that the Clergy ingrossed all Secular Offices and thereupon presented the insuing Petition to the King according to this effect insisting only in the substance thereof 42. And because that in this present Parliament it was declared to our Lord the King 45 by all the Earls 1370 Barons Ex Rot. Parl. in Turr. Lond. in 45. Ed. tertii and Commons of England that the Government of the Kingdom hath been performed for a long time by the men of Holy Church which are not * Justifiables in the French Originals 〈◊〉 whether whether not able to do justice or not to be justified in their imployment as improper for it justifiable in all cases whereby great mischiefs and damages have happened in times past and more may happen in time to come in disheriting of the Crown and great prejudice of the Kingdom for divers causes that a man may declare that it will please our said Lord the King Anno Dom. 1370 that the Laymen of the said Kingdom which are sufficient and able of estate Anno Regis Ed. tertii 45. may be chosen for this and that no other person be hereafter made Chancelour Treasurer Clerk of the Privy Seale Barons of the Exchequer Chamberlains of the Exchequer Controler and all other great Officers and Governours of the said Kingdom and that this thing be now in such manner established in form aforesaid that by no way it may be defeated or any thing done to the contrary in any time to come Saving alwaies to our Lord the King the Election and removing of such Officers but that alwaies they be Lay-men such as is abovesaid 43. To this Petition the King returned The Answer in effect a denial that he would ordain upon this point as it shall best seem to him by the advice of his good Councel He therefore who considereth the present power of the Clergy at the Councel-Table will not wonder if all things remained in their former Condition till the Nobility began more openly to favour John Wickliff his Opinions which the next Book God willing shall relate 44. We will close this with a Catalogue of the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury Simon Mepham Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Contemporary with King Edward the third and begin with Simon Mepham made Arch-Bishop in the first year of his reign so that the Crown and the Mitre may seem in some sort to have started together only here was the odds the King was a young yea scarce a man whereas the Arch-Bishop was well stricken in years Hence their difference in holding out the King surviving to see him buried and six more whereof four Simons inclusively heart-broken as they say with grief For when John Grandison Bishop of Exeter making much noise with his Name but more with his Activity refused to be visited by him the Pope siding with the Bishop Mepham so resented it that it cost him his life 45. John Stratford was the second John Sratford his successor Consecrated first Bishop of Winchester on the Lords day whereon it was solemnly sung many are the afflictions of the Righteous whereof he was very apprehensive then and more afterwards when his own experience had proved a Comment thereon Yet this might comfort him whilst living and make others honour his memory that a good Conscience without any great crime generally caused his molestation For under King Edward the second he suffered for being too loyall a Subject siding with the King against the Queen and her Son and under King Edward the third he was molested for being too faithfull a Patriot namely in pittying his poor Countreymens taxations for which he was accused for correspondency with the French and complying with the Pope Pope and King of France then blowing in one Trumpet whereat King Edward was highly incensed 46. However Stratford did but say what thousands thought His last his best dayes viz. that a peace with France was for the profit of England especially as proffered upon such honourable conditions This the Arch-Bishop was zealous for upon a threefold accompt First of Pietie to save the effusion of more Christian blood Secondly of Policie suspecting successe that the tide might turn and what was suddenly gotten might be as suddenly lost Thirdly on Charity sympathizing with the sad condition of his fellow Subjects groaning under the burthen of Taxes to maintain an unnecessary war For England sent over her wealth into France to pay their victorious Souldiers and received back again honour in exchange whereby our Nation became exceeding proud and exceeding poor However the end as well as the beginning of the Psalm was verified of this Arch-Bishop the Lord delivereth them out of all dying in great honour and good esteem with the King a strong argument of his former innocence 47. The third was Tho. Bradwardine Tho. Bradwardine the third Arch-bishop whose election was little lesse then miraculous For Commonly the King refused whom the Monks chose the Pope rejected whom the Monks and King did elect whereas all interests met in the choise of Bradwardine Yea which was more the Pope as yet not knowing that the Monks and the King had pre-elected him of his own accord as by supernaturall instinct appointed Bradwardine for that place who little thought thereon Thus Omne tulit punctum and no wonder seeing he mingled his profitable Doctrines with a sweet and amiable conversation Camden in Eliz. indeed he was skilled in School Learning which one properly calleth Spinosa Theologia and though some will say can figgs grow on thorns yet his thorny Divinity produced much sweet devotion 48. He was Confessor to king Edward the third whose miraculous victories in France The best Arch-Bishop of that See some impute more to this mans devout prayers Then either to the Policy or Prowess of the English Nation He died before he was inthronized few moneths after his consecration though now advanced on a more Glorious and durable Throne in Heaven where he hath received the Crown from God who here defended the * He wrote de Causae Dei Cause of God I behold him as the most pious man who from Anselm not to say Augustine to Cranmer sat on that Seat And a better St. Thomas though not sainted by the Pope then one of his predecessors commonly so called 49. Simon Islip was the fourth Simon Islip next Arch-Bishop a parcimonious but no avaricious man thrifty whilst living therefore clandestinely Inthronized and when dead secretly interred without any solemnity Yet his frugality may be excused if not commended herein because he reserved his estate for good uses founding Canterbury Colledge in Oxford Excipe Merton Colledge Thus generally Bishops founders of many Colledges therein denominated them either from that Saint to whom they were dedicated or from their See as Exeter Canterbury Durham Lincoln putting thereby a civil obligation on their Successors to be as Visitors so Benefactors thereunto This Canterbury Colledge is now
examin all the Lords in Parliament as well Spiritual as Temporal severally and all the States of the Parliament how they think of the cases aforesaid which be so openly against the Kings Crown and in derogation of his Regalitie and how they will stand in the same cases with our Lord the King in upholding the rights of the said Crown and Regalitie Whereupon the Lords Temporal so demanded have answered everie one by himself that the cases aforesaid be clearly in derogation of the Kings Crown and of his Regalitie as it is well known and hath been of along time known and that they will be with the same Crown and Regalitie in these cases especially and in all other cases which shall be attempted against the same Crown and Regality in all points with all their power And moreover it was demanded of the Lords Spiritual there being and the procurators of others being absent their advise and will in all these cases which Lords that is to say the Arch-Bishops Bishops and other Prelates being in the said Parliament severally examined making protestations that it is not their minde to denie nor affirm that the Bishop of Rome may not Excommunicate Bishops nor that he may make translation of that if any Execution of Processes made in the Kings Court as before be made by any and censures of Excommunication to be made against any Bishops of England or any other of the Kings liege people for that they have made execution of such commandments and that if any executions of such translations be made of any Prelates of the same Realm which Prelates be very profitable and necessarie to our said Lord the King and to his said Realm or that the sage people of his Councel without his assent and against his will be removed and carried out of the Realm so that the substance and treasure of the Realm may be consumed that the same is against the King and his Crown as it is contained in the petition before named And likewise the same procurators every one by himself examined upon the said matters have answered and said in the name and for their Lords as the said Bishops have said and answered and that the said Lords Spiritual will and ought to be with the King in these cases in lawfully maintaining of his Crown and in all other cases touching his Crown and his Regalitie as they be bound by their Liegeance Whereupon our said Lord the King by the assnt aforesaid and at the request of his said Commons hath ordained and established that if any purchase or pursue or cause to be purchased or pursued in the Court of Rome or elsewhere any such translations processes sentences of Excommunications Bulls Instruments or any other things whatsoever which touch the King against him his Crown and his Regalitie or his Realm as is aforesaid and they which bring within the Realm or them receive or make thereof notification or any other execution whatsoever within the same Realm or without that they their notaries procurators maintainers abbettors fantors and councellors shall be put out of the Kings protection and their Lands and Tenements Goods and Chattels forfeit to our Lord the King and that they be attached by their bodies if they may be found and brought before the King and his Councel there to answer to the cases aforesaid or that process be made against them by Praemunire facias in manner as it is ordained in other Statutes of Provisors and other which do sue in any other Court in derogation of the Regality of our Lord the King 43. Something of the occasion The occasion of this Statute name and use of this Statute the first is notoriously known from the Papal encroachments on the crown No Bishoprick Abathie Dignitie or Rectorie of value in England was likely to fall but a successour in reversion was by the Popes provisions fore-appointed for the same To make sure work rather then they would adventure to take the place at the first rebound Anno Dom. 1392. they would catch it before it light on the ground Anno Regis Ric. 2 16. This was imputed to the Popes abundance yea superfluity of care 〈◊〉 â—etur vacuum in the Church and rather then a Widow Benefice should mourn it self to death a second husband had his License for marriage before the former was deceased But great parishes where small the profit and numorous the people and where indeed greatest care ought to be had of their soules were past by in the Popes Bulls His Holiness making no provisions for those Livings which Livings had no provisions for his Holiness 35. Some will have it called Praemunire Why called Praemunire from fencing or fortifying the Regal power from forain assaults as indeed this was one of the best bulworks and sconces of Soveraignty Others that Praemunire signifieth the Crown fortified before the making of this Statute as fixing no new force therein but onely declaring a precedent and forgoing just right and due thereof Others conceive the word Praemonere turned by corruption of barbarous transcribers interpreters and pronouncers into Praemunire Others alledg the figure of the effect for the cause and the common Proverb Praemonitus Praemunitus Most sure it is that Praemunire sacias are operative words in the form of the Writ grounded on the Statute which may give denomination to the whole 36. It may seem strange such a Statute could pass in Parliament where almost sixty Spiritual Barons Popes covetousness odious to the Clergy Bishops and Abbots Voted according to Papal Interest except any will say that such who formerly had much of a Pope in their bellies had now more of Patriots in their breast being weary of Romes exactions Indeed no man in place of power or profit loves to behold himself buried alive by seeing his successour assigned unto him which caused all Clergy-men to hate such superinductions and many friends to the Pope were foes to his proceedings therein 37. This Law angred all the veines in the heart of his Holiness The Popes Letter against this Statute the Statute of Mortmain put him into a sweat but this into the sit of a fever The former concerned him onely mediately in the Abbies his darlings this touched him in his person and how cholerick he was will appear by the following Letter here inserted though written some fifty years after to make the story entire MArtinus Episcopus The Original of this Bill was in the Study of Sir Nichol. Bacon L. C ancellor whence the Arch-Bish of Armagh had this his Copy from which that of S Robert Cottons is derived servus servorum Dei 1393. Dilecto filio nobili viro Jobanni 16 Duct Bedsord Salutem Apostolicam Benedictionem Quamvis dudum in regno Anghae jurisdictio Romanae Ecclesiae liberatas Ecclesiastica suerit oppressa vigore illius Execrabilis Statuti quod omni divinae humanae rationi contrarium est Tamen adhuc non
whthout knots tied thereon ready to disburse such summes as should be demanded Indeed the Clergie now contributed much money to the King having learned the Maxime commended in the Comedian b Terent Adelph Pecuniam in loco negligere maxumum interdum est lucrum And perceiving on what ticklish termes their state stood were forced to part with a great proportion thereof to secure the rest c Vide infrà in hist of Abbeys lib. 2. cap. 1. the Parliament now shrewdly pushing at their temporal possessions For although in the first year of King Henry the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland came from him to the Clergie with a complement that the King onely d Antiq. Brit. pag. 273. Harpsfield hist Ang. pag. 618. out of whom the following table of Synods is composed desired their prayers and none of their money Kingdoms have their honey-moon when new Princes are married unto them yet how much afterwards he received from them the ensuing draught of Synods summoned in his dayes doth present Place President Preacher Text. Money granted the King The other Acts thereof 1. Saint Pauls in London The Prior and Chapter of Canterbury in the Arch-Bishops absence William Bishop of Rochester Cor meum diligit Principes Israel Nothing at this time but the Clergies prayers required The King at the request of the Universities promised to take order with the Popes Provisions 1399 provensions 1. that so learned men might be advanc'd St Gregory his day made holy 2. Saint Pauls in London 2 Thomas Arundel 1400  A Tenth and half For a single Tenth was first profered him and he refused it Nothing else of moment passed save Sautres condamnation 3. Ibidem 4 Idem 1402.  At the instance of the Earl of Somerset of Lord Ross the Treasurer a Tenth was granted The Clergy renewed their Petition of Right to the King that they should not be proceeded aganist by temporal Judges nor forced to sell their goods for provision for the Kings Court No answer appears 4. Ibidem 6. Henry Bishop of Lincoln 1404 the Arch-Bishop being absent in an Embassie  A Tenth towards the Kings charges in suppressing the late Rebels Constituted that the obsequies of every English Bishop deceased should be celebrated in all the Cathedrals of the Kingdom 5. Ibidem 7. Thomas Arundel 1405  A Tenth when the Laity in Parlian t. gave nothing Nothing or consequence 6. Ibidem 8. Henry Beaufort Bish 1406 of Winchest the Arch-Bishop being absent Thomas Bishop of Carlile Magister adest vocat te A Tenth Nothing of moment 7. Ibidem 10. Thomas Arundel 1408 John Monke of S t Augustine in Canterbury Faciet unusquisque opussuum  This Synod was principally employed in suppressing of Schism and the following Synod in the same year to the same purpose 8. Saint Pauls in London Idem Anno Dom. 1408. John Botel general of the Franciscans Vos vocati estis in uno corpore   9. Ibidem Anno Regis Hen. 4 10 Henry Bishop of Winchester the Arch-Bishop being abroad in an Embassie John Langdon Monk of Canterbury Stellae dederunt lumen A Tenth and a Subsidy granted saith a Antiq. Brit. p. 274. Matthew Parker but b Harpsfield Ecc. Ang pag. 616. others say the Clergie accused themselves as drained dry with former payments Also the Popes Agent progging for money was denied it 1411. Little else save some endeavours against Wicliffs opinions 13. 10. Ibid. Thomas Arundel John God-mersham Monk of Canterbury Diligite lumen sapientiae omnes qui praeestus A Tenth 1412. The Clergie compained to the King of thier grievances but received no redress The Popes Rents sequestred into the Kings hands during the Schisme betwixt Gregory the 12 th and Benedict 14. We will not avouch these all the conventions of the Clergie in this Kings Reign who had many subordinate meetings in reference to their own occasions but these of most publick concernment Know this also that it was a great invitation not to say an inforcement to make them the more bountiful in their contributions to the King because their leaders were suspicious of a design now first set on foot in opposition to all Religious Houses as then termed to essay their overthrow Which project now as a Pioneer onely wrought beneath ground yet not so insensibly but that the Church-Statists got a discovery thereof and in prevention were very satisfying to the Kings Pecuniary desires Insomuch that it was in effect but ask and have such their compliance to all purposes and intents The rather because this King had appeared so zealous to arm the Bishops with terrible Laws against the poor naked Lollards as then they were nick-named 9. Now we pass from the Convocation to the Parliament Anno Regis Hen. quart 14. onely to meddle with Church-matters therein Anno Dom. 1412. desiring the Reader to dispense in the Margin with a new Chronology of this Kings Reigne A new Crhonologie assuring him that whatsoever is written is taken out of the Authentick Records of the Parliament in the Tower 10. It was moved in Parliament A severe motion against the Welch that no Welch-man Bishop or other be Justice Chamberlain Chancellor Treasurer Sheriff Constable of a Castle Receiver Escheator Coroner or chief Forester or other Officer whatsoever or * Ex rot Par. in tur Lond. in hoc anno Keeper of Records or Lieutenant in the said Offices in any part of Wales or of Councel to any English Lord not withstanding any Patent made to the contrary Cum clausula non obstante Licet Wallicus natus 11. It was answered that the King willeth it except the Bishops Moderated by the King and for them and others which he hath found good and loyal lieges towards him our said Lord the King will be advised by the advise of his Councel 12. Such as wonder why the Parliament was so incensed against the Welch The cause of his auger seeing Henry Prince of Wales was their own Country-man born at Monmouth may consider how now or very lately Owen Glendowre a Welch Robber advanced by the multitude of his followers into the reputation of a General had made much sepoil in Wales Now commendable was the King's charity who would not return a national mischief for a personal injury seing no man can cause the place of his Nativity though he may bemoan and hate the bad practises of his own Nation 13. The Kings courteous exception for the Welch Bishops The Quaternion of welch Bps. who and what at this time putteth us upon a necessay enquiry who and what they were placed in Sees at this time S t Davids Landaffe Bangor S t Asaph Guido de Dona. Thomas Peberell Richard Yong. John Trebaur Or of Anglesey A true Briton by birth witness'd by his Name He was at the present Lord
posterity except they shut their coffers on purpose because there was nothing in them Sure I am there is no dashing on the credit of the Lady nor any the least insinuations of inchastity in that Instrument Praeclara Domina Serenissima Regina being the worst titles that are given her therein 25. Men may justly marvell what King Henry meant by this solemn and ceremonious Divorce What might be the King's designs in this divorce which the edge of the Ax Ann. Dom. 1536. or Sword was more effectually to perform the day after Ann. Regis Hē 8. 28. Her death being then designed Was it because He stood on this punctilio or criticisme of credit that He might not hereafter be charged with cruelty for executing His Wife that first He would be divorced from Her and so cannot be said to put His Queen but Anna Bollen to death Or did He first but barely intend Her divorce and afterwards suspecting this would not make sufficient avoidance in His bed to clear all claims took up new resolutions to take away Her life Or was it because He conceived the execution would only reach the root the Queen Her self and not blast the branch the Lady Elizabeth whom by this divorce He desired to render illegitimate Whatever His aimes were He got Her divorce confirmed both by Convocation and Parliament interesting all equally therein that hereafter none should accuse Him of this act but first they must condemn themselves However after-ages take the boldnesse to conceive that the greatest guilt of Anna Bollen was King Henry's better fancying of another which made Him the next day after Her death to mourn so passionately for Her in the embraces of a new and beautifull Bride the Lady Jane Seymour 26. But The Convocation bucksome to please the King in all things to return to the Convocation That Instrument of Divorce was no sooner tendred therein but all subscribed it The Papists willingly the Protestants faintly but all publickly Yea in this Convocation nothing was propounded in the King's name but it passed presently Oh the operation of the purge of a Praemunire so lately taken by the Clergie and an hundred thousand pounds paid thereupon How did the remembrance thereof still work on their spirits and made them meek and mortified They knew the temper of the King and had read the Text k Amos 3. 8. The lyon hath roared who will not fear Gardiner the fox durst not so much as bark to oppose the King nor the proudest in the place As for Edmond Bonner Arch-deacon of Leicester present and active in this Convocation I may say Bonner was no Bonney yet but a perfect Cromwellist and as forward as any to promote his designes 27. On the Friday following A Catalogue of erroneous opinions complained of in the Convocation Mr. Gwent the Prolocutour July 23. brought to the Upper House of Convocation a Book containing the Mala dogmata those erroneous doctrines then as he complained publickly preached printed and professed requesting reformation thereof that order might be taken against the future propagation of such dangerous positions Behold them here transcribed out of the Record partly for novelty-sake because to my knowledge never printed before and partly because though many wilde and distempered expressions be found therein yet they contain the Protestant Religion in oare which since by God's blessing is happily refined 28. The Protestation of the Clergie of the Lower House Erroneons opinions as then accounted complained of in the Convocation within the Province of Canterbury with declaration of the faults and abuses which heretofore have and now be within the same worthy special reformation IN very humble and reverent manner with protestation That we the Clergie of the Lower House within the Province of Canterbury nother in word deed or otherwise directly or indirectly intend any thing to speak attempt or doe which in any manner of wise may be displeasant unto the King's Highnesse our most dread Sovereign Lord and supreme Head of the Church of England but in all things according to the command of God to be most obedient to His Grace to Whom accordingly we submit our selves minding in no wise by any colourable fashion to recognize privily or apertly the Bishop of Rome or his usurped authority or in any wise to bring in defend or maintain the same into this noble Realm or Dominions of the same but that the same Bishop of Rome with his usurped authority utterly for ever with his inventions rites abuses ordinances and fashions to be renounced forsaken extinguished and abolished And that we sincerely addict our selves to Almighty God his laws and unto our said Severeign Lord the King our supreme Head in earth and His Laws Statutes Provisions and Ordinances made herewithin His Graces Realm We think in our consciences and opinions these errors and abuses following to have been and now to be within this Realm causes of dissention worthy speciall reformation It is to were 1. That it is commonly preached taught and spoken to the slander of this noble Realm disquietness of the people dammage of Christian souls not without fear of many other inconveniences and perils That the Sacrament of the Altar is not to be esteemed For divers light and lewd persons be not ashamed or aferde to say Why should I see the sacring of the high Masse Is it any thing else but a piece of bread or a little predie round Robin 2. Item That they deny Extreme Unction to be any Sacrament 3. Item That Priests have no more authority to minister Sacraments than the Lay-men have 4. Item That Children ought not in any wise to be confirmed of the Bishops afore they come to the age of discretion 5. Item That all Ceremonies accustomed in the Church which are not clearly expressed in Scripture must be taken away because they are mens inventions 6. Item That all those are Antichrists that doe deny the Lay-men the Sacrament of the Altar sub utrâque specie 7. Item That all that be present at Masse and doe not receive the Sacrament with the Priest are not partakers of the said Masse 8. Item That it is preached and taught That the Church that is commonly taken for the Church is the old Synagogue and that the Church is the congregation of good men onely 9. Item It is preached against the Letany and also said That it was never merry in England sithence the Letany was ordained and Sancta Maria Sancta Catharina c. sungen and said 10. Item That a man hath no Free-will 11. Item That God never gave grace nor knowledge of holy Scripture to any great estate or rich man and that they in no wise follow the same 12. Item That all Religions and Professions whatsoever they be are clean contrary to Christs religion 13. Item That it be preached and taught That all things ought to be commune and that Priests should have Wives 14. Item That Preachers will in no
The Lady Mary 28. after long Communication was content to come to Lees Ann. Dom. 1549 to the Lord Chancellours and then to Hunsdon but She utterly denied to come to the q q She loved to deale with the King her Brother eminus by Letters but in no wise comminus by discourse Besides she hated coming to the Court suspecting some harsh usage to her Person and jealous of being put into Restraint Court or Oking at that time The Lord Chancellor fell sore sick Aug. 13. with 40 more of his r r Lees in Essex a County generally not very healthfull where Agues sit as close and sometimes last as long as a new suit house that the Lady Mary came not thither at this time There were Letters sent to every Bishop to pull downe the Altars Nov. 19. There were Letters sent for the taking of certain Å¿ Å¿ Of these Francis Mallet last * * Sceletos Cant. MS. Master of Michael House in Cambridge was the chief He having leave from the Councell to officiate Masse onely in the presence of the Lady Mary presumed on the same liberty in her absence Whereupon he was notwithstanding his Ladies refusall to surrender him fetcht from her by force and committed to prison Chaplains of the Lady Mary Dec. 15. Edw. sexâ—i 4. for saying Masse which She denied Whaley was examined for perswading divers Nobles of the Realm to make the Duke of Somerset t t Now where the seeds sown and the foundation laid of the Protectours overthrow which ensued not long after Proâ—ector at the next Parliament Febr. 6. stood to the Denial the Earle of Rutland affirmed it manifestly The Bishop of Winchester after a long triall was deposed his Bishoprick 17. It seems some legall formalities were pretended wanting in Gardiner his deprivation For in my memory a Suit was commenced to overthrow a long Lease made by Bishop Poinet Gardiner's successour in Winchester on this point that Gardiner still remained lawfull Bishop but nothing therein was effected 23. Come we now to the saddest difference that ever happened in the Church of England The conception of non-conformity if we consider either the time how long it continued the eminent persons therein ingaged or the dolefull effects thereby produced It was about matters of conformity Alas that men should have lesse wisdome than locusts which when sent on God's errand Did not * * Joel 2. 8. thrust one another whereas here such shoving and shouldring and hoising and heavings and justleing and thronging betwixt Clergie-men of the highest parts and places For now non-conformity in the daies of King Edward was conceived which afterward in the Reign of Queen Mary but beyond Sea at Frankford was born which in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth was nursed and weaned which under King James grew up a young youth or tall stripling but towards the end of King Charles His Reign shot up to the full strength and stature of a man able not onely to coap with but conquer the Herarchie its adversary 24. Two opposite parties now plainly discovered themselves The favourers and opposers thereof driving on different interests Ann. Reg. Ed. 6. 4. under their respective Patrones Ann. Dom. 1550. Founders of Conformity 1. Such as remained here all the Reign of King Henry the eighth and weathered out the tempest of His tyrannie at open Sea partly by a politick compliance and partly by a cautious concealment of themselves 2. These in the daies of King Edward the sixt were possessed of the best preferments in the land 3. And retained many ceremonies practiced in the Romish Church conceiving them to be antient and decent in themselves 4. The authority of Cranmer and activity of Ridley headed this party the former being the highest the latter the hottest in defence of conformity Founders of Non-conformity 1. Such as fled hence beyond the Seas chiefly into Germany where living in States and Cities of popular Reformation they suck'd in both the aire and discipline of the place they lived in 2. These returning late into England were at a losse for meanes and maintenance onely supported with the reputation of being Confessors rendring their patience to the praise and their persons to the pity of all conscientious people 3. And renounced all ceremonies practiced by the Papists conceiving that such ought not onely to be clipt with the sheers but to be shaved with a raizor yea all the stumps thereof to be pluckt out 4. John Rogers Lecturer in S. Pauls and Vicar of S. Sepulchres with John Hooper afterwards Bishop of Glocester were Ring-leaders of this party This Iohn Hooper was bred in Oxford well skill'd in Latine Greek and Hebrew a little of the last would go farre in this Age and afterwards travelled over into Switzerland Yea he seemed to some to have brought Switzerland back with him in his harsh rough and unpleasant behaviour being grave into rigour and severe into surliness Yet to speak truth all Hoopers ill nature consisted in other mens little acquaintance with him Such as visited him once condemned him of over-austerity who repaired to him twice onely suspected him of the same who conversed with him constantly not onely acquitted him of all morosity but commended him for sweetness of manners which saith my Author Godwin in the Bishops of Glocester endeared him to the acquaintance of Bullinger This Hooper was preferred to be Bishop of Glocester by the special favour of his Patrone Iohn Earl of Warwick afterward Duke of Northumberland 25. The worst was Hooper refuseth to wear the Episcopal habit when Hooper came to be consecrated Bishop of Glocester he scrupled the wearing of certain Episcopall ornaments Rochet Chimere Square-cap c. producing a Letter from the Earl of Warwick omniprevalent then at Court in the declining of his Corrival the Duke of Somerset that he might be favourably dispensed with therein according to the tenour ensuing to Archbishop Cranmer AFter my most hearty commendations to your Grace these may be to desire the same that in such reasonable things wherein this beâ—rer my Lord Elect of Glocester craveth to be born withall at your hands you would vouch safe to shew him your Graces favour the rather at this my instance Which thing partly I have taken in hand by the Kings Majesties own motion The matter is weighed by His Highnesse none other but that your Grace may facilely condescend thereunto The principall cause is that you would not charge this said Bearer with an Oath burdenous to his conscience And so for lack of time I commit your Grace to the tuition of Almighty God Your Graces most assured loving friend July 23. John Warwick What this Oath was because not expressed is variously conjectured Parsons to render Hooper more odious will have it the Oath of Supremacy which in my opinion is improbable it being utterly unlikely that the King would dispense with any from taking Oath
