which yet by the mercy of Almighty God was even miraculously quashed and overthrowne Whereupon Mr. Morton Published a little Tract which he instiled Dangerous Positions and Practises for Rebellion proving out of the Jesuites and other Pontifician Authors that they forged and maintained those Positions of thâ— now Church of Rome whicâ— were the grand work oâ— Treason and Rebellion againsâ— all Princes of Soveraigne Powers who had renounced and shaken off the Romish yoake This being past he Published 1606 the second Part oâ— his Apologiae Catholicae e Aâ—â—his timâ—â—e loâ—ged â—â— thâ— hâ—uâ—e of his hâ—nouâ—â—d Kinsmaâ— Sâ—r â—homas Vavisor Kniâ—ht-Maâ—shall of â—is Maâ—estiâ—s most honorable houshold Anno 1606. dedicating the same to King James of ever happy memory a Prince oâ— incomparable knowledge in all kind of good Learning But having now raised a nest of pernitious hornets about his ears by the Publishing of this Tractate who manifested their pernitious malice and gall against our Church by those virulent and stingie Pamphlets which they thrust out and dispersed This caused Mr. Morton not long after to write and Publish His Full satisfaction concerning a double Romish iniquity viz. Hainous Rebellion and more then Heathenish Aequivocation which Book was written in Answer to their Moderate Answer as they called it whereof Mr. Robert Parsons the Jesuite was the supposed Author And this Book likewise Mr. Morton dedicated unto King James at which time His Majesty was pleased to let him know how that his adversary Mr. Parsons was dead and gaine to the Divill as then was his Scottish Dialect In the year 1606. he took the Degree of Dr in Divinity in Cambridge where then disputed against him in the Schools that learned mellifluous and dexterouâ— Disputant Dr. Thomas Playfer the Lady Margarets Professor in that famous University where Dr. Morton so learnedly and worthily carried and demeaned himselfe in that Disputation That the Professor perorated in his just prayse these words Laudent te Libri in portis c. In this Commencement Doctor Morton Preached in St. Maries pro gradu upon that place of holy Scripture Gen. 4. 16. Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord c. At the same time Dr. John Overall the Reverend Deane of St. Pauls London the Kings Professor of Divinity adorned him with the Scarlet Habit and Ring which are used on those solemnities for compleating the degree of Dr. in Divinity Not long after the Deanary of Glocester fell voyd by death which upon Arch-Bishop Bancrosts commendation to the King was conferred upon Doctor Morton About which season travelling toward Gloucester by Oxon the Act there being then kept he was welcomed and highly esteemed by that thrice learned and famous Doctor John Raynolds President of Corpus Christi College and with much Academicall Honour incorporated Doctor in that famous University where he was likewise much honoured by many other Learned Doctors there as Dr. John King Deane of Christ Church that most powerfull Preacher his ancient friend afterwards the most worthy Bishop of London Dr. Ayrey the Learned Provost of Queenes College Dr. Aiglionbee head of Harts hall with many other Learned and Religious Doctors At which time there disputed pro gradu Magistri that hopefull Scholler Mr. Daniel Featley Fellow of Corpus Christi College who carried himselfe so quickly and learnedly in his disputing that he was very much admired and applauded among others by Dr. Morton for his singular ability in the performance of that exercise as he most justly deserved And indeed afterwards he became a most able Divine and singular disputant as was well known to many that were able to judge yea and Dr. Smith who by the Popes negative bounty was after made the titular Bishop of Chalcedon felt the weight of his arme and of those great abilities wherewith God had enabled him when as Dr. Featley being Chaplaine to Sir Thâ—mas Edmonds Knight His Majesties Ambassador Legier to Henry IV the French King he disputed in Paris before a select Company of English and divers others with the said Dr. Smith in sundry Points of Religion to the overthrow and confusion of his Adversary This Dr. Featley was ever after in high favour and esteeme with Dr. Morton who was his great Benefactor But since alas is dead that learned Divine but when and where posterity may with just griefe f For notwithstanding bis true and known worth he was exuted in those late destructive times of his Ecclesiasticall preform nis and amongst many others imprisoned in the Lord Peters House in Aldersgate London where falling very sick at last he had leave to take fresh Aire in the Country where after a short time be expired record Yet in testimony of his singular love and the Reverend Affection which he bare to Dr. Morton he wrote and Published among many other elaborate Pieces a learned book which he dedicated to Dr. Morton then Bishop of Durham Whilst Dr. Morton was Deane of Glocester it pleased the Right Honorable the Lord Eure Lord President of Wales to nominate and assume him to be one of his Majesties Councell for the Marâ—hes of Wales which dignity he enjoyed whilst Deane there in