with pity, desired the bishop to stay, saying, that he had tried him enough. This burning was in the hall at Fulham.

But before we come to his final suffering, we will give some part of his examination, with his answers, as is recorded in the register.

Thomas Tomkins, after he had remained half a year in prison, about the 8th day of February, was brought with others before Bonner, to be examined.

The bishop wished to persuade him to relinquish his opinions, and to return to the unity of the catholic church, promising if he would so do, to remit all that was past. But he constantly refused so to do. When the bishop saw he could not convince him, he read to him a writing, containing articles and interrogatories, to which he should the next day answer:

Articles objected against Thomas Tomkins, to which he subscribed with his own hand.

"Thou dost believe, that in the sacrament of the altar, under the forms of bread and wine, there is not, by the omnipotent power of Almighty God, and his holy word, really, truly, and in very deed, the very true and natural body of our Saviour Jesus Christ, as touching the substance thereof, which was conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and hanged upon the cross, suffering passion and death there for the life of the world."

"I do so believe."

"Thou dost believe, that after the consecration of the bread and wine prepared for the use of the sacrament of the altar, there doth remain the substance of material bread and material wine, not changed nor altered in substance by the power of Almighty God, but remaining as it did before."

"I do so believe."

"Thou dost believe, that it is an untrue doctrine, and a false belief, to think or say, that in the sacrament of the altar, there is, after consecration of the bread and wine, the substance of Christ's natural body and blood, by the omnipotent power of Almighty God, and his holy word."

"I do so believe."

"Thou dost believe, that thy parents, kinsfolks, friends, and acquaintance, and also thy godfathers, and godmother, and all people did err, and were deceived, if they did believe, that in the sacrament of the altar there was, after the consecration, the body and blood of Christ, and that there did not remain the substance of material bread and wine."

"I do so believe."

"THOMAS TOMKINS."

On the next day, being the 9th of February, Tomkins was brought again before the bishop and his assistants, where these articles were proposed to him, and he subscribed his name to them. The bishop drawing out of his bosom another confession subscribed with Tomkins's own hand, caused it to be openly read, and commanded him to revoke his opinions; which he refused to do; and therefore was ordered to appear before the bishop again, in the afternoon.

This second confession was as follows:

"I, Thomas Tomkins, of the parish of Shoreditch, in the diocese of London, having confessed and declared openly heretofore to Edmund, bishop of London, mine ordinary, that my belief hath been many years past, and is at this present, that the body of our Saviour Jesus Christ is not truly and in very deed in the sacrament of the altar, but only in heaven; and so in heaven, that it cannot now indeed be really and truly in the sacrament of the altar:

"And moreover, having likewise confessed and declared to my said ordinary openly, many times, that although the church, called the catholic church, bath

allowed, and doth allow the mass and sacrifice made and done therein, as a wholesome, profitable, and a godly thing; yet my belief hath been many years past, and is at this present, that the said mass is full of super. stition, plain idolatry, and unprofitable for my soul, and so have I called it many times, and take it at this present:

"Having also likewise confessed and declared to my said ordinary, that the sacrament of baptism ought to be only in the vulgar tongue, and not otherwise ministered, and also without any such ceremonies, as customarily are used in the Latin church, and otherwise not to be allowed:

"Finally, being many times and oft called openly before my ordinary, and talked with touching all my confessions and declarations, both by mine ordinary and other learned men, as well as his chaplains, and others, and counselled by all of them to embrace the truth, and to recant mine error in the premises, which they told me was plain heresy, and manifest error; do testify and declare hereby, that I do and will continually stand to my confession, declaration, and belief, in all the premises and every part thereof, and in no wise recant or go from any part of the same. In witness whereof, I have subscribed, and passed this writing, the 26th day of September, the year aforesaid.

"THOMAS TOMKINS."

The same day and place, in the afternoon, he was brought before the bishops of London, Bath, and St. David's, with others; where he was earnestly exhorted by the bishop of Bath, to revoke his opinions. He answered, " My Lord, I was born and brought up in ignorance until now of late years; and now I know the truth, and I will continue in it unto the death."

Then Bonner caused all his articles and confession to be again openly read, and persuaded with him to recant. He finally answered, My lord, I cannot but see that you would have me forsake the truth, and fall into error and heresy." The bishop seeing he would not recant, gave sentence of condemnation upon him.

