1.
THE
PROPOSITIONS
WHICH
THE
MINISTERS
OFfer
to
maintaine
against
the
Prelats
.
1.
ALL
matters
meerely
Ecclesiasticall
,
which
are
lawfully
imposed
vpon
any
Church
,
are
such
as
may
be
concluded
necessarily
from
the
writ
ten
word
of
God
.
2.
All
Humane
Ordinances
vsed
only
or
specially
in
Gods
worship
,
whervnto
they
are
not
necessary
of
them selues
,
are
simply
vnlawfull
.
3.
Euery
true
visible
Church
of
Christ
is
such
a
spirituall
Body
politike
,
as
is
specially
instituted
by
Christ
or
his
Apostles
in
the
New
Testament
.
4.
There
is
no
True
Visible
Church
of
Christ
but
a
particular
ordinary
Congregation
onely
.
5.
Every
true
visible
Church
of
Christ
,
or
ordinary
Assemblie
of
the
faithfull
,
hath
by
Christs
ordinance
power
in
it selfe
,
immediatly
under
Christ
,
to
elect
and
ordaine
,
deprive
and
depose
their
Ministers
,
and
to
execute
all
other
Ecclesiasticall
Censures
.
6.
The
Pastor
of
a
particular
Congregation
is
the
highest
ordinarie
ecclesiasticall
Officer
in
any
true
constituted
visible
Church
of
Christ
.
7.
It
is
the
Office
of
every
true
Pastor
to
teach
&
to
governe
spiritually
onely
one
Church
or
Congregation
immediatly
under
Christ
.
8.
The
Pastor
alone
ought
not
to
exercise
Ecclesiasticall
jurisdiction
over
his
Church
,
but
others
ought
to
be
joyned
in
Commission
with
him
by
the
assignement
of
the
same
Church
;
neither
ought
he
and
they
to
performe
any
maine
and
materiall
Ecclesiasticall
act
,
without
the
free
consent
of
the
Congregation
.
9.
The
Presbyterie
which
is
desired
is
not
Lay
,
as
they
call
it
;
And
the
Churchwardens
and
Sidemen
heere
in
England
,
beyng
joyned
as
Assistants
to
the
Ministers
in
the
oversight
of
the
severall
Parishes
,
are
a
resemblance
of
those
governing
Elders
which
are
desired
.
10.
The
Office
and
Calling
of
Provinciall
&
Diocesan
Prelats
is
contrary
to
the
word
of
God
.
11.
It
is
simply
unlawfull
for
any
Pastor
under
the
New
Testament
to
be
also
a
Civill
Magistrat
.
12.
The
Civill
Magistrats
ought
to
be
the
Overseers
of
Provinces
,
&
Dioceses
,
and
of
the
severall
Churches
therin
:
And
it
is
their
Office
&
dutie
injoyned
them
by
God
,
to
take
knowledge
of
,
to
punish
,
and
redresse
all
misgoverning
or
ill
teaching
of
any
Church
,
or
Church
officer
.
13.
The
Church
government
desired
is
more
agreable
to
the
state
of
a
Monarchie
,
and
to
the
Kings
Supremacie
in
causes
Ecclesiasticall
,
and
more
easie
,
and
sate
both
for
Church
&
Common
wealth
,
then
is
the
present
government
by
Prelats
.
14.
No
man
hath
authoririe
to
bring
into
the
service
of
God
any
Ceremony
meerely
Ecclesiasticall
,
of
mysticall
signification
.
15.
The
Ceremonies
in
controversie
are
not
indifferent
,
but
contrary
to
the
word
of
God
.
16.
The
Ministers
refusing
the
Conformitie
and
Subscription
required
,
are
therein
neither
Schismatiks
,
Seditious
persons
,
enemyes
to
the
Kings
Supremacie
,
nor
any
way
undutifull
to
King
,
or
State
.
2.
The
Conditions
,
forme
,
and
maner
of
the
Conference
or
disputation
.
THat
there
may
be
a
free
choise
made
by
the
Ministers
from
amongst
themselues
of
some
6.
or
8.
persons
,
vnto
whom
the
maintenance
of
these
points
may
be
committed
;
and
as
many
chosen
by
the
Prelats
from
among
them selues
,
or
their
Conformed
Clergie
,
to
impugne
the
same
.
2.
That
it
my
be
lawfull
for
those
on
either
side
so
chosen
,
in
any
particular
occurrent
difficulty
,
to
take
counsell
and
aduise
of
any
other
their
Brethren
;
and
that
then
the
speciall
acts
of
the
said
chosen
parties
may
be
reputed
the
Acts
of
all
those
that
chose
them
.
3.
That
when
one
side
hath
opposed
to
the
vttermost
that
they
can
,
or
shall
see
meet
,
then
the
other
side
shall
oppose
in
like
maner
to
the
contrary
:
And
that
the
Prelates
may
(
if
they
will
)
make
choise
which
side
shall
oppose
in
the
first
place
.
4.
That
the
Opponents
frame
their
Arguments
in
strict
forme
of
Syllogisme
only
:
And
that
the
Answerers
(
without
any
excursions
,
or
personall
speeches
whatsoeuer
)
answer
directly
to
the
premisses
,
either
by
denying
or
distinguishing
;
and
that
all
be
done
in
writing
.
5.
That
if
at
any
time
the
Answerer
denying
a
Proposition
shall
withall
giue
a
reason
of
his
deniall
,
he
doe
it
in
few
wordes
:
and
that
then
the
Opponent
shall
briefly
by
way
of
discourse
take
away
the
reason
,
and
after
that
presently
conclude
the
denied
Proposition
;
that
so
the
Argument
may
come
to
the
intended
issue
.
6.
That
if
either
in
the
Question
,
Argument
,
or
Answer
there
be
any
termes
which
shall
seeme
doubtfull
,
there
be
no
proceeding
in
the
Conference
untill
the
same
be
explaned
,
and
the
explanations
deliuered
in
writing
,
if
they
which
make
doubt
shall
require
it
.
