that his admission unto the said office should together with the Ministers of this our Island consider of such Canons and Constitutions as might be fitly accomodated to the circumstances of time and place and persons whom they concern and that the same should be put in good order and intimated by the Governour Bailiffe and Jurates of that our Island that they might offer to us and our Councell such acceptions and give such reformations touching the same as they should think good And whereas the said Dean and Ministers did conceive certain Canons and presented the same unto us on the one part and on the other part the said Bailiffe and Jurates excepting against the same did send and depute Sir Philip de Carteret Knight Jeshuah de Carteret and Philip de Carteret Esquires three of the Jurates and Justices of our said Isle all which parties appeared before our right trusty and well beloved Counsellers the most reverend father in God the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury the Right reverend father in God the Lord Bishop of Lincolne Lord Keeper of the Geat Seal of England and the Right reverend father in God the said Lord Bishop of Winton to whom we granted commission to examine the same who have have accordingly heard the said parties at large read and examined corrected and amended the said Canons and have now made report unto us under their hands that by a mutuall consent of the said Deputies and Dean of our Island they have reduced the said Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiasticall into such order as in their judgements may well stand with the estate of that Island Know ye therefore that we out of our Princely care of the quiet and peaceable government of all our Dominions especialy affecting the peace of the Church and the establishment of true Religion and Ecclesiasticall discipline in one uniforme order and course throughout all our Realms and Dominions so happily united under us as their Supreme Governor on earth in all causes as well Ecclesiasticall as Civill Having taken consideration of the said Canons and Constitutions thus drawn as aforesaid do by these deputies ratifie confirme and approve thereof And farther we out of our Princely power and regall authority do by these Patents signed and sealed with our royall Signet for us our heirs and successors will with our royall hand and command that these Canons and Constitutions hereafter following shall from henceforth in all points be duly observed in our said Isle for the perpetuall government of the said Isle in causes Ecclesiasticall unlesse the same or some part or parts thereof upon further experience and tryall thereof by the mutuall consent of the Lord Bishop of Winton for the time being the Governour Bailiffs and Jurates of the said Isle and of the Dean and Ministers and other our Officers in the said Isle for the time being representing the body of our said Isle and by the royall authority of us our heirs and successors shall receive any additions or alterations as time and occasion shall justly require And therefore we do farther will and command the said Right reverend father in God Lancelot now Lord Bishop of Winton that he do forthwith by his Commission under his Episcopall seal as Ordinary of the place give authority unto the said now Dean to exercise Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction in our said Isle according to the said Canons and Constitutions thus made and established as followeth Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiasticall treated agreed on and established for the Isle of Jarsey CHAP. I. Of the Kings Supremacy and of the Church Article I. 1. AS our duty to the Kings most excellent Majesty requireth it is first ordained That the Dean and Ministers having care of souls shall to the utmost of their power knowledge and learning purely and sincerely without any backwardnesse or dissimulation teach publish and declare as often as they may and as occasion shall present it self that all strange usurped and forain power for as much as it hath no gound by the law of God is wholly as for just and good causes taken away and abolished and that therefore no manner of obedience or subjection within any of his Majesties Realms and Dominions is due unto any such forain power but that the Kings power within his Realms of England Scotland and Ireland and all other his Dominions and Countries is the highest power under God to whom all men as well inhabitants as born within the same do by Gods Law owe most loyalty and obedience afore and above all other power and Potentates in the earth II. 2. Whosoever shall affirme and maintain that the Kings Majesty hath not the same authority in causes Ecclesiasticall that the godly Princes had amongst the Jews and the Christian Emperours in the Church primitive or shall impeach in any manner the said Supremacy in the said causes III. IV. 3. Also whosoever shall affirme that the Church of England as it is established under the Kings Majesty is not a true and Apostolicall Church purely teaching the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles 4. Or shall impugne the Government of the said Church by Archbishops Bishops and Deans affirming it to be Antichristian shall be ipso facto Excommunicated and not restored but by the Dean sitting in his Court after his repentance and publick recantation of his errour CHAP. II. Of Divine Service Article I. 1. IT is injoyned unto all sorts of people that they submit themselves to the Divine service contained in the book of Common prayers of the Church of England And for as much as concerns the Ministers that they observe with uniformity the said Liturgie without addition or alteration and that they fuâ—ler not any Conventicle or Congregation to make a sect apart by themselves or to distract the Government Ecclesiasticall established in the Church II. 2. The Lords day shall be sanctified by the exercises of publick prayer and the hearing of Gods word Every one also shall be bounden to meet together at an hour convenient and to observe the order and decency in that case requisite being attentive to the reading or preaching of the Word kneeling on their knees during the Prayers and standing up at the Belief and shall also 〈◊〉 their consent in saying Amen And further during any part of Divine service the Church-wardens shall not suffer any interruption or impeachment to be made by the insolence and practice of any person either in the Church or Church-yard III. 3. There shall be publick exercise in every Parish on Wednesdays and Fridays in the morning by reading the Common prayers IV. 4. When any urgent occasion shall require an extraordinary Fast the Dean with the advice of his Ministers shall give notice of it to the Governour and Civill Magistrate to the end that by their authority and consent it may be generally observed for the appeasing of the wrath and indignation of the Lord by true and serious repentance CHAP. III. Of Baptism THe Sacrament of Baptism shall be
and then closeth with him thus Compendium hoc satis putavi fore ex quo formam aliquam conciperes quam praescribere non debut Tu quod putabis utile istic fore c. In this he doth sufficiently expresse his desire to have his project entertained in that which followeth he doth signifie his joy that the world had made it welcome An epistle written to a certain Quidam of Polonia dated the year 1561. Wherein he doth congratulate the admission of the Gospell as he cals it in that Kingdom And then Haec etiam non poenitenda gaudii accessio cum audio disciplinam cum Evangelii professione conjunctam c. thus he But Eeza his successour goeth more plainly to the businesse and will not commend this project to the Churches but impose it on them This it was that made him with such violence cry down the Hierarchie of the Church the plague of Bishops as he cals it Hanc pestem caveant qui Ecclisiam salvam cupiunt c. Et ne illam quaeso unquam admittas he speaketh it unto Cnoxe quantumvis unitatis retinendae specie c. blandiatur This was it which made him reckon it as a note essentiall of the Church without which it was not possible to subsist a point so necessary Ut ab ea recedere non magis quam ab religionis ipsius placitis liceat Epist 83. that it was as dangerous to depart from this as from the weightiest mysteries of Religion This in a word was it which made him countenance those turbulent spirits who had so dangerously embroyled our Churches and prepared it unto ruine but of them and their proceedings more anone And certainly it was a matter of no small grief and discontent unto them both that when so many Churches had applauded their invention the Church of England only should be found untractable Hereupon it was that Calvin tels the English Church in Franckford in his Epistle to them anno 1555 how he had noted in their publick Liturgy Multas tolerabiles ineptias many tolerable vanities faecis Papisticae reliquias the relicks of the filth of Popery and that there was not in it ea puritas quae optanda foret such piety as was expected Hereupon it was that Beza being demanded by the brethren what he conceived of some chief matters then in question returned a Non probamus to them all The particulars are too many to be now recited and easie to be seen in the 12 of his Epistles the Epistle dated from Geneva anno 1567. and superscribed Ad quosdam Anglicarum ecclesiarum fratres super nonnullis in Ecclesiastica politâ—ia controversis Yet at the last they got some footing though not in England in these Islands which are members of it and as it were the Suburbs of that City The means by which it entred the resort hither of such French Ministers as came hither for support in the times of persecution and the Civill wars anno 1561. and 62. Before their coming that forme of prayer was here in use which was allowed with us in England But being as all others are desirous of change and being also well encouraged by the Governors who by this means hoped to have the spoyle of the poor Deanries both Islands joyned together in alliance or consederacy to petition the Queens Majesty for an approbation of this Discipline anno 1563. The next year following the Seignieur de St. Oen and Nich. de Soulmont were delegated to the Court to solicite this affaire and there they found such favour that their desire received a gracious answer and full of hope they returned unto their homes In the mean time the Queen being strongly perswaded that this design would much advance the Reformation in those Islands was contented to give way unto it in the Towns of St. Peters-port and of St. Hilaries but no further To which purpose there were Letters Decretory from the Councell directed to the Bailiff the Jurates and others of each Island the tenor whereof was as followeth AFter our very hearty commendations unto you Where the Queens most excellent Majesty understandeth that the Isles of Guernzey and Jarsey have antienly depended on the Diocese of Constance and that there be certain Churches in the same Diocese well reformed agreeably throughout in Doctrine as is set forth in this Realm knowing therewith that they have a Minister which ever since his arrivall in Jarsey hath used the like order of Preaching and administration as in the said Reformed Churches or as it is used in the French Church at London her Majesty for divers respects and considerations moving her Highnesse is well pleased to admit the same order of Preaching and Administration to be continued at St. Heliers as hath been hitherto accustomed by the said Minister Provided always that the residue of the Parishes in the said Isle shall diligently put apart all superstitions used in the said Diocese and so continue there the order of Service ordained and set forth within this Realm with the injunctions necessary for that purpose wherein you may not fail diligently to give your aides and assistance as best may serve for the advancement of Gods glory And so fare you well From Richmond the 7 day of August Anno 1565. Subscribed N. Bacon Will. Northamp R. Leoâ—ster Gul. Clynton R. Rogers Fr. Knols William Cecil Where note that the same Letter the names only of the places being changed and subscribed by the same men was sent also unto those of Guernzey for the permission of the said Discipline in the haven of St. Peters And thus fortified by authority they held their first Synod according to the constitutions of that platforme on the 22. of September and at St. Peters-porte in Guernzey anno 1567. By this means by this improvident assent if I may so call it to this new discipline in these Islands her Majesty did infinitely prejudice her own affaires and opened that gap unto the Brethren by which they had almost made entrance unto meer confusion in this state and Kingdome For whereaâ— during the Empire of Queen Mary Goodman Whittingham Gilbie and divers others of our Nation hâ—d betook themselves unto Geneva and there been taught the Consistorian practises they yet retained themselves within the bounds of peace and duty But no sooner had the Queen made known by this assent that she might possibly be drawn to like the Platforme of Geneva but presently the Brethren set themselves on work to impose those new inventions on our Churches By Genebrard we learn in his Chronologie ortos Puritanos anno 1566. and that their first Belweather was called Samson a puissant Champion doubâ—lesse in the cause of Israel By our own Antiquary in his Annals it is referred ad Annum 68 and their Leaders were Collman Buttan Bellingham and Benson By both it doth appear that the brethren stirred 〈◊〉 there till the approbation of their Discipline in those Islands or till
