An humble remonstrance to the High Court of Parliament, by a dutifull sonne of the Church
         Hall, Joseph, 1574-1656.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A02549 of text R210029 in the  English Short Title Catalog (STC 12675). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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         EarlyPrint Project
         Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO
         2017
         A02549
         STC 12675
         ESTC R210029
         99835823
         99835823
         48
         
           
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         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A02549)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 48)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1142:07)
      
       
         
           
             An humble remonstrance to the High Court of Parliament, by a dutifull sonne of the Church
             Hall, Joseph, 1574-1656.
          
           [4], 43, [1] p.
           
             Printed by M[iles] F[lesher] for Nathaniel Butter in Pauls Church-yard at the pyde-Bull neare St. Austins gate,
             London :
             1640 [i.e. 1641]
          
           
             Dutifull sonne of the Church = Joseph Hall.
             Printer's name from STC.
             The publication year is given according to Lady Day dating.
             The first leaf is blank.
             B3r has catchword "hath". F4r has a 2.5mm gap between the "g" in "righteous" and the "I" in "FINIS". Variant: the gap is 1mm (a resetting found in most copies of STC 12676). Other sheets from STC 12676 may be found mixed in.
             Reproductions of the originals in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery and the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Episcopacy -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A02549  R210029  (STC 12675).  civilwar no An humble remonstrance to the High Court of Parliament, by a dutifull sonne of the Church. Hall, Joseph 1641    6985 5 5 0 0 0 0 14 C  The  rate of 14 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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        2006-08 Ali Jakobson
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        2006-09 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
       
       
         
           AN
           HUMBLE
           REMONSTRANCE
           TO
           THE
           HIGH
           COVRT
           OF
           PARLIAMENT
           ,
           BY
           A
           dutifull
           Sonne
           of
           the
           
             CHVRCH
             .
          
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           
             M.F.
          
           for
           
             Nathaniel
             Butter
          
           in
           
             Pauls
          
           Church-yard
           at
           the
           pyde
           Bull
           neare
           
             St.
             Austins
             gate
             .
          
           1640.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           AN
           HVMBLE
           REMONSTRANCE
           TO
           THE
           HIGH
           COURT
           
             of
             Parliament
             .
          
        
         
           
             Most
             Honourable
             Lords
             ,
             And
             yee
             the
             Knights
             ,
             Citizens
             and
             Burgesses
             ,
             of
             the
             Honourable
             
               House
               of
               Commons
               ;
            
          
        
         
           LEST
           the
           world
           should
           think
           the
           Presse
           had
           of
           late
           forgot
           to
           speake
           any
           language
           other
           then
           Libellous
           ,
           this
           honest
           paper
           hath
           broken
           through
           the
           throng
           ,
           and
           prostrates
           it selfe
           before
           
           you
           :
           How
           meanly
           soever
           ,
           and
           unattended
           ,
           it
           presents
           it selfe
           to
           your
           view
           ,
           yet
           it
           comes
           to
           you
           on
           a
           great
           errand
           ,
           as
           the
           faithfull
           Messenger
           of
           all
           the
           peaceable
           and
           right-affected
           sonnes
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
             ;
          
           and
           in
           their
           names
           ,
           humbly
           craves
           a
           gracious
           admittance
           :
           Had
           it
           regarded
           the
           pomp
           and
           ostentation
           of
           names
           ,
           it
           might
           have
           gloried
           in
           a
           train
           past
           number
           ;
           It
           is
           but
           a
           poore
           stock
           that
           may
           be
           counted
           ;
           Millions
           of
           hands
           (
           if
           that
           tumultuary
           ,
           and
           under-hand
           way
           of
           procured
           subscriptions
           could
           have
           reason
           to
           hope
           for
           favour
           in
           your
           eyes
           )
           shall
           at
           your
           least
           Command
           ,
           give
           attestation
           to
           that
           ,
           which
           this
           scroll
           doth
           in
           their
           names
           humbly
           tender
           unto
           you
           .
        
         
           Ye
           are
           now
           happily
           (
           through
           Gods
           blessing
           )
           met
           in
           a
           much-longed-for
           
           Parliament
           ;
           It
           were
           but
           a
           narrow
           word
           to
           say
           that
           the
           eyes
           of
           all
           us
           the
           good
           Subjects
           of
           the
           whole
           Realme
           are
           fixed
           upon
           your
           successe
           ;
           Certainly
           there
           are
           not
           more
           eyes
           in
           these
           three
           interessed
           Kingdomes
           ,
           then
           are
           now
           bent
           upon
           you
           ;
           yea
           all
           the
           neighbour
           Churches
           and
           Kingdomes
           ,
           if
           I
           may
           not
           say
           the
           whole
           Christian
           world
           ,
           and
           ,
           no
           small
           part
           beyond
           it
           ,
           look
           wishly
           upon
           your
           faces
           ,
           and
           with
           stretched-out
           necks
           gaze
           at
           the
           issue
           of
           your
           great
           Meeting
           ;
           Neither
           doubt
           wee
           but
           since
           Soveraigne
           Authority
           hath
           for
           this
           purpose
           both
           summoned
           ,
           and
           actuated
           you
           ,
           you
           will
           not
           faile
           to
           produce
           something
           worthy
           of
           so
           high
           an
           expectation
           .
        
         
           Yee
           are
           the
           Sanctuary
           ,
           whereto
           now
           every
           man
           flees
           ,
           whether
           really
           ,
           or
           pretendedly
           distressed
           ;
           Even
           a
           
           
             Ioab
          
           or
           
             Adonijah
          
           will
           bee
           also
           taking
           hold
           of
           the
           hornes
           of
           the
           Altar
           :
           Your
           noble
           wisedomes
           know
           how
           to
           distinguish
           of
           men
           and
           actions
           ,
           and
           your
           inviolable
           justice
           knowes
           to
           award
           each
           his
           owne
           .
        
         
           Many
           things
           there
           are
           doubtlesse
           ,
           which
           you
           finde
           worthy
           of
           a
           seasonable
           reformation
           ,
           both
           in
           Church
           and
           State
           .
           Neither
           can
           it
           be
           otherwise
           ,
           but
           that
           in
           a
           pamperd
           full
           body
           ,
           diseases
           will
           grow
           through
           rest
           .
           Ponds
           that
           are
           seldome
           scoured
           will
           easily
           gather
           mud
           ;
           metals
           ,
           rust
           ;
           and
           those
           patients
           that
           have
           inured
           themselves
           to
           a
           set
           course
           of
           medicinall
           evacuations
           ,
           if
           they
           intermit
           their
           springs
           and
           falls
           ,
           fall
           into
           feverous
           distempers
           ;
           Not
           ,
           that
           supreme
           ,
           and
           immediately-subordinate
           Authority
           hath
           in
           the
           meane
           time
           been
           wanting
           to
           its
           charge
           ;
           
           Surely
           ,
           unlesse
           wee
           would
           suppose
           Princes
           to
           be
           Gods
           ,
           wee
           cannot
           think
           they
           can
           know
           all
           things
           :
           Of
           necessity
           they
           must
           look
           with
           others
           eyes
           ,
           and
           heare
           with
           others
           eares
           ,
           and
           be
           informed
           by
           others
           tongues
           ,
           and
           act
           by
           others
           hands
           ;
           and
           when
           all
           is
           done
           ,
           even
           the
           most
           regular
           ,
           and
           carefullyinquisitive
           State
           is
           not
           like
           the
           Sunne
           ,
           from
           whose
           light
           and
           heat
           nothing
           is
           hid
           .
        
