A SHORT view of the praelatical Church of ENGLAND: Wherein is set forth the horrible abuses in Discipline and Government, laid open in ten SECTIONS by way of Quare and Petition, the several heads whereof are set down in the next Page. Whereunto is added a short draught of Church-government. EZEK. 34. 3, 4, 10. Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that feed themselves. Ye eat the Fat and clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed, but ye feed not the flock, but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. Behold I am against the shepherds, and I will require my flock at their hands, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock, neither shall they feed themselves any more. Printed in the year. MDCXLI. SECTION, I. OF the title of the Church and why it is called prelatical. SECTION, II. Of the principal persons in this prelatical Church and their dependants. SECTION, III. Of the means to support their prelatical greatness. SECTION, IV. Of the prelatical rule and government, and the ends they aim at. SECTION, V. Of the prelatical visitations. SECTION, VI. Of the prelatical Churches, and the dependants on them. SECTION, VII. Of the prelatical Service. SECTION, VIII. Of the prelatical ministry. SECTION, ix.. Of the prelatical Convocation. SECTION, X. Of the great and manifold evils of these prelatical governments. A SHORT view OF THE prelatical Church of ENGLAND. SECTION. I. Of the title Church, and why it's called prelatical. THe Church of England now so called▪ is the Church of our Prelates, and may be rightly termed the prelatical or hierarchical Church of England, received from Rome, the seat of Antichrist, and set up here after he Protestants fell off from that papal Church, for it's framed of Prelates, and also of a prelatical clergy, and only ruled by them. QVAERE. Whither any such Church was ever in the Apostles days, or any time shortly after within 2 or 300. years? Whither any such Church be among any of the reformed Churches: or anywhere else, but under the Pope, the Beast which hath two horns like a lamb, but speaketh like a Dragon, Rev. 13? Whither therefore, it be guided by the Spirit of Christ, or by the Spirit of Antichrist? Whither God hath ever permitted any mortal men frame a Church after their wisdom? For when he gave 1 The pattern for his Tabernacle to Moses, Exo. 25.9. and 26.30. Heb. 8.5. 2 The pattern of his Temple to David, 1 Chr. 28.19 & verse 11, 12 13. 1 K. 6.38. 3 The pattern of the rebuilding of it to the Prophet, Ezek. 43 10, 11. He did not suffer MOSES nor DAVID, nor Solomon, nor the Prophet, nor any of them, to attempt such a thing. Was he so careful for the type and shadow, and not for the Antitype and substance? Whither therefore a frame of a Church after an human device may not be altered, upon good reasons by lawful power? The humble Petition. That it may be considered of; HOw according to the Romish fashion by the name of Church, 1 The Prelates understand only themselves, and (as they call them) their clergy. 2 Than they seclude the Nobles and Gentry, the whole House of Parliament, the upper, and Lower, from being of the Church, and so debar them from having any right to meddle in Church matters. When the title of Church monopolised to themselves, is taken in Scripture of the New Testament? Either for the Ministers and people together, Mat. 16. 18. Act. 12.1. & 13.1. & 9.31. & 15.22. & 14.27. and so usually. Or for the people distinct from Ministers, Act. 14.23. where the people are called the Church, before they had pastors set over them; Where pastors and persons are distinguished, there the people are called the Church, and not the Ministers; the Ministers are said to be of the Church, and not the Church, Rev. 18.2.1.8. The church's denomination is from the people; who also are the Lord's clergy, 1 Pet. 5.3. The word in English is Heritage, the Latin Cleri, and in the Greek {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. There is much complaint touching Monopolies in another nature, but this is taken no notice of, and yet this monopoly is a Mystery of mischiefs, for by this name of the Church assumed to themselves, 1 They dignify very greatly their power, as may appear by the 20. Article of Religion, which they have corrupted from that it was at first, set out in Anno 1561. & 1571. 2. They decree what they please without control, as is evident by their former and late Canons. 3. They strike an awfulness in all sorts, under the sacred name of Church. When the Church representative ought to be gathered of both sorts (as they be now distinguished) of the Learned and Godly Laity, as well as of the clergy. Why should therefore (the whole Lords and Christian Spirits of the Gentry) lose the right, into which the holy Ghost (by calling them and the rest his Church) hath invested them? In former times Parliaments have confirmed Injunctions ecclesiastical, and our Service book, containing God's worship, matters of an high nature, and why not still so? And if the Nobles and Commons can claim so much, as to ratify the matters Ecclesiastical, being concluded upon, I hope it is by perusal thereof before, else how can they in judgement confirm them? And if they have wisdom from God to confirm them made, why may not some chosen men be appointed to consult with the Convocation House about the framing of those things which are to be set forth, seeing they very much concern all? The Brethren at the great council at Jerusalem, were not shut out, while the Apostles and Elders came together to consider of a great controversy in Divinity, and in making their decrees; but when they were sent forth, they passed under their own name with the name of the brethren also, Act. 15.6.22, 23. David consulted with the Laity, as well as with the Priests and Levites, to bring up the Ark of God, 1 Chr. 13.1, 2.3. Hezekiah concerning the keeping of the Passeover, took counsel thereabout, not with the Priests only, but with his Princes, and all the Congregation in Jerusalem, 2 Chro. 30.1, 2. This Monopoly was not then learned among God's ancient people, nor among the holy Apostles in their days. SECTION. II. Of the principal persons in this prelatical Church, and of their dependants upon them. 1 There are two provincial Archbishops. The one of the Province of York Metropolitan of England, the other of Canterbury Metropolitan of all England. Dependants on Canterbury. 1 His Princelike Retinue. 2 His domestic Chapleines, and the rest. 3 household Servants. 4 All his Officers for temporalities, and the Revenues thereof, which are very great. 5 All his spiritual Officers under him, which are these. 1 His Vicar general. 