King that such Commissioners as they should sende to the Parliament and Councell might from thence forth be authorized in the Bishops places for the estate They also directed their Commissioners to the Kings Maiestie commanding him and the Councell vnder paine of the censures of the Church meaning excommunication to appoint no Bishops in time to come because they the brethren had concluded that state to be vnlawfull Hereof as it seemeth they writt to Geneua their newe Rome or Metropolitane Citty From whence they were greatly animated and earnestly perswaded to continue in that course Beza the Consistorian Patriarche assureth them that they had done well and mooueth them ne vnquam illam pestem admittant quamuis vnitatis retinendae specie blandiatur that they would neuer admit againe that plague meaning the calling of Bishoppes although it might allure them with colour of keeping vnitie After they had discharged the Bishops as it hath beene noted they agreed amongst themselues to haue their Superintendents But that deuise continued not long for in the ende it was determined that needes all Ministers of the word must be equall And then especially their Presbyteries began to flourish They tooke vpon them with their adherents to vsurpe the whole Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction They altered the lawes after their owne appetite They assembled the Kings subiects and enioyned Ecclesiasticall paines vnto them They made Decrees and put the same in execution They vsed very trayterous seditious and contumelious words in the pulpits schooles and otherwise to the disdaine and reproch of the King and being called to answere the same they vtterlie disclaimed the Kings authoritie saying he was an incompetent Iudge and that matters of the Pulpit ought to be exempted from the iudgement correction of Princes They prescribed lawes to the King and State They appointed Fasts throughout the whole Realme especially when some of their faction were â—o mooue any great enterprise With these manner of proceedings the King there and the State finding great cause of iust discontentment and danger after diuers consultations and good deliberation order was taken about the yeare 1582. for the checking redressing of them His Maiesty began to take vpon him his lawfull authoritie belonging to all Christian Princes in causes Ecclesiasticall Wherupon he caused the foresaid courses held by the Ministers to be examined and looked into And they were found to be such as that some of them were remoued from their charges some were imprisoned some indighted Commaundement was also giuen that they should not proceede in the execution of their Ecclesiasticall censures as they had done A Proclamation was made in diuers of the chiefest places in the Realme for discharging the Ministers of their foresaid conuentions and assemblies vnder paine to bee punished as Rebels They were published in that Proclamation to be vnnaturall subiects seditious persons troublesome and vnquiet spirites members of Sathan enemies to the King and the Common-wealth of their natiue countrey and were charged to desist from preaching in such sort as they did amongst other matters against the authoritie in Church causes against the calling of Bishops for the maintenance of their former proceedings But the issue of the Kinges good intention to haue refourmed these disorders was this In August 1582. his Highnesse being drawn vnto a certain Noble mans house to be feasted in Rutheuen there he was surprised restrained Which attempt was qualified and tearmed in a Declaration set out 1582. to iustifie the same to be onely a repaire of the Kings faithfull subiects to his Highnes presence and to remaine with him for resisting of the present dangers appearing to Gods true religion c. and for the remouing from his Maiestie the chiefe authors thereof After a time the King deliuered himselfe out of their hands that so had restrained him and by the aduise of his three estates assembled in Councell notwithstanding the saide qualification or pretence of repayre the action in it self was iudged and published in December 1583. to be Crimen lesae Maiestatis the Offence of Treason and some were executed for it others fled and diuers of the Ministers that had bin dealers in that matter pretending they were persecuted escaped into England With this his Maiesties course for Reformation the Disciplinarian faction was greatly displeased and did proceede in their Consistorian humour accordingly In an assembly of Ministers and Elders forsooth at Edenburgh shortly after the State of the Realme was stoutly encountred For although the King with the aduise of his estates had resolued the saide fact of surprising his Maiesties person to be treasonable yet the brethren did not onely authorise and avow the same but also esteeming their owne iudgements to be the soueraigne iudgement of the Realme did ordaine all them to be excommunicated that would not subscribe vnto that their iudgement About the same time or not long after vz. in Aprill 1583. there was another most treasonable conspiracie and rebellion attempted at Sterling and intended to haue beene further executed and prosecuted against his Highnesse person and all vnder pretence of Religion and chiefly in shewe for the Consistorian or Presbyteriall soueraignetie With these and many more such vnduetifull insolencies the King and State there beeing greatly mooued a Parliament was called and held in May 1584. wherein order was taken for a generall Reformation in causes Ecclesiasticall throughout the whole Church of Scotland The Kings lawfull authority in causes Ecclesiasticall so often before impugned was approued and confirmed and it was made treason for any man to refuse to answere before the King though it were concerning any matter which was Ecclesiasticall The third estate of Parliament that is the Bishoppes was restored to the auncient dignity it was made treason for any man after that time to procure the innouation or diminution of the power and authority of any of the three estates The foresayd iudgements Senates and Presbyteriall iurisdictions were discharged and it was enacted in these words that after that time none should presume or take vppon them to conuocate conuene or assemble themselues together for holding of Councells conuentions or assemblies to treat consult or determine in any matter of estate ciuill or Ecclesiasticall excepting the ordinary iudgements without the Kinges especiall commandement It was further then ordayned that none of his Highnesse subiects in time comming should presume to take vppon them by worde or writing to iustifie the most treasonable attempt at Ruthuen or to keepe in Register or store any bookes approouing the same in any sort An Acte was also made for the calling in of Buchanans Chronicle and his booke de iure regni apud Scotos Lastly sayth the Acte of Parliament it selfe Forasmuch as through the wicked licentious publike and priuate speeches and vntrue calumnies of diuers his Highnesse subiects to the disdaine contempt and reproach of his Maiestie
