The Brethren ( for so did they now stile themselues ) in their Churches and charges would neither pray , nor say seruice , nor Baptize , nor celebrate the L. Supper ; nor Marry , nor Bury , nor doe any other Ecclesiasticall duty according to the Law , but after their owne deuisings . And abroad ( as if they had bin acquainted with the Iesuitical proceedings ; or the Iesuites , with their practices ) they had their meetings both classicall and Synodicall ; they set downe decrees , reuersed orders , elected Ministers , exacted Subscription , and executed the censures of suspe●●ision , and excommunication where they thought good .

The I●su●es had for their prouinciall , first Robert Parsons , alias , Cowbuck then Weston , and lastly Garnet ( which Garnet ) continued in that office till the yeere 1605. when he was apprehended , and for most horrible and hellish treasons , as an arrant Traitor put to death in Pauls Churchyard the fame yeer . And the Brethren had their ( I know not what ) chiefe men . All of these residing in , and about London ; and in speciall fauour both with the Gentiles , and vulgar people of their seuerall factions : and so continued multiplying their number and growing strong , euen head-strong in boldnesse , and schisme , till the dying day of this most graue and reuerend Archbishop , which was in the moneth of Iuly . 1583.

10. Some foure moneths afore whose death , the said Brethren , at a certaine Assembly of their own appointing , among other things ( as I find ) decreed , Vnitie of doctrine still holdeth among vs . An. 1583. that if Subscription unto the booke of Articles of Religion ( afore mentioned , and still meant ) should againe be vrged , the said Brethren might subscribe thereunto according to the Statute . Which declareth that what diuersity , and disagreement soeuer was about other matters , yet abode there still a blessed Vnitie among vs touching the foundation of Christian Religion . And this was in 25. yeere of Q. Elizabeth .

Archbish. Whitegift . 11. Next vnto him D. Whitegift , then Bishop of Worcester ( a man deseruedly vnto that dignitie promoted , and for his manifold paines in writing , teaching , & defending the truth , his wisedome in gouerning , and his well demeaning of himselfe euery way , worthy the double honour which hee did enioy , or the State could aduance him vnto ) from thence was translated vnto the See of Canterbury .

No sooner was he confirmed in his office , but obseruing both the open & intolerable contempt in many places of all Church orders by authority prescribed ; and hearing both of many secret conuenticles , and vnlawful assemblies in his Prouince ; and of the tumults , and garboiles abroad , and euen at his very admission vnto his charge , raised in Scotland , and that for the selfe-same cause , which by the Brethren here in England was maintained ; and foreseeing the dangers , and troubles likely to ensue ( for which he should giue an account , if in time he sought not meanes to preuent them ) he thought it his bounden duty ( for the preseruation of vnity and purity in Religion , the preuenting of further schisme , and the discouery of mens inclinations either vnto peace , or faction ) that all , and euery Minister Ecclesiasticall ( hauing cure of soules within the Prouince of Canterbury ) vnder his owne hand , and by subscription , Subscription the second time called for . should testifie his consent both vnto the points of Religion in the Conuocation , Ann. 62. approoued , and likewise vnto other Articles , necessary for concord sake of all , & euery man , Minister especially , to be acknowledged , and accordingly , by due course of Law called then thereunto . Which was done the very first yeere of his remoueall , and of her Maiesty the 26. Anno 1584.

This of the brethren was tearmed the wofull yeere of subscription , but that they should so doe there was no cause , vnlesse they are grieued that factious spirits , and malecontented Ministers , and Preachers were discouered , and their erroneous , and schismaticall opinions brought into light . And surely neuer was their subscription hitherto by authority vrged in this land , but diuers new fancies ( held yet for truthes , not to bee doubted of , among the brethren ) were thereby detected , for Gods people to auoid as monsters : neither hath our Church lost , by imposing , nor the aduersaries gained at the long runne , by refusing Subscription .

