WHat christian hart ( derely beloued countriemen and brethren , in our Sauiour Christ ) can abstaine from deepe sobbes and sorrowful sighings ? What naturall and kinde harted man can forbeare weeping , so ofte as hee calleth to remembraunce the Lordes Vineyarde within the Esay . 5. 2. Realme of England ( which he himself had of late so stronglye hedged , walled , and fenced round about , by the Princes of most famous memorie , King Henrie the eight , and Edwarde the sixt , and planted therein the pure Kinges and rulers ought to be aiders and not inuaders , helpers and not hurters , defences and not offences to Gods people . vine of his owne blessed word , by godly Preachers his Gardeners ) to be so sodainly broken downe , destroyed , wasted and wrooted vp by the rootes , by the wilde Bore of the wood , and the Beasts of the field , that is , by the Romishe Bishop and his bloody ministers : and now in the same vineyarde to see planted , take roote and prosper , brambles , bryars , and hemlocks ; that is , grosse ignoraunce , naughtie doctrine , false worship of God , and such other kindes of most stinking , vile and Gods word is a swete and pleasaunt grape and comforteth the hart of man to euerlasting saluation . filthie weedes . Oh what a sweete & pleasant grape of godly doctrine was then gathered in England to the great comfort & reioising of al thē , that louingly tasted therof ? Thē was Gods word ( for that is the sweet and pleasaunt grape that maketh glad the hart of man ) with greate freedome preached , earnestly embraced , and with greedie harts in all places receaued .

Then was Gods great glorie marueilously aduaunced . Then the onely merites of Christ , then true repentaunce for our former sinnes , then trust in Gods mercie through the death of our Sauiour Christe , with a new Christian life was truely published , and preached euerye where . Then was there the common prayer rightly vsed , and the Sacraments , ( Baptisme I meane and the holy Communion ) in suche a tongue and language set foorth , that all people mighte vnderstande them . Then were they plainely ministred without any iuggling or sorcerie , according to Christes institution , and the rule of his holye worde . Which word at that time had the price and bare the bell away throughout the whole land .

With that were all pulpets filled , Churches garnished , Printers shops furnished , and euerie mans house decked . With gods word was euery But the hartes of the moste parte were naked , bare and empty , as the profe now alas to wel declareth Sinne is the cause why God taketh his word from any people . mans mouth occupied , of that were all songes , enterludes , & plaies made . But ( alas ) so long , till all was plaide vnder the boorde . But what was the cause of all this ? Truly none other thing , but our owne sinnes and wickednesse . For we were talkers onely and not walkers , lippe gospellers , from the mouth outward and no farther . We were euen such , as the profite speaketh of saying : this people honoreth me with their lippes , but are farre from me with their hartes . We could speake of Gods word , and talke gloriously thereof : but in our hartes we were full of pride , malice , enuie , couetousnes , backbiting , rioting , harlot haunting , no whitte bettered at al , then we were before , vnder the Popes kingdom . Nothing was in vs amended but only our tongs , no nor they neither , if I shall speake rightly and as the truth was indeede . For besides our communication of Scripture , we vsed detraction of our neighboure , filthie talke , with many proud bragges of our selues . We read not the Scriptures , neather heard thē for any amendment of our own wicked liues : but onely to make a bragge & a shew thereof , to check and to taunt others , yea and to spy small motes in other mens eyes , but nothing desirous to see the great beames in oure Math . 7. owne . This I say ( to talke and not to walke , to say and not to do ) was not onely amongste the vnlearned sort : but also amongst the great clearkes and cheefe preachers of Gods worde . Whiche thing ( as I iudge ) was the onely cause , why God , by his iust iudgement , suffered his elect and chosen vineyard to be thus troded downe , wrooted vp , and miserably afflicted by this bloody Bore of Rome , and the fatte Buls of Basan , his cruell officers . This is the cause , why God hath suffered The Pope giueth lies for truth , poison for nor is hing sustenaunce , and ministreth death for life . this great Antichrist to disgrace the merites of Christes passion , and in place thereof , to set vp mens merites , and in stead of his sufficient satisfaction vpon the crosse once for all , to set vp his masses satisfactorie for the sinnes , both of the quicke and dead .

