or measure No author need to be alledged for the avouching thereof the thing being author for it self being so notoriously known and generally believed Others make him to quit his title by Conquest and hold the Crown partly by Bequest from King Edward the Confessor whose good laws he is said to confirm Leges boni Regis Edvardi quas Gulielmus bastardus postea e See Mr Selden ut suprd confirmavit and partly by compact with his people Yea the Chronicles of Lichfield make him to call a Parliament in effect I mean a Meeting of his Clergie and Nobility in a great Councel where as if he had turn'd perfect English-man he conformed his practice to their ancient constitutions 14. Should I interpose between these opposite parties to reconcile them Our endeavours to compass the difference probably the blows from both sides would fall heavy on my charitable indiscretion Yet thus far I will be bold to say such confirmation of King Edward's law if made by King William probably was rather oral and verbal then real and effectual But if real certainly it was not general but limited to some particular place as the Province of Kent the English land of Goshen which alone enjoyed the light of liberty though rather gotten by them then given unto them But if any will contend that this confirmation was general they must confess it done in the later end of his Reign King William when yong lov'd honor when old ease when yong to conquer when old to enjoy Age will make all to stoop as here it bowed him to a better compliance with his people However this his confirmation of King Edward's Laws was not such as either gave general content to or begat assured confidence in the English perchance because but a personal act and but partially done and no whit obligatory of his posterity This made the English press so importunately though in vain to William Rufus the King's son and successor for a re-confirmation of King Edward's Laws which had been needless as being the same with actum agere or rather dacum petere had the former grant from King William his father been conceived sufficient for their security 15. As for King William's particular bounty to Battle-Abby in Sussex King William his bounty to Battle-Abby which he founded it bare better proportion to the dignity of the giver 15. then to the deserts of the receivers 1081. For besides those priviledges formerly a In the first paragr of this book mentioned he gave it all the land within a league of the site thereof He ordered that no forreiner should be obtruded on their Abbey but in every vacancy one of their own Covent should be elected Abbot thereof except which heavens forbid no fit person should be found therein for that preferment Nor should the Abbot be forced to appear at any Synod or meeting except pleased of himself so to do These and many moe immunities he confirmed to that foundation in such an imperious stile as if therewith he meant to bluster all future Princes and King Henry the eighth among the rest into a perfect obedience unto his commands Especially with that clause in his Charter Nullus Successorum meorum violare praesumat But dead King's Charters though they have tongues to threaten yet have no teeth to bite especially when meeting with an equal after-power to rescind them 16. The more the pitty His hard dealing with the Students at Oxford that such drones lazy Abby-lubbers went away with the honey whilest the industrious Bees were almost starved I mean the Scholars of Oxford For at the coming in of the Conqueror the Students in Vniversity-Colledg formerly founded by King Alfred were maintained by pensions yearly paid them out of the King's Exchequer which provision was then conceived both most honourable as immediately depending on the Crown and less troublesome issuing out in ready coine free from vexatious suits casualties of Tenants and other incumbrances But now King William who loved that the tide of wealth should flow into but not ebb out of his coffers detained and denied their b Ex monumentis Gollegii Vniversitatis exhibitions Yea the King pick'd a quarrel with them because they sought to preserve and propagate the English tongue which the King designed to suppress and to reduce all to the French Language And yet the French speech was so far from final prevailing in this Kingdom that it was fain at last to come to a composition with the English tongue mixed together as they remain at this day Save that in termes of Law Venarie and Blazon the French seemeth foly to command The Scholars thus deprived of their pensions liv'd on the charity of c Br. Twine in Antiq Academ Oxon. pag. 215. such as lov'd the continuance of their native tongue Their Latin was then maintained by their English though surely it was no small disturbance to their studies meerly to depend for their subsistence on the arbitrary alms of others 17. Pass we now from King William unto Lanckfranck Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Lanckfranck most kindley treated by the Pope next the King then the most considerable person in our Ecclesiastical History To Rome he went with Thomas elect of York and Remigius of Lincoln all three for confirmation from the Pope in their preferment Pope Alexander treated Lanckfranck so civilly that a stranger if beholding the passages betwixt them haply might have mistook Lanckfranck for the Pope and the Pope for the Petitioner His Highness honoured him as his Master cujus studio sumus in illis quae scimus imbuti by whose care said he we have been instructed in those things whereof we have knowledg 18. Then Lanckfranck charged Thomas in the presence of the Pope His charge against Thomas elect of York as canonically uncapable of that Arch-Bishoprick because the son of a Priest And yet by Lanckfrancks leave no Canon can be produced then in force to debar Priests sons from preferment though some few years after in the Councel of Clermont such a prohibition was made And therefore a Novorum lib. 1. pag. 7. Eadmerus speaking of Lanckfranck calumniatus est Thomam coram Papâ in the proper acception of his words speaks more truth then he was aware of or probably did intend But Lanckfranck being a Privado to the Popes projects and as well to the intentions as the actions of the Church of Rome might by a Prolepsis antedate this objection against Thomas using it for the present as a rub to retard him which some years after was constituted a legal obstacle to exclude any Priests son from promotion But even when that Canon some years after was made the Pope was not so cruel as thereby fully and finally to exclude all Priests sons from Church dignity but onely to shut them out for a time that they might stand at the door and knock I mean with the chink of their money and at
safely rely Though a Second part of his Institut pag. 487. some have said that this was no Statute but made by the Prelates themselves yet that this is an Act of Parliament it is proved not onely by our books but also by an Act of Parliament 17. The King to his Judges Were it of concernment it were not difficult to name the Prime Judges of England at this time Viz. 1. In the Kings or Vpper-Bench either Ralph de Hengham or which is more probable one Wymborne was Judge 2. In the Common-Pleas Thomas de Weyland on that token that he was guilty of Bribery 3. In the Exchequer Adam de Stratton as faulty as the former But by the Judges named in this Writ for as this was an Act of Parliament so was there a Writ also founded thereon called Circumspectè agatis we understand some peculiar Commissioners dispatch'd and employed on this particular business 18. Concerning the Bishop of Norwich It is needless to tell the Reader that William Middeton was Bishop thereof at this time b Chronicon Osniense charactred to be Vir in Jure Civili Canonico peritissmus elegantissmus But Norwich is here put onely for example which equally extended to all the Bishops of the Realme 19. Si placitum tenuerint if they hold plea Placitum a Plea so called saith my c Linwood his Constit lib. 2. tit De Foro competenti Author per antiphrasin quia non places none being pleased to go to Law save Barreters who delight in brangling But what if it be called placitum because the Plaintife is pleased to submit his right in question to the pleasure of the Court to decide it 20. In Court Christian These words are left out in Linwood his Constitutions where all the rest is registred And where the recording thereof amongst the Provincial Canons of Canterbury gave the best countenance to their conjecture who degrade this Act of Parliament into a meer Church-Constitution It is called the Court Christian because therein the Laws of Christ do or should bear the decisive sway whilest the Statutes of Secular Princes regulate the proceedings in other Courts 21. Such things as be meerly spiritual This furnisheth us with a necessary distinction of all matters Into meerly and purely mixtly and partly spiritual Of the former we shall finde very few meerly spiritual For the Apostles sometimes conceived that the very distribution of Almes to the poor had something of worldly drossiness therein called by them d Acts 6. 2. serving of tables as if onely the preaching of the word were a spiritual employment Of the latter sort many things are mixtly spiritual For seeing man consists of two principles soul and body all his actions good or bad as to the minde-moiety or soul-part thereof must needs have at least a glance of spiritual reflection Here then the Quaere will be in matters mixtly spiritual whether the spirituality of them shall refine the rest so as to exalt the same into Church-cognisance or the corporality or earthliness of them depress them so as to subject them to civil consideration the decision hereof dependeth on the practice and custom of the Land as will appear hereafter 22. For deadly sin Distinguish we here betwixt a sin deadly to the soul drawing damnation without repentance and a deadly commonly called a capital crime deserving death by humane Laws The former onely is here intended the latter belonging wholly to the Common-Law Nor did the punishment of every mortal sin to use the language of that age belong to Church-men seeing if so as Linwood no less Learnedly then modestly confesseth Sic periret temporalis gladii jurisdictio Thereby the power of the temporal sword will wholly be taken away Long since had Doctors-Commons eaten up all the Inns of Court if all things reducible to deadly sins had pertained to the Court-Christian And therefore the Casuists themselves do qualifie and confine these words of indefinite extent to such crimes which de sui naturâ spectant ad Forum Ecclesiasticum 23. As first fornication Here saith Linwood thirteen cases are in specie recited though I dare not reckon them up fearing to make them lying so confusedly moe or less Fornication that is saith the Casuist Soluti cum soluta the uncleanness of a loose understand unmarried with a loose person 24. Adultery These two alone are specified because lying in a middle distance so the more conveniently to reach other sins of this kinde of higher or lower guilt 1. Higher as Incest 2. Lower Soliciting a womans chastity If any say that Adultery doth not belong to the Court-Christian because Christ himself would not punish an a John 8. 4. 11. adulteress taken in the act waving it as an improper imployment It is answered that our Saviour appearing in privacy and poverty and coming not to act but to suffer not to judg but be judged justly declined all judicial power But we see afterward how the Church of Corinth by S t Paul his command proceeded against the incestuous person and at this time Church-men cleanly carried the cognisance of such offences I say at this time it plainly appearing that in the Conquerors time Fornication and Adultery were punishable in the Kings Court and the Leets especially by the name of LETHERWITE and the fines of offenders assessed to the King though now it meerly belonged to the Church As for a Rape being Adultery or at leastwise fornication offered with violence the Common-Law hath justly reserved to it self the trial and punishment thereof 25. And such like Here is an interpretative et-caetera inserted in the body of a Parliament Act and a Writ grounded thereon causing some differences about the Dimensions thereof For if these words And such like relate onely to the last foregoing Fornication and Adultery in common construction most probable then they onely fetch in such offences which have some tincture of Carnal uncleanness But if they also refer to the mediate preceding words deadly sins behold a troop cometh beyond our power exactly to number them And here Forein Casuists bring in a bundle of mortal sins all grist for their own Mill as of Church-cognisance namely Sacriledg Usury Heresie Simony Perjury Fortune-telling consulting Astrologers Drunkenness c. But it matters not how long and large their bills be from beyond the Seas seeing our Common-Law brings their reckonings to a new account defalking a great part of that measure which they make to themselves in favour of Church-Jurisdiction 26. For that the Church is uncovered It belonged ever to the Priests to provide for the decent reparation of Gods-House Thus Jehoiada b 2 Chro. 24. was careful to amend the decayes of the Temple But though it pertained to Church-men to see the thing done yet several persons were to do it 1. The Steeple with the Body of the Church and all Chappels lying in common thereunto are to be repaired at the joyn cost of the Parish 2.
worse did he finde it witness Leland thus praising him Praedicat Algerum meritò Florentia Dantem Italia numeros tota Petrarche tuos Anglia Chaucerum veneratur nostra Poëtam Cui veneres debet patria lingua suas Of Alger Dants Florence doth justly boast Of Petrarch brags all the Italian coast England doth Poet Chaucer reverence To whom our language ows its eloquence Indeed Verslegan a learned a In his restitution of de caied intelligence p. 203. Antiquary condemns him for spoiling the purity of the English tongue by the mixture of so many French and Latin words But he who mingles wine with water though he destroies the nature of water improves the quality thereof 49. I finde this Chaucer fined in the Temple two shillings A great enemy to Friers for striking a Franciscan Frier in Fleet-street and it seems his hands ever after itched to be revenged and have his penniworths out of them so tickling Religious-Orders with his tales and yet so pinching them with his truths that Friers in reading his books know not how to dispose their faces betwixt crying and laughing He lies buried in the South-Isle of S t Peters Westminster and since hath got the company of Spencer and Drayton a pair-royal of Poets enough almost to make passengers feet to move metrically who go over the place where so much Poetical dust is interred 50. Since the Abjuration last exemplified A short quiet in the Church we meet in this Kings Reign no more persecution from the Bishops We impute this not to their pity but other imployment now busie in making their applications to the new King on the change of government King Richard being now deposed 51. He was one of a goodly person The character of King Rich the second of a nature neither good nor bad but according to his company which commonly were of the more vicious His infancy was educated under several Lord Protectours successively under whom his intellectuals thrived as babes battle with many nurses commonly the worse for the change At last he grew up to full age and empty minde judicious onely in pleasure giving himself over to all licentiousness 52. As King Richard was too weak to govern Conspired against by Hen. the fourth so Henry Duke of Lancaster his Cousin-germane was too wilful to be governed Taking advantage therefore of the Kings absence in Ireland he combined with other of the discontented Nobility and draws up Articles against him some true some false some both as wherein truth brought the matter and malice made the measure Many misdemeanors mo misfortunes are laid to his charge Murdering the Nobility advancing of worthless Minions sale of justice oppression of all people with unconscionable taxations For such Princes as carry a forke in one hand Anno Regis Hen. 4 1. must bear a rake in the other and must covetously scrape to maintain what they causlesly scatter 53. Loosness brings men into streights at last And resigneth the Crown as King Richard may be an instance thereof Returning into England he is reduced to this doleful Dilemma either voluntarily by resigning to depose himself or violently by detrusion to be deposed by others His misery and his enemies ambition admit of no expedient Yea in all this Act his little judgment stood onely a looker-on whilest his fear did what was to be done directed by the force of others In hopes of life he solemnly resigneth the Crown but all in vain For cruel thieves seldom rob but they also kill and King Henry his Successour could not meet with a soft pillow so long as the other wore a warm head Whereupon not long after King Richard was barbarously murdered at Pomfret-Castle But of these transactions the Reader may satisfie himself at large out of our civil Historians 54. Onely we will add The baseness of the disloyal Clergy that the Clergy were the first that led this dance of disloyaltie Thomas Arundel now Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in the room of William Courtney deceased made a Sermon on Samuels words Vir dominabitur populo He shewed himself a Satyrist in the former a Parasite in the later part of his Sermon a Traitor in both He aggravated the childish weakness of King Richard his inability to govern magnifying the parts and perfections of Henry Duke of Lancaster But by the Arch-Bishops leave grant Richard either deservedly deposed or naturally dead without issue the right to the Crown lay not in this Henry but in Edmond Mortimer Earl of March descended by his mother Philippa from Lionel Duke of Clarence elder son to Edward the third This the Arch-Bishop did willingly conceal Thus in all State-alterations be they never so bad the Pulpit will be of the same wood with the Councel-board And thus ambitious Clergy-men abuse the silver trumpets of the Sanctuary who reversing them and putting the wrong end into their mouthes make what was appointed to sound Religon to signifie Rebellion 55. But whilest all other Churches in England rung congratulatory peales to King Henry his Happiness The couragious conscience of the Bishop of Carlile one jarring bell almost marr'd the melody of all the rest even Thomas Merks Bishop of Carlile For when the Lords in Parliament not content to Depose King Richard were devising more mischief against him up steps the aforesaid Bishop formerly Chaplain to the King and expresseth himself as followeth There is no man present worthy to pass his sentence on so a Bishop Gedwin in the Bishops of Carlile great a King as to whom they have obeyed as their lawful Prince full two and twenty years This is the part of Traitors Cut-throats and Thieves None is so wicked none so vile who though he be charged with a manifest crime we should think to condemn before we heard him And you do ye account it equal to pass sentence on a King anointed and Crowned giving him no leave to defend himself How unjust is this But let us consider the matter it self I say nay openly affirm that Henry Duke of Lancaster whom you are pleased to call your King hath most unjustly spoiled Richard as well his Soveraign as ours of his Kingdom More would he have spoken when the Lord Marshal enjoyned him silence for speaking too much Truth in so dangerous a time Since it seems some Historians have made up what more he would have said spinning these his Heads into a very large Oration though tedious to none save those of the Lancastrian faction 56. Here Innocency the lest Armour if ever did the Proverb take effect Truth may be blam'd but cannot be sham'd for although the rest of the Bishops being guilty themselves condemned him as discovering more Covent-devotion who originally was a Monk of Westminster then Court-discretion in dissenting from his Brethren Yet generally he was beheld as Loyalties a Confessor Anno Dom. 1400. speaking what became his calling Anno Regis Ric. 2 2. in discharge of his
do much unto whom Christ gave the i Speeds Chro. in H. 8. p. 766. Keys of the Kingdom of heaven hath no power to give a dispensation to any man to contract such Marriage In witness whereof we confirm this our judgment both under the Seal of our University as also with the Seal of our Colledg of Doctors of Divinity and have subscribed it in the Cathedral Church of Bonony this tenth of June in the year of our Lord 1530. 21. k De schismate Anglic. p. 60 61. Sanders hath little to say against so many and clear decisions of the Universities The Recusancy of other Universities onely he tels us that all the Kings Agents had not equal success in their Negotiations and particularly that one Hutton the Kings instrument herein could not bow those of Hamborough and Lubeck to express themselves against the Marriage But surely these two places were onely Gymnasia for I finde them not mentioned amongst the Dutch Universities Also he saith that Richard Crook another of the Kings Emissaries prevailed nothing on many Germane Professors and particularly he praiseth the University of Colen for their recusancy therein As for such who subscribed on the Kings side he pretends that Bribes bought their judgments as if our King Henry had learnt from King l Eccles 10. 19 Solomon that Money recompenceth all things The best is the cleanly hands of the Court of Rome had never no doubt any bribes sticking to their fair fingers But though that Englsh Angels flew over to foraign Universities yet there lieth a real distinction betwixt a Bribe and a Boon freely bestowed not to bow and bias their opinions but to gratifie their pains and remunerate their industry in studying of the point 22. As for our English Ambassadours at Rome Cranmer travelleth into Germany finding themselves onely fed with delaies no wonder if they were sharp set to return home All came back again save D r. Cranmer who took a journey to the Emperours court in Vieâ—â—a Here he grew acquainted with Cornelius Agrippa who had written a Book of the Vanity of Sciences having much of the Sciences but more of the vanity in himself Here also he conversed with many great Divines and satisfied some of them out of Scripture and Reason which formerly were unresolved in the unlawfulness of the Kings Marriage 23. A Parliament was now called The Clergy 〈…〉 praemunire wherein the Clergie were found guilty of a Praemunire 1531 because they had too much promoted the Papal interest and acted by vertue of his power to the damage and detriment of the Crown of England whereupon being willing to redeem their whole estates forfeited by 〈◊〉 they were glad to commute it into a summe of money the Clergy of the Province of Canterbury alone bestowed on the King one hundred thousand pounds to be paid by equal portions in the same year say some in four years say others and that in my opinion with more probability 24. But the King would not be so satisfied with the payment of the money Acknowledg the 〈…〉 of the Church except also they would acknowledg him to be Supreme Head of the Church This was hard meat and would not easily down amongst them however being thoroughly debated in a Synodical way both in the upper and lower houses of Convocation they did in fine agree on this expression cujus Ecclesiae Anglicanae singularem Protectorem unicum supremum Dominum quantum per Christi leges licet supremum caput ipsius Majestatem recognoscimâ—s 25. This thus consented unto Confirmed by Act of Parliament and subscribed by the hands of the Clergie as appears at large in the Records and Acts of the Convocation and so presented to the King in the name of his Clergie was afterwards confirmed by Parliament and incorporated into a solemn Act for the ratification thereof 26. During these transactions The death of Arch Bishop Warham William Warham 1532 Arch-Bishop of Canterbury ended his life 23. Aug. 23. A politick person well learned in the Laws generally reputed a moderate man though specially towards his latter end a still and silent persecutor of poor Christians He was first Parson of Barly in Hertford-shire as appears by an a Weavers Funeral Mon. inscription in that Church thence rising by degrees to great preferment In his Will he requested his Successour not to sue his b Antiq. Brit. pag. Executors for Dilapidations as having expended some thousands of pounds in repairing his several Palaces We verily believe his request was granted seeing Cranmer was free from all exacting in that kinde Sede vacante John Stokesly Bishop of London was President in the Convocation 27. Messengers are sent into Germany for Thomas Cranmer Cranmer sent for and unwilling accepteth the Arch-Bishoprick to finde him out and fetch him home with all possible speed the Arch-Bishoprick of Canterbury waiting his acceptance thereof The Post easily doth the first but Cranmer prolonged his journey by c Fox Acts Mon. p. 1703. seven weeks at the least hoping that in the mean time the King might forget him and confer the place on another being really unwilling to imbrace the preferment having aliquid intus something within him which reluctated against those superstitions through which he must wade in the way thereunto But there lieth no Nolo Episcopare against King Henry his Volo te Episcopum esse It being as mortal to refuse favours from him as to offer injuries to him Cranmer therefore now come home must in his own defence be Arch-Bishop who to serve the King and salve his own conscience used the expedient of a Protestation whereof hereafter 28. The Philosoper gives us this note of direction A preparative to Cranmers just defence whereby to finde out a vertue viz. that it is accused by both Extremes Thus Liberality is charged by Prodigals to be Covetousness by Covetous men to be Prodigality By the same proportion Cranmer appears a worthy Prelate taxed by Papists to be an Heretick by others no Papists as guilty of Superstition We will endeavour his just defence conceiving the Protestants cause much concerned therein the Legality of his Consecration having an influence on all the Bishops made by him Anno Regis Hen. 8 23. that of the Bishops making an impression on the Priests and Deacons by them ordained Anno Dom 1532 and their rightful ordination deriving validity to the Sacraments by them administred to all the members of the Church of England 29. A Papist a Becan contro Angl. c. 4. q. 9. n. 6. objects Cranmer lawfully consecrated non fuit consecratus ab ullo Episcopo sed à solo Rege intrusus that he was consecrated by no Bishop but thrust in by the King alone The falseness whereof doth appear on publick Record still to be seen in the Register being solemnly consecrated by John b Regist Cramn fol. 5.
his plain Prayer which he immediately after made His Prayer whereby his Speech may be interpreted too long here to insert but set down at large in Mr. Fox and which speaketh him a true Protestant And if negative Arguments avail ought in this matter no superstitious crossing of himself no praying to Saints no desiring of prayers for him after his death c. may evidence him no Papist in the close of his life Indeed Anti-Cromwellists count this controversie of the Religion he died in not worth the deciding no Papists conceiving the gain great to get him on their side and some Protestants accounting the losse as little to part with him However this right ought to be done to his Memory in fixing it on its own principles and not mis-representing the same to posterity 28. Remarkable is that passage in his Speech Heaven is just in Barths injustice wherein he confesseth himself by Law condemned to die because a story dependeth thereupon Not long agoe an Act had passed in Parliament That one might be attainted of Treason by Bill in Parliament and consequently lose his life without any other legal triall or being ever brought to answer in his own defence The Lord Cromwell was very active in procuring this Law to passe insomuch that it is generally believed that the Arme and Hammer of all King Henry's Power could never have driven on this Act thorough both Houses had not Cromwell first wimbled an hole for the entrance thereof and politickly prepared a major part of Lords and Commons to accept the same For indeed otherwise it was accounted a Law injurious to the liberty which reason alloweth to all persons accused and which might cut out the tongue of Innocency it self depriving her of pleading in her own behalf Now behold the hand of Heaven It hapned that this Lord first felt the smart of this rod which be made for others and was accordingly condemned before ever he was heard to speak for himself Nec lex est justior ulla Quam necis artifices arte perire suâ Most just it is that they bad Laws who make Should themselves first of their own Laws partake Thus those who break down the banks and let in the stream of Arbitrary power be it into the hands of Prince or People are commonly the first themselves which without pity are drowned in the deluge thereof 29. Thus farre I have swome along with the winde and tide of all our English Historians Yet the Lord Cromwell by a great person acquitted herein in charging of Cromwell herein But I finde one * Sir Edward Coke Part 4. of Institut in Jurisdiction of Courts p. 37. Authour of strong credit such he needs to be who swims against the stream acquitting the said Lord deriving his intelligence from Sir Thomas Gawdie a grave Judge then living who acquainted him as followeth King Henry commanded the L. Cromwell to attend the Chief Justices and to know whether a man that was forth-coming might be attainted of high Treason by Parliament and never called to his answer The Judges answered That it was a dangerous question and that the high Court of Parliament ought to give examples to inferiour Courts for proceeding according to justice and no inferiour Court could doe the like and they thought the high Court of Parliament would never doe it But being by the expresse commandement of the King and pressed by the said Earl to give a direct answer they said That if he be attainted by Parliament it could not come in question afterwards whether he was called or not called to answer and the Act of Attainder being passed by Parliament did binde as they resolved The party against whom this was intended was never called in question but the first man after the said resolution that was so attainted and never called to answer was the said Earl of Essex whereupon that erroneous and vulgar opinion amongst our Historians grew That he died by the same Law which he himself had made 30. But His exemplary gratitude grant this Lord Cromwell faulty in this and some other actions in the main he will appear a worthy person and a great instrument of God's glory in the reforming of Religion and remarkable for many personal eminencies Commonly when men are as in a moment mounted from meannesse to much wealth and honour first they forget them selves and then all their old friends and acquaintance Whereas on the contrary here gratitude grew with his greatnesse and the Lord Cromwell conferred many a courtesie on the Children from whose Fathers Master Cromwell had formerly received favours As he was a good Servant to his Master so was he a good Master to his Servants and fore-seeing his own full which he might have foretold without the Spirit of Prophesie some half a year before he furnished his Men which had no other lively-hood to subsist by with Leases Pensions and Annuities whereby after his death they had a comfortable maintenance 31. One so faithfull to his Servants His care for his Children cannot be suspected for an Infidel in not providing for his family of his own children It was not therefore his ambition but providence that on the same day wherein he was created Earle of Essex he procured Gregory his Son which otherwise had been then but a Lord by courtesie to be actually made Baron Cromwell of Oke-ham Which honour because inherent in the Son was not forfeited on his Father's attainture but descends at this day on his Posterity 32. We will conclude his story with this remarkable instance of his humility An eminent instance of his humility Formerly there flourished a notable family of the b Camdens Brit. in Lincoln-shire Cromwells at Tattershall in Lincoln-shire especially since Sir Ralph Cromwell married the younger Sister and Coheir of William the last Lord Deincourt Now there wanted not some flattering Heraults excellent Chemists in Pedegrees to extract any thing from any thing who would have entituled this Lord Cromwell to the Armes of that antient Family extinct in the issue male thereof about the end of King Henry the sixt His answer unto them was That he would not weare another mans coat for fear the right owner thereof should pluck it off over his ears and preferred rather to take a new coate viz. * See Vincent in the Earles of Essex AZure Or a Fess inter three Lyons rampant Or a Rose Gules betwixt two Chaughes proper being somewhat of the fullest the Epidemical dissease of all Armes given in the Reign of Henry the eighth 33. After the execution of the Lord Cromwell Men of different judgment meeting at their death the Parliament still sitting a motly execution happened in Smithfield three Papists hanged by the Statute for denying the King's supremacy and as many Protestants burnt at the same time and place by vertue of the six Articles dying with more pain and no lesse patience Papists Protestants Edward Powell
Robert Barns Doctor of Divinity Thomas Abley Thomas Gerard Rich Fetherston William a Godwin in Henry the 8. pag. 131. Jerom Bachelours of Divinity This caused was by the difference of Religions in the King 's Privie Councel wherein the Popish party called for the execution of these b Fox in his Book of Martyrs 2 volume p. 529. Protestants whilest the Protestant Lords in the Councell out of policy to represse the others eagernesse or if that failed out of desire to revenge it cried as fast that the Laws might take effect on the Papists And whilest neither side was able to save those of their own opinions both had power to destroy those of their opposite party They were dragged on hurdles coupled two and two a Papist and a Protestant cattel of different kindes yoked to draw or rather to be drawn together insomuch as a c Sanders de schismate Angl. lib. 1. pag. 192. Romanist professeth that to the three Papists this their unequal matching was to them ipsâ morte gravlus intolerabilius more heavy and intolerable than death it self But the Protestants exprest no such distast hereat not angry out of principles of pride for the joyning of their bodies together but grieved out of the grounds of charity that their souls soon after should so farre be parted asunder A stranger standing by did wonder as well he might what Religion the King was of his sword cutting on both sides Protestants for Hereticks and Papists for Traytors of whom in the same moneth Laurence Cooke Prior of Doncaster and six others were sent the same way for the same offence 34. But to return to such Acts of the Parliament as concern the Church A Statute made for recovery of Tithes therein a Statute was made commanding every man d 32 Hen. 8. cap. 7. fully truly and effectually to divide set out yield or pay all and singular Tithes and Offerings according to the lawfull customes and usages of the Parishes and Places where such Tithes or Duties shall grow arise come or be due And remedy is given for Ecclesiastick persons before the Ordinary and for Lay-men that claimed appropriated Tithes by grant from the Crown in the Secular Courts by such actions as usually Lay-possessions had been subject to The occasion of which Statute is intimated in the Preamble thereof because in few years past many presumed more contemptuously and commonly than in times past had been seen or known to substract and withdraw their lawfull and accustomed Tithes Incouraged thereunto for that that divers Lay-persons having Tithes to them and their beires had no due remedy by order and course of the Ecclesiastical Laws to recover their right And no wonder seeing their Soveraign had set them so large and so late a president in destroying of Abbies if subjects thought that in their distance and proportion they might also be bold to detain the Rites of the Church especially because it seemed unreasonable that they should receive wages who did no work and that the hire of the labourers in the vineyard should be given to lazie lookers on This Statute in favour of Lay-impropriators was beneficiall to the Clergie to recover their prediall Tithes at Common-Law being equally advantaged by that which was not principally intended for them because of the concurrence of their interest in case of Tithes A e 32 Hen. 8. cap. 38. Statute also made That it was lawfull for all persons to contract marriage who are not prohibited by Gods law For although Gregory the great who had not lesse learning but more modesty than his successours did not flatly forbid the marriage of Cousin Germans as unlawfull but prudentially disswade it as unfitting yet after-Popes prohibited that and other degrees further off thereby to get money for Dispensations What a masse these amounted unto their own Auditors can onely compute seeing f 1 Kings 10. 22. Solomon himself sent ships but every third year to Ophir for gold whereas his Holinesse by granting such faculties from those Indies made annuall returns of infinite profit And this Law came very conveniently to comply with King Henry's occasions who had the first fruits thereof and presently after married Katharine Howard Cousin Germane to Anna Bollen his second Wife which by the Canon-Law formerly was forbidden without a speciall Dispensation first obtained 35. But now to step out of the Parliament into the Convocation Acts of this yeares Convocation a place more proper for our employment there we shall finde Archbishop Cranmer landing in his Barge at Pauls-wharfe and thence proceeding on foot with the Cross carried before him into the Quire of Pauls where at the high Altar Bishop Bonner officiated if I speak properly a Masse of the Holy Ghost Doctor Richard Cox Archdeacon of Ely preached a Latine Sermon on this text Vos estis salterrae Richard Gwent Doctor of Law and Archdeacon of London was chosen Prolocutor Then intimation was given that the KING allowed them liberty to treat of matters in Religion to peruse the Canons de simonia vitanda with other Ecclesiasticall constitutions to continue the good ones and make new ones protemporis exigentiâ In the third Session on Friday severall Bishops * Transcribed with my owne hand out of the Records of Canterbury were assigned to peruse severall Books of the Translation of the New Testament in order as followeth 1 Archbishop Cranmer 1 Matthew 2 John g Longland Lincolne 2 Mark 3 Stephen h Gardiner Winchester 3 Luke 4 Thomas i Goodrick Elie 4 John 5 Nicholas k Heath Rochester 5 Acts of the Apostles 6 Richard l Sampson Chichester 6 Romans 7 John m Capon Sarum 7 ◠Corinthians 8 William n Barlow S. Davids 8 Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 9 John o Bell. Worcester 9 1 2 Thessalonians 10 Robert p Parsew S. Asaph 10 Timothy Titus Philemon 11 Robert q Holgate Landaffe 11 1 2 Peter 12 John r Skip Hereford 12 Hebrews 13 Thomas ſ Thyrlby Westminster 13 James 1 2 3 John Jude 14 John t Wakeman Glocester 14 Revelation 15 John u Chambers Peterborough 15 Why Edmond Bonner Bishop of London then and there present had no part in this perusall allotted him as I finde no reason rendred thereof so I will not interpose my own conjecture 39. In the sixth Session Words in the Testament which Gardiner desired might be preserved intire in the Translation Gardiner publickly read a Catalogue of Latine words of his own collection out of the Testament and desired that for their genuine and native meaning and for the majesty of the matter in them contained these words might be retained in their own nature as much as might bee or be very fitly Englished with the least alteration being in number and order here inserted Ecclesia Poenitentia Pontifex Ancilla Contritus * Acta Synod Cant. an 1541. pag. 48 49. Olacausta
Justitia Justificare Idiota Elementa Baptizare Martyr Adorare Dignus Sandalium Simplex Tetrarcha Sacramentum Simulachrum Gloria Conflictationes Ceremonia Mysterium Religio Spiritus sanctê° Spiritus Merces Confiteor tibi Pater Panis praepositionis Communio Perseverare Dilectus Sapientia Pietas * Take faults and all as in the Original Presbyter Lites Servus Opera Sacrificium Benedictio Humilis Humilitas Scientia Gentilis Synagoga Ejicere Misericordia Complacui Increpare Distribueretur orbis Inculpatus Senior Conflictationes Apocalypsis Satisfactio Contentio Conscientia Peccatum Peccator Idolum Prudentia Prudenter Parabola Magnifico Oriens Subditus Didragma Hospitalitas Episcopus Gratia Charitas Tyrannus Concupiscentia Cisera Apostolus Apostolatus Egenus Stater Societas Zizania * Though sensible of Tautologie otherwise spelled I durst not vary from the Original MysteriuÌ„ Christus Conversari Profiteor Impositio manuum Idololatria Dominus Sanctus Confessio Imitator Pascha Innumerabilis Inenarrabilis Infidelis Paganus Commilito Virtutes Dominationes Throni Potestates Hostia 35. The judicious Reader hath no sooner perused these words The Papists plot therein but presently he sorts them in two ranks First some few untranslatable without losse of life or lustre these are continued in our English Testament intire it being conceived better that Ministers should expound these words in their Sermons than alter them in their Texts But besides these most of the second sort are not so emphaticall in themselves but that they may be rendred in English without prejudice of truth Wherefore Gardiner's designe plainly appeared in stickling for the preserving of so many Latine words to obscure the Scripture who though wanting power to keep the light of the Word from shining sought out of policy to put it in to a dark Lanthorn contrary to the constant practice of God in Scripture levelling high hard expressions to the capacity of the meanest For forraign terms are alwaies brought in like Joseph with an w Gen. 42. 23. Interpreter x Mat. 1. 23. Emmanuel doth not passe without an Exposition God with us nor y Mat. 7. 34. Ephatha escape but Commented on be thou opened Besides the Popish Bishop multiplied the mixture of Latine names in the Testament to teach the Laity their distance who though admitted into the outward Court of common matter were yet debarred entrance into the Holy of Holies of these mysterious expressions reserved only for the understanding of the high Priest to pierce into them Moreover this made Gardiner not onely tender but fond to have these words continued in kinde without Translation because the profit of the Romish Church was deeply in some of them concerned Witnesse the word Penance which according to the vulgar sound contrary to the original sense thereof was a magazin of Will-worship and brought in much gain to the Priests who were desirous to keep that word because that word kept them I finde not what entertainment Gardiner's motion met with it seems so suspended in success as neither generally received nor rejected 36. In a following Session Mar. 10. Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury Cranmer stickleth for the Vniversities approbation informed the House That it was the King's will and pleasure that the Translation both of the Old and New Testament should be examined by BOTH UNIVERSITIES This met with much opposition in the House all the Bishops Ely and S. Davids excepted making their Protests to the contrary These affirmed the Universities were much decayed of late wherein all things were carried by Young Men whose judgments were not to be relied on so that the Learning of the Land was chiefly in this Convocation But the Archbishop said he would stick close to the will and pleasure of the King his Master and that the Universities should examine the Translation And here for ought I can finde to the contrary the matter ceased and the Convocation soon after was dissolved 37. The cruell prosecution of the Protestants still continued on the six Articles HeÌ„ 8. 36. And yet the Parliament now somewhat abated the illegall fury thereof 1544. for formerly any active Officer of the Bishops The six Articles somewhat mitigated at his pleasure molested all suspected persons and prosecured some to death But afterwards it was required That such Offenders should first be found guilty by a Jury of Twelve men a rub to the wheels of their cruelty that it saved the lives of some and prolonged the deaths of others 38. Now began the last Parliament in the Kings Reign HeÌ„ 8. 37. Nov. 24. wherein many things of consequence were enacted 1545. First The Acts of the last Parliament in this Kings Reign an Act against Usury a See the printed Statutes of this year Secondly for Tithes in London Thirdly for an exchange of Lands betwixt the King's Majestie and Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Holegate Archbishop of York and Edmond Bonner Bishop of London which the King annexed to the Dutchie of Lancaster Fourthly an Act for union of Churches not exceeding the value of six pounds Lastly that Doctors of the Civil Law being married might exercise Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction 39. At this time also The originall of Stewes by the King's command were the Stewes suppressed A line or two I hope will not defile our Church-History in the description and detestation of such filthy persons and practises There stood a place on the South bank over against London called the Stewes where live-Fishes were formerly kept there to be washed in Ponds from their slime and muddinesse to make the more wholsome and pleasant food which was the originall use of these Stewes and the proper b Camdens Brit in Middlâ—â—â— meaning of the word Ann. Dom. 1545. Afterwards the place was converted to a worse use Ann. Reg. HeÌ„ 8.37 but still retaining its own name from the scouring of Fish to the defileing of Men Brothel-houses being built there and publickly permitted by the State These were sixteen in number known by the several signes whereof one was the Cardinals c Stower Survey of London pag. 449. Hat and it is to be feared that too many of the Clergie then forbidden marriage were too constant customers to it Such who lived in these Colledges of lust were called single Women and pity it was so good a name should be put upon so leud persons 40. Divers Constitutions were made in the eighth year of King Henry the second The regulation of the Stewes for the regulating of these Houses whereof some may inoffensively yea profitably be inserted 1. No Stew-holder should keep open his doors on the Holy daies or keep any in his house on those daies 2. No single woman to be kept against her will if out of remorse of conscience she would leave that leud life 3. No Stew-holder to receive any mans wife or any woman of religion 4. No man to be drawn or inticed into any of those houses
assumed into their hands And a Synod of the Clergie in the last of Henry the fourth petitioned the King That Lay-men might not invade the possessions of alien Priories * Harpsfield Hist Ang. saet decimo quinto â—ep octavo but those Foundations might be furnished Native English substituted in their rooms whose request by reason of the King's death ensuing took no effect But this doth intimate though I had rather learn than teach in so dark a point that those alien Priories still stood undissolved by Act of State with a possibility to revert to their former use and though the King had fastned upon their profits by his absolute power yet as yet they were not setled and established in the Crown by Act of Parliament 5. But in the fourth year of King Henry the fift Their dissolution in the heat and height of His Warres with France all such Priories alien as were not Conventuall were by Act of m Parliament Rolls Rastall titul Monasteries Parliament dissolved and bestowed on the King It being conceived unsafe that men moving according to a forreign interest having their affections leading them beyond the seas and their actions following when befriended with secresie should be maintained in this Kingdome Besides it tended to the manifest detriment of the State that such should transport our coyn and commodities into an enemies Countrey without returning a proportionable profit to the Common-wealth Other alien Priories which were Conventuall survived untill the general mortality of English Monasteries These alien Priories were not conceived to have such a temptation to disloyalty as the others having their absolute subsistence here and though the Monks therein were strangers in respect of their birth they were counted Naturalized in a manner in regard of their education and livelyhood 6. The dissolving of these Priories The dangerous influence of this predent made a dangerous impression on all the rest Say not that English Abbeys were unconcerned because these strangers being rather suckers than branches of their tree their growing was a burthen and their pruning off a benefit thereunto for though Aliens in their Countrey they were Allies in their Cause there being an affinity betwixt all religious Foundations And now here was an Act of State for precedent That without sin of Sacriledge such Donations might be dissolved Use was made hereof beyond the Kings intention who in this act not covetous but politick aiming rather to secure than enrich Himself whereas now some Courtiers by His bounty tasting on the sweet of Abbey-lands made their break-fasts thereon in the time of Henry the fift which increased their appetites to dine on the same in the daies of King Henry the eighth not so glutted but they could sup on the reversions left in the Reign of K. Edward the sixt SECTION III. To the Honourable the Lady MARY FOUNTAINE MADAM THough none can expect Courtship many will require Congruity from me Such will charge me with a great Impropriety for dedicating a discourse of Monks and Friers to your Ladiship where some passages of their wantonnesse may occasion your blushing for them who never blushed for themselves But know it done by design that you may plainly perceive how far Marriage-chastity transcended forced and pretended virginity or if you please how much a springing Fountain is better than a standing-Pool soon subject to putrefaction Your Family though not a Nunnery may be a Religious house seeing God hath multiplied you into a whole Convent I mean the fourteen Children which you have at this present I say have for this reason is rendred why the Children of Job after his restitution were not doubled unto him as his Cattle were because they were utterly foregone his Children onely gone before on which account those six removed from you into a better world still remain yours God in due time translate you and your worthy Husband in a good old age into the same Place of Happiness Of Cardinal Wolsey's ominous suppressing of forty lesser Monasteries therewith to build two Colledges VAst were the revenues of Cardinal Wolsey Wolsey's wealth and want if we account both his Wives and Concubines I mean the place whereon he resided and Churches he held in Commendam being at the same time the Pope's Legate à latere Archbishop of Yorke Chancellor of England Bishop of Winchester Abbot of S. Albans besides other meaner preferments Yet he found a Eccles 5. 11. Solomon's observation true When goods encrease they are encreased that eat them Insomuch that his magnificent mind was poor in his plenty in the midst of his wealth wanted means to compass his vast designs Wherefore intending to erect two fair Colledges one where he was born in Ipswich the other where he was bred in Oxford and finding himself unable to endow them at his own charges he obtained license of Pope Clement 7 â—h An. 1525 to suppress forty smaller Monasteries in England and to lay their old land to his new foundations w ch was done accordingly For the Cardinal thought that these petty Houses like little sparks of diamonds were inconsiderable in themselves whereas they would make a fair show if all put together into two jewels only his two Colledges and he carry away all the credit thereof 2. An action condemned by the conscientious in that Age Wolsey his act justly censured accounting it essentiall to charity that the thing given be the proper goods of the Donour Cast thy bread saith b Eccles 11. 1. Solomon upon the water It must be thy bread otherwise though c Prov. 9. 17. stollen bread may be pleasant to men it is nauseous and distastfull to the God of heaven who in such cases will not be the receiver though man be the thief solemnly disavowing the acceptance of such donations witnesse his own words d Isa 61. 8. I hate robbery for burnt offering 3. Plead not in the Cardinal's excuse Fig leaves to coveâ— it in vain that the houses by him suppressed were of small value it being as great yea greater sacriledge to invade the widows mite than the large gifts which the rich Priests cast into Corban because their bounties were but superfluous wenns whilst hers was an essentiall limb yea as our Saviour e Luke 21. 4. observes the whole body of her estate As probably some of those poor Foundations were erected by Founders like those of f 2 Cor. 8. 3. Macedonia to their power and beyond their power willing of themselves As for the poor people formerly living in these then-dissolved houses they may be presumed more religious than others that were richer poverty being a protection for their piety and they unable to go to the cost of luxurious extravagancies I finde not what provision was afterward made for these helplesse souls thrust out of house and home so that it is suspitious that the Cardinal notwithstanding his prodigious hospitality made moe beggars than ever he relieved 4. Others alledge
Isabell Sackvile Lady Prioresse of Clarkenwell is an eminent instance of longevity in this kinde For 1. In the one and twentieth of King Henry the seventh she was a * To be seen in the pedegree of the Barl of Dorset Weaver fun Mon. pag. 429. Nun in Clarkenwell-Priory when a Legacy was bequeathed her as Niece by William Sackvile Esquire and must be then conceived fifteen years of age 2. She was the last Prioresse of Clarkenwell at the dissolution thereof 3. She died in the twelfth of Queen Elizabeth as appears by her Epitaph in Clarkenwell-Church and by Computation must be allowed Eighty years of age But farre older was that Monk or Nun I am * Attested by 〈◊〉 Pymme's Kinsman to Godfrey Bp. of Gloucester See his printed Paper assured of the Story not the Sex to whom Living in or neer Hampshire Mr. John Pymme then an Officer in the Exchequer paid the last payment of his Pension about the fift year of King James SECTION VI. DOMINO THOMAE TREVOR Juniori Equiti Aurato MVlti sunt praeproperi Haeredes qui nimiâ parentum vivacitate cruciantur Hi languidâ expectatione macrescunt postquam Rura Paterna spe vanâ devoraverant At Tu è contra Venerandi Patris tui Canitiem si fieri posset immortalem reddere conaris cum eam perpetuo Obsequio humilime colas quo efficacius Kardiacum ad Senectutem ejus elongandam nequit confici Non in Patris sed â—undi senescentis Annos inquiris cum Historiâ plurimum delecteris cujus ope si Praeterita cum Praesentibus conferantur conjectura de Futuris statui potest quo nomine hoc opus nostrum tibi non ingratum fore confido Deus â—e Lectissimâmque Conjugem beat prole patrizante non tam privato commodo quà m Bono Publico ne Respulica tantarum virtutum Haeredi destituatur Of the Erection Officers Vse Continuance and Abolishing of the Court of Augmentation DUring the scuffling for Abbey-land Augmentation Court when erected in the 27 year of King Henry the eighth the Court of Augmentation was set up by Act of Parliament to be a Court of Record and to have an authentick Great Seal besides a Privie Seal and several Officers appointed for management thereof with large fees allowed unto them I finde the same exemplified in a fair Vellum Manuscript which lately was Archbishop Parkers since the Lord Cokes whence I transcribed as followeth Sir Rich Sackvile Chancellor three hundred pounds yearly Fee forty pounds Diet and six shillings eight pence for every Seale Sir Jo Williams Treasurer three hundred and twenty pounds Fee Sir Will Cavendish Treasurer of the King's Chamber one hundred pounds Fee one hundred pound Dyet and ten pounds Boat-hire Sir Thomas Moyle Sir Walter Mildmay Generall Receivers to each two hundred pounds Fee and twenty pounds Diet. Rich Goodrich Attorney one hundred pounds Fee and twenty marks Diet. Jo Gosnall Solicitor eighty pound Fee Diet twenty marks Besides Masters and Surveyors of the woods Clerks Keepers of Records Ushers Messengers Assistants Carpenter and Mason to the Court Auditors Receivers Surveyors Woodwards for every County the totall summe of their Fees yearly amounting unto Seven thousand two hundred forty nine pounds ten shillings and three pence This Catalogue by the persons mentioned therein seems taken towards the end of Edward the sixt when the Court began to decline 2. It belonged unto this Court to order The imployment of the Offiâ—eâ—s in this Court survey and govern sell let set all Manours lands tenements rents services tythes pensions portions advowsons patronages and all hereditaments formerly belonging to Priories and since their dissolution to the Crown as in the printed Statute * An. 17 HeÌ„ 8. cap. 27. more largely doth appear All persons holding any Leases Pensions Corodies c. by former grants from the Covents came into the Court produced their Deeds and upon examination of the validity thereof had the same allowed unto them And although providence for themselves and affection to their kindred prompted many Fryers and Covents foreseeing their rottering condition to antedate Leases to their friends just at the dissolution yet were they so frighted with fear of discovery that very few frauds in that kinde were committed The Court was very tender in continuing any Leases upon that least legall consideration 3. But after some continuance of this Court Motives for the dissolution of this Court the King 's urgent occasions could not stay for the slow coming in of money from the yearly Revenues of Abbey-land insomuch that He was necessitated to sell out-right a great part of those Lands for the present advance of Treasure and thereby quickly was the Court of Augmentation diminished The King therefore took into consideration to dissolve it as superfluous wherein the Officers were many their Pensions great Crown profits thereby small and Causes therein depending few so that it was not worth the while to keep up a Mill to grinde that grist where the Toll would not quit cost It was therefore resolved to stop up this by stream that all causes therein should run in the antient channell of the former Courts of Westminster 4. Indeed in the 7 of King Edw. 6. Finally dissolved in the first year of Queen Mary a doubt did arise amongst the Learned in the Laws whether the Court of Augmentation the Commencement whereof was first had by authority of Parliament would legally be dissolved extinguished and repealed by the King's Letters Patents And the Officers thereof wonder not if they stickled for their own concernments did zealously engage on the Negative Wherefore it was enacted by Parliament That the King during His naturall life had present power by His Letters Patents to alter unite annex reduce or dissolve any of those new erected Courts by His own Letters Patents And the same Act was confirmed in the first year of Queen Mary when the short-lived Court of Augmentation was dissolved as which from the birth thereof 1535 to the extinguishing 1553 survived but eighteen years The Lands of Chanteries free Chappels and Colledges dissolved KIng Henry the eighth his expences like sandy ground Prodigality alwaies wanteth suddenly suckt up the large shower of Abbey lands and little signe or shew was seen thereof yea such the parching thirst of his pressing occasions that still they called aloud for more moysture for whose satisfaction the Parliament in the 38 year of His Reign put the Lands of all Colledges Chanteries and free Chappels in His Majesties full disposition 2. This King made three meals King Henry's three meals on Abbey-lands or if you will one meal of three courses on Abbey-lands besides what Cardinal Wolsey the King's Taster herein had eat before-hand when assuming smaller Houses to endow his two Colledges 1. When Religious Houses under two hundred pounds a yeare â— Anno 1535 were granted to Him by the Parliament 2. When all greater Monasteries â— 1538 3. When Colledges Chanteries and Free
were some earnest determination against them and at length they were brought before the King Himself there being present all the whole Council And the King demanded of them why they had not made His Book according to His commandment and refused that to doe with sharp words and angry countenance and the said Sr. Edward opened unto His Highnesse the cause why they did it not and he and other had before declared and opened to the Councill that if the writings were made they were of no effect nor force but utterly void when the King should decease and the Statute of Succession not impaired nor hurted for these will not be taken away but by the same authority they were made and that was by Parliament To that said the King we minde to have a Parliament shortly not telling when which was the first time that the said Sr. Edward heard of any Parliament to be 〈◊〉 Whereunto he said if His pleasure were so all might be deferred to the Parliament and all dangers and perils saved Whereunto the King said he would have this done and after ratifie it by Parliament And after commanded them very sharply upon their allegiance to make it and there were divers of the Lords that stood behind the said Sr. Edward said and if they refused to do that they were traitours And the said Sr. Edward was in great fear as ever he was in all his life before seeing the King so earnest and sharpe and the said Duke so angry the day before who ruled the whole Councill as it pleased him and were all affraid of him the more is the pitty so that such cowardnesse and feare was there never seen amongst honourable men as it hath appeared The said Sr. Edward being an old weak man and without comfort began to consider with himself what was best to be done for the safeguard of his life which was like to chance in that fury and great anger presently And remembring that the making of the said writing was not presently treason by the Statute of Anno primo because this word Successour would take no place while the King was living and determined with himself not to meddle nor execute any thing concerning the same after the death of the King which he hath truly kept hereunto And also remembring that the Queens Highnesse that now is should come by Act of Succession as a purchaser by the law might not lawfully punish treason or contempt committed in the Kings life he said unto the King that he had served His most noble Father many yeers and also His Highnesse during His time Anno Dom. 1553 and loth he would be to disobey His commandment Anno Regin Mar. 1. for his own part he would obey it so that His Highnesse would grant to them His commandment license and commission under His great Seal for the doing making and executing of all things concerning the same and when the things were done that they might have a general pardon All which Commission and pardon was as much as the said Sr. Edward could invent to help this danger over and besides the things above remembred which Commission and pardon the King granted them saying it was but reason that they should have them both and the Commission is passed the Great Seal and the Pardon was signed and as far as he knew sealed All the said matters considered the said Sr. Edward said for his part he would obey the Kings commandment and so did M. Bromley say the same and the King said to Sr. John Baker what say you you said never a word today who as I take it agreed to the same Mr. Gosnold required a respite for he was not yet perswaded to do the thing required How the said Duke and the Earl of Shrewsburie handled him he can tell best himself And after upon the said Sr. Edwards motion the King gave him licence to be advised untill upon the morrow who of himself being in great fear was content to obey the Kings commandment and so the doers and makers of the said Book with sorrowfull hearts and with weeping eyes in great fear and dread devised the said Book according to such Articles as were signed with the Kings proper hand above and beneath and on every side And their said Commission with Articles so signed with the Kings hand and the Book drawn in paper were conveyed from the Court to the Lord Chancelors to be ingrossed in parchment and to passe the great Seal which was done accordingly And on the morrow next after the last Terme ended the said Sr. Edward and all the Judges were sent for he puts his hand to the Book in parchment sealed with the Great Seal and so did many others The said Book of Articles so signed remaineth with the Lord Chancellour Bishop of Eely but who conveyed the said Paper Book into the Chancery or who wrot them or who set their hands to the same Book the said Sr. Edward till he see them he cannot tell but he will not denie but he was privie to the making of them as he hath before said and that he came to the knowledge of the matter by the Articles unsigned and by the Articles signed with the Kings hand and both delivered unto him by the Kings own hands Who put the King in minde to make the said Articles or whowrote them or any of them or by whose procurement or counsell they were made or by what means he and others were called unto this matter he knoweth not but he thinks in his conscience the King never invented this matter of Himself out by some wonderfull false compasse he prayeth God the truth may be known as he doubts not it will be And further he and all his company as well before the King as before the Lords at all times said that their writings before they were made and after they were made were of no value force nor effect to any intent constitution or purpose after the Kings death and there is no remedy to help this but by Parliament And that after the said Thursday being the morrow after the Terme last past that he by any writing printing overt deed or act never did any thing sithence the same day in the Kings life ne sithence the death of the King for he determined with himself to be no executour of the said devise whatsoever should chance of it nor ever medled with the Councill in any thing nor came amongst them untill the Queens Grace that now is was proclaimed Queen in London nor never executed Commission Proclamation or other commandment from the Ladie Jane nor Her Councill but commanded my son to serve the Queens Grace that now is and to go to Sr. Thomas Tresham and Buckingham-shire-men that went to her Grace to defend Her which he so did to my no little cost The case thus stated these notes follow written with the same hand Now that it is to be considered the great fear the said Sr. Edward was
Queens officers as they had just cause more strick in searching as her Judges more severe in punishing the Papists Hereupon the Seculars complained that such proceedings against them tearmed persecution by them and justice by our State was caused by the Jesuits and that Parsons especially though he had kindled the fire left others to bear the heat thereof Yea which was more he was not himself contented to sleep in a whole skinn at Rome but lashed others of his own Religion and having got his neck out of the collar accused others for not drawing weight enough taxing the Seculars as dull and remiss in the cause of Religion and to speak plainly they differed as hot and cold poison the Jesuits more active and pragmatical the Seculars more slow and heavie but both maintaining treacherous principles destructive to the common-Wealth 31. If we look now on the Non-Conformists A general calm we shall finde them all still and quiet After a storm comes a calm wearied with a former blustering they began now to repose themselves in a sad silence especially since the executions of Vdal and Penry had so terrified them that though they might have secret designes we meet not their open and publick motions so that this Century affordeth little more then the mortalities of some eminent men 32. We begin with Richard Fletcher Bishop of London The death of Bp Fletcher and Bishop Coldwell bred in Bennet Colledge in Cambridg one of a comly person and goodly presence qualities not to be cast away in a Bishop though a Bishop not to be chosen for them he lov'd to ride the great horse and had much skill in managing thereof condemned for very proud such his natural stately garb by such as knew him not and commended for humility by those acquainted with him he lost the Queens favour because of his second unhappy match and died suddainly more of grief then any other disease with him let me couple another heart-broken Bishop John Coldwell of Salisbury D r of Physick S t Luke we know was both an Evangelist and Physician who never enjoyed himself after he had consented though little better then surprised thereunto to the alienation of Sherborn Manor from the Bishoprick 33. Here I am at a loss for the date of the death of Laurence Humphry The death of Laurence Humfry but confident I hit the but though miss the mark as about this time He was a consciencious and moderate Non-conformist condemned for luke-warm by such as were scalding-hot Dean of Winchester and Master of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford to which he bequeathed a considerable Summ of Gold left in a chest not to be opened except some great necessity urged thereunto But lately whilst D r John Wilkinson was President of the Colledge this Gold was shar'd between him and the fellows And though one must charitably beleeve the matter not so bad as it is reported yet the most favourable relation thereof gave a general distast 34. Sure I am A great Antiquaries good intention discouraged a great Antiquarie lately deceased rich as well in his state as learning at the hearing hereof quitted all his intentions of benefaction to Oxford or any place else on suspition it would be diverted to other uses On the same token that he merrily said I think the bestway for a man to perpetuate his memory is to procure the Pope to Canâ—nize him for a Saint for then he shall be sure to be remembred in their Calender Whereas otherwise I see all Protestant charity subject to the covetousness of posterity to devour it and bury the donor thereof in oblivion 35. M r Baltazer Zanches a Spaniard The charity of a Spanish Protestant born in Sherez in Estremadura founded an alms-house at Totnam high-cross in Middlesex for eight single people allowing them competent maintenance Now seeing Protestant Founders are rare Spanish Protestants rarer Spanish Protestant Founders in England rarest I could not pass this over with silence nor must we forget that he was the first confectioner or comfit-maker in England bringing that mystery to London and as I am informed the exactness thereof continues still in his family in which respect they have successively been the Queens and Kings confectioners 36. A Parliament held at Westminster The acts in the Parliament 1597. 40. wherein the deprivation of Popish Bishops in the first of this Queens Reign was declared legall Some will wonder what need is of this Statute at so many years distance but the Preface intimates the necessity thereof The Legality also of our Bishops and their Officers were again by act of Parliament confirmed And whereas there was a pretended concealment of some lands of the Bishoprick of Norwich the same by act of Parliament were setled on that See and the Exchange of Lands ratified made in the Reign of King Henry the Eight The contemporary convocation did nothing of moment 37. Thomas Stapleton this year ended his life The death of Tho. Stapleton 1598. 41. and was buried at S t Peters Church in Lovain it is written in his Epitaph qui Cicestriae in Anglià nobili loco natus where Cicestriae is taken not for the City but Diocess of Chicester having otherwise good assurance that he was born at Hemfield in Sussex the same year and moneth wherein * See Pitzaeus in his life S r Thomas Moore was beheaded observed by the Catholicks as a grand providence he was a most learned assertor of the Romish Religion wanting nothing but a true cause to defend On one account I am beholding unto him viz. for disswading * Idemibidem Pitzaeus from being a Souldier to be a Scholler whose History of our English writers hath so often been usefull unto me 38. Richard Cosine D r of the Law and Dean of Archeys this year ended his life The death of Dr Cosine One of the greatest Civilians which our Age or Nation hath produced a most moderate man in his own nature but most earnest assertor of the Ecclesiastical discipline as by his printed works doth appear 39. Robert Turner his death was now much bemoaned by the Papists The death of Rob. Turner 1599. 42. he was born at Barstable in Devon bred for a while in Oxford whence flying beyond the Seas he became Canon of Breslaw in Silesia and at the same time Privie Councellor to the Duke of Bavaria falling afterward into his displeasure probably because more pragmatical then became a forrainer however Ferdinand of Gratz afterwards Emperor took him from the Duke to be his own Secretary for the Latine tongue wherein he excelled as by his printed Orations doth appear he lieth buried at Gratz under a handsom Monument 40. Great was the grief of Protestants for the decease of Richard Hooker Anno Regin Eliza. 42. Anno Dom. 1599. The death of Rich. Hooker Turners Country-man as born also in Devon-shire and bred in Corpus-Christi
in a servants armes and set on his lap on an hillock all means affordable at that instant being used for his recovery Aug. 24. died on the place on the twenty fourth of August and is buried in the Chancell of Haunes Reverend Doctor Bulkley preaching his funerall Sermon after he had faithfully fed his flock therein for fifteen years 17. He was a constant Student Whence we derive our intelligence much troubled before his death with obstructions both of the liver and gall and is supposed by Physicians to have died of the later about the fiftieth one year of his age And now no doubt he is in the number of those * Revel 14. 4. Virgins who were not defiled with women and follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth Who alwaies led a single life as preferring a bed unfilled before a bed undefiled This my intelligence I have received by Letter from my worthy friend lately gone to God Master William Buckly Bachelour of Divinity and once Fellow of Queens Colledge in Cambridge who living hard by Haunes at Clyfton at my request diligently inquired and returned this his character from aged credible persons familiar with Master Brightman 18. This year silently slipt away in peace 1608. plenty and prosperity being ended before effectually begun as to any memorable Church-matter therein Indeed all the Reigne of King JAMES was better for one to live under than to write of consisting of a Champian of constant tranquility without any tumours of trouble to entertain posterity with 19. In the Parliament now sitting at Westminster in whose parallel Convocation nothing of consequence the most remarkable thing Enacted was An Act for Chelsey-Colledge 1609. the Act made to enable the Provosts and Fellowes of Chelsey-Colledge to dig a trench out of the river Lee to erect Engines water-works c. to convey and carry water in close-pipes under ground unto the City of London and the Suburbs thereof for the perpetuall maintenance and sustentation of the Provost and Fellows of that Colledge and their successours by the rent to be made of the said waters so conveyed Where first lighting on the mention of this Colledge we will consider it in a fourfold capacity 1. As intended and designed 2. As growing and advanced 3. As hindred Ann. Reg. Jac. 7 Ann. Dom. 1609. and obstructed 4. As decaying and almost at the present ruined I shall crave the Reader pardon if herein I make excursions into many years but without discomposing of our Chronologie on the margin because it is my desire though the Colledge be left imperfect to finish and complete my description thereof so farre as my best intelligence will extend being herein beholding to Doctor Samuel Wilkinson the fourth and present Provost of that Colledge courteously communicating unto me the considerable Records thereof 20. It was intended for a Spirituall Garrison The glory of the designe with a Magazine of all Books for that purpose where learned Divines should study and write in maintenance of all Controversies against the Papists Indeed the Romanists herein may rise up and condemn those of the Protestant Confession For as a 2 Chron. 8. 9. Solomon used not his military men for any servile work in building the Temple whereof the Text assigneth this reason For they were men of warre so the Romish Church doth not burden their Professours with preaching or any parochiall incumbrances but reserves them onely for Polemical studies Whereas in England the same man reads preacheth catechizeth disputes delivers Sacraments c. So that were it not for Gods marvellous blessing on our studies and the infinite odds of truth on our side it were impossible in humane probability that we should hold up the bucklers against them Besides the study of Divinity at the least two able Historians were to be maintained in this Colledge faithfully and learnedly to record and publish to posterity all memorable passages in Church and Common-wealth 21. In pursuance of this designe K. James His Mortmain and personal benefaction His Majesty incorporated the said foundation by the name of King JAMES his Colledge in Chelsey and bestowed on the same by his Letters Patents the reversion of good land in Chelsey then in possession of Charles Earl of Nottingham the Lease thereof not expiring till about thirty years hence and also gave it a capacity to receive of His loving Subjects any lands not exceeding in the whole the yearly value of three thousand pounds 22. Next King JAMES Dr. Sutcliffe his bounty let me place Doctor Matthew Sutcliffe Dean of Exeter who though no Prince by birth seems little lesse by his bounty to this Colledge As Araunah but a private Subject gave things b 2 Sam. 24. 23. as a King to Gods service such the royall liberality of this Doctor bestowing on this Colledge The Farms of 1. Kingstone 2. Hazzard 3. Appleton 4. Kramerland in the Parish of 1. Staverton 2. Harberton 3. Churchton 4. Stoke-rivers All in the County of Devoâ— and put together richly worth three hundred pounds per annum Besides these by his Will dated November 1. 1628. he bequeathed unto Doctor John Prideaux and Doctor Clifford as Feoffees in trust to settle the same on the Colledge the benefit of the Extent on a Statute of four thousand pounds acknowledged by Sir Lewis Steuklie c. A bountifull benefaction and the greater because the said Doctour had a Daughter and she Children of her own And although this endowment would scarce make the Pot c 2 Kings 4. 38 39. of pottage seethe for the sons of the Prophets yet what feasts would it have made in his private family if continued therein Seeing therefore so publick a minde in so private a man the more the pity that this good Doctour was deserted Uriah d 2 Saâ— 11. 15. like ingaged in the forefront to fight alone against an army of difficulties which he encountred in this designe whilest such men basely retired from him which should have seasonably succoured and seconded him in this action 23. The fabrick of this Colledge was begun on a piece of ground called Thameshot The Structure containing about six acres and then in possession of Charles Earl of Nottingham who granted a Lease of his terme therein to the said Provost at the yearly rent of seven pounds ten shillings King JAMES laid the first stone thereof and gave all the timber requisite thereunto which was to be fetch'd out of Windsor-Forrest And yet that long range of building which alone is extant scarce finished at this day thus made though not of free-stone of free-timber as I am informed cost oh the dearnesse of Church and Colledge-work full three thousand pound But alas what is this piece not an eighth part to a double quadrant besides wings on each side which was intended If the aged fathers which remembred the magnificence of Solomon's wept at the meannesse of the e Ezra 3. 12.
