A TRVE AND SHORT DECLARATION, BOTH OF THE GATHERING AND IOYNING TOGETHER OF CERTAINE PERSONS: AND ALSO OF THE LAMENTABLE BREACH AND DIVISION WHICH FELL AMONGST THEM.

THERE Were certaine perſons in England, of vvhich, ſome vvere brought vp in ſchooles, & in the Vniuerſitie of Cambridge, & ſome in families & houſhouldes, as is the manner of that co • ntrie. Some of theſe vvhich had liued & ſtudied in Cambrige, vvere there knovvne & counted forvvard in religion, & others alſo both there & in the contrie vvere more carefull & zelous, then their frovvard enimies could ſuffer. They in Cambrige vvere ſcattered from thenſe, ſo • e to one tra • e of life, & ſome to an other: as Robert Broune, Robert Harriſon, William Harriſon, Philip Broune, Robert Barker. Some of of theſe applied thē ſelues to teach ſchollers: to the vvh • ch labour, R. Broune alſo gaue hi • ſelfe▪ for the ſpace of three yeares. He haui • g a ſpecial care to teach religion vvith other learning▪ did thereby keepe his ſch • llers in ſuch 〈◊〉 & good order, as all the Tounſemē vvhere he taught gaue him vvitnes. Yet the vvorld being ſo corrupt as it is, & the times ſo perilous he greatly miſliked the vvantes & defaultes, vvhich he ſavve euerie vvhere, & marcked plaī ly that vvithout red • eſſe, nether the parentes could long reioiſe in their children, nor the children profit ſo much • n religion, as that their other ſtudies & learning might be bleſſed thereby Hereuppon he fell into great care, & vvas ſoare greened vvhile he long conſidered m • nie thinges amiſſe, & the cauſe of all, to be the vvofull and lamētable ſtate off the church. Wherefore he laboured much to knovve his duetie in ſuch thīges, & becauſe the church of God is his kingdom, & his name eſpecially is thereby magn • fied▪ he vvholy bent him ſelfe to ſearh & find out the matters of the church: as hovv it vvas to be guided & ordered, & vvhat abuſes there vvere in the eccleſiaſtical gouernment then vſed. Theſe thinges, he had long before debated in him ſelfe, & vvith others, & ſuffered alſo ſome trouble about thē at Cā brige▪ yet novve on freſh he ſet his mind on theſe thinges, & night & day did conſult vvith him ſelfe & others about thē, leaſt he ſhould be ignorant, or miſtake anie off thoſe matters. What ſo euer thinges he ff • und b • longing to the church, & to his calling as a mēber off the • hurch, he did put it in p •• ctis For eu • n l • tle children are off the church & kingdom off God yea off ſuch ſaith Chriſt doth his kingdom conſiſt: & therefore both in his ſchole he laboured that the kingdom off God might appeare, & alſo in thoſe of the tovvne vvith vvhom he kept companie. So by vvord & practiſſe he tried out all thigs, that he might be ſtaied both in iudgmēt & coūſell, & alſo in enterpriſing matters, as his duetie ſhould lead him. But this his dealr̄g got hī much enuie of the preacher & ſōe others vvhere he taught, & much trouble alſo vvhē he broke • is mīd more plainlie vnto thē. Preſētlie a • ter this he vvas diſchargeed of his ſchole by the grudge of his enimies. Yet he taught ſtill, vvith great good Vvill & fauour of the Tounſemē, till ſuch time as the pl • gue increaſed in the Tovvne & he vvas ſēt for avvai by his frēdes. Therfore becauſe his ſchollers, th • ugh neuer ſo Vvel plied & profited by him, vvere notvvithſtanding, ether flitting avvaie Vpon ſuch occaſions, or to baſt • lie ſent to the Vniuerſitie, or becauſe of their miſguiding there, to ſome occupations, bi thought th •• the fruict of his labour Vvas toe much vncertaine, & tooke counſell if by ſōe better vvaie h • might profit the ch • rch. Then he gaue vvarning to the Toune & departed to come home, as his rather vvilled him. So might h • haue liued vvith his father, b • ing a ma • of ſome countenaunce, and haue vvanted noethinge, if he hadd beene ſoe diſpoſed but his care as alvvayes before. ſo then eſpecially being ſet on the church of God, he asked leaue of his father, & tooke his Iournie to Cābridge frō vvhēſe a fevv yeares before he had departed. He ther had dealīg vvith M. Greēhā of dreitō, vvhōe of all others he hard fai vvas moſte forvvarde, and thought that Vvith him & by him he ſhould haue ſome ſtai of his care & hope of his purpo • e. Wherefore, as thoſe vvhich in ould tyme vvere called the prophetes & children of the prophetes & liued to gether, becauſe of corruptiōs among others, ſo came he vnto him. He vvas ſuffered, as others alſo in his his houſe, to ſpeake of that part of ſcripture, Vvhich vvas vſed to be red after m • ales. And although he ſaid, that vvithout leaue & ſpecial vvord from the biſhop, he vvas to ſ • ff • r none to teach openlie in his pariſh▪ yet Vvithout anie ſuch leaue he ſuffered R. B. Notvvithſtanding, vvhen R. B. ſavve, that the diſhops feet vvere to much ſett in euerie place, & that ſpiritual infectiō to much ſpred euē to the beſt reformed places, he tooke that occaſiō vvh •• h the Lord did firſt geue him for redreſſe, & vvhen certaine in Cambr • g • h • d boa • h • oue • hi • , & alſo vvith conſent of the Maior & Vicechancelar, called him to preach among them, he delt in this manner.

He firſt conſidered the ſtate of Cambrige, hovve the ch • rch of God vvas planted therein. For he iudged that the church vvas to call and receaue him, if he ſh • uld be there choſen and appointed to prea • h. Then did he thinck on this, vvhoe ſhould be ch •• feſt, or haue charge before others, to looke to ſuch matters. For the biſhops take vppon them the chieftie, but to be called and a • thoriſed by them, he thought it vnlavvefull. And vvhy he vvas of this minde, he had theſe and ſuch like vvarrantes: namelie thei ſhoulde be chiefeſt, vvhich partake vnto vs the chiefeſt gr •• es, and vſe of their callinges. And th • t doeth Chriſt, as it is vvritten, of his fullnes haue all vve re • e • ued, and grace for grace. Ioh. 1. 16. And to him hath God made all thinges ſubiect ſa • e • h Pa • l, Epheſ. 1. 22. euē vnder his feet, and hath appointed him ouer all thinges, to be the head of the church, vvhich is his bodie, euen the fullnes of him, vvhich filleth all in all thinges. Novve next vnder Chriſt, is not the b • ſhop of the dioces, by vvhōe ſo manie miſchiefes are vvrought, nether anie one vvhich hath but ſingle authoritie, but firſt thei that haue their authoritie together: as firſt the church, vvhich Chriſt alſo teacheth, vvhere he ſaieth, If he vvill not vouchſafe to heare them tell it vnto the church, & if he refuſe to heare the church alſo, let him be vnto the, as an heathen mā & a publican. Mat 18 17. Therefore is the church called the pillar & ground of trueth. 1. Tim. 3. 15. & the voice of the Vvhole people, g • ided bie the elders and forvvard • ſt, is ſaied to be the voice of God And that 149. p • alme doth ſh • vne this g • eat honour, Vvhi • h is to all the ſaincts Therefore the meetinges together of manie churches, alſo of euerie Vvh • le ch • rch, & of the • lders therein, is ab • ue the Apoſtle, aboue the Prophet, the E • ang • liſt, the Paſtor, the Tea • h • r▪ & euerie particul •• • lder. For the • oining & partaking of • anie churches tog •• h • r▪ & of the authoritie Vvhich manie haue, muſt needes be greater & more Vvaighti • , • h • n the authoritie of anie ſi • gle perſon. And this al • oe ment Pa • l Vvhere he ſaith▪ 1. Cor 2. 22. Wee are yours, & you are Chriſtes, & Chriſt is Go • es. Soe that the Apoſtle is inferior to the ch • rch▪ & the church is infer • or to Chriſt▪ & Chriſt cōcerning his manhood & offi • e in the church, is inferior to God. This he iudg • d, not onelie toe be againſt the Vvicked • e • of the b • ſh • pes, but al • o ag • inſt thei • Vvhole povver & authoritie. For if the authoritie of the ch • rch, & of the forvva • deſt breethren or elders therein, be aboue the biſhopes, hovve ſhould it not follovue▪ but that the biſhopes maie be commaū ded, accuſed & charged bie the church▪ yea alſo diſcharged & ſeparated as is their deſert? But novve becauſe of their popiſh povver & canon lavves, thei haue lift vpp their authoritie more high, thē the church can take accountes of them: & not onelie by force do thruſt out & trouble Vvhome thei liſt, but alſo raigne as Lordes & Dukes in their dioces, their authoritie muſt nedes be vſurped. For the Apoſtles did geue accoūtes to the church of all their doinges, as Vve read in the Act. 11. 4. Act 15. 2. 3. & Rom. 15, 31. But theſe being got aboue the Apoſtles, Vvill ſit in the throne of Chriſt, & as Chriſt is not inferior to the church, no more Will thei be. For Chriſt hath choſē vs, ſaith the ſcripture, & not Vve him, Ioh. 15, 16. & therfore he is greater thē vs all. And ſeīg the church can not choſe the biſhopes, nor thoſe hirelinges, Vvhome the biſhopes thurſt vppon them, therefore the • alſo Vvill be greater then the church, & Vvith Vvhom then do thei compare them ſelues in degree, but Vvith Chriſt? & ſo make them ſelues antichriſtes. Nai thei preſume further then Chriſt Vvhich vvould • not thruſt his Apoſtles voō anie congrega • iō, nor ſuffer them to take charge of anie Vvhich did not Vvillinglie receaue thē ▪ Lu • . 10. 10. But theſe do force vpō the people euerie Vvhere, & in ſundrie places againſt their vvilles, not onelie miniſters vnknovūe, but alſo ſuch as are knovuē to be blind buſſerdes, Vvicked f • llo • ves & idol ſh • pherdes. Likevviſe Chriſt hath al rule in his hande; as it is Vvritten that vve a • e compleat in him, Vvhich is the head of all prī cipalitie & povver Col. 2. & he can not ſinne, nor offend the lavve of God, nor be accuſed by the ſame. For • o the • cripture teſtifi • th▪ that none could reproue him of ſinne, though he off • red him ſ • lfe to them to ac • uſe him • f • h • i could Ioh 8. And he is that high prieſt, as againe it is Vv • itten Heb. 7 vvhich is holie, harmleſſe▪ Vndefiled, ſeparate from ſinners, and made high • r th •• th • heauens Hovv▪ h • g • then • o the • lift • h • m ſelves, Vvhich W • ll rule alone a • lordes ouer the ſto • k, though th • vvord hath ſaied i • ſh • ll not be ſo? Lu • . 22. 26. • . Pet. 5. 3. W • ich vvill be R •• bi • s, Doctors & reueren • ••• hers, though Vve h • ue b • t one docto • & Father as 〈…〉 h • gh 〈…〉 . • at. 23. vvhich • lſo t • ke vpō thē, not as ſeruaūts in the h ••• e as vvas Mo ••• . •• b. 3. 〈…〉 • ft • r him that is ſoone & h • ire in his ovvne houſe ſa • ng th •• vv • ll • ot 〈…〉 ra • g • • o • et thē L • c. 19 14. For the • haue refuſed his gouernment, & ch •• en their ovvne pop •• h •• ſcipl •• e in ſtea • thereof.