aduenturing of all the mischiefes that were intended It was not denied amongst them as Coppinger sayth but that the cause was good which he desired to be an actor in but the thing that stucke in their teeth was this vz. they thought it impossible that he should be fit to intermeddle in it without the endaungering both of himselfe as Egerton saide and of the greate cause which hee would seeme to bee most desirous to further Howbeit though Egerton would not take vpon him to approue his extraordinarie calling for feare of him-selfe yet for all the saide daunger hee thought it no pollicy greatly to discourage him when he qualified his speeches after this sort vz. hee would bee loth to quench the spirite of God in Coppinger or to hinder his zeale Iosuah was called extraordinarily by God him-selfe to cast the enemies of the Israelites out of the land of Canaan that they might possesse it Which example M. Wentworth applying to Coppinger and encouraging him vpon aduice taken as the Lord did Iosuah vz be bold of a good courage feare not to bee discouraged c. he shewed no greate mislike of Copingers purposes Likewise though M. Throgmorton notwithstāding his cōference as it seemeth with Coppinger Arthington and Hacket was not acquainted as he saide with Copingers particular platformes yet in that he confesseth he had heard some buzzes abroade of a sole and singular course intended doth not only aduise him to imitate the serpentes wisedome but saith also that in affection and good will he ioyned with him it could not otherwise be but that Coppinger was thereby greatly animated When Copinger tolde Vdall that certaine vnlearned men then lyinge hid would shortlie take vpon them the defence of the cause which hee and his brethren in prison stood-for and woulde thereby daunt all their ennemies more then they coulde willinge both him and the rest ther-vpon to cheare vp themselues for the day of their redemption was at hand I doe greately maruaile what Vdall thought to bee Copingers meaning It might well haue stoode with M. Charkes duety seeing Coppingers full resolution to enter into some desperate attempt by vertue of his extraordinarie calling to haue disclosed the same to the state When he preached in the Blacke Friers to the brotherhood there about two days after his said intelligence of Copingers resolution and but fiue or six daies before their proclamation that there were some persons so desperate that they would willinglie thrust themselues vpon the rockes of the Land thereby to haue disswaded Copinger who then was present or for what other purpose I know not hee should forth with haue acquainted the saide rockes also what boisterous tempestes and violēt stormes had beene ready to assault them In this briefe summary I omitte the rest of Wiggintons actions referring you to his fellow Hackets iudgement both of him and them They are so apparant by that which hath been sayd as they seeme to me to be past coniectures And I would withal my hart that all which hath bene hetherto saide of the other ministers touching this pointe did onely depende vpon probabilities For then charity would binde vs to iudge the best But men may not cal good euill nor darkenesse light nor treasonable conspiracies ecclesiasticall pollicies Marke them if it please you for disciplinarian practises and then bearing that brande owne them who liste and tearme them as you fancy CHAP. XV. If Hackets treasons had preuailed for the pretended discipline how they might haue beene defended by the disciplinarie doctrine I Am not ignorant that now if any of the saide ministers or their fauorers were asked how they like of Coppingers and his companions proceedings no men will more eagerlie exclaime against them When Hacket with his adherents found themselues preuented and that they were cut of in the beginning of their race then to saue their liues they could confes their extraordinary purposes pretended before with teares with fasting with grones and imprecations to haue proceeded from the spirit of God to be nothing else but illusions of Sathā cruel bloody trayterous designements But if they had preuailed what would haue been said of them then Surely it is no hard matter to gesse If Coppinger Hacket and Arthington had murthered two or three of the Lords in the Star-chamber the last day of the said Trinity Terme the Consistorian doctrine would easily haue defended it especially if their further intents for the discipline had thereby succeeded I will tell you a notable historie to this purpose About the yeare 1545. M. Caluin then raigning in the Consistorie at Geneua one Norman Lesly son to the Earle of Rothsey fell at some iarre with the Archbishop of S. Andrewes then a Cardinall for a priuate cause saith our Chronicle Buchanans betwixt them two for his dealing concerning the burning of one George Wisehart saith the history of the Church of Scotland Whereupon the said Normā with some of his partakers conspired the Cardinals death they being the rather animated therunto throgh the Councell of some greate men of the Realme that had conceiued some deadly hatred against him The effecting of which conspiracie proceeded after this sort as is set downe in the saide Ecclesiasticall history The 29. of Maie 1546 the saide Norman with 16 or 17. moe entred by a wile into the Castle of S. Andrewes where the Cardinal dwelt early in the morning and after some course taken for possessing themselues of the castle Norman Lesly Iames Meluin and Peter Carmichaell got into the Cardinals chamber where finding him set in his chayre and crying vnto them I am a Priest yee will not slay mee the saide Leesly stroke him first once or twise and so did the saide Peter But Iames Meluin a man you may be sure of nature most gentle and most modest perceiuing them both in choller withdrew them and saide This worke and iudgement of God although it be secrete ought to be done with greater grauitie And presenting vnto him the point of the sworde saide Repent thee of thy former wicked life but especially of the shedding of the blood of that notable instrument of God M. George Wisehart which albeit the flame of fire consumed before men yet cries it a vengeance vpon thee and we from God are sent to reuenge it For here before my God I protest that neither the hatred of thy person the loue of thy riches nor the feare of any trouble thou couldest haue done to mee in particular moued or moueth me to strike thee but onely because thou hast beene and remainest an obstinate enemie against Christ Iesus and his holy Gospell And so hee stroke him twise or thrise through with a stog-sworde and so he fell The Cardinall being thus murthered they seized vpon the Artilllerie and munition wherewith that fortresse was plentifully furnished and likewise vpon the rich hangings householde stuffe of all sortes apparell Copes iewels ornamentes of Churches
of them they propound to themselues as the fittest patternes for them to followe and namely the Ministers of Geneua but more especially some of the Ministers of Scotland as may hereby appeare As we haue beene an example to the Churches of France and Scotland sayth M. Cartwright to followe vs so the Lorde would haue vs also to profite and be prouoked by their example An other also in this sort Nobiles quidam praecipui huius regni mecum egerunt vt author essem regi meo de tollendis omninò Episcopatibus vt exemplum posteà posset manare in vicinam Angliam Certaine of the chiefe Noble men of England who I thinke nowe are gone dealt with mee by the instigation no doubt of some of our Ministers Anno 1583. to persuade the King of Scotland my maister to ouerthrowe all the Bishoprickes in his countrey that his proceedinges therein might bee an example for England adioyning Vpon a certaine repaire of terme thousand in armes to the King of Scots at Sterling Anno 1585. whereupon the Bishoprickes were indeed suppressed Knewstubbe a Consistorian Minister of Suffolke did write thus to Fielde I would bee glad to heare somewhat of the estate of Scotland it doth more trouble me then our owne For I am conceiuing some hope vpon the change of