A plaine refutation of M. G. Giffardes reprochful booke, intituled a short treatise against the Donatists of England Wherein is discouered the forgery of the whole ministrie, the confusion, false worship, and antichristian disorder of these parish assemblies, called the Church of England. Here also is prefixed a summe of the causes of our seperation ... by Henrie Barrovve. Here is furder annexed a briefe refutation of M. Giff. supposed consimilituda betwixt the Donatists and vs ... by I. Gren. Here are also inserted a fewe obseruations of M. Giff. his cauills about read prayer & deuised leitourgies.

A BRIEF SVMME OF the causes of our seperation, and of our purposes in practise, withstood by G. G. defended by H. B. as followeth.

WE seeke aboue all thinges the peace and protection of the most high, and the kingdome of CHRIST IESVS our Lord. 2 WE seeke and fully purpose to worship God aright, according as he hath commaded in his most holy word. 3 WE seeke the fellowship of his faithfull & obedient seruants, and to∣gether with them to enter Couenant with the Lord, and by the direc∣tion of his holy Spirit, to proceed to a godly, free, and right choise of Ministers and other Officers by him ordeyned to the seruice of his Church. 4 WE seeke to establish and obey the ordinances & lawes of our Sauiour Christ left by his last will & Testament to the gouerning & guyding of his Church, without altering, changing, innouating, wres∣ting, or leauing out anie of them that the Lord shall gyue vs sight of. 5 WE purpose (by the assistance of the holy Ghost) in this faith & order to leade our lyues, and for this faith & order to leaue our lyues, if such be the good will of our heauenly Father, to whom be honor & glorye Amen.

6 AND now that our forsaking & vtter abandoning of these disordered assemblies as they generally stand in England, may not seeme strange nor offensiue to anie man that will iudge or be iudged by the word of God, we alledge & af∣firme them heinously guiltie in these 4 principall Trans∣gressions.

• 1 THEY worship the true God after a false maner, their wor∣ship being made of the invention of man, euen of that man of sinne, erronious & imposed vpon them.
• 2 FOR that the prophane vngodly multitudes, without excep∣tion anie one person, are with them receiued into, and reteined in the bozome of the Church.
• ...

• 3 FOR that they haue a false & Antichristian Ministerie im∣posed vpon them, reteined with them, and maintained by them.
• 4 FOR that these Churches are ruled by, and remaine in sub∣iection vnto an Antichristian and vngodly gouernment, cleane contrarie to the institutiō of our Sauiour CHRIST.

VVhen these things stand thus, let him that readeth consider.

THE first Article is that which all Christians doo seek in dead;* 1.1 but the kingdome of CHRIST, or the kingdome of God (as CHRIST saith) is within men: Yt consisteth in righteousnes & peace & ioye in the holy Ghost. For the preseruation of this, CHRIST hath ordeined a Church gouernmēt. They sinne against God which do not couet, and according to their calling labour to haue so great a help. But to trans∣port the name of Christs kingdome which is spirituall, which is in the heart, vnto this which is but a part, and as though the kingdome of God could not be in anie vnlesse they haue this (so they do not wilfully despise yt) I say is false, and the contrarie to be proued by the Scrip∣tures.

OVR Article being by you confessed to be the bounden dutie of al true Christians,* 1.2 we see not with what equitie you can in this ma∣ner cauil at our wordes, or with what conscience you can misconstrue and constreine them as you doo; seeking therby to retract by sleight, what you cannot gainesay in truth. And taking occasion to contend about wordes: Namely [the kingdome of CHRIST] You make yt only inward, and vse CHRIST as one of the Phisitians planitarie signes, assig∣ning to him in hipoctisie your heart & soule to rule, whilst in y^e meane time you yeild your bodies and whole assemblies to the obedience and rule of Antichrist; making no cōscience to obey his lawes openly, and to transgresse Christs; thinking belyke Christs kingdome so inward and spirituall, as that he requireth no bodily or outward obedience; or, be∣cause yt consisteth of righteousnes, and peace, and ioye of the holy Ghost,* 1.3 that ther may be peace without righteousnes, or ioye without peace,* 1.4 or inward righteousnes where is such outward disobedience and wilfull transgression. But al this is couered and cured at once [if so be you couet & labour in your calling to haue CHRISTS outward gouern∣ment, &c.] To discusse here how far euerie Christians dutie & calling extendeth herein, vvere to dismisse all your answers at once, and to pluck away the mantle of shame wherwith you couer your nakednes,

your negligence, and all your abhominations. In this place therfore we will only ask you these 2 questions. First; whither anie which haue their calling of Antichrist, or be his marked Ministers, or waged ser∣uants, can truly and vprightly couet & labour for the sincere gouern∣ment of CHRIST, which is his whipp wherwith he ••kourgeth out all thieues, intruders and idle-bellies out of his house. The next questi∣on is: Whither to remaine wittingly and seruilely in the bondage and yoake of Antichrist 29 yeares, be to seek & labour for the gouernment of Christ faithfully in your callings, or to vphold and vndershore the kingdome of Antichrist rather?

But to transport the name of Christs kingdome which is chiefly spiri∣tuall and in the heart, vnto that which is but a part &c.

How diuerslie the kingdome of God is read in the Scriptures, we will not contend with you (although it were not hard to shew either your ignorance or forgetfulnes herein) Only this we say; our words can carie no such construction, muchlesse such an erronious opinion, as you (abounding in your owne sense) haue not only collect, but con∣futed. In the first our words being, That we seeke the kingdome of Christ Iesus our Lord, cannot be thus restreined to Christs outward orders and gouernment in his Church; especially, if you had pondered that which followed, where in the •• Article (after your diuision) we haue expressed this point in perticular. Neither (if we should admit you y•• interpretation) could you collect from thence [that the kingdome of God could not be in anie, vnlesse they haue this] But as we vsually reade in the olde and new Testament Christs kingdome to be taken for his true visible Church here in earth; so we acknowledg his vniuersall Church & kingdome to extend to all such as by a true faith apprehend & confesse Christ, howsoeuer they be scattered, or whersoeuer dispersed vpon the face of the earth: Yet both with this interim, without true faith & obedience can be no true Church, no true Christian.

THE 2 Article ought all men that will please God to approue.* 1.5

THIS Article you say [ought al that wil please God to approue] How then seek you to please God,* 1.6 vvhich continue in Idolatrie & are a Minister therof, vvhich prophecie in Baall & plead for Baall? Or how ap∣proue you yt, when you condempne vs of schisme and heresie because we forsake your false & antichristiā worship, and seek to worship Christ according to his word?

