A TRVE AND SHORT DECLARATION , BOTH OF THE GATHERING AND IOYNING TOGETHER OF CERTAINE PERSONS : AND ALSO OF THE LAMENTABLE BREACH AND DIVISION WHICH FELL AMONGST THEM .

THERE Were certaine persons in England , of which , some were brought vp in schooles , & in the Vniuersitie of Cambridge , & some in families & houshouldes , as is the manner of that co●ntrie . Some of these which had liued & studied in Cambrige , were there knowne & counted forward in religion , & others also both there & in the contrie were more carefull & zelous , then their froward enimies could suffer . They in Cambrige were scattered from thense , so●e to one tra●e of life , & some to an other : as Robert Broune , Robert Harrison , William Harrison , Philip Broune , Robert Barker . Some of of these applied them selues to teach schollers : to the wh●ch labour , R. Broune also gaue hi● selfe ▪ for the space of three yeares . He haui●g a special care to teach religion with other learning ▪ did thereby keepe his sch●llers in such 〈◊〉 & good order , as all the Tounsemen where he taught gaue him witnes . Yet the world being so corrupt as it is , & the times so perilous he greatly misliked the wantes & defaultes , which he sawe euerie where , & marcked plainly that without red●esse , nether the parentes could long reioise in their children , nor the children profit so much ●n religion , as that their other studies & learning might be blessed thereby Hereuppon he fell into great care , & was soare greened while he long considered m●nie thinges amisse , & the cause of all , to be the wofull and lamentable state off the church . Wherefore he laboured much to knowe his duetie in such thinges , & because the church of God is his kingdom , & his name especially is thereby magn●fied ▪ he wholy bent him selfe to searh & find out the matters of the church : as how it was to be guided & ordered , & what abuses there were in the ecclesiastical gouernment then vsed . These thinges , he had long before debated in him selfe , & with others , & suffered also some trouble about them at Cambrige ▪ yet nowe on fresh he set his mind on these thinges , & night & day did consult with him selfe & others about them , least he should be ignorant , or mistake anie off those matters . What so euer thinges he ff●und b●longing to the church , & to his calling as a member off the ●hurch , he did put it in p●●ctis For eu●n l●tle children are off the church & kingdom off God yea off such saith Christ doth his kingdom consist : & therefore both in his schole he laboured that the kingdom off God might appeare , & also in those of the towne with whom he kept companie . So by word & practisse he tried out all thigs , that he might be staied both in iudgment & counsell , & also in enterprising matters , as his duetie should lead him . But this his dealr̄g got him much enuie of the preacher & some others where he taught , & much trouble also when he broke ●is mind more plainlie vnto them . Presentlie a●ter this he was dischargeed of his schole by the grudge of his enimies . Yet he taught still , with great good Will & fauour of the Tounsemen , till such time as the pl●gue increased in the Towne & he was sent for awai by his frendes . Therfore because his schollers , th●ugh neuer so Wel plied & profited by him , were notwithstanding , ether flitting awaie Vpon such occasions , or to bast●lie sent to the Vniuersitie , or because of their misguiding there , to some occupations , bi thought th●● the fruict of his labour Was toe much vncertaine , & tooke counsell if by some better waie h● might profit the ch●rch . Then he gaue warning to the Toune & departed to come home , as his rather willed him . So might h● haue liued with his father , b●ing a ma● of some countenaunce , and haue wanted noethinge , if he hadd beene soe disposed but his care as alwayes before . so then especially being set on the church of God , he asked leaue of his father , & tooke his Iournie to Cambridge from whense a few yeares before he had departed . He ther had dealing with M. Greēhā of dreiton , whōe of all others he hard fai was moste forwarde , and thought that With him & by him he should haue some stai of his care & hope of his purpo●e . Wherefore , as those which in ould tyme were called the prophetes & children of the prophetes & liued to gether , because of corruptions among others , so came he vnto him . He was suffered , as others also in his his house , to speake of that part of scripture , Which was vsed to be red after m●ales . And although he said , that without leaue & special word from the bishop , he was to s●ff●r none to teach openlie in his parish ▪ yet Without anie such leaue he suffered R. B. Notwithstanding , when R. B. sawe , that the dishops feet were to much sett in euerie place , & that spiritual infection to much spred euen to the best reformed places , he tooke that occasion wh●●h the Lord did first geue him for redresse , & when certaine in Cambr●g● h●d boa●h ●oue● hi● , & also with consent of the Maior & Vicechancelar , called him to preach among them , he delt in this manner .