which Deanary succeeded him that most Learned Divine and Writer Dr. Richard Field Now within three years viz. 1609. was vacant the Deanary of Winton by the preferment of Dr. George Abbot from that Deanary to the Bishoprick of Coventry and Leichfeild To the which Deanary he was designed by the Kings most gracious favour with the congratulation and furtherance of his best friends in Court especially of that incomparably Learned Prelate Dr. Lancelot Andrewes then Bishop of Elie His Majesties great Almoner And about this very season Dr. Sibrandus Lubbertus Professor of Divinity at Franckar in West Friesland writ a learned Tractate in Latine against the Arminian Faction then much prevailing in the Netherlands which Book he inscribed to Dr. Morton Deane of Winton for which honor the Deane returned him many thanks in a Latine Epistle wherein he refuted those heterodox Opinions which weâ—â— then on foot About this time he wriâ— that elaborate and learned work which he intituled The Appeale And almost at the same time was vented by Mr. Brierley Priest his Book called The Protessants Apologie but knowâ— it was that he had ploweâ— with Deane Morton's Heifeâ— or Book then in the Press at London yet was he as quickly answered by the Deane at the same time so much as especially concerned the doctrinall Part thereof This taske of Writing this last Book was imposed on him by that vigilant Prelate Arch Bishop Bancroft and the examination of the testimonies of the Authors quoted in his Appeale was committed unto Mr. Thomas James that indesaâ—igable and laborious Keeper of the publique and famous Library in Oxon and to sundry other Learned Divines of that University but was afterwards finished in his private Library in the Deanary house of St. Pauls London where he
the House were required he orderly took the degrees first of Bachelor next of Master of Arts in the University and was after that Elected Fellow of the College Doctor Whittakers being his worthy Fautor and Promotor and not long after he became Logick Lecturer of the University which Office he discharged to his exceeding commendation Being now of mature years his own inclination being promoved by the holy Spirit of God he was admitted unto the Scared Order of Deacon and the next year of Priest by the right Reverend Father Richard Bishop of Peterborow in the year of our Lord 1592. and 1593. And having continued in the University about five years longer he was by Gods All-seeing Providence called into his native Country for his provident Father had at that time sought out and procured a good Parsonage for him called Long Marston where he spent his time as a good Pastor in the diligent Preaching of Gods Word unto his Parishioners there and sometimes in other neighbouring places especially where they most stood in need of Spirituall comfort and instruction In which Place whiles he was Incumbent he brought thither two learned and hopefull Seholers Mr. John Price and after him Mr. Matthew Levet sometimes his Pupills in St. Johns the later afterwards Prebendary and sub-Deane of the Collegiate Church of Rippon a most painful and learned Preacher and a carefull Overseer of that Church and Flock committed to his Charge and Government upoâ— whom afterwards he collated a good Prebend in thâ— Church of Durham wheâ— afterwards Bishop there At this time viz. 1598 Mr. Morton was called upoâ— to take the Degree oâ— Batchelor in Divinity iâ— St. Johns College in Cambridge when both by Preaching and Disputing in the Schooles pro gradu he performed his task sâ— Learnedly to his greaâ— commendation that hâ— was not only held worthy of that Degree but of an higher which in due time followed In the year 1602. he 1602. was made choice of by the right Honourable Ralph Lord Eure who by Queen Elizabeth was selected Lord Embassadour to the Emperour and King of Denmark to attend on him for one of his Chaplains Mr. Richard Crakanthorp that exquisite Divine was the other who long afterwards proceeded Professor of Divinity in Oxon and among other learned Books which he Published the last was his Verè Cygnaea Cantio that laborious and elaborate Answer to the Arch-bishop of Spalato then a renegado in Religion his Consilium Reditus which he indigitated Defensio Ecclesiae Anglicanâ— In this travail Master Morton having leave to pass further into high Germany there he saw and saluted some of the Jesuites Colleges and amongst sundry others that at Mentz where one Mulhusinius a learned Jesuite and he fell into acquaintance and had conference together in certain Points of Religion Which Jesuite then gave him a little Printed Tract with an Inscription under his own Hand To Mr. Morton which I have seen And at Colen he also was known to and conferred with another learned Jesuite called Nicolaus Serarius who afterwards c Though he did it obliquely because he had mis-named Baronius the Cardinall a Jesuite as though that were a disparagement unto him albeit Tolet and Bellarmine both of them Jesuites were dispenced with by the Popes pleniporencie to be translated into Cardinalls how strict soever the Rules of their Societie were against it made mention of Mr. Morton in a book