Majesty's Commandment had notwithstanding much ado and many conflicts with them For they had gotten such strength by his Predecessor's connivency that many of them were then planted both within his Province and particular Diocess In whose favour sundry Gentlemen of the chiefest account there came to entreat the Archbishop and some of the younger sort would needs argue and dispute matters in controversy on their behalf But he gave so good satisfaction unto them all by his mild and temperate Answers albeit he yielded not unto their Requests that they loved him after some of the chiefest of them preferring their Sons unto him and the rest performing many kind Offices and Services towards him 55. The next Year following for Decem. 1584. For satisfaction of some great Persons he with two other Bishops receive the Reasons of some Ministers for their Non-conformity They sufficiently answer the same farther satisfaction of some of the greatest and most honourable Counsellors of State in these Points the two Archbishops and the Bishop of Winchester were pleased to hear the Reasons of some Ministers that refused to conform themselves unto the Orders of the Church established At which time albeit the said learned Prelates sufficiently cleared all their Doubts and Exceptions yet after this these honourable Personages affying much in the Sufficiency and Scholarship of some others not yet dealt withal and supposing that they had been able to have said much more in defence of themselves and the impeaching of the Ecclesiastical Government established for so they were born in hand were desirous to hear at Lambeth the Controversies A Conference at Lambeth and a further debate of the Controversy to the seeming satisfaction of those Great Personages further debated on both Sides Whereunto the Archbishop for their satisfaction yielded and after four hours Conference spent these Honourable Personages professed that they would not have believed that the Archbishops Grounds and Reasons had been so good and strong and the Others so weak and trivial but that they heard them once and again with their own Ears and so they said they would inform her Majesty seeming to be there well resolved and also persuaded the Ministers to Conformity 56. Howbeit afterwards when those Honourable Personages saw that they might not sway as formerly in the restraint of Archibishop Grindall and prefer The Archbishop perplexed with Oppositions is grieved whom they listed unto Ecclesiastical Promotions they with some others linked themselves against the Archbishop and gave him being yet no Counsellor of State many thwarts at the Council board wherewith he was so much perplexed and grieved to see things thus carried as thereupon advising with some of his Honourable Friends whose assistance he knew might avail him if their Affections were not otherwise overswayed by the potency of so great Personages he thus imparted his mind in several Letters Writes his mind as followeth GOD knoweth how desirous I have been from time to time to have my Doings approved by my ancient and honourable Friends For which cause since my coming to this Place I have done nothing of importance against these Sectaries without good Advice I have risen up early and sate up late to yield Reasons and make answer to their Contentions and their Seditious Objections And shall I now say I have lost my labour Or shall my just dealing with disobedient and irregular Persons cause my former professed and ancient Friends to hinder my just Proceedings and make them speak of my Doings yea and of my Self what they list Solomon saith that an old Friend is better than a new I trust those that love me indeed will not so lightly cast off their old Friends for any of these new fangled and Factious Sectaries whose fruits are to make division and to separate old and assured Friends In mine own private Affairs I know I shall stand in need of Friends but in these publick Actions I see no cause why I should seek Friends seeing they to whom the care of the Common-wealth is committed ought of duty therein to join with me And if my honourable Friends should for sake me especially in so good a Cause and not put their helping hand to the redress of these Enormities being indeed a matter of State and not of the least moment I shall think my coming unto this Place to have been for my punishment and my hap very hard that when I think to deserve best and in a manner consume my self to satisfy that which God her Majesty and the Church requireth of me I should be evilly rewarded Sed meliora spero It is objected by some that my desire of Uniformity by way of Subscription is for the better maintenance of my Book They are mine Enemies that say so but I trust my Friends have a better opinion of me Why should I seek for any confirmation of my Book after twelve years approbation or what shall I get thereby more than already I have And yet if Subscription may confirm it it is confirmed long ago by the Subscription almost of all the Clergy of England before my time Mine Enemies likewise and the slanderous Tongues of this uncharitable Sect report that I am revolted become a Papist and I know not what But it proceedeth from their lewdness and not from any desert of mine I am further burthened with Wilfulness I hope my Friends are better persuaded of me to whose Consciences I appeal It is strange that a man of my Place dealing by so good warrant as I do should be so encountred and for not yielding be counted wilful But I must be content Vincit qui patitur There is a difference betwixt Wilfulness and Constancy I have taken upon me by the Place which I hold under her Majesty the defence of the Religion and the Rites of the Church of England to appease the Schisms and Sects therein to reduce all the Ministers thereof to Uniformity and to due obedience and not to waver with every wind which also my Place my Person my Duty the Laws her Majesty and the goodness of the Cause do require of me and wherein the Lords of her Highness's most Honourable Privy Council all things considered ought in duty to assist and countenance me But how is it possible that I should perform the Charge which I have undertaken after so long liberty and lack of Discipline if a few Persons so meanly qualified as most of these Factions Sectaries are should be countenanced against the whole State of the Clergy of greatest account both for Learning Years Staidness Wisdom Religion and Honesty and open Breakers and Impugners of the Law young in Years proud in Conceipt contentious in Disposition should be maintained against their Governors seeking to reduce them to Order and to Obedience Haec sunt initia Haereticorum ortus atque conatus Schismaticorum malè cogitantium ut sibi placeant ut praepositum superbo tumore contemnat Sic de Ecclesia receditur sic Altare profanum
direct themselves by the Rule of Geneva would learn thus to discipline their Tongues with him and imitate his Modesty 91. The Archbishop as from Master Beza so from other famous Men beyond the Seas received many Letters arguing their great love and due respect of him At their request and recommendation he relieved and entertained into his House for many years The Archbishop's kindness and charity to Foreign Divines of the Reformation together divers distressed Ministers out of Germany and France who were enforced to forsake their own Countries some by Banishment others by reason of Wars and extremity which they were put unto And at their departure he dealt bountifully with them as namely Drusius Renicherus Frigevill and Monsieur Buse a French Minister who read weekly a Lecture in Latin in his Chappel And although his French pronunciation and want of good delivery did somewhat blemish the goodness of the matter which he handled yet the Archbishop's property ever was to cherish and encourage him and all others that preached before him and was never heard to give the Preacher distaste but rather would commend or excuse him against other mens Censures saying If he were young better experience would correct his defaults and if he were in years he was in that respect to be born withal alledging for both that some would take exceptions sometimes rather to satisfy their own too much curiosity than for any just cause of dislike in the Preacher 92. Wherein he shewed a Disposition very rarely to be found in that having himself an excellent gift in that Faculty his modesty in prizing himself and his mildness in censuring others was extraordinary and very singular His backwardness to censure other mens Gifts and Performances so that thereby he gave great encouragement unto some whom otherwise his exquisite Judgment might have daunted 93. Neither herein did he as in service of War the Trumpeters use to do who encourage others to fight never taking Weapon in hand themselves or as Plutarch noteth in Aristogiton who Plutarch in vita Phocionis animated others to take Arms but himself in excuse pleaded lameness and came halting to the Musters in pretence thereof But as his continual Endeavours were to reward those of best Gifts and to encourage those of meaner so as often as Church and State-affairs gave him leave he was industrious in propounding wholesome Doctrine unto the People and a worthy Pattern of true Divinity and Diligence unto all others of the Clergy to follow him therein When he was Bishop of Worcester unless The Archbishop a constant Preacher when publick Affairs would admit extraordinary businesses of the Marches of Wales hindred him he never failed to preach upon every Sabbath-day many times riding five or six Miles to a Parish Church and after Sermon came home to Dinner The like he did also when he was Archbishop and lay at Croydon the Queen being in her Progress No Sunday escaped him in Kent as the Gentlemen there can well witness who would exceedingly resort unto him And he would oftentimes preach so early in the Morning in some Parish-Church both in Worcester and Canterbury that he came afterwards to the Sermon in the Cathedral Church 94. His Gift that way was excellent Had an excellent Tallent in Preaching Learned