AN HUMBLE MOTION Made in the time of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, to the Honourable Lords of her Majesties privy council, for the reforming of ecclesiastical discipline and Church government after the Word of GOD. Wherein is shewed how the livings, profits, and revenues of the Archbishops, Lord Bishops, and Cathedrall Churches, may be best ordered and disposed of for the maintenance of an able ministry throughout the Land. And the doubts and difficulties which may be objected against that course are fully answered. printer's ornament Printed 1590. reprinted 1641. An humble Motion to the Lords of the council. HAving before by many reasons demonstrated the necessity of reforming the disorders of the Church according to holy Scriptures, and having showed out of the Scriptures what offices Christ hath ordained in his Church, and what Officers, namely, Pastors, Elders, and Deacons; and that Archbishops, Lord Bishops, Chancellors, Commissaries, Archdeacons, Officials, deans, Vicedeanes, Treasurers of Cathedrall Churches, Prebends, Canons, petty Canons, Singing men, Quoristers, Vergers, Curates, and Readers, are but so many disorders in holy offices, none of which Christ gave unto his Church when he ascended up Ephes. 4 8. on high: nor are they any of Christs Church-government, but borrowed from Rome, and left as the smoking tail of Antichrist. I am now( Right Honourable) by my humble motion to present further to your wisedoms a way how provision may be made for an able ministry throughout the Land, and supply of maintenance raised where there is want out of the lands and profits of the aforesaid bishoprics and Cathedrals, which I shall do with all submission, knowing that with far more deepness of judgement, and soundness of counsel, you are able to enlarge either where it wants, or cut off where it aboundeth. Two things in this, I hope, I shall not need to stand upon, that is, first to show that there are many mean livings for Ministers, partly by Impropriations, and partly by the littleness Many mean livings for Ministers. or situation of the Parishes, for this is in the knowledge of all men very clear, that there are divers livings that are not worth above 20. Marks yearly, some 20. pounds, which come nothing near that competency that were fit for the man of God: who in this last age, not having gifts extraordinary, is driven to study much, and thereby his charges be increased, by buying of books, and order of diet, and something for the decency of that calling would be considered in the comeliness of apparel 1 Tim. 3.2. and household, that it be not contemptible: and lastly, it is required that he should keep hospitality; all which, by many degrees, cannot come so low as 20. marks, or 20. pounds, as if we look upon the proportion of Gods provision under the Law, which the Holy Ghost teacheth to be our pattern, 1 Cor. 9.8, 9, 10, it may appear: there shall we find, that for the Ministers ought to have very good maintenance. Num. 18. & 28 maintenance of the ministry they had not onely the tenths and convenient dwelling places, but even all the first fruits, and of all offerings of divers sorts, and they were bound to three feasts every year,( besides every new moon and Sabbath) wherein every male was to appear before the Lord, Deut. 15. & 16 & 12. Levit. 23. but he might not come empty: yet in all these, and many more charges, they prospered, though it seemed never so chargeable, so long as they willingly served God after his order. And for so much as our Land, by the blessing of God, may well bee accounted among the fertile and rich soils of the world, I hope we are not so ungrateful, as to recompense God with a vile and base entertainment of his servants, understanding very well, that it is a small matter that the Minister should reap carnal things of them, upon whom they sow spiritual things. 2 Cor. 4.11. The other thing, which I trust I shall not need to stand upon, is this: that seeing there is need, and that very great, that the ministry should be better provided for, it were the duty of the Commonwealth to take care that those things( which The Church livings are to be bestowed on ●he Ministers. by their foundation were first meant and ordained for the service of God, and have been, and now are in the opinion of all men bestowed to that use) in the time of reformation should be kept for that very use, that the reforming of things be not thought rather a bait to feed our bellies, then to proceed of any godly zeal, or love or Religion; for who would not think it a plain mockery of God, and a scorn of godliness, that men going about to beautify the Church, should rob and ransack the same? and pretending to further the service of God, should give occasion to profane it? This were the most devilish policy in the world, and the onely engine almost to overthrow both Prince and People: For God saith, if men offer M●l. 1 7. cap. 3.9. the blind and the lame unto a Prince, he would not be content, nor accept the person; and shall we think that God can put it up at our hands, if the things of his holinesse should bee 2 Cor. ●. 