of the chimney or fire-makers to these Canons If so surely they had their Holiday-clothes on when sent to the Tower Kitchin-stuff doth not use to be tried in that place and were considerable if not in themselves in the affections of others And now well fare the heart of b In Anna 1191. Roger Hoveden who plainly tels us that these Focariae were these Canons Concubines See here the fruit of forbidding marriage to the Clergy against the Law of God and nature What saith the Apostle c 1 Cor. 7. 9. It is better to marry then to burn or which is the same in effect it is better to have a wife then a fire-maker 42. Albericus Bishop of Hostia came post form Rome A Synod at Westminster sent by Pope Innocent the second into England 4. Dece 13. called a Synod at Westminster 1138 where eighteen Bishops and thirty Abbots met together Here was conluded That no Priest Deacon or sub-Deacon should hold a wife or woman within his house under pain of degrading from his Christendom and plain sending to hell That no Priests son should claim any spiritual living by heritage That none should take a Benefice of any Lay-man That none were admitted to Cure which had not the letters of his Orders That Priests should do no bodily labour And that their transubstantiated God should dwell but eight dayes in the box for fear of worm-eating moulding or stinking with such like Anno Dom. 1138 In this Synod Theobald Abbot of Becco Anno Regis Steph. 7. was chosen Arch-Bishop of Canterburie in the place of William lately deceased 43. The most considerable Clergy-man of England in this age Henry of Winchester Englands Arch-Prelate for birth wealth and learning was Henry of Bloys Bishop of Winchester and Brother to King Stephen He was by the Pope made his Legate for Britaine and out-shined Theobald the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury For although Theobald just at this time was augmented with the title of Legatus natus which from him was entailed on his successors in that See yet this Henry of Bloys being for the present Legatus factus out-lustred the other as far as an extraordinary Ambassador doth a Leger of the same Nation In this Henry two interests did meet and contend that of a Brother and that of a Bishop but the later clearly got the conquest 1139. as may appear by the Councel he called at Winchester 5. wherein the King himself was summoned to appear Yea some make Stephen personally appearing therein a dangerous precedent to plead the cause of the Crown before a conventicle of his own subjects so that to secure Rome of Supremacy in appeals he suffered a Recovery thereof against his own person in a Court of Record loosing of himself to save the Crown thereby unto himself But William of Malmesbury present at the Councel and therefore his testimony is to be preferred before others mentions onely three parties in the place present there with their attendance 1. 2. 3. Roger of Sarisbury with the rest of the Bishops grievously complaining of their Castles taken from them Henry Bishop of Winchester the Popes Legat President of the Councel With Theobald Arch-Bishop of Canterbury pretending to umpire matters in a moderate way Hugh Arch-Bishop of Roan and Aubery de Vere ancester to the Ear of Oxford as Advocate for King Stephen This Aubery de Vere seems learned in the Laws being charactered by my a William Malmsbury hist novel lib. 2. pag. 183. Author homo causarum varietatibus exercitatus a man well versed in the windings of causes 44. In this Synod first the commission of Pope Innocent the second was read The issuless issue of the Synod at Winchester impowring the said Henry Bishop of Winchester with a Legative authority Then the Legate made a Sermon Latiariter which is as I conceive in the Latin tongue We finde not his text But know this was the subject of his discourse to inveigh against King Stephen depriving those Bishops of their Castles Sermon ended the Kings advocates or true subjects rather many making them to speak only out of the dictates of their own Loyalty not to plead by deputation from the King made his defence that Bishops could not canonically hold Castles and that the King had dispoyled them of their treasure not as Episcopal persons but as they were his Lay-offices advised thereto by his own security The Bishops returned much for themselves and in fine the Synod brake up without any extraordinary matter effected For soon after came Queen Maud with her Navie and Armie out of Normandy 1140. which turned debates into deeds 6. and consultations into actions But we leave the readers to be satisfied about the alternation of success betwixt King Stephen and Maud to the Historians of our State There may they read of Maud her strange escapes when avoiding death by being believed dead otherwise she had proved in her grave if not pretended in a Coffin when getting out in white Lynen under the protection of Snow I say how afterwards both King Stephen and Robert Earl of Glocester were taken prisoners 1141. and given in Exchange 7. the one for the liberty of the other Anno Dom. 1141. with many such memorable passages the reader may stock himself from the pens of the civil Historians the proper relators thereof 45. It is strange to conceive how men could be at leasure in the troublesome Reign of King Stephen to build and endow so many Religious foundations Why plenty of Religious foundations in these Martiall dayes Except any will say that men being as mortal in peace most dying in War the devotions of those dayes maintaining such deeds meritorious for their souls made all in that Martial age most active in such employments Not to speak of the Monastery of S r Mary de pratis 10. founded by Robert Earl of Leicester 1144. and many others of this time the goodly Hospital of S t Katharines nigh London was founded by Maud wife to King Stephen though others assign the same to Ro. Bishop of Lincoln as founder thereof So stately was the Quire of this Hospital that it was not much a Stows Survey of London pag. 117. inferiour to that of S t Pauls in London when taken down in the dayes of Queen Elizabeth by Doctor Thomas Wilson the Master thereof and Secretary of State 46. Yea King Stephen himself was a very great founder Religious houses founded by King Stephen S t Stephen was his tutelary Saint though he never learned his usurpation from the patient example of that Martyr whose name he bore on whose day he was Crowned to whose honor he erected S t Stephens Chappel in Westminster near the place where lately the Court of Request was kept He built also the Cistertians Monastery in Feversham with an Hospital near the West-gate in York And whereas formerly there were paid out
conscience Yea for the present such the reverence to his integrity no punishment was imposed upon him 57. Merks was conceived in the judgment of most moderate men Activity will he tampering abundantly to have satisfied his conscience with his speech in Parliament But how hard is it to stop an active soul in its full speed He thought himself bound not onely to speak but do yea and suffer too if called thereunto for his Soveraign This moved him to engage with Henry Hot-spur and other discontented Lords against King Henry on whose defeat this Bishop was taken prisoner and judicially arraigned for high Treason 58. This is one of the clearest distinguishing characters A Bishop not triable by his Peers betwixt the Temporal and Spiritual Lords that the former are to be tried per pares by their Peers being Barons of the Realm the later are by Law and custome allowed a Trial onely by a Jury of able and substantial persons Such a Mr Selden in a late small Treatise of Parliaments men found Bishop Merks guilty of Treason for which he was condemned and sent prisoner to S t Albans 59. The King would gladly have had a fair riddance of this Bishop A seasonable expedient whom he could not with credit keep here nor send hence As to deprive him of life it was dangerous in those dayes when some Sacredness was believed inherent in Episcopal persons Here his Holiness helpt the King with an handsom expedient to salve all matters by removing Merks to be Bishop of b Godwin in his Bishops Samos in Grecia I finde three Grecian Islands of the same name and a critick c Carolus Stephanus in dictionario poetico complaineth they are often confounded The best is it is not much material of which of them Merks was made Bishop having onely a Title to sterve in state without a penny profit thereby But before his translation was compleated he was translated into another world The End of the Fourteenth CENTURY SECT II. Anno Regis TO Sir GERRARD NAPIER OF Dorcet-shire Anno Dom. BARONET I Have read that a Statute was made to retrench the number of great mens keeping their Reteiners in the Reign of King Hen. 7 th and that politickly done in those nutinous times to prevent Commotions lest some popular person should raise a little Army under the covert of his great Attendance A Law improved to Rigor though certainly as all other penal Statutes intended but to terrour insomuch that the Earl of Oxford more meriting of King Hen. 7 th then any other subject was even * Lord Verulum in his Life p. 211. delivered to the Kings Atturney and as report saith Fined fifteen thousand Marks for exceeding the proportion legally allowed I confess we live in as dangerous dayes and affording as great jealousies as those But I have cause to be right glad as deeply concerned therein that though a Statute hath forbidden many to depend on one none hath prohibited one to depend on many Patrons But any Author of a Book may multiply them Sance-number as driving on no hurtful design but onely the protection of his own endeavours On this account I tender these my Labours unto you knowing the very Name of NAPIER acceptable to all Scholars ever since the Learned Laird of Marchistowne no stranger to your bloud as I am informed by his Log-arithmes contracted the pains and so by consequence prolonged the time and life of all imployed in Numeration 1. KIng Henry being conscious that he had got and did keep the Crown by a bad Title Hen 4 10. counted it his wisest way 1408. to comply with the Clergie King Henry bloudy against â—oor Christians yt 〈◊〉 his Regal power against the Popes encroachments whose present power was not onely useful but needful for him To gain their favour he lately enacted bloudy Laws for the extirpation of poor Christians under the false notion of Hereticks a Statute 2 of Hen. 4. c. 15. condemning them to be burnt A torment unheard of in such cases till that time and yet it appeareth that the Pope in this Age was not possest of so full power in England whatsoever the Catholicks pretend but that this politick Prince kept the reins though loose in his own hand For in this b 1 Henry 4 th fol. 19. time it was resolved that the Popes Collector though he had the Popes Bull for that purpose had no jurisdiction within this Realm and that the Arch-Bishops and Bishops of England Anno Dom. 1408. were the Spiritual Judges in the Kings behalf Anno Regis Hen. 4. 10. As it was also a Statute 2 Hen. 4. cap. 3. enacted if any person of Religion obtained of the Bishop of Rome to be exempt from obedience regular or ordinary he was in a premunire Yea this very Statute which gave power to a Bishop in his Diocess to condemn an Heretick plainly proveth that the King by consent of Parliament directed the proceedings of the Ecclesiastical Court in cases of Heresie so that the Pope even in matters of Spiritual cognizance had no power over the lives of English subjects 2. The first on whom this cruel Law was hanselled William Sautre the protomertyr of English protestants was William Sautre formerly parish Priest of S t Margaret in the town of Lin but since of S t Osith in the City of London This was he whose Faith fought the first Duell with Fire it self and overcame it Abel was the first Marry of men S t Stephen the first of Christian men S t Alban the first of British Christians and this Sautre the first of English Protestants as by Prolepsis I may terme them Scriveners use with gaudy flourishes to deck and garnish the initial characters of Copies which superfluous pains may be spared by us in adorning this leading letter in the pattern of patience seeing it is conspicuous enough in its self died red with its own bloud Some charge this Sautre with fear and fickleness because formerly he had abjured those Articles for which afterwards he died before the Bishop of Norwich But let those who severely censure him for once denying the truth and do know who it was that denied his Master thrice take heed they do not as bad a deed more then four times themselves May Sautre's final Constancy be as surely practised by men as his former Cowardliness no doubt is pardoned by God Eight Errours were laid to his charge in order as followeth 1. Imprimis He saith that he will not worship the Cross on which Christ suffered but onely Christ that suffered upon the Cross 2. Item That he would sooner worship a temporal King then the aforesaid wooden Cross 3. Item That he would rather worship the bodies of the Saints then the very Cross of Christ on which he hung if it were before him 4. Item That he would rather worship a man truly contrite then the Cross
a Godwin Catal of Bps. in S. Davids Treasurer of England In whom the King much confided though T. Walsingham be pleased to dash his Memory that he was the cause of much mischief His Sir-Name speaks him English by extraction and he was of no remarkable activity He might be English or Welch by his Name but I believe the latter A man of merit sent by the King into Germany to give satisfaction of King Henries proceedings Second of that Christian and Sirname Bishop of that See a Welchman no doubt he was sent saith T. Walsangham to Spain to give account of the Kings proceedings Very loyal at the present but after his return home he sided with Owen Glendowre But though the English at this time were so severe against the Welch King Henry the seventh born in the bowels of Wales at Pembroke and assisted in the gaining of the Crown by the valour of his Country-men some years after plucked down this partition-wall of difference betwixt them admitting the Welch to English Honours and Offices as good reason equality of merits should be rewarded with equality of advancement 14. Sir John Tiptoff made afterwards Earl of Worcester put up a Petition to the Parliament The Petition of the Lords and Commons to the King against Lollards touching Lollards which wrought so on the Lords that they joined a Petition to the King Anno Regis Hen. 4 14. according to the Tenour following To our most redoubted and gracious Soveraign the King YOur humble * * Contracted by my self exactly keeping the words out of the Original Son HENRY PRINCE OF WALES and the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in this present Parliament humbly shew That the Church of England hath been and now is endowed with temporal possessions by the gifts and grants as well of your Royal Progenitours as by the Ancesters of the said Lords Temporal to maintain Divine Service keep Hospitality c. to the Honour of God and the souls health of your Progenitors and the said Lords Temporal Yet now of late some at the instigation of the Enemy against the foresaid Church and Prelates have as well in publick Sermons as in Conventicles and secret places called Schools stirred and moved the people of your Kingdom to take away the said temporal Possessions from the said Prelates with which they are as rightly endowed as it hath been or might be best advised or imagined by the Laws and Customes of your Kingdom and of which they are as surely possessed as the Lords Temporal are of their inheritances Wherefore in case that this evil purpose be not resisted by your Royal Majestie it is very likely that in process of time they will also excite the people of your Kingdom for to take away from the said Lords Temporal their possessions and heritages so to make them common to the open commotion of your people There be also others who publish and cause to be published evilly and falsly among the people of your Kingdom that Richard late King of England who is gone to God and on whose soul God thorow his Grace have mercy is still alive And some have writ and published divers false pretended prophecies to the people disturbing them who would to their power live peaceably Serve God and faithfully submit and obey you their Liege Lord. Wherefore may it please your Royal Majestie in maintenance of the honour of God conservation of the Laws of the holy Church as also in the preservation of the estate of You your Children Anno Regis Hen. quart 14. and the Lords aforesaid and for the quiet of all your Kingdom to ordain by a Stature in the present Parliament by the assent of the Lords aforesaid and the Commons of your Kingdom that in case any man or woman of what estate or condition they be preach publish or maintain hold use or exercise any Schools if any Sect or Doctrine hereafter against the Catholick faith either preach publish maintain or write a schedule whereby the people may be moved to take away the Temporal Possessions of the aforesaid Prelates or preach and publish that Richard late King who is dead should still be in full life or that the Fool in Scotland is that King Richard who is dead or that publish or write any pretended Prophesies to the commotion of your people That they and every of them be taken and put in Prison without being delivered in Bail or otherwise except by good and sufficient mainprise to be taken before the Chancellour of England c. 15. See we here the Policy of the Clergie The Prince made a party against Wicklivites who had gained Prince Henry set as a Transcendent by himself in the Petition to their side entring his Youth against the poor Wicklivites and this Earnest engaged him to the greater Antipathy against them when possest of the Crown 16. Observe also the Subtilty of the Clergie in this medley Petition Complication or Royal and Prelatical interest interweaving their own interest with the Kings and endeavouring to possess him that all the Adversaries to their Superstitions were Enemies also and Traytors to his Majesty 17. Now as Conventicles were the Name of disgrace cast on Wicklivists their Schools Schools was the terme of Credit owned by the Wicklivists for the place of their meeting Whether because f Acts 19. 9. the School of Tyrannus wherein S t Paul disputed was conceived by them Senior in Scripture to any material Church Or that their teaching therein was not in intire discourses but admitted as in the Schools of interlocutory opposition on occasion 18. By Lollards all know the Wicklivites are meant Lollards why so called so called from h Trithemius in Chron. Anno 1315. Walter Lollardus one or their Teachers in Germany and not as the i Of S. Aug. Cont. M. S. Anno 1406. Monk alluded quasi lolia in ar â Domini flourishing many years before Wickliffe and much consenting with him in judgment As for the word Lollard retained in our Statutes since the Reformation it seems now as a generical name to signifie such who in their opinions oppose the setled Religion of the Land in which sense the modern Sheriffs are bound by their Oath to suppress them 19. The Parenthesis concerning King Richard Who is gone to God and on whose Soul God through his Grace have Mercy is according to the Doctrine of that Age. For they held all in Purgatory gone to God A charitable parenthesis because assured in due time of their happiness yet so that the suffrages of the Living were profitable for them Nor feared they to offend King Henry by their charitable presumption of the final happy estate of King Richard his professed Enemy knowing he cared not where King Richard was so be it not living and sitting on the English Throne 20. As for the report of King Richards being still alive King Richard why believed alive it is strange any
different as their Opinions some of them being conceived too wise to begin and others too weak to finish so dangerous a Designe The ends they propounded to themselves as they were charged therewith were to kill the King raise Rebellion alter Religion at least gaine a Toleration and procure a forraign Invasion with many more things which may be spoken easier in a Minute than done in an Age especially their Interest being not much at home and nothing abroad Ann. Dom. 1602 They ante-divided all Offices of State betwixt themselves Ann. Reg. Jac. 1. Lord Marshall to one Treasurer to another Master of the Horse to a third Secretary to a fourth c. onely Sir Walter Rawleigh able to discharge any had no particular Office assigned unto him Watson was to be Lord Chancelour being very fit for the place had he but as much skill to decide Causes as write Quodlibets There wanted nothing to estate them in all these Offices but onely their getting of them 17. Wonder not that this Treason was discovered so soon The two Priests executed but covered so long The two Priests alone Nov. 29. with G Brook were executed who to use the words of King Iames in his Letter to Sir Benjamine Tichbourne Sheriff of Hantshire for the Plague being in London Terme was removed to Winchester where they were tried Vaire the principall Plotteris and Intisaris of all the rest to the embracing of the saidis treasonabil Machinations The rest were pardoned their Lives not their Lands We must not forget that the Priests pleaded the silliest for themselves of all that were arraigned alledging that their Practise against the King could not be Treason because done against him before he was crowned Watson instancing in Saul who was anoynted in e 1 Sam. 10. 1. Ramah and afterward made King in f Ibid. ver 24. Mizpeh Clark insisted on Rehoboam as being no King till the People had g 1 King 12. 1 made him so Not remembering what our Lawyers there minded them of the difference betwixt successive Kings deriving their claime from their Ancestors and one newly elected the English Crowne also being as incapable of an Inter-regnum as Nature of a Vacuitie Mean time the Jesuits looked on and laughed at Watson's Execution to see how bunglingly Secular Priests went about a Treason resolving in the next platforme thereof which now they were contriving to rectifie the errours Watson had committed not to ingage in a squint-ey'd company where two did not look the same way but to select a competencie of cordial Catholiques for the purpose 18. No sooner was King Iames setled on the English Throne Mr Cartwright dedicates a Book to King James but Mr. Cartwright presented unto him his Latin Coment on Ecclesiastes thankfully mentioning in his Dedication how he had some twenty yeares before been chosen to be Professour in a Scotch University though declining the acceptance thereof because of his Pastorall Charge being then Minister to the English Congregation at Antwerp Thanks perchance not so proper to the person of King Iames though in Loyalty and good Manners justly tendred unto him as due rather to those who in his minority steered the affaires of Scotland Nor let any wonder that an English man should be proffered preferment in Scotland seeing it was but one for another remembring that I have read in the life of Mr. Knox that he was offered an English Bishoprick in the reigne as I take it of K. Edw the 6. and likewise refused the same 19. But Mr Cartwright survived not long after otherwise Mr. Cartwright his Death no doubt we should have heard of him in Hampton Court-Conference Dec. 27. as the Champion of his Party who died at the age of sixty on the 27. of December following To what we have formerly largely writ of his Character we now onely adde that he was born in Hartford shire Camden in his Eliz. and married the Sister of M. Stubbs whose hand was struck off for writing an interpreted Libel against Queen Elizabeths Marriage with Monsieur This I dare boldly say She was a most excellent Wife if she proved like her Brother whom Mr. Cambden no great friend of Puritans cordially commendeth for a right honest man generally beloved whilest living and lamented when dead He was afflicted towards his old Age with many Infirmities insomuch that he was forced continually to studie upon his * See his Life lately set forth by M. Clark knees My Eares shall be dear to the uncharitable inference of those who impute this extraordinary painfull posture as a just punishment upon him in that he had so bitterly inveighed against the gesture of those as superstitious who reverently received the Sacrament on their knees M. Dod preached his Funerall Sermon 20. And now The Presbyterian Petition to K. Parl. because there was a generall expectation of a Parliament suddenly to succeed the Presbyterian Party that they might not be surprised before they had their tackling about them Ann. Dom. 1603 went about to get hands of the Ministers to a Petition which they intended seasonably to present to the K. and Parl M. Arthur Hildersham and M. Stephen Egerton with some others were chosen and chiefly intrusted to manage this important businesse This was called The millenary Petition as One of a thousand w See M. Hildersam's 〈◊〉 set forth by Mr. Clark though in indeed there were but seven hundred and fifty Preachers hands set thereunto But those all collected onely out of five and twenty Counties However for the more rotundity of the number and grace of the matter it passeth for a full thousand which no doubt the Collectours of the names if so pleased might easily have compleated I dare not guesse what made them desist before their number was finished whether they thought that these were enough to doe the deed and moe were rather for oftentation than use or because disheartned by the intervening of the Hampton-Court Conference they thought that these were even too many to petition for a Deniall It is left as yet uncertaine whether this Conference was by the Kings favour graciously tendered or by the mediation of the Lords of his Counsell powerfully procured or by the Bishops as confident of their cause voluntarily proffered or by the Ministers importunity effectually obteyned Each Opinion pretends to Probability but the last most likely 1603 And by what meanes soever this Conference was compassed Hampton-Court was the Place the 14 of January the Time and the following Names the Persons which were employed therein For Conformity Moderator Against Conformity Arch bish of Canterbury Whitgift Biashops of London Bancroft Durham Mathew Winchester Bilson Worcester Babington St. Davids Rudd Chicester Watson Carleil Robinson Peterbor Dove Deans of The a Though all these Deanes were summoned by Letters and present in the Presence Chamber yet onely five viz. of the Chappel Westminister Pauls Chester and Sarisbury
supreme head of the Church and charged her as she would answer it at Gods Tribunall to take care of Christ his Evangil in suppressing the Popish Prelates who withstood the same But how long trow did you this continue Even till by her authority the Popish Bishops were repressed and Knox with his adherents being brought in made strong enough Then began they to make small account of her supremacy when according to that more light wherewith they were illuminated they made a farther reformation of themselves How they used the poore Lady my Mother is not unknowne and how they dealt with me in my minority I thus apply it My Lords the Bishops I may * This be said putting his hand to his bat thank you that these men plead thus for my Supremacy They think they cannot make their Party good against you but by appealing unto it but if once you were out and they in I know what would become of my Supremacy for NO BISHOP NO KING I have learned of what cut they have been who preaching before me since my coming into England passed over with silence my being Supreme Governour in causes Ecclesiasticall Well Doctour have you any thing else to say Dr. Reyn. No more if it please your Majesty His Majesty If this be all your Party hath to say I will make them conforme themselves or else I will harrie them out of the Land or else doe worse Thus ended the second dayes Conference Jan. 18 and the third began on the Wednesday following many Knights Civilians and Doctours of the Law being admitted thereunto because the High Commission was the principall matter in debate His Majesty I understand that the parties named in the High Commission are too many and too mean and the matters they deale with base such as Ordinaries at home in their Courts might censure Arch-b of Cant. It is requisite their number should be many otherwise I should be forced often-times to sit alone if in the absence of the Lords of the Council Bishops and Judges at Law some Deanes and Doctours were not put into that Commission whose Attendance I might command with the more Authority I have often complained of the meannesse of matters handled therein but cannot remedy it For though the Offence be small that the Ordinary may the Offender oft-times is so great and contumacious that the Ordinary dâ—re not punish him and so is forced to crave help at the High Commission A nameless L d. The Proceedings in that Court I dare not guess him for fear of failing are like the Spanish Inquisition whereiu men are urged to subscribe more than Law requireth and by the Oath ex officio forced to accuse themselves being examined upon twenty or twenty four Articles on a sudden without deliberation and for the most part against themselves In proof hereof he produced a Letter of an antient honourable Counsellour An. 1584. verifying this usage to two Minsters in Cambridge shire Arch-b of Cant. Your Lordship is deceived in the manner of proceeding For if the Article touch the Party for Life Liberty or Scandall he may refuse to answer I can say nothing to the particulars of the Letter because twenty yeares since yet doubted not but at leisure to give your Lordship satisfaction L d. Chancel There is necessity Here we omit a discourse about Subscription because not methodiz'd into the Speech of severall persons and use of the Oath Ex officio in divers Courts and Causes His Majesty Indeed civil Proceedings onely punish Facts but it is requisite that Fame and Scandals be looked unto in Courts Ecclesiasticall and yet great moderation is to be used therein 1. In gravioribus criminibus 2. In such whereof there is a publique Fame caused by the inordinate demeanour of the Offender And here he soundly described the Oath ex officio for the ground thereof the Wisdome of the Law therein the manner of proceeding thereby and profitable effect from the same Arch-b of Cant. Undoubtedly your Majesty speaks by the speciall assistance of Gods Spirit BP of Lond. I protest my heart melteth with joy that Almighty God of his singular mercy * This he spake on his knee hath given us such a King as since Christs time the like hath not beene Then passed there much discourse between the King the Bishops and the Lords about the quality of the Persons and Causes in the High Commission rectifying Excommunications in matters of lesse moment punishing Recusants providing Divines for Ireland Wales and the Northern Borders Afterwards the four Preachers were called in and such alterations in the Lyturgie were read unto them which the Bishops by the Kings advice had made and to which by their silence they seemed to consent His Majesty I see the exceptions against the Communion-book are matters of weakness therefore if the persons reluctant be discreet they will be won betimes and by good perswasions If indiscreet better they were removed for by their factions many are driven to be Papists From you Dr. Reynolds and your Associates I expect obedience and humility the marks of honest and good men and that you would perswade others abroad by your example Dr. Reyn. We here do promise to performe all duties to Bishops as Reverend Fathers and to joyne with them against the common Adversary for the quiet of the Church Mr. Chader I request * This he spake kneeling the wearing of the Surplice and the Cross in Baptism may not be urged on some godly Ministers in Lancashire fearing if forced unto them many won by their preaching of the Gospel will revolt to Popery and I particularly instance in the Vicar of Ratsdale Ar-b of Cant. You could not have light upon a worse for not many yeares agoe as my Lord * Who being there present averred the same Chancellor knowes it was proved before me that by his unreverent usage of the Eucharist dealing the Bread out of a Basket every man putting in his hand and taking out a piece he made many loath the Communion and refuse to come to Church His Majestie It is not my purpose and I dare say it is not the Bishops intent presently and out of hand to enforce these things without Fatherly Admonitions Conferences and Perswasions premised but I wish it were examined whether such Lancashire Ministers by their paines and preaching have converted any from Popery and withall be men of honest Life and quiet Conversation If so let Letters be written to the Bishop of * This was Râ—ch Vaughan afterwards Bishop of Lond. Chester who is grave and good man to that purpose that some favour may be afforded unto them and let the Lord Arch-bishop write the Letters BP of Lond. If this be granted the copie of these Letters will flie all over England and then all non conformists will make the like request and so no fruit follow of this Conference but things will be worse than they were before I desire therefore a