He first considered the state of Cambrige , howe the ch●rch of God was planted therein . For he iudged that the church was to call and receaue him , if he sh●uld be there chosen and appointed to prea●h . Then did he thinck on this , whoe should be ch●●fest , or haue charge before others , to looke to such matters . For the bishops take vppon them the chieftie , but to be called and a●thorised by them , he thought it vnlawefull . And why he was of this minde , he had these and such like warrantes : namelie thei shoulde be chiefest , which partake vnto vs the chiefest gr●●es , and vse of their callinges . And th●t doeth Christ , as it is written , of his fullnes haue all we re●e●ued , and grace for grace . Ioh. 1. 16. And to him hath God made all thinges subiect sa●e●h Pa●l , Ephes. 1. 22. euen vnder his feet , and hath appointed him ouer all thinges , to be the head of the church , which is his bodie , euen the fullnes of him , which filleth all in all thinges . Nowe next vnder Christ , is not the b●shop of the dioces , by whōe so manie mischiefes are wrought , nether anie one which hath but single authoritie , but first thei that haue their authoritie together : as first the church , which Christ also teacheth , where he saieth , If he will not vouchsafe to heare them tell it vnto the church , & if he refuse to heare the church also , let him be vnto the , as an heathen man & a publican . Mat 18 17. Therefore is the church called the pillar & ground of trueth . 1. Tim. 3. 15. & the voice of the Whole people , g●ided bie the elders and forward●st , is saied to be the voice of God And that 149. p●alme doth sh●vne this g●eat honour , Whi●h is to all the saincts Therefore the meetinges together of manie churches , also of euerie Wh●le ch●rch , & of the ●lders therein , is ab●ue the Apostle , aboue the Prophet , the E●ang●list , the Pastor , the Tea●h●r ▪ & euerie particul●●●lder . For the ●oining & partaking of ●anie churches tog●●h●r ▪ & of the authoritie Which manie haue , must needes be greater & more Waighti● , ●h●n the authoritie of anie si●gle person . And this al●oe ment Pa●l Where he saith ▪ 1. Cor 2. 22. Wee are yours , & you are Christes , & Christ is Go●es . Soe that the Apostle is inferior to the ch●rch ▪ & the church is infer●or to Christ ▪ & Christ concerning his manhood & offi●e in the church , is inferior to God . This he iudg●d , not onelie toe be against the Wicked●e● of the b●sh●pes , but al●o ag●inst thei● Whole power & authoritie . For if the authoritie of the ch●rch , & of the forwa●dest breethren or elders therein , be aboue the bishopes , howe should it not follovue ▪ but that the bishopes maie be commaunded , accused & charged bie the church ▪ yea also discharged & separated as is their desert ? But nowe because of their popish power & canon lawes , thei haue lift vpp their authoritie more high , than the church can take accountes of them : & not onelie by force do thrust out & trouble Whome thei list , but also raigne as Lordes & Dukes in their dioces , their authoritie must nedes be vsurped . For the Apostles did geue accountes to the church of all their doinges , as We read in the Act. 11. 4. Act 15. 2. 3. & Rom. 15 , 31. But these being got aboue the Apostles , Will sit in the throne of Christ , & as Christ is not inferior to the church , no more Will thei be . For Christ hath chosen vs , saith the scripture , & not We him , Ioh. 15 , 16. & therfore he is greater than vs all . And seing the church can not chose the bishopes , nor those hirelinges , Whome the bishopes thurst vppon them , therefore the● also Will be greater then the church , & With Whom then do thei compare them selues in degree , but With Christ ? & so make them selues antichristes . Nai thei presume further then Christ Which would● not thrust his Apostles voō anie congrega●ion , nor suffer them to take charge of anie Which did not Willinglie receaue them ▪ Lu● . 10. 10. But these do force vpon the people euerie Where , & in sundrie places against their willes , not onelie ministers vnknovūe , but also such as are knovuen to be blind busserdes , Wicked f●llo●ves & idol sh●pherdes . Likewise Christ hath al rule in his hande ; as it is Written that we a●e compleat in him , Which is the head of all principalitie & power Col. 2. & he can not sinne , nor offend the lawe of God , nor be accused by the same . For ●o the ●cripture testifieth ▪ that none could reproue him of sinne , though he off●red him s●lfe to them to ac●use him ●f ●h●i could Ioh 8. And he is that high priest , as againe it is W●itten Heb. 7 which is holie , harmlesse ▪ Vndefiled , separate from sinners , and made higher th●● th● heauens How ▪ h●g● then ●o the● lift ●h●m selves , Which W●ll rule alone a● lordes ouer the sto●k , though th● word hath saied i● sh●ll not be so ? Lu● . 22. 26. ● . Pet. 5. 3. W●ich will be R●●bi●s , Doctors & reueren●●●●hers , though We h●ue b●t one docto● & Father as 〈…〉 h●gh 〈…〉 . ●at. 23. which ●lso t●ke vpon them , not as seruaunts in the h●●●e as was Mo●●● . ●●b . 3. 〈…〉 ●ft●r him that is soone & h●ire in his owne house sa●ng th●● w●ll ●ot 〈…〉 ra●g●●o ●et them L●c. 19 14. For the● haue refused his gouernment , & ch●●en their owne pop●●h ●●scipl●●e in stea● thereof .

