Authority T. F. Neither but a Parliament being called 29. March 1585. they set up underhand a National Synod who were better discovered by their moving then by their meeting whose practices were more conspicuous then their places some Agents for them were all day at the door of the Parliament House and some part of the night in the Chambers of Parliament men effectually solliciting their business with them Court How did this their diligence appear P. H. In the effects of it this Parliament was observed so extraordinarily busie in Church Affaires about approbation of Ministers about Ecclesiastical Courts Bishops c. that the Arch-Bishop Whitgift was faine to write to the Queen to own her own Lawes Orders and Authority which she did consenting to no Material alteration Court When this way failed them what course took they T. T. They piece the Lions skin with the Foxes tayle and what they could not do by Interest against the Arch-Bishop they attempt by compliance with him L. B. D. How I pray I P. H. Why Mr. Cartwright by Leicesters Mediation gets in with the Arch-Bishop and is so civilly used by him that Leicester writes a Letter of thanks to the Arch-Bishop with a promise that Cartwright shall be at his service L. B. O. But doth the Arch-Bishop trust him T. H. The wary Arch-Bishop is not overfond of his friendship but keepes him at distance and writes to Leicester That he is at peace with him but that he cannot without further tryal of him give him any License to preach Court What doth Travers do all this while P. H. He complaines to his Patron the Lord Burleigh against the Liturgy L B. E. What answer doth that wise Lord make him T. F. He demanded whether they desired the taking away thereof They answered no but only the amendment of what was offensive therein Then said he Do you make a better such as you would have setled instead thereof Court What did they F. F. They divided themselves into four Classes The first whereof framed a new Liturgy after the forme of Geneva The second altered it in 600. particulars The third resolved on another model The fourth dissented from the former And so that wise Statesman put them off for the present untill they should agree Court Then we may observe that it is not so much the Liturgy and Cannons that trouble them as that they have no hand in composing them now we may presume that they are quiet F. F. No for now they endeavour to overthrow the High Commission and the Oath ex Officio the one they perswade the World is against the Law of Liberty none is bound to betray himself the other against the Law of the Land none ought to be disseized of his Liberty or Estate without a tryal by his Peeres Court This was very subtilly done to bring in as many of their party as either were molested in the High Commission Court or troubled with the Oath ex Officio who were the greatest part of the Kingdome Although to avoid the Odium of these things Arch-Bishop Whitgist brought the Nonconformists to the Star-Chamber a Court without dispute and as the High Commission was her Majesties highest Court for Ecclesiastical Causes over which sue was Head so the Oath ex Officio is usually tendred in Chancery in matters not touching life or Limb and there was no man there tyed to betray himself but he that was first betrayed by a common fame from which he was to cleer himself by his Oath according to the Scripture Deut. 21. 7. and the practice of Geneva its self in Camparel and Baltasers case Would none of the Nonconformists when they were indited for a fame of a Conventicle or so clear themselves by an Oath F. F. 1. Some of them would not take this Oath at all but would say If our faults be unknown why are we accused if they are known produce your evidence 2. Some would take the Oath but with a protestation that they would not thereby accuse either themselves or their brethren 3. Others would take the Oath to accuse those that were truely guilty to remove evil from the Land but not to accuse their brethren for those things which are not faulty 4. Others would take the Oath where there were no Witnesses to be had Jo. 17. 21. Court When the Powers in being would not establish them what paines they take to weaken those powers that they might not oppose them but when their Arguments failed them against these Courts did they sit down Cambd. No but in the next Parliament they had such an influence upon the Commons choice that they at their first sitting offered the Lords a Petition of sixteen branches in favour of the Nonconformists 1. That they might be free from the Cannonical Oath 2. That they might not be troubled for some things omitted in the Common Prayer 3. That they might be called before lay Officers 4. That those that were suspended for Non-subscribing might be restored 5. That they might not be troubled at the High Commission but for high offences 6. That they might have in every Arch-Deaconry common conferences among themselves 7. That the high censure of Excommunication might not be denounced for small matters nor by lay-men 8. Non-residency may be removed out of the Church c. And other things against insufficient Ministers in the discussing of these particulars the House fell most fiercely against Non-residence Court Truly Non-residence may be allowed in way of recovering of health by changing of air of study for a time in the University of mortal enmity borne by