many Earles and Barons as could conveniently stand about the Thrane With their solemne oath did lay their hands on the Crowne on his Majesties head protesting to spend their bloods to maintain it to him and his lawfull Heirs The Bishops severally kneeled down but took no oath as the Barons did the King kissing every one of them 28. Then the King took a Scrowle of parchment out of his bosom and gave it to the Lord Keeper Williams A Pardon generall granted who reâd it to the Commons four severall times East West North and South The effect whereof was that his Majesty did offer a pardon to all his Subjects-who would take it under his Broad-Seale 29. From the Throne The Communion concludes the solemnity his Majesty was conducted to the Communion Table where the Lord Archbishop kneeling on the North side read prayers in the Quire and sung the Nicene Creed The Bishop of Landaff and Nââich read the Epistle and Gospell with whom the Bishops of Durham and St. Davids in rich Copes kneeled with his Majesty and received the Communion the bread from the Archbishop the wine from the Bishop of St. Davids his Majesty receiving last of all whilest Gloria in excelsis was sung by the Quire Anno Dom. 1625-26 Anno Regis Caroli 1 and some prayers read by the Archbishop concluded the solemnity 30. The King after he had disrobed himself in King Edwards Chappell The return to White-Hall came forth in a short Robe of red Velvet girt unto him lined with Ermins and a Crown of his own on his head set with very pretious stones and thus the Train going to the Barges on the water side returned to White Hall in the same order wherein they came about three a clocke in the afternoon 31. I have insisted the longer on this Subject moved thereunto by this consideration Our prolixity herein excused that if it be the last Solemnitie performed on an English King in this kinde Posteritie will conceive my paines well bestowed because on the last But if hereafter Divine providence shall assign England another King though the transactions herein be not wholly precedentiall something of State may be chosen out gratefull for imitation 32. And here if a Blister was not A soul mouth railer it deserved to be on the fingers of that scandalous Pamphleteer who hath written that King Charles was not Crowned like other Kings Whereas all essentills of his Coronation were performed with as much ceremonie as ever before and all Robes of State used according to ancient prescription But if he indulged his own fancie for the colour of his clothes a White Sute c. Persons meaner than Princes have in greater matters assumed as much libery to themselves 33. Indeed one Solemnitie no part of Why the King rode not through the Citie but preface to the Coronation was declined on good consideration For whereas the Kings of England used to ride from the Tower through the City to Westminster King Charles went thither by water out of double providence to save health and wealth thereby For though the infectious Aire in the City of London had lately been corrected with a sharp Winter yet was it not so amended but that a just suspicion of danger did remain Besides such a procession would have cost him threescore thousand Pounds to be disbursed on Scarler for his Train A summe which if then demanded of his Exchequer would scarce receive a satisfactory answer thereunto and surely some who since condemne him for want of state in omitting this Royall Pageant would have condemned him more for prodigality had he made use thereof 34. As for any other alterations in Prayers or Ceremonies A memorable alteration in a Pageant though heavily charged on Bishop Laud are since conceived by unpartiall people done by a Committee wherein though the Bishop accused as most active others did equally consent Indeed a passage not in fashion since the Reign of King Henry the sixt was used in a prayer at this time Obtineat gratiam huic populo sicut Aaron in Tabernaculo Elizeus in Fluvio Zacharias in Templo sit Petrus in Clave Paulus in Dogmate Let him obtain favor for this people like Aaron in the Tabernacle Elisha in the Waters Zacharias in the Temple give him Peters Key of dicipline Pauls Doctrine This I may call a Protestant passage though anciently used in Popish times as fixing more spirituall power in the King than the Pope will willingly allow jealous that any should finger Peters Keyes save himself 35. A few dayes after a Parliament began A Conference at York House Feb 6 11. wherein M r. Mountague was much troubled about his Book but made a fhift by his powerfull Friends to save himself During the sitting whereof at the instance and procurement of Robert Rich Earle of Warwick a conference was Kept in York house before the Duke of Buckingam and other Lords betwixt Dr. Buckridge Bishop of Rochester and Dr. White Dean of Carlile on the one side and Dr. Morton Bishop of Coventry and Dr. Preston on the other about Arminian points and chiefly the possibilitie of one elected to fall from grace The passages of which conference arâ variously reported For it is not in tongue combats Anno Regin Carol. 1 Anno Dom. 1626-2â as in other battails where the victorie cannot be disguised as discovering it self in keeping the field number of the slain Captives and Colours taken Whilest here no such visible effects appearing the persons present were left to their libertie to judge of the Conquest as each one stood affected However William Earle of Pembrooke was heard to say that none returned Arminians thence save such who repaired thither with the same opinions 36. Soon after a second conference was entertained Feb. 17. A second on the same Subject in the same place on the same points before the same Persons betwixt Dr. White Dean of Carlile and Mr. Mountague on the on side and Dr. Morton Bishop of Lichfield and Dr. Preston on the other Dr. Preston carried it clear at the first by dividing his adversaries who quickly perceiving their error pieced themselves together in a joynt opposition against him The passages also of this conference are as differently related as the former Some makeing it a a Thus the writer of Dr. Prestons Life concludes the conquest on his side clear conquest on one some on the other side and a third sort a drawn battail betwixt both Thus the success of these meetings answered neither the commendable intentions nor hopefull expectations of such who procured them Now whil'st other dare say Universally of such conferences what David saith of mankinde that of them b Psalme 14. 3. there is none that doth good no not one we dare onely intimate that what Statesmen observe of Interviews betwixt Princes so these conferences betwixt Divines rather increase the differences than abate them 37.
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 Yâa 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 tâereby 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 Lituâgy 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-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 Spoâswood 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
THE KNIGHTS âoined with y e MONKES of EâY by WILIIAÌ y e CONQVEROVR SIMONI ARCHER Equiti Aurato Antiquitatis cultori et in DIGMATOGRAPHIA exercitatissimo nec non lectissima D nae Annae T. F. The Brother to William Erle of Warren with Monke Leofricke William the Conquerer S t Ethelburge S t Ethelwarde Bishope Robert Oâfford the xiiij th Bishope of Elye Opsal Captaine of the Câosbowe-men w th Henke Godfryde Belase geâerall of the soldiours against Eley with Nonââe vtwalde Picot Bridge Moister with Monke Huskettle Arg entine Surgeon generall with Monke Elfritcke Gerard de longo Campo with Monke William Talbote sent ostentynes Embassadour with Monke Duffe Adam cheife Marshall of the Armie with Monke Seda Guido de S t Leodigara with the holy Monke Adelmere Hastings a souldior skilfull in Nauigasion with Monke Nigell Walter Lacy sheild bearer to y e Conquerour with Monke Occam Pamell Captaine of 300 foolemen with Monke Ednode Ahmude sonne of Alan with Monke Burthrede Abraham Pechy with monke Etholbert y e Elder Bardolphe maister of the workemen with Monke Recke Sewarde on englishman Vitualer of y e Campe with Monke Reoffine Fides de furnivall a lumbard with Monke OSulp Blounte Captayne generall of y e foote men w th Monkewillnete Brian Clare an old Souldior with Monke Cliton Hugh Mounteforti Captayne of y e Horsemen with Monke Odon Pagan Standerd bearer of the Horsemen w th monke Athelâale Bigotte Captaine of 300 horsemen with Monke Condulphe Dunstan le Grosmaneus with Munke Egberte Richard deponteful Conis with Monke leo fricke the younger Eucas de Novo Burgo with Olane the holye Monke of the Monastery Tuchet Captayne of the Bowmen with Monke Osburn e Nigellus Hamtaindote with Monke Donalde Eustalias the Blacke with Monke Edwin Eustalias the white Maister of the Scoutmen with monke Swan Bigotte third sonne of Bigotte with Monke Edmund Robert Marshall with Monke Renulphe Beamunde master of the Conâuerors horse with Monke Gurthe Kenulphus a German Soldiour with monke âskettle John of yorke an Englishman with monke Felix John Malmaine Standerd bearer of the footemen w th monke Otho Anthoni longe sword with Monke Alfrede Lucy a Norman Admirall to y e Conqueror with Monke Constantine Alexander demonte Vignite with Monke Dauid Lucaânalsus Captayne of y e Billmen with Monke oswalde Nasâ Captayne of 200 footemen with Monke Orme LICHFIELDENSIS ECCLESIA CATHEDRALIS IN AGRO STAFFORDIENSI IN ANGLIA FACIES OCCIDENTALIS RESVRGAM LEX VNO OMNIA Eliae Ashmole Arm Mercurio phylo Angla ãâ¦ã Accepta refundit T. F. Sam Purk pinxit W. Holl ãâ¦ã sculp THE CHURCH-HISTORY OF BRITAIN From the Birth of JESUS CHRIST Untill the YEAR M.DC.XLVIII ENDEAVOURED By THOMAS FVLLER LONDON Printed for IOHN WILLIAMS at the signe of the Crown in St. Paul's Church-yard Anno 1655. TO THE ILLUSTRIOUS ESME STUART DVKE OF RICHMOND I Have sometimes solitarily pleased my self with the perusing and comparing of two places of Scripture Acts 22. 22. The wicked Iews said of S t. Paul Avvay vvith such a Fellovv from the Earth for it is not fit that he should live Hebrews 11. 38. S t. Paul said of the Godly Iews Of vvhom the vvorld vvas not vvorthy Here I perceive Heaven and Hell Mercy and Malice Gods Spirit and mans Spite resolved on the Question that it is not fit that good men should live long on Earth However though the Building be the same yet the Bottome is different the same Conclusion being inferred from opposite yea contrary Premisses Wicked men think this world too good God knows it too bad for his Servants to live in Henceforward I shall not wonder that Good men die so soon but that they live so long seeing wicked men desire their Room here on Earth and God their Company in Heaven No wonder then if your Good Father was so soon translated to Happinesse and his GRACE advanced into GLORY He was pleased to give me a Text some weeks before his Death of the words of our Saviour to the Probationer Convert Thou a Mark 12. 34. art not far from the Kingdome of Heaven that is as the words there import from the state of Salvation But before my Sermon could be his life was finished and he in the reall acception thereof possessed of Heaven and Happinesse Thus was I disappointed O that this were the greatest Losse by the Death of so worthy Person of a Patron to whom I intended the Dedication of this first part of my History I after was entred on a Resolution to dedicate it to his Memory presuming to defend the Innocency and Harmlesnesse of such a Dedication by Precedents of unquestioned Antiquity But I intended also to surround the Pages of the Dedication with black not improper as to his relation so expressive of the present sad Condition of our distracted Church But scasonably remembring how the Altar ED a Ioshua 22. 11. onely erected for Commemoration was misinterpreted by the other Tribes for Superstition I conceived it best to cut off all occasions of Cavill from captious persons and dedicate it to You his Son and Heir Let not your Grace be offended that I make you a Patron at the second hand for though I confesse you are my Refuge in relation to your deceased Father you are my Choise in reference to the surviving Nobility God sanctifie your tender yeares with true Grace that in time you may be a Comfort to your Mother Credit to your Kindred and Honour to your Nation Your Graces most bounden ORATOVR THOMAS FULLER TO THE READER AN Ingenious Gentleman some Moneths since in Iest-earnest advised me to make hast with my History of the Church of England for fear said he lest the Church of England be ended before the History thereof This History is now though late all Church-work is slow brought with much difficulty to an end And blessed be God the Church of England is still and long may it be in being though disturb'd distempered distracted God help and heal her most sad condition The three first Books of this Volumn were for the main written in the Reign of the late King as appeareth by the passages then proper for the Government The other nine Books were made since Monarchy was turned into a State May God alone have the Glory and the ingenuous Reader the Benefit of my endeavours which is the hearty desire of Thy Servant in Iesus Christ THOMAS FULLER From my chamber in Sion Colledge THE CHURCH-HISTORY OF BRITAIN Anno Dom. I. CENTURIE THat we may the more freely and fully pay the tribute of our thanks to Gods goodnesse The dolefull case of the Pagan Britans for the Gospel which we now enjoy let us recount the sad Condition of the Britans our Predecessours before the Christian Faith was preached unto them At that time they were without Christ being Aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenants of promise having no hope and without God in the World They were foul
where suddenly drawing out their Seaxes concealed under their long Coats being crooked Swords the Emblem of their indirect Proceedings they made their innocent Guests with their bloud pay the Shots of their Entertainment Here Aurelius Ambrosius is reported to have erected that Monument of Stone-Henge to their mentory 26. It is contrived in form of a Crown Anno Dom. 463 consisting of three Circles of stones set up Gate-wise The description of Stone-henge some called Corse-stones of a Camden's Britann in Wiltshire 12 Tunne others called Cronets of 7 Tuns weight those haply for greater and these for inferiour Officers and one Stone at distance seems to stand Sentinel for the rest It seems equally impossible that they were bred here or brought hither seeing no navigable water near such voluminous bulks are unmanageable in Cart or Wagon As for the Tale of Merlin's conjuring them by Magick out of Ireland and bringing them aloft in the Skies what in Charles VVain 't is too ridiculous to be confuted This hath put Learned men on necessity to conceive them artificall Stones consolidated of Sand. Stand they there in Defiance of Wind Weather which hath discomposed the method of them which if made of any Pretious matter a Bait to tempt Avarice no doubt long since had been indited of Superstition whereas now they are protected by their own Weight Worthlesness 27. Vortiger the British King fled into VVales 466 to his Castle Genereu Vortiger burning in lust burnt to ashes impregnable for Situation which he mann'd and woman'd conveying a multitude of his Whores into it and there lived surfeiting in Lust while his Land lay sweltering in Bloud Here Aurelius Ambrosius setting fire on his Castle burnt him and his to Ashes This gave occasion to the Report so constantly affirmed by many Authours and men are prone to believe Prodigious Deaths of such as led Licentious Lives that Vortiger's Palace like another Sodom was burnt by Fire from Heaven Indeed in a secondary sense it was true as all Exemplary Punishments more visibly proceed from Divine Vengeance But otherwise the first Raisers of this Fable did apparent Wrong to the Attribute of Gods Truth in pretending to do extraordinary Right unto his Justice 28. This Aurelius Ambrosius is said to be extracted of the Roman Race Aurelius causelesly slandred by an Italian who having done this Execution on Vortiger the Tyrant was a singular Champion of the British against their Enemies One composed of Valour and Religion wholly imploying himself in time of Peace to raise new Churches repair old and endow both unworthy therefore the Libell of an b Gotefrid Viterbiensis Chro. part 18. Italian Author who on no other Evidence then his own bare Assertion traduceth this Ambrosius to have been a favourer of Iudaisme Arrianisme Manicheisme and a Persecuter of the Professours of true Religion Thus the greatest Vertue is Sanctuary too small to secure any from the pursuit of Slanderous Pens and thus some humorous Authors leaving the Road of true Reports because common go a Way by themselves of different Relation so to entitle themselves to more immediate and peculiar Intelligence as if others being onely of Truth 's Councell had not received such private Instructions as themselves being Cabinet-Historians 29. Leave we this Ambrosius bickering with the Saxons The Academy of Learned men under Dubritius with interchange of Successe much commended for his Constancy in all Conditions For sometimes his Valour was the Hammer upon sometimes his Patience was the Anvil beneath his Enemies but alwayes he bravely bare up his Spirits and as the Sun looks biggest on the Earth when he is nearest to set so he carried it out with the boldest appearance in the lowest Declination of his Fortune If we behold the Church in his time the most visible estate thereof presents it self to us in the Academy which Dubritius kept near the River Wye in Monmouthshire His Father say c Iohan. Tinmuthensis in ejus vita some was unknown others make him to be son to d Chro. colleg Warwicensis Pepiau a Petty King in this Age it being observable that in this and the next Century all men eminent for Learning and Religion are either made without known Fathers or Sons to Kings no Mean betwixt these Extremes as by many instances may appear so that such as consider the Narrownesse of the Principality will admire at the Number of British Princes This Dubritius taught many Scholars for seven yeares together in Humane Divine Learning being Himself in his Life a Book of Piety of the best Edition for his Pupils to peruse amongst whom the chiefest Theliau Sampson Vbelin Merchiguin Elguored c. for the Reader had better believe then read the e Vid. Armach de Brit. Ecc. primord pag. 445. Names of the rest remarkable onely for Length and Hardnesse without any other Information Afterward Dubritius removed to Warwick haply mistaken for a Vid. Speed's map of that County Werwick Ann. Dom. 469 a Village some two miles from Cardigan and from thence it seemes returned to Moch-Rhos that is the Place of a Hog because he was admonished in a Vision in his Sleep there to build a Chappel or Oratory where he should find a white b Vid. Armach ut prius Sow lodging with the Hogs a clean Conceit and as full of Wit as Devotion It seems the Friar Father of this Fable had read as farre as the eighth Book of Virgil's Aeueids where the River Tiber in a Dream advised Aeneas to erect an Altar and sacrifice to Iuno in the place where he should find the Sow lying with the Pigs and from this Pagan Hint was advantaged for a Popish Legend 30. Here we cannot but renew our former Complaint Forged lies obtruded on posterity in heu of lost truths and it is some Mitigation to our Misery as perchance some Ease to the Reader if we can but vent our old Grievances in new Expressions how in stead of true History devoured by Time prodigious Tales of impudent brazen-fac'd Monks are obtruded upon us Thus when the Golden Shields of King Solomon were taken away c 1 Kings 14. 27. Rehoboam substituted Shields of Brasse in their room though not so Good perchance more Gawdy especially to ignorant eyes viewing them at distance and wanting either the Skill or Opportunity to bring them to the Touch. Amongst which the Tale of Cungarus the Eremite otherwise called Docâwyn but first let the one Man be allowed before his two Names be admitted may challenge a principall place being reported Son of a Constantinopolitan Emperour and d Joh. Capgrave in vita S. Cungari Luciria his Empresse A Name un-owned by any Grecian Historians The best is that unconscionable Liars though they most hurt themselves do the least harm others whose Loud Ones are both the Poison the Antidote seeing no Wise man will believe them Small Griet and Gravell may
Virginity another of the Celebration of Easter And about this time the Libraries of Monasteries began to be replenished with Books many being written in that Age. 5. By the way Multitude of books created by a mistake one Mistake I could not have discerned it my self had not a learned b Spelman in Conciliis pag. 210. Writer discovered it unto me makes Books of this Age more numerous and the Kings therein more Learned then indeed they were Namely because every Latine Charter granted by any King to a Monastery is termed by the Saxon Writers Liber or Libellus a Book Wherefore when they tell us of such and such Books made by the Saxon Kings understand we most of them of their Charters of Donation In which sense King Edgar who some two hundred yeares after this time founded as many Monasteries as Weeks in the year and consequently made as many Charters was a voluminous Writer of no lesse then fifty two Books And yet this large acception of Books will not make up the Number which Bale and Pitz pretend they have seen in this Age. A Vanity in them to affect a Title-learning though a Stationers Apprentice after some weeks Experience might excell them therein and the greater because many imaginary Authours which they make as if they had seen either were never extant or long since extinguished 6. But the multitude of Books encreaseth not our Marvel so much The numerosity of noble Saints in this Age. as the Numerosity of Saints such as they were in this Age whereof four parts of five according to the Herauldry of such who wrote their Lives were of Royall or Noble Extraction It addeth to the wonder because S t. Paul c 1 Cor. 1. 26. saith Not many Noble are called except any confine that Observation of the Apostle to times of Persecution whereas Christianity now in England flourished in all Peace and Prosperity But to render their noble Parentage at this time the more probable know that under the Saxon Heptarchy Royalty was encreased seven-fold in England which must beget a proportionable multiplication of Nobility attending them Yet when all is done as the Iewish Rabbins on their bare Tradition without ground from Scripture make Ruth the Daughter to Eglon King of Moab merely to make the Descent of their King David from her the more illustrious so it is suspicious that to advance the Temporall Reputation of these Saints such Monks as wrote their Lives causelesly ââarified and refined many of their Blouds into Noble Extraction However if truely pious indeed such Saints have the best Nobility in the Scripture-sense d Acts 17. 11. These were more noble because they received the word with all readinesse of mind 7. Of these noble Saints 708 S t. Guthlake a Benedictine Monk S t Guthlake the first Saxon Heremite was the first Saxon that professed an Heremitical life in England to which purpose he chose a Fenny place in Lincolnshire called Crowland that is the raw or crudeland so raw indeed that before him no man could digest to live therein Yea the Devils are said to claim this place as their peculiar and to call it e Flores Sanctorum written by Hierome Porter in the life of St. Guthlake pag. 348. their own land Is any place but the Prison of Hell properly theirs Yet wonder not at their Presumption pretending this Spot of ground to be theirs whose Impudence durst affirm that God had given them f Matth. 4. 8. all the World and the Glory thereof Could those infernal Fiends tortured with immateriall Fire take any Pleasure or make any Ease to themselves by padling here in Puddles and dabling in the moist dirty Marishes However Guthlake took the Boldnesse to enter common with them and erect his Cell in Crowland But if his prodigious Life may be believed Ducks and Mallards do not now flock thither faster in September then Heards of Devils came about him all whom he is said victoriously to have vanquished Anno Dom. 708 But whom Satan's Power could not foil his Policy had almost destroyed by perswading Guthlake to fast fourty dayes and nights together after the Example of Moses a Idem P. 347. and Elias till finding this Project destructive to Nature he was forced in his own Defence to take some necessary but very sparing Refection He died in his own Cell and Pega his sister an Anchoritesse led a solitary life not far from him 8. Doves also Aswinish conceit of a Monk a poor plain man was eminent in this Age a Shepheard say some a Neatheard others Swineheard say the third sort and that most probable For whilest he lived in Worcestershire not far from the River Avon the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared unto him even where fare well all good Tokens he found a lost Sow b Godwin in Catalogo Episcoporum pag. 301. with seven Piggs sucking upon her and to have given order that in that very place a Monastery should be erected to her Honour The beastly Monk who made this Vision had e'ne learned as far as Virgil's Aeneids whence he fetched the Platform of this pretty Conceit a place so marked being foretold fortunate to Aeneas to found Alba since Rome therein c Aeneidosl 3. Litories ingens inventa sub ilicibus Sus Triginta capitum faetus enixa jacebit Alba solo recubans albi circum ubera nati Hic locus Vrbis erit requies ubi certa laborum Where under Oakes on Shore there shall be found A mighty Sow all white cast on the ground With thirty sucking Piggs that place is ' sign'd To build your Town and ease your wearied Mind Here the Monk mutatis mutandis but principally shrinking the Number of the Pigs from thirty to seven as more mystical he applies the Apparition to his Purpose A pretty Parallel that Pagan-Rome and Popish Superstition if Hue-and-cry should be made after them might be discovered by the same Marks This gave the first motion to the Foundation of Eovesham Abbey so called from Eoves aforesaid first built in that Sow-place 9. But the Building thereof was hastened by a second The first Synod for Image-worship in England more neat and cleanly Apparition of the Virgin Mary in the same place who is pretended to have shewed her self with two Maiden-attendants to Egwin Bishop of Worcester prompting him to expedite a Structure therein d See Sir Henry Spelman's Councils pag. 210. Egwin posts presently to Rome and makes faith of this Vision to Constantine the Pope who convinced in his judgement of the truth thereof dispatcheth his Commands to Brightwall Arch-bishop of Canterbury 709 to assemble a Synod at Alncester in VVorcestershire to promote the building of an Abbey in that place which was done accordingly and the same was bountifully endowed by Offa and other Mercian Kings with very large Revenues And not long after another Synod saith my c Magdeburgenses Cent. sed ex
of much Uncleannesse it being appliable to them what the Apostle speaketh of others d Ephes 5. 12. It is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret And one may justly admire how these Canonists being pretended Virgins could arrive at the knowledge of the Criticismes of all Obscenity so that chast Love may lye seven and seven yeares in the undefiled Marriage bed and be utterly ignorant what the Language of Lust meaneth in such filthy Canons Yea when such Love by the help of an Interpreter shall understand the same it would blush for Shame were it not that that Red would be turned into Palenesse as amazed at so horrid Uncleanness 25. Some five yeares after 755 Kenulphus The Charter of Kenulphus to the Abbot of Abbington King of West-Saxons conferred large Priviledges on the Monastery of Abbington We will recite so much of his e Cited by Stanford l. 3. fol. 111. and this Charter was pleaded primo Hen. 7. fol. 23. 25. Charter as concerns us because usefull to shew the Power which Kings in that Age had in Ecclesiasticall Matters Kenulphus Rex c per liter as suas patentes consilio consensu Episcoporum Senatorum gentis suae largitus fuit Monasterio de Abbindon in Comitatu Barke ac cuidam Richino tunc Abbati Monasterii c. quandam ruris sui portionem id est quindecim Mansias in loco qui à ruricolis tunc nuncupabatur Culnam cum omnibus utilitatibus ad eandem pertinentibus tam in magnis quam in modicis rebus in aeternam haereditatem Et quod praedictus Richinus c. ab omni Episcopali jure in sempiternum esset quietus ut inhabitatores ejus nullius Episcopi aut suorum Officialium jugo inde deprimantur sed in cunctis rerum eventibus discussionibus causarum Abbatis Monasterii praedicti decreto subjiciantur Ita quod c. Kenulphus King c. by his Letters Patents with the advice and consent of the Bishops and Counsellours of His Country hath given to the Monastery of Abbindon in the County of Barks and to one Richine then Abbot of the Monastery c. a certain portion of his land that is to say fifteen Mansions in a place which then of the Inhabitants was called Culnam with all Profits to the same belonging as well in great as mean matters Anno Dom. 755 as an inheritance forever And that the aforesaid Richine c. should be for ever acquit from all Episcopal jurisdiction that the Inhabitants thereof be thenceforth oppressed with the yoke of no Bishop or his Officials but in all events of matters and discussions of causes they be subject to the decree of the Abbot of the aforesaid Monastery So that c. From this Charter S t. Edward a His Reports part 5. fol. 9. Cook the Kings Attorney inferreth that King Kenulphus had Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction in himself in that he had power to discharge and exempt this Abbot from the Iurisdiction of the Bishop Which Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction was alwayes invested in the Imperiall Crown of England and therefore the Statute made under Henry the eighth concerning the Kings Spirituall Authority was not introductory of a new Law but declaratory onely of an old 26. But Father Parsons for he it is who stands under the Vizard of the Catholick Divine The Cavills of Parsons against S t. Edw. Cook confuted in a Book wrote of set purpose against Master Attorney in this point will by no means allow King Kenulphus any Ecclesiasticall Power but by many Fetches seeks to evade so pregnant a Proof Arg. 1. First he b Catholick Divine alias Parsons in his answer to the Kings Attorney p. 95 96 c. pleadeth that in this Charter Kenulphus did not exempt the Abbot from all Iurisdiction Spirituall of the Bishop but from some Temporall Interest or Pretense which perhaps the Bishop of the Diocese claimed over the Lordship of Culnam Answ Perhaps commend not his Modesty but thank his Guiltinesse for his timorous Assertion saith he but how doth this appeare for he bringeth no proof and if he affirmeth it on free cost we can confute it as cheap by denying it Arg. 2. Secondly saith he the King exempted the Abbot ab omni Episcopali jure that is from all Right of the Bishop and not Iurisdiction Answ Sharp Wit to cut so small a Mote in two parts for no purpose seeing jus and Iurisdiction are often known to import the same sense Arg. 3. Thirdly he objecteth the words no way seem fitly to agree to be spoken of the Bishops Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction which run thus That the Abbot should be quiet from the Bishops Right and that the Inhabitants from thenceforward should not be oppressed by the Yoke of the Bishops officers Answ Why what Incongruity but that these words may be spoken as they are of Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction Is the word Yoke too course a Phrase to be applied to the Bishops Spirituall Power as they sometimes did manage it I appeale to those who felt it for no Yoke is heavy to him that puts it on but to those who bear it Mark by the way the word he rendereth Officers is in the Charter not Officiarii Lay-Latine but Officiales which is Church-language and the very dialect of the Court-Christian and should be translated Officials to whom Bishops committed their Spirituall Power But Parsons knew well how to lay his Thumb on what he would not have seen Arg. 4. Fourthly Howsoever it were it is manifestly false saith he that this Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction of King Kenulphus was derived from his Crown it might be he had it from the Pope which is most likely Answ Which is most unlikely for no Clause in the Charter relates to any delegate power and yet such a Passage might easily have been inserted yea could not justly have been omitted if he had claimed his Iurisdiction by Deputation from the Pope Arg. 5. Lastly which he saith seemeth to convince the whole matter and decide the very Case one a Harpsfield Hist Aug. seculo primo c. 9. ex Mariano Scoto Rethurus Abbot of Abbington went afterwards to Rome to obtain confirmation of the Priviledges of his Monastery from the See Apostolick Answ What of this This post-fact of Rethurus argues no Invalidity in Kenulphus his former Grant but rather shews the over-Officiousnesse of a pragmaticall Abbot who to ingratiate himself with the Pope craved of him what he had before Yea such cunning Compliance of the Clergy with his Holinesse by degrees fixed in him a supposed Ecclesiasticall Power paramount which really he never had nor rightly ever ought to have See here the King's Power in Church-matters in conferring Ecclesiasticall Priviledges and this single Threed we will twist with another Instance so strong that the Iesuites Art shall be unable to break it in sunder 27. By the Constitution of Augustine 758 first Arch-bishop of Canterbury
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 Iâdice 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 Soloâcisme 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
he pleased Lastly on pious Princes whose blind Zeal and misled Devotion thought nothing too precious for him in which from we rank this Edward the Elder then King of England And it is worth our observing that in point of Power and Profit what the Popes once get they ever hold being as good at keeping as catching so that what one got by Encroching his Successour prescribed that Encrochment for a Title which whether it will hold good in matter of Right it is not for an Historian to dispute 3. But to return to our Story The Pope pleased and England absolved again We are glad to see Malmesbury so merry who calleth this Passage of the Popes interdicting England Iocundum memor atu pleasant to be reported because it ended so well For Pleigmund Arch-bishop of Canterbury posted to Rome bringing with him honorifica munera such Ushers will make one way through the thickest Croud to the Popes Presence informing his Holinesse that Edward King of England in a late-summoned Synod had founded some new and supplied all old vacant Bishopricks Pacified herewith the Pope turned his Curse into a Blessing and ratified their Elections The worst is a learned b Sir Henry Spelman in Conciliis pag. 389. Pen tells me that in this Story there is an inextricable Errour in point of Chronology which will not suffer Pope Formosus and this King Edward the Elder to meet together And Baronius makes the Mistake worse by endeavouring to mend it I have so much Warinesse as not to enter into that Labyrinth out of which I cannot return but leave the Doubt to the Popes Datarie to clear proper to him as versed in such matters The same c Idem ibidem Pen informs me that the sole way to reconcile the Difference is to read Pope Leo the fifth instead of Pope Formosus which for Quietnesse I am content to do the rather because such a Roaring Curse best beseems the mouth of a Lion 4. Hear now the names of the seven Bishops which Pleigmund consecrated in one day Vacant Bishopricks supplied and new erected a great dayes-work and a good one if all were fit for the Function Fridstan Bishop of Winchester a Learned and Holy man Werstan of Shireburn Kenulfe of Dorchester Beornege of Selsey Athelme of VVells Eadulfe of Crediton in Devon and Athelstan in Cornwall of S t. Petrocks These three last VVestern Bishopricks were in this Council newly erected But S t. Petrocks had never long any settled Seat being much in motion translated from Bodman in Cornwall upon the wasting of it by the Danes to S t. Germans in the same County and afterward united to Crediton in Devonshire This Bishoprick was founded principally for the reduction of the rebellious Cornish to the Romish Rites who as they used the Language so they imitated the Lives and Doctrine of the ancient Britans neither hitherto King Edward in a new Synod confirms his fathers constitutions nor long after submitting themselves to the See Apostolick 5. A Synod was called at Intingford where Edward the Elder and Guthurn King of the Danes in that part of England which formerly belonged to the East-Angles onely confirmed the same d Lambert in his Saxon Laws and Sir Henry Spelman in his Councils pag. 390. ecclesiasticall Constitutions which Alured Edwards Father with the said Guthurn had made before Here the curious Palats of our Age will complain of Crambe that two Kings with their Clergy should meet together onely actum agere to do what was done to their hands But whilest some count all Councils idle which do not add or alter others will commend their Discretion Anno Regis Edvardi Sen. 5 who can discern what is well ordered already Anno Dom. 906 approve their Policie in enjoyning such things unto others and principally praise their Piety for practising them in themselves And whosoever looks abroad into the world with a judicious Eye will soon see that there is not so much need of New Laws the Multitude whereof rather cumbers mens Memories then quickens their Practise as an absolute necessity to enforce Old Laws with a new and vigorous Execution of them 6. And now King Edward 14 remembring the pious Example of his Father Alfred in founding of Oxford 915 began to repair and restore the University of Cambridge Cambridge University repaired by King Edward For the Danes who made all the Sea-coasts of England their Haunt and kept the Kingdome of the East-Angles for their Home had banished all Learning from that place Apollo's Harp being silenced by Mars his Drum till this Kings Bounty brought Learning back again thither as by his following Charter may appear In a a Charta extat in MS. codice qui Cantabrigiae est in Aula Clarensi ejusdem meminit Tho. Rudburn nec non Ioh. Rossus nomine D. Iesu Christi Ego Edwardus Dei gratia Rex Anglorum divino compulsus amore praecepto Joannis Apostolicae Sedis Episcopi ac Pleigmundi Cantuar. Archiepisc consilio omnium Sacerdotum Principum meae Dominationis universa singula Privilegia Doctoribus Scholaribus Cantabrigiae nec non servientibus eorundem uti ab olim viguit indesinenter Mater Philosophiae reperitur in praesenti Fons Clerimoniae à me data seu ab Antecessoribus meis quomodo libet concessa stabili jure grata rata decerno durare quamdiu vertigo Poli circa Terras atque Aequora Aethera Syderum justo moderamine volvet Datum in Grantecestria anno ab Incarnatione D. 915. venerabili Fratri Frithstano Civitatis Scholarium Cantabrig Cancellario Doctori per suum c. The Credit of this Charter is questioned by some because of the barbarous Stile thereof as if an University were disgraced with honourable Priviledges granted unto it in base Latine But know that Age was so poor in Learning it could not go to the Cost of good Language Who can look to find a fair Face in the hotest parts of Aethiopia Those Times were ignorant and as it is observed of the Country-people born at the Village of b Camden's Brit. in Leicestershire pag. 517. Carlton in Leicestershire that they have all proceeding from some secret cause in their Soil or Water a strange uncouth VVharling in their Speech so it was proper to the persons writing in this Age to have a harsh unpleasant grating Stile and so much the sowrer to Criticall Eares the more it is sweetned with an affected Rhythm though a Blemish yet a Badge of their genuine Deeds which were passed in those times 7. Hear also what Iohn Rouse an excellent Antiquary The Testimony of Iohn Rouse concerning K. Edward's repairing of Cambridge furnished by King Edward the fourth with Privacy and Pension to collect the Monuments of this Land alleageth to this purpose Who being bred in Oxford and having written a Book in confutation of those which deduce the Foundation of this Vniversity from
