THE DUKE OF SAXONY HIS JUBILEE: With A SHORT CHRONOLOGIE. BOTH Showing the goodness of God, in blessing the Go●●●● of Christ, since LUTHER first opposed the Pope's Pardons. Revel 6.2. & 19.11, 13, 19, 21. I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat on him, had a bow, and a Crown was given unto him, and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. Printed by WILLIAM JONES dwelling in Red-crosse-streete. 1618. TO THE READER. CHristian Reader; It is an abhorred custom of the Synagogue of Rome to publish common prayers in a strange tongue: it would be (at least) a blame worthy oversight in these our home planted Churches of Christ not to publish common praises in our vulgar tongue. The former taketh away the possibility of saying Amen with our own spirits: the latter neglecteth a just opportunity of fing a joint (though as yet an earthly) Hallelujah with God's Saints: Receive therefore here offered to thine hands common praises in thy proper language, to wit, a jubilee observed in Saxony, & by the translation of a worthy Minister in our London Dutch Church, made a rejoicing assumed in England. Were it not translated, it could not be understood, were it not understood it could not be a rejoicing to the English, which get it ought to be, because it ministereth matter of praises to God common to them with the Dutch. Our rule willeth it should be common. For when the Proper in (Psal. 102.) had made it a note of all God's servants that they take pleasure in the ston●s of Zion, and a promise of their Master that he would build up Zion, he concludeth in Psal. 18. that This shall be written for the generations to come, and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. Now we and all God's people wheresoever, make up all but one body, the Church (which is Zion) the requickening and recollecting of whose members was in part, by Luther effected: we have all but one head, Christ, the functions of whom, and sole effecacy of whose merits were by Luther cleared, and defended: we have all but one Faith & Gospel, which in fundamental points was by Luther professed, & propagated. Seeing therefore this requickening of the Church's members, this defence of Christ's merits, this profession of the true Faith made in the beginning of the next preceding age are here joyfully recognised let that promise of the rearing of Zion, once written, now performed, stir up us the generations following in England as well as in Germany, to praise the Lord. Hereby shall we show the feeling of fellow members, and the communion of Saintlike believers in preferring jerusalem above our chiefest joy: Psal. 137.6. Add we to our rule commanding, the examples of others provoking to make this matter of rejoicing common. diverse other parts of Germany in a godly imitation have jubilized with Saxony, and in some places, authority hath caused new coins to be stamped with sentences comprehending the letters numeral of the year. 1617. terminating the Age since Luther first set up his propositions. These let us follow howsoever, perhaps, not in stamping the letters of the year upon our coins, yet in imprinting the glad tidings thereof in our hearts. You see (gentle reader) that this jubilee ought to be common: now that it may be more common, understand that it is Christian. Here is not any Popish rite, savouring of judaism, thrust upon any of the Churches. For why? Rome, in an apish (because unwarranted) imitation of the jewish Church, retaineth years of jubilee as a perpetuated rite of the Gospel: the Churches of Christ do not so: Rome appointeth state or set times for her jubilees: the Churches of Christ do not so. This presented jubilee of Saxony is my warrant. The occasion whereof was taken from a prophecy currently received among the Papists (though as blind in the uttering, as false in the event) namely, that Luther's doctrine should breathe out its last, with the expiring of an hundredth years. Which being laid and weighed in the balance by the Christian Duke of Saxony, and other Princes, together with their own experimental knowledge of the now more than ever, flourishing and roote-taking of the doctrine of the Gospel both throughout Germany, and in other countries, they not only found that Prophecy to light and the Prophets thereof vain, but also thought fit, by way of an holy Triumph, and Feast (as it were) of shouting, thankfully to solemnize the remembrance of their manumission from the thraldom of Antchrist, by the hand of God upon Luther, and through Luther just an hundredth years before. So that the occasion & time hereof being of so extraordinary nature, no doubt but God is hereby much glorified, in that by the same the hearts of his people are more quickened to the more affectionate embracino of his truth so graciously continued And here, if thou wilt give me leave I will adventure to make a surer Prophecy than the Papists did, viz. The second coming of Mahomet for the strengthening of the Turkish Infidel, and the exterpation of Luther's purer doctrine for the confirming of the Popish, shall fall out both in a year. When this will be, let the Pope inquire of the Musti● and in mean time that I