This appeareth , because th●y enter & tak● on them their offi●e● in pop●sh wise , & as ●ha●●●we praescribeth them , & also do misg●id the people by th●●●op●sh tyra●nie . For who knoweth not , but that they w●tch for the liuing or bysh●p ●●ke , when it shall fall , & then se●●e & p●ye well for the same , if they obtaine it ●o are they rauenous & wicked persons , as saith the c●pture , Z●c . 3. They are mak● sh●ftes & troublers , seing they rule rath●r because they seeke their owne aduantage , or glorie , or ●●sh●henous p●rpose , then the welfare & benef● of the church Yea they all looke to their owne waye as sai●th ●he Prophet , Esa. 56. 11. euerie one for his a●uantage & for his owne p●rpose Who knowe●h not also , but that they whi●h are not duelie receaued & called to guide , & that by due consent & agrement , they are ether Antichristes in the church , or Tyrantes in the common welth , because they vs●rp in the church or commōwelth Such are they of whom Paul speaketh ▪ 2 Cor. 11. 20 that the corinthians did suffer them to much . For they did suffer if a man brought them into bondage , if a man deuoured , if a man tooke , if a man exalted him selfe , if a man smote them on the face . For in deed the people do suffer the b●shops , though they take from them their l●bertie ●f chosing good pastors & refusing euill , yea they suffer them selues to be robbed & beaten by those spiritual courtes , they suffer the great wardnes & wickednes of the byshops to be coloured & hidden by their outward bragge & countenance , as by their pomp , authoritie , tytls , & power , & some times by their fair flattering sermons & pleasings . For they rule by three sortes of lawes , as by the ciuil , the canon , the common lawe , which are three kingdomes vnto them , or as the Popes triple crowne , & by pretending the fourth lawe , which is the worde of God , they ouerrule totoe much : they spare not to come vppon the people with force & power , & they care not to bridle them with new & yearly iniunctions & al●o with the ould lawes & penalties of the court of Rome . While R. B. thought these thinges ●n him selfe , he moued the matter diuers times vnto others . Some did gainsay & those of t●e ●orwardest , affirming that the byshops authoritie is tolerable , & he might take license & ●●●horitie of them . Others of them saide they woulde not counsel nor medle for an other mā● conscience in that matter ▪ but they them selues iudged , that the byshops preached the wo●d of God , & therefore ought not lightlie to be reiected . Also they said , that seing they had the word & the sacraments , they must needes haue withall the church & people of God : & seing this was vnder the gouernment of the byshops & by means of them , they could not wholy condem the byshops , but rather ●udge them faultie in some parte . Then did R. B. againe & againe discusse these matters , as he had often before , as whether the byshopes coulde be saied to preach the word of God & minister the sacraments or no. For if that were trewe , then also might they call & place ministers : & seing they them selues did minister so great ● thing as is the worde & the sacraments , they might also minister their help in other thing● not so great . Therfore to knowe whether they preached the word of God , he searched & found by the scriptures , what it is to preach the word : namely to do the Lordes message as i● is written in Ieremie 23. 22 in teaching the people those thinges , whereby they might turn them from their euill waies & from the wickednes of their inuentions . Therefore excep● they haue a due message , they can not preach the word off message . For I sent them not saie●● the Lord in that place , nor commaunded them , therefore they bring no profit vnto this people . Againe except they preach those things first , ffor whi●h first & cheifly they were sen● namelie what so●uer is to reclame ●he people , first from some especiall wickednes , wherin they sinne , & s● ff●●m all other d●ff●●l●es , they can not be said to preach the worde . Therefore seing the b●sh●pes calling & authoritie vuas shewed before for to be vnlawefull , & seing also th●y call not the p●ople from the ●h●if●st abominations , Which are the cause of the rest , but rathe● wi●f●lly & with crueltie do leade them in the same , as will afterward appeare ▪ they can not preach the worde of God . For to make a sermon is not to preach the word of God , no , nor yet to make a true sermon . For the seruaunt that telleth a true tale hath not done his maisters mess●ge , nor the arraunt for the which he was sent , except he tell & speake that for the which his maister sent him . Therefore though the byshopes teach the people , and geue them lawes , & make manie iniunct●ons , yea though they be lawes of Christ , yet if they abuse the obedience of the people , to houl●e and followe with some lawes of Christ their owne lawes ●speciallie , what are they but antichrists ? And how can they then but onelie in name & in shewe , preach the lawes of Ch●●st ? For example while they peruert the lawe of God in this , they can not be saied to preach his lawe : namelie whereas God commaundeth to plant & to build his church , by gathering the worthie and refusing the vnworthie . Mat. 10. 