him see that they were all as drunken men and Fools without wit That in the end they should throw all their Books away and be at a great confusion one with another That afterward viz. about the beginning of Easter Term last the Lord brought him to London and how he was made acquainted with Coppinger at that time as hath been afore declared How after his departing out of the City from Coppinger he could not but remember him in his Prayers desiring the Lord to reveal himself extraordinarily to him so that he might be encouraged to go forward in the Action Whereupon as the said Coppinger affirmed he had two extraordinary Seals in very short space after Hacket ' s departure and was wonderfully strengthened to proceed in the Cause Then is told how the Lord commanded him to go from one place to another in and about the City for two days space and how he was commanded to rail against the said two great Counsellors in divers places where he came How being in that time commanded to see the Lyons in the Tower he took the fiercest of them by the Head and had none harm Then is told what Preachers in the City he heard and that going to hear one he saw a Surpless lie in the Church whereupon he would not stay there That he went to certain Preachers in Prison to command them to deal faithfully in the Lord's business And how he was commanded by God to deface the Arms of England in Kaye's House in Knight-Rider's-street Lastly It is said that God hath appointed two others to deal for and with Hacket whom it will stand upon to deal faithfully for the Lord for they know what Hacket is and what shall follow if their Counsels and Directions be not followed Now if any shall marvail how such an absurd and ridiculous lying Legend should seduce men of any consideration so earnest for a supposed Reformation and so exercised in praying and fasting let him remember not only the effectual but the efficacy it self of illusion and the spirit of slumber falling by God's secret yet always just Judgment upon the Children of disobedience such as be wise in their own conceits and not wise with sobriety that they might believe Lies because they have not believed the Truth And that they might ask and not obtain because they ask not as they ought After Arthington On Thursday morning had ended his aforesaid Treatise of Prophecy being the very day before their rising Coppinger told him that God the night before had enlightned him the said Coppinger who they all three were saying that Arthington had unawares prophesied truly for he was the greatest Prophet of God's Judgments against the whole World that ever was but that they both were greater than he for Coppinger himself was he said the greatest that ever was and last Prophet of mercy and that he must describe the new and holy Jerusalem with the several places of joy that the Elect should enjoy after this Life and that they the said Coppinger and Arthington were ordained to separate the Lambs from the Goats before the Lord Jesus at the last day Whereat it is said they were both astonished considering their own unworthiness and unfitness crying out against themselves and their Sins yet submitting themselves to the direction of God's Spirit which they were assured should sufficiently furnish them to do him that service which himself did command Then Coppinger proceeded to tell further That Hacket was greater than either of them and that they two must obey him in whatsoever he commanded but told not then what nor how great he was other than King of Europe which Title was afore this time concluded of amongst them Hereupon according to Coppinger's commandment Arthington offered to honour Hacket with his Title of the King of Europe and to demean himself toward him accordingly But Hacket himself herein dispensed with him until the time should come that he was to honour him before others bidding him withal to be of good cheer for faith he I serve a good Captain who makes so dear accompt of me that all the Devils in Hell nor Men in Earth cannot take my life from me Then Coppinger for confirmation of the like unto them two also said that Arthington and himself were possessed not only with Prophetical but also with Angelical Spirits which Arthington taking to be true by a great burning that he felt in himself after that time did thereupon fancy to himself that no power in Earth nor Hell could hurt either of them because they had the spirit of Angels and they were subject to no Power but to God alone And that God being the master of the whole Work all things should prosper with them they only seeking his glory which he faith he vowed with himself and to deal throughly in his Office to rebuke the World of Sin and to denounce Judgments against whomsoever the Spirit should move him without fear or favour of Men or of Devils in Hell which Spirit he faith then moved him according to his hatred afore conceived against them and his opinion that they were Trayors against the Queen's Majesty to utter and to declare his detestation he had against the aforesaid three worthy Counsellors being by their places the greatest Subjects in the Land But herein may be said with the Poet Quis tulerit Gracchos de seditione querentes Verrem de furto Who can with any patience indure such Seditious Companions as these to appeach others of Treason but especially so Loyal Honourable and Worthy Counsellors as they three are known to the World to be By the way we may note the subtil managing and carriage of this Action by Hacket and Coppinger in this one principal Point which Arthington himself also now observeth Videlicet in that they opened not at any time Hacket's chief pretended Office unto Arthington videlicet to represent and to participate with Jesus Christ's Office of severing with his Fan the good from the bad until the very time they were to go into the Streets to do the Message that Hacket enjoyned them For hereby they prevented a doubt of driving Arthington back who seemed a Man so serviceable for their purpose as that he was worthy to be still retained by them and the rather for that he had not yet finished the writing up of Hacket's History that was to be annexed to the Prophecy until late that Thursday night which was afore their rising for they might have feared if leisure had served him to have considered of it and examined it at full how this could be lest it might have made him at least to stagger and be doubtful of it Besides Hacket kept as Arthington now gathereth that honour wholly to himself to proclaim it to them both together as it were by a Voice from Heaven at that very instant when they should receive their charge of him and thereby have no time to reason against it being straightway to go forward as
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
in hearing the Suppliants and determining their Causes and when night came on the Party followed him still railing upon him till he came to his own House It being now dark Pericles as he entred in commanded one of his Servants to light him home 118. You see now of what an excellent The Archbishop's good nature Nature this Archbishop was how far from giving offence how ready to forgive a wrong merciful compassionate and tender-hearted Yet was he not void as no man is of infirmities The Holy Scripture noteth of Elias that James 5. 17. he was a man subject to the like passions as we are But as Horace saith optimus ille Serm. lib. 1. sat 3. Qui minimis urgetur So may it be confessed of this Archbishop that the greatest or rather only fault known in him was Choler and yet in him so corrected not by Philosophy alone as Socrates confessed of his Faults but by the Word and Grace of God as it rather served for a Whetstone of his Courage in just Causes than any Weapon whetted against the Person Goods or good Name of any other So that it may as I am verily persuaded be rightfully said of him That he was such a Magistrate as Jethro advised Moses to take in judging the People of God and such a Bishop as St. Paul requireth in the Church of Christ Provide saith Exod. 18. Jethro among all the People men of courage fearing God dealing truly hating covetousness and appoint such over them to be rulers And a Bishop saith St. Paul 1 Tim. 3. must be unreproveable the husband of one wife watching temperate modest harbarous apt to teach not given to wine no striker not given to filthy lucre but gentle no fighter not covetous one that can rule his one house honestly He may not be a young Scholar lest he being puffed up fall into the condemnation of the Devil He must also be well reported of even of them which are without lest he fall into rebuke and the snare of the Devil 119. And now what is there that the Devil himself with all his Imps Popish or Schismatical Libellers can rebuke or condemn in this good Archbishop's Saintly Life Let them examine his Actions in all his carriage and course if so they can convince him in any thing that was not agreeable to the directions of Jethro for a Magistrate and answerable unto the Rule of Saint Paul for a Bishop 120. As for good Works whereof His good Works in Lincoln Worcester Wales Kent Surry the Papists so vainly brag as particular effects of their superstitious Doctrines yea for which Heaven it self is a due reward by condignity many Towns Cities and Counties can yield a plentiful Testimony for him in this behalf namely Lincoln Worcester the Marches of Wales Kent and Surry wherein he lived and in particular that notable Monument of our time his Hospital of the Blessed Trinity in Croydon which he built very fair and College-wise for a Warden and Eight and twenty Brothers and Sisters He builed also near unto it a goodly Free school with a Schoolmaster 's House allowing unto the Schoolmaster Twenty pounds by year for ever All which he performed with such alacrity and good success that he hath been heard divers times to profess with great comfort that notwithstanding the charge of the Purchase and Building was not small unto him in comparison of his Estate who neither impaired House-keeping nor Retinue at that time yet when he had finished and done that whole Work he found himself no worse in his Estate than when he first began which he ascribed unto the extraordinary blessing and goodness of God 121. After the finishing of this Hospital among many other his good Deeds the French Lieger Embassador in England called Boys Sisi enquired what Works the Archbishop had published for that he would willingly read his Books who was reputed The Peerless Cambden Britan. in Comit. Lincoln Prelate for Piety and Learning in our days and whom in conference he found so grave godly and judicious when it was answered that he only published certain Books in the English Tongue in defence of the Ecclesiastical Government although it be very well known to many who were near unto him that he left divers learned Treatises in Written-hand well worthy the printing and that it was thereupon incidently told the Embassador that he had founded an Hospital and a School he used these words Profectò Hospitale Boys Sisi the French Embassador his opinion and speech of Archbishop Whitgift ad sublevandam paupertatem Schola ad instruendam Juventutem sunt optimi Libri quos Archiepiscopus conscribere potuit Truly an Hospital to sustain the Poor and a School to train up Youth are the worthiest Books that an Archbishop could set forth 122. And albeit the Archbishop had His love to Croydon for retirement ever a great affection to lie at his Mansion house at Croyáon for the sweetness of the Place especially in Summer time whereby also he might sometimes retire himself from the multiplicity of Businesses and Suitors in the Vacations yet after he had builded his Hospital and his School he was farther in love with the Place than before The chief comfort of repose or solace that he took was in often dining at the Hospital among his poor Brethren as he called them There he was often visited by his entire and honourable Friends the Earl of Shrewsbury Worcester and Cumberland the Lord Zouch the Bishop of London and others of near place about her Majesty in whose company he chiefly delighted 123. In the absence of his Friends Chearful and affable in his Family he would be exceeding chearful and affable with his own Gentlemen and Servants though his Bounty towards them and the Poor did not consist in words but in deeds for he was very liberal in Liberal to his Servants rewarding them both with Leases Offices and otherwise with Supplies as their Occasions required out of his Purse and would I make no question have done much more for them out of his own Estate if he had had ability and time after his Sickness first seized upon him to dispose of his worldly Affairs 124. As his Bounty was very great Bountiful to the industrious Poor and to the Disabled and Necessitous towards his own for in that number likewise he always accounted the poor Society of his Hospital so were his Hands every-where reached out to the necessities of all sorts Yea such was his Charity that if he had seen poor men addicted to labour he would have given them Money and waste Ground to employ in gardening or some such use as might be for their relief Or if he heard that any of his poor Neighbours were decrepit or destitute of means to follow their Trade he would supply their needs either with Money or Fewel and sometimes poor Watermens wants with Boats and such like wherein he dealt no