2 His Guardians of Spiritualities. 3 The Dean of the Arches, with all the number depending upon them. 4 His many Courts▪ The Court of Faculties. The Court of Audience, The Prerogative Court, The Delegates. The Consistory in Paul's, The High Commission Court. With the swarms of Attendance on these Courts, as Advocates, Registers, Doctors, Proctors, Pursuivants, Messengers, and Apparitors, With all other belonging to them, all which come to many hundreds. QVAERE. WHither all or any of these, be of divine institution? Whither the words of Christ forbidding to be gracious Lords, extend not to these, Mat. 20, 25, 26. Luke, 22.25, 26. Mar. 10, 42, 43, 44, 45. Whether any spiritual function ordained by Christ, standeth in need of so great a Prelate, and so great a dependence to discharge the duties thereof? Whither this greatness hath any time been the support of goodness, and of good men in their places, or rather hath not from this greatness risen great troubles, as at this day, and much persecution, almost ever since the beginning of reformation? The humble Petition. THat the immeasurable greatness of these gracious Lords might be abated, and the number of those their dependants lessened. That they might be made to show themselves Arch-teachers of Christ's Gospel, and to attend unto some particular flock, to feed them. That they might not be of Prince's counsel, for commonly God leaveth such to become ill States men, because they do contrary to Christ's bidding. It shall not be so with you, Mat. 20.26. Luk. 21.25. Mar. 10.42. And for that they neglect the sacred calling of the ministry, which is to be of Christ's heavenly counsel, to give attendance unto temporal affairs, and to be of Earthly King's counsel. II. There be twenty four Bishops, Diocesan Lord Bishops. They are seated in several places throughout the kingdom Of these three are under York Carleile, Durham, and Chester. All the rest are under Canterbury. Dependants on these. Their train of domestic Servants. Their Chapleines. Their Officers concerning their temporalities. Their 24 Courts. And hereto belonging. 26 chancellors, with waiters on them. 24 Registers with their men. 24 Gentlemen apparitors. 48 proctors, if but two to a Court. 120 Apparitors at least, more than a good many. QVAERE. WHither these Diocesan Bishops be jure divino, and have warrant from Scripture? Whither St. Peter's speech reacheth not to them, that they should not Lord it over God's heritage, by over ruling it, 1 Pet. 5.3? Whither we cannot be as well without them, as all other reformed Churches; or whither we will condemn those Churches for casting them out, or not receiving them in? Whether this be not a mock to say, no Bishop no King, seeing they also say, no Ceremony no Bishop, therefore no Ceremony no King, what a weak standing bring they a King unto? But a King is God's ordinance, not so they? and in Denmark hath been a King and no Bishops this 100 years? Whither Bishops wanting in dioceses, upon vacancy some 10, some 20 years (as some have been) may not be so for more years, and so for ever? And if they may be wanting in a diocese, why not in a Province, and so why not everywhere? Whither may not our King, as lawfully cast them out, as did the King of Denmark his Grandfather? Whither by their authority have they advanced true religion, or upheld mere forms of it, shows, habits, gestures, and ceremonial observances, rather than the power of godliness? What wickedness and vanity is suppressed by him, nay, what error, what vice, Idolatry, and profaneness groweth not under them? What one made better by them in the ways of God? What one brought to a pious reformation by their Citations, Excommunications, and imposed penancies? The humble Petition. THat they be seated in pastoral charges, every one over a particular flock, as at first all▪ Bishops were, there to preach and teach the people, and so their many dependants might be taken away. That their chancellors be removed from them, and their over swaying masterfulness in their Courts be taken down, and cut off. That they, their Officers, and their Courts, may be brought under some such authority, as may rule over them question them, and duly censure them, when there is just cause, and not suffer them to be like Kings, free without command, or any power of censure at all over them. Is it fit they should judge all, and be free from the judgement of any? 3. There be threescore Archds. under these Bishops. Dependants on these. They have threescore Courts, to which do belong, Commissaries, Officials, Surrogates. 60 Registers with their servants. 120 proctors, if but two to every Court. 200 apparitors at least. The whole number appertaining to Archbishops, Bishops, Archdeacons, with the many peculiars are judged to be no fewer than ten thousand persons, which need yearly two hundred thousand pounds to maintain them all, the greater and inefriour ones, reckoning but 20 l. a man, when many have 100 l, a year, some 200 l. others more. QVAERE. Whither these swarms of wasps be of necessary use in the spiritual kingdom of Christ? Whether their Courts be reformative or deformative? Whether there is any likelihood, that their gross abbuses of God's Ordinances; in sending out excommunications, and their commuting of penance, &c. can please God, to bring an holy reformarion? Whether it can be probably imagined, that those Courts can reform others, who in themselves are so corrupt and mercenary, and will employ such base and lewd companions in a spiritual business, as be the Apparitors, whom either they cannot, or will not reform? Whether their Courts being taken away, as in all other reformed Churches, their want should be bewailed, and their setting up again be desired? Whether the mass of money which is spent by these so many thousands, might not well be spared, and far better employed, The humble Petition. THat these Courts be not longer permitted to take in so many thousand presentments every half year, only to make such gain of the people, as they do, for they reform no men's persons, but plague their purses? That some other way might be considered of agreeable to God's Word, and the godly practice of other Churches, for suppression of vice, and the maintenance of virtue in every Parish. That their lewd apparitors, so many, and so many be not long suffered. That in their Courts, their proceedings may be open to the hearing of all, and that they lap not up businesses in secret, as their manner is to shut their Consistory door, where they do as they please with delinquents. That they delay not men in their Courts, forcing and vexing poor men to come very often, before they can be dismissed, a grievous vexation to needy labouring