things Hee added many things concerning the Duke of Buckingham c. This speech of his was penned for him by this pragmaticall Bishop the Originall Coppie whereof was given in evidence against him under his owne hand In the Convocation held that day many things were agitated concerning the Sermon which Gabriell Goodman Bishop of Gloster preached before the King the fifth Sunday of Lent preceding Aprill 5. In the morning the King sent that the Bishops of Norwich Litchfield and Saint Davids should appeare before him I and the Bishop of Litchfield appeared the Bishop of Norwich was gone into the Countrie We received the Kings command about c. and returned Aprill 12. At nine a Clocke in the morning the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishop of Winchester and I Bishop of Saint Davids met together being commanded by the King to consult about the Sermon which the Bishop of Glocester Doctor Goodman preached before the Kings Majestie on the fifth Sunday in Lent We consulted and gave answer to the King that some things were spoken lesse warily nothing falsly Neither was any thing innovated by him in the Church of England That it would be best he should preach againe at such time as he should chuse and should shew how and in what things he was ill taken and misunderstood by the Auditors That night after nine a clocke I related to the King what I received in command the fifth of Aprill and other things thereunto belonging The King spake many things most graciously concerning the restoring of Impropriations when as I should have first determined of the maner Aprill 14. the Duke of Buckingham fell into a Feaver Aprill 19. the Petition of Iohn Digby Earle of Bristoll against the D. of Buckingham was read in the upper House of Parliament It was sharpe and such as threatned destruction to one of the parties Aprill 20. King Charles referred the cognisance of the whole businesse and likewise of the Petition of the Earle of Bristoll to the Parliament house Aprill 21. the Duke of Buckingham sent for me to come to him Then I heard what Sir John Cooke principall Secretary to the King had suggested against me to the L. Treasurer of England and he to the Duke Domine miserere servi tui Aprill 22. Sunday the King sent that all the Bishops should attend him at 4. of the Clocke in the after noone we were foureteene of us present He reprehended us that we were silent in the causes of the Church in this time of Parliament and did not make knowne to him what might be profitable or unprofitable to the Church for that he was ready to promote the cause of the Church After this he Commanded that in the causes of Bristoll and Buckingham our Consciences being the guide we should follow only proofes not rumours Aprill 30. I preached at Whit-Hall before the King May 1. The Earle of Bristoll was accused of high Treason in Parliament by the Kings Atturney Sir Robert Heath The said Earle then and there exhibited 12. Articles against the Duke of Buckingham and accused him of the same crime and exhibited other Articles against Baron Conway Secretary The Earle of Bristoll was committed to Iames Maxwell Keeper of the blacke Rod May 8. at two of the Clock in the afternoon the lower House impeached the Duke of Buckingham to the upper House saying 13. accusations to his charge The Bishop though then a Member of the upper House and a Judge of this cause was yet such a sworne Vassall to the Duke that he penned his speech which he made to the Lords in the upper House against the Commons impeachment and corrected and amended his Answer to his Impeachment as his feed Advocate in sundry particulers given against him in evidence under his owne hand And likewise penned the Kings speech to the House of Peeres touching the Duke and the Commitment of the Earle of Arundell as appeares by the Originall draught under his hand concerning which speech he thus writes in his Diary May 11. King Charles came to the Parliament House He spake to the Nobles in few words concerning the preservation of the honour of Noble men against the vile and detestable calumnies of those of the Lower House who accused the Duke c. There were eight who discharged their allotted parts in that businesse The Prologue Sir Dudley Diggs and Epilogue Sir Iohn Eliot This day they were both by the Kings Command committed to the Tower and both of them enlarged within few dayes May 25. Because the E. of Arundell then under restraint was not sent back to the House nor the Cause of his commitment revealed there grew suspition that the Priviledges were infringed and it was concluded amongst the Peeres to adjourne the House till the next day On which day May 26. they adjourned the House till the second of Iune resolving that they would do nothing till the Earl were restored or at least a cause of his commitment declared c. May 25. this day wherein these tumults were first moved was Pope Vrbans day at this time Vrban the 8. sits Pope Iune 15. after many agitations private malice against the D. of Buckingham prevailed and suffocated all publike businesses nothing is done but the Parliament dissolved Iune 20. King Charles nominated me to be Bishop of Bath and Wells and likewise enjoyned me to preach at the solemne Fast before him which I did at White-Hall Iuly the 5. Iuly 26. The King signed my Congedeslier to the Deane and Chapter of Wells to elect me Bishop of Bath and Wells Iuly 27. Doctor Field Bishop of Landaffe brought me certaine Letters from the most illustrous Duke of Buckingham the Letters were open and written partly in Carecters the Duke sent them to me that I should consult one called Swadling about them who could read the Characters August 4. I and Swadling went to the Duke he read the Letters which were certaine malicious things which the Duke contemned August 16. I was elected Bishop of Bath and Wells it was Wednesday and the letter D. August 25. Two Robin-red-breasts flew together through the dore into my Study as pursuing one the other that suddaine motion made me startle I let them out as they had entered I was then preparing a Sermon on Eph. 4.30 September 14. in the evening the Duke of Buckingham said that I should reduce certaine instructions into forme partly politicall partly Ecclesiasticall in the cause of the King of Denmarke a little before afflicted by Duke Tilly to be sent through all Parishes Most breife heades are delivered to me he would have them ready by Saturday following September 16. I prepared and brought them by the prefixed houre I read them he brought me to the King There being commanded I read them once againe both of them approve them September 17 Sunday they were proposed and read for I left the papers with the Duke before the Kings Majesties honourable Councell and thanks be to God they
