Certayne letters, translated into English, being first written in Latine. Two, by the reverend and learned Mr. Francis Iunius, divinitie reader at Leyden in Holland. The other, by the exiled English Church, abiding for the present at Amsterdam in Holland. Together with the confession of faith prefixed: where vpon the said letters were first written

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Title
Certayne letters, translated into English, being first written in Latine. Two, by the reverend and learned Mr. Francis Iunius, divinitie reader at Leyden in Holland. The other, by the exiled English Church, abiding for the present at Amsterdam in Holland. Together with the confession of faith prefixed: where vpon the said letters were first written
Author
Junius, Franciscus, 1545-1602.
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[Amsterdam] :: Printed,
in the yeare. 1602.
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Subject terms
Brownists -- Controversial literature.
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http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A20920.0001.001
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"Certayne letters, translated into English, being first written in Latine. Two, by the reverend and learned Mr. Francis Iunius, divinitie reader at Leyden in Holland. The other, by the exiled English Church, abiding for the present at Amsterdam in Holland. Together with the confession of faith prefixed: where vpon the said letters were first written." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A20920.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 28, 2025.

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THE CONFESSION OF FAITH OF CERTAINE ENGLISH PEO∣PLE, IN THE LOW COvNTREYES, EXILED.

We beleeue with the heart, & confes with the mouth:

THat there is but * 1.1 one God, one Christ, one Spirit, one Church, one truth, one Faith, one true Religion ‡ 1.2 one rule of godlines and obedience for all Christians, in all places, at all tymes, to be observed.

2 God is a * 1.3 Spirit, whose ‡ 1.4 beeing is of himself, and gi∣veth beeing, moving, and preservation to all other thing, beeing himself ☽ 1.5 eternal, most holy, every way infinit, in greatnes, wisdome, power, goodnes, iustice, truth etc. In this God∣head there be * 1.6 three distinct persons coeternall, coequall, and coessentiall, beeing every one of them one and the same God, and therefore not divided but distinguished one from another by theyr severall and peculiar propertie: The * 1.7 Father of whom are the other persons, but he of none; the Sonne ‡ 1.8 begotten of the Fa∣ther from everlasting, the holy ☽ 1.9 Ghost proceeding from the Fa∣ther and the Sonne before all beginnings.

3 God ‡ 1.10 hath decreed in himself from everlasting touching all things, and the very least circumstances of every thing, effectual∣ly to work and dispose them according to the counsell of his owne will, to the glory of his name. And touching his cheefest creatu∣res▪ GOD hath in Christ ‡ 1.11 before the foundation of the world according to the good pleasure of his will, * 1.12 foreordeyned some en and Angels, to eternall lyfe to be ‡ 1.13 accomplished through

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Iesus Christ, to the prayse of the glorie of his grace. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath also of al according to his iust purpose foreappointed other both ••••xes and ui••••, to eternall condemnation, to be accomplished through their owne corruptiō and desert to the praise of his iustice

* 1.14 In the beginning God made al things of nothing veri good: and ‡ 1.15 crea¦ted 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after his owne image and liknes in righteousnes ād holines of truth But * 1.16 streight ways after by the subtiltrie of the serpēt which Sathan vsed as his instrument (himself with his Angels having sinned before and not kept their first esstate, but left their owne habitation): first * 1.17 Eva, then Adam being seduced, did wittingly and willingly fall into disobedience and trāsgres¦siō of the comnaund••••••nt of God. For the which, death ‡ 1.18 came vpon all and reigneth over all▪ pea euen ‡ 1.19 over infants also which have not sinned after the like maner of the trangression of Adam, that is, actually: Hence also it is, that † 1.20 all since the fall of Adam, are begotten in his owne liknes * 1.21 after his image, being conceyved and formed in iniquitie, and so by nature children of wrath and servants of sinne, and subiect to death, and al other calamities due vnto sinne in this world and for ever.

