AN ANSWERE TO A CERTAINE LIBEL SVPPLICATORIE , OR RATHER Diffamatory , and also to certaine Calumnious Articles , and Interrogatories , both printed and scattered in secret corners , to the slaunder of the Ecclesiasticall state , and put forth vnder the name and title of a Petition directed to her Maiestie :

Wherein not onely the friuolous discourse of the Petitioner is refuted , but also the accusation against the DISCIPLINARIANS his clyents iustified , and the slaunderous cauils at the present gouernement disciphred by Mathew Sutcliffe .

Imprinted at London by the DEPVTIES of CHRISTOPHER BARKER , Printer to the QVEENES most excellent MAIESTIE . 1592

ALthough ( my good Lord ) I cannot without griefe remember the daungerous and hurtfull effectes of the late stirres which certaine factious persons haue made , both in the Church , and common wealth about the new consistoriall gouernement ; yet seing diseases cannot be wel cured , vnlesse they be made knowen ; nor well knowen , vnlesse the patient declare them : I could not refraine from vttering them , being one of that Church and state , that hath so long suffered them , yea though not I onely , but all others whom they concerne , should of importune shamefastnes conceale them : yet would they not , being so great be concealed . It is well knowen what scandale thereof hath growen to religion , diuers wicked persons are thereby confirmed in their atheisme : weake christians are either driuen backe to poperie , or discouraged from comming forward to embrace religion : the Seminaries abroad are replenished with many towardly schollers seeking that abroad , which they dispaire to finde at home : sectes & euil opinions growe vp , lyke noysome weedes in diuers corners ; those that should and would represse them , are by domesticall stirres of secret enemies thuarted & hindered : The Papists take thereby incouragement , and hope for innouation . 1 1 De schism . lib. 3. quo bello Catholici indies plures , constantiorésque in fide sunt facti , saith he , speaking of his false Catholikes , and Romaine peruerse taith . Sanders in his booke , as he calleth it , of schisme , doth bragge , That through these contentions the Romanistes dayly multiplied among vs , and grewe more resolute . they also from these domesticall braules made by some against our Church doe drawe an argument to harden mens hartes against religion , and the authors of religion . both 2 2 In lib de cansis cur catholisis , &c. Vlenbergue , and Rosse in their seditious treatises against vs , doe much insist vpon that poynt : and it is a common obiection made by the enemie , yea a matter not lightly feared of frendes .

For learning hath lost almost all reputation , while these vnlearned and vnwise confistorians declame against learning , and seeke no further diuinitie , then Caluins and Bezaes and Iunius his glosses and commentaries , and without ground of learning and artes , as it were with vnwashen feete , enter into the Lordes sanctuarie . while the fathers and auncient writers of the Church are despised , and euery man taketh vpon him to interprete scriptures after his owne foolish conceite , and forceth them to serue their owne changeable humors : they runne into diuers daungerous opinions . I reporte me to the strange doctrine of 2 2 Theologia sacra . Fenner and his Maister T.C. in their new booke of Consistoriall diuinitie . of the lawe , gospell , sacraments , and ecclesiasticall gouernement , there is scarce any poynt deliuered without error , but those are faultes of a lighter marke in respect , of poyntes concerning the diuine essence , and the Trinitie , whereof they talke strangely . In the 3 3 Theologia sacra lib. 1. diuine nature they confound essence , and person ; and deuide the persons of the Trinitie into two members ; and make the sonne together with the holy ghost to proceede from the father : where all religion saith , that he is borne of the father , which is the characteristicall difference of that person . further they affirme that the holy ghost proceedeth from the father , 4 4 Ibidem . without mentioning the sonne . they teach also that hatred as it is attributed to God is the essence of God . And while they would commend their fond preaching , and disgrace the scriptures : Iohn Penrie 5 5 In his supplicat . one of the great disciplinarian prophets , eyther like a dolt , or ( if he defend it ) a blasphemous heretike Maketh Christ to be the word preached , therein destroying Christes eternall essence , and diuinitie . in 6 6 The booke was offered to the parliament by common consent of this faction : that it might throughout England be recented . their Communion booke they haue taken out two articles of the Creede ; namely that of Christes buriall , and Christes descending into hell ; and added a newe Article : viz. of their new fantasticall discipline : a compendious and short way to erect their new kingdome . for articles of our Creede are rather to be beleeued , then to be disputed of . In their Creede also , they make Christ to be borne of the virgine according to the flesh , diuiding Christ into two parsons with Nestorius . lastly ( for here I meane not to speake of all ) they forget A petition in their braue paraphrase of the Lords prayer . which matters are very shamefull , and yet not to be denyed . for their owne worthles bookes conuince them .

