WEll ouertaken (neighbour BALTHASAR) where haue you bin this longe tyme? for I haue not ſeene you in your ſhoppe theſe 3. or 4. dayes.

I have bin waſhing, ſhauing, and triming; in the Countrye.

Then I truſt you can tell vs of ſome good newes? for men ſay all newes are to be heard of at a Smyths Forge, a Barbers ſhopp, or at a mill.

Verely I can heare of little or no good newes in the Contry to be had, wherefore I pray you neighbour Benion, tell me in ſadnes, what doe you heare?

Suerly (neighbour) I can tell you of very good newes, wherat (I truſt to God) we all ſhall reioyſe, & this is the matter: I came no ſooner into the Citty, and had gotten a Chapman for my buttons, (but in comming by a Smiths Forge) I heard ſay: there was a worthy Parlament appoynted and a gratious day ſet, wherin (euery man, conſerning his religion) ſhould be permitted freely to ſpeake without any lett, or interruption: and alſo heard without any perceality, And then whoſoeuer hath the beſt on his ſyde, in the Trueth; it was concluded that his religion ſhould take place, he preferred of the Kinge: and the Trueth ſet vp aboue all.

But (tell me) is that poſſible?

Yea truly, but what would you ſaye if I were there preſent, and hearde all the ſame parley, euen from the beginning to the end.

Suerly I would ſay then that this Realme ſhould be moſt happy of all nations vnder the Sonne, yea and moreouer that the Lord would bleſſe and proſper ſuch magiſtrates in all things that they tooke in hand: Now therefore I pray thee tell me more of this matter, but waſt thou in deed from the beginning to the end of this parley?

I heard al that was there ſpoken and concluded amongſt them.

What were the company there aſſembled, canſt thou tell?

Yea: For there was none that ſate in Iudgment, vnleſſe they were of great dignity, honour, or worſhip: Videlicet.

1. The Kinge which executeth true judgment without percealety: and he ſate vppermoſt in his royall ſeate:

2. The Counſell (which are good aduouching alwayes therunto) & they ſate next vnto him.

3. The Lords Spiritual (who are zelous for the trueths cauſe) and were placed next them.

4. The Lords Temperall who are redy to defend the Trueth) and they were placed next them.

5. And laſtly the comons; who are redy to liue therin: (euery one of theſe aforeſayd, ſo much as they may attayne grace therto of the Lord) and they ſate in the nethermoſt roome.

Such a one as in lyke maner feared the Lord, and is deſyerous that all things mought be done for the beſt according to Gods will.

Then (firſt of all) I pray thee let me heare what the ſpeaker ſayd: and what matters were their cheifly handled by him conſerning the effect o • principall cauſes of theyr aſſembly for it ſhould ſeeme (by this thy ſaying that there were matters handled of great importance?

Theſe or the lyke ſo farre as my memory would ſerve me were the words of the ſpeaker.

