DEare Brethren , because we are creatid for gods glory the edification one of another in Christ , and are bounde to serue thervnto by wealthe or woo , lyfe or death , and cheifly , they to whom God haue geuen the greter gyftes , and whom he hath callyd to higher romes , are moste bounde to be zelous for gods glory with godly zelousie to profyt the churche and spouse of Christe vnder their charge , and that by no subteltye as the Apostel warnithe , they shulde be corrupted from the symplicitie of Christ : therfore there is no doubt of your good zealle and diligence . My good fathers & deare brethren , who ar first callid to the battel , to striue for gods glory and the edification of his people , against the Romish reliques and rages of Antichrist , I doubt not but that you wyl coragiouslye and constantlye in Christ , rape at these rages of Gods enemyes , and that you will by this occasion race vp many as grete enormites that we all know , & labore to race out all the dregges & remnants of transformid popery , that are crept into England , by to much lenite of them that wyl be namid the Lordes of the cleargie : what is he that hath the zeale of gods glory before his face , that wyl not ioyne both in prayer , and in sufferinge with you , in so good a cause , that is so much for gods glory , and the edificacion of gods church , in the pure simplicite of Christes word & sacramentes , wherin our enemies and persecutours are strangely bewitchid . I wote not by what Circes cupe , that they do make suche a diuersite betwixt Christes worde & his sacramentes , that they can not thinke the worde of God safelye ynoughe preachid , & honorably inough handlyd , without cap , cope , surplis . But that the sacraments the maryinge , the buryinge , the churching of wemen , & other church seruice , as they call it , muste nedes be decored with crossinge , with capping , with surplessing , with knelinge , with preti wafer cakes , and other knackes of poperi . O Paule that thou were a lyue , thou durst tell those politike gentelmen , that ther hath bin to much laboure bestoued vpon them in vaine , thou durste say vnto them , as thou didest to the Corinthians , that they eat not the Lordes supper , but pley a pagent of their owne to blynde the people , and kepe them still in supersticion , fare from the symplicite of Christes supper : but howe many sely sowles is ther that dothe beleue veryly , that they haue an English masse , and so put no difference betwene truth & falshod , betwene Christ and antichrist , betwene God and the deuell , they are strangely bewitched . I say that thus wyll bynde theyr Englyshe presthode & sacraments , but muche more enchauntid that can fynd no garments to please them . But such as haue ben polutid openly with popishe supersticion & Idolatry , but most of all in this point shall theyr madnes apere to all posterites , that they make these Antichristian rages Causam sine qua non , that is , a cause without which ther is no holy ministery in Christ , so that this shall make an Englyshe preste , be he neuer suche a dolt or vnlearnid in the knouledge of the scripture as we haue very manye , and without these romisshe reliques not Paule hym selfe shal be admittid ( as one of them dyd blaspheme & the rest of them in effecte do affirme ) well agaynste suche popishe chaffer and popery , hathe byne longe agone foughten witheall , when the gret captaines of that religion lyuyd , and yet God gaue the victory . Therfor let vs not fear now , although it doth begine to sture agayn , for ther is no craft , conninge , counsell , wysdom , or policy against the Lord . We haue Christ & hys Apostells & the Prophetes euer stryuing agaynst the Ipocrites of their time on our syde . a stra● for popishe polici we haue the worde of God to warant vs , to rote out al monuments of supersticion and Idolatry , & are charged to abhor them , to accompt them , accursed , and to defy them , and to detest them as menstreous clowtes , they haue not the worde of God for them . And what wysdom is in them , sayth god by his Prophet Ieremi , they talke of obedience & concorde , but ther is no obedience against the Lorde , no nor concorde to be desired , but wher gods glory and verite is preserued , Els better to haue al the worlde in hurly burleis , and heauen & earth to shake , then one ioyte of gods glory shulde decaie . So far forth as in vs leithe , we haue theyr owne lawes and proclamacions , to rote out all monuments of supersticion and