to be attendant observant and obedient to you and every of you in the execution and performance of this our Royall Will and Command as they and every of them will answer the contrarie at their uttermost perills Neverthelesse wee doe hereby declare our Royall pleasure to bee That they the said Sir Henry Marten Sir Charles Caesar Sir Thomas Ridley and Nathaniell Brent in their severall Offices and places aforesaid and all other Registers Officers and Ministers in the severall Courts Offices and Jurisdictions appertaining to the said Archbishop shall quietly and without interruption hold use occupie and enjoy their severall Offices and Places which they now hold by the Grant of the said Archbishop or of any other former Archbishop of Canterbury in such manner and forme and with those benefits priviledges powers and authorities which they now have hold and enjoy therein or there out severally and respectively they and every of them in their severall places being attendant and obedient unto you the said George Bishop of London Richard Bishop of Durham John Bishop of Rochester John Bishop of Oxford and William Bishop of Bath and Wells or to any foure three or two of you in all things according to the Tenor of this our Commission as they should or ought to have beene unto the said Archbishop Himselfe if this Commission had not beene had or made IN WITNESSE whereof wee have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witnesse Our selfe at Westminster the ninth Day of October in the third yeare of Our Raigne Edmondes Per ipsum Regem Octo. The Dean of Canterburies speech that the businesse could not goe well in the Isle of Re there must be a Parliament some must be sacrificed that I was as like as any spoken to Doctor W. The same speech after spoken to the same man by Sir Dudly Diggs I tould it when I heard it doubled let me desire you not to trouble your selfe with any reports till you see me forsake my other friends c. Ita Ch. R. The retreat out of the Isle of Re November My Lord D. returned to Court The Countesse of Purbecke censured in the High Commission for Adultery December 25. I preached to the K. at Whit-Hall Ianuary 29. Tuesday A resolution at the Councell Table for a Parliament to begin March 17. If the shires goe on with levying mony for the Navy Ianuary 30. Wednesday My L. D. of Buckinghams sonne was borne New Moone die 26. The L. George Feb. 5. Tuesday The straining of the backe sinew of my right leg as I went with his Majesty to Hampton Court I kept in til Feb. 14. saving that upon Tuesday Saint Valentines day I made a shift to goe and Christen my L.D. sonne the L. George at Wallingford House March 7. I preached at the opening of the Parliament but had much a doe to stand I continued lame long after Iune 1. An. 1628. Whitsunday I preached at Whit-Hall Iune 11. my L.D. of Buckingham voted in the House of Commons to be the cause or causes of all grievances in the Kingdome Iune 12. Thursday I was complaind of by the House of Commons for warranting D. Manwarings Sermons to the Presse Iune 13. D. Manwaring answered for himselfe before the Lords and the next day being Saturday Iune 14. was censured after his censure my cause was called to the report The same day the house of Commons were making their Remonstrance to the King One head was Innovation of Religion therein they named my Lord the Bishop of Winchester and my selfe one in the House stood up and said now we have named these Persons le ts thinke of some causes why we did it Sir Edward Cooke answered have we not named my Lord of Buckingham without shewing a cause and may we not be as bold with them This Remonstrance was delivered to the King Tuesday Iune 17. Thursday Iune 26. the session of Parliament ended and was proroged to Oct. 20. Tuesday Iuly 1. my conge deslier was signed by the King for the Bishopprick of London Iuly 15. Saint Swithin and faire with us I was translated to the Bishoprick of London the same day the L. Weston was made Lord Treasurer Saturday August 9. A terrible salt rhume in my left eye had almost put me into a Feaver Tuesday August 12. my L. D. of Buckingham went towards Portsmouth to goe for Rochell Saturday August 23. Saint Bartholemews Eve the D. of Buckingham slaine at Portsmouth by one Leiutenant Felton about 9. in the morning August 24. The newes of his death came to Croyden where it found my selfe and the Bishops of Winchester Elye and Carlile at the consecration of Bishop Mountague for Chichester with my Lords Grace What a professed Votary and Creature this Bishop was to the D. of Buckingham will appeare by these his speciall Prayers for him written with his owne hand in his booke of privat Prayers and Devotions found in his Chamber at the Tower P. 164.165.166 much used as is evident by the fouleing of the leaves with his fingers Pro Duce Buckinghamiae GRacious Father I humbly beseech thee blesse the * Duke of Buckingham with all spirituall and temporall blessings but especially spirituall make and continue him faithfull to his Prince