MY Sonne , séeing it is the duty of parents not only to educate and bring vp their Children with meate and apparel , but also to enstruct and teach them in the feare of God , and Christian religion , for which cause I haue committed thée to the gouernement of a learned and Godlie Maister , these seauen yéeres past .

Wherefore my will and minde is to know how thou hast profited in the same , and what thy profession is ?

Good Father , 1. Peter . 3 séeing it is your pleasure to demaunde of mée a reason of my faith , I must follow the exhortation of the Appostle Saint Peter , that I be ready to giue aunswere to euery man that asketh me a reason of the hope that is in me , & that with méekenes & feare , hauing a good concience , that whereas they back byte mée as an euill doer , they may be ashamed that falsly accuse my good conuersation in Christ , demaund therefore what pleaseth you , and I will according as Gods holy spirit shall teach me , aunswere to the same .

In whome doest thou beléeue , and whom doest thou worshippe ?

Acts. 24 I aunswere with Saint Paull , and confesse vnto you , that after the way which some called heresie , so worship I the God of my fathers , beléeuing , al things that are written in the Law and Prophets , and haue hope towards God , that the resurrection of the dead , shall be both of iuste and vniust , and therefore I study to haue alwaies a cleare conscience towardes God , and towards men .

Shew mée if thou hast read perfectly the whole booke of God ?

Psalm. 1. Yea father , I may say with Dauid , my delight is in the Lawe of the Lorde , and in his word haue I exercised my selfe day and night .

Are all thinges necessary to saluation contained in that booke of life , called the Byble ?

Yea truly father , Io. 5. search the Scriptures saith Christ , for in them ye thinke ye haue eternall life , and they are they which testifie of mée , and yet ye will not come vnto-mée , that ye might haue life .

Saint Iames saith , Iames. 1 Suscipite insitum verbum quod potest saluare animas vestras , receiue with méekenesse , the worde which is grafted in you , being able to saue your soules .

Many signes truly did Iesus in the presence of his disciples , Io. 20. which are not written in the Byble , but so many are written that may learne vs to beléeue that Iesus is Christ the sonne of GOD , and that in beléeuing , wée may haue life through his name .

Saint Peter sayth , 1. Peter . 2 although wée sée not Christ , yet wee doe beléeue and reioyce with ioye vnspeakable & glorious , The end of faith is saluation . receiuing the ende of our faith euen the saluation of our soules .

Io. 15. Christ Iesus himselfe saith , that we are cleane through the words which he hath spoken vnto vs .

Peter the Appostel rose vp and saide , ye men and brethren , Acts. 15. ye knowe that GOD did choose among vs , that the Gentiles by my mouth should heare the worde of the Ghospell , and beléeue , and GOD which knoweth the hearts , bare them witnesse , and gaue vnto them the holie ghost , euen as he did vnto vs , and put no difference betwixe vs and them , Purified by faith . séeing that with faith he purified their hearts .

Saint Paull saith to Timothie , continue thou in the thinges which thou hast learned , which also were committed vnto thée , knowing of whome thou hast learned them . 2. Tim. 3 And for as much also as of a Childe thou hast knowen the holie Scriptures , which are able to make thée learned vnto saluation , through the faith which is in Christ Iesu , for all Scriptures giuen by inspiration of GOD is profitable to teach , Scripture makes men perfect in righteousnesse . to improue , to amend , & to enstruct in righteousnesse , that the man of God may bée perfect and prepared vnto all good workes .

Whereby you may plainelie perceiue ( Father ) that all thinges néedefull to saluation ( both to the Iewes and Gentiles , Conclusion bonde and frée , is contained in the written worde of GOD .

Me thinkes that by these proues the holie Scriptures contained not onelie all thinges necessary for Saluation , but also all other thinges néedefull for the good gouernement of a Christian life .

It is so ( Father ) as if it please God , you shall heare afterwarde in the declaring of the duties of all estats and degrées of people , for what blasphemy were it to the holy spirit of God to say , that God hath left his word , will , and Testament vnperfect .

Is there nothinge then left out of Scripture for manne to teach that is néedefull , many rites , ceremonyes , ordinances , and inuentions of manne haue béene added thereto and taughte , as things most requisite euen in my time .