some of the Parish of prosecution of law or of being employed in publick affaires L. B. Truly I could allow Pluralities as encouragements to learned men so they be in one Diocess L. H. It is fit her Majesty as Head of the Church should confer with the Bishops about these matters T. F. Therefore the Bishops very prudently petition her Majesty to take the case to her own hand to whom it properly belongeth remonstrating the inconveniences ensuing to the State present future to Cathedral Churches to Universities to her Majesty to Religion in case Pluralities were taken away Court Who was it that promoted this cause so far T. F. The Lord Grey seemed the most jealous who wished the Bishops might be turned out of Doores as in the case of premunire in H. 8ths time because they upheld abominable Non-residence and Pluralities against their own consciences and the good of the people Court If the Lord had not been on my side might the Church now say if the Lord had not been on my side they had swallowed me up quick for these were but the pretences under which the adversaries threatned the whole Church for take away encouragements and you take away worth and Parts take away Parts and you overthrow the Church When this most hopeful enterprize that ever the adversary undertook failed him was he satisfied P. H. No for having formerly as
go to dinner only a Chapter is read and O what times do we live in that a man cannot read a Chapter without the danger of a Premunire 5. The Servants are all of the Church C. What do they do at their meetings D. B. They that have been there say how truly I know not that first they bewaile their apostacy from the old cause 2. They pray that the Kings heart may be turned and the Councel of the wicked may be overthrown 3. They bewaile their neglect of the many opportunities put into their hands 4. They wish an union between all parties 5. They take in all intelligence and likewise communicate all those scandals that lie upon the Government 6. They teach perseverance 7. They take order about any new occurrences that happen As first if there be a new Law how to evade it 2. If any brother is taken in a snare how to get him out by purse interest or importunity C. How do the Presbyterians keep the people in these courses from running into Independency B. D. Mr. Crofton hath taken care of that by teaching that the people ought not to separate from the Church as hearers though the Ministers do as Preachers the Presbyterian Rabbies saith my Author must leave the Church lest Presbytery be swallowed up of Episcopacy the people must not leave the Church lest Presbytery should be brought to nothing by Independency C. Really that was warily done but what hope have they to bear up in this way B. D. Why first they watch the vacancies in this Parliament and tugg hard in the new elections 2. They clap their hands at the little plots and the great quarels and are observed to ride up and down incessantly at that time 3. They engross the stock and stop the trade of the Nation 4. They have active Agents in Ireland where they are very troublesome and unpeaceable 5. There is as it appears from the late Plotters examination here at York a constant Committee to manage all affaires yonder at London 6. Forreign Warrs 7. Yea they promise themselves good Christians the whilest great matters from the Turk and bless themselves when they consider what liberty they shall enjoy under that good man Calvino Turcismus Right 8. Besides that many Patrons reserve their Livings for them C. Where can so many lurke as have forsaken their callings rather then their Rebellion D. B. They have a combination that every well affected noble or rich Family shall no sooner want either a Chaplain or a Tutor then a hopeful or an honest man for so they talk is recommended thither or if an honest man offer himself the first question is Did you know Mr. Boules c. C. It is well they are not suffered to print and preach however D. B. They Print as much as ever There is their Bishops no Preachers their Vindiciae Pietatis as if none took any care of godliness but they or as if there were no godliness in the world but their sniveling hypocrisie Dr. Owen of Liturgies and his Book against Popery I 'le warrant you if it had not been for these men the silly people must think Popery had been here before this time the Latine Apology for the Nonconformists to their brethren abroad as if they would perswade us notwithstanding what Mr. Durell a forreigner hath written of the Conformity of forreign reformed Churches to our Church that they agree with all Protestants but we yea they have engaged with some poor forreign Divines to meddle with what concerns them not yea with what they understand not not to mention that dreadful Libell called Meue Tekel and dispersed the very day of the Kings death and infinite more phanatick Rhapsodies printed every day C. How do these men escape the Bishops Courts D. B. 1. They keep in fee so many confiding Lawyers who are to find out all the wayes to escape and elude the Lawes 2. They keep the Officers in fee 3. They care not for an Excommunication for a Nonconformist in our parts durst come to Church even before the Judges though he was excommunicated 4. They make the Church Wardens their own therefore it is they busle so much at the election of them As at Newbury where the faction was so unruly in Easter