Idolatrye , & theyr oune wordes are contrarye to theyr doinges . Yt shulde apere that they repent their reformacion proclamid , as did the Isralites , they buylde agayn that which ons they haue distroied and this is done openlye that all the worlde may wonder , and behold : but what is done secretlye , god wyll one daye haue it declarid openly , ye they make the name of god & this doctrine that we professe to be euell spoken of alredy . By many of theyr doinges , theyr iudgement hasteth that for such causes persecute Gods true preachers . Wherfor let vs not feare theyr threteninges , ther can none ●ersecute the godly for this cause & trasshe . ●ut ether such as are nether hote nor colde , ●nd then they shal be vomyted out vnlesse ●heir zeale encrease , or such as haue no God before their eies , whose god is their bellie , or ●is open papists , whom god hathe geuen vp ●o a reprobate sense , wherfore we must thus take it , that they ar gods rodds for oure sinnes , because we haue not ben more zelous in Gods cause , nether carefull to seke his glorye , that wolfe Wynchester & blodie bucher Bonar fought once against many godli men for the grounde of this gere , and thei had all the power of the Realme seruinge theyr lustes , but beholde how the Lorde in short time ouerthrew them al , to giue vs coradge to go forwarde , the Lord forgeue vs , we ar to slacke and neglygent in heauenly thynges , this monster Bonar remainithe and is fed as papists say , for their sakes , & it must be grauntyd , it is for some purpos , althoughe he be a traytor and an enemi to the crowne and realme , and bothe to God and man , whiche brunnid godes holy testament , murderid his saintes and his seruantes . But what the Lord requyrith to be done wythe false Prophetes it is manyfest : we haue bothe the lawe of god & man for vs , But we ar answerid nay , you your sealues shal be compellid to turne your coates and cappes , and get you into his leueris , and to be lyke him in your garments . O Elyas that thou lyuedste , or tha● thy spyrit weare amongst vs , thou woldes● say with the Prophet Sophoni , that God will vysit the werears of this Idolatours garmentes or strange aparell , thou woldest say , that thinges dedicatid once to idolatry , is not indifferent , thou woldest say reuerence to the sacrament is wrought by doctrine and discipline , and not by popisshe & Idolatours garments , thou woldest saye , what decency can ther be gaynyd to the sacraments , by that which hath byn deuisyd & vsyd to deface it , if the golde ordeinyd by god for the reuerence and decenci of the Iewes temple , is not to be admittyd to beutify the churche of Christe , much lesse copes brought in by papistes the enemyes of god , and alwayes continwyd in their seruice as ornamentes of their religion in no wyse ought of vs Christians to be retaynid . But the papistes triumphe and glori in their assembles , that the hote gospelars shal be driuen to their doltishe attires , for the Lords sake let vs neuer giue them any cause of Ioye , thoughe we shoulde dye for yt : Moyses wold not yelde on hoofe of a beste in gods busines , he wolde not leue the loupe vnmade , nor make a button or a claspe more or lesse . Eleasar will not decemble by eatynge of vnlawfull meates , the faythfull Isralites wolde not receyue so muche as an yni bushe . Contrariwyse Orygen caryinge a braunche and professynge , that he bare it for Christ at the first . But was afterwarde compellid to open Idolatry , so cursid a thing it is to geue any place to the wicked : all the papistes that saye , they worship Christ in the crosse , and God in the sacrament , do still vnder these wordes continew still in their Idolatri , beware of deceitfull wordes , that couer wickid purposes , to drawe vs from Christian symplicite . Let vs stand constantly agaynste all abuses , and repent for our former coldnes in religion , and our synnes , and call for healpe from aboue , for the hand of the Lorde is not shortenid : we ar assured that we seke Gods glory , and our aduersaries may see , yf they can se any thinge , that this thinge that they seke is not for gods glory , seing the papistes the enemyes of God , doe so desyre yt and glory in yt . And reioyse , that we , whom they most hate , cannot besafe but vnder their garments : we ar assurid that we seke godes glory in folowinge Christ his Aposteles and Prophets . who euer dispised these pharisaicall outward faces and visures , Christe fyndethe fault withe the garmentes of