While they haue refused the olde order of preaching , and followed the stile of Bezaes vaine , and verball sermons , whereof I , and many others that haue heard , and read them are witnesses ; their expositions be eyther verball , or fantasticall , or both . their prayers for the most part are disordered fancies , yea some times malicious inuectiues , full rather of wordes then deuotion ; conceiued without studie , and vttered without iudgement : which kinde of 1 1 Matth. 6.7 . verball babling Christ condemneth as heathenish .

To leaue matters of the Church , we see how schooles are decayed , and how both learning and rewardes of learning are dayly diminished : and all this while these vnworthie fellowes first thinke that all learning is conteined in Caluins institutions , and Bezaes opuscula , and secondly measure euery mans merites by their owne foote , and allow no more to others , then they suppose they deserue themselues , taking away all hope of honor or rewarde , by making the ignorant iudge of the merite of learning , and talking of certaine strange positions of fortie pound pensions . as if fortie , or a hundred pounds yeerely were the vttermost reward , that learning coulde deserue : and euery other sort of men were worthie of most high rewardes , and preferment . the number of schollers decreasing in both the Vniuersities doth declare how much men are discouraged ; and examples of this sacrilegious discipline otherwhere receiued , doe shewe what further wracke is to be feared hereafter .

The gouernours both of Church and schooles are contemned : I would I might not say discouraged . they are made markes for licentious youthes armed with malice to shoote their boltes against . the lawes are not onely contemned , but most boldly oppugned : yea with such confidencie , that law is now accounted disorder , and faction and tumult , termed 2 2 Petition to her Maiestie . reformation : and libellers in euill time called reformers . what resteth for them to worke , but that al wise , and learned men being put from gouernment , the seely sots which these call elders , and certaine famous authors of popular faction should be placed in the highest offices , or else that lawes being not executed , or Iudges crossed in executing of iustice , the contumacious might liue as they list : wherein they seeke nothing , but that eyther the forreyne enemie may oppresse vs , or els inward tumult , and disorder consume vs .

But I doubt not but her Maiestie , and all those that beare office vnder her , will take speedie order . that it is not alreadie taken , many do wonder , some doe complayne . but the clemencie of her Maiesties times , and her benigne nature doth afford vs answere . she will not haue any complaine , that in this case , any are punished , but such as are obstinate , heynous , and notorious disturbers of the state . because they were not at the first knowen for such , shee would not haue them punished for such . besides this , the height of the stile , and the loude bragges they made of their discipline , made many beleeue , they did it eyther of simplicitie , or zeale , or error . few suspected the greedines of some , and malice and ambition of others : their notorious hypocrisie could not of long time be discouered . but now their leudnes is apparent , and their false visage is dismasked . let them therefore beware , that they abuse not the clemencie of the times , or hope for continuance of vndeserued fauour .

