IN most humble maner that we may , ( most gratious Soueraign , and right honorable assembly ) we fall down before your feete , euen in the dust , presenting before you a most waighty petition . It is not much vnlike that petition , that HESTER made to the King ASSVERVS : saying , Ester . 7.4 . If I haue found fauour in thy sight , and if it seeme good vnto the King , let my life bee giuen me at my petition , and my people at my request . For we are sold , I and my people to be destroied , to bee slaine , and to perish . And when the king demaunded , who had done that deede , the Queene aunswered that wicked HAMMON . In like wise , so many congregations of vs , as be in this Land , destitute of a godly minister , to preach vnto vs the word of Saluation ( as there be exceeding many ) do intreat for our life , and the life of our Neighbours . For we are sold to be destroyed , to be slaine , and to perish eternally , if by your gratious helpe , speedy remedy be not had . If question bee made , who hath done this deede ? we aunswere , the blinde guides , and vnlearned Curates , that are set ouer vs. In deede , we confesse , that our sinnes , and the sinnes of our forefathers are multiplied without measure , and grown exceeding great , and haue grieuously prouoked the Lords wrath , to strike vs with such â grieuous plague as there is none greater vnder the heauens . As wee reade , that the Lorde threatned the Iewes by the Prophete ZACHARIE , saying : For , loe I will raise vp a Shepeheard in the Lande , which shall not looke for the thyng that is lost , nor seeke the tender Lambes , nor heale that is hurt , nor feede that which standeth , but hee shall eate the flesh of the fat , and teare their claws in peeces . O Idoll shepheard that leaueth the flockel The like description is made of will Shepheards , in the 34. of EZECHIEL , with â Woe pronounced against them . By this , we trust it doth appeare , what we request ; euen , that it woulde please God , to mooue you , to make a firme , and stable law , like vnto the Lawes of the Medes and Persians , that cannot be altered ; nay , rather to confirme God his lawe , already established in his Worde , that euery Congregation of vs may haue one , or two Godly learned preachers set ouer vs , as euery Congregation is greater , or lesser , and these dumb Idolls , the moste pestilent enimies wee haue in the worlde , remooued from vs as farre as the East is from the West ; And that whosoeuer doth violate that holy law and decree , let his body be drawne in peeces , and his house made â Iakes ; because he seeketh the dishonor of the mighty God , the king of all the earth , as by NABVCHADNEZER it was decreed . So shal it appeare , that you are not only carefull for this present age , so to prouide that we may bee taught the feare of God , but that our posterity may know it also , and the children which are yet vnborn , may stand vp & declare it to their children , that they may set their hope in GOD , and not forget the works of the Lord , but keep his commaundements . We confesse that the greatest part of vs are the farthest of from the desire , and not so much as once thinke hereof : the more we are to be pitied . Notwithstanding , sith some of vs hath tasted the good word of God , and how gratious the Lord is to those which know & feare him , in tender loue , and compassion , to our brethren , finding no other way , we vncouer the tiles of your house of Parliament , & let thē downe with cordes before you , to stirre vp your bowels of compassion towards them ; as the man which had the palsey , was brought before our Sauior Christ . Concerning the minister appointed to the house of God by his worde , we find it written ( most noble Queene , & right Hon . assembly ) in that sacred Booke which you haue deliuered vnto vs , as the true word of God , & so , with al thanksgiuing , we receiue it : that he must be blamelesse in life , free from a great number of vices ( which S. PAVL to TIMOTHIE & TITVS reherseth ) & garnished with the contrary vertues ; & aboue all , he must be skilfull , to teach the word of God , able to exhort by sound doctrine , & to conuince the aduersary . Yea , he must be that man of God , that is perfectly enstructed in holy Scriptures , to euery good worke ; not onely to teach sound doctrine , & confute errors ; but also to reform maners & instruct in the way of righteousnes , to cast downe the proud , to raise vp the humble , to comfort the distressed ; to encourage him that walketh in the right way , to reproue him that runneth out of the way : and finally , to declare to all men , as Princes , Magistrates , and all other inferiour persons , of what calling soeuer they be , their generall and particular duties out of the word of God . And therefore he is worthily compared , in the Gospell to the rich housholder , which bringeth out of his treasury , things old and new . He is the Embassadour of the most high king vnto his people , to declare vnto them the whole counsell of God . Afterward he is mightily to deuide the Word of God to the people , as the onely foode of their soules , a disposer of the secreats of God , a father to beget vs with the immortall seede of the worde , a mother to nourish vs vp in the same : a starr or light , to cause the glorious Gospell of Christ to shine vppon vs , to be an example to vs , of an holy conuersation : a guide and an eye , to direct vs in the waye of eternall life , Salt , to season vs with the fear of God : a builder , to make a Temple of his people , which are liuing stones , for God to dwell in for euer : a Warriour to cast downe the proud imagination of man , as a strong hold and to bring euery thought to the obedience of Christ : a prophet , to speake in such sort , as when the vnbeleeuers , and vnlearned come in before them , they are rebuked and iudged , and so the secretes of the heart are made manifest , by the true repentaunce and faith . For the which , they acknowledge the gift of God , with all submission , & say plainly , that God is in them : â skilfull Shepheard to feede God his flock with his Worde . Necessary therefore , yea , more necessary then