The most Reverend Dr. IOHN WHITGIFT Ld. Arch-Bishop of Canterbury R. White scâ—lp THE LIFE OF JOHN WHITGIFT Archbishop of Canterbury In the Times of Q. Elizabeth and K. James I. Written by Sir George Paule Comptroller of his Grace's Houshold To which is added a TREATISE Intituled Conspiracy for Pretended Reformation Written in the Year 1591. By Richard Cosin LL. D. Dean of the Arches and Official Principal to Archbishop Whitgift LONDON Printed for Ri. Chiswell and to be Sold at the Rose and Crown and at the Rose in St. Paul's Church-yard MDCXCIX TO THE Most Reverend Father in God GEORGE Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of all England and Metropolitan One of the Lords of His Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council Most Reverend and my ever Honoured Lord I See it incident to Personages of high Place and Deserving to win by their Living Favours many obsequious Followers who after their decease prove but cold Remembrancers of their Bounty or other Virtues Which slackness in others forced that boldness in me rather to chuse the hazzard of disreputation to my Pen which was never cunning than to my Heart which shall never be ungrateful And therefore I have presumed to set down the Godly and Religious Courses of the most Reverend Archbishop WHITGIFT your Grace's late Predecessor to shew mine own obligation to his Memory and to make known his worthy Parts to future Ages And because your Grace's beginnings shew how careful an Embracer you are of his chiefest Virtues as well in your industrious Studies as in your private and publick Government I held it my Duty to present both this and my best Services to your Grace That here you may see if nothing else those Virtues in another that are so aimed at by your Self Which make many true affected Hearts pray that by your godly vigilant and prudent Guidance his Church may long and happily flourish among us To your Grace's most bounden Geo. Paule TO THE READER IT was far from my Thoughts that these first Draughts of mine which I only intended as Minutes and Directions for a more skilful Pen-man should ever have shewed themselves to the World had not the backwardness of some and the importunity of others driven me to the Orator's Resolution who saith I had rather any Man should do it than my self yet my self rather than none at all The Argument may peradventure sooner find some Maligners than just Reprovers Wherein yet as far as the importance and necessity of the Cause will suffer I have so warily tempered the sharpness of my Pen that I hope none of moderate Humour himself will justly charge me of being immoderate herein But yet if any where I shall seem otherwise the discreet Reader will see it is out of the Instructions Records and Authors whom I follow and not out of mine own Disposition who desired as well herein as in other of my Courses rather to imitate my Master in his mild and moderate Carriage than willingly to be offensive or displeasing to any Neither is it my purpose to have the Ashes of the Dead raked up again But as no Man can rightly commend a Commander or skilful Pilot without relating their past Exploits and dangerous Storms So neither could I without wronging my Reader and the principal Subject commend him for so Worthy and Prudent a Governor unless I had withal given a taste of his Adventures and the stormy Time wherein he lived And therefore I pray thee Courteous Reader both charitabby and modestly to Censure my Travel and Pains herein THE LIFE OF THE Most Reverend Prelate JOHN WHITGIFT Archbishop of Canterbury 1. A Wise and Excellent Tacit. Annal. lib. 4. Historian saith It hath always been a Matter of free liberty and least subject to Detraction to speak of those whom Death hath exempted from hatred or favour A Speech that moved me to write whilest many other better able look on the Life of the most Reverend and Worthy Prelate John Whitgift Archbishop of Canterbury to the end that Posterity might take true notice of the worth of such as have well guided the Stern of this Church and settled the Peace thereof and render unto him as unto other Men the due Honour and Commendation which he hath deserved 2. He came of the Ancient Family The Archbishop's Descent of Whitgift of Whitgift in Yorkshire His Grandfather John Whitgift Gentleman had many Children some whereof he made Scholars others he placed abroad in several Courses of Life disposing his Father Henry Whitgift to be a Merchant at Great Grimsby in Lincolnshire Where he married Ann Dynewell a virtuous young Woman of good Parentage in that Town of whom this our Archbishop came and was there Born in the Year of our Lord He was born Anno 1530. at Grimsby in Lincolnshire 1530. being the Eldest of his Fathers Sons who were five in number besides himself viz. William George Philip Richard and Jeffery 3. He had an Uncle called Robert Whitgift Abbot of the Monastry of Wellow in the County of Lincoln near Grimsby who teaching divers young Gentlemen took like pains also with him In which time as he was pleased often to remember he heard his Uncle First instructed by his Uncle Robert Whitgift Abbot of Wellow in Lincolnshire the Abbot say That they and their Religion could not long continue because said he I have read the whole Scripture over and over and could never find therein that our Religion was founded by God And for proof of his Opinion the Abbot would alledge that saying of our Saviour Omnis plantatio quam non plantavit pater meus caelestis eradicabitur Every planting which my Heavenly Matth. 15. 13. Father hath not planted shall be rooted up 4. His Uncle finding an extraordinary towardliness in him sent him afterwards Sent up to London to London where he became a Scholar in St. Anthony's School and boarded at his Aunts House in Paul's Church-yard she being the Wife of Michael Shaller a Verger of that Church There he escaped a great danger lying with another Scholar that had the Narrowly escaped the Plague plague and coming in the Summer-time Hot and Thirsty from School drunk his Urine out of a Pot or Cruse standing at his Beds-head in stead of Drink and was not sick after it though his Bedfellow died 5. From St. Anthony's School he repaired Sent back to Grimsby for refusing to go to Mass to Grimsby to his Parents being thrust out of Doors by his Aunt because he would not as she often required and solicited him by the Canons of Pauls go with her to morrow Mass imputing all her Losses and domestick Misfortunes to her harbouring of such an Heretique within her Doors and for a farewel told him That she thought at the first she had received a Saint into her House but now she perceived he was a Devil 6. His Parents finding that he had Sent to Cambridge first of Queen ' s College
Peace of the Church and often offered him to enter a quieter course for trial of the truth of Offers him a Conference which Cartwright refuseth his Cause by Conference and Writing which he always refused to accept as may appear by an Act recorded in the Registry Book of the University of Cambridge under the Testimony and Subscription of the chief Heads bearing date the 18th of March 1570. in these words WHereas it is reported that Master This Recorded in the Register of the University Cartwright offering Disputations and Conference touching the Assertions uttered by him and subscribed with his Hand and that he could not obtain his request therein This is to testify that in the presence of Us whose Names are here-under written and in our hearing the said Master Cartwright was offered conference of divers and namely of M. Doctor Whitgift who offered that if the said Master Cartwright would set down his Assertions in writing and his Reasons unto them he would answer the same in writing also The which Master Cartwright refused to do Further the said Doctor Whitgift at such time as Master Cartwright was deprived of his Lecture did in our presence ask the said Master Cartwright whether he had both publickly and privately divers times offered the same Conference unto him by writing or not To which Master Cartwright answered that he had been so offered and that he refused the same Moreover the said Master Cartwright did never offer any Disputation but upon these Conditions viz. That he might know who should be his Adversaries and who should be his Judges meaning such Judges as he himself could best like of Neither was this kind of Disputation denied unto him but only he was required to obtain licence of the Queen's Majesty or the Counsel because his Assertions be repugnant to the state of the Commonwealth which may not be called into question by publick disputation without licence of the Prince or her Highness's Counsel John Whitgift Vice-Chancellour Andrew Pearne John Mey Edward Hawford William Chadderton Henry Harvy Thomas Ithell Thomas Bing ET ego Matthaeus Stokis Sarum Dioces in Artibus Magister publicus Authoritate legitima Notarius quia interfui deprivationi dicti Cartwright factae undecimo die Decembris Anno 1570. tunc ibidem audivi Doctorem Whitgift interrogantem eum Cartwright de praemissis allegatis M. Cartwright eadem confitentem Ideo in fidem testimonium praemissorum nomen meum requisitus superscripsi Anno Domini 1570. 28. Not long after at which time her Highness had summoned a Parliament some of principal note amongst these Disciplinarians thought that the fittest time either to effect their desires by some Abettors in that high Assembly or at least to disperse their Opinions into all the parts of the Kingdom To which end they then published a Seditious Treatise entituled An Admonition The Disciplinarians publish An Admonition to the Parliament to the Parliament being indeed the very Summary both of their Opinions touching Church matters and of their shameless Slanders against the Governors thereof 29. And albeit Doctor Whitgift considered that this Libel was unworthy any serious confutation yet in regard of the great applause it found among the green Heads of the University who were greedy of Novelties and to stop the current of so dangerous Positions he spared not his pains in writing a learned Whitgift answers it 1572. Answer therein laying open the weakness of that Cause and the strength of their Malice who so hotly pursued the same which being published upon the Year 1572. won him no less reputation with the learneder sort than the former had with the young and weaker Brains yea even those who had formerly thought the Admonition unanswerable found the rashness of their Censures by the soundness of that Refutation 30. Whereupon Master Cartwright notwithstanding his former refusal to enter into the list with Doctor Whitgift as is aforesaid seeing both the walls and foundation of his new-founded Church-government already shaken and tottering endeavoured to underprop the same with a Reply The weakness Cartwright replies Whitgift defends his Answer whereof Doctor Whitgift displayed in his Defence of the Answer to the Admonition against the Reply 30. But Master Cartwright glorying belike to have the last word published a second Reply fraught with no other Cartwright's Second Reply stuff than had been before refuted yet Doctor Whitgift addressing himself to answer it was by the advice of some whose Judgments he much esteemed dissuaded from troubling himself in refuting that which he had already overthrown Amongst others who dissuaded him the learned Doctor Whitaker was one against whose Judgment the Adversary can no way justly except His words in his Letter to Doctor Whitgift are these Quem Cartwright us Mr. Whitaker's Letters concerning Mr. Cartwright's Reply and his censure of him nuper emisit libellum ejus magnam partem perlegi Ne vivam si quid unquam viderim dissolutius ac penè puerilius Verborum satis ille quidem lautam ac novam supellectilem habet rerum omnino nullam quantum ego judicare possum Deinde non modò perversè de Principis in rebus sacris atque Ecclesiasticis aucthoritate sentit sed in Papistarum etiam castra transfugit à quibus tamen videri vult odio capitali dissidere Verum nec in hac causa ferendus aliis etiam in partibus tela à Papistis mutuatur Denique ut de Ambrosio dixit Hieronimus verbis ludit sententiis dormitat planè indignus est qui à quopiam docto refutetur I have read over saith he a great part of the Book which Master Cartwright hath lately set forth Let me not live if I ever saw any thing more loose and almost more childish As for words indeed he hath store of them both trim and fresh enough but as for matter he hath none at all Besides this he hath not only peevish Assertions touching the Princes Authority in matters Sacred and Ecclesiastical but he also flatly revolteth from us to the Camp of the Papists from whom he would seem to fly with deadly hatred And not in this Cause only is he unsufferable but in other Points also he borroweth his Weapons and Arguments from the Papists And in a word as Hierome sometime said of Ambrose he is in his words but a trifler and for his matter but a dreamer and altogether unworthy to be refuted by any man of Learning 32. Master Cartwright after these Controversies thus begun and continued by himself as you see lived sometimes beyond the Seas now in one place and then in another without attaining any eminent or certain Place in the Commonwealth save only the Mastership of an Hospital in Warwick 33. But Doctor Whitgift having continued Master of Trinity College ten years and being twice Vice-chancellor was by her Majesty preferred also to the Deanry of Lincoln which he held for Whitgift made Dean of
