I shall informe your Honours what I know in this matter Court Where did they meet Mr. Stone 1. At London in Travers Egertons Gardiners and Barbers House 2. in Cambridge at St. Johns 3. in Northampton at Mr. Johnsons and Snapes house 4. at Kettering in Mr. Dammes and my House Court When did they meet Stone 1. Since the beginning of the last Parliament of which they had great hopes Court Who met Stone Cartwright Travers Egerton Clark Gardiner Brown Barber Somerscales Chatterton Gyfford Allen Edmunds Gellibrand Culverwell Oxenbridge Barbon Flud Snap Johnson Sibthorpe Edwards Spicer Fleshwore Harrison Littleton Williamson Rushbrook Baxter King Proudtome Mastre Bradshaw Dammes Pallison Okes Atkinson and my Self and several Schollars of Oxford and Cambridge Court This is ingenuously done of you Mr. Stone and we look upon you as a man in whom there is no guile Stone I can do nothing against but for the Truth let Truth and Justice take place et ruet Mundus L. B. L. Thus one Linke being slipped out the whole chaine was quickly broken and scattered this one discovery marred all their meetings there being none now that could trust or be trusted Court Yet they were not quiet but being disappointed one way they attempted another for one Travers ordained beyond Sea and of so great repute among that party that with Mr. Cartwright he was invited to be a professor at St. Andrews upon Mr. Melvins motion being setled at the Temple a Lecturer endeavoured to gaine the great Interest of the Law on his side and there opposed Mr. Hooker about predestination the Church of Rome c. with a design as some think to make parties there for other purposes untill he was silenced by the Arch-Bishop 1. because he was not lawfully ordained 2. because he preached without Licence 3. because he had disturbed the peace and that wholsome order of Her Majesties That no Opinions should be publickly refuted but that notice should be given to the Ordinary to hear and determine such cases to prevent publick disturbance L. B. C. It was that he looked for that he might as he did afterwards in a supplication to the Councel set his Patron Cecil and others to revive the Good old Cause which if opposed by others as he knew they would be would be Patrons to that Cause if not for conscience yet for their honour Court He knew that if once great men be inveigled to appear they will go through with It. What became of this Master Travers L. B. W. When he could not prevaile in England he went to try whither he might reforme Ireland and to that purpose very cunningly got to be Priest of Trinity Colledge neer Dublin where he might have the advantage to instill his Principles into the Youth of that Nation and so secure to himself and Part if not this yet the next Generation Court Now it may be presumed that the Church of England had rest round about P. H. Not so for these men finding that people were weary of small diffences about Cap Surplice c. that they might have some just occasion to oppose the Church one Dr. Bound set up Judaisme in a Book asserting that Christians are bound to as strict an observation of the Sabbath as the Jewes by a precise rest from all recreations feasts study and whatsoever but praying hearing reading and holy conference which Doctrine was very taking for its own purity and their piety that owned it Court The cunning of these men while the Bishops are providing for Ecclesiastical authority against their Discipline they leave that as not so considerable among the vulgar and set up extraordinary directions for the Lords day which while the Church opposed it was looked upon as ungodly and prophane and now it was that this party got the opinion of purity and holiness among the people which was no small advantage to their Cause the piety of the persons being a fair way to perswade the world of the truth of their opinions but how were these men maintained when they were suspended P. H. Mr. Cartwright had a Catalogue of sixteen hundred sixty three Patrons who allowed the least of them five pounds a year towards the maintainance of that way and it is observed of him that he was very rich and it s known that Mr. Travers left Zion Colledge an excellent Library with 60 l. worth of Plate Court Some of them gained more by their private conferences then by their publick preaching they could otherwise have expected CHAP. IV. King James Reign COurt But now Queen Elizabeth was dead these men thought they were sure of King James who was alwaies bred under them and frighted to their way in his Mothers belly what was their carriage upon that alteration Sand. One Mr. Pickering a Northamptonshire Gentleman a favourer of that way rid post with the newes of Queen Elizabeths death to King James and no doubt took his occasion to urge something in favour of the Nonconformists but how far and with what answer he moved the King is uncertain But Dr. Tho. Nevill Dean of Canterbury sent by Whitgist brought back a wellcome answer of his Majesties purpose to uphold and maintaine the Government of the late Queen as she left it setled Court King James foresaw the dismal things the World was to look for from