serviceable to his Country devout in thy truth and Church A most happy Husband and a blessed Father filled with the constant love and honour of his Prince that all thy blessings may flow upon himselfe and his posterity after him Continue him a true-hearted freind to me thy poore servant whom thou hast honoured in his eyes make my heart religious and dutifull to thee and in and under thee true and secret and stout and prudent in all things which he shall be pleased to commit unto me Even so Lord and make him continually to serve thee that thou maist blesse him Through Jesus Christ our only Lord and Saviour Amen That he was privy to his Iourney into Spaine with Prince Charles now our Soveraign which voyage was * purposly plotted to pervert him in his Religion and reconcile him to Rome is apparent by this insuing prayer annexed to the former O Most mercifull God and gratious Father the Prince hath put himselfe to a great adventure I humbly beseech thee make cleare way before him give thine Angells charge over him be with him thy selfe in mercy power and protection in every step of his Journey in every moment of his time in every consultation and addresse for Action till thou bring him backe with safety honour and contentment to doe thee service in this place BLesse his most trusty and faithfull servant the Lord Duke of Buckingham That he may be diligent in service provident in businesse wise and happy in Councell for the honour of thy name the good of the Church the preservation of the Prince the contentment of the King the satisfaction of the State preserve him I humbly beseech thee from all envy that attends him And
received a Command that I should repaire to the Reverend Bishop of Winchester and that I should demand what he would have done in the Cause of the Church and that I should bring backe his Answer especially in the 5. Articles c. Aprill 10. being Sunday after the Sermon ended I went to the Bishop who was at his Chamber at White-Hall I related what things I had received in Command He gave mee an Answer Aprill 13. I related to the Duke of Buckingham what the Bishop of Winchester answered At the same time he certified me what the King had resolved concerning the Bishop of Durham Clerke of the Chappell to the King and concerning a successor Aprill 17. Easter day the Bishop of Durham being sicke I was by the said Bishops Petition to the illustrious Earle of Psmbrooke Lord Chamberlain assigned to serve the Kings Majestie in the place of the Clarke of the Closet which Office I performed till the first of May Aprill 23. Burton delivered a writing to the King An. 1625. May 11.19.29 I writ Letters to the Duke of Buckingham into France May 30. I went to Chelsey to the Dutches of Buckingham June 5. I received Letters from the Duke of Buckingham out of France I answered them the next morning June 12. Queene Mary passing the Seas arrived on our shore about seaven of the Clocke in the afternoone GOD grant shee may bee an Evening and happie Starre to our world June 25. All the Bishops which were then present were brought in to kisse the Queenes hand Shee received Us with highest savour July 3. King James appeared to me in Dreames I saw him only swiftly passing by Hee was of a cheerfull and serene countenance In the passage he saw mee beckned to me smiled and suddainly was withdrawne out of my sight Iuly 7. 1625. Richard Mountague was brought into the lower House of Parliament c. July 9. Saturday it pleased most Excellent King Charles to intimate to that House that those things which were there spoken and determined concerning Mountague without his Privitie did not please him Iuly 11. The Parliament was translated to Oxford by reason of the plague Iuly 13. I went into the Countrie to the House of my most deare Friend Francis Windebanke As I was traveling thither Richard Mountague casually met me I was the first who certified him of the Kings favour towards him Iuly 31. I fell I knew not how in the Parlour at Saint Iohns Colledge in Oxford and hurt my left Shoulder and Huckle-bone August 21. I staied at Brecon in Wales that night in a Dreame the Duke of Buckingham seemed to me to ascend into my bed where he carried himselfe with much love towards mee after such rest wherein wearied men are wont exceedingly to rejoyce And likewise many seemed to mee to enter the Chamber who did see this Not many dayes before I seemed to see the Dutches of Buckingham that Excellent Lady in a Dream at first she was much perplexed about her Husband but afterwards merry and rejoycing that she was freed from the feare of abortion that in due time she might be a mother again Aug. 24. My Coach was twice overturned the first time I was in it the later it was emptie Decemb. 4. I was very much troubled by Dreames The Duke of Buckingham his servants and family wholly tooke mee up All things were not well ordered The Dutchesse being ill calls out her maids and goeth to bed Det Deus meliora Septem. 11. I dreamed that Dr. Theodore Price admonished me concerning Ma and that he was unfaithfull towards me and revealed all things which he knew and that I should beware of him and no more c. Afterwards I dreamed of Sacke Croe that he was dead of the Plague when as he had not been long with the King Septem. 