and prudent woman p. 204. CHAP. II. Two Religions strugling in France like the two twins in the womb of Rebecca The comparison between them two and those in the general A more particular survey of the Papists Church in France in Policie Priviledge and Revenue The complaint of the Clergy to the King The acknowledgment of the French Church to the Pope meerly titular The pragmatick sanction Maxima tua fatuitas and Conventui Tridentino severally written to the Pope and Trent Councell The tedious quarrell about Investitures Four things propounded by the Parliament to the Jesuites The French B shops not to medle with Fryers their lives and land The ignorance of the French Priests The Chanoins Latine in Orleans The French not hard to be converted if plausibly humoured p. 216. CHAP. III. The correspondency between the French King and the Pope This Pope an Omen of the Marriages of France with England An English Catholicks conceit of it His Holinesse Nuncio in Paris A learned Argument to prove the Popes universality A continuation of the allegory between Jacob and Esau The Protestants compelled to leave their Forts and Towns Their present estate and strength The last War against them justly undertaken not fairly managed Their insolencies and disobedience to the Kings command Their purpose to have themselves a free estate The war not a war of Religion King James in justice could not assist them more then he did First for saken by their own party Their happinesse before the war The Court of the edict A view of them in their Churches The commendation which the French Papists give to the Church of England Their Discipline and Ministers c. p. 229 CHAP. IV. The connexion between the Church and Common wealth in generall A transition to the particular of France The Government there meerly regall A mixt forme of Government most commendable The Kings Patents for Offices Monopolies above the censure of Parliament The strange office intended to Mr. Luynes The Kings gifts and expences The Chamber of Accounts France divided into three sorts of people The Conventus Ordinum nothing but a title The inequality of the Nobles and Commons in France The Kings power how much respected by the Princes The powerablenesse of that rank The formall execution done on them The multitude and confusion of Nobility King James defended A censure of the French Heralds The command of the French Nobles over their Tenants Their priviledges gibbets and other Regalia They conspire with the King to undoe the Commons p. 246. CHAP. V. The base and low estate of the French Paisant The misery of them under their Lord. The bed of Procrustes The suppressing of the Subject prejudiciall to a State The wisdome of Henry VII The Forces all in the Cavallerie The cruell impositions laid upon the people by the King No demain in France Why the tryall by twelve men can be used only in England The Gabell of Salt The Popes licence for wenching The Gabell of whom refused and why The Gascoines impatient of Taxes The taille and taillion The Pancarke or Aides The vain resistance of those of Paris The Court of Aides The manner of gathering the Kings moneys The Kings revenue The corruption of the French publicans King Lewis why called the just The monies currant in France The gold of Spain more Catholick then the King The happinesse of the English Subjects A congratulation unto England The conclusion of the first Journey p. 258. GUERNZEY and JARSEY OR THE SIXTH BOOK The Entrance 1 The occasion of c. 2 Introduction to this work 3 The Dedication 4 and Method of the whole The beginning continuance of our voyage with the most remarkable passages which happened in it The mercenary falsnesse of the Dutch exemplified in the dealing of a man of warre p. 179. CHAP. I. 1 Of the convenient situation and 2 condition of these Islands in the generall 3 Alderney and 4 Serke 5 The notable stratagem whereby this latter was recovered from the French 6 Of Guernzey 7 and the smaller Isles neer unto it 8 Our Lady of Lebu 9 The road and 10 the Castle of Cornet 11 The Trade and 12 Priviledges of this people 13 Of Jarsey and 14 the strengths about it 15 The Island why so poor and populous 16 Gavelkind and the nature of it 17 The Governours and other the Kings Officers The 18 Politie and 19 administration of justice in both Islands 20 The Assembly of the Three Estates 21 Courts Presidiall in France what they are 22 The election of the Justices 23 and the Oath taken at their admission 24 Of their Advocates or Pleaders and the number of them 25 The number of Atturneys once limited in England 26 A Catalogue of the Governours and Bailiffs of the Isle of Jarsey p. 292. CHAP. II. 1 The City and Diâ—cesse of Constance 2 The condition of these Islands under that Government 3 Churches appropriated what they were 4 The Black Book of Constance 5 That called Dooms day 6 The suppression of Priors Aliens 7 Priours Dative how they differed from the Conventuals 8 The condition of theâ—e Churches after the suppression 9 A Diagram of the Revenue then allotted to each severall Parish together with the Ministers and Justices now being 10 What is meant by Champarte desarts and French querrui 11 The alteration of Religion in these Islands 12 Persecution here in the days of Queen Mary The Authors indignation at it expressed in a Poeticall rapture 13 The Islands annexed for ever to the Diocese of Wâ—nton and for what reasons p. 313. CHAP. III. 1 The condition of Geneva under their Bishop 2 The alteration there both in Politie and 3 in Religion 4 The state of that Church before the coming of Calvin thither 5 The conception 6 birth and 7 growth of the New Discipline 8 The quality of Lay-elders 9 The different proceedings of Calvin 10 and Beza in the propagation of that cause 11 Both of them enemies to the Church of England 12 The first enrtance of this Platforme into the Islands 13 A permission of it by the Queen and the Councell in St. Peters and St. Hillaries 14 The letters of the Councell to that purpose 15 The tumults raised in England by the brethren 16 Snape and Cartwright establish the new Discipline in the rest of the Islands p. 327. CHAP. IV. The Discipline Ecclesiasticall according as it hath been in practise of the Church after the Reformation of the same by the Ministers Elders and Deacons of the Isles of Guernzey Jarsey Serke and Alderney confirmed by the authority and in the presence of the Governours of the same Isles in a Synod holden in Guernzey the 28 of June 1576. And afterwards revived by the said Ministers and Elders and confirmed by the said Governours in a Synod holden also in Guernzey the 11 12 13 14 15 and 17. days of October 1597. p. 338. CHAP. V. 1 Annotations on the Discipline 2 Nâ—place in it for the Kings Supremacy 3
Their love to Parity as well in the State as in the Church 4 The covering of the head a sign of liberty 5 The right hand of fellowship 6 Agenda what it is in the notion of the Church The intrusion of the Eldership into Domestical affairs 7 Millets case 8 The brothren superstitious in giving names to children 9 Ambling Communions 10 The holy Discipline made a third note of the Church 11 Marriage at certain times prohibited by the Discipline 12 Dead bodies anciently not interred in Cities 13 The Baptism of Bels. 14 The brethren under pretence of scandal usurp upon the civil Courts 15 The Discipline incroacheth on our Church by stealth 16 A caution to the Prelates p. 364. CHAP. VI. 1 King James how affected to this Platform 2 He confirms the Discipline in both Islands 3 And for what reasons 4 Sir John Peyton sent Governour into Jarsey 5 His Articles against the Ministers there 6 And the proceedings thereupon 7 The distracted estate of the Church and Ministery in that Island 8 They refer themselves unto the King 9 The Inhabitants of Jarsey petition for the English Discipline 10 A reference of both parties to the Councell 11 The restitution of the Dean 12 The Interim of Germany what it was 13 The Interim of Jarsey 14 The exceptions of the Ministery against the Book of Common prayer 15 The establishment of the new Canons 378. CHAP. VII The Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiasticall for the Church Discipline of Jarsey together with the Kings Letters Patents for the authorising of the same p. 390. CHAP. VIII 1 For what cause it pleased his Majesty to begin with Jarsey 2 A representation of such motives whereon the like may be effected in the Isle of Guernzey 3 The indignity done by a Minister hereof to the Church of England 4 The calling of the Ministers in some reformed Churches how defensible 5 The circumstances both of time and persons how ready for an alteration 6 The grievances of the Ministery against the Magistrates 7 Propesals of such means as may be fittest in the managing of this design 8 The submission of the Author and the work unto his Lordship The conclusion of the whole Our return to England p. 412. ERRATA Besides the errors of the Copy the Reader is of course to look for some from the Presse which the hast made for preventing the false impressions bath more increased then any negligence of the Workman which the Reader is desired to amend in this manner following PAge 4. l. 27. r. Le Main p. 5. l. 23. r. locorum p. 7 l. 15. r. qui. p. 10. l. 22. r. the predecessor to the same Henry p. 11. l. 17. del in p. 13. l. 18. r. pace ibid. l. 35. 〈…〉 yred p. 19. l 26. r. Evenlode p. 31 l. 8. r. fourth p. 39. l. 25. p. 108. l. 9 r. interview p. 49. l. 3. r. then ibid l. 4. r. as at ibid. l. 9. r. her own thoughts p. 52. l. 1. r. Cumrye p. 60 l. 28. r. En lar ibid. l. 35 r. Troyes p. 69 l. 26. del now p. 95. l. 17. r born p. 96. l. 19 r. abolished p. 99. l. 20. r. Treasurirer p. 100. l. 1. r. visible p. 121. l. 12. r. Chastres p. 123 l 1 r. as much hugged ibid. l. 26. r. I shall hereafter shew you p. 125. l. 27. r. Beu p. 127. l. 14. r. Angerville p. 132. l. 12. r. Angiers p. 138 l. 9. r. his p. 139. l. 15. r. antient times ibid. l. 20. r quam disfumigamibus p. 140. l. 22. r. Belbâ—s p. 147. l. 2. r. meriâ— p. 150. l. 27. r. many p. 153. l. 6. r. mouths ibid. l. 31. r. forme p. 158 l. 9 r. trumped p. 162. l. 12. r. Les D guieres p. 163. l. 20 r. Bevie ibid. l. â—3 r. Troyes p. 167. l. 27. r. Ancre p. 170. l. 18. r. adeo ibid. l. 19. r. fidei p. 175. l. 9. r. mossing p. 185 l. 27. del do ibid. 36. r ner p. 190. l. 3. del my ibid. l. 33. r. Bookes p. 199. l. 20. r. horrour p. 206. l. 8. r Franâ— p. 208. l. 1. r. 60000. p. 211. l. 14. del each 〈◊〉 p. 213 l 8. to these words abeady mentioned add and Madam Gabriele the most breed of all p. 220 l. ult r. Aix p. 222. l. 38. r. no other p. 223. l 7. l. 32. r. investi 〈…〉 ibid. l. 18. r. Henry IV. ibid. l. 34. r. Henry I p 225. l. 10. r. sanctio ibid. l. 23. r. 〈…〉 e. p. 230. l 19. r. fair p. 231 l. 1. r. to come ibid. l. 6 r. greatest action p. 235. l. 〈◊〉 del into p. 242. l 4 r. Le Chastres p. 244 l. 33. r. Systematicall p 248. l. 27. r. 〈◊〉 p. 261. l. 24 del foâ— p. 271. l. 13. r. birudo p 272. l. ult r. Vitrâ—y p. 274. l. r. 〈…〉 tal p. 288 l. 28. r. Peitor p. 298. l. 5. 302. l. 16. r. Armie p. 304 l. 33 r. Summa 〈…〉 p. 306 l. 20. r. manner p. 312. l. 8 del a Crosse engraled O. p. 314. l. 5 r. Viconte p. 320. l 8. r. painset ibid. l. 2. r. honor p. 323. l. 34. r. once p 325. l. 7. r. fact p. 330. l. 36. r. Birtilier p. 337. l. 11. r titulary ibid. l 17 r. Painset p. 354. l ult 〈◊〉 them they p. 368 l 35. r. propounded p. 374 l 10 r. tactum p. 381. l. 14. r. va 〈…〉 p. 384. l. 3 l. 3â— p. 386 l. 15. Misseâ—vâ— p 385. l. 17 r. Olivier ibid. l. 34. r. St. Martins p 387. l 32. r. interea p. 393 l. 9. r. cure p 401. l. ult r. rols p. 417 l. 11. del hath p 415 l. 3. r. ceremoniall ibid. l. 25. r. besaid unto him ibid. l. 38. r. Bishop p. 417. l 8. r clamors p. 422. l. 13. r. change p. 423. l 3. r. sic ibid. l. 24. r. pool THE RELATION Of the FIRST JOURNEY CONTAINING A SURVEY of the STATE OF FRANCE TAKING IN The Description of the principal Provinces and chief Cities of it The Temper Humors and Affections of the people generally And an exact account of the Publick Government in reference to the Court the Church and the Civill State By PET. HEYLYN London Printed 1656. A SURVEY OF THE STATE of FRANCE NORMANDY OR THE FIRST BOOK The Entrance The beginning of our Journey The nature of the Sea A farewell to England ON Tuesday the 28 of June just at the time when England had received the chief beauty of France and the French had seen the choise beauties of England we went to Sea in a Bark of Dover The Port we aimed at Dieppe in Normandy The hour three in the afternoon The winde faire and high able had it continued in that point to have given us a wastage as speedy as our longings Two hours before night it came about to the Westward and the tide also not befriending us our passage became tedious and troublesome
of them withall he protested that it did not grieve him much because he thought it a just judgement of God upon our Nation that all the married men should be cuckolds A strange piece of Divinity to me who never before had heard such preaching but this was the reason of the Doctrine In the old English Masse-book called Secundum usum Sarum the woman at the time of marriage promiseth her future husband to be bonny and buxom at bed and at board till death us depart c. This being too light for the gravity of the action then in hand and in mine opinion somewhat lesse reverend then a Church duty would require the reformers of that book thought good to alter and have put in the place of it to love cherish and obey That this was a sufficient assurance of a conjugal faith he would not grant because the promise of being Buxom in bed was excluded Besides he accounted the supposed dishonesty of the English wives as a vengeance plucked down upon the heads of the people for chopping and changing the words of the holy Sacrament for such they esteem the form of Matrimony though his argument needed no answer yet this accutation might expect one and an English Gentleman though not of the English Faith thus laid open the abuse and seemed to speak it out of knowledge When the Monsieurs come over full pursed to London the French Pandars which lie in wait for such booties grow into their acquaintance and promise them the embraces of such a Dame of the City or such a Lady of the Court women perchance famed for admirable beauties But as Ixion amongst the Poets expected Juno and enjoyed a cloud so these beguiled wretches in stead of those eminent persons mentioned to them take into their bosomes some of the common prostitutes of the Town Thus are they cousen'd in their desires thus do they lie in their reports whilest poor souls they think themselves guilty of neither imposture For the other accusation which would seem to fasten a note of immodesty upon our English womens lips I should be like enough to confess the crime were the English kisses like unto those of the French As therefore Dr. Dale Master of the Requests said unto Mendoza the Spanish Ambassador upon his dislike of the promiscuous sitting of men and women in our Churches Turpe quidem id esse apud Hispanos qui etiam in locis sacris cogitarent de explenda libidine a qua procul aberant Anglorum mentes So do I answer to the bill of the complainant An Oxford Doctor upon this text Betrayest thâ—u the Son of man with a kisse made mention of four manner of kisses viz. Osculum charitatis osculum gratioris familiaritatis osculum calliditatis and osculum carnalitatis Of these I will bestow the last on the French and the third on the Spaniards retaining the two first unto our selves whereas the one is enjoyned by the precept and the other warranted by the examples of holy Scripture For my part I see nothing in the innocent and harmless salutations of the English which the Doctor calleth Osculum gratioris familiaritatis that may move a French mans suspicion much I confess to stir his envie Perhaps a want of the like happiness to himself maketh him dislike it in us as the Fox that had lost his taile perswaded all others to cut off theirs but I have already touched the reason why that Nation is unworthy of such a favour their kisses being hot and sulphury and