THESIS MARTINIANAE: That is, CERTAINE DEMONSTRATIVE Conclusions, sette downe and collected (as it should seeme) by that famous and renowmed Clarke, the reuerend Martin Marprelate the great: seruing as a manifest and sufficient con­futation of al that euer the Colledge of Cater­caps with their whole band of Clergie-priests, haue, or can bring for the defence of their am­bitious and Antichristian Prelacie.

PVBLISHED AND SET FOORTH as an after-birth of the noble Gentleman himselfe, by a prety stripling of his, MARTIN IVNIOR, and dedicated by him to his good neame and nuncka, Mai­ster Iohn Kankerbury: Hovv the yong man came by them, the Reader shall vnderstande sufficiently in the Epilogue, In the meane time, vvhosoeuer can bring mee acquainted vvith my father, Ile bee bounde hee shall not loose his labour.

Printed by the assignes of Martin Iunior, without any pri­uiledge of the Cater­caps.

Martin Iunior sonne vnto the re­nowmed and worthy Martin Marprelate the Great, to the Reader.

THou shalt receiue (good Reader) before I set downe vnto thee anie thing of mine owne, certeyne of those thinges of my fathers dooings which I found among his vnperfect papers: I haue not changed any thing in them, detracted any thing from them, nor ad­ded vnto them aught of mine owne, but as I found them, so I haue deliue­red them vnto thee. Mine owne mea­ning thou shalt vnderstand at the latter ende in my Epilogue, to my nunckle Canturburie. This small thing that fol­loweth before his Theses, is also his owne. I haue set downe the speach as I founde it, though vnperfect. One thing I am sory for, that the speach pre­tendeth the old man to be some­thing discouraged in his courses.

THESES MARTINIANAE.

I See my doings and my course misliked of ma­ny both the good and the bad, though also I haue fauourers of both sortes. The Bishops, and their traine, though they stumble at the cause, yet especially, mislike my maner of wri­ting. Those whom foolishly men call Puritanes, like of the matter I haue handled, but the forme they cannot brooke. So that herein I haue them both for mine aduersaries. But nowe what if I should take the course [...] in certeine Theses or conclusions, without inueighing against either person or cause? might I not then hope my doings woulde be alto­gether approoued of the one, and not so greatly scorned at by the other? Surely, otherwise they should doe me great iniurie, and shewe, that they are those who delight neither in heate nor colde, and so make me as weary in seeking howe to fitte them as the Bishops are in labouring how to find me. The Bishops I feare are past my cure, and it may be I was vnwise, in taking that charge vpon me: if that which I haue already done can do them any good, or any wise further the cause which I loue, I shall be glad, if not, what hope is there of amending them this way? The best is I know how to mend my selfe. For good leaue haue I to giue ouer my desparate cure, and with this my farewell vnto them, I wish them a better Surgeon. Yet ere I leaue them, I do heere offer vnto the view of the world, some part of their monstrous corruptions; in defence whereof, for their liues dare not they in any learned meeting or assembly dispute with with me, or attempt to ouerthrowe mine asserti­ons by modest writings handled any thing scholer­like, [Page]that is, by good and sounde syllogismes, which haue both their Maior and Minor, con­firmed by the worde. I woulde once see them enter into either of these courses, for as yet they haue beene farre from both. Fire, and fagot, bands, and blowes, railing, and reuiling, are, and haue bene hitherto their common weapons, as for slandering & lying, it is the greatest piece of their holy profession. And these with their bare asserti­ōs, & their wretched cleuing to popish absurdities, are in a maner the onely proofes and tried max­imes they offer vnto the Church in this age. And so if a man woulde be confuted, I must needes say, my Lord of Winchester hath long agoe sufficient­ly and dexterely performed it. I am not of opinion, (saith he) that, vna semper debet esse oeconomia Eccle­siae, That the gouernement of the Church shoulde alwayes, and in all places, bee one and the same, especially by a company of Elders. Lo sir, what say you to this? here is inough, I trowe, for any mans satisfaction, that bishop Couper is not of opinion. Yea but our Sauior Christ his Apostles & holy Martirs are of opinion, that the gouernment of the church should alwayes, and in all places, be one, especially by a company of Elders. As for my Lord of Win­chesters opinion, wee haue little or nothing to doe with that: nor no great matter which side it leane to, whether with or against the trueth. For if his bishopricke and vnruly iurisdiction were no more noysome and hurtfull to the Church of God, then his learning and opinion is hurtfull to the cause of Discipline, he might sitte long enough vndistem­pered in his chaire for vs: the good olde manne might cough his fill, and be quiet, hauing his faith­full[Page]promise and booke-oth (as we haue also Iohn a Bridges and Bancrofts) that by arguments hee will neuer hurt vs. For they must thinke, that it is not such drie blowes as this, I am not of opinion, &c. that will satisfie the learned, and answeare the de­monstrations that are brought on the contrarie side. If then they haue indeede any purpose at all, to quiet the contentions of our Church, let them bring vnto vs, not these bables of their owne, VVe are not of opinion, &c. but some sound warrant from the word, that Christ and his Apostles vvere not of opinion with vs in the pointes wherein wee truelie charge them to haue erred, otherwise their 812. their 1401.