This appeareth, becauſe th • y enter & tak • on them their offi • e • in pop • ſh vviſe, & as • ha • •• vve praeſcribeth thē, & alſo do miſg • id the people by th •• • op • ſh tyra • nie. For vvho knovveth not, but that they vv • tch for the liuing or byſh • p •• ke, vvhen it ſhall fall, & then ſe •• e & p • ye vvell for the ſame, if they obtaine it • o are they rauenous & vvicked perſōs, as ſaith the c • pture, Z • c. 3. They are mak • ſh • ftes & troublers, ſeing they rule rath • r becauſe they ſeeke their ovvne aduantage, or glorie, or •• ſh • henous p • rpoſe, then the vvelfare & benef • of the church Yea they all looke to their ovvne vvaye as ſai • th • he Prophet, Eſa. 56. 11. euerie one for his a • uātage & for his ovvne p • rpoſe Who knovve • h not alſo, but that they vvhi • h are not duelie • eceaued & called to guide, & that by due conſent & agremēt, they are ether Antichriſtes in the church, or Tyrantes in the common vvelth, becauſe they vſ • rp in the church or commōvvelth Such are they of vvhom Paul ſpeaketh▪ 2 Cor. 11. 20 that the corī thians did ſuffer them to much. For they did ſuffer if a man brought them into bondage, if a man deuoured, if a mān tooke, if a man exalted him ſelfe, if a man ſmote them on the face. For in deed the people do ſuffer the b • ſhops, though they take from them their l • bertie • f choſing good paſtors & refuſing euill, yea they ſuffer them ſelues to be robbed & beaten by thoſe ſpiritual courtes, they ſuffer the great vnto vvardnes & vvickednes of the byſhops to be coloured & hidden by their outvvard bragge & countenance, as by their pomp, authoritie, tytls, & povver, & ſome times by their fair flattering ſermons & pleaſings. For they rule by three ſortes of lavves, as by the ciuil, the canō, the commō lavve, vvhich are three kingdomes vnto them, or as the Popes triple crovvne, & by pretending the fourth lavve, vvhich is the vvorde of God, they ouerrule totoe much: they ſpare not to come vppon the people vvith force & povver, & they care not to bridle them vvith nevv & yearly iniunctions & al • o vvith the ould lavves & penalties of the court of Rome. While R. B. thought theſe thinges • n him ſelfe, he moued the matter diuers times vnto others. Some did gainſay & thoſe of t • e • orvvardeſt, affirming that the byſhops authoritie is tolerable, & he might take licenſe & •• • horitie of them. Others of them ſaide they vvoulde not coūſel nor medle for an other mā • cōſcience in that matter▪ but they them ſelues iudged, that the byſhops preached the vvo • d of God, & therefore ought not lightlie to be reiected. Alſo they ſaid, that ſeing they had the vvord & the ſacraments, they muſt needes haue vvithall the church & people of God: & ſeing this vvas vnder the gouernmēt of the byſhops & by means of thē, they could not vvholy condem the byſhops, but rather • udge them faultie in ſome parte. Then did R. B. againe & againe diſcuſſe theſe matters, as he had often before, as vvhether the byſhopes coulde be ſaied to preach the vvord of God & miniſter the ſacraments or no. For if that vvere trevve, then alſo might they call & place miniſters: & ſeing they them ſelues did miniſter ſo great • thing as is the vvorde & the ſacraments, they might alſo miniſter their help in other thing • not ſo great. Therfore to knovve vvhether they preached the vvord of God, he ſearched & foūd by the ſcriptures, vvhat it is to preach the vvord: namely to do the Lordes meſſage as i • is vvritten in Ieremie 23. 22 in teaching the people thoſe thinges, vvhereby they might turn them from their euill vvaies & from the vvickednes of their inuentions. Therefore excep • they haue a due meſſage, they can not preach the vvord off meſſage. For I ſēt them not ſaie •• the Lord in that place, nor commaunded them, therefore they bring no profit vnto this people. Againe except they preach thoſe things firſt, ffor vvhi • h firſt & cheifly they vvere ſen • namelie vvhat ſo • uer is to reclame • he people, firſt from ſome eſpeciall vvickednes, vvherin they ſinne, & ſ • ff •• m all other d • ff •• l • es, they can not be ſaid to preach the vvorde. Therefore ſeing the b • ſh • pes calling & authoritie vuas ſhevved before for to be vnlavvefull, & ſeing alſo th • y call not the p • ople from the • h • if • ſt abominations, Vvhich are the cauſe of the reſt, but rathe • vvi • f • lly & vvith crueltie do leade them in the ſame, as vvill aftervvard appeare▪ they can not preach the vvorde of God. For to make a ſermon is not to preach the vvord of God, no, nor yet to make a true ſermon. For the ſeruaunt that telleth a true tale hath not done his maiſters meſſ • ge, nor the arraunt for the vvhich he vvas ſent, except he tell & ſpeake that for the vvhich his maiſter ſēt him. Therefore though the byſhopes teach the people, and geue them lavves, & make manie iniunct • ons, yea though they be lavves of Chriſt, yet if they abuſe the obedience of the people, to houl • e and follovve vvith ſome lavves of Chriſt their ovvne lavves • ſpeciallie, vvhat are they but antichriſts? And hovv can they then but onelie in name & in ſhevve, preach the lavves of Ch •• ſt? For example vvhile they peruert the lavve of God in this, they can not be ſaied to preach his lavve: namelie vvhereas God commaundeth to plant & to build his church, by gathering the vvorthie and refuſing the vnvvorthie. Mat. 10. 11. Act. 19 9. Ezr. 6. 21. they booke by their contrarie lavves both papiſts & careles vvorldlings, as crooked trees to b • il • the lordes ſanctuarie, & force the vvretched to their vvorſhippings & ſervice, as if dogges might be thurſt vpon God for ſvveet ſacrifice. Proud forceing is meeke building vvith them & deuotiō compelled is their right religiō. Thus herein they pollute the Lordes ſanctuarie & vvreſt his lavve, hovv much more by a thouſand moe abominatiōs vvhereof aftervvard vve breiflie touch ſome. For by thē do they feed them ſelues & the people vvith the bread of vncleannes, in ſtead of the puer vvord of God. They make it readie vvith the dongue that cometh of man, euen vvith their traditions, tolerations, & falſifiinges. And if the Phariſes made the vvorde of God ofnone effect or authoritie by their traditiōs, as it is vvrittē. Mark. 7 13. much more theſe. They by their corbans or offering of guiftes, gaue occaſion to children to diſhonour their parēts & theſe by their ſpirituall courtes, by their ſ • ond excommunications, diſpenſations, abſolutiōs, &c. yea by their taking of bribes & fees, do let ſo manie loſe to all miſrule & filthines They taught the gould of the Temple to be greater then the temple, vvhich ſanctifieth the gould: Mat. 23. 17. & theſe teach that to ſinne is damnable: but to pollute the Lordes ſpiritual Temple by mingling the cleane & vvretched together vvhich is the cauſe of all ſinne, is noe matter of damnatiō: forſooth it is a thing tollerable becauſe they can not remedie it. They taught that the offering on the altar vvas greater then the altar, though it ſanctifie the offering and theſe teach that to vvant the ſacraments, that is lamentable, but to vvant the kingdō of God, & the viſible ſhevve of his rule in his church, vvhereby the ſacramēt is ſāctified that they make no matter. If then for ſuch doctrine they vvere called blind guides & fooles by Chriſt him ſelfe, Mat. 23. 16, 17. yea & though they ſate in Moſes ſeat, that is at firſt vvere lavvefullie called to teach the people, yet the people vvere charged by Chriſt toe lett alone ſuch blind guides, & not to be guided by them. Mat 15, 14. hovve much more ſhould vve le • theſe blind guides alone, vvhich neuer vvere lavvfully called and alſo ſit in the ſeat of Anticbriſt. • or vvhat is the ſeat of Antichriſt but that Popiſh Gouernment and lordſhip in the communiō of ſuch Romiſh offices, & horrible abuſes by them. And vvhile they ſyt in the tē ple of God. • Theſſ. • . 4. & exalt their traditions aboue Gods, vvhat are theie but antichri •• ▪ Doe th • ie then preach the Lordes vvord of meſſage? or is not h • s vvord a fier, and like an hā mer that breaketh the ſtone? lere. 23, 29 But all their preaching can not breake & bring men from anie ſmaller or greater diſorders, vvhich vnicked church lavves or church Prelates cō maun • them. Thus vvas he ſe • led not to ſeeke anie approueing or authoriſing off the b • ſhopes. B • t becauſe he knev • e the trouble that vvould follovue, 〈◊〉 he ſo proceeded, he ſought meanes off quietnes ſo much has vvas lavueffull: & for dealing vvi • h the b • ſhopes, he vvas of this iudgement, that men maie novve deale vvith them, as before • he • might vvith the phariſes: that is, ſo far as vve nether ſinne againſt God, no • g • ue offence vnto men. Thereffore iff Chriſt did his Fathers vvill, vvhen he ſate in the mid • es off the doctors, h • a • eing them, & asking them quaeſtio • s▪ Luc. 2. 46 & • ff Paul did his duetie, vvhen he ſate doune in the ſynagogue, as it vvere offering him ſelfe, & ſeekeimg leaue to ſpeake to the people▪ Act 13. 14. •• he alſo did lavueffullie applie him ſelfe to their ceremonies, Act. 21 26 then thus far allo • there medling vvith the biſhopes, to trie & proue them, or to be tried off them, as vve ſee the like did fall out in Chriſt, alſo to yeeld to their povver, ſo that vvherein vve yeeld, it be not againſt the trueth, & vve do not eſtabliſh it: as vve knovue Paul did to the povver off the prieſts, off the phariſes, & off the chiefe off the ſynagogue. Th •• efore he thought it lavueful firſt to be tried off the biſhops, then alſo to ſuffer their pouver, though it vvere vnlauveffull iff in anie thing it did not hinder the trueth. But to be authoriſed of them, to be ſvvorne, toe ſubſcribe, to be ordained & receaue their licenſing, he vtterlie miſl • ked & kept hīſelfe cleare in thoſe matters. Hovve be it the biſhopes ſeales vvere gotten him by his brother, Which he both refuſed beffore the officers, & being vvritten for him vvuold not paie for them, & alſo being aftervvard paied for by his brother, he loſt one, & burnt an other in the fier, & an other being ſent him to Cambridge, he kept it by him, till in his trouble it vvas deliuered to a luſtiſſe off peace, & ſo from him, as is ſuppoſed, to the biſhop off Norvvich. Yet leaſt his dealīg on this manner ſhould encourage others to deale in vvorſe manner, he openlie preached againſt the calling & authoriſing of preachers by biſhops, & ſpake it offten alſo openlie in Cambrige, that he taught among them not as caring for, or leaning vpon the biſhopes authoritie, but one lie to ſ • ti • fie his duetie & conſcience. And this his duetie he ſaied vvas, firſt to diſcharg his meſſage before God, & deſerue no reproofe of them, & then alſo, ether toe finde them vvorthie, or elſe, iff thei refuſed ſuch reformation, as the Lord did novve call for, to leaue them, as his duetie did bi • d hi • For he did not take charg • off • hem, as he oftē gaue them vvarning, & alſo did oft • n ſh • vve th • cauſe, namelie for that he • avve the pariſhes in ſuch ſpirituall bond • ge, that Who ſoeuer Would take charge • ff them, muſt alſo come into that bondage With them Therefore he fi • d •• g • he p ••• ſh • s to • much addicted, & pliabl • to that lamentable ſt • te, he • u • ged, th • t the king • om off God Was not to be b • g •• by vvhole pa •• ſhes, but • a • h • r off he vv • r • hie •• , Were the • neu •• • o ••• ve. For it is as a g • a •• e off •• ſter ſee • , • a • e • h • h • iſt, at th • fir •• , M • t. 13. and as a litle l • au •• hiddin three pe • kes of mea • e. So h • h •• ing • ri • d about halfe a ye • re, bo • h by op • n pr • a • hi • g, & by da • • e exhortation in ſundri • h • uſe, th • t • ther bie bon • a • e 〈…〉 , o • o • the Colleg •• s, or of vvi • k • d miniſters & rea • 〈…〉 to like of that bondage, no redreſſe could be Wa •• ed for, h • k •• vv • that the Lord had appointed him theree to be occupied, one lie to trie & prepare him to a further, & more effectual meſſage, and to be a vvitnes of that vvofull ſtate of Cambrige, vvhereinto thoſe vvicked prelats and doctors of diuinitie haue brought it. This he foreſavve before he preached among thē & therefore vvhen thei gathered him a ſtipend, and vvould haue had him take charge, he ref • ſed, and did both ſend backe the monie thei vvould haue giuen him, and alſo gaue them warning of his departure. So he continued preaching a vvhile, till he fell ſoare ſi • ke: and in his ſicknes vvhile he ceaſed his labour, he vvas forbidden to preach bie a letter ſh • vved him from the counſell For in deed he had delt boul llie in his duetie, and prouoked the enimies. The b • ſhops officer named Bancraft, did read the letter before him, but he nothing moued there vvith did anſvvere, that if he had taken charge in that place, he vvoulde no vvhitt leſſe ceaſe preaching for that, but as he Vvas he tooke not on hī he ſaid, though the letter Vvere not, to preach there anie longer.