indeed nothing but the prologue to their lusts Whereas on the contrary and I dare be confident in it the chaste and innocent kisse of the English Gentlewomen is more in heaven then many of the best of their devotions It were not amisse to explain in this place a verse of Ovids common in the mouthes of many but the understanding of few Thus then saith the Poet Oscula qui sumpsit si non caetera sumpsit Haec quoque quae sumpsit perdere dignus erit Which must be understood according to the fashion of Rome and Italy and since of France and Spain where they were given as pawns of a dishonest contract and not according to the customes of England where they are only proffer'd in way of a gracious and innocent familiarity and so accepted I return again to the French women and though I may not kisse them which he that seeth them will swear I have good cause to thank God for yet they are at liberty to be courted an office which they admit freely and return as liberally An office to which they are so used that they can hardly distinguish complement from wooing till the Priest expecteth them at the Church door That day they set themselves forth with all the variety of riches their credit can extend to A Scholar of the University never disfurnished so many of his friends to provide for a journey as they do neighbours to adorn their wedding At my being in Pontoyse I saw Mâ—is Bride returning from the Church The day before she had been somewhat of the condition of a Kitchen-wench but now so tricked up with scarfs rings and cross garters that you never saw a Whitsun-Lady better rigged I should much have applauded the fellowes fortune if he could have married the clothes but God be merciful to him he is chained to the wench Much joy may they have together most peerless couple Hymen O Hymenaee Hymen Hymen O Hymenaee The match was well knit up between them I would have a French man marry none but a French woman Being now made mistress of an house she can give her self a dispensation to drink wine before she had a fling at the bottle by stealth and could make a shift to play off her whole one in a corner as St. Austine in the ninth book of his Confessions reporteth of his mother Monica Now she hath her draughts like the second edition of a book augmented and revised and which is more published cum privilegio Her house she doth keep as she doth her self It would puzzle a strong judgement to resolve which of the two are the more nasty yet after ten of the clock you may come nigh her for by that time she hath not only eaten but it may be her hall hath had a brushing if you be not careful of your time you shall commonly finde her speechless her mouth being stopped with some of the reliques of last nights supper To five meals a day she is very constant and for varieties sake will make some of them at street-door She is an exceeding good soul as Sancho Panco said of his wife and one that will not pine her self though her heirs smart for it To her husband she is very servile seldome sitteth with him at the table readily executeth all his commands and is indeed rather a married servant then a wife or an houshold drudge under the title of a Mistress yet on the other side
met on the skreen close by the Ladies image this inscription Une ave Maria et un pater noster pour l'in qui cela donne which was intended on him that bestowed the Lanthorn No question but Pope Innocent when he ordered this Vestall fiâ—e to be kept amongst the Christians thought he had done God good service in reviving his old Commandement given to Moses in Exod. 27. 20 21 if so the world cannot clear him of Judaism therefore the best way were to say he learned it of the Gentiles For we read that the Athenians had Lychnum inextincti luminis before the Statuâ— of their Pallas that the Persians also had Ignem pervigilem in their Temples and so also had the Medians and Assyrians To omit the everlasting fire of Vesta and come neer home we meet with it also here in Britain In Britannia quoque saith a good Philosopher Minervae numen colitur in cujus temploperpetui ignes c. Afterwards the flattery of the Court applying divine honours unto their Kings this custome of having fire continually burning before them began to grow in fashion among the Romans Herodian amongst other the ensignes of imperiall majesty is sure not to omit this and therefore telleth us that notwithstanding Commodus was fallen out with his sister Lucilla he permitteth her her antient seat in the Theatre 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that fire should still be carryed before her The present Romans succeed the former as in their possessions so in their follies For calling the Sacrament their Lord God and the Virgin their Lady they thought they should rob them of half their honour should they not have their Lamps and fires also burning before them As are their lamps so is their holy-water meerly Heathenish Siquidem in omnibus sacris as we read in the fourth Book Genialium dierum sacâ—rdos cum diis immolat rem divinam facit corporis ablutione purgatur The author giveth a reason for it and I would have no Papist no not Bellarmine himself to give a better Aquae enim aspersione labem toâ—i castimoniam praestari putant Neither did the Priest only use it himselfe but he sprinkled also the people with it Spargere rore levi ramo foelicis olivae Lustravitque viros As Virgil in the Aeneid's In which place two things are to be noted First Ramus olivae now called Aspersorium or the sprinkling rod wherewith the water is sprinkled on the by-standers And secondly the term lustrare meerly the name of Aqua lustralis by which they call it That the laicks also of the Gentiles were clensed of sin by this water is evident by that of Homer where he maketh Orestes having killed his mother and thereupon grown mad at once restored to his wits and quiet thoughts by washing in the water Perhaps Pilate might allude to this custome when having condemned our Saviour he washed his hands in the middest of the Congregation Hereunto also Ovid O faciles nimium qui tristia crimina caedis Fluminea tolli posse putatis aqua Indeed in the word fluminea the Poet was somewhat out the waters only of the Sea serving for the expiation of any crime the reason was Cum propter vim igneam magnopere purgationibus consentanea putaretur and for this cause questionlesse do the Popish Priests use salt in the consecration of their holy-water that it might as nigh as was possible resemble the waters of the Sea in saltnesse So willing are they in all circumstances to act the Heathens But I have kept you too long within the Church it is now time to go up to the top and survey the outworks of it It hath as we have already said at the front two Towers of admirable beauty they are both of an equal height and are each of them 377 steps in the ascent From hence we could clearly see the whole circuite of Paris and each severall street of it such as we have already described of an orbicular form and neatly compacted From hence could we see the whole valley round about it such as I have also delineated already though not in such lively colours as it meriteth In one of these Towers there is a ring of Bels in the other two only but these for worth are equall to all the rest the bigger of the two is said to be greater then the Bell of Roven so much talked of as being 8 yards and a span in compasse and two yards and a half in depth the bowl also of the clapper being one yard and a quarter round of a great weight it needs must be and therefore Multorum manibus grande levatur onus there are no lesse then four main ropes besides their severall tale-ropes to ring it By reason of this trouble it is never rung but in time of thunders and those no mean ones neither lesser bels will serve to disperse the lesser tempests this is used only in the horrider claps and such as threaten a dissolution of nature But how well as well this as the smaller bels discharge that office experience would tell us were we void of reason yet so much do the people affiance themselves to this conceit of the power of them that they suppose it inherent to them continually after the Bishop hath baptized them which is done in this manner The bell being so hanged that it may be washed within and without in comes the Bishop in his Episcopall robes attended by one of his Deacons and sitting by the Bell in his chaire saith with a loud voice the 50 53 56 66 69 85 and 12 Psalmes or some of them then doth he exorcize severally the salt and the water and having conjured these ingredients into an Holy-water he washeth with it the Bell both on the inside and the outside wiping it dry with a linnen cloth he readeth the 145 146 147 148 149 and 150 Psalms he draweth a crosse on it with his right thumb dipped in hallowed oyl Chrisme they call it and then prayeth over it His prayer finished he wipeth out that crosse and having said over the 48 Psalm he draweth on it with the same oyl seven other crosses saying Sanctificetur consecretur Domine campana ista in nomine c. After another prayer the Bishop taketh the Censour and putting into it Myrthe and Frankincense setteth it on fire and putteth it under the Bell that it may receive all the fume of it This done the 76 Psalm read and some other prayers repeated the Bell hath received his whole and entire Biptisme and these virtues following viz. Ut per illius tactum procul pellantur omnes insidiae inimici fragor grandium procella turbinum impetus tempestatum c. For so one of the prayers reckoneth them prescribed in the Roman Pontificall authorized by Clement VIII A strange piece of Religion that a Bell should be Baptized and so much the stranger in that these inanimate bodies can be received into the Church by
my self then to have recourse to the King of heaven and though the Poet meant not Exeat aula qui vult esse pius in that sense yet will it be no treason for me to apply it so And even in this the Church which should be like the Coat of its Redeemer without seam do I finde rents and factions and of the two these in the Church more dangerous then those in the Louure I know the story of Rebecca and of the children strugling in her is generally applyed to the births and contentions of the Law and the Gospel in particular we may make use of it in expressing the State of the Church and Religions of France for certain it is that here were divers pangs in the womb of the French Church before it was delivered And first she was delivered of Esau the Popish faith being first after the strugling countenanced by authority And he came out red all over like an hairy garment saith the text which very appositely expresseth the bloudy and rough condition of the French Papists at the birth of the Reformation before experience and long acquaintance had bred a liking between them And after came his Brother out which laid hold on Esaus heel and his name was called Jacob wherein is described the quality of the Protestant party which though confirmed by publick Edict after the other yet hath it divers times endevoured and will perhaps one day effect the tripping up of the others heels And Esau saith Moses was a cunning hunter a man of the field and Jacob a plain man dwelling in tents in which words the comparison is made exact A cunning hunter in the Scripture signifieth a man of art and power mingled as when Nâ—mrâ—d in Genesis 10. is termed a mighty hunter Such is the Papist a side of greater strength and subtility a side of war and of the field on the other side the Protestants are a plain race of men simple in their actions without craft and fraudulent behaviours and dwelling in tents that is having no certain abiding place no Province which they can call theirs but living dispersed and scattered over the Countrey which in the phrase of the Scripture is dwelling in tents As for the other words differencing the two brethren and the elder shall serve the younger they are rather to be accounted a Prophesie then a Character we must therefore leave the analogie it holds with this Rebecca of France and her two children to the event and to prayer For a more particular insight into the strength and subtilty of this Esau we must consider it in the three main particular strengths of it its Polity Priviledges and Revenue For the first so it is that the Popish Church in France is governed like those of the first and purest times by Archbishops and Bishops Archbishops it comprehendeth 12 and of Bishops 104 of these the Metropolitan is he of Rheimes who useth to anoint the Kings which office and preheminence hath been annexed unto this seat ever since the times of St. Remigius Bishop hereof who converted Clovis King of the Franks unto the Gospell The present Primate is son unto the Duke of Guise by name Henry de Lorrain of the age of 14 years or thereabouts a burden too unweildie for his shoulders Et quae non viribus istis Munera conveniunt nâ—c tam puerilibus annis For the better government therefore of a charge so weighty they have appointed him a Coadjutor to discharge that great function till he come to age to take orders His name is Gifford an English fugitive said to be a man worthy of a great fortune and able to bear it The revenues of this Archbishoprick are somewhat of the meanest not amounting yearly to above 10000 Crowns whereof Dr. Gifford receiveth only 2000 the remainder going to the Caidet of Lorreine This trick the French learn of the Protestants in Germany where the Princes after the Reformation began by Luther took in the power and Lordships of the Bishops which together with their functions they divided into two parts The lands they bestowed upon some of their younger sons or kinsmen with the title of Administrator the office and pains of it they conferred with some annuall pension on one of their Chaplaines whom they styled the Superintendent of the Bishoprick This Archbishop together with the rest of the Bishops have under them their severall Chancellours Commissaries Archdeacons and other officers attending in their Courts in which their power is not so generall as with us in England Matters of testament never trouble them as belonging to the Court of Parliament who also have wrested to their own hands almost all the businesse of importance sure I am all the causes of profit originally belonging to the Church the affairs meerly Episcopall and spirituall are left unto them as granting Licence for Marriages punishing whoredome by way of penance and the like to go beyond this were ultra crepidam and they should be sure to have a prohibition from the Parliaments Of their priviledges the chiefest of the Clergy men is the little or no dependence upon the Pope and the little profits they pay unto their King of the Pope anon to the King they pay only their Dismes or Tithes according to the old rate a small sum if compared unto the payments of their neighbours it being thought that the King of Spain receiveth yearly one half of the living of the Churches but this I mean of their livings only for otherwise they pay the usuall gabels and customes that are paid by the rest of the Kings liege people In the generall assembly of the three Estates the Clergy hath authority to elect a set number of Commissioners to undertake for them and the Church which Commissioners do make up the first of the three Estates and do first exhibit their grievances and Petitions to the King In a word the French Church is the freest of any in Christendome that have not yet quitted their subjection to the Pope as alwayes protesting against the Inquisitions not submitting themselves to the Councell of Trent and paying very little to his Holinesse of the plentifull revenue wherewith God and good men have blessed it The number of those which the Church Land maintaineth in France is tantum non infinite therefore the Intrado and Revenue of it must needs be uncountable There are numbred in it as we said before 12 Archbishops 104 Bishopricks to these add 540 Archpriories 1450 Abbies 12320 Priories 567 Nunneries 700 Convents of Fryers 259 Commendames of the order of Malta and 130000 Parish Priests Yet this is not all this reckoning was made in the year 1598. Since which time the Jesuits have divers Colledges founded for them and they are known to be none of the poorest To maintain this large wildernesse of men the Statistes of France who have proportioned the Countrey do allow unto the Clergy almost a fourth part of the whole For supposing France to contain 200