presage truly be thou pleased to gather out of the Preface of a learned man in Scotland before the Archbishop of Spalleto his reasons of departure or there printed. Which, being full of most worthy observations helping to fill up the measure of our joy, I have hereunto prefixed. Neither have I only prefixed these, as helping to fill, but also adjoined to the jubilee, celebrated in the last, a Chronologie continued yearly from the first of that hundredth since Luther, as fulfilling that measure of joy. This was penned in Latin by students in Worms and printed at Heidelberge and now translated into English. For a more clear insight into the prosperous success of the Gospel, therein but touched, I refer thee to an Oration of that Reverend and learned, Scultetus made in the Arch-Palatine Court, and called a Secular Sermon. Now this Chronoligy, I say, fulfilleth our joy, in that whereas among the jews fifty years forty nine were of service, the last only of releasing, every one of our hundredth assureth us of the release of some either Churches or Persons, from Rome's Egyptian bondadge and Babylonish captivity, howsoever in (indeed) Marke-Anthonie the Dominis may well make the last notoriously solemn. This in brief of the gospels jubilee, with a word more of the Popish, I will conclude. The Papists (forsooth) hearing of this jubilizing of Christ his Churches thought it stood not with the policy of there kingdom to sit still leaning on their elbows, and hanging their ears. How then? They put good faces on it, force out a laughter; and celebrate a jubilee. Did they not fear, may we think, that the report of our joyful release would cause many to free themselves from their bonds? But see we what the celebrate. A jubilee, surely but verba-tenus in name only, reatenus in nature, a Fast. Yea, Simulatum jubelaeum fit duplex jeiunium: Their jubilee feigned makes their Fast doubled. Wherefore I may apply that to the Synagogue of Rome which the Poet spoke of another, Spem vultu simulat, prem●t alto cord dolorem, Whilst hope in face sits counterfeit, heart-pressing grief makes pulses beat. Behold their jubilee which should argue joy; and joy the Spirits dilatation, is become a Fast, whose associate is grief, and griefs the Spirits compression. Behold their clapping of hands is nought else but wring of hands; their shoutings, groan; their release, bondage; their feastings, fastings. And justly may they so do. For such fasting is to them a sign that our bridegroom Christ is not among them: for if the Bridegroom were with them how could they mourn? Mat. 9, 15. But I desire they may still mourn, and be inwardly vexed not so much for the downfall of their abominations, as for their abominations themselves, and do thou (good Reader) take up with me in their behalf the prayer of the Prophet Psal. 83.19. Fill their faces with shame O Lord, that they may know thy name. This is the worst I wish them, with which and mine earnest wishes to thee that thou wouldst clap hands with those in exultation with whom thou art to clasp hands in holy profession, I leave these treatises to thy view, and thyself to the watchful eye of God's providence: Farewell. A Preface set before the Archbishop of Spalleto his Reasons of Departure, printed in Scotland. Receive (Christian Reader) a proof of the force of Truth, and a presage of the end of that work God is about to do in these last Ages: A man brought up in the Learning of Egypt, and enchanted with the Sorceries of Babel, without the help or counsel of any Protestant, by occasion of Popish Tyranny, searching the truth, findeth out their error in Doctrine, and abuses in Discipline: and convinced of both, first in his mind forsaketh their opinions, and now in his body fleeth from their society. This is not like to the change of Apollinaris, and Arrius of old, or of Carrier in our time, whose miscontented humour, for hopes disappointed, made them alter their opinion: But more like to that of Paulus Vergerius Bishop of justinople, whom unjust suspicions at the first burdened with a secret favour of Lutheranisme: for purging whereof he intended a refutation of Luther's Doctrine. But while he wrangled with the Truth, to overcome it, he was taken captive of it; and leaving his place and dignities, rendered himself at Tubing to our Profession. The ground of our presage, is God's truth in times accomplishment, wherein Providence goes on with remarkable degrees of persons, and places, not without some respect to the Periods of time. He raised Wickleff from their Schools, john Husse from their Pulpits, Martin Luther from their Cloisters, and now Mark Antony from their archiepiscopal Chair. The places have the like gradation: Great Britain seemeth too far from Rome, to waken them by Wickleffs cry: therefore it founded nearer in Germany. And now Dalmatia looking over the Venetian Gulf, assureth Italy, that her next Aduertiser shall be within her bowels. It was more than a Poetical Licence to apply Sibylla's Oracles of Christ to Saloninus the son of Pollio, for keeping in memory his victory, in taking in Salonas. But this our Saloninus maketh large restitution, and apply the Oracles of God to