         
           It
           cannot
           be
           expected
           that
           those
           constellations
           which
           attend
           the
           Southerne
           Pole
           ,
           should
           take
           view
           of
           our
           Hemisphere
           ,
           or
           intermixe
           their
           influences
           with
           those
           above
           our
           heads
           ;
           Every
           agent
           is
           required
           ,
           and
           allowed
           to
           work
           within
           the
           compasse
           of
           its
           own
           activitie
           :
           Yee
           therefore
           ,
           who
           by
           the
           benefit
           of
           your
           dispersed
           habitations
           ,
           enjoy
           the
           advantage
           of
           having
           the
           whole
           
           Kingdome
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           corners
           of
           it
           within
           your
           eies
           ,
           may
           both
           clearly
           see
           all
           those
           enormities
           ,
           wherewith
           any
           part
           is
           infested
           ,
           (
           unknown
           to
           remoter
           intelligence
           )
           and
           can
           best
           judge
           to
           apply
           meet
           remedies
           thereunto
           .
           Neither
           can
           it
           be
           ,
           but
           that
           those
           eies
           of
           yours
           ,
           which
           have
           been
           privately
           vigilant
           ,
           within
           the
           places
           of
           your
           severall
           abodes
           ,
           must
           needs
           (
           not
           without
           much
           regret
           )
           in
           this
           your
           publique
           Meeting
           ,
           take
           notice
           of
           the
           miserable
           disorders
           of
           so
           many
           vicious
           and
           misaffected
           persons
           ,
           as
           have
           thrust
           themselves
           upon
           your
           cognizance
           .
        
         
           Whiles
           the
           Orthodoxe
           part
           in
           this
           whole
           Realme
           ,
           hath
           (
           to
           the
           praise
           of
           their
           patience
           )
           been
           quietly
           silent
           ,
           as
           securely
           conscious
           of
           their
           own
           right
           ,
           and
           innocence
           ,
           how
           many
           furious
           and
           malignant
           spirits
           every where
           
           have
           burst
           forth
           into
           sclanderous
           Libels
           ,
           bitter
           Pasquines
           ,
           railing
           Pamphlets
           ?
           (
           under
           which
           more
           Presses
           then
           one
           have
           groaned
           )
           wherein
           they
           have
           indeavoured
           ,
           through
           the
           sides
           of
           some
           misliked
           persons
           ,
           to
           wound
           that
           sacred
           Government
           ,
           which
           (
           by
           the
           joynt-confession
           of
           all
           reformed
           Divines
           )
           derives
           it selfe
           from
           the
           times
           of
           the
           blessed
           Apostles
           ,
           without
           any
           interruption
           ,
           (
           without
           the
           contradiction
           of
           any
           one
           Congregation
           in
           the
           Christian
           world
           )
           unto
           this
           present
           age
           ;
           Wherein
           ,
           as
           no
           doubt
           their
           lewd
           boldnesse
           hath
           been
           extremely
           offensive
           to
           your
           wisedomes
           ,
           and
           piety
           ,
           so
           may
           it
           please
           you
           to
           check
           this
           daring
           ,
           and
           mis-grounded
           insolence
           of
           these
           Libellers
           ,
           and
           by
           some
           speedy
           Declaration
           to
           let
           the
           world
           know
           ,
           how
           much
           you
           detest
           this
           their
           malicious
           ,
           or
           ignorant
           presumption
           ;
           and
           
           by
           some
           needfull
           Act
           to
           put
           a
           present
           restraint
           upon
           the
           wilde
           and
           lawlesse
           courses
           of
           all
           their
           factious
           combinations
           abroad
           ,
           and
           enterprises
           of
           this
           kinde
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           you
           finde
           it
           passe
           for
           one
           of
           the
           maine
           accusations
           against
           some
           great
           persons
           ,
           now
           questioned
           before
           you
           ,
           that
           they
           endeavoured
           to
           alter
           the
           forme
           of
           the
           established
           government
           of
           the
           Common-wealth
           ;
           how
           can
           these
           Pamphleters
           seem
           worthy
           of
           but
           an
           easie
           censure
           ,
           which
           combine
           their
           counsels
           and
           practises
           ,
           for
           the
           changing
           of
           the
           setled
           form
           of
           the
           government
           of
           the
           Church
           ?
           Since
           ,
           if
           Antiquity
           may
           be
           the
           rule
           ,
           the
           civill
           Politie
           hath
           sometimes
           varied
           ,
           the
           sacred
           ,
           never
           ;
           And
           if
           originall
           Authority
           may
           carry
           it
           ;
           that
           came
           from
           arbitrary
           imposers
           ,
           this
           ,
           from
           men
           inspired
           ,
           
           and
           from
           them
           in
           an
           unquestionable
           clearnesse
           derived
           to
           us
           :
           And
           if
           those
           be
           branded
           for
           Incendiaries
           ,
           which
           are
           taxed
           of
           attempting
           to
           introduce
           new
           formes
           of
           administration
           ,
           and
           rules
           of
           Divine
           worship
           into
           our
           neighbour
           Church
           ,
           how
           shall
           those
           
             boute-feux
          
           of
           ours
           escape
           ,
           that
           offer
           to
           doe
           these
           offices
           to
           our
           owne
           ?
           the
           severall
           ,
           and
           daily
           variable
           projects
           whereof
           ,
           are
           not
           worthy
           of
           your
           knowledge
           ,
           or
           our
           confutation
           ;
           Let
           me
           have
           leave
           to
           instance
           in
           two
           ,
           the
           prime
           subjects
           of
           their
           quarrell
           ,
           and
           contradiction
           ;
           Leitourgie
           ,
           and
           Episcopacy
           .
        
         
           The
           Liturgie
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
          
           hath
           been
           hitherto
           esteemed
           sacred
           ,
           reverently
           used
           by
           holy
           Martyrs
           ,
           daily
           frequented
           by
           devout
           Protestants
           ,
           as
           that
           ,
           which
           more
           then
           once
           
           hath
           been
           allowed
           and
           confirmed
           by
           the
           Edicts
           of
           religious
           Princes
           ,
           and
           by
           your
           own
           Parliamentary
           Acts
           ;
           and
           but
           lately
           ,
           being
           translated
           into
           other
           Languages
           ,
           hath
           been
           entertained
           abroad
           ,
           with
           the
           great
           applause
           of
           forraigne
           Divines
           and
           Churches
           ;
           Yet
           ,
           now
           ,
           begins
           to
           complain
           of
           scorn
           at
           home
           :
           The
           Matter
           is
           quarrelled
           by
           some
           ,
           the
           Form
           by
           others
           ,
           the
           Use
           of
           it
           by
           both
           :
           That
           which
           was
           never
           before
           heard
           of
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           whether
           Jewish
           ,
           or
           Christian
           ,
           the
           very
           prescription
           of
           the
           most
           holy
           devotion
           offendeth
           .
           Surely
           ,
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           his
           gracious
           Fore-runner
           ,
           were
           so
           farre
           from
           this
           new
           Divinitie
           ,
           as
           that
           they
           plainly
           taught
           that
           ,
           which
           these
           men
           gain-say
           ;
           a
           direct
           forme
           of
           prayer
           ;
           and
           such
           ,
           as
           that
           part
           of
           the
           frame
           prescribed
           by
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           was
           composed
           of
           the
           formes
           of
           devotion
           
           then
           formerly
           usuall
           ;
           And
           Gods
           people
           ever
           since
           
             Moses
          
           his
           daies
           ,
           constantly
           practised
           it
           ;
           and
           put
           it
           over
           unto
           the
           times
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           under
           which
           ,
           whiles
           it
           is
           said
           that
           