OF R. B. COMING TO NORWICH & hovve the companie there • oined together.

After theſe thinges, Vvhen he Vvas recouered of his ſicknes, & had gotten his ſtrength he tooke counſell ſtill & had no reſt, Vvhat he might do for t • e name & kingdom of God. He often complained of theſe eu • ll daies & Vvith manie teares ſought Vvhere to find the righteous, Vvhich glorified God, Vvith vvhome he might liue & re • o • ſe together, that thei putt avvaie abominations.

While he thus Vvas carefull, & beſought the Lord to ſhevue him more comfort of his kingdom & church, then he ſavue in Cambrige, he remembred ſome in Norfolke, Vvhome he harde ſaie vvere verie forvvard. Therefore he examined the matter, & thought it his duetie to take his voiage to them Firſt becauſe he conſidered, that if there vvere, not onelie faultes but alſo open & abominable vvickednes, in anie pariſh or companie, & thei vvould not or could not redreſſe them, but vvere held in bondage, bie antichriſtian povver, as vvere thoſe pariſhes in Camb • ige by the b • ſhops, then euerie true chriſtian vvas to leaue ſuch pariſhes, & to ſeek the church of God vvhereſoeuer. For vvhere open vvickednes is incurable, & popiſh prelates do raigne vphouldig the ſame, there is not the church & Kingdom of God▪ as it is vvritten, 2. Chro 1 • . 4. for a long ſeaſon, I • rael hath bene vvithout the true God, & vvithout prieſt to teach, & vvithout lavve. So that though there be a name of prieſtes, & of preaching, and of God amongſt anie, yet if there be ſett ouer them idol ſhepherdes, popiſh prelates, & hireling preachers vvorſe then thei, that vphoulde antichriſtian abominatiōs, there God doeth not raigne in his kingdom, nether are thei his church, nether is there his vvorde of meſſage. For no man can ſerue tvvoe contrarie maiſters, ſaieth Chriſt. Mat 6. nether can thei be the Lordes people vvithout his ſtaffe of beutie & bandes. Zac. 11. 7. that is, vvithout the Lordes gouernmēt. For his couenant is diſanulled as it follovveth in the 10 verſe. Novve his gouernmēt & ſcepter cā not be ther, vvhere mu • h opē vvickednes is īcu •• ble. For if opē vvickednes muſt needes be ſuff • red, it is ſuffered in thoſe vvhich are vvithout. as Paul ſaieth vvhat haue I to do to iudge thoſe vvhich are vvithout?. 1. Cor. 5. 12

And againe he ſaieth euen of theſe latter times, that men ſhall be louers of them ſelues, couetous, boaſters, proud, curſed ſpeakers, diſobediēt to patents, vnthāckfull, • n holie, vvithout naturall affection, truce breakers, falſe accuſers, intemperate, feirce, diſpifers of the • vvhich are good, traiters, headie, highmided, louers of pleaſures, more then louers of God, haueing • ſhevve of godlines, but hauing denied the povver there of. From ſuch vve mu •• turn avvaie as Paul vv • rneth 2. Tim. 3. 5. that is, vve muſt count them none of the chu • ch & leaue them, vvhether in all theſe, or in ſome of them, theie be openlie ſoe faultie, as that thei be incurable. Alſo if anie be forced by lavves, penalties, & perſecution, as in thoſe pa • iſhes, to • o • ne vvith anie ſuch perſons, ether in the ſacramentes, or in the ſeruice & vvorſhip of God, thei ought vtterlie to forſake thē, & auoid ſuch vvickednes. For the abomination is ſet vp, antichriſt is got into his throne, & vvho ought to abide it. Yea vvho ought not to • eeke from ſea to ſea▪ & From land to land as it is vvritten, Amos▪ 8. 12. to haue the vvorde and the ſacramentes better miniſtred, & his ſeruice and vvorſhip in better manner. So vvhile he thought on theſe thinges, and vvas purpoſed to trie alſo in Norfolke the Forvuardnes of the people, it fell out that R. H. one vvhom he pirtlie vuas acquainted vuith before, ca • e to Cambridge What vuas his purpoſe in coming, and hovue he thought to haue entred th • miniſterie, & did vſe ſome meanes to that end, it is needles to rehearſe▪ onelie this I ſhev •• that he ſeemed to be verie carefull in that matter, & though he leaned to much vpon me • for that matter, as vpon M. Greneham, M. Robardes & others, and vuas carefull amiſſe for the b • ſhops authoriſing▪ yet his mind and purpoſe might be iudged to be good, & no othervuiſe but vuell did R. B iudge of him. When he had • alcked vuith R. B. and ſhevued him the matter vuhereaboute he vuent, he receaued this anſvuere at his handes, that it vuas vnlau •• full to vſe ether maiſter Greenhams help, or anie mans elſe for the biſhops authoriſing. Soe he ſhevued him hovue b • fore he had delt concerning the biſhop, & vuas novue ſo far frō ſeeking licenſe, ordainig or authoriſing at his handes, that though he neuer had thē, yet for that he k • evue of them, he abhorred ſuch traſh & pollutions, as the marckes and poiſon of Antichriſt Notvuithſtanding he ſaied that if his conſcience led him, to deale as before • e had delt, he vuould do for him vuhat he might. For he had before requeſted his help. But R. H. ether chaūging his mind, or diſappointed of his purpoſe, returned to Norvvich, Vuhether alſo a ſhort time after R. B. tooke his iournie. He came to R H▪. houſe, Vuhoe then Vu • s Maiſter in the Hoſpitall at Nor VVich. He there finding roume enough, and R. H. VVillingee. nough that he ſhould abide Vuith him, agreed for his board, & kept in his houſe. They often had tal • ke together, of the lamentable abuſes, dilorders, & ſinnes, Vuich no VVeraigne euerie Vuhere. At the firſt they agreed Vuell together, but yet ſo as that in ſome things R. H. doubted: notVVithſtanding he came on more and more and at laſt VVholie yeelded to the trueth, Vuhen he ſauue it began to preuaile and proſper.

THE TALKE AND COVNSEL WHICH R. B and R H. had tog • ther, about matters of the church & Kingdom of God.

Their commoning about ſuch matters Vuas much and often, as of the ſtate of the church vvherein it vvas then: & What vvas both their dueties to do in ſuch matters. Their talck did fall out much after this manner. For Vvhen thei vvere vvalcking alone R B. ſaid I vvas glad M. H. that God did keep you at Cambrige, at your laſt being there, and diſpoſed your vvaie not to haue anie medling With thoſe biſhops, but to geue them ouer. Whereto R. H. anſvvered, that he aſked it off God, and God hard his praier, that if it vvas not meet for him ſo to enter the miniſterie, he vvould let and diſappoint him off his purpoſe. Then after this at ſundrie ti • es, there grevve other tal • k: as of the Lordſh • p, offices and diſcipline off Antichriſt in ſtead of the Lordſhip and gouernment of Chriſt. Then fell out theſe queſtions betvvene them, Whether thoſe preachers that ſubmitt them ſelues vnto ſuch popiſh povver, or anie Vvay ſo iuſtefie or tolerate it, as lavvefull in ſome part, or partlie to be liked & vſed, can thē ſelues be liked off, or do their duetie as lavuefull paſtors & preachers. Hereat R. H. did ſtick, becauſe off M. Robardes, M. More, M. Deering, & others, vvhome he thē •• d greatlie like off. But more he doubted & as it vvere drevve back, vvhē he ſhould geue ouer ſuch preachers, or elſe forſake & ſh • incke from our ovvne good purpoſe. For he vvould haue the conſent of ſuch preachers in the matters that vvere determined, & alſo vuould haue them to io • ne, though it vvas made plaine vnto him, that thei nether Vvoulde, nether could ioine, takeing that courſe Vvhich thei did. And as for chan̄ging of their courſe there Vvas no hope or likelihood, that thei Would do it. For their liuing, their glorie, & credit With the people, ſtood on it: & thei had ſought out manie fetches, & got an euē vvaie on both ſides. Thei haue their tolerations, mitigations, & other trim diſtinctiōs, as of things partlie lavvefull & partlie vnlavvefull, neceſſarie & leſſe needfull, matters of faith & matters beſides faith, ordinarie & extraordinarie, vvith a number ſuch like. Thus thei both pleaſe the people, & the b • ſhops alſo: & ſo are praiſed & mantained bie the people, & alſo ſuffered off the biſhops, becauſe forſooth thei are ſomevvhat conformable. Then from this talek thei fell into other, namelie of the pariſhes, guided ether bie ſuch preachers, or by the biſhopes & their officers. Off this it did follovve, that if the guides & their guiding Vvas vnlavvefull then alſo the pariſhes ſo guided Vvere vnlavueful, & ſo could not be the churches of God. For thei that ſh • t vp the kingdom of heauen before men, Mat. 23. 13. can not belong to the Lord, no more can thei, to vvhome it is manifeſtlie ſhat vp becauſe thei follov • e and praiſe ſuch guides. This being thus it Vvas debated, What profi • • hei had bie the preachers, and vvhat good thei had reaped bie the pa • iſhes: as vvhether faith might be vvrought bie their preaching, & men called to goodnes, & vvhat vſe there vvas off the blind reading off ſeruice & the chapters bie the miniſters. Then thei both tould hovv faieth Vvas firſt Vvrough & bred in thē. But herein thei agreed not, becauſe R. H. ſaid that ſaith might be bred & f • r • t vvrought in ſome, onelie bie reading the ſcriptures▪ & R. B. ſaied, no. For though it might be nou • iſhed & increaſed bie ſuch reading yet the firſt Vvorcking thereof, is by hearing the vvord preached: as Paul ſaith, Rom. 10. 14. hovve ſhall Vve bele • e on him on Vvhom VVe haue not hard, & hovve ſhall VVe heare Vvithout a preacher. And leaſt reading ſhoulde be taken for preaching, it is ſaid, hovve ſhall thei preach except thei be ſent. So alſo leaſt hearing the Vvord, ſhould be taken for hearing it read, Paul ſaith aftervvard, that faith cometh by hearing & hearing by the vvord of God: meaning by the Word of God the Vvorde of • meſſage in his mouth vvhome God ſendeth. So then faith is not Vvrought by reading, nether by that hi • 〈…〉 but by 〈…〉 th •• is, 〈…〉 can come. 〈…〉 vvas on 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 faith, & 〈…〉 of the ſpirit 〈…〉 as 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 & faith 〈…〉 be as vve knovve not ſaith h • the reaſon of the vvind, ho •• , fr •• vvhenſe, & vv •• ther it blovveth, no more can vve caſl •• knovve, h •• ve a man is bo •• off • h • ſp • it of God: that is hovve he is firſt renevved & called to goodnes by faith, and the ſpirit of God For this is the • ifference of faith & the ſp •• it, b • cauſe the ſpirit is an 〈◊〉 Working off the h • l • ghoſt in our harts, Which ſt • reth & prepa •••• vs vnto all goodnes, & 〈◊〉 faith cometh, it 〈…〉 th • s much more in goodnes. B • t fa • th is a conſcience of our redemption & happines in Chriſt, vvhere b • evve 〈…〉 in • ll nevvnes of life. So then faith can not be excert •• e he ſo renevved, that no open gro ••• VVickednes be in vs: as Iames teach • th vs, that f • ith VVithout VVoreks is dead. Iam. 2, 17, 10 & that Vve are but vaine men 〈◊〉 Vve ſaie Vve haue faith Vvhen Vve ha • e no Worckes. And faith may be vvhol • e Wanting for a time, till the Lord do call vs, & dravve vs vnto him▪ but the ſpirit is geuen to the elect euen Vvh • le the • are infantes. And this ſpirit, though for a time it maie be hidden & couered, yet can it not cleane be put out & q • enſhed. Th • rfore by it Vve are ſaid to be ſealed off God, & it is called in the ſcripture, the earneſt off the ſpirit, the earneſt off our inheritaunce. 2. Cor. 1, 25. Epheſ. 1, 13, 14. Whereb • e is ment that that ſpirit ſhall neuer Vvhol • ceaſe ſo Vvorck litle or much tovvard our ſaluation. Noe more can it be that faith being once thorovve • e Vvrought ſhould Vvholie fa • le, as Chriſt ſaith, he that cometh to me ſhall not h • nger & be thatt beleeueth in me ſhall neuer thirſt. Ioh 6. 35. For though the • ſinne neuer ſo greuouſ •• e, yet • ff thei be elect, her haue 〈◊〉 ſome conſcience of their Vvelfare in Chriſt, or forevvaining of ſome grace vvhich is tovvardes them. Thei had f • rth • r this talck▪ hovve men are called novve a daies: hovve ſome are troubled in conſcience: What 〈◊〉 of the ha •• there is: & Vvhat tokens & aſſurance there is of our ſaluation. All vvhich matters 〈◊〉 p • rtie did applie to him ſelfe. Therefore for our calling & hovve faith is vvrought novve a daies, it Vvas ſaid before to be bie the preaching of the vvord, b • t b • e vvhat & vvhoſe preaching, that remaneth to • nevve: for that alſo vvas skanned betvvene them. R B. vvas of this iudgment, that euerie Chriſtian hauing faith & knovvledg, & ſpeaking the vvord of God vnto others, might vvinn others▪ This R. H. conſirmedd • a • 〈◊〉 found it true, becauſe bie h • s meanes ce • ta • ne ſiſters off his, vvhen he taught & ex ••• ted them, vvere called & vvonne. But h • vve far thei & others vvere Vvo •• e, it is aftervvard declared. Novve 〈…〉 be thus vvonne, hovve is faith ſaid to be Vvro • ght by preachīg of the vvord. B • ſaied that preaching is not oneli the publick teaching in the pu • pit, but it is rather that duetie of ſpeaking & teaching the trueth, as it ought to be taught & that in vvhat place ſo euer. For ſo it is Vvritten in Deut. 6, • . vvhere parentes are commaunded to teach the vvord, yea to beat it into their children & to vv • et them on therein, both ••• ing in th • houſe, & as thei vvalek b • e the vvay, and Vvhen the • ly dovvne, and vvh • n thei • ſe vp Therefore prea • hing is not tyed to th • p • l • it, nor to degrees to perſons, to the • pper, or 〈◊〉 , or co • ne • d cap • , to th • prieſt 〈…〉 cloake, or to the ska • let goune, the attite of b • ſh • ps, the 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 an other 〈◊〉 . Therefore did Aqu •• and Priſ •• lla preach euen to a preacher, vvhen thei tooke 〈…〉 an • 〈…〉 Vntoe • im the doctrine of the ghoſpel more plainlie. A •• 1 • , 26. Yet is there a difference of preaching, becauſe ſome ar • called and receaued to that off •• e and charge, in publique manner, but others are bound onelie as all other c • riſtians, to edifie and inſtruct one an other • and th • s alſo i • preaching, but not vvith publiqu • 〈◊〉 . And by th • s teaching is faith alſo vvrought 〈…〉 knovve by example of th • t vvoman of 〈◊〉 , Io • 4, 41▪ For vvhoſe vvordes manie b • leued, b • t 〈…〉 the text, 〈…〉 the Vvordes of Chriſt him ſelfe. For thei confeſſed pl • nly th •• he vvas the Ch • iſt the • auiour of the vvorld. And if the Vvordes of all chriſtians ought to be ſu • h, as may miniſter grace to the hearers, ſaith Paul Epheſ 4. then if ſome heare vvh ••• yet haue not F •• th, thei may alſo h •• e that grace of faith Vvrought in them by their hearing. Thus vvas it agreed on that faith cometh bie hearing and hearing b • e the vvord preached, and th • vvord is preached bie thoſe vvhich are ſent, & this ſending is both of thoſe vvhich h • ue publique meſſage and authoritie ouer others, and alſo of euerie chriſtian▪ vvh • ch is called a • d commaunded 〈◊〉 all occaſions to edifie others. For vvhere • vvoe or three are gathered in mie name ſaith Chriſt, there am 〈◊〉 the middeſt of them: and i • 〈◊〉 ſh • ll agree in earth vpon anie thing. Vvhat ſo euer thei ſhall deſire of the Father, it 〈…〉 giuen them. Mat. 18, 19. Who therefore can doubt, but that one or tvvoe mai • vvinne others to th • Lord, and pra •• ng alſo for the faith of tho • e, vvhom thei teach, then faith 〈◊〉 begiuen th • m of the Lord?