the own purpose: As the Clergy hath gone before, so Princes do follow: The King of Great Britain, with most of the Princes of Germany, stand out already against Rome: the ambiguity of France will resolve in the end in an open departure: and the temporising of Venice importeth more the want of occasion, than of will and resolution. The Roman Empire did stretch out itself by degrees, proceeding from the mids to the extremities, as circles go out from the Centre: and at the extremities again their ruin began, and went back to the heart. The fall of their spiritual Monarchy shall keep the same course. The Periods of time have their own observation. The jewish solemnity of jubilee, not brought into the Church till the thirteenth Age, was then tied to the centenary number: and that their joy hath since proved to be like the song of the Mermaid before a storm: for soon after, Wickleffe began to trouble their mirth: and in the end of that Age john hus made them some more business, till in the 1415. year, the holy Fathers, at Constance by a Punic faith, brought him to the fire. An hundred years after him, Luther renewed his song with greater boldness, and in the 1517. year gave out his Propositions against the Pope: from which time they have persuaded themselves, and even to this day assure their followers, that Luther's doctrine can stand no longer than an hundred years. This present year closeth that Period: and while they look for an evanishing of that Doctrine, behold, even from themselves it receiveth again a new light, a new testimony. We hold with Plato the fatality of Periods, but Pythagoras' numbers are too weak a ground for such a necessity: or if we shall take any numbers, it must be these of sin; and in sin, more the degrees than the numbers: The Amorites sins must come to the height, and the jews must fill their cup before their punishment. The Pharisees of our time do mightily to fill out their measure. The pride and filthiness of Sodom, the whoredoms of Babel are now multiplied exceedingly; and the greatest sin, even that to death, is become an Epidemicke disease among their Clergy. john the 22. can deny the truth, Leo the 10. can scoff at it, Gardinerus can confess it at his death, but with this addition: That it must rather still be impugned, than the state of Rome decay. All their wits run upon this one point, but all their means turn upon them. The cruelty of their inquisition, the tyranny of their Prohibitions, their impudency in falsifying words and writs, give them but a moment's advantage. But even from these shall come their ruin. A lie hath no more strength than for the time it is spoken and credulously embrace●: but the eternal force of Truth hath more than a moment any prevailing. What then resteth for them, but that they give place to the fatality of their estate, since they will not give place to the Truth. And for us, while Rome is renting in itself, take heed that we be not divided. Whosoever now casteth the apple of strife into the Reformed Church, proveth an enemy to God, and an improfitable friend to Antichrist. Let us stand still, and behold the work of the Lord, and be sure, while we imagine we have left Babel, that we have first forsaken Egypt. W. S. THE DUKE OF SAXONY HIS JUBILEE. FIrst we make no doubt, but that every Christian and good loving heart doth duly esteem what a high and great work of Grace it is, that Almighty God, in these latter days, and on the late evening of the world (after so long and miserable darkness and bondadge) hath brought us unto the clear light of the blessed Gospel, and Christian Liberty, and hath preserved us hitherto, in the midst of the manifold rage and boisterousness of the Devil and his Instruments. We must therefore acknowledge, that we are in duty bound, even from the bottom of our souls to laud, praise, and honour the High Majesty of God, for the same. Therefore we have concluded, with leave of the Highest to celebrate a solemn feast of jubilee. For, if the corporal deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt was of such weight and worth, that many hundred years thereafter, the said deliverance was most gloriously extolled: Then it is more expedient, that the spiritual deliverance from the Romish Antichristian bondage be celebrated with joy and thanksgiving. We will therefore, first, That this feast of jubilee, on the 26. day of October 1617. be published from the pulpit in our Lands and Dominions unto our people, admonishing them unto a serious and hearty meditation of the same. Secondly, we will that on the 30. of October, in the afternoon in every Parish Church, at the accustomed hour, the Vesper be sung, and the Confession read, as is done on other high Festival days. Thirdly, we ordain, that on the 31. of October, (on the which, an hundred years before, that dear and worthy instrument of God, M. Martin Luther of blessed memory, did set up his first disputation against that shameless and impudent Popish shop of Indulgences) two Sermons shall be made, one before, the other after Noon: likewise on the first and second of November, and on the said three days, the holy Supper of the Lord shall be distributed, and