THat vvhich in regard of my pri­uate safetie and quietnes (right Ho­norable and worshipful) I am bound before the Lorde to performe, the same hath the credite and good re­port of the cause of God, in the pro­moting whereof, by his great and vnspeakable mer­cies, I haue bene employed whether I woulde or no, at this present enforced me to accomplish. The care of procuring mine owne safetie (by al lawful waies) from the dangerous attempts of those that seek no­thing els, but mine vtter ouerthrowe and vndoing: nature it selfe, and especiallie Gods ordinance hath layed vpon my shoulders. The burthen whereof I cannot reject, vnlesse I would shew my selfe on the one side, more vnnaturall then the bruite beastes, which will neuer be guilty of their owne dammage for the most part, if they see any way to auoide the same: and on the other side, to correct Gods proui­dence in refusing to trie al the lawful means, which he hath ordained and appointed for the deliuerie of his children, out of the hands of their malicious e­nemies. But seeing vnto this care of my priuate safe [Page 2] gard, is also joyned the publike clearing of Gods e­ternall trueth, from all the slaunders, wherewith the iniquitie of mine aduersaries by my vnjust trouble would take occasion to staine the same: may not all men clearely see, that I am drawen into this action with a twofold coard (which as the wise man saith, is not easily broken) of vnanswerable necessitie?

The vnjust dealing of the Archb. of Canterb. & others of the high commission, is such towards me, and of a long time hath bin, as in the dayes of peace and publike tranquillity, of my gracious and dread soueraigne Queene ELIZABETH: I may nowe just­ly account my selfe, to be one, that in regarde of li­berty and quietnes, am vnjustly bereaued of the for­mer publique benefit. The cause why I enioy not the same is, that my conscience will not suffer me (whome the Lord of his infinite goodnes, hath en­lightened with the knowledge of the sauing trueth of his gospell) to beholde with silence, the lamenta­ble misery of soules, wherein my countrymen the inhabitants of Wales liue at this present, both in re­spect of their great ignorance and the greeuous de­formity of gods sanctuary among them. And I en­joy not the same, because vnto my small ability, I haue labored and doe labour to effect some redresse of their foresaide misery, by lamenting their case, shewing vnto them and your Hh. their griefe, toge­ther with the medicine, which the lord hath sancti­fied as his owne ordinance to cure such maladyes. An vnworthy president to be conueyed vnto poste­rities, that it should not be lawfull for a man in the time of knowledg, to lament the ignorance of his bretheren, in the time of the sauing health of mens soules, to withstand their violent perdition, in the [Page 3] time of Sions building, to lament and repaire the ruines thereof. And that in a state professing enmi­ty vnto the Romish religion, it cannot be safe for a man to speake against the fornication of that strum­pet and humbly to intreat, that the holy temple may be cleansed of all her pollution. And yet be­hold, such is my case for bewailing the spiritual bon­dage of my countrimen, for shewing vnto them the way whereby they might be restored vnto the glo­rious liberty of the sonnes of God, for crauing that they may be trained in this way, and for mocioning that gods holy sanctuary among them may be puri­fied, I am tested from post to piller, and permitted to haue no assurance of quiet aboade in any of her majesties territories and dominions, by the men a­forenamed, besides the injurious imprisonment, wherein heretofore they haue deteined me for this same cause. And to the ende I may truely acquaint you of the parliament with my troubles, and the true causes thereof, you are to vnderstand, that the beginning of these mens hatred towards me, did a­rise from the goodwill I beare vnto the glory of my God and the good of his church, and that the conti­nuance thereof, is for the same cause. For vntill such time, as the Lorde vouchsafed to vse me (most vn­worthie, I acknowledge from the bottome of my heart) as an instrument to motion the parliament, holden by prorogation, in the 29. yere of her Maje­sties raigne, in the cause of Gods truth, I was a man altogether vnknowne vnto th'Archb. or any other of the high commission, by whome I am now perse­cuted. My suite then vnto the parliament was, that the gospell of Christ might in a sauing measure, be made knowen and published amongst the inhabi­tants [Page 4] of wales, my deare & natiue countrimen. The equitie of this petition; I manifested in a published treatise, allowed to be printed by publike authority. The supplication, Master Ed­vvard Don­lee. together with the printed trea­tise, were preferred by a worshipfull gentleman of my countrie, being himself a member of the house, who also shewed the equitie of the petition, and in effect auouched the truth of that which in the trea­tise was set downe. The suit I was perswaded, would haue beene verie plausible in a christian state, and the parliament shewed no disliking thereof, though they sinned in the carelesse respect they had there­vnto. Th'Archb. and his associates were contrarie minded, they thought the enterprise to be intolle­rable. And yet was there no alteration of the esta­blished gouernment of Bishops at that time sought for. The dislike of the petitiō they did not conceal, and therfore presently dispatched their warrants to call in the printed bookes, and to enquire for the au­thor. The books in nomber about 500. togither with my selfe, were fastened vpon by the wardens of the Stacioners, M. Bishop and Denham, accompanied with Cole the Pursiuaunt, wherevpon being caried before the high commissioners, I was for enterpri­sing the former action, charged by th'Archb. owne mouth, not onely to be a factious slaunderer of her Majesties gouernment: but also to haue published flat treason and heresie in my saide treatise, I was threatned very bloodily, and reuiled vpon in a most vnchristian sort, with earnest protestation, that they woondered how I durst sollicite the parliament in that petition. See the cursed and outragious pro­phanenes of these, whom the Lorde hath in his just judgement giuen ouer to withstande the mightie [Page 5] power of his word! As though the matter were to be astonied at, that they should be more forward in hindring the cause of Gods glory, then meaner men should be to promote the same. If they had beene the true gouernours of Gods Church, they woulde haue shewed themselues the most earnest fauorers of that supplication. For it is well knowen, in what a taking the country of wales is, for want of the true knowledge of God. And assuredly they, who of in­tended mallice withstood that motion, shal one day feele the price and reward of their disobedience vn­to their neuer ending woe. VVell, mine offence in presuming to speake in the cause of God, oppugned by my betters, was accounted so haynous, as in close prison I must be kept 12. daies, at the keepers vtter­most perill. Before my departure from the commis­sion, vnderstanding their intent to commit me, I de­maunded the particuler cause why I was so hardlie dealt with. Answere was made, that they would ex­amine me againe and then I should know. After a moneths imprisonment I was deliuered without a­nie examination, or anye mention of the crimes of heresie and treason wherewith I had bene charged. And so vnto this daie, I remaine ignorant of anie ex­pressed cause wherefore, they either tooke away my books, or debarred me of my libertie, and readie by the grace of God, both to conuince the high com­mission of most injurious dealing in the premises, & to cleare my selfe of anie crime they can lay to my charge, whensoeuer, before you of this honorable assembly, or any other equall judgement seat they darebe tried with me.

Since the time of my release, I sawe my selfe bounde in conscience, not to giue ouer my former [Page 6] purpose, in seeking the good of my countrymen, by the rooting out of ignorance and blindnes from a­mong them. And as it pleased the lord to increase this my care, so haue mine aduersaries augmented their rage and fury towards me, and especially to the cause that I maintaine. This furye of theirs, at diuers times shewed by many of their instruments, did especially manifest it selfe on the 29. of Ianuary last. At which time one Richard Walton hauing a commission from the Archb. and others, wherein all her maiesties officers were chardged and com­maunded in her name, to assist the sayd VValton to make entry into all houses, shops, &c: to apprehend all those whome he should any waies suspect, and to commit them at his discretion vnto the next Gaol or prison, vntil farther order should be taken with them, came into the place of mine aboad at Northampton, ransacked my study, and tooke away with him all such printed books and written papers as he himself thought good, what they were as yet I cannot justly tel. And not contented to keepe him self within the immoderate limits of a larger com­mission, then as I thinke can be warranted by lawe, he offered violence vnto diuers persons, and threa­tened not only to breake open doores (hauing noe such commission) but also to vntile houses, vnlesse he could find me where in deed I was not. At his departure he charged the Maior of the towne, who then attended vpon him, to apprehend me as a trai­tor, giuing out that he had found in my study both printed bookes and also writings, which conteined treason in them. Whereas the bookes and wri­tings of geatest disgrace (evē in the sight of his master) which he could there finde, were, one printed [Page 7] coppy of the demonstration of discipline, and an an­swere vnto master D. Some in writing, both which he caried away with him. The treason conteined in either of those books, is no other then that which Amasiah the high priest at Bethel, found in Amos the prophet, Amos 7. euen the cleare words of truth not to be abidden in a corrupt state of a church I graunt.

Behold nowe my Lordes, and you the rest of this high court, the original and continuance of these mens enmity towards me. And judg whether I haue not greate reason, both for mine owne safety, and for the clearing of the cause wherein I stand, to vse this lawful meanes of Appelation vnto your Hh. and worships from their tirannous and vngodly dealing with whome neither mine owne innocency, nor yet the equity of the cause can any whit preuaile. They are knowne to be very mighty, and haue felt them very vnjust and tiranous. The only justice which I can expect from them, if I fall into their hands, is to be kept languishing in prison during their pleasure, and neuer suffered to come to the triall of my cause. If I hoped for any other measure, I should reason contrary vnto mine owne experience, against which no conceite ought to take place.

