A JOINT ATTESTATION, Avowing that the Discipline of the Church of ENGLAND was not impeached by the Synod of Dort.  
LONDON, Printed by M. Flesher for R. Mylbourne, and are to be sold at his shop at the great South-door of Paul's. 1626.   

A JOINT ATTESTATION, avowing that the Discipline of the Church of England was not impeached by the Synod of DORT.  
IT behooveth him, that pretendeth to frame A just Appeal from unjust Informers, therein to keep himself clear from the just imputation of unjust informing. Yet hath the Author of the Treatise, styled Appello Caesarem, rashly and without ground cast a foul blot upon the Synod of Dort in general, and consequently in common reputation upon all the members thereof; among whom those Divines, that were by his late Majesty of blessed memory sent thither, and concurred in the Conclusions of that national Synod, are in special aimed at, as having betrayed, or impeached the government of their Reverend Mother. The Discipline of the Church of England 
Appeal page 70.  (saith he) in that Synod is held unlawful. And again, The Synod of Dort in some 
Page 108.  points condemneth upon the Buy even the Discipline of the Church of England.  
Was that distressed Church, in the midst of her distractions about matter of Doctrine, so wily in her intentions, as to make preposterous use of their neighbour's assistance, and to draw them in for concurrence, in matter of Discipline, with a foreign sister against their own Mother? Were those, that hence aided that Church, tam naris obesae, so dull of apprehension, as not to perceive the interest of their own? Or did they demean themselves tam sublesta fide, so perfidiously, as to suffer the government of this renowned Church, so much as upon the Buy, to be condemned by others there, and to sit down by it?  
Had there been any colour for such surmise, it might have pleased the Appealer, or Appeacher, before he Recorded in print such his odious Information, tendered to his Majesties own hands, to have demanded in private such a question of some of those, from whom in all likelihood he might have received particular satisfaction. Civil correspondence required no less of him towards those, whose persons he professeth to respect 
Page 69.  for ancient acquaintance, and other causes.  
The best is, though himself, for his own part, doth often salute that Synod with the compliments called in Rhetoric 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Non equidem 
Page 107.  invideo, and such like flowers strewed along his Treatise, yet in his indulgence he giveth others, as cause, so leave to speak in their own behalf. Let them 
Page 71.  look to it, and answer for it, whom it concerneth. And again, Let them, that are interessed, 
Page 108.  plead for themselves. We therefore, who have hereto subscribed our names, being interessed in that Synod, and withal deeply in this crimination of Puritanisme, can do no less than answer, and clear in some public manner this slander published against us.  
And first in general to remove the often objected suspicion of complication between foreign Doctrine and foreign 
Page 56. & 72.  Discipline, whereby is intended, that there is a kind of natural consanguinity between that Doctrine (which odiously he styleth foreign) subscribed unto by that Synod, and the Presbyterial Discipline established in that and other foreign Churches: we answer, that in the Netherlands, the party opposite unto that Synod, and most aggrieved with the Conclusions thereof concerning the Points controverted, are notwithstanding as vehement and resolute maintainers of the Ministerial Parity, as any that concluded, or accepted the judgement of that Synod. Moreover, in our private conversing with the most eminent of the Ministry there, we found diverse times, upon occasion of our declaring unto them the order and manner of our Church-government, that they were more ready to deplore, then defend, their own estate, and wished, rather than hoped, to be made like the flourishing Church of England. Nor were these therefore the less ready to concur for the Dort Conclusions, but were rather of the principal and forward actors therein.  
Secondly in special we plead against a supposed act of damning our own Episcopal discipline. Which indictment, in fair accusation, should have been laid more particularly, what action, what Session, what Conclusion. Now are we put to seek, not so much our defence, as our fault. And for such surmise we can find no other footing, than (possibly) in the approbation of the Belgic Confession, propounded to the Consideration of the Synod about a week before it broke up.  
This Confession (composed an: 1550, and received in their Church, and in the Wallon Churches, ever since the first reform of Religion) is unto them, for consent in Doctrine, a Rule not much unlike to our Articles of Religion here established. Which as it was formerly anno 1583 accepted and approved by the Reformed French Church in a national Synod at Vitree, so upon the opportunity of this national Synod the State and Church there recommended the same to more public judgement for further establishment.  
