Apostates and perswaded them to submit themselves to the Antichristian yoak and to renounce or dissemble the profession of the true Religion would have quite crossed or frustrated his Design Therfore out it must and be obliterated whatever comes of it Finally observe his imbittered malice to the Protestant Churches but grand affection to the Pope and Church of Rome most evidently displayed by this expunction the first in deleating those clauses which style theirs the true Religion c. the latter in expunging this expression in favour of the Roman Church and Pontife only if they would have submitted themselves to THE ANTI-CHRISTIAN YOAK which we have elsewhere dilated upon In briefe He that thus would have the Protestant Churches no Churches at all of God or Christ their Ministers no Ministers their Religion not the true Religion nor the same with ours must certainly expresse abundance of malice and disaffection to these Churches endeavour to cause discord and division between the Church of England and them the very charge in the Article and proclaime himselfe a greater friend to the Church of Rome and her Religion then to the Protestant Churches and the true Religion in them professed yea a Trayterous endeavourer to subvert the true Religion established in our English Church which is the same with theirs And the rather may we beleeve this of the Archbishop because shortly after he caused a Book entituled A Declaration of the Faith and Ceremonies of the Palsgraves Churches printed first in Dutch but afterwards in English Anno 1637. to be strictly called in and seized by his Pursevants in high affront of the Prince Palatine then newly arrived in England and of his Churches because it declared those Churches Orthodox judgement and censure against sundry Arminian and Popist Errours Innovations Ceremonies which hee and his Confederates then laboured to introduce among us as was attested upon Oath by Michael Spark senior and Mr Prynne when as we never heard of any Popish Books as Sancta Clara and others here printed either called in or seized by his speciall voluntary command but countenanced yea restored by him or his Agents when seised by the Searchers and Stationers Let all the world then judge by this prime peece of our Evidence what manner of Protestant this Archbishop was and how ill he stood affected to the Protestant Religion 3. These premises considered no wonder if he endeavoured by all his policy and power to suppresse nay abrogate the Priviledges Immunities of the Dutch and French Churches in this Kingdom granted to them by his Majesty and his Royall Ancestors which he in part accomplished to their prejudice the next part of his Charge in the twelfth Article of which we shall present you this summary accompt King Edward the sixth by his Letters Patents dated the 24 day of Iuly in the fourth yeare of his Reigne granted this ensuing Patent to the Dutch and French Protestants then living in exile in London establishing their Church and Presbyterian Government among themselves exempt from all Episcopall Iurisdiction appointing a Superintendent over them and Ministers of their own Which Patent for the rarity thereof and the better understanding of this Charge we shall at large transcribe EDwardus Sextus Dei Gratia Angliae Franciae Hiberniae Rex fidei Defensor in terra Ecclesiae Anglicanae Hiberniae supremum Caput omnibus ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint salutem Cum magnae quaedam graves considerationes Nos ad praesens specialiter impulerunt Tum etiam cogitantes illud quanto studio charitate Christianos Principes in Sacrosanctum Dei Evangelium Religionem Apostolicam ab ipso Christo inchoatam institutam traditam animatos perpensos esse conveniat sine qua haud dubio politia civile regimen neque consistere diu neque nomen suum tueri potest nisi Principes caeterique praepotentes viri quos Deus ad regnorum gubernacula sedere voluit id imprimis operam dent ut per totum Reipublicae corpus casta sinceraque religio diffundatur Ecclesia in vere Christianis Apostolicis opinionibus ritibus instituta adulta per sanctos ac carui mundo mortuos Ministros conservetur pro eo quod Christiani Principis officium esse statuimus inter alias gravissimas de regno suo bene splendideque administrando cogitationes etiam religioni religionis causae calamitate fractis afflictis exulibus consulere Sciatis quod non solum praemissa contemplantes Ecclesiam à Papatus tyranide per Nos vindicatam in pristina libertate conservare cupientes verumetiam Exulum Peregrinorum conditionem miserantes qui jam bonis temporibus in Regno nostro Angliae commorati sunt voluntario exilio Religionis Ecclesiae causa mulctati quia hospites exteros homines propter Christi Evangelium ex patria sua profligatos ejectos in Regnum nostrum profugos praesidiis ad vitam degendam necessariis in Regno nostro egere non dignum esse duximus cujus liberalitas nullo modo in tali rerum statu restricta clausave esse debet At quoniam multi Germanae nationis homines ac alii peregrini qui confluxerunt in dies singulos confluunt in Regnum nostrum Angliae ex Germania aliis remotioribus partibus in quibus Papatus dominata Evangelii libertas labefactari premi coepta est non habent certam sedem locum in Regno nostro ubi conventos suos celebrare valeant ubi inter suae gentis moderni idiomatis homines Religionis negotia res Ecclesiasticas pro patrio titu more intelligenter obire tractare possint Idcirco de Gratia Nostra speciali ac ex certa scientia mero metu nostris nec non de avisamento Concilii nostri volumus concedimus ordinamus quod de caetero sit erit unum Templum sive sacra Aedes in Civitate nostra London quod vel quae vocabitur Templum Domini Iesu ubi Congregatio conventus Germanorum aliorum peregrinorum fieri celebrari possit ea intentione proposito ut à Ministris Ecclesiae Germanorū aliorumque peregrinorum Sacrosancti Evangelii incorrupts interpretatio Sacramentorum juxta verbum Dei Apostolicam observationem administratio fiat Templū illud sive sacram Aedem illam deuno Superintendente quatuor verbi Ministris erigimus creamus ordinamus fundamus per praesentes Et quod idem Superintendens Ministri in re nomine sint erunt unum corpus corporatum politicum de se per nomen Superintendentis Ministrorum Ecclesiae Germanorum aliorum peregrinorum ex fundatione Regis Edwardi Sexti in Civitate London per praesentes incorporamus ac corpus corporatum politicum per idem nomen realiter ad plenum creamus erigimus ordinamus facimus constituimus per praesentes Et quod successionem
Protestantium Doctores Sacerdotes sacrificia agnoscere In the 25. Article concerning Homilies pag. 321. he thus shakes off our Homilies in our Bishops owne tearmes Nec tenentur Protestantes ob haec verba in Articulo statim in singula verba vel sententias Homiliarum jurare c. Prudenter igitur quae sanam Doctrinam sapiunt populo legenda alia neglectui habenda Pape 332. in the 37. Article concerning the power of the civill Magistrates against the Popes Jurisdiction he writes thus D. Montacutius contr Heighum alij eorum doctissimi quibuscum de hoc egi nullam utique Jurisdictionem spiritualem Regibus nosiris concedunt sed gubernium civile temporale indirectè per accidens ob pacem Reipubl in personas causas Ecclesiasticas extensum Gavisus sum etiam valdà de illo quod etiam his diebus factum est Cantabrigiae in Comitijs pro actu Doctoroli ubi SUMMO PONTIFICI UT MAXIMO PATRI sic enim eum appellabant designata est cura spiritualium Regi temporalium licet sub fine subjiciebatur Regum esse omnes regere quod intelligi debet civiliter non spiritualiter modò â nobis explicato After which pag. 334 335 336. he handles these three Questions First Whether any have power to withdraw themselves from subjection and obedience to the Sea and Church of Rome upon any occasion Secondly Whether we of this Realme had sufficient causes to doe it Thirdly Whether we did well in it and did not exceed measure therein And he resolves the two latter thus Vtraque quaestio siâ—e dubio gravissima est maximum meretur discussionem Quod si causa sufficiens non fuerit vel terminus justae substractionis excesserint quanta pericula in tà m diuturno scismate Hinc utique omnia quantacunque mala sunt originaliter ebullierunt Catholici veriori tutiori parti adhaerere volentes cum insufficientiasm causae quam moderaminis excessum agnoverunt ponderant utique gravissimum illud Augustini praecidendae unitatis nulla est justa necessitas Lib. 2. cont Epist Parm. Utinam DENVO AUTHORITATE PUBLICA pro dignitane PURITANIS NON INTERMIXTIS EX AFFECTU READUNITIONIS PERPENDERETUR ad hoc singuli evoluant Augustinum contra Donatum Scio illos hoc abhorrere de quibus dicit Cassander licet haud satis affectus Romanae Ecclesiae Plerique ex eis qui sibi ab Evangelio nomen sumpserunt cum partem qua vetus Catholicorum Ecclesiae Romanae nomen retinet prorsus aspernantur omnem que ejus communionem defugiunt nec ut membra ejusdem corporis amore misericordia prosequuntur quod nos a Puritanis hic experimur sed ut Satanae Antichristi corpus abominatur Scio id equidem doles qui ejusmodi sunt quomodo â schismatis rectius dixisset Haereseos nota eximi possunt non video From all these remarkable passages of this book it is most evident that it was purposely penned published dedicated and presented to the King to reconcile him and reunite our Church and Articles to the Church of Rome that this union and accommodation was already accomplished by Bishop Andrewes Bishop Muntague and others of our most eminent moderate Divines in many points of greatest moment and would soon be effected in the residue by a publike Assembly or Synod of our Prelates and divines if no Puritans were intermixed among them But you will object What is all this or this Book to the Archbishop Did he know any thing of this Plot Book or had any hand therein Yes verily First he know of this book before it was published Doctor Lindsey his great favourite whom he advanced to a Deanary and two Bishopricks as we have formerly proved acquainting him therewith and bringing the Author of it to his Grace who had recourse to him severall times after This we shall prove by a paper writen with his own hand by way of extenuation of this charge even since his commitment to the Tower and there seiâ—ed on by Master Pryme which was read as followeth MY Intelligence with the Pope by S. Clara. I never saw that Franciscan Fryar in my life to the utmost of my memory above four times or five at most He was first brought to me by Doctor Linsey it was when he was setting out his booke about the Articles of the Church of England and I then told Doctor Linsey I did feare he would never expound them so as the Church of England might have cause to thanke him for it He never came to me after till he was almost ready to print another booke to prove that Episcopacy was authorized in the Church by divine right and these was after this vnhappy stirres began His desire was to have this book printed here but at his severall addresses to me for this I still gave him this answer That I did not like the way which the Church of Rome went concerning Episcopacy And howsoever I would never give way that any such book from the pen of any Romanist should be printed here And the Bishops of England are very well able to defend their owne cause and calling without calling in any ayd from Rome and would so doe when they saw cause And this is all the conference that ever I had with him This excuse of his though partiall acknowledgeth that he was acquainted with the book and Author before its printing and that Doctor Linsey his favourite was a great promoter of it privy to the plot of Reconciliation and very intimate with the Fryar that compiled it Secondly when the book was printed this Author presented not onely the King but Archbishop himself with one of them bound up in Vellam with the Kings Armes on the cover and blew silk strings which he thus endorsed with his owne hand Fron. â Sanctâ Clara Problemata 37. Expositio paraphrastica Confessionis Anglicanae Which book he reserved in his Study at Lambeth where Master Prynne seized and produced it at the Barre Thirdly he not onely received but permitted it to be publikely sold and dispersed amongst us without any seizure or restaint and to be twice or thrice reprinted in London notwithstanding many exceptions and complaints against it when as he most strictly suppressed orthodox books Fourthly if Fryar Saint Giles were the true Author of this book as he was reputed by the Fryars in forraigne parts the Archbishop not onely knew but maintained him in the University of Oxford to seduce poyson the Schollers there and reconcile them to Rome and gave him an annuall pension of one hundred Markes the blame of which action for his owne excuse he would transferre upon the King without any proofe at all but onely this surreptitious warrant without any date at all writ with his owne hand not by any Secretary of State which will no wayes extenuate but aggravate his crime the warrant being no doubt fraudulently procured to serve a turne at
pressed as spatingly as he might it being against his owne judgment and thereupon obedience was yeelded in most places and such as refused to Raile in their Tables were questioned and proceeded against by others but as for himselfe he never troubled any for it That the Archbishop himselfe gave both command and approbation for these Innovations was proved by this ensuing Petition to which an Answer was underwriten by Master Dell subscribed with the Archbishops owne hand found among Sir Iohn Lambes sequested Papers by Master Prynne To the right Reverend Father in God William Lord Archbishop of Cant. his Grace Primate of all England and Metropolitan The Petition of Philip Davies Clerke Hunry Demery and Abrah am Cobb Churchwardens of the Parish Church of Hill alias Hull in the Dioces of Glocester Humbly sheweth THat your Petitioners in obedience to your Graces special directions in your Graces Metropolitan Visitation did take care and order for the raysing of the Chancell and Rayling in the High Altar or Communion Table in the said Church for the doing of which with the necessary beautifying of the said Church there were divers rates made by the Churchwardens for the time being and major part of the Inhabitants of that Church for to defray the Charge thereof In which assesements one Henry Heathfield who was and is commonly reputed and taken to be of that Parish was rated after the usuall manner as he and his Predecessors had alwayes beene his divers rates amounting to 28. shillings six pence To avoyd the payment of which the said Henry Heathfield appealed to your Graces Court of the Arches where the cause hath depended for these eleven Monethes last past to your Petitioners great Charge and hinderance May it therefore please your Grace for the better incouragement of your Petitioners in performing your Graces Commands which we have hitherto done in preserving the decency and ornaments of the said Church as much as in us lyes to give order that the said Cause may be speedily determined and that your Petitioners may not be unnecessarily vexed and molested for endeavouring to performe what in your Graces Visitation was publikely enjoyned but so farre as truth shall appears we may shroud our selves under your Graces Protection And your Petitioners shall ever pray c. I desire Sir John Lambe in case he finde the Suggestions true to take care that this Cause may come to hearing with all convenient speed possible Febr. 9. 1637. W. CANT By answering of which Petition the Archbishop acknowledgeth that the rayling in of Communion Tables and imposing illegall Rates for the same was done by HIS GRACES SPECIALL DIRECTION in his Metropoliticall Visitation and thereupon he thus desired Sir John Lambe to expedite the hearing of the Cause yet he had so Little Grace as openly to deny it with solemne protestations The falsity whereof was further evidenced by this Copy of Injunctions given in his Metropoliticall Visitation to the Cathedrall Church of Winchester 19. July An. 1635. by Sir Nathaniell Brent his Vicar Generall found in his owne Study at Lambheth so as he could not be ignorant of them attested by Master Prynne the last whereof was this Deinde Dominus injuaxit Gardianis Ecclesiae parochialis sancti Mauritij infra Civitatem Wintoniae quod duo sedilia ex utraque parte Cancellorum ibidem removeantur quod nullum sedile ibidem collocatur aut erigatur Distuque Dominus ad Petitionem Willielmi Newton unius Parochianorum praefatae Ecclesiae Parochialis decrevit Mensam sacram Eucharistiae decenter circum-sepiendam viz. TO BEE RAYLED ABOVT IN DECENT MANNER citra festum Omnium Sanctorum proximè sequens Moreover A paper of Informations of divers Abuses in the City and Diocesse of London was found in the Archbishops Study attested by Master Prynne whereof this was one There are many Communion Tables in severall Churches of the City of London that are not rayled in and some of them are placed in the middle of the Church when as they may be placed more conveniently at the East end thereof At the Chappel at Highgate the Boyes use to leane on the Communion Table in the time of Divine service under which Mr. Dell the Archbishops Secretary Writ this direction to Sir Nathaniel Brent his Visiter subscribed with the Archbishops owne hand I require you that besides my other Instructions you give me an account of all particulars within named Whereupon an Account was given to him in writing accordingly thus entituled An Account of the Metropoliticall Visitation of the Diocesse of London Aano 1636. found in his Study with the foresaid Informations and indorsed thus with his owne hand 1636. March The Course of my Visitation in London Diocese Wherein are these Particular Passage touching the railing in of Communion Tables Mr. Rogers of Massing mentioned in your Graces Paper came not to me for an order for the setting up of a Raile about his Communion Table But I GAVE A GENERALL ORDER FOR IT BOTH THERE AND IN ALL OTHER PLACES WHERE I PASSED The Communion Table in the Chappell of Highgate mentioned in your Graces paper is already placed at the upper end of the Quire and a decent Raile made about it as J am informed by divers To which the Archbishop with his owne hand adds this Note in the Margin See it be don In the Parish Church of Edmonton a fair Monument is set at the upper end of the Chancell which I have ordered to be taken downe without delay and the Communion Table to be set in the place of it with a comely raile about it Yet had this Archbishop the Impudency to protest to the Lords he never gave any order to Sir Nathaniell Brent for removing or railing in Communion Tables that it was done without his Privity or direction O portet mendacem esse memorem Adde to this that in an Abstract of this Archbishops Metropoliticall Visitation endorsed by himselfe and found among his papers there were these observable informations given to him by his Visitor Sir Nathaniel Brent July 16. 1635. At Lyn in the principall Church called St. Margarets the Communion Table wanted a rayle which I have ordered At Northampton no man boweth at the pronouncing of the name of Iesus in all the Churches in Shrewsbury many things were out of Order especially about the Communion Table But the Officers in every Parish Church most willingly submitted to what I ordered Mr. Speed of Saint Pancrosse in Chicester is very willing the Gallery in his Church should be pulled down which was built to receive strangers as also to remove the seates which stand even with the Altar Besides it appeares by a letter of Wil. Kingsley Arch-deacon of Cant. to this Archbishop dated Aprill 13 16 6. that he gave him order to survay all the Churches in Canterbury and to certine him what Monuments placed the Eastland Galleres were in them to the end they might be removed who gave him this account thereof in writing found
man and shall live and die in the suffrage of that Reverend Synod and doe confidently a vow that those other opposed opinions cannot stand with the Doctrine of the Church of England But if for the composing of our differences at home which your Lordship knowes to be far different from the Netherlandish there could have beene tendered any such faire propositons of accordance as might be no prejudice to Gods Truth I should have thought it an holy and happy project wherein if it bee not a fault to have wished a safe peace I am innocent In my Lord Bishops of SARVMS Answer Dated Ianuary 30. 1628. This passage was expunged AS for the aspertions of Arminianisme I can testifie that in our joynt imployment at the Synod of Dort you were as farre from it as my selfe And I know that no man can imbrace it in the Doctrine of Pradestination and Grace but he must first desert the Articles agreed upon by the Church of England nor in the Point of Perseverance but he must vary from the common Tenet and received opinion of our best approved Doctors in the English Church I am assured that you neither have deserted the one nor will vary from the other and therefore be no more troubled with other mens groundlesse suspirions then you would be in like case with their idle Dreames Thus I have c. Nathaniell Butter the Stationer perceiving these two letters not only extreamly mutilated but made altogether uselesse and his Book lesse vendible by these Purgations of the Licencer adventured to print these expunged passages in them whereupon he was apprehended and brought before Bishop Laud by a Pursevant committed Prisoner by him to the Fleet without Baile or maineprize contrary to the Petition of Right though he tendred baile his Bookes seized and afterwards Articled against in the High Commission and there almost ruined only for printing those deleted Passages in two of our owne Bishops Letters as was proved by the Testimony of Master Henry Burton and Michaell Sparkes senior committed to the Fleet by the Bishop at the same time by the Warrant of his commitment under the Bishops owne hand the Articles in the High Commission against Butter Artic. 4. 5. and his Answer thereunto produced in Court About the same time Nathaniell Carpenter Chapline to Archbishop Vsher published a Book intitled Achitophel or the Picture of a wicked Polititian printed at Oxford by Lycence wherein were divers passages against Arminianisme averring it to be planted among us by Iesuiticall Polititians to undermine our Religion by degrees and covertly to introduce Popery it selfe which Booke was presently called in and all the Passages against Arminianisme expunged by this Bishops Agents which done it was reprinted at London without them Anno 1629. to the great injury both of the truth and Author as was attested by Mr. Prynne Michaell Spark Senior and evident to all who will compare these two Editions What other passages against the Arminians and their Tenet have beene expunged in other Authors shall be given in evidence elsewhere We shall next produce some memorable Instances what countenance was given to Arminian Bookes and Sermons notwithstanding his Majesties Declarations and Proclamations to the contrary by this Archbishops meanes Doctor Thomas Jackson Chapline in Ordinary to his Majesty even sitting the Parliament soone after the Kings Declaration and Proclamation published A Treatise of divine Essence and Attributes part first printed at London 1628. for John Clerke Licensed by this Prelates Chaplaine dedicated to the Right honourable William Earle of Pembrooke in the very Epistle Dedicatory to this Noble Peere hee professeth himselfe AN ARMINIAN and Patron of their Tenets And Chap. 8. to 20. he professedly maintaines A mutability in Gods eternall Decrees of Election and Reprobation depending upon the actions and wills of men Universall Grace and Redemption with other Arminian Errors This Book though publikely complained of was never called in by the Bishop but the second part thereof printed by Licence An. 1629. and the Author of it advanced to the Presidentship of Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford by this Bishop yea by him designed to bee Doctor of the Chaire though he missed that preferment to poyson the Vniversity of OXFORD with his Arminian Drugges An. 1630. Doctor Brookes of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge Writ an Arminian Treatise of Predestination with which he acquainted Bishop Laud who encouraged him in the worke recommending it to the perusall of Doctor Lindsey and Doctor Beale two great Arminians promising to peruse it himselfe as appeares by sundry Letters Whereupon Doctor Brookes returned this answer to him concerning it in Answer of this Bishops Letter to him seized in his Study by Mr. Prynne dated from Cambridge Dece 15. 1630. wherin there is this desperate passage worthy Observation MY LORD c. I Dare say That their doctrine of Predestination is the roote of Paritanisme and Puritanisme the roote of all rebellions and disobedient intractablenesse in Parliament c and of all Schisme and Saucinesse in the Country nay in the Church it selfe this hath made many thousands of our people and to great a part of the Gentlemen of the Land Laytons in their hearts Besides where nothing is done the weeds will over-grow the Corne as they doe For last Parliament they left their word Religion and the cause of Religion and began to use the name of Church and our Articles of the Church of England c. and wounded our Church at the very heart with her owne name And by pretence of putting downe Arminianisme and defence of that Church against which indeed they tooke up Armes so that now they that hold the very opinions of Penry and Wâ—gington of Hacket and Coppinger in their beginning and others of whom some were hangd most imprisoned many deprived and some censured in the Starre-Chamber for seditious persons and Enemies to the Church of England they I say that hold the same opinions cry out now the Church of England and will have the Church of England to be theirs I could justifie this and much more but your Lordship knowes these things to be so better then I c. What grosse aspersions he here casts upon the Parliament and Anti-Arminians is so apparent as needs no explanatory or aggravating Commentary On the 27. of Novem. 1630. Doctor Martin this Bishops houshold Chaplaine a professed Arminian licensed a Booke for the Presse intituled An Historicall Narration of the judgment of some must learned and Godly English Bishops holy Martyrs and others concerning Gods Election and the Merits of Christs death set forth by I. A. of Ailward a late Seminary Priest and printed for Samuell Nealand 1631. The whole scope of this Book was to prove the Martyrs and first Reformers of our Church in K. Ed. the 6. and Q. Maries dayes and the beginning of Q. Elizabeths Raigne to be Arminians and Arminianisme the established Doctrine of our Church The first 66 pages of this Booke
His Majesties Commissioners to this strict authority that J cannot say but sure J am that till that time the Lords day never had attained such credit as to be thought an Article of the faith though of some mens fancies Nor was it like to be of long continuance it was so violently followed THE WHOLE BOOKE BEING NOW CALLED IN and in the place thereof the Articles of the Church of England confirmed by Parliament in that Kingdome Anno 1634. Vniformity with the Church of England was the pretence for revoking these Articles but the reall cause was because they defined in terminis The Pope to be Antichrist the Church of Rome to be no true Church the Lords day to be totally sanctfied and all the Arminian Tenets to be erronious contrary to the established Doctrine both of the Church of England and Ireland Grand obstacles to this Arch-Preltats Popish designes and therefore necessary to bee sette aside These Articles being thus repealed the Archbishop soon after sent over Master Chapple the most notorius seducing Arminian in the whole Vniversity of Cambridge into Jreland to be President of the Colledge of Dublin there to poyson that Vniversity with his Arminian Drugs which he there publikely vented as Dr. Hoyle Divinity Reader in that Vniversity attested upon Oath who had frequent contestations with him concerning the same This Chapple joyning with Dr. Bramhall Chaplaine to the Lord Deputy Wentworth a professed Arminian who managed all the Ecclesiastical affaires of that Church under the Archbishop and Lord Deputy raised a great party there to oppose and suppresse the truth What influence this Arch-Prelate likewise had upon the Prelates and Clergy of Scotland and how farre he proceeded in introducing Arminianisme by it Popery into the Church of Scotland is so largely demonstrated by M. Baily in his Canterburians selfe-conviction the last Edition that we shall not here insist upon it And thus we have given you a true and Copious Evidence of this Arch-Prelates endeavours to undermine our established Religion by introducing fomenting dangerous Arminian Errors in all our three Kingdomes of purpose to Vsher Popery into them by insensible degrees through this Iesuiticall devise We shall now proceed to his varius attemps and endeavours to undermine the established Protestant and advance the Romish Religion in our Churches by introducing broaching maintaining printing publishing all kind of Doctrinall points of Popery by suppressing Bookes and purging out Passages against them in old and new writers by promoting protecting the Propugners discouraging persecuting the oppugners of Popish Assertions Sermons Pamphlets and sundry other practises The Authorizing Printing dispersing Popish Bookes Doctrines and prohibiting contrary Impressions to refute them being the most pernitious destructiue prevalent project of all others to undermine Religion seduce corrupt both the present and future Generations with Popish Errors and set up Popery in its full vigor we shall begin with this Archbishops various practises concerning the Authorising printing dispersing of Popish prohibiting suppressing purging corrupting Orthodox Bookes against Popery wherein he directly traced the Popish Prelates Jesuites footsteps The Pope with Popish Prelates and Jesuites being Masters of the printing Presses in most parts had foure principall wayes to advance Popery and suppresse the Protestant Religion in relation only to printing The first was to License and print sundry Books and Discourses from time to time upon al occasions in defence of their Erronious Popish Tenets against the Protestants The second to prohibit sundry speciall Treatises against Popery to bee printed reprinted dispersed or read and to seize on and suppresse them in all places with greatest diligence when printed The third to purge out the principall Passages Motives Invectives against Popery and its abuses in all old printed Books ere they should bee reprinted and out of all new Bookes tendred to the Presse before they could gaine License to passe it The fourth to punish the Authors Printers dispersers of any prohibited or unlicensed Books against Popery with the severest censures all which is abundantly evident by their severall Indices Librorum Prohibitorum and Librorum Expurgandorum by the Provinciall Councell of Sennes Anno 1528. Apud Surium Concil Tom. 4. p. 718. to 723. Laurentius Bochellius Decreta Ecclesia Gall lib. 1. Tit. 10. De Libris vetitis cap. 1. to 29. The Statute of 34 and 35. H. 8. c. 1. Master Fox his Acts and Monuments the old Edition pag. 536. 573. 680. 450. 1335. c. Dr. Iames his Index Generalis Librorum prohibitorum a Pontifieijs c. Oxon 1627. Antonij Posseâ—ini Bibliothesa selecta with sundry others The Arch-bishop in imitation of this their policy first of all ingrossed the sole power of licensing all new Bookes of Divinity into his owne his Chaplaines and Creatures hands so as nothing could passe the Presse with publique approbation but by his or their precedent approbation without danger of ruine to the Authors Printers Stationers Venders Dispersers And because he feared and experimentally discerned that when Stationers or Printers were restrained to print new Bookes against Popery they would presently fall to reprint old ones formerly licenced by Authority to prevent this inconvenience to the Popish party he procured this ensuing Decree of his owne contriving to be ratified by the Lords in the Starre-Chamber then sent it to the Stationers to print and commanded them punctually to observe it whereby he Monopolized the sole power of authorizing Divinity Bookes for the Presse to himselfe and his Agents and restrained the reprinting of all Books though formerly printed by Authority without a speciall review and relicencing of them by him and his Chaplaines This Decree was intituled A Decree of Star-Chamber concerning Printing made the first day of July 1637. Imprinted at LONDON by Robert Barker c. 1637. This Decree in the Printed Order of Star-chamber prefixed thereunto is Expresly alleaged to be drawne and Penned by the advice of the most Reverend Father in God the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace the Right Honourable and Right Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of London Lord High Treasurer of ENGLAND and of the Lord Keeper the Lord chiefe Justices and Lord chiefe Barron when it was the Archbishops project only who sent it to the Presse the others names being used only for conformity as M. Walley others attested upon Oath We shall rehearse only such clauses thereof as are most observable pertinent to our purpose 2. Jtem That no person or persons whatsoever shall at any time print or cause to be imprinted any Booke or Pamphlet whatsoever unlesse the same Booke or Pamphlet and also all and every the Titles Epistles Prefaces Proems Preambles Introductions Tables Dedications and other matters or things whatsoever thereunto annexed or therewith imprinted shall be first lawfully licenced and authorized only by such person and persons as are hereafter expressed and by no other and shall be also first entred into the Registers Booke of the Company
be said unto every particular member of hers in the Communion The Body of our Lord Iesus Christ which was given for thee c. if any one of them were absolutely reprobated 1. c. from all eternity unconditionally decreed to bee damned in Hell fire everlastingly The Booke intituled Gods love to mankind and Doctor Jack sons Divine Essence and Attributes part 1. are professedly written to justifie universall Grace and Redemption 23. That the Personall succession of Bishops is a true note of the Church and necessary That Peters Chaire was at Rome and he sate Bishop there and that it is the honour and happinesse of our Church that this Archbishop of Cant. that now is with our other Bishops and Ministers can derive them personall succession and Ordination from the Sea and Popes of Rome Dr. Pocklingtons Sunday no Sabbath P. 2. Ouâ— Diocesan can derive himselfe the successor of an Apostle it is Saint Austins resolution Successio Episcoporum ab ipsa sede Petri is that which among other things by him named keepes us in gremio Ecclesiae and Subjects us to our Bishops Jurisdiction Page 47. Their vanity may appeare that against all Antiquity make fooles beleeve Saint Peter was never at Rome making the succession of Bishops and truth of the Latin Churches as questionable as the Centurists orders Page 48. Reckon up your Priests who succeded one another after Saint Peter in his Chaire if you will bee esteemed Members of the Church Hereby we may by Gods mercy make good the truth of our Church For wee are able lineally to set downe the succession of our Bishops from Saint Peter to Saint Gregory and from him to our first Archbishop Saint Austin our English Apostle as Bishop Goodwin calls him downeward to his Grace NOW that sits in his Chaire Primate of all England and Metropolitan Which hee thus seconds in his Altare Christianum Page 45. Saint Peters Chaire in Rome succession of Bishops in the Church of England c. Page 47. Though saith Saint Austin you slanderously call the Chaire in other Churches Cathedram Pestilentiâ—ae what cause hath the Church of Rome giuen you to say so of it In qua Petrus sedet et in quâ hodie Anastasius sedet The very note whereby Heritickes were knowne from Catholikes was that Catholikes could shew their Churches and the very Chaires in them wherein there was not only a morrall succession in purity of Faith and manners but a locall succession of Bishops continued even from the Apostles times which Heretickes could not shew and therefore were hereby convinced to bee such and so put to shame and confounded Page 48. Hee recons up those that had succeded the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the Church of Rome Page 49. Novatian is neither Bishop nor Member of the Church saith Saint Cyprian because hee cannot prove his succession according to Apostolicall Tradition If in all this time there were no materiall Churches then there could be no materiall Chaire wherein their Bishops were enthronized and if no Chaire then no reall Inthronization then no personall succession from the Apostles whereby the right faith was derived from God the Father to his Son nor from the Sonne to his Apostles nor from the Apostles to succeding Bishops Those that deprive us of the benefit of this Apostolicall Tradition pluck one speciall staffe out of our hands whereby we stay our selves from falling from the true Catholicke Church and beat all Heretickes out of our Communion Miserable were we if hee that NOW sitteth Arch Bishop of CANTERBVRY could not derive his succession from Saint Augustine St. Augustine from Saint Gregory Saint Gregory from Saint Peter for hee that remembreth whom he succeeds will doubtlesse endeavour and pray to be heire to their vertues as well as possessor to their places What a comfort is this to his Grace and to all those that receive consecration from him and to all those that they shall ordaine Page 51. Tell us when and from whence you come and what you make your selves to do in the Church that are no Sons of the Church We can with Saint Iraeneus point you to the time of your comming in You Cartwright and your brood came in as most Sabbatarians did under Archbishop Whitgift and your Ames and Brightman with your Laodiceans came in under Archbishop Bancroft and you Vicars and our Cotton with his fugitives came in or rather went out under Archbishop Abbot Page 144. I shall begin with my selfe I had my Ordination from Bishop Dove he had his Consecration from Archbishop Whitgift and the Archbishop his from the undoubted successours of Saint Peter Doctor Heylin his Moderat Answer to Mr. Burton Page 72. Write If you have any other Pedegree as perhaps you have from Wickliffe Hus the Albigâ—enses and the rest which you use to boast of keepe it to your selfe non tali auxilio the Church of England hath not need of so poore a shift Page 68. The next thing that offends you and you clamour as if that they claime a visible and perpetuall succession down from St. Peter to Pope Gregory from him by Austin the Monk first Archbishop of Cant. unto his Grace now being and sic de caeteris That Gregory sent Austin into England to convert the Saxons and made him first Archbishop of the English is generally delivered by all our writers Finally that my Lord the Archbishop that now is is lineally descended in a most faire and constant tenor of succession you shall easily finde if you consult the learned labours of Master Francis Mason de Ministerio Anglicano The Papists would extreamely thank you and think you borne into the World for their speciall comfort could you but tell him how to disprove that lineall succession of our Prelates which is there laid dowe By Mountague his Gagge page 49. The Church hath ever beene visibe In England especially how can this fellow impute invisibility to us who claime and prove a succession 25. That Sunday is no Sabbath nor of divine institution that the strict sanctification of it is Iewish superstitious and Rabbinicall That May-games Wakes Revells Dancing Interludes with other sports and pastimes are not only lawfull but convenient and necessary thereon not to be restrained but incouraged and the Kings Declaration to that purpose most pious and Religious That two houres only of it viz. The time of publik service and sermons are to be kept holy and that the residue may be spent in Recreations or ordinary workes of our calling That the Lords day Sabbath was never heard of in the world till Dr. Bounds daies That the Sabbath is not morrall THis is the subject matter of many whole late printed Books against the morallity and strict observation of the Lords-day Sabbath wee shall instance only in some few beginning with Doctor Pocklington in his Sunday no Sabbath where thus he most scandalously and prophanely writes page 6. What shall wee think then of Knox and Whittingham and their