In consideration wherof, being now by the lords prouidence kept out of theire handes, and that in the time of the meeting and assembly of the highest councell of this kingdome, I doe in most dutifull & humble sort, make this my just appelation from the Archb. of Canterbury and the rest of his colleagues in commission, vnto you of the honorable and high court of parliament, humbly referring my selfe and my cause vnto your determination according vnto justice. My only suite and petition is, that either I [Page 8] may haue assurance of quietnes and safety, or that the causes of my trouble being laide open by mine aduersaries, I may receiue condigne punishment of mine offences. Where it may be seene that I craue no immunity, let me haue justice and that is all I craue. This in regard of your places you are bound to affoard me, If the high commissio­ners can justly charge me vvith anye crime, I doe them a great benefite, and greatly en­dammage my selfe, in ap­pealing vnto the parlia­ment. as in the day of judgment you shall answere before him vnto whome no vnrighteousnes is acceptable. I doe mine aduersaries no injury in appealing from them vnto you. For they may be as­sured of justice at your hands, if they will adueuture to pursue their suite. And me they cannot blame in repairing vnto you for judgment and equitie, see­ing from their tribunal seat, I am like to receiue no­thing else but gal and woormwood. If their cause a­gainst me be good, if it be strong, if it be to be em­braced, nowe let them not be ashamed to bring it out into the face of the sunn, here they may be assu­red of justice, without any suspition of partiallity. My reasons vsed in my last supplication vnto your Hh. against their gouernment are but a fewe, if D. Bridges, or any of their side can answere them, I wil grant my selfe to haue oppugned the truth, and soe wil destroie my selfe that which I haue built amisse, otherwise they shewe them selues to be but vphol­ders of a ruinous building, and the repairers of that which wanteth a foundation. They can not refuse you of the Parliament to be their judges, vnlesse ei­ther they think much to be tried by you, or because as it is in the prouerb, they which do euil hate the light.

They will it may be, alleage the prerogatiue of their commission to be very large, what then? doe they think, herby to haue libertie to oppresse whom [Page 9] they will, doe they thinke hereby to be aboue the parliament, whereunto al courts in the land are and ought to be subiect, and from whence the highe commission deriueth al the prerogatiue it hath? Are al courts, yea and al persons in the land subiect vnto the parliament only the Archb. and the high com­mission excepted? What else were this but for them to claime a forreine authority vnto them selues, and to begin after the manner of their predicessors, to shake of the yoke of the ciuil authoritie? Frō which suspicion as they would cleare themselues, so must they be content, to yeeld that the parliament may be the judges betwene vs. Except they be ashamed of their cause and their proceedings therein, they cannot possibly refuse this offer of just trial. And no reason they should, for they cannot pretend them selues either to be greater in power, or more for­ward in good wil to administer justice, then the R. honourable assembly of parliament is well knowne to be. Though I feare me R. honorable & worship­ful, that the Lord wil enter into judgment with you for the smal care you haue to yeld his sonne Christ Iesus his right in this kingdome.

If heere they should demaund by what authori­tie, either I may lawfully appeale from them, That I am bound to ap­peale and the Parlia­ment to re­ceiue mine Appellation. or by what obligation your honors are bound to giue eare vnto my complaint: although both be alredy shew­ed, yet a farther answere vnto both are to ensue as followeth. I appeale from them at whose handes I can receiue no equitie, Act. 25. by the same commission, that the apostle Paul and the prophet Ieremy ap­pealed vnto the ciuil magistrates from the vsurped and tirannical high priestes in their daies. Ierem. 26. 12. The ac­cepting of Paules appellation by Festus an heathē [Page 10] judg, and the deliuery of Ieremy by the princes of Iudah from the slanderous accusations and wrong­ful proceedings of the wicked priests and false pro­phets (besides many other vnanswerable reasons) do necessarily bind me to appeale, and the parlia­ment not to denie me the shadowe of their winges, vnder which I may be kept from the violence of mine enemies. when Festus willing to get fauour with the Iewes, vsed this speech vnto the apostle wilt thou goe then to Ierusalem and there be judg­ed of these things before me, Paul knowing that at Ierusalem the malice of his enemies would be more likely to take effect then else where, answered I stād at Cesars judgment seate, where I ought to be judg­ed. If I haue done wronge, or committed any thing woorthy of death, I refuse not to dye: but if there be non of these things true whereof they accuse me, no man can deliuer me vnto them, I appeal vnto Cesar, his appellation was receiued of the Pagan judge. Nowe my state being not in respect of danger, alto­geather vnlike the condition, wherein the holy A­postle was at this time, mine answere vnto the high commission is I appeale vnto the parliament, where I ought to be judged. If I haue done any wronge or committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to dye. The parliament wil not be partial in admini­string justice vnto me according to my deserts. But if there be nothing laied to my charge, but the de­fence of Gods cause, and the oppugning of impietie and corruption, no man ought to deliuer me into your hands, whoe care not whome you aflict in the maintenance of your owne kingdome, I appeale vn­to the parliament. I am in regard of my safety as ne­cessarily driuen therunto, as the Apostle Paul was ro [Page 11] appeale vnto Cesar, or rather more. For he might conceiue some hope of justice, when he was to be judged of Festus, who did not so mortally hate his cause as the high priest and others his accusers did, whereas I am to haue you for my judges, who also are mine accusers, and sworn enemies vnto the cause I appeale to the ciuil state, I hope by their meanes to be heard and deliuered from your tyrannie. As the prophet Ieremie was in the like case by meanes of the princes in his time. The high priests and pro­phets judged him wor [...]hie to die, the princes hea­ring his cause debated in their presence, deliuered him out of danger.

The whol action is set downe cap. 26. of his pro­phesie in these words. Now when Ieremy had made an end of speaking all that the lord had commaun­ded him to speak vnto al the people, Iere. [...]6. 6. 7. then the prists and the prophetes and all the people tooke him, It is no nevv thing to find the supposed pillers of the church to be the most pe­stilent ene­mies thereof and said thou shalt die the death. Why hast thou prophesied in the name of Iehouath, saying, this house shalbe like Shilo, and this city shall be deso­late without an inhabitant. And al the people were gathered against Ieremy in the house of the Lo [...]d. And whē the princes of Iudah heard of these things they cam vp from the kings house into the house of the Lord, and sate downe in the entry of the newe gate of the Lords house. Then spake the priests and the prophets vnto the princes and to al the people saying: this man is worthy to dye▪ for he hath prophesi­ed against this city as you haue heard with your eares. Then spake Jeremiah vnto all the princes and to all the people saying, the Lord hath sent me to prophesie against this house, & against this city al the things that you haue heard. therefore now amend your waies and [Page 12] your workes, and heare the voice of the Lord your god, that the lord may repent him of the plague that he hath pronounced against you. As for me: behold I am in your hands, doe with me as you think good & right: but knowe you for certaine that if you put me to death, you shall surely bring innocent bloud vppon your selues, vppon this City & vppon the inhabitants thereof: for of a trueth the lord hath sent me vnto you, to speake al these wordes in your eares. Then spake the princes & al the people vnto the priests & prophets: this man is not worthye to dye, for he hath spoken vnto vs in the name of the lord our god.

Let my cause now right Honourable, be weighed with the prophecy in this place, thereby it shal ap­peare vnto you, that necessitie is laied vppon me to appeale from mine aduersaries, and that yee are bound to heare my cause, by the example of these noble men. Jeremy was judged by his enemies wor­thy to dy, and I assure my selfe it was not their falt that he was suffered to liue. They wanted but pow­er and opportunity to dispatch him. They did what in them lay when they apprehended him, and ad­judged him woorthy to die for speaking against the State. The princes hearing the greeuousnes of his accusation, thought them selues bound to try out the matter, and sitting in judgment, heard the cause equally on both sides, and so cleared the prophet. Nowe had Ieremy done wel, if hearing the greuous accusations of his enemies, he would not haue taken th'oportunitie offered him by the lords prouidence to haue judgment at the hands of the princes? he had not out of question, or had the princes don wel in beleeuing th'accusations and slaunders of the prists and false prophets against him, and so in per­mitting [Page 13] the prophet to be debarred of his libertie, without any farther examination of the matter, or had they done wel in sitting stil, while the pore pro­phet and his mighty aduersaries tried out the mat­ter? They sawe an other duty to be required of them and therefore presently without delay they holpe him that was ready to perish. The case is now with me as it was then with the prophet: I am judged by th'Archb. of Canterbury and others in commission with him, to be a man vnworthy to liue in any State And I haue more cause to thanke the Lord for the peaceable gouernment of her right excellent maje­stie, thē for any fauour of mine enemies that I now breath aboue the earth: I must either appeale from them, or be guiltie of mine owne blood. I appeale therefore vnto the high court of Parliament, and if ye therein assembled, either credite the slaunders of mine aduersaries before ye know the cause, or sit stil in rejecting my just Appellation, and suffer them to persecute mee without a cause. Festus an heathen Iudge, and the princes of Iud [...]h, will rise vp in judg­ment against you. For the same God that required at their hands the deliuery of his seruants out of the handes of their rauening enemies, requireth of you th' equall hearing of my cause. And if ye suffer me to fall by their meanes, you shall bring innocent blood vpon your owne selues and this whole king­dome.

My case at this time is the case of the poore, the fatherlesse, the stranger and the widdowe, and therefore in that respect, ye ought to haue a special consi­deration of it. For not to deliuer the widdowe and the fatherlesse from the violence of the oppressor, when it lieth in your power, what is it else but for [Page 14] to oppresse the poore the widow and the fatherles, concerning whome the Lord hath thus spoken, They are to be accoun­ted oppres­sors vvhich vvill not if they may de­liuer the op­pressed. If thou vex or trouble such, & so he cal and cry vnto me, surely I wil heare his cry. And then shal my wrath be kindled & I wil kil you with the sword, and your wiues shalbe widowes, and your children fatherlesse. Either then by graunting vnto me righteouse judgment, Exod.22.23. ye of the parliament must deliuer me from oppres­sion and wrong, or I must be forced to account you among the number of mine oppressors. And you knowe, that being oppressed and troaden downe, I am bound to cry to the Lord for aide, otherwise, I shal disobey his commaundement, Psal. 50. 15. Ac­quainting him with my griefe he hath promised to heare my suite, what will followe thereof, you can­not I am sure be ignorant. For then he hath protest­ed that his wrath wil be kindled against you & that he will deuour you with the sword, and cause your wiues to be widowes, and your children fatherlesse, doe ye not then see your selues bound to receiue mine appellation with such a bond, as in wisdome ye ought to take heede that ye incurre not the danger thereof.