whicâ— he writ and Published calling it Minerval againsâ— that miracle of Learning Josephus Scaliger In this Voyage anâ— chiefly at Franckford upoâ— the Moene he furnisheâ— himselfe with such varietâ— of learned books whereoâ— many were Pontifican Writers as upon his returâ— home became very useful to him for his Study anâ— in the exaration of sucâ— Learned Works in Controversies agitated betwix us and the Papists whicâ— in succeeding time he Writ and Published even almost during Life Being returned into England he became Chaplaine to the right Honorable and noble Lord Roger Earle of Rutland on whom he sometimes attended at Belvoir Castle where upon occasion he Writ a Paper of Verses which as I remember concluded thus Bella precor â—â—lvoir nomen quià Bella-videri Bella nisi fausto cum ominâ— ne videas Quem Leâ— terruerit quid eniâ—â— nisi vota precamur Hunc beet ô Belvoir qua Rosa nostra domum In the year 1603. fell 1603. that great and funebriouâ— sickness of the Plague at York whereof some thousands dyed but the pooreâ— sort of the Infected werâ— turned out of the City anâ— had Booths Erected foâ— them on Hobmoorâ— neer unto the City For whosâ— comfort and reliefe in thaâ— fatall extremity Mr. Morton often repaired untâ— them from Marston to preacâ— unto them the Word oâ— God and to Minister consolation to their languishing soules having withaâ— provisions of meat carrieâ— with him in Sacks to relieve the poorest sort withall But as often as he went thither he suffered not any servant to attend him but himselfe sadled and unsadled his Horse and had a private door-stead made through the wall of his study being the utmost part of the house for prevention lest he might bring the contagion with him and indanger his whole Family This was one of the works of mercy and charity About this time he was made choice of by the right Honourable the Lord Sheffield then Lord President of York to confeâ—â— and dispute in points of Religion with one Mr. Young a Popish Priest then Prisoner in York Castle and one Mr. Stillington a Gentleman of that perswasion which Conference was held before his Honour and the Learned Counsell in the Mannor house of York where were also present many of the Knights and Gentry in the County The main Point which was controverted and disputed of was The Popes Infallability of judging In the handling whereof his Adversaries were so gravelled and confounded that Mr. Morton won the reputation of an able Divine and acute Disputant This Disputation was never hitherto Published but is in their hands who may let it see the light now especially that both parties are defunct In the yeare 1604. he 1604. he look his Journey to London where by the incouâ—agement of the right Reverend and vigilant Bishop of London Dr. 〈◊〉 who about this time wâ—â— translated thence to tâ—â— Arch-bishoprick of Canteâ—bury he Published his fiâ— labour intituled Apologâ— Catholicae Pars I. and Deâ—â—cated it to the said Arcâ— Bishop his noble Patroâ—â— And about this time tâ—â— most Reverend Father God d Whom Campian the Jeâ—uite thus mentioâ—â—th Qui nuâ—c dominatur in concionibus 〈◊〉 5. Toby Matthew Loâ— Arch-Bishop of York thâ— famous Preacher confeâ—â—â— on him a good Prebend that Metropolitical Churâ—â— for his greater advancemeâ—â— and furtherance in Diviâ—â— Studies And now intending to goe forward with the second Part of his Apologiae he was for a time constrained to supercede for in the nick of this time fell out that most horrible and execrable GUN-POWDER-TREASON
God by his providence not to suffer mâ— to remain in the Dale wherein I could willingly have spent my dayes had there not been an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in it and to set me upon an Hill I pray God as a true light for the good of soules c. For as in his former dignities he was most free from â—mbitious prolling and seeking so was he as innocent from the touch of expecting or so much as desiring those preferments which after followed and were most freely conferred on him by those two most gracious Princes King James and King Charles hiâ— Sonne But when he stood designed Bp. of Chester agreat Oâ—â— who shall here be nameless cast an undeserved â— spersion upon Dean Moriâ— unto the King viz. Thâ—â— he was not fit to be a Bishop for that he had spoyled one â—â— the best Deanaries in England c. Which false câ—lumny was cast as a block in the way of his advancement to a Bishoprick wherewith being made acquainted he was of necessity to clear himselfe of so foule and undeserved an aspersion which he did by communicating the same unto his Brethren of the Chapter of Winton who unanimously testified under their Hands and Seales That Doctor Morton had been the best Dean that ever had been in their times And some of them were very old men and had long enjoyed their Dignities in that Cathedrall Church as Mr. Browne Mr. Barlow Mr. Harward c. So then this black cloud of Obloquy being dispelled he was Consecrated Bishop of Chester at Lambeth in the Province oâ— Canterbury by delegation from the Arch-Bishop of York in whose Province Chester is where were present many Noble Men and Gentlemen of the Court but chiefly a