the word of Christ one example we have in this verse Bellarmine saith c. page 57. Ob. 3. Christ saith unto me is given all power therefore Antichrists imp Pererius saith the Pope hath power over Infidels And a little after Answ 2. all power is given to Christ therefore to the Pope is a blasphemous and Antichristian consequence displaying the Pope to his colours to be the Where in making himselfe or suffering himselfe to be made equall with Christ is obliterated Would not any Protestant admire such passages as these should be expurged to gratifie the Pope The Articles of Religion agreed upon by the Arch-bishops and Bishops and the rest of the Clergy of Ireland in Convocation holden at Dublin in the yeere of our Lord 1615. for the avoyding of diversities of opinions and the establishing of consent touching true Religion reprinted at London 1629. Artic. 78. 80. determined thus against the Pope THE power which the Bishop of Rome now challengeth to be the supreame head of the Universall Church of Christ and to be above all Emperours Kings and Princes is an usurped power contrary to the Scriptures and Word of God and contrary to the example of the Primitive Church and therefore is for just causes taken away and abolished within the Kings Majesties Realmes and Dominions The Bishop of Rome is so farre from being the Supreame Head of the Universall Church of Christ that his works and doctrine doe plainly discover him to be that Man of sin foretold in the holy Scriptures whom the Lord skall consume with the spirit of his mouth and abolish with the brightnesse of his comming These Articles were so displeasing to the Arch-bishop together with some others against Arminians that in the yeere 1634. this whole book of Articles was revoked suppressed by Parliament in Ireland through his procurement then which strange act there could not be a more apparent undermining of the Protestant Religion In the yeer 1634. there were at the speciall request of the Queen of Bohemia Letters Patents granted to Master Rulie a Palatinate Minister for a collection throughout 〈…〉 of the poore Ministers of the Palatinate in which Patent there was this notable â— clause inserted relating to their Religion and sufferings Whose cases are the more to be deplored for that this extremity is fallen 〈◊〉 them for their 〈…〉 constancy to the true Religion which we together with them doe professe and 〈◊〉 we are all bound in conscience to maintaine to the utmost of our powers whereas these relations and godly persons being involved amongst many others their couâ—trymen in 〈◊〉 common calamity might have enjoyed their estates and fortunes if with other back-sliders in the times of tryall they would have submitted themselves to the ANTICHRISTIAN YOKE and have renounced or dissembled the profession of the true Religion The very same formall words were used in former Patents of collections for them in King James his Reign and in the Patent dated the 29. of Jan. in the third yeere of King Charles his Reign by which this Patent was drawn The Arch-bishop perusing this Patent brought to him by Master Rulie after it had passed the Seale grew extreamly cholerick at it rated Master Ruly who pleaded ignorance of the customes of England and that the Patent was drawne by the Kings Atturney according to former presidents without any directions from himselfe who was a meer stranger chid him very sharply threatned to suppresse the whole collection detained the Patent under seale and carrying it the next day to the Court complained of it to the King checked the Lord Keeper and Secretary Cooke for letting such a clause passe in the Patent who justified themselves by former presidents by which they were guided and by his violence wholly cancelled the Patent after it was sealed then caused a new Patent to be drawne wherein this former clause was omitted the King telling the Lord Keeper that the Arch-bishop would have it altered and therefore it must be done which thereupon was done occordingly Now the cause of all this stirre and anger of his Grace-ship against this clause was onely because it stiled those of the Palatinate professors of the true Religion c. and tacitely censured the Pope as Antichrist in this latter clause Where as these religious and godly persons might have enjoyed their estates and fortunes if with other back-sliders in the times of tryall they would have submitted themselves to the Antichristian Yoke and renounced or dissembled the profession of the true Religion As was punctually attested upon oath by Master Wakerly and Master Hartlib Of which more fully hereafter Now that all the forementioned purgations of passages against the Pope and his being Antichrist proceeded originally from the Archbi himselfe without any other motive but his own inherent affection to his Holinesse and the Roman party we shall most apparently evidence to all the world by a Letter of his to Dr. Hall the Bishop of Exeter signed with his owne hand and Bishop Hal's answer thereunto the Originals of which Letters Master Prynne seized in his Study at Lambeth and attested at the Lords Barre where they were both acknowledged and read in these ensuing tearmes My very good Lord I Have received your Lordships Letters of Decemb. 6. 23. and with them the copy of your Book and in them a paper of short propositions which you think and so doe I is fitter for the attestation of divers hands then the book it selfe These propsitions shall be well weighed against the time of Convocation which I conceive will be a fit time to take other Bishops attestation without further noyse or trouble For your book I first thanke you very heartily for your paines and next more then heartily were it possible for your noble and free submission of it not onely to many eyes and judgements but also in the maine to be ordered and after that prest or supprest as it shall be thought fit here Which care or conscience would men use which set out books we should not have so much froth and vanity in the world as now 't is full of But whereas you writ First that the Booke grew into greater length under your pen them you expected I cannot be sorry for that since that which you have added concerning Parker Anti-Tilenus and Vedelius seems to me very necessary Secondly that you are pleased to subject the work to me and to interpret it that you meant not personally to me because I could not have time for other great occasions to revise it but by way of desputation These are to let you know that were my occasions greater then they are I would not suffer a book of that Argument and in these times to passe without my owne particular View And therefore my Lord these may tell you that both my Chaplaines have read over your book and that since them I have read it over my selfe very carefully every line of it and I have now put it into
told him he was the most odious man at Rome of any or of any that had sate in that Sea The Arch-bishop then averred that he used these speeches to him at dinner at Lambeth at a time when Auditor Phillips was there who demanded of Sir Henry whether he saw the Pope when he was at Rome and what manner of man he was Who replied that he saw him in his Garden out of a window riding a great horse in a morning and that he was very like the Auditor Sir Henry confessed this discourse with the Auditor but absolutely denied he ever said he was the most odious man at Rome of any c. and desired him to prove it Wherupon the Archbishop asked of his Secretary Dell whether he did not heare Sir Henry tell him so much at dinner Who answered that he did not heare him say so but that his Grace told him after dinner that he said so which Sir Henry peremptorily denied After which Sir Henry being demanded by Master Serjeant Wild who they were that spake against the Arch-bishop who for him and what he conceived to be the cause why some spake thus against him others in his behalf He answered that there were two factions in Rome one of the Jesuits some of these disliked the Arch-bishop and spake against him because they conceived he aimed at too great an Ecclesiasticall power in these Kingdomes for himself The other was of the Secular Priests who all spake very well of him and commended him because he carried himselfe in such sort in the government of our Church as to draw it neerer unto the Church of Rome and shewed himselfe favourable to their party Whereupon the Arch-bishop said that Sir Henry never told him this before Who answered it was true and the reason was because he never demanded of him any such Question but now he was demanded the Question upon his Oath and therefore he must speak the truth At which passage most of the Auditory smiled and the Committee of Commons who managed the Evidence thanked the Arch-bishop for this good testimony on his behalfe desiring him to furnish them with some more such witnesses Adding that seeing Sir Henry was but a single witnesse in this case and so perhaps the Arch-bishop would evade his testimony though produced by himselfe and since he had given them this occasion to examine what opinion the Priests and Jesuits had of him at Rome they therefore humbly desired that they might now produce the testimonies of some other Gentlemen of note who had been at Rome as well as S. Hen. could give as good or better an account of his credit there as he had done Whereupon they poduced Captain Authony Mildmay brother to Sir Henry to testifie his knowledge in this particular who deposed at the Bar upon oath That he was at Rome at the time when Con the Popes Nuncio was to come over into Eng. as Nuncio who then enquired of him concerning the infirmities and age of Arch-bishop Abbot and thereupon said Bishop Laud who is to succeed him will be more favourable to us then he hath been That there were two great factions in Rome one of the Jesuits another of the Secular Priests that the Jesuits faction did not like the Archb. because he usurped too much Ecclesiasticall power to himself and endeavoured to make himselfe a Patriarke over all his Majesties Kingdomes but the Secular Priests and their faction loved and spake very well of him because they said they knew him to be their friend and that he had a designe to bring the Popish Religion into England That Father Fitton and Father John told him that there was a designe to reconcile England to the Church of Rome that Bishop Laud was the chiefe instrument in it that other English Bishops did joyne with him in the designe and that he should find that there should be none preferred in the Court but such as were Papists or affected to popery That Father Fitton being the generall agent for the Secular Priests had extraordinary good intelligence from England and that Master Walter Mountague when he was at Rome lay at his house that Father John was the generall agent at Rome for the Benedictines and that Father Talbot a Jesuit had told him as much as these two had done concerning Bishop Laud who yet spake somewhat ill of him because said he he intends to make himselfe a Patriark of all the Kings Dominions out of his pride which he said would eclipse the Popes authority and therefore he said he was condemned at Rome by their party the Jesuits for this particular although otherwise he was a great favourer of their Religion This testimony even from Rome it selfe is very full and punctuall to our purpose that there was no difference at all between the Secular Priests and the Archbishop nor yet between the Jesuits and him but only this that he out of his ambition would like his Predecessor Anselme be Papa alterius orbis the Pope or Patriark of our other world and of the Kings Dominions which the titles of Sanctitatis Vestrae Sanctissime Pater attributed to him by the University of Oxford and Master Croxton made them jealous of which the Jesuits could not well brook at Rome But to make this more cleer we shall adde one witnesse more who hath been often times at Rome and spent divers yeers among papists in foraigne parts and that is one Master Thomas Challoner a Gentleman of quality who thereupon being sworn gave in this following testimony viva voce upon oath which he set downe under his owne hand MY LORDS TOuching the Arch-bishop of Canterbury I can say little in particular but in generall thus First that for these fourteen or fifteen yeers last past it hath been my fortune divers and sundry times to be in France Flanders Holland and Italy where very often happening into the company of Lawyers priests and men of the long Robe I found them alwayes very forward in their discourse of England and of the great hopes they had to see it suddenly reduced to the catholike faith that they had many great parsons in England who were secretly of their religion and in particular the Arch-bishop whom they avowed to be wholly theirs a good Roman Catholike a politike propagator of the Roman faith by minutes and degrees wherein he used great subtilty and craft which they called wisdom and that both he and others would openly declare themselves so to be in time convenient beseeching God the blessed Virgin to prosper his designes And this is so notorious as I beleeve no man of any experience in foraigne parts who hath had an eare to hear or a tongue and heart to speak the truth but hath heard the same often re-iterated and will attest it Yet upon what foundation these opinions should be built I am not precisely able to determine Secondly that eleven or twelve yeers since I being at Bruxels in Brabant
Master Pryme IF you heare Fa. Francis his Booke or person touched let them know that we understand assuredly that it proceeds from the Jesuits most likely also by this last Letter of Mr. Midleton to the Archbishop who imploy others in it as they did against Father Leanded till it cost him his life and if that upon their informations they proceed against such persons who THOUGH IN ALL THINGS CATHOLIKE yet are more discrect and temperate and not intermedling in matters of State THE KING WILL BE MUCH OFFENDED Thus much for this Book of Sancta Clara and the Author of it The fifth Evidence we shall pitch upon to prove a designe to reconcile and reduce us back to Rome is the Popes and his Agents promises tenders of Cardinals Caps and Places to some prime English men and to this Archbishop himselfe in particular the end whereof could be no other but to enthrall us againe to the superstitious jurisdiction of the Papall See The first proffer we find of a Cardinals Cap made to any English Prelat since the Reformation was to this Archbishop who thus records the time and manner thereof with his owne hand in his Diary Aug. 4. 1633. Sunday news came to Court of the Lord Archbishop of Canterburies death and the King RESOLVED PRESENTLY to give it me which he did Aug. 6. That very morning at Greenwich there came one to me seriously and THAT AVOWED ABILITY TO PERFORME IT AND OFFERED ME TO BE A CARDINALL I went presently to the King and acquainted him both with the thing and person It is very considerable that Master Anthony Mildmay deposed that Con the Popes Nuncio told him at Rome before Archbishop Abbots death that Bishop Laud should succeed him and that he would be more favourable to the Catholikes then Abbot By which it appeares that Bishop Laud was long before Abbots death designed to the place if not at the solicitation yet at least by the approbation of the Roman party No sooner comes newes to Court of Archbishop Abbots death but the King presently resolves that Bishop Laud should succeed him and no sooner is this known at Court but that very morning as himselfe records he is thus seriously offered to be a Cardinall by one who avowed ability to performe it and that at Greenwich in the Kings own Court. Who it was that made this offer were worth the discovery but this mystery he couceales The Plot against the King discovered to him by Habernfield informes us That Con the Popes Nuncio had a command to offer A CARDINALS CAP TO THE ARCHBISHOP in the name of the Pope of Rome and that he should allure him also with greater promises but this first offer was before Con's arrivall here Were the person an English Subject of what rank soever this proffer of his to to revive this popish dignity of a Cardinall among us and to receive it from the Popes exploded forraigue power which drew Cardinall Woolsey into a Premunire if not under the guilt of high Treason though this honour was procured him not only by King Henry the 8th his assent but solicitation deserved the severest exemplary punishment especially since it tended to engage the Primate and Metropolitan of all England most obliged by his place and office against all Popish power offices superstitious doctrines to submit unto them and become the Popes sworne vassall If the Popes owne Nuncio Panzani which is probable or any other forraigne Agent the affront had been so great both to the Archbishops person place had he been cordial to our Church our Religion being both a Privy Counsellour the Kings grand favorite and he who steard our Churches helm to the honour of our Church Religion of the King himselfe and his Royall Court that it could not patiently be put up or pretermitted without some eminent satisfaction But be the person one or other certaine it is he was never once questioned or molested by the Archbishop for this proffer who took it so well at the parties hands or rejected it so coldly that on the 17. day of the same Moneth he had a second serious offer made to him of the selfe-same dignity most probably by the same person which himselfe thus Registreth in his Diary Aug. 17. 1633. Saturday I had A SERIOUS OFFER MADE ME AGAIN TO BE A CARDINALL I was then from Court but so soon as I came thither which was August 21 I acquainted his Majesty with it But my answer againe was that somewhat dwelt within me which would not suffer that till Rome were other then it is What it was that dwelt within him which made him not absolutely but for the present only to refuse this offer till Rome was other then it is we may learn from Sir Hen. Mildmay's Mr. Anth. Mildmay's Mr. Challoner's depositions forementioned and his owne Reply to Fisher pag. 171. to wit an ambitious Papall spirit he would like his worthy Predecessor Saint Anselme so he stiles him be both in Title and Jurisdiction Papa alterius Orbis Pope of our British world and Vniversall Patriarch of all the Churches within his Majesties Realmes and Dominions which Rome as it then was and the Jesuiticall party there as these witnesses have deposed distiked and would not suffer and for this cause onely he refused this dignity which would have more enthralled him to the Popes and Romes jurisdiction not to their Religion then his ambitious spirit could well brook This double serious proffer of a Romish Cardinalship to the Archbishop is an infallible Argument First that the Pope and his Conclave at Rome had an extraordinary good opinion of his favour his good affection to Popery and their Antichristian Church else they would not have profered him such a dignity incompatible to any Protestant English Prelat Secondly that they deemed him the aptest activest Instrument to reconcile and re-unite us to Rome of all other in respect of his favour at Court power with the King and inclination to Popery as Sir Henry Mildmay Master Anthony Mildmay Master Challoner have attested therefore they would honour him with a Cardinals Hat to the end that as his Predecessor Cardinall Poole Archbishop of Canterbury the last English Cardinall of any of our Prelats reconciled our revolted Kingdom to Rome in Queen Maries dayes as appeareth at large by the Statute of 1. 2. Phil. Mary ch 8. So he invested with the same Papall dignity and fitting in the self-same See might once more as easily reduce us to the bosome of the Roman Church in the dayes of this Queen Mary as Popish as the former as he did then As this Archbishop so Master Walter Mountague not long after had good hopes given him at Rome to be made a Cardinal as the Archbishop himself was informed by Mr. Middleton's forecited Letter which dignity he should have lately received thence had he not been imprisoned if Sir Kenelme Digbies Letter may be credited to help on this work
actions meerly civil before the Magistrate coÌ„trary to the received customs of this kingdom from the first conversion of this Nation they protest that in so doing be exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergie contrary unto the Canons of the Church and the Laws and Statutes of this Kingdome c. Most Illustrious Lords and Reverend Fathers in Christ the aforesaid Priests doe complain that the Illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin Thomas Flemming of the Order of Saint Francis is accustomed to answer the Clergy complaining of their grievances to him If I doe you wrong you may goe to Rome to complaine In the meane time reporting himselfe so powerfull in the Court of Rome that be feares no adversary And of this that reverend Priest Father Patrick Caâ—ill Doctor of Divinity had experience who for a yeere treating of his injuries and grievances done unto himby the Arch-bishop of Dublin could by no meanes prevaile once to be admitted to the presence and audience of the most eminent Cardinall Ludovifius Vice-Chancellour of Rome which Cardinall notwithstanding is given by his Holinesse unto the Irish at the only Patron and Protector of the Irish Nation These things we may remember with griefe but amend them we cannot but we professe before Almighty God his Holinesse and all faithfull people that this is nothing else but to tyrannize over the Clergie to the dishonour of the Church and no small contempt to the See Apostolick For which and other causes besides to be alleaged and in their due time and place to be proved against the above named Thomas Flemming of the Order of Saint Francis we the aforesaid Priests and hereafter to be named doe set before your eyes most Illustrious and reverend Lords these our grievances as meet and honourable witnesses of this our deed writing and publike instrument and as far as is possible and lawfull for us by the Canons of holy Church declining the jurisdiction of our aforesaid Ordinary by this our present writing and from this time forth we appeale unto the See Apostolicke from all Ecclesiasticall censures hereafter to be inflicted upon us by the same Illustrious Arch-bishop Thomas Flemming of the Order of Saint Francis and in the meane time providing for our innocency and safety according to the example of Saint Paul and Saint Athanasius we doe invocate the ayde of the secular arme for our present remedy against the aforesaid Illustrious Arch-bishop Thomas Flemming of the Order of Saint Francis and all Regulars of what Order soever as well Monks as begging Fryars Abettars Counsellours and Participants with him in the premises as violators and contemners of all Lawes divine and humane and men by the Law excommuicate Humbly beseeching your Lordships in the bowels of the Crucified that you would be pleased to intimate with as much speed as may be this our Protestation and Appeale unto the See Apostolick and the God of peace and love long preserve your Reverend Lordships in safety Dated at Dublin May the third in the yeer of our Lord 1632. Peter Caddell Doctor of Divinity Paul Harris pr. Deacon of the University of Dublin From which Protestation we may observe these considerable particulars First that the Papists in Ireland had their owne popish Archbishops Bishops and a Vicar Apostolicall residing then amongst them as the title and body of this Protestation manifests Secondly that their Archbishop Flemming had a popish Clergy under him in his Province and did exceedingly tyrannize over them usurping jurisdiction even in temporall causes and over the Kings own Courts among the Catholikes of Ireland Thirdly that the popish Bishops in Ireland did usually conferre Orders and exercise all Episcopall jurisdiction there Fourthly that they had a speciall Cardinall at Rome Ludovifius given by the Pope unto the Irish as the onely Patron and Protector of the Irish Nation Fifthly that they were grown extraordinary bold and insolent there so as they openly published this their Protestation and Appeal in print both in Latin and English to all the world and avowed it under their hands subscribed to it Sixthly that they had then erected a popish University in Dublin it self of which Paul Harris professeth himself Deacon or Dean as Bishop Beadle stiles him even in print This Prelat though he knew all this yet for ought we find he never took any severe course at all to prevent the encrease and insolencies of the popish Prelats Priests Fryars Papists there but rather to foment them For first he promoted and sent over divers superstitious popish Clergy-men thither as young Mr. Croxton Doctor Bramball his principall Agent and Informer Chaplain to the Lord Deputy Master Chapple and others who set up sundry popish innovations and brcohed popish Doctrines there to the great encouragement of the Papists Secondly he sent over the Lord Wentworth his grand instrument and confederace to be Lord Deputy of that Kingdome who extraordinarily favoured the popish party there and at last proceeded so far as to make use of them even in Parliament to ballance the Protestants the better to conquer and enslave that Kingdome even by Parliaments witnesse this remarkable clause in A Duplicate of a Dispatch of this Lord Deputies to his Majesty Jan. 22. 1633. with this subscription For my Lords Grace of Canterbury found in his private Study at Lambeth thus endorsed with his own hand Rec. Mar. 2. 1633. Comp. Ang. Reasons for the present calling of a Parliament in Ireland Where thus he writes concerning the Parliament then intended to be there called I Shall endeavoour that the lower House may be so composed as that neither the Recusants nor yet the Protestants shall appear considerably more one then the other holding them as much as may be upon an equall ballance for they will prove thus easier to govern then if either party were absolute Then would I in private discourse shew the Recusant That the contribution ending in December next if your Majesties Army were not imployed some other way before the twelve pence a Sunday must of necessity be exacted upon them Shew the Protestant that your Majesty must not let goe the 20000li. contribution nor yet discontent the other in matter of Religion till the Army were some way else certainly provided for and convince them both that the present quarterly paiments are not so burthensome as they pretended them to be And that by the graces they have had already more benefit then their mony came to Thus poising one by the other which single might perchance prove more unhappy to deal with With this Machiavillian policy he then acquainted this Archbishop and acaccordingly pursued it which what desperate effects it hath of late produced in that Kingdom by making the Irish Papists able to over-master and almost extirpate the English-Irish Protestants and their Religion there we now experimentally feel to our greatest grief and danger Neither did the Archbishop only approve this hellish policy of the Lord Deputy but likewise in the late Scottish
Prince and Bishop of Conchen when in Spaine the Articles of the Duke of Buckingham against the Lord Digby and the Lord Digbies against him in full Parliament Anno 1626. To which they Object I was privy because I was Confessor to the Duke and his Cabinet Counsell at that time and because my Letter to Bishop Hall my owne Diary and Letters to and from the Duke whiles in Spaine with the Note in my Masse Booke discover and confirme it Secondly by the French Match with the Queen promoted purposely to usher in Popery and to reconcile us unto Rome to which they Object I was privy and assistant as my Letters to the Duke my intimacy and compliance with the Queen my inhibitng Ministers to pray and punishing them for praying for the Queens conversion my censuring of Master How for praying That the young Prince might not be brought up in Popery with my magnifying of Queen Maries dayes and depressing King Edwards and Queen Elizabeths demonstrate Secondly by sundry particular instances as First Ludovicus a Sancta Maria his Conclusiones Theologicae Secondly the Plot discovered to me by Haberufield Thirdly the Dedicating of Fastidius his Works to the King by Cardinall Barbarino Fourthly Sancta Clara his Deus Natura Gratia writ of purpose to reconcile us to Rome with which I was acquainted and maintained the Author of it Saint Giles a most dangerous seducing Priest in the University of Oxford Fifthly the proffers of Cardinalships to English men and twice to my selfe Sixthly the strange encrease and proceedings of Papists Priests Jesuits and the Popish Hierarchy in Ireland to which I was privy yet denied it and incensed the King against the Commons for complaining of it Seventhly the Popes sending of divers Nuncioes successively into England where they resided and were publickly entertained with our reciprocall sending and maintaining Agents at Rome to work a Reducement of us back to that Antichristian See To this I answer First that I was neither the Author nor Fomenter of the Spanish Match nor of the Kings Voyage into Spaine which was charged on the Duke and the Lord Dighy It is true my Lord Duke was pleased to enter into a neer familiarity with me and to make me his Confessor and that I writ Letters to him into Spaine and received Letters from him thence but this proves not that I was privy to that Plot as for the Popes Letters to the Prince and the Bishop of Conchen in Spaine to pervert him in his Religion they are nothing to me and my Letter to Bishop Hall was many yeers after that Match broken off Secondly there is no proofe of my furthering the Match with France or that the end of it was to reduce us back to Rome the respects and services I did for the Queen were no more then in civility and duty I ought to performe out of the duty I bare to the King my Master whose Consort and Wife she is her gracious favour towards me proceeded only from her owne gracious disposition not from my deserts or seeking and I had no reason to reject it because it would be a meanes for me to work the more effectually upon her Majesty For my giving Order in my Metropolitical Visitation to my Visitor to inhibit Ministers to pray for the Queens conversion or questioning any for praying for it I absolutely deny it and for Master How he was justly censured for his prayer it being scandalous to his Majesty in questioning his care of the Princes education in the true Religion and infusing jealousies into the peoples heads of his education in Popery and inclination to it As for my pretended magnifying of Queene Maries dayes and depressing of King Edwards and Queene Elizabeths in the Preface to the OXFORD STATUTES I answer that that Preface is none of mine nor proved to be so and if it were yet the words relate to the State and Statutes of the Vniversity of Oxford only in their dayes not of our Church and Religion Secondly to the particular Instances I answer that the first second and third of them concerne not me I was neither the cause nor author of nor privy to them nor could I hinder them and the second of them is a strong evidence for me For the fourth of them Sancta Clara his Book it was printed at Lyons not at London and Saint Giles was not the Author of it but another Fryar I had no hand in it nor was privy to it yet it was disliked by many of the Papists because it gave much advantage to our Church and Religion For his being at Oxford it was much against my will by the Kings speciall Warrant for which I have his hand and I maintained him not there but the King To the fifth the proffer of Cardinals Caps to others is nothing to me and for the offer of a Cardinalship to my selfe two severall times as I could not hinder the offers so I rejected them and acquainted the King both with the person and thing which is all I could doe expressing the cause of my refusall thereof to be That something dwelt within me that would not suffer that till Rome were other then it is as appeares by my owne Diary The strongest Evidence that can be to acquit me from any compliancy with Rome To the sixth I answer that the encrease and proceedings of the Papists in Ireland mentioned in the Objected Letters and Papers are nothing to me I was not the cause nor author thereof the Monasteries and Nuâ—meries mentioned in them were but poor little houses My answer to the CoÌ„mons Remonstrance was penned by the Kings speciall command as appears by the endorsment I knew not of these Irish papers nor of the encrease of popery there wheÌ„ I returned an answer to the Remonstr An. 1628. these Proclamations letters papers being dated since that time for the Deputies letters they are nothing to me I could not hinder the writing and directing of them to me and himselfe hath already been impeached condemned for his Actions for which I am not to answer To the seventh I say it was not in my power to hinder the Popes sending his Nuncioes hither which the King condiscended to upon the Queens earnest desire to accommodate and satisfie her Majesty in some things which concerned her in her Religion For the Agents sent and residing in Rome they were hers not mine sent thither by her Majesty without my privity and against my liking To this was replied First that the forementioned Evidence fully demonstrats that the Archbishop was both privy consenting assisting to the Spanish Match Voyage and to the very Instructions given to the Prince before he went into Spaine how he ought to satisfie the Pope about King James his proving him to be the Antichrist in his publique writings therefore the Popes Letter to the Prince and Bishop of Conehen to pervert the Prince in his Religion with the Dukes and Lord Digbies attempts there to
Jan. 10. Les plus Grands du Berray rapporterent au Roy qu'il troubloit le repose du publie qu'il S'emparoit contre toute la Justice de son domaine c. Il depublia la Bulledecernee par le Pape pour faire la guerre aux Albegiois auec tant de zele de fruict que plusieurs a sa parole S'y croâ—serent courageusement La guâ—rre eut une issue houreuse car les Heretiques furent tellement deconfits qu'ils ne purrent depuis seremetter on campagne c. Ribadeniera Flures des Vies des Saincts p. 124. Note Note * Page 14. 15. 25. Note * See the Kings Cabinet opened * Officium Beatae Mariae secundum Vsum Sarum Paristis 1919. p. 12. Bishop Jewels Defence of the Apology part 2. c. 18. Divis 1. p. 295. 296. Object 1. Answ 1. Object 2. Answ 1. Object 3. Answ * See his late Libell intituled Innocency and Truth Justified Answ 2. Note Note Note * See the Irish Cabinet * Note f Jer. 31. 23. c. 50. 7. g Deut. 33. 21. h Psal 82. 3. i Iohn Lilburn in his late Libels Englands Birth-right with others k Isa 59. 4. 9. 14 l I say 5. 7. m Eccl 3. 16. n Isa 1 21. o Ier. 9. 22. Ier. 9. 22. q 2 Sam. 8. 15. r Deut. 16. 18. 19. 20. a Plin. Nat. Hist lib. 10. c. 63. a See the Breviate of his Life p. 1. 2. 3. b Se his Conference with Fisher p. 171. A necessary Introduction to his Tryall p. 148. 149. c Annaliuâ—â— Pars posterior p. 680. b Claudian in Eutropium l. 1. p. 67. c Rerum Ang. licarum l. 4. c. 14. d 1 Tim. 3. â—ir 1. 7 8. * Ovid Metam l. 2. * See the Breviate of his life pag. 22. and Diurnall Occurrences pag. 13. and 14. the Commons Journall NOTE f Clandian in Rufinum I. 2. p. g Pag. 23. 24. Master Pyme Speech See the Charge of the Scottish Commissioners against Canterbury * Which Doctor Pierce Bishop of Bath and Wels in his speech to his Clergy to set on this contribution stiled Bellum Episcopale adding that what ever his Majesty had expressed in his Declarations to be the cause of this warre yet in truth this warre is FOR VS Bishops NOTE * NOTE NOTE * Therefore the fitter to make a Popish Priest Prelate Cardinall * He knew he could not have done them half the service by going over from hence to Rome as by staying here to promote their designes and that made him stay * In secular imployments inconsistent with not in preaching and paines in his Calling Note this impudent asseveration here abundantly refuted * In secular imployments inconsistent with not in preaching and paines in his Calling Note this impudent asseveration here abundantly refuted * Belike he was born a Popeling * It was onely by bringing Rome home to them or meeting them more then halfe way in their journey thither * A great Actor in the late Irish Rebellion against the Protestants * All know what a good Protestant he lived and died * Both desperate Apostate Papists Mr Chainels Sermon at his Funerall informe us how good a Protestant he lived and dyed * Cambdens Britannias p. 229. * Artit Orig. 7. Additionall 7. * Artit Orig. 210. 1. His Popish superstitious Innovations in Lambheth Chappell * Bishop Iewels his defence of the Apology of the Church of England 5. Part c. 5. Diuis 1. to 3 p. 551. c. Reply to Harding Artit 14. p. 496. to 518. Thomas Becons Reliques of Rome Catechisme on the second commandement Mr. Fox Acts Monuments vol. 1. p. 167. 168. 255. vol 2. p. 388. 389. 394. 658. 669. 409. 410. vol 3. p. 992. to 993. with infinit others * Bochellus Decreta Ecclesiae Gallicanae lib. 4. Tit. 1. c. 80. p. 556. 557 NOTE * See Ribadeniera Flevers des vies des Sainctes pars â—ap 104. Apres Compline et Matines il visi oit tous les Rutols de 〈…〉 Eglile faisant a chacun vne Prostration et reverence * Apud Bochellum Decreta Eccles Gal. l. 4 Tit. 1. c. 81. p. 558. Salamantinae 1588. 8. 9. 21. * See the Archbishops speech in Star chamber p. 47. 48 49. * De Hey Iyns Cole from the Altar and Antidonum Lincolniense Dr. Pocklington Reeue Shelford and others * See Lame Giles his Haultings Anti-Armianisme p. 191 Appendix and Queeres concerning Bowing at the name of Iesus * Laurentius Surius concil Tom. 3 p. 6. 741. 810. * Platina in vita ejus Volateran Thomas Beacons Reliques of Rome ch Of the Ornaments of the Church Of plain-song Prick-song Organs and singing in Churches Histriomastix p. 283. to 287. * See A Necessary Introduction to his Tryall p. 15â— to 164. * Exod. 20 4 5 Lev. 26. 1. Deut 4. 14. to 25. 1. 5. 8 9. Isay 2. 20 c. 30. 27. c. 31. 7. c. 44. 9. c. Hoses 14. 8. Rom. 1. 23. 24 25. 1 Iohn 5. 21. 2. His Popish Innovations in his Majesties Chapell at White-Hall * Claudian His Popists Innovations at Westminster Abbey at his Majesties Coronation †See the Breviat of his life p. 7. †Page 69. 70. 9. 43. 78. 110. 157 162. 165. 4 His Popish Innovations in the Vniversities of Oxford and Cambridge * Dabis fidem ad observandum statuta istius Vniversitatis c. Statuta selectae Corpore statutum Vniversitatis Oxon Tit. 9. Sect. 6. Paragr 1. p. 114. * Acts and Monuments Edit 16. 40. â— vol. 3. p. 773. Edit 1610. p. 1781. His Popish Innovations in the Vniversity of Cambridge Object Answer * De summo Bono l. 2. c. 20. †Cicero de legibus l. 3. * Gratian distinct 86. * Foutes venero inficere est non tantum contra morem Majorum sed etiam contra fas Deorum Florus Historiae lib. 1. Grotius de Iure Belli lib. 3. c. 4. Sect. 16. p. 444. See 22. H. 8. c. 10. 5. His Popish Innovations and superstitions in Cathedrall Churches NOTE NOTE NOTE * This was then a grosse untruth for it then stood not so in any Cathedralls NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE * See Master Francis Rouse his printed Speech at the Transmission of Master Smarts cause to the Lords Innovations in Canterbury Cathedrall Innovations in VVinchester Cathedrall NOTE Innovations in Litchfield Cathedrall Innovations at Hereford NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE * A notorious untruth of an Arch-Prelate NOTE NOTE * Doctor Heylyns Antidotum Lincolniense pag. 37. 39. 65. c. his Coale from the Altar p. 26 27. with Pocklington Dow Reeve Shelford Bishop Pierce and others Innovations in Parish Churches Chappell 's The case of St. Gregories Church NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE 19. 20. 21. NOTE 22. NOTE 23. 24. 18. 19. 20. 21. 21. 22. 23. NOTE 24. NOTE NOTE Note Note