SPEAKER.For as muche as I at this tyme (although vnmeet therunto) am appoynted to ſpeake before the Kings highnes, as alſo before you all Right, high Honorable, an • worſhipfull here aſſembled, in matters appertayning to a common welth, ſowell for ſoule as body. Therefore muſt I firſt of all in moſt humble wiſe craue perdon of his Majeſtie, and alſo of all you Honorable, and worſhipfull in this audience that if any thing chaunce (for the want of ſkill audacitie, or wiſdom) to eſcape my mouth, it may be taken to the beſt according to my good meaning. Thus it is ò moſt renoumed Prince, and you Honorable Lords Spirituall & temperall, together whith you worſhipfull, and commons of this preſent Parlament here aſſembled & alſo be it knowne vnto you all: That the cheif and principall thing wherethrough all Nations, Kingdoms, Princes, People, and commonwelths are vphoulden, kept, and preſerved from harmes and deſtruction is God, which God therefore, ought (of all Nations, Kingdoms, and People) moſt cheifly and aboue all other things to be feared, loued, obeyed, honored & ſerved. And ſeeing that your calling is cheifly to that end: alſo that all your cares and Induſtryes is now gratiouſly bent therunto, in ſomuch as this honorable aſſembly is come together there about: I beſeech you therefore (in the name of the ſame liuing God) to heare me For aſ-much as it is not vnknowne vnto the Kings highnes, as alſo to the honorable, and worſhipfull here aſſembled, that although the ſcriptures haue bin (to the ſame effect aforſayd: moſt plentifully read vnto the People theſe many yeres according to the Kings appoyntment and good intention yet not-withſtandinge we ſee that the liues of the People (for the moſt part) are become worſe and worſe, (ſowell among the learned, as among the layhood) and the cauſe is for that the Preachers themſelues, doe not deſyer to become ſuch as they would frame theyr hearers to be▪ And not that alone but alſo by thAt meanes) and for the want of obedience; there are ſpr • ng vp, ſondry ſect; and ſortes of religions here among vs at this daye ſo thatt euery one (being notwithſtanding contrary mynded one towards an other) will haue his owne for the beſt yea although they muſt all needs graunt, that there is but one onely trueth [it would be to long to reſyte how many haue bin deceiued and are yet, through ſuperſtition and Idolatry, likewiſe how many (in theſe) haue taken to their ſelues A freedom and liberty of lyfe in comitting wickednes] out of their miſcōrſtuing of holy ſcriptures. And more ouer how m • ny haue bin expulced the vniuerſities for their diſſobedience▪ forſaken heir benefice and exhibition gathered together their conventikles, Pr • ached falſe and ſedicious doctrine, ronne here and there • here • hey myght be hearde, an •• atinge the People againſt obedience, due to the goo • , manly, 〈◊〉 . 2. and po • e • ke lawes and ordinances of theyr Prin • es and gouernours: A • • ik •• iſe wh • t ••• ſ •• g vp of tumults: wh • t murdering and • on • um • ng one of an other is come to ••• e daylie (in other lands) therabout: videlicet about religion & the True • h, it woulde be, I ſay, too long to re • vie for ſ • eedy reformation wherof, a • d that the lyke inconuenience in al • (whi • h God forbid) co • e not to paſſ • with in this Land, but rather may in tyme (through your good providen • e and Noble wiſdoms in the Lord) before ſeene and peruented. May it therefore pleaſe the Kings Majeſtie, the Lords Spirituall and Temperall together with the worſhipfull and commons here aſſemb • ed, to let proclamation go forth into all coaſts of the Land, and that it be permitted and graunted, of euery Religion one (at the leaſt) to come into the pe • lament houſe, there to ſpeake freely his mynd conſerning ye Trueth, and the effect or ground of his religion. And when eueryone hath ſayd his mynde, and your princely wiſdome aduiſedly and deeply) conſidered therof, as which of them all ſhall go neareſt the Trueth: So may you then doe your beſt in ye Lord that the Trueth onely may take place for aſ-much as God (who alone is worthy of all honour) is a ſpirit, and wil none otherwiſe be honored ſaue in ſpirit and Trueth. And thus, to thend all enuy, contencion and diſobedience, mought once ſeace amongſt vs (that now boaſt ſo much of • hriſtianity) and that all godly loue obedience, vnity, peace and concord, in the Trueth, myght come in place, whereby God myght rightly be honored, Ieſus Chriſt myght faythfully be beleeued, the King and you all that beare authority; dutifully obayed▪ the People that are vnder you become bleſſed: and the common welth alwayes floriſh to your euerlaſting fame:] I make an end. Referring all thing here ſpoken to the Lord, and your wiſdomes to conſider of, and ſo I committ you to God and to his good tuicion, who is well able to endow you with his heauenly wiſdom or holy ſpirit for to doe in all, his wil Amen. And ſo he ended.

This was no doubt a maruellous good waie for to bring all to one vniformity of Religion, as alſo for to fynde out the Trueth: [if ſo be the King & majeſtrates, when they haue harde all ſpe • ke; cā diſcerne the Trueth and true religion from all others] which thing they may eaſily doe when as the Lord ſhall ſee it good, for as much as the Trueth is playne, and ſeeketh no corners, and they alſo Gods Miniſters appoynted to that end, but yet thou haſt not tolde me what was ſayd to this matter, nor what enſued therupon.

Then ſayd the King this mans conſell is very good: let therefore proclamation go forth and let them come before vs [to wit] of euery Religion one: and then ſhall euery one ſay his mynde freely conſerning his Religion, and conſerning the Trueth: And (for my part after I haue heard euery one ſpeak, and aduiſedly cōſydered therof according vnto the Trueth of the Scriptures, I wil by the grace of God giue true Iudgement without perceality becauſe that God (whoſe miniſter I am) mought rightly be honored in Spirit and in Trueth.

Then ſpake the Counſell, all at once, and ſayd, God ſaue thee (ò Kinge) for euer: For • e likewiſe are good advouching thereunto, and therefore wiſh (with all our haertes) that it mought euen-ſo come to paſſe.

After that ſpake the Lords Spirituall and ſayd, God bleſſe the King in his determination, for we alſo are zealous for the Trueths cauſe, and therefore woulde gladly that it vvere manifeſted.

And then ſpake the Lords Temperall and ſayd, God preſerue the King, and graunt him good ſuckceſſe in all that he taketh in hand: for vve are redy, to the vttermoſt of our power, to defend the Trueth, vvere it once made knowen.

Then laſt of all ſpake the commons and ſayd, God proſper the King in his good purpoſe, for vvee ſtand alſo ready to liue therin, mought vve once know certaynlie vvhich vvere the Trueth.

The God of all Trueth bleſſe them vvith his euerlaſting bleſſing: make manifeſt his Trueth vnto them, and then geve them and vs all grace to liue in the ſame. But vvhat followed I pray you tel me.