the Ministers shall admonish their hearers to consider how Almighty God by the said reformation hath given unto them, the right use of his most holy Testament, and hath delivered his Church from the manifold abuses of the same. In the Villages where there is no Preacher, on the first and second of November only, shall be made a Sermon in the forenoon time, and in the afternoon may be sung and read the wont Vesper, or Evening prayer. Fourthly, whereas the custom beareth in our Churches, that on Festival days and Fridays, the ordinary Text, (which is called the Epistle and Gospel) is read before the Sermon: We will, that on the 31. of October, in stead of the Epistle, be read the 76. Psalm, with this admonition: dearly beloved, hear with attention, and due reverence the 76. Psalm, wherein the most High is praised, that he hath made himself known aright unto his people, and hath defended the same, in the true divine service against the furious rage of the enemies: And the people is admonished to testify and show their obedience and thankfulness unto the Lord their God. The words of the Psalm are these: In juda is God known, his Name is great in Israel, etc. In stead of the Gospel, shall be read the 12. chapter of the holy Prophet Daniel, with this admonition: dearly beloved, hear with attention and due reverence, the 12. Chapter of the holy and high-illuminated Prophet Daniel, wherein is clearly foretold, not only how Antichrist, (whom the holy Ghost describeth under the name of Antiochus) that is the Pope, should do and deal according unto his pleasure, should exalt himself over all that is called God, should make no account of the honest love of women, nor also of God; should honour a Masse-God (called Mausim) as his God, should seduce much people with the oblation of great gifts: But also, how Almighty God in due time, by a sound of the morning and midnight would terrify and astonish him: Which is brought to pass by that worthy man and instrument of God, Doctor Luther, of blessed memory, one hundred years ago. The words of the chapter are these, etc. On Friday the first of November, we ordain in stead of the Epistle, the 87. Psalm: and to propound the same unto the Congregation, as followeth: Dear beloved, hear with attention and due reverence, the fourscore and seventh Psalm, wherein is worthily exalted, the glory of God's Church, how the most High loveth the same, how firm the same is grounded, what worthy things are preached in the same in all Languages, with joy and exultation. All which things by Gods singular grace are to be found in our evangelical Churches. The words of the Psalm are these, etc. Instead of the Gospel, shall be read a part of the 14. Chapter of the Revelation of S. john, from the sixth verse unto the 13. exclusiuè. dearly beloved, hear with due attention and reverence, a part of the 14. Chapter of the Revelation of S. john: Wherein the holy Ghost manifestly foretelleth, how in the last days, (after that Antichrist had raged a long time with great fierceness,) Almighty God would send an Angel, that is to say, an evangelical Teacher, Preacher and Reformer, who should declare unto all kind of Nations an everlasting Gospel; and by the said preaching of the Gospel, that great city Babylon, (which is, the Romish Popery) should be destroyed, whereof the said Teacher should give beforehand a faithful warning. All which, is richly brought to pass and accomplished one hundred years ago, by Doctor Luther of blessed memory, and his faithful followers the evangelical Divines, Teachers, and Preachers in many kingdoms, Electoratships, Dukedoms, Lands and Dominions, but chief in Germany. The words of the text are these, etc. Concerning the third Festival day, whereas the same falleth on the 20. Sunday Trinitatis, the accustomed Epistle and Gospel may be read, because that out of both such matter can be drawn and handled, which is fit for the present time of jubilee Feast. Yet if any one is desirous, in the morning or evening Sermon to expound some other Text, we leave it to his discretion; whether it be the 46 or 48. Psal. or the 13. chapter of Exodus, vers. 3. or the 14. chapter of the said Book, or the 16. chapter of the Revelation, or some part of the 17. or 18. or any other fit sentence. But on the 31. of October, and 1. of November the appointed Psalms and Lessons shall be read and declared in the Sermon. Yet if any high-graduated Divines please to draw from some other Text their Meditationes jubilaeas, we in our gracious favour will admit the same. Fiftly we ordain, that good order be kept in singing: and we doubt not but that in our Cities, the Superintendents and Preachers, will ordain the figural Music. Besides, we hold it fit and profitable for the common people, to cause before and after the Sermon, those songs to be sung, which are best known unto them, both for voice and matter. The first words of the songs are these: Lord God we praise thee, Lord God we thank thee. Now praise the Lord my soul. Glory be only unto the highest God. Our God is a firm and strong tower. If our God were not with us when our enemy's rage. O Lord thy godly Word hath long been kept in