This is the cause , that this monsterous beast hath taught the inuocation of Sayntes , and the same to bee our mediators to God , and satisfiers for our sinnes . Where as before , in the forenamed vyneyard , was planted Christe Iesus the true breade , that came downe from Iohn . 6. heauen , and that moste pure well of the water of life : now , after the Iohn . 4. wrooting of this monstrous and rauenous Bore , are vp sprong , coniured bread , coniured water , to driue away euill spirites , and to purge our sinnes .

This bloody Bore , besides al mischeiues that he hath done to the vineyard , yet ceaseth he not , with faggot , fire , & al other cruell torments , to constraine and compell men to worship Images , the worke of Psal . 20. mens handes , to knele to them , to reuerence them , to bowe to them , and with all maner of obeisaunce to honour them , cleane contrary to Hie●m . 10. Gods commaundement , who saith : thou shalt not make to thy selfe Exo . 115. ( muche lesse then to honoure , reuerence , and worshippe them ) any grauen Image , nor the likenes of any thing that is in heauen aboue , or in the earth beneath , or in the water vnder the earth , thou shalte not bow downe to them , nor worshippe them . But yet these shamelesse wretches be not abashed to saye , that Images are necessary , because they be laie mens Bookes , teaching them , instructing them , and leading Gods word is sufficient to instruct al men in he true worship of God without Images . them to the true worshippe of God . Oh great blasphemie . Oh sacrilege . Oh spitefull robbery . What is blasphemie , what is sacrilege , what is robbery , if this be none ? god giueth his word written to be euery mans booke , and his pure , euerlasting and vndefiled commaundements , as sufficient instructions for al men , to the true worship of him . But these earthly wrooters ( the Pope , I meane , and his Prelates ) as Priestes thinke themselues wiser than God . though they were wiser then God , will teache men to worship him with Images , although the same be vtterly forbidden by God , through out the whole , course of his holy Scriptures .

These and suche other false and fained doctrines , contrarie to the Scriptures of God conteined in his holy Bible , are now blowne oute , blustered and yelled forth in euery pulpit . Euerye streate soundeth of these , yea euery Printers house is filled with such vngodly bagguage , yea and the same are commaunded by publique authoritie ( which is much to bee lamented ) to bee set foorth , and the sincere doctrine of Christes holye worde , cleane put to silence , and vtterly condemned . Neither may any man reason , or once doubte of their doctrine , vnder paine of excommunication , naye rather vnder paine of burning .

And when they bee not able ( as they are not able at any time indeede ) The Pope maintaineth his doctrine by fier and fagot ▪ and not by holy scriptures . A weake refuge if they were not obstinate and shamelesse . to prooue any of these doctrines by the word of God written . then they flye to their vnwritten verities , that is , to certain thinges deliuered ( as they saye ) from the Apostles by worde of mouth withoute writing . Which things are to al men vncertain : for no man knoweth certainly , what they are . But whatsoeuer pleaseth them , and maketh for theire purpose , profite , and Lordly ambicion : that is an vnwritten veritie , not to be gainesaid , or denied . This is their shot , anker , bulwarke , and extreme refuge , whereunto they flye , whensoeuer they are forced , and constrained by Gods worde . These they make their foundation , wherevpon they build , and maintain all their superstitions , Idolatries and heresies . Which foundations I trust by Gods grace and helpe so to shake , both by the open Scriptures , by the full consent of all the moste auncient writers , and by probable reasons , that the building therevpon shal haue a fall .