             Peter
          
           and
           
             John
          
           went
           up
           to
           the
           Temple
           at
           the
           ninth
           houre
           of
           prayer
           ,
           we
           know
           the
           prayer
           wherewith
           they
           joyned
           was
           not
           of
           an
           extemporary
           ,
           and
           sudden
           conception
           ,
           but
           of
           a
           regular
           prescription
           ;
           the
           formes
           whereof
           are
           yet
           extant
           ,
           and
           ready
           to
           be
           produced
           ;
           And
           the
           Euangelicall
           Church
           ,
           ever
           since
           ,
           thought
           it
           could
           never
           better
           improve
           her
           peace
           ,
           and
           happinesse
           ,
           then
           in
           composing
           those
           religious
           models
           of
           invocation
           and
           thanksgiving
           ;
           which
           they
           have
           traduced
           unto
           us
           :
           And
           can
           ye
           then
           with
           patience
           think
           ,
           that
           any
           ingenuous
           Christian
           should
           be
           so
           farre
           mis-transported
           ,
           as
           to
           condemne
           a
           good
           prayer
           ,
           because
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           in
           his
           
           heart
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           in
           his
           book
           too
           ?
           Far
           be
           it
           from
           me
           to
           dishearten
           any
           good
           Christian
           from
           the
           use
           of
           conceived
           prayer
           ,
           in
           his
           private
           devotions
           ;
           and
           upon
           occasion
           also
           ,
           in
           the
           publique
           ;
           I
           would
           hate
           to
           be
           guilty
           of
           pouring
           so
           much
           water
           upon
           the
           spirit
           ,
           to
           which
           I
           shall
           gladly
           adde
           oyle
           rather
           ;
           No
           ,
           let
           the
           full
           soule
           freely
           poure
           out
           it self
           in
           gracious
           expressions
           of
           its
           holy
           thoughts
           ,
           into
           the
           bosome
           of
           the
           Almighty
           :
           Let
           both
           the
           sudden
           flashes
           of
           our
           quick
           ejaculations
           ,
           and
           the
           constant
           flames
           of
           our
           more
           fixed
           conceptions
           mount
           up
           from
           the
           altar
           of
           a
           zealous
           heart
           ,
           unto
           the
           throne
           of
           Grace
           ;
           and
           if
           there
           be
           some
           stops
           or
           solecismes
           in
           the
           fervent
           utterance
           of
           our
           private
           wants
           ,
           these
           are
           so
           far
           fro
           being
           offensive
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           the
           most
           pleasing
           musique
           to
           the
           eares
           of
           that
           God
           ,
           unto
           whom
           our
           prayers
           come
           :
           Let
           them
           be
           broken
           off
           
           with
           sobs
           ,
           and
           sighes
           ,
           and
           incongruities
           of
           our
           delivery
           ,
           our
           good
           God
           is
           no
           otherwise
           affected
           to
           this
           imperfect
           elocution
           ,
           then
           an
           indulgent
           Parent
           is
           to
           the
           clipped
           ,
           and
           broken
           language
           of
           his
           deare
           childe
           ,
           which
           is
           more
           delightfull
           to
           him
           then
           any
           others
           smooth
           Oratory
           ;
           This
           is
           not
           to
           be
           opposed
           in
           another
           ,
           by
           any
           man
           that
           hath
           found
           the
           true
           operation
           of
           this
           grace
           in
           himselfe
           :
           But
           in
           the
           meane
           time
           ,
           let
           the
           publique
           formes
           of
           the
           sacred
           Church-Liturgie
           have
           its
           due
           honour
           ;
           Let
           this
           ,
           by
           the
           power
           of
           your
           Authoritie
           be
           re-inforced
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           being
           selected
           ,
           out
           of
           ancient
           models
           ,
           (
           not
           Romane
           ,
           but
           Christian
           )
           and
           contrived
           by
           the
           holy
           Martyrs
           ,
           and
           Confessors
           of
           the
           blessed
           Reformation
           of
           Religion
           ,
           hath
           received
           abundant
           supply
           of
           strength
           ,
           both
           from
           the
           zealous
           recommendation
           of
           foure
           most
           religious
           
           Princes
           ,
           and
           your
           own
           most
           firme
           and
           peremptory
           establishment
           ;
           Amongst
           which
           powerfull
           inducements
           ,
           that
           is
           worthy
           of
           no
           sleight
           consideration
           ,
           which
           I
           humbly
           tender
           unto
           you
           ,
           from
           the
           judgement
           of
           the
           learnedst
           King
           that
           ever
           sate
           upon
           this
           Throne
           ,
           or
           (
           as
           I
           verily
           think
           )
           since
           
             Solomons
          
           time
           ,
           upon
           any
           other
           ;
           King
           
             Iames
          
           of
           blessed
           memory
           ,
           who
           (
           however
           mis-alledged
           by
           some
           ,
           as
           letting
           fall
           disgracefull
           speeches
           concerning
           this
           subject
           )
           after
           a
           solemne
           hearing
           of
           those
           exceptions
           ,
           which
           were
           taken
           by
           some
           against
           this
           open
           forme
           of
           Common-prayer
           ,
           (
           as
           it
           is
           called
           in
           Queen
           
             Elizabeths
          
           Act
           for
           uniformity
           )
           shuts
           up
           in
           his
           Proclamation
           given
           at
           
             Westminster
             ,
          
           the
           fifth
           of
           
             March
             ,
          
           in
           the
           first
           yeare
           of
           his
           raigne
           ,
           with
           these
           words
           ;
           
             And
             last
             of
             all
             ,
             We
             admonish
             all
             men
             ,
             that
             hereafter
             they
             shall
             not
             expect
             
             or
             attempt
             any
             farther
             alteration
             into
             the
             Common
             and
             publike
             forme
             of
             Gods
             service
             ,
             from
             this
             ,
             which
             is
             now
             established
             ;
             For
             that
             ,
             neither
             will
             We
             give
             way
             to
             any
             ,
             to
             presume
             ,
             that
             Our
             own
             judgement
             having
             determined
             in
             a
             matter
             of
             this
             weight
             ,
             shall
             be
             swayed
             to
             alteration
             ,
             by
             the
             frivolous
             suggestion
             of
             any
             light
             spirit
             ;
             Neither
             are
             We
             ignorant
             of
             the
             inconveniences
             that
             doe
             arise
             in
             Government
             ,
             by
             admitting
             innovation
             in
             things
             once
             setled
             by
             mature
             deliberation
             :
             And
             how
             necessary
             it
             is
             to
             use
             constancy
             in
             the
             upholding
             of
             the
             publique
             determinations
             of
             States
             ;
             for
             that
             such
             is
             the
             unquietnesse
             ,
             and
             unstedfastnesse
             of
             some
             dispositions
             ,
             affecting
             every
             yeare
             new
             formes
             of
             things
             ,
             as
             ,
             if
             they
             should
             be
             followed
             in
             their
             unconstancie
             ,
             would
             make
             all
             actions
             of
             State
             ,
             ridiculous
             and
             contemptible
             ;
             whereas
             the
             stedfast
             
             maintaining
             of
             things
             ,
             by
             good
             advise
             established
             ,
             is
             the
             weale
             of
             all
             Common-wealths
             .
          
        
         
           Thus
           ,
           that
           great
           Oracle
           of
           Wisedome
           ,
           and
           Learning
           ,
           whom
           I
           beseech
           you
           suppose
           ,
           that
           you
           still
           heare
           directing
           this
           prudent
           and
           religious
           advise
           to
           your
           present
           eares
           ;
           and
           consider
           how
           requisite
           it
           is
           for
           you
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           reason
           both
           of
           State
           ,
           and
           pietie
           ,
           to
           rest
           in
           that
           his
           sound
           ,
           and
           exquisite
           judgement
           .
           As
           for
           those
           particularities
           of
           exceptions
           which
           have
           been
           taken
           by
           some
           at
           certain
           passages
           of
           that
           Book
           ,
           they
           have
           more
           then
           once
           received
           full
           satisfaction
           ,
           by
           other
           pens
           :
           Let
           me
           onely
           say
           thus
           much
           ,
           That
           were
           the
           Readers
           but
           as
           charitable
           ,
           as
           the
           Contrivers
           were
           religiously
           devout
           ;
           those
           quarrels
           had
           either
           never
           been
           raised
           ,
           or
           had
           soone
           died
           ,
           alone
           :
           Oh
           suffer
           
           not
           then
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           this
           holy
           form
           of
           Gods
           Service
           ,
           to
           be
           exposed
           to
           the
           proud
           contempt
           of
           ignorant
           ,
           and
           ill-affected
           persons
           ;
           maintain
           ,
           and
           beare
           up
           the
           pious
           acts
           of
           your
           godly
           predecessors
           ,
           yea
           ,
           make
           good
           your
           owne
           :
           And
           if
           our
           holy
           Martyrs
           heretofore
           went
           to
           heaven
           with
           a
           Litany
           in
           their
           mouth
           ;
           Let
           not
           an
           ill
           advised
           newfanglenesse
           be
           suffered
           to
           put
           scorn
           upon
           that
           ,
           wherein
           they
           thought
           themselves
           happy
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           that
           forme
           of
           Episcopall
           Government
           ,
           which
           hath
           hitherto
           obtained
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           I
           confesse
           ,
           I
           am
           confounded
           in
           my selfe
           ,
           to
           heare
           with
           what
           unjust
           clamours
           ,
           it
           is
           cried
           down
           abroad
           ,
           by
           either
           weak
           ,
           or
           factious
           persons
           ;
           of
           either
           ,
           or
           both
           which
           ,
           I
           may
           well
           take
           up
           that
           word
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           
             Father
             forgive
             them
             ,
             for
          