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
for the rest unto the perusal of Doctor Cosin his Book intituled Conspiracy for Pretended Reformation Conspiracy for pretended Reformation wrote by Dr. Cosin Where he shall find their Purposes Plots and Designments with many other markable things at large discoursed and taken truly out of their Conference and Writings under their own hands with their Confessions and Examinations subscribed by themselves before sundry honourable and worshipful Personages of great gravity and wisdom employed in those Affairs By all which together with their temperate direct and pertinent Speech and congruity of Phrase and Matter both before and after their Apprehension it will clearly appear that the said Conspirators were not Mad-men unless it be a kind of Madness to be a violent * Promoters Prosecutor of This Reformation as indeed it is howsoever some of that Fraternity and Sect have so given it out chusing thereby rather to accuse the honourable Justice of the Realm and all the Ministers thereof than that any professing desire of pretended Reformation should be noted with deep Disloyalty as they were charged withal 66. When the Queen and State saw the incredible height of these audacious Attempts so dangerous to the Commonwealth thus knotted and countenanced under pretence of reforming the Church they found it necessary to stop the Fountains of these Proceedings lest it might grow to the like outrage Amongst whom there were very forward to the like presumption Henry Barrow Gentleman and John Greenwood Clerk who were convented before the High Commissioners for Causes Ecclesiastical in November 1587. for 1587. Barrow and Greenwood their Schismatical and Seditious Positions their Schismatical and Seditious Opinions viz. That our Church is no Church or at the least no true Church yielding these Reasons therefore First That the Worship of the English Church is flat Idolatry Secondly That we admit into our Church Persons unsanctified Thirdly That our Preachers have no lawful Calling Fourthly That our Government is ungodly Fifthly That no Bishop or Preacher preacheth Christ sincerely and truly Sixthly That the People of every Parish ought to chuse their Bishop and that every Elder though he be no Doctor nor Pastor is a Bishop Seventhly That all the Precise which refuse the Ceremonies of the Church and yet preach in the same Church strain at a Gnat and swallow a Cammel and are close Hypocrites and walk in a left-handed Policy as Master Cartwright Wiggington c. Also in Norwich Master Moare Pawmone and Burges that all which make Catechisms or teach and expound printed and written Catechisms are Idol Shepherds as Calvin Ursin Nowell c. That the Child of ungodly Parents ought not to be baptized as of Usurers Drunkards c. nor any Bastards That Set-Prayer is blasphemous 67. The fore said Brochers of these The Ring-leaders on being convened make shew of Conformity but afterwards go back Opinions at this their first Convention made shew of their conformity upon conference with some Divines and in hope thereof were enlarged upon bonds but all in vain For after their liberty they burst forth into further Extremities and were again committed to the Were re-committed July 1588. and proceeded against March 1592. Fleet July 20. 1588. where they pub lished their Scandalous and Seditious Writings for which they were proceeded withal at Justice-Hall near Newgate in London March 21. 1592. 68. For suppressing this kind of People which as you see were grown unto a great height of violence and outrage the State held it fit at the next Parliament An Act of Abjuration and Banishment made against Schismaticks following to make a Law of Abjuration or Banishment of such as should either persuade others or be present themselves at these their Conventicles or Meetings which Law is entituled An Act to restrain the Queen's Majesty's Subjects in their due obedience 69 LET the Reader now consider with what Contagion and Leprosy many poor Souls had like to have been infected through the divulging of their wicked Libels and dangerous Positions tending to Innovation and Rebellion had not the stroke of Justice and providence of the State wisely prevented the same selecting as out of an hundred thousand seditious Mutineers for so many they confessed were ready for that purpose only four Only four Persons prosecuted of a very great Number Persons as the chief Ring-leaders whose lot it was to be proceeded withal for the quenching of the fiery outrage of the rest kindled already to the like Attempts as those in Germany of the Great Troubles in Germany just cause of sears here from like Principles and Pretences of Reformation Cabinet-teachers and Reformers both at Mulhusin and Munster in Westphalia Which Seditions could not be appeased till Fifty thousand of them were killed and cut in pieces by the united Forces of most of the Princes of the Empire And though some not of the greatest foresight may think that the fear which our Archbishop conceived of Dangers to ensue out of these Sectaries Attempts was far greater than there was just cause yet the Examples of those foreign Pretenders of like Reformation as is aforesaid compared with these our Reformers Designs taught him not to be without fear or care for preventing these dangerous Events at home For all their Intendments sorted to one end viz. Reformation and to be brought to pass by one and the self-same means viz. by commotion of the unbridled multitude 70. For was it not in their Assemblies The Discipline decreed in their Assemblies to be put in Practice Classical and Synodical concluded That the Discipline should within a time limited be put in practice and erected all in one day by the Ministers together with the People whom these Disciplinarians bragged to be already enflamed with Zeal to lend so many thousand hands for the advancement of their Cause by whom they hoped and said such Reformation must be brought in And how I pray you did they incense the common People not only in their private Conventicles decreeing that the Queen's Authority The Queen's Authority Ecclesiastical to be restrain'd ought to be restrained in Causes Ecclesiastical but in their publick Sermons and Exhortations alienating the hearts of their Auditors from all obedience of the Ecclesiastical Magistrates As namely Master Cartwright who saith That no obedience Cartwright ' s seditious Doctrines ought to be given unto them either in doing that which they command or abstaining from that which they prohibit And that it should not be lawful for any one of the Brother-hood to take an Oath whereby he may discover any thing prejudicial to himself or his Brother especially if he be persuaded the matter to be lawful for which the punishment is like to be inflicted or having taken it he need not discover the very truth And in his Prayer before his Sermons he used thus to say Because they Cartwright ' s charitable Prayer for the Bishops in his Sermons at Banbury 1589. Penry '
Papists as fearing lest they conceived an hope of advancing their Cause and Quarrel by help of the aforesaid Contentions betwixt the Bishops and these Sectaries and so soon as they should have found the Forces on both sides sufficiently weakned and enfeebled by a long continuance of the Conflict to have destroyed the Vanquished with the Vanquishers whereby to re establish their Papal Jurisdiction and superstitious Impieties as not long after this Archbishop's death they attempted to do by the divelish Device of that damnable Powder-Treason which if it had succeeded their intendment then was to have put both alike to the Sword 99. You may perceive by the Premisses He is unjustly traduced by the Sectaries how untruly some of the uncharitable and precipitate Sectaries traduced him for a Papist and called him The Pope of Lambeth in their Libels and Conventicles and most unjustly reproached him with the Title of Doctor Pearn ' s Servant whom they likewise taxed with Popery and falsly charged him to have infected the Archbishop therewith because of his affection and love unto him for the reasons specified before The truth is as the Archbishop was of his own nature a very loving kind man so he did hate ingratitude He hated Ingratitude in any and could never be taxed with that fault He was likewise as the Gentlemen of Worcestershire and Kent had daily experience very firm Is firm in his Friendships and marvailous constant where he affected and professed love which brought him in great displeasure in the Cause of the late Earl of Essex with whose Life and Actions though I have nothing to do having only taken upon me to report another Man's yet thus much I may truly say that his misfortune drew upon the Archbishop the greatest discontentment and severest reprehension Censured for his affection to the Earl of Essex from her Majesty that he had ever before undergone in all his life 100. For after that the Earl began to fall upon Courses displeasing and distastful unto her Majesty nevertheless such was the confidence the Archbishop had in the Earl's Loyaly and his own stedfastness in that Friendship which he had formerly professed unto him that he could not be drawn from being a continual Intercessor for him wherewith her Majesty was so highly displeased The Queen displeased at his inter cession for the Earl which much grieves him and so sharply rebuked him for the same that the good old Archbishop came sometimes home much grieved and perplexed 101. Within a while after the Earl forgetting that unto Princes the highest Tacit. Annal lib 4 judgment of things is given and unto us the glory of obedience is left went out indeed The Archbishop being that Sunday Earl of Essex apprehended Feb. 8. 1600. Morning at the Court whether by direction or by his own accord I know not hastned home without any Attendant and commanded as many men as he then had in the House to be presently armed and sent them over unto the Court but not to go within the Gates until Master Secretary Cecill or some other by his instruction should appoint them a Leader There were immediately The Archbishop arms his Servants for the Queen's defence presented unto him Threescore men well armed and appointed who with a Message from the Archbishop shewed themselves before the Court of whose arrival there Master Secretary Cecill with the rest of the Lords of the Council were right glad and said he Well taken at Court was a most worthy Prelate They had speedily a Leader appointed unto them and marched presently and were the first that entred into the Gates of Essex-house and in the first Court made good the place until the Earl yielded himself Earl of Essex brought to Lambeth-house then sent to the Tower and was by the Lord Admiral brought to Lambeth-house where he remained an hour or two and was from thence conveyed to the Tower The Archbishop had likewise in readiness that Afternoon Forty Horsemen well appointed and expected Directions from the Court how to dispose of them The next Morning he sent a Gentleman to know how the Queen did and how she rested all night To whom she made answer that she rested and slept the better for his care the day before but I beshrew his heart said she he would not believe this of Essex though I had often told him it would one day thus come to pass 102. After this when her Majesty understood that her own recommendation of the Earl had wrought that good The Archbishop in the Queen 's good opinion and favour to her dying-day opinion of him in the Archbishop and that she now found his readiness for her defence with Horse and Men and the nearness thereof unto the Court to stand her at that time in great stead she began to entertain him in her wonted favour and grace again and ever after continued her good opinion of him unto her dying day 103. Towards which time though Queen Elizabeth died March 24. 