Vpon this the proclamation vvent forth into all quarters, and therevpon came into the Parlament houſe 4. men diuerſly Apareled: alſo of ſundry myndes or Religions, Videlict A Catholick [comonly called a Papist.] A Proteſtant, [c • monly called a Liber • in.] A Puritan [comonly called a Rebell.] And a playne Plowm • n vvhoſe religion vvas vnknowen, [comonly called an Hereti que .]

Now of Fellowſhip let me heate more of this matter, for there is like alwaeys to i • ſue ſome good ſporte, vvhere ſo many Players doe reſorte.

After ſuch tyme as they all (kneeling vpon their knees) had craued perdon, and liſence euery man to ſpeak freely his mynde, vvithout any interruption, for the profe of his Religion, and the manifeſting of the Trueth, and that free liberty vvas graunted them. Then vvas it concluded alſo, that the Catholick ſhoulde ſpeake firſt, next after him the Proteſtant, 3. the Puritane, and laſt of all the playne Plowman.

Suerly this vvas excellent vvel, now then (as thou loueſt me) let me heare vvhat good ſtuffe the Catholi que coulde bring for his old ruſty Religion.

Then the Catholi que after his humble ſubmiſſion made to the K. and to the Honourable and vvorſhipfull there aſſembled) he ſayd.

Moſt Noble Prince, & you all moſt Honourable & worſhipfull audience: In as much as you haue moſt graciouſly graunted me to ſpeake for my Religion and the Trueth, ſo I moſt humbly beſeech you all to heare me: Be it knowne vnto you all that the Catholi que generall Religion, had her firſt foundacion, as it is thought, neare vpon 1 • . hundred yeares paſt, and hath remayned in force [and no other generall Religion, among the Chriſtians with in Europe, knowen or frequented] vntill about 80. yeares paſt, that one Matin Luther (ſome • ymes a ffryer) tooke vpon him, vpon a diſpleaſure taken aganſt ye Pope, to vvryte diſpitefully there agaynſt: and this our Religion vvas inſtituted acc • rding to the holy ſcriptures by a generall councell of holy Fathers: For after ſuch tyme as they, out of a great zeale towards the Trueth beheeld the increaſe of all Iniquity amongſt the People, in ſomuch as Chr • st and his doctrine vvas almoſt forgotten: yea and more ouer fearing leaſt, in proceſſe of tyme, the Natiuety, Death, and Paſſion of Chriſt, together vvith his doctrine, lyfe and miracles, as alſo the doctrine, lyfe and miracles of the Prophets, Apoſtles, Euangileſts, and holy fathers, ſhould likevviſe be altogether forgotten, eſpecially n • w in theſe laſt liſencious dayes, vvherin they vnderſtood, in the Spirite, that all iniquity vvould abound, lyke as it is come to paſſe at this day: Then they thought it good to call a generall Councell at the vvhich counſell they ordayned, not vvithout the holy Ghoſt, the feſtiuall dayes throughout the yere, like as they yet remayne in ye Church at this day) ſome in commemoration of Chriſtes Natiuety, ſome of his circumſicion: ſome of his Death: ſome of his Reſurrection, and ſome of his Aſſention into heauen, &c. Likewiſe they ordayned other Feſtiuall dayes in commemoration of the deaths and martirdomes of holy ſaints, videlicet. Prophets, Apoſtles, Euangeliſts Martirs, and confeſſors, &c. They haue alſo ordayned holy ſacraments and ceremonyes, together vvith an vniformity of God-ſervice, to be vſed in the Church onely to houlde in memory before the People (in their right ſignifications) thoſe holy things vvhich the goſpel of Ieſu Chriſt requireth in the Deede) of all men: and yet notwithſtanding vvere then (almoſt of all People) forgotten: Moreouer they ordayned and eſtabliſhed, that the Goſpells and Epistles, &c. ſhould be (as a New Teſtament) coadioyned to the olde: and read dayly in the Churches for holy ſcripture, and ſo to be taken for euer: they alſo ordayned and built many Churches for holy vſe, Faſtings, prayers, Almeſdeeds, confeſſion of ſinnes, vvith contricion and ſatiſfaction to be made for the ſame, with many other good things more vvhich vvere too longe to reſyte: And now (right noble and honourable audience) in what Feare, obedience, and reaſonablenes the People vvere houlden (euen vntill this our laſt Age) vnder Catholick Religion, and her ſacraments and cerem • nyes, I need not much to ſpeake of, but vvill rather leaue it to the Iudgmen • and conſideration of all thoſe that be vviſe and of auncient yeares among you, & knew their conuerſation: And therefore (to be ſhorte) I hold my Catholi que Religion to be of moſt antiquety, ordayned by ye conſent of the holy Ghoſt, and grounded vpon the Trueth And thus I conclude, who ſoe houldeth vpon the Catholiq Religion (In his Right Inſtitucion he houldeth vpon the True Religion: And who ſoe houldeth vpon the Catholi que Church houldeth vpon the true Churche: And thus he ended.