THE 3 Article if it be taken in this sense,* 1.7 that yee dare set vp a so∣cietie seperated from all others vvithin this land vvhich make

publique profession; then I see not, when you haue gon by your selues & set vp your Officers, how you will cleare your selues from Donatisme. If theirs were a damnable fact which God did accurse, then take heed to yours; for if it can be shewed that their heresies are not holden, I will chang my minde.

THE words of our Article being [That we seek the fellowship and communion of Christs faithfull & obedient seruants] cleare vs of all schisme & heresie:* 1.8 So that if you would convince vs of these crimes, it had bene expedient you had first proued your assemblies, as they gene∣rally stand, by the euidence of Gods word, to be true churches of Christ, rightly entred & keeping couenant with the Lord, continuing in the order and obedience of his word &c, and that we preposterously haue departed from you, and vncharitably haue forsaken your fellowship. But as soone as you shall shew vs such a church emōg you, by the grace of God we wil shew you how free we are of schisme: As likewise, when you shall lay open our errors vnto vs, how farr we wil be frō heresie. In the meane time we will not cease to pray vnto God for you, that he will not lay these sinnes vnto your charge, which in your ignorant zeale you commyt, but in mercy shew you the feareful estate you stād in, and giue you an heart vnfeinedly to repent, & speedely to turne vnto him.

THE 4 Article ought all men to practise so far forth as the limitts of their calling doo extend.* 1.9 But let it be shewed that euer priuat men did take vpon them to reforme when things were amisse in the Church; or that anie of the Prophetts did wil them to take the matter in hand; or shew your warrant that you be not priuat men.

THIS Article you first alowe,* 1.10 and after restreyne to we wot not what limits of calling: But if you grant it the dutie of euerie true Chris∣tian to seek to establish & obey the ordinances & lawes of Christ, left in his Testament to the gouerning of his Church, without altering &c: it is as much as we indeuour: or purpose. Otherwise we allowe not that, which the law of God condempneth, either intrusion without lawfull calling, either transgression in calling, or presumption aboue calling. Our purpose is not to medle with the reformation of the state, otherwise then by our prayers vnto God, and refreining from al things that are cōtrarie to Gods lawe.* 1.11 Neither indeuour we to reforme your Babilonish deformities, or to repaire the ruines of Hierico, or dawbe the wall of A••tichrist with you. This trash we know to be deuote to exe∣cratiō by the Lords owne irreuocable sentence; and therfore we leaue the reformation of them to the Lords visitation in iudgment:* 1.12 holding it our dutie without al delay to obey the voice of God which calleth vs

out of all places where he is not truly worshipped according to his word, where his lawes are wilfully broken & Antichrists lawes obeyed: And this to be the commandement of God in the law by his Prophets, Christ himself and his Apostles, is euerie where in the scripture manifest (without exception of person or restreint of calling) euen vnto euerie one that wilbe saued. In the rest (whatsoeuer you surmise of vs) we ar∣rogat no swelling titles, we are as we professe to be, simple hearted Christians, which seek to worship and obey Christ as our only King, Priest, and Prophet: And to our Prince we are humble & obediēt sub∣iects in all things which are not repugnant to Gods lawes.

IF a man hath the truth,* 1.13 it is good to stand vnto yt to the death ra∣ther then denie yt; as our Church in the same estate it is in now, yeilded many blessed cōstant Martirs. But if a man hath not the truth, it is a great obstinacie to die for yt; as sondrie Anabaptists and other he∣reticks haue shewed. Euerie true Christian will rather die then denie the discipline which Christ hath left: But you must shew that God com∣mandeth priuat men to set yt vp.

THE word of God & your owne mouth hauing approued our de∣sires in these Articles,* 1.14 we cannot be moued with Satans olde ten∣tation, to doubt of the Lords vndoubted truth, or call his commande∣ments into question, with [if it be true &c.] Neither can we be re∣moued by that olde popish reason which you bring, of certeine blessed Martires that died in this estate your Church is now in. This is not to approue the estate of your Church by Christs Testament: Which vntill you doo, though all the men in the world should die both in yt & for yt, yet could they not iustifie that God condempneth. But in deed the holy Martirs you speak of, neither died in yt, nor for yt. Not in yt, be∣ing by Gods great mercy depriued and discharged by their enimies: Not for yt, but for the truth of CHRIST they most constantly gaue their lyues. Neither can it be shewed where euer they resisted the truth, be∣ing shewed them; or denied to heare yt at y^e most simple mās mouth; or euer yeilded to anie corruption or yoake that God gaue them sight of, contrarie to their owne cōsciences, as you doo in these dayes. Ther∣fore so far are they from iustifi••ng you in this your general apostasie, as that they being found faithfull in that litle in the twilight, shall rise in iudgmēt with this generation in this great light with al the giftes they boast of.

Euerie true Christian (you say) will die rather then denie the disci∣pline that Christ hath left. With what conscience then can you esteeme emong the wicked Anabaptists and condempned & dampned hereticks that suffer in their obstinacie, vs, that cast off the yoak of Antichrist, & seek & suffer for the true worship & holy gouernmēt of Christ? Or how

can you flatter your selues in the fearful estate you stand in, drawing so euen by long custome in Antichrists yoake, not only in deed and prac∣tise denijng the gouernment of CHRIST, but (to your vtmost inde∣uour) by contumelious reproches, vniust sclanders, and open persecu∣tion, seek to resist and suppresse yt. But we must shew [that God com∣mandeth priuat men to set yt vp]. First God commandeth in his law euerie one to seek the place where he putteth his name: CHRIST in the Gospel, to seek the kingdome of God, to take his yoake vpō them, &c. Againe, CHRIST hath left but one forme of gouernment in his last Will and Testament vnto his Church, which he hath fealed with his blood; and therfore not left yt arbitrable at y^e pleasures of Princes, or pollicies of tymes to be done or vndon, but made yt by a double right inuiolable,* 1.15 both by his word and his Testament; so that the Church of God cā neither be gouerned by anie other lawes or gouern∣ment, neither ought yt to be without this; for God holdeth them all in the estate of enimies, which haue not his Sonne to reigne ouer them. Now then the faithfull are cōmanded to gather togither in CHRIST his name, with promise of direction & protection, and with authoritie not only to establish his lawes & ordinances emongst them, but faith∣fully to gouerne his Church therby. For the kingdome of God con∣sisteth not in word but in power. Now this assemblie of the faithfull before they be planted & established in this order, consisteth hitherto but of perticular priuat persons, none as yet being called to office or function. Therfore we may well conclude, that God cōmandeth his faithfull seruants, being as yet priuat mē, togither to build his church, according to the true patterne of Christs Testament (without altering, changing, innouating &c.) And for this we haue the example of the primatiue Churches for our patterns and warrant, which sued not to Courtes & Parliaments, nor wayted vpon Princes pleasures, when the stones were in a redines, but presently hauing receiued y^e faith of Christ, receiued likewise the ordinances of Christ, and continued in the same. Againe, if they should tarie Princes leisuers, where were the persecu∣tion you speake of? Princes neuer punish them that obey their hestes. And thus because you cānot endure the fierie triall of persecution, you vtterly (by your perfidous tolleration) abrogate at once the crosse of Christ. And (that you might enioy this worldly peace & fleshly pleasure for a season) you care not to make Christ attend vpon Princes, and to be subiect to their lawes and gouernment. But (alas) it were fitter with a loude voice to call you out of Babilon, thē thus to sing you hebrue songes in Babilon.