witnesses Henceforward 〈…〉 all his first information which from this day sunk 〈◊〉 silence and employed all his power on the proof of Subornation That 〈…〉 too hard for his Teeth to enter and fastned his fangs on a softer place so to pinch the Bishop to purpose yea so expensive was the suit that the Bishop well skilled in the charge of charitable works might with the same cost have built and endowed a small Colledge 84. Some daies before she hearing a Noble Lord of his Majesties Councell In 〈…〉 with the King the Bishops great Friend interposed himself to compound the matter prevailing so farre that on his payment of two thousand pound the Suit should be superseded in the Star-Chamber and he freed from further molessation But at this Lords return the price was risen in the market and besides the aforesaid 〈◊〉 it was demanded of him that to procure his peace he must part with his Deanery of Westminster Parsonage or Walgrave and Prebend of Lincoln which he kept in commendam To this the Bishop answered that he would in no base forgoe those few remainders of the favour which his dead master King James had conferred 〈◊〉 him 85. Not long after another bargain was driven frustrated therein by his great Adversary by the well intended endeavours of the same Lord that seeing his Majesty at that time had much occasion of moneys if he would but double the former summe and lay down four thousand pounds he should be freed from further trouble and might goe home with all his 〈◊〉 about him The Bishop returned that he took no delight 〈◊〉 at law with his Soveraign and thankfully embracing the motion prepared himself for the payment When a great Adversary stepping in so violented his Majesty to a Tryall that all was not onely frustrated but this afterwards urged against the Bishop to prove him conscious of a crime from his forwardness to entertain a composition 86. The day of censure being come July 11. Tuesday Sir John Finch Lord chief Justice fined the Bishop ten thousand pound for tempering to suborn Witnesses His heavy censure Secretary Windebank concurred with that little Bell being the lowdest and shrillest in the whole peaâ— as who alone motioned to degrade him which was lustily pronounced by a Knight and Layman having no precedent for the same in former ages The other Lords brought the fine downe to eight thousand pound and a thousand marks to Sir John Munson with suspension ab officio et beneficio and imprisoning him during the Kings pleasure The Earl of Arundell added that the cause in its self was extraordinary not so much prosecuted by the Atturney as immediately by the King himself recommended to their justice Manchester Lord privy Seal said that this was the first precedent wherein a Master had undone himself to save his Servant 87. The Archbishop of Canterbury did consent thereunto To which the Archbishop of Canterbury did concurre aggravating the fault of subornation of perjury with a patheticall speech of almost an houre long shewing how the world was above three thousand years old before ripe enough to commit so great a wickedness and Jesabell the first in Scripture branded with that infamie whose false Witnesses the holy Spirit refused to name otherwise than under the Character of Men of Belial Wherefore although as he said he himself had been five times down on his knees to his Majesty in the Bishops behalf yet considering the guilt so great he could not but agree with the heaviest censure And although some Lords the Bishops Friends as Treasurer Weston Earl of Dorset c. concurred in the fine with hope the King should have the sole honor of the mitigation thereof yet his Majesties necessaries meeting with the person adjudged guilty and well known for solvable no wonder if the utmost penny of the fine was exacted 88. At the same time were fined with the Bishop Three of his Servants fined with 〈◊〉 George Walker his Secretary Cadwallader Powell his Steward at three hundred pounds a piece and Thomas Lund the Bishop his Servant at a thousand 〈◊〉 all as 〈◊〉 in the same cause yet none of them was imprisoned save Lund for a few weeks and their fine never called upon into this day which the Bishop said was commuted into such Office as hereafter they were go doe in the favour of Kilvert 7. To make this our History entire The complaints against the unjust proceedings against him put in by the Bishop into the Parliament the matter in this particular suite Be it therefore known to the Reader than some foure years after 〈◊〉 1640 when this Bishop was fetch out of the Tower and restored a Peer in Parliament he there in presented severall grievances concerning the indirect prosecution of this cause against him whereof these the principall First that his Adversaries utterly waâ—ed and declined the matter of their first Information about revealing the Kings secrets as hopeless of success therein and sprung a new mine to blow up his credit about perjury in the examination of Witnesses Whereas he conceived it just that all accidentalls and occasionalls should sink with the substance of the accusation otherwise suits would be endless if the branches thereof should still survive when the root doth expire * These complaints I extracted out of the Bishop his Originall Secondly that he was deprived of the benefit of bringing in any exceptions against the Testimonies of Sir John Lambe and Dr. Sibthorp to prove their combination against him because they deposing pro Domino Rege nonâ— must impeach the credit of the Kings Witnesses who must be reputed holy and sacred in what they 〈◊〉 in so much that after Briefs were drawn by Counsells on both sides the Court was moved to expunge those Witnesses which made most against the King and for the Defendant Thirdly that Kilvert used all wayes to menace and intimidate the Bishop his Witnesses frighting them as much as he could out of their own consciences with dangers presented unto them To this purpose he obtained from Secretary Windebank that a Messenger of the Star-chamber one Pechye by name was directed to attend him all along the speeding of the Commission in the Country with his Coat of Armes upon him with power to apprehend and close imprison any person whom Kilvert should appoint pretending from the Secretary Warrants for matters of State and deep consequence so to doe by vertue whereof in the face of the Commission he seised on and committed George Walker and Thomas Lund two materiall Witnesses for the Bishop and by the terror thereof chased away many more whose Depositions were necessary to the clearing of the Bishop his integrity yet when the aforesaid two Prisoners in the custody of the Messenger were produced before Secretary Winebank he told them he had no matters of State against them but turned them over to Kilvert wishing them to give him satisfaction and were not permitted
King got the smiles of those who were most in number but the frowns of such who were greatest in power 3. Many were offended that at the Kings Coronation some six yeares agoe and a Parliament following thereon an act of ratification was passed concerning the Church her liberties and priviledges which some complained of was done without Plurality of Suffrages 4. Some Persons of honor desiring higher Titles m 〈…〉 were offended that they were denyed unto them whilst his Majesty conferred them on others There want not those also who confidently suggest it to Posterity that Pensions constantly payed out of the English Exchequer in the Reign of King James to some principall pastors in the Scottish Church were since detained So also the bounty of boons was now restrained in the Reign of King Charles which could not fall so freely as in the dayes of his father the Cloud being almost drained adding moreover that the want of watering of Scotland with such showers made them to chap into such Clefts and Chinks of Parties and Faâ—ions disaffected to the Kings proceedings 101. To increase these distempers some complain how justly The Book bears the blame of all their own Countrey-men best know of the pride and pragmaticainess of the Scotch Bishops who being but Probationers on their good behaviour as but reintroduced by King James offended the ancient Nobility with their medleing in State matters And I finde two principally accused on this account Doctor Forbes Bishop of the new Bishoprick of Edenburg and Doctor Welderburne Bishop of Dumblane Thus was the Scotch Nation full of discontents when this Book being brought unto them bare the blame of their breaking forth into more dangerous designs as when the Cup is brim full before the last though least superadded drop is charged alone to be the cause of all the running over 102. Besides the Church of Scotland claimed not only to be Independent The Scotch Church standeth on the termes of its own independency free as any Church in Christendome a Sister not Daughter of England but also had so high an opinion of its own puritie that it participated more of Moses his platform in the Mount than other Protestant Churches being a reformed reformation So that the practice thereof might be directory to others and she fit to give not take write not receive copies from any Neighbouring Church destring that all others were like unto them save only in their afflictions 103. So much for the complained of burden of the book Arch-Bishop Land accused as principall Composer of the Book as also for the sore back of that Nation gauled with the aforesaid grievances when this Liturgy was sent unto them and now we must not forget the hatred they bare to the hand which they accused for laying it upon them Generally they excused the King in their writings as innocent therein but charged Archbishop Laud as the principall and Doctor n Bayly ut pri pag. 102. Cosins for the instrumentall compiler thereof which may appear by what we read in a Writer o Idem pag 95. 96. of that Nation afterwards imployed into England about the advancing of the Covenant betwixt both Nations and other Church affaires This unhappy Book was his Gracet invention if he should deny it his own deeds would convince him The manifold letters which in this Pestiferous affaire have passed betwixt him and our Prelates are yet extant Anno Dom. 1637 If we might be heard Anno Regis Caroli 13 we would spread out sundry of them before the Convocation-House of England making it clear as the light that in all this designe his hand had ever been the prime stickler so that upon his back mainly nill he will he would be laid the charge of all the fruits good or evill which from that Tree are like to fall on the Kings Countries Surely if any such evidence was extant we shall hear of it hereafter at his arraignment produced and urged by the Scotch-Commissioners 10. But leaving the Roots to lye under the Earth The tumult at Edenborough at the first reading the book let us look on the Branches spreading themselves above ground July 23. Sunday and passing from the secret Author of this Book behold the evident effects thereof No sooner had the Dean of Edenborough began to read the Book in the Church of St. Gyles in the presence of the Privy-Councell both the Archbishops divers Bishops and Magistrates of the City but presently such a Tumult was raised that through clapping of hands cursing and crying one could neither hear nor be heard The Bishop of Edenborough indeavoured in vain to appease the Tumult whom a Stool aimed to be thrown at him had killed p The Kings laâ—ge declaration pag. 23. if not diverted by one present so that the same Book had occasioned his Death and prescribed the form of his buriall and this Hubbub was hardly suppressed by the Lord Provost and Bayliffs of Edenborough 105. This first Tumult was caused by such More considerable persons engaged in the cause whom I finde called the Skum of the City considerable for nothing but their number But few dayes after the cream of the Nation some of the highest and best quality therein ingaged in the same cause crying out God defend all those who will defend Gods cause and God confound q The Kings large declaration pag. 37. the Service-Book and all the maintainers of it 106. The Lords of the Councell interposed their power Octob. 17. and to appease all parties issued out a Proclamation to remove the Session much like to our Term in London to Lithgou The occasion of the Scotch covenant This abated their anger as fire is quenched with Oile seeing the best part of the Edenburgers livelyhood depends on the Session kept in their City yea so highly were the People enraged against Bishops as the procurers of all these Troubles that the Bishop of Galloway passing peaceably along the street towards the Councellâ—House was way-layed r Kings large declaration pag. 35. in his coming thither if by divine Providence and by Frances Stewart Sonne to the late Earl of Bothwell he had not with much adoe been got within the dores of the Councell-House Indeed there is no fence but flight nor counsell but concealement to secure any single parâ—y against an offended multitude 107. These troublesome beginnings afterwards did occasion the solemn League and Covenant The Authors excuse why not proceeding in this subject whereby the greatest part of the Nation united themselves to defend their Priviledges and which laid the foundation of a long and wofull War in both Kingdomes And here I crave the Readers pardon to break off and leave the prosecution of this sad subject to Pens more able to undertake it For first I know none will pity me if I needlesly prick my fingers with meddling with a Thistle which belongs not unto me Secondly I
Bedfordshire It began Anno 575 under King Vffa and lay most exposed to the Cruelty of the Danish Incursions 5. Of MERCIA so called because it lay in the middest of the Island being the Merches or Limits on which c Lambert's Descript of Kent all the residue of the Kingdomes did bound and border It began Anno 582. under King Cridda and contained the whole Counties of Lincoln Northampton with Rutland then and long since part thereof Huntingdon Buckingham Oxford Worcester Warwick Darby Nottingham Leicester Stafford and Chester Besides part of Hereford and Salop the Remnant whereof was possess'd by the Welsh Gloucester Bedford and d Idem ibid. Lancaster In view it was the greatest of all the seven but it abated the Puissance thereof because on the VVest it affronted the Britans being deadly Enemies and bordering on so many Kingdomes the Mercians had work enough at home to shut their own Doors 6. Of NORTHUMBERLAND corrivall with Mercia in Greatnesse though farre inferiour in Populousnesse as to which belonged whatsoever lieth betwixt Humber and Edenborough-Frith It was subdivided sometimes into two Kingdomes of Bernicia and Deira The later consisted of the Remainder of Lancashire with the intire Counties of York Durham VVestmorland and Cumberland Bernicia contained Northumberland with the South of Scotland to Edenborough But this Division lasted not long before both were united together It began Anno 547 under King Ida. 7. Of the WEST-SAXONS who possessed Hantshire Berkshire Wiltshire Somerset Dorset and Devonshire part of Cornwall and Gloucestershire yea some assigne a Moiety of Surrey unto them This Kingdome began Anno 519 under King Cerdicus and excelled for plenty of Ports on the South and Severn Sea store of Burroughs stoutnesse of active men some impute this to the Naturall cause of their being hatch't under the warm Wings of the South-VVest VVind which being excellent VVrastlers gave at last a Fall to all the other Saxon Kingdomes So that as the seven Streams of Nilus loose themselves in the Mid-land Sea this Heptarchy was at last devoured in the VVest-Saxons Monarchy The reason that there is some difference in VVriters in bounding of these severall Kingdomes is because England being then the constant Cock-pit of Warre the Limits of these Kingdomes were in daily motion sometimes marching forward sometimes retreating backward according to variety of Successe We may see what great difference there is betwixt the Bounds of the Sea at High-water and at Low-water Mark and so the same Kingdome was much disproportioned to it self when extended with the happy Chance of Warre and when contracted at a low Ebb of Ill Successe And here we must not forget that amongst these seven Kings during the Heptarchie commonly one was most puissant over-ruling the rest who stiled himself a Camden's Brit. pag. 139. King of the English Nation 18. But to return to the British Church and the year of our Lord 449 wherein S t. Patrick Irish S. Patrick said to live and die at Glassenbury the Apostle of Ireland is notoriously reported to have come to Glassenbury where finding twelve old Monks Successours to those who were first founded there by Ioseph of Arimathea he though unwilling was chosen their Abbot and lived with them 39 yeares observing the Rule of S t. Mark and his Aegptian Monks the Order of Benedictines being as yet unborn in the world Give we here a List of these 12 Monks withall forewarning the Reader that for all their harsh Sound they are so many Saints least otherwise he should suspect them by the ill noise of their Names to be worse Creatures 1. Brumbam 2. Hyregaan 3. Brenwall 4. VVencreth 5. Bantom-meweng 6. Adel-wolred 7. Lowar 8. VVellias 9. Breden 10. Swelves 11. Hinloemius 12. Hin But know that some of these Names as the 3. 6. and 9. are pure plain b First observed by Mr. Camden and since by the Arch-bishop of Armach He is made Co-partner in the Church with the Virgin Mary Saxon words which renders the rest suspected So that whosoever it was that first gave these British Monks such Saxon Names made more Haste then good Speed preventing the true Language of that Age. 19. So great was the Credit of S t. Patrick at Glassenbury that after his Death and Buriall there that Church which formerly was dedicated to the Virgin Mary alone was in after-Ages jointly consecrated to her and S t. Patrick A great Presumption For if it be true what is reported that at the first by direction of the Angel c See 1. Cent. 11. Parag. Gabriel that Church was solely devoted to the Virgin Mary surely either the same or some other Angel of equall Power ought to have ordered the Admission of S t. Patrick to the same to be match'd and impaled with the Blessed Virgin in the Honour thereof In reference to S t. Patrick's being at Glassenbur severall Saxon Kings granted large Charters with great Profits and Priviledges to this Place 20. But now the Spight is that an unparallel'd d James Usher de Brit. Ecc. Primord pag. 875. 883 894. 895. Yet the Credit of Patrick's being at Glassenbury shrewdly shaken Critick in Antiquity leaves this Patrick at this time sweating in the Irish Harvest having newly converted Lempster to the Faith and now gone into the province of Munster on the same Occasion Yea he denies and proveth the same that this Patrick ever liv'd or was buried at Glassenbury But be it known to whom it may concern that the British are not so over-fond of S t. Patrick as to ravish him into their Country against his will and the consent of Time Yea S t. Patrick miss'd as much Honour in not being at Glassenbury as Glassenbury hath lost Credit if he were never there seeing the British justly set as high a Rate on that Place as the Irish do on his Person See but the Glorious Titles which with small Alteration might serve for Ierusalem it self given to Glassenbury and seeing now the Place is for the most part buried in it's own Dust let none envy these Epithets for the Epitaph thereof Here lies the a Or Borough City vvhich once vvas the b In the Charter of King Ina and also in King Edgar's Fountain and Originall of all Religion built by Christs Disciples c Malmesbury MS. de Antiq. Eccles Glaston consecrated by Christ himself and this place is the d So called in the Charter of King Kenwin MOTHER OF SAINTS We are sorry therefore for S t. Patrick's sake if he was never there To salve all some have found out another Patrick called Seniour or Sen Patrick a nice difference equall with the Irish Apostle in Time and not much inferiour in Holinesse who certainly liv'd at Glassenbury The plain truth is that as in the e Plautus his Amphitruo Comoedian when there were two Amphitruo's and two Sosia's they made much fallacious Intricacy and pleasant Delusion in the eyes of the Spectatours So
of the following Passage in Aidan's Life and take it with Stapleton's own Translation thereof Omnes qui cum eo incedebant sive Attonsi sive Laici meditari deberent id est aut legendis Scripturis aut Psalmis discendis operam dare All they which went with him were they professed into Religion or were they Lay-brethren gave themselves continually to Contemplation that is to say bestowed all their time in reading Scripture or learning the Psalter Bede speaking hereof addeth moreover tantum vita illius à nostri temporis segnitia distabat so much differed his life from the Lazinesse of our Age taxing those of his Time for Neglect of the Scriptures And the Ignorance bemoaned in his Age continued and encreased after his Death 73. When Aidan came first into England The royall interpreter he was not perfect in the Language of our Country For although the Speech of the modern Southern Scot be onely a Dorick Dialect of no distinct Language from English yet Aidan who naturally spoke Irish was not intelligible of his English Congregation Wherefore King Oswald a better Scotch-man as bred amongst them then Aidan was English-man interpreted to the People what the other preached unto them Thus these two put together made a perfect Preacher And although some will say Sermons thus at the Second-hand must lose much of their Life and Lustre yet the same Spirit working in both the Ordinance proved effectuall to the Salvation of many Souls 74. This year the first Lent was kept in England 640 conceive it in those Parts thereof which obeyed the Roman Celebration of Easter The first Lent in England Otherwise it is suspicious that the Quartadecimans were no good Quadragesimarians and no such conscientious Observers of Lent on the Romish Account Surely if people were taught in Lent to fast as from Flesh so from a proud and false opinion of Meriting thereby Policy would be well pleased and Piety not offended at the Observing thereof whilest Continent-Countries might keep it without any Losse to their Souls and Islands with great Gain to their Estates 75. Oswald 642 King of Northumberland The ill successe of good Kings at Maserfield since Oswastree in Shropshire against Penda the Pagan Prince of Mercia was overthrown slain and his Body most barbarously abused and chopped in Pieces Yea it is observable that such Saxon Kings which were first converted to Christianity and such who were the most active Restorers of Religion after a generall Apostasie commonly came to Violent Deaths by the hands of Heathens As Edwine first Christian King of Northumberland slain by Pagan Penda Anno 632. Erpenwald first Christian King of East-Angels slain by his own People Anno 639. Peada first Christian King of Mercia slain by his own Wife Anno 659. Edelwald or Ethelwald first Christian King of Sussex slain likewise Oswald the most Religious Restorer of Christianity in Northumberland slain Anno 642. Anna the most Pious King of the East-Angels slain by Penda Anno 654. Edmond the most Devout King of the East-Angels martyred by the Danes Anno 870. Inquiring into the Causes hereof we find First that the Lustre of their Lives shining before men made them the fairer Mark for their malicious Enemies Secondly Satan accounting them Traitours against his Kingdome of Darknesse left no stone unturned thereby to bring them to Temporall Destruction the greatest Hurt which his Power could inflict Thirdly God to try the Patience of his Infant-Church acquainted them with Afflictions from their very Cradle Such therefore are mistaken who make Prosperity a note either of Piety in particular Persons or Verity in a whole Church seeing take it one time with another and it misseth the Mark oftner then it hits is As for our Oswald Legions of Miracles are attributed unto him after Death all which we willingly omit insisting onely on One as most remarkable 76. The Story goes thus Oswald's hand said never to putrifie On an Easter-day Oswald was sitting in his Palace at Dinner with Bishop Aidan when in comes one of his Servants and informeth him that abundance of Poor people from all parts fate in the Streets expecting some Almes for their Relief Presently King Oswald commands not onely that the Meat set before him should be given them Anno Dom. 642 also that the large Silver-Charger holding the same should be broke in pieces and in want perchance of present Coin parted betwixt them Whereupon Aidan laying hold on Oswald's right Hand and that alone we know ought to be the a Matth. 6. 3. Almoner May this hand said he b So Stapleton translateth what is Bede is inveterascat never be consumed which is said accordingly to come to passe So that when all the other Members of King Oswald's Body torn asunder by his barbarous Enemies were putrified his right Hand alwayes remained unconsumed Nullo c Camden ' s Brit. in Lincolnshire Verme perit nulla Putredine tabet Dextra viri nullo constringi Frigore nullo Dissolvi Fervore potest sed semper eodem Immutata statu persistit mortua vivit No Worm no Rottennesse taints his right Hand Corruption-free in vain the Cold doth strive To freeze or Heat to melt it which doth stand Still at one stay and though dead is alive But it is not enough for us that we have the Poets Pen for it if we also had Oswald's Hand to shew for the same much might be wrought on our belief herein 77. For my own part Mystically true I conceive that Aidan his words to Oswald that his Handshould never wax old or be consumed were spiritually spoken in a Mysticall Meaning parallel to those Scripture-expressions The Righteous shall be in d Psal 112. 6. everlasting Remembrance even when the name of the VVicked shall e Prov. 10. 7. rot The bountifull hand never consumes neither actually it never wastes nor empairs an Estate God so ordering it that the more he giveth the more he hath nor passively it is not consumed the Acts thereof remaining in a perpetuall Memoriall here and hereafter But grant this Miracle of Oswald's Hand literally true in the Latitude thereof I desire any ingenuous Papist to consider the Time wherein it was acted It was Easter-day yea such an Easter-day as was celebrated by the Quartadecimans Aidan being present thereat contrary to the time which the Canons of Rome appointed Now did not a Divine Finger in Oswald his miraculous Hand point out this Day then to be truly observed Let the Papists produce such another Miracle to grace and credit their Easter Roman-stile and then they say something to the Purpose 78. It plainly appears Over officiousnesse occasioned purgatory that the Survivers had not onely a charitable Opinion but a comfortable Presumption yea an infallible Perswasion that the Soul of King Oswald was possessed of Heavenly Happinesse instantly after his Death What better Demonstration of his present being in perfect Blisse then those many
third to the School understand Oxford which he himself had founded the fourth and last to the neighbouring Monasteries round about However we may easily believe that after his Death the Students of Oxford were often at a losse of Livelihood For seeing the Coffers of the greatest Kings especially in the time of War are subject to a Drought of Coin there must needs be a Dearth in those Colledges which are watered thence for their Maintenance Scholars may in time of Peace but Souldiers must be paid in time of War Wherefore the most certain Subsistence for Scholars so far forth as inconstant things as all Sublunary can be made constant is what ariseth from solid Lands wherewith they are endowed For though even such Revenues are subject to Casualties yet some Water will ever be running though the Tide thereof may ebb or flow according to the fall or rise of Commodities 39. But it is hard so to compose two Swarms of Bees in one Hive 14 but that they will fall out 885 and fight Dissention betwixt the Students at Oxford The Colledge of Logick it seems from the Foundation thereof studied Divisions as well as Distinctions there happening a dangerous Difference betwixt the Aborigines and the Advenae the old Stock of Students and the new Store brought in by S t. Grimball the former standing on their Seniority expected more Respect unto themselves deriving their Priviledges from their learned Auncestors time out of mind which the Grimballists would not consent unto Both sides appealed to Alfred as their Patron He coming to Oxford carried himself with much moderation as accounting that Agreement most durable into which the parties were perswaded not commanded Grimball expecting King Alfred's zealous ingaging on his side according to the conceived merits of his Cause Anno Dom. 885 was not a little offended Anno Regis Alfredi seu Aluredi 14 that the King did not appear more resolute in his behalf Insomuch that he forsook Oxford wherein he had formerly built the Church of St. Peter from the very Foundation with stone most curiously wrought and polished and translated both himself and his intended Tombe thence to VVinchester 40. An a Brian Twine in Apolog. Antiq. Oxton Antiquary tells us that the ancient Armes were assigned to Oxford about this time The Armes of oxford namely in a Field Azure a Bible with seven Seales appendant thereunto opened at the beginning of S t. Iohns Gospel In the beginning was the word c. betwixt three Crowns Or which three Crowns saith he signifie the three Senses of the Scripture in the which I confesse I do not understand him For either we must admit but one Sense of the Scripture as principally intended therein which is the generall Opinion of the Protestants or if with the Papists we will allow moe Senses then one we must conclude b Aquinas Summes quae 1. Art 10. four namely the literall allegoricall morall and anagogicall What if the three Crowns import the three Professions which Alfred here sounded and all necessary to the understanding of the Book betwixt them Grammar to understand the Letter Philosophy the Reason and Divinity the Mystery of the Scripture 41. One of the first Scholars of Note One once a swineheard made Bishop of Winchester whom I find bred in Oxford was one Duâ—wolphus once a Swineheard in Athelney when Alfred lurked therein being the Kings Host who entertained him or rather his Master whom the King served Alfred perceiving in him pregnancy of Parts though stifled with the Narrownesse and cripled with the Lownesse of his Vocation sent him to c Godwin in his Bishops of Winchester pag. 263. Oxford where he became after some yeares study Doctour in Divinity and was by the King in Gratitude preferred to be Bishop of d Malmesb. lib. 2. de â—ess Pontificum VVinchester But the Monks of VVinchester are so proud and sullen they disdain to accept this man for their Bishop affirming that their See stood e See M r. Isaak sons Chronology in Caâ—al of Bishops void at this time more willing to confesse a Vacancy then admit a Swineheard into their Episcopall Chaire Whereas surely Alfred so great a Scholar and good a man would not have advanced him per saltum from a Swineheard to a Bishop had he not been qualified by intermediate Degrees of Education For mine own part I see no reason why VVinchester should be ashamed of him and for ought I know 887 Dunwolph might be as good a Bishop as Dunstan 16 of whom the Monks of VVinchester so boast both without cause and measure 42. Councils except Councils of VVarre were very rare in this Age. The preface to the Canons made by King Alfred The f S r. Henry Spelman ' s Counc p. 354. first I find a solemn one celebrated by King Alfred the place not expressed but the Canons therein fairly transmitted to Posterity The Preface of these Canons is very remarkable consisting of three parts 1. The ten Commandments translated into Saxon as being the Basis and Foundation of all Humane Laws 2. Severall pieces of Chapters in Exodus being the Breviate of the Judiciall Law of the Iews which though in the Latitude thereof calculated only for the Iewish Common-wealth yet the Morall Equity therein obligeth all Christians 3. The fifteenth Chapter of the Acts containing the Council of Ierusalem as being a Divine Precedent or Warrant for Christians to convene together and conclude Orders for regulating mens Conversations It is remarkable that in the aforesaid ten Commandments as â—xemplified in this Council of Alfred the second Commandment is wholly â—xpunged Image-worship beginning then to grow common in the world and the Clergy who gained thereby hating the second Commandement on the same account as Ahab did a 1 King 22. 8 Micâ—iah Anno Regis Alfredi seu Aluredi 16 because it ever prophesied evill unto themâ— dashed it out of the Decalogue Anno Dom. 887 The worst is when this was wanting the Decalogue was but an Ennealogue and therefore to preserve the number of ten the Papists generally cleave the last Commandment into two but in Alfred's Preface this is made the tenth and last Commandment Thou shalt not worship Gods of Gold and Silver Which as it comes in out of it's proper place and why should not Gods Order be observed as well as his Number in the Commandments so is it defectively rendered nothing so full against graven-Images as God propounded it The Canons made in this Council fall under a three-fold Consideration Some relate onely to the Common-wealth and by us may properly be forborn Others concern onely Monks and Friers a sixth Finger and no necessary Member of the Church and as Actio moritur cum persona so with the Extirpation of those Convents those Canons may seem to expire 43. Plegmund an Eremite in the Isle of Chester now called Plegmundsham Tutour to King Alfred 18
he was accessary with his Mother to the murthering of his Brother Edward 44. But Dunstan survived not to see his Prediction take effect 8 for he was happily prevented by Death 987 and buried on the South-side of the High Altar in the Church of Canterbury Dunstan's corpse wrongfully claimed by the Convent of Glassenbury where his Tombe was famous for some time till Thomas Becket eclipsed the same seeing Saints like new Besomes sweep clean at the first and afterwards are clean swept out by newer Saints which succeed them Yea Dunstan's Grave grew so obscure at Canterbury that the Monks of Glassenbury taking heart thereat and advantaged by Iohn Capgrave's report that Anno 1012. Dunstan's Corpse were translated thither pretended his Buriall and built him a Shrine in their Convent Men and Mony met at Glassenbury on this Mistake and their Convent got more by this eight foot length of Ground the supposed Tombe of Dunstan then eight hundred Acres of the best Land they possessed elsewhere Whereupon VVilliam Wareham Arch-bishop of Canterbury to trie the truth and to prevent farther Fraud herein caused a solemn search to be made in the Cathedral of Canterbury after Dunstan's Corpse in the place Tradition reported him to be interred 45. Four of the Friars A night Hue-and-Cry made after his corpse fittest for the work to wit of stronger Bodies then Braines undertook to make this Scrutinie Anno 1508. the 22. of April Great Caution was used that all should be done semotis Laicis no Lay-men being present whether because their Eies were too profane to behold so holy an Object or too prying to discover the Default if the Search succeeded not In the Night they so plyed their Work that ere Morning they discovered Dunstan's Coffin and rested the day following from more Digging as well they might having taken so much Pains and gained so much Profit by their endeavours 46. Next Night they on afresh Discovered with the manner of the interment thereof and with main Force plucked up the ponderous Coffin upon the Pavement A Coffin built as one may say three Stories high the outermost of Wood but almost made Iron with the multitude of Nailes therein within that another of plain Lead within that a third of wrought Lead wherein the bones of Dunstan a Archiva Eccles Cant. exemplified by my good friend Mr. Will. Summer in his Descript of Cant. in Appendice Script 12. lay in his Pontificall Vests Anno Dom. 987. with this Inscription in a Plate Hic requiescit Sanctus Dunstanus Archiepiscopus Anno Regis Ethelredi 8 Some lumps of Flesh were found which were said to smell very sweet the Reliques perchance of some Spices which embalmed him and all done in the presence of many worthy Witnesses amongst whom Cuthbert Tunstal was one then the Arch-bishops Chancellour afterward Bishop of Durham Hereupon the Arch-bishop sent his Mandate to the Abbot and Convent of Glassenbury henceforward to desist from any jactitation of Dunstan's Corpse and abusing people with such Pretences A Fault most frequent in that Convent challenging almost the Monopolie of all English Saints witnesse that impudent Lie of the rhythming Monk writing thus of Glassenbury Hic Tumulus sanctus hic Scala Poli celebratur Vix luit Inferni Poenas hic qui tumulatur But who is rather to be believed S t. Peter that saith b 1 Pet. 4. 18 The righteous shall scarcely be saved or this Monk affirming that Whoso is buried at Glassenbury shall scarcely be damned 47. After the death of Dunstan Priests and Monks alternately cast out their Patrone 988 the Monks not much befriended by King Ethelred were cast out of the Convent of Canterbury 9 or rather cast out themselves by their Misdemeanours c Psal 49. 20 Man in honour hath no understanding c. They wax'd so wanton with possessing the places of Secular Priests that a Monk d Wil. Thorn cited by Ant. Brit. pag. 90. himself of Canterbury confesseth Monachi propter eorum Insolentiam sedibus pulsi Clerici introducti Monks for their Insolencie were driven out of their Seats and Secular Clerks brought into their room Thus was it often In Dock out Nettle as they could strengthen their Parties For Siricius the next Arch-bishop of Canterbury endeavoured the re-expulsion of the Priests which by Alfricus his Successour was effected 48. But soon after The Danes re-invade England the Danes revenged the Quarrel of the Secular Priests 989 and by a firm Ejection outed the Monks 10 before they were well warm in their Nests Their Fury fell more on Convents then Castles whether because the former were in that Age more numerous Castles afterwards were encreased by William the Conquerour or because their Prey and Plunder was presumed the richest and easist to be gotten or because the Danes then generally Pagans principally spited places of Religion A Relapse is far more dangerous then a simple Disease as here it proved in the Danes England for these last sixty years had been cured of and cleared from their Cruelty which now returned more terrible then ever before 49. These Danes were also advantaged by the Unactivenesse of King Ethelred The unreadinesse of King Ethelred advantageth the Danes therefore surnamed the Vnready in our Chronicles 990 The Clock of his Consultations and Executions was alwayes set some Hours too late 11 vainly striving with much Industry to redresse what a little Providence might seasonably have prevented Now when this Vnready King met with the Danes his over-ready Enemies no wonder if lamentable was the Event thereof The best thing I find recorded of this King Ethelred is that in his dayes began the tryal of Causes by a Jury of twelve men to be chosen out of the Vicenage of like quality as near as may be suited to the persons concerned therein Hereby men have most fair play for their Lives and let it be the desres of all honest hearts that whilest we pluck off the Badges of all Norman Slavery we part not with the Livery of our old Saxon Liberty 50. In this sad condition King Ethelred hearkened to the perswasions of Siricius A dear peace bought of the Danes Arch-bishop of Canterbury 991 and with ten thousand Pounds purchased a present Peace with the Danes 12 Indeed it was conformable to the calling of a Church-man to procure Peace having not onely c Psal 34. 14. Scripture precepts therein Seck peace and pursue it but also Precedents for the same when gracious f 2 Kings 18. 14. Hezekiah with a Present pacified Sennacherib to desist from invading him However this Arch-bishop generally suffered in his Reputation condemned of all Anno Regis Ethelredi 12 for counselling of what was Anno Dom. 991 First dishonourable that an entire Nation being at home in their own Land should purchase a Peace from Forrainers fewer in Number and fetching their Recruits and warlike