12. In the yeeres 71. and 72. when subscriptiom first was required , the whole land will witnesse , that many , and sundry bookes ( aswell in Latine , How basely the Brethren conceiue of the doctrine by the Bishops agreed vpon , and established by the Prince . as English ) then , and afterward flew abroad . In which we read how then , and in those dayes , the truth of God did in a manner but peepe out ( as it were ) at the Screene , that Cranmer , Parker , Grindall , and all the other Martyrs , Preachers , and learned men ( which first in our age brought the light of the Gospell into this Realme ) did see a little , and had a glimpse of the truth , but ouersaw many things , which in these dayes of the Sunshine of the Gospell , men of meaner gifts doe see , and yet may not vtter them without great danger of the Lawes ( through the iniquity of the times ) though the said things now seene be comprised in the Booke of God , and also be a part of the Gospell , yea the very Gospell it selfe ( so true are they ) and of such importance , as if euery haire of our heads were a life ( say the Brethren ) we ought to afford them in defence of these matters , the Articles of Religion penned , and agreed vpon by the Bishops , and Clergy , and ratified by the Prince , and Parliament , in comparison of these things now reuealed , and newly come to light , are but Childish and toyes .

Thus write they ( as your grace best knoweth , and I would haue quoted the places where they may be read , had I either not written vnto your selfe , or did write vnto a man vnacquainted with their bookes . ) And had they here stayed , their words had bin able ( without the more grace of God ) to haue moued the Parliament , and all the people of this land ( as they have preuail'd but too much already with their too credulous Fauorites ) to thinke our Church , for all the reformation wrought , and Vniformity in doctrine established , to be much awry , and farre from the truth it should professe . But setting downe ( as they haue done ) and publishing both what the truth is , which now breaketh out , and offreth it selfe by their ministery to the view of the whole world ( which afore did but peepe out at the Screene ) and what the things be , which they of meane gifts doe see , and our Fathers , and the Martyrs , Bishops , and Preachers , both in King Edwards dayes , and afterwards ( knowne , and acknowledged to be men of excellent parts either did not see at all , or ouersee : and what likewise the points of doctrine newly now reuealed , their aternum Euangelium ( which without great danger may not be preached in England , no more then the doctrine , and Articles of the Church of England , may be preached at Rome ; and for defence whereof they ought to afford euen their very liues , were they so many as the haires of euery of their heads ) is , and be , they demonstrate themselues to be most childishly vaine , and idle in their imaginations ; ( which they take yet to bee illuminations of the spirit . )

13. For all their doings , The vncouth doctrine of the factious Brethren . and discourses ( to say the best of them ) are but to erect a new ( which they tearme a true ) ministery , and their Discipline among vs .

Themselues doe say , The controuersie betwixt them , and vs , is not as ( the Bishops , and their wil-willers ) they would beare the world in hand , for a Cap , a Tippet , or a Surplesse , but for greater matters , concerning a true ministery , and regiment of the Church , according to the word : the one whereof , that is , a true ministery , they shall neuer haue , till Archbishops , and Bishops be put downe , and all ministers made equall : the other also will neuer be brought to passe , till Kings and Queenes doe subiect themselues vnto the Church , and submit their scepters , and throw downe their Crownes before the Church and lick vp the dust of the feete of the Church , and willingly abide the censures of the Church , that is , of the Presbytery . For as the Church is subiect vnto the ciuill magistrate in respect of his civill authority ; so must the Magistrate , the King and Queene , subiect themselues , and be obedient to the iust , and lawfull authority of the Church . The ciuill magistrate is none officer at all of the Church . For Church-officers be non Magnates , aut Tetrarchae , not gracious , or honorable Lords , but Ministers of the Church The Presbytery is the Church : and euery Congregation , or Church , should and must in it haue a Presbytery .

This is the Light , which indeed the Martyrs neuer saw ; the Religion , which our Brethren striue for , the Truth which they may not preach ; not childish doctrine , like the Bishops Articles , but the wise Gospel ; the maine , and materiall points of Religion , now in the dayes last of all ( yea after the eighth Thorow breaking of H. N. his Euangelium regni ) reuealed , and for furtherance whereof they are to lend , and spend euen all their liues , if occasion be ministred .

14. Strange and strong delusions : First , to take these and other such assertions for Truths , and heauenly mysteries , which are but the fancies of troubled braines , not grounded , nor truly gathered from Gods Word .