their former proceeding It also appeareth that there is great and ordinary intelligence betwixt their and our especiall presbyterie ministers for the better and more ready compassing of such deuises and platformes as are sought for by our said ministers so busily amongst vs. The best of our Ministerie sayth Iames Gibson a minister of Scotland to a brother in England are most carefull of your estate and had sent for that effect a Preacher of our Church this last summer 1590. of purpose to conferre with the best affected Ministers of your Church to laye downe a plot how our Church might best trauell for your reliefe And again The Lord knows what care we haue of your Church both in our publike and priuate praiers c. For as feeling members of one bodie we reckon the affliction of your Church to be our owne One Dauison in like manner an other minister of that countrey taketh vpon him to iustifie the proceedings of our malecontent ministers here as it shall herafter more plainely appeare and for the better incouraging of them in their peeuishnes hee telleth them that the iust defence of their holie cause of Discipline must not be left which hath no lesse warrant to bee continued perpetuallie within the Church vnder this precept Feede my sheepe then hath the preaching of the word and ministration of the Sacraments Hee doth also publish it so as the world might take notice of it that the good brethren of England are of the same minde with them of Scotland that both their causes are most neerelie linked together Lastly there is almost nothing more ordinary in all the Consistorian discourses and libels of our owne countreymen whether they bee printed here or in Scotland then to presse vs with the examples of Geneua and Scotland and to inueigle the people of England with I knowe not what great commendation of the proceedings and platformes of some of the ministers in both those places Which points considered being required by those that might command me that whereas certaine writings and letters were come to my handes concerning some courses taken by our saide more friendly disturbers then the Iesuites are but yet very great disturbers I should make the same in some sorte knowne I thought it my best way for the discharging of my duety therein first to lay downe before you the examples patternes proceedings of those Ministers and Churches which those our factious crew propound to themselues to follow secondly that I may not bee enforced to passe by them as one saith D. B. was in his sermon at Paules crosse to make it most apparant vnto you how artificially and effectually they haue already by imitation expressed them Whereby you shall perceiue that although by reason of their said combination and secretnesse vsed many things lie hid from those in authority which they haue done already in the setting forward of their pretended discipline yet there will fall out so much to bee disclosed as laying it to their patternes you may easily discerne notwithstanding all their goodly pretences what to iudge of their proceedings and whereat in truth they doo ayme CHAP. II. Of the course held at Geneua for reformation of religion of the doctrine which vpon that occasion hath beene broached IT seemeth that when the Gospell began first to be preached by Farellus Viretus and others at Geneua they coulde haue beene well content with the gouernement of the Bishop there if hee would willingly haue reiected the Pope and ioyned with them for the reformation of Religion This appeareth by M. Caluins wordes to Cardinall Sadolete Talem nobis Hierarchiam si exhibeant in qua sic emineant Episcopi vt Christo subesse recusent vt ab illo tanquam vnico capite pendeant ad ipsum referantur in qua sic inter se fraternam societatem colant vt non alio modo quà m eius veritate sint colligati tum vero nullo non anathemate dignos fatear si qui erunt qui non eam reuerenter summaque obedientia obseruent If they doo bring vnto vs such an Hierarchie or priestlie gouernement wherein the Bishops shall so rule as that they refuse not to submit themselues to Christ that they also depend vpon him as their onely heade and can be content to rèferre themselues to him in which priestlie gouernment they doo so keepe brother lie societie amongst themselues that they bee knit together by no other knot then by the trueth then surelie if there shall be anie that shall not submit themselues to that Hierarchie or priestlie gouernement reuerentlie and with the greatest obedience that may be I confesse there is no kinde of Anathema or curse or casting to the diuell whereof they are not worthie Thus farre then it must needes be thought that the Bishoppe was offered by suche as soughte to refourme that Church which offer he refusing as I gesse to accept of they dealt as it appeareth by the issue with the inferiour magistrates and people to make such a reformation themselues as they required of them Whereupon the Bishop beeing Lord of the City and hauing aswell in his handes the Soueraigne ciuill Iurisdiction ouer it or as M. Caluin speaketh Ius gladij alias ciuilis iurisdictionis partes c. as the Ecclesiasticall they saide He was a thiefe and an vsurper and so of themselues with such assistance as was procured did thrust him from both those authorities Euen like in my opinion as if a Christian Prince being possessed within his dominions of the supreame Iurisdiction as well in Ecclesiasticall as in ciuill causes might vpon the like occasion
renouncing their obedience vnto her protested that whosoeuer should take her part should be punished as Traytors when so euer God should put the sword of Iustice into their hands Within a while after they consulted with their Ministers especially M. Wilcocke and M. Knox for the deposing of the Queene Regent from her gouernment who assuring the rest that it was lawfull for them so to doo processe was made sentence was giuen and shee was depriued from all her regiment by a formall acte which is set downe in the same storie penned by Knox and in some part printed after in England Not long after this the Queene Regent dyeth And then they had a Parliament by the consent of the french King and their Queene his wife In that Parliament held Anno 1560. they refourmed Religion and set out a Confession of the Christian faith but the said King and Queene denied to confirme or to ratifie the actes thereof when they were mooued thereunto Which thing said the confederates vpon intelligence giuen them we little regarded or yet doo regarde for all that we did was rather to shew our duetifull obedience then to begge of them any strength to our Religion And whereas it was obiected that it coulde not bee a lawfull Parliament where there was neither Scepter Crowne nor Sworde borne they made light of it saying that those were rather but pompeous and glorious vaine ceremonies then anie substantiall points of necessitie required to a lawfull Parliament I might proceed much further in the ripping vp of these and such like practises for reformation of Religion But because some peraduenture will labour to excuse these manner of proceedings and to colour the same with some pretence of zeale and great desire they had to bee deliuered from Popish Idolatry and Superstition I haue rather thought it conuenient to let you vnderstande howe farre they are from making any such pretences in their owne behalf and with what new Diuinity-positions M. Knox and M. Buchanan haue amplified the Geneua resolution before mentioned to the iustification not only of all their said attempts and actions but of many other of the like nature which since