Although then I be a thousand degrees inferiour vnto mine aduersaries, in regard of outward things: yet by the mercies of the Lorde, I haue the vpper hand of them, in the goodnesse and equitie of my suite. For I come vnto you in the name of God, most humbly intreating, and earnestly beseeching, that in a good matter, euen in my right, I be not o­uerthrowen by the power of vnconscionable ene­mies, and therefore many waies, I come not with­out th'vnreasonable support of my peticion. I come euen with that warrant, by the vertue whereof the [Page 15] poore, the widowe, the fatherlesse and the stranger are of due to haue their right against the mightiest potentate vnder the sunn. And that is the comman­dement of the Lord of heauen and earth, concern­ing th' administration of justice without partialitie: you shal haue no respect of persons in judgment saieth the Lord, Deut. 1. 17. but shal heare the small as the great, you shal not feare the fuce of man, for the iudgment is Gods. And again, you shal not doe vniustly in iudgment. Thou shalt not fauour the person of the poore, Leuit. 19. 15 nor honor the person of the mightie, but shalt iudg thy neighbour righteously, These ye knowe are the commaunde­ments of the land, wherby ye are bound to heare me vnlesse ye think you may haue respect of persons in judgment, for if the Archb. or any of his associats came vnto you to be heard against me, you would easely condiscend vnto the motion. The like fauor are ye bound to shewe vnto me, because you are to heare the smal as well as the great, and ought not to fauour the person of the mightie. It is not vn­knowne vnto you, what the prophet Esaiah spake of the judges in his time, Esai. 1. 23. 24 because they would not help the fatherlesse to his right, nor suffer the widowes cause to come before them, would ye avoide the just desert of that reprehension? Then I beseech you helpe me to my right, and suffer my cause to come before you, least it may be truely saide of you, that you execute no judgment, no not the judgment of the fatherles and oppressed.

And albeit you wil not doe this in regarde of my person which a [...] as the fatherlesse, as the poore and as the stranger, yet deny me not the same, either in [...]spect of the cause of God for the which I am t [...]oubled, or in consideration of th' equity of mine [Page 16] aduersaries, from whome I can neither hope for ju­stice in my trial, nor safety from danger. The cause of this my trouble and perill (as before hath bene briefly touched) is only that the Lord vouchsafed me the fauour, to motion a redresse of the great ig­norance and corruption which at this day raigneth in the church within my country. And because I doe not conceile that which in conscience I am bounde to lay open:namely, that the blindnes and ignorance of our blind & ignorant guides, the tiranny, vnlaw­ful bondage, and vnjust oppression of Gods church by vngodly, and tiranical Lord Bishops, with the rest of th'vnlawful church gouernoures (who euen by vertue of their places cannot chuse but oppresse the church of God) are the ready and direct waie, not only to kepe my countrimen from eternal life, but also to bringe the Lords wrath vppon vs, our prince, maiestrats, people, and the whol kingdome. So that I am molested for soliciting the cause of God, the cause of mens soules, the cause of her ma­iestie, and the State, with whome the Lord (with out speedy repentance) is not likely to beare any longer, for the manifold corruptions of our church. I am molested because I cannot be content that my countrymen should want the means of their sal­uation, and so run headlong to their owne eternall ruine, and because I am not silent at the miserable prophanation of Gods sanctuary, by swine and vn­cleane beastes: I am molested because I suffer not without any shewe of dislike, the holy ministery of the Lord and the sacred gouernment of his church, to be a pray vnto such men as are not worthy to liue in any wel ordered common wealth, much lesse in a reformed church: I am molested because I hold it [Page 17] vnlawful for any man to take vppon him the care, charge, and ouersight of those soules, whome he cannot possibly feede, guide, and direct in the paths and pastures of eternal life: I am molested because with the holy Apostle Peter, I think it vnlawfull for any minister to be Lord ouer gods heritage, 1. Pet. 5. 1. 2. and thinke the judgment of our Sauiour to be sounde, who held it vnlawful for his ministers to Rule like Lordes: Luk. 22. 25. I am molested because I hold that which is set downe Heb. 3. 6. to be true, whereby I am infor­ced to confesse, that as non but Moses or some other prophet, by the expresse commaundement of God, was to ordaine th'officers of the church vnder the lawe. So non but our Sauiour Christ, or his apostles in the expresse written word, are to ordaine the of­ficers of the churche gouernement vnder the newe couenaunt. I am also molested, because (being con­strained by the former scripture, Hebr. 3. 6.) to ac­knowledge that our Sauiour lefte an externall go­uernement of his Church, and so is equall with Mo­ses: and such a gouernement as cannot be changed by any but himselfe, and so is superior vnto Moses. I am driuen to confesse this vnchangeable forme of externall church gouernement ordained by him, to be a gouernment, th' execution whereof, is commit­ted to these 4. officers: namely, Teaching Pastors & Doctors, gouerning Elders, & ministring Deacons, be­cause I finde non other officers or offices, either ex­pressed or included in the Newe Testament: Apo­stles, Prophetes and Euangelistes onely excepted, which being remooued out of the Churche by the Lord himselfe, the boldnes of our Bishops & their defenders is intolerable, in demanding why Pastors, Doctors, Elders and deacons, should be permanent: [Page 18] seeing Apostles, Prophets and Euangelists were but temporarie. As though the Lord himselfe were not of sufficient wisedome to ordaine what he thought good in the gouerment of his Church: or as though he were bounde, either to continue Apostles, Pro­phets, and Euangelists, or to abrogate th'other 4. of­fices, & vnder the Gospell to haue no gouerment of his appointment, muchlesse vnchangeable. I am mo­lested because I made it knowne, that to maintaine a Churche gouernement, which at the pleasure of man according to the diuers estates of the Church may be changeable: is flatly to ouerthrowe the pre­rogatiue, whereby Christe Iesus is aboue Moses, in th'ordering of his owne house. Th'outwarde rege­ment whereof, cannot be held chaungeable vnder the Gospell, according to times, places, countries & states, but Christ Iesus must be made inferior vnto Moses, contrary to th'expresse decree and counsell of th'eternall God, Heb. 3. 6. Briefly, I am molested because I made it knowen, that the gouernment of the Church by L. Bishops and Archbishops, (being as they themselues graunt, a temporarie gouerne­ment, fit for the Church in time of peace, D. Bridges page 284. but not of persecution, T. C. pa. 135. 76. and neuer ordained by the Lorde, but inuented by man to preuent schismes, &c.) is intol­lerable in Gods Church, because it maketh Christ Iesus to haue ordained, either a changeable church gouernement of his owne house, or none at all, and so to be far lesse faithfull in Gods house then Moses was.

These and such like (my Lordes) are the causes why th'Archb. and his, are so bloodily affected to­wardes me. And I haue (as mine aduersaries them­selues confesse) alleadged vnto you the true cause [Page 19] of their hatred and enmitie. For if th'Archb. &c. were demaunded by this honourable assembly, why they imprisoned me, why they rifeled my studie, & tooke away my writinges, why they now seeke for me: their present answere would be, that I am an e­nemie to the present gouernment of the cleargie, e­stablished by her Majesties prerogatsue and the consent of the State. And what is this in effect, but because I thinke Christ Iesus to be more faithfull in the gouernment of his owne house then Moses was.

I know in deed, that for this cause they giue out, that I am an enemie to her Majesties gouernment, a seditious and discontented subject, guiltie of ma­ny attemptes and practises against her royall prero­gatiue, and one that intendeth nothing els, but the vtter innouation of the state: wherein I doe acknowledge th' auncient The crimes vvherevvith. and perpetuall slaunder of Gods trueth and his seruants in all ages. Gods, trueth and his ser­uants haue bene char­ged in all a­ges, are trea­son and sedi­tion. For it hath bene the continuall course and practize of the diuell at all times, to laye matter of state vnto their charge, that haue gainsaid any of those corruptions which his instruments haue maintained in Gods ho­ly seruice. And if our Bishops should new refraine from this slaunder, then could they not so manifest­ly discrie themselues (as they doe) to be their natu­rall successors, whose roomes in this age, they sup­plie in the defence of the kingdome of darkenesse and ignorance.

Our Sauiour Christe was guiltie of so many and so outragious practises, against the State wherein he liued, as Pilate the Iudge could not saue his life, and be a friend vnto Cesar.