Then he delivered him to the sheriff of London, who carried him to Newgate, where he remained until the 16th of March: on which day, he was by the sheriff conveyed to Smithfield, and there sealed his faith in the flaming fire, to the glory of God's holy name, and the confirmation of the weak.

The History of William Hunter.

On the 26th day of March, 1555, followed the martyrdom of William Hunter, a right godly young man, of the age of nineteen years, and born of godly parents: by whom he was not only instructed in true religion and godliness, but also confirmed by them unto death, after a rare and strange example, worthy to be had in admiration of all parents. In this may appear a singular spectacle, not only of a marvellous fortitude in one so young; but also in his parents, to behold nature in them striving with religion, and overcome by it, by which christian parents may learn what is to be done, not only in their children, but also in themselves, if need at any time requires, or godliness should demand the duty of a christian man against natural affection. This account was faithfully drawn out by Robert Hunter, his own brother, who was present with his brother William, till his death, and who sent the account to us, as we have here recorded it.

William

William Hunter, an apprentice in London, in the first year of Queen Mary, was commanded at Easter to receive the communion at a mass, by the priest of the parish where he dwelt, called Coleman-street; which because he refused to do, he was threatened that he should be brought before the bishop of London. Hunter's master, Thomas Taylor, a silk-weaver, required William Hunter to depart from him, lest he should come in danger on account of him, if he continued in his house. So he took leave of his master, and came to Brentwood, where his father dwelt, with whom he remained a few weeks.

It happened within five or six weeks, that going into the chapel of Brentwood, and finding there a Bible lying on a desk, he did read it. In the mean time there came ia one father Atwell, who hearing William read in the Bible, said to him, "What meddlest thou with the Bible? Knowest thou what thou readest? and canst thou expound the scriptures?"?

William answered, "I take not upon me to expound the scriptures; but finding the Bible here when I came, I read in it to my comfort." Father Atwell said, "It has not been a merry world since the Bible came abroad in English."

William answered, "Say not so, for God's sake; for it is God's book, out of which every one that has grace may learn to know both what pleases God, and also what displeases him." Then said father Atwell, "Could we not tell before this time as well as now, how God was served?" William answered, "No, not so well as we can now do, if we have his blessed word amongst us still as we had."

William Hunter added, "I pray God that we may have the blessed Bible amongst us continually." Father Atwell said, "I perceive your mind well enough; you are one of them that dislike the queen's laws: and therefore you came from London. You learned these ways at London: but you must turn over another leaf, or else you, and a great number more heretics will broil for this."

William said, "God give me grace, that I may believe his word, and confess his name, whatsoever come."

"Confess his name," said old Atwell. "No, no, ye will go to the devil all of you, and confess his

name."

With these words he went out of the chapel in a great fury, saying, "I am not able to reason with thee: but I will fetch one who shall talk with thee, I warrant thee, thou heretic." And, leaving William Hunter reading in the Bible, he brought the vicar of Southwell; who, finding him reading in the Bible, took the matter very heinously, saying, "Sirrah, who gave thee leave to read in the Bible, and to expound it?"

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To whom Hunter answered, "I expound not the scriptures, sir, but read them for my comfort." meddlest thou with them at all, said the vicar? It becomes not such as you to meddle with the scriptures." Hunter answered, "I will read the scriptures, (God willing) while I live; and you ought not, Master Vicar, to discourage any man in that manner, but rather exhort men diligently to read the scriptures for your discharge and their own."

Thou

The vicar answered, "It becomes thee well to tell me what I have to do! I see thou art an heretic by thy words." Williain said, "I am no heretic for speaking the truth." But the vicar said, "It is a queer world when such as thou art shall teach us what is the truth. art meddling, father Atwell tells me, with the sixth of John, in which thou mayest perceive how Christ saith, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.'"

Then father Atwell said, "When you read it, I said, that you might there understand how in the sacrament of the altar is Christ's very natural body and blood."

"Ah," said the vicar, "what say you to the blessed sacrament of the altar? Believest thou not in it, and that the bread and wine is substantiated into the very body and blood of Christ?" William answered, "I learn no such thing in the sixth of John." And added "You understand Christ's words much like the carnal Capernaites, who thought, that Christ would have given them his flesh to feed upon: which opinion our Saviour Christ corrected, when he said, 'The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.'"

