A godly confession and protestacion of the christian fayth, made and set furth by Ihon Hooper, wherin is declared what a christia[n] manne is bound to beleue of God, hys Kyng, his neibour, and hymselfe

The Confession and protestacion of Iohn hoopers Fayeth .

I Beleue accordyng to the holy Scripture to bee thynges wythout time , and before time . Also to bee thynges wyth tyme , and made in tyme . The thynge wythout and before tyme , is God only , and soly , iii. in diuersitie of persons , and one in essence and equalitie of the godhead . Math. iii. and. xxviii Zacary . iii The father , the sonne , and tholygost . Not. iii. Gods , but one God , Thinges wyth tyme , Gene. i. and in tyme , be al thynges , that euer was , now is , or euer shal be created in heauen or in yerth , vntly the day of the last generall iudgement , when as both body & soule , shal begyn together ( for the soule euer lyueth ) immortalitie and ioyes wythout tyme , of such as be ordayned by God to eternal saluation , and of such as be appointed and haue deserued it , to eternal damnacion , to begyn eternal paynes , and so to endure without tyme .

I beleue the sprites both good and bad , and lykewyse the soules of men , and women , created by God , to be immortal , and from their creacion to lyue for euer , and neuer to dye .

I beleue al thinges created by God as concernyng their creacion , to be perfect and good : wythout hatred , displesure , grudge , contumacie , rebellion , disobedience or pryde against their maker .

I beleue that thynges created by God , part of them by grace , and gods fauour , hath & euer shal perseuer and continue in the perfeccion , and excellencie of their creacion , Colossians . i as the spirites , or angelles , that neuer fel , nor hereafter shalfal , through the meanes of Christ .

I beleue that parte of these creatures whyche God made in theyr perfeccion , nowe to be subiecte , parte of theym to immortall paynes , parte to mortall paynes , parte vnto bothe : as the deuyl , and manne , that fel into thys ruin , and perdicion of theym selues , althoughe diuers wayes : To say the deuyl by pryde , and Arrogancye , whyles he would be lyke vnto God . Psalme . v. Man by ignoraunce , Ihon. vii● and by crafte of the deuyll deceyued , and not by anye imperfeccion of goddes partie in theyr creacion , not by any force , compulsion or violence of goddes parte , that compelled them to euel .

For I beleue God to be the author of lyfe , and saluacion , and the wyll of the deuyl , and of man , to be the occacion of both theyr losse .

I beleue al the people of the world , to be eyther the people of GOD , eyther the people of the Deuyl . The people of God , be those that wyth hearte and mynd knowe , worshippe , honour , prayse , and lawde GOD , after the Doctryne , of the Prophetes and Apostels .

The people of the Deuyl be those , that thynke , they worshyp , honour , reuerence feare , laude , or prayse God , anye other wayes , besydes , or contrary to the doctryne of the Prophetes and Apostles .

I beleue , that this people of God , which be the very true churche of God , to haue a certaine doctryne , that neuer was , is , or hereafter shal be violated by time , or any mannes authoritie . Thys doctrine onely and soly , is comprehended in the sacred , and holye Byble .

And I beleue , this doctryne of the Patryarckes , & Prophetes to be sufficient , and absolutely perfect , to enstructe me , and al t holy churche , of our duties toward God , & toward our neibours . Of God it teacheth , that he is but one , almightie , maker of all thinges , merciful , iust , & al thynges that good is . And seyng we knowe nothinge of God , nor can iudge nothing of God , as touching our saluation , but after his worde we must iudge of hym , as we be taughte therin , as well of hys diuine nature , as of the diuision of the persons , in the deuyne essence , so that we be compelled by th aucthoritie of gods worde , to confesse the pluralitie of persons , the Father , the Sonne , and the holy ghost , in the vnitye of one deuine godhead and essence .

I beleue as touchyng the father of heauen , as much as holy scripture teacheth vs to beleue , & is set furth by partes in the .iii. Credes , the Crede commonly called the Apostles Crede , where as we saye :

I beleue in God the Father almightie maker of heauen and of yearth , and so furth , wyth al suche thynges as the crede of Nece beleueth , & after the faith & Crede of Athanasius , in this behalfe

I beleue , the second person in Trinitie , to be one God with the Father in godhead , and diuers in person . I beleue hym to be the very substaunce , image , and figure of God , wythout begynning or ending , with al other properties and conditions , that the hollye scripture of God , or the decree , or doctryne of any of the thre former creades affyrme :

I beleue that the mercy of the father , the sonne , and the holye ghost , pitied , & had compassion vpon Adam the loste man , and was prouoked to ordeine the sonne of god , second person in Trinitie to debase and humble him self vnto the nature of man , and also to become man to redeme and saue the loste man . For euen as he was by externall malyce and craft of the deuell , broughte to confusion , to sinne , and so to death both of bodye and soule , nothynge hauynge in himself , as touching his fyrst creacion , that prouoked , styrred , intysed or allured hym to euell : Euen so after his fal was there nothynge in hym , or euer after coulde be in his posteritie , that myghte or maye allewer , or prouoke hym or anye of hys posteritye , to the meanes or helpe of his or theyr saluacion . But euen as he was loste by malyce , and deceyte of the Deuyll : so is he and so shall all hys posteritye be saued by the mercye , and merites of Chryste . The Deuil and Adams wyl , wrought synne and death : goddes mercye , and Christe hys merites , wroughte grace , and lyfe . The wyll of Eaue and Adam strayinge , and wanderynge abrode vpon the fruyte , an obiecte , and matter forbydden of God , that they sholde not eate of , brought them into death :

Iesus Christe the seade of the wom●●e applying both bodye and soule , to the obedience of God , deserued lyfe . As it is in the scriptures , and in the seconde part of the common crede .