foode and cloathing , is the moste sacred office of preaching , an ordinary and most excellent means of our saluation : which eyther to neglect , or to seeke for other meanes without it , to obtaine fayth in Christ , is to preiudicate the wisedome of God , and to looke for some extraordinarye working , which were to tempt the highest , and procure his indignation vpon vs. And to proue the necessity of preaching , the Apostle PETER affirmeth , that in the Epistles of S. PAVL , there are sundry thinges harde to bee vnderstoode , which they that are vnlearned & vnstable , peruert , as they doe all scriptures , vnto their owne destruction . We therefore stande in great neede of that man of God before described , to open the Scriptures , with the key of knowledge : not only to the enlightening of our vnderstanding , and confirmation of our memory , but also to the reformation of our sinfull life . The trueth wherof , the example of the Eunuch , treasurer to CANDACES Queene of Ethiopia , doth manifestly approoue ; who being brought vp no doubt , in better maner then we the common people of the countrey , and deliting to read the holy scriptures , and especially the prophet ESAY , at what time PHILIP the Euangelist demaunded , whether he vnderstood what he red , answered directly , How can I , without I had a guide . If therefore this noble man aided with better helpes then the common sort , made it an hard thing to vnderstand the Prophet without an interpreter , how can we the simple silly people vnderstand it . For remedy whereof , the Lord hauing a prouident care ouer his Church , hath giuen Pastours and Doctors for the gathering together of the Saintes for the worke of the ministerie , and for the edification of the body of Christ , till we meete altogether ( in the vnitie of faith , and knowledge of the sonne of God ) vnto â perfect man , & vnto the measure of the age of the fulnesse of Christ . Much more we find in holy Scripture concerning the office of Ministers , tendyng to shew the excellencie of their function , and the wonderfull skill and knowledge that is required at their handes . So that it doeth plainly appeare , that God had a special care to prouide an euident and plaine lawe , that no vnskilfull man should be set ouer his flocke , because he is so plentifull in declaring their duetie almost euery where : so that whosoeuer desireth to be fit for such an office , desireth a worthy worke , to whom by good right appertaineth double honor , and of whom it may worthily be sayd with admiration . How beautifull are the feete of them which bring glad tidings of peace , and bring glad tidings of good things .

Hauing laid downe our petition , and described in some maner a faithful pastour ; we craue leaue to shew after what maner we desire that this pastour should exercise that his office among vs simple people , to our better edification . Neither doe we desire this of our selues , but , directed by the worde of God ; as it is written by S. PAVL to the Corinthians , saying : I could not speake vnto you as spiritual men , but as vnto carnall , euen as vnto babes in Christ Iesus . I gaue you milke to drinke , and not meate ; for ye were not yet able to beare it , neither yet now are ye able ; for ye are yet carnall . Much more may be said to vs Englishmen , Ye are carnall , and therfore haue neede to be fedde with milke , and not with strong meate . This milke we take to be , not onely a familiar kinde of Catechizing , in as short and plaine termes as possible may be ( which we greatly long after ) whereby we are made fit to receiue a more full declaration ; as when we haue learned our letters , we come to spelling ; but also a plaine and familiar kinde of handling of some portion of scripture , by deliuering the doctrine as the text yeeldeth it naturally without any enforcement , which doctrine receiueth an edge by exhortation . Contrary to this practise of S. PAVLE do they who either Catechize not at all , or els do it in such exquisite maner , that it is made rather strong meate , then milke . Some other take but one word for their text , and afterward runne into the mountaines , that we cannot follow them ; not knowing how they went vp , or how they will come downe : whereas , if they had taken a good portion of the text , and had naturally expounded , and pithily applied the same ; by occasion of that large text , we should haue remembred a good part of the sermon long time after ; & without all contradiction he that will doe vs any good , must abase himselfe as lowe as he can , to our capacitie , as S. PAVL in the place before alleaged , & also in the 6. to the Romanes doth testify , saying : I speake after the maner of men , because of the infirmitie of your flesh . For we countreymen are well content , that they spare to speake vnto vs in the Latine , Greeke , & Hebrew tongues , which we vnderstand not ; or to bring forth their Poets , Philosophers , or Schole-points taken from the liberall Artes , to approoue their matter they haue in handling , wherewith we are not acquainted : For in these things many preach themselues , and not Christ Iesus , and study to leaue an admiration & fame of their learning behind them , whereat they chiefly shoote , rather then a godly edification of the inner man , which is by faith in Christ Iesus . But when by those helpes before named , they haue attained to a fuller vnderstanding of the scriptures , let them ( in God his name ) in a plaine and simple declaration of the truth , with known wordes , setting apart the entising speach of man his wisedome , & flourishing eloquence of those Corinthian preachers , deliuer vnto vs the substance of religion , out of a pure heart , with reuerence as in the sight of GOD . So shall they haue PAVL for an example to imitate , whome FESTVS supposed , that much learning had made him mad ; yet writing to the learned Corinthians , he professed to know nothing amongst thē , saue onely Iesus Christ , and him crucified .