WHAT GOOD THE PVBLICK PREACHING DOTH novve a daies in England.

But this matter vvas not vvholie agreed on Vvhat good vvas doone by the preachers and vvhat fruict follovved their doctrine. For R. H. made great accountes of ſome preachers, and ſaid that much good vvas done by th • m. Whereto it vvas anſvvered, that ſome preachers vvhile thei vvere forvvard, and did 〈◊〉 for reformation, ſoe, long thei did good▪ but Vvhen thei •••• ted, and fell to mitigitions and tolerating, thei, did not ſo much good before, but th • n thei did tvvile ſoe 〈◊〉 . • uen as the Scribes and •• hariſes vvhi • h compaſſed ſ • a and land, to make one o • them proſ • ſſion, and vvhen he vvas made, thei made him 〈◊〉 fould mo •• the child of h • ll, then thei themſelues. M • t. 23. So theſe vvhen thei vvere gone a litle forvvard, & had brought others after them, thei then turned aſide, & made their follovvers more careles of goodnes then euer thei Vvere, yea & not onelie careles, but alſo diſpightfull & moſt bitter perſecuters, if anie vvent beyond the, or vvere more tovveard then th • i Therefore vvell maie that vvo in Mat. 23 13. be pronounced againſt ſuch euill preachers▪ becauſe thei ſh • t vp the kingdom of heauen before men, for thei them ſelues go not in, n • ther ſuffer thei thoſe that vvould enter, to come in. Woe to them hypocrites, vvhich ſaie thei deſire reformation & yet thei them ſelues are moſt vnreformed. Thei ſai thei mourne & praie for amendment, & behould thei are fed of the rich & Vpheld bie great men, thei liue in pleaſure & haue courtlie honour, & no man is the better but all are vvorſe & vvorſe. Yea others alſo do rightlie learne their hypocriſie: for as thei vvill ſtreine & make much a do at ſome thinges, as at the capp & the ſurpliſſe & croſſing in baptiſme &c. and ſo vvill ſhev • e their zeale & deuotion in ſmaller thinges, & let greater ouerpaſſe: ſo alſo their follovvers Vvill ſeeme godlie, yea touched in hart & humbled, yet are thei openlie defiled vvith greuous offences & vvickednes. So haue thei a ſhevve of godlines, as Paul ſaith, but haue denied the povver thereof. 2. Tim. 3. 5.

HOWE AND VVHEREFORE THE COMPANIE left the preachers & their follovvers: and of the ignorance & ſinne in the preachers & people.