Mothers Body b Agathias lib. 4. applicata ad Vterum Corona But what Solemnity soever was done to this Hans-en-Kelder it did not afterwards embolden him to the Anticipation of the Crown attending till it descended upon him 12. A worthy King The original of our Common Laws no less pious to God then just to Man For whereas formerly there were manifold Laws in the Land made some by the Britans others by the Danes others by the English swelling to an unmeasurable Number to the great Mischief of his Subjects he caused some few of the best to be selected and the rest as captious and unnecessary to be rejected Hence say some they were called the Common Laws as calculated for the common Good and no private persons Advantage 13. It is admirable No hostile Danes appear in England how the Danes in this Kings Reign were vanished away They who formerly could scarce be numbered in England they were so many could now scarce be numbered they were so few and those living quietly with their English Neighbours As for forrein invading Danes in this Kings Reign as I cannot see them so I will not seek them glad of their Room and Riddance Indeed once I meet with an Assay of them in a Navy bound to infest England but their King being casually drowned as he entred his own Fleet put an end to their Hopes and our Feares for that Designe 14. Emma 4 King Edward's Mother 1046 being suspected too familiar with Alwin Bishop of VVinchester The manner of Ordall by fire under the colour of Devotion put herself to be tryed by Ordall whereof this the manner Nine Plow-shares glowing hot were laid on the Ground one foot distant from another the party suspected was to be brought blind-folded and bare-footed to passe over them if he chanced to step in the Intervalls or on the hot Iron unhurt he was pronounced Innocent otherwise condemned for an Offender An unjust Law wherein the Tryers had no Precept the Tryed no Promise Must Innocence be ruin'd as often as Malice would wrong it if Miracle would not rescue it This was not a way to try man but tempt God As just a Trying by Fire as that of our modern Witches by Water This Tryall Queen Emma admirably underwent not sensible of the Plow-shares till past them saying to such as led her Oh when shall I come to the place of my Purgation 15. By what Power this was performed Queen Emma her miraculous purgation I will not dispute finding amongst the c Strab. Geog. lib. 5. Plin. lib. 7. cap. 2. Heathens a City Feronia twenty miles from Rome under mount Soracte where the Inhabitants possessed with a spirit of a Deity therein worshipped usually walked upon burning Coales without any Harm Onely I wonder that Bishop Alwin equally suspected and equally innocent with Emma should not profer himself to the like Triall But perchance the prudent Prelate remembred that such barbarous Customes though kept up amongst the Common People were forbidden by the ancient Canons as also by the Letter of Pope Stephen the fifth which about the year eight hundred eighty and seven he wrote to Humbert Bishop of Mentz And now Emma who went willingly on this sad Errand did the Businesse for them both and cleared their Credits The Church of Winchester got well hereby viz. nine Mannours which Queen Emma bestowed thereon in Commemoration of her Deliverance 16. King Edward the Confessour was married to the devout Lady Edith A Wife no Wife his Wife in Minde but not in Body in Consent not Act being onely as my Authour saith an Abishag to the King Strange that two Persons if loving each other in the prime of their yeares should light on so happy a Temper as mutually to warm not to heat one another which the Wife-men in our Age will account difficult Anno Dom. 1046 and the Wanton impossible Anno Regis Edvardi Confessoris 4 Such will say if this was true that King Edward pass'd as great a Triall as Queen Emma his Mother and that his Ordall was as hard as hers was painfull 17. Was it not pity Yet was there not a cause but the World should have more of the Breed of them who were so godly a Couple Let Basenesse be barren and Cruelty childlesse Pious persons deserve a double Portion in that Charter of Fruitfulnesse a Gen. 1. 28. Multiply and encrease Yea the English Crown now wanting an Heir and for Default thereof likely to fall to Forreiners might I will not say have tempted but have moved King Edward to the Knowledge of his Wife But whilest Papists crie up this his incredible Continency others easily unwonder the same by imputing it partly to his Impotence afflicted with an Infirmitie partly to the Distaste of his Wife whom he married onely for Coveniencie and to the Distrust of her Chastity on suspition whereof he confined her to the Monasterie of Whore-well as I take it in Hamshire 18. But grant Queen Edith a chast Woman The good daughter of a bad father as she is generally believed Daughter she was to a wicked Father Earle Godwin by name whence the Proverb Sicut spina rosam genuit God winus Editham From prickly stock as springs a Rose So Edith from Earle Godwin grows little ill being written of the Daughter and no good of the Father Indeed King Edward was Father-in-law-ridden who feared Earle Godwin rather then trusted him as who with a long train of his Power could sweep many Dependents after him This Godwin like those Sands near Kent which bear his name never spared what he could spoile but swallowed all which came within his compass to devoure Two Instances whereof because both belonging to Church-matters we will relate 19. He cast a cavetous Eye on the fair Nunnery of Berkley in Glocestershire Godwin's device to get Berkley Nunnerie and thus contrived it for himself He left there an handsome young man really or seemingly sick for their Charity to recover who quickly grows well and wanton He is toying tempting taking such Fire and Flax quickly make a Flame The Sisters loose their Chastity and without taking Wife in the way are ready to make Mothers The young man if sick returns to Earle Godwin in Health leaving the healthfull Nuns sick behind him The same hereof fills the Country flies to Court is complained of by Earle Godwin to the King Officers are sent to enquire they return it to be true the Nuns are turned out their House and Lands forfeited both bestowed on Earle Godwin surprized VVeaknesse being put out and designing VVickednesse placed in the room thereof Surely King Edward knew nothing of Godwin's Deceit herein otherwise it was unjust that the Whores should be punished and the principall Pander rewarded 20. At another time he had a mind to the rich Mannour of Boseham in Sussex Another trick to gain the mannour of Boseham and complemented it out
Kings when habited with his Cloaths to be cloathed with the habit of his vertuous Endowments as when putting on the Gloves of this Confessour their Hands ought to be like his in moderate taking of Taxes from their Subjects Indeed Impositions once raised are seldome remitted pretended Necessities being alwayes found out for their Continuance But our Edward released to his Subjects the grievous burden of Dane-gelt payed to his Predecessours conceiving it fit now the Danes were departed that the Gelt or Tax should go after them But now Edward's Staffe is broken Chair overturned Cloaths rent and Crown melted our present Age esteeming them the Reliques of Superstition 27. And yet all things being cast up No Confessour in the slrictness of the word I confesse I understand not how the name Confessour is proper to King Edward in the strict acceptance thereof For a Confessour is one actually persecuted for the testimony of the Truth and prepared to lose his Life for the same He is a Martyr in Bullion wanting onely the Stamp of a Violent Death to be impressed upon him Now a great part of our Edward's Life was led by him in Peace and Plenty nothing bounding his Abundance but his own Moderation for twenty years together having no visible Foe to offend him And although in his youth he lived in Normandy in a middle Condition betwixt an Exile and a Traveller flying thither for fear of the Danes yet such his Sufferings were of Civil Concernment not directly relating to Conscience though at distance reducible thereunto But seeing in the Titles of great Persons it is better to give too much then too little a Confessour we found him and a Confessour we leave him 28. Our Eyes have been so intent in beholding the Vertues of this King Stigand the vicious Arch-bishop of Canterbury we have been little at Leasure to take notice of the Arch-bishops of Canterbury during his Reign Know then that about ten yeares since Robert Arch-bishop of Canterbury who succeeded Eadsin therein fearing some hard measure from Earle Godwin notwithstanding he had been contentedly kissed out of his Mannour of Boseham conveyed himself away beyond the Seas to his Monastery in Normandy whence he came first into England After whose Depature Stig and Bishop of Winchester intruded himself into that See eminent onely for Vice and fordid Covetousnesse 29. As for the Ecclesiastic all Laws made by this King in his Reign King Edward's Ecclesiasticall Constitutions it will be enough to affix their Principall Titles 1. That every Clerk and Scholar should quietly enjoy their Goods and Possessions 2. What solemn Festivalls people may come and goe of without any Law-Sutes to disturb them 3. That in all Courts where the Bishops Proctour doth appear his Case is first to be heard and determined 4. That Guilty folk flying to the Church should there have Protection not to be reprehended by any but by the Bishop and his Ministers 5. That Tithes be paid to the Church of Sheep Pigs Bees and the like 6. How the Ordall was to be ordered for the Triall of Guilty persons by Fire and Water 7. That Peter-pence or Romescot be faithfully payed to the Pope But I loose time and referre the Reader to read these Constitutions at large being three and twenty in number in the worthy a In his Councils pag. 619. Work of that no lesse Learned then Religious Knight Sir Henry Spelman 30. And now the full time was come 24 wherein good King Edward exchanged this life for a better 1066 Jan. 4. Who How the Kings of England come to cure the Kings Evil. as he was famous for many personall Miracles so he is reported to have entailed by Heavens Consort an hereditary Vertue on his Successours the Kings of England onely with this Condition b Primrosius de Vulgat Error cap. ultimo that they continue constant in Christianity to cure the Kings Evil. This Disease known to the Greeks by the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 termed by Laâ—ines Struma and Sorophulae hath it's Cause from Phlegm it 's chief and common outward Residence in or near the Neck Throat where it expresseth it self in Knobs and Kernells pregnant often times with corrupted Bloud other putrified matter which on the breaking of those Bunches floweth forth equally offensive to Sight Smell and Touch. And yet this noisome Disease is happily healed by the Hands of the Kings of England stroaking the Soar if any doubt of the Truth thereof they may be remitted to their own Eyes for farther Confirmation But there is a sort of men who to avoid the Censure of over-easie Credulity and purchase the Repute of prudent Austerity justly incurre the Censure of affected Frowardnesse It being neither Manners nor Discretion in them in matters notoriously known to give daily Experience the Lye by the Backwardnesse of their Belief 31 But whence this Cure proceeds Severall opinions of the Causes thereof is much controverted amongst the Learned Some recount it in the Number of those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whose Reason cannot be demonstrated For as in vicious Common-wealths Bastards are frequent who being reputed Filii Populi have no particular Father so mans Ignorance increaseth the number of Occult Qualities which I might call Chances in Nature where the Effect is beheld but cannot be certainly referred to any immediate and proper Cause thereof Others impute it to the power c Ferrerius lib. 2. method cap. 11. de Homeric Curat of Fancie and an exalted Imagination For when the poor Patient who perchance seldome heard of and never saw a King before shall behold his Royall Hand dabling in a Puddle of Putrefaction with a charitable Confidence rubbing smoothing chafing those loathsome Kernells which I may call Clouds of Corruption dissolved oft-times into a feculent Shower I say when the Sick-man shall see an Hand so humble of an Arme so high such Condescention in a King to stroak that Soar at which meaner Persons would stop their Nostrills shut their Eyes or turn their Faces this raiseth erecteth enthroneth the Patients Fancie summoning his spirits to assist Nature with their utmost Might to encounter the Disease with greater Advantage And who will look into the Legend of the Miracles of Imagination shall find many strange and almost incredible things thereby really effected 32. Other Learned men Others count it Superstition and particularly d Lib. de Incantamentis Gaspar Peucenus though acquitting this Cure from Diabolicall Conjuration yet tax it as guilty of Superstition With him all such do side as quarrell at the Ceremonies and Circumstances used at the Healing of this Maladie Either displeased at the Collect read consisting of the first nine verses of the Gospell of S t. Iohn as wholly improper and nothing relating to the Occasion or unresolved of the Efficacy of the Gold pendent about the Patients Neck whether partly compleating or a bare Complement of the
which was worse a prison liv'd in him being streightned in his own bowels towards himself For pretending poverty he denied himself necessaries being afterwards discovered to carry a Key about his Neck which opened to infinite treasure so that none would lavish pitty on him who starv'd in store and was wilfully cruel to himself 5. A f Sir John Davys in his Irish report case 〈◊〉 Praemunite fol. 87 89. learned lawyer hath observed The Popes first 〈◊〉 of the Crown of England that the first encroachment of the Bishop of Rome upon the liberties of the Crown of England was made in the time of King William the Conqueror For the Conqueror came in with the Popes Banner and under it won the battle which got him the Garland and therefore the Pope presumed he might boldly pluck some flowers from it being partly gain'd by his countenance and Blessing Indeed King William kindly entertained these Legats sent from Rome so to sweeten the rank savor of his coming in by the sword in the nostrils of religious men pretending what he had gotten by power he would keep by a pious compliance with his Holiness But especially he did serve the Pope to be served by him that so with more ease and less envie he might suppress the English Clergie But although this politick Prince was courteous in his complemental addresses to the See Apostolick Yet King William invested ecclesiastical pesons yet withall he was carefull of the main chance to keep the essentials of his Crown as amongst others by these four remarkable particulars may appear 6. First he g Annal Eccl. 〈◊〉 M. S. 〈◊〉 Mr Gelden in his â—ntes on 〈◊〉 pag. 14. retained the ancient custom of the Saxon Kings investing Bishops and Abbots by delivering them a Ring and a Staff whereby without more ado they were put into plenary possession of the power and profit of their place Yea when Arch-Bishop Lansrank one so prevalent that he could perswade King William to any thing provided that the King himself thought it fitting requested William to bestow on him the donation of the Abbey of Saint Augustine in Canterbury the King refused saying that he would keep all pastoral h Gervasius Dorobernensis M. S. cited ibid. Staves in his own hand Wiser herein then his successors who parted with those Staves wherewith they themselves were beaten afterward 7. Secondly being demanded to do Fealty for his Crown of England 1078. to Gregory the seventh Pope of Rome And refuseth to do Fealty to the Pope he returned an answer as followeth 12. In English EXcellentissimo i M S codex epislolarum Lansranci cited by Sr John Davys in his Irish reports of Praemunire fol 89. Sanctae Ecclesiae Pastori Gregorio gratia Dei Anglorum rex dux Normannorum Willielmus salutem cum amicitia Hubertus Legatus tuus Religiose Pater ad me veniens ex tua parte me admonuit quatenus tibi successoribus tuis fidelitatem facerem de pecunia quam antecessores mei ad Romanam ecclesiam mitere solebant melius cogitarem Vnum admisi alterum non admisi Fidelitatem facere nolui nec volo quia nec ego promisi nec antecessores meos antecessoribus tuis id fecisse comperio Pecunia tribus sermè annis in Galli is me agente negligenter collecta est Nunc vero divina misericordia me in regnum meum reverso quod collectum per praefatum Legatum mittitur Et quod reliquum est per Legatos Lanfranci Archiepiscopi fidelis nostri cum opportunum fuerit transmittetur Orate pro nobis pro statu Regni nostri quia antecessores vestros dileximus vos prae omnibus sincerè diligere obedienter audire desideramus TO Gregory the most excellent Pastor of the holy Church William by the grace of God King of the English Duke of the Normans wisheth health and desireth k Or remembreth his love to him his friendship Religious Father your Legat Hubert coming unto me admonished me in your behalf in asmuch as I should do fealty to you and your successors and that I should take better care for the payment of the money which my predecessors were wont to send to the Church of Rome One thing I have granted the other I have not granted Fealty I would not do nor will I because I neither promised it neither do I finde that my predecessors ever did it to your predecessors The money for almost three years when I was abroad in France hath been but negligently collected But now seeing by divine mercy I am returned into my Kingdom what is gathered is sent by the aforesaid Legat and the arrears which remain shall be sent by the messengers of Lanfrank our faithful Arch-Bishop in time convenient Pray for us and for the good state of our Kingdom because we have loved your predecessors and do desire sincerely to love and obediently to hear you above all others It is strange on what pretence of right the Pope required this Fealty was it because he sent King William a consecrated Banner that under the colour thereof he endeavoured to display his power over all England as if the King must do him homage as a Banneret of his creation or because he had lately humbled Henry the fourth the German Emperour he thought that all Kings in like manner must be slaves unto him the Pope being then in his Vertical height and Dog-dayes of the heat of his Power But wee need no further inquiry into the cause of his Ambition when we read him to be Gregory the seventh otherwise Hisdebrand that most active of all that sate in that Chair Surely he sent this his demand rather with an intent to spie then hope to speed therein so to sound the depth of King William whom if he found shallow he knew how to proceed accordingly or else he meant to leave this demand dormant in the Deck for his successors to make advantage thereof who would claim for due whatsoever they challenged before However so bold an asker never met with a more bold denier Soon did King William finde his spirits who formerly had not lost but hid them for his private ends England's Conqueror would not be Romes Vassal and hee had Brain enough to deny what the other had Brow to require and yet in such wary language that he carried himself in a religious distance yet politick parity with his Holiness 8. Thirdly King William ordereth the power both of Pope and Arch-Bishop in his own Dominion King William would in no wife suffer any one in his Dominion to acknowledge the Bishop of Rome for Apostolical without his a Eadmerus Hist Nov. lib. 1. pag 6. command or to receive the Popes Letters except first they had been shewed unto him As for the Arch-Bishop of CANTERBURY Primate of England though by his own authority he might congregate Councels of Bishops and fit President in them
yet the King permitted him to appoint or prohibit nothing but what was according to His own will and pleasure and what the King had b Idem ibid. ordained before 9. Lastly Barons not to be excommunicated without the Kings command King William suffered no Bishop to excommunicate any of his Barons or Officers for adultery incest or any such hainous crime except by the Kings Command first made acquainted with the same Here the word Baron is not to be taken in that restrictive sense to which the modern acception hath confined it onely for such of the higher Nobility which have place and Votes in Parliament but c J. Selden Sptcilegium ed Eadmeium pag 168. generally for such who by Tenure en cheef or in Capite as they term it held land immediately of the King And an English d Robert of Glocester Poet counted the Virgil of his age and the Ennius in ours expresseth as much in his Rythmes which we here set down with all the rust thereof without rubbing it off remembring how one e Camdens Elizabeth Anno 1584. John Throkmorton a Justicer of Cheshire in Queen Elizabeth's dayes for not exhibiting a judicial Concord with all the defects of the same but supplying or filling up what was worn out of the Authentical Original was fined for being over officious and therefore take them with their faults and all as followeth The berthe was that noe man that of the King huld ought In Chief or in eni Servise to Manling were throught Bote the wardenis of holy Chirch that brought him thereto The King lede or his Bailifes wat he had misdoe And loked verst were thei to amendment it bring And bote by wolde by their lebe doe the Manling And a grave f Radulphus de diceto sub Anno 11â—3 Author gives a good reason why the King must be inform'd before any of his Barons be excommunicated lest otherwise saith he the King not being certified thereof should out of ignorance unawares communicate with persons excommunicated when such Officers of His should come to kiss His hand be called to his Councel or come to perform any personal attendance about Him Hitherto we have seen how careful the Conqueror was in preserving His own right in Church-matters We will conclude all with the Syllogisme which the g L. Cooks Reports fift part de Jure Regis Ecclesiastico fol. 10. Oracle of the Common-Law frameth in this manner It is agreed that no man onely can make any appropriation of any Church having cure of souls being a thing Eccelesiastical and to be made to some person Ecclesiastical but he that hath Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction But William the first of himself without any other as King of England made appropriation of Churches with cure to Ecclesiastical persons as by many instances may appear Therefore it followeth that He had Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction And so much concerning King William's policy in doing justice to His own power Proceed we now to His bounty confirming old and conferring new favors upon the Church and Clergie 10. First whereas before his time the Sheriff and Bishop joyntly kept their Courts together especially at the two solemn times Bishops jurisdictions first severed from the Sheriffs about Easter and Michaelmas King William in favour of the Clergie assigned the Bishops an a See this cleared by Mr Selden in his notes on Ead. merus pag. 167. entire jurisdiction by themselves wherein they should have cognizance of all causes relating to Religion I say relating to Religion a latitude of a cheverel extension adequate almost to the minde of him that will stretch it out and few Ecclesiastical Judges would lofe what might be got by measuring Now formerly whilest the power of Sheriff and Bishop went hand in hand together in the same Court neither could much outstrip other but but since they were severed the Spiritual power far outwent its old mate improving his own by impairing the Secular Courts and henceforward the Canon-law took the firmer footing in England Date we from hence the squint-eies of the Clergie whose sight single before was hereafter divided with double looks betwixt two objects at once the Pope and the King to put him first whom they eyed most acting hereafter more by forrain then domestick interest 11. A learned pen makes a just complaint The contest betwixt Commen and Canon Law how onely to be reconciled that b Lord Bacen in his advancement of Learning pag. 463. Aphorisme 96. Courts which should distribute peace do themselves practice duels whilest it is counted the part of a resolute Judge to enlarge the priviledge of his Court A grievance most visible in contest betwixt the Common and the Canon Law which as if they were stars of so different an Horizon that the elevation of the one necessitated the depression of the other lie at catch and wait advantages one against another So that whilest both might continue in a convenient and healthful habitude if such envious corrivalitie were deposed now alternately those Courts swell to a tympany or waste to a consumption as their Judges finde themselves more or less strength'ned with power or befriended with favour A mischief not to be remedied till either that mutual consent or a predominant power to both impartially state their jurisdictions rightly seting down the land-marks thereof and binding their proceedings not to exceed their bounds which would both advance learning and expedite the execution of Justice 12. To return to King William King William his Charter to the Clergie As He conferred power on so he confirmed profit to the Clergie Witness his c See it at large in Mr. Selden of tythes cap. 8. pag. 225. Charter granting them thorowout England tythes of calves colts lambs milk butter cheese woods meadows mills c. Which Charter is concluded 't is the strong hem keeps all the cloth from reveling out Qui decimam detinuerit per justitiam Episcopi Regis si necesse fuerit ad redditionem d Others read it adigatur Let him be compelled â—rguatar Who shall detain his tythes by the power of the Bishop and King if need be let him be argued into the payment thereof And Kings arguments we know are unanswerable as aâ— authoritate carrying power and pehalties with them This Charter might seem to give the tenth loaf of all the bread in the land into the hands of the English Clergie But the municipal laws which were afterwards made did so chip and pare this loaf with their Modus decimandi that in many places Vicaridges especially a small shiver of bread fals to the share of the Minister not enough for his necessary maintenance 13. And here Two contrary characters of King William to make a short but needful digression I finde in eminent Writers two contrary characters of King William Some make him an arrand Tyrant ruling onely by the Magna Charta of his own will oppressing all English without cause
is a great deal when it must be taken from a new-shorne sheep so pilled and polled were all people before with constant exactions Such whom his hard usage forced beyond the seas were recalled by his Proclamation So that his heavy leavies would not suffer them to live here and his hard Laws would not permit them to depart hence And when the Clergy complain'd unto him to be eased of their burdens I beseech you said he have ye not coffins of gold and silver for dead mens bones intimating that the same treasure might otherwise be better imployed 36. The streams of discord began now to swell high variance between the King and Anselme betwixt the King and Arch-Bishop Anselme flowing principally from this occasion At this time there were two Popes together so that the Eagle with two heads the Arms of the Empire might now as properly have fitted the Papacy for the present Of these the one Guibertus I may call the Lay-Pope because made by Henry the Emperor the other Vrban the Clergy-Pope chosen by the Conclave of Cardinals Now because like unto like King William sided with the former whilest Anselme as earnestly adhered to Vrban in his affections desiring to receive his Pall from him which the King resused to permit Hereupon Anselme appealed to his Pope whereat King William was highly offended 37. But Their several pleadings and present reconcilement because none are able so emphatically to tell their stories and plead their causes as themselves take them in them in their own words The King Objected The custome from my Father's time hath been in England that no person should appeal to the Pope without the Kings license He that breaketh the customs of my Realm violateth the power and Crown of my Kingdom He that violateth and taketh away my Crown is a Traytor and enemy against me Anselme Answered The Lord hath discussed this question Give unto Cesar the things that are Cesars and unto God the things that are Gods In such things as belong to the terrene dignities of temporal Princes I will pay my obedience but Christ said Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church c. Whose Vicar he ought to obey in spiritual matters and the fetching of his Pall was of that nature At last an expedient was found out that Anselme should not want his Pall nor fetch it himself from Rome being by the King's consent brought to him by Gualter Pope Urban's Legate whom the King at last was fain to acknowledg and so all things for the present reconciled 38. But the wound betwixt them was rather skinned over They disagree again then perfectly healed and afterwards brake out again the King taking occasion of displeasure at Anselmes backwardness to assist him in his expedition into Wales Whereupon Anselme desired a second journey to Rome there to bemoan and probably to relieve himself by complaint to the Pope But the King stopt his voyage affirming that Anselme had led so pious a life he need crave no absolution at Rome and was so well stored with learning that he needed not to borrow any counsel there Yea said the King Vrban had rather give place to the wisdom of Anselme then Anselme have need of Urban In fine after much contesting Anselme secretly stole out of the Realm and the King seized all his goods and lands into his own coffers Three years was he in exile somtimes at Lions sometimes at Rome welcome wheresoever he came and very serviceable to the Church by his pious living painfull preaching learned writing and solid disputing especially in the general Councel of Bar where he was very useful in confuting and condemning the errours of the Greek-Church about the Procession of the Holy Spirit 39. King Rufus was a hunting in New-Forest 14. Aug. 2. which was made by King William 1100 his Father King Rufus his death not so much out of pleasure or love of the game as policy to clear and secure to himself a fair and large landing-place for his forces out of Normandy if occasion did require Here then was a great devastation of Towns and Temples the place being turned into a wilderness for Men to make a Paradise for Deer God seemed displeased hereat for amongst other Tragedies of the Conquerors family acted in this place Rufus was here slain by the glancing of an arrow shot by S r Walter Tirrel An unhappy name to the Kings of England this man casually and another wilfully S r James Tirrel employed in the murthering of King Edward the fifth having their hands in royal bloud Now it is seasonably remembred that some yeers since this King William had a desperate disease whereof he made but bad use after his recovery and therefore now Divine Justice would not the second time send him the summons of a solemn visitation by sickness but even surprized him by a sudden and unexpected death 40. Thus died King William Rufus His hurial and character leaving no issue and was buried faith my a John Bromton pag. 997. Author at Winchester multorum Procerum conventu paucorum verò planctu many Noble-men meeting but few mourning at his funerals Yet some who grieved not for his death grieved at the manner thereof and of all mourners Anselme though in exile in France expressed most cordial sorrow at the news of his death A valiant and prosperous Prince but condemn'd by Historians for covetousness cruelty and wantonness though no woman by name is mentioned for his Concubine probably because thrifty in his lust with mean and obscure persons But let it be taken into serious consideration that no pen hath originally written the life of this King but what was made by a Monkish pen-knife and no wonder if his picture seem bad which was drawn by his enemy And he may be supposed to fare the worse for his opposition to the Romish usurpation having this good quality to suffer none but himself to abuse his Subjects stoutly resisting all payments of the Popes imposing Yea as great an enemy as he was conceiv'd to the Church he gave to the Monks called De Charitate the great new Church of S t Saviours in Bermondsey with the Manor thereof as also of Charlton in Kent 41. Henry Beauclarke Henry the first succeedeth Rufus and is crowned his brother succeeded him in the Throne one that crossed the common Proverb The greatest Clerks are not the wisest men being one of the most profoundest Scholars and most politick Princes in his generation He was Crowned about four dayes after his brothers death Anno Dom. 1100. At that time Anno Regis Hen. 1. the present providing of good swords was accounted more essential to a Kings Coronation then the long preparing of gay clothes Such preparatory pomp as was used in after-ages at this Ceremony was now conceived not onely useless but dangerous speed being safest to supply the vacancy of the Throne To ingratiate himself to