To this plainenesse of teaching , there ought to be ioyned a continuaunce in the holy exercise of the word , as S. PAVL saith to TIMOTHIE : Take heed to thy selfe , and to doctrine , and continue therein . And in an other place : Preach the worde , be instant in season , and out of season . And for that cause , one chiefe propertie of the minister is , to be vigilant ouer the flock , which though he carefully performe , yet in many yeeres , we come but to a small measure of knowledge , and reformation of life . And no maruell , sith the Apostles of Christ , hearing their master preach so often , and so familiarly , by the space of three yeeres and more , yet for all his paines and trauaile in that time , they knew not well the vertue of his death and resurrection . Yea , we heare say , that many painefull preachers both in townes & cities , exercising the word three or foure times a weeke , yet doe they complaine of the small profiting of the flocke . Then were it requisit , that double diligence were vsed amongst vs the rude people of the land , whose ignorance and dulnesse to learne , as also stubburnnesse to obey , are so great , that they are only known vnto God , to our selues , and those fewe that haue had familiar conference with vs. And in trueth to speake plainly , we are children in vnderstanding , and men in malice , and all rude behauiour . For why should we conceale from you the right honourable assembly of Parliament , the grieuousnesse of our malady , vnto whom we flie as vnto our parents , who onely haue power , next vnder God , to prouide a falue for our sore ? Yea , it grieueth vs that we haue so long tyme concealed the miserable estate wherein we stand , from them who if they had known it to be so great , as we do feele it , would ere now haue prouided a remedy to redresse it . But touching these men , whome we so greatlye desire to haue , in our simple iudgement , we thinke it not fit , that any man ( were he neuer so wise & godly ) should make choise alone of that man , that is to take a greater and more precious charge vpon him , then they that haue the most costly Iewells and treasures of Princes , committed to their keeping . How requisite were it , that such â man as should haue the bringing vp & gouernment of the sonnes and daughters of the glorious king of heauen , ( who loued them so dearely , that he spared not his onely begotten sonne , to redeeme them with his most precious bloud ) should rather come into â publike place of trial , as it were into an open Theater , that after publike praier and fasting , he might be seene & viewed of all men , that if the beholders had as many eies as thei faine that Argos had , they shuld vse them all , to sift & try out that man , whehe were fit both in respect of his wisedome & vnderstanding of the holy scriptures , as honesty of life & conuersation , to take that noble charge vpon him . Moreouer , seeing we know that there be many subtile workers , transforming themselues into Angels of light , who seeke craftily to creepe in to deuour the flocke : is it not to be feared , that they will more easily slide in through the hands of one then of many ? Yea surely , the counsel & aduise of mo then one for trial , is thought needful to be vsed in matters of les importance . As when any man taketh on him the profession of Phisike ( whose care is onely to see to the good estate of the body ) notwithstanding , 11. of Henry the eight , cap . 3. that he hath spent many yeeres both in the study of the liberal Arts , as in the secrets of Phisike ; yet is he to passe the hands of 4. approoued Doctors of Phisike to be tried , whither he hath profited so much in the study of Phisike , as is requisite for a man of that profession , least , if he should rashly take vpon him to intermeddle in that Science , without sufficient knowledge in the same , the bodily health of man should sustaine either damage or danger . Shal then the spirituall Phisition that taketh vpon him to cure the maladies of the minde , ( which are mo in number , more secret , and more difficult to be cured , and more dangerous if they bee cured ) come lesse furnished in the knowledge of his profession then the other ? And is it not requisite , for the triall of his knowledge , that the number of skilfull examiners and their diligence , should be multiplied and increased so much the more as the soule doeth excell the body ? Therefore seeing we are so prouident , that we can espy the euils that happen to the body by vnskilfull Phisitions , and by good meanes preuent them : why can we not see the palpable mischiefs that we suffer in our soules by vnlearned Curates , and by many skilfull & vigilant eyes exclude them ? And this election many we finde to bee agreeable to the scriptures ; as we reade in the election of MATHIAS , Acts. 1. of the Deacons Acts 6. Where the apostles and the church were assembled together about that businesse : and of the election of the elders in euery church . Actes 14. PAVLE and BARNABAS , and IOHN , MARK with the Church were assembled together with fasting and prayer . Likewise , Act 16. where it seemeth that PAVL chose TIMOTHIE alone , ( when they of Lystra and Iconium presented ) yet in the first epistle of S. PAVLE wrote vnto TIMOTHIE , mention is made , that hee had imposition of hands by the Eldership , which consisteth of many . It appeareth also in the same epistle , that there were many in the election of the church-officers at Ephesus : because S. PAVL exhorteth TIMOTHIE , not to bee partaker of the sinnes of others , that were fellow-choosers with him , by yeelding , his consent to the election of any vnworthy officer , but to keep himself pure , by denying his consent , and hindring the election , as much as hee might , which no doubt is the true sence of that place . The same is prooued , by the epistle to TITVS , where PAVL requireth him to ordaine elders in euery city , as he had apointed him : by the which saying : TITVS is restrained to that order or election , which S. PAVLE had appointed him , and it is to be thought that S. PAVL woulde appoint no other order to be obserued , thē he himself had vsed act . 14 and in the election of TIMOTHIE , which was practised by the apostles , act . 