eloquent and judicious His Gesture grave and decent without affectation as if you had heard Saint Augustin himself or some of the ancient Bishops in the Primitive Church His Gesture and Action in the Pulpit so grave and decent his words coming from him so fatherly and comely and though plainly for the most part and without affectation yet always elegantly with special choice and substantial matter full of good and sound Learning plentiful in Authorities out of Scripture Fathers and School-men so singularly applied that he much affected his Auditory therewith Thus he oftentimes stirred and moved mens minds and affections and that not by the force of Eloquence only but by his pious Life answerable to his religious Sentences the opinion and confidence which the People had of his Integrity being very Of great Integrity and unspotted Life great because he did live unspotted of the world and would not any way be corrupted 95. He never preached but he first He wrote the Notes of his Sermons wrote his Notes in Latin and afterwards kept them during his life For he would say That whosoever took that pains before his preaching the elder he waxed the better he should discharge that Duty but if he trusted only to his memory his preaching in time Disapproved trusting only to Memory would become pratling Wherein out of a true religious care and divine wisdom he did express the grave and prudent Counsel that Demosthenes held in his Orations and pleadings in the Court. For as Plutarch saith He would never Plutarch in vit Demosth offer to speak unto the People before he had made briefs of that which he had to deliver alledging that he loved the People well that would be careful before-hand what to say unto them And this preparation saith he doth shew that a man honoureth and reverenceth them too Contrariwise he that passeth not how the People taketh his words it is a plain token that he despiseth them and their Authority and that he lacketh no good-will to use force against them if he could rather than reason or persuasion 96. When he was Bishop of Worcester When at Worcester he treated the Recusants mildly and won many of them over and Vice-president of the Marches he did exceeding good by that his continual preaching as also by his often conference and conventing of the Papists whom he used with mild and temperate speeches and thereby got many of them to conform themselves both Gentlemen and others whereby as at his first coming unto the See of Worcester he found many Recusants so he left very few at his coming thence 97. Immediately after he came to be When he came to be Archbishop he dealt with the Learnedst of them by Authority Ecclesiastical Archbishop he convented before him the chiefest and most learned Recusants throughout all England He also wrote Letters to the Bishops his Brethren within the Province of Canterbury to proceed with the Recusants by their Authority Ecclesiastical and Censures of the Church and called yearly upon them for an account of their doings He sent forth also many Warrants by vertue of her Highness's Commission for Causes Ecclesiastical and thereby had daily brought before him both Recusants and Priests who according to the quality of their Offences were restrained and proceeded against or delivered over unto the Civil Magistrate to be dealt withal as to Justice appertained after the Laws were enacted against Recusants and Seminary Priests 98. Thus this grave and prudent He kept a straight hand over the Seminary Priests and subtle Papists Archbishop always carried a most vigilant eye and straight hand over the subtle-headed
pleased at the Archbishop's presence in proclaiming the King proclaimed him again 105. I am doubtful to speak lest I might seem to detract from others of the great comfort which the common People and Citizens took in the presence of the Archbishop and how heartily they prayed for him at his return as if they nothing doubted but that all went well for the State in that Counsel among whom he was present 106. He was indeed beloved of all sorts of People yea even of some of them who were the most fervent Reprehenders themselves as they have confessed since his death And well worthy was he so to be for that he carried a most mild and moderate hand over them A more particular love also he deserved of many for his affection Archbishop a lover and incourager of Liberal Arts. unto liberal and ingenious Arts whereof his domestick government and care was no less argument than his publick which I have formerly spoken of For besides the pains which he took himself after he was Bishop of Worcester and Archbishop of Canterbury many years with a number of worthy young Gentlemen in reading unto them thrice aday he took into his House besides his Chaplains divers of quality to instruct them in the Mathematicks and other Lectures of sundry Arts and Languages giving them good allowance and Preferments His Liberality great otherwise as occasion was offered And besides the many poor Scholars He kept many poor Scholars in his House whom he kept in his House till he could provide for them and prefer them as he did sundry to good Estates he also maintained divers in the University And maintained divers in the Universities at his own charge and gave liberally to them and others of any towardliness as he heard of their necessity and wants 107. He kept likewise for the exercise of Military Discipline a good Armory Is an incourager of Military Exercises and a fair Stable of great Horses insomuch as he was able to arm at all points both Horse and Foot and divers times had One hundred Foot and Fifty Horse of his own Servants mustered and trained for which purpose he entertained Captains He had also skilful Riders who taught them to manage their Horses and instructed them in warlike Exercises all whom he rewarded in liberal manner By this means he had divers of his own Gentlemen that afterwards proved good Soldiers many whereof became Captains and Commanders and some for their Valour and Service were Knighted in the Field There were also divers others that for Learning Languages and Qualities were fit to be employed by any Prince in Christendom Insomuch as his House for the Lectures and Scholastical Exercises therein performed might justly be accounted a little Academy and in some His House a little Academy respects superior and more profitable viz. for Martial Affairs and the Experience that Divines and other Scholars had being near and often at the Court and chief Seats of Justice from whence they continually had the Passages and Intelligences both for Matters of State and government in Causes Ecclesiastical and Civil By which their continual Experience many of his * Dr. Bancroft Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Ravis Bishop of London Dr. Barlow Bishop of Lincoln Dr. Goldisbury Bishop of Gloucester Dr. Parry Bishop of Worcester Dr. Redman Bishop of Norwich Dr. Buckeridge Bishop of Rochester Domestical His Chaplains promoted Chaplains both before and since his death attained unto the chiesest Honours and Dignities in our Church and Commonwealth 108. And here I may not forget his religious care and provident order for the due execution of his Charge and determination of all such Causes as belonged unto his proper cognizance and place To which end and purpose he appointed every Thursday in Term a solemn and set Commission day upon which he had a Sermon in his Chappel by one of his Houshold Chaplains and entertained the Commissioners and their Attendants though to his great expence which he little esteemed in regard of the well guiding and ordering the Affairs then by him undertaken That day you should have had a Senate of the worthiest and greatest Counsellors of State with the assistance of the chief Prelates Justices Judges and sufficientest Lawyers of both Professions that those Times afforded 109. You may then hereby observe the The Archbishop's care and wisdom in determining Causes Archbishop's exceeding care and singular wisdom in proceeding with the Advice of so many worthy prudent and learned Men of several Faculties whereby the Subjects came chearfully to the hearing of their Causes and without fear of partiality in any particular Person And howsoever the Cause went the Archbishop could not be impeached of rash or inconsiderate proceeding seeing he had the consent and approbation of all Professions For the Archbishop always gave Sentence and ordered matters as the greater part of the Court did encline beginning at the Junior first although himself would sometimes dissent from them in opinion and so he would tell them but without tartness yea in such kind and loving manner as no man was hindered in delivering his mind By which means he was sure always to have the Cause fully debated and every man's opinion fully known which when he found concurring with his own and the Proceedings ordered according to the Rules of Justice he would go on to sentence and determine the Cause 110. Wherein he carried himself His Resolution in Judgment with great resolution and courage were the Persons never so great that were interested in the same as you may perceive by one Instance among many when himself was yet no Counsellor of State A Gentleman of good Note seeing An Instance how the Court was enclined to order his Cause not according to his desire told the Archbishop that upon another occasion there grew some speech of that Cause before the Lords of the Council and their Lordships were of another opinion than his Grace and the rest of the Commissioners seemed to be what tellest thou me said the Archbishop of the Lords of the Council I tell thee they are in these Cases to be advised by us and not we by them He would upon such like Occasions oftentimes say unto his private Friends towards his latter time when they talked familiarly with him and observed his courage and stoutness That two things did help much to make a man confident in good Causes namely Orbitas Senectus and said he they steed me both 111. This orderly proceeding and He upholds the Dignity of the High Commission-Court course upheld the Reputation and Dignity of the Commission Court which albeit it be of great Authority and dealeth for the most part in matters of great weight and importance yet the want of worthy Assistants and Counsel if the like care should not be continued may make it grow to be of little reputation as experience hath somewhat taught us since the decease of this