           
           
             they
             know
             not
             what
             they
             doe
             :
          
           Surely
           ,
           could
           those
           look
           with
           my
           eies
           ,
           they
           would
           see
           cause
           to
           be
           thoroughly
           ashamed
           of
           this
           their
           injurious
           mis-conceit
           ;
           and
           should
           be
           forced
           to
           confesse
           ,
           that
           never
           any
           good
           cause
           had
           more
           reason
           to
           complain
           of
           a
           wrongfull
           prosecution
           ;
           Were
           this
           Ordinance
           meerly
           humane
           ,
           and
           ecclesiasticall
           ,
           if
           there
           could
           no
           more
           be
           said
           for
           it
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           is
           exceeding
           ancient
           ,
           of
           more
           then
           1500
           yeares
           standing
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           hath
           continued
           in
           this
           Iland
           ,
           since
           the
           first
           plantation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           this
           present
           day
           ,
           without
           contradiction
           :
           A
           man
           would
           think
           this
           were
           enough
           plea
           to
           challenge
           a
           reverent
           respect
           ,
           and
           an
           Immunity
           from
           all
           thoughts
           of
           alteration
           ;
           For
           ,
           even
           nature
           if
           selfe
           teaches
           us
           to
           rise
           up
           before
           the
           hoare-head
           ;
           and
           hath
           wrought
           in
           us
           a
           secret
           honour
           ,
           even
           to
           the
           very
           outward
           gravity
           of
           age
           ;
           and
           
           just
           policie
           teaches
           us
           ,
           not
           easily
           to
           give
           way
           to
           the
           change
           of
           those
           things
           ,
           which
           long
           use
           ,
           and
           many
           Lawes
           have
           firmly
           established
           ,
           as
           necessary
           ,
           or
           beneficiall
           .
        
         
           Yea
           ,
           the
           wisedome
           of
           the
           ancient
           Grecians
           went
           so
           farre
           ,
           as
           to
           forbid
           the
           removall
           of
           a
           well
           setled
           evill
           ;
           But
           ,
           if
           religion
           teach
           us
           better
           things
           ,
           and
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           nothing
           morally
           evill
           ,
           can
           be
           setled
           well
           :
           and
           being
           ,
           however
           ,
           setled
           ,
           had
           the
           more
           need
           to
           be
           (
           after
           too
           long
           delay
           )
           removed
           ;
           Yet
           right
           reason
           ,
           and
           sound
           experience
           informe
           us
           ,
           that
           things
           indifferent
           ,
           or
           good
           ,
           having
           been
           by
           continuance
           ,
           and
           generall
           approbation
           well
           rooted
           in
           Church
           ,
           or
           State
           ;
           may
           not
           upon
           light
           grounds
           be
           pulled
           up
           :
           But
           ,
           this
           holy
           calling
           fetches
           its
           pedegree
           higher
           ,
           even
           from
           no
           lesse
           ,
           then
           Apostolicall
           ;
           (
           and
           therefore
           ,
           
           in
           that
           right
           ,
           Divine
           )
           institution
           ;
           For
           ,
           although
           those
           things
           which
           the
           Founders
           and
           prime
           Governours
           of
           the
           Euangelicall
           Church
           did
           ,
           as
           men
           ,
           went
           no
           further
           then
           their
           own
           persons
           ,
           yet
           ,
           what
           they
           did
           as
           Apostles
           ,
           is
           of
           an
           higher
           and
           more
           sacred
           consideration
           ;
           and
           ,
           if
           as
           Apostolike
           men
           ,
           they
           did
           ,
           upon
           occasion
           ,
           enact
           some
           temporary
           things
           ,
           which
           were
           to
           die
           with
           ,
           or
           before
           them
           ,
           yet
           ,
           those
           things
           which
           they
           ordained
           for
           the
           succeeding
           administration
           of
           the
           Church
           which
           they
           should
           leave
           behinde
           them
           ,
           in
           all
           essentiall
           matters
           ,
           can
           be
           no
           otherwise
           construed
           ,
           then
           as
           exemplary
           ,
           and
           perpetuall
           .
        
         
           Now
           if
           to
           this
           Text
           ,
           we
           shall
           adde
           the
           undoubted
           Commentary
           of
           the
           Apostles
           own
           practises
           ,
           and
           to
           this
           Commentary
           ,
           we
           shall
           super-adde
           
           the
           unquestionable
           glosse
           of
           the
           cleare
           practise
           of
           their
           immediate
           succeslors
           ,
           in
           this
           administration
           ,
           continued
           in
           Christs
           Church
           to
           this
           very
           day
           ;
           what
           scruple
           can
           remain
           in
           any
           ingenuous
           heart
           ?
           but
           ,
           if
           any
           one
           resolve
           to
           continue
           unsatisfied
           ,
           in
           spight
           of
           reason
           ,
           and
           all
           evidence
           of
           history
           ,
           and
           will
           wilfully
           shut
           his
           eies
           ,
           with
           a
           purpose
           not
           to
           see
           the
           light
           ,
           that
           man
           is
           past
           my
           cure
           ,
           and
           almost
           my
           pity
           :
           The
           good
           God
           of
           heaven
           be
           mercifull
           to
           such
           a
           mis-zealous
           obstinacy
           :
           Certainly
           ,
           except
           all
           histories
           ,
           all
           Authors
           faile
           us
           ,
           nothing
           can
           be
           more
           plain
           then
           this
           truth
           ;
           Out
           of
           them
           ,
           we
           can
           ,
           and
           doe
           shew
           ,
           on
           whom
           the
           Apostles
           of
           Christ
           laid
           their
           hands
           ,
           with
           an
           acknowledgement
           and
           conveyance
           of
           Imparity
           and
           Jurisdiction
           ;
           we
           shew
           what
           Bishops
           so
           ordained
           lived
           in
           the
           times
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ;
           and
           succeeded
           each
           
           other
           ,
           in
           their
           severall
           charges
           ,
           under
           the
           eies
           and
           hands
           of
           the
           then
           living
           Apostles
           ;
           We
           shew
           who
           immediately
           succeeded
           those
           immediate
           successors
           ,
           in
           their
           severall
           Sees
           ,
           throughout
           all
           the
           regions
           of
           the
           Christian
           Church
           ;
           and
           deduce
           their
           uninterrupted
           Line
           ,
           through
           all
           the
           following
           ages
           ,
           to
           this
           present
           day
           ;
           And
           if
           there
           can
           be
           better
           evidence
           under
           heaven
           ,
           for
           any
           matter
           of
           fact
           ,
           (
           and
           in
           this
           cause
           ,
           matter
           of
           fact
           so
           derived
           ,
           evinceth
           matter
           of
           right
           )
           let
           Episcopacy
           be
           for
           ever
           abandoned
           out
           of
           Gods
           Church
           ;
           But
           if
           these
           be
           (
           as
           they
           are
           )
           certain
           and
           irrefragable
           ;
           Alas
           ,
           what
           strange
           fury
           possesseth
           the
           minds
           of
           ignorant
           ,
           unstable
           men
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           thus
           headily
           desire
           ,
           and
           sue
           to
           shake
           off
           so
           sacred
           ,
           and
           well
           grounded
           an
           Institution
           !
        