with greater patience to the rest of the story of this Island which in brief is this That after the death of Queen Many Religion was again restored in the reformation of it to these Islands In which state it hath ever since continued in the main and substance of it but not without some alteration in the circumstance and forme of Government For whereas notwithstanding the alteration of Religion in these Islands they still continued under the Diocese of Constance during the whole Empire of King Henry the VIII and Edward the VI. yet it seemed good to Queen Elizabeth upon some reasons of State to annex them unto that of Winton The first motive of it was because that Bishop refused to abjure the pretended power which the Pope challengeth in Kingdomes as other of the English Prelates did but this displeasure held not long For presently upon a consideration of much service and intelligence which might reasonably be expected from that Prelate as having such a necessary dependence on this Crown they were again permitted to his jurisdiction At the last and if I well remember about the 12 year of that excellent Ladies Reign at the perswasion of Sir Amias Paulet and Sir Tho. Leighton then Governours they were for ever united unto Winchester The pretences that so there might a fairer way be opened to the reformation of Religion to which that Bishop was an enemy and that the secrets of the State might not be carryed over into France by reason of that entercourse which needs must be between a Bishop and his Ministers The truth is they were both resolved to settle the Geneva discipline in every Parish in each Island for which cause they had sent for Snape and Cartwright those great incendiaries of the English Church to lay the ground-work of that building Add to this that there was some glimmering also of a Confiscation in the ruine of the Deanries with the spoyles whereof they held it fit to enrich their Governments Matters not possible to be effected had he of Constance continued in his place and power But of this more in the next Chapter CHAP. III. 1 The condition of Geneva under their Bishop 2 The alteration there both in Politie and 3 in Religion 4 The state of that Church before the coming of Calvin thither 5 The conception 6 birth and 7 growth of the New Discipline 8 The quality of Lay-elders 9 The different proceedings of Calvin 10 and Beza in the propagation of that cause 11 Both of them enemies to the Church of England 12 The first entrance of this platforme into the Islands 13 A permission of it by the Queen and the Councell in St. Peters and St. Hilaries 14 The letters of the Councell to that purpose 15 The tumults raised in England by the brethren 16 Snape and Cartwright establish the new Discipline in the rest of the Islands THus having shewed unto your Lordship the affairs and condition of these Churches till the Reformation of Religion I come next in the course of my designe unto that Innovation made amongst them in the point of Discipline For the more happy dispatch of which businesse I must crave leave to ascend a little higher into the story of change then the introduction of it into those little Islands So doing I shall give your Lordship better satisfaction then if I should immediately descend upon that Argument the rather because I shall deliver nothing in this discourse not warranted to be by the chief contrivers of the Discipline To begin then with the first originall and commencement of it so it is that it took the first beginning at a City of the Allobroges or Savoyards called Geneva and by that name mentioned in the first of Cesars Commentaries A Town situate at the end of Lacus Lemannus and divided by Rhodanus or Rhosne into two parts Belonging formerly in the Soveraignty of it to the Duke of Savoy but in the profits and possession to their Bishop and homager of that Dukedome To this Bishop then there appertained not only an Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction as Governour of the Church under the Archbishop of Vienna in Daulphinoys his Metropolitane but a jurisdiction also temporall as Lord and Master of the Town under the protection of the Duke of Savoy This granted by the testimony of Calvin in his Epistle unto Cardinall Sadolet dated the last of August 1539. Habebat sane saith he jus gladii alias civilis jurisdictionis partes but as he conceived I know not on what grounds Magistratui ereptas fraudulently taken from the Civill Magistrate In this condition it continued till the year 1528. when those of Berne after a publick disputation held had made an alteration in Religion At that time Viret and Farellus men studious of the Reformation had gotten footing in Geneva and diligently there sollicited the cause and entertainment of it But this proposall not plausibly accepted by the Bishop they dealt with those of the lower rank amongst whom they had gotten most credit and taking opportunity by the actions and example of those of Berne they compelled the Bishop and his Clergy to abandon the Town and after proceeded to the reforming of his Church This also avowed by Calvin in his Epistle to the said Cardinall viz. That the Church had been reformed and setled before his coming into those quarters by Viret and Farellus and that he only had approved of their proceedings Sed quia quae a Vireto Farello facta essent suffragio meo comprobavi c. as he there hath it Nor did they only in that tumult alter the Doctrine and orders of the Church but changed also the Government of the Town disclaiming all alleagiance either to their Bishop or their Duke and standing on their own liberty as a free City And for this also they are indebted to the active counsels of Fareâ—â—us For thus Calvin in his Epistle to the Ministers of Zurich dated the 26 of November 1553. Cum hic nuper esset frater noster Farellus cui se totos debent c. and anone after Sed deploranda est senatus nostri caecitas quod libertatis suae patrem c. speaking of their ingratitude to this Farellus The power and dominion of that City thus put into the hands of the common people and all things left at liberty and randome it could not be expected that there should any discipline be observed or good order in the Church The Common-councell of the Town disposed of it as they pleased and if any crime which antiently belonged to Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction did hâ—p to be committed it was punished by order from that Councell No censures Ecclesiasticall no sentence of Excommunication thought on at that time either here at Geneva or in any other of the popular Churches Si quidem excommunicationi in aliis Ecclesiis nullus locus as Beza hath it in the life of Calvin And the same Calvin in his Epistle to the Ministers
of Zurich affirmes no lesse in these words viz. Nec me latet pies doctos esse homines quibus sub principibus Christianis non videtur esse necessaria Excommunicatio so he Thus was it with the Church and City of Geneva at the first coming of Calvin to them a man of excellent abilities and one that had attained a good repute in many places of the French dominions Not finding that assurance in the Realm of France he resolved to place himselfe at Basil or at Strasbure But taking Geneva in his way upon the importunity of Farellus he condescended to make that place the scene of his endeavours and his assent once known he was admitted straight to be one of their ordinary preachers and their Divinity reader Mens Aug. anno 1536. This done he presently negotiates with the people publickly to abjure the Papacy nor so only but as Beza hath it in his life Quod doctrinam disciplinam capitibus aliquot comprehensam admitterent that they also should give way to such a discipline which he and his associates had agreed on A matter at the last effected but not without much difficulty and on the 20 of July anno 1537. the whole City bound themselves by oath accordingly which discipline of what quality it was I cannot learn sure I am it had no affinity with that in use amongst the antients For thus himself in his Epistle above mentioned unto Sadolet Disciplinam qualem vetus habuit Ecclesia apud nos non esse dicis neque nos diffitemur The Discipline hitherto was only in conception before it came unto maturity and ready for the birth the people weary of this new yoak began to murmur and he resolutely bent not to vary from his first purpose was in that discontentment banished the Town together with Farellus and Coraldus his colleagues anno 1538. Three years or thereabouts he continued in this exile being bountifully entertained at Strasburg from whence with unresistible importunity he was again recalled by that unconstant multitude A desire to which by no means he would hearken unlesse both they and all their Ministers would take a solemn oath to admit a compleat forme of discipline not arbitrary not changeable but to remain in force for ever after Upon assurance of their conformity herein he returns unto them like an other Tully unto Rome and certainly we may say of him as the Historian of the other Nec quisquam aut expulsus est invid 〈…〉 aut receptus letius On the 13 of September 1541. he is admitted into the Town and now there being strength enough to deliver the Discipline such as he had contrived it was established on the 20 of November following This new Discipline thus borne into the world was yet crush'd almost in the growth of it by the faction of Perinus at that time Captain of the people and of great power among the many Twelve years together but yet with many luoid intervals did it struggle with that opposition and at the last was in a manner ruined and oppressed by it For whereas the Consistory had given sentence against one 〈◊〉 even in the highest censure of Excommunication the Common-councell not only absolved him from that censure but foolishly decreed That Excommunication and Absolution did properly belong to them Upon this he is again resolved to quit the Town but at last the Controversie is by joynt consent referred unto the judgement of four Cities of the Switzers Then did he labour in particular to consider of it not as a matter of ordinary consequence but as in his said Epistle to those in Zurich De toto Ecclesiae hujus statu c. such as on which the whole being of that Church depended In the end he so contrived it that the answer was returned to Geneva Nil contra tentandum that they should not seek to alter what was so well established and hereupon they were all contented to obey By which means this Infant discipline with such variety of troubles born and nursed attained unto a fair and manly growth and in short space so well improved that it durst bid defiance unto Kings and Princes The chief means by which this new Platforme was admitted in Geneva and afterwards desired in other places was principally that parity and equallty which it seemed to carry the people being as it were a double part in it and so advanced into the highest Magistracy For so the cunning Architect had contrived it that for every pillar of the Church there should be also two Pillasters or rather underproppers of the people Non solos verbi Ministros sedere judices in consistorio sed numerum duplo majorem partim ex minori senatu partim ex majori delige so he in his Remonstrance unto them of Zurich affixed to his Epistle These men they honour with the name of Elders and to them the charge is specially committed of inquiring into the lives of those within their division viz. Sitne domus pacata recte composita c. as the Epistle to Gasp Olevianus doth instruct us By which device there is not only a kind of satisfaction given to the multitude but a great deal of envie is declined by the Ministery which that curious and unneighbourly inquisition would otherwise derive upon them And certainly were there in these Elders as they call them a power only of information the device might be so much the more allowable But that such simple wretches should caper from the shop-board upon the Bench and there be interessed in the weighâ—iest causes of the Church Censure and Ordination is a monster never known among the Antients Especially considering that the minde of these poor Laicks is all the while intent upon their penny and when the Court is risen they hasten to their shops as Quinctius the Dictator did in Flarus to his plough Ut ad opus reâ—ictum festinasse videantur The businesse thus happily succeeding at Geneva and his name continually growing into higher credit his next endevour was to plant that government in all places which with such trouble had been fitted unto one Certainly we do as much affect the issue of our braines as of our bodies and labour with no lesse vehemency to advance them And so it was with him in this particular his after-writings tending mainly to this end that his new Platforme might have found an universall entertainment But this modestly enough and chiefly by way of commendation Two examples only shall be sufficient because I will not be too great a trouble to your Lordship in the collection of a tedious Catalogue Gasper Olevianus a Minister of the Church of Tryers by his Letters bearing date the 12 of Aprill anno 1560. giveth notice unto Calvin of the State of their affaires and withall that he found the people willing to condescend unto a Discipline Calvin in his answer presents him with a summary of that platforme raised lately at Geneva