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Now," said the vicar, "I have found you out: now I see that thou art an heretic indeed, and that thou dost not believe in the sacrament of the altar." Hunter answered, I would that vou and I were now tied fast to a stake, to prove whether I or you would stand strongest to our faith." But the vicar answered, "It shall not be so tried." "No," replied Hunter, "for

I think I know who would soonest recant; for I durst set my foot against yours, even to the death.” “That we shall see," quoth the vicar, and so they departed; the vicar threatening Hunter that he would complain of him.

Immediately after, the vicar told Master Brown of the communication which Hunter and he had together. Brown immediately sent for Hunter's father, and the constable. For immediately after Hunter and the vicar had reasoned together, he took his leave of his father and fled, because the vicar threatened him. Now when the constable and Hunter's father were come before Master Brown, he asked where his son was. His father answered, "If it please you, sir, I know not." Master Brown said, "I will make thee tell where he is, and fetch him forth also, ere I have done with thee."

Justice Brown then threatened to send the old man to prison unless he promised to seek his son and bring him. After the old man had ridden two or three days' journey to satisfy Brown's expectation, it happened that William met his father, and told him he thought that he was seeking for him: and then his father confessing it, wept sore, and said, that Master Brown charged him to seek him, and bring him to him; but," said he, "I will return home again, and say I cannot find you." But William said, Father, I will go home with you, and save you harmless, whatever comes of it."

And thus they came home together; but William, as soon as he was come home, was taken by the constable, and laid in the stocks, and afterwards brought to Brown.

When Hunter was come, Brown commanded the Bible to be brought and opened it, and then he began to reason with Hunter, saying, "I hear say you are a scriptureman, and can reason on the sixth of John, and expound it as pleases you," and he turned to the sixth of John, and then laid to his charge the exposition he made, when the vicar and he had talked together. Hunter said, "He urged me to say so much as I did."

"Well," (said Master Brown) "as you can expound so well; how say you to the twenty-second of St. Luke? Look here, for Christ saith, That the bread is his body."

Hunter answered, "the text saith, that Christ took bread, but not that he changed it into another substance, but gave that which he took, and brake that which he gave, which was bread, as is evident by the text. For otherwise, he should have had two bodies, to affirm which I see no reason."

At this answer Brown was very angry, and took up the Bible and turned the leaves, and then flung it down again, in a fury.

Then Brown said, "Thou naughty boy, wilt thou not take things as they are, but expound them as thou wilt? Does not Christ call the bread his body plainly, and thou wilt not believe that the bread is his body after the consecration? Thou goest about to make Christ a liar."

But Hunter answered, "I mean not so, sir; but I mean rather more earnestly to search what is the mind of Christ in that holy institution, in which he commends to us the remembrance of his death, passion, resurrec tion, and coming again, saying, This do in remembrance of me.' And also though Christ call the bread his body, as he also says, that he is a vine, a door, &c. yet is his body not turned into bread, any more than he is turned into a door or a vine. Wherefore Christ called the bread his body by a figure."

Then Brown said, "Thou art a villain, indeed! Wile thou make Christ a liar still?" and was in such a fury with Hunter, and so raged, that Hunter could not speak a word, but he crossed him and scoffed at every word. Wherefore, seeing him in such fury, Hunter desired that he would either hear him quietly, and suffer him to answer for himself, or else send him away. Brown answered," Indeed I will send thee, to-morrow, to my lord of London, and he shall have thee under examination." And wrote a letter immediately, and sent Hunter with the constable to Bonner.

The bishop began to reason with him in this manner:

"I understand, William Hunter, that you have had certain communication with the vicar, about the blessed sacrament of the altar, and that you could not agree; upon which Master Brown sent for thee to bring thee to the catholic faith: if thou wilt be ruled by me, thou shalt have no harm for any thing that thou hast said or done in this matter.' ,,

Hunter answered, "I am not fallen from the catholic faith of Christ (I am sure) but do believe it, and confess it with all my heart."

Why," said the bishop, "how sayest thou to the blessed sacrament of the altar? Wilt thou not recant thy saying, how that Christ's body is not in the sacrament of the altar, the same that was born of the Virgin Mary?"

Hunter answered, "My lord, I understand that Master Brown has certified you to of the talk which he and I had together, and you know what I said to him, which, by God's help, I will not recant.' Then said the bishop "I think thou art ashamed to bear a fagot, and recant openly; but if thou wilt recant, will promise thee that thou shalt not be put to open shame: but speak the word here now between me and thee, and I will promise thee it shall go no further, and thou shalt go home again without any hurt."