26. I Dreamed of the marriage of I knew not whom at Oxford all present flourished with greene garments I knew none but Thomas Flaxney presently after without any wakening that I know of I saw the Bishop of Worcester having his head covered with linnen clothes He friendly perswaded me that I would dwell with them at the place where the Marches of Wales was then kept but not expecting my answer himselfe answered that hee knew I could not live so meanely Nov. 17. Charles the Duke of Buckinghams sonne writes hee was borne whom God blesse with all the good things of Heaven and earth Janu. 4. and 23. I met to consult of the Ceremonies of the Kings Coronation And in January hee compiled the booke for the Kings Coronation wherein hee altered the Coronation Oath executed the Office of the Deane of Westminster at the Coronation instead of Dr. Williams then Deane of Westminster Bishop of Lincolne and Lord Keeper of the Great Seale whom the King would not admit to be present at the Ceremonies of his Coronation Ianu. 29. I understood what the Duke of Buckingham collected King Charles had determined with himselfe concerning the Cause Booke and opinions of Richard Mountague I seeme to see a Cloud arising and threatning the Church of England God for his mercy dissipate it Febr. 6. I preached before the King and Nobles at the beginning of the Parliament Feb. 11. 17. There was a Conference at the Duke of Buckinghams in the presence of many Noble men about Mountagues Appeale and his Popish and Arminian Tenents therein broached Bishop Morton and Doctor Preston opposing them and he with Doctor White defending them Febr. 21. The Duke of Buckingham writes he sent for me to come to him then hee gave mee in command that c. Febr. 21. I sought the Duke at Chelsey There I first saw his late borne heire CHARLES but not finding the Duke I returned home where I found his servant seeking me I hastened with him and found him in the Court I related what I had done Feb. 14. I was with the Duke at his House almost three houres where with his owne hand c. He commanded me that I should adde some thing I obeyed his command and brought it the next day March 1. Being Saint Davids day there began a clamour in the lower House of Parliament against the Duke of Bukingham by name for staying a Ship called the St. Peter of Newhaven after sentence pronounced from that day there were perpetuall agitations in that House March 11. Docter Turner a Physition propounded in the House seaven questions commonly called Queres against the Duke of Buckingham yet grounded on no other foundation then what hee received as hee said from publike fame An. 1626. March 26. Sunday the Duke of Buckingham sent mee to the King there I acquainted the King with 2. busines which c. The most Gratious King gave me thankes March 29. King Charles made a speech to both Houses of Parliament both by himselfe and by the most Honourable Lord Keeper of the Great Seale in the Palace of White-Hall He reproved the Lower House for many
tamen haud multum fido August 19. Friday I was in great hazard of breaking my right Legge August 19. Munday King Charles and Queene Mary entered Oxford being to be there entertained by me as Chauncellor of the Vniversity August 30. on Tuesday I entertained them at Saint Iohns Colledge It was Saint Felix his day and all passed happily Charles Prince Elector Palatin and his Brother Prince Rupertus was there these two were presented in Convocation and with other Nobles were made Masters of Arts Wednesday August 31. they left Oxford and I returned home-wards the day after having first entertaind all the heads of Houses together October 14. Friday night I dreamed marvelously that the King was offended with me and would cast me off and tell me no cause why Avertat Deus for cause I have given none November 20. Sunday night my fearefull dreame Master Cob brought me word c. December 24. Saturday night Christmas Eve that night I dreamed I went to seâ—â—e M. St. and found him with his Mother sitting in the roome it was a faire Chamber he went away and I went after but missed him and after tyred my selfe extreamly but neither could I find him nor so much as the house againe March 30. 1637. Thursday I Christened the Lady Princesse Anne King Charles his second Daughter shee was borne on Friday March 17 Iune 10. my book of Records in the Tower which concerned the Clergy and which I caused to be collected and written in Vellam was brought me finished T is ab A. 20. Ed. 1. ad An. 14. Ed. 4. Iune 14. This day Io. Bastwicke Doctor of Physicke Henry Burton Batchellor of Divinity and William Prynne Barrester at Law Were censured for their libells against the Hierarchy of the Church Iune 26. The speech J then spake in the Starre Chamber was commanded by the King to be Printed And it came out Iune 25. Iune 26. This day Munday the Prince Elector and his brother Prince Rupert began their Journey towards the Sea side to returne for Holland Iune 30. Friday The above named three Libellers lost their Eares Iuly 7. Friday a note was brought to me of a short Libell pasted on the Crosse in Cheapside That the Arch-bishop of Canterbury had his hand in persecuting the Saints and shedding the blood of the Martyrs Memento for the last of Iune Tuesday July 11. Doctor Williams L. Bishop of Lincolne was Censured in the Star-Chamber for tampering and corrupting of witnesses in the Kings cause Iuly 24. being Munday he was suspended by the High Commission c. August 3. Thursday I married Iames Duke of Lennox to the Lady Mary Villars sole Daughter to the Lord Duke of Buckingham the Mariage was in my Chappell at Lambeth the day raynie the King present August 23. Wednesday my Lord Major sent me a Libell found by the watch at the South-Gate of Paules That the Devill had left that house to me c. Aug. 25. Friday another Libell brought to me by an Officer of the High Commission fastned to the Northgate of Saint Pauls That the Government of the Church of England is a Candle in the snuffe going out in a stench The same day at night my Lord Major sent me another Libell hanged upon the Standard in Cheapside My Speech in the Starr-Chamber set in a kinde of Pillery c. Tuesday Aug. 29. Another short Libell against me in verse Sunday Oct. 22. A great noise about the perverting of the Lady New-port Speech of it at the Councell my free speech there to the King concerning the increasing of the Roman partie the freedom of Denmarke House the cariage of Mr. Walter Mountague and Sir Toby Mathew The Queene acquainted with all I said the very night and highly displeased with me and so continues Decem. 