For this is most true , that no vnwritten veritie is , or can be necessary If vnwritten verities were necessary to saluation , then godes word were not sufficient therevnto . for our saluation . For then should the sacred and holy Scriptures , written by the Apostles in the spirite of God , and sealed with their bloods , seeme to be insufficient , and not able to bring vs vnto saluation . But what a great blasphemye that should bee to God and his moste holy spirite , all men ( I trust ) that list to read the same Scriptures , easily shall perceaue . But when these vnshamefast robbers are put to their shiftes , Hierom . 7. a. Yea this is their strong tower & bulwarke of defence : and yet weare inoughe , not being walled about with gods word gods true Church because it is grounded vpon the word Grace cannot erre in maters of saluation . vrged and forced herein , by the open and manifest word written , then haue they another starting hole to creepe out at , crying and yelling : templum domini , templum domini , templum domini , &c. the church , the church , the church , affirming in plain wordes , that the church can in no wise erre , or be deceaued . And here they disceaue themselues , because they take no distinction or difference of the churche . For there are two maner of churches , one true , perfect and holy in the sighte of god , and another false , imperfect and vngodly . Truth it is ▪ that the true Churche of God , being grounded , and set vpon his holy worde , ( I meane the gospel of grace cannot erre vnto damnation . But the other , how shining and glorious so euer it appeare , if it wander abroad , and bee not contained within the compasse , and lymets of the worde written , is no true , but a fained and forged churche . That Church , as it The church that wandreth from Gods word written , may and doth erre in matters of faith and saluation . Galathi . i . b . is without the compasse of Gods promises made in trueth , not onelye maye but also doth commonly , yea continually erre and goe astray : for they are not couppeled to the head Chrystc , which is the life , the way and the truth . Paul the Apostle of God , and elect vessel of saluation , writing to the galathians , hath these words : if we ( saith he ) or an Angel from heauen , preach any other Gospell vnto you , then that wee haue preached , hold him accursed : and yet the papist , not fearing the curse The papists feare not gods curse . of God dare be bolde to teache things , which Paul neuer knewe , yea thinges cleane contrarye to his euident and manifest teaching . Such grosse Ignorance ( I would to God it were but Ignorance indeed is entred into their heades , and suche arrogant boldnesse possesseth their harts , that they are bold to affirme no church to be the true Church of God , but that which standeth by ordinarye succession of Bishopes , in such pompious & glorious sort , as now is seene . For if there be ( say they ) no such outward and visible church , how shal any man knowe , whether he be of the Churche of Chryst , and in the right belefe , or no ? To this I aunswer , that if our faith should be stayed vpon the outwarde , glistering , and pompous church , not ruled nor gouerned by the determinate councell of God in his worde written : we should neuer be certaine thereof , but euer wauering and doubting , which is the gate and readie pathway to desperation , from which God defend his chosen Hierom . 17. Psal , 116. flock . Cursed is he ( sayth the scripture ) that putteth his trust in man . And why ? for all men ( as the Kingly Prophet Dauid sayeth ) are liars in their wordes , and sinners in their workes .

By which wordes it appeareth playn , that there was neuer man so vertuous , so holy , nor so wel lerned , only the writers of the holy scriptures The general counsels haue erred and that in no smal trifles . excepted , but either of ignorance , or of negligence , there escaped some faults in his writings & doings . Yea the generall Counsels themselues also , that they make so much of , haue notably erred , as hereafter shal be declared . Yea such hath bin the truth of those seen churches , that one general coumsel hath condemned another of heresie : moreouer , the outward seene church , wherof they brag not alittle , hath neuer since the beginning any space continued in the tru doctrin of god . Exodus , 22. Let vs begin at Moses , who was the first law giuer , & we shall see the state of this outward Church , which consisteth in the ordinarie succession of Bishops , whether it be so as I haue said or no . When Moses was gone vp to the mount Sinai , to talke with God , & to receaue the Law at his handes : did not Aaron the high Priest and Bishop , with all the people , in the mean space worship the golden Calfe ? read the Booke of Iudges , & you shall see how the whole outward & visible Churche fell to Idolatrie and worshipping of strange gods : as Baal , Astaroth , gods of the Edomites , Moabites , Philistines , and the Sirians . After the reigne of King Dauid , how many kinges were there ( I pray you ) in whose time false Gods were not openly worshipped ? All the Kinges of Israell serued straunge gods , with the consent of the Bishops , priestes , and the whole people . And in Iuda , there passed not iij . or foure Kings after Dauid , in whose dayes open Idolatrie was not alowed & practised by the consent of the Kings , Bishops , high Priestes . Scribes & Pharises . Which of the Prophets did not the open & visible church persecute ? Where was the visible Church in the time of Elias ? Were not all , that were knowne and thought to be of the Church worshippers of Baal : in so much that Elias thought there had bene left alyue of Gods true Churche but himselfe only ? and yet notwithstanding God had preserued his Church , knowne but only to himselfe , for he 2. Tim . 2. 3. Reg . 22. knoweth who are his . Who smote Micheas the true Prophet of God , but the chiefe Priest and Bishop Zedechias ? And he , with 400 Priestes more of his own mind and religion , deceaued Achab , and promised him victorie ouer the Assirians , although God had made them no such promise , but rather had pointed the contrarie , as it came Hiere . 20. to passe . Who commaunded Ieremy to be beaten for his true prophisying , but Phashur the Archbishop ? Who perswaded with the King that Ieremy the true Prophet of God , was a sedicious fellow , & went about to discourage the people in Ierusalem , that they should not resist Nabuchodonozer King of Babilon , but the Priestes ? Yea , & when This and such like , is the reward of all true preachers and faithfull feruants of God . the King deliuered him out of Prison , who but these holy men of the Church , procured him to be cast again into a deepe dongeon where they would haue famished him , if God had not put in the kings heart to take him out and deliuer him ? These be the fruits & practises of the visible and seene Church , which , if it be true that the Papists say , cannot erre . But whatsoeuer they say it forceth not : for we knowe what the spiritualtie , as they cal themselues , haue ben since the beginning , the very expressed image wherof is set forth & declared in the Machabies , 1. Macha . 7. 2. as they that read the story shall perceaue it well ynough , by Alcinus , Simon , Iason , and Menelaus . Now let vs come to the newe Machabeorum . 4 testament , and see what the visible and known Church was vnder it . Who was the true Church , or howe was it knowne to the people in Christes time ? The high Priestes , Bishops , Scribes , Pharises , and Saduces , which appeared outwardly and boasted themselues to be the Church of God : were in deede , as Christ calleth them , serpents , the Math . 312. 23. generations of vipers , hipocrites , children of hel , painted tombes , persecuters of true religion , and murtherers of the Prophets , yea of himselfe and his Apostles : men that shut vp the Kingdome of Heauen , so that neyther they woulde enter therein themselues , nor suffer the poore simple , that were desirous to know the truth , to enter : but excommunicated , and thrust them out of the Churche , as men cast awaye , as Heretiques , and forsaken of God , whosoeuer beleeued on Christ . Who commaunded the Apostles that they shoulde Act. 4. Actes . 7. Euse . ec . his . 2. 22. Act. 9. Actes 24. preache no more in Christs name ? Who caused Steuen to be stoned ? And James to be thrown off the pinacle , who gaue authority to Paule to bind , & bring before thē al that professed Christ ? Who commaunded him to be buffeted ? who accused him before Festus & Agrippa ? Who stirred the Gentils against him in al countries , where he went to preach , but the church ? If yee will then needes iudge the outwarde visible church , that sitteth in Moses chaire ( though they do not as the chaire Ruffini . 1. 17. requireth ) to be the true church of God : I pray you then tell me , who caused Constantinus the Emperour to banish Athanasins ? who exiled Socrat . 6. ca. 18. Chriostome , and many other mo godly and well learned Bishops , and slew a great number of godly & wel learned men , but the Priests by seducing the Empresse Eudoxia ? who put out the eyes of Constantine Cap 18. the fourth Emperour and caused him to be slaine , bicause he pulled the Images out of the church , being worshipped contrary to gods holy wil and commaundement , but his owne mother , by the councel of the Pope and the Bishoppes , being then taken for the Church ? who Marke well the fruites of th●s outward church and by them ye shall knowe what they be . deposed Henry the fourth Emperour , causing his own sonne to rebell against him ? Who deposed Childericus the french King , assoiling his subiectes from their obedience to him , and made Pipine King in his steade , but the Pope and his Church men ? Let vs come to our owne realme and speake