Hunter answered, "My lord, if you will let me alone, and leave me to my conscience, I will go to my father and dwell with him, or else with my master again, and so if nobody will disquiet or trouble my conscience, I will keep my conscience to myself." Then said the bishop, I am content, so that thou wilt go to the church, and receive and be shriven, and so continue a good catholic christian." 'No," replied William, "I will not do so for all the world."

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Then," rejoined the bishop, "if you will not do so, I will make you, sure enough, I warrant you." 'Well," said Hunter, " you can do no more than God will permit you."

Then the bishop commanded his men to put Hunter in the stocks in his gatehouse, where he sat two days and nights, with only a crust of brown bread and a cup of

water.

At the end of two days, the bishop came to him, and finding the cup of water and the crust of bread still by him upon the stocks, he said to his men, "Take him out of the stocks, and let him break his fast with you." Then they let him out of the stocks, but would not suffer him to eat with them, but called him a heretic.

After breakfast the bishop demanded whether he would recant. But Hunter made answer, that he would never recant that which he had confessed before men, concerning his faith in Christ.

The bishop said that he was no christian, but that he denied the faith in which he was baptized. But Hunter answered, "I was baptized in the faith of the Holy Trinity, which I will not go from, God assisting me with his grace."

The bishop then sent him to the convict prison, and commanded the keeper to lay irons upon him as many as he could bear: and asked him, how old he was; and Hunter said that he was nineteen years old.

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Well," said the bishop, "you will be burned ere you be twenty years old, if you will not yield yourself better than you have done yet." Hunter answered, "God strengthen me in his truth."

He continued in prison three quarters of a year, and was before the bishop five times, besides the time when he was condemned, which was on the 9th day of February: when his brother Robert Hunter was then present. The bishop, sending for William, asked him if he would recant, and then remarking how William confessed that he believed that he received Christ's body spiritually, when he received the communion, "Dost thou mean,' Baid the bishop, "that the bread is Christ's body spiritually ?"

William answered, "I mean not so; but when I receive the holy communion rightly and worthily, I feed upon Christ spiritually through faith in my soul, and am made partaker of all the benefits which Christ hath

brought to all faithful believers through his precious death, passion, and resurrection."

Then said the bishop, "Dost thou not think that for example here of my cap, thou mayest see the squareness and colour of it, and yet that not to be the substance, which thou judgest by the accidents ?"

William answered, "If you can separate the accidents from the substance, and shew me the substance without the accidents, I could believe." Then said the bishop. "Thou wilt not believe that God can do any thing above man's capacity." "Yes," said William, "I must needs believe that: for daily experience teaches all men that thing plainly but our question is not what God can do, but what he will have us to learn in his holy supper."

Then the bishop said, "I always have found thee at this point, and I see no hope in thee to reclaim thee to the catholic faith, but thou wilt continue corrupt;" and then he pronounced sentence upon him, that he should go from that place to Newgate for a time, and from thence to Brentwood, "where," said he, "thou shalt be burned."

Then the bishop called for another prisoner, and so when he had condemned them all, being five in number, he called for William Hunter, and argued with him, saying, "If thou wilt yet recant, I will make thee a free man in the city, and give thee forty pounds in good money to set up thy trade with: or I will make thee steward of my house, and set thee in office; for I like thee well; thou hast wit enough, and I will prefer thee if thou recant."

But William answered, "I thank you for your great offers: notwithstanding, my lord, if you cannot persuade my conscience by scripture, I cannot find in my heart to turn from God for the love of the world, for I count all worldly things but loss and dung, in respect of the love of Christ."

Then said the bishop, "If thou diest in this mind thou art condemned for ever." William answered, "God judgeth righteously, and justifieth them whom man condemneth unjustly.

Thus Hunter and the bishop parted, Hunter and the rest to Newgate, where they remained about a month; afterwards they were sent down, Hunter to Brentwood, and the others into other places of the country. Now when Hunter was come down to Brentwood, the Saturday before the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, he remained till the day after, because they would not put him to death then, for the holiness of the day.

In the mean time Hunter's father and mother came to him, and desired heartily of God that he might continue to the end in that good way which he had begun, and his mother said to him, that she was glad that she was so happy as to bear such a child, who could find in his heart to lose his life for Christ's name's sake.