THESES MARTINIANAE: That is, The vnanswerable Conclusions of MARTIN, wherein are plainely set downe many straunge and vnknowen things (if here­after they may be prooued) against the Bishops.

Compiled by Martin the Great: found and published by Martin Iunior, for the bene­fite of posteritie, if his fathers should be slaine.

1 THat al the officers of a true & lawful church gouernement in regarde of their offices, are members of the visible bodie of Christ, which is the Church. Rom. 12.4,5. &c. 1. Cor. 12.8,28.

2 That none but Christ alone is to ordeine the members of his bodie, to wit, of the Church: Be­cause

[Page]3 That the Lorde in his worde hath left the church perfect in all her members, which he shold nor haue done, if he had not ordeined all the offi­cers, namely, the members thereof, and so hee should leaue the building of his church vnperfect, and so it must continue, for who wil presume to fi­nish that which hee hath left vndone in the build­ing of his Church.

4 That to ordeine a perfect and an vnchangea­ble gouernement of the Church, is, a part of Chri­stes prerogatiue royall, and therfore cannot, with­out the great derogation of the Sonne of God; bee claimed by any Church or man.

5 That if Christ did not ordeine a Church-go­uernement, which at the pleasure of man can not be changed, then hee is inferiour vnto Moses, for the gouernment placed by him might no man to alter, and thereto might no man adde any thing. Heb. 3.2,3.

6 That the Lorde in the Newe Testament did appoint as perfite and vnchangeable a forme of Church-gouernement in the offices and officets thereof, as Moses did in the olde.

7 That the Lorde neuer placed any offices in the Newe Testament, but the offices of Apostles, Prophets, Euangelistes, Pastors, Doctours, Elders, and Deacons.

8 That vnto the end of the worlde there were no other offices to bee placed in the Church, but onely these.

9 That none of these were, and so no offices of a lawful Church-gouernement are to be remoued out of the Church, by any but by the Lorde Christ[Page]himselfe, who placed them, because they are the members of his body, in the placing or displacing whereof, man hath no skill, nor yet commission to deale.

10 That the Lord for the causes seeming good to his owne wisedome (whereof any further then hee hath set downe in his worde man is not to en­quire) hath remoued out of the church the offices of Apostles, Prophets, and Euangelists.

11 That the want of these can bee no maime vnto the church, seeing the Lorde by remoouing them thence, sheweth, that the body can haue no vse of them.

12 That the church is nowe vnto the worldes end, to haue none other offices in it, but of pastors, doctors, elders, and deacons.

13 That the displacing, or the want of these, is a maime vnto the church: And therefore.

14 That the churches of God in Denmarke, Saxony, Tygurium, &c. wanting this gouernment by these offices, are to be accompted maimed and vnperfect.

15 That it is as good a reason, yea, and a farre better, to say, that learned men, and valiant cap­taines, must haue their eyes put out, because Ho­mer and Zisca were blinde, as to auouch that the church of England may not bee gouerned by Pa­stors, Doctors, Elders, and deacons, because other good churches want this regiment.

16 That to place others in the steade of these, is both a maiming and a deforming of the church.

17 That no magistrate may lawfully maime or deforme the body of Christ, which is the Church: And therefore.

[Page]18 That no lawefull Church-gouernement is changeable at the pleasure of the magistrate.

19 That the platforme of gouernement by Pa­stors, Doctors, Elders, and Deacons, was not deui­sed by man, but by our Sauiour Christ himselfe, the onely head, and alone vniuersall Bishop of his church, as it is set downe Rom. 12.4,5. Ephes. 4.12. and 1. Cor. 12.8,28. God hath ordained, saith the A­postle.

20 That no inconuenience can possibly come vnto anie state, by receiuing this gouernement.

21 That the true stabilitie of al christian states and common-wealths consisteth in the sound exe­cution of this church-gouernement, by Pastors, Doctors, Elders, and Deacons.

22 That of necessitie all christian Magistrates are bound to receiue this gouernment by Pastors, Doctors, Elders, and Deacons, and to abolish al o­ther church-gouernements.

23 That a church gouernement, being the or­dinaunce of the magistrate, or of the church, is an vnlawfull church-gouernement.

24 That it is meerely and vtterly vnlawfull for anie man, church, or state, to ordeine anie church-gouernement, or anie church officer, saue that go­uernement, and those officers before named: Be­cause.

25 That a church-gouernement consisting of any other officers, but Pastors, Doctors, Elders, & Deacons, is a gouernment of maimed and misha­pen members: Therefore

26 That our church-gouernement in England by lord archbishops, and bishops, is a gouernment of maimed, vnnaturall, and deformed members,[Page]seruing for no vse in the church of God: There­fore also

27 That no lord bishop is to be maintained in anie christian common wealth.

28 That those kingdomes and states, who de­fend any church-gouernement, saue this of Pa­stors, Doctors, Elders, and Deacons, are in danger of vtter destruction, in as much as they defend the maime and deformitie of the church: And there­fore

29 That our lord archbishops and bishops, in defending this their vngodly gouernment, are, not onelie traitours to God and his church, but vtter enemies vnto her Maiestie, and the State, in as much as they enforce the Lord by these their sins, to drawe the sworde against vs to our vtter ruine.