Next , to teach one another , and all their fauourers , how they should be as ready , and prepared euen for these matters , to give other their liuings , and to giue their liues ( were they as many as the haires of ( all ) their heads ) as Cranmer , Ridly , Latimer did ; and Parker , Grindall , and all other Preachers would , and euery Christian man and woman should , if they be called thereunto for the Apostolicall , and Catholique doctrine of our Church , which all Gods people doe know , and the Brethren themselues ( as afore hath bin noted ) doe confesse , is originally from God , and his written Word .

These and many moe ( too many here to be recapitulated ) such phantasies of theirs , or phrensies rather , this first subscription brought first to light ; and yet happy had it bin for Gods Church , and people , they had neuer bin broached .

Of the second Subscription vrged an. 84. 15. Semblably the next subscription called for by the last Archb. your L. predecessor , an. 84. discouered euen the very thoughts and desires of those Brethren before , but now stiled faithfull Brethren , which haue , and doe seeke for the Discipline , reformation of the Church .

Many Treatises afore , but now , and diuers yeeres ensuing , they flew about , and abroad like Atomies ; and by them the same things which afore , but in a differing sort , and in other words , they publish .

For touching Church officers , they name who , and how many sorts they be of them , viz. Doctors , Pastors , Gouernors , Deacons , and Widdowes , no moe , no fewer .

They say , euery Church must be furnished with a Teacher and a Pastor , as with two eyes ; with elders , as with feet ; with Deacons , as with hands . Euery Congregation must haue eyes , hands , and feete , and yet neither all , nor at all any Congregation is to haue an Head , answerable to those Feet , Hands , and Eyes .

The Doctor , by their doctrine , must be a distinct minister from the pastor , and onely teach true doctrine , and neither exhort , nor apply his doctrine , according to the times , and his auditory , nor minister the Sacraments . For these things the pastor is to performe . Which pastor also , whensoeuer he administreth the Sacraments , must necessarily make a Sermon , or else he committeth Sacriledge .

And concerning discipline , by their doctrine , euery Congregation must haue absolute authority , to admonish , to censure , to excommunicate , and to anathematize all offending persons , yea euen Kings , and Princes , if they be of the Congregation . And no Prince but must be of some Parish , and vnder one Presbytery or other alwayes . Where this power is not , in their iudgements , one of the tokens of a true Church is wanting . For this Discipline with them is a marke of the Church , and numbred among the Articles of their Faith .

16. This ( say they ) is the great cause , the holy cause , which they wil neuer leaue suing for , though there should be a thousand Parliaments in their dayes , vntil either they obtaine it , or bring the Lord in vengeance and blood against the State and the whole land , for repelling the same . The Brethrens diuine conceipts of their Discipline . The discipline is Gods holy yoke , Gods scepter ; the kingdome and throne of Christ .

Our controuersie ( say they ) whether Iesus Christ shall be King or no. Againe , the end of all our trauell is , to build vp the walles of Ierusalem , and to set vp them Throne of Iesus Christ , our heauenly King , in the midst thereof ; the aduancing whereof is a testimony vnto vs , that we shall haue part in that glory , which shall be reuealed hereafter .

So learne we now from their said bookes , learned and demonstratiue discourses ( which the Fathers , and our forefathers neuer saw , nor had learned ) both that their Discipline established and exercised , is a visible marke of a true Church ; and to desire the aduancement of the same , an inuisible token of an elect childe of God : so as neither is that a Church , at least no true Church , where their Discipline is not ; neither they but titular Christians , no true Christians indeed , which either sigh , or seeke not to have it established , and Presbyteries in euery parish to be aduanced .

17. The Articles of our religion ( concluded vpon by the reuerend Clergie of our Church ) with these learned , The Br●renue and continue their base conceits of the publike Art of our religion , in comparison of their new Gospell . and all-seeing Brethren , are but the Bishops decrees , the Articles of the Conuocation house ; and reueale some little truth : but these wise Brethren ( so faithfull haue they bin betweene God , and his Church ) they haue not failed to shew vs the whole counsell of God .

And yet these faithfull Brethren , either through forgetfulnesse , or frailty , ( or which I rather think ) forced thereunto by the power of truth , doe plainely confesse , that those very decrees of our Bishops , and Articles of the Conuocation-house , euen that little , little part of the Gospell , which the said Bishops , and Martyrs brought to light , and hath enlightned the whole Realme , containeth the very fundamentall points of Christianitie .