I beleue in Iesus Christ , his onelye sonne our Lorde , whiche was conceyued by the holy ghoste , borne of the vyrgyn Marye , suffred vnder Ponc●us Pylate , he was crucified dead , and buried , he descended into hel , and the third day he arose agayn from death vnto life : and ascended into heauen , and there sitteth on the ryght hand of God the Father almyghtie . And from thence he shal come to iudge both the quick & the dead

I beleue that by this meanes , and no other , Iho. vi . xii . the sinnes of al beleuers , Rom. xv . to be forgeuen without the merites and deseruinges of Adams posteritie . Ephe. i. ii . By Adam sinne came into the world , Heb. ii . ix . x. and bi sinne deathe : Col. i. ii . Euen so wythoute all merites , respectes , and worthynes of Adam , either of anye of his posteritie , by Iesus Chryste came remission of synne and lyfe euerlastyng . And euen as I beleue stedfastli , sinne & death , bi this meanes to be ouercome and destroyed , and euer lastyng lyfe to follow it : so beleue I the sonne of God to be perfect God & man , accordyng to the scriptures , and do condemne the heresies of Arian and Mar●ian , with their complices & adherentes , that wyckedly beleued the contrarye . And as I confesse and beleue the measies of our saluation to be onely Christ : so I condemne the Pelagian : and all such other , as beleued and taught , that thei culd by their own powers , strength and wyll , worke theyr own saluation : which false opinion conculcateth , frustrateth , slandereth , condemneth , and blasphemeth all the deseruynges of Christ . Therfore the Pelagian is called worthyly the ennemy of grace .

Farther I be●eeue that the grace of God , deserued by the passion of Christ , dothe not onely freely , and without all merites of man , begyn , teache , and prouoke manne to beleue the promyses of God , and so to begyn to worke the wyl of God : but also all the woorkes , merites , deseruynges , dooynges , and obedience of man , towardes God , althoughe they bee done by the spirite of god , in the grace of god , yet being thus done , be of no validitee , worthynes nor merite before God , Luke . xvi Roma . xiiii . except God by mercy and grace , accompte theym worthy for the worthynes and merites of Iesus Christ , that dyed vnder Poncius Pilatus . So that I beleue grace , not oneli to be the begynner of al good workes , Esay . lxiiii . but that all good workes done by man in the greattest perfeccion , Psal. cxliii . haue neede , and wanteth grace to pardon their imperfeccion .

I beleue in the holye ghoste equalle god with the father , and the sonne , and procedynge from them both : by whose vertue , strength , and operacion , the Catholyke churche is preserued from all 〈◊〉 , Math. iii. and .xviii. and false doctrines , Act. ii . and teacheth the cōmuniō●f saincts in al truth and verity : i. Corin. xii . the whych holy spirit , Ephe. ii . iii. shal neuer forsake the holy church which is Christ his mystical bodye . Ihon. xiiii . Gala. iii. Ioel. ii .

I beleue that this holye spirit , worketh the remission of synne , the resurreccion of the fleshe , and euerlastynge lyfe , accordyng to the holy scripture .

Thys is my fayth , 〈…〉 . and doctryne , concirnyng the Godhed and diuersitie of persons in the holy Trinitie , and also of the two natures in Chryst , hys godhed , and manhed . Abhorring , and detesting the heresies of Samosa●enes . Arian , Nestor , Eutiches , who wer condemned by godly councels Nece , Constantinople , Ephesin , Calchedom , & other , I detest and abhor the Martian & Man●che , that faineth to be two gods , and both eternal : one good , & the other euil , alwaies at debate among them selus . I detest , & abor the monsterous doctrine of the Valentines , & so generally of all those that haue denied to be ani god , or wold haue many gods . Also al those I detest that haue erred , and in aintaine theyr erroure in any thyng concerning the essence of god , ordeined the plurality of persons , as of the father the sonne and the holye goost , This is the faith of gods spiryte , in my conscience , whiche I haue lerned in hys word , & haue fayethfullye , and r●lygyouslye preathed , and taughte the same in all my sermons , as I wyll be iudged by onne audytory . Also the same doctryne . I haue furthred & set forth in al mi boks 〈◊〉 writings , though sum Calūniators and sclaunderers , wulde gladly make pore the people beleue the contrary . But I do decline and appeale from such vncharitable spretes , vnto the charitable reader and louyng herte of all theym , that be indued with gods holy sprete for they wyll not constrayne , nor force letter , sillable , word , or sentence , contrary to the mynde of the speaker , & writer , but wyll Iudge , and serche for iudgement , in the processes and circumstances of the writer , & content themselues with the writers mynde , rather than to brynge theyr affection and corrupte myndes , to make their own imaginations and fantasies an other mans doctrine , as the Arrian , Pelagiane , Anabaptist , Papist , and other do , and haue doone , bryngynge corrupte myndes to the lesson and readyng of Christes testament , and wold that their fals heresies , and vntrue imaginations , should be Christe his doctrine . Seeyng bothe goddes lawes , and mans lawes suffereth , and geueth libertee to euery man in a cause of religion , to be interpretater of his owne wordes , it were contrarye to iustice , to put any man from it . For if the auctor , may not be the interpreter of his owne mynde , what wold not malyce , enuy , spite , and disdayne gather of works most truly , and faith fully mente and wrytten . And seyng charitee and the lawes of this realme as it appereth in an act of parliament made in the first yere of the reigne of our Soueraine Lorde Kyng Edward the syxte , geueth lybertee , and lycence to hym that shal be accused for a matter of Religion , vpon malice , euyll wil , hatred disdayn , or bee made and suborned recordes , to repell and conuicte all suche false recordes , and theyr accusers by other faithfull and indifferent Recordes . The whiche acte of parliament God forbydde should be denied to any of the kyngs Maiesties preachers : for yf the testimonye of theyr audientes , shal not quitte theym from the spyte & calumniacion of malicious , & vncharitable men , they shal not long preache the truth . For ether the papistes wyll accuse them , bycause thei wishe them pope & al monumentes of papistry to be taken out of the way : Ether the carnall gospellar , that cannot abyde to heare his faultes , & carnal life rebuked . And I thinke if the Kinges magestie , & his most honorable counsel prepare not the soner a brydle & correction for synne , the true preacher of God hereafter shal be more persicuted for reprehendynge of synne and vngodly lyfe , then euer yet hyther vnto he hath bene persecuted by the papistes . Thus I haue declared my fayth , and belefe towardes God , accordyng to the Scriptures , in the which I trust to contiune vntil deth end this myserable , and w●fihed life .