to receive large summes of money for his leave after whose faculties obtained if such marriage were against the Law of God men did sin not with less guiltiness but more Expences 26. That the Bodies of the Dead be not carried to be buried out of their own Parishes so that the Parish Priest should lose his due unto him 27. That none out of a rash novelty which we know to have happened exhibit reverence of Holiness to any Bodies of the Dead fountains or other things without Authority from the Bishop 28. That none persume hereafter what hitherto men used in England to sell Men like bruite Beasts Anno Dom. 1102. This Constitution as all others which concerned the Subjects Civil right found not general obedience in the Kingdom For the proceedings of the Canon Law were never wholly received into practice in the Land but so as made subject in whatsoever touched temporals to secular Laws and national Customs And the Laytie at pleasure limited Canons in this behalf Nor were such sales of servants being mens proper goods so a See Mr Selden spicileg ad Eadmerum pag. 208. weakned with this prohibition but that long after they remained legal according to the Laws of the Land 29. That the sin of Sodometry both in Clergie and Laytie should be punished with heavy Censures Remarkable that the same Synod which forbad Priests Marriage found it needful to punish Sodometry an Italian Vice beginning now to be naturaliz'd in England For those who endeavour to make the way to heaven narrower then God hath made it by prohibiting what he permits do in event make the way to hell wider occasioning the committing of such sins which God hath forbidden We may further observe that the plaister now applied to the rotten sore of Sodometry was too gentle too narrow and too little time laid on Too gentle for whereas the sin is conceived to deserve death it was onely slubber'd over that the party convict of this Wickedness if in Orders was admitted to no higher honour and deposed from what he had till restored again on his repentance Too narrow if it be true what one observes that b Bale in the Acts of English Votaries second part chap. 74. MONKS as neither merely Lay nor Priests were not threatned with this Curse where all was hidden in Cloysters Lastly too little time laid on for whereas at first it was constituted that such Excommunication of Sodomites convicted should solemnly be renewed every Lords Day this short-liv'd Canon did die in the birth thereof and Anselme himself c Eadmerus ut prius postponi concessit suffered it to be omitted on pretence that it put beastly thoughts into many mens mindes whose corruption abused the punishment of sin in the provocation thereof whilest others conceive this relaxation indulged in favour to some great offenders who hardened in Conscience but tender in Credit could not endure to be so solemnly publickly and frequently grated with the shame of the sin they had committed So much for the Constitutions of that Synod wherein though Canons were provided for Priests Cap a Pe from the shavnig to the shooes yet not a syllable of their instructing the people and preaching Gods word unto them We must not forget that men guilty of Simony in the first Canon are not taken in the Vulgar acception for such as were promoted to their places by money but in a new coyned sence of that word for those who were advanced to their Dignities by investiture from the King which gave occasion to the long and hot Broil happening betwixt King Henry and Anselme which now we come to relate 4. The King commanded him to Consecrate such Bishops 4. as he lately had invested 1103 namely An selme refuseth to consecrate the Kings Bishops William of Winchester Roger of Hereford c. which Anselme refused because flatly against the Canon newly made in the Councel of Rome by Pope Vrban that any who had their entrance by the Authority of temporal Princes should be admitted to Bishopricks Hereupon the King enjoyned Gerard Arch-Bishop of York to Consecrate them who out of opposition to Anselme his Competitour was as officious to comply with the King King as the other was backward Anno Dom. 1105. hoping thereby to hitch his Church a degree the higher Anno Regis Hen. 16. by help of his Royal Favour Here hapned an unexpected accident For William Bishop of Winchester refused Consecration from the Arch-Bishop of York and resigned his staff and ring back again to the King as illegally from him This discomposed all the rest For whereas more then the moity of Ecclesiastical persons in England were all in the same condemnation as invested by the King the very multitude of offenders would have excused the offence if loyal to their own cause Whereas now this defection of the Bishop of Winchester so brake the ranks and maimed their entireness that their cause thereby was cast by their own confession and so a party raised among them against themselves 5. Soon after Anselme sent to Rome the King was contented that Anselme should go to Rome to know the Popes pleasure herein But one none of the Conclave without a prophetical spirit might easily have foretold the resolution of his Holiness herein never to part with power whereof how injuriously soever though but pretendedly possessed Anselme for his complyance with the Pope herein is forbidden to return into England while the King seiseth on his temporalities 6. However The king parts with his investing of Bishops not log after 1106. by mediation of friends 7. they are reconciled the King disclaiming his right of Investitures a weak and timerous act of so wise and valiant a Prince whose Predecessors before the Conquest held this power though some time loosely in their own hands and his Predecessors since the Conquest grasp'd it fast in their fist in defiance of such Popes as would finger it from them Whereas now he let it go out of his hand whilest his Successors in vain though with a long arme reach't after it to recover it And now Anselme who formerly refused consecrated all the Bishops of vacant Sees amongst whom Roger of Sarisbury was a prime person first preferred to the Kings notice because he began prayers quickly and caded them speedily for which quality he was commended as fittest for a Chaplain in the Camp and was not unwelcome to the Court on the same account 7. Anselme having devested the King of investing Bishops one of the fairest roles in his Ward-robe did soon after deprive the Clergie of one half of themselves Anselme forbids Priests marriage For in a solemn Synod he forbad Priests Marriage wherein 1107 as charitably we believe 8. his intentions pious and commendable and patiently behold his pretences specious and plausible so we can not but pronounce his performance for the present injurious and culpable and the effects thereof
places which time out of minde hath decided the precedency to Canterbury Yorks Title 1. When Gregory the great made York and Canterbury Archiepiscopal Sees he affixed precedency to neither but that the Arch-Bishops should take place according to the seniority of their consecrations Until Lanckfranck Chaplain to King William thinking good reason he should conquer the whole Clergie of England as his Master had vanquished the Nation usurped the superiority above the See of York 2. If Antiquity be to be respected long before Gregories time York was the See of an Arch-Bishop whilest as yet Pagan Canterbury was never dream'd of for that purpose Lucius the first Christian Brittain King founding a Cathedral therein and placing Sumson in the same who had Taurinus Pyrannus Tacliacus c. his successors in that place 3. If the extent of jurisdiction be measured York though the lesser in England is the larger in Britain as which at this time had the entire Kingdom of Scotland subject thereunto Besides if the three Bishopricks viz. Worcester Lichfield Lincoln formerly injuriously taken from York were restored unto it it would vie English Latitude with Canterbury it self This controversie lasted for may years it was first visibly begun passing by former private grudges betwixt Lanckfrank of Canterbury and Thomas of York in the Reign of the Conqueror continued betwixt William of Canterbury and Thurstan of York in the dayes of King Henry the first increased betwixt Theobald of Canterbury and William of York at the Coronation of Henry the second and now revived betwixt Richard of Canterbury and Roger of York with more then ordinary animosity 4. Some will wonder that such spiritual persons should be so spiteful How much carnality in the most spiritual that they who should rather have contended de pascendis ovibus which of them should better feed their flocks should fall out de lana caprina about a toy and trifle onely for Priority Yet such will cease to wonder when they consider how much carnality there was in the Disciples themselves Witness their unseasonable contest just before our Saviours * Luke 22 24. death quis esset major which of them should be the greater when then the question should rather have been quis esset maestior not who should be the highest but who should be the heaviest for their departing Master 5. Here the Pope interposed The Popes decision gives final satisfaction and to end old Divisions made a new distinction Primate of all ENGLAND and Primate of ENGLAND giving the former to Canterbury the latter to York Thus when two Children cry for the same apple the indulgent father divides it betwixt them yet so that he giveth the bigger and better part to the Childe that is his Darling York is fain to be content therewith though full ill against his will as sensible that a secondary Primacy is no Primacy and as one stomaching a Superiour as much as Canterbury disdained an Equal Yea on every little occasion this controversie brake out again The last flash which I finde of this flame was in the Reiga of King Edward the first when William Wickham Arch-Bishop of York at a Councel at Lambeth for Reformation would needs have his Cross carried before him which John Peckam Arch-Bishop of Canterbury would in no case permit to be done in his Province Wherefore the said Peckam inhibited all from selling b Mr Jackson out of Florilegus in his Chronologie Anno 1280. victuals to him or his family so hoping to allay his stomach by raising his hunger and starve him into a speedy submission which accordingly came to pass Since York was rather quiet then contented pleasing it self that as stout came behinde as went before But at this day the Clergie sensible of Gods hand upon them for their Pride and other offences are resolved on more humility and will let it alone to the Layetie to fall out about Precedency 6. To return to King Henry The far extended English Monarchie in this Kings Reign never did the branches of the English Monarchy sprout higher or spread broader before or since as in the Reign of this King so large and united his command though in several capacities For by right of inheritance from his Mother Maud he held England and the Dukedom of Normandy Anno Dom. 1277. by the same title from his Father Anno Regis Hen. 2. 23. Geffery Plantagenet he possessed fair lands in Anjou and Maine by Match in right of Queen Elranor his Wife he enjoyed the Dukedoms of Aquitane and Guien even to the Pyrenean Mountains by Conquest he lately had subdued Ireland leaving it to his successors annexed to the English Dominions and for a time was the effectual King of Scotland whilest keeping William their King a Prisoner and acting at pleasure in the Southern parts thereof The rest of Christendom he may be said to have held by way of Arbritration as Christiani orbis arbiter so deservedly did Foreign Princes esteem his wisdom and integrity that in all difficult controversies he was made Vmpire betwixt them 7. Yet all this his greatness could neither preserve him from death Could not make him fortunate in his own Family nor make him when living happy in his own house so that when freest from Foreign foes he was most molested in his own Family his Wife and Sons at last siding with the King of France against him the sorrow whereat was conceived to send him the sooner to his grave I meet with this Distick as parcel of his Epitaph Cui * Mat. Paris pag. 151. satis ad votum non essent omnia terrae Climata terra modo sufficit octo pedum He whom alive the world would scarce suffice When dead in eight foot earth contented lies He died at Chinon in Normandy 1289. and was buried with very great solemnity 39. Rich. 1. in the Nunnery of Font-Everard in the same Countrey A Religious House of his own Foundation and Endowment 8. It is confidently a Mat. Paris at prius reported Disobedience endeavoured to be expiated by superstition that when Richard Son and Successor to King Henry approached his Fathers dead Corps they bled afresh at the Nostrils whence some collected him the cause of his death But whilest natures Night-councellors treading in the dark causes of hidden qualities render the reason of the salleying forth of the bloud on such occasions let the learned in the Laws decide how far such an accident may be improved for a legal evidence For surely that Judg is no better then a Murderer who condemneth one for Murder on that proof alone However on the bleeding of the Fathers Nostrils the Sons heart could not but bleed as meeting there with a guilty Conscience And therefore according to the Divinity and Devotion of those dayes to expiate his disobedience he undertook with Philip Augustus King of France a long Voyage against Sultan Saladine to recover CHRIST his grave
by him Prophet is become dross and here was the change of Glaucus and Diomedes made as in the sequel of the History will appear 14. Yet we find not that this Fee-farme of a thousand Marks was ever paid either by K. John or by his Successours but that it is all runne on the score even unto this present day Not that the Pope did remit it out of his free bounty but for other Reasons was rather contented to have them use his power therein Perchance suspecting the English Kings would refuse to pay it he accounted it more honour not to demand it then to be denied it Or it may be his Holiness might conceive that accepting of this money might colourably be extended to the cutting him off from all other profits he might gain in the kingdome The truth is he did scorn to take so poor a revenue per annum out of two kingdoms but did rather endeavour to convert all the profits of both Lands to his own use as if he had been seised of all in Demesnes 15. At the same time The proud carriage of Pandulphus to the King King John on his knees surrendred the Crown of England into the hands of Pandulphus and also presented him with some money as the earnest of His subjection which the proud Prelate trampled under his d Matt. Paris pag. 237. feet A gesture applauded by some as shewing how much his Holinesse whom he personated slighted worldly wealth caring as little for King Johns coin as his Predecessour Saint e Acts 8. 20. Peter did for the money of Simon Magus Anno Dom. 1213. Others Anno Regis Joh. 14. and especially H. Arch-Bishop of Dublin then present were both grieved and angry thereat as an intolerable affront to the King and there wanted not those who condemn'd his pride and hypocrisie knowing Pandulphus to be a most greedy griper as appeared by his unconscionable oppression in the Bishoprick of Norwich which was afterwards bestowed upon him And perchance he trampled on it not as being money but because no greater summe thereof Five dayes namely Ascension-day and four dayes after Pandulphus kept the Crown in his possession and then restored it to King John again A long eclipse of Royall lustre and strange it is that no bold Monk in his blundring Chronicles did not adventure to place King Innocent with his five dayes reigne in the Catalogue of English Kings seeing they have written what amounts to as much in this matter 16. Now all the dispute was Peter the prophet hanged whether unjustly disputed whether Peter of Wakefield had acquitted himself a true prophet or no The Romiz'd faction were zealous in his behalf Iohn after that day not being King in the same sense and Soveraignty as before not free but feodary not absolute but dependent on the Pope whose Legate possess'd the Crown for the time being so that his prediction was true in that lawfull latitude justly allowed to all Prophesies Others because the King was neither naturally nor civilly dead condemn'd him of forgery for which by the Kings command he was dragg'd at the horse-tail from Corf-Castle and with his sonne a Matt. Paris Vt prius hang'd in the Town of Wareham A punishment not undeserved if he foretold as some report that none of the line or linage of King Iohn should after be crowned in England of whose off-spring some shall flourish in free and full power on the English Throne when the Chair of Pestilence shall be burnt to ashes and neither Triple-Crown left at Rome to be worne nor any head there which shall dare to wear it 17. Next year the Interdiction was taken off of the Kingdom The Interdiction of England relaxed and a generall Jubilee of joy all over the Land 1214. Banish'd Bishops being restored to their Sees 15. Service and Sacraments being administred in the Church as before But small reason had King Iohn to rejoyce being come out of Gods Blessing of whom before he immediately held the Crown into the Warm Sunne or rather scorching-heat of the Popes protection which proved little beneficiall unto him 18. A brawl happened betwixt him The Popes Legate arbitrates the arrears betwixt the King and Clergy and the banished Bishops now returned home about satisfaction for their Arrears and reparation of their damages during the Interdiction all which terme the King had retained their revenues in his hands To moderate this matter Nicolas a Tusculane Cardinal and Legat was imployed by the Pope who after many meetings and Synods to audit their Accounts reduced all at last to the gross summe of fourty thousand Marks the restoring whereof by the King unto them was thus divided into three payments 1. Twelve thousand Marks Pandulphus carried over with him into France and delivered them to the Bishops before their return 2. Fifteen thousand were paid down at the late meeting in Reading 3. For the thirteen thousand remaining they had the Kings Oath Bond and other Sureties But then in came the whole crie of the rest of the Clergy who stayed all the while in the Land bringing in the Bills of their severall sufferings and losses sustained occasioned by the Interdiction Yea some had so much avarice and little conscience they could have been contented the Interdiction had still remained untill all the accidentall damages were repaired But Cardinall Nicolas averred them to amount to an incredible summe impossible to bee paid and unreasonable to be demanded adding withall that in generall grievances private men may be glad if the main be made good unto them not descending to petty particulars which are to be cast out of course as inconsiderable in a common calamity Hereupon and on some other occasions much grudging Anno Regis Joh. 16. and justling there was Anno Dom. 1214. betwixt Stephen Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the Legat as one in his judgement and carriage too propitious and partiall to the Kings cause 19. The remnant of this Kings Reign The Barons rebel against King John afforded little Ecclesiastical Story but what is so complicated with the Interest of State that it is more proper for the Chronicles of the Common-wealth But this is the brief thereof The Barons of England demanded of King John to desist from that arbitrary and tyrannical power he exercised and to restore King Edwards Laws which his great Grand-father King Henrie the first had confirmed to the Church and State for the general good of his Subjects yea and which he himself when lately absolved from the sentence of Excommunication by Stephen Arch-Bishop of Canterburie had solemnly promised to observe But King John though at the first he condescended to their requests afterwards repented of his promise and refused the performance thereof Hereupon the Barons took up Armes against him and called in Lewis Prince of France son to Philip Augustus to their assistance promising him the Crown of England for his reward 20.
Yet the Pope endeavoured what lay in his power 16. to disswade Prince Lewis from his design 1215. to which at first he encouraged him Lewis Prince of France invited by the Barons to invade England and now forbad him in vain For where a Crown is the Game hunted after such hounds are easier laid on then either rated or hollowed off Yea ambition had brought this Prince into this Dilemma that if he invaded England he was accursed by the Pope if he invaded it not forsworn of himself having promised upon oath by such a time to be at London Over comes Lewis into England and there hath the principal learning of the Land the Clergie the strength thereof the Barons the wealth of the same the Londoners to joyn with him Who but ill requited King John for his late bounty to their City in first giving them a a Granted to the City Anno Dom. 1209. Grafton fol. 59. Mayor for their governour Gualo the Popes new Legat sent on purpose bestirr'd himself with Book Bell and Candle Excommunicating the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with all the Nobility opposing King John now in protection of his Holiness But the commonness of these curses caused them to be contemned so that they were a fright to few a mock to many and an hurt to none 21. King John thus distressed An unworthy Embassie of King John to the King of Morocco sent a base degenerous and unchristian-like embassage to Admiralius Murmelius a Mahometan King of Morocco then very puissant and possessing a great part of Spain offering him on condition he would send him succour to hold the Kingdome of England as a vassal from him and to receive the Law b Mat. Paris pag. 245. placeth this two years sooner viz. An. 1213. of Mahomet The Moor marvellously offended with his offer told the Embassadors that he lately had read Pauls Epistles which for the matter liked him very well save onely that Paul once renounced that faith wherein he was born and the Jewish profession Wherefore he neglected King John as devoid both of piety and policie who would love his liberty and disclaim his Religion A strange tender if true Here whilest some alledg in behalf of King John that cases of extremity excuse counsels of extremity when liberty is not left to chuse what is best but to snatch what is next neglecting future safety for present subsistence we onely listen to the saying of Solomon c Eccles 7. 7. Oppression maketh a wise man mad In a fit of which fury oppressed on all sides with enemies King John scarce compos sui may be presumed to have pitched on this project 22. King John having thus tried Turk and Pope and both with bad success sought at last to escape those his enemies 17. whom he could not resist 1216. by a far The lamentable death of King John and fast march into the North-eastern Counties Where turning mischievous instead of valiant he cruelly burnt all the stacks of Corn of such as he conceived disaffected unto him doing therein most spight to the rich for the present but in fine more spoil to the poor the prices of grain falling heavy on those who were least able to bear them Coming to Lin he rewarded the fidelity of that Town unto him with bestowing on that Corporation his own a Camd. Brit. in Norfolk sword Anno Dom. 1216. which had he himself but known how well to manage Anno Regis Joh. 17. he had not so soon been brought into so sad a condition He gave also to the same place a faire silver Cup all gilded But few dayes after a worse Cup was presented to King John at Swinshed Abbey in Lincoln-shire by one Simon b Wil. Caxton in his Chron. called Fructus temp lib. 7. a Monk of poisoned wine whereof the King died A murther so horrid that it concerned all Monks who in that age had the Monopoly of writing Histories to conceal it and therefore give out sundry other causes of his death c Mat Paris pag. 287. Some report him heart-broken with grief for the loss of his baggage and treasure drowned in the passage over the washes it being just with God that he who had plagued others with fire should be punished by water a contrary but as cruel an element d Compare Mr Fox Martyr pag. 234. with Holynshed pag. 194. Others ascribe his death to a looseness and scouring with bloud others to a cold sweat others to a burning heat all effects not inconsistent with poyson so that they in some manner may seem to set down the symptomes and suppress his disease 23. It is hard to give the true character of this Kings conditions King Johns character delivered in the dark For we onely behold him through such light as the Friers his foes show him in who so hold the candle that with the shaddow thereof they darken his virtues and present onely his vices Yea and as if they had also poisoned his memory they cause his faults to swell to a prodigious greatness making him with their pens more black in conditions then the Morocco-King whose aid he requested could be in complexion A murtherer of his Nephew Arthur a defiler of the wives and daughters of his Nobles sacrilegious in the Church profane in his discourse wilful in his private resolutions various in his publick promises false in his faith to men and wavering in his Religion to God The favourablest expression of him falls from the pen of Roger Hoveden Princeps quidem magnus erat sed minùs felix Atque ut Marius utramque fortunam expertus Perchance he had been esteemed more pious if more prosperous it being an usual though uncharitable error to account mischances to be misdeeds But we leave him quietly buried in Worcester Church and proceed in our storie 24. Henry Henry the third under Tutors and Governors the third of that name Hen. 3 1. Octob. 2◠his Son succeeded him being but ten years old and was Crowned at Glocester by a moiety of the Nobility and Clergie the rest siding with the French Lewis Now what came not so well from the mouth of Abijah the son concerning his father Rehoboam posterity may no less truly and more properly pronounce of this Henry even when a man e 2 Chro. 16. 7. He was but a childe and tender-hearted But what strength was wanting in the Ivie it self was supplied by the Oaks his supporters his Tutors and Governours first William Mareshall Earl of Pembroke and after his death Peter Bishop of Winchester But of these two Protectors successively a sword-man and a Church-man the latter left the deeper impression on this our King Henry appearing more Religious then resolute devout then valiant His Reign was not onely long for continuance fifty six years but also thick for remarkable mutations happening therein 25. Within little more then a twelvemonth By what means King
Witness my self at Westminster c. Date we from this day the achme or vertical height of Abbeys which henceforward began to stand still at last to decline Formerly it was Endow Monasteries who would hereafter who could having first obtained licence from the King Yet this Law did not ruine but regulate not destroy but direct well grounded liberality that bounty to some might not be injury to others Here I leave it to Lawyers by profession to shew how many years after viz. the eighteenth of of Edward the third Prelates Impeached before the Kings Justices for purchasing land in Mortmain shall be dismissed without further trouble upon their producing a charter of licence and process thereupon made by an Inquest ad quod damnum or in case that cannot be shewed by making a convenient Fine for the same who the active Prelats of this age 14. The late mention of the Prelates advise in passing a Law so maleficial unto them giveth me just occasion to name some the principal persons of the Clergie present thereat namely 1. John Peckam Arch-Bishop of Canterbury a stout man He afterwards excommunicated the Prince of Wales because he went a long journey to perswade him to peace with England but could not prevaile 2. William Wickwane Anno Regis Ed. 1. 11. Arch-Bishop of York Anno Dom. 1283. accounted a great Scholar Author of a Book called Memoriale and esteemed a petty-saint in that Age. 3. Anthony Beake soon after Bishop of Durham the richest and proudest alwayes good manners to except Cardinal Wolsey of that place Patriarch titular of Jerusalem and Prince of the Isle of Man Yet in my minde Gilbert Sellinger his contemporary and Bishop of Chichester had a far better Title as commonly called the Father of Orphans and Comforter of the widdows These with many more Bishops consented though some of them resorbentes suam bilem as inwardly angry to the passing or confirming of the Statute of Mortmain To make them some amends the King not long after favourably stated what causes should be of spiritual cognizance 15. For a Parliament was called at Westminster 13. eminent on this account 1285. that it laid down the limits The Spiritual and Temporal Courts bounded by Parliament and fixed the boundaries betwixt the Spiritual and Temporal Jurisdictions Hitherto shall you come and no farther though before and since both powers have endeavoured to enlarge their own and contract their Rivals authority We will present first the Latin out of the Records and then the English out of our printed Statutes and make some necessary observations on both REX talibus Judicibus Salutem Circumspectè agatis de negotiis tangentibus Episcopum Norwicensem ejus Clerum non puniend eos si placitum tenuerint in Curia Christianitatis de bis quae merè sunt spiritualia viz. de correctionibus quas Prelati faciunt pro mortali peccato viz. pro fornicatione adulterio hujusmodi pro quibus aliquando infligitur paena corporalis aliquando pecuniaria maximè si convictus fuerit de hujusmodi liber homo Item Si Praelatus puniat pro cemeterio non clauso Ecclesia discooperta vel non decenter ornata in quibus casibus alia poena non potest inffigi quam pecuniaria Item Si Rector petat versus parochianos oblationes decimas debitas vel consuetas vel si Rector agat contra Rectorem de decimis majoribus vel minoribus dummodo non petatur quarta pars valoris Ecclesiae Item Si Rector petat mortuà rium in partibus ubi mortuarium dari consuevit Item Si Praelatus alicujus Ecclesiae vel advocatus petat à Rectore pensionem si debitam omnes hujusmodi petitiones sunt faciend in foro Ecclesiastico De violenta manuum injectione in Clericum in causa diffamationis concessum fuit aliàs quod placitum inde teneatur in Curia Christianitatis cum non petatur pecunia sed agatur ad correctionem peccati similiter pro fidei laesione In omnibus praedictis casibus habet judex Ecclesiasticus cognoscere regia prohibitione non obstante THe KING to his Judges sendeth Greeting Use your self circumspectly in al matters concerning the Bishop of Norwich his Clergie not punishing them if they hold plea in Court Christian of such things as be meerly spiritual that is to wit of penance enjoyned for deadly sin as fornication adultery and such like for the which many times corporal penance or pecuniary is enjoyned specially if a free man be convict of such things Also if Prelates do punish for leaving Church-yards unclosed or for that the Church is uncovered or not conveniently decked in which cases none other penance can be enjoyned but pecuniary Item If a Parson demand of his parishioners oblations and tythes due and accustomed or if any person plead against another for tythes more or less so that the fourth part of the value of the Benefice be not demanded Item If a Parson demand mortuaries in places where a mortuarie hath used to have been given Item If a Prelate of a Church or if a Patron demand a pension due to themselves all such demands are to be made in a Spiritual Court And for laying violent hands on a Priest and in cause of defamation Anno Dom. 1285 it hath been granted already Anno Regis Ed. 1. 13. that it shall be tried in a Spiritual Court when money is not demanded but a thing done for punishment of sin and likewise for breaking an oath In all cases afore rehearsed the Spiritual Judg shall have power to take knowledge notwithstanding the Kings prohibition Something must be premised about the validity of this writing learned men much differing therein Some make it 1. Onely a constitutiou made by the Prelates themselves much too blame if they cut not large pieces being their own Carvers 2. A meer Writ issued out from the King to his Judges 3. A solemn Act of Parliament compleat in all the requisites thereof Hear what * Mr Nath. Bacon in his Hist Dis of the Government of England lib. 1. pag. 233. a Bacon but neither S r Nicolas nor S r Francis the two Oracles of Law writes in this case A writing somewhat like a Grant of Liberties which before times were in controversie and this Grant if it may be so called hath by continuance VSURPED the name of a Statute but in its own nature is no other then a Writ directed to the Judges Presently after he saith It is therefore no Grant nor Release but as it were a Covenant that the Clergie should hold peaceable possession of what they had upon this ground And in the next page more plainly For my part therefore I shall not apprehend it of a higher nature then the Kings Writ which in those dayes WENT FORTH AT RANDOM 16. Come we now to the calme judgment of S r Edward Cook Judg Cokes decision on whose decision we may