good Archbishop Whereunto not unaptly may be applied that which Plutarch reporteth Plutarch in vita of Cato Utican When he was Praetor For he would oftentimes go on foot bare legged and without his Gown unto his Praetorian Chair and there give sentence of life and death whereby he rather defaced and impaired the majesty and dignity of his Office than gave it countenance by his manner of proceeding although otherwise he were a good Commonwealth's man and ministred justice uprightly unto all 112. But I return unto our Archbishop His dispatch of Causes to great satisfaction again He gave audience unto Suitors twice a day and afforded them set hours for their dispatch at which time he would so courteously entreat them giving them so mild and gentle Answers that even they that sped not of their Suits did depart without discontentment Wherein I may justly compare him unto Titus qui neminem Sueton. in vita unquam à se tristem dimisit he dismissed no man sorrowful from his presence Wherefore he gave also express commandment unto his Officers that Suitors and Strangers should ever be courteously entertained as well for expedition of their Suits as for Hospitality sake 113. He had a desire always to keep His great Hospitality a great and bountiful House and so he did having the same well ordered and governed by his head Officers therein and all things in plentiful manner both for his own service and entertainment of Strangers according to their several Qualities and Degrees He often feasted the Clergy Nobility and Gentry of his Diocess and Neighbourhood And at Christmas especially his Gates were always open and his Hall set twice or thrice over with Strangers Upon some chief Festival-days he was served with great solemnity sometime upon the Knee as well His State for the upholding of the State that belonged unto his Place as for the better education and practice of his Gentlemen and Attendants in point of service 114. Every Year he entertained the His entertainment of the Queen Queen at one of his Houses so long as he was Archbishop and some Years twice or thrice where all things were performed in so seemly an order that she went thence always exceedingly well pleased And besides many publick and gracious Favours done unto him she would salute him and bid him farewell by the name of Black Husband calling also his Men her Servants as a token of her good contentment with their attendance and pains 115. Every third Year he went into He was always honourably received by the Gentlemen of the Country Kent unless great occasions hindred him where he was so honourably attended upon by his own Train consisting of Two hundred Persons and with the Gentlemen of the Country that he did sometimes ride into the City of Canterbury and into other Towns with Eight hundred or a Thousand Horse And surely the Entertainment which he gave them and they him was so great that as I am verily persuaded no Shire in England did or could give greater or with more chearful minds each unto other The Fatherly care which he had of his Clergy whom he never charged with visitation but once in twenty Years his Affability amongst the Gentlemen and courteous usage of his Tenants gained him so great a love that he might very far prevail with them yea they never denied him any request that he made unto them 116. At his first Journey into Kent His first journey into Kent July 1589. with pomp and solemnity he rode to Dover being attended with an hundred of his own Servants at least in Livery whereof there were forty Gentlemen in Chains of Gold The Train of Clergy and Gentlemen in the Country and their Followers was above Five hundred Horse At his entrance A Romish Intelligencer accidentally lands he admires the Appearance and owns a mistaken prejudice concerning the meanness of our Church into the Town there happily landed an Intelligencer from Rome of good Parts and Account who wondred to see an Archbishop or Clergy-man in England so reverenced and attended But seeing him upon the next Sabbath day after in the Cathedral Church of Canterbury attended upon by his Gentlemen and Servants as is aforesaid also by the Dean Prebendaries and Preachers in their Surplesses and scarlet Hoods and heard the solemn Musick with the Voices and Organs Cornets and Sagbuts he was overtaken with admiration and told an English Gentleman of very good quality who then accompanied him That Sir Edward Hobby they were led in great blindness at Rome by our own Nation who made the People there believe that there was not in England either Archbishop or Bishop or Cathedral or any Church or Ecclesiastical Government but that all was pulled down to the ground and that the People heard their Ministers in Woods and Fields amongst Trees and bruit Beasts But for his own part he protested that unless it were in the Pope's Chappel he never saw a more solemn sight or heard a more heavenly sound Well said the English Gentleman I am glad of this your so lucky and first sight ere long you will be of another mind and I hope work miracles when you return to Rome in making those that are led in this blindness to see and understand the truth It is said the Intelligencer the chief cause of my coming to see with mine own eyes and truly to inform others Whereupon the said English Gentleman accompanied him to London and so to the Court where he saw and heard many things to confirm the Gentleman's report for the government of the Church and civil carriage of the People in their obedience to the Clergy and Magistrates in the Commonwealth Afterwards this Intelligencer had private The Intelligencer had private speech with Secretary Walsingham speech with Sir Francis Walsingham then principal Secretary to her Majestey who related all this to the Archbishop with due approbation of his Kentish Journy confessing that he should reverence and honour him therefore while he lived And although he were one of the honourable Counsellors before mentioned that seemed to favour the precise Faction yet undoubtedly he was after this time a kind Friend to the Archbishop and did him many good Offices with the Queen 117. Howbeit some of near alliance unto Sir Francis bearing themselves very boldly upon his favour would oftentimes handle the Archbishop very roughly and much provoke him by vain Speeches and brags of their own worth and scholarship and being meer Lay-men would very unmannerly compare themselves with the best conformable Divines for true knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures But the Archbishop smiling at their Vanities would notwithstanding courteously handle and entreat them in his own House according to the true Rule of Hospitality not unlike unto Pericles who being reviled by a leud Plutarch â—n vit Fellow in the Market-place all the day long returned no bad languge but dispatched his Affairs
of Worcester 6 years and 5 months And Archbishop of Canterbury 20 years and 5 months 122 He was libell'd after his death by Lewis Pickering Ib. Was honourably interr'd at Croydon March 27. 1604. 123 His Funeral Sermon by Bishop Babington Ib. The Text 2 Cor. 24. 15 16. Ib. Description of his Person 124 FINIS CONSPIRACY FOR Pretended Reformation VIZ. Presbyterial Discipline A TREATISE Discovering the late Designments and Courses held for Advancement thereof by William Hacket Yeoman Edmund Coppinger and Henry Arthington Gent. out of Others Depositions and Their own Letters Writings and Confessions upon Examination Together with some part of the Life and Conditions and the two Indictments Arraignment and Execution of the said Hacket Also an Answer to the Calumniations of such as affirm they were Mad-men And a Resemblance of this Action unto the like happened heretofore in Germany Written by Richard Cosin LL. D. Dean of the Arches and Official Principal to Archbishop Whitgift Finished Ultimo Septembris 1591. And Published by Authority 1592. LONDON Reprinted for Ri. Chiswell MDCXCIX Prov. cap. 30. v. 12. There is a generation that are pure in their own conceit and yet are not washed from their filthiness 2 Tim. cap. 3. v. 5. Having a shew of godliness but have denied the power thereof turn away therefore from such TO THE READER DIVERS have hitherto diversly reported of this Action and of the Actors in it according to their own several Intelligences attained thereof and to the Humours they are led by And albeit the Matter falling out not many Months since might seem to be in fresh remembrance of many yet sundry there are which hitherto know not the very particular dangerous Attempts and Outrages into which these men burst out and the most part I think have not heard what was the original cause of such their discontentment or the main drift and purpose of all their Designments nor of any the ways and means by them used for furthering and atchieving the principal scope they shot at nor of any their Counsels and carriage of the Action nor yet who were their Complices that were made acquainted with the matter in some general or more special terms By want of knowledge of which things sundry perverse and sinister Conceits and Misdeemings have arisen and are blown abroad amongst the People which seem meet to be abated and reformed in them For the Papist our common Enemy in some late Writings from beyond the Seas hath as I am informed wrested these mens dealings to another end And sundry at home who would seem more moderate than many other of their own Judgment yet in favour of the Persons or which I judge rather upon liking of their Opinion in matter of Church-Government have allowed their meanings to have been good though they mislike somewhat they say of the manner Others seek to disguise the very Purposes of these men as if that which in truth was most had been least of all