And because two or three Articles thereof concerned Church-discipline, and avowed a Parity of Ministers, they, prudently foreseeing that the Britain Divines would never approve, but rather oppose the same, did therefore provide that before the examining or reading thereof, protestation should be made by the Precedent of the Synod, that nothing, but the Doctrinal points, was to be subjected to their consideration and suffrages: and for the surer preventing opposition or dispute, the Articles concerning Discipline were accordingly retrenched and suppressed in the reading of that Confession to the Synod.  
If therefore the Britain College had in their suffrages only answered ad quaesita, concerning Doctrine, and uttered no opinion at all de non quaesitis, concerning Discipline, they think they had not herein been wanting to their Synodical duty and calling. The rather for that  
1 They were sent thither to endeavour the peace and composure of that distracted Church, by expressing their judgements in the Points there already controverted, not by intruding in matters not at all questioned among them.  
2 Among the Instructions given them by his Majesty, they had none to meddle with the Discipline there established, but had charge to use moderation and discretion, and to abstain from multiplying of questions beyond necessity.  
3 In that subject there was no hope, on possibility of prevailing by argument or persuasion; especially in that Church, where the Civil government is popular, and so complyeth more easily with Ecclesiastic Parity.  
Yet we thought not fit to content ourselves with warrantable silence; but, upon our return from that Synodical Session to the place of our private Collegiate meeting, we diligently perused the Confession, not only for points of Doctrine; referred to our judgements, but also for those excepted Articles touching Discipline. And consulting together what was fit to be done in delivering our opinions the next day, we jointly concluded, that, howsoever our Church discipline had not been Synodically taxed, nor theirs avowed, yet it was convenient for us (who were assured in our consciences that their Presbyterial Parity, and Laical Presbytery was repugnant to the Discipline established by the Apostles, and retained in our Church) to declare in a temperate manner our judgement as well concerning that matter, though by them purposely excepted, as the other expressly referred to us. Accordingly the next morning, when suffrages were to pass concerning the Doctrine comprised in that Confession, we (having by our place the prime voice in the Synod) gave our approbation of the substance of the doctrinal Articles, with advice touching some incommodious phrases; and withal (contrary to the expectation of the whole Synod) we added express exception against the suppressed Articles, with some touch also of Argument against them. Which our Contestation, or Protestation (for so may it be styled) was principally performed by him, whom for priority of age, place, and dignity it best became, and from whose person, and gravity it might be the better taken by the Civil deputies of the States there present.  
Therein he professed and declared our utter dissent in that point: and further showed that by our Saviour a Parity of Ministers was never instituted, that Christ ordained twelve Apostles and seventy Disciples; that the authority of the twelve was above the other: that the Church preserved this order left by our Saviour. And therefore when the extraordinary authority of the Apostles ceased, yet their ordinary authority continued in Bishops, who succeeded them, who were by the Apostles themselves left in the government of the Church to ordain Ministers, and to see that they who were so ordained, should preach no other doctrine: that in an inferior degree the Ministers, that were governed by Bishops, succeeded the 70 Disciples: that this order hath been maintained in the Church from the time of the Apostles. And herein he appealed to the judgement of Antiquity, or of any learned 
Ignat. Epist. ad Philadelph. Tertul. de Baptismo. Hieronym. Epist. ad Marcellam. Aug. in Psal. 44. Epiphan. haeres. 75.  man now living, if any could speak to the contrary, etc.  
In giving our several suffrages the same exception was seconded by the rest of us Colleagues, partly by other allegations, and partly by brief reference to this declaration made communi nomine by our Leader. To this our exception and allegations not one word was answered by any of the Synodiques either Strangers or Provincials. So that herein we may seem to have had either their consent implied by silence or at least approbation of our just and necessary performance of our bounden duty to that Church, whereunto they all afforded no small respect, though differing in government from their several Churches.  