Church than themselves and haply might acquire priviledges prejudicial to their Episcopall Jurisdiction 6. The jealousie of the Universities beholding this designe with suspitious eyes as which in processe of time might prove detrimentall unto them Two breasts Cambridge and Oxford being counted sufficient for England to suckle all her children with 7. The suspition of some Patriots and Commoners in Parliament such as carried the keyes of Countrey-mens coffers under their girdles may I safely report what I have heard from no mean mouthes that this Colledge would be too much Courtier and that the Divinity but especially the History thereof would 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 propend too much in favour of King JAMES and report all things to the disadvantage of the Subject Wherefore though the said Patriots in Parliament countenanced the act as counting it no policy publickly to crosse the project of King JAMES especially as it was made popular with so pious a plausibility yet when returned home by their suspitious Items and private instructions they beat off and retarded peoples charities thereunto The same conceived this foundation superfluous to keep men to confute Popish opinions by writings whilest the maintainers of them were every where connived at and countenanced and the penall Laws not put in any effectuall execution against them 8. It s being begun in a bad time when the world swarmed with proleing Projectours and necessitous Courtiers contriving all waies to get moneys We know that even honest persons if strangers and casually coming along with the company of those who are bad contract a suspition of guilt in the opinions of those to whom they are unknown And it was the unhappinesse of this innocent yea usefull good designe that it appeared in a time when so many Monopolies were on foot 9. Some great Church men who were the more backward because Doctor Sutcliffe was so forward therein Such as had not freeness enough to go before him had frowardness too much to come after him in so good a designe The rather because they distasted his person and opinions Doctor Sutcliffe being a known rigid Anti-Remonstrant and when old very morose and teastie in his writings against them An infirmity which all ingenuous people will pardon in him that hope and desire to attain to old age themselves Thus have I opened my wares with sundry sorts of commodities therein assigning those Reasons which I have either read or heard from prime men of severall interests and am confident that in the variety yea contrariety of judgments now adaies even those very Reasons which are cast away by some as weak and frivolous will be taken up yea preferred by others as most satisfactory and substantiall 27. At this present it hath but little of the case The presen◠sad condition of it and nothing of the jewell for which it was intended Almost rotten before ripe and ruinous before it was finished It stands bleak like a Lodge in a garden of cucumbers having plenty of pleasant water the Thames neer it and store of wholesome aire about it but very little of the necessary element of earth belonging unto it Yea since I am informed that seeing the Colledge taketh not effect according to the desire and intent of the first Founders it hath been decreed in Chancerie by the joynt consent of Doctor Daniel Featly the third Provost of this Colledge and Doctor John Prideaux the surviving Feoffee intrusted in Dr. Sutcliffe's Will that the foresaid Farms of Kingstone Hazzard and Appleton should return again to the possession of Mr. Halce as the Heir-generall to the said Dr. Sutcliffe On what consideration let others enquire it is enough to perswade me it was done in equity because done by the Lord Coventrie in the high Court of Chancerie So that now onely the Farm of Kramerland in Devonshire of Sutcliffe's donation remains to this Colledge All I will adde is this As this Colledge was intended for Controversies so now there is a controversie about the Colledge costly suits being lately commenced betwixt William Lord Mounston who married the Widow of the aforesaid Earl of Nottingham and the present Provost thereof about the title of the very ground whereon it is situated 28. Three Bishops The death of Bishop Overton Heton Ravis all Oxford-men ended their lives this year First William Overton about the beginning of April bred in Magdalene Colledge one sufficiently severe to suppresse such whom he suspected of Non-conformity The second Martin Heton first Dean of Winchester and then Bishop of Elie. I say of Elie which See had stood empty almost twenty years in the Reigne of Queen ELIZABETH after the death of Bishop Cox So long the lantern of that Church so g Camdeus Brit Cambridge-shire artificial for the workmanship thereof wanted a light to shine therein Some suspected this place so long empty would never be filled again seeing no Bishoprick so large in revenues was so little in jurisdiction not having the small County of Cambridge b Part is of the Diocesse of Norwich wholly belonging unto it Some cunning Courtiers observing this breach in Elie-Minster as fiercely assaulted it with hope to get gain to themselves During the vacancie it was offered to many Church-men or chapmen shall I say but either their consciences or coffers would not come up to the conditions thereof Amongst others Mr. Parker brought up in Peter-House in Cambridge and Arch-Deacon of Elie saith my i A Manuscript of the Bishops of Elie lent me by Mr. Wright Authour iniquis conditionibus Episcopatum oblatum respuit tantam opum usuram nisi salvâ Ecclesiâ negligens At last but with the revenues much altered and empaired it was conferred on Doctor Heton who after ten years possession thereof died July 14. and seems the more obscure because of the lustre and learning of Doctor Lancelot Andrewes who immediately succeeded him The third Bishop deceasing this year December 14 was Thomas Ravis sometime Dean of Christ-Church and successively Bishop of Glocester and London born at Malden in Surrey of worthy parentage Claris parentibus saith the Epitaph on his tomb in St. Pauls who left the memory of a grave and good man behinde him Nor must it be forgotten that as he first had his learning in Westminster-School so he alwaies continued both by his counsell and countenance a most especiall incourager of the studies of all deserving Scholars belonging to that Foundation 29. As Archb◠Nich Fuller ingages for his Clients Bancroft was driving on conformity very fiercely throughout all his Province He met with an unexpected rub which notwithstanding he quickly removed for about this time Nich Fuller a Bencher of Greyes-Inne eminent in his profession Ann. Dom. 1610. Ann. Reg. Jac. 8 pleaded so boldly for the enlargement of his Clients that he procured his own confinement the Case thus Tho Lad a Merchant of Yarmouth in Norfolke was imprisoned a long time by the High Commission and could not be
c pag. 6â— better so also longer than King Solomon 8. Left the world most resolved most prepared embracing his Grave for his Bed 9. Reigning gloriously with God in Heaven 10. Whilest his body was interred with all possible solemnitie in King Henry the seventh his Chappell Be it here remembred that in this Parallel the Bishop premised to set forth Solomon not in his full proportion faults and all but half-faced imagine lusca as Apelles painted Antigonus to conceal the want of his eye adding that Solomons vices could be no blemish to King James who resembled him onely in his choicest vertues He concluded all with that verse Ecclesiasticus 30. 4. Though his Father die yet he is as though he were not dead for he hath left one behinde him that is like himself in application to his present Majestie 4. Some Auditors Exceptions taken at his Sermon who came thither rather to observe than edifie cavill than observe found or made faults in the Sermon censuring him for touching too often and staying too long on an harsh string three times straining the same making eloquence too essentiall and so absolutely necessary in a King that the want thereof made Moses in a manner f pag. 16. refuse all Government though offered by God that no g pag. 5. man ever got great power without eloquence Nere being the first of the Caesars qui alienae facundiae eguit who usurp'd another mans language to speake for him Expressions which might be forborn in the presence of his Sonne and Successor whose impediment in speech was known to be great and mistook to be greater Some conceived him too long in praising the passed too short in promising for the present King though saying much of him in a little and the Bishops Adversaries whereof then no want at Court some took distaste others made advantage thereof Thus is it easier and better for us to please one God than many men with our Sermons However the Sermon was publiquely set forth by the Printer but not the express command of his Majestie which gave but the steddier Mark to his enemies noting the marginall notes thereof and making all his Sermon the text of their captious interpretations 5. Now began animosities to discover themselves in the Court Discontents begin in the Court. whose sad influences operated many years after many being discontented that on this change they received not proportionable advancement to their expectations Anno Regis Car. 1. 1 Anno Dom. 1625 It is the prerogative of the King of Heaven alone that he maketh all his Sonnes Heires all his Subjects Favourites the gain of one being no losse to the other Whereas the happiest Kings on Earth are unhappy herein that unable to gratifie all their Servants having many Suitors for the same place by conferring a favour on one they disoblige all other competitors conceiving themselves as they make the estimate of their own deserts as much if not more meriting the same preferment 6. As for Doctor Preston he still continued Dr Preston a great favourite and increased in the favor of the King and Duke it being much observed that on the day of King James his death he h Sâ—e his Life pag. 503. rode with Prince and Duke in a Coach shut down from Theobalds to London applying comfort now to one now to the other on so sad an occasion His partie would perswade us that he might have chose his own mitre much commending the moderation of his mortified minde denying all preferment which courted his acceptance verifying the Anagram which a i Mr Ayâ—â— of Lincolns Inn. friend of his made on his name Johannes Prestonius Enstas pius in honore Indeed he was conceived to hold the Helme of his own partie able to steere it to what point he pleased which made the Duke as yet much to desire his favor 7. A booke came forth called Appello Caesarem made by M. Mountague He formerly had been Fellow of Kings Colledge in Cambridge Mr. Mountague his character at the present a Parson of Essex and Fellow of Eaton One much skilled in the Fathers and Ecclesiasticall Antiquity and in the Latin and Greek Tongues Our great k Mr. Selden in his book De Diâ—s Syris pag. 361. Antiquarie confesseth as much Graecè simul Latinè doctus though pens were brandished betwixt them and vertues allowed by ones adversarie may passe for undeniable truths These his great parts were attended with tartnesse of writing very sharp the neb of his pen and much gall in his inke against such as opposed him However such the equability of the sharpnesse of his style he was unpartiall therein be he antient or modern writer Papist or Protestant that stood in his way they should all equally taste thereof 8. Passe we from the Author to his Book Settâ—th forth his Appellâ— Caesaâ—em whereof this was the occasion He had lately writen satyrically enough against the Papists in consutation of The Gagger of Protestants Now two Divines of Norwich Dioces M r. Yates and M r. Ward informed against him for dangerous errours of Arminianisme and Poperie deserting our cause in stead of defending it M. Mountague in his own vindication writes a second Book licensed by Francis White Dean of Carlile finished and partly printed in the reign of James to whom the Author intended the dedication But on King James his death it seems it descended by succession on King Charles his Sonne to whom M r. Mountague applyed the words which Ockam once used to Lewes of Bavier Emperour of Germanie Domine Imperator defende me gladio ego te defendam calamo Lord Emperour defend me with thy Sword and I will defend thee with my Pen. Many bitter passages in this his Book gave great exception whereof largely hereafter 9. On Sunday being the twelfth of June Queen Mary her first arrival at Dover about seven of the clock at night June 12. Queen Marie landed at Dover at what time a piece of Ordinance being discharged from the Castle flew in fitters yet did no bodie any harm Moe were fearfull at the presage than thankfull for the providence Next day the King coming from Canterburie met her at Dover whence with all solemnitie she was conducted to Sommerset-House in London where a Chappell was new prepared for her devotion with a Covent adjoyning of Capuchin-Friers according to the Articles of her Marriage 10. A Parliament began at London The King rescueth Mr. Mountague from the House of Commons wherein the first Statute agreed upon was for the more strict observation of the Lords-day Which day as it first honoured the King His Reign beginning thereon so the King first honoured it by passing an Act for the greater solemnitie thereof Anno Regin Caroli 1 The House of Commons fell very heavie on M r. Mountague for many bitter passages in his Book who in all probability had now been severely censured but that
23 and on his knees before both Houses submitted himself as followeth with outward expression of sorrow I doe here in all sorrow of heart and true repentance acknowledge those many errors and indiscretions which I have committed in preaching and publishing the two Sermons of mine which I called Religion and Allegiance and my great fault in falling upon this theam again and handling the same rashly scandalously and unadvisedly in my own Parish-Church in St. Giles in the fields the fourth of May last past I humbly acknowledg these three Sermons to have been full of dangerous passages and inferences and scandalous aspersions in most part of the same And I doe humbly acknowledge the just proceedings of this Honourable House against me and the just sentence and judgment pass'd upon me for my great offence And I doe from the bottom of my heart crave pardon of God the King and this Honourable House and the Commonweal in general and those worthy persons adjudged to be reflected upon by me in particular for those great offences and errors How this Doctor Roger Manwaring notwithstanding the foresaid censure was afterwards preferred first to the Deanarie of Worcester next to the Bishoprick of St. Davids God willing in due place thereof 64. On Thursday the 26 th of this moneth June 16. The Acts of this Parliament ended the Session of Parliament wherein little relating to Religion was concluded save onely that diverse abuses on the Lords-day were restained All Cariers Carters Waggoners Wain-men Drovers of Cattell forbidden to travell thereâ—n on the forfeit of twenty shillings for every offence Likewise Butchers to lose six shillings and eight pence for killing or selling any victuals on that day A Law was also made That whosoever goeth himself or sendeth others beyond the Seas to be trained up in Poperie c. shall be disabled to sue c. and shall lose all his Goods and shall forfeit all his Lands c. for life Five entire Subsidies were granted to the King by the Spirituality and the said Grant confirm'd by the Act of this Parliament which now was first prorogued to the twentieth of October following and then on some intervening obstructions put off to the twentieth of January when it began again 65. As for the Convocation Nothing done in thâ— Convocation concurent in time with this Parliament nothing considerable was acted therein Dr. Thomas Winniff Dean of Glocester preach'd the Latin Sermon his text Acts 20. 28. Attendite ad vos ipsos totum gregem c. Dr. Curle was chosen Prolocutor and a low voice would serve the turn where nothing was to be spoken 66. On the twentieth of July following Dr. Preston dyed in his native Country of Northamptonshire July 20 Tho death of Dr. Preston neer the place of his birth of a consumption and was buried at Fawsley Mr. Dod preaching his funeral Sermon An excellent Preacher of whom Mr. Noy was wont to say that he preached as if he knew Gods Will a subtile Disputant and great Politician so that his Foes must confess that if not having too little of the Dove he had enough of the Serpent Some will not stick to say he had large parts of sufficient receipt to manage the Broad Seale it self which if the condition had pleased him was proffered unto him For he might have been the Dukes right hand though at last less than his little finger unto him Who despairing that this Patriarch of the Presbyterian Party would bring off his side unto him used him no longer who would not or could not be usefull unto him Most of this Doctor 's posthume-books have been happie in their education I mean in being well brought forth into the World though all of them have not lighted on so good guardians But his life is so largely and learnedly written by one of his own * Mr. The. Balle of Northampton Pupils that nothing can be added unto it 67. About this time George Carleton The death of Bishop Carleton that grave and godly Bishop of Chichester ended his pious life He was born at b Camden Brit in Northumberland Norham in Northumberland where his Father was the Keeper of that important Castle in the Marches an imployment speaking him wise and valiant in those dangerous and warlike dayes He was bred and brought up under Mr. Bernard Gilpin that Apostolical man whose Life he wrote in gratitude to his memorie and retained his youthfull and Poeticall studies fresh in his old age He was selected by King James one of the five Divines sent over to the Synod of Dort He wrote many small Tracts one against Sir John Heydon about judicial Astrology which conjoyned would amount to a great volume Mr. Richard Mountague one of a different judgement succeeded in his See who at first met with some small opposition on the following occasion 68. There is a solemnity performed before the consecration of every Bishop Aug. 22. Mr. Mountagues Confirmation opposed in this manner The Royall assent being passed on his election the Archbishops Vicar-general proceeds to his Confirmation commonly kept in Bâ—w Church A Process is issued forth to call all persons to appear to shew cause why the Elect there present should not be confirmed For seeing a Bishop is in a maner married to his See save that hereafter he taketh his surname from his Wife and not she from him this ceremony is a kinde of asking the Banes to see if any can alledge any lawfull cause to forbid them Now at the confirmation of Mr. Mountague when liberty was given to any objectors against him one Mr. Humphreys since a Parliament Colonel lately deceased and William Jones a Stationer of London who alone is mentioned in the Record excepted against Mr. Mountague as unfitting for the Episcopal office chiefly on this account because lately censured by Parliament for his book and rendered uncapable of all preferment in the Church 69. But exception was taken at Jones his exceptions which the Record calls praetensos articulos as defective in some legal formalities But the opposition ineffectual I have been informed it was alledged against him for bringing in his objections vivâ voce and not by a Proctor that Court adjudging all private persons effectually dumbe who speak not by one admitted to plead therein Jones returned that he could not get any Proctor though pressing them importunately and proffering them their fee to present his exceptions and therefore was necessitated ore tenus there to alledge them against Mr. Mountague The Register c Registâ—um Cantuar. fol. 140. in anno 1628. mentioneth no particular defects in his exceptions but Dr. Rives Substitute at that time for the Vicar-general declined to take any notice of them and concludeth Jones amongst the contumacious quòd nullo modo legitimè comparuit nec aliquid in hac parte juxta juris exigentiam diceret exciperet vel opponeret Yet this good Jones did
King got the smiles of those who were most in number but the frowns of such who were greatest in power 3. Many were offended that at the Kings Coronation some six yeares agoe and a Parliament following thereon an act of ratification was passed concerning the Church her liberties and priviledges which some complained of was done without Plurality of Suffrages 4. Some Persons of honor desiring higher Titles m 〈…〉 were offended that they were denyed unto them whilst his Majesty conferred them on others There want not those also who confidently suggest it to Posterity that Pensions constantly payed out of the English Exchequer in the Reign of King James to some principall pastors in the Scottish Church were since detained So also the bounty of boons was now restrained in the Reign of King Charles which could not fall so freely as in the dayes of his father the Cloud being almost drained adding moreover that the want of watering of Scotland with such showers made them to chap into such Clefts and Chinks of Parties and Faâ—ions disaffected to the Kings proceedings 101. To increase these distempers some complain how justly The Book bears the blame of all their own Countrey-men best know of the pride and pragmaticainess of the Scotch Bishops who being but Probationers on their good behaviour as but reintroduced by King James offended the ancient Nobility with their medleing in State matters And I finde two principally accused on this account Doctor Forbes Bishop of the new Bishoprick of Edenburg and Doctor Welderburne Bishop of Dumblane Thus was the Scotch Nation full of discontents when this Book being brought unto them bare the blame of their breaking forth into more dangerous designs as when the Cup is brim full before the last though least superadded drop is charged alone to be the cause of all the running over 102. Besides the Church of Scotland claimed not only to be Independent The Scotch Church standeth on the termes of its own independency free as any Church in Christendome a Sister not Daughter of England but also had so high an opinion of its own puritie that it participated more of Moses his platform in the Mount than other Protestant Churches being a reformed reformation So that the practice thereof might be directory to others and she fit to give not take write not receive copies from any Neighbouring Church destring that all others were like unto them save only in their afflictions 103. So much for the complained of burden of the book Arch-Bishop Land accused as principall Composer of the Book as also for the sore back of that Nation gauled with the aforesaid grievances when this Liturgy was sent unto them and now we must not forget the hatred they bare to the hand which they accused for laying it upon them Generally they excused the King in their writings as innocent therein but charged Archbishop Laud as the principall and Doctor n Bayly ut pri pag. 102. Cosins for the instrumentall compiler thereof which may appear by what we read in a Writer o Idem pag 95. 96. of that Nation afterwards imployed into England about the advancing of the Covenant betwixt both Nations and other Church affaires This unhappy Book was his Gracet invention if he should deny it his own deeds would convince him The manifold letters which in this Pestiferous affaire have passed betwixt him and our Prelates are yet extant Anno Dom. 1637 If we might be heard Anno Regis Caroli 13 we would spread out sundry of them before the Convocation-House of England making it clear as the light that in all this designe his hand had ever been the prime stickler so that upon his back mainly nill he will he would be laid the charge of all the fruits good or evill which from that Tree are like to fall on the Kings Countries Surely if any such evidence was extant we shall hear of it hereafter at his arraignment produced and urged by the Scotch-Commissioners 10. But leaving the Roots to lye under the Earth The tumult at Edenborough at the first reading the book let us look on the Branches spreading themselves above ground July 23. Sunday and passing from the secret Author of this Book behold the evident effects thereof No sooner had the Dean of Edenborough began to read the Book in the Church of St. Gyles in the presence of the Privy-Councell both the Archbishops divers Bishops and Magistrates of the City but presently such a Tumult was raised that through clapping of hands cursing and crying one could neither hear nor be heard The Bishop of Edenborough indeavoured in vain to appease the Tumult whom a Stool aimed to be thrown at him had killed p The Kings laâ—ge declaration pag. 23. if not diverted by one present so that the same Book had occasioned his Death and prescribed the form of his buriall and this Hubbub was hardly suppressed by the Lord Provost and Bayliffs of Edenborough 105. This first Tumult was caused by such More considerable persons engaged in the cause whom I finde called the Skum of the City considerable for nothing but their number But few dayes after the cream of the Nation some of the highest and best quality therein ingaged in the same cause crying out God defend all those who will defend Gods cause and God confound q The Kings large declaration pag. 37. the Service-Book and all the maintainers of it 106. The Lords of the Councell interposed their power Octob. 17. and to appease all parties issued out a Proclamation to remove the Session much like to our Term in London to Lithgou The occasion of the Scotch covenant This abated their anger as fire is quenched with Oile seeing the best part of the Edenburgers livelyhood depends on the Session kept in their City yea so highly were the People enraged against Bishops as the procurers of all these Troubles that the Bishop of Galloway passing peaceably along the street towards the Councellâ—House was way-layed r Kings large declaration pag. 35. in his coming thither if by divine Providence and by Frances Stewart Sonne to the late Earl of Bothwell he had not with much adoe been got within the dores of the Councell-House Indeed there is no fence but flight nor counsell but concealement to secure any single parâ—y against an offended multitude 107. These troublesome beginnings afterwards did occasion the solemn League and Covenant The Authors excuse why not proceeding in this subject whereby the greatest part of the Nation united themselves to defend their Priviledges and which laid the foundation of a long and wofull War in both Kingdomes And here I crave the Readers pardon to break off and leave the prosecution of this sad subject to Pens more able to undertake it For first I know none will pity me if I needlesly prick my fingers with meddling with a Thistle which belongs not unto me Secondly I
Recantation tendered unto him which he refused to subscribe though professing his sincere sorrow and penitencie in his Petitions and Letters to the Bishop for any oversights and unbeseeming expressions in his Sermon Hereupon he was sent back to the new Prison where he died If he was miserably abused therein by the Keepers as some have reported to the shortning of his life He that maketh inquisition for blood either hath or will be a revenger thereof Benjamin Lany Vicecan 1632-33 Iohn Lothian Dan Chaundeler Proct. 9. George Saunders Major Richard Love Vicecan 1633-34 Henry Molle Luke Skippon Proct. 10. Robert Twelves Major 27. Now began the University to be much beautified in buildings Organserected in Chappels every Colledge either casting its skin with the Snake or renewing its bill with the Eagle having their Courts or at leastwise their fronts and Gate-houses repaired and adorned But the greatest alteration was in their Chappels most of them being graced with the accession of Organs And seeing Musick is one of the Liberal Arts how could it be quarelled at in an University if they sang with understanding both of the matter and manner thereof Yet some took great distant thereat as attendancie to superstition At this time I discontinued my living in the University and therefore crave leave here to break off my History finding it difficult to attain to certain intelligence However because I meet with much printed matter about the visitation of Cambridge in these trouble some times though after some years intervall I shall for a conclusion adventure to give posterity an unpartiall relation thereof 28. Richard Holdesworth being Vice-Chancellour 1641-42 The Masters and Fellows of all Colledges send their plate or money in lieu thereof to the King to Yorke Aug. ult many wishing that every ounce thereof were a pound for His sake Colledge-plate sent to the King conceiving it unfitting that they should have superfluities to spare whilest their Soveraigne wanted necessaries to spend 29. This was beheld by the Parliament as an Act unjust in it self The act aggravated and dangerous in the consequence thereof for the present Masters and Fellowes were onely Fiduciaries not Proprietaries of the Plate to keep and use it not to dispose thereof Was not this obliterating the Records of Gentlemens bounty who had conferred those costly Utensils on the Colledges Besides this was interpreted a somenting of the Civil War thereby encouraging and enabling the King against His Subjects 30. In vain did the Heads plead for themselves And excused that they affrighted at the plundering of the House of the Countesse of Rivers at Long-Melford the first-fruits of Rapine in our Age did suspect the like violence Plunderers have long Armes and can quickly reach out of Suffolke into Cambridge shire For prevention whereof they thought good to secure some of their Plate in a safe hand and could not finde a fitter than His Majesties Heire to His Ancestours the Founders paramount of all Houses Besides though the clouds look black with a louring complexion yet did it not rain warre downright betwixt King and Parliament Anno Dom. 1641-1642 Anno Regis Car. 1. Aug. it being some daies before the erecting of His Standard at Nottingham 31. Dr. Beale Dr. Martin and Dr. Stern Masters of S. Johns Queens Three Doctors imprisoned in the Tower and Iesus Coll are carried to London and imprisoned in the Tower for their activity in the Plate-businesse And Cambridge is made the Seat of the Committee for the Easterne Association which escaped the best of all parts in this Civil Warre the smoak thereof onely offending those Counties whilst the fire was felt in other places 32. Richard Holdesworth Vicecan Before his year expired he was seized on and imprisoned first in Elie-house then in the Tower for executting His Majesties command in printing at Cambridge such His Declarations as were formerly printed at Yorke Mar. 30. 33. The Vice Chancellour and Heads of Houses solemnly assembled in the Consistorie The Heads deny the Parliament mony were demanded to contribute to the Parliament so to redeem their forwardnesse in supplying the King Which performed by them would notwithstanding their former crooked carriage in the Cause bolster them upright in the Parliaments esteem But they persisted in the Negative that such contributing was against true Religion and a good conscience for which some of them were afterwards imprisoned in S. Iohns Colledge 34. Amongst these was Doctor Samuel Ward Master of Sidney Colledge The death of Dr. Ward and Divinity Professour Lady Margarets or the Kings shall I say in the University For though the former by his Foundation he may seem the later by his resolution Yet was he a Moses not onely for slowness of speech but otherwise meekness of nature Indeed when in my private thoughts I have beheld him and Dr. Collins disputable whether more different or more eminent in their endowments I could not but remember the running of Peter and John to the place where Christ was buried In which race John came first as the youngest and swiftest but Peter first entred into the Grave Doctor Collins had much the speed of him in quicknesse of parts but let me say nor doth the relation of a Pupill misguide me the other pierced the deeper into under-ground and profound points of Divinity Now as high windes bring some men the sooner into sleep so I conceive the storms and tempests of these distracted times invited this good old man the sooner to his long rest where we fairly leave him and quietly draw the curtains about him 35. Now approached the generall Doom of Malignant Members so termed in the University The Oath of Discovery tendred and refused the Earle of Manchester with his two Chaplains Mr. Ash and Mr. Good coming thither to effect a Reformation In preparation whereunto I read how an oath of * Quercla Cantabrigieusis pag. 20. Discovery was tendred to many and universally refused as against all Law and conscience as being thereby made to accuse their nearest and dearest Friends Benefactors Tutors and Masters and betray the Members and Acts of their several Societies contrary to their peaceable Statutes viz Non revelabis aliquod secretum Collegii nec malum aut damnum inferes cuilibet Sociorum Whereupon this Oath was generally denied 36. To be satisfied in the truth hereof Mr. Ash disaâ—oweth any such Oath I wrote to Mr. Ash whose face I had never seen requesting him to inform me such proceedings seeming very strange to my apprehension But heare his Answer TRuly Sir I am so great a stranger to that Oath of Discovery which you mention that I cannot call to minde the moving of any such matter by the Lord of Manchester or any who attended him And as for my selfe having been a Sufferer upon the dislike of the Oath Ex Officio I have all along my life been very tender in appearing as an
Switzerland where a Congregation of English Exiles in the Reign of Q. Marry b. 8. p. 26. ¶ 41. ALCUINUS or Albinus an eminent Scholar and opposer of Image-worship Cent. 8. ¶ 40. ALFRED the Saxon Monarch his admirable act Cent. 9. ¶ 25. c. foundeth an University at Oxford ¶ 29. c. a soleman Councill kept by him ¶ 42. with the Canons made therein ibidem his death ¶ 44. ALIEN Priors b. 6. p. 33. ¶ 1. 2. of two natures ¶ 3. shaken by other Kings ¶ 4. but dissolved by King Henry 5. ¶ 5. William ALLEN Cardinal his death and character b. 9. p. 229. ¶ 12. William AMESE his bitter Sermon against Cards and Dice Hist of Cam. p. 159. ¶ 41. 42. leaveth Christs Colledge for his non-Conformity ¶ 43. AMPHIBALUS so named first by I. Munmoth Cent. 4. ¶ 6. Martyred at Redbourn in Hartfortshirt ¶ 7. the fancies about his stake confuted ibidem ANABAPTISTS their beginning in Engalnd l. 5. 249. ¶ 11. discovered in London b. 9. p. 104. ¶ 12. eleven condemned and two burnt ¶ 13. Lancâ—â—â— ANDREWS his death and character b. 11. 9. 46 47 48 49. Q. ANNA King of the East-Saxons happy in his children Cent. 7. ¶ 82. Q. ANNE Wite to King Iames her signal letter to the own of Rippon b. 10. ¶ 15. ANSELEME Arch-bishop of Cant. b 3. p. 11. ¶ 30. refuseth to lend King Rufus a 1000. pounds ¶ 32. Variance betwixt him and King Rufus p. 12. ¶ 36. c. holdeth a Synod at Weftminster p. 16. ¶ 3. the constitutions thereof p. 16 17 18 19. sent to Rome p. 20. ¶ 5. forbids Priests marriage ¶ 7. but dyeth re infecta p. 23. ¶ 18. Io. ARGENTINE challengeth all Cambridge to dispute much him Hist of Cam. p. 64. ¶ 28 c. ARIMINUM British Bishops present at the Councell kept therein Cent. 4. ¶ 20. And why they refused ot receive a Salary from the Emperour ibidem ARLES British Bishops present at the Councell kept therein Cent. 4. ¶ 20. ARISTOBULUS fabulously made by Grecian writers a Bishop of Britain Cent. 1. ¶ 8. ARMES in noble Families still extant relating to the Atchievements of their Ancestours in the holy Land b. 3. p. 40 41 42 43. ARRIANISME infpected England as appears by Gildas his complaint Cent. 4. ¶ 21. King ARTHUR a real worthy of Britain though his actions be much discredited with Monkish fictions Cent. 6. ¶ 2. The SIX ARTICLES contrived by Bishop Gardiner b. 5. p. 203 ¶ 17. to the great trouble of poore Protestants ¶ 18. The 30. ARTICLES composed b. 9. p. 72. ¶ 51. why drawn up in generall terms ¶ 52. by those who had been Confessours 53. confirmed by Statute 55. imposed onely on the Clergy ¶ 56. The 20 th ARTICLE concerning the Authority of the Church questioned b. 9. p. 73. inserted in some omitted in other Editions p. 74. ¶ 85. defended by Bishop Laud against Mr. Burton ¶ 59. ARTICLES of Lambeth see Lambeth Thomas ARUNDEL when Arch-bishop of York a cruel persecutour b. 4. p. 151. ¶ 42. when Archbishop of Cant active in deposing King Rich the second p. 153. ¶ 54. visiteth the Vniversity of Cambridge and all the Colledges therein Hist of Cam. p. 59. 60 c. Affronted at Oxford b. 4. p. 164. ¶ 125. but by the Kings help too hard for the Students p. 165. ¶ his wofull death p. 166. ¶ 30. St. ASAPH his pious Expression Cent. 6. ¶ 13. Iohn ASCHWELL challengeth all Camb. Hist of Camb. P. 104. ¶ 44. his bad successe ¶ 45. c. Anne ASCOUGH b. 5. p. 242. ¶ 44. Plea for leaving her Husband ¶ 45. first wracked then burnt 46. her prose and poetry 47. Mr. ASHLE his difference at Frankford with Mr. Home book 8. p. 32 33. ¶ 11. The sad consequences occasioned thereby ¶ 12. 13. ASSEMBLEY of Divines their first meeting b. 11. ¶ 1. consisteth of four English quarters p. 198. ¶ 2. besides the Scotish Commissioners p. 199. ¶ 3. the reasons of the Royalists why they would not joyne with them b. 11. p. 199. ¶ 5. first petition for a fast p. 200. ¶ 8. troubled with Mr. Selden b. 11. p. 213. ¶ 54. and with the Erastians ¶ 55. c. sâ—rewdly checkt for excceding their bounds p. 214. ¶ 58. their Monuments p. 215. ¶ 66. rather sinketh then endeth ¶ 67. King ATHELSTAN his principle Laws enacted at Greatlea Cent. ¶ 9. 10. ATHELWOLPHUS Monarch of the Saxons maketh equivalently a Parliament act for the paying of Tithes Cent. 9. ¶ 8. Objections against the validity thereof answered ¶ 9 10. et sequentibus Granteth Peter-Pence to the Pope ¶ 15. St. AUDRE her chastity Cent. 7. ¶ 108. twice a Wife still a Maid ¶ 109. c. her moraculius monumont confuted ¶ 111. c. St. AUGUSTINE the worthy Father Bishop of Hippo said to be born on the same day with Pelagius the Heretick Cent. 5. ¶ 2. AURELIUS AMBROSIUS erectech a monument in Memory of his Conquest over the Britans Cent. 5. ¶ 25. Causelesly slandered by an Italian writer ¶ 28. AUGUSTINE the MONK sent by P. Gregory to Convert England b. 2. Cent. 6. ¶ 2. by him shrinking for fear is encourageo ¶ 3. mocked by women in his passage ¶ 4. landeth in England ¶ 5. why chusing rather to be Arch-bishop of Cant. then London C. 7. ¶ 1. summons a Synod under his AKE ¶ 2. his proud carriage therein towards the British Clergy ¶ 3. c. his prophesy ¶ 8. arraigned as guilty of murdering the Monks of Bagnor ¶ 10. c. acquitted by the moderation of Mr. Fox ¶ 14. baptiseth ten thousand in one day ¶ 19. his ridiculous miracle ¶ 22. death and Epitaph ¶ 24. without the date of the year ¶ 25 a farewell to him with his character ¶ 26. AUGUSTINEAN Monks b. 6. p. 268. ¶ 67. Colchester their chief seat ibidem AUGMENTATION court the erection use cause name abolishing thereof b. 6. p. 348 349. AUGUSTINEAN Friers b. 6. p. 273. ¶ 1. The same in Oxford turned into Wadham Coll. b. 10. p. 68. ¶ 30. learned writers of their Order bred in Cambridge Hist of Camb. p. 30. B. Gervase BABINGTON Bishop of Worcester his death and praise b. 10. p. 56. ¶ 32 33. Roger BACON a great School-man and Matheamtician falsty accused for a Conjurer C. 14. p. 96. ¶ 17. many of that name confounded into one ¶ 18. John BACONTHOR p a little man and great Scholar p. 97. ¶ 20. BAILIOL COLL. founded by J. Bailiol b. 3. p. 67. and 68. Philip BAKER Provost of Kings an honest Papist Hist of Cam. p. 142. ¶ 4. John BALE Bishop of Ossory his death character and excusable passion b. 9. p. 67. ¶ 37 38 39. Bishop BANCROFT causlesly condemned for keeping Popish Priests in his house b. 10. ¶ 1. his behaviour in Hampton-Court Conference p. 9. et sequentibus violently prosecuteth Mr. Fuller unto his death in Prison p. 55 56. ¶ 29. 30. his death 34. vindicated
daily trample 8. Besides these All these antiquated by Christianity they had other Lesser Gods of a Lower Form and Younger House as Helmsteed Prono Fridegast and Siwe all which at this day to use the a I saiah 2. 20. Prophets Expression are cast to the Moles and the Bats fit Company for them which have Eyes and see not Blind to the blind like all those which put Confidence in them And as the true and reall b Exod. 7. 12. Serpent of Aaron did swallow up and devour the seening Serpents which Iannes and Iambres the Aegyptian Inchanters did make so long since in England the Religion of the true God hath out-lived and out-lasted consuted and confounded all false and â—eigned Deities To conclude this Discourse I have heard of a man who being Drunk rode over a Narrow Bridge the first and last that ever passed that Way as which in likelyhood led him to imminent Death and next morning viewing how he had escaped he fell into a Swound with acting over again the Danger of his Adventure in his bare Apprehension So should England now thanks be to God grown sober and restored to her self seriously recollect her sad Condition when Posting in the Paths of Perdition being intoxicated with the Cup of Idolatrie she would fall into a Trance of Amazement at the consideration of her desperate state before Christianity recovered her to her right Senses the manner whereof we now come to relate 9. When Augustine the Monk as is afore said landed in Thanet The character of King Ethelbert Ethelbert was then King of Kent One who had very much of Good Nature in him of a Wild Olive well civilized and a Stock fit to be grafted upon Yea he was already with c Acts 26. 28. King Agrippa though not in the same sense almost a Christian because his other half d Bede Hist Eccles lib. 1. cap. 25. Queen Berhta daughter to the King of France was a Christian to whom he permitted the free use of her Religion allowing her both Luidhard a Bishop for her Chaplain and an old Church in Canterbury formerly dedicated by the Romans to S t. Martin to exercise her Devotion therein Besides at this time this Ethelbert was in effect Monarch of England whilest his Person had Residence chiefly in Kent his Power had Influence even to Humber all the rest of the Saxon Kings being Homagers unto him which afterward much expedited the passage of the Gospel in England Thus each officious Accident shall dutifully tender his Service to the advance of that Design which God will have effected 10. Then Augustine acquainted this Ethelbert with his Arrivall Augustine's addresses and Ethelbert's answer informing him by his Messengers that he brought the best Tidings unto him which would certainly procure eternall Happinesse in Heaven and endless Reigning in Bliss with the true God to such as should entertain them Soon after Ethelbert repaired into Thanet to whom Augustine made his addresse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a deal of spiritual carnall Pompe e Beda ut prists having a Silver Cross carried before him for a Banner the Image of our Saviour painted in a Table and singing the Letanie in the way as they went King Ethelbert desired all things betwixt them might be transacted in the open Aire refusing to come under a Roof for fear of Fascination And indeed a Stranger who had never seen the like before beholding Augustine with such abundance of Trinkets about him being formerly jealous might hereby have his Suspicion encreased that he went about some strange Machination However Ethelbert returned him a civil Answer That their Promises were fair and good but because new and uncertain he could not presently assent unto them and leave the ancient Customes of the English which had been for so long time observed But because they were Strangers coming from Far Countries to communicate to him and his such things as they conceived were good and true he would not forbid any Converts whom their Preaching could perswade to their Opinion and also would provide them Necessaries for their comfortable Accommodation 11. Hence Augustine 597 with his Followers Ethelbert and others converted to the Christian Faith advanced to Canterbury to the aforesaid old Church of S t. Martin's Here they lived so piously prayed so fervently fasted so frequently preached so constantly wrought Miracles so commonly that many people of Inferiour Rank and at last King Ethelbert himself was baptized and embraced the Christian Religion The same Ethelbert also ordered that none should be a Bede Hist Eccles lib. 1. cap. 26. forced into Religion having understood that Christs Service ought to be voluntary and not compelled And if his Courtiers had been as cautious not to embrace Religion for Fashion as the King was carefull they should not receive it for Fear there had not at that time been made so many Christians for Conveniency probably rather then for Conscience who soon after returned again to Paganisme However as it is rendered a reason in the dayes of Hezekiah why the Iews at so short warning so unanimously kept the Passeover God had prepared the People for the thing was done suddenly so on the same account it came to passe that in so little a time besides temporary Believers so many true and sincere Converts embraced the Christian Faith 12. Then Augustine by his Letters informed Gregory of the Progresse Gregorie's answer to Augustine's letters and Proficiency of his Paines in England Gregory returned him a discreet Answer rejoycing with him and advising of him not to be puffed up by Pride for the great Miracles wrought by him but timendo gaudere gaudendo pertimescere He minded him how when the Disciples triumphed at their b Luke 10. 17 casting out of Devils Christ more spirituallized their Joy rather to rejoyce that their Names were written in Heaven And indeed as some eminent in Piety never attained this Honour c Iohn 10. 41. Iohn Baptist did no miracle so many finally disavowed of God as unknown unto him shall plead for themselves and truly no doubt d Matt. 7. 22. in thy Name have we cast out Devils Yet this Admonition of Gregory is with me and ought to be with all unprejudiced persons an Argument beyond exception that though no discrect man will believe Augustine's Miracles in the latitude of Monkish Relations he is ignorantly and uncharitably peevish and morose who utterly denies some Miracles to have been really effected by him About the sametime S t. Gregory sent from Rome Mellitus Iustus Paulinus and Ruffinianus to be Fellow-labourers with Augustine in the English Harvest 13. Thus was Kent converted to Christianity 600 For such as account this a Conversion of all England Conclusion of this Century to make their words good do make use of a long and strong Synecdoche a Part for the Whole farre more then Half of the Land lying some yeares after
Monarchy was desultory and moveable sometimes the West-Saxon sometimes the Mercian sometimes the Northumberland King ruled over the rest But henceforward Egbert fixed the supreme Soveraignty in himself and his Posterity for though afterwards there continued some other Petty Kings as Kenulph King of Merâ—ia c. yet they shined but dimly as the Moon when the Sun is risen and in the next Age were utterly extinguished So that hereafter we shall double our Files and for the better regulating of time next the Columne of the year of our Lord adde another of the Reign of our English Kings THE NINTH CENTURY Anno Regis Egberti Anno Dom. To M r. William and M r. Robert Christmas Merchants of London YOu are both Brethren by Birth and by your joynt Bounty on my Endeavours It is therefore pitty to part you May no other Difference be in your Hearts then vvhat Herauldry allovves in your Armes onely to distinguish the Age of the Elder from the Younger that so the Memory of your happy Father may survive in you his hopefull Children 1. THen Kenulph 1 King of Mercia 801 sent a Letter to Leo the third The Arch-bishoprick restored to Canterbury at the instance of King Kenulph Pope by Aethelard the Arch-bishop to this effect That whereas the Metropolitan Seat by Authority Apostolick was primitively fixed at Canterbury where the blessed Body of Augustine was buried and whereas lately King Offa out of Opposition to Arch-bishop Lambert had removed the same Seat to Lichfield and procured from Pope Adrian the same Translation to be confirmed Kenulph a Malmesb. de Gestis Reg. lib. 1. c. 4. requested his Holinesse so farre to concurre with the generall Desire of the English Nation as to revoke the Act of his Predecessour and restore the Arch-bishoprick to it's proper place And knowing that Sutes in the Court of Rome speed no whit the lesse when accompanied with Gifts he sent his Holinesse 120. b Mancusae quasimanucusae a coyn about the valuation whereof is much variety The first most formall subscription in a Synod Mancuses for a Present The Gift was kindly accepted the Arch-bishop courteously entertained the Request bountifully granted and thus the Arch-bishops See dislocated or out of joynt for a time was by the hands of his Holinesse set right again 2. Aethelard returning home 3 called a Synod at Clives-Ho 803 in Kent not farre from Rochester where by Power from the Pope he riveted the Arch-bishoprick into the City of Canterbury the Synod denouncing heavy Penalties to any that hereafter should endeavour to divide them so that it is believed that the Arch-bishops See may as easily be wholly dissolved as hence removed The Subscriptions in this Council were the most formall and solemn of any so ancient The Reader will not be offended with their hard c The originall is extant in the Records of Canterbury copied out by S t. Henry Spelman in his Councils pag. 325. Names here following seeing his Eye may run them over in perusing them though his Tongue never touch them in pronouncing them Diocese Bishops Abbots Presbyters Deacons Canterbury Aethelard Arch. Aethilheah Feologeld Wulfheard VVernoth Beornmod Vulfraed Arch. Lichfield Aldulf Higherth Lulls Monn VVigfreth Eadhere Cuthberth 00000000 Leicester Werenberth Falmund Pr. Beomia Pr. Forthrod Pr. Wigmund Pr. Eadberth 00000000 Sydnacester Eadulf Eadred Pr. Daeghelm Pr. Plegberth Eadulf Hereberth 00000000 Worcester Daenebreth Higberth Thineferth Pega Freothomund Pr. Coenferth 00000000 Hereford Vulfheard Cuthraed Srygol Dygoga Monn Heathobald Shireburn VVigberth Muda Eadberth Beorthmund 000000 00000000 Winchester Almund Cuthberth Mark Cumba Lulla Northeard Vngthe 00000000 Helmham Ealheard 000000000 Folcberth Frithoberth Eadberth Vulflab Hunfride Dunwich Fidsrith Vulfheard Lulla Ceolhelm Cynulfe Tydberth Eadberth London Osmond Heahstan Plegberth VVigheard Tidhun Frithorad Ethelhelme 00000000 Rochester VVaermund 00000000 Lullingo Tuda Beagnoth Heathoberth VVigheard 00000000 Selsey VVeothun Ceolmund Duud Eadberth Beorcol Hethfride a Doubtfull whether priests or deacons Cynebald 00000000 Arch-Bishop 1 Presbyters 39 82 in all Bishops 12 Archdeacon 1 Abbots 26 Deacons 3 3. Now to make a short but necessary Digression Some observables on the method and manner of their meeting in this Synod we may observe That Bishops appeared personally and the rest of the Clergy were represented Monks in their Abbots and the Seculars in the Priests and Deacons of their Diocese respectively Such Abbots as in this Catalogue have the addition of Pr. were also Priests and so present in a double Capacity though perchance they made onely use of their Abbotship No Deans appear here as a Dignity of farre later Institution The Bishops in the order of their Subscriptions seem to observe Seniority of their Consecrations and not Dignity of their Bishopricks seeing London lags one of the last to which our Church a Harpsfield Hist Ang. pag. 743. Heraulds did afterwards assign the highest place next the Arch-bishops onely Lichfield may seem to have had the Preccedency by the Courtesie of the Synod that the lost Dignity thereof might be buried in Honour being so lately the Seat of an Arch-bishop Lastly this was but a Provinciall Council for Canterbury alone York with his two Suffragans Lindisfern and Hexham not mentioned in the meeting Thus as the Anatomie of a little Child representing all Parts thereof is accounted a greater Rarity then the Sceleton of a man of full Statute so I conceive it more acceptable to the studious in Antiquity to behold the Form of these Synods with the distinct Members thereof in the Infancy of the Saxon Church then to see a compleat Council in after-Ages when grown to full Perfection 4. Passe we by some Petty Synods celebrated in the Reign and Countrey of King Kenulph of Mercia 16 Eminent was the Council at Celichyth under VVolfred who succeeded Aethelard Arch-bishop of Canterbury 816 Wherein The Acts of the Council at Colichyth amongst other things slight or superstitious was decreed 1. That the Catholick Faith should be kept and ancient Canons observed 2. That b See S r. Hen. Spelman in his Councills pag. 328. new Churches should be consecrated with Holy-water by their Bishops and the Saint somewhere painted therein to whom the same is dedicated 3. That all in Christian Charity mutually love one another 4. That Abbots and Abbesses be blamelesse persons chosen by the Bishop with the consent of the Convent 5. That no Scotch-man baptize or administer the Eucharist in England it being uncertain whether or by whom they are ordained We may discover herein some remaining Dreggs of the long-lasting Difference about the Celebration of Easter which made the suspicious English still to harbour a causelesse prejudice against the Scotch Priesthood 6. That the judiciall Sentences of Bishops in former Synods remain ratified as also all their Acts solemnly signed with the Crosse 7. That no Abbey-lands be leased out longer then in dies spatium unius hominis that is as I take
Monarchs of the Saxon Heptarchie but not successive and fixed in a Family but fluctuating from one Kingdome to another Egbert father to this Athelwolph was the first that atchieved this Monarchie and left it to this his Son not Monarcha factus but natus and so in unquestionable Power to make the foresaid Act obligatory over all the Land 9. Indeed Former Acts for Tithes infirme before his time many Acts for Tithes are produced which when pressed will prove of no great Validity Such are the Imperiall Edicts in Civil Law never possessed of full power in England as also the Canons of some Councils Popes never admitted into plenary Obedience by consent of Prince and People Adde to these first such Laws as were made by King Ina and Offa Monarchs indeed of England in their turns as I may say but not deriving the same to the Issue of their Bodies So that their Acts as personall may by some froward Spirits be cavilled at as determining with their own Lives Joyn to these if produceable any Provinciall Constitutions of an English Arch-bishop perchance Egbertus of York those might obey them who would obey being otherwise not subject to any civil Penalty But now this Act of Athelwolphus appears entire in all the Proportions of a Law made in his great Council equivalent to after Parliaments not only cum consilio Episcoporum with the Advice of his Bishops which easily may be presumed willingly to concurre in such a matter of Church-advancement but also Principum meorum of my Princes saith he the Consent of Inferiour persons not being required in that Age. 10. However Objections against this Act answered noting can be so strong but it may meet with Cavills though not to destroy to disturb the Validity thereof as this Act hath and we will severally examine the Defects charged upon it 1. Obj. Some object that Althelwolphus was but King of the West-Saxons as appears by his Stile Rex occidentalium Saxonum and not universall Monarch of England whose Act onely is obligatory to his own Subjects Let those of Cornwall Devon Somerset Dorset Hants VVilts and Berks pay Tithes by vertue of this Command other Parts of the Land are freed from the same because nihil dat quod non habet none can derive that to others which they enjoy not themselves being King but of a Part he could not lay this Law upon all the Land Ans He is tearmed eminently not exclusively King of the VVest-Saxons being fondest of that Title as his Fathers first Inheritance before he acquired the Monarchy of the whole Land There were indeed at this time two other Royalets as onely Kings by his leave viz Beorred King of Mercia and Edmond King of East-Angles who as it plainly appears by a Exemplified in S r. Henry Spelman's Councils pag. 348. Ingulphus were present at his Council and consented to the Acts thereof 2. Obj. The Consideration was superstitious Anno Dom. 855 to say so many Masses for the Souls of this King and his Captains when deceased Anno Rigis Ethelwolphi 18 Ans A double Consideration is mentioned in this Grant The first generall so pious in it's self no Exception can be taken thereat viz. to divert the imminents Iudgements of God from the Land hourly fearing the Invasion of fierce forraign Pagans so the better to secure the Nine parts thereof to himself and his Subjects by setting apart resigning and surrendring a Tenth to God the supreme Land-lord of all in such as attended his daily Service The second Consideration is more restrictive and particular and resents indeed of the Ignorance of that Age but yet is proportionable to the best Devotion those dayes produced and easily may an accidentall Abuse be purged by the pious Use intended and designed generally to Gods Glory 3. Obj. The King onely granted Tithes of his own Crown-land non in Dominio sed in Domintco suo not in all his Dominions but onely in his Demesnes Ans There needed no such solemn Consent of the Council of the Land for the passing away of his Private Bounty And that the Grant extended to the Kingdome in Generall appears by a Hen Hunting Hist l. 5. pag. 348. other Authours on the same Adelwolphus decimonono anno regni sui qui totam terram suam ad opus Ecclesiarum decimavit propter Amorem Dei c. More plainly another Authour In eodem anno decimavit Athulf rex de omni possessione sua in partem Domini in universo regimine sui Principatus sic constituit 11. Here we insist not on the many Arguments out of Old and New Testament Store no sore to prove Tithes to be Iure Divino which in due time may be produced when all Tempests of Tumultuous Spirits are allayed and when what the Town-Clerk of Ephesus promised to the Citizens thereof the Question may be determined b Acts 19. 39. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a lawfull and ordinary Assembly without fear of Force and suspicion of Violence For two Strings to a Bow do not amisse being no Hinderance to the Archer for the better hitting of the Mark who may wind up one and use that for the present which he sees most for his own Conveience Mean time most true it is that men are not so conscientious to obey the Laws of God as fearfull to resist the Edicts of Men and therefore though farre be it from the Clergy to quit their Title to Tithes by Divine Right they conceive it the surest way sometimes to make use of Humane Injunctions as having the most potent Influence on mens Affections especially in this Age when the love of many both to God and Goodnesse beginneth to wax cold 12. A Reverend Doctour in Cambridge A pleasant passage and afterwards Bishop of Sarisbury was troubled at his small living at Hogginton with a peremptory Anabaptist who plainly told him It goes against my Conscience to pay you Tithes except you can shew me a place of Scripture whereby they are due unto you The Doctour returned Why should it not go as much against my Conscience that you should enjoy your Nine parts for which you can shew no place of Scripture To whom the other rejoyned But I have for my Land Deeds and Evidences from my Fathers who purchased and were peaceably possessed thereof by the Laws of the Land The same is my Title saith the Doctour Tithes being confirmed unto me by many Statutes of the Land time out of mind Thus he drave that Nail not which was of the strongest Metall or sharpest Point but which would go best for the present It was Argumentum ad hominem fittest for the person he was to meddle with who afterwards peaceably payed his Tithes unto him Had the Doctour ingaged in Scripture-Argument though never so pregnant pertinent it had been endelesse to dispute with him who made Clamour the end of his Dispute whose Obstinacy and Ignorance made him uncapable
was by him preferred to be Arch-bishop of Canterbury 889 then a miserable place A generall Contribution to Rome and Ierusalem as hardly recovered from the late Sacking of the Danes By the Kings command he called the Clergy of England together and made a Collection of Almes to be sent to Rome and Ierusalem and Athelm Arch-bishop of York was imployed in the Journey going personally to the aforesaid Places to see the Contribution there faithfully delivered and equally distributed 44. About the end of this Century died worthy King Alfred 900 remarkable to Posterity on many Accounts Death of King Alfred whereof this not the least That he turned Davids Psalms into English so that a Royall Text met with a Royall Translatour He left his Crown to Edward his Sonne commonly called the Elder farre inferiour to his Father in Skill in but not so much in his Love to good Literature Indeed he had an excellent Tutour Asserius Menevensis Arch-bishop of S t. Davids the faithfull Writer of his Fathers Actions supposed by some Bishop of Sherburn which is denied by b Iames Usher de Brit. Eccles primor in Iâ—dice Chronolog p. 1177. Weak Guardians God wote others though one of the same name was some yeares before as inconsistent with Chronologie 45. As for principall Clergy-men extant at this time we take speciall notice of two the one Berthulf Bishop of VVinchester made one of the Guardians of the Realm against the Incursion of the Danes the other Halard Bishop of Dorchester advanced also into the same Employment But alass what weak Guardians were these to defend the Land which could not secure their own Sees And in what Capacity save in Prayers and Teares were they Able to make any Resistance for now the Danes not onely affailed the Skirts and Out-sides of the Land but also made Inrodes many miles into the Continent thereof Insomuch that VVinchester lay void six and Sherburn seven yeares such the Pagan Fury that none durst offer to undertake those Places 46. True it is The wofull estate of the English the English oftentimes in Battell got the Advantage of them when the Pagan Danes being conquered had but one way to shift for themselves namely to counterfeit themselves Christians and embrace Baptisme but no sooner had they got Power again into their hands but that they turning Apostates were ten times more cruell then ever before Thus successively was the Land affected with Sicknesse Recovery and Relapses the peoples Condition being so much the more disconsolate because promising a Continuance of Happinesse to themselves upon their Victories they were on their Overthrows remanded to the same if not a worse Condition 47. It is strange to observe the Alternations of Successe between the English and Danes The commendable temper of King Alfred and King Edward how exactly they took their Turns God using them to hold up one another whilest he justly beat both Mean time commendable the Temper of late King Alfred Anno Dom. 900 and present King Edward Anno Regis it being true of each of them Si modo Victus erat ad crastina bella parabat Si modo Victor erat ad crastina bella timebat If that it happ't that Conquered was he Next day to fight he quickly did prepare But if he chanc't the Conquerour to be Next day to fight he wisely did beware But these things we leave to the Historians of the State to prosecute and confine our selves onely to matters of Ecclesiasticall cognizance THE TENTH CENTURY Anno Regis Iacobo Langham Anno Dom. Armigero amplissimi Senatoris Londinensis Primogenito DEcimam hanc Centuriam tibi dedicandam curavi quòd Numerus Denarius semper aliquid augustum sonet Sic in Papicolarum Globulis quibus preculas suas numerant decimus ut Decurio aliis magnitudine praestat At dices Centuria haec inter Ecclesiasticos audit infelix cùm suâ tantùm Obscuritate sit illustris Quid Tibi igitur Felicissimo Viro cui laetum Ingenium lauta Haereditas cum infelici Seculo Verbo expediam Volui Nomen Tuum Historiae meae hic praetendi ut instar Phosphori Lectores in hac tenebrosa Aetate oberrantes splendoris sui Radiis dirigat Percurras quaeso insequentes paginas nihil Scientiae aliquid Voluptatis tibi allaturas Quo cum nemo sit in ipsis Elegantiarum apicibus Latinior probe scio Te perquam suaviter risurum cum Diploma Edvardinum nimia Barbarie scatens perlegeris 1. AT this time there was a great Dearth of Bishops in the Land Edvardi Senioris 3 which lasted for seven yeares as long as the Famine in Aegypt during which time 904 there was no Bishop in all the West parts of England England interdicted by the Pope for want of Bishops Pope Formosus was foully offended hereat and thereupon cum magna a Archiv Cant. in Regist Priorat Eccles Cant. fol. 3. b. Iracundia Devotione with much Passion and Piety by his Curse and Excommunication interdicted King Kingdome and all the Subjects therein We cannot but gaze at the Novelty of this act as we conceive a leading Case in this kind whilest the skilfull in the Canon Law can give an account of the Equity of the Popes Proceedings why all should suffer for some the guiltlesse with the guilty and have the VVord and Sacraments taken from them for the want of Bishops in other places Otherwise the Punishment seemeth unjust in the rigid justice thereof and if not heavier larger then the Offence and beareth no Proportion with common Equity Christian Charity and Gods Proceedings who saith the soul that sinneth shall dye 2. Not withstanding The Character of those this excommunicating of K. Edward bythe Pope is highly urged by a In his answer to the Lord Cooks Report pag. 136. cap. 6. Parsons Kings on whom the Pope most improved himself to prove the Popes Power in England over Princes Anno Dom. 904 according to his constant Soloâ—cisme clean through the tenure of his Book Anno Regis Edvardi Sen. 3 to reason à Facto ad Ius arguing from the Popes barely doing it that he may justly do it We deny not but that in this Age active and ambitious Popes mightily improved their Power upon five sorts of Princes First on such as were lazy and voluptuous who on condition they might enjoy their Sports and Delights for the present cared not for their Posterity Secondly on such as were openly vicious and so obnoxious to Censure who would part with any thing out of the apprehension of their Guiltinesse Thirdly on such as were tender and easie-natured who gave not so much out of Bounty to give as out of Bashfulnesse to deny the Popes Importunity Fourthly on those of a timorous spirit who were affrighted with their own Fancies of the Popes Terriblenesse and being captivated unto him by their own Fear they ransomed themselves at what Price