1●. lightly regarded, and that his ambassadors should bee so spitefully shaved, and their coats cut off to the middle? No, no: he 2 Sam. 10.4. H●g. 1.9.10. will not take it in good part: for in the zeal of his wrathful indignation, he pronounceth such men accursed, with a curse, because they have spoiled him, and maketh the heaven over them to stay itself from due, and the earth to stay her fruit, because his house lieth waste. I hope rather we will harken unto Solomon who saith, Honour the Lord with thy riches, and Prov. 3 9. with the first fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with abundance, and thy presses shall burst with new wine. Be it far from us in so clear light of the Gospel, we should be slower in this duty, then our forefathers, who did they knew not what. The matter then I will stand upon, is the thing which may thus be employed, what it is, and how it is to be ordered: The first point what it is, may partly bee understood by that which is already spoken: for I mean the Archbb. and L. Bb. Want may se●ve to make sufficient living for a learned ministry in England. livings, and all the Cathedrall churches, houses and lands, and whatsoever profits adjoined, excepting free schools & alms houses, or such like, which unto some of them belong: The nature of reformation, as may appear by that which is already declared, and the good of our land requireth, that these dignities or spiritual promotions which are not of Gods planting, should be pulled up by the roots, and the men of those places( such as are fit for learning and reverend behaviour) applied and tied to some congregation, where they should labour to feed souls: then would there be many a faire palace voided of a master, and goodly houses, churches, and lands voided of owners. Here I take it to be the duty of the commonwealth to keep these livings still for the maintenance of the ministry, seeing there is a very great need of them, and to change only the order and manner of applying: that whereas before they served to uphold a lordly pomp, idleness and bravery in some few: they might now by a wise and godly distribution, be communicated unto many, for the benefit of many Churches. The lands, houses, and palaces may be sold, and the money bestowed to the redeeming of Impropriations, and increase of small livings: and surely this is of all other most equal, that where the people do pay their tenths under the name and propriety of the Churches use, they should be so applied indeed. And again, seeing the corruption of our time hath made Impropriations as fee-simple lands, they which have reasonable recompense for the value of them they possess, should by no means think themselves injured. It is no reason, that seeing the people do already stand burdened with such a great charge, that they should bee oppressed with a second, especially when there is a means to relieve them. And it is against all conscience that the ministry should be left without just and comely provision & maintenance. But of all other, it were most unwise and ungodly, Foreslow not the time till the Bishops and Cathedral Prelates have wasted all. to foreslow the occasion, especially when the Commonwealth was never so rich by yearly fruits and commodities. And it is yet more horrible wickedness, that private men( although peradventure some of them have done service) should prevent the Church, and commit so great sacrilege. For if they deserve, there is sufficient besides to reward them. There is no good Christian, or man, either of valour or fortitude, and wisdom, or of estimation for religion and honesty, or of any good name for justice and clemency, can be of so base and servile a mind, as to grope after the spoil and havoc of the Church, or to suffer himself to be rewarded with those goods which A good man will not enrich himself with that which should serve to the sole benefit of many. Neh. 5. 10. should by all reason and conscience be employed to the service and immediate honour of Almighty God. But I hope these speeches shall not need, and that the example of Nehemiah, that honourable and zealous Prince, will be followed in this case, he having the fear of God before his eyes, being twelve yeares governor over the people that came from Babel, when his labour was to build the wal● of jerusalem, and to set up the purity of religion; that he might give good example to the Princes and Rulers, and that the people might no way be overcharged, that so the business of the Lord might go cheerfully and prosperously forward, as it did indeed. he not onely took nothing to him, which was due unto him, as he was chief governor, but also spent of that which he had of his own, for the common charges of the wall, and fed many at his table, lent his money to the poor, redeemed them that were captive, and caused his servants to do the like in their place, and that all of them came to help forward the work. The example of Jehoash King of Iuda, is very memorable for this 2 King. 12. purpose, when the Priests had neglected the repairing of the decayed places of the Temple( notwithstanding the Kings commandement) till the three and twentieth year of his reign: The charge and money for that business was committed to others, who were so far from gaining by it, that they shewed such faithfulness in doing of it, that it was not thought needful that they should give any accounts of their doing. If ever it please God to give reformation amongst us, I pray God that this mercy in framing of the hearts of all sorts and degrees, after the good of these examples, may bee also a blessing upon us, as I hope that through his tender compassion and bounty it will. Now as great a matter standeth in the second point, how this shall be ordered: one saith that it would be very good that it should be all, and all the other Church-livings likewise taken out of the Ministers hands, and that they should have their several pensions or stipends of a reasonable sort; for this, saith he, would be easiest and quietest, so that they should