darkness. Preserve us, O Lord, by thy Word, etc. Sixtly we ordain, that the Common prayer of Confession be not read on this Feast: But we have given order to set down a certain form of prayer, and thanksgiving, whereby the Highest is praised for his gracious and powerful deliverance out of the cruel Egyptiacal bondage: And again, is prayed, that by his omnipotency (as hitherto, so for the time to come) it would please him, to conserve amongst us the pure and saving Gospel, and the right understanding and use of the holy Sacraments, against all damageable errors and heresies, for us and our heirs. Besides, it is ordered, to pray that it would please God from time to time to give Christian Dukes and Magistrates, and to grant unto those that now are, a long life and blessed welfare, both temporal and eternal. We will, that these our Ordonances shall be duly observed without contradiction, in all our cities and villages, by the Superintendents, Ministers, and Deacons, and all the Inhabitants of our Countries and Dominions. And concerning our two Universities Leipsich and Wittenbergh, we hold it fit and expedient, that the Theological faculty, employ the whole week after the 2. of November, in exquisite Disputations and Orations, comprehending therein the description of former darkness, of the ensuing gracious evangelical light, and the great utility of the present Reformation: Doctoral promotions may likewise be made if the occasion be offered. The other faculties are not hereby excluded, for it is likewise permitted unto any of the Professors to celebrate the great work of the Almighty, and the continuance of his mercy this last hundred years, in the name if their faculty. Finally, we are pleased, in our gracious good liking, that for the good imitation of others, this our Ordnance by public intimations, be notified a month before, that so other Countries may receive the knowledge thereof. If it please also some of our Divines, to signify unto other sincere Divines, this our Christian intention, and to admonish them, to conform themselves unto this Action acceptable unto God, we will in our favour like well of it. The Lord grant by his grace, that we, and all the Inhabitants of our Dominions, may perform this ensuing Feast of jubilee, with good health, due attention, and hearty joy in God. Datum Dresden, the 12. of August, 1617. johannes George, Churfurst, that is, Prince Elector. A CHRONOLOGY OF THE GOSPEL'S JUBILEE. IN the year 1517. the first wound was inflicted upon Antichrist, in a disputation at Wittenberg against Indulgences. Therefore do Gospelers jubilize. In the year 1518. the doctrine concerning justification and the free-will of man was clearly explained in a disputation at Heidelberge. Therefore do etc. In the year 1519. it was manifested in a solemn disputation at Lipswicke, that there was no supremacy of the Pope of Rome. Therefore etc. In the year 1520. Germany began to laugh at, and to contemn the brutish thunderbolts or excommunications of the Pope. Therefore etc. In the year 1521. the cause of the Gospel was maintained at Worms, before the Emperor and the whole Empire. Therefore etc. In the year 1522. The Gospel was propagated far and wide through Germany, Helvetia, Livonia, or Liefeland. Therefore etc. In the year 1523. the Pope's Legate acknowledgeth in the diet of the Empire, that the Church of Rome is sick with errors and vices, some places of France are illustrated with the light of the Gospel, and the truth of it is sealed with the blood of Henry of Zutphen. Therefore etc. In the year 2524. the Emperor, the Princes of the Empire, in an assembly in Stiria, Ferdinand, Henry the eight King of England, Lodowick King of Hungary, and Bohemia; the Duke of Bavaria and Lorraine, the Pope, the Cardinal of Lorraine, the Archbishops of Ments and Riga, the Bishops of Denmark, Spira, and Strausburge, labour in vain to oppress the Gospel. Therefore etc. In the year 1525. amongst the Countrey-insurrections, the Contentions about the Sacraments, of the Anabaptists and of the Schwenkfeldians, the conspiracies of the mightiest enemies against the Gospel, the Gospel took place in the kingdom of Suevia, in the Dominion of the Lantsgrave of Hassia, and in a great part of Rhetia. Therefore etc. In the year 1526. the Emperor, and the King of France being at contention amongst themselves through the Pope's instigation against their will, they grant halcyon days to the Church. The Emperor abolisheth the authority of the Pope's name through all Spain. Therefore etc. In the year 1527. the Pope being taken the English and the French conspiring against the Emperor do minister occasion to the Gospelers of further spreading abroad the sincere doctrine. Therefore etc. In the year 1528. the truth of the reformed doctrine triumph in the disputation of Berne, upon which followed the reformation of many famous Churches. Therefore etc. The year 1529. is renowned for the reformation of many Churches, and the unconquered constancy of many Gospelers in divers trials, chiefly for the Martyrdom of Lodowicke Berquinus in France, and of Clarebachius and Flidstedius in Germany. Therefore etc. The year 1530. rejoiceth