7.
That
neither
side
be
urged
to
conclude
those
clauses
,
which
in
the
maine
Questions
,
or
in
the
premisses
of
any
Syllogisme
are
without
controversie
&
granted
:
but
that
by
consent
they
may
be
omitted
,
and
that
it
may
be
only
specified
briefely
that
such
or
such
a
clause
in
such
or
such
a
Proposition
is
yeelded
unto
:
And
if
there
be
many
clauses
in
one
and
the
same
proposition
which
are
doubtfull
,
that
then
it
be
lawfull
and
free
to
proue
one
of
them
after
another
.
8.
That
the
Arguments
,
Answers
,
and
Replyes
be
sub
scribed
by
every
person
of
that
side
from
which
they
com
,
and
so
delivered
to
the
other
side
.
9.
That
there
be
no
passing
to
the
second
proposition
,
vntill
the
first
be
fully
debated
,
nor
to
the
third
vntill
the
second
&c.
As
also
,
no
passing
to
a
second
or
third
argument
,
vntill
the
first
be
followed
to
the
vttermost
.
10.
That
reasonable
time
may
be
allowed
for
returning
Replyes
,
&
Answers
:
and
when
any
argument
is
prosecuted
to
the
vttermost
,
that
all
the
Syllogismes
,
Answers
,
&
Replyes
be
written
together
,
and
subscribed
by
all
parties
of
each
side
in
the
conference
,
as
their
ioynt
act
:
and
that
after
they
are
so
subscribed
,
there
shall
be
no
liberty
to
alter
or
change
any
thing
therein
;
But
that
before
such
subscription
it
may
be
lawfull
and
free
for
each
side
vpon
better
considerations
to
alter
,
change
,
or
revoke
any
particular
Reply
,
or
Answer
.
11.
That
when
these
controversies
haue
been
debated
to
the
vttermost
,
in
maner
and
forme
aforesaide
,
two
of
each
side
be
chosen
to
digest
the
whole
into
a
booke
;
and
that
it
may
be
published
in
English
and
Latin
.
12.
That
all
by
controversies
and
contentions
whatsoeuer
,
which
shall
fall
out
between
the
parties
imployed
in
this
conference
,
may
be
heard
,
iudged
,
determined
,
and
sentenced
by
some
civill
Magistrat
assigned
by
his
Majestie
for
that
purpose
.
13.
That
the
said
Ministers
vndertaking
this
conference
may
haue
publike
warrant
and
protection
from
his
Majestie
for
the
performance
of
the
same
,
in
such
maner
as
is
heere
set
downe
.
14.
That
if
it
plainly
appeare
by
this
indifferent
triall
(
or
by
the
Prelats
refusing
to
accept
it
)
that
the
Ministers
in
these
Propositions
haue
the
truth
on
their
side
,
and
that
the
Prelats
are
in
so
great
error
;
Then
the
said
Ministers
&
as
many
els
as
shall
see
the
truth
which
they
stand
for
,
may
be
exempted
from
the
jurisdiction
of
the
Prelats
,
the
Ministers
restored
agayne
to
their
Ministerie
from
which
they
haue
been
unjustly
deprived
,
freed
from
the
Conformitie
and
subscription
requyred
,
and
may
(
with
their
particular
Elderships
&
Churches
)
be
subject
only
to
the
authoritie
and
jurisdiction
of
the
Civill
Magistrate
;
to
whom
at
all
times
they
are
willing
and
readie
to
yeeld
an
account
of
all
their
actions
,
and
to
humble
themselues
under
their
censures
for
any
thing
they
shal
be
found
to
offend
in
;
Conforming
themselues
unto
their
willes
in
all
things
,
alwayes
,
so
farre
as
they
may
with
a
good
conscience
;
and
where
they
cannot
so
doe
,
submitting
themselues
to
all
such
punishment
,
as
it
shall
please
them
to
impose
upon
them
.
15.
That
if
it
seeme
not
good
to
his
Majestie
&
the
state
(
for
reasons
best
knowne
unto
themselues
)
to
admit
of
so
indifferent
,
honest
,
and
reasonable
a
Conference
,
yet
it
would
please
them
to
requyre
the
Prelats
,
to
publish
a
direct
and
full
answer
to
such
bookes
as
haue
(
upon
occasion
of
the
late
stormes
)
been
published
:
viz.
The
Abridgement
set
forth
by
the
Ministers
of
Lincolne
Diocese
;
The
Demands
,
&
Considerations
;
Reasons
proving
a
necessitie
of
reforming
our
Churches
in
England
;
The
old
Protestant
and
New
formalist
;
The
Treatise
of
Divine
worship
;
The
12
Arguments
;
The
English
Puritanisme
;
and
the
Protestation
&c:
And
that
it
may
be
lawfull
for
the
Ministers
modestly
and
directly
to
reply
vnto
the
said
Answers
,
as
also
to
any
of
the
bookes
which
are
lately
,
or
haue
been
heertofore
written
against
them
&
their
cause
;
and
to
publish
the
same
in
print
with
leaue
of
authority
,
which
they
under
take
and
binde
themselues
with
all
convenient
speed
faithfully
and
honestly
to
performe
;
they
protesting
heere
before
Almightie
God
,
the
searcher
of
all
hearts
,
and
the
just
revenger
of
all
hypocrisie
,
that
(
to
their
knowledge
)
there
hath
as
yet
no
material
thing
been
written
against
them
in
these
foresaid
Propositions
,
or
any
other
Controversie
betwixt
them
and
the
Prelats
,
but
they
are
able
to
giue
a
reasonable
and
just
reply
unto
the
same
:
and
that
by
those
bookes
,
which
haue
been
published
against
them
,
they
haue
been
rather
confirmed
&
strengthened
in
the
sayd
opinions
which
they
hold
against
the
Prelats
,
then
any
way
satisfied
or
answered
,
as
shall
appeare
to
all
the
world
(
by
Gods
gracious
assistance
)
if
they
may
haue
permitted
unto
them
that
libertie
,
to
publish
their
writings
to
the
world
,
which
the
Pre
lats
take
unto
themselues
.