those times haue beene there also practised CHAP. IIII. How the Geneuian Doctrine or principle for Reformation hath beene amplified by certaine pretended Reformers in Scotland REformation of Religion doth belonge to more then the Clergie and the King Noble men ought to reforme Religion if the King will not Reformation of Religion belongeth to the Comminaltie The Comminaltie concurring with the Nobilitie may compell the Bishops to cease from their tirrannie The Comminaltie by their power may bridle the cruell beasts the Priests The Comminaltie may lawfullie require of their King to haue true Preachers and if he be negligent they iustlie may themselues prouide them maintaine them defende them against all that doo persecute them and may detaine the profits of the Church liuings from the other sort God hath appointed the Nobilitie to bridle the inordinate appetites of Princes and in so doing they cannot be accused as resisters of authoritie It is their dutie to represse the rage and insolencie of Princes The Nobilitie and Comminaltie ought to reforme Religion and in that case may remoue from honours and may punish such as God hath cōdemned Deu. 12. he meaneth Idolaters c. of what estate condition or honour soeuer The punishment of such crimes as touch the Maiestie of God doth not appertaine to Kinges and chiefe rulers onelie but also to the whole bodie of the people and to euerie member of the same as occasion vocation and abilitie shall serue to reuenge the iniurie done against God The people are bound by oath to God to reuenge to the vtmost of their power the iniurie done against his Maiestie The cruell murthering of the Archbishoppe of Saint Androwes in his bed-chamber 1545. by three priuate gentlemen because as they told him he had beene and so remained an obstinate enemie to the Gospel is sought to be iustified lately in print to bee a godly acte incouragement is giuen for others in the like case to commit the like outrage Princes for iust causes may be deposed It is not birthright onely nor propinquity of bloud that maketh a King lawfullie to raigne aboue a people professing Christ Iesus If Princes be tyrants against God and his truth their subiects are freed from their oaths of obedience Populus rege est praestantior melior the people are better then the King and of greater authoritie Populo ius est vt imperium cui velit deferat the people haue right to bestow the Crowne at their pleasure Penes populum est vt leges ferat sunt reges veluti tabulariorum custodes The making of lawes doth belong to the people and Kings are but as the Masters of the Rolles The people haue the same power ouer the King that the King hath ouer any one person It were good that rewardes were appointed by the people for such as should kill tyrants as commonly there is for those qui lupos aut vrsos occiderunt aut catulos eorum deprehenderunt that haue killed either wolues or beares or taken their whelpes The people may arraigne their Prince The Ministers may excommunicate him He that by excommunication is cast into hell is not worthy to enioy any life vpon earth And wheras there are sufficient and sound obiections made by such as haue truely reprooued these dangerous assertions Behold I pray you their answers worthy to be known and remembred to the euerlasting discredit of the authors framers and partakers with them CHAP. V. The obiections against the doctrine reported of in the former chapter with the Consistorian answers vnto them Obiection CVstome is against such dealing with Princes Answere There is nothing more daungerous to bee followed publica via then custome Ob. We must obey Kings be they good or bad Ans. It is blasphemie to say so Ob. Ieremie commaunded obedience to Nabuchodonozer Ans. The example is but singular Ob. God placeth tyrants sometimes for the punishment of his people Ans. So doth he priuate men sometimes to kill them Ob. The Iewes dealt not so with their Kings Ans. Their Kinges were not first elected by the people and therefore they might not but ours haue nothing but from the people Ob. Shew an example out of the Scriptures that subiects may vse their gouernours in this sort Ans. The argument is not good it cannot bee shewed in the Scriptures therefore it is vnlawfull Possum apud multas nationes plurimas saluberrimas recensere leges quarum in sacris litteris nullum est exemplum I can shewe sundrie good and wholesome lawes in diuers countries of the which lawes there is no example in the Scriptures Ob. Saint Paul doth commaund vs to pray for Princes 1. Tim. 2.
his Councell and proceedinges stirring vp his Highnesse subiectes thereby to misliking sedition vnquietnes to cast off their due obedience to his Maiestie Therefore it is ordained that none of his subiects shall presume or take vpon them priuatelie or publikelie in sermons declamations or familiar conferences to vtter any false slanderous or vntrue speeches to the disdaine reproach and contempt of his Maiestie his Councell and proceedings or to meddle in the affaires of his Highnesse vnder paine c. And thus you haue seene some part of the practise of the Geneua resolution in Scotland for their booke of Discipline and reformation in Religion But yet I must needes draw you on a little further Presently after that the sayde Parliament was ended notwithstanding the kings maiesty had in the same most royally religiously cōfirmed with great sincerity the articles of true Religion for preaching the worde and administration of the sacraments accordingly and had likewise vnited to his Crowne the supreame authority in all causes within his Realme aswell Ecclesiasticall as Ciuill yet because their Presbyterial soueraignty was therby abridged diuers very spitefull disloyall and slaunderous speeches were cast abroade by them and their associates against his Highnesse For they gaue out as though the King had beene declined to Popery and had made Acts to derogate the free passage of the Gospell that he endeuored to extinguish the light of the Gospell that there was left nothing of the whole auncient forme of iustice and pollicie in the spirituall state but a naked shadow with many other the like reprochfull and calumnious reportes which they spread abroad in their owne Country Diuers of the chiefe Ministers of that faction likewise that were fled out of Scotland into England for feare of punishment in respect of many their great and haynous offences pretended as it hath beene noted that they fledd hether because they were persecuted at home for their consciences and could not be suffered to preach the Gospell One Dauison a Scottish Minister so rayled against the King of Scots in the pulpit at the parish Church of the olde Iury in London that vpon complaint made thereof by the Lord Ambassador of Scotland direction was giuen to the Lord Bishop of London for the silencing of all the Scottish Ministers in the City And this disloyall and slaunderous course was helde both in Scotland and England so farre as they durst from May vntill Nouember following At what time this stratagem here ensuing was wroght as I am perswaded by the Consistorians instigation The King of Scotland being vpon occasion of a contract nere Striueling heard of certaine enemies as hee then accounted them comming towards him Whereupon his Maiesty raysing such power as hee could conuayed himselfe to Striueling Where before he looked for them ten thousand men presented themselues in armes They pitched their Tents before the towne the first of Nouember and there made a Proclamation in their owne names commanding all the Kings subiects to assist them Many pretenses