men. SECTION III. Of the means to support their prelatical greatness. These have their Lordly palaces, and great houses. They have their ecclesiastical dignities, and spiritual Offices and what do thereto belong. They have their Baronries, and the ample revenues thereof. Viis & modis, such is their Income, as it cannot but amount to an hundred (besides their adherents which in all amounts to four hundred thousand pounds or thereabouts) and 40 thousand pounds per annum, if not more, so much their greatness comes unto, as the State of a King may be supported not a little therewith, Quaere. Whether the true Officers of the Church need so much to bear up their train? Whether Christ be better served by them, or followed of them? Whether their studies are more bent to advance the Churches spiritual good? Whether are they more sequestered to the ways of God, to attend God's service, the reformation of ill men's lives, the setting forward those that are good in the paths of grace? Whether do they take the more time to apply themselves, to fasting, to praying, to preaching and doing works of piety, and works of charity? Whether do they not rather intrude into secular affairs, and into State businesses, to the disgrace of the Nobles and gentry of the Land, and the peace thereof. Whether are they more bold against sin, to suppress it in all sorts; or are they not thereby the more Lordly minded to bear up themselves, and to crush all them that justly find fault with what is amiss in them? Whether are they not hereby higher from control, and less subject to any censure, both they, and such as depend upon them? Whether may not the King pare them, as well as did blessed Queen Elizabeth, some of them in her days; or as King Henry did the Lord Abbots, and Lord pryers with all their superfluous means: For those were of men, and so are these, and not of God. The humble Petition. THat they be made to change their Palaces for Personage Houses, there to keep Hospitality, and to feed the people with the word of life. That their Baronries be taken from them, and so the Lordly title, and not be suffered to sit any more in Parliament, as Lords there. That their thousands be reduced to some hundreds, and so their Officers and retinue made fewer. What need a true pastor be so pompous and Lordly great, to do his Office for Christ, in preaching, and in other spiritual duties. SECTION. IV. Of the prelatical Rule and Government. Their rule is partly after the Canon Law, yet in force, and partly after their own framed Canons and Articles, and not according to God's Word. The manner of their ruling is Lordly, and alone in their inferior Courts, and in the high commission Court, their power is unlimited, citing, examining, swearing, judging, fining, and imprisoning, as they please, one of the most insufferable evils in this kingdom. The ends which they do aim at are. I. To keep up their own greatness, even by exacting oaths for it; as the Oath of the canonical obedience, and the late Oath in the new canons. II. To hold others in subjection under them, as they like best by citing to their Courts; by hasty suspensions by rash and very abusive excommunications, &c. III. To enrich themselves gathering much money by all these means. I. By ordained Deacons, and Ministers for money 4 times a year, by which they put up yearly hundreds of pounds. II. By instituting and inducting persons and Vicars, when benefices do fall, and so scrape together much out of 9285 Livings, three pounds for every one viis & modis, which in times come to many thousands. III By making rural Deans yearly (where they be) in every deanery: And for the Oath taken; some pay 8. s. 6. d. or a Noble, but no benefit to the Dean at all, but to execute Bishops mandates. IV. By granting Lycenses which ought to be free. 1 To beneficed men to preach in their own Cures; though at their ordination they give them authority to preach; yet may they not afterwards without 10. s. for every licence; look then how many lycensed Preachers there be (whether they preach or no) so many 10, is paid, suppose there be in 9285 Parishes but six thousand of them, the sum cometh to three thousand pounds. Thus they pay money to have leave to discharge their highest duty of their Office. 2 To Curates, who must pay for a licence to read prayers in some place; for a licence to preach, for a licence to keep school, undoing poor beginners before they get any thing. 3 To clerks of a Parish to be clerks, 4 To physicians to practise physic. 5 To Midwives to do their Office, for they have skill in all trades and professions to gain money. 6 To parties which are to be married, without banes asking, and in times prohibited, and both for money allowed, yet against Law. V. By absolving after a rash suspension, after a profane Excommunication, and both for money. VI. By aggravations, for money. VII. By putting men to clear themselves by oath, with their compurgators for money. VIII. By imposing Penance, which the richer may commute for money, but the miserable poor (doing their penance) cannot be freed from their Courts without money though they beg for it, but must stand Excommunicated, and so be shut out of the Church and given over to the devil, for nonpayment of money. IX, By willingly receiving any secret information (true or false) to call any before them, putting them to the oath Ex officio to catch them and make them pay money. X. By interdicting of Churches and whole Congregations. XI. By framing very many Articles, forcing churchwardens to present upon oath, that they may get money. XII. By probates of Wills, and by granting Letters of Administrations. XIII. By suits about Tithes, and long delaying thereof, much money is spent of others, but gotten by them. And thus a mass of money is scraped together of them, to the great vexation of his majesty's Subjects, especially of the meaner sort. QVAERE. Whether such a rule and authority, by such Canons, in such a manner, and for such ends, can be approved of God, or any longer suffered of men? Whether this be not to make money of God's holy ordinances, and to gain by sin? what hope of a blessing can there be by such a base kind of ecclesiastical pecuniary governing? Whether it be not fit and just to squeise such sponges, and ravenous harpies, by finding out their illegal courses, and punishing them? The humble Petition. THat they may not rule by the Cannon Law, which yet is in force (so far as it toucheth not the King's Supremacy) nor by their own devised Canons, but by God's word, and by such Canons as agree with the word, and are made with the full consent of the Convocation, and confirmed by act of Parliament. That in ruling they Lord