Noble Maâ— of Poland who had the education of Prince Rodzivils Sonne thither invited who very much admired the solemnity of the Ordination of the Bishops in England and the receiving of the blessed Sacrament whereof they then were partakers as it was Administred according to the Forme of the Church of England And not long after being recovered of a violent Fever which took him at Clayhall in Essex the House of that Honorable Knight Sir Christopher Hatton his most loving and deare friend he prepared for his Journey into Cheshire and advanced with his own retinew towards that Country but was encountred and met on the way to the City of Chester by so grand a number of the best Knights and Gentlemen of that County Palatine with their attendants and that multitude of Plebeyans thronging and rejoycing at the receipt of their new Bishop that the like hath scarce been seen there and perhaps in few places else where After a small time of his settlement there like a true Bishop and one mindfull of what he was sent for he convented the Non-conformist Ministers and called on them to shew the Reasons of their dissenting from the Orders and Discipline of the Church and told them That his purpose was to conferr with them publickly to reduce them to conformity with the Church of England At which time those Ministers insisted on those three Points First Crosse h Or rather after Baptisme as indeed it is in Baptise Secondly Kneeling at the receiving of the Lords Supper Thirdly Thâ— Surplice c. In which conference he argued with them very zealously and endeavoured by many Arguments to reduce theâ— to conformity with the Church of England but iâ— the end fell short of hiâ— pious expectation Yet no prevailing with those refractory Ministers not withstanding he wrought great work by Gods moâ—â— gracious hand and assâ—stance yea neer the veâ—â— same time by reclaiminâ— and reducing many of tâ—â— Lancashire Recusants and in bringing them home to the true Church through his industrious vigilance And not long after he Writ and Published a Relation of that Conference which was inscribed The three innocent Ceremonies which Book long after he being Bishop of Coventry and Leichfeild was impugned by one Mr. Ames as was conceived but most learnedly answered and defended by Dr. John Burges Parson of Sutton Cobfeild in Warr after that Doctor Morton had been many years Bishop of Coventry and Leichfeild About this time viz. Anno 1617. the Kings Majesty returned out of his Progress from Scotland and passed through Lancashire where he was Petitioned by the Plebeyans of that County for Recreation to be allowed on the Lords day which was accordingly gratiously granted by His Majesty Whereupon they growing insolent and being incouraged and heartened by some Gentlemen who were Popish Recusants they made ill use of the Kings gracious clemency and thereupon Bishop Morton made his humble address unto His Majesty and acquainted him with sundry particulars of their abuse of His well-meant gracious favour Whereupon it pleased His Majesty to command the Bishop to adde what cautions and restrictions he thought fit to be inserted into His Majesties Declaration for that purpose which was accordingly done viz. That they should have no liberty for recreation till after Evening Prayer That they should have no Beare-baiting nor any such unlawfull sports And that no Recusant who came not to Morning and Evening Prayers should be capable of such His Royall indulgence at all c. Having now resided towards three years in that Bishoprick it pleased the Royall Majesty of King James to cause him to be translated to the See of Coventry and Leichfeild where he succeeded that profound Doctor John Overall who was newly removed thence to the Bishoprick of Norwich in the year of our Lord 1618. And in the Bishoprick of Chester succeeded him Dr. John Bridgeman one of the famous Preachers of his time the more to be honored because it pleased God to bless him with a Sonne Sir Orlando Bridgeman Knight now Lord Keeper of the Great Seale of England which High Place may he long enjoy for the good of this Kingdom and honour of the Married Clergy In the time of his Incumbence in the Bishoprick of Coventry and Leichfeild he was acquinted with that grave and learned Scholler Marcus Antonius de Dominis late Arch-Bishop of Spalato in Dalmatia Saint Hierome's Countrey-man as he often used to call himselfe who had renounced Popery and passed over into England to draw the fresh and pure Ayre of Christs true Religion which yet some few years after i The most infamous Eccbolius of our times whose Corps were afterwards burned at Rome for a Relaps he most wretchedly deserted in hope of higher preferment at Rome upon the assurance which he built of his Quondam School-fellows Election to the Papacy by the name of Gregory the fifteenth But this Pope was quickly rid out of the way and another Pharaoh succeeded who knew not this Joseph But his change of Religion was the more to be wondred at for that by His Majesties gracious bounty he had been k These though competent Preferments could not allay or quench his sacred thirst for I have seen the Copy of a Letter which was