16.
That
if
this
most
reasonable
and
just
course
of
composing
these
controversies
be
denyed
them
,
yet
at
least
they
may
haue
free
leaue
to
publish
and
to
offer
to
the
censure
of
the
whole
world
nakedly
and
playnly
,
all
those
several
Arguments
,
&
Reasons
,
which
they
haue
thought
upon
for
the
confirmation
of
the
former
Propositions
;
as
also
their
direct
Answers
to
all
such
Arguments
on
the
contrary
side
,
as
they
shall
finde
publ●shed
in
the
writings
of
the
Prelats
and
their
adherents
.
In
all
which
they
promise
to
keepe
themselues
closely
&
directly
to
the
poynts
in
controversy
,
in
so
strict
a
forme
,
that
it
shal
be
most
easy
for
the
Prelats
to
giue
an
answer
unto
them
,
if
so
be
they
be
in
error
in
holding
the
said
Propositions
.
3.
Iust
Considerations
moving
the
Ministers
to
make
this
offer
.
MAny
of
the
Ministers
having
by
reason
of
their
Deposition
from
the
publike
Ministerie
more
cause
,
occasion
,
and
leasure
to
studie
these
controversies
then
before
,
doe
find
that
the
more
they
wade
into
them
,
the
more
they
are
confirmed
in
that
truth
for
which
they
suffer
.
So
that
howsoever
the
intendment
of
the
Prelats
hath
been
by
their
rigorous
extremitie
of
affliction
to
make
them
to
force
their
consciences
,
against
conscience
to
yeeld
,
that
so
they
might
rejoyce
in
their
flesh
;
and
though
the
Lord
hath
surrered
their
rod
(
to
the
further
hardening
of
their
hearts
)
to
ly
so
heavie
upon
some
of
his
servants
that
they
haue
put
forth
their
hand
to
injquitie
,
yet
othersome
by
this
meanes
are
so
far
from
shrinking
from
the
profession
of
that
truth
which
by
their
sufferings
they
haue
honored
,
that
the
more
they
haue
sustayned
for
it
,
the
more
(
by
the
mercy
of
God
)
they
see
the
glorious
evidence
of
it
.
And
therefore
in
honor
vnto
that
heavenly
truth
they
can
do
no
lesse
,
then
in
the
feare
of
God
make
this
offer
vnto
the
greatest
enemyes
therof
.
2.
This
cause
,
which
the
ministers
professe
and
witnes
vnto
by
their
constant
sufferings
,
being
(
as
they
are
perswaded
in
theire
very
soules
and
consciences
)
a
divine
&
sacred
truth
;
and
being
notoriously
reviled
and
blasphemed
as
a
hellish
error
by
the
mouthes
of
the
prelats
&
their
favourers
(
one
saying
that
he
damned
the
discipline
to
Hell
from
whence
it
came
;
Christ
is
not
the
Lawgiver
of
his
Churh
;
all
generally
calling
our
doctrine
and
opinion
in
this
cause
,
Schisme
and
Haeresie
,
yea
Treason
and
Rebellion
;
they
having
receaued
this
grace
from
God
not
only
to
see
the
truth
heerein
,
but
to
seale
and
confirm
it
by
their
sufferings
,
thinke
it
a
most
bounden
duty
that
they
owe
vnto
their
Lord
and
master
Iesus
Christ
,
whose
Ministers
and
Servants
they
are
,
by
all
good
meanes
to
iustifie
the
same
;
yea
though
they
neither
had
suffered
nor
should
suffer
for
it
.
Much
more
now
,
when
as
by
the
providence
of
God
,
they
haue
in
themselues
,
their
wiues
,
and
children
,
sustained
&
indured
so
heavy
things
for
it
:
And
a
more
honest
,
moderat
,
Christian
,
and
religious
defence
or
Apology
they
cannot
yeld
vnto
it
,
them
by
making
such
an
offer
as
this
is
,
to
the
avowed
enemyes
thereof
.
3.
It
is
notorious
vnto
all
the
world
,
what
indignities
,
sianders
,
false
accusations
,
and
calumniations
,
ouer
and
besides
the
other
Legall
proceedings
(
as
they
are
pretended
to
be
)
the
Prelats
and
their
adherents
in
their
privat
speeches
,
publike
sermons
,
and
writinges
,
lay
vpon
those
Ministers
that
hold
&
maintaine
this
cause
,
proclaiming
them
to
be
Obstinat
&
Refractarie
persons
,
Enemyes
to
the
King
&
State
,
Notorious
&
manifest
Schismatikes
,
Turbulent
spirits
,
Contemptuous
and
disdayning
the
Authoritie
of
their
lawfull
Gouernors
,
presumptuous
and
wilfull
Contenders
with
the
Magistrat
,
Impugning
his
authority
in
thinges
indifferent
,
and
Soueraigntie
in
Ecclesiasticall
cause
,
False
Prophets
,
Members
rent
and
cut
of
from
the
Church
of
God
,
Runawayes
from
their
Ministery
,
some
standing
vpon
these
points
of
difference
not
for
conscience
but
for
carnall
respects
,
som
because
otherwise
they
knowe
not
how
to
be
maintayned
but
by
depending
on
that
faction
,
som
to
gratify
their
benefactors
&
patrons
and
to
please
their
friends
,
som
for
discontentment
and
want
of
preferment
,
som
for
giddines
of
innovation
,
som
for
pride
of
hart
and
selfeloue
,
som
for
hatred
of
order
,
and
restraint
of
their
libertie
,
som
for
ignorance
,
yet
willfull
,
because
they
will
not
knowe
the
state
of
the
question
,
some
to
retaine
the
opinion
of
constancy
,
&c.
Now
it
being
the
duty
of
every
Christian
even
for
Christs
sake
and
the
Gospells
which
he
doth
professe
,
to
cleere
his
innocencie
against
such
false
and
impious
slanders
;
much
more
is
it
fit
for
the
Ministers
of
the
Gospell
,
being
thus
wickedly
traduced
,
so
to
do
.