the phariseis . Paule counteth all his pharisaicall , shew to be donge . Zachari saithe , that the false Prophet shal be ashamed of his prophecye , and forsake his garments wherin he deceyuid . & shal the true Prophetes be fayne to crepe into their coules ? for by the same autorite may be comaundid any peace of popery , so that it be namyd policie . Ezechias and Iosias knew no suche aucthoritie , but they say : It is for policie , For it plainly apearithe that ther is lesse care for religion , then for policie . But beware that the example of Ieroboham be not folowed , that made such like prestes for policie as wolde do as he commaundid them . Achaz of policie brought the fashion of an alter into Ierusalem , as he sawe at Damascus , where he had ouercome the Idolatours and their Idolls , but cursed was his policie , and so ar all they that wil retaine any thinge of their Idolatrie . Nabuchodonosors Idoll was for vnitye and policie , but without the warraunt of gods worde , ther is neyther good vnitye nor policie . The godlie father Bucer callithe the tenthes and the first fruites sacriledge and roberie , they be kept stil for policie . Crosse and candelstickes ar supersticious , though they be kepte . I wot not for what policie the adoration of the Sacrament in the countres , where they knocke and knele to a wafer cake is a popishe policie . That wemen baptise , that pluralites , tot quots impropriacions , non residence , despensacions , suspensions , excomunications , & absolucions , for money ar grauntyd , yt is evell , like as are many other inormites borowed from Rome , which remayne in the name of policie . All these thinges were abhorryd as popishe supersticions , and Idolatries , amonge our gospellers both bishops & others , when they were vnder gods roddes in pouerte . But how thei now haue learnid courtely deuinite , to grounde all apon policie ? Humble them agayne o Lorde , that they do not forget the , and thy great kindnes and mercie shewid apon them , and sture vp their hartes and myndes , that they may be carefull ouer thy pore flocke . O Christe , whom thou hast dearly bought , by this theyr policy ar blindid , & carithe for no more , but that thei may haue this supersticious shew which is so stifely maintained . Let him mumble as he liste , yf he be thus apparelid , al his seruice is well ynough , otherwyse yt is nothing worthe , Thus cause you them to perishe by your polices , for whome Christ hathe dyed . further more , yf poperi be superstitous and idolatrous , evel and wicked , as yet ther was neuer a worse thinge in the worlde , then ar we commaunded to absteine from all participation therof , and from all the shewe therof ab omni specie mali , that is , from all shewe of wickidnes . These garments were the shewe of their blasphemous preisthod , herein they dyd singe and saye their supersticious idolatrous seruice , they dyd sence their Idolls and healpe forwarde theyr Idolatrous masses , what policie can it be then to weare this gere . But a supersticious wickid and popishe policie , they doe it for policie , they saye , that their priestes may be knowen and magnified of men . Dyd not the Pharisies vse the same policie , to doe all their workes and make all their garmentes bothe Philacteris vpon their headdes , and their wide and syde robes and borders , that they might be more expectable , and notorious to the people : but their woo is thr●tenid aboue al other sinners . To suche ypocrites , as beinge voyde of all true holynes , delite in all outward shewes , theyr curse is most inculcate , their polyci is that the preistes shall weare white in the churches to signify their vertue , their purenes , and holines . and when they go fourth of the church they must weare blacke gownes and blacke hornes , for contrary polycies , and for dyuers significacions , Our master Christes polycie was expressyd in one worde , fede , fede , fede . and the Prophetes before , and the Apostelles afterwarde , yf Christe be the wysdome of the father , the true ministers shal be well inough knowen , by that one marke which he geueth : and yf that he haue not that marke better vnknowen then knowen , both for him selfe and others , therfore lett them not saye for shame , that they seeke gods glorie , Christes wil , or the edification of his church , by their polycie . Whyles they threten & stope the spredinge of gods worde and fedinge of Christes flocke , commandyd by writing to excommunicate the most faithful laborers