11. Act. 19 9. Ezr. 6. 21. they booke by their contrarie lawes both papists & careles worldlings , as crooked trees to b●il● the lordes sanctuarie , & force the wretched to their worshippings & service , as if dogges might be thurst vpon God for sweet sacrifice . Proud forceing is meeke building with them & deuotion compelled is their right religion . Thus herein they pollute the Lordes sanctuarie & wrest his lawe , how much more by a thousand moe abominations whereof afterward we breiflie touch some . For by them do they feed them selues & the people with the bread of vncleannes , in stead of the puer word of God . They make it readie with the dongue that cometh of man , euen with their traditions , tolerations , & falsifiinges . And if the Pharises made the worde of God ofnone effect or authoritie by their traditions , as it is written . Mark . 7 13. much more these . They by their corbans or offering of guiftes , gaue occasion to children to dishonour their parents & these by their spirituall courtes , by their s●ond excommunications , dispensations , absolutions , &c. yea by their taking of bribes & fees , do let so manie lose to all misrule & filthines They taught the gould of the Temple to be greater then the temple , which sanctifieth the gould : Mat. 23. 17. & these teach that to sinne is damnable : but to pollute the Lordes spiritual Temple by mingling the cleane & wretched together which is the cause of all sinne , is noe matter of damnation : forsooth it is a thing tollerable because they can not remedie it . They taught that the offering on the altar was greater then the altar , though it sanctifie the offering and these teach that to want the sacraments , that is lamentable , but to want the kingdom of God , & the visible shewe of his rule in his church , whereby the sacrament is sanctified that they make no matter . If then for such doctrine they were called blind guides & fooles by Christ him selfe , Mat. 23. 16 , 17. yea & though they sate in Moses seat , that is at first were lawefullie called to teach the people , yet the people were charged by Christ toe lett alone such blind guides , & not to be guided by them . Mat 15 , 14. howe much more should we le● these blind guides alone , which neuer were lawfully called and also sit in the seat of Anticbrist . ●or what is the seat of Antichrist but that Popish Gouernment and lordship in the communion of such Romish offices , & horrible abuses by them . And while they syt in the temple of God . ● Thess. ● . 4. & exalt their traditions aboue Gods , what are theie but antichri●● ▪ Doe th●ie then preach the Lordes word of message ? or is not h●s word a fier , and like an hammer that breaketh the stone ? lere. 23 , 29 But all their preaching can not breake & bring men from anie smaller or greater disorders , which vnicked church lawes or church Prelates commaun● them . Thus was he se●led not to seeke anie approueing or authorising off the b●shopes . B●t because he knev●e the trouble that would follovue , 〈◊〉 he so proceeded , he sought meanes off quietnes so much has was lavueffull : & for dealing wi●h the b●shopes , he was of this iudgement , that men maie nowe deale with them , as before ●he● might with the pharises : that is , so far as we nether sinne against God , no● g●ue offence vnto men . Thereffore iff Christ did his Fathers will , when he sate in the mid●es off the doctors , h●a●eing them , & asking them quaestio●s ▪ Luc. 2. 46 & ●ff Paul did his duetie , when he sate doune in the synagogue , as it were offering him selfe , & seekeimg leaue to speake to the people ▪ Act 13. 14. ●● he also did lavueffullie applie him selfe to their ceremonies , Act. 21 26 then thus far allo● there medling with the bishopes , to trie & proue them , or to be tried off them , as we see the like did fall out in Christ , also to yeeld to their power , so that wherein we yeeld , it be not against the trueth , & we do not establish it : as we knovue Paul did to the power off the priests , off the pharises , & off the chiefe off the synagogue . Th●●efore he thought it lavueful first to be tried off the bishops , then also to suffer their pouver , though it were vnlauveffull iff in anie thing it did not hinder the trueth . But to be authorised of them , to be sworne , toe subscribe , to be ordained & receaue their licensing , he vtterlie misl●ked & kept himselfe cleare in those matters . Howe be it the bishopes seales were gotten him by his brother , Which he both refused beffore the officers , & being written for him wuold not paie for them , & also being afterward paied for by his brother , he lost one , & burnt an other in