Herein perhaps by some we might be deemed rather to have gone too far in contestation and upbraiding, quasi in as, the Civil Magistrate, and Ministry there with undue form of government of that Church, whose doctrine only was offered to our opinions.  
But on the contrary part it hath been suggested here at home by some, that herein we came short of our duty, that we ought to have stepped yet farther by exhibiting in writing a formal Protestation to be entered, and kept by the Actuary of the Synod. Whereto we answer.  
First that the course there taken for the manner of delivering our judgements, was not (as in the 5 Questions controverted) by subscription, but only by vocal suffrage: which gave no opportunity of putting in a written Protestation; whereas, if we had subscribed our names unto that Confession, we would infallibly have added with the same pen our exception against the Articles concerning Discipline.  
Secondly in that vocal proceeding had we been overborne by the multitude of their voices, or received any grievance or affront from them touching Discipline, we would have relieved our just cause either by written Protestation, or better means. But when as neither the Civil Magistrate (in whose hearing our exceptions were constantly uttered) did gainsay us, nor any of the Divines in the Synod once opened their mouths either in offence of our government, or defence of their own, what needed we to redouble our stroke upon those, that turned not upon us? Rixa suam finem, cum silet bostis, habet.  
Peradventure some hot spirit would not have rested in a formal recorded Protestation neither: but would have charged those Churches to blot those Articles out of their Confession, and forthwith to reform their government; otherwise not have yielded approbation to any Article of Doctrine, as there comprised: but renounced the Synod, and shaken off from his feet the dust of Dort, I have nothing to do with your Conclusions. I have no part nor portion in them. What ends you have, how things are carried, I cannot tell; nor care.  
We confess, we were, and are, of another mind; our own dispositions, and the directions of our blessed Peacemaking King, kept us from kindling new fires; where we had work enough to quench the old. We than thought (and so still in our consciences are confident) that we forgot not our duty to our venerable and sacred Mother the Church of England, but took a course conformable to the rules, as well of filial observance, as of Christian moderation.  
And even then (according to our custom of weekly transmitting into England brief narrations of the proceedings in each several Session to be imparted to his Majesty) we by the next messenger sent our relation hereof, as no whit ashamed of our deportment herein. Which, because it was then framed, when we did not imagine that any quarrel would be picked against us, for more impartial and unpassionate attestation, is here inserted, as much as concerneth that particular.  
1619. April. 29 stylo novo. Sessione 144 pomeridiana.  
Gregorius Martin, unus ex politic is add Synodum delegatis, Hagâ jam recens reversus, narrat quanto Dni Ordines gaudio afficiantur de singulorum in Canonibus sanciendis unamini consensu. Eo nomine Theologis cum exteris tum Provincialibus gratias habere eorum Domniationes ob labores Synodicos exantlatos. Proximo in loco postulare ut Confessio Belgica perlustretur: ita tamen ut sine gravi causa nihil immutetur, nec phrasium Grammaticarum argutijs curiosè insistatur. In eadem judicijs Synodicorum subjiciuntur tantùm ea, quae doctrinam spectant, omissis prorsus iis, que disciplinam. Intercurrit quaestio de authentico exemplari. Sumitur illud quod in Ecclesiarum reformatarum Confessionibus habetur. Totum perlegitur, pretermissis, qui disciplinam Ecclesiasticam attinent, articulis.  
Sessio. 145. April. 30. antemeridiana.  