1602. The Archbishop Dr. Bancroft Dr. Watson Dr. Parry attend the Queen in her Sickness by reason of her melancholy Disease she was impatient of others speeches with her yet was she well pleased to hear the Archbishop the then Bishops of London and Chichester and the now Bishop of Worcester with some other Divines give her comfort and counsel to prepare her self to God-ward and most devoutly prayed with them making signs and tokens unto her last remembrance of the sweet comfort which she took in their presence especially when towards her end they put her in mind of the unspeakable Joys she was now going unto where no doubt she remaineth a glorious Saint of God and as a most religious Prince rewarded with a Crown of Immortality and Bliss 104. NOW the much-lamented The Faction take heart on the Queen's death death of this noble Queen gave great hope to the Factious of challenging forth with all exemption from the Censures and subjection of Ecclesiastical Authority But how vain their hopes were the issue hath declared and although the Archbishop was much dejected and grieved for the loss of his dear Sovereign and Mistress who had so highly advanced him yet he with the rest of the Lords repaired immediately to Whitehall and after two hours sitting in Council about the penning of the Proclamation he principally as his Place required with a chearful countenance and the rest of the Lords in like sort accompanying him first at the Court-gate at White-hall with the applause and unspeakable comfort of all the People proclaimed her most rightful Successor JAMES then King James proclaimed King of England March 24. 1602. King of Scotland King of England France and Ireland Afterwards in like chearful sort the Archbishop with the rest of the Lords trooped up to the Cross in Cheapside and there with like acclamation of the Lord Mayor and Citizens Sir Robert Leighe Lord Mayor The People are
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
born Anno 1530. at Grimsby in Lincolnshire Ib. First instructed by his Uncle Robert Whitgift Abbot of Wellow in Lincolnshire 3 Sent up to London Ib. Narrowly escaped the Plague Ib. Sent back to Grimsby for refusing to go to Mass Ib. Sent to Cambridge first of Queen's College then of Pembroke-Hall 4 Chosen Fellow of Peter-House May 1555. Ib. Had a grievous Sickness Ib. Dr. Pearne's special Care of him 5 Recovering his Health determined to Travel Ib. Disswaded by Dr. Pearne Ib. Commenced Batchelor of Arts 1553. Master of Arts 1556. Batchelor of Divinity 1562. Doctor of Divinity 1569. Ib. His Act-Sermon at St. Mary's 1560. on Rom. 1. 16. Ib. Made Master of Pembroke-Hall Chaplain to the Bishop of Ely Prebendary of Ely Parson of Teversam 7 Divinity Reader Ib. Queen's Professor Ib. Read upon the Apocalyps and the Hebrews Ib. Sent for to preach before the Queen 8 Was made Master of Trinity College July 4. 1567. and the Queen's Chaplain Ib. Found Divisions in the College 9 Wisely appeased them Ib. Cartwright's first discontent Ib. His Self-conceit 10 Cartwright went to Geneva affected the Discipline of that Church 11 His opposition to the Established Church-Government in England Ib. Preacheth against the Surpless 12 Whitgift preacheth against Cartwright's Opinions 13 Cartwright and his Followers oppose Whitgift Ib. Whitgift's Gentleness 14 The State of the University disturb'd by Cartwright 15 Whitgift adviseth him to be quiet Ib. Calls him in question Ib. Expells him the House and deprives him of the Lady Margaret's Lecture 16 Offers him a Conference which Cartwright refuseth Ib. This recorded in the Register of the University Ib. The Disciplinarians publish An Admonition to the Parliament 19 Whitgift answers it 1572. Ib. Cartwright replies 20 Whitgift defends his Answer Ib. Cartwright's Second Reply Ib. Mr. Whitaker's Letters concerning Mr. Cartwright's Reply and his censure of him 21 Whitgift made Dean of Lincoln 22 Several Noblemen c. his Pupils 23 Their respects towards him Ib. He holds the Scholars strictly to their Exercises and Devotion Ib. Procures amendment of the University Statutes 24 His Wisdom and Courage 25 His Moderation Ib. Mr. Hooker's Character of him in his Eccles Policy Ib. Whitgift's esteem with the Queen Ib. Consecrated Bishop of Worcester April 21. 1577. Ib. Takes leave of the University with an Exhortation to Peace and Unity 26 His Farewel-Text 2 Cor. 13. 11. Ib. Sets out for Worcester June 1597. attended with the Heads of Houses c. Ib. The Queen forgives his First-fruits and gives him the disposal of all the Prebends of that Church Ib. He finds the Bishoprick impaired by Grants of long Leases 27 Particularly the Rent-Corn of Two of the best Mannors Hollow and Grimley Ib. He questions the said Lease Ib. Has great Friends at Court 28 Satisfies the Queen Ib. Recovers the said Rent-Corn paying 300 l. out of his own Purse Ib. He has great respect from the Gentlemen and People in the Country 29 Is a great Peace-maker among them 30 Makes up a Remarkable Quarrel betwixt Sir John Russell and Sir Henry Barkeley Ib. Is made Vice-President of the Marches of Wales 31 He had great experience in Government yet backward to bear sway 32 Has a special watch over his own Family and Attendants to avoid all colour of corruption 33 Is highly esteemed by the People of Wales Ib. His great Integrity Justice and mild Government 34 He is made Commissioner by the Queen for reforming the Disorders in the Cathedrals of Lichfield and Hereford Ib. The Queen designs him for Archbishop of Canterbury in the room of Grindall then in disgrace 35 He utterly refuseth it during Grindall's Life the Queen is contented Ib. Grindall dies 36 Whitgift sent for to Court Ib. Is translated to the Archbishoprick of Canterbury Septemb. 24. 1583. 37 Finds the Bishoprick overvalued gets an abatement in the First-fruits for him and his Successors 38 Recovers Lands that had been detained Ib. Amends Curats Wages where small Ib. The Queen jealous of the Ruritans charges the Archbishop to see strict Conformity observed to the Established Church and Government Ib. His care of the Queen's Command 39 Decemb. 1584. For satisfaction of some great Persons he with two other Bishops received the Reasons of some Ministers for their Nonconformity 40 They sufficiently answer the same Ib. A Conference at Lambeth and a further debate of the Controversy to the seeming satisfaction of those Great Personages 41 The Archbishop perplexed with Oppositions is grieved Ib. Writes his mind 42 After which he is in strict league with Sir Christopher Hatton by means of Dr. Bancroft 48 Lord Treasurer Burley his firm Friend Ib. The Archbishop sworn of the Privy Council Ib. Lord Buckhurst his faithful Friend 49 He has free access to the Queen Ib. His Oppositions abated Ib. Sir Thomas Bromely Lord Chancellor died April 12. 1587. Ib. The Queen disposed to make the Archbishop Lord Chancellor Ib. He excuses himself and recommends Sir Christopher Hatton Ib. Sir Christopher Hatton made Lord Chancellor April 29. 1587. 50 The Earl of Leicester died September 4. 1588. Ib. Oxford desire the Archbishop for their Chancellor in the Earl's room Ib. He recommends Sir Christopher Hatton who is chosen He is the Archbishop's constant Assistant in bridling the Puritan Faction 51 Martin Marprelate and other Libels published 1588. Ib. A Private Puritan Press erected at Kingston and afterwards removed to several Places Ib. The Press discovered at Manchester 52 The Printers apprehended prosecuted and fined in the Star-Chamber Ib. On their submission and the Archbishop's Mediation were released and Fines remitted Ib. Penry and Udall Authors of the Libels Ib. Newman a Cobler Disperser Ib. John Penry condemned 1593. 53 Udall pardoned Ib. Thomas Cartwright with others proceeded with in the Starchamber for their Conventicles 1591. and for publishing their Book of New Discipline Ib. Dr. Bancroft writes two Books against the Disciplinarians and their dangerous Practices and Positions 54 The Archbishop and State 's vigilant watch upon them 55 Coppinger and Arthington their preaching in a Cart in Cheapside July 16. 1591. 56 That Hacket represented Christ and Themselves Prophets from God Ib. Conspiracy for Pretended Reformation wrote by Dr. Cosin Ib. Barrow and Greenwood their Schismatical and Seditious Positions 58 The Ringleaders on being convened make shew of Conformity but afterwards go back 59 Were re-committed July 1588. and proceeded against March 1592. Ib. An Act of Abjuration and Banishment made against Schismaticks Ib. Only four Persons prosecuted of a very great Number 60 Great Troubles in Germany just cause of Fears here from like Principles and Pretences of Reformation Ib. The Discipline decreed in their Assemblies to be put in Practice 61 The Queen's Authority Ecclesiastical to be restrain'd Ib. Cartwright's Seditious Doctrines 62 Cartwright's charitable Prayer for the Bishops in his Sermons at Banbury 1589. Ib. Penry's Supplication to the Parliament threatning them with Plagues Ib. Udall's Threats against the Resisters of the Presbytery 63
These Stirs set on foot at the time of the Spanish Invasion 1588. Ib. The Archbishop's preparation for Defence of his Prince and Country 64 The whole Clergy of his Province Armed Ib. Cartwright the Head of the Puritan Party Ib. Hacket Coppinger and Arthington resort to him 65 Penry and Udall his Consorts Ib. Cartwright's words in the Articles in the Star-Chamber Ib. The Disciplinarians Decree about Books to be printed Ib. Barrow and Greenwood infected by Cartwright 66 Bishop Ravis's Conference with Barrow and Greenwood 1592. Ib. Bishop Androws and Bishop Parrey with others their Conference with Barrow and Greenwood 67 Barrow's Vain-glorious Answer 68 The danger of Innovation Ib. Cartwright withdraws privately 69 Brown the Author of a New Sect of that Name 70 His Positions little differing from Barrow and Greenwood Ib. The Archbishop suppresseth many Schisms and also Controversies in the Universities Ib. He procures Cartwright's Pardon of the Queen Ib. Cartwright's Letters March 24. 1601. acknowledging the Archbishop's Favour 71 The Archbishop tolerates Cartwright to preach publickly without Conformity Ib. The Queen requires his Subscription 72 Cartwright dies Rich Ib. The Earl of Essex favours the Puritans as far as he durst Ib. Upon timely execution of the Laws the state of the Church at quiet 73 Sir Christopher Hatton died Novemb. 20. 1591. Ib. Lord Buckhurst chosen Chancellor of Oxford on the Queen's Letters Ib. Earl of Essex offended at it is pacified by the Archbishop Ib. The Queen justifies the Archbishop to Essex 74 She makes them firm Friends 75 Sir Francis Walsingham died Apr. 6. 1590. Ib. The Archbishop's firmness to Essex in his Troubles Ib. The Archbishop fears on the Lord Chancellor's death Ib. New Pamphlets dispersed by the Puritans 76 Attempts in Parliament on their behalf Ib. The Queen comforts the Archbishop with fresh Assurances of her Countenance and Favour to the Church Ib. Sir John Puckering Lord Keeper June 4. 1592. Ib. Upon Hatton's death the Queen offered the Archbishop his Place But he declined it because of his Age and Ecclesiastical Business 77 Sir Thomas Egerton made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal May 6. 1596. Ib. He is a constant Friend to the Church before and after his Advancement Ib. The Archbishop cherished and strengthened by union of many Friends 78 The Queen throws the whole care of the Church upon him Ib. He disposeth of Bishopricks and all other Ecclesiastical Promotions Ib. His great Humility and Lenity Ib. The Earl of Salisbury's Observation on him 80 Many favoured and eased by the Archbishop's intercession Ib. The wisdom of the Queen in her moderate Government 81 The Archbishop follows her Example Ib. The Arcbishop a great lover and encourager of Learned and Virtuous Clergy 83 Was bountiful to Foreigners of Learning and Quality Ib. Theod. Beza his Letters to the Archbishop March 8. 