are alleaged of that their attempt And these namely that whereas there had beene Acts and Proclamations a little before published against the Ministerie and Clergie inhibiting their Presbyteries assemblies and other exercises priuileges and immunities and that the most learned and honest were compelled for safetie of their liues and consciences to abandon their Country c. Nowe the afflicted Church might be comforted and all the said Acts lately made in preiudice of the same might bee solemnely cancelled and for euer adnulled This Proclamation thus knowne the King fortified the towne as he could but to no purpose For within two houres assault it was wonne The King thereupon was enforced to flye vnto the Castle The Conquerours of the towne placed their ensignes before the blockehouse of the Castle and so ordred the matter that there was no way for any in the Castle to escape their hands Wherupon a parley being concluded the King desired by his Commissioners three petitions The first That his life honor and estate might be preserued The second That the liues of certain of his friends with him might not be touched The third That all things might be transacted peaceably The other side by their Commissioners likewise desired other three petitions The first That the King would allow of their intention and subscribe their Proclamation vntill further order were established by the estates c. and that he would deliuer vnto them all the strong Holds in the land The second That the disquieters of the Common-wealth might be deliuered vnto them and abide their due tryall by Law The third That the old guard might be remooued and another placed Vppon mutuall relation from the Commissioners on both sides the parties that were assembled in armes did yeeld vnto the first and third of the Kings petitions and the King graunting to all theirs as there was no remedy committed himself into their hands and had a new guard immediately appointed to attend him And thus the Presbyteries of Scotland by the Kings subscribing to the foresaid Proclamation recouered againe a great part of their strength But not all as it seemeth vpon the sodaine which was the occasion of a new stirre For presently after the sayde Noble victory the Scottish Ministers that were in England hauing al their former disloyalties vppon composition remitted made their repayre without delay into Scotland where finding not such readinesse as they expected for a more authenticall repealing of the statutes made in the foresaid Parliament 1584. they began notwithstanding the Kings late goodnes towards them to exclaime in their Pulpits with most proud and bitter Inuectiues against him One Iames Gibson compared his Maiesty publikely in his preachings vnto Ieroboam tearmed him a persecutor and threatned him that if he tooke that course he should be the last of his race And being called for such his disloyall speeches before the King Councell the xxj of December 1585. he very boldly iustified the same saying to his Highnesse As long as you maintayne these cursed Actes of 1584. the tyranny of Bishops c. Ye are a Persecutor And againe As Ieroboam for the leading of the people of Israell from the lawes of the house of Iudah and from the true worshipping of God to serue Idolatry was rooted out he and all his posterity so should the King if he continued in that cursed course maintaining those wicked Acts against God be rooted out and conclude that race c. What else hath fallen out since that time by reason of the raines which now as it hath beene noted these zealous brethren haue gotten to themselues and how moderately and duetifully they doo proceede in the practise of their Presbyteries and Consistorian Kingdomes the articles which the King not long since offred vnto the Ministers to haue beene subscribed vnto by them doo sufficiently declare and make manifest Ex malis moribus nascuntur bonae leges
priests These examples are left for our instruction Where this iustice is not executed the state is most corrupt When Magistrates do cease to do their duties in thus deposing or killing of Princes the people are as it were without officers then God giueth the sword into their hands he himself is become immediatly their head for to the multitude a portion of the sword of iustice is committed from the which no person King Queene or Emperour being an Idolater is exempt he must die the death The people in the 25. of Numbers did hang vp certain of their heads and captains which ought to be for euer a perpetuall example of their duetie in the like defection from God to hang vp such rulers as shall draw them from him If neither the inferior magistrates nor the greatest part of people will doo their offices in punishing deposing or killing of Princes then the minister must excommunicate such a King any minister may doo it against the greatest Prince God will send to the rest of the people which are willing to doo their duty but are not able some Moses or Othoniell If they know any Ionathan they must goe vnto him to be their Captaine and he ought not to refuse them By the worde of God in such a defection a priuate man hauing some speciall inward motion may kill a tyrant as Moses did the Egyptian as Phinees did the lecherous and Ahud did king Eglon or otherwise a priuate man may doo so if he be commaunded or permitted by the common-wealth And vnto some obiections that be made to the contrarie these answeres are shaped Ob. Be subiect to higher powers the powers be ordained of God Ans. Wicked Kings are not Gods ordinance Saint Paule speaketh of lawfull powers Ob. Seruants must be obedient to their Masters thogh they be froward Ans. Paul speaketh of bondmen not of subiects obedience Ob. Peter was commanded to put vp his sword Ans. He was a minister and no magistrate Ob. Christ could haue called for twelue legions of Angels for his defence if it had beene lawfull to haue vsed force for the setting vp of the Gospell Ans. Christs kingdome was not of this world he tooke vpon him no temporall sword but that hindreth not those that haue it Ob. Ieremy was commanded to obey the king of Babel Ans. The secret counsell of God was reuealed to him to that effect It is no generall rule Ob. Dauid said God forbid that I should touch the annointed of the Lord. Ans. It was in his owne priuate cause and so vnlawfull Ob. Sir Thomas Wyat did as you would haue others to do c. but he had no good successe Ans. The goodnesse of his cause is not to be measured by his successe He was no traytour his cause was Gods and none but papists and traytours can iustly accuse him of treason The Councellors and all others that would be accounted nobles and tooke not his part are in very deede traytours to God and his people and to their countrie The author of the booke of obedience he should haue sayd of rebellion endeth his treatise with significatiō that the nobilitie of England hee speaketh of them that were in Queen Maries daies are not to be trusted either by their words othes or handwritings furder then a man doth see hear them scarsely so far And Goodman likewise for his conclusion is most earnest with all english subiectes that they would put his doctrine in practise assuring them that in so doing if they be cast in prison with Ioseph to wild beasts with Daniell into the sea with Ionas into the dungeon with Ieremy into the fiery furnace with Sidrach Misach Abednago yet they shalbe comforted whereas if they will not in seeking to saue their liues they shall loose them they shall be cast out of the fauor of God their consciences shall be wounded with hell like torments they shall