and too little reformed? Why have you separated from her Liturgy and Rites, who pretend to imbrace her Doctrines? Or if you must needs separate, why yet should you imbrue your hands in the blood of your Soveraign and fellow subjects on that account? Supposing you were in the right, this would not justifie you. Christ never propagated his Church by blood and treason, but by sufferings and obedience.

The truth is, this Church hath been persecuted because she alone of all the Churches in Europe, has had the blessing and singular, favour of God to reform with prudence, moderation, and an exact and regular conduct, after great and wise deliberations, by the consent of our Bishops, convocations, states, and Princes, without tumults or hasty counsels; and accordingly here was nothing changed but upon good advice, after the most irresistible conviction that it was contrary to the Word of God, the sentiments of the Holy Fathers and councils, and the practice of the truly Primitive and Apostolical Church. So that the Papists themselves do even envy our primitive doctrine, government, and discipline; and both fear and hate us more than any other of the Reformed Churches. I could be contented (said a great man of that perswasion) there were no Priests (i. e. Popish Priests) in England, so there were no Bishops there. This, and our excellent Liturgy, our de cent ceremonies, and our excellent order moves their envy. They are the same things that have raised the spleens and animosities of the other side, with whom whatever is older than Zuinglius and Calvin, is presently Popery and must be destroyed. Tell them that episcopacy was settled in all Churches in the days of the very Apostles, and by them; and they reply the mystery of iniquity began then

to

to work, intimating if not affirming, that this holy order was a part of it. So that they will rather traduce these holy men, who sacrificed their bloods for Jesus Christ and his Church, of pride, ambition, and a too great love of rule, than allow the establishments of our Church. Nay they will rather root out the monarchy, because supported by, and upholding episcopacy, than shew any the least reverence to the Church, in obedience to our laws and Princes.

So that leaving these implacable self-condemned enemies, give me leave, O ye loyal and religious sons of this holy and ever persecuted Church, to make my last address and application to you. You see by whom the Church has been ever persecuted; you see the reason of it; you cannot but know also what she has suffered on both sides; you have read the one, and your eyes have seen the other; rouse up then, and take effectual care of this innocent, this persecuted spouse of Christ. Stretch out your hands to Heaven by humble and fervent prayers, and implore the assistance of the most Holy God, for her safety and protection against all her enemies.

Let the virtue, piety, and holiness of your lives, assure the world that you profess this Holy Religion in good earnest, and that you do not dissemble either with God or man in it, but are sincere and resolved to live and die in this profession.

Put those laws we now have in execution duly and regularly, and with discretion and mercy, not out of bitterness and passion, but out of Conscience and a true fear of God, and care of his Church; that all the world may see it is nothing but a sense of your duties, and a zeal for God, that makes you active and prudently severe.

And as far as you shall have opportunity, take further

further care by new laws, to secure this great and inestimable blessing to your posterity and the generations to come, that they may rise up and bless God for you; and remember your names with eulogies and honour for ever.

And if any thing in these Papers may in any degree be serviceable to, and promote these good ends, I shall for ever be thankful to God and man for the favour.

BISHOP JEWEL.

THOUGH Truth and Reason may justly claim the Privilege of a kind reception, whoever brings them; yet such is the Nature of Mankind, that the Face of a Stranger is ever surveyed with a little more than ordinary Attention, as if Men thought generally that in it were the most lively Characters of what they seek to know, the Soul and Temper of a Man. Now because this is not to be expected at the first sight in Books, where yet it is most eagerly desired, Men have attempted to supply that defect with Pictures; and (which affords much more satisfaction) by premising the Lives and Characters of the Authors, which gives the Reader a truer and more lasting Idea of Men, than it is possible for Pencils and Colours to attain to.

The Author of the ensuing Tracts ought to be so well known to all English men, that his Name alone should have given a sufficient Commendation to any thing that can claim a descent from him: But it being now above an hundred years since his death, and his Works which were for a long time chained up in all Churches, being now superannuated. or neglected, it may not be an unseasonable piece of Service to the Church, to revive the Memory of this great Man, the stout and invincible Champion of the Church of England; who losing the opportunity of sacrificing his Life for her in the Reign of Queen Mary, did it with more advantage to us, and pains to himself, under her glorious Successor,

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