those men as appeares by his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He knew that a Presbytery as well agreeth with Monarchy as God and the Devil they are his own words He knew no Bishop no King L. B. C. Yet Mr. Cartwright dedicates his Comment on Ecclesiastes to King James and the Presbyterians prepared a Petition before hand against the Parliament sat managed by Mr. Hildersham Mr. Egerton which though called the millenary Petition yet with seven hundred and fifty two Preachers hands was it presented to the King and Parliament Court How did the King like this canvasing for hands L. B. E. His Majesty foreseeing that they were likely to trouble him and the next Parliament granted them a Conference at Hampton Court where Dr. Reynolds Sparkes and Mr. Knewstubs and Chadderton appeared on the one hand Bishops Bancrost Mathew Bilson Babington Rudd Watson Robinson and Dove Dr. Andrews Overall Borlow and Bridges Field and King appeared Court What did they desire Dr. R. 1. That the Doctrine of the Church of England should be kept pure for now to make us more odious they quarelled with our Doctrine 2. That good Pastors might be planted in all Churches to teach the same 3. That Church Government might be sincerely ministred according to Gods Word 4. That the Book of Common Prayer might be fitted to more increase of Piety Court What would they have altered in the Doctrine A. They would have predestination and perseverance more clearly held forth Court By all meanes and the Church must be now looked upon as unsound in Doctrine as it was afore corrupt in Discipline yea the nine Lambeth Articles and all the controversies about them
must be inserted in our confessions of Faith as King James sa'd of one Craiges in Scotland I renounce and abhor till his multiplied Renunciations so amazed the people that they fell back to Popery They urged other things about Ordination Priests intention Catechisme c. but that was only to colour over the maine design Court What did they more besides A. 1. They moved a reformation of Sabbath profanations Court Still they would be the only men that took care of purity and holiness A. 2. They moved a new Translation of the Bible Court Good good thereby they might perswade the people that they had not the true word of God A. 3. They prayed the suppression of seditious Bookes Court Better and better they had never writ any seditious Bookes I 'le warrant you What did they intend by good Pastors A. Such as would neither read Prayers nor Homilies but make Religion nothing but Preaching Court What were their exceptions against Common Prayer A. They excepted against the harmeless Surplice the antient sign of the Cross some words in the Matrimony against Ecclesiastical Censures by Lay-Chancellors Court What did they desire in Church Government A. That there should be a meeting of Ministers every three weekes in royal Deaneries who should reforme things in their Deaneries Court What was the issue of this Conference A. That they should all conforme or avoid the Land whereupon the Nonconformists there submitted Court The King observed that their exceptions were frivilous and such as argued more peevishness then conscience and that they did not so much dislike affairs as they disliked that they had not the ordering of them Were they now satisfied P. H. No but they agreed thus viz We whose Names are under written are agreed to make our humble Petition to the Kings Majesty that the present state of the Church may be reformed in all things needfull according to the rule of Gods holy Word and agreeable to the example of other reformed Churches c. Which Petition they subscribed thus Your Majesties most humble Subjects the Ministers of the Gospel that desire not a disorderly innovation but a due and Godly Reformation Court What would they have in that Petition A. They desired that Cross Surplice Confirmation Church-Musick Kneeling and bowing might be removed 2. that Baptisme should not be administred by Women 3. that the Communion be administred not without examination and a Sermon 4. that the Service should not be so long 5. Sunday to be strictly observed and the Holidayes not so 6. the word Priest and absolution c. changed 7. Canonical Scripture only read 8. an Uniformity of Doctrine prescribed 2. They desired that Pluralities and Nonresidence might be provided against and that ministers be not urged to subscribe but according to Law and that all ministers should Preach 3. Some reformation of Ecclesiastical Officers their Fees c. These things they urged saying to King James Who knowes not whether you are come to the Kingdome for such a thing as this Court This Petition they say was favoured by some Scotch grandees who would be considerable by being the head of a faction H. H. Yes it was so cried up that the Family of Love likewise presumed to Petition for themselves that they might have a toleration and liberty of Conscience and another party presented a Petition to the House of Commons assembled in Parliament H. W. Yea and the High Commission proceeded against them they began to entereain several Lawyers to dispute points of Law in