the execution of it in their first Synod No sooner had they this incouragement but they presently mustered up their forces betook themselves unto the quarrell and the whole Realme was on the suddain in an uproar The Parliaaments continually troubled with their Supplications Admonitions and the like and when they found not there that favour which they looked for they denounce this dreadfull curse against them That there shall not be a man of their seed that shall prosper to be a Parliament man or bear rule in England any more The Queen exclaimed upon in many of their Pamphlets her honourable Counsell scandalously censured as opposers of the Gospell The Prelates every were cryed down as Antichristian Petty-popes Bishops of the Devill cogging and cousening knaves dumb dogs enemies of God c. and their Courts and Chanceries the Synagogues of Satan After this they erected privately their Presbyteries in divers places of the Land and contoned the whole Kingdome into their severall Classes and divisions and in a time when the Spaniards were expected they threaten to petition the Queens Majesty with 100000 hands In conclusion what dangerous counsels were concluded on by Hacket and his Apostles with the assent and approbation of the Brethren is extant in the Chronicles A strange and peevish generation of men that having publick enemies unto the faith abroad would rather turn the edge of their Swords upon their Mother and her children But such it seemeth was the holy pleasure of Geneva and such their stomach not to brook a private opposition Cumque superba foret Babylon spolianda trophaeis Bella geri placuit nullos habitura triumphos Yet was it questionlesse some comfort to their souls that their devices however it succeeded ill in England had spred it self abroad in Guernzey and in Jarsey where it had now possession of the whole Islands For not content with that allowance her Majesty had given unto it in the Towns of St. Peters and St. Hillaries the Governours having first got these Isles to be dissevered from the Diocese of Constance permit it unto all the other Parishes The better to establish it the great supporters of the cause in England Snape and Cartwright are sent for to the Islands the one of them being made the tributary Pastor of the Castle of Cornet the other of that of Mont-orguel Thus qualified forsooth they conveene the Churches of each Island and in a Synod held in Guernzey anno 1576. the whole body of the Discipline is drawn into a forme Which forme of Discipline I here present unto your Lordship faithfully translated according to an authentick copy given unto me by Mr. Painsee Curate of our Ladies Church of Chastell in the Isle of Guernzey CHAP. IV. The Discipline Ecclesiasticall according as it hath been in practise of the Church after the Reformation of the same by the Ministers Elders and Deacons of the Isles of Guernzey Jarsey Serke and Alderney confirmed by the authority and in the presence of the Governours of the same Isles in a Synod holden in Guernzey the 28 of June 1576. And afterwards revived by the said Ministers and Elders and confirmed by the said Governors in a Syâ—od holden also in Guernzey the 11 12 13 14 15 and 17 dayes of October 1597. CHAP. I. Of the Church in Generall Article I. 1. THe Church is the whole company of the faithfull comprehending as well those that bear publick office in the same as the rest of the people II. 2. No one Church shall pretend any superiority or dominion over another all of them being equall in power and having one only head CHRIST JESUS III. 3. The Governours of the Christian Church where the Magistrates professe the Gospell are the Magistrates which professe it as bearing chief stroke in the Civill Government and the Pastors and Overseers or Superintendents as principall in the Government Ecclesiasticall IV. 4. Both these jurisdictions are established by the law of God as necessary to the Government and welfare of his Church the one having principally the care and charge of mens bodies and of their goods to govern them according to the Laws and with the temporall Sword the other having cure of souls and consciences to discharge their duties according to the Canons of the Church and with the sword of Gods word Which jurisdiction ought so to be united that there be no confusion and so to be divided that there be no contrariety but joyntly to sustain and defend each other as the armes of the same body CHAP. II. Of the Magistrate THe Magistrate ought so to watch over mens persons and their goods as above all things to provide that the honour and true worship of God may be preserved And as it is his duty to punish such as offend in Murder Theft and other sins against the second Table so ought he also to correct Blasphemers Atheists and Idolaters which offend against the first as also all those which contrary to good order and the common peace addict themselves to riot and unlawfull games and on the other side he ought to cherish those which are well affected and to advance them both to wealth and honours CHAP. III. Of Ecclesiasticall functions in generall Article I. 1. OF Officers Ecclesiasticall some have the charge to teach or instruct which are the Pastors and Doctors others are as it were the eye to oversee the life and manners of Christs flock which are the Elders and to others there is committed the disposing of the treasures of the Church and of the poor mans Box which are the Deacons II. 2. The Church officers shall be elected by the Ministers and Elders without depriving the people of their right and by the same authority shall be discharged suspended and deposed according as it is set down in the Chapter of Censures III. 3. None ought to take upon him any function in the Church without being lawfully called unto it IV. 4. No Church-officer shall or ought to pretend any superiority or dominion over his companions viz. neither a Minister over a Minister nor an Elder over an Elder nor a Deacon over a Deacon yet so that they give reverence and respect unto each other either according to their age or according to those gifts and graces which God hath vouchsafed to one more then another V. 5. No man shall be admitted to any office in the Church unlesse he be endowed with gifts fit for the discharge of that office unto which he is called nor unlesse there be good testimony of his life and conversation of which diligent enquiry shall be made before his being called VI. 6. All these which shall enter upon any publick charge in the Church shall first subscribe to the confession of the faith used in the reformed Churches and to the Discipline Ecclesiasticall VII 7. All those which are designed for the administration of any publick office in the Church shall be first nominated by the Governours or their Lieutenants after whose approbation they
shall be proposed unto the people and if they meet not any opposition they shall be admitted to their charge within fifteen dayes after VIII 8. Before the nomination and admission of such as are called unto employment in the Church they shall be first admonished of their duty as well that which concerneth them in particular as to be exemplary unto the people the better to induce them to live justly and religiously before God and man IX 9. Although it appertain to all in generall to provide that due honour and obedience be done unto the Queens most excellent Majesty to the Governours to their Lieutenants and to all the officers of Justice yet notwithstanding they which bear office in the Church ought chiefly to bestir themselves in that behalf as an example unto others X. 10. Those that bear office in the Church shall not forsake their charge without the privity and knowledge of the Consistory and that they shall not be dismissed but by the same order by which they were admitted XI 11. Those that bear office in the Church shall employ themselves in visiting the sick and such as are in prison to administer a word of comfort to them as also to all such as have need of consolation XII 12. They shall not publish that which hath been treated in the Consistory Colloquies or Synods either unto the parties whom it may concern or to any others unlesse they be commanded so to do XIII 13. They which beare office in the Church if they abstain from the Lords Supper and refuse to be reconciled having been admonished of it and persisting in their error shall be deposed and the causes of their deposition manifested to the people CHAP. IV. Of the Ministers Article I. 1. THose which aspire unto the Ministery shall not be admitted to propose the word of God unlesse they be indued with learning and have attained unto the knowledge of the Greek and Hebrew tongues if it be possible II. 2. The Ministers shall censure the proponents having first diligently examined them in the principal points of learning requisite unto a Minister And having heard them handle the holy Scriptures as much as they think necessary if they be thought fit for the Ministery they shall be sent unto the Churches then being void to propose the Word of God three or four times and that bare-headed And if the Churches approve them and desire them for their Pastors the Colloquie shall depute a Minister to give them institution by the imposition of Hands III. 3. The Ministers sent hither or resorting for refuge to these Isles and bringing with them a good testimony from the places whence they came shall be employed in those Churches which have most need of them giving and receiving the hand of association IV. 4. They which are elected and admitted into the Ministery shall continue in it all their lives unlesse they be deposed for some fault by them committed And as for those which shall be hindred from the encreasing of their Ministery either by sicknesse or by age the honour and respect due unto it notwithstanding shall be theirs V. 5. The Ministers which flie hither as for refuge and are employed in any Parish during the persecution shall not depart from hence untill six moneths after leave demanded to the end the Church be not unprovided of a Pastor VI. 6. The Ministers shall visite every houshold of their flockes once in the year at the least but this at their discretion VII 7. The Ministers shall propose the Word of God every one in his rank and that once every moneth in such a place and on such a day as shall be judged most convenient VIII 8. If there be any which is offended at the Preaching of any Minister he shall repair unto the said Minister within four and twenty houres for satisfaction And if he cannot receive it from the Ministers he shall addresse himselfe within eight dayes to the Consistory in default whereof his information shall not be admitted If any difference arise the Ministers shall determine of it at their next conference CHAP. V. Of Doctors and of School-masters Article I. 1. THe office of a Doctor in the Church is next unto the Pastors His charge is to expound the Scripture in his Lectures without applying it by way of Exhortation They are to be elected by the Colloquie II. 2. The School-masters shall be first nominated by them to whom the right of nomination doth belong and shall be afterwards examined by the Ministers who taking examination of their learning shall also informe themselves of their behaviour as viz. whether they be modest and not debauched to the end that may be an example to their Scholars and that they by their ill Doctrine they bring not any Sect into the Church After which examination if they are found fit for the institution of youth they shall be presented to the people III. 3. They shall instruct their Scholars in the fear of God and in good learning in modesty and civility that so their Schooles may bring forth able men both for the Church and Common-wealth IV. 4. They shall instruct them in Grammar Rhetorick and Logick and of Classicke authors in the most pure both for learning and language for fear lest children reading lascivious and immodest writings should be infected with their venom V. 5. If they perceive any of their Scholars to betowardly and of good hope they shall advise their Parents to bring them up to the attainment of good learning or else shall obtain for them of the Governours and Magistrates that they maintain them at the publick charge VI. 6. They shall cause their Scholars to come to Sermons and to Catechismes there to answer to the Minister and they shall take their places neer the chaire to be seen of all that so they may demean themselves orderly in the Church of God VII 7. The Ministers shall oversee the School-masters to the end that the youth be well instructed and for this cause shall hold their Visitations twice a year the better to understand how they profit If it be thought expedient they may take with them some one or two of the neighbour Ministers CHAP. VI. Of the Elders Article I. 1. THe Elders ought to preserve the Church in good order together with the Ministers and shall take care especially that the Church be not destitute of Pastors of whom the care shall appertain to them to see that they be honestly provided for They shall watch also over all the flock especially over that part of it committed to them by the Consistory diligently employing themselves to admonish and reprehend such as are faulty to confirme the good and reconcile such as are at difference II. 2. They shall certifie all scandals to the Consistory III. 3. They shall visit as much as in them 〈◊〉 all the housholds in their division before every communion and once yearly with the Minister to know the better how they behave themselves
