The second and last part of Reasons for refusall of subscription to the Booke of common prayer vnder the hands of certaine ministers of Deuon. and Cornwall, as they were exhibited by them to the right Reuerend Father in God William Cotton Doctor of Diuinitie, and Lord Bishop of Exceter. As also an appendix, or compendious briefe of all other exceptions taken by others against the bookes of communion, homilies, and ordination, word for word, as it came to the hands of an honorable personage. VVith an ansvvere to both at seuerall times returned them in publike conference, and in diuerse sermons vpon occasion preached in the cathedrall church of Exceter by Thomas Hutton Bachiler of Diuinitie, and fellow of S. Iohns Colledge in Oxon.

And it is against Gods word.

Whatsoeuer disagreeth with Gods word deferueth to be condemned,* 1.1 but because in the misapplying it often falleth out we may be deceiued, let a modest and temperat inquisition goe before that the iudgement giuen may prooue sober, discrete, and sound, otherwise it is no better then curiously inquiring into other folkes their words and deedes not to amend, or com∣mend them, but to note and tax, and all this to please our corrupt mindes, and to get an opinion of much holinesse in comparison of others. This disease breaketh forth into a peruerse holdnesse with a supercilious high looke pasting a finister iudgement of that, which might better be interpreted. A vice some men labour of, that are enulous, some that are hypocrites, and some that are louers of themselues, and not they onely, but the better sort of men to, as Peter the Apostle in eating foode offered him of the Lord, wherevpon it is noted That as we are testie, and ill minded, we more and more incline to the worser part. Against which a present helpe to settle and stay our iudgements, and to keepe a right measure, and order is, by iudging out of the word of God, bringing that iudgement (we thence make) to the rule of charitie, alway beginning at a mans owne selfe. Which it seemeth some men doe not, whose foongs are so flippant, what others know, and know not. For if they beganne with them∣selues, they would learne to esteeme of others better then them∣selues: In Gods graces that little, which is in others (though but little) they would price, and make more of, thē of their own, contrarie wise in sinne and infirmities, that much which is in o∣thers, (much as it is) they would thinke nothing in comparison

of their owne.* 1.2 In euill, iudgeing worst of our selues, like Paul, when hee reckoneth himselfe chiefe of all sinners: In good, hold∣ing it little to that, which others haue, and doe good with, more then wee, making this full account: Ours is a more gree∣nous sinne, and what wee want in measure or waight, wee match at times for number. And so much is it the more hain∣ous, as wee knowe more against our selues, then against an∣other, and so much the more odious in the sight of God as I, or thou hast beene taught more,* 1.3 and condemned it more then others. Spirituall sinnes (sayeth one) are of greater fault, car∣nall of greater punishnment. Such oddes their is twixt per∣son and person, though one of lesse blemish in the eye of the world, then some other is. A man that takes his beginning at himselfe can haue small time to let his thoughts range a∣broade, as if hee were all eye to looke forth, and noe heart to consider, what measure he meateth, shalbee measured backe vppon him. Thus a censurer rightlie fitted in iudgeing others, must see into Gods word, and beholding the truth in generall, feare, least he bee ouer hastie, and too quicke in making a par∣ticular applie of finall condemnation.* 1.4 Otherwhiles in deede wee may determin whether a man bee to bee doubted of, that is fallen, or whether any place bee for remedie: But because this hapneth very seldome, and God commending the infinite riches of his grace commaundeth vs to bee mercifull Luk. 6.36. iudgement of eternall death is not rashlie to bee past vpon anie: Rather let charitie binde vs to hope well. It is but sometimes, and seldome, and verie seldome: and sometimes or verie seldome, ouerthroweth not a generall order of prayer, which for the most part holdeth, as the communion booke expresseth. Beside God commendeth the infinite riches of his grace, not his grace onely, but the riches thereof, nor the riches but the infinite riches of his grace in commaunding vs to bee mercifull, as if either grace were wanting, or if present, it were in pouertie, and that pouertie infinite) to bee streight laced towarde our bre∣thren that departe hence. Againe iudgement is a matter of iudgement and therefore not rashlie to bee pronounced, howe much lesse iudgement of eternall death: not vppon

anie, in that bee sayeth anie, be tendereth everie particular. Lastly in steede of deeming the worst, Maister Caluin his counsell is, that loue should fake place to hope well, as if this did well become vs. And therefore in the large view a man takes of others, hee must borrowe helpe from rules of charitie beleeuing all thinges,* 1.5 and hopeing well of his neighbours es∣tate to Godwarde by the profession the partie makes, speak∣ing of him as of one whome the Lord hath bought with a price (for so Saint Peter doth in his 2. epistle: 2. Chap∣ter and 1. verse) sanctified with the blood of the couenant, for so doth the Apostle. Heb. 6. and 10. Chapters, yet, notwithstanding such a one (thus charitablie thought of) may in the ende receiue his portion with the deuill and his Angels.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sed quia hicsa∣pe hallucinars conting it pra∣cedat modesta & placida in∣quisitie, vt sa∣num sit, ac so∣brium iudicium Cal. in Iob. 5. v. 10. Curiose inqui∣rere nō vt emen∣des &c. ld. in Math. 7. Sed notes, tibi∣que vel probi∣tatis opinionem sicū aliis cōfera ris, vel praus a nimi oblectati∣nem concilies. Ibid. Superciliose de re qualibet sint strum feramus indicium, etiam si in bonam pat tem accipi pote∣rat. Ibid. Hoe vitio labe∣rant partim in∣uidi: partim hy∣pocrita: partim amantes sui. Ibid. Vi morosi sumus & maligui magis pendemus in s••••ifram parsem Id. Act. 10. 1 f. Qui Iudi∣dicat ex verbo des, Legem domini & Iudicium suum̄ ad charitatis regulam exigit, semper a soip so mititum faciens, &c. Ibid. Math. 7.1.
• * 1.2

  2. Tim. 1.15.
• * 1.3

  Spiritualiae pec cata sunt ma∣ioris culpae, car∣nalia maioris pana.
• * 1.4

  Licebit interdū statuere sitne de ploratus qui ce∣cidit &c. sed quia rarissime hoc accidit. &c Cal. in 1. Ioh. 5.16: Immensas gra∣tia sua diustias commend ins, nos suo exemplo asse iubet. Luc. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 non temere in quenquam seren dum est mortis aterna iudicisi, potius noschari∣tas ad bene spe∣randum flectat Ibid:
• * 1.5

  Quod ait Apost. Heb 6, & 10 de his qui mali∣tia sanguinem Christi pedi∣bus proterunt illos sanguino faederis suisse sanctificatos re∣ferendum est ad iudicium chari∣tatis, qua om••∣nia credēs prox∣imi fidem ex professione esti∣mat, sed interin•• non rar•• falls tur. Piscat. cōt. And. Schaaf. Thes 68 & 70 2. Pet. 2.1. Heb: 10, & v. 6. Non est in oca cultadei tudici•• nobis inquiren; dum, sed proba∣biliter omnes ex professis Christianisinal natos ad vitam aternam electos merito praesup∣ponimus Q. 9.19: Respom Iaco: Bethake Thes. 5. Ecclesiast. 9.2.