Deu. 4. No father , the Lorde saith , you shall put nothing vnto the worde which I commaund you , Prou 30. neither doe ought there from , put thou nothing vnto his wordes , least he reproue thée , and thou be found a lyer .

Reuel. 22. I testify saith Saint Iohn , vnto euery man that heareth the prophecie of the Lords booke , if any man shall adde vnto those thinges , God shall adde vnto him the plagues that are written in that booke , and if any man shall minish of the words of the prophecie of that booke , God shall take away his parte out of the booke of life , and out of the holy Cittie , and from the things that are written in that booke , who then dare be so bould father , to thrust in among the ordinances and statutes of our heauenly father , mans inuencions and constitutions , séeing there hangeth Gods vengeance and eternall punishment ouer the heades of such , ready to destroy soule and body , when the Lorde commaundeth , and to cast them into hell fire that neuer quecheth .

Christ Iesus saith , Io. 8. he that is of God heareth Gods wordes , they therfore heare them not , because they are not of God .

To those Recusants saith Christ further , Io. eod. why doe you not know my spéech ? euen because you cannot abide the hearing of my worde .

Yée beléeue not my wordes , Io. 10. because you are not of my shéepe : for my shéepe heare my voyce , and I know them , Recusants none of his sheepe . and they follow mée , and I giue vnto them eternall life , and they shall neuer perish , neyther shall anye man plucke them out of my handes .

He that heareth you saith Christ ( to his disciples ) heareth mee , Luke . 10 and he that heareth mée , heareth him that sent mée , Recusants despise Christ . and he that dispiseth you , despiseth mée , and he that despiseth mee , despiseth him that sent mée .

The Quéene of the South shall rise at the daye of iudgement , Luke . 11. with this nation , and condemne it , for she came from the vttermost partes of the earth , to heare the wisedome of Salomon , and beholde a greater then Salomon is héere .

Luke . 14 Nemo virorum istorum qui vocati sunt gustabunt cenam meam . None of these ( saith Christ , that were called , and refused to come ) shall tast of my Supper .

Acts. 3. The time will come ( sayth the Apostle . That euerie soule that wil not héere that same Prophet , shall bee destroyed from among the people .

1. Io , 4. Recusants are not of God , neither know him . We are of God , saith Saint Iohn : hée that knoweth God , heareth vs , he that is not of God , heareth vs not , hereby knowe we the spirit of God and the spyrite of errour .

Math. 10. When Christe sent his Desciples to preach , he said , whosoeuer will not receaue you nor heare your preaching , when you depart out of that house , or that Cittie , shake of the dust of your féete agaynst them , Recusants worse then Sodomits . verely I say vnto you , it shall be easier for the Land of Sodom and Gomorra in the day of iudgement , then for that Cittie .

Conclusion . Whereby you may perceaue Father , that the Recusantes to heare the blessed woorde of OOD taught by his true preachers , are alreadie condemned with the Cities of Sodom and Gomorra . Io. 8. Except they repent and a mend , for he that beléeueth not ( saith Christ , ) is alreadie condemned , because he beléeueth not in the onelie begotten sonne of God .

If those that refuse to heare the worde of God , be in such perill of condemnation , why are they so bewitched that they deny their owne saluation .

They are so taught by the Priestes of Baall , who cause diuision , Seminarie● and giue occasions of euill , Rom. 16 contrarie to the wholesome doctrine which wée haue learned , and therefore auoyde them , for they that are such , serue not the Lorde Iesus , but their owne bellies , and with swéete and flattering woords deceaue the hartes of the Innocents .

The Apostle S. Paull Prophecyeth and foretelleth ; 2. Tim. 4 that the time shall come when they shall not suffer wholesome doctrine , but after their owne lustes shall they gette them an heape of teachers , and shall withdraw there eares from the truth , and shal be turned vnto fables .

Acts. 20. He sheweth further hat after his departing should come gréeuous woolues among the people , not sparing the flocke , and speake peruerse thinges to drawe disciples after them .

What is the practise of these seducers and Seminaryes goe about , and what punishment hath happened to some of them ?

Acts. 17. The Appostle sheweth that the Iewes which beleeued not had indignation , and tooke vnto them euill men which were vagabounds , Seminaries wold make rebellion . and gathered a companye and sette an vprore amongst the people .

