everyone / according to his diverse estate and degree / we shall see / that nothing could be wisely invented nor disposed with Judgment and reason either forth preservation off the sure and safe estate off the church / or for beautifyinge and adorninge the estimation off the same / which is wanting in this government. For as touching the Officers / what necessary office is omitted and neglected? or what office needles and unnecessary is appointed? or what can be named more seemly and orderly then this appointinge off the offices? That those functions ceasinge which served but for a time / and were used extraordinarily in the first years off the reign off our Savior Christ for the establishing off his kingdom.

Ordinary and perpetual offices should be appointed in two sortes / whereof the first is such whereas every man hath his several charge. The other / where many have but one and the same charge which they execute by common counsel and Authority. Wheroff again the first sort consisteth in ii. kinds / of Bishopps (which expound and teache Religion and the service off god / that is Pastors ad Doctors ) and as many Deacons, (that is to say / Deacons & Elders / so called figuratively by names which are more general. Off whō some go watch over the life and conuersatiō off all the church / And the other are careful to help the necessities off widows / strangers / sick folk / and generally off all the poor: so that both all the house is sufficiently provided for / as well touching the purity off faith and doctrine / as the honesty and integrity off life and manners / and also the need and necessity off everyone particularly not neglected.

Then / the consistory or the Assembly off Elders which consistethe of the three first and chief Officers off the church / Pastors, Doctors, & Elders, have the chief care and charge off this commō wealth: to see that no office want his officer / and how faithfully everyone beareth himselfe in doing off his office / regarding all with one eye / how offēses may be avoided / and how they may be remedied when they do arise / As for the placinge off everyone in his degree how honest and orderly ys it? whereas all do generally reverence and respect the Assembly / for their Authority: And everyone knoweth his place and degree / and lifteth not him self / above his calling: But the Deacons sitting down in the lowest Roume / give place unto the Bishopps / who sitting as Stewards off the Lordshouse at the higher ende off the table / envy not other officers to sit together with them. And the Stewards also do so know them selves to bear the same office / that notwithstanding the Pastors go before / and the Doctors follow after: After whom next be the Elders / and in the last place the Deacons / sitting notwitstandinge at the Officers table.

As for every man's garments and apparel / howe seemly are they / how meet for there callings / and how precious and excellent? The common Araie off them all / is a certain godly and holy knowledge and profession off Religion / and an undefiled life and cōuersacion: wherewith being clothed / as with those white garments which Saint John mentioneth in his reuelacion they need no cloth off gold our such like costly apparel to set them out with all. Yet besides this common Aray / everyone carrieth the proper tokens and badges off his office: For the Bishopps as the kings stewards in stead off there staves / have sound knowledge of the scriptures / besides which the Pastors have also that mouīge and percinge speech / whereby they have both power and authority to strengthen and to terrefie / to comfort and to cast down again / as the Reye off opening and shuttinge / which Eliachim / great steward off king Hezekiah house / is described to bear upon his shoulder.

As for the rest off the Deacons their several signs and marks / are Diligence & Symplicitie: Which so marvelous government off the house off God / appointed by the most divine and heavenly wisdom / seeing it passethe above measure the order off Solomon's house with the love whereof the Queen off Saba was Rauished / the God off all mercy grant / that yt may much more rauishe our most noble Queen and hir right honorable Counselors with the love thereof then the other did the Queen off the Sowthe and hir Courtiers. For then shall we be all most happy who live in the church as in the court off Christ our true Solomon when we may allwais stand in his presence before him / and hear him speak being the wisdom off his Father: Then shall we confess that king Solomon doth reign in deed / and that all things are true which the Prophets prophesied touching his kingdom / when we see the church in this order / when we see the Ministers and officers thereof thus arrayed and appointed. For although as we say / the court is where the king is / So also the church is where as Christ is present: And although this be the chiefest end most principal / To hear the voice and wisdom off Solomon / yet it is not possible / that he should tarry any longe time in a place / that he appoint not and set in order his Court according to his heavenly wisdom.