1591. Ib. Approving the Policy of the English Church Ib. Beza his high commendation of the Church of England 84 His great respect to the Archbishop Ib. The Archbishop's kindness and charity to Foreign Divines of the Reformation 85 His backwardness to censure other mens Gifts and Performances 86 The Archbishop a constant Preacher when publick Affairs would admit 87 Had an excellent Tallent in Preaching Ib. Learned eloquent and judicious Ib. His Gesture grave and decent without affectation Ib. Of great Integrity and unspotted Life 88 He wrote the Notes of his Sermons Ib. Disapproved trusting only to Memory Ib. When at Worcester he treated the Recusants mildly and won many of them over 89 When he came to be Archbishop he dealt with the Learnedst of them by Authority Ecclesiastical Ib. He kept a straight hand over the Seminary Priests and subtle Papists 90 He is unjustly traduced by the Sectaries 91 He hated Ingratitude Ib. Is firm in his Friendships Ib. Censured for his affection to the Earl of Essex 92 The Queen displeased at his intercession for the Earl which much grieved him Ib. Earl of Essex apprehended Feb. 8. 1600. Ib. The Archbishop arms his Servants for the Queen's defence 93 Well taken at Court Ib. Earl of Essex brought to Lambeth-house then sent to the Tower Ib. The Archbishop in the Qucen's good opinion and favour to her dying-day 94 Queen Elizabeth died March 24. 1602. Ib. The Archbishop Dr. Bancroft Dr. Watson Dr. Parry attend the Queen in her Sickness Ib. The Faction take heart on the Queen's death 95 King James proclaimed King of England March 24. 1602. 96 The People are pleased at the Archbishop's presence in proclaiming the King Ib. Archbishop a lover and incourager of Liberal Arts Ib. His Liberality great 97 He kept many poor Scholars in his House Ib. And maintained divers in the Universities Ib. Is an incourager of Military Exercises Ib. His House a little Academy 98 His Chaplains promoted Ib. The Archbishop's care and wisdom in determining Causes 99 His Resolution in Judgment 100 An Instance 101 He upholds the Dignity of the High Commission-Court Ib. His dispatch of Causes to great satisfaction 102 His great Hospitality 103 His State Ib. His entertainment of the Queen Ib. He was always honourably received by the Gentlemen of the Country 104 His first journey into Kent July 1589. with pomp and solemnity 105 A Romish Intelligencer accidentally lands he admires the Appearance and owns a mistaken prejudice concerning the meanness of our Church Ib. The Intelligencer had private speech with Secretary Walsingham 106 The Archbishop's good nature 108 His good Works in Lincoln Worcester Wales Kent Surry 110 Boys Sisi the French Embassador his opinion and speech of Archbishop Whitgift 111 His love to Croydon for retirement 112 Chearful and affable in his Family Ib. Liberal to his Servants Ib. Bountiful to the industrious Poor and to the Disabled and Necessitous 113 After the manner of Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln his usage of his Kinsman Ib. Dr. Nevill Dean of Canterbury sent by the Archbishop and Clergy into Scotland to King James 115 The King's Answer that he would uphold the Church comforts the Archbishop Ib. Queen Elizabeth's Funeral Apr. 28. 1603. very sumptuously performed Ib. The Archbishop the chief Mourner 116 King James gives him personal assurance of preserving the setled State of the Church Ib. King Jame's Coronation July 25. 1603. by the hands of the Archbishop Ib. Queen Ann also crown'd at the same time Ib. The Conference at Hampton-Court Jan. 14. 1603. betwixt the Bishops and the Puritans in the King's presence 117 The King satisfied with the Bishops Reasonings Ib. And orders the reprinting the Liturgy Ib. A Parliament comes on 118 The Bishops have a meeting at Fulham Ib. The Archbishop 73 years old is seized with a Cold on the Water Ib. Goes to Court has speech with the King about Affairs of the Church 119 Is taken with a dead Palsey Ib. Conveyed to Lambeth Ib. The King visits him Ib. He earnestly recommends the Church to his Royal Care 120 He departs this Life Feb. ult 1603. 121 He was Bishop
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
with the Widow whom he married whose hap was very hard to match with him albeit he made more of her than she desired for he made the uttermost peny For then he begun He pretended to a Prophetick Spirit and to miraculous Works in order to erecting the Discipline with counterfeit Holiness to set out himself amongst such of the simpler sort as had zeal without knowledge to be a man indued with an extraordinary and singular Spirit such as in old time the Prophets and Holy Men of God were making shew withall as if he had some peculiar Gifts and Qualities to be able even to tell Secrets and work Miracles which many believed whereof some did attribute them to Sorcery and Enchantments but the simpler sort unto his rare Spirit and Holiness For he trusted by this persuasion to get such credit with the unstable Multitude as that by their hands he might one day be able whosoever should withstand it to bring his Purposes about for erecting of such pretended Discipline to his own great estimation and advancement In this vain and seducing Humour he is reported I know not how truly to have travelled in the North parts unto York For among the simpler People where he was not known he hoped by the Vizard of Holiness and Religion not a little to prevail in setting forward his Designments For which purpose he took upon him there the Office and Spirit of St. John Affirmed at York to have the Office and Spirit of John Baptist Baptist affirming that he was sent thither by God to prepare the way of the Lord before his second coming to judgment But the counterfeit holiness and lewd seducing purpose of the Varlet being discovered unto some in Authority he was welcomed not with loss of his Head as that holy man unjustly was whom he wickedly counterfeited Being detected he was whipped out of the City but was well whipped and after banished that City This Medicine wrought not so effectually with him as that it could terrify him wholly from the like Attempts For it is reported that after this he assayed again to put on the like Person or Mask at Lincoln where Had the same usage afterwards at Lincoln he also found the same Cheer and Entertainment for his pains as he received afore at York But this erroneous Opinion whereby through self-love and illusion of the Devil he thought that he was reserved of God for Fancied himself reserv'd of God for some great Work some great and excellent Work being blown forward by the shew of zeal and of an earnestness for such a Reformation could not thus easily be quenched and rooted out of him the rather for that by use and imitation of such as he most followed and conversed with though wholly otherwise he were unlettered he had grown to such a dexterity in conceiving of Extemporal Prayers with bumbasted and thundering words as that Was an illiterate Fellow but had acquired a great dexterity in Extempore Prayers he was thereby marvailed at and greatly magnified by some Brethren and Sisters as a man greatly vouchsafed with God and adorned with rare and singular Endowments from Heaven so that through admiration of such supposed Excellencies in him he still continued to fancy unto himself that he had rare Gifts and an extraordinary Calling For he gave out to divers that he was a Prophet Was much admired and affirm'd himself a Prophet of God's Vengeance of God's Vengeance where his Mercy is refused Saying That if Reformation be not established in England this present Year three great Plagues shall fall upon it the Sword Pestilence and Famine He pretended also that God had revealed unto him most wonderful things Which he would he said utter to none but such as himself knew to be very resolute in God's Cause But he told unto Arthington and Coppinger that there should be no more Popes hereafter Upon confidence of which Spirit and Gifts in himself in Places of his resort with an intemperate and fanatical boldness With Fanatical boldness utter'd seditious Speeches against the Queen c. even as if he had sufficient warrant for it he dared oftentimes to utter most vile lewd and seditious Speeches both of the Queen's Majesty and of certain the greatest Subjects whom he thought to be hinderers of his Practices Which his Outrages being once or twice brought unto the Ears of certain in Authority in Northamptonshire and elsewhere not sufficiently acquainted with the strange Humours of such Anabaptistical Wizards and Fanatical Sectaries and perhaps unwilling to let his words be drawn so far against him as they justly might they were therefore content to attribute them to some spice of phrensy in him and in that Was corrected in Northamptonshire as Phrantick quality to be corrected rather than to construe them to have proceeded from any setled and advised malice as the event hath since made most manifest they did For in the whole course besides of other the Speeches and Actions of his Life both before and after no alienation of mind or madness could be noted in him At one of the times that he was brought in question for his Seditious and indeed Treasonable Speeches it happened that he was convented before that honourable Counseller Sir Walter Mildmay who commanded him for more safegard to be watched the night before he was to be conveyed to Northampton Gaol at what time the counterfeit dissembling Wretch willed Put into Northampton Gaol his Wife to let him lie alone in the Chamber that was to be watched for that he had to confer with one that would come unto him that night Insinuating unto her as if he were to have at that time some special Conferences with God or some Angel Whereupon Pretended to have conference with God or some Angel it was straightway blown abroad thereabouts amongst the credulous multitude of those that either favoured him for supposed Zeal or feared him for Sorceries that albeit there were no Candles used yet there was a great light that night seen shining in his Chamber so that by this Tale the erroneous Opinions afore conceived of him were greatly encreased After he had lien in Northampton Gaol a good space and was come unto his Trial in the absence of Sir Walter from thence the matter is thought to have been so handled by some who in favour of his forwardness would needs interpret his Felonies to be but Follies as that no Evidence being given against him he was dismissed for that pull upon Bond entred for his appearance when he should be called for again Now Hacket a man thus qualified as ye Wigginton brings him acquainted with Coppinger hear was of all other men thought by Wigginton most fit and worthy to be recommended and straightly linked unto Coppinger's Familiar acquaintance as most aptly consorting with his humorous Conceit long ere this apprehended by him whereof it seemeth Wigginton was not ignorant nor misliked Their acquaintance
the lawful and perfect Calling of a Minister or no To these I find Wigginton's Resolution Wigginton's Resolutions of Coppinger's Questions in the affirmastive made under his own hand to this effect briefly viz. That God hath doth and will from time to time raise up extraordinary Workers and Helpers to his Church a Apostles Evangelists and Prophets where need requireth and as Nazarites Healers Admonishers in special sort and such like that these cannot be known to themselves but by God's Spirit nor to others but by godly effects That he who is so called need not to ask many Questions of mortal men for his Calling yet must be approved godly before he enterprize his Work especially if he have been a known wicked Person before That where the chief Rulers of any House or Country or the most part of any House or Country be ignorant and untaught there it may be truly said that House or Country is out of frame desolate or waste much more then when one part of Thirty or Forty is not well framed rightly taught or guided c. in that House or Country And in another Paper of his own Hand he avoucheth such extraordinary Callings by Such extraordinary Callings justified by two Examples example of one that cried up and down the Streets in Jerusalem before it was besieged and by another which he saith the last Parliament came forth of Yorkshire to London saying he was charged from God by an Angel in a Vision to signify great Vengeance from God upon the whole Realm for certain great Enormities by himself in another man's person untruly and seditiously surmised So that hereby it appeareth that Wigginton is the silenced Preacher meant by Coppinger in the former Letter who resolved him of extraordinary Callings in those days who consented to fast and pray with him and others for a Seal c. of such Calling and who as he afterward affirmed to Hacket would not discourage Coppinger in his Purposes This Conceit hereupon waxing stronger Coppinger waxeth stronger in his Conceit and stronger in Coppinger he often came to Lancaster's House where also Arthington then lay to confer with them specially to know the certainty whether there were any extraordinary Calling in this last Age and how the