5 All mankind being thus fallen and become altogether dead in sinne, and subiect to the eternall wrath of God, both by originall and actuall corrupti∣on: Yet * 1.22 the elect all and onely, are redeemed, quickned, raysed vp and saved againe not of themselves, neyther by works (lest anie man should boast him self but wholly and only by GOD of his free grace and mercy through faith in Christ Iesus ‡ 1.23 who of God is made vnto vs wisdome, and rights ases, and sanctification, and redemption, that according as it is written Hee that resorceth may reioce in the Lord.

6 This therfort is * 1.24 lyfe eternall to know the only true God, and whom hee hath sent into the world Iesus Christ. And on the contrarie the ‡ 1.25 Lord will render vengeance in laming fire vnto than that know not God, and which over not the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ.

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7 How the rule of this nowledge faith and obediēc, concerning the wor¦ship ād service of God and all other christiā dinityes, is not mens opinions devises, lawes constitutions or traditions written whatsoeuer, of men, but onely the written word of God, conteyned in the canonicall bookes of the old and new Testament▪* 1.26

8 In this word Iesus Christ hath plainely reveled whatsoever his father thought needfull for vs to know, beleeue and acknowledge as tou∣ching his person and Office, in whom all the promises of God are yea, and in whom they are Amen to the prayse of God through vs.* 1.27

9 Touching his person, the Lord Iesus, of whom, * 1.28 Moses and the Pro¦phets wrote, and whom the Apostls, preached, is the ‡ 1.29 everlasting▪ Sonne of God the father by eternall generation, the brightnes of his glorie, and the en¦grauē forthe of his Person, coeffitiall coqual, and coeternall, God with him and with the holy Ghost: Ioy whō hee made the worlds, vp whō hee vphol∣deth and governeth all the works hee hath made: Who also, † 1.30 whē the fulnes of tyme was come, was made man of a woman, of the Tribe * 1.31 of Iudah, of * 1.32 the seed of Dauid and Abraham, to wyt, of Mary that blessed Virgin, by the holy Ghost comming vpon hir, and the power of the most high ouersha∣dowing hir: and was▪ also † 1.33 in al things lyke vnto vs, sinne only excepted.

10 Touching his Office, Iesus Christ only i made the Meditor of the new Testamēt, even of the everlasting Couenant of grace betweē God & mā to be per••••cly and fully the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church of God for evermore.* 1.34

11 Vnto this office hee was from everlasting, * 1.35 by the iust and ••••fficient au∣thoritie of the father, and in respect of his manhood from the wa••••h alld and seperated ād † 1.36 anoynted also most fully and abōdātly with all necessary gifts, as it is written: God hath not measured out the Spirit vnto him.

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12 This office to be Mediator, that is, Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church of God, is so proper to Christ, as neyther in the whole, nor in any part thereof, it can be transferred from him to any other.* 1.37

13 Touching his † 1.38 Prophecie, Christ hath perfectly revealed * 1.39 out of the bozome of his father, the whole word and will of God, that is needfull for his servants, eyther joyntly or severally to know, beleeve or obey: Hee also ‡ 1.40 hath spoken and doth speake to his Church in his owne * 1.41 ordinance, by his owne ministers and instruments onely, and not by any false † 1.42 ministery at any tyme.

14 Towching his Priesthood, Christ * 1.43 beeing consecrated, hath appeared once to put away sinne, by the offring and sacrifi∣cing of himself: and to this end hath fully performed and suffred all those things, by which GOD through the blood of that his crosse, in an acceptable sacrifice, might be reconciled to his elect: and having ′ 1.44broken downe the partition wall, and therewith fi∣nished and removed all those rites, shadowes, and ceremonies, is now entred within the vayle into the holy of holiest, that is, to the very heaven, and presence of God, where hee for ever lyveth and sitteth at the right hand of Maiestie apperring before the fa∣ce of his Father, to make intercession for such as come vnto the throne of grace by that new and living way: and not that onely▪ but maketh his people a ‡ 1.45 spirituall howse, and holy Priesthood, to offer vp spirituall sacrifices, acceptable to God through him. Neyther doth the Father acce••••, or Christ offer vnto the father any other worship, or worshippers* 1.46