infected To cry quits with him Doctor Tucker Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth in a Treatise he wrote of this Subject denyeth the Kings of France ever originally cured this Evil but per aliquam b In his charismate cap. 6. pag. 84. Propaginem by a Sprig of Right derived from the primitive Power of our English Kings under whose Jurisdiction most of the French Provinces were once subjected 38. Between these two Authours The indifferent Opinion violent in Opposition haply we may find the Truth whose constant Dwelling-place is pleasantly seated in a moderate Vale betwixt two swelling Extremes For it plainly appeareth by uncontroulable Arguments and Evidences that both the Crowns of England and France have for many years been invested with this miraculous Gift yet so that our English Kings are the elder Brothers in the Possession thereof For if S t. Lewes King of France who was contemporary with our King Henry the third was the c So witnesseth Andrew Chasne ae French Authour and others first of that Royall Race which healed this Evil his Cradle was more then 160 yeares after the Cossin of our Edward the Confessour from whom as is aforesaid our Kings derive this soveraign Power by constant Succession But methinks my Book in this Discourse begins to bunch or swell out and some will censure this Digression for a Struma or tedious Exuberancy beyond the just Proportion of our History wherefore no more hereof onely I will conclude with two Prayers extending the first to all Good people That Divine Providence would be pleased to preserve them from this painfull and loathsome Disease The second I shall confine to my self alone not knowing how it will suit with the Consciences and Judgements of others yet so as not excluding any who are disposed to joyn with me in my Petition namely That if it be the Will of God to visit me whose Body hath the Seeds of all Sicknesse Anno Dom. 1066 Jan. 4. and Soul of all Sins with the aforesaid Malady Anno Regis Edvardi Confessoris 24 I may have the Favour to be touched of his Majesty the Happiness to be healed by him and the Thankfulness to be gratefull to God the Authour and Gods Image the Instrument of my Recovery I 'le onely adde this short Story and then proceed A little before these Wars began a Minister not over-loyally affected was accused and was like to have been troubled for this Passage in his Sermon that Oppression was the Kings Evil. But being called to answer it before the Commissioners he expounded his own words that he meant Oppression was the Kings Evil not that the King caused it but onely cured it and alone in this Land could remedy and redresse the same 39. King Edward dying Childlesse Harold usurpeth the Crown caused by his affected Chastity 1066 left the Land at a Losse for an Heir in a direct Line Haroldi 1 opened a Door to the Ambition of Collaterall Pretenders Indeed the undoubted Right lay in Edgar Atheling Son to Edward the Out-law Grand-child to Edmond Iron-side King of England But he being tender in Age and as it seems soft in Temper and of a forrein Garb because of his Education in Hungary his most potent Alliance in Germany out of Distance to send him seasonable Assistance was passed by by the English Nobility These chose Harold to be King whose Title to the Crown is not worth our deriving of it much less his relying on it But having endeared Martiallists by his Valour engaged Courtiers by his Bounty and obliged all sorts of People by his Affability he was advanced to the Crown by those who more considered his Ability to defend then his Right to deserve it 40. William Duke of Normandy was Competitour with Harold William Duke of Normandy twisteth many weak Titles together who supplying in Number what he wanted in Strength of his Titles claimed the Crown by Alliance Adoption and Donation from Edward the Confessour though he was as unable to give and bequeath as VVilliam being a Bastard in the Strictnesse of Saxon Laws was uncapable to receive it But his Sword was stronger then his Titles and the Sins of the English more forceable then either to deliver that Nation now grown as Authours observe intolerably vicious into his Subjection So that in a pitch'd Field he overcame and killed King Harold with the prime of the English Nobility a just Punishment on their Perjury for their deserting their Lawfull Prince and such as survived were forced either to hold the Stirrup or Lackey by the Side of many a mean-born Norman mounted to Places of Profit and Honour This was the fifth time wherein the South of this Island was conquered first by Romans secondly by Picts and Scots thirdly by Saxons fourthly by the Danes and fifthly by the Normans This mindeth me of the Prophet Elisha's speech to a 2 Kings 13. 19. Ioash King of Israel Thou shouldest have smitten Syria 5. or 6. times then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it It seemeth five may but six must dispatch a People God hath already smitten this Island five times with a Rod of Forrein Invasion let us beware the sixth time that finall fatall Number for fear it prove the last and utter Confusion and Destruction of our Nation 41. Thus King VVilliam came in by Conquest William rebateth his conquering Sword with Composition though in the later part of his Reign growing more mild and moderate he twisted his Right of Victory with Composition as such who have ravished a Woman against her will endeavour afterwards to make her Reparation by Wooing and Wedding her whom formerly they had wronged so with Love to cover their Lust by the most excusable way of Marriage So King VVilliam though he had forced this Land yet afterwards not so much out of Remorse as Policy to suppresse frequent Tumults and procure Security to himself and Successours is said to have closed with the Commons in a fair way of Agreement restoring many ancient Priviledges unto them Thus though Conquest was more honourable for his Credit Composition was comfortable for his Conscience and accounted most safe for his Posterity Witnesse that judiciall Sentence which King William in open Court pronounced against himself adjudging the Lord of a Camden ' s Britannia in Norfolk Sharnborn in Norfolk Anno Regis Haroldi 1 being an English-man Anno Dom. 1066 true owner of that Mannour contrary to that Grant wherein he had formerly bestowed it on one Warren a Norman Herein the Conquerour confessed himself conquered submitting his Arbitrary Power and Pleasure to be regulated by Justice and the ancient Rights of English-men 42. But what Impression the Norman Victories made on the State Abreviate of the Doctrine of England in these Ages before the Norman Conquest let Politicians observe what Change it produced in the Laws we leave to the Learned of that Faculty to prosecute whilest
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
Yet the Pope endeavoured what lay in his power 16. to disswade Prince Lewis from his design 1215. to which at first he encouraged him Lewis Prince of France invited by the Barons to invade England and now forbad him in vain For where a Crown is the Game hunted after such hounds are easier laid on then either rated or hollowed off Yea ambition had brought this Prince into this Dilemma that if he invaded England he was accursed by the Pope if he invaded it not forsworn of himself having promised upon oath by such a time to be at London Over comes Lewis into England and there hath the principal learning of the Land the Clergie the strength thereof the Barons the wealth of the same the Londoners to joyn with him Who but ill requited King John for his late bounty to their City in first giving them a a Granted to the City Anno Dom. 1209. Grafton fol. 59. Mayor for their governour Gualo the Popes new Legat sent on purpose bestirr'd himself with Book Bell and Candle Excommunicating the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with all the Nobility opposing King John now in protection of his Holiness But the commonness of these curses caused them to be contemned so that they were a fright to few a mock to many and an hurt to none 21. King John thus distressed An unworthy Embassie of King John to the King of Morocco sent a base degenerous and unchristian-like embassage to Admiralius Murmelius a Mahometan King of Morocco then very puissant and possessing a great part of Spain offering him on condition he would send him succour to hold the Kingdome of England as a vassal from him and to receive the Law b Mat. Paris pag. 245. placeth this two years sooner viz. An. 1213. of Mahomet The Moor marvellously offended with his offer told the Embassadors that he lately had read Pauls Epistles which for the matter liked him very well save onely that Paul once renounced that faith wherein he was born and the Jewish profession Wherefore he neglected King John as devoid both of piety and policie who would love his liberty and disclaim his Religion A strange tender if true Here whilest some alledg in behalf of King John that cases of extremity excuse counsels of extremity when liberty is not left to chuse what is best but to snatch what is next neglecting future safety for present subsistence we onely listen to the saying of Solomon c Eccles 7. 7. Oppression maketh a wise man mad In a fit of which fury oppressed on all sides with enemies King John scarce compos sui may be presumed to have pitched on this project 22. King John having thus tried Turk and Pope and both with bad success sought at last to escape those his enemies 17. whom he could not resist 1216. by a far The lamentable death of King John and fast march into the North-eastern Counties Where turning mischievous instead of valiant he cruelly burnt all the stacks of Corn of such as he conceived disaffected unto him doing therein most spight to the rich for the present but in fine more spoil to the poor the prices of grain falling heavy on those who were least able to bear them Coming to Lin he rewarded the fidelity of that Town unto him with bestowing on that Corporation his own a Camd. Brit. in Norfolk sword Anno Dom. 1216. which had he himself but known how well to manage Anno Regis Joh. 17. he had not so soon been brought into so sad a condition He gave also to the same place a faire silver Cup all gilded But few dayes after a worse Cup was presented to King John at Swinshed Abbey in Lincoln-shire by one Simon b Wil. Caxton in his Chron. called Fructus temp lib. 7. a Monk of poisoned wine whereof the King died A murther so horrid that it concerned all Monks who in that age had the Monopoly of writing Histories to conceal it and therefore give out sundry other causes of his death c Mat Paris pag. 287. Some report him heart-broken with grief for the loss of his baggage and treasure drowned in the passage over the washes it being just with God that he who had plagued others with fire should be punished by water a contrary but as cruel an element d Compare Mr Fox Martyr pag. 234. with Holynshed pag. 194. Others ascribe his death to a looseness and scouring with bloud others to a cold sweat others to a burning heat all effects not inconsistent with poyson so that they in some manner may seem to set down the symptomes and suppress his disease 23. It is hard to give the true character of this Kings conditions King Johns character delivered in the dark For we onely behold him through such light as the Friers his foes show him in who so hold the candle that with the shaddow thereof they darken his virtues and present onely his vices Yea and as if they had also poisoned his memory they cause his faults to swell to a prodigious greatness making him with their pens more black in conditions then the Morocco-King whose aid he requested could be in complexion A murtherer of his Nephew Arthur a defiler of the wives and daughters of his Nobles sacrilegious in the Church profane in his discourse wilful in his private resolutions various in his publick promises false in his faith to men and wavering in his Religion to God The favourablest expression of him falls from the pen of Roger Hoveden Princeps quidem magnus erat sed minùs felix Atque ut Marius utramque fortunam expertus Perchance he had been esteemed more pious if more prosperous it being an usual though uncharitable error to account mischances to be misdeeds But we leave him quietly buried in Worcester Church and proceed in our storie 24. Henry Henry the third under Tutors and Governors the third of that name Hen. 3 1. Octob. 2â his Son succeeded him being but ten years old and was Crowned at Glocester by a moiety of the Nobility and Clergie the rest siding with the French Lewis Now what came not so well from the mouth of Abijah the son concerning his father Rehoboam posterity may no less truly and more properly pronounce of this Henry even when a man e 2 Chro. 16. 7. He was but a childe and tender-hearted But what strength was wanting in the Ivie it self was supplied by the Oaks his supporters his Tutors and Governours first William Mareshall Earl of Pembroke and after his death Peter Bishop of Winchester But of these two Protectors successively a sword-man and a Church-man the latter left the deeper impression on this our King Henry appearing more Religious then resolute devout then valiant His Reign was not onely long for continuance fifty six years but also thick for remarkable mutations happening therein 25. Within little more then a twelvemonth By what means King
swallowed up in Christ Church which is no single Star as other Colledges but a Constellation of many put together 50. Simon Langham is the fifth Langham Witlesee and Sudbury much merriting by his munificence to Westminster Abbie He was made Cardinal of St. Praxes and by the Pope Bishop of Preneste in Italy with a facultie to hold as many Ecclesiasticall preferments as he could get Hereupon he resigned his Arch-Bishoprick of Canterbury lived for a time at Avenion in France and there buried according to his own directions in a temporary Tombe in a Religious house of his own till three years after removed to Westminster William whitlesee succeeded him famous for freeing the Vniversity of Oxford from the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Lincoln formerly the Diocesan thereof As for Simon Sudbury the last Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in the reign of King Edward the third of him God willing hereafter The end of the third Book THE Church-History OF BRITAINE The Fourth Book FROM THE FIRST APPEARING OF IOHN WICLIFFE Untill the Reign of KING HENRY The Eighth SIC OMNI TEMPORE VERDO LONDON Printed in the Year M.DC.LV. To the Right Honourable JAMES HAY EARL of CARLILE VISCOUNT DONCASTER BARON of SAVLEY and WALTHAM WEE read in * 1 Chro. 11. 13. Holy-writ when the Israelites fled before the Philistines who spoiled a field of Barley how Eleazar the Son of Dodo made them pay dear for their Trespass so stopping them in the full speed of their Conquest that he saved Israel by a great Deliverance Inspired Truths need not the Security of humane History to passe them into our Beliefe However other writers afford Examples how one man in a manner hath routed a whole Army and turned the flight of his party into an unexpected Victory Thus the * George Buchanan Schol. Hist b. 6. p. 55. Chronicles inform us that when the Scots fled from the Danes at a place called Long-Carty one HAY an Husbandman then at Plough with his two Sons snatching the Yoak into his hand it is the man makes the weapons not the weapons the man not onely stopped the Enemies further pursuit but beat them back with a great Overthrow Whose valour King KENETH the second seven hundred years since rewarded with as much ground of the best in Scotland as a Falcon flew over at one flight before it did take a stand And the memory hereof is continued in your Armes who doth carry a Chronicle in your Coat Crest and Supporters Let none quarrel at your Supporters being two men holding each an Yoak in his hand seeing they are the Supporters general of all mankinde Eccles 5. 9. Solomon being himself a King observing that the King himself is maintained by husbandry Besides those Yokes procured the Scotch Liberty who otherwise had been miserably enslaved to the Danish Insolence And if the bearing of armes were so ancient amongst the Jews as the Rabbies will have it it is proportionably probable that the Posterity of Shamgar gave the * Judg. 3. 31. GOAD for the Hereditary Ensigns of their Family Nor must your Motto be forgotten CONSCIENTIA MILLE SCUTA A good Conscience is a thousand shields and every one of proof against the greatest peril May your Honour therefore be careful to preserve it seeing lose the Shield and lose the Field so great the concernment thereof No Family in Christendome hath been Ennobled on a more Honourable Occasion hath flourished for longer continuance or been preserved in a more miraculous manner It is * Titus Livius libro 2. do reported of the Romance FABII no less numerous then valiant three hundred and sixty Patritians flourishing of them at once they were all slain in one Battle one onely excepted who being under Age to bear Armes was preserved alive A great Fatality befell your Family in a fight at Duplin-Castle in the Reign of our Edward the first when the whole Houshold of * Camd. Brit. in Scot. Strath-erne pag. 705. HAYES was finally extirpated and not one of them visible in the whole World Onely it hapned that the Chief of them left his Wife at home big with Childe from whom your Name is recruited all springing as it were from a dead Root and thence deriving a Postume Pedigree This puts me in hopes that God who so strangely preserved your Name in Scotland will not suffer it so soon to be extinct in England but give you Posterity by your Noble Consort when it shall seem seasonable to his own will and pleasure All that I will add is this that seeing your Honour beareth three smaller Shields or In-Escutchions in your Armes the shaddow of the least of them with its favourable reflection is sufficient effectually to protect and defend the weak endeavours of Your most obliged Servant and Chaplain THOMAS FULLER THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITAINE Anno Regis BOOK IV. Anno Dom. 1. THe Romanists observe Ed. 3. 45. that several advantages concurred to the speedy propagation of Wicliffs opinions 1371. as namely Several causes of the speedy spreading of Wicliffs Doctrine the decrepit age of Edward the third and infancy of Richard his successor being but a childe as his Grand-father was twice a childe so that the reines of Authority were let loose Secondly the attractive nature of Novelty drawing followers unto it Thirdly the enmity which John of Gaunt bare unto the Clergie which made him out of opposition to favour the Doctrine and person of Wicliffe Lastly the envy which the a Harpsfield in his Historia Wicliffiana ca 1. Pope had contracted by his exactions and collations of Ecclesiastical benefices We deny not these helps were instrumentally active in their several degrees but must attribute the main to Divine providence blessing the Gospel and to the nature of truth it self which though for a time violently suppress'd will seasonably make its own free and clear passage into the world 2. And here we will acquaint the Reader Wicliffe guilty of many errours that being to write the History of Wicliffe I intend neither to deny dissemble defend or excuse any of his faults We have this treasure saith the b 2 Cor. 4. 12. Apostle in earthen vessels and he that shall endeavour to prove a pitcher of clay to be a pot of gold will take great pains to small purpose Yea should I be over-officious to retain my self to plead for Wicliffs faults that glorious Saint would sooner chide then thank me unwilling that in favour of him truth should suffer prejudice He was a man and so subject to errour living in a dark Age more obnoxious to stumble vex'd with opposition which makes men reel into violence and therefore it is unreasonable Anno Dom. 1371. that the constitution and temper of his positive opinions Anno Regis Ed. 3. 45. should be guessed by his Polemical Heat when he was chafed in disputation But besides all these envy hath falsly fathered many foul aspertions upon him
Vniversitas praedicta solvant teneantur folvere ipsi Domino nostro Regi Henrico haeredibus suis mille Libras legalis Monetae Angliae Concordat cum Originali GULIELMUS RYLEY Afterwards the King confirmed the same with the consent of the Lords and Commons in Parliament as in the Tower Rouls doth plainly appear 27. See we here the grand difference The effect of the Statute of Praemunire betwixt the Popes power in England before and after the Statute of Praemunire Before it his ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã was authentical and his Bulls received next to Canonical Scripture Since that Statute hath broken off their best Seals wherein they crosse the Royall Power and in all things else they enter into England mannerly with good King by your leave Sir or else they were no better then so much waste Parchment 28. This doth acquaint us with a perfect Character of King Henry the fourth Farwell to K. Henry the fourth who though curteous was not servial to the Pope And * Fourth book of his Instit of the Jurisd of Courts page 228. S r Edward Cook accounteth this his Oxford action though unwilling to transcribe the Instrument for the tediousness thereof a noble act of Kingly power in that Age and so we take our farwell of King Henry the fourth not observed as all English Kings before and after him to have erected and endowed any one intire house of Religion as first or sole Founder thereof though a great Benefactor to the Abby of Leicester and Colledg of Fotheringhay in Northamptonshire his Picture is not so well known by his Head as his Hood which he weareth upon it in an antick fashion peculiar to himself 29. At the Commons Petition to the King in Parliament Chaumberdakyns banished England that all Irish begging-Priests Hen. 5 1413 called * Rotuli in Turre in hoc anno The death of T. Arundel Chaumberdakyns should avoid the Realm before Michaelmas next 1. they were ordered to depart by the time aforesaid upon pain of loss of goods and imprisonment during the Kings pleasure 30. I had almost forgotten that just a moneth before the death of King Henry the Fourth Thomas Arundel Arch-Bishops of Canterbury expired famished to death not for want of food but a throat to swallow it such the swelling therein that he could neither speak nor eat for some dayes I may safely report what others observe how he who by his cruel Canons forbad the food to the soul and had pronounced sentence of condemnation on so many innocents was now both starv'd and strick dumb together Henry Chichely succeeded him in the place whose mean birth interrupted the Chain of Noble Arch-Bishop his two predecessors and successors being Earls sons by their extraction 31. The Prelates and Abbots especially The Clergie jealous of King Henries activity began now to have the activesoul of King Henry in suspition For working heads are not so willing to follow old wayes Hen. 5 1414. 2. as well-pleased to find out new ones Such a medling soul must ne sent out of harms-way If that the Clergie found not this King some work abroad he would make them new work at home Had his humor happend to side with the Lollards Anno Regis Hen. 2 8. Henry the fifth would have saved King Henry the Eight much pains in demolishing of Monasteries Anno Dom. 1414. 32. Hereupon the Clergie cunningly gave vent to his Activity Divert it on a war in France by divertting it on a long warre upon the French where his Victories are loundly sounded forth by our State Historians A warre of more credit then profit to England in this Kings Reigne draining the Men and Money thereof Thus Victorious Bayes bear onely barren Berries no whit good for food and very little for Physick whilst the Peaceable Olive drops down that precious liquor making the face of man to shine therewith Besides what this King Henry gained his Son as quickly lost in France Thus though the Providence of Nature hath priviledged Islanders by their entire position to secure themselves yet are they unhappy in long keeping their acquisitions on the Continent 33. Now began the Tragedy of Sir John Oldcastle The sad story of Sir John Oldcastle so largely handled in Mr. Fox that his pains hath given Posterity a Writ of Ease herein He was a vigorous Knight whose Martiall Activity wrought him into the affections of Jone f Camd. Brit. in Kent D la Pole Baronesse of Cobham the Lord whereof he became sed quaere whether an Actuall Baron by her Marriage 34. As for the Opinions of this Sir John Oldcastle His belief they plainly appear in his Belief which he drew up with his own hand and presented it first to the King then to the Archbishop of Canterbury wherein some things are rather coursely then falselie spoken He knew to speak in the Language of the Schools so were the meetings of the Wicklivists called but not scholastically and I believe he was the first that coyned and last that used the distinction of the Church Militant divided into Priest-hood Knight-hood and Commons which had no great harm therein as he explained it As for * In his 3 conversion Persons his charging him with Anabaptistical Tenets it is pitty that the words of a plain meaning man should be put on the Wrack of a Jesuites malice to extort by deduction what never was intended therein 35. But a worse accusation is charged on his Memory He is charged of Treason that he was not onely guilty of Herese but Treason But by the way it appeareth that Lolardisme then counted Heresie was made Treason by Statute and on that account Heresie and Treason signifie no more then Heresie and then Heresie according to the abusive language of that Age was the best serving of God in those dayes But besides this a very formal Treason is laid to this Lords account in manner following It is laid to his charge that though not present in the person with his Councel he encouraged an Army of Rebels no fewer then twenty thousand which in the dark thickets expounded in our Age into plain pasture of S t Giles Fields nigh London intended to seize on the Kings Person and his two Brothers the Dukes of Bedford and Glocester Of this numerous Army thirty six are said to be hang'd and burnt though the Names of three are onely known and S r Roger Acton Knight the onely person of quality named in the design 36. For mine own part The Author intricated I must confess my self so lost in the Intricacies of these Relations that I know not what to assent to On the one side I am loath to load the Lord Cobhams memory with causless crimes knowing the perfect hatred the Clergie in that Age bear'd unto him and all that look d towards the reformation in Religion Besies that 20000 men should be brought into the field
in the Sanctuary in Westminster and very pathetical he was in the perswading her to part with him haply on a point of conscience as fearing if denied some injury would be offered to the prejudice of the Church and therefore more willing himself to wooe him from her with eloquence then that others should wrest him thence with violence Yet he is generally conceived innocent here in as not as yet suspecting any fraud in the Duke of Glocester except any will say that it was a fault in him that so great a States-man was no wiser then to have been deceived by his dissimulation 3 But of the inferiour Clergie D r Shaw a popular preacher made himself infamous to all posterity Shaws shameless Sermon His Sermon at S t Pauls Cross had nothing but the text and that in the a Eccles 23. 25. Spuria vitulamina non agent radices alias Apocrypha good therein as consisting of two parts defaming of the dead and flattering of the living making King Edward far worse then he was and Duke Richard far better then ever he would be He made King Edward the fourth and the Duke of Clarence both to be bastards and Duke Richard onely right begotten so proclaiming Cicilie his Mother still surviving for a whore all being done by secret instructions from Duke Richard himself who hereby gave a worse wound to his Mothers credit then that which at his birth he caused to her body being as it is commonly reported cut out from her With Shaw we may couple another brawling cur of the same litter Pynkney the Provincial of the Augustinian Friârs who in the same place used so loud adulation he lost his credit conscience and voice altogether These two were all and they too many of the Clergie whom I finde actively ingaging on his party whilest multitudes of the Lairy sided with him So that thorough the popularity of the Duke of Buckingham the Law-learning of Catesby the City-interest of Shaw then Lord Major of London and brother to the preacher the rugged rigor of Ratclifse and the assistance of other instruments in their several spheres the Queens kindred were killed Ric. 3 1. the Lord Hastings murdered King Edward and his Brother imprisoned and at last Richard Duke of Glocester elected King of England The sumptuous Coronation of King Richard 4. His Coronation was performed with more pomp then any of his Predecessours as if he intended with the glory thereof so to dazle vulgar eyes that they should not be able to see the shame of his usurpation Indeed some of our English Kings who by undoubted right succeeded to the Crown accounted their Coronation but a matter of course which did not make but manifest them to be Kings and so less curious in the pompous celebration thereof But this Usurper apprehended this ceremony more substantial and therefore was most punctual in the observation of it causing all the Nobility who held Lands in grand Soveraignty to do their service in state amongst whom Richard Dimock Esquire hereditary Champion by tenure with a safe piece of valour having so many to back him cast down his Gauntlet challenging any that durst oppose the title of King Richard and for ought I do know to the contrary he afterwards made his challenge good in Bosworth field And because sure binde sure finde he is said and his Queen to be Crowned again in York with great solemnity 5. Soon after followed the murder of King Edward King Edward and his brother stifled and his Brother Richard Duke of York It was high time they should set when another already was risen in the throne By a bloudy bloudless death they were stifled with pillows and then obscurely buried The uncertainty of their interment gave the advantage to Perkin Warbeck afterwards to counterfeit Richard Duke of York so like unto him in age carriage stature feature favour that he wanted nothing but success to make him who did but personate Duke Richard to pass current for the person of Duke Richard 6. After this bloudy act Anno Regis Ric. 3. 2. King Richard endeavoured to render himself popular Anno Dom. 1484 First by making good Laws in that sole Parliament kept in his Reign King Richard vainly endeavoureth to ingratiate himself by makeing good Laws Benevolence malevolence which formerly the subjects unwillingly willing had paid to their Soveraign power where it requests commands it not being so much thank-worthy to grant as dangerous to deny it he retrenched and reduced to be granted onely in Parliament He regulated Trading which the Lombards and other foraigners had much ingrossed to the detriment of the English Nation Now although all people carry much of their love and loyaltie in their purses yet all this would not ingratiate this Usurper with them the dullest nostrils resenting it done not for love of vertue but his own security And that affects none which all palpably discover to be affected 7. Next he endeavoured to work himself into their good will As also by building of Monasteries by erecting and endowing of Religious Houses so to plausiblelize himself especialy among the Clergy Thus he built one far North at Middleham and and a College in the Parish of a Stows Survey of London in Tower street Ward Alhallows-Barking hard by the Tower as if he intended by the vicinity thereof to expiate those many murders which he therein had committed Besides he for his time dis-Forested Whichwood in Camâdens Bââââan Oxford shire pag 374. out of John Rouse Oxford-shire then far more extended then in our Age which his brother Edward had made Forest to the great grievance of the Country thereabouts Yet all would not do the people being more patient for an injury done by King Edward then thankful for the favour this Richard bestowed upon them He is said also to have given to Queens College in Cambridg c Stow in his Annals p. 470. five hundred marks of yearly rent though at this time I believe the College receives as little benefit by the Grant as Richard had right to grant it For it was not issued out of his own purse but given out of the lands of his enemy the unjustly proscribed Earl of Oxford who being restored by Henry the seventh made a resumption thereof 8. Duke Richard was low in stature Art hath done more for King Richard then ever nature did crook-backed with one shoulder higher then the other having a prominent gobber-tooth a war-like countenance which well enough became a souldier Yet a modern d e George Buck Esqu a claw-back to Crook-back Author in a Book by him lately set forth eveneth his shoulders smootheth his back planeth his teeth maketh him in all points a comly and beautiful person Nor stoppeth he here but proceeding from his naturals to his morals maketh him as vertuous as handsome which in some sense may be allowed to be true concealing most denying some defending others
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 Jonâs 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 âis Grammer ãâã 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 ãâ¦ã 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
them shall be stoned to death and she punished for an Adulteress he for humbling his Neighbours wife Be then the Lady Katharine known or unknown by Prince Arthur due Benevolence is the effect not the cause of Marriage which was completed before God and they two made one flesh when solemnly joyned together in the face of the Congregation 16. Such a Marriage with a Brothers wife No Christian utility inconsistent with honesty thus appearing against the Law of God it is strange that any should maintain that Publica honestas publique honesty was the onely obstacle of this marriage which obstruction say they by the Popes dispensation was removed because Publica Utilitas the Publick Profit was greater that redounded by permitting this match Now suppose this all the obstacle the Position is dangerous and unfound For first Christians are not sensible of utility as falsely so called which stands at distance with Publick Honestie Secondly the publikness of the Profit was not adaequate to the publickness of the Scandal The Profit or State-benefit thereby onely extended to the Crowns of England and France as concerned therein whilest the Scandal dilated it self to the People of all Christian Provinces justly offended thereat And although we confess that in this respect the world is narrower to Princes then to private persons as not affording so fit matches unto them yet Kings have no Commission to enlarge themselves herein by the actual breach of Gods Commandment 17. Thus far the summe of the sense of Protestants and others Armies of writers pro con in this point no fewer then an hundred Authors Anno Dom. 1530 writing at this time against this Marriage Anno Regis Hen. 8 22. all which were produced by the King in the next Parliament Yet very many Papists professed their judgments in print on the contrary side both English and outlandish Divines and to give them their due brought very plausible Arguments Of all these John Fisher Bishop of Rochester led the Front whom some Catholicks call S t John because beheaded like the Baptist though on contrary accounts John Baptist for saying it is b Mark 6. 18. not lawful John Fisher for saying it is lawful for thee to have thy Brothers Wife * We order them by the seniority of their writing John Holiman John Clerke Cuthbert Dunstall Nicholas West Bishop of Bristol Bath Wells London Ely Thomas Abel Edward Powel Richard Featherstone Ridley Englishmen and Canonists Francis Royas Alphonse de Veruez Alphonse de Castro Sepulveda Spaniards Cardinal Cajetan Lewes Nugrola Italians Egwinarus Baro Franciscus Duarenus Convanus c Properly people of France living betwixt the Rivers of Garumna and Sequana Celtae Alvarus Gometius John Cochlaeus Portuguese High-German Ludovicus à Schora a Low-Countryman Erasmus a greater Scholar then Divine was very doubtful in his judgment herein He is made by some modern Apocalyptical Commentaries to be the Angel flying ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã that is as they will have it in a middle distance betwixt Heaven and Earth which how it agrees to the Text I know not It alludeth well to his dubious posture betwixt different opinions in Religion and particularly in this Controversie sometimes being for King Henry and sometimes against him herein 18. Return we to Cranmer employed now in his Embassie to Rome Cranmer accompanies others in an Embassie to Rome The state whereof lay on Thom. Bullen Earl of Wilt-shire but the strength of it as to the disputing part on D r Cranmer D r Stokesley D r Carne D r Bennet c. so that a little University of Learned men went along thither These were well armed with Arguments being to carry a challenge to all the Canonists at Rome Coming thither they found the Pope in his Grandetza proffering his Toe to them which none offered to kiss save the unmannerly Spaniel to say no worse of him to the Earl of Wilt-shire whom the Jesuit calls a d Father Floud See Mason de minist Ang. pag. 157. Protestant-Dog for biting the Popes Toe But let him tell us what Religion those Dogs were of which eat up e 2 Kings 9. 36. Jezebel the harlot The Earl presented the Pope a Book of Cranmers penning proving Gods Law indispensable with by the Pope A Book as welcome to his Holiness as a prison beholding his own power therein limited and confined Promise was made of a publick Disputation but never performed Onely the Pope who is excellent at the making of nothing something by the solemn giving thereof made Cranmer supreme Penitentiary an empty Title throughout all his Dominions This was onely to stay his stomach for that time in hope of a more plentiful Feast hereafter if Cranmer had been pleased to take his repast on any Popish preferment 19. Mean time King Henry imployed his Agents to the Universities in several parts of Christendom Foreign Universities determine for the King to found their judgments in the matter of his Marriage Some report that Reginald Poole then living at Paris was practised upon by promise of preferment to act the University there in favour of the King but he being a perfect Katharinist declined the employment S r Richard Morisin a learned Knight was used by the King in Germany a Hollinsh in Hen. 8. pag. 923. Edmund Bonner afterwards Bishop of London employed in Italy and William Langée a Native French-man made use of in his own Countrey so that ten of the Universities subscribed the Case that it was above the Popes power to dispense with the positive Law of God 1. Cambridg 2. Oxford England May 3. b 2. Paris 4. c 7. June The Faculty of Paris 5. Orleans France 6. d 1. Tholouss 7. e 1. Anjou 8. f 10. Bituriges ãâã France 9. g 10. July Bononia 10. h 2. Octo. Padua Italy Wonder not herein at the silence of many Dutch Vniversities Wittemberg Heidelberg Tubing Bazil that they interposed not their opinions herein for these having formerly utterly exploded the Popes power were conceived partial and therefore incompetent Judges in this point Wherefore the King onely solicited such Universities in this his Case which as yet remained in fast and firm obedience to the See of Rome 20. Of all the Universities declaring for the Popes inability to dispence with Gods positive command The bold Declaration of the University of Bononia most bold and daring because largest fullest clearest was that of Bononia the chief City in Romandiola a Province of Peters Patrimony and that City the Popes retiring place Nor can I omit the conclusion of their Declaration We confidently do hold and witness that such Marriage is horrible accursed and to be cried out upon and utterly abominable not onely for a Christian man but for an Infidel unfaithful or heathen and that it is prohibited under grievous pains and punishments by the Law of God of Nature and of man and that the Pope though he may
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