it not alone, but that they sit with learned godly and grave Assistants, keeping within the bounds of the laws, doing neither contrary to, nor besides them, nor yet dispense with any, as they do for marrying without banes asking, and in times prohibited. That they keep not their Courts in their own names, nor send out process, summons, Citations, nor proceed to censure in their own Names or style, nor use only their own seal of Office, and arms as they do, thereby denying their power to be derived from the King, this is an unsufferable usurpation. That they be made to acknowledge their authority not to be divine, but human, from the King, as hath heretofore been fully acknowledged, That the power of the high Commission in ministering the Oath ex Officio be taken away, as also in all other inferior Courts, and that it may be a limited power under Law, in all the proceedings in citing, examining, judging, fining, and imprisoning, that so the complaints of God's Ministers and others, may not still cry aloud in the Lord's ears, to bring down wrath: Who can but pity with tears of blood, the insufferable misery of Mr. Peter Smart of Durham, for preaching against setting up of Images and Altars, the severe bandling of Mr. George Huntley Mr. Crowder; ministers and many others. That by their high authority they may not be suffered to hinder such as be troubled from taking the benefit of regal courses to help themselves, and neither Judges nor Lawyers be made so to fear, at the one sort dare not freely plead for them, nor the other judge but with fear, as they ought not. That seeing they are otherwise sufficiently provided for, they make not such wicked gain in making and instituting Ministers in giving Lycenses, in imposing penance, in absolving all the rest before named, to the great grievance of his majesty's subjects, robbing them of a treasury of money, and making sale of God's holy Ordinances; Is there simony in buying a benefice, and none in giving money for the use of spiritual gifts? That they make no encroachments upon the subjects' liberties, as they do, proved fully by the Author of the Breviate. SECTION. V. Of their prelatical Visitations. These are pecuniary, merely for money. I. Are Bishops Visitations, and in these: I. CHurchwardens of every Parish, and chapel are called, who receive a book of Articles to present by, if any are wanting they are warned to appear at their Court, with Cost. These Churchwardens pay for their book of Articles every year (though the very same) and for other things, and for writing their presentments by a clerk (which they themselves could do) 2s▪ 4d, which in 9285 Parishes cometh to 1058l xis, viijd, besides chapels, which be here and there many. II. Ministers beneficed. These pay for Lycenses to preach, if they have none. Then they pay for showing their Letters of Orders, their licence to preach unto the Register at every Bishop's Visitation, though seen and allowed of before xxd or thereabouts. After for procurations to the Bishop 4 s a piece, to the Gentleman apparitor 8d, but the abler sort xijd. Lastly, sometimes the Bishops crave Benevolence, as the occasion is, but the sum they will set down. Besides all these they pay Paschal tents or Synodals to the Archd. in the Bishops visiting. III. curates. If they want Licenses to read, preach, or teach a school, than they pay for them. Then for showing their Letters of orders, so that in 9285 Parishes, the sum will arise to some thousands of pounds. Thus they do at Archbishop's Visitations, but when an Archbishop comes newly to York, the Parsons and Vicars, though never so poor under him, give him a tenth of their living for a benevolence to help the Archbishop to settle himself in 5 or 6 thousand pounds a year, which extorted benevolence, if not paid him of the poorest Vicar, the Reverend Father out of his mercifulness, will pitifully afflict him in his Court. II. Archdeacons Visitations. These be twice a year, here the Churchwardens do as before. The Ministers pay. At Easter Visitation their Paschal Rents or Synodals, which sums are not alike to all, some pay 5 s. some less. At Michalmas they pay procurations, some 7 s. some 10 s. some less, but it's judged, that Ministers pay yearly at Visitations throughout the Land, 4 or 5 thousand pounds, some reckon more. And what is all this for: 1 To call every Minister by name, and to pay as is aforesaid. 2 To call Churchwardens, Questmen, Sidemen, or Posts (as some name them) to take their oaths, to make presentments, that men may be brought into their Courts, to get money. QVAERE. WHither these Visitations be after God or man? Whither any can be hereby bettered by them either for life or doctrine? Whither any reformed Churches keep such kind of Visitations and such a manner of visiting? Whither these be worthy of so many thousand pounds for calling such visitations? Whither such meetings be worthy the assembling together of so great a number of the clergy, and Laity? The number out of 9285 Parishes, to wit, one Minister besides Curates, and 4 men, Churchwardens, and Sidemen, or Posts, besides 2 in every Chappelry are above 45 thousand at one visitation, and both the number double is 90000, where if they expend alike xijd. a man, for dinner and horsemeate, as usually they do, the sum doth arise in both the visitations throughout the Land to 4000 and 500 pounds yearly. Why should men cast away so much money yearly, year by year for upholding them in such vain Visitations, injurious to others, and only gainful to themselves? The humble Petition. THat some way may be taken, to make more useful these Visitations, in calling together so many thousands, than thus only to fill their purses. That neither the Bishops, nor Archdeacons be permitted to frame Articles, so unlawfully out of the Canons, with sundry of their own additions, as may appear by comparing some of their Articles with the Canons, which every Parish is bound to have, and so need none of their Articles. That threescore and fourteen thousand men be not constrained to swear threescore and fourteen thousand oaths yearly, as they do, to their soul's damnation without repentance? For, I. Not any do, nor can keep the oath in presenting, all offences, faults, defaults and crimes (as they call them) mentioned in so numerous Articles, and so do forswear themselves, which breach of oath goeth through the whole Land, and with every oath goeth a Curse. II. If men should present for offences, faults, and crimes, every thing according to every Article, than they cursedly swear to present for sins, offences, faults, and crimes, which before the Almighty God are none, as for instance. A Minister to preach in his