The vanitie of their bragges , and weakenesse of their cause is euident to all , that are not eyther wilfully blinded , or naturally ignorant . All the demonstrations of their discipline are discifred , and stand confuted . they doe not so much as goe about to defend them . their whole plots of false discipline lye razed . they cannot say a word for them : in this late petition wherein they had occasion to shewe their skill , they haue not so much as answered one argument brought by vs against them . The defence of Bezamade for his Aldermen most weake , and simple . as in a desperate cause they haue intreated Beza to say somewhat . wherein we may see that their forces are spent to the last man . yea so spent , that they haue no hope of recouerie . for what saith he good man ? hee telleth vs a long tale of his Geneuian deuises , hut neyther doth hee answere our arguments , nor bringeth scripture , fathers , or reason for his cause . vnlesse wee beleeue him on his bare word , the controuersie is at an end . call you this answering ? this is rather the playne ouerthrowe of his cause . for while hee went about to answere , he hath confirmed our cause saying nothing either for himselfe , or against vs , but what he in his olde age dreameth . where was T.C. that valiant champion of discipline all this while ? where was W. Tr. W. Ch. D. Sp. could not one of them speake for their cause , but they must send to Geneua for a speaker ? it is too great , and notable a confession of the weakenesse of their cause .

As for him , or ( that I mistake not ) them that made the petition lately printed , and pretended to be presented to her Maiestie on the behalfe of the Puritans ; they doe not deserue the name of speakers : vnlesse it be among Puritans ; where euery one that can prate , is sayde to speake . For what say they for their cause ? their onely reason is , because Caluin , Beza , Daneus , Carpentier , Golart , Perot , Tauergues , Pollan , Sneccan , and a number of other authors ( of whose names and gestes we should neuer haue heard , if these men had not in this cause brought their names to light ) doe speake somewhat for their consistorie , that therefore we are to like of it . A goodly reason : yet such a one , as I thinke they will not admitte against their discipline . For albeit Master R. M.B.M.G. M.A. M.H. M.D. M.W. and infinite other learned , and good preachers among vs , ( yea such , as one of them is to be vaed against many of these ignorant and presumptuous disciplinarians ) do like of the present gouernment : yet are they not therwith satisfied . nay , albeit all the ancient Fathers , and acts of Counsels do like of the auctoritie & gouernment of Bishops : yet are these fellowes stil contending against it . That the same was established by most learned and godly men , that in Q. Maries time gaue their liues for the testimonie of the trueth , they litle weigh : nay , they neither care for them , nor their authoritie .

With what face then can they alledge Golart , Pollan , Sneccan , and a number of birdes of like feather , and men neither wise nor learned , nor that haue ground of antiquitie or reason ; seeing they renounce not onely the authoritie of our men more learned then they , but of our Martyrs more holy men then they : yea and all the writings of the Fathers , and actes of Counsels speaking of the authoritie and state of Bishops , and such a gouernment as we haue ? In times past they were wont to tell vs of certaine lawes established by God himselfe ; and made vante , that they would proue their discipline out of Gods word . Why then are they now mute ? why are not these lawes , and this worde brought forth ? why are they silent in bringing forth these mightie reasons ? when all is come to all , must we rest on Golart , Pollan , Tauergues and Sneccans , & three or foure odde compagnions idle conceits ? there can nothing be deuised more absurd , nor sencelesse .

Therefore hauing nothing to say in defence of their cause , now in a desperate rage they begin to reuell not onely at Bishops , but also at Lawes and Iudges , and the ordinarie tryals of this Realme . The drift of the petition is to shew , that Iohn Vdall was wrongfully condemned . they insinuate therein , that the Iudges were either corrupted , or blinded , and that the euidence was wrested . They say in plaine tearmes , that Iudges haue no skill to deale with such fellowes as Iohn Vdall : another kinde of man percase , then he is taken to be . Is hee trowe you any of Hackets or Coppingers consortes ? to bring Bishops into hatred , they haue after their petition collected diuers Articles , and by them and by certaine calumnious interrogatories haue gone about to bring them in disgrace with the multitude : that if they cannot haue their desire of their celestiall consistorie ; they may be yet reuenged of such , as they take to be the hinderers of their purposes .

Whose malice to encounter , as before I haue answered their cauils against the ecclesiasticall gouernment of our Church to the vtter disgrace of the Consistorie : so now hauing other occasions to print a discourse against Bellarmine , and forreine aduersaries of our Church , I haue thought good to recreate my selfe with this more easie labour , and to answere their cauils at our proceedings in law , together with such authorities as they bring for the proofe of their consistorie , to the finall discouerie of their vnbrideled malice : that all seeing the nakednesse of their cause may ioyne together to extirpate the reliques of those , that haue bene causers of these stirres .