30 That our lord archbishops & bishops holde it lawfull for our magistrates to maime or deforme the church.

31 That they holde Iesus Christ to haue left behinde him, an vnperfite and a maimed church, wanting some of her members.

32 That they holde it lawful for the magistrate to abolish the true and naturall members of the body, and to attempt the making of newe by his owne inuention.

33 That they, to wit, archbishops and bishops, are the maime of our church, and like to bee the destruction of our common-wealth.

34 That the warrant that the archbishops and bishops haue for their places, can be no better then the warrant which the maintenaunce of the open and most monstrous whoredome in the Stewes had in times past amongest vs. For by the worde[Page]they are condemned to be the maime or deformi­tie of the church, or both. And as for the laws that maintaine them, being the wound and sore of the church, they are no more to be accounted of, then the lawes mainteining the Stewes.

35 That the places of lord bishops are neither warranted by the word of God, nor by anie lawfull humane constitutions.

36 That the gouernement of the church of England, by lord archbishops and bishops, is not a church gouernement set downe in the worde, or which can be defended to be Gods ordinance.

37 That the gouernement of lord archbishops and bishops is vnlawefull, notwithstanding it bee mainteined, and in force by humane lawes and or­dinances.

38 That the humane lawes mainteining them, are wicked, and vngodly, and to be abrogated of al christian magistrates.

39 That to be a lord bishop then is simplie vn­lawefull in it selfe, that is, in respect of the office, though the man susteining the same should not ab­use it as our prelates do.

40 To be a lord bishop in it selfe simplie, besides the abuse, consisteth of two monstrous parts, wher­of, neither ought to be in him that professeth him­selfe a minister.

41 The first is, to beare an inequall and a lord­lie superioritie ouer his brethren in the ministery, and the rest of the church of God vnder his iuris­diction.

42 The second is, the ioyning of the ciuill Ma­gistracie vnto the Ministerie.

That both these partes are condemned by the[Page]written word of God. Luke 22.25. 1. Pet. 5.1,2. Mat. 20.25. Marke 10.42. 1. Cor. 8.10. Luke 12.14. 2. Tim. 2.4. and Iohn 18.36. compared with, Matth. 10.25. Luke 16.13.

43 That the hierarchie of bishops, in their su­perioritie ouer their brethren, and their ciuill offi­ces hath beene gainesaide and withstoode by the visible church of God successiuelie, and without intermission for these almost 500. yeeres last past.

44 That this cause of ouerthrowing the state of lorde bishops, and bringing in the equalitie of Ministers, is no new cause, but that which hath bin manie yeeres agoe helde and maintained, euen in the fire, by the holie martires of Christ Iesus.

45 That this wicked gouernement of bishops was an especiall point, gainesaid by the seruants of God, in the time of King Henrie the eight, and Q. Marie; and in the withstanding whereof they di­ed, the holie martires of Christ Iesus.

46 That none euer defended this hierarchie of bishops to be lawfull, but Papists, or such as were infected with popish errors.

47 That we haue not expelled and banished e­uerie part of poperie, as long ae we maintaine L. bishops and their seates.

48 That the offices of lord archbishops and bi­shops, together with other their corruptions, are condemned by the doctrine of the church of Eng­land.

49 That the doctrine of the church of England condemning the places of lord bishops, is approo­ued by the statutes of this kingdome, and her Ma­iesties royall prerogatiue.

50 That to be a lord bishop, is directlie against [Page]the statute 13. Elizab. rightlie vnderstoode, and flatlie condemned by her Maiesties royall priui­ledge.

51 That al her Maiesties louing subiects, Mini­sters especiallie, are bound by statute (and haue the alowance of the doctrine of the church of En­gland published with her Maiesties prerogatiue) not to acknowledge, yea, to disauow, and withstand the places and callings of lord bishops.

52 That the doctrine of the church of England in the dayes of King Henrie the eight was the doc­trine which the blessed martires of Christ Iesus M. Tindall M. D. Barnes, and M. Fryth taught them and deliuered vnto vs.

53 That this doctrine of theirs is now to be ac­coūted the doctrine of the church of Englande, in as much as (being the doctrine of Christ & his A­postles) it is published in print by Master Fox, and that by her Maiestiies priuiledge.

54 That this their doctrine is mainteined by statute, vnder the name of the doctrine of the faith and sacraments.

55 That the doctrine which according to the word is published by Maister Fox in the booke of Martyres, seeing it is, cum priuilegio, is also to bee accompted the doctrine of faith and sacramentes in the church of England, and so is approoued by statute.

56 That vpon these former groundes wee may safely holde these conclusions following, and are thereby allowed by statute, and her Maiesties pre­rogatiue.

57 That by the doctrine of the church of Eng­land, it is not possible, that naturally there can be[Page]anie good lord bishop, Master Tindalls practise for prelates. pag. 374.