But becauſe R. H. named ſuch & ſuch often times, vvhich he ſaid, feared God, & vvere ſorouefull for their ſinnes, it Vvas made plaine vnto him both bie vvord and vvriting, that he had ſmall cauſe to ſaie ſo. Firſt for the preachers, though R. B. did iudge the beſt of ſome, as of M. Robardes, M. Moare & ſome others, vvhoſe dealing at the firſt he did not throughlie knovve, yet aftervvard be found them to be like their fellovves, & frō them he ſaid plainlie that vvickednes vvent forth into all the land. lere. 23. Their ignorance and vvretched dealing vvas often declared: as hovve thei being teachers of others are thē ſelues vntaught, euen in ſome groundes of religion, & in the chiefe partes of their callings. Th •• vvill aftervvard appeare as likevviſe their fooliſh diſtinctiōs & ſhiftinges, vvhich thei ha • e parthe inuented them ſelues, & parthe taken frō others, that as it vvere an other Antichriſt is begotten▪ borne & made ſtrong off them, & a nevve perſecution practiſſed. Thei Vvilfully tolerate the things Vvhich are againſt Chriſt▪ yea & vvith perſecution & outrage vphoulde them, & hovve then are thei • ot againſt Chriſt, that is hovve are thei not antichriſts? And theſe things againſt Chriſt, are not onelie lamentable vvantes among them, but alſoe mo •• greeuous vvickednes & horrible abominations. Therefore both to R. H. & to the companie that aftervva • d ioined, vvere ſuch things ſpoken as follovve, & alſo ſet dovvne in Vvriting: namelie that vve are to forſake & denie all vngodlines & vvi • ked fellovveſhip, & to refuſe all vngodlie communion vvith Vvicked perſons. For this is it that is moſt & firſt of all needfull: becauſe God vvil receaue none to communion & couenant Vvith him, Vvhich as yet are at one vvith the Vvicked, or do openlie them ſelues tranſgreſſe his commaundementes. Novue it vvas ſhevued thē, that the foundacion of that ſtate, is the popes canon lavve: the head ſtones in the building, is the povver & authoritie of canon officers, & that therefore thei could not ioine vvith them, as in one ſpirituall building. For ſo is it vvritten Ezr. 4. 2. 3. lik • vviſe other ſcriptures vvere alleged to this end, as Ezr. 6, 21. Act. 2, 40. Ephe. • . 3. Rom. 16, 17 Ioh 10, 5 2. Theſſ. 3, 14. 2 Cor. 6, 17. But becauſe the enimies ſought it out deeplie, hovue to iuſtifie all ſuch antichriſtiā offices he taught them herein alſo to take heed of their leauen. For th •• b • ing for their vvar • ant the Qu • enes commaun • ement. Shee appointed them ſaie thei, & thei are not novue antichriſtian but ciuill orders, & iff you Vvill not haue them to be callinges in the church, yet let them be offi • es in the common Vvelth. For anſvuere hereof it Vvas ſaid, that in deed in the parlaments, the biſhopes had ſet doune their traditions & orders, & the Queene Vvith the Counſell did agree & graunt vnto them. But ſuch traditions, except thei vvere Warranted bie the Word off God, are but the precepts & doctrine off • en. And the ſcripture ſa • th plainlie, Ho • . 5. 11. that Iſrael is oppreſſed & broken in iudgment, becauſe he Willingl • vvalcked affter the commaundement: that is, becauſe mens commaundements Vvere ſo much made off, & the Will off the Lord not regarded. Therefore ſaith the Lord in Eſa 29, 13. becauſe this people come neare vnto me vvith their mouthes, & honour me vvith their lippes, but haue remoued their hart ffrom me, and their f • eare tovvard me is taught by the precept off men, therefore the vviſedom off the vviſe men ſhall periſh, & the vnderſtanding off the prudent ſhall be hid. Therefore though thei be nobles or biſhopes, or vuho ſo euer, yet iff thei reiect the lavve off the Lord, for their ovvne traditions, vvhat vviſdom is in them? Novve vvhereas thei mingle ciuil & church offices, it vvas anſvvered bi the vvord off God that ſuch mingling vvas flatt antichriſtianitie. For Chriſt him ſelf refuſed to be a ciuiliudge & diuider of landes. Luc 12, 14. & forbad his apoſtles to medle in ſuch manner. Luc. 22, 25. Againe it is vvritten, no man that goeth on vvarfare, intangleth him ſelfe vvith the affaires of this life. 2. Tim. 2, 4. For if once eccleſiaſticall perſons, as thei call them, get ciuil offices, thei become that ſecond beaſt vvhich is antichriſt Reuel. 13, 15. For thei get the image off the firſt beaſt, vvhich is the povver & authoritie off vvicked magiſtrates, that confirme their authoritie: ſo thei geue a ſpirit to the image, that it ſhould ſpeake, that is their church lavves & orders, hauing got ciuil povver, both to deceaue men b • ſh • vve of religion, & to force them vvith threates and penalties, the kingdom of • antichriſt doeth mightilie vvorck & lift vp it ſelfe. But becauſe thei againe did ſtriue that thei vvere proteſtantes, & did but as the martyrs had done before them. Thei had ſought the Lord ſence the time of the martyrs: It vvas anſvuered that ſo ſaied the aduerſaries of Iudah & beniamin, & added further that thei had ſacrificed a long time vnto the true god, Ezr. 4, 2. as theſe alſo ſai, thei haue the vvord & the ſacamētes. So ſaid the ſcribes & phraiſes, vvhich builded the tombes of the prophets, & garniſhed the ſepul • heres of the righteous, Mat. 23. 29, as theſe alſo haue vvritten & make much of the booke of martyrs, & ſaie, iff thei hadd bene in the daies of their fathers, thei vvould not haue bene partners vvith thē in the bloud of the martyrs. But novve ſence the Lord hath called vnto thē ▪ & thei refuſe to be reformed in ſo manie & greuous pollutions, & alſo purſue, impriſon & perſecute thoſe vvhich call for redreſſe, euen all the bloud of the righteous ſhed vpon the earth vntill this daie ſhall come vpon them. Againe vvhereas thei vnderprop vvickednes by regard off times, or examples, of authorities: firſt for their times, it vvas thus anſvvered, as it is in Hagg 1, 2. This people ſaie, the time is not yet come to build the Lordes houſe: but is it time for you ſaith the Lord to dvv • ll in your ſeiled houſes, & this houſe ly vva •• & againe in Eſa. 5 • , 6. • ha • e ſet vva • chmen vpon thi vvalis Oſeruſilē. vvhich all the day & •• the night cōtinuall •• ſh • ll not ceaſe: yee that are • in of • ll or the Lord keep not ſil nce, & geue him no reſt, till he repaire, a • d v • til he ſet vp • eruſalem the praiſe of the vvo • ld. • lſo for their examples & authorities of men, it Vvas anſvuered as in E • od. 23, 2 tho • ſh • l • not follovve a multi • u • e to do euill▪ But further thei alleged the ſcripture for the • ſelues: as vvhere it is vvritten of Paul • . Cor. 3 If • man buil 〈◊〉 ſt • bble, & this his vvorck • ur • e, be ſh • ll loſe, but he ſhall be ſafe him ſelfe: likevviſe th •• ſai, that thei mai build though •• perfectlie, & yet help fo • vvard the houſe of God. An • • gaine thei a •• that Paul reio •• ed • f Chriſt vvas preached, though it vvere of • unie & ••• fe. Phil. • . Thus by 〈◊〉 ſh • ft • ges & exc • les, thei h • de as in a neſt their • ato vva •• nes & 〈◊〉 . T • ei 〈◊〉 v •• eſtle ſuch pa • king • , & let them ſtee vvhen thei liſt, & ag • i • e thei can co • er th • m by ſu • h deep deuiſes. For vvhen Paul ſpeaketh of building hai • & ſt • bble, he rebuketh th • ir va •• e • heto •• ck & cloquence, & this he ſaith ſhall burne vv • th the fier, but thei ſhall be ſafe, i • the • ceaſe to be va •• , & buil • rightly vpon the foundacion▪ vvherefore for anſvuere of the enimies, •• vvas ſaied, that if Chriſt the foundacion vvere vvanting hovve ſhould ether the builder him ſelfe be ſafe, or his vvorck ſtand & abide▪ Fat Chriſt is the foundacion being duel • preached & duely receaued, & ſo held. 1. Cor. 3. 11. B • t none can hould him vvhich open •• ſh • vv them ſ •• ues to be the children of b • lial. And ſuch are thei vvh • ch ca • l ſo man • e groſſe corrupt • ō • , to be that haie & ſtubble laied vpō the foundacion. For thus do thei iuſtifie their popiſh kind of pariſh • s vvhich though thei ouerthroe the true planted churches yet forſooth thei are b •• lt vpon Chriſt the foundacion. Behould their vvortlue building▪ it is made of ſtravves, the b • ames be ſtubble, & the vvalſs be hai & vv • thered graſſe: naitathe • thoſe their v •• e & popiſh dec • ees & traditions, are • he ſy • evves, & veins of that mo • ſter A •• chriſt • their concl •• tous & lavves made in popiſh • onuocations likevvi • e their yearl • in • unctiōs made to perſecute the forvvardeſt, be the bloud & marro • or rather the ſtrength & po •• ſon of that monſle. Their ſtinted ſeruice is a popiſh beadro •• full of vaine rep • ticions as if • eauen paternoſters did pleaſe the Lord better then ſy • : & as if the ••• ttering of a pie or a parate vvere much more th • better, becauſe it is much more thē enough. Their toſſing to & fro of pſalmes & ſentē • es, is like teniſſe pla • e vvhereto God is ca • led a ludg • vvho can do beſt & be moſt g • llant in his vvo • ſhipp▪ as bie organs, ſolfaing, p •• ckſong chaut •• g, b • ſſing & mumling verie roundlie, on diuers handes. Th • s thei haue a ſhevve of religion▪ but in deed thei turne it to gaming, & plai • mockholidaie vvith the vvorſh • p of God. For the miniſter & people are b •• dled like horſes & euerie thing appointed vnto them like pupp • es: as to heare, tead, anſvue • , k • ele, ſitt, ſtand, beginn, breake of, & that by number, meaſure, & courſe, & onelie after • ne order of antichriſt. The • vvhole ſer •• ce is broken, d •• ordered, catched, taken out of the maſſe book, & a dum & •• le min • ſterie manteined thereb • e yea a va •• e vvorſh • p vvithout knovvelege and feeling.

And vvhat difference is there betvvene pr •• ng on b •• des, and the • umbling vp of ſo manye Lordes pra • ers, ſo man • e bab • inges b • e th • prieſt, & ſo •• a •• e an • vueres by the cla • k & people? For no part of the ſeruice muſt be left out by the biſhops •• unctions.

Againſt ſuch praiers, vvas the companie alſo ſtrengthned bie th • vvord of God. firſt b • cauſe thei are redd, and not applied to the vvorde preached: vvhich is ag •• n • t the cuſtome. • F the church vnder the o •• • lavve: and alſo ſence the co •• ng of Chriſt. For When th • ſ • crifices With praier and •• en: Vvere offered: the Word a •• o Vvas preached. Therefore it • s W •• tten in Eccleſ • aſ •• . 4. 7 Take • eed to thy foot▪ When thou entreſt in •• the houſe off God▪ and be more 〈◊〉 to h •• re, th • n to grue the ſacrifice off ffoo • es: for th • i knovve not that th • i do euill. So then to bable • uer praiers, VVhen the people •• novve not nether are taught th • ir ſinnes, is an •• ommation. Proue •• . 15, 8. & 21, 27. And to ſeu • r the offices off the paſtor, Vvhich God b • th • ined, it is iniquitie. For to preach, to praie, and miniſter the ſac • aments, are ſo put tog • th • r in the ſcriptures, that in the paſtor d • d prai or miniſter the ſ • c • amentes, be Vvas alſo to preach, as it is Written Deut. 33. • 0. Likevviſe in Ma • ac. 2▪ 6 7. Alſo the Apoſtles did not publiqueli prai and miniſter the ſacramentes, except the Vvord Vvere preached vvithall. Act 2. 42. Act. 10. 3 • . Act 6 4. Alſo becauſe ſuch praiers are off cuſtom • and courſe, thei can not be Vvith true feeling and touch off hart. Therefore in vaine thei Vvorſh • p me, ſaith the Lord, becauſe thei come neare vnto me Vvith their mo • thes, and honour me vvith their •• pes, but haue • enoued their hart from me. Eſa. 29, 13 Novve then • ff it be the offi • e off the paſtor and preacher, and part off his calling, toe pray, then muſt he be able off him ſelfe to do it: Wh • e then ſhould a ſeruice, or reading off praiers be ſtinted vnto him? For iff his lippes keep not knovvledg Malac. 2. 7. iff he can not min • ſter the vvo • d Vvith praier: Act. 6, 4. he is not meet to be a paſtor or vvatch m •• ouer the people. But vvhereas the praiers are ſet devvne bi number and courſe, it is alltogether a popiſh ſuperſtition, or rather an heathniſh follie. For to Vvhat purpoſe are ſuch fond repeticions, and vaine babli • g▪s forbidden bie Chriſt Mat. 6, 7 And iff all thinges ought to be done in due order 1. Cor. 14, 40. Col. 2, 5. then vvhere is that order in ſo chiefe a thing as is the vvo • ſhip off God? Suerlie ſuch a ſeru •• e and vvorſhip off God is to build vpon the foundacion, as he that buildeth a dunghill vpon the ſandes, and vvhen the tempeſt off vengeance ſhall come, it ſhall take him avvare, Vvith the dong • e he hath gathered. But thei obiect that a le • tu • gie maie be appointed and red, and that moſt off their ſeruice is good, and the reſt, iff anie be euill maie be left of them that heare, though the miniſter muſt nedes read it all. To this it vvas anſvvered, that it is a ſhame for them to come into ſuch bondage as ether to ſuffer the incenſe of Nadab and Ab • h • (for ſuch is their ſeruice and abſtractes from the maſſ • booke) Leuit, 10, 1. or elſe to be ſeruauntes to men to hinder their I bertie: vvhich is forbidden 1. Cor. 7, 23. 2. Cor. 11, 20. For bie the capp and the ſurpliſſe & the biſhops diſchargings, vvith other their traditions, the VVord is in bondage, & likevviſe their Vvorſhipping off God • ie ſuch ſtinted ſeruice, ſo that thei can nether praie, nor preach as thei ſhould, but as it pleaſeth the biſhopes.