onely spared the Church in Peterborough but also advanced it into a Cathedral If so it was civilly done of Him not to disturb Her in Her grave whom He had so disquieted in Her bed The news of Her departure was not unwelcome to Queen Anna Bollen who though too good a Christian to desire Her death was too wife a woman to be over-sorrowfull for the same seeing formerly She was the King's Wife but by sequestration the true possessour of His bed being yet alive whereas now c Gen. 26. 22. Rehoboth She conceived God had made room for her 20. This Anna Bollen was great-grand-childe to a Citizen The character of Queen Anna Bollen Sir Jefferie Bollen Lord Major of London grand-childe to Sir William Bollen Knight who lived respectedly in his Countrey daughter to Thomas Bollen Earle of Wiltshire a great Courtier and she had Her birth in England blood by her d Daughter to Thomas Earl of Ormond Grand-mother from Ireland and breeding in France under Mary the French Queen so that so many relations meeting in Her accomplished Her with an acceptable behaviour to all qualities and conditions of people Of an handsome person and beautifull face and therefore that e Sanders de Schismate Anglicano pen that reports Her lean-visaged long-sided gobber-toothed yellow-complexioned with a wen in her neck both manifests his malice and disparageth the judgement of King Henry whom all knew well read in books and better in beauties who would never have been drawn to so passionate a love without stronger load-stones to attract it This Queen remembring how Her Predecessour lost the King's love with her over-austerity tuned Her self to a more open and debonaire behaviour even generally to all with whom She conversed Which being observed by Her adversaries was improved by them to Her overthrow so that She but for a very short time had the sole and peaceable possession of Her Husband In a word She was a great Patronesse of the Protestants Protectour of the persecuted Preferrer of men of merit among whom Hugh Latimer a bountifull Reliever of the poor and the happy Mother of Queen Elizabeth 21. On the eighth of June began a short The first reformed Convocation but sharp Parliament dissolved the eighteenth of July following effecting much in little time June 8. matters it seems being well prepared afore-hand 9. and the House assembled not to debate but doe the King's desires The parallel Convocation began the day after being one new-modelled and of a fashion different from all former Convocations Therein the Lord Cromwell prime Secretary sate in state above all the Bishops as the King's Vicar or Vicegerent-Generall in all spirituall matters Deformi satis spectaculo saith my f Godwâââ's Annals Anno Dom. 1536. Authour indocto Lacio coetui praesidente sacratorum Antistitum omnium quos ante haec tempora Anglia unquam habuisset doctissimorum In one respect that place had better become the person of King Henry than this Lord His Proxie all allowing the King a very able Scholar But Cromwell had in power and policie what he lacked in learning if he may be said to lack it who at pleasure might command the borrowing thereof from the best brains and pens of those of his own partie in the Convocation 22. This Convocation consisted of two Houses The silence in the Abbots of the Convocation the Lower of the Clerks and Proctours of their respective Cathedrals and Diocesses with the Deans and Arch-Deacons therein the Upper of the Bishops with the Lord-Abbots and Priors I mean so many of them as voted as Barons in Parliament as may appear by their several g Concordatum erat per Honorandum virum Cromwell Reverendos Epiâcopos Abbates Priores Domus superioris Acta Convocationis celebrat An. 1536. fol. antepenul â subscriptions However I finde not the Abbots active in any degree in canvassing matters of Religion Whether this proceeded from any desire of ease their laziness being above their learning or out of humility counting it more proper to permit such disputes to the sole disposall of the Bishops as most concern'd therin or out of fear loth to stickle on religion knowing on what ticklish terms they stood For in this very Parliament all Abbies which could not dispend 200 li. a year were dissolved and bestowed on the King and those rich Abbots which had more than so many thousands yearly knew that Maxime in Logick to be true Magis minùs non variant speciem More and lesse doe not alter the kinde and might say with him on the Crosse They were in the same condemnation though as yet the sentence was not passed upon them 23. We will observe the daily motions in this Convocation The Diurnal of this Convocation as with mine own hand I have faithfully transcribed them out of the Records Hugh Latimer Bishop of Worcester June 16. made the Latine-Sermon taking for his Text h Luke 16. 8. The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light On the Friday following Richard Gwent Arch-Deacon of London was presented and confirmed Prolocutour in this Convocation On the same day Master William Peter Doctor of the Laws came into the House as deputed from his Master the Lord Cromwell who could not be present because of his greater employment in Parliament This Dr. Peter claimed the highest place in the House as due to his Master the Lord Cromwell i Records of Cant. An. Dom. 1536. fol. 9. petiit dictum locum sibi tanquam Procuratori dicti Magistri and he shall I say requested or required the same precedencie as due to him being his Proctour and obtained it accordingly without any dispute Though some perchance might question whether a Deputie's Deputy as one degree farther removed might properly claim His place 21. who was primitively represented Next Wednesday came in the Lord Cromwell in person and having judiciously seated himself above all tendred unto them an Instrument to be publickly signed by all the Convocation concerning the nullitie of the King's marriage with the Lady Anna Bollen 24. Some ten daies before Cranmer solemnly divorceth Anna Bollen from the King Archbishop Cranmer at Lambeth had held an open Court in the presence of Thomas Audley Lord Chancellour Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke and most of the Privie Councel Wherein the King and Queen were cited to appear as they did by their Proxies Doctor Richard Sampson being the Kings and Doctor Nicholas Wootten the Queens Then proceeded the Archbishop to discusse the validity of their marriage and at the last by his definitive Sentence pronounced the same invalid frustrate and of none effect No particular cause is specified in that Sentence still extant in the Record and though the Judge and Court seemed abundantly satisfied in the Reasons of this Nullitie yet concealing the same unto themselves they thought not fit to communicate this treasure to
deprecor majestatem tuam ut tu Deus deleas iniquitatem meam vos orare pro me 59. Item That it is preached that because auricular Confession hath brought forth innumerable vices it is clearly to be taken away 60. Item That the canon of the Masse is the comment of some foolish unlearned Priest and that the names of the Saints there expressed are not to be rehearsed 61. Item That water running in the chanel or common river is of as great vertue as the holy-water 62. Item That holy-water is but jugg'led water 63. Item That the holy-water is more savoury to make sauce with than the other because it is mixt with salt which is also a very good medicine for an horse with a gall'd back yea if there be put an onyon thereunto it is a good sauce for a gibbet of mutton 64. Item That no humane constitutions or laws doe binde any Christian man but such as be in the Gospels Paul's Epistles or the New Testament and that a man may break them without any offence at all 65. Item That besides seditious preaching letting unity to be had there are many slanderous and erroneous books that have been made and suffered to goe abroad indifferently which books were the more gladly bought because of these words Cum privilegio which the ignorant people took to have been an expresse approbation of the KING where it was not so indeed 66. Item That where heretofore divers books have been examined by persons appointed in the Convocation and the said books found full of heresie and erroneous opinions and so declared the said books are not yet by the Bishops expresly condemned but suffered to remain in the hands of unlearned people which ministreth to them matter of argument and much unquietnesse within the Realm 67. Item That Apostates abjured persons and of notable ill conversation and infamed have without licence of the King's Grace or the Ordinary taken upon them to preach slanderously 29. The Reader hath no sooner perused these opinions Distempered expressions partly excused but well he may conceive himself to have put his hand into Jeremie's basket of figs * Jer. 24. 3. Those that are good exceeding good and those that are bad exceeding bad Most of these tenents being true in themselves grounded on God's Word and at this day professed by the Protestants But blended with these are some rather expressions than opinions and those probably worse spoken than meant worse taken than spoken which we will not go about in any degree to defend onely may the unpartial Reader take this into consideration It happeneth in all heights and heats of oppositions as in horse-races wherein the Rider if he doth not go beyond the post cannot come to the post so as to win the prize for being upon the speed he must goe beyond it that he come to it though afterwards he may rain and turn his horse back again to the very place of the mark Thus men being in the heat of contest upon the very career of their souls because of their passions cannot stop short at the very mark they ayme at but some extravagancies must be indulged to humane infirmity which in their reduced thoughts they will correct and amend As some Protestants no doubt now lashing out so farre in their language retrenched them afterwards to a just proportion of truth 30. Two contrary interests visibly discovered themselves in the Upper-house of this Convocation betwixt the Bishops therein Two contrary parties in the Convocation and certainly in the Lower-house their Clerks and Chaplains adhered to the parties of their Lords and Masters An honourable * Lord Herbert in the Life of Henry the 8th pen hath stated the principal parties whom we implicitly follow herein onely where he mentions their bare Sees we willl adde their names and sirnames for the better clearing thereof Protestants Papists for the Reformation against Reformation 1. Thomas Cranmer Archb. of Canterbury 1. Edward Lee Archb. of Yorke 2. Thomas Goodrich Bishop of Elie. 2. John Stokesley BP of London 3. Nich Shaxton Bishop of Sarum 3. Cuthbert Tunstall BP Durham 4. Hugh Latimer Bishop of Worcester 4. Steven Gardiner B. Winchester 5. Edw Fox Bishop of Hereford 5. Rob Sherborne BP Chichester 6. John Hilsley Bishop of Rochester 6. Richard Nix BP of Norwich 7. Will Barlow Bishop of S. Davids 7. John Kite Bishop of Carlile Oh! what tugging was here betwixt these opposite sides For I dare not take Bishop Latimer's phrase as he took it out of his text Betwixt the children of this generation and the children of light whilst with all earnestnesse they thought to advance their severall designs But as when two stout and sturdy travellers meet together and both desire the way yet neither are willing to sight for it in their passage they so shove shoulder one another that dividing the way betwixt them both and yet neither geâ the same so these two opposite parties in the Convocation were fain at last in a drawn battell to part the prize between them neither of them being conquering or conquered but a medlie-Religion as an expediment being made betwixt them both to salve if not the consciences the credits of both sides 31. Some Zelots of our Age will condemn the Laodicean temper of the Protestant-Bishops because if stickling to purpose The Protestant Bishops their moderation vindicated and improving their power to the utmost they might have set forth a more pure and perfect Religion Such men see the faults of Reformers but not the difficulties of Reformation These Protestant-Bishops were at this time to encounter with the Popish-Clergie equal in number not inferiour in learning but farre greater in power and dependencies Besides the generality of the people of the Land being nusled in ignorance and superstition could not on a suddain endure the extremity of an absolute Reformation Should our eyes be instantly posted out of mid-night into noon-day certainly we should be blinded with the suddennesse and excellency of the lustre thereof Nature therefore hath wisley provided the twi-light as a bridge by the degrees to passe us from darknesse to light Yea our Saviour himself did at the first connive at the carnality of his Apostles and would not put now a Mat. 9. 17. wine into old bottles for fear of breaking Yea he had some commandements which as yet b Iohn 16.12 they were not able to bear and therefore till they could bear them his wisdome did bear with them Thus the best of Artists doe not alwaies work to the height of their own skill but according to the aptnesse of the instruments wherewith and the capacity of the subjects whereon they employ themselves 34. And here we present the Reader with the aforesaid medley-Religion passed in this Convocation The draught of the twi-light Religion confirmed in this Convocation and confirmed with Royal assent requesting him though it be somewhat long not to grudge his time and
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 ãâã 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-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 Å¿ 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
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 â 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 Å¿ 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
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
two hundred and fifty Writers of Name and note as Pitzeus * Catalogue p. 966. accounteth them 4. What this S. Equitius was Hâe and Crie after S. Equitius pretended Founder of our first English Monks is worth our enquirie Sure he could not be that Equitius of whom the African Bishops complained in the Councell of Carthage That by indirect courses he had invaded the Priesthood desiâing by their b Acta Concil sect 32. 60. Legats whom they sent to the Emperour That he might be expelled that Office Yet he in defiance of their endevours went about to disturb the peace of the Church More probable it is he was either Equitius a Deacon in the Apamean Church flourishing in the fourth Century and famous for his faith and fervency in Religion in c Theodoret. lib. 3. cap. 27. assisting Marcellus Bishop thereof to demolish the Temple of Jupiter or else his contemporary Equitius Consul of Rome with Gratian An. 378 or some other unknown unto us But be he who he himself or any other pleaseth brother if they will to S. George on Horse back he was never father of any Monks in England 5. I intended to present the Reader Why habits of Monks not here presented with the habits of Benedictines and all other Orders for the fashion matter and colour thereof But understanding the industrious work called Monasticon is comming sorth which hath the speed of this my Book for a Term or two wherein that Subject is handled at large I thought better to forbear Partly because I presume Master Dadsworth an eminent instrument in that usefull work better acquainted than I am with their Taylors partly because my wardrobe of their clothes coming so long after his will be beheld but as from the second hand fetched from Long lane and his new bought out of the Draper's shop 6. The Augustinian Monks succeed Augustinian Monks younger than the Benedictines in England though older in Europe For S. Augustine of Hippo on whom these Monks would willingly recover themselves was S. Benet's Senior by sixty years I cannot believe that they came over into England what some affirm precise Anno 636 others 640. when Birinus was Bishop of Dorchester or that d Josephââ Pamphilââ in his Cronicon Augustin 1059 they were seated in London being rather inclined to believe that Eudo the Dapifer Sewer if you please to King Henry the first first brought them into England Anno 1105 and that S. John's at Colchester was the prime place of their residence However I finde that Waltham Abbey for Benedictines at the first had its Copie altered by King Henry the second and bestowed on Augustinians 7. These Augustinians were also called Canons Regular Whether H be a letter where by the way I meet with such a nice distinction which dishearrens me from pretending to exactnesse in reckoning up these Orders For this I finde in our English e Cbaucer in the Plow-mans Tale. Ennius And all such other Counterfaitours Chanons Canons and such disguised Boen Goddes enemies and Traytours His true religion hau soule despised It seems the H here amounteth to a letter so effectuall as to discriminate Chanons from Canons though both Canonici in Latine but what should be the difference betwixt them I dare not interpose my conjecture I have done with these Augustinians when I have observed that this Order in England afforded * Reckoned up by Piâzeus in Iudicâ p. 974. threescore and ten eminent Writers and one in Germany worth them all in effect I mean Martin Luther who by his writings gave a mortall wound to all these Orders yea and to the root of the Romish Religion 8. Gilbertine Monks Gilbertine Monks may be the third a mongrel Order observing some select Rules partly of S. Bennet partly of S. Augustine So named from Gilbert son to Joceline a Knight Lord of Sempringham in Lincoln-shire where 1148 first they were planted Whereupon this Order may boast that it alone is a native and Indegena whereas Benedictines are by original Italians Augustinians Affrican Carthusians French Dominicans Spanish c. pure English by the extraction thereof This Gilbert unhandsome but not unlearned erected this Order contrary to Justinians constitution who forbad double Monasteries wherein men and women lived together though secluded under one roof He survived to see thirteen Houses of this his own Order and in them seventeen hundred Gilbertine Brothers and Sisters Yet I finde no Writer of this Orâer conceiving them so well busied with their Company in their Convent they had little leisure for the writing of Books 9. Carthusian Monks make up a Messe Carthusian Monks much famed for their mortified lives and abstinence from all flesh one Bruno first founded them in the Dolphinate in France Anno 1080 and some 60 years after they were brought over into England I wonder men fasting so much should have so high spirits no Order standing more stoutly on their priviledges insomuch when the means of all Covents were valued in the Reign of * Some years before the dissolution of Abbeys King Henry the eighth a peculiar clause was added to the Patent of the Commissioners impowering them particularly to rate Charter-house in London However their Books there being eleven * Pitzeus in Indice p. 973. learned Authors of English Carthusians contain much tending to mortification and out of them Parsons the Jesuite hath collected a good part of his Resolutions 10. So much of Monks Monks and Fryers how they differ come we now to Fryers and it is necessary to premise what was the distinction betwixt them For though some will say the matter is not much if Monks and Friers were confounded together yet the distinguishing of them condueeth much to the clearing of History Some make Monks the Genus and Friers but the Species so that all Fryers were Monks but è contra all Monks were not Fryers Others that Monks were confined to their Cloisters whilst more liberty was allowed to Fryers to goe about and preach in neighbouring Parishes Others that Monks were in those Convents who had a Bishop over them as Canterbury Norwich Durham c. but never any Fryers in such places where the Bishop was the supreme and they in some sort had the power of his Election I see it is very hard just to hit the joynt so as to cleave them asunder at an hairs bredth Authors being so divided in their opinions But the most essentiall difference whereon we most confide is this Monks had nothing in propriety but all in common Fryers had nothing in propriety nor in common but being Mendicants begg'd all their subsistance from the charity of others True it is they had Cells or Houses to dwell or rather hide themselves in so the Foxes have holes and the Birds of the aire have nests but all this went for nothing seeing they had no means belonging thereunto Yea it hath borne a tough debate
the Ignorant with much Veneration Now at the dissolution of Abbeys it was brought up to London and burnt at the Gallows in Smithfield with Fryer Forrest executed for a Traytor 13. A Prophecie was current in the Abbey of Glassenborough Haret Delphinus in ulmo That a Whiting should swim on the top of the Torr thereof which is a steep hill hard by and the credulous Countrey people understood it of an eruption of the Sea which they suspected accordingly It happened that Abbot Whiting the last of Glassenbury was hanged thereon for his Recusancy to Surrender the Abbey and denying the King's Supremacy so swimming in aire and not water and waved with the winde in the place 14. We will close all with the Propheticall Mottoes at leastwise as men since have expounded them of the three last successive Abbots of Glocester Propheticall Mottoes inscribed in Glocester Church because much of modesty and something of piety contained therein 1. Abbot Boulers Memento memento that is as some will have it Remember remember this Abbey must be dissolved 2. Abbot Sebruck Fiat voluntas Domini that is if it must be dissolved the will of the Lord be done 3. Abbot Mauborn Mersos reatâ suscita Raise up those which are drowned in guiltiness Which some say was accomplished when this Abbey found that favour from King Henry the eighth to be raised into a Bishoprick But I like the Text better than the Coment and there is more humility in their Mottoes than solidity in the Interpretations That many precious Books were embezeled at the dissolution of Abbeys to the irreparable losse of learning THe English Monks were bookish of themselves English Libraries excellently furnished and much inclined to hoord up monuments of learning Britain we know is styled Another world and in this contradistinction though incomparably lesse in quantity acquits it self well in proportion of famous Writers producing almost as many Classical School-men for her Natives as all Europe besides Other excellent Books of forraign Authors were brought hither purchased at dear rates if we consider that the Presse which now runs so incredibly fast was in that Age in her infancie newly able to goe alone there being then few Printed Books in comparison of the many Manuscripts These if carefully collected and methodically compiled would have amounted to a Librarie exceeding that of Ptolomie's for plenty or many Vaticans for choicenesse and rarity Yea had they been transported beyond the seas sent over and sold entire to such who knew their value and would preserve them England's losse had been Europe's gain and the detriment the lesse to Learning in generall Yea many years after the English might have repurchased for pounds what their Grand-fathers sold for fewer pence into forraign parts 2. But alas The miserable martyrdome of innocent Books those Abbeys were now sold to such Chap-men in whom it was questionable whether their ignorance or avarice were greater and they made havock and destruction of all As Broakers in Long-lane when they buy an old suit buy the lineings together with the out-side so it was conceived meet that such as purchased the buildings of Monasteries should in the same grant have the Libraries the stuffing thereof conveyed unto them And now these ignorant owners so long as they might keep a Lieger-book or Terrier by direction thereof to finde such stragling acres as belonged unto them they cared not to preserve any other Monuments The covers of books with curious brasse bosses and claspes intended to protect proved to betray them being the baits of covetousness And so many excellent Authors stripp'd out of their cases were left naked to be burnt or thrown away Thus Esop's cock casually lighting on a pearl preferr'd a grain before it yet he left it as he found it and as he reaped no profit by the pearl it received no damage by him Whereas these cruell Cormorants with their barbarous beaks and greedy claws rent tore and tatter'd these inestimable pieces of Antiquity Who would think that the Fathers should be condemn'd to such servile employment as to be Scavengers to make clean the foulest sink in mens bodies Yea which is worse many an antient manuscript Bible cut in pieces to cover filthy Pamphlets so that a case of Diamond hath been made to keep dirt within it yea the Wisemen of Gotham bound up in the Wisdome of Solomon 3. But hear how John Bale John Bale lamentably bemoaneth thââmassacre a man sufficiently averse from the least shadow of Popery hating all Monkery with a perfect hatred complained hereof to King Edward the sixt a In his Declaration upon Leland's Journall Anno 1549. Covetousnesse was at that time so busie about private commodity that publick Wealth in that most necessary and of respect was not any where regarded A number of them which purchased those superstitious mansions reserved of those Library-books some to serve their jakes some to scour their candlesticks and some to rub their boots some they sold to the Grocers and Sope sellers and some they sent over sea to the Book binders not in small number but at times whole ships full Yea the Universities of this Realme are not all clear in this detestable fact But cursed is that belly which seeketh to be fed with so ungodly gains and so deeply shameth his naturall Countrey I know a Merchant-man which shall at this time be namelesse that bought the contents of two noble Libraries for fourty shillings price a shame it is to be spoken This stuffe hath he occupied instead af gray paper by the space of more than these ten years and yet he hath store enough for as many years to come A prodigious example is this and to be abhorred of all men which love their Nations as they should doe Yea what may bring our Realm to more shame and rebuke than to have it noised abroad that we are despisers of learning I judge this to be true and utter it with heavinesse that neither the Britains under the Romans and Saxons nor yet the English people under the Danes and Normans had ever such damage of their learned monuments as we have seen in our time Our posterity may well curse this wicked fact of our Age this unreasonable spoil of Englands most noble antiquities 4. What soul can be so frozen Learning recelveth an incurable wound by the losse of books as not to melt into anger hereat What heart having the least spark of ingenuiry is not hot at this indignity offered to literature I deny not but that in this heap of Books there was much rubbish Legions of lying Legends good for nothing but fewell whose keeping would have caused the losse of much pretious time in reading them I confesse also there were many volumes full fraught with superstition which notwithstanding might be usefull to learned men except any will deny Apothecaries the priviledge of keeping poison in their shops when they can make antidotes of them But be
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 Laycoâke 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 0â0 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
put on a civil account Good policie Injunction 23. to avoid contention about places Indeed peoples pride herein consisted in pretended humility which the Injunction at large termeth a fond Courtesie For in a mock-practise of the Apostles * Rom. 12. 12. precept in honour preferring one another they strained courtesie to goe last Where by the way I conceive that accounted the highest place which was next the Crosse bearer or next the Priest carrying the Host Quaere whether in the 24 Injunction labouring in time of Harvest on Holy-daies and Festivals relateth not onely to those of Ecclesiasticall constitution as dedicated to Saints or be inclusive of the Lords day also Mr. Calvin in his Letter to the Lord * pag. 187 188. Protector Mr. Calvin dissents disliketh the praying for the dead and this is one of those things which he termed tolerabiles ineptias Englished by some tolerable fooleries more mildly by others tolerable unfitnesses In requital whereof Bishop Williams was wont to say That Master Calvin had his tolerabiles morositates And thus moderately did our first Reformers begin Moderation ãâã farre as the subject they wrote on would give them leave for as carefull Mothers and Nurses on condition they can get their Children to part with knives are contented to let them play with raitles So they permitted ignorant people still to retain some of their fond and foolish Customes that they might remove from them the most dangerous and destructive Superstitions Come we now to give in a List of such principall Books which in the Reign of this King and His Father The Protestant Library as Preparatory to and Introductive of Reformation And to bring them high enough we will begin with HEN 7th Prayers printed by the Commandements of the moost hye and vertuous Princesse our lyege Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God Quene of England and of France and also of the right hye and moost noble Princesse Margarett mother to our Soveraign Lord the King c. without the year when printed HEN 8th The Institution of a Christian man contayneng the Exposition of the Commune Crede of the seaven Sacraments of the ten Commandements and of the Pater noster and the Ave Maria Justification and Purgatory London by Tho Barthelet 1537. A necessary Doctrine and Erudition for any Christen man set furthe by the Kynges Majestie of England c. London by Tho Barthelet 1543. HEN 8th Henry the eighth his Epistle to the Emperour Christen Princes and all true Christen men desiring peace and concord amonges them Against the power of the Pope and concerning a Generall Councell London by Tho Barthelet 1538. A Protestation made for the most mighty and most redoubted King of England c. and his hole Counsell and Clergie wherein is declared that neither His Highnesse nor His Prelates neyther any other Prince or Prelate is bound to come or send to the pretended Councell that Paul Bishop of Rome first by a Bull indicted at Mantua a Citie in Italy and now alate by an other Bull hath proroged to a place no man can telle where London by Tho Barthelet 1537. Articles devised by the Kinges Highnes Majestie to stablishe Christen quietnes and unitie amonge us and to avoyde contentious opinions which Articles be also approved by the consent and determination of the hole Clergie of this Realme Lond Tho Barthelet 1536. Injunctions to the Clergie 1536. M. Sc. Articles devised by the holle consent of the Kinges most honourable Counsayle His Graces licence opteyned thereto not only to exhorte but also to enfourme His loving Subjects of the trouth London Tho Barthelet 1533. Orarium seu libellus Precationum per Regiam Majestatem Clerum Latinè editus Ex officina Richard Graftoni 1545. Pia Catholica Christiani hominis institutio Londini apud Thomam Barthelet 1544. Reformatio Legum EcclesiasticaruÌ ex authoritate primum Regis Hen 8. inchoata deinde per Regem Edw 6. provecta c. Londini ex officina Jo Day 1571. EDW 6th Injunctions given by the most excellent Prince Edward the sixt by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland Defendor of the Fayth and in yearthe under Christ of the Church of England and of Ireland the Supreeme Hedde to all and singuler His loving Subjects aswell of the Clergie as of the Laietie By R. Grafton 1547. Articles to be enquired of in the Kynges Majesties visitation By Rich Grafton Cum privilegio Communion book translated into French for Jersey and Garnesey 1553. EDW 6th The Booke of Common-Prayer and Administration of Sacraments c. London 1549. 1552. The forme and manner of making and consecrating Bishops Priests and Deacons 1552 1549. The Copie of a Letter sent to all those Preachers which the Kings Majestie hath licensed to preach from the Lord Protectors Grace and others of the Kinges Majesties most Honourable Councell The 23 of May 1548. Catechismus brevis Christianae disciplinae summam continens omnibus ludimagistris authoritate Regiâ commendatus Londini 1553. Articuli de quibus in Synodo Londinensi 1552. ad tollendaâ opinionum dissensionem consensum verae religionis firmandum inter Episcopos alios eruditos atque pios viros-convenerat Regia similiter authoritate promulgati Londini The Primer or Booke of Prayers translated out of Hen the 8 ths Orarium London by Rich Grafton 1547. Certain Sermons viz the first part of the Church Homilies appointed by the Kinges Majestie to be read everie Sonday and Holy day c. 1549 1547. A Primer or Booke of private Prayer c. in the 7 yeare of Ed 6. Ex officina Wilhelmi Seres 1552. The order of the Communion with the Proclamation London by Rich Grafton 1548. Q. MARIE The Primer in Latin and English after the use of Sarum London 1555. Edm Bonners Catechisme 1555. with Homelies composed by H. Pendleton and Jo Harpesfield London 1555. These are the principall State-books which that Age produced not mentioning such as numberlesse which private persons set forth onely I cannot as yet recover the Lord Cromwell's Catechisme except it be concealed under another name amongst the Books aforementioned 4. Come we now to the Liturgie which in the Reign of K. Henry the eighth was said or sung all in Eatine save only the Creed Pater noster and ten Commandements put into English by the Kings command Anno 1536. Nine years after viz 1545 the Letanie was permitted in English and this was the farthest pace which the Reformation stept in the Reign of King Henry the eighth Ann. Dom. 1547. But under His son King Edward the sixt a new form of Divine worship was set forth in the vulgar Tongue which passed a threefold purgation The first Edition of the Liturgie or Common-Prayer The 2 d Edit of the Liturgy or Common-Prayer The 3 d Edit of the Liturgy or Common-Prayer In the first year of King Edward the sixt it was recommended to the care
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. âol 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
time in York shire which from a small pustle might have proved a painfull bile yea a fistulated ulcer if neglected it was quickly quelled on the execution of Omler and Dale the chief promoters thereof 22. By the favour of Sir Thomas Cotton 1550. having obtained to make use of his Library our English Vatican Abstracts of Church matters out of K. Edwards own Diary for Manuscripts I shall transcribe King Edwards Diurnall written with His own hand of the transactions in His Reigne True it is His Observations for his two first years are short and not exactly expressing the notation of time but His Notes as the Noter got perfection with His age They most belong to Secular affairs out of which we have selected such as respect Ecclesiasticall matters May the Reader be pleased to take notice that though my Observations as printed goe a-breast in parallel Columes with those of His Highnesse it is my intention they should observe their distance in their humble attendance thereupon Text Royall Observations thereon THe Lord Protectour by his own a a Thus the Pilot to save the Ship from sinking casts out the rich lading into the Sea agreement April 2. and submission lost his b b This lay void ever after whilst the Treasurership was presently conferred on Will Powlet Marquesse of Winchester and the Marshalship on John Dudley Earle of Warwick Protectourship Treasurership Marshalship all his Moveables and neer 2000 li. Land by Act of Parliament The Bp. of c c Namely George Day who notwithstanding this Sermon remained a zealous Papist and on that score was deprived of his Bishoprick Chichester before a vehement affirmer of Transubstantiation Ann. Dom. 1650. did Preach against it at Westminster in the Preaching-place April 4. My Lord Somerset taken into the Counsel 10. Order taken 13. that whosoever had d d Understand it not by Private Patrones but either presented by the King or Lord Chancellour Benefices given them should preach before the King in or out of Lent and every Sunday there should be a Sermon Masse for the Lady Mary denied to the Emperours e e These ingaged Archbishop Cranmer and Bishop Ridlye to presse the King with politick Reasons for the permission therof He unable to answer their Arguments fell a weeping Ambassadour 19. It is granted that my Lord of Somerset should have all his moveable Goods 27. and Leases except those that be already f f Courtiers keep what they catch and catch what ever they can come by given May 2. Joane g g An obstinate Heretick maintaining That Christ assumed nothing of the Virgin Mary but passed through Her as a Conduit-pipe She with one or two Arians were all who and that justly died in this Kings Reign for their Opinions Bocher otherwise called Joane of Kent was burnt for holding that Christ was not incarnate of the Virgin Mary being condemned the year before but kept in hope of conversion The Bishops of London and Ely were to perswade her but she withstood them and reviled the Preacher that preached at her death The Lord Cobham and Sir William Peter came home from their journy 20. delivering both the Oath and the Testimonial of the Oath witnessed by divers Noblemen of France and also the h h Advantageous enough for the French and dishonourable too much to the English whose covetousnesse was above their sense of Honor selling Bologne bought with blood for a summe of money Treaty sealed with the great Seal of France and in both was confessed that I was i i The Controversie about this Title lying not betwixt the Crowns of England and France but betwixt England and Rome no wonder if the French yeilded to any Style in a Treaty so gainfull to themselves supreme Head of the Church of England and Ireland Ann. Dom. 1550. The Duke of Somerset June 9. Marquesse of North-hampton Lord Treasurer Bedford and the Secretary Peter went to the Bishop of Winchester to know to what he would k k For as yet this subtile-Statist scarce knew his own mind often receding from his Resolves whose inconstancy in this kinde incensed the King and Councell against him stick He made Answer that he would obey and let forth all things set forth by Me and My Parliament and if he were troubled in conscience he would reveal it to the Councell and not reason openly against it The Books of My Proceedings were sent to the Bishop of Winchester to see whether hee would set his hand to it 10. or promise to set it forth to the people The Duke of Somerset 14. with five others of the Councell went to the Bp. of the Winchester to whom he made this Answer I having deliberately seen the Book of Common-Prayer although I would not have made it so my self yet I finde such things in it as satisfieth my conscience therefore both I will execute it my self and also see other my l l Parish in the Dialect of a Bishop is notoriously known to be his Diocese Yet I deny not but that the numerous Parishioners of Saint Mary Overies wherein Winchester-House are herein particularly intended Parishioners to doe it This was subscribed by the aforesaid Counsellours that they heard him say these words The Earl of Warwick July 9. the Lord Treasurer Sir William Herbert and Secretary Peter went to the Bishop of Winchester with certain Articles signed by Me and the Councel containing the Confessing of his Fault the Supremacy the establishing of Holy-daies the abolishing of the six Articles c. whereunto he put his hand saving to the Confession Sir William Herbert and the Secretary Peter July 10. were sent to him to tell him That I marvelled that he would not put his hand to the Confession To whom he made Answer That he would not doe it because he was m m If conscious of no crime he is not to be condemned for justifying his own integrity innocent 11. The Bishop of London Secretary Peter Mr. Cecil and Gooderich were commanded to make certain Articles according to the Laws and to put them in the Submission It was appointed that under the n n Such Umbrages of Simulation presumed lawful by all Politicians Quaere whether the Protestants in the Netherlands or France those of High Germany being beyond the line of probability were here intended shadow of preparing for Sea-matters 12. there should be sent 5000 lib. to the Protestants to get their good wills The Bishop of Winchester denied the o o They were drawn up in so punctual expressions the other had neither compasse for evasion nor covert for equivocation Articles 14. which the Bishop of London and others had made The Bishop of Winchester was p p A Rod formerly in fashion but never so soundly layd on as of late sequestred from his fruits for three months 19.