58 That by the doctrine of the church of Eng­land, a bishoprike is a superfluous honour, and a lewd libertie, ibid.

59 That by the doctrine of the church of Eng­land, our bishops are none of the Lordes annoyn­ting, but seruants of the beast.

60 That by the doctrine of the church of Eng­land, our lord bishops are none of Christs bishops, but the Ministers of Antichrist.

61 That by the doctrine of the church of Eng­lande, our bishops and their gouernement are no part of Christs kingdome, but are of the kingdome of this world.

62 That by the doctrine of the church of En­gland, lord bishops are a part of that body wherof Antichrist is the head.

63 That by the doctrine of the church of En­gland, the places of archbishops and bishops are the seates of Antichrist.

64 That by the doctrine of the church of En­gland, a bishop can haue no other lawfull autho­ritie, but onelie to preach the word.

65 That by the doctrine of the church of Eng­land, the desire of a bishopricke, or anie other ho­nor in a minister, is a note of a false Prophet.

66 That according to the doctrine of the chur­che of Englande, all our bishops and their chap­leines are false prophets.

67 That the doctrine of the church of England concerning the ciuill offices of our Prelates, is, That all ciuil rule and dominion is by the word of God flatlie forbidden vnto the Cleargie.

[Page]68 That according to the doctrine of the chur­che of England, the ministerie and the magistracie cannot by the ordinance of God bee both in one person.

69 That by the doctrine of the church of Eng­land, the ioyning together of the ministerie in one person, doeth put euerie kingdome out of order.

70 That for a lord bishoppe to bee of the priuie counsell in a kingdome, according to the doctrine of the church of England, is as profitable vnto the Realme, as the woolfe is to the lambes.

71 That bishoppes ought to haue no prisons wherein to punish transgressors.

Marke this (good Reader)72 That according to the church of Englande, all Ministers be of equall authoritie.

73 That according to the doctrine of the chur­che of England, those Doctors (who are dayly al­leadged by our bishops in the defence of their su­perioritie ouer their brethren) to wit, Cyprian, Ie­rom, Augustine, Chrysostome knewe of no autho­ritie that one bishop shoulde haue aboue another, neither thought, or once dreamed, that euer a­nie such thing should be.

74 That according to the doctrine of the chur­che of England, a bishoppe and an elder, or a mini­ster, note out in the word of God the one and the selfe same person and church-officer, the contrary whereof is popery.

75 That by the doctrine of the church of Eng­land, it is popery to translate the worde Presbyteros into Priest, and so to call the ministers of the Gos­pell Priests.

76 That according to the doctrine of the chur­che of Englande, D. Bancroft in his Sermon at[Page]Paules the 28. of Ianuary 1588. mainteined a po­pish errour, in auouching, that in the dayes of Cy­prian there was a difference betwene a bishop and a priest or minister.

77 That according to the doctrine of the chur­che of England, Iohn Cant. is a mainteiner of a po­pish errour, in terming the ministers of the Gospel by the name of priests.

78 That according to the doctrine of the chur­che of England, our prelates haue no authoritie to make ministers, or to proceede to anie ecclesiasti­call censure.

79 That by the doctrine of the church of En­glande, to haue a bishops licence to preach, is the very marke of the beast Antichrist.

80 That by the doctrine of the church of Eng­land, the godly ministers ought to ordeine those that would enter into that function, without anie leaue of the Prelats, & not so much as once to suf­fer them to take anie approbation of the Prelats.

81 That according to the doctrine of the chur­che of England, there ought to be no other maner of ecclesiasticall censure, but that which is noted, Matth. 18.15,17. which is, to proceede from a pri­uat admonition to one or two witnesses, & thence to the church, that is, not to one, but vnto the go­uernours of the church, together with the whole congregation.

82 That according to the doctrine of our churche, the citations, processes, excommunications, &c. of the Prelates, are neyther to be obeyed nor regarded.

83 That according vnto the doctrine of the church of England, men ought not to appeare in[Page]their courtes, seeing their proceedings are so di­rectly against the trueth, as now they are manife­sted to be, seeing the doctrine of the church war­ranteth them no such calling.

84 That according to the doctrine of the chur­che of England, that a man being excommunica­ted by them, ought not to seeke any absolution at their hands.

85 That according vnto the doctrine of the church of Englande, euery minister is bounde to preach the Gospell, notwithstanding the inhibiti­on of the bishops.

86 That according vnto the doctrine of the church of England, a man being once made a mi­nister, is not to be kept backe from preaching, by the inhibition of any creature.

87 That according vnto the doctrine of our church, our prelates notably profane the censure of the church, by sending them out against those, who are not offendours against God, for money matters, and other trifles, &c.

88 That according vnto the doctrine of the church of England, it is great tyrannie in them, to summon and cite poore men, as they doe, to come before them, for hearing the word, or speaking a­gainst their hierarchie.

89 That it is tyrannie by the doctrine of the church of England, and the badge of Antichrists disciples, for our prelates to breake vp into mens consciences, to compell them by othes, to testifie against themselues.

90 That by the doctrine of the church of Eng­land, our prelates learned this abomination of Pi­late Matth. 26.93.

[Page]91 That according vnto the doctrine of the church of England, none ought to be in the mini­sterie, but such as are able to preach.