Against this my purpose , I doe vnderstand , that diuers exceptions are taken . First , those that fauour the consistoriall discipline , doe say I withstand a noble worke of reformation ; and therefore cannot like of my doings . but vnto these this whole treatise shall make answere : for thereby it shall appeare , that their whole course tendeth rather to confusion , and disorder of Church and state , then to reformation of eyther : and therefore seeing they doe declare themselues open enemies both vnto the present state , and to me in this cause , I doe not regard what they like , or dislike . no doubt , but that open enemies will like that best , which for the State is worst , and greatly prayse that , which tendeth to the hurt thereof .

Others there are , that condemne all those discourses , that are written of both sides concerning this argument , which albeit they would seeme to be friendes : yet in deede are enemies , as well as the other . For no more is he an enemie that oppugneth vs in plaine fielde , then hee that trecherously seeketh to discourage such as are forwarde in mainteining the State at home . and albeit they would colour their malice with pretence of detestation of contention among friendes : yet doe they vs wrong , to accompt them that oppugne the state , friendes ; or attribute the cause of contention to vs , that onely defend the State against contentious , and malcontent persons , such as would ruinate the same . for not those that defend , but those that begin the braule are contentious . Were it not thinke you a ridiculous thing for a man to say , that valiant men that fight for their countrey , are contentious ; and a poynt of trecherie to discourage them ? why then should not the like bee thought of those that condemne them that write in defence of the present gouernment , of religion , and learning , in like degree , as if they had writ against the same ? These men are sorie that any should stop the breach against such , as seeke to enter to make spoyle , and therefore , as secret enemies , or weake persons , that neither vnderstand matters of State , nor reason , are to be contemned , if not reproued .

A last sort there is , that percase mislike the sharpenesse of my stile . but they must consider , that in this discourse I deale not against men of learning , or grauitie , or such as desire to learne , or finde out trueth : but against ignorant , wilfull , and seditious Libellers , that seeke partly by falshood , and partly by disgrace of some bad persons vnworthy of their places to discredite the whole ecclesiastical state : against whom no sharpenesse of stile can be sufficient . but I did respect rather what became me to speake , then what they deserued to heare .

This discourse I present to your Lordship , a man well acquainted with the humors of the men , and weakenesse of their cause , & a Iudge most skilfull in law . Vnto whom should wee seeke for resolution in law , and redresse of wrong , rather then to him that beareth so honourable a charge in matters of Iustice ? vnder your name I would it should come to the handes , and viewe of all other reuerend Iudges , learned Lawyers , and well affected subiectes . Wee desire nothing more , then that matters may bee examined according to iustice , and doubt not , but if that may be obtayned , that the controuersie will bee ended , and the calumnious mouthes of factious persons stopped . for seeing the platformers haue neither support of trueth , nor law ; what man will doubt , but that they are to be repressed aswell by Iustice , as by disputation and discourse ?

That is the meanes to ende all our complaynts , the remedie of our common griefes , if the perturbers of our State at home were first calmed , I would not doubt , but forrein aduersaries would soone be danted , and the mindes of friendes vnited , to the ioy of all that loue the trueth of Gods religion , and seeke the long continuance of her Maiesties peaceable reigne , and the florishing state of the Church .

Accept therefore I beseech you , my good Lord , this my good will , which I testifie vnto you in this Treatise . Due it is to you , being so forwarde and vpright in matters of Iustice , and was expected at my handes being specially touched in the petition which I answere , I make your Lordship and all the learned , yea all indifferent men iudges . Iudge therefore according to iustice and trueth . There is no reason I should require fauour in this cause , further then my simple skill , and vnsufficient handling of matters for want of time , and being oppressed with other businesse shall require fauour .

The Lord send peace to his Church , and heape vpon you , and all others that loue his trueth , all heauenly graces , that by your meanes enioying the benefites of true religion , iustice and peace , wee may consent in one trueth , and ioyntly in his holy Church glorifie Christ Iesus the Prince of peace .