PRELATES 1 2 2 16 11. That from the words and works and a Ex verbo opere taciturnitate Praelatorum silence of Prelates in Preaching it seemeth probable that they are Devils incarnate 1 2 3 57 12. That Bishops Benedictions Confirmations Consecrations of Churches Chalices c. be but tricks to get money     OF PRIESTS 1 2 3 71 13. That plain Deacons and Priests may preach without licence of Pope or Bishop 1 2 3 60 14. That in the time of the Apostles there were onely two Orders namely Priests and Deacons and that a Bishop doth not differ from a Priest 3   68 15. That it is lawful for Lay-men to absolve no less then for the Priests 2   128 16. That it is lawful for Clergy-men to marry    61 17. That Priests of bad life cease any longer to be b Waldensis in several places of his book Priests     OFF THE CHURCH 1 2  8 18. That he defined the Church to consist onely of persons predestinated 1 2 1 12 19. That he divideth the Church into these three members Clergy-men Souldiers and Labourers 1 4 3 37 20. That the Church was not endowed with any immoveable possessions before Constantine the great 1 4 3 16 41 21. That it is no Sacriledg to take away things consecrated to the Church 3   143 22. That all beautiful building of Churches is blame-worthy and savours of hypocrisie     OF TYTHES 1 2 3 65 23. That Parishioners by him were exhorted not to pay Tythes to Priests of dissolute life 1 2 3 64 24. That Tythes are pure almes and that Pastours ought not to exact them by Ecclesiastical censures     OF THE SCRIPTURE 1 2 2 23 25. That wise men leave that as Impertinent which is not plainly expressed in Scripture 1 2 2 26 26. That he slighted the authority of General Councels     OF HERETICKS 2   81 27. That he called all Writers since the thousandth year of Christ Hereticks     OF PRAYER 3   23     25 28. That men are not bound to the observation of Vigils or Canonical houres 3   11 29. That it is vain for Lay-men to bargain with Priests for their prayers 3   21 30. That to binde men to set and prescript forms of Prayers doth derogate from that liberty God hath given them 3   8 31. That to depress the benefit of other mens purchased Prayers he recommended all men to hope and trust in their own righteousness     OF ALMES 1 2 3 71 32. That we ought not to do any Alms to a sinner whilest we know him to be so     OF THE SACRAMENTS 3   45     46 33. That Chrisme and other such ceremonies are not to be used in Baptisme 2   99 34. That those are fools and presumptuous which affirm such infants not to be saved which dye without Baptisme and also That he denied that all sins are abolished in Baptisme 2   108 2   98 35. That Baptisme doth not confer but onely signifie grace which was given before 2   26 36. That in the Sacrament of the Alter the Host is not to be worshipped and such as adore it are Idolaters     37. That the substance of bread and wine still remain a This is scattered in several places of his book in the Sacrament 2   55 38. That God could not though he would make his body to be at the same time in several places 1   109 39. That the Sacrament of Confirmation is not much necessary to salvation 3   147 40. That Confession to a man truly contrite is superfluous used by Antichrist to know the secrets and gain the wealth of others 2   130 41. That that is no due Marriage which is contracted without hope of having children 2   163 42. That extreme Unction is needless and no Sacrament     OF ORDERS 2 2 2 15 43. That Religious Sects confound the unity of Christs Church who instituted but one order of serving him 2   109 44. That he denied all sacred initiations into Orders as leaving no character behinde them 3   91 45. That Vowing of Virginity is a Doctrine of Devils     OF SAINTS 3   130 46. That such Christians who do worship Saints border on Idolatry 3   133 47. That it is needless to adorn the shrines of Saints or to go in Pilgrimage to them 3   124 48. That miracles conceived done at Saints shrines may be delusions of the Devil 125 3   115 49. That Saints prayers either here or in heaven are onely effectual for such as are good     OF THE KING 1 2 3 79 50. That it is lawful in Causes Ecclesiastical and matters of faith after the Bishops sentence to appeal to the secular Prince 1 3 1 81 51. That Dominion over the creature is founded in grace 1 3 3 83 52. That God devesteth him of all right who abuseth his power     OF CHRIST 1 2 3 43 53. That Christ was a man even in those three dayes wherein his body did lie in the grave 1 2 3 44 54. That the Humanity of Christ being separated is to be worshipped with that adoration which is called LATRIA 1 1 3 44 55. That Christ is the Humanity by him assumed     OF GOD. 2   160 56. That God loved David and Peter as dearly when they grievously sinned as he doth now when they are possessed of glory 1 2 3 82 57. That God giveth no good things to his enemies 2   135 58. That God is not more willing to reward the good then to punish the wicked     59. That all things a Waldensis in several places laieth this to his charge come to pass by fatal necessity 1 1 1 13 60. That God could not make the world otherwise then it is made 1 1 1 10 61. That God cannot do any thing which he doth not do     62. That God cannot make that something should return into nothing 7. Here the ingenuous Reader must acknowledg Much pitty that Wicliffs own books are lost that many of these opinions are truths at this day publickly professed in the Protestant Church For the rest what pitty is it that we want Wicliffe's works to hear him speak in his own behalf Were they all extant therein we might read the occasion intention and connexion of what he spake together with the limitations restrictions distinctions qualifications of what he maintained There we might see what was the overplus of his passion
should believe it if it be true that his Corps for some dayes were at London expos'd to open view understand it done at distance lest coming too near might discover some violence offered on his person It is probable that the obscurity of his burial huddled into his grave at Langley in Hertford-shire gave the lustre to the report that he was still alive believed of those who desired it 21. Whereas this Law against Lollards No Woman Lollard Martyr extended to Women though many of the weaker Sex were in trouble upon that account Yet on my best enquiry I never found any one put to death Anna Ascough being the first who in the reign of King Henry the Eight was burnt for her Religion 22. A g Nector Boetius lib. 16. Scotch Writer tells us Who meant by the fool in Scotland that King Richard fled disguised into Scotland discovered himself to and was honourably entertained by Robert the King thereof Adding that Richard who would no more of the world gave himself wholly to Contemplation livd dy'd and bury'd at Sterling possibly some Mimick might personate him there and is the Fool mentioned in this Petition 23. Hereupon it was that the poor Lollards were prosecuted Cruel persecution with such cruelty that the prisons were full of them many forced to abjure and such who refused used without mercy as in M r Fox is largely related 24. Thomas Arundel Arch-Bishop Arundel going to Visit Oxford Arch-Bishop of Canterbury came to Oxford with a pompous train accompanied with many persons of Honour and particularly with his Nephew Thomas Fitz-Allen Earl of Arundell His intent was juridically to Visit the Vniversity expecting to be solemnly met and sumptuously entertained according to his place and dignity 25. But see the spite of it Is resisted by the Chancellour Richard Courtney the Chancellor of Oxford whom by his Sir-name and high Spirit I should guess descended from the Earls of Devonshire with Benedict Brent and John Birch the two Proctors denied the Arch-Bishop entrance into the Vniversity under the notion of a Visitor though as a Stranger great Prelate and Privy Councellor all welcome was provided for him and his Retinue Arundell was angry with the affront and finding force both useless the Scholars siding with the Chancellor and inconsistent with his gravity was fain fairly to retreat re infectâ to London the rather because the Chancellour had submitted the cause in controversie to the hearing and determining of his Majestie 26. King Henry at the joynt instance of both parties The King determines the cause for the Arch-Bishop summoned them to Lambeth to hear and determine the controversie the Chancellour of Oxford produceth an Army of large Bulls of the Pope Arch-Bishop Arundell brought forth one Champian viz. An Instrument in the Reign of King Richard the second wherein the King adjudged all their Papall Priviledges void as granted to the dammage of the Crown and much occasioning the increase of Lollards not that it was so done intentionally by his Holiness for who can suspect the Pope turn Lollard but accidentally it came to pass that thy Vniversity of Oxford freed from Archiepiscopal Visitation by vertue of those Bulls the Wicklivists therein escaped from Consistorian censure Hereupon King Henry pronounced sentence on the Arch-Bishops side Febr. 9. Friday as by the ensuing Instrument will plainly appear ET ulterius tam anctoritate sua regia quà m virtute submissionis praedictae sibi factae adtune ibidem arbitratus fuit ordinavit consideravit decrevit adjudicavit quod Praedictus Archiepiscopus Successores sui in perpetuum habeant Visitationem Jurisdictionem in Vniversitate praedictâ tam Cancellarii Commissariorum quà m Procuratorum ejusdem Vniversitatis qui pro tempore fuerint nec non omnium Doctorum Magistrorum regencium non-regencium ac Scholarium ejusdem Vniversitatis quorumeunque eorumque Servientium aliarnmque personarum cujuscunque status condicionis extiterint etiam ejusdem Vniversitatis ut Vniversitatis quod Cancellarius Commissarii Procuratores Vniversitatis praedictae qui pro tempore fuerunt eorumque Successores omnes alii in dicta Vniversitate pro tempore commorantes futuris temporibus eidem Archiepiscopo Successoribus suis in visitatione Jurisdictione Vniversitatis praedictae etiam ut Vniaersitatis in omnibus pareant obedient Et quod nec dictus Cancellarius Commissarii nec Procuratores Vniversitis praedictae nec eorum Successores nec aliquis alius in Vniversitate praedicta aliquod privilegium seu beneficium exemptionis ad excludendum praefatum Archiepiscopum seu Successores suos de Visitatione Jurisdictione praedictis in Vniversitate antedicta colore alicujus Bullae seu alterius tituli cujuscunque erg a praedictum Archiepiscopû seu Successores suos clament habeant seu vendicent ullo modo in futuruÌ„ Et quod quotiens Cancellarius Commissarii vel locum-tenens ipsorum vel alicujus ipsorum vel Procuratores dictae Vniversitatis qui pro tempore fuerint vel eorum Successores sive aliquis eorum impedierint vel impedierit praefatum Archiepiscopum vel Successores suos aut Ecclesiam suam praedictam aut ipsorum vel alicujus ipsorum Commissarium vel Commissarios de hujusmodi Visitatione sive jurisdictione dictae Vniversitatis vel in aliquo contravenerint vel aliquis eorum contravenerit dictis arbitrio ordinacioni sive judicio per praefatum Ricardum nuper Regem factis sive arbitrio judicio decreto considerationi vel ordinacioni ipsius Domini nostri Regis Henrici in hoc casu vel si aliquis dictae Vniversitatis in futurum impedierit dictum Archiepiscopum vel Successores suos aut Ecclesiam suam praedictam aut ipsorum vel alicujus ipsorum Commissarium vel Commissarios de Visitatione sua aut jurisdictione antedicta vel in aliâ—uo contravenerit dictis arbitrio ordinacioni sive judicio per praefatum Ricardum nuper Regem in forma praedictâ factis vel arbitrio judicio decreto considerationi vel ordinationi ipsius Domini nostri Regis Henrici Et quòd Cancellarius Commissarii vel Procuratores Vniversitatis praedictae tunc non fecerint diligentiam posse eorum ad adjuvandum dictum Archiepiscopum vel Successores sous aut Ecclesiam suam praedictam seu Commissarium vel Commissarios suos in hujusmodi casu ac etiam ad puniendum hujusmodi impediments resistenets Quòd totiens omnes Franehesiae libertates omnia privilegia ejusdem Vniversitatis in manus Domini Regis vel haeredum suorum seisiantur in eisdem manibus ipsorum Domini Regis vel haeredum suorum remansura quousque praedictus Archiepiscopus vel Successores sui pacificam Visitationem jurisdictionem in sorma praedicta in dicta Vniversitate habuerit vel habuerint etiam tociens Cancellarius Commissarii Procuratores ejusdem Vniversitatis qui pro tempore fuerint eorum Successores ac
Knight Henry Broomflete put before a Doctor of both Laws and yet John Colevil another Knight placed after the same Doctor I confess the contest very ancient about priority betwixt a Knight and a Doctor of Law ever since the comparison which a In orat pro. Murena Tully made betwixt Lucius Murena a Knight of Rome and Pub. Sulpitius a Lawyer either of them standing for the Consulship Though now in England the precedency of the Knight be indubitable since preferment is taken from Civil Law and the professors thereof shut up as it were in a narrow corner of their own faculty But we leave the Critical Decision thereof to his b Chassaneus la gloria mundi lib. 9. pen who hath wrot a just Tract of the Glory in truth of the Vanity of this world and exactly stated this particular with all the circumstances thereof 7. Whereas the King impowreth those his Commissioners to meddle in the point of his right of the Realm of France A charitable and no impolitick offer with King Charles his competitor submitting his Title to be discussed in the Councel it carrieth with it a confidence of his own right and charitable desire to save the effusion of Christian Bloud But this was not Councel but Camp-work and we meet not with the mention hereof once touched on in this great Assembly However so wary was King Henry or rather his Councel as not absolutely to tie up his title to the decision of this Councel but to give his Commissioners a negative voice in case they see cause to dissent 8. The general History of the Church reporteth the Acts of this Councel A contest betwixt the English and Castilaus about precedency how they deposed Pope Eugenius and substituted Felix in his room for which and other decisions therein Rome beholds this Councel but with bad eyes unto this day We will onely meddle with a difference therein which concerned our own Nation The Orators of several Kings began to take their places according to their birth-rights dating their age from their Nations first receiving of Christianity Here arose the controversie of course about precedency betwixt the English and Castile Ambassadours the former alledging Britaines conversion by Joseph of Arimathea which Alphonsus Garsias de Sancta Maria Dean of Compostella and Segovia Doctor of Law and Ambassadour for Castile with a Speech c Ex Schedis Coâ—â—onianâ—s more tedious then his name and titles much endeavoured to disprove and his arguments may be reduced to these four heads 1. First he denied Josephs arrival in Britaine and imposed the proof thereof on the English who affirmed it challenging them to produce any authentick Record for the same 2. Secondly he urged probability to the contrary out of the Golden Legend or Flores Sanctorum where it is reported how Titus taking Jerusalem caused a thick wall to be digged thorow and therein found an aged man who confessed himself to be Joseph Or Arimathea there imprisoned by the Jews for burying of Christ and that ever since he had been fed with-meat from heaven Hence he inferred that if Joseph were in durance all this while in the wall he could not as the English pretended come over into Britain to plant the Gospel 3. Thirdly grant that Joseph after his enlargement by Titus preached in Britain which must needs be after the year of our Lord seventy and two Spain long before had received the Gospel by the preaching of James the Apostle 4. Fourthly Be it granted that Joseph did preach in England it was but in a corner thereof the grand body of Britain remaining pagan many hundred years after These arguments he uttered with such an affected gravity as if he could have made the matter the more by pronouncing the words the longer 9. The English easily answered these exceptions The English their answer proving James to be slaughtered at Jerusalem by a Acts 12. 2. Herod before his pretended preaching in Spain seeing their own Country-man and an b Rodericus Ximenius in concer d. primatu cum praesule 〈◊〉 in Concil Lateran Anno. 1215. Arch-Bishop of Toledo confesseth as much They produced many ancient testimonies for the preaching of Joseph in Britain the fond fable of his being kept in a wall being beneath confutation as attested onely by a worthless Author Joannes de Voragine Their allegation that Britain was but partially converted by his preaching was but impertinent to the present purpose the point controverted not being of the universality but the antiquity of first receiving the Christian Faith Besides neither James nor any other Disciple ever converted a Kingdom totally and entirely to Christianity However nothing was concluded in this controversie alwayes agitated never decided 1. In the Councel of Pisa Anno 1409. 2. In the Councel of Constance 1417. betwixt the Ambassadours of England and France 3. In the Councel of Sienes before Martin the fifth Pope wherein Richard Fleming Bishop of Lincoln encountered France Spain and Scotland about precedency Lastly betwixt England and Spain in the Councel of Basil though therein nothing concluded those politick Prelates accounting it better to keep both Princes in hope by discussing then to put one into anger by deciding it Yea they loved to set up this controversie as that of the precedence of Cambridg and Oxford in English Parliaments out of design sometimes to delay time sometimes by starting it to stop and divert more dangerous disputes 10. Henry Chichely 15. Doctor of Law 1437 Arch-Bishop of Canterbury All-Souls College in Oxford founded Founded a Colledg in Oxford by the Name of All-Souls for a Warden and fourty Fellows which number by Statute was never to be augmented or impaired and all void places by death or otherwise once in a year to be supplied Wardens Anno Dom. 1437. 1. M r Rich. Andrews 2. M r Rog. Keys 3. Mr Gul. Kele 4. M r Gul. Poteman 5. M r Jo. Stokie 6. Tho. Hobbys 7. M r Gul. Brooke 8. M r Jo. Coale 9. M r Rob. Woodward 10. M r Rob. Stokelie 11. M r Jo. Warner 12. M r Seth Holland 13. M r Jo. Pope 14. M r Rich. Barâ—er 15. M r Rob. Hovenden 16. D r Mocket 17. D r Ashley D r Shelden D r Palmer Bishops Anno Regis Hen. 6. 15. James Gouldwel Bishop of Norwich 1472. Gilbert Bourn Bish of Bath and Wells 1554. Glyes Tomson Bish of Gloucester 1611. Brian Duppa Bish of Sarum Fellow of this House Benefactors King Henry the 6 th at the procurement of the Founder gave four Priories Alians viz. Alberbury Rumney Weeden-Pinkeney and Languenith Queen Elizabeth confirmed the Parsonage of Stanton Harcourt Reginald Poole Card. Arch-Bishop of Canterbury S r William Peter Fellow of this Colledg and Secretary to four Kings and Queens Learned Writers S r Clement Edmonds D r Gentilis an excellent Civilian D r Steward M r Diggs So that at this present this Colledg hath one Warden fourty
last Bishop of Rochester Bishops John Stokesley Bishop of London 1530. Thomas Cooper Bishop of Winchester 1584. John Longland Bishop of Lincoln 1521. Tho. Bentham Bishop of Covent and Lichfield William Overton Bishop of Covent and Lichfield 1609. Accept Frewen Bishop of Covent and Lichfield 1643. Henry Cotton Bishop of Salisbury 1598. Tho. Godwin Bishop of Bath and Wells 1584. Thomas Wolsey Arch-Bish of York 1515. John Peirce Arch-Bish of York 1588. John Voâ—sey Bishop of Exeter 1520. William Bradbridg Bish of Exeter 1578. Richard Mayo Bishop of Hereford 1504. John Harley Bishop of Hereford 1553. Thomas Bickley Bishop of Chichester 1585. Jo. Warner Bishop of Rochester 1637. Jo. Bullingham Bishop of Bristoll and Glocester holding both together 1581. John Cotes Bishop of Chester 1556. William Downham Bishop of Chester 1561. Owen Oglethorpe Bishop of Carlile 1556. Writers John a Pitz. de Brit. Script p. 688. Clarmund afterwards President of Corpus Christi John b Idem p. 730. Hocker Mich. c Bale p. 755. Reniger John Fox Author of the Book of Martyrs Thomas Cooper who wrote the great Dictionary Robert d Idem p. 728. Crowley Peter e Pitz. q. 755. Morving Alan e Brian Twine Ant. Ac. Ox. in Catal. Procuratorum Cope Proctor of the University 1558. Julius Palmer Mart. D r Laurence Humfride John Budden D r of Law who wrote many mens lives in Elegant Latin D r Hen. Hammond D r Peter Heylyn Give me leave to suspect this Catalogue of Presidents not compleat though set forth by their great f Vide in calce libri Antiquarie both because D r Higden avowed g Vide Scots Tables President in the List of Benefactors is therein omitted as also D r Walt. h L. Humfrid in the Life of Bishop Jewel p. 71. Haddon whom we finde President hereof in the beginning of Queen Mary At this day there are therein a President Anno Dom. 1408. fourty Fellows Anno. Regis Ed. 4. thirty Demies or Scholars four Chaplains eight Clerks sixteen Choristers one School-master and an Usher three Readers of Divinity Natural and Moral Philosophie besides divers Officers and Servants of the Foundation with other Students being in all two hundred and twenty 26. King Henry being Conquered in a fatal Battle at Touton in Notingham-shire Edward the fourth gaineth the Crown by Conquest fled with his Queen into Scotland 1461 and to make himself the more welcome 1. resigned Berwick to the King thereof Edward Duke of Yorke his Adversary Reigned in his stead by the name of Edward the fourth who next to God and his own right had just cause to thak Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick for his Crown This was that Nevil who for Extraction Estate Alliance Dependents Wisdom Valour Success and Popularity was superiour to any English Subject since the Conquest Peoples love he chiefly purchased by his Hospitality keeping so open an House that he was most welcome who brought the best stomach with him the Earl charitably believing that all who were men of teeth were men of Armes Any that looked like a man might have in his house a full half yard of roast meat namely so much as he could strike through and carry away with his a Stows Annals pag. 421. Dagger The Bear was his Crest and it may be truly said that when the Bear roared the Lions of the Forest trembled the Kings of England themselves being at his disposal 27. This Kings Reign affordeth very little Church-Storie Why little Church-Hist in this Kings Reign and therefore M r Fox whose industrie would have found out Church-matter if above ground is fein to fill it up with foreign passages or domestick relations of our civil differences Indeed now the sound of all bells in the steeples was drowned with the noise of Drums and Trumpets And yet this good was done by the Civil Wars it diverted the Prelates from troubling the Lollards so that this very storme was a shelter to those poor souls and the heat of these intestine enmities cooled the persecution against them 28. Thomas Bourchier Synod priviledges broken and repaired Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 1462 kept a Synod of his Clergie at London 2. when Geoffery Longbrooke a member thereof as Proctor for Peter Courtney Arch-Deacon of Exeter was at the suite of Simon Nottingham arrested by the Bailiffs of the Lord Major Antiq. Brit. pag. 293. complaint being made hereof to the Convocation they sent the Prior of Canterbury to the Major and Sheriffs to restore the aforesaid Geoffery to his liberty threatning them else with Excommunication to prevent which the party was released The Parliament sitting at the same time bestowed many priviledges on the Clergie As for the other Synods in this Kings Reign being six as I account them little more then granting of Subsidies was propounded and concluded therein 29. King Henry returned out of Scotland King Henry returned routed and imprisoned furnished with sufficient forces from James the third 1463 to recover his Crown 3. had success befriended him But King Edward marched against him in person one means of his being so fortunate in his fights seeing in peace the master his eye maketh the fat horse as the Princes in war the valiant horse-rider totally defeated took and imprisoned him in the Tower Here whilest Church-men observe how tender-eyed the charity States-men admire how blinde the policy of that Age in keeping King Henry alive No such sure Prison for a Captive King as a Grave whose life though in restraint is a fair mark for the full aim of male-contents to practice his enlargement As here it fell out in King Henry who either slighted for his simplicity that he could do not mischief or reverenced for his sanctity that he should suffer no ill was preserved alive and reserved thereby to be a future trouble to King Edward who though valiant to repel was not wise to foresee dangers and now conceiving himself secure was viciously disposed and given over to too much licenciousness 30. Richard Nevil The Earl of Warwick takes just distaste at King Edward Earl of Warwick 1465 is sent over into France to obtain the Lady Bona Daughter to the Duke of Savoy Wife to King Edward 5. So powerful a spokesman could not but speed and all things are concluded save the meeting of the Parties and a Priest to marry them Anno Regis Ed 4. 5. Mean time King Edward marrieth the Lady Elizabeth Grey Anno Dom. 1463 the first English King who since the Conquest wedded his Subject I might also add and the first that match'd with a Widow seeing Elinor Wife to King Henry the second divorced from Lewis the yonger King of France was properly neither maid nor widow Warwick stormeth hereat that he had taken so much pains about nothing highly sensible of the affront seeing a potent Arme is not to be employed about a sleeveless errand He
of his foulest facts wherewith in all ages since he standeth charged on record For mine own part I confess it no heresie to maintain a paradox in History nor am I such an enemy to wit as not to allow it leave harmlesly to disport it self for its own content and the delight of others Thus Cardan hath written his Encomium Neronis and others best husbandmen who can improve the barrennest ground have by art endeavoured to praise as improbable subjects But when men shall do it cordially in sober sadness to pervert peoples judgments and therein go against all received Records I say singularity is the least fault can be laid to such mens charge Besides there are some Birds Sea-pies by name who cannot rise except it be by flying against the winde as some hope to atchieve their advancement by being contrary and paradoxal in judgment to all before them 9. Soon after followed the execution of the Duke of Buckingham The request of the Duke of Buckingham denied King Richard his grand enginere or Master of the fabrick of his preserment The occasion thus The Duke requested-required of King Richard as confident that his merits were incapable of a denial the Earldome of Hereford and the hereditary Constable-ship of England laying title to them by discent Well did he ask both together which would be granted both together For the Earldome of Hereford was an Abishag concubine to the former Kings of England which had long lien in the Crown whilest in the Lancastrian line so imbraced and interlaced therewith that it was difficult to dissever them And the affecting thereof proved as fatall to Buckingham Anno Dom. 1484. as the desiring of the other was to Adonijah Anno Regis Ric. 3. 2. being interpreted in both an ambition of the Kingdome The Hereditary Constableship was conceived too unlimited a power to be trusted to a Subject lest he should make more disorder then he should mend therewith so that in fine both in effect were denied unto him 10. Buckingham stormes thereat Buckingham surpâ—â—â—ed and beheaâ—ed Shall a Coronet be denied him by him on whom he had conferred a Crown Yet what anger soever boiled in his â—eart none ran over in his mouth pretending very fair in his behaviour But hard it is to halt before a cripple and dissemble before King Richard The Duke withdraws to Brecknock in Wales with his prisoner Bishop Morton of Elie committed unto him by the King on some distaste who tampered with him about the marriage of Henry Earl of Richmond with the eldest Daughter of King Edward the fourth The Duke carried himself so open therein that surprised by King Richard his head was divorced from his body before this marriage was compleated II. More cunning was Bishop Morton to get himself over into France Morten make peace there to contrive the Union of the two Houses of York and Lancaster If Blessed be the peace-makers be pronounced of such as reconcile party and party how much more must it be true of his memory the happy instrument to unite those Houses to the saving of the effusion of so much bloud Some will say it was a design obvious to every capacity to make such an union But we all know when a thing is done then it is easie for any to do it Besides it is one thing for men in their brains barely and notionally to apprehend a project and another as our Morton did to elect proportionable means and by the vigorous prosecution thereof really to effect it 12. A modern Writer in his voluminous book Mr Pryn charged for charging Bishop Morton of â—reson which he hath Entituled The Rebellions Treasons Conspiracies Antimonarchical practises c. of the English Prelates to swell his number chargeth this Bishop Morton with Treason against King Richard the third But is it treason for one in savour of the true heir to oppose an Usurper in Title and Tyrant in practice Surely unbiased judgments behold Morton herein under a better notion Had this Bishop been active on King Richards side how would the same Author have proclaimed him for a Traitor against King Henry the seventh Thus I see an inevitable necessity that Morton must be a Traitor whatsoever he did and observe that no practice will please which cometh from one whose person or profession is distasted 13. But King Richard his cruelties had so tired out Divine patience Earl Henry landeth at Milsord Haven that his punishment could be no longer deferred 1585 Henry Earl of Richmond lands with an handful of men at Milford Haven 3. A landing place politickly chosen near Pembroke the place of his Nativity in the heart of his Country-men and Kinsmen the Welsh his grand-father Owen ap Theodore alias Tuthar having thence his extraction and far from London the Magazine of King Richards might From Milford the Earl marched North-East through the bowels of Wales and both his Army and fame thereof crevit eundo grew by going Many old Prophesies the people about Leicester will load a stranger with them were fulfilled in him and this amongst the rest may be remembred It was foretold that in a great battle which was to be fought near Leicester whosoever should shoot the arrow first should have the victory This most understood that the archer in the fight which should first let loose should gain the day to his side When behold the Earl of Richmond bending his march out of Wales to the middle of England first passed Arrow a rivolet in the confines of Worcester and Warwick-shire and accordingly proved victorious For into Leicester-shire he came and in the navel thereof is met by King Richard and next morning both sides determine to trie their fortunes in fight This night the Earl had sweet and quiet rest whilest King Richard his guilty conscience was frighted with hideous dreams Anno Regis Ric 3 3. and fanciful apparitions Anno Dom. 1485 as no wonder if no pillow could give him quiet sleep who with a pillow had so lately smothered his Lord and Master 14. The Battle is called the Battle of Bosworth though fought full three miles from the a Burton in his description of Leicestershire Town The Battle of Bosworth and nearer other Country Villages because Bosworth is the next Town of not ethereunto The Earls Army fell far short of the Kings in number and Armes equalled it in courage exceeded it in cause and success Indeed the Kings Army was hollow at the heart many marching in his main battle who were much suspected and therefore purposely placed there to secure them from flying out and fought as unwilling to overcome Yet the scales of victory seemed for a long time so equal that an exact eye could not discern on which side the beam did break At last the coming in of the Lord Stanley with three thousand fresh men decided the controversie on the Earls side King Richard fighting valiantly so his friends