Nowe I wyll declare also the same towardes the churche of Christe , what I bele●e of the magistrates the mynisters of the wo●de , and the people I dwel wyth al. And of these thynges I wyl speake accordyng to the doctrine of the Prophetes and Apostles . For many tymes as well heretofore , as in our daies , haue bene supersticious Hipocrites , and phantastical sprites , that haue neglected , and condemned the office of maiestrates , iudgementes , lawes punishmentes of euyl , lawful dominion , rule , lawful warres , and such like : without which a common wealth maye not endure . Thei haue condemned also the ministery , and ministers of Christes church : and as for christian societie and charitable loue , they confounde . Thei vse the ministerye of the churche so , that it is out of al estimation , supposyng them selues to be of such perfection , that thei nede neither the ministery of the word , nether the vse of Christ hys holye Sacramentes , Baptisme , and the Supper of the Lorde .

And the other they vse wyth suche deuilish disorder , that thei would by a law , make theyrs theyr neighbors and theyr neyghbors theyrs , confoundyng al proprietie and dominion of goodes . Before our tyme the furye , & damnable heresy of Marcian and the Ma●lchees against the maiestrates , troubled many a yere dangerousely both Asia , and Affrica . And not yet . cccc . yeres syth a gone , a sorte of people called Flagelliferi dyd the same .

And nowe in our tyme to the greate trouble and vnquietnes of many common welthes , in Europe , the Anabaptistes hathe resuscitated , and reuyued the same errours . Whyche is an argument and token of the deuyls great indignation agaynst ciuile policy and order . for he knoweth wher such er●ors and false doctrines of politicall ordres be planted : two great euils necessarily must nedes folowe , the one is sedition , that bryngeth murders , bloudshedyng and dissipations of realmes : the other is blasphemy against Christes precious bloude , for those sectes thincke they be able to saue them selues , of & by them selues . Farther wheras the magistrates be cumbred wyth those daungerous sorte of people , the Deuyll knoweth theyshal haue no leaser at wil to take some order by gods worde , to oppresse suche false doctryne . But thys we bee taughte out of the scripture , that euen as man is ordeined to the order , chang , and alteracyon of tyme , as th order of the yere appointeth , now to be subiect vnto summer , nowe vnto winter , now to the sprynge , and nowe to the falle : so hath God ordeined , & comaunded man to be obedient to pollices , & orders were soeuer he be , so they be not repngnaunt nor contrary to the word of God : As Ioseph in his hert , bore abrode whersoeuer he wente , the true knowledge & inuocation of God , also of Christ to come , yet outwardly in courts , indgements , contractes , and inpossessyon of goddes he vsed the lawe of the Egiptians : euen so did Daniel in Babilon . Dan. iii. Ther is nomore to be taken hede of , in lawes , and ciuil policies but to se the lawe repugne not the lawe of god : and that the lawe makers and those to whom the execucion of the law is commended vnto , haue a special , and singuler ●se vnto the effect and the meaning of the lawe , wher●ore it was made a law : the which S. Paul wonderfully exhorteth people to vnderstande , Roma . xiii saying of the lawe , Exod. ●xxii . and magistrates : let them be a feare and terrour to the euil doers , and a praise , and commendacion to the welldoers . Neither forceth it , though the fourme and maner of lawes , of iudgements , of paines and punishmentes , be not like in al places , as the lawes of Feuderies ●ee not lyke in Italy , England , Fraunce , Spain nor Germany . Yet shuld euery nation be subiect vnto the lawes of hys owne realme , and cyuyll pollicie : and in hys doyng . he shal offend God no more , than the Englysh men , that haue longer days in the somer , shorter dayes in wynter : then those that dwel nere to the south . Or s. Paule that had longer dayes at the Solsti●ium and pitch of the sunne in Macedon ▪ then Christ had at Ierusalem . But euen as we be content with our measure and length of dai & night and others be contented wyth theyrs : so must both thei and we submit oure selues and be contented wyth the measure and order of oure owne lawes . I do therfore be wayle and lament , that the preachers in the church , and scolemasters in their scholes , the housholder in his housholde , do knowe no better what the dignitie and honour of a cyuyl pollicy is : by whom it is ordained , and by whom it is preserued , how dangerous & damnable a thynge it is before god and man , to trouble and disquiet it , by any furour and madnes of opinion , as the Marcion , Maniches , & Anabaptistes do . I se & know by experience , muche trouble & danger to ryse among the vnlearned & vngodly people , by ignorancy : for when thei se such deformities , & confusions , rise & chaunce , as we se manitimes , to happen in kingdoms Cortes , indicials , lawes , gouernonres , that more fansy pryuate profytte , and syngularitye , then the profytte of the hole common wealth , and indifferencye of all men , and all causes indifferentelye : they suppose verelye , ( for lacke of knowledge in goddes woord ) that all orders , pollycyes , kingdoms , and domynyons , be no other thing , than cruell Tirannie and oppression of the poore . And also to haue theyr beginning , and orygynall eyther of the Deuyll or of pryde , Romay . xiii . and couetousnes of men . Thys same euyl vpon the same occasyon of ignorauncye , caused natural wise men , muche to be troubled and vexed about the consideracions of kyngdomes , pollicyes , Rules , and dominions , because they perceiued all kingedomes to be subiect vnto troubles and alteracions and not only that , but they perceiued ryghte well , no kyngedome too bee perpetuall , nor for euer . And in dede , who so behouldeth the begynnynge , the contynuaunce and end of the Empyre of Rome , shal se righte well , they ▪ imaginations to be no vayn thinges .