own charge without a licence, or in a cloak. A Father at baptism to offer to the Minister his own Child, and undertake for the infant's education, and so prevent an high presumption of others who may be witnesses, but not undertakers, promising for the Child that which they neither can, nor ever intend to do. Some going to another Parish to hear Sermons (which at baptism they are exhorted unto) when they have none at home. Some meeting together to read the Scripture, and good books allowed to be printed, to sing psalms and pray together. A poor man and in need to work upon an holy day for relief of his poor family. A Minister or a Deacon having unworthily taken those callings upon them to leave the same upon trouble of conscience, because they find themselves to be utterly unfit, and to betake themselves to some more fit course of life. One for having his Hat on. Another for not standing up at the Creed, others for not bowing, or not putting the Hat off (which they may not have on) more at the name of JESUS, than at Lord and Saviour Christ. These and other such like, who dare to present upon oath for sins, offences, faults, and crimes before God? And yet Churchwardens and Sidemen do so, to the grievous wronging of their own souls. Oh take pity, take pity of this their perjury and sinful swearing bringing a curse upon them. That a Bishop in his Visitations do go abroad to visit, and not force all Ministers and many old men, to come to him many miles, when he is but one, and they very many, for this is a making of them to visit him, and not he them, But all is to spare his own pains and his own purse, that what he gets at such Visitations, may be his without any expenses, Provident Prelates. SECTION. VI. Of the prelatical Churches. THe prelatical Churches, besides their private chapels, are the great and vast Cathedrals, or other Collegiate Churches, Dependants on these are. 26 great Deans, next unto Bishops with their attendants and Servants. 5, 44 Canon Residents, and Prebendaries. The rest also are many hundreds. As Their Vicars. As Peticanons. As Singing men and boys, Choristers. As Organists. As gospelers and Epistelers. As Virgers, and who else appertain to this idle and fat fraternity. An 100 or 200. thousand pounds yearly in Lands, rents, Leases, and other revenues, and profits do belong thereto. QVAERE. WHither such idle drones are worthy of so much for their service, such as it is? Whither Jesus Christ cannot be better served with far less cost, and better pleased? Whither all these thousands might not be better employed to greater good in the training up of thousands in divine and human learning? As thus, I. That never a Dean have any pastoral charge, but be continual resident at the cathedral Church, being a godly and learned doctor, there to read twice or thrice a week a Divinity Lecture, and interpret the Scriptures. II. That all the Canon residents be also without pastoral Charges, and that they be learned, grave, and godly Divines, or else others in their stead, chosen out of the Universities to assist the doctor dean in, and about spiritual and divine exercises, daily to study controversies, cases of conscience, and some special tracts of divinity, &c. that other Ministers in the Country may come thither for help, and for better information of judgement, as need shall require. III. That the greater part of the rest of the Prebendaries be turned into special selected scholars, graduates out of either university, such as for natural gifts, their learning in tongues and Arts, and pious disposition by grace, do give very good hopes to become good Divines, and here trained up under the Dean and the other Divines for the ministry. IV. That 7 of the best prebends be allotted to 7 learned men, to become schoolmasters to teach scholars. Every schoolmaster to be accurately skilful in one Art, and secondly to have ability withal to teach the said art to his scholars with some speed. The 1 To teach to write very fair. The 2 To teach music. The 3 To teach Grammar only. The 4 To teach rhetoric. The 5 To teach Poetry. The 6 To teach the Greek tongue. The 7 To teach the Hebrew. That their scholars may come thus furnished to the universities, there to learn logic and other Arts, and to take the degrees of schools. Every Master must make known the aptness and untowardness of every scholar, that the Master may not be troubled with uncapable boys. V. That the Vicars, Peticanons, singing men and boys, with the rest, be turned into scholars, ingenious lads, picked out here and there from among mean men's Children, to be brought up under the aforenamed schoolmasters, to be after sent to the universities, and maintained there by some of the Revenues belonging to the Cathedrals, that so they may be taken thence, if they prove not unworthy, and brought back again as places be void, to be trained up for the ministry. By all these in the cathedral Churches, God's public worshiship, Morning and Evening might be performed better than now it is. And by this pious and profitable transformation of these Cathedrals. 1 When any Benefice falls void, hither may the patroness come for a learned and godly Minister taking his choice. 2. If any pastor happen to be sick, or have just occasion to be absent, hither may he send for one to supply his place for preaching and prayers, till he be well, or return home. Beware this so happily done, who could but approve thereof, if godly and wise hearted. The humble Petition. THat the goodly revenues belonging to these Cathedrals, be employed to some such good and godly use, as the wisdom of the State shall think fit, for better advancement of God's glory, Learning and Religion than now they be. That the so many needless prebendaries might not be allowed, nor to take up so great sums as some do, for preaching 2 or 3 Sermone a year, either by themselves, or by some other, whom they can hire for a noble, or an angel a time, That the so many gifts of Livings, in the hands of Bishops, Deans, Archdeans, and the rest, be looked into, for better bestowing thereof, than they commonly be. SECTION. VII. Of the prelatical Service. THe prelatical service, is the cathedral service, consisting in these things. 1 In a long wearisome liturgy, read after a singing manner, syllables and words drawn out unto a tedious length, which liturgy is formed out of three Romish books, the Purtuys, the breviary, and the mass book; so as King JAMES said of it, That its an evil said mass, from which it needeth purging, and from some vain repetitions, some Romish superstitions, some absurdities, and from a corrupt translation of holy Scriptures, and other abuses thereof: 2 In an unedifying singing and piping on Organs. 