Innocent But others conceive King Henry not so simple himself his parts onely seeming the lower being over-topped with a high spirited queen more probable it is what another d See Mr Habington in the life of Ed. 4. saith that seeing King Henry held the Crown by a false title from the true heir thereof the Pope could not with so good credit fasten a Saintship on his memory But our great e Camd. Brit. ◠Surrey Antiquary resolveth all in the Popes covetousness In cause fuit Pontificis avaritia demanding more then thrifty King Henry the seventh would allow Who at last contented himself by the Popes leave hardly obtained to remove his Corps from Chertsey in Surrey where it was obscurely Interred Anno Regis Hen. 7 10. to Windsor Chappel Anno Dom. 1494. a place of greater reputation Thus is he whom Authors have observed twice Crowned twice Deposed twice Buried the best was though he was not Canonized yet there was plenty of Popish Saints beside him wherewith the Calender is so overstocked that for want of room they justle one another 28. But the Saintship of Anselme Arch-Bishop Morton procureth the Sainting of Ansilm Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 13. was procured on cheaper terms 1497 though it cost Arch-Bishop Marton much money who procured the same Indeed Anselme being alterius orbis Papa the Pope of the English world as the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury was termed no wonder if one Pope upon reasonable termes did this courtesie for another Besides great was the merit of Anselme to the Church of Rome little whereof goes far to obtain a Canonization seeing he was the Champion and confessor of the Popes cause about investing of Bishops against two Kings successively William Rufus and King Henry the first 29. Observable was the carriage of King Henry towards the Pope The Kings carriage to the Pope the Clergie and the poor Lollards To the Pope he was submissive not servile his devotion being seldom without design so using his Holiness that he seldom stooped down to him in any low reverence but with the same gesture he took up something in order to his own ends 30. To the Clergie of desert he was very respectful trusting and imploying them in State affairs more then his Nobility To the dissolute and vitious Clergie he was justly severe Severe to the vitious Clergie and pared their priviledges ordeining that Clerks a Lord Verulam in Hen. 7. pag. 66. convict should be burnt in the hand both that they might taste a corporal punishment and carry a brand of infamy But for this good act the King himself was afterwards branded by Mock-King-Perkins proclamation for an execrable breaker of the Rights of Holy Church He also made a b Statotes undecimo Hen. 7. cap. 2. Law that begging scholars though Clerks should be reputed Vagabonds without they shew the Letters of the Chancellor of the University from whence he saith he cometh 31. To the Lollards so were Gods people nick-named he was more cruel then his predecessors Sad to be the Kings Convert for he not onely in the beginning of his Reign connived at the cruel persecutions which Jo. Halse Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield raised against them 14. but towards the end of his Reign appeared in his person very bloudy unto them 1498 if the story be true which is very lamely delivered unto us There was in Canterbury an old Priest so resolute in Wicliffs opinions that none of the Clergie there could convince him of the contrary The King casually coming thither in the moneth of May undertook the Priest himself though we never read before of his Majesties disputing save when he disputed Bosworth field with King Richard the third The King by what arguments we know not converted this Priest and then presently gave order he should be burnt which was done c Fox Acts Mon. pag. 556. accordingly Surely there was more in the matter then what appeared in the Record or else one may boldly say that if the Kings Converts had no better incouragement this was the first he made and the last he was ever likely to make 32. Two most needless pieces of Cruelty were committed at this time the one an aged old man burnt in Smithfield the other one Joan Baughton widow Needless cruelty which seemeth a woman of some quality as Mother to the Lady Young who was afterwards Martyred she being fourscore d Fox Ibid. years of age was burnt for an Heretick posting her to the Stake which was going to the Grave 33. William Smith sometimes Fellow of Pembroke Hall in Cambridg The Founding of Brasen-nose Colledg and Bishop of Lincoln this year began the Foundation of Brasen-nose Colledg in Oxford I meet not with any satisfactory reason why so called save the fancy of the Founder Except any will say it was so named because built c where anciently Brasen-nose hall stood though this does not so much resolve the Question as put it a degree further off Anno Dom. 1498 But when such who cavil at the name Anno Regis Hen. 7 14. build a Colledg it shall be left at their free liberty to call it according to their own pleasure This Bishop lived not to finish his intentions and the resore after his death Richard Sutton Esq took upon him to perfect the same and accomplished it accordingly Principals Bishops Benefactors Learned men Matthew Smith John Hawarden Tho. Blanchard Rich. Harris Alex. Noel Tho. Singleton D r Ratcliffe Tho. Yates Dr. Greenhil Richard Barnes Bishop of Durham William Clifton William Porter Jo. Elton aliàs Baker Hum. Ogle Edw. Darby Jo. Claymond Jo. Williamson Brian Higden Alexand. Noel Joyce Frankland Richard Harper S r Jo. port Jo. Lord Mordant D r Jo. Barneston Geo. Palin Richard Caldwell Doctor of Physick and a Camdent Eliz. in Anno 1585. Founder of a Chirurgery Lecture in London Ro. Bolton a famous Preacher So that at this present the Colledg is much beautified with buildings and ornaments for the perfecting whereof great summes have been expended within these few last years maintaining a Principal twenty Fellows besides Scholars Officers and Servants of the Foundation in all Anno 1634. amounting to one hundred eighty six Cheshire-men whose Country is called Nobilitatis Altrix and those of Lancashire most commendable ob bonitatem habitudinis decorem aspectus are in this Colledg most proper for preferment 34. John Morton Cardinal and Arch-Bishop of Canterbury deceased The Death of Arch-Bishop Morton many condemned him in his life for acting and putting the King forward to be burtheniome to his Subjects with his Taxes 1500 but his innocence appeared after his death 16. that he rather tempered the Kings covetousness then otherwise He was a Learned man and had a fair Library Rebuss'd with More in text and Tun under it partly remaining in the possession of the late Earl of Arundell I finde him in the
distanced but the breadth of the Street from S t Pauls Church The Mercers made Overseers thereof should not be intrusted to the inspection of his successors the Dean and Chapter of Pauls but committed to the care of the Company of the Mercers for the managing thereof But f In his Epistle unto Jodocus Jonâ—s Erasmus rendreth a good reason from the mouth and minde of Collet himself who had found by experience many Lay-men as consciencious as Clergy-men in discharging this trust in this kinde conceiving also that whole Company was not so easie to be bowed to corruption as any single person how publick and eminent soever 16. For my own part Out of provident prescience I behold Collets act herein not onely prudential but something Prophetical as foreseeing the ruine of Church-lands and fearing that this his School if made an Ecclesiastical Appendent might in the fall of Church-Lands get a bruise if not lose a limb thereby 17. William Lily was the first School-master thereof by Collets own appointment An excellent Scholar born at Odiam in Hampshire and afterward he went on Pilgrimage as far as g Pitzaeus de Ang. Scriptor pag. 697. Jerusalem In his return through Italy he applied himself to his studies And because some perchance would be pleased to know the Lilies of Lily I mean his Teachers and Instructers know that John Sulpitius and Pomponius Sabinus two eminent Criticks were his principal informers Returning home into his native Country well accomplished with Latin Greek and all Arts and Sciences he set forth a Grammer which still goes under his name and is universally taught all over England 18. Many were the Editions of this Grammer â—is Grammer 〈◊〉 the first forth Anno 1513. Anno Dom. 1519 when Pauls School was Founded as appears by that instance Anno Ragis Hen. 8 11. Meruit sub Rege in Galliâ relating to Maximilian the German Emperour who then at the Siege of Therovenne in Flanders fought under the banner of Kings Henry the eighth taking an a Godwins Annals pag. 16. hundred crowns a day for his pay Another Edition Anno 1520. when audito Rege Doroberniam proficisci refers to the Kings speedy journey into Canterbury there to give entertainment to Charles the fifth Emperour lately landed at Dover 19. Formerly there were in England almost as many Grammers as Schoolmasters And privileged by authority children being confounded not onely with their variety but sometimes contrariety thereof rules being true in the one which were false in the other Yea which was the worst a boy when removed to a new School lost all he had learned before whereupon King Henery endeavoured an uniformity of Grammer all over his Dominions that so youths though changing their School-masters might keep their learning This was performed and William Lilies Grammer enjoyned universally to be used Astipend of four pounds a year was allowed the Kings Printer for Printing of it and it was penall for any publickly to teach any other I have been told how larely Bishop Buckeridge examining a Free-School in his Diocess of Rochester the Scholars were utterly ignorant of Lilies rules as used to others whereat the Bishop exclaimed what are there Puritans also in Grammer 20. I deny not but some since have discovered blasted leaves in out Lily observing defects and faults therein and commendable many persons pains in amending them however it were to be desired that no needless variations be made and as much left of Lily as may be The rather because he submitted his Syntaxis to the judgment of b Pitzaeus ut prius Erasmus himself so that it was afterward printed amongst his works Indeed Quae Genus was done by Thomas Robinson and the Accidens as some will have it by other Authors after Lily was dead and Prince Edward born of and for whom it was said Edvardus is my proper name And thus we take out leave both of Lily and Pauls-School flourishing at this day as much as ever under the care of M r John Langly the able and Religious School-master thereof 21. King Henry had lately set forth a Book against Luther King Henry writes against Luther endeavouring the confutation of his opinions as novel and unfound None suspect this Kings lack of learning though many his lack of leisure from his pleasures for such a design however it is probable some other Gardner gathered the flowers made the collections though King Henry had the honour to wear the posie carrying the credit in the title thereof 22. To require his pains Stiled by the Pope Desender of the Faith the Pope honoured him and his successors with a specious title A Defender of the c Jude 3. Faith Indeed it is the bounden Duty of every Christian earnestly to contend for the faith which once was given to the Saints but it is the Dignity of few men and fewer Princes to be able effectually to appear in Print in the Vindication thereof 23. There is tradition His Jesters reply that King Henry's Fool though more truly to be termed by another name coming into the Court and finding the King transported with an unusual joy boldly asked of him the cause thereof to whome the King answered it was because that the Pope had honoured him with a stile more eminent then any of his Ancestours O good Harry quoth the Fool let Theu and I defend one another and let the faith alone to defend it self Most true it is that some of his Successors more truly deserved the Title then he to whom it was given who both learnedly then solidly engaged their pens in the asserting of true Religion 24. At this time Wolsey his unlimited power and pride though King Henry wore the sword Cardinal Wolsey bare the stroke albo're the Land being Legate de Latere by vertue whereof he visited all Churches and Religious Houses even the Friers Observants themselves notwithstanding their stoutness and stubbornness that first d Fox Acts Monumnets opposed him Papal and Royal power met in him being the Chancellor of the Land Anno Regis Hen. 8 13. and keeping so many Bisshopricks in Commendam Anno Dom. 1521 his yearlie income is said to equal if not exceed the Revenues of the Crown 25. The more the pitty that having of his own such a flock of preferment nothing but the poor mans a 2 Sam. 12 3. Ewe-lamb would please him He was the first confoundder of abbies so that being to Found two Colledges he seised on no fewer then fourty small Monasteries turning their inhabitants out of house and home and converting their means principally to a Colledg in Oxford This alienation was confirmed by the present Pope Clement the seventh so that in some sort his Holiness may thank himself for the demolishing of Religious Houses in England 26. For the first breach is the greatest in effect 16. And Abbies having now lost their Virginity
the silken flie wherewith Anglers cheat the fishes was onely given out to tempt King Henry to a longer patience and quiet expectation of the event Octo. 22. But by this time Queen Katharine had privately prevailed with the Pope to advoke the cause to Rome as a place of more indifferency for a plea of so high concernment Whereupon Campegius took his leave of the King and returned into Italy 49. The Papists tell us Love-Letters of King Hen. kept in the Vatican that Cardinal Campegius sent over before him some amatorious Letters which passed written with the Kings own hand betwixt him and his dear Nan as he termed her These are said to import more familiarity then chastity betwixt them and are carefully kept and solemnly shewn in the Vatican to strangers especially of the English Nation though some suspect them to be but forged For though the King had wantonness enough to write such Letters yet Anna Bollen had wit and warmess too much to part with them It would more advance the Popish project could they shew any return from her to the King accepting his offers which they pretend not to produce Our Authors generally agree her deâ—â—alls more inflamed the Kings desires For though perchance nothing more then a woman was wish'd by his wilde sancy yet nothing less then an husband would content her conscience In a word so cunning she was in her chastity that the farther she put him from her the nearer she fastened his affections unto her 50. Still was the Kings cause more delaied in the Court of Rome No haste to end the Kings cause at Rome If a melancholick School-man can spin out a speculative controversie with his Pro's and Con's to some quires of paper where the profit is little to others and none to himself except satisfying his curiosity and some popular applause no wonder if the Casuists at Rome those cunning Masters of Defence could lengthen out a cause of so high concernment and so greatly beneficial unto them For English silver now was current and out gold volant in the Popes Courts whither such masses of money daily were transported England knew not certainly what was expended nor Rome what received herein Yea for seven years was this suit depending in the Popes Court after which Apprentiship the Indentures were not intended to be cancelled but the cause still to be kept on foot it being for the interest to have it alwayes in doing and never done For whilest it depended the Pope was sure of two great friends but when it was once decided he was sure of one great foe either the Emperour or our King of England 51. It was a Maxime true of all men King and Queen hoth offended with Wolsey but most of King Henry Omnis mora properanti nimia He who would have not onely what but when he would himself was vexed with so many delayings deferrings retardings prorogations prolongations procrastinations betwixt two Popes as one may say Clement that was and Wolsey that would be So that all this while after so much adoe there was nothing done in his business which now was no nearer to a final conclusion then at the first beginning thereof Yea now began Cardinal Wolsey to decline in the Kings favour suspecting him for not cordial in his cause and ascribing much of the delay to his backwardness herein More hot did the displeasure of Queen Katharine burn against him beholding him as the chief engine who set the matter of her Divorce first in motion 52. Be it here remembred that in perswading the Kings Divorce Wolsey looks two wayes in this design Wolsey drave on a double design by the recess of the Kings love from Queen Katharine to revenge himself of the Emperour by the access of his love to Margaret of Alenson to oblige the King of France Thus he hoped to gain with both hands and presumed that the sharpness of his two-edged policy should cut on both sides when God to prevent him did both blunt the edges and break the point thereof For instead of gaining the love of two Kings he got the implacable anger of two Queens of Katharine decaying and Anna Bollen increasing in the Kings affection Let him hereafter look but for few fair dayes when both the Sun-rising and setting frowned upon him SECT II. TO M r THOMAS JAMES OF BUNTINGFORD IN Hertford-shire COrner Stones two walls meeting in them are polished with the more curiosity and placed with more carefulness So also corner bones as I may say which do do double duty and attend the service of two joynts in the Elbow and Knee are rarely fixed by the providence of Nature This Section being in the turning of Religions the going out of the Old and coming in of the New ought to have been done with most industry difficultie meeting therein with dark instructions However I have endeavoured my utmost though falling short of the merits of the matter and doubt not but you will be as candid in the perusing as I have desired to be careful in the writing thereof KKnow now in the next year Anno Regis Hen. 8 22. the Lords in Parliament put in a Bill of fourty four particulars against Wolsey Anno Dom. 1530. The most material was his exercising of power-Legative Accused in Parliament and well defended by Mr Cromwel his servant without leave to the prejudice of the Kings Crown and Dignity The Bill is brought down into the House of Commons where M r Cromwel then Servant to the Cardinal chanced to be a Burgess Here he defended his Master with such wit and eloquence that even those who hated the Client yet praised the Advocate who pleaded in his behalf This was the first time that publick notice was taken of Cromwel his eminent parts and advantagious starting is more then half the way in the race to preferment as afterwards in him it came to pass As for Wolsey though at this time he escaped with life and liberty yet were all his goods of inestimable value confiscated to the King and he outed of most of his Ecclesiastical promotions 2. Court-favourites Prefeâ—red 〈…〉 to York when it is once past noon Anno Dom. 1530 it is presently night with them Anno Regis Hen. 8 22. as here it fared with wolsey His enemies of whom no want follow the 〈◊〉 given unto him For they beheld him rather in a Sown then as yet dead in the Kings favour and feared if his submission should meet with 〈◊〉 remembrance of his former services they might produce his full 〈◊〉 to power and dignity The rather because the Cardinal was cun 〈◊〉 to improve all to his own advantage and the King as yet not cruel 〈◊〉 too perfect in that lesson afterwards His enemies would not trust the Cardinal to live at London nor at Winchester within fifty miles thereof but got the King to command him away to York sending him thither whither his conscience
long since should have sent him namely to visit his Diocess so large in extent and reside therein 3. Indifferent men thought that he had enough 〈…〉 his Foes that too much onely himself that too little was left unto him Pride accounts the greatest plenty if without Pomp no better then Penury Yet he had the whole revenues of York Arch-Bishoprick worth then little less then four thousand pounds yearly besides a large Pension paid him out of the Bishoprick of Winchester Was not here suel enough had thee not been too much fire within such his covetousness and ambition 4. Earthly Kings may make men humbled He states it at York God alone humble Wolsey began to state it at York as high as ever before in proportion to his contracted revenues Preparation is made in a Princely equipage for his Installation attracting envie from such as beheld it All is told unto the King and all made worse by telling it complaining Wolsey would never leave his pride till life first left him His old faults are revived and aggravated and the King incensed afresh against him 5. The Earl of Northumberland by the Commission from the King Arrested of Treason and dieth Arrested him of high-Treason in his own chamber at Cawood By slow and short journeys he setteth forward to London meeting by the way with contrary messages from the King Sometimes he was tickled with hopes of pardon and preserment sometimes pinched with fears of a disgraceful death so that he knew not how to dispose his minde to Mirth or Mourning Age and anguish brought his disease of the dysentery the pain lying much in his guts more in his heart Especially aftger S r William Kingston was sent unto him who being Lieutenant of the Tower seemed to carry a restraint in his looks Coming to Leicester he died being buried almost as obscurely as he was born 6. I know not whether or no it be worth the mentioning here Wolseys credulity befooled with dubious Prophecy however we will put it on the adventure that Cardinal Wolsey in his life time was inform'd by some Fortune-tellers that he should have his end at Kingston This his credulity interpreted of Kingston on Thames which made him alwayes to avoid the riding through that Town though the nearest way from his house to the Court. Afterwards understanding that he was to be committed by the Kings express order to the charge of S r Anthony Hen. Lord Howard in his Book against Prophesies chap. 28. fol. 130. Kingston it struck to his heart too late perceiving himself deluded by that Father of Lies in his homonymous prediction 7. Anna Bollen did every day look fairer and fiarer in the King's eyes The King deluded with delays at Rome whilest the hopes of his marriage with her seemed every day farther and farther from him For the Court at Rome meddled not with the merits of the causse but fell upon by-points therein of lesser concernment Yea they divided his case into three a Hist of Councel of Trent pag. 69. and twenty particulars whereof the first was Whether Prince Arthur had carnal knowledg with the Lady Katharine This bare about a years debate so that according to this proportion King Henry would be not onely past marrying but past living before his cause should be decided This news put him into a passionate pensiveness the rather because meeting with sadness here many populous places in England and Cambridg particularly being at the present visited with the sickness 8. But it is an evil plague which brings no body profit On this occasion D r Cranmer retired to Waltham with two of his Pupils Doct. cranmet comes to Waltham the sons of M r Cressey a name utterly extinct in that Town where God hath fixed my present habitation long before the memory of any alive But consulting Weavers a In Essex Pag. 645. But see the former part of Cranmers life until this time in our History of Cambridg Funeral-Monuments of Waltham-Church more truly then nearly by him composed I finde therein this Epitaph Here lyeth Jon and Jone Cressy On whose soulys Jesu havmercy Amen It seems paper sometimes in more lasting then brass all the ancient Epitaphs in that Church being defac'd by some barbarous hands who perchance one day may want a grave for themselves 9. The King coming to Waltham Is imployed by the King to the Pope D r Fox his Chaplain and Almoner afterwards Bishop of Hereford is lodged in M r Cressy 's house Discoursing about the Kings Divorce Cranmer conceived that the speediest course was to prove the unlawfulness of his Match by Scripture whence it would follow that the Pope at first had no power to dispence therewith and that the Vniversities of Christendom would sooner and truer decide the case then the Court of Rome This passage Fox reports to the King who well pleased thereat professes that this man had the b Fox Acts Mon. 1861. Sow by the right ear An ear which the King never left worrying till he had got it off and effected his will therein Cranmer being sent for comes to the King who very lovingly entertains him Indeed he was a most comely person having an amiable eye and as the soul sees much by the eye so is it much seen in them and pleasing countenance as by his lively c Which I have seen at Chesthunt in the house of Sir Tho. Docres done as I take it by Hans Holbein Picture doth appear Glad was the King to see more to hear him enlarge himself on the former subject that it was above the Popes power to dispense with Gods work in the Kings case And now what fitter Nurse for the Childe then the own Mother what person more proper to manage this matter then Cranmer himself who first moved it The King resolves and Cranmer consents he should be sent to the Pope there to make God his possition Leave we Cranmer for a time preparing himself for his long journey and come briefly to state the Kings Controversie out of Gods Word and several Authors who have written thereof 10. It plainly appears that a marriage with a Brothers wife is unlawful Marriage with Brothers Wives twice forbidden in Scripture because expresly forbidden LEVIT 18. 16 Thou shalt not uncover the Nakedness of thy Brothers Wife it is thy Brothers Nakedness Wherein we have 1. A Prohibition Thou shalt not uncover the Nakedness of thy Brothers Wife See all these Laws are made to men it being presumed that the weaker sex whose part it is to take not tender accept not offer love would be so modest as not to adventure of themselves on any incestuous act except first solicited by men thereunto 2. The Reason thereof It is thy Brothers Nakedness God could according to his Dominion peremptorily have forbidden the same without rendring a reason of his Prohibition but that men might pay the more willing obedience to his Law
but exacted them in the notion of a Rent and Tribute due to the Pope his Master 52. This is that Polidore Virgil Be-lawrelleth the Quire of Wells who was Dignitary of the Cathedral of Wells and as I take it Archdeacon of Taunton on the Quire whereof he bestowed Hangings flourished with the Lawrel Tree and as I remember wrote upon them SUNT POLIDORI MUNERA VIRGILII But would he had spared his benefaction to the Church of Wells on condition he had been no Malefactor to the Church of England yea to Religion and Learning in generall if it be true what commonly is reported 53. For he wrote a Latine History of Britain A Malefactour to Posterity for burning MS. from the Original of the Nation untill Anno Dom. 153. the yeare of King Henry the eighth out of many rare Manuscripts which he had collected together Now partly to raise the reputation of his own Writings that he might seem no lazie Transcriber partly to render himself out of the reach of confutation being suspected not over-faithfull in his Relation he is said to have burnt all those rare Authours which he could compasse into his possession Thus Tyrant-like he cut down those stairs whereby he ascended the Throne of his own knowledge If this be true the World may thank Polidore Virgil for his work de Inventione Rerum but have cause to chide not to say curse his Memory for his Act de Perditione Librorum 54. I have met with a paper of Verses Two-edged Verses which like a two-edged Sword cut on both sides plainly at Polidore Virgil but obscurely at a later Plagiary and in my opinion not unworthy to be inserted Leyland's supposed Ghost Am I deceiv'd or doth not Leyland's Ghost Complain of wrong sustained after death As Virgil's Polidore accus'd his host The Tracian King for cruell breach of Faith And Treasures gain'd by stopping of his breath Ah greedy Gardian t' enjoy his goods Didst plunge his Princely Ward into the floods Am I deceiv'd or doth not Leyland's spirit Complain with th' Ghosts of English Notaries Whom Polidorus Virgil robb'd of merit Bereft of Name and sacks of Histories While wetch he ravisht English Libraries Ah! wicked Book-thief whosoever did it Should One burn all to get one single Credit Am I deceiv'd or doth not Leyland's spirit Make heu cry for som Book-treasure stealth Rifling his works and razing Name Merit Whereby are smother'd a Prince-given wealth A Learned Writer's Travel Wits and Health All these he spent to doe his Countrey pleasure O save his name the world may know his treasure I am deceivd for Leylands ghost doth rest From plaints crys with souls of blessed men But Heaven and Humane Laws cannot digest That such rare fruits of a laborious Pen Came to be drown'd in such a thanklesse Den. Thus Heaven and all Humanity doth sue That Leyland dead may have his Titles due Who this second Plagiarie was complained of for plundering Leyland if the Reader cannot conjecture I will not tell such the honour I bear to his admirable performances though herein not to be excused 55. Papal power thus extinguished in England How Papal power in England was cantoned it is worth our enquiry where the same for the future was fixed which we finde not intirely setled in any One but according to justice and equity divided amongst many Sharers therein 56. And first God first had his share Give unto God the things which are Gods What the Pharisees said was true in the Doctrine though false in the Use thereof as applied to our Saviour whom they mistook for a meer man * Mark 7. Who can forgive sins but God alone This paramount power no lesse blasphemously than arrogantly usurped by the Pope claiming an absolute and authoritative pardoning of Sins was humbly and justly restored to the high God of Heaven 57. Restitution was made to the second Person in the Trinity Christ his due of that Universal jurisdiction over the whole Church as belonging to Christ alone 1 Pet. 2. 25. who is the Sheepherd and Bishop of our souls and a badge of Antichrist for the Pope proudly to assume the same 58. To the Holy Ghost was restored that Infallibility The holy Spirit his portion which to him doth properly pertain as being the Spirit of Truth which neither will deceive nor can be deceived John 15. 26. 16. 23. and which hath promised to lead his Church in generall into all Truth but never fixed any inerrability on any particular person or succession of single persons whatsoever 59. And now give unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's The King comes to claim His own right The King assumes his share what the Kings of Judah his Predecessours in Soveraignty had by the Word of God and Christian Emperours by the practise of the Primitive times did possesse In order whereunto the Parliament did notifie and declare that Ecclesiastical power to be in the King which the Pope had formerly unjustly invaded Yet so that they reserved to themselves besides other priviledges which we leave to the Learned in the Law the confirming power of all Canons Ecclesiastical so that the person or property of Refusers should not be subjected to temporal penalty without consent of Parliament 60. Of this power thus declar'd in the King part thereof He kept in Himselfe as to call and dissolve Convocations at His pleasure to grant or deny them Commission to debate of Religion to command Archbishops and Bishops to be chosen in vacant Sees to take order for the due Administration of the Word and Sacraments 61. The other part of power Ecclesiastical the King passed over to the Archbishop of Canterbury as His Substitute first to grant Faculties in cases not repugnant to the Law of God necessary for Honour and Security of the King formerly wont to be remedied in the See of Rome Secondly to determine Causes Ecclesiastical in his Court whence lay an Appeal to the Court of Delegates c. 62. The representative Clergie had power by the King's leave to make Canons and Constitutions whilst each Bishop in his respective Diocesse Priest in his Parish were freer than formerly in execution of their Office acquitted from Papal dependance 63. Lastly every English Lay-Man was restored to his Christian Birth right namely to his judgment of practical discretion in perusing the Scriptures in his own Language formerly swallowed up in the Ocean of the Pope's Infallibility Thus on the depluming of the Pope every bird had his own feather in the partage whereof what he had gotten by sacriledge was restored to God what by Usurpation was given back to the King Church and State what by Oppression was remitted to particular Christians SECTION III. Ann. Reg. TO Master HENRY BARNARD Ann. Dom. LATE OF LONDON Merchant THough lately you have removed your habitation into Shropshire My pen is resolved to follow after and finde you out Seeing the
this be your errand you bring me no great newes for I have looked a long time for this message and I must humbly thank His Majesty that it pleaseth Him to rid me from all this worldly businesse Yet let me by your patience sleep an hour or two for I have slept very ill this night not for any fear of death I thank God but by reason of my great infirmity and weaknesse 7. The King's pleasure is farther said the Lieutenant that you shall use as little speech as may be Yet labours to preserve his life especially of any thing touching His Majesty whereby the people should have any cause to think of Him or His proceedings otherwise than well For that said he you shall see me order my self as by God's grace neither the King nor any man else shall have occasion to mislike of my words With which answer the Lieutenant departed from him and so the Prisoner falling again to rest slept soundly two hours and more And after he was awaked called to his man to help him up But first commanded him to take away his shirt-of-haire which customably he wore and to convey it privily out of the house and instead thereof to lay him forth a clean white shirt and all the best apparel he had as cleanly brushed as might be And as he was arraying himself his man seeing in him more curiosity and care for the fine and cleanly wearing of his apparel that day than was wont demanded of him What this sudden change meant saying That his Lordship knew well enough that he must put off all again within two hours and lose it What of that said he Doest not thou mark that this is our marriage-day and that it behoveth us therefore to use more cleanlinesse for solemnity thereof 8. About nine of the clock the Lieutenant came again Prepareth himsef for his death and finding him almost ready said He was now come for him Then said he to his man Reach me my furred-Tippet to put about my neck Oh my Lord said the Lieutenant what need ye be so careful for your health for this little time being as your self knows not much above an hour I think no otherwise said he but yet in the mean time I will keep myself as well as I can For I tell you truth though I have I thank our Lord a very good desire and willing minde to die at this present and so trust of his infinite mercy and goodnesse he will continue it yet will I not willingly hinder my health in the mean time one minute of an hour but still prolong the same as long as I can by such reasonable waies and means as Almighty God hath provided for me And with that taking a little book in his hand which was a New Testament lying by him he made a crosse on his forehead and went out of his prison-dore with the Lieutenant being so weak as that he was scant able to go down the stairs wherefore at the stairs-foot he was taken up in a chair between two of the Lieutenant's men and carried to the Tower-gate with a great number of weapons about him to be delivered to the Sheriffe of London for execution 9. And He advanceth to the place of his execution as they were come to the uttermost precinct of the liberties of the Tower they rested there with him a space till such time as one was sent before to know in what readinesse the Sheriffs were to receive him During which space he rose out of his chair and standing on his feet leaned his shoulder to the wall and lifting his eyes towards Heaven he opened a little Book in his hand and said O Lord this is the last time that ever I shall open this book let some comfortable place now chance unto me whereby I thy poor servant may glorifie thee in this my last houre And with that looking into the Book the first thing that came to his sight were these words Haec f Ioh. 17. 3 c. est autem vita aeterna ut cognoscant te solum verum Deum quem misisti Jesum Christum Ego te glorificavi super terram opus consummavi quod dedisti mihi c. and with that he shut the Book together and said Here is even learning enough for me to my lives end And so the Sheriffe being ready for him he was taken up again among certain of the Sheriffs men with a new and much greater company of weapons than was before and carried to the Scaffold on the Tower-hill otherwise called East-Smithfield himself praying all the way and recording upon the words which he before had read 10. When he was come to the foot of the Scaffold The manner of his mounting the scaffold they that carried him offered to help him up the stairs but said he Nay Masters seeing I am come so farre let me alone and ye shall see me shift for my self well enough And so went up the stairs without any help so lively that it was a marvell to them that before knew his debility and weaknesse But as he was mounting the stairs the South-east Sun shined very bright in his face whereupon he said to himself these words lifting up his hands Accedite ad eum illuminamini facies vestrae non confundentur By that time he was upon the Scaffold it was about ten a clock where the Executioner being ready to doe his office kneeled down to him as the fashion is and asked him forgivenesse I forgive thee said he with all my heart and I trust thou shalt see me overcome this storm lustily Then was his gown and tippet taken from him and he stood in his doubler and hose in sight of all the people whereof there was no small number assembled to see the execution 11. Being upon the Scaffold His Speech to the people he spake to the people in effect as followeth Christian people I am come hither to die for the faith of Christ's holy Catholick Church and I thank God hitherto my stomack hath served me very well thereunto so that yet I have not feared death wherefore I desire you all to help and assist with your prayers that at the very point and instant of deaths stroke I may in that very moment stand stedfast without fainting in any one point of the Catholick Faith free from any fear And I beseech Almighty God of his infinite goodnesse to save the King and this Realm and that it may please him to hold his holy hand over it and send the King a good Councell These words he spake with such a cheerfull countenance such a stout and constant courage and such a reverend gravity that he appeared to all men not only void of fear but also glad of death 12. After these few words by him uttered His execution he kneeled down on both his knees and said certain prayers Among which as some reported one was the hymn of