despaire seeke to hang themselues with Iudas to murther themselues with Frauncis Spira drowne themselues with Iudge Hales or else fall mad with Iustice Morgan at Geneua This doctrine saith Whittingham afterward vnworthily Deane of Durham was approued by the best learned in these parts meaning Caluin and the rest of the Geneuians The Englishmen of name there at that time besides Goodman and Whittingham were as I take it Anthony Gilby Miles Couerdall Dauid Whitehead and sundry others Who liking the sayde doctrine also exceedingly were very earnest to haue the same printed for the benefite as they sayde of their brethren in England Whittingham made a preface to Goodmans booke wherein hee greatly commendeth this doctrine and writeth thus in the name as it seemeth of all his fellowes there We desire that you meaning all in England and elsewhere that loue to know the truth and follow it should bee perswaded in this trueth Againe here thou doest heare the Eternal speaking by his minister c. quickly giue eare and obay c. And again If thou wish for Christian liberty come and see how it may easily be had c. From Geneua Here it is very material further to be obserued that the rest of the learned men that fled in Queene Maries time as Iohn Scory William Barlow Richard Cox Thomas Beacon Iohn Bale Iohn Parkhurst Edmond Grindall Edwine Sandes Alexander Nowell Robert Wisdome Iohn Iewell very many more hauing no great affection to Geneua bestowed themselues in Germany especially at Zuricke Basill and Franckeford These men maintained the reformation of the Church of England in King Edwards time they vsed in their holy assemblies the forme of seruice and order of ceremonies which were then established and they vtterly misliked condemned the foresayd propositions as very seditious rebellious according to the iudgement of all the reformed Churches for ought I can learne both in Germany and else-where besides Geneua and her offspring Besides they of Franckeford as it appeareth notwithstanding their griefe that they were constrained to leaue their country for their conscience yet in the middest of all their afflictions they retained such duetifull harts vnto Queene Mary imitating therein the Apostles and Disciples of their Maister as that they coulde not endure to heare her so traduced into all hatred and obloquy as shee was by the other sort Maister Knox comming vpon occasion from Geneua to Franckeford was by these graue men accused of Treason as he himselfe confesseth for matters that he had published in print against their Soueraigne and the Emperor and was faine thereupon for the sauing of his life to flye thence secretly backe againe to Geneua Lastly by meanes of their disliking of the sayd propositions and their further course helde in the defence of the foresayde reformation in England against the other mens counterfeit presbyteries these learned men at Franckeford could haue small reputation with them of Geneua Thus
make good lawes and not see them executed is but labour lost And therefore it should seeme that these wise Law-makers were presently after as carefull to put the sayde orders in practise as they were before to resolue vpon them as it may appeare by a letter written to Master Field from Antwerpe the 25. of Iune 1583. by one Cholmeley in answere of a former Letter sent vnto him from the said Field For thus Cholmeley writeth Laetor intùs in corde de meliori successu rerum vestrarum quòd cum de conuentibus vestris audiam tum de Disciplinae Ecclesiasticae formali 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 multò lubentissimè Dicam quòd verum est serò nimis incepistis quisquis iam tandem vel incipere recusauerit vel a tam praeclaro incepto desistat peccatum suum feret paenitendumest de priori lentitudine I am glad with all my heart for the better successe of your affaires not onely in that I heare of your assemblies but most willingly of all in respect of your effectuall practising of the Ecclesiasticall Discipline I will tell you that which is true you haue begun this course too too late Whosoeuer shall now either refuse to begin or shall desist from so notable an enterprise he shall beare his owne sin You ought to repent you for your former slownes And afterward thus out of the same Letter to incourage Maister Field and the brethren In nulla re terreamini ab ijs quise opponunt quod illis quidem est exitij indicium vobis autem salutis idque a Deo In nothing feare your aduersaries which is to them a token of perdition but to you of saluation and that from God In Iuly the next yeare vz. 1584. some of the Scottish Ministers afore spoken of went to the Act in Oxford where Maister Gelibrand with his brethren gaue them great entertainement At that time there was a notable question propounded amongst their fauourers there by the sayde Ministers as is manifest by these wordes Here haue beene a good company of godly brethren this Act. Maister Fen Wilcox Axton the Scottish ministers and wee haue had some meeting and conference to our great comfort that are here One point which then was moued I would wish to be throughly debated among you and them concerning the proceeding of the Minister in his duety without the assistance or tarrying for the Magistrate c. What was resolued amongst the brethren of London about this matter at that time I know not Marry this I finde that presently thereupon they grewe more violent and prepared themselues to proceede more resolutely in the challenging of their Discipline as it is plaine by the dealing both of them and of their fauourers that yeare in Nouember and December after at the Parliament 27. of her Maiesty And besides let the sayd Maister Gelibrands words in a Letter to Field dated the 12. of Ianuary after vz. 1584. bee considered For as it seemeth to me they either tend to sedition or to the admitting in Oxford of the foresayd Decrees or Discipline Sure I am that they can hardly for ought I see receiue any good construction Thus he writeth I haue already entred into the matters whereof you write and dealt with three or foure of seuerall Colleges concerning those among whom they liue I finde that men are very dangerous in this point generally fauoring reformation but when it commeth to the particular point some haue not yet considered of these things for which others in the Church are so much troubled others are afraid to testifie any thing with their hands least it breed danger before the time And after many fauour the cause of reformation but they are not Ministers but young students of whome there is good hope if it be not cut off by violent dealing before the time As I heare by you so I meane to goe forward where there is any hope and to learne the number and to certifie you thereof Furthermore at the time of the Parliament last mentioned I finde that there was a nationall Synode helde likewise in London by these brethren according to their former decisions and Synodicall Discipline This appeareth by three letters The first was from eleuen ministers of Essex to Field wherin they desire to be certified whether the brethren meant to be exercised in prayer and fasting and vpon what day The seconde was from nine of the saide Ministers to Fielde and Charke wherein they writ thus We haue elected two Godly and faithfull brethren Maister Wright and Maister Gifford to ioyne with you in that businesse The third was from Gelibrand to Field Wherein he excuseth himselfe of a great ouersight in these words Touching my departure from that holy assembly without leaue c. I craue pardon both of you them c. And thus sayth he commending this holy