in their severall families And if they finde among them any refractory and contentious persons which will not be reconciled to make a report of it to the Consistory IV. 4. They shall assemble in the Consistory with the Ministers which Consistory shall be holden if it may be every Sunday or any other day convenient to handle causes of the Church And those of them which are elected to go unto the Colloquies and Synods with the Ministers shall not fail to goe at the day appointed CHAP. VII Of the â—eacons Article I. 1. THe Deacons shall be appointed in the Church to gather the benevolence of the people and to distribute it according to the necessities of the poor by the directions of the Consistory II. 2. They shall gather these benevolences after Sermons faithfully endevouring the good and welfare of the poor and if need require they shall go unto the houses of those men which are more charitably enclined to collect their bounties III. 3. They shall distribute nothing without direction from the Consistory but in case of urgent necessity IV. 4. The almes shall be principally distributed unto those of the faithfull which are naturall Inhabitants and if there be a surplusage they may dispose it to the relief of strangers V. 5. For the avoiding of suspicion the Deacons shall keep a register both of their Receipts and their disbursements and shall cast up his accouncs in the presence of the Minister and one of the Elders VI. 6. The Deacons shall give up their accounts every Communion day after the evening Sermon in the presence of the Ministers the Elders and as many of the people as will be assistant who therefore shall have warning to be there VII 7. They shall take order that the poor may be relieved without begging and shall take care that young men fit for labour be set unto some occupation of which they shall give notice to the officers of Justice that so no person be permitted to go begging from door to door VIII 8. They shall provide for those of the poor which are sick or in prison to comfort and assist them in their necessity IX 9. The shall be assistant in the Consistory with the Ministers and Elders there to propose unto them the necessities of the poor and to receive their directions as also in the election of other Deacons X. 10. There ought to be Deacons in every Parish unlesse the Elders will take upon them the charge of collecting the almes and distributing thereof amongst the poor The Liturgie of the Church wherein there is contained the preaching of the Gospell the administration of the Sacraments the Laws of Marriage the Visitation of the Sick and somewhat also of Buriall CHAP. VIII Of the Preaching of the Gospell Article I. 1. THe people shall be assembled twice every Sunday in the Church to hear the Preaching of the Gospell and to be assistant at the publick prayers They shall also meet together once or twice a week on those dayes which shall be thought most convenient for the severall Parishes the Master of every houshold bringing with him those of his family II. 2. The people being assembled before Sermon there shall be read a Chapter out of the Canonicall books of Scripture only and not of the Apocrypha and it shall be read by one which beareth office in the Church or at the least by one of honest conversation III. 3. During the prayer every one shall be upon his knees with his head uncovered Also during the singing of the Psalmes the administration of the Sacraments and whilest the Minister is reading of his text every one shall be uncovered and shall attentively observe all that is done and said IV. 4. The Ministers every Sunday after dinner shall Catechize and shall choose some text of Scripture sutable to that section which they are to handle and shall read in the beginning of that exercise the said text as the foundation of the Doctrine contained in that Section V. 5. The Church shall be locked immediately after Sermon and the publick prayers to avoid superstition and the benches shall be orderly disposed that every one may hear the voice of the Preacher VI. 6. The Churches being dedicated to Gods service shall not be imployed to prophane uses and therefore intreaty shall be made to the Magistrate that no Civill Courts be there holden CHAP. IX Of Baptisme Article I. 1. THe Sacrament of Baptisme shall be administred in the Church after the Preaching of the Word and before the Benediction II. 2. The Parents of the Infants if they are not in some journey shall be near the Infant together with the Sureties to present it unto God and shall joyntly promise to instruct it according as they are obliged III. 3. No man shall be admitted to be a Surety in holy Baptisme which hath not formerly received the Communion or which is not fit to receive it and doth promise so to do upon the next conveniency whereof he shall bring an attestation if he be a stranger IV. 4. They which intend to bring an Infant unto holy Baptisme shall give competent warning unto the Minister V. 5. The Minister shall not admit of such names as were used in the time of Paganism the names of Idols the names attributed to God in Scripture or names of office as Angell Baptist Apostle VI. 6. In every Parish there shall be kept a Register of such as are Baptized their Fathers Mothers Sureties and the day of it as also of Marriages and Funerals which shall be carefully preserved CHAP. X. Of the Lords Supper Article I. 1. THe holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ shall be celebrated four times a year viz. at Easter or the first Sunday of Aprill the first Sunday of July the first Sunday of October and the first Sunday of January and that after the Sermon in which expresse mention shall be made of the businesse then in hand or at least a touch of it in the end II. 2. The manner of it shall be this The Table shall be set in some convenient place near the Pulpit the people shall communicate in order and that sitting as is most conformable to the first institution or else standing as is accustomed in some places the men first and afterwards the women none shall depart the place untill after Thanksgiving and the Benediction III. 3. They which intend to be communicants shall first be catechized by the Minister that so they may be able to render a reason of their faith They ought also to understand the Lords Prayer the Articles of their belief the Ten Commandements or at the least the substance of them They shall also abjure the Pope the Masse and all superstition and Idolatry IV. 4. No man shall be admitted to the Lords Supper which is not of the years of discretion and which hath not a good testimony of his life and conversation and which will not promise to submit himself unto the Discipline V. 5.
neighbours of the Church of Scotland men very indifferent both for the time and for the place For the time Nuâ—â—um tempus tam sacrum quod ejus celebratione polluatur and â—or the place immo in praetorâ—o vel quovis loco publico c. extra sacra publicum conventum totius ecclesiae So they that made the Altare Damascenum p. 872. 865. 866. Chap. 14. 1. The Corps shall not be carried â—r interred within the Church Which prohibition whether it hath more in it of the Jew or of the Gentile is not easie to determine Amongst the Jewes it was not lawful for the Priest to be present at a Funeral or for the dead corps to be interred within the camp and on the other side it was by law in Athens and in Rome forbidden either to burn their dead or to bury them within their Cities In urbe nesipelito neve uâ—ito saith the Law of the 12 Tables nor do I see for what cause this generation should prohibit the dead bodies entrance into the Church and to permit it in the Church-yards If for the avoiding of superstition it is well known that not the Church only but the Church-yards are also consecrated The reason why they will not bury in the Church is only their desire and love of parity the Church will hardly be capacious enough to bury all and since by death and nature all are equall why should that honour be vouchsafed unto the rich and not unto the poor Out of this love of parity it is that in the next article they have forbidden Funeral Sermons wherein the Dutch Synods and those men most perfectly concur as appeareth in that collection cap. 11. 5. For if such Sermons be permitted the common people will be forsooth aggrieved and think themselves neglected Ditiores enim hoc officio cobonestabuntur neglect is pauperibus Chap. 14. 2. Nor any prayers nor sound of bell The last for love of parity but this for fear of superstition For prayers at the burial of the dead may possibly be mistook for prayers for the dead and so the world may dream perhaps of Purgatory Thesilencing of bels is somewhat juster because that musick hath been superstitiously and foolishly imployed in former times and in this very case at Funerals It is well known with what variety of ceremonies they were baptized and consecrated as in the Church of Rome they still are by the Bishops Whereby the people did conceive a power inherent in them not only for the scattering of tempests in which cases they are also rung amongst them but for the repulsing of the Devil and his Ministers Blessings which are intreared of the Lord for them as appeareth by one of those many prayers prescribed in that form of consecration by the Roman Pontifical viz. ut per factum illorum procul pellantur omnes insidiae inimici fragor grandinum procella turbinum c. Whilest therefore the people was superstitious in the use of bels the restraint of them was allowable but being now a matter only of solemnity it argueth no little superstition to restrain them Chap. 16. 6. Without encroaching on the civil jurisdiction And well indeed it were if this clause were intended to be observed for in the 17. chap. and 8. art it is decreed that the correction of crimes and scandals appertaineth unto the Consistory What store of grist the word Crime will bring unto their mils I leave unto your Lordship to interpret sure I am that by this of seandal they draw almost all causes within their cognizance A matter testified by his late most excellent Majesty in a Remonstrance to the Parliament viz. that the Puritan Ministers in Scotland had brought all causes within their jurisdiction saying that it was the Churches office to judge of scandal and there could be no kinde of fault or crime committed but there was a scandal in it either against God the King or their neighbour Two instances of this that counterfeit Eusebius Philadelphus in his late Pamphlet against my Lord of St. Andrewes doth freely give us Earl Huntley upon a private quarrel had inhumanely killed the Earl of Murray For this offence his Majesty upon a great suit was content to grant his-pardon Ecclesiae tamen Huntileum jussit sub dirorum poenis ecclesiae satisfacere but yet the Church in relation to the scandall commanded him under the pain of Excommunication to do penance Not long after the said Earl Huntly and others of the Romish faction had enterprised against the peace and safety of the Kingdome The King resolved to pardon them for this also Ecclesia autem excommunication is censura pronuntiavit but the Church pronounced against them the dreadful sentence of Anathema so little use is there of the civil Magistrate when once the Church pretends a scandal Chap. 17. 9. And shall adjure the parties in the Name of God And shall adjure i. e. They shall provoke them or induce them to confession by using or interposing of the Name of God for thus adjuration is defined to us by Aquinas Secunda secundae qu. 9. in Axiom Adjurare nihil aliud est saith he nisi creaturam aliquam divini nominis out alterius cujuspiam sacrae rei interpositione ad agendum aliquid impellere the parties and those not such as give in the informations for that is done in private by the Elders but such of whose ill same intelligence is given unto the Consistory If so then would I fain demand of the contrivers with what reason they so much exclaim against the oath ex officio judicis used by our Prelates in their Chancellaries since they themselves allow it in their Consistories But thus of old as it is in Horace de Arte. Cacilio Plautoq dedit Romanus ademptum Virgiâ—o Varioque Conclus They are adjudged to be immutable And no marvail if as the brethren and their Beza think it be so essential to the Church that no Church can possibly subsist without it if so essential that we may as warrantably deny the written Word as these inventions But certainly what ever these think of it the founder of this plat-form thought not so when thus he was perswaded that the ordering of the Church of God for as much as concernes the form of it was leâ—t to the discretion of the Ministers For thus himself in his Epistle ad Neocomenâ—es dated 1544. viz. Substantiam disciplinae ecclesiae exprimit disertis verbis Scriptura forma autem ejus exercendae quoniam a Domino praescripta non est a ministris constitui debet pro aedificatione Thus he and how dâ—re they controll him Will they also dare to teach their Master Thus have I brought to end those Annotations which I counted most convenient for to expresse their meaning in some few passages of this new plat-form and to exemplifie their proceedings A larger Commentary on this Text had been unnecessary considering both of what I write and unto whom Only I
needs must note that as the erecting of these fabricks in these Islands was founded on the ruine of the Deanries so had the birth of this device in England been death unto the Bishopricks No wonder then if those which principally manage the affairs of holy Church so busily bestir themselves in the destroying of this viper which by no other means can come into the world then by the death and ruine of his mother Yet so it is I know not whether by destiny or some other means I would not think but so it is that much of this new plat-form hath of late found favour with us and may in time make entrance to the rest Their Lecturers permitted in so many places what are they but the Doctors of Geneva save only that they are more factious and sustain a party And what the purpose and design of this but so by degrees to lessen the repute of such daies as are appointed holy by the Church and fasten all opinion to their daies of preaching By whose authority stand the Church-wardens at the Temple doors as I have seen it oft in London to collect the bounty of the hearers but only by some of their appointments who finde that duty or the like prescribed here unto the Deacons cap. 1. 