THIS Article mentioneth 4 principall Transgressions,* 1.16 wherin the assemblies in England are iudged and affirmed to be heinouslie faultie, and wilfully obstinate. Elias did see outward idolatrie practised, and did see none that did mislike, and therfore complained of all, yt

was but an error. But wheras Gods word is imbraced, and multitudes abhorr idolatrie, and labour with sorowfull teares to be purged from their sinnes, it is intollerable pride & presumption of men to set them∣selues in Gods iudgment seate, and to condempne all of wilfulnes and obsti••acie. Let it be shewed that anie (led by Gods Spirit) haue dealt in this sort, and especially in chardging them whom they condempne most falslie, as shall appeare.

HERE you verie vehemently chardge vs with intollerable pride,* 1.17 presumption, intrusion into Gods iudgment seate, to be voide of Gods Spirit, to chardge and condempne you most falslie, as you say shall appeare. How iustly you chardge vs with these crimes, and dis∣chardge your self and these assemblies of these present transgressions, vpon the scanne of your answere shall appeare. In the meane time the holy Ghost sheweth vs what spirit you are led by at the writing ther∣of; and hath foretold how vvell you shall endure and reforme at the manifestation of your sinnes, and at the powring out of the cuppe of the Lords indignation, where he saith: They shall drinke, and be moued, and be madd, because of the sword that sha••l come vpon them. And in another place: And the fift Angel powred forth his viall vpon the Throne of the Beast, and his king∣dome waxed darke, and they gnawed their tongues for sorowe and blasphemed the God of heauen for their paines and their sores, but repented them not of their workes. It suffised you not to cauill and spurne against the manifest truth of our former Articles; but you must in this not only leaue out our words at your pleasure, but abuse them that remaine after your owne lust. Our Ar∣ticle speaketh of the assemblies as they generally stand in England: You retort our words to Gods secret election, which we acknowledg and daily see, and praise Gods name for it: Yet no multitudes, but a litle poore remnant, as the beries of a beaten Oliue tree, the grapes af∣ter the grape-gathering, one of a Citie, two of a Tribe in respect. And it is to be doubted, those multitudes you speake of will shrink when they come to his ass••ye whose furnace is in Sion, and fire in Hierusalem. But if it should be so as you say, the heauie wrath of God hāgeth ouer your heades, that haue a people so redie and fit for the kingdome of CHRIST, and suffer them to continue in this confusion, false worship, antichristian bondage, euen the snare of the Deuil; and not only not leade them out of it, but not suffer thē that would to depart, and thus slay them that should not dye. Yea you smite the Phisitiā that seeketh to heale you, and are enimies to them that shew you your trāsgressiōs, iudging them voide of the spirit of God. But if you had but consi∣dered that Prophets zeale, as you remembred his error, you should haue found him zealous & ••eruent against Baalls Priests in Gods quar∣rell. It were long to recite the number of Gods faithfull seruāts which are euerie where cōmended in the scriptures for their zeale & diligēce

herein: Or againe the Lords iudgments not onlie vpon perticular men, but whole Contries & nations for the contempt & neglect ther∣of. So then, if it fall out that the lawe and word of God condempne you of these transgressions, what are we that we should iustifie you in your iniquities; nay rather proude, hawtie, and scornfull is his name that worketh in his arrogancie wrath &c.

To blazon your transgressions as they deserue, requireth rather a quire then a shead of paper: And (to say the truth) it is an yrksomnes vnto anie godly conscience, either to heare or recite them. Yet because ther is no cause so bad which shal not finde as bad a patrone, we will only examine your answeres, and brieflie shew their insufficiencie.

THE first fault is;* 1.18 That we worship the Lord after a false maner, because our worship is said to be made of the invention of man, yea of the man of sinne, erronious & imposed vpon vs. I answere, that our worship is the imbracing of the holy Bible; by the doctrine ther∣of we seeke to belieue in God, to call vpon him, and to doo all good workes. Manie Ministers ther be in England which haue not ap∣proued the booke of common praier further, then they are perswaded it is consonant to Gods word, hor vsed anie thing therin which they iudge corrupt. But you say all read prayer is idolatrie: But you must bring better stuffe to proue yt then your spirituall fantasies so directly ouerthrowne by the holy scriptures, howsoeuer they may be cauilled against with fond distinctions, as the hereticks haue done in other matters.

THE first Transgression we chardge your assemblies with,* 1.19 is: That you worship God after a false maner, your worship being made of the invention of man, euen of the man of sinne, erronious, and impo∣sed vppon you. You answere, your worship is the imbracing the holy Bible: Thus begging the question, you neither proue your worship by the Bible, nor answere one of these 4 apparant reasons which we bring in our Articles, whie yt is false & contrarie to the Bible. For the furder manifestation of your worship in perticular, let that great Idoll, the booke of your cōmon prayer (which is so full of errors, blasphemies, and abhominations) be examined by the word of God. See if you can finde in the new Testament your Romish Fastes, your Ember dayes, Sainctes Eaues, Lent, or your Idoll Feastes, your Alhallowes, Candle∣masse, your seuerall Lady dayes, Saincts dayes, the dedicating of your Churches to Saincts, your Comminations, Rogations, Purifications, Tithe••, Offrings, Mortuaries, your maner of visiting the sick & hous∣ling them with the Sacrament, your Absolution, your blasphemous Diriges and funerall sermons ouer and for the dead, your corrupt ma∣ner