Now ſurely (neighbour Benion) if this vvere his talke, and if this be true vvhich he hath ſayd: then this is the Catholi que Religion (as I thincke) layd on ſuch a ground or foundacion, bringing alſo with it ſuch antiquety; that I know not preſently to the contrary, but he is lyke to beare a ray the beſt game, yet vvould I gladly heare how the proteſtant could anſwere this matter.

Then the Proteſtant (after humble ſubmiſſion &c.) ſayd: O moſt excellent Prince together vvith all you Honourable and worſhipfull, let me freely ſpeake before you: It is not vnknowne vnto you all at this preſent that this Popiſh Religion [although I graunt ſhe mought happely haue had ſome reaſonable ground in her firſt Inſtitution] hath b • n (ſince that tyme) diuerſly & ſondry wiſ • , altred & patched, in ſomuch as ſondry Popes haue added ſundry ſeremonyes, Videlicet. ſome holy water, ſome holy bread, ſome other haue ſet vp (as bookes fot the vnlearned to looke vpon certaine Images, & ſome haue graunted that oblations ſhould be made vnto them, ſome other that ſight ſhould be ſet before them other ſome haue alowed (for the vnlearned) beades for to nomber theyr prayers withall: And ſome haue likewiſe (for monyes cauſe) graunted out perdon for ſinnes, ſome in one maner ſome in an other: yea and their ſervice▪ wherin they ment to ſerve God, was in a language that the People vnderſtood not [what ſhould I ſpeaka of Maſſes, Trentalts, and Dirges to be ſung for the Dead Hallowing of Palmes, of Croſſes, Churches and Churchyeards, likewiſe of Chriſtning and hallowing of Bells &c.] And this ſuperſtition continued (like as he ſayd therin right well) till Mr. Doctor Martin Luther, that famous Clarke, vvho hath diſcloſed all their ſuperſtition, Idolatry, Couitouſnes, and whordome &c. vvhich tyme vve God be thancked) haue had for the moſt part this our proteſtant Religion, vvherin the Goſpell or Trueth is ſincearely Preached: all ſuperſtition, Idolatry and abhomination altogether put downe, and god ſervice in the mother tongue, ſo that now euery Carter & Cobler can whiſtle and ſing pſalmes, and euery man can reaſon and talke of the ſcriptures in euery place freely where they come: yea moreouer euery Biſhop and Miniſter may haue his wife &c. And now (right honorable Audience.) what fruites and freedom this our liberty of the goſpell hath brought vvith it, ſince we began to preach, I need not to reſyte: but vvill referre that and all that I haue ſayd, vnto your vviſdoms to conſider of: Thus I conclude [Right Noble and vvorſhipfull] that my Religion (ſet out and allowed by the Kinge and his Counſell) hath his ground and foundacion from Chriſt and his Apoſtles, and therefore of greater antiquitie then the Catholike Religion by an hundred yeares and more▪ and is therefore the beſt, and the goſpell vvhich vve preach (ſay I:) that is the Trueth. And therewith he made an end.

Lord haue mercy on vs, vvhat ſhall vve ſay that are vnlearned, in this troubleſome tyme of ſo many Religions and Opinions? or vvhom ſhal vve beleeue? For now (if this vvere his tale, and this be true vvhich he hath ſayd: doubtleſſe he hath ſo firmely and groundly ſayd his plat forme (that in myne opinion) no man liuing can remoue it▪ or goe beyond him. And therefore I ſee not to the contrary, but that he muſt needs goe away vvith the victory, otherwiſe I am much deceaued: yet I pray thee let me heare vvhat the other could ſay?

Laſt of all ſtood vp this playne Plowman [whoſe Religion was vnknowen: although he had bin ſo long tyme▪ by all theſe 3 aforſayd ſuſpected & bruted for an Hereti que ] And (falling downe vpon his knees) he ſayd: O moſt puiſſant Prince together vvith all your Honorable and vvorſhipfull in this preſent Parlament aſſembled. Are you deſyerous (in this contentious and troubleſome tyme, wherin all Iniquity doth abounde and wherin alſo ſo many Religions, ſects, and opinions, are out of fleſh and bloud, entred or taken on among the Children of men) to vnderſtand the beſt Religion, as alſo the Trueth, and what thing the Trueth is, to thend that God mought be honoured therin? Then I beſeech you of your clemencie heare me ſpeake.

