66 XXI. antiquity, it is not to be doubted, but that it hath been CHAP. " in the mean while, by so long continuance of time, great"ly multiplied: especially seeing the world since that time Anno 1561. "is marvellously corrupted, and hath declined from worse to "worse, even until it be come to the extremity in the which 66 we see it." A book which, by relating what relics were in divers countries, and of what sort, and of what quantity, abundantly evinceth the horrible abuses of them. It bore this title; A very profitable treatise, made by Mr. John Calvin, declaring what great profit might come to all Christendom, if there were a register made of all saints' bodies, and other relics, which are as well in Italy as in France, Dutchland, Spain, and other kingdoms and countries. solution of turgy. 861. The mention of Calvin must bring in a very remarkable Calvin's reletter, which he wrote in the month of August this year, some rites concerning certain ecclesiastical rites used in our office of in the lipublic prayer newly established: which were scrupled by some of the English exiles upon their return; chiefly because not used by the reformed church in Geneva. Concerning which they had sent to Calvin for his resolution and judgment. Wherein he gave his opinion generally in Aug. 12. favour and approbation of them. For so I take that epistle Ep. num. of his, which he wrote as an answer to several persons, whom he styled, eximii viri, et ex animo colendi fratres : i. e. worthy men, and very much esteemed brethren: whom I am apt to think were the divines and scholars that lately sojourned at Geneva. By the answers he made, the questions propounded by these brethren, I suppose, were these: First, Whether it was expedient, after the public con- Absolution. fession, to have any absolution, declaring the gracious promise of God to repenting sinners; because there was none such used in the church of Geneva. Calvin approves it, saying, that there was none of them but acknowledged it very profitable, to join to the public confession some singular promise to raise penitent sinners to the hope of pardon and reconciliation. He added, that from the beginning it was his mind to bring in this practice. But some feared offence would be taken at the novelty of the thing: whereupon he CHAP. was too easy to yield: and so the thing was omitted; that XXI. is, to be inserted into their office. But he wished that the Anno 1561. people, to the pastors whereof he wrote, were accustomed to both. to the com Secondly, Another query was concerning the using of The words certain proper words to every communicant singly: which municants. Calvin used not to do. To which he answered, that in administering the supper, he sometimes used St. Paul's words. But because he could not repeat them to every one, without taking up more time than could well be spared, he rather desisted. Sacrament three times a year. Thirdly, The third question seemed to be, how often the sacrament of the Lord's supper should be administered? and whether it were not fit to have it monthly, rather than as it was enjoined but three times a year, viz. in the great festivals? Calvin did most of all like to have it administered every month; so that the more frequent use of it begat not negligence. Which seemed to go so far with him, that he somewhat inclined to have it (on that account) not so frequent: for, said he, while the greater part abstain from the communion, [as they would do, if it were celebrated every month,] the church is after a manner scattered from one another. But that he had rather the church were invited to the sacrament every month, than four times a year only, as was the custom then with them. He added, that when he came first to Geneva, the sacrament was communicated but thrice in the year, [that is, at Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide,] when there were seven months coming between Whitsuntide and Christmas, without any sacrament of the Lord's supper ministered at all. Whereupon he declared his liking of monthly sacraments. But that when he could not prevail, he thought it good to spare the weakness of the people, than more stiffly to contend about it. Whereby he signified his advice in effect to the brethren here in this church, where the people were also used to the said three public times of receiving the sacrament, and would at present be hardly brought to an alteration. And all that Calvin did in this case was, to omit the reformation of this XXI. more seldom receiving the eucharist, till a more convenient CHAP. opportunity should offer hereafter. Yet he caused it to be entered into the public acts, that this custom was faulty: Anno 1561. that it might be more easy and free to correct it by those that came hereafter. cating the Fourthly, The fourth query was, whether it were conve- Communinient to communicate the sick? and if so, with what num-sick, &c. ber and company? and whether in this private communion the public office should be used, or no office, but the consecrated bread only brought from the church unto the party home to his house? To which Calvin gave in substance this answer; That the sick should not be denied the sacrament, many and weighty causes moved him: for should they not be communicated, it would be a very blameworthy neglect of Christ's institution. But that when the sick party was to partake, there should be some assembly of the kindred, friends, and neighbours, that so there