intended by them There are some also purposing to extenuate the Fault and to prevent that so just a blot may not fall upon the meanest Favourer of pretended Reformation who will needs make them to have been stark mad and such as knew not what they said or did And there want not certain also who under pretence of pity and commiseration towards them are said not to spare to mutter abroad that Matters are made worse and of greater consequence and peril than they be in deed And that these Men with some others were prosecuted with greater vehemency and sharpness than the Cause it self or quality of their several Offences might justly minister occasion All which untrue Surmises and Imputations what do they else but apparently and directly tend unto the injury depravation and slander of the honourable Justice of this Realm and State For assertion and clearing whereof from such Calumniations and to make manifest also the very truth of these matters unto all that are desirous to be enformed aright in them It is thought meet that this Treatise for good Considerations hitherto stayed since it was finished should now at length be published Whereby I make no doubt but it will appear to any that shall be pleased to peruse it with a single eye how important these Causes are to be throughly looked into for the weight and danger of them how honourable the Proceedings in them have been for manner and how exceeding mild and merciful a course hath been holden by the State not only with some of the chief Dealers but also with sundry others notable Concurrents in the Action who though they be sufficiently well known yet hitherto have not been so much as called into question how far soever perhaps they may seem unto some not unwise to have waded therein or to have entertained intelligence of it both dangerously and undutifully So far is her Excellent Majesty and the whole State from aggravating mens Offences yea and from taking advantage even when most just occasion sometimes is offered I pray God this notable rare Clemency may be hereafter answered by those who both in this and other matters stand not a little in need of it how little soever they acknowledge it with that measure of dutiful remembrance and thankfulness which it worthily deserveth at their hands Amen R. C. THE PREFACE WHEN in the time of professing the truth of Religion such as pretend greatest sincerity and zeal do fall into fanatical Fancies and dangerous Attempts Then some do thereupon stagger in the Doctrine and are scandalized Some be quite driven back And others are carried even with open mouth to slander and to reproach the very profession of the Gospel The two first of which are of the weaker but the last are of the wickeder sort For these are straightway ready to make comparisons betwixt the Times and to declaim largely concerning the sweet and golden quiet with agreement in Judgment which they erroneously conceive to have continually accompanied the Times of Superstition and Blindness But though this were universally true which is far otherwise yet both the one sort and the other are dangerously deceived and transported into misdeeming by want of due consideration what is the very well-spring and occasion of such Accidents under the profession of the Gospel For when Sathan the deceiving Enemy of Mankind had in the Times of Popery by insensible and as it were obscure degrees under a colour of Religion and Devotion envenomed once the very Fountains of Doctrine with many pestilent Errors much Superstition and gross Idolatry and had almost quite damned up the light of the glorious Gospel Then was it no marvel though he here rested his Labours as being in some sort arrived unto the main end of all his drifts and purposes Insomuch as this once atchieved the rest were sufficiently able to go forward of themselves For upon corruption of Faith and Doctrine must needs ensue either open corruption of Life and Conversation or at least Corruption masked under
a vail of Hypocrisy Because he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth and a corrupt Tree cannot bring forth good fruit Therefore after the victory gotten that he might more deeply deceive and surely retain whom he had caught he thought it requisite at some seasons upon these Corruptions to weave a vail of pretended unity and as it were to candy and sweeten them over with the lovely shew of peace and agreement Which nevertheless being without verity is nothing else but a lewd Conspiracy and is rather a deadly sleep wherewith men be overwhelmed than an unity of the spirit in the bond of peace For where all is subdued what needs any further resistance And where a strong man keeps the House all that he possesseth are in quiet till a stronger than he do come to dispossess him But when as God taking compassion of his Church in the eyes of his mercy had in these latter times made the day-star to shine again in our hearts no sooner did the beams of his Gospel begin to glimpse and break forth but the old crafty Serpent knowing his Kingdom to be invaded afresh and his time but short began in great wrath to rouse up himself again and to hammer over anew all his long-approved wicked Experiments and to plant new Engines for the discredit and hinderance of the passage and propagation of the Gospel This he plotteth besides many other means by seducing some that profess it into sedition and error And so in their Persons he bringeth the Profession it self into obloquy and hatred with such as afore did think hardly of it or were not persuaded it was the truth For by reason of his Angelical Substance corrupted with Diabolical Malice and by long Experience even of 5553 years continuance he is now become 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mille-artifex his perfect Crafts-master in infinite Devices and Subtilties So that he doth at sundry times very manifoldly and variably suggest and plot not only several and divers but sometimes even contrary Opinions and Actions one to another howbeit all to one and the self-same general end of seducing Mankind Therefore amongst his infinite Deceits for hinderance of the Gospel and of Man's Salvation by it some whom he cannot pervert in Doctrine he seeketh to attaint in Life Others whom he cannot so easily seduce in their Conversation he oftentimes soweth his cockle and darnel of Superstition Schism and Heresy in their hearts and so perverteth them in judgment and matter of Religion Some whom he cannot entangle by one sin he tempteth to overthrow by a sin contrary unto it Others whom he cannot snare by gross and actual Sins he gets ground of by making them have over-great estimation of their own supposed Vertues and Purity So that they grow hereby both to a conceit and self-love of themselves and also to contemn and condemn others with the Pharisee saying Oh God I thank thee that I am not as other men are Or as the Prophet speaketh touching such proud Hypocrites Depart from me for I am holier than thou Others he draweth into error by mistaking of the true quality or cause of things as when not being able to corrupt the general Doctrine of the Church he persuadeth Preachers most to insist upon matters of meer circumstance as if they were of especial necessity and procureth the outward Government and Discipline to be obtruded and beat upon for a principal Point of Doctrine So that matters of the substance of Doctrine and Faith in deed do either wholly slip by untaught or else are so slightly and ignorantly slubbered over by such Preachers that the common Adversary the Papist is thereby rather hardened than convinced in his Opinions Which practice may hereby appear to be the very subtilty of Sathan for that such do use far more earnestness and diligence to plant and bring in that their Discipline than they do for retaining of purity and soundness of Doctrine and are less incensed and vchement against Papists than they are against such as impugn that Fancy Out of this Head springs also that Error of some who do attribute all disorder and personal faults of men about execution of Laws unto the Laws themselves and unto the very Policy of the Church Thereupon gathering with themselves that the Plot of Discipline if it might come in place will surely serve as a Mithridate and a sovereign Salve to heal with short applying all Diseases and Sores both of Church and Common-wealth Certain be so bewitched in like sort by a kind of admiration of that which is in it self most necessary as that in the mean time they overslip matters of no less importance in the Life of a Christian because they think it sufficient to be occupied only about the other Hereupon it cometh that sundry do attribute so much to the hearing of the Word preached that neither publick nor private reading of Scripture Works of Charity Praying nor practice of that which is preached is any whit almost regarded of them Whereby they are always learning but never come unto the knowledge of the truth as if the very work wrought of hearing alone could make them good and perfect Christians So that where in old time there were certain Hereticks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who did nothing but pray So not without cause have some feared lest such Persons would bring in an Heresy of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 putting all Religion in bare hearing of Sermons Divers also there are who are so whetted against the abuse of things that the Seducer hereby taketh opportunity to draw them to omit even the good and commendable use of them Such are those that because they will not seem to confirm God's truth by human Testimony do therefore despise all light and help of good Arts and learned Interpreters and instead of them do in their Sermons nothing else but blaze out their own frivolous and unsound Collections trifling out the time without order and method by an heap of earnest and resonant but undigested words vain Repetitions Tautologies and Battologies without any substance of matter to the great abuse of their Auditory and of that excellent Work Many also are so afraid to fall into superstitious observation of days commanded for abstinence and avoiding of most nutritive Diet that at such times they do usually most pamper their vile Flesh even with a purposed and setled contempt of good Laws in that behalf provided Neither will this kind of Persons for the most part use any private fasting for subduing the Body but must have a whole side of a Country or a whole family at least know when they fast and will not stick to ride out a dozen or twenty Miles from home to fast with others for company though without publick Authority there to make ostentation of great humbling themselves by abstaining perhaps from one Meal how plentifully and delicately soever they do fare at Suppers or at their next Meal Likewise to avoid opinion of