You haue heard of theſe 3. (one being contrary to an other:) ſpeake the very beſt that in them was for the aduouching of their Religion and the Trueth: And now as touching the firſt [namely the Catholike] he hath out of a good zeale brought in, ſo nere as he could conjecture, the firſt ground of the Catholik Religion, and the long continuance thereof: declaring alſo that the ſacraments,Ioan. 14 a. b c 1. Ioan. 3.4. a.b.c. ſignes, ceremonyes, and ſeruices of the ſame Church, were ordeyned onely to keepe in memory things paſſed &c. [euen like as the ſeruices and ſacraments ceremoniall of ye old lawe were in ye beginning ordeyned to keepe in memorie things that thē were to come &c. Notwithſtanding the good life wherevpon all ſacraments, ſignes, ceremonies, or ſhadowes figuratiue in the Catholik church did point vpon, and vvhich alſo the holy ſcripture doe require, and whereout the dutifull obedience towards God and Gouernours doth proceed, (was of this Catholicke now in theſe laſt dayes) altogether forſaken, rejected and forgotten: (euen like as it vvent alſo in times before with the diſobedient and vnbeleeuing jewes,) & ſo hath he forſaken the Trueth, vvhereupon he ſayth his Religion was grounded: And therefore the Lorde hath now no pleaſure in this Apoſtated Catholik nor yet in his abſurd Religion, vvherevpon it is now come to paſſe that the 2. (namely this Proteſtant) beholding the many-maner abuſes and diſorderlyneſſe of life which hath bin now in theſe latter dayes, found in this Cotholi que and his Religion: and for the vvhich no doubt he hath receiued greate chaſtiſment of the Lord, and his Miniſters hath declared forth (to his great reproach) many of the ſame abuſes before you all very rightly as they vvere, and moreouer (out of a great zeale) hath commended his owne Religion for the beſt which thou (O king) haſt now appointed and ſet vp among vs: Videlicet, the declaring forth of the goſpell and holy ſcriptures among vs. The ſeruice vſed and read in ye mother tongue, to thend all mought heare and vnderſtand what is ſayd, and then followe the ſame vvhich is good: as likewiſe the ſacraments & ceremonies miniſtred in the ſame tongue, to thend all ſubjects mought be holden vnder godly and manly obedience, and hue according to the ſcriptures in one vniformity of Religion according to the kings good meaning therein. Pſalm. 1. and. 15.24. Math. 25. d. • All theſe [ſay I] were it accompliſhed in the deed and in the Trueth is a very good Religion, alſo vvere very vvell ſayde of him as out of a ſinguler good zeale.

Notwithſtanding the vvhile this Proteſtant (vvhich can readily reproue an other by the ſcripture) vvalketh forth ſtill in all malitiouſnes of life (although he boaſte neuer ſo much of Light, Life, Liberty,Pſa. 15. Ioan. 12. g. Rom. 8. b. Math. 7. d. 1. Cor. 6. b. Collo. 3. a. 2. Tim. 3. a. & Freedome by Chriſte) he remayneth notwithſtanding in darkenes and is the ſeruant of ſinne, or bondſlaue of Sathan: (vvhat ſhould I ſay of the couitouſnes, that vvorſhipping of Images, Enuie, Pride, Extortion, Symony, Vſery, Whoredome together vvith all maner of Iniquity that now doth abound in this Proteſtant, ſo vvell among the Clergie as the Layetie.

Thus may vve ſee that he likevviſe in rejecting the good life,Ioan. 14 a. 12. g. Gal. 2. d. Math. 5. 2. Ioan. 4. b. (vvhich all the holy ſcriptures, do requier and witnes: and were vpon alſo all the holy ſcriptures as alſo al ſacraments, ceremonies, figures or ſhadowes that good are) do ſignifie, figure forth, & point vpon, hath rejected the Trueth. And novv beholde I pray you what fruits haue inſued ſince this liberty of life hath bin taken on? For the longer this Proteſtant hath preached vnto the people, the worſe the liues of the ſame people are become: Ioan. 8 a 13 a • . Eſd. 16 • Math. 3.4. experience hath taught vs: and no maruell, for he [in forſaking the good life] hath there withal forſaken the Trueth: and for that cauſe onelie, the Lorde hath no pleaſure in this licencious Proteſtant, nor yet in his abſurd Religion.

And as touching the 3. [namely the Puritan] for as much as he vvill not liue as a ſubject vnder all good lawes and ordinances of Kings & Magiſtrates, Rom 13. 1. Pet. 2. 2. Pet. 2. Tit. 3 a. 2. Tim. 3. a. b. 1. Ioan. 3. a. 4. b. Ioan. 14. 1. Ioan. 4. b. and therefore hath (out of enuious perſumption, and rebellious heart) forſaken the obedience and godlie lyfe, due to God, and gouernors [notwithſtanding it is required of vs all in holy ſcripture] ſo hath he in lyke maner there vvith all forſaken the Trueth [it vvere too muche to name how many honeſt hearted and true faythfull ſubjects, to their Prince haue bin, by this Puritan, belyed ſlaundered, perſecuted, and impriſoned, for that they held them to obedience and the good lyfe, like as they were taught:Mala 3.4. Pſa. 50. • . Ioan. 13. • . and would neuer conſent to his rebellyous doctrine, nor come to his nightly conuentikles:] and therefore (although he, out of his great zeale, ſought the reformation of the Church, and yet he himſelf not reformed vnto obedience and godlines of lyfe) God hath no more pleaſure in this diſobedient Puritan nor yet in his abſurd Religion.4. Eſd. 16. c. Thus you may ſee Right Noble, 1. Cor. 3. d. Ioan. 8. d. Mar. 8. d. Ioan. 15. a. Ioan. 14. a. Ioan. 8. d. Luc. 8. b. Mar. 4. b. Matth. 13. b. Eſa 6. c. Ioan. 12. f. g. Honourable and vvorſhipfull, how euery one, in his vvay, ſeeketh religiouſly after the Trueth, if he myght any way fynde it. And againe you may ſee alſo that the Trueth is neuertheleſſe, hid from them all. And why? for (if we conſider of the Scriptures) vnto all thoſe that walke without the true lyfe, and godly obedience (which is required in gods holy vvord) all things chaunce in ſimilitudes, parables, and cloſed bookes: becauſe that men ſhould not ſee with their earthly eyes or myndes, nor heare with their earthly eares or thoughts, nor yet comprehende in theyr darke ſtony harts, the ſecrete works of the Holy Spirit of Christ.