the fier , & an other being sent him to Cambridge , he kept it by him , till in his trouble it was deliuered to a lustisse off peace , & so from him , as is supposed , to the bishop off Norwich . Yet least his dealing on this manner should encourage others to deale in worse manner , he openlie preached against the calling & authorising of preachers by bishops , & spake it offten also openlie in Cambrige , that he taught among them not as caring for , or leaning vpon the bishopes authoritie , but one lie to s●ti●fie his duetie & conscience . And this his duetie he saied was , first to discharg his message before God , & deserue no reproofe of them , & then also , ether toe finde them worthie , or else , iff thei refused such reformation , as the Lord did nowe call for , to leaue them , as his duetie did bi●d hi● For he did not take charg● off ●hem , as he often gaue them warning , & also did oft●n sh●we th● cause , namelie for that he ●awe the parishes in such spirituall bond●ge , that Who soeuer Would take charge ●ff them , must also come into that bondage With them Therefore he fi●d●●g ●he p●●●sh●s to● much addicted , & pliabl● to that lamentable st●te , he ●u●ged , th●t the king●om off God Was not to be b●g●● by whole pa●●shes , but ●a●h●r off he w●r●hie●● , Were the● neu●●●o ●●●ve . For it is as a g●a●●e off ●●ster see● , ●a●e●h ●h●ist , at th● fir●● , M●t. 13. and as a litle l●au●● hiddin three pe●kes of mea●e . So h● h●●ing ●ri●d about halfe a ye●re , bo●h by op●n pr●a●hi●g , & by da●●e exhortation in sundri● h●use , th●t ●ther bie bon●a●e 〈…〉 , o● o● the Colleg●●s , or of wi●k●d ministers & rea● 〈…〉 to like of that bondage , no redresse could be Wa●●ed for , h● k●●w● that the Lord had appointed him theree to be occupied , one lie to trie & prepare him to a further , & more effectual message , and to be a witnes of that wofull state of Cambrige , whereinto those wicked prelats and doctors of diuinitie haue brought it . This he foresawe before he preached among them & therefore when thei gathered him a stipend , and would haue had him take charge , he ref●sed , and did both send backe the monie thei would haue giuen him , and also gaue them warning of his departure . So he continued preaching a while , till he fell soare si●ke : and in his sicknes while he ceased his labour , he was forbidden to preach bie a letter sh●wed him from the counsell For in deed he had delt boul llie in his duetie , and prouoked the enimies . The b●shops officer named Bancraft , did read the letter before him , but he nothing moued there with did answere , that if he had taken charge in that place , he woulde no whitt lesse cease preaching for that , but as he Was he tooke not on him he said , though the letter Were not , to preach there anie longer .

OF R. B. COMING TO NORWICH & howe the companie there ●oined together .

After these thinges , When he Was recouered of his sicknes , & had gotten his strength he tooke counsell still & had no rest , What he might do for t●e name & kingdom of God . He often complained of these eu●ll daies & With manie teares sought Where to find the righteous , Which glorified God , With whome he might liue & re●o●se together , that thei putt awaie abominations .

While he thus Was carefull , & besought the Lord to shevue him more comfort of his kingdom & church , then he savue in Cambrige , he remembred some in Norfolke , Whome he harde saie were verie forward . Therefore he examined the matter , & thought it his duetie to take his voiage to them First because he considered , that if there were , not onelie faultes but also open & abominable wickednes , in anie parish or companie , & thei would not or could not redresse them , but were held in bondage , bie antichristian power , as were those parishes in Camb●ige by the b●shops , then euerie true christian was to leaue such parishes , & to seek the church of God wheresoeuer . For where open wickednes is incurable , & popish prelates do raigne vphouldig the same , there is not the church & Kingdom of God ▪ as it is written , 2. Chro 1● . 4. for a long season , I●rael hath bene without the true God , & without priest to teach , & without lawe . So that though there be a name of priestes , & of preaching , and of God amongst anie , yet if there be sett ouer them idol shepherdes , popish prelates , & hireling preachers worse then thei , that vphoulde antichristian abominations , there God doeth not raigne in his kingdom , nether are thei his church , nether is there his worde of message . For no man can serue twoe contrarie maisters , saieth Christ . Mat 6. nether can thei be the Lordes people without his staffe of beutie & bandes . Zac. 11. 7. that is , without the Lordes gouernment . For his couenant is disanulled as it followeth in the 10 verse . Nowe his gouernment & scepter can not be ther , where mu●h open wickednes is īcu●●ble . For if open wickednes must needes be suff●red , it is suffered in those which are without . as Paul saieth what haue I to do to iudge those which are without ? . 1. Cor. 5. 12