bee troubled with nothing but to follow their books, and look to their charge. If it might be so indeed, as these words do roundly bear us in hand, in very good show, it were the best, and every Minister would bee glad of the quietest way, and most benefit to the Church. Another peradventure is of a divers To put all the Ministers to their pensions were not good. mind, and thinketh it very inconvenient, especially at this time, when there is a settled provision for most places, and that by such a means as is no great trouble to the Minister, that will not wilfully be a loiterer. It is better to keep a good way which we have, then to follow a new, and change for the worse: and truly this latter agreeth most with policy for the State, and with benefit for the Church: for the State, it is found a point of tried policy to alter as few things as may be,( especially when they are good and well) wherein the people have had a long cust 〈…〉 interest, for this is a way unto murmurings, discontentment, stirs and sedition, and the people will quickly suspect, that for the private gain of some few, such things are invented, when they see plainly that it is very well already. I doubt it will bee found a hard measure to some, an unlucky piece of work to begin, heavy in the carriage, and a day of blackness unto posterity. Secondly, there must be offices erected and augmented, and a great many men must have leases, or some other authority and office to gather the fruits: and what will come of this( which requireth many devices?) a man cannot tell at the first sight, neither shall he see all the mischiefs till it be practised: but this must needs fall out, that many men for gathering the fruits, for receiving and paying again, must have a fleece, and so the Church shall be shortened and shorne of her right, by a needless occupation: when the people shall pay peradventure well the more, for he that hireth must live by it: again, when the right and property is out of the Churches hold: it may offer occasion in time, that it shall be taken away altogether, and then there will bee injury to the Church, and oppression of the people. But the other is every way better: First, it is easier to bee The ready way to provide for ministers. done when there remaineth no more but the due examinations of the livings, and to redeem the impropriations, and to augment the smaller livings: it is without all suspicion, for we see the practise, we know it to be good, and need not fear any ill to come of it: and it is more just, for then the whole living goeth that way it should, and the people will the better away with it, partly, because they see it is bestowed according to their mind, and partly because they are likely to bee better used, and the minister for his part shall be better able to keep hospitality, and to seed the poor by the use of such things as arise by that means, and that which is no small commodity, he may let out part, or all, as he shall find most for his ease, and and best for his profit; and if there any benefit arise, this openeth the door to him, whereas the other way penneth him in to one certain place, be it good or be it bad: and it may bee that his neighbours of good will for his ease, will gather his fruits for him, and he shall save all, that by the other way should be lost, both to him and the people. Briefly, the more one looketh in the comparison of these two ways, the more he shall perceive, that the order now established is the best: if the impropriations were redeemed, and the small livings increased. Now for the furthering of this good work, there are two things to be added, which will help this matter very well: First, the uniting of divers little Parishes in one, a thing of Uniting of ●mall livings one help to the ministry. common practise, out of which cometh this commodity, the living is increased, and by the number of the people there are the more wise men to be chosen for ecclesiastical officers: and the Church shall be the more comely, and as easily taught in a manner. The next is, there are certain things scattered benefice without cure may be some h●lpe, united to the smaller livings. Resigning and redeeming of Impropriations by Bishops and Cath●dral livings, will be a good means to maintain a learned ministry. Josh. 18.4. here and there without cure, these may be joined to help the smaller livings. Then as touching the impropriations; in some there is great ease, and in some there is no great hardness. Those which be in Lord Bishops hands, and pertaining to these great Churches, may easily be redeemed, if they bee sent from whence they came there need be no charge: and I doubt not but the third part will be thus redeemed: but if there be any in the queens possession, or of any temporal man, or in colleges, the lands and houses and other temporalties of the Lord Bishops, and other great Churches, may be employed to redeem them: If the consideration and account of these things be committed to wise and godly men, inhabiting in every shire, where such livings and Churches are( as Joshna appointed three of every Tribe to walk through the Land to describe it) it will easily be found out, that the living of the ministry will bee brought to a good and comely measure: and that every Church would have at the least two hundred marks yearly for the Tithe wood, meadow, &c. might help in some places. The overplus of Bishops and Cathedrall livings may pay first fruits, tenths, subsidies, &c. Pastor and Teacher, and some above two hundred pound, which might also be holpen in some places by tithe