in the planting of the gospell , because thei will not weare the rages of popery , to expulse the most valiant soldiars agaynst the Romishe Antichrist , the most earnest ouerthrowars of the kyngdom of satan , which standith in sin and blindnes . O beware you , that wil be Lordes ouer the flockes , that you be not sore punyshed for your pryde , towardes your brethren , and your cowardlines in gods cause , that for Princes pleasures and pompose liuinges , do turne poperi into policie , and to become our persecutors vnder the cloke of policie : it were better to lose your liuings , then to displease god in persecutinge of youre brethren , & hinder the course of the worde . But as oure deutie is , we wyll praye for you , and for all our brethren in the ministeri , that god of his grace would graunte vs more zeale for his glorie , than any of vs hathe had heretofore , more desire to edifie , Christes people in pure simplicite , to present them a chast virgin vnto Christ , then hitherto hathe apeared , that when the hedeshepherde shall cal to accounte , we be not ashamyd . But beinge founde perfecte in all good workes , may receiue the crowne prepared , as for you deare brethren whome God hath callyd into the brunte of the batell , The Lorde kepe ye constant , that ye yelde nether to tolleracion , nether to anye other subtelte persuasions of dispensacions , or lycences which were to fortifie their Romishe practises . but as you fyght the Lords fyght , be valiant . God will not leue you , nether forsake you , as you seke gods glorye , god wyll glorifye you , and as by you Christes church is edifyed , comfortid and confirmid in Christian simplycite , so shall you receyue comfort by Christe your heede captaine , when you shal be callyd to geue acomptes of your stewardshippes , and to be rewardyd for your fidelite , the matter is not so smalle as the worlde do take yt , yt wyll appeare before all be endyd , what an harde thinge it is , to cut of the rages of the Hidra of Rome , it is beutifull , but poysonful , ther is no daling with such a mounster , beware of lokyng backe to Sodome or delyght anye witte in the garments of Babilone , neyther once touche the poysonid cupe , though yt be of golde or gliteringe . Let vs repent of our former synnes vnfaynidlye , and then shall we abhor and stamp vnder our fette these rages , that were apoyntid to supersticion and idolatry , Let vs hate the blasphemous preasthode , so iniurious to Christes preisthode , that euery pache and token of it be in execration , detestation , and accursed , and take no parte of yt vpon our heddes nor backes , least we be accursed as it is . Let vs not make the heritage of god as a byrde of many colours , holdinge of diuers religions , Let vs not mixte the Iewes with the gentills , let vs not in no wise mixt this our religion with any thinge of Antichrist , let vs not confyrme the blinde in their blindnes , neyther the weacke in their supersticion . But rather let vs take awaye , if we can , the names , memories , and all monuments of poperye and that Antichristes priesthod . Let vs open our wyndous with Daniel , and professe what we ar: their cruelte shal be our glorie . Let vs followe Paull , that knew that the truthe gospel cold not be retainyd , if any Iewishe cerimonies were mayntainyd . Lett vs rather neuer weare anye garment , then we should weare those , wherby our brethren shulde be weakened , offendyd or boldenyd to take parte with the idolatours , & so through our hautines in knouledge , oure weake brethren perishe , for whom Christ died . Behold and marke well , how they falle backwarde that yelde in anye iote , and se how they are edifyed , and increase in godlines , which holde that ryght waye that you goe in , the which the Lorde increase you , & vs all , and strenthen vs with his holy spyrit , that we may continewe to oure lyues ende , al wayes both by our thoughtes , wordes , and workes , to avaunce his glorye and honor dayly more and more , now and for euer . Amen .