This did the high priest openly protest against him, Iohn. 19. 12. And can we then maruel that his [Page 20] trueth in this age among our high priests is subiect vnto the same obloquie? Tertullus th'orator would not be tedious in accusing th'apostle Paule: if Felix of his curtesie would but heare him a few words, he would briefly lay forth the cause of the Iewes ha­tred towards the apostle in this sorte. Act. 24. 5. Certainly wee haue found this man a pestilent fellowe, and a mouer of sedition among the Jewes thorough out the world, and a chief mainteiner of the sect of the Nazarites. The wicked Iewes also Act. 17. 6. 7. missing of Paul and Silas, drew Iason with certaine other brethren vnto the heads of the city crying. Act. 17. 6. 7. These are they that haue subuerted the State of the world, and here they are that gainsay the decrees of Cesar, saying that there is an o­ther king on Jesus &c: where I do the lesse maruel, that sedition and treason is laied to my charge, for maintaining the trueth, in asmuch as the Bishopps them selues in their allowed translation of the great Bible, vppon the fore aleaged place of Act. 17. haue giuen this note, namely. That the common and vsuall weapons which the wicked vse against the members of Christ, The Bishops note. are treason and sedition. Their wicked slander against al that seeke the reformation of our church, and particularly against me, haue verified the truth of this doctrine, for assoone as any shewe their dis­like of these corruptions, with a desire to see Christ bearing sway in the church of England by his owne lawes, they presently exclaime, that these are the men which subuert the state of the Realm, and that gainsay the decrees of her maiestie, affirming that there is an other Soueraigne, whose alone lawes must be harkened vnto, and whose alone offices are to be allowed of in the gouernment of the church, and that is Christ Iesus th'eternall sonne of the li­uing [Page 21] God: in deed if to defend the prerogatiue which he ought to haue in appointing th'officers & gouernors of his church, be sedition and treason, I doe confesse in deed, that after the way which they cal sedition and treason: so serue I the God of my fa­thers. But this is non other treason then that where vnto our Sauiour Christ and his apostles before me haue giuen their hands and consented: and none o­ther treason then that, wherevpon all Kings and Queenes do firmly lay the foundation of their roy­all crownes and Scepters. And therefore ye of the parliament, ought to be so farr from being mooued with these shamefull reportes, nowe raised by our Bishops against Christ Iesus, against his trueth and his members, as ye should not permitt such profane mouthes, that presume in this sort, to whette their tongues against heauen, and him that sitteth there­in, to escape vnpunnished. The forgers of these pal­pable vntruethes, confesse themselues, that Treason and Sedition are th'ordinarie weapons of the wic­ked against the members of Christe, which in deede hath bene th'armour wherewith the diuell in all a­ges, hath furnished his champions against the truth. And I cannot blame our Bishops for being skilfull in this accusation, seeing so many of their predeces­sors haue in the like cause, troaden the like path be­fore them.

Amos no sooner began to vtter the trueth in Be­thel, but Amasiah the high priest there presently smelled out his dangerous attempts. And therefore like a good subiect in the singular good will he bare vnto his Soueraigne Lord, Ieroboam the sonne of Ioash king of Israel, he waded farther into the mat­ter, and at length found Amos his treason and sedi­tion [Page 22] to be so intollerable, as the Land was no longer able to beare it. Especially seeing th'enterprises of the prophet were taken in hand even in the middest of the kingdome, to stir vp the subiects to innouati­on, in regard whereof, the high priest sawe him selfe bound in conscience to send Ieroboam this message. Amos hath conspired against thee, Amos. 7. 11. 12. in the middest of the house of Israel, the land is not able to beare his words, for he hath openly spoken that which the Lord hath put into his mouth. The like treachery in the place be­fore set down, Ierem. 2. 6. did the priests and the prophets finde in Jeremiah: yea and such is the care which the lims of Sathan haue of the ciuil maiestrate, that rather then kings and princes should be honored with the maintenance of a perfect building of Gods church, they can presently finde no lesse then sedition and treason in their purposes, that indeuoure to further that worke.

When Jerusalem began to be reedified, in the daies of Artaxerxes, the men beyond the riuer knew well enough, that the building of Gods church and th'establishing of his true seruice amongst men, is straight way a wicked and a rebellious enterprise. For which cause they sent word vnto the king, that if Jerusalem a city rebellious and wicked, should be once built, the kings tribute thereby should be dimi­nished, and because they had bin brought vp in the kings court, and that it was not meet for them to see the kings dishonor, they sent him word, that if hee would search the booke of the Chronicles of his fa­ther, he shoulde finde the true Churche of God to haue bene alwaies rebellious & noisome vnto kings and princes, and to haue mooued seditions of olde: for which cause also it had bene destroyed. And fur­ther [Page 23] they certified him that if he would suffer the church to be reedified, by that meanes the portion beyond the riuer should not be his. Ezra. 2. 19. Nor long after this time Nehemias with the Elders of the Iewes strengthened their hands to finish the building of Ierusalem. What saith Sanballat, and Tobiah a ser­uant, what a thing is this you doe? will you rebell a­gainst the King? As if the building of Gods church could not chuse, but be a rebellious interprise. You see by these examples right honorable, that it is the lotte of Gods seruants, to be accounted, seditious men, and traitors vnto princes and states, whenso­euer they doe, but set their faces towards the buil­ding of the Lords house, and you see apparantly by these testimonies, that it is no newe found slaunder which the high commissioners haue forged against me, but an auncient quarrell of the Diuell in all a­ges and times against Gods trueth.

Which may be the better manifested if you doe consider, if either they can alleadge no reason of their accusation, or the same (if they do shewe any) is because I afforad my bounden seruice vnto the trueth. 2. Infallible marks of the enemies of the trueth. For th [...]se are infallible markes, whereby a­wicked enemy of the trueth, and a slaunderer of the members of Christ may be knowne, namely, that ei­ther he can yeald no reason of his slaunder (because he thinketh it sufficient for him in that cause, to in­uent an vntrueth without any proofe) or his reason shalbe because the seruants of God, doe faithfully employ them selues in the seruice of their maister, Rheum and Geshem accused Ierusalem of rebelliō, so did Sanballat accuse Nehemias, and the Elders of the Iewes. But how prooued they their accusati­ons? They neede not to labour that way, because [Page 24] they slaundered the church of God, and the true members thereof, against whome for the mo [...]t part, a slaunder without proofe wil be in steed of a thou­sand witnesses. Ieremiah was accounted worthie to die by the prists and prophets in his time, and what was their reason? Why say they, he hath prophesied in the name of the Lord, Ierem. 2. 6. 9. saying, This City shalbe made desolate without an inhabitant. Lo heer my Ll. the infalliable markes of the slaunders and enemies of Gods children, and where you finde these marks giue judgment accordingly. Nowe may it please your honors to demaund of the high commission, why they account me to be a disturber of the peace of our church, and a seditious person. Either they wil think them selues not bound to giue any rea­son of their accusation, because against those that seeke the wealth of Ierusalem, any vntrueth wilbe admitted, or their reason wilbe because I hold it vn­lawful for them to liue in popishe callings, to be Lords ouer their bretheren, to smother the trueth, to rob Christ of his honor, and his church of her li­bertie, or to speake in their owne wordes, because I dislike the gouernment of the church by L. Archb. and Lord Bb. established by the prerogatiue of hir majestie and the parliament. Hereby in trueth de­claring, that in persecuting me a worm of the earth, they are imployed in his cause, with whom I feare me, vnlesse they repent, they shal haue their reward for speaking euill of the trueth. For what else doe they, in giuing out that I am a seditious person, for oppugning the gouernment of Archb. and L. Bb. & for maintaining the gouernement by Pastors, Do­ctors, Elders and Deacons, but affirme the defence of Gods trueth, to be sedition, and the defence of [Page 25] the libertie of his Churche to be treason? Will the par [...]iament then suffer the cause of God to be thus shameful [...]y abused, by wicked and prophane men? Well my Ll. though you receiue not my Appella­tion in regarde of my selfe: yet suffer the trueth to come before you. Suffer not the cause of God and his Church, for want of just triall, to fall into igno­mie and discredit. Let it neuer be said, that Festus an heathen Iudge, should be more fauorable in suppor­ting the credite of Gods trueth and the professors thereof, then the parliament of England would be.

The spilling of my blood for this cause, though it be a matter to be regarded of you that are in au­thoritie: yet I thanke he Lorde, it is not the thing that I feare: For by his inestimable goodnes, I finde my selfe an vnworthye wretche, to be one of them, who in this cause are not afraide of death when it commeth, Iob. 5. 21. 24. and one of them that may laugh at death and destruction, because I knowe the beast & stones of the fielde to be at league with me, and that euer­lasting peace for euer and euer, shall be vnto me of the Lords free and vndeserued reward. But the dis­crediting of the truth by my hard vsage, is the thing that I regarde, and the spilling of my blood for de­fending the trueth, and writing against impietie, is it, that I feare me, will make this lande an astonish­ment to our neighbors round about vs. Be it then, that my complaint at this time, were not the com­plaint of the oppressed and the straunger: yet inas­much as it is the cause of Christ Iesus, for the which I am persecuted, you are bound to receiue mine Ap­pellation. And here me thinks, the Lord demandeth of you that are parlament mē, as somtimes he did of the people of Iudah, what iniquitie you finde in the [Page 26] Church gouernment by teaching Pastors and Do­ctors, gouerning Elders, ministring Deacons, that you haue not onely committed two euils, the one in refusing that gouernement: th'other in chusing to your selues, these broken pits, I meane the gouern­ment of Archb. Lord Bb. which can holde in them nothing profitable to Gods Church: but also think those that plead for Christs interest vnworthie your protection and countenance, against the injust and cruell enemies, and the cause wherein they stande, vnworthie your defence? The Lord I saye, demaun­deth what iniquitie you finde in the gouernment of his sonne, that you haue thus altogether rejected and forsaken the same, and cannot abide (I speake now vnto such as are enemies therevnto) to haue it consulted vpon in your meeting. The best answere, which in this point you can make, are of late publi­shed by the publike authoritie of the Bishops thē ­selues.

Let these reasons then be briefely examined, The Bb. rea­sons in the defence of their hierar­chie, and a­gainst christs true gouern­ment exami­ned. & see whether they will be a sufficient warrant for her Majestie and you in the day of Christe Iesus, to re­fuse his gouernment, and to imbrace this hierarchy of Bb. in steed thereof.

First, it is saide that this hierarchie is established by the authoritie of her Majestie & the parliament. T. C. Epist. page 2. The Lord answereth, that for this cause, the Nauie of the Spaniarde of late, threatned our destruction▪ and that for this cause we haue had extreme famine in all our quarters, deare yeares, and many an vnsea­sonable haruest; and that for this cause, he threate­ned to take away our dread soueraign (whom good Lord spare in thy mercies, and crowne with eternal blessednes for thy sonnes sake) by so many conspi­racies, [Page 27] as haue bene villanously attempted within our land, and therefore warneth her Majesty & you of this honorable courte, that vnlesse you woulde feele his heauie hand vnto your destructiō, that this wicked and pestilent gouernment of L. Bb. shoulde be no longer maintained by your prerogatiue.