Prelates And that dissembling Potent Protestant Prelates Clergy-men are greater Enemies to the Protestant Religion for the most part then professed Papists 2 Thess 2. 4. 9 10 11 12. Revel 13. Matth. 24. 5. 11. 24. Acts 20. 22. 30. Iohn 6. 70 71. Fourthly That the foulest Practises Conspiracies against the Protestant Religion may be and usually are guilded over with the most specious pretences for its Advancement And therefore it concernes us alwayes to weigh and judge of men by their Actions not their Protestations Matth. 7. 15. Rev. 13. 2. to 18. Fifthly That the most hopefull designes the most successefull Plots Proceedings against the true Religion and Saints of God do alwayes prove abortive in conclusion and that the prevailing contrivances successes of many yeares travell in this kinde are usually by a divine over-ruling providence oft times like so many Cobwebs swept down dashed in pieces and wholy disappointed in a moment when they are nearest accomplishment in all humane probability Ps 73. 18 19 20. Psal 21. 11 12. Gen. 11. 3. c. Exod. 14. 19 to 31. Esay 8. 9. 10. Sixtly That God in his infinite wisedome and justice can turne all the Plots Coutrivances of wicked men to ruine his truth Church people to be the proper immediate instruments of their contrivers ruine He taketh the wise in their own craftinesse c. Job 5. 12 13 14. and to the advancement of his Gospel Cause people as he did in the cases of Ioseph and Mordecay Seventhly That great Ecclesiasticall or temporall Preferments and Court Favours seldome make men better but worser then before Deut. 6. 10 11 12. c. 8. 10. 19. 2 Chron. 26. 16. c. 31. 25 26. Eightly That those who are Superstitious or Presumptuous in their life time are seldome penitent but for the most part obstinate senslesse or desperate at their deaths and have commonly a greater care to support their crackt credits by justifying or denying their evill actions then to save their souls by confessing or bewailing their guilt This was the condition of this Arch-Prelate who lived to survive and behold the downfall of all his Popish Plots Innovations Superstitions Canons the High Commission and Prelacy it selfe the grand Idolls he endeavoured to set up and perpetuate among us Yet all the Superstitions Idolatries Romish Errors Tyrannous oppressions he had maintained practised in his life he most obstinately justified without the least remorse or acknowledgment of guilt of error both at his Tryall and Death Yea though he were so conscious to himselfe of all the crimes wherewith he was charged that he procured a Pardon from Oxford under the Kings own hand and great Seale soon after the beginning of his Tryall which made him so bold so peremptory at the Barr yet lest it should imply or argue a guiltinesse in him he chose rather to conceal this Pardon and stand upon his plenary justification till after his condemnation then produce or plead it not sending it to your Honors till he was ordered to be hanged at Tyburne upon which occasion he acquainted both Houses with it to deprecate and exchange that punishment for a more Honourable kind of execution on the Scaffold at Tower hill where his head was chopped off instead of a Hanging at Tyburne And although all ingenious men would have imagined that the blood of the many Soules he had starved seduced destroyed all his time by suppressing preaching suspending silencing censuring banishing godly Ministers Lecturers without any reall Cause pressing the Booke of Sports introducing Popish Arminian Soul-destroying Errors Superstitions Innovations Prophanations with the blood of the bodies of divers thousands shed in England Scotland Ireland by our unhappy Warrs originally occasioned and stirred up by him might have been prevalent enough to relent his Adamantine heart and draw forth teares of repentance of compunction from his eyes and soule yet such was his desperate Obstinacy Impenitency on the scaffold that he never so much as confessed or bewayled at his death these bloody crimes nor any of those Trayterous Offences for which he was justly condemned but with a brow of brasse and heart of stone impudently justified his Innocency nay Crimes to the utmost without demanding Pardon of them from God or Man though he tooke this ensuing Pardon from the King a sufficient evidence of his guilt which I have Verbatim transcribed out of the Originall passed under the Great Seale at Oxford CHARLES R. CAROLVS dei gratia Angliae Scotiae Franciae Hiberniae Rex fidei Defensor c. Omnibus ad quos praesentes Literae pervenerint salutem Sciatis quod Nos pietate moti de gratia Nostra speciali ac ex certa scientia mero motu Nostris Pardonavimus remisimus relaxavimus ac per praesentes Nobis Haeredibus Successoribus Nostris pardonamus remittimus relaxamus Willielmo Laud Clerico Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi seu quocunque alio nomine cognomine titulo cognitione sive additione nominis artis loci vel locorum praefatus Williamus Laud censetur vocetur nuncupetur sive cognoscatur aut nuper aut ante hac censebatur nuncupabatur sive cognitus fuit Omnes omnimodas PRODITIONES tam majores quam minores crimina lesae Majestatis quaecunque omnes omnimodas Misprisiones et concelamenta Proditionum quarumcunque per praefatum Willielmum Laud solum vel cum aliquo alio sive aliquibus aliis qualicunque aut vbicunque aut in aliquo modo vel in tempore factus perpetratas vel commissas nec non omnes omnimodas Felonias quascunque tam per vel contra Communem Legem Regni Nostri quam per vel contra quaecunque Statuta Actus Ordinationes sive Provisiones ejusdem Regni Nostri et accessaria quarumcunque Feloniarum fugam fugas superinde factas nec non omnes omnimodias Subvertiones enervationes Legum et omnes omnimodas Conspirationes Confederationes Consilia Auisamenta Offensas alia malefacta quecunque per praefatum Willielmum Laud solum vel cum aliquo alio sive aliquibus aliis in Subuertione aut enervatione Legum aut assumendo Regalem Potestatem aut AuthoritateÌ„ aliqualiter aut vbicunque aut in aliquo modo aut tempore habita facta daâ—a commissa aut perpetrata nec non omnes omnimodas Offensas Crimina Transgressiones alia malefacta quaecunque de Praemunire aut communiter vocata aut cognita per nomen de Praemunire aut pro quo vel pro quibus judicium executio paena aut foristactura in casu de Praemunire sive per aliquod Statutum de Provisoribus factum editum reddenda exequenda infligenda aut incurrenda sunt aut essent aut fuerint per praefatum Willielmum Laud solum vel cum aliquo alio sive aliquibus aliis vbicunque aut in aliquo modo aut tempore perpetrata facta aut commissa et accessaria praedictarum Offensarum Criminum Transgressionum
of that Court caused Execution upon the satd Judgment to be stayed and being moved therein and made acquainted with the bad life and conversation of the said Person he said that he had spoken to the Judges for him and that he would never suffer a Iudgment to passe against any Clergy-man by nihil dicit 5. That the said Archbishop about eight yeares last past being then also a privy Councellor to his Majesty for the end and purpose aforesaid caused Sir Iohn Corbet of Stoak in the County of Salop Baronet then a Iustice of peace of the said County to be committed to the Prison of the Fleet where he continued Prisoner for the space of halfe a yeare or more for no other cause but for calling for the Petition of Right causing it to be read at the Sessions of the peace for that County upon a just and necessary occasion And during the time of his said imprisonment the said Archbishop without any colour of right by a writing under the Seale of his Archbishopricke granted a way parcell of the Glebe land of the Church of Adderly in the said County whereof the said Sir Iohn Corbet was then patron unto Robert Vscount Kilmurrey without the consent of the said Sir Iohn or then the incumbent of the said Church which said Viscount Kilmurrey built a Chappel upon the said parcell of Glebe land to the great prejudice of the said Sir Iohn Corbet which hath caused great suits and dissentions betweene them And whereas the said Sir Iohn Corbet had a judgment against Sir Iames Stonehouse Knight in an action of Waste in his Majesties Court of Common Pleas at Westminster which was afterwards affirmed in a writ of Error in the Kings Bench and Execution thereupon awarded yet the said Sir Iohn by meanes of the said Archbishop could not have the effect thereof but was committed to Prison by the said Archbishop and others at the Councell Table untill he had submitted himselfe unto the order of the said Table whereby he lost the benefit of the said Judgment and Execution 6. That whereas divers gifts and dispositions of divers summes of money were heretofore made by divers charitable and well disposed persons for the buying in of divers Impropriations for the maintenance of preaching the word of God in severall Churches the said Archbishop about eight yeares last past wilfully and maliciously caused the said gifts feoffements and conveyances made to the uses aforefaid to be overthrowne in his Majesties Court of Exchequer contrary to Law as things dangerous to the Church and State under the specious pretence of buying in Appropriations whereby that pious worke was suppressed and trodden downe to the great dishonour of God and scandall of Religion 7. That the said Archbishop at severall times within these ten yeares last past at Westminster and else where within this Realme contrary to the knowne Lawes of this Land hath endeavoured to advance Popery and Superstition within the Realme And for that end and purpose hath wittingly and willingly received harboured and relieved divers popish Priests and Iesuits namely one called Sancta Clara alias Damport a dangerous Person and Franciscan Fryer who having written a Popish and seditious Booke intituled Deus natura gratia wherein the thirty nine Articles of the Church of England established by Act of Parliament were much traduced and scandalized The said Archbishop had divers conferences with him while he was in writing the said Booke and did also provide maintenance and entertainment for one Mounsieur St. Giles a Popish Priest at Oxford knowing him to be a Popish Priest 8. That the said Archbishop about foure yeares last past ut Westminster aforesaid said that there must be a blow given to the Church such as hath not beene yet given before it could be brought to conformity declaring thereby his intention to bee to shake and alter the true Protestant Religion established in the Church of England 9. That in or about the month of May 1641. presently after the dissolution of the last Parliament the said Archbishop for the ends and purposes aforesaid caused a Synod or Convocation of the Clergie to be held for the severall Provinces of Canterbury and Yorke wherein were made and established by his meanes and procurement diverse Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiasticall contrary to the Lawes of this Realme the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament the Liberty and propriety of the Subject tending also to seditior and of dangerous consequence And amongst other things the said Archbishop caused a most dangerous and illegall Oath to be therein made and contrived the tenor whereof followeth in these words That I A. B. doe sweare that I do approve the Doctrine and Discipline or Government established in the Church of England as containing all things necessary to salvation And that I will not endeavour by my selfe or any other directly or indirectly to bring in any Popish Doctrine contrary to that which is so established Nor will I ever give my consent to alter the Government of this Church by Archbishops Bishops Deanes and Arch-Deacons c. as it stands now established and as by right it ought to stand Nor yet ever to subject it to the usurpations and superstitions of the Sea of Rome And all these things I doe plainly and sincerely acknowledge and sweare according to the plaine and common sense and understanding of the same words without any equivocation or mentall evasion or secret reservation whatsoever And this I do heartily willing and truely upon the saith of a Christian So helpe mee God in Jesus Christ Which Oath the said Archbishop himselfe did take and caused diverse other Ministers of the Church to take the same upon paine of suspension and deprivation of their livings and other severe penalties And did also cause Godfrey then Bishop of Gloucester to be committed to prison for refusing to subscribe to the said Canons and to take the said Oath and afterward the said Bishop submitting himselfe to take the said Oath he was set at liberty 10. That a little before the calling of the last Parliament Anro 1640. a Vote being then passed and a resolution taken at the Councell Table by the advice of the said Archbishop for assisting of the King in extraordinary wayes if the said Parliament should prove peevish and refuse to supply His Majestie the said Archbishop wickedly and malitiously advised His Majestie to dissolve the said Parliament and accordingly the same was dissolved And presently after the said Archbishop told his Majesty that now he was absolved from all rules of Government and left free to use extraordinary wayes for his supply For all which matters and things the said Commons assembled in Parliament in the name of themselves and of all the Commons of England doe impeach the said Archbishop of Canterbury of high Treason and other crimes and misdemeanours tending to the subversion of our Religion Lawes and Liberties and to the utter ruine of this Church and Common-Wealth And
money too But howsoever his Lordship hath get a very full estate in that Kingdome and hee doth very wisely to fortifie it as well as hee can But besides these I have long since heard though you now mention it not that his Lordship hath done greater service to the Church in some other particulars as namely to the Bishoprick of Lismore and the Colledge of Yong-Hall for which it is great pitty but that his Lordships memory should bee preserved in the Church Thus I have given Your Grace a distinct answer to all the Particulars in Your Letter But for the Tombe which occasioned all the rest I will not take upon mee to judge unlesse I were upon the place how fitly or unfitly it stands there but shall wholly leave it to the view and resolution which shall thereupon bee taken in that place So I leave you to the Grace of God and rest Your Lordships very loving friend and Brother Will Cant. Lamb. March 1633. But some may perchance inquire what was the ground of this Archbishops introduction of these Innovations first of all into Cathedrall Churches Certainly one principall cause of this his method was to make these Mother Churches as he stiled them patterns of imitation for all Daughter Churches and Chapells within the the whole Diocesse that so the Proverbe in Ezech. 16. v. 44. 45. might be verified of them Behold every one tht useth Proverbes shall use this Proverbe against thee saying AS IS THE MOTHER SO IS HER DAVGHTER Thou art thy Mothers Daughter That this was one chiefe end of his to corrupt all Parish Churches and Chappell 's by these Cathedralls examples was infallibly manifested First by the very words of the Order made at the Councell Table at White Hall the third of November 1633 concerning the standing of the Communion Table in Saint Gregories Church neere Paules printed in Dr. Heylins Coale from the Altar and in his Antidotum Lincolniense Sect. 1. c. 2. p. 62. which order was thus printed by the Archbishops direction the chiefe stickler in the procuring and prime Clerke in the penning of it wherein it is positively resolved That all other Churches ought to be guided by the Cathedrall Mother Church whereon they depend and that the Communion Table in Saint Gregories Church removed from the middle of the Chancell to the upper end and there placed Altar-wise in such manner as it standeth in the Cathedrall and Mother Church of St. Paul should so continue that so there might be no difference betweene it and the said Cathedrall Mother Church Secondly by diverse bookes published in print by the Arch-Bishops speciall direction and app obation expresly averring That all Parochiall Churches ought to be guided by the patterne of the Mother Church upon the which they doe depend The Arch-Bishop himselfe in his discourses and these creatures of his in their Bookes applying and urging this leaden rule of theirs in particular for the rayling in of Communion Tables placing them Altarwise against the East end of the Quire and bowing unto them in all Parish Churches because this was done and practised in all Cathedrall Churches by vertue of his New Statutes and Injunctions though not in former times This foundation being layd in our Cathedralls for the like Popish Innovations in all Parochiall Churches wee shall in the next place prosecute this pursuite of his Innovations from our Cathedralls to Parochiall Churches and Chappell 's Wee shall begin with Saint Gregories Church neare Paules where the case was thus About tenne yeares since this Church was repaired by the Parishoners to their great cost at which time the Deane and Chapter of Pauls under whose jurisdiction it is caused the Picture of Saint Gregory to bee set up in the Church and the Communion Table to bee removed rayled about and set Altarwise against the East-end of the Chancell Whereupon Master Wyan and diverse of the Parishioners being offended at it appealed from the Deans and Chapters Order as being against Law to the Arches upon which by the Archbishops means an Order came from Secretary Windebank to call the Parishioners to the Councell Table concernning this Appeale the removing of the Table where they appeared at the appointed time with their Councell The King himselfe the Arch-Bishop and many of the Lords were then present where the businesse being debated before them the Archbishop stood up and with great earnestnesse more like an Advocate then Judge justified maintained this removing and rayling in the Table reading Queene Elizabeths Injunctions to warrant it but left out this most materiall clause that made quite against him Saving when the Communion of the Sacrament is to be administred at which time the same shall be so placed in good sort within the Chancell as whereby the Minister may bee more conveniently heard of the Communicants in his prayer and ministration and the Communicants also more conveniently and in greater number communicate with the said Minister And after the Communion done from time to time the said holy Table to be placed where it stood before The King said hee liked it well that the Table should stand as it used to do heretofore to which the Archbishop answered that if it stood so the Minister could not so well see who kneeled at the Sacrament and who kneeled not To which the King replied then let the seates bee pulled downe Then the Councell for the Parish alleadged that Bishop Jewell in his Reply to Harding Artic. 3. Diuis 26. and Artic. 13. Diuis 6. and Master John Fox in his Acts and Monuments Edit 1610. pag. 1211. 1212. both which Books were enjoyned to be kept in every Church for the people to read in as containing the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England and nought repugnant thereunto maintained and asserted That the Communion Table ought to stand in the MIDST OF THE CHVRCH AMONG THE PEOPLE and not Altar-wise against the wall Hereupon the Archbishop stood up in an angry manner and sayd If this be the use they make of these Books Jewell Fox I desire they may be taken out of Churches and Sir Henry Martin saying merrily that this Table placed close along the wall would make a good Court-cupboord The Archbishop therupon replied that Sir Henry was a stigmaticall Puritan in his bosome All which particulars were proved upon oath by Master Wyan Mr. Clearke and Captain Stackhouse Wherupon by the Archbishops violence this Order was then made against the Parishioners for the standing of that Table Altar-wise as it was situated by the Deanes and Chapters Order and appointment At Whitehall the third day of Novemb 1633. Present the KINGS most Excellent Maiestie Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Keeper Lord Archbishop of Yorke Lord Treasurer Lord Privy Seale Lord Duke of Lenox Lord Chamberlaine Earle of Bridgwater Earle of Carlile Lord Cottington Master Treasurer Master Comptroller Lord High Chamberlain Earle Marshall Master Secretary Cooke Master Secretary Windebanke THis Day was Debated before
onely so many doe together come up out of the Church as can kneele at the Rayles the other remaining in the Church behinde untill their course come to goe up Nor do I know whether they repaire being risen from the Rayles whether into some place in the Chancell or out of the Chancell into the Church which may bee combersome and is inconvenient it being for any thing I know to the contrary an ancient Tradition of the Church for no man to go out of the Chancel or from his place having received it untill the Ite missa or dismissive blessing upon them which we call the Peace of God Therefore to give that satisfaction which I can in this cause because yet never any Recusant of comming up to the Rayles did unto mee refuse to come into the Chancell to receive upon their knees to observe the Service Booke in all points onely they cannot digest the going up and comming downe and disquieting the Assembly which neither doe I my selfe approve of untill His Majesty or my Lords Grace of Canterbury appoint otherwise to whom I doe and they must and I hope will submit themselves These orders I have thought good for quiet peace and conformity to direct First after the words or Exhortation pronounced aloud by the Minister standing at the Communion-Table to the Parishioners as yet in the Church draw neere c. All intending to Communicate are to come up out of the Church into the Chancell and as in course of Civility and good order it is seemely the best in the Parish to come up first All being come in the Chancell doore is to be shut and not to be opened till the Communion is done that no Communicant departtill the dimission no non-Communicant come in amongst them no Boyes Girles or gasers be suffered to looke in as to a Play The Communicants being entred to be disposed into severall stations rankes or formes the first ranke to stand sit or kneele neere or close unto the Rayles which being the most eminent place the best in the Parish may fitly be disposed there And for order and decency though all bee Communicants alike in that holy Communion yet confusion is to bee avoyded The first ranke being thus disposed behinde them a second behinde them a third ranke may be disposed leaving a sufficient space for the Priest to goe betweene in giving first the Bread to all the severall Communicants and then the Wine afterwards if he be sole and if he have an assistant the chiefe Minister to give the Bread and the Assistant to follow him with the Cup or Challice both going out from the Altar when the first ranke is served and whereas in many Chancells if not in all there be Seats built up the more is the pitty to pester the Chancell it is not fit that any should go into them untill the severall rankes have filled the whole Chancell But because peradventure some out of zeale without knowledge or discretion have stubbornly refused to come unto the Rayles neere them as if it were impious at least superstitious to come there as by name one Mr. Daye of Ipswich I doe require him to receive at the Rayles the next Communion sub paena juris and for the rest of the refusers who have promised conformity in all things but in rising up and going up and downe which I neither will nor do require of them let them manifest their conformity by once coming up and afterwards as it happeneth dispose themselves in the Chancell As these Popish Innovations Ceremonies were thus set on and prescribed in the Diocesse of Chichester and Norwich by Mountague and Wren so were they by Doctor Divenant Bishop of Salisbury of whose direction and determination concerning the placing of the Communion Table the Archbishop tooke much advantage in his Star-chamber speech pag. 13 14. by the Bishop of Lincolne Williams and his Officers in his Diocesse notwithstanding he seemed afterwards to oppose them and Canterburies proceedings herein in his Holy Table name and thing This is undeniably evident by the ensuing Acts for railing in all Lords Tables in every Church and Chappel made in his Visitation 1635. Acta habita facta c. in Ecclesia Parochiali Beatae Mariae Leic ' die Martis 25. Aug. 1635. per reverend in Christo PatreÌ„ Dom Dom. JohanneÌ„ Providentia Divina Lincoln Episc pro tribunali sedentem tunc ibid. in Visitatione sua triennali praesente me Edwardo Lake in legibus Bac. Notario publico Regist suo in hac parte assumpt Quibus c. Dict. Reverend Pater palam publicè enjunnie admonuit omnes singulos gardianos corumque assistent infra Decanat de Goodlaxton Akley villam Leicestr infra Arch. Leicest una cum gard sanctae Margaretae infra villam Leic. quatenus Mensam illam sacram pro sanctae Eucharistiae administratione in qualibet Ecclesia et Capella infra Decanat et loca praerecitat respectivè vacerris vel Câ—ncellis decenter muniri procurarent et inde ad proximam Visitationem dom Archidiaconi Leic. pro Decanat et locis pred infra Arch. Leic. pred tenend debitè certificand Similiter in omnibus acta c. die Mercurii 26 August 1635. in Ecclesia beate Mariae Leic. praed quoad Mensas sacras c. infra Docanat de Sparken hoc et Gartrie Arch. Leic. praed Similiter in omnibus acta c. die Jovis 27. die Augusti 1635. in Ecclesia de Meltonmobrey infra Archidiac Leic. pred quoad Mensas saeras c. infra Decanat de FruÌ„landet Goscot Archidiac Leic. pred Acta habita c. in Synodo fine Visitatatione veneralis viri Willielmi Warye sacrae Theologiae profess Archidiac Leic. tentâ—in Capella in Markatharborow die Martis 13. Octobris 1635. per Magistrum Reginald Burdin Clericum in artibus Magistrum SurrogatuÌ„ venerabilis viri Johannis Farmeris leguÌ„ Dacteris praefati Reverend Pâ—â—ris Dom. Episcopi Lincolnien Vicarij generalis c. presente me Edwarde Lake Regist antedicio Quibus c. dictus magister Burdin Com. Certificatâ— pro omnibus Gard. et assistent infra Decanat de Gartree et Goodlaxton quoad septa Mensarum sacrarum c. 〈◊〉 vacerris juxta monitioneÌ„ reverend Pairiâ—dom Episc â—irdolnien pred in prox post festum Omnium Sanctorum prox futur pro Commiss or offic Archid. Leic. in Ecclaesia beata Mariae Leic. tenend Similiter in omnibus acta c. dis Jovis 14 Octobris 1635. in Ecclaesia paroch de Meltonmowbrey quoad Mensas facrat c. infra Decanat Framland et Goscot Similiter in omnibus acta c. die Veueris 15 Octobris 1635. in Ecclaesia beata Mariae Leicest quoad Mensat sacras c. infra 〈◊〉 Sparken hoc Akley et Villae Leicest Concord 〈◊〉 original penes reg remanâ—â—d facta collatione per me Jo. Fowler Notar publicum Regist deput And by Articles to be enquired of within the Archdeaconry of Buckingham in the Diocesse
distraction in the Parish of Ware being a great and populous parish by their opposition of the laudable gesture of receiving the holy Communion kneeling and their envying against the Rayle and bench set up by sufficient authority for that purpose about the Communion Table in the Chancel for maintaining of good order and conformity in the Church there as may well appear by M. Chaunceys inveighing against the same and his refusing to administer the holy Communion there whilest he continued Vicar of Ware for the which the said M. Chauncey in partem pâ—nae was by the Court suspended from the execution of his Ministeriall function and every part thereof and ordered so to stand untill by his submission and acknowledgement of his error in broaching the said opinions tending to schisme and faction this Court shall see cause to release him which his submission and his acknowledgement is to be set down prescriptis verbis by the Commissioners at Informations and to be delivered unto him under the Registers hand of this Court and to be by him read and performed here in open Court and then to be intimated and made known in the parish Church of Ware where he hath given such cause of scandall and offence He was further condemned in expences or costs of fuit which are to be moderately taxed by the Commissioners at Informations And the said Humphry Parker was likewise condemned in moderate charges or expences and to make his submission in like manner conceptis verbis as this Court shall appoint Lastly they were both ordered to stand committed till they shall give sufficient bond in a 100 li. a piece to his Majesties use for the performance of the order of the Court. And because it was alleaged and pretended on M. Chauncies behalfe that since his comming to be Person of Marsten-Lawrence in Northamptonshire he had in testofocation of his conformity set up or caused to be set up such a Rayle about the Communion Table in the Chancell of his parish Church there the Court decreed Letters to be sent from this Court to the Lord Bishop of Peterborough to desire his Lordship to enquire of the truth of this allegation and to certifie this Court of the truth thereof the second Session of the next Tearm As also how the said Master Chauncey hath otherwise conformed himselfe there to the orders of the Church of England here by law established The manner and form of M. Chauncies recantation the next court-day for speaking against the rayle is thus recorded in the High Commission Register This day the said Mr. Chauncey appeared personally and with bended knees read his submission in Court which followes Whereas I Charles Chauncey Clerk late Vicar of Ware in the County of Hertford stand by sentence of this honourable Court legally convicted for opposing the setting of a rayle about the Communion Table in the Chancell of the Parish-church of Ware with a bench thereunto affixed for the Communicants to resort unto and to receive the blessed Sacrament there kneeling upon their knees and for using invective speeches against the said rayle and bench saying it was an Innovation â— snare to mens consciences and a breach of the second Commandement an addition to the Lords worship and that which hath driven me out of Towne I the said Charles Chauncey do here before this honourable Court acknowledge my great offence in using the said invective words and am heartily sorry for the same I protest and am ready to declare by vertue of mine Oath that I now hold and am perswaded in my conscience that kneeling at the receiving of the holy Communion is a lawfull and commendable gesture and that a rayle set up in the Chancell of any Church by the authority of the Ordinary with a bench thereunto affixed for the communicants to repaire unto to receive the holy Communion kneeling is a decent and convenient ornament for that purpose and this Court conceiveth that the rayle set up lately in the Parish-church of Ware with the bench affixed is such an one And I do further confesse that I was much to blame for opposing the same and do promise from henceforth never by word or deed to oppose either that or any other the laudable rites and ceremonies prescribed and commanded to be used in the Church of England Charles Chauncey Which submission being thus as aforesaid read and subscribed by the said Master Chauncey his Counsell moved that he might be dismissed but the Counsell for the Office desired that the said M. Chauncey might here receive w judiciall admonition which the Court conceiving very fit and requisite the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury in the name of the whole Court did now judicially admonish the said Charles Chauncey from henceforth to carry himself peaceably and conformably to the doctrine and discipline rites and ceremonies established and commanded to be used in the Church of England and neither by word nor deed to oppose or bring into disesteem any of them with this intimation That in case he were convented againe for any opposition or refractorinesse touching the premises that the Court intended to proceed against him with all severity and with this admonition the Court dismissed him the said M. Chauncey from any further attendance touching this cause he first paying the charges of suit taxed against him and the fees of his dismission These two leading cases and censures in the High-commissions at York and Lambeth seconded with this enforced submission struck such a terror into most Ministers and Churchwardens in those parts that few or none durst oppose those Innovations and gave such encouragement to the Prelates and popish Clergie that they proceeded vigorously in the pressing introducing of them every where and if any man durst oppose or vary from their injunctions they were presently brought into the High-commission and there proceeded against with utmost rigour This was manifested by the case of Mr. Miles Burkitt one of the Vicars of Pateshall in Northamptonshire who for delivering the Sacrament only to some who refused out of conscience to come up to the new Rayle and removing the Communion Table at the Sacrament time into the midst of the Chancell without the rayle according to the very Letter of Queen Elizabeths Injunctions and the 82 Canon was apprehended by a Pursevant in the Year 1638 and thus Articled against in the High-commission at Lambeth by Sir John Lambes and the Archbishops meanes among whose papers his Articles were found and read at the Lords Barre being attested by Master Prynne Inprimis we Article and object to you the said Miles Burkitt that you doe not bow at the Name of JESUS in time of Divine Service Item we Article and object that you the said Miles Burkitt being enjoyned by the Ordinary or his Surrogates officiate for him to keep within the rayles at the ministring of the Sacrament and to give the Sacrament to none that will not come up to the rayles he the