week that nothing but the Train-bands could keep them in order they shift their dwellings and live in a corner that may be in two Counties or Diocesses or at the worst they hide themselves in London where they are most secure and most serviceable C. It is a very strange thing that men should continue in a state of disobedience and uncharitable considering how short their life is and how sad their fame after death B. D. Alas they are as famous as any men after their death for Mr. Clark he writes their lives and the brethren erect their Monuments as any man I am told may see in the new Church-yard where Mr. Biddle hath a large square stone over his grave and this Inscription over it Hic jacet Johannes Bedellus artium Magister Oxoniensis qui maxima dedit tam pictatis quam eruditionis specimina And another this Here lyeth one that feared God and honoured the Truth Not one that feared God and honoured the King C. An obstinate people D. B. If you knew all I have been told that either in London or Westminster upon the 30 of Janu. last a silly fellow that could not speak sense must needes bestow a Sermon upon a Congregation and for the more solemnity give warning of it a week before hand but when he came what did he pray and prate against even three or four abominations whereof one was the turning out of the ejected Clegy another the corruption of Gods worship and a third the patience and stupidness of the people under these abominations and not a word all this while of the Kings death C. Was this man a Conformist B. D. A very early one they say C. Lord who encourage such men D. B. It was observed as I am informed that one whose Cozen was hanged here with us at York was a maine stickler for this fellow C. They are the most dangerous people that declare before God and men their acquiescence in the Government and yet thus act against it D. B. I O if you did but hear how solemnly the graver sort of our Bopeepes out of Grotius Du Plessis Amyrald Vives c. prove the truth of Christianity as if we were all heathens again since his Majesties return though just before it was the most glorious time for the light of the Gospel that ever was in the World though I must needs say that their hypocrisie would make any man an Atheist and that by their many religions we were in danger of enjoying none C. But the Ministers that fell off have been silent of late B. D. So they may as long as there are so many that speak for them yet they are not so silent did you not hear their charge
Maud the Empress the Oath of Allegiance which the people had taken to her was countenanced by very few at his Coronation yet such is the futality of conspiring against a setled Government that divers Lords having the Empress of their side to justisie and Scotland without which no Rebellion can prosper in England to assist them several Castles to secure them a general discontent to second them all England in a combustion to advantage them were yet strangely suppressed by the Usurper their Castles dismantled their Children disinherited their heads taken off no less then 3000. Families undone in their cause the Empress Maud is streightned at Oxford and the whole combination dispersed King Steven dying quietly in his Bed § 6. Upon Stevens death King Henry the Second the right Heir is established upon the Throne but troubled first with the Welsh who cunningly invited all the Male-contents of England to their inaccessible Mountaines where his Majesty no sooner sheweth his Sword but they desert their Leaders who are utterly ruined and their Country made Tributary to England And then by Robert Earle of Leicester who thought to have surprized the Generals at their own houses and his Majesty at Court when poor man he was overthrown himself and though afterward he was furnished by the French King who waiâ—ed all opportunities to invade England with an Army yet he perished and 12000. men with him as did Biggot and Ferris who tried the old way of Scotland in the head of 16000. Scots who with all their Confederates threw themselves upon the Kings mercy § 7. In the year 1189. Richard the First succeeding his Father with the consent and applanse of all his people had you some desperadoes who would teach the World what providence alwaies secures Government and what disasters and mischiefes attend Rebellion for proud Long shorope Bishop of Ely in the Kings absence who was now deep in the Holy Warr made a faction in the Kingdome entertained all the discontented complaints of ill Councellors promiseth liberty and 〈…〉 to the people sets up for the Pope and Religion is opposed by the Lord St. John trepanned by two Women banished his native Country derided by the French and comes to a miserable end § 8. Anno 1199. King John upon Richards death usurped the Crown yet none durst contradict him dispossessed Arthur yet none durst say to him What dost thou peoples business being the performance of their own duties rather then discourses of other mens Titles The English more troubled with his Tyranny 〈…〉 his Usurpation suborne the Welsh and Irish to perplex him as the embroyling of Ireland or Scotland is the surest way to gain England the plot is discovered to him he sends his own Courtiers to ripen it they discover to him all the methods steps and proceedings of it so that he surprized the Welsh putteth 3000. of them to the Sword taketh 28. Pledges of the best