Ioan. 14. b.c. 1. Pet. 2. Rom. 13. a. 2. T •• . 3. aFor that cauſe all People that are zelous for Religion, & for the Trueths ſake, [be they what they be, or dwell they where they ſhall: ſo they loue God, and deſyer to liue vnder obedience to the King and his good lawes▪ or, at the leaſtwiſe, liueth quietly and harmeleſly among the People, bearing a true and faithfull heart to the Prince of the Land] are to be borne withall in their ignorant zeale for Conſcience ſake, in aſmuch as all good gifts proceed from God, yea and moreouer▪ Math. 13. for that the tyme of harueſt is at hand, in the vvhich the Lord vvill ſend out his Angels, to gather together the good wheat into his barnes & to burne the weeds with vnquenchable fyer.Ioan. 1. a. b. 14. a. Ioan. 5. c. 6. e. f. Ioan. 17. 2. Ioan. 4. b. For doubtles the Trueth it ſelf (wherabout men ſo ſtriue) is an other maner of thing then fleſh and bloud was euer able to fynd out, for it is the louely lyfe, or being of God, or of his holy word, vvhich lyfe is the thing (as I ſayd before) that all ſacrifices, ſignes, or ſhadowes in the whole lawe, as alſo the Sacraments and ceremonyes of the new Teſtament ordained in the Chriſtian Catholicke Church together with all that the holy ſcriptures,Ioan. 3. a b. c. d. &c. Ioan. 16. d. e. f 17. c. • 1. c. Gen. 2. b. 3. a. Prov. 3. c. Apo. 2. b. • Cor. 15. c. Gen. 3. 2 Cor. 1. d. 3. a. b. c. Deut. 1 • a. b 1. Tit. 3. a. 1. Pet 2. • . Cor. 13. Matth. 7. b. Ioan. 13. d. 14 15. Gal. 2. d. e. Ioan • . • . Gen. 2 b. • . a. d 〈…〉 1 • a. b c. do • oynt vpon: ſignify and requier at all our Hands, I ſay, once agayne, the louely lyfe of God, or of his holy worde is the very Trueth [namely Ieſus Christ] It is alſo the Tree of lyfe that was plāted in the beginning in the midſt of the Paradiſe, or Luſt-garden of the Lord [which tree of lyfe, euen like as the firſt, through the diſobedience in the knowledge, hath loſt the ſame: euen ſo the ſecond man through the obedience in the lyfe, winneth the ſame agayne] it is very true: And therefore to liue in Obedience to God and his holy vvord, alſo in obedience to the King, and his good lawes and ordinances, and to loue myne neighbour as myne owne ſelfe, alſo to deale louingly & vprightly vvith all men like as I vvould be dealt with all. is the effect of my religion, grounded vpon the Trueth, vvhich obedience had his originall from Adam, Abell, Seth, Noah, Abraham, &c and is alſo confirmed by Chriſt and his Apoſtles, &c. and therefore ſhal continue for euer.

Ioan. 13 c. 14 a 15. a. b. c 1. Cor. 13. 2. Ioan. 3. a.b. c. 4, a.b.Thus I conclude that my Religion, in the good lyfe, goeth beyond them all, ſo farre as the Heauens from the Earth, or the Light from Darknes, alſo that all maner of Religious people (boaſt they neuer ſomuch of their Religions, Preachings, Seruices, Sacraments Seremonyes, Freedomes by Chriſt, or elſwhat) that are found vvithout this obedience to God and Gouernours,Ioan 8. a. 〈◊〉 8 d. • oan. 14 a b. 1. Cor. 13. Eph 4 a.b. c. 6. b c. Ioan 〈…〉 Colo. 1. c. 2. b. & vvithout this goodlyfe aforeſayd (or at the leaſt haue not any earneſt inclination thereto, ſomuch as they may in the Lord) the Religion, their God ſeruice, and all els that they boaſt vpon, is nothing worth in the Lords ſight: and the cauſe is they haue forſaken the Trueth, vvhich is the flower and beauty of all good Religions ye • , and is all in all.