cause to the Lord himselfe and your godly counsaile to the President thereof I take my leaue CHAP. V. Their Booke of Discipline is reuiewed it was after sent abroad about 1587. it was put in practise in Northamptonshire and many other places NOtwithstanding that the booke of Discipline was abroad as it hath beene noted in the third chapter and that the brethren had framed themselues as they might vnto the rules thereof yet there were found some imperfections in it which in the Synode mentioned in the former chapter as I take it were referred to Maister Trauers to bee corrected and ordered by him as his leysure will permitte Which appeareth by a letter of Maister Fields to Maister Trauers in these words Concerning our other busines I would wish that the Discipline were read ouer with as much speed as could be and that some good directions were giuen for the brethren abroad who are earnest to enter some good course for the furtherance of the L cause And after in the same place I finde many abroade very willing to ioyne with the best to put in practise that which shall bee agreed vpon by the brethren If it might please the brethren therefore that those or the like instructions which wee had with a perfect coppie of the Discipline might be sent I would wholly imploy my selfe in that seruice Another also vpon the longer stay thereof I pray you hasten the forme of Discipline and send it And the same man againe I pray you remember the forme of Discipline which Master Trauers promised to make perfect and send it me when it is finished We will put it in practise and trie mens minds therein as we may According to these requests the draught of Discipline was at the last finished and then sent abroade to be approued generally by all the brotherhood as may thus appear The discipline we haue receiued and we giue you and the brethren hartie thanks for it As yet we are not resolued in all points of it hauing had but small time to peruse it nor the commoditie of often meeting
from E. C. And now followeth Throgmortons letter beeing an answere as I take it vnto Coppingers My good brother c. I reioyce that you will vouchsafe so to account of mee Your godlie conference at anie time when oportunitie shall serue I will not refuse And albeit our busines may hinder vs now to meet yet there is no time ouerpast but that it may be performed when it please God The next terme you heare I must appeare here againe vppon my band at which time you shall find that I will be glad of your christian conference or of any other brothers by whom I may be enlightened Lord deliuer mee from that pride of heart to reiect or refuse that while I liue That course you speake of intended by you I was neuer you know in particular acquainted with And therefore for mee to like or dislike a matter that I had no knowledge of had beene I take it without ground or warrant Onlie I confesse I heard some buzzes abroad of a sole and singular course that either you or some other had plotted in his head which was greatly feared and condemned of the brethren What that was as I know not so had I small reason to speake of it with preiudice Onelie I would wish you and all that beare good will to the holie cause in this perilous age of ours to take both your eyes in your handes as they saie and to be sure of your ground and warrant before you striue to put in exeecution For as I like not of coldnes of zeale vnder colour of discretion so on the other side I think that this sentence of our sauiour be ye wise as serpents was not written in vain neither and had great neede to be practised of some in this age A sanctified cause you know would alwayes haue a sanctified course Our rule and square must be the word of truth which so long as we lay before vs as our leuel we shall not lightly swarue much from the marke The Lord therefore direct vs in these feareful and miserable daies and let not our infirmities be a barre to his mercies I know my good Brother that the greatest workes of the Lord are wrought by the weakest instrumeuts least men should boast in the arme of flesh And therefore were it not for my sinnes and vnworthynes I could easilie perswade my selfe in regarde of my weaknes that the Lord might effect something by me who am priuy to mine owne wants and farre short of those good giftes it pleaseth you of your loue to loade mee with But this worke that you speake of howsoeuer the instrument bee compassed with weaknes must sure be wrought by a more sanctified heart then my selfe can yet without hypocrisie boast of And therefore though in affection and good will I ioyne yet I resigne the honor of the worke to those that the Lord hath more enabled The man you speake of if he be at Oundhell dwelleth hard by a Sister of mine and thereupon I shall haue the better occasion to see him when it please God Forget me not in your holy praiers and meditations and salute good Giles with many thankes whose debtor I am in the Lord. Blessing vpon Syon confusion vpon Babell hast this 18. of the 5. Moneth Euer yours in the Lord. CHAP. VIII Copinger to Hacket of an appearance in the Starre-chamber his letter to Vdall why Cartwright c refused to conferre with him Cartwright resolued some questions of Coppingers of eight preachers that did fast and pray for Coppingers successe AFter some few dayes that Hacket had taried in London the said Easter terme he returned home againe to Oundle hauing first promised Coppinger that he would come vp againe vnto him whensoeuer he sent for him Nowe Coppinger by his said conferences and acquaintance with Hacket was grown as he said very bold and couragious But yet shortly after vz as I thinke the seuenteenth of May he liked so well of Hackets company that he sent for him againe to come vp vnto him saying If Gods spirit direct you to come come if not stay But write with all speed and conuey your letter and inclose it in a letter to him who brought you and me acquainted that was Wigginton put not too your name for discouery c. And in the same letter hee sendeth Hacket this newes The zealous Preachers as it is thought are to be in the Star-chamber to morrow I thinke he meaneth the last day of Easter tearme last The L. by his holy spirit be with them and stay all euill that is intended against them My selfe if I can get in am moued to be there and I feare if sentence with seueritie shall be giuen I shall be forced in the name of the great and fearefull God of heauen and earth to protest against it About this time also he writ a verie couragious letter to Vdall in prison for he confesseth it was written about tenne weekes before his examination which was the nineteenth of Iuly In this letter he telleth him that notwithstanding some brethrens hard opinions of him and other discouragementes yet now the Lord hath not onelie enabled him to fight but at the length in some sort to vanquish and ouercome He signifieth also vnto him that the next day there were some few that purposed to ioyne together in a holy fast in regard of the afflicted Saintes in generall c. He greatly commendeth the Ministers cause and suffringes that are in prison assuring himselfe that God will blesse all the actions in it He saith there were diuerse out of prison lying hid that in this great worke were hammering their heads bestowing their braines and spending their spirites who doe hope in short tyme to be brought forth into the sight of their and your enemies to defend the cause you stand for whose presence God assisting them will daunt the enemies more then yours for that they be men voyde of learning wisedome and gifts such as can challenge nothing to themselues but must giue all to God who in all the greatest workes that euer haue beene wrought hath vsed the weakest meanes least men should boast in the arme of flesh And therefore I beseeche you cheare vp your selues in the Lord for the day of our redemption is at hand and pray that the hand of the Lord may be strengthened in them whom he hath appointed to take part with you in this cause Here you see he was growne to a wonderfull resolution But yet there is another letter of his that wil make the same more euident and likewise lay open more plainelie some of the premises then hitherto they haue beene Hee sheweth therein that hee could be still well contented to haue some conference with Maister Charke Maister Trauers Maister Egerton Maister Gardiner Maister Philips and Maister Cooper But sayth he I make not this suite for that I would seeke to haue approbation from them or any other liuing creature but