And againe he saieth euen of these latter times , that men shall be louers of them selues , couetous , boasters , proud , cursed speakers , disobedient to patents , vnthanckfull , ●n holie , without naturall affection , truce breakers , false accusers , intemperate , feirce , dispifers of the● which are good , traiters , headie , highmided , louers of pleasures , more then louers of God , haueing ● shewe of godlines , but hauing denied the power there of . From such we mu●● turn awaie as Paul w●rneth 2. Tim. 3. 5. that is , we must count them none of the chu●ch & leaue them , whether in all these , or in some of them , theie be openlie soe faultie , as that thei be incurable . Also if anie be forced by lawes , penalties , & persecution , as in those pa●ishes , to ●o●ne with anie such persons , ether in the sacramentes , or in the seruice & worship of God , thei ought vtterlie to forsake them , & auoid such wickednes . For the abomination is set vp , antichrist is got into his throne , & who ought to abide it . Yea who ought not to ●eeke from sea to sea ▪ & From land to land as it is written , Amos ▪ 8. 12. to haue the worde and the sacramentes better ministred , & his seruice and worship in better manner . So while he thought on these thinges , and was purposed to trie also in Norfolke the Forvuardnes of the people , it fell out that R. H. one whom he pirtlie vuas acquainted vuith before , ca●e to Cambridge What vuas his purpose in coming , and hovue he thought to haue entred th● ministerie , & did vse some meanes to that end , it is needles to rehearse ▪ onelie this I shev●● that he seemed to be verie carefull in that matter , & though he leaned to much vpon me● for that matter , as vpon M. Greneham , M. Robardes & others , and vuas carefull amisse for the b●shops authorising ▪ yet his mind and purpose might be iudged to be good , & no othervuise but vuell did R. B iudge of him . When he had ●alcked vuith R. B. and shevued him the matter vuhereaboute he vuent , he receaued this ansvuere at his handes , that it vuas vnlau●●full to vse ether maister Greenhams help , or anie mans else for the bishops authorising . Soe he shevued him hovue b●fore he had delt concerning the bishop , & vuas novue so far from seeking license , ordainig or authorising at his handes , that though he neuer had them , yet for that he k●evue of them , he abhorred such trash & pollutions , as the marckes and poison of Antichrist Notvuithstanding he saied that if his conscience led him , to deale as before ●e had delt , he vuould do for him vuhat he might . For he had before requested his help . But R. H. ether chaunging his mind , or disappointed of his purpose , returned to Norwich , Whether also a short time after R. B. tooke his iournie . He came to R H ▪ . house , Vuhoe then Vu●s Maister in the Hospitall at Nor Wich . He there finding roume enough , and R. H. Willingee . nough that he should abide Vuith him , agreed for his board , & kept in his house . They often had tal●ke together , of the lamentable abuses , dilorders , & sinnes , Vuich no Weraigne euerie Vuhere . At the first they agreed Vuell together , but yet so as that in some things R. H. doubted : notwithstanding he came on more and more and at last Wholie yeelded to the trueth , Vuhen he sauue it began to preuaile and prosper .

THE TALKE AND COVNSEL WHICH R. B and R H. had tog●ther , about matters of the church & Kingdom of God .

Their commoning about such matters Vuas much and often , as of the state of the church wherein it was then : & What was both their dueties to do in such matters . Their talck did fall out much after this manner . For When thei were walcking alone R B. said I was glad M. H. that God did keep you at Cambrige , at your last being there , and disposed your waie not to haue anie medling With those bishops , but to geue them ouer . Whereto R. H. answered , that he asked it off God , and God hard his praier , that if it was not meet for him so to enter the ministerie , he would let and disappoint him off his purpose . Then after this at sundrie ti●es , there grewe other tal●k : as of the Lordsh●p , offices and discipline off Antichrist in stead of the Lordship and gouernment of Christ . Then fell out these questions betwene them , Whether those preachers that submitt them selues vnto such popish power , or anie Way so iustefie or tolerate it , as lawefull in some part , or partlie to be liked & vsed , can them selues be liked off , or do their duetie as lavuefull pastors & preachers . Hereat R. H. did stick , because off M. Robardes , M. More , M. Deering , & others , whome he thē●●d greatlie like off . But more he doubted & as it were drewe back , when he should geue ouer such preachers , or else forsake & sh●incke from our owne good purpose . For he would haue the consent of such preachers in the matters