their behalf so that most part of the Kings ministers Courtiers Lawyers c. were engaged in the promoting of that way Court Had they no design to carry on by the new Translation of the Bible A. Yes for they endeavoured to have the Geneva Notes inserted in the margin and so the Bishops Bible might have a Presbyterian Comment Court What did these men more in King Janes his Reign A. They did endeavour by strictness and severity in their conversation in keeping Sabbath c. to gaine the love of the people when they could not gaine the Countenance of the King and therefore they oppose the Kings Declaration for Sports on the Lords dayes one Thrask especially appearing violent that way S. H. Yea and as they were in great esteeme for their strictness so they would be for their industry they being the only men that opposed the Kings Declaration 1623. for Catechising in the afternoon instead of Preaching Court What said they against this Declaration A. They said first Christ sent Ministers to Preach and they should not forbid them 2. Soules should not be starved 3. They that were Licensed to preach might choose their Text and not be restrained to the Lords Prayer the Creed the ten Commandments c. 4. why should not men teach Predestination which the Scripture hath taught 5. Why should Lecturers be discouraged whereas the power of Godliness flourished most in those places where these Lecturers were Court Alas alas these Lecturers laid the strongest foundation for Nonconformity Catechising in the Afternoon edifyeth more in the principles of the Doctrine of Christ then both Sermons and for Predestination it is a point too high for most people to hear and for most Preachers to teach But this King kept them under well enough How came they to prevail in King Charles time CHAP. V. King Charles the Firsts Reign A. IN King Charles his time they observed first a faction at Court and they found some men willing to head them that they might ballance other persons who were head of the Protestant party 2. They observed the Kings necessities which a Parliament must supply and they knew the Parliament would be for their turn 3. They observed a difference between the Clergy and others about Arminianisme in opposition to which many joyned with them yea so considerable they were that it was observed that Doctor Preston rode with King Charles and the Duke of Buckingham in a Coach from Theobalds to London the Coach being shutdown the day King James died Court How got they in with the Parliament A. The Gentry were so weary of the High Commission and Star-Chamber and other severe Courts that they would joine with any body that would help to pull them down besides that there were several persons of great parts discontented for want of preserment as J. H. D. H. A. H. W. S. T. W. whose busie spirits kept under by King James were now more active in the indulgent time of King Charles Court Do they set these men immediately upon establishing their way F. F. No they stir them up against Arminianisme in Mr. Mountagues Bookes and others knowing that Mr. Mountague would have friends in Court and that these would oppose the Gentlemen in Parliament who enraged there with would close with this party more firmely and do any thing to spoile their enemies at Court Court Was it for Arminianisme that Mr. Mountagues Book called Appello Caesarem was
Conscience sake and to remove ill Councellors raise 26000. men they come to London terrifie all before them but mark the event the City is shut against them the Court is in Armes behind them they are most of them cut off the Duke of Suffolk Wyat the Lord Grey the Lady Jane Grey are executed at Towerhill as one Fetherstone a Miller who acted Edward the 6th was afterwards hanged at Ty-burn and all the good they did was to ruine several Families and exasperate the Queen to those severe Courses against the Reformed Professors which we read of in the Acts and Monuments of those times § 20. Anno 1558. Queen Elizabeth succedeth who now the fourth time altereth the publick Profession in this Nation the Pope excommunicateth her the Queen of Scots sets up her own Title against her Margaret Countess of Lenox and her Husband Arthur Pool and Anthony Fortescue favour that Queen the Papists were underhand stirred up by Ridolph a Florentine Commissioned to that purpose by the Pope The Duke of Norfolk consults with the Bishop of Roste about a Marriage with the Queen of Scots the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland and the Lord Dacres are up in Armes 1. That the Religion of their fore-fathers might be restored 2. That wicked Councellours might be removed from the Queen to great purpose you may be sure for first the Queen upon these practices was enforced to make those severe Lawes under which the Catholikes groan to this day 2. The Queen of Scots falls to very great troubles and hath not where to lay her head but in the Dominions of Queen Elizabeth the Duke of Norfolk comes to a miserable end the Earles of Northumberland Westmerland and many other Lords are proscribed and many hundred Families upon this account dispoyled of all they had in the World