An answere to the Exhortation to the ciuill Magistrates.
T. C. pag. 2. Sect. 1.
IT is more than I thought could haue happened vnto you, once to admitte into your minde, this opinion of Anabaptisme, of your brethren, which haue alwayes had it in as great detestation as your selfe, preached against it, as much as your selfe, hated of the folowers and fauourers of it, as much as your selfe. And it is yet more strange, that you haue not doubted to giue out such slaun∣derous reportes of them, but dare to present such accusations to the holy and sacred seate of iustice, and therby (so much as in you lyeth) to corrupt it, & to call for the sword vpon the innocent, (which* 1.1 is giuen for their maintenance and safetie) that, as it is a boldnesse vntollerable, so coulde I hardly haue thought, that it could haue fallen into any, that had caried but the countenance and name of a professor of the Gospell, much lesse of a Doctor of diuinitie. Before you will ioyne with vs in this cause, you will place vs whether we will or no, in the campe of the Anabaptistes, to the ende you might therby, both withdraw al frō aiding vs, which are godly minded, as for that you fearing (as it seemeth) the insufficiencie of your pen, might haue the sworde, to supply your want other wayes. And if we be founde in their campe, or be such disturbers of the quiet estate of the Church, 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉efacers of such as be in authoritie, mainteyners of licenciousnes & lewde libertie (as you do seeme to charge vs with) we refuse not to go vnder those punishments, that some of that wicked sect receiued, for iust recompence of their demerites. You say you will not accuse any, (a) 1.2 I know it is for want of no good will, that you do not accuse them, of whose condemnation & extreme punishment, we might be sure, if your hand were as strong as your harte. But you suspect the authors of the Admoniti∣on, and their fautors. (*) Charitie is not suspitious. Let vs therefore see, whether there be iuste* 1.3 matter to beare out, and to vphold this suspition. You will beare men in hand, that if we be not al∣readie full Anabaptists, yet we are in the way thither, the fotesteps wherby you trace vs, must be considered.
There is no cause why you should so maruaile at the matter, all things well consi∣dered, neither do I thinke that the Anabaptistes do so greatly detest and hate them, as you woulde make vs beleue. I do not accuse them of the doctrine of Anabaptisme (as you your selfe in the ende of this section do acknowledge) but I declare that I greatly suspect them, bicause they come so neare vnto the qualities and practises of the Ana∣baptistes, and vse the same beginnings: whether this my suspition be true or no I re∣ferre it to the iudgement of others. If the reportes be slaunderous, let them take their lawfull remedie against me: but if they be most manifest, then it is conuenient that the Magistrates haue vnderstanding thereof. Your great wordes doe not answere the matter. I feare not the insufficiencie of my pen (I thanke God) neither is there any cause why I should: for the truth hath alwayes a plentifull defense, whereas error and schisme is compelled to vse arrogant, opprobrious, and contemptuous speaches to maintaine it selfe.
Of all other T. C. hath least cause to complaine of such extremitie, or to speake in this maner. I haue much more cause to accuse his vndutifull and vnthankefull na∣ture. If Charitie be not suspitious, why do you then thus not suspecte, but directly giue