professors of the Gospel for the confession of their doctrine publicly made by the Princes at Ausberge, before the Emperor. Therefore etc. The glorious, and almost miraculous deliverance of the Protestants from a mischief hanging over their heads doth grace the year 1531. Therefore etc. The peace of Religion in Germany, the propagation of godly doctrine in France, the Martyrdoms of the faithful in England, do make famous the year 1532. Therefore etc. The glory of the year 1533. is exceeding great because that therein the King of England shook off the Pope's yoke. Therefore etc., In the year 1534. the Duke of Wirtemberge and Pomerania, having abandoned Popery embrace the Gospel. Therefore etc. In the year 1535. the Churches of George Earl of Wirtemberge in Alsasia are purged from the Pope's leaven. Cromwell doth pull down the Monasteries in England, being dens of monstrous villainies. Therefore etc. In the year 1536. the Citizens of Berne with their associates do make war with the Duke of Savoy. and do take almost the whole Country of the Antuatum, by which victory peace from the foreign enemy, is obtained to the common wealth and Church of Geneva, and the Gospel is spread all abroad through Savoy. Therefore etc. In the year 1537. The whole Kingdom of Denmark having abandoned the Pope under the government of Christian the third, acknowledged Chest to be the only head of the Church. Therefore do the Gospelers jubilize. In the year 1538. A public Church is opened at Strasburge. to those that were banished from France and Belgia. It is determined in England, that the Bible being translated into the English tongue, be kept every where in Churches, to be read by all that desire it. Therefore etc. In the year 1539. Misnia, the Marquisate of Brandenburge, the Dukedom of Sagana in Silesia and others, renounce Popery. Therefore do the gospelers jubelize. In the year 1540 Robert Barnes D. of Divinity, a man of great esteem with the King of England, being burnt to Ashes by the Papists, taught not only the English his own countrymen, but all Christians, to esteem less even of their lives, than of the profession of the true faith. Therefore do the Gospelers jubelize. In the year 1541. The Emperor by his private letters, granteth the Protestants the peace of religion. Therefore etc. In the year 1542. Otto Henry, Count Palatine of Rhine, Duke of either Bavaria, embraceth the purer doctrine. Therefore do the Gospelers jubelize. In the year 1543. Hermanus Earl of Weda, Archbishop of Colen applied himself to reform the state of the Church. Therefore etc. In the year 1544. the Pope being not regarded, the Donawerdenses give their names to Christ. Peter Alexander, Preacher to Mary Queen of Hungaria, and Governess of the Lowe-Countries, writeth and teacheth many things Orthodoxally. Therefore do the Gospelers jubilize. In the year 1545. Henry Duke of Brunswick being a cruel enemy of the Reformed Religion, came into the power of the Lantsgrave, Therefore do the Gospelers jubilize. In the year 1546. Frederick Elector Palatine doth bring the Reformed Religion into the whole Palatinate. Therefore the Gospelers do jubilize. In the year 1547. when all things in Germany seemed to be in a desperate case, Edward (the Son of Henry the Eight) King of England abrogats the MASS, removes Images out of the Temples, commands Bibles to be printed in the Vulgar tongue, ministerial duties to be performed in the same tongue, both kinds to be administered in the Eucharist. Therefore do the &. In the year 1548. and 1549. during the time of the interim, there is a sifting of the Gospelers, and the Hypocrites are discerned from sincere Professors. Therefore, etc. In the year 1550. Maidenburg showed a memorable example of Constancy, in defending the sincerer Doctrine. Therefore, etc. In the year 1551. the Protestants are not afraid to appear in the Tridentine Council; the Papists not daring to hear the Reasons of the reformed Doctrine. Therefore, etc. In the year 1552. the most constant Confessors of Christ, john Frederick Elector of Saxony, and Philip Lantsgrave of Hassia, being freed from captivity are sent home: the Passavian peace is established. Therefore, etc. In the year 1553. at Lions in France nine Students confirmed the verity of the reformed Doctrine by bloody Martyrdom. Therefore, etc. In the year 1554. the Cities and Nobles of Greichgoia hold a Synod, wherein they renounce the Interim, and bind themselves to teach, and hear the purer Doctrine. Therefore, etc. In the year 1555. it is decreed in the Diet at Ausburg, that they should not make war with any Prince, Earl or Imperial City for the doctrine of Religion. Therefore, etc. In the year 1556. Charles marquess of Baden, reform the Churches under his jurisdiction according to the prescript of God's word. Therefore, etc. In the year 1557. Otto Henricus Count Palatine Elector, doth the second time purge the Churches of the Palatinate, from Popish Idolatry. Therefore, etc. In the year 1558. the Nobles of Scotland purge the Churches of Sterlin from all Massing stuff, and appoint Preachers of the Gospel in towns here and there. Therefore, etc. In the year 1559. All