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15 Towching his Kingdome, Christ * 1.47 being risen frō the dead, a∣scended into heaven, set at the right hand of GO the Father▪ having all power in heaven and earth given vnto him▪ he doth spiritually governe his Church: exercising his power ‡ 1.48 over all Angels and men, good and bad, to the preservation and salva∣tion of the elect, to the overruling and destruction of the repro∣bate: * 1.49 communicating and applying the benefits, vertue and fruite of his prophecy and Priesthood vnto his elect, namely to the remission, subduing, and taking away of their sinnes, to their iustification, adoption of sonnes, regeneration, sanctification, preservation and strengthning in all their conflicts against Sa∣than, the world, the flesh, and the temptation of them: continu∣ally dwelling in, governing and keeping their harts in his true faith and fear by his holy spirit, which having once given it, hee never taketh away from them, but by it still begetteth and nou∣risheth in them repentance, faith, love, obedience, comfort, peace, ioy, hope, and all christian vertues, vnto immortalitie, notwith∣standing that it be somtymes through sinne and tentation, in∣terrupted, smothered, and as it were overwhelmed for the tyme. Agayne on the contrary, † 1.50 ruling in the world over his enemies. Sathan, and all the vessels of wrath, limiting, vsing, restray∣ning them by his mighty power, as seemeth good in his divine wisdome and iustice, to the execution of his determinate counsel, to wit, to their seduction, hardning and condemnation, delive∣ring them vp to a reprobate mynde, to be kept through their owne desert in darcknes, sinne, and sensualitie, vnto iudgement.

16 This Kingdome shall be then fully perfected when he shall the second tyme come in glory with his mightie Angels to iudge both quick and dead, to abolish all rule, authoritie and power

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to put al his enimies vnder his feet, to separate and free all his chosē from them for ever, to punish the wicked with everlasting perdition from his presence, to gather, ioyne, and carry the godly with hmiself into endlesse glory, and then to deliuer vp the king¦dome to God / euen the Father, that so the glorie of the father may bee full and perfect in the Sonne, the glorie of the Sonne in all his members, and God bee all in all.* 1.51

17 In the meane tyme, bisides his absolute rule in the world, Christ hath here in earth a * 1.52 spirituall Kingdome and aeconomi∣call regiment in his Church, which hee hath purchased and rede¦med to himself, as a peculiar inheritāce▪ And albeyt that manie hypoctes do for the tyme lurke amongst them ‡ 1.53 whiles the Church is militant here on earth, yet Christ nothwithstanding oy the power of his word gathereth them which be his into the body of his Church, calleth them from out of the world, bringeth them to hid true faith / separating them * 1.54 from amongst vnbelee∣vers, frō idolatrie, false▪ worship, superstitiō, vanitie, dissolute life, and al works of darknes, &c. making thē a royall Priesthod. an holy Natiō a people set at libertie to shew foorth the virtues of him that hath called them out of darknes into his mervelous light, gathering and vniting thē together as * 1.55 members of one bo¦di in his faith loue and holy order, vnto all generall and mutuall dutyes, ‡ 1.56 through his spirit instructing ād governing them by such officers and lawes as hee hath prescribed in his word by which Officers and lawes hee governeth his Church, † 1.57 and by none other.

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18 To this Church hee hath made the * 1.58 promise, and giuen the seales of his Covenant, presence, loue, blessing and protectiō: Here are the ‡ 1.59 holy Oracles as in the Ake, suerly kept and puerly taught. Heere are all the † 1.60 fountaynes and springs of his grace continually replenished and slowing forth, Heere is Christ lifted vp to al Nations, hither hee inuiteth all men to his supper, his mariage feast, hither ought ‡ 1.61 all men of all estates ād degrees that acknowledge him theyr Prophet, Priest and King to re••••yre, to bee enrolled mongst his houshold seruants, to bee vnder his heauenly conduct and goverment, to leade theyr liues in his wl∣led sheepfold ād watered orchard, to haue communion heer with the Saincts, that they may bee made meet to bee partakers of their inheritāce in the kingdome of God.