of thinges done in our owne memory . Who procured Kinge Henry the eyght in the beginning of his reigne to warre against the french King , where besides the murther committed , adultrie was learned , theft and sacrilege practised , lying , swearing , yea and forswering with al other kindes of vices vsed , which be the very fruites of war , but the Clergi ? For the Pope , then being in war with the french King , to make his part good and the stronger , procured the Bishopps of the Church of England being the Popes deare darlinges , and chiefe of the kinges councel to entitle the king to his right of the realme and crowne of France : and to encourage the young King thereto , the Pope accursed the king of Fraunce and al his aiders and succourreres . Then free pardons flue abroade as thick as butter flies in summer : but so free , that the realme thereby and the said warriers was robbed of a The pope maketh himselfe equall to God yea rather aboue him in this his promise . great deale of our Treasure , and in manner halfe vndone . There was ful remission a penae and culpa preached at Paules crosse , and almost in euery sermon , through all England : promising that whosoeuer dyed in the Popes quarell , his soule should bee in heauen before his bones were cold . After when the same King Henry had iustly by the authoritie of Gods worde , and the ful consent both of the parliment , and Conuocation , abolished the vsurped power of the Bishop of Rome : then the Pope interdited the whole Realme , and sent Cardinall Poole This is one of the practises of prelates . from prince to prince , to excite and moue them ( if he coulde haue broughte it to passe ) to make open warre againste the Kinge and the realme , as it appeareth in a Sermon preached by Tonstall then Bishop of Durham and set out in printe openly .

Which sermon and all other tel truthes , openinge the abuses and tiranie of the Bishop of Rome , are now put to silence . Who were the worker of all these mischeifes ? who these . iij . yeares past , hath persecuted , prisoned , and burned so many learned and Godly men , onely for their true faythes sake grounded vpon Gods most holy worde ( men worthy to bee compared with the olde martirs of the primitiue church as well for the constancy of their faith , as also for pacience and charity shewed at their deathes ) but the church , as they call themselues ? The spirituall man neuer persecuteth the carnal man , but forgiueth him . Hier . Gala . 4. who by their cruell tiranie , hath enforsed so many notable members of Christ , ( leauing wife , children , kinsfolke , Lands and goodes ) either to flye into strange realmes , or else from towne to towne , from Citie to Citie : onely because they woulde not drinke of the venemous cup of the whore of Babilon ? who hath wrought all these wickednesses , but onely the mitered Prelates and their Popishe priestes ? If we shall alowe them for the true Church of God , that appeare to be the visible and outward Church , consisting of the ordinary succession of Bishops : Exo . 12. 1. Pet . then shall we make Christ , which is an innocent lambe without spot , and in whome is found no guile , to be the head of vngodly and disobedient members . Which thing is as impossible , as to make God , which is onely good , and nothing but goodnesse it selfe to be the authour , original , and cause of all euill . For Christ , as he is pure , holy and perfite , euen so must his Church and members be , to whome he ( as the head ) Eph. 1. Collos . 1. is adioyned and coupled . But if we alowe the Pope , his Cardinalles , Bishops , priests , Monks , Canons , Friers & the whole rable of the cleargie , to be this perfect Church of God , whose doinges are cleane contrary ( for the moste part ) to the will , and commaundement of Christ , left and expressed in his word written : then make we him a sinner , and his word of no effect . For as sweete agreeth with sower , blacke with white , darknesse with light , and euil wtth good : euen so this outward , seene and visible Church , consisting of the ordinary succession of Bishops , agreeth with Christ . But here they . will aske me , howe shall a man know whether he be in the right faith , but by this Church ? To this Christ shal make answere himselfe , saying in the Gospel of Iohn , my sheepe heare my voice , and shall not here a straunger . And where Iohn . 1 ( I pray you ) hath Christ left any voyce to bee heard or folowed , but in his word written ? Search the Scriptures , saith he : for they beare witnesse Iohn . 5. of me . Where he biddeth you not to searche vnwritten verities , such as the outward , seene and pompeous Church shall of their owne 2. Tim . 3. heades shew you , but the written verities , conteined in the holy Scriptures , which are profitable to teache , to improue , to amend , and to instruct in righteousnesse , that the man of God may be perfect and prepared vnto al good workes .