same might be tried They both told him as is now said that they were meer ordinary men not able to resolve him much less to take trial of his Gifts and therefore willed him to keep his Secrets to himself or else to go to others that could better judge of them Whereupon Coppinger Seeks direction from Divers Puritanical Preachers is assisted by Penry sought for direction to divers Preachers and others in London and elsewhere of what setled disposition may easily be conjectured For resolution also herein by the help of his diligent Fellow-labourer in this business John ap Henry aliâs a Penry he sollicited the Reformed Preachers so these Fellows term them of some Foreign Parts It may also be gathered by some Letters written by him to a Gentleman near about a great Counsellor that he bare the said Gentleman in hand as if he had intelligence touching some matter of great service to her Majesty and the Commonwealth to be imparted to the said Counsellor For in the Copy of a Letter of his of the 28th of January last he thus writeth Your signification Coppinger ' s Letters to a Counsellor pretending some service to the Queen of some service which you heard I was desirous to do in discharge of my duty to her Majesty may give his Lordship cause to suspect that I honour him not so much as I do Your revealing thereof to his Lordship I do assure you doth much trouble me because I am not furnished with such matter as I wish My meaning was therefore to have forborn his Lordship's trouble until I had learned out that which my heart desireth to do c. And in another Letter of his written to the same Gentleman the 1st of February after in this sort If you think he looketh to have me come to his Lordship about any thing which you have put into his head let me understand from you when I may attend his Lordship's pleasure which being known I will according to my duty do it though I wish my self to be freed until I may know that which may give his Lordship cause to think of me as I do desire to deserve c. Now that this matter was the same whereof he desired such resolution may be gathered by a Note of his own Hand set upon the back of these two Copies thus viz. By these Letters it may appear what care I had In his Letters to the Preachers pretends some service to God and his Church meaning in both the same matter to carry my self in this Action But in his Letters about this matter written unto Preachers and others of his own humour he goeth more plainly to work and declareth another purpose and that it is a special service by him to be done to God and his Church and so no Civil Matter as he elsewhere pretendeth For I find by a Letter of another Gentleman P. W. a Lay Gentleman his Letter to Coppinger incouraging him to go on in his Work of the Laity dated the 25th of January last and written unto Coppinger in answer that Coppinger had sent for him up to receive advice of him in some matters of importance tending to the true Service of God wherein he was labouring In the end whereof are these words viz. You are in a plentiful Soil where you may use the advice of many godly wise Use the benefit thereof And then as Joshua said be bold and of a good courage Fear not to be discouraged for God even the mighty God will protect and defend you In his solliciting the Preachers to take trial of his Gifts and extraordinary Calling it appeareth he used some more plainness without much disguising of the quality of the Action which he intended and likewise how faintly he was discouraged from it by them For in a Letter of his unto T. L. written the 29th of January last he reporteth that M. E. a Preacher most Christianly The Preachers advise him to Caution but do not discourage nor reprove him wisely and lovingly persuaded him to be careful and circumspect over himself To take heed lest he were deceived by the subtilty of Satan and so misled whereby he might endanger himself both for his Liberty Estate and Credit and also be an hinderance to the great Cause which he would seem to be most desirous to further but Note withal the said M. E. concluded that he would be loath to quench the Spirit of God in him or to hinder his Zeal About this time and matter Coppinger writ also another Letter to T. C. which thing besides the Letter it self appeareth also by a Letter of his written the 24th of February last to one M. H. The whole tenor
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
of to bring them to pass which they hoped to stir up by their pretence of so great holiness with calling the Realm to repentance in the open Streets of London by offering joys and mercy to the Penitent and by their Proclamation also then made in Cheapside as hereafter cometh to be declared Now that these their two last Purposes were indeed the principal and main ends which they propounded to themselves besides that which by the way is noted already and that which comes hereafter to be mentioned let these few Proofs ensuing suffice First for the alteration of the whole Government Ecclesiastical and erecting of the new Discipline It is confessed that Coppinger Coppinger and Arthington two false Prophets their words to Wigginton the day before the Insurrection and Arthington the two Counterseit Prophets on the 16th of July last being Friday and the self-same day that they arose in Cheapside told Wigginton in the morning these words amongst many others viz. That Reformation and the Lord's Discipline should now forthwith be established and therefore charged Wigginton in the Lord's name to put all Christians in comfort that they should see a joyful alteration in the state of Church-Government shortly To which words Wigginton made no reply nor further demand as of any matter strange unto him how it was so shortly to be compassed Wherein may also be observed that these kind of Persons do reckon and term only those Christians that will take comfort and joy at such an Alteration So that by their Opinions it skilleth not what be attempted or done against all others being but as Heathens and Paynims or at least Idolaters Thus much with their seditious Purposes Their Seditious Purposes appear in Coppinger's Letter to Udal then condemned for writing the Demonstration of Discipline also is plainly implied in a dangerous Letter written by the said Coppinger since Easter last unto one John Udal a condemned man for Felony in the White Lyon in Surrey for writing of the Book termed the Demonstration of Discipline That Letter beginneth thus Right Reverend Sir my forbearing to visit you and the rest of the Saints who suffer for Righteousness sake do give you all cause to think that I have forsaken my first Love and have embraced the God of this World But my Conscience beareth me witness of the contrary The Reasons of my absence being so great and so weighty that hereafter when they shall be examined by your selves who are endued with the spirit of wisdom and discerning of Spirits I doubt not but Note you will allow of my not coming which might bring you into more trouble and danger than it would do me good or breed me comfort And afterward thus You have care and conscience to further the building of the Lord's House which lieth waste and to seek the final overthrow of Antichrist's Kingdom which being the Lord 's own work he will bless it and all the Actors in it And this I dare be bold of mine own knowledge to report that in this great Work he hath divers that lie hid and are yet at liberty who are hammering their heads busying their brains and spending their spirits in prayers to God as much as you or any of you that are in Prison Note and hope in short time to be brought forth into the sight of their and your Enemies to defend the Cause you stand for And again afterward in this wise I beseech you cheer up your selves in the Lord for the day of our Redemption is at hand and pray that the Hand of the Lord may be strengthened Note in them whom he hath appointed to take part with you in this Cause and beseech him that blessing may be upon Sion and confusion upon Babel Pardon my long Letter I beseech you and impart mine humble suit to all the rest to whom I neither dare write nor offer to see I neither put to my Name nor make Subscription The Bringer can report who sendeth the Letter and let that suffice Furthermore that they hated deadly and maligned her Majesty as a principal Obstacle to their Innovation and Kingdom and therefore sought to deprive her Highness of her Sovereignty and Life may be gathered by their own Words and Actions For Hacket confessed before the other two that They usually attend Egerton a Preacher in Black-Frairs at a Sermon of one Egerton's preach'd in the Black-Fryars whither they usually resort he the said Hacket remained uncovered all the Sermon time until the Preacher came to pray for her Majesty but then he said that he put on his Hat And when Arthington demanded why he did so Coppinger streightway answered thus There is a matter in that Likewise when as in their private Prayers amongst themselves Arthington used to pray for the Queen Coppinger Coppinger and Hacket forbear to pray for the Queen would sundry times tell him that his so doing did much grieve Hacket adding that in the beginning himself did also pray for her but Hacket had now drawn him from it saying there was a cause why which Arthington knew not but should know hereafter For saith he you do not know this man meaning Hacket who is a greater Person than she and indeed above all the Princes in the World And whenas on the very Sunday before their rising for so themselves have since termed that Action it happened that Arthington prayed again for the preservation of the Queen's Majesty Hacket not digesting this suddenly with indignation turned his face away from him but when he prayed for other matters then Hacket cast his countenance towards him again which he perceiving that Arthington also marked by him and purposing as it seemeth to salve up this matter again left Arthington happily might yet have fallen from them therefore when they had ended their Prayers Hacket took him with his Arms about the middle in very kind sort affirming that he loved the Queen as well as either of them and desired him not to be offended for the Lord had commanded it Adding further that there was a matter in it that Arthington as yet knew not Hereupon Coppinger being in hearing thereof said that she might be prayed for in general terms but not so specially as Arthington did whereby Hacket was grieved nor yet to be prayed for as a Sovereign For said he she may not reign as Note Sovereign but this man Hacket and yet saith he she shall live better than ever she did albeit she must be governed by another thereby also meaning Hacket And to the intent they might the more assuredly retain Arthington without suspicion of their poisonful malice wherein they boiled against the Queen's Highness Hacket himself once after this time very subtilly prayed for her Majesty For proof that they also meant to deprive her of life the several Confessions of Arthington Arthington confesseth that Hacket and Coppinger design'd the Queen's deprivation of Government and Life at sundry Examinations may be