Secondly, T. C. pa. 16. & page 140. it is alleaged, that this gouernment by Pastors, Doctors, Elders and Deacons, was inuented by, they know not whom, and that it is not yet pro­ued, that any such gouernment was in the primitiue Church.

VVhy this is more then shamelesse impudencie, Is not that prooued in the 31. yeare of the raigne of Queene Elizabeth, to haue bene at all in the primi­tiue Church, which our booke of common prayer, in the beginning of her Majesties raigne, testified to haue beene therein, and to shewe the necessitie thereof, declareth that we are to wishe for the disci­pline then practized? Thus you may see, that our Bb. to saue themselues harmelesse, take leaue when they thinke good, Before the Comminati­on on Ash­vvednesdaye to crosse the booke of Common prayer in that which is most true, and which their owne writings graunt to be true, whereas they crie treason, treason, when other men do not allow that which is amisse therein. And you may also see howe fit they are to lead others in the way of life, who are now growne so sharpe sighted, as they will sweare, that at noone dayes they can see no light, whereas in the very morning they themselues sawe the vpri­sing of the sun. But to answer this point in a word, the Lord maketh it knowne vnto the parliament of England, that his sonne Christ Iesus, was the author and ordainer of this Church gouernement, whiche vncleane mouthes affirme, to be inuented by they [Page 28] know not whome: yea, but our Bb. protest, that the opinion which now th [...]y haue of their owne gouer­ment will not be shaken, T. C. page 8. vntill they be resolued in two points, whereof now they are ignorant.

First, that a direct commaundement be brought out of the word to prooue, that there should be in all ages and states of the church of Christ, This is a po­pish demand one one­ly forme of gouernement. Secondly, that some particular churches be set downe, wherein the desi­red gouernment by Pastors, doctors, Elders, & Dea­cons was practised. The high court of parliament is here sōmoned by the Lord of heauen, to judg whe­ther the iniquity of these men be to be borne with, who blush not to speake euel of that vpright waie, whereof they acknowledge them selues to be meet­ly ignorant, why would they not require a resoluti­on of their doubts, before they had gainsaid the ho­ly ordinance of the lord, and accuse the same as trai­terous vnto her maiesties gouernment, and dange­rous vnto the state? An ansvvere to the Bb. 3. & 4. reasons. but concerning the former of their demaundes, the Lord answereth, that there is a direct commaundement in the word, whereby the church in all ages and states, is enjoined to acknow­ledg the Lord Iesus to be superior vnto Moses.

And therefore also that there is a direct com­maundement in his word, whereas by all adges and times, are bound to haue on only outward forme of church gouernment. The latter question though it be a popish interrogatorie, is yet satisfied without any greate labour. For the church of Rome, Phillip­pi, Ephesus, Rom. 12. 6. 7. Derbe Listra, 8. Act. 20. 28. & 14. 23. &c. Phil. 1. with many others mē ­tioned in the word, practised this gouernment by Pastors, Doctors, Elders, and deacons. And if Christ Iesus be as faithful in Gods house, as Moses was, it [Page 29] is cleare that no church, as before was touched in what age or state soeuer, can haue any lawful gouer­ment established, but only this, by Pastors, Doctors Elders, and Deacons, because no church vnder the lawe could haue any lawful established gouerment but that prescribed by Moses.

Whereby the pretence that other churches pro­fessing the Gospel haue not this gouernment, T C. pag 82. Our Bb. 5. reason ansvve­red. is e­uidently shewed to be nothing else, but a profe that other churches haue their imperfections and are not as yet so farr built, as the Lord requireth. Asa was a godly King, and reformed many things in the house of God: yet the Idolatrous high places remained al his daies. These high places were the blemish, and imperfections of his gouernment. Nowe were it any reason because he was a godly King, that therefore the spots of the church vnder him should be the pa­terne of Iosiahs reformation, and that the high pla­ces should stil be continued? It must needs be so if our Bb. manner of reasoning against the Lords holy ordinances be good and allowable.

In the sixth place the inconueniences of recea­uing this gouernment of the Lords ordaining are saide to be so greate, T. C. pag. 16 Our Bb. 6. reason. that the attempting thereof might bring rather the overthrowe of the Gospell heere amongst vs, then the end that is desired. If the receiuing of the Lordes discipline, be inconuenient vnto any state, that is not the fault of god his ordi­nance, but the sinne of men, which haue made their estate out of square, as Christ cannot be wholly re­ceaued thereunto without their likely detriment. To gainsay the trueth, because an inconuenience wil followe the embracing of it, is an argument not to be heard of amongst christians. For our Sauiour [Page 30] Christ him selfe affirmed it, to be no light matter to enter into the kingdome of heauen, and therefore declareth them to be vnfit disciples for him, Luk. 13. 14. & 14. 26. that wil not enter thereunto through manye tribulations: yea and forsake all earthly comforts, Matth. 16. 24 much lesse the maintenance of their outward estate, Mark. 8. 35. rather then not to followe him in all the waies wherein he re­quireth their obedience. To pretend inconuenien­ces then, in this cause bewraieth an hollowe hart vnto Gods glory. And yet it is not halfe so incon­uenient to bring in Christes gouernment, as it was to expel popery. If her maiestie and the parliament would agree to establish the same, al inconuenien­ces would be soone preuented. The feare of ouer­throwing the Gospel by that meanes, is a slaunde­rous surmise, and vndutiful vnto her maiesty and the state, vnlesse our Bb. be guiltie vnto them selues of some such purposes, I knowe not why this should be aleadged.

The inconueniences are, first the alteration of the whole state of the lawes of this realme, as the vtter ouerthrowe of the studie of the ciuil lawe and the alteration of the ciuil and common lawe. As though al these things coulde not be helped by one act of parliament. Popery had more shew and coulor of trueth to reason thus for it selfe, in the raigne of our late Soueraigne of famous memory, King Hen­ry the 8. So had heathen Idolatry in the daies of Iosiah, or Hezekiah. They that vse such arguments shew them selues to be giuen ouer to withstand the trueth. I hope the Parliament wil admit of no such reason, as these are. Christ Jesus must not be allowed by his owne lawes to rule in state, he must needes be de­creede by our lawes inferiour vnto Moses, and that be­cause [Page 31] we wil not aulter the state of our lawes, we wil not haue the studye of the ciuil lawe ouerthrowne. We must not greatly wonder, that papists and Mahometists doe kepe Christs holy and sacred verity out of their dominions: seeing in a state professing the true God, such godlesse men are found, as tremble not to pub­lish and vtter their vngodly conceits in this sort, a­gainst Gods heauenly ordinances: and especially, seeing in a state professing the true God, such pre­tences are of force to keepe out Christs soueraigne and kingly gouernement. I hope that you who are parliament men, see this kinde of reasoning to bee such, as will stand in no account at the dreadfull day of judgement. That which is spoken of Ciuillians, is also slanderous. For they liue by temporall courts, and therefore it is not necessarie that their professi­on should decay, when the Antichristian gouerne­ment of Archb. and Lord Bb. is expelled out of our Churche. Further our Archb. and L. Bb. vsurpe the determination of many ciuil causes, in the deciding whereof, Ciuillians might be well imployed. And is it more reason in deede, that the true Churche of God should want the vse of Christs holy lawes and statutes, then the studie of the Ciuill law? O most shamefull speeche to be conceiued, much more to be published in print (and that by Bishopps) in the dayes of the Gospell. But what dare not they pub­lish, who professe themselues to gainsay the way of trueth?

And therefore they are not ashamed to giue out, T. C. pag. 8. that the desired alteration of Church gouernment, would bring the judiciall law of the Iewes into our state. This is a lewd slaunder. For Christs gouerne­ment necessarily, requireth no part of the Iewishe [Page 32] lawe, to be receiued into any common wealth: but that which is morall.

It is further objected, T. C. pag. 87. that the lawes maintaining the Queens supremacy in gouerning of the church, and hir prerogatiue in Ecclesiasticall causes, must be abrogated, or els Christe cannot raigne in our state. The reason whereof (right honourable) you haue heard before alleaged, both by the Iewes vnto Pilate: namely, that our Sauiour Christe Iesus, is a deadly enemie vnto Cesar, and also by Rehum, and the men beyond the riuer vnto Artaxerxes. For as they noted, the building of the true church of God cannot chuse, but be an hindrance vnto princes. For Ierusalem is knowne of olde to be a rebellious ci­tie. But remember then, O my God, if they belong not vnto thee, that thus slander the trueth, and the vpright ordinances of thy sonne Christ Iesus, and if they be thine, conuert them speedily. My Lords, & you the rest of the parliament, as you haue any care of the glory of your God, see that the enemies of reformation, may either decist from their forgerie against the trueth, or prooue their accusations. The Lord will judge you, euen as you judge his cause, now offered vnto your consideration. Wherefore as you will answer before him, & as you mean to haue any fauor at his hand, deliuer the cause of his sonne Christ Iesus from this ignomie.

There is yet in this point, another fault founde with the gouernment of Christe, It is reason that all states should be maintained sauing the e­stat of christs kingdome. and another great reason alleaged, why the hierarchie of Bb. shoulde be maintained: and it is, that the one of the 3. states vpon the authoritie, whereof the lawes of England haue hitherto stood, cannot without great inconue­nience be now ouerthrowen. Wherevnto the Lord [Page 33] replieth, that the gospell of his sonne, was brought into this kingdome by the 2. Estates, to wit, by the temporall Lords of the vpper, and the commons of the lower house: whereas since a thirde Estate, vz. Lords spirituall (as they are called) was added vnto the 2. former, little or no good hath bene enacted for the glorye of God by that counsell. And if our State had bene contented, according to the order of nature, to stand vpon two legs, it is not to be doub­ted, but that all the wounds and sores of our church had bene healed, and Christs discipline long ago e­stablished to our comfort, and to the vnspeakeable good of our posterities. Moreouer, the Lord threa­teneth assuredly, because of this monstrous and vn­natural leg: wherevpon our lawes vnto this day, are falsly said to haue stood, and by the power whereof, all the world knoweth, this kingdom to haue with­stood the right of his soone, to laye our whole state euen with the grounde, so that it shall haue nothing whereby it may be vpheld. And L. Bb. haue no bet­ter interest to vphold our lawes then Lorde Abbots haue. The state may as well want the one as the o­ther, and with as small inconvenience.