wood and meadow, and a greater size of pasture, where such things are either not paid, or not according to the value of the tenths by much. But here groweth a question: What if the Lord Bishops and the Cathedrall Churches come to more then will serve for the redeeming of the Impropriations, or less? If more,( as I am verily persuaded it will) it may serve to recompense the wonted first fruits and tenths, which were from these Sees and Churches, it may serve to erect in all Shires a Lecture of all Sciences, that such as cannot put their sons to Cambridge or Oxford, may have them in the free schools, and after by those Lectures brought through all arts: which would greatly increase learned and wise men in this land, and make a flourishing time. But if it should fall short of our reckoning, there is yet an If Bishops and Cathedrall livings be too little, a general benevolence will make it up. Exod. 36.5.6. Our forefathers liberal in g●ving to the Church. easy help, that is, a free benevolence, and as it were an offering of all sorts of people, young and old, through this land: this way hath the Church of God been very much holpen and advanced; and who is it that will not bee willing to further such a worthy, honourable, and holy work? In the time of Moses, when he built the Tabernacle, and made the altars and Priests garments, things of a wonderful great charge, for gold, silver, silk, precious stones, incense, and all costly things, the people came so willingly, and offered so plentifully, that there was too much, so that Moses proclaimed that they should offer no more. And when Hezekiah commanded to bring a 2 Chro. 31.4. part to the Priests and Levites, to encourage them in the Law, they brought in such abundance, that they did eat and were filled, and yet there remained plenty in heaps that they had made. And in Davids time, for the building of the Temple, 1 Chro. 29.6. the Princes of the families, and the Princes of the Tribes of Israel, and the Captaines of thousands, and of hundreds, with the rulers of the Kings work, offered willingly, and gave for the house of God five thousand talents of gold, and 10000. pieces, and 10000. talents of silver, 18000. talents of brass, 100000. talents of iron, and they with whom precious stones were found, gave them to the treasure: and the people rejoiced when they offered willingly, for they offered willingly unto the Lord, with a perfect heart, and David the King also rejoiced with great joy. And there is no reason to fear the contrary in our time, of which it is written: The people shall offer Psal. 110.3. willingly in the time of the assembly. I doubt not therefore of Gods mercy and blessing, if we were as forward to go about such a matter, with singleness of heart, and simplicity of godly wisdom, and would follow after it with earnestness of zeal, and painfulness of knowledge, forgetting our own ease, pleasure, wealth and will, to prefer the true worship of God, the benefit of our souls, the glory of the gospel of Iesus Christ, unto the praise of God the Father, and this would be the glory of our Land. For thus speaketh God unto his own people, whom he honoureth with his word, Bring ye all the Mal. 3.10 tithes into the storehouse, that there may bee meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, if I will not open the windows of heaven unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven unto you, and poure you out a blessing without measure, and I will rebuk the devourer for your sakes: and he shall not destroy the fruit of your ground, neither shall your vine be barren in the field, saith the Lord of Hosts. If I should stay here, I might be accused either of unjustice or cruelty; of unjustice, because I have but slightly spoken of her Majesties due, in the first fruits, tenths, and subsidy of the Clergy( as they call it) and of presentations never a word. The first of these is the greatest doubt: for if the Commonwealth stand in need( as it is likely in this trouble some time) then there is good reason that all men help without any privilege, in as much as every one hath part of the benefit and comfort, otherwise, I am persuaded, that the royal and Christian heart of her Majesty would as willingly part from it, and especially the first fruits and tenths, knowing how they came in, as ever David did, who considering that it was the house 1 Chron. 29. 3.4. of God, and not man, and because he had a delight in the house of his God; besides the great preparations which he made of gold, brass, iron, silver, and precious stones of divers How first fruits, tenths, and subsidies of B●shops and Cathedrall Churches may be paid, notwithstanding they be sold to redeem impropriations. sorts for the Sanctuary, he gave of his own three thousand talents of gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of fined silver. First it may bee seen, whether the overplus of the lands, after the impropriations be redeemed, there be not sufficient to repay the value of so much as the abundance of those first fruits, tenths, and subsidies of the L. Bishops and Cathedrall churches do amount, which if it do( as I verily think it will, and spare, if things be handled wisely & with a perfect heart) then there need no further dealing for recompense: and all 1. By the overplu●. other Churches may be as in times past: but if not, then the foresaid benevolence may stop the gap for the redeeming of 2. By the fore said benevolence. the foresaid impropriations, that the lands may remain to this use of buying out of the said first fruits, which would be a great ease