2. I could say somewhat also of our ordinary Fasts how much they are neglected every where and no Fast now approved of but the solemn Nay we have suffered it of late to get that ground upon us in the practise at the least that now no common businesse must begin without it Too many such as these I fear I could point out unto your Lordship did I not think that these already noted were too many A matter certainly worthy of your Lordships care and of the care of those your Lordships partners in the Hierarchie that as you suffer not these new inventions to usurp upon our Churches by violence so that they neither grow upon us by cunning or connivence CHAP. VI. 1 King James how affected to this Platform 2 He confirmes the Discipline in both Islands 3 And for what reasons 4 Sir John Peyton sent Governour into Jarzey 5 His Articles against the Ministers there 6 And the proceedings thereupon 7 The distracted estate of the Church and Ministery in that Island 8 They referre themselves unto the King 9 The Inhabitants of Jarzey petition for the English Discipline 10 A reference of both parties to the Councell 11 The restitution of the Dean 12 The Interim of Germanie what it was 13 The Interim of Jarzey 14 The exceptions of the Ministery against the Book of Common-prayer 15 The establishment of the new Canons IN this state and under this Government continued those Islands till the happy entrance of King James upon the Monarchy of England A Prince of whom the brethren conceived no small hopes as one that had continually been brought up by and amongst those of that faction and had so oft confirmed their much desired Presbyteries But when once he had set foot in England where he was sure to meet with quiet men and more obedience he quickly made them see that of his favour to that party they had made themselves too large a promise For in the conference at Hampton Court he publickly professed that howsoever he lived among Puritans and was kept for the most part as a ward under them yet ever since he was of the age of ten years old he ever disliked their opinions and as the Saviour of the world had said though he lived among them he was not of them In this conference also that so memorized Apophthegm of his Majesty No Bishop no King and anon after My Lords the Bishops faith he I may thank ye that these men the Puritans plead thus for my Supremacy Add to this that his Majesty had alwaies fostred in himself a pious purpose not only of reducing all his Realms and Dominions into one uniform order and course of discipline which thing himself avoweth in his Letters Patents unto those of Jarzey but also to establish in all the reformed Churches if possibly it might be done together with unity of Religion and uniformity of devotion For which cause he had commanded the English Liturgie to be translated into the Latine and also into most of the national Languages round about us by that and other more private means to bring them into a love and good opinion of our Government which he oftentimes acknowledged to have been approved by manifold blessings from God himself A heroick purpose and worthy of the Prince from whom it came This notwithstanding that he was enclined the other way yet upon suit made by those of these Islands he confirmed unto them their present orders by a Letter under his private Seal dated the 8. of August in the first year of his reign in England which Letters were communicated in the Synod at St. Hilaries the 18. of September 1605. the Letter written in the French Tongue but the tenor of them was as followeth James by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland c. unto all those whom these presents shall concern greeting Whereas we our selves and the Lords of our Councell have been given to understand that it pleased God to put it into the heart of the late Queen our most dear sister to permit and allow unto the Isles of Jarzey and Guernsey parcel of our Dutchy of Normandy the use of the Government of the reformed Churches in the said Dutchy whereof they have stood possessed until our coming to this Crown for this couse we desiring to follow the pious example of our said Sister in this behalf as well for the advancement of the glory of Almighty God as for the edification of his Church do will and ordain that cur said Isles shall quietly enjoy their said liberty in the use of the Ecclesiastical Discipline there now established forbidding any one to give them any trouble or impeachment as long as they contain themselves in our obedience and attempt not any thing against the pure and sacred Word of God Given at our Palace at Hampton Court the 8. day of August Anno Dom. 1603. and of our reign in England the first Signed above James R. The reasons which moved this Prince to assent unto a form of Government which he liked not was partly an ancient rule and precept of his own viz. That Princes at their first entrance to a Grown ought not to innovate the government presently established But the principal cause indeed was desire not to discourage the Scots in their beginnings or to lay open too much of his intents at once unto them For since the year 1595. his Majesty wearied with the confusions of the Discipline in that Church established had much busied himself in restoring their antient place and power unto the Bishops He had already brought that work so forwards that the Scottish Ministers had admitted of 13 Commissioners which was the antient
administred in the Church with fair water according to the institution of Jesus Christ and without the limitation of any dayes No man shall delay the bringing of his child to Baptism longer then the next Sunday or publick Assembly if it may conveniently be done No person shall be admitted to be a Godfather unlesse he hath received the Lords Supper nor shall women alone viz. without the presence of a man among them be admitted to be Godmothers CHAP. IV. Of the Lords Supper Article I. 1. THe Lords Supper shall be administred in every Church four times a year whereof one to be at Easter and the other at Christmas and every Minister in the administration of it shall receive the Sacrament himself and after give the Bread and wine to each of the Communicants using the words of the institution of it II. 2. The Masters and Mistresses of Families shall be admonished and enjoyned to cause their children and Servants to be instructed in the knowledge of their salvation and to this end shall take care to send them to the ordinary Catechizing CHAP. V. Of Marriage Article I. 1. NO man shall marry contrary to the degrees prohibited in the word of God according as they are expressed in a table made for that purpose in the Church of England on pain of nullity and censure II. 2. The Banes of the parties shall be asked three Sundays successively in the Churches of both parties and they of the Parish where the Marriage is not celebrated shall bring an attestation of the bidding of their Banes in their own Parish Neverthelesse in lawfull cases there may be a Licence or dispensation of the said Banes granted by the authority of the Dean and that upon good caution taken that the parties are at liberty III. 3. No separation shall be made a thoro mensa unlesse in case of Adultery cruelty and danger of life duly proved and this at the sole instance of the parties As for the maintenance of the woman during her divorce he shall have recourse to the Secular power CHAP. VI. Of Ministers Article I. 1. NO man that is unfit to teach or not able to preach the word of God shall be admitted to any Benefice within the Isle or which hath not received imposition of hands and been ordained according to the forme used in the Church of England II. 2. None of them either Dean or Minister shall at the same time hold two Benefices unlesse it be in time of vacancy and only the Natives of the Isle shall be advanced to these preferments III. 3. The Ministers every Sunday after morning prayer shall expound some place of holy Scripture and in the afternoon shall handle some of the points of Christian Religion contained in the Catechism in the Book of Common-prayers IV. 4 In their Prayers they shall observe the titles due unto the King acknowledging him the Supreme governour under Christ in all causes and over all persons as well Ecclesiasticall as Civill recommending unto God the prosperity of his person and royall posterity V. 5. Every Minister shall carefully regard that modesty and gravity of apparell which belongs unto his function and may preserve the honour due unto his person and shall be also circumspect in the whole carriage of their lives to keep themselves from such company actions and haunts which may bring unto them any blame or blemish Nor shall they dishonour their calling by Gaming Alehouses Usuries guilds or occupations not convenient for their function but shall endevor to excell all others in purity of life in gravity and virtue VI. 6. They shall keep carefully a Register of Christnings Marriages and Burials and shall duely publish upon the day appointed to them the Ordinances of the Courts such as are sent unto them signed by the Dean and have been delivered to them fifteen dayes before the publication VII 7. The Ministers shall have notice in convenient time of such Funerals as shall be in their Parishes at which they shall assist and shall observe the forme prescribed in the book of Common-prayers No man shall be interred within the Church without the leave of the Minister who shall have regard unto the quality and condition of the persons as also unto those which are benefactours unto the Church CHAP. VII Of the Dean Article I. 1. THe Dean shall be a Minister of the word being a Master of the Arts or Graduate at the least in the Civill Lawes having ability to exercise that office of good life and conversation as also well affected to Religion and the service of God II. 2. The Dean in all causes handled at the Court shall demand the advice and opinion of the Ministers which shall then be present III. 3. There shall appertain unto him the cognisance of all matters which concern the service of God the preaching of the Word the administration of the Sacraments Matrimoniall causes the examination and censure of all Papists Recusants Hereticks Idolaters and Schismaticks persons perjured in causes Ecclesiasticall Blasphemers those which have recourse to Wizards incestuous persons Adulterers Fornicators ordinary drunkards and publick profaners of the Lords day as also the profanation of the Churches and Church-yards misprisions and offences committed in the Court or against any officers thereof in the execution of the mandats of the Court and also of Divorces and separations a thoro mensa together with a power to censure and punish them according unto the Lawes Ecclesiasticall without any hindrance to the power of the Civill Magistrate in regard of temporall correction for the said crimes IV. 4. The Dean accompanied with two or three of the Ministers once in two years shall visite every Parish in his own person and shall take order that there be a Sermon every visitation day either by himself or some other by hi 〈…〉 appointed Which Visitation shall be made for the ordering of all things appertaining to the Churches in the service of God and the administration of the Sacraments as also that they be provided of Church-wardens that the Church and Church-yards and dwellings of the Ministers be kept in reparations And farther he shall then receive information of the said Church-wardens or in their default of the Ministers of all offences and abuses which need to be reformed whether in the Minister the officers of the Church or any other of the Parish And the said Dean in liâ—â— of the said visitation shall receive 4 s. pay out of the Treasures of the Church for every time V. 5. In the vacancy of any Benefice either by death or otherwise the Dean shall give present order that the profits of it be sequestred to the end that out of the revenue of it the Cure may be supplyed as also that the widow and children of the deceased may be satisfied according to the time of his service and the custome of the Isle excepting such necessary deductions as must be made for dilapidations in case any be He shall also give
to the custome of the Country CHAP. IX Of the Collectors and Sides-men THere shall be two Collectors for the poor appointed in every Parish which also shal discharge the place of Sides-men or Assistants who shall be chosen as the Church-wardens are and shall take an oath to carry themselves well in the said office and to give an account of their Stewardship twice a year before the Minister and the Parishioners viz. at Easter and at Michaelmas CHAP. X. Of Clerks and Sextons Article I. 1. THe Clerks and Sextons of Parishes shall be chosen by the Minister and the principall of the Parish men of the age of twenty years at the least of good life and conversation able to read fairly distinctly and understandingly and to write also and fitted somewhat for the singing of the Psalmes if it may be II. 2. Their charge is by the ringing of a Bell to call the people to Divine service and the hearing of the Word at the proper and ordinary hours to keep the Church locked and clean as also the Pulpit and the seats to lay up the Books and other things belonging to the Church committed to their trust to provide water against the Christnings to make such proclamations as are enjoyned them by the Court or by the Minister And shal receive their stipend and wages by the contribution of the Parishioners be it in Corn or money according to the custome of the place CHAP. XI Of School masters Article I. 1. THere shall be a School master in every Parish chosen by the Minister Church wardens and other principall persons therein and afterwards presented unto the Dean to be licenced thereunto Nor shall it be lawfull for any one to take upon him this charge not being in this manner called unto it The Ministers shall have the charge of visiting the Schooles to exhort the Masters to their duty II. 2. They shall accustome themselves with diligence and painfulnesse to teach the children to read and to write to say their prayers and to answer in the Catechismes they shall instruct them in good manners they shall bring them unto Sermons and to Common-prayers and there see them quietly and orderly demean themselves CHAP. XII Of the Court Ecclesiasticall Article I. 1. THe Court shall be holden every Munday in the year observing the same vacations as the Courts Civill II. 2. At every Session in the beginning of it the names of the Assessors shall be inrolled the day the moneth and the year and the decrees perused III. 3. After judgment and sentence given in the main matter the costs of the parties and the wages of the officers shall be awarded by censure Ecclesiastick IV. 4. There shall be two Procters duely sworn unto the Court to the end the people may proceed formally and juridically without any confusion or surprise And the Register being also sworn shall faithfully record the sentences pronounced and give copies of the Acts to such as do require it V. 5. The Kings Atturney or in his absence the Solliciter shall be assistant in the Court from time to time in the awarding of punishment or censure upon all causes of crime and scandall VI. 6. For the serving of citation and summons the Dean shall swear the Sextons of every Parish together with an Apparitour which shall truly discharge themselves in giving copies of the originall proces and citation unto those whom it concerns or in the absence of the party to his servants In which proces and citations the causes of their appearance shall be expressed VII 7. If the party will not be found as either hiding himself or using any other collusion the citation shall be affixed in case that he have never an house on the Church door of the Parish where he dwelleth and that upon a Sunday VIII 8. If it come unto the notice of the Dean by the report of honest men that any one hath doth live notoriously scandalous he shall advertise the Minister and Church-wardens of the Parish to the end that being thus informed they may present such persons as merit to be punished or censured IX 9. Upon good notice of a crime committed by any of the Ministers the Dean after two warnings or admonitions shall proceed to the reforming of him by the advice and consent of two of his brethren even unto suspension and sequestration And in case he continue refractory the Dean by the consent of the major part of Ministers shall proceed to deprivation X. 10. No commutation shall be made in lieu of penance without great circumspection and regard had unto