Note Coppinger ' s Letter to Cartwright about some special service to God and his Church he fancied himself call'd for of the Letter unto T. C. is in mine Opinion meet to be here inserted in many respects viz. Right Reverend Sir I have with much grief been put back from doing some special service to God and to his Church which I hope time will manifest that I am appointed for Which if it had been done by Enemies it should not much have troubled me But being done by Persons as much regarded by me as flesh and blood can regard men it goeth near unto me From you I received this Message That I should attempt nothing but by advice of those whom you would procure to counsel me This was done from you in the name of the Lord of Heaven and Earth and therefore I obey it with great care and conscience expecting at your hands that Monday being the day appointed for conference that it may hold that I may be justified in my course or condemned The danger that Note some stand in for their lives is not unknown And if I had not been letted I durst have ventured my life to have procured their release ere now God help us I see Wisdom Zeal Courage and Love are seen but in few and those who would gladly use those Graces and Gifts which God hath given them cannot But God seeth what is best to be done and he will by contrary effects bring to pass whatsoever pleaseth him If you will answer my last Questions there may much use be made of them I desire them as much in regard of others as my self who are resolved of divers things whereof I crave to be resolved which I do to good purpose And as you commanded me in the name of God to be wise and circumspect and to deal by counsel so as I may I command you in the name of God that you advise the Preachers to deal speedily and circumspectly lest some blood of the Saints be Note shed which must needs bring down vengeance from Heaven upon the Land Return this Letter I beseech you to me that I may shew it amongst other things when the meeting shall be and commend me and my Purposes to God in your holy Prayers that they may so far be blessed as himself is the director of them God keep us ever his this 14th of February There is also this Postscript I am so full of worldly business as I have no time to attend this weighty Action but do only weight upon God for the direction of his Spirit saving my heart and soul are still mindful hereof and to morrow by God's grace I will humble my self before his Majesty in fasting and prayer and hope that God will stir up some other to join with me in spirit though few or none in person do only one I am assured of the Prisoners know it I leave it to them to join or Note not as God moves them but if ever men will fast and pray I think it is now more than time to do it The Superscription was this To my very loving and reverend Friend Master C. He dealt also about this matter with another Gentleman of the Laity in one of J. T. a Lay Gentleman his Letter to Coppinger intimating caution about some singular Course or special Practice whose Letters written in answer to Coppinger's the 18th of the fifth Month meaning thereby May I find these words of some mark I confess saith he I heard some buz abroad of a sole and singular course that either you or some other had plotted in his head And a little after thus I would wish you and all that bear good will to the holy Cause in this perilous Age of ours to take both your eyes in your hands as they say and to be sure of your ground and Strive to put in execution warrant before you strive to put in execution Besides these and some others he instanted both by word and Letters in Easter Term last about this business a certain Gentleman In his first Letter to the said Gentleman dated the 19th of May last Coppinger promiseth to him in the name of the Coppinger comforteth a Gentleman censured in Star-chamber for the Cause Lord a recompence in the life to come for that in the Star-chamber he feared God more than Man in such a glorious Action so pleasing to God so behoveful to his Church which shall also remain of record here to all posterity And a little after thus If after your own holy private Prayer you find any desire of speech with me let me intreat you either to send this Letter to M. Cartwright or rather if you can carry it unto him c. The second Letter which he writ to the said Lawyer the 21st of May they having in the mean time conferred together was thus word by word Let thy Spirit O gracious Father direct us now and for ever in all our ways especially in those whereby greatest honour may redound to thy glorious Majesty most benefit to thy Church and most danger to thine Enemies Good Sir and my loving Brother in the Lord though such as are admitted to consult with God and have by prayer and meditation much familiarity and acquaintance with his holy Majesty need not doubt of good success in all things which he setteth them a work in though Satan and his Vassals cross their course and hinder their labour by all the means they can yet is it also necessary that while we remain in the fellowship and communion of the Saints that we communicate one with another that as loving Children we may all join together to help each other to be doers of our heavenly Father's will here on Earth as the Angels do it in the Heavens The conscience which I had hereof enforced me to write unto you lately and the like moved you to speak with me upon that Letter And truly I did observe many things in that little time we spent together were said and done which might move either of us to praise our good God and to cheer us up to further so holy an Action as now is in Note hand which must needs speed well in the end because it is the Lord 's own work And if we adventure our selves to do him service here he will reward elsewhere You may be bold for you have the warrant of the Word the allowance of the State and you walk in your own Calling But I am to be fearful and circumspect because the Dangers I enter into be infinite my Course misliked though unknown because it is extraordinary which Callings be ceased in all mens opinion of judgment and have not of long time been heard of or to be hoped for but where the Word is not preached at all or the Church in a great waste which no body dare affirm our Church of England to be Wherefore it seemeth that every step that I shall
make herein shall be upon thorns and therefore I am to fear pricking Yet for all this I am not without hope neither is the same grounded but by good warrant The end why I write unto you is this to intreat you to give thanks to those holy men all on my behalf who are now in question I have reaped much benefit from them by their carriage towards me though they know it not For I durst not in regard of danger which might grow Note to them visit any of them since I found my self carried with a zeal to do somewhat in the same Cause for which they suffer If by some effects hereafter I may shew it that is it which I desire to do and in the mean time do what I can to persuade the Saints that in this Action I seek God's glory and not mine own I have been heretofore put back and dissuaded from attempting any thing lest I marred all by the wisest the learnedest the zealousest and holiest Preachers of this City gene Causes and weighty Reasons moving thereunto But yet this will not make me leave it but still I am enforced by little and little to labour to make my self fit to take upon me the managing of it Wherefore if it please you to shew the other Letter and this and beseech them from me to lay them before the Lord when they shall meet and join together in prayer And if the Lord's Spirit shall assure their Spirits that he hath been is and will be with me in this Action how hard soever it seemeth to be let me by their means be vouchsafed this favour that I may be allowed conference with the Preachers of the City which Sute I make not for that I would seek to have approbation from them or any other living Creature but from God himself Or that I purpose to do that which heretofore I have been advised unto namely acquaint them with the Courses which I purpose by God's assistance to Note take in hand whereby great danger might grow to them and little good to me But that my carriage towards them may witness unto them the humility of my mind and lowliness of my spirit and care and conscience not to enter into the matter without offer to have my Gifts examined and if they shall be supposed to be such as the Church may have use of then let all holy means be used which shall be advised to be fit to be done in such a dangerous time and weighty Action So beseeching God to govern us in all our ways and preserve us in all our dangers and supply us with whatsoever we stand in need of I humbly and heartily commend you to God this 21st day of May 1591. The effect of the Speeches which Coppinger Coppinger incourageth the said Gentleman to persevere in defence of the Cause He declares to him his Revelations and extraordinary Gifts and Calling touching the Reformation of the Church had with him at their Conference as the said Gentleman himself reported was to commend the Cause of the Preachers committed to incourage him to the defence of it adding that it was the truth of God and that in the end it would prevail Then the said Coppinger began to declare unto him his Revelations his great