that were determined , & also vuould haue them to io●ne , though it was made plaine vnto him , that thei nether Woulde , nether could ioine , takeing that course Which thei did . And as for chan̄ging of their course there Was no hope or likelihood , that thei Would do it . For their liuing , their glorie , & credit With the people , stood on it : & thei had sought out manie fetches , & got an euen waie on both sides . Thei haue their tolerations , mitigations , & other trim distinctions , as of things partlie lawefull & partlie vnlawefull , necessarie & lesse needfull , matters of faith & matters besides faith , ordinarie & extraordinarie , with a number such like . Thus thei both please the people , & the b●shops also : & so are praised & mantained bie the people , & also suffered off the bishops , because forsooth thei are somewhat conformable . Then from this talek thei fell into other , namelie of the parishes , guided ether bie such preachers , or by the bishopes & their officers . Off this it did followe , that if the guides & their guiding Was vnlawefull then also the parishes so guided Were vnlavueful , & so could not be the churches of God . For thei that sh●t vp the kingdom of heauen before men , Mat. 23. 13. can not belong to the Lord , no more can thei , to whome it is manifestlie shat vp because thei follov●e and praise such guides . This being thus it Was debated , What profi●●hei had bie the preachers , and what good thei had reaped bie the pa●ishes : as whether faith might be wrought bie their preaching , & men called to goodnes , & what vse there was off the blind reading off seruice & the chapters bie the ministers . Then thei both tould how faieth Was first Wrough & bred in them . But herein thei agreed not , because R. H. said that saith might be bred & f●r●t wrought in some , onelie bie reading the scriptures ▪ & R. B. saied , no. For though it might be nou●ished & increased bie such reading yet the first Worcking thereof , is by hearing the word preached : as Paul saith , Rom. 10. 14. howe shall We bele●e on him on Whom We haue not hard , & howe shall We heare Without a preacher . And least reading shoulde be taken for preaching , it is said , howe shall thei preach except thei be sent . So also least hearing the Word , should be taken for hearing it read , Paul saith afterward , that faith cometh by hearing & hearing by the word of God : meaning by the Word of God the Worde of● message in his mouth whome God sendeth . So then faith is not Wrought by reading , nether by that hi● 〈…〉 but by 〈…〉 th●● is , 〈…〉 can come . 〈…〉 was on 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 faith , & 〈…〉 of the spirit 〈…〉 as 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 & faith 〈…〉 be as we knowe not saith h● the reason of the wind , ho●● , fr●● whense , & w●●ther it bloweth , no more can we casl●● knowe , h●●ve a man is bo●● off ●h● sp●it of God : that is howe he is first renewed & called to goodnes by faith , and the spirit of God For this is the ●ifference of faith & the sp●●it , b●cause the spirit is an 〈◊〉 Working off the h●l● ghost in our harts , Which st●reth & prepa●●●● vs vnto all goodnes , & 〈◊〉 faith cometh , it 〈…〉 th●s much more in goodnes . B●t fa●th is a conscience of our redemption & happines in Christ , where b●ewe 〈…〉 in ●ll newnes of life . So then faith can not be excert ●●e he so renewed , that no open gro●●● Wickednes be in vs : as Iames teach●th vs , that f●ith Without Woreks is dead . Iam. 2 , 17 , 10 & that We are but vaine men 〈◊〉 We saie We haue faith When We ha●e no Worckes . And faith may be whol●e Wanting for a time , till the Lord do call vs , & drawe vs vnto him ▪ but the spirit is geuen to the elect euen Wh●le the● are infantes . And this spirit , though for a time it maie be hidden & couered , yet can it not cleane be put out & q●enshed . Th●rfore by it We are said to be sealed off God , & it is called in the scripture , the earnest off the spirit , the earnest off our inheritaunce . 2. Cor. 1 , 25. Ephes. 1 , 13 , 14. Whereb●e is ment that that spirit shall neuer Whol● cease so Worck litle or much toward our saluation . Noe more can it be that faith being once thorowe●e Wrought should Wholie fa●le , as Christ saith , he that cometh to me shall not h●nger & be thatt beleeueth in me shall neuer thirst . Ioh 6. 