but that it may lye by him that when you speak with his Grace about this among other businesses his Grace may have recourse to my papers if he think fit There are in my Diocesse 469 Churches and Chappels or thereabout and the Communion Tables are placed already in above 140 of them as the Communion Table is placed in our Cathedrall Church here I have begun and proceeded herein in a perswasive way some parishes were no sooner spoken to but they obeyed other Parishes refused at the first but they were quickly satisfied and then submitted only the Churchwardens of Beckington being encouraged and back'd by divers of the parish not so well affected to the government and rites of the Church as they should be are become obstinate and will have the Chancell ordered and the Communion Table there placed as the parishioners shall think fit who also bear the charges of these Churchwardens as they have confessed unto me which was the cause why they hasted so speedily to London and stayed so long there about this businesse If these men have their wils the example will do a great deal of harme for then many of the Parishes which have already conformed themselves to the Cathedrall will fall back and other Parishes will never come on to this conformity who are now at a stand to see what will be done in the Chancell of Beckington I know your judgement and affection to the Church concurres with mine and therefore I am assured you will do nothing herein but that which shall be for the good of the Church and preservation of authority in all things just and lawfull I pray If D. Duck desire to read the coppy of the proceedings and reasons which I have sent you let him borrow it of you for it is fit my Chancelour should be acquainted with these things whose counsell and assistance must be used therein And so with remembrance of my true love and best wishes to you I commend you to the grace of God and rest Your very affectionate and faithfull friend Guil. Bath and Wels. Wels 2 Ian. 1635. Hereupon the poor Churchwardens being destitute of all relief continued excommunicated about a whole year after which they were taken and imprisoned in the common Gaole a long time upon a Capias Excommunicatum from whence at last they were released by the Bishop upon this ensuing submission and pennance worse then any imprisonment A true Copy of the Pennance that Iames Wheeler and Iohn Frye were enjoyned unto by my Lord Bishop of Bath and Wels examined by those whose names are underwritten Thomas Iles Iohn Bailly George Long William Webb Whereas the right reverend Father in God William by Gods permission Lord Bishop of Bathe and Wels hath heretofore lawfully required and commanded James Wheeler and John Frye late Churchwardens of the Parish-church of Beckington within the Dioces of Bathe and Wels aforesaid to remove the Communion Table in the Chancell of their said parish-Church and to place it close under the East wall of the said Chancell in the same manner and forme as the Communion Table standeth in the Cathedrall Church in Wells aforesaid and to remoue the seats placed above the said Table And likewise whereas they the said James Wheeler and John Frye contemned and wilfully disobeyed the command of the said Reverend Father and have in most contemptuous manner stood excommunicated for their said contempt for the space of one whole yeare now last past or there abouts not regarding nor fearing the dreadfull Censure of the Church And have likewise some dayes last past stood aggravated and have been signified unto the Kings most excellent Majesty for the apprehending their bodies and committing them to the Common-gaole of the County of Somerset the rather to compell them to their due obedience to the lawfull command of the Church now upon the earnest request and submission of the said Wheeler and Fry the said Reverend Father hath absolved them from the said sentences and enjoyned unto them that upon Sunday the 25 day of Iune in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred thirty seven they in their usuall apparell shall stand first in the middle Ally in the Parish-church of Beckington aforesaid and there immediately after the reading of the Gospell shall openly and penitently with an audible voice make this acknowledgement following repeating the same after the Minister viz. We James Wheeler and John Fry do here before this Congregation assembled acknowledge and confesse that we have grievously offended the Divine Majesty of Almighty God and the lawes Ecelesiasticall of this Realme of England in that we have in contemptuous manner refused to remove the Communion Table in the Chancell of the Parish-church of Beckington and to place it close under the East wall of the said Chancell in the same manner and forme as the Communion Table standeth in the Cathedrall Church in Wels and to remove the seats placed above the said Table being thereunto lawfully and judicially monished and warned by the right reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wels. And in that for our contempts and disobediences in not performing the said lawfull command of the said reverend Father we have suffered our selves to be lawfully excommunicated and so to stand for the space of one whole yeare last past or thereabouts not fearing nor regarding the dreadfull censure of the Church And in like or rather more contemptuous manner have suffered our selves to be lawfully aggravated and signified according to the laudable laws â— statutes of this Realm thereby in a legall manner to compell us to our due obedience to the lawfull command of the Church And we do hereby protest that we are right heartily sorry for the same and we do faithfully promise never from henceforth to offend in the like againe but to demeane our selves as shall become good Christians and dutifull subjects and we doe ask God forgivenesse for this our sinne and offence and you all here present for our evill example And we doe desire you all to pray for us and with us to Almighty God that it may please him of his infinite goodnesse to forgive us of this our offence And then humbly and penitently kneeling downe must devoutly rehearse the Lords Prayer and they must certifie hereof at Wels in writing subscribed to these presents under the hands of the Minister and Churchwardens of Beckington aforesaid on Tuesday the 27 day of Iune aforesaid together with this Schedule And the like pennance is to be performed by the within named James Wheeler and John Fry for the same offence in the Parish-church of Froom-felwood within the Dioces aforesaid before the Pulpit or Ministers seat there in manner and forme prescribed on Sunday the 2 day of Iuly Anno predict And certificate must be made of the due performance thereof as abovesaid under the hands of the Minister and Churchwardens there upon Tuesday the fourth day of Iuly aforesaid
to the Church either for that they are so sore blinded that they understand nothing of God godlinesse and care not with divelish example to offend their neighbours or else for that they see the Church altogether scowred of such gay-gazing sights as their grosse phantasie was greatly delighted with because they see the false religion abandoned and the true restored which seemeth an unsavoury thing to their unsavoury taste as may appear by this that a woman said to her neighbour Alas Gossip what should we now do at Church since all the Saints are taken away since all the goodly sights wee were wont to have are gone since wee cannot hear the like piping singing chaunting and playing upon the Organs that we could before But dearly beloved we ought greatly to rejoyce and give God thanks that our Churches are delivered out of all those things which displeased God so sore and filthily defiled his holy House and his place of prayer for the which he hath justly destroyed many Nations according to the saying of Saint Paul If any man defile the Temple of God God will him destroy And this ought we greatly to praise God for that such superstitious and idolatious manners as were utterly naught and defaced Gods glory are utterly abolished as they most justly deserved and yet those things that either God was honoured with or his people edified are decently retained and in our Churches comely practised c. Mr. Workman by all these and such other passages in our Homilies ratified and subscribed unto by all our Ministers in the 35 Article of our Church as containing a godly and wholesome doctrine necessary for these times and established by the statute of 13 Eliz. ca. 12. which confirmes the Articles justifyed every syllable in his Sermons against Images in which he used only the words of our Homilies yet notwithstanding by the Archbishops violence against him who went highest in his sentence on the 25 of April 1635. in the High Commission held at Lambeth was Suspended from the execution of his office and function in the Ministery excommunicated ordered to make his submission and recantation of his eronious and scandalous doctrine at Lambeth the next Court day in such manner and forme as should be set down by the Commissioners and delivered to him in writing under the Registers hand of the Court and after this submission made publickly in Court the same to be sent down to Glocester and there openly published in the Cathedrall Church of Glocester and in the Church of S. Michaels immediately after Divine Service ended when as the Congregation shall be then and there assembled and condemned in costs of suit to be taxed the next Court day and likewise imprisoned Which sentence of his for the cause a foresaid was proved by the Register-Book of the High Commission out of which it was read at the Lords Barre by the testimonies of Mr. Thomas Pury a Member of the House of Commons and of Mr. John Langley late Schoole master of Glocester and now of Pauls-Schoole in London who further witnessed upon oath That Mr. Workman having been a most painfull diligent Preacher of Gods Word in the City of Glocester for above 15 years and a man of singular piety learning wisdome and moderation as the Archbishop himself confessed the Corporation of Glocester to help support his great charge of children in consideration of his great paines in preaching and visiting the sick about September 1633. granted him an Annuity of 20 l. per annum under their Common Seale with one unanimous consent a little before his troubles in the High Commission For which act of justice and charity Iohn Buckston the then Mayor Master Wise the Town Clerk and some other of the Aldermen of that City were by the Archbishops procurement sent for by a Pursevant to appear before the Counsell Table as Delinquents where they appearing were fully heard concerning the granting of this Annuity before the King himselfe and his Councell who seemed fully satisfied approving of their grant and were ready to dismisse them from thence as seeing no just cause for their molestation Whereupon the Archbishop moved that they might be transmitted from thence to the High Commission which by his means was ordered accordingly After which in January following Mr. Pury himself together with M. Henry Browne Mr. William Prise Aldermen Mr. Anthony Edwards and others were arrested by a Messenger out of the High Commission who exacted and received 20 Marks in Fees from them to whom they gave bonds to appear in that Court the Terme following which they did Where they were then articled against for consenting to the grant of the said Annuity to Mr. Workman to which Articles they answered and the cause being brought to hearing not long after their Counsell alleaged That the said grant of 20 l. per annū to M. Workman ought first to be proved illegall or obtained by illegal practise and the whole Corporation whose act it was under whose Seal it was granted to be made parties to the suit before these Defendants sued only as private men ought as they conceived to be censured for consenting thereunto or the said deed made void and cancelled yet notwithstanding the said Mr. Edwards one M. Nelme for consenting to this grant only were fined 10 l. a piece and the grant ordered to be cancelled which was done accordingly and thereupon a 100. l. expence the rest were dismissed the Court and M. Workman deprived of his Annuity After which M. Workman himself being censured and put from his Ministery and imprisoned by the High-Commission for Preaching against making and setting up the Images of the Trinity and of Christ and Saints in Churches having after some moneths Imprisonment with much solicitation obtained his Liberty to support himself his wife and many small children from perishing was necessitated to teach children in private having no other livelihood left him after his former Annuity granted him by the City of Glocester was by the Arch-bishops potency unjustly wrested from him of which the Arch-bishop being informed inhibited him to teach any children at all in publike or private as he would answer the contrary at his perill whereupon he fell to practise Physicke for his necessary support which being informed of to the Arch-bishop he thereupon prohibited him likewise to practise Physick Whereupon he having no meanes of subsistance left and being debarred to Preach teach School or administer Physick to maintain himself and his charge was so afflicted with these tyrannicall and unjust pressures of which he oft complained to Master Langley and others that they drew on crasinesse and sicknesse of body upon him and as his most intimate friends were verily perswaded shortned his dayes and precured his death to the great griefe and losse of that City So zealous was this Arch-Prelate in defence of Idolatrous Images as thus most unjustly and tyrannically to ruine a most godly painfull Minister with his family and destroy this
the parties lay there buried And is it not then a far greater madnesse superstition and ridiculous frenzie for this domineering Arch-Prelate to deem these two Chappels prophane places unfit to administer the Sacraments and celebrate divine Service in because never yet consecrated by a Bishop not onely after three but almost three-score yeares use and practise of divine Service Sermons Sacraments in them When as neither his predecessors Whitgift Bancroft and Abbot men very ceremonious and two of them much addicted to superstition ever so much as moved any such question concerning the necessity of their consecration Especially since there is no such Canon Law to enforce the consecration of them now as was to justifie the re-hallowing of S. Maries Church in Queen Maries time which the Popish Canon Law then approved in the case of Bucer and Fagius We read in the Ecclesiasticall Constitutions of Otho the Popes Legat made in an English Synode in the Raigne of King Henry the third that even in those dark times of Popery there were not only divers Parish Churches but some Cathedrals in England which were used as such for many yeares yet never consecrated by a Bishop as appears by these words of the Constitution it self Multas invenimus Ecclesias aliquas Cathedrales quae licet fuer unt ab antiquo constructae nondum tamen sunt sanctificationis Oleo consecrate Whereupon this Popish Legat for his own lucher Enjoyned all Churches then built or to be built to be consecrated within two years space under pain of interdiction from having Masse said in them unlesse some reasonable cause were shewed to the contrary By colour of which Popish constitution this Prelate it seems urged the consecration of these ancient Chappels there being no other shaddow of reason Canon or authority for it After this Archbishop had thus procured a power to himself to visit the Vniversity of Cambridge Matthew Wren Bishop of Ely Decemb. 1. 1639. Sent him up an account signed with his own hand of some things amisse within his Diocesse and that University which he left to his Graces consideration to amend which account was seized by Master Prynne in his study at Lambeth and thus indorsed with the Arch-bishops own hand My Lord of Elyes Account 1639. In which there were these two Passages concerning consecration of Chappels The first concerning a Chappell in Sir John Cuts house in the town of Childerley which Chappell the Knight said was consecrated by Bishop Heton producing an Instrument under seal purporting that on such a day at Childersly Bishop Heton did consecrate a Chappell by saying Service there himselfe and having a Sermon this was all the Solemnity of its Consecration I questioning the whole matter have required him to waiteupon your Grace to see whether that consecration must be allowed of The second concerning some Chappels in Colledges never yet consecrated which is thus expressed in this Account It was presented unto me That in the Colledges of Emanuel Sidney and Corpus Christi there have been Roomes built within the memory of man which are used for common Chappels wherein they have dayly prayers and do Preach there without any faculty or license granted unto them so to do And wherein also they ordinarily celebrate the holy Communion The said places never having been consecrated thereunto Ma. Elie. The Scottish troubles it seems prevented his consecration of these Chappels which were sufficiently hallowed before by the Divine Duties exercised in them The last Chappell we finde consecrated was that in Covent Garden which was hallowed or rather prophaned with all Popish Ceremonies expressed in the Roman Pontificall and far more than were used at Creed-Church The Arch-bishop having thus far advanced his Popish designes in consecrating Churches Chappels and Church-yards proceeded one step further even to set up the exploded Annuall Baccanalian feasts of Dedication whereon Churches were hallowed prescribed at first onely by the Decrees of Pope Felix Pope Gregory recorded by Gratian De Consecratione Distinct 1. who Decreed thus Solennitates Ecclesiarum dedicationem per singulos annos solemniter sunt celebrandae Those Feasts of Dedication turned by the people into meer Bacchanals were exceedingly declaimed against as necessary to be suppressed by Nicholaus de Clemangiis in his Tract De Novis Celebritatibus non instituendis suppressed by the Injunctions of King Henry the S. An. 1536. As the occasion of much idlenesse excesse riot and pernicious to the Souls of men Whereupon they were all of them restrained to the first Sunday in the moneth of October not to be kept on any other day and afterwards totally abolished by the statute of 5. and 6. E. 6. c. 3. Of holy-dayes Which being revived again by degrees with their Baccanalian disorders in sundry places of this Realm under the names of Wakes or Revels and suppressed by some Judges in their Circuits and Justices of Peace in Sessions this Arch-bishop in the year of our Lord 1633. by a Declaration compiled by himselfe but published in his Majesties Name intituled The Kings Majesties Declaration concerning Lawfull Sports to be used revived and enjoyned the Observation of these Wakes and Feasts of Dedication never formerly established by any Christian Prince together with the use of divers Sports and pastimes on the Lords own Sacred day after Divine Service ended to the great Dishonour of God of his Majesty of our Religion the disturbance of the Civill Government encrease of all Licensiousnesse prophanenesse impiety and great griefe of all godly peoples Souls This Book he enjoyned all Ministers to read and publish openly in the Church in time of Divine Service though not commanded by the King and those who out of conscience refused to read it in this kinde were by his means suspended excommunicated prosecuted in the High-Commission Sequestred from their Livings yea many of them enforced to desert their Cures and depart the Kingdome this book being made a snare onely to entrap or suppresse most of the painfull godly preaching Ministers throughout the Realm who were all more or lesse prosecuted about it Yet such was this Arch-Prelates unparallel'd impiety transcending all examples in former Ages that he not onely caused his Instruments Edmond Reeve Dr. Heylyn Christopher Dowe and others to defend the Lawfulnesse and usefulnesse of this prophane licentious Declaration but also to justifie the persecution silencing suspending depriving of those Godly Ministers who out of Conscience refused to publish it in sundry Printed Books authorized by him and his Chaplaines for the Presse Quis talia fando temperet à Lachrymis at leastwise can refrain from the heaviest censures against this prophane Arch-bishop That this Declaration since ordered to be publikely burnt by the common hangman by Order of both Houses of Parliament was Printed published by the Archbishops procurement and upon what Occasion was thus attested upon Oath by Master Edward Richardson and Master Prynne Sir Thomas Richardson Lord chiefe Justice
Vniversities and elsewhere wee shall next discover and make good by evidences under his owne hand In the yeare 1629. soone after the dissolution of the Parliament Bishop Laud presents to His Majestie a Paper written with his owne hand the originall whereof was seized on in his Study at Lambeth by Master Prynne and produced at the Barre thus intituled by him Considerations for the better settling of the Church Government whereof the third consideration was this That His Majestie would be Graciously pleased to command the Lords the Bishops that they give charge in their Trieniall Visitations and at other times both by themselves and by the Arch-Deacons that the Declaration for setling the Questions in difference bee strictly observed And that His Majestie would bee Gratiously pleased once in halfe a yeare to call for an account of all or so many of these as in Wisedome shall thinke fit These considerations were immediately after published sent to every Archbishop and Bishops to be strictly put in execution as his Majesties own Instructions when as in truth they were no other but the Bishops contrived by him alone as the originall Coppie written and another Coppie corrected afterwards with his owne hand together with the Bishop of Bristolls Letter to him dated Febr. 9. 1629. to resolve some Queries touching these Instructions concerning the Lecturers in Bristoll infallibly manifest So that His Majesty was here the Bishops meere Instrument to promote his Arminian and popish designes These Instructions were published in most Diocesse by the Bishops but more solemnly in London-Diocesse by this Bishop who summoning all the Ministers and Lecturers about the City of London to London house made a solemn Oration to them wherein he pressed the necessity of these Instructions of his Majesty for the good of the Church and their chearefull obedience to them and withall sent letters to every Archdeacon in his Diocesse to publish them to all the Clergy and to give an exact account to him how they were observed at the end of their severall Visitations especially the third Instruction For keeping the Kings Declaration that so differences and questions may cease inserted into these Letters with his owne hand as appeared by the Originall Copy found in his Study Soone after this Mr. Mady the Lecturer at christ-Christ-Church in London delivering this Doctrine in a Sermon there That Election was not Vniversall and Common but speciall and peculiar belonging to some And That the Principall and efficient cause of Election was the will and Love of God and not any merit or foreseene faith or workes of man which he manifested by some Scriptures Fathers this Bishop upon information hereof convented him before him for this Orthodox Doctrine the 10. of March 1630. for that contrary to the Kings Proclamation he had treated of Predestination and the forementioned points Whereupon the Bishop by an Act of Court found among his other Papers by Mr. Prynne prohibited him to Preach any more within his Diocesse and admonished him to obey this his Lordships Order And Doctor Cornelius Burges about the same time for using only this Passage in a Sermon on Col. 2. 7. Jf your Minister preach Popery or ARMINIANISME you may change your dwellings and not trouble the Peace and Order of the Church was convented before the Bishop enforced to deliver in the Copy of his Sermon and much molested and Mr. White with sundry others suspended for lightly touching upon some points relating to Arminianisme though agreeable to the Scriptures and 17. Article of our Church As he thus proceeded in his Diocesse so he was farre more violent in this kind in our Vniversities especially in Oxford where he was Chauncellor of which we shall give you these few instances One Mr. Thomas Hill of Hart-hall in Oxford on the 24. of May 1631. Preaching at Saint Maryes Church there on James 1. 16. let fall these Passages in his Sermon And here were my time and learning parallel to my Zeale what a tempting doth present it selfe to shew how rashly that I say not cruelly our Pelagian Votaries have handled the Decrees and Statutes of the King of Heaven But they are to be mischieved into honour but no matter how which tempts them to disrelish sound Doctrine on no other ground then did David because the Lords doe not favour it 1. Sam. 29. 6. Scriptures they use worse then the Turkes do Christians at Tunis enslave it to the vassallage of the foulest error and according to their most current garbe employ it to defend Popery or as bad PELAGIANISME c. Popish Darts whet a freshon a Dutch Grinston have peirced deep and without speedy succor will prove mortall I am perswaded these late transmarine Tâ—nets had not beene so iolly and briefe among us nor the opposite truth so Diametrally condemned by many had they first made proofe of these points in their owne retired and serious contemplations For these slight glances against the Arminians the Copy whereof was sent up to Bishop Laud seised among his Papers and endorsed with his hand by his procurement Mr. Hill was conuented before the Vice-Chancellor heads of Houses and enforced to make a publike submissive Recantation upon his knees in a full Convocation held the 16. of Iuly 1631. recorded in the Vniversity Register f. 35. to this effect I Thomas Hill doe freely and sincerely acknowledge before this Venerable Assembly of Convocation that in a Sermon lately by me Preached in Saint Maries I did let fall divers scandalous speeches partly in opposition to his Majesties Jnjunctions by odious justling together of certaine factions in the Church and imputing Pelagianisme and Popery to the one side Partly in disparagement of the present Government of State and Church by making foule and erronious Opinions the rediest way now adayes to preferment c. All which passages in my Sermon I confesse to have given just offence to the Vniversitie and to deserve the sharpest of Censures Wherefore with all humble submission I beseech the whole Vniversitie represented in this Venerable House to passe by this my woefull error undiscreet and misguided zeale And doe faithfully promise hence forward to abstaine from all such scandalous aspertions and intimations as tending only to the disparagment of our Church and the distraction and detrement of the Vniversity And this my submission I humbly crave may be accepted which I do here make willingly and from my heart with true sorrow for what is past Thomas Hill Upon this submission and Recantation the Arminian faction in Oxford grew very bold and having the both Chauncellor and Vice-Chauncellor of their party vented their errors publikly both in the Pulpit Schooles without any publique check whereupon one Mr. Thomas Forde of Magdalen Hall Mr. Giles Thorne of Bailioll Colledge and Mr. Giles Hodges of Exeter Colledge moved with a pious zeale and indignation against their insolences in Iune and Iuly 1631. in their Sermons at Sr. Maryes used
penitents into the Church after they had done publike penance A solemn day was set a part for taking of publike penance for open faults by imposition of hands and sprinkling of ashes namely Ashwednesday by the Canon of the Councell of Agatha in Gratian This is the godly Discipline whereof our Church speaketh in the Commination of putting notorious sinners to open penance in the beginning of Lent and wisheth that it might bee restored againe And as Ashwednesday was appointed for putting notorious sinners to open penance so was MAUNDAY Thursday set a part for their absolutions P. 59. The godly discipline constantly practised in Churches and at Altars and the sad and malencholly mention of Penance Fasting and Prayer with other Austerities which the pietie of the times have but just cause to thinke of P. 63. This was done 40. dayes before Easter namely on Ashwednesday in Sack-Cloth and Ashes And for 8. dayes together before Easter they were to doe penance to fast to refraine all manner of pleasures though never so lawfull to stand bare foot upon Sack-cloth and to watch on Good-Friday all night or at least till two a Clock in the morning Shelfords five Treatises Pag. 71. Then they confessed their sinnes to God and their Minister for spirituall comfort and Councell then they endeavoured to make the best temporall satisfaction they could by Almes Prayer and Fastings and other workes of humiliation The Scots New Service Booke in the Commination against sinners with certaine prayers to bee used diverse times in the yeare and especially on the first day of Lent commonly called Ashwednesday To which there is this addition in justification of Popish penance made with the Arch-Bishops owne hand Brethren in the Primitive Church there was a godly discipline used that at the beginning of Lent notorious sinners were put to open Pennance and did humbly submit themselves to undergoe punishment in this world that their soules might be saved in the day of the Lord. All which is thus closed up by Bishop Mountague who after a long discourse in Justification of Confession and Penance concludes thus out of Pope Leo. Originum Ecclesiasticarum Tomi Prioris pars posterior Londini 1640. Pag. 467. Sect. 33. Christus enim ut cum B. Leone loquar Ecclesia Prapositis potestatem dedit ut Confitentibus actionem paenitentiae darent cosdem SALUBRI SATISFACTIONE PVRGARENT sic ad communionem Sacramentorum per januam reconciliationis admitterent 3. That we ought necessarily to give blinde Obedience to the Ecclesiasticall commands and directions of our Priests Confessors and spirituall Superiors THis desperate Popish Assertion was published and justified in these Authorized printed passages worthy our speciall observation Christs Epistle to a Devout Soule pag. 112. 113. 114. 116. Respect not the man who by my Ordinance is thy superior whether he be learned or unlearned but have regard to this only that he is thy superior by whom I will govern thee and in whom thou oughtest to obey me Wherefore I would have thee subject thy selfe unto him without any servile feare or scruple of thy Conscience and dispraising thine owne wisdome and Councell submit thy selfe to be governd by his judgment and opinion whatsoever he shall determine or appoint thee Walke in the path of Obedience and doe nothing at all without the Counsell of thy Pastor or Ghostly Father or Superiour esteeming that alwayes best which thy Superior shall thinke fittest doe all things according to the councell of thy Superior and submit thy selfe wholly to his will and discretion And Page 192. my inspirations never disagree from the Obedience that thou must carry to thy superiors therefore if thou submittest thy selfe to them and reliest in no respect upon thy owne selfe thou art sure to walke in simplicity and purity of heart Francis Sales his Introduction to a Devout Life pag. 334. 335. Obedience Charitie and Povertie are three excellent justruments unto perfection There are two sorts of Obedience the one necessary the other voluntary by necessary obedience thou must obey thy Ecclesiasticall Superiors as the supreame head c. Which is thus seconded by Christopher Dow in his Booke against Master Burton pag. 136. 137. Secondly I say that being done by the same Authority that first set them forth it is neither for him nor me nor any other of inferiour rancke to question them but with humble Reverence to submit to their judgments and to think them wiser and farre more fit to order those things that belong to their places than wee whom neither it concernes nor indeed can know the reasons that move them either to doe or alter any thing c. With whom Doctor Heylyn in his Coale from the Altar p. 2. Thus complyes in judgment Should we all be so affected as to demurre on the commands of our Superior in matters of exteriour Order and Publike Government till wee are satisfied in the grounds and reasons of their commandements or should we fly off from our duty at sight of every new devise that is offered to us we should finde a speedy dissolution in Church and State Which Doctor Pocklington thus closeth in his Altare Christianum pag. 180. What flood-gates this man sets wide open to let in a whole deluge of confusions impiety and Sacriledge into the Church if the Contents of his Letter in this particular might obtaine viz. That the Constitutions Orders Decrees appointed by Cannon or renewed by TRADITION of holy Church be not of absolute authority and require full obedience but are to be scanned and disputed 4. That Christians here must have Altars that these ought to be rayled in Altarwise at the East end of the Chancell and there bowed to and towards as to Gods mercy seate and the place of Christs chiefe reall presence upon earth and that there can be no true Sacrament or Consecration of it where there is no Altar THis is the Subject matter of many whole Bookes lately published authorized by the Archbishops Creatures and Chaplaines as Doctor Heylyns Coale from the Altar his Antidotum Lincolniense His Moderate answer to Master Henry Burton pag. 132. to 140. yea a thing expresly enjoyned by the Archbishop and others in the new Statutes for the Vniversity of Oxford in the new Statutes of diverse Cathedrals the new Cannons and by diverse Bishops in their Visitation Articles already mentioned We shall therefore insist only on some other authorized Bookes and passages to this purpose Wee shall begin with Doctor Iohn Pocklington his Sunday no Sabbath printed by the Arch-bishops approbation and his Chaplaines license p. 43. 44. 50. Habemus Altare we under the Gospell have an Altar Heb. 15. 10. and so is the Word Altar and Lords Table indifferently and alike anciently used these were some Tables or Altars of stone quia Christus est lapis angularis some were of Wood the better to expresse his death on the Tree these wooden Altars or Tables the furious Circumceflions brake downe in Saint
the lower world The alone faire the alone lovely P. 32. Glorious Empresse Pag. 21. White spotlesse Soule illuminated with Revelations by the divine Object of her chast vowes Pag. 150. Womans dearest Mistresse Pag. 197. Our sweetest Lady P. 158. In all things the very figure and resemblance of Sanctity it selfe P. 148. 149. he thus approves of Nunneries and prayers on Beads to the Virgin before her Image with Christ in her Armes You who have lived spirituall Amourists whose spirits have triumphed over the flesh on whose cheekes solitude prayers fasts and austerity have left an amiable pale you who ply your sacred Arithmeticke and have thoughts cold and cleare as the Christall Beads you pray by you who have voud Virginitie mentall and corporall you shall not only have ingresse here but welcome Approach with comfort and kneele downe before the Grand Immaculate Abbesse of your Snowy Nunneries and present the all-saving Babe in her Armes with due veneration Never thinke more of the Faecunditie of Wedlocke since you see here that God himselfe is the fruit of Virginity P. 153 154. He thus commends the burning of Tapers and saying Masses on Candlemasse day in honour of the Virgin Mary This day is called Candlemasse as much to say the day of lights on which while Masse was singing very many Tapers were burning in the Church Innocentius thus propounds and solves the Question What is the reason that on this day we use so many lights in the Church The cause of this institution is twofold The first is that a heathenish custom may bee converted into a Christian Right or Ordinance and that which was performed by superstitious Idolaters in honour of Ceres and Proserpina may be turned into the praise and glory of the Virgin Mary The second is that they who by Grace are purified by this Ceremony may be admonished to imitate those prudent Virgins who as the Evangelicall parable testifieth came not without their Tapers lighted to the Nuptialls of Christ their Spouse Pag. 209. There is the Picture of her fabulous assumption into heaven cut in Brasse after the popish forme with men and women devoutly kneeling and praying to her and these verses written under the same What Honour could to this GREAT QVEENE be done More then be taken up to Heaven high And there have God for Father Spouse and Sonne The Angels wayte the world stand wondring by After which hee spends many pages to prove the Verity or probability at least of her Assumption into Heaven Soule and Body which saith he by many of the Fathers all of the Romish Church and some of the Reformd is held for an undoubted truth when as indeed it is a meere Popish ridiculous false Legend And to prove this hee makes her to be borne without sinne Pag. 212. Dammianus argues That as conceiving without sinne shee brought forth her sonne without paine a curse laid on all other women so might it well be that she who was without sin might overcome death the reward of it P. 119. 120. hee writes That the Virgin is not to bee considered as a meere Woman but as a Type or Idaea of an accomplisht piety Adding They erre not so much in my judgment in the adoring extreame as some too severe maintaines of the former doe in the neglecting They are so farre from praising her themselves that they most unjustly deprive her of the praise given her by others They reject all testimonies of her worth as Haile Mary full of Grace c. They abhor to heare her called Domina c. Concluding this point in these termes pag. 223. Of one thing I will assure them till they are GOOD MARIANS they shall never be good Christians while they derogate from the dignity of the Mother they cannot truely honour the Son pag. 228. 229. Erasmus stiles her His SAVIORESSE which he cites with approbation p. 230. to 237. He proceeds thus in her prayses All parts of the world have produced admirers of her worth Syria hath brought forth Ephâ—aim Antiochia Saint Chrysostome Capadocia Saint Basill and Saint Nazianzen Constantinople Germanus and Proclus Dalmatia Saint Hierome Germany Rupertus Albertus and Agrippa England Beda France Bernard Spaine Alphonsus Italy Aquinas and Bonaventure Africke Saint Cyprian and Saint Austine Greece Dionisius Areopagita c. To these succeede famous Christian Poets ancient and moderne who have written Pannegrricks upon her as Beda Gregorius Nazianzenus Innocentius Pontifex Actius Sanazarius Adam de Sancto Victore Alcimus Aâ—tus Antonius Muretus Aurelius Prudentius Baptista Mantuanus Clandiarus Franciscus Petrarcha Godfridus Viterbiensis Hieronymus Vide Paulinus D. Philippus Menzelins Rudolphus Agricola Sedulius Venantius Fortunatus To these I add many Emperours Princes and Princesses and a world of devoute great ones who have beene her prosessed admirers as Constantine the Great Charles the Great Pulcheria Augusta Henry the second Emperor Alphonsus the Chast in SPAINE Edwardus in Hungaria Bolislaus in Polonia Venceslaus in Bohemia All which are Canonized for Saints and have erected and dedicated Temples to her memory Neither have the Princes of this our Ile bin defective in doing her all possible honour and in consecrating Chappell 's and Tempells to her memorie Fredericke the third Emperour made the contemplation of her almost his onely foode Stephanus King of Hungarie called his Kingdome the Marian Family In this glorious Family whole Kingdoms and Common-Wealths have enrolled themselves My Arithmeticke wil not serve me to number all those who have registred their names in the Sodalitie of the Rosary of this our Blessed Lady the Originall of which is derived from the battaile of Naupactun gained by Iohn of Austria and the Christians which Victory was attributed to her intercession with her sonne The Colonian Sodallity first Instituted had out of Lovaine 4000. of Brabant 30000. out of Gueldria 4000. out of Holland and Zeland 7000. c. Many holy Orders also are of this Sodallity as the Benedictines the Franciscans and Carthusians and many others If all these Testimonies and examples of great worthy people will not move us to honour her we shal be judged both unworthy of this life and ignorant of that better to come For shame let not us alone deny her that honour and praise with all the world allowes her Pag. 247. Hee Invocates her saying O pardon Gracious Princesse my weake indeavours to sum up thy value c. And Pag. 248. Thou deservest a quire of Queenes here and another of Angells in Heaven to sing thy praise c. And I confesse my sweetest Lady Page 249. To give thee an estimation answerable to thy merit is a thing impossible I must therfore be content to do by thee as the Ancient Heathen did by the Images of the gods when by reason of their height they could not place the Crowns on their heads they humbly laid them at their feet In his Epistle to his Feminine Reader speaking of the Virgin Mary This is she who was on earth a