of administring the Sacraments, your Font, crossing in baptisme, your Baptising by women, Gossippings, the blasphemous Collects you vse in this Sacrament, your Bishoppings, with all your hereticall Col∣lects in that Booke, which is a wearines to vs to repeate, though not in you to vse,* 1.20 tollerate, and defend. But all this geare must be swallowed vp: This candle may not be lighted, lest the people looke into the ab∣hominable ingredients which you their antichristian Ministers giue them, or rather sell them in the whore of Babilons Cupp to the destruc∣tion of their soules. But you know some Ministers in the land, which neither vse nor approue the Booke further, then they are perswaded in conscience it is consonaut to Gods word. But you know none that vse not the Booke: You know neuer a Minister in this land which ei∣ther is authorized by the state, or standeth in puplique place, which standeth nor vnder this Idoll, or that hath throwne yt out by the power of the word, or withdrawne the people from yt with al their preaching these 29 yeares; but ioyne their Gospel to yt,* 1.21 minister to that people that vse yt, &c. Neither can the conningest of you make the best parte of yt other, then a piece of swynes flesh, an abhomination to the Lord. Nei••her can the perswasion of your cōscience either iustifie your wor∣ship, cleare you, or satisfie others; especiallie when we see your con∣fciences to tollerat and submit vnto the whole; to vse part in respect of your homage, and to refuse part for shame of the world. Hitherto appeareth no sclander in our Article, your vvorship being altogither as yll, and worse then we speake of; and such indeed as you neither can nor dare abide by: And therfore to get ridd of this Article which pres∣seth you so ••ore, you chardge vs with matter which you finde not in our Article: That we say all read prayer is idolatrie, terming it our stuffe, spirituall fantasies directly ouerthrowne by the holy scriptures, howsoeuer vve may cauil with fond distinctions, as the hereticks haue done in other matters. From what spirit procedeth al this? found you this in our Article? If not, all these blasphemous reproches must re∣turne to you againe with shame: You want a couert when you flie into this bush to hide you. When you shall be better instructed of the holy Ghost, and haue learned what prayer is, you vvill not call spirituall prayers spirituall fantasies, neither thrust your Apochripha prayers to be read in the church of God, where only Gods word ought to be read. But this being beside our Article, in nothing disprouing it, not iustify∣ing your idolatrous worship vsed in your assemblies, we leaue the fur∣ther clearing of this to him, to vvhome it more perticularly (belon∣geth. And we, for euerie thing you haue as yet brought) must re∣maine cleared of all the sclanders and reproches you haue cast out against vs; your assemblies still charged and obstinatly guyltie of a popish, erronious, and idolatrous worship thrust vppon them accor∣ding to our Article; and you not a Minister, but a defendor of this trumperie, resisting the truth, and blaspheming vs for defending the truth.

THE 2 fault is:* 1.22 That all the prophane multitude (without excep∣tion of anie person) are admitted & reteined into the bozome of the Church. The most Churches in England want godly Pasoors, and there all are admitted, it may be he that admitteth is the worst in the companie. But ther be manie greater & smaler Congregations where the Pastor doth keepe back some for ignorance, and some for spotted life, vntil they amēd; as I my ••elf haue knowne 〈…〉〈…〉 repelled from the Sacrament in one stocke, and not admitted at all. But you will say; by what right doth the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this? I say, that the Book of common prayer doth expreslie command, that all such as lyue vngodly shal not be admitted. But then you will say, they be admitted to come vnto prayers with the rest. Not, if they be excōmunicated iustly, as sondrie are. Againe, this will hardly be reteined of all that know the truth, that the prayer or worship of the faithfull is poluted if ther be prophane men in companie, especially we that cānot remedie the matter. There were but a few true worshippers frequented the Temple emong mul∣titudes of prophane & vngodly men. But what can you aledge more th̄ the Anabaptists did at the first, whie they seperated themselues? would you haue priuate men reforme the Temple, or not come there?

HERE you confesse that the most Churches in England want godly Pastors;* 1.23 and that there all are admitted; and that he that admitteth them is the worst of the companie.* 1.24 Thus you make the most Churches in England in a verie bad estate, and so far forth you affirme our Article. But yet you know some Churches, where the Pastor hath repelled for ignorance & spotted life to the number of 20. or 30. from the Sacrament &c. This verie rare thing being graunted you, what in∣sueth therof? Doth this disproue, that euē there, and in the best of your Churches, the prophane multitudes are not receiued into & reteined in the bozome & bodie of your Churches? Were there no more pro∣phane ••ow yee but these 20. or 30. you speake of in Ye Parish? or were not they elsewhere receiued to the Sacrament? But to take a more di∣rect course with you, and to proue our Article at once. Know you anie in those Parishes you speake of, or in the Realme of England vnbap∣tised? And is not Baptisme a Sacramēt belonging to the church, wher∣by all the faithful & their ••eede enter into yt? Then all being baptised, it followeth, that all are receiued into the bodie of your Church. Now being once receiued in, they can no way be cast out, but by excommu∣nication. And it is manifest that the Parson with al his Parish haue not the powre which Christ hath left vnto his Church to excommunicate anie offendor, be he neuer so obstinate or notorious; no nor to redresse anie enormitie that is laide vpon them by the times. And thus the o∣ther part of our Article is confirmed; That all are reteined in the bo∣zome of your Church. And now to your suspension or prohibition from the Sacrament: You wil haue vs aske you by what right the Mi∣nister

doth this. In deed this would be knowne; for if it be in the na∣ture of excōmunication, it were no small presumption in the Minister to arrogate such absolute authoritie to himself. But all this your an∣swere cleareth. The Booke of cōmon prayer (you say) doth command &c. Here may not be let passe that euen your owne mouth confesseth; that euē the best of your Churches & Ministers stand vnder, obserue & vphold this Idoll. Whie, is y^e Book•• of cōmon prayer Christs new Testa∣ment, that you must fetch your war••ant & directiō from that Idoll? In deed yt is a fitt Portesse for such a Priest; and the suspension you vaunt of, a fitt toole for such workmen, euen the instrument of that foolish Sheepheard. If the iudgment of God were not vpon your right eie & your right arme, you might see how your Lordes the Bishopps dresse you; and perceiue how this weapon they allow you, wanteth both edge & poinct; yt is so rebuted by them, that neuer a one in the Parish set∣teth a flie by yt. Againe, one word of M. Cōmissaries mouth can heale the greatest wound you cā make with yt. The next thing that you wil haue vs to say, is [That they be admitted to come to prayer with the rest]. For this you haue a cunning solution redie: Not (you say) if they be iustly excōm••nicat▪ as sondrie are. See how God ensnareth you in your owne words, and how hard a bad cause is to defend, though you make both our Questions & your owne Answers as it pleaseth you.

First here is to be obserued, That you subscribe not in secret, but openly iustifie the Comissaries excōmunicatiō, for other meanes haue your Sinagogs none, the Parson, Church-wardens, Side-men, Quest-men being sworne seruants, and the whole Parish standing in subiectiō to his An∣tichristian Court.