         
         
           But
           I
           hear
           what
           they
           say
           ;
           It
           is
           not
           the
           office
           of
           Episcopacy
           that
           displeases
           ,
           but
           the
           quality
           :
           The
           Apostles
           Bishops
           ,
           and
           ours
           ,
           were
           two
           ;
           Theirs
           was
           no
           other
           then
           a
           parochiall
           Pastor
           ,
           a
           preaching
           Presbyter
           without
           inequalitie
           ,
           without
           any
           rule
           over
           his
           brethren
           ;
           Ours
           claims
           an
           eminent
           superiority
           ,
           whether
           in
           a
           distinct
           order
           ,
           or
           degree
           ;
           and
           a
           power
           of
           Ordination
           ,
           Jurisdiction
           ,
           unknown
           to
           the
           Primitive
           times
           .
           Alas
           ,
           alas
           ,
           how
           good
           people
           may
           be
           abused
           by
           mis-information
           !
           Heare
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           the
           words
           of
           truth
           and
           confidence
           ;
           If
           our
           Bishops
           challenge
           any
           other
           spirituall
           power
           ,
           then
           was
           by
           Apostolique
           Authority
           delegated
           unto
           ,
           and
           required
           of
           
             Timothy
             ,
          
           and
           
             Titus
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Angels
           of
           the
           seven
           Asian
           Churches
           ,
           (
           some
           whereof
           are
           known
           to
           us
           by
           name
           )
           let
           them
           be
           disclaimed
           as
           usurpers
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           doe
           not
           shew
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           genuine
           
           and
           undeniable
           writings
           of
           those
           holy
           men
           ,
           which
           lived
           both
           in
           the
           times
           of
           the
           Apostles
           and
           some
           yeares
           after
           them
           ,
           and
           conversed
           with
           them
           ,
           as
           their
           blessed
           fellow-labourers
           ,
           a
           cleare
           and
           received
           distinction
           ,
           both
           of
           the
           names
           and
           offices
           of
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           Presbyters
           ,
           and
           Deacons
           ,
           as
           three
           distinct
           subordinate
           Callings
           ,
           in
           Gods
           Church
           ,
           with
           an
           evident
           specification
           of
           the
           duty
           and
           charge
           belonging
           to
           each
           of
           them
           ;
           Let
           this
           claimed
           Hierarchy
           ,
           be
           for
           ever
           hooted
           out
           of
           the
           Church
           :
           And
           if
           the
           bounty
           of
           religious
           Princes
           have
           thought
           meet
           to
           grace
           this
           sacred
           function
           ,
           with
           some
           accession
           of
           titles
           ,
           and
           maintenance
           ;
           far
           be
           it
           from
           us
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           the
           substance
           and
           essentiall
           parts
           of
           that
           Calling
           is
           ought
           impaired
           ,
           or
           altered
           ,
           by
           such
           gracious
           munificence
           ;
           And
           ,
           although
           (
           as
           the
           world
           goes
           )
           these
           honors
           
           cannot
           ballance
           the
           contempt
           of
           those
           eminent
           places
           ;
           and
           that
           portion
           (
           which
           is
           now
           made
           hereditary
           to
           the
           Church
           )
           cannot
           ,
           in
           the
           most
           of
           these
           dignities
           ,
           (
           after
           all
           deductions
           )
           boast
           of
           any
           superfluity
           ,
           yet
           (
           such
           as
           they
           are
           )
           if
           any
           man
           have
           so
           little
           grace
           ,
           and
           power
           of
           selfe-government
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           puffed
           up
           with
           pride
           ,
           or
           transported
           to
           an
           immoderation
           in
           the
           use
           of
           these
           adventitious
           favours
           ;
           the
           sin
           is
           personall
           ,
           the
           calling
           free
           ;
           which
           may
           be
           ,
           and
           is
           managed
           by
           others
           ,
           with
           all
           humble
           sociablenesse
           ,
           hospitall
           frugality
           ,
           conscionable
           improvement
           of
           all
           meanes
           and
           opportunities
           to
           the
           good
           of
           Gods
           Church
           .
        
         
           I
           may
           not
           yet
           dissemble
           ,
           that
           ,
           whiles
           we
           plead
           the
           divine
           right
           of
           Episcopacy
           ,
           a
           double
           scandall
           is
           taken
           ,
           by
           men
           ,
           otherwise
           not
           unjudicious
           ,
           and
           cast
           
           upon
           us
           from
           the
           usuall
           suggestions
           of
           some
           late
           Pamphleters
           ;
           The
           one
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           deserted
           our
           former
           Tenet
           ,
           not
           without
           the
           great
           prejudice
           of
           Soveraignty
           ;
           for
           ,
           whereas
           we
           were
           wont
           to
           acknowledge
           the
           deriving
           of
           our
           Tenure
           ,
           as
           in
           fee
           ,
           from
           the
           beneficent
           hand
           of
           Kings
           ,
           and
           Princes
           ;
           now
           as
           either
           proudly
           ,
           or
           ungratefully
           casting
           off
           that
           just
           dependence
           ,
           and
           beholdingnesse
           ,
           we
           stand
           upon
           the
           claime
           of
           our
           Episcopacy
           ,
           from
           a
           divine
           Originall
           ;
           The
           other
           ,
           that
           ,
           whiles
           we
           labour
           to
           defend
           the
           Divine
           right
           of
           our
           Episcopacy
           ,
           we
           seeme
           to
           cast
           a
           dangerous
           imputation
           upon
           those
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           which
           want
           that
           Government
           ;
           Both
           which
           ,
           must
           be
           shortly
           cleared
           .
        
         
           The
           former
           had
           never
           been
           found
           worth
           objecting
           ,
           if
           men
           had
           wisely
           
           learned
           to
           consider
           ,
           how
           little
           incompatiblenesse
           there
           is
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           of
           Gods
           Act
           ,
           and
           the
           Kings
           ;
           both
           of
           them
           have
           their
           proper
           object
           ,
           and
           extent
           :
           The
           office
           is
           from
           God
           ;
           the
           place
           ,
           and
           station
           ,
           and
           power
           ,
           wherein
           that
           office
           is
           exercised
           ,
           is
           from
           the
           King
           ;
           it
           is
           the
           King
           that
           gives
           the
           Bishoprick
           ,
           it
           is
           God
           that
           makes
           the
           Bishop
           ;
           Where
           was
           it
           ever
           heard
           of
           ,
           that
           a
           Soveraigne
           Prince
           claimed
           the
           power
           of
           ordaining
           a
           Pastor
           in
           the
           Church
           ?
           this
           is
           derived
           from
           none
           ,
           but
           spirituall
           hands
           :
           On
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           who
           but
           Princes
           can
           take
           upon
           them
           ,
           to
           have
           power
           to
           erect
           ,
           and
           dispose
           of
           Episcopall
           Sees
           ,
           within
           their
           own
           Dominions
           ?
           It
           is
           with
           a
           King
           ,
           and
           a
           Bishop
           ,
           as
           with
           the
           Patron
           ,
           and
           the
           Incumbent
           :
           The
           Patron
           gives
           the
           Benefice
           to
           his
           Clerk
           ,
           but
           pretends
           not
           to
           give
           him
           Orders
           ,
           That
           this
           man
           is
           a
           Minister
           ,
           he
           hath
           
           from
           his
           Diocesan
           ;
           that
           he
           is
           Beneficed
           ,
           he
           hath
           from
           his
           Patron
           ;
           Whiles
           he
           acknowledgeth
           his
           Orders
           from
           the
           Reverend
           hands
           of
           his
           Bishop
           ,
           doth
           he
           derogate
           ought
           from
           the
           bounty
           of
           a
           Patrons
           free
           presentation
           ?
           No
           otherwise
           is
           it
           with
           Episcopacy
           ;
           which
           thankfully
           professes
           to
           hold
           at
           once
           from
           God
           and
           the
           King
           ;
           Its
           calling
           ,
           of
           God
           ,
           its
           place
           and
           exercise
           of
           Jurisdiction
           ,
           of
           the
           King
           :
           And
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           objected
           ,
           that
           both
           some
           former
           ,
           and
           Modern
           Divines
           ,
           both
           abroad
           ▪
           and
           at
           home
           ,
           borrowing
           S.
           