kinde of Zeale like the madde Prophetesse in the Poet have run into the open streets yea and searched private houses too to looke for such as spent those houres on the Lords Day in lawfull pastimes which were not destinate by the Church to Gods publike service and having found them out scattered the companie and brake the Instruments and if my memory faile me not the Musitians head too and which is more they thought that they were bound in Conscience so to doe c. And sect 9. p. 258. He most prophanely and scurrilously stiles the Lords-Day The NEW SAINT SABBATH And sect 13. pag. 269. c. hee concludes thus Nay which is more it was so publikely avowed and printed by one who had no calling to interpret lawes except the provocation of his own ill spirit That Dancing on the Lords-Day was an unlawfull pastime punishable by the Statute of 1 Carl. c. 1. which intended so he saith to suppresse Dancing on the Lords Day as well as Beare-Baiting Bull-Baiting Enterludes and common Playes which were not then so rise and common as dancing when this Law was made Things being at this height it pleased His Excellent Majestie Observing as hee saith himselfe how much his people were debarred of Recreation and finding in some Counties that under the pretence of taking away of abuses there had bin a generall forbidding not only of ordinary meetings but of the Feasts of the Dedication of Churches commonly called Wakes to ratifie and publish the Declaration of His Majesties Father before remembred Adding that all those feasts with others should bee observed and that all Neighbourhood and freedome with manlike and lawfull exercises be therein used commanding all the Justices of Assize in the severall Circuits to see that no man doe trouble or molest any of his Loyall and dutifull people in or for their lawfull recreations having first done their duty to God and continuing in obedience unto His Majestie and his Lawes and further that publication thereof be made by Order from the Bishops through all the parishes of their severall Diocesses respectively Thus did it please His Excellent and Sacred Majestie to publish His most pious and Religious purpose of opening to his Loyall people the liberty of the Day which the day allowed of and which all Christian States and Churches in all times before had never questioned withall of shutting up that doore whereat no lesse than Judaisme would in fine bave entred so in time have over-ran the fairest and most beautifull Church at this day in Christendome And certainly it was a pious and Princely Act nothing inferiour unto that of Constantine or any other Christian King or Emperour before remembred it being no lesse pious in it selfe considered to keep the holy dayes free from Superstition than to preserve them from Profanenesse especially considering that permission of lawfull pleasures is no lesse proper to a festivall then restraint from labour Nay of the two it is more ancient for in his time Tertullian tells us that they did diem Solis laetitiae indulgere devote the Sunday partly unto mirth and recreation not to devotion altogether when in an hundred yeares after Tertullians time there was no law or constitution to restraine men from labour this day in the Christian Church Yet did not his most Excellent Majestie finde such obedience in some men and such as should have beene examples unto their flockes as his most Christian purpose did deserve there being some so setled in the opinion of a Sabbath Day a day not heard of in the Church of Christ 40. yeares agoe that they choose rather to deprive the Church of their paines and ministrie than yeeld unto His Majesties just commands for whose sakes specially next unto my duty unto God my Soveraigne and the Church my Mother I have employed my time and Studdies to compose this History that they may see therein in briefe the practise of Gods Church in the times before them and frame themselves to do thereafter casting aside those errours in the which they are and walking in the way which they ought to travell which way when all is done will bee Via Regia the Kings High way as that which is most safe and of best assurance because most travellers by Gods people Our private pathes doe leade us often into errour and sometimes also into danger And therefore I beseech all those who have offended in that kind to lay aside their passions and their private interests if any are that way misguided as also not to shut their eyes against those truths which are presented to them for their information that so the King may have the honour of their due Obedience the Church the comfort of their labours and conformable ministry For to what purpose should they hope to bee ennobled for their sufferings in so bad a cause which neither hath the Doctrine of the Scriptures to authorize it or practise of the Church of God the best expositer of the Scripture to confirme and countenance it or to be counted constant to or in their first conclusions having such weak and dangerous premises to support the same since constancy not rightly grounded is at best but obstinacy and many times doth end in Heresie Once againe therfore I exhort them even in Gods name whose Ministers they are and unto whom they are to give up an account of their imployment and in the Kings Name whom as Gods Deputy they are bound to obey not for wrath only but for Conscience sake and in the Churches name whose peace they are to studdy above all things else and their owne names lastly whom it most concernes that they desist and goe not forward in this disobedience lest a worse mischiefe fall upon them For my part I have done my best so farre to give them satisfaction in this present point so farre forth as the nature of an History would permit as they might thinke it no disparagment to alter their opinions and desert their errors and change their resolutions since in so doing they shall conforme themselves unto the practise of Gods Church in all times and Ages This prophane Doctor in his Epistle before Doctor Prideaux his Lecture of the Sabbath and in his Moderate Answer to Master Burton pag. 50. to 56. 76. 80. 81. 110 112. hath many passages to the same effect against the Sabbaths morality the strict intire Sanctification of the Lords-Day in yea Justification of the Book of sports and of the Archbishops and Bishops silencing excommunicating censuting those who refused to read it to the people The like passages we meet with in Bishop Whites Doctor Primrose and Master Joronfides Treatises of the Sabbath in Christopher Dew his Innovations unjustly charged chap. 10. 11 12. in Edmund Reeve his Communion Booke Catechisme expounded wherein the Piety Necessitie and Vtilitie of His Majesties Declaration for sports is extolled above Elah pag. 90. to 108. that these Pages were afterwards torne out of the
false that every light is alwayes visible and therefore although we should grant the Church to be the light of the world which it is yet it would not follow from thence that it is alwayes visible for these two causes viz. first because the Sunne and Moon were ordained to be great lights Gen. 1. 16. Ps 136. 8. for the governing of day and night and yet we see them often darkned and suffer strong eclipses so the Church though it be ordained to enlighten the world by ministring the doctrine of the Scriptures yet sometimes it may faile out of mens sights as hath been shewed elsewhere viz. upon Matth. 5. 14. Secondly though the Church be a light yet such as walk in darknesse loving that better then the light doe not alwayes see it but went either will or eyes thereto thus the King of Aram's souldiers neither saw the Horses nor Chariots of fire that were round about Elisha nor knew that they were in the midst of Samaria untill their eyes were opened Secondly the minor proposition is false also for although the light of the Church be granted yet it is not true that Christ our Saviour ordained it is to be alwayes the light of the world according to this verse yee are the light of the world for these words were spoken by Christ to his Disciples and his purpose therein was not to teach what the state of the Church should alwayes be but to provoke them to constancy and holinesse because they should be in every mans eyes and therefore if they chanced to doe otherwise then well it could be concealed no more then the light of the Sunne now this is nothing to the Churches visibility If the Reader desire to see this argument more fully answered and enlarged let him read our cleer and lilly White in his Way to the true Church fol. 90 91. 92. Ibid page 140. this is deleted Matth. 13. 47. The Kingdome of Heaven is like unto a Net c. The Papists hold that the true Catholike Church is alwayes visible and Becanus undertakes to prove it from the Parable thus Christ here compares his Church to a net cast into the sea which gathers of all sorts of fish some now this cannot be understood but of the visible Church because the Protestants who hold two Churches the one invisible the other visible doe thus distingush them that in the invisible are onely those who are predestinated unto salvation but in the other namely the visible are good and bad mixed together but in the Church which our Saviour speaks hereof are good and bad commixed and therefore he speaks of the visible Church yea and also of the true Church and therefore the true Church is visible First it is false that the Protestants hold two distinct true Churches Secondly Becanus fights with his owne shadow concluding nothing against us neither is this the Question betwixt us and them Whether the true Church of Christ be visible but whether the Catholike church be visible or not for we distinguish that ratione praedecati but this ratione subjecti for this true Church is partly visible partly invisible and the Catholike church is visible Quantum ad materiale but invisible Quantum ad formale that is Quatenus est Catholica Thirdly that Church in which are good and bad mixed together is not the Catholike church but a particular because the Catholike church is an assembly of men called by an internall vocation that is a society or company which consists onely of those who are both elected and called Ibidem page 275. this sentence is purged out Matth. 16 18 19. Upon this rock c. The Papists produce these words super hanc Petram upon this rock c. to prove that the true church of Christ is alwayes conspicuous and visible arguing thus whether by this rock upon which Christ promises to build his church we understand Christ or Peter or Peter's confession yet alwayes the foundation is some sensible thing and therefore the church is sensible because although now we neither see Peter nor Christ his Lord yet then when Christ spake this both of them were obvious to sight and now they are seene in their Vicar the Pope Bellarmine de Eccles Milit. lib. 3. ca. 11. First the Cardinall changeth his tearmes for it is one thing to be sensible another to be visible many things being sensible which are not visible as sounds the wind and the like Secondly the foundation of the church is Christ and not Peter and therefore he begs the Question Thirdly we deny the antecedent and his probation proves it not because Christ as he was the foundation of the Church was not visible he not being her foundation as he was man but as he was God and man yea he is a Mediator for those who beleeve on him and not those who see him Fourthly the Jesuit playes the Sophister committing a fallacy Ab hemonyma Ecclesia the word church being ambiguous signifying either a visible society and so it signifieth not in this place or else the universall and mysticall body of Christ and so it is taken by our Saviour here Ibidem in the written copy page 87. this sentence is deleted Touching the visibility of the Church I lay downe these propositions First the inward church of Christ is not to be called visible because although their persons be visible yet so is not their conjunction with Christ their head that being the internall work of faith which is not to be seen Secondly the compleat and most universall church from Abel unto the worlds end may respectively be called visible namely secundum partes because although the whole never had being in uno iâ—stanti in one and the same moment of time and therefore could never be seene uno iâ—â—etu by any one aspect or sight yet the parts of it the church â—â—â—tent in every age have been seen in their severall times And in these two the Papists I hope will not discent Thirdly there shall be alwayes a true church c. not externall and corporall That the invisible church of Christ is beautifull appeares by Saint Paul who cals it pure without spot or wrinkle Ephes 5. 27. and by the psalmist The Kings daughter is all glorious and that this beauty is spirituall and internall appeares by the same infallible authority who cals her black and faire cant 1. 4. that is outwardly deformed but amiable within and againe most plainly shee is glorious but within psal 45. 13. 20. Passages deleted That wicked men are no true members of the true Church and mysticall Body of Christ IN Master Wards Comentary upon 〈◊〉 printed copy fol. 20. this discourse was purged out Fifthly they object this place to prove that wicked men are true members of the church of Christ arguing that the church is compared to a bâ—rn-floore where there is both chaffe and corne therefore wicked men are members of Christ's church I
the Church of England was ready to ring the Changes and insinuating unto his Auditory that there was cause to fear an Alteration of Religion saying that Religion and the Gospel stood on tiptoes ready to be gone that divers good Ministers were silenced and that they should beware of a relapse unto Popery In this censure the Archbishop had the chiefest hand as was proved by the High Commission Bookes and Mr Wardes Submission which was drawn up by Sir Iohn Lambe and sent to this Archbishop who endorsed it with his owne hand This severe sentence utterly ruined this famous painfull preacher who lay long in prison and soone after ended his dayes in great grief and sorrow In April 1630. Articles were exhibited against Mr Charles Chancy a Reverend learned painfull Minister living at Ware for preaching against the Bacchanales and disorders used by many in the Christmas holy-dayes the increase of Popery Arminianisme and using these expressions in a Sermon of his charged against him in his Articles in Ianuary before That Idolatry was admitted into the Church and that not only the prophets of Baal but Baal himselfe is received and houses multiplyed for the entertainment of them and with all saying that the preaching of the Gospel would be suppressed That there wanted men of courage to tell the Superiours in the Church of their neglect for that there was increase of much Atheisme Popery Arminianisme and Heresie in our Church since the reformation of it as at this time wherein Heresies were not onely broached but maintained whereby he raised a fear among the people and insinuated to them that some alteration of Religion would ensue and be brought in and scandalized the whole Church of England and Government thereof To these Articles Mr Chancy gave in his answer upon Oath in the High Commission the 21 of the same April and the very next day by Order of that Court the whole cause was referred to this Bishop then of London being his ordinary provided that if Mr Chancy did not submit himselfe to performe his Lordships order therein that then his Lordship if it seemed good unto him might transferre the cause backe again to be censured in this Court Whereupon Mr Chancy made a Submission to his Lordship in Latin and soon after was enforced to desert the Kingdome and set sayle for New England to avoyd further persecution All which is manifest by the Originall Articles and Mr Chancyes answer to them found among Sir John Lambes sequestred Writings by Mr Prynne and by the Order of Reference and M. Chancyes Submission endorsed with the Bishops own hand the chiefe Prosecutor of this cause To these we could add M. Cotton M. Hooker M. Davenport M. Wells M. Peters M. Glover and sundry other Ministers driven into New England and other Plantations those that fled over into Holland to avoyd his prosecution with some hundreds of Ministers questioned in the High Commission and else-where by his meanes and there suspended silenced for not publishing the Booke of Sports or not submitting to his Popish Innovations M. Salisbury was questioned and troubled by this Prelate for these passages in his Sermon on Math. 24. 6. How many thousands have made shipwrack of faith a good conscience renounced our true Church stepp'd aside to Arminianisme and from thence as it is the widest gate that opens towards Rome relapsed to Popery Thus are wee scattered in our Jacob and divided in our Israel The Low Countryes not long since if not still sighed as deeply and mourned as strongly to finde herselfe as imperceivably to be overgrowne with Arminianisme And what a faction is like to be in our deplorable England between Popery and Arminianisme together except God be more mercifull and our State the more vigilant and mindfull We shall see sooner then tell and feel sooner then see Doctor Staughton D. Sibbes D. Taylor D. Gouge M. White of Dorchester M. Rogers of Dodham with sundry more of our most eminent preaching orthodox Divines were brought into the High Commission and troubled or silenced for a time by his procurement upon frivilous pretences But in truth because they were principle Props of our Protestant Religion against his Popish and Arminian Innovations But omitting these we shall conclude this head with one memorable instance more which comes very home Mr Nathaniel Bernard Lecturer at Sepulchers in London preaching at Antholins Church in May 3. 1629. used this expression in his prayer before his Sermon Oh Lord open the eyes of the Queenes Majestie that shee may see Iesus Christ whom shee hath peirced with her Infidelity Superstition and Idolatry This Archbishop then of London was presently informed of this passage attested by Walter Kirby an Atturney of Bernards Inne Iohn Browne of Durham Minister and some others Whereupon the Bishop brought him into the High Commission where after long attendance upon his Submission this ensuing Order was framed Die Jovis viz. xxviii die mensis Januarii Anno Domini juxta c 1629. Coram Commissionariis Regiis apud Lambeth Judicialiter sedentibus presente Thoma Mottershed Registrarij Regij Deputat Officum Dominorum contra Nathanielem Bernard Clericum Prima Sessio Termini Hillarij HIS appearance by bond was respited untill this day at which day and place the said Nathaniel Bernard appeared personally and then it being objected unto him by the Court that he had in a Sermon lately by him preached or otherwise delivered some Scandalous and undutiful speeches derogatory to some particular person of most eminent place which the Court desired not to have there repeated and for that the said Mr Bernard had acknowledged his error in that kinde as some of the Commissioners there unto whom he had submitted himself reported and himselfe confessed the Court was inclined upon his submission being a young scholler and a student in Divinity to accept his submission and enclined to deal mercifully and favourably with him yet considering that his scandalous and undutifull speeches were of such high nature as could not be well remitted or pardoned by this Court without the approbation and the good liking of his most Excellent Majestie the Court desired the Lord Bishop of London to acquaint his Majestie therewith and if his Majestie upon understanding of the Cause would be graciously pleased to pardon him and leave it to the Court that then this Court would take such further order for his dismission as they should think meet Mottershed The Copy of this Order with another Paper conteining the words were both endorsed with the Bishops own hand and found among his Papers by Mr Prynne who produced them Mr Bernard not long after upon his submission was dismissed the Court After which repairing to the University of Cambridge to visit his friends he fortuned to preach at Saint Maries Church there on the 6. of May 1632. in the afternoon wherein he let fall divers Passages concerning preaching the purity of Gods Ordinances worship and against the Introducers of
some other passages in my said Sermon I was as I understand conceived by some not onely to cast aspersions upon the present State of our Church and some principall Members and parts thereof thereby to bring it and them into scandall and dislike But even under some ambiguous words to move to take up armes for redresse although with recalling or restraining the same in termes afterward and saying thus Let us pray these men either to conversion if it be Gods blessed will or to their destruction Fiat justitia pereant illi and calling them crafty Achitophells c. I doe here acknowledge and professe I had no such Intentions neither doe I know any cause why my selfe or any other should so bitterly invay against any in our Church I am therefore heartily sorry that I gave cause to any of the hearers to conceive so And I humbly crave pardon for it For refusing to make this strange prescribed Recantation this godly Minister though he in generall termes professed his syncere sorrow and penitency for any Oversights and unbeseeming Expressions in his Sermon both in his Petitions and Letters to the Bishop which would not suffice was for a long time deteined in the New Prison there miserably abused by the Keepers of which he oft complained without redresse and in conclusion utterly ruined for speaking out the truth Wee shall close this branch of our Evidence with this observation That as Rewards and Punishments rightly distributed are the greatest incentives to vertue piety learning and retractives from vice error superstition so when they are perverted misplaced they become the grandest discouragements to Piety Religion the strongest attractives to Heresie Popery and all kinde of Superstitions Schollers commonly looke most of all after preferments yea make it their principall study to comply with those mens Opinions and Practifes who are the chiefe Bestowers of them No wonder therefore that our poor Church was sodainly overspread with a generation of Arminian Popish Superstitious Ceremonious prophane Prelaticall Clergy-men when all or most Ecclesiasticall preferments were in this Arch-Prelates disposall who for the most part advanced none but such but discountenanced suppressed persecuted kept back from preferments most orthodox zeal us preaching Divines who would not comply with his Popish Innovations and Designes It is very observable that the Archbishop himselfe records in his Diary April 5. 1625. How he presented to the Duke of Buckingham by his command a Schedule wherein the Names of Ecclesiasticall persons were written under the Letters O. that is orthodox in his sence to wit Arminians or persons addicted to Popish Errors and Superstitions and P. that is Puritans who was to deliver them to King CHARLES Ever since which time Mountague Manwaring Wren with such like unorthodox Clergy-men have been advanced and all Puritans as they termed them kept from preferment And it is as considerable what Mr Chaloner deposed to this purpose That being in Rome about five yeares since Friar John the great agent there for our English Benedictines and Catholiques was very inquisitive and demanded seriously of him Whether the Archbishop of Canterbury had not the bestowing of all Ecclesiasticall preferments and livings in England especially those in the Kings gift Seeming to be confident they were all then in his dispose and thereupon assuring himselfe that he would advance such persons to them as should be most favourable most plyable to Popery and Papists to drive on their designes as they did indeed with a witnesse till this Parliament imployed their diligence and power to weed them out by Degrees And therefore his advancement of such unsound corrupt Popish Clergy-men on the One and suppressing good Orthodox Preaching Ministers on the other side must necessarily import a most desperate design in him to supplant our established Religion by such a Generation of Vipers who would eat out the very bowells of their own Protestant Mother Church and Religion by Degrees The sixth Branch of the Commons Evidence to make good their first Generall Charge of the Archbishops endeavours to subvert our Religion and introduce Popery WEE shall now advance our progresse from this to the sixth Branch of our Evidence to make good our generall Charge of this Archbishops Traytorous Practises and Endeavours to subvert our true Protestant Religion and introduce Popish Superstition and Idolatry to wit His Iesviticall Practises Plots and Proceedings by himselfe and his Instruments to suppresse the frequent and powerfull Preaching of the Gospel on Lords-dayes Weeke-dayes with all Lecturers and Lectures throughout the Kingdome and the Feoffees for Impropriations a principall meanes to maintaine the same and his silencing suspending many godly Ministers in all parts upon frivilous illegall Pretences that so Popish Errours Superstitions might flow in and grow up the faster with none or little publique Opposition This is fully charged against him in the eleventh Originall Article and sixth Additionall which were read upon this occasion The first and most pernicious Plot this Prelate layd to suppress Preaching Lectures and Lecturers was drawn up by himselfe under his own hand soon after the Parliaments dissolution in tertio Caroli and presented by him to the King under this specious title which he gave it Considerations for the better settling of the Church-Government The Originall draught whereof written with his own hand and found in his study by Mr Prynne was produced and read in forme following Considerations for the better settling of the Church-Government That his Majesty would be graciously pleased 1. TO Command the Lords the Bishops to their severall seas excepting those which are in attendance at Court 2. That none of them reside upon his Land or Lease that he hath purchased or on his Commendam if he hold any but in one of his Episcopall Houses And that hee wast not the woods where any are left 3. That they give charge in their Tryenniall Visitations and at other times both by themselves and the Archdeacons that the Declaration for settling the questions in difference be strictly observed 4. That a speciall Charge be given them against frequent and unworthy Ordinations 5. That a speciall Care be had over the Lecturers in every Diocesse Which by Reason of their pay are the peoples creatures and blow the Bellowes their way Sedition For the abating of whose power these wayes may be taken 1. That the afternoon Sermons in all Parishes may be turned into Catechising by Questions and Answers according to an Order set out by King Iames of blessed Memory If this cannot be then 2. That every Bishop ordain in his Diocesse that every Lecturer doe read Divine service in his Surplisse before the Lecture 3. That where a Lecture is set up in a Market Town it be read by a Combination of grave and orthodox Divines neer adjoyning 4. That if an Incorporation do maintain a Lecturer he be not suffered to preach till he take upon him Curam Animarum within that Incorporation 6. That the Bishop do
faithfully promised to preach it no more And when he absolved him on this promise he most prophanely used to him these words of our Saviour spoken to the Woman taken in Adultery Iohn 8. 14. Go thy way sinne no more that is preach this Lecture no more as if preaching was as heinous a sinne as Adultery lest a worse thing happen to thee Furthermore in pursuit of these Instructions he put down all Sermons on the Lords dayes in the Afternoon throughout his Diocesse strictly charging the Ministers in his Visitations not to preach on Lords dayes in the Afternoon upon any occasion under pain of Suspension After which hee suspended one Mr Cornish only for preaching a Funerall Sermon on a Lordsday Evening Furthermore he convented the Minister of Beercoockham before him for having two Sermons on that parish Revellday alleadging that it was a hinderance to the Revel and utterance of the Church-all provided to be spent ' on that day belike he had more care of the Church wardens Ale then the peoples Soules and he questioned one Mr Thomas Erford a Minister as a Delinquent for preaching at the parish of Mountague on their Revellday upon the Prophet Joels exhortation to Fasting weeping and mourning charging him that not only his Sermon but his every text too was scandalous to the Revel and gave offence to the meeting And whereas divers godly Ministers of his Diocesse being restrained from preaching did take great paine thereupon to catechise their Parishioners in the principles of Religion on Lordsdayes in the Afternoon according to the Letter of these Instructions enlarging themselves upon the Questions and Answers in the Catechisme in the Common-Prayer-Booke for the peoples better Instruction and using a short prayer before and after that exercise this Bishop being informed of it corrected and sharply reproved these Ministers for their pains threatning to punish them severely if they Persisted therein saying Thus it was a Catechizing Sermon-wise and AS BAD AS PREACHING Charging them that they should aske no other Questions nor receive any other Answers from the people but such as were conteined in the Book of Common prayer which one Mr Bâ—â—rett Rector of Barwick not observing was enjoyned penance for it and one Humfrey Blake Churchwarden of Bridgewater was likewise put to penance for not presenting Mr Devenish the Minister there as a Delinquent for expounding the Church-Cateckisme and making a short prayer of his own before he began his exercise All which particulars were proved by substantiall witnesses before a Committee of the House of Commons drawn up into an Impeachment against this Bishop and being in verity the Impious fruites of this Arch-Prelates project who encouraged him herein must be justly and principally charged upon his score Quia plus peccat Author quà m Actor The like Suppressions of Sermons and Catechizing on the Lords day in the Afternoon were common in all or most other Diocesse neither could any Combination Lectures be obtained in them but with very great suite and upon very hard conditions which the Bishops tooke advantage to prescribe by colour of these Instructions all strictly observed till this present Parliament This we could prove by many Instances we shall produce but one instead of all the rest found among Sir Iohn Lambes Papers the Archbishops grand Instrument herein by Mr Prynns endorsed with Sir Iohns own fift Orders given by the Right Reverend Father in God JOHN Lord Bishop of PFTERBOROVGH for and concerning the Sermon weekly on Wednesday in Saint JAMES Chappell in BRACKLEY September the 14. 1639. 1. IT is ordered that the fifteen Divines whose names are here under written shall be appointed to their severall dayes by Dr Hâ—ath Chancellor of the said Dioces or his permission by Doctor Sybthorpe one of his Surrogates in a Catalogue to be signed by him annexed to these orders II. That no other Divine shall be admitted to Preach there upon any Wednesday but one of these fifteene except the Curate of that place upon any pretence whatsoever And if one of these shall dye or depart or refuse to preach none other shall be Substituted but by expresse allowance of the Bishop III. That the Bell shall begin to toll a quarter of an houre before nine of the Clocke in the morning and shall continue so toleing till nine of the Clocke and no longer IIII. That immediatly upon ceasing of the Bell the Divine Service of the Church of England for morning prayer shall begin and shall be said together with the Letanie either by the Preacher for that day or else in case of necessity only by the Minister of the place of his assistant in his Surplice and Hood according to his degree in Schooles V. The Preacher for that day shall be ready at the Communion Table in his Surplice and Hood while a Psalme is in singing after the Morning prayer and the Letanie to begin the Communion Service commonly called the second Service and that there be no Hiatus or stopp at all after the end of the Psalmes If he be not there He who did reade the Morning prayer that day shall presently goe thither and proceede to the second Service and no Sermon shall be had that day VI. The Preacher assoone as he hath repeated the Nicen Creede shall goe up into the Pulpet in his Surplice and hood VII No other forme of prayer before the Sermon shall be vsed then is set downe in the LV. Canon to move the people to pray in the words and manner there perscribed interposing only if he so desire the names of the Vniversities and of his Colledge or of his Patron he being one quallified by Law to have a Chaplaine VIII The Sermon at the utmost shall be within the compasse of an howre and shall be ended with Glory be to God c. without any other prayers in the Pulpit VIIII The Preacher shall after is Sermon come presently from the Pulpit and so goe to the Communion table and reade the prayer for the whole estate of Christs Church c. and one or two of the Collects which stands after the Communion Service and so shall dismisse the people with that blessing there The peace of God c. X. A Surplice and Hood are to be provided for the Preacher at the charge of the Towne XI The people to be admonished by the Preacher as neede shall require to be diligent and of reverend behaviour at the divine service both before the Sermon and also after it All men to be uncovered during all the time both of Service and Sermon all persons to do Reverence at the blessed name of Iesus to stand at the Creedes Hymnes and Gospells to kneele at the confession and prayers and practise all other parts of conformity to the Church Government or otherwise it shall be sufficient cause to have the combination for the said weekely Sermon forthwith inhibited if the Divine Service be neglected or deserted Or if these Orders above
complaints which have been made unto him by the Lords and other men of quality concerning the multitude or both unlearned and unworthy Ministers which pester the Church and are alwayes the Causes of great scandall and too often of Schism and Divisions therein And some of them are forced to the shame of themselves and their Calling for want of means to begg for their Living and yet are daily made in great numbers and that directly against the Canon of the Church which require's That no man should be made a Minister sine Titulo For remedy of this great abuse and wrong to the Church his Majestie hath directed his Letters to me and by them required me to call all such Bishops to me as were then in or about the City and after consultation with them to send my Letters to every severall Bishop within the Province to require obedience to the Canon of the Church and his Majesties directions according to it The Tenor of his Majesties Letter followeth as before ACcording to these Letters I am to pray and require you that at all times of Ordination you be very carefull to admit none into Holy Orders but such men as for life and learning are fit and which have a Title for their Maintenance according to the Lawes and ancient practise of the Church And his Majesty hath farther commanded me to advertise your Lordship that He will not faile to call for an Accompt of these his Letters both of me and you Thus not doubting but you will have a speciall care both of the good of the Church and his Majesties contentment herein I leave you to the Grace of God and rest Your Lordships very loving Friend and Brother W. Cant. In this Letter we find this Paper inclosed writ with Mr Dells but endorsed with the Archbishops hand declaring what shall be a Title So upon the matter these Titles are named in the Canon He that is ordained must have 1. A Presentation to some Ecclesiasticall Preferment 2. Or A Certificate undoubted that he is provided of some Church voyde there 3. Or A Grant of some Petty Canons place or the like in a Cathedrall or Collegiate Church 4. Or A Fellow or in the right of a Fellow in some Colledge in Oxford or Cambridge 5. Or A Conduct or Chaplain in some Colledge in Oxford or Cambridge 6. Or A Master of Artes of 5. years standing living at his own charge in either of the Universities 7. Or The intention of the Bishop that ordaines shortly to admit him to some Benefice or Curates place then voyde And I think the Canon intends that after a Man is once admitted a Curate the Parson or Vicar of the place should not have power to put them off at pleasure but only for such criminall unworthinesse as might deprive him of his Benefice if hee had one So I conceive under favour the Order may go briefly thus And farther his Majesties expresse Command is that this Canon be strictly observed by all Bishops in their severall Diocesses respectively and that none presume to ordeine any man to be a Deacon Priest or Minister under the penalty injoyned in the Canon or any other which his Majesties just displeasure may inflict upon him These Letters primâ facié seem very faire necessary but latet Anguis in herba there was a dangerous designe couched under them For first no Lecture whatsoever was admitted to be a Canonicall Title and so all ordination of Ministers to supply Lectures was totally secluded which was one chiefe end of this designe Secondly no Chaplainship to any Noblemans or Gentlemans family was allowed to be a sufficient Title and this gave a fatall blow to all such young Chaplains ordinations unlesse they had some better Title and Livelihood for the future which was likewise formerly aimed at in the precedent Considerations and Instructions And by this device many yong Divines were in a manner quite excluded out of such Religious Gentlemens Families which might season them with the practicall power of godlinesse or any principles which the Prelates held to be Puritanisme or Precisenesse Thirdly by this device all young Students in Divinity were made more dependent on more obsequious to the Bishops less dependent on the Nobility Gentry people as the Letters insinuate Fourthly under pretent of these Letters a kinde of new subscription was imposed on all such who were to be ordained especially if suspected to be orthodox or precise to sundry Arminian Popish Errours and Superstitions upon which they were interrogated to sound their inclinations and denyed Orders in case of disaâ—â—ent As namely Whether Bowing at the name of Jesus and to or towards the Altar at their approaches to it or ingresse to or egresse out of the Church were lawfull commendable Whether all baptized Infants were not truly regenerated Whether Episcopacy and the Hierarchy of Bishops were not of divine Right Whether the Church of Rome were not a true Church Whether Altars Copes Organs Tapers Crucifixes and Images were not lawfull Whether truly regenerate men might not totally and finally fall from Grace and the like By which Interrogations and many new Ceremonies introduced at ordinations sundry godly Schollers and Students of Divinity were deterred from taking Orders and a Superstitious Popish prophane Episcopall generation of New ordained Priests zealous to promote embrace the very groslest Doctrines and Superstitions of Rome engeadred and scattered among us in most places all powerfull soul-saving preaching banished or quite layd aside and the people every where poysoned with Popish and Arminian drugs By these and such like practises as likewise by preaching and printing against frequent Preaching formerly touched there ensued a great famine of the pure powerfull preaching of Gods Word of godly Preachers in our Kingdome and a monstrous increase of Popish Priests Jesuites Fryars Papists Popery Superstition Prophanesse Ignorance Impiety which have involved us in those miseries and distractions under which we now languish and are almost ruined His Fourth Device to suppresse preaching was the subversion of the Feoffees for buying in Impropriations particularly charged against him in the 6. Additionall Article in these words That whereas divers gifts and dispositions of divers summes of mony were heretofore made by divers charitable and well-disposed persons for the buying in of divers Impropriations for the maintenance of preaching the word of God in severall Churches the said Archbishop about eight years last past wilfully and maliciously caused the said gifts feofments and contrivances made to the uses aforesaid to be overthrown in his Majesties Court of Exchequer contrary to law as things dangerous to the Church and State under the specious pretence of buying in Impropriations whereby that pious worke was suppressed and trodden down to the great dishonour of God and scandall of Religion This Article informes us briefly what these Feoffees were we shall only add who they were what they did and how they were proceeded against by this Archbishop About