3 In superstitious cringing to the name Jesus, towards the Altar, towards the East. 4 In a formal observation of habits, surplices, Hoods, Copes, variety of gestures and ceremonies, devotions, devised by men. QVAERE. Whether such a Service book (as the Papist Bristol called it, an apish imitation of the mass) be well pleasing unto God? Why we should uphold such Service, which nourisheth a bare reading ministry, nusles people in ignorance, and which no reformed Churches have received to use? Why is it not suffered to be reformed, in such things as have been witnessed against from the beginning of reformation, and for the reformations whereof, thousands have petitioned, many hundreds have been suspended, deprived and imprisoned. Why is it that no end will be put to the misery of such who are men of tender conscience, and do desire, God knows, to live in peace, seeing now a whole kingdom refuseth it, and that with the danger of their utter undoing. The humble Petition. THat such a liturgy might be framed, as may be freed from corruption, and in such a form as may have no resemblance to the Romish service, for by this Papists are but hardened and other fall away. That no Ceremonies be ordained, but what may be found to agree with all the Apostles rules, made for the use of things indifferent. That the use of them be free, and not rigorously imposed, nor the failing otherwise of painful and peaceable men to conform in some things, be more severely looked after, and punished more sharply, than the gross enormities of their conformitant Priests. SECTION. VIII. Of the prelatical ministry. THe conformitant Priests (so they now are called) which properly belong to this prelatical Church and come from cursed Rome, are these; 1 All dumb Ministers of which there be yet in the Land two or three thousand, if not many more. 2 All Pluralists, of which there be very many in some dioceses 30, in some 40. why should some have two other tot quotes, when worthy men have not one. 3 All Nonresidents, such are commonly these: Bishops which have Commendams. Deans. Archdeacons. Canon Residents in Cathedrals and Collegiate Churches. Prebendaries some. Heads of some colleges. Domestic chaplains. 4 All Curates which are, Under Pluralists. Under Nonresidents. Under some idle Doctors, and some other Parsons and Vicars. Under Lay and impropriate Parsons: the number of which are 3800 and odd, in this kingdom. 5 All idle drones, monthly and quarterly Preachers, or which preach perhaps once a year, or not at all, at home, though it may be now and then abroad. 6 All lewd and base ministers, as also the mere Worldlings, and Mammonists, of which sort there be no fewer, than some thousands. 7 All Popishly affected, and all Arminians may be added to these, to make up these Locusts, under their King Abbaddon and Apollyon. QVAERE. Whether these be sufferable in any reformed Church of Christ? What care hath been taken hitherto to reform this so great wickedness and mischief to God's people? How many thousands perish under these for lack of knowledge, are their blood of no price with men, whom Christ hath purchased with his own blood? The humble Petition. THat there might be a speedy redress concerning these so much spoken against, and written against, from time to time, disallowed of God, and all Christian Churches (separated from the Church of Rome) and not tolerable in Christ his Church, where he reigneth by his own word, in his own ordinances, as he hath appointed. SECTION ix.. Of their prelatical Convocation. I. This is a provincial assembly, for the Province of Canterbury, which consists of the Archbishop, the precedent, of all the other Bishops under him, Deans, Archdeacons with others, and of the two Ministers chosen out of every diocese, called the clerks of the Convocation to the number of 40 and odd. These clerks should be chosen freely by the public consent and voice of all the Ministers in every dioceses, but the Prelates propound whom they list, or like best for their purpose, and to ask voices, which are given to them of many through fear, so as the choice is not free as it ought to be. II. That which is intended to be done there, is contrived and hammered in the head of the Archbishop, and some few with him, to which the rest of the fearful Bishops do consent. III. In the lower house, the Priests, Parsons, Vicars, those clerks sit there to gaze one on another, and to tell the Clock, waiting for their Lessons from their Lords, the Prelates. There is no freedom of voices, they dare not consult among themselves to promote the cause of Christ, and to reform abuses. The better sort are the fewest; and are, Either overawed by the greatest. Or borne down by the worst. So as they be made to consent to the making of such Canons as they would not, and these are thrust upon us as the Constitutions of the Church of England. When it's nothing so, but of a strong faction of Prelates, and their adherents, who set them forth; and obtrude them upon us unjustly. IV. The Canons they make are many, not a few of them to uphold their prelatical authority, and unapprovable courses, many of them without warrant from holy Scripture. Some of them against Scripture, Some of them Superstitiously Ceremonious: Some of them blind Canons, as these; 1. Against Popery and Superstition, but they tell us not what Popery is, what Superstition is. 2 Against Socinianism, but without declaring what that damnable heresy is; almost every one of them needeth examination, and to be rectified for the peace of God's people, and the church's edification. Note moreover, that in setting forth their so many Canons, there be none charged against armianism, that Semipelagian heresy. None against the Prelates themselves for their innovations and exorbitancies, as if they could not err, nor ever do amiss. Lastly before they break up, they look not to have their Canons ratified by Parliament, as they ought, but do make themselves as clergy men, only to be the Church and not any else in the Land with them to be the Church; which should not by godly wise men be digested. V. To the dissolving of this their Convocation, they presume. 1 To make it a Synod, without a new call and Summons. 