12. Tuesday I had speech with the Queene a good space and all about the businesse of Master Mountague but we parted faire Aprill 29. 1638. The tumults in Scotland about the Service-Booke offerd to bee brought in began July 23. 1637. And continued increasing by fitts and hath now brought that Kingdome in danger No question but there is a great concurrence between them and the Puritan partie in England a great ayme there to destroy mee in the Kings opinion c. May 26. Saturday James Lord Marquis Hamilton set forth as the Kings Commissioner to appease the tumults in Scotland God prosper him for God and the King June My visitation then began of Merton Colledge in Oxford by my visitors was adjourned to my own hearing against and upon Oct. 2. Oct. 2.3 4. I sate upon this busines these 3. dayes and adjourned it to July 1. Inter horas primam tertiam Lambeth The Warden appeared very soule Oct. 19. News was brought to us as we sate in the Star-Chamber that the Queen-Mother of France was landed at Harwitch Many and great apprehentions upon this busines Oct. 31. The Queen-Mother came into London and so to St. Jamses Nov. 13. The agreement between me and A.S. c. November 21. Wednesday the Generall Assembly in Scotland began to sit November 29. Thursday the Proclamation issued out for dissolving of the great Assembly in Scotland under paine of Treason Decemb. 20. They sate notwithstanding and made many strange Acts till December 20. which was Thursday And then they rose But have indicted another Assembly against July next Feb. 10. My booke against Fisher the Jesuite was printed and this day being Sunday I delivered a Coppy to His Majestie Tuesday Feb. 12. That night I Dreamed that K. C. was to bee married to a ministers Widdow And that I was called upon to do it no Service-Booke could bee found and in my owne booke which I had I could not finde the Order for Marriage Wednesday Coronation day March 27. 1639. King Charles tooke his journey Northward against the Scottish Covenanting Rebells God of his infinite mercy blesse him with health and successe Aprill 3. Wensday Before the Kings going I setled with him a great businesse for the Queene which I understood she would never move for her selfe The Queene gave me great thankes And this day I waited purposely on her to give her thankes for her Gratious acceptance she was pleased to be very free with me and to promise mee freedome Aprill 29. Munday This day the King went from Yorke towards New-Castle but stayes at Durham for a weeke at least May 28. His Majesty incamped two myles West from Barwick by Tweade June 4. Whitsun-Tuesday as I was going to doe my duty to the Queene an Officer of the Lord Majors met me and delivered mee two very seditious papers the one to the Lord Major and Aldermen The other to excite the Apprentices c. both subscribed by John Lilburne a prisoner in the Fleete sentensed in the Starre-Chamber c. June 5. Wednesday I delivered both these to the Lords of the Councell Saturday June 15. Munday June 17. The Peace concluded
A BREVIATE OF THE LIFE OF VVilliam Laud Arch-bishop of Canterbury Extracted for the most part Verbatim out of his owne Diary and other WRITINGS under His owne Hand Collected and published at the speciall instance of sundry Honourable Persons as a necessary Prologue to the History of His Tryall for which the Criminall part of His LIFE is specially reserved By William Prynne of Lincolnes Inne Esquier PROV. 10.7 28 29. The memory of the Just is blessed but the Name of the Wicked shall Rot. The hope of the Upright shall be gladnesse but the expectation of the Wicked shall perish The way of the Lord is strength to the Upright but destruction shall be to the Workers of Iniquity IT is Ordered this sixteenth day of August 1644. By the Committee of the House of Commons Assembled in Parliament concerning Printing that this Booke intituled A Breviate of the Life of William Laud c. bee printed by Michaell Sparke Senior JOHN VVHITE LONDON Printed by F. L. for Michaell Sparke Senior and are to bee sold at the Blew-Bible in Green-Arbour 1644. To the Right Honourable Lords and COMMONS now Assembled IN PARLIAMENT HAving formerly presented Your Honorable Assembly with a large Historicall Collection of the severall Execrable Treasons Conspiracies Rebellions Seditions Oppressions Antimonarchicall practises of our Lordly Prelates in all former and late ages in my Antipathy of the English Lordly Prelacy both to Regall Monarchy and Civill Vnitie which gave a fatall blow to the Prelaticall partie I thereupon conjectured my Domesticall Collections of that nature had arrived at a Non ultra But the Death of some eminent Members of the Commons House principally interessed in the Archbishops prosecution inevitably engaging me at a dead lift through the Committees request to make good the grand Charge against this Arch-Prelate and bring him to his long expected Tryall a trouble which I gladly would have declined thereupon the Importunity of diverse Honourable Friends in both Houses whom I could not deny hath beyond expectation in the midst of many other distracting occasions imposed on me this further Trouble of collecting the ensuing Breviate of his Life abstracted for the most part word for word out of his owne Diary and Papers which being a necessary Prologue to the much desired History of his Tryall wherein his Crimes here pretermitted will appeare in their proper Colours was conceived to bee a fitter Fore-runner then Concomitant of it There was one speciall consideration which for a time did somewhat disswade me from this service to wit a misconstruction which some no doubt will make of my publications in this kinde as if they proceeded meerly or principally from malice or revenge of former Injuries and Cruelties inflicted on me by this Archbishops means But my own Conscience