dismayed and yet not sought to be revealed by Wigginton unto any Magistrate till upon his examination it was found out Lastly I observe the Coggery of the 6 Reporter or else the lewd lying and contradiction to himself of that wretched Seducer Hacket For in his Answer to the fifth and sixth Articles he knows no degrees of glory in Heaven and yet in his Answer to the eighth he assigneth more honour and higher places in Heaven unto some few that are the most forward than he doth unto others But let us go on with the Narration of the principal Action interrupted by occasion of the Conferences had with Wigginton and of his report of them From Wigginton's Lodging the said Coppinger Hacket ' s History continued and Arthington came directly to Hacket's Chamber in Walker's House at Broken Wharf and there found the Beast in Bed after Eight of the Clock Where being enflamed they say with zeal out of all measure Coppinger began to pray at the Bed's feet and Arthington joined with him wherein they stood much upon their own unworthiness c. but yet offered their obedience to do as the Lord should direct them by his Spirit having already done so much as was enjoined them Whereupon Hacket came out of his Bed and prayed with them in his Shirt twice that the Spirit might direct them and they likewise obey the same in all things to the glory of God only After Hacket's latter Prayer Coppinger offered to go on in his Prayer but the Devilish Spirit moved Arthington to interrupt him and to charge him in the Name of the Lord Jesus to arise and anoint the King with the Holy Ghost Whereupon Coppinger straightway rose up and three times kissed the Boards under his feet rising up after every time and making great reverence with bowed knee and after the third time he came towards Hacket as he lay in his Bed who put out his hand and took Coppinger by the hand and said You shall not need to anoint me Blasphemy for I have been already anointed in Heaven by the Holy Ghost himself Then Coppinger asked him what his pleasure was to be done Go your way both said he as Arthington reports and tell them in the City that Christ Jesus is come with his Fan in his hand to judge the Earth And if any man ask you where he is tell them he lies at Walker ' s House by Broken Wharf and if they will not believe it let them come and kill me if they can for as truly as Christ Jesus is in Heaven so truly is he come to judge the world Then Coppinger said it should be done forthwith and thereupon went forward and Arthington followed so readily the said Prophet of Mercy that he had no leisure to take his Gloves with him and ere Arthington could get down the Stairs Coppinger had begun in the House below to proclaim News from Heaven of exceeding great Mercy That Christ Jesus was come c. as above is said with whom Arthington also cried the same words aloud following him along the Streets from thence by Watling-street and Old Change towards Cheapside they both adding beyond their Commission these words Repent England Repent But surely either their Commission was delivered them at one time or other more largely than the one of them now reporteth or else they went beyond and exceeded it in many other material Points besides this For after they both had thus come with mighty concourse of the common multitude as to such a novelty of hearing two new Prophets in these days arisen was likely with an uniform cry into Cheapside near unto the Cross and there finding the throng and press of People to encrease about them in such sort as that they could not well pass further nor be conveniently heard of them all as they desired therefore they got them up into an empty Cart which stood there and out of that choise Pulpit fur such a purpose made their lewd and traiterous preachment unto the People wherein they stood not only upon the words of their former cry but so near as I could learn from so common an Auditory and in so confused an Action they reading something out of a Paper went more particularly over the Office and Calling of Hacket how he represented Christ by partaking a part of his glorified Body by his principal Spirit and by the Office of severing the Good from the Bad with his Fan in his hand and of establishing the Gospel in Europe which as it seemeth they took to be all the World or else supposed that all Europe did profess Christianity and of bringing in that Discipline which they so often babble of and which they mean by the term of Reformation and the holy Cause That he was now come and all these things were presently to be performed by him telling also the People where they saw him where he lay and remained That they were two Prophets the one of Mercy the other of Judgment sent and extraordinarily called by God to assist him in this great Work and were Witnesses of these things confirming the same upon their own Salvation and wishing themselves confounded and damned for ever if these things they spoke were not true And thereupon the one of them pronounced Mercy great Comfort and unspeakable Joys to all that should repent presently be obedient and embrace this acceptable Message and opportunity offered And the other denounced terrible Judgments if they repented not which should even presently also fall upon them and especially upon that City of London affirming that all that believed them not were condemned Body and Soul This Judgment against London as Arthington the pretended Prophet of Judgment saith he gathered out of Hacket's History was that men should there kill and massacre one another as Butchers do kill Swine all the day long and no man should take compassion of them There was then and there further delivered by them or by the one of them that Hacket was King of Europe and so ought to be obeyed and taken and that all Kings must hold of him and that the Queen's Majesty had forfeited her Crown and was worthy to be deprived Which most traiterous Point amongst others Hacket enjoined them to publish as in the one of his Indictments is contained Lastly In very unmannerly and sawey terms they prayed to God to confound two great Lords of her Majesty's Counsel for these two together with a certain Knight they then and there openly and most lewdly accused in general terms of Treason This outrage was done the sixteenth day of July aforesaid about Ten of the Clock or something after in the Forenoon By which their Proclamation being laid together with their former Conferences Letters and Purposes against the Queen and Counsel and for advancing of Hacket and for altering the State with the very time when so many Soldiers were about the City it is evident to any who hath but half an eye to
devilish impatience against God when as now he saw himself to be brought to more apparent danger than happily he supposed there ever would be cause for him to fear Which thing seemeth more probable to have been the occasion thereof for that immediately after his Blasphemy he also used these words God Almighty is above and will he not revenge But seeing he could not be brought to any other Plea the Queen's Attorney-General desired in behalf Not pleading as he ought the Queen's Attorney demands Judgment to be enter'd No Evidence being heard of the Queen That Judgment thereupon might be entred And seeing he pleaded Guilty to the one and stood mute to the second in that he answered not as Law would whereupon he was to be convicted of both the Indictments so that none Evidence which was there ready needed either to be used or by the Queen's Council Learned to be opened or enforced Nevertheless for better satisfaction of the World it was by them thought meet somewhat to shew both how hainous and how evident for Proof his Treasons were And albeit I am not able in any tolerable sort to repeat the grave wise and pithy Discourses that were made in this behalf by those two worthy Gentlemen Master Attorney-General and Master Sollicitor to her Majesty yet I hope they will pardon me to set down only some few heads of their Speeches as they were noted briefly from their mouths and afterward brought unto me Master Attorney declared That the Original of The Substance of Mr. Attorney's Speech these Plots and Conspiracies came from and were for the Sectaries of this time That Coppinger in a Letter to Udall prayeth him and the rest in Prison not to faint That he and others had taken a course for their speedy deliverance and desired pardon for not coming to him which he said might be dangerous for that they should be the sooner suspected or to that effect That there were Letters dispersed in the streets five or six days before the Action That there were found in Wigginton's Chamber printed Pamphlets which should be sent to a great number of Women whom I quoth Master Attorney forbear to name as is touched before That in other Letters was contained That the Queen should command her Counsellors to their Chambers because of the stir and danger which then should be That Hacket himself had afore confessed besides the other Points of the Indictments how he sent Arthington and Coppinger to do and proclaim as they did Then Master Sollicitor very excellently The Substance of Mr. Sollicitor's Speech also discoursed How there was no Treason more dangerous than that which is practised under other colours as it were in the clouds and none wounded so deep as those that were shadowed under the cloak of Religion and Zeal for of it commonly followed greatest destruction and calamities This he exemplified by the Anabaptists at Munster in Westphalia and some others That in like sort as they did this Hacket also affirmeth he was sent from God was a principal Angel sent before the Judgment that he doth participate with horror I rehearse it said Master Sollicitor of the Human Nature of Jesus Christ and the two other are Prophets one of Mercy and the other of Judgment That the Queen had forfeited her Crown That the Council was wicked and must be over-ruled and by whom but by him c. Then he shewed what Hacket was viz. a Bankrupt that he had married a Widow and had spent all Which done Master Recorder of London gave Judgment upon Hacket as in like Mr. Recorder gave Judgment for Execution cases is accustomed From thence Hacket was carried to Newgate and there remained till Wednesday next after being the appointed day for his Execution that in the mean while he might by godly counsel be brought to Repentance and to provide for his Soul's health Certain Preachers so travelled with him in the mean time that albeit for some while he thought to advantage himself and to respite his execution by giving through dissimulation froward and lewd Answers yet at length they brought him as it then seemed to a serious consideration of his own state and of the grievousness of his Treasons Insomuch as Master Richard Young of London coming He is visited by Preachers is brought to sober Temper also unto him thither on the Tuesday being the 27th of July betwixt the hours of six and seven in the Afternoon sundry others also being in company he found him in outward appearance well affected For when Master Young wished him to submit himself and to confess his fault towards Almighty God he presently with good words did it accordingly Then Master Young told him that God had appointed Death unto all men but unto divers in divers sorts and wished him to take patiently that which God had laid upon him This Hacket said he would unfainedly do and withal asked the Queen's Majesty Confesses the Fact seems sorry and asks the Queen's Forgiveness Forgiveness saying he was very sorry for the words he had spoken and that it was a gracious and happy turn that their Treasons were in time revealed For otherwise it would have cost a number of innocent men their bloods and himself he thought should nevertheless also have been slain amongst them But now trusted in God that the others would confess also their Treasons and that her Majesty was a gracious Prince and would forgive them if they asked mercy And if it would also please her Highness to be so gracious unto him as to pardon him he would henceforth become a good Subject Furthermore because he had no Money he then desired Master Young either to give or to lend him some Money saying he would repay it again if ever he were able who thereupon did his devotion towards him Then Hacket thanked him and desired Master Young to pray for him Thus he continued in good Temper that night and the next morning until looking out at one of the Windows into the Street leading towards Cheapside he saw all the street even filled as it were up with people expecting his Execution There Seeing the Multitude waiting his Execution he raves and blasphemes upon he began to answer such as exhorted him very desperately and blasphemously And when as coming down the Stairs one of the Sheriffs wished him to be mindful of Christ's Death who suffered for him he thereupon uttered most execrable Blasphemy against Christ's blessed Passion He was brought from Newgate towards the place of Execution the Eight and twentieth day of July being Wednesday after Ten of the Clock in the Morning albeit by reason of the incredible multitude then in the streets but especially in Cheapside from one end thereof unto another the like whereof at no assembly in memory hath been seen it was very long ere the Officers with all they could do could get him to the very place All the way that he was dragged upon the Hurdle he