2 To give great sums out of all Parsons, and vicar's purses, under the name of a benevolence, and yet rate every one at a certain sum, as a subsidy; and that under the penalty of deprivation, and utter ruin of them, that do not pay, setting forth a book to this purpose, which they will that Lay men should not see. VI. After some space of time, 1 They collect Articles every Bishop in his diocese, and every Archdeacon, in his Archdeaconry out of those Canons, which Articles they impose upon all churchwardens and Sidemen, and by them to present upon oath. Then if any thing happen to become questionable, touching the Canons or other things, for and about their Church, their Service, and Ceremonies every Bishop in his diocese doth take upon him to give a sense, and interpretation as he pleaseth, on which we must rest, though they be never so absurd, and not take the words as they be in the Letter, till there be an other Convocation to decide the question and doubt arising, as they ought to do; and if men be not satisfied, they labour to gain the help of royal authority by some public Declaration, to make good what they say and do, and so lap up all under the authority of the Church. QVAERE. Whether such a Convocation can justly be approved? Whether such Canons coming forth are to be held the Canons of the Church of England? Whether they be of all to be submitted unto, before they be confirmed by act of Parliament? Why more Canons are added, and not rather the other reformed? Why they establish and countenance all their decrees, so as if they were of an unchangeable nature ordained without error, and necessarily useful, ever and everywhere. The humble Petition. THat his majesty, the Noble Lords, the worthy Commons of the house of Parliament, would carefully see that the Convocation be gathered lawfully, that voices be free therein, without overawing power, that nothing be there decreed, but with a serious examination, and full consent of the house, and not be permitted to pass without an act of Parliament. For if this kind of Convocation, and their such proceedings, as have been, be suffered to pass, they will Lord it over us still, and in the Church there will never be peace. Oh consider how in the Parliament they have been prevalent over their equals and betters, in the Convocation than they must needs domineer over all their underlings, on whom they can avenge themselves afterwards, if they find any wisely and with courage, to have affronted and crossed any of their intents and purposes, SECTION X. Of the great and manifold evils of the prelatical governors. THey bear up themselves mightily by their Revenues and Baronries, strengthening themselves in their pomp, and in their pride, to overtop whom they list. They become as great peers of the Land, and sit in Parliament with them cheek by joole, to affront all the Nobles of the kingdom, to bear down the house of Commons, and perhaps to procure the dissolving of Parliaments, to the great disturbance of the whole kingdom and State. They have raised up a bellum Episcopale, to dash two kingdoms one against another, to the shedding of much blood, if God in mercy prevent it not. They keep up a Romish hierarchy among us, full of corruption which they suffer not to be reformed. They uphold the forenamed sinful prelatical and Priestly Clergy, so as those their Priests be conformable to all their rites and Ceremonies, they may in a manner live as they list, and be supported against all those that shall attempt their reformation. They are pleased with the people's ignorance, and their contentedness, resting in a long read service without better instruction, holding reading to be preaching, and preaching no part of divine service, that so such silly people might be nufled in gross blindness, perishing for lack of knowledge. They suppress Lectures and Sermons in the afternoon and allow no questions in catechising, but only such as be in the very common catechism much hindering increase of knowledge. They will permit no Minister to preach, or to expound in his own Parish without paying for a licence, for which when he hath paid, they never care whither he preach or no. They will allow none of the people to seek for instruction, when they want it at home, nor yet press the Minister to the discharge of his duty, but trouble others. They never trouble any Minister for neglect of his duty in preaching. But diligent preachers they have a jealous eye over, and are ready to take an occasion to vex them as not for their turn. They sinfully trouble thousands of Churchwardens and Sidemen, making them swear to their Articles, which cannot be observed. They hinder prohibitions, stop the courses of Law, and terrify both Lawyers and judges. They dare to fine and imprison without Law, going beyond all spiritual power, yea, the laws of our Land. They have ever been plotting to ensnare Christ's painful Ministers, that they might root them out. 1. They pressed upon them subscription, and Ceremonies, and so cast out very many. II. They urge the oath ex officio, and by this they have undone not a few. III. They procured the reading of the Declaration for profaning the Sabbath our Lord's day, and hereby many were suspended, excommunicated, and some deprived. IV. When they saw, that all these things would not bring to pass their intended mischief, they lately framed a wicked Oath, to be tendered to all God's Ministers, which whosoever would not take, should be suspended first, and after deprived. Lastly, to make up the measure of their evils, they have illegally given a subsidy to be extorted from us, under the name of a benevolence, which whosoever shall refuse to pay, is utterly undone according to their merciless decree in a book published, which now they are loath should see the light, and be read of any judicious, and religious Lay men. They are the cause of the Division and Separation among us, by their Lordly rule, their rigour in exacting conformity, and their cruel dealing with such as do not obey their Lordly wills. They suffer Papists and nourish Arminians in the bosom of their Church, to the disturbance & danger of the true Church of Christ, and this whole state. They allow to vain people Revils, heathenish vanities, unchristian meetings▪ and that on the Lord's day to profane it, and have procured a Declaration for the reading of this Licentious liberty in every Church, and such Ministers as refused, they did suspend, excommunicate, and some they deprived. The like never heard of in any Church of Christ. They will have bowing to Altars, and yet permit notorious offenders, yea thieves and murderers condemned, (if they have gotten pardons) to come to the holy Sacrament, before satisfaction be given to the Congregation; yea drunkards, blasphemous Swearers, infamous Adulterers, and other vile persons may receive, and not be debarred, if they can satisfy their Courts, and free themselves from thence, though they do not manifest their repentance to the Congregation, eating and drinking the holy Sacrament unworthily to their own damnation, a profaneness profaneness much to be lamented. They hunt after greatness, not for goodness