19. And as * 1.62 all his servāts and subiects are called hither, to presse their bodies and soules, and to bring the gyfts God hath given them so beeing come they are heer by himself bestowed in theyr severall order, peculiar place, but vse, beeing fitly compact and knit togeather by every ioynt of help, according to the effectu∣all worke in the measure of every part, vnto the edification of it self in love: Whervnto when hee ‡ 1.63 ascended vp on high he gave gifts vnto men, and distributed them vnto several publik fū¦ctions in his Church, having instituted and ratified to continue vnto the worlds end, onely this publick ordinarie ministery of Pastors, Teachers, Elders, Deacons, Helpers, to the instru∣ction, government, and service of his Church.

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20 This ministerie is craftely ‡ 1.64 described, distinguished, li∣mited, concerning these office▪ their calling to their 〈…〉〈…〉 administration of their office, and the•••• maintenance in their of∣f••••e, by most perfect and s••••ne lawes in Gods word: which * 1.65 lawes it is not lawfull for these Ministers, or for the whole Church wittingly to neglect, trangresse, or violate in anie part nor yet to receive anie other lawes brought into the Church by any person whatsoever.

21. None ‡ 1.66 may vsurp or execute a ministerie but such as are ritly called by the Church whereof they stand ministers, vnto such offices, and in such maner, as God hath prescribed in his word. And being so called, they ought * 1.67 to give all diligence to ful∣fill their ministerie, to be found faithfull and vnblameable in all things.

22. This ministerie is alike given to every Christian con∣gregation, with like and equall power and commission to have and enioy the same, a•••• God offerith 〈◊〉〈◊〉 men and meanes, the same rules given to all for the election and execution thereof in all pla∣ces.* 1.68

23. As every christian congregation ‡ 1.69 hath power and cō∣mandement to elect and ordeine their owne ministerie according to the rules in GOds word prescribed, and whilest they shall faithfully execute these office, to have them † 1.70 In super abundant loue for their worke sake, to provide for them, to honour them and reverence them, according to the dignitie of the office they execute: So have they also * 1.71 power and commandement when anie such default, eyther in their lyfe, doctrine, or administration

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breaketh out, as by the rule of the word debarreth them from, or depriveth them of their ministerie, by due order to depose them frō the ministerie they exercised: yea if the case so require, and they re∣mayne obstinate and impenitent, orderly to cut them of by excom∣munication.

24. Christ * 1.72 hath given this power to receive in or to cut of anie member, to the whole body together of every Christian congrega∣tion, and not to anie one member apart, or to more members se∣quested from the whole, or to anie other congregation to do it for them: Yet so, as ech Congregation ought to vse the ‡ 1.73 best help they can heervnto, and the most meet member they have to pro∣nounce the same in their publick assembly.

25 Every member of ech Christian congregation, how excellēt, great, or learned soever, ought to be subiect to this censure and judgment of Christ: Yet ought not the Church without great care and due advise to proceed against such publick persons.* 1.74

26 As Christ hath for the keeping of this Church in holy and orderly communion, placed some speciall men over the Church, who by their office are to governe, oversee, visite, watch &c. So ‡ 1.75 lykwise for the better keeping thereof in all places, by all the mē∣bers, hee hath given authority and layd dutie vpon them all to watch one over another.* 1.76

27 Finally, whilest the Ministers and people thus remayne together in this holy order and christian communion, ech one en∣devoring to do the will of God in their calling, and thus to wallie to the glory of God, in the obedience of faith, Christ hath pro∣mised to be present with them, to blesse and defend them against

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all fraud and force of theyr enemyes, so as the gates of hell shall not prevaile against them.* 1.77

28 But when and where this holy order and diligent watch was intermitted, neglected, violated: Antichrist that mn of sinne did together with other points of Christian faith corrupt and alter also the holy ordinances, offices, and administrati∣ons of the Church: and in stead thereof brought in and erected a strange new forged ministery, Leitourgy and government. Yea and the nations kingdomes and inhabitants of the earth were made drunken with this cup of fornications and abominatiōs and all people enforced to receiue the beasts marke and worship his image and so brought into confusion and babilonish bon∣age.* 1.78