might be a distribution, according to Christ's commandment. And that the holy action should be joined with an explication of the mystery; and that nothing should be done differently from the common form and way of the church. He liked not carrying the sacrament up and down promiscuously; for 259 the avoiding of superstition in some, and ambition and vain ostentation in others: many for such ends being apt in those days to come to these private sacraments. Which he esteemed a very difficult thing to prevent. And that therefore the greater judgment and care should be used to whom they gave it. And lastly, he looked upon it as a preposterous thing to bring bread as holy from the church; but to carry it in pomp, by no means tolerable. ment of ment. To this judgment of this great French divine, concerning His judg rites used in this church, I will briefly subjoin his approbation of the episcopal government of the church, which is al-governleged out of his Institutions by Dr. Whitgift: "That every province had among their bishops an archbishop; and that "the council of Nice did appoint patriarchs, which should "be in order and dignity above archbishops, it was for "the preservation of discipline. Therefore for this cause 66 XXI. the Admo nit. 4to. p. 74. 66 66 CHAP. especially were those degrees appointed, that if any thing "should happen in any particular church which could not Anno 1561,"be decided, it might be removed to a provincial synod. Answer to "If the greatness or difficulty of the cause required yet greater consultation, then were there added patriarchs, "together with the synods: from whom there was no ap"peal but unto a general council. This kind of govern"ment some called hierarchia, an improper name, [which "he disliked, because it imported dominion and rule.] But "if, omitting the name, we shall consider the thing itself, "we shall find that these old bishops did not frame any "other kind of government in the church from that which "the Lord hath prescribed in his word." And so much concerning Calvin's sense of our church's liturgy and go vernment. CHAP. XXII. A reflection upon what was already done in the church. Papists write against it; take occasion at the fire of St. Paul's. Answered by bishop Pilkington. Popish questions and cases dispersed. Answered. Reformation of the coin of the nation. Sir Richard Shelly, lord prior of St. John's, and turcopolier at Malta. The pro- AND gress of the hitherto. now we may look back, and observe what good proreformation gress was already made in the reformation of religion. The dioceses were supplied with learned, pious, protestant bishops; images were removed out of the churches; the common prayers celebrated in the English tongue; the sacrament of the Lord's supper administered to the people in both kinds; mass and transubstantiation exploded; the pope's pretended jurisdiction in England rejected; sound articles of Christian faith framed, and professed by the clergy; homilies, that is, plain, practical sermons, set forth, to be read to the people, where preaching could not be had. 260 So that the church of England was reduced to the same good state wherein it was in the latter years of king Ed ward. Which was thus described by good bishop Ridley, CHAP. a little before his death, when queen Mary had unhappily. XXII. overthrown all. 66 66 Anno 1561. the Mart. sacraments. chism. Lord's sup "The church of England had of late, of the infinite Letters of goodness and abundant grace of Almighty God, great fol. 84. "substance, great riches of heavenly treasure, great plenty Word and "of God's true and sincere word, the true and wholesome "administration of Christ's holy sacraments, the whole pro"fession of Christ's religion truly and plainly set forth in baptism, the plain declaration and understanding of the 66 same taught in the holy catechism, to have been learned The cate"by all true Christians. The church had also a true and "sincere form and manner of the Lord's supper, wherein, per. "according to Jesus Christ's own ordinance and holy insti"tution, Christ's commandments were executed and done. "For upon the bread and wine, set upon the Lord's table, "thanks were given, and the commemoration of the Lord's "death was had; the bread, in remembrance of Christ's "body torn upon the cross, was broken; and the cup, in "remembrance of Christ's blood shed, was distributed; and "both communicated unto all that were present, and would "receive them; and also they were exhorted of the minis❝ter so to do. All was done openly in the vulgar tongue, The vulgar "so that every thing might be easily and plainly under-tongue. "stood of all the people, to God's high glory, and the edi"fication of the whole church. This church had of late Divine ser"the whole divine service, at common public prayers, or"dained to be said and heard in the common congregation; "not only framed and fashioned to the true vein of holy "scripture, but also all things set forth according to the "commandment of the Lord, and St. Paul's doctrine, for "the people's edification, in their vulgar tongue. It had "also holy and wholesome homilies, in commendation of Homilies. "the principal virtues which are commended in scripture: "and likewise other homilies against the most pernicious. "and capital vices that used always to reign in this realm "of England. This church had, in matter of controversy, Articles. "articles so penned and framed after the holy scripture, vice. |