but for gain, & to withstand all good means of reformation, and all the ways of redressing their corrupt courses, much to the hindrance of the growth in religion, and of men's more religious conversation and walking with God. QVAERE. Whither these evils are not such as may force all pious men to lay them to heart, and to seek that they may be removed, as far as they are able, to the utmost, that we may be freed from their unjustifiable courses and grievous wrongs? Whither we should not endeavour to introduce that which may better the ecclesiastical government, and bring this prelatical power within bounds, and ourselves from the intolerable burden thereof. The humble Petition. THat for these so many great and grievous evils, they may be questioned and caused to reform, or else be censured and punished: For, They never had possession peaceably, but they have been, 1 Prayed against for a long time. 2 Preached against by many. 3 Written against by many, on this side, and beyond the Seas. 4 Testified against, by suffering suspension, excommunication, deprivation, open punishment, to the cropping of ears, slitting of the Nose, standing on the Pillory, imprisonment, and some have suffered death. 5 Withstood by the Sword. And what now remaineth, but for their evils to be condemned by the honourable and happy Assembly in Parliament. That a better way of government might be thought off, after the wisdom of God in men, tending not to the subversion of ecclesiastical government, but to moderate the now governors, ease the Land of excess Charges, rid ourselves of these unsufferable evils, weaken the kingdom of Satan, advance the glory of Christ, and procure our own peace and happiness. A short draught of Church Government. 1. In every Parish. THat there be a meeting of choice men, for wisdom gravity, and love of Religion, to wit, Elders, and Overseers of the poor, in other Churches called Deacons, the number more or fewer, as the place shall require. These with their pastor to come together as often as shall be judged fit, at a set time and place, once a month, to look unto all within the Parish, concerning their religion, their honest behaviour, and peaceable demeanour, and to see all abuses reformed, according to the word of God, and according to the good and ecclesiastical laws, which shall be prescribed unto them. This will free us from all weekly corrupt Courts, and free the people from all burdensome expenses, and not suffer sin to reign as it doth in every Convocation. 2. In every Division or Circuit. That there be a Presbytery of chosen Ministers, the best learned, the gravest, and the godlyest men, to sit with the Superintendent or precedent. The meeting to be appointed at a certain time and place once a quarter, and in every meeting a new Election to be freely made, of those that shall be of the Presbytery. These are to see how the government is to be observed in Parishes, how Ministers and Overseers do discharge their duties: at this meeting Ministers gifts are to be showed and tried, that such as come thither may be edified and instructed. III. In every County. That the Bishop be a pastor over a particular Congregation, resident and painful there, and with him out of the several Circuits be chosen a certain number to be his assistants in this Assembly, once every half year. In this to see how every presbytery with the superintendents or precedents do demean themselves, to see offences in them punished without all partiality. Here worthy Ministers to be ordained, and without respect of persons: and here the unworthy to be judged and censured, as they shall deserve, and the rest encouraged. IV. In every Province. That there be a provincial Synod gathered once a year of pastoral Bishops, godly and learned superintendents or precedents, and out of every County, certain learned and grave Divines selected, and the number to be according to the Circuits in every County. In this to look into County Assemblies, and to see that all things be well ordered according as they ought to be, that Bishops, superintendents or precedents, demean themselves aright, or else to endure a censure as well as others. V. In the whole Nation. That a general Assembly national be gathered once in 3 year, of chosen men, to consult for the general good of all, to make Canons, and to establish ecclesiastical government. Of the Excellency of this Government. I. It may stand with a Monarchy, for what is here that justly can be said to hinder it? II. It takes off all prelatical Lordly tyranny, for every part is subordinate to another, the Parochial meeting to the Superintendent and his Presbytery, this Presbytery to the County Assembly, this Assembly to the provincial Synod, and this to the national Convocation. III. it keeps Bishops and pastors to their spiritual function, and suffers them not to intermeddle in civil and worldly affairs. IV. it sets up a learned and preaching ministry, and casts out the before mentioned prelatical destroying clergy. V. It furthers the power of Religion, in Families, Villages, towns, Cities, in universities, and in Prince's Palaces. VI. It's Christ's government, and easy yoke, freeing God's people from great payments, as hath before been named, from all the corruptions of the Courts, which all the Land doth groan under, from that cruel Oath ex officio, and that unlimited high Commission grievous to be borne. Ir's a government that aimeth at godliness, and not at greatness and gain. It makes none jealous of painful pastors, none to be offended at Christian meetings, as if they were Conventicles, none to envy other men's graces, but stirreth up to watch one over another, and freely to admonish one another, to further one another to Heaven. It graceth very highly the godly and learned Laity. It's grounded upon the word, proceedeth by the word, rejecting the Popish Canon Law, Popish Ceremonies, Popish superstitions, and Idolatry, and all men's vain inventions, in Doctrine, Sacrament, worship, and government of CHRIST. The Conclusion of all is this, and the sum of my desire, viz. that there may be a full Conformity in Doctrine, and Discipline, with the rest of the Protestant Churches of Scotland, reformed Church of France, Geneva, &c. 1. For this will prevent future differences betwixt the two Nations. 2. Prevent the removal of many of the King's good subjects into other Countries, with many other benefits. This I humbly request to be taken into serious consideration, which being done, will bring a blessing upon this kingdom and Church. Courteous Reader take notice, that in pag. 10. & Section 3d. that for four hundred thousand pounds, read four hundred thousand pounds, per annum. FJNIS.