with the Church of St. Mary le Strand were pluckt down to make room for it The stones and timber were fetcht from the Hospitall of S. Johns This Somerset house is so tenacious of his name that it would not change a Dutchie for a Kingdome when solemnly proclaimed by King James Denmarke-house from the King of Denmarke's lodging therein and His Sister Queen Anne her repairing thereof Surely it argueth that this Duke was wel belov'd Ann. Reg. Ed. 6. 6. because his name made such an indelible impression on this his house whereof he was not full five years peaceably possessed Ann. Dom. 1552. 47. We lately made mention of Barnaby Fitz-Patrick The Kings Instructions to Fitz-Patrick for his behaviour in France to whom the King directed His Letter as who was bred and brought up with Him from His infancy though somewhat the older He was Prince Edward's PROXIE for CORRECTION though we may presume seldome suffering in that kinde such the Princes generall innocence and ingenuity to learn His book Yet when such execution was done as Fitz-Patrick was beaten for the Prince the Prince was beaten in Fitz-Patrick so great an affection did He bare to His Servant Towards the end of His Reign He maintained him in the Court of France both to learn fashions there and send intelligence thence And it will not be amisse to insert the King's private Instructions unto him how he should behave himself in the French Court partly for the rarity partly for the certainty thereof having it transcribed out of the Originall of the King 's own hand as followeth 1. First he shall goe in the Lord Admirals Company and at the same Lords departing he shall have a Letter to the French King which the Lord Admirall shall deliver and present him to the French King and if it shall chance that the French King will give him any Pension entertainment or reward at his being there for the time he tarrieth there he shall receive it and thank His Majesty for it and shall serve when he shall be appointed Neverthelesse when he is out of the Court he shall be most conversant with Mr. Pickering * Afterwards Knighted and supposed suââer to Qâliz 2. And at his setting forth shall carry with him four Servants and if the wages amount to any great summe more than I give him that the French King giveth him to live there after that proportion advertising Me of the same 3. Also all this Winter he shall study the Tongue and see the manner of the Court and advertise Me of the occurrences he shall hear and if he be desirous to see any place Notable or Town he may goe thither asking leave of the King And shall behave himself honestly more following the company of Gentlemen than pressing into the company of the Ladies there and his chief pastime shall be Hunting and Riding 4. Also his Apparell he shall wear it so fine as shall be comely and not much superfluous And the next Sommer when either the King goeth or sendeth any man of name into the Warres to be His Lieutenant or to lead an Army he shall desire to goe thither and either himself or else shall will Mr. Pickering to declare to the French King how he thinketh not himself to have fully satisfied nor recompensed neither His Majesties good entertainment nor Mine expectation who had sent him over if he should return having so delicately and idlely almost spent the time without he did at this time of service be desirous to goe himself into the Warres by the which thing he might at this time doe His Majesty service and also learn to doe Me service hereafter yea and His Majesty to if the case so required And therefore seeing this Nobleman shall now goe that his request is to have leave to goe with him 5. Having said this to the French King he shall depart into the Warres waiting on this Nobleman that shall be sent and there he shall mark the divers fortifications of places and advantages that the enemy may take and the ordering and conduct of the Armies As also the fashion of the skirmishes battles and assaults and the plats of the chief Towns where any enterprises of weight have been done he shall cause to be set out in black and white or otherwise as he may and shall send them hither to Me with advertisement of such things as have passed 6. Furthermore he shall at all times when he taketh money advertise Me of it and I shall send him And so the next year being well spent upon further advertisement and taking leave of the French King he shall return 7. And if there arise or grow any doubt in any matter hereafter in the which be shall need advise he shall advertise by the Post and shall have Anser thereof This Barnaby Fitz-Patrick after his return out of France was created by the King Baron of upper Ossery in Ireland and died a most excellent Protestant as hereafter we shall shew in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth 48. On the 15 th of April Little Church-work in this Parliament the Parliament ended which had sate three Moneths at Westminster April 15. though therein nothing of Church-matters determined save a Penalty imposed on such who should strike or draw weapon in Church or Church-yard with the abolishing of the generall Holy daies of S. Mary Magdalen and S. Geroge yet so that it should be lawfull for the latter to be solemnly celebrated by the Knights of the Right honourable Order of the Garter The Orders of which Order were about this time reformed and purged from some antient superstitions An ill presage 49. Six k Bishop Godwins Annals in this year Dolphins were taken in the Thames three neer Quinborough and three above Greenwich where the Thames is scarce tainted with brackishnesse in so much that many grave men dispensed with their wisdome and beheld them with wonder as not seen before on our shores A fish much loving man and musick swifter than all other fishes and birds too yea than the Swallow it self if Pliny l Nat. Hist l. 9. cap. 8. say true though all their celerity besteaded them not here to escape the nets of the fisher-men Their coming up so farre was beheld by Mariners as a presage of fowl weather at Sea but by States-men as a prodigious omen of some tempestuous mutations in our Land And particularly they suspected the Kings death though for the present He was very pleasant and merry in His progresse about the Countrey Aug. 22. as by his ensuing Letter to His former favourite written in the next August doth appear EDWARD THE cause why we have not hitherto written unto you have partly been the lack of a convenient Messenger partly because we meant to have some thing worthy writing ere VVe would write any thing And therefore being now almost in the midst of Our journey which VVe have undertaken this Sommer VVe have thought
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 ãâã 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 Officiâs 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 ãâã 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. 13â5 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 fâowardnesse jâstly 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 âf 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
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 ãâã 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
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
forged leases are countenanced under the pretence of this passing the same 22. As for the number of Recusants which forsook the land at this time A list of persons deprived the prime of them were Henry Lord Morley S r. Francis Inglefield Thomas Shelly and John Gage Esqrs As for the Nuns of Sion and other Votaries wasted over we have formerly treated of them in our History of Abbies Nor were there moe then eighty Rectours of Churches fifty Prebendaries fifteen Masters of Colledges twelve Arch-Deacons twelve Deans with six Abbots and Abbesses deprived at this time of their places thoroughout all England 23. Now the Queen and Her Councell Matthew Parker designed Arch-Bishop his due commendation accounted it high time to supply the Church of Canterbury which hitherto had stood * Counted from Pooles death to Parkers consecration Vacant a yeer Anno Dom. 1559. and three weeks with an Arch-Bishop Anno Regin Eliza. 2. D r. Matthew Parker is appointed for the place borne in Norwich bred in Cambridge Master of Benefactour to Bennet-Colledge there Chaplain to Queen Anne Bollen a relation which next his own merits befriended him with Queen Elizabeth for such high and suddain advancement then to King Henry the eighth Deane of the Colledge of Stoke juxta Clare a learned and religious Divine He confuted that character which one gives of Antiquaries that generally they are either superstitious or supercilious his skill in antiquity being attended with soundnesse of doctrine and humility of manners His Book called Antiquitates Britanicae hath indebted all posterity to his pen. Which work our great a Mr Selden of Tithes cap. 9. pag. 256. Critick cites as written by M r. Joscelin one much employed in the making thereof But we will not set the memories of the Patrone and Chaplaine at variance who loved so well in their lives time nor needeth any Writ of partition to be sued out betwixt them about the authorship of this book though probably one brought the matter the other composure thereof 24. The Queen had formerly sent order to D r. Wotton The Queen Her letter for his consecration Dean of Canterbury an exquisite Civilian July 18. Aug. 1. and therefore one who may be presumed critical in such performances and to the Chapter there to choose Matthew Parker their Arch-Bishop which within fourteen dayes after was by them accordingly performed This done She directeth Her Letters-Patents in manner and forme following Elizabetha b Registrum Parker 1. Iom 1 fol. 3. Dei Gratia c. Reverendis in Christo Patribus Antonio Landavensi Episcopo Will Barlow quondam Bath Well Ep. nunc Cicestrensi electo Joh Scory quondam Cicestrensi Episcopo nunc electo Heâesor Miloni Coverdalio quondam Exoniensi Episcopo Johanni Surffaganeo Bedford Johanni Suffraganeo Thetford Johanni Bale Osserensi Episcopo Quatenus vos aut ad minus quatuor vestrûm eundem Matthaeum Parkerum in Archiepiscopum Pastorem Ecclesiae Cathedralis Metropoliticae Christi Cantuariensis praedictae sicut praefertur electum electionemque praedictum confirmare eundem Magistrum Matthaeum Parkerum in Archiepiscopum Pastorem Ecclesiae praedictae consecrare caeteraque omnia singula peragere quae vestro in hac parte editorum provisorum velitis cum effectu c. Dat sexto Decembris Anno secundo Elizabethae But the old Bishop of Landaffe appeared not at the Consecration Dece 6. terrified say the Papists by Bonners threats so as to absent himself which others do not believe For he that feared not the Lion out of the grate would he be frighted with the Lion within the grate If Bonner when at liberty could not deterr him from taking the oath of Supremacy improbable it is that when now detain'd prisoner in the Tower he could disswade him from his obedience to his Soveraigne More likely it is that his absence as also Bishop Bale's and the Suffragans of Thetford was occasioned by their indisposition of body and infirmity of old age 25. But the other four Bishops appeared The manner thereof William Barlow John Scory Miles Coverdal and John Hodgskins by whom Matthew Parker was solemnly consecrated in manner and forme following The East part of the Chappel of c Regist Parker Tom 1. fol. 9. Lambeth was hung with tapestry the floore spred with red cloth chairs and cushions are conveniently placed for the purpose morning prayer being solemnly read by Andrew Peerson the Arch-Bishops Chaplaine Bishop Scory went up into the d Ibid. fol. 10. pulpit and took for his text The e 1 Pet. 5. 1. Elders which are among you I exhort who also am an Elder and a witnesse of the sufferings of Christ c. Sermon ended and the Sacrament administred they proceed to the Consecration the Arch-Bishop had his Rochet on with Hereford and the Suffragan of Bedford Chichester wore a silke cope and Coverdal a plain cloth-gown down to his ancles All things are done conâormable to the book of Ordination Letanie sung the Queens Patent for Parkers consecration audibly read by D r. Vale Dece 17. he is presented the oath of Supremacy tendred to him taken by him hands reverendly imposed on him and all with prayers begun continued concluded In a word though here was no Theatrical pompe to make it a Popish pageant though no sandals gloves ring staffe oyle pall c. were used upon him yet there was ceremony enough to cloth his consecration with decency though not to clog it with superstition 26. This his consecration is avowed most legal The legality of his consecration both according to Canon and Common Law In the latter it was ordered by King Henry a Anno Regin 25. the eighth that an Arch-Bishops should not be consecrated but by an Archbishop and two Bishops or by four Bishops in case an Arch-Bishop was wanting as here it was performed Object not that one of these foure was but a Suffragan seeing such by the b 26. of Henry 8 cap. 14. laws of the land though not able to vote as Barons in Parliament had Episcopal power to all purposes and intents Neither cavill that Coverdale henceforward led a private life being always a Bishop quoad characterem and for the present quoad jâes âitulum Exeter his former Bishoprick being actually void by the deprivation of Turbervile though refusing to be so quoad possessionem As for the canonical part of his consecration six of the most eminent Doctours of that faculty England then afforded gave it under their hands that the same was exactly observed 27. Yet notwithstanding all circumstances so solemnly performed The impudent lie of the Naggs-head some impudent Papists have raised a lie that Matthew Parker was consecrated Ad caput manni At the Naggs-head a tavern in Cheapside Indeed they shew a place therein just against the barr so anciently arched that an active phansie which can make any thing of
and the Scotch in the minority of King James exacted it of Noblemen Gentlemen and Courtiers which here was extended onely to men of Ecclesiastical function Not that the Queen and State was careless of the spiritual good of others leaving them to live and believe as they list but because charitably presuming that where Parishes were provided of Pastors Orthodox in their judgments they would by Gods blessing on their preaching work their people to conformity to the same opinions * Querie about the 20 Article whether shufled in or no. Some question there is about a clause in the twentieth Article whether originally there or since interpolated Take the whole a Pag. 98. Article according to the common Edition therof Twentieth Article of the Authority of the Church The Church hath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies and authority in controversies of faith And yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to Gods word neither may it so expound one place of Scripture that it be repugnant to another Wherefore although the Church be a Witness and keeper of holy writ yet as it ought not to decree any thing against the same so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of salvation Take along with this the bitter invective of a modern b Mr Burton in his Apologie Minister who thus laieth it on with might and main on the backs of Bishops for some unfair practice herein in an epistle of his written to the Temporal Lords of His Majesties Privy Councel reckoning up therein Fourteen Innovations in the Church The Prelates to justifie their proceedings have forged a new Article of Religion brought from Rome which gives them full power to alter the Doctrine and Discipline of our Church at a blow and have foisted it into the twentieth Article of our Church And this is in the last edition of the Articles Anno 1628. in affront of his Majesties Declaration before them The clause forged is this The Church that is the Bishops as they expound it hath power to decree rites and ceremonies and authoritie in matters of faith This clause is a forgery fit to be examined and deeply censured in the Star-chamber For it is not to bee found in the Latin or English Articles of Edward 6 or Queen Elizabeth ratified by Parliament And if to forge a Will or writing be censurable in the Star-chamber which is but a wrong to a private man How much more the forgery of an Article of Religion to wrong the whole Church and overturn Religion which concerns all our souls 57. Such as deal in niceties discover some faltering from the truth in the very words of this grand Delator The accuser his first mistake For the Article saith that The Church hath authority in controversies of faith He chargeth them with challenging authority in matters of Faith Here some difference betwixt the terms For matters of faith which all ought to know and believe for their souls health are so plainly setled by the Scriptures that they are subject to no alteration by the Church which notwithstanding may justly challenge a casting voice in some controversies of faith as of less importance to salvation 58. But to come to the main matter The dubious appearing of this clause this clause in question lieth at a dubious posture at in and out sometimes inserted sometimes omitted both in our written and printed copies Inserted in The originall of the Articles 1562 as appeareth under the hand of a Publick Notary whose inspection and attestation is only decisive in this case So also Anno 1593. and Anno 1605. and Anno 1612. all which were publick and authentick Editions Omitted in The English and Latine Articles set forth 1571. Anno Dom. 1563. Anno Regin Eliza. 5. when they were first ratified by Act and whose being as obligatory to punishment beares not date nine yeers before from their composition in Convocation but hence forward from their confirmation in Parliament And now to match the credit of private Authours in some equality we will weigh M r. Rogers Chaplain to Arch-Bishop Whitgift inserting this clause in his Edition 1595. against D r. Mocket Chaplain to Arch-Bishop Abbot omitting it in his Latine translation of our Articles set forth 1617. 59. Arch-bishop Laud Arch-Bishop Land his opinion in the point in a speech which he made in the Star-Chamber inquiring into the cause why this clause is omitted in the printed Articles 1571. thus expresseth himself * * In his speech made Iune 14. 1637. pag. 65. Certainly this could not be done but by the malicious cunning of that opposite Faction And though I shall spare dead mens names where I have not certainty Yet if you be pleased to look back and consider who they were that governed businesses in 1571. and rid the Church allmost at their pleasure and how potent the Ancestors of these Libellers began then to grow you will think it no hard matter to have the Articles printed and this clause left out I must confess my self not so well skilled in Historicall Horsemanship as to know whom his Grace designed for the Rider of the Church at that time It could not be Arch-Bishop Parker who though discreet and moderate was sound and sincere in pressing conformity Much less was it Grindall as yet but Bishop of London who then had but little and never much influence on Church-Matters The Earle of Leicester could not in this phrase be intended who alike minded the insertion or omission of this or any other Article As for the non-Conformists they were so far at this time from riding the Church that then they first began to put foot in stirrup though since they have dismounted those whom they found in the saddle In a word concerning this clause whether the Bishops were faulty in their addition or their opposites in their Substraction I leave to more cunning State-Arithmeticians to decide 60. One Article more we will request the Reader to peruse An Article to confirme the Homilies made in King Edward his reign as the subject of some historicall debates which thereon doth depend 35. Article of Homilies The second Booke of Homilies the severall titles whereof we have joyned under this Article doth contain a godly and wholsome Doctrine and necessary for these times as doth the former Booke of Homilies which were set forth in the time of Edward the sixth and therefore we judge them to be read in Churches by the Ministers diligently and distinctly that they may be understood of the People See we here the Homilies ranked into two formes Anno Regin Eliza. 4. The first such as were made in the Raign of Edward the sixth being twelve in number Of which the tenth of obedience to Magistrates was drawn up at or about Kets Rebellion in a dangerous juncture of time For as it is observed of the Gingles or S t.
But what if Worcester were also the better Bishoprick and so the warmer seat for his old age 29. William Bradbridge bred in Magdalen Colledge in Oxford Bishop of Exeter was snatcht away with a sudden death And in the same year Edmond Guest BP of Salisbury bred in Kings Colledge in Cambridge who wrote many books reckoned up by J. Bale bought and bestowed more on the library of Salisbury Anno Regin Eliza. 21. Anno Dom. 1578. the case whereof Bp. Cheyney a great Lu heran wrongfully accused to die a Papist was built by BP Jewell 30. Richard Cheyney Bishop of Bristol holding Glocester therewith in dispensation bred in Cambridge of whom M r. * Camd. in his Eliz. 1559. Camden giveth this character that he was Luthero addictissimus Most addicted to Luther Bishop * In his Catalogue of the Bishops of Glocester Godwin saith Jun. 27. Feb. 28. Luthero addictior fortasse quà m par erat Perchance more addicted to Luther then was meet Adding moreover that in the first convocation in the reign of Queen Mary he so earnestly opposed Popery that he wonde reth how he escaped with life But I wonder more how since his death the scandalous rumour is raised that he died a Papist suspended by Arch-Bishop Grindall from his Episcopall function and this one his successour in that See will perswade others to believe 31. However the words of Mrs. Goldsborrough widdow to BP Goldsborrough of Glocester a grave Matron prevail'd with me to the contrary His vindication Who at a publick entertainment in the presence of many and amongst * All my search cannot finde out such an Instrument in any office them of my judicious friend Mr. Langley the worthy Schoolmaster of St. Pauls gave a just check to this false report and avowed that to her knowledge he died a true and sincere Protestant Eliz. 22. June 1. 1579. 32. Robert Horne succeeded Borne in the Bishoprick of Durham bred in S t. Iohns in Cambridge * Camdens Eliz. in Anno 1559. one valido faecundo ingenio saith my Author Of a spritefull and fruit full wit One who would go thorough whatsoever he undertook be it against Papists or Nonconformists and his adversaries playing with his name as denoting his nature hard and inflexible nothing moved him to abate of his resolution 33. Thomas Bentham followed him Bishop of Coventry Followed by Bp. Bentham and Leichfield bred in Magdalen Colledge in Oxford Feb. 21. of whose christian valour in that Colledge against superstition in Queen Maries reign we have spoken before 34. Richard Cox Bishop of Ely The death of Bishop Cox concludes this Bill of Mortality Tutor to King Edw. the 6. of whom largely before in the troubles at Frankford I am sorry so much is charged on his memory and so little can be said in his vindication and would willingly impute it not to his want of innocence but ours of intelligence It moves me much his accusation of * Said to seed his servants with poudered venison shrewdly hurt to save other meat St. I. Harring. in his additions to B. G. covetousness dilapidating or rather delignating his Bishoprick cutting down the woods thereof for which he fell into the Queens displeasure But am more offended at his taking if true the many ancient manuscripts from Oxford under the pretence of a visitation He was an excellent poet though the verses written on his own tombe are none of the best and scarce worth our translating Vita caduca vale salveto vita perennis Corpus terra tegit spiritus alta petit In terra Christi Gallus Christum resonabam Da Christe in Coelis te sine fine sonem Frail life farewell welcome life without end Earth hides my corps my soule doth heaven ascend CHRISTS COCK on earth I chanted Christ his name Grant without end in Heaven I sound the same It seems some took exceptions at the Epitaph as parcell-Popish because though supposing his possession praying for the perpetuation of his happinesse and on that account twenty years after his death it was partly demolished 35. This year also S r. Thomas Gresham ended his life Gresham Col. founded by St. T. Gresham whose Royall-Exchange in London with all the Magnificence thereof could not properly intitle him to a mention in this our Church-History Anno Dom. 1580. had he not also by his will bequeathed maintenance Anno Regin Eliza. 23. for the erecting of a Colledge in Bishops-gate-street allowing an annuall Salary of fifty pound to severall Professors in Divinity Civill Law Physick Astronomie Geometry Musick and Rhetorick It is therefore no mistake in * In his Atlas pag 66. Mercator when counting three Universities in England Cambridge Oxford and London seeing the last may be so esteemed both in relation to the Inns-of-Court and this Colledge 36. The Family of love The obscure Original of the Familists began now to grow so numerous factious and dangerous that the Privy Councell thought fit to endeavour their suppression Being now to deduce the Originall of this Sect we desire that the Clock of Time on the margin of our Book may stand still intending not to discompose the method of years therein though we go backward for awhile in our History to fetch in the beginning of these Familists Most obscure was their Originall according to the Apostles a Jude 4. words There are certain men crept in unawaâes Crept in shewing the slownesse of their pace and the lownesse of their posture The later proceeding partly from their Guiltiness not daring to go upright to justifie avouch and maintain their doctrine partly out of Policy to worke themselves in the b Isa 30. 6. more invisibly But these Creepers at first turn'd Plyers afterwarde flying Serpents no contradiction so that the State accounted it necessary to cut down their arrogancy and increase whose beginning with the means thereof we come now to relate 37. One Henry Nicholas born in Amsterdam Hen. Nicholas their first founder first vented this doctrine about the year 1550. in his own country He was one who wanted learning in himself and hated it in others and yet was conceived which at first procured pitty unto him though of wilde and confused notions with absurd and improper expressions yet of honest and harmless intentions Men thought him unable both to manage his Apprehensions whole as to make sense of them and too weak by distinctions to parcel and divide them wanting Logick for that purpose and yet they charitably conceived his minde might be better then his mouth and that he did mean better then he could interpret his own meaning For meeting with many c John 17. 21 22 23. c. places in Scripture which speak the union and communion of Christians with Christ Christ with God how quickly are mysteries made blasphemies when unskilfull hands meddle with them he made of them a most carnall-spirituall
from the unity of the Church which in the execution of our ministry in participation of the publick prayers and Sacraments we have in our own example testified and by publick doctrine maintained And that the ministery of the word preached and publick administration of the Sacraments exercised in this land according to Authority is as touching the substance of it Lawfull and greatly blessed of God And lastly that we have and always will shew our selves obedient to Her Majesties authority in all causes Ecclesiasticall and civil to whomsoever it be committed and therefore that as poor but most faithfull subjects to Her Majesty and Ministers of Jesus Christ the great cause we have in hand and which consequently as we under your Honours correction judge the necessary reformation of many things in the Church according unto Gods word may have that sufficient hearing as all causes of our refusall to subscribe may be known and equally out of Gods word judged of and the lamentable estate of the Churches to which we appertain with the hard condition of us may in that manner that your Honours most excellent wisdom shall finde expedient in the pitty of Jesus Christ for the mean time be relieved the Lord Almighty vouchsafe for Jesus Christ his sake long to continue and bless your Honours wisdom and Councell to the great glory of God and the happy government of Her Majestie and flourishing estate of this Church of England Your Honours daily and faithfull Orators the Ministers of Kent which are suspended from the execution of their Ministery The Lords of the Councell sent this Petition with another Bill of complaint exhibited unto them against Edmond Freak Bishop of Norwich unto the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury What his answer was thereunto the reader may informe himself out of the following letter To the Lords of the Councell Most Honorable UPon Sunday last in the afternoon The Arch-Bishops letter in answer thereof M r. real brought unto me in your Lordships names two supplications or Bills of complaint exhibited unto your Lordships The one by certain Ministers of Suff. against their Diocesan there The other by some of Kent against my self with this further message that it was your desires I should come to the Court on Sunday next It may please your good Lordships to be advertised that it seemeth something strange to me that the Ministers of Suffolk finding themselves aggrieved with the doings of their Diocesan should leave the ordinary course of proceeding by Law which is to appeal unto me and extraordinarily trouble your Lordships in a matter not so incident as I think to that most honourable Board seeing it hath pleased Her Majesty Her own self in express words to commit these causes Ecclesiasticall to me as to one who is to make answer to God to her Majesty in this behalf my office also and place requiring the same In answer of the complaint of the Suffolk men of their Ordinaries proceeding against them I have herewith sent to your Lordships a Copie of a letter which I lately received from his Lordship wherein I think that part of their Bill to be fully answered and his doings to have been orderly and charitable Touching the rest of their Bill I know not what to judge of it neither yet of what spirit it cometh but in some points it talketh as I think modestly and charitably They say they are no Jesuits sent from Rome to reconcile c. True it is neither are they charged to be so but notwithstanding they are contentious in the Church of England and by their contentions minister occasion of offence to those which are seduced by Jesuits and give the arguments against the forme of publick prayer used in this Church and by law established and thereby encrease the number of them and confirm them in their wilfullnesse They also make a Schism in the Church and draw many other of her Majesties subjects to a misliking of her Laws and Government in causes Ecclesiasticall so far are they from perswading them to obedience or at least if they perswade them to it in the one part of her authority it is in causes civill they desswade them from it as much in the other that is in causes Ecclesiasticall so that indeed they pluck down with the one hand that which they seem to build with the other they say that they have faithfully traveled in perswading to obedience c. and have therein prevailed c. It is but their own testimony I think it were hard for them to shew whom they converted from Papistry to the Gospell But what stirrs and discentions they have made amongst those which professed the Gospel before they were taught by them I think it to be apparent It is notorious that in King Edwards time and in the beginning of her Majesties Reign for the space of divers years When this self same book of publick prayers was uniformally used c. by all learned Preachers maintained and impugned by none the Gospell mightily prevailed took great increase and very few were known to refuse to communicate with us in prayer and participation of the Sacraments But since this Schism and division the contrary effect hath fallen out and how can it otherwise be seeing we our selves condemn that publick form and order of prayer and administration of the Sacraments as in divers points contrary to the word of God from which as in like manner condemning the same the Papists do absent themselves In the later part of their Bill conteining the reasons why they cannot submit themselves to observe the form prescribed by the book in all points I wonder either at their ignorance or audacity They say that the Learned writers of our time have shewed their mislikings of some of our Ceremonies The most learned writers in our times have not so done but rather reproved the mislikers those few that have given contrary judgement therein have done more rashly then learnedly presuming to give their Censures of such a Church as this is not understanding the fruits of the cause Nor alledging any reason worth the hearing especially one little Colledge in either of our Universities containing in it more learned men then in their Cities But if the authority of men so greatly move them why make they so small account of those most excellent and learned Fathers who were the penners of the Book whereof divers have sealed their Religion with their Blood which none yet have done of the impugners of the Book The Pope say they hath changed his Officium B. Mariae c. And so it is neither is there any man that doubteth but the Book of Common-Prayer may also be altered if there appear good cause why to those in Authority But the Pope will not suffer that Officium B. Marie c. to be preached against or any part thereof till it was by publick order reformed neither will he confess that he hath reformed it in respect of any errours but such only
very hard that when I think to deserve best and in a manner to consume my self to satisfie that which God her Majestie the Church requireth of me should be so evil rewarded Sed meliora spero And I know your Lordship doth all as you are perswaded for the best I beseech God long to bless and preserve you John Cantuar. It seemes the Lord Treasurer took exceptions at some passages herein I dare not say with those That the Letter was brought to him when he was indisposed with the fit of the Gout which made him so offended But what soever was the cause of his passion see some signs thereof in what followeth I Have Received your Graces Letter The L. Treasurers smart Letter to the Arch-Bishop answering sundry speeches as I think delivered by your Chaplain Doctor Cozens and I perceive you are sharply moved to blame me and clear your self I know I have many faults but I hope I have not given such cause of offence as your Letter expresseth I deny nothing that your Grace thinketh meet to proceed in with these whom you call factious and therefore there is no controversie between you and me expressed in your Letter the controversie is passed in your Graces Letter in silence and so I do satisfie your Grace promised me to deal I say onely with such as violated order and to charge them therewith which I allow well of But your Grace not charging them with such faults seeketh by examination to urge them to accuse themselves and then I think you will punish them I think your Graces proceeding is I will not say rigorous or captious but I think it is scant charitable I have no leisure to write more and therefore I will end for writing will but increase offence and I mean not to offend your Grace I am content that your Grace and my Lord of London where I hear Brown is use him as your wisdoms shall think meet If I had known his fault I might be blamed for writing for him but when by examination onely it is meant to sift him with twenty four Articles I have cause to pitty the poor man Your Graces as friendly as any WILL. BURLEY Short but sharp I see though anger only resteth a Eccles. 7. 9. in the Bosome of Fools it may light on the Brest of a wise man But no fear that these friends will finally fall out who alternately were passionate and patient So that now it came to the turn of Whitgift to be calme as he expressed himself in the following return To the Lord Treasurer My singular good Lord GOd knoweth how desirous I have been from time to time to satisfie your Lordship in all things The Arch-Bishops calm Letter to the half-angry Treasurer and to have my doings approved to you For which cause since my coming to this place I have done nothing of Importance without your advice I have risen early and sat up late to write unto you such objections and answers as on either side were used I have not the like to any man and shall I now say I have lost my labour or shall my just dealing with two of the most disordered Ministers in a whole Diocess the obstinacy and contempt of whom especially of one of them you your self would not bear in any subjected to your authority cause you so to think and speak of my doings yea and of my self no man living should have made me believe it Solomon saith an old friend is better then a new and I trust your Lordship will not so lightly cast off your old friends for any of these new fangled and factious sectaries whose fruits are to make divisions wheresoever they come and to separate old and assured friends Your Lordship seemeth to charge me with breach of promise touching my manner of proceeding whereof I am no way guilty but I have altered my first course of depriving them for not subscribing only justifiable by the Law and common practice both in the time of King Edward and from the beginning of her Majesties Reign and chosen this only to satisfie your Lordship Your Lordship also objecteth that it is said I took this course for the better maintenance of my book my enemies say so indeed but I trust my friends have a better opinion of me what should I seek for any confirmation of my book after twelve years or what should I get thereby more then already And yet if subscription may confirme it it is confirmed long agoe by the subscription of all the Clergy almost in England before my time even of Brain also who now seemeth to be so willfull Mine Enemies and tongues of this slanderous and uncharitable sect report that I am revolted and become a Papist and I know not what but it proceedeth from their lewdnesse not from any desert of mine and I disdain to answer to any such notorious untruths which the best of them dare not avouch to my face Your Lordship seemeth further to burden me with wilfulness I am sure that you are not so perswaded of me I will appeal to your own conscience There is difference betwixt wilfullness and constancie I have taken upon me the defence of the Religion and rights of the Church of England to appease the sects of schisms therein and to reduce all the Ministers thereof to uniformity and due obedience herein I intend to be constant and not to waver with every winde The which also my place my person my duty the laws her Majesty and the goodness of the cause doth require of me and wherein your Lordship and others all things considered ought in duty to asist and countenance me It is strange that a man in my place dealing by so good warranties as I do should be so incountred and for not yielding to be counted wilfull but I must be contented Vincit qui patitur and if my friends forsake me herein I trust God will not neither the Law nor her Majesty who hath laid the charge on me and are able to protect me But of all other things it most grieveth me if your Lordship should say that two Ministers fare the worse because your Lordship hath sent them Hath your Lordship ever had any cause so to think of me It is needless for me to protest my heart and affection towards you above all other men the world knoweth it and I am assured that your Lordship nothing doubteth thereof I have rather cause to complain to your Lordship of your self that upon so small an occasson and in the behalf of two such you will so hardly conceive of me yea and as it were countenance persons so meanly qualified in so evill a cause against me your Lordships so long tried friend and their Ordinary That hath not so been in times past now it should least of all be I may not suffer the notorious contempt of one of them especially unless I will become Fsops Block and undoe all that which hitherto have been
winding but burning sheet as expecting at last he should be brought to the stake for his religion But men may make cloaths either for mirth or for mourning whilst God alone orders whether or no they shall wear them 13. After the coming of Queen Elizabeth to the Crown A single man yet a true father he with more earnestnes refused a Bishoprick then others affected it His parsonage at Haughton as it might seem a Bishops Palace for building so was it no less for hospitality Fourteen Villages belonging to that mother Church the poor whereof besides many others were daily relieved at his door twenty Scholars he commonly boarded in his house which seemed a little Colledge In a word he was commonly called Father Gilpin and well deserved it for his paternall affections to all Making his yearly progress into Rheadsdale and Tinsdale in Northumberland where people sat in darkness of ignorance and shaddow of death and instructing them by his heavenly preaching 14. Now began that fatall yearl generally foretold that it would be wonderfull as it proved no less The brave coming forth of the Spanish Armado Whence the Astrologers fetcht their intelligence hereof 1588 whether from Heaven 31. or Hell from other Stars or from Lucifer alone is uncertain this is most sure that this prediction though hitting the mark yet miss'd their meaning who both first reported and most believed it Out comes their invincible Navie and Army perfectly appointed for both Elements Water and Land to Sail and March compleat in all warlike Equipage so that formerly with far less provision they had conquered another new world Mighty was the bulk of their ships the sea seeming to groan under them being a burden to it as they went and to themselves before they returned with all manner of artillery prodigious in number and greatness so that the report of their guns do stil and ought ever to sound in the ears of the English not to fright them with any terrour but to fill them with deserved thankfulness 15. It is said of Senacherib The shameful sight and return thereof coming against Hierusalem with his numerous army by a 1 Kings 19. 33. the way that he came shall he return and shall not come into this City saith the Lord as the later part of his threatning was verified here no Spantard setting foot on English ground under other notion then a prisoner so God did not them the honour to return the same way who coming by South-East a way they knew went back by South-West a way they sought chased by our ships past the 57 th Degree of Northen Latitude then and there left to be pursued after by hunger and cold Thus having tasted the English valour in conquering them the Scotch constancy in not relieving them the Irish cruelty in barbarous butchering them the small reversion of this great navie which came home might be look'd upon by religious eyes as reliques not for the adoration but instruction of their nation hereafter not to account any thing invincible which is less then infinite 16. Such as lose themselves by looking on second causes impute the Spanish ill success This deliverance principally wrought by Gods arm partly to the Prince of Parma who either mind-bound or wind-bound staying himself or stopt by the Hollander would or could not come to their seasonable succour and partly to the Duke of Medina's want of commission to fight with the English save on the defensive till joyned with Parma Anno Regin Eliza. 31. Thus when God will have a designe defeated Anno Dom. 1588. amidst the plenty yea superfluity of all imaginable necessaries some unsuspected one shall be wanting to frustrate all the rest We will not mention save in due distance of helps the industry and loyalty of the Lord Hâward Admirall the valour of our captains the skill of our pilots the activity of our ships but assigne all to the goodness of God as Queen Elizabeth did Leave we her in the Quire of Pauls church devoutly on her knees with the rest of her Nobles in the same humble posture returning their unseigned thanks to the God and giver of all victory whilst going abroad we shall finde some of her subjects worse employed in implacable enmity about Ecclesiasticall discipline one against another And let not the mentioning of this deliverance be censured as a deviation from the Church-History of Britain Silence thereof being a sin for had the designe took effect neither Protestant Church in Britain had remained nor History thereof been made at this present 17. But bullets did not fly about so much at sea Scurrilous Pamphlets dispersed as bastardly Libels by land so fitly call'd because none durst father them for their issue They are known though not by their Parents by their names 1 The Epitome 2 The demonstration of discipline 3 The Supplication 4 Diotrephes 5 The Minerals 6 Have you any work for the Cooper 7 Martin Seignior 8 Martin Junior Marprelate 9 More work for the Cooper c. The main drift and scope of these pamphlets for know one and know all these foule mouth'd papers like Blackmoors did all look alike was to defame and disgrace the English Prelates scoffing at them for their garb gate apparel vanities of their youth naturall defects and personall infirmities it is strange how secretly they were printed how speedily dispers'd how generally bought how greedily read yea and how firmly beleeved especially of the common sort to whom no better musick then to hear their betters upbraided 18. Some precise men of that side thought these jeering pens well employed Their reasons for the lawfulness of such pamphlets For having formerly as they say tried all serious and sober means to reclaim the Bishops which hitherto proved uneffectuall they thought it not amiss to try this new way that whom they could not in earnest make odious in sport they might render ridiculous Wits will be working and such as have a Satyricall vein cannot better vent it then in lashing of sin Besides they wanted not a warrant as they conceived in Holy Writ where it was no soloecisme to the gravity of Eliah to mock a 1 Kings 18 27. Baals priests out of their superstition chiefly this was conceived would drive on their designe strengthen their party by working on the peoples affections which were marvelously taken with the reading thereof 19. But the more discreet and devout sort of men These Books disclaimed by the discreet sort and why even of such as were no great friends to the Hierarchy upon solemn debate then resolved I speak on certain knowledge from the mouths of such whom I must believe that for many foul falsehoods therein suggested such Books were altogether unbeseeming a pious spirit to print publish or with pleasure peruse which supposed true both in matter and measure charity would rather conceal then discover The best of men being so conscious of their own badness