             Ieromes
          
           phrase
           ,
           have
           held
           the
           superiority
           of
           Bishops
           over
           Presbyters
           ,
           to
           be
           grounded
           rather
           upon
           the
           custome
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           then
           any
           appointment
           of
           Christ
           ,
           I
           must
           answer
           ;
           First
           ,
           that
           we
           cannot
           prescribe
           to
           other
           mens
           thoughts
           ;
           when
           all
           is
           said
           ,
           men
           will
           take
           liberty
           ,
           (
           and
           who
           can
           hinder
           it
           ?
           )
           to
           abound
           in
           their
           
           own
           sense
           :
           But
           secondly
           ,
           if
           they
           shall
           grant
           (
           as
           they
           shall
           be
           forced
           )
           that
           this
           custome
           was
           of
           the
           Church
           Apostolicall
           ,
           and
           had
           its
           rise
           ,
           with
           the
           knowledge
           ,
           approbation
           ,
           practise
           of
           those
           inspired
           Legates
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           was
           from
           their
           very
           hands
           recommended
           to
           the
           then
           present
           ,
           and
           subsequent
           Church
           ,
           for
           continuance
           ;
           there
           is
           no
           such
           great
           dissonance
           in
           the
           opinions
           ,
           as
           may
           be
           worthy
           of
           a
           quarrell
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           ,
           is
           intended
           to
           raise
           envy
           against
           us
           ,
           as
           the
           uncharitable
           censurers
           ,
           and
           condemners
           of
           those
           Reformed
           Churches
           abroad
           ,
           which
           differ
           from
           our
           Government
           :
           Wherein
           ,
           we
           do
           justly
           complain
           of
           a
           sclanderous
           aspersion
           cast
           upon
           us
           ;
           We
           love
           and
           honour
           those
           Sister-Churches
           ,
           as
           the
           dear
           Spouse
           of
           Christ
           ;
           we
           blesse
           God
           for
           them
           ;
           and
           we
           doe
           heartily
           wish
           
           unto
           them
           that
           happinesse
           in
           the
           partnership
           of
           our
           administration
           ,
           which
           ,
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           but
           they
           doe
           no
           lesse
           heartily
           wish
           unto
           themselves
           .
        
         
           Good
           words
           ,
           you
           will
           perhaps
           say
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           all
           this
           faire
           complement
           ,
           if
           our
           act
           condemne
           them
           ,
           if
           our
           very
           Tenet
           exclude
           them
           ?
           for
           ,
           if
           Episcopacy
           stand
           by
           Divine
           right
           ,
           what
           becomes
           of
           those
           Churches
           that
           want
           it
           ?
           Malice
           and
           ignorance
           are
           met
           together
           in
           this
           unjust
           aggravation
           :
           First
           ,
           our
           position
           is
           onely
           affirmative
           ;
           implying
           the
           justifiablenesse
           ,
           and
           holinesse
           of
           an
           Episcopall
           calling
           ,
           without
           any
           further
           implication
           :
           Next
           ,
           when
           we
           speak
           of
           Divine
           right
           ,
           we
           meane
           not
           an
           expresse
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           requiring
           it
           upon
           the
           absolute
           necessity
           of
           the
           being
           of
           a
           Church
           (
           what
           hinderances
           soever
           may
           interpose
           )
           but
           a
           Divine
           institution
           ,
           
           warranting
           it
           where
           it
           is
           ,
           and
           requiring
           it
           where
           it
           may
           be
           had
           ;
           Every
           Church
           therefore
           ,
           which
           is
           capable
           of
           this
           forme
           of
           Government
           ,
           both
           may
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           affect
           it
           ,
           as
           that
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           with
           so
           much
           Authority
           derived
           from
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           to
           the
           whole
           body
           of
           the
           Church
           upon
           earth
           ;
           but
           ,
           those
           particular
           Churches
           ,
           to
           whom
           this
           power
           and
           faculty
           is
           denied
           ,
           lose
           nothing
           of
           the
           true
           essence
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           though
           they
           misse
           something
           of
           their
           glory
           and
           perfection
           ,
           whereof
           they
           are
           barred
           ,
           by
           the
           necessity
           of
           their
           condition
           ;
           Neither
           are
           liable
           to
           any
           more
           imputation
           ,
           in
           their
           credit
           ,
           and
           esteeme
           ,
           then
           an
           honest
           ,
           frugall
           ,
           officious
           Tenant
           ,
           who
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           profer
           of
           all
           obsequious
           services
           ,
           is
           tied
           to
           the
           limitations
           and
           termes
           of
           an
           hard
           Landlord
           .
           But
           so
           much
           we
           have
           reason
           to
           know
           ,
           of
           the
           judgement
           of
           
           the
           neighbour
           Churches
           ,
           and
           their
           famous
           Divines
           ,
           that
           ,
           if
           they
           might
           hope
           to
           live
           so
           long
           ,
           as
           to
           see
           a
           full
           freedome
           of
           option
           tendred
           unto
           them
           ,
           by
           Soveraigne
           Authority
           ,
           with
           all
           sutable
           conditions
           ,
           they
           would
           most
           gladly
           embrace
           this
           our
           forme
           of
           Government
           ;
           which
           differs
           little
           from
           their
           owne
           ,
           save
           ,
           in
           the
           perpetuity
           of
           their
           (
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           or
           )
           Moderator-ship
           ,
           and
           the
           exclusion
           of
           that
           Lay-Presbyterie
           ,
           which
           never
           ,
           till
           this
           age
           ,
           had
           footing
           in
           the
           Christian
           Church
           .
        
         
           Neither
           would
           we
           desire
           to
           choose
           any
           other
           Judges
           of
           our
           calling
           ,
           and
           
           the
           glorious
           eminence
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           so
           governed
           ,
           then
           the
           famous
           Professors
           of
           
             Geneva
          
           it selfe
           ;
           Learned
           
             Lectius
          
           for
           a
           Civilian
           ,
           and
           for
           a
           Divine
           ,
           
             Fredericus
             Span●emius
             ,
          
           the
           now
           renowned
           Pastor
           ,
           and
           Reader
           of
           Divinitie
           in
           
             Geneva
             ;
          
           
           who
           in
           his
           Dedicatory
           Epistle
           before
           the
           third
           Part
           of
           his
           
             Dubia
             Euangelica
             ,
          
           
           to
           the
           incomparable
           Lord
           Primate
           of
           
             Ireland
             ,
          
           doth
           zealously
           applaud
           ,
           and
           congratulate
           unto
           us
           ,
           the
           happy
           ,
           &
           (
           as
           he
           conceiveth
           )
           flourishing
           estate
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           under
           this
           Government
           ,
           magnifying
           the
           graces
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Bishops
           thereof
           ,
           and
           shuts
           up
           with
           fervent
           prayers
           to
           God
           for
           the
           continuance
           of
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Prelates
           of
           these
           Churches
           .
           Oh
           then
           ,
           whiles
           
             Geneva
          
           it self
           praiseth
           our
           Government
           ,
           and
           God
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           prayes
           for
           the
           happy
           perpetuation
           of
           it
           ,
           let
           it
           not
           be
           suffered
           ,
           that
           any
           ignorant
           or
           spightfull
           Sectaries
           ,
           
           should
           openly
           in
           their
           Libels
           curse
           it
           ,
           and
           maliciously
           brand
           it
           ,
           with
           the
           termes
           of
           Unlawfull
           ,
           and
           Antichristian
           :
           Your
           wisdomes
           cannot
           but
           have
           found
           abundant
           reason
           to
           hate
           ,
           and
           scorn
           this
           base
           and
           unreasonable
           suggestion
           ;
           which
           would
           necessarily
           inferre
           ,
           that
           not
           Christ
           ,
           but
           Antichrist
           ,
           hath
           had
           the
           full
           sway
           of
           all
           Gods
           Church
           upon
           earth
           ,
           for
           these
           whole
           sixteen
           hundred
           yeares
           ;
           A
           blasphemy
           which
           any
           Christian
           heart
           must
           needs
           abhorre
           ;
           And
           who
           that
           ever
           hath
           looked
           into
           either
           Books
           ,
           or
           men
           ,
           knows
           not
           ,
           that
           the
           religious
           Bishops
           of
           all
           times
           ,
           are
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           they
           ,
           which
           have
           strongly
           held
           up
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           sincere
           truth
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           against
           all
           the
           wicked
           machinations
           of
           Satan
           ,
           and
           his
           Antichrist
           ?
           And
           even
           amongst
           our
           owne
           ,
           how
           many
           of
           the
           Reverend
           ,
           and
           Learned
           