92 That according vnto the doctrine of the church of England, Nonresidents, and pluralities of benefices, are most intollerable in the sight of God and man.

93 That all true subiects haue better warrant to denie the superioritie of bishoppes, then the bi­shops haue to impose themselues vpō the church.

94 That her Maiesties true subiects in oppug­ning the state of L. bishops haue the warrant of the word of God, the warrant of our laws and statutes, the doctrine of the church of England, the consent of the church of God for the space of aboue 400. yeeres, and her Maiesties priuiledge.

95 That the bishops haue nothing for their de­fence, but the corruption receiued into our church contrary vnto the word, cōtrary vnto our statutes, contrary vnto her Maiesties priuiledge, contrarie vnto the doctrine of our church.

96 That our bishoppes in this controuersie for their hierarchie, haue not me, poore man, for their onelie aduersarie, but our sauiour Christ, his A­postles, and holy Martires, our lawes and statutes, her Maiesties priuiledges, and the doctrine of our church hath long agoe condemned them for trai­tors vnto God, vnto his word, his church, and vnto our lawes and priuiledges.

97 That Maister Thomas Cartwright, together with all those learned men, and my selfe also that haue written against the state of the Clargy, could do no lesse then we haue done, except wee woulde betray the trueth of God, the lawes of this lande,[Page]and the doctrine of our church.

98 That our magistrates in mainteining both the doctrine of our church, and also the hierarchie of our bishops, mainteine twoo contrarie factions vnder their gouernement, which their wisedomes knowe to be dangerous.

99 That this faction is likely to continue vntill eyther of the parties giue ouer.

100 That those who defend the doctrine of our church in oppugning of our bishops, neyther can nor wil giue ouer the cause, in as much as it is con­firmed by the word professed in our church allow­ed by our statutes, and mainteined by her Maies­ties priuiledge.

101 That the bishops will not giue ouer, in any likelihoode to die for it, as long as the state will mainteine them.

102 That the continuance of these contrarie factions, is likely in a while to become very daun­gerous vnto our state, as their wisedomes, who are magistrates doe well know and perceiue.

103 That their wisedomes then are bounde, e­uen for the quieting of our outward state, to putte downe eyther the doctrine of our Church, or the corruption, viz. our bishoppes, and their procee­dings.

104 That they cannot, without the endaunge­ring of themselues, vnder the wrath of God, and the odious and most monstrous sinne of ineuita­ble Apostacie from the trueth, put downe, and a­bolish the doctrine of our church.

105 That they can not any longer mainteine the corruptions of our church, namely, archbi­shops and bishops, without the shamefull contra­diction[Page]of our doctrine, and the discontentednes of their subiects.

106 That all Ministers are bound by subscripti­on, by vertue of the statute that requireth their subscription vnto the doctrine of faith and sacra­ments in the church of Englande, to disauowe the hierarchie of bishops.

107 That it were well, that all these ministers who are vrged to subscribe would require a resolu­tion in this poynt, before they yeelde their sub­scription.

108 That Doctour Bancroft in affirming her Maiestie to be a pettie pope in his Sermon prea­ched at Paules the ninth of Februarie 1588. prea­ched treason against her Maiesties royall crowne and dignitie.Pag. 68. lin. 19

109 That the sayde Bancroft is a traytor, in af­firming, her Maiestie to vsurpe that authoritie within her dominions, in causes ecclesiasticall which the pope vsurped in times past.

110 That our bishoppes in suffering the sayde Sermon to be published in print, conteining the former points of treason, are accessary vnto Ban­crofts treason.

That our prelates. Heere the father lefte his writings vnperfite, and thus perfitely beginnes the sonne.

Martin Iuniors Epilogue. To the worshipfull his very good neame, Maister Iohn Can­turburie.

AFter my harty commendations vnto your VVorshippe, (good nunckle Canturbury) trusting, that you, vvith the rest of the Cater-caps are as neere your ouerthrovve, as Jyour poore nephevv am from vvishing the prosperitie of your Antichristian callings. The cause of my vvriting vn­to you at this instant, is, to let you vnderstand, first, that I vvas somevvhat merry at the making heereof, being in­deed sory, together vvith others of my brethren, that vvee cannot heare from our good father, Maister Martin Mar­prelate, that good & learned discoursing brother of yours, but especially grieued, that vve see not the vtter subuer­sion of that vnhappy and pestilent gouernement of L. Bi­shops, at the helme vvhereof ye sitte like a Pilate, or a Cai­phas rather. Moreouer, I do you to vveete, that you shal receiue by this bearer, certaine vnperfect vvritings of my fathers, praying your prelacie, if you can send mee, or any of my brethren any vvord of him, that you vvould returne vs an ansvvere vvith speede.