Cruelty to himself if unwillingly was it Dunstan's Fire or his Faith that fail'd him that he could hold out against him no longer But away with all Suspicions and Queries none need to doubt of the truth thereof finding it in a Sign painted in Fleet-street near Temple-barre 16. During Dunstan's abode in his Cell Aelsgine Dunstan's bountifull friend he had to his great Comfort and Contentment the company of a good Lady Aelfgine by name living fast by No Preacher but Dunstan would please her being so ravisht with his Society that she would needs build a little Cell for her self hard by him In processe of time this Lady died and by her last Will left Christ to be the Heir and Dunstan the Executor of her Estate Enabled with the accession thereof joyned to his paternall Possessions which were very great and now fallen into his hands Dunstan erected the Abbey of Glassenbury and became himself first Abbot thereof a Title till his time unknown in England he built also and endowed many other Monasteries filling them with Benedictine Monks who began now to swarm in England more then Magots in a hot May so incredible was their Increase 17. After the death of King Athelstane 16 Dunstan was recalled to Court in the reign of King Edmund 939 Athelstan's Brother Recalled to Court and re-banished thence and flourished for a time in great Favour But who would build on the brittle Bottome of Princes Love Soon after he falls into the Kings Disfavour Edmundi 1 the old Crime 940 of being a Magician and a Wanton with Women to boot being laid to his charge Surely Dunstan by looking on his own Furnace might learn thence there was no Smoak but some Fire either he was dishonest or undiscreet which gave the Ground-work to their generall Suspicion Hereupon he is re-banisht the Court and returned to his desired Cell at Glassenbury but within three dayes was solemnly brought back again to Court if the ensuing Story may be believed 18. King Edmund was in an eager pursuit of a Buck King Edmund his miraculous deliverance on the top of a steep Rock whence no Descent but Destruction Down falls the Deer and Dogs after him and are dashed to pieces The King follows in full speed on an unruly Horse whom he could not rein is on the Brink of the Brink of the Precipice yet his Prayers prove swifter then his Horse he but ran whilst they did fly to Heaven He is sensible of his Sin in banishing Dunstan confesseth it with Sorrow vowes Amendment promiseth to restore preferre him Instantly the Horse stops in his full Career and his Rider is wonderfully preserved 19. Thus farre a strong Faith may believe of the Story Fy for shame lying Monk but it must be a wild one which gives credit to the remainder a Ross Histor Matt. West Iob. Capgr Osbernus Cervus Canes reviviscunt saith the impudent Monk The Deer Dogs revive again I remember not in Scripture that God ever revived a brute Beast partly because such mean subjects are beneath the Majesty of a Miracle and partly because as the Apostle faith brute Beasts b 2 Pet. â— 12. are made to be taken destroyed Well then might the Monk have knockt off when he had done well in saving the Man and Horse and might have left the Dogs Deer to have remained dead on the place the Deer especially were it but to make Venison Pasties to feast the Courtiers at the solemnizing of their Lord and Masters so miraculous Deliverance 20. Dunstan returning to Court was in higher Favour then ever before 6 Edredi 1 Nor was his Interest any whit abated by the untimely Death of King Edmund slain by one Leoff a Thief seeing his Brother Edred 946 succeeding to the Crown King Edred a high Patron of Dunstan continued and increased his Kindness to him Under him Dunstan was the Doe-all at Court Anno Dom. 946 being the Kings Treasurer Anno Regis Edredi 1 Chancellour Counsellour all things Bishopricks were bountifully profered him pick and chuse where he please but none were honoured with his Acceptance Whether because he accounted himself too high for the place and would not stoop to the Employment or because he esteemed the place too high for him unable conscientiously to discharge it in the midst of so many Avocations Mean time Monasteries were every where erected King Edred devoutly resigning all his Treasure to Dunstan's Disposall Secular Priests being thrust out of their Convents and Monks substituted in their rooms 21. But after Edred's Death But King Edwine his profest Enemy the Case was altered with Dunstan falling into Disgrace with King Edwin his Successour 954 This King on his Coronation-day was said to be incestuously imbracing both Mother Daughter 9 Edwini 1 when Dunstan boldly coming into his Bed-chamber after bitter Reproofs stoutly fetcht him thence and brought him forth into the company of his Noblemen An heroick act if true done with a Iohn Baptist spirit and no wonder if Herod and Herodias I mean this incestuous King and his Concubines were highly offended with Dunstan for the same 22. But good men Who though wronged by the Monks was a worthy Prince and grave Authours give no belief herein conceiving King Edwin how bad soever charactered by the Monks his malicious Enemies to have been a worthy Prince In witnesse whereof they produce the words of a Hist lib. 5. pag. 357. Henry Huntington a learned man but no Monk thus describing him Edwin non illaudabiliter regni insulam tenuit Et rursus Ed win rex anno regni sui quito cum in principio regnum ejus decentissime flor eret prospera laetabunda exordia mors immatura perrupit Edwin was not undeserving of praise in managing the Sceptre of this Land And again King Edwin in the fifth year of his Reign when his Kingdome began at first most decently to flourish had his prosperous and pleasant Beginnings broken off with untimely Death This Testimony considered makes many men think better of King Edwin and worse of Dunstan as guilty of some uncivil Intrusion into the Kings Chamber for which he justly incurred his royall Displeasure 23. Hereupon Dunstan is banished by King Edwin He banisheth Dunstan and dieth heart-broken with grief not as before from England to England from the Court to his Cell at Glassenbury but is utterly expelled the Kingdome and flieth into Flanders Where his Friends say that his Fame prepared his Welcome the Governour of Gaunt most solemnly entertained him 956 Mean time 3 all the Monks in England of Dunstan's Plantation were rooted up and Secular Priests set in their places But soon after happened many Commotions in England especially in Mercia and Northumberland The Monks which write the Story of these Rebellions conceive it unfit to impart to Posterity the Cause thereof which makes wise men to
suspect that Dunstan who could blow Coals elsewhere as well as in his Furnace though at distance vertually or rather viciously present had a Finger yea a Hand therein Heart-broken with these Rebellions 958 King Edwin died in the Flower of his Age. 5 Edgati 1 24. Edgar succeeds him Dunstan recalled by King Edgar and takes a double Bishoprick and recalls Dunstan home 959 receiving him with all possible Affection 2 Yea now Dunstan's Stomack was come down and he could digest a Bishoprick which his Abstemiousness formerly refused And one Bishoprick drew down another VVorcester and London not successively but both a-breast went down his Conscience Yea never Age afforded more Pluralist Bishops In this Kings reign Letine held b Vid. Antiq. Britan. p. 83. Lincoln and Leicester oswald a great Monk-monger of whom hereafter held York and VVorcester Aldulph his Successour in both Churches did the like pardoned yea praised for the same though Woolstan because no favourer of Monks is reproved for the like Plurality Thus two men though doing the same thing do not the same thing Bigamy of Bishopricks goes by Favour and it is condemnable in one what is commendable in another Anno Regis Edgari 2 Odo Severus Anno Dom. 959 Arch-bishop of Canterbury being ceremoniously to consecrate Dunstan Bishop of VVorcester used all the Formalities fashionable at the Consecration of an a Antiq. Britan ibidem Arch-bishop And being reproved for the same he answered for himself That he foresaw that Dunstan instantly after his death would be Arch-bishop of Canterbury And therefore a compendious way to spare Paines he onely by a provident Prolepsis ante-dated his Consecration Surely whosoever had seen the decrepit age of Odo the affection of King Edgar to Dunstan the affection of Dunstan to Dignity needed no extraordinary prophetical Spirit to presage that on the supposition of Dunstan's surviving him he should succeed him in the Arch-bishoprick of Canterbury 25. Yea King Edgar was so wholly Dunstanized Oswald's Law to eject secular Priests that he gave over his Soul Body and Estate to be ordered by him and two more then the Triumvirate who ruled England namely Ethelwald Bishop of Winchester and Oswald Bishop of Worcester This Oswald was the man who procured by the Kings Authority the Ejection of all Secular Priests out of Worcester and the placing of Monks in their Room which Act was called Oswald's Law in that Age. They might if it pleased them have stiled it Edgar's Law the Legislative Power being then more in the King then in the Bishop This Oswald's Law afterwards enlarged it self over all England Secular Priests being thrown out and Monks every where fixed in their rooms till King Henry the eighth his Law outed Oswald's Law and ejected those Drones out of their Habitations 26. King Edgar violated the Chastity of a Nun at Wilton Dunstan's disciplining of king Edgar Dunstan getting notice thereof refused at the Kings Request to give him his Hand because he had defiled a Daughter of God as he termed her Edgar hereby made sensible of his Sin with Sorrow confessed it and Dunstan now Arch-bishop of Canterbury enjoyned him seven years Penance for the same Monks endeavour to inforcea mock-Parallel betwixt David and Edgar Nathan and Dunstan herein Sure I am on David's profession of his Repentance Nathan presently pronounced Pardon b 2 Sam. 12. 13 the Lord also hath put away thy Sin thou shalt not die consigning him to be punished by God the Principall using an Undutifull Son Treacherous Servants and Rebellious Subjects to be the Instruments thereof but imposing no voluntary Penance that David should by Will-worship undertake on himself All that I will adde is this If Dunstan did septennary Penance to expiate every mortall Sin to use their own Termes he committed he must have been a Methusalah extremely aged before the day of his Death 27. More commendable was Dunstan's Carriage towards an English Count 12 who lived incestuously with his own Kinswoman 969 Dunstan admonished him once And carriage towards an incestuous Count. twice thrice nothing prevailed whereupon he proceeded to Excommunicate him The Count slighted his Excommunication conceiving his Head too high for Church-Censures to reach it King Edgar falsly informed desires Dunstan to absolve him and is denied Yea the Pope sends to him to the same Purpose and Dunstan persists in his c Osbern in vita Dunstani Refusall At last the Count conquered with Dunstan's Constancy and the sense of his own Sin came into a Nationall Council at Canterbury where Dunstan sate President active therein to substitute Monks in the places of Secular Priests on his bare Feet with a Bundle of Rods tendering himself to Dunstan's Chastisement This wrought on Dunstan's mild Nature scarce refraining from Teares who presently absolved him 28. Three things herein are remarkable Observations thereon First that Bribes in the Court of Rome may purchase a Malefactor to be innocent Secondly that the Pope himself is not so infallible but that his Key may misse the Lock and he be mistaken in matter of Absolution Thirdly that men ought not so with blind Obedience to obey his pretended Holinesse but that if with Dunstan here they see just Cause to the contrary it is no Mortall Sin to disobey his Commands 29. The Apprentiship of Edgar's Penance long since expired Edgar's Canons why by us here related he flourished in all Monarchicall Lustre sole Founder of many Co-founder of more Benefactor to most Abbeys in England Anno Dom. 969 And as he gave new Cases to most Monasteries repairing their outward Buildings so he gave new Linings to all Anno Regis Edgari 12 substituting Monks in stead of the Secular Priests whom he expelled Many Ecclesiasticall Canons were by him ordained which at large are presented in S t. Henry Spelman and which I have neither List nor Leisure to recount in this my History Our Women have a Proverb It is a sad Burden to carry a dead mans Child and surely an Historian hath no heart to take much Pains which herein are Pains indeed to exemplify dead Canons dead and buried long since as most relating to Monkery this Age wherein we live being little fond of Antiquity to know those things which were antiquated so many yeares since 30. Now though the Devotion of King Edgar may be condemned to be byassed to Superstition Edgar a most triumphant King yet because the Sincerity of his Heart sought to advance Gods Honour according to the Light in those dark dayes he appears one of the most puissant Princes that ever England enjoyed both in Church and Common-wealth I have read in a most fair and authentick guilded a Extant in the precious Library of S r. Tho. Cotton Manuscript wherein he stileth himself Gods Vicar in England for the ordering Ecclesiasticall matters a Title which at this day the Pope will hardly vouchsafe to any
Mothers Body b Agathias lib. 4. applicata ad Vterum Corona But what Solemnity soever was done to this Hans-en-Kelder it did not afterwards embolden him to the Anticipation of the Crown attending till it descended upon him 12. A worthy King The original of our Common Laws no less pious to God then just to Man For whereas formerly there were manifold Laws in the Land made some by the Britans others by the Danes others by the English swelling to an unmeasurable Number to the great Mischief of his Subjects he caused some few of the best to be selected and the rest as captious and unnecessary to be rejected Hence say some they were called the Common Laws as calculated for the common Good and no private persons Advantage 13. It is admirable No hostile Danes appear in England how the Danes in this Kings Reign were vanished away They who formerly could scarce be numbered in England they were so many could now scarce be numbered they were so few and those living quietly with their English Neighbours As for forrein invading Danes in this Kings Reign as I cannot see them so I will not seek them glad of their Room and Riddance Indeed once I meet with an Assay of them in a Navy bound to infest England but their King being casually drowned as he entred his own Fleet put an end to their Hopes and our Feares for that Designe 14. Emma 4 King Edward's Mother 1046 being suspected too familiar with Alwin Bishop of VVinchester The manner of Ordall by fire under the colour of Devotion put herself to be tryed by Ordall whereof this the manner Nine Plow-shares glowing hot were laid on the Ground one foot distant from another the party suspected was to be brought blind-folded and bare-footed to passe over them if he chanced to step in the Intervalls or on the hot Iron unhurt he was pronounced Innocent otherwise condemned for an Offender An unjust Law wherein the Tryers had no Precept the Tryed no Promise Must Innocence be ruin'd as often as Malice would wrong it if Miracle would not rescue it This was not a way to try man but tempt God As just a Trying by Fire as that of our modern Witches by Water This Tryall Queen Emma admirably underwent not sensible of the Plow-shares till past them saying to such as led her Oh when shall I come to the place of my Purgation 15. By what Power this was performed Queen Emma her miraculous purgation I will not dispute finding amongst the c Strab. Geog. lib. 5. Plin. lib. 7. cap. 2. Heathens a City Feronia twenty miles from Rome under mount Soracte where the Inhabitants possessed with a spirit of a Deity therein worshipped usually walked upon burning Coales without any Harm Onely I wonder that Bishop Alwin equally suspected and equally innocent with Emma should not profer himself to the like Triall But perchance the prudent Prelate remembred that such barbarous Customes though kept up amongst the Common People were forbidden by the ancient Canons as also by the Letter of Pope Stephen the fifth which about the year eight hundred eighty and seven he wrote to Humbert Bishop of Mentz And now Emma who went willingly on this sad Errand did the Businesse for them both and cleared their Credits The Church of Winchester got well hereby viz. nine Mannours which Queen Emma bestowed thereon in Commemoration of her Deliverance 16. King Edward the Confessour was married to the devout Lady Edith A Wife no Wife his Wife in Minde but not in Body in Consent not Act being onely as my Authour saith an Abishag to the King Strange that two Persons if loving each other in the prime of their yeares should light on so happy a Temper as mutually to warm not to heat one another which the Wife-men in our Age will account difficult Anno Dom. 1046 and the Wanton impossible Anno Regis Edvardi Confessoris 4 Such will say if this was true that King Edward pass'd as great a Triall as Queen Emma his Mother and that his Ordall was as hard as hers was painfull 17. Was it not pity Yet was there not a cause but the World should have more of the Breed of them who were so godly a Couple Let Basenesse be barren and Cruelty childlesse Pious persons deserve a double Portion in that Charter of Fruitfulnesse a Gen. 1. 28. Multiply and encrease Yea the English Crown now wanting an Heir and for Default thereof likely to fall to Forreiners might I will not say have tempted but have moved King Edward to the Knowledge of his Wife But whilest Papists crie up this his incredible Continency others easily unwonder the same by imputing it partly to his Impotence afflicted with an Infirmitie partly to the Distaste of his Wife whom he married onely for Coveniencie and to the Distrust of her Chastity on suspition whereof he confined her to the Monasterie of Whore-well as I take it in Hamshire 18. But grant Queen Edith a chast Woman The good daughter of a bad father as she is generally believed Daughter she was to a wicked Father Earle Godwin by name whence the Proverb Sicut spina rosam genuit God winus Editham From prickly stock as springs a Rose So Edith from Earle Godwin grows little ill being written of the Daughter and no good of the Father Indeed King Edward was Father-in-law-ridden who feared Earle Godwin rather then trusted him as who with a long train of his Power could sweep many Dependents after him This Godwin like those Sands near Kent which bear his name never spared what he could spoile but swallowed all which came within his compass to devoure Two Instances whereof because both belonging to Church-matters we will relate 19. He cast a cavetous Eye on the fair Nunnery of Berkley in Glocestershire Godwin's device to get Berkley Nunnerie and thus contrived it for himself He left there an handsome young man really or seemingly sick for their Charity to recover who quickly grows well and wanton He is toying tempting taking such Fire and Flax quickly make a Flame The Sisters loose their Chastity and without taking Wife in the way are ready to make Mothers The young man if sick returns to Earle Godwin in Health leaving the healthfull Nuns sick behind him The same hereof fills the Country flies to Court is complained of by Earle Godwin to the King Officers are sent to enquire they return it to be true the Nuns are turned out their House and Lands forfeited both bestowed on Earle Godwin surprized VVeaknesse being put out and designing VVickednesse placed in the room thereof Surely King Edward knew nothing of Godwin's Deceit herein otherwise it was unjust that the Whores should be punished and the principall Pander rewarded 20. At another time he had a mind to the rich Mannour of Boseham in Sussex Another trick to gain the mannour of Boseham and complemented it out
to receive large summes of money for his leave after whose faculties obtained if such marriage were against the Law of God men did sin not with less guiltiness but more Expences 26. That the Bodies of the Dead be not carried to be buried out of their own Parishes so that the Parish Priest should lose his due unto him 27. That none out of a rash novelty which we know to have happened exhibit reverence of Holiness to any Bodies of the Dead fountains or other things without Authority from the Bishop 28. That none persume hereafter what hitherto men used in England to sell Men like bruite Beasts Anno Dom. 1102. This Constitution as all others which concerned the Subjects Civil right found not general obedience in the Kingdom For the proceedings of the Canon Law were never wholly received into practice in the Land but so as made subject in whatsoever touched temporals to secular Laws and national Customs And the Laytie at pleasure limited Canons in this behalf Nor were such sales of servants being mens proper goods so a See Mr Selden spicileg ad Eadmerum pag. 208. weakned with this prohibition but that long after they remained legal according to the Laws of the Land 29. That the sin of Sodometry both in Clergie and Laytie should be punished with heavy Censures Remarkable that the same Synod which forbad Priests Marriage found it needful to punish Sodometry an Italian Vice beginning now to be naturaliz'd in England For those who endeavour to make the way to heaven narrower then God hath made it by prohibiting what he permits do in event make the way to hell wider occasioning the committing of such sins which God hath forbidden We may further observe that the plaister now applied to the rotten sore of Sodometry was too gentle too narrow and too little time laid on Too gentle for whereas the sin is conceived to deserve death it was onely slubber'd over that the party convict of this Wickedness if in Orders was admitted to no higher honour and deposed from what he had till restored again on his repentance Too narrow if it be true what one observes that b Bale in the Acts of English Votaries second part chap. 74. MONKS as neither merely Lay nor Priests were not threatned with this Curse where all was hidden in Cloysters Lastly too little time laid on for whereas at first it was constituted that such Excommunication of Sodomites convicted should solemnly be renewed every Lords Day this short-liv'd Canon did die in the birth thereof and Anselme himself c Eadmerus ut prius postponi concessit suffered it to be omitted on pretence that it put beastly thoughts into many mens mindes whose corruption abused the punishment of sin in the provocation thereof whilest others conceive this relaxation indulged in favour to some great offenders who hardened in Conscience but tender in Credit could not endure to be so solemnly publickly and frequently grated with the shame of the sin they had committed So much for the Constitutions of that Synod wherein though Canons were provided for Priests Cap a Pe from the shavnig to the shooes yet not a syllable of their instructing the people and preaching Gods word unto them We must not forget that men guilty of Simony in the first Canon are not taken in the Vulgar acception for such as were promoted to their places by money but in a new coyned sence of that word for those who were advanced to their Dignities by investiture from the King which gave occasion to the long and hot Broil happening betwixt King Henry and Anselme which now we come to relate 4. The King commanded him to Consecrate such Bishops 4. as he lately had invested 1103 namely An selme refuseth to consecrate the Kings Bishops William of Winchester Roger of Hereford c. which Anselme refused because flatly against the Canon newly made in the Councel of Rome by Pope Vrban that any who had their entrance by the Authority of temporal Princes should be admitted to Bishopricks Hereupon the King enjoyned Gerard Arch-Bishop of York to Consecrate them who out of opposition to Anselme his Competitour was as officious to comply with the King King as the other was backward Anno Dom. 1105. hoping thereby to hitch his Church a degree the higher Anno Regis Hen. 16. by help of his Royal Favour Here hapned an unexpected accident For William Bishop of Winchester refused Consecration from the Arch-Bishop of York and resigned his staff and ring back again to the King as illegally from him This discomposed all the rest For whereas more then the moity of Ecclesiastical persons in England were all in the same condemnation as invested by the King the very multitude of offenders would have excused the offence if loyal to their own cause Whereas now this defection of the Bishop of Winchester so brake the ranks and maimed their entireness that their cause thereby was cast by their own confession and so a party raised among them against themselves 5. Soon after Anselme sent to Rome the King was contented that Anselme should go to Rome to know the Popes pleasure herein But one none of the Conclave without a prophetical spirit might easily have foretold the resolution of his Holiness herein never to part with power whereof how injuriously soever though but pretendedly possessed Anselme for his complyance with the Pope herein is forbidden to return into England while the King seiseth on his temporalities 6. However The king parts with his investing of Bishops not log after 1106. by mediation of friends 7. they are reconciled the King disclaiming his right of Investitures a weak and timerous act of so wise and valiant a Prince whose Predecessors before the Conquest held this power though some time loosely in their own hands and his Predecessors since the Conquest grasp'd it fast in their fist in defiance of such Popes as would finger it from them Whereas now he let it go out of his hand whilest his Successors in vain though with a long arme reach't after it to recover it And now Anselme who formerly refused consecrated all the Bishops of vacant Sees amongst whom Roger of Sarisbury was a prime person first preferred to the Kings notice because he began prayers quickly and caded them speedily for which quality he was commended as fittest for a Chaplain in the Camp and was not unwelcome to the Court on the same account 7. Anselme having devested the King of investing Bishops one of the fairest roles in his Ward-robe did soon after deprive the Clergie of one half of themselves Anselme forbids Priests marriage For in a solemn Synod he forbad Priests Marriage wherein 1107 as charitably we believe 8. his intentions pious and commendable and patiently behold his pretences specious and plausible so we can not but pronounce his performance for the present injurious and culpable and the effects thereof
of succession could be pleaded where no two links followed in order But others answered that such popular election of Stephen had been of validity if the electors had been at liberty whereas they being preingaged to Maud by former oath could not again dispose of those their votes which formerly they had passed away 32. Others conceived that the stain of Stephen his usurpation in getting the Crown A second party with theiropposers was afterward scoured clean out by his long more then eighteen years enjoying thereof For suppose Providence for a time may winke Anno Regis Steph. 〈◊〉 and connive yet it cannot be conceived in so long a slumber yea asleep yea a lethargie as to permit one peaceably so long to posses a Throne except heaven had particularly designed him for the same To this others answered that Stephen all that time rather possessed then enjoyed the Crown alarum'd all his life long by Maud and her Son so that he had as little quiet in as right to the Kingdom But grant his possession thereof never so peaceable what at first was foundered in the foundation could not be made firm by any height of superstructure thereupon An error by continuance of time can never become a truth but more inveterate error 33. A third of maintained that Subjects Loyaltie is founded on their Soveraigns protection A third with theirs so that both sinke together Seeing therefore Maud was unable to afford her people protection her people were bound to no longer allegiance But thus position was disproved by such who bottoming allegiance onely on conscience make protection but the encouragement not the cause thereof They distinguished also betwixt a Princes wilful deserting his people and his inability to protect them not through his own default but the forcible prevailing of others Thus the conjugal tie is onely dissolved by the parties voluntary uncleanness and not by his or her adventitious impotency to render due benevolence 34. A fourth party avouched A fourth with theirs that Maud though not actually and openly yet tacitly and interpretatively released the English from their allegiance unto her For what Prince can be presumed so tyrannical as to tie up people to the strict termes of Loyaltie unto him when the same is apparently destructive unto them and no whit advantagious to himself But others disliked this position for where did nay such relaxation appear It cancelleth not the obligation of a debtor to fancy to himself an acquittance from his creditor which cannot be produced 35. Some acted at the commands though not for the commands of King Stephen Some act at not for King Stephens commands namely in such things wherein his injunctions concurred with equity charity and order consistent with the principles of publike utility and self-preservation These having the happiness to be commanded by an Usurper to do that which otherwise they would have done of themselves did not discover themselves to act out of their own inclinations whilest it passed unsuspected in the notion of their obedience to King Stephen Thus many thousands under the happy conduct or at leastwise contrivance of Thurstan Arch-Bishop of York though in their hearts well affected to Maud her title unanimously resisted David King of Scots though he pretended recuperative armes in Queen Maud her behalf under which specious title he barbarously committed abominable cruelties till nettled therewith both Stephanists and Maudists joyntly bad him battle and overthrew him nigh Alerton in York-shire 36. All generally bare the burdens and no less politickly then patiently Politick patience paied all taxes imposed upon them Recusancy in this kinde had but armed King Stephen with a specious pretence to take all from them for refusing to give a part Nor scrupled they hereat because thereby they strengthened his usurpation against the rightful heir because done against their wills and to prevent a greater mischief Mean time they had a reservation of their loyaltie and erecting a throne in their hearts with their prayers and tears mounted Queen Maud on the same 37. Robert Robert Earl of Glocester singular Earl of Glocester the Queens half-brother may even make up a forme by himself finding none other before or after him of the same opinion Who conditionally did homage to King Stephen scilicet a Mat. Paris pag. 75 si dignitatem suam sibi servaret illibatam namely So long as he preserved this Roberts dignity for so I understand the Pronoune's reciprocation to be inviolated 38. A few there were Highly conscientious whose relucting consciences remonstrated against the least compliance with King Stephen whose high loyalty to Maud interpreted all passiveness under an Usurper to be activity against the right heir These even quitted their Lands in England to the tempest of time and secretly conveyed themselves with the most incorporeal of their estates as occuping in the least room in their wastage over into Normandy 39. The Clergie An honest revote of the Clergie perceiving that King Stephen performed little of his large promises unto them were not formerly so forward in setting him up 1136. but now more fierce in plucking him down and sided effectually with Maud against him An act which the judicious behold not as a crocked deed bowing them from their last but as an upright one streight'ning them to their first and bxest oath made to this Maud in the life time of her father But Stephen resolved to hold with a strong what he had got with a wrong hand fell violently on the Bishops who then were most powerfull in the land every prime one having as a Cathedral for his devotion so many manors for his profit parks for his pleasure and castles for his protection and he uncastled Roger of Sarisbury Alexander of Lincoln and Nigellus of Ely taking also a great mass of treasure from them 40. Most fiercely fell the fury of King Stephen on the Dean and Canons of Pauls for crossing him in the choice of their Bishop For he sent Canons of Pauls soundly paid and took their a Rad. de Diceto in huncanum Focarias and cast them into London Tower where they continued many dayes not without much scorn and disgrace till at last those Canons ransomed their liberty at a great rate 41. What these Focariae were we conceive it no disgrace to confess our ignorance What Focariae were the word not appearing in any Classical Author and we must by degrees scrue our selves into the sense thereof 1. It signifieth some female persons the gender of the word discovering to much 2. They were near to the Canons who had an high courtesie for them as appears by procuring their liberty at so dear a price 3. Yet the word speaks not the least relation of affinity or consanguinity unto them 4. All the light we can get in this Focariae is from some sparks of fire which we behold in the word so as if these shee s were nymphs
them a punishment far lighter then the offence did deserve Indeed it is most meet in matters meerly Ecclesiastical touching the Word and Sacraments Clergy-men be onely answerable for their faults to their spiritual superiors as most proper and best able to discern and censure the same And in cases criminal it is unfit that Ministers should be summoned before each proud pettish petulant pragmatical secular under-officer However in such causes to be wholly exempted from civil power is a priviledge which with reason cannot be desired of them nor with justice indulged unto them Sure I am Abiathar though High-Priest was convented before and deposed by Solomon for his practising of treason And S t Paul saith Rom. 13. 1. Let every soul be subject to the higher powers 60. To retrench these enormities of the Clergy 1164. the King called a Parliament at Clarendon 10. near Sarisbury and not in Normandy He incurs the Kings displeasure as Mr Fox will have it intending with the consent of his great Councel to confirm some severe Laws of his Grand-father King Henry the first To these Laws See them at large in Mat. Paris sixteen in number Becket with the rest of the Bishops consented and subscribed them But afterwards recanting his own act Anno Regis Hen. 2 10. renounced the same Anno Dom. 1164 Let not therefore the crime of inconstancy be laid too heavily to the charge of Arch-Bishop Cranmer first subscribing then revoking popish articles presented unto him seeing this his name-sake Thomas and predecessor Becket without any stain to his Saintship retracted his own act upon pretence of better information But so highly was Becket offended with himself for his subscription that in revenge for some moneths he suspended himself from all Divine Service his pride and laziness both before and after suspended him from ever preaching and would not be present thereat Hereafter let none hope for more favour from this Arch-Bishop then their fact may deserve seeing he cannot rationally be expected to be courteous to others who was so severe unto himself The best was in this his suspension the knot was not tied so hard as to hurt him who in case of necessity as he had bound so he could loose himself though for the more state of the matter Pope Alexander * Fox his Mon. see the letter at large pag. 269. himself was pleased solemnly to assoil him from his suspension Mean time Becket both in his suspension and absolution most highly offended King Henry who every day the more was alienated from and incensed against him 61. During Beckets abode about Clarendon The vanity of Beckets path he is reported every morning to have walk'd from his lodging some miles to the Kings Palace Where the ground say they called Beckets path at this day presenteth it self to the eyes of the beholders but most quick-sighted if looking through Popish spectacles with the grass and grain growing thereon in a different hew and colour from the rest A thing having in it more of report then truth yet more of truth then wonder the discolourations of such veins of earth being common in grounds elsewhere which never had the happiness of Becket his feet to go upon them 62. But oh He flieth beyond Sea without the Kings consent If Becket's feet had left but the like impression in all the wayes he went how easie had it been for all mens eyes and particularly for our pen to have track'd him in all his travels Who not long after without the consent of the King took Ship sail'd into Flanders thence travelled into the Southern parts of France thence to Pontiniack thence to Senes abiding seven years in banishment But though he served an apprentiship in exile he learned little humility thereby onely altering his name for his more safety from Becket to Derman but retaining all his old nature remitting nothing of his rigid resolutions 63. Now to avoid idleness How employed in his banishment Becket in his banishment variously employed himself First in making and widening breaches between Henry his native Soveraign 11. and Lewis the French King 1165. Secondly in writing many voluminous a See them exemplified at large in Stapleton De Tribus Thomis letters of expostulation to Princes and Prelates Thirdly in letting flie his heavy excommunications against the English Clergie namely against Roger Arch-Bishop of York Gilbert Foliot Bishop of London a learneder man them himself Joceline Bishop of Sarisbury and others His chief quarrel with them was their adherence to the King and particularly because the Arch-Bishop presumed to Crown Henry the King's Son made joynt-King in the life of his Father a priviledge which Becket claimed as proper to himself alone Fourthly in receiving comfort from and returning it to Pope Alexander at Beneventum in Italy 13. Sameness of affliction bred sympathy of affection betwixt them 1167. both being banished the Pope by Frederick Barbarossa the Emperour for his pride and insolency as our Becket smarted for the same fault from King Henry Here also Becket solemnly resigned his Arch-Bishoprick to the Pope as troubled in conscience that he had formerly took it as illegally from the King and the Pope again restored it to him whereby all scruples in his minde were fully satisfied 64. But afterwards by mediation of friends Is reconciled to the King Becket's reconciliation was wrought and leave given him to return into England However the King still retained his temporals in his hand Anno Dom 1167. on weighty considerations Anno Regis Hen. 2. 13. Namely to show their distinct nature from the spirituals of the Arch-Bishoprick to which alone the Pope could restore him Lay-lands being separable from the same as the favour of secular Princes and Becket's bowed knee must own the Kings bountiful hand before he could receive them Besides it would be a caution for his good behaviour 65. Caelum non animum Returns as obstinate as he went over Travellers change climates 1170. not conditions 16. Witness our Becket stubborn he went over stubborn he staied stubborn he return'd Amongst many things which the King desired and he denied he refused to restore the Excommunicated Bishops pretending he had no power indeed he had no will and that they were Excommunicate by his Holiness Yea he instead of recalling his old added new Excommunications and that thunder which long before rumbled in his threatnings now gave the crack upon all those that detained his temporal revenues a Parte posteriâ—â—i Henrici secundi pag. 521. Roger Hoveden reports that upon Christmas-day the better day the better deed he Excommunicated Robert de Broc because the day before he had cut off one of his horses tailes Yea he continued and encreased his insolence against the King and all his subjects 66. Here the King let fall some discontented words Is slain by four Knights in his own Church which
Acts and Monum pag. 493. two hundred and seventy They might well have been brought up to four hundred and made as many as Baals lying Prophets though even then one Propher of the Lord one Micaiah one true miracle were worth them all 70. It is almost incredible The blinde superstition of people what multitudes of people flock'd yearly to Canterbury which City lived by Beckets death especially on his Jubilee or each fifty years after his enshrining No fewer then an hundred c Wil. Somner ut priùs pag. 249. thousand we finde it in words at length and therefore a cipher is not mistaken of English and forrainers repaired hither And though great the odds in hardness between stones and flesh there remains at this day in the marble the prints of their superstition who crept and kneeled to his shrine The revenues whereof by peoples offerings amounted to more then six hundred pounds a year And the same accomptant when coming to set down what then and there was offered to Christ's or the High-Altar dispatcheth all with a blanke Summo Altari nil Yea whereas before Beckets death the Cathedral in Canterbury was called Christ's Church it passed afterwards for the Church of S t Thomas verifying therein the complaint of d John 12. 13. Mary Magdalen Sustuleruat Dominum They have taken away the Lord. Though since by the demolishing of Beckets shrine the Church and that justly hath recovered his true and ancient name SECT II. DOMINO JOANNI WYRLEY DE WYRLEY-HALL In Com. Stafford Equiti Aurato LEx Mahometica jubet ut Turcarum quisque mechanicae arti incumbat Hinc est quòd vel inter Ot tomanicos Imperatores hic faber ille Sartor hic totus est in baltheorum * * Edw. Sandys in suis peregrinationibus bullis ille in Sagittarum pennis concinnandis prout quisque suà indole trahatur Lex mihi partim placet partim displicet Placet industria nè animi otii rubigine obducti sensim torpescerent Displicet ingenuas mentes servili operi damnari cùm humile nimis sit abjectum At utinam vel lex vel legis aemula consuetudo inter Anglos obtineret nt nostrates nobiles ad unum omnes meliori literaturae litarent Hoc si fiat uberrimos fructus Respublica perceptura esset ab illis qui nunc absque Musarum cultu penitus sterilescunt Tu verò Doctissime Miles es perpaucorum hominum qui ingenium Tuum nobilitate premi non sinis sed artes ingenuas quas Oxonii didicisti juvenis vir assiduè colis Gestit itaque Liber noster Te Patrono quo non alter aut in not andis mendis oculatior aut in condonandis clementior 1. EVen amongst all the stripes given him since the death of Becket 20. none made deeper impression in King Henry's soul 1174. then the undutisulness of Henry The undutisulness of young King Henry his eldest Son whom he made the foolish act of a wise King joynt-King with himself in his life time And as the Father was indiscreet to put off so much of his apparel before he went to bed so the Son was more unnatural in endeavouring to rend the rest from his back and utterly to difrobe him of all Regal power The Clergie were not wahting in their plentiful censures to impute this mischance to the King as a Divine punishment on Beckets death that his natural Son should prove so undutiful to him who himself had been so unmerciful to his spiritual father Anno Dom. 1174. But this rebellious childe pass'd not unpunished Anno Regis Hen. 2. 20. For as he honoured not his Father so his dayes were sew in the land which the Lord gave him And as he made little account of his own father so English Authors make no reckoning of him in the Catalogue of Kings This Henry the third being wholly omitted because dying during the life of his Father 2. But Richard made Arch-Bishop of Canterbury before this Henries death Richard Prior of Dover who divided Kent into three Arch-Deaconries was made Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Indeed the place was first profered to Robert Abbot of Becco in Normandy Sequents of three if he had accepted it Anselme Theobald and this Robert who in the compass of seventy years out of the same Abby were made Arch-Bishops of Canterbury but he refused it as ominous to succeed Becket in his Chair lest he should succeed him in his Coffin and preferr'd a whole skin before an holy Pall. But Richard accepting the place is commended for a milde and moderate man being all for accommodation and his temper the best expedient betwixt the Pope and King pleasing the former with presents the latter with compliance This made him connive at Jeffery Plantaginet his holding the Bishoprick of Lincoln though uncanonicalâ—ess on uncanonicalness met in his person For first he was a bastard Secondly he was never in orders Thirdly he was under age all which irregularities were answered in three words The Kings Son This was that Jeffery who used to protest by the royaltie of the King his Father when a stander by minded him to remember the honesty of his Mother 3. A Synod was call'd at Westminster The controversy betwixt Canterbury York for precedency the Popes Legat being present thereat 1176. on whose right hand sat Richard 22. Arch-Bishop of Canterbury as in his proper place When in springs Roger of York and finding Canterbury so seated fairly sits him down on Canterburie's lap a baby too big to be danced thereon yea Canterbury his servants dandled this lap-childe with a witness who pluck'd him thence and buffeted him to purpose Hence began the brawl which often happened betwixt the two Sees for precedency though hitherto we have pass'd them over in silence not conceiving our selves bound to trouble the Reader every time those Arch-Bishops troubled themselves And though it matters as little to the Reader as to the Writer whether Roger beat Richard or Richard beat Roger yet once for all we will reckon up the arguments which each See alledged for its precedencie Canterburies Title 1. No Catholick person will deny but that the Pope is the fountain of spiritual honor to place and displace at pleasure He first gave the Primary to Canterbury Yea whereas the proper place of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in a general Councel was next the Bishop of S t Ruffinus Anselme and his successors were advanced by Pope Vrban to sit at the Popes right foot as alterius orbis Papa 2. The English Kings have ever allowed the Priority to Canterbury For a Duarchie in the Church viz. two Arch-Bishops equal in power being inconsistent with a Monarchy in the State Anno Regis Hen. 2. 22. they have ever countenanced the superiority of Canterbury Anno Dom. 1176. that the Church-government might be uniform with the Commonwealths 3. Custome hath been accounted a King in all
the English at this present had not injured his Holinesse by any personall offence against him the Pope by Interdicting the whole Realme discovered as much emptinesse of Charity as plenitude of Power But some will say his bounty is to be praised that he permitted the People some Sacraments who might have denied them all in rigour and with as much right yea 't is well he Interdicted not Ireland also as a Countrey under King Johns Dominion deserving to smart for the perversnesse of their Prince placed over it 10. But after the continuance of this Interdiction King John by name excommunicated a year and upwards 1209. the horrour thereof began to abate 10. Use made ease and the weight was the lighter born by many shoulders Yea the Pope perceived that King John would never be weary with his single share in a generall Burden and therefore proceeded Nominatim to excommunicate him For now his Holinesse had his hand in having about this time excommunicated Otho the German Emperour and if the Imperiall Cedar had so lately been blasted with his Thunderbolts no wonder if the English Oak felt the same fire He also Assoiled all English subjects from their Allegiance to King John and gave not onely Licence but Incouragement to any Forreigners to invade the land so that it should not onely be no sinne in them but an expiating of all their other sinnes to conquer England Thus the Pope gave them a Title and let their own swords by Knight-service get them a Tenure 11. Five years did King John lie under this sentence of Excommunication Yet is blessed with good successe under the Popes curse in which time we find him more fortunate in his Martiall Affairs 1210. then either before or after 11. For he made a successefull voyage into Ireland as greedy a Grave for English Corps as a bottomlesse Bag for their Coin and was very triumphant in a Welsh Expedition and stood on honourable termes in all Foraine Relations For as he kept Ireland under his feet and Wales under his elbow so he shak't hands in fast friendship with Scotland and kept France at arms end without giving hitherto any considerable Advantage against him The worst was not daring to repose trust in his Subjects he was forced to entertain Forainers which caused his constant anxiety as those neither stand sure nor go safe who trust more to a staffe then they lean on their legs Besides to pay these Mercenary Souldiers he imposed unconscionable Taxes both on the English Clergy especially and Jews in the Kingdom One Jew there was of b Mat. Paris in Anno 1210. pag. 229 Bristoll vehemently suspected for wealth though there was no cleer Evidence thereof against him of whom the King demanded ten thousand Marks of silver and upon his refusall commanded that every day a Tooth with intolerable torture should be drawn out of his head which being done seven severall times on the eight day he confessed his wealth and payed the fine demanded who yeelding sooner had sav'd his teeth or stubborn longer had spar'd his money now having both his Purse and his Jaw empty by the Bargain Condemn we here mans cruelty and admire heavens justice for all these summes extorted from the Jews by temporall Kings are but paying their Arrerages to God for a debt they can never satisfie namely the crucifying of Christ 12. About the same time The Prophesie of Peter of Wakefield against K John one Peter of Wakefield in Yorkshire a Hermit 1212. prophesied that John should be King of England 13. no longer then next Ascension-day after which solemn Festivall on which Christ mounted on his glorious Throne took possession of his heavenly Kingdom this Oppose of Christ should no longer enjoy the English Diadem And as some report he foretold that none of King Johns linage should after him be crowned in the Kingdom Anno Regis Joh. 13. The King called this Prophet an a Fox Martyr pag. 229. Idiot-Knave Anno Dom. 1212. which description of him implying a contradiction the King thus reconciled pardoning him as an Idiot and punishing him as a Knave with imprisonment in Kors-Castle The fetters of the prophet gave wings to his prophesie and whereas the Kings neglecting it might have puft this vain Prediction into wind men began now to suspect it of some solidity because deserving a wise Princes notice and displeasure Farre and neer it was dispersed over the whole Kingdom it being b Cominaeus faith that the English are never without some Prophesie on foot generally observed that the English nation are most superstitious in beleeving such reports which causeth them to be more common here then in other Countries For as the Receiver makes the Thief so popular credulity occasioneth this Propheticall vanity and Brokers would not set such base ware to sale but because they are sure to light on chapmen 13. Leave we the person of this Peter in a dark Dungeon 14. and his credit as yet in the Twilight 1213. betwixt Prophet and Impostor to behold the miserable condition of King John King Johns submission to the Pope perplexed with the daily preparation of the French Kings Invasion of England assisted by many English Male-contents and all the banish'd Bishops Good Patriots who rather then the fire of their Revenge should want fuel would burn their own Countrey which bred them Hereupon King John having his soul battered without with forrain fears and foundred within by the falsenesse of his Subjects sunk on a sudden beneath himself to an act of unworthy submission and subjection to the Pope For on Ascenision Eve May 15. being in the town of Dover standing as it were on tip-toes on the utmost edge brink and labell of that Land which now he was about to surrender King John by an Instrument or Charter sealed and solemnly delivered in the presence of many Prelates and Nobles to Pandulphus the Popes Legat granted to God and the Church of Rome the Apostles Peter and Paul and to Pope Innocent the third and his Successours the whole Kingdom of England and Ireland And took an Estate thereof back again yeelding and paying yeerly to the Church of Rome over and above the Peter-pence a thousand Marks sterling viz. 700. for England and 300. for Ireland In the passing hereof this ceremony is observable that the Kings Instrument to the Pope was * Both Instruments for the present were but sealed with Wax and the next yeer solemnly embossed with mettall in the presence of Nicholas the Popes Legat. sealed with a seal of Gold and the Popes to the King which I have beheld and perused remaining amongst many rarities in the Earl of Arundels Library was sealed with a seal of Lead Such bargains let them look for who barter with his Holinesse alwayes to be losers by the contract Thy silver saith the c Isai 1. 22. The Rent never paid the Pope nor demanded
by him Prophet is become dross and here was the change of Glaucus and Diomedes made as in the sequel of the History will appear 14. Yet we find not that this Fee-farme of a thousand Marks was ever paid either by K. John or by his Successours but that it is all runne on the score even unto this present day Not that the Pope did remit it out of his free bounty but for other Reasons was rather contented to have them use his power therein Perchance suspecting the English Kings would refuse to pay it he accounted it more honour not to demand it then to be denied it Or it may be his Holiness might conceive that accepting of this money might colourably be extended to the cutting him off from all other profits he might gain in the kingdome The truth is he did scorn to take so poor a revenue per annum out of two kingdoms but did rather endeavour to convert all the profits of both Lands to his own use as if he had been seised of all in Demesnes 15. At the same time The proud carriage of Pandulphus to the King King John on his knees surrendred the Crown of England into the hands of Pandulphus and also presented him with some money as the earnest of His subjection which the proud Prelate trampled under his d Matt. Paris pag. 237. feet A gesture applauded by some as shewing how much his Holinesse whom he personated slighted worldly wealth caring as little for King Johns coin as his Predecessour Saint e Acts 8. 20. Peter did for the money of Simon Magus Anno Dom. 1213. Others Anno Regis Joh. 14. and especially H. Arch-Bishop of Dublin then present were both grieved and angry thereat as an intolerable affront to the King and there wanted not those who condemn'd his pride and hypocrisie knowing Pandulphus to be a most greedy griper as appeared by his unconscionable oppression in the Bishoprick of Norwich which was afterwards bestowed upon him And perchance he trampled on it not as being money but because no greater summe thereof Five dayes namely Ascension-day and four dayes after Pandulphus kept the Crown in his possession and then restored it to King John again A long eclipse of Royall lustre and strange it is that no bold Monk in his blundring Chronicles did not adventure to place King Innocent with his five dayes reigne in the Catalogue of English Kings seeing they have written what amounts to as much in this matter 16. Now all the dispute was Peter the prophet hanged whether unjustly disputed whether Peter of Wakefield had acquitted himself a true prophet or no The Romiz'd faction were zealous in his behalf Iohn after that day not being King in the same sense and Soveraignty as before not free but feodary not absolute but dependent on the Pope whose Legate possess'd the Crown for the time being so that his prediction was true in that lawfull latitude justly allowed to all Prophesies Others because the King was neither naturally nor civilly dead condemn'd him of forgery for which by the Kings command he was dragg'd at the horse-tail from Corf-Castle and with his sonne a Matt. Paris Vt prius hang'd in the Town of Wareham A punishment not undeserved if he foretold as some report that none of the line or linage of King Iohn should after be crowned in England of whose off-spring some shall flourish in free and full power on the English Throne when the Chair of Pestilence shall be burnt to ashes and neither Triple-Crown left at Rome to be worne nor any head there which shall dare to wear it 17. Next year the Interdiction was taken off of the Kingdom The Interdiction of England relaxed and a generall Jubilee of joy all over the Land 1214. Banish'd Bishops being restored to their Sees 15. Service and Sacraments being administred in the Church as before But small reason had King Iohn to rejoyce being come out of Gods Blessing of whom before he immediately held the Crown into the Warm Sunne or rather scorching-heat of the Popes protection which proved little beneficiall unto him 18. A brawl happened betwixt him The Popes Legate arbitrates the arrears betwixt the King and Clergy and the banished Bishops now returned home about satisfaction for their Arrears and reparation of their damages during the Interdiction all which terme the King had retained their revenues in his hands To moderate this matter Nicolas a Tusculane Cardinal and Legat was imployed by the Pope who after many meetings and Synods to audit their Accounts reduced all at last to the gross summe of fourty thousand Marks the restoring whereof by the King unto them was thus divided into three payments 1. Twelve thousand Marks Pandulphus carried over with him into France and delivered them to the Bishops before their return 2. Fifteen thousand were paid down at the late meeting in Reading 3. For the thirteen thousand remaining they had the Kings Oath Bond and other Sureties But then in came the whole crie of the rest of the Clergy who stayed all the while in the Land bringing in the Bills of their severall sufferings and losses sustained occasioned by the Interdiction Yea some had so much avarice and little conscience they could have been contented the Interdiction had still remained untill all the accidentall damages were repaired But Cardinall Nicolas averred them to amount to an incredible summe impossible to bee paid and unreasonable to be demanded adding withall that in generall grievances private men may be glad if the main be made good unto them not descending to petty particulars which are to be cast out of course as inconsiderable in a common calamity Hereupon and on some other occasions much grudging Anno Regis Joh. 16. and justling there was Anno Dom. 1214. betwixt Stephen Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the Legat as one in his judgement and carriage too propitious and partiall to the Kings cause 19. The remnant of this Kings Reign The Barons rebel against King John afforded little Ecclesiastical Story but what is so complicated with the Interest of State that it is more proper for the Chronicles of the Common-wealth But this is the brief thereof The Barons of England demanded of King John to desist from that arbitrary and tyrannical power he exercised and to restore King Edwards Laws which his great Grand-father King Henrie the first had confirmed to the Church and State for the general good of his Subjects yea and which he himself when lately absolved from the sentence of Excommunication by Stephen Arch-Bishop of Canterburie had solemnly promised to observe But King John though at the first he condescended to their requests afterwards repented of his promise and refused the performance thereof Hereupon the Barons took up Armes against him and called in Lewis Prince of France son to Philip Augustus to their assistance promising him the Crown of England for his reward 20.
Precipimus tibi quod Emme de Pinkney ux Laur. Pinkney qui excommunicatus est eo quod predict Emmam affectione maritali non tractavit eid Emme rationabil Estover invenias donec idem Laur. Vir suus eam tanquam suam tractaverit To the high Sheriff of Buckinghamshire We command you concerning Emme de Pinkney Wife of Laurence Pinkney who is excommunicated because he did not use the foresaid Emme with Affection befitting a Husband that you find for the said Emme Estover in reasonable proportion untill the said Laurence her Husband shall use her as becometh his Wife Of this Laurence Pinkney I can say nothing onely I find his Family ancient and Barons of a Camden Brit. in Northamptonshire Weedon in Northamptonshire Anno Dom. 1214. It seemeth strange he should be excommunicated for not loving usage of his Wife Anno Regis Henrici 3. 7 no Incontinencie appearing proved against him except his carriage was Cruell in a high degree By Estover in our Forrest Towns we only understand A certain allowance of Wood though the extent of the word be far larger importing Nourishment or maintenance in Meat and Cloth as a learned b Bracton lib. 3. Tract 2. c. 18. num 1. Lawyer hath observed This it seems being denied by her husband the King enjoyneth the Sheriff that he should appoint the said Emme Pinkney reasonable Alimony in proportion no doubt to her Portion and her Husband estate 2. Next we take notice of a Writing which the King sent over to the Archbishop of Dublin A remarkable prohibition of Papal appeales and which deserveth the Readers serious perusall 1215 8 REX c Claus S. Henr. 3. numb 24. in dorso Dublin Archiepiscopo Justiciario Hiberniae Salutem Ad ea que vobis nuper nostris dedimus in Mandatis ut nobis rescribertis quatenus fuisset processum in Causa Nicolai de Felda qui contra Abbatem Canonicos S ti Thomae Dublinensis in Curia nostra coram Insticiariis nostris petiit duas Carrucatas Terrae cum pertinentiis in Kelredhery per assisam de morte Antecessoris cui etiam coram eisdem Insticiariis objecta fuit Bastardia propter quod ab ipsis Insticiariis nostris ad vos fuit transmissus ut in Foro Ecclesiastico de ejus Bastardia five Legitimitate agnosceretis nobis per litteras vestras significastis quod cum in Foro ivili Terram predictam peteret per litteras nostras de morte Antecessoris versus memoratos Abbatem Canonicos objecta ei fuit nota Bastardie quare in foro eodem tunc non fuit ulterius processum Memoratus etiam Nicolaus de mandato Insticiariorum nostrorum in Foro Ecclesiastico corā nobis volens probare se esse Legitimum testes produxit publicatis attestationibus suis post diuturn altercationes disputationes tam ex parte Abbatis quam ipsius Nicolai cum ad calculum diffinitive d Noc diphthongs in old Records Sententie procedere velletis comparuerunt due Puelle minoris etatis filie Ricardi de la Feld patris predicti Nicolai appellaverunt ne ad sententiam ferendam procederetis quia hoc in manifestum earum verteretur prejudicium Eo quod alias precluderetur eis via petendi hereditatem petitam nec possit eis subveniri per restitutionem in integrum Unde de consilio vestrorum prudentum ut dicitis Appellationi deferentes causam secundum quod coram nobis agitata est DOMINO PAPE transmisistis instructam De quo plurimum admirantes non immerito movemur cum de Legitimitate predicti Nicolai per restium productiones attestationum publicationes plene nobis constet vos propter appellationem Puellarum predictarum contra quas non agebatur vel etiam de quibus nulla fiebat mentio in assisa memorata nec fuerunt alique partes illarum in causa predicta sententiam diffinitivam pro eo distulstis pronunciare male quasi nostrum declinantes examen volentes ut quod per nostram determinandum esset jurisdictionem dignitatem Anno Regis Henric◠3. 8 ad alienam transferretur dignitatem Anno Dom. 1215 quod valde perniciosum esset exemplo Cum etiam si adeptus esset praedictus Nicholaus possessionem terrae praedictae per assisam praedictam beneficium Peticionis Haereditatis praedictis puellis plane suppeteret in Curia nostra per Breve de Recto maxime cum per litteras de morte Antecessoris agatur de possessione non de proprietate ex officio vestro in casu proposito nihil aliud ad vos pertinebat nisi tantū de ipsius Nicholai Legitimitate probationes admittere ipsum cum litteris vestris Testimonialibus ad Iusticiarios nostros remittere De consilio igitur Magnatum fidelium nobis assistentium vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes quatenus non obstante appellatione praemissa non differatis pro eo sentenciare ipsum ad Iusticiarios nostros remittentes cum litteris vestris testimonialibus ut eis de loquela postmodum agitata postmodum possint secundum legem consuetudinem terrae nostrae Hiberniae Justiciae plenitudinem exhibere Teste Rege apud Glocester 19. die Novembris 3. The summe of this Instrument is this The effect of the Instrument One Nicholas de Feld sueing for a portion of ground detained from him by the Abbot of S t. Thomas in Dublin founded and plentifully endowed in memory of Thomas Becket had Bastardy objected against him The clearing hereof was by the Kings Iudges remitted to the Courts Ecclesiasticall where the said Nicholas produced effectuall proofs for his Legitimation But upon the appeal of two minor-daughters of the Father of the said Nicholas who never before appeared and who if wronged had their remedy at Common-Law by a VVrit of Right the matter was by the Arch-bishop of Dublin transferred to the Court of Rome 4. The King saith in this his Letter Appeale to the Pope prohibited that he did much admire thereat and though all Interests expresse themselves to their own advantage intimates the Act not usuall And whereas he saith that the example would be pernicious it seems if this were a leading case the Kings desire was it should have none to follow it peremptorily injoyning the Arch-bishop notwithstanding the aforesaid Appeal to the Pope to proceed to give Sentence on the behalf of the said Nicholas not to derive the Kings undoubted right to a forreign Power 5. Indeed the Kings of England were so Crest-fallen The time makes it the more remarkable or rather Crown-fallen in this Age that the forbidding of such an Appeal appeareth in him a daring deed Est aliquid prodire tenus Essayes in such nature were remarkable considering the inundation of the Papall Power Green Leaves in the depth of VVinter may be more then full Flowers from the same root in the Spring It seems some Royall
6. Rex dilecto sibi in Christo Archidiacono Glouc. 25 Salutem 1241 Significavimus etiam viva voce exposuimus Magistro P. Rubeo Nuncio Domiin Papae quod non est intentionis nostrae nec etiam volumus aliquatenus sustinere quod vel viros Relligiosos vel Clericum aliquem ad contributionem faciendam ad opus Domini Papae compellant Et ideo vobis mandamus inhibentes districte ne ad mandatum ip sius Magistri Petri vel suorum viros religiosos seu Clericos ad contributionem praedictam faciendam aliqua censura Ecclesiastica compellatis Scituri quod si secus egeritis nos contra vos tanquam perturbatorem Pacis Ecclesiasticae quam conservare tenemur modis quibus expedire viderimus procedemus Teste Rege apud Glouc. 11. die Iunij The King to his beloved in Christ the Archdeacon of Glocester Greeting We have signified also by word of mouth have declared to M r. P. Rubeus Nuncio to the Lord the Pope that it is not our intention nor will we any wayes endure it that they shall compell Religious Men or any Clerk to make a contribution to supply the occasions of the Lord the Pope And therefore we command you strictly forbidding that at the command of the same M r. Peter or any of his officers you compel not any Religious Men or Clerks by any Ecclesiasticall censures to make the aforesaid Contribution Knowing that if you do otherwise we shall proceed against you by means we shall think fit as against the Disturber of the Peace of the Church which we are bound to preserve Witnesse the King at Glocester the 11. of Iune By the way a Nuncio differed from a Legate almost as a Lieger from an extraordinary Ambassodour who though not so ample in his power was as active in his progging to advance the profit of the Pope his Master 23. This Instrument acquainteth us with the Method used by him in mannaging his money matters A free-forced gift Such as refused to pay his demands were proceeded against by Church Censures suspension excommunication c. The cunning Italian to decline to odium imploying the Archdeacons to denounce the same in their respective Iurisdictions Yet this went under the notion of a voluntary contribution Anno Dom. 1241 as free as fire from Flint forced with Steel and strength out of it Anno Regis Henrici 3. 25 24. Whereas the King counted himself bound to preserve the Peace of the Church Spoken like a King the words well became his mouth They seem to me to look like DEFENDER OF THE FAITH as yet but in the Bud and which in due time might grow up to amount to as much For though every Christian in his calling must keep the peace of the Church Kings have a coercive power over the disturbers thereof 25. This Royal resolution Say and do best to resist the oppressing of his Subjects was good as propounded better if performed I find no visible effect thereof but we may believe it made the Popes Mil go the slower though it did not wholy hinder his grinding the faces of the Clergy This Patent is dated from Glocester more loved of King Henry then London it self as a strong and loyal City where he was first crowned and afterwards did often reside 26. Amongst the thousands of pounds which the Pope carried out of England A Pension given by the Pope to an English Earile I meet onely with three hundred Marks yearly which came back again as a Private Boon bestowed on an English Knight Sir Reginald Mohun by Pope Innocent the fourth then keeping his Court at Lyons in France And because these are vestigia sola retrorsum it will not be amisse to insert the whole Story thereof as it is in an ancient French Manuscript pertaining to the Family of the Mohuns Quant Sire Reinalda voit Ceo faitz il passa a la Court de Rome que adonques fuist a Lions purconfirmer ratifer sa novelle Abbay a grand honor de liu a touz joues fuist en la Courte le deniergne en quaresme quant lenchaunce loffice del messe Laetare Ierusalem al quen jour lusage de la Court este que la poistoille doa a plus valiant a plus honorable home qui puit estre trovez en la deste Courte une Rose ou une floretta de fin or donquez ilz sercherent tote le Courte entroverent Cesti Reinald pur le plus noble de tou te la Courte a oui le Pape Innocent donna Celle rose ou florette dor la Papa lui Damanda quil home il fuisten son pais il respondi simple bacheleri bean fitz fetz la pape Celle rose on florette unquez ne fuist donez fo rs an Rois ou an Dukes an a Countese pour ceo nous voluns que vous sons le Counte de Est Ceo est Somerset Reinald respondi Aist O Saincts piere ieo nay dout le mom meinteyner lapos soille donques lui dona ducent mariz per annum receiver sur Cantee saint Paule de Londres de ces deneires d'Engleterre pour son honor mainteyner de quen donna il reporta Bulles que enquore aurent en plomps c. en semblement odue moltes dis aultres bulles confirmatione de sa novelle Abbay de Newham a pres quen jour il porta la rose ou florette en les armes It is as needless as difficult to translate this Bull verbatim being of base obsolete and ill-pointed French sufficeth it that this is the summe thereof The Pope used on the Lords day called Laetare Ierusalem solemnly to bestow a consecrated Rose on the most Honorable persons present at Masse with his Holinesse Enquiry being made the Rose was conferred on Sir Reginald Mohun as the best extracted in the present Congregation But seeing that Rose used alwayes to be given to Kings Dukes and Earles at least the lowest form of Coronetted Nobility in that Age his Holinesse understanding the same Sir Reginald to be but a plain Knight Bachelour created him the Earle of Est that is saith this Bull of Somerset and for the better support of his Honour he allowed him three hundred Marks out of the pence of England understand the Peter-Pence as the most certain Papal Revenue in the Land By this Bull the same Sir Reinald was made a Count Apostolick whereby he had the Priviledges to appoint publick Notaries and to legitimate Bastards on some Conditions King Henry the third was so far from excepting against this Act that he highly honoured him And yet Master Camden sometimes a In his Brit. in Somersetshire acknowledgeth sometimes denieth b In his Eliz. in the case of Count Arundel There are rich who make themselves poor him for an English Earle Not that I accuse him as inconstant to himself but suspect my self not well attaining his meaning therein 27.