and his judgement may according to the credit or reference of the Author alledged believe or abate from the reputation of the report Let me add that though it be a lie in the Clock it 's but a falsehood in the Hand of the Diall when pointing at a wrong hour if rightly following the direction of the wheele which moveth it And the fault is not mine if âtruly cite what is false on the credit of another The best certainty in this kinde we are capable of is what we finde in the confessions of the parties themselves The success of the solemn humiliation of the ministers at Northampton deposed on oath taken by publick notaries and recorded in court for such who herein will flie higher for true intelligence then the Starr-Chamber must fetch it from heaven himself 23. In that Court we finde confessed by one M r. b See Englands Scoâtizing for discipline 3. Cap. 6. pag. 88. Johnson formerly a great Presbyterian but afterwards it seems falling from that side he discovered many passages to their disadvantage how that when the Book of Discipline came to Northampton to be subscribed unto there was a generall censuring used amongst the brethren there as it were to sanctifie themselves partly by sustaining a kinde of pennance and reproof for their former conformity to the Orders of the Church and partly to prepare their mindes for the devout accepting of the aforesaid Book In which course of censuring used at that time there was such a ripping up one of anothers life even from their youth as that they came to bitterness and reviling tearms amongst themselves one growing thereby odious to another and some did thereupon utterly forsake those kinds of Assemblies O how wofull the ãâã of the English Church whilst her ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã her ministers and under-âowers some tugged it one way and others towing it another enough almost to split her in pieces with the violence of their contrary Discipline 24. Leave we them for a while The Contents of the ãâã to the Catholicks of England to behold how the Popish Clergy were employed who in the beginning of this year were as busie as Bees newly ready to swarme A Book was set forth called the admonition dispersed amongst Catholicks and highly cried up consisting of severall Parts not unfit to be here recited 1. The Authors make their entrance into the discourse with a most odious and shamefull declamation against her Majesty stirring up her subjects hearts to contempt of her highness as being one odious to God and man They threaten the Nobility Gentry c. with loss of all their goods their Lands their Lives and with damnation besides except that presently upon the landing of the Spaniards they joyned themselves and all their forces men munition victuals and whatsoever else they could make with their Catholick Army forsooth for the words be these If you will avoid say they the Popes the Kings and other Princes high indignation let no man of what degree soever abet aid defend or acknowledge her c. adding that otherwise they should incurr the Angels Curse and Malediction and be as deeply excommunicated as any because that in taking her Majesties part they should fight against God against their lawfull King against their Countrey and that notwithstanding all they should do they should but defend her highness bootless to their own present destruction and eternall shame 2. After all those and many other such threats in a high and military stile to scarr fools with then they come to some more milde perswasions and promise the noble men that so they joyn with the duke of PARMA upon the receipt of their Admonition they will intreat that their whole houses shall not perish For Persons did instigate the English Cardinall to swear by his Honour and in the word of a Cardinall that in the fury of their intended Massacre their should as great care be taken of every Catholick and penitent person as possibly could be and that he was made a Cardinall of purpose to be sent then into England for the sweet managing of those Affairs 3. Other arguments they used drawn from the certainty of the victory as that all the Protestants would either turn their Coats Copies arms or fly away in fear and torment of the Angel of God prosecuting them that although none of her Majesties subjects should assist the Spaniards yet their own forces which they brought with them were strong enough their provision sufficient their appointment so surpassing that they had more expert Captains then her Majesty had good souldiers all resolute to be in the Cause which they had undertaken that the Blood of all the blessed Bishops shed in this Land and all the saints in heaven prayed for the Spaniards victory that all the vertuous Priests of our Country both at Home and Abroad had stretched forth their sacred hands to the same end that many priests were in the Camp to serve every spiritual mans necessity that their forces were guarded with all Gods Holy Angels with Christ himself in the soveraign Sacrament and with the daily most holy oblation of Christs own dear body and blood that the Spaniards being thus assisted with so many helps though they had been never so few they could not lose and that her Majesty and her Assistants wanting these helps although they were never so fierce never so proud never so many never so well appointed yet they could not prevail Fear you not say they to such as would take their part they cannot And thus far out of their said Jesuiticall Admonition The Book goes under the name of Cardinall Allen though the secular Priests say he was but the Cloak-father thereof and that a Watsons Quodlibets pag. 240. Parsons the Jesuite made it Others conceive it equivocally begotten as the result and extract of severall brains No doubt had the Spanish Invasion succeeded happy he who could have laid claim to so prophetical a piece and they would have fallen out as the two * 1 Kings 3. Harlots about the living Child who should have been Parent thereof Whereas now on the miscarriage of their great Navie all disclaimed the Book and Parsons procured the whole impression to be burnt save some b Watson ut prius few sent abroad before hand to his friends that it might not remain a monument of their falsehood And now the Popish Priests some lurk't here in holes other fled into forraign parts their confusion being the greater for their former confidence Thus * Judg. 5. 30. Sisera comes off the more coldly when stript out of the garment of divers colours wherewith his mother had arrayed him in her fancy running faster then the wheels of her sons Charriot to his imaginary conquest 25. This year died Edwin Sands Arch-Bishop of Yorke Aug. 8. born in Lancashire of worshipfull Parentage The death of Edw. Sands Arch-Bishop of York bred in Cambridge banished to Germany after
the Rolls when your Family was not brought but brought back into England where it had flourished Barons many yeares before Plants are much meliorated by transplanting especially when after many years they are restored to their Native soile as Cordiall unto them And thus the continuance and increase of all happinesse to your Selfe and Noble Consort is the unfeigned Prayer of Your Honours most obliged servant THOMAS FVLLER THE CHURCH-HISTORY OF BRITAINE Ann. Reg. Bliz. 43. CENT XVII Ann. Dom. 1601 1. THe difference betwixt the Seculars and the Jesuites still continued and increased Wherefore Bishop Bancroft The Seculars fomented by the Bishop of Lond. against the Jesuits counting the Seculars the better but weaker side afforded them countenance and maintenance in London-house accommodating them with necessaries to write against their adversaries hoping the Protestants might assault the Romish cause with the greater advantage when they found a breach made to their hand by the others own dissentions But such who bore no good will to the Bishop beholding the frequent repairing and familiar conversing of such Priests in his house made a contrary construction of his actions and reported him Popishly affected Thus those who publiquely doe things in themselves liable to offence and privately reserve the reasons of their actions in their owne bosomes may sufficiently satisfie their consciences towards God but will hardly avoid the censures of men to which too unwarily they expose themselves With more generall applause was the bounty of Arch Bishop Whitgift bestowed who now finished his Hospitall founded and endowed by him at Croydon in Surrey for a Warden and eight and twenty Brethren As also a Free-Schoole with liberall maintenance for the education of Youth God the best of Creditors no doubt long since hath plentifully re-pay'd what was lent to him in his Members 2. The last Parl. Oct. 17. Nov. 19. in this Queens raigne was now begun at Westm Acts in the last Parliament of Q. Eliz. and dissolved the moneth next following Of such things which at distance may seeme to relate to Church affaires in this Parl. it was Enacted That Overseers of the Poor should be nominated yeerly in Easter week under the Hand and Seale of two a Statute 43. of Q. Eliz. c 2. Justices of Peace and that these with the Church wardens should take care for the reliefe of the Poore binding out of Apprentices c. As also That the Lord Chancellor should award Commissions under the Great Seale into any part of the Realme as cause should require to the b Ibid. cap. 4. Bishop of every Diocese and his Chancellour and any four or more persons of honest behaviour to enquire by oathes of twelve men into the mis-imployment of any Lands or Goods given to pious uses and by their Orders to appoint them to be duly and faithfully paid or employed to their true uses and intents In pursuance of this Statute much good was and is done to this day in severall parts of the Kingdome the Law being very tender that the true intentions of the Donour should take effect as by this eminent instance may appeare By the rule of the Law Copyhold Land cannot be aliened but by Surrender but yet if a man Devise such Land to a Charitable use though it had not been surrendred this is c 15 Jac. in Rivets Cale in Chancery adjudged good and shall be construed an appointment to a Charitable use within this Statute 3. Now if we look into the Convocation Acts of this yeares Convocation parallel to this Parliament therein we shall find that it began with a Latine Sermon of William Barlow Doctor of Divinity and one of Her Majesties Chaplaines afterwards Bishop of Rochester then of Lincolne Preaching on this Text LUKE 19. 13. Negotiamini dum venio In this Convocation Mathew Sutcliffe Doctor of the Law and Deane of Exeter was chosen Prolocutor but nothing save matters of course passed therein Nor finde I any eminent Divine deceased this yeare 4. Francis Godwin doctor of Divinity Francis Godw made Bishop of Landaff Sub-Deane of Exeter Sonne of Thomas Godwin Bishop of Wells like another d In vitâ Greg. Nazianzen Gregorie Nazianzen a Bishop Son to a Bishop was promoted to the Church of Landaff he was borne in the fourth year of Queen Elizabeth who was not a little sensible of and thankfull for Gods favour unto her in suffering her so long to hold the Helme of the English Church till one borne within her reigne was found fit to be a Bishop He was stored with all polite Learning both judicious and industrious in the study of Antiquity to whom not onely the Church of Landaff whereof he well deserved but all England is indebted as for his other learned Writings so especially for his Catalogue of Bishops He was translated Anno 1617. to Hereford and died many yeares after a very old man in the reign of King CHARLES 5. Now came forth a notable Book against the Jesuites Watson's Quodlibers against the Jesuits written in a Scholastick way by one Watson a Secular Priest consisting of ten quodlibets each whereof is sub-divided into as many Articles It discovereth the Jesuites in their colours ferreting them out of all their burrowes of Equivocation and mentall reservation holding Proteus so hard to it that in despight of his changing into many shapes he is forced to appeare in his own proper forme No intire Answer for ought I can learn was ever returned to this Book The Jesuits according to their old Trick slighting what they cannot confute and counting that unworthy to be done which they found themselves unable to doe Indeed for matters of fact therein they are so punctually reported with the severall circumstances of time and place that the guilty consciences of such as are concerned therein though snapping and snarling at pieces and passages thereof for the main may well give it over for unanswerable 6. Yet the whole Book is written with an imbittered style The black character of Iesuis painted with the Pensil of a Secular Priest so that Protestant Charity hath a better conceit of Jesuits than to account them altogether so bad Take one passage of many e Second Quodliber third Article pag. 62. No no their course of life doth shew what their study is and that howsoever they beast of their perfections holinesse Meditations and exercises yet their platforme is heathenish tyrannicall sathanicall and able to set ARETINE LUCIâN MACHIAVEL yea and DON LUCIFER in a sort to schoole as impossible for him by all the art he hath to be-sot men as they doe This is the same Watson who though boasting of the obedience of the Secular Priests to their Soveraigns and taxing the Iesuits for want thereof was notwithstanding himself afterwards executed for a Traitor in the reigne of King Iames. It seemes as well Seculars as Iesuits are so loaden with Loyalty that both need the Gallowes to ease them
different as their Opinions some of them being conceived too wise to begin and others too weak to finish so dangerous a Designe The ends they propounded to themselves as they were charged therewith were to kill the King raise Rebellion alter Religion at least gaine a Toleration and procure a forraign Invasion with many more things which may be spoken easier in a Minute than done in an Age especially their Interest being not much at home and nothing abroad Ann. Dom. 1602 They ante-divided all Offices of State betwixt themselves Ann. Reg. Jac. 1. Lord Marshall to one Treasurer to another Master of the Horse to a third Secretary to a fourth c. onely Sir Walter Rawleigh able to discharge any had no particular Office assigned unto him Watson was to be Lord Chancelour being very fit for the place had he but as much skill to decide Causes as write Quodlibets There wanted nothing to estate them in all these Offices but onely their getting of them 17. Wonder not that this Treason was discovered so soon The two Priests executed but covered so long The two Priests alone Nov. 29. with G Brook were executed who to use the words of King Iames in his Letter to Sir Benjamine Tichbourne Sheriff of Hantshire for the Plague being in London Terme was removed to Winchester where they were tried Vaire the principall Plotteris and Intisaris of all the rest to the embracing of the saidis treasonabil Machinations The rest were pardoned their Lives not their Lands We must not forget that the Priests pleaded the silliest for themselves of all that were arraigned alledging that their Practise against the King could not be Treason because done against him before he was crowned Watson instancing in Saul who was anoynted in e 1 Sam. 10. 1. Ramah and afterward made King in f Ibid. ver 24. Mizpeh Clark insisted on Rehoboam as being no King till the People had g 1 King 12. 1 made him so Not remembering what our Lawyers there minded them of the difference betwixt successive Kings deriving their claime from their Ancestors and one newly elected the English Crowne also being as incapable of an Inter-regnum as Nature of a Vacuitie Mean time the Jesuits looked on and laughed at Watson's Execution to see how bunglingly Secular Priests went about a Treason resolving in the next platforme thereof which now they were contriving to rectifie the errours Watson had committed not to ingage in a squint-ey'd company where two did not look the same way but to select a competencie of cordial Catholiques for the purpose 18. No sooner was King Iames setled on the English Throne Mr Cartwright dedicates a Book to King James but Mr. Cartwright presented unto him his Latin Coment on Ecclesiastes thankfully mentioning in his Dedication how he had some twenty yeares before been chosen to be Professour in a Scotch University though declining the acceptance thereof because of his Pastorall Charge being then Minister to the English Congregation at Antwerp Thanks perchance not so proper to the person of King Iames though in Loyalty and good Manners justly tendred unto him as due rather to those who in his minority steered the affaires of Scotland Nor let any wonder that an English man should be proffered preferment in Scotland seeing it was but one for another remembring that I have read in the life of Mr. Knox that he was offered an English Bishoprick in the reigne as I take it of K. Edw the 6. and likewise refused the same 19. But Mr Cartwright survived not long after otherwise Mr. Cartwright his Death no doubt we should have heard of him in Hampton Court-Conference Dec. 27. as the Champion of his Party who died at the age of sixty on the 27. of December following To what we have formerly largely writ of his Character we now onely adde that he was born in Hartford shire Camden in his Eliz. and married the Sister of M. Stubbs whose hand was struck off for writing an interpreted Libel against Queen Elizabeths Marriage with Monsieur This I dare boldly say She was a most excellent Wife if she proved like her Brother whom Mr. Cambden no great friend of Puritans cordially commendeth for a right honest man generally beloved whilest living and lamented when dead He was afflicted towards his old Age with many Infirmities insomuch that he was forced continually to studie upon his * See his Life lately set forth by M. Clark knees My Eares shall be dear to the uncharitable inference of those who impute this extraordinary painfull posture as a just punishment upon him in that he had so bitterly inveighed against the gesture of those as superstitious who reverently received the Sacrament on their knees M. Dod preached his Funerall Sermon 20. And now The Presbyterian Petition to K. Parl. because there was a generall expectation of a Parliament suddenly to succeed the Presbyterian Party that they might not be surprised before they had their tackling about them Ann. Dom. 1603 went about to get hands of the Ministers to a Petition which they intended seasonably to present to the K. and Parl M. Arthur Hildersham and M. Stephen Egerton with some others were chosen and chiefly intrusted to manage this important businesse This was called The millenary Petition as One of a thousand w See M. Hildersam's ãâã set forth by Mr. Clark though in indeed there were but seven hundred and fifty Preachers hands set thereunto But those all collected onely out of five and twenty Counties However for the more rotundity of the number and grace of the matter it passeth for a full thousand which no doubt the Collectours of the names if so pleased might easily have compleated I dare not guesse what made them desist before their number was finished whether they thought that these were enough to doe the deed and moe were rather for oftentation than use or because disheartned by the intervening of the Hampton-Court Conference they thought that these were even too many to petition for a Deniall It is left as yet uncertaine whether this Conference was by the Kings favour graciously tendered or by the mediation of the Lords of his Counsell powerfully procured or by the Bishops as confident of their cause voluntarily proffered or by the Ministers importunity effectually obteyned Each Opinion pretends to Probability but the last most likely 1603 And by what meanes soever this Conference was compassed Hampton-Court was the Place the 14 of January the Time and the following Names the Persons which were employed therein For Conformity Moderator Against Conformity Arch bish of Canterbury Whitgift Biashops of London Bancroft Durham Mathew Winchester Bilson Worcester Babington St. Davids Rudd Chicester Watson Carleil Robinson Peterbor Dove Deans of The a Though all these Deanes were summoned by Letters and present in the Presence Chamber yet onely five viz. of the Chappel Westminister Pauls Chester and Sarisbury
on the first day were called in Chappel Christ-Church Worcester Westminster Andrewes S. Pauls Overall Chester Barlow Sarisbury Bridges Winsor D. Field King KING JAMES Spectators All the Lords of the Privy Council whereas some at times interposed a few words Place A withdrawing Room within the Privy chamber Dr. Reynolds Sparks Mr. Knewstubs Chaderton These remaining in a Room without were not called in the first day To omit all gratulatory Preambles as necessary when spoken as needlesse if now repeated we will present onely the Substance of this Dayes Conference his Majesty thus beginning it It is no novel device but according to the example of all Christian Princes for Kings to take the first course for the establishing of the Church both in Doctrine and Policy To this the very Heathen related in their Proverb A Jove principium particularly in this Land King Henry the 8. towards the end of his Reign altered much King Edward the 6. more Queen Mary reversed all and lastly Queen Elizabeth of b Note his Majesty never remembred her but with some honourable Addition famous memory setled Religion as now it standeth Herein I am happier than they because they were faine to alter all things they found established Ann. Dom. 160 3 4 whereas I see yet no suchcause to change Ann. Reg. Jac. 1 as confirm what I finde well setled already For blessed be Gods gracious Goodnesse who hath brought me into the Promised Land where Religion is purely professed where I sit amongst Grave Learned and Reverend Men not as before elsewhere a King without State without Honour without Order where Beardlesse Boyes would brave us to the Face And I assure you we have not called this Assembly for any Innovation for we acknowledge the Government Ecclesiasticall as now it is to have been approved by manifold blessings from God himself both for the increase of the Gospel and with a most happy and glorious Peace Yet because nothing can be to absolutely ordered but that something may be added thereunto and corruption in any State as in the Body of Man will insensibly grow either thorough Time or Persons and because we have received many complaints since our first entrance into this Kingdome of many disorders and much disobedience to the Lawes with a great falling away to Popery Our purpose therefore is like a good Physitian to examine and try the Complaints and fully to remove the occasions thereof if scandalous cure them if dangerous and take knowledge of them if but frivolous thereby to cast a Sop into Cerberus his Mouth that he bark no more For this cause we have called you Bishops and Deans in severally by your selves not to be confronted by the contrary Opponents that if any thing should be found meet to be redressed it might be done without any visible Alteration Particularly there be some speciall Points wherein I desire to be satisfied and which may be renduced to three Heads 1. Concerning the Book of Common Prayer and Divine Service used in the Church 2. Excommunication in Ecclesiasticall Courts 3. The providing of fit and able Ministers for Ireland In the Common Prayer-book I require satisfaction about three things First about Coâfirmation For the very name thereof if arguing a Confirming of Baptâsme as if this Sacrament without it were of no validity is plainly blasphemous For though at the first use thereof in the Church it was thought necessary that baptised Infants who formerly had answered by their Patrins should when come to yeares of discretion after their Profession made by themselves be confirmed with the blessing of the Bishop I abhorre the Abuâe wherein it is made a Sacrament or Corroboration to Baptisme As for Absolution I know not how it is used in our Church but have heard it likened to the Popes Pardons There be indeed two kindes thereof from God One generall all Prayers and Preaching importing an Absolution The other particular to speciall Parties having committed a Scandall and repenting Otherwise where Excommunication precedes not in my judgement there needs no Absolution Private Baptisme is the third thing wherein I would be satisfied in the Common Prayer If called Private from the Place I think it agreeable with the use of the Primitive Church but if termed private that any besides a lawfull Minister may baptise I utterly dislike it And here his Majesty grew somewhat earnest in his Expressions against the baptising by Women and Laicks In the second Head of Excommunication I offer two things to be considered of First the Matter Secondly the Persons For the first I would be satisfied whether it be executed as it is complainmed of to me in light Causes and that too commonly which causeth the undervaluing thereof For the Persons I would be resolved why Chancellours and Commissaries being Lay-men should do it and not rather the Bishops themselves or some Minister of Gravity and account deputed by them for the more dignity to so high and weighty a Censure As for providing Ministers for Ireland I shall refer it in the last daies Conference to a Consultation c He addressed himselfe to the King on his knee Ar-Bp of CaÌt. Confirmation hath been used in the Catholick Church ever since the Apostles and it is a very untrue suggestion if any have informed your Highnesse that the Church of England holds Baptisme imperfect without it as adding to the vertue and strength thereof BP of Lon. The Authority of Confirmation depends not onely on d Citing Cypr. Ep. 73. and Jer. Adversus Luciferiam Antiquity and the Practise of the Primitive Church but is an Apostolical Institution named in expresse words Heb. 6. 2. and so did Mr. Calvin expound the very place earnestly wishing the restitution thereof in the reformed Churches The Bishop of Carlile is said gravely and learnedly to have urged the same and the Bishop of Durham noted something out of S. Matthew for the Imposition of hands on Children The Conclusion was this For the fuller Explanation that we make Confirmation neither a Sacrament nor a Corroboration thereof their Lordships should consider whether it might not without Alteration whereof his Majesty was still very wary be intitled an Examination with a Confirmation Ar-B of CaÌt. As for the point of Absolution wherein your Majesty desires satisfaction it is clear from all abuse or superstition as it is used in our Church of England as will appear on the reading both of the Confession and Absolution following it in the beginning of the Communion Book Here the King perused both and returned His Majesty I like and approve them finding it to be very true what you say BP of Lond. It becometh us to deal plainly with your Majesty There is also in the Book a more particular and personall absolution in t he Visitation of the Sick Here the Dean of the Chappel turned unto it and read it These be severally cited BP of Lond. Not onely the Confessions of Augusts Boheme and Saxon
Majesty That is a dangerous Book indeed L. H Howard Both for Matter and Intention L d. Chancel Of such Books some are Latin some are English but the last dispersed do most harm Secret Cecil But my Lord of London and no man else hath done what he could to suppresse them His Majesty Dr. Reynolds you are a better Colledge man than a States-man if meaning to tax the Bishop of London for suffering those Books betweene the Secular Priests and Jesuits to be published which he did by warrant from the Council to nourish a Schisme betwixt them L d. Cecil Such Books were tolerated because by them the Title of Spaine was confuted L d. Treasurer And because therein it appeares by the Testimony of the Priests themselves that no Papists are put to death for Conscience onely but for Treason Dr. Reyn. Indeed I meant not such Books as were printed in England but one ly such as came from beyond the Seas And now to proceed to the second generall point concerning the planting of learned Ministers I desire they be in every Parish His Majesty I have consulted with my Bishops about it whom I have found willing and ready herein But as subita evacuatio is periculosa so subita mutatio It cannot presently be performed the Universities not affording them And yet they afford moe learned men than the Realme doth Maintenance which must be first provided In the mean time ignorant Ministers if young are to be removed if there be no hope of amendment if old their death must be expected because Jerusalem cannot be built up in a day BP of Winch Lay-Patrons much cause the insufficiency of the Clergy presenting mean Clerks to their Cures the Law admitting of such sufficiency and if the Bishop refuseth them presently a Quare impedit is sent out against him BP of Lond. Because this I see is a time of moving Petitions * This he spake kneeling may I humbly present two or three to your Majesty First That there may be amongst us a praying Ministery it being now come to passe that men think it is the onely Duty of Ministers to spend their time in the Pulpit I confesse in a Church newly to be planted Preaching is most necessary not so in one long established that Prayer should be neglected His Majesty I like your Motion exceeding well and dislike the Hypocrisie of our Time who place all their Religion in the Eare whilest Prayer so requisite and acceptable if duly performed is accounted and used as the least part of Religion Bp. of Lond. My second motion is that untill Learned men may be planted in every Congregation godly Homilies may be read therein His Majesty I approve your Motion especially where the Living is not sufficient for the maintenance of a learned Preacher Also where there be multitudes of Sermons there I would have Homilies read divers times Here the King asked the assent of the Plantiffs and they confessed it A preaching Ministry is best but where it may not be had godly Prayers and Exhortations do much good L d. Chancel Livings rather want Learned men Egcrtor L. Elsemcr than Learned men Livings many in the Universities pining for want of Places I wish therefore some may have single Coats one Living before others have Doublets Pluralities And this method I have observed in bestowing the King's Benefices Bp. of Lond. I commend your honourable care that way but a Doublet is necessary in cold Weather L d. Chancel I dislike not the Liberty of our Church in granting to one man two Benefices but speak out of mine own purpose and practise grounded on the aforesaid reason BP of Lond. My last motion is that Pulpits may not bemade Pasquils wherein every discontented Fellow may traduce his Superiours His Majesty I accept what you offer for the Pulpit is no place of personall Reproof let them complaine to me if injured BP of Lond. If you Majesty shall leave your self open to admit of all Complaints hour Highnesse shall never be quiet nor your under-Officers regarded whom every Delinquent when censured will threaten to complain of His Majesty I mean they shall complaine to Me by degrees first to the Ordinarie from him to the Arch-bishop from him to the Lords of the Council and if in all these no remedy be found then to my Self Dr. Reyn. I come now to Subscription * This concerned the fourth generall head viz. the Communion Book as he first propounded it however here he took occasion to urge it as a great impeachment to a learned Ministerie and therefore intreat it may not be exacted as heretofore for which many good men are kept out though otherwise willing to subscribe to the Statutes of the Realme Articles of Religion and the Kings Supremacy The reason of their backwardness to subscribe is because the Common-prayer enjoyneth the Apocripha books to be read in the Church although some Chapters therein contain manifest Errours repugnant to Scripture For instance Ecclus 48. 10. Elias in person is said to come before Christ contrary to what is in the New * Mat 11. 14. Luke 1. 17. Testament of Elias in resemblance that is John the Baptist BP of Lond. Most of the Objections against those Books are the old Cavills of the Jewes renewed by S. Jerome who first called them Apocripha which opinion upon Ruffinus his challenge he after a sort disclaimed BP of Winch. Indeed S. Jerome saith Canonici sunt ad informandos mores non ad confirmandam fidem His Majesty To take an even order * Viz. in the Dominical Gospels betwixt both I would not have all Canonicall Books read in the Church nor any Chapter out of the Apocripha wherein any errour is contained wherefore let Dr. Reynolds note those Chapters in the Apocripha-books wherein those offences are and bring them to the Arch-bishop of Cant. against Wednesday next and now Dr. proceed Dr. Reyn. The next Scruple against Subscription is because it is twice * Here we omit Mr. Knowstub his exception against the interrogatories in Baptisme because he spake so perplexedly that his meaning is not to be collected therein set down in the Common-prayer-book Jesus said to his Disciples when by the Text in the Originall it is plain that he spake to the Pharisees His Majesty Let the word Disciples be omitted and the words Jesus said be printed in a different Letter Mr. Knewst I take exceptions at the Crosse in Baptism whereat the weak Brethren are offended contrary to the counsel of the Apostle Romans 14. 2 Corinth 8. His Majesty Distingue tempora concordabunt Scripturae Great the difference betwixt those times and ours Then a Church not fully settled Now ours long established How long will such Brethren be weak Are not FORTY FIVE years sufficient for them to grow strong in Besides who pretends this weaknesse We require not Subscriptions of Layicks and Ideots but of Preachers and Ministers who are not still I trow to be
supreme head of the Church and charged her as she would answer it at Gods Tribunall to take care of Christ his Evangil in suppressing the Popish Prelates who withstood the same But how long trow did you this continue Even till by her authority the Popish Bishops were repressed and Knox with his adherents being brought in made strong enough Then began they to make small account of her supremacy when according to that more light wherewith they were illuminated they made a farther reformation of themselves How they used the poore Lady my Mother is not unknowne and how they dealt with me in my minority I thus apply it My Lords the Bishops I may * This be said putting his hand to his bat thank you that these men plead thus for my Supremacy They think they cannot make their Party good against you but by appealing unto it but if once you were out and they in I know what would become of my Supremacy for NO BISHOP NO KING I have learned of what cut they have been who preaching before me since my coming into England passed over with silence my being Supreme Governour in causes Ecclesiasticall Well Doctour have you any thing else to say Dr. Reyn. No more if it please your Majesty His Majesty If this be all your Party hath to say I will make them conforme themselves or else I will harrie them out of the Land or else doe worse Thus ended the second dayes Conference Jan. 18 and the third began on the Wednesday following many Knights Civilians and Doctours of the Law being admitted thereunto because the High Commission was the principall matter in debate His Majesty I understand that the parties named in the High Commission are too many and too mean and the matters they deale with base such as Ordinaries at home in their Courts might censure Arch-b of Cant. It is requisite their number should be many otherwise I should be forced often-times to sit alone if in the absence of the Lords of the Council Bishops and Judges at Law some Deanes and Doctours were not put into that Commission whose Attendance I might command with the more Authority I have often complained of the meannesse of matters handled therein but cannot remedy it For though the Offence be small that the Ordinary may the Offender oft-times is so great and contumacious that the Ordinary dâre not punish him and so is forced to crave help at the High Commission A nameless L d. The Proceedings in that Court I dare not guess him for fear of failing are like the Spanish Inquisition whereiu men are urged to subscribe more than Law requireth and by the Oath ex officio forced to accuse themselves being examined upon twenty or twenty four Articles on a sudden without deliberation and for the most part against themselves In proof hereof he produced a Letter of an antient honourable Counsellour An. 1584. verifying this usage to two Minsters in Cambridge shire Arch-b of Cant. Your Lordship is deceived in the manner of proceeding For if the Article touch the Party for Life Liberty or Scandall he may refuse to answer I can say nothing to the particulars of the Letter because twenty yeares since yet doubted not but at leisure to give your Lordship satisfaction L d. Chancel There is necessity Here we omit a discourse about Subscription because not methodiz'd into the Speech of severall persons and use of the Oath Ex officio in divers Courts and Causes His Majesty Indeed civil Proceedings onely punish Facts but it is requisite that Fame and Scandals be looked unto in Courts Ecclesiasticall and yet great moderation is to be used therein 1. In gravioribus criminibus 2. In such whereof there is a publique Fame caused by the inordinate demeanour of the Offender And here he soundly described the Oath ex officio for the ground thereof the Wisdome of the Law therein the manner of proceeding thereby and profitable effect from the same Arch-b of Cant. Undoubtedly your Majesty speaks by the speciall assistance of Gods Spirit BP of Lond. I protest my heart melteth with joy that Almighty God of his singular mercy * This he spake on his knee hath given us such a King as since Christs time the like hath not beene Then passed there much discourse between the King the Bishops and the Lords about the quality of the Persons and Causes in the High Commission rectifying Excommunications in matters of lesse moment punishing Recusants providing Divines for Ireland Wales and the Northern Borders Afterwards the four Preachers were called in and such alterations in the Lyturgie were read unto them which the Bishops by the Kings advice had made and to which by their silence they seemed to consent His Majesty I see the exceptions against the communion-Communion-book are matters of weakness therefore if the persons reluctant be discreet they will be won betimes and by good perswasions If indiscreet better they were removed for by their factions many are driven to be Papists From you Dr. Reynolds and your Associates I expect obedience and humility the marks of honest and good men and that you would perswade others abroad by your example Dr. Reyn. We here do promise to performe all duties to Bishops as Reverend Fathers and to joyne with them against the common Adversary for the quiet of the Church Mr. Chader I request * This he spake kneeling the wearing of the Surplice and the Cross in Baptism may not be urged on some godly Ministers in Lancashire fearing if forced unto them many won by their preaching of the Gospel will revolt to Popery and I particularly instance in the Vicar of Ratsdale Ar-b of Cant. You could not have light upon a worse for not many yeares agoe as my Lord * Who being there present averred the same Chancellor knowes it was proved before me that by his unreverent usage of the Eucharist dealing the Bread out of a Basket every man putting in his hand and taking out a piece he made many loath the Communion and refuse to come to Church His Majestie It is not my purpose and I dare say it is not the Bishops intent presently and out of hand to enforce these things without Fatherly Admonitions Conferences and Perswasions premised but I wish it were examined whether such Lancashire Ministers by their paines and preaching have converted any from Popery and withall be men of honest Life and quiet Conversation If so let Letters be written to the Bishop of * This was Râch Vaughan afterwards Bishop of Lond. Chester who is grave and good man to that purpose that some favour may be afforded unto them and let the Lord Arch-bishop write the Letters BP of Lond. If this be granted the copie of these Letters will flie all over England and then all non conformists will make the like request and so no fruit follow of this Conference but things will be worse than they were before I desire therefore a
time may be limited within the compasse whereof they shall conforme His Majesty I assent thereunto and let the Bishop of the Diocesse set downe the time Mr. Knewst I request * Here he fell down on his knees the like favour of forbearance to some honest Ministers in Suffolk For it will make much against their credits in the Countrey to be now forced to the Surplice and Crosse in Baptisime Arch-b of Cant. Nay Sir His Majesty Let me alone to answer him Sir you shew your self an uncharitable man We have here taken paines and in the end have concluded on Unity and Uniformity and you forsooth must prefer the credits of a few Private Men before the Peace of the Church This is just the Scotch Argument when any thing was concluded which disliked some humours Let them either conform themselves shortly or they shall hear of it L d. Cecil The indecencie of ambuling Communions is very offensive and hath driven many from the Church BP of Lond. And Mr. Chaderton I could tell you of sitting Communions in Emanuel Colledge Mr. Chad. It is so because of the seats so placed as they be and yet we have some kneeling also in our Chappell His Majesty No more hereof for the present seeing they have joyntly promised hereafter to be quiet and obedient Whereat He rose up to depart into an inner Chamber BP of Lond. Gods goodnesse be blessed for your Majesty and give health and prosperity to Your Highnesse your Gracious Queene the young Prince and all the Royall Issue Thus ended the three dayes Conference The generall censure of the Conferencers wherein how discreetly the King carried himself Posterity out of the reach of Flatterie is the most competent Judg such matters being most truly discerned at distance It is generally said that herein he went above himselfe that the Bishop of London appeared even with himselfe and Dr. Reinolds fell much beneath himselfe Others observed that Archbishop Whitgift spake most gravely Bancroft when out of passion most politickly Bilson most learnedly And of the Divines Mr. Reynolds most largely Knewstubs most affectionately Chaderton most sparingly In this Scene onely Dr. Sparks was ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã making use of his hearing not speech converted it seemes to the truth of what was spoken and soon after setting forth a Treatise of Unity and Uniformity But the Nonconformists complained The Non-conformists Complaint that the King sent for their Divines not to have their Scruples satisfied but his Pleasure propounded not that he might know what they could say but they what he would do in the matter Besides no wonder if Dr. Reynolds a little lost himself whose eyes were partly dazled with the light of the Kings Majesty partly daunted with the heat of his displeasure Others complaine that this Conference is partially set forth onely by Dr. Barlow Dean of Chester their professed Adversary to the great disadvantage of their Divines And when the Israelites go down to the Philistines to whet all their Iron Tooles no wonder if they set a sharp edge on their owne and a blunt one on their Enemies weapons This Conference produced some alterations in the Lyturgie The Product of this Conference Womens baptising of Infants formerly frequent hereafter forbidden in the Rubrick of Absolution Remission of Sinnes inserted Confirmation termed also an Examination of Children and some words altered in the Dominicall Gospels with a resolution for a new Translation of the Bible But whereas it was hitherto disputable whether the North where he long lived or the South whither he lately came should prevaile most on the Kings judgement in Church-government this doubt was now clearly decided Hence forward many cripples in conformitie were cured of their former halting therein and such who knew not their owne till they knew the Kings minde in this matter for the future quietly digested the Ceremonies of the Church We have formerly made mention of the Millemanus Petition for Reformation The Copy of the Milenary Petition which about this time was solemnly presented to His Majesty and which here we have truly exemplified The humble Petition of the Ministers of the Church of England desiring Reformation of certaine Ceremonies and abuses of the Church To the most Christian and excellent Prince our Gracious and dread Soveraigne James by the grace of God c. We the Ministers of the Church of England that desire Reformation wish a long prosperous and happy Raigne over us in this Life and in the next everlasting Salvation MOst gracious and dread Soveraigne Seeing it hath pleased the Divine Majesty to the great comfort of all good Christians to advance Your Highnesse according to Your just Title to the peaceable Government of this Church and Common-wealth of ENGLAND We the Ministers of the Gospel in this Land neither as factious men affecting a popular Parity in the Church nor as Schismatikes aiming at the dissolution of the State Ecclesiasticall but as the faithfull servants of Christ and Loyall Subjects to Your Majesty desiring and longing for the redresse of divers abuses of the Church could doe no lesse in our obedience to God service to Your Majesty love to his Church than acquaint Your Princely Majesty with our particular griefs For as Your Princely Pen writeth The King as a good Physitian must first know what peccant humours his Patient naturally is most subject unto before he can begin his cure And although divers of us that sue for Reformation have formerly in respect of the times subscribed to the Book some upon Protestation some upon Exposition given them some with Condition rather than the Church should have been deprived of their labour and ministerie Yet now we to the number of moe than a thousand of Your Majesties Subjects and Ministers all groaning as under a common burden of Humane Rites and Ceremonies doe with one joynt consent humble our selves at Your Majesties Feet to be eased and relieved in this behalf Our humble suit then unto Your Majesty is that these offences following some may be removed some amended some qualified I. In the Church-Service That the Crosse in Baptisme Interrogatories ministred to Infants Confirmation as superfluous may be taken away Baptisme not to be ministred by Women and so explained The Cap and Surplice not urged That Examination may goe before the Communion That it be ministred with a Sermon That divers termes of Priests and Absolution and some other used with the Ring in Marriage and other such like in the Book may be corrected The long-somenesse of Service abridged Church-songs and Musick moderated to better edification That the Lords day be not profaned The Rest upon Holy-dayes not so strictly urged That there may be an Uniformity of Doctrine prescribed No Popish Opinion to be any more taught or defended No Ministers charged to teach their people to bow at the name of JESUS That the Canonicall Scriptures onely be read in the Church II. Concerning Church-Ministers That none hereafter