The is to be obserued, what good Sheepherds you be, that yield your sheepe to this rauening wolfe to make hauock of them, and excōmu∣nicate at his pleasure. But al theis transgressions and enormities what∣soeuer, you thinke to heale, or hide (at the least) with these 2 drye wy∣thered fig-leaues: The one; That you cannot remedie the matter: Tho∣ther; Priuate mē may not reforme. In the first you cōfesse your selues depriued of that powre which Christ vnto the worlds end hath left vnto his Church to reforme & redresse things amisse. In tho'ther, depriued of al christia libertie & will, so much as to saue your owne soule, and to come forth of this Babilonish bondage you stand in,* 1.25 still dreaming of the reformatiō of your idolatrous Sinagogs, and seeking to heale the wounde of the Beast, comparing them to the Temple of God, and still begging the question, frame your Arguments as though your people were faithful, and your prayer holie. Alas, it were better you toke ex∣ample by the fearefull iudgmēts of God vpon y^e Temples, and learned of the faithfull seruants of God which in the idolatrous dayes of Achas, 〈…〉〈…〉 &c▪ ref••eined from that they could not amend; ra∣ther then in this ••rantick maner to blaspheme the name of Christ wher∣vpon we are called, by comparing vs to Anabaptists & Heretiks for obeying the voice of God that calleth vs from emong you, and for telling you the truth.

THE 3 fault is;* 1.26 A false & Antichristian ministrie imposed & main∣teined. Here is no reason rendred whie it is a false & Antichristian ministerie which is imposed. Yf yee be Prophetts raised vp of God we must belieue that which you say; but they did not lye in anie matter: but euerie man may see, that you haue in the former Article lied. We may not therfore giue credit to your imaginations. We haue more to proue that ther be manie faithfull Ministers of Christ in the land, then that anie shalbe able to ouerthrow. This I would wi••h, that simple men would haue thus much wisdome, as to suspend their iudgment if they be in doubt, and so enquire if ther be anie churches of Christ vnder hea∣uen, what they do iudge of the Minist••rie & churches of England. For if ther be no Church of Christ nor ministerie, and all the famous men in all the Churches say we be (knowing our estate as they doo right well) then be they all guyltie, then where shall we finde the Church? Shall we seek yt emongst a few vncharitable men, which cannot shew anie Church which agreeth vvith them so nerely as the Anabaptists & Dona∣tists? Let it be set downe vvhat maketh a true Minister of Christ, and then if that be not found in manie Ministers in England, let them be con∣demned Antichristian. It is the part of euerie godly & christian man to haue the matter throughly tried, before he pronounce sentence; if it were but against one man, he should sinne grieuouslie to doo other∣wise, much more when the sentence is against the whole Church.

HERE you say is no reason rendred by vs vvhie yt is a false and Antichristian Ministrie which is imposed.* 1.27 But if you had bet∣ter vveighed these two former Transgressions vvherwith we charge you; or dulie considered of your owne answere before you had put penne to paper, you might haue gayned this labour you haue taken, & the shame you are like to suffer by theis your friuolous & indirect an∣swers. Or if you had consulted with your learned bretheren vpon the matter (to whome this promise which you haue intercepted,* 1.28 more nerely by many rightes apperteined) they would haue coūselled you to haue vsed your discretion rather in the pulpit as they doo, where you may say what you list without controlement, thē thus bewray your fol∣lie in writing, which lyeth subiect to the censure of all men in all ages. They consider that an euill and corrupt matter ought rather to be co∣uered then raked in, lest yt become more odious.

[ 1] Now we were perswaded by the word of God that the true Minister of Christ could not be a Minister of idolatrous & false worship. Such in our first cause of our comming out from emong you, we proued the [ 2] worship in your assemblies to be. Then we were perswaded by y^e word of God, that a true Pastor could not stand a heard to the Lords goates, and swyne, blessing them with the blessing of the faithfull, and deliue∣ring them the holy things of God, as the Sacraments &c. Such in our second cause we proued both you and your people, as they generally

stand in your Parishes, to be. And now in this third cause your self, by but repeating part of our words, doo giue a strong & sufficient reason. Namely; that your Ministrie is thrust & imposed vpō your Churches, & not freely chosen by the Lords faithful people according to Christ his ordinance in his Testamēt. You know our Sauiour Christ his iudgmēt of such as come into the shepefolde by in••rusion, or ascend vp anie other way. So then wee seeke not that you should credit vs, or hold vs for Prophetts: But if this wee speake be that vvhich God by them hath vttered, then you deride not vs so much as them, nor them so much as the Spirit of God that spake in them. [But the Prophetts of God lied not in anie thing; but euerie man may see that wee haue in the former Article lied.] The Deuill is the author of lies, sclaunders, false accusations against the Saincts &c, and therof hath his name: All that make or loue lies are his childrē, and shalbe shut off the Citie of God. This chardge wee haue repelled in the 2. Transgression; where wee proued all receiued into your Church by Baptisme, and are reteined in your Churches, because you haue not the powre of Christ to excommu∣nicat anie. Thus still you fall into the pitte you make for vs, by Gods iust iudgmēts, and shall by the same receiue the reward of a liar, a false vvitnesse, a false Prophet, if God giue you not grace to repent, which wee shall more ioye in then in your confusion.

Of the great store of reasons you haue to proue your Ministrie to be of Christ, & your selues faithfull, you might haue bestowed one of your store, either for pitie or for loue vpon vs, who you see are fully perswa∣ded, that ther is not one such Minister among you all; at least for sa∣uing your self from the blame you layde vpon vs, one reason vvould haue done vvel: But chiefly for confirming your Ministerie to be of Christ, one (at the least) had bene more then necessarie: For otherwise wee may not belieue your bare affirmation before Christs negatiue: In whose Testament wee finde neither the names you carie, the Offices you beare, the maner of your entrance, of your administration, neither of your support & maintenance.* 1.29 Your discent and pedegree is within few degrees deriued from the Pope, you being the children of your Antichristian Bishops which are the creatures of the Pope, who is the eldest sonne of Sathan, and his Vicar gennerall in earth, whose image, marke, powre and life you ••eare, and together with him grow, liue, reigne, stand and fall, as the brāches with the tree. Now wee knowing the plant cannot easilye be deceiued in the grafts, especiallie knowing them from their cradles, nourished with the milke of superstition, in∣structed in the schole of heathen vanitie, brought vp in the Colledges of more then monkish idlenes and disorder, exercised in vaine and curious artes, whose diuinitie is by tradition, and according to their progresse & degrees therin commēded to the Ordinarie, who making probation of them accordingly, doth either initiate or trayne them in this idolatrons office, or els giue them their full orders, with his paper licence & popish seale therat. Thus are they either presented to a Be∣nifice,

instituted, inducted, where they ringe their bells, pay the first fruictes, taxes, proxes, and are sworne to their canonicall obedience, to his Scenes, Courtes, Synods &c: Or els (as they terme them) they are become Preachers,* 1.30 either waged Chaplens, mercenarie Curats, or hireling teachers, gaping for promotion: Which being obteined, they change, remoue, e••terchange, according to their best aduantage. In this maner being entred by intrusion, they cannot but lyue by theft, spoile and rapine, as their popish tithes, the goods of the poore, and offrings of the prophane indifferently; and gouerne by tyrannie and perfidie: Tyrannie, in exe••uting the popish Iniunctions, euen the sta∣tutes of Omry: Perfidie, in betraijng all into the hands of their Lords the Bishops. Thus fulfil they scriptures, by which who so examineth their infinite transgressions in perticular, can want no store of Argument•• against this Ministrie; our purpose being here rather to shew some, thē to set downe all, or to confute anie of their odious enormities: Which are so grosse, that as sone as they are but manifested by the light, they are reproued. And it could not be (if the Lord had not layd a vaile ouer their hearts) that where the scriptures are read, these deformities could be hid, tollerated, or defended.