29 The present Hierarchy retayned and vsed in Englād of Archb. Primates, Lordbishops, Metropolitanes, Suf∣fraganes, Deanes, Prebendaries, Canons, Peicanons Arch-Deacons, Chancellors, Commissaries, Priests, Dea∣cons or Halfpriests, Parsons, Biccars, Curats, Hireling roving Preachers, Church-wardens, Parish-clerkes: Also their Doctors, Proctors, and other officers of there spiritual courts (as they call them) together with the whole rable of the Prelates and their Servitous from and vnder them et over these Cathedrall and Parishionall Assemblies in this confusion are a strange and Antichristian ministerie and offices: and are not that ministerie above named, instituted in Christs Testa∣ment, n•••• placed in or over his Church.* 1.79

30 These their Popish offices, Entrance, Administration and maintenance, with their names, titles, privileges, and preroga∣tives: also the power and rule they usurp over and in these Eccle¦siasticall assemblies over the wholl ministerie, wholl ministrati∣on and affaires therof, yea one ouer another, creating Priests, citing, suspending, silencing, deposing, absoluing, excommunica∣ting, etc. Their confounding of Ecclisiasticall and civile iurisdic∣tion,

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causes and proceedings in their persons, courts, commis∣sions, visitations, the Priests of lesse rule, taking their mini∣stery from and exercising it vnder them by their prescription ād limitation, swearing canonical obedience vnto them, admini∣string by their devised imposed, stinted popish Leitourgie, &c. Finally, the dispensations which they vse for plurality of bene¦fices, licences of non residency, licence to mary and eat flesh (both which with them are on certaine dayes ād tymes forbidden &c. These (we say) are sufficient proofs of the former assertion, the perticulars therin being duly examined by and compared to the rules of Christs Testamēt. Not to speake here, of Baptisme administred by midwives, of the Crosse vsed in Baptisme, of questions propounded to the infants, of the Priests surplice, prayer over the dead, at buriall, kneeling at the Lords supper, and other the like popish corruptions, almost infinite, reteyned and allowed among them.* 1.80

31 These Ecclesiasticall Assemblies, remayning thus in, confusion and bondage vnder this Antichristian Ministerie Cour••••, Canons, worship, Ordināces &c. without freedom and power to redresse anie enormitie among them, cannot be said in this confusion and subiectiō, truly to haue Christ their Prophet Priest and King, neither can be in this estate, (whilest wee iudge them by the rules of Gods woord) esteemed the true, visible or∣derly gathered, or constituted Churches of Christ wherof the faithfull may become or stand Members, or haue anie Spiritu¦all communion with them in their publick worship and Admi∣nistration.* 1.81

32 Therfore are * 1.82 all that will be saved bound by Gods com∣mādement with speed to come forth of this Antichristian estate, leaving the suppressiō of it ‡ 1.83 vnto the Magistrate to whom it be lōgeth. And all such also as have † 1.84 receyved or exercised anie of these false offices or anie pretended function or ministery in or to this fals ād antichristiā constitutiō, are willingly in Gods feare to give over and leave those vnlawfull offices, and no longer to minister in this maner to these assemblies in this estate.

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Neyther may any of what sort or condition soever, give any part of theirs Goods, Lands, Money, or monry worth to the mainte¦nance of this false ministeie and worship vpon any commande∣ment or vnder anie colour whatsoever.

33 And being come forth of this antichristian estate vnto the freedom and true profession of Christ, besides the instructing and well guyding of their owne families, they are willingly to ioyne ‡ 1.85 together in christian communion and orderly covenant, and by free confession of the faith and obediēce of Christ to vnite themselves into † 1.86 peculiar and visible congregations: wherin, as members of one body wherof Christ is the only head, they are to worship and serve God according to his word, remembring to * 1.87 keep holy the Lords day.* 1.88

34. Then also * 1.89 such to whom God hath given gifts to interpret the Scriptures, tryed in the exercise of Prophecy attending to studie and learning, may and ought (by the appointment of the congregation) to prophecy, according to the proportion of faith, and so to teach publickly the word of God, for the edification, exhorttion and comfort of the Church: Vntill such tyme as the people do meet for, and God manifest men with able guifts and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to such Office or Offices as Christ hath appointed to the publick ministerie of his Church; But ‡ 1.90 no Sacraments to be administred vntill the Pastors or Teachers be chosen and ordei∣ned into theyr office.