Howe muche of herre owne bloude , and of straungers bloude dyd Rome shedde , before , she came to the regiment and rule of all the worlde ? When she was aspyred therunto , and was a fear to al the worlde , howe muche bloud of her owne shedde she , by cyuyll warres and contencyons , the iestes and wrytinges that men cioneth of Silla , Marius , Cinna , Cezar , Pompeius , Brutus , Anthonins August , & other declareth . Thus when the Lord God wold take from Rome , for her synnes , the dominion of the world , he sent the Gothes , Vand●ls , H●ns , Arabies . and Turks : that wasted not only Italy but also Egipt , Aphrica , and Asia , and so broughte the Empyre of Rome to noughte . As many tymes as I reade & marke thys history and ●●her lyke it causeth me to ●doke vpon many euyll Englyshe men as Scipio loked vpon the greate citye of Car●hage whiles it was a burning , saying with a lamentable voice : the inconstancy of fortune in humain things is to be lamented . Which voice sprang vpon thys occasion that Carthage being a cyty of greate ●eno●me , & dominion , was now becom a pray vnto the fire , and deuolted as wisdom alwayes doth , the consideracion of present euels , vnto other yet floryshynge in hault , & prosperous felycyty : and declared as a man seing before , the ruine and fal of things that stode , destinated the fall of Rome to com , that shuld perish by like plage Euen so when I beholde the eu●l pestiferous affected mindes of english men , and perpend and wa● the fru●ts of such corrupte myndes , contempte , hatred grudge & malice against their King magistrates laws , orders & pollicies , d●●tles I can 〈◊〉 other think , but these men as much as is in them , conspire & work the distruccion of thys realme : For it canno● other wise be , but as contempt of godlye lawes , & sedicion amonge the people ▪ and subiectes of what 〈…〉 they be , haue wroughte the desti●icyon of other realmes : so must it : and can no otherwise do , vnto thys realme . The chefest remedye agynst sedition . 〈◊〉 what realme or kingdom 〈◊〉 auoyde these eulls , 〈◊〉 prouide the word of God to be trulye and di●igently preached , & taught vnto the subiects and members thereof . The lacke of 〈◊〉 is the chiefe cause of sedition and 〈◊〉 , Proue . xxvi . as Salomon sayth . Wher 〈◊〉 ●●phecye wanteth , the people are dyscy●pated . wherfore 〈◊〉 not a litle wonder at the opinion and doctrine of su●ly as saye a Sermon 〈◊〉 in a weke , in a moneth , or in a quarter of a yere is sufficient for the people . Truly it is iniuriously 〈…〉 against that glory of god , & saluacion of the people . But seing they wil not be in the whol , as good vnto god as before thei haue ben vnto the diuil , neither so glad to remoue false doctryne from the people , and to continue them in the true ▪ wher as thei did before occupi the most parte of the for●●o●e , the most part of the after none , yea , and a great part of the night , to kepe the estimation & continuance of daungerous , & vayne supersticious , were it much now to occupy one hour in the morning , and another hour towardes nyght , to occupye the people with true and ernest prayer vnto GOD in Christe his bloud , and in preaching the true doctrine of Christ that they myghte knowe and continue in the ●ewe relygyon , and faythfull confydence of Christ Iesu.

Exercyse ; and dylygence bryngeth ▪ credit vnto religion , whether it be true or false . For it neuer taketh place , nor coole in the people without diligence , as it is to be perceiued bi the acts , and iestes , done in the● me of Iero●oam , and Roboam , the kynge of Israel , and Iuda . What brought the Masse and al other Idolatry into estimacion , but dailye preachyng and saying therof , with such laud and praise as euery old wife knew what a masse was worth .

Fyftene Masses in a churche dayelye were not to many for the priests of Baal , and shuld one sermon euery day be to muche for a godly Bishoppe and Euangelical preacher ? I wonder how it maye be to muche opened , and declared vnto the people . If any man saye , labour is left , and mennes busynes lyeth vndon by that menes . Suerly it is vngodly spoken , for those that here the people in hande of such a thyng knoweth ryghte well that there was nether laboures , cares , nedes , necessity nor any thynges elles , that heretofore could kepe them from hearing of Masse , though it had bene sayd at .iiii. a , clocke in the mornynge .