And
therefore
they
think
themselues
bound
in
conscience
to
make
this
free
and
voluntarie
offer
vnto
their
Calumniators
;
the
very
propounding
whereof
is
sufficient
to
all
honest
and
iust
mindes
,
that
do
not
willfully
shut
their
eyes
against
the
truth
,
to
cleere
and
free
them
from
all
the
aforesaid
slanderous
imputations
.
4.
The
Christian
and
mercifull
disposition
and
inclination
of
the
Lower
house
of
Parliament
,
and
of
sundry
of
the
Nobles
of
the
Higher
house
(
who
in
a
holy
Commiseration
of
the
Ministers
distressed
estates
,
and
in
a
certaine
knowledge
both
of
their
honest
liues
and
conversations
,
and
of
the
good
they
haue
done
in
their
Ministeries
,
and
of
their
peaceable
and
duetifull
behaviour
to
all
in
authoritie
,
haue
been
earnest
and
zealous
suppliants
for
them
)
hath
been
shamefully
traduced
by
the
Prelats
;
as
though
only
through
the
incouragements
&
hopes
reposed
in
them
,
and
for
this
cause
specially
,
that
they
might
not
be
discredited
and
disgraced
in
their
indeavours
and
intendments
for
Reformation
,
the
Ministers
did
stand
forth
:
Whereas
by
these
presents
all
the
world
shall
know
and
understand
,
that
the
cause
for
which
the
Ministers
doe
suffer
is
such
,
as
(
all
due
thankfullnes
and
service
reserved
to
the
Honorable
and
Christian
indeavour
of
the
Parliament
)
though
God
should
(
which
we
hope
he
will
never
permitt
)
so
far
forsake
that
High
and
Honorable
Court
,
as
in
steed
of
being
suppliants
for
the
poore
Ministers
,
they
should
joyne
with
the
Prelats
in
making
the
most
rigorous
lawes
against
them
that
might
be
(
even
to
bloud
)
yet
the
Ministers
,
by
Gods
good
grace
,
stand
resolved
to
hold
and
maintaine
their
said
profession
.
In
witnes
whereof
they
publish
to
the
view
of
all
men
,
this
offer
as
a
testimony
of
their
confident
resolution
in
the
said
cause
for
which
they
suffer
.
5.
There
is
such
indifferencie
in
this
offer
,
and
it
standeth
upon
so
just
&
equall
grounds
,
that
it
ought
not
to
be
refused
of
any
Christians
,
no
though
made
by
Iewes
,
Turks
,
Arrians
,
Papists
,
or
any
other
Heretiks
whatsoever
:
Much
lesse
when
it
is
made
by
Ministers
constantly
professing
&
shewing
themselues
willing
and
readie
to
submit
themselues
in
all
things
to
the
written
word
of
God
;
and
who
in
all
matters
(
except
in
these
Controversies
of
Religion
,
wherein
yet
they
agree
with
most
of
the
Churches
that
haue
made
a
separation
from
Rome
)
are
as
obedient
to
the
present
State
,
and
as
unblameable
in
life
and
conversation
as
any
other
of
his
Majesties
subjects
.
6.
Divers
of
the
aforesaid
Propositions
are
such
,
as
that
if
the
Ministers
should
not
constantly
holde
&
maintayne
the
same
against
all
men
,
they
cannot
see
how
possiblie
(
by
the
rules
of
Divinitie
)
the
seperation
of
our
Churches
from
the
Church
of
Rome
,
and
from
the
Pope
,
the
supreme
head
thereof
,
can
be
justified
.
And
therefore
for
asmuch
as
in
these
controversies
the
Papists
and
the
Prelats
goe
hand
in
hand
,
the
said
Ministers
doe
in
like
forme
and
maner
make
the
like
Offer
to
the
Priests
and
Iesuits
,
promising
their
reconcilement
unto
that
Sea
,
if
they
can
either
by
Arguments
pull
them
from
the
foresaid
Propositions
,
or
can
answer
such
Arguments
as
they
shall
propound
in
the
defence
of
them
,
in
maner
and
forme
before
specified
in
the
Offer
.
And
therefore
it
both
standes
the
Ministers
upon
to
make
the
aforesaid
Offer
,
and
the
Prelats
(
except
they
will
haue
all
the
world
to
judge
them
to
be
frends
in
heart
to
Popery
)
to
accept
of
the
same
.
7.
The
Doctors
of
Oxford
in
their
answer
to
the
Petition
of
the
1000.
Ministers
,
and
G.
Powell
in
his
last
booke
undertake
the
answer
of
whatsoever
can
be
objected
in
these
causes
:
M.
Hooker
in
his
Preface
before
his
first
booke
of
Politiks
,
propoundeth
unto
the
Ministers
that
seeke
Reformation
the
very
like
Offer
and
forme
of
disputation
:
Which
bookes
were
published
with
the
special
approbation
of
the
Prelats
.
Wherefore
the
Ministers
having
been
in
such
a
maner
chalenged
,
they
can
doe
no
lesse
then
make
this
offer
;
which
cannot
be
refused
of
the
Prelats
,
but
they
will
be
judged
of
all
the
world
to
offer
that
which
they
will
not
performe
.
8.
The
Bishop
of
Rochester
with
the
consent
,
and
by
the
direction
(
no
doubt
)
of
some
of
the
chiefest
Prelats
,
hath
now
lately
published
his
Sermon
preached
in
September
last
before
the
King
at
Hampton
Court
;
the
maine
drift
wherof
is
to
proue
that
the
office
&
calling
of
Dioce
san
Bishops
,
in
present
controversie
,
is
a
Divine
&
Apostoli
call
Ordinance
:
Besids
,
in
his
epistle
to
the
Ministers
of
Scotland
,
prefixed
before
the
sayd
Sermon
,
he
professeth
that
if
there
shall
an
answer
be
made
therunto
with
modestie
and
learning
,
nothing
shall
be
more
welcome
,
And
that
to
avouch
&
make
it
good
that
the
said
Episcopall
calling
is
unlawfull
,
were
a
labor
worthy
the
travell
,
and
of
the
Prelats
much
desired
.