WHen I do remember , dearly belouyd , the great charge inioynyd vnto vs of almyghtie God , & the strayghte accounte that we shall haue to make , for the ryghte vse and dispensacion of his mysteries , I fynde no comparison myght iustly moue any Christyan to doubt of the better of those two choyses , only that whych makythe a shewe for the mayntenaunce of popishe apparel is the opynion of indifferency , whych thynge he that wyll perswade , marke wel good Christyan . must fyrst proue that it tendythe to Godes glory . Concurrythe wythe his worde , edefyeth his churche , mayntaynyth Christyan lyberte : whych condycions & circunstances if they wante , The thynge whych otherwyse by nature is indifferent , dothe degenerat and become hurtfull . but howe can Godes glory be auaunced by those popishe garmentes whych supersticyous men & Antychrist haue inuentyd for the maynteyninge & beutyfyinge of Idolatry , what agrement can mans supersticious inuencyons haue wythe the eternall worde of God , what edifycacion can there be wher the spirit of god is greuyd , Christes lytillous discoragyd , the bondage of ceremonies what it bringith the weake brethren brought into doubt of relygyon , the wyckyd papists confyrmyd in their errour , And adore new set open to all Popish tradycions and Antychristian impietie : nether can any man call this Christian lybertie , where a yoke is layd vpon the dysciples neckes , where the consciens is cloggyd , true preachers thretenyd , the curse of Godes worde stayed , the congregacyons spoylyd of godlye and learnyd pastors , the Sacramentes brought vnder subieccyon of Idolators & supersticious vestiments , therefore where either the formar condycion wante or this latter be annexsyd , yt can not be callyd a thynge mere indifferent . Augustine vpon indifferent thyngs saythe , Those thynges that are not contrarye to faythe , nether yet contrarye to good manners , and haue somwhat to exhorte to the amendement of lyfe , whersoeuer we se such thynges commaundyd , or do know to be institutid , we do not only alowe , but also we will folow them in praysynge and imytatinge them : yf the infyrmyte of some do not let that yt shuld be a further detrimente or damage , here Augustine requiryth two poynts in thyngs indifferent . First that they induce to a better lyfe , & do serue to edyfycacion , next that we beware lest any offence come therbye , marke wel the nature of indifferent thinges or any weake consciens be hynderyd in the curse of religion , Christ hym selfe geuyth a good warning saynge , wo be to offences , there myght be brought dyuers examples and testymonies to proue , that thynges whych of them selues haue byne or are indifferent , by circunstance & abusinge becom euel , what thynge is more requirid for sondry causis in this lyfe , then fastinge , and for the dayes & tymes , what thynges can be more indifferent . yet yf by the obseruacion of dayes and appoyntinge of tyme we shuld confirme the opinion of the wyckyd , the godly wil haue nothinge to do in cerimonies of the wicked . & so gyue consente to them we were worthely to be blamyd & reprouyd , as Augustine wytnessith wryting after this sort , To faste on the Sonday is a great offence , cheflye after the detestable heresye of the Manichees , whych is planlye contrary to the Catholyke fayth of manye , & the scriptures of God dyd shew it selfe , whych cōstitutyd to their hearers , to fast on the Sonday , was a most mete daye . Tertulian in his boke De corona militis , defendyth the cause of a soudyar that was zelous for the glory of god , & wold not weare a garlonde on his heade as the rest of his felowes dyd , lest he shuld seame to consent with the Idolators , God send vs manye suche zelours christyanes . & so bringe true relygion into doubt , & wheras many of the Christians myslykid of this soudyars facte , which for so smal a tryfill wolde hasarde the Emperors fauor and so auenture his lyfe , seinge to weare the garlonde was not agaynste that scriptures . Tertullian who iustifyed this zelous acte answerethe on this soudiars behalfe sayinge : Yf for this cause it may be sayd that he myght lawfully be crownyd , because the scriptures do not forbyd it , by this same reason it shal be answered , that therfor he ought not to be crounyd , because the scriptures doth not commande it . The Counsel of Toletane ordenyd that in Baptymse shulde be vsyd but one dyppynge , lest they shuld seame to consente with the heretiks whiche vsed to dypp the child thryse , & sendynge to Gregory for his counsell herein , they receuyd this answere , for the eschewinge of the sclaunder of seisme and tradycion of the heritikes , let vs hold the symple vse of Baptisme , lest they whiche amongest vs do vse to dypp thryse to allowe the assercyon of the heretykes , whyle the folow not onlye to holde the Idoll as accursyd , but also that we vtterlye abhorre and accounte moste abhominable thynges that apperteyne ther vnto , and haue nothynge to do with it , least we be snaryd with it , rede we not in the Machabees , howe the Lorde distroyd all those that had any stuff of the Idolls , 2. mach. 12 Iosua . 