not legally be conveyed to any Petitioner Ann. Dom. 1604 Ann Reg. Jac. 2 Thus his Majesty manifested his good will and affection to Religion and although this Law could not finally preserve Church-lands to make them immortall yet it prolonged their lives for many yeares together 12. Passe we now into the Convocation The Acts of this Convocation why as ãâ¦ã recovered to see what was done there But here the History thereof as I may say is shot betwixt the joynts of the Armor in the intervall after Whitgift's death and before Bancroft's removall to Canterbury so that I can finde the Originall thereof neither in the Office of the Vicar-generall nor in the Registry of London not can I recover it as yet from the Office of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury where most probably it is to be had the Jurisdiction belonging to them in the Vacancy 13. Take this as the result thereof Many Canon made therein Bishop Bancroft sitting President A Book of Canons was compiled not onely being the summe of the Queens Articles Orders of her Commissioners Advertisements Canons of 1571. and 1597. which were in use before but also many more were added the whole number amounting unto 141. Some wise and moderate men supposed so many Lawes were too heavy a burden to be long borne and that it had been enough for the Episcopall party to have triumphed not insulted over their adversaries in so numerous impositions However an Explanation was made in one of the Canons of the use of the Crosse in Baptisme to prevent Scandall and learned Thuanus in his History taketh an especiall notice thereof 14. Motion being made in this Convocation Bishop Rudd why opposing the oath against Simony about framing an Oath against Simony to be taken by all presented to Churchpreferment Bishop Rudde of St. Davids as conscientious as any of his order and free from that fault opposed it chiefly because he thought it unequall that the Patron should not be forced as well as the Clerk to take that Oath Whereupon it was demanded of him whether he would have the King to take that Oath when he presented a Bishop or Dean and hereat the Bishop sate downe in silence 15. About this time the Corporation of Rippon in York-shire The Petition of the Town of Rippon to Queen Anne presented their Petition to Queen Anne on this occasion They had a faire Collegiate Church stately for the structure thereof formerly erected by the Nobility and Gentry of the Vicenage the meanes whereof at the dissolution of Abbies were seized on by the King so that small maintenance was left to the Minister of that populous Parish Now although Edwin Sands Arch-bishop of York with the Earle of Huntinton Lord Burgley and Sheaffield successively Presidents of the North had recommended their Petition to Qu. Elizabeth they obtained nothing but faire unperformed Promises whereupon now the Ripponeers humbly addressed themselves to Queen Anne and hear her answer unto them ANNA R. ANNE by the grace of God Qu. of England Scotland France and Ireland c. To all to whom these presents shall come greeting Whereas there hath been lately exhibited and recommended unto us a frame and plat-forme of a Colledge Generall to be planted and established at Rippon in the County of Yorke for the manifold benefit of both the Borders of England and Scotland Upon the due perusing of the plot aforesaid hereunto annexed and upon signification given of the good liking and approbation of the chief points contained therein by sundry grave learned and religious parties and some other of honourable Place and Estate We have thought good for the ample and perpetuall advancement of Learning and Religion in both the borders of our aforesaid Realmes to condescend to yeild our favour and best furtherance thereunto And for the better encouraging of other honourable and worthy Personages to joyn with us in yeilding their bounty and benevolence thereunto We have and do signifie and assure and by the word of a sacred Princesse and Queen do expresly promise to procure with all convenient speed to and for the yearely better maintenance of the said Colledge All and every of the Requests specified and craved to that end in a small Schedule hereunto annexed In confirmation whereof we have signed these Presents by our hand and name above mentioned and have caused our privy Signet to be set unto the same July 4. Dated at our Honour at Greenwich July 4. An. Dom. 1604. and of our Reigne c. After the sealing thus subscribed Gulielmus Toulerius Secretarius de mandate serenissimae Annae Reginae Angliae Scotiae Franciae Hiberniae 16. Such need never fear successe King James his bountifull grant who have so potent a person to solicite their suite King James being forward of himselfe to advance Learning and Religion and knowing Christs precept Let your Light shine before Men knew also that Rippon was an advantagious place for the fixing thereof As which by its commodious position in the North there would reflect lustre almost equally into England and Scotland Whereupon he founded a Dean and Chapter of seven Prebends allowing them two hundred forty seven pounds a yeare out of his own Crowne-land for their maintenance 17. I am informed These Lands since twice sold that lately the Lands of this Church are by mistake twice sold to severall Purchasers viz. Once under the notion of Dean and Chapters Lands and againe under the property of Kings Lands I hope the Chapâmen when all is right stated betwixt them will agree amongst themselves on their bargaine Mean time Rippon Church may the better comport with poverty because onely remitted to its former condition 18. The Family of Love or Lust rather at this time The Petition of the Family of Love to King James presented a tedious Petition to King James so that it is questionable whether His Majesty ever graced it with his perusall wherein they endeavoured to cleare themselves from some misrepresentations and by fawning expression to insinuate themselves into his Majesty's good opinion Which here we present To the King 's most excellent MAJESTY JAMES the first by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. MOst gracious and Sveraigne Lord whereas there is published in a Book written by your Highnesse as an instruction to your most noble * * In his Basilicon Doron Sonne whom Almighty God blesse with much Honour Happinesse and Long life of a People that are of a vile Sect among the Anabaptists called the Family of Love who doe hold and maintaine many proud uncharitable unchristian and most absurd Opinions unto whom your Highnesse doth also give the name of Puritans assuming in the said Book that divers of them as Brown Penry and others doe accord with them in their foule Errours heady and phantasticall Opinions which are there set downe at large by Your Majesty
justifie much like as it was practized in the Primitive Church against the Christians yea they are not ashamed to lay their owne and all other men disobedient and wicked acts of what profession soever it be upon our backs to the end cunningly to purchase favour and credit to themselves and to make us seeme monstrous and detestable before the Magistrates and the common people every where for that we and the doctrine of H. N. might without any indifferent tryall and lawfull or orderly proceedings as heretofore hath been used in the Christian Church in such eases for confuting and condemning of Heresie be utterly rooted out of the Land with divers other most cruell practices proceeding out of their bitter and envious hearts towards us tending to the same unchristian and mercilesse purpose the which we will here omit to speak of because we have already been overâtedious to your Highnesse and most humbly crave your most gracious pardon and patience therein in respect we speak to cleare our selves of such matters as may touch our lives and liberties which are two of the chiefest jewels that God hath given to Mankinde in this world and also for that we have few friends or any other meanes than this to acquaint your Highnesse with the truth and state of our cause whereof we think your Majesty is altogether ignorant but have very many Enemies whom we do greatly suspect will not be slack to prosecute their falfe and malitious purpose against as unto your Highnesse even like as they have accustomed in times past to doe unto our late Soveraign Queen through which prevailing in their slanderous defacing of us and our cause divers of us for want of friends to make is rightly known unto her Majestie have sundry times been constrained to endure their injurious dealing towards us to our great vexation and hindrance Wherefore most gratious Soveraign this is now our humble suit unto your Highness that when your Kingly affairs of importance which your Majestie hath now in hand shall be well overpast for the prosperous performance whereof we will as duty bindeth us daily pray unto Almighty God that then your Highnesse will be pleased because we have alwaies taken the same Authors work aforesaid to proceed out of the great grace and love of God and Christ extended towards all Kings Princes Rulers and People upon the universal earth as he in many of his works doth witness no lesse to their salvation unity peace and concord in the same Godly love to grant us that favour at your Majesties fit and convenient time to peruse the Books your self with an impartiall eye conferring them with the holy Scriptures wherein it seemeth by the Books that are set forth under your Highnesse name that you have had great travell and are therefore better able to judge between Truth and Falshood And we will whensoever it shall please your Highnesse to appoint the time and to command and licence us thereto doe our best endeavours to procure so many of the Books as we can out of Germany where they be Printed to be delivered unto your Majestie or such Godly Learned and indifferent men as it shall please your Majestie to appoint And we will also under your Highnesse lawfull Licence and commandement in that behalf doe our like endeavour to procure some of the Learned men in that Countrey if there be any yet remaining alive that were well acquainted with the Authour and his Works in his life time and which likewise have exercised his works ever since to come over and attend upon your Majestie at your appointed time convenient who can much more sufficiently instruct and resolve your Highnesse in any unusuall words phrase or matter that may happily seem dark and doubtfull to your Majestie that any of us in this your Land are able to doe And so upon your Highnesse advised consultation and censure thereupon finding the same Works hereticall or seditious and not agreeable to Gods holy Word and testimonies of all the Scriptures to leave them to take them as your Majesties Laws shall therein appoint us having no intent or meaning to contend or resist there-against however it be but dutifully to obey thereunto according to the Counsel of Scriptures and also of the said Authors work And our further humble suit unto your Highnesse is that of your gracious favour and clemency you will grant and give order unto your Majesties Officers in that behalf That all of us your faithfull loving Subjects which are now in Prison in any part of this your Realme for the same cause may be released upon such Bail or Bond as we are able to give and that neither we nor any of that company behaving our selves orderly and obediently under your Highnesse lawes may be any further persecuted or troubled therein untill such time as your Majestie and such Godly learned and indifferent men of your Clergie as your Highnesse shall appoint thereto shall have advisedly consulted and determined of the matter whereby we may not be utterly wasted by the great Charge of Imprisonment and Persecution and by the hard dealing of our Adversaries for we are but a People few in number and yet most of us very poor in worldly wealth O sacred Prince we humbly pray that the Almighty will move your Princely heart with true judgment to discerne between the right and the wrong of our cause according to that most certain and Christian Rule set down by our Saviour Christ unto his Disciples Matth 7. 12. Ye shall know the tree by the fruit and in our obedience peaceable and honest lives and conversation to protect us and in our disobedience and misdemeanour to punish us as resisters of Gods Ordinance of the Kingly Authority and most high Office of Justice committed to your Majestie to that purpose towards your Subjects Rom. 13. And gracious Soveraigne we humbly beseech your Highnesse with Princely Regard in equity and favour to ponder and grant the humble suit contained in this most lowly supplication of your loyall true hearted faithfull subjects And to remember that your Majestie in your Book of Princely grave and fatherly advice to the happy Prince your Royall Son doth conclude Principis est parcere subjectis debellare superbos and then no doubt God will blesse your Highnesse with all your Noble Off-spring with peace long life and all honours and happinesse long to continue over us for which we will ever pray with incessant prayers to the Almighty I finde not what effect this their Petition produced whether it was slighted and the Petitioners looked upon as inconsiderable or beheld as a few frantick folk out of their wits which consideration alone often melted their Adversaries Anger into Pity unto them 19. The main design driven on in the Petition is to separate themselves from the Puritans as persons odious to King JAMES that they might not fare the worse for their Vicinity unto them The Familists will in no wise
in the main agreeing together Quod duo stent Libri clausi Anglis Regiâ in ARA Lumina caeca duo Pollubra sicca duo An clausum caecúmque Dei tenet Anglia cultum Lumine caeca suo sorde sepulta suâ Romano ritu dum Regalem instruit ARAM Purpuream pingit * aliâs Religiosa Luxuriosa Lupam 42. Mr. George Herbert of Trinity-Coll in Cambridge made a most ingenious retortion of this Hexastick which as yet all my industry cannot recover Yet it much contenteth me that I am certainly informed that the posthume Remains shavings of Gold are carefully to be kept of that not lesse pious than witty writer are shortly to be put forth into Print when this his Anti pelvi Melvi But now at last Melvin his liberty was procured by the intercession of the chief of the Reformed in France Ann. Reg. Jac. 13 Ann. Dom. 1615. and being released he afterwards became Professour at Sedan in the Duke of âovillion his Countrey Here he ceased not to traduce the Church of England against which he wrote a scroale of Saphicks entituled TAMICHAMI-CATEGERIA 43. This year Thomas Bilson The death of Bishop Bilson Bishop of Winchester who carried Prelature in his very aspect ended his life first School-Master then Warden of Winchester afterwards Bishop of Worcester and lastly of Winchester A deep and profound Scholar excellently well read in the Fathers principally shewed in his Defence of Christ his descent into Hell 44. By the way Campian his falshood it is a falshood what Campian writes confidently that Cheney Bishop of Gloucester had affirmed unto him Namely that concerning this Article it was moved in a Convocation at London Quemadâodum sine tumultu penitus eximatur de Symbole How it might without any noise be wholly taken out of the Creed For no such debate appeateth upon Record in our Convocations and as for Campian his single affirmation is of no validity 45. Marcus Antonius de Dominis 1616. Dec. 6. Archbishop of Spalato Archbishop of Spalato came over into England was here courteously welcomed and plentifully preferred of whose hypocrisie and ingratitude largely b viz anno 1622. hereafter 46. King JAMES went into Scotland to visit His native Countrey Mar. 14. The King goes into Scotland with a Princely train In his passage thither He was much affected with a Sermon which one of his Chaplains preached upon this Text c Gen. 13. 2 3. Gen. 13. 2 3. And Abraham was very rich in cattell in silver and in gold And he went on his journeys from the South even to Bethell to the place where his Tent had been at the beginning As for His entertainment in Scotland we leave it to their Historians to relate For may my pen be plindered by the Borderers or Mosse-Troopers if offering to crosse Tweed into another Countrey 47. This year died Doctor William James The death of Bishop James born in Cheshire Master first of the University-Colledge then Dâan of Christ-Church in Oxford Chaplain to Robert Dudley Earle of Leitester and Confessour to him at his death and at last made Bishop of Durham He expended much on the repairing of the Chappel of Durham-house in the Strand and in his younger daâes was much commended for his hospitality 48. Two other prime Prelates accompanied him to the other world Bishop Robinson and Bishop Bennet Dr. Henry Robinson Provest of Queen-Colledge in Oxford Bishop of Carlisle of great temperance milde in speech but weak in constitution The other Robert Bennet Fellow of Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge Chaplain to the Lord Burleigh termed by a great Divine Eruditus Beneâictus Bishop of Hereford well-deserving of his See whose Houses he repaired 49. Doctor Mocket Doctor Mocket his Translation of our English Liturgie Warden of All-Souls in Oxford Chaplain to George Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury set forth a Book in pure Latine containing The Apologie of the Church of England The greater and lesser Catechisme The nine and thirty Articles The Common Prayer The Ordination of Bishops Priests and Deacons The Politie or Government of the Church of England As for the Homilies too tedious to be translated at large he epitomized them into certain Propositions by him faithfully extracted 50. No sooner appeared this Book in print Cavilled at by many but many faults were found therein Indeed it fared the worse for the Authour the Authour for his Patron the Archbishop against whom many Bishops began then to combine Some accused him of presumption for undertaking such a task without d Yet âum Privilegio is prefixt on the first page Commission from the KING it being almost as faâall for Private persons to tamper with such Publick matters Ann. Dom. 1617 Ann. Reg. Jac. 15 as for a Subject to match into the blood-Royal without leave of his Soveraigne Others complained that he enlarged the liberty of a Translatour into the licence of a Commenter and the Propositions out of the Homilies by him collected were made to lean to the judgment of the Collectour James Montague Bishop of Winchester a potent Courtier took exceptions that his Bishoprick in the marshalling of them was wronged in the method as put e In his Politica Ecclesiae Angl. cap 5. p. 314. The pinching accusation after any whose Bishop is a Privie Counsellour 50. But the main matter objected against it was That this Doctor was a better Chaplain than a Subject contracting the Power of his PRINCE to enlarge the Priviledge of his Patron allowing the Archbishop of Canterbury's power to confirm the Election of Bishops in his Provinces citing f ibid. pag. 309. for the same the 6â Canon of the first Nicene Councell established by Imperiall authority If any be made a Bishop without the censent of his Metropolitan he ought not to be a Bishop 51. This was counted an high offence to attribute an obliging authority either to Canon or Civil Law Imperiall Decrees command not in England both which if crossing the Common Law of the Land are drowned in their passage as they saile over from Callis to Dover and K. JAMES justly jealous of his own Prerogative approved not such a confirming power in the Archbishop wich might imply a Negative Voice in case he disliked such Elects as the KING should recommend unto him 52. Hereupon On the burning of his Book Dr. Mocket dyeth Doctor Mocket his Book was ceasured to be burned which was done accordingly Now although the imperfections and indiscretions of this Translatour might be consumed as dross in the fire yet the undoubted truth of the Articles of the English Church therein contained as Flame-free and perfectly refined will endure to all eternity The Doctor took this censure so tenderly especially so much defeated in his expectation to finde punishment where he looked for preferment as if his life were bound up by sympathy in his Book he ended his daies soon after 53.
Though his death much affected his friends in Oxford The death of Robert Abbot Bishop of Salisbury Mar. 2. yet farre greater the grief of that University for the decease of Robert Abbot Bishop of Salisbury who died this year One of the honours not onely of that See but of the Church of England born at Guilford in Surrey of religious Parents as persevering in the Truth though g Abel Redivivus pag. 540. persecuted for the same in the Reign of Queen MARY Whose two younger Brothers George and Maurice the one came to be Archbishop of Canterbury the other was Lord Mayor of London and the first Knight of King CHARLES his dubbing This good Bishop his deserts without any other Friend or Spokesman preferred him to all his Promotions For Upon his Oration made on Queen ELIZABETH her Inauguration he was chosen Scholar and afterwards Fellow and Master of Baliol-Colledge Upon a Sermon preached At Worcester he was made Lecturer of that City At Paul's Crosse Master John Stanhoppe preferr'd him to the rich Benefice of Bingham in Nottingham-shire Before King JAMES he was nominated Successour to Doctor Holland in the Kings-Professour his place in Oxford Upon the same of his incomparable Lectures de potestate Regiâ and other labours he was made Bishop of Salisbury In conferring which Place the KING conquered all opposition which some envious persons raised against him witnesse His MAJESTIES pleasant speech Abbot I have had much to doe to makeâ thee a Bishop but I know no reason for it unless it were because thou hast written a Booke against a Popish Preâââe meaning William Bishop entituled by the Pope the Nominall Bishop of the Aâreall Diocesse of Calcedon which enraged the Courâ Papists against him to obstruct his preferment The hour-glass of his life saith my h Dr. Fealty in the Life ãâã Bp. Abbor p. 549. Authour ran out the sooner for having the sand or gravel thereof stopt so great his grief of the stone though even whilst his body was on the rack his soule found ease in the assurance of salvation 54. About this time The Imp. stuâe of the Boy of Bilâon a Boy dwelling at Bilson in Stafford-shire William Perry by name not full fifteen years in age but above forty in cunning was practised on by some Jesuits repairing to the house of Mr. Gifford in that County to dissemble himself Possessed This was done on designe that the Priests might have the credit to cast out that Devil which never was in so to grace their Religion with the reputation of a Miracle 55. But now the best of the jest or rather the worst of the earnest Found ouâ by Bishop Moâcton was the Boy having gotten a habit of counterfeiting leading a lazie life thereby to his own ease and Parents profit to whom he was more worth than the best Plough-land in the shire would not be undeviled by all their Exorcisms so that the Priests raised up a spirit which they could not allay At last by the industry of Dr. Moreton Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield the jugling was laid open to the world by the Boyes own confession and repentance who being bound an Apprentice at the Bishops cost verified the Proverb That an untoward Boy may make a good Man 56. Indeed all this KING's Reign was scattered over with Cheaters in this kinde Cheaters of several kindes Some Papists some Sectaries some neither as who dissembled such possession either out of malice to be revenged on those whom they accused of Witchcraft or covetousnesse to enrich themselves seeing such who out of charity or curiosity repaired unto them were bountifull in their relief But take a few of many Papists No Papists i See Bp. Harsnet his Book on this subject pag. 81. Sarah Williams lying past all sense in a Trance had a Devil say the Roma nists slipt up into her leg k John Gââ's Foot out of the snare pag. 53. Grace Sourebuts of Salmisbury in the County of Lancaster was perswaded by Southworth a Priest to dissemble possession to gain himself credit by Exorcising her l Idem pag. 54. Mary and Amie two Maids of Westminster pretended themselves in raptures from the Virgin Mary and Michael the Arch-Angel m Idem p. 55. Edward Hance a Popish Priest born at Lutterworth in Leicester-shire gave it out that he was possessed of the Blessed Trinity Rich Haydok Fellow of New-Colledge in Oxford preached in his dreams Latine Sermons against the Hierarchie He afterwards recanted lived in good esteem to a great age in Salisbury practising Physick being also an excellent Poet Limner and Ingraver Anne Gunter a Maid of Windsor gave it out she was possessed of a Devil was transported with strange Extaticall Phrensies A Maid at Standon in Hartfordshire which personated a Demoniack so lively that many judicious persons were deceived by her See we this Catalogue consists most of the weaker sex either because Satan would plant his Battery where easiest to make a Breach or because he found such most advantaged for dissembling and his Cloven-foot best concealed under Long coats Indeed some Feminine weaknesses made them more strong to delude the ruines of the Disease of the Mother being the best Foundation to build such Impostourie thereon 57. K. James remembring what Solomon n Prov. 25. 2. King James his dexterity in detecting them Ann. Dom. 1618. Ann. Regis Jac. 16 saith It is the honour of a King to search out a matter was no lesse dexterous than desirous to make discovery of these Deceits Various were His waies in detecting them awing some into confession with His presence perswading others by promise of pardon and fair usage He ordered it so that a Proper Courtier made love to one of these be witched Maids and quickly Cupid his Arrows drave out the pretended Darts of the Devil Another there was the Tides of whose Possession did so Ebbe and Flow that punctually they observed one hour till the KING came to visit her The Maid loath to be so unmannerly as to make His MAJESTY attend her time antedated her Fits many houres and instantly ran through the whole Zodiack of tricks which she used to play A third strangely-affected when the first verse of S. John's Gospel was read unto her in our Translation was tame and quiet whilst the same was pronounced in Greek her English Devil belike understanding no other language The frequency of such forged Possessions wrought such an alteration upon the judgement of King JAMES that he receding from what he had written in his Demonologie grew first diffident of and then flatly to deny the workings of Witches and Devils as but Falshoods and Delusions 58. K. James having last year in His progress passed through Lancashire The Kings Declaration for liberty on the Lords day May 24. took notice That by the preciseness of some Magistrates and Ministers in severall places of this Kingdome in hindring people from
though Gregory the great was perswaded the prohibition was in it self injurious and unlawfull yet he did In i Lib. 2. Ep. 61. diversas terrarum partes transmittere legem quia erat subjectus Ejus jussionibus Convinced with these Reasons some Ministers not with any delight in the Message but in Duty to the Authority which sent intended if put to the trial sadly and unwillingly to publish the Declaration A third sort took up a resolution to read the Declaration A third sort resolve on a strange expedient or suffer it to be read and presently after to preach against the contents of what they had published hoping so warily to avoid the danger of disobedience in refusing to promulgate it and of profaneness in seeming to approve it But whether by this middle way setting God and the King as openly opposite they would have declined or contracted more odium it is hard to determine 62. But now Laucashire Ministers more scared than hurt after so long and many diversities of Opinions and Arguments on severall sides their own fear proved at last their onely foe The KING's goodness taking away the subject of their jealousie so that no Minister in the County was enjoyned to read the Book in his Parish wherewith they had so affrighted themselves However their Arguments may be kept cold and laid up provisionally against the time they had use thereof especially for such who survived till the seventh of King CHARLES when the Declaration for Liberty on the Lords-day was injoyned though not by the KING the Ministers to publish clean through the Land 63. However A third sort read it with approbation of the contents therein there wanted not many both in Lancashire and elswhere who conceived the Declaration came forth seasonably to suppresse the dangerous endeavour of such who now began in their Pulpits to broach the dregs of Judaism and force Christians to drink them So that those legal Ceremonies long since dead buried and rotten in the grave of our Saviour had now their ghosts as it were walking frighting such people with their terrible apparitions who were perswaded by some Preachers to so rigorous observation of the Sabbath that therein it was unlawful to dresse meat sweep their houses kindle the fire or the like Yea and the Papists in Lancashire especially a frontier Countrey as I may term it of Papists and Protestants where the Reformed Religion had rather a truce than a peace standing on its guard and posture of defence I say in Lancashire the Romanists made advantage of this strictness to pervert many to Popery perswading them That the Protestant Religion was the School of Tyrannus where no lawful liberty was allowed And no wonder if many common people were hereby fetcht off unto them starting aside as a broken bow chiefly because over-bent for lack of lawfull recreation But enough hereof and too much if not pressed thereunto in pursuance of our History and yet ere long we must have more on the same sad subject 64. Now of the Broakers of Judaisme The Heretical Opinions of John Thraâke John Thraske was a principall Whether ever he sucked on the breasts of either University or onely was brought up by hand in some petty-School I know not This I know that secking to be made Deacon or Minister by James Bishop of Bath and Wells Doctor Samuel Ward then Poser and the Bishops Chaplain refused him as altogether insufficient However afterwards he got Orders and then began to vent his Opinions That the Lords-day was to be observed with the same strictnesse by Christians as it was by Jewes and That all Meats and Drinks forbidden in the Leviticall Law bound Christians to the same observance thereby opening a dore to let in the rabble of all Ceremonies Thus he brought in a constant Lent of his own making And whereas Divines can forbid no meat as unlawfull though Politicians may as unthrifty for the State and Physicians as unhealthfull for the body because CHRIST hath given us that Licence To the clean all things are clean yet he seduced many souls with his Tenets and his own Wife amongst many others For these he was censured in the Star-Chamber but afterwards recanted his Opinions and lived as unsetled in judgment as place in several parts of the Kingdome I have heard him preach a Sermon nothing relating to the aforesaid Doctrine and when his Auditors have forgotten the matter they will remember the loudness of his stentorious voice which indeed had more strength than any thing else he delivered He afterwards relapsed not into the same but other Opinions rather humerous than hurtfull and died obscurely at Lambeth in the Reign of King CHARLES Nor must we forget that his Wife could never be unperverted again but perished in her Judaism because as our Saviour k Mat. 13. 15. observeth Proselytes in generall are twofold worse than their Leader and her Sex as pliable to receive as tenacious to retain had weaknesse enough to embrace an error and obstinacy too much to forsake it 63. At this time began the troubles in the Low-Countreys about matters of Religion heightned between two opposite parties Remonstrants and Contra-Remonstrants their Controversies being chiefly reducible to five points Of Predestination and Reprobation Of the Latitude of Christ's death Of the power of mans Free will both before and after his conversion and Of the Elects perseverance in grace To decide these difficulties the States of the United Provinces resolved to call a National Synod at Dort And to give the more lustre and weight to the determinations thereof desired some forreign Princes to send them the assistance of Their Divines for so pious a work Especially they requested our KING of Great Britain to contribute His aid thereunto being Himself as forward to doe as they desire any thing conducible to GOD's glory and the Churches good Who out of His own Princely wisdome and free favour made choice of George Carleton Doctor of Divinity then Bishop of Landaff and afterward Bishop of Chichester Joseph Hall Doctor of Divinity then Dean of Worcester and afterward Bishop of Exeter and Norwich John Davenant Doctor of Divinity then Margaret-Professour and Master of Queens-Colledge in Cambridge afterwards Bishop of Salisbury Samuel Ward Doctor of Divinity then Master of Sidney-Colledge in Cambridge and Arch-Deacon of Taunton These These Instructions I saw transcribed out of Dr. Davenant his own Manuscript according to their summons repairing to His MAJESTY at New-Market received from Him there these following Instructions concerning their behaviour in the Synod 1. OUr will and pleasure is That from this time forward upon all occasions you inure your selves to the practice of the Latine Tongue that when there is cause you may deliver your mindes with more readinesse and facility 2. You shall in all points to be debated and disputed resolve amongst your selves before-hand what is the true State of the Question and jointly and uniformly agree thereupon
Bath-Church A strange accident at his burial being a very corpulent man was upon the day of the Bishop's burial appointed to keep the dores He entred on this his imployment in the Morning whereon the Funeral was kept but was buried himself before night and before the Bishops body was put into the ground because being bruised to death by the pressing in of people his Corps required speedy interment so needful it is for those to watch for their own change who wait on the graves of others 10. I cannot attain the exact date of the death of John Overall The death of Bp. Overall carrying Superintendency in his Surname the Bishop of Norwich first Fellow of Trinity Coll then Master of Katherine-Hall and King's Professour of Divinity in Cambridge One of a strong brain to improve his great reading and accounted one of the most Learned Controversial Divines of those daies 11. A grand Grievance was now much complained of A great abuse of the King's favour but little redressed some great Courtiers there were to whom the KING had passed His Grants to compound with Papists for their Recusancie Some of these Grantees abused the KING's favour and Compounded with such persons for light summes even before their legall Conviction whereby the Offenders in that kinde became the more backward to Conform themselves to the king's Lawes Hit Majesty not aiming at their punishment but reformation And although this indirect course was flatly forbidden by His Royal Declaration set forth 1610 yet was this corruption connived at and is conceived a main cause of the great and speedy increase of Popery 12. About this time Ann. Reg. Ja. 19. a sad mischange besell George About Archbishop of Can terbury Ann. Dom. 1621. in this manner Archbishop casually killed a Keâper He was invited by the Lord Zouch to Bramshill in Hampshire to hunt and kill a Buck The Keeper ran amongst the Herd of Deer to bring them up to the sairer mark whilest the Archbishop litting on his Horse back let loose a barded-Arrow from a Crosbow and unhappily hit the Keeper He was shot through the Enmontery of the left Arm and the Arrow dividing those grand auxiliary vessels he died of the flux of blood immediately Nature having provided that all the large Vessels are defended externally by bones He never spake after as the person still alive at Croydon who brought off his body informed me and died not of the ill-dressing of the Wound as some have printed it This presently put an end to the sport that day and almost to the Archbishops mirth to the last of his life 13. The same of this mans death The mischance rigidly censured flew faster than the Arrow that killed him The Archbishops mischance in many men met not with so sad a casualty did deserve He was not much beloved by the inferiour Clergie as over-rigid and austere Indeed he was mounted to command in the Church before he ever learned to obey therein Made a Shepherd of Shepherds before he was a Shepherd of Sheep Consecrated Bishop before ever called to a Pastoral Charge which made say some him not to sympathize with the necessities and insirmities of poor Ministers As for the superiour Clerigie some for his irregularity and removal expected preferment as the second Boule is made first and the third second when that neerest the mark is violently removed 14. It is strange to see Many Canonists quickly made how suddainly many men started up Canonists and Casuists in their discourse who formerly had small skill in that prosession In their ordinary talk they cited Councels and Synods some had up S. Jerome's speech Venatorem nunquam legimus sanctum others were busie with the Decree of the Councel of Orleance Gratian 49 B. distinct 34 Episcopo * Note that these Canons were never admitted Lawes in England Presbytero an t Diacono canes ad venandum an t accipitres habere non licet Others distinguished of a three-fold hunting 1. Oppressiva 2. Arenaria 3. Saltuosa These maintained that the two former were utterly unlawfull but the last might lawfully be used Others distinguished of Homicide 1. Exnecessitate 2. Ex voluntate 3. Excasu the case in hand In a word this accident divided all great companies into pro and con for or against the Archbishops irregularity on this occasion yet all the force of their skill could not mount the guilt of this fact higher than the fountain thereof When all was done it was but Casual Homicide who sought not for the man but God was pleased to bring the Man to his hand 15. Sir Henry Savill Archbishops may hunt by the Laws of the Land the Archbishops old acquaintance as his contemporary in Oxon repaired on his behalf to the Oracle of the Law Sir Edward Coke whom he found a bowling for his recreation My Lord said he I come to be satisfied of you in a point of Law If it be a point of Common Law said sir Edward Coke I am unworthy to be a Judge if I cannot presently satissie you but if it be a point of Statute Law I am unworthy to be Judge if I should undertake to satissie you before I have consulted my Books It is this said Sir Henry Whether may a Bishop Hunt in a Park by the Laws of the Realm I can presently resolve you said the Judge He may bunt by the Lawes of the Realm by this very token That there is an old Law let the young Students in that profession finde it out that a Bishop when dying is to leave his pack of Dog's called Muta * From the French macte de chiens canum to the Kings free use and disposal 16. The party whom the Archbishop suspected his greatest Foe Bp. Andrewes the Archbishops great friend proved his most firm and effectuall Friend even Lancelot Andrews Bishop of Winchester For when several Bishop inveighed against the irregularity of the Archbishop laying as much if not more guilt on the act than it would bear He mildly checked them Brethren said he be not too busie to condemn any for Uncanonicalls according to the strictnesse thereof left we render our selves in the same condition Besides we all know canones qui dicunt lapsos post actam poenitentiam ad clericatum non esse restituendos de rigore loquuntur disciplinae noninjiciunt desperationem indulgentiae 17. His restitution and mortification King James being Himself delighted in Hunting Ann. Dom. 1621. was sorry any ill accident should betide the users thereof Ann. Regis Jac. 19 But when He was assured how deeply the Archbishop layed this casualty to his heart He much pitied him and said to a Lord discoursing thereof It might have been My chance or thine So that not long after the Archbishop who had lately retired himself to Guildford Almes-house of his own founding returned to Lambeth and to the performance of his Office though some squeamish
and nice-conscienced Elects scrupled to be consecrated by him He gave during his own life Twenty pounds a year to the Man's Widow which was not long a Widow as quickly re-maried He kept a Monethly-Fast on a Tuesday as the day whereon this casualty befell in a word this Keeper's death was the Archbishop's mortification 18. A project against the Clergy to get money At this time the KING's Exchequer grew very low though Lionel Cransield Lord Treasurer and Earl of Middlesex neglected no means for the improving thereof In order whereunto Reader let this Story passe into thy belief on my credit knowing my selfe sufficiently assured thereof a Projector such necessary evils then much countenanced informed His MAJESTY of a way whereby speedily to advance much Treasure And how for sooth was it Even that a new Valuation should be made of all Spiritual preferments which now in the King's Books passed at Under-tates to bring them up to or near the full value thereof This would promote both the casual fines as I may term them of First-fruits and the Annual rent of Tenths to the great advantage of the Crown The KING sent to the Lord Treasurer demanding his judgment thereof 19. Declined by the Lord Treasurer The Treasurer returned His MAJESTY an Answer to this effect so near as I can remember from the mouth of a Noble person then present Sir You have ever been beheld as a great Lover and Advancer of Learned men and You know Clergy-mens education is chargeable to them or their friends Long it is before they get any preferment which at last generally is but small in proportion to their pains and expences Let it not be said that You gained by grinding them other waies lesse obnoxious to just censure will be found out to furnish your occasions The KING commended Cranfield as doing it only for triall adding moreover I should have accounted thee a very knave if encouraging Me herein and so the project was blasted for the present as it was when it budded again propounded by some unworthy instrument in the Reign of King CHARLES 20. Who is truly excused I know some will suspect the Treasurer more likely to start than crush so gainful a design as who by all waies means sought to encrease the royal Revenue I know also that some accuse him as if making his Master's wings to molt thereby the better to feather his own nest Indeed he raised a fair estate and surely he will never be a good Steward for his Master who is a bad one for himself Yet on due and true enquiry it will appear that though an High power did afterwards prosecute him yet his innocence in the main preserved him to transmit a good estate to his posterity So that much of truth must be allowed in his * Frequent in his House at Copâhall Motto PERDIDIT FIDES he was lost at Court for his fidelity to K. JAMES in sparing His Treasure and not answering the expensivenesse of a great Favourite 21. The L. Bacon outed âor Bâibery A Parliament was call'd Jan. 20. wherein Francis Bacon L d Chancellor was outed his Office for Bribery the frequent receiving thereof by him or his was plainly proved Yet for all his taking just and unjust he was exceedingly poor and much indebted Wherefore when motion was made in the House of Commons of Fining him some thousand of pounds Sir Fr. S. a noble Member standing up desired that for two Reasons his Fine might be mitigated into fourty shillings First because that would be payed whereas a greater summe would onely make a noise and never be payed Secondly the shame would be the greater when such his prodigality that he who had been so large a taker in his Office was reduced to such penury that forty shillings should be conceived a sufficient Fine for his Estate But it was fine enough for him to lose his Office remitted to a mean and private condition 22. None can character him to the life An ãâ¦ã his character save himself He was in parts more than a Man who in any Liberal profession might be whatsoever he would himself A great Honourer of antient Authors yet a great Deviser and Practiser of new waies in Learning Privy Counsellor as to King JAMES so to Nature it self diving into many of her abstruse Mysteries New conclusions he would dig out with mattocks of gold silver not caring what his experience cost him expending on the Trials of Nature all and more than he got by the Trials at the Barre Posterity being the better for his though he the worse for his own dear experiments He and his Servants had all in common the Men never wanting what their Master had and thus what came flowing in unto him was sent flying away from him who in giving of rewards knew no bounds but the bottome of his own purse Wherefore when King JAMES heard that he had given Ten pounds to an under-keeper by whom He had sent him a Buck the KING said merrily I and He shall both die Beggars which was condemnable Prodigality in a Subject He lived many years after and in his Books will ever survive in the reading whereof modest Men commend him in what they doe condemn themselves in what they doe not understand as believing the fault in their own eyes and not in the object 23. Bishop Williams made Lord Keeper All stood expecting who should be Bacon's Successour in the Chancery Sure he must be some man of great and high abilities otherwise it would seem a valley next a mountain to maintain a convenient and comely level in that eminent Place of Judicature Now whilst in common discourse some made this Judge others that Sergeant Lord Chancellor King JAMES made Dr. Williams lately and still Dean of Westminster soon after Bishop of Lincolne Though the KING was the principal July 10. the Duke of Buckingham was more than the instrumental advancer of him to the title of Lord Keeper in effect the same in Place and Power with the Lord Chancellor 24. Some causlesly offended The KING's choice produced not so much dislike as general wonder Yet some cavilled at Doctor Williams his Age as if it were preposterous for one to be able for that Office before antient and as if one old enough for a Bishop were too young for a Chancellor Others questioned his abilities for the Place Could any expect to reap Law where it was never sown who can apply the remedy whilst he is ignorant in the malady Being never bred to know the true grounds and reasons of the Common Law how could he mitigate the rigour thereof in difficult cases He would be prone to mistake the severity of the Common Law for cruelty and then unequal equity and unconscionable conscience must be expected from him Besides the Place was proper not for the plain but guarded Gown and the Common Lawyers prescribed for six * Yet Sir Ch.