6. At the leaste if it were but to keepe vniformitye amongst them . And vndoubtedly , if the ministers of the word had their calling by many good and godly men , indued with gifts sufficient for the triall of their doctrine and manners , then wee should accept them as the angels of God , euen as Christ Iesus himselfe , then durst no such hedge-priestes , and caterpillers , as are spread ouer the land in great number , once thinke to haue any entrance into the church of God to kill soules any more : when they shold vnderstand that there were many vigilant watchmen apointed to keep the dore against thē . Thē shold not they that can thriue in no trade of life , such men as Iob calleth the children of fools , & the sons of villains , which are more vile then the earthe , haue theire vttermoste refuge , and resting place in the ministery . But if any man that is without natural affection to vs his poore brethren , shoulde giue some allowaunce to these vnpreaching ministers , which wee haue : willing vs to contente oure selues with them , as our lawfull pastours . In calling to our remembraunce these dumb idolles which oppresse vs , they renewe oure former griefe , and make our hearts euen bleede to thinke vpoon them . For who are appoynted to murther God his people , but they ? Howe farre are they vnlike these ministers whome before we haue described ? euen as muche as the darknesse is to light . For if the worde of God bee the rule of righteousnesse , as it is in deede , and these men of whome we complaine , are not squared thereby ; Howe can they auouche that they bee sent of God ? If not of him , you knowe of whome . For if Christe had sente them , as his Embassadours , then , no doubt he would haue put his Embassage in their mouthes . Or if hee would haue had them occupiers of the talent of preaching the word , wold he not first haue giuen it them ? For how can the iudge of all the world cal men to accounts for the abuse of that they neuer had ? Nay rather ; he saith to all the Pastours of his flocke before he send them , as he did to EZECHIEL . Eate that thou findest , Eate this booke and goe , and speake to the house of Israel . Neither do we finde in God his booke which you haue deliuered vnto vs , any other ministers of the word , except those which are called blind guides , starres without light , vnsauory salt , good for nothing , no , not for the dunghill , cloudes without water , idoll shepheards whom the Lord hath cursed euen from mount Ebal . Esa . 3.6 , 7. And certainly when the bishops went about to lay their handes vpon them , and vnwarily sayd vnto them , ye haue clothing , let this ruine bee vnder your handes : they should haue said , yea , rather sworne on that day to the reuerend fathers , saying , we can bee no helpers , there is neither bread in our houses , nor clothing , therefore make vs no gouernours of the people . Or they might haue said euery one of them , as we read in the Prophet ZACHARIE : ●ach . 13.5 . I am no Prophet , I am an husbandman , for man taught me to be an heardman from my youth vp . O that they had ben so wise , so to haue done : But , if they themselues will plead for the alowance of their ministerie , and shew forth themselues as though they were workmen that need not to be ashamed , Let thē proue it by their worke as S. PAVL doth prooue his Apostleship to the Corinthians , which was then called into question by the false Apostles most vnworthily ; as we doe call their ministerie into question most worthily . He brought not forth vnto them his letters commendatorie from some great man ; as peraduenture they will shew the letters of their Orders : but he willed them to call to remembrance their conuersion to Christ , and the graces giuen them by his ministery in the Gospel , and that was his epistle commendatorie , and the seale of his Apostleship to be red of all men . What those graces were , it is plaine in the 1. Cor . 1. In all things ye are made rich in him , in all vtterance , and all knowledge ; so that you are not destitute of any gift , waiting for the appearing of our Lord Iesus Christ . So wee pray you to try these men , their congregations , which in some places are more then two thousand soules , and see their worke : mooue but these smal questions to try their knowledge , and you shall haue the like answers for the most part . Honest man , are you â sinner ? Yea , the best of vs all are sinners . Haue you sinned in the 1. com . Thou shalt haue none other gods but me ? I thanke God my whole trust is in him . Haue you broken the 3. com . by taking Gods name in vaine ? I sweare as litle as any man , I thank God . Do you not commit adultery , or steale ? No , God forbid , I perceue we shal find you no sinner at length . But what is the punishment due for sinne ? As it pleaseth God . Then God hath not alredy determined of that matter . So it may be . But how shall you be saued from your sinnes , tel me that ? By my good works , & deeds I hope , & som better lerned wil say , God is merciful . Through whom is God merciful vnto you ? I cannot tel that , for I am not learned . Then I will tel you , God is mercifull through Christ . But what was Christ ? A man , I trow . And was he no more ? Yes , he was more . What more ? I told you that I am not learned to answer such deepe questions , I was neuer asked the like before . Are you not fully perswaded that you shall go to heauen ? No , for you cannot be certain of that your self , but I hope wel , & mean as wel as the best of you scripture men . Behold the nakednes of our soules , haue pity vpon vs , & help vs to couer our shame . But al this time while you reason with vs of these matters , we thinke our selues in a wildernes , or as a fish out of the water , & so glad as may be to be rid of your company . And some will not answer at all , but shake you of as busybodies , in great anger , willing you to see to your own soules , & let theirs alone . So that not aboue 2. or 3. of 100. ( we suppose ) of vs country people thorowout the land where these blind guides be , can make any better answer to the purpose , whereby you may probably coniecture that the seed of eternal life is sowen in our hearts . And the conuersion of these few is not wroght by