Page 21
A PLAINE RE∣FVTATION OF Mr. Giffard his reprochful Booke, intituled, a short treatise against the Donatistes of Eng∣lande &c.
YOV were before shewed, that we iudged none otherwise & no furder, thē th' expresse worde of God teacheth vs to iudge of you. That is, to knowe the tree by the fruicte, and the fruicte by Gods worde. You were there shewed, That we iudged not of Gods secret election which he hath in al places amongst all sortes of men, but of the apparant odious sinnes of your Congrega∣tions; from which whilest you wil not be purged, we may haue no spi∣ritual fellowship or communion with you in this estate. We shewed you, that notwithstanding all your wicked••es, we neuer doubted, but the foundatiō of God stood firme, the Lord hauing manie thowsandes of his elect amongst you knowen to himself, though not apparant to to our eies, whom he in his good time will call more neare vnto him. And therfore we with extreame longing & loue towardes you, sought & desired your conuertion, that we might see that seale of Gods grace vpon your foreheades, wherwith all that name the name of Christ are sealed, vzt. To depart from iniquitie. To this end we did, and stil doe reproue in the name of our Lord IESVS CHRIST these heinous transgressions in your publique assemblies, lying in your miserable Prisons, the Lordes witnesses against the same. To this end we exhort al mē by al meanes, and admonished you of your present euil estate, as also blamed you for your former vngodlie & false ••urmises, collectiōs & chardges, wresting & deprauing our wordes contrarie to al sense, equitie, and conscience. We hoped that this thus far forth had sufficed, especiallie, seing you rested in silence more then two yeares without anie replie or contra∣diction: Vntil now at length vpō your submissiō made▪ and consulta∣tiō had with your Ordinarie, you disclosed this Coca••rice egge, which you had so long sit vpon, and all to sprinckled vs with the viperous poyson therof. Terming vs at the first dash Donatists, Brownists, Anabastites, Hereticks,