Nether let them account off the feeling, vvhich ſome ſaie thei haue vvhen thei heare the ſeruice red. For euen in vvo ſhipping Idols, there is a ſtrong feeling, or • a: her a ſtrong deluſion: and though there m • ght be good motions in an euill thing, yet that did not vvariant the euill, no more then Paules zeale did iuſtifie his perſecuting of the ſainctes: nor the tear • s vvhi • h come from a troubled hart do iuſt • fie the • inne for the vvhich it is troubled. And Vvhat is it to Vveep before an Idol, or to ſh • d teares in a falſe & • aine vvorſhipp? And vvhat ſhould thei boaſt of ſome good praiers & ſome good vvordes vvhich are in their commō ſeruice? For vvitches & coniurers vvill Vſe good vvords & good praiers, vvhe thei coniure & charme the deuil. And vvhi halt thei betvuene good & euill? For iff thei do many things vvell & yet in one thing be open & greuous tranſgreſſors, all is made naught. And hovve ſhould anie thing be partli good as thei ſai, & partli euil? For the euil that is doth make it vvholi euil, as it is vvritten, Iam. 2. 10. 2. Sam. 15, 23. So then ſuch traditions and orders, are ſo far from building vpon Chriſt the foundacion, as the Lordes houſe & temple can not be the ſynagogue of ſatan, nor his builders the open & knovvē balamits & maiſters of iniquitie. For Balaam bleſſed Iſrael but counſeled to make an agremēt & partakeing together of Iſrael & amalek: So theſe do bleſſe the cauſe, & prai for diſcipline, but thei tolerat & diſpenſe vvith abominations, to make Chriſt & belial agree. Yea ſai thei, Paul teacheh vs to preach Chriſt bi all māner of vvaies, Phil. 1. & alſo reioiſeth there ī. So th • i vvil preach Chriſt after the manner of Balaam: & as bi their praiers thei hould ſtil the mediation & interceſſion of antichriſt, ſo bi their tolerating & diſpenſing vvith vvickednes, thei hould ſt • ll his prieſthood, & bi their counſel, decrees & traditiōs, thei hould ſtil his propbecie. Wheref • ore, to anſvvere them, it vvas ſaid, that Paul re • o • ſed, not that Balamits ſhould be preachers in the church, but that abundance of all ſortes of preachers ſhould be, ſo thei vve • e lavuefull. And though thei Vvere hypocrites, & had their enuie & ſtrife, yet that fo • thvvith did not make them vnlavueful preachers. For if thei braſt not forth into open contention, toe make a diuiſion, nor did vvilfulli tolerate open abuſes, nor frovaroli iuſtifie falſe doctrine & hereſies, Paul Vvould not reiect them. But if it Vvere othervviſe, Paul is ſo far from reioiſing in them, that he Vviſheth thei vvere euen cut of • vvhich diſquiet the church. Galat. 5. & againe he ſaith, that he ſhall beare h • s condemnation, vvho ſo euer he be that troubleth them. And to the Romans 16, 17. be ſaith, novve I beſee • h you brethren, mar • k thē diligētly vvhich cauſe diuiſions & offenſes, contrarie to the doctrine vvhich ye haue learned, & auoid them. And if Paul re • oiſed in all manner of preaching, vvhi do not thei re • oiſe in the Pope & in the frears & monckes For thei vvould preach Chriſt, & v • ithall the lavves & traditiōs of antichriſt: as theſe alſo vvill ſeeme to preach Chriſt, & yet preach a toleration of the kīgdom of antichriſt: as of the povver of lordlib ſhops, of their ſending forth of Warrants, of ſitting in ciuil iudgment, off impriſoning & perſecuting in ſhamful manner: likevviſe off their ſpiritual courtes & officers, vvhich ouerrule, threaten, excommunicate, and poule the people vvith force & penalties. In deed Vvould Paul reioiſe in ſuch preachers, vvhich allovve & teach others to allovve, or vvilfulli tolerate that their profane babtiſme vvith godfathers & godmothers, Vvith croſſing & confirming off children, & other fooliſh tounges. off theſe it vvas ſaid, that thei being ſuperſt • ous ceremonies, are not one lie the precepts of men, & ſo make vaine the vvo • ſh • p of God. Mat. 15. but alſo are popiſh ſuperſtitions & • miſerable yoake laid vpon vs by antichriſt. For by them, & other ſuch like, is the vvord of God made of none authoritie Ma • k. 7. 13. becauſe his meſſage by his ſeruantes is ſtopped, except thei yeeld & ſubſcribe to ſuch traſh. Yet the vvord commaūdeth, that vve ſhould not be ſeruants to men, 1. Cor. 7. 23. that is thei muſt loſe no vvhit of their libertie vvhich thei haue in Chriſt. And this libertie thei haue, not to do anie thing affter mens traditions, but onelie to do vvhat the Lord commaundeth. Therefore to teach & tolerate the ch • r • hing of vveomen vvas ſhevved to be vnlavvefull: becauſe thei are churched, vvhich ether can be none of the church & people of God, or elſe vvhich neuer vvere put out of the church: and vvhy then ſh • uld thei be ſo ſolemlie againe receiued to the church? For the levviſh vveomen vvere ſolemlie pur • fied, becauſe of their outvvard vncleanes: but that being then but a ceremonie, can not be novve held vvithout great ſuperſtition. And vvhy ſhould there be an open tha • ckeſgeueing for that vvhich is no bleſſi • g, but a curſe? For at their trauaile, and vvhile thei are in childbed, it is knovven vvell enough vvhat vanitie is among them. So frō their curſed life at home thei come to the church to haue the prieſtes bleſſing, & the vvoeman is ſafely deliuered to liue the more vvickedly. As for the babtiſme of the child, iff it be rightly done, & ether of the parentes be godl • e, that is a bleſſing, & in the publik ſacrament there ſh • uld be a publik thankſegeuing. But the churching of vveomen can be no ſacramē • : nether is their bodelie deliuerance a publique bleſſing: nai rather it is a curſe if thei be vnthankf • ll & vvicked. Therefore for their priuat bleſſing let them priuatlie geue thāckes. But if thei be vntha • ckfull, vvhy ſh • uld the church meet together to be thanckfull for thé or vvhy ſh • uld the • b • hono • ed to that manner & ſtrengthned in their ſinne, vvhile thei are ſo vainlie comforted for th • ir bodelie deliuerance? For hovve profanelie is th • t 91 pſal. applied to • omfort th • m, as if that p • i • ate & vvorldlie bleſſing vvere all in all? or as if for that vvorldlie bleſſing there ſh • uld be opē meetings, & none for the ſpiritual & greater bleſſings A for a man to teach his houſ • hould, to reb • ke ſinne in his freind, to acknouledge his fa • lt to his neighbour Vvith amendment thereoff &c. theſe are ſpirituall bleſſings, & if for theſe particularlie there can not be p • blique meetings, becauſe that vvere a troubleſōe diſorder, vvhy then ſhould there be a d • ſordered meeting for the churching of vveomen? But as in this point, ſo in manye ſuch like popiſh deluſions, the pomp, ſuperſtition, & vanitie of antichriſt vvas ſhevved▪ as in their fa •• inges, feaſtinges, ſaincts euens, holie daies, funeralls, manner of marriing, popiſh • ttire, vvith other ſuch like. Further it vvas declared hovve vngodlie the biſhops do auth •• iſe, & the preachers do ſuffer & tolerate thoſe vvretched blind miniſters to minſter the ſacramēts, & ſare ſeruice, & alſo diſpence vvith the people to heare them, & to receaue the ſacraments of thē. Alſo hovve vvickedlie thei allovve thoſe vvoefull conuocations of biſh • ps in ſtead of church lyno • es, & pu • t their vniuerſitie degrees, diſputations, & common places in ſtead of church prophecie, & deſpite & gainſaie the true exerciſe therof. L • kevviſe ſundrie other vvantes in the church & vvoefull defaultes of the preachers vvere ſh • vved, the diſproofe vvherof is novve to long to reherſe: as in hovve vile and abominable mā • er thei are made preachers & miniſters. Thei geue their neckes to the yoak of diſordered & popiſh attire, the marckes of antichriſt, as the horned capp, the maidenlie ſurplſſe, the g •• ue & flo •• ſhing • ppe • , the hoodes, g • unes, ch • me • s, rochets, coapes &c. and that according to vaine degrees: as for the lordlie b • ſh • ps, their attire, & for the doctors, bachelars of diuinitie, miniſters & prieſts, their att ••• : all vvh • ch is more vaine & ridiculous then the phariſaical phylacte •• es & fringes. For the f •• nges vvere commaūded bie the lavv but yet of them ſupe • ſtitio • ſly abuſed. But theſe their garmentes, & alſo their offices, are flat againſt the lavve, & yet of them moſt proudlie abuſed. As cheifly vvhen the Beadle & the t • pſtaff • do go b • fore them to bring them into the pulpitt. Hovve ſh •• efull • e doe th • i • a • e for the magiſtrates as if thei hindred & letted them to do their full 〈◊〉 . Hovve lik • hireling • do thei leaue the •• ock vvhen the biſhops o • the mageſtrats do vniuſtlie diſcharge th •• & hang their authoritie & calling on their ſleue, but vvil • ot hould it of the Lord their God? Hovve parcial are thei, could, & ſeruile in ſuffering greuous corr • ptiōs to the ouerthrovve off religion & gouernment? What running • make thei from tovvne to tovvne, to preach for their prais, & leaue their flock deſtitute a long time for their pleaſure, & to ſeck more gaine & honour? Hovve do thei ſeuer preaching from gouerning, doctrine from diſcipline, as iff thei could be ſeuered & vvere partes diuided? Hovve many non reſidents are there & gredie d • uourers off benefices, ſ • ipendes & other popiſh liuings, Which are vtterly vnlavvefull, becauſe thei are bie tythings, vvhich are novve no more to be geuen to the miniſterie, or bi • lavves & cuſtomes vvhich hinder the due placing & diſplacing off miniſt • rs, & the right & libertie off the church therein. Theſe & a thouſand mo abominations haue thei amongſt thē & confeſſe t •• m ſelues, that thei can not redreſſe them. So th • i hould one communiō vvith hoggs & dogges, eu • n open vngodlie perſons, & haue no remedie. Behould, do theſe men preach Chriſt, vvh • ch thus do p • ruert the ghoſpel of Chriſt? For this is the ſum of the ghoſpell, & of Paules preaching, as he him ſelfe vvittneſſeth, Act. 20. R • pentance tovvardes God▪ & faieth tovvardes our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. This repētance & f • ith is d • nied & • o alſo Chriſt & his ghoſpel is caſt • nder foote, vvhere ſuch greuous corruptions doe raigne & nether his gouernment & prophecie can ouerſee & trie out ſuch f • lth • nes, nor make ſeparation of-cleane and vncleanne, not yet by his preiſthood anie ſuch • ncleannes can be clenſed avvaie Therefor vve ſay that theſe men can not preach Chriſt truelie, but onelie in • h • vve, nether can build vpon Chriſt the foundation▪ for it is not for you ſaied the lords people, but for vs to build the houſe vnto our god. for vve our ſelues together vvill build it vnto the lord god of Iſrael. Therefore not all builders or preachers are to be receaued or reioyced in, but ſuch as in deed do hould the foundacion & preach Chriſt aright. for the enuie & ſtrife vvhereof • Paul ſpeaketh, vvas ſeacret, or vvhen it appeared, yet it could not and vvas not menifeſtlye proued, & therefore ſuch preachinge vvas not againſt the foundacion, But if anie doe vv • l fullie & preſumptuouſlye ſtand in anie opē ſynne, • de ſame can not hould the foundacion▪ for vvhether the ſinne be ſmall or great, Mat. 18. if it become open & be duelie brought be fore the church, & the offēder vvill not heare the church, let him be vnto the, faieth Chriſt, as an heathen man & a publican. & againe it is vvritten, that that man vvhich ſhall doe preſumptuouſlie, againſt the voice of the highe preiſt) vvhich figured the voice of Chriſt Ieſus at this daye in his chuch, that man ſhall die. dut. 17. And Saul kinge of Iſrael, though he ſaied he had ſinned, yet be • auſe he excuſed it & repented not, Samuel vvould not returne to him, tyll agaiē he had ſaied I haue ſinned vvithout excuſe. 1. Sam. 1 • . So th • t plainelie it appeareth, that Samuel Iudged Saul not to hould the foundacion, vvhile he openly excuſed his ſinne • for elſe he vvould not haū forſaken his fellovvſhipp & left him to the ſhame of the people But Semuels vvords before doe plainly de • lare that all open ſinne vnrepented & ſtoud in, is the ouerthrovv of the foundacion▪ for Rebellion is as the ſinne of vvitch craft, & tranſgreſ frō is vvickednes & Idolatrie. verſe. 23. if then vvitches & Idolaterrs hould not the foundaciō ſuerli noe more doe thei, vvhich by ane ſinne reb • ll & tranſgreſſe againſt god & vvittingli • excuſe it, as did Saule or vvil • fullie & preſumptu ••• l • e Iuſtifie it. Novv let it be Iudged, hov • ther thei build • pon the foundacion, or hould 〈◊〉 •• undacion, or preach Chriſt as thei ſai thei doe▪ for this is to lay the foundacion Acts. 8. 12. to preach the thengs that concren th • -kingdome of God, & the nā • of Ieſus Chriſt. & this is to ouerthrovve the foūdacion, vvhich vvilfullie thei or vvith perſecution & outrage. thei vphould the abominations of a cōtrarie kingdome. This is to lay the foundacio • , Mat 28. to preach & Babtiſe in the name of the Faſter teachinge to obſerue & doe, vvhat ſoe euer ſaieth Chriſt, I haue commaunded you. & th • s is to ouerthrovv the foundacion to teach a toleration & practiſſing of things, vvhich a • e cōtraie to the vvhole gouernment & kingdom of Chriſt. Novv to hould the foundaciō, is to beleeue, & alſo receaue that doctrine of Chriſt in profeſſion & practiſe of life. for as ſoone as thei beleeued thei vvere babtiſed ſaieth the text▪ thei continued in the apotles doctrine, fellovvſhip & cōmun • ō of pra • ers & ſacram • ts Act. • . yea thei ſh • vved their. vvorkes & their loue, & the ſinglenes of their harts verſe. 46. Act. 19. & vvere ſeprat frō that frovvard generation. & it is vvritten th • t if a • ie man ſh • ll breake of the leaſt commaundemēts, & teach men ſoe, that is ſhall doe it openlie & ge • e euil example, & hould & Iuſt • fie it in doctraine & vvords, he ſh • ll be called the leaſt in the kingdom of God, Mat. 5. that is h • ſhal be excludede & ſh • t out off • is kingdom. And if anie man ſhall ad or diminiſh of the vvord of God, either by doctrine or by practiſſe, & that vvitingli & ſtubburnlie, he can not hould the foundacion for Go • ſh • ll add vnto hi • the plagues that are vvritten. Reuel. 22. Pro. 30. Therefore ſ • ie noe more, ye vvicked preachers, that ye hould the foūdacion, or that ye preach▪ for vvhat is it vvorth to ſaie vnto Chriſt, haile King of the Ievves, & bovve the knee be fore him, vvh • you caſt your filthie diſorders & popiſh gouernment as dougne on his face you haue not yet gathered the people frō the Popiſh pariſhes & vvicked fellovvſh • p. nether • aue planted the church by layinge the foundacion thereof. • or here by is the foundacion • ried, vvhen vVe make & hould the couenant vvith the Lord to be vnder h • s gouernment. vvhen vve haue the povver of the Lord, as it is vvritten, Cor. 1. 5. amongſt vs, & the ſ • pter of Chriſt Ieſus amongſt vs. But theſe doe hould the vvhep & the ſvvord of Popiſh excomūication. They are vvithout the Lords couenant, & vvithout his gouernmēt, Thei haue alltogether. corrupted their vvaies, thei haue broken the yoake & Burſte the bands in ſunder. for euen thoſe vvhich can be none of Chriſt church, abidnge in ſuch vvickednes, are cheefe in their churches. & ſoe farr are thei from bu • ldinge of gould & tymbere, together vvith hay & ſtubble, that thei put fier to the better tymber & tūble dovvne the better ſtones to ouerth • vve the Lords buildinge. Thus haue thei an anſvvere of thoſe places, of the. 1. Phil &. 1▪ Cor. 3. vvhich is this that • hir vvi • kednes & abominacion is more greuous then that can be counted the Infirmitie of ſpeaking toe eloquentlie, or of enuie vvhich is ſecrett, or of a con • e • tious mynd.