the year 1626. some godly Persons in and about London to promote the preaching of the Gospel and set up a Preaching Ministry to instruct the people in divers great Towns and Parishes impropriate where they wanted means to maintain Preaching of which they had long been destitute in former times resolved to lay their purses together and chuse out of themselves four Divines four Common Lawyers and four Citizens of note who should be Feoffees in trust to purchase in these Impropriations and with the profits of them to set up and maintain a constant preaching Ministery in places of greatest need and eminency whereupon they made choice of Dr W. Gouge Dr R. Sibbs C. Ofspring I. Davenport Divines Ralph Eyre S. Brown of Lincolas Inne C. Sherland of Greyes Inne J. White of middle Temple Esquires Common Lawyers Iohn Geering Richard Davis George Harwood and Francis Bridges Citizens to be Feoffees for this purpose who with their own monyes and the contributions of other well-affected persons in 2 or 3 years space purchased in the Impropriations of Hartford Dunstable Cirencester with others and set up able preaching conformable Ministers authorized by the Bishops of the Diocesse there in many other places where they had never any before as likewise at Bridgenorth Clarely and had they not been interrupted in this good work would in very few years in all probability have purchased in most of the great Towns noted Parishes Impropriations of England in Lay-mens hands where Preaching was most wanting and meanes to maintain it No sooner had this Malignant Prelate notice of this pious religious work but out of his enmity to Preaching and the good of ignorant peoples souls whom he would rather have still keept in blindnesse and the chaines of Sathan then instructed with the Gospels light and brought under the Scepter of Jesus Christ he presently projects not only the obstruction but utter subvertion of this pious designe which none but a Devill incarnate or Enemy of all goodnesse could dislike many even of the worser sort of Bishops yea Courtiers applauding it as a very necessary and godly work That he himself projected the overthrow of these Feoffees was proved out of his own Diary where thus he writes in the close of it Things which I have projected to do if Godblesse me in them the third whereof is this To overthrow the Feofment dangerous both to Church and State going under the specious pretence of buying in Impropriations Over against which he writes in the Margin DONE which fights point-blanke with his very next project of a quite contrary nature justifying these Feoffees acts namely To procure King CHARLES to give all the Impropriations yet remaining in the Crown within the Realme of Ireland to that poor Church Against which he writes in the Margin Done and settled there though to the impairing of that Crownes revenues and that by power of the Councell Table in an arbitrary forcible and illegall way to the undoing of many as appears by sundry Originall Letters thence whereas the Feoffees buying in Impropriations did no wayes lessen the Kings revenues and was done in a just and legall way To overthrow this pious work he caused Mr Noy the Kings Atturney Generall by the Kings command to exhibit a Bill against these Feoffees in the Eschequer Chamber to confiscate their purchased Impropriations to the King by a Decree of that Court and so dissolve all they had done which Bill was prosecuted with all violence To set on the prosecution with more edge he suborned his flattering creatures to declaime against these Feoffees and their design in the Pulpit both at Court and elsewhere Among others his great Minion Peter Heylin preaching at Saint Maryes in Oxford before the whole Vniversity at the publike Act there on Sunday in the afternoon the 11th of July 1630. discharged his venome against Lecturers and these Feoffees in these bitter Invectives p. 38 39 Planting of Pensionary Lectures in so many places where it needs not and upon dayes of common labour will at the last bringing forth of fruites appear to be a tare indeed though now no wheat be counted fairer c. Wee will proceed a little further in the proposall of some things to be considered The Corporation of Feoffees for buying in Impropriations to the Church Doth it not seeme in the appearance to be an excellent peece of Wheat A noble and gracious point of Piety Is not this Templum Domini Templum Domini But blessed God that men should thus draw near unto thee with their mouths yet be far from thee in their hearts For what are those intrusted in the managing of this great businesse Are they not the most of them the most active and the best affected men in the whole cause et magna partis momenta chiefe Patrons of the faction And what are those whom they prefer Are they not most of them such as must be serviceable to their dangerous Innovations And will they not in time have more preferments to bestow and therefore more dependances then all the Prelates in the Kingdome c. Yet all this while we sleep and slumber and fold our hands in sloath and see perhaps but dare not note it This Sermon he presented to this Bishop in writing bound up in Velome who thus endorsed it with his own hand S. Mat. 13 25. Master Peter Heylin and reserved it as a monument in his study where it was seised by Mr Pryn and Mr Bendy who produced and attested it Feb. 13. 1632. this cause came to hearing and sentence in the Exchequer Chamber where the Feoffees and their good designe were utterly overthrowne of which the Bishop made this speciall Memento in his Diary in these termes Feb. 13. 1632. Wednesday the Feoffees that pretended to buy in Impropriations were dissolved in the Chequer Chamber They were the main Instruments for the Puritane faction to undoe the Church The Criminall part reserved John White of the Middle Temple Esquire a member of the House of Commons deposed at the Lords Barre that he attending this Archbishop then of London at London House as a Councellour about a right of Patronage to Chingford in Essex after the hearing of the businesse the Bishop demanded of him Whether he were not one of the Feoffees for buying in Impropriations to which he answered he was whereupon the Bishop fell upon him with much bitternesse of spirit calling him An enemy of the Church an underminer of Religion and vehemently affirmed that this worke of his and his fellow-Feoffees was mischeivous to the Church and destructive to Religion and that he would see him and his fellows shortly called to an Account for it and stop them from proceeding in that work That some few dayes after he attended this Bishop again at Fulham upon the former cause where he took occasion to discourse with him at large about the Feoffees proceedings enforming him that their onely ayme and end in purchasing in Impropriations was for the
authorized by his Chaplain Dr Bray presented to and accepted by himselfe when published as appears by two faire gilded printed copies thereof with his Archiepiscopall Armes engraven on the Covers found in his study by Mr Pryune printed An. 1640. since these Propositions of Bishop Hall were sent him resolving that there can be not only no Church but no Ministers at all without Bishops to ordain them in these terms Non est Sacerdotium nisi in Ecclesia non est Ecclesia sine Sacerdotio Illud autem intelligo per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Episcopalem ordinariam Neque euim admittenda consneus extraordinariam aliquam sen vocationem seu 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nisi miraculosam Oportet omnino miraculis agant suam confirment functionem signo aliquo qui non ab Episcopis derivata ab Apostolis per successionem institutione in Ecclesiam inducuntur sed velorti à sese vel nescio unde intrusi sese ingeruâ—t Nâ—m quod pretendunt ordinariam vocationem retinendam adhibendam eique adherescondum nisi in casu necessitatis absurdum est suppositione innititur impossibilitatis Neque enim talis casus an t extitit aliquando aut contingere potest nisi fallat not Dominus qui promisit Porta inferorum non pravalebunt Ecce sum vobiscum ad consummationem mundi By which Position the forraigne Protestant Churches are resolved concluded to be no Churches their Ministers no Ministers their Sacraments no Sacraments their Ordinances no Ordinances of Christ which perchance made Mr John Dury ordained in one of those Churches to be re-ordained a Minister here by the Bishop of Exeter Dr Hall before he was admitted to his Benefice as appeares by their severall Original Letters found in the Archbishops study And then what are they but meere Pagan Conventicles farre worse then Papists and the Church of Rome We shall only adde to this that whereas Bishop Hall in his Treatise of Episcopacy pag. 18. excused the forraign Protestant Churches from being unchurched by these Positions only in this regard that the reason why they renounced Bishops was meerly out of necessity because their Bishops would not suffer them to enjoy the Gospel Adding pag. 19. That it is very considerable whether the condition they were in doth absolutely warrant such a proceeding which is somewhat too hard a censure of them yet the Archbishop in his forecited Letter to Bishop Hall taxeth him for this his overmuch lenity towards them in these termes You are a little more favourable to the forraigne Churches and their Authors then our cause will beare and yet in the very same Letter he mislikes and blames this Bishop for his overmuch sharpnesse towards the Pope in his second Book for bestowing the Title of Antichrist upon him wherewith he was so highly offended that out of a zeal to his Holinesse he presently complaines to the King himselfe of this indignity offered to the Pope and procures a speciall Mandate from his Majesty to Bishop Hall to qualifie his expressions in this particular with his owne pen which he did accordingly Notwithstanding the Generall confessions of all forraign Protestant Churches The authorized Impressions of all their eminentest Writers Our own Homâ—lies Writers of all sorts and the very Act of Parliament for the Confirmation of the Subsidies granted by the Clergy 3. Iac. penned by all the Prelates and Clergy of England in full Convocation give the Pope this Title and stile the Iesuites and their Adberents THE UNSHAMEFACT BROOD OF ANTICHRIST This his indulgence therefore to the Pope Priests and Church of Rome and professed emnity against the forraigne Reformed Churches in unchurching them in making their Ministers no Ministers at all and them no Christians nor Christian Assemblies discovers his very Intrals and inward bent of his soule to Popery to the Church of Rome yea his inveterate hatred to these Protestant Churches and their Religion too The next thing wee shall fully evidence 2. Though this Archbishop was so zealous an Advocate for the Church of Rome as both in his publick Speeches Writings to maintaine That her Religion is the same with ours as we have formerly proved yet he could by no meanes endure that the Religion of the forraign Protestant Churches and Ours should be termed one and the same Whereupon he presumed to countermand alter and purge his Majesties Letters Patents under the Great Seale for a Collection for the poore distressed Ministers of the Palatinate Ann. 1634. because it termed their Religion The true Religion which we together with them professe to maintain This wee shall make good by two substantiall witnesses and the printed Letters Patents themselves The witnesses are Mr Wakerly then Secretary to Mr Secretary Cook and Mr Hartlib who deposed at the Lords Barre upon Oath That in the yeare 1634. the Queen of Bohemia sent over one Mr Ruly a Palatinate Minister into England with Letters of recommendation to the Archbishop to desire his mediation and assistance to the King to grant Letters Patents under the great seale for a generall Collection towards the reliefe of the exiled Ministers of the Palatinate and their families who were then in great distresse which Letter Mr Ruly presenting to the Archbishop among whose Papers Mr Prynne found the very Originall after the reading thereof the Archbishop promised out of respect to the Queen of Bohemia who writ to him with her own hand to move the King in it which he did and then informed him that it was the Kings pleasure there should be Letters Patents drawn for a generall collection for those Ministers as was desired Wherupon Mr Ruly requested the Archbishop in regard he was a stranger and knew not our proceedings to give him some directions how to get the Letters Patents drawn and sealed who answered that he needed no instructions herein for it was a thing of usuall course and willed him to repaire to the Officers of the King his Secretaries and Attorney generall who would draw and procure them to be sealed Whereupon he repaired to Mr Wakerly who went with him to the other Officers and procured Letters Patents to be drawn according to former Presidents both in King James and King Charles reignes and namely verbatim according to Letters Patents for a like Collection dated 29 Ian. 3. Caroli which being drawn engrossed and passed the Great Seal of England without any scruple the Lord Keeper both reading and approving the same before the sealing Mr Ruly carried the Patent over to Lambeth to desire the Archbishops assistance for the printing dispersing and promoting therof where meeting with Mr Dell his Secretary he acquainted him with his businesse and shewed him the Patent who casting his eye thereon took some exceptions thereat because it made our and their Religion to be both one saying Are your Church and Religion and ours one which done he carried the Patent to the Archbishop who after he had perused it calling for Mr Ruly demanded
Preacher shall bring any other Minister to preach for him in time of his sicknesse absence or other necessary employment but such as for whose Conformity to the Church and Government here he will be answerable 7. That if any Minister being a Subject of the Kings in the Low-Countreys or any other place beyond the Seas shall in any other Auditory as well as before the Regiments or the Merchants preach or publish or in any other way by publike Speech Writing or Printing divulge any thing derogatory to the Doctrine or Discipline established in the Church of England or otherwise prejudiciall to the Temporall State and Government His Majesties Agent there shall use the best meanes he can to discover him or them so offending and having found them shall presently certifie the State here that so they may be recalled by Privy Seale to answer it And if they then refuse to come that the Law in that case passe upon them 8. That no man shall be chosen or sent over by the Merchants here either to Delf or any other place of their residence beyond the Seas whensoever any such place or places shall become voyd but such a man as is conformable to the Church of England both in Doctrine and Discipline and such as will be carefull to see that they which are under his Governments shall observe all such Church Duties as are expressed and required in any the former Articles And that some of the chiefe Merchant-Adventurers here be sent for to the Board and be made acquainted with this Article And farther that at every time and times that they send a new Deputy Governour to any place of their Residence they present the said Deputy to the Lords and give them assurance of his fitnesse and sufficiency for that Charge At which time the said Deputy may have such Directions given him by their Lordships as the present times and occasions require And that there be like care taken for other good Officers there as for the Deputy Governour himselfe 9. That whensoever the Merchant-Adventurers shall become suitors to His Majesty to renew or confirme their Patent as in most Kings times it is usuall so to doe that then there be a Clause inserted into their Patent to binde them to the observance of all or so much of these Instructions as shall bee thought fit by his Majesty and the Lords 10. That the present Agent as also all others that shall succeed in that employment have these Instructions given them in Charge and that once a yeare they be required to give the Board an Account what the Proceed of the businesse is That so His Majesties Subjects aswell abroad as at home may be kept in orderly obedience to the Honour of His Majesties Government and the better uniting of the hearts of his People to God His Majesty and one to another In which will consist the strength as well as the Honour of the Kingdom 11. I conceive it no way fit that the Ministers which are His Majesties Subjects in Holland should have any Classicall Meetings allowed them as it seemes they pretend some grant since the yeare 1622. especially that they be not suffered to assume power of Ordination for then it will be a perpetuall Seminary to breed and transplant men ill-affected to the Government into this Kingdom It is to be observed that the French and High Germane Congregations in the Low-Countreys doe all observe the Liturgy of their own Mother Churches only the English observe neither their owne nor any other uniformity Concerning the second that is the French and Dutch Churches as they now stand in many parts of this Kingdom I as humbly represent first the Danger then the probable Remedy For the Dangers I humbly submit but conceive as followeth 1. It was Honour and Piety in this State when at the first way was given for those Churches both in London and some other parts of this Kingdome Because at that time there was persecution upon them in their owne Countreys And the Peace with which God then blessed this Kingdom was their safety 2. I conceive it was never the meaning and purpose of this State then or at any other time that they living and continuing here marrying and having wives and children and many of them plentifull fortunes and Lands And their children and childrens children being now Natives and his Majesties borne Subjects should live like an absolute divided Body from the Church of England established which must needs work upon their affections and alienate them from the State or at least make them ready for any Innovation that may sort better with their humour 3. It is likewise considerable what an entire and divided body they keep themselves For few or none of them marry with any of us but only one with another Upon which it must needs follow that as they encrease and multiply they which are now a Church within a Church will in time grow to be a kinde of another Common-wealth within this and so ready for that which I hold not fit to expresse any farther 4. It is likewise of great consequence that these men living with their entire Families divided from the present Government of Church and Common-wealth are many and have got their Residence and settlement in all or most of the Haven Townes especially such as lie fittest for France and the Low-Countreys And were occasion offered God knowes what advantage they may take to themselves or make for others 5. Their Example is of ill consequence in Church affaires especially to the Subject of England For many are confirmed in their stubborne wayes of disobedience to the Church-Government seeing them so freely suffered in this great and populous City 6. Last of all I think it very just not to suffer French or Dutch Church differing from us in Discipline to be otherwise or longer tolerated in any part of this Realme then the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England shall among the Subjects of this Crowne be tolerated in those severall parts beyond the Seas whither they have cause to resort and abide For the Remedies likewise I humbly submit but conceive they may be these 1. I think it fit their Number in all places of this Kingdome bee made knowne as fully as may be that your Lordships may the better judge both of them and the way to reduce them into one Body with this Kingdome in which they are borne Subjects 2. I conceive the best way to know their Number is by a Command from the State it selfe and to have it avowedly taken in all places where they reside with a Certificat either presently or when your Lordships shall think fit which are the men of Credit and Wealth among them And this may be done really for their good and so sweetned as that they may apprehend it for a benefit as indeed it is 3. It is fit if they will continue as a divided Body from both State and Church that they be used as
be to them no welcome guests or else be sent away beyond Sea where they will open many mouthes against the authors of their misery 9 The Common-wealth shall lose many skilfull workmen in sundry Manufactures whom in times past the Land hath so much desired 10 Many thousand English of the poorer sort shall misse their good masters that set them on work and paid them well which will cause them to grieve at their departure if not to murmure 11 And say a handfull of Aliens should remaine to make up a poore Congregation where shall they baptize their new-borne Infants If in their Parish Churches then shall the strangers lose one of their Sacraments and if in the said strangers Congregation then it would be known when they shall be sent away to be admitted as Natives in their English Parishes 12 A greater difficulty will yet arise about the English Rites and Ceremonies enjoyned to such Aliens as shall remaine For though they mislike them not in the English Churches unto the which upon occasion they do willingly resort yet when this Innovation shall come upon them it will bee so uncouth and strange as it is doubtfull whether it or the separation of the Natives from the Aliens will bring the more trouble And whether they will not both be followed though not aequis passibus with the utter dissolution of their Congregations 13 And the rather because it is not likely that upon their want of a Minister any will be ready to come though sent for from beyond the Seas to serve them upon these two Conditions The one to be contented with so meane a stipend as they shall then be able to afford and that uncertaine too The other to observe such Rites and Ceremonies as they were never acquainted withall yea are offensive to some beyond the Seas from whence they shall be called 3 Lastly forasmuch as we have given no occasion of offence that might deserve the taking away of our former Liberties but have still demeaned our selves peaceably and respectively toward the English Discipline Neither do we harbour any factious English persons as members of our Congregations And also that by two severall Orders of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Councell your Lordship and your Successors have power to order the disordered in both the Congregations if any shall happen Therefore we humbly entreat your good Lordship seriously to take the premises into your grave and judicious consideration And as occasion shall serve to acquaint his Grace of Canterbury with them if your Lordship think it so fitting Vnto whose Grace we desire our humble duties to be presented humbly beseeching his Grace that he will be pleased to be graciously and favourably enclined to us and the rest of the strangers And if it be possible to stay the proceedings of his Graces Commissaries upon the said three Congregations of his Graces Diocesse that so they and we all may yet continue under the shadow of His Majesties most gracious protection and Toleration as before And wee shall pray for his Graces and your Honours long life and prosperity These weighty motives not prevailing they presented an humble Petition to the Archbishop himselfe Iun. 26. 1635. endorsed with his owne hand and seised in his study by Mr Prynne the same in substance with their Remonstrance to the Bishop of Norwich beseeching his Grace to be pleased to take these their motives into his pious and charitable consideration and to suffer them yet to enjoy the benefit of his Majesties and his Noble Predecessours grace of Toleration To this Petition after much sollicitation meanes and friends made to the Archbishop he returned a very peremptory Answer in a Letter of his to the Dutch and Walloone Congregations at Norwich dated August 19. 1635. the Copy whereof was found in his study wherein all the favour he would grant to them or any other forraigue Churches was this That his Majesty was resolved that his Injunctions shall hold and that obedience shall be yeelded to them by all the Natives after the first descent who might continue in their Congregations to the end the Aliens might the better look to the education of their children and that their severall Congregations might not be too much lessened at once but that all of the second descent borne here in England and so termed should resort to their severall Parish Churches whereas they dwell concluding his Letter in those words And thus I have given you answer fairely in all your particulars and doe expect all obedience and conformity to my Injunctions which if you shall performe the State will have occasion to see how ready you are to practise the obedience which you teach And for my part I doubt not but your selves or your posterity at least shall have cause to thank both the State and the Church for this care taken of you But if you refuse as you have no cause to doe and I hope you will not I shall then proceed against the Natives according to the Lawes and Canons Ecclesiasticall So hopeing the best of your selves and your obedience I leave you to the Grace of God and rest Your loving Friend W. Cant. August 19. 1635. By these Injunctions these Churches were molested and disquieted some three or foure yeares space some of them interdicted suspended and shut up for a time for refusing conformity others of them dissolved their Ministers deserting them rather then submitting to these Injunctions all of them much diminished discontented the maintenance of their Ministers and poore Members much impaired almost to their utter desolation notwithstanding all the great friends they could make to intercede in their behalfe and they brought quite under that Episcopall Iurisdiction and Tyranny from which they were formerly exempted Hereupon many consciencious Aliens and their children deserted the Kingdom who could not in conscience submit to the Ceremonies Innovations in our Churches and most of their Families were miserably distracted as appeares by a Summary Relation of the Archbishops proceedings herein presented to the Parliament and by a late printed Book entituled A Relation of the Troubles of the three Forraigne Churches in Kent caused by the Injunctions of William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury Anno Dom. 1634. set forth by Iohn Bulteel Minister of Gods Word to the Walloon Congregation of Canterbury printed Anno 1645. to which we shall referre the Reader for fuller satisfaction And as he thus endeavoured to subvert the Forraigne Dutch French and Walloon Churches at home and to presse the English Liturgy upon them so he attempted to disturbe our English Regiments and Congregations abroad in Forraigne parts and Plantations by imposing the strict observation of the English Liturgy and Ceremonies on them not formerly used by Orders from the Councell Table especially by that of October 1. 1633. to the Merchant-Adventurers which bred great disturbances among them as appeares by sundry Letters from Sir William Boswell Mr Stephen Goffe and others found in the Archbishops study which we
under his owne hand-writing that Doctor Abbot and the whole University in the yeer 1615. reputed and accounted him a Papist a Papist indeed at leastwise partly Romish and partly English or a mongrell and a compound of a Papist and Protestant one ready upon all occasions to step over to the Papists A Papist in the Doctrine of freewill justificaiian by works inherent righteousnesse concupiscence no sinne after Baptisme certainly of salvation and the Doctrine of the Sacrament and that the papists beyond the seas could say he was WHOLLY THEIRS and the Recusants at home make their brags of him This his temper was the cause of Doctor Hals Letter to W. L. William Laud as is generally conceived long since printed Anno 1608. in the third Decad of his Epistles Epist 5. page 55. for which his works were lately threatned to be called in or this Leter expunged out of them wherein he thus expostulates with him for his unsetlednesse and newtrality in Religion and inclining to the popish party I would I knew where to find you then I could tell how to take a direct ayme whereas now I must rove and conjecture to day YOU ARE IN THE TENTS OF THE ROMANISTS to morrow in ours the next day betweene both against both Our adversaries think you ours WEE THEIRS Your conscience finds you with both and neither I flatter you not this of yours is the worst of all tempers how long will you walk in this indifferency resolve one way and know at last what you doe hold that you should cast off either your wings or your teeth and loathing this Batlike nature be either a bird or a beast c. We shall conclude this part of our Evidence with the deposition of Francis Harris a converted Priest examined upon oath before the Lords who being in the Parliaments Army could not possibly be procured viva voce of which oath was made and thereupon his deposition was read as followeth The Examination of FRANCIS HARRIS of christ-Christ-Church London taken Jan. 9. 1643. before the Lords Committee appointed to take the Examinations in the Cause of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury THis Deponent saith that he being at Paris in France about 24. yeers since meeting with one Ireland who had formerly bin one of the chief School-Masters of Westmin School and then a Priest and discoursing familiarly with this Deponent the said Ireland told him that the now Arch bishop of Canterbury and he were intimate friends and that he had discovered unto him when they were in the University together that the said Arch-bishops resolution was to leave the Kingdome and to reconcile himselfe to the Church of Rome and that he knew him to be a Papist in his heart and wondred why he staid so long behind saying that perchance honores mutant mores And this Deponent further saith That one Leander a Benedictine Fryar and Doctor of the Chaire at Doway by the common report of Papists and Priests both abroad and in England was very familiar with the said Arch-bishop and came over on purpose into England where this Deponent since saw him to negotiate with the said Arch-bishop about matters of Religion to make a reconciliation between the Church of Rome and England And this Deponent was bred up a Roman Catholike and a scholler and a secular Priest and upon better advice reconciling himselfe to the Church of England did often solicite and petition the said Archbi for some mean imployment in the Ministery as having done very good service in discovering Priests and Jesuits to the Messengers appointed to apprehend them but the Archbishop never gave hau any encouragement or countenance This Examination taken before Us Kent Lincolne Francis Harris That he hath been reputed a Papist in heart opinion and practise ever since he left the University is so notoriously knowne to all that we shall produce no witnesses many having been publikely censured and privately questioned by his power for calling and reporting him such a one and many publike papers being pasted up and scattered about the City and Court from time to time proclaiming him such a one of vvhich we have at least a dozen found among his owne and Secretary Windebankes writings and that our English popish priests and Roman Catholikes as well as Protestants beasted of him to be theirs vve have many instances vvhich vve could produce did vve need such evidence and the testimony of tvvo Priests to boot But vve shall rather informe and prove to your Lordships vvhat repute the papists had of him in foraigne parts yea even in Rome it selfe since himselfe hath chalked â—â— out the vvay and furnished us vvith this kind of proofe by procuring Sir Henry Mildmay a Member of the House of Commons very unseasonably and unhappily to testifie for him in this kind vvhat a hard opinion they had of him and hovv much he vvas hated in Rome by the Jesuits and others more then any man breathing the manner of enforcing vvhose testimony is very remarkable The Arch-bishop some fevv dayes before his tryall petitioned the House of Commons that Sir Henry Mildmay of the Jewell House one of their Members might be examined in his behalfe as a speciall witnesse for him how much he was hated and spoken against above all men at Rome for opposing the Popes and Papists designes in England Which being granted the Arch-bishop moved tvvo or three times very unseasonably that Sir Henry might be called to give in his testimony in this kind vvho being then out of Tovvn and not appearing the Committee of Commons who managed the Evidence promised to send for and cause him to appeare the next day at the Lords Bar vvhich he did to wit on June 11. 1644. Whereupon the Archbishop desired him to acquaint the Lords Whether he had not been of late yeers at Rome and what opinion they held of himself there Whether Sir Henry upon his return from thence dining with him at Lambeth did not tell him of his own accord he was the most odiousman of any at Rome and therefore certainely the furthest of any from setting up popery and endeavouring to reconcile us to Rome Whereupon Sir Henry said My Lords it is true J was some few yeers since at Rome not upon any message or designe at all but being somewhat infirme in body J was advised by my physicians to travell for a time into forraign parts to recover my health Wherupon J first travailed into France from thence into Italy and being there to satisfie my owne curiosity and recover my health J travelled to Rome During my abode there J was very inquisitive to know what opinion they had of us in England and of the great men there especially of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and I observed there were some there that were against the Arch-bishop and spake ill of him others that spake very well of him and so much I informed him at Lambeth upon my returne from thence but I deny that ever I
in mother part of my Diocesse farther off every Parish hath his Priest and some two or three apiece and so their Masse-houses also in some places Masse is said in the Churches Fryars there are in divers places who goe about though not in their habit and by their imporâ—â—â—ate begging empoverish the people Who indeed are generally very poore as from that cause so from their paying double Tithes to their owne Clergy and ours from the dâ—â—th of Corne and the death of their Cattle these late yeers which the 〈◊〉 to their souldiers and their agents and which they forget not to reckon among other causes the appression of the Court Ecclesiastiasticall which in very truth any Lord I cannot excuse and doe seek to reforme For our owne there are some seven or eight Ministers in each Diocesse of good sufficiency and which is no small cause of the continuance of the people in popery still English which have not the tongue of the people nor can performe any divine offices or converse with them and which hold many of them two three foure or more Vicarages apiece even the Clerkships themselves are in like manner conferred upon the English and sometimes two or three or more upon one man and ordinarily bought and sold or let to farme c. His Majesty is now with the greatest part of this Country as to their hearts consciences King but at the Popes discretion c. Your Lordships most obliged servant in Christ Jesu WILL. KILMORE and ARDREN Kilmore the 1. of April 1630. His second Letter to the Lord Deputy of Ireland about the maintainance of the Army and the Cavan Petition which he sent inclosed in an other Letter to the Archbishop is somewhat more full and observable wherein there is this memorable passage concerning the encrease and insolencies of the Papists in Ireland which Letter he received thence Decemb. 4. 1633. Right Honourable my good Lord c. IN the midst of these thoughts I have been advertised from an honourable friend in England that I am accused to his Majesty to have opposed his service and that my hand with two other Bishops onely was to a writing touching the monies to be levyed on the Papists here for maintainance of the men of warre c. Indeed if I should have had such ad intention this had been not only to oppose the service of his Majesty but to expose with the publike peace mine own neck to the sâ—eans of the Romish Cut-throats I that know that in this Kingdome of his Majesty the Pope hath another Kingdome farre greater in number and as I have heretofore signified to the Lords Justices and Counsell which is also since justified by themselves in print constantly guided and directed by the Order of the new Congregation de propaganda side lately erected at Rome transmitted by the meanes of the Popes Nuncioes residing at Bruxels or Paris that the Pope hath here a Clergie if I may guesse by my owne Diocesse double in number to us the heads whereof are by corporall Oath bound to him to maintaine him and his Regalities contra omnem hominem and to execute his Mandates to the utmost of their forces which accordingly they doe stiling themselves in print Ego N. Dei c. Apostolicae Sedis gratia Episcopus Fermien Ossorien c. I that know there is in this Kingdome for the moulding of the people to the Popes obedience a rabble of irregular Regulars commonly younger Brothers of good houses who are growne to that insolency aâ— to advance themselves to be Members of the Ecclesiasticall Hierarchy in better ranke then Priests in so much as the censure of the Sorbon is faine to be implored to curbe them which yet is called in againe so tender is the Pope of his owne Creatures I that know that his Holinesse hath erected a new Vniversity at Dublin to confrant his Majesties Colledge there and to brâ—ed up the youth of this Kingdome to his devotion of which Vniversity one Paul Harris the Author of that infamous Libell which was put forth in print against the Lord Armaths Wansted Sermon stileth himselfe in print to be Deane I that know and have given advertisement to the State that these Regulars dare erect new Fryeries in the Country since the dissolving of those in the Citys that they have brought the people to such a sottish senselesnesse as they care not to learne the Commandements as God himselfe spake and writ them but they flock in great members to the preaching of new superstitious and detestable doctrines such as their owne Priests are ashamed of and at these they levy collections three four five six pound at a Sermon Shortly I that know that these Regulars and this Clergie have at a generall meeting like to a Synod as themselves stile it holden at Drogheda decreed that it is not lawfull to take the Oath of Alleagiance and if they be constant to their own doctrine doe account his Majesty in their hearts to be King but at the Popes discretion In this estate of this Kingdome to think the bridle of the Army may be taken away it should be the thought not of a brain-sick but brainlesse man c. The day of our deliverance from the popish Powder-plot Your Lordships in all duty WILLIAM KILMORE By these two Letters it is most apparent that this Arch-Prelat was from time to time acquainted with the extraordinary encrease and insufferable insolencies of the Papists in Ireland as likewise of their popish Arch-bishops and Bishops audacious proceedings in that Kingdome which he was more fully informed of by two printed papers sent to him by Archbishop Vsher the one in Latin the other in English found in his Study endorsed thus with his Secretary Dels hand May 3. 1632. Protestations of the Secular Priests in Ireland against Thomas Flemming Arch-bishop of Dublin one whereof was read at the Lords Barre To all the most Illustrious Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland but more particularly to those of the Province of Dublin their honourable Lords David Bishop of Ossory John of Fernes Rosse of Kildare and Matthew Vicar Apostolicall of Lagblem MOST Illustrious Lords and Reverend Bishops the Priests of Dublin make their complaint before you that the most Illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin Thomas Flemming of the Order of Saint Francis without alleaging my cause against them onely for his will and at his pleasure useth to exile and banish Priests out of his Diocesse and they protest that in so doing he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergie contrary to the Canons of holy Church and the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome Most Illustrious Lords and Reverend Fathers in Christ the aforesaid Priests doe make their complaints that the same most Illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin Thomas Flemming of the Order of Saint Francis though humbly sought unto and desired doth refuse to doe them justice in their causes neither yet will be permit the Clergie to follow their