England, Elizabeth being queen thereof, doth the second time receive the Gospel. Therefore, etc. In the year 1560. the French men present the Confession of their faith to the King: the Nobles of Scotland reject the Mass, demolish Altars, and abolish Images. Therefore, etc. In the year 1561. the Princes and States Protestants in Germany, being gathered together at Naumburg, renew their consent to the Apostolic Faith, against the Antichrist of Rome: the Frecnh of the Reformed Religion discourse of the chief Heads of the pure Faith, in the Conference at Poissy, before the King and the whole kingdom. Therefore, etc. In the year 1562. God disappointed the dangerous plots of the Guyzes, tending to bring the French Churches into the hatred of the German Princes. Therefore, etc. In the year 1563. an Edict published the 19 of March, granteth peace of Religion to the reformed Churches in France. Therefore, etc. In the year 1564. the Protestant Princes and Magistrates firmly demonstrate by many Arguments, that the Tridentine Council was neither godly, nor lawful, nor free: and consequently not to be received with a safe conscience: That Antichrist was Precedent there, and that errors quite contrary to the holy Scripture were maintained therein. Therefore, etc. In the year 1565. Maximilian the Emperor showed himself favourable to the Gospelers of Silesia, Moravia, Bohemia, Austria, Hungaria, and granteth the Magistrates of Gorlick, that the Monastery of the Minorites being turned into a public School, they may take order, that both human Learning, and also the purer Doctrine of Religion be taught there. Therefore, etc. In the year 1566. in Brabant, Holland, Zeeland, and Flanders, the idolatrous Images of the Papists are cast down, the Popish Religion removed, and the Gospel received in many places. Therefore, etc. In the year 1567. Frederick the 3. Count Palatine Elector, abolisheth popish Rites in the Palatinate of Bauarie, joachimus Fredericus, Marquis of Brandenburg, Administer of the archbishopric of Magdeburg, doth open the Cathedral Church of Magdeburg, that had been shut up almost 20. years, and commends it to the Preachers of the Gospel. Therefore, etc. In the year 1568. Maximilian the 2. Emperor, grants the Nobility of Austria, the free exercise of the purer Doctrine. Therefore, etc. In the year 1569. julius the son of Henry Duke of Brunswick, taketh order, that the Churches which are under his jurisdiction be religiously reform according to the rule of God's word. Therefore, etc. In the year 1570. In France it is granted by the king's Edict, that the Princes, Barons, and Nobles in their territories, that others in certain Countries, and suburbs may use the exercise of the reformed Religion without impeachment. Therefore, etc. In the year 1571. Peace being made the third time in France, a Synod of the reformed Churches of the whole Kingdom, is assembled at Rochel; in which, the Confession of the faith of the French Churches is repeated and confirmed. Therefore, etc. In the year 1572. that bloody Massacre at Paris, was a most pregnant argument to the reformed Churches, that the Papists despaired of the cause of the Romish Religion, seeing they deemed it could not be maintained by holy Scripture, but by incredible treachery. Therefore, etc. In the year 1573. the number of the Protestants grows exceeding great, out of the blood of those of the reformed Religion that were cruelly slain, and that beyond the conceit of the King, the Pope, and all Papists, Rochel by the wonderful providence of God, is delivered from the duke of Anjou, as once David was from Saul. Therefore, etc. In the year 1574. Middleburg in Zealand is taken by Composition: Leyden in Holland is miraculously delivered from a siege. Therefore, etc. In the year 1575. in the midst of the wars of the low Countries, the University of Leyden is set open by the munificency of the States of Holland. Therefore, etc. In the year 1576. the order of baptizing with the manner of visiting the sick, is set forth at Venice: In which book the doctrine of the free justification of a sinner before God, is clearly propounded. Therefore, etc. In the year 1577. the agreement between professors of both Religions in the Low-countries, is sworn at Brussels. Therefore, etc. In the year 1578. Amsterdam the most famous Mart-towne of Holland, is reform according to the rule of God's word, the Romish Religion banished, and Images defaced. Therefore, etc. In the year 1579. the union of Vtrecht is made by means of john Eearle of Nassau then Governor of Gelderland and Sutphen, he restored some most famous provinces of the Low-Countries to the liberty of the purer religion. Therefore, etc. In the year 1580. the townsmen of Deventer, they of Swool, of Vtrecht, of Freezland, and of Drenth, break down Images, and forsake the Romish religion. Therefore, etc. In the year 1581. The exercise of the Popish religion is forbidden at Antwerp and Brussels by a public Edict. Therefore, etc. In the year 1582. Gebhardus Archbishop of Collen, Elector of the Empire, doth assay the reformation of Religion. Therefore etc. In the year 1583. the Churches of France do flourish amongst