THE ORDER AGREED ON FOR THE GIVDING & eſtabliſhing of the companie in all Godlines, & ſuch like This doctrine before being ſhevved to the companie, & openlie preached a mong them

•• uie did agree th • reto. & though much trouble & perſecution did follovve, yet ſome did cleaue faſt to the trueth but ſome F • ll avv • i • . •• o vvhen triall by pu • ſuites, loſſes, & impriſonment cāe, & further increa • ed 〈◊〉 Robert▪ B • rker, N • colas vvo •• ovves, Tatſ • l, Bond & ſōe oth • rs, for ſooke vs alſo & h • l • ba • k, • vvere afraied at the firſt There vvaſ a day appointed, & an order taken, ffo • • edr • ſſe off • h • former ab • ſes, & for cleaning to the Lord •• greater obediēce • o a couenāt vvas made & ther mutual cōſent vvas geuē to • ould to gether

There vvere certaine • h • ef po • ntes proued vnto them by the ſcriptures, all vvhich being particul • lie reherſed v • to them vv •• h exhortation, the • agreed vpon them, & pronoūced their agrement to ech thing p •• ti • ularl •• , ſ • iing, to this vv • g • ue our conſent. Firſt therefore thei giue their conſent, to • oine them ſelues to the Lord, in one couenant & fellovveſh • pp tog •• her, & to keep & ſeek agrement vnder his lavves & gouernment: and therefore did v • terlie flee & a • oide ſu • h like diſorders, & vvickednes, as vvas mencioned before. Further thei agreed off th • ſe vvhich ſhould tea • h them, and vvatch for the ſaluation of their ſoules, vvhom thei allovved & did choſe as able & meete ffor that charge. For thei had ſufficient triall & teſtimonie thereoff by that vvhich thei hard & ſavve by them, & had receaued of others. So thei praied for their vvatchfulnes & diligence, & promiſed their obedience

Likevviſe an order vvas agreed on ffor their meetinges together, ffor their exerciſes therin, as for praier, thanckes giuing, reading of the ſcriptures, for exhortation & ed • f • ing, ether by all men vvhich •• d the guift or by thoſe vvhich had a ſpeciall charge before others. And for the lavvefulnes off putting forth queſtions, to learne the trueth, as iff anie thing ſeemed doubtful & hard, to req • ire ſome to ſhevve it more plainly, or for anie to ſhevve it him ſelfe & to cauſe the reſt to vnderſtand it. Fu • th • r for noting o • t • nie ſpeciall matter of edifiing at the meeting or for • alckīg ſeuerally thereō, vvith ſome particulars, • ff • one • i • require publique audience, or if no vvaightier & more neceſſarie matter vvere • ā •• led of others. Againe it vvas agreed that anie might proteſt, appeale, complaine, exhort, diſput • , repro • e &c. as he bad occaſion, but yet in due order, vvhich Vvas thē alſo declared. Alſo that al ſhould further the kingdom off God in them ſelues, & eſpeciallie in their charge & houſ • hould, iff thei bad anie, or in their freindes & companions & vvhoſoeuer Vvas Vvorthie. Furthermore thei particularlie agreed off the manner, hovve to Vvatch to diſorders, & reforme abuſes, & for aſſembling the companie, for teaching priuatlie, & for vvarning & rebukeing both priuatly & openlie, for appointing publick humbling in more rare iudgemētes, & publ • k thankeſgeuing in ſtraunger bleſſinges, for gathering & teſtifiing voices in debating matters, & propounding them in the name off the reſt that agree, for an order of choſing teachers, guides, & releeuers, vvhen thei vvant, for ſeparating cleane from vncleane, for receauing anie into the fellovveſhip, for preſēting the dailie ſucceſſe of the church, & the vvantes thereof, for ſeeking to other ch • rches to haue their help, being better reformed, or to bring them to reformation, for taking an order that none contend openlie, no • perſecute, nor trouble diſorderedly, nor bring falſe doctrine, nor euil cauſe after once or tvviſe Vvarning or rebuke.

Thus all thinges vvere handled, ſet in order, & agreed on to the comfort off all, & ſoe the matter vvrought & proſpered by the good hand of God. But laſt of all vvas this thing determi • ed, Wh •• h • r God did call them to leaue their contrie, & to depart out of England.

• ome had decre • d i • to be gone into Scotland, & by vvriting, ſending, & ridi • g to & froe di • labour in the matter, & ſeemed to b • • eluouſe lea •• their cou • ſell ſhould not take place. B •• R. B. being • he • he •• as priſoner a • London, did ſ • nd dovvne his anſvvere bie vvriti • g to he co • tr • r • e For he • u •• e • 〈◊〉 i • vvas againſt du • tie, & • o vvrote vnto them▪ if • hei firſt ſh •••• agree •• g 〈◊〉 Sco • l • n • 〈◊〉 as yet thei had not •• f • ed v • h • th • r thei vvere to l • aue •• gl • nd. Alſo 〈◊〉 vnto • hem, that thei vvere to do that good in England vv • i • h poſſiblie thei • ight • o 〈…〉 ought not to remoue, before thei had yet further teſtified the trueth & the Lord had vvith •• rong hand deliuered them frō th • ſe. And • a • h • r in deed vvoul • h • haue it to be a deliuerance by the Lor • , then a covveardly fleei • g off be •• ovvne d • u • ſi • g F ••• h •• 〈…〉 them his reaſons, v • hy Scotland could not be meet for them, ſeing it f • a • ed it ſ • lff • in thoſe matters to pleaſe England toe much. Wee • nevve alſo that vve could not there be ſuffered, 〈◊〉 b • cauſe ſome corrupt • ō ſhould come vpon vs from their pa •• ſhes, vvhich vve ough • to auoide, o • becauſe vve there ſhould haue great trouble vvrought vs from E • gland, as iff vve kept ſtill in England. So vvhen ſome vvere better aduiſed thei chaunged their mindes for going into Scotland. Notvvihſtandīg againe thei vvould be gone into G • rſey or Garnſey & had the conſent as thei ſaied of diuers others, that • ho • ght it meet thei ſhould learne th • ſtate off thoſe contries. R. B. ſaied he vvas not againſt their going to that purpoſe But yet he tould them there vvas no ſuch haſt to be gone out of England, & that further delay & deliberation ſhould be had in that matter. But at laſt, vvhen diuers of them vvere againe impriſoned, & the reſt in great trouble & bondage out of priſon, thei all agreed, & vvere f • llie perſvvaded that the Lord did call the out of England.

OF THE BREACH AND DIVISION vvhich fell amongſt the companie.

But vve come to the breach & falling out of theſe parties. Firſt the lavves vvere broken, vvhereby the church of Chriſt ſhould be k • pt in good order. There fel out queſtions, offences; & takeing of partes, as vve knovve it hath alvvaies & ſhall come to paſſe in the church of God. But for remedie of ſuch thinges the Lordes ordinance vvas reiected and greater preſumption further increaſed, as ſhall appeare. The mindes in a manner of all vvere eſtraunged from the paſtor, or their conſciencies vvoūded, & thei diſquieted by fooliſh doubtes, accuſations, ſlaunders & quarrels moued & caſt abroade bie the chief eſt of them. Yet vvas there noething in controuerſie vvhich vvas not generalie agreed on by all at the firſt, & openlie debated vvith mutual cōſent, though diuers aftervvard fell avvaie, & ſome alſo ſecretlie vvere at variance in their hartes. For the end did declare their hypocriſie & vvhat enu • e & grudg laie hidd in their breſtes. Notvvithſtanding their diſpoſition vvas perceaued of ſome, & ſome ſtirring and diſquietnes thei began to make vvas ſtopped & cut of for the tim • But vvhen the paſtor f • ll ſick & could not be preſent at the exerciſes, nor viſit them priuatlie in houſes, the ſtirring did freſhly beginn againe. Thei made a doe ſecretly & tal • ked manie matters among them ſelues, but neuer • ould them to the paſtor, nor aſked counſel for them of the church by admoniſh • ē • , doubt, o • queſtion in prophecie, before thei had troubled the vvhole church about them. Hereby the contention grevve ſo far, that ſ • me f • ll from queſtions to e • ill ſpeaches & ſlaunders, & from ſlaunders to open def • aunce & railinge • .