Therfore , as far as Ise , people wer content to lose more labour , and spent more time then to go to the Deuyl , them nowe to come to God : but my faith is that both Master & seruant shal find vauntage , & gaine therby at the yeres end , though they heare morning Sermon and mornyng prayers euery daye of the weake . For by this meanes thei should learne , not only to know God , but also theyr magestrates , & to put difference betwene the office , & the person that is in office : & betwene the offyce , and the troubles , necessarilie annexed vnto the office , which bringeth not onely knowledge of office & officer but also honour , & reuerence vnto them both , as . S. Paule that leued the policy , laws , order , and wisdom of the Romaynes , yet dislyked verye muche the vice & naughtines of Niro , vnto whom he submitted and willyngly brought into seruitude both his body and hys goddes , and rebelled not thoughe Nero was a nought● Emperoure , for his office sake , which was the 〈…〉 of God . i. Reg. xvi● . So dyd Elias loue the state , honour , and dignitie of the kynges of Israel : yet detested , and fell foule oute with the fauts of Hachab . The same doctrine teacheth saint Peter vnto al seruauntes , commaunding them to obey their maister , thoughe they be euil , hauyng a respect to the place they be in , which is th order of god & not vnto the vice , & abuse of the person in gods order Truly be the ruler of him self neuer so euel , yet the lawes , iudgementes , punyshmentes and statutes , made for the punishment of euyl , Deut. xvii . and the defence of the good , be the very worke of god , for the magistrates be the kepers of discipline and peace . Therfore as the motion of the heuens the fertilite of the earth be the works of god , & preserued by him : euen so be the gouernours and rulers of the earth , Ps. l. c. xliiii as Dauid saith : he geueth healthe to Prynces as it was shewed in hym selfe , Salomon , Iosophat , & others . The regimente & policy of king Dauid was troublous , and ful of miseries , thereygne of king Salomon his sonne , peaceable and quiet , the re●ygne of Iosua . victorious , and prosperous . The raygn of the iudges that folowed so troublous & vnquyet , as a more rent and torne common wealth , I haue not redde of : yet was the order of God all one , aswel in the one as in thother , and requyred as much loue , assistence , and obedyence of the people , to theyr kyng and magistrates in theyr trouble as in theyr quietnes & peace . So doth Daniel the prophet most godli & wysely teache by hys ymage that he sawe made of fower ●undry mettals , but he concludeth whether the regiment , and regētwer gold , syluer , copper or Iron , the people alwayes obeied . The same teacheth also the doctryne and example of Iohn Baptyste , Chryste , Saynte Stephen , and saynte Iames , Iohns brother . For althoughe the regymente were neyther so godlye , nor so quiet in Herodes times , and Pontius Pilatus as it was in Salomons time : yet gaue they alwayes lyke reuerence , honoure , and obedience vnto them , for theyr orders sake , as thoughe they had ben the verteousest princes of the world as their doctrine tribute and bloude recordeth . For they gaue vnto Cesar the thinges dewe vnto Cesar , as theyr boyes , a●d their goods , but their soules they owed to none , but vnto God . And when diuersitye of relygyon , & doctryn shuld be discussed and determined by their lawes , they declyned from theyr iudgement . and appealed vnto the word of god , to haue al controuersyes ended thereby . When that toke place , they gaue thankes to god : when it dyd not , they were content paciently to beare whatsoeuer goddes hand wold permyt the magystrates to say vpon them . Wer these exampels knowen and kept before mens eies people wold not for a faut or two that shuld happen in the regyment , iritate and prouoke the regentes , and Prynces wyth contumacy , and rebellion as it is sene commonlye at thys daye , but rather folow the example of the Iewes that when they herd of the facts , and doings of Ptolome Lathure , that killed twentie thousand of their country men and caused those that he toke captiue , to eare the fleashe of their owne deade fathers , and brothers , yet rebelled thei not , but knewe it was for their sin , and therfore exorted one that other to penaunce & amendment of life : the same selfe doctrine , teacheth oure sauioure Christ in his holy Euangeliste Luke . Luk. xiii Thus I thoughte good , to put in my Crede for the declaracion of my faith , towardes ciuil magistrates , orders , & lawes , & to open the difference betwene th orders the person , & such troubles as be annexed vnto th order : lest any man shold , for troble & confusions sake , damn order , & regiment it self : or els , by the meanes ther of , to detract & forsake , to take paines in suh vocacion as the Epycures dyd , wher as in dede , rule , & regiment , themselues be the greate benefites of god . And ther fore row in the later time , more to be pre●hed & taught to the people for diuers consideracions : them euer hertofore . Specially because contempt of honesti , & lawes , labors , & godlye exercises , rain more than euer they did . For at the begining men so obeied reason & were ruled therby , that they brought them selues into order & pollicie . And for the maintenance therof , sought out craftes and & artes necessary for the preseruacion of pollicie and order , and so were glad rather to be ruled by ●eson than by force and violence . This time beyng expired & reson corrupt , asp●ring farther than reason by nature wold , partly for to much loue of her self , partly to tame & kepein subieccion such as disordred al good order , & rule : descended from the regiment of reason , vnto the force of war , & marcial lawes , The same seming good vnto almighty god to tame , & reclame man by force , that wolde not be ruled by reson But now are we fallen into the last time & end of the world , wherifor reson ruleth lust , & for iust battail , ruleth immoderate concupiscence : for scarce is there one of a. C. that loue to seke for wysdom & knolege of reson , & of artes , that other men found out & left vnto vs . And as for the paines & trauayls of war , let ●uery māiudge , & consider him self , whether our weak nature can suffer as much as Dauid , Archilles , Cyrus , Alexander , Hanybal , Marcellus , Scipio , C , Cesar , & other did : than shal we perceiue , that nature now in man consumed , effeminated , & worne out , is a thynge most vnable to do , that fore age hath done .

Therfore haue these later daies more nede of much tcachyng , in cyuyle causes , then the old age before vs , whyche better , and more modestlye , gouerned them selfes , by onlye reason , then now we do by goddes worde , and reason .

And this is not knowen onely by the holye scriptures , but also by prophane writers , that declare wyth the age of the world to encrease iniquytye . And oure experience maye be a comentary in this behalfe to gods laws , & mannes lawes : for where as saynte Paule declareth the ciuill Magistrates , not only to be ordeined , but also preserued by god , & that al men shuld accept , & accompt hym to be the trewe Magistrate , that God had appoynted , and not suche a one as the people & subiects appoint their selues . And euen as wyse Cicero perceyued at the begynnynge of the mortall dissencion and debate betwene Pompeius , and Iulius Cesar , gaue counsell accordinge to the wil of God , ( declared vnto him , by the suffrages , and voices of the Romaynes ) that Cesar shoulde haue bene cheyfe Ruler of the people : nowe for lacke , and contempte of knowledge , both say●te Paule , and Cicero be neglected . For either the people wil haue no magistrate at al , or elles suc● a one , as it pleaseth them selues , and not hym that God hathe appoynted . If thys aduenture take no place , they wyll chaunge ( if they can ) the state of the common wealth , that wheras one raigneth , a Monarche or kynge , they wolde chaunge it into the regimente of manye . And whereas many raigne ( as men neuer contented with the state that God hathe appoynted ) turne the regymente of manye into the gouernaunce of few . Whose nature Orace wel declareth .

Lib. Epist.