Hatton was never bred a Lawyer Descents a strong Title indeed wherein onely Men of their Robe were advanced thereunto 25. His eminent abilities Yet some of these altered their judgments when considering his education who for many years had been House Chaplain yea and more than Chaplain intimate Friend-servant to the old Lord Edgerton who understood the Chancellor-Craft as well as any who ever sat in that Place and who whilst living imparted many Mysteries of that Court when dying bequeathed many choice Books and directions unto him His parts were eminent who could make any thing he read or heard his own and could improve any thing which was his own to the utmost Besides for a Clergy-man to be Lord Chancellor was no usurpation but a recovery seeing Ecclesiasticks antiently were preferred to that Place and Sir Nicholas Bacon Father to the last Chancellor received the Broad Seale from a Church-man viz Nicholas Heath Archbishop of York 26. Considering all disadvantages Well manage the place he managed the Office to admiration I know it is reported by his adversaries to his discredit That never L. Keeper made so many Orders w ch afterwards were reversed w ch whether true or no I know not Sure it is that unpartial men of the best clearest judgments highly commended him and J. Yelverton himself hearing him in a case of concernment ingenuously profest This is a most admirable Man Here he sat in the Office so long till disdaining to be a Dependent as a Pent-house on the Duke's favour and desiring to stand an absolute structure on his own foundation at Court he fell as God willing shall in due time be related 27. Should we now look into the Convocation A still-born Convocation we should finde them on Wednesdaies and Fridaies devoutly at the Letany otherwise having little imployment as impowered by no Commission to alter any thing So that sitting amongst the Tombs in Westminster Church they were as once one of their Prolocutors said Viva cadavera inter mortuos as having no motion or activity allowed unto them 28. About this time Meric Casaubon set forth a Book in defence of his deceased Father Young Merit Casaubon vindicates his Father from railers against whom many had spit their venome First Heribert Roswed a Jesuite and after him Andrew Schoppius a renowned railer one that is alwaies incensed against Learning and Honesty wheresoever he findes them severally but implacable against such a man in whom both meet together It seems it is his policie thus to seek to perpetuate his memory by railing against eminent persons hoping that he shall jointly survive with their worth whereas their light shall burn bright when his snuffe shall be trodden under foot Then Julius Cesar Bullinger and Andrew Eudemono Joannes a vizard-name composed to fright fools and make wise men laugh at it Yea though he had formerly met with a quaternion of learned Confuters Bishop Abbot Doctor Prideaux Doctor Collins Master Burrhill young Casaubon then Student in Christ-Church thought it his duty farther to assert his Fathers memory and to give a brief account of his life and conversation 29. This is the benefit of Learned mens marriage The good effect of his endeavours God oftentimes so blessing it that they need not go out of themselves for a champion to defend them but have one springing from their own bowels And his Son though by reason of his age low in himself is tall when standing on the advantage-ground of his Fathers grave whose memory he is to maintain Yea God seems so well pleased with his piety that his endevours took such effect that no railing Libels to that purpose came forth afterwards which formerly had been so frequent Whether because these curres weary of their own barking did even sneak away in silence or because they had no more minde to challenge seeing a Defendant provided to undertake them 30. Upon the removal of Richard Milborne to Carlile William Laud Bp. of S. Davids William Laud President of S. John's Colledge in Oxford was made Bishop of S. Davids Of whom because every one speaks so much I will * When I wrote this I intended to close my History at K. Iames his dâath since by importunity urged to continue it farther say the lesse The rather because at this time and during the extent of our History this Bishop lived in a private way bare no great stream as being before that the tide of greatnesse flowed in upon him Yea as yet he took more notice of the world than the world did of him Indeed as the matter whereof China-dishes are made must lie some Ages in the earth before it is ripened to perfection so great persons are not fit for an Historian's use to write freely of them till some years after their decease when their memories can neither be marred with envy nor mended with flattery However his good deeds to S. John's Colledge in Oxford must not be forgotten yea that whole University if afraid in English to speak in praise of his bounty will adventure with safety to commend him in the Arabick tongue whereof he founded them a Professour 31. This year was fatal to many eminent Clergy-men Ioân Kâng Bp. of London diâs beside others of inferiour note We begin with Iohn King Bishop of London formerly Dean of Christ-Church who died on Good-Friday of the stone Of antient extraction in cujus Genere vel Indole nihil reperio mediocre nihil quod non praecellens descended saith the * pag. 775 Survay of London from the Saxon Kings in Devonshire by his Father Philip King sometimes Page to King HENRY the VIII Nephew and Heire to Robert King last Abbot of Osney and first Bishop of Oxford who left him a great personal Estate which it seems was quickly consumed so that this Prelate used to say He believed there was a Fate in Abbey-Money no lesse than Abbey-Land which seldome proved Fortunate or of Continuance to the Owners 32. He was Chaplain to Queen ELIZABETH His eminencies and as he was appointed by Her Councel to preach the first Sermon at Court when Her Body lay In hearsed in the Chappel of White-Hall so was he designed for the first Sermon to Her Successour King JAMES at Charter-House when He entred London then sworn his first Chaplain Who commonly called him the King of Preachers And Sir Edward Coke would say of him He was the best Speaker in Starre-Chamber in his time Soon after he was made Dean of Christ-Church Oxon and chosen one of the four Preachers in the Conference at Hampton-Court Then advanced to the Bishoprick of London Where he let the world see his high Place of Government did not cause him to forget his Office in the Pulpit shewing by his example That a Bishop might Govern and Preach too In which service he was so frequent that unlesse hindred by want of health he omitted no Sunday whereon he did not visit some Pulpit
Thirdly because in fine it proved nothing though kept on foot so long till K. James by endeavouring to gain a Daughter-in Law had in effect lost His own Daughter Her Husband and Children being reduced to great extremities 7. Truly K. James never affected his Son in Law 's acceptance of the Bobemian Crown A Crown not joyed in nor promised Himself any good successe thence though great the hope of the German Protestants therein Indeed some of them were too credulous of a blinde Prophesie commonly currant amongst them POST TER VIGINTI CESSABIT GLORIA QUINTI Expecting the ending of the Austrian Family sixty years being now expired since the death of Charles the fift but discreet persons slighted such vanities and the Quinti had like to have proved the extirpation of Frederick fift of that name Palatine of Rhyne had not God almost miraculously lately countermanded it 8. Yea K. Iames accused by some K. James privately foretold to some principal persons that this matter would prove the ruine of his Daughter There want not some who say That he went about to virefie his own Prediction by not sending seasonable succours for their assistance who had He turned His Embassies into Armies might probably have prevented much Protestant misery 9. Others excuse K. James Defended by others partly from the just hopes He had to accommodate all interests in a peaceable way partly from the difficulty of conveying effectual forces into so farre distant a Countrey 10. Mean time both the Palatinates were lost Both the Palatinates lost the Upper seized on by the Emperour the Neather but higher in value by the King of Spaine the City of Heidelberg taken and plunder'd and the inestimable Library of Books therein carried over the Alpes on Mules backs to Rome Each Mule laded with that learned burthen had a silver-plate on his forehead wherein was engraven FERO BIBLIOTHECAM PRINCIPIS PALATINI Now those Books are placed in the Popes Vatican entituling Protestants to visit the place who one day may have as good successe as now they have just right to recover them 11. As for the Palatinate Land of Promise Now Land of Performance Satyricall tongues commonly called it the Land of Promise so frequently and so solemnly was the restitution thereof promised to King James fed only with delayes which amounted to mannerly denials Since it hath pleased God to turn this Land of Promise into a * The nether Palatinate Land of Performance the present Palatine being peaceably possessed thereof 12. Prince Charles Prince Charles goes to Spain with the Duke of Buckingham lately went privately through France where He saw the Lady whom afterwards He married into Spain It is questionable whether then more blamed K. James for sending him or afterwards blessed God for his safe return Sumptuous his entertainment in the Spanish Court where it was not the Kings fault but Kingdomes defect that any thing was wanting He quickly discovered the coursness of fine-pretending wares at distance are easily confuted neer hand that the Spanish State had no minde or meaning of a Match as who demanded such unreasonable Liberty in education of the Royall Off-spring in case any were born betwixt them and other Priviledges for English Papists that the King neither could nor would in honour or conscience consent thereunto However Prince Charles whose person was in their power took his fair farewell with courteous compliance 12. Though He entred Spain like a private person His return * Sept. 12. He departed it like Himself and the Son of his Father * The Reader is requested to pardon our short setting back of time a stately Fleet attending Him home Foul weather forced them to put in at the Isse of Syllie the parings of England South-west of Cornwall where in two daies they fed on more and better flesh than they found in Spain for many moneths Octob. 5. 6. Soon after He arrived at Portesmouth and the next day came to London to the great rejoicing of all sorts of people signified by their bonefires ringing of bells with other externall expressions of joy 13. King James now despaired of any restitution The Palatinate beheld desperate especially since the Duke of Bavaria was invested in the upper Palatinate and so His Son-in-Laws Land cantoned betwixt a Duke a King and an Emperour Whose joynt consent being requisite to the restoring thereof One would be sure to dissent from the seeming-consenting of other two Whereupon King James not onely broke off all treaty with Spaine but also called the great Councill of his Kingdome together 14. Indeed An happy Parliament the Malecontents in England used to say That the King took Physick and called Parliaments both alike using both for meer need and not caring for either how little time they lasted But now there hapned as sweet a compliance betwixt the King and his Subjects as ever happen'd in mans memory the King not asking more than what was granted Both Houses in the Name of the whole Kingdome promising their assistance with their lives and fortunes for the recovery of the Palatinate A smart Petition was presented against the Papists and order promised for the education of their Children in true Religion 15. As for the Convocation contemporary with this Parliament The Convocation large Subsidies were granted by the Clergie otherwise no great matter of moment passed therein I am informed Doctor Joseph Hall preached the Latine Sermon and Doctor Donne was the Prolocutor 16. This is that Doctor Donne Doctor Donne Prolocutor born in London but extracted from Wales by his Mother-side great-great Grandchilde to Sir Thomas More whom he much resembled in his endowments a great Traveller first Secretary to the Lord Egerton and after by the perswasion of K. James and encouragement of Bishop Morton entred into Orders made Doctor of Divinity of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge and Dean of S. Pauls whose Life is no lesse truly than elegantly written by my worthily respected friend Mr. Isaac Walton whence the Reader may store himself with further information 17. A Book was translated out of the French Copie A Book falsly fathered on I. Casaubon by Abraham Darcye intituled The Originall of Idolatry pretended made by Dr. Isaac Casaubon dead ten years before dedicated to Prince Charles but presented to King James and all the Lords of the Councill A Book printed in French before the said Isaac Casaubon was born whose name was fraudulently inserted in the Title-page of the foregoing Copie 18. Merick Casaubon his Son then Student of Christs-Church The falshood detected by Letter informed King James of the wrong done to his Father by making him the Authour of such a Book contrary to his Genius and constant profession being full of impertinent allegations out of obscure and late Authors whom his Father never thought worthy the reading much lesse the using their Authority His Majestie was much incensed hereaâ and Doctor
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
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 Sâe 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 Ayââ 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 Diâs 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 Settâth forth his Appellâ Caesaâem 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
the King himself was pleased to interpose in his behalf July 7 Thursday 9. Saturday signifying to the House That those things which were then spoken and determined concerning Mountague without his Privitie did not please Him who by his Court-friends being imployed in the Kings Service his Majesty signifiyed to the Parliament that he thought his Chaplains whereof M r. Montague was one might have as much protection as the Servant of an ordinary Burgess neverthelesse his bond of two thousand pounds wherewith he was tailed continued uncancelled and was called on the next Parliament 11. The Plague increasing in London The Parliament removed to Oxford and brake up in discontent the Parliament was removed to Oxford But alas no avoiding Gods hand The infection followed or rather met the Houses there whereof worthy D r. Challenor died much lamented yet were the Members of Parliament not so carefull to save their own persons from the Plague as to secure the Land from a worse and more spreading contagion the daily growth of Poperie In prevention whereof they presented a Petition to his Majesty containing sixteen particulars all which were most graciously answered by his Majesty to their full satisfaction Thus this meeting began hopefully and cheerfully proceeded turbulently and suspiciously brake off suddenly and sorrowfully the reason whereof is to be fetch'd from our Civil Historians 12. The Convocation kept here Dr. James his motion in the Convocation is scarce worth the mentioning seeing little the appearance thereat nothing the performance therein Dean Bowles the Prolocurour absented himself for fear of infection D r. Thomas Good officiating in his place and their meeting was kept in the Chappell of Merton-Colledge Here D r. James that great Book-man made a motion that all Manuscript-Fathers in the Libraries of the Universities and elswhere in England might be perused and that such places in them as had been corrupted in Popish editions much superstition being generated from such corruptions might faithfully be printed according to those ancient Copies Indeed though England at the dissolving of Abbies lost moe Manuscripts than any Countrey of Christendome of her dimensions ever had yet still enough were left her if well improved to evidence the truth herein to all posteritie This designe might have been much beneficiall to the Protestant cause if prosecuted with as great endeavour as it was propounded with good intention but alas this motion was ended when it was ended expiring in the place with the words of the mover thereof 13. The King according to his late answer in the Parliament at Ox. The insolence of Papists seasonably restrained Nov. 11. issued out a Commission to the Judges to see the Law against Recusants put in execution This was read in all the Courts of Judicature at Reading where Michaelmas Terme was kept and a letter directed to the Arch-bishop of Cant. to take speciall care for the discovery of Jesuits Seminary Priests c. within his Province A necessary severity seing Papists presuming on Protection by reason of the late Match were grown very insolent And a Popish Lord when the King was at Chappell was heard to prate on purpose lowder in a Gallery adjoyning then the Chaplain prayed whereat the King was so moved that he sent him this message Either come and doe as we doe or I will make you prate further off 14. In this Severall Writers against Mr. Mountague and the next yeer many Books from persons of severall abilities and professions were writen against M r. Mountague By 1. D r. Sutcliffe Dean of Exeter One who was miles emeritus age giving him a Supersedeas save that his zeale would imploy it self and some conceived that his choler became his old age 2. M r. Henry Burton who then began to be well as afterwards wards too well known to the World 3. M r. Francus Rowse a Lay-man by profession 4. M r. Yates a Minister of Norfolk formerly a Fellow of Emmanuel in Cambridge he intitles his Book Ibus ad Caesarem 5. D r. Carleton Bishop of Chichester 6. Anthonie Wootton Divinitie-Professour in Gresham-Colledge In this Armie of Writers the strength is conceived to consist in the rere and that the last wrote the solidest confutations Of these six Dean Sutcliffe is said to have chode heartily M r. Rowse meant honestly M r. Burton wrote plainly Bishop Carleton very piously M r. Yates learnedly and M r. Wootton most solidly 15. I remember not at this time any of Master Mountague's partie engaged in print in his behalf Mr. Mountague left to deâend himself Whether because they conceived this their Champion sufficient of himselfe to encounter all opposers or because they apprehended it unsafe though of the same judgment to justifie a Book which was grown so generally offensive Insomuch as his Majesty himself sensible of his Subjects great distaste thereat sounded by the Duke of Buckingham to that purpose was resolved to leave Mr. Mountague to stand or fall Jan. 19. 1611-16 according to the justice of his cause The Duke imparted as much to Dr. Laud Bishop of Saint Davids who conceived it of such ominous concernment that he entred the same in his Diarie viz. I seem to see a cloud arising and threatning the Church of England God for his mercie dissipate it 16. The day of the Kings Coronation drawing neer A maim on the embleme of Peace his Majesty sent to survey and peruse the Regalia or Royal Ornaments which then were to be used It happened that the left wing of the Dove on the Scepter was quite broken off by what casualty God himself knows The King sent for Mr. Acton then his Goldsmith commanding him that the very same should be set on again The Goldsmith replied that it was impossible to be done so fairly but that some mark would remain thereof To whom the King in some passion returned l His Son succeeding his Father in that place and then present attested to me the truth hereof If you will not doe it another shall Hereupon Mr. Acton carried it home and got another Dove of Gold to be artificially set on whereat when brought back his Majesty was well contented as making no discovery thereof 17. The Bishop of Lincolne A Dilemma well waved Lord-Keeper was now dayly descendant in the Kings favour who so highly distasted him that he would not have him as Dean of Westminster to perform any part of His Coronation yet so was it a favour or a triall that it was left to his free choice to prefer any Prebendary of the Church to officiate in his place The Bishop met with a Dilemma herein To recommend Dr. Laud Bishop of Saint Davids and Prebendary of Westminster for that performance was to grace one of his greatest enemies to passe him by and prefer a private Prebendary for that purpose before a Bishop would seem unhandsome and be interpreted a neglect of his own Order To avoid all exceptions
eies are waking let such who all the foregoing week had their Cheeks moistned with sweat and hands hardened with labor let such have some recreation on the Lordsday indulged unto them whilst persons of quality who may be said to keep Sabbath all the week long I mean who rest from hard labor are concerned in conscience to observe the Lords-day with the greater abstinence from recreations Anno Dom. 34. Pass we now from the pen Troubles begân in Somerset-shire to the practicall part of the Sabbatarian difference Somerset-shire was the stage whereon the first and fiercest Scene thereof was acted Here Wakes much different I dare say from the watching prescribed by our Saviour were kept on thâ Lords day with Church-Ales Bid-Ales and Clerks-Ales If the Reader know not the criticall meaning and difference of these words I list not to be the interpreter and his ignorance herein neither is any disgrace nor can be any damage unto him The Gentry of that County perceiving such revells the cause of many and occasion of moe misdemeanors many acts of wantonness bearing their dates from such meetings importuned Sr. Thomas Richardson Lord Chief Justice and Baron Denham then Judges riding the Western circuit in the Lent-vacation to make a severe Order for the suppressing of all Ales and Revells on the Lords-day 35. In complyance with their desire March 19 Judg Richardsons order against Lords-day Revells the aforesaid Judges made an order on the 19. day of March founded on former precedents signed by Judge Popeham Lord Chief Justice in the latter end of Queen Elizabeth her Reign therein suppressing such Revells in regard of the infinite number of inconveniences daily arising by means thereof injoyning the Constables to deliver a copie thereof to the Minister of every Parish who on the first Sunday in February and likewise the two first Sundays before Easter was to publish the same every yeare 36. The Archbishop of Canterbury beheld this as an usurpation on Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction Which he would not revoke and complained of the Judges to his Majesty procuring a Commission to Bishop Pierce and other Divines to enquire into the manner of publishing this Order and the Chief Justice his cariage in this business Notwithstanding all which the next Assise Judge Richardson gave another strict charge against these Revels required an account of the publication and execution of the aforesaid Order punishing some persons for the breach thereof After whose return to London the Archbishop sent for him and commanded him to revoke his former Order as he would answer the contrary at his peril telling him it was his Majesties pleasure he should reverse it The Judge alledged it done at the request of the Justices of the Peace in the County with the generall consent of the whole Bench on the view of ancient precedents in that kinde 1634 However the next Assise he revoked his Order with this limitation as much as in him lay At what time also the Justices of the Peace in Somerset shire who in birth brains spirit and estate were inferiour to no County in England drew up an humble petition to his Majesty for the suppressing of the aforesaid unlawfull assemblies concurring with the Lord Chief Justice therein sending it up by the hand of the Custos Rotulorum to deliver it to the Earle of Pembroke Lord Lieutenant of their County to present it to his Majesty 37. Just in this juncture of time a Declaration for sports The Kings Declaration set forth the fifteenth of King James was revived and enlarged For his Majesty being troubled with petitions on both sides thought good to follow his Fathers royal example upon the like occasion in Lancashire and we refer the Reader to what we have writen * See the 15. of K. James before for arguments pro and con about the lawfulnesse of publique reading thereof 38. It was charged at his triall The Archbishop excuseth himself on the Archbishop of Canterbury that he had caused the reviving and enlarging of this Declaration strong presumptions being urged for the proof thereof He denied it yet professing his judgment for recreations on that day alledging the practice of the Church of Geneva allowing shooting in long Bowes c. thereon Adding also that though indulging liberty to others in his own person he strictly observed that day Anno Dom. 1634 Anno Regis Caroli 10 A self-praise or rather self-purging because spoken on his life which seem'd uttered without pride and with truth and was not cleerly confuted Indeed they are the best carvers of libertie on that day who cut most for others and leave least for themselves 39. However No injunction to the Ministers there was no express in this Declaration that the Minister of the Parish should be pressed to the publishing Many counted it no Ministers work and more proper for the place of the Constable or Tithing-man to perform it Must they who were if not worst able most unfitting hold the Candle to lighten and let in licentiousnesse But because the Judges had enjoyned the Ministers to read their order in the Church the Kings Declaration was inforced by the Bishops to be published by them in the same place 40. As for such whose consciences reluctated to publish the Declaration Yet some silenced for refusall to read the book various were their evasions Some left it to their Curats to read Nor was this the plucking out of a thorn from their own to put it in another Mans conscience seeing their Curats were perswaded of the lawfulnesse thereof Others read it indeed themselves but presently after read the fourth Commandement And was this fair play setting God and their King as they conceived at odds that so they themselves might escape in the fray Others point-blanck refused the reading thereof for which some of them were suspended ab officio beneficio some deprived and moe molested in the High Commission it being questionable whether their sufferings procured more pity to them or more hatred to the causers thereof 41. All Bishops urged not the reading of the Book with rigour alike Moderation of some Bishopâ therein nor punished the refusall with equall severity I hear the loudest longest and thickest complaints come from the Diocess of Norwich and of Bath and Wells I knew a Bishop in the West to whom I stood related in kindred and service who being pressed by some to return the names of such as refused to read the Book to the Archbishop of Canterbury utterly denied and his words to me were these I will never turn an accuser of my Brethren there be enough in the World to take that office As for the Archbishop of Canterbury much was his moderation in his own Diocess silencing but three in whom also a concurrence of other non-conformities through the whole extent thereof But oh The necessity of the generall day of Judgment wherein all Mens actions shall be expounded
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 ãâ¦ã 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 Faâions 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 laâge 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-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 CouncellâHouse 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 parây 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
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 Royalâsts 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 covetoâsness to hold two or three Benefices These could plead for themselves the practice of * * Fox Act. Mân 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
but therewith the others were unsatisfied jealousie is quick of grouth as not the same which His Majesty delivered unto him When presently the souldier whose rudeness the bad cause of a good effect had formerly over-inspected it in the Kings hand attested this the very same paper and prevented farther suspicions which might have terminated to the Bishops trouble 42. On the Wednesday sennight after Feb. 7. wednesday His Corpse embalmed His Corpse carried to Windsor and coffined in lead was delivered to the care of two of His servants to be buried at Windsor The one Anthony Mildmay who formerly had been His Sewer as I take it the other John Joyner bred first in His Majesties Kitchin afterwards a Parliament-Captain since by them deputed when the Scots surrendred His person Cook to His Majesty This night they brought the Corpse to Windsor and digged a grave for it in S. George his Chappel on the South side of the Communion-Table 43. But next day the Duke of Richmond 8. Thursday the Marquess of Hertford The Lords follow after it the Earles of South-Hampton and Lindsey others though sent to declining the service so far was their feare above their gratitude to their dead Master came to Windsor and brought with them two Votes passed that morning in Parliament Wherein the ordering of the Kings buriall for the form and manner thereof was wholy committed to the Duke of Richmond provided that the expence thereof exceeded not five hundred pounds Coming into the Castle they shewed their Commission to the Governor Colonel Wichcot desiring to interr the Corpse according to the common-prayer-Common-Prayer-Book of the Church of England The rather because the Parliaments total remitting the manner of the Buriall to the Dukes discretion implied a permission thereof This the governor refused alledging it was improbable that the Parliament would permit the use of what so solemnly they had abolished and therein destroy their own Act. 44. The Lords returned The Governors resolution that there was a difference betwixt destroying their own act and dispensing with it or suspending the exercise thereof That no power so bindeth up its own hands as to disable it self in some cases to recede from the rigour of their own acts if they should see just occasion All would not prevaile the Governour persisting in the negative and the Lords betook themselves to their sad employment 45. They resolved not to interre the Corpse in the grave which was provided for it The Lords with much searching finde a vault but in a Vault if the Chappel afforded any Then fall they a searching and in vain seek for one in King Henry the eighth His Chappel where the tombe intended for Him by Cardinal Wolsey lately stood because all there was solid earth Besides this place at the present used for a Magazine was unsuiting with a solemn sepulture Then with their feet they tried the Quire to see if a sound would confess any hollowness therein and at last directed by one of the aged poore Knights did light on a Vault in the middle thereof 46. It was altogether darke as made in the middest of the Quire and an ordinary man could not stand therein without stooping The description thereof as not past five foot high In the midst thereof lay a large leaden coffin with the feet towards the East and a far less on the left side thereof On the other side was room neither to spare nor to want for any other coffin of a moderate proportion 47. That one of the Order was buried there One of the Order buried therein plainly appeared by perfect pieces of purple-velvet their proper habit remaining therein Though some pieces of the same velvet were fox-tawnie and some cole-black all eye of purple being put out therein though all originally of the same cloath varying the colour as it met with more or less moisture as it lay in the ground 48. Now a concurrence of presumptions concluded this great Coffin to contain the Corpse of King Henry the eighth Presumed to be K. Henry the eight though there was neither Armes not any inscription to evidence the same 1. The place exactly corresponds to the designation of His burial See it in the end of K. Henry His Reign mentioned in His last Will and Testament 2. The small Coffin in all probability was His Queens Jane Semaurs by whom in His Will He desired to be buried and the room on the other side seems reserved for His surviving Wife Queen Katherine Parr 3. It was never remembred nor recorded that any Subject of that Order was interred in the body of that Quire but in by-Chappels 4. An herse stood over this vault in the dayes of Queen Elizabeth which because cumbering the passage was removed in the reign of King James I know a tradition is whispered from mouth to mouth that King Henry His body was taken up and burned in the reign of Queen Mary and could name the Knight Her Privie-Councellor and then dwelling not far off muttered to be employed in this inhumane action This prevailed so far on the Lord Herberts belief that he closeth his History of King Henry the eighth with these suspicious words To conclude I wish I could leave Him in His grave But there is no certainty hereof and more probable that here He quietly was reposed The lead-coffin being very thin was at this time casually broken and some yellow stuff altogether sentless like powder of gold taken out of it conceived some exsicative gumms wherewith He was embalmed which the Duke caused to be put in again and the Coffin closed up 49. The Vault thus prepared The leaden inscription on His Coffin a scarse of lead was provided some two foot long and five inches broad therein to make an inscription The Letters the Duke himself did delineate and then a workman call'd to cut them out with a Chesil It bare some debate whether the letters should be made in those concavities to be cut out or in the solid lead betwixt them The latter was concluded on because such vacuities are subject to be soon filled up with dust and render the inscription less legible which was KING CHARLES 1648. The Plummer souldred it to the Coffin about the brest of the Corpse within the same 50. All things thus in readiness The Corpse deposited the Corpse was brought to the vault Febr. 9. Friday being borne by the souldiers of the Garrison Over it a black velvet herse-cloth the foure labels whereof the foure Lords did support The Bishop of London stood weeping by to tender that his service which might not be accepted Then was It deposited in silence and sorrow in the vacant place in the vault the herse-cloth being cast in after it about three of the clock in the afternoone and the Lords that night though late returned to London FINIS THE HISTORY OF THE University of Cambridge SINCE THE CONQUEST Printed in the year of
character most unlike from the rest and different in the whole kinde for the fashion thereof betrayeth it to be most corrupted For where doe we finde that in the year of our Lord 1246 amongst good Authors and of ancient faith there were so great discords in Cambridge as to drive the Students to Northampton Here is too much for me to manage at once we will parcel it for the more effectuall examination thereof this being the first time that I have to doe with this adventurous Author Wee know that if a Merchants Bill be once protested against in the Exchange he will scarce ever after recover his credit and if at first we can discover the falshood of this our adversary it will for ever give a mortal wound to his reputation and ease us of much trouble hereafter 54. First he mentioneth Oxford-monuments transcribed by Robert Hare Quick eyes to finde a fault where none is This Hare was an Esquire of good worship and wealth a great lover and preserver properties never parted of Antiquities He carefully collected the precious monuments of both Universities caused them fairly to be transcribed and freely bestowed a Duplicate or double copie on each of them A gift worthy the giver and the receiver as of no less cost and pains to the one than credit and profit to the other Now it seemes Brian Twyne with his piercing sight is the Columbus who by the different character hath discovered a new not world but word namely Cambridge in the Kings letter to Northampton put in stead of Oxford This he calls as well he may mendum a fault in Hares Transcript which indeed was a falshood and if wilfully done a forgery and the doer thereof if detected deserving to be Pilloried for his pain 55 But 49 when and how 1265 I pray Answer this Dilemma came this Cambridge to be surreptitiously inserted in stead of Oxford into that Transcript of Hare Was it done by himself or some other originally I mean before those Manuscripts were bestowed on the universitie To allow this were to offer an injurie to the honestie or vigilancie of that worthy Antiquary Or was the false inscription made cunningly by some Cambridge-man since those Manuscripts came into the possession of Oxford If so shame on the careless keepers of so pretious a treasure I presume our Muniments at Cambridge are more safely preserved 56. I pass not what is or is not written in Hare his Transcript The Tower Records clear the cavill He that may with as much ease goe to the fountain and yet will drink of the durty River deserveth no pity if choaked or rather if choaking himself with the mud thereof I appeale to the Records of the Tower of London whence Hare his writings were copied out which are the Author of Authors for English History because 1. They may be said to have lived in the time and place wherein all things are acted 2. They are impartiall not Osier-like bowing to any Interest but standing like a firm pillar to support the truth 3. They are safely preserved and long may they be in defiance of barbarous Anarchy which otherwise would make a bone fire or new light of those precious monuments I say I repaired to the Records in the Tower where I searched for and found out the aforesaid Kings letter by us lately exemplified that the troubles of Cambridge three years since were the cause of the founding of the University at Northampton This letter I got transcribed compared attested by Mr. William Ryley the elder Keeper of those Records and Norroy King of Armes Who like a Prince indeed freely gave me his pains which I commend to the Reader his thankfull notice because otherwise I must have charged the cost on his account raising the rate of my Book to make my self a saver thereby 57. But our Adversary proceeds A needlesse question declined and demandeth where we read in any good Author that in the year 1246 such discords happened at Cambridge as should drive the Scholars to Northampton We answer First we Cambridge-men are not ambitious of such discords let us but retain the Scholars and let any place that pleaseth take those differences to themselves Secondly we never said nor thought that such broyles were in Cambridge anno 1246 but this we affirm That three years since p An half year over of under breaks no square namely in the 46 th of Henry the third which falls out to be the year of our Lord 1262 cruel bickerings were betwixt the Northern and Southern men in our University and perchance the like might be by secret Sympathy in Oxford which as we have proved before caused the departure of many to Northampton 58. Some will say Why Oxford more prejudiced than Cambridge by Northampton University seeing only mention is made in the Kings Letters to null Northampton-University because probable to prove prejudicial to Oxford it seems thereby that Cambridge at this time was not considerable at least wise the King not so carefull for the preservation thereof It is answered The erection of an University at Northampton by reason of the position of the place must needs be a greater hurt to Oxford than hindrance to Cambridge for Cambridge lieth conveniently for the North and East parts Oxford commodiously for the South and West parts of England Now Northampton lying within twenty nine scruples of the same degree of longitude with Oxford would almost share equally with Oxford in the Western division of the land whilest Cambridge-quarters as on the other side of the Kingdome would be clear and little prejudiced thereby But enough hereof We proceed in our History Reverendissimo Antistiti JACOBO USSERIO ARCHIEPISCOPO ARMACHANO DOMINO suo colendissimo CVm mihi * * Pag 752. qui annos varia doctrina judicio longe superat Camdeni Britanniam perlegenti locus occurreret ubi meminit Jacobi Usserii tunc Cancellarii sancti Patricii Dublinensis supra aetatem docti variis de causis me primûm invasit tandem absorpsit admiratio Quòd tua indoles tantùm festinaret quâ juvenis id assecutus es quod vel viris paucissimis datur Quòd cùm communis querela sit optima ingenia minimè diurnare Tu Dei favore adhuc superstes es quinquaginta annis à quo hoc Camdeniano elogio decoratus fuisti Quòd Caleb alter nostri seculi Tibi hucusque judicium firmum ingenium vividum memoria tenax animus integer UTinam idem licuisset de corpusculo Tuo dicere quod nimiis studiis maceratum senio aliquantulum cedere incipit At adhuc superest summus admirationis meae gradus tua in tanta eruditione suspicienda humilitas cum ferè fit ut illi omnes quibus aliquid inest sublime praecellens protinus inflentur alios facilè contemnant dum Tu tenuitatem meam favore Tuo beâsti in qua nihil quod alliceret plurima quae Te depellerent