to the church, and the burden would not be great, at once to give every man a little of his superfluity, to have a continual benefit for ever: Besides that, the ministry would be better able and willing at all times, if need be, to give a benevolence, to further all necessary purposes, to the ease of the commonwealth, as a recompense of this kindness. Besides this, if need be, those livings that be increased by 3. By the renting those churches which are increased. the restored impropriations, or otherwise: may bee set up to higher and greater first fruits, tenths, and subsidies: and where three or four, less or more, be made one, they may follow the rate of so that there need be no diminishing of the treasure of the land by this alteration, except it please her Highnesse of her gracious bounty, upon the trial of Gods rare blessings towards her and her people, to mitigate some part, as a drink offering of a sweet smelling sacrifice unto Almighty God: knowing that he can a thousand manner of ways sand it in again by other means, with greater interest and increase: as it is written, The liberal person shall have plenty, and he that watereth shall also have rain. He that soweth sparing, shall Prov. 11.25. 2 Cor. 9.6 8. reap sparing, and he that soweth liberally, shall reap also liberally, and God is able to make all graces abound towards you, that ye always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound in every good work. The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he doth add no Prov. 10 22. D●ut. 28.1.3. 5 6.7.12. sorrows to it. again, If thou shalt diligently obey the voice of the Lord thy God, blessed shalt thou be in the City, and in the field, in thy ba●ket, and in thy doughty, when thou comest in, and when thou goest out; the Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise against thee, to fall before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and fly before thee seven ways, and the Lord shall bring upon thee his good treasure, even the heaven to give rain to thy land in due season, and to bless all the work of thy hands, and thou shult lend unto many Nations, and not borrow thyself. As touching Presentations, it would be a very good and Of p●esentations. commendable thing, if they were contained in the free gift of Prince and people, to be resigned to every Church, which by the laws of discipline ought to have their free choice of their Ministers. It will be no loss to the Patrons, except a man will stand upon a dignity. For every man holdeth it simony for Patrons to take any rewards or gain, and men are sworn against it. But if it shall not be thought good so to do, the order that now is of presenting of able and sufficient Clerkes may remain, so there be sufficient caution that the Canon of Christ be not broken, the order of his discipline violated, nor the Church whereto he shall be presented, robbed of their right in election. Yet in all these things I prefer not mine own judgement or wisdom, neither do I set it down as the judgement of all or many of them that seek the reformation: but, as I have often said, I submit this my private motion to An humble caution of the Author. your honourable wisedoms, and to all godly learned men, that if a better and easier way may be found, this may be rejected, onely. I crave that the things and my reasons, first and last, may be rightly weighed, and that if a better cannot be found, this may be wisely considered, and not neglected. Now in the second place, it were cruelty( saith some) to put down these spiritual Lords, and great men of the Church, and to turn them into small livings, but especially to turn out the unfitmen: it were pitty to see them, their wives and children to be put to misery and begging. If a man should make comparison with their doings, what pitty ought there to bee shewed upon them, which justly for breaking Gods commandements are turned out, when there is no pitty shewed to such as stand to Gods truth, and break onely the traditions of men: Math. 25. 6.7. 12.13. To the one the Scripture pronounceth woe, and therefore why should they be pitied? To the other, the Scripture joineth 2 Cor. 9. 16. in league as it were, pronouncing unto them mercy, and with them against the other, In vain do you worship God, teaching Math. 15.9. for doctrine the traditions of men; why should they not bee pitied? As touching the Lord Bishops and great Clergy men, which Haback. 2. 6. have so laden themselves with thick day, that they have much ado to get up in the pulpit of God: do they not know that it is their duty, that they please him who hath chosen them to be his souldiers, not to entangle themselves with the affairs 2 Tim. 2.4. of this life, and that they ought for the peace and wealth of the Church, to follow the example of our Lord and Master Christ Iesus, and to have his mind in them, who being God made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form Philip. 2.5. of a servant, and was made like unto men, and was found in shape as a man, and humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, and he being rich became poor, that we through his poverty might bee made 2 Cor. 8.9. The Bishops and Ca●hedrall Prelates, if they be fit, may be applied to some particular Churches of good living. John 5.44. Philip. 