If thou therefore be desyrous to knowe whether thou be in the righte faith or no , seeke it not at mans mouth : for all men bee lyers . Seeke it not ( I saye ) at a proude , gloryous , and waueringe sorte of Bishops , and Priestes : but at Gods owne mouth , which is his holye word written , which can neither lye , deceaue , nor be disceaued . Aske Psa . 116. Gods word onely certifieth a man whether his faith be good or no . ( I say ) seke , and knock by diligent study , and earnest praier vnto God , who hath promised to giue to al them , that aske faithfully of him the certaintie of good faith in their conscience , taught and confirmed by the holy Scriptures of the old and new Testament . And here I forbid no man as though they should not aske and learne of the learned : for that is good and necessary , yea and alowed by Gods trueth , but this would I haue all men to doe , to vse discretion , and wisedome in this Try euery spirite but alow none further then they agree with the written Scriptures . Gods word trieth al thinges whether they be good or badde . matter : and to know whether they be learned , godlye minded , and able to instruct by the Scriptures or no . And yet if they be , beleeue them no further , then they can shew their doctrine and exhortation to be agreeable with the true word of God written . For that is the very touch stone , which must , yea and also wil , try all doctrine or learning whatsoeuer it be , whether it be good or euil , true or false . And let not men of small learning be to curious in asking or mouing darke and doubtfull questions , which breede contention rather then Godly edifying , but let them be content with the plaine and open places of the Scriptures . Let them rather be earnest to obserue the commaundementes of faith and loue , which are plainly set foorth in Gods booke , then to trouble themselues , and busie their heades with darke places : for that is a thing that hath done , and also doeth displease God verye greatly . Yea I thinke surely , that these heauy plagues , wherewith God moste iustly punisheth now this realme of England ( which I beseeche him of his infinite mercie either to take clean away , or else to mittigate thē for his elect sake ) commeth not so much for the simple , innocent , and vnlearned sorte , which being beguiled through their simplicitie , by the craft and subtyltie of the wylie Papistes , doe still continue in superstition and Idolatrie : but rather for the curious sort , which preache straunge and farre fetched doctrines , nothing so much to edifying as to contentious brawling . Yea I would to God there were not a great number of them , that were and are counted learned , which preache and defend doctrines , which themselues know to be vntrue , and contrarie to the euident Scriptures . Would God there were not many hundreds of great gospellers sometimes , that had not subscribed with their owne hands and confirmed by their open and publique Sermons , the contrary of that , which they once builded in Christ . And some of Their conciences shall therefore condemne them for so doing , if they repent not in time . such ( I know ) in perswading priuately with their old freinds , and acquaintaince , haue confessed no lesse , but that they haue done contrary to the truth , and the good perswasion of their own conscience : and yet the same men councell their freinds for vnytie and peace sake ( as they terme it ) but rather they may say for feare of losse of goodes and life to obay wicked superstition , naughtie rites and damnable lawes . But what peace , or what vnity is that , that is against god & his Christ ? And what profiteth it a man to winne al the world and loose his own Math . 16. soule , for he that loueth his own life more then me ( saith Christ ) is not worthy of me . For these mens sakes therfore , that is to say , the stubborn Papists , that lead the world in blindnesse , contrary to their own consciences : The witte and vertue of delicate gospellers is in their tongues . and specially for delicate gospellers sakes , whose wit & vertue is in their tongs , whot disputers , busie talkers , taunters & fault finders with others , rather then menders of themselues : for these two sorts sakes chefely ( I say ) God heapeth these great plagues , that is persecution of his word , dearth , daunger of war and people of strange nations , likely to subdue and vtterly distroy that our realme , except they repent , & amend their liues in time , and become not only forgetful of their former euils : but also diligent workers and true folowers of the word , that they haue so lightly condemned , and refused . Which if they doe not , let them be sure , that all the plagues which are written in the booke of God , and all the blood of his saintes , which hath bene shed from iust Habel vnto this present time , shall be poured vpon them . But howsoeuer Math . 23. these men doe , let vs ( deare brethren ) whose hartes God of his goodnesse hath more mercyfully touched , repent and amend our former liues , and ceasse from all dead workes , least we be partakers of the same plagues with them . But thankes be vnto our God , that hath so gently ordered vs , for this we know , that God suffereth not his people long to followe their owne mindes : but shortly punisheth them , which is a token of his great louing kindnesse toward them . For this 2. Mach . 6. grace haue we of God more then other people ( as it is written ) that he suffreth not vs long to sinne vnpunished like other nations , that when the day of Iudgement commeth , he may punishe them in the fulnesse of their sinnes .