the thorns of divers persecutions. Therefore, etc. In the year 1584. The conspiracy of certain Noblemen against the life and State of Q. Elizabeth, begun at the instigation of the Pope, is discovered by the singular goodness of God. Therefore etc. In the year 1585. the Kingdoms of France, and Navarre learn to contemn excommunications of Pope Sixtus the fift, against Henry king of Navarre, and Henry Duke of Condee. Therefore etc. In the year 1586. at Luneburg Frederick king of Denmark, the Ambassadors of the Q. of England and of james king of Scotland, the Electors of Empire john Casimirus Administrator Palatine, Christian Elector of Saxony, john Georgius Elector of Brandenburg, and other Princes of the Empire, wisely considering that the troubles in France concerned the German Churches, agreed to aid the king of Navarre. Therefore etc. In the year 1587. the holy league between the Pope and certain popish Princes, is renewed in vain. Therefore do etc. In the year 1588. With ships sans number bridging all the Main, Spaniards presume they'll Britain join to Spain: Wouldst know the moving causes of such stirs? The proud, Ambition drives, and Avarice spurs. How fit by winds was puffed Ambition drowned? And swelling waves the swelling sunk to ground: How fit did swallowing gulfs of Seas ne'er dry, Swallow up the Helluo's of Worlds Signiory? In the year 1589. the king of France makes a league with the king of Navarre, and makes him Lieutenant over his armies. Therefore, etc. In the year 1590. james marquess of Baden son of- Charles, an Apostate, dieth of the blooudie flux, in the very beginning of the persecution against them of the reformed Religion, the doctrine of the Gospel is preserved in that part of the Marquistate, to the great grief of the Papists. Therefore, etc. The years from 1591. even till the truce of Spain with the Low-countries (which happened in the year 1608.) are ennobled, by reason of the almost continual victories of the Hollanders against the Spaniards: that is, of the Gospelers against the Papists: therefore in regard of all those years, the Gospelers do iubilize. In the year 1608. Liberty of Religion in Bohemia, Moravia, and Hungaria, was established. Therefore, etc. In the year 1569. and 1610. William Duke of Gulicke being dead, the word of God is freely preached, by the permission of the Princes, through the Dukedoms of Bergh, of Cleve, and Gulicke. Therefore, etc. From the year 1610. to the year 1617. the Churches through France, Germany, England, Scotland, Denmark, Suetia, Polonia, Hungaria, Bohemia, have had, and at this day have reasonable halcyon days, Antichrist in vain withstanding them. Therefore do etc. And to thee most High and mighty God, with a devoted heart they give thanks, that amongst those ragings of the jesuits, amongst so many persecutions of the Roman Antichrist, thou dost notwithstanding gather to thyself a Church amongst us, wherein thou art both truly acknowledged, and also art worshipped, according to the prescript of thy Word. Blessed be thy holy Name for ever and ever. Go forward O God, to bless the Vine which thou hast planted in so many kingdoms, Dominions, Countries, Cities,: And grant that we drawing from Christ alone the sap of true consolation, and bringing forth the fruit of a holy life through him alone, may for ever adhere unto our Saviour Christ, even as branches to the Vine. Keep under jesuits, the bellows of Satan, lest they continue to make civil dissensions, and trouble the peace of thy Church. Lead and govern the hearts of thy faithful ones in the spirit of unity, that we may all be one, as thou art one, and sanctify us in thy truerh, thy word is Truth. Amen. TO THE READER, AS before their is a remarkable example of the exceeding goodness of God, in glorifying the Gospel of his well-beloved Son, by the Archbishop of Spalleto his renouncing of Antichrist, and forsaking his Primacy Ecclesiastical over two Kingdoms for the truth sake, where by the period of the first hundred years; after Luther had set up his Propositions against the Pope's pardons, was gloriously shut up: So it is thought convenient to commend to thy godly consideration the great, and good work of our gracious God, the God of Truth, in advancing his Truth this year 1618. being the first of the second hundred years, by discovering the treason of Barnevil, and his Arminian complices tending to the great impeachment of the same. By delivering up a principal instrument in the same to a reprobate mind, so as he murdered himself, after he had confessed the treason, by raising up that Worthy in Israel, Grave Maurice Prince of Orange, with admirable policy, diligence, and peace to purge Arminian towns of corrupt, and dangerous Magistrates, and to Reunite Provinces and Cities, which were upon the point of Confusion so prevailing was the devilish policy of Arminian heresy; and by sanctifying the minds of the noble States, in a most religious manner, to call together the present Nationall Synod at Dorte. Whereby, through God's blessing upon the same, Truth may be cleared, Wisdom justified, and the Gospel have a freer passage. Which God grant for his great Names sake: Amen.