[Page]MAny flim flam tales goe abroad of him, but of certaintie nothing can be heard, in as much as he keepeth him selfe secrete from all his sonnes. Some thinke, that hee is euen nowe employed in your businesse; and I thinke so too, my reason is, quoth Robert Some, because it was for your sakes and good, that hee first fell a studying the Arte of Pistle making: Others giue out, that in the ser­uice of his countrey, and her Maiesties, he died, or was in great danger at the Groine. And the others (ka mine vncka Bridges) haue seene motiues in­ducing them to be of this minde: Some there are also, who feare that you haue him in your handes. Howsoeuer it be somewhat is not well, that hee is silent all this while. We his sonnes must needes be disquieted, seeing wee can neither knowe where our father is, nor yet heare from him. If we could but heere by some Pistle, though it were but of 20. sheetes of paper, that he is well, we would not then be so inquisitiue of him. But now that he hath bin so long time tongue-tied these foure or fiue mo­neths, wee must needes enquire of the matter. Speake then, good nuncles, haue you closly mur­thered the gentlman in some of your prisons? haue you strangled him? haue you giuen him an Italian figge? or, what haue you done vnto him? haue you choaked him with a fat prebend or two? What? I trowe my father wil swallow downe no such pilles. And he doe, I can tell he will soone purge away al the conscience hee hath, and prooue a mad hinde ere he die. But tell me, I pray you, what you meane to doe vnto him if you haue him in holde? Do you meane to haue the keeping of him, least he should not be otherwise well looked vnto? whie what need[Page]tat? I am sure he hath 500. sonnes in the lande, of good credit and abilitie, with whome hee might haue other gates welcome, then with any Cater­cap o them all. And I pray you, nunckles, neuer trouble your selues with the keeping of him, I trust he shal do well, though he neuer come neere any of you all. And I thinke in reason it were more meete his sonnes, then his brethren shoulde bee charged with him; if it so came to passe, that hee were forced to leane vnto others. This I knowe full well, that my father woulde bee sory from his heart, to put you to any such cost, as you intend to bee at with him. A meaner house, and of lesse strength then the Tower, the Fleete, Newgate, or the Gate-house is, woulde serue him well e­nough: he is not of that ambitious vaine, that ma­ny of his brethren the bishops are, in seeking for more costly houses then euer his father built for him. And therefore, good sweete neames nowe, if you haue him, let him bee dispatched out of your hands, with honesty and credit. My father is of a kingly nature I perceiue by him, hee woulde doe good vnto you, but he would not be recompenced for it againe. He will none of your courtesies vn­lesse it be for your owne sakes, that you will giue o­uer your bishopdomes, that is the greatest bene­fite he accounts of from you, other recompence he seekes none.

If you demaund of mee, where I founde this, the trueth is, it was taken vp (together with certaine other papers) besides a bush, where it had drop­ped from some body passing by that way. I hope my fathers worship will not bee oftended with me, for publishing of it, being not so perfit as question­lesse[Page]he would haue had it. Hee, and you, can not but commend my good dealing, in setting it out; for I chose rather to leaue the sentences vnperfite then to adde any thing more then I found legible. The Arithmeticall nombers in the end of his pre­amble shew, that when he had written so farre, he had something more in his head then all men doe conceiue, which made him leaue in the middest of a period. I my selfe doe perceiue some tanto­logies in the cōclusions as being the first draught, but I would not presume to mend them, that I re­ferre to himselfe, if he be yet liuing, if dead, yet po­sterities may haue his after-birth to be altogether his owne. And let them take this as his cygncam cantionem, viz. his farewell to booke-making. But that would I be sorie of. For who can bee able to prooue the poynts which he hath set downe here, concerning the doctrine of our church, mainter­ned by statur, & her Maiesties priuiledge, so sound­ly, and so worthily, as he himselfe would performe it. A thirtie or fortie of the first Conclusions are alreadie shewed in, Hai any work for the Cooper, and therefore they neede no further proofe then the reading ouer that woorthie Treatise, whence they seeme to haue beene collected. The rest I hope shall be shewed in More worke for the Coo­per.