any thing done by these silly ministers ; but rather the prouidence of God hath drawn vs into some other place by occasion of our calling , where we haue heard the word preched : or it may be , that God doth blesse some mens bare reading or hearing the scripture red , or conference with godly men , by the working of his spirit , where al other means faile thē . But if question be further made of the practise of mortification of the old man , & the raising of the new man , of the benefits of afflictions , of patience , &c. wherof the Corinthians were not destitute by PAVLES ministery ; we thinke we heare men speake parables , if mention be made of the comming of our Lorde Iesus , then we tremble . But many of vs , can say the beleefe , the Lorde his prayer , and the tenne commaundementes ; and yet God knoweth , without vnderstanding or feeling . Neuerthelesse , we think our selues to be in as good case , touching our soules health , as the best of you all . This is that great perfection whereunto our idol-ministers haue brought vs. Behold these labourers , that neede not to be ashamed of their worke ? Read these their Epistles to their high commendation . But by this , that we haue sayd , we think it to be playn ynough , that these men entred not in at the doore into the sheepe-folde , but climed vp another way , and therefore , by the verdict of our sauiour Christ , they are theeues and robbers , whose comming tendeth only to steale , to kil , and to destroy . First , what good can come vnto vs by them , whome the Lorde hath not sent , and sanctified to the work of the ministery ? what good can they do to the building of God his temple , that bring with them no tooles to worke with , but occupy the roome of a Figge tree that bear no fruit . Secondly , they which do not gather with Christ , according to his owne testimony , doe scatter : but it is manifestly known , that these men are no gatherers , but to sathan . Therfore it is euident , that they do vs much harm , but no good at al. Thirdly , how can those be profitable vnto vs , and not rather an intollerable burthen , whom the Lord in his great displeasure hath cursed and laden with many woes , as in IEREMIE 23. Woe be vnto the pastours that destroy and scatter the sheepe of my pasture , saith the Lord : and after promising to set shepheards ouer them , that should feede them . He sheweth euidently that they scatter and destroy , who feed not the people with the wholsom word of life . The like we read in the prophet EZECHIEL cap . 34. where it is written , after this manner . Thus saith the Lord God vnto the shepheardes . Wo be vnto the shepheards of Israel , that feede themselues : shold not the shepherds feed their flocks ? Ye eat the fat & cloath ye with the wool , ye kill them that are fed ; but ye feede not the sheepe : the weak haue ye not strengthned , the sick haue ye not healed , neyther haue ye bound vp the broken , nor brought againe that which was driuen away , neither haue ye sought that which was lost , but with cruelty and rigour , haue ye ruled ouer them , and they were scattered without a sheapherd , and when they were scattered , they were deuoured of all the beastes of the feelde &c. How can the sheepe bee in worse case then to bee in the hands of such shepheards as regard them not , but scatter them to be deuoured of all the beasts of the feelde ? In the which spirituall pouerishments the wrath of the Lord doth not stay it self , but his arm is stretched out stil to afflict the people of that kingdome wher such euil shepherds be , with al maner of bodily plagues also , as war and captiuity , whereof we read , in the Prophet ESAIAS , wher the Lord prouoketh forraigne nations to inuade the land of IVDEA , saying : All ye beasts of the feeld come to , & deuour euen all the beastes of the Forest &c. The reason followeth . Their watchmen are all blinde , they haue no knowledge , they are all dumbe Dogges , they cannot barke , they lye , and sleepe , and delighte in sleeping . Last of all heereby it appeareth that wee are worse by these Sheapheards , then if we had none , because their skill seruing them onely to teache vs to say by heart , the Lord his prayer , the beleefe , and ten commandements , and peraduenture some part of the Cathechisme : Which we know full little what they meane , and to reade the scripture vnto vs , which we heare as a story that concerned the people of old time , with out any further application therof vnto our selues : yet notwithstanding by this , we think our selues to be in as good case , and as farre forward in the way of saluation as the best of them all , that haue continually heard the gospel preached for the space of these 26. yeares . This is the pollicy of Sathan , with the shewe of nothing , to make vs beleeue , that we haue al things , & when we are empty , to make vs think we are ful . This is that chainshot , wherewith he slaieth thousands vpon thousandes , & as it were , the iawbone of an asse ; wherwith he doth make heaps vpon heapes , as we read of SAMPSON , wheras , if we had none at all , very shame would compell vs , to go to the places , where preachers are , and by the grace of God , wee shoulde heare them , euen the secreates of our harts discouered and condemned , and the only means to be saued , to embrace our sauiour Christ by faith . By whose helpe we shold take such taste of the worde of God , that we should afterward neuer be in rest and peace before we had procured a good pastour to be placed ouer vs. So should not Sathan deceiue vs any more to cause vs to stay vpon these silly shepeheards , as vpon a broken staffe of reede , vpon the which if a man leane , it will go into his hand & pierce it . But if further reply be made of those that tender our saluation but a litle , saying , you are sufficiently prouided of preachyng by your quarterly sermons . We answere , that 4. sermons in the yere are as insufficient ordinarily to make vs perfect men in Christ Iesus , ( to which end Pastours and Doctors are giuen vs ) as 4. strokes with an axe are vnable to fell downe a mighty oke , or 4. showers of raine of one houres continuance to moisten