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35 And then wheresoever ther shall be a people fit, and men furni∣shed with meet and necessary guifts, they are not onely still to continue the exercise of Prophecy aforsaid, but also vpon due tryall to * 1.91 proceed vnto choyce and ordination of Officers for the ministery ād service of the Church, according to the rule of Gods word: And so hold on ‡ 1.92 stil to walke forward in the ways of Christ for theyr mutuall edifica∣tion and confort, as it shall please God to give knowledge and grae therevnto. And particularly, that such as be of the † 1.93 seed, or vnder the governmēt of anie of the Church, be even in their infancie receyved to Baptisme, and made partakers of the signe of Gods covenant made with the Faithful and their seed throughout all generations. And that all ″ 1.94 of the Church that are of yeares, and able to examine themselves, doo communicate also in the Lords supper▪ both men and women, and in * 1.95 both kindes, bread and wine. In which ‡ 1.96 ele∣ments, as also in the water of baptisme, even after they are consecrate, there is neyther transubstantiation into, nor cōsubstantiatiō with the bodye and blood of Iesus Christ: whom the heavens must conteyne, vntill the tyme that al things be restored. But they are † 1.97 in the ordi∣nance of God signes and seales of Gods everlasting covenant with vs representing and offring * 1.98 to all the receyvers, but exhibiting only to the true beleevers the Lord Iesus Christ and all his benefits vnto righteousnes, sanctification, and eternall lyfe, through faith in his name to the glorie and prayse of God.

36 Thus being righly gathered, established, and still proceeding in christian communion and obedience of the Gospell of Christ, none is to separate for falts and corruptions, which may, and so long as the Church consisteth of mortall men, will fall out and arise among them, even in true constituted Churches, but by due order to seeke re∣dresse therof.* 1.99

37. Such as yet see not the truth, may heare the publik doctine and prayers of the church, and with al meeknes are to bee sought by all meanes: Yet none who are growne in yeares may bee received into

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their communion as members, ‡ 1.100 but such as doe make confession of their faith, publickly desiring to be received as members, and pro∣missing to walke in the obedience of Christ. Neyther any infants, † 1.101 but such as are the seed of the faithfull by one of the parents, or vnder their education and government. And further * 1.102 not anie from one cō∣gregation to be received members in another, without bringing cer∣tificate of their former estate and present purpose.

38 And although the particular congregations be thus distinct, and severall bodies, every one as a compact and knit citie in it self, yet are they all to walke by one and the same rule, and by all meanes conve∣niēt to have the cōsell and help one of another in all needfull affaires of the Church, as members of one body in the common faith, vnder Christ their onely head.* 1.103

39 It is the office and dutie of Princes and Magistrates (who by the * 1.104 ordinance of God are supreme governors vnder him over all persons and causes within their Realmes and dominions) to ‡ 1.105 suppresse and root out by their authority all false ministeries, voluntarie religi∣ons and counterfeit worship of God: to abolish and destroy the Idoll Temples: Images, Altars: Vestments, and all other monuments of idolatry and superstition: and to take and convert to theyr owne ••••vile vses not only the benefit of all such idolatrous buildings and monuments: but also the Revenues / Demeanes / Lordships / Pos∣sessions / Gleaes and maintenance of any false ministeryes and vn∣lawfull ecclesiasticall functions whatsoever within their dominions. And on the other hand † 1.106 to establish and mainteine by their lawes eve∣ry par of Gods word / his Christian Religion / pure worship / and true ministery described in his word: to cherish and protect all such as are carefull o worship God according to his word / and to lead a god∣ly lyfe in all peace and loyaltie: yea to enforce all their subiects who∣ever ecclesiasticall or civile / to do their dutyes to God and menpro∣tecting and mainteining the good punishing and restraining the evill according as God hath commaunded / whose Lieutenants they are here on earth.