a By-Foundation of Postmasters in this House a kinde of Colledg in the Colledg and this Tradition goeth of their Original Anciently there was over against Merton Colledg a small un-endowed Hall whose Scholars had so run in arrears that their opposite neighbours out of charity took them into their Colledg then but nine in number to wait on the Fellows But since they are freed from any attendance and endowed with plentiful maintenance M r Willet being the first Benefactor unto them in that nature whose good example hath provoked many to follow his liberality These most justly conceive themselves much honoured in that Bishop Jewel was a postmaster before removed hence to be Fellow of Corpus Christs Colledg We take our farewell of this House when we have told it consisted lately viz. 1635. of one Warden twenty one Fellows fourteen a The same I conceive with the Postmasters Scholars besides Officers and Servants of the foundation with other Students the whole number being eighty 9. Come we now to the Kings retrenching the Popes power The Church ready to eat up the Common-wealth grown so exorbitant in England A principall part whereof consisted in the multitude of Monasteries daylie increasing in wealth and all at the Popes absolute devotion If posterity had continued at this rate to build and endow Religious Houses all England would in short time have turned one entire and continued Monastery and the inhabitants thereof become either Friers or Founders Where then should be any Souldiers to fight the Kings battels Seamen to steer his ships Husbandmen to plough the Kings land or rather any land of his to be ploughed by husbandmen 10. Besides The mischief of Mortmain to the Crown though these Friers had a living-hand to take and receive from any they had Mortmaine a dead-hand to restore and return any profit to the King again Yea such alienation of lands in Mortmaine setled on Monasteries which as Corporations neither married nor died afforded neither Wards Marriages Reliefs nor Knights-service for the defence of the Realm in a word enriched their private coffers impoverished the publick Exchequer It was not therefore such a dead band which could feed so many living mouthes as the King for his state and safety must maintain Wherefore for the future he restrain'd such unlimited Donatives to Religious Houses 11. Ignorance makes many men mistake meer transcripts for Originals This Law not new but renewed So here the short-fighted vulgar sort beheld the Kings Act herein as new strange and unprecedented whereas indeed former times and forein Princes had done the like on the same occasion First we finde some countenance for it in a Exod 36. 6. Scripture when Moses by proclamation bounded the overflowing bounty of the people to the Tabernacle And in the Primitive times Theodosius the Emperor although most loving and favourable to the Clergie made a Law of A Mortisation or Mortmain to moderate peoples bounty to the Church Yet a great Father Jerome by name much disliked this Act as appears by his complaint to Nepotian of that Law I am ashamed to say it the Priests of Idols Stage-players Coach-men and common Harlots are made capable of inheritance and receive Legacies only Ministers of the Gospel and Monkes are barred by Law thus to do and that not by Persecutors but by Christian Princes But that passionate Father comes off well at last neither do I complain of the Law but I am sorry we have deserved to have such a Law made against us 12. b In his 31. Epist S t Ambrose likewise expresseth much anger on the same occasion out of his general zeal for the Churches good Ambrose angry with Mortmaine But had the aforesaid Fathers men rather pious then politick good Church-men no States-men seen the Monasteries swollen in revenues from an inch in their dayes to an ell by peoples fondness yea dotage on the four sorts of Friers in King Edwards Reign they would no doubt instead of reproving have commended his and the neighbouring Kings care for their Common-wealths 13. For the like laws for limiting mens liberality The Statute of Mortmaine were lately made in Spain and France and now at last followed by King Edward according to the tenour ensuing WHere of late it was provided Anno Dom. 1279. that religious men should not enter into the fees of any without licence and will of the chief Lords of whom such fees be holden immediately Anno Regis Ed. 〈◊〉 7. Nov. 4. And notwithstanding such religious men have entered as well into their own sees as in the fees of other men approprying and buying them and sometime receiving them of the gift of others whereby the services that are due of such fees and which at the beginginning were provided for defence of the Realme are wrongfully without own and the chief Lords do leese their Escheats of the same we therefore to the profit of our Realm intending to provide convenient remedy by the advice of our Prelates Earls Barons and other our subjects being of our Councel have provided made and ordained That no person Religious or other whatsoever he be that will buy or sell any Lands or Tenements or under the colour of Gift or Lease or that will receive by reason of any other title whatsoever it be Lands or Tenements or by any other Craft or Engine will presume to appropriat to himself under pain of forfeiture of the same whereby such Lands or Tenements may any wise come into Mortmaine We have provided also That if any person religious or other do presume either by Craft or Engine to offend against this Statute it shall be lawful to us and other chief Lords of the Fee immediately to enter in the land so aliened within a year from the time of their alienation and to hold it in fee and as Inheritance And if the chief Lord immediately be negligent and will not enter into such Fee within the year then it shall be lawful to the next chief Lord immediate of the same Fee to enter in the said land within half a year next following and to hold it as before is said and so every Lord immediate may enter into such Land if the next Lord be negligent in entering into the same Fee as is aforesaid And if all the chief Lords of such Fees being of full age within the four Seas and out of prison be negligent or slack in this behalf we immediately after the year accomplished from the time that such purchases Gifts or Appropriations hap to be made shall take such tenements into our hand and shall enfeoffe others therein by certain Services to be done to Us for the defence of our Realm saving to the chief Lords of the same Fees their Wardes and Escheats and other Services thereunto due and accustomed And therefore we command you that ye cause the foresaid Statute to be read before you and from henceforth to be kept firmly and observed
Witness my self at Westminster c. Date we from this day the achme or vertical height of Abbeys which henceforward began to stand still at last to decline Formerly it was Endow Monasteries who would hereafter who could having first obtained licence from the King Yet this Law did not ruine but regulate not destroy but direct well grounded liberality that bounty to some might not be injury to others Here I leave it to Lawyers by profession to shew how many years after viz. the eighteenth of of Edward the third Prelates Impeached before the Kings Justices for purchasing land in Mortmain shall be dismissed without further trouble upon their producing a charter of licence and process thereupon made by an Inquest ad quod damnum or in case that cannot be shewed by making a convenient Fine for the same who the active Prelats of this age 14. The late mention of the Prelates advise in passing a Law so maleficial unto them giveth me just occasion to name some the principal persons of the Clergie present thereat namely 1. John Peckam Arch-Bishop of Canterbury a stout man He afterwards excommunicated the Prince of Wales because he went a long journey to perswade him to peace with England but could not prevaile 2. William Wickwane Anno Regis Ed. 1. 11. Arch-Bishop of York Anno Dom. 1283. accounted a great Scholar Author of a Book called Memoriale and esteemed a petty-saint in that Age. 3. Anthony Beake soon after Bishop of Durham the richest and proudest alwayes good manners to except Cardinal Wolsey of that place Patriarch titular of Jerusalem and Prince of the Isle of Man Yet in my minde Gilbert Sellinger his contemporary and Bishop of Chichester had a far better Title as commonly called the Father of Orphans and Comforter of the widdows These with many more Bishops consented though some of them resorbentes suam bilem as inwardly angry to the passing or confirming of the Statute of Mortmain To make them some amends the King not long after favourably stated what causes should be of spiritual cognizance 15. For a Parliament was called at Westminster 13. eminent on this account 1285. that it laid down the limits The Spiritual and Temporal Courts bounded by Parliament and fixed the boundaries betwixt the Spiritual and Temporal Jurisdictions Hitherto shall you come and no farther though before and since both powers have endeavoured to enlarge their own and contract their Rivals authority We will present first the Latin out of the Records and then the English out of our printed Statutes and make some necessary observations on both REX talibus Judicibus Salutem Circumspectè agatis de negotiis tangentibus Episcopum Norwicensem ejus Clerum non puniend eos si placitum tenuerint in Curia Christianitatis de bis quae merè sunt spiritualia viz. de correctionibus quas Prelati faciunt pro mortali peccato viz. pro fornicatione adulterio hujusmodi pro quibus aliquando infligitur paena corporalis aliquando pecuniaria maximè si convictus fuerit de hujusmodi liber homo Item Si Praelatus puniat pro cemeterio non clauso Ecclesia discooperta vel non decenter ornata in quibus casibus alia poena non potest inffigi quam pecuniaria Item Si Rector petat versus parochianos oblationes decimas debitas vel consuetas vel si Rector agat contra Rectorem de decimis majoribus vel minoribus dummodo non petatur quarta pars valoris Ecclesiae Item Si Rector petat mortuà rium in partibus ubi mortuarium dari consuevit Item Si Praelatus alicujus Ecclesiae vel advocatus petat à Rectore pensionem si debitam omnes hujusmodi petitiones sunt faciend in foro Ecclesiastico De violenta manuum injectione in Clericum in causa diffamationis concessum fuit aliàs quod placitum inde teneatur in Curia Christianitatis cum non petatur pecunia sed agatur ad correctionem peccati similiter pro fidei laesione In omnibus praedictis casibus habet judex Ecclesiasticus cognoscere regia prohibitione non obstante THe KING to his Judges sendeth Greeting Use your self circumspectly in al matters concerning the Bishop of Norwich his Clergie not punishing them if they hold plea in Court Christian of such things as be meerly spiritual that is to wit of penance enjoyned for deadly sin as fornication adultery and such like for the which many times corporal penance or pecuniary is enjoyned specially if a free man be convict of such things Also if Prelates do punish for leaving Church-yards unclosed or for that the Church is uncovered or not conveniently decked in which cases none other penance can be enjoyned but pecuniary Item If a Parson demand of his parishioners oblations and tythes due and accustomed or if any person plead against another for tythes more or less so that the fourth part of the value of the Benefice be not demanded Item If a Parson demand mortuaries in places where a mortuarie hath used to have been given Item If a Prelate of a Church or if a Patron demand a pension due to themselves all such demands are to be made in a Spiritual Court And for laying violent hands on a Priest and in cause of defamation Anno Dom. 1285 it hath been granted already Anno Regis Ed. 1. 13. that it shall be tried in a Spiritual Court when money is not demanded but a thing done for punishment of sin and likewise for breaking an oath In all cases afore rehearsed the Spiritual Judg shall have power to take knowledge notwithstanding the Kings prohibition Something must be premised about the validity of this writing learned men much differing therein Some make it 1. Onely a constitutiou made by the Prelates themselves much too blame if they cut not large pieces being their own Carvers 2. A meer Writ issued out from the King to his Judges 3. A solemn Act of Parliament compleat in all the requisites thereof Hear what * Mr Nath. Bacon in his Hist Dis of the Government of England lib. 1. pag. 233. a Bacon but neither S r Nicolas nor S r Francis the two Oracles of Law writes in this case A writing somewhat like a Grant of Liberties which before times were in controversie and this Grant if it may be so called hath by continuance VSURPED the name of a Statute but in its own nature is no other then a Writ directed to the Judges Presently after he saith It is therefore no Grant nor Release but as it were a Covenant that the Clergie should hold peaceable possession of what they had upon this ground And in the next page more plainly For my part therefore I shall not apprehend it of a higher nature then the Kings Writ which in those dayes WENT FORTH AT RANDOM 16. Come we now to the calme judgment of S r Edward Cook Judg Cokes decision on whose decision we may
Private Chappels wherein particular persons claim a propriety of sepulture at their own charges 3. The Chauncel at the expence of the Parson However in all these such respect is had to the custom of the place time out of minde that it often over-ruleth the premisses Quaere Whether the Fences of the Church-yard be to be made on the Parish-charges or on the purse of the several persons whose ground surroundeth it or abutteth on the same * Oblations and Tythes It is a question which I believe will never be decided to the contentment of both Parties in what notion Tythes belong to the Court-Christian 1. The Canonists maintaine That Originally and ex sua natura they are of Ecclesiastical cognizance as commonly avouched and generally believed due Jure Divino Besides such the near relation of the Church and its maintenance that to part the oyl from the lamp were to destroy it They produce also the Confession in the Statute of the first of Richard the second That pursuit for Tythes ought and of ancient time did pertain to the Spiritual Court 2. The Common-Lawyers defend That Tythes in their own nature are a civil thing and therefore by Britton who being Bishop of Heresord and learned in the Laws of this Realm was best qualified for an unpartial Judg herein omitted when treating of what things the Church hath cognizance They * Bracton lib. 5. fol. 401. affirm therefore that Tythes were annexed to the Spirituality Thus they expound those passages in Statutes of Tythes anciently belonging to Court-Christian as intended by way of concession and not otherwise But the Canonists are too sturdy to take that for a gift which they conceive is their due left thanks also be expected from them for enjoying the same and so we leave the question where we found it 27. Mortuary Because something of history is folded up in this word which may acquaint us with the practice of this age we will enlarge a little hereon and shew what a Mortuary was when to be paid by whom to whom and in what consideration 1. A Mortuary a Linwood Constit lib. 1. fol. 11. c. de Consuetudine was the second best quick cattel whereof the party died possessed If he had but two in all such forsooth the charity of the Church no Mortuary was due from him 2. It was often bequeathed by the dying but however alwayes payed by his Executors after his death thence called a Mortuary or Corse-present 3. By whom No woman under Covert-Baron was lyable to pay it and by proportion no children unmarried living under their Fathers tuition but Widows and all possessed of an Estate were subject to the payment thereof 4. To whom It was paid to the Priest of the Parish where the party dying received the Sacrament not where he repaired to prayers and if his house at his death stood in two Parishes the value of the Mortuary was to be divided betwixt them both 5. It was given in lieu of small or personal Tythes Predial Tythes are too great to be casually forgotten which the party in his life-time had though ignorance or negligence not fully paid But in case the aforesaid Mortuary fell far short of full satisfaction for such omissions Casuists maintain the dying party obliged to a larger restitution So much of Mortuaries as they were generally paid at the present until the time of Henry the sixth when learned Linwood wrote his Comment on that Constitution How Mortuaries were after reduced to a new regulation by a Statute in the twenty first of Henry the eighth pertains not to our present purpose 28. For laying violent hands on a Priest The Ecclesiastical Judg might proceed ex officio and pro salute animae punish the offender who offered violence to a Priest but dammages on Action of Battery were onely recoverable at Common-Law Note that the arresting of a Clergy-man by Process of Law is not to be counted a violence 29. And in cause of Defamation Where the matter defamatory is spiritual as to call one Heretick or Schismatick c. the plea lay in Court-Christian But defamations with mixture any matter determinable in the Common-Law as Thief Murderer c. are to be traversed therein 30. Defamation it hath been granted From this word granted Common-Lawyers collect let them alone to husband their own right that originally defamations pertained not to the Court-Christian From the beginning it was not so until the Common-Law by Acts of Parliament granted and surrendred such suits to the Spirituality 31. Thus by this Act and Writ of Circumspectè agatis No end can end an everlasting difference King Edward may seem like an expert Artist to cleave an hair betwixt the spiritual and temporal jurisdiction allowing the premisses to the former and leaving whatever is not specified in this Act to the Cognizance of the Common-Law according to the known and common Maxime Exceptio firmat regulam in non exceptis However for many years after there was constant heaving and shoving betwixt the two Courts And as there are certain lands in the Marches of England and Scotland whilest distinct Kingdomes termed Battable-grounds which may give for their Motto not Dentur justiori but Dentur fortiori for alway the strongest sword for the present possessed them So in controversial cases to which Court they should belong sometimes the Spirituality sometimes the Temporality alternately seized them into their Jurisdiction as power and favour best befriended them See more hereof on Articuli Cleri in the Reign of Edward the second But generally the Clergie complained that as in the blending of liquors of several colours few drops of red will give tincture to a greater quantity of white so the least mixture of Civil concernment in Religious matters so discolourated the Christian candor and purity thereof that they appeared in a temporal hue and under that notion were challenged to the Common-Law Sad when Courts that should be Judges turn themselves Plaintiffs and Defendents about the bounds of their Jurisdiction 32. We long since mentioned the first coming in of the Jews into England brought over by William the Conqueror and now are come this year to their casting out of this Kingdome A transition to the entire story of our English Jews having first premised some observables concerning their continuance therein 1290. If hitherto we have not scattered our History with any discourse of the Jews 18. know it done by design that as they were enjoyned by our Laws to live alone in streets by themselves not mixing in their dwellings with Christians so we purposely singled out their story and reserved it by it self for this one entire relation thereof 33. They were scattered all over England Their principal residence in London In Cambridg Bury Norwich Lin Stanford Northampton Lincoln York and where not But their principal aboad was in London where they had their Arch-Synagogue at the North corner of the Old-Jury as opening
Knight Henry Broomflete put before a Doctor of both Laws and yet John Colevil another Knight placed after the same Doctor I confess the contest very ancient about priority betwixt a Knight and a Doctor of Law ever since the comparison which a In orat pro. Murena Tully made betwixt Lucius Murena a Knight of Rome and Pub. Sulpitius a Lawyer either of them standing for the Consulship Though now in England the precedency of the Knight be indubitable since preferment is taken from Civil Law and the professors thereof shut up as it were in a narrow corner of their own faculty But we leave the Critical Decision thereof to his b Chassaneus la gloria mundi lib. 9. pen who hath wrot a just Tract of the Glory in truth of the Vanity of this world and exactly stated this particular with all the circumstances thereof 7. Whereas the King impowreth those his Commissioners to meddle in the point of his right of the Realm of France A charitable and no impolitick offer with King Charles his competitor submitting his Title to be discussed in the Councel it carrieth with it a confidence of his own right and charitable desire to save the effusion of Christian Bloud But this was not Councel but Camp-work and we meet not with the mention hereof once touched on in this great Assembly However so wary was King Henry or rather his Councel as not absolutely to tie up his title to the decision of this Councel but to give his Commissioners a negative voice in case they see cause to dissent 8. The general History of the Church reporteth the Acts of this Councel A contest betwixt the English and Castilaus about precedency how they deposed Pope Eugenius and substituted Felix in his room for which and other decisions therein Rome beholds this Councel but with bad eyes unto this day We will onely meddle with a difference therein which concerned our own Nation The Orators of several Kings began to take their places according to their birth-rights dating their age from their Nations first receiving of Christianity Here arose the controversie of course about precedency betwixt the English and Castile Ambassadours the former alledging Britaines conversion by Joseph of Arimathea which Alphonsus Garsias de Sancta Maria Dean of Compostella and Segovia Doctor of Law and Ambassadour for Castile with a Speech c Ex Schedis Coâ—â—onianâ—s more tedious then his name and titles much endeavoured to disprove and his arguments may be reduced to these four heads 1. First he denied Josephs arrival in Britaine and imposed the proof thereof on the English who affirmed it challenging them to produce any authentick Record for the same 2. Secondly he urged probability to the contrary out of the Golden Legend or Flores Sanctorum where it is reported how Titus taking Jerusalem caused a thick wall to be digged thorow and therein found an aged man who confessed himself to be Joseph Or Arimathea there imprisoned by the Jews for burying of Christ and that ever since he had been fed with-meat from heaven Hence he inferred that if Joseph were in durance all this while in the wall he could not as the English pretended come over into Britain to plant the Gospel 3. Thirdly grant that Joseph after his enlargement by Titus preached in Britain which must needs be after the year of our Lord seventy and two Spain long before had received the Gospel by the preaching of James the Apostle 4. Fourthly Be it granted that Joseph did preach in England it was but in a corner thereof the grand body of Britain remaining pagan many hundred years after These arguments he uttered with such an affected gravity as if he could have made the matter the more by pronouncing the words the longer 9. The English easily answered these exceptions The English their answer proving James to be slaughtered at Jerusalem by a Acts 12. 2. Herod before his pretended preaching in Spain seeing their own Country-man and an b Rodericus Ximenius in concer d. primatu cum praesule 〈◊〉 in Concil Lateran Anno. 1215. Arch-Bishop of Toledo confesseth as much They produced many ancient testimonies for the preaching of Joseph in Britain the fond fable of his being kept in a wall being beneath confutation as attested onely by a worthless Author Joannes de Voragine Their allegation that Britain was but partially converted by his preaching was but impertinent to the present purpose the point controverted not being of the universality but the antiquity of first receiving the Christian Faith Besides neither James nor any other Disciple ever converted a Kingdom totally and entirely to Christianity However nothing was concluded in this controversie alwayes agitated never decided 1. In the Councel of Pisa Anno 1409. 2. In the Councel of Constance 1417. betwixt the Ambassadours of England and France 3. In the Councel of Sienes before Martin the fifth Pope wherein Richard Fleming Bishop of Lincoln encountered France Spain and Scotland about precedency Lastly betwixt England and Spain in the Councel of Basil though therein nothing concluded those politick Prelates accounting it better to keep both Princes in hope by discussing then to put one into anger by deciding it Yea they loved to set up this controversie as that of the precedence of Cambridg and Oxford in English Parliaments out of design sometimes to delay time sometimes by starting it to stop and divert more dangerous disputes 10. Henry Chichely 15. Doctor of Law 1437 Arch-Bishop of Canterbury All-Souls College in Oxford founded Founded a Colledg in Oxford by the Name of All-Souls for a Warden and fourty Fellows which number by Statute was never to be augmented or impaired and all void places by death or otherwise once in a year to be supplied Wardens Anno Dom. 1437. 1. M r Rich. Andrews 2. M r Rog. Keys 3. Mr Gul. Kele 4. M r Gul. Poteman 5. M r Jo. Stokie 6. Tho. Hobbys 7. M r Gul. Brooke 8. M r Jo. Coale 9. M r Rob. Woodward 10. M r Rob. Stokelie 11. M r Jo. Warner 12. M r Seth Holland 13. M r Jo. Pope 14. M r Rich. Barâ—er 15. M r Rob. Hovenden 16. D r Mocket 17. D r Ashley D r Shelden D r Palmer Bishops Anno Regis Hen. 6. 15. James Gouldwel Bishop of Norwich 1472. Gilbert Bourn Bish of Bath and Wells 1554. Glyes Tomson Bish of Gloucester 1611. Brian Duppa Bish of Sarum Fellow of this House Benefactors King Henry the 6 th at the procurement of the Founder gave four Priories Alians viz. Alberbury Rumney Weeden-Pinkeney and Languenith Queen Elizabeth confirmed the Parsonage of Stanton Harcourt Reginald Poole Card. Arch-Bishop of Canterbury S r William Peter Fellow of this Colledg and Secretary to four Kings and Queens Learned Writers S r Clement Edmonds D r Gentilis an excellent Civilian D r Steward M r Diggs So that at this present this Colledg hath one Warden fourty
Fellows two Chaplains three Clerks six Choristers besides Officers and Servants of the Foundation with other Students the whole number being seventy The Fellows of this College are bound by their Statutes to be benè nati spendidè vestiti mediocriter docti in plano cantu Know Reader I was promised by my respected friend D r Jeremy Taylor late Fellow of this house well known to the world by his worth a Catalogue of the Eminent Scholars thereof but it seems the Press like Time and Tide staying for no man I have not been so happy seasonably to receive it 11. Six years did this Arch-Bishop survive the first Founding of this Colledg A tart jeer soberly returned He was a worthy man in his generation 1443 had not his vassalage to the Pope the epidemical disease of those dayes ingaged him in cruelty against the poor professors of the truth 21. May 3. Most of the Synods called by him toward the latter end of his life effected onely the advance of money the Clergy being very desirous to buy off the penalty of a Praemunire so pernicious to their proceedings but could not compleatly compass the same I have nothing else to observe of Arch-Bishop Chichely save the common tradition how King Henry the sixth acted herein by some misoclere-Countries otherwise in himself friend enough to Church-men sent this Arch-Bishop for a New-years-gift a shred-pie indeed as containing pieces of cloath and stuff of several sorts and colours in jeer because his father was a Taylor at Higham-Ferrars in Northampton-shire The Arch-Bishop thankfully received the gift even after he had seen the entrals thereof and courteously entertained the messenger Anno Regis Hen 6 21. requesting him to return to his Grace If my Lord the King do but as far exceed Henry the fifth whom God assoil his Father Anno Dom. 1443 as my meanness hath gone beyond my poor father he will make the most accomplished Monarch that ever was in Christendom John Stafford one of noble parentage succeeded in the place of Chichely deceased 12. This good precedent of the Arch-Bishops bounty 24. may be presumed a spur to the speed of the Kings liberality 1446 who soon after Founded Eaton Colledg The Founding of Eaton Colledg incorporate by the name of Praepositi Collegii Regalis Col. Beatae Mariae de Eaton juxta Winsor It seemeth these words Beatae Mariae are so necessary that being left out in a Lease wherein all the other Titles of the Foundation were inserted at large the said a A bridgment of Judge Diers reports Num. 379. Trin. Term. quarto Mariae Lease was adjudged void for that omission But know this verdict passed in Queen Maries dayes when Regina Maria made the mention of Beatae Mariae so essential thereunto 13. Indeed it was high time some School should be founded The bad Poetry of that Age. considering how low Grammer-Learning ran then in the Land as may appear by the following Verses made for King Henry the Founder as good no doubt as the generality of that Age did afford though scarce deserving Translation so that the worst scholar in Eaton Colledg that can make a Verse can make a better Luce tua qui natus erat Nicolae sacer Rex Henricus Sextus hoc stabilivit opus Vnctum qui Lapidem postquam ponebat in Eaton Hunc fixit Clerum commemorando suum Astiterant illi tunc Pontifices in honorem Actus solennis Regis Ecclesiae Ex Orientali * Medlo si bis septem pedetentim Mensurare velis invenies Lapidem In festo sancti Jacobi sanctam stabilivit Hic unctam Petram Regia sacra manus Annis M. CCCC sexto quarter Xque Regis H. Regni quinto jungendo Vicena Devout King Henry of that name the sixt Born Nic'las on thy day this building fixt In Eaton having plac'd a stone anointed In sign it for the Clergy was appointed His Prelates then were present so the more To honour the Kings acts and holy Chore. From Eastern midst whereof just fourteen feet If any measure they this stone shall meet On holy James his day the sacred hand Of Royal Henry caus'd this stone to stand M. four C s. fourty six since Christ was born When H. the Crown * Viz. Current otherwise but 24 compleat twenty five years had worn 14. This Colledg consisteth of one Provost A Bountiful Foundation God continue it Fellows a Schoolmaster and Usher with Kings Scholars Besides many Oppidanes maintained there at the cost of their friends so that were Eaton as also Winchester-School removed into Germany they would no longer be accounted Scholae but Gymnasia a middle terme betwixt a School and an Vniversity The Provostship of Eaton is accounted one of the Gentilest Anno Dom. 1446. and intirest preferments in England the Provost thereof being provided for in all particulars Anno Regis Hen. 6 24. to the very points of his hose my desire is one tag of them may not be diminished and as a pleasant * Prov. 28. 19. Courtier told King Henry the eighth an hundred pound a year more then enough Sir John Harrington in the continuation of Godwins Bish in Bish Day of Winchester How true this is I know not this I know if some Courtiers were to stint the enough of Clergy-men even the most industrious of them should with * Prov. 28. 19. Solomons sloathful man have poverty enough But take here a Catalogue of the Provosts of Eaton 1. Henry Seilver D. D. Almoner to King Henry the sixth 2. William Wainflet B. D. afterwards Bishop of Winchester 3. John Clerk B. D. died Provost the 7 th Novemb 1447. 4. William Westbury B. D. chosen Provost Anno 1448. 5. Hen. Bost B. D. he gave an hundred Marks and twenty pounds per an to the Colledg died the 7 th Feb. 1503. 6. Roger Lupton B. D. 7. Robert Aldridge afterwards Bishop of Carlisle 8. S r Tho. Smith Doct. of Law of Queens Colledg in Cambridg chosen Anno 1554. 9. Henry Colle D. D. and Law chosen in the same year 1554. 10. William Bill D. D. Almoner to Queen Elizabeth chosen July 5. 1559. 11. William Day B. D. Dean also of Windsor chosen Jan. 5. 1561. afterwards Bishop of Winchester 12. Sir Henry Savile Warden of Merton Colledg in Oxford chosen 3 June 1596. eminent to all posterity for his magnificent Edition of Saint Chrysostome in Greek 13. Tho. Murrey Esq Tutor and Secretary to King Charls whilst Prince 14. S r Henry * Whose Life is excellently written by my worthy fried Mr Isaac Walton Wotton famous for several Embassies chosen 1625. 15. Steward Doct. of Law and Dean of S t Pauls 16. Francis Rouse Esabque This Eaton is a nursery to Kings Colledg in Cambridg All that I will add is to wish that the prime Scholars in this School may annually be chosen to the University and when chosen their places may
Innocent But others conceive King Henry not so simple himself his parts onely seeming the lower being over-topped with a high spirited queen more probable it is what another d See Mr Habington in the life of Ed. 4. saith that seeing King Henry held the Crown by a false title from the true heir thereof the Pope could not with so good credit fasten a Saintship on his memory But our great e Camd. Brit. ◠Surrey Antiquary resolveth all in the Popes covetousness In cause fuit Pontificis avaritia demanding more then thrifty King Henry the seventh would allow Who at last contented himself by the Popes leave hardly obtained to remove his Corps from Chertsey in Surrey where it was obscurely Interred Anno Regis Hen. 7 10. to Windsor Chappel Anno Dom. 1494. a place of greater reputation Thus is he whom Authors have observed twice Crowned twice Deposed twice Buried the best was though he was not Canonized yet there was plenty of Popish Saints beside him wherewith the Calender is so overstocked that for want of room they justle one another 28. But the Saintship of Anselme Arch-Bishop Morton procureth the Sainting of Ansilm Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 13. was procured on cheaper terms 1497 though it cost Arch-Bishop Marton much money who procured the same Indeed Anselme being alterius orbis Papa the Pope of the English world as the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury was termed no wonder if one Pope upon reasonable termes did this courtesie for another Besides great was the merit of Anselme to the Church of Rome little whereof goes far to obtain a Canonization seeing he was the Champion and confessor of the Popes cause about investing of Bishops against two Kings successively William Rufus and King Henry the first 29. Observable was the carriage of King Henry towards the Pope The Kings carriage to the Pope the Clergie and the poor Lollards To the Pope he was submissive not servile his devotion being seldom without design so using his Holiness that he seldom stooped down to him in any low reverence but with the same gesture he took up something in order to his own ends 30. To the Clergie of desert he was very respectful trusting and imploying them in State affairs more then his Nobility To the dissolute and vitious Clergie he was justly severe Severe to the vitious Clergie and pared their priviledges ordeining that Clerks a Lord Verulam in Hen. 7. pag. 66. convict should be burnt in the hand both that they might taste a corporal punishment and carry a brand of infamy But for this good act the King himself was afterwards branded by Mock-King-Perkins proclamation for an execrable breaker of the Rights of Holy Church He also made a b Statotes undecimo Hen. 7. cap. 2. Law that begging scholars though Clerks should be reputed Vagabonds without they shew the Letters of the Chancellor of the University from whence he saith he cometh 31. To the Lollards so were Gods people nick-named he was more cruel then his predecessors Sad to be the Kings Convert for he not onely in the beginning of his Reign connived at the cruel persecutions which Jo. Halse Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield raised against them 14. but towards the end of his Reign appeared in his person very bloudy unto them 1498 if the story be true which is very lamely delivered unto us There was in Canterbury an old Priest so resolute in Wicliffs opinions that none of the Clergie there could convince him of the contrary The King casually coming thither in the moneth of May undertook the Priest himself though we never read before of his Majesties disputing save when he disputed Bosworth field with King Richard the third The King by what arguments we know not converted this Priest and then presently gave order he should be burnt which was done c Fox Acts Mon. pag. 556. accordingly Surely there was more in the matter then what appeared in the Record or else one may boldly say that if the Kings Converts had no better incouragement this was the first he made and the last he was ever likely to make 32. Two most needless pieces of Cruelty were committed at this time the one an aged old man burnt in Smithfield the other one Joan Baughton widow Needless cruelty which seemeth a woman of some quality as Mother to the Lady Young who was afterwards Martyred she being fourscore d Fox Ibid. years of age was burnt for an Heretick posting her to the Stake which was going to the Grave 33. William Smith sometimes Fellow of Pembroke Hall in Cambridg The Founding of Brasen-nose Colledg and Bishop of Lincoln this year began the Foundation of Brasen-nose Colledg in Oxford I meet not with any satisfactory reason why so called save the fancy of the Founder Except any will say it was so named because built c where anciently Brasen-nose hall stood though this does not so much resolve the Question as put it a degree further off Anno Dom. 1498 But when such who cavil at the name Anno Regis Hen. 7 14. build a Colledg it shall be left at their free liberty to call it according to their own pleasure This Bishop lived not to finish his intentions and the resore after his death Richard Sutton Esq took upon him to perfect the same and accomplished it accordingly Principals Bishops Benefactors Learned men Matthew Smith John Hawarden Tho. Blanchard Rich. Harris Alex. Noel Tho. Singleton D r Ratcliffe Tho. Yates Dr. Greenhil Richard Barnes Bishop of Durham William Clifton William Porter Jo. Elton aliàs Baker Hum. Ogle Edw. Darby Jo. Claymond Jo. Williamson Brian Higden Alexand. Noel Joyce Frankland Richard Harper S r Jo. port Jo. Lord Mordant D r Jo. Barneston Geo. Palin Richard Caldwell Doctor of Physick and a Camdent Eliz. in Anno 1585. Founder of a Chirurgery Lecture in London Ro. Bolton a famous Preacher So that at this present the Colledg is much beautified with buildings and ornaments for the perfecting whereof great summes have been expended within these few last years maintaining a Principal twenty Fellows besides Scholars Officers and Servants of the Foundation in all Anno 1634. amounting to one hundred eighty six Cheshire-men whose Country is called Nobilitatis Altrix and those of Lancashire most commendable ob bonitatem habitudinis decorem aspectus are in this Colledg most proper for preferment 34. John Morton Cardinal and Arch-Bishop of Canterbury deceased The Death of Arch-Bishop Morton many condemned him in his life for acting and putting the King forward to be burtheniome to his Subjects with his Taxes 1500 but his innocence appeared after his death 16. that he rather tempered the Kings covetousness then otherwise He was a Learned man and had a fair Library Rebuss'd with More in text and Tun under it partly remaining in the possession of the late Earl of Arundell I finde him in the
distanced but the breadth of the Street from S t Pauls Church The Mercers made Overseers thereof should not be intrusted to the inspection of his successors the Dean and Chapter of Pauls but committed to the care of the Company of the Mercers for the managing thereof But f In his Epistle unto Jodocus Jonâ—s Erasmus rendreth a good reason from the mouth and minde of Collet himself who had found by experience many Lay-men as consciencious as Clergy-men in discharging this trust in this kinde conceiving also that whole Company was not so easie to be bowed to corruption as any single person how publick and eminent soever 16. For my own part Out of provident prescience I behold Collets act herein not onely prudential but something Prophetical as foreseeing the ruine of Church-lands and fearing that this his School if made an Ecclesiastical Appendent might in the fall of Church-Lands get a bruise if not lose a limb thereby 17. William Lily was the first School-master thereof by Collets own appointment An excellent Scholar born at Odiam in Hampshire and afterward he went on Pilgrimage as far as g Pitzaeus de Ang. Scriptor pag. 697. Jerusalem In his return through Italy he applied himself to his studies And because some perchance would be pleased to know the Lilies of Lily I mean his Teachers and Instructers know that John Sulpitius and Pomponius Sabinus two eminent Criticks were his principal informers Returning home into his native Country well accomplished with Latin Greek and all Arts and Sciences he set forth a Grammer which still goes under his name and is universally taught all over England 18. Many were the Editions of this Grammer â—is Grammer 〈◊〉 the first forth Anno 1513. Anno Dom. 1519 when Pauls School was Founded as appears by that instance Anno Ragis Hen. 8 11. Meruit sub Rege in Galliâ relating to Maximilian the German Emperour who then at the Siege of Therovenne in Flanders fought under the banner of Kings Henry the eighth taking an a Godwins Annals pag. 16. hundred crowns a day for his pay Another Edition Anno 1520. when audito Rege Doroberniam proficisci refers to the Kings speedy journey into Canterbury there to give entertainment to Charles the fifth Emperour lately landed at Dover 19. Formerly there were in England almost as many Grammers as Schoolmasters And privileged by authority children being confounded not onely with their variety but sometimes contrariety thereof rules being true in the one which were false in the other Yea which was the worst a boy when removed to a new School lost all he had learned before whereupon King Henery endeavoured an uniformity of Grammer all over his Dominions that so youths though changing their School-masters might keep their learning This was performed and William Lilies Grammer enjoyned universally to be used Astipend of four pounds a year was allowed the Kings Printer for Printing of it and it was penall for any publickly to teach any other I have been told how larely Bishop Buckeridge examining a Free-School in his Diocess of Rochester the Scholars were utterly ignorant of Lilies rules as used to others whereat the Bishop exclaimed what are there Puritans also in Grammer 20. I deny not but some since have discovered blasted leaves in out Lily observing defects and faults therein and commendable many persons pains in amending them however it were to be desired that no needless variations be made and as much left of Lily as may be The rather because he submitted his Syntaxis to the judgment of b Pitzaeus ut prius Erasmus himself so that it was afterward printed amongst his works Indeed Quae Genus was done by Thomas Robinson and the Accidens as some will have it by other Authors after Lily was dead and Prince Edward born of and for whom it was said Edvardus is my proper name And thus we take out leave both of Lily and Pauls-School flourishing at this day as much as ever under the care of M r John Langly the able and Religious School-master thereof 21. King Henry had lately set forth a Book against Luther King Henry writes against Luther endeavouring the confutation of his opinions as novel and unfound None suspect this Kings lack of learning though many his lack of leisure from his pleasures for such a design however it is probable some other Gardner gathered the flowers made the collections though King Henry had the honour to wear the posie carrying the credit in the title thereof 22. To require his pains Stiled by the Pope Desender of the Faith the Pope honoured him and his successors with a specious title A Defender of the c Jude 3. Faith Indeed it is the bounden Duty of every Christian earnestly to contend for the faith which once was given to the Saints but it is the Dignity of few men and fewer Princes to be able effectually to appear in Print in the Vindication thereof 23. There is tradition His Jesters reply that King Henry's Fool though more truly to be termed by another name coming into the Court and finding the King transported with an unusual joy boldly asked of him the cause thereof to whome the King answered it was because that the Pope had honoured him with a stile more eminent then any of his Ancestours O good Harry quoth the Fool let Theu and I defend one another and let the faith alone to defend it self Most true it is that some of his Successors more truly deserved the Title then he to whom it was given who both learnedly then solidly engaged their pens in the asserting of true Religion 24. At this time Wolsey his unlimited power and pride though King Henry wore the sword Cardinal Wolsey bare the stroke albo're the Land being Legate de Latere by vertue whereof he visited all Churches and Religious Houses even the Friers Observants themselves notwithstanding their stoutness and stubbornness that first d Fox Acts Monumnets opposed him Papal and Royal power met in him being the Chancellor of the Land Anno Regis Hen. 8 13. and keeping so many Bisshopricks in Commendam Anno Dom. 1521 his yearlie income is said to equal if not exceed the Revenues of the Crown 25. The more the pitty that having of his own such a flock of preferment nothing but the poor mans a 2 Sam. 12 3. Ewe-lamb would please him He was the first confoundder of abbies so that being to Found two Colledges he seised on no fewer then fourty small Monasteries turning their inhabitants out of house and home and converting their means principally to a Colledg in Oxford This alienation was confirmed by the present Pope Clement the seventh so that in some sort his Holiness may thank himself for the demolishing of Religious Houses in England 26. For the first breach is the greatest in effect 16. And Abbies having now lost their Virginity
long since should have sent him namely to visit his Diocess so large in extent and reside therein 3. Indifferent men thought that he had enough 〈…〉 his Foes that too much onely himself that too little was left unto him Pride accounts the greatest plenty if without Pomp no better then Penury Yet he had the whole revenues of York Arch-Bishoprick worth then little less then four thousand pounds yearly besides a large Pension paid him out of the Bishoprick of Winchester Was not here suel enough had thee not been too much fire within such his covetousness and ambition 4. Earthly Kings may make men humbled He states it at York God alone humble Wolsey began to state it at York as high as ever before in proportion to his contracted revenues Preparation is made in a Princely equipage for his Installation attracting envie from such as beheld it All is told unto the King and all made worse by telling it complaining Wolsey would never leave his pride till life first left him His old faults are revived and aggravated and the King incensed afresh against him 5. The Earl of Northumberland by the Commission from the King Arrested of Treason and dieth Arrested him of high-Treason in his own chamber at Cawood By slow and short journeys he setteth forward to London meeting by the way with contrary messages from the King Sometimes he was tickled with hopes of pardon and preserment sometimes pinched with fears of a disgraceful death so that he knew not how to dispose his minde to Mirth or Mourning Age and anguish brought his disease of the dysentery the pain lying much in his guts more in his heart Especially aftger S r William Kingston was sent unto him who being Lieutenant of the Tower seemed to carry a restraint in his looks Coming to Leicester he died being buried almost as obscurely as he was born 6. I know not whether or no it be worth the mentioning here Wolseys credulity befooled with dubious Prophecy however we will put it on the adventure that Cardinal Wolsey in his life time was inform'd by some Fortune-tellers that he should have his end at Kingston This his credulity interpreted of Kingston on Thames which made him alwayes to avoid the riding through that Town though the nearest way from his house to the Court. Afterwards understanding that he was to be committed by the Kings express order to the charge of S r Anthony Hen. Lord Howard in his Book against Prophesies chap. 28. fol. 130. Kingston it struck to his heart too late perceiving himself deluded by that Father of Lies in his homonymous prediction 7. Anna Bollen did every day look fairer and fiarer in the King's eyes The King deluded with delays at Rome whilest the hopes of his marriage with her seemed every day farther and farther from him For the Court at Rome meddled not with the merits of the causse but fell upon by-points therein of lesser concernment Yea they divided his case into three a Hist of Councel of Trent pag. 69. and twenty particulars whereof the first was Whether Prince Arthur had carnal knowledg with the Lady Katharine This bare about a years debate so that according to this proportion King Henry would be not onely past marrying but past living before his cause should be decided This news put him into a passionate pensiveness the rather because meeting with sadness here many populous places in England and Cambridg particularly being at the present visited with the sickness 8. But it is an evil plague which brings no body profit On this occasion D r Cranmer retired to Waltham with two of his Pupils Doct. cranmet comes to Waltham the sons of M r Cressey a name utterly extinct in that Town where God hath fixed my present habitation long before the memory of any alive But consulting Weavers a In Essex Pag. 645. But see the former part of Cranmers life until this time in our History of Cambridg Funeral-Monuments of Waltham-Church more truly then nearly by him composed I finde therein this Epitaph Here lyeth Jon and Jone Cressy On whose soulys Jesu havmercy Amen It seems paper sometimes in more lasting then brass all the ancient Epitaphs in that Church being defac'd by some barbarous hands who perchance one day may want a grave for themselves 9. The King coming to Waltham Is imployed by the King to the Pope D r Fox his Chaplain and Almoner afterwards Bishop of Hereford is lodged in M r Cressy 's house Discoursing about the Kings Divorce Cranmer conceived that the speediest course was to prove the unlawfulness of his Match by Scripture whence it would follow that the Pope at first had no power to dispence therewith and that the Vniversities of Christendom would sooner and truer decide the case then the Court of Rome This passage Fox reports to the King who well pleased thereat professes that this man had the b Fox Acts Mon. 1861. Sow by the right ear An ear which the King never left worrying till he had got it off and effected his will therein Cranmer being sent for comes to the King who very lovingly entertains him Indeed he was a most comely person having an amiable eye and as the soul sees much by the eye so is it much seen in them and pleasing countenance as by his lively c Which I have seen at Chesthunt in the house of Sir Tho. Docres done as I take it by Hans Holbein Picture doth appear Glad was the King to see more to hear him enlarge himself on the former subject that it was above the Popes power to dispense with Gods work in the Kings case And now what fitter Nurse for the Childe then the own Mother what person more proper to manage this matter then Cranmer himself who first moved it The King resolves and Cranmer consents he should be sent to the Pope there to make God his possition Leave we Cranmer for a time preparing himself for his long journey and come briefly to state the Kings Controversie out of Gods Word and several Authors who have written thereof 10. It plainly appears that a marriage with a Brothers wife is unlawful Marriage with Brothers Wives twice forbidden in Scripture because expresly forbidden LEVIT 18. 16 Thou shalt not uncover the Nakedness of thy Brothers Wife it is thy Brothers Nakedness Wherein we have 1. A Prohibition Thou shalt not uncover the Nakedness of thy Brothers Wife See all these Laws are made to men it being presumed that the weaker sex whose part it is to take not tender accept not offer love would be so modest as not to adventure of themselves on any incestuous act except first solicited by men thereunto 2. The Reason thereof It is thy Brothers Nakedness God could according to his Dominion peremptorily have forbidden the same without rendring a reason of his Prohibition but that men might pay the more willing obedience to his Law
an injurious and violent degradation deprived him not of his Episcopal indeleble character so that still in right he remained a Bishop 41. Eight Cavil God send valour at last He failed more in his Martyrdome by reason of his cowardly recantation thorow hopes of life and restitution to his former dignity then any of his fellow Martyrs Answer It is confessed But his final constancy may well cover his intermediate failings Better it is faintly and fearfully to bear in our body the marks of our Lord Jesus then stoutly and stubbornly to endure the brands of our own indiscretion 42. Last Cavil Remember not what God had forgotten He was condemned for high Treason for an act done by him as an Arch-Bishop and Councellor of State for which he professed both his sorrow a Mr Pryn 134. and repentance Did he so indeed by the confession of this his adversary The more unworthy man his accusor after this his sorrow and repentance to upbraid him therewith M r Pryn might also remember that the two Lord chief Justices were in the same Treason whose Education made them more known in the Laws of the Land and our Cranmer was last and least in the fault it being long before he could be perswaded to subscribe to the disinheriting of Queen Mary 43. We appeal to the unpartial Reader upon the perusal of the premisses whither an ordinary charity might not yea ought not to have past by these accusations and whether the memory of Arch-Bishop Cramner may not justly say of M r Pryn as once the King of b An appeal to any indifferent Israel of the King of Syria wherefore consider I pray you and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me Indeed so great is his antipathy against Episcopacy that if a Seraphim himself should be a Bishop he would either finde or make some sick feathers in his wings 44. Cranmer was now setled in his Arch-Bishoprick Cranmer Divorceth King Henry and the first eminent act of his office was exercised in the Kings Divorce A Court is called in the Priory of Dunstable in Bedford-shire as a favourable place indifferently distanced but five miles from Amphil where Queen Katharine resided With Cranmer were the Bishops of London Winchester Bath and Lincoln with many other great Prelates These summoned Queen Katharine to appear before them full fifteen dayes together on whose refusal they not onely adjudged her contumacious but also pronounced her match with the King as null and unlawful by Scripture and soon after it was proclaimed that hence forward none should call her Queen but the Dowager of Prince Arthur And thus a few dayes had dispatched that Divorce which had depended many years in the Court of Rome 45. And now I cannot call King Henry a Batchelor Who Marrieth a Lady and a Bollen because once married nor a married man because having no wife nor properly a widower because his wife was not dead But he therefore a single or rather a separated person remaining so if at all but a very short time as soon after solemnly married to the Lady Anna Bollen of whom largely hereafter 46. Now began Elizbeth Barton to play her tricks The Imposture of Elibeth Barton commonly called the holy Maid of Kent though at this day of Kent alone is left unto her as whose Maiden-ship is vehemently suspected and holiness utterly denied she was famous on a double account First for knowing secrets past and indeed she could tell any thing which was told her conversing with Fryers her familiars and other folks Confessors who revealed many privacies unto her Secondly she was eminent for foretelling things to come and some of her predictions hit in the mark procured to the rest the reputation of prophecy with credulous people She foretold that King Henry should not be King a full twelve moneth except he reassumed Queen Katharine to be his Wife 47. I am heartily sorry that the gravity of John Fisher Fisher More befooled by her forgery Bishop of Rochechester should be so light and the sharp sight of S r Thomas More so blinde as to give credit to so notorious an Impostrix which plunged them both into the Kings deep displeesure As for Elizabeth Bvrton soon after she was executed with many of her complices and complotters The Papist at this day unable to defend her forgery and unwilling to confess her cheating seek to salve all by pleading her to be distracted Thus if succeeding she had been praised and perchance Canonized for her devotion now failing she must be pardoned and pittied for her distraction 48. We may remember Bish Fisher imprisoned for refusing the Oath of Supremacy how not long since the Clergie did own and recognize King Henry the eighth for Supreme Head of the Church which was clearly carried by a plurality of voices in the Convocation John Fisher Bishop of Rochester was the onely eminent Clergy-man who openly opposed it One obnoxious to the Kings dispeasure on a threefold account first for engaging so zealously above the earnestness of an Advocate against the Kings Divorce Secondly for tampering with that notable Impositrix the holy maid of Kent Thirdly for refusing the Oath of Supremacy for which he was now imprisoned Indeed this Bishop lost himself both with his friends and his â—oes by his inconstancy at the first seeing he who should have been as staid as the Tower was as wavering as the Weather-cock neither complying with the King nor agreeing with himself but would and would not acknowledge the Kings Supremacy But at last he fixed himself on the negative and resolutely continued therein till the day of his death of whom more largely hereafter 49. The Clergie in the Province of York did also for a long time deny the Kings Supremacy The Convocation of York denies the Kings Supremacy Indeed the Convocation of York hath ever since struck Talies with that of Canterbury though not implicitly unanimously post-concurring therewith But here they dissented not because more Knowing in their judgments or tender in their consciences but generally more superstitious and addicted to Popery Insomuch that they sent two LETTERS to the King I conceive them written one from the upper the other from the lower house of Convocation wherein they acquainted his Highness with their judgments interlacing many expressions of general submission and their Reasons in a large discourle why they could not acknowledg him to be Supreme Head of the Church 50. Give me leave to suspect Edward Lee Edw. Lee Arch-Bishop of York a furious Papist De Scriptoribus Drit in Edwardo Sexto Arch-Bishop of York for a secret fomentor of this difference He was a virulent Papist much conceited of his own Learning which made him to write against Erasmus and a persecutor of Protestants witness John Bale convented before him for suspicion of heresie who in vain earnestly pleaded Scripture in his own defence till at last he casually made use of a
distinction out of Scotus which the Arch-Bishop more valued then all which he had before more pertinently alledged out of the Old and New Testament 51. King Henry wrote a fair and large Letter to the Convocation of York King Henry his answer to York Convocation too long here to be inserted though otherwise I have a good a Communicated unto me by my good friend Dr Littleton Copy thereof wherein the King began mildly to make the passage for his Supremacy into their consciences by a Rational and Argumentative way He disclaimed all design by fraud to surprize or by force to captivate their judgments but onely to convince them of the Truth and Equity of what he desired He b It is printed in the second part of the Cabal declavered the sence of Supreme Head of the Church though offensive in the sound to ignorant ears claiming nothing more thereby then what Christian Princes in the Primitive times assumed to themselves in their own Dominions so that it seems he wrought so far on their affections that at last they consented thereunto 52. Here I wonder at the cavil of the Papists A couseless cavil which being so causleses should be so clamorous accusing us to have a c Harding against Jewel Parliament Religion a Parliament Faith a Parliament Gospel and d Scultingus another addeth Parliament Bishops and a Parliament Clergy Whereas upon serious examination it will appear that there was nothing done in the Reformation of Religion save what was acted by the Clergy in their Convocations or grounded on some Act of theirs praecedent to it with the advice counsel and consent of the Bishops and most eminent Church-men confirmed upon the Postfact and not otherwise by the Civil Sanction according to the usage of the best and happiest times of Christianity 53. By the same proportion in the dayes of Queen Mary the Popish Religion The Cavil retorted might have been stiled a Parliament Religion because after the same had been debated on and concluded of in the Convocation it was confirmed by the Queen Lords and Commons by the Act of Parliament SECT III. Anno Regis To the Right Worshipful Anno Dom. Sir RICHARD SHVGBOROVGH OF SHUGBOROUGH in Warwick-shire MAster Haward returned this answer to Queen Mary demanding the causes of his coming to Court that it was partly to see Her Highness and partly that Her Highness should see him an answer which though more witty then Court-like yea more blunt then witty she took in good part You will not be offended at this my Dedication partly that I may know you partly that I may be known unto you Besides being informed that you love to have your Hospital Table handsomly attended with Ancient Servitors I presumed that this Section containing much of memorable Antiquity would not be unwelcome unto you 1. NOw though nothing was done in matters of Religion Hen. 8 25. but what was fairly and largely discussed 1533 first by the most Learned of the Clergy The Clergie bind themselves to the King yet this year the Clergy in the Convocation so submitted themselves to the King that each one severally promised in verbo Sacerdotis never henceforth to presume to alledg claim or put in ure any new Canons unless the Kings most Royal Assent might be had unto them and this soon after the same was ratified by Act of Parliament 2. And here it will be worth my pains A fourfold sort of Convocations and the Readers perusal to observe the differences between English Synods or Convocations which may eminently be distinguished into four ranks such as were 1. Called before the Conquest Anno Regis Hen. 25 2. Called since the Conquest but before the Statute of Praemunire was made 3. Called after the aforesaid Statute but before another made in the Reign of King Henry the eighth wherein the Clergie were bound up for doing ought without the Royal assent 4. Called after the twenty fifth year of the Reign of King Henry the eighth These did plainly differ in the several manners of their meeting and degrees of power of their acting in Spiritual matters 3. As for Councels Kings Acted in Church matters before the Conquest called before the Conquest whilest the Popes power had not as yet Lorded it over the Kings of England the Kings ever were if not in person in power present thereat as by perusing S r Henry Spelmans Councils plainly doth appear Yea matters both of Church and Common-wealth were often dictated and concluded in the same Meeting Communi consensutam Cleri quam a Sir Henry Spelman Anno 605. pag. 118. Populi Episcoporum procerum comitam nec non omnium Sapientum Seniorum populorumque totius Regni 4. For the second sort called after the Conquest Of the second sort of Convocations but before the Statute of Praemunire the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury or York used-upon all extraordinary and immergent cases toties quoties as their own discretions adjudging necessary or convenient to assemble the Clergie of their respective Provinces at what place they pleased dontinuing Convocations in them so long or dissolving them as soon as they pleased And this they did either as Metropolitans or Primates or as Legati Nati to the Pope of Rome without any leave from the King afore obtained and such Canoas and Constitutions then and there concluded on were in that Age without any further Ratification obligatory to all subjected to their jurisdiction Such were all the Synods from Lanckfranck to Thomus Arundel in whose time the Satute of Praemunire was enacted 5. A Third sort of Convocation succeeds For after the Statute of Praemunire was made Of the third sort of Convocations which did much restraine the Papal power and subject it to the Laws of the Land when Arch-Bishops called no more Convocations by their sole and absolute command but at the pleasure of the King as oft as his necessities and occasions with the distresses of the Church did require it Yea now their meetings were by vertue of a Writ or Precept from the King and it will not be amiss here to exemplifie the form thereof 6. REX The form of ancient Writs of Convocations c. Reverendissimo in Christo Patri A. Canturiensi Archiepiscopo totius Angliae primati Apostolicae sedis legato salutem Quibusdam arduis urgentibus negotiis defensionem securitatem Ecclesiae Anglicanae ac pacem tranquillitatem bonum publicum desensionem Regni nostri subditorum restrorum ejusdem concernentibus vobis in fide dilectione quibus nobis tenemini rogando mandamus quatenus praemissis debito intuitu attentis ponderatis universos singulos Episcopos nostrae Provinciae ac Decanes Praecores Ecclesiarum Cathedralium Abbates Priores alios Electivos Exemptos non Exemptos Nec non Archidiaconos Conventus Capitula Collegia totumque Clerum cujuslibet Dioeceseos
ejusdem Provinciae ad conveniendum eorum vobis in Ecclesia Sancti Pauli London vel alibi prout melius expedire videritis cum omni celeritate accommoda modo debito convocari faciatis Ad tractandum consentiendum concludendum super praemissis aliis quae sibi clarius proponentur tunc ibidem exparte nostrâ Et hoc sicut nos statum Regni nostri honorem utilitatem Ecclesiae praedictae diligitis nullatenus omittatis Teste me ipso c. 7. In this Writ we may observe first Observations thereon that from the word Convocari faciatis the word Convocation took its denomination being formerly called Synods as lately since our Scotizing termed Assemblies Secondly that clause in Ecclesia Sancti Pauli London vel alibi prout melius expedire videritis pointeth at a power placed or rather a Liberty left to the Arch-Bishops to call their Synods elsewhere in case they adjudged it more convenient But because the Arch-Bishops and Bishops might the better attend their business in Parliaments henceforward commonly kept at the same time with Convocations S r Pauls in London was generally preferred for the place of their convention Thirdly this Writ was used even after the Reformation mutatis mutandis namely the title of Apostolical Legate to the Arch-Bishop being left out as also the names of Priors and Abbots are extinguished Lastly of this third Sort of Convocations was all those kept by Thomas Arundel and the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury his successors unto Thomas Cranmer or if you will from the sixteenth of Richard the second unto the twenty fifth of King Henry the eighth These Convocations did also make Canons as in Lynwood his Constitutions do appear which were binding although none other then Synodical authority did confirm them 8. The last sort of Convocations remains The last sort of Convocations called since the Statute the twenty fifth of King Henry the eighth that none of the Clergie should presume to attempt alledge claim or put in ure any Constitutions or Ordinances Provincial or Synodals or any other Canons Constitutions or Ordinances Provincial by whatsoever name or names they may be called in their Convocation in time coming which alwayes shall be assembled by the Kings Writ unless the same Clergie may have the Kings most Royal Assent and Licence to make promise and execute such Canons Constitutions and Ordinances Provincial or Synodical upon pain of every one of the said Clergie doing the contrary to this Act and thereof convicted to suffer imprisonment and making Fine at the Kings will Since this year from Arch-Bishop Cranmer to Arch-Bishop Laud all Convocations so long as they lasted are born tongue-tied till the King did cut the string thereof with his Letters Patent allowing them leave to debate on matters of Religion Otherwise what they conclude are arrows without piles daggers without points too blunt to pierce into the practise of others but sharp enough to wound themselves and bring them within the compass of a Praemunire Yea even such Convocations with the Royal assent subject not any for recusancy to obey their Canons to a civil penalty in person or property until confirmed by Act of Parliament 9. This I humbly conceive to be the difference betwixt the three kindes of Convocations The Authors submission submitting what I have written to the censure and correction of the Learned in the Law conscious of my own ignorance therein as indeed such skill neither is to be expected or required in one of my profession who am ready with willingness yea with cheerfulness yea with thankfulness to God and man publickly to recall and retract what any such convince me to have mistaken herein hoping that my stumbling in so dark a subject may prevent the failing of others 10. There goeth a tradition taken up by many without examination that anciently the Clergie sat as one body with the Parliament A vulgar Errour and were not divided till in the Reign of King Henry the eighth as a * Calebut Downing modern Author hath written in a Tract But when I asked of Him where he had read the same he cited a French Letter of Cardinal Sadolets Strange that a Foraigner should be more seeing herein then any of our Native Authors and Records that I ever could behold But it may be the Error had its Original hence because anciently Bishops sitting in the Parliament did not alwayes appear personally or by the proxie of men of their own order but sometimes sent one or more of the inferiour Clergie to represent them if it be true what I have read in a small English book bearing the name of M r Selden but I question whether avowed by him of the proceedings in Parliament 11. John Fryth sealed the Truth with his bloud The Martyrdom of John Fryth one who justly may be said aged sixty at six and twenty so young was he Martyred such his learning Anno Dom. 1533 gravity Anno Regis Hen. 8 25. and constancy It was chiefly charged on him that he denyed the believing of the real presence in the Sacrament understand him de modo thereof to be an Article of the Faith though confessing Christ really present in the bread so he might not be compelled to the worshipping thereof But these things are set down largely in M r Fox Onely I will add that persons out of groundlesse suggest two scandals on this good man and his wives memory One that he was guilty of some practise against the State meerly because he was committed to the Tower The other that his wife being beyond the Seas with M r Tyndal expressing himself content with the will of God that for her sake she would not have the glory of God hindered desired to be rid of her husbands life that M r Tyndal might the more freely enjoy her company Thus this Jesuite being himself a Bastard measureth others by the chastity of his own Parents Indeed the aforesaid Tyndal much exhorted Fryth to patient suffering but not as those Cowardly Captains which encourage others to fight and themselves forsake the field because afterwards he valiantly brought up the rear and suffered for the same cause two years after 12. John Fisher Bishop of Rochester Bishop Fishers Letter for new cloaths and a Confessour was now prisoner in the Tower 1534 where he was but coursely used as appears by a Letter to M r Secretary Cromwel 26. a a Ex literis in Bibliothecâ Cottoniana FUrthermore I beseche yow to be gode Master unto me in my necessitic for I have neither Shirt nor Sute nor yet other Clothes that ar necessary to me to weare but that be ragged and torn to shamefully And now in mine Age my stomake may not away but with a few kind of meats which if I want I decay forthwith and fall into coffs and diseases of my body and cannot keep my selfe in health And as our Lord knoweth I