Wherfore
seeing
the
Prelats
themselues
do
offer
to
bring
this
cause
to
a
publike
triall
(
&
it
concerneth
us
in
England
also
no
less
then
our
brethren
in
Scotland
)
&
seeing
by
this
course
&
order
heere
layd
downe
,
this
question
amongst
the
rest
will
come
to
be
far
more
exactly
tryed
,
then
by
any
other
way
hitherto
thought
on
,
the
Ministers
haue
just
cause
to
tender
this
Conference
;
nothing
doubting
but
that
the
Prelats
will
willingly
accept
it
,
especially
seeing
they
seeme
so
much
to
desire
it
,
and
in
all
reason
it
is
like
to
put
an
end
to
all
these
controversies
,
which
haue
so
long
troubled
the
peace
and
quiet
of
our
Churches
.
9.
Since
the
Ministers
late
troubles
,
there
haue
been
many
bookes
published
in
Print
against
them
,
contayning
many
shamefull
untruthes
and
abuses
,
wherin
great
violence
&
wrong
hath
been
offered
to
Gods
truth
;
many
grosse
and
Popish
errors
haue
been
divulged
,
and
many
impostures
used
,
onely
to
deceaue
the
simple
,
and
to
blind
their
eyes
,
that
they
may
not
see
the
truth
of
the
Ministers
cause
;
which
the
Ministers
take
themselues
bound
in
conscience
to
answer
.
But
being
not
able
partly
by
reason
of
their
povertie
,
partly
by
want
of
meanes
of
Printing
,
partly
for
other
difficulties
,
to
publish
,
so
soone
as
is
requisit
,
so
many
answers
(
except
they
might
haue
leaue
from
authoritie
)
unto
so
many
great
bookes
as
many
of
them
are
:
They
haue
judged
it
meet
(
in
the
meane
time
)
to
make
this
Offer
,
wherein
if
they
prevaile
&
gaine
the
cause
,
they
make
no
question
but
they
shall
haue
all
other
particularities
yeelded
,
and
shall
saue
that
other
labor
.
10.
They
haue
warrant
thus
far
from
his
Majestie
,
both
in
his
booke
called
Basilicon
doron
;
where
he
willeth
them
to
presse
by
patience
and
well
grounded
reasons
to
perswade
other
men
to
like
of
their
iudgments
;
and
by
the
Proclamation
of
Iuly
16.
1604
:
In
which
the
Prelats
are
required
to
doe
their
uttermost
indeavour
by
perswasions
,
Conference
,
Arguments
,
and
all
other
wayes
of
gentlenes
and
loue
to
reclaime
the
Ministers
;
which
being
as
yet
not
done
by
them
,
can
not
be
performed
by
a
more
direct
and
indifferent
course
,
then
by
accepting
such
an
Offer
as
this
is
.
11.
By
direction
from
the
chiefe
of
the
Prelats
,
G.
Powell
hath
published
,
That
his
excellent
Majestie
,
as
he
loved
these
Ministers
dearliest
of
all
others
,
so
he
sought
the
more
earnestly
to
reclayme
them
by
some
correction
.
So
that
either
the
Prelats
heerein
haue
offered
his
Majestie
open
wrong
in
proclaiming
his
speciall
favor
to
the
said
Ministers
,
or
else
they
are
not
to
doubt
,
but
in
the
abundance
thereof
he
will
vouchsafe
to
those
poore
distressed
and
chastised
favourits
of
his
so
much
grace
,
as
to
command
that
this
Offer
may
be
accepted
,
and
by
his
Royall
assent
to
confirme
the
same
.
12.
The
Apologeticall
books
which
the
Ministers
haue
been
constrayned
from
time
to
time
to
publish
in
defence
of
their
Persons
and
Cause
,
can
not
come
to
the
hands
&
scanning
of
those
powers
,
that
next
under
God
are
most
able
to
relieue
them
.
And
therefore
for
the
cleering
of
their
innocencie
and
the
justifiyng
of
their
cause
(
which
is
indeed
the
cause
of
God
)
they
are
constrayned
to
make
this
publike
and
solemne
Offer
,
by
meanes
whereof
it
may
come
to
passe
that
all
men
may
take
notice
of
the
goodnes
of
the
cause
,
and
of
the
grosse
wrongs
they
haue
sustained
and
indured
for
maintayning
the
same
.
13.
His
Majestie
signified
to
the
Committies
of
the
Lower
house
(
Supplicating
on
the
behalfe
of
the
Ministers
)
that
before
mercy
there
must
goe
a
submission
,
and
that
if
they
looke
for
mercy
at
his
hands
,
they
must
acknowledge
a
fault
.
This
is
that
which
they
desire
;
If
it
can
be
proved
that
they
haue
offended
his
Majestie
in
the
least
thing
,
they
desire
no
mercy
till
they
acknowledge
a
fault
,
and
submit
them selues
for
the
same
.
But
it
is
(
no
doubt
)
far
from
the
heart
of
so
Royall
a
Prince
to
require
either
Confession
,
or
Submission
,
wherther
is
no
transgression
.
For
their
owne
parts
they
are
perswaded
and
resolved
,
that
that
truth
for
the
professing
wherof
the
Prelats
proceed
so
severely
against
them
,
is
most
behoofull
for
his
Majestie
,
his
Crowne
,
and
dignitie
,
and
the
whole
State
:
And
that
in
yeelding
heerin
in
unto
the
Prelats
,
they
should
make
a
breach
in
that
dutie
,
which
by
Gods
law
every
true
hearted
and
loyall
subject
in
this
kingdome
oweth
both
to
the
King
and
State
.
And
yet
if
they
be
in
an
errour
,
there
can
be
no
more
direct
and
likely
course
used
to
bring
them
unto
a
submission
for
the
same
,
then
to
haue
these
poynts
freely
debated
by
the
acceptance
of
this
Offer
.
