chosen a Wife for his Son Isaac out of Nachors line, if he had looked upon them as reprobated and accursed of God. I observe, secondly, that plainly God is made an accepter of persons by the Authors doctrine. For first, he telleth us that the elder Son had a better will to tarry by his Father, and so did indeed, but the fatted Calf was given to the younger Son that ran away; and thereupon he doth infer, that the matter goeth not by the will of man, but by the will of God, as it pleaseth him to accept. I observe, thirdly, that Vocation, in the Authors judgment, standeth upon Gods Election, as the work thereof; whereas Vocation is more general, and is extended unto those also whom they call the Reprobate, and therefore standeth not on Election, as the Author hath it. For many are called, though out of those many which are called, but a few are chosen. Fourthly, I observe, that notwithstanding the Author builds the do∣ctrine of Election on Gods absolute will and pleasure, yet he is fain to have recourse to some certain condition, telling us, that though the mercy of God, his Grace, Election, Vocation, and other precedent Causes do justifie us; yet this is upon condition of believing in Christ. And finally, it is to be observed also, that after all his pains taken in defen∣ding such a personal and eternal Election, as the Calvinians now contend for; he ad∣viseth us to wrap up our selves wholly, both body and soul under Gods general promise, and not to cumber our heads with any further speculations, knowing that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish. &c.
And so I take my leave of our Martyrologist, [unspec VI] the publishing of those discourse I look on as the first great battery which was made on the Bulwarks of this Church, in point of doctrine by any member of her own, after the setling of the Articles by the Queens Authority, Ann. 1562. the brables raised by Crowley in his Book against Campneys, though it came out after the said Articles were confirmed and published, being but as hail-shot in comparison of this great piece of Ordnance. Not that the Arguments were so strong as to make any great breach in the publick Doctrine, had it been pub∣lished in a time less capable of innovations, or rather if the great esteem which many had of that man, and the universal reception which his Book found with all sorts of People, had not gained more authority unto his discourse, than the merit or solidness of it could deserve. The inconveniencies whereof, as also the many marginal Notes and other passages, visibly tending to faction and sedition in most parts of that Book, were either not observed at first, or winked at in regard of the great animosities which were ingendred by it in all sorts of People, as well against the persons of the Papists, as against the doctrine; Insomuch that in the Convocation of the year, 1571. there passed some Canons, requiring that not only the Deans of all Cathedrals should take a special care that the said Book should be so conveniently placed in their several Churches, that people of all conditions might resort unto it; but also, that all and every Arch-Bishop, Bishops, Deans, Residentiaries, and Arch-Deacons should choose the same to be placed in some convenient publick room of their several houses, not only for the entertainment and instruction of their menial servants, but of such strangers also as occasionally repaired unto them.
If it be hereupon inferred that Fox his doctrine was approved by that Convocation, [unspec VII] and therefore that it is agreeable to the true intent and meaning of the Articles of the Church of England; besides what hath been said already by Anticipation, it may as logically be inferred, that the Convocation approved all his marginal Notes; all the factious and seditious passages; and more particularly the scorn which he puts upon the Episcopal habit, and other Ceremonies of the Church. Touching which last (for the other are too many to be here recited) let us behold how he describes the diffe∣rence which hapned between Hooper, Bishop of Glocester on the one side, Cranmer and Ridley on the other, about the ordinary habit and attire then used by the Bishops of this Church, we shall find it thus, viz.
For notwithstanding the godly reformation of Religion that was begun in the Church of England, besides other ceremonies that were more ambitious than profitable, or tended to edification, they used to wear such garments and apparel as the Romish Bishops were wont to do. First a Chimere, and under that a white Rocket, then a Mathematical cap with four Angles, dividing the whole world into four parts. These trifles being more for superstition than other∣wise, as he could never abide; so in no wise could he be persuaded to wear them. But in conclusion, this Theological contestation came to this end, that the Bishops having the upper hand, Mr. Hooper was fain to agree to this condition, that some∣times he should in his Sermon shew himself apparalled as the Bishops were. Where∣fore appointed to preach before the King, as a new Player in a strange apparel he