of the Church but Bishopricks being more essential to the Constitution of the same he did not onely preserve as before he found them but encrease their number Six of the wealthier Monasteries he turned into Episcopal Sees i. e. the Abbies of Westminster Peterborough Bristol Glocester and Chester with that of Ousney for the See of the Bishop of Oxon assigning to every new Episcopal See its Dean and Chapter and unto every such Cathedral a competent number of Quire-men and other officers all of them liberally endowed and provided for And that the Church might be continually furnished with sufficient Seminaries he founded a Grammar School in every one of his Cathedrals either old or new with Annual Pensions to the Master and some allowance to be made to the Children yearly and ordained also that in each of the two Universities there should be publick Readers in the faculties of Divinity Law and Physick and in the Greek and Hebrew Tongues all which he pensioned and endowed with liberal Salaries as the times then were Besides which publick benefactions he confirmed Cardinal Wolsey's Colledge in Oxon by the name of Kings Colledge first and of Christ-Church afterwards and erected that most beautifull pile of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge Those being the two fairest and most magnificent Foundations in the Christian World And as for the polity of the Church he settled it in such a manner that Archbishops and Bishops might be chosen consecrated and all the Subjects relieved in their Sutes and Grievances without having such recourse to the Court of Rome as formerly had drained the Realm of so much Treasure 8. The Earl of Hartford after Duke of Somerset the young Kings Uncle is chosen Governour of his Person and Protector of his Kingdoms till he should come to the Age of eighteen years The Protector and other Grandees of the Court presently entertain some thoughts of a Reformation In which they found Arch-bishop Cranmer and some other Bishops to be as forward as themselves but on different ends endeavoured by the Bishops in a pious zeal for rectifying such things as were amiss in God's publick Worship iâ— but by the Courtiers on an hope to enrich themselves by the spoil of the Bishopricks 9. Commissioners are sent forth into all parts of the Kingdom armed with Instructions to enquire into all Ecclesiastical Concernments in the manner of a Visitation directed by the King as Supreme Head on Earth of the Church of England Which Commissioners being directed into several Circuits were accompanied with certain learned and godly Preachers appointed to instruct the people and to facilitate the work of the Commissioners in all Towns and Places where they sate And that the people might not cool or fall off again in and from that which had been taught them by the learned Preachers they were to leave some Homilies to the same effect with the Parish-Priests which the Arch-bishop had composed not only for the help of unpreaching Ministers but for the regulating and enstructing even of learned Preachers The Preachers were more particularly instructed to perswade the people from praying to Saints from Adoring of Images from praying in unknown Language and some other like things whereunto long Custom had brought a Religious Observation All which was done to this intent That the people in all places being prepared by little and little might with more ease and lesse opposition admit the total Alteration in the face of the Church which was intended in due time to be introduced Among the Injunctions sent with the Commissioners were these following viz. That the laws for abolishing the Popes usurped Power be observed That the people be exhorted to works of Faith Mercy and Charity That Images be taken down That the Bible in English and Erasmus Paraphrase be placed in the Church That Ecclesiastical persons promoted give exhibitions to poor Scholars in the Universities That no Ecclesiastical person haunt Ale-houses That none preach without licence That no Curate admit to the Communion such who are in malice with their Neighbours That the Holy Day be wholly given to God except in times of harvest That Tithes be not detained That Priests be not abused c. 10. The famous Preacher at Court was Father Latimer who drew such multitudes of people after him to hear his Sermons that being to preach before the King on the first Friday in Lent it was thought necessary that the Pulpit should be placed in the Kings Privy-gatden where he might be heard of more then four times as many Auditors as could have thronged into the Chappel In which place was erected afterwards a fixed and standing Pulpit for the like occasions especially for Lent-Sermons on Sundaies in the Afternoon and hath so continued ever since till these later times 11. In the second of his raign An. 1548. his Majestic declared by Proclamation Septemb. 