If we sinne he correcteth vs , but hee neuer withdraweth his mercy from vs , and though he punishe vs with aduersitie , yet doth he neuer forsake his people . For whome ( as Paule sayth ) the Lord loueth , him Ebru . 12. he chasteneth : yea and he scourgeth euery sonne whom he receaueth . But to leaue this digression and come to our purpose agayne : I will breefely shewe you , what the outward face of the Church and religion hath bene in all ages , euen such as hath pleased the mightie kings , 2. Para . 13. Emperours , and rulers of the world when Jeroboam set vp the golden Calues at Bethel and Dan , the Priestes and Leuites consented thereto , and all Israel worshipped them contrary to Gods commaundement . When Jesabel had perswaded with her husbande about murther , he The will of a woman must be folowed , or else a●l the fat is in the fire . fulfilled her mind & slew all the Prophets of God , that he could come by , only Elias remained , that was known to be the true church , wheras the Priests of Baal were 450 in number . Ezechias destroyed the brasen serpent and restored the true religion and worship of God : but Manasses , his sonne set vp Idolatrie , maintained wicked religion , and slue them that were good .

I●sias restored right Religion : but Iehoas and Jehoachim , his sonnes 4. Re . 23. 4. Re . 24. forsooke it , and all their Priests and subiects with them committed Idolatrie . As Princes wold so al things were done . And generally , what religion soeuer the king would haue , that was stablished for his time : so that ( as Salomon sayth of the Iudges ) so may we say of the Cleargie : whatsoeuer sayth the Prince , that sayth the Priest . But let vs once agayn come to the new testament . Did not Math . 26. Math . 27. the head Rulers of the Church , with the authoritie of Herode & Pilate condemn Christ & his doctrine as erronious and sedicious : and al the people followed and cried Crucifige ? did not all the Emperors before Constantine , being seduced by their Bishops and Priestes , condemne Christian religion as hereticall , sedicious , and traiterous , & for the same murthered many thousands of Martirs ? When Constantine was christened , then was the true religion first set forth & openly preached by publique authoritie : and yet in the space betweene Christ and this godly Emperor , God was not without his church , though it were not known , seen , and so accepted of the world . In this Princes time , & by his authoritie , was kept the first & best general councell of Nice , where was set foorth our common Creede , containing shortly the cheefe & most necessary articles of our beleefe . This Constantinus sonne , Constantius , fauouring the errour of the Arrians , in the councell of Arimine , Theodoriti . lib . 2 cap 18. decreede that Christ was not God but man only .