Rogantur de hac Confessione suffragia. Dominus Episcopus Landavensis omnia doctrinae capita probat. Interea tamen de disciplina paucis monet. Nunquàm in Ecclesia obtinuisse Ministrorum paritatem, non tempore Christi ipsius; tunc enim duodecim Apostolos fuisse Discipulis superiores: non Apostolorum aetate, non subsecutis seculis. Nec valere rationem in hac Confessione usurpatam; nempe quia omnes sunt 
* In the more correct edition (then promised, and since published among the Acts of the Synod) Articulo 31. the words aquè and aequalem are cashiered.  aequè ministri Christi. Name & 70 discipuli erant Ministri Christi aequè ac Apostoli: non tamen inde Apostolis aequales: et omnes omninò homines sunt aequè homines: non inde tamen homo homini non debet subesse. Haec non ad harum Ecclesiarum offensionem, sed ad nostrae Anglicanae defensionem se submonuisse professus est. A reliquis Britannis nonnulla alia sunt subnotata de libero arbitrio, de passiva Christi obedientia; praesertim vero de phrasi nimis dura & generali, cum dicatur de Canonicis libris nullam unquam fuisse controversiam: Quae quidem incommoda phrasis vitio interpretis irrepserat, cum in originali Gallicana benè se habeat. Item exceptioni de disciplina adjioitur à reliquis Britannis similis exceptio, si quid contra legitimos ritus externos generaliter ibidem statuatur. Britannorum interpellationi à Synodicis responsum ne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quidem.  
About a year after our return the Acts of the Synod were published in print, wherein among other particulars, the Belgic Confession is at large set down in 37 Articles. Whereof two or three contain matter of Discipline received in those Churches; These belike our Censurer viewing, prout jace● in terminis, thereupon, without any further search, concluded, that Synod Guilty and condemnable, as condemning the Discipline of the Church of England. But still we hold ourselves to stand clear, and therefore prosecute our Appeal from the rash sentence of this Appellant, alleging for ourselves  
1 Though all and singular the Articles there comprised had passed Synodical sorutiny, and been approved canonically, yet will it not follow, that all and every the Synodiques there gave consent thereto. For this approbation might have passed by the votes of the major part, etiam reclamantibus Britannis, who for number were not considerable among so many both other strangers and Provincials. And so a favourable construction might have exempted the Britain Divines from (that which is here covertly put upon them) being thought to reach forth their hand to the striking their Mother.  
2 We deny that upon view of those Synodall Acts we by presumption in Law need to be put to our purgation herein, as members involved in a Capitular decree of the whole Body. For in point of Discipline there passed no Act at all, there was no proposition made: as evidently appeareth by the same book of the Synodall Acts, in the narration of the 
Acta Synod. in folio. edit. Dord. Sess. 144. pag. 301.  proceedings about this Belgic Confession; where the matter subjected to deliberation is recorded with limitation, first positive, quae ad dogmata & doctrinae essentiam pertinerent, points dogmatic, and pertaining to the essence of Doctrine: then exclusive, Monitum proinde fuit eo tempore Articulum 
* The word trigesimum should have been twice repeated, which by mistake was here cast out as redundant. And upon this error the word utroque crept in for illis.  trigesimum, primum, & secundum non esse examinandum: quia in utroque de ordine Ecclesiastico, quem exteri nonnulli à nostro diversum habent, ageretur. Declaration was accordingly made at the same time that the thirtieth, first, and second Articles were not to be examined, because in them Ecclesiastical Order or Church government was handled, wherein some strangers (namely the Church of England) differ from ours, (namely from that of the Church of the Netherlands.) This recorded testimony of so express withdrawing from the eye of the Synod all view of Church discipline might demonstrate to any indifferent peruser of those Acts, that there was no possibility of Synodical condemning, so much as upon the Buy, the Discipline of the Church of England in such examining the Belgic Confession.  
As for our manner of examining and judging thereof, though it be not so particularly set down in the said printed Acts, as we could have wished, & would have provided for, had we been made acquainted with any intent of their publication, yet is it in some sort touched in the same page in that very narration of the next Session, testifying a cautelous delivery of our judgements. Declararunt clarissimi Magnae Britanniae Theologi, se Confessionem 
Page 301. Sess. 145.  Belgicam diligenter examinasse, nihilquè in ea deprehendisse, quod ad fidei quidem dogmata attineret, quod verbo Dei non consentiret. The Divines of great Britain declared, that they had diligently examined the Belgic Confession, and that therein (for as much as concerned dogmatic points of faith) they found nothing, that agreed not with the Word of God. Which reservation implieth that somewhat else (which did not concern point of faith, but other matter) received not their approbation. It may be said (and so we ourselves say) that the disposers and publishers of these Synodical Acts had done more right to the Britain Divines, if special mention had been made of that other matter not approved by them, and of their particular exceptions against the Articles, which concerned Church government. But, it seemeth, (as in most other vocal passages in this Synod) the Actuary here intended abridgement in what he set down and meant not to express in particular what was said by any concerning points not propounded to Synodical deliberation; especially touching upon so tender a string as the open impeachment of their own established Discipline. And so they think that they have given us our due herein, partly by thus pointing afar off to what we did in our own defence, leaving the reader to find it by implication, and partly by recording that all Synodical proposition and approbation of this Confession was confined to matter of Doctrine only.  