hand of your bounty hath had so long a reach let the legs of my gratitude take as large a stride When you shall be disposed to be Solitary and desirous to have Society at the same time peruse this Book whereby you shall attain your desired Condition FOR twelve Moneths had Bishop Fisher formerly condemned now lived in durance Hē 8. 27. June 22. and so was likely to continue 1535. untill in all probability his soul at the same time Fisher made Cardinal should be freed from two Prisons I mean that of his body and that of the Tower For his life could doe the King no hurt whose death might procure Him hatred as of one generally pitied for his age honoured for his learning admired for his holy conversation Besides it was not worth the while to take away his life who was not onely mortalis as all men and mortificatus as all good men but also moriturus as all old men being past seventy six years of age But now an unseasonable act of the Pope accelerated his execution in making him Cardinal of S. Vitalis a title which Fisher so little affected that he professed If the Hat lay at his feet he would not stoop to take it up 2. His Holinesse could not have studied a more destructive way against Fisher's life The King enraged thereat than to fasten this injurious favour upon him This heightned the King's anger into fury against him He expounded the Pope's act or rather the act expounded it self as capable of no other comment as done in his defiance and therefore a Warrant is sent to the Lieutenant for his execution Let not the Reader grudge his pains if we describe this Bishop from his cradle to I cannot say his coffin or winding-sheet being made to believe he had neither but his grave The rather because I collected the same out of his Manuscript-life compiled by Richard Hall of Christ Colledge in a Pitscus de Script Angliae pag. 803. Cambridge and communicated unto me by a worthy b Mr. Huls Esq Beadle of Cambridge friend Onely be it premised that the same Hall was a stiffe Roman Catholick and therefore accordingly must abatement be made in his relations 3. This John Fisher Bishop Fisher his birth and breeding born at Beverly in Yorke shire of Robert his Father a wealthy-man and a kinde of Merchant Anno 1459 was by his Parents sent to Cambridge to have his education in Michael House under Mr. William Melton his Tutor Admitted 1484. Commenced Bachelour Master of Arts 1488. 1491. made Proctour 1495. Doctour 1502. Master of the House thereabouts Bishop of Rochester 1504. Chancellour of Cambridge chosen 1505. confirmed 1514. He was Chaplain and Confessour to the Lady Margaret Countesse of Richmond at whose instance and by whose advise She founded and endowed Christs◠and S. John's Colledge in Cambridge Employed in building of the latter her posthume Colledge of S. John's and effectually advancing that work he wanted the accommodation of a convenient Lodging when Dr. Thomas Wilkinson President of Queens Colledge opportunely departed this life and that Society requested Bishop Fisher to succeed in his place which he gratefully accepted faithfully discharged and thereby had the advantage to finish his new Colledge in the lesse time to his greater contentment 4. Here I meet with two descriptions of Fisher Different characters of Fisher as contrary each to other as the Religions of the two Describers whereof the one was a rigid Papist the other a zealous Protestant HALL In his aforesaid Manuscript ASCHAM Commendatitiarum Ep. 1. Fisher is made by him a very wealthy man having much plate and furniture of a great value and as for his Library no Bishop in Europe had the like unto him insomuch as he intended as appeareth somewhere in his Letter to Erasmus to found a Colledge of his own but afterwards reversing his resolution in his life-time he bestowed all his rich plate furniture and Books on S. John's in Cambridge and borrowed the same of it again by Indenture under his hand and seal for his use during life But it hapned that at his attainture the King's Officers seised on all he had Joannes c In favour of Fisher I have left the words untranslated Fisherus Episcopus Rofensis dum falsam doctrinam nimis perversè defendit optimas literas in hoc Collegio suis ornamentis suis divitiis denudavit Hic vir nut◠suo rexit hoc Collegium propterea in manu ejus posita sunt clarissima ornamenta quae Domina Margareta buic Collegio elargita est Ejus perversa doctrina illum vitâ nos summis divitiis nostris privavit For mine own part I conceive no Covetousnesse much lesse such Sacrilege can be charged on Fisher's account it being notoriously known that King Henry the eighth Who formerly favoured him profered to remove him from Rochester to Lincolne or Elie treble the other in Revenue which Fisher refused both in word and print Habeant alii saith d In his Dedic Epist to the Bishop of Wint in his place against Occolampadius Variance betwixt Papists about Fisher's wealth he proventus pinguiores c. being used to say He would not change his little old wife to whom he had been so long wedded for a wealthier 5. It is no wonder if a Papist and a Protestant cannot agree about Fisher's character when we finde two stiffe Papists at a vast distance about his Estate Hall as is aforesaid makes him very wealthie which is not improbable considering he had a paternal bottome whereon competency of revenue wherewith long continuance of time wherein and commendable frugality whereby to build an estate Not to speak that he served a good Mistresse the Lady Margaret known to have rich coffers and her Confessour could command the keyes thereof But on the contrary Sanders e De Schism Ang lib. 1. pag. 123. makes him as poor as Job insomuch that Souldiers coming to seise on his supposed wealth found what was quickly told nothing at all belonging to him save a great barred-chest These from the facing of Iron concluded the lineing thereof Silver at least and having broken it open found nothing therein but Sackcloth and a Whip which put them all to penance and soundly lashed their covetous expectation But leaving his life come we now to the manner of his death 6. After the Lieutenant of the Tower had received the Writ for his execution He welcomes the newes of his death because it was then very late and the Prisoner asleep he was loth to disease him from his rest But in the morning before five of the clock he came to him in his chamber in the Bell-Tower finding him yet asleep in his bed and waking him told him He was come to him on a message from the King to signifie unto him that His pleasure was he should suffer death that forenoon Well! quoth the Bishop if
Pope who as Pastor Pastorum claimed Decimas Decimarum Entituling himself thereunto partly from Abraham a Priest paying o Gen 14. 20 Heb. 7. 4. Tithes to Melchizedeck the high Priest partly from the Levites in the Mosaical Law paying the Second Tithes that is the Tithes of their Tithes to the Priest Thus shall you offer an heave offering unto the Lord of all your p Num. 18. 28. Tithes which ye receive of the children of Israel and ye shall give thereof the Lords heave-offering to Aaron the Priest Hereupon the Pope had his Collectors in every Diocesse who sometimes by Bills of Exchange but generally in specie to the great impoverishing of the Land yearly returned the Tenths and First-fruits of the English Clergie to Rome 2. But the Pope being now dead in England the King was found his Heir at Common Law Commissioners imployed to 〈◊〉 all Ecclesistical preferments as to most of the power and profit the other had usurped But now as the Clergie changed their Land lord so their Rents were new rated and I believe somewhat raised Commissioners being imployed in all Counties the Bishop of the Diocesse being alwaies one of them to valew their yearly revenue Ann. Dom. 1537. that so their Tenths and First-fruits may be proportioned accordingly These Raters were the chiefest persons in all Counties under the degree of Barons and I had a project to presence their names as of men of unquestionable extraction none as yet standing on the ruins of Abbies to heighten their mean birth into the repute of Gentility Surrey Nicholas Carew Knights Matthew Broun Thomas Stidolfe Esquire John Banister Gentleman Huntingdon-shire Richard Sapcot Knights Lawrence Taylard John Gostwick Esquires John Goodrick Devon-shire William Courtney Knights Thomas Dennis John Birnall Major of Exeter John Hull Auditors William Simonds John Ford Auditors John Southcote Somerset-shire William Stourton Kn t s John Horsey Andrew Lutterell Thomas Speke Esq s. Hugh Powlet Henry q In this method they are named Capel Knight William Portman Gent. Roger Kinsey Auditor Stafford-shire John Talbot Knights John Gifford Walter Wrotley Esquire John Wrotely Gentleman Cheshire John Holford Knight Peter Dutton Knight George Booth Esq s. Thomas Aston Richard Ligh William Brereton But my designe failed when I found the return of the Commissioners names into the Office so defective that in most Counties they are wholly omitted 3. These Commissioners were impowered by the King Instructions given to the Commissioners to send for the Scribes and Notaries of all Bishops and Arch-Bishops and Arch-deacons to swear the Receivers and Auditors of Incumbents to view their Register-books Easter-books and all other writings and to use all other waies to know the full value of Ecclesiastical preferments with the number and names of Persons enjoying the same They were to divide themselves by Three and Three allotting to every number so many Deaneries and to enquire the number and names of all Abbies Monasteries Priories Brotherships Sisterships Fellowships c. Houses religious and conventual as well r Transcribedwith my owne hand out of the original in the Office CHARTER-HOUSE as others these carthusians being specified by name because proudly pretending priviledges of Papal exemption and meeting together to certifie into Exchequer at the time limited in their Commission the true value of such Places or Preferments Herein Reparations Fees of in t ſ No Clerk in the Office cou'd read this word were not to be deducted but perpetual Rents Pensions Alms Synods Fees paid out yearly to Persons were to be allowed 4. This being a work of time exactly to perform Some yeares spent in the work took up some years in the effecting thereof Devon-shire and Somer set were done in the twenty-seventh Staffordshire and many other Countries in the thirty-fourth of King Henry the eighth and most of Wales not till the reign of King Edward the sixt Yea I am credibly informed that in Ireland to which Kingdome such Commissions were afterwards extended the Commissioners partly tired with their troblesome work partly afraid to pass the dangerous hill of Rushes in Irish Sleue Logher never came into the County of Kerry the South-west extremity of that Island So that the Clergie thereof though the poorest of the poorest in Ireland enjoy this priviledge that they are presently put into their Livings or Benefices rather without any payments 5. But no such favour was allowed to any place in England where all were unpartially rated Vicaridges why so high-rated and Vicaridges valued very high according to their present revenue by personal Perquisites In that Age he generally was the richest Shepherd who had the greatest flock where Oblations from the living and Obits for the dead as certainly paid as Predial Tithes much advanced their Income In consideration whereof Vicaridges mostly lying in Market-Towns and populous Parishes where set very high though soon after those Obventions sunk with superstition And the Vicars in vain desired a proportionable abatement in the King's book which once drawn up were no more to be altered 6. Now Queen Mary a Princesse Q Mary remits Tenths and First-fruits whose conscience was never purse-ridden as one who would go to the cost of Her own principles did by Act of Parliament exonerate acquit and discharge the Clergie from all First-fruits As for Tenths the same * 2 3 Phil Mary cap. 4. Statute ordereth them to be paid to Cardinal Poole who from the same was to pay the Pensions allowed by Her Father to Monks and Nuns at the dissolution of Abbies yet so that when such persons who were but few and aged all named in a Deed indented should decease all such paiments of the Clergie reserved nomine decimae should cease and be clearly extinct and determined for ever 7. But Her Sister Q. Elizabeth succeeding Her Q. Elizabeth resumeth them and finding so fair a flower as First fruits Tenths fallen out of Her Crown was careful quickly to gather it up again and get it re-sett therein A Princesse most to forgive injuries but inexorable to remit debts who knowing that necessitous Kings are subject to great inconveniences was a thrifty improver of Her treasure And no wonder if She were exact though not exacting to have Her dues from the Clergie who herein would not favour her grand favourite Sir Christopher Hatton who by the way was Master of this first-fruits Office and was much indebted unto Her for moneys received All which arrears Her Majesty required so severely and suddainly from him that the grief thereof cost his life I say this Queen in the first of Her t See the Stat. 1 Eliz. cap. 4. Reign resumed first-fruits and tenths onely with this case to Parsonages not exceeding ten marks and Vicaridges ten pounds that they should be freed from first-fruits A clause in this Statute impowering the Queen to take all that was due unto Her from the first day of this Parliament was so
improved by her Officers in the Exchequer who sometimes have none of the softest palms to those that fall into their hands that many Ministers were much vexed thereby Yea one u M. Parker Ant. Brit. in vitâ Reginalldi Peli observeth that the courtesie intended to the Clergie by Q. Mary in remitting their tenths proved in event an injury to many so vexed about their arrears 8. In vain have some of late beaved at this Office which is fastned to the State The state profit and policy of this Office with so considerable a revenue as it advanced thereunto by tenths and first-fruits The former certain the latter casuall as depending on the uncertain deaths of Iucumbents and such as succeed them Many indeed accuse such payments as Popish in their original But could that be superstitious which was pluckt down by Queen Mary and set up again by Queen Elizabeth Besides suppose them so in their first foul fountain since being shifted yea strained through the hands of Protestant Kings Tenths have their old property altered and acquire no doubt a new purity to themselves And the Advocates for this Office doe pertinently plead that there ought to be a badge of subjection * Some say such a vectigal from the Clergie is mentioned in Bede of the Clergie to the Secular power by publick acknowledgement of their dependence thereon which by such payments is best performed 9. John Lambert John Lambert condemned and why aliàs Nicolson bred in Cambridge had lately been much persecuted by Archbishop Warham about some opinions he held against the corproal presence in the Sacrament And now being fallen into fresh troubles on the same account 1538. to make the quicker work following the precedent of S. Paul appealing to Caesar he appeals to the King Who having lately taken upon him the title of the Supreme head of the Church of England He. 8. 20. Nov. 10. would shew that head had a tongue could speak in matters of Divinity In White-hall the place and day is appointed where an ACT-ROYAL was kept the King himselfe being the Opponent and Lambert the Answerer and where His Highnesse was worsted or wearied Arch-bishop Crammer w Fox Acts Mon. supplied His place arguing though civilly shrodely against the truth and his own private judgment 10. Was not this worse than keeping the clothes of those who killed S. Stephen Cranmer's unexcusable cowardly dissimulation seeing this Archbishop did actually cast stones at this Martyr in the Arguments he urged against him Nor will it excuse Cranmer's cowardise and dissimulation to accuse Gardiner's craft and cruely who privily put the Archbishop on this odious act such Christian courage being justly expected from a person of his parts and place as not to be acted by another contrary to his own conscience I see not therefore what can be said in Cranmer's behalf save onely that I verily hope and stedfastly believe that he craved God's pardon for this particular offence and obtained the same on his unfained repentance And because the face of mens faults is commonly seen in the glasse of their punishment it is observable that as Lambert now was burnt for denying the corporal presence so Cranmer now his Opponent was afterwards condemned and died at Oxford for maintaining the same opinion which valour if sooner shewn his conscience had probably been more cleared within him and his credit without him to all posterity 11. A match being now made up by the Lord Cromwel's contrivance Dutch-men broach strange opinions betwixt King Henry and the Lady Anne of Cleve Dutch-men flockt faster than formerly into England Many of these had active souls so that whilest their hands were busied about their manufactures their heads were also beating about points of Divinity Hereof they had many rude notions too ignorant to manage them themselves and too proud to crave the direction of others Their mindes had a bystream of activity more than what sufficed to drive on their Vocation and this waste of their souls they imployed in needlesse speculations and soon after began to broach their strange opinions being branded with the general name of Anabaptists 24. These Anabaptists for the main are but Donatists now dips and this year their name first appears in our English Chronicles for I * Stoe in his Chron p. 576. read that four Anabaptists three men and one woman all Dutch bare faggots at Paul's Crosse and three daies after a man and woman of their sect was burnt in Smithfield 12. It quickly came to the turn of Queen Anne of Cleve to fall Queen Anne of Cleve why divorced if not into the displeasure out of the dear affection of King Henry the eighth 27. Hē 8. 31. She had much of Katharine Dowager's austerity 1539. little of Anna Bollen's pleasant wit lesse of the beauty of Jane Seamour Some feminine impotency that She answered not Her creation was objected against Her though onely Her precontract with the Son of the Duke of Lorraine was publickly insisted on for which by Act of Parliament now sitting She was solemnly divorced 13. King Henry durst not but deal better with Anne of Cleve than with such His Wives The reparations the King made her which were His native Subjects not so much for love of Her Ann. Dom. 1539. as for fear of Her Brother the Duke of Cleve Ann. Regis Hē 8. 31. considerable if not much in Himself in His union with the Protestant Princes of Germany Wherefore He restored Her all Her Jewels assigned Her precedencie above all English save His own that should be Queen and Children graced Her with a new-devised stile of His adopted Sister by which from henceforward He saluted Her in His Letters and She in Answer subscribed Her self allotted Her Richmond-House for Her retirement with an augmentation of means for Her maintenance And now let Her be glad that She escaped so well seeing all which had reference to King Henry's bed came off gainers if savers of their own lives and reputations She returned no more into Her own Countrey but living and dying Anno a Stow's Funerall Monuments p. 513. 1557. in England was buried in Westminster Church at the head of King Sebert in a Tomb not yet finished none other of King Henry's Wives having any and this Anne but half a Monument 14. In the last Parliament Reformation goes backwards Reformation running a race with Superstition hardly carried it by the heads-length but it was hoped that in this new Parliament now sitting true Religion would run her Rivall quite out of distance Whereas alas it not onely stood still but went backwards the SIX ARTICLES being therein enacted that whip with six knots each one as heavily laid on fetching blood from the backs of poor Protestants 15. K. Henry was much blamed for passing this Act. King Henry justly blamed Indeed Power and Profit being the things politick Princes chiefly desire King
though perchance wisely for the State not warily for himself Indeed it is impossible for such Officers managing not onely multitudes but multiplicity of matters but that in some things they must mistake As in c Prov. 10. 19. many words there wanteth not iniquity so in the Actours of many affairs faults are soon found out He was also accused to set at liberty certain persons not capable of it for granting Licenses and Commissions destructive to the King's authority for being guilty of Heresie himself and favouring it in others Trayterous speeches were also charged upon him spoken two years before in the Church of S. Peter's in the Poor in Broad street the avouchers thereof pretending that as hitherto they had concealed them for love of themselves fearing Cromwel's greatnesse so now for the love of the King they revealed the same Indeed on the first manifesting of the King's displeasure against him the foes of Cromwel had all their mouthes open and his friends their mouthes shut up 24. The mention of S. Peter's in Broad-street An injurious Act to many poor people charged on the Lord Cromwell mindeth me of a passage not unworthy to be recited of an injury offered by this Lord Cromwell to many poor men in the same Parish And because every one is best able to tell his own tale take it in the words of John d Survey of London p. 187. Stow being himself deeply concerned therein The Lord Cromwell having finished his house in Throgmorton-street in London and having some reasonable plot of ground left for a garden caused the pales of the gardens adjoyning to the North part thereof on a sudden to be taken down two and twenty foot to be measured forth-right into the North of every man's ground a line there to be drawn a trench to be cast a foundation laid and an high brick-wall to be builded My father had a garden there and there was an house standing close to his South-pale this house they loosed from the ground and bare upon rowlers into my father's garden two and twenty foot ere my father heard thereof no warning was given him nor other answer when he spake to the Surveyors of that work but that their Master Sir Thomas commanded them so to doe no man durst goe to argue the matter but each man lost his land and my father paid his whole rent which was six sâ—illings eight pence the year for that half which was left Thus much of mine own knowledge have I thought good to note that the sudden rising of some men causeth them to forget themselves I am moved the rather to believe our Authour herein because elsewhere he alloweth this Lord his deserved praise for his virtues and especially his Hospitality affirming e Survey of London p. 74. he had often seen at the Lord Cromwell's gate above two hundred persons served twice every day with meat and drink sufficient Nor can I see what may be said in excuse of this oppression except any will plead that Abimelech's servants violently f Gen. 21. 26. took away the wells from Abraham and yet Abimelech himself never knew more or lesse thereof 25. As for the passionate expressions of Cromwell The worst passionate Speech objected against him a g Sir I. Strode of Parubam in Dorcet-shire Knight aged well-nigh eighty whose Mother was Daughter to the Lord Cromwell's Son hath informed me That the principall passage whereon the Lord's enemies most insisted was this It being told the L. Cromwell that one accused him for want of fidelity to the King Cromwell returned in passion Were he here now I would strike my dagger into his heart meaning into the heart of the false Accuser and therein guilty of want of charity to his fellow-subject not of loyaltie to his Sovereign But seeing the words were a measuring cast as uttered though not as intended to whom they should relate the pick-thank Repeater avowed them uttered against the King Himself So dangerous are dubious words and ambiguous expressions when prevalent power is to construe and interpret the meaning thereof 26. Ten daies after his Arrest His Speech on be scaffold he was attainted of high Treason in Parliament and brought on the Scaffold the next week to execution Here he spake the following words unto the people which the Reader is requested the more seriously to peruse July 19. that thereby he may be enabled to passe if concerned therein his verdict in what Religion this Lord died I Am come hither to die 29. and not to purge my selfe as some think peradventure that I will For if I should so doe I were a very wretch and miser I am by the law condemned to die and thank my Lord God that hath appointed me this death for mine offence For since the time that I have had years of discretion I have lived a sinner and offended my Lord God for the which I aske him heartily forgivenesse And it is not unknown to many of you that I have been a great traveller in this world and being but of base degree I was called to high estate and since the time I came thereunto I have offended my Prince for the which I aske Him heartily forgivenesse and beseech you all to pray to God with me that he will forgive me And now I pray you that be here to bear me record I die in the Catholick Faith not doubting in any Article of my faith no nor doubting in any Sacrament of the Church Many have slandered me and reported that I have been a bearer of such as have maintained evil opinions which is untrue But I confesse that like as God by his Holy Spirit doth instruct us in the truth so the Devil is ready to seduce us and I have been seduced but bear me witnesse that I die in the Catholick Faith of the Holy Church And I heartily desire you to pray for the King's Grace that He may long live with you in health and prosperity and that after Him His son Prince Edward that goodly impe may long reign over you And once again I desire you to pray for me that so long as life remaineth in this flesh I waver nothing in my faith And so making his Prayer c. The generall terms wherein this his Speech is couched hath given occasion for wise men to give contrary censures thereof Fox in his Marginall Note on this Speech pag. 515. A true Christian Confession of the Lord Cromwell at his death Lord Herbert in the Index of his History under C. Cromwell died a Roman-Catholick notwithstanding he had been such a destroyer of the Church True it is so warie were Cromwell's expressions that Luther and Bellarmine might in their own persons have said the same without any prejudice to their own principles and many conceive that the most which these his words amount to will but make him an six-Articles Protestant 27. But let Cromwell's politick Speech be in part expounded by
none should speak any thing of the King's death Which Act though onely intended to retrench the Predictions and mock-Prophesies of Southsayers yet now all the Courtiers glad of so legall a covert for their cowardise alledged it to excuse themselves to inform the King of Nis approaching end At last Sir Anthony Denny went boldly unto Him and plainly acquainted Him of His dying condition whereupon Archbishop Cranmer was by the King his desire sent for to give him some ghostly counsell and comfort 62. But before Cranmer then being at Croidon could come to Him His hope expressed by speechlesse gesture He was altogether speechlesse but not senslesse The Archbishop exhorted Him to place all His trust in Gods mercies thorough Christ and besought Him that if He could not in words He would by some signe or other testifie this His hope Who then wringed the Archbishops hand as hard as He could and shortly after expired having lived fifty five years and seven moneths Jan. 28. and thereof reigned thirty seven years nine moneths and six daies 63. As for the report of Sanders Lying Slanders that King Henry perceiving the pangs of approaching Death called for a great bowle of white wine and drinking it off should say to the company We have lost all it is enough to say it is a report of Sanders As loud a lie is it what he affirmeth that the last words heard from His mouth were The Monks the Monks and so gave up the ghost This may goe hand in hand with what another Gatholick * Rich. Hall in his Manuscript-Life of Bishop Fisher relates that a black Dog he might as truly have said a blew one lickt up His blood whilest the stench of His corps could be charmed with no embalming though indeed there was no other noysomnesse than what necessarily attendeth on any dead body of equall corpulency 64. Vices most commonly charged on His memory are His Vices and Virtues 1. Covetousness He was an eminent Instance to verifie the Observation Omnis prodigus est avarus vast His profusiveness coming a fork after a rake not only spending the great Treasure left Him by His Father but also vast wealth beside and yet ever in want and rapacious to supply the same Secondly Cruelty being scarce ever observed to pardon any Noble person whom He condemned to death I finde but two black swannes in all the currant of His Reign that tasted of His favour herein And therefore when Arthur * Godwin in Hen. 8. p. 181. Lord Lisle imprisoned and daily expecting death in the Tower was unexpectedly set free he instantly died of soddain joy so that it seems King Henry's pity proved as mortal as His cruelty Thirdly Wantonness which cannot be excused But these faults were if not over even poised with His virtues of Valour Bounty Wisdome Learning and love of Learned men scarce one Dunce wearing a Miter all His daies 65. The Monument mentioned in His Will Why K. Henry's Monument never perfected as almost made was never all made but left imperfect whereof many reasons are rendred Some impure it to the very want of workmen unable to finish it according to the exactnesse wherewith it was begun a conceit in my minde little better than scandalum seculi and very derogatory to the Art and Ingenuity of our Age. * Godwin in Hen. 8. p. 113. Others more truly ascribe it to the costlinesse thereof which deterred His Successours from finishing of it Indeed King Henry the seventh in erecting His own Monument in His Chappell at Westminster did therein set a Pattern of despair for all Posterity to imitate And yet Sanders * De schis Angl. pag. 216. tells us That Queen Mary had a great minde to make up His Tomb but durst not for fear a Catholick should seem to countenance the memory of one dying in open schism with the Church of Rome As for His imperfect Monument it was beheld like the barren Fig-tree bearing no fruit and cumbring the * Luke 13. 7. ground I mean the Chappell wherein it stood and therefore it was since these Civill Warres took down and sold by order of Parliament 66. In the Reign of Queen Mary Card. Poole his project it was reported that Cardinal Poole whose spleen generally vented it self against dead-mens bodies had a designe with the principall Clergie of England to take up and burn the body of King Henry the eighth This plot is said to be discovered by Doctor Weston * Fox Acts and Mon. p. 2102. Dean of Westminster But because Weston was justly obnoxious for his scandalous living for which at that time he stood committed to the Tower and bare a personal grudge to the Cardinal his report was the lesse credited as proceeding from revenge and desire to procure his own enlargement 67. Indeed when a Vault The bones of K. Hen. abused seven years since was pierced in the midst of the Quire at Windesor therein to interre the corps of King CHARLES they lighted on two Coffins therein Now though no memory alive could reach the same yet constant tradition seconded with a * See more hereof at the buriall of K. Charles coincidency of all signs and circumstances concluded these Coffins to contain the bones of King HENRY the eighth and His dear Queen JANE SEYMOUR And yet the bignesse of the Coffin though very great did not altogether answer that Giant-like proportion which posterity hath fancied of Him The end of the Fift Book THE Church-History OF BRITAIN THE SIXT BOOK BEING The History of Abbeys in ENGLAND Of their Originall Increase Greatnesse Decay and Dissolution To the Right Honourable WILLIAM COMPTON Sonne and Heire to the Right Honourable JAMES Baron COMPTON of COMPTON AND Earle of NORTHAMPTON HAving formerly proved at a In severall Dedicatory Epistles in my Pisgah Sight large That it is lawfull for any and expedient for me to have Infant-Patrons for my Books let me give an account why this parcell of my History was set apart for your Honour not being cast by chance but led by choice to this my Dedication First I resolved with my self to select such a Patron for this my History of Abbies whose Ancestour was not onely of credit and repute in the Reîgn but also of favour and esteem in the affection of King HENRY the Eighth Secondly he should be such if possible to be found who had no partage at all in Abbey-Lands at their dissolution that so his judgement might be unbiased in the reading hereof Both my Requisits have happily met in your Honour whose direct Ancestour Sir WILLIAM COMPTON was not onely chief Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber to the aforesaid KING but also as a noble b The Lord Herbert in his History page 8. pen writing his Life informeth us the third man in His favour in the beginning of His Reign yet had he not a shooe-latchet of Abbey-Land though nothing surely debarred him save his
learning they were injoyned not to study it Besides Monks and Fryers were so clogg'd with the observances of their Orders that it confined them to their Cells and rendred them useless in a practical way Wherefore to ballance the Protestants the Iesuits were set on foot obliged to these studies out of fashion with Monks Fryers wherein they quickly attained a great eminency as their very adversaries must confesse And as their heads were better furnished than other Orders so their hands were left at more liberty not tied behinde their backs in a large posture of Canonical idlenesse whence they are become the most active and pragmatical Undertakers in all Christendome 57. I cannot but commend one policy in the Iesuits Jesuits policy which conduceth much to their credit namely whereas other Orders of Monks and Fryers were after their first institution sifted as I may say thorough many other searches still taking new names according to their Sub-De-Re-Reformations The Iesuits since their first foundation have admitted of no new denomination but continue constant to their primitive constitution chiefly because sensible that such after refinings fix an aspersion of at leastwise a comparative impunity on their first institution and render their first Founders cheaper in the worlds valuation whilst the Iesuits still keep themselves to their foundation as begun and perfected at once and are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all of a lump all of a piece which unity amongst themselves maketh them the more considerable in their impressions on any other Adversaries 58. They had two most antient and flourishing Convents beyond the Seas In England like Astrologers in Rome Nola in Italy as I take it where their House it seems gives a Bow for their Armes and La-Fletcha in France where they have an Arrow for their Device whereupon a Satyricall wit thus guirded at them and I hope I shall not be condemned as accessary to his virulency if onely plainly translating the same Arcum Nola dedit dedit his La-Fletcha Sagittam Illis quis nervum quem meruêre dabit Nola to them did give a Bow La-Fletch an Arrow bring But who upon them will bestow What they deserve a string I have done with these Jesuits who may well be compared unto the Astrologers in Rome of whom the Historian doth complain Genus est hominum * Tacit. Hist lib. 1. quod in Civitate nostrâ vetabitur semper retinebitur There is kinde of men in our City who will alwaies be forbidden and yet alwaies be retained therein So though many severe Laws have been made against them yet either such their boldness in adventuring or our State-mildnesse in executing the Statutes against them that alwaies they are driven hence and alwaies they stay here to the great disturbance of ours and advancement of their own Religion 59. Here I purposely omit the Houses for Leprous people Leprous people not mentioned herein though indeed they deserved more charity than all the rest and I may say this onely was an Order of Gods making when he was pleased to lay his afflicting hand on poor people in that lothsome disease I take Burton-Lazars in Leicester-shire to be the best endowed house for that purpose But as that disease came into England by the Holy Warre so * In my Holy Warre as we have elswhere observed it ended with the end thereof And God of his goodnesse hath taken away the Leprosie of Leprosie in England SECTION II. To the Right VVorshipfull RALPH SADLEIR of STANDON Esq AND ANNE his virtuous Consort IT was enacted by a Law made in the 27 th year of the Reign of K. HENRY the eighth That whosoever retained Abbey-lands after the dissolution passed unto them from the Crown should keep a standing House or else forfeit every moneth Twenty Nobles recoverable from them in any Court of Record True it is King JAMES was graciously pleased in the 21 of His Reign to repeal this Act and burn this Rod for which many under the Lash who will not pay still owe thanks to his Memory But suppose this penal-Statute still in force you may defie all Informers for any advantage they may get against you for the same Indeed you are possessed of the fair Covent of WESTBURY in Gloucester-shire and that on as Honourable Terms as any Lands in England of that nature are enjoyed bestowed on your Grand-father Sir RALPH SADLEIR by King HENRY the Eighth partly in reward of the good service he had done to Him the Father partly in incouragement to what he might doe to His three Children to all which he was Privie Counsellour Yet no danger of penalty to you whose House is known to be the Center of Hospitality whence even Abbots themselves and they best skilled in that Lesson might Learn to keep a bountifull Table where all are welcomed the Rich for Courtesie when their occasions bring them the Poor for Charity when they bring their occasions to passe by your Habitation Indeed the Inne-holders of London give for the Motto of the Armes of their Company I WAS A STRANGER AND YE TOOK ME IN. But seeing our Saviour chiefly intended such who did not sell but give entertainment to strangers more properly are the words appliable to your self and other-self whose House is so the Inne-generall to all poor people that the Neighbourhood of a great and good Common is not so advantageous as their vicinity thereunto I doubt not but as you often have relieved CHRIST in his poor Members he will in due time receive you both into his House wherein there be many Mansions of everlasting Happinesse Abbeys engrossed trade impoverished Parish Priests encouraged Offenders THE specious pretences of piety Abbots Farmers Tanners Brewers and contempt of the world Abbots and Monks were notoriously covetous even to the injury of others Witnesse their renting and stocking of Farms keeping of Tan-houses and Brew-houses in their own hands For though the Monks themselves were too fine-nosed to dabble in Tan-fatts yet they kept others bred in that trade to follow their work These Covents having barke of their own woods hides of the cattle of their own breeding and killing and which was the main a large stock of money to buy at the best hand and to allow such Chapmen they sold to a long day of payment easily eat out such who were bred up in that vocation Whereupon in the one and twentieth of King Henry the eighth a Statute was made That no Priest either Regular or Secular should on heavy penalties hereafter meddle with such mechanick employments 2. Secondly Abbot's â—ab Parish Vicâ—rs by appropriations they impoverished Parish-Priests by decrying their performances and magnifying their own merits Alas what was the single devotion of a silly Priest in comparison of a Corporation of Prayers twisted Cables to draw down blessings on their Patrons heads from a whole Monastery And suppose which was seldome done the Parson in the Parish preaching to his people yet
net of Reformation as slipping through the holes thereof and therefore no way to represse their faults except by suppressing their foundation All I will adde is God first punished great Sodome and spared little Zoar though probably also in fault here Zoar was first punished let great Sodome beware and the larger Monasteries look to themselves 5. And now adieu all religious Houses in England that could not cleerly spend above Two hundred pounds per annum Exact measuring to the standard of dissolution and we must not believe any finister dealing was used by favour to wrack the revenues of some above and out of dislike to shrink the rents of others beneath the standard of dissolution when Twenty shillings a year under or over the aforesaid summe might save or destroy a small Monastery As for such if any in that posture who had just Two hundred pounds and no more they were obnoxious to the Statute whilst Five shillings more saved all as that is a fair ball in the Tennis-Court which toucheth the line yet goeth over it 6. Ten thousand persons were by this dissolution sent to seek their fortunes in the wide world Many aged persons at a losse for livelihood some indeed had Fathers or Friends to receive them others none at all some had Twenty shillings given them at their Ejection and a new Gown which needed to be of strong cloath to last so long till they got another Most were exposed to want I see no such certainty for a comfortable livelihood as a lawfull calling for Monkish profession was no possession and many a young Nun proved an old Beggar I pity not those who had hands and health to work but surely the gray hairs of some impotent persons deserved compassion and I am confident such had they come to the doors of the charitable Reader hereof should have had a meals meat and a nights lodging given unto them 7. A clear Revenue of Thirty thousand pounds per annum Abbey-lands politickly scattered among many puâ—chasers was here advanced to the Crown besides Ten thousand pounds in plate and moveables though the King enjoyed it but a short time as passing it away by grant sale and exchange to His Subjects This was done by the politick counsell of the wise Lord Cromwell not hoping that these small morsels to so many mouthes should satisfie their hunger but onely intending to give them a taste of the sweetnesse of Abbey-lands And here Papists plentifully rail upon him in scattering these Lands all abroad that if any should be so scrupulous as to finde fault with the fact a general guiltinesse should amount unto innocence Thus say they there is no fear that a man shall be condemned for felony who hath so many receivers in the County that scarcely a Judge can sit and surely no Jury can be impanelled upon him saving such who had been parties with him 8. No fewer than Three hundred seventy five Covents as Sanders doth account them were dissolved at this time sure I am The number of the lesser Monasteries none was left standing in the whole Diocesse of Bangor where no Foundation was valued c See Speed his Catalogue of Valuations at full seventy pounds per annum 9. We must not forget how in the foresaid Preamble Why the King cajoleth the great Monasteries the King fairly claweth the great Monasteries wherein saith He Religion thanks be to God is right well kept and observed though He clawed them soon after in another acceptation The truth is King Henry could not suppresse the lesser Abbeys but by the consent of the greater Abbots whereof twenty six as Barons voted in the Parliament who mollified them by this Commendation into a Concurrence with His desire 10. However Specious uses pretended on heavy penalties most specious uses were pretended though few perchance had faith firm enough to believe their full performance That all should be done to the pleasure of Almighty God and for the honour of the Realm And particular care is taken in the Statute as it is printed for the reservation of many Rents and Services Corrodice and Pensions to Founders Donours and Benefactors Order also was taken that those to whom Abbey-lands were passed should keep or cause to be kept a continual House and Houshold in the same Site or Precinct They were also to occupy yearly as much of the demeans in Tilledge as the Abbots did or their Farmers under them within the time of twenty years next before this Act otherwise forfeiting to the King's Highnesse for every Moneth so offending 6 lib. 13s 4 d. to be recovered to His use in any of His Courts of Record The arrears whereof if rigoroussly exacted would amount to a vast summe from such Offenders whose hospitality was contracted to a Shepheard and his Dog neither relieving those that would work by industry nor such who could not work by their charity 11. These penalties stood in full force above eighty years Such penalties graciously repealed by King Iames. viz untill the 21 of King Iames when by Act of Parliament they were repealed Indeed such who are obnoxious to penall Statutes are onely innocent by courtesie and may be made guilty at their Princes pleasure And though such Statutes may be dormant as disused they are never dead till revoked seeing commonly Princes call on such Statutes when themselves are called on by their necessities Many of the English Gentry knew themselves subject to such penalties when instead of maintaining Tillage had converted the Granges of Abbeys into inclosures And therefore provided for their own safety when they * See the Statutes the 21 of K. James c. 28. wrought the King to a revocation of those Statutes 12. But the Courtiers grudged at this Grant and great Indulgence given by the King without any valuable compensation some sticking not to say Some grudge at so great a grant That hereby the King at once gave His Subjects more than ever they gave Him in Subsidies Benevolences Contributions or any other way whatsoever all the time of His Reign Which if so Let no mans eye be evil because the King 's was so good to His Subjects The Northern Rebellion occasioned by this dissolution WHen all in the School are equally guilty Northern Rebellion and the Master beginneth at the bottome to correct the least boyes first no wonder if those in the highest form begin to shake as here no doubt the bigger Abbeys did except some few who to follow the Metaphor like sturdy striplings counting themselves above correction began to prepare themselves to make resistance hence presently arose the Northern Rebellion wherein all the open Undertakers were North of Trent though no doubt many secret Compliers South of Thames were ingaged 2. This Commotion began first in Lincoln shire begun suppressed punished where the Rebels presented six Articles to the King in the last whereof they complained That divers Bishops of England of
their lure accused them afterwards to the Kings Commissioners for their incontinence A damnable act if true and which mindeth me of the ensuing story here not impertinently inserted 2. Some sixty years since A memorable story an English Gentleman had the chastity of his Wife in suspition jealous of a particular person who kept her company To put it to triall this her Husband so contrived the matter a private place was appointed with all accommodations for such a deed of darkness whither the Woman with her suspected Paramore were by set designe but wearing to them the visage of a seeming casualty brought and left together Mean time her Husband made himself Master of a secret inspection out of the next room where with some of his friends he was the witnesse of his Wives dishonesty and his own disgrace Soon after he entred his action sues for a divorce and the Court seemed generally inclined to the granting thereof 3. But a Reverend Judge there present Sin plot sin pay for refused to consent thereunto alledging it the duty of every Husband by his prayers counsel and all other lawful means to save and secure the chastity of his Wife and not to tempt temptations to tempt her who otherwise might charitably be presumed honest if such a fore-plotted occasion had not debauched her and this not the detecting but first causing of her disloyalty Seeing therefore in some sort he had been a Pander to his Wife let him satisfie himself in the assurance of what was doubtfull before and bear the burthen of his own betraying her 4. How just this Judges sentence was all circumstances considered I will not interpose Application as far as concerns the matter in hand Onely in application to the present purpose though I confesse the relation betwixt Husband and Wife the nearest and therefore most obligâ—ng to their mutual preservation the general Principles of Religion and the Communion of Saints tieth all Christians as they tender the honour and glory of God to preserve the consciences of others undefiled It was therefore a meer Satanical trick who is commonly called the c Mat ' 4. 3. Thes 3. 5. Tempter in Scripture first to solliciâ—e souls to sin and after the committing thereof to be an d Rev. 12. 10. Accuser of the brethren And seeing the Tempter is deeper guilty than the tempted as more active and voluntary no reason that he should escape and the other be punished But all this discourse sinketh the foundation failing namely if the premsses cannot be which as yet are not proved that such indirect dealing was used in surprizing of any Votaries into uncleanness 5. But still the Papists go further A complaint of the Papists complaining of false returns that many of these Enveiglers of Nuns met with impregnable pieces of chastity neither to be battered by force nor undermined by fraud who despairing to lie with their bodies did lie on their reputations making their fames to suffer in those false reports which they returned to the Kings Commissioners And the following story is I assure you traditioned with very much credit amongst our English Catholicks 6. Two young Gentlemen whose names for just cause I forbear went to a Nunnery within twelve miles of Cambridge A sad â—â—ory if true in the nature of Travellers on the high way who being handsomly habited and late at night were admitted into some out Lodgings of that Nunnery next day their civil addresses to the Abbesse were returned with such entertainment as became the laws of hospitality Afterwards producing or pretending a Commission to visit their Covent they abode there certain daies and how bad soever they were met with no counterpart to embrace their wanton profers However at the return they gave it out that nothing but their wearinesse bounded their wantonnesse and that they enjoyed those Nuns at their own command 7. One of the aforesaid Gentlemen The Pedigree of this tradition with great grief and remorse of heart did in private confesse the same to Sir William Standly Knight afterwards imployed in the Low Countreys avowing that nothing in all his life lay more heavy on his conscience than this false accusation of those Innocents and the said Sir William told this passage to a noble Catholick still alive All I will say to this story is this that if this Sir Will Standly was he who contrary to his solemn Oath to the Earl of Leicester and the united States betrayd the strong City of e Camden Eliz. in anno 1587. page 507. Daventer to the Spaniards and lived many years after in a f Idem ibidem neglected forlorn condition one so faithlesse in his deeds may be presumed false in his words and the whole credit of the relation may justly at least be suspected Some Covents on examination appearing very virtuous IT is confessed by unpartial people Some Covents retaining their primitive piety that some Monasteries of both sexes being put to the test appeared very commendable in their behaviour so that the least aspersion could not justly be cast upon them I read in one g Lord Herbert in Henry 8. page 399. Author that some Societies behaved themselves so well that their lives were not only exempt from notorious faults but their spare times bestowed in writing books painting carvil engraving so that their Visiters became Intercessours for them Amongst these the Nunnery of Godstow neer Oxford must not be forgotten which as it hath a good name being a Bethel that is Gods house or habitation well answered thereunto in the conditions of the people living therein 2. But there were few such black swans But too feâ—â—O preseâ—ve â—e ref and these innocent Convents being inconsiderable in number could not preserve the rest from ruine Eight and one pious persons are insufficient to save Sodome from destruction b Gen. 18. if ten be the lowest number to which Divine Mercy will descend The generallity of Monasteries notoriously vitious I Say the generallity Charitable premisses otherwise take any numerous Society and where there be many people there will be many offenders there being a i Gen. 7. 7. Cham amongst the Eight in the Ark yea a k Gen. 4. 1 Cain amongst the four primitive persons in the beginning of the world I adde also notoriously vitious 1 Jam. 3. 2. for In many things we offend all Yea if the Visiters had been visited they were conscious to themselves of many failings which might make them more favourably to reflect on the infirmities of others 2. Here I shall present the Reader with a black Bill of some eminent Male-factors Read and blush and sigh as I finde them in my m Jeb Speeds Hist of Great Brit. p. 791. Col. 1. Author in the same nature In Battleâ— Abbey John Abbot Gregory Champion John Hamfield Sodomites Richard Salchurst Clement Westfield John Jherom Thomas Cuthbert John Crosse Clement Grigge William March Thomas
a barre of iron of the window whereas the examyned the Ladye Abbas that he might have gone in to her by night q This Copie was taken out of the MS. Letters in the Lib. of Sir Simon Dewes And that same window was their commoning place by night He perswaded the Sextene that he would be in his contemplacion in the Chorche by night and by that meanes was many nightes in the Chorche talking with her at the saide gate to the Nunnes Quire and there was their meeting-place by night besides their day communications as in cofession It were too long to declare all thinges of him that I have heard which I suppos it true This afternoone I intend to make forder serche both of some of the Brederen and some also of the Sisters of such like matters if I fynde any thing apparent to be true I shall God willing thereof sertefy your Mastorshipe tomorow by vij in the mornyng And after this daye I suppos there will be no other thinges to be knowne at yet here for I have already examined all the Brederen and many of them wold gladly departe hense and be ryghte weary of their habbyte such Religion and fained sanctetye God save me froe If Master Bedle had byne here a Frior and of Bushopes counsell he wold right welle have helped him to have broghte his mattores to passe without brekyng uppe of any grate or yet counterfetting of keayes such capassetye God hath sent him From Syone this Sondaye xij Decembere By the speedy hand of your assured poor Priest Richard * This was one of the Prime Visitoâ—s afore-mentioned Layton We will conclude this discourse with one observation how through ignorance the true meaning of that word Recluse was in that Age abused For in pure Latine it signifieth one set open or let loose to their own liberty * Hor. lib. 1. Epist 5. Quid non ebriet as designat operta recludit whereas Recluse was taken in that Age for one close shut up so that many Monks and Fryers were Recluses indeed not in the common acception but true notation of that name Abbots willingly unwillingly resigned their Monasteries to the King SAnders saith Monks perswaded into a resignation that King Henry sent a large Instrument to every Monastery fairly ingrossed in Parchment enjoyning them all to subscribe signe and seal the same with their seale conventual upon the pain of His displeasure It is not probable that such a formal Writing was sent unto them drawn up before-hand by the Kings Officers but most certain it is which amounts almost to as much in effect a generall intimation was given to all Houses how acceptable such an act would be to the King It was also pressed upon the said Monks Fryers and Nuns that they through their vitiousnesse being obnoxious to the Kings anger this might and would be done without their consent so that it was better for them rebus sic stantibus to make a vertue of necessity the rather because this complement conduced nothing to the Kings right on whom the Parliament had already bestowed those Abbey-lands but might adde much to their own advantage as being the way whereby their Pensions might the more easily be procured largely allotted and surely satisfied unto them 2. The premisses made such impression on the parties concerned therein Strive who should be the foremost that fearing the Lagge would be looked on with bad eyes they ran as it were a race in their resignations who should be first and foremost therein However they used severall forms therein some onely condemning their lives for superstitious but not confessing themselves personally vitious as by the following Instrument may appear The Å¿ Out of the Records of the Court of Augmentation surrender of the Warden and Fryers of S. Francis in Stanford FOr as moche as we the Warden and Freers of the Howse of Saynt Frances in Stanforde comenly callyd the gray Freers in Stanforde in the Countey of Lincolne doo profoundly consider that the perfeccion of Christain lyving dothe not conciste in the dome ceremonies weryng of the grey cootte disgeasing our selffe after straunge fashions dokyng and beckyng in gurding owr selffes wyth a gurdle full of knots and other like Papisticall ceremonies wherein we have byn moost principally practysed and misselyd in tymes past but the very tru waye to please God and to live a tru Christian man wythe owte all ypocrasie and fayned dissimulation is sincerely declaryd unto us by owr Master Christe his Evangelists and Apostles Being mindyd hereafter to folowe the same conformyng owr selffe unto the will and pleasure of owr supreme hedde undre God in erthe the Kinges Majestye and not to follow hensforth the superstitious tradicions of ony forincycall potentate or poore with mutuall assent and consent doo submytt owr selffes unto the mercye of owr said soveraygne Lorde And withe like mutuall assent and consent doo surrender and yelde upe unto the hands of the same all owr saide howse of Saynt Frances in Stanforde comenly callyd the grey Freers in Stanforde withe all Lands tenements gardens medowes waters pondyards feedings pastures comens rentes reverssons and all other our interest ryghtes or tytles aperteying unto the same mooste humbly besechyng His mooste Noble grace to disspose of us and of the same as best schall stonde wythe His mooste graciouse pleasure And farther freely to graunt unto every one of us His licens undre wretyng and seall to change our abites into seculer fassion and to receive such maner of livyngs as other secular Priestes comenly be preferryd unto And we all faythfully schall pray unto Almighty God long to preserve His moost noble grace wyth encrease of moche felicitie and honor And in witnes of all and singuler the premisses we the saide Warden and Covent of the grey Freers in Stanforde to these presents have put owr Covent Sceall the yeght day of Octobre in the thyrtythe yere of the Raygne of owr moost Soverayne King Henry the yeght Factum Johannis Schemy Gardian Per me Fratrem Johannem Robards Per me Fratrem Johan Chadwhort Per me Fratrem Ricardum Pye Per me Fratrem Johannem Clarke Per me Fratrem Johannem Quoyte Per me Fratrem Johannem Jarman Per me Fratrem JohanneÌ„ Yong. Per me Fratrem Johannem Lo vell Per me Fratrem Willielmum Tomson 3. Other Resignations were far more humble and submissive A more humble form of surrender with an acknowledgment of their vitious and voluptuous lives such was the surrender made by the Prior and Covent of S. Andrews in Northampton which because very tedious we shall onely transcribe so much thereof as concerneth our present purpose But as well as others our predecessors called religiouse persons within yowr said Monastery taking on us the habite of owtward vesture of the said rule onely to the intent to lead owr liffes in the ydle quyetnesse and not in vertuose exercyse in a stately estimation and
not in obedient humylyte have undre the shadowe or color of the saide rule and habite vaynely detestably and also ungodly employed yea rather devowred the yerely revenues yssuing and comyng of the saide possessions in continuall in gurgitations and farcyngs of owr carayne bodyes and of others the supportares of owr voluptuose and carnal appetyte with other vayne and ungodly expensys to the manyfest subvertion of devocion and clennes of lyvyng and to the moost notable slaunder of Christs holy Evangely which in the forme of owr professyon we did ostentate and openly devaunt to kepe moost exactly withdrawyng thereby from the symple and pure myndys of yowr graces subjectes the onely truth and comfort which they oughte to have by the true faith of Christe And also the devyne honor and glory onely due to the glorious Majesty of God Almyghty steryng them with all perswasions ingynes and polyce to dedd Images and counterfett reliques for owr dampnable lucre Which our moost horryble abominacions and execrable persuacions of yowr graces people to detestable errours and our long coveryd Ipocrysie cloked with fayned sanctite We revolving dayly and continually ponderyng in owr sorrowfull harts and thereby perseyving the botomlas gulf of everlasting fyre redy to devowre us if persysting in this state of lyving we shulde depart from this uncertayn and transytory lâ—ffe constrayned by the intollerable anguysh of owr conscience callyd as we trust by the grace of God who wold have no man to perysh in synne with harts moost contrite and repentante prostrate at the noble feet of yowr moost royall Majestye most lamentably doo crave of yowr highnes of yowr abundant mercy to grant unto us moost greevous against God and yowr Highnes your most gracious perdon for owr saide sondry offences omyssyons and negligences comytted as before by us is confessed agaynst yowr Highnes and yowr most noble Progenitors And where yowr Hyghnes being Supreme hedd immediately aftre Christ of his Church in this yowr Roialme of England so consequently generall and onely Reformator of all religious persons there have full authority to correct or dyssolve at yowr Graces pleasure and libertye all Covents and religious companyes abusing the Rewles of their profession And moreover to yowr Highnes being owr soveraygn Lord and undoubted fownder of yowr said Monastery by dissolucion whereof apperteyneth onely the Oryginall title and propre inherytance as well of all other goods moveable and unmoveable to the said Monastery in any wyse apperteyning or belonging to be disposed and imployed as to yowr graces most excellent wysdeme shall seme expedyent and necessary Per me Franciscum Priorem Per me Johannem Sub-Priorem Per me Tho Smyth Per me Tho Golston Per me Rob Martin Per me Jacob Hopkins Per me Ric Bunbery Per me Johannem Pette Per me Jo Harrold Per me Tho Barly Per me Will Ward Per me Tho Atterbury Per me Will Fowler Other Resignations varying in their words met for the maine in the matter and were with all speed presented to the Kings Visitors As School-boyes hope to escape with the fewer stripes for being the first in untying their points those Convents promised to themselves the kindest usage which were forwardest in their Resignations though all on the matter fared alike 4. Yea Betwixt first and last no great difference John de Warboise so called from the place of his nativity in Huntingdon shire where my worthy friend Mr. William Johnson is well beneficed though the a Speed in his description of Huntingdon-shire first with his sixty Benedicti Monks who with solemn subscription renounced the Popes Supremacy and now as officious as any in surrendring his Convent to the Kings Visitors met with no peculiar and extraordinary civility above others of his Ordâ—r 5. Such Resignations seal'd and deliver'd the Visitors called for the Seales themselves which now had survived their own use having passed the last effectual Act and these generally made of silver were by the Kings Officers presently broken in pieces Such material Stamps being now abolished it will be charity to preserve their Impressions and exhibit them to posterity which here we shall endeavour rendring some probable reason how most of them referre to the Founders or scituation or some remarkable action therein The Seale of Armes of the Mitred Abbeys in England IN presenting of them The designe of the work I will not be confined to the strict termes of Blazoury the rather because some of their Armes may be presumed so antient as sitter to give Rules to than take them from our moderne Heraldry And what my pen cannot sufficiently describe therein the Reader may satisfie himselfe by his own eye To which these Cotes are presented in the last sheet of this Volume after the History of Waltham Abbey 1. I will make a method of my own beginning where the Sun ends in the West The Armes of Tavestocke Tavestock in Devon shire gave Varrey Or and Azure on a Chiefe Or two Mulletts Gules 2. Glassenbury gave Vert as I conjecture the Colour a Crosse Bottone Argent Of Glossenbury In the first Quarter the Woman with a Glory holding a Babe radiated about his head in her Armes because forsooth by the direction of the Angel * See the first Cent. Paragr 11. Gabriel their Church was first dedicated to the Virgin Mary 3. Middleton in Gloucester-shire gave Sable Of Middleton three Baskets Argent replenished with Loaves of Bread Gules Had the number of the Baskets been either Seven or Twelve some would interpret therein a reference to the Reversions preserved by Christ his command of the Loaves miraculously multiplied whereas now they denote the Bounty of that Abbey in relieving the poor 4. What Malmesbury in Wiltshire gave I cannot yet attain Of Malmsbury 5. Abingdon gave a Crosse flurt betwixt Martelletts Sable Of Abingdon much alluding to the Armes of our English Kings before the Conquest who it seems were great Benefactors thereunto 6. The Abbey of S. James in Reading Of Reading gave AZure three Scallop Shells Or. Here I know not what secret sympathy there is between S. James and Shells but sure I am that all Pilgrims that visit St. James of Compos-Stella in Spaine the Paramount Shrine of that Saint returned thence obsiti * Erasmâ—â— in his Dialogue called Peregrinatio Religionis eâ—go conchis all beshell'd about on their clothes as a religious Donative there bestowed upon them 7. The Abbey of Hide Of Hide juxta Winton gave Argent a Lyon rampant Sable on a cheiff of the second four Keyes Argent 8. Bataile Abbey in Sussex gave Gules a Crosse betwixt a Crown Or Of Battaile in the first and third Quarter A Sword bladed Argent hilted Or in the second and fourth Quarter thereof Hete the Armes relate to the Name and both Armes and Name to the fierce Fight hard by whereby Duke William gained the English-Crown by Conquest and founded this
the Kings power but flattered into them by the apprehension of their own profit For many lands of subjects either naturally bald or newly shaven of their woods were commuâ—ed for Granges of Abbeys which like Satyres or Salvages were all over grown with trees and timber besides other disadvantages both for quantity and quality of ground as enhaunced for old rent Oh! here was the Royall Exchange 6. Lastly Unconscionable under-sale of Abbey-lands by sale at under-rates Indeed it is beneath a Prince enough to break His state to stoop to each Virgate and rod of ground Pedlar-like to higgle for a toy by retail and all Tenants and Chapmen which contract with Kings expect good bargains yet Officers entrusted to manage the revenue of the Crown ought not to behold it abused out of all distance in such under-valuations Except any will say He is not deceived who would be deceived and King Henry for the reason aforesaid connived at such bargains wherein rich Meadow was sold for barren Heath great Oaks for Fewell and Farms for revenue passed for Cottages in reputation But for farther instruction we remit the Reader to that information i Weaver's funerall Mon. pag. 125. presented to Queen Elizabeth by a man in authority though namelesse of the severall frauds and deceipts offered the Crown in this kinde But the motion rather drew odium on the Authour than brought advantage to the Crown partly because of the number and quality of persons concerned therein and partly because after thirty years the owners of Abbeys were often altered And though the chamber be the same yet if the guests be a new company it is hard for the host from them to recover his old arrearages Yea by this time when the foresaid information was given in the present possessors of much Abbey-land were as little allied to those to whom King Henry granted them as they to whom the King first passed them were of kin to the first Founders of those Monasteries Of the actions of policie pietie charitie and justice done by King Henry the eighth out of the revenues of dissolved Abbeys WE would not willingly be accounted like those called the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 amongst the Jewes Good as well as bad must be observed in mixt actions whose office it was onely to take notice of the blots or blemishes the defects and deformities in sacrifices We would not weed King Henry's actions in His dissolving of Abbeys so as onely to mark the miscarriages and misdemeanous therein Come we to consider what commendable deeds this King did raise on the ruines of Monasteries 2. First K. Henry augmented the Crown-revenues He politickly increased the revenues of the Crown and Dutchie of Lancaster on which He bestowed the rich Abbey of Fourness in that County with annexing much land thereto and erecting the Court of Augmentations whereof largely hereafter for the more methodicall managing thereof though alas what the Crown possessed of Abbey-land was nothing to what He passed away Surely had the revenues of Monasteries been entirely kept and paid into the Exchequer there to make an Aerarium sacrum or Publick treasurie it is questionable whether the same had been more for the ease of the Subject or use and honour of the Soveraigne 3. Secondly Founded five new Bishopricks He piously founded five Bishopricks de novo besides one at West-minster which continued not where none had been before For though antiently there had been a Bishops Seat at Chester for a short time yet it was then no better than the Summer-house of the Bishop of Lichfield onely during the life of one Peter living there which now was solemnly made a Bishoprick for succession and four others namely Bishops See Diocesse assigned it Taken from the Bishoprick of 1. Oxford 2. Bristoll 3. Peterborough 4. Gloucester 5. Chester 1. Oxford shire 2. Dorset and some part of Gloucester shire 3. Northampton shire and Rutland 4. Gloucester-shire the rest 5. Chester Lancaster and Richmond shire 1. Lincolne 2. Sarisbury 3. Lincolne 4. Worcester 5. Lichfield and York Such who are Prelatically perswaded must acknowledge these new foundations of the King 's for a worthy work Those also of contrary judgment will thus farre forth approve His act because had He otherwise expended these Abbey-lands and not continued them to our times in these new Bishopricks they had not been in being by their late sale to supply the Common-wealth 4. Thirdly Monks places turned into Prebends where He found a Prior and Monks belonging to any antient Cathedral-Church there He converted the same into a Dean and Prebendaries as in 1. Canterbury 2. Winchester 3. Elie. 4. Norwich 5. Worcester 6. Rochester 7. Duresme 8. Carlile I dare not say that He entirely assigned though a good a Godwin in Henry the 8. Anno 1539. Nothing was taken away Authour affirmeth it all or the most part of those Priorie-lands to these His new foundations However the expression of a late b Dr. Montague Bishop of Norwich is complained of as uncivil and untrue that King Henry took away the sheep from that Cathedral and did not restore so much as the trotters unto it 5. Fourthly Grammar-schools founded by Him He charitably founded many Grammar-schools great need whereof in that Age in this Land as in Canterbury Coventry Worcester c. allowing liberall salaries to the Masters and Ushers therein had they been carefully preserved But sometimes the gifts of a bountifull Master shrink in the passage thorough the hands of a covetous Steward 6. Fiftly Hospitalls by Him conferr'd on London He charitably bestowed Gray Friers now commonly called Christ-Church and the Hospital of S. Bartholomew in London on that City for the relief of the poor thereof For the death of Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke His beloved Brother-in-Law happ'ning the July before so impressed King Henry with a serious apprehension of His own mortality such the sympathy of tempers intimacie of converse and no great disparity of age betwixt them that He thought it high time to bethink Himself of His end and to doe some good work in order thereunto Hereupon on the 13 of January following Anno c Stows Survey of London pag. 417. 1546. He bestowed the said Hospitals on the City a gift afterwards confirmed and enlarged by King Edward the sixt 7. Sixtly Trinity College in Cambridge and Professors places by Him endowed He built and endowed the magnificent Colledge of Trinity finished Kings-Colledge Chappell-in Cambridge and founded Professours places for Languages Physick Law and Divinity in both Universities as in the proper place thereof shall hereafter largely appear 8. Seventhly Leland employed by Him to survey collect and preserve Antiquities He employed John Leland a most learned Antiquary to perambulate and visit the ruines of all Abbeys and record the Memorables therein It seems though the buildings were destroyed King Henry would have the builders preserved and their memories transmitted to