Then William said to his mother, "For my little pain which I shall suffer, which is but short, Christ has promised me, mother, a crown of joy; may you not be glad of that, mother?" With that his mother kneeled down on her knees, saying, "I pray God strengthen thee, my son, to the end. Yea, I think thee as well bestowed as any child that ever I bare."

At these words Mr. Higbed took her in his arms saying, "I rejoice," and so said the others, "to see you in this mind, and you also have good cause to rejoice." And his father and mother both said, that they were never of any other mind, but prayed for him, that as he had begun to confess Christ before men, he might so continue to the end. William's father said, "I was afraid of nothing but that my son should have been killed in the prison by hunger and cold, the bishop was so hard to him."

Now when it was day, the sheriff set forward to the burning of William Hunter. Then came the sheriff's son to him, and took him by his right hand, saying, "William, be not afraid of these men who are here present with bows, bills, and weapons, prepared to bring you to the place where you shall be burned." William answered, "I thank God I am not afraid; for I have laid my account what it will cost me already." At this

the sheriff's son could speak no more to him for weeping.

Then William Hunter plucked up his gown, and went forward cheerfully, the sheriff's servant taking him by one arm, and his brother by another. While on his way he met his father, who spoke to his son, weeping and saying, "God be with thee, son William :" and William said, "God be with you, good father, and be of good comfort; for I hope we shall meet again, when we shall be happy." His father said, "I hope so, William." so William went to the place where the stake stood, but the things were not ready. Then William took a wet broom fagot, and kneeled down, and read the 51st Psalm, till he came to these words, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."

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Then said Master Tyrill, "Thou liest; thou readest false; for the words are an humble spirit." But William said, "The translation saith, a contrite heart." Master Tyrill replied, The translation is false. You translate books as you like yourselves, like heretics." "Well," said William, "there is no great difference in these words." Then said the sheriff, "Here is a letter from the queen.

If thou wilt recant, thou shalt live; if not, thou shalt be burnt." "No," answered William, "I will not recant, God willing." Then William rose and went to the stake, and stood upright to it. Then came one Richard Ponde, a bailiff, and made fast the chain about him.

Then said Master Brown, "Here is not wood enough to burn a leg of him." Then said William, "Good people pray for me; and make speed and dispatch me quickly and pray for me while you see me alive, good people, and I will pray for you likewise."

"Now," said Master Brown, "pray for thee? I will pray no more for thee, than I would pray for a dog." William answered, "Now you have that which you sought for, and I pray God it be not laid to your charge in the last day. I forgive you." Then said Master Brown, "I ask no forgiveness of thee." "Well," said William, "If God forgive you, I shall not require my blood at your hands."

Then William seeing the priest, and perceiving how he would have shewed him the book, said, "Away, thou false prophet! Beware of them, good people, and come away from their abominations, lest you be partakers of their plagues." Then said the priest, "As thou burnest here, so shalt thou burn in hell." William answered, "Thou liest, thou false prophet; away, thou false prophet, away."

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Then said a gentleman present, "I pray God have mercy upon his soul." The people said, Amen, amen." Immediately a fire was made.

Then William flung his psalter into his brother's hand, who said, "William, think on the holy passion of Christ, and be not afraid of death." And William answered, "I am not afraid." Then he lifted up his hands to heaven, and said, "Lord, Lord, Lord, receive my spirit;" and casting down his head again into the smoke, he yielded up his life for the truth, sealing it with his blood to the praise of God.

An Account of Thomas Higbed and Thomas Causton.

This Master Higbed and Master Causton, two worshipful gentlemen in the county of Essex, the one residing at Horndon on the Hill, the other in the parish of Thundersley, being zealous and religious in the true service of God; as they could not dissemble with the Lord their God, nor flatter with the world, so in this time of blind superstition and wretched idolatry, they could not long lie hid and obscure among such a number of malignant adversaries, accusers, and servants of this world; but at length they were perceived and detected to Bonner bishop of London.

Bonner, perceiving these two gentlemen to be of worshipful estate, and of great estimation in that country, lest any tumult should arise, came there himself, accompanied with Mr. Fecknam and others, thinking to reclaim them; so that they used great labour and dili

gence both by terrors, and threatenings, and flattering promises, and all means to reduce them again to the unity, as they termed it, of the mother church.