Acts. 13. One Sergius Paullus a prudent man and ruler of the Countrie , called Paull & Barnabas , and desyred to heere the word of GOD , but Elymas the sorcerer withstood them , and sought to turne the ruler from the Faith .

Then Paull béeing full of the holie Ghost , looked on him and saide , oh full of subtyltie and deceipte , thou Childe of the Diuill , A seducer smitten with blindnesse . thou enymie of righteousnesse , wilt thou not cease to peruert the streight wayes of the Lorde , and the Lord smote him that he was blinde .

Corah , Dathan , and Abyron , Numer . 16 going about to seduce the people of Israell from the lawe of GOD taught by Moyses and Aron , the earth opened her mouth , and they , there wiues , children , famely , cattell , and all that they had , Sunck to hell quick went downe quicke into hell .

Whereby you may sée ( Father ) that vtter ruyne , and perpetuall desolation is ordained of the almighty , for al Seminaries of false doctrine , and seducers of his people from his holy Lawes .

Séeing that the Scripture is the word of saluation and that there bee many that goe about to seduce vs from the same , tell me in what language or kinde of speache ought that word to bée . Seruice in a knowne tongue .

Euen in such a spéech or language that euery one may learne the same , Deu. 4. for the Lord commanded that the people should teach their children euen their sonnes and their sonnes sonnes , the ordinances and Lawes which he sette before them .

Thou saydest my Sonne that the written word of God contained not onely all thinges necessarie to saluation as thou proued , but also all things néedfull for the gouernment of a christian life .

2. Tim. 3 I said so Father , for saint Paull sayth , all scripture giuen by inspiration of God , is profitable to teach , to improue , to amend , and to instructe in righteousnes , that the man of God may be perfect and prepared vnto all good workes .

Shew vnto me then ( Sonne ) how euery perticuler person ought to behaue himself towards God his creator , towards his owne soule and conscience , and towards all men generally ?

I am most willing to do your commaundement ( louing Father , ) but first I bescéeh you declare vnto me whether I shall béeginne with the inferiour & lowest degrée , or with the supreme & chiefe head and gouernour .

Sonne beginne at the superiours , and so discend , shewing first who is the supreme head .

Declare that the Church is the bodie of Christ , with some definition thereof , that the better the Church of God may bee knowen . Church .

Saint Paull sayth , 1. Cor. 12 yée are the bodie of Christ , and members one of an other .

The Church , saith the Prophet Ose , Oscas . 2. is married vnto the Lorde in righteousnesse , in equitie , in louing kindnesse , in mercie , and also in faith .

There is neyther Iewe nor Gentile , Gal. 3. bonde nor frée , man nor woman , but all one in Christ Iesu .

As the body ( sayth Saint Paull ) is one , and hath many members , 1. Cor. 12 and all the members of one body , though they bée many , yet are but one bodie , euen so is Christ , for by one Spirite wee are all baptised , to make one body , whether wée bée Iewes or Gentiles , whether wée bée bonde or frée , and haue all drunke of one spirit .

Rom. 12. For as we haue many members in one body , and all members haue not one office , so we being manie are one bodie in Christ , and euerie man among our selues , one an others members .

Ephe. 1. Christ the head , we his members . Christ , saith Saint Paull , is made aboue all thinges the heade of the congregation , which is his body , and the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all .

Ephe. 2. Ye are not strangers and forrenners , but Citizens with the saintes , and of the housholde of God , and buylt vppon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets . The true Church . Iesus Christ himselfe being the head corner stone . In whom what building so euer is coupled together , it groweth vnto an holy temple in the Lorde , in whome ye are also buylt together , to be an habitation of God through the holy Ghost .

Ephe. 4. Let vs follow the truth in loue , and in all things that grow in him , which is the heade euen Christ . Head .

2. Thes. 2 They that are chosen to saluation , sanctified by his spirit through beliefe of the truth , What is the Church 1. Tim. 3 whervnto they are called by the Gospell , and so obtaine the glory of our Lord Iesus Christ . The house of God the congregation of the liuing God , 2. Tim. 3. the Pyller and ground of the truth .

