they are very carelessly printed, two entire lines being omitted in ch. xxv. not to mention minor typographical errors. The rest of the volume is dated 1611. It was only after the present attempt had been placed in the publisher's hands that the author became aware of the existence in the Bodleian Library of a copy of Dr. Saravia's own English edition of the same, A.D. 1591. Being on the very eve of quitting England, he has not had time to compare his version with that original. It may appear presumptuous to put forth the present attempt after this discovery; but he hopes that he shall have deserved well of those who seek after the old paths, if he have done nothing more than draw attention to a forgotten, but, as he be

These are supplied in the translation from the reprint of the same, contained in Saravia's defence of the Tracts against Beza, contained in the same edition.

lieves, most valuable work. His departure from England at a short notice has prevented his adding, as he had intended to do, any other notes than the few brief remarks interspersed here and there, currente calamo. The Letter to the Ministers of Guernsey has been added from the Clavi Trabales, agreeably to the suggestion of Professor Keble, in note 52, to Walton's Life of Hooker.

A LETTER

OF

DR. HADRIAN SARAVIA,

TO THE

MINISTERS OF THE ISLE OF GUERNSEY. (From Clavi Trabales.)

Grace and peace from Jesus Christ our Lord. GENTLEMEN and well-beloved brethren in the Lord, my calling doth oblige me to procure the good and the true edification of the Churches of Christ Jesus, and chiefly of those which I have formerly had to do with as their Minister; such are those of the islands, where I was one of the first, and know what were the beginnings, and by

what means and occasions the preaching of God's word was planted there. But you hold now (to my thinking) a course quite contrary to that which we have held. All the favour we then obtained was through the Bishops' means, and without them I dare confidently assure you, that you will obtain nothing of what you look for. In the beginning there was no other reformation in the islands than that common throughout the whole kingdom of England. The Priests, who a little before had sung mass, became suddenly Protestants; but yet not one of them was appointed to preach the word of God. They were but ignorant persons, continuing still in heart and affection Papists, and enemies to the Gospel. Now such as were sincerely affected to the Gospel, prevailed so far as that they obtained Ministers, with whom the Priests could not agree: they retained their service, and the Ministers preached, and had the exercise of Religion asunder, following the order of the Churches In these beginnings at the

of France.

pursuit of Mr. John After, Dean, I was sent by my Lords of the Council to the islands, as well in regard of the School that was newly erected, as to be a Minister there.

At that time the Bishop of Coutances was sent Ambassador from the French King to Queen Elizabeth, from whom and from her Council he obtained letters to the Governors of the islands, whereby they were enjoined to yield unto him all authority and right, which he pretended did belong unto him, as being the true Bishop of the islands. But how this blow was warded let your fathers tell you. Upon this occasion the Bishop of Winchester (as their true Bishop) took upon him the protection of the Churches of both islands, representing to the Queen, and unto her Council, that of old the islands did belong to his Bishopric, and that he had ancient records for it; yea, an Excommunication from the Pope against the Bishop of Coutances, whenever he would challenge any Episcopal jurisdiction over the islands. So through the means of the said Bishop, and