14.
When
the
Ministers
consider
the
dayly
increase
of
Papists
,
their
treacheries
and
conspiracies
,
their
insolent
bouldnes
,
the
continuall
broaching
of
grosse
and
Popish
errours
,
what
litle
molestation
the
Papists
haue
by
the
government
of
the
Prelats
,
yea
what
favour
they
find
secretly
and
under
hand
,
what
resistance
was
made
to
the
Lawes
intended
to
haue
been
made
against
them
,
especially
by
some
and
those
not
the
meanest
of
the
Prelats
,
what
light
matters
are
made
of
their
horrible
Treasons
and
damnable
opinions
,
what
litle
execution
there
is
of
the
lawes
against
them
;
they
haue
reason
to
feare
,
that
before
they
are
aware
&
as
it
were
in
a
dreame
,
(
if
the
raynes
be
in
this
maner
left
in
the
Prelats
handes
for
matters
of
religion
)
the
neck
both
of
his
Royall
Maiestie
and
of
the
whole
State
shal
be
brought
under
the
yoke
of
the
Pope
that
Antichrist
of
Rome
,
and
his
divelish
jdolatrie
.
And
therefore
in
a
serious
mediatation
of
the
best
meanes
to
prevent
this
great
&
imminent
evill
,
which
lyeth
working
in
a
mysterie
,
they
cannot
thinke
of
a
more
direct
course
then
this
open
and
professed
Opposition
unto
the
Prelats
in
the
foresaid
Propositions
;
wherein
if
they
shall
prevaile
,
they
shall
not
onely
giue
a
deadly
wound
to
the
Prelacie
it selfe
,
but
to
the
accursed
Religion
of
Rome
,
from
which
(
at
least
,
if
it
be
held
to
be
Iure
divino
)
it
receaveth
both
breath
and
life
.
For
who
was
so
simple
that
saw
not
,
that
at
his
Majesties
first
comming
to
the
Crowne
when
the
Prelats
hangd
downe
their
heads
in
suspense
&
feare
,
the
Papists
hearts
were
as
dead
as
stones
;
and
that
the
very
first
Proclamation
against
the
Ministers
in
behalfe
of
the
Prelats
,
revived
the
Papists
againe
:
And
that
ever
since
with
the
increase
of
the
grace
,
favour
,
and
authoritie
of
the
Prelats
,
the
hopes
,
bouldnes
,
and
nombers
of
Papists
haue
increased
.
And
therefore
howsoever
the
Prelats
may
mocke
children
and
fooles
in
imputing
the
Ministers
;
yet
any
that
wisheth
the
confusion
of
that
Antichrist
may
with
halfe
an
eye
see
,
where
the
true
cause
is
.
And
therefore
they
seeing
this
(
except
they
should
be
wilfull
traytors
to
God
,
their
King
,
and
Country
)
cannot
but
make
opposition
unto
the
Prelats
in
approving
the
Propositions
aboue
specified
:
wherein
if
they
be
in
an
error
,
and
the
Prelats
on
the
contrary
haue
the
truth
;
they
protest
to
all
the
world
that
the
Pope
and
the
Church
of
Rome
(
and
in
them
God
and
Christ
Iesus
himselfe
)
haue
had
great
wrong
&
indignitie
offered
unto
them
,
in
that
they
are
rejected
;
and
that
all
the
Protestant
Churches
are
Schismaticall
in
forsaking
Unitie
and
Communion
with
them
.
15.
The
former
Propositions
are
such
,
that
there
will
not
be
found
(
as
we
are
verily
perswaded
in
our
consciences
)
any
one
Conformable
Minister
in
this
kingdome
,
except
he
be
a
masked
Papist
,
that
will
refuse
to
Subscribe
to
any
one
of
them
,
if
so
be
it
would
please
the
King
and
State
by
Law
to
urge
them
thereunto
under
such
penalties
as
the
Ministers
are
urged
to
subscribe
unto
the
Articles
devised
by
the
Prelats
.
Yea
,
we
are
out
of
all
doubt
,
that
the
Prelats
themselues
(
if
it
were
pressed
upon
them
by
the
King
and
state
vnder
paine
of
deprivation
from
their
Bishopricks
)
would
not
stick
to
avouch
vpon
their
othes
,
that
the
Ceremonies
and
Subscription
,
for
which
the
Ministers
stand
suspended
and
deprived
,
are
wicked
and
vngodly
,
&
such
as
no
good
Christian
ought
to
yeeld
vnto
.
Nay
,
if
the
case
stood
but
vpon
the
sauing
of
their
Temporaltyes
thereby
(
which
else
they
should
loose
)
we
doubt
not
but
they
would
with
heart
&
hand
subscribe
to
any
one
of
the
aforesaid
Propositions
.
Sith
therefore
it
is
more
then
cleere
,
that
they
haue
Offered
plaine
violence
vnto
the
Consciences
of
all
most
all
the
conforming
and
subscribing
Ministers
;
&
that
even
contrarie
to
their
owne
consciences
they
haue
proceeded
against
their
poore
bretheren
,
because
they
will
not
by
conformitie
&
subscr●ption
renounce
the
truth
contayned
in
these
propositiēs
;
can
any
blame
the
said
Ministers
,
if
hauing
not
only
the
said
truth
on
their
side
,
but
in
likelyhood
the
Consciences
of
the
Prelats
also
,
they
make
such
an
Offer
as
this
is
?
15.
It
is
agreeable
to
common
sense
and
reason
(
and
the
Bishop
of
Chichester
hath
some
such
thing
in
his
Lectures
vpon
the
Commandements
)
that
doubtfull
actions
should
all-wayes
giue
place
vnto
those
that
are
out
of
all
doubt
&
question
.