Now haue I ſhewed you [Right High and Honorable:] the inconfutable ground of my Religion [which God of his gracious goodnes hath made knowen vnto me,1 Cor. 13. 2. c. 13. Ioan 13. c. 14. a. b. and for the vvhich I haue bin long ſuſpected] together vvith the vnfallible Trueth, vvherout all right obedience vnto God and Gouernours proſeedeth and vvherout alſo the right repentance appeareth,Gal 2. d. 3. a. b d Ioan. 14 a b. Gal. • . • . Colo 1 c. Ioan. 8. d. 15. a. and the true and liuing fayth is alwayes working by loue, ſo well towards God and Chriſt, alſo towards my neighbour: and vvherunto I meane [by the grace of God] to indevour my ſelf night and day▪ by prayer and ſupplication, to thend I mought once attayne to the ſame Trueth, vvithout the vvhich there is, for me, no Salvation.

Therefore conſider hereof aduiſedly, I moſt humbly beſeech you) ſo many as haue rejected obedience, they haue rejected the true Religion:Eph 4. d. Ioan. •• . c Ioan. 14 a.b. Hab. 1. a. Gal. 2. d. And ſo many as haue rejected the holy and godly lyfe, haue rejected & forſaken the Trueth, [namely Ieſus Chriſt:] Therefore am I boulde to ſay (as vnder correction and ſubmiſſion) that this • y Religion, and this Trueth, vvhereof I haue ſpoken, being once faſt grounded in our myndes and ſpirits, is the principall good wherein the Lord hath ſet his whole delight, and vvherout he vvil onely be honored & ſerued: Alſo vverunto all Chriſtian and Catholi que Religions, Kings, Princes, Magiſtrates & people ought of right, for evermore to geue place, as one flocke vnder one ſhepheard: For it is an Euerlaſting lyfe, in the which, and through which, vve (being vnited ſoule and ſpirit vvith God the Father ſhall riſe againe (in this ſame fleſh,) and liue vvith Chriſt our Sauiour, in ioyes everlaſtingly: It is very True.

And now as I haue here acknowledged (right High and Honorable, &c before you all) one onely true Chriſtian Catholik Religion: ſo let no man from hence forth charge me to be of no Religion, neither yet to be of all Religions, but rather ſuch a one as would good vnto all, [to vvit] that all religions, in moſt louing vviſe▪ mought be gathered together (now in theſe laſt dayes) according to the promiſſes, through the goſpell of Ieſus Christ, vnto this onely true Religion aforeſayd, of faythfull obedience to God & Gouernours, and Trueth towards all men. For then vvhoſoeuer is a right Catholi que Proteſtant or Puritan, and liueth in the ſayd obedience and Trueth, I can in no vviſe diſalowe of him, in ſomuch as I my ſelf indevour me dayly (by the grace of God) to accompliſh or attayne vnto, vvith them, that moſt holy religion of obedience and Trueth: becauſe there mought bee no more, in thend, ſaue one God, one Chriſt and ſauiour, one Holy Ghoſt, one Fayth, one Baptiſme, one obedience, one Trueth, one Flocke, one ſhepheard, euen ſuch is my mynd, & ſo would I bee conceived of, and no other vviſe,