from themselues and layde vppon the Lordes shoulders as though he should haue moued them to such lewd attemptes The other was a kinde of Ballade directed for aduice to a yong courtier wherein they make waye as it seemeth for their frend Hacket and that with wonderfull quotation of Scriptures I will trouble you onely with fowre of the verses A Christian true although he be a clowne May teach a King to weare Scepter and Crowne And after For God will sure confound such as deuise His ordinance or church to tirannise To these rimes both for manner and matter I may well resemble those made I doubt not by the same spirit Either from countrey or Court Martin Mar-Prelate will do you hurt Now that Copinger was a dealer in these thinges with Wigginton before they were printed it appeareth by these wordes of Hackets in his last declaration to maister Young Wiggintons boy can declare all his Maisters writinges for the boy and Maister Copinger sate writing halfe a night by this examinates bedde side but what they writte he cannot tell but one word he heard that the Countrey Clowne can teach the king to weare the Crowne Afterwardes as I take it vz. the 9. of Iuly being fryday M. Charke preached at the blacke Fryers at which Sermō Copinger was present who misliking as it seemeth some wordes then vttered did write a letter presently to M. Charke wherein amongst other pointes he sayth Right reuerend Sir c. I do not denie good Sir but I haue now a long time taken a strange and extraordinary course but such as hath offered occasion of suspition of my not onely doing hurt to my selfe but also to the best sort of men now in question and to the cause it selfe But by what warrant I haue done this that is all For if the holy Ghost hath beene my warrant and carieth mee into such actions as are differing from other mens c. What flesh and blood dare speake against it c. Forbeare to censure me and such other as should deale extraordinarily with mee in the Lordes busines committed to our charge and iudge of vs by the effectes which follow which if you heareafter see to bee wonderderfull great then let all ordinary men call themselues to an examination c. And after The waste of the Church cannot be denied to be greate so that there is a place for extraordinary men c. Againe my desire heretofore hath beene to haue hadde counsaile and direction but now by comfortable experience I finde that the action which the Lorde hath drawn me into is his owne and he will direct it himselfe by the holy Ghost c To conclude I beseech you saith he to shew this letter to M. Trauers and M Egerton M. Charke vpon the receipt of this letter preaching againe the Sonday after in the same place vttered in his sermon these wordes which Copinger saith were ment of him in respect of his foresaide letter there are some persons so desperate that they would willingly thrust themselues vpon the rockes of the land This also appeareth by an other letter cōcerning this second sermon written about the 13. or 14 of Iulie to an other preacher in London but hee is not named it had beene to good purpose if hee had beene named For it seemeth hee was as throughly acquainted with Coppinger and his fellowes designements as it may be well supposed that Wigginton was In my letter vnto Charke I manifested my selfe to haue an extraordinarie calling and signifyed that the Lord had so called others besides my selfe who would approue our selues to bee the seruantes of the Lorde in a high calling Againe the ship that is the Church had perished if the Lord had not immediately called three of vs to helpe to recouer it c. My calling is especially to deale with Magistrates another hath to doe with Ministers who hath written a letter to you of the Citie c. The thirde is the chiefe who can neither write nor reade so that hee is the executioner of the Lords most holy wil. He further offereth to acquaint this Minister with their whole course and willeth him to shew this letter to his brethren and to publish it where euer hee should goe Hacket confessed that being about this time as I take it with Wigginton the saide Wigginton affirmed in the presence of two gentlemen and others that if the Magistrates did not gouerne well the people might draw themselues together and to see a reformation Vpon the 15. day of Iuly Copinger and Arthington did write a iointe letter of purpose to haue drawne Lancaster vnto them for the making vp of a quaternion And this was one perswasion If I Ed. Coppinger do not prefer you before any one man in the land whosoeuer for your wise holy louing and religious course both in the generall calling of a Christian and in your particular calling the Lord confound me After Lancaster had receiued this letter notwithstanding he writ vnto him of some mislike he had of their proceedings yet as Hacket saith he came vnto them all three the same night to one Walkers house at Broken wharfe where they conferred together about an hower after supper Of what great account this Lancaster and some others were with these companions it doth further appeare by that which followeth The same day in the morning that Copinger and Arthington made their seditious Proclamation in Cheapside they two together first and afterwarde Hacket came vnto Wigginton amongst many things as Wiginton himselfe cōfesseth they told him that M. Cartwright had done more against Antichrist then any in the worlde before him since the Apostles times and that Wigginton was comparable vnto him and that M. Lancaster was aboue them both in the estate of heauenlie glorie because he had kept himselfe vndefiled from the common corruptions of these times and had a most simple hart to God Likewise also they saide to Wigginton at the same time that Reformation and the Lordes discipline should now forthwith bee established and therefore charged Wigginton in the Lordes name to put all Christians in comfort that they should see a ioyfull alteration in the state of Church gouernment shortly Arthington after being examined said that Penry had sent him word by a letter out of Scotland that reformation must shortlie be erected in England and that he tooke him in so writing to bee a true Prophet It is not also vnlikely but that Penry was a Prouoker of these men to such their outrages hoping that vpon their outcries proclamations the people would haue risen For he was then in London to haue played his part if their attempts had found the good successe they looked for Marry when he saw Hacket executed he presentlie the same day posted backe againe towards Scotland CHAP. XI Of the trayterous intendments which were towardes the Court. BEfore this their intended insurrection it is to be further