And then to call Christ the sonne of God , was by the outwarde known church , and by a generall councell condemned for an haynous heresie . From that time foorth when Painime Princes reigned , Idolatrie and worshipping of false Gods was the publique doctrine , The priestes for the most part were double faced , turne tippets and flatterers . When hereticks reigned & bare the rule , heresie was openly preached for Gods truth . When the Emperors were Catholicke , then was the true doctrine of the Gospell openly preached . And generally such as was the faith of the Emperors , kings , or other rulers , such did the Priestes preach . And if any by the authoritie of gods worde preached the contrary , or withstood their corrupt teachings , straight waye he was either deposed from his office , condemned for an heretick , banished , brent , or put to some other cruell death . After all these sprong vp the Pope , that triple crowned monster and great Antichrist , which toke vpon him authoritie , not only ouer the Cleargie , but also clymed aboue Kinges and Emperours deposing them at his pleasure , and setled himself in the temple of God , that is , in the consciences of men , extolling himself aboue God , dispensing with good lawes , and giuing men leaue to breake them , and to regard more his decrees , thē the euerlasting commaundments of God . And so it came to passe in time , that to eate flesh on the Friday or fastingday , was counted greater sin thē dronkennesse , adultrie or periury . And why , because his lawes were diligentlier & more straightly looked too , & the offenders therof sorer punished , thē Gods lawes . Since this Antichrist of Rome ( I saye ) was stablished in his full power , whatsoeuer pleased him , that was taken for gods law , and that was decreede vpon by generall councell , confirmed , & ratified by whole heapes of clearkes . To speake against that was , and also now is detestable heresie , & so hainous a crime against the holy Ghost ( if it were true that they say ) that it cannot be forgiuen either in this world , or in the world to come . He that speaketh against any of his decrees , must vtterly be condemned for an Heretique , accursed These be the popes thunderbolts whervvith he feareth the people , and maketh them to incline to his waies . of God , and damned into hell for euer without redemption : except he recant , abiure , and denie the truth , and set foorth error and false doctrine , and promise with a solemne Oath , that hee shall neuer preache , teache , nor defend the truth hereafter . Now let vs come to our dayes . When King Henrie the viij . was ( as he ought to be by gods law ) made supreme head , as well of the Cleargie as of the Laitie : he , by the consent of the parliament and conuocation , set foorth in print a godly booke of Religion , not much varying from that , whiche was enacted in his sonnes time Edward the sixt .

But when he tooke displeasure with certayne Bishops ( as they It was a small matter at that time to be displesed with such men , and so much the more for that they withstoode priuate commoditie . tearme them ) of the new learning , because they woulde not giue their consent in the parliament , that the King should haue all Abbye landes to his owne vse : but onely suche landes as were giuen by his Aunceters kinges of Englande , and that the residue of those landes should haue bene bestowed to augment the number of learned men in the vniuersities , to the founding also of Grammer Schooles in euery shire of Englande , where children ( most apt to learning ) should haue bene broughte vp freelye , and withoute greate coste to their friendes and kinsfolkes : to the founding of hospitals where poore and impotent people should haue bin sufficiently prouided for , with phisitions and Surgeons , which should haue ministred phisicke and surgerie freely , not only to them , but also to all other poore folk , within this Realme : and also in euery shire towne , & other market towns , where should be thought most meet and fit , to set vp diuers occupations ( most ptofitable for the common wealth ) where al valiaunt and sturdie beggers should haue bene set to worke , and if they refused to labour , then to force them thereto by whipping , stocking , and hunger : and the residue of the Abbie Landes aboue these , should haue Priuate commoditie , and popish suttilty ouercame good publike policie and brought in tiranie . bene reserued in the common treasuries , to ayde the king in his wars or other affaires of his Realme , and thereby to haue fauoured and eased the more his subiectes in taxes , subsidies , fifteenths , and lones , and such other like thing : King Henrie ( as I said before ) vpon the displeasure taken , and by the incitation of the olde Popish Bishops , shortlye after ( by consent of the same , or the most part of them , that were makers of the first booke of religion ) set forth by open parliament and conuocation the sixe articles , as wel agreeing with the former parliament and the word of God , as black with white , light with darknesse , Christ with Belial , or with Antichrist . But after , when he was pacified with these foresayd Bishops , considering that they spake agaynst the kinges profite not of malice , but of good conscience , and zeale to Gods glorie and the common wealth , he mitigated the sixe articles , and from that time foorth , more and more , restored true religion . And I doubt not but if he had liued , he woulde haue brought all thinges to a better state , thē he left it . But Edward the sixt his sonne ( succeeding in his said fathers place , by the aduise of his vncle the Duke of Somerset , the Lordes of his Councell , Bishops and the Cleargie ) set foorth such a Booke of Religion , as ( without boast or disprayse of other be it spoken ) was neuer a better sette forth since the Apostles tyme .