shewed unto me by Dâ— Balâ—anquall his successour in the Savoy in which it appeared That he became a Suitâ—r unto King James for the Arch-Bishoprick of York then rumored to be voyd by the death of Doctor Toby Matthew the Arch-Bishop there though be happily outlived tha◠〈◊〉 preferred to the Deanary of Windsor and the Mastership of the Savoy with the Rectory of Ilsworth and was yearly presented by many of the Nobility and Bishops of this Kingdom with sundry rich gifts in Plate and other costly accoutrements All which not withstanding in the end he deserted the Church of England Yet upon a specious pretence forsooth as he gave it out of Reconciling the Church of England with the Church of Rome Whereupon about the same time and on this very occasion fell out the following passage betwixt him and Bishop Morton For being asked by the said Bishop thus Domine quid tibi in animo est convertere Papam Etiam Conclave Papale Spal Quidni an existimas eos esse Diabolos ut non possint converti Episc Coven Minime Domine neâ— puto Dominum Spalatensem esse Deâ—m qui hoc prestare possit Nostine Domine Canones istos Conc ' Tridentiniâ— Spalat Imò novi ausâ—â— sum tibi dicere Millies mille esse in Italia qui fidem nullam huic Concilio adhibent This passage is worth the translating The Bishop of Leichfeild asked him What my Lord is it your purpose to convert the Pope Yea and the Papal Conclave to Spal And why not doe you think them to be Devils that they cannot be converted Bishop Leichfeild No my Lord nor doe I think my Lord of Spalato to be a God who is ablâ— to performe so much Doe you know my Lord those Canons in the Council of Trent Spal Yea I know them well and I dare boldly say that there be many thousands of Italy who give no Faith to this Council c. However this passed away he went and since gone he would be gone he was formerly banished and commanded away out of England by the Kings strict command But being arived at Rome the case was altered the foriner Pope his friend being dead and because he did not or rather could not answer the Books or rather the authorities therein quoted out of the antient Fathers which he had Published and Printed at London De Repub. Christiana and others he found the just guerdon of his revolt for it was adjudged in the Holy Office as they call the Inquisition that his Corps being first strangled in the Castle of St. Angâ—â—â— should be burned in Campo Flori yet had he been fairely premonished and minded hereof by our Bishop who writ a large and learned Epistle l Now ready for the Pross after long and grâ—at desiring theâ—eof unto him in Latine a little before his departure which was consigned into his hands by the Writer hereof wherein as a true Prophet he warned him of that which came after to passe viz. His Treatment at Rome Yet notwithstanding upon the receipt of that Letter the Arch-Bishop testified his friendly respects unto our Bishop at the farewell of the bearer in these very words Salutes millies mille diâ— as Domino tâ—o nomine meo m It was often in hâ—â— mouth Ego moriar Archiepiscopus Spalaâ—ensâ—s During the time of his Government of this large Dioces of Coventry and Leiehfeild there hapned a Boy of the Village of Bilson neer Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford called George Purie who was seduced by the Popish Priests to become a Demoniack which thing he did as they tutored him whom after a small season they a Gods name must dispossess But yet all their working and fine devises were to very small or no purpose for the Devill had so wrought with the n The Devill had steeled his heart Iâ— was â—iâ— own worâ— and expression in his Confession after wards Boy that he accused a Woman and she a Papist for bewitching him whereupon she was committed to the County Goale at Stafford and this Boy was brought to the Assizes to confront her where before the Judges of Assize this Boy albeit hoodwinckt would seem to know of the woman Prisoner her comming to the Barr which he did as afterwards he confessed by the jingling of her Chains and divers strange prancks he there played in the face of the country as a Demoniack or person possessed so that at the last he was committed and recommended by the learned Judges of Assize unto Dr. Morton Bishop of the Diocess being then one of His Majesties Justices of the Peace who brought him unto Eccleshal Castle where he then resided and after a competent time found him to be a cunning Imposter Which things and many moe were layed open to Publick view in a Book Intituled The Boy of Bilson But afterwards he much detested and loathed the former cousening cheats and was bound Apprentice in Bristol How this Bishop spent his time in that Bishoprick of Coventry and Leichfeild his continuall Labors testifie viz. chiefly in Preaching the Word of God partly in Writing Books profitable to the Church of God partly in Conference with Recusants and Catechizing of his own Family weekly c. But for his free Hospitality both at Eccleshall and Leichfeild and his continuall relieving of the poor let them testifie who were eye-witnesses of which many are fallen asleep and perhaps some remain to this day Whiles he was Bishop here he had sundry learned men for his Chaplains especially that Reverend and Pious man of God Doctor Ralph Brownrigg on whom he collated the Arch-deaconry of Coventry when Bishop of Leichfeild and afterwards a good Prebend in the Cathedrall Church of Durham which dignities His Royall Majesty King Charles did Crowne with the Bishoprick of Exeter Mr. Stephen Haxbie and Mr. George Gippes both fellows of St. Johns in Cambridge and Mr. Isaac Basire with some others on whom he freely bestowed such spirituall preferments as fell in his Patronage Here I must not forget that blessed Saint of God Mr. George Canner a blinde young man for blinde he came into the world borne in the County of Lancaster whom with his Unckle who had the tuition of him this Bishop maintained both at the Grammer Schoole in Chester when Bishop there and after in the University till he became Batchelor of Arts in the University of Cambridge where he proved an excellent proficient And after Orders taken he placed him Curate at Clifton Canvile in Stafford-shire when he was Bishop of Leichfeild where he discharged that sacred Function by his diligent Preaching even unto admiration for the book of Common Prayer as the Church of England requireth and enjoyneth he could repeat by heart and understand the Rubrick sufficiently As for the Chapters in the Old and New Testament which were to be Read to the Congregation he had them perfectly by heart by his Unckles twice Reading them over unto him For the Administration of the blessed
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
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