the hard dry earth , and to make it fruitfull all the yeere long . Yea , our children will as soone learne the Latin tongue by going to schoole 4. houres in a yeere , as we that be children in vnderstanding the scripture , shall attaine to a true knowledge and reformation of life fit for a Christian man , by hearing 4. sermons yeerely : by reason , that the one is agreeable to nature , the other quite contrary . What if these men which preach these quarterly sermons , be be the Pastours of an other flocke ? How can we with a good conscience take those sermons from that flocke to which they belong , and depriue them of that which by good right doth appertaine to them ? That congregation which soweth vnto their Pastour all his earthly things , will be lothe to be defrauded of the vse of any of his spiritual things ; especially , on the Saboth day . And surely , if this iniury were offered in matters concerning this life , it would in no maner wise be put vp and digested amongst vs. But admit it were lawful for the pastors to borow so much time of their flocke as to preach these quarterly sermons , yet if we consider the smal profiting of the Apostles of Christ in a long time , who were often taught and after the best maner , by their master , and the incredible dulnes & backewardnes of vs countrey people , that are fallen into the last and worst age ; and the exceding great inequalitie of our teachers in comparison of our Sauiour Cstrist : it may easily moue you to thinke , that 4. sermons were farr to litle , and that 400. rather were more requisit ( if it were possible thei could be attained vnto ) to bring vs to the vnitie of faith , & acknowledging of the sonne of God , which is the end of the ministery , as S. PAVL writeth to the Ephesians . But seing we haue the expresse wordes of the same same Apostle to TIMOTHIE , willing him , & in him al pastours to preach the word , & to be instant in season , and out of season , & to continue therein ; as also the example of himself , which he recommended to the Elders of Ephesus , & consequently to all Pastors to be imitated , saying : Watch therefore , & remember that by the space of three yeeres , I warned euery man night and day with teares ; this controuersie may soone be ended , yea the wofull experience almost euery where , which is the schoolemaster of fooles , doth make open proclamation , that these 4. sermons are to slender a diet for vs. But if it were graunted ( will some say ) that it is fit , yea necessary , that euery congregation should haue a painfull preacher or two , if it be greater ; which we take to be as clere as the light , and denied of none but of Papists and Athists : yet were it pity ( say they ) to displace these vnlearned Curates , and to turne them & their family forth a begging . But were it not a greater pity by farre , to see these blind guides themselues to fall into the pit of hel , & â multitude of souls in the land , that are almost innumerable to follow thē , there to starue & pine away eternally , being depriued of all foode that should comfort them ? Nay , seing they did neuer sweat for the place which they haue inuaded , nor entred in by the dore , but climed vp some other way by euil means , & no good faith ; & being entred , haue made hauocke of the Lord his flocke , & therefore most worthily are called thieues & robbers , by the mekest man that euer was : they may thinke themselues very mercifully delt withal , that they may quietly depart away with bag & baggage , and returne to their old occupations againe , from whence they came , without any further punishment . But because it may be thought that they haue committed this sinne ignorauntly , and that vnder the shadow of lawe , and seeing that Christian charitie doth extend it selfe very farre , we suppose that some litle pension might very wel be deducted from the liuing of the BB . of the See where they were ordred & be giuen vnto them : & if that pention would not serue for their maintenance , the rest might be supplied either by their old occupations , or by exercising som inferior office in the church , and teaching of children . So by this sparer diet , then heretofore they haue vsed , and the hearing of the Gospell preached diligently by a learned man , which had bin before precious vnto them because they had no manifest vision ; as it fel out in the dayes of ELIAS , as we read in SAMVEL , they may be brought to bewayle the bloud ( whereof they are guilty ) of so many souls , as haue perished in their manifold sinnes and ignoraunce , within their parishes , by reason they haue not giuen warning from God , out of his word , as he requireth in the prophet EZECHIEL ; that if it be possible one way , or other , God his wrath might be pacified in true humbling of themselues ; with many teares before the throan of grace , and they washed clean from the bloude of all men , by the rich mercies of God in Christ Iesus . Were not this a better way by a thou sand degrees ; for these men them selues , though no regard were had of vs , then to suffer them still to ad bloud vnto blod , vntill such time as the Lord his wrath were so kindled against them , that nothing but certain destruction , were to be looked to fall vpon them from the Lord , as we read of the wicked sonnes of ELIE ? Let them therfore depart , & giue place to learned preachers , if some sacrilegious patrones will so permit ; for we haue heard , that it hath bin preached at Paules crosse , that in the two Vniuersities of Cambridge and Oxford , there are mo then 300. able men fit for the ministery , beside many other in the countrey that cannot enter into any church , or take any charge abroad , except in the first step they enter in , they wil commit both simony and periury . How shal sathan be conquered by such men , as in the first conflict haue receiued by him such deadly wounds ? For euen our plough boyes know it to be a common practise almost euery where amongst patrons , that either they take a great summe of mony , or mony worth , as it were a fine , with such sleighty conueiance , as if they were iuglers , that no man shal espy thē or any law preuent them , or make some reseruation of the tithes and glebeland , as it were a rent , & many times all these practises be vsed togither , whose rauenous teeth , and also the paiment of the first fruites and tenthes , which the charge of their lawfull family , which the papists neuer knew , and also their tithes not paid them in so large a sise as heretofore hath bene done , hath brought the churchmen vnto such an ebbe , that after their death their executours doe not blesse them , except it be certaine of thē which haue sundry benefices . The consideration wherof , hath abashed many of vs so much , that we haue small regard to maintain our children in learning , in hope of any honest preferment that way . Yea , we feare â further mischiefe to fall vpon vs by these deuourers of holy things , of the which we hope there is none among you : for we see them euery day more diligent to compasse sea and land , to find out IEROBOAM priests for vs ( for they are the men that wil be content to part Christ his coat betwene them ) and when they haue found them out , they make them two fold more , the children of the diuell , then themselues ; by causing thē for a litle lucre sake , to betray mens soules to the diuell . So that what by these cormorant patrones , and IEROBOAM his priestes , sinne and iniquitie is risen so high , that it is now full sea : Ignoraunce , blasphemy , and contempt of the Saboth day doth raign in towne and citie : In pride & vanitie , Sathan hath wasted his fruitfull wittes , that he can do no more . In these dayes all are become princes and nobles . The tire of women is lighter now , then of the stewes heretofore : so that , if the people of the former tymes should rise out of their graues , and behold this present age , they would surely thinke that proude straungers had inuaded and conquered this land . Quarels and strifes in lawe are infinite . Whoredome is made but a sport . Craft and deceit is euery wher practised . Vsury hath made as much friendship betweene man and man , as was betweene CAINE and ABEL . No towne is emptye of the couetous which ioyne house to house , and land to land , whereby the poore is multiplied in great number . But as concernyng many patrones ; the leprosie of spoiling of the church , hath so pierced their bones and marow so deep , that it cannot be washed away , with any good law , be it neuer so wisely made : For the Lawyers themselues confesse , that by the helpe of Sathan , some men are as cunnyng , to ouerthrowe the meanyng of good lawes , as it were to vndoe PENELOPE her webbe , as other are prouident by the good lawes to preuent mischiefe . And therefore , the onely way and remedy to cure this cancker , is ; to restore the presentations to the Church , to whome by good right they doe belong . Which thing as it is most vndoubted by the worde of God , so also we heare that the learned are able to prooue it by the ciuill law : wherein it is said , that a priuiledge is frustrate and of none effect , when it is abused , and that the people and other that had interest to present , assigned their right to the patrones , when they endued the church with landes and other prefermentes , it is plaine : who perswaded themselues that the patron would be careful inough to prouide a worthy man , who would not spare his lands and liuing to maintain him . But now the patrons neither endow the church but spoile it , neither are they careful to prouide godly preachers but on the contrary , they labour tooth and naile to bring the caterpillers of Egypt vpon vs. And therefore what right can they pretend to claime any priuiledge ? Which surely the godly wil not contend for , when they shall see that restitution thereof tendeth to the glory of God , and the building of his church . Wil ye heare what the papists mutter ; yea they speake it plainly that we maintaine our heresies ( as they terme them ) for aduantage , & not for conscience ; affirming , that thei cannot be perswaded , that we our selues are certified of the trueth of our religion or receiue any comfort therby : for then ( say they ) would ye cherish and maintaine the professors as we do , & not vse them as sponges and spoile them as ye do . O lamentable estate of the church ! ô pitiful sight to see her thus lie in the dust . Come Ieremy , & fill thy head with teares , as with a fountaine , cease neither day nor night , but make lamentation for the slaine of the daughter of Sion ! Let thine eies cast out riuers of water for the destruction of God his people ! ô that some Angel of the Lord would come vnto you , as it wer from Gilgal to Bochim , and record in your eares the mercies of our God , in deliuering you from the captiuitie of Antichrist , as it were from Pharaoh , and in giuing you â fruitful and peaceable land , to whom the Lord said by his gospell which he deliuered vnto you : I wil neuer breake my couenant with you . You also shal make no couenant with the papists , the idolaters of this land , or any kinde of their vngodlines , but destroy al their idolatry and superstition whatsoeuer . But ye haue not obeied my voyce in retaining idoll ministers , by whom Sathan doth hold his kingdom fast . Wherefore haue ye done this ? At the hearing of which words , reproouing the Israelites for making a couenant with the inhabitants of the land , all the people of the children of Israel lift vp their voices & wept . Of the which weepyng , the place tooke his name Bochim , which in them was a true signe of earnest repentance . And further , to assure them of God his mercies touchyng this fault , as also to binde themselues more straightly to the reformation thereof , they sacrificed there vnto the Lord . The father of our Lord Iesus Christ , of his rich & abundant mercy , graunt , that in hearing the like sinne ; in suffring this idoll ministery amongst vs , you may draw out of your heds buckets of water of repentance , & ioine your selues with them in the like reformation . But let ESDRAS come in also amongst you , and bewaile a greater matter then vnlawfull mariages . Let him rent his clothes and teare his garments , and pluck of the haire of his hed , and beard , and sit downe