and forbearance to meddle with his Prosecution till publikely called and necessitated thereunto acquitting me from any such imputation and the never sufficiently admired Providence of my ever-Gracious God in preserving me safe in the midst of all former troubles imprisonments sufferings reducing me in safetie by an Omnipotent hand beyond all expectation of Friends and Enemies even with honour and triumph from my long close imprisonment and exile in forraigne parts to which this Arch-Prelate had eternally designed me without hopes of Redemption and since that in selecting me above all others by publike authoritie contrary to my inclination and desire to bee both the seizer and peruser of his papers prosecuter of his long delayed Tryall the protraction whereof by many adorable providences was one principall meanes of making good his charge though at first it seemed to disable its proofe I could not in pursuance of this most remarkable worke of Providence but most cheerfully proceed in this imposed Imployment notwithstanding all other Discouragements Impediments which being brought to this perfection I humbly commend to the publike view of the world under your Honours most Noble Patronage to whom I most humbly present it only with this one most Iust and Equitable Request which I beseech You seriously to lay to heart It was once a Proverb but now a sad Complaint that great bodies have very slow motions alas many experimentally feele its verity There are to my knowledg some hundreds of pious Christians quite ruined or much impaired in their fortunes by the Tyrannie and Injustice of this oppressing Arch-Prelate and his Confederates who at the beginning of this Parliament became humble Suitors to it for Reliefe and Reparation of their Dammages Their causes therupon were then to their great expence fully heard and voted at severall Committees many of them reported in the Houses their unjust sentences there ordered to be vacated yea speedy Recompences of their losses Dammages then promised expected But yet now at last after two or three years tedious expectation and sollicitation their sufferings * causes losses are almost quite forgotten themselves like dead men out of mind whom we remember no more farther from any hopes of reliefe then ever being so remote from receiving satisfaction for their wrongs that they still lye under the power of their former illegall Sentences Bressures And if times should alter their Witnesses or Oppressours dye or miscarry as many of them have done or themselves depart this life before their Causes fully determined they and theirs should be left altogether remedilesse and utterly ruined without redresse Now I humbly beseech Your Honours sadly to consider on the one side what an heart-breaking and grand Discouragement it wil be not only to these present Sufferers but to all others in future times to become publike Martyrs for their Country or Religion and on the other side what a great Encouragement it will prove to Tyrants Oppressors in present and future times to exercise all manner of Cruelties and Iniustice if the remedy shall prove almost as bad as the disease and poore oppressed Suppliants in the highest degree find either no reliefe at all or such slow redresse of their grievances as shall quite weare out their patience and remainder of their decaied estates and that even in Parliaments where remedies in former times were most speedy certaine and their Oppressors such Dilatory proceedings against them as shal be equivalent to Impunity and exempt both them their heirs and Executors from rendring Competent dammages to those they have oppressed I confesse the great publicke pressing Occasions Warres and Distractions in all our Realms have bin the chiefe Remora to Your desired speedy reliefe of oppressed Suitors Your punishment of Delinquents and may pleade your just excuse But yet I humbly supplicate You most Noble Senators so farre to commiserate the long unredressed Grievances of these afflicted ones as now at last to allot some vacant dayes each weeke for the finall determination of their discontinued almost forgotten Complaints that they and theirs may not have cause hereafter to lament A failer of Iustice even in the supremest Court of Iustice the undelaied execution whereof both in
betweene the King and the Scottish Rebells God make it safe and Honourable to the King and the Kingdome Jun. 28. Friday I sent the remainder of my Manuscripts to Oxford being in number 576. and about 100. of them were Hebrew Greeke Arabicke and Persian I had formerly sent them above 700. Volumes Aug. 1. Thursday His Majestie came backe from his Northerne Journey to Theobalds and to White-Hall on Saturday Aug. 3. Many varieties since the Assembly held and ended in Scotland The Bishops thrust out the Parliament there sitting Oct. 11. and 12. Friday and Saturday the Spanish Navie was set upon by the Hollanders in the Downes The fight began to be hot when they were past Dover They were in all neare 60. Sayle The Spaniards suffered much in that fight not without our dishonour that they should begin the fight there But this is one of the effects of the Scottish dareings Munday December 2. A. Sh My Chirurgion in trust gave me great and unexpected ease in my great infirmitie But after the weakenesse continued Thursday Decemb. 5. The King declared His resolution for a Parliament in case of the Scottish Rebellion The first movers to it were my Lord Deputie of Ireland my L. M. Hamilton and my selfe And a resolution voted at the boord to assist the King in extraordinary wayes if the Parliament should prove peevish and refuse c. Friday Janu. 24. At night I dreamed that my Father who dyed 46. yeares since came to me and to my thinking he was as well and as cheerfull as ever I saw him He asked mee what I did there And after some speech I asked him how long hee would stay with me he answered he would stay till he had me along with him I am not moved with Dreames yet I thought fit to remember this Janu. 26. Sunday I received the Queenes Gracious assurance of Her favour in the businesse which His Majestie had committed to me with othess Aprill 13. 