fasting and prayer and how God had indued him with an extraordinary grace of Prayer Persuasion or Prophecy And that God had appointed him as he was persuaded to reveal the will of God touching the reformation of his Church that he had an extraordinary Calling to do good to the Church and what several conflicts he had in himself before he yielded to this extraordinary motion or calling from God Therefore his Request was That by He desires that his Gifts and Calling may be tried and allowed by the Preachers the said Gentleman's means his Gifts and Calling might be tried and allowed by those godly Preachers c. What the Preachers and others that were conferred with answered to Coppinger herein and whether more dutifully to the Estate than warily so as they might neither as they thought endanger themselves nor kill or discourage the Zeal of that their Brother in so pretended holy a Cause may partly by that which is afore spoken appear and we may then believe them when they shall tell us the whole truth thereof But how slender and cold discouragement A cold Answer from some he found with some Preachers of London with whom he dealt touching his fantastical extraordinary Calling and dangerous Plots may also appear by these words found in a Letter of his viz. Good Master L. as Master E's former carriage in this Action which standeth me much upon to deal advisedly in did somewhat trouble me so his Christian and loving Answer delivered now by you from him unto me doth much comfort me though by reason of some particular business which I must necessarily follow I cannot attend till Friday in the Afternoon or Saturday any part of the day And after in the same Letter thus Satan by his Angelical wisdom which he still retaineth doth many times prevail with the holiest to make them fear good success in the best Causes in regard of the lets and hindrances which himself layeth in the way It cannot be denied but that the Cause is good which I desire to be an Actor in But it is said by some that it is impossible that I should be fit to meddle therein So that here a Christian A further Conference The Course not misliked but Success only doubted from his unfitness and loving Answer to his great comfort is given further conference by speech is offered and the Course not so much misliked as the Success only is doubted by reason of his unfitness that was to be an Actor in it But what Resolution herein was also returned from the Preachers of Foreign Parts to this Case of Conscience propounded by Coppinger may hereby not unprobably be gathered Arthington at one of his Examinations confessed that Penry sent a Letter unto him forth of Scotland wherein he signified Penry writes to A thington from Scotland that Reformation must be set up in England that Reformation for so they speak must shortly be erected in England And herein he said that he took Penry to be a Prophet Now it is sure that Penry conveyed himself privily into England and was lurking about London at the self-same time when these other Prophets arose in Cheapside attending as seemeth the fulfilling of this his Prophecy also by their means How dutifully and advisedly those that be Subjects have dealt which having intelligence hereof did conceal it till it burst forth of it self with apparent danger to her Majesty and the whole State may thus be The concealing of this Design dangerous to the State gathered For by this Conceit of Coppinger's you hear it is pretended and surmised that a commendable Cause a Cause to be defended yea the very truth of God which must prevail
is by the State suppressed and kept under That it is the will of God to have such a Reformation That impeachment of it is offered by the Queen Counsel and Nobles That this is a great sin meet to be repented of by them That they must be brought to this repentance That the penalty against any of them that refuse to be brought is to be detected as Traytors an offence deserving death That this must be done out of hand That the will of God in great favour for the good of his Church was revealed to him in this behalf being a man of much fasting prayer rare gifts a Coppinger calls it the Cause and Truth of God which must go or and to oppose it is a Sin deserving death That this was revealed to him as a Prophet and not to be discredited Prophet an extraordinary man with an extraordinary Calling such as was not to be judged of or discerned by meer ordinary men and whereinto he entred not rashly or on a sudden but after many conflicts with himself before his yielding to God's extraordinary motion and calling But submitting himself nevertheless to have his Gifts and Calling tried and allowed of by the best reformed Preachers and therefore not worthy to be suspected or discredited That the way to bring them to this repentance was a secret Mystery such as those Preachers and others whom he conferred with albeit The Preachers thought the ways of effecting of it dangerous and refused to be made acquainted with them but consent he should run the hazard they held it a work to be wished at God's hands yet by his talk gathered the manner of bringing it in to be so dangerous as that they feared the success and refused to be made acquainted with the particular ways and means which he had plotted to effect it Thereby making choise rather that Coppinger should venture to put it in practise if he remained resolute herein which they found by him of what dangerous consequence soever such a way might be than that they by bewraying of him to Authority should be any means to break off and prevent his Resolution or quench his Zeal And thus with opinion of safety to themselves they merchandized the hazard of their Friend's life or else the rearing of Sedition in the Realm with the hope that secretly they nourished to have the Discipline which they dream of erected Thus Coppinger remaining still more confirmed Coppinger brought acquainted with Hacket and Arthington and setled in this vein by his Pew-fellow Wigginton about Easter-Term last being as is aforesaid brought acquainted with Hacket as with a most holy man soon after would needs bring Arthington also acquainted with him as one whom upon so small knowledge he had observed to be a very rare man For this purpose he sent for Arthington to Dinner or Supper unto Lawson's House near to Paul's Gate where Arthington met first with Hacket together with another whom he calleth a godly man Of whose ordinary talk then had Arthington liked very well but had as he saith at that time no further conference with him After which time Arthington discontinued from the City Arthington retires into Yorkshire and remained in Yorkshire until Trinity Term leaving Hacket and Coppinger behind him plotting of their purposes together What Purposes they had what Counsel they entred into and what Conferences they entertained betwixt themselves and with others by the Events ensuing will best be discovered After this Hacket stayed Hacket goes also into the Country not long in London but desired Coppinger at his departure to write unto him what succels J. T. had and withal assuring him that whensoever he should write for him he the said Hacket would streightway come up again Hereupon Coppinger writ unto him first Coppinger sends for him to London and provides him Chamber and Board at the end of Easter Term and after again very earnestly to be at London three days before the beginning of Trinity Term last but he could not be here so soon by three or four days When he was come he lodged the first night at Istington but sent his Horse down again into the Country as purposing to stay long in London Then after a night or two one of which nights he lodged at the said Lawson's House by Wiggington's direction he was provided of a Chamber and of his Board at one Ralph Kaye's House in Knight-rider-street by Coppinger's means and at his Charges for he cost Coppinger there Eleven Shillings by the Week But Kayes waxing weary of him in part for that he seared Hacket was a Conjurer or Witch in that the Camomil he saith in his Garden where Hacket either trod or sate did wither up the next night and waxed black therefore Coppinger provided at his own charges likewise another Room for him at one Walker's House by Broken Wharf where he remained until his apprehension Whilst Hacket was at Kaye's House he Hacket leaves the Queen out of his Prayers used before and after Meals to pray as seemed most devoutly and zealously but never for the Queen's Majesty Hacket also told Kayes That if all the Divines in England should pray for Rain if he said the word yet it should not rain The first of the aforesaid Letters which Coppinger writ unto Hacket to move him to come up doth contain matter of note besides not unfit to be known Brother Hacket Coppinger ' s Letter to Hacket saith he the burthen which God hath laid upon me you being the Instrument to make me bold and couragious where I was fearful and faint is greater than I can bear without your help here though I have it where you are The workings of his holy spirit in me since your departure be mighty and great My zeal of spirit burneth like fire so that I cannot contain my self and conceal his mercies towards me And a little after in the same Letter Master Thr. is put off till the next Term the zealous Preachers as it is thought are to be in the Star-Chamber to morrow the Lord by his holy Spirit be with them My self if I can get in am moved to be there And I fear if Sentence with severity be given I shall Note be forced in the name of the great and fearful God of Heaven to protest against it My desire is that you hast up so soon as you can your Charges shall be born by me And somewhat after thus If his most holy Spirit direct you to come come If not stay But write with speed and convey your Letter and inclose it in a Letter to him who brought you and me acquainted viz. Wigginton put not your name to it for discovery Direct your Letter thus To my loving Brother in the Lord give these my Letters I put to no name but the matter you know which sufficeth Pray that the Lord may reign and that his Subjects may obey That all Instruments whatsoever that shall be