There is added as a conclusion of these incon­veniences, T. C. pa. 8 [...] that it is dangerous to pick quarrels with lawes setled: but there is no daunger to quarrell with the lawes of Christs kingdome. They of all o­ther princes lawes may be securely quarrelled with, ouerthrowne, and troaden vnder feete without all danger, and yet in our state are they no quarrellers, that abuse the sonne of God. The time will come, wherein it shall appeare, that it had bene better for all such wretches, that the wombe had beene their graue, then that they should haue bene giuen ouer [Page 34] to runne into their owne destruction. Our state hath well profited in religion, that nowe after 31. yeares of the gospell enjoyed, T. C. p. 92. 93 Iesus Christe in de­manding his owne right, is nowe accounted a daun­gerous quarreller against lawes setled. This slaun­der hath bene alreadie answered. So hath the other set downe page 92. 93. of this booke concerning the likelihood of altering our ciuill gouernment into a popular state, if Christ were once permitted to bear the ful sway therin. The rest of the particuler cauils contained in som few pages of this book, concerning maintenaunce of the minister by tythes, the incon­ueniencie both of the ministers election by the peo­ple, and also of excommunication by the whole Church, are meer cauils, and answered before in the generall, and therefore here, needlesse to be stoode vpon.

Now the high court of parliament hath heard of all the iniquitie that can be found in the Lord, and his sonne Christ Iesus and you haue heard of all the reasons (your careles and wilfull negligence to deal in the Lords matters onely expected) whereby hi­therto you haue bene enduced to refuse the church-gouernment, which he himselfe hath laid downe & prescribed in his word, and to imbrace in steed ther­of, a confused and an imperfect constitution of mans deuise: whether these reasons set downe by our Bb. themselues, will be a sufficient warrant vnto you in the day of judgement, to refuse Christ Iesus to rule ouer you and your people, to maintaine the popishe hierarchie of L. Bb. and to countenaunce their pro­ceedinges, who are wholy bestowed (for the most part) in persecuting and molesting those, who open their mouthes in the cause of God and his people, [Page 35] for the restitution of those lawes and liberties into our Church, whereof they haue tyrannously berea­ued it. But if you thinke as the trueth is, that these figge leaues, issuing out of the dark vnderstandings of wicked men, can serue you in no steed against the wrath of the lambe. Enter more narrowly into this cause, grant the same, and those that stande in it ju­stice against their enemies, least it be layde to your charge, that you haue called good euill, and euill good, and lest it be laid to your charge, that you ac­count your owne wayes equall, and the wayes of the Lord vnequall, & that you haue executed no judge­ment, no not the judgement which concerneth the sincere and true worship of the eternal. Vnto the e­quitie of my cause, which yet (as ye see) is not mine, but the Lords, let this also be joyned, that mine ad­uersarie can lay nothing to my charge, wherby I can be proued to haue brokē any penal law of the land. I doe thinke my selfe in the cause, wherin the Arch­bishop, and the rest, that are joyned with him, are become mine enemies, to haue incurred, the penal­tie of non of our laws, inasmuch, as I haue not trans­gressed the lawe of God. For I suppose my selfe to liue in that state, the laws whereof are to be accoun­ted of no force, which make him punishable, whoe before the Lord is an innocent and guiltlesse. The duty of a christian subiect draweth from me this per­swasion, that our state and gouernment vnder her maiestie, established by the authority of this house, wil not account any lawe to be forcible, but that which is agreeable with the law of God, and that, non are punishable by any lawe in force amonge vs, but those only, who are offenders against the lawes of God. For with what face can it be auouched, [Page 36] that he is to be punished, against whome the Lord doth not commaunde the sword to be drawne. And thrise miserable is that state, wherein these lawes are in force, which commaund them to be smitten, which are not euel doers. Of which number non are to be accounted, saue those only who by violating humane positiue lawes, break also the lawe of God. They that hold the contrary, are not worthy to liue in a christian state. They highly derogate from her maiesties credit, and the good lawes of this king­dome. And non can possibly hold such a position, but those, that vnder a pretence of authority, either doe or would take occasion to oppresse, and tiraunize o­uer her maiesties subiects, Nowe mine accusers can­not proue me to haue broken the lawe of God in se­king the ouerthrowe of their places, vntil they haue first prooued their own callings to be lawful, accor­ding to the word, vnto which time, if I could haue bin assured of quietnes at their hands, this mine ap­pellation had bene needlesse.

Whereas nowe I am of necessitie constrayned thereunto as wel for the reason before mentioned, as also, because I can nether haue assurance of safety, nor just trial at their hands. I can hope for nether of these from them. For they haue wholly vowed them selues with all their might and maine, to slaunder, assaile, resist, and hinder, the cause of Gods honor, the saluation of his church, in the defence whereof, farbeit but I should spend my bloud (as by the grace of God I will) when I am thereunto necessarily cal­led, wherefore except ether mine aduersaries (which I hartily wish) would leaue the smothering of the trueth, and the vnjust defence of their intollerable corruptions, or that I should surcease, (which I trust [Page 37] shal neuer come to passe) mine indeuours, to haue the Gospel planted in my country, and the house of God cleansed from pollution, I can look for nothing else but al extremities at their hands.

Heereby also it is manifest, that these men wil be so far, from graunting me either any release from their tirannous Persecution, or yet equity of judg­ment: as they cannot possibly yeeld either of the twoe, without the dangerous inpairing of their own state. My course by the assistance of God I meane not to alter. The cause of my poore country, I mean to respect as long as I liue, and neuer meane to giue ouer, the discouering of those wicked men, who in this cleare light of the Gospel, detaine the trueth in vnrighteousnes. In my suppli­cation to the parliament. If I may haue (rather if Christ Iesus may haue) justice against them, I haue lately proo­ued vnto you, that not one of these men, (I meane Lord bishops, and whosoeuer depend vppon them) ought to be maintained within these domminions. Nowe seeing both the obtaining and also the sollici­ting of this suite, must needs be joyned with the im­pairing of the Archbishop of Canterburies estate & the rest in commission with him, who sitt in these vnlawful chaires of Lord bishops, or any wise de­pend vppon them, how can they without their owne irrecouerable losse administer justice or graunt qui­etnes vnto me? Doe they meane to yeeld vnto the knowne trueth, and to giue ouer their places? Why then am I molested by them? Doe they meane to be stil the men, which hytherto they haue bene, that is enemies vnto Christs holy discipline, and gouerne­ment? Then cannot they possibly affoard me any vp­right triall. For if they should, the church of God would be soone disburdened of them. And in wise­dom [Page 38] they cannot let me go on quietly in my course, for the more the trueth is opened, the neerer are they to their fall. My cause being thus, what may be saide of the parliament, if I be not releeued by your meanes, in my most equal, most reasonable, and most christian suite.

Yea but seeing mine aduersaries, are so mighty, as they are knowne to be, and this suite so vnl [...]kely to preuaile against them in our dayes, were it not better forme, to let them runn on in their wicked­nes, then thus to striue to mine owne hinderance, and extreame peril in a gainlesse enterprise? And what calling haue I to deale in this cause? That is it I knowe that the Diuel would haue, euen to be lett alone, and permitted quietly to cary all before him at his owne pleasure, without any controlement? As though the stones of the street, had not a suffici­ent calling to gainsay the wickednesse of men, when the seruants of God are tongtied. And either it must be said, that sinne at some age and time, hath a com­mission to goe vncontroled, or that the meanest in Gods church, may speake in the behalfe of Gods honor, when other men are silent, at the treading thereof vnder foote. The general desolution then, and the oppression of Gods church in my country, joyned with the deepe silence of all other men, doe make it lawful and warrantable for me, to seeke the ouerthrowe of Sathans kingdome, not withstan­ding, that I acknowledg my selfe, euery way vnfit for so greate aworke. And if it should please the Lord to stir vp any of place, and guifts, to deale in the cause, I would soone set my hand vppon my mouth and be silent. But I hope that the Archbishop, and his bretheren, are not growne to that passe, as they [Page 39] will take the liberty to continue in vnlawful cal­lings, and to molest those, that gainsay the badd course, because they see not what calling any one man can haue to finde fault with their proceedings. And I hope that you of the parliament, considering the equity of my suit, wil vonchsafe me the hearing in so reasonable a petition.

Consider the matter which way you wil, and you shal find mine Appellation on all parts to be just: but especially in regard of the proceedings of mine aduersaries. The consideration whereof is not to be ouerpassed by the parliament, if any portion of the equitie, and justice, sometimes florishing in that as­sembly, benowd therein remaining. Their vnlawful proceedings appeare, first, in that they assume vnto them selues, the hearing of those causes, wherein by vertue of their cōmission, they haue no warrant to deale, whereat the parliament cannot winke, vn­lesse they would suffer an Anarchie to take roote in our state. This they doe in a double sort. For first as before hath bene set downe, they lay treason to my charge, and therefore send for me by their pur­siuants. What hath the high commission to doe, with men suspected of treason? Is the place at Lam­beth now become the palor, where traitors should be araigned? The Archbishop of Canterbury, the bishops of London, Winchester, Doctor Cosin, &c. nowe become judges in those causes? Whether they incurr not the danger of lawe, by entering into such matters, as are not within the compasse of their commission, you of this honorable assembly are best able to judge. The trueth is that the Archbishop, & his associates, when I was examined before them in the 29. yeare of her maiesties raigne, enforced [Page 40] me to cleare my selfe vppon mine oath, of the trea­son, which they gaue out to be contained in the 40. page of my booke at that time written vnto the par­liament. Tollerate this course, and what parloure or chamber may there be so priuate, wherein the Archbishop and his assistants wil not arraigne their seditious traitors as they faulsay account them.