It may be that in time of his progress / where he soiourneth but for a short time being ready by and by to depart again / that this whole order and government off his court can̄ot so well be seen and appear: but it cannot be that where he is purposed to dwell / and where he hath chosen a certain place to abide and continue in / that he set not all things in order according to his wisdom / meetest both for his state and majesty and for the perpetuity off his reign. For which cause I am the more a fraid / lest that he be come into England / as into some castle in the way off his progress for a small time unless this confusion and disordre which commonly followeth progresses be taken away / and a certain and sure order off gouerninge the church be established: for I cannot fully rejoice in the state off our church / until that I see both for religion sound faith and doctrine in Christ / and for discipline / a commely and meet order off gouerninge the church / which Saint paule reioised to see in the church off the Colossians. For the stable and perpetual state and condition off the church standethe upon these ii pillars.

Wherefore I most humbly pray and beseech all men that have any care to preserve and keep the kingdom off Christ emonges us / to deliver the true service and worship off God to our posterity / that to their power everyone would seek for this lawful discipline off the church which I have described and bo • he all seek to further yt with their good will and prayers / and especially the ministers by preaching and the Maiestrates by authority. As for me I bind my self as it were by this Obligation to god and to the church / that my labor and diligenc shall never be wanting in anything that may help and further by any means this reformation / which our Eyes dasell and our souls pyne away with so long looking and waiting for / which if I may once see / I shall think that parte off any life the happiest / wherein so great a benefit shall comme unto the church: but Iff I shall never see yt with mine eyes / yet I am glad / that I have seen the form and pattern off it already in my mind and left it to those that shall come after and so by the example off David and Ezekiel / whose condition was not unlike in this behalffe / and by the testimony off my conscience / that I have dischardged my dewty to my God / and to our church: I will rest and confort my self herewithal / in the want off that which with so great desyer I have longed for.

Certeine faults which might stay the reader corrected in this wise / the first number signifiethe the page the second the line.

Pag. 1. lie. 13. w. u. pa. 5. 27. l. r. i. o. p. 7. l. 2. aso r. was also. p. 8. l. • 5. r. z. p. 12. l. 2. R. for off, and. p. 14. l. 11. o. e. p. 16. l. 22 for destrouing, destroyng. p. 17. l. 14. for deuaded. r. divided. p, 18. l. 16. for ou. r. out. p. 22. l. 3. a. r. e. p. 25. l. 2. ministry. r. mistery. l 21. e y. p. 28. l. 31. conterwise. r. contrariwise. pag. 30. l. 10. authorie. r. authority. pag. 36. l. 34. a. y. p 37 l. 7. proinde. r. provide, p. 38. l. 16. o. r. p. pag. 41. l. 3. s. r. f. p. 48. l. 9, but used. r. but that they used. p. 48. l. 35. noir, read none. p 51. l. 28. taky. r. take. p. 56, l. 7. n. u. l. 22. bey r. be. p: 61. l. 2. youg r. young. l. 35. guyftes r. gifts. p. 63. l. 35. describeth r. described p. 66. l. 21. anto r. into. p. 69. l. 22. gifts r. gifts. p 70. l 36. n. u. p. 75. l. 29. there, r the. p. 76. l. 7. his, r. this. p. 79. l. 20 horable. r. honorable. p. 80. l. 32 Bishprik, r. Bishopprike. p. 82. l. 13. te, be p. 86. l. 29. figgas, r. figs. p. 89. l. 23. or, r. our. p. • 1. l. 30. for see, r. foresee l. 36. add guided p. 95. l. 29. immunerable, r. innumerable. pa 110. 23. couetones, r. covetousness. l. 35. u, y. p. 113 l. add saith. p. 120. l. 12. m, u. l. 28. do r. doth. pag. 134. l. 30. nome, r. none. p. 139. l. 4. with, r. which, p. 144 l. geowing, r. growing. p. 147 l. 30. cmo, r. come. pag. 160. l. 25. Hebries, r. Hebrews. l. 26. consell, council. p. 16 • . l. 16. anor, r. nor. Pag. 164 l. 17. c • omunicating, r. communicating. l 19. ithem, r. them. pag. 167. l. 21. selves, r. selves. pag. 172. l. 9. uff. off. pag. 175. l. 13. though, r. to. l 33. aod, r. and. p 176. l. 29. say, r. saith. pag 183. l. 35. vnbesceminge, r. vnbeseming. pag. 185. l. 20. grees, r. griefs. l. 35. this, r his. pag. 186. l. 30. srowe, r. sorrow. pag. 188. l. 12. bote, r. both. pag 189. l. 27. put owt (h •• estate.)