Innovation it hath bin ever since my rememberance constantly practised in Cathedralls and is warranted by the Rubrick 4ly I gave no order for setting up Images or Pictures in any parish Church nor yet in the new Chappell at Westminster and Mr. Browne sweares it was Dr. Nowel that directed and paid him for his work there not I. 5ly I made neither Bishop Wrens nor Mountagues Visitation Articles nor Oathes they were their owne and if they have ostended in making them they must answer it themselves some of them having bin particularly questioned for them already 6ly For those particular persons cases objected I shall answer them in order 1. For Mr. Smart he was censured by the high Commissioners of Yorke for a Schismaticall and Scandalous Sermon not by me who had no hand in his censure Secondly For Mr. Chancy he spake contemptuous 〈…〉 against the raile that he would set it up in his Garden He was suspended only till he did submit after which he did submit and confesse his fault and then was absolved As for the words I used to his Advocate witnessed by Mr. â—â—â—â—brand it was when he was over bold and it is usuall with Courts to checke Counsell in this kinde when they oftend in such nature Thirdly For Mr. Burkit There were 5. Articles against him besides that which was read and he was prosecutest censured for them al not that only which is objected Fourthly Ferdinando Adams extreamly interrupted my Visitors and Bishop Wrens Visitors too in their Visitation at Ipswich by locking up the Church Doores against them for which high astront Processe was awarded against him Fifthly Iohn Premly his prosecution was the Act of Sir Nathaniel Brent and it was for an high contempt Sixtly For Mr. Sherfield he was censured by the Major voyce of the Court not by me alone and Mr. Caryll deposed that the Picture he brake was only conceived to be the Picture of God the Father not that it was so But admit it were yet it was not lawfull for him of his owne Authority to pull it downe and break it no not though it had bin the Picture of Iupiter himselfe This I did then affirme for which I had the Authority of St. Augustine and Bishop Davenant Yea in Constantine the Great his time as Eusebius writes in the third Booke De vita Constantini c. 52. 53. 54. No priuate Christians of their owne heads durst destroy the Jdols that were then worshipped nor the temple of Aesculapius wherein the Divel himselfe was adored til Constantine the Emperour gave expresse command and appointed certaine men whom he particularly imployed to demolish them It is true he pleaded that he demolished it by the Authority of the Vestry but the Vestry had no authority themselves to do it therefore they could not derive it unto him But it was Idolized and adored by some True but this appeared not till the hearing of the cause and was unknowne before Seaventhly The purging out of a Passage against Images in Dr. Featlyes Sermons taken out of our Homilies was no act of mine but my Chaplaines who must answer for it yet there are other passages therein left which are smartenough against Images and their adoration And Dr. Featly never complained hereofto mee Eightly The Bibles wherein these Pictures are shewed were Secretary Windebanks and Dr. Ducks which is nothing to me yea one of them is a Latine Bible printed beyond the seas at Amsterdam a place free from superstition not here Indeed I first saw one of these Bibles in Mistresse Kirkes hands whereupon I sent for one of them my selfe and then acquainted the Lords of the Councell with it who resolved they should not be sold publickly nor laid upon stalls for feare of giving scandall but privatly whereupon I told Mr. Wally as much which he hath testified But yet this is no Innovation for the old English prin-Bibells are full of Pictures Ninthly Mr. Workman was justly suspected for inconformity he was censured for other things as well as for passages against Images as appeares by his sentence As first for his words against Dancing 2ly For saying Images in Churches were Idolls though they are not Idolls till they are worshipped and that they were no better then stewes an unfitting expression 3ly For saying that Drunkards were preferred 4ly That the Election of Ministers was in the People 5ly For praying for the King of Sweden before our King 6ly For preaching against the Government of the Church established by Law 7ly For speaking against Pictures in privat houses as wel as in Churches For those of Gloucester questioned for granting him an Annuity then sued in the High Commission they were not many but only the principall Offendors it was lawful to cal them into the High Commission because their grant to him was in affront of authority their Fine was but small 10. â— a peece and that was pardoned As for Mr. Workman himselfe being put from his Ministry by sentence he was unfit to teach Schoole or practise Phisick for of leavening others with his dangerous opinions 10ly For Mr. Pryn Mr. Burton and Dr. Bastwick I answer 1. That the Prosecution against them in Starchamber was in a legall way for seditious Schismaticall and libellous Books 2ly That the rejecting of their answers under their owne hands and taking them pro confesso was no act of mine but of the whole Court 3ly That the expunging of Mr. Burtons Answer was not done by mee but by the two chiefe Iustices to whom it was referred by the Court who must answer for it if unjust and that the Copy of his answer found in my Study interlined with black-lead so far as it should stand was not intersined by me 4ly J gave no sentence against them at all but only Iustified my selfe and my proceedings against their calumnies But it hath bin objected that Mr. Cockeshut gave an accompt of the proceedings against them to me from time to time therefore I was the cause thereof I confesse he gave me such an account and it was just and fit he should do it because the cause concerned not only myselfe in some sort in particular but the Church of England in generall of which I ought to take care according as my place and duty required But I was no cause of any irregular proceedings Yea but I gave thankes to the Lords in the close of my Speech for their sentence and Iustice on them though I censured them not my selfe True and it was no more then I ought to do in behalfe of the Church But yet after the sentence given in my Epistle to his Majesty I excited him to put it in execution No I only left it to his Majesties consideration to forbeare or execute it as he in his justice and wisdome should deeme meet To this was replyed 1. in generall that the Archbishop in his speech in Star-chamber p. 53. hath this expression concerning rayling in Communion Tables Altarwise in parish Churches And
though it stood in most Parish Churches the other way yet whither there be not more reason the Parish should be made conformable to the Cathedrall and Mother Churches then the Cathedralls to them I leave to any reasonable man to judge So as his Innovations begun in Cathedralls were purposely introduced there first of all to draw on Parish Churches to Popish conformity with them in these Innovations Next in particular we reply that the alteration of the standing of the Lords Table and rayling it in Altarwise was no wayes warranted by the Queens Injunctions but contrary to them as wee have largely manifested That though this was not done immediately by himselfe but by the Deane and Chapter of Paules yet he was the Originall author of it and justified it when complained of That he publikely checked the Councell Parishioners and sir Henry Martin before the King and Lords for opposing this Innovation and alleadging Bishop Iewill and Mr. Fox against it desiring his Majesty to take these Bookes out of the Church if they made no better use of them then to oppose this Novelty That he carried himselfe more like an Advocate then Judge in this Cause and when the King himselfe was satisfied and would have it stand as formerly his violence was such that he over-ruled both King and Councell and drew up the Order forecited in their names for establishing this Innovation which favours of his stile and spirit the guilt whereof must rest principally on him 2ly The comming up to the Rayles was pressed by his Visitors Agents authority and those excommunicated who refused to come up and receive at the New Rayle to which certainly it was never the minde of the Common Prayer Book the Communicants should draw neare since there were no Rayles to draw neare and kneele at till this Archbishop enjoyned them to be set up in imitation of the Papists as we have proved but this drawing neare is rather a drawing neare to Christ by faith with our hearts and affections or else a drawing neare to the body of the Church of Chancell where the Lords Table is to be placed to the Minister officiating as it is expounded by the Qâ—eens Jujunctions 28 Canon The Table when the holy Communion shal be administred shal be placed in so good sort within the Church or Chancel as thereby the Minister may be more conveniently heard of the Communicants in his prayer and administration and the Communicants also may more conveniently and in more number communicate with the Minister 3ly We answer that the Lords Table was ordained only to administer the Sacrament thereat not to read second service at it for which the Reading Pew is appointed as the Common-prayer Book the Homilies of the worthy receiving the Sacrament and reparing Churches Queen Elizabeths Injunctions the Canous made 1571. p. 18. and the 82. 83. Canons Anno 1603. resolve Now this Archbishop enjoyned second service now to bee read at the Lords Table when there was no Communion and where it was rayled in at the upper end of the Quite not brought downe into the body of the Church or Chancell contrary to the Rubrick in the Common Prayer Booke which expresly determines That the Epistle and Gospel chiefe parts of this second service shall be read where the two Lessons are with a loud voice that the people may heare the Minister that readeth them the Minister standing and turning himselfe as he may best be heard of ALL such as be present which he cannot be if he read them at the upper end of the Chancell remote from the people where the Churches are great or the Ministers voyce low This innovation then which was never practised in any Parish Church till of late though used in some Cathedralls wherein the Rubrick enjoynes the Communion every Sunday in the yeare at least to be administred which was wholly omitted and the second service at the Table left to supply it is directly contrary to the Rubricke Homilies Injunctions Canon 4ly It is evident that Crucifixes were set up in many Parish Churches Chapells of the Kingdome which though we cannot prove to be done by his expresse particular Command yet certainly it was by his example or incouragement who repaired and set up Crucifixes in his owne Chappell 's at Lambeth Croyden and one over the Altar in Passion week in the Kings owne Chappell at White-Hall Besides those who erected them were either his owne Chaplaines or Faverites who knew his minde and did it for to imitate and please his Grace to gaine some further preferments For the Images set up in the New b Chappell in Tuttle fields we b have proved that the Arch-bishop promised to bestow a new Window on it that thereupon the old was taken downe the Kings Armes removed and those Images with the Archbishops owne Armes as the Donor of it set up that his Chaplaine gave directions about the VVindow and Mr. Sutton sweares that the money for new glasing it was paid since the Archbishops commitment to the Tower by his direction as he believeth A cleare evidence that he was the Author and director of this worke notwithstanding all his shifts to elude it 5ly Though the Archbishop made not these Bishops Visitation Oathes and Articles yet he made all of them Bishops who durst do nothing in their Diocesse or Visitations but by his direction to whom they gave an Annuall Accompt of their proceedings in writing as we have manifested Besides its apparent that all these Visitation Articles were made in pursuance of his owne Archiepiscopall Injunctions Instructions and himselfe approved of these their Oathes Articles never checking nor questioning them for them though their Metropolitan yea himselfe prescribed the selfe same things in his Metropoliticall Visitations by printed Articles written Injunctions or private Jnstructions as these Bishops did in imitation of him Therefore hee must Answer for these their Articles Oathes proceedings as farre forth as they who were but his Instruments Sixtly For his Answer to the particular Cases wee shall returne these Replyes 1. That though Mr. Smart was censured by the High Commission at Yorke yet he was first imprisoned here at London and transmitted from the High Commission here to York by this Archbishops meanes who complyed with Dr. Cosin in his prosecution and disposed of his livings after his deprivation as we can prove by sundry Letters found in his Study As for Mr. Smarts Sermon it was neither scandalous nor factions but Orthodox and Iuditious against the Popish Jnnovations introduced in the Cathedrall of Durham where he was the ancientest Prehend deserving rather applause then any censure as both Lords and Commons have resolved upon a full hearing and awarded him reparations and Damages for his unjust censure 2ly Mr. Chancy spake no contemptuous words at all against the Rayle nor of setting it up in his Garden His suspention was illegall not only without but against Law and Canon As for his submission it was forced and a
and that was no extravagancy As for the consecrating of Churches only repaired or somwhat enlarged we know no Law nor Canon in our Church to warrant it And to take sees for it is both Symony and extortion For the restoring of them it is only affirmed not proved and to take them illegally to bestow them on the poore is but to rob Peter to cloath Paul Thirdly For the consecration of Chappell 's and meere private Oratoties there is no president in Antiquity yea Gratian himselfe and the Roman Pontificall allow the use of them without any consecration Therefore to consecrate them is to exceed even Popery and Papists in Superstition As for his Chapell of Aberguilly his owne Diary proclaimes his Superstition both in its consecration and denomination of it For the Patterne and furniture of it his owne notes and papers clearly prove it was the same with that of Bishop Andrews whose forme of conscration himselfe alleageth he punctually pursued And if this were the true patterne furniture of Bishop Andrews owne Chapell Anno 1623. all the world may justly censure him for a professed Papist his Chapell Altar and their furniture being as Popish Superstitious Idolatrous every way as the Pops in Rome yea exceeding the very Roman Ceremoniall and Pontificall For Wafers they are directly contrary to the Rubrick at the end of the Communion in the Book of Common prayer we wonder therefore with what face this Prelate dares justify them That a Bishops breath puts only a badge of reverence not holinesse on Churches is diametrially contrary to what he formerly affirmed Perchance he now remembers that Quicquid effecit tale est magis tale and therefore Bishops cannot make other things holy with their breath who have little or no holinesse at all in their hearts For his solemne consecration prayer at the laying the first stone of Hammersmith Chappell it hath neither Scripture Law Canon Antiquity but the Roman Pontificall to warrant it Therefore it is meerly Popish Wheras he objects by way of jeare that he hopes the consecration of Churches and Chapells is no Treason we answer that we do not charge it to be so in it selfe But we have proved it to be a branch of Popery and a grosse one too and being introduced by him among other things to set up Popery and subvert Religion it will prove Treason in this respect as we shall manifest in due time And so this intre charge remaines unavoyded in any the least particle 8ly The next Charge urged against me Is The Kings Declaration for the use of sports on the Lords day prescribing the observation of Revells Wakes Feasts of Dedication likewise formerly suppressed where I am accused 1. For causing this Booke to be enlarged reprinted in his Majesties name to prevent the petition of the Iustices in Somersetshire and make way for Mr. Prynnes censure 2. For pressing Ministers to read it in their Churches without any Warrant suppressing of Sermons censuring those who refused to publish it as Mr. Wilson Master Player Master Heiron Mr. Snelling with sundry others encouraging other Bishops to suspend silence many Godly preaching Ministers for this cause pressing this Book and ordering Churchwardens to present such who refused to publish it by Visitation Oathes and Articles 3ly For reviving disorder by wakes Revels and causing the Iudges Orders to be reversed To the first of these I answer That the Kings Declaration for sports was printed and published by his Majesties speciall command Yea I had a Warrant under his hand to see it printed and there is no proofe at all that it was printed published or enlarged by my procurement Besides the Declaration is but for the use of lawful Sports and that only after evening prayer ended and the cause of publishing it at that time was partly Barbourous Book of the Sabbath who would revive the Iewish Sabbath and the Iewish rigidities positions of others touching the Lords day whose positions drew Brabourne into that Error In Geneva it self as I have bin ceedibly informed by Travellers they use shooting in peeces long bowes Crosse Bowes Musters and throwing of the bowle too on the Lords day as well before as after Sermons ended and allow all honest recreations without reproofe of their Ministers yea Mr. Calvin the great professor there Instit l. 2. c. 8. sect 34. blames those who infected the people in former ages with a Iudaicall opinion that the morality of the 4th Commandement to wit the keeping of one day in 7. did still continue which what else is it then in dishonour of the Iews to change the day and to affix as great a sanctity to it as the Iewes ever did And that those who adhored to their constitutions who broached this Doctrine Crassa carnalique Superstitione Judaeos ter superant Men may be too strict as wel as prophaneherein Yet I for my part have ever strictly observed the Lords day in point of practise And whereas it was attested by Mr. Prynne that this Declaration was published to prevent the Petition of Somersetshire for the reviving of Iudge Richardsons forecited order Sir Robert Philips and many other Gentlemen of that County complained against the order to the King whereupon the Iudge was ordered to reverse it and the Declaration was not published till after the reversall 2ly The Declaration was ordered to be published in the Church and that was sufficient warrant to enjoyne Ministers to publish it there although no penalty be prescribed in it to such who should refuse to publish the same yet it is implyed otherwise the command were idle in case of disobedience That it was published with intent to suppresse afternoon Sermons that so the people might â—ave more time for Sports This could not be since none were to use any Recreations till after Evening Prayer ended That I gave my Visitor command to suspend those who refused to read it was only within my Diocesse of Canterbury not in my Metropoliticall Visitation throughout my province I suspended but three Ministers in my whole Diocesse who had first time of consideration granted them to wit Mr. Wilson Mr. Culmer and Mr. Player only suspended ob officio for their contumacy being men of factious Spirits For Mr. Wilson and others being brought into the High Commission for not reading this Declaration it was the act of the Court not mine As for Mr. Snelling he was excommunicated by Dr. Woode not me and he was questioned in the High Commission for not bowing at the name of Iesus and as well as not reading this Book Besides I was not present at his censure there neither did I expunge his answer Nor did I presse the reading of the Declaration in my Visitation Articles if other Bishops did it t is nothing to me themselves must answer for it not I. 3ly Feasts of dedication have beene of great Antiquity and in generall use in some Coutries and there is a lawfull use of them for Hospitality and increase of
so he deserved to be censured for it That the Papists burnt it I could not help that Neither did it agree with Master Fox his Calender but he abused it in leaving out divers Saints allowed by the Church of England as the Epiphany and Annunciation of our Lady For Doctor Pocklingtons Book wherein he abused our Martyrs it was licensed by his Chaplain Doctor Bray who was censured for it as was Doctor Pocklington too in the Lords House But it is objected that my Chaplaines act is in law mine owne I answer not unlesse I command it But the Book it selfe was found in my Study and I preferred Doctor Pocklington for it I know no such thing and though I had the Book yet I knew not of this passage in it Fourthly for the calling in of Beacons Book printed by Mistris Griffin it is nothing to me what a Jesuit said of it and if called in it was because she reprinted it contrary to the Star-chamber Decree Fiftly for the Palsgraves Religion I remember it not and if called in it was because it was contrary to the Kings Declaration and touched upon some points of controversie prohibited by it Sixtly the hindring of the reprinting of Master Fox Bishop Jewell and Doctor Willet was no act of mine Seventhly I hindered the printing of no new Books against Popery Eightly the questioning of Master Prynne Master Burton and the rest in the High Commission was no act of mine but the Courts nor were they censured but got off without censure Master Burton said he was questioned before the Counsell Table for one of his Books as a Libell If it were a Libell there was cause to doe it He added he could not be quiet for being troubled in the high Commission nor could the Church be quiet for him which was the cause of his trouble He affirmed I committed him to the Fleet and denied him the benefit of the Petition of Right I answer there was cause enough for his commitment for printing of Books without license and for disturbing the peace of the Church and he had the benefit of the Petition of Right because the reason of his commitment was expressed in the Warrant Ninthly I licensed none of the particular books forecited my selfe nor any of my Chaplains to my knowledge I am certaine not by my command and if any of them have transgressed herein themselves must answer for it not I who having many other weighty publike affaires to look after had no time to peruse or license Books my selfe and was enforced to commit this trust to their care Tenthly to the particular books I answer First that though Sales his book was licensed by my Chaplaine yet he was abused therein by the Translator Printer who was punished for it in Star-chamber The book it self was called in and burnt by Proclamation and I dismissed the Doctor for licensing it out of my house and service For Christs Epistle to a devout Soule it was licensed at London House by Doctor Weeks the Bishop of Londons Chaplain not mine and so nothing to me besides it was suppressed before it was published For Doctor Heylins Books they are nothing to me I had no hand in them nor yet in Doctor Pocklingtons who hath been censured for them himselfe For Bishop Mountagues Impressions they concerne not me I did neitheir advise nor authorize them For the Lives of the Emperours which commend the Councell of Trent the Book was not licensed and I know not of it For the Popish Index Biblicus printed in England it is nothing to me it was without my privity and direction For the severall popish passages objected out of some newbooks the Authors themselvs must answer them at their perill they concerne not me For the rejecting of Master Prynnes Crosse Bill in Star-chamber complaining of these popish Books and Doctrines it was none of my act but the Courts and Lord Keeper Coventries and so was Mr. Burtons censure for his Book in which I gave no Vote For Master Croxtons Letter to me with a Crosse enjoyning Auricular confession I could not hinder it nor his practise of confession being in Ireland And for the passages objected out of mine owne Speech in Star-chamber that they imply and necessarily inferre the popish Doctrine of Transubstantiation and the giving of divine worship to the Altar even the same that is given to God I answer that neither of these can be inferred from thence for my words onely imply that Christs body is truly and really present in the Sacrament yet not corporally but in a spirituall manner and so is received by us which is no more then Master Calvin himselfe affirmes on the 1 Cor. 11. 24. where thus he writes Neque enim mortis tantum Resurrectionis suae beneficium nobis offert Christus sed corpus suum in quo passus est Resurrexit Concludo REALITER ut vulgo loquuntur id est VERE Nobis in Coena datur Christi corpus ut sic Aâ—imis Nostris in Cibum salutarem and Master Perkins himselfe faith as much For my words that we should bow DEO ET ALTARI which are coupled both together with a Conjunction Copulative yea both bowed to at the self-same time in one and the same act and the worship directed to and terminated in both alike Ergo divine worship is given to the Altar herein as well as to God which is flat Idolatry or but such civill reverence given to God as is rendred to the Altar which is to dishonour God and gives him no greater worship in his house then is due unto a creature I answer that though the act of bowing be the same to both yet the object mind and intention being different the worship must be so too There is a double worship and bowing one of the body the other of the heart as Master Perkins himselfe distinguisheth which is properly called Veneration when done but to a creature in a civill respect and worship onely when given to God himself To this was replied Ferst that this Decree of Star-chamber concerning printing was onely his owne act originally who projected and put that Court upon it whereof he was an over-potent Member theirs onely Ministerially to satisfie his importunity therein as the forecited Passages in the Decreee it selfe and our Witnesses attest Yea the printing of it was by his own command to enlarge his Jurisdiction which it much advanced We grant that some things in the Decree were good approved of by the Stationers who desired the same of which we complain not and some particulars very usefull had a right use been made of them But the prohibiting reprinting of all Orthodox Books formerly printed by authority unlesse re-licensed by him or his Agents the deniall of any old book to be reprinted even against Popery it selfe with the suppressing or purging most new Books against Popery under pretext of this Decree and the arbitrary punishing such who transgressed herein both in the Star-chamber
herein Seventhly himselfe if not immediatly yet originally and mediatly hindered the printing of all the new Books against Popery refused at the Presse and denied license by his Instruments Chaplaines Doctor Bray Doctor Haywood Doctor Weekes Doctor Baker unlesse first purged by them Ninthly the questioning of Master Prynne Master Burton with their Printers and Stationers in the High Commission for their Books against Doctor Cosins his popery Babel no Bethel Baiting of the Popes Bull and the like was originally his act alone not the Courts which did naught in it but by his instigation Their getting off thence was by Prohibitions sore against his will where else he resolved to ruine them Master Burtons answering the Popes Bull by license deserved no questioning at the Counsell Table and was certainly no Libell at all unlesse the Pope or his Partisans deemed it such to them His Books then were no trouble to the Church and therefore it was strange and most unjust he should be troubled for them yea his imprisonment without Baile which he tendered when bailable by Law was contrary to Magna Charta and the Petition of Right though the cause of it not warranted by Law was expressed in the Warrant Tenthly his owne Chaplaines oversights and offences in licensing popish Books even with this speciall Encomium that there was nothing in them contrary to faith and sound Doctrine the forme of licensing himselfe prescribed them under his owne hand is certainly both in law and justice his owne crime more then theirs who must answer for it much more then they the trust of licensing books being originally reposed in himselfe by the State and in his Chaplaines onely by his owne Deputation for whom he must answer at his perill To prove this and take away this poore evasion which he so much insists on we shall put but these few cases adjudged in Law If a Bailiffe under Jaylor or under Sheriffe suffer a prisoner to escape or any way to misdemeane themselves in their office an action of escape debt an fine in cases of felony and treason and action of the case lyeth against the high Sheriffe and chiefe Jaylor for it who must undergoe the penalty and blame because they are their servants entrusted by themselues And to put a case which comes neerer home and is farre stronger then this of a Chaplaine 21. E. 1. membr 3. Dorso Clauso and in the Pleas of that Parliament placit 17. John Archbishop of Yorke was questioned in Parliament for excommunicating William of Willicon and John Rowman servants to the Bishop of Durham then imployed in the Kings service the Archbishop pleaded just as this Archbishop doth now That they were not excommunicated by himselfe but onely by his Commissary who must answer for it and so no act of his for which he ought to answer But yet notwithstanding it was upon serious debate resolved in Parliament that the Act of his Commissary being his owne immediate Officer was his owne act for whose misdemeanour he must answer and thereupon he was fined 4000. markes to the King and forced to pay it a great fine in those times for such an offence yea gladed to make many friends to the King to avoid a further censure which is farre stronger then the case of this Arch-prelate For this Commissary was an Officer established by Law which the Archbishop could not remove at pleasure without just cause but his Chaplaines were no Officers by Law but meer meniall servants under his immediate command and removable at pleasure therefore certainly they durst license nothing especially against our established Religion without his privity and command Besides there were never any such popish Books authorized since the beginning of Reformation in any of his Predecessors times by themselves or their Chaplaines neither durst such erronious pamphlets appeare publickly amongst us till he grew great to patronize them yea when they were thus licensed and publickly complained against as Popish erronious and destructive to our Religion he censured persecuted such who durst complaine or write against them never questioning nor punishing the Licensers Printers or Authors of them exemplarily as he should have done to discharge the trust reposed in him and vindicate his sincerity herein whereas if any new Book against Arminians or Popish Innovations did but privily passe the Presse by license of his Predecessors Chaplaines as Bishop Carltons Book against Mountague Master Prynnes Perpetuity his Survey of Master Cozens his Cozening Devotions Histriomastix with other forenamed Impressions did he presently suppressed burnt them questioned the Authous Printers Dispersers Licensers of them both in the High Commission and Star-chamber too where Master Prynne by his meanes was censured in the highest degree of extremity for his Histriomastix a licensed Book and Master Buckner too who licensed it fined by this Archbishop himselfe and that Court therefore this act of his Chaplaines must rest upon his own head and the guilt thereof lye heaviest upon him whose fault it was to make choyce of such and to entrust them in this kind As for his excuse of his many other grand imployments which so engrossed his time that he had no leisure to peruse what Books were tendred and licensed for the Presse it is so farre from being any excuse that it aggavates his crime Certainly the preservation of our Religion in its purity the keeping out all Popish innovations in Ceremony Doctrine Worship and the suppression of Popish errours Books Doctrines were the principall things of all others which his Place Calling yea his Majesties trust engaged him to look unto for him then to neglect this principall part of his Episcopall duty the frequent preaching of Gods Word he seldome appearing in the Pulpit after he became Archbishop and a Privy Counsellour to drowne himselfe in all manner of secular imployments in the Star-chamber Counsel-Chamber Exchequer spending his time in proling about Tobacco Licenses illegall Taxes Projects Monopolies of all sorts contrary to the Lawes and Liberties of the Subjects in undermining Parliaments oppressing the people every where and managing the Kings Revenues things no way suitable to his spirituall Function is so farre from extenuating that it puts the highest degree of aggravation upon this his negligence and Chaplaines misdemeanours which he should have better looked too But admit the reall duties of his Place alone had been overburthensome to him he should then have intrusted imployed such in Licensing and perusing Books who would have discharged the trust reposed in them in farre better manner then his knowne Popish and Arminian Chaplains did Tenthly to his excuses touching the particular Popish Books objected We answer first that Sales his Booke was Licensed by Doctor Haywood his own Chaplain that he was not abused in it but the Printer whom he checked for complaining to him of the Popish passages in the Booke and encouraged to proceed in the printing of it which otherwise he durst not have printed That it was afterwards