Secondly they presume to determine of those suites, the hearing whereof are referred vnto the higher courts, and ought not to be vsurped vppon by inferiors, vntil the higher councels haue decla­red, that they will not determine of them. In this point, I had triall of their dealing the last parlia­ment. At which time they presumed contrary vnto right and lawful custome, and to the infringing of the auncient liberties of this noble house, to arro­gate vnto them selues, the determining and finall ending of that suite, wherein I moued the parlia­ment and not the high comission. And they wrong­fully imprisoned me in the time of the parliament, for becomming a suiter even in the cause of God vn­to that assembly whereas by the priuiledges of this high counsel, I was not to be molested by any, du­ring your session, but only by your honors, vnto whom I became a peticioner. It nothing preuailed me to shewe the high commissioners, that I was a suitor vnto the highest court in the land, and there­fore not to be troubled by any inferior vnto them, during the time of their assembly, for the supplica­tion which I had thereunto preferred. Neither did it any thing auaile me, to manifest it to be dishono­rable vnto this house, & to their honors therein met together, that they should not be the judges of those suits whereof they were entreated to consider.

[Page 41] The injury which at that time they offered vnto the liberties of this honorable court, (to commit, their tiranny to me wards) had not bene so intolle­rable vnlesse they, who vsurped vnto them selues the deciding of my cause, had bene al of them mem­bers of this house. The persons then in commission, were these. Th' Archb. of Cant. the Bb. of London, Winchester and Lincolne: D. Lewine, D. Coosins, all parliament men at that instant. Now judge whe­ther it be not against all right, that some fewe of the inferiour members in that house, (of which number in respect of manye, I might justly account the men before named) should extort vnto their priuat cen­sure, the judgement of a cause preferred publikely vnto the whole parliament. The time hath beene, wherein this high courte woulde not haue taken a meaner injurie offered vnto their liberties, at the handes of anye prerogatiue within this kingdome: whether it stands not with the honor and credit of parliament men amongst posterities, not to haue their liberties thus infringed and diminished, by in­ferior and baser courts: it behoues them that loue their countrie, and endeuor to maintaine the welth thereof to consider.

But whether this be behoofefull vnto the state or no, I am sure it concerneth me not to be judged by that court, wherein I may not answer vnto mine ac­cusers (being the second head of the injurious and intollerable dealing of mine aduersaries) but must be enforced vpon mine oath to accuse my selfe. I am readie to aunswere whatsoeuer they can laye to my charge, and therein desire no other fauour at your Hh. hands, then Felix a pagan judge and an infidell, Act. 23. 35. offered voluntarily vnto Paule th'apostle, that is, to [Page 40] [...] [Page 41] [...] [Page 42] aunswere vnto mine accusers. This equall maner of triall which fellons enjoy at euery bar in this land, cannot be denied vnto me with any reason. And be­cause our law affoordeth this equitie vnto knowne malefactors, the tyranie of the high commissioners is vnspeakable, in constraining men to accuse them­selues. Porcious Festus an heathen idolator, when the Iewes woulde haue judgement against S. Paule, before they had by witnesses conuinced him of any crime: Act. 25. 16. answered, as the holy ghoste noteth, that it was not the maner of the Romanes (being Gentils and ignorant of the true God) for fauor to deliuer any man to death, before that he which is accused haue his accusers before him, and haue place to de­fend himselfe concerning the crime. And may not the men, who professe they know God, be ashamed in their own cause, for the fauor which they vnjust­ly beare vnto themselues, to imprison their brethe­ren professing the same religion with them, The maner of admini­string justice at Lambeth. because they will not be their owne accusers? And yet all the justice that poore christians haue at Lambeth is this. You are now sent for by Lords grace here, & vs her Majesties commissioners, we grant in deed, that as yet we know nothing wherewith you may bee charged. For accusers you haue none, neither were you sent for to answere vnto thē. For it is our maner to deliuer men into bonds (yea and to death if the cause so require) though they haue no accu­sers to conuince them of any crime. And therefore you must here be deposed vpon your oath, to reueal whatsoeuer you know by your selfe, or any other of Gods children her Majesties subjects. Whereby it shall come to passe, that you shall escape vs narrow­ly, but ere you depart the court, we will finde suffi­cient [Page 43] matter to imprison you, and if you refuse the oath, to prison you shall goe. For we administer it, Ex officio, and so vpon your refusall, we may impri­son you.

And will the high court of parliament suffer this bloodie and tirannous inquisition, to be practized a­ny longer within this kingdom? What can the mur­thering inquisitors of Spaine do more, then by this snare, inueigle mens consciences, & constraine them to spill their owne blood? It is wel knowne, that no such maner of iniquitie can be warranted vnto the high commission, by the positiue lawes of this land. For in a criminall cause, they inforce no man to be his owne accuser. And against the law of God, (by which no man shoulde be punnished vnder two or three witnesses) and of nature, all men knowe this manner of proceeding to be. For admit that the law of blasphemie were now in force among vs, & that a man in the dayes of his iniquitie had blasphemed the God of Israel, were it not both against the lawe of God and of nature (the Lorde hauing vouchsafed him repentance of his sinn, and in his prouidence so disposed of the fact, as no witnesses could be produ­ced against him) were it not I saye, both against the word and against nature, for him in this case to ac­cuse himselfe? And yet the Archb. and his fellow of­ficers, would either imprison a man ex officio, for de­nying the oathe in this point, or compell him to be his owne vnnatural murtherer. O miserable judges, before whom a man must needes, either transgresse the lawes of God and of nature, or thrust himselfe into inevitable daunger. If they say, it is to be pre­supposed, that without just cause of suspition, they will put no man to his oathe: therein they protest [Page 44] no more then the Iewes did in accusing our Saui­our Christ, and the inquisitors of Spaine, draw with them in the same line. For the Iewes, they thought much, Iohn 18. 30. that Pilate should demand of them, what ac­cusation they coulde laye to our Sauiour Christes charge, and therefore said vnto him, if he were not an euill doer, we would not haue deliuered him vn­to thee. Where we may euidently see, the wisedom and discretion of the enemies of God and his ser­uauts to be such, as they neuer accuse any man, con­trary vnto right, equitie & conscience. And as con­cerning the Spanish inquisition, it is well knowne, that that holy house, conuenteth no man, without great suspition of heresie. No more doe the high commission, offer an oath vnto anye, without great cause, at the least, without vehement suspition of his enimitie to Lord Bb. and their gouernment.