O moſt m • rcyfull God: what ſhal • become of all ſuch Igno • ant ſ • ules as I am? which are redy to runne, now af • er this Rel • gion, then after th • t? [alas neighbour alas▪] i • • eemeth no • by theſe his ſpeeches (which doubtles are very true,Ioan. 8 d Mar. 1. b. 6. b. Ioan. 15. a.b. that all People on Earth • hich haue choſen to them ſelves a Religion wherin they ſuppoſed to haue obtayned their freedome, Iuſtification, and ſalvation by Chriſt▪ and yet neuer attayned to true repentance, mu • h leſſe to Obedien • e, in the godly lyfe (vvhich he call • th the Trueth, or Chriſt himſelf) are cleane ſet beſyde the ſa • dle. For I now perceaue right well, the O • edience in the good lyfe is a moſt precious treaſure proſeeding from God, and vvherewith God, the King, and a mans neighbour is ſerued Moreouer, by the lyfe men may knowe the workes of God from the workes of men alwayes: As for example, let vs looke vpon all the Creatures that the Lord hath made (yea wh • tſoeuer thing the eye of man can beholde) and ſee, it hath or it hath had, a kynde of lyfe in it. Likewiſe, let vs looke vpon all the workes of man ſeeme they neuer ſo bewtifully and loe they haue no lyfe in them: So that although one man may faſhion an other man▪ • . Cor. 13. Ioan. 14 a.b. Ioan. 3. a. Gala. 6. c. through ſmoth words & deepe knowledges to an outward ſhew of holines yet is he no better [before ſuch tyme as God worketh, through his grace, and the miniſtration of his holy word, the new birth, or true godly lyfe in the man] then a dead Image, or paynted Sepulcher which the man had made vvith his owne hands, And now therefo • e it cometh red • ly to my remembrance how it ſtandeth written in the Scriptures to the ſame effect:2. Cor. 13. Rom. 8. Gala 4. Epheſ 3 2. Cor. 4. c. Videlicet, Except Christ be in you [ſayth Paul to the Chriſtian Congregations] you are cast awa • es, alſo if a man haue not the ſpirit of God, the ſame is none of his, & moreouer I trauell in birth till Chriſt be faſhioned in you agayne a newe (with a number of ſuch like ſavings in ſcriptuer more vvhich vvere too long to reſite▪ Rom. 13. 1. Pet. 2. Ioan. 14.15. a. b. c. d. So that now I perceaue his mynd right well whi • h is this, he that obayeth the vvord, obayeth the King, and leadeth a godly lyfe, and he that leadeth a godly lyfe hath Chriſt dw • lling in him. And herefore Chriſt ſayth: without me ye can doe nothing,Ioan 8 d. Gal. 2. d. 1. Cor. 13. Rom. 8. a. Eph. 5. a. • . Ioan 4. b. c. for I am the W • y. the Trueth, and the Lyfe: So then when any good worke is wrought, it is Chriſt onely that doth the good-work • that are acceptable vvith God, and not the man: and therefore vvhere he ſo extolleth the Trueth or good lyfe aboue all he meaneth Ieſus Chriſt vvhich ought to dwell in the man, vvhoſe ſpirit, at that tyme, vvill lead the man into all right obedience and Trueth, vvhich lyfe doubtleſſe I ſee now, being wel conſidered of, is the principall good, vvherunto all People (vvith their high knowledges, Religions, Services, Sacraments, and Ceremonyes, ought for evermore, to geve place. And now therefore (in myne opinion) if any man ſhall henceforth reſiſt or deny thiſ ſame playne Plo • mans Religion, or he T • ueth aforeſayd, vvhich is now ſo manyfeſtly expreſſed & a • proue • by the holy ſcriptures, (his conſcience b ••••• g him record that it is euen ſo then doubtleſſe he is ey • h • r an • gnorant and ſuperſticious Papiſt, vvho (being digreſſed from the right ground of the Cath li que Religion) eſteemeth more of the Sacraments, Miſteryes Ceremonyes or ſhadows, then of the very thing vvhich hey ſignify, or h • ue hidden in them: Or els he is a liſencious Proteſtant (vho contrary to the vvord • f God, as alſo contra • y to the good meaning of the King) abuſe • h that goo • Rel • g • on vvhich his Majeſte hath appoynted to be frequented amongſt vs and liueth af • er his owne filthy luſts and deſyers, Eyther alſo he is a diſobedient and rebellious Puritan, vvho being altogether inclyned to Envy, Pryde, and preſumption ſhameth not to reſiſt the good lawes of the King,1. Pet. 2. and in ſteed the ••• f to ſet vp his owne Imaginations, meaning thereby to alluer • he hearts • f the People from their dutifull obedience to God and gouernours, whoſ • Conſcience ſhall in the end teſtify agaynſt him (and if he repent not in tyme) to his owne condemnation. But now I would gladly knowe, how all things were taken in the end: And whoſe Religion was beſt accepted of the King, and the reſt there aſſembled.

After great aduiſe and deliberation taken among them all: The King ſayd, this Plowman hath, laſt of all, manifeſted vnto vs (in playne ſpeech) the right Rel gion and the very Trueth (which may not in any wiſe be denyed) Therefore great is Obedience & great is ye Trueth:Mar. 12. a. I ſee well now that it was not for naught that it ſtandeth written: I am the God of braham, 1. Cor. 13. 1. Pet. 2. Rom. 13. Iaco. 2. c. d. the God of Iſack & the God of Iacob [a God of the Liuing but not of the Dead] Let Proclamation the efore goe forth into all parts of the Land: and let it alſo be made knowen from vs the King (to all mens preſervation) th • t he which wil become a Chriſtyan, and would be ſaved by Ieſus Christ, muſt (after true repentance) ſhewforth the fruits of fayth, in his obedience and Chriſtian lyfe.

Then laſt of all ſp • ke the Counſell, the Lords Spiritual and Temperall together with the Commons (all at o • ce) and ſayd l •• de honour and thankſgeuing be to that God for euer more which h •• h gev • n us ſuch a w • ſe King to raigne ouer vs, • hat can ſo righ • ly diſcerne the beſt Religion and the Trueth from all others and thereupon g • u • n true Iudgement wi • hout parceal • ty, And now if vve ſhould not henceforth auouch publiſh for • h, mayntayne, and allow • , as alſo liue according to the ſame (ſo farre-forth as God ſhall geue vs gr •• e then vvere vve very much to blame becauſe that vve ſee that Obedience is the thing that the Lord hath commaunded all men to liue in: yea and more, it is whereby we his Miniſters Rule and gouerne vnder him in peace & quietnes: Alſo that Ieſus Chriſt (once dwelling in vs) is the Trueth or good lyfe it ſelf, ſo faſt coupled vnto Fayth, as is the So • ne vnto brightnes, or fyer vnto heat: and therefore bringeth with it everlaſting lyfe and felicity. And ſo the Parlament brake vp, and I came away.