Christ hath rule ouer the house , whose house we are , if we hold fast the confidence & the reioycing of that hope vnto the ende .

Saint Peter sayth that the Church of God is a chosen generation , 1. Peter . 2. a royall priesthoode , an holy nation , a people which are wonne , that should shewe the vertues of him , that called them out of darkenesse .

They that heare the voyce of God indéede , and kéepe his appointment , Exod. 19. are chosen aboue all nations to bée the Lordes owne people , a kingdome of priestes , Deut. 7. and an holy people . The true Church . Whereby father you may sée that the faithfull which heare the voice of God , and kéepe the Lords appointment , are members of the misticall bodye of Christ , and Christ Iesus their heade , whereby they are made an holy Temple .

Is there ( my sonne ) some that are not of this true Church of God , Christ being the head ?

Yea Father , for true is that saying , The diuels Chaplen . where God hath a Church , Sathan hath commonly a Chappell .

Exod. 19. 2. Thess. 2 They that refuse to heare the voyce of God in déede , and deny to kéepe his appointment , that beleeue not the trueth wherevnto they are called by the Gospell , that buyld not vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets : Iesus Christ being the head corner stone , The malignant Church . for any other foundation can no man lay then that which is layde , which is Iesus Christ .

My Sonne , I perceaue that there bée many that are Recusantes , and refuse to heare Gods voyce , deny his holy lawes , beléeue not the truth , which is Christ , and that buylde not vpon this rocke , but vpon the constitutions of men , and traditions of Elders , flatly denying ( as I think ) their owne saluation , whome the Lorde in his good time call home out of Sathans holde , that there may be one foulde , and one shepheard . But procéede ( Sonne ) to shewe mée who is the head of the Church of God next and immediatly vnder Christ the chiefe head .

What sayest thou then to those that chalenge Supremacy ouer Kings ( as they say ) by the succession of Saint Peter .

Let Saint Peter aunswere that hymselfe , 1. Peter . 2 who being inspyred with Gods holy spirite , did foresée that many woulde séeke honour , ambition , and promotion , and desire to bée called Rabbi , contrarie to Christs words , preuented them in these words . Submitte your selues vnto al manner of ordinaunces of man , for the Lords sake , whether it bée to the King , King chief head . as vnto the chiefe head , eyther vnto Rulers as vnto them that are sent of him for the punishment of euill doers , but for the loue of them that doe well .

Nay , 1. Peter . 2 in an other place he ( concluding vpon the dutie of all the true seruaunts of God ) sayth , honour all men , Honor Kings . Titus . 3 loue brotherly felowship . Feare God , honour the King .

Saint Paul willeth Titus and all ministers and Preachers , to warne all subiectes , that they submitte themselues to their King and Prince , and that they also obey all the officers ordayned by them .

Kings are the ordinance of God . Well doth the Apostle S. Peter shewe who is the heade of Christes members , which as he sayth is the king , therefore tell me by whome are kinges ordayned ?

Rom. 13. Saint Paul saith that there is no power but of God , the powers that be are ordayned of God .

Wisd. 6. Heare O ye kinges and vnderstand , O learne ye that be iudges of the earth , giue eare ye that rule the multitude , and delight in much people , for power is giuen you of the Lord , and the strength from the highest .

1. Kings . 9 The Lord told the prophet Samuell in his eare . And saide , to morrow this time will I send a man out of the lande of Byniamin , him shalt thou anoynt to be king ouer my people of Israell , that he may saue my people out of the handes of the Philistines .

1. King . 10 Samuell tooke a vessell of oyle and powred it vpon the heade of Saull and kissed him and said , the Lord hath anoynted thée to bée king ouer his inheritance .

Thou proouest verie well and directly my Sonne , if Kinges and Princes are ordayned of God . But now procéede and tell me for what cause ?

1. Pet. 2. Rom. 13. The Apostle aunswereth thus for the punishment of euill dooers , but for the loue of them that doe well .

Rulers are not fearefull to them that doe well , but to them that doe euill , for he is the minister of God for thy welth . But and if thou doest euill , then feare , for hée beareth not the swoord for naught , for hee is the minister of God to take vengeance of him that doth euill .

Exod. 18. Moyses saide , iudge betwéene euerye man and his neighbour , and shewe them the ordinaunce of God and his lawes .