According to which reserved form of expression the Precedent of the Synod, in the great Church of Dort (immediately after the publication of the Synods judgement upon the five Controversies) notifying the approbation of this Confession said (not that the whole, and every parcel, was approved, but) doctrinam in Confessione comprehensam, in Synodo relectam, 
Act. Synod. Page 322.  atque examinatam,— ut orthodoxam etc. fuisse approbatam. The doctrine comprised in that Confession, read over in the Synod, and examined, was approved as orthodox. Which style of speech excludeth whatsoever is there comprised concerning, not Doctrine, but Discipline, whatsoever was not examined Synodically, nor so much as read in the Synod, whatsoever in common understanding admitteth not the title of Orthodox, which attribute is proper unto dogmatic points. In this sense, and of this subject they did, and well might, there allege the concording judgements omnium tàm exterorum, quam provincialium Theologorum, of all the Divines, as well strangers, as Provincials. Nor had we cause to expect, that in such publication of the whole Synods doctrinal consent they should trouble their own people with expressing the dissent of some few of the Exteri in matter of Church-discipline. Which our dissent they have delineated in this Record of their Acts, though over-veyled for their own peace, yet transparent enough for our defence.  
But our ill hap belike it was, that he, who turned over all the leaves of the Belgic Confession there set forth, to find the Articles concerning Discipline, could not intend to cast his eye upon the page next foregoing that Confession, to view the limited manner of both propounding, and approving that body of Articles. Which limitation had he seen and considered, (so confident are we of his ingenuity) he would not have cast this harsh imputation upon us.  
And now being better informed by this our true account of the carriage of that business, he, that hath traduced us, will (we hope, and crave) make us some competent satisfaction, by acknowledging his oversight, and recalling what he hath unadvisedly written to our prejudice. Which reparation we have the more cause to expect, for that, upon credence yielded to this his Information, this imputation hath of late been further, upon the Buy, grated on and upbraided in the audience of diverse personages of note, whose opinions of us we have great cause to respect.  
As for ourselves, in the integrity of our consciences we herein do not decline the judgement of any indifferent unpassionate man; and such, we hope, this true and plain Narration will satisfy. But above all, according to our duty and desire, we humbly submit this, and all other our actions concerning our calling, to the judgement of our most venerable Mother the Church of England. From whose sacred rule (we avow) we have not swarved, nor any whit impeached her Discipline, or authorised Doctrine, either abroad, or at home. And as in that Synod our special care, and perpetual endeavour was to guide our judgements by that sound Doctrine, which we had received from the Church of England: so were we far, and ever shall be, from usurping our Mother's authority, or attempting to obtrude upon her children any of our Synodical conclusions, as obligatory to them: yet remaining ourselves never the less resolved, that whatsoever there was affented unto, & subscribed by us concerning the five Articles, either in the joint Synodical judgement, or in our particular Collegiate suffrage (styled in the Acts of the Synod Theologorum Magnae Britanniae Sententia, and at large extant there) is not only warrantable by the holy Scriptures, but also conformable to the received Doctrine of our said venerable Mother. Which we are ready to maintain, and justify against all gainsayers, whensoever we shall be thereunto called by lawful Authority.  
Ita attestamur 

GEORGIUS Cicestriensis Episcopus.  
JOHANNES Sarisburiensis Episcopus.  
Gualterus balcanqual Decan. Roff.  
Samuel Ward Pub. profess. Theol. in Acad. Cant. & Coll. Sid. Praefect.  
Thomas Goad Sacrae Theol. Doctor.    
FINIS.