1640. Munday The Parliament sate downe called about the Rebellion of Scotland Aprill 14. Tuesday The Convocation began at Saint Paules Aprill 28. Friday The hot contestation in the Lords House which should have praecedence the Kings supply or the Subjects greivances voted in the upper house for the King May 5. Thursday The Parliament ended and nothing done the Convocation continued May 9. Saturday A paper pasted upon the Old Exchange animating Prentises to sacke my house upon the Munday following early May 11. Munday night at midnight my house at Lambeth was beset with 500 persons of the Rascall Routous multitude I had notice strengthened the house as well as I cold God be blessed I had no harme since I have got Canons fortified my house as well as I can hope all may be safe But yet Libells are continually set up in all places of note in the City May 21. Thursday One of the Chiefe being taken was condemned at Southwark hanged quartered on Saturday morning following May 13. but before this May 15. some of these mutinus people came in the day time and brake the White-Lyon Prison and let loose their fellowes both out of that Prison and the Kings Bench and the other Prisoners also out of the White-Lyon May 29. Friday The Convocation sate after the ending of the Parliament till May 29. and then ended having made in that time 17. Canons which I hope will be usefull to the Church May 29. The Bishop of Glocester Godfrey Goodman suspended for notorious scandall to the Church in refusing First to subscribe to the Canons and after to professe a reservation Hee had long before beene suspected as inclining to popery The Canons were all Voted Nemine Dissentiente Save this Bishop who had in generall consented before July 10. Friday I tooke my Oath to the new Canons at the Councell Table and so did my Lord Bishop of London and after him the Bishop of Glocester submitted himselfe and tooke the Oath and was released out of prison by the Kings command July 22. I Christned the Kings young sonne Henry at Oatlands the Queene was there happily delivered of him on Wednesday July 8. being the day of the solemn Fast about 6. of the Clocke in the Evening Aug. 20. Thursday His Majestie took his journey towards the North in hast upon information that the Scots were entred the Munday before into England and ment to be at New-Castle by Saturday Aug. 22. Saturday a Libell was brought mee found in Coven-Garden animating the Apprentices and Souldiers to fall upon mee in the Kings absence Septem. 21. I received a Letter from one Iohn Rocket a name and person unknowne to me He was among the Scotts as he travelled through the Bishopricke of Durham he heard them enveigh and raile at me exceedingly and they hoped shortly to see me as the Duke was slaine by one least suspected His Letter and advise to me to looke to my selfe Sept. 24. A great Councell of the Lords were called by the King to York to consider what way was best to be taken to get out the Scotts and this day the meeting began at Yorke and continued till October 28. Octo. 22. Thursday the High Commission sitting at Saint Pauls because of the troubles of the times very neere 2000. Brownists made a tumult at the end of the Court toare downe all the Benches in the Consistorie And cryed out they would have no Bishop nor no High Commission October 22. Tuesday Simon and Judes Eve I went into my upper studdie to see some Manuscripts which I was sending to Oxford In that studdie hung my picture taken by the life and comming in I found it fallen downe upon the face and lying on the flowre the string being broken by which it was hanged against the wall I am almost every day threatned with my Ruine in Parliament God grant this be no OMEN Tuesday the Parliament began the King did not ride but went by water to kings staires and thorough Westminster Hall to the Church and so to the House Wednesday the Convocation began at Saint Paules Wednesday Thomas Viscount Wentworth Earle of Strafford accused to the Lords by the House of Commons for high Treason and restrained to the Vsher of the House Wednesday November 22. He was sent to the Tower December 2. Wednesday a great debate in the House that no Bishop should be so much as of the Committee for preparatory Examinations in this Cause as accounted Causa sanguinis put of till the next day December 3. Thursday the debate declined Friday December 4. The King gave way that His Councell should be examined upon Oath in the Earle of Straffords Case I was examined this day Wednesday Decem. 16. The Canons condemned in the House of Commons as being against the Kings Prerogative the fundamentall Lawes of the Realme the libertie and proprietie of the Subject and containing diverse other things tending to sedition and of dangerous consequence Vpon