In fine, when nothing could prevail to make these godly men assent to their dogmas, they came to this point, that they required time to consult with themselves what was best to be done. Which time of deliberation being expired, and they still remaining constant and immovable, and moreover given out their confession in writing, the bishop seeing no good to be done in tarrying any longer there, departed, and carried them both with him to London, and with them other prisoners also, who about the same time were apprehended in those quarters.

They were brought forth to open examination in St. Paul's, on the 17th of February, A.D. 1555. They were demanded whether they would recant their errors, and come into the unity of the popish church. Which, when they refused to do, the bishop assigned them the day to appear again.

On which day he read to them certain articles, and gave them respite till the next day to answer to them, and so committed them to prison. Having then an swered the articles, they were again remanded to prison.

On the 8th day of March, Thomas Causton was first called to examination before the bishop, and there had read to him the articles with his answers, and after certain exhortations to recant, and to be conformable to the unity of their church, they promised to receive him again into their communion. He answered, "You go about to catch us in snares and gins. But mark, by what measure you measure us, you will be measured with the same again at God's hands." The bishop still persuaded him to recant, but he answered, "No, I will not abjure; you said that the bishops who were lately burnt were heretics: but I pray God may make me such an heretic as they were."

The bishop then leaving Causton, calls for Thomas Higbed; and tried with him the like persuasions. But he answered, "I will not abjure. For I have been of this mind and opinion that I am now these sixteen years, and do what you can, you can do no more than God will permit you to do; and with what measure you measure us, look for the same again at God's hands."

They were then removed, and on the following day they were both again brought before Bonner. The bishop caused Thomas Causton's articles and answers to be read openly, and persuaded him to recant and abjure his heretical opinions, and to come home now at the last to their mother the catholic church, and save himself. But Causton answered, “No, I will not abjure; for I came not here for that purpose," and then he exhibited in writing to the bishop, as well in his own name, as also in Thomas Higbed's name, a confession of their faith, to which they would stand; and he required leave to read it. This being granted, he read it openly in the hearing of the people, as follows ;

"The Confession and Faith of Thomas Causton and Thomas Higbed.

"1. We believe and profess in baptism to forsake the devil and all his works, and the pomps, and vanities of this wicked world, with all the sinful lusts of the flesh. "2. We believe all the articles of our christian faith. "3. We believe that we are bound to keep God's holy will and commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of our life.

"4. We believe, that there is contained in the Lord's prayer all things necessary both for body and soul, and that we are taught thereby to pray to our heavenly Father, and not to either saint or angel.

5. We believe that there is a catholic church, even the communion of saints, Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone.' For which church Christ gave himself, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.'— Eph. ii. 20, and 25-27.

"6. We believe, that this church of herself, and by her own merits, is sinful, and must needs say, Father forgive us our sins: but through Christ and his merits, she is freely forgiven. For he gave himself for it,' saith St. Paul, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word; that he might present it a glorious church.' 'Besides whom there is no Saviour,' saith the prophet; Neither is there salvation,' saith St. Peter, in any other name.'

"7. We believe, as he is our only Saviour, so is he our only Mediator. For the apostle St. Paul saith, 'There is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, the Man Jesus Christ.' Wherefore seeing none has this name God and Man, but Jesus Christ, therefore there is no mediator but Jesus Christ.

"8. We believe that this church of Christ is and has been persecuted, according to the words of Christ, 'As they have persecuted me, so shall they persecute you :' For the disciple is not above his master.' • For it is not only given unto you to believe in Christ,' saith St. Paul, but also to suffer for his sake.' All that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.

"9. We believe that the church of Christ teaches the word of God truly and sincerely, putting nothing to, nor taking any thing from it; and also doth administer the sacraments according to the primitive church.

"10. We believe that this church of Christ suffers all men to read the scriptures, according to Christ's commandment, saying, 'Search the scriptures; for they are they which testify of me.' We read also in the Acts, that when St. Paul preached, the audience searched the scriptures daily, whether he preached truly or not. Also the prophet David teaches all men to pray with understanding: For how shall the unlearned,' saith St. Paul, say Amen, at the giving of thanks,' when they understand not what is said? And what is more allowed than true faith, which St. Paul saith, 'cometh by hearing of the word of God?'

"11. We believe, that the church of Christ teaches that God ought to be worshipped according to his word, and not after the doctrine of men. 'For in vain,' saith Christ, ye worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.'