And they are not only most injurious, in them selues, but they commit the execution of their tira­nical proceedings vnto those very often, whiche an honest man would be ashamed to entertaine in his family. To haue a warrant for the apprehending, and touching of whomesoeuer it please you to sus­pect, is a charge of greate waighte, and ought not to be committed vnto any, but vnto such, as are known to haue a rare and choise gouernment, ouer them selues. Otherwise if a lewd and an vndiscreete tur­bulent fellowe, be armed with this overlarge and vnbrideled commission, is not vnlikely but he will abuse halfe the subiects hir maiestie hath. And I pray you, what is likely to insue thereof? Euen this. The intolerable vexation and bondage, of her maie­sties free borne subiects and people, and in time it is to be feared the great dishonor, if not the contempt [Page 45] of laweful authority it selfe. The Archb. of Cant. with his colleagues, sendeth abroad his warrant to apprehend, whomesoeuer the messenger therein na­med doth suspect. Ought not this waighty charge to be very waightely handeled? What choise then make they of the messenger? Surely Richard Waltō is a man fit for the purpose. For they know his good behauiour, approued sufficiency, and wisdome to be such, as for his outragious lewdnes, dishonesty, and want of gouernment ouer him selfe, amongst all the roisters in this land, they could not chose a more knowne, and notorious lewd person, and more vnfit for so waigh ie a charge to be the pursiuant, he was somtimes bedle vnto a company in London, (of the blacke Smithes I thinke.) The office though but meane, yet was that company ashamed, to haue a person of that slanderous loose behauiour for their bedle, and therefore, for his detected crimes, heere not to be named, they put him out of his place, be­ing ashamed to retaine him. And yet this is the man Right honorable, vnto whose discretion the Archb. of Cant. will commit the molesting and impriso­ning of whomsoeuer he shal suspect. Admit that a­mong his c [...]ppes, som of his companions, doe bribe him to apprehende the honestest and best affected subiect in a country, he may doe it by his commissi­on, and for his knowne lewdnes he is not vnlikely to attempt the fact. The magistrate is to assist him. And when he hath offered you this injury you haue your amends in your hands, for he did no more then by his commission, he is warranted, & those who set him a worke are the high commissioners, who haue a prerogatiue aboue lawe, as they would beare the world in hand. May not her maiesties subiects then, [Page 46] thinke them selues to be in a good taking, when their libertie shal depend vpon the pleasure or disli­king of such as are the ofscouring and refuse of men. And I doe thinke it neerely concerneth your Hh. of the parliament, to see that this abuse of the high commission by these men, be no longer tollerated in our state. For what care the high commissioners, howe tirannously they deale with hir maiesties most louing subiects, as long, as they hope that no mans accusation and complaint, howe just soeuer, though in the behalfe of the interest of Christ Iesus, can be heard and countenanced against them? And there­fore they are growne so insolent, as they dare en­joine hir maiesties officers, either at their comman­dement to worke impossibilities, or vpon the peril to answere the matter before them. Form this inso­lency of theirs it is, that of late they haue in their mandatory letters, enjoined the Major of North­ampton, to surcease the execution of his office in the gouernment of that towne vnder hir maiestie, and either to become their pursiuant, in apprehending one of his neighbours, or else personally to appeare before them at London, and not to departe their court without special leaue▪ his affaires in her maie­sties seruice, M. Sharpe book binder of Northam­ton. and the distance of Place betweene Northampton & London, nothing considered. And yet required they of him that which he coulde not bring to passe, because the party whome he was to apprehend, being wel known to be a dutiful subiect, and for the loue he beareth vnto Gods truth to haue bene heeretofore so cruelly? dealt with at some of their hands, by long imprisonment, and so euil dealt with, as his cause comming to be heard before the Ll. of her maiesties priuy counsel, their Hh. judged [Page 47] the bishops proceeding against him, to be against lawe and conscience, and so were the meanes of his deliuery, the party I say, nowe fearing the like inju­stice, that hee sometimes tasted of, was compelled with the hinderance of his family to absent himself from his calling. And from this hope, that their pro­cedings shal neuer com into question, it also cōmeth to passe, that they giue out that I am an Anabaptist, an vnderminer of the chair of the magistrat, a pesti­lent & a dangerus subiect many waies. For otherwise they would neuer haue permitted by their authori­ty any such bookes to be published against me, M. D. Some table page. 3. line 20. yea but I hold her maiestie with many thousandes of hir best subiects to be vnbaptised, M. D. Some Epist. pag. 2 and the question be­tweene master Doctor Some and me is, whether such as were and are baptised by popish priests and vnpreaching ministers haue and doe receiue a sacra­ment. If mine aduersarie himselfe had not cleared me of this accusation by his publike writings, Page 53. his slander might at the least haue bin probable, wher­as nowe his owne writings doe giue him and his al­lowers the shamelesse vntrueth. But howe can they be held no ministers, but that the Elements administred by by them, should be denied to be sacraments? I trust the one may be held, & the other not denied, with bet­ter reason by far, then the Archb. of Cant. can hold baptim deliuered by women, whome al the worlde knowe not to be ministers, M. D. Some pag. 185. line 3. 31. to be a sacrament. And howe wil master D. Some answere himselfe in this point, which hath confessed al vnpreching ministers both popish priests, and protestant Idoles, to be no ministers? M. D. Some table pag. 4. But it is an Anabaptistical error to account magistracie for an human ordinance. As though no­thing ordained by man could be Gods ordinance al­so? [Page 48] Or that the places Rom. 12. 1. & 1. Pet. 2. 13. were irreconcileable? And that it were a more Anabaptis­stcal, and intollerable error in me, to affirme the go­uernment and offices of the common wealth, to be humaine constitutions, which is true then, for our Bishops to hould the gouerment, and offices of our churches to be the ordinances of man, which is most false? These and al such accusations laid against me and Gods trueth, as by the grace of God in mine answere to master D. Some, which are it be long I hope to publish, notwithstanding they haue it in their hands, they shalbe proued to be palpable slan­derers. So I do most humbly intreat you of this ho­norable assembly, in regard of the Lords eternal ve­ritie, against which these vntrueths are giuen forth, to see that either mine accusers shall prooue these crimes, wherewith I am charged, or cease to slander and trouble me for professing the trueth. The cause is the cause of God, as I haue proued, it is the cause of the church, and so the cause of many thousandes, of the most trusty, most sure, most louing subiects, that her maiestie hath, whose harts by the repelling of this my suite, must needes be vtterly discouraged and throwne downe? when they shal see the cause of God to haue taken no place in the highest court in the land. And being the cause of God & his church, and that against sinne, against impietie, against that which is likely to be the vndoing and ouerthrow of her Majestie and our state: it desireth no fauor but to be heard, and to cleare it selfe, euen in the pre­sence of the aduersarie, that vpon good groundes you may either acquite it, or condemne it. It will prooue it selfe by Gods assistance, to be the author of no tumulte, no sedition, nor treason. It will also [Page 49] prooue, that no danger or inconuenience, can possi­blie ensue the receiuing of it into any state: & that the bookes and writinges, sincerely fauouring the same (for any vnsound, or any vnjustifiable bookes, that haue bin published, which might seem to yeeld any countenance vnto it, the cause is not to answer) haue not bene invented of late, or stamped by mans brain, but haue had their beginnings from the daies of our Sauiour Christe, and his Apostles, and were penned by the spirite of God himselfe. On the con­trarie side, it offereth to conuince the aduersaries cause, as an author of tumult and sedition from time to time, both in Churche and common wealth, as traiterous vnto the Majestie of Iesus Christe, a dan­gerous enemy vnto princes and states, and the four­taine of all confusion and inconvenience, not to bee repaired. And it offereth to prooue this cause & side of our Bb. to haue no other original and beginning, then the good intents of mans invention, not war­ranted by the word, euen corruption it selfe. And to be now supported and maintained, onely by the vn­lawfull institutions of man.

So that it is nowe manifested vnto your honors, by how many waies you are bound before the Lord to accept and giue eare vnto this mine appellation, and I to appeale. Mine only hope is in you, be not vnmerciful and pittilesse towards me. I am persecu­ted and oppressed for the cause of God, by those e­nemies, that cannor possibly affoard me either vp­right judgment, or release from trouble, without their owne likely ouerthrowe. I desire, but that which is most christian, namely that I may not haue them both for mine acusers and judges, who before any seate of justice, dare not stand to their accusati­ons [Page 50] against me, and whome their proceedings with me, and alwaies heretofore with the cause I defend, doe manifestly conuince, that all trueth and equitie is perished from among them. Either the cause, and their doings haue no trueth, no strength, and no e­quitie in them, or else they wil now she we the same in your presence, non haue authority to exammine their proceedings, whether they dare this attempt or no. I do heere before Heauen and earth, before hir maiestie and this assembly, before euery estate in this land, and al ages to come, cleare my selfe, and the cause I defend, from the grieuous and vngodly slaunders, whereby they doe continually loade the same. I offer my selfe, and my cause to be tried by any lawful authoritie, so dare not mine aduersaries, let them proue that I haue done any thing whereby in equitie I deserue punishment, & I will not grudge to sustaine the same: So that mine aduersaries be not my judges, and the judges of my cause, vnto whom they cannot chuse but be vtter enemies. I do not here set downe all, that coulde be saide against them, and their proceedings, which are most Anti­christian and intollerable diuers wayes. I omit that they are fallen from euill to worse, since the begin­ning of her Majesties raigne vnto this houre, and that they are likely to proceed in this course (with­out their restrainte) vntill they haue brought the Lords hand to execute his vengeaunce against vs & our land. Their errours are growne intollerable, e­uen in the maine pointes of religion, and that con­trarie, not onely vnto the written word of God: but euen to the writings, that haue bene and are publi­shed by authoritie, euen by themselues. They allow a forme of morning prayer, joyned vnto all printed [Page 51] Psalmes in meeter, allowed also by publike authori­tie. Therein it is flatly and expresly set downe, that it is not possible for anye man ordinarily to be sa­ued, but by preaching: and yet behold these men, e­uen our Bb. especially the Archb. of Cant. haue and doe maintaine, that men may heare, beleeue, and so ordinarily be saued without preaching. And by the practize of this monstrous errour, Rom 10. 14. 1. contrarie to the word of God, Cor. 1. 21. contrarie vnto the established, Iam. 1. 21. & pri­uiledged doctrine, allowed and practized in this kingdom in the beginning of her Majesties raigne. They are the verye knowne cause of the perdition (without the Lordes secreete and vnreuealed mer­cies) of infinit thousandes of soules in this land. But although I say, that in their vngodly proceedings, they neither agree with the Lord and his word: nor with themselues and the receiued and established doctrine in our Church: yet I do here omit to make any catalog of their damnable errors and practises. Onely in this pointe I wishe your Hh. to consider, whether in trueth, the words of the prophet Hosea may not be truely applied vnto our Bishops in Eng­land at this day, & the most that depend vpon them The prophet is a foole in all good waies, Hosea. 9. 7. 8. the spirituall man is mad: The watchman of Ephraim should be with God: but the prophet is the snare of a fouler in al his waies, and hatred in the house of God, Zephan. 3. 4. or whether with Zephaniah and Ezekiel you may not truely say vnto them, Ezek. 13. 4. that they are light and wicked persons, such as haue poluted the sanctuary, & wrested the lawe that they are like the Foxes in the wast places, and such as haue not risen vp in the gapps, nor made vpp the headg for Englande, to stand in the battel in the day of the Lord. And if you finde these things to be verified in [Page 52] our prophets and spiritual men, then also vndoub­tedly may it be saide vnto England, the dais of thy visitacion [...] England are come, the daies of thy repen­tance are at hand, and England shal knowe it. Because thy prophets for the most part are fooles, and thy spiri­tual men are madd, thy watchmen are as the snare of a fowler in al their waies, yea and they are the very cause that the house of thy God is so hated, and detested of all estates, as the building thereof is not regarded

It remaineth now right honorable, that I betake you vnto the almightie, whose cause is nowe in hand and before whome one day you shall giue account of your dealings in it, humbly beseeching, and intre­ting you, that herein, and in all other matters of waight, you would take the holy man Iob for a pat­terne, that the same eternal blessing may fall vppon you, which he enjoieth to his neuer ending comfort with whose words I wil end. And when the eare hard me, Iob. 29. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15 16. 17. (saith Iob) it blessed me, and when the eie saw mee, it gaue witnesse to me, for I deliuered the poore that cried, and the fatherlesse, and him that had none to help him, the blessing of him that was ready to perish, came vppon me, and I caused the widowes hart to rejoice, I put one iustice and it couered me, my iudgment was a robe and a crown, I was the eyes to the blinde, and I was the feet to the lame, I was a father to the poore, and when I knewe not the cause I sought it diligently, I brake also the chawes of the vnrighteous man, and pluckt the pray out of his teeth.