The matters in controuerſie vvere manie, all vvhich, tho • gh • h • i v • ere often times thorovvlie d • bated, yet therein vvere ſoōe peruerted them ſelues, & did alſo corrupt & h ••• others the ſtirring & buſines vvas after this māner. There vvere fundrie meetings procured againſt R. B. By. R. H. & his Partkers. for certaine tales & ſlanders vvere brought. to R. H. vvhi • h he ſtra • ght vvay receaued, & 〈◊〉 • gainſt R. B. The accuſations in the firſt mietting • Vvere, that R B. condemned his Siſter Allen • as a reprobate. alſoe he ſaied▪ ſhe had not repen ••• of her abominations in England alſo that he ſaied, except ſhe repented of her abomiati ••• that night ſhe ſhould neuer enter into the kingdom of God, to theſe it vvas āſvvered & vvitneſſes taken firſt that he nether did call nor Iudge his ſiſter for a reprobate, & that he had to haſtlie harckned to tales, in that matter, alſo vvitnes •• me in that he ſaied not to his ſiſter, ſhe had not at all repented of theſe abominations in England, But that nether ſhe not vve all vvere ſufficiently mortified, for them for theſe matters, becauſe R. B▪ did firſt priuatli rebuke R. H▪ as for that he bid beleued & receaued ſuch things vvith out all proufe & vvitneſſes: & alſo for that he ſaied he knevv more aganſt him, but vvould not ſpeake of them he tooke the matter verie h • inouſlie Straight vvsy he vvent forth, & ſent others to admoniſh R. B. for he could not ſoe ſuffer the matter to paſſe, but he caſt of that charge vvhich he had taken vpon him, a litle before, & vvould not medle anie further, except there vvere ſome remidie procured. Then did he put forth his, accuſation in vvritinge, vvhich vvaſ red & receiued of others, but not ſhevved to the partie vvhom he accuſed for this vvriting & handling of matters ſoe priuilie he vvas blamed. & therefore vvhen R. B ſent vnto him to ſee the vvritinge he refuſed, & kept it backe▪ then he procured Chatles mōemā, Iohn Chāler, Tobie hen • on, & others to meet about the matter. at vvhich meeting becauſe diuers things before vvere diſorderedlie handled, R. B. did then in •• antlie call for au order, that thnges might be rightlie debated. as firſt that noe accuſation might be openlie brought againſt him vvithout tvvoe or three vvittneſſes, for this he ſaied vvas the vvord of God, 1. Tim. 5. 19. Deut. 19. 1 • . But R. H. vvhich before had delt vvithoute vvittneſſes, did this ſhift of the matte • , that he Needed noe vvittneſſes to accuſe R. B. Becauſe the mrtters could not bedenied, vvherevvith he ch • rged him, Anſvvere vvas made that thei had beene denied. & vvere not yet proued & therefore ſuch dealing vvas vtterli vngodlie, Then in tvvoe other things did Robert. B. call vppo thē for ane order amongſt them the firſt vvas that their might be noo fuſed brablinge But that the accuſer & anſvverer hauing both tould their tales, then matters might be iudged by the church, & thei not ſuffered to make contention, by gainſaing on an other ſoe offt as thei liſt. But herein alſo did R. H. Charles Mūnemā, & their partakers both denie & breake o • der contrarie to the ſcripture alleged • . Cor. 14. ver, 33, &. 1. Cor. 11. Soe likevviſe did thei in the other point vvhich vvas that R. B. vvould haue one matter firſt & then an other to be debated & Iudged, & not one accuſation, to paſſe, before the truteth thereof vvere thorovvli foū • out the • e things vvere denied him, & could not be grannted, becauſe of the frovvardnes & cōtention of ſome then did R. B. cōpla • ne that he had great iniurie dō • him, & vvould depart frō the meetinge if thei proced in that ma • ne • : vvhich vvordes vvhen thei hard, they vvere furthr out of order, ſoe that eihter tvviſe or thriſe he vvas forced to • yſ vp & leaue them th •• vvas he cond • mned as an vnlavvfvll Paſtor, & it vvas ſaied vnto him that he vvas not to keep the exerciſes▪ alſo that he vvas to c •••• ſſe his faults before thei vvould Io • ne Vvith •• , the meeting beinge •• R. B chamber, he • ā • in ag • i • & • ould thē, that he vvas vnvvillinge thī ſhould vees their meetings in his chamber after that manner. Soe aftervvard thei held their meetings in another place: vvhere againe thei condemned R. B. but nor as before ffor he ſent vnto them, that they vvould ſend him in vvitinge the matters vvherevvith thei charged him, & dele in that manner againſt him, But the former ſlanndres thei h • d th • u geuen ouer, & had got vp three nevv matters againſt him, vvhich then ſente him avvai one vvas that Robert B. vvith his vvittneſes had falſlie accuſed R H. of Notable apparēt vvickednes, to this it vvas anſVvred, that he nether had taken Vvittnes nor made accoſation in anie matter ſaue o • lie that in defence off him ſelfe he h • d called for vvittn • s to cleare hī ſelfe, aſ that vvhen the aduerſarie did accuſe him vvithout vvittnes▪ l • kevviſe h • rebukedd Ro. H. off open vvickednes, & vvhen he made that alſo a public accuſation, he vvas faine op • li to ſh • vv vvherein he vvas vvicked▪ namelie in that be openlie b • ake the order & gouernment of the ch • rch in that he had receued falſe accuſations, & report againſt his brother, & him ſelfe alſo did falſly. accuſe him & trouble th • ch • rch in that manner: en other accuſation VVas, about the pavvning off a ſiluer ſpoone, vvherein R. B. vvas cōdēned as an vnlavvfull ſurmiſer. But ſtraight vvay they vvere found by their ovvne vvittneſſes, to be vvicked ſlannderers, & that • . B. had iuſt cauſe to admoniſhe one as beig cauſe off offence to her mother in that matter • be third accuſation vvas, for Rebuking R. H. off murmuringe, & this vvrs Iudged a ſlander▪ thus vvhen R. B. perceaued hovv that diuers tymes priuilie, & novv alſo openli thei caſt h • m off, he alſo openli pronounced it, that he had noe charge off them, if they ſoe continued to vvithdravve them ſelues then did R. H. toke upon him charge. for his conſcience he ſaied could not ſuffer him, to let them be vvithout teachinge. yet aftervvard. belike their cōſiencos did trouble them for caſting off Robe. Brov. in ſuch order, Soe in an open meetinge euerie on confeſſed their ffaultes. RoBe. H. both openlie in the church & particulerlie from man to mā, & From houſe to houſe did acknovvledg, that he had delt vnaduiſedlie againſt R B. in ſundrie things. So in all things vvas Robert BroVVne, cleared, & acknovvledged noe ffaulte at all as being innocent in thoſe things vvhere vvith thei had charged him, But yet ffor all this the grudge lay hid in the harts of diuers▪ & nevv meetings vvere had againſt R. B, vvhere in agaī accuſations vvere had vvithout Vvittneſſes, R, Har, againe receaued ſundrie tales & ſlanders & nethr ſhame vvhich before came on him, nor the Iudgement of God by the death of his children, nor ſundrie vvarnings othervviſe could▪ cauſe him to lay doū his malice & troubleſome mind. he had diuers partakers that claue faſt Vnto him, becauſe he Taught Them that Thei might Lavvfully Returne IN TO ENGLAND AND there haue their dvvellinge, ¶ Thir DOCTRINE thei liked Becauſe they VVere VVearied, of the hardnes of that cont •• : So And So did hould in VVith Robert, H. THEN VVAS Robert. BROVVNE. the tbird*

Tyme condemned, and forſaken off Them

The faults They Laied Againſt him VVere, For rebukinge, Rob, H, Siſter of VVant of Loue AND off abhorring The Paſtar: VVhich They Counted A Slander. LIKeVViſe FOR RE •• king her, oF Ivdgeing VVrong Fullie on The Printer, VVhich VVas alſo made a ſlannder But yet againé after this rec • cilemét vvas made, & the accuſers cōfeſſed their ffaultes: •• no ffault as yet Vvas foūd & proued agaī • t R. B. Thus agaīe the • all took h • m for th •• r lav •• full paſtor & made a faier ſhevv, th • t • he • vvould deale no more ſo ffool ſhly agaiſt • ī. No • vvithſtā • īg ſuch vvas their e ••• e, & ſtuma • k & d • fire to be gōe into Englād that r •• e vv •• reſtles till th •• had vvholy d • u • ded thē ſelues Thē vvas there vvhiſperigs, back b • tigs. & m • murigs pri • ily & amōg thē ſ • lues▪ alſo op • ly grenous thr • at • t • ūts, reu • līgs, & f • lle accuſ • tiōs vvere •• fe in their mouth • s 〈◊〉 vvas for th • t ſome bid threatned R B. to accuſe • trouble him a • the meet • gs as b • ffore the • had done verie vvrōgff • ll • : but he charged th •• thervviſe, & ſaied the • could not mine vv • th him in publik praier & th • k • gi • īg being at o • diſagremēt & not firſt recōciled. This vvas coū • ed pr • ſ p • ō intolerable to be ſpokē of him. And for that he charged ſo • ne b •• ſie bodies vvh • ch vvere alſo bla • he • ers, not to come • the meetings, n • t • er to his c ••• er i • that mā • er, he vvas gr • no • ſly takē vp & miſcalled •• diuers. Likevviſe fo • h • s vv • fe there vvas much a doe, & for the pov •• r & authoritie vvh •• the H • sband h • ho • er the W • fe. In th • s latter a d • e R. H. vvas •• ck & came not abroad • bath h • d tale, c • ovve bro • ght vnto • i, for vvh • ch h •• ff 〈◊〉 made g • eat ſt • r • īg & b • ſines. B • t • g •• their ovū • ſhame cō • el • ed thē to co • e t • ag • een ēt, & y • t once more vv •• one cōſent th •• receiued R. B for th •• r l • vvefull pa •• o. T • h • s agreement, though R. H. •• giuen h • s • ō • ēt yet ſo • oue as h • h •• recou •• his ſi k •• s h • troubled all againe. He vv •• drevve him ſelff • f • ō th • exerci •• s vpō certaine ta •• s vvhi • h vv • re • ould him, & b • īg ad •• niſhed thereoff & for co •• ſeling ſome to • et 〈◊〉 to E • g •• , he f • ll out vv • th • . B charge • & accuſing him in ſūd •• e th • ngs ver • e vv • ōgff • lly Then vvas he ope • lie accuſed & • halēg •• for an here • ick, & cōdemned as vvo • ſe thē the pope & an •• chriſt. The hereſies lai • d aga •• him vvere, becaus he ſaied, that all the children muſt not be coūted forth vvith, to be of •• church, vvith the pa • ēts beleuing & receaued to the church. Alſo becauſe he ſaied, that n •• can be the pe • ple of God, & ourvvardly ſo takē, vvhich ethe • did not offer & geue vp th • ſelues to God & the church, o • vvere not offe •• & 〈…〉 Fu • ther he vvas acc • ſed off ff • lſe doctrine, becauſe he • a • ed th •• h • gland vv • s as Aeg •• t, both •• or the outvv •• bondage & oppreſſiō off • he church, by pop • ſh • forceings, lavves & penalties, & ffor all •• off vvickednes: & becaus he ſaied the • did •• n vvh •• h had a ff • ll purpos to dvvel ſtil i • E •• land, vvhen the Lord did call thē avvay & the • had libertie to depa • t. Yea though the •• giſtrates giue thē lea • e there to dvvel as the • liked, yet the lavves & d • ſorders ab • dſg ſtil •• ſame, the • could not there tarie Likevviſe th • t cōdemned him as though he had ſome •• ſa •• d vvhich he ne • er did▪ that ſ • me might be of the outvvard church of God, vvhile t •• reſorted to that falſe vvo • ſhip & • dol ſe • uice then vſed in England, & ioined vvith ot ••• therein, but novve blamed them vvhi • h 〈◊〉 ſuch doctrine. Alſo becauſe • e rebuked •• for tol • rating & excuſing abominations at this day▪ • ie the ceremonies of the oulde •• vvhich in deed vvere tol • rable. For the • vvere not ſi • ple euill, as be the abuſes novve •• the • vv • re abrogate to the faithff • ll & vv • lling but •• e knovveledge off the nevve la • W •• h theſ • & ſuch l • k • q • arells d •• th 〈◊〉 them ſel • es agai • ſt R B Where in B. H C▪ W •• l. &. • C vv • re che •• f. So Fr •• this time fforvvard R. H. • . •• ſed all cō • i •• ōs & me • o •• pe •• Lik • vviſe his part • kers di • 〈◊〉 lie • or •• ke R. B▪ & he & the • did moſt greuo •• deſpit h • m. Thei coue • ed & took • • vva •• his ſerv • ū • from him. The • fo •• him book • & 〈◊〉 b • th loppe • the ſi •• & vvo • ild •• ue burnt thē to his vtter v • doing: ſebts •• •• cte • vvh •• h he ne • er 〈◊〉 . Some vvere thurſt our • ff be • r to 〈◊〉 and dvuell • th •• i •• ued W • th hi • he hi • ſelfe • vas th • ea •• ed to be m • ſt out of h • s chamb ••• 〈1… pages missing〉