2.21 cap. 3.19.20. rich: Then is it a small matter for them to leave thousands, and be content with their hundreds: and surely I hope so of the men that they will: for God forbid that they should be of that cursed crew of unbelievers: who they know love the praise of men more then of God: and seeking honour one of another, seek not the honour that cometh of God alone: or of those unfaithful stewards, which seek their own, and not that which is Christ Iesus: or of those damnable belly-gods whose glory is their shane, and mind earthly things, when all the true Ministers have their conversation in heaven. As for the other, which by no means can be fitted to bee workmen, and to labour in Gods building and husbandry: although they are worthy of nothing for their presumption and rash entering where they should not, but as unsavoury salt to be Math. 5.23. cast forth, and trode under foot of men, especially such unthrifts, as being broken from living by their trades, or are thrust out of their untimely occupation of a serviture, do choose as their refuge, and for an easy life to be in the ministry: yet because the Church is to correct her children to edification, 2 Cor. 13.10. and not destruction, and the law of charity wisheth to do good unto all men, yea unto them that have done us evil; and it may please God by this means to give them repentance, it may be a very good thing that these have a stipend for their Unable Ministers being displaced, may have some stock, or a stipend for their life time. life time, or some stock to help them that are not able to get their living otherwise by their trades: and especially such as being very honest men at the beginning of her Majesties reign, were drawn in of simplicity, not knowing the great burden of the calling: onely herein they have greatly offended, that through idleness they have not, in all this time attained to any knowledge fit for that calling; and they have been divers ways admonished, yet some may be one degree more charitably thought of, because they have so small living, that they are driven to labour and care to make it hold out, being burdened with very many and too heavy payments. And in this point, the honourable and noble care of King Henry the eight, hath purchased his due praise in giving stipends or pensions, for the life time of them that were turned out of the abbeys and Monasteries, which were no more worthy to be suffered in a Commonwealth, then these Lord Bishops, and unpreaching Prelacy: and it will be found a better thing, and easier for the Church, a little while to bear the burden of these mens pensions or stocks, then to suffer the Church to be damnified by them for ever: for we see that it is a brood of such a nature that will hardly be weeded out, except this good way of turning them out together be taken in hand: and while men will look to do it by little and little, a time will fall out, that they will wax too strong, and oppress the good ministers, as the Canaanites did Israel under jabin twenty yeares. Delay is dangerous, and cursed judge 4.1.2. is he that doth the work of the Lord loosely and negligently. But what, should I run through every thing? I know your honourable wisedoms can do a great deal more sufficiently in the consideration, searching, and applying of every thing to his proper place, that God hath raised up at your hands very notable men which are endowed with gifts: which like unto Beza●el and Aholiab, are filled with an excellent spirit of Exod 35 30. 34. wisdom and understanding, and knowledge in all the work of God, and to teach other likewise. Therefore as this is every way the fittest time for such a holy and honourable purpose, so I thought I was in conscience to make known that which hath diversely and many times been advised of in my mind, as it were by an humble motion to bring to your remembrance, that which I hope you cannot be ignorant of: and in some sort to enter you in that, which I trust you are willing and forward unto, and to draw that out with a coal, as it were rudely, which you by good advice and mature judgement, may bring forth and make perfect with great profit, beauty, and glory. And I refer all that I have done unto your honourable, wise, and godly censure, that if I have swerved any thing from the word of God, or good reason, agreeing to the same, it might be rejected, protesting that I meddle not with any mans person, but with the cause, and understand and mean when I reprehend some mens doings in the naming of the persons, onely by the title of their place, the thing which is the ground and occasion of such doings: which being taken away, I suppose the evil of such persons will be purged. And thus in all humbleness, desiring your Honours, and all wise men, to consider in the fear of God of every thing, without prejudice to the truth, or affection to men or times: from my very soul I commend you to the tuition and government of Almighty God,, and whom from the bottom of my heart, in fear and trembling, I do pray and beseech, to poure down the riches of his graces upon us all, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that we may walk worthy of the Lord, and please him in all things, and namely upon his Anointed and gracious handmaid, Elizabeth our dear sovereign Lady and queen, to bless her with long dayes, and good among us, with daily increase of honour before God and men, and joy of heart in the Holy Ghost: and that we all which are under her, may worship our true and everlasting God, according to his word: in truth, sincerity, and uprightness, and live in all faithful duty to her Majesty, and godly love one with another, being blessed with peace, wealth, and godliness, from generation to generation, through Iesus Christ our Saviour, to whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, bee all honour and glory for ever, Amen. FINIS.