23. That for the setling of an Uniformity and Order throughout his Realm and for putting an end to all Controversies in Religion He had caused certain Godly Bishops and other notable learned men to be Congregated or called together And thereupon doth infer That notwithstanding many of the Preachers formerly licensed had behaved themselves very discreetly and wisely to the Honour of God and the contentation of his Highnesse Yet till such time as the said Order should be generally set forth throughout the Realm His Majesty did thereby inhibit all manner of Persons whatever they be to preach in open Audience in the Pulpit or otherwise by any sought colour or fraud to the disobeying of his Commandment And this he did to the intent That the Whole Clergy in the mean space might apply themselves to prayer to Almighty God for the better atchieving of this same Godly intent and purpose Not doubting but that all his loving Subjects in the mean time would occupy themselves to Gods honour with due prayer in the Church and patient hearing of the Godly Homilies and so endeavour themselves that they may be the more ready with thankful Obedience to receive a most quiet godly and uniform Order throughout all his Realms and Dominions 12. Here it is to be observed That those who had the chief directing of this weighty businesse were before hand resolved that none but English heads or hands should be used therein lest otherwise it might be thought and perhaps objected That they rather followed the example of some other Churches or were swayed by the Authority of those forein Assistants then by the Word of God and the most uncorrupted practice of the Primitive Times And though it was thought necessary for the better seasoning of the Universities in the Protestant Reformed Religion that Martin Bucer and Peter Martyr two eminent Divines of the forein Churches should be invited to come over yet we find neither of them here till the end of November 1548 when the Liturgie had been approved of by the King and Council if it had not also passed the Approbation of both Houses of Parliament 13.
The Book being finished and subscribed it was with all due Reverence humbly presented to the King by whom it was received to his great Comfort and Quietnesse of mind as the Statute telleth us and being by him commended to the Lords and Commons then assembled in Parliament They did not only give his Highnesse most hearty and lowly Thanks for his Care therein but on perusal thereof declared it to be done by the aid of the Holy Ghost and thereupon it was enacted That all Ministers in the Kings Dominions should say Common and open prayer in such order and form as is mentioned in the same Book and no otherwise 14. The raign of this Young King was indeed remarkable for the progresse of the Reformation but otherwise tumultuous in it self and defamed by Sacrilege and so distracted into sides and factions that in the end the King himself became a prey to the strongest party 15. The Physicians that attended him on his death bed whispered That neither their Advice nor Applications had been at all regarded in the course of his sicknesse That the King had been ill dealt with more than once or twice and That when by the benefit both of his Youth and carefull means there were some fair hopes of his Recovery he was again more strongly overlaid than ever It is affirmed by a Writer of the Popish party who could have no great cause to pity such a calamitous end that the Apothecary who poysond him for the horrour of the offense and the disquietnesse of his Conscience did not long after drown himself 16. In his dying prayer as it was taken from his Mouth we have those pious words Lord God deliver me out of this miserable and wretched life and take me among thy Chosen Howbeit not my will but thine be done Lord Blesse my people and save thine inheritance Defend this Realm from Papistry and maintain thy true Religion Ob. 6. Jul. An D. 1553. Aet 16. II. The Lady JANE GREY Out of Dr Heylins History of the Reformation 1. SHe was eldest Daughter of Henry L. Grey Duke of Suffolk Her Mother was the Ladie Francis daughter and in fine one of the coheires of Charles Brandon the late Duke of Suffolk by Marie his wife Queen Dowager to Lewis 12. of France and youngest Daughter of K. Henrie VII She seemed to have been born with those Attractions which seat a Soveraigntie in the face of most beautiful persons yet was her Mind endued with more excellent Charms then the Attractions of her Face Modest and Mild of Disposition Courteous of Carriage and of such Affable Deportment as might entitle her to the name of Queen of Hearts before she was designed for Queen over any Subjects 2. These her Native and obliging Graces were accompanied with some more profitable ones of her own acquiring which set an higher value on them and much encreased the same both in Worth and Lustre Having attained unto that Age in which other young Ladies used to apply themselves to the sports and exercises of their Sex She wholly gave her Mind to good Arts and Sciences much furthered in that pursuit by the loving Care of Mr Elmer under whose charge she came to such a large proficiency that she spake the Latin and Greek Tongues with as sweet a fluencie as if they had been natural and native