Gen. 26. Abymelech the king , commaunded that none of his people should touch Abraham or his wife , and whosoeuer hurt eyther of them should die the death .

Who are to be chosen kings . Deut. 17. No stranger to be thy king . Deut. 17. Thou shalt make him king ouer thée which the Lord thy God shalt choose , euen one from among , thy brethren shalt thou make king ouer thée , thou mayst not make a stranger king ouer thee which is not of thy brethren .

The king ought to reade in the lawe of his God all the dayes of his lyfe , and not turne there from , neyther to the right hand nor to the left .

Dauid raigned ouer Israell and executed iust and right ouer all his people . 2. kings . 8

The King shall giue sentence betwéene parties , 2. king . 25 and iustifie the righteous and condemne the vngodly .

The King is like an Angell of God to heare good and bad . 2. king . 14

The King ought to defend the fatherlesse and poore , Psalm. 82. to sée that such as bée in néede and necessity haue right .

A wise King destroyeth the vngodlie , Pro. 20. and bringeth the whéele ouer them .

Sonne , 1. Pet. 2. I vnderstand the Kinges dutie and that the God of heauen hath chosen him for the punishment of the wicked and for the praise of the good doer , but tell me if he haue this power and aucthoritie from God ouer all his subiects spiritual and temporall .

Yea Father , ouer all people within his seuerall iurisdiction , whether exclesiasticall or cyuell .

Iosua commaunded the Prists to take Iosua . 3. vp the Arke of the Lord and to goe before the people , and they so dyd .

Iosua . 4 The Lord saide to Iosua , commaund the Priests that beare the Arke of witnes , to come vp out of Iourden , and the people to followe .

3. Cron. 8. Salomon set the sorts of the Priestes to their offices , and the Priestes in their watches to minister to the Lord , and the Priests the Leuites , omitted not the commandement of the King concerning anie maner of thing .

Well , but what further hath a Prince to doe in the Church of God .

4. king . 18 You may perceiue Father by these examples following . Hezechia dyd that which was right in the sight of the Lorde , as Dauid had done , he put downe the hyll Alters , and brake the Images , cut downe the groues , and all to brake the brasen Serpent which Moyses made , for vnto that time the people did burne sacryfice to it & called it Nehustan .

Dan. 6. Daryus the King wrote a commaundement that all menne spirituall and temporall within his domynion should feare and stand in awe of Daniels God , for he is the liuing God , that abydeth euer , and his kingdome shall not fayll , it is he that delyuereth and saueth .

The Kinge ought to ouerthrowe all Alters , breake downe their Pyllers , Deu. 7. cut downe their groues , and burne the grauen Images with fire .

Whereby you may plainely sée that the King or Prince in the Church of God hath aucthorytie to roote out all supersticion and Idolitrie .

And to commaund that the liuing God be feared and worshiped .

What punishment may the Kinge or Prince appoint for Idolaters and for those that pollute the Temple of the Lord , and will not feare the God of Israell .

Euen what punishment as the Prince shall thinke good , for the Lord sayeth , Iosua . 2. The kings displeasure is a messenger of death . whosoeuer doth disobay his mouth & will not harken vnto his woords in al that he commandeth him , let him dye .

Salomon sayd if thou be a Childe of 3. Kings . 1 vertue , there shall not one haire of thine head fall to the earth , but if thou be wicked thou shalt dye .

Deu. 13 If there arise ( saith the Lord ) among you a Prophet , a dreamer of dreames , and giue a signe or wonder , and that signe or wonder come to passe , and shall then say , come let vs worship strange Gods , thou shalt haue no pittie nor compassion vppon him , but cause him to be slayne , thou shalt stone him with stones that he dye .

Exod. 22 He that offereth to any Gods but to the Lord onely , let him be rooted out .

Exod. 21 He that smyteth a man that he dye , shall dye for it .

He that curseth his father or mother shall dye for it . Eye for eye , tooth for tooth , hand for hand . &c.

By these examples you may well note Father , that Princes may punish with imprisonment , fyne , or death , offenders : whether Priests or seculer persons .

Séeing that Princes are ordayned of God for these causes , and haue power to punish with death , or otherwise according to the offence , must not all persons then néeds obey them .