Whereof I still gather , that had their newly reuealed , tearmed learned Discourses , & Doctrines touching Discipline , & their Presbyteries ( howsoeuer with goodly , & glorious titles , to rauish poore hearts with the desire thereof , brandished , and set out ) never bin divulged , or preached , we may be saued ; but without knowing and beleeuing the Articles , or doctrine of our Church ( which yet is not ours , but Gods ) there is no saluation ordinarily to be looked for , of any man : so true , and of such necessity is this ; so impertinent , & vnneedfull the other .

18. Octogesimus octavus mirabilis annus : it was prophesied to be a wonderfull yeere , long afore it came , and wil neuer be forgotten now it is past .

An. 1588. Q. Elizabeth opposeth her authoritie against the Br. their bookes , and writings Among the things for which the yeere 88. is famous , one and not of least regard , is ; that afore it expired , these bookes of the Brethren , by a Proclamation from Q. Elizabeth , were denounced Schismaticall , and seditious ; and the doctrine in them contained , erronious , tending to perswade , and bring in a monstrous , and apparent dangerous Innouation within her dominions , and countries ; and to make a change , euen a dangerous change of the forme of doctrine then in vse . And therefore the said bookes were commanded to be brought in , and deliuered into the hands of authoritie ; and speciall charge giuen , that no moe of that nature should come abroad , or be printed .

Whereby ( so much as in that blessed ) Queene , whose name with eternall honour shall be recorded these new fancies of the brethren were hissed , and exploded out of this Christian kingdom ; and the articles , or publike doctrine of our Church confirmed , countenanced , and by the royall prerogatiue of that Peerelesse prince , more strongly ratified , and commended to her awefull and good subiects then afore .

19. The zeale of learned , and godly men hereupon was inflamed , and their courage so increased , as whereas afore this time but one or two , or a very few ( the first whereof was your L. immediate Predecessor , Most learned and worthy men set themselues against the Br. and the Presbyterian discipline . whose memory be alway honourable among the Saints ) did encounter the Brethren and oppugned their fancies : now an army of most valourous , and resolute Champions , and Challengers rose vp , which then , and piuers yeeres ensuing ( among whom as your Grace was the first in time which gaue the onset : so are you to be reckoned with the first , and best for zeale , wisedome , and learning ) did conflict with these Brethren , defended the Prelacie , stood for the Prince , & State , put the new Doctors to the foile , profligated the Elders , set vpon the Presbytery , and so battered the new Discipline , as hitherto they could neuer , nor hereafter shall euer fortifie , and repaire the decaies thereof ,

20. Notwithstanding what the brethren wanted in strength and learning , they had in wilynesse , A Stratagem of the Br. & though they lost much one way in the generall , & maine point of their discipline , yet recouered they not a little aduantage another way , by an odde and new deuice of theirs , in a speciall article of their classicall instructions .

For while these Worthies of our Church were employing their engins , & forces , partly in defending the present gouernment Ecclesiasticall , partly in assaulting the Presbyterie and new Discipline , even at that very instant the Brethren ( knowing themselves too weake either to overthrow our holds , and that which we hold , Ann. 1595. or to maintaine their owne ) they abandoned quite the Bulwarkes which they had raised , and gave out were impregnable , suffering us to beate them downe , without any , or very small resistance : and yet not carelesse of their affaires , left not the warres for all that , but from an odde corner , and after a new fashion , which we little thought of ( such was the cunning ) set upon us afresh againe , by dispersing in printed bookes ( which for tenne yeares space before they had bin in hammering among themselves to make them compleate ) their Sabbath speculations , and Presbyterian ( that is more then either Kingly , or Popely ) directions for the observation of the Lords Day .

This Stratagem of theirs was not observed then , neither ( I feare me ) is regarded as it should be yet : and yet did , and since hath , and doubtlesse in time to come , if it be not timely seene unto , with unsound opinions ; and paradoxes will so poyson many , as the whole Church , and Common-weale wil find the danger , and inconvenience of them ( so plausibie are they to men either popularly religious , or preposterously , and injudiciously zealous . )

Certain fruits , and effects of the Sabb. doctrine published by consent of the Brethren . 21. In this their sally ( as I said before ) they set not upon the Bishops & their calling , their Chancelors , &c. ( as Popish , and Antichristian ) they let them alone , seeing and knowing they are too well backt for them to subvert : but ( which are of great , all ; and almost of the same antiquitie with Bishops divers of them , and I had almost said as necessarie ) they ruinate , and at one blow beate downe all times and daies , by just authoritie destined to religious , and holy uses , besides the Lords Day , saying plainly , and in peremptorie words , that the Church hath none authoritie , ordinarily , or from yeare to yeare perpetually to sanctifie any other day to those uses , but onely the Lords Day .