Families among them for their good behaviour for the future with whom upon their second Revolt he was so angry that the day he heard of it he would not dine untill the 28. pledges were hanged before his face But the Barons forsooth stand for the Liberty of the Subjects assert the ancient Franchises of England make a general party debauch the whole Nation secure all the stronge Holds engross all the Treasure draw over the French King to their party yet the odious weak King John so sacred a thing is Soveraignty in the meanest person recovereth their Castles excommunicates their persons layeth wast their Estates undoeth their adherents cutteth off their posterity and makes them wander up and down poor and destitute exiles in the Earth § 9. Anno 1216. King Henry the Thrid though a Child had that success against Rebells that were not that sin a sin of Witchcraft no such thing as treason would ever shew its self in the world for although the Child could not secure the government to weak he was yet the Government protected the Child so sacred that is Lewis the Fair King of France indeed as it was his interest set up some Lords against this Child viz. the Bishops of Winchester Salisbury and Chester the Earles of Salisbury Ferrers and Albemarle who bore great sway in the Kingdome stopped Trading were favoured by the Pope yet they and their French Auxiliaries were cooped up in Lincoln before which City the Kings Forces doubling their Ensignes appeared twice more then they were awed the besieged brought to an humble submission to the Kings mercy who at that time degraded 18. Barons 300. Knights ruined 6000. Families who were sad instances of the miserable event and issue of Rebelsion and treason King Henry disposeth of Barhainstead Castle which belonged to the Duke of Cornwall to a Dutchman whereupon the Duke in revenge consults with the Earle Marshall the Earles of Chester Glou ester Hereford and Warwicke who declare for their Liberties the great Charter and the Charter of the Forrest with whom some great Officers lately displaced joyne themselves they gain the whole Kingdome win over all the people declare against evil Counsellors yet the King providence still appearing in the behalf of that great Ordinance of God sends for a few Poutovins Summons a Parliament at Oxford to which the Lords refuse to come and another at Winchester whither they will not come neither they are proclaimed Out-lawes their Estates are seized the Earle Marshall is trepanned into Ireland to save his own stake and there circumvented and slain the other Lords are won over by the Bishops with money the Earle of Pembrook is dispossessed of his Estate money is raised by force the King put by the peevishness of his Subjects upon rigour tyranny and strange Levies so that 4000. Families are undone The great Earle of Leicester with other Lords declare for the Liberty of the Subject indeed they prevaile a little against the King but at last the Earles of Gloucester and Leicester fall out the Rebells are divided the Earle of Leicester and 7000. of his Followers fall at a pitch battel near Evesham his Sons flee the Kingdome his Estate is confiscated all his complices undone and most of the Rebellious Barons disinherited and the whole Kingdome desolate § 10. King Henry is dead his Son Edward is absent in the Holy Land Leolin Prince of Wales disputes his Homage but see how his dear Lady is taken by the English and he glad to submit for her sake upon any termes after her death he revolteth again goeth on and prospereth untill the Earle of Pembroke slew him before his own House at Bere Castle and a Common Souldier brought his Head to the King who Crowned it with Ivy and set it upon the Tower of London And not long after his brother David is taken in Wales and judged in England to that ignominious death that Traytors usually come to And as alwaies Subjects lose and Princes gain by Rebellion all Wales was
of all these Treasons was it Liberty Religion No some three hundred thousand Soules perish an hundred Millions of Treasure is spent some five thousand Families are undone the principal men are brought to shameful ends some eight thousand persons are ruined by publick faith King and Bishops Lands Vane glozeth but dieth on a Scaffold Pym debaucheth the Parliament but ends his dayes miserably Hampden takes Armes but falleth on that place where he first Rebelled Lenthal Collogues but dieth in much horrour and trouble of Conscience Cromwell Ireton Harrison Scot Carew and others domineer but are hanged drawn and quartered and set up to assure the World that the punishment of Treason may be slow but is very sure and that a Rebell labours in vaine The late Purchasers lived nobly and now begge their Bread the approving ejecting and sequestring Ministers are now silenced themselves the Church Government is most firmly setled the tender-Conscienced are more closely held in and the Reformation it self become a by-word and an hissing among all Nations Argile and Warreston had their time and now in the place of Traytors scattered up and down in several places of their Country § 23. Anno 1660. But to mention no more of those thousands that were ruined by the late defection his Majesty is restored by a Wonder received with the applause and satifaction of all men And yet one Venner a Fifth-Monarchy man and many of his followers are perswaded that now