But in stead of an Argument to vs, you turne your speach to the simple people, and giue them counsell if they doubt of your Mini∣sterie [to supend their iudgments, and to inquire if ther be anie Chur∣ches of God vnder heauen, and what they do iudge of the Ministerie, and Church of England] &c. Is this the best counsell you can giue them? vse you thus to appeaze vnquiet cōsciences, and to resolue their doubtes? With what conscience can they which remaine doubtfull of the truth, and lawfulnes of your ministerie, frequent your prayers and preaching in the meane time vntil they may send ouer sea and be re∣solued from thence; You know that what is not of faith, is sinne. But with what conscience can you vse poore soules thus that inquire the truth at your mouth, to send them ouer sea you wot not whether to be resolued of your Ministerie & Churches? Is your Church built vpon the words of men, or vpon the worde of God? Is this to proue your Church & Ministerie by the word of God? Or to vse the old worne Ar∣guments of your mother Church of Rome, who was wont to defend her self by vniuersalitie & consent? What if all the Churches & learned mē in the world should say you are a Church (which wee must tel you by the way they all neuer did, neither caanie which knoweth the word of God and your estate aright) but if they should, could they, or all the world iustifie, that God condempneth? Should not a people inquire at their God from the liuing to the dead? Remember yee not that it is written To the law•• & the testimonies if they speake not, it is because there is no light in them. But yee are gone out of the way, yee haue caused manie to fall by the Lawe, yee haue broken the Couenant of Le••ie saith the Lord of ho∣stes, therfore haue I made you also to be despised and vile before all the people, because you kept not my Wayes but haue bene partiall in the

Lawe. Yea the iudgments of God are alredie fallen vpon you; you all (as he speaketh by his Prophe••) being couered with a spirit of slumber,* 1.31 euen strickē with the blindnes of Elimas, groping the way in the noone light, because you haue peruerted the straight waies of the Lord; and being thus miserable and blinde out of the way, not only perceiue it not, but loue darknes more then light, refusing the light when yt is brought you, yea despising yt, because of the fewenes and basenes of them that bring yt you. And in this Pharisaicall pride procede, after your accustomed maner of blaspheming, terming vs fewe, vnchari∣table, Anabaptists, Donatists &c. Thus fulfill you the measure of your forefathers; thus dealt they with all Gods faithfull seruants that were sent vnto them, yea euen with CHRIST himself, refusing him for his simplicitie, reputing him emong thieues, deceiuers, &c: We looke for no better vsage at your hands; the seruant is neither greater nor better then his Maister; if they haue done thus to the greene tree, what shall not you doo to the drie? Yet so far are we from all danger or harme by theis curses,* 1.32 that God turneth them forthwith vnto vs as a blessing, and to a comfortable assurance both of the fellowship of the faith, and of the suffrings of CHRIST: Blessed are you when men reuile you, and say all maner of euil against you for my names sake &c. Againe, through the mercies of our God, all the ini••ries you can offer vnto vs cannot ouercome our charitie, or breake our patience. In the one we possesse our soules; in the other we will not cease to praie for you, euen as for our selues, and be redie to doo you anie good we can. Now to those poore soules whome you like miserable phisitians thus cure, we giue this aduise; (yet not we, but the Load) That they beware of Wolues in sheepes clothing: That thei ••ollow not blind guides too far: That thei marke diligentlie and auoide such as transgresse and abide not in the doctrine of CHRIST, not walke after the rule of the Gospel: That thei turne away from such as make a shew of godlines, but denie the power and practize therof, deceiuing with faire wordes the hearts of the simple, talking of CHRIST but denijng him in deedes. Further we send them not to mans worde, nor ouer sea, but to Gods worde, which is neere them, euen in their mouthes and in their hearts: Let them therby trie the spirits before thei belieue them: Let them therby measure their Temple, their Altar and their Worshippers, and especiallie their owne hearts; that thei may be wise to that which is good, and simple concer∣ning euil. If the latter part of your answere had bene put in the begin∣ning, (to haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 downe what maketh a true Minister of Christ) & you approued your Ministrie accordinglie, we had suffered lesse iniurie, and you lesse blame, Notwithstāding, because it is neuer to late to re∣pēt, if this your offer be according to your heart, we most willinglie & gladlie accept of it, and wil refuse no indifferent & godlie conference, which we yet this time expected, and to that end wrote (at certeine of your chief Ministers requests) these Articles, which you haue takē vpō you to answere. In the rest though you haue most rashlie & most vn∣chariblie

reproched & condempned vs alredie, contrarie to all truth, order or equitie, euen for telling you the truth; Yet if hereafter you can beware of rash iudgment, we shall reioice. Likewise, if you can es∣cape Gods iudgments for these your heinous transgressions; or make anie better plea for them then as yet we haue heard or can perceiue, we shall not be sorie, but much glad, if you would preuent the wrath that hangeth ouer your heads for them by vnfeigned repentance & spedie amendement.

THE 4 fault is in the subiectiō to Antichristian gouernment.* 1.33 Let it be admitted that ther is some yoake of Antichristian gouern∣ment, vnder which the poore Church doth grone, (as it is her lot to be oppressed with outward bondage, to be made to keepe the vineyeard which is not her owne, to be beaten of the watchmen, to haue her vaile taken from her) is she therfore no longer the Spouse of Christ?