being a Papist and with sundry others who found such means as that they procured Devils to be raised Sorcerers Witches and Enchanters all which said he I know and can name and mind one day to help to burn them to work upon my Body with intent to make me call back my said words of protestation concerning the truth of this Religion which if I would not do said they but could endure the Torments that they would inflict then they all would be of my Religion and would make me Emperor over all Europe This Tale to them that had minds afore His Tale credited prepared and took Hacket by reason of his most earnest Protestations Prayers shew of zeal pretended favour with God and such like to be a man that would not tel an untruth for all the world seemed no way unprobable or to be discredited So that these three principal Actors having as well among themselves as with others often conferred hereabouts both by word and writing were by the midst of Trinity Term become most resolute for the advancing of their designments For in a Letter written by Coppinger about that time to the aforesaid J. Thr. it is thus contained Mine own dear Brother Coppinger ' s Letter to J. Thr. my self and my two Brethren who lately were together with you in Knight-rider's Street do much desire conference with you which will ask some time The business is the Lord 's own and he doth deal in it himself in a strange and extraordinary manner in poor and simple Creatures Much is done since you did see us which you will rejoice to hear of when we shall meet and therefore I beseech you so soon as you receive this Letter hasten an Answer in writing to my Sister's House therein advertise I beseech you when I may come to speak with you for delays are dangerous and some of the great Enemies begin to be so pursued by God as they are at their wits end The Lord make us thankful for it who keep us ever to himself to do his will and not ours By occasion also of hearing Master Chark on a Friday about that time at the Coppinger ' s Leter to Chark about his extraordinary Course for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom Black-Fryers Coppinger saith he was thereupon moved by God's Spirit to write unto him a Letter which beareth date the 9th day of July last In which Letter amongst other things thus he writeth unto him I do not deny good Sir but that I have now a good long time taken a strange and extraordinary course such as hath offered occasion of suspicion of my not only doing hurt to my self but also to the best sort of men now in question and to the Cause it self But by what warrant I have done this that is all For if the Holy Ghost have been my Warrant and carrieth me into such Actions as are differing from others of great note in the Church of God what flesh and blood dare speak against me This is it that 1 desire at your hands and at all the rest of God's Servants that you forbear to censure me and such others as shall deal extraordinarily with me in the Lord's business committed to our charge and judge of us by the effects that follow which if you hereafter see to be wonderful great then are all ordinary men placed in Callings within this Land to fear and to call themselves to examination before the Justice Seat of God and see whether they have walked faithfully before God and man in seeking the salvation of the Souls of the People and the advancement of Christ's Kingdom and the overthrow of Antichrist's And if all and every one Note in their places shall be forced to confess to have failed in not discharge of their duties let them acknowledge their sin and repent before Plagues and Punishments fall upon them The waste of the Church cannot be denied to be great so that there is place for extraordinary men though temporizing Christians will not admit this therefore God's mercies shall appear to be wonderful great if amongst us he have raised up such as I know he hath and hereafter I doubt not by God's grace but I with the help of the rest shall be able to avow against all gainsayers whatsoever My desire heretofore hath been to have counsel and direction from others But now by comfortable experience I find that the Action which the Lord hath drawn me into is his own and he will direct it himself by the Holy Ghost and have the full honour of it and therefore I wait upon him and yet most heartily crave the Prayers of the Saints that they will beseech God to bless all his Servants that he hath set awork in his own business And I further beseech you to shew this Letter to Master Traverse and Master Orders it to be shewn to Traverse Egerton and the other Preachers Egerton and all the rest of the godly Preachers in the City and judge charitably of me and others and let every one look to his own Calling that therein he may deal faithfully and let us judge our selves and not judge one another further than we have warrant After this Letter it hapned that M. Chark preached in the same place again the next Sunday after at which time Coppinger took himself to be particularly meant by one part of the Sermon Whereupon he wrote a Letter to another Preacher as I do gather the Thursday after viz. the 15th of July whereby he thus signifieth M. Chark told the People that there were some Persons so desperate that they would willingly thrust themselves upon the Rocks of the Land and Waves of the Sea This I took to be spoken principally to my self and therefore I thought good to advertise you that he spake the truth in those words but he touched not me but himself and the rest of the Ministers of the Land who have not only run desperately themselves upon the Rocks and Waves but carried the whole Ship whereby they all be in danger of Shipwreck and should have perished if the Lord had not immediately called three of his Servants to help to recover it who are not only sent from God to his Church here but also elsewhere through the World My Calling is specially to deal with Magistrates Another hath to do with Ministers who hath written a Letter to you of the City but it cannot be delivered hardly this day The other third is the chiefest He pretends to be chiefly called to deal with Magistrates who can neither write nor read for he is the Lord's Executioner of his most holy will This Letter is thus subscribed The Lord's Messenger of Mercy Ed. Coppinger These three therefore strongly fancying to themselves such extraordinary Callings and standing resolute by all means to advance that which they falsly call Reformation and being thus seduced and bemoped by Hacket it is no marvel though they entred further as by degrees
themselves praying to be confounded and damned if they said not true yet to all Questions that were asked of them they answered though most confidently yet pertinently and directly to purpose saying That Hacket used the matter somewhat more craftily when any Question of especial danger was propunded unto him For then would he by cunning Evasions by Cavils and by frustratory kinds of Answers go about to put off such Interrogatories seeming when he was pressed somewhat hard to be weary of his Part and Person put on if he could have then told how to have shaken it off and been rid of it again with any honesty Coppinger soon after his first examination finding the event of things not to answer their expectations seeing also the matter somewhat warmly taken as there was good cause and thereby gathering the danger which he and his Complices stood in and perceiving also by the Questions asked the intercepting of their Writings and Letters whereby their dealings were at full discovered and brought to light began either by his own voluntary choise as some perhaps not unprobably have imagined or through anxiety indeed of mind growing forth of the badness of the Cause to behave himself as a Man distracted of his Wits Insomuch as coming at one time to be examined and finding Hacket there at his sight he presently roared out in a very strange and horrible kind of voice which Hacket willing to turn to the best straightway said It was no marvail though Coppinger did now so behave himself for that he had given him over already unto Sotan By perusal of their Writings and Letters and by their Examinations all the Plots of Treason and Lewdness afore mentioned fell out very evidently and more at full against them Touching the Queen's-Arms defaced at Kaye's House Hacket did confess at the times of his examination that he did it none other being present and that he was moved thereunto inwardly by the Spirit to take away her whole Power of her Authority and that he would have done worse had it not been for disquieting his Hostess where he lay because when she found it she was very angry therewith For he was not sorry neither is sorry as he then said for doing the Act because he was commanded by God to do it and durst do no otherwise He confessed also that he was likewise moved to put out the Lions and the Dragons Eyes in the Arms but being asked why he did so he bitterly and maliciously answered that he did know that Lions and Dragons did afflict God's People He did also raze out the Cross that was pictured on the top of the Crown He further confessed That he meant also her Majesty's Counsel should be removed because they were he said wicked and that he himself being moved by the Spirit would have placed certain other new Counsellors whom he then named to wait upon the Queen and to reform Religion It is also confessed by him that he told Arthington and others that he was the anointed King of Europe By the Depositions of the said Kaye and his Wife it appeareth that they finding about a fortnight before Hacket's departure from them the Queen's Majesty's Picture pricked with some Bodkin or Iron Instrument in the very place representing her Royal Heart did in great anger charge Hacket with it Whereunto he answered that he had done it and must and would answer it adding he had greater Matters to answer than that and therefore said he you need not make such ado for it But Hacket at all his Examinations either denied this Point slatly or said he