☞ Optat Ephippia bot. p●ger Optat , arare Caballus ,

Against whose preposterous iudgement and fickil myndes , Romay . xiii . sainte Paule vehemently writeth . The powers saith he that be , ar ordeined of God , and not the powers that subiectes shal chouse & make at their pleasures . For no man of what degre , state , or autoritie soeuer he be being a priuate man , ( as al men be in a monarchy wheras one ruleth , in respect of the kyng that ruleth ) shuld medle with the state of a realme . For it is god that ordayned it , Daniell . ii . and he that dissolueth it . Psal. cxxvi . Cxliii . Neither shold this fond opinion take any place in a christian mans heade , Prouer. xviii . Parap . ii . Esaye . i. that any offices appointed by god , Psalme . viii shold cause the officers to be euell before god . For the lord giueth them tytles and names of great honoure and loue , as gods , and suche as serue and please him , Psal. lxxxii . also the nurses of the churche as the examples of Adam , Esa. xlix . Henoch , Noe , with other , Genesis . ix . who were in those dayes veri godly rulers , to maintaine vertue and punish vice . This sawe not onelye the Patriarkes , and godly men of the scripture , but also naturall wyse men , that saw and reuerenced order and pollicye as Plato writeth , De legivus . sayinge . As the Oxe is not ruled bi the Oxe , nor the goat bi the goate , but bi a more pure nature , to saye , by man so the nature of man : is more infyrme then can rule it selfe , Therfore god appointed , not onely men to rule , but also such men as excelled in wyt and wisdom , ii . Pa●ap . xx adioined with the special & singuler grace of God , & so saieth Plato de legibus : vbi non deus sed mortalis aliquis dominatur , ib● 〈◊〉 dorum uel erumnarum nullum esse effugium : wheras any mortall manne beareth dominion , and not god , there can be none escape of calamities , & miseries . Of the same opinion is Homer the poet , who saieth that the gods appoynteth their shieldes to defend princes , as Pallas defended Achi●les . That doth Iosophat the kynge in the plate afore rehersed , wonderfully declare . And whosoeuer wil consider the execucion & dew paines to wardes euel doers , shal rightwel perceiue that god himself is in the magistrate , For Christ sayeth : he that stryketh wyth the swearde , shal perishe with the sweard , And of the oppressoures it is spoken : wo be vnto the that spoyleste , Math. xxvi . for thou shalt be sp●iled So that we se god to defend ciuil iustice vpon the earth , Esay . xxxiii Abraham , Iob. xi . Ieremye , Eccle. viii . & saynt Paule , Gene. i. declareth that the ciuill pollicie is the ordinance of God , Ierem. xxix . i. Timo. ii . by suche prayer as they commaunded the people to praye for it : and thys praier for the maiestrates declareth what diuersitye is betwene a magistrat christened , & a Heathen . Wherin Cicero dyffereth from Esay , & kyng Dauid from Iulius Cesar . Cicero gaue counsel , after reason & experience to rule the common wealth , but manye tymes it toke not good effecte for lacke of the wysdom of God , Esay , & the rest of the prophets gaue counsel not of them selus but from god & what prynce soeuer obeyed theyr councel he prospered alwayes & had good succes . The same maie you se in the fashyons , and maner of theyr warres . Alexander thoughte hym selfe stronge inough by natural strengthe , to conquer his enemies . Kynge Dauyd added to hys s●yage stones , i. Sam. xvi● the prayer and helpe of goddes name . Therfore if heath in mag●strates should be obeied , muche more chrystian magystrates .

And in case the kynges mayestye of Englande maye fynde no lesse obedyence ●n his subiectes then Scip●o Alexander , and other found amongs theirs , England shal be to strong , with gods helpe , for all the worlde . But Englysh men I speake it with sorow , and griefe of herte , haue learned of Cleon , a man that Aristophanes wryteth of , that had one footein the senate , and the other in the fielde : so haue Englyshmen one hand at the plough , and the other against the magistrates . The ministers of the churche , persons & vicares , one hand vpon the portesse , and the other to strike at the kinges crowne .

They do followe the Ape that Harmogenes fable speaketh of , that wold haue had other Apes to haue builded houses , tounes , & cities to haue defended them selfs from the dominion of their Lord , and ruler man : ●ene . ii . 〈◊〉 , ix and thought it not meete to liue in the state that God had appoynted them : euen so subiects , nowe a dayes , ( God amende it ) wolde make them selues defences , cities , castels , townes , tentes , pauilions , to defend them against their king , lord and magistrate , and wil not be contente to liue in the state that god apointed them vnto . But it shal happen vnto them , as it did vnto the Apes : their counsel and conspiracie shal neuer take place . Let vs therfore remember s. Paul that saith : the powers that be , Romay . xiii . be of God , and not suche as we wolde make and let vs be contented with them , and obeye them for conscience sake : for suche as disobey and rebel againste superioure powers , rebel agaynst god , & so god punisheth it with eternal damnacion . This is ynoughe to kepe euerye good man and trew subiect , in obedience , to theyr hyer powers . If the reader of the scripture of god note the first & the seconde chap. of Gen. he shuld perceyue rule & policie or euer man wist what sinne menre : for the Lord gaue the superioritie & dominion to Adam ouer al beasts . Of whom now we may right wel lerne obedience yf we wer not worse than bestes . Now a word or two of the magistrates duty : Aristotle calleth the Magistrate 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 A keper of the law . Let hym vse it therfore indifferentlye wythout respect of persons , ●eni . xxiiii . in punishynge suche as trouble by inordinate meanes , 〈◊〉 . xii . xviii the common wealthe : Psalm. ii . and also suche as blaspheme the liuing God , ●roue● . xxv as godly kinges & Rulars haue done , Dauyd , Iosias , Nabucodonozor , Constantine , and other . For although a Eyuyl Law , and punishment can not chaunge the Herisies of the minde , neyther the desire that men haue to do euell : yet when they breake forth agaynst the honoure of GOD , and trouble the common welthe , they shoulde be punished .