to be bridled When he was brought to the place of Execution and saw no hope of Escape which before he hoped for he grew to be At his Execution is dejected and poplexed very much dejected and perplexed in Mind insomuch as without help of a Godly Prince which then stood by he could not repeat so much as the Articles of his Christian faith I shall not need to dwell long in the application The Story applied to our Disciplinarians and the Parallel alike in all particulars and resemblance of these points unto this late Tragedy the very reading of them over giving sufficient Light unto the same For the sharp and angry Zeal of some unadvised Preachers which pretend neither to like of the Pope nor of the present state of the Church for want of some purity as they fansy Hath it not incensed and made to boil over not only the foul Mouths of Martinists but also the traiterous actions of these Conspirators And albeit the common multitude whom the Disciplinarians brag to be already inflamed with Zeal ready to lend a hundred thousand hands for the advancement of their Cause and by whom they hope and say such Reformation must at last be brought in did better keep themselves out of this Action than was expected Yet the danger thereof was as great and if it had once taken head would happily as hardly as the other have been subdued Were not the Treaties of these men also in private Houses at Night-Fasts and the Consultations concerning it at Classical Conventicles and like Assemblies Did not these likewise shoot at the Overthrow of the whole State Ecclesiastical and at the displacing of her Majesty's most Honourable Council and that under pretence of Reformation and to advance the preaching of the Gospel in every Congregation throughout this Land Made not these the like Complaints of wicked Counsellors Noblemen and Magistrates for keeping out the Discipline for persecuting sincere Preachers and afflicting God's People like Lyons and Dragons And do they not pretend this to be a special Grievance of theirs That the common people of every Congregation may not elect their own Ministers That the People are brought under the Yoak of the Law Ceremonial by paying Tythes c. and is not the hand and head of Satan as plainly in this Action to seek the overthrow of sound Professors by others of the same Profession under pretence of greater Sincerity Do not these likewise almost appropriate to themselves and their Favourites the Terms of God's Church of Christian Brethren and of true and reformed Preachers Is any Speech more rise in their mouths than that they will only be tried and judged by God's Book and by his Spirit Do they not tax all other men not so far gone as themselves of loose Lives of Antichristianism of Hypocrisy and Idolatry in the mean time never looking at their own Treasons Disloyalties and other Vices Make they not great Ostentation of Love and Fidelity to her Majesty's Person and of Care of her Safety even when they secretly nourished a fancy of Forfeiture of her Crown and sought to over-rule her by Hacket their imagined Sovereign King of Europe Had they not their Cabinet Preachers their Table-end Teachers their Guides of Fasts c. that teach pray for and attend extraordinary Callings by Visions Dreams Revelations and Enlightnings Was not Giles Wigginton and some others unto them as Thomas Muncer and Phifer were to the Germans men of supposed great Austerity of Life Holiness Favour with God Resoluteness in his Cause Singleness and Uprightness of heart Did not Wigginton resolve them by Examples he gathered touching Extraordinary Callings in these days by reason of the great Waste of this Church of England Had not he and they likewise learned of the same Devil in the Prayers at Fasts to ask Signs and Seals of God for their extraordinary Callings Doth not Arthington say that he importuned God in his Prayers And Coppinger That he had leave given to talk more familiarly with God than afore Did not Hacket in praying for the pretended possessed Gentlewoman sawcily expostulate with God and charge him with his Promise as if he dealt not well with him Did he not at his Arraignment and Execution shew such Anger in his Prayers against God thinking belike as those did to be excused by his Fervency of Zeal Did not both he and Coppinger pretend Conference with God by sundry Revelations and Dreams Do not they and the rest of the Disciplinarian Humour Fenneritheol exact and seek to square out even in Hypothesi all Civil Policies and Judgments in Causes Criminal especially unto the Judicials of Moses given for the People of the Jews Is there any thing they stand more upon or condemn the contrary deeper than to have an Equality among all Persons Ecclesiastical Do they not inveigh sharply against Prince and Nobles for upholding the State Ecclesiastical and in this respect intended to have them brought to Repentance when their Opinions grew to a Ripeness Was not this their principal pretended purpose to plant the Gospel and their Reformation by rooting out wicked Magistrates and Counsellors as they judged and by setting others in their places Did Hacket's fancied Fan instead of Christ to sever the good from the bad import any thing else or should it have served any other turn than for the killing up of all that thought not well of their Discipline and Reformation Did they not pretend the Will of the Lord so to be And was it not plainly meant this to be effected by tumult of the common people Did not these likewise bear one another in hand that all things should succeed and prosper with them that no violence could harm them nor any man had power to hurt them as having Angelical Spirits and being in most high favour with God And Hacket accordingly even in going to execution did he not call for and expect a miraculous deliverance from heaven out of the hands of those whom he called his enemies Did he not likewise for a certain sign of his favour with God make Coppinger believe that he could and did obtain rain and could stay it at his pleasure Was not the chiefest of their plots and conspiracies detected by their letters found with them Did not they likewise when they were convented before the Magistrate stoutly and resolutely defend their dealings and maintain that the Princess had for seited her right and was now to be bridled and over-ruled by others and lastly Was not that impious Wrech Hacket as irresolute dejected and base-minded towards his death as Muncer or any man either could be or as so bad a cause might procure Not long after those former Rebellions in Another like Commotion of the Anabaptist's in Munster Germany another strange and memorable Commotion happened in Munster the principal City of Westphalia a Province also of Germany which is not unmeet to be in some points also touched in this place for the
mutined The King proimseth them Deliverance before Easter It not coming he fains himself sick and puts a Cheat upon them by reason of the extremity of Famine their King promised them assured deliverance from God before Easter When Easter was come no sign or token of their deliverance appeared Then the King feigned himself to be sick for six days afterward assembling the people into the Market steed he told them that all that while he had ridden upon a blind Ass and that the Father had laid upon him the sins of the whole Multitude so that now they were cleansed and freed from all Vice which was the Deliverance which he promised unto them and therewith they were to hold themselves contented When the Bishop's Strength by common Supplies from the Princes of the Empire were much reenforced matters in the Town grew to that Extremity that by means of two Persons who conveyed themselves secretly forth of the Town it was at last surprized by the The City is surprized The King Knipperdolung and Crecliting taken alive Rotman is slam Assailants though with much ado and Bloodshed even after they were entred Their King with Knipperdoling and Crecliting their two false Prophets were taken alive But Rotman their Reformed Preacher seeing no hope to escape desperately ran in amongst the thickest of the Armed Companies and by them he was cut in pieces The three Persons aforenamed were carried about the Countrey as a Spectacle to sundry the Princes and others thereabouts and after were brought back again unto Munster The Bishop of Munster demanded of the King by what Authority he took upon him to rule in that City Who asked the said Bishop again by what Authority he the said Bishop claimed any Power there When he answered that he had it by means of Election of the Chapter and by Consent of the People the King replying said That himself had his Authority from God After two days had been bestowed with them to reduce them by godly Persuasions from their Errors Leyden their King confessed his Leyden repents Knipperdoling and Crecliting arc obstinate They are all three executed Sin and desired Forgiveness at Christ's hands But Knipperdoling and Crecliting would confess no fault but defended their course and Opinions with great Obstinacy So all Three being tied unto Posts were dismembred by piece meal and pulled in small pieces with hot burning Pincers and Tongs and afterward their Carkasses were hanged up there in Iron Cages but the King in the midst and much higher than the other two as his Place required Besides certain especial Opinions which Some of their Erroneous and Heretical Doctrines these Anabaptists held namely That Young Children were not to be baptized and touching Lawfulness of Poligamy or having many Wives Of Community of Goods and that Christ took not Flesh of the Virgin Mary c. they also taught and defended many other strange erroneous and heretical Positions And yet they shewed as much Devotion outward Holiness and Purity as might be As for example they held these following viz. That a perfect Christian might not exercise the Office of a Magistrate nor might take an Oath before him That God doth now oftentimes shew his Will by extraordinary Revelations Dreams and Visions That the common people have an especial Authority in determining and establishing of Church-causes That before the day of Judgment the Kingdom of Christ shall be such as that the Godly and Elect shall overthrow and subdue all the wicked and then they alone shall rule in the earth That it is lawful for the People to depose and put down the Prince or Magistrate That Ministers and others godly affected ought to establish though it were by Force a Reformation in all Countries That Princes and Magistrates ought not to pursue this kind of persons for that they are Innocents and the beloved People of God That the Seat of David which was fallen down must be reestablished and that Christ now in the latter end of the World shall reign externally upon the Earth That the time of besiege they then lived in was that where of Isaiah prophesied wherein the just and godly were afflicted and persecùted That the time of their deliverance and enlargement was at hand which should be like to that deliverance of the Israelites from the Thraldom under the Babylonians And that then the wicked and ungodly shall receive the guerdon and recompence of all their Impieties committed against the Saints all the ungodly being rid out of the way the seat of Righteousness should be prepared and advanced That there is none efficacy or force in that Baptism wherewith Infants are baptized All which they obstinately defended and yet whensoever they were charged they pretended that they would acknowledge and confess their Errors if they should be shewed unto them by the Scriptures to be Errors Now as I have done afore in the History A comparison of the Anabaptists in Munster with the Disciplinarians in England in Opinion and Practice of Thomas Muncer I must crave leave that with the Readers patience I may also briefly compare and resemble some of the Dealings and Errors of the Anabaptists of the City of Munster with the actions and opinions of these late Conspirators and of their Disciplinarian Schoolmasters from whom they have sucked like Poyson For did not Hacket the most ignorant of all the three being but an unlettered Maltster in like sort take upon him to rule the other and to mannage the whole Action and are not the most ignorant of such as be of this humour most presumptuous to direct all others and to discuss deepest doubts Have not their mutual cohortations and seditious instructions with their conceived Prayers and hypocritical Fasts that they practised in privy conventicles and assemblies given greatest strength to his faction to the seduction of numbers Have not the Magistrates now as great cause to look into these proceedings before they make head upon confidence of their multitudes Have not all the stayed and sound Preachers of this Land by sundry Maleperts and now again by Arthington been most insolently challenged unto disputation Hath not the cause of this pretended Discipline been nevertheless quashed oftentimes in Pulpits in publick disputations in the Universities and by learned treatises written whereby the weakness and meagerness of their childish collections have been fully displayed Will they make any hast or dare they to offer disputation if such conditions assistants and indifferent and learned Judges as are fit shall be set down and appointed and being beaten from their ordinary means have not these Conspirators and such as have animated them betaken themselves unto pretended extraordinary Callings ravishings in Spirit carryings into Heaven Revelations Dreams and Visions Have they not seditiously filled out Streets with their like hypocritical Outcries of Repent Repent c. and by gathering of Routs tending to Uproar and popular Tumult If their purposes had succeeded and their Prophecies of