did not remember it This Noble Heart which thereby he so trayterously despited God of his infinite mercy long bless and continue still most happy and hearty in his love and fear within her Majesties sacred breast maugre all such execrable fiery spirits and hell-hounds in earth and all the damned devils in hell Amen Likewise he confessed that he moved and sent forth Coppinger and Arthington to go whither God should send them and to declare and publish that there lay a Man namely he the said Hacket at Walker's House which made claim to the Crown of England and that her Majesty had forfeited her Crown in that her Ministers have used extraordinary means to set up Religion This he confessed on the 21st and 23d of July But at his former examination on the 19th of July being demanded whether he would acknowledg that the Queen's Majesty is Lawful Queen of England or not he subtilly then said he would not answer to that Question but said she was Queen of England yet if she had not forfeited the same And he further confessed on 23d of July that he First published in Hamp-shire about Three or Four Years past and afterwards in Hartford-shire and in Northampton-shire that her Majesty was not Queen and that she had forfeited her Title to the Crown And that he told Arthington so much in Trinity Term. All these aforesaid were confessed by him without any Torture but being Tortur'd he then Sang another Song and confessed her Majesty to be his lawful Queen and affirm'd that he Honoured her and was Sorry for his Offence adding that if Coppinger Wigginton and one other whom he named were well sifted and straightly examined they would utter and declare sundry matters of Treason It fell out besides upon deposition of Kayes that Coppinger being told how Hacket had used the Queens Picture and the Arms at the first seemed to mislike with it saying that if he were such a fellow he had done with him but saith he you must bear with him for some great men have also born with him and he is with you but as it were a Prisoner Coppinger himself also at that his examination which was taken the 19th of July confessed that the Letter then shewed to him and inferted afore was the Copy of a Letter which he sent to the said John Udall about ten weeks then past and that the cause why he wrote to Udall that he used not to repair unto him and the rest who were in prison so often as he was wont to do for doubt of more trouble and danger that might grow to them thereby was in respect of this action which he had to do He also then affirmed that the Queens Majesty Queen Elizabeth is not Queen of England neither is he as he said now her servant for Hacket is the only King of the World and that Hacket was commanded by God to deface her Majesties Arms which were in the House where he then lay and that Hacket also prick'd the Picture of the Queens Majesty at the Heart That himself Wigginton and one other the very Week afore Wigginton was committed had a Fast together where they Prayed that if any of them should have any extraordinary calling they might have some extraordinary seal of it about the which time he the said Coppinger was called in a Dream And that he together with Arthington and one
he opened his mouth blasphemously against Heaven and against the Majesty of the Eternal God And concerning certain opinions of the Anabaptists do not many of the Disciplinarian humour come far nearer unto them than were to be wished for though they deny not the Civil Magistrates superiority altogether yet in Causes Ecclesiastical though they admit it in words they allow unto him nothing else but execution of their Orders without attributing any superior preheminence of commandment in Church-causes for retaining of good order and of soundness of Doctrine in the Church Likewise though they take not the sovereignty from the chief Magistrate in causes of the Common-wealth do they not so abridge and bound his Authority in causes Ecclesiastical that the very Papists do attribute as much in this behalf unto him as they do And albeit they will not absolutely in judgment deny the lawfulness of an Oath before a Magistrate yet if their sundry and variable Positions in this point be marked they do in effect wholly repeal the use of it For do not some of them plainly refuse to take an Oath whereby they may be urged to discover any thing which may either be penal to themselves or to their Christian Brother and so in effect deny it altogether Do not others of them refuse to tell any thing that is criminal concerning any other person though perhaps they will do it against themselves especially when they think it is afore discovered and known Do not some of them refuse an Oath simply yea and to answer without Oath either affirmatively or negatively but do will their accusers to stand forth Do not others deny to take an Oath except every particular question be afore made known unto them a matter impossible because sundry Questions that shall be asked do arise forth of the matter of the Answer And do not sundry of them albeit they yield to detect by Oath both their own and others offences yet deny to reveal any thing whereof they are asked if themselves be persuaded the matter demanded of be none offence And so they do hang obedience to Laws Allegiance and Duty of Subjects upon every particular mans conceit even as he by circumstances or his own fond persuasion shall list to measure matters Do they not resolutely hold that summa potestas the Chief and Sovereign Power in all Church-causes belongs to a Presbytery who though they may consult yet may not determine matter of any moment without the allowance of the People Had not these Conspirators a like opinion to those of Munster that the principal spirit of Christ being in Hacket he was come with his Fan to sever and dispatch out of the way all the wicked and ungodly from the good and godly Hath it not been set down by an English subject and twice printed with singular allowance of the English Arch-Prophet of discipline for Sound and Holy Divinity that it is God's ordinance to have in every Kingdom certain chief Officers like Ephori in Lacedoemon who should have authority to depose Kings though they come unto it by lawful Succession if they shall judge them to be Tyrants Did not Wigginton deliver for sound Doctrine That if the Magistrates did not govern well the people might draw themselves together and to see a Reformation Do not these kind of persons likewise slander the Prince and State with persecution of the Saints and of innocent men because they are a little restrained from running on in their Seditious courses Did not these Conspirators also hold That now in these latter times Christ by his principal spirit imparted unto Hacket should reign and erect an external kingdom on earth and in the world And did they not fancy that even at that time the Gospel with their discipline should be universally established and all the ungodly abolished Do not all of the Disciplinarian Sect hold that to the very being of Baptism and without which it is of no more force in any case than the Nurses washing it is required that it be administred by a lawful Minister thereby derogating not only from the true Baptism of Thousands but also of all whomsoever that were Baptized by Popish Sacrificing Priests themselves and from all that have received Baptism of such as were Baptized by them whereupon must needs follow necessity of Rebaptization or else that it were lawful to neglect and contemn that Sacrament and high Mystery of our Salvation Lastly Do they not make great shews and many pretences for all their unsound and absurd Opinions that they are taken from the holy and sacred written word of God which by this means they make to be of private interpretation and do not reduce their senses unto it when they read but do wickedly captivate the Scripture unto their own senses and meanings even as in this behalf Coppinger or Arthington did first take upon them an extraordinary calling Scripturas ad suum non suum sensum ad Scripturas adducunt and were afterwards charged by Hacket to read over the whole Bible there to find an approbation of it God of his infinite mercy forgive and turn the hearts of all that trouble his Church fromrunning well or that impugne his Ordinance and such as are set over them and restrain or root out all Phantastical Errors and Fanatical spirits which the envious man from time to time doth sow among the good Wheat that holding the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace we may all meet together in the unity of faith and knowledg of the Son of God unto a perfect man and unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ and so speedily and joyfully meet him our Bridegroom in the Clouds with our heads lifted up and full of Comfort and so reign with him for ever through the same Jesus Christ our Lord To whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost one Eternal Immortal Invisible and only wise God be all Honour Praise Glory and Dominion now and for ever Amen FINIS Books Sold by R. Chiswell DAngerous Positions and Proceedings published and Practised within this Island of Britain under pretence of Reformation and for the Presbyterial Discipline Written in 1593. by Dr. Riohard Bancrofe afterwards Lord Archbishop of Canterbury 4o. His Survey of the pretended Holy Discipline Containing an Historical Narration of the Beginnings Success Parts Proceedings Authority and Doctrine of it with some of the Manifold and Material Repugnancies Varieties and Uncertainties in that behalf Faithfully gathered out of the Writings of the Principal Favourers of that Platform Written 1593. 4o. An Apology for Sundry Proceedings by Jurisdiction Ecclesiastical in 3 Parts Written 1593. By Richard Cosin L. L. D. Dean of the Arches and Official-Principal to Archbishop Whitgift 4o. The Sum of a Conference held by King James the First at Hampton-Court 1603. with the Bishops and Clergy and some Chief of the Puritan Ministers about sundry Church-Matters 4o. Mr. Richard Hookers Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity in 8 Books Fol.