the way I conceive Livings were estimated not according to the favourable rates in the King's Book where few of forty four pounds per annum but according to the ordinary value as they were worth to be let and set in that Age. 6. Here faine would I be satisfied from some Learned in the Lawes A Quaere propounded That whereas provision is made in this Patent for the Prior to enjoy his Pension untill per nos by the King's self or His under-Officers he was preferred to promotion of equall value whether or no this Pension determined if not the King but some inferior Patron provided such preferment for him Seeing in a generall sense all may be said presented by the King as Patron Paramount of the Church of England who by virtue of His Law have institution and induction into any Ecclesiasticall promotion 7. That effectuall passage is inserted in all Patents of Abbots Seniority in Covents an advantage Priors and Monks that they were in the Covent Diu antea Long before the Dissolution thereof Otherwise many young folk who lately came in even barely went out without any Pensions Such Novices and Probationers whose Coules came but yesterday out of the Drapers shop having youth and strength to provide for themselves were left to the choice of their own calling without any other annuity allowed them 8. Their Pensions Many Pensions mount to much money though seeming but small being many in number made a deep hole in the King's revenue insomuch that He received from some Houses but small profits de claro until the said Pensions were extinguished As will appear guesse Hercules from his Foot by comparing the Profits arising from with the Pensions allotted to the Monks in the aforesaid Priory of Hinton in Somersetshire Edmond Hord Prior his Pension 44 li. his Gratuity 11 li. Monks Pensions Gratuitie Monks Pensions Pensions Grat.  li. s. d. li. s. d.  li. s. d. li. s. d. Thomas Fletcher 6 13 4 1 13 4 William Reynold 6 13 8 1 13 4 William Burford 6 13 4 1 13 3 Robert Savage 6 13 4 1 13 4 Hugh Laycoâ—ke 8 00 0 2 00 0 Will Robinson 2 00 0 0 10 0 Robert Frye 6 13 4 1 13 4 Jo Chamberlaine 6 13 4 1 13 4 Jo Bachcroft 8 00 0 2 00 0 William Coke 6 13 4 1 13 4 Robert Russell 2 00 0 0 10 0 James Marble 6 13 4 1 13 4 Robert Lightfoot 2 00 0 0 10 0 Roger Legge 2 00 0 0 10 0 Robert Nolinge 6 13 4 1 13 4 Hen Bourman 6 13 4 1 13 4 Henry Gurney 6 13 4 1 13 4 John Calert 2 00 0 0 10 0 Thomas Hellyer 6 13 4 1 13 4 Robert Stamerdon 6 13 4 1 13 4 Nicholas Baland 6 13 4 1 13 4     li. s. d.  li. s. d. The total sum of yearly Pensions 163 6 8 The total sum of Grat. 40 16 9 Now whereas the Priory of Hinton at the dissolution thereof was valued at no more than two * Speed in his Catalogue of religious Houses pag. 707. hundred sixty two pounds twelve shillings if the aforesaid summe of yearly Pensions be thence deducted the clear remainder to the King was but ninety nine pounds five shillings four pence But the Crown had a double advantage One that Priory-Lands were lasting whilst Pensions expired with Monks lives and the other that the pensions were but bare Penny-Rent whilst Abbey-Lands were lowly rated farre beneath their true valuation 9. Now because our hand is in The Pensions of the Abbots in Somerset and I for the present can make use of an Authentick Manuscript once Henry Baron Hunsdon's Lord Chamberlain Kindly communicated to me by a worthy * Mr. Edward Pepis of the Temple friend of all the Pensions in Somerset-shire it will not be amisse to exemplifie such as were allotted to the severall Abbots and Priors therein Place Abbot Pension Gratuity   li. s. d. li. s. d. Athelnye R. Hamlyn 50 00 00 the Prebend of Sutton Briston Jo Ely 80 00 00 20 00 00 Keynsham Jo. Stoneston 60 00 00 00 00 00 Place Prior. Pension Gratuity   li. s. d. li. s. d. Bath William Gibby 08 00 00 an House in Bath Montacute R. Whitlocke * Besides the Capitol Messuage in East Ghynock 80 00 00 20 00 00 Taunton W. Williams 60 00 00 30 00 00 Witham Jo. Michell 33 06 08 08 06 08 Place Master Pension Gratuity   li. s. d. li. s. d. Bridgwater Ro. Walshe 33 06 08 16 13 04 Wells Ric. Clarkeson 12 00 00 00 00 00 These two last were Hospitalls The aforesaid Book reacheth not Bristoll because not properly in Somerset-shire but a County Incorporate by it self As for Whiting late Abbot of Glassenbury he was executed for a Traytour and so his Pensions paid No mention therein of the Prior of Mucchelnye whose place may be presumed void by his death or he otherwise preferred 10. We may observe great inequality in these Pensions Pensions go by favour not measured as the Jewes Manna by one and the same Homer but increased or diminished 1. According to the wealth of the house dissolved For where more profit accrued to the King by the suppressions their larger Pensions were allowed to the Prior or Monk thereof 2. According to the merits of the man 3. According to his age and impotency needing relief Lastly and chiefly according as the Parties were befriended by the King's Officers in the Augmentation-Court wherein as in all other Courts favour ever was is and will be in fashion 11. But of all Pensions Largest Pensions allotted the Hospitallers the largest in proportion and strongest in conveyance as passed not as the rest by Letters Patents but by Act of Parliament were those assigned to the late Lord Prior and those of the Order of the Knights Hospitalars These being men of high birth and honourable breeding The King no lesse politickly than civilly thought fit to enlarge their allowance a main motive which made them so quietly to surrender their strong and rich Hospitals as in the printed * An. 32 Hen. 8. cap. 24. Statute doth appear  li. s. d. To Sir William Weston Lord Prior 1000 00 00 To Sir Jo Rawson * He was Prior of Kilman in Ireland 666 13 04 Confreres Pensions  li. s. s. Clement West 200 00 00 Jo Sutton 200 00 00 Richard Poole 133 06 08 Jo Rawson 133 06 08 Gyles Russell 100 00 00 Geo Aylmer 100 00 00 Edw Belnigham 100 00 00 Thomas Pemberton 080 00 00 Edmund Huse 066 13 04 Ambrose Cave 066 13 04 Rich Brooke 066 13 04 Cuthbert Leighton 060 00 00 Thomas Copledike 050 00 00 Edw Brown 050 00 00 William Tirell 0â—0 00 00 To Anthony Rogers Oswald Massingberd c. ten pounds a piece yearly to be paid as all the former Pensions during their naturall lives In the same Statute it
Chappels 1545 The first of these were most in Number the second richest in Revenue the third in this respect better than both the former because they being spent and consumed these alone were left to supply His occasions 3. The Universities were more scared than hurt at the news of all Colledges put into the King's disposall The Universities fears They knew that Barbarisme it self had mischievous naturall Logick to make those Generall words reach farre especially if covetousnesse of some Officers might be permitted to stretch them whereupon they * Lord Herbert in H. 8 p. 537. made their humble and seasonable addresses to the King for His favour 4. None ever robbed the Muses who were well acquainted with them Happily turned into joy and thankfulnesse King Henry had too much Scholarship to wrong Scholars Either University was so farre from being impaired that both were improved by His bounty with Pensions for the places of their Publick Professors yea the fairest Colledge in either University in effect acknowledges Him for its Founder 5. Such Colledges as were Hives of Drones not of Bees What Chanters c. were industriously advancing Learning and Religion were now intended to be suppressed with free Chappels and Chanteries 1. Chanteries consisted of Salaries allowed to one or more Priests to say daily Masse for the Soules of their deceased Founders and their Friends These were Adjectives not able to stand of themselves and therefore united for their better support to some Parochial Collegiate or Cathedrall Church 2. Free Chappell 's though for the same use and service were of a more substantiall and firm constitution as independent of themselves 3. Colledges were of the same nature with the former but more considerable in bignesse building number of Priests and endowments But the ensuing death of King Henry the eighth for a time preserved the life of these Houses which were totally demolished by Act of Parliament in the first year of King Edward the sixt 6. One may observe Two Statutes on different considerations that the two Statutes made for the dissolving of these Houses were bestowed on different considerations Statute 37 Hen. 8. cap. 4. Statute 1 Edwardi 6. cap. 14. Chargeth Misdemeanors on the Priests and Governours of the aforesaid Chanteries that of their own Authority without the assent of their Patrons Donours or Founders they had let Leases for Lives or term of years of their said Lands and some had suffered Recoveries levied Fines and made Feoffments and other Conveyances Contrary to the will and purposes of their Founders to the great contempt of Authority Royall Wherefore in consideration of His Majesties great costs and charges in His present Warres with France and Scotland the Parliament put Him and His Successors for ever in the reall and actuall possesion of such Chanteries c. Mentioneth the Superstitious uses of these Houses considering that a great part of Errors of Christian Religion hath been brought into the mindes and estimation of men by reason of the Ignorance of their very true and perfect Salvation through the death of Christ and by devising and fancying vaine opinions of Purgatory and Masses satisfactory for the dead Wherefore that the said Lands might be altered for better uses viz Erecting Grammar-Schools augmentation of the Universities and provision for the Poor the Parliament bestowed them on the King by His Councell to dispose of the same accordingly 7. To begin with Chanteries Forty seven Chanteries in Saint Paul's Church London their exact number in all England is unknown But if Hercules may by a Mathematician be measured from his foot a probable conjecture may be made of them from those which we finde founded in the Cathedral Church of S. Paul's in London For on the nineteenth of April in the second year of King Edward the sixt a Certificate was returned by the Dean and Chapter of Paul's to His Highnesse Commissioners appointed for that purpose affirming That they had forty seven Chanteries within their Church We will onely instance in the odde seven enough to acquaint us with the nature of all the rest Chaunterie of Founded by For To pray for In S. Pauls Church Present Incumbents Revenue 1. John Beauchamp Knight Himself in his life-time One Chaplain The said Sir Io. and the souls of the Progenitors of the Earle of Warwick Next to the Founders Tomb. Sir Richard Strange  lib. s. d Sum. tot 12 08 08 Deduct 09 06 08 Remain 02 18 08 2. Sir John Poultney Knight Citizen of London His own last Will and Testament in 23 of Edward the third Three Priests His own and all Christian souls In a Chappell by him built on the North side of the Church 1. Sir Fulk Witney 2. Sir Iohn Richardson 3. Sir Iohn Blosse Sum. tot 47 09 04 Deduct 39 17 08 Remain 07 12 06 3. John Duke of Lanâ—aster Ralph Nevil E. of Westmerland Tho. E. of Worcester Executors to the Duke licensed by King Hen. 4. In the 13 of His Reign Two Chaplains King Henry the fourth then living and the soule of the aforesaid Duke of Lancaster In a Chappel by them built on the North of the Church 1. Sir Rich. Smith 2. Sir Roger Charlson Sum. tot 20 00 00 Deduct 16 06 08 Remain 03 13 04 4. Walter Sherington The Executors of his TestameÌ„t licensed by Ki. Henry the sixt in the 24 of his Reign Two Chaplains Englishmen and Graduates The good estate of King Henry the sixt the soul of Walter Sherington In a Chappel built for him at the North door of the Church Mr. Thomas Batemansonne Mr. Iohn Wylmy Sum. tot 20 00 00 Deduct 16 00 00 Remain 02 00 00 5. Thomas More somtime Dean of the Church His Executors Three Priests The soul of the said More and others In the Chappel of S. Anne Sir Richard Gates Sir Robert Garret Sir Morrice Griffith Sum. tot 67 00 06 Deduct 55 00 11 3 4 Remain 12 05 00 1 4 6. Walter Thorpe His Executors One Chaplain The soul of the said Thorpe At S John's Altar Sir Richard Nelson Sum. tot 11 16 00 Deduct 05 04 08 1 1 Remain 06 11 03 1 2 7. Richard Fitz Jams Bishop of London Henry Hill Citizen and Haberdasher in the 13 of Henry 8. One Chaplain Richard Fitz Iames Bishop of London At S. Pauls Altar Sir Iohn Hill Sum. tot 14 06 08 Deduct 14 06 08 Remain 00 00 00 Know Reader I am beholding for my exact intelligence herein to my worthy friend Mr. Thomas Hanson who not onely lent much light to my lamp out of choice Records some in his possession moe in his custody but also hath given much oyle thereunto in his bountifull encouraging of my endevours It seems the Chapter would not goe to the cost of true Arithmetick some of the summes being not rightly deducted whose mistakes I chose rather to follow than to vary any whit from the Originall 8. Observe in these Chanteries Chanteries when they began by
of the most grave Bishops and others assembled by the King at His Castle at Windsor and when by them compleated set forth in Print 1548 with a Proclamation in the Kings name to give authority thereunto being also recommended unto every Bishop by especiall c See a form of them in Fox's Acts Mon. â—ol 1491. Letters from the Lords of the Councell to see the same put in execution And in the next year a penalty was imposed by Act of Parliament on such which should deprave or neglect the use thereof Some exceptions being taken by Mr. Calvin abroad and some Zealots at home at the former Liturgie the Booke was brought under a review and by a b 5 6 of Edward the sixt cap. 1. Statute in Parliament it was appointed That it should be faithfully and godly perused explained and made fully perfect In the first of Qu. Elizabeth 1559 it was committed by the Queen to the care of some learned men by whom it was altered in some few passages and so presented to the Parliament and by them received and established Persons imployed therein 1. Tho Cramer Archbishop of Canterbury 2. George Day Bishop of Chichester 3. Tho Goodrich Bishop of Ely 4. Johan Skip Bishop of Hereford 5. Hen Holbeach Bishop of Lincolne 6. Nicholas Ridley Bishop of Rochester 7. Tho Thileby Bishop of Westminster 8. Doctor May Dean of S. Pauls 9. John Tailer then Dean afterwards Bishop of Lincolne 10. Doctor Haines Dean of Exeter 11. Doctor Robertson afterwards Dean of Durham 12. Doctor John Redman Master of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge 13. Doctor Richard Cox then Almoner to the King afterwards Bishop of Ely Persons imployed therein Wee meet not with their particular names but may probably conceive they were the same with the former for the main though some might be superadded by Royal appointment Persons imployed therein 1. Master Whitehead once Chaplaine to Queen Anna Bullen 2. Matthew Parker afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury 3. Edmund Grindall afterwards Bishop of London 4. Richard Cox afterwards Bishop of Ely 5. James Pilkinton afterwards Bishop of Durham 6. Doctor May Deane of St. Pauls and Master of Trinity Coll in Cambridge 7. Sir Tho Smith principall Secretary of Estate As for the fourth and last Edition of the Liturgie in the first of King James 1603 with some small alterations in the Rubrick after the Conference at Hampton-Court thereof God willing in due time hereafter 5. The Book of Books still remains I mean the Bible it selfe Know then that some exceptions being taken at Tindalls Translation the Bishops then generally Popish complied so farre in a * set down at large in the Register of Archbishop Warbam Conference with the desires of King Henry the eighth that on condition the people would give in Tindalls pretended false Translation they would set forth another better agreeing with the Originall And although this took up some time to effect the work being great in it self and few workmen as yet Masters of the Mysterie of PRINTING yet at last it was accomplished but more purely and perfectly done in after Ages as by the ensuing parallels will appear The first Traslation of the Bible The second Translation of the Bible The third Translation of the Bible Set forth in the Reigne of K. Henry the eighth An. 1541. countenanced with a grave pious Preface of Archbishop Cranmer and authorized by the Kings Proclamation dated May the 6. Seconded also with c Extant in Sir Thomas Cotions Library Instructions from the King to prepare people to receive benefit the better from so heavenly a treasure it was called The BIBLE of the greater Volume rather commended than commanded to people Few Countrey-Parishes could go to the cost of them though Bishop Bonner caused six of them to be chained in the Church of S. Pauls in convenient places Set forth in the Reign of K. Edward the sixt and not onely suffered to be read by particular persons but ordered to be read over yearly in the Congregation as a principall part of Divine Service Two severall Editions I have seen thereof one set forth 1549 the other 1551 but neither of them divided into verses Set forth in the second of Qu. Elizabeth the last Translation was again review'd by some of the most learned Bishops appointed thereunto by the Queens Commission whence it took the name of the Bishops BIBLE and by the Queens sole commandement reprinted and left free and open to all Her well affected Subjects As for the last and best Translation of the Bible in the Reign of King James by a select company of Divines imployed therein in due time by Gods assistance largely thereof 6. And now we shall come to small game rather than shut out not caring how low we descend so be it we may satisfie the Reader and inform posterity presenting a Catalogue of such Proclamations which the King set forth in the foure first years having any tendency or relation to Ecclesiasticall matters 1. A Proclamation concerning the effectuall payment of Pensions due out of the Court of Augmentations to any late Abbot Prior c. which it seemeth lately were detained Anno 1 o Edvardi sexti Septem 18. 2. A Proclamation concerning the irreverent Talkers of the Sacrament For after the Transubstantiation and the superstition of the Corporall presence was removed many persons no lesse ignorant than violent fell from adoring to contemning of the holy Elements till retrenched by this Proclamation set forth 1 o Edvardi sexti Decemb. 27. 3. A Proclamation for abstaining from flesh in Lent-time Anno 1 o Edvardi sexti Januarii 16. 4. A Proclamation against such as innovate a Ceremony 1548. or Preach without licence 2. Anno 2 o Evardi sexti Febr. 6. 5. A Proclamation inhibiting Preachers Anno 2 o Edvardi sexti April 24. Whereof this was the occasion certain Popish Preachers disaffected to the Kings Government endevoured in their Sermons to possesse people of scandalous reports against the King as if He intended to lay strange exactions on the people and to demand Half-a-Crown a piece of every one who should be Married Christned or Buried To prevent further mischief the King ordered by Proclamation That none should Preach except licensed under the Seals of the Lord Protector or Archbishop of Canterbury 6. A Proclamation for the Inhibition of all Preachers the second of Edward the second Sept. 23. Because this Proclamation is short hard to be come by and if I mistake not conducing much to acquaint us with the character of those times it may be acceptable here to exemplifie the same WHereas of late by reason of certaine controversious and seditious Preachers the Kinges Majestie moved of tender zeale and love which He hath to be quiet of His Subjects by the advise of the Lord Protectour and other His Highnesse Councell hath by Proclamation inhibited and commanded That no manner of person except such as was licenced by His Highnesse
shall be requisite In pursuance of these their Instructions the Kings Commissioners in their respective Counties recovered much and discovered more of Church-wealth and Ornaments For some were utterly imbeziled by persons not responsible and there the King must lose his right More were concealed by parties not detectable so cunningly they carried their stealths seeing every one who had nimmed a Church-Bell did not ring it out for all to hear the sound thereof Many potent persons well known to have such goods shufled it out with their greatnesse mutually connived at therein by their equalls fellow-offenders in the same kinde However the Commissioners regained more than they expected confidering the distance of time and the cold scent they followed so many years after the Dissolution This Plate and other Church-Utensils were sold and advanced much money to the Exchequer An * Sir John Hayward Authour telleth us That amongst many which they found they left but one silver Chalice to every Church too narrow a proportion to populous Parishes where they might have left two at the least seeing for expedition sake at great Sacraments the Minister at once delivereth the wine to two Communicants But they conceived one Cup enough for a small Parish and that greater and richer were easily able to purchase more to themselves 2. All this Income rather stayed the stomack Durham Bishoprick dissolved than satisfied the hunger of the Kings Exchequer For the allaying whereof the Parliament now sitting conferred on the Crown the Bishoprick of Durham This may be called the English Herbipolis or Wirtz-burge it being true of both Dunelmia sola judicat Ense Stola The Bishop whereof was a Palatine or Secular Prince and his Seal in form resembleth Royalty in the Roundnesse thereof and is not Oval the badge of plain Episcopacy Rich and entire the revenues of this See such as alone would make a considerable addition to the Crown remote the scituation thereof out of Southern sight and therefore if dissolved the sooner out of mens mindes Besides Cuthbert Tunstall the present Bishop of Durham was in durance and deprived for his obstinacy so that so stubborn a Bishop gave * yet the Duke of Northumberland either was or was to be possessour thereof the State the fairer quarrell with so rich a Bishoprick now annexed to the Kings revenue 3. Well it was for this See Afterwards restored by Qu. Mary though dissolved that the lands thereof were not dispersed by sale unto severall persons but preserved whole and entire as to the main in the Crown Had such a dissipation of the parts thereof been made no lesse than a State miracle had been requisite for the recollection thereof Whereas now within two years after Queen Mary restored Tunstall to this Bishoprick and this Bishoprick to it self re-setling all the lands on the same 4. By this time A wood rather a wildernesse of the Popes Canons such Learned men as were employed by the King to reform the Ecclesiastical Laws had brought their work to some competent perfection Let me enlarge my self on this subject of concernment for the Readers satisfaction When the Pope had ingrossed to his Courts the cognizance of all causes which either looked glanced or pointed in the least degree at what was reduceable to Religion he multiplied Laws to magnifie himself Whose principal designe therein was not to make others good but himself great not so much to direct and defend the good to restrain and punish the bad as to ensnare and entangle both For such the number of their Clementines 〈◊〉 Intrd. Extravagants Provincialls Synodalls Glosses Sentences Chapters Summaries Rescripts Breviaries long and short Cases c. that none could carry themselves so cautiously but would be rendred obnoxious and caught within the compasse of offending Though the best was for money they might buy the Popes pardon and thereby their own innocence 5. Hereupon Two and thirty Regulatours of the Canon-Law when the Popes power was banished out of England his Canon-Law with the numerous Books and branches thereof lost its authority in the Kings Dominions Yet because some gold must be presumed amongst so much drosse grain amongst so much chaffe it was thought fit that so much of the Canon Law should remain as was found conformable to the Word of God and Laws of the Land And therefore King Henry the eighth was impowred by Act of Parliament to elect two and thirty able persons to reform the Ecclesiastical Laws though in His Reign very little to good purpose was performed therein 6. But the designe was more effectually followed in the daies of King Edward the sixth Contracted to eight by King Edward the 6. reducing the number of two and thirty to eight thus mentioned in His Letters Patents dated at Westminster the last year Novemb 11. Bishops Thomas Cranmer of Canterbury Thomas Goodrich of Elie. Divines Peter Martyr Richard Cox Civilians and Canonists Dr. William May. Dr. Rowland Taylor of Hadley Common Lawyers John Lucas Rich Goodrick Esquires It was not onely convenient but necessary that Common Lawyers should share in making these Church Constitutions because the same were to be built not onely sure in themselves but also symmetricall to the Municipall Lawes of the Land These Eight had power by the Kings Patents to call in to their assistance what persons they pleased and are said to have used the pens of Sir John Cheeke and Walter Haddon Dr. in Law to turn their Lawes into Latine 7. However Laws no Laws not stamped with Royall Authority these had onely a preparing no concluding power so that when they had ended their work two things were wanting to make these Ecclesiastical Canons thus by them composed have the validity of Laws First an exact review of them by others to amend the mistakes therein As where * Titulo de Divinis Officiâ—s cap. 6. they call the Common Prayer Book then used in England proprium perfectum omnis divini cultus judicem magistrum a title truly belonging onely to the Scripture Secondly a Royall ratification thereunto which this King prevented by death nor any of His Successours ever stamped upon it Indeed I finde in an * Iohn 〈◊〉 at the end of his Preface to his Book intituled Reformation no enemy to Her Majesty Author whom I am half-ashamed to alledge that Doctor Haddon Anno 12 or 13 Elizabeth delivered in Parliament a Latine Book concerning Church-Discipline written in the daies of King Edward the sixt by Mr. Cranmer Sir John Cheek c. which could be no other than this lately mentioned Which Book was committed by the House unto the said Mr. Haddon Mr. George Bromley Mr. Norton c. to be translated I conceive into English again and never after can I recover any mention thereof save that some thirteen years since * Anno 1640. A silent Convocation it was printed in London 8. A Parliament was called in the last of this Kings
off my good Unkle Somerse ' s head And it is generally conceived that grief for his death caused K. Edwards Consumption who succeeded not to any Consumptive Inclination as hereditary from His Extraction from a Father but little past and a Mother just in the strength of Their Age. 16. However An uncertain report I finde in a * Image of both Churches page 423. Popish Writer that it was said That the Apothecary who poisoned him for the horrour of the offence and the disquietnesse of his conscience drowned himself And that the Landresse who washed His shirt lost the skin off her fingers But if his History be no better than his Divinity we that justly condemn the one can doe no lesse than suspect the other 17. We will conclude this Kings most Pious life with that His most devout Prayer on His Death-Bed The Prayer of K. Edward on his death-bed which God heard and graciously answered for the good of the Church of England d Fox Acts Mon. p. 13â—5 LOrd God deliver Me out of this miserable and wretched life and take Me among thy chosen Howbeit not my will but thy will be done Lord I commit my spirit to thee O Lord thou knowest how happy it were for me to be with thee yet for thy chosens sake send me life and health that I may truly serve thee Oh my Lord God blesse thy people and save thine inheritance Oh Lord God save thy chosen People of England Oh my Lord God defend this Realm from Papistry and maintain thy true Religion that I and my People may praise thy holy Name for Jesus Christs sake 17. One of the last Sermons King Edward heard Opposers of the Liturgie grow a strong was preached before Him by Hugh Latimer at what time their party began to spread and increase who opposed the Liturgie witnesse this passage in his Sermon * Latimers Semons printed Anno 1607. pag. 83. I have heard say when that the good Queen that is gone had ordained in her House daily Prayer both before Noon and after Noon the Admirall getteth him out of the way like a Mole digging in the earth He shall be Lots Wife to me as long as I live He was I heard say a Covetous man a covetous man indeed I would there were no more in England He was I heard say an Ambitious man I would there were no more in England He was I heard say a Seditious man a Contemner of Common-Prayer I would there were no more in England Well! he is gone I would he had left none behinde him A passage so informative to the Church History of that Age must not passe without some observation thereon The good Queen is gone this was Queen Katharine Par the Relict of King Henry the eighth who some two years since died in Child-bed The Admirall This was Thomas Lord Seymour her Husband Getteth himself out of the way Here is the question on what terms he absented himself whether on Popish or Non Conformist In proof whereof he is compared to Lots Wife which importeth a looking back and reflexion on former practise  Being termed herein Seditious and not Superstitious it intimates that a factious Principle made him distast the Common-Prayer A Contemner of the Common Prayer I wish there were no more This probably relates unto a potent Party disaffected to the Liturgie which now began to be very considerable in England but if the premisses be rightly collected much too blame in the judgment of godly Master Latimer 18. The dislikers of the Liturgie bare themselves high upon the judgment of Master Calvin in his Letter four year since to the Duke of Somerset Lord Protectour now no longer a privacie because publickly printed in his Epistles And yet Master Calvin is therein very positive for a set Forme Mr. Calvin's 3 Reasons for a set Form of Prayer whose words deserve our Translation and observation * Libro Epist pag. 69. Formulam precums rituum Ecclesiasticorum valde probo ut certa illa extet A quâ ne Pastoribus discedere in functione sua liceat 1. Ut consulatur quorundam simplicitati imperitiae 2. Ut certius constet omnium inter se Ecclesiarum consensus 3. Ut obviam ineatur desultoriae quorundam levitati qui novationes quasdam affectant Sic igitur statum esse Catechismum oportet statam Sacramentorum administrationem publicam item precum formulam I doe highly approve that there should be a certain Form of Prayer and Ecclesiasticall Rites From which it should not be lawfull for the Pastors themselves to discede 1. That provision may be made for some peoples ignorance and unskilfulnesse 2. That the consent of all Churches amongst themselves may the more plainly appear 3. That order may be taken against the desultorie levity of such who delight in innovations Thus there ought to be an established Catechisme an established Administration of Sacraments as also a publick Form of Prayer So that it seems not a Form but this Form of Prayer did displease and exceptions were taken at certain passages still in the Liturgie though lately reviewed by the Bishops and corrected 19. Whilst mutuall animosities were heightned betwixt the Opposers and Assertors of the Liturgie Wanton fâ—owardnesse jâ—stly punished Providence put a period for a time to that Controversie in England Such who formerly would not soon after durst not use the Common Prayer Masse and Popery being set up by Queen Mary in the room thereof Thus when Children fall out and fight about the candle the Parents comming in and taking it away leave them to decide the differences in the dark The end of the Reign of King EDWARD the sixt THE Church-History OF BRITAINE The Eighth BOOK CONTAINING THE PERSECUTIONS Under the Reign of QUEEN MARY SIC OMNI TEMPORE VERDO LONDON Printed in the Year M.DC.LV. Punishment for their going naked that what sometimes they affect of Fancy should alwayes be enjoyned them by Authority till the Cold converted them into more Civility In vain do they plead for their Practise the Precedent of the Prophet * Isaiah 20. 3. Isaiah going naked for three years Whose act was extraordinary and mystical having an immediate command from God for the same As well may they in Imitation of Hos ea 1. 2. Hosea take a known harlot to their wives which I beleeve they would not willingly do though they have made Harlots of other mens wives if all be true reported of them Their other Opinion is that THOU and THEE is the Omer of Respect to be measur'd out to every single person allowing the hiest no more the lowest no less be he to speak in their own * Pamphlet called the Language of truth pag. 2. Phrase either King Lord Judge or Officer We will take their words asunder as the wheels of a watch only scowre them and then put them together again King though none at this present in the
to oppose and the flattery of the Courtiers most willing to comply matters were made as sure as mans policy can make that good which is bad in it self But the Commons of England who for many yeers together had conn'd loyalty by-heart out of the Statute of Succession were so perfect in their lesson that they would not be put out of it by this new started designe so that every one proclaimed Mary next Heir in their consciences and few daies after King Edwards death all the project miscarried of the plotters whereof some executed more imprisoned most pardoned all conquered and Queen Mary crowned Thus though the streame of Loyalty for a while was violently diverted to runne in a wrong channell yet with the speediest opportunitie it recovered the right course again 2. But now in what manner this Will of King Edwards was advanced The truth of the carriage of Sr. Edward Mountagu in his drawing up the Will of King Edw. the sixth that the greatest blame may be laid on them who had the deepest guilt the following answer of Sr. Edward Mountagu Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas accused for drawing up the Will and committed by Queen Mary to prison for the same will truly acquaint us The original whereof under his own hand was commnuicated unto me by his great grandchilde Edward Lord Mountagu of Boughton and here faithfully exemplified SR Edward Mountagu Knight late Chief-Justice of the Common Pleas received a letter from Greenwich dated the eleventh day of June last past signed with the hands of the Lord Treasurer the Duke of Northumberland John Earl of Bedford Francis Earl of Shrewsburie the Earl of Pembroke the Lord Clynton the Lord Darcie John Gate William Peter William Cecill John Cheke whereby he was commanded to be at the Court on the morrow by one of the clock at after-noon and to bring with him Sr. John Baker Justice Bromley the Attorney and Solicitour General and according to the same all they were there at the said hour of one of the clock And after they were brought to the presence of the King the Lord Treasurer the Marquesse of Northampton Sr. John Gate and one or two more of the Councill whose names he doth not now remember were present And then and there the King by His own mouth said that now in His sicknesse he had considered the state of this His Realm and Succession which if He should decease without Heir of His body should go to the Lady Mary who was unmarried and might marry a stranger-borne whereby the Lawâ— of this Realm might be altered and changed and His Highnesse proceedings in Religion might be altered Wherefore His pleasure was that the state of the Crown should go in such forme and to such persons as His Highnesse had appointed in a Bill of Articles not signed with the Kings hand which were read commanded them to make a Book thereof accordingly with speed And they finding divers faults not onely for the incertainty of the Articles but also declaring unto the King that it was directly against the Act of Succession which was an Act of Parliament which would not be taken away by no such devise Notwithstanding His Highnesse would not otherwise but that they should draw a Book according to the said Articles which he then took them and they required a reasonable time of His Highnesse for the doeing thereof and to consider the Laws and Statutes made for the Succession which indeed were and be more dangerous then and of them they did consider and remember and so they departed commanding them to make speed And on the morrow all the said persons met and perusing the said Statutes there grew this question amongst them whether it were presently treason by the words of the Statute of Anno primo Edvardi Sexti or no treason till it were put in execution after the Kings death because the words of the Statute are the King His Heirs and Successours because the King can have no Successours in His life but to be sure they were all agreed that it were the best and surer way to say to the Lords that the execution of this devise after the Kings decease was not onely treason but the making of this devise was also presently treason as well in the whole Councell as in them and so agreed to make their report without doing any thing for the execution thereof And after Sr. William Peter sent for the said Sr. Edward to Eely-place who shewed him that the Lords required great speed in the making of the said Book and he told him there were none like to be made for them for the danger aforesaid And after that the said S. Edward with the rest of his company went to the Court and before all the Council the Duke of Northumberland being not in the Council-chamber made report to the Lords that they had considered the Kings Articles and also the Statutes of Succession whereby it appeared manifestly that if they should make any Book according to the Kings commandment they should not onely be in danger of treason but also their Lordships all wherefore they thought it their bounden duties to declare the danger of the Laws unto them and for avoiding of the danger thereof they had nothing done therein nor intended to doe the Laws being so dangerous and standing in force The Duke of Northumberland having intelligence of their answer either by the Earle of Huntington or by the Lord Admiral cometh into the Council-Chamber before all the Council there benign in a great rage and fury trembling for anger and amongst his ragious talk called the said Sr. Edward Traitour and further said that he would fight in his shirt with any man in that quarrel as all the whole Council being there will report whereby the said Sr. Edward with the rest were in great fear and dread in special Mr. Bromley and the said Sr. Edward for Mr. Bromley told the said after that he dread then that the Duke would have striken one of them and after they were commanded to go home and so departed in great fear without doing any thing more at that time wishing of God they had stood to it as they did then unto this time And after the said Sr. Edward received another letter dated at Greenwich the 14 th of June last past signed with the hands â—f the Lord Treasurer the Earl of Bedford the Marquesse of Northampton the Earle of Shrewsburie the Lord Clynton the Lord Cobham the Lord Darcy William Peter John Gate John Cheeke whereby he was commanded to bring with him Sr. John Baker Justice Bromley and Mr. Gosnolde and to be at the Court on the morrow by one of the clock at after-noon where all they were at the same houre and conveyed into a chamber behinde the Dining-Chamber there and all the Lord looked upon them with earnest countenance as though they had not known them So that the said Sr. Edward with the other might perceive there
in as well by the Duke of Northumberland on the one day as by the King on the other day Also it is to be considered the Kings commandment upon their allegiance by His own mouth and the Articles signed with His Highnesse own hand and also His Commission license and commandment under His Great Seal to the said Sr. Edward and others for the making of the said Booke Also the Kings pardon signed with His Highnesse hand Also it is to be considered that the said Books were made in the Kings life seaven or eight dayes before His death and the Queens Highnesse being Successour by Act of Parliament to the Crown and having the same as a Purchaser may not lawfully by the Laws of the Realme punish the said offence done in the Kings time Also the said Sr. Edward hath humbly submitted himself to the Queen Highnesse and to the order of the Commissioners Which Commissioners have ordered the said Sr. Edward to pay to Her Highnesse a thousand pounds who hath already paid thereof five hundred pounds and the other five hundred pounds are to be paid at the Feast of All-Saints come Twelve-moneth And also to surrender his letters Patents of lands to the yeerly value of fifty pounds called Eltyngton which he had of the gift of King Edward the Sixth which was all the reward he had of the said King Edward for his service costs and expences Also it is to be considered that the said Sr. Edward is put from his office of the Chief Justice-ship of the Common-Pleas being of the yeerly value of six hundred marks which office the most noble King of famous memorie King Henry the Eighth gave him in consideration of his long service and also had six weeks imprisonment Also it is to be considered that the same Sr. Edward hath seaventeen children viz. eleven Daughters and six Sons whereof one of the said Sons had his legge striken off by the knee in Scotland at Muscleborough-field the Duke of Sommerset being there And his Son and Heire by his commandment served the Queens Highnesse with twenty men to the cost of the said Sr. Edward of one hundred pounds as the Gentlemen of Buckingham-shire can report SO far the late Judge with his own hand Wherein he affirmeth that he medled not with the Councell in any thing afterward as may appear by his not subscribing the letter of the Lords to Queen Mary enjoying shall I say or advising Her to desist from claiming the Crown whereto all the Privie * See them exant in Mr. Fox Act. Mon-Anno 1553. Councellours subscribed onely the hand of Sr. Edward Mountagu is wanting And seeing in the whole transaction of this matter the obedience rather then invention of Judge Mountagu was required not to devise but draw things up according to Articles tendred unto him I cannot believe his * Sr. John Heywood in his Edward 6 report report relating that the King used the advise of Justice Mountagu in drawing up the Letters Patents to furnish the same with reasons of Law as Secretary Cicil with arguments from Policie 3. Some will wonder that no mention herein of Sr. Roger Cholmley Sr. R. Chomley comes off with losse Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench and in dignity above Sr. Edward Mountagu at this time but Judge of the Common-Pleas that he was not employed to draw up the Book But it seems Judge Mountagu his judgement was more relied on who had been formerly Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench and deserted it Yet the said Sr. Roger Cholmley was imprisoned for bare subscribing this Will and as it seems lost his place for the same For Justice Bromley though equally guilty with the rest so far favour extends in matters of this nature was not onely pardoned but from an inferiour Judge * See Sr. H. Spelman Glossary in Justiciarius p. 417. Sr. Jam's Hales his honesty advanced to be successour to Sr. Roger Cholmly and made Judge of the Kings-Bench 4. Whereas Sr. Edward saith that all the Judges were sent for and that many put their hands to the Book it intimateth that all did not but that some refused the same it being eminently known to the everlasting honour of Sr. James Hales that no importunity could prevail with him to underwrite this will as against both law and conscience 5. Eight weeks and upwards passed between the proclaiming of Mary Queen Contest betwixt two Religions and the Parliament by her assembled during which time two religions were together set on foot Protestantisme and Poperie the former hoping to be continued the later labouring to be restored And as the Jews Children a Neh. 13. 24. after the captivity spake a middle language betwixt Hebrew and Ashdod so during the aforesaid interim the Churches and Chappels in England had mongrell celebration of their Divine services betwixt Reformation and Superstition For the Obsequies for King Edward were held by the Queen in the Tower August the seaventh Aug. 7. with the Dirige sung in Latin and on the morrow a masse of Requiem and on the same day his Corps were buried at Westminster with a sermon service and Communion in English No small iustling was there betwixt the zealous Promoters of these contrary Religions The Protestants had possession on their side and the Protection of the Laws lately made by King Edward and still standing in free and full force unrepealed Besides seeing by the fidelity of the Suffolk and Norfolke Protestant Gentry the Queen was much advantaged for the speedy recovering of her Right they conceived it but reason that as she by them had regained the Crown so they under her should enjoy their Consciences The Papists put their Ceremonies in Execution presuming on the Queen her private practice and publique countenance especially after she had imprisoned some Protestant and enlarged some Popish Bishops advancing Stephen Gardiner to be Lord Chancelour Many which were Newters before conceiving which side the Queen inclined would not expect but prevent her authority in Alteration So that Superstition generally got ground in the Kingdome Thus it is in the Evening Twi-light wherein light and darknesse at first may seem very equally matcht but the later within little time doth solely prevail 6. What impressions the Comming in of Queen Mary made on Cambridge Mr. Jewell pens the first Congratulatory letter to the Queen shall God willing be presented in our particular History thereof The sad and sudden alterations in Oxford thereby are now to be handled Ma. John Jewel was chosen to pen the first Gratulatorie Letter to the Queen in the Name of the Vniversity an office imposed on him by his enemies that either the refusall thereof should make him incurre danger from his foes or the performance expose him to the displeasure of his friends Yet he so warily penned the same in Generall termes that his Adversaries missed their marke Indeed all as yet were confident that the Queen would maintain the Protestant
profit thereof Nove. 14. Mond He was the first Protestant English Bishop that died in the dayes of Q. Elizabeth 15. Thomas Piercy Earle of Northumberland and Charles Nevill Earle of Westmerland brake out into open Rebellion against the Queen 1569 The Rebellion of the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland Lords of right noble extraction and large revenue whose titles met with their estates in the Northern Parts and indeed the height of their honour was more then the depths of their judge ment These intended to restore the Romish Religion set free the Queen of Scots pretending much zeal for the liberty of the people and honour of the nation complaining of Queen Elizabeth her neglect of the ancient Nobility and advancing mean persons to the places of highest trust and command though indeed could she have made her Noblemen wise as she did her Wisemen Noble these Earls had never undertaken this Rebellion Numerous their Tenants in the North and their obligations the higher for the low rent they paid though now alass poor souls they paid a heavy sine losing their lives in the cause of their Landlords 16. Their first valour was to fight against the English Bible 16. 〈◊〉 Anno Regin 12. Dece 10. More superstiâ—ous thâ—n valiant and Service-Booke in Durham tearing them in pieces And as yet unable to go to the cost of saying Masse for want of Vestiments they began with the cheapest piece of Popery Holy Water their Wells plentifully affording water and Plumtree the Priest quickly conferring consâ—eration Afterwards better provided they set up Mass in most places where they came b Sâ—ws Cron. 663. Richard Norton an ancient and aged Gentleman carrying the Cross before them and others bearing in their Banners the five wounds of Christ or a Chalice according to their different devices No great matter was atchieved by them save the taking of Baâ—â—ards Castle in the Bishoprick which indeed took it self in effect the Defenders thereof being destitute of Victuals and Provisions 17. But hearing how the Garrisons of Carlile and Barwick were manned against them on their backs Routed â—y the Queen her forces and the Earle of Sussex advancing out of the South with an Army to oppose them their spirits quickly sunk and being better armed then disciplined wanting expert Commanders how easily is a rout routed they fled Northwards and mouldered away without standing a battell 18. An Italian Authour writing the life of Pope Pius Quintus giveth us this brief account of this expedition An Italian Authour reckoning without his Hoast They did not overrun the Kingdom as they ought to have done and followed after Elizabeth for which they could not have wanted followers enough but they stood still and not being able to maintain themselves long in the field for want of mony they finally withdrew themselves into Scotland without any thing doing So easie it is for this Authors fancy which scaleth the highest Walls without Ladders gaineth the straightest passes without blows crosses the deepest Rivers without Bridge Ford or Ferry to overrun England though otherwise this handfull of men never exceeding six hundred horse and four thousand foot were unlikely to run through other shiers who could not stand a blow in their own Country 19. Northumberland fled into Scotland Northumberland with many more of thâ— Rebels executed lurked there a time Anno Dom. 1569. was betrayed to Earle Murrey Anno Regin Eliza. 12. sent back into England and beheaded at Yorke Westmerland made his escape into Flanders the wisest work that ever he did where he long lived very poore on a small and ill paâ—ed Pension Many were executed by S r. George Bowes Knight Marshall every market Town being then made a shire Town for his Assises betwixt New-Castle and Witherby a Sâ—ow his Chronicle p. 663. about sixty miles in length and forty in breadth much terrifying those parts with his severity Insomuch that when next year Leonard Dacres put together the ends of the quenched brands of this Rebellion with intent to rekinâ—le them they would not take fire but by the vigilancy and valour of the L. Hansdon his designe was seasonably defeated 20. John Story D. of Law The execution of Dr. Story a cruel persecutor in the dayes of Q. Mary being said for his share to have martyred two or three hundred fled afterwards over into Brabant and because great with Duke de Alva like cup like 〈◊〉 he made him searcher at Antwerp for English goods Where if he could detect either Bible * Fox Acts Mon. p. 2152. or Hereticall Books as they termed them in any ship it either cost their persons imprisonment or goods confiscation But now being trained into the ship of Mr. Parker an Englishman the Master hoised sail time and tide winde and water consenting to that designe and over was this Tyrant and Traitor brought into England where refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy and professing himself subject to the King of Spain he was executed at Tyburne Where being cut down halfe dead after his * Fox Acts Mâ—n ut prius privie members were cut off he rushed on the Executioner and gave him a blow on the eare to the wonder saith my Author of all the standers by and I who was not there wonder more that it was not recounted amongst the Romish miracles 21. The old store of Papists in England began now very much to diminish The original of the English Colledges beyond the seas and decay insomuch that the Romanists perceiv'd they could not spend at this rate out of the main stock but it would quickly make them Bankerupt Prisons consumed many Age moe of their Priests and they had no place in England whence to recruit themselves The largest cisterne with long drawing will grow dry if wanting a fountain to feed the daily decay thereof Hereupon they resolved to erect Colledges beyond the seas for English youth to have their education therein A project now begun and so effectually prosecuted that within the compasse of fifty years nine Colledges were by them founded and furnished with Students and they with maintenance as by the following Catalogue may appear as they stood at the last yeer of King James Since no doubt they have been enlarged in greatnesse increased in number enriched in revenues as such who shall succeed us in continuing this Story may report to posterity May they at my request if having the conveniencies of leisure and instructions be pleased to perfect this my Catalogue and replenish the vacuities thereof with their more exact observations And let no Papists laugh at our light mistakes Protestants not pretending to such exact intelligence of their Colledges as they have of ours Indeed they have too criticall instructions of all our English societies by their agents living amongst us and it is a bad signe when suspicious persons are over-preying to know the windows doors all the passages and
follow thereof such success as may be to your liking that then you would be content to permit him to repair hither to London to be further dealt with as I shall take order for upon his coming for which purpose I have written a letter to the Sheriff if your Lordship shall like thereof And so I bid your Lordship right heartily farewell From the Court at Westminster this 21. of April 1581. Your Lordships very loving friend W. B. Brown being thus brought up to London by the advice of his friends was wrought to some tolerable compliance and being discharged by the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury was by the Lord Treasurer sent home to his father Anthony Brown at Tolethorp in Rutland Esquire One I assure you of ancient and right worshipfull extraction having my self seen a charter granted by King Henry the eighth the 16 th of July in the 18 th of his reign and confirmed by act of Parliament to Francis Brown father to the aforesaid Anthony giving him leave to put on his cap in the presence of the King or his heirs or any Lord Spirituall or Temporall in the land and not to put it off but for his own ease and pleasure But let us see and the Lord Treasurers letter in the behalf of Brown to his father AFter my very hearty commendations understanding that your son Robert Brown had been sent for up by my Lord Bishop of Canterbury to answer to such matters as he was to be charged withall conteined in a Book made by him and published in print as it was thought by his means I thought good considering he was your Son and of my blood to send unto my Lord of Canterbury in his behalf that he might finde what reasonable favour he could shew him before whom I perceive he hath answered in some good sort and although I think he will not deny the making of the Book yet by no means will he confess to be acquainted with the publishing or printing of it He hath besides yielded unto his Lordship such further contentment as he is contented the rather at my motion to discharge him and therefore for that he purposeth to repair to you I have thought good to accompany him with these my letters and to pray you for this cause or any his former dealings not to withdraw from him your fatherly love and affection not doubting but with time he will be fully recovered and withdrawn from the Reliques of some fond opinions of his which will be the better done if he be dealt withall in some kinde and temperate manner And so I bid you very heartily farewell From my house neer the Savoy this eighth of October 1585. Your loving friend and Cousin William Burghley But it seems Browns errours were so inlaid in him no conference with Divines could convince him to the contrary whose incorrigibleness made his own father weary of his company Men may wish God only can work children to be good The old gentleman would own him for his Son no longer then his Son owned the Church of England for his Mother desiring to rid his hands of him as by the insuing letter will appear AFter my very hearty Commendations I perceive by your letters that you have little or no hopes of your sons conformity as you had when you received him into your house and therefore you seem desirous that you might have liberty to remove him further off from you as either to Stamford or some other place which I know no cause but you may very well and lawfully do where I wish he might better be perswaded to conforme himself for his own good and yours and his friends comfort And so I very heartily bid you farewell From the Court this seventeeth of February 1585. Your very loving friend and cousin William Burghley Thus to make our Story of the troublesom man the more entire we have trespassed on the two following years yet without discomposing our Chronologie on the Margin 3. With his assistant Richard Harrisen Brown his opinions a petty Pedagogue they inveighed against Bishops Ecclesiasticall Courts Ceremonies Ordination of Ministers and what not fancying here on earth a platform of a perfect Church without any faults understand it thus save those that are made by themselves therein The Reader if desirous to know their opinions is referred to the large and learned Treatises written against them particularly to the pains of D r. Fulke proving that the Brownists so named from this Brown their ringleader were in effect the same with the ancient Donatists only newly reviv'd Thus there is a circulation as in fashion of clothes so of opinions the same after some years return Brownisme being no more than Donatisme vamped with some new additions The Queen and Her Councell seriously set themselves first by gentleness to reduce and that not succeeding by severity to suppress the increase of this faction Brown himself used to boast that he had been committed to thirty two prisons and in some of them be could not see his hand at noon day Yet for all this he came off at last both with saving his life and keeping his living and that none of the meanest Achurch in Northampton-shire untill the day of his death 4. One may justly wonder Extraordinary favour indulged unto him when many meaner Accessaries in this schism were arraigned condemned executed how this Brown the Principal made so fair an escape yea enjoyed such preferment I will never believe that he ever formally recanted his opinions either by word or writing as to the main of what he maintained More probable it is that the promise of his genéral compliance with the Church of England so far forth as not to make future disturbance therein met with the Arch-Bishops courteous acceptance thereof both which effectually improved by the countenance of Thomas Cecil Earl of Exeter Brown's near kinsman and patron procured this extraordinary favour to be indulged unto him His Parsonage he freely possess'd allowing a sufficient salary for one to discharge the cure and though against them in his judgement was contented and perchance pleased to take the tithes of his own parish 5. For my own part whose nativity Providence placed within a mile of this Brown his pastorall charge The authors observation on him I have when a youth often beheld him He was of an imperious nature offended if what he affirm'd but in common discourse were not instantly received as an oracle He was then so far from the Sabbatarian strictness to which some preciser Brownists did afterwards pretend that both in judgement and practise he seemed rather libertine therein In a word he had in my time a wife with whom for many years he never lived parted from her on some distaste and a Church wherein he never preached though he received the profits thereof 6. As for his death in the prison in Northampton The occasion of his late death many years after in the reign of King Charles
c. illegally inflicting any other punishments Such Commissioners proceeding against Offender by Attachment Fine or Imprisonment are contrary to the express words of Carta Magna providing that no free man shall be taken or imprisoned or be disseised of his free hold and liberty and but by the lawful judgement of his Peers or of the Law of the Land Their whole Commission is void in Law because it beareth date in July but was not signed till November next after contrary to the Statute which enjoyneth that Letters patents should be dated the day of their delivery into Chancery or else they shall be void For the High Commission The words in the Statute run thus they shall have full power and authority by vertue of this Act and of the Letters patents under your Highness your Heirs and successors to Exercise Vse execute all the promises according to the Tenor and effect of the said Letters patents any matter or cause to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding Now their Letters patents inable them to Attach Fine or Imprison c. in doing whereof they are sufficiently impowered by the Commission When Carta Magna was made Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction though it was de jure it was not de facto in the King Whereby it plainly appears that those words related not to the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction but only to Crimes belonging to the Common Law But since the Parliament hath declared Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in the Queen the Ecclesiastical persons might impose such penalties even to the Condemning of Hereticks though never tri'd by a Jury It appeareth by the Preamble of that Statute that the words cannot be stretched to Letters patents of that nature but belong only to such to private persons wherein Grantees are unjustly expelled out of their right by colour of Letters patents bearing an elder date But the most general exception against the High Commission was this that proceeding ex officio mero by way of enquiry against such whom they pleased to suspect they tendered unto them an Oath which was conceived unjust that in Cases Criminal a party should be forced to discover what might be penal to himself The Lawfulness of which Oath was learnedly canvassed with Arguments on both sides Against the Oath ex Officio The Common Laws have ever rejected and impugned it never put in Ure by any civil Magistrate in the Land but as it is corruptly crept in amongst other abuses by the sinister practises and pretences of the Romish Prelates and Clergimen And where loss of Life Liberty or good Name may ensue the Common Law hath forbidden such Oath It is contrary to the Fundamental Law of Liberty Nemo tenetur seipsum prodere It appeareth by the Lord Dyer's Book that one Hynde called before the Commissioners Ecclesiastical for Vsury refused to swear whereupon he was committed But upon an Information in the Common pleas he had a Corpus cum causa to remove him so as it seemeth the Judges were then of Opinion that the Commissioners could not give him such an Oath Though such proceedings ex officio were practised by the Popish Prelates against the Saints and Servants of God Yet it was never used by Protestants in their Ecclesiastical Censures The Justice of the Land detesteth that the Judge should himself be an Accuser For by Law no man may be Accuser and Witness Inditer and Jurer therefore much less Judg Accuser which notwithstanding he is that tendereth the Oath ex Officio Even the Heathen Romans were so Christian that by antient custome no Vestal Virgin or * Gellius lib. 10 câ—p 15. Flamen of Jupiter was restrained to swear whereof * Plutarch problems 43. Plutarch rendreth three Reasons First because an Oath is a kinde of torture to a free man Secondly it is absurd in smaller matters not to credit their words who in higher matters touching God are believed Thirdly an Oath in case they were forsworne draweth a curse on them a detestable Omination towards the Priests of God And why may not as much be allowed to the true Ministers of the Gospel The Scripture which ought to be the Rule of our Actions affords neither precepts nor precedent of such proceedings where Witnesses were produced and the Accusers brought face to face William Tindal a worthy Martyr in his * Pag. 208. Comment on the fifth of Matthew saith plainly that a Judge ought not to compel a man to swear against himself No Protestant Church beyond the Seas hath made use of such tyrannical proceedings For the Oath ex Officio It is true To give this Oath to the Defendent in Causes of Life and Death is contrary to the Justice of the Land But where Life or Limbe is not concerned it is usually tendered in Chancery Court of Requests Councel of Marches and Councel in the North yea in other Courts of Record at Westminster where the Judges time out of minde by Corporal Oath did examine any person whom in discretion they suspected to have dealt lewdly about any Writ Returne entrie of Rule pleading or any such like Matter not being Capital It is granted But with all Proditus per deruntiationem Famam c. tenetur seipsum offendere Some faults are simply secret no way bruited or published abroad in which cases the person guilty is not bound to make Confession thereof though urged on his Oath to any Officer Civil or Ecclesiastical But if once discovery be made by Presentment Denunciation Fame c. according to Law then is not the fault meerly secret but revealed in some sort to the Magistrate or abroad who for avoiding Scandal to Christian Religion and Reformation of the Party may thus inquire of the Offence to see it redressed and punished There is no such report in the Lord Dyer all that is extant is only this Marginal Note upon Skroggs his case in Michaelmas Terme 18. of Elizabeth Simile M. 18. fol. per Hynde qui noluit jurare coram justiciariis Ecclesiasticis super Articulos pro usura Which seems added by some unskilful person it being improbable so learned a Judge would have termed the Commissioners Justiciarios Ecclesiasticos Besides this cause of Hynde can no where else be found Certain Commissioners whereof some Bishops some privie Councellers some Civilians and some Judges and Common Lawyers in the Reign of K. Edward the sixth charged BP Bonner with a corporal Oath * For Act Mon. sol 1512. ex Officio to answer to questions ministred unto him and for resusal he was pronounced * For Acts Mon. sol 1516. contumacious The like Oath in matter criminal and Penal was tendered to * For Acts Mon. sol 1536. Stephen Gardener at appeareth by the sentence of his deprivation of the Bishoprick of Winchester The Laws Civil and Ecclesiastical hold not the Judge proceeding of office to be an Accuser but that whereupon the Enquiry is grounded to represent the Accusation By the granting of this peculiar priviledge to these
to affirm that those Articles of Lambeth were afterwards forbidden by publick Authority but when where and by whom he is not pleased to impart unto us And strange it is that a publick prohibition should be whispered so softly that this Author alone should hear it and none other to my knowledge take notice thereof 27. How variously forraign Divines esteemed of them As for forrain Divines just as they were biased in judgement so on that side ran their Affections in raising or decrying the esteem of these Articles some a Thysias twice printed them at Hardâ—ovick Anno 1613. printed set forth and b Bogerman in his 107. 108. notes on the second part of Grotius cited them as the sence of the Church of England others as fast slighted them as the narrow positions of a few private and Partial persons As for Corvinus as we know not whence he had his intelligence so we finde no just ground for what he reporteth that Arch-Bishop Whitgift for his pains incurred the Queens displeasure and c In his answer to the notes of Bogerman 2 part pag. 566. and so forward to pag. 570. a Praemunire We presume this forrainer better acquainted with the Imperial Law and locall customes of Holland then with our municipal Statutes and the nature of a Praemunire Indeed there goes a tradition that the Queen should in merriment say jestingly to the Arch-BP My Lord I now shall want no mony for I am informed all your goods are forfeited unto me by your calling a Councel without my consent but how much of truth herein God knows And be it referred to our learned in the Law whether without danger of such a censure the two Arch-Bishops by vertue of their place had not any implicite leave from the Queen to assemble Divines for the clearing declaring and asserting of difficult Truths provided they innovate or alter nothing in matters of Religion 28. And now I perceive These Articles excellent witnesses of the general doctrine of England I must tread tenderly because I goe not as before on mens graves but am ready to touch the quick of some yet alive I know how dangerous it is to follow Truth too nere to the heels yet better it is that the teeth of an Historian be struck out of his head for writing the the Truth then that they remain still and rot in his Jaws by feeding too much on the sweet-meats of flattery All that I will say of the credit of these Articles is this That as Medalls of Gold and Silver though they will not pass in payment for currant coyne because not stamped with the Kings Inscription yet they will goe with Goldsmiths for as much as they are in weight So though these Articles want Authentick Reputation to pass for Provinciall Acts as lacking sufficient Authority yet will they be readily received of Orthodox Christians for as far as their own purity bears conformity to Gods word And though those learned Divines be not acknowledged as competent Judges to pass definitive Sentence in those Points yet they will be taken as witnesses beyond exception whose testimony is an infallible evidence what was the generall and received doctrine of England in that Age about the forenamed controversies 29. This year ended the life Bp. Wickham Dr Whitakers Dan. Halsworth and Râ—b Southwell end their lives First of Doctor William Wickam bred in Kings Colledge in Cambridge first Bishop of Lincoln after of Winchester whose namesake William Wickham in the Reign of King Edward the third sat in the same See more years then this did weeks Indeed we know little of his life but so much of his death as we must not mention it without some pitty to him whil'st in pain and praise to God for our own health such was his torture with the stone before his death that for d Bp Goodwin in his Catalogue of the Bishops of Winchester 14 days together he made not water Secondly Worthy Doctor William Whittakers whose larger character we reserve God-willing for our History of Cambridge And amongst the Romanists Daniel Halseworth who as e De Angliae scriptoribus Aetate â—6 pag. 794. Pitzaeus describes him Papists give no scant measure in praising those of their own Party was well skill'd in Latin Greek and Hebrew and Elegant Poet Eloquent Orator acute Philosopher expert Mathematician deep-studied Lawyer and excellent Divine flying from England he lived successively in Savoy Rome and Millain having too many professions to gather wealth and with all his Arts and Parts both lived in Poverty and died in Obscurity More eminent but more infamous was the death of Robert Southwell a Jesuite born in f Idem ibidem Suffolk bred beyond the Seas where he wrote abundance of Books who returning into England was executed March the third for a Traitor at London and honoured for a Martyr amongst men of his own Religion 30. The Secular Priests continued their complaints Anno Regin Eliza. 39. Anno Dom. 1596. The complaint of the Seculars against the Jesuits and principally against Parsons as against Jesuits in general so particularly against Robert Parsons This Parsons about 18 years since was in England where by his statizing and dangerous activity he had so incensed the Queens Councell that the Secular Priests made him a main occasion why such sharp laws were so suddenly made against a DeclaratioÌ„ motuum ad Clementein ecitaâ—um pag. 24. Catholicks in England But no sooner did danger begin to appear but away went Parsons beyond the Seas wherein some condemned his cowarliness and others commended his policy seeing such a commander in chief as he was in the Romish cause ought to repose his person in safety and might be never the less vertually present in the fight by the issuing out of his orders to meaner officers Nor did Parsons like a wheeling Cock turn aside with intent to return but ran quite out of the Cockpit and then crowed in triumph when he was got on his own dunghil safely resident in the City of Rome Here he compiled and hence he dispatched many letters and libels into England and amongst the rest that Book of the succession to the English entit'ling the Spaniard thereunto setting it forth under the false name of b Camdens Eliz. in Anno 1594. p. 72. Dolman an honest harmless Secular Priest and his professed Adversary And surely Parsons was a fit fellow to derive the pedigree of the Kings of England who might first have studied to deduce his own descent from a lawfull Father being himself otherwise called Cowback c Watsons Quâ—â—libets p. 109 236. filius populi et filius peccati as Catholicks have observed Many letters also he sent over full of threats and assuring his party that the land would be invaded by forrainers writing therein not what he knew or thought was but what he desired and endeavoured should be true Some of these letters being intercepted made the
that point that he any way went about to abridge her Royall Authority 5. Secondly And filly taxing of his train he taxeth him for his extraordinary traine of above sixty men-servants though not so extravagant a number if his person and place be considered who were all trained up to martiall affaires and mustred almost every week his stable being well furnished with store of great Horses But was it a fault in those martiall dayes when the invasion of a Forraign Foe was daily suspected to fit his Family for their own and the Kingdomes defence Did not * Gen. 14. 14. Abraham that heavenly Prophet and holy Patriarch arme his Trained Servants in his owne house in his victorious expedition against the King of Sodome Yea if Church-men of an Anti-prelaticall spirit had not since tampered more dangerously with training of Servants though none of their owne both Learning and Religion had perchance looked at this day with a more cheerefull countenance 6. Whereas it intimates Whitgifts care of and love to Scholars that this Arch-bishop had been better imployed in training up Scholars for the Pulpit than Souldiers for the Field know that as the Latter was performed the former was not quitted by him Witnesse many worthy preachers bred under him in Trinity Colledge and more elsewhere relieved by him Yea his Bounty was too large to be confined within the narrow Seas Beza Drusius and other forraigne Protestant Divines tasting freely thereof Nor was his Liberality onely a Cisterne for the present age but a running River from a fresh Fountaine to water Posterity in that Schoole of Croydon which he hath beautifully built and bountifully endowed More might be said in the vindication of this worthy Prelate from his reproachfull penne But I purposely forbeare the rather because it is possible that the learned Gentleman since upon a serious review of his own Work and experimentall Observation of the passages of this Age may be more offended with his owne writing herein than others take just exception thereat 7. Arch-bishop Whitgift was buried at Croydon His buriall and Successour 1604. Mar. 27. March 27. The Earle of Worcester and Lord Zouch his Pupills attending his Herse and Bishop Babington his Pupill also made his Funerall Sermon chusing for his Text 2 Chron. 24. 15 16. and paralleling the Arch-bishops life with gracious Jehoida Ann. Reg. Jac. 2 Ann. Dom. 1604. Richard Bancroft Bishop of London brought up in Jesus Colledge succeeded him in the Arch-bishoprick whose actions in our ensuing History will sufficiently deliver his character without our description thereof 8. Come we now to the Parliament assembled A beneficiall Statute for the Church amongst the many Acts which passed therein none more beneficiall for the Church than that which made the King himselfe and his Successors incapable of any Church-land to be conveyed unto them otherwise than for three lives or twenty one years Indeed a Statute had formerly been made the thirteenth of Queen Eliz. which to prevent finall Alicnation of Church-land did disable all subjects from accepting them But in that Statute a Liberty was left unto the * Because it was noâ— forbidden in the Statute in expresse words Crown to receive the same It was thought fit to allow to the Crown this favourable exception as to the Patron generall of the whole English Church and it was but reason for the Soveraign who originally gave all the Loafe to the Church on occasion to resume a good Shiver thereof 9. But he who shuts ninety nine gates of Thebes A conâ—rivance by the Crowne to wrong the Church and leaveth one open shuts none in effect Covetousnesse shall I say an apt Scholar to learne or an able Master to teach or both quickly found out a way to invade the Lands of the Church and evade the Penalty of the Law which thus was contrived Some Potent Courtier first covertly contracts with a Bishop some whereof though spirituall in Title were too temporall in Truth as more minding their Private Profit than the Publique good of the Church to passe over such a proportion of Land to the Crowne This done the said Courtier begs the Land of the Queen even before her Highnesse had tasted thereof or the lipps of her Exchecquer ever touched the same and so an Estate thereof is setled on him and his Heires for ever And thus Covetousnesse came to her desired end though forced to go a longer journey and fain to fetch a farther compasse about 10. For instance Two eminent instances of former Alienation of Bishopprick-Lands Doctor Coldwell Doctor of Physique and Bishop of Sarisbury gave his Sea a very strong Purge when he consented to the Alienation of Shiâ—bourn Manour from his Bishoprick Indeed the good old man was shot between Wind and Water and his consent was assaulted in a dangerous joincture of time to give any deniall For after he was elected Bishop of Sarisbury and after all his Church-preferments were disposed of to other persons yet before his election was confirmed past a possibility of a legall reversing thereof Sir W. Rawleigh is importunate with him to passe Sherborne to the Crowne and effected it though indeed a good round rent was reserved to the Bishoprick Presently Sir Walter beggeth the same of the Queen and obtained it Much after the same manner Sir Killegrew got the Mannour of Crediton a bough almost as big as all the rest of the Body for the Church of Exeter by the consent of Doctor Babington the Bishop thereof 11. To prevent future wrong to the Church in that kinde Severall censuâ—es on this new Statute it was now enacted That the Crowne it selfe henceforward should be incapable of any such Church-land to be conveyed unto it Yet some were so bold as to conceive this Law void in the very making of it and that all the obligation thereof consisted not in the strength of the Law but onely in the Kings and his Successors voluntary obedience thereunto Accounting it injurious for any Prince in Parliament to tye his Successors who neither can nor will be concluded thereby farther than it stands with their owne convenience However it was to stand in force till the same power should be pleased to rescind it But others beheld this Law not with a Politick but Religious Eye conceiving the King of Heaven and the King of England the Parties concerned therein and accounting it Sacriledge for any to alienate what is given to God in his Church 12. Thus was the King graciously pleased to binde himself for the liberty of the Church K. JAMES a great Churchlover He knew full well all Courtiers and especially his owne Countrey-mens importunity in asking and perhaps was privy to his owne impotency in denying and therefore by this Statute he eased himselfe of many troublesome Suitors For hereafter no wise man would beg of the King what was not in his power to grant and what if granted could