to her exactly skilled in the liberal Sciences and perfectly well studied in both kinds of Philosophie 3. Take here a story out of Mr Ascham's Schoolm p. 11. in his own words One example Whether love or fear doth work more in a child for vertue and learning I will gladly report which may be heard with some pleasure and followed with more profit Before I went into Germanie I came to Brodegate in Leicestershire to take my leave of that noble Ladie Jane Grey to whom I was exceeding much beholding Her Parents the Duke and the Dutchesse with all the Houshold Gentlemen and Gentlewomen were hunting in the Park I found her in her Chamber reading Phoedon Platonis in Greek and that with as much delight as some Gentlemen would read a merry tale in Bocace After salutation and duty done with some other talk I asked her why she would leese such pastime in the Park Smiling she answered me I wisse all their sport in the Park is but a shadow to that pleasure that I find in Plato Alas good folk they never felt what true pleasure meant And how came You Madam quoth I to this deep knowledge of pleasure and what did chiefly allure You unto it seeing not many women but very few men have attained thereunto I will tel you saith she and tell you a troth which perchance ye will marvel at One of the greatest benefits that ever God gave me is that he sent me so sharp and severe Parents and so gentle a School-master For when I am in presence either of Father or Mother whether I speak keep silence sit stand or go eat drink be merry or sad be sowing playing dauncing or doing any thing else I must do it as it were in such weight measure and number even so perfectly as God made the world or else I am so sharply taunted so cruelly threatned yea presently sometimes with pinches nips and bobs and otherwaies which I will not name for the honour I bear them so without measure misordered that I think my self in hell till time come that I must go to Mr Elmer who teacheth me so gently so pleasantly with such fair allurements to learning that I think all the time nothing whiles I am with him And when I am called from him I fall on weeping because whatsoever I do else but learning is full of grief trouble fear and whole misliking unto me And thus my book hath been so much my pleasure and bringeth dayly to me more pleasure and more that in respect of it all other pleasures in very deed be but trifles and troubles unto me I remember this talk gladly both because it is so worthy of memory and because also it was the last talk that ever I had and the last time that ever I saw that noble and worthy Lady Thus far Mr Ascham 4. By this eminent proficiency in all parts of learning and an Agreeablenesse in Dispositioin she became very dear to the Young K. Edward to whom Fox not onely makes her equal but doth acknowledge her also to be his Superiour in those noble studies And for an Ornament superadded to her other perfections she was most zealously affected to the true Protestant Religion then by law established Which she embraced not out of any outward compliance with the present current of the Times but because her own most excellent Judgement had been fully satisfied in the Truth and Purity thereof All which did so endear her to the King that he took great delight in her Conversation 5. Thus lived she in these sweet Contentments till she came unto the years of Marriage when she that never found
insomuch as he was able to arme at all points both horse and foot and divers times had one hundred foot and fifty horse of his own servants mustered and trayned for which purpose he entertained Captains c. His house for the Lectures and Scholastick exercises therein performed might justly be accounted a little Academy and in some respects superiour c. His Domestick Chaplains both before and since his death attained to the chiefest honours and dignities in our Church and Common-wealth namely Bancroft Ravis Barlow c. 37. He carried himself with great Resolution and courage in the determination of Causes belonging to his proper Cognizance When a Gentleman of good note told him once that the Lords of the Council were of another opinion then his Grace What tellest thou me said the Arch-bishop of the Lords of the Council I tell thee they are in these Cases to be advised by us and not we by them He would upon such occasions oftentimes say unto his private friends toward his later time That two things did help much to make a man confident in good causes namely Orbitas Senectus and said he they steed me both 38. He gave Audience unto Suitors twice a day and afforded them set hours for their dispatch at which time he would so courteously intreat them giving so mild and gentle Answers that even they that sped not in their suits did depart without discontentment Wherein I may justly pare him unto Titus qui neminem unquam à se tristem dimisit He often feasted the Clergy Nobility and Gentry of his Diocess and Neighbourhood at Christmas especially his Gates were alwayes open and his Hall set twice or thrice over with strangers Every year he entertained the