           Fathers
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           now
           living
           ,
           have
           spent
           their
           spirits
           ,
           and
           worne
           out
           their
           lives
           in
           the
           powerfull
           opposition
           of
           that
           Man
           of
           sin
           .
           Consider
           then
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           what
           a
           shamefull
           injustice
           it
           is
           ,
           in
           these
           bold
           sclanderers
           ,
           to
           cast
           upon
           these
           zealously-religious
           Prelates
           ,
           famous
           for
           their
           workes
           (
           against
           Rome
           )
           in
           forraigne
           parts
           ,
           the
           guilt
           of
           that
           ,
           which
           they
           have
           so
           meritoriously
           and
           convincingly
           opposed
           .
           If
           this
           most
           just
           defence
           may
           satisfie
           them
           ,
           I
           shal
           for
           their
           sakes
           rejoyce
           ;
           But
           ,
           if
           they
           shall
           either
           with
           the
           wilfully-deafe
           Adder
           stop
           their
           eares
           ,
           or
           against
           the
           light
           of
           their
           owne
           consciences
           ,
           (
           out
           of
           private
           respects
           )
           beare
           up
           a
           known
           error
           of
           uncharitablenesse
           ,
           this
           very
           paper
           shall
           one
           day
           be
           an
           evidence
           against
           them
           ,
           before
           the
           dreadfull
           Tribunall
           of
           the
           Almighty
           .
        
         
         
           What
           should
           I
           urge
           in
           some
           others
           ,
           the
           carefull
           ,
           peaceable
           ,
           painfull
           ,
           conscionable
           managing
           of
           their
           charges
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           comfort
           of
           his
           faithfull
           people
           ?
           And
           ,
           if
           whiles
           these
           challenge
           a
           due
           respect
           from
           all
           well-minded
           Christians
           ,
           some
           others
           heare
           ill
           ,
           (
           how
           deservedly
           ,
           God
           knows
           ,
           and
           will
           in
           due
           time
           manifest
           )
           yet
           ,
           why
           should
           an
           holy
           calling
           suffer
           ?
           why
           should
           the
           faults
           (
           if
           such
           be
           )
           of
           some
           ,
           diffuse
           their
           blame
           to
           all
           ?
           Farre
           ,
           far
           we
           know
           is
           this
           ,
           from
           the
           approved
           integrity
           of
           your
           noble
           Justice
           ,
           whiles
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           (
           unlesse
           your
           just
           check
           doe
           seasonably
           remedy
           it
           )
           the
           impetuous
           and
           undistinguishing
           vulgar
           are
           ready
           so
           to
           involve
           all
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           innocence
           it self
           a
           sin
           ;
           and
           (
           which
           I
           am
           amazed
           to
           think
           of
           )
           dare
           say
           ,
           and
           write
           ,
           
             The
             better
             man
             ,
             the
             worse
             Bishop
             .
          
        
         
         
           And
           now
           ,
           since
           I
           am
           faln
           upon
           this
           sad
           subject
           ,
           give
           me
           leave
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           to
           professe
           ,
           with
           how
           bleeding
           an
           heart
           ,
           I
           heare
           of
           the
           manifold
           scandals
           of
           some
           of
           the
           inferiour
           Clergy
           ,
           presented
           to
           your
           view
           ,
           from
           all
           parts
           ;
           It
           is
           the
           misery
           ,
           and
           shame
           of
           this
           Church
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           so
           foul
           as
           they
           are
           suggested
           ;
           but
           ,
           if
           I
           durst
           presume
           so
           far
           ,
           I
           should
           ,
           in
           the
           bowells
           of
           Christ
           ,
           beseech
           you
           ,
           (
           upon
           the
           finding
           of
           so
           hateful
           enormities
           )
           to
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           put
           you
           in
           mind
           ,
           of
           the
           charitable
           example
           of
           our
           religious
           
             Constantine
             ,
          
           in
           the
           like
           case
           ;
           you
           cannot
           dislike
           so
           gracious
           a
           patterne
           ;
           I
           plead
           not
           for
           their
           impunity
           ,
           let
           them
           (
           within
           the
           sphere
           of
           their
           offence
           )
           beare
           their
           own
           sin
           ;
           But
           oh
           ,
           forbid
           to
           have
           it
           told
           in
           
             Gath
             ,
          
           or
           published
           in
           the
           streets
           of
           
             Ascalon
             ;
          
           Your
           wisedomes
           well
           see
           ,
           under
           what
           malignant
           eyes
           we
           are
           ,
           of
           opposite
           Spectators
           ;
           What
           a
           death
           it
           is
           ,
           to
           think
           of
           the
           sport
           ,
           and
           advantage
           these
           watchfull
           enemies
           will
           be
           sure
           to
           make
           of
           our
           sins
           ,
           
           
           and
           shame
           ?
           What
           exprobrations
           ,
           what
           triumphs
           of
           theirs
           ,
           will
           hence
           ensue
           ?
           These
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           our
           cares
           are
           now
           securely
           cast
           upon
           your
           exquisite
           prudence
           ,
           and
           goodnesse
           ;
           The
           very
           mention
           of
           our
           feares
           ,
           whiles
           ye
           sit
           ,
           had
           need
           to
           crave
           pardon
           of
           presumption
           ;
           But
           withall
           ,
           to
           take
           down
           the
           insolence
           of
           those
           envious
           Insulters
           ,
           it
           may
           please
           you
           to
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           tell
           them
           ,
           that
           ,
           however
           ,
           in
           so
           numerous
           a
           multitude
           ,
           there
           be
           found
           some
           foully
           vicious
           ,
           (
           as
           there
           is
           no
           Pomegranate
           wherein
           some
           grains
           are
           not
           rotten
           ,
           and
           even
           in
           twelve
           there
           is
           one
           
             Iudas
             )
          
           yet
           ,
           upon
           a
           just
           survay
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           found
           ,
           that
           no
           one
           Clergy
           in
           the
           whole
           Christian
           world
           ,
           yeelds
           so
           many
           eminent
           Scholars
           ,
           learned
           Preachers
           ,
           grave
           ,
           holy
           ,
           and
           accomplished
           Divines
           ,
           as
           this
           Church
           of
           
             England
          
           doth
           at
           this
           day
           ;
           And
           long
           ,
           and
           ever
           may
           it
           thus
           flourish
           ,
           as
           it
           surely
           shall
           (
           through
           Gods
           blessing
           )
           whiles
           the
           bountifull
           incouragements
           of
           Learning
           ,
           and
           ingenuous
           
           education
           are
           happily
           continued
           to
           it
           ;
           And
           the
           more
           ,
           when
           those
           luxuriant
           boughes
           of
           disorder
           and
           debauchednesse
           ,
           are
           through
           just
           censures
           seasonably
           lopped
           off
           .
        
         
           But
           stay
           ;
           Where
           are
           we
           ,
           or
           what
           is
           this
           we
           speak
           of
           ,
           or
           to
           whom
           ?
           Whiles
           I
           mention
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           as
           thinking
           it
           your
           honour
           ,
           and
           my
           own
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           professed
           sons
           of
           such
           a
           Mother
           ,
           I
           am
           now
           taught
           a
           new
           Divinity
           ,
           and
           bidden
           to
           ask
           ,
           Which
           Church
           we
           mean
           ?
           My
           simplicity
           never
           thought
           of
           any
           more
           Churches
           of
           
             England
          
           but
           one
           ;
           Now
           this
           very
           dayeswiser
           discovery
           tels
           us
           of
           more
           ;
           There
           is
           a
           Prelaticall
           Church
           (
           they
           say
           )
           for
           one
           ;
           and
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           other
           ?
           Surely
           it
           is
           so
           young
           ,
           that
           as
           yet
           ,
           it
           hath
           no
           name
           ;
           except
           we
           shall
           call
           it
           indefinitely
           ,
           as
           the
           Jews
           were
           wont
           to
           style
           the
           creature
           they
           could
           not
           abide
           to
           mention
           ,
           That
           other
           thing
           ;
           And
           what
           thing
           shal
           that
           be
           ,
           think
           we
           ?
           Let
           
           it
           be
           called
           ,
           if
           you
           please
           ,
           the
           Church
           Antiprelaticall
           ;
           but
           leave
           