Seeing
therefore
no
good
Protestant
ever
doubted
,
but
that
it
is
lawfull
enough
in
it selfe
to
administer
the
word
and
sacraments
in
common
and
ordinary
civill
attyre
,
to
administer
Baptisme
without
the
signe
of
the
Crosse
or
any
such
like
mysticall
rite
,
and
to
vndertake
a
Ministery
(
being
called
thervnto
of
the
Church
)
without
the
authority
of
a
Diocesan
Prelate
,
and
without
any
such
subscription
as
is
required
:
and
seeing
the
consormity
and
subscription
required
(
against
which
the
Ministers
doe
witnes
)
hath
been
ever
called
into
question
since
the
first
appearance
of
the
Gospell
out
of
Popery
,
&
concluded
and
determined
against
,
both
in
the
profession
and
practis
of
the
greatest
lights
of
this
age
,
and
of
so
many
Reformed
Churches
;
haue
not
the
Ministers
just
cause
(
they
desiring
nothing
which
is
of
it selfe
vnlawful
,
&
suffering
for
nothing
but
for
the
refusall
of
those
things
which
haue
ever
been
in
Controversy
,
whether
they
be
lawfull
or
not
)
haue
not
the
Ministers
(
we
say
)
just
cause
to
make
this
Offer
,
and
to
cleaue
constantly
vnto
that
which
all
men
grant
to
be
lawfull
,
vntill
by
some
such
indifferent
meanes
as
this
is
,
the
contrary
matters
,
bejng
so
doubtfull
,
shall
be
proved
to
be
lawfull
.
16.
It
is
notorious
vnto
all
the
world
what
damnable
and
impious
imputations
the
Prelats
and
their
defendors
haue
laid
vpon
Calvin
,
BeZa
,
and
all
reformed
Churches
,
raking
vp
calumniations
against
them
out
of
the
writings
of
Allen
,
Parsons
,
and
other
traiterous
Papists
,
notwithstanding
Bishop
Iewel
and
Bishop
Bilson
haue
most
cleerly
in
their
writings
against
the
Papists
detected
the
falshood
thereof
.
And
seeing
that
the
Papists
haue
gone
about
,
since
the
discovery
of
that
late
detestable
plot
by
gunpowder
,
to
iustifie
their
abominable
Treasons
,
Conspiracies
,
Rebellions
,
Periuries
,
and
Equivocations
by
the
doctrine
of
the
worthyest
Protestants
,
taking
iust
advantage
thereof
by
the
slanderous
writings
of
the
Prelats
against
those
of
our
owne
religion
;
And
further
seeing
that
the
intent
of
the
Prelats
therin
was
to
make
all
the
Ministers
,
that
consent
in
iudgment
with
those
persons
and
Churches
which
they
haue
thus
traduced
,
odious
and
vile
in
the
eyes
of
all
men
,
as
persons
in
clined
to
perilous
conspiracies
,
Treasons
,
and
Rebellions
;
there
being
no
other
ground
,
nor
any
colour
of
all
this
,
but
because
together
with
other
Churches
they
holde
the
foresaid
propositions
;
howsoever
in
a
late
Reply
vnto
the
Papists
the
matter
be
pittifully
shifted
of
:
yet
seeing
these
heavy
proceedings
against
the
said
Ministers
are
a
kinde
of
confirmation
of
the
aforesaid
imputations
,
it
stands
them
vpon
by
this
Offer
to
cleere
themselues
,
and
to
detect
the
vnchristian
and
vngodly
wrongs
which
the
Prelats
haue
don
to
so
many
worthy
persons
&
Churches
.
17.
Vpon
a
serious
consideration
how
the
hand
of
God
hath
been
vpon
many
of
those
,
who
,
hauing
formerly
imbraced
this
cause
,
haue
shrunk
from
tre
truth
maintained
in
these
propositions
;
how
some
of
them
haue
evidently
lost
the
grace
and
power
of
their
gifts
,
some
growen
to
be
idle
,
neglecting
both
privat
and
publike
dutyes
,
yea
profane
and
scandalous
in
their
liues
and
conversations
,
som
ashamed
to
shew
their
faces
in
the
presence
of
any
who
truly
fearing
God
haue
knowne
their
former
cariage
,
som
languishing
and
pining
away
till
they
haue
died
,
&
that
within
few
dayes
after
their
yeelding
,
some
possessed
(
as
it
were
)
with
a
continuall
fury
incessantly
vexing
&
tormenting
them
,
18.
In
as
much
as
all
the
professed
and
notorious
Atheists
,
Papists
,
Blasphemers
,
Adulterers
,
Drunckards
,
&
infamous
persons
in
this
Kingdome
,
are
together
with
the
prelats
professed
enemyes
vnto
the
Ministers
in
this
cause
,
and
haue
been
from
time
to
time
the
speciall
instruments
of
all
the
troubles
which
haue
befallen
them
for
the
same
;
can
any
man
lay
any
iust
blame
vpon
the
Ministers
for
making
this
Offer
,
now
,
when
as
the
Prelats
haue
by
their
late
proceedings
giuen
such
cause
to
all
the
wicked
and
profane
of
the
land
to
clappe
their
hands
in
Triumph
over
them
?
19.
It
is
well
knowen
in
those
Countries
where
the
said
Ministers
haue
liued
,
especially
to
the
Townes
where
they
haue
exercised
their
Ministery
,
that
,
according
to
the
proportion
of
their
Livings
and
maintenance
,
they
haue
kept
as
good
hospitalitie
,
given
as
liberall
intertainment
vnto
others
,
and
as
much
relieved
(
to
their
power
)
those
in
want
,
as
any
other
Ministers
whosoever
;
whereas
now
a
great
part
of
them
,
with
their
wiues
and
children
,
are
forced
to
liue
vpon
the
beneuolence
and
devotions
of
others
.