BVT o how far are you from this; which winke with your eies,* 1.34 stop your eares, hardē your hearts; which cānot endure so much as to heare of your feareful esta••e which you see not, no nor suffer your sores which you see, to be touched; but seeke rather to cloake & hide them both frō God & men; yea to mitigate, tollerate & iustifie them. Seeke you not here to mitigate that heauie apparant Antichristiā yoak your Churches stand vnder, wherof heretofore you haue complained in Parliaments? tearming yt [some yoake], being now peraduenture through long custome growen lighter vnto you, and more easie then Christs yoake, at the least, thē Christs Crosse. And yet this [some yoake] is yeilded but by waie of admition, to be retracted at your pleasure, if either aduantage arise to vs, or danger grow to you therby. Further, you haue added to this your hipocrisie, Blasphemie; tearming the yoake of Antichrist the lott of the Church, which she must beare by the will of God; wherof in due place. Now to shew this [some yoake] you speake of according to the indignitie therof in euerie perticular, would make a volume: Yea onlie to recite y^e seuerall enormities ther∣of, would require a discourse; which is neither our purpose at this time, neither haue we skill or experience therin. Only this we see and testifie, that your churches stād whollie vnder the yoake of Antichrist, you still reteining his Worship, his Lawes, his Ordinances, his Officers, his Courtes, euen the whole gouernment that the Pope somtime com∣mitted to his faithfull seruants your Bishops, which now haue takē his power into their owne hands. What a sort of stagelike Antichristian Courtes haue you? As first, that great Court of your high Cōmission▪ the Court (ex officio) in euerie Bishops house; the Court of Arches; the Court of Delegates; the Court of Faculties: Not to speak of your in∣feriour

Courtes in the Contrie; as your Commissaries and Officialls Courtes; your Scenes, & such like. What a rabble of Officers & atten∣dants are vnto the••e belonging? Aduocates, Doctors, Proctors, Regis∣ters, Scribes, Pursiuants. Who can number all their Antichristiā Can∣nons, Lawes, Rites, Ceremonies, Priuileges, Dispensations, Licences of all sortes, Probations, Inhibitions &c? which require but the whole age of a man to reade. But now who can recount the perticular mischiefs & enormities that ensue & flow from them, euen ouer the whole land? Or who yeildeth not to this Antichristian iurisdiction? Doo not you & your whole Parishes, without exception of one, bowe downe to this Beast, and take the marke of his subiection, or the print of his lawes vpon you, euē in your foreheads & in your handes? What libertie haue you to refreine frō these abhominations, without present persecution? Or what powre haue you to execute and practize Christs lawes? Call you this but some yoake?* 1.35 The holie Ghost hath taught vs to call you his ••eruants to whome you obey: So we finding you vnder the obedience of Antichrist, cannot compt you the seruants of Christ; vnlesse you can proue that you can serue two cōtrarie Maisters faithfullie at once. Christ & Antichrist are at perpetual war, ther is no cōmunion betwene them: So that it is impossible that the Church of Christ can carie the yoake of Antichrist, without breach of wedlock, euen of the Couenant, as ap∣peareth plentifullie in all the Prophets, Christs loue being not bound to her anie longer, then shee keepeth faith to him. Againe, ther is conti∣nuall war betwene the true Church, and Antichrist; which were at an end, if she should yeild vnto him, or carie his yoake, as you suppose. But if you had learned to put difference betwene persecution and bon∣dage, you could not in this matter haue runne into this blasphemous error, as to say [it is the lot of the Church to be oppressed with outward bōdage, and to be made to keepe the vineyeard which is not her owne] Persecution in deed is the lott of the Church here is this world; as he that was borne after the flesh persecuted him that was borne after the Spirit. But bondage is the badge of Antichrist, the marke of the Beast, wherby his souldiours are discerned frō the souldiors of Christ; and the children of mount Sina from the childrē of Hierusalem which is aboue & free, euē the mother of vs all, for whome our Capitaine Christ hath pur∣chased a full & a perfect libertie at a deare & precious price; which li∣bertie once lost, ther remaineth no more ransoms to make vs free. It behooueth therfore all the children of the free woman to stand fast in the libertie wherwith Christ hath made thē free, and not to be intangled againe with the yoake of bondage.

Neither can these places of the Songe (which you haue falsified & per∣uerted) anie way carie this doct••ine you would build vpon them, or cō∣struction you make.* 1.36 In the first place though the Church confesseth her owne vnworthines & deformitie, borne in originall sinne, which conceiued and brought out in her manie actuall sinnes, which being kinled in her & against her, oftē enticed her & prouoked her to keepe

their vines, wherby she neglected to dresse and keepe her owne vine: Yet from hence it followeth not,* 1.37 that because she was sinfull & negli∣gent, that therfore she was obstinate & incortigible (the contrarie ap∣peareth, in that she thus humblie & modestlie confesseth her faultes): Or because she kept not her owne vine, as she ought to doo, that ther∣fore she kept Antichrists vine, which shee ought not to doo. What a bolde falsifijng of this place is this, to all edge, y^• the Church was made to keepe the vineyeard which is not her owne, in stead of this, that she kept not her owne vine? If you had looked vpon the two next verses following, you could neuer thus groslie haue mistaken the matter. In y^e 6 ••erse the Church prayeth vnto Christ that he would shew her where he feedeth, and where he lieth at noone; For (saith she) whie should I be as she that turneth aside to the flockes of thie companions. This is not to grone vnder Antichrists yoake, nor to remaine with the flockes of these pre∣sumptuous Sheepheards which wilbe Christs cōpanions, which set their owne lawes ouer the Church, reigne in mens consciences, imposing their heapes of burdenous traditions &c. But here all the faithful are taught to flie vnto Christ by feruent and faithfull praier, and not to cease vntill he shew them the place where he feedeth his flocke, and where he resteth at noone: There shall thei finde a comfortable shadowe in the greatest heate of persecutiō, and a safe refuge in the greatest storme & tempest that Satan can raise. Againe, If you had considered Christs answere in the 7 verse, where he instructeth her, yea & cōmandeth her and all his faithfull seruants with her to come forth, not to stay in the stepps of that flock, but to feede her kyddes aboue the tentes of other shepherds; you would neuer haue vsed this place to proue that it is the lott of the Church to be oppressed with outward bondage, and to be made to keep the vineyeard which is not her owne, Christ here as you see cōmanding the expresse contrarie. Neither haue you applied that other place of the 5 of the So••ge with better successe: For if it be duelie weighed & trulie applied, yt will to the life shew forth what Church you are, and your behauiours & dealings with the Church of God.

First therfore emong diuerse & sondrie notes set downe here by the holie Ghost wherby to discerne the true Church from the false, we ob∣serue especiallie these.* 1.38 The true Church though she dailie fall into sondrie sinnes, yet lieth not she still in them, nor despiseth the voice & calling of Christ: But (as you see here) awaketh, repēteth & ariseth, ope∣neth, soroweth, seeketh, giueth not ouer for griuous woundes, perse∣cutions and blasphemies, neither by them is turned backe to the easie bed of wordlie peace and fleshlie quiet from whence she arose &c, but cōtinueth sorowing & seeking vntill she haue found the daughters of Hierusalem, the children of the free woman, to whome she communica∣teth her sorowes & her desires; to them she preacheth & praiseth Christ; to them she recōmendeth her estate, chardging them to shew it her be∣loued by praiers &c.* 1.39 On the contrarie, we find here the malignant Church fast asleepe in worldlie peace and fleshlie ease, frozen in the

dreggs of their sinnes; such as wil not be wakened,* 1.40 and so far f••ō open∣ing the doores vnto Christ▪ that they barre the doores against him, yea persecute him from their doores, cast him out of their Citie, yea out of the world if thei could, and with him all such as seeke to serue him with an vpright heart according to his word, and will not cōtinue with them in their sinnes & securitie. Now let your Church be examined by these workes without partialitie, and it shall easelie appeare of what sort it is (though we saie nothing) whither yt be the Church persecu∣ting, or the Church persecuted, and so in the rest.