the Lawes concerning it meer Engines of State to draw reward for toleration dispensation and connivance c. his excuse is most miserable and ridiculous For first it is generally agreed by all Protestant Writers that Popery trencheth upon the first Commandement by advancing the Virgin Mary Pope to omit the Bredden Wafer into the very Throne of God himselfe and Deifying them both with divine Titles Adorations Attributes Epithites Orisons and the like therefore no reason to delete this clause that it trencheth on the first Commandement the rather because Paul himselfe affirmes it in direct termes 2 Thes 2. 3 4. as all orthodox Expositors resolve Secondly it s agreed by all Protestants yea by this Arch-Prelat himselfe in shew at least when his reputation seemed to be somewhat blasted as if he were devoted to Popery and expresly resolved by our Homilies against the perill of Idolatry that Popery expresly trencheth upon the second Commandement sundry wayes as by adoring Crucifixes Images Saints Angels Reliques Altars the consecrated Hoast yea by invocation of Saints departed and introduction of sundry Idolatrous Superstitious Rites Ceremonies formes of Worship invented by Popes Priests Fryars into the Worship of God Therefore had he deleted its intrenchment upon the first Commandement as dubious yet since there is no question of their transgressing the second in all these particulars his abolition thereof is inexcusable and displayes his popish disposition Thirdly however had he deleted this likewise yet his obliterating that which followes against connivance at and suspention of Lawes against Popery and Papists for luchre sake least God make the gaine gotten by this dividing betwixt him and Idols to be like that of Solomons which was recompenced with the losse and dividing of his Kingdome betwixt his Sonne and a Stranger c. the sad effects whereof we have lately felt with all other passages whatsoever against Popery especially at this juncture of time when all forraigne popish Princes had confederated to extirpate the Protestant Religion in forraigne parts as the first deleted passage informes us is such an unsufferable execrable crime in one who pretends himselfe a Protestant Bishop and had then no legall authority to correct or license Books for the Presse as deserves the highest censure yea displays to all the world the hidden Popery of his heart if not his secret correspondency with the Romish party to replant their false superstitious Religion and Idolatry in our Church and from this originall purgation of his we may visibly discover that all succeeding expunctions of this kind made by his owne chaplains and other Agents at Lambeth or London-house proceeded primarily from himself as the originall cause and Author of them The second Objection of this kind is my alterations of the Prayers appointed for the fift of November in some particular causes in the Impression of them Anno 1635. To this I answer First that these alterations were not made by me but the Prayers were sent unto me altered by the King himselfe who commanded me to see them printed according to those alterations and I have here the Books with his Majesties hand and Warrant to each of them for what I did Secondly that the expressions were somewhat overharsh and fit to be altered terming their very Religion Rebellion being but the Christian Religion and the same with Ours as I have proved at large in my Speech in Star-chamber to which I must referre where I have rendred reasons for it which gave generall satisfaction then and I hope will doe so to your Lordships now To which was replied First that the Archbishop shewes his great undutifulnesse here in casting this and other his unwarrantable popish actions on the King himselfe Secondly that for ought appeares he procured from the King this Warrant since the alterations were printed yea complained of and that by circumvention Thirdly that it had been his duty to have disswaded the King from giving way to such scandalous alterations in favour of Jesuits Papists Traitors and their bloody Religion Fourthly that himselfe in his Speech page 33 34. confesseth he made the Alterations himselfe by the Kings command Therefore the Book was not sent him altered by the King or any other as now he falsly pretends Fiftly as for the grounds of the most grosse alteration mentioned in his Speech we have already refuted them at large in the Charge therefore we shall not actum agere but refer you thereunto The third objected Purgation made by my selfe is of some clauses appointed in the Book for the Fast Anno 1636. To which I answer First that it is not proved that I made these Purgations Secondly that I have given a full answer to and shewed there was reason for the making of them in my SPEECH in Star-chamber where they were objected To this was replied First that himselfe doth both confesse and justifie thèse purgations in his said Speech to be made by himselfe and his confederated brethren to whom the care of this Fast was committed therefore he much forgets himselfe here in denying it to be proved when we undeniably evidenced it by his owne printed Confession Secondly we have already refuted his reasons for those purgations mentioned in his Speech discovering their absurdity and fully proving that they were made meerly in favour of Popery to which he hath not returned the least shadow of answer therefore we shall acquiesse therein without further reply The fourth objected alterations and purgations ascribed to my selfe are in Doctor Potters Book entituled Want of Charity c. the second Edition To which I answer First that he writ to me of his own accord to alter or correct any thing I thought meet in the second Impression of his Book and what I did therein was upon his owne request Secondly that the expressions I advised him to amend were either such as were very harsh as Beleeve in the Pope or somewhat obscure as The Idol of Rome c. Thirdly that his exposition of Matth. 18. 17 11. Dic Ecclesiae c. concernes not the Parliament but the Sanhedrin or Civill Court of the Jewes And whereas it is urged that I writ his Exposition of it seemes to give as much power to the Parliament as to the Church or Convocation in Church affaires which is a derogation to the Parliaments Jurisdiction I conceive it to be none since it appeares by the Statute of 1. Eliz. c. 1. that the Parliament cannot determine any thing in matter of Religion without assent of the Clergy in their Convocation this Act providing That the High Commissioners shall not in any wise adjudge any matter to be Heresie but onely such as hath beene heretofore determined ordered or adjudged to be Heresie by the authority of the Canonicall Scriptures or by the first foure generall Councels or any of them c. or such as shall be hereafter ordered judged or determined to be Heresie by the high
Court of Parliament in this Realme WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE CLERGY IN THEIR CONVOCATION Fourthly that I did not alter or rase out those passages but onely left them to the Doctors owne consideration who thereupon of himself amended and left them out To this was replied First that Doctor Potter writ to him onely to correct or alter by his servant Master Dell or others any thing in his Booke OFFENSIVE TO HIM To which he returned this answer I have done that which you have so desired c. So as these very passages against the Pope and Papists were offensive to him as well as to them at which as it seems by the Doctors Letter he had formerly taken some offence else why should he thus write to him to alter and correct any thing in his Booke offensive to his GRACE It seemes by this that whatever offended the Pope or Papists be it but an harsh expression offended his Grace too who was all for Charitable expressions towards them who are so uncharitable towards us Secondly for the expressions themselves The first of them is not so harsh as true and fitting since Papists not onely beleeve the Pope but beleeve in him too viz. That his Exposition of Scripture is infallible that he cannot erre in his chaire that this Lord God the Pope cannot onely pardon sinnes and release soules out of purgatory at his pleasure but infallibly save all such who adhere to beleeve in and trust upon him for salvation The latter of them the Idol of Rome is a proper Periphrasis or Character of the Pope himselfe who is there idolized adored sundry wayes Thirdly the deleting his exposition on Matth 18. 17 18. upon the reason rendred by him is both derogatory and destructive to the Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction of Parliaments in Ecclesiasticall causes and affaires which our Parliaments have alwayes judged setled established in all Ages oft times without yea against the Clergies consent the Convocation onely propounded advised and submitted wholly to the Parliaments judgement Yea our Parliaments have made Lawes concerning Heresie its punishment and matters of Religion sometimes without the Clergies consent as it is evident by the Statutes of 25 Hen. VIII c. 14. 28 Hen. VIII c. 10. 35 Hen. VIII c. 5. 1 Edw. 6. c. 1. 2. 12. with others Sometimes upon their Petition and earnest request as 5 Ric. II. c. 5. 2. Hen. IV. c. 15. repealed though never truly a Statute since the Commons never consented to them 2 Hen. V. c. 7. Sometimes by their request and advice too as 31 Hen. VIII c. 14. 34 Hen. VIII c. 1. 1 k 2 Ph. Mary c. 6. As for the Statute of 1 Eliz. c. 1. it no wayes inferres that the Parliament it selfe cannot adjudge or determine any Ecclesiasticall matters without the assent of the Clergy in the Convocation for then they had never cast our Popery and the Popes usurped authority which the Clergy still maintained nor wrought any reformation of Religion in our present or former Parliaments but onely Enacts That the High Commissioners shall adjudge nothing to be Heresie not formerly resolved to be so as this Act expresseth but what the Parliament shall adjudge â—rder and determine to be Heresie by assent of the Clergie in their Convocation from whence no argument can be deduced but this Nonsequitur The High Commissioners can judge no new opinion to be nor punish it as Heresie unlesse the Parliament of England first adjudge it to be Heresie with the assent of the Clergy in Convocation by the expresse provision of this Act Ergo the Parliament can make no Ecclesiasticall Lawes meddle with no Church affaires nor determine ought to be Heresie unlesse the Clergy in Convocation first assent thereto Pretty incoherent Logick and Anti-parliamentary Divinity Fourthly that Doctor Potter himselfe voluntarily corrected them upon his Letter appeares not but if he did it was to please this Archbishop in deleting those passages which he signified to be displeasing to him the better to obtaine the Prebendary he sued for to him in this Letter Wherefore these purgations must rest still upon his score To the Popish Alterations and Delections under his owne hand made in the SCOTTISH COMMON-PRAYER BOOKE which the Commons desired to presse he pleaded the ACT OF PACIFICATION AND OBLIVION against the very reading of them Whereupon they did forbeare and wave the reading of them for the present though cleane out of the ACT alleaging onely that this Plea of his was a plaine confession of his Guilt The fifth sort of purgations objected to me are those in SIR ANTHONY HUNGERFORDS Books which DOCTOR BAAR my Chaplaine would have expunged Of which SIR EDWARD HUNGERFORD his Sonne complained to me as he deposeth after he had expostulated with my Chaplaine who would crosse them out or not license the Bookes Whereupon I told him I having many other imployments had trusted my CHAPLAINES with those things which I wholly referred to them therefore what they thought fit to leave out you must Submit to And thereupon would not redresse his Grievance herein To this I Answer First that if there were any Errour herein it was not mine but my Chaplaines since dead who if he were alive and might have been heard to speake for himselfe would doubtlesse have given a good account and reason to your Lordships why he thought these passages unfit to be printed Saint Augustine saith that oft times infinite harme did accrew to the Church per temerarios veritatis assertatores and every Treatise written against Papists is not so satisfactory but that it may prove so disadvantagious to the Cause as to be unfit to be printed It may be these were such however God be thanked the Books were printed with those passages in them and so no harme done by my Chaplaine Secondly for my answer to Sir Edward it was true I had so many publick businesses then upon me that I had no leisure to peruse Books for the Presse and thereupon referred that trust wholly to my Chaplaines therefore if they offended they onely must answer for it not I and should I herein controll what my Chaplaines had done in this kind it would have so discouraged them that none of them have undertaken the office of a Licenser afterwards Besides I should have been perpetually troubled with clamours against that which my Chaplaines thought fit to be blotted out of Books tendred to them to be licensed for them every man would have appealed from them to me in this kind so as I should have had no quiet To this was replied First that we have formerly proved at large that his Chaplaines errours and delinquencies in this kind are his owne because the care of licensing Books was originally vested in himselfe and they were but his entrusted servants for whom he must be responsible at his perill and the rather in this case because he confesseth his Chaplaine is dead and cannot be punished for it
of their complaint That it would introduce a Ministery independent on the Bishops is a false surmise since none were recommended to officiate or preach at any of the purchased Impropriations but by speciall license of the Bishops in whose they were and none were presented to them but conformable men free from all just exceptions if he could justly except against ought in their proceedings Master White deposeth he offered that he himselfe should rectifie it so as the work might proceed but this would not content him but they must be suppressed and criminally proceeded against That he did it in a legall way is no justification nor excuse since those who work and accomplish mischiefe by colour of Law are worse then open Tyrants For the sentence no doubt it was most unjust and so the Earle of Dorset who was present at it told the King himself affirming the buying in of Impropriations to be the best work that ever was set on foot for the Churches good his owne beging the Impropriations in Ireland from the Crowne for the pretended good of the Church proves it infallibly against himselfe But that the Judges onely must answer for this unjust sentence not he is a meer Nonsequitur because the Law resolves that Plus peccat Author quà m Actor and the Judges had never given such an unjust sentence in this cause had not he by his violence power fraud interressing the King himselfe against the Feoffees over-awed swayed the Judges to swarve from the rules of Piety and Justice That some of the revenues of purchased Impropriations were contributed towards the maintainance of Saint Antholins Lecturers is true but that it was a mis-imploying by them contrary to trust or that any unworthy or unconformable Ministers were put into them is a grosse falshood disproved by Master White upon Oath However had it been true he should then have reformed the abuse not utterly destroyed the good work so much conducing to Gods glory and the peoples edification For Heylins Sermon it was presented to retained approved yea himselfe advanced by him and no doubt he preached it by his direction As for Master Foxly he did not onely check but persecute imprison and most barbarously handle him to his undoing onely for his promoting this pious project even after he had quite overthrowne it and openly vaunted of this his wickednesse All which considered each branch of this charge sticks most immovably upon him notwithstanding all his evasions to shake it off The sixteenth charge urged against me is That I have endeavoured to cause division and discord between the Church of England and other reformed Churches and endeavoured to suppresse the Priviledges Immunities of the reformed Dutch and French Churches in this Kingdome wherein it was objected First that I esteemed them no Churches of God or Christ at all because they â—â—nted Bishope which they endeavoured to prove by mine owne Conference with Fisher Bishop Hals Propositions approved by me and Bishop Mountagues Book authorized by my Chaplaine Secondly that I deemed their Religion and ours not to be one but different and their Religion not to be the true Religion Upon which ground I grew angry with Master Ruly and caused the Letters-Patents granted by the King for a Collection for the Palatinate Ministers to be revoked after they had passed the great Seale and a clause in them to be expunged to their great injury and scandall as Master Wakerly and Master Hartlib attested Thirdly that I caused the Declaration of the Faith and Ceremonies of the Pals 〈◊〉 Church to be called in and suppressed Fourthly That I molested the DUTCH FRENCH and WALLOONE reformed Churches in England sundry yeers and infringed their ancient Priviledges by my Injunctions in divers particulars To this I answer in generall that I deny both the Charge and Article and that I have endeavoured to promote and preserve peace between the Protestant Churches abroad and encouraged Master Dury who was imployed to make a reconciliation between the Calvinists and Lutherans beyond the Seas as I could evidence by sundry of his Letters therefore I had a good affection to these Churches and no intent to make any discord between them To the objected particulars I answer First that in my Conference with Fisher I cite only St Jeroms words to prove a difference in order and degree between a Bishop and ordinary Presbyter and inferre from his words as his opinion not mine so even with him no Bishop no Church But it hath been objected that Bish Mountagues Book determines expresly that there can be no Church without Bishops nor Ministers but such who are ordained by Diocesian Bish distinct from an ordinary Minister and that no Minister no not in case of necessity can be ordained by any other therefore the forraign Protestant Churches which have no such Bishops and their Ministers being not ordained by Bishops but other Presbyters can be no Churches nor Ministers I answer that this Book and opinion of his concernes not me being none of mine but the Authors Yea but I maintained and approved the same opinion in effect in Bishop Hals Propositions touching Episcopacy to which I endeavoured to procure a generall subscription pressing it upon others and therein I determine That there was no Church of Christ upon earth ever since the Apostles times governed otherwise then by Bishops and that this government is unalterable and ought to be perpetuated in the Church to the end of the world Which doth wholly unchurch all the reformed Churches and resolve them to be no Churches of Christ I answer that these Propositions were sent me by Bishop Hall of his owne accord that what I did in them was by his consent neither were any pressed to subscribe them nor they propounded concludingly And though Episcopacy be not alterable yet it may be regulated That it is unalterable Bishop Bilson hath proved it long since it continuing so in all Churches at least fifteen hundred yeers after Christ and is allowed approved by the Book of Ordination yea Master Calvin himselfe on that of John As my Father sent me so send I you acknowledgeth the perpetuity of Bishops in the Church Secondly I deny that I esteem the Reformed Churches Religion ours not to be the same true it is we they differ in some particular points of Doctrin as wel as in Disciplin but this makes us not wholly to differ in Religion nor did I deny their Religion to be true As for Master Ruly I used him very civilly with all respect and promoted the Collection for the Palatinate all I could having received a Letter from the Queen of Bohemia for that purpose True it is I caused the objected clause in the first Patent of the Collection to be altered but it was by the Kings direction who gave order for it upon my acquainting him therwith and I conceive there was ground enough to doe it First because some of the Palatinate Divines as Paraus upon the
seduce him to popery and reconcile our Churches and Kingdomes to Rome by this meanes contained in their mutuall Articles of Impeachment the Copies of which Letters and Articles were found in his owne Study by Master Prynne must needs concerne him since he could not be ignorant that the Pope and his Instruments would use their utmost diligence to seduce the Prince to their Religion when they had him thus sent and betrayed into their power for that very purpose and his Letter to Bishop Hall though written but of late long after that intended Match yet fully relates his privity to the most secret Instructions before it to gratifie and please the very Pope himselfe and prevent his Objections against the Match or King James For the French Match the Evidence proves he was both privy consenting and assisting to it even after he knew the danger of it in point of Religion both to the King and Kingdome by the proceedings and Articles in the Spanish Treaty being both the very same in substance whereas his intimacy power with the King Duke and quality of his place as he was a Bishop yea Confessor to one or both of them should have engaged him had he been a reall Protestant to have used his utmost endeavours to disswade the King and Duke from both these Popish Matches as most perilous destructive to our Religion the sad effects whereof we now visibly behold in our civill wars and read In Characters written with our owne blood For his intimacy with the Queen it favours of farre more then civility or duty and her extaordinary favours to him proceeded from no other cause but his compliance with her Majesty to introduce popery and reduce us back to Rome as appeares by his proceedings against Master Gellibrand in the High Commission for his Almanack wherin the popish Saints were expunged and our Martyrs inserted at her Majesties request by his prohibiting Ministers to pray and censuring them for praying for her conversion to our Religion which we have punctually proved and of Master Howe for praying to God to preserve the young Prince from being brought up in Popery of which there was great feare a harmlesse yea necessary prayer both in respect of the Queen Mother then too neer him and the Queen who by the Articles of the Match was to have a great hand in his Education till he was fourteen yeers of age as also in regard of the Popes Nuncioes the seducing Jesuits Priests and Capucines about the Queen Court Him and childrens naturall prouenesse unto errour Which prayers admit they had been an oversight yet proceeding from a godly Christian Zeale deserved onely a private admonition not open prosecution or High Commission censure but his making of them so publickly criminall and censuring those so severely for them of purpose to deterre all others from praying for the Queens conversion or against the Princes perversion is an undeniable argument of his good affection to Popery and attempts to reduce us thereunto For his extolling Queen Maries and depressing King Edwards and Queen Elizabeths dayes the words sufficiently declare it was as well in reference to the Religion then professed as to the Vniversity Statutes and the Preface it selfe is of his owne making as well as the Statutes as we shall more fully manifest in due place by his own letters Secondly to the particular instances the Commons made this reply First that their maine end in producing them was onely to demonstrate that the Pope and his Instruments had a reall Plot and designe to introduce Popery and reduce us back to Rome and that the Archbishop could not but know and take speciall notice thereof by all these particular Letters Papers Books found in his owne Study sent written to himselfe endorsed with his owne hand or recorded in his Diary which should have engaged him with greater vigilancy care animosity to have opposed them and their designes In which regard the three first of them with all the rest most neerly concerned him neither doth nor can he plead ignorance of them Secondly that though all these particulars prove not that he promoted confederated with them in their designes yet some of them directly prove it as his countenancing of Sancta Clara his Books his maintaining of Saint Giles a most dangerous seducing Popish Priest many yeers in the University of Oxford his opposing answering the Commons Remonstrance against the dangerous open encrease and practises of Papists in Ireland to set up Popery there and branding it as a scandalous untruth Thirdly for Habernfields plot we shall prove how it makes against him in due time and for Sancta Clara his Book of Reconciliation we have proved First that he knew of it and had both the Book and Author brought to him by his Favourite Doctor Linsey before it was printed this we have under his owne hand therefore it is monstrous impudency in him to deny it Secondly that this Book when printed was presented to reserved by him in his study and the Author with him there some three or four times afterwards Thirdly that it was printed and publickly sold here in Londō without controll Fourthly that his creatures both abroad and at home much applauded it Fiftly that Saint Giles was the Author of it a popish Priest whom himselfe sent to and maintained in the University of Oxford to pervert and seduce Schollers there That he had the Kings Warrant for it is no excuse and the Warrant being without date written with his owne hand and signed by the King to help at a dead list savours of meer fraud circumvention and will amount to an aggravation but no extenuation of his crime Fourthly the proffer of a Cardinalship twice unto him even at Court so soon as he was nominated Archbishop proves the good opinion that the popish party had of his inclination to their party and Religion his concealing the names of the parties that made him the offer which he will not disclose and his not prosecuting and complaining against them to bring them to publique justice prove that he deemed this proffer no injury nor disparagement if a poor Puritan did but write against Popery or Popish Innovations he presently prosecuted him in the High Commission or Star-chamber where he was sure to be fined imprisoned pillored stigmatized scourged banished but he that seriously tendred him a Cardinals Cap twice one after another escaped scot-free without so much as being once questioned for it As for his informing the King thereof it was not by way of complaint but advice and his answer to the King if true is no absolute rejection of the Dignity but rather an adjournment for the present his ambitious itching desire of being a Pope and Patriarch throughout his Majesties Dominions testified by Sir Henry and Master Anthony Mildmay with Master Challoner making him refuse the present offer not any detestation of Popery or reconciliation with Rome To the sixt was replied that it appeared by the Bishops Protestation in
Conspiracy which if fully prosecuted at that time might have prevented the bloody Massacres which have since been made in Ireland and England in prosecution of the same Designe to advance the Catholick Cause and reduce us back to our prestine Romish thraldome and superstitions Thirdly for Habernfields plot it is true upon the first discovery of it to him in the generall onely when he deemed it to be a conspiracy plotted prosecuted onely by Puritans he acquainted the King therewith which we confesse in our Evidence but as soon as he received the full discovery of it found the parties engaged in it to be Papists Priests Jesuits and some of his owne creatures confederates therein particularized as Secretary Windebanke Sir Toby Matthew and others about the Court he presently sets downe proceeds no farther in it conceales his papers to himselfe not discovering them to King Counsell Parliament nor endeavouring to apprehend examine the parties named in it when present and some of them questioned yea impeached in Parliament for some particulars relating to it Which concealment of his of a most desperate Treason and Conspiracy thus circumstantiated in a case of such grand concernment to the safety of the King Kingdome Church and Protestant Religion we conceive to be a high and treasonable offence tending onely to advance those popish Designes to subvert our Religion and subject us unto Rome which have ever since been prosecuted by the selfe-same parties faction with an higher hand and more open face of late then ever heretofore That this plot was not a fiction unlesse onely in that which concernes himselfe wherein he knew there were some mistakes he being not so odious at Rome as it seemes to make him but a reall truth in all or most particulars which concern our Religion his owne Diary his endorsments on it together with our dear-bought experience late Discoveries concurring with it fully evidence His own cōviction therfore of its reality should have enduced him if not to prosecute yet at leastwise to have revealed itto the Parliament that they might have fifted it to the Bran which he never did Master Prynnes seizing it in his Chamber to his great griefe being the onely meanes to bring it unto light His argument that it makes most of any thing for the justification of his sincerity to our Religion and opposition to Popery aggravates not extenuates his offence in concealing it because then he had more reason to disclose it as well for his owne vindication from scandal as the publike safety of our King Church Religion but his engagements to this confederated Popish party and the Advancment of their cause were such that he preferred them before his owne private pretended justification or the safety of all these coupled together Wherefore he still remaines under the guilt weight of this and all other the Commons forementioned particular charges notwitstanding all his Answers Defences to enervate or elude them And therefore upon this first generall Branch of his Charge the Commons prayed Judgement against him from the House of Peers as the Archest Traytor the cunningest Vnderminer Subverter of of our established Religion the greatest Advancer of Popery and most sedulous Agent to reduce us back to Rome of any Archbishop or pretender to the Protestant Religion that our English Soile or the Christian world have ever bred concluding in the Poets words Dij talem terris avertite Pestem The remaining Branches of whose Charge and Tryall we shall God willing contract into a lesser Volume and publish with convenient speed in each Branch whereof he will appeare as Criminall as Treasonable as Arch a Malefactor as in this wherein he most protested most laboured to assert his Innocency against so many pregnant Evidences and cleer Demonstrations of his guiltinesse as will render him most execrable to all true Protestants for eternity however some have already enrolled him in their lying Legends for a most glorious Martyr and more meritorious Saint then ever his traiterous Predecessor Becket was whose Treasons and other grand Misdemeanours were farre inferiour both in quantity quality and a trocity unto his FINIS THE TABLE OF THE Principal matters contained in this History some Pages whereof being over-cast and twice set others misprinted wherethey are twice paged thou shalt finde that in the later which is not in the former and the other in the corrected that is not in the mistaken pages Dr. Robert Abbots testimony of Lauds inclination to Popery in a publique Sermon in Oxford p. 155 410 411. 545 546. Absolution of Priests but declarative expunged p. 207. 350 to 357. Ferdinando Adams Excommunicated and vexed by Lauds Officers for not removing the Lords Table and setting up a place of Scripture near the Commissaries Court p. 101. 488 489 494. Mr. Adams his Sermon in defence of Auricular Confession p. 192 193. Adoring the Eucharist passages concerning it and against Popish Adorations expunged p. 271. Altars erected justified as Christs Throne furnished with Candlesticks Tapers and other Popish Trinckets railed in bowed to by Lauds Example and Injunctions and justified to be necessary p. 62 63 64 67 68 71. 72 76. 102 113 114 101 to 125 148 191 199 200 217 218. 473 to 490. Passages against Altars expunged p. 279. Placed anciently in the midst not East end of the Quire p. 480 to 490. Bishop Andrews his Popish Chappel opiions and Altar-furniture p. 121 to 125. 424 425 499. Angel Gardians Invocation maintained in late printed Books p. 213. 214. Antichrist by our own Statutes Homilies Writers resolved to be the Papacy and Pope yet denied by Laud and his Confederates who purged out the Name and Title thereof when applied to the Pope with King James his opinion concerning Antichrist and Bishop Ushers p. 178 206 207 260 to 279,542 551 to 555. Apostacy see falling from grace Arbitrary Government passages against it expunged p. 289 290. Arminianism a Plot of the Jesuits it and Arminians countenanced promoted by Laud passages against them purged out Books against them suppressed their Errors countenanced in Presse Pulpit p. 159 to 178 284 285. 507 to 517 530 to 537. See Election Predestination Universal Grace Articles of Ireland against Arminianism and the Pope suppressed by Lauds means p. 177 178 272. 509. 512. Assurance of salvation passages deleted out of new Books in defence thereof by Lauds Agents p. 287 to 291 Ave Maries use and practise justified in new printed Books p. 213 214. Auricular Confession maintained in Print Pulpit practise passages against it expunged by Laud and his instruments p. 188 to 196. 288 289. Dr. Aylets Letter concerning the rayling in Lords Tables and receiving at the Rails p 121. B Baker an Arminian advanced by Laud a Licenser of Popish Books and purger of passages against Popery and Arminianism his Answer concerning the Gunpowder Treason p. 184 186. 256 to 300. sparsim 360. 528. Baptism passages against the Papists and Popish Ceremonies used in it deleted p. 292 295
abused unto Superstition or superstitionsly used and so become offensive unto the best and dearest members of the church it were then much better to relinquish then to retaine them to abolish then to uphold them as Hezekiah did with the brazen Serpent when it was abused unto idolatry I say it were better in this ease to destroy then to enforce them if authority were so pleased c. Ibidem page 210. this clause is deleated A man may censure his brother for doing that which is indifferent for in evill intent as for example if a Minister should wear the Surplice not for decency or for obedience to authority but onely to vex oâ— assend some who are weake or serupulous thereof he deserves to be censured and blamed because as much as in us lyes we must offend none Ibidem page 267. this passage is crossed out Quest 2. What superstitious rites are to be abolished in Baptisme Answ Those rites which are used at this day by the Papists contrary to the institution of Christ and practice of the Apostles Now these rites are either before the administration of the Sacrament or in the time of the celebration of the Sacrament or after the celebration thereof First before the celebration of the Sacrament they have these ceremonies first the Priest breathes in the child's face that he may receive the holy Ghost secondly they have their exorcismes adjurations or conjurations whereby the devill is conjured adjured and commanded to depart from the soule of the Infant to be baptized and to give way unto the holy Ghost who now is at hand thirdly then the Priest reads certaine prayers belonging to this adiâ—ration and then fourthly he solemnly consecrates the Font wherein the water of Baptisme is Secondly the rites used by the Papists in the administration of the Sacrament are many First the Priest takes the child by the shoulders and turning his head towards the east dips his face once in the water with these words I baptize thee in the name of the Father Then he turnes the Infants head towards the north dipping him againe with these words And in the name of the Sonne lastly he bends his head unto the south dipping him the third time with these words And the name of the Holy ghost And thus by this threefold turning of the child is formed or made the crosse of Christ into whose death the Infant is baptized after the manner in the margent Secondly besides the Symboll of water in baptisme the Papists use salt which is put into the mouth of the child baptized which signifies wisdome and prudence of speech according to the advice of the Apossle Let all your words be seasoned with salt i. e. of divine wisdome Thirdly they then use spittle wherewith first the eares are touched which signifies that he that is baptized ought to have his eares open to heare the word of God and the the principles of Religion And secondly therewith also the mouth is touched together with the word Ephâ—ta signifying that he should be alwayes prompt and ready to speak of Religion and the word of God Fourthly then they make the signe of the crosse whereof they have a manifold use viz. first they make a crosse upon the childs brest signifying thereby that he ought to have and receive the faith of Christ crucified in his heart according to that of the Apostle With the heart man beleeeves unto righteousnesse Secondly they make a crosse upon the childs forehead which signifies that he must not be ashamed to confesse Christ because blushing appeares in the forehead according to that of the Apostle With the mouth confession in made unto salvation now this crosse is made with the Priests thumb Thirdly they make a crosse upon the eares of the Infant and this crosse is made with spittle signifying that the eares of his heart should be alwayes shut against the suggestions and temptations of Satan Fourthly they make a crosse upon the Infants mouth and this is made with spittle also signifying that the child should have his mouth alwayes shut least he should speak evill words Fifthly they make a crosse with spittle upon his nose also signifying thereby first that he should send forth a good smell and savour of Christ in his life and conversation and secondly that he should frequently offer unto God the fumes and incense of devout and holy prayers by which the devill may be smoked out of doors as Tobie did the evill spirit chap. 6. ver 16 17 Sixthly they make a crosse upon the childs brest and shoulder blades with their conjuring oyle signifying thereby that the party baptized should be strong and couragious in the resisting of Satan and resolute in bringing forth the fruits of repentance Thirdly after the Sacrament of baptisme is administred the Priest doth these things unto the party baptized viz. first he anoynts him with chryme or consecrated oyle which signifies the vertue or grace of the spirit of God which they have received by and in baptisme Secondly he then gives unto him a white garment which signifies a Sacramentall or Baptismall innocency or that how he is made pure innocent and immaculate both from the guilt and staine of sinne Thirdly he puts into his hand a wax taper lighted which signifies first the light of faith which is given in Baptisme and secondly that now he is translated out of the kingdome of darknesse into the kingdome of light Fourthly sometimes they give unto some milke and honey to taste whereby it signified a right or title to eternall life a figure whereof was the Land of Canaan which flowed with milk and honey All these and divers other superstitious rites the Papists superstitiously observe in the celebration of this Sacrament of Baptisme contrary to Christs institution and the Apostles practice and therefore there is great reason that they should be abolished If any think I falsifie the Papists by what I have said or desire to be more throughly informed concerning their practices additions and superstitions ceremonies in this Sacrament of Baptisme then let him well consider these Authors and testimonies which follow and he shall find all and a great deal more then I have set down Manipulus curatorum de Baptisme cap. 8. fol. 14. 15. Pupilla Oculi de Baptismo cap. 7. fol. 8. 9. Tertul. fol. 329. D. 335. D. G. 336. A. B. C. D. 337. A. 341. D. 342. C. E. 19. Passages purged out That the Church is not alwnyes visible IN Master Words Comentary upon Matthew page 173. in the printed copy this clause is blotted out A City that is set on a hill cannot be hid The Papists affirme the Church of Christ to be alwayes visible and would confirme it from this verse thus That which Christ ordained to be the light of the world is alwayes visible but Christ ordained the church to be the light of the world in this verse Therefore the Church is alwayes visible First the major proposition is