Which
lamentable
and
miserable
astate
of
theirs
,
the
Prelats
and
their
Adherents
are
so
far
from
pitying
,
that
they
take
occasion
the
more
to
scorne
&
deride
than
,
yea
and
to
insult
over
them
for
the
same
:
they
being
not
ashamed
both
in
the
Pulpit
&
in
Print
falsely
to
affirme
,
that
by
this
meanes
not
only
the
outward
estate
of
the
Ministers
is
bettered
,
but
that
they
haue
voluntarily
and
of
set
purpose
left
their
Ministery
,
that
they
might
liue
in
this
maner
vpon
the
sweat
of
other
mens
browes
,
and
by
Contributions
inrich
themselues
.
Though
therfore
the
many
&
great
meanes
,
which
the
Ministers
haue
vsed
both
to
prevent
these
proceedings
,
and
to
be
restored
to
their
places
againe
,
are
sufficient
to
lay
open
the
shame
of
these
malicious
&
spitfull
calumniations
;
Yet
they
have
thought
it
meet
by
this
Offer
to
make
it
knowne
unto
all
the
world
,
that
they
are
so
far
from
affecting
such
a
course
of
life
,
that
they
ever
haue
been
,
and
are
still
,
most
willing
to
doe
any
thing
(
but
that
,
the
doing
whereof
may
procure
damnation
unto
their
soules
)
for
the
keeping
or
recovering
of
their
former
places
,
from
which
they
haue
been
thrust
;
to
the
end
that
they
might
ease
their
Christian
friends
of
those
great
burdens
,
wherewith
since
these
late
troubles
they
haue
been
pressed
,
in
yeelding
reliefe
unto
their
extremities
.
21.
The
Prelats
are
now
come
to
this
height
of
Popish
injquitie
,
that
they
being
the
Church
,
are
in
their
Canons
and
Constitutions
alwayes
directed
in
externall
thinges
by
the
spirit
of
God
;
and
that
therefore
whatsoever
they
decree
is
more
then
Humane
,
yea
even
Divine
;
and
that
the
true
Church
allwayes
depends
upon
the
word
,
so
as
it
cannot
possibly
swarue
from
the
same
;
and
therefore
all
her
Traditions
are
holy
and
divine
.
And
this
Church
of
Prelats
(
professing
themselves
to
be
assembled
in
a
sacred
Synod
in
the
name
of
Christ
,
and
directed
by
the
spirit
of
God
,
and
Excommunicating
all
them
that
shall
say
the
contrary
)
haue
in
their
said
late
Synod
decreed
,
that
all
who
shall
affirme
,
that
either
the
Ceremonyes
in
Controversie
are
superstitious
and
unlawfull
,
or
that
the
Government
by
Archbishops
and
Bishops
is
not
Apostolicall
and
lawfull
,
are
to
be
excommunicated
ipso
facto
.
Now
seeing
that
not
onely
the
Ministers
suspended
and
deprived
,
but
many
thowsand
others
in
this
Kingdome
,
do
affirme
and
maintaine
these
things
,
they
stand
all
by
vertue
of
those
Canons
Excommunicat
,
and
standing
in
that
estate
(
if
justly
)
are
by
consequence
in
the
case
of
damnation
,
yea
so
as
(
dying
resolutly
in
these
poynts
)
they
must
needes
be
damned
everlastingly
.
Either
therefore
the
Prelats
shall
shew
themselues
to
be
Antichristian
,
and
that
in
a
high
degree
,
in
sending
without
any
mercy
or
compassion
so
many
thowsand
soules
,
with
the
dash
of
a
pen
,
to
Hell
,
it
being
in
their
power
to
keepe
them
out
;
or
exceedingly
presumptuous
,
in
denouncing
such
a
sentence
against
those
whom
they
cannot
but
know
&
oftentimes
do
confesse
,
to
be
the
true
servants
of
God
;
or
at
the
least
it
standeth
them
upon
diligently
to
use
all
good
meanes
for
the
recovery
of
so
many
soules
out
of
Hell
,
especially
then
,
when
,
by
such
an
Offer
as
this
is
,
they
hold
up
their
hands
out
of
the
pit
,
desiring
to
be
pulled
out
.
22
Last
of
all
,
the
Propositions
being
so
plainly
and
distinctly
layd
downe
,
and
so
directly
opposite
to
the
profession
of
the
Prelats
;
they
having
also
so
often
disgraced
the
Ministers
for
their
paucitie
,
and
povertie
of
gifts
and
learning
,
and
so
often
vaunted
of
the
multitudes
of
great
learned
men
on
their
side
,
and
by
that
meanes
having
far
greater
choyse
of
sufficient
and
able
men
then
the
Ministers
haue
;
and
being
better
able
to
furnish
them
with
all
needfull
helps
to
such
a
worke
,
and
the
poynts
in
Controversie
so
neerely
touching
their
Iurisdiction
,
state
,
and
dignitie
,
which
is
so
deare
and
pretious
unto
them
;
also
the
Offer
that
is
made
unto
them
being
so
equall
,
just
,
and
Christian
,
if
they
shall
refuse
to
yeeld
unto
the
same
,
&
in
steed
thereof
afflict
the
persons
which
humbly
make
this
Offer
unto
them
,
they
shall
therein
proclaime
to
all
the
world
,
that
in
these
their
proceedings
they
haue
sinned
&
doe
sinne
with
a
high
hand
and
malicious
heart
,
(
contrary
to
knowledge
and
conscience
)
against
God
and
his
Divine
truth
:
and
therefore
are
to
be
judged
to
be
at
the
next
dore
of
committing
that
unpardonable
sinne
,
which
the
Prelats
,
in
the
time
of
our
Saviour
Christs
being
upon
the
earth
,
in
the
like
cases
committed
.
From
which
if
it
be
the
good
will
of
God
(
notwithstanding
all
the
evill
which
they
haue
done
against
these
poore
servants
of
Christ
,
and
the
Churches
of
God
committed
to
their
charge
)
they
pray
carnestly
that
they
may
quit
themselues
,
and
that
,
upon
their
repentance
in
this
life
,
they
may
attaine
unto
such
a
crowne
of
glory
,
as
they
in
their
consciences
are
perswaded
is
layd
up
for
some
of
those
,
whom
they
use
now
living
in
the
world
as
Heathens
&
Infidels
.