Part 3: "Historic Proof of Doctrinal Calvinism in the Church of England" by Augustus Toplady

"Historic proof of the doctrinal Calvinism of the Church of England : including among other particulars, I. A brief account of some eminent persons..." by the Reverend Augustus Montague Toplady.  The book is found at the following URL.

http://www.archive.org/details/historicproofofd02topl

Part 3 is found below.

Comments are also found at:

Part Two:
http://reformationanglicanism.blogspot.com/2011/07/reformed-anglicanism.html

Part One:
http://reformationanglicanism.blogspot.com/2011/07/historic-proof-of-doctrinal-calvinism.html

Mr. Bartlett Green, a lawyer, converted at Oxford listening to lectures by Peter "the Martyr" Vermigli, Vermigli being at Oxford at the invitation of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. Green was young and rich. He was tempted to lose sight of theological and spiritual issues. He, with six other martyrs, went to the flames at Oxford for the Protestant, Reformed and Anglican faith on 27 Jan 1556.

Mr. William Tyms, a deacon, a curate at Hockley. Burned Apr 1556. Bp. Gardiner, a pompous Papist Bishop, insulted him for his agreement with the "Protestant Church of England." Tyms wrote of backsliding Protestants based on fear. He prays they may have "perception, fear and learning." As he went to the flames, he averred, " I am surely certified in Christ."

On 12 May 1556, Thomas Spicer, John Denny, and Edmund Poole went to the Papist stake of fire and died as honourable, Reformed, Calvinistic and stalwart Anglican Churchmen. One article against them was the "bondage of the will" rather than the "freedom of the will."  Further, they held that the "Pope's Church did err." Upon accusation, they answered that "Christ alone is our righteousness." Christ's righteousness, they claimed, was "freely given them." Toplady notes that Mr. John Wesley cannot claim these things and that the Church of England sides with him, Mr. Toplady, the disputant. The claims against our English forbears, Reformed and Anglican Churchmen, was wider than just the horrific Mass and the abomination of Transubstantiation. The Mass had and has connections to all the other other loci of doctrines. The Papists knews that. The English Reformers knew that.

Mr. Careless, of Coventry, died for the faith of the Church of England. He spent months in prison. Christ "did elect and appoint" a "Church" or "congregation" which He continually did "guide and govern" by "His Grace and Holy Spirit" such that "none shall perish."  The "crafty Papists" disliked the answer.  Upon cross-examination, he affirmed that Christ died effectually for His people.  In context, he affirmed "predestination." He affirmed he was a "Protestant."  He feared neither Pope, Judge or other "Free-willers" on the matter.

A letter from Mr. Careless to John Bradford, another martyr.  "Elect" brother. You have been clothed "in Christ's righteousness."  This has been "effectually fulfilled."  Christ has given you this in light of "eternal election."  We are "true and adopted sons."

From Mr.William Tyms to Mr. Careless.  God is faithful and true to His "elect children."  Christ is made unto us "righteousness, holiness, and justification." Christ has clothed us "with all His merits." All our sins went to Him and all His righteousness went to us. "Imputed" to us. "Satan's fiery darts" will not mislead us. In view of the commandments, we are "damnable sinners."  I extol, says Mr. Tyms, the righteousness of Christ "given to those who firmly believe in Christ." This has "been prepared for us before the foundation of the world" and is surely kept "by Him the Head of the Church."

Mr. William Tyms to "My Good Sifler, MC (in the Tower)."  All shall turn to us because of the "merits of Christ."  Christ is our "whole righteousness and redemption" in view of our infidelity. His will is "immutable" in light of this. 

Mr. William Tyms to Henry Adlington (in the Lollards Tower).  Such gifts were not given to every man, but to "the elect," "special gifts of God."    Christ is our only Rock and Keeper. God has promised to "preserve and keep" us.