             England
          
           out
           of
           the
           style
           ;
           Let
           it
           take
           a
           larger
           denomination
           ,
           and
           extend
           to
           our
           friends
           at
           
             Amsterdam
             ,
          
           and
           elsewhere
           ,
           and
           not
           be
           confined
           to
           our
           
             England
             :
          
           Withall
           ,
           let
           them
           be
           put
           in
           mind
           ,
           that
           they
           must
           yet
           think
           of
           another
           subdivision
           of
           this
           division
           ;
           some
           there
           are
           (
           they
           know
           )
           which
           can
           be
           content
           to
           admit
           of
           an
           orderly
           subordination
           of
           severall
           Parishes
           to
           Presbyteries
           ,
           &
           those
           again
           to
           Synods
           ;
           others
           are
           all
           for
           a
           Parochiall
           absolutenesse
           ,
           and
           independence
           ;
           Yea
           ,
           and
           of
           these
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           a
           division
           ,
           in
           
             semper
             divisibilia
             ;
          
           till
           they
           come
           to
           very
           Atomes
           :
           for
           to
           which
           of
           those
           scores
           of
           separated
           Congregations
           ,
           knowne
           to
           be
           within
           and
           about
           these
           walls
           will
           they
           be
           joyned
           ?
           and
           how
           long
           without
           a
           further
           scissure
           ?
           Oh
           God
           ;
           where
           doe
           men
           stay
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           once
           past
           the
           true
           bounds
           ?
           But
           if
           it
           be
           so
           ,
           that
           the
           Prelaticall
           part
           must
           needs
           make
           up
           one
           divident
           member
           
           of
           this
           English
           Church
           ;
           tell
           me
           ,
           brethren
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           what
           are
           the
           bounders
           of
           this
           Church
           ?
           what
           the
           distinction
           of
           the
           Professors
           and
           Religion
           ?
           and
           ,
           if
           the
           clients
           of
           the
           Prelacy
           ,
           and
           their
           adherents
           ,
           (
           whose
           severall
           thousands
           are
           punctually
           calculated
           )
           be
           they
           who
           make
           up
           this
           Prelaticall
           Church
           ,
           what
           grounds
           of
           faith
           ,
           what
           new
           Creed
           doe
           they
           hold
           ,
           different
           from
           their
           neighbours
           ?
           what
           Scriptures
           ,
           what
           Baptisme
           ,
           what
           Eucharist
           ,
           what
           Christ
           ,
           what
           heaven
           ,
           what
           meanes
           of
           salvation
           other
           then
           the
           rest
           ?
           Alas
           ,
           my
           brethren
           ,
           whiles
           we
           doe
           fully
           agree
           in
           all
           these
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           Doctrinall
           and
           Practicall
           points
           of
           religion
           ;
           why
           will
           ye
           be
           so
           uncharitable
           ,
           as
           by
           these
           frivolous
           and
           causlesse
           divisions
           ,
           to
           rend
           the
           seamlesse
           coat
           of
           Christ
           ?
           Is
           it
           a
           Title
           ,
           or
           a
           Retinue
           ,
           or
           a
           Ceremony
           ,
           a
           garment
           ,
           or
           a
           colour
           ,
           or
           an
           Organ-pipe
           ,
           that
           can
           make
           us
           a
           different
           Church
           ,
           whiles
           we
           preach
           and
           professe
           the
           same
           saving
           Truth
           ,
           whiles
           
           we
           desire
           (
           as
           you
           professe
           to
           doe
           )
           to
           walk
           conscionably
           with
           our
           God
           ,
           according
           to
           that
           one
           rule
           of
           the
           Royall
           Law
           of
           our
           Maker
           ;
           whiles
           we
           oppose
           one
           and
           the
           same
           common
           enemy
           ,
           whiles
           we
           unfainedly
           indeavour
           to
           hold
           the
           unity
           of
           the
           Spirit
           in
           the
           bond
           of
           peace
           ?
           Oh
           consider
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           in
           the
           feare
           of
           God
           ,
           consider
           ,
           whether
           these
           be
           the
           thoughts
           of
           the
           sons
           of
           peace
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           are
           sutable
           to
           the
           charge
           ,
           and
           legacy
           of
           our
           deare
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           think
           seriously
           from
           what
           spirit
           they
           proceed
           ;
           For
           us
           ,
           we
           make
           no
           difference
           at
           all
           (
           in
           the
           right
           and
           interest
           of
           the
           Church
           )
           betwixt
           Clergy
           and
           Laity
           ,
           betwixt
           the
           Clergy
           and
           Laity
           of
           one
           part
           ,
           and
           another
           ;
           we
           are
           all
           your
           true
           brethren
           ;
           we
           are
           one
           with
           you
           ,
           both
           in
           heart
           and
           brain
           ;
           and
           hope
           to
           meet
           you
           in
           the
           same
           heaven
           ;
           but
           if
           yee
           will
           needs
           bee
           otherwise
           minded
           ,
           we
           can
           but
           bewaile
           the
           Churches
           misery
           ,
           and
           your
           sin
           ;
           and
           shall
           beseech
           God
           to
           be
           mercifull
           to
           your
           
           willing
           and
           uncharitable
           separation
           .
           Howsoever
           ,
           I
           have
           freed
           my
           soule
           before
           my
           God
           ,
           in
           the
           conscience
           of
           this
           just
           expostulation
           ,
           and
           faithfull
           advise
           .
        
         
           What
           remains
           ,
           but
           that
           I
           poure
           out
           my
           heart
           in
           my
           fervent
           ,
           and
           dayly
           prayers
           to
           the
           Father
           of
           all
           mercies
           ,
           that
           it
           would
           please
           him
           to
           inspire
           this
           Great
           Counsell
           ,
           with
           all
           wisedome
           from
           above
           ;
           and
           crown
           this
           great
           meeting
           with
           the
           blessing
           of
           all
           happy
           successe
           ,
           so
           as
           it
           may
           produce
           much
           glory
           to
           his
           own
           name
           ,
           much
           complacency
           and
           contentment
           to
           his
           deare
           Anointed
           ,
           comfort
           to
           all
           good
           hearts
           ,
           terror
           to
           his
           enemies
           ,
           seasonable
           restraint
           to
           all
           insolence
           and
           faction
           ,
           prevention
           of
           all
           Innovations
           ;
           and
           lastly
           ,
           a
           firm
           peace
           and
           settlement
           to
           this
           Church
           and
           Common-wealth
           ,
           and
           to
           all
           other
           his
           Majesties
           Dominions
           ?
           Which
           God
           grant
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           his
           love
           ,
           Jesus
           Christ
           the
           righteous
           .
           
             Amen
             .
             Amen
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A02549e-130
           
             Jacobus
             Lectius
             Pre●er
             .
             Theol.
             l
             ●
             .
             vide
             
               Episc.
               by
               Divine
               Right
               .
               fol.
               ult.
            
          
           
             
               Obversatur
               mihi
               crebro
               grata
               ista
               Ecclesiarum
               vestrarum
               facies
               ,
               ista
               in
               publicis
               pietatis
               exercitiis
               reverentia
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               Et
               quamvis
               omnia
               illa
               regna
               abundent
               praesulibus
               eruditissimis
               ,
               &
               Theologis
               summis
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               Sive
               prolixi
               nostri
               erga
               ecclesias
               omnes
               Britanicas
               affectus
               ,
               quarum
               praesules
               amplissimos
               ,
               Pastores
               fidos
               ,
               greges
               florentes
               in
               Domino
               suspicimus
               &
               amplexamur
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               Quo
               Deo
               sua
               semper
               apud
               vos
               constet
               gloria
               ,
               Serenissimo
               Regi
               vestro
               suum
               jus
               ,
               praesulibus
               sua
               authoritas
               pastoribus
               suus
               honor
               ,
               Eccles●is
               vestris
               omnibus
               sua
               sanctitas
               ,
               sua
               tranquillitas
               ,
               &c.
               
               
                 Epist.
                 Dedic.
                 3.
                 
                 Part
                 is
                 Dub.
                 Euang.
                 Anno
              
               1638.
               
            
          
           
             Et
             nostris
             pinguescunt
             monstra
             ruinis
             .
             
               Jos.
               Isc
               .