Likewise if you & your learned Brethren be founde in all poinctes like these wretched. Watchmē by the description of the holie Ghost in this place, we doubt not but the most simple by the euidence therof shalbe taught both to discerne & iudge you: And the greatest Clearke emong you be taught hereafter, how to abuse the Scripture for a cloke to couer your sinnes. First therfore these Watchmen were appointed [ 1] & approued of the secure & wicked Citie. Then thei were in al things [ 2] cōformable to these corrupt times, and ministring to those times. Thē [ 3] thei stood Pastors & Watchmen to the whole Citie hand ouer hand as thei dwelt in the Parishes therof (being called the Watchmen of the Citie). Then these Watchmen held the people in diepe peace and se∣curitie [ 4] (as appeareth by the generall sleep). Then thei held the people [ 5] in ignorāce & blindnes (as appeareth both by the night & their sleep). Then these Watchmen gat all the powre into their owne hands (as ap∣peareth [ 6] by the generall sleep of all others, their watching and persecu∣ting). Then these Watchmen not onlie sought not Christ themselues, [ 7] but suffred not others that would. Then these Watchmen not onlie [ 8] shewed not the waye to such as sought Christ, but sought with one con∣sent to turne thē backe againe &c, by persecution. Whilest the church [ 9] continued in the bed of securititie and wordlie ease with the rest, and looked not for these heauenlie things, but trusted the Watchmen with all such matters, euen with her saluation, she was at good peace with them,* 1.41 and we reade of no violence or force offred vnto her. But after she was called & awaked by Christ: After she had risen, opened, sought & called him, but found him not: After she perceiued that he was de∣parted thence, and had fullie resolued to giue her self no rest, vntill she had found him: Then these Watchmen thought it hie time to bestir thē, and to stop this gap. And therfore what thei could not perswade, thei sought by force, persecuted, wounded her, rent away her vaile by railings & reproches, euen the name of Christ by which she is called &c. Stands it not thus in all these poincts with our Watchmen? Let the times declare whither thei agree not to them in their entrance & admi∣nistratiō, and in their persecutions & s••landers exceed them. Our pur∣pose is not to make perticular applicatiō, the matter being so euident: Onlie this litle is said, to redeeme the places from such violence and corruption as is offred vnto them; and by the same places to giue a glymse to such, as the Lord hath opened the eies of their vnderstan∣ding,

to discouer and search out the false dealing of their Watchmen, whom they too long & too far haue credited, and to warne al that ten∣der their owne saluation to open their eares and their hearts to Christs voice in his word, that calleth them out of this sinfull easie couch, wherin their Watchmen haue held them all too long; and that for∣saking the tentes of these presumptuous shepeherds, they seek Christ whilst and where he may be found; and together with the Daughters of Hierusalem, the children of the free woman, the heires of the pro∣mises, seek, preach, and praise CHRIST. Then no doubt they shall finde him, to their vnspeakable comfort: Then will he be as a Roe from the mountaine of Bether, redie to help, succer and susteine them with his Flagons: Then will he come to his Palme tree, and take holde of her boughes: Then wil he come into his Garden, and blowe vpon yt, and water yt, that the spices therof may flowe forth, and that he may eate the pleasant fruictes therof: Then shall he descend into the Or∣chard of sweete fruictes & Pomegranats, and see whither the Fig-tree put forth, and the Vine florish & bud her small grapes: Then will he prepare and make al things in a readines for that great solemne day of the consummation of his mariage.

The Lord grant we may likwise prepare & be in redines, trimmed & prepared, that we may meete him with ioye to our euerlasting com∣fort, Amen. And the Lord shorten that day, and hasten his comming, Amen. Euen so come Lord IESVS, come quicklie, Amen: So be it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  G. G. to the fi••st Article.
• * 1.2

  ••. B. his replie.
• * 1.3

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.4

  They have no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to excuse themselues, but to accuse the estate, which 〈…〉〈…〉 they obey 〈…〉〈…〉. A kin••ome no•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.5

  G. G. to the 2 Article.
• * 1.6

  H. B. his replie.
• * 1.7

  G. G. to the 3 Article.
• * 1.8

  H. B. his replie,
• * 1.9

  G. G. to the 4. Art.
• * 1.10

  H. B. his replie.
• * 1.11

  Sodom & Babi∣lon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.12

  The best way to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 o∣thers is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 our selues.
• * 1.13

  G. G. to the 5 Article.
• * 1.14

  H. B. his replie.
• * 1.15

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.16

  G. G. to the 6 Article.
• * 1.17

  H. B. his replie.
• * 1.18

  G. GIF. his answere to the first prin∣cipall Trans∣gression.
• * 1.19

  H. BAR, his replie.
• * 1.20

  The Church-vvardēs svv••••ue to see the booke vsed.
• * 1.21

  The Gospel of Christ cannot be ioyned to this stuffe.
• * 1.22

  G. G. his an∣swere to the 2 principall Tra••sgressiō.
• * 1.23

  H. B. his replie.
• * 1.24

  〈…〉〈…〉▪
• * 1.25

  Priuate men may refraine ••dolatrie though they cannot reform••
• * 1.26

  G. G. his an∣swere to the 3 principal Transgressiō
• * 1.27

  H. B his replie.
• * 1.28

  They promise•• vs before the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the e Articles to ans••••ere or 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.29

  The same ••ea∣sons that o••er∣throv•• the Pope ouerthrovv their 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.30

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.31

  If the light 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is in you be darkne••, o hovv great is that darknes.
• * 1.32

  God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 your bless••••gs: therfore he bles∣seth your cu••∣sings.
• * 1.33

  G. G. his an∣swere to the 4 principal Transgressiō
• * 1.34

  H. B. his replie.
• * 1.35

  The true Church neuer vvithout chris∣tia•• libertie and christiā povver. Christ diuideth not vvith A••∣tichrist.
• * 1.36

  Songe. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.37

  The Church da••ly praieth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 forgiuenes of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.38

  Notes of the true Church.
• * 1.39

  The false Ch••rc••.
• * 1.40

  One bed cannot hold Christ and An••••christ.
• * 1.41

  The Watchmē punished not sinne vvhich before the•• suf∣fred in the Church, but Christ vvhom they cannot suffer▪