They build not Presbyteries expressedly ( though under hand , if it be well marked , they doe erect them in their exercises of the Sabbath : ) but they set up a new Idol , their Saint Sabbath ( earst in the dayes of Popish blindnesse S. Sunday ) in the midst , and minds of Gods people .

By the former they haue opened not a gap , but a wide gate vnto all licentiousnesse , liberty , & prophanenesse on the Holy dayes ( which is readily , and greedily apprehended of all sorts of people euery where , especially of their fauorites ) to the high dishonour of God , decay of our deuotion , hinderance of Christian knowledge and wisdome in all sorts , especially in the vulgar multitude , and poore seruants , aduantage of the common enemies , and grosse contempt of the necessary , and laudable orders of our Church . By the latter they haue introduced a new , and more then either Iewish , or Popish superstition into the land , to no small blemish of our Christian profession , and scandall of the true seruants of God , and therewith doctrine most erroneous , dangerous , and Antichristian . The summe of the Sabbath doctrine broached by the Brethren .

22. Their doctrine summarily may be reduced vnto these two heads , whereof the one is , that the Lords day ( euen as the old Sabbath was of the Iewes ) must necessarily be kept , and solemnized of all and euery Christian , vnder the paine of eternall condemnation both of body , and soule .

The other , that vnder the same penalty it must be kept from the highest to the lowest , both of King , and people , in sort and manner as these Brethren among themselues haue deuised , decreed , and prescribed .

The former of these is like that of the false apostles which came from Iudea vnto Antioch , and taught the Brethren , that vnlesse they were circumcised after the manner of Moses , they could not be saved . Whom the Apostles , Paul and Barnabas first , and afterwards Peter , Iames , and the rest at Ierusalem both zealously did resist , and in their Synod , or Conuocation powerfully suppresse .

The latter , as bad as that , hath bin the mother of many hereticall assertions , and horrible conclusions .

I haue read ( and many there be aliue which will iustifie it ) how it was preached in a Market towne in Oxfordshire , that to doe any seruile worke , or businesse on the Lords day , is as great a sinne , as to kill a man , or to commit adultery . It was preached in Somerset-shire , that to throw a bowle on the Sabbath day , is as great a sinne , as to kill a man . It was preached in Norfolke , that to make a Feast , or wedding dinner on the Lords day , is as great a sin , as for a Father to take a knife and cut his childs throate . It was preached in Suffolke ( I can name the man , and I was present when he was convented before his Ordinary for preaching the same ) that to ring more Bels then one upon the Lords day to call the people unto Church , is as great a sinne as to commit murder .

When these things I read , and heard , mine heart was strucken with an horror , and so is it still , when I doe but think of them , and calling into mind the Sabbath doctrine , at London Printed for I. Porter , and T. Man . An. 95. which I had read before ( wherein very many things are to this effect ) I presently smelt both whose disciples all those preachers are ; and that the said doctrine had taken deep impression in mens hearts , and was dispersed ( while our watchmen were otherwise busied , if not asleepe ) over the whole Kingdome .

The Br. Doctrine of the Sa bath called in by authoritie , and forbidden any more to be printed . 23. It is a comfort unto my soule , and will be till my dying houre , that I have beene the man , and the meanes that the Sabbatarian errors and impieties are brought into light , and knowledge of the State , whereby whatsoever else , sure I am , this good hath ensued , namely , that the said bookes of the Sabbath ( comprehending the above mentioned , and many moe such fearefull , and haereticall assertions ) hath been both called in , and forbidden any more to be printed , and made common . Your Graces predecessor , Archb. Whitgift , by his letters , and Officers at Synods , and Visitations , An. 99. did the one : Ann. 1559. 1600. and Sir Iohn Popham , L. chiefe Iustice of England , at Bury S. Edmons in Suff. An. 1600. did the other .