Queen at one of his houses and some years twice or thrice who besides other favours would bid him Farewell by the name of her Black Husband c. 39. His Charity is testifyed by that notable Monument his Hospital of the blessed Trinity in Croydon which he built very fair and Colledge-wise for a Warden and eight and twenty Brothers and Sisters He builded also near unto it a goodly free School with a School-masters house allowing to the School-master twenty pounds by year for ever And when he had finished and done the whole work he found himself no worse in his estate then when he first began which he ascribed unto the extraordinary blessing and goodnesse of God After which when the French Ambassador by whom he was reputed a peerlesse Prelate for piety and learning enquiring what Books he had written was told He had only published certain Books in the English tongue in defence of the Ecclesiastical Government and that he had founded an Hospital and a School The Embassador replyed Profecto Hospitale ad sublevandam paupertatem Schola ad instruendam juventutem sunt optimi libri quos Archiepiscopus conscribere potuit 30. 1603. Ap. 28. He was the principal Mourner at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth crowned and anointed King James Jul. 25. being visited by his Majesty in his sicknesse spake to him earnestly in Latin and by his last words pro ecclesia Dei pro ecclesia Dei was conceived by the King to commend unto his royal care as he had done sundry times before the Church of England Ob. ult Feb. hora 8. pomerid An. Dom. 1603. Aet 73. V. Mr RICHARD HOOKER Out of his life written by the R. R. Bishop of Exeter Dr Gauden 1. HE was born in the West either in or not far from the City of Exeter An. 1550. A Country that is as Mr Cambden observes ferax ingeniorum But with what presages of his future eminency there is not any notice to be had One of his Vncles was Chamberlain of Exeter in Mr Hookers Youth and contributed both care and cost toward his Education in the free School there His Parents need no other monument of honour then this that they were blessed with so worthie a Son 2. This excellent Person had a body and soul every way so adjusted and suited to each other that they were like meet pairs happily married together and living peaceably His outward aspect and carriage was rather comely than Courtly his looks alwaies grave and reserved his soul more looking inward then exspatiating at his eyes or taking the outward prospect of his senses He went alwaies as if he meditated some great and good design what he designed he industriously acted without affectation or ostentation 3. His words were alwaies sober and well-ordered not more in number then weight He was like an hive full of honey of a plain outside and a narrow accesse and orifice but heavy as having in him all manner of good literature industriously gathered and aptly digested His friends or Confidents were few but choise as one that had no great opinion of himself nor sought the applause of others 4. While he continued in Corpus Christi Colledge few men of any note in either University but promised more than he did as to any great and publick undertaking not that he wanted a publick spirit or excellent Abilities in nature and education but he was so locked up and reserved by a natural modestie and self-distrust that he seemed to think it reward sufficient to have the conscience of weldoing and pleasure enough to see himself dayly profit in his studies and preferment even to envy to enjoy vertue though never so cloistred and confined to his own breast 5. Mr Hooker did not look upon the ease and quietnesse of a Colledge life as the ultimate design of his studies nor did he say with the Apostle It is good to be here as in a settled Tabernacle but gently embraced those small offers of Ministerial Employments in the Country which were made to him by such as thought them somewhat proportionate if not to his worth and learning yet to that humble plainnesse and simplicity of his Genius and mode of living His first living was Boscomb in the West to which the Colledge presented him his next in Lincolnshire called Drayton Beauchamp An. 1584. 6. The noise which some Non-Conformists made kept this good Country Parson awake who however he could bear with patience and silence the reproaches cast upon himself as a private man yet he thought it stupor to hear without just indignation his Mother reviled by ungrateful children Hence sprang that excellent work of the Ecclesiastical Policie Wherein he hath justly obtained this Encomium from all intelligent Readers That never any man undertook a better cause since the antient conflicts of the Fathers nor handled it with an honester heart an abler judgment or an eloquenter stile 7. His first five Books he lived to publish providence in time brought forth those esteemed Abortive the three last Books with such lineaments of their fathers virtue and vigour on them that they may be easily and justly owned for genuin although they had not the last politure of their Parents hand The seventh book by