point of Reliefe and Punishment hath beene the chiefe support of Our Parliaments Honour and of the peoples love and assistance to Parliaments It is one of the principall clauses in * Magna Charta wch Our Ancestors and your Honours have so much contended for and we all have lately Covenanted to maintaine viz. We shall deny NOR DEFERRE TO NO MAN IVSTICE OR RIGHT Let it therfore be put in present reall execution that so none may have cause to take up this mournfull complaint of Solomon I returned and considered all the Oppressions that are done under the Sun and beheld the teares of such as were Oppressed and they had no Comforter Wherefore I praised he dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive c. And this through Gods blessing will bee the speediest way to put a period to our Wars Distractions Grievances and gaine Your Honours highest Reputation Grace Favour with God and all good men Now the good God strengthen both Your hearts and hands to execute speedy * Iustice and Iudgement for all that are oppressed that the man of the earth may no more oppresse and Crowne all your publike Councells Enterprises with such happie successe as may occasion all succeeding Generations to blesse God for You as the best-deserving Parliament ever yet Assembled which is the Cordiall Prayer of Your Honours most devoted SERVANT William Prynne A BREVIATE Of the LIFE of WJLLJAM LAVD Archbishop of CANTERBVRIE Extracted out of his owne DIARIE BEfore any entrance made into the relation of the Impeachment or Triall of the Archbishop of Canterburie it will bee neither impertinent nor unnecessary to present the World with a Summary of his life extracted for the most part out of his owne Diary written with his own hand and found in his Pocket upon search of his Chamber in the Tower May 31. 1643. Some passages whereof objected against him at his Triall are here totally omitted and reserved for their proper place to avoyd Repetitions HEE was borne at Redding in Barkshire Octob. 7. 1573. of poore and obscure Patents in a Cottage just over against the Cage which Cage since his comming to the Arch-bishopricke of Canterbury upon complaint of Master Elveston that it was a dishonour the Cage should be suffered to stand so neare the House where so great a Royall Favourite and Prelate had his birth was removed to some other place and the Cottage pulled downe and new built by the Bishop In his Infancie he was like to perish of a disease as he writes but that God reserved him to be a future scourge yea plague to this Church and STATE and for another kinde of Death July 1589. Hee came a poore Scholler to Oxford June 1590. hee was chosen a Scholler of Saint John Baptists Colledge June 1593. hee was admitted a Fellow thereof June 1594. hee proceeded Batcheler of Arts and July 1589. Master of Arts June 4. 1600. He was made Deacon and Aprill 5. 1601. he was made a Priest by Doctor Young Bishop of Rochester Anno 1602. He read a Divinitie Lecture in Saint Johns Colledge maintained by Mistris May May 4. 1603. He was chosen Proctor of the Universitie and on September third next ensuing hee became Chaplaine to the Earle of Devonshire which after proved his great happinesse and gave him hopes of greater preferments as himselfe records July 1604. He proceeded Batchelour in Divinitie His supposition when he answered in the Divinitie Schooles for this degree concerning the efficacie of Baptisme was taken verbatim out of Bellarmine and he then maintained there could bee no true Church without Diocesan Bishops for which Doctor Holland then Doctor of the Chaire openly reprehended him in the Schooles for a seditious person who would un-Church the reformed Protestant Churches beyond the Seas and sow division betweene us and them who were brethren by this novell popish position Decem. 26. 1605. He being the Earle of Devonshires Chaplaine married this Earle to the Lady Rich another mans Wife at Wansteed in Essex which day he puts into the Catalogue of dayes of speciall observance to him both in his Diary and the Manuscript booke of his private devotions October 26. 1606. Docter Ayry of Queenes Colledge questioned him for a Sermon then preached by him at Saint Maries as conteining sundry scandalous and popish passages in it Novem. 16. 1607. He was invested into the Vicarage of Stanford in Northamptonshire Anno 1608. He proceeded Doctor in Divinitie and that yeare August 5. he was made Chaplaine to Doctor Neale then Bishop of Rochester Septem. 17. 1609. he preached his first Sermon to King James at Theobalds October 28. 1609. he was inducted into West-Tilburie in Essex for which he exchanged his Advowson of North-Kilworth in Leicestershire to be neare his Lord of Rochester Dr. Neale who on May 25. 1610. gave him the Rectory of Cuckston in Kent October 2. 1610. He resigned his fellowship in Saint Johns Colledge in Oxford and the same moneth fell sicke of a kentish Ague caught at his new benefice which held him two moneths whereupon he left Cuckston and Novem. 1610. was inducted into Norton by Proxy In the midst of this sicknesse the suite about the Presidentship of Saint Johns began in which there was great Towsing Christmas 1610. The Lord Chancellour Elsmeer complained against him to King James being incited thereunto by Docter Abbot then Archbishop of Canterburie as he writes who alwayes opposed him as foreseeing he would prove a dangerous fire-brand both in Church and State and a bitter Enemy to the Protestant Religion being then commonly reputed in Oxford a man cordially addicted to Poperie and a Papist in heart keeping companny with those who were most Popishly affected May 10. 1611. Hee was chosen President of Saint Johns Colledge by one casting voyce after much canvasing which election was questioned and heard for three houres space before King James at Tichburne August 29. being the day of beheading Saint John Baptist Novem. 3. Hee was sworne the Kings Chaplaine April 18. 1614. Doctor Neale Bishop of Lincolne gave him the Prebend of Bugden and after that the Arch-Deaconrie of Huntington Decemb. 1. 1615. Nov. 1616. King James gave him the Deanerie of Glocester and in March following he set forward with the King into Scotland and returned a little before him August 2. 1617. hee was inducted into Ibstocke in Leicestershire in his returne from Scotland Iune 1618. He set up a great Organ in Saint Johns Chappell and April 2d 1619 He fell suddainly dead for a time at Wickham in his returne from London to Oxford Ian. 22. 1620. He was installed Prebend of Westminster having had the advouson of it ten yeares before June 3. 1622. He writes thus in his Diarie The Kings Gracious speech unto mee concerning my long service He was pleased to say Hee had given me nothing but Glocester which