"Also we are commanded of God by his prophet, saying, Walk not in the traditions and precepts of your elders; but walk in my precepts; do that I command you; put nothing thereunto, neither take any thing from it.' Likewise saith Christ, 'You shall forsake father and mother, and follow me.' Whereby we learn, that if our elders teach otherwise than God commanded, in that point we must forsake them.

"12. We believe that the supper of the Lord ought not to be altered and changed, forasmuch as Christ himself, being the wisdom of the Father, did institute it. For it is written, Cursed is he that changeth my ordinances, and departeth from my commandments, or taketh any thing from them.'

"Now we find by the scriptures, that this holy supper is much abused.

"First, In that it is given in one kind, where Christ gave it in both.

"Secondly, In that it is made a private mass, where Christ made it a communion: for he gave it not to one alone, but to all the apostles in the name of the whole church.

"Thirdly, In that it is made a sacrifice for the quick and the dead, whereas Christ ordained it for a remembrance of the everlasting sacrifice, which was his own body offered upon the altar of the cross once for all, as the holy apostle saith, For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.' 'Now where remission of sins is, there is no more offering for sin.'

"Fourthly, In that it is worshipped contrary to the commandment, saying, 'thou shalt not worship any thing that is made with hands.'

"Fifthly, In that it is given in an unknown tongue, whereby the people are ignorant of the right use of it, how Christ died for our sins, and rose again for our justification, by whom we are set at peace with God, and re

ceived to his favour and mercy by his promise, of which this sacrament is a sure seal and witness.

"Besides this, it is hanged up, and shut in a box, yea, many times so long, that worms breed in it, and so it putrifies; by which the rude people have an occasion to speak irreverently of it, who otherwise would speak rcverently. Therefore they that thus abuse it, bring up the slander, and not we, who pray daily to God to restore it to the right use, according to Christ's institution.

"Now concerning Christ's words, 'This is my body,' we deny them not; but we say, that the mind of Christ in them must be searched out by other scriptures, whereby we may come to the spiritual understanding of them, which shall be most to the glory of God: for as the apostle saith, No scripture is of any private interpretation.' Besides this, the scriptures are full of the like figurative speeches as for example, Christ saith, This cup is the New Testament in my blood.' 'The Rock is Christ,' saith St. Paul. Whosoever receiveth a child in my name,' saith our Saviour Jesus Christ, receiveth me.' Which sentences must not be understood after the letter, lest we do err, as the Jews did, who thought that Christ's body should have been eaten with their teeth, when he spake of the eating thereof; whom Christ taught that such a fleshly eating of his body profited nothing: saying, it is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.'

"Thus we see that Christ's words must be understood spiritually, and not literally. Therefore he that comes to the supper of the Lord, must not prepare his jaw, but his heart; neither tooth nor belly; but believe,' saith St. Augustine, and thou hast eaten it:' so that we must bring with us a spiritual hunger, and as the apostle saith, Let a man examine himself, whether our conscience do testify unto us, that we do truly believe in Christ, according to the scriptures; which, if we are truly certified, of being born again from our old conversation in heart, mind, will, and deed, then may we boldly with this marriage-garment of our faith come to the feast.

"In confirmation of which we have numerous scriptures, as of Christ himself, 'This do in remembrance of me.' And St. Paul, As often,' saith he, as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.' Here is no change, but bread still. And St Luke affirms the same. Also Christ has made a promise, saying, 'Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.' 'It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.' So according to his promise he is ascended, as the evangelists testify. Also St. Peter saith, 'Whom the heaven must receive until the time of restitution of all things.'

"Now as touching his omnipotent power, we confess and say with St. Augustine, that Christ is both God and man. In that he is God, he is every where; but in that he is man, he is in heaven, and can occupy but one place, with which the scriptures agree. For his body was not in all places at once when he was here; for it was not in the grave when the woman sought it, as the angel saith; neither was it at Bethany, when Lazarus died, by Christ's own words, saying, 'I am glad I was not there.' And thus we conclude with the scriptures, that Christ is in his holy supper sacramentally and spiritually in all them that worthily receive it, and corporeally in heaven, both God and man.

"And further, we make here our protestation before God, whom we call to record in this matter, that what we have said, is neither from stubbornness, nor from a wilful mind, as some judge of us, but even of our very conscience, truly (we trust) grounded on God's holy word. For before we took this matter in hand, we besought God from the bottom of our hearts, that we might do nothing contrary to his holy and blessed word. And as he has thus shewed his power in our weakness, we cannot worthily praise him, to whom we give hearty thanks, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."