was the time to set up the Kingdome of Jesus Christ they first preach it up then they draw such a Declaration for it as might draw in all dissenters against the Government whatsoever they agree upon such rules maximes and Principles as suited with most mens humours they pray'd and preached themselves to very great resolutions and all this very closely upon Sunday Twelfnight 1660. they continue at their exercise in Coleman street till late at night when they arme themselves to attacque a secure City in the dead of night being assured that one man should chase an hundred and ten men a thousand but alas do they promote their cause or advance the Kingdome of Jesus Christ nothing less they are discovered by the Owner of the meeting house yet they march through the City without controule but Sir Rich. Brown then Lord Mayor drawes towards them the Kings Guard surroundeth them the Train-bands engage them of some thirty of them six die upon the place Venner Hodskins and the chief of them are hanged drawn and quartered their flesh rots and their memories are rooted out from the Earth and all people even they of their own perswasions detest them and in several Remonstrances declare against them Anno 1662. when some severe Lawes were made against dissatisfied persons and the Government grew towards a settlement Tongue Philips Stubes Sallows Gibbs Baker and others lay a Plot to deliver themselves from those at Whitehall they first set up a Councel of forty for satisfying all Interests and reconciling all differences and out of this Councel they chose another of 8. which was not to sit twice in any one place to consider of Officers Ammunition Musters and particular designes upon whose dissolution the Plot was to begin viz. to secure Windsor Castle by a Gunner there and the Tower by a party following the Lords Mayors Coach late at night to admit of Ludlow for General to engage some of the Trained Bands to spread abroad a rumour of a Popish Massacre to buy up all the Armes that could be met with to list their Country friends under the old Officers of the Army that were then scattered up and down to set up a Magazine in Crutched Friers and seize the City Magazine to seize Whitehall by the way of the Privy-Garden the General and Sir Rich. Brown being beforehand dispatched to set up the old Parliament and the Kingdome of Jesus Christ But is any of these things done or were not these men betrayed by their own brethren Hill and Riggs hanged drawn and quartered by the Common Hangman and made a prey for the Foules of the aire rotting upon the face of the Earth are not their Families undone and their parties under more severe Lawes and confinements to this day their liberty lost their meetings dispersed and all his Majesties Indulgence towards them forfeited Anno 1663. Yet some Anabaptists taking advantage of some generall discontents lay a Plot in the Bishoprick of Durham in March 1. To reconcile all their Brethren of different perswasions 2. Upon an Oath of secrecy to send Agitators all over England with propositions most comprehensive of all Interests who met at one Ouldreds house the Devil of Dewsbury as they call him and afterwards at Stankebouse in that County from whence Marsden and Palmer are sent Agitators to London to the secret Committee there whence they bring a Resolution to rise Octob. 12. with assurance that the Insurrection should be general 3. To attempt White-hall upon some Shew-night to secure New-castle for a passage to Scotland and Bolton in Lincolnshire for correspondence with Forreign Parts for succour and Ammunition 4. To lay hold upon the Gentry 5. To oppose Subsidies and Chimney-money to restore the Long Parliament to establish a Gospell Magistracy and Ministry and to check the Clergy the Gentry and the Lawyers 6. They preached all over the Nation in Order to the Generall Rising calling it Following the Lamb and inferring from that expression the lawfulnesse of the Designe so it were carried on for love of the Cause and for no by-ends 7. They were to Garrison Nottingham Glocester c. and 〈…〉 They drew a 〈…〉 the sectaries against the Government 10. They were to begin in Ireland 11. To seize the Lord Fauconbridge and the Lord Fairfax his Horses and Armes and indeed all the Gentry and Clergy thereabout But what was the issue of all this The Parties are treacherous to one another the Design is discovered and some thirty are gone into another world To see whether God said FEARE GOD HONOUR THE KING AND MEDDLE NOT WITH THEM THAT ARE GIVEN TO CHANGE FOR THEIR CALAMITY SHALL RISE SUDDAINLY AND WHO KNOWETH THE RUINE OF THEM BOTH LET EVERY SOULE BE SUBJECT UNTO THE HIGHER POWERS FOR THERE IS NO POWER BUT OF GOD THE POWERS THAT BE ARE ORDAINED OF GOD WHOSOEVER THEREFORE RESISTETH THE POVVER RESISTETH THE ORDINANCE OF GOD AND THEY THAT RESIST SHALL RECEIVE UNTO THEMSELVES DAMNATION Whether it be not certain as an Article of Faith that by Christ Kings reign and Princes decree justice that Power is given of the Lord and Soveraignty from the Highest and therefore that Mankind must be Subject to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake and that we must needes be subject not only for wrath but for Conscience sake and as to Christ i. e. by the same necessity for the same reason to avoid the same punishment to have the same rewards and by the force of the same Religion and that they may