7. and howe was Achan plagyd for reseruynge those thynges , whych the Lorde wold haue dystroyd and accursyd , a suttle practys . we reade that Iulianus the apostata causyd the heathen to accomodat them selues to the maners of the Christyans , and theyr vsages thynkyng by this meanes to entice them to Paganisme , and yf we compell the godlye to conforme them selues to the Papistes , I greatlye feare , least we fall into Papisme : alas , that such compulsyon shuld be vsyd toward vs , and so great lenite towards the Papistes , how many Papistes inioye lyberte & lyuyngs , whyche neyther haue sworne obedyent to the Quenes maiestie , nether do yet anye parte of deutye towardes theyr miserable flockes , those mysers laughe , and triumphe to se vs thus delt wythe , not ashamyd here vpon to bragg , that they truste that the rest of theyr thynges wyll folow . But he that sittyth in the heauens , shal laughe them to thorne , and at leangthe shal geue an end to oure depe syghinges , and delyuer vs from all heuynes sorowes and myseris , wherfore let vs neuer yealde to this tryumphe of the Pope agaynst Christe , Lorde Iesus be mercyfull vnto vs , and let thy wrathe be pouryd vpon them that call not on the name of the Lorde , yf true reformacyon can not be had . Yet lett Christyan lybertie preuayle agaynst compulsion to euell , lett not the Papistes abuse vs as the Iewys dyd the Christyans , when they had the temporall sworde on theyr syde , pytey the dyssolate churches heare the cryes and gronyns of so manye thousandes of godes pore children that hunger and thyrst for sprituall fode , we neade not to apealle to godes worde , to the prymatiue church to the iust plages whyche hath byne pouryd and is pouryd contynuallye , vpon the wordle for lacke of true reformacyon of relygyon , but let your owne conscience iudge betwene oure cause and oure enemyes , and yf we seke nothynge but godes glorye craue equitie and ryght desyre Christyan lybertie , labor to ouerthrowe Idolatry and to wyne soulys vnto Christe , why shulde we not be harde , why are we so vncharitably dealt with all the Lorde moue youre hartes and open your eies , that we may all prayse gloryfy his holy name , that when the end of oure pylgrymage shal be endyd most ioyfullye we maye rest with hym in his euerlastinge glory through Christ oure sauyour , to whome wyth the Father and the Holygost be all prayse glorye and honor , for euer .

TO my faythfull Brethren , we geue thankes to God for your constancie and vpryght delynge in this gret controuersie now raysyd by packynge of enemys about the wearinge of popish apparell , and as ye haue well begonne , ther is no doubt , but the Lorde in mercy shall kepe ye pure and blameles to the ende . It hathe byne no small ioye and comfort to many godlye and good Churches , which dayly and howerly prayeth for your perseuerance , and that it wolde please God to ease it , when his good will and pleasure is . So on the other syde muche lamentynge the blyndnes of those that goeth about to defende it : but especiallye those that are become persecutors of their godly & faithfull brethren : but as charite requireth , we desyre God neuer laye it to theyr charge , but geue them grace to ryse agayne vnto whom we le●e them wether they stande or falle . Let Lottes wyfe be a warnynge in tyme to take hede . Moses that blessyd seruant of God wolde not alter the valew of a curten , or a lytill pyne in the Arcke , so zelous was he in the Lordes worke : nor neuer brought any thynge out of his owne heade to the people : But had always the warrant of the worde for hym , to conclude , what so euer may be obiected agaynst the refusars of those ydolators garmentes , for what so euer they brynge , may be redused into this poyntes , that Godly men ether nede not or ought not to be scrupulous in so small a matter , which answer ye shall vnderstand as folowith with an answere to a question at the end hereof . The Lord for his Christ sake make Ephrahim and Manassis agre , that we maye all with on hart and mynde vnfaynydly seke Godes glorye , the edificacion of his people , that we may lyue in all godly peace , vnyte , and concord . This grant , o Lorde , for Christ Iesus sake , to whom , with the , and the Holygoste , be all prayse , glory , and honor for euer and euer . Fare ye well deare Brethren .