For the maiestrat is , as one that hath the two testaments tyed at hys necke , and should defend them , as hys owne life : 〈◊〉 . xiii . and therefore saynte Paule calleth him not only the reuenger of euyll , but the mayntener of good , and Esay the Prophet sayth the same .

Nowe I wyl declare my fayth concerning the external , xvii . & visible churche of Christ , & of the ministers thereof . I call thys visible churche a visible congregation of men and women that heare the gospell of Christ and vse his sacramentes , as he hath instituted them . In the whyche congregatyon the spyryte of God worketh the saluacion of al beleuers , as saynte Paule sayeth : Rom. i. The gospel is the power of God , to the saluaryon of the beleuer . As thoughe he hadde sayed : the gospel of Christ , wher it is hearde and beleued , the mynde is chaunged by the vertue of the holy gost , from the loue of synne , vnto the loue of vertue . The wyl is wrought to consente , and the consente so assisted by the holye ghooste , that saythe obteyneth the remission of fy●ne , and the beginning of euerlastyng life . And these two markes , the true preaching of gods word & right vse of the sacramentes declare what , & wher the true church is ▪ Vnto the which churche , I woulde all Christian men shoulde assosiate them selues , although there may happen to be some things desired in maners and discipline . For no church as touchyng thys parte , can be absolutely perfecte . But where as the doctryne is sounde , and no Idolatry defended , that church is of God , as farre as mortal man can iudge . And wher as this doctrine and right vse of Sacramentes be not , ther is no church of Christ , though it seme neuer so holi . For in the blessed virgins time , the Pharisies , and bishops , wer accompted to be the true church : yet by reason their doctrine was corrupt , the true Church rested not in them , but in Simeon , Luke . i. ii . zacharye , Elisabeth , the shepherdes & other . The same doth saynte Paule teach vs , Io. x. that whatsoeuer he be that preacheth other doctryne then the worde of God is not to be credited , Io. iii. though i. Cor. i. he were an Angel of heauen . Roma . x Neither Ephe. ii . iiii . wyl 〈◊〉 as knowe God , Esa. viii . lix harken vnto them : but wyl heare Christ , the Prophetes and Apostles , and no other . The other marke is the right vse of sacramentes , wherof were two in noumber wyth the fathers , in the ministerye of the church , and so many yet be wyth vs in the ministerie of the churche , and haue annexed vnto them the promyse of eternal saluation , and also of eternall damnacion if they be contemned , and may be lawfully hadde . In the lawe of Moses was Circumcision and the Pascall Lambe : & in theyr places we haue Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord dyuers in externall elementes , and Ceremonies , but one ineffect misterie , and thing it selfe , sauing that theyr Sacramentes shewed the graces of God to be geuen vnto men , in Christ to come : and ours declare the graces of God to be geuen in Christe that is alredye come : so that the Sacramentes be not chaunged , but rather the Elementes of the Sacramentes . And euerye of these Sacramentes haue theyr peculier & proper promyses , vnto the which they hange annexed , as a seale vnto the writynge . And there fore be called after Saynte Paule , the confirmations or seales of goddes promises . Roma . iiii Thei haue peculier Elementes , by the whych thei signifie the heauenly misteries , that sacramētall● thei contain & be the thynge in dede They are called Sacramentes . That is to saye : visible sygnes of inuisible grace . They haue their proper ceremonies , that testifie vnto vs the obsignation , and confirmation of Goddes heauenly gyftes .

The haue also their proper commaundement , because we shuld not chaunge , adde , nor take , from them anything at our pleasures . Thus in general I think of all gods Sacramentes in the ministery of the churche . And of Baptisme because it is a marke of our Christian church , Roma . iiii . this I iudge after the doctryne of Saint Paul , that it is a seale and confirmacion of iustice , xviii . either of our accepcion into the grace of God for Chryst , for his innocencye and iustice by fayth is ours , and our sinnes and iniustice , bi his obedience ar his , wherof baptisme is the signe , seale and confirmation . For although frely by the grace of god our synnes be forgeuen : yet the same is declared by the Gospel , receiued by faith and sealed by the sacramentes , whyche be the seales of gods promises , as it is to be sene by the fayth of the faythfull Abraham . Mat. xxviii . Baptisme hath hys promises as is afore sayd hys elemente , Mat. xvi . the water : Act. viii . his proper commaundement , & hys proper ceremonies , washing in the water . As for other mens opinio●s that saye Circumsicion was the seale , not onely of Abrahams acceptation freely into the grace of God by faith , but also of hys obedience and proper iustice : I beleue it not to be trewe , for . S. Paul confuteth it , in the same place as an errour , saying Abraham had nothing wherof he mighte glory before god . If he had nothing , god confirmed that he gaue him , & not that he found in him , for S. Paul saith , that Circumcision was the seale of the Iustice that can by faith , & not by workes . They be out of the way , that haue the lyke opinion of baptisme , for S. Paul disputeth not in that place , whether works plese god , Rom. iiii . ix . but sheweth that our saluacion commeth by grace , and not bi workes . Ther be other that think Sacraments to be the confirmations , not only of our fre acceptacyon into gods fauour by fayth , but also of our obedyence towardes God hereafter . And because Infantes and young babes , cannot professe obedience , nor put of the olde man , nor put on the newe , thei would exempt and defraud the young chyldren of baptisme . Saynt Paule confesseth also this opinion in the same place . Gen. xvii . Abraham saith he , beleued God , and it was acconted vnto hym for iustice , and sayth not Abraham professed obedience . Therfore God confirmed his owne infallible truth and promises to Abraham by circumcision , and not Abrahams obedience . For if he had , he had confirmed the weke and vncertayn infirmitie of man , and not hys own infallible truth . For Abraham wyth all hys obedience was infyrme and vnperfect wythout Christ , Yet was bound to work in a godly life . As for those that say Circumcision and Baptisme be like , and yet attribut the remission of originall synne to Baptysme , whyche was neuer gyuen vnto Circumcision , they onelye destroye not the similitude and equalitie that should be betwene them : but also take from Christe remission of synne , and translate it into the water , and element of baptisme .