no less then twelve score of them being hanged drawn and quartered in London York Durham and the other seats of their Rebellion Felton that set up the Popes Bull upon the Bishop of Londons Gate was hanged drawn and quartered and they who attempted and conspired to release the Queen of Scots out of Prison fasten her more irremediably'in and brought themselves to sad ends no less then 37. being at once executed upon that occasion Campian and Parsons are hanged drawn and quartered Throgmorton is racked and hanged but the Papists go on write Books and perswade the Queens servants to kill her as Judith did Holophernes but to what end to their own ruine for the Authors and dispersers perish and the Government endureth Mendoza the Spanish Embassadour who procured the Catholikes much favour he was thrust hereupon out of England the Papists would have married the Queen of Scots to an English Catholike but that hastened her death and her friends ruine the Earle of Westmerland dieth miserably in exile Dr. Parry would kill the Queen at a Feast in his house but he brings himself to a wretched end the Male-contents contrive against the Queen and the Lords associate in her behalf particularly one Savage was by Dr. Gifford encited to kill the Excommunicated Queen when to make the Queen and Councel secure there was a Book written by the Papists exhorting their brethren to attempt nothing against their Prince to use only the Christian Arms of fasting prayers and teares Ballord is joyned with Savage who having consulted with Mendoza and others comes over in a Souldiers habit and under another name discovereth himself to Babington who drew into the Plot many zealous Catholikes as Tho. Salisbury Edward VVindsor c. and one Polly who discovered their progress of the Plot to VValsingham day by day but Gifford relented and opened to the Secretary the whole matter the Secretary sent him to the Queen of Scots to keep on his correspondence with her that he might betray her Letters which VValsingham perused sealed up again and sent to the respective persons to whom they were directed all their design was laid open the persons apprehended and fourteen of them executed the Queen of Scots Closets searched and Boxes secured and she her self after all her infortunate medling arraigned condemned and not withstanding the Intercession of France Scotland of the one whereof she was Queen Dowager of the other Queen Mother beheaded To prevent the Queen of Scots death about this time L' Aubespine the French Embassadour deales with one Stafford a needy young Gentleman whose Mother was of the Bed-Chamber to Queen Elizabeth Trappes and Moddy to dispatch the Queen while they are disputing whether it should be done by Poyson in her Meat and Cloaths or by Gun-powder under her Bed or by a Blunderbush as the Prince of Aurange was slain Stafford reveales all to the Lords of the Councel upon this the Queen seals a Warrant for that unfortunate Ladies execution and this was the fate of all these treasons that they hastened those mischiefes which they were designed to prevent as never taking any effect but in the downfall of the Authors The Catholikes conspire again the King of Spain invades us the World gave England over for lost in 88. when beyond expectation the King of Spains great Navy comes to naught abroad the Papists answer for their lives at home and a Law is upon this occasion enacted That none should entertain Popish priests upon pain of the Queens displeasure Yet the Papists are at work still to this purpose hire one Lopez the Queens Physician to make the Queen away by poyson and one Cullen an Irish man to do it with a Rapier both which Conspiracies are discovered by intercepted Letters and the persons are hanged drawn and quartered at Tyburn as Yorke and VVilliams were the year following for being bribed to kill the Queen a Traytor hitherto seldome escaping an extraordinary death But Treason is restlesse and about this time one Squire Groom of the Queens Stable poysons the Earle of Essex his Chaire and the Queens Saddle neither the one nor the other came to any effect save that the Traytor being discovered by VVallpoole his ghostly Father who upon the failure of his successe doubted his fidelity is arraigned and severely executed The Papists did not contrive more designes to overthrow the Reformation than some well-meaning Protestants did to promote it even beyond the established Laws they Petition they make Cecill Leicester and others friends at Court they hold meetings at Cambridge London Oxford Northampton and Leicester they draw up their Discipline they admonish the Parliament and make many friends in both Houses they write against the Queens marriage with Papists against the established Government and worship of this Church but what came of it why 1. Stubs for writing against the Queens marriage had his right hand cut off 2. The Authors Printers and Dispersers of Martyn Marre Prelate and Sions Plea with other Bookes are executed Penry and Barrow are hanged Mr. Cartwright Mr. Udall and others are Confined Suspended Silenced and Discountenanced severe Injunctions are upon their