And vather, if you can proue these thinges out of the doctrine of our church, then certainelie you deserue to be chronicled for euer. Then Iohn Canturbury, come downe with thy poperie, ka M. Martin Iunior: for now art thou set out in thy co­lors, to be an aduersary, not onely of Christ and his Apostles, which all men might know, but euen[Page]also an vtter enemie vnto the doctrine of the church of England sowed heere by the holy Mar­tires, and sealed with their blood, yea, allowed by statute, and published with her Maiesties royall priuiledge, which is a point that the most haue not considered of. And who is hee now that dares perswade Martin to giue ouer his course, vnlesse the same also will shewe himselfe an enemie to the doctrine of the church of England. For Martin in his writings, is not so much an ennemie vnto the bishoppes, as a defender of the doctrine of our Churche. And therefore you Puritanes, that mislike of him, take heede that you bee not founde amongest posterities, to bee the betrayers of this doctrine (for your ease and qui­etnesse sake) which you are bound to deliuer vnto your children, without corruption or mangling, though it cost you your liues a thousande times▪ For to tell you the trueth, if you do but read ouer the writings of M. Tindall, M. Frith, M. Barnes, M. Hooper, M. Knox, M. Lambert, &c. which were the first planters of the Gospell amongest vs, you shall find your selues in faithfulnes, courage and zeale, yea, euen the best of you farre behind them; which I speake not but to your great shame, with a desire of your amendement. And therefore I tell you true, I thinke it a great blessing of God that hath raised vppe this Martin, whome you can hardelie brooke, to holde tackling with the bishops, that you may haue some time of breathing, or rather a time to gather courage and zeale, ioyned with knowledge, to set vpon these enemies of the doc­trine of our church, euen the doctrine of God, I meane maintained in our church. For that as hi­therto[Page]ye haue done, you be so loth (for the distur­bing of our state forsooth, and the offending of hir Maiestie) not onely to speake against, but euen vtterlie to reiect this hierarchie of our bishops, e­uen to haue no more to doe with it, then with the seate of the beast, you shall declare vnto our chil­dren, that God raised vppe but a companie of whiteliuered souldiours, to teach the Gospell in sinceritie vnder her Maiestie, and take heede lest our forenamed fathers rise vppe in iudgement a­gainst you. As for her Maiestie, or the state, I think shee hath little cause to thanke you for your wise­dome, in seeking the quietnesse of this com­mon-wealth, by-winking at the sinne of the pom­pous ministerie. And me thinkes you are bounde vnto her, and her people, to make so much at the least knowen, as shee mainteineth publikelie in bookes, by her statutes and priuiledges, to be the doctrine of this our church vnder her gouerne­ment. Therefore, looke vnto these thinges, for certainelie, if euer the Lorde shall make the pro­ceedings of our wicked bishoppes knowen vnto her Maiestie, to bee so contrarie to worde of God, the profession of holie Martyres, and the doctrine of our church mainteined, both by our statutes, and priuiledges, as in these Theses they are sette downe, assure your selfe, that she will then enquire, whether she had not any faithfull preachers in her kingdome, that would stand to the defence of the trueth, vntill shee sawe further into it.

As for the bishops, they may herein see, to their woe, what wicked caytiffes they are, in maintain­ing themselues & their thrice curssed popedome,[Page]against such cleare light. But the beastes, I feare, were borne to no other end, then to be the Lords scourge, to chastice his church, and then to bee burnt in hell. And out vppon them, they are as vnlike Christ, his Apostles, and holy Martyres, which were the planters of our Churche, as the wretches are like vnto themselues. A man would haue thought, if they had not beene desperate in their wickednesse, that by the warning which Martin gaue them, they woulde haue beene re­strained from their villanie in some sort. But, as though their very reason had bene cleane gone, the more they are threatned to haue their procee­dings displayed, the more wicked doe they mani­fest themselues. As if they woulde declare vnto the worlde, that they will not bee made knowen vnto posteritie, but vppon the condition, that they may bee the most wicked, that euer were in the church of God. They will be so many Iudases, so many Diotrepheses, so many Simon Maguses, as nowe they are wicked bishoppes of Englande, or else they thinke not themselues well dealte with. Wherefore, reuerend father, if you bee as yet on your feete, and haue escaped out of the danger of gunne shotte, beginne againe to play the man. Feare none of these beastes, these pursuvants, these Mar-Martins, these stage-players, these prelates, these popes, these diuels, and al they can do. Quit your selfe but as like a man as you haue doone in Hai any worke, and I doubt not but you will make these rogish priests lie in the kenell. The reporte abroad goeth, that you are drawen drie, and can say no more. They are fooles that so thinke, I say,[Page]Let these Conclusions bee iudge, whereby I tell you true, I hope you shall be able to emprie eue­rie bishopricke in Englande, if waight of tructh can doe it. There bee that affirme, the rimers and stage-players, to haue cleane putte you out of countenaunce, that you dare not againe shew your face. Alas poore haglers, their fathers are too yoong to outface the least of your sonnes. And I doe thinke, that, lay aside their tyrannie, all the bishops of Englande are too weake to deale with a scarre-crowe, that hath but the name of reue­rend Martin written vppon it. And therefore, I perswade my selfe, that they their selues are tho­rowlie so perswaded, ka my nuncka Bridges, that you contemne such kenell rakers, and scullions, as to their shame, in the time of your silence haue solde them selues for pence a peece, to be derided of come who so will, to see a companie of disguised asses.

Concerning Mar-martin, if he be a Londoner, or an vniuersitie man, tenne to one but you shall see him, one of these odde dayes, carted out of the towne for his honestie of life. Why that time of his sheweth, that hee had no other bringing vppe, then in a brothel-house. And heerein I woulde craue pardon of the vniuersities, and the famous citie of London, if I shoulde bee thought to giue out, that such a ribaulder as this is, were there maintained. To speake what I doe thinke of the youth, I can not bee induced to thinke, that hee hath had his bringing vp at any other trade, then in carryeng long Meg of Westminsters hand-bas­ket, and in attending vppon some other of his auntes, at her appointment while shee liued. Af­ter [Page]her death, it may be he hath beene promoted vnto the seruice of some laundresse in a bishoppes house, where, in hope to bee preferred by his good lordes, he hath vndertaken to mar-rimes, in publishing bawdery, and filthinesse, for the de­fence of these honest bishops.