the quality of the persons and circumstances of the crime And the commutation shall be inrolled in the Acts of the Court to be imployed upon the poor and in pious uses whereof an account shall be given according to the Register XI 11. After the first default the non-appearance of the party again cited shall be reputed as a contempt if being after peren ptorily cited he doth not appear then shall they proceed against him by excommunication and if before the next Court day he endevour not to obtain absolution they shall proceed to the publishing of the sentence of the minor excommunication which shal be delivered to the Minister of the Parish to be read upon some solemn day and in the hearing of the greater part of the Parishioners The party still continuing in his contumacy they shall then proceed unto the major excommunication whereby he shall be excluded a sacris societate fidelium If this bring him not unto obedience and acknowledgement within the space of forty dayes then shall the Dean by his certificate authentick give notice unto the Bailiff and Justices of the said contumacy requiring their assistance to seise on him and commit him prisoner to some sure place till he be humbled and shall give surety that he will submit unto the ordinance of the Church and before that he be absolved he shall be bound to defray the costs and charges of the suit XII 12 In cases of incontinency upon presentment of the Church-wardens together with the probabilities of a common fame scandall and presumptions in this case requisite the party shall undergo the purgation upon oath or else shall be reputed as convict XIII 13. In causes of Adultery at the instance of the party the proceedings shall go on advisedly by good proofs and informations even to evidence of the crime objected and if the matter or evidence of fact be clear they may proceed to separation a thoro mensa XIV 14. He that shall offend in point of calumny and diffamation shall make acknowledgment of the injury according to the exigence of the case provided that the business be followed within the compasse of the year and that the matter of it be of Ecclesiasticall cognisance in the crimes above recited CHAP. XIII Of Appeales Article I. 1. APpeales in causes Ecclesiasticall shall be heard and determined by the reverend father in God the Bishop of Winton
in person and if that See be void by the most reverend father in God the Archbishop of Canterbury in person II. 2. All Appeales shall be exhibited within fifteen dayes after notice taken of the sentence and the party shall be constrained to take or write out the whole proces at it is upon the Register or Rols of Court which Acts of the said Court shall be delivered to him in forme and time convenient under the seal of the office and the Appellant shall pursue the action within a year and a day aut sententiae latae stare compellitur III. 3. It shall not be lawfull to appeal untill after the definitive sentence unlesse in these two cases viz. either when the Interlocutory is such as puts an end unto the businesse or else when the said interlocutory being obeyed brings such irreparable damage to the party that he cannot help himself by his Appeal A Table of the Fees appertaining to the Dean and his Officers in all causes Ecclesiasticall FOr the proving of a Will where the goods of the deceased exceed not the value of five pound To the Dean o. To the Register for writing and recording it 6 d. For the approving of a Will above the value of 5 l. To the Dean 2 s. To the Register or Notary 1 s. For a Letter of administration where the goods of the deceased exceed not the value of 5 l. de elaro To the Dean o. To the Register for writing it 6 d. For a Letter of administration above that value To the Dean 1 s. To the Register 1 s. For the registring an Inventory of the goods of minors where the said inventory exceedeth not the value of 5 l. To the Dean o. To the Register 4 d. For the registring of Inventories exceeding the value of 5 l. To the Dean 2 s. To the Register 1 s. For an authentick copy of the said Wils Inventories or Letters of administration To the Dean for his seal 6 d. To the Register 6 d. For processe compulsory to bring in the Wils 1 s. For Licences of marriage To the Dean 3 s. For the sequestration of the profits of a Benefice To the Dean 6 s. For the induction of a Minister To the Dean 3 s. For proces and citations To the Dean 2 d. ob To the Notary 1 d. d. To the Apparitor for serving the Proces and Citations 3 d. To the Sexton for serving a Citation within the Parish 1 d. d. For absolution from the minor excommunication To the Dean 1 s. To the Notary 2 d ob To the Apparitor 2 d. â—b For absolution from the major excommunication To the Dean 2 s. To the Notary 2 d. ob To the Apparitor 6 d. In causes Litigious the party overthrown shall pay the fees and duties of the Officers and for the authentick writing To the party 4 d. as also to every witnesse produced in Court 4 d. To the Proctors of the Court for every cause they plead 6 d. To the Notary for every instrument entred in the Court 1 d qa To him for every first default in Court 1 d. qa To him in case of contumacy 4 d. According whereunto it is ordained that neither the Dean nor his successors nor any of his officers either directly or indirectly shall demand exact or receive of the Inhabitants of the said Isle any other fees or duties then such as are specified in the table above written And it is further ordained that whatsoever hath been done or put in execution in the said Isle on any causes and by virtue of any Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction shall be forthwith abrogated to the end that it may not be drawn into example by the said Dean or any of his successors in the times to come contrary to the tenure of these Canons at this present made and established but that all their proceedings be limited and fitted to the contents of the said Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiasticall Also that there be no hindrance or impeachment made by the Civill Magistrate unto the said Dean and his successors in the peaceable execution of the said jurisdiction contained in the said Canons as being nothing prejudiciall to the priviledges and customes of the said Isle from which it is not our purpose at all to derogate Given as before said under our signet at our Court at Greenwich on the last day of June in the year of our Reign of England France and Ireland the one and twentieth and of Scotland the six and fiftieth CHAP. VIII 1 For what cause it pleased his Majesty to begin with Jarsey 2 A representation of such motives whereon the like may be effected in the Isle of Guernzey 3 The indignity done by a Minister hereof to the Church of England 4 The calling of the Ministers in some reformed Churches how defensible 5 The circumstances both of time and persons how ready for an alteration 6 The grievances of the Ministery against the Magistrates 7 Proposals of such means as may be fittest in the managing of this design 8 The submission of the Author and the work unto his Lordship The conclusion of the whole Our return to England I Now am come unto the fourth and last part of this discourse intended once to have been framed by way of suit unto your Lordship in the behalf of the other Island not yet weaned from the breasts of their late mother of Geneva But finding that course not capable of those particulars which are to follow I chose rather to pursue that purpose by way of declaration My scope and project to lay before your Lordship such reasons which may encite you to make use of that favour which most worthily you have attained to with his Majesty in the reduction of this Isle of Guernzey to that antient order by which it formerly was guided and wherein it held most conformity with the Church of England Before I enter on with argument I shall remove a doubt which might be raised about this businesse as viz. For what cause his late most excellent Majesty proceeded to this alteration in one Island not in both and being resolved to try his forces on the one only why he should rather sort out Jarsey A doubt without great difficulty to be cleared For had his Majesty attempted both at once the Ministers of both Islands had then communicated counsels banded themselves in a league and by a mutuall encouragement continued more peremptory to their old Mumpsimus It is an antient principle in the arts of Empire Divide impera and well noted by the State-historian that nothing more advantaged the affaires of Rome in Britaine then that the natives never met together to reason of the common danger Ita dum singuli pugnabant universi vincebantur And on the other side his Majesty soresaw for certain that if one Island once were taken off the other might with greater ease be perswaded to conforme Being resolved then to attempt them single there was good reason why he should
advise A further plaudite then this I do not seek for then that you will vouchsafe to excuse my boldnesse though not allow it the rather because a zeal unto the beauteous uniformity of the Church did prompt me to it But this and this discourse such as it is I consecrate unto your Lordship for whose honour next under Gods I have principally pursued this argument For my self it will be unto me sufficient glory that I had any though the least hand in such a pious work and shall be happy if in this or in any other your Lordships counsels for the Churches peace I may be worthy of imployment Nor need your Lordship fear that in the prosecution of this project you may be charged with an innovation To pursue this purpose is not to introduce a novelty but to restore a Discipline to revive the perfect service of God which so long hath been to say the best of it in a Lethargy and to make the Jerusalem of the English Empire like a City which is at unity within it self Sic nova dum condis revocas vir summe priord Debentur quae sunt quaeque fuere tibi Si priscis servatur honos te Praeside templis Et casa tam culto sub Jove numen habet It is now time to acquaint your Lordship with the successe and safety of our return all things being done and fully setled for the peace and security of those Islands which was the only cause of our voyage thither Concerning which your Lordship may be pleased to know in a word that the crossnesse of the winds and roughnesse of the water detained us some dayes longer in Castle Cornet then we had intended but at the last on Thursday Aprill 2. being Maundy Thursday anno 1629. we went aboard our Ships and hoised sail for England It was full noon before we were under sail and yet we made such good way that at my waking the next morning we were come neer the Town of Peal and landed safely the same day in the Bay of Teichfeild where we first took Ship his Lordship being desirous to repose himself with the said Mr. Bromfeild till the Feast of Easter being passed over might render him more capable to pursue his Journey And now I am safely come into my Countrey where according to the custome of the Antients I offer up my thanksgiving to the God of the waters and testifie before his Altars the gratefull acknowledgement of a safe voyage and a prosperous return blessings which I never merited Me tabula sacer Votiva paries indicat uvida Suspendisse potenti Vestimenta maris Deo The End of the Last Book and the Second Journey P. 4. l. 27. P. 5. l. 10. Ibid. l. 17. P. 7. l. 26. P. 8. l. 17. P. 34 l. 2. P. 125 l. 25. P. 164. l. 1. P. 207. l. 38. P. 243. l. 1. Hard was his heart as brasse which first did venture In a weak ship on the rough Seas to enter He that doth only kisse and doth no more Deserves to lose the kisses given before Leaving their native soil they sought through Gaul A place to build a City and a wall And call'd themselves Parisians which in Greek Doth note a prompt audacity to speak And since the Fens and clammy soil did make Their City dirty for that reasons sake The Town the name Lutetia did take Too facile souls which think such hainous matters Can be aboliz'd by the river waters As Ovid. The Archer god who ere that present tide Nere us'd those armes but against the Roes and Deer With thousand shafts the earth made to be died With Serpents bloud his quiver emptied cleer Unhair'd pale-fac'd her eyes sunk in her head Lips hoary-white and teeth most rustie-red Through her course skin her guts you might espie In what estate and posture they did lie Belly she had none only there was seen The place whereas her belly should have been And with her hips her body did agree As if 't was fastned by Geometrie They on the table set Minerva's fruit The double-colour'd Olive Endive-root Radish and Cheese and to the board there came A dish of Egges rear-roasted by the flame Next they had Nuts course Dates and Lenten-figs And Apples from a basket made of twigs And Plums and Graps cut newly from the tree All serv'd in earthen dishes Housewifely Which I finde thus Englished by G. Sandi◠As when the Hare the speedy Gray-hound spies His feet for prey she hers for safety plies Now beares he up now now he hopes to fetch her And with his snowt extended strains to catch her Not knowing whether caught or no she slips Out of his wide-stretcht-jawes and touching lips 1 The City and Diocesse of Constance 2 The condition of these Islands under that Government 3 Churches appropriated what they were 4 The black book of Constance 5 That of Dooms-day 6 The suppression of Priors Aliens 7 Priors dative how they differed from Conventuals 8 The condition of these Churches after that suppression 9 The Diagram * St. Pierreporte †St. Pierre du boys 10 What is meant by Deserts French Querrui and by Champart 11 The alteration of Religion in these Islands 12 Persect tion here in the dayes of Q. Mary 3 The Islands annexed for ever unto the Diocese of Wint 〈…〉 and for what Reasons 1 The condition of Geneva under their Bishop 2 The alteration there both in Religion and 〈◊〉 in Polity 4 The estate of that Church before the coming of Calvin thither 5 The conception 6 The Birth and 7 Growth of the new Discipline 8 The quality of Lay-Elders 9 The different proceeding of Calvin 10 Beza in the propagation of that cause * V. cap. 5. n 11 Both of these enemies to the Church of England 12 The first entrance of this Platforme into the Islands 13 A permission of it by the Queen c. 14 The Letters of the Councell to that purpose 15 The tumults raised in England by the Brethren Thus Reverend Lord to you Churches both old and new Do owe themselves since by your pious care New ones are built and old ones in repaire Thus by your carefull zeal Unto the Churches weal As the old Temples do preserve their glories So private houses have their Oratories My Votive Table on the Sacred wall Doth plainly testifie to all That I those gratefull vowes have paid Which in the tumults of the deep I made To him that doth the Seas command And holds the waters in his hand