lurked under the carpets of the Counsel Table but even like fleas to have leaped into the pillows of Princes bed-chambers thence deriving their private knowledge of all things which were or were not ever done or thought of In defiance of whom I adde Give unto Cesar the things that are Cesars and unto God the things that are Gods The memory of this treason perpetuated by Act of Parl Let King JAMES by reading the Letter have the credit of discovering this Plot to the world and GOD the glory for discovering it unto King JAMES 40. A learned k Gamblen Brit. in Middlesex Author The memory of this treason â—e peâ—uâ—ted by Act of Parl Ann. Dom. 1605-06 Ann. Reg. Jac. 5 making mention of this Treason breaketh forth into the following rapture Excidat illa dies aevo ne postera credant Secula nos certè taceamus obruta multâ Nocte tegi propriae patiamar crimina gentis Oh let that day be quite dash'd out of time And not believ'd by the next generation In night of silence we ' ll conceal the crime Thereby to save the credit of our nation A wish which in my opinion hath more of Poetrie than of pietie therein and from which I must be forced to dissent For I conceive not the credit of our Countrey-men concerned in this Plot not beholding this as a nationall act whose actors were but a partie of a partie a desperate handfull of discontented persons of the Papisticall faction May the day indeed be ever forgotten as to the point of imitation but be ever remembred to the detestation thereof May it be solemnly transmitted to all posterity that they may know how bad man can be to destroy and how good God hath been to deliver That especially we English-men may take notice how wofull we might have been how happy we are and how thankfull we ought to be In order whereunto the Parliament first moved therein by Sir Edward Mountague afterward Baron of Boughton enacted an annuall and constant memoriall of that day to be observed 41. Certainly Iust complaint that the day is no better observed if this Plot had took effect the Papists would have celebrated this day with all solemnity and it should have taken the upper hand of all other Festivalls The more therefore the shame and pity that amongst Protestants the keeping of this day not as yet full fifty years old begins already to wax weak and decay So that the red letters wherein it is written seem daily to grow dimmer and paler in our English Kalender God forbid that our thankfulnesse for this great deliverance formerly so solemnly observed should hereafter be like the squibs which the Apprentices in London make on this day and which give a great flash and crack at the first but soon after go out in a stink 42. Matthew Hutton Archbishop of Yorke ended his religious life The death of Archbishop Hâ—tton descended from an antient Family of Hutton Haell as I take it in Lancashire Fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge to the enlarging whereof he gave an hundred marks afterwards Master of Pembroke Hall and Margaret Professour then Bishop of Durham and Archbishop of Yorke One of the last times that ever he preached in his Cathedrall was on this occasion The Catholicks in Yorkeshire were commanded by the Queens Authority to be present at three Sermons and at the two first behaved themselves so obstreperously that some of them were forced to be gagged before they would be quiet The Archbishop preached the last Sermon most gravely and solidly taking for his Text Joh. 8. 47. He that is of God heareth Gods words ye therefore hear them not because ye are not of God 43. Here I must clear the memory of this worthy Prelate A foul mistake râ—ctified from a mistake committed surely not wilfully but through false intelligence by a pen otherwise more ingenuous and professing respect to him and some familiarity with him Sir John Harrington in his Additional to Bishop Godwin page 192. This Archbishop his eldest Sonne is a Knight lately Sheriffe of Yorkeshire and of good reputation One other Son he had Luke Hutton by name so valiant that he feared not men nor laws and for a robbery done on Saint Luke's day for names sake he died as sad a death though I hope with a better minde as the Thief of whom Saint Luke writes The Archbishop herein shewed that constancy and severity worthy of his place for he would not endeavour to save him as the world thought he easily might The Truth Ann. Reg. Jac. 4. Ann. Dom. 1606. This worthy Prelate had but three Sonnes 1. Marke who died young 2. Sir Timothy Hutton Knighted Anno 1605. and Sheriffe of Yorkeshire 3. Sir Thomas Hutton Knight who lived and died also respected in his own Countrey As for this Luke Hutton he was not his but Son to Doctor Hutton Prebendarie of Durham This Archbishop was a learned man excepted even by a Jesuit who wrote in disgrace of the English as neglecting the reading of Fathers and another Matthew more qui unus in paucis versare Patres dicitur He founded an Hospitall in the North and endowed it with the yearly revenue of thirty five pounds 44. Two other Bishops this year also ended their lives The death of the Bishops of Rochester and Chichester In March John l See Bishop Godwin in his Catalogue Young Doctour in Divinity once Master of Pembroke Hall in Cambridge Bishop of Rochester in which See he sate above twenty seven years And Anthony Watson Fellow of Christs Colledge in Cambridge first Dean of Bristol and afterwards Bishop of Chichester whom Queen Elizabeth made Her Almoner namely after Bishop Fletcher at whose indiscrâ—et second marriage the Queen took distaste Bishop Watson died in September and alwaies led a single life 45. Father Henry Garnet was now most solemnly Garnet's education early viciousnesse and ceremoniously brought to the scaffold who because he is cried up by the Papists for so pretious a piece of piety we will be the larger in the delivery of his true character For although we will not cast dirt on the foulest face it is fit we should wash off the paint of counterfeit holinesse from the hypocriticall pretenders thereunto Bred he was in Winchester School where with some other Scholars he conspired to cut off his School-Masters Bilson's m Attested by Bishop Bilson of Winchester alive at Garnet's death and many years after right hand early his enmitie against Authority retrenching his riot but that his designe was discovered Being Prepositour of the School whose frown or favour was considerable to those under his inspection he sodomitically abused five n Rob Abbot in his Antilogia Epistle to the Reader or six of the handsomest youths therein Hereupon his School-Master advised him yea he advised himself rather silently to slink away than to stand Candidate for a repulse in
soever under the degree of a Bishop or Dean at the least doe from henceforth presume to preach in any popular Auditory deep points of Predestination Election Reprobation or of the Universality Efficacy Resistibility or Irresistibility of GODS grace but leave those themes rather to be handled by the Learned men and that moderately and modestly by way of Use and Application rather than by way of Positive Doctrines being fitter for the Schools than for simple Auditories 4. That no Preacher of what title or denomination soever from henceforth shall presume in any Auditory within this Kingdome to declare limit or bound out by way of Positive Doctrine in any Lecture or Sermon the Power Prerogative and Jurisdiction Authority or Duty of Sovereign Princes or otherwise meddle with matters of State and the differences between Princes and the People than as they are instructed and precedented in the Homilies of Obedience and the rest of the Homilies and Articles of Religion set forth as before is mentioned by publique Authority but rather confine themselves wholly to those two heads of faith and good life which are all the subjects of the antient Sermons and Homilies 5 That no Preacher of what title or denomination soever shall presume caussesly or without invitation from the Text to fall into bitter investives and undecent railing speeches against the persons of either Papists or Puri tans but modestly and gravely when they are occasioned thereunto by the Text of Scripture free both the Doctrine and the Discipline of the Church of England from the aspersions of either Adversaries especially where the Auditory is suspected to be tainted with the one or the other infection 6. Lastly that the Archbishops and Bishops of the Kingdome whom His Majestie hath good cause to blame for their former remisness be more wary and choice in their licensing of Preachers and revoke all Grants made to any Chancellour Official or Commissary to passe Licences in this kinde and that all the Lecturers throughout the Kingdome of England a new body severed from the antient Clergy as being neither Parsons Vicars nor Curates be licensed henceforward in the Court of Faculties but onely from a Recommendation of the party from the Bishop of the Diocese under his hand and seale with a Fiat from the L. Archbishop of Canterbury a Confirmation under the Great Seal of England And that such as doe transgresse any one of these Directions be suspended by the Bishop of the Diocesse or in his default by the Archbishop of the Province ab Officio Beneficio for a year and a day untill his Majestie by the advice of the next Convocation shall prescribe some farther punishment 5. No sooner were these the Kings Declarations dispersed into every Diocesse Various censures on the Kings Letters but various were mens opinions thereof Some counted it a cruell act which cut off half the preaching in England all afternoon-ermons at one blow Others thought the King did but Uti jure suo doing not onely what in justice He might but what in prudence He ought in this juncture of time But hear what I have heard and read in this case Objections Answers 1. Christ grants Ministers their Commission Go teach all Nations S. Paul corroborates the same Preach the word be instant in season out of season Man therefore ought not to forbid what God enjoyns 2. This is the way to starve soules by confining them to one meale a day or at the best by giving them onely a messe of milk for their supper and so to bed 3. Such as are licensed to make Sermons may be intrusted to choose their own Texts and not in the Afternoons to be restrained to the Lords Prayer Creed and ten Commandements 4. In prohibiting the preaching of Predestination man makes that the forbidden fruit which God appointed for the tree of life so cordial the comforts contained therein to a distressed conscience 5. Bishops and Deans forsooth and none under their dignity may preach of Predestination What is this but to have the word of God in respect of persons As if all discretion were confined to Cathedral men and they best able to preach who use it the least 6. Papists and Puritans in the Kings Letters are put into the same ballance and Papists in the prime scale first named as preferred in the Kings care chiefly to secure them from Invectives in Sermons 7. Lecturers are made such riddles in the Kings Letters reduceable to no Ministerial function in England Whereas indeed the flower of piety and power of godlinesse flourished most in those places where such Preachers are most countenanced 1. Ministers if commanded not at all to speak or teach in the name of Jesus are with the Apostles to obey God rather than man But vast the difference betwixt a total prohibition and as in this case a prudential regulation of preaching 2. Milk catechetical Doctrine is best for babes which generally make up more than a moyety of every Congregation 3. Such restraint hath liberty enough seeing all things are clearly contained in or justly reducible to these three which are to be desired believed and performed 4. Indeed Predestination solidly and soberly handled is an antidote against despair But as many ignorant Preachers ordered it the cordial was turned into a poyson and therefore such mysteries might well be forborn by mean Ministers in popular Congregations 5. It must be presumed that such of necessity must be of age and experience and may in civility be believed of more than ordinary learning before they attained such preferment Besides Cathedrall Auditories being of a middle nature for understanding as beneath the University so above common City and Country Congregations are fitter for such high points to be preached therein 6. The Kings Letter looks on both under the notion of guilty persons Had Puritans been placed first such as now take exception at their post-posing would have collected that the King esteemed them the greatest offenders 7. Lectures are no creatures of the Church of England by their original like those mixed kinds little better than monsters in nature to which God as here the State never said multiply and encrease and therefore the King had just cause to behold them with jealous eyes who generally supplanted the Incumbents of Livings in the affections of their Parishioners and gave the greatest growth to Non-conformity These Instructions from His Majestie were not pressed with equall rigour in all places seeing some over-active Officials more busie than their Bishops tied up Preachers in the Afternoon to the very letter of the Catechisme questioning them if exceeding the questions and answers therein as allowing them no liberty to dilate and enlarge themselves thereupon 6. Expect not of me a particular account of the politick intricacies touching the Spanish Match A needlesse subject waved or no Match rather First because Spanish and so alien from my subject Secondly because the passages thereof are so largely and publickly in print
to Himself to be deceived by him and humoured into a peace to His own disadvantage 31. Once King James in an Afternoon was praising the plentifull provision of England King Iames his return to Gondomer especially for flesh and fowle adding the like not to be had in all Spaine what one County here did afford Yea but my Master quoth Gondomer there present hath the gold and silver in the East and West Indies And I by my Saule saith the King have much adoe to keep my men from taking it away from Him To which the Don 's Spanish gravity returned silence 32. His judgment was most solid in matters of Divinity Judicious bountifull and mercifull not fathering Books of others as some of His Predecessours but His Works are allowed His own by His very adversaries Most bountiful to all especially to Scholars no King of England ever doing though His Successour suffered more to preserve the revenues of the English Hierarchy Most mercifull to Offendors no one person of Honour without parallel since the Conquest being put to death in His Reign In a word He left His own Coffers empty but His Subjects Chests full the Land being never more wealthy it being easier then to get than since to save an estate The end of the Reign of King JAMES THE CHURCH-HISTORY OF BRITAIN THE ELEVENTH BOOK Containing the Reign of KING CHARLES excepted who in due time may be happy in their Marriage hopefull in their Issue These five have all been of the same Christian Name Yet is there no fear of Confusion to the prejudice of your Pedigree which Heralds commonly in the like cases complain of seeing each of them being as eminent in their kinde so different in their eminency are sufficiently distinguished by their own character to Posterity Of these the first a Judge for his gravity and learning famous in his Generation The second a worthy Patriot and bountifull House-keeper blessed in a numerous Issue his four younger Sonnes affording a Bishop to the Church a Judge and Peer to the State a Commander to the Camp and an Officer to the Court. The third was the first Baron of the House of whose worth I will say nothing because I can never say enough The fourth your Honourable Father who because he doth still and may he long survive I cannot doe the right which I would to his merit without doing wrong which I dare not to his modesty You are the fift in a direct Line and let me acquaint you with what the world expected not to say requireth of you to dignifie your self with some select and peculiar desert so to be differenced from your Ancestours that your memory may not be mistaken in the Homonymie of your Christian Names which to me seemeth as improbable as that a burnning-Beacon at a reasonable distance should not be beheld such the brightnesse of your parts and advantage of your education You was bred in that Schoole which hath no superiour in England and successively in those two Vniversities which have no equall in Europe Such the stock of your native perfection before graffed with the forraigne accomplishments of your travells So that men confidently promise themselves to read the best last and largest Edition of MERCATOR's ATLAS in your experience and discourse That good God who went with you out of your Native Countrey and since watched over you in forraign parts return with you in safety in due time to his Glory and your own Good which is the daily desire of Your Honour 's most devoted Servant THOMAS FVLLER THE CHURCH-HISTORY OF BRITAIN XVII CENTURIE 1. THe sad newes of King James his death was soon brought to White-hall Anno Regis Caroli primi 1 Anno Dom. 1625 News of the Kings death brought to White Hall at that very instant when D r Land Bishop of S t Davids was preaching therein This caused him to a See his own Diatie on that day March 27 Sunday May 14 break off his Sermon in the middest thereof out of civil complyance with the sadness of the congregation and the same day was King Charles proclaimed at White-Hall 2. On the fourteenth of May following King James his funeralls were performed very solemnly His solemn funeralls in the Collegiate-Church at Westminster his lively statue being presented on a magificent Herse King Charles was present thereat For though modern state used of late to lock up the chief Mourner in his Chamber where his grief must be presumed too great for publique appearance yet the King caused this ceremonie of sorrow so to yeeld to the substance thereof and pomp herein to stoop to pietie that in his person he sorrowfully attended the funerals of his Father 3. D r. Williams Dr. Williams his text Sermon and parallel betwixt K. Solomon and K. James Lord Keeper and Bishop of Lincolne preached the Sermon taking for his Text 2 Chron. 9. 29 30. and part of the 31 verse containing the happy reign quiet death and stately buriall of King Solomon The effect of his Sermon was to advance a parallel betwixt two peaceable Princes King Solomon and King James A parallel which willingly went not to say ran of its own accord and when it chanced to stay was fairly led on by the art and ingenoitie of the Bishop not enforcing but improving the conformitie betwixt these two Kings in ten particulars all expressed in the Text as we read in the vulgar Latin somewhat different from the new Translation King Solomon King James 1. His eloquence the rest of the words of Solomon 2. His actions and all that he did 3. A well within to supply the same and his wisedome 4. The preservation thereof to eternitie Are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon made by Nathan the Prophet Ahijah the Shilonite and Iddo the Seer 5. He reigned in Jerusalem a great Citie by him enlarged and repaired 6. Over all Israel the whole Empire 7. A great space of time full fourtie years 8. Then he slept importing no sudden and violent dying but a premeditate and affected kinde of sleeping 9. With his fathers David especially his Soul being disposed of in happiness 10. And was buried in the City of David 1. Had b Tacitus of Augustus profluentem quae Principem deceret eloquentiam 2. Was eminent in his actions of Religion Justice War and Peace 3. So wise that there was nothing that any c pag. 59. would learn which he was not able to teach 4. As Trajan was nicknamed herba parietaria a Wal-flower because his name was engraven on every wal so King James shall be called herba chartacea the paper-flower and his glory be read in d pag 61. in all writers 5. He reigned in the capital City of London by him much augmented 6. Over great Britain by him happily united and other Dominions 7. In all fiftie eight though over all Britain but two and twenty years reigning as
though dying some dayes after Bishop Andrews and indeed great was the conformity betwixt them Both being Sons of Seafaring * Bishop Andrews in London and Felton in Yarmouth Men who by Gods blessing on their industry attained comfortable estates both Scholars Fellows and Masters of Pembrook Hall both great Scholars painfull Preachers in London for many years with no less profit to others than credit to themselves both successively Bishops of Ely This Bishop Felton had a sound Head and a sanctified Heart beloved of God and all good men very Hospitable to all and charitable to the poor He died the 5. of October 1626 and lieth buried under the Communion Table in St. Antholins in London whereof he had been Minister for twenty * Attested unto me by John Norgate his Son in Law eight years One whilst a private man happy in his Curates whereof two Dr. Bowlles and Dr. Westfield afterwards became Bishops and when a Bishop no lesse happy in his learned and religious Chaplains TO JOHN CARY OF STANSTED in HARTFORD-SHIRE Esq RAre is your hapiness in leaving the Court before it left you Not in deserting your attendance on your Master of whom none more constantly observant but in quitting such vanities which the Court then in Power did tender and You then in Prime might have accepted Whilest you seasonably retrenched your Self and reduced your Soul to an Holy Seriousnes declining such expensive Recreations on Principles of Piety as wel as Providence wherewith your Youth was so much affected And now Sir seeing you are so judicious in RACING give me leave to prosecute the Apostles Metaphore in applying my best wishes to you and to your worthy Lady which hath repaired the Losses caused by Loyalty so that you have found in a virtuous Mate what you have lost for a gracious Master Heaven is your Mark Christ your way thither the Word the way to Christ Gods Spirit the Guide to both When in this Race Impatience shall make you to tire or Ignorance to stray or Idleness or Weakness to stumble or Wilfulnes to fall may Repentance raise you Faith quicken you Patience strengthen you til Perseverance bring you both to the Mark. 1. QUeen Mary surprised with some fright Anno Regis Carol. 5 Anno Dom. 1629 The birth and death of Pr. Charles as is generally beleeved antedated the time of her travel by some weeks and was delivered of a Son Wednesday May 13. But a greater acceleration was endeavoured in his Baptisme than what happened at his Birth such the forwardnes of the Popish Priests to snatch him from the hands of those as dressed him had not the care of K. Charles prevented tâ—em assigning Dr. Web then waiting his Moneth to Christen him He died about an houre after the King very patiently bearing the loss as receiving the first fruits of some of his Subjects estates Anno Dom. 1629 Anno Regis Carolis and as willingly paying those of his own Body to the King of Heaven 2. The University of Oxford Oxford Muses Cambridge being then heavily infected with the Plague at once in their verses congratulated the safe Birth and condoled the short life of this Prince and a Tetrastich made by one of Christi-Church thus in making his addresse to the Queen I must not omit Quòd Lucina tuos semel est frustrata Labores Nec fortunantes praebuit illa manus Ignoscas Regina uno molimine Ventris Non potuit Princeps ad triae Regna dari This Prince the next day after was buried by Bishop Laud in the Chappel at Westminster 3. During the sitting of the last Parliament Dr. Leighton his raâ—ling Book May 14 one Leighton a Scotish-man presented a Book unto them had he been an English man we durst call him a Furious and now will terme him a fiery whence kindled let other ghess Writer His Book consisted of a continued railing from the beginaing to the end exciting the Parliament and People to kil all the Bishops and to smite them under the fifth Rib. He bitterly enveyed against the Queen calling her a Daughter of Heth a Canaanite and Idolatress and ZIONSPLEA was the specious Title of his Pamplhet for which he was sentenced in the Star-chamber to be whipt and stigmatized to have his eares cropt and nose slit But betwixt the pronouncing and inflicting this Censure he makes his escape into Bedford-shire 4. The Warden of the Fleet was in a Bushel of Troubles about his escape Recovered after his escape and severely punished though alledging that some helped him over the wal and that he himself knew nothing thereof til the noon after But no plea seemed available for one in his place but either the keeping or recovering of his Prisoner unfortunate in the former he was happy in the latter brought him back into his custody so that the aforesaid censure was inflicted on him It is remarkable that amongst the many accusations charged on Archbishop Laud at his trial the severity on Leighton is not at all mentioned chiefly because though he might be suspected active therein his faults were of so high a nature none then or since dare appear in his defence The Papists boast that they have beyond the Seas with them his Son of an other perswasion 5. Some three yeers since Feoffees to buy in impropriations certain feoffees were though not incorporated by the Kings Letters Patent or any Act of Parliament legally setled in trust to purchase in impropriations with their own and other well disposed Persons money and with their profit to set up and maintain a constant preaching Ministry in places of greatest need where the word was most wanting These consisted of a number neither too few as the work should burden them nor so many as might be a burden to the work twelve in all diversly qualified 1 William Gouge 2 Richard Sibbs Drs. in Divinity 3 C. Ofspring 4 J. Davenport 5 Ralph Eyre 6 S. Brown of Lincolns Inn. 7 C. Sherland 8 John White of Grayes Inn. Middle Temple 9 John Geering 10 Richard Davis 11 George Harwood 12 Francis Bridges Citizens Here were four Divines Anno Regis Caroli 6 Anno Dom. 1950. to perswade mens consciences four Lawyers to draw all conveiances and four Citizens who commanded rich Coffers wanting nothing save what since doth all things some Swordmen to defend all the rest Besides these the Capemerchants as I may term them there were other inferiour Factors Mr. Foxley c. who were imployed by appointment or of officiousnes imployed themselves in this designe 6. It is incredible Begin and precceed hopefully what large sums were advanced in a short time towards so laudable an imployment There are indeed in England of Parish Churches nine thousand two hundred eighty four endowed with Glebe and Tithes But of these when these Feoffees entered on their work three thousand eight hundred fourty five were either or Appropriated to Bishops
to have their liberty untill after long close imprisonment they were forced to confess under their own hands Crimes against themselves and the Bishop which afterwards they denyed and revoked upon their Oathes Lastly and chiefly that the Judges privately overruled his Pleas so that what shame and the honour of the Court with the inspection of so many eyes would not permit to be done publickly in the Sun-shine of Justice was posted over by a Judge privately in a corner These and many more Kilvertismes as he calls them did the Bishop complain of in Parliament who so far tendered his innocency therein that they ordered all the Records of that Suit in the Star-chamber to be obliterated Yâ—a we may justly conceive that these Grievances of the Bishop did much hasten if not chiefly cause the suppression of that Court. 8. Thirteen dayes after he was suspended by the High-commission Is examined again in the Tower and imprisoned in the Tower for almost four years during whose durance therein two Bishops and three Doctors were sent thither unto him to take his answer to a Book of Articles of twenty foure Sheets of papes writen on both sides They proffered him the Bible to take the oath thereon which he utterly refused claiming the priviledge of a Peer adding moreover that being a Bishop it was against law and Precedent in Antiquity that young Priests his Graces and some who had been his own Chaplains and Lay Doctors should sit as Judges of a Bishop his Doctrine with power to deprive him of his Bishoprick if disliking the same This was overruled and he as one of the Kings Subjects required to make his answer 9. First the article that all Books licenced by his Graces Chaplaines as Chune his Whether some Books were orthodox and Sala his Book with Doctor Mannering his Sermons are presumed by all true Subjects to be orthodox and agreeable to sound Religion This the Bishop utterly denyed and wondered at their impudencie to propound such an Article unto him 10. Secondly they alleadged that no Bishop but his Grace Who had power to license them the Lord of London and their Chaplains had power to allow Bookes This the other denyed saying that all Bishops who were as learned as they had as much power as they citing for the same the Councell of Lateran under Leo the tenth Reformatio Cleri under Cardinall Poole Queen Elizabeth her injunctions and the Decree of the Star-chamber relating to all these He also stoutly averred the priviledge to belong onely to the Bishops and not to their Servants howbeit his Grace had shuffled in his Chaplaines to the last printed Star-chamber decree More frivolous were the ensuing Articles whereon he was examined That he called a Book intitled A cole from the Altar a Pamphlet That he said that all flesh in England had corrupted their wayes That he said scoffingly he had heard of a Mother-Church but not of a Mother-Chappell meaning the Kings to which all Churches in ceremonies were to conform That he wickedly jested upon St. Martins hood That he said that the people are not to be lashed by every mans whip That he said citing a nationall Councell for it that the people are Gods and the Kings and not the Priests people That he doth not allow Priests to jeere and make invectives against the People 11. To all which the Bishop made so warie an answer His cautious answer that no advantage could be gained tâ—ereby yea though some dayes after they returned to re-examine him upon the same Articles to try as he thought the steddiness of his memory or else to plunge him into some crime of perjury if in any materiall point he dissented from his former depositions but the Bishop like a good boy said his Lesson over again and again so that no advantage could be taken against him thereupon they gave him leave to play proceeding no further in this cause only they painted him out in an ugly shape to the King as disaffected to the present government and God willing we shall hear more of their proceedings against him hereafter 12. But now we are summoned to a sadder subject Transition to a sad Subject from the sufferings of a Private Person to the miseries and almost mutuall ruin of two Kingdomes England and Scotland I confesse my hands have alwaies been unwilling to write of that cold Countrey for fear my fingers should be frost bitten therewith but necessity to make our story intire puts me upon the imployment Miseries caused from the sending of the Book of Service or new Lituâ—gy thither which may sadly be termed a RUBRICK indeed died with the blood of so many of both Nations slain on that occasion 95. It seemes the designe began in the reign of King James The project of a publick Prayer-book began in the reign of King James who desired and endeavoured an uniformity of publique Praiers through the Kingdome of Scotland In order whereunto an Act was passed in the generall Assembly a The Kings large Declaration concerning the tumults in Scotland pag. 16 at Aberdeene 1616 to authorise some Bishops present to compile and frame a Publique form of Common Praier and let us observe the motions thereof 1. It was committed to the Bishops aforesaid and principally to the Archbishop of St. Andrews * See the life of Archbishop Spoâ—swood and William Cooper Bishop of Galloway to draw up the order thereof 2. It was transmitted into England to King James who punctually perused every particular passage therein 3. It was remitted with the Kings Observations Additions Expunctions Mutations Accommodations to Scotland again But here the designe sunk with the suddain death of King James and lay not only dormant but dead till some yeers after it was awakened or rather revived again 96. In the reign of King Charles Why a difference betwixt the Scotch and English Liturgy the project being resumed but whether the same book or no God knoweth it was concluded not to send into Scotland the same Liturgy of England Totidem verbis left this should be misconstrued a badge of dependence of that Church on ours It was resolved also That the two Liturgies should not differ in substance b Kings Declaration pag. 18 left the Romane party should upbraid us with weighty and materiall differences A Similitude therefore not Identity being resolved of it was drawn up with some as they termed them insensible alterations but such as were quickly found and felt by the Scotch to their great distaste These alterations are of two natures First ingratiating which may be presumed made to gain the affection of that Nation Secondly distasting which if not in the intent in the event proved the great grievance and generall cause that the book was hated and rejected We will insist on three of the first sort First Canonicall Scripture only used in the Scotch Liturgy Whereas there was an ancient complaint That so much of the
Apocrypha was read in Churches viz. about sixty Chapters for the first lesson from the 28. of September till the 24. of November Canonicall Scripture is alone appointed to be read in the Scotch Liturgy one day alone excepted viz. All Saints day when Wisdome the 3 and Ecclesiasticus the 14 are ordered for Morning and Evening Praier on the same token there wanted not such who said that those two Chapters were left there to keep possession that all the rest might in due time be reintroduced Secondly The word Priest therein declined The word Priest often used in the English Liturgy gave offence to many in so much that c Cartwright in his Admonition 3. cap. 1. division one writeth To call us Priests as touching our office is either to call back again the old Priesthood of the Law which is to deny Christ to be come or else to keep a memory of the Popish Priesthood of abomination still amongst us besides we never read in the New-Testament that the word Priest as touching office is used in the good part Whereupon to prevent exception it was mollified into Presbyter in the Scotch Rubrick 97. The names of sundry Saints omitted in the English Scotch Saints inserted into the Kalender are inserted into the Scotch Kalender but only in black letters on their severall daies according to the form following January February March 11 David King 13 Mungo Bishop in Latin Kentigernus 18 Colman 11 Constantine the 3. King 17 Patrick 20 Cutbert April May. June 1 Gilbert Bishop 20 Serfe Bishop  9 Columba July August September 6 Palladius  18 Ninian Bishop 25 Adaman Bishop October November December  16 Margaret Queen 27 Ode Virgin 4 Droftane Some of these were Kings all of them Natives of that Countrey Scotch and Irish in former ages being effectually the same and which in probability might render them to the favor of their countrey-men some of them as Coleman c. zealous opposites to the Church of Rome in the celebration of Easter 98. But these Scotch Saints were so farr from making the English Laturgy acceptable Alterations of Addition in the Scotch Liturgie that the English Liturgy rather made the Saints odious unto them Such the Distasting alterations in the Book reduceable to 1. Additions 2. Omissions 3. Variations 4. and Transpositions To instance in the most materiall of the first kinde 1. In the Baptisme these words are inserted d Fol. 106. pag. 2. Sanctifie this fountain of water thou which art the Sanctifier of all things Which words are enjoyned to be spoken by the Minister so often as the water in the Fount is changed which must be at least twice a moneth 2. In the Praier after the Doxologie and before the Communion this Passage expunged by the English Reformers out of our Liturgy is out of the Ordinary of Sarum inserted in the Scotch Praier Book And of thy almighty c fol. 102. pagina 1. goodnesse vouchsafe so to blesse and sanctify with thy word and holy word these thy gifts and Creatures of Bread and Wine that they may be unto us the body and blood of thy most dearly beloved Sonne from which words saith the Scotch Author all f Bayly in his Canterburians Self-conviction pag. Papists use to draw the truth of the Transubstantiation 3. He that Celebrateth is injoyned to cover that which remaineth of the consecrated Eleents with a faire linen Cloth or Corporall g fol. 103. pag. 2. a word unknown to vulgar Eares of either Nations in other sense then to signify an under-officer in a foot Company and complained of to be purposely placed here to wrap up therein all Romish superstition of Christs Carnall Corporall presence in the Sacrament 4. In the Praier for the State of Christs Church Militant these words are added And h folio 98. pagina 1. we also blesse thy holy name for all those thy servants who having finished their course in faith doe now rest from their labours And we yeeld unto thee most high praise and hearty thanks for the wonderfull grace and vertue declared in all thy Saints who have been the choice vessells of thy grace and the lights of the world in their severall generations most humbly beseeching thee that we may have grace to follow the example of their stedfastnesse in thy faith and obedience to thy holy commandements that at the day of the generall Resurrection we and all they which are of the mysticall body of thy Sonne may be set on his right hand and hear that his most joyfull voice Come yee blessed c. 99. Amongst the Omissions none more complained of than the deleting these words The most materiall omission in the delivery of the bread at the Sacrament Take i fol. 103. pag. 2. and eat this in remembrance that Christ dyed for thee and feed on him in thine heart by faith with thanksgiving A passage destructive to Transubstantiation as diverting Communicants from Carnall Munducation and directing their Soules to a spirituall repast on their Saviour All which in the Scotch Liturgy is cut off with an Amen from the Receiver The Variations and Transpositions are of lesse moment as where the money gathered at the offer ory distributable by the English Liturgy to the poor alone hath a moyety thereof assigned the Minister therewith to buy him books of holy Divinity and some praiers are transposed from their place and ordered elsewhere whereat some doe take no small exception Other smaller differences if worth the while will quickly appear to the curious perusers of both Liturgies 100. Pass we now from the constitution of the book The discontented condition of the Scorch Nation when the Liturgy was first brought unto them to the condition of the Scotch Nation in this unhappy juncture of time when it was imposed upon him For it found them in a discontented posture and high Royalists will maintain that murmuring and muting against Princes differ only in degree nor in kinde occasioned on severall accounts 1. Some years since the King had passed an Act of revocation of Crown Lands aliened in the minority of his Ancesters whereby much land of the Nobility became obnoxious to forfeiture k The Kings declaration at large pag. 6. And though all was forgiven again by the Kings clemency and nothing acted hereby to the prejudice of any yet it vexed some to hold that as remitted by the Kings bounty wherein they conceived themselves to be before unquestionably estated 2. Whereas many formerly in Scotland were rather Subjects than Tenants rather Vassalls than Subjects Such the Land-lords Princely not to say Tyranniolly power over them the King had lately freed many from such dangerous dependence Especially in point of payment of Tythes to the Lords of the Erection equivalent to our English lay Impropriators but allowing the Land lords a valuable consideration according to the purchases l Idem pag. 9. of that Countrey whereby the
in literature what wil the blow given doe thereon 62. Fourthly he alledged that the ancient and genuine use of Deans and Chapters was as Senatus Episcopi to assist the Bishop in his jurisdiction Now whereas some of his reverend Brethren had lately complained that Bishops have for many yeers usurped the sole government to themselves and their Consistories the continuing of Chapters rightly used would reduce it from one Man to a plurality of assistants 63. Lastly the structures themselves should said he speak for the structures Not that he would have then with Christs disciples fondly to admire the Fabricks but to put them in remembrance that Cathedrall Churches were the first monuments of Christianity in the Kingdome 64. From things he passed to Persons and began with the multitude of such members as had maintenance from Cathedralls some one of them allowing lively-hood to three hundred and the totall amounting to many thousands All which by the dissolutions of Deans and Chapters must be exposed to poverty Next he instanced in their Tenants who holding Leases from Deans and Chapters are sensible of their own happinesse as enjoying six parts of seven in pure gain and therefore have petitioned the House to continue their ancient Land-lords Thirdly such Cities wherein Cathedrals stand if maritime being very poor in Trade are inriched by the hospitality of the Clergy the frequent resort of strangers unto them 65. Then proceeded he to speak of the branches of the whole Kingdome all being in hope to reap benefit by the continuance of Deans and Chapters lands as now emploied For all men said he are not born elder Brothers nor all elder Brothers inheriters of Land Divers of low degree but generous Spirits would be glad to advance themselves and archieve an estate by qualifying themselves by industry and virtue to attain a share of Cathedrall Endowments as the common possession of the Realm inclosed in no private mens estate 66. And whereas travailers inform them that all ranks and degrees of people in England Knights Gentlemen Yeamen live more freely and fashionably than in any other Countries he trusted their Honours would account it reasonable that the Clergy had in some sort a better maintenance then in neighbouring reformed Churches and not with Jeroboams Priests to be the basest of all the People 67. Then did he instance in some famous Protestants of forrain parts who had found great relief and comfort by being installed Prebendaries in our Cathedrall and Collegiate Churches as Dr. Saravia preferred by Queen Elizabeth Dr. Casaubon Father and Son by King James Dr. Primrose Mr. Vossius in the reign of King Charles and Dr. Peter Moulin alive at this day and who intended to leave Sedan if the warlike preparations there proceeded and come over into England where he should have but sad welcome if all his livelyhood were taken away from him 68. Nor could an Act be done more to gratify the Church of Rome than to destroy Deans and Chapters seeing * De schismotâ— Anglicano pag. 163. Sanders himself seemeth to complain that Queen Elizabeth had left Provosts Deans Canons and Prebendaries in Cathedrall and Collegiate Churches because he foresaw such foundations would conduce to the stability of religion so that by his words a fatter Sacrifice could not be offered up to such as himself than the extirpation of them 69. He went forwards to shew the benefit the King and Commonwealth reapt by such Lands as paying greater summs to the Exchequer for first fruits tenths and subsidies according to the proportion than any other estates Corporations in the Kingdome And are ready said he if called upon cheerfully to contribute in an extraordinary manner to the charge of the Kingdome 70. Now as he was by their Honours favour admitted to plead under that roof where their noble Progenitors had given to the Clergy so many Charters Priviledges Immunities so he implored to finde the ancient honourable justice of the House unto his Brethren who were not charged much lesse convicted of any scandalous faults justly for the same to forfeit their estates 71. At last he led them to the highest degree of all considerations viz. the honour of God to whose worship and service such Fabricks and Lands were dedicated and barred all alienation with which he said is tremenda vox curses and imprecations he minded them of the censers of Korah and his complices pronounced hallowed * Numbers 16. 38. because pretended to doe God service therewith And left any should wave this as a Leviticall nicety it was * Proverbs 20. 25. proverbiall Divinity as a received rule in every mans mouth It is a snare to a man that devoureth that which is holy He added the smart question of St. Paul Thou that abhorrest Idols doest thou commit Sacriledge and concluded that on the ruins of the rewards of learning no structure can be raised but ignorance and upon the chaos of ignorance nothing can be built but profanenesse and confusion 72. This his speech was uttered with such becoming gravity The Speech well accepted that it was generally well resented and wrought much on the House for the present so that had the aliening of such Lands been then put to the Vote some who conceived themselves knowing of the sense of the House concluded it would have been carried on the Negative by more than six score suffrages 73. In the afternoon Dr. Cornelius Burges Dr. Burges his Speech against Deans and Chapters as Speaker for his Party made a vehement invective against Deans and Chapters and the unprofitablenesse of such Corporations He heavily aggravated the debauchednesse of Singingmen not only uselesse but hurtfull by their vicious conversations Yet he concluded with the utter unlawfulnesse to convert such Endowments to any private Persons profit So that the same Doctrine was delivered by both the Doctors only they differed in their Applications the former being for the continuing such lands to their ancient the latter for diverting them to other but neither for alienating them from publique and pious imployments 74. If since Dr. Burges hath been a large purchaser of such lands to himself His ability in casuisticall Divinity If since St. Andrew * wels and London the first converted and St. Paul the last converted Apostle have met in his purse I doubt not but that he can give sufficient reason for the same both to himself and any other that shall question him therein The rather because lately he read his learned Lectures in St. Pauls on the Criticisms of Conscience no lesse carefully then curiously weighing satisfaction to scruples and if there be any fault so able a Confessor knows how to get his absolution 75. A Bill brought up from the Commons to the Lords against Bishops and Clergy-men A medly Bill against Bishops partly granted partly denyed which having severall branches was severally voted 1. That they should have no votes in Parliament 2. That they should not
concessions so that such yeelding unto them would not satisfie their hunger but quicken their Appetites to demand the more hereafter 30. The importunity of others pressed upon him Febr. that to prune off their Baronies But is importuned thereunto was the way to preserve their Bishopricks that his Majesty lately obnoxious to the Parliament for demanding the five Members would now make plenary satisfaction and give such assurance of his affections for the future that all things would answer his desired expectation This was set home unto him by some not the farthest relations insomuch that at last he signed the Bill as he was in St. Augustines in Canterbury passing with the Queen towards Dover then undertaking her voyage into the Low-Countries 31. Many expected Keep in thy calling and more desired that the Kings condescension herein should put a period unto all differences 18 1642 But their expectations were frustrate and not long after the King apprehending himself in danger by tumults deserted Whitehall went into the North erected his Standard at Nottingham Edge-Hill-field was fought and much English blood on both sides shed in severall battles But I seasonably remember that the Church is my Castle viz. that the writing thereof is my House and Home wherein I may stand on my own defence against all who assault me It was good counsell King Joash gave to King Amaziah * 2. Kings 14. 10. Tarry at home The practise whereof shall I hope secure me from many mischiefs 32. About this time the word Malignant Malignant first coyned was first born as to the Common use in England the deduction thereof being disputable whether from malus ignis bad fire or malum lignum bad fewell but this is sure betwixt both Anno Dom. 1642 Anno Regis Caroli 18 the name made a combustion all over England It was fixed as a note of disgrace on those of the Kings party and because one had as good be dumb as not speak with the Volge possibly in that sense it may occur in our ensuing Historie However the Royalists plead for themselves that Malignity a * Rom. 1. 29. Scripture word properly denoteth activity in doing evill whereas they being ever since on the suffring side in their Persons Credits and Estates conceive the name improperly applied unto them Which plea the Parliamentary-party smile at in stead of answering taking notice of the affections of the Royalists how Malignant they would have appeared if successe had befriended them 33. Contemporary with Malignant And the word Plunder was the word Plunder which some make of Latine originall from planum dare to levell or plane all to nothing Others make it of Duch extraction as if it were to plume or pluck the feathers of a Bird to the bare skin Sure I am we first heard thereof in the Swedish wars and if the name and thing be sent back from whence it came few English eyes would weep thereat 34. By this time ten of the eleven Bishops The Bishops in the Tower released formerly subscribing their protestation to the Parliament were after some moneths durance upon good bale given released two of them finding great favour in their fees from the Lieutenant of the Tower in respect of their great charge and small estate These now at liberty severally disposed themselves some went home to their own Diocesse as the Bishops of Norwich Oxford c. Some continued in London as the Bishop of Durham not so rich in Age as in all commendable Episcopall qualities Some withdrew themselves into the Kings quarters as Archbishop Williams c. Only Bishop Wren was still detained in the Tower where his long imprisonment being never brought in to a publick answer hath converted many of his adversaries into a more charitable opinion of him 35. The Bishops Votes in Parliament A query worth enquiring being dead and departed neither to be helpt with flatterie nor hurt with malice one word of enquiry in what notion they formerly voted in Parliament Whether as a distinct third Estate of the Clergy or Whether as so many single Barons in their temporall capacity This was formerly received for a trueth countenanced with some passages in the old Statutes reckoning the Lords spirituall and Lords temporall and the Commons to be the three Estates the King as Paramount of all not comprehended therein This is maintained by those who account the King the Lords and Commons the three Estates amongst which Lords the Bishops though spirituall persons appeared as so many temporall Barons Whose absence is no whit prejudiciall to the Acts past in Parliament Some of the Aged Bishops had their Tongues so used to the language of a third Estate that more then once they ran on that reputed Rock in their Speeches for which they were publickly shent and enjoyned an acknowledgement of their mistake 36. The Convocation now not sitting Divines consulted with in Parliament 1643 19 and matters of Religion many being brought under the Cognizance of the Parliament their Wisdomes adjudged it not only convenient but necessary that some prime Clergy-man might be consulted with In order whereunto they resolved to select some out of all Counties whom they conceived best qualified for their designe herein and the first of July was the day appointed for their meeting SECTION IX To Mr Giles Vandepit Clegat Peter Matthewes of London Merchants A Threefold Cable is not easily broken and a Triplicate of Friends may be presumed effectual to protect my endeavours Of whom two are of Dutch the third in the midst of English Extraction not falling there by casual confusion but placed by designed Conjunction Me thinks it is a good sight to behold the Dutch embracing the English and this Dedication may pass for the Emblem of the late Agreement which God long continue if for the mutual good of both Nations 1. WHen on this day the Assembly of Divines Anno Regis Caroli 19. Anno Dom. 1643. The first meeting of the Assembly to consult about matters of Religion met at Westminster in the Chappel of King Henry the Seventh Then the constitution of this Assembly July 1. Satur. as first elected and designed was to consist of about one hundred and twenty persons chosen by the Parliament without respect of Diocesses in relation to Shires two or more of a County They thought it not safe to entrust the Clergie with their own choice of whose generall corruption they constantly complained and therefore adjudged it unfit that the Distempered Patients should be or choose their own Physicians 2. These Elects were of foure severall natures The foure English quarters of the Assembly as the quarters of the same body easily distinguishable by these conditions or opinions First men of Episcopal perswasion as the Right Reverend James Vsher Arch-Bishop of Armagh Doctor Browmrig Bishop of Exeter Doctor Westfield Bishop of Bristol D r Daniel Featly D r Richard
this may produce to forraign Protestants and inrage Popish Princes in whose Dominions they live to cruelty against them as disaffected to their Government Besides when Divine Providence layeth such burthens on his servants even the yoak of Antichrist is then the yoak of Christ not to be thrown off with force but to be born with the confession of the truth prayers patience and Christian courage 29. So much concerning the Covenant which some three moneths after began to be rigorously and generally urged Nor have I ought else to observe thereof save to adde in mine own defence that I never saw the same except at distance as hung up in Churches nor ever had any occasion to read or hear it read till this * * July 1 1654. day in writing my History what ever hath been reported and printed to the contrary of my taking thereof in London who went away from the Savoy to the Kings quarters long before any mention thereof in England 30. True it is The Authors plea in his own just defence there was an Oath which never exceeded the Line of Communication meeting with so much opposition that it expired in the infancy thereof about the time when the plot was discovered for which M r Tomkins and M r Chaloner suffered This was tendered to me and taken by me in the Vestry of the Savoy-Church but first protesting some limitations thereof to my self This not satisfying was complained of by some persons present to the Parliament where it was ordered that the next Lords-day I should take the same oath in terminis terminantibus in the face of the Church which not agreeing with my conscience I withdrew my self into the Kings parts which I hope I may no less safely than I do freely confess because punished for the same with the loss of my livelihood and since I suppose pardoned in the Act of Oblivion 31. Now began the great and generall purgation of the Clergie in the Parliaments quarters The Parliaments purge to the Clergy many being outed for their misdemeanours by the Committee appointed for that purpose Some of their offences were so foul it is a shame to report them crying to Justice for punishment Indeed Constantine the Christian Emperour was wont to say If I see a Clergie-man offending I will cover him with my cloak but surely he meant such offences as are frailties and infirmities no scandalous enormities Such unsavoury salt is good for nothing * * Luke 14. 33. no not for the dunghil because as the savour is lost which makes it usefull so the fretting is left which makes it useless whereby it is so far from being good compost to fatten ground that it doth rather embarren it Let Baal therefore plead for it self nothing can be said in their Excuse if what was the main matter their crimes were sufficiently proved 32. But as to the point The expelled Clergies plea. hear what the Royalâ—sts at Oxford say for their Friends whilst they conceive themselves to take just exceptions at the proceedings against these Ministers 1. Some of their faults were so foule that the * * Centu. p. 1. foulness of them is all that can be pleaded for them For being Capital the persons deserved to be outed of life not of living which leaves a suspicion of imperfect proof 2. The Witnesses against them were seldom deposed on oath but their bare complaints beleeved 3. Many of the Complainers were factious people those most accusing their Sermons who least heard them and who since have deserted the Church as hating the Profession of the Ministery 4. Many were charged with delivering false-Doctrine whose positions were sound at the least disputable Such those accused for preaching that Baptism Washeth away Original sin which the most Learned and honest in the Assembly in some sense will not deny namely that in the Children of God it cleanseth the condemning and final peaceable commanding power of Original sin though the stain and blemish thereof doth still remain 5. Some were merely outed for their affections to the Kings cause and what was malignity at London was Loyalty at Oxford Yea many moderate men of the Opposite Party much bemoaned such severity that some Clergie-men blameless for life and Orthodox for Doctrine were only ejected on the account of their faithfulness to the Kings Cause And as much corruption was let out by this Ejection many Scandalous Ministers deservedly punished so at the same time the veins of the English Church were also emptied of much good blood some inoffensive Pastours which hath made her Body Hydropical ever since ill humors succeeding in the room by reason of too large and suddain evacuation But others of a more violent temper excused all the present necessity of the Cause requiring it All Pulpits in the Parliament quarters must be made like the whole earth before the building of Babel of one language and of one speech or else all may be destroyed by the mixture of other Doctrines And better a mischief to few then an inconvenience to all Safer that some suppose unjustly suffer then that the success of the whole cause should be endangered 33 Then came forth a Book called the First Century The first Century why without a second containing the names of an hundred Divines sequestred for their faults with a promise of a second Nov. 19. which to my knowledge never came forth Whether because the Author of the former was sensible that the subject was generally odious or because the death of M r White Licenser thereof prevented any addition or whether because disswaded from the Designe suspecting a retaliation from Oxford Sure I have been informed that when some solicited his Majesty for leave to set forth a Book of the vicious lives of some Parliament Ministers His Majesty blasted the designe partly because recrimination is no purgation partly least the Publick enemy of the Protestant Religion should make an advantage thereof 34. To supply the vacant places Vacant livings how supplied many young Students whose Orders got the speed of their Degrees left the Vniversities Other Ministers turned Duallists and Pluralists it being now charity what was formerly covetoâ—sness to hold two or three Benefices These could plead for themselves the practice of * * Fox Act. Mâ—n p 1494. in An. 1555. M r Sanders the Martyr who held two Livings at good distance because he could not resigne one but into the hands of a Papist as these men would not surrender them to Malignants Many Vicaridges of great Cure but small value were without Ministers whilst rich matches have many Suitors they may die Virgins that have no portions to prefer them which was often complained of seldom redressed it passing for a currant maxime it was safer for people to fast then to feed on the poyson of Malignant Pastours 35. Let us now look a little into the Assembly of Divines Dissenting Brethren first appear in the Assembly
dedicated as St. Margarets St. Nicholas c. Some from the vicinage of the Church to which they were adjoyned as St. Maries St. Botolphs c. Some from the materials with which they were covered as Tyled Hostle Some from those who formerly bought built or possessed them as Bordens Ruds Phiswicks c. Some were reserved onely for Civil and Canon Lawyers as St. Pauls Ovings Trinity St. Nichola◠Bordens St. Edwards and Ruds and all the rest employed for Artists and Divines Some of them were but members and appendants to other Hostles and afterwards to Colledges as Bordens to St. Johns-Hostle then to Clare-Hall St. Bernards to Queens The rest were absolute Corporations intire within themselves without any subordination 20. Know also that Inns whereof onely two Inns less than Hostles Ovings and St. Pauls differed onely gradually from Hostles as being less For Johns Ovings Clerk bought the ground whereon this Inn from his named was seated of the first Prioress of St. Radigunds for two shillings which at twelve years purchase was but two pence a year It seems being a waste it was little worth or else the Prioress charitably afforded him the better penniworth in consideration that he would improve the place to a publique good 21. But here the Oxford-Antiquary insulteth on the paucity of ancient Hostles in Cambridge which all our industry cannot advance to fourty much boasting of the numerousness of the Halls in Oxford Two hundred Halls said to be in Oxford which he mounteth to above two hundred assigning their several names and situations besides Entries Chambers and other less places for Students to live in 22. I envie not my Aunts fruitfulness though every hundred had been a Magnitude supplies multitude thousand but conceive such Halls must needs be mean and smal structures Anno Dom. 1880 if we consult the content Anno Regis Edw 1. 9 and extent of Oxford not exceeding Cambridge in greatness of ground and the latter every whit as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or well compacted together Either then such Halls like flowers that grow double must one croud into another or else they must be inconsiderably small like those three hundred sixty five children which Margaret Countess of Henneberg brought forth at a birth in Holland one * Derived for some hundred of years by succession through authentick Physitians to Dr. Vilvain of Excester present owner thereof and avouched by the skilfull in Anatonie the true head of an Infant once born into the World skull whereof I have seen no bigger than a heade or a beane or else it is utterly impossible such a compass of ground should contain them Besides If all the body be the eye where then is the hearing These two hundred Halls for Scholars will take up so much ground none will be left for the Townsmen This makes me conceive that Aula whence our Hall did import but one fair room or else was a Townsmans house like Moody-Hall in Cambridge where Scholars dieted together This I dare aver that what the Halls in Cambridge wanted of Oxford in number they had in greatness so that what was lost in discrete was found in continued quantity For we read how in the Hostles of St. Maries Bernard Thomas Augustine there were twelve twenty and sometimes thirty Regents besides non-Regents above them and young Students beneath them As for the Hostles designed for Lawyers almost every of them had fourscore or an hundred Students So that what Homer saith of a Physitian that he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eminently worth many others one of Cambridge-Hostles might be equivalent in number of Students to many of those Oxford-Halls and the difference not so great in Scholars as the dispropotion betwixt thirty of the one and two hundred of the other doth seem to import 23. In these Hostles Scholars were more conveniently accommodated than in Townsmens houses wherein anciently they lived both because here they were united under one head The benefit and use of Hostles and because they were either rent-free or paid it by agreement to a Chief of their own Society But as stars lose their light when the Sun ariseth so all these Hostles decayed by degrees when endowed Colledges began to appear in Cambridge and I behold Trinity-Hostle wherein Students continued till the year 1540 as the longest liver surviving all the rest 24. But whilest they were in use many worthy Scholars were bred therein A catalogue of learned Cambridge Hostelers and pity it is the Catalogue of their names is lost For when I finde an English Bishop or learned Writer brought up in Cambridge but not reducible with probability to any Colledge now in being presently I conclude he had his education in one of the aforesaid Hostles I will instance onely in those which flourished in the reign of King Henry the eighth Henry Holbech John Capon John Hilsey William Reps Thomas Thyrby James Stanley Rowland Lee Richard Sampson John Clerk Edward Vaughan Edward Birkhead Henry Standish Robert Parfew John Bird Robert Holgat Archbishop of York Cuthbert Tonstall Bishop of Durham Bishop of Lincoln 1547 Sarum 1539 Rochester 1536 Norwich 1536 Norwich 1550 Ely 1506 Covent and Lich. 1524 Covent and Lich. 1543 Bath and Wells 1523 St. Davids 1509 St. Asaph 1513 St. Asaph 1519 St. Asaph 1536 Bangor 1539 1544 1530 All these undoubtedly were and are allowed Anno Regis Edw. 1. 9 by Bishop Godwin to be Cambridge-men Anno Dom 1280 yet no modern Colledge-Register can reach them as to lay just claim to their breeding Whence we inter them to be no Collegiates but Hostelers not in that sense which the spitefull e Fox Acts and Mon. Papists charged Dr. Cranmer to be one an attendant on a stable but such as lived in a learned Inn or Hostle not endowed with revenues 25. Pass we now from these Hostles Ancient Religious House◠in Cambridge to those Religious Houses which anciently flourished in Cambridge Where first we meet with The Dominicans or Preaching-Friers though neither finding their Founder nor valuation at their suppression whose House is now turned into Emanuel-Colledge Franciscans follow called also Minors or Gray-Friers their House being now converted into Sidney-Colledge It was founded by King Edward the first where they had a fair Church which I may call the St. Maries before St. Maries the Commencement Acts and Exercises being kept therein The Area of this Church is easily visible in Sidney-Colledge garden where the depression and subsidency of their Bowling-green east and west present the demensions thereof and I have oft found dead-mens bones thereabouts When this Church fell or was taken down I know not and should be thankfull to such which should to me expound those passages in Mr. Aschams epistle to Thomas Thurleby Bishop of Westminster the date of the year not being expressed It is to intreat him to stand the Universities friend in compassing for them this House of Franciscans wherein
intentionis propositum dignis in Domino laudibus commendantes ejusque supplicationibus inclinati Apostolica authoritate statuimus ut in praedicto loco Cantabrigiae sit de caetero studium generale Volentes autoritate praedicta etiam decernentes quòd Collegiam Magistorum Scholorium ejusdem studii Universitas sit censenda omnibus juribus gaudeat quibus gaudere potest debet Universit as quaecunque legitimè ordinata Caeterum omnia privilegia indulta praedicto studio rationabiliter à Pontificiâ—us Regibus praedict is concessa autoritate praedicta confirmamus Nulli igitur omnino liceat hanâ— paginam nostri statuti voluntatis constitutionis confirmationis infringere vel ausu temerario contraire si quis autem hoc attemptare praesumserit indignationem omnipotentis Dei beatoruÌ„ Petri Pauli Apostolorum noverit se incursurum Dat. Avinionae 5 idus Julii Pontificatus nostri anno 2. This year 12 according to the computation of Helvicus 1319 falls out to be the year of out Lord 1317 and the eleventh of the reign of King Edward the second though to gratifie the Oxford Antiquary we havehere followed his account in our marginal Chronologie 37. Now let none conceive Cambridge long since the mother of many children now but new born A necessary caution herself an University from the date of this Papal Instrument A mistake of many alledging for the defence of their Error that otherwise it were ridiculous for our King to request and the Pope to confer on Cambridge what she had already adding moreover that the phrase de caetero for the time to come implyeth that de praeterito for the time past Cambridge was no University But let such know that in this Bull Cambridge is confessed a place for Students time out of mind or to use the Popes Latin ab olim where olim a word of indefinite extent is not made the measure of the antiquity of Cambridge but which is more is onely the terminus à quo whence her duration in her learned capacity is dated This Bull also relateth to ancient priviledges of Popes and Princes bestowed upon her which herein are roborated and confirmed 37. Know also that Studium and Universitas are Synonymaes Studium and Universitas the same in effect though the latter the more fashionable word in this age Nor is it any news for Popes officiously to court Kings for their own ends with cheap curtesies by granting what in effect was given before and varnishing over their Predecessors old Acts with new specious expressions We have plainly proved out of plentifull Records in the Tower Cambridge called an University in the Kings Charters more than seventy years before and so no doubt before the Conquest though that her title in the troublesome times of war had been disturbed and interrupted As therefore the seniority of Scholars who have long discontinued is justly reckoned not from their return to the Colledge but from their first admission therein so the University-ship of Cambridge is to be accounted from her original constitution not this her late confirmation 38. Nor are we much moved with what is alledged in this point out of Robert Remington A facile mistake and take the words as g Ant. Acad. Oxford Apol. lib. 1. pag. 110. Twyn the Oxford Antiquary doth managethem the most for his own advantage Regnante Edwardo primo secundo diceret de Studio Grant-bridge facta est Universitas sicat est Oxonium per curiam Romanam In the reign of Edward the first he should have said Edward the second Cambridge was made an University even as Oxford by the Court of Rome See we here Remington mistakes even by his confession who citeth him in his own behalf Now he who faults in one thing may even fail in another He that mistook Edward the first for Edward the second may by as easie an errour mistake FACTA for REFECTA the Institution for the Restitution of Cambridge Roger de Northburge 1321 Chancellor He obtained Licence from the King 13 that the University might purchase Advouzances h Manuscript M. W. of Spiritual livings to the value of fourty pounds per annum Indeed King Edward was courteous to Cambridge wherein he maintained thirty two Scholars on his own cost intending to build Kings Hall which his Son and Successor did perform 39. Hervens falsly in some copies Henricus de Stanton Michael-house founded by Herveus Stanton Clerk 1324 Canon of Yorke and Wells 17 Rector of East-Deiram and North-Creik in Northfolk Chancellor of the Exchequer to King Edward the second flourished now in great wealth and esteem Let none envy him his pluralities who so well imployed the profits thereof and this year founded a Colledge following the example of Hugh de Balsham but dedicating it to St. Michael the chief of Angels as the other had consecrated his to St. Peter the prime of Apostles Masters Benefactors Bishops Learned Writers Livings in Coll. gift 1 Roger Burton B. D. 2 Mr. Robs alià s Roob 3 Mr. Thomas Kenningham 4 Mr. John Rympham 5 Mr. Richard Langley 6 Mr. William Gotham 7 Mr. William Colvill 8 Mr. Henry Cranby 9 Mr. John Otteringham 10 Mr. William Ascough 11 Edward Story 12 John Yotten 13 John Foothead 14 Tho. Slackhous 15 Nichol. Willian 16 Francis Mallet Chaplain to Queen Mary 1 Alexand. Walsham Knight Heiâ— to Hervey the Founder 2 Walter de Waney 3 John Ilvey Knight a grand Benefactor 4 William Gotham 5 John Turke 6 Henry Craby 1 William Ayscough Bishop of Sarisbury 2 Edward Story Bishop of Chichester 3 John Fisher i See more hereof in our history anno 1630. Bishop of Rotchester John Fisher 1 Barington Vic. in Ely Diocess valued 7 l. 14 s. 4 d. 2 Gronshurge in the Diocess of Norwich valued 3 Orwel Rect. in Ely Dioc. 19 l. 7 s. 7 d. 10 b. At this day Michael-house is included in Trinity Colledge so called not onely because dedicated to God One in three Persons but also because made by King Henry the eighth One of three Colledges whereof God willing largely hereafter Richard Badew Chancellor 40. He bought two Tenements in Miln street of Neile Thornton a Physitian Anno Regis Edw. 1. 19 and on that ground built a small Colledge Anno Dom. 1326 by the name of University Hall University Hal built by R. Badew placing a Principall therein under whom Scholars lived on their own * Scots Tables say at the charges of the University expences This Richard Badew was of a Knightly Family born at great Badew nigh Chelmesford in Essex imployed all his estate to the advancement of learning Sixteen years did Students continue in University Hall on their own changes but a casual fire reduced their House to ashes Here by way whosoever shall consider in both Universities the ill contrivance of many chimnies hollowness of hearths shallowness of tunnels carelesness of coals and