astonished , and let all be assembled vnto him that feare the words of the God of Israel , because of the transgressions of this land . Let them fall downe vpon their knees & spread out their handes vnto the Lord God , and say : ô my God , I am confounded and ashamed to lift vp mine eyes vnto thee my God , for our iniquities are increased ouer our head , and our trespasses are growen vp vnto the heauens : from the dayes of our fathers haue we bene in great trespasse vnto this day . And now , for a litle space in the raigne of our soueraign Lady ELIZABETH , grace hath bin shewed from the Lord our God , in causing a remnaunt to escape , in giuing vs a naile in his holy place , that our GOD might lighten our eyes , and giue vs a litle reuiuing in our seruitude Papisticall : For we were bondmen in Queene MARY her dayes ; yet our God hath not forsaken vs in our bondage , but hath enclined mercy vnto vs in the sight of Iesus Christ , to giue vs life , and to erect the house of our God , and to giue vs a wall and defence in this land . And now our GOD , what shall we say ? for we haue forsaken thy commandementes which thou hast commaunded by thy seruaunts the Prophets and Apostles , saying : The land whether ye goe to possesse , is an vncleane land , full of idolaters , and idoll ministers : Now therefore shall ye erect in GOD his house , an holy ministerie , that ye may bee strong and eate the goodnesse of the land , and so to leaue it for an inheritaunce to your sonnes for euer . And though thou diddest punish vs greeuously in Queene MARIE her days , and now in our days , by stirring vp the papistes to disturbe the peace of the lande , for the neglect of this holye ordinance , yet haste thou punished vs lesse , then our sinnes haue deserued . Should we still continue , to breake thy commandementes and permit this idoll ministerye to remaine among vs ? a people of much abhominations , whereby sinne doth flowe , as a riuer , in the land : wouldest thou not be angry towards vs , till thou hadst consumed vs , so that ther shold be no remain or scaping ? ô Lord God of Israel , in so doing thou shouldst be iust : yet we are reserued to escape , as appeareth this day . Behold we are before thee in our trespasses , our conscience doth acknowlege the same : haue mercy vppon vs , for we cannot stand before thee , because of it . O that it woulde please God to mooue you our most dread soueraign , after this manner to go into God his house again , with ESDRAS and acknowledge this ouersight with tears ! Then would a great assembly of all sorts of people of this land be gathered about you with weeping and great lamentation . Then wold your honorable counsell come about you , as SECHANIAH the sonne of IEHIHEL came to ESDRAS , and said , we haue trespassed against God , by receiuing a strange ministery ; yet there is hope concerning this . Now therfore let vs make a couenant with our God and put away this dumb ministery , & place in their room a godly preaching ministery , according to the counsell of the Lord , and those that feare the commandement of our God , and let it be done according to the law . Arise , the matter belongeth vnto thee , we also will be with thee . Be of good comfort and do it . But the means how this learned ministery may be established , are best known vnto your wisdomes . But if you will giue vs countrimen leaue to shew our opinions with patience . Briefely we think , there must be a sufficient number of workmen , and honest prouision be made for them , as we read that SOLOMON , for the building of the materiall temple , found out 183300 able men that were occupied in hewing of stone and timber , and carrying of burdens , which al were maintained at the king his cost , yet we think that a lesse number of work-men would suffice for the building of this spirituall Temple , which notwithstanding , is farre more glorious then SOLOMON his temple . If it be sayd the small number of skilfull men canne not easilye be founde , a lamentable thing to be heard . What shoulde we do ? but first place all those worthy men , that can be found , and erect more Colledges and seminaries of true religion , to enlarge the kingdome of Christ : as we see Antichrist , whose talents are as hard as brasse , to hold fast whatsoeuer commeth within them , & whose hunger is as insatiable , as hell , yet doth hee spare no cost to build Seminaries of lyes and heresies , to aduaunce the kingdome of the Deuill , who by such means , hath greatly preuayled in this land : Should then the pillers of the kingdome of Christ be more sparing , yea , more colde to prouyde all thinges necessary for the Lordes army , to be sent against these Idolatoures , with a two edged Sworde in their handes , to execute vengeaunce vppon these and correction againste the people , to cast downe imaginations , and euery high thing , that is exalted against the knowledge of God , and to bring into captiuity euery thought , to the obedience of CHRISTE ? God forbid . For , if the enemy hath encreased his force , Is it not meete , that we should doubt oures ? Nowe for the prouision of suche a number of able men as mighte come out of Colledges and other schools of Learning , to take charge vppon them ; This Noble Iselande may not for shame complayne , of want : For the Lorde his eyes are vppon this Lande Nighte and Daye , that it is as fruitefull as the Gardene of EDEN , a Parragonne of all the Worlde , and the Store-house for other Countryes : The wealth whereof is so greate , that menne , and Women can not deuyse to waste it vaynelye . Then when the Lorde sayth that hee hathe neede of mayntaynaunce for his Ministers ; Shall wee saye that wee haue it not ? In the time of Idolatrye there was more then sufficiente by farre . Howe then is it embeseled awaye , that there is not to feede CHRISTE , and too cloath him ? Howe canne wee saye , that wee loue him ? no , not so muche as Antichriste loueth the Deuill : For Antichriste is bountifull , to mayntayne his seruice . If the like liberality were vsed amongest vs , without all doubt , a greate number woulde be stayed , from passing the seas to Rome or Rhemes to become Iesuites .