40 And thus the protection and cōmandement of the Princes and

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Magistrates maketh it much more * 1.107 peaceable / though no wit at all ‡ 1.108 more lawfull / to walke in the wayes and ordinances of Iesus Christ which he hath commanded his Church to keep without spot and vn∣rebukeable vntill his appearing in the end of the world. And in this behalfe therefore the brethren thus mynded ād proceeding as is before said / are both continually to † 1.109 supplicate to God / and as they may to their Princes and Governors that thus and vnder them they may leade a quiet and peaceable lyfe in all godlines and honestie.

41 And if God encline the Magistrates hearts o the allowance and Protecction of the Church therin, it ought to be accompted a singular and happy blessing of God who granteth such nourcing Fathers and nourcing Mothers to his Church. And it behoveth all to be carefull to walke worthie so great a mercy of God in all thankfulnes and obe∣dience.* 1.110

42 But if God withold the Magistrates allowance and furtherāce herein, yet * 1.111 must wee notwithstanding proceed together in Christiā co∣venant and communion thus to walke in the obedience of Christ / ād confessiō of his faith and Gospell even through the middest of all tryalls and afflictions / not accompting our goods / lands / wive / children / Fathers / Mothers / brethren / sisters / no nor our lyves dear vnto vs so as we may finish our course with ioy / remembring always that we ought to obey God rather then man: and grounding vpon the ‡ 1.112 commandement / commission and promise of our Saviour Christ / who as hee hath all power in heaven and in earth / so hath al∣so promised (if we keep his commandements which he hath given without limitation of tyme / place / Magistrates allowance or disal∣lowance) to be with vs vnto the end of the world: and when we have finished our course and kept the faith / to give vs the crowne of righte∣ousnes which is layd vp for all that love his appearing.

43 Vnto all men is to be given whatsoever is due vnto them. Tri∣butes / Customes / and all other such lawfull and accustomed dutyes / ought willingly and orderly to be payed and performed: Our lands / goods / and bodyes / to be submitted in the Lord to the Magistrates pleasure. And the Magistrates themselves every way to be acknow∣ledged / reverenced and obeyed according to godlines / not because of wrath only but also for conscience sake: And finally / all men so to be esteemed and regarded / as is due and meet for their place / age / estate and condition.* 1.113

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44 And thus, wee labour to give vnto God that which is Gods, and vnto Cesar that which is Cesars, and vnto all men, that which be longeth vnto them: Endevoring our selves to have alwayes a cleare conscience towards God and towards men: And having hope in God that the resurrection of the dead shalbe of the iust vnto life, and of the vniust vnto condemnation, everlasting.

Now if any take this to be heresie: then do wee with the Apostle freely confesse that after the way which they call heresie, wee worship God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ: beleeving all things that are written in the Law, and in the Prophets and Apostles: And what soever is according to this rule of truth published by this State or holdē by anie reformed Churches in their Confessions abrode in the world. We do also reiect and detest all straunge and hereticall opi∣nions and doctrines of all Hereticks both old and new whatsoever.* 1.114

45 Finally, wheras wee are much flandered and traduced as if we denyed or misliked that forme of prayer commonly called the Lords prayer: wee thought it needfull here also concerning it to make known that we beleeve ād acknowledg it to be a most absolute and most ex∣cellent forme of prayer, such as no men nor Angels can set downe the like. And that it was taught and appointed by our Lord Iesus Christ not that we should be tyed to the vse of those very words, but that we should according to that rule make all our requests and thanksgy¦uing vnto God, forasmuch as it is a perfect forme and paterne con∣teining in it plaine and sufficient directions of prayer, for all occasions and necessities, that have ben, are, or shalbe, to the Church of God, or any member therof, to the end of the world.* 1.115

Now vnto him that is able to keep vs that wee fall not, and to pre∣sent vs faltlesse before the presence of his glorie with ioy, that is, to God only wise our Saviour, be glory and maiestie, and dominion, & power, both now & for ever, Amen.

Notes

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