the instance and intreaty of the Master and Fellowes thereof he granted a dispensation unto them for enlarging their Commons Anno Regis Edvardi 3. 22 A Copy whereof Anno Dom. 1347 carefully a Regest cur Cant. in T. Arundle transcribed by M r. Blewet transcribed out of the Originall we have here inserted Thomas permissione Divina c. Dilectis in Christo filiis Custodi Sociis Collegii Sanctae Trinitatis Vniversitatis Cantabrigiae salutem gratiam benedictionem Supplicatio pro parte vestra in Visitatione nostra Metropolitica in Eliensi Dioecesi Collegio vestro exercita adhuc durante nobis proposita continebat Quod portio singulorum virorum ad Communas vestras in dicto Collegio limitata etsi ad uberior em providentiam ejusdem Collegii pro numero Sociorum suppetant Facultates in tantum est restricta diminuta quod considerata praesentis temporis Caristia inde non poteritis commode sustentari Nos vero praemissis inspectis consideratis ut ad Dei laudem in studio eo melius proficere valeatis quo vos aliunde victum quaerere non oportet ut singulis septimanis sexdecim Denarios de bonis communibus Collegii vestri antedicti singulorum Sociorum nomine in Communibus exponere poteritis Consuetudinibus in contrarium seu Observantia etiam Iuramento aut Confirmationibus Superiorum non obstantibus quibuscunqùe de nostra gratia speciali misericorditer dispensamus nobis nihilominus de restring endo casdem Communas seuetiam augmentando pro locis temporibus opportunis potestatem specialem reservantes Dat. c. Of which Faculty to spare a formal Translation thereof this the effect The Fellows of the House were tied up by Orders of their Founder to so short a Summe to provide Commons therewith that it would not furnish them with Agar's Wish Food convenient for them considering the present Scarcity of Commodities Whereupon the Archbishop by this Instrument wisely reserving like power to his Successours dispensed with them that notwithstanding their Statutes to the contrary they might expend sixteen pence a week in Commons two pence for the Week-dayes a Groat for the Lords-day 22. True it is The exceeding cheapnesse of all commodities that in the Reign of King Edward the first all Victuals were exceeding cheap universally all over the Land when an Act of Common-Councel was made confirmed by the King and his Nobility that in London it self where Provisions may be presumed dearest a fat Cock was to be sold for three half-pence two Pullets at the same Rate a fat Capon for two pence half-penny a Goose four pence a Mallard and Partridge three half-pence apiece two Wood-cocks for the same price c. A b Iohn Stow's Hist p. 207. fat Lamb counted in the nature of Poultry second-Course meat from Christmas to Shrovetide six pence and all the year after four pence Mutton Veal Pork and Beef being all cheap proportionably 23. But since men multiplied Causes of dearnesse more Money daily was imported by the Easterlings Prices of all Victualls grew very high and this very year wherein this Dispensation was granted being 1405. the seventh of King Henry the fourth by reason of much Wast made by the Civil Wars at that time all Victualls were much enhaunced Wherefore to use the Prophets Phrase The Ephah being now made small and the Shekelgreat the Scholars in this Hall had just cause to petition for an Augmentation of Money to buy their Commons But since the finding out of the VVest-Indies in the Reign of King Henry the seventh and the daily importing of Silver Prices of all Commodities are mounted to an incredible proportion to what they were anciently 24. Indeed pardon a Digression this present year 1655. is as plentifull as any Memorie alive can parallel Nor full nor fasting so that we want nothing but gratefull Hearts to God for the same For it is strange that when the Vallies laugh and sing with Corn that the Owners should sigh and cry for the same Yea such is mens Pecvishnesse as if it endeavoured to puzzle Omnipotency to please it betwixt the Pining of the Poor in Penury and Repining of the Rich in Plenty And as the Infidel Prince would not believe that God could send Plenty in Samaria though he should open the VVindows of Heaven so some covetous Cormorant-Cornmongers despair that he should send a Dearth of Grain amongst us should he stop the VVindows thereof Drought never making a Dearth in England But how quickly they may be confuted and our present Plenty justly turned into Want to God alone is known 25. But to return to the Scholars of Trinity-Hall Convenient diet needfull for Students True it is that a Body surfeited with Food is unfit for Study Scholars like Hauks flying best when sharp and not full gorged and the Monks Verse hath much truth in it Distentus Venter non vult studere libenter And yet perchance Lauda vit pleno Monachus jejunia ventre he praised Fasting when he was full himself However there may be a fault as well in the Defect as on the Excess and there is a Distention as well of VVind and Emptiness as of Flesh Fulness equally impeditive to a studious Mind and therefore good reason that the Fare of these Scholars should be enlarged 26. Edmond Gonvil yonger Brother to S r. Nicolas Gonvil of Rushworth Gonvil-Hall founded Knight Parson of Terrington 1348 and Rushworth in Norfolk 23 where he had founded a Colledge of Canons valued at the Dissolution at built also an Hall dedicated to the Virgin Mary on the place where now are the Orchard and Tennis-Court of Bennet-Colledge five years after having it's Situation altered 27. Whilest this Hall continued here Arch-bishop Vfford a Commoner therein one eminent Commoner lived therein namely Iohn Vfford D r. of Law Son to the Earle of Suffolk and by Royal appointment with the Papal consent made Arch-bishop of Canterbury but dying before his Consecration probable if surviving to prove a good Benefactour to this Hall But he departed this Life some what before Edmond Gonvil the Hall loosing so good a Father and so hopefull a Friend in a short space though the later left a large Summe of Money to VVilliam Bateman Bishop of Ely to see this Foundation finished according to his Directions 28. Bishop Bateman desired to bring this new Hall nearer his own of Trinity-Hall This Hall transplanted partly because he might oversee both his Child and Nurse-child at the same Inspection partly to invite Converse betwixt these two Countryfolk-Foundations both of Norfolk Parentage by their Vicinity of Situation This was done accordingly Infants are easily portable from place to place and this Hall not yet fully rooted was quickly removed An Exchange is made with Bennet-Colledge for their mutuall Conveniency and Gonvil-Hall transplanted to the place where it standeth at this day and where it
Opinion the Calamities of this Age falling so heavily on Scholars that I am converted into a charitable conceit of such who beg the Charity of others Richard de Deerham 1389 Chancellour 13 55. A strange Miracle is reported here to have hapned A strange Miracle Whilest the Augustine Friers in a solemn Procession were carrying the Hoste about the Town on a suddain it grew so a Thomas Walsingham in hoc anno heavy that it made two of the strongest Friers puff and sweat and blow to support the same It added to the Wonder that let any Lay-man put his Hands under it and they felt no Weight at all Thus this was a Roman but no Catholick Miracle as but partiall and confined onely to the Cognizance of the Clergy enough almost to make it suspected that they first feigned it who onely felt it 56. Surely it is not like unto Scripture-Miracles Not like those in the Scripture which had all persons present Witnesses to the Truth thereof Say not Paul onely heard the Voice speaking to him from Heaven which the rest of his Fellow-Travellers did not hear because that Expresse was made particularly for his personall Conversion Otherwise it will be hard to instance in Scripture wherein a Miracle was not evident to all who were present thereat 57. This reported Miracle was followed with a sad Mortality in the Town and University A strange Plague in Cambridge proceeding from the Infection of the Aire and that caused from the unclean keeping of the Streets Indeed I read how the Master of Michael Hostle was convented before the Chancellour and commanded either quickly to cleanse their Chanels or quite to stop them up as being in the publick Passage of the Students to the Schools and S t. Maries which sent forth such an offensive Savour the purest Brains are soonest subject to Infection that many fell sick with the Noysomness thereof And indeed the Shame and Guilt is great when for the want of Sweeping the Streets the Inhabitants thereof are swept away with Infections Now such the Malignity of this Disease that presently it infected the Brain so that instantly men ran raving mad and which was strange sarved themselves to death refusing to eate or drink save what was forced down their Throats with violence What Number of Scholars and Towns-men died here of is uncertain but sure they were not a few the Distemper continuing for many Weeks together 58. I doubt not but Oxford did grealy condole with Cambridge herein the rather The like after was at Oxford because surely Cambridge did sadly sympathize with her Sister Oxford when in the Reign of King Henry the seventh she was made desart desolate by an Epidemicall Infection This arose saith their b Brian Twine p. 324. Antiquary ex stagnis aquarum obicibus from the stopping of Water-courses and Oxford I assure you is well stored with them on her East South side so that the Town was wholy forsaken till by the care of Richard Fox their Chancellour it slowly recovered the Inhabitants 59. Now or about this time Iohn a Pitz. de Script p. 551. Bromiard a Dominican Iohn Bromiard a fierce Anti VVicklivist first bred in Oxford Anno Regis Richardi 2. 14 came to Cambridge Anno Dom. 1390 and there became Professour of Divinity sent thither perchance on Designe to ferret out the Wicklivists to whom he was a professed Enemie though Ralph Spalding a Carmelite was the sole eminent Cantabrigian at this time suspected to b Idem p. 550 Both best by turns favour their Opinions 60. Note by the way that Oxford was most fruitfull of Defenders and Sufferers for the Truth from the coming of Wickliffe till the rising of Luther during which time Cambridge was but barren of famous Confessours But Cambridge in the Reign of King Henry the eighth afforded c VVhich clearely appears by consulting and comparing Fox his Acts and Mon. more Martyrs and Witnesses of the Truth whilst Oxford was more generally guilty of Superstition Thus he who hath two fair Orchards seldome wanteth Fruit the one hitting whilst the other faileth And thus the God of Truth was alternately furnished with Champions first of the one then the other Vniversity till both at last after the perfect Reformation became the fruitfull Nurseries of Protestant VVorthies to the Envie and Admiration of all Christendome William Colvil 15 Chancellour 1391 Tho. Hadley Peter Skelton Proctours 61. It was usual for Apostate Preaching or Dominican Friars Statute against fugitive Friars being Fugitives from forrain Parts here surreptitiously to steal their Degrees in future prevention whereof the King ordered they should not commence in either Universitie He by his Writ also enjoyned d Rob. Hare in Archivis the Sheriff of Cambridgeshire in default of the Bayliffs and Townsmen to assist the Chancellour in replessing Malefactours Iohn Neckton 16 Chancellour 1392 William Colvil 18 Chancellour 1394 Thomas Hougham Proctour Eudo 20 or Guido de Zouch 1396 Chancellour William Wimble Proctour 62. Iohn Fordham Bishop of Ely The first person of Honour Chancellour of Cambridge well considering the State Degree and noble Birth of Eudo de Zouch being as I collect it younger Son to the first Lord Zouch of Haringworth in Northamptonshire a younger Branch of most ancient Barons at Ashby de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire would not exact Obedience of him as of the former Chancellours Indeed Fordham was herein more Court-like and civil to this Eudo then Thomas Arundel his Precessour Bishop of Ely who being nobly born himself might be presumed more courteous to one of the like Extraction yet seventeen years since viz 1379. took Obedience of this Eudo then Chancellour in all Formality But some will say Eudo had since acquired though not better Rloud more Gravity and Degrees and therefore more Respect was due unto him 63. But what now was indulged to Chancellour Zouch as a personall Favour Cambridge's Chancellour no longer confirmed by Ely's Bishop was six years after 1402. granted generally to all his Successours by the bounty of Pope Boniface the ninth who by his Bull ordered it that the Chancellour of Cambridge needed not any further Confirmation from the Bishop of Ely but that his Election by the University put him into Power to perform his Office SECTION IV. Anno Dom. Anno Regis ROULANDO LITTON in pago HARTFORDENSI Armigero PRimam Mundi Aetatem Poetae dixerunt Auream non ob Auri abundantiam cujus ne mica tunc in usu cum Opes malorum irritamenta nondum effoderentur sed ob summam illius Seculi Simplicitatem Quo quidem sensu Vita Academica mihi vere aurea est censenda cujus me meminisse juvat cum nos olim in Collegio Sydneyano Ego sub auspitiis Doctoris Wardi Tu sub tutela Magistri Dugardi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Literis vacavimus
l. 5 s. 5 d. 5 Toft Monachorum Rectory in the Diocess of Norwich valued at 8 l. 6 Leisingham Vicaridgâ— in the Diocess of Norwich valued at 6 li. 7 Harsted Rectory in the Diocess of Norwich valued at 6 li. 10 s. 8 West-Rutham Vicaridge in the Diocess of Norwich valued at 7 li. 6 s. 8 d. 9 Prestcott Vicaridge in the Diocess of Chester valued at 24 li. 9 s. 10 Wotton Wowen Vicaridge in the Diocess of Coventry and Lichfield valued at 11 l. 9 s. 7 d. 11 Dowton Wallat Rectory in the Diocess of London valued at 16 l. Behold here the fruitfulness of one Vineyard a single Colledge and yet we have onely gathered the top-grapes such as were ripest in parts and highest in preferment How many moe grew on the under-boughs which were serviceable in Church and State Not to speak of many eminent persons still surviving amongst whom Mr. William Oughtred beneficed at Alberie in Surrey Prince of the Mathematicians in our age whose modestie will be better pleased with my praying for them than praising of them 16. Wonder not Why so few have been Benefactours to this House Reader that Benefactors are so few and benefaction so small to this royall foundation caused partly from the commpleteness thereof at its first erection partly from mens modestie that their meanness might not mingle it self with Princely magnificence Solomon f Eccles 2. 12 saith What can the man doe that cometh after the King It is petty Presumption to make addition to Kings workes and to hold benefaction in Coparcenarie with them 17. We read in John Rouse The instrumental advancers of so worthy a work how King Henry the fifth had a designe to build a Colledge in the Castle of Oxford the intended model whereof with the endowments to the same he affirmeth himself to have seen but prevented by death his son Henry performed his fathers will as to his general end of advancing Learning and Religion though exchanging the place from Oxford to Cambridge We read also in the Oxford g Brian Twine Antiq. Academ Oxon. pag. 318. Antiquarie how Henry Beaufort that pompous Prelate and Bishop of Winchester gave two thousand pounds to Henry the sixth for the advancing of this Colledge and how John Summerset Doctor of Physick to King Henry the sixth Sophister first in Oxford but afterwards graduated in Cambridge and twice Proctor thereof though not expressed in our Cambridge-Catalogue so imperfect is it was very active with his perswasions to King Henry and concurred much instrumentally to the foundation of this Colledge 18. He proceedeth to tell us Dr Sommerset said to be ingratefully used by Cambridge how the same Sommerset when aged fell into want and disgrace and coming to Cambridge for succour and support found not entertainment proportionable to his deserts Whereupon he publiquely complained thereof in eighty h Extraâ—t in Guil worcestr and cited by Brian Twine pag. 313. satyrical verses thus beginning Quid tibi Cantabriga dudum dulcissima feci Vultum divertis oh mihi dura nimis For mine own part I hate ingratitude be it in mine own mother but dare not here condemn her because ignorant of the cause of Sommerset's poverty Probably it might relate to the difference of the Crown and Lancaster interest so that in those dangerous days Cambridge her charity could not consist with her safety not daring to relieve him for fear of damnifyinging her self 19. How ticklish those dayes were King Edward the fourth a malefactour to this Colledge and with how evill an eye this Foundation from the line of Lancaster was looked upon by the House of York is too plaine in the practise of King Edward the fourth one whose love to learning and religion were much alike who at once took away from Kings Colledge a thousand pound land a year amongst which the fee-farme of the Manours of Chesterton and Cambridge Whereupon no fewer than i â—aius Hist Ac. Cant. pag. 68. fourty of the Fellowes and Scholars besides Conducts Clerkes Choristers and other Colledge-officers were in one day forced to depart the House for want of maintenance Indeed I have read that King Edward afterwards restored five hundred Marks of yearly revenue on condition they should acknowledge him for their Founder and write all their Deeds in his name which perchance for the present they were contented to performe However his restitution was nothing adequate to the injurie offered this Foundation insomuch that Leland complaines Grantam suam hanc jacturam semper sensuram That his Cambridge will for ever be sensible of this losse 20. One k Brian Twine Antiq. Acad. Ox. pag. 317. tells us An old debt well paâ—d that as Kings Colledge was first furnished from Eaton so Eaton was first planted from Winchester-School whence Henry the sixth fetcht five Fellows and thirty five eminenâ— Scholars to furnish his first foundation But let our Aunt know that this debt hath been honestly satisfied with plentifull consideration for the forbearance thereof For in the yeer of our Lord 1524. when Robert Shirton Master of Pembrooke-Hall was employed by Cardinal Wolsey to invite Cambridge-men some full blown in learning others but in the bud and dawning of their pregnancie to plant his foundation at Christ-Church Kings-Colledge afforded them many eminent Scholars then removed thither amongst whom were Rich. Cox afterwards School-master to King Edward the sixth John Frith afterward martyred for the truth John Frier a famous Physician of that age Hen. * MS. Hatcher of K. Coll. Anno 1518. Sumptner who at Christ-Church for his religion being hardly used died soon after with may moe eminent persons which l Vide infâ—â— Anno 1524. hereafter God willing shall be observed Thus Christ-Church in Oxford was first a Cambridge-Colonie Be this remembred partly that Cambridge may continue her original title to such worthy men and partly to evidence her return to her Sister of what formerly she had borrowed Otherwise it matters not on which of the two Branches learned men doe grow seeing all spring from one and the same root of the English Nation 21. I have done with this Foundation The Armes of Kings Colledge when I have told the Reader that King Henry the sixth under his great Seal by Act of Parliament confirmed a coat of Armes to this Colledge bearing in chief a flower of France and a Lion of England that it may appear to be the work of a King For my instructions herein I must direct my thankfulness partly to the memory of Mr. Thomas Hatcher who some seventy yeers since collected an exact catalogue of the Scholars Fellowes and Provosts of this house partly to Mr. Tho. Page of this house and Vice-Oratour of Cambridge who as he went over beyond the seas the credit of his Coll. and this University so God lending him life after his accomplishment in his travails is likely to return one of the honours of our Countrey 22. My Pen
crossing the Protectour herein and other misdemeaners soon after was outed of his Mastership of Trinity Hall Anno Regis Henrici 8. 2 and first Doctor Haddon Anno Dom. 154 7 8 then Doctor Mouse substituted in his room William Bill 3 Vice-Chan 154 8 9 George Bullock Phil. Baker Proct. Richard Brakin Major Doct Theol. 1 Bac. Theol. 1 Mag. Art 8 Bac. Art 32 30. Commissioners An extraordinary Act before the Kings Commissioners were sent from the King to visit the University viz. Thomas Goodrich Bishop of Eelie Nicolas Ridley Bishop of Rochester Sir William Paget Sir Thomas Smith Sir Iohn Cheek VVilliam Mey Doctor of Law and Thomas VVendey Doctor of Physick Before these an extraordinary Act was kept wherein Answerer Opponents Moderatours Quaestions D r. Madew Iune 20 Protest held the negat Doct. Mag. Glin. Langedale Sedgewick Yonge Papists His Majesties Commissioners above mentioned 1. Whether Transubstantiation can be proved by plain and manifest words of Scripture 2. Whether it may be Collected confirmed by the consent of Fathers for these thousand years past Answerer Dr. Glin 24 Papist held the affirm Mag. Grindal Perne Gwest Pilkington Protestants M r. Pern Protest 25 held the negat Mag. Parker not D r. Mathew Parker but another of his Name Pollard Vavasour Youge Papists Bishop Ridley according to the custome of the University concluded all with a solemn Determination But the transactions of this Disputation are so amply reported by Master Fox that the sharpest appetite of his Reader need not fear famishing if he can keep himself from surfetting thereon Walter Haddon 4 Vice-Cha 15 49 50 Andrew Peerson Iohn Ebden Proct. Alexander Raye Major Bac. Theol 9 Mag. Art 17 Bac. Art 26 31. Ed. Duke of Somerset and Chancellour of Cambridge was much declined in his power at Court Northumberland made Chancellour though surviving some Months after Now the University had learned to live by the living Anno Dom. 15 in favour and not by the dead Anno Regis Edvardi 6. 4 and therefore chose Iohn Dudley Duke of Northumberland Chancellour in place of Somerset 32. Martin Bucer Bucer and Fagius called to Cambridge and Paulus Fagius in Dutch Buchlein or Beecher living formerly at Strasburg at the instance of Arch-Bishop Cranmer were sent for by King Edward to become Professours in Cambridge My Authour a Germane living then hard by makes them to depart thence Magistratus Argentinensis voluntate consensu whom the Iesuite Parsons will have both banished by that State If so the disgrace is none at all to be exiled for no other guilt then preaching the Gospel opposing the Augustine Confession which that Emperiall City embraced Besides the greater the providence if when commanded from one place instantly called to another 33. Over they come into England Made Professours there and last year were fixed at Cambridge where Bucer was made Professour of Divinity Fagius of Hebrew The former had the ordinary stipend of his place tripled a Pantalcon de Illustribus Germaniae unto him as well it might considering his worth being of so much merit his need having wife and children and his condition coming hither a forrainer fetcht from a far Country So it was ordered that Fagius should in Hebrew read the Evangelicall Prophet Isaâ—ah and Bucer in Greek the Propheticall Evangelist S t. Iohn 34 But alas Fagius his death the change of aire and diet so wrought on their temper that both fell sick together Bucer hardly recovered but Fagius that flourishing Beech nature not agreeing with his transplanting withered away in the flower of his Age as scarce fourty five and was buried in the Church of S t. Michael 35. After his death Emanuel Tremellius was sent for to Cambridge to succeed him in the Professours place Tremellius Heb Prof. in Cambridge There he lived sometime on this token that Dr. Parker preferred him before many other Friends to be Godfather to his Son which Tremellius b See Tremellius his own Preface to his Caldee Grammar accounted a great favour But it seemeth that soon after either afrighted with the valetudinous condition of King Edward or allured with the bountifull Proffers of the Prince Palatine he returned to Heidelberg Io. Madew Vice-Ch Ralph Standish William Cony Proct. Christop c Cajus Hist. Cant. Acad. lib. 1. p. 207. Franck He would not take his oath to the Vice-Chancellour till forced by the Lord Protectours letters Maj. 155â— â— 5 Doct. Theol. 1 Iur. Civ 2 Medic. 1 Bac. Theol. 4 Mag. Art 17 Bac. Art 37 Henry Brandon Duke of Suffolk Son of Charles Brandon by Katherine Lady VVilloubie died at Cambridge where he was a Student of the sweating-sicknesse 36. Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk younger brother to the same Henry died within twelve hours of the same disease They were much bemoaned of the University printing a Book of Verses on their funeralls amongst which these following of D r. Parkhursts afterward Bishop of Norwich I shall endeavour to translate FRatres Amiclaei Pollux cum Castore Potuere sic cum morte depaciscier Vt cum alter eorum esset mortuus tamen Alter superesset reversis sortibus Vicissim uterque utriusque morte viveret Cur Parca nunc crudelior est quam olim fuit Anno Regis Edvardi 6 15 Fratres duos Anno Dom. 155â— â— nuper ea quales hactenus Nec vidit unquam nec videbit Anglia Lumina duo duoque propugnacula Fortissima virtutis Reique publicae Mors crudelis ah uno peremit funere Virtus nequaquam illam nec egregia indoles Movit nec Edvardi Regis nec optimae Matris nec totius gemitus Britanniae O dura duramors ô saeva numina The same in English CAstor and Pollux Brothers pair Breathing first Amicle's air Did with death so bargaine make By exchange their turns to take If that death surprized one brother Still alive should be the other So the bargain was contriv'd Both dy'd both by turns surviv'd Why is fate more cruel grown Then she formerly was known Wee of Brothers had a brace Like to which did never grace This our English earth before Nor the like shall grace it more Both bright stars and both did stand Hopefull bulwarks of the land Both alas together slain Death at once did murther twaine Nothing could their vertues move Nor King Edvvards hearty love Nor their best of mothers mones Nor all Britaines heavy grones Nothing could stern death abate Oh cruel over cruel fate Many in Cambridge died of this sweating sicknesse Patients mending or ending in twenty four hours Some sought for the naturall cause thereof out of the heavens imputing it to the conjunction of the superiour Planets in Scorpio Others looked for it from the earth as arising from an exhalation in moist weather out of Gipsous or plaisterly ground The cure thereof conceived impossible before and easie as all things
or change often avouched by noe other Authour then this Doctors Vnconstancy However let us not be over cruel to his memory for not suffering for his own who was so kind and carefull to keep other from suffering for their conscience Andrew Pern 1559 6◠Vice-Chan Barth Dodington George Fuller Proct. Tho. Ventris 2 Major Doct. Leg. 3 Medic. 1 Bac. Theol. 6 Mag. Art 25 Bac. Art 60 Henry Harvy Vice-Chanc Anthony Gilblington Iohn Cowell Proct. Roger Slegg 156 ◠◠Maj. 3 Doct. Leg. 1 Bac. Theol. 9 Mag. Art 31 Bac. Leg. 1 Mus 2 Art 53 Philip Baker 156 1 2 Vice-Chan VVilliam Master Georg Blithe Proct. Tho. Kymbold 4 Major Doct. Theol. 1 Leg. 2 Medic. 1 Bac. Theol. 8 Mag. Art 20 Bac. Leg. 3 Art 51 Francis Newton 156 2 3 Vice-Chan Andrew Oxenbridg Iohn Igulden Proct. Hen. Serle 5 Major Doct. Theol. 3 Leg. 1 Medic. 1 Bac. Theol. 4 Mag. Art 44 Bac. Leg. 7 Art 80 Edward Hauford 156 1 4 Vice-Cha Richard Curtesse Henry Woorley Proct. Rob. Cano 6 Major Doct. Theol. 12 Medic. 2 Bac. Theol. 4 Mag. Art 39 Bac. Leg. 2 Art 71 Robert Beaumont 156 4 5 Vice-Chanc Tho. Bing Barth Clark Proct. William Munsey 7 Maj. Doct. Theol. 1 Bac. Theol. 7 Mag. Art 27 Bac. Art 85 Now began a great difference in Trinity Colledge betwixt Doctor Beaumont Master thereof and some in that Society which hath its Influence at this day on the Church of England whereof hereafter SECT VII TO FRANCIS ASH OF LONDON Ann. Dom. 156 3 4. Esquire Ann. Reg. Eliz. 6. IT is the life of a Gift to be done in the life of the Giver farre better than funeral Legacies which like Benjamin are born by the losse of a Parent For it is not so kindly charity for men to give what they can keep no longer besides such donations are most subject to abuses Silver in the living Is Gold in the giving Gold in the dying Is but Silver a flying Gold and Silver in the dead Turn too often into Lead But you have made your own hands Executors and eyes Overseers so bountifull to a flourishing foundation in Cambridge that you are above the standard of a Benefactour Longer may you live for the glory of God and good of his servants QUeen Elizabeth Aug. 5. partly to ease Her self Queen Elizabeth comes to Cambridge with some recreation partly to honour and encourage Learning and Religion came to Cambridge where she remained five whole daies in the Lodgings of the Provost of Kings Colledge She was entertained with Comedies Tragedies Orations whereof one most eloquent made by William Masters the Publique Oratour disputations and other Academical Exercises She severally visited every House And at Her departure She took Her leave of Cambridge with this following Oration ET si foeminilis iste meus Pudor subditi fidelissimi Academia charissima in tanta doctorum turba illaboratum hunc Sermonem Orationem me narrare apud vos impediat Her Oration to the University tamen Nobilium meorum intercessus Ann. Dom. 1563-64 erga Academiam benevolentia me aliqua proferre invitat Ann. Regi Eliz. 6. Duobus ad hanc rem stimulis moveor Aug. 10. Primus est bonarum literarum Propagatio Alter est vestra omnium expectatio Quod ad propagationem spectat unum illud apud Demosthenem memini Superiorum verba apud inferiores Librorum locum habent Principum dicta legum Authoritatem apud subditos retinent Hoc igitur vos omnes in memoria tenere velim quod semita nulla praestantior est sive ad bona fortunae acquirenda sive ad Principum gratiam conciliandam quam graviter ut coepistis studiis vestris exhibeatis operam quod ut faciatis vos omnes oro obsecróque De secundo stimulo vestra nimirum expectatione hoc unum dico me nihil libenter praetermissuram esse quod vestrae de me animae benevolae concipiunt cogitationes Jam ad Academiam venio Tempore ante meridiano vidi ego aedificia vestra sumptuosa à meis majoribus clarissimis Principibus literarum causa extructa inter videndum dolor Artus meos occupavit atque ea mentis suspiria quae Alexandrum quondam tenuisse feruntur qui cum legisset multa à Principibus monumenta conversus ad familiarem seu potius ad Consiliarium multum doluit se nihil tale fecisse Haec tamen vulgaris sententia me aliquantum recreavit quae etsi non auferre tamen minuere potest dolorem Quae quidem sententia haec est Romam non uno aedificatam fuisse die tamen non est ita senilis mea aetas nec tam diu fui ex quo regnare coepi quin ante redditionem debiti naturae si non nimis cito Atropos lineam vitae meae amputaverit aliquod opus faciam quamdiu vita hos regit artus nunquam à proposito deflectam Et si contingat quam citò futurum sit nescio me mori opportere priusquam hoc ipsum quod polliceor complere possim aliquod tamen egregium opus post mortem relinquam quo memoria mea in posterum celebris fiat alios excitem exemplo meo vos omnes alacriores faciam ad studia vestra Sed jam videtis quantum inter sit inter doctrinam Lectam disciplinam animo non retentam Quorum alterius sunt complures satis sufficientes testes alterius autem vos omnes nimis quidem inconsideratè testes hoc tempore effeci quae meo barbaro Orationis genere tam diu doctas vestras aures detinuerim DIXI At that time the Degree of Master of Art Noble-men made Masters of Art was conceived to take a Degree and it self commenced in honour when the following Peers and Noble Persons were in the Regent House created Masters of Art a Caius Hist Cant. Acad. Pag 88. Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke Edward Veere Earl of Oxford Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwicke Edward Manners Earl of Rutland Thomas Ratclyf Earl of Sussex Robert Dudley Earl of Leicestre Edw Clinton high Adm. of England William Howard Lord Chamberlain Henry Carew Lord Hunsden Sir William Cecil Secretary Sir Francis Knolls Vice-chamb Tho Heneage John Ashley Richard Bartue William Cooke Edmond Cooke Esquires Thus Acts being ended Degrees conferred University Officers well rewarded and all persons pleased Her Majesty went on in Her Progresse and the Schollers returned to their Studies 2. And yet we finde one great Scholler much discontented if my * Sir Geo. Paul in the Life of Archbishop Whitigist p. 7 Author may be believed namely The first cause of Mr. Cartwrights discontentment Mr. Thomas Cartwright He and Thomas Preston then Fellow of Kings Colledge afterwards Master of Trinity Hall were appointed two of the four Disputants in the Philosophy Act before the Queen Cartwright had dealt most with the
the Kings pleasure in imitation of His Ancestors reserving that Honour for some Prime person to conferre the same on his near Kinsman James Marquis Hamilton who dying some six years after left his Title to James his Son the last Earle during the extent of our History Robert Scot Vicecan 1619-20 Will 18. Roberts Robert Mason Proct. Richard Foxton Major 6. Master John Preston Mr Preston prosecuted by the Commissary and how escaping Fellow of Queens suspected for inclination to Non-conformity intended to preach in the Afternoon S. Maryes Sermon being ended in Botolphs-Church But Doctor Newcomb Commissary to the Chancelour of Elie Anno Dom. 1619-20 offended with the pressing of the people Anno Regis Jacob. 18. enjoyned that Service should be said without Sermon In opposition whereunto a Sermon was made without Service where large complaints to Lancelot Andrews Bishop of Elie and in fine to the King himself Hereupon Mr. Preston was enjoyned to make what his fees called a Recantation his friends a Declaration Sermon therein so warily expressing his allowance of the Liturgie and set formes of Prayer that he neither displeased his own party nor gave his enemies any great advantage Samuel Ward Vicecan 1620-21 Gabriel More Phil 19. Powlet Proct. Richard Foxton Major 7 William Lord Mainard The Ld. Mainaâ—d foundeth a Logick Professour first of Wicloe in Ireland then of Estaines in England brought up when a young Scholar in S. Johns Colledge where Dr. Playfere thus versed it on his name Inter menses Maius inter aromata nardus Founded a Place for a Logick Professour assigning him a salarie of Forty pounds per annum and one Mr. Thornton Fellow of the same Colledge made first Professour of that faculty Leonard Maw Vicecan 1621-22 Thomas Scamp Tho 20. Parkinson Charles Mordant Proct. Edward Potto Major 8. An exact survey was taken of the number of Students in the University The Scholars number whose totall summe amounted unto Two * Tables of John Scot. thousand nine hundred ninety and eight Hierome Beale Vicecan 1622-23 Thomas Adam Nathanael Flick Proct. 21. Thomas Atkinson Major Thomas Paske Vicecan 1623-24 John Smith Amias Ridding Proct. 22. Thomas Purchas Major 9. The Town-Lecture at Trinity-Church being void two appeared Competitours for the same namely Doctor John Preston now Master of Emmanuel Preacher at Lincolns-Inne and Chaplain to Prince Charles generally desired by the Towns men Contributours to the Lecture Paul Micklethwait Fellow of Sidney-Colledge an eminent Preacher favoured by the Diocesan Bishop of Elie and all the Heads of Houses to have the place The contest grew high and hard A tough câ—nvase for Trinity-Lecture in somuch as the Court was ingaged therein Many admired that Doctor Preston would stickle so much for so small a matter as an annuall stipend of Eighty pounds issuing out of moe than thrice eighty purses But his partie pleaded his zeale not to get gold by but to doe good in the place where such the confluence of Scholars to the Church that he might generare Patres beget begerrers which made him to wave the Bishoprick of Glocester now void and offered unto him in comparison of this Lecture 10. At Doctor Preston his importunity Dr. Preston caues it clear the Duke of Buckingham interposing his power Anno Dom. 1623 24. secured it unto him Anno Regis Jacob. 22. Thus was he at the same time Preacher to two places though neither had Cure of Soules legally annexed Lincolns-Inne and Trinity-Church in Cambridge As Elisha cured the waters of Iericho by going forth to the spring head and casting in salt there so was it the designe of this Doctour for the better propagation of his principles to infuse them into these two Fountains the one of Law the other of Divinity And some conceive that those Doctrines by him then delivered have since had their Use and Application Iohn Mansell Vicecan 1624-25 William Boswell Thomas Bowles Proct. Thomas Purchas Major 11. King Iames came to Cambridge King James's last coming to Cambridge lodged in Trinity-Colledge was entertained with a philosophy-Philosophy-Act and other Academical performances Here in an extraordinary Commencement many but ordinary persons were graduated Doctours in Divinity and other Faculties 12. Andrew Downs The death of Mr. Andrew Dewnes Fellow of S. Iohns Anno Regis Car. 1. 1. one composed of Greek and industry dyeth whose pains are so inlaid with Sir Henry Savil his Edition of Chrysostome that both will be preserved together Five were Candidates for the Greek-Professours place void by his death viz Edward Palmer Esquire Fellow of Trinity-Colledge Abraham Whelocke Fellow of Clare Hall Robert Creighton of Trinity Ralph Winterton of Kings and Iames White Master of Arts of Sidney-Colledge How much was there now of Athens in Cambridge when besides many modestly concealing themselves five able Competitours appeared for the place 13. All these read solemn Lectures in the Schools on a subject appointed them by the Electours Mr. Chreighton chosen his successour viz the first Verses of the three and twentieth Book of Homers Iliads chiefly insisting on 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. But the Place was conferred on Mr. Robert Chreighton who during Mr. Downes his aged infirmities had as Hercules relieved weary Atlas supplied the same possessed by the former full forty years Iohn Goslin Henry Smith Vicecan Iohn Norton Robert Ward Proct. 1625-26 Robert Lukin Major 2. 14. Thomas Howard Earle of Suffolke The Duke of Buckingham elected Chancellour Chancellour of the University departed this life an hearty old Gentleman who was a good friend to Cambridge and would have proved a better if occasion had been offered It argued the Universities affection to his Memory that a grand party therein unsought unsent unsued to gave their suffrages for his second Son Thomas Earle of Bark shire though the Duke of Buckingham by very few voices carried the place of the Chancellour This Duke gave the Beadles their old silver Staves and bestowed better and bigger on the University with the Kings and his own Arms insculped thereon Henry Smith Vicecan 1626-27 Samuel Hixton Thomas Wake Proct. 3. Martin Peirse Major Thomas Bambrigg Vicecan Anno Dom. 1627-28 Thomas Love Edward Lloyd Proct. Iohn Shirwood Major Anno. Regis Car. 1. 4. 15. Henry Earle of Holland The Earle of Holland made Chancellour The Lâ— Bâ—ooke founded an History-Professour recommended by His Majesty to the University is chosen Chancellour thereof in the Place of the Duke of Buckingham deceased 16. Sir Fulk Grevil Lord Brooke bred long since in Trinity Colledge founded a Place for an History-Professour in the University of Cambridge allowing him an annual Stipend of an Hundred pound Isaac Dorislavs Doctour of the Civil Law an Hollander was first placed therein Say not this implyed want of worthy men in Cambridge for that faculty it being
breeding b. 11. p. 219. ¶ 85. his peaceable disposition ¶ 86. improving of piety p. 220. ¶ 87 c. an innocent deceiver ¶ 90. excellent Hebrician ¶ 91. last of the old Puritans ¶ 92. DOGGES meat given to men b. 3. p. 29. ¶ 46 DOMINICAN Friers their first coming over into England b. 6. p. 270. ¶ 15. after their expulsion set up again by Q. Mary p. 357. the learned men of this order who were bred in Cambrid Hist. of Cam. p. 30. De DOMINIS Marcus Antonius see SPALATO John DONNE Dean of St. Pauls prolocutour in the Convocation b. 10. p. 112. ¶ 15. his life excellently written by Mr. Isaack Walton ¶ 16. DOOMES-DAY Book composed by the command of Will the Conquerour b. 3. ¶ 3. DORT Synod b. 10. p. 77. ¶ 63. four English Divines sent thither ibidem King James his Instructions unto them p. 77 78. Oath at their admission into it p. 78. ¶ 66. liberall allowance from the State p. 77. ¶ 77. various censures on the decisions thereof p. 84. ¶ 5 c. The DOVE on King Charles his Sceptre ominously broken off b. 11. ¶ 16. Thomas DOVE Bishop of Peterborough his death b. 11. p. 41. ¶ 17. DOWAY COLL. in Flanders for English fugitives b. 9. p. 85. A Convent there for Benedictine Monks b. 6. p. 365. And another for Franciscan Friers 366. DRUIDES their office and imployment amongst the Pagan Britans C. 1. ¶ 3. The DUTCH Congregation first set up in London b. 7. p. 407. ¶ 33. priviledges allowed them by King Edward the sixth ibidem under Queen Mary depart with much difficulty and danger into Denmark b. 8. p. 8. ¶ 13. DUBLIN University founded by Queen Elizabeth b. 9. p. 211. ¶ 44. the severall benefactours whereof Mr. Luke Chaloner a chief p. 212. no rain by day during the building of the Colledge ibidem The Provosts therof p. 213. ¶ 47. DUBRITIUS Arch-bishop of Caer-lion a great Champion of the truth against Pelagius C. 6. ¶ 3. ADUCATE worth about four shillings but imprinted eight b. 5. p. 196 ¶ 37. Andrew DUCKET in effect the founder of Queens Colledge in Cambridge Hist of Cambridge p. 80. ¶ 33. St. DUNSTAN his story at large Cent. 10. ¶ 11. c. his death and burial in Canterbury ¶ 44. as appeared notwithstanding the claim of Glassenbury by discovery ¶ 45 46. DUNWOLPHUS of a swine-heard made Bishop of VVinchester C. 9. ¶ 41. DURHAM the Bishoprick dissolved by King Edward the sixth b. 7. p. 419. ¶ 2. restored by Queen Mary ¶ 3. VVil. DYNET the solemn abiuration injoyned him wherein he promiseth to worship Images b. 4. p. 150. E. EASTER-DAY difference betwixt the British Romish Church in the observation thereof Cent. 7. ¶ 5. the Controversie stated betwixt them ¶ 28. reconciled by Laurentius ¶ 30. the antiquity of this difference ¶ 31. spreads into private families ¶ 89. A counsell called to compose it ¶ 90. setled by Theodorus according to the Romish Rite ¶ 96. EATON COLLEDGE founded by K. Henry the sixth b. 4. EDGAR King of England Cent. 10. ¶ 24. disciplined by Dunstan for viciating a Nun. ¶ 26. The many Canons made by him why in this book omitted ¶ 29. A most Triumphant King ¶ 30. his death ¶ 34. EDMUND King of the East Angles cruelly Martyred by the Danes Cent. 9. ¶ 22. EDWARD the Elder calls a Councell to confirm his Fathers acts Cent. 10. ¶ 5. gives great Priviledges to Cambridge ¶ 6. EDWARD the Martyr Cent. 8. ¶ 34. Barbarously murthered ¶ 42. EDWARD the Confessour his life at large Cent. 11. ¶ 11 c. King EDWARD the first his advantages to the Crown though absent at his Fathers death b. 3. p. 74. ¶ 3. his atchievements against the Turkes ¶ 4. Casteth the Iews out of England p. 87. ¶ 47. chosen arbitratour betwixt Baliol Bruce claiming the Kingdome of Scotland p. 88. ¶ 49. which Kingdome he conquereth for himself ¶ 50. stoutly maintaineth his right against the Pope p. 90. ¶ 2. humbled Rob. Winchelsey Arch-bishop of Cant. ¶ 4 5. the Dialogue betwixt them 6. his death and character p. 92. ¶ 11. his Arme the standard of the English yard ibid. King EDWARD the second his character b. 3. p. 93. ¶ 13. fatally defeated by the Scots ¶ 14. his vitiousnesse p. 100. ¶ 28. accused for betraying his Priviledges to the Pope ¶ 29. his deposing and death p. 103. King EDWARD the third a most valiant and fortunate King both by Sea and Land foundeth Kings Hall in Cambridge Hist of Camb. p. 39. ¶ 36. his death and Character b. 4. p. 136. ¶ 12. King EDWARD the fourth gaineth the Crown by Conquest b. 4. p. 190. ¶ 46. Beaten afterwards in Battel by the Earle of VVarwick p. 191. ¶ 31. escapeth out of prison flyeth beyond the Seas returneth and recovereth the Crown ¶ 32 33. A Benefactour to Merron Coll. in Oxford b. 3. p. 75. ¶ 7. but Malefactour to Kings Coll. in Cambridge Hist of Camb. p. 76. ¶ 19. his death b. 4. p. 199. ¶ 4◠King EDWARD the fifth barbarously murthered by his Vncle Richard Duke of York b. 4. p. 196. ¶ 5. King EDWARD the sixth his Injunctions b. 7. ¶ 3. observations thereon p. 374. his severall proclamations whereof one inhibiteth all Preachers in England for a time p. 388 389. his TEXT ROYAL and our observations thereon p. 397 398. c. Giveth an account by letter to B. Fitz-Patrick of his progresse p. 412 413. severall letters written by him p. 423 424. his diary p. 425. ¶ 14. quick wit and pious prayer ¶ 17. at his death ibid. EDWIN King of Northumberland and in effect Monarch of England after long preparatory promises Cent. 7. ¶ 39 c. at last converted and baptised ¶ 43. slain by the Pagans in Battel ¶ 60. EGBERT Arch-bishop of York famous in severall respects b. 2. p. 101. ¶ 23. his beastly Canons ¶ 24. EGBERT first fixed Monarch of England Cent. 8. ¶ 41. First giveth the name of England Cent. 9. ¶ 5 6. Is disturbed by the Danes ¶ 7. ELEUTHERIUS Bishop of Rome his Letter to King Lucius Cent. 2. ¶ 6. pretendeth to an ancienter date then what is due thereunto ¶ 7. sends two Divines into Britain ¶ 8. ELIE Abbey made the See of a Bishop b. 3. p. 23. ¶ 23. the feasts therein exceed all in England b. 6. p. 299. ¶ 11. Q. ELIZABETH proclaimed b. 8. p. 43. ¶ 56. assumeth the title of supream head of the Church b. 9. p. 152. ¶ 4. defended therein against Papists p. 53. ¶ 5 6. c. Excommunicated by Pope Pius quintus b. 9. p. 93 94. Her farewell to Oxford with a Latine Oration b. 9. p. 223. ¶ 7 8. Her well-come to Cambridge with a Latine Oration Hist of Cambridge p. 138. her death b. 10. p. 4. ¶ 12. Iohn ELMAR Bishop of London his death and Character b. 9. p. 223. ¶ 10. ELVANUS sent by King Lucius to Eleutherius Bishop of
setled them in London Norwich Cambridg Northampion c. In what capacity these Jews came over I finde not perchance as plunderers to buy such oppressed English mens goods which Christians would not meddle with Sufficeth it us to know that an invasion by Conquest such as King William then made is like an Inn entertaining all adventurers and it may be these Jewish bankers assisted the Conquerour with their coin These Jews though forbidden to buy land in England grew rich by usury their consciences being so wide that they were none at all so that in the barest pasture in which a Christian would starve a Jew would grow fat hee bites so close unto the ground And ever low down their backs is part of Gods curse upon the Jews And crook-back'd men as they eye the earth the center of wealth so they quickly see what straight persons pass by and easily stoop to take up that they finde thereon and therefore no wonder if the Jewish nation whose souls are bowed down with covetousness quickly wax wealthy therewith King William favoured them very much and Rusiu his Son much more especially if that speech reported of him be true that he should swear by S t Lake's face his common oath if b Slows Survey of London pag. 288. the Jews could overcome the Christians he himself would become one of their sect 25. Now was the time come of King Williams death 22. Sept. 9. ending his dayes in Normandy 1088 But see the unhappiness of all humane felicity The death of King Wilâ—â— with the difficulty of his burial for his breath and his servants forsook him both together the later leaving him as if his body should bury it self How many hundreds held land of him in Knights-service whereas now neither Knight nor Esquire to attend him At last with much ado his corps are brought in mean manner to be interred in Cane As they were prepared for the earth a private person forbids the burial till satisfaction was made unto him because the King had violently taken from him that ground on which that Church was erected Doth not Solomon say true A living dog is better then a dead lion when such a little curr durst snarle as the corps of a King and a Conqueror At last the Monks of Cane made a composition and the body was buried And as it was long before this Kings corps could get peaceable possession of a grave so since by a firm ejection he hath been outed of the fame When French souldiers c Stows Chron. at the death of King William Anno Domini 1562. amongst whom some English were mingled under Chattllion conducting the remnant of those which escaped in the battel of Dreux took the City of Cane in his way out of pretence forfooth to seek for some treasure supposed to be hid in his Tomb most baratously and cowardly brake up his coffin and cast his bones out of the same 26. William the Conquerour left three sons Sept. 9. Robert 1087 William The three sons of the Conqueror how denominated and Henry and because hereditary sir-names were not yet fixed in families they were thus denominated and distinguished 1. The eldest from his goods of fortune to which cloaths are reduced Robert Curthose from the short hose he wore not onely for fancy but sometime for need cutting his coat according to his cloath his means all his life long being scant and necessitous 2. The second from the goods of his body viz. a ruddy complexion William Rufus or Red. But whether a lovely and amiable or ireful and cholerick Red Anno Dom. 1087. the Reader on perusal of his life Anno Regis Ruf. 1. is best able to decide 3. The third from the goods of his minde and his rich abilities of learning Henry Beauclerke or the good scholar The middlemost of these William Rufus presuming on his brother Roberts absence in Normandy and pretending his Father got the Crown by Conquest which by will he bequeathed unto him his eldest brother being then under a cloud of his Fathers displeasure adventured to possess himself of the Kingdom 27. On the Twentie sixth of September King William Rufus crowned Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with good Wolstan Bishop of Worcester assisting him Crowned Rufus King of England though but his Fathers second son And indeed the known policy of the former and the reputed piety of the latter were the best supporters of his title Jacob we know acted with a prophetical spirit guiding his a Gen. 48. 14. hands wittingly laid his right on Ephraim the yonger and his left on Manasseth the elder brother but what warrant these Bishops had to invert and transpose natures method by preferring the yonger brother before the elder was best known to themselves Under Lanckfranck he had his education who b Mat. Paris pag. 14. made him a Knight though it had been more proper for his Tutors profession yea and more for his credit and his Pupils profit if he as the instrument had made him a good Christian 28. He began very bountifully His covetousness and inconstancy but on another mans cost 1088 not as a Donor Sept. 2. but a Dealer thereof and Executor of his Fathers Will. To some Churches he gave c Chronicon Johannis Brom. 〈◊〉 pag. 983. ten mark to others six to every country village five shillings besides an hundred pound to every County to be distributed among the poor But afterward he proved most parcimonious though no man more prodigal of never performed promises Indeed Rehoboam though simple was honest speaking to his Subjects though foolishly yet truly according to his intent that his d 1 King 12. 11. finger should be heavier then his fathers loins Whereas Rufus was false in his proceedings who on the imminence of any danger or distress principally to secure himself against the claim of his brother Robert instantly to oblige the English promised them the releasing of their taxes and the restoring of the English Laws but on the sinking of the present danger his performance sunk accordingly no letter of the English Laws restored or more mention thereof till the returning of the like Statestorme occasioned the reviving of his promise and alternately the clearing up of the one deaded the performance of the other 29. This year died Lanckfranck His enriching himself by Church livings Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 1089. after whose death 3. the King seised the profits of that See into his own hand and kept the Church vacant for some years knowing the emptiness of Bishopricks caused the fulness of his coffers Thus Arch-Bishop Rufus Bishop Rufus Abbot Rufus for so may he be called as well as King Rufus keeping at the same time the Arch-Bishoprick of Canterbury the Bishopricks of Winchester and Durham and thirteen Abbies in his hand brought a mass of money into his Exchequer All places which he parted with was upon present payment
Simon e Acts 8. 18. Magus with his hands ful of money would carry any thing from Simon Peter with his f Acts 3. 6. Silver and gold have I none Yea John Bishop of Wells could not remove his feat to Bath nisi g Mat. Paris pag. 17. albo unguento manibus Regis delibatis unless he had moist'ned the Kings hands with white ointment though a less proportion of a yellow colour would have been more soveraign to the same use And picking a quarrel with Remigius Bishop of Lincolne about the founding of his Cathedral he forced him to buy his peace at the price of a thousand marks 30. But in the mid'st of his mirth Anno Regis Gul. Ruf. 1. King Rufus Anno Dom. 1093. coming to Glocester fell desperately sick His sickness resolution of amendment and began to bethink himself of his ill-led life As all aches and wounds prick and pain most the nearer it draweth to night so a guilty conscience is most active to torment men the nearer they conceive themselves approaching to their death Hereupon he resolveth to restore all ill-gotten goods release all persons unjustly imprisoned and supply all empty places with able Pastors In pursuance hereof he made Anselme the Abbot of Beck in Normandy one of eminent learning and holiness of life Arch-Bishop of Canterbury which place he was hardly perswaded with much importunity to accept The first eminent act of his Archiepiscopal office which we finde was when preaching at the Court on Ash-wednesday he denied a Eadmerus Noverum lib. 1 pag. 23. Ashes and Absolution to all those Courtiers who affected effeminateness in their behaviour especially in wearing their hair long and kemb'd like women A sin no doubt for whereas Tertullian calls the length of womens hair Sarcinam suae humilitatis the same in men so promiscuously worn may be called Sarcina suae superbiae 31. There passeth a memorable expression of Anselme's Anselmes expression questioned cried up and commended by some for a master-piece of devotion namely That he had rather be in hell without sin then in heaven with sin which b Mr Fox Acts and Monum vol. 1. pag. 240. others condemn as an unfavoury speech not according to Scripture-phrase as from one not sufficiently acquainted with the justisication of a Christian man Indeed some high-flown expressions often knock at the door of blasphemy but yet not with any intention to enter in thereat in which we are more to minde the sense then the found of the words Amongst those may this of Anselme's be ranked uttered no doubt in a zealous detestation of sin yea which charitably may be desended in the very letter thereof For Adam we know was some c Gen. 3. while in Paradise Heavens suburbs after the eating of the forbidden-fruit yet was sensible of no pleasure therein which made him hide himself as prosecuted by his guilty conscience and some of the Ancients conceive that Christ went locally to hell yet no pain did feife on him there seeing sorrow can arrest none but at the suit of sin going before 32. But Anselme resuseth to send King Rusus 1000. l. to leave Anselme's words let us come to his deeds Who was scarce warm in his Arch-Bishoprick when the King sent to him for a thousand pound which sum being so small in it self Rufus usually demanding more of less Bishopricks and that after his entrance on his See free from any precontract might have passed without the suspicion of Simony under the notion of a meer gratuity However Aaselme refused to pay it because he would avoid the appearance of evil Others d Eadmerus Novorum lib. 1. pag. 22. say that he freely sent the King five hundred pounds with this complement that though it was the first it should not be the last he would present to his Majesty which the King in choler refused because short to the sum he expected Indeed Rufus onely retained this of all his Archiepiscopal education being bred under Lanckfranck as is aforesaid that thereby he experimentally knew the sweetness of Church-preferments and in his bargain and sale set a rate upon them accordingly being after his recovery from his sickness far more fordid and sacrilegious then before 33. Amongst the many Simoniacal Prelates that swarmed in the land 8. Herbert Bishop of Thetford 1094 must not be forgotten Herbert Bishop of Thetford his Simoniacal flattery nick-named or sirnamed shall I say Loseng that is the Flatterer our old English word leasing for lying retaines some affinity thereunto and at this day we call an insinuating fellow a Glozing companion Though the best perswafiveness of his flattery consisted in down-right arguments of gold and silver For guilty of the hereditary sin of Simony his father formerly having bought the Abby of Ramsey he purchased the Bishoprick of Thetford of the King But afterward he posted to Rome confessed his fault and was absolved from the guilt thereof Thus as the leprofie of Naaman was washed away in Jordan so that e 2 Kings 5. 14. his flesh came again as the flesh of a little childe and he was clean so this Bishop was perswaded Anno Dom. 1095 that all his Simoniacal corruption was cleansed Anno Regis Gul. Ruf. in this his holy pilgrimage conceiving himself henceforward to begin on a new account of integrity especially having after his return removed his Episcopal Seat from Theâ—ford to Norwtch where he first founded the Cathedral 34. wolstan Wolstan Bishop of Worcester dieth the venerable Bishop of worcester left this life 1095 A Bishop of the old edition 9. unacquainted with Lanckfranck's Italian additions not faulty in his conversation but Countrey because an Englishman borne It was laid to his charge that he could not speak French no essential quality in a Bishop as S t Paul describes a 1 Tim. 3. 2 c. Tit. 1. 6. c. him sure I am he could speak the language of Caanan humble holy heavenly discourse A mortified man much macerating his body with fasting and watching if not overacting his part and somewhat guilty of will-worship therein 35. About this time began the Holy War Duke Robert prepares for the Holy War which here we will not repeat having sormerly made an entire work thereof Robert Duke of Normandy to fit himself for that voyage sold his Dukedom to King William Rufus for ten thousand mark say some for six thousand six hundred sixty six pounds that is one mark less say others happly abating the odd mark to make up the rotundity of so sacred and mystical a number To pay this money King Rufus laid a general and grievous tax over all the Realm extorting it with such severity that the Monks were fain to sell the Church-plate and very Chalices for discharging thereof Wonder not that the whole land should bee impoverished with the paying of so small a sum for a little wool
idle Monks may fitly be compared 8. To repair the damage lately done by Montgomerie to the Towne of Cambridge Hen. 1. 2 King Henry the first bestowed many priviledges thereon 1101 which the University is so far from repining Cambridge first made a Corporation she rejoyceth thereat For well may the jewel delight to be put in an handsome cabinet He freed the Town from the power of the Sheriff making it a Corporation upon the payment of one hundred and one marks yearly into the Exchequer which summe the Sheriff paid before for his profits out of the Towne when it was under his jurisdiction Besides whereas the Ferrie over the river Grant was a vagrant before even any where where passengers could get wastage over by authority and custome it now began to be fixed neer Cambridge which brought much trading and concourse of people thereunto 9. About this time Barnwell 4 that is 1103 Childrens-well a Village within the precincts of Cambridge The original of Midsummer Fair. got both the name thereof and a Faire therein on this occasion Many little k Liber â—arnwellensis children on Midsummer or S t. John Baptists eve met there in mirth to play and sport together Anno Dom. Their company caused the confluence of moe and bigger boys to the place Anno Regis Hen. 1 Then bigger than they even their Parents themselves came thither to be delighted with the activity of their children Meat and drink must be had for their refection which brought some victualling-booths to be set up Pedlers with toys and trifles cannot then be supposed long absent whose packs in short time swelled into Tradesmens stalls of all commodities Now it is become a great Faire and as I may term it one of the Townsmens Commencements wherein they take their degrees of wealth fraught with all store of Wares and nothing except buyers wanting therein 10. Jews at this time came first to Cambridge Jews their first coming to Cambridge and possessed a great part of the Town 1106 called the Jewrie at this day 7 â—â—und-Church in the Jewrie is conjectured by the rotundity of the structure to have been built for their Synagogue Much like whereunto for fabrick and fashion I have seen another at Northhampton where Jews about the same time had their Seminarie Some will say Cambridge an inland Town of small trading was ill chosen by these Jews for their Seat where the poor Scholars if borrowing from these Userers were likely to bring but small profit unto them But let it suffice that the Jewes chose this place whom no Christians need advise for their own advantage Here their carriage was very civil not complained of as elsewhere for cruel crucifying of Christian children and other enormities 11 Now the Reader is requested seriously to preuse the following passage as faithfully transcribed out of an excellent l P Blaesensts in his addiâ—ament to the Hâ—st of Ingulâ—â—uâ— author Cambridge restored to Learning by the Abbot of Crowland and of high concernment in this our History Joffred Abbot of Crowland sent over to his manour of Cotenham nigh Cambria 1109 Gislebert his fellow Monk 10 and professour of Divinity with three other Monks who following him into England being throughly furnished with Philosophical Theorems and other primitive sciences repaired daily to Cambridge and having hired a certain publique Barne made open profession of their sciences and in short space of time drew together a great company of Scholars 12 But in the second yeere after their coming A grain of Seed soon grown a Tree the number of their Scholars grew so great 1110 as well from out of the whole countrie as the town 11 that the biggest house and barn that was or any Church whatsoever sufficed not to contain them Whereupon sorting themselves apart in several places and taking the Universitie of Orleance for their pattern early in the morning Monk Odo a singular Grammarian and satyrical Poet read Grammar unto boyes and those of the younger sort assigned unto him according to the doctrine of Priscian and Remigius upon him At one of the clock Terricus a most wittie and subtle Sophister taught the elder sort of young men Aristotles Logick after the Introductions of Porphyrie and the Comments of Averroes At three of the clock Monk William read a Lecture in Tullies Rhetorick and Quintilians Flores But the great Master Gilbert upon every Sunday and Holy-day preached Gods word unto the People And thus out of this little fountaine which grew to be a great river we see how the Citie of God now is become enriched and all England made fruitfull by meanes of very many Masters and Doctors proceeding out of Cambridge in manner of the holy Paradise c. 13 Thus Author writ some fifty yeeres after the coming of these Crowland Professors to Cambridge The time of this Authors writing so that who seriously considereth how learning there from a contemptible occasion by small meanes in so short a time improved it selfe to so great an height will conclude much of Providence therein and we may observe according to Scripture expression m 2 Chron. 29 36. God had prepared the people for the thing was done suddenly 15 But some adversaries to the antiquity of Cambridge An apparent injury offâ—red to Cambridge represent and improve this action much to her disadvantage as if newly now and not before she began to be an Universitie Objecting that if Scholars were at Cambridge before the coming of those foure Professors thither they shewed small civilitie in giving those strangers no better entertainment to whom they should have said as once n Gen. 24. 32 Laban to Abrahams servant Come in ye blessed of the Lord wherefore stand you without welcoming them to their Halls Hostles Chambers Studies with the best fare their present condition afforded Especially seeing Scholars of all men are soonest acquainted the sameness of profession commonly making them familiar at the first sight It seems therefore that at their coming thither either Cambridge had no Scholars in her or her Scholars had no manners in them yea had not read so much as Tullie his Offices to teach them civilitie to strangers professing learning but suffered them to live and read in a Barn by themselves 15. In answer hereunto She is vindicated from sucâ—aâ— traduce heâ— may the Reader be pleased to take into his impartial consideration the following particulars 1 Not much more then twenty yeeres since that mischievous man Robert of Montgomerie had dispoyled Cambridge And no wonder if the Blackbirds were slow in flying back to their nests which had been so lately destroyed 2. Yet a racemation at least of Scholars either remained in Cambridge all that plundring time or return'd soon after it For we finde King Henry the first o Caius in Hist Cantab. in the second of his Reign by order commanding some Civilians
there to perform their Acts and pay the Beadles their sees which formerly they refused and this was some years before the coming of the Crowland-Professors hither 3. Probably some emulation not to say envie a canker we finde fretting the fairest flowers might make some distance betwixt the old stock of standing Scholars in Cambridge and this new addition of Professors Our Aunt Oxford may easily remember what little love yea how great grudging there was betwixt her ancient Students and that new plantation of Scholars which S t. * Vide suprà Bo. 2. Centur 8. Grimbal under King Alfred first placed there 4. The marvellous increase of learning in Cambridge in so short a time after the coming of the Crowland Professors thither is justly imputed to this cause for that Cambridge had formerly been a place of learning Thus when green-wood is long is kindling brands which before were half burnt and then quenched doe quickly take fire and presently blaze into a bright flame In a word such men who have made remarkable additions to what was begun long before oftentimes as proudly as falsly conceit themselves the first Founders thereof Thus p Dan. 4. 30. Nebuchadnezzar Is not this great Babylon that I have built whereas he and all the world knew that Semiramis built it a thousand yeers before his cradle was made though he no doubt might strengthen enlarge and beautifie the same And as Restorers are apt to mistake themselves for the Founders so by infection of the same error the Spectators of such Repairers are prone to mis-interpret them for Beginners as here these Crowland-Professors are erroneously apprehended the Founders of Cambridge Thus the river Anas in Spain after it hath runne above sixty miles under ground may be by ignorant people conceived to have his Birth his fountain there wherein truth he hath but his Resurrection at his springing out of earth the second time And thus sluggards in the morning count the Sunne but then to arise when it newly breaks forth of a cloud and was risen some hours before 16. Pain Peverell Stander-bearer to Robert Duke of Normandy in the Holy-Land 13 removed Picot his foundation from S t. 1112 Giles in Cambridge where they were pent for room to a larger place of thirteen acres at Barnewell Pain Peverel foundâ— Barnewell Priorie about a mile off where one Godesonn formerly led an Eremitical life This Peverell encreased the number of those Canons from six to thirty because forsooth at that time he was just thirty yeers old and endowed them with large revenues Afterwards in process of time Barnwell became a prime Priorie through the bounty of many Benefactors and able at the dissolution of Abbies to expend of old rents low rated three hundred fifty one pounds fifteen shillings four pence Insomuch that the Prior thereof in the fourty ninth year of King Henry the third by Writ bearing date at Woodstock the twenty fourth of December was with many moe voluntariè summonitus freely summoned saith the Record to be present as a Baron in Parliament But let him make much of this favour which never before or after was bestowed upon him or his successors These Black-Canons of Barnewell were generally kind neighbours to the Scholars and their Prior did sometimes good offices unto them 17. Now amongst the eminent Scholars Alphred of Beverlie Student in Cambridge who at this time studied in Cambridge 1129 Alphred of Beverley was of especial note 30 He was born in Yorkshire lived many yeers in Cambridge to gain learning q Bale De Scriptor Britan Cent. 2. pag. 157. where he attained to be an excellent Philosopher Divine and Historian Returning into his native countrey at Beverlie he wrote the History of the British Nation from the beginning of the world unto his ownage which work was by him truly and elegantly composed He is commonly surnamed the Treasurer a title given him as I conceive not for bearing that office in his Covent but from his diligent searching discreet selecting methodical compiling and carefull preserving or treasuring up pretious passages of former ages for the use of Posterity This Alphred when living in Cambridge maintained himself as the rest of the Students there on his own cost every Scholar in that age being his own Founder and Benefactor For as yet no publique Halls or Hostles were built for to receive them but each one lived as r Acts 28. 30. S t. Paul at Rome in his own hired house as they could contract with the Townsmen who unconscionably improving themselves on the Scholars necessities extorted unreasonable rents from them as hereafter God willing shall appear 18. And here I must admire one thing and shall be thankful to such who will cure my wonder Unwonder me this wonder by shewing me the cause of that I wonder at What might be the reason that Monks and Friers in this age had such stately houses rich endowments plentifull maintenance whilest Students in the Universitie had poor chambers hard fare short means and that on their own or parents charges and yet there was more honesty industry painfulnesse and piety within the study of one Scholar than the cells of an hundred Monks Some perchance will impute this to the fancie of men lapping dandling and feeding Monkies and Marmosets whiles Creatures of more use are lesse regarded Others will say It was becauuse Scholars studied the liberall Monks the lucrative Sciences University men were more busied in reading Books than numbling of Masses and praying for the dead the main matter which brought grift to the Monks mill Whatever was the secret cause this was the apparent effect thereof Scholars as they were lean so they were lively attracted less envie procured more love endured more labour which made them to last and to live after the destruction of the other 19. William Meschines The first Earle of Cambridge brother to Ranulph Earl of Chester 1139 was by King Stephen made the first Earl of Cambridge Steph. 4 And it is no small credit to Cambridge that after this William none were ever honoured with that title but such who were Princes of the Blood Royall either actuall Kings of Scotland or Kings sons or nephews of England or forain and free Princes of their next alliance as hereafter God willing will appear at their several creations So carefull were our English Kings in choosing such persons for the place who receiving honor from so famous an Universitie might also by their high birth and honourable demeanor return lustre thereunto 20. For after the death of this Meschines David King of Scoâ—s Earl of Cambridge one may confidently pronounce that David King of the Scots commonly called S t. David was Earl of Cambridge And although his Chatter cannot be produced with the formalities used at his creation modern ceremonies at the investing of Counts not being used in that age yet Anno Regis Steph. that he was