As for the supper of the Lord , which is the other Sacrament , whereby the church of Christ is knowne , I beleue it is a remembraunce of Christes death , a seale & confyrmation of his preciouse body geuen vnto death , wherwyth we are redemed . It is a vysyble word , that precheth peace betwene God and man , exhorteth to mutual loue , and godlye lyfe , teacheth to contemne the world , for the hope of the lyfe to come , when as chryst shall appeare , and come downe in to the cloudes , whyche nowe is in heauen as consernynge hys humanytye , and no wher elles , nor neuer shal be tyll the tyme of the generall resurrection .

I be leue that this holi sacrament hath his proper promises , Math. xxvi . proper elementes , Mark . xiiii . proper commaundement , Luke . xxii . and proper Ceremonies . i. Corinth . xi As concerning the ministers of the churche , I beleue that the church is bound to no sort of people , or any ordinary succession of bishops , xx . Cardinals or such lyke , but vnto the only word of god , & none of them shuld be beleued but when thei speak the word of god . Althogh there be diuersitie of giftes & knowledge among men , Ephes● . iiii . some know more , and some know lesse . And if he that knoweth lest teache Christ , Gala i after the holy scriptures he is to be accepted , & he that knoweth most , & teacheth Christ contrary or and ther wayes , then the holye scryptures teache , is to be refused . I am sory therfore wyth all my herte to se the churche of Christ degenerated into a ciuil pollicy : for euen as kinges of the world naturally by descent from theyr parentes must solow in ciuil regiment , rule , and lawe , as by right they oughte : euen so must such as succede in the place of Bishops and priestes that dye , possesse al giftes , and learning of the holly gost , to rule the church of Christe as his godly predecessour had : so that t holy ghost must be captiue & bondman to byshops seas , & palacies . And because the holye gost was in saint Peter at Rome , and in mani other godly men that haue occupied bishopprickes and dioses , therfore the same gifts thei sai must nedes followe in their successours , althoughe in dede thei be no more like of zeale nor diligence , then Peter and Iudas , Balaham and Ieremy , Anna & Caiphas to Iohn and Iames. But thus I conclude of the mynysters , of what degre or dignity soeuer thei be , thei be no better than recordes & testymonyes , mynysters and seruauntes of goddes worde and gods sacraments . Vnto the whych they shuld nether adde , demynish , nor chaunge any thyng . And for their true seruyce and dyligence in thys part , thei shoulde not be onely reuerenced of the people , Ma. xxviii . but also honoured by the magistrates , i. Cor. iiii . as the seruauntes of god . ●er . i. And I beleue , Eze. ii . that as many soules as perish by their negligence or contempt of gods word , xxxiii . shal be required at theyr handes . Of the people thus I beleue : that they owe their dutye and obebience to god : to them kyng , and magistrates : vnto theyr neighboures : and vnto them selues . Vnto god they owe both bodye and soule , to laude and prayse him according to gods boke . To cal vpon him in the daies of their trouble , ● . Cor. vi . x. and vpon none els , to conforme both their doctrin & their lyues , to promote and set forth the glory of God .

Theyr dutye to the kynges maiestie is theyr obedience to him , Rom. xiii . his lawes , i. Timo. ii and the Realme for conscience sake , i. Peter . ii . and rather to lose bothe body an goodes , them to offende his highnes or his lawes , & whensoeuer any subiect be called to serue with body or goodes , at home or from home , willingly thei must obei without question or farther inquision to serche whether the kynges cause be righte or wronge : for whether it bee , or be not , it maketh the death of him that serueth in this respect , nether better nor worse . ii . pa● . xxxv . For I beleue suche as obeyed kyng Iosias and were slaine in the battayle againste the Egiptians wer acceptable vnto god in Christ , Mathew . v. thoughe kyng Iosias Luke . vi . had not the best quarell . Iho. xv In this case Roma . xiii . the subiect oweth his body , Gala. v. and goods vnto this lawfull magistrate , Ihon. ii . iii. and may Exod. xiii . deny him of none of them bothe . Deu. vi . Vnto Ephe. vi . theyr neighboures they owe good wyl Collossi . i. and charitie , helpe , & preseruacyon of theyr bodyes , souls , goodes , and fame , that none of all those peryshe , yf they may preserue them . Thetowe vnto them felues , the s●udy & labour to reade , and heare the scripture of God , vntill suche time as thei haue laid a true foundacion of faith in christ . When that is done , thei be bound to them selues , to buyld vppon that foundation , al charytable workes , as wel to god as to man , wyth innocency of lyfe . After that they ow to them selues , Psal. C. xix . study & dylygence to make defences for theyr true relygyon against the deuyl , i. Corin. iii. the fleshe , the world , syn : the wysedome of man and supersticyous hipocrites , which ceasse not to peruert , & destroi in man the image & worke of God . Away away I pray you wyth thys opynyon , & thynketh a man to owe no more vnto hym selfe for relygyin , then to learne by rote the Crede .x. commaundements , and Pater noster . S. Paule rebuketh that opynion , as it is to be seene in hys Epistle . We owe vnto our selues , Psal. Cxi● dew laboures in praying vnto God daili for the necessities of both body & soul , Ge●es . & lykewise to geue him thanckes for al the goodnes he hath geuen vnto vs . Also we owe vnto our selues , the exchuing & a●oiding of Idlenes , & ociuiti , and the labours of our own handes , wyth the industrye & gift of reason , learnyng & wyt , to eate oure owne breade with the sweat and pain our owne bodies , according to the commaundement of god . Thus I conclud my fayth , the which being examined by the word of god , is catholyke & godli , who send vs of hys grace to feare hym , honoure the kyng , and to loue one the other , as Christ loueth vs al. So be it .

The .xx. of Decembre Anno. M. D. and fiftye Lorde blisse thy Church and saue our Kynge .