The stage-players, poore seelie hunger-starued wretches, they haue not so much as an honest calling to liue in the common-wealth: And they, poore varlets, are so base minded, as at the plea­sure of the veryest rogue in England, for one poore pennie, they will be glad on open stage to play the ignominious fooles, for an houre or two together. And therfore, poore rogues, they are not so much to be blamed, if being stage-players, that is, plaine rogues (saue onely for their liueries) they in the action of dealing against Maister Martin, haue got­ten them many thousande eie-witnesses, of their wittelesse and pittifull conceites. And in deede they are marueilous fitte vpholders of Lambehith palace, and the crowne of Canturburie. And therefore, menne shoulde not thinke of all other things, that they should any wayes make Maister Martin, or his sonnes to alter their course. And heereof, good Maister Canturburie, assure your selfe. Well, to growe to a point with you, if you haue any of your side, eyther in the Vniuersities, or in your cathedrall Churches, or any where within the compasse of all the bishopdomes you haue, that dare write, or dispute against anie of these pointes sette downe by my father, heere I do by these my writinges, cast you downe the Gloue, in my fathers name, and the names of the rest[Page]of his sonnes. If my father be gone, and none else of my brethren will vpholde the controuer­sie against you, I my selfe will doe it. And take my challenge if you dare. By writing you may do it, qand be sure to be answered. By disputations, if you will appoint the place, with promise, that you will not deale vi & armis, you shall be taken al­so by me, if I thinke I may trust you. Otherwise, the Puritanes will, I doubt not, maintaine the chalenge against you.

But heere by the way, Iohn Canturbury, take an odde aduice of your poore nephew, and that is this. First, in regard of your selfe, play not the ty­rant as you doe, in Gods Church; if you goe on forward in this course, the ende will bee a wofull reckoning. Thou hast beene raised vp out of the dust, and euen from the very dounghill, to bee president of her Maiesties counsell, being of thy selfe, a man altogether vnmeet for any such pre­heminence, as neyther endued with any excellent naturall witte, nor yet with any great portion of learning. The Lorde hath passed by many thou­sands in this land farre meeter for the place then is poore Iohn Whitgift. Well then, what if thou, hauing receiued so great blessings at the Lordes hand (beeing of all others in no comparison anye thing neere the fittest for it, or the likeliest to ob­raine it) shalt now shew thy selfe vngratefull vn­to thy mercifull Lorde God, or become a cruell persecutour, and a tyrant in his church, a cruell oppressour of his children, shall not all that thou hast receiued, be tourned vnto a cursse vnto thee, euen into thine owne bosome? Yea verely. For [Page]the Lorde in one day is able to bring more shame vpon thee, and that in this life, then he hath hea­ped blessings vpon thee now for the space of thir­tie yeeres and vpward. But when I doe consider thy preheminence and promotion, I do sensiblie acknowledge it to be ioyned with a rare cursse of God, euen such a cursse as very fewe (I will not say none) in Gods Church doe sustaine. And that is thy wicked and Antichristian Prelacie. The con­sideration of which popedome of thine maketh me thinke, that thy other place in the ciuill magistra­cie, being in it selfe a godly and a lawfull calling, is so become infectious, that it will be thy bane, both in this life, and in the life to come. And I am al­most fully perswaded, that, that archbishopricke of thine, together with thy practises therein, shew verely, that the Lorde hath no part nor portion in that miserabble, and desperat caytiffe wicked Iohn Whitgift, the Pope of Lambehith. Leaue there­fore both thy popedome, and thy vngodly procee­dings, or looke for a fearefull ende.

My second and last aduise is this in a word. Suf­fer no more of these haggling and profane pam­phlets to be published against Martin, and in de­fence of thy hierarchie. Otherwise thou shalt but commend thy follie and ignorance vnto the world to be notorious. Mar-martin, Leonard Wright, Fregneuile, Dick Bancroft, Tom Blan. o Bedford, Kemp, Vnderhil, serue thee for no other vse, but to worke thy ruine, and to bewray their owne shame, & miserable ignorance. Thus far of these matters.

And mee thinkes you see, nunckle Canturbu­rie, that though I bee but young, yet I beginne[Page]prettily well to followe my fathers steppes; for I promise you, I am deceiued, vnlesse I haue a pre­ty smattering gift in this Pistle-making, and I feare in a while I shall take a pride in it. I pray you, if you can, now I haue shewed you my minde, that you woulde be a meanes, that my vather, or my brethren be not offended with me for my presum­ing this of mine owne head. I did all of a good meaning, to saue my fathers papers: and it would haue pitied your heart to see, how the poore pa­pers were raine and weather-beaten, euen truely in such a sort, as they coulde scant bee read to bee printed. There was neuer a drie threede in them. These sea-iourneys are pittifull I perceiue. One thing me thinkes my father should like in me, and that is, my modestie, for I haue not presumed, to publishe mine in as large a print or volume as my father doth his. Nay, I thinke it well, if I can drible out a Pistle in octauo nowe and then. Farewell, good nuncle, and pay this bearer for the cariage. Iuly 22. 1589. With as great speede as I might.

Your worships nephew MARTIN IVNIOR.

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