35. For though the● sinne neuer so greuous●●e , yet ●ff thei be elect , her haue 〈◊〉 some conscience of their Welfare in Christ , or forewaining of some grace which is towardes them . Thei had f●rth●r this talck ▪ howe men are called nowe a daies : howe some are troubled in conscience : What 〈◊〉 of the ha●● there is : & What tokens & assurance there is of our saluation . All which matters 〈◊〉 p●rtie did applie to him selfe . Therefore for our calling & howe faith is wrought nowe a daies , it Was said before to be bie the preaching of the word , b●t b●e what & whose preaching , that remaneth to ●newe : for that also was skanned betwene them . R B. was of this iudgment , that euerie Christian hauing faith & knowledg , & speaking the word of God vnto others , might winn others ▪ This R. H. consirmedd ●a● 〈◊〉 found it true , because bie h●s meanes ce●ta●ne sisters off his , when he taught & ex●●●ted them , were called & wonne . But h●we far thei & others were Wo●●e , it is afterward declared . Nowe 〈…〉 be thus wonne , howe is faith said to be Wro●ght by preaching of the word . B●saied that preaching is not oneli the publick teaching in the pu●pit , but it is rather that duetie of speaking & teaching the trueth , as it ought to be taught & that in what place so euer . For so it is Written in Deut. 6 , ● . where parentes are commaunded to teach the word , yea to beat it into their children & to w●et them on therein , both ●●●ing in th● house , & as thei walek b●e the way , and When the●ly downe , and wh●n thei ●se vp Therefore prea●hing is not tyed to th● p●l●it , nor to degrees to persons , to the ●pper , or 〈◊〉 , or co●ne●d cap● , to th● priest 〈…〉 cloake , or to the ska●let goune , the attite of b●sh●ps , the 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 an other 〈◊〉 . Therefore did Aqu●● and Pris●●lla preach euen to a preacher , when thei tooke 〈…〉 an● 〈…〉 Vntoe ●im the doctrine of the ghospel more plainlie . A●● 1● , 26. Yet is there a difference of preaching , because some ar● called and receaued to that off●●e and charge , in publique manner , but others are bound onelie as all other c●ristians , to edifie and instruct one an other● and th●s also i● preaching , but not with publiqu● 〈◊〉 . And by th●s teaching is faith also wrought 〈…〉 knowe by example of th●t woman of 〈◊〉 , Io● 4 , 41 ▪ For whose wordes manie b●leued , b●t 〈…〉 the text , 〈…〉 the Wordes of Christ him selfe . For thei confessed pl●nly th●● he was the Ch●ist the sauiour of the world . And if the Wordes of all christians ought to be su●h , as may minister grace to the hearers , saith Paul Ephes 4. then if some heare wh●●● yet haue not F●●th , thei may also h●●e that grace of faith Wrought in them by their hearing . Thus was it agreed on that faith cometh bie hearing and hearing b●e the word preached , and th● word is preached bie those which are sent , & this sending is both of those which h●ue publique message and authoritie ouer others , and also of euerie christian ▪ wh●ch is called a●d commaunded 〈◊〉 all occasions to edifie others . For where ●woe or three are gathered in mie name saith Christ , there am 〈◊〉 the middest of them : and i● 〈◊〉 sh●ll agree in earth vpon anie thing . What so euer thei shall desire of the Father , it 〈…〉 giuen them . Mat. 18 , 19. Who therefore can doubt , but that one or twoe mai● winne others to th● Lord , and pra●●ng also for the faith of tho●e , whom thei teach , then faith 〈◊〉 begiuen th●m of the Lord ?

WHAT GOOD THE PVBLICK PREACHING DOTH nowe a daies in England .

But this matter was not wholie agreed on What good was doone by the preachers and what fruict followed their doctrine . For R. H. made great accountes of some preachers , and said that much good was done by th●m . Whereto it was answered , that some preachers while thei were forward , and did 〈◊〉 for reformation , soe , long thei did good ▪ but When thei ●●●●ted , and fell to mitigitions and tolerating , thei , did not so much good before , but th●n thei did twile soe 〈◊〉 . ●uen as the Scribes and ●●harises whi●h compassed s●a and land , to make one o● them pros●ssion , and when he was made , thei made him 〈◊〉 fould mo●● the child of h●ll , then thei themselues . M●t. 23. So these when thei were gone a litle forward , & had brought others after them , thei then turned aside , & made their followers more careles of goodnes then euer thei Were , yea & not onelie careles , but also dispightfull & most bitter persecuters , if anie went beyond the , or were more toweard then th●i Therefore well maie that wo in Mat. 23 13. be pronounced against such euill preachers ▪ because thei sh●t vp the kingdom of heauen before men , for thei them selues go not in , n●ther suffer thei those that would enter , to come in . Woe to them hypocrites , which saie thei desire reformation & yet thei them selues are most vnreformed . Thei sai thei mourne & praie for amendment , & behould thei are fed of the rich & Vpheld bie great men , thei liue in pleasure & haue courtlie honour , & no man is the better but all are worse & worse . Yea others also do rightlie learne their hypocrisie : for as thei will streine & make much a do at some thinges , as at the capp & the surplisse & crossing in baptisme &c. and so will shev●e their zeale & deuotion in smaller thinges , & let greater ouerpasse : so also their followers Will seeme godlie , yea touched in hart & humbled , yet are thei openlie defiled with greuous offences & wickednes . So haue thei a shewe of godlines , as Paul saith , but haue denied the power thereof . 2. Tim. 3. 5.