this Col. John Whitgift Arch. of Canterbury Fellow Walter Curle Bishop of Winchester Fellow Matth. Wren Master of this Coll. Bishop of Ely Roger Marshal well skild in Mathematicks whereof saith Pitz in his Appendix he wrote many Books and collected more which he gave to the Library d Bale Cent. nonae p. 721. George Joye who flourished annò 1547 translated part of the Bible Edw. Simmons who wrote many good Treatises 1547 1 Cherry-Hinton Vicaridge in Ely Diocess valued in the Kings Books at 9 l. 14 s. 6 d. 2 Ellington in the Diocess of Lincoln a Vicatidge valued at 6 l. 9 s. 3 Triplow Vic. in Ely Diocess valued 9 l. 4s 2d 4 St. Maries the less in Cambridge valued 0l 0s 0d 5 Statberne Rec. in Lincoln Dioc. valued 16l 3s The Reader wil pardon the shortness of this out catalogue of Masters not touching the top of the foundation by fifty yeers which looks like the blunt Tower of a Steeple whose spire or shaft hath been burnt down with lightning or broken with thunder as indeed some such casualty hath caused this imperfection For in the year 1420 a sad fire consumed the muniments of this Colledge which caused Caius to begin his list of Masters but at Thomas de castro Bernardi and the six Seniors before him are recovered by the care of Mr. R. e In his Scelatos Cantabrigiensis M S. Parker out of Ely-Records Yet this catalogue stil remaineth incomplete O that it were as easy to rectify as reprove faults guilty I am afraid not onely of transposition in the order but omission in the number thereof For I have * Maââscript in 10. read that John Botsham was admitted Master 14 yet he appears not in Caius or any other printed Author 29. Amongst the Benefactors many who onely gave plate smal summs A generall rule about our catalogue of Benefactors and books are for Brevity sake omitted and not any slighting of their bounty for the smalness thereof For if our Saviour beheld the Widow as the best benefactor to the Corban who endowed it only with two mites and if a cup of cold water warm comfort to a thirsty Soul shall receive its reward surely such as give the cup also deserve their due commendation and shall have a requiral thereof Anno Dom. 1282 I have ordered some blank lines at the end of that Catalogue Anno Regis Edw 1. 11 as a reserve to register the bounty of posterity which shall not complain that they are paper bound in my book where room on purpose is left to enter their names who shall be charitably disposed I hope also that those void intervals and spaces in the List of Learned Writers which as so many open mouths invoke the industry of the Reader wil have their emptiness filled by several mens observations whose pens may at their leasure supply what the Press hath left unperfect 30. Know also I could have more particularly specified the value and place of Founders and Benefactors bounty what land they gave Cautela non nocet how much worth where lying but thought better to forbear as ignorant in these dangerous dayes what ill use might be made of my well intended endeavours 31. Condemn not our Tautology if the same Bishop often recur in several Colledges Repetition of Bishops why necessary perchance Scholar of one Fellow of another Master of a third because rather than I would wrong any House with the omission I would right them all with the repetition of the same person Such Bishops as passed through many Seas successively are for shortness entitled only from the last and highest dignity 32. To return to Peter-house A commendable custome of this Colledge I cannot but commend one peculiar practise of this Colledge which in their Parlour preserveth the Pictures of all their principall Benefactors For although the bounty of the Judicious is grounded on more solid motives than to be flattered thereinto by the fancy that their Effigies shall be kept yet such an ingenuous Memoriall may be an encouragement to a Patrons Liberality Besides under such Pictures a Distich commonly is written and I will instance in one of the latest date Haeredem voluit SLADUS conscribere PETRUM Clauderet extremum ne sine prole diem SLADE PETER chose and for his Heir assign'd him Lest he should die and leave no Child behinde him At this day the Colledge maintaineth one Master nineteen Fellowes twenty nine Bible-clerks eight poor Scholars besides other officers and Students amounting lately viz. anno 1634 to an hundred and six 33. We Cambridge men behold this Colledge as the first foundation endowed in England The eldest English endowed Colledge which our corrivals at Oxford wil not allow For I finde it inscribed in Rotchester Church on the monument of Walter de Merton that the Colledge by him founded and named is the example of all in that kinde t Britannia page 381. M r Gamden in his description of Oxford affirmeth that Ballol and Merton Colledges therein are the two first endowed for Students in Christendome And some alledge that Merton Colledge must needs be the Mother and Peter house but the Daughter because Spâon de Montagu Bishop of Ely did prescribe the Statutes of Merton to be observed by the Students of Peter-house 34. All this scarce moveth Exception to the contrary answered nothing removeth us from our former Opinion being almost as confident of the Seniority of Peter-house before all other Colledges as Romanists are of the Priority of St. Peter before the rest of the Apostles And first as for the inscription in Rotchester both it and Mertons Monument are modern as set up by S t Henery Savil anno 1598. That passage of the great Antiquary is only extant in the English translation not Latin Britannia and so may justly seem to have more of Philemon Holland than William Caâden therein It is confest that Simon Montagu the 17 Bishop of Ely more then sixty yeares after Balshaâs death Anno Regis Edw. 1. enjoyned our Petreans the observation of Merton Colledge Statutes Anno Dom. finding them more convenient than such which their Founder had left them But this makes nothing to the matter of most antiquity the point in controversy In requitall of this eurresie if Cambridge hath ought the imitation whereof may be acceptable to Oxford she is right glad for the welcome occasion as lately Oxford in choise of her Procters hath conformed herself to Cambridge custome by way of a Circular Combination of Colledges as a Course most quiet and freest from faction 35. The Crisis of the Controversie depends p The truth unpartially slated if I mistake not on the clearing of the different dates of Peter-house its foundation and comparing it with others Peter-house first founded 1257. the 41 of Hen. the third by Sub prior Hugh Balsham Peter house first endowed 1282 the 11 of Edw. the first by Hughââ Balsham
Wares and Weights at Sturbridge Fair. Thirdly That no Action be brought by any Townsman against Scholar or Scholars Servant save onely in the Court of the Chancellour Fourthly That the University have power to punish and amerce all Fore-stallers Regrators c. paying a Rent of ten pounds a year for that Priviledge into the Exchequer This their Power extending to the Town and Suburbs thereof from which Clause of Suburbs the Lord b Vide ut supra Coke collects and concludes Cambridge then to be a City in Reputation 45. We must not forget that at the same time Focalia Focalia prized by the Chancellour that is all kind of Fewell Wood Coales Turf c. was then subjected to the Chancellour as to set the Price thereof Seeing the Townsmen had so little Wit and Honesty as to make Fewell of Kings Charters hereafter they should meddle no more with Materialls for Fire Thus ill Manners occasion good Laws as the Handsome Children of Ugly Parents Iohn Nekton Chancellour 1384 46. The University now began to grow sensible of a great Grievance 8 caused by the Minors or Franciscan Friars An Order that no Scholar is to be admitted under 18 yeares of Age. For they surprized many when Children into their Order before they could well distinguish betwixt a Cap and a Coule whose time in the University ran on from their Admission therein and so they became Masters of Arts before they were Masters of themselves These Vniversity-Boyes for Men they were not wanting Wit to manage their Degrees insolently domineered over such who were their Iuniors yet their Elders To prevent future Inconveniences in this kind the Chancellour and University made an Order that hereafter none should be admitted Gremialls under eighteen years of Age. 47. The Minors or Franciscans were much netled hereat Anno Regis Rich. 2. 8 who traded much in such tender Youth Anno Dom. 1384 Minors and Children agree well together The Franciscans oppose this Order and a Pitz de Script Ang. in An. 1384. William Folvil a Franciscan wrote an Invective against the Act of the University as injurious to the Priviledges of this Order it being against Monasticall Liberty to be stinted to any Age for the Entrance therein 48. I find not what was the Issue of this Contest The Issue uncertain but believe that the University never retracted their Order though it stands not in Force this day wherein many of yonger Age are daily admitted And seeing mans Life is now shortened it is but reason that what we want of our Ancestours in long Running we should supply in soon Starting Let the Water-men of London whose violent Work requires robustious Bodies make an Order in their Hall that none under the Age of eighteen should be bound Apprentice in their Company Ability is more to be respected then Age in the Sonnes of the Muses in whom often Eruditio supplet Aetatem Nor is there to my knowledge any Prohibition in this kinde observed save that they fright Scholars of a low Stature with a jocularie Tradition That none are to commence which are not higher then the Bedles Staff 49. A great Schisme hapned this year in the Regent-house about the Choice of a new Chancellour I find not who carried the Place and therefore probably the old one still continued Thomas de Hetherset 10 Chancellour Richard Maycent 1386 Proctour 50. Pope Urbane the sixth gave licence to Beneficed men to be Non-residents for five years and follow their Studies in the University if allowed by the Chancellour for the same William Colvil 12 Chancellour 1388 Iohn Wace Rich. Baston Proctours 51. A Parliament was called at Cambridge A Parliament kept at Cambridge a Place at this time very convenient for that purpose For he that will hinder the Hide from rising up on either side must fix his Foot on the Middle thereof Cambridge was well nigh the Centre of those Eastern Counties lately mutinous with Popular Commotions The King for his Privacy was pleased to prefer Barnwell Priory for the place of his Repose though otherwise Kings-Hall founded by his Grandfather was prepared for his Entertainment where all things were so conveniently contrived that the Courtiers had all Lodgings and Offices by themselves without meeting with the Scholars save onely in the passage towards the Kitchin William Courtney Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Edmond Langly Earle of Cambridge lodged in the Convents of the Carmelites being of the largest Receit of any Religious House in Cambridge A sad Accident happened as the King rode in State to the House One S r. Thomas Trivet attended his Majestie which Knight being mounted on an unruly Horse was cast off brake his Entrails and died the next day 52. By the way statute- Canterbury misprinted for Cambridge in the Statute-book me thinks Cambridge might bring an Action of Trespasse against all our printed Statute-books for depriving her of the Honour of this Parliament and rendering the place Canterbury in stead of Cambridge in the Preface to the Acts thereof This Inconvenience cometh from contracting long words in writing when there be two Names whose Faces as I may say I mean their Beginnings are the same and whose lower parts though much differing being cut off with a Dash causeth a Confusion betwixt them And although by the Tower Rolls and other excellent b Thomas Walsingham and Henry Knighton in their lives of Richard the second The excellent statutes of Cambridge Parliament Authours this Parliament appeareth kept at Cambridge not Canterbury yet as if Prescription turned Usurpation into lawfull Possession the Lawyers will not amend this Mistake The best is it matters not where good Statutes be made so they be made the Place being not essentiall unto them 53. Many and good were the Laws enacted in this Parliament besides the Confirmation of those made in the Reign of King Edward the third Anno Dom. 1388 viz. Anno Regis Richardi 2. 12 That the manly and Martiall Exercise of Archery should be generally used Secondly a Statute was made against the multitude of Servants great Lords keeping then little Armies in their Families which soon after occasioned the Wars betwixt the Houses of York and Lancaster And whereas it was the generall Complaint that men were grown so vain and expensive in their Cloaths that Servants were not to be known from their Masters the Clergy from the Laiety something was ordered for the Regulating of Apparell the Wages of Labourers and removing the Staple 54. We must not forget that in this Parliament a Statute was made also against Wanderers Against wandring Scholars and particularly against Scholars of both the Universities that they should not go about without Licence from the Chancellour Indeed I have ever beheld begging Scholars as the most improper Object of Charity who must be vicious or else cannot be necessitous to a Mendicant condition But since I have revoked my
Dom. 1443. Benefactors Anno Regis Hent 6. 21. Bishops 1 William Millington elected anno 1443. from Clare-Hall whither after three years he was remanded for his factious endeavoring to prefer his Countrimen of Yorkshire 2 John Chedworth who continued six yeers 3 Rich Woodlark D. D. founder of Katherine Hall 4 Walter Field D. D. elected 1479. continued 20 years 5 John Dogget D. C. L. Chancelââ of Sarum elected 1499 and remained so two years 6 John Argentine D. P. and D. He gave the Coll. a fair Bason and Ewer of silver w th other plate yet in the use custody of the Provost elected 1501. and remained six years 7 Rich. Hutton D. C. L. elected 1507. continued two years 8 Rob. Hacomblen D. D. elected 1509 remained 19 years He wrote CoÌments on Aristotles Ethicks 9 Edward Fox afterward BP of Heref. elected 1528 and continued ten years 10 George Day afterward Bishop of Chichester elected 1528. and continued ten years 11 Sir John Cheek of St. Johns in Cambridge chosen by Mandate 1548. sate five years 12 Rich. Atkinson D. D. elected 1553. so remained three years 13 Rob. Brassey chosen 1556. and so remained 2 years 14 Philip Barker chosen 1558. sate twelve years 15 Roger Goad a grave and reverend Divine of whom much hereafter elected 1570. and remained Provost fourty years He gave the Rectorie of Milton in Cambridgeshire to the Colledge 16 Fog Newton D. D. chosen 1610. sate two years 17 Will. Smith chosen 1612. two years 18 Sam. Collins chosen 1615. of whom hereafter 1 Will. Towne Fellow gave four pounds for ever for a salarie to a Minister 2 John Plentith Fellow gave one hundred and sixtie Marks 3 Will. Wiche Fellow gave many of his Books to c. 4 Will. Skelton D. P. Fellow gave all his Books to the Librarie 5 Nic. West when Scholar of this Hous so desperately turbulent that discontented with the loss of the Proctorship he endeavored to fire the Provosts Lodgings and having stolen some silver spoons departed the Colledge Afterward he became a new man D. D. and Bishop of Elie who to expiate his former faults gave many rich gifts and plate to the Colledge and built part of the Provosts Lodgings 6 Will. Scales Fellow D. D. gave a salarie known by his name at this day 7 Dr. Cowel gave plate and diverse Books to the Colledge 8 William Smith Provost gave an hundred pounds worth of Books and a fair Salt of fourtie pounds price with other legacies 9 Adam Robbins Richard Day and William Henshaw late Fellows contributed their several benefactions 10 Thomas Weaver late Fellow wainscoted both sides of the Quire in a decent maner 1 Nic. Cloose 1551. Carlile Lichfield 2 Jo. Chedworth Bishop of Lincoln 1452. 3 Tho. Rotheram Rochester first then York 1467. 4 Oliver King Exeter then Bath and Wells 1492. 5 Jefferie Blith 1503. Coventrie and Lichfield 6 Nicolas West 1515. Elie. 7 Nic. Hawkins 1533. nominated Bishop of Elie but dyed before his consecration In time of famine he sold all his plate and goods to relieve the poor of Elie where he was served himself in wooden dishes and earthen pots 8 Tho. Goodrich 1534. Elie. 9 Edward Fox 1535. Hereford 10 Rob. Aldrich 1537. Carlile Erasmus styleth him when young Blandae eloquentiae juvenem 11 George Day 1543. Chichester 12 John Poinet 1550. Rochester then Winchester 13 Rich. Cox 1559. Elie Scholar of this House 14 Edward Gwest 1559. Rochester then Sarum 15 William Alley 1560. Exeter 16 William Wickam 1595. Lincoln then Winchester 17 Thomas Ram Bishop of Fernos in Ireland 18 Richard Mountague 1628. Chichester then Norwich 19 John Long Armagh some thirtie years since not finding the date of his consecration 20 Will. Murrey conduct of this Colledge Bishop of Landaff anno 1627. States-men Learned Writers Martyrs and Confessors Benefices in the Colledge gift 1 W. Hatliffe D. D. Secretary to King Edward the fourth 2 James Denton D. C. L. Chancellor to the Lady Mary Dowager of France Dean of Lichfield and Lord President of Wales 3 Will. Conisby became a Student of the CoÌmon Law and a learned Judge 4 Edward Hall afterward a Judge and a usefull Historian 5 Walt. Haddon Master of the Requests to Q. Elizabeth 6 Ralph Colfield clerk of the Councell in Wales to K. Edward 6. He discovered the cheating of Dicers 7 Tho. Wilson principall Secretarie to Queen Elizabeth 8 Giles Fletcher Embassador for Q. Elizabeth into Russia CoÌmissioner into Scotland Germanie and the Low Countries 9 Tho. Ridley Dr. of Law Master of the Chancerie Knight Vicar-general 10 John Osburne Remembrancer to the Treasurer He never took fee of any Clergie-man 11 Joseph Jesop Secretarie to Secretarie Walsingham 12 Sr. Albert Morton principal Secretarie to King James All the former were of the foundation 13 Sr. Francis Walsingham principal Secretary of State was Fellow-Commoner of this House to which he gave the King of Spain his Bible 1 2. Whereas Thomas Stacie and Will. Sutton Master and his Scholar both excellent Astrologers are by c viz. anno 1440 Pitzeus assigned to flourish in this Colledge some years before the same was founded his Prolepsis is thus to be understood that they studyed in those old Hostles out of which Kings Colledge was afterwards erected 3 Richard Crooke Orator and Greek Professor 4 Osmund Lake a profound Scholar 5 John Cowell Dr. of Civil Law eminent to all posterity for his Interpreter and Institutions 6 Thomas Thomas known by the Dictionarie of his setting forth 7 Sr. Will. Temple Provost of Trinity Colledge in Dublin wrote a Comment on Ramus 8 Anthonie Wotton first Professor of Divinity in Gresham Colledge 9 Samuel Hieron a powerfull Preacher in his printed works 10 William Sclater D. D. a most judicious Divine 11 Elnathan Par an industrious Writer 12 Edw. Kellet D. D. a profound Scholar 13 Dr. Thomas Goad of whom largely hereafter 14 Rich. Mountegue a great Antiquary Bishop of Norwich 15 Dr. Will. Goâge late of Black-friers 1 Iohn Frith d ãâ¦ã 8. pag. 615. first a Student in this Colledge but not of the foundation burnt for the testimony of the truth anno 1533. 2 Laurence Saunders suffered for the same anno 1555. 3 Robert Glover burnt at Coventrie for Religion 4 Iohn Hullier martyred on Iesus-Green in Cambridge 5 Robert Columbel he went away Fellow not daring to stay because Mr. Stâku the Beadle had espied a Latin Testament in his hand 6 Thomas Whitthead Scholar and afterward Pantler of the College When Luther's books were sought to be burnt he kept them close for better times 1 Fordingbridge Vicaridge in the Diocess of Winchester valued at 30 l. 2 s. 2 d. in the Kings Book 2 Stowre Rectory d Caius ãâã Cuntur a 8. pag. 615. in the Diocess of Bristol valued at 16 l. 4 s. 9 d. 3 Kingstone Rectory of Ely valued at 11 l. 14 s. 3 d. ob 4 Ringwood Vicaridge in the Diocess of Winchester valued at 75
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. ¶ 4â 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
places which time out of minde hath decided the precedency to Canterbury Yorks Title 1. When Gregory the great made York and Canterbury Archiepiscopal Sees he affixed precedency to neither but that the Arch-Bishops should take place according to the seniority of their consecrations Until Lanckfranck Chaplain to King William thinking good reason he should conquer the whole Clergie of England as his Master had vanquished the Nation usurped the superiority above the See of York 2. If Antiquity be to be respected long before Gregories time York was the See of an Arch-Bishop whilest as yet Pagan Canterbury was never dream'd of for that purpose Lucius the first Christian Brittain King founding a Cathedral therein and placing Sumson in the same who had Taurinus Pyrannus Tacliacus c. his successors in that place 3. If the extent of jurisdiction be measured York though the lesser in England is the larger in Britain as which at this time had the entire Kingdom of Scotland subject thereunto Besides if the three Bishopricks viz. Worcester Lichfield Lincoln formerly injuriously taken from York were restored unto it it would vie English Latitude with Canterbury it self This controversie lasted for may years it was first visibly begun passing by former private grudges betwixt Lanckfrank of Canterbury and Thomas of York in the Reign of the Conqueror continued betwixt William of Canterbury and Thurstan of York in the dayes of King Henry the first increased betwixt Theobald of Canterbury and William of York at the Coronation of Henry the second and now revived betwixt Richard of Canterbury and Roger of York with more then ordinary animosity 4. Some will wonder that such spiritual persons should be so spiteful How much carnality in the most spiritual that they who should rather have contended de pascendis ovibus which of them should better feed their flocks should fall out de lana caprina about a toy and trifle onely for Priority Yet such will cease to wonder when they consider how much carnality there was in the Disciples themselves Witness their unseasonable contest just before our Saviours * Luke 22 24. death quis esset major which of them should be the greater when then the question should rather have been quis esset maestior not who should be the highest but who should be the heaviest for their departing Master 5. Here the Pope interposed The Popes decision gives final satisfaction and to end old Divisions made a new distinction Primate of all ENGLAND and Primate of ENGLAND giving the former to Canterbury the latter to York Thus when two Children cry for the same apple the indulgent father divides it betwixt them yet so that he giveth the bigger and better part to the Childe that is his Darling York is fain to be content therewith though full ill against his will as sensible that a secondary Primacy is no Primacy and as one stomaching a Superiour as much as Canterbury disdained an Equal Yea on every little occasion this controversie brake out again The last flash which I finde of this flame was in the Reiga of King Edward the first when William Wickham Arch-Bishop of York at a Councel at Lambeth for Reformation would needs have his Cross carried before him which John Peckam Arch-Bishop of Canterbury would in no case permit to be done in his Province Wherefore the said Peckam inhibited all from selling b Mr Jackson out of Florilegus in his Chronologie Anno 1280. victuals to him or his family so hoping to allay his stomach by raising his hunger and starve him into a speedy submission which accordingly came to pass Since York was rather quiet then contented pleasing it self that as stout came behinde as went before But at this day the Clergie sensible of Gods hand upon them for their Pride and other offences are resolved on more humility and will let it alone to the Layetie to fall out about Precedency 6. To return to King Henry The far extended English Monarchie in this Kings Reign never did the branches of the English Monarchy sprout higher or spread broader before or since as in the Reign of this King so large and united his command though in several capacities For by right of inheritance from his Mother Maud he held England and the Dukedom of Normandy Anno Dom. 1277. by the same title from his Father Anno Regis Hen. 2. 23. Geffery Plantagenet he possessed fair lands in Anjou and Maine by Match in right of Queen Elranor his Wife he enjoyed the Dukedoms of Aquitane and Guien even to the Pyrenean Mountains by Conquest he lately had subdued Ireland leaving it to his successors annexed to the English Dominions and for a time was the effectual King of Scotland whilest keeping William their King a Prisoner and acting at pleasure in the Southern parts thereof The rest of Christendom he may be said to have held by way of Arbritration as Christiani orbis arbiter so deservedly did Foreign Princes esteem his wisdom and integrity that in all difficult controversies he was made Vmpire betwixt them 7. Yet all this his greatness could neither preserve him from death Could not make him fortunate in his own Family nor make him when living happy in his own house so that when freest from Foreign foes he was most molested in his own Family his Wife and Sons at last siding with the King of France against him the sorrow whereat was conceived to send him the sooner to his grave I meet with this Distick as parcel of his Epitaph Cui * Mat. Paris pag. 151. satis ad votum non essent omnia terrae Climata terra modo sufficit octo pedum He whom alive the world would scarce suffice When dead in eight foot earth contented lies He died at Chinon in Normandy 1289. and was buried with very great solemnity 39. Rich. 1. in the Nunnery of Font-Everard in the same Countrey A Religious House of his own Foundation and Endowment 8. It is confidently a Mat. Paris at prius reported Disobedience endeavoured to be expiated by superstition that when Richard Son and Successor to King Henry approached his Fathers dead Corps they bled afresh at the Nostrils whence some collected him the cause of his death But whilest natures Night-councellors treading in the dark causes of hidden qualities render the reason of the salleying forth of the bloud on such occasions let the learned in the Laws decide how far such an accident may be improved for a legal evidence For surely that Judg is no better then a Murderer who condemneth one for Murder on that proof alone However on the bleeding of the Fathers Nostrils the Sons heart could not but bleed as meeting there with a guilty Conscience And therefore according to the Divinity and Devotion of those dayes to expiate his disobedience he undertook with Philip Augustus King of France a long Voyage against Sultan Saladine to recover CHRIST his grave
and the City of Jerusalem from the Turks in Palestine 9. Having formerly written an whole Book of the Holy War An account of our design and particularly of King Richards atchievements therein 1190 I intend here no repetition 1. Onely our design is to give a Catalogue of some of our English Nobility who adventured their persons in the Holy War and whose Male-Posterity is eminently extant at this day I have known an excellent Musician whom no Arguments could perswade to play until hearing a Bungler scrape in the company he snatch'd the Instrument out of his hand in indignation that Musick should be so much abused then turned and played upon it himself My project herein is that giving in an imperfect list of some few noble Families who ingaged themselves in this service It will so offend some eminent Artist hitherto silent in this kinde that out of disdain he will put himself upon so honourable a work deserving a Gentleman who hath Lands Learning and leisure to undertake so costly intricate and large a subject for the honor of our Nation And be it premised that to prevent all cavils about precedency first come first serv'd I shall Marshal them in no other method but as in my studies I have met with the mention of them 10. To begin with the place of my present habitation Anno Regis Rich. prim 1. one Hugh Nevil attended King Richard into the Holy War Anno Dom. 1190 and anciently lieth buried in a Marble Monument Nevil Kill Lion his performance in Palestine in the Church of Waltham Abbey in Essex whereof no remainders at this day This Hugh Nevil being one of the Kings special samiliars slew a Lion in the Holy Land first driving an arrow into his Breast and then running him through with his sword on whom this Verse was made a Mat. Paris Anno Dom 1222. Viribus Hugonis vires periêre Leonis The strength of Hugh A Lion slew If Benaiah the son of Jehoiadah was recounted the fifth amongst Davids worthies for b 2 Sam. 23. 20. killing a Lion in the middest of a pit in the time of snow surely on the same reason this bold and brave Baron Hugh ought to be entred into the Catalogue of the Heroes of his Soveraign But I cannot give credit to c Weavers Fun. Mon. pag. 644. his report who conceiveth that the Atchievement of the man was translated to his Master And that on this occasion King Richard the first got the name of Cordelion or Lions Heart 11. This Hugh Nevil gave the Manor of d Registrum Cart Abbat de Waltham Thorndon to Waltham Abby Ancesters to the Noble numerous Nevils and was Ancester of the Noble and numerous Family of the Nevils to which none in England equal for Honor Wealth and number in the later end of King Henry the sixth though at this day the Lord Abergavenny be the only Baron thereof He gave for his Armes a Cross Saltire or the Cross of S t Andrew probably assuming it in the Holy War For though I confess this is not the proper Cross of Hierusalem yet was it highly esteemed of all those who adventured thither as may appear in that all Knights-Templers make such Saltire Cross with their Thwarted Leggs upon their Monuments 12. Giralde de Talbote succeeds in the second place Giralde de Talbote whence the house of Shrewsbury When Articles were drawn up between our King Richard in his passage to Palestine and Tancred King of Sicily for the mutual observation of many Conditions betwixt them He put in upon their Oaths for his Sureties a Grand-Jury of his principal Subjects then present viz. two Arch-Bishops two Bishops and twenty other of his Prime Nobility expressed in his Letters e R. Hoveden pars poster ãâã in Rich. primo Patents Besides many other whose names were concealed Of these twenty the aforesaid Girald de Talbote is the first whose Male Issue and Name is extant at this day flourishing in the Right Honourable Family of the Earls of Shrewsbury 13. Next amongst the Royal Jurors as I may term them was Guarrin Fitz-Girald Guarrin Fitz Girald from whom the Earls of Kildare and Barons of Windsor from whom are descended the Fitz Giralds in Ireland where their name is in some places Provincial of whom the Earl of Kildare is chief A memorial of their service in Palestine is preserved in their Armes giving Argent a Cross Saltire Gules Here it must be remembred that the valiant sprightly Gentleman Hickman Lord Windsor is descended from the same f See Camd. Brit. in Berkshire Male Ancestors with the Fitz Giralds as Robert Glover a most exquisite Herald doth demonstrate though according to the fashion of that age altering his old and assuming a new name from Windsor the place of his office and Command This Lord Windsor carrieth the Badg of his Service in his Arms being essentially the same with the Earl of Kildares save that the colours are varied the field Gules and cross Saltire Argent betwixt twelve Crosses crossed OR Which Coat seemingly sursited was conceived in that age the more healthful for the same the more Crossed the more Blessed being the Devotion of those dayes 14. Four other Gentlemen of quality remain mentioned in that Parent A Quaternion more of adventures William de Curcy Father to John the valiant Champion and Conqueror of Ireland Robert de Novo Burgo Hugh le Brain and Amaury de Mountford of all whom formerly in our Alphabetical Comment on Abby Roll. Anno Dom. 1191. Anno Regis Rich. Prim. 2. 15. At the siege of Acres or Ptolemais the Grave General of the Christian Army amongst many Worthies dying there within the compass of one year Ingleram ãâã his posterity I finde a ãâ¦ã pag. 655. Ingelram de Fiennes to be slain from whom the Lord Viscount Say and Seal and the Lord Dacres of the South derive their discent But most visible are the remains of the Holy War in the atchievement of Theophilus Finnes alias Clinton Earl of Lincoln giving in the lower parts of his shield in a field Argent six Crosses crossed Fitchee Sable denoting the stability and firmness of his Ancestors in that service 16. Also at the aforesaid Siege of Acres Radulphus De Alta ripa Radulphus de Alta ripa Arch-Deacon of Colchester ended his life Now although because a Clergy-man he could not then leave any lawful Issue behinde him Yet we may be confident that the Ancient Family De Alta ripa or Dautry still continuing in b Camd. Brit. ibid. Sussex were of his Alliance 17. Before we leave the Siege of Acres let me refresh the Reader with my innocent and give me leave to say provable mistake A mistake freely confest I conceived the Noble Family of the Lord Dacres took their Sir-name from some service there performed confirmed in my conjecture 1. Because the
in terra supremum caput Anglicanae Ecclesiae Omnibus ad quos praesentes litterae pervenerint Salutem Cum nuper Monasterium de Carthus de Hinton in Com nostro Somer jam dissolvatur unde quidam Edmundus Horde tempore dissolutionis illiê° et diu antea Prior inde fuit Nos volentes rationabilem annualem pensionem sive promotionem condignam eidem Edmundo ad victum exhibitionem sustentationem suam melius sustinendum provideri Sciatis igitur quod nos in consideratione praemissoruÌ de gratia nostra speciali ac ex certa scientia meros motu nostris per advisamentum consensum Cancellarit consilii Curiae Augmentationum reventionum Coronae nostrae dedimus concessimus ac per praesentes damus concedimus eidem Edmundo quandam annuitatem sive annualem pensionem quadragint ' quatuor librar ' sterlingorum babend gaudendum annuatim percipiendum easdem quadraginta quatuor libras praefato Edmundo assignatis suis à festo Annuntiationis beatae Mariae virginis ultimo praeterito ad terminum pro termino vitae ipsius Edmundi vel quosque idem Edmundus ad unum vel plura Beneficia Ecclesiastica sive aliam promotionem condignam clari annui valoris quadragint ' quatuor librarum aut ultra per nos promotus fuerit tam per manus Thesaurarii reventionum augmentationum Coronae nostrae pro tempore existentis de Thesauro nostro in manibus suis de reventionibus praedictis remanere contingen ' quam per manus receptor exituum reventionum dicti nuper Monasterii pro tempore existen ' de eisdem exitibus reventionbus ad festum Sancti Michaëlis Archangeli Anuntiationis beatae Mariae virginis per aequales portiones Et ulterius de uberiori gratia nostra Dedimus pro consideratione praedicta per praesentes concedimus praefato Edmundo Horde undecim libras sterlingorum habend eidem Edmundo ex dono nostro per manus Thesaurarii praedicti de Thesauro praedicto vel per manus dicti Receptoris de exitibus reventionibus maneriorum terrarum tenementorum dicti nuper Monasterii solvend ' Eo quod expressa mentio de vero valore annuo Aut de certitudine praemissorum sive eorum alicujus aut de aliis donis sive concessionibus per nos praefato Edmundo ante haec tempora fact ' in praesentibus minime fact ' existit aut aliquo statuto actu ordinatione provisione sive restrictione in contrarium inde habit ' fact ' ordinat ' seu provis ' aut aliqua alia re causa vel materia quacunque in aliquo non obstante In cujus rei testimonium has Literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes Tesse Ricardo Riche Milite apud Westmonasterium vicesimo septimo die Aprilis anno Regni nostri tricesimo primo Duke Per Cancellarium concilium Curiae Augmentationum Reventionum Coronae Regiae virtute warranti Regii HENRY the Eighth by the Grace of God King of England and France Defender of the Faith Lord of Ireland and supreme Head of the English Church on earth To all to whom Our present Letters shall come Greeting Whereas the Monastery of the Carthusions of Hinton in Our County of Somerset is now lately dissolved whereof Edmond Horde was Prior at the time of the dissolution thereof and long before We are willing that a reasonable Pension annuall or sutable promotion should be provided for the said Edmond the better to maintain and sustaine him in diet and maintenance Know therefore that Wee in consideration of the premises out of Our speciall Grace and favour certaine knowledge and Our meere motion by the advice and consent of the Chancellour and Counsell of the Court of Augmentations of the Revenues of Our Crown Have given and granted and by these presents doe give and grant to the same Edmond an annuity or yearly Pension on of forty four pounds sterling that the said forty foure pounds may bee had enjoyed or yearly received by the aforesaid Edmond and his Assignes from the Feast of the Annuntiation of the blessed Virgin Mary last past to the term and for the term of the life of the said Edmond or untill the said Edmond shall be preferred by Us to one or more Ecclestasticall Benefices or other sutable Promotion of the cleer yearly value of forty foure pounds or upwards as well by the hands of the Treasurer of the Augmentations of the Revenues of Our Crown for the time being out of Our treasure which shall chance to remain in his hands of the Revenues aforesaid as from the Receiver of the profits and revenues of the said late Monastery for the time being out of the said profits and Revenues at the feast of Saint Michael the Arch-angel and the Anuntiation of the blessed Virgin Mary by equall portions And furthermore of Our more plentiful Grace We have given and for the consideration aforesaid by these presents doe grant to the aforesaid Edmond Horde eleven pounds sterling that the said Edmond may have it from Our gift by the hands of Our foresaid Treasurer of Our foresaid Treasure or by the hands of Our foresaid Receiver to be paid out of the profits and Revenues of the Manours Lands and Tenements of the said late Monastery any Statute Act Ordinance promission or restriction to the contrary had made ordained or provided or any other matter cause or thing whatsoever in any wise notwithstanding In testimony whereof We have made these Our Letters Patents witnesse Richard Rich Knight at Westminster the twenty seventh day of April in the one and thirtieth of Our Reign Duke By the Chancellor and Councell of the Court of Augmentations of the Revenues of the Crown by virtue of the King's Warrant See we here the payment to this Prior consisted of two Summes of several natures or conditions Namely 1. The forty four pounds being properly the Pension paid yearly unto him 2. The additionall eleven pounds granted with an ulterius paid but once as advance-money to fit him with necessaries at his departure out of the Covent This is observable in all the Patents I have seen That constantly the King's gratuity for their vale some small fractions excepted bears the proportion of a fourth part of their yearly Pension 5. Suppose then this our Prior preferred to a Church Dignity What Church Livings were inconsistent with Pensions or Living amounting very neer but not to the full value of forty four pounds yearly this did not avoid his Pension but that he might hold it and his Living together Wherefore as it was the desire and endevour of every Monk so advanced to beat down the value of his Church-Living as low as might be thereby to render himself capable of it and his Pension so was it the proper work of the King's Officers in the Augmentation Court truly to state the valuation of the Livings of such Pensioners that the Crown might not be defrauded Where by