onely spared the Church in Peterborough but also advanced it into a Cathedral If so it was civilly done of Him not to disturb Her in Her grave whom He had so disquieted in Her bed The news of Her departure was not unwelcome to Queen Anna Bollen who though too good a Christian to desire Her death was too wife a woman to be over-sorrowfull for the same seeing formerly She was the King's Wife but by sequestration the true possessour of His bed being yet alive whereas now c Gen. 26. 22. Rehoboth She conceived God had made room for her 20. This Anna Bollen was great-grand-childe to a Citizen The character of Queen Anna Bollen Sir Jefferie Bollen Lord Major of London grand-childe to Sir William Bollen Knight who lived respectedly in his Countrey daughter to Thomas Bollen Earle of Wiltshire a great Courtier and she had Her birth in England blood by her d Daughter to Thomas Earl of Ormond Grand-mother from Ireland and breeding in France under Mary the French Queen so that so many relations meeting in Her accomplished Her with an acceptable behaviour to all qualities and conditions of people Of an handsome person and beautifull face and therefore that e Sanders de Schismate Anglicano pen that reports Her lean-visaged long-sided gobber-toothed yellow-complexioned with a wen in her neck both manifests his malice and disparageth the judgement of King Henry whom all knew well read in books and better in beauties who would never have been drawn to so passionate a love without stronger load-stones to attract it This Queen remembring how Her Predecessour lost the King's love with her over-austerity tuned Her self to a more open and debonaire behaviour even generally to all with whom She conversed Which being observed by Her adversaries was improved by them to Her overthrow so that She but for a very short time had the sole and peaceable possession of Her Husband In a word She was a great Patronesse of the Protestants Protectour of the persecuted Preferrer of men of merit among whom Hugh Latimer a bountifull Reliever of the poor and the happy Mother of Queen Elizabeth 21. On the eighth of June began a short The first reformed Convocation but sharp Parliament dissolved the eighteenth of July following effecting much in little time June 8. matters it seems being well prepared afore-hand 9. and the House assembled not to debate but doe the King's desires The parallel Convocation began the day after being one new-modelled and of a fashion different from all former Convocations Therein the Lord Cromwell prime Secretary sate in state above all the Bishops as the King's Vicar or Vicegerent-Generall in all spirituall matters Deformi satis spectaculo saith my f Godwâ—â—â—'s Annals Anno Dom. 1536. Authour indocto Lacio coetui praesidente sacratorum Antistitum omnium quos ante haec tempora Anglia unquam habuisset doctissimorum In one respect that place had better become the person of King Henry than this Lord His Proxie all allowing the King a very able Scholar But Cromwell had in power and policie what he lacked in learning if he may be said to lack it who at pleasure might command the borrowing thereof from the best brains and pens of those of his own partie in the Convocation 22. This Convocation consisted of two Houses The silence in the Abbots of the Convocation the Lower of the Clerks and Proctours of their respective Cathedrals and Diocesses with the Deans and Arch-Deacons therein the Upper of the Bishops with the Lord-Abbots and Priors I mean so many of them as voted as Barons in Parliament as may appear by their several g Concordatum erat per Honorandum virum Cromwell Reverendos Epiâ—copos Abbates Priores Domus superioris Acta Convocationis celebrat An. 1536. fol. antepenul â— subscriptions However I finde not the Abbots active in any degree in canvassing matters of Religion Whether this proceeded from any desire of ease their laziness being above their learning or out of humility counting it more proper to permit such disputes to the sole disposall of the Bishops as most concern'd therin or out of fear loth to stickle on religion knowing on what ticklish terms they stood For in this very Parliament all Abbies which could not dispend 200 li. a year were dissolved and bestowed on the King and those rich Abbots which had more than so many thousands yearly knew that Maxime in Logick to be true Magis minùs non variant speciem More and lesse doe not alter the kinde and might say with him on the Crosse They were in the same condemnation though as yet the sentence was not passed upon them 23. We will observe the daily motions in this Convocation The Diurnal of this Convocation as with mine own hand I have faithfully transcribed them out of the Records Hugh Latimer Bishop of Worcester June 16. made the Latine-Sermon taking for his Text h Luke 16. 8. The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light On the Friday following Richard Gwent Arch-Deacon of London was presented and confirmed Prolocutour in this Convocation On the same day Master William Peter Doctor of the Laws came into the House as deputed from his Master the Lord Cromwell who could not be present because of his greater employment in Parliament This Dr. Peter claimed the highest place in the House as due to his Master the Lord Cromwell i Records of Cant. An. Dom. 1536. fol. 9. petiit dictum locum sibi tanquam Procuratori dicti Magistri and he shall I say requested or required the same precedencie as due to him being his Proctour and obtained it accordingly without any dispute Though some perchance might question whether a Deputie's Deputy as one degree farther removed might properly claim His place 21. who was primitively represented Next Wednesday came in the Lord Cromwell in person and having judiciously seated himself above all tendred unto them an Instrument to be publickly signed by all the Convocation concerning the nullitie of the King's marriage with the Lady Anna Bollen 24. Some ten daies before Cranmer solemnly divorceth Anna Bollen from the King Archbishop Cranmer at Lambeth had held an open Court in the presence of Thomas Audley Lord Chancellour Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke and most of the Privie Councel Wherein the King and Queen were cited to appear as they did by their Proxies Doctor Richard Sampson being the Kings and Doctor Nicholas Wootten the Queens Then proceeded the Archbishop to discusse the validity of their marriage and at the last by his definitive Sentence pronounced the same invalid frustrate and of none effect No particular cause is specified in that Sentence still extant in the Record and though the Judge and Court seemed abundantly satisfied in the Reasons of this Nullitie yet concealing the same unto themselves they thought not fit to communicate this treasure to
execute these points first that is to say the payment of Our debts with redresse of injuries if any such can be duly proved though to Us they be unknown before any other part of this Our Will and Testament Our Buriall Exequies and Funerals onely except Furthermore We will that all such Grants and Gifts as We have made given or promised to any which be not yet perfected under Our singe or any Our seals as they ought to be and all such recompense for exchanges sales or any other thing or things as ought to have been made by Us and be not yet accomplished shall be perfected in every point towards all manner of men for discharge of Our conscience charging Our Executors and all the rest of Our Counsellours to see the same done performed finished and accomplished in every point foreseeing that the said Gifts Grants and Promises and Recompense shall appear to Our said Executors or the most part of them to have been granted made accorded or promised in any manner of wise Further according to the laws of Almighty God and for the fatherly love which We bear to Our Son Prince EDWARD and to this Our Realm We declare Him according to justice equity and conscience to be Our lawfull Heir and doe give and bequeath unto Him the succession of Our Realms of England and Ireland with Our Title of France and all Our Dominions both on this side the seas and beyond a convenient portion for Our Will and Testament to be reserved Also We give unto Him all Our plate stuffe of houshold artillery ordnance ammunition ships cables and all other things and implements to them belonging And money also and jewels saving such portions as shall satisfie this Our last Will and Testament charging and commanding Him on pain of Our curse seeing He hath so loving a Father of Us and that Our chief labour and study in this world is to establish Him in the Crown Imperial of this Realm after Our decease in such sort as may be pleasing to God and to the wealth of this Realm and to His own honour and quiet that He be ordered and ruled both in His marriage and also in ordering the affairs of the Realm as well outward as inward And also in all His own private affairs and in giving of Offices of charge by the advise and counsell of Our right entirely beloved Counsellours the Archbishop of Canterbury the Lord Wriothesly Chancellour of England the Lord St. John great Master of Our house the Lord Russell Lord Privie Seal the Earl of Hertford great Chamberlain of England the Viscount Lisle high Admirall of England the Bishop Tonstall of Duresme Sir Anthony Browne Knight Master of Our horses Sir William Pagett Our chief Secretary Sir Anthony Denny Sir William Herbert Justice Montague and Bromley Sir Edward Wotton Mr. Doctor Wotton and Sir Edward North whom We ordain name and appoint and by these presents signed with Our hand doe make and constitute Our Privie Counsell with Our said Son and will that they have the governance of Our most dear Son Prince EDWARD and of all Our Realms Dominions and Subjects and of all the Affairs publick and private untill he shall have fully compleated the xviij th year of his age And for because the variety and number of things affairs and matters are and may be such as we not knowing the certainty of them before cannot conveniently prescribe a certain order or rule unto Our said Counsellours for their behaviours and proceedings in this charge which We have now and doe appoint unto them about Our said Son during the time of his minority aforesaid We therefore for the speciall trust and confidence which We have in them will and by these presents doe give and grant full power and authority unto Our said Counsellours that they all or the most part of them being assembled together in Counsell or if any of them fortune to die the more part of them which shall be for the time living being assembled in Counsel together Ann. Dom. 1546. shall Ann. Reg. Hē 8. 38. and may make devise and ordain what things soever they or the more part of them as aforesaid shall during the minority of Our said Son think meet necessary and convenient for the benefit honour and surety of the weal profit and commodity of Our said Son His Realms Dominions or Subjects or the discharge of Our conscience And the same things devised made or ordained by them or the more part of them aforesaid shall and may lawfully doe execute and accomplish or cause to be done executed and accomplished by their discretions or the discretions of the more part of them as aforesaid in as large and ample manner as if We had or did expresse unto them by a more speciall Commission under Our Great Seal of England every particular cause that may chance or occurre during the time of Our said Sons minority and the self-same manner of proceeding which they shall for the time think meet to use and follow Willing and charging our said Son and all others which shall hereafter be Counsellours to Our said Son that they never charge molest trouble or disquiet Our aforesaid Counsellours nor any of them for the devising or doing nor any other person for the doing of that they shall devise or the more part of them devise or doe assembled as is aforesaid And We doe charge expresly the same Our entirely beloved Counsellours and Executors that they shall take upon them the rule and charge of Our said Son and Heir in all His causes and affairs and of the whole Realm doing neverthelesse all things as under Him and in His name untill Our said Son and Heir shall be bestowed and married by their advise and that the xviij th year be expired willing and desiring furthermore Our said trusty Counsellours and then all Our trusty and assured Servants and thirdly all other Our loving Subjects to aid and assist Our forenamed Counsellors in the execution of the premises during the aforesaid time Not doubting but they will in all things deal so truly and uprightly as they shall have cause to think them well chosen for the charge committed unto them straightly charging our said Counsellours and Executors and in Gods name exhorting them for the singular trust and speciall confidence which We have and ever had in them to have a due and diligent eye perfect zeal love and affection to the honour surety estate and dignity of Our said Son and the good state and prosperity of this Our Realm And that all delaies set apart they well aid and assist Our said Counsellours and Executors to the performance of this Our present Testament and last Will in every part as they will answer before God at the day of judgment Cum venerit judicare vivos mortuos and furthermore for the speciall trust and confidence which we have in the Earls of Arundell and Essex that now be Sir Thomas Cheny Knight
their lure accused them afterwards to the Kings Commissioners for their incontinence A damnable act if true and which mindeth me of the ensuing story here not impertinently inserted 2. Some sixty years since A memorable story an English Gentleman had the chastity of his Wife in suspition jealous of a particular person who kept her company To put it to triall this her Husband so contrived the matter a private place was appointed with all accommodations for such a deed of darkness whither the Woman with her suspected Paramore were by set designe but wearing to them the visage of a seeming casualty brought and left together Mean time her Husband made himself Master of a secret inspection out of the next room where with some of his friends he was the witnesse of his Wives dishonesty and his own disgrace Soon after he entred his action sues for a divorce and the Court seemed generally inclined to the granting thereof 3. But a Reverend Judge there present Sin plot sin pay for refused to consent thereunto alledging it the duty of every Husband by his prayers counsel and all other lawful means to save and secure the chastity of his Wife and not to tempt temptations to tempt her who otherwise might charitably be presumed honest if such a fore-plotted occasion had not debauched her and this not the detecting but first causing of her disloyalty Seeing therefore in some sort he had been a Pander to his Wife let him satisfie himself in the assurance of what was doubtfull before and bear the burthen of his own betraying her 4. How just this Judges sentence was all circumstances considered I will not interpose Application as far as concerns the matter in hand Onely in application to the present purpose though I confesse the relation betwixt Husband and Wife the nearest and therefore most obligâ—ng to their mutual preservation the general Principles of Religion and the Communion of Saints tieth all Christians as they tender the honour and glory of God to preserve the consciences of others undefiled It was therefore a meer Satanical trick who is commonly called the c Mat ' 4. 3. Thes 3. 5. Tempter in Scripture first to solliciâ—e souls to sin and after the committing thereof to be an d Rev. 12. 10. Accuser of the brethren And seeing the Tempter is deeper guilty than the tempted as more active and voluntary no reason that he should escape and the other be punished But all this discourse sinketh the foundation failing namely if the premsses cannot be which as yet are not proved that such indirect dealing was used in surprizing of any Votaries into uncleanness 5. But still the Papists go further A complaint of the Papists complaining of false returns that many of these Enveiglers of Nuns met with impregnable pieces of chastity neither to be battered by force nor undermined by fraud who despairing to lie with their bodies did lie on their reputations making their fames to suffer in those false reports which they returned to the Kings Commissioners And the following story is I assure you traditioned with very much credit amongst our English Catholicks 6. Two young Gentlemen whose names for just cause I forbear went to a Nunnery within twelve miles of Cambridge A sad â—â—ory if true in the nature of Travellers on the high way who being handsomly habited and late at night were admitted into some out Lodgings of that Nunnery next day their civil addresses to the Abbesse were returned with such entertainment as became the laws of hospitality Afterwards producing or pretending a Commission to visit their Covent they abode there certain daies and how bad soever they were met with no counterpart to embrace their wanton profers However at the return they gave it out that nothing but their wearinesse bounded their wantonnesse and that they enjoyed those Nuns at their own command 7. One of the aforesaid Gentlemen The Pedigree of this tradition with great grief and remorse of heart did in private confesse the same to Sir William Standly Knight afterwards imployed in the Low Countreys avowing that nothing in all his life lay more heavy on his conscience than this false accusation of those Innocents and the said Sir William told this passage to a noble Catholick still alive All I will say to this story is this that if this Sir Will Standly was he who contrary to his solemn Oath to the Earl of Leicester and the united States betrayd the strong City of e Camden Eliz. in anno 1587. page 507. Daventer to the Spaniards and lived many years after in a f Idem ibidem neglected forlorn condition one so faithlesse in his deeds may be presumed false in his words and the whole credit of the relation may justly at least be suspected Some Covents on examination appearing very virtuous IT is confessed by unpartial people Some Covents retaining their primitive piety that some Monasteries of both sexes being put to the test appeared very commendable in their behaviour so that the least aspersion could not justly be cast upon them I read in one g Lord Herbert in Henry 8. page 399. Author that some Societies behaved themselves so well that their lives were not only exempt from notorious faults but their spare times bestowed in writing books painting carvil engraving so that their Visiters became Intercessours for them Amongst these the Nunnery of Godstow neer Oxford must not be forgotten which as it hath a good name being a Bethel that is Gods house or habitation well answered thereunto in the conditions of the people living therein 2. But there were few such black swans But too feâ—â—O preseâ—ve â—e ref and these innocent Convents being inconsiderable in number could not preserve the rest from ruine Eight and one pious persons are insufficient to save Sodome from destruction b Gen. 18. if ten be the lowest number to which Divine Mercy will descend The generallity of Monasteries notoriously vitious I Say the generallity Charitable premisses otherwise take any numerous Society and where there be many people there will be many offenders there being a i Gen. 7. 7. Cham amongst the Eight in the Ark yea a k Gen. 4. 1 Cain amongst the four primitive persons in the beginning of the world I adde also notoriously vitious 1 Jam. 3. 2. for In many things we offend all Yea if the Visiters had been visited they were conscious to themselves of many failings which might make them more favourably to reflect on the infirmities of others 2. Here I shall present the Reader with a black Bill of some eminent Male-factors Read and blush and sigh as I finde them in my m Jeb Speeds Hist of Great Brit. p. 791. Col. 1. Author in the same nature In Battleâ— Abbey John Abbot Gregory Champion John Hamfield Sodomites Richard Salchurst Clement Westfield John Jherom Thomas Cuthbert John Crosse Clement Grigge William March Thomas
Isabell Sackvile Lady Prioresse of Clarkenwell is an eminent instance of longevity in this kinde For 1. In the one and twentieth of King Henry the seventh she was a * To be seen in the pedegree of the Barl of Dorset Weaver fun Mon. pag. 429. Nun in Clarkenwell-Priory when a Legacy was bequeathed her as Niece by William Sackvile Esquire and must be then conceived fifteen years of age 2. She was the last Prioresse of Clarkenwell at the dissolution thereof 3. She died in the twelfth of Queen Elizabeth as appears by her Epitaph in Clarkenwell-Church and by Computation must be allowed Eighty years of age But farre older was that Monk or Nun I am * Attested by 〈◊〉 Pymme's Kinsman to Godfrey Bp. of Gloucester See his printed Paper assured of the Story not the Sex to whom Living in or neer Hampshire Mr. John Pymme then an Officer in the Exchequer paid the last payment of his Pension about the fift year of King James SECTION VI. DOMINO THOMAE TREVOR Juniori Equiti Aurato MVlti sunt praeproperi Haeredes qui nimiâ parentum vivacitate cruciantur Hi languidâ expectatione macrescunt postquam Rura Paterna spe vanâ devoraverant At Tu è contra Venerandi Patris tui Canitiem si fieri posset immortalem reddere conaris cum eam perpetuo Obsequio humilime colas quo efficacius Kardiacum ad Senectutem ejus elongandam nequit confici Non in Patris sed â—undi senescentis Annos inquiris cum Historiâ plurimum delecteris cujus ope si Praeterita cum Praesentibus conferantur conjectura de Futuris statui potest quo nomine hoc opus nostrum tibi non ingratum fore confido Deus â—e Lectissimâmque Conjugem beat prole patrizante non tam privato commodo quà m Bono Publico ne Respulica tantarum virtutum Haeredi destituatur Of the Erection Officers Vse Continuance and Abolishing of the Court of Augmentation DUring the scuffling for Abbey-land Augmentation Court when erected in the 27 year of King Henry the eighth the Court of Augmentation was set up by Act of Parliament to be a Court of Record and to have an authentick Great Seal besides a Privie Seal and several Officers appointed for management thereof with large fees allowed unto them I finde the same exemplified in a fair Vellum Manuscript which lately was Archbishop Parkers since the Lord Cokes whence I transcribed as followeth Sir Rich Sackvile Chancellor three hundred pounds yearly Fee forty pounds Diet and six shillings eight pence for every Seale Sir Jo Williams Treasurer three hundred and twenty pounds Fee Sir Will Cavendish Treasurer of the King's Chamber one hundred pounds Fee one hundred pound Dyet and ten pounds Boat-hire Sir Thomas Moyle Sir Walter Mildmay Generall Receivers to each two hundred pounds Fee and twenty pounds Diet. Rich Goodrich Attorney one hundred pounds Fee and twenty marks Diet. Jo Gosnall Solicitor eighty pound Fee Diet twenty marks Besides Masters and Surveyors of the woods Clerks Keepers of Records Ushers Messengers Assistants Carpenter and Mason to the Court Auditors Receivers Surveyors Woodwards for every County the totall summe of their Fees yearly amounting unto Seven thousand two hundred forty nine pounds ten shillings and three pence This Catalogue by the persons mentioned therein seems taken towards the end of Edward the sixt when the Court began to decline 2. It belonged unto this Court to order The imployment of the Offiâ—eâ—s in this Court survey and govern sell let set all Manours lands tenements rents services tythes pensions portions advowsons patronages and all hereditaments formerly belonging to Priories and since their dissolution to the Crown as in the printed Statute * An. 17 HeÌ„ 8. cap. 27. more largely doth appear All persons holding any Leases Pensions Corodies c. by former grants from the Covents came into the Court produced their Deeds and upon examination of the validity thereof had the same allowed unto them And although providence for themselves and affection to their kindred prompted many Fryers and Covents foreseeing their rottering condition to antedate Leases to their friends just at the dissolution yet were they so frighted with fear of discovery that very few frauds in that kinde were committed The Court was very tender in continuing any Leases upon that least legall consideration 3. But after some continuance of this Court Motives for the dissolution of this Court the King 's urgent occasions could not stay for the slow coming in of money from the yearly Revenues of Abbey-land insomuch that He was necessitated to sell out-right a great part of those Lands for the present advance of Treasure and thereby quickly was the Court of Augmentation diminished The King therefore took into consideration to dissolve it as superfluous wherein the Officers were many their Pensions great Crown profits thereby small and Causes therein depending few so that it was not worth the while to keep up a Mill to grinde that grist where the Toll would not quit cost It was therefore resolved to stop up this by stream that all causes therein should run in the antient channell of the former Courts of Westminster 4. Indeed in the 7 of King Edw. 6. Finally dissolved in the first year of Queen Mary a doubt did arise amongst the Learned in the Laws whether the Court of Augmentation the Commencement whereof was first had by authority of Parliament would legally be dissolved extinguished and repealed by the King's Letters Patents And the Officers thereof wonder not if they stickled for their own concernments did zealously engage on the Negative Wherefore it was enacted by Parliament That the King during His naturall life had present power by His Letters Patents to alter unite annex reduce or dissolve any of those new erected Courts by His own Letters Patents And the same Act was confirmed in the first year of Queen Mary when the short-lived Court of Augmentation was dissolved as which from the birth thereof 1535 to the extinguishing 1553 survived but eighteen years The Lands of Chanteries free Chappels and Colledges dissolved KIng Henry the eighth his expences like sandy ground Prodigality alwaies wanteth suddenly suckt up the large shower of Abbey lands and little signe or shew was seen thereof yea such the parching thirst of his pressing occasions that still they called aloud for more moysture for whose satisfaction the Parliament in the 38 year of His Reign put the Lands of all Colledges Chanteries and free Chappels in His Majesties full disposition 2. This King made three meals King Henry's three meals on Abbey-lands or if you will one meal of three courses on Abbey-lands besides what Cardinal Wolsey the King's Taster herein had eat before-hand when assuming smaller Houses to endow his two Colledges 1. When Religious Houses under two hundred pounds a yeare â— Anno 1535 were granted to Him by the Parliament 2. When all greater Monasteries â— 1538 3. When Colledges Chanteries and Free
but onely regulate and remove it from the Strand to Fleet street or rather took away with one hand what was abused and restored it with the other to such as would better employ the same Queen Mary on her own cost restoreth some Convents Queen Mary Qu. Mary imparts Her intents to four Counsellors a Princesse more Zealous according to her devotion than politick resolved by way of Essay and Triall to restore certain dissolved Convents and endow them with competent maintenance in order hereunto She called four of Her principall Counsellours most interested in money-matters viz William Marquesse of Winchester Lord Treasurer Sir Robert Rochester Controller of Her House Sir William Peter Secretary and Sir Francis Inglefield Master of the Wards and by a long Speech acquainted them with Her intentions therein Now though the Lord Pawlet as Treasurer much being the want of money of this present might dislike the motion yet as Courtier he complied with the Queens desires the rather because it was in vain to withstand them so really strong were Her resolutions but it is worth our attention to hear Her Oration YOV a Hollinshed in Q Mary Anno Dom. 1555. pag. 1127. are here of Our Councell and We have willed you to be called to Vs to the intent ye might hear of Me my Conscience and the resolution of My minde concerning the Lands and Possessions as well of Monasteries as other Churches whatsoever being now presently in My possession First I doe consider that the said Lands were taken away from the Churches aforesaid in time of Schisme and that by unlawfull means such as are contrary both to the law of God and of the Church For the which cause My Conscience doth not suffer Me to detain them and therefore I here expresly refuse either to claim or to retain the said Lands for Mine but with all My heart freely and willingly without all paction or condition here and before God I doe surrender and relinquish the said Lands and Possessions or Inheritances whatsoever and doe renounce the same with this minde and purpose that order and disposition thereof may be taken as shall seem best liking to our most holy Lord the Pope or else his Legate the Lord Cardinall to the honour of God and wealth of this Our Realm And albeit you may object to Me again that considering the state of My Kingdome the Dignity thereof and My Crown Imperiall cannot be Honourably maintained and furnished without the Possessions aforesaid yet notwithstanding I set more by the salvation of My soul than by ten Kingdomes and therefore the said Possessions I utterly refuse here to hold after that sort and title and give most hearty thanks to Almighty God which hath given Me an Husband likewise minded with no lesse good affection in this behalf than I am my self Wherefore I charge and command that My Chancellour with whom I have conferred My minde in this matter before and you four to morrow doe resort together to the most reverend Lord Legate and doe signifie to him the premises in My name and give your attendance upon him for the more full declaration of the state of My Kingdome and of the aforesaid Possessions accordingly as you your selves doe understand the matter and can inform him in the same 2. In this matter the words of b Desâ—his Ang. lib. 2 pag. 309. Sanders ought to be observed Several Orders re erected by Her presuming him best knowing in these Acts of restitution then performed by Her Majesty and that he would lose nothing for the measuring which might tend to the Queens credit Collegia nova amplissimâ dote fundantur Coenobia Benedictinorum Carthusianorum Brigitensium Dominicanorum Observantium ac aliorum Ordinum à devotis personis re-adificantur Catholicis Regibus in hoc genere pietatis subditis omnibus pralucentibus New Colledges are founded with a most ample endowment Convents of Benedictines Carthusians Brigitteans Dominicans Observants and other Orders are re-edified by devout persons The Catholick Princes out-shining all their Subjects in this kinde of piety Now seeing this passage is the best torch we meet with to direct us in this dark subject we will severally weigh his words and impartially comment upon them 1. Benedictines When Westminster Church was turned into an Abbey and John Feckenham made Abbot thereof installed therein on the 21 November 1557. But this was done without any cost to the Crown onely by altering the property of the place from a late made Cathedrall to an Abbey and turning the Prebendaries into sixteen black Monks which were all at the present could be found having that Order and willing to wear that Habit upon them 2. Carthusians These were fixed at Shene nigh Richmond in Surrey over against Sion 3. Brigitteans At Sion in Middlesex This indeed with the former cut two good collaps out of the Crown land though farre short this second endowment of what formerly they possessed It was some difficulty to stock it with such who had been veyled before it being now thirty years since their dissolution in which time most of the elder Nuns were in their graves and the younger in the arms of their husbands as afterwards imbracing a married life However with much adoe joyning some new ones with the old they made up a competent number 4. Dominicans These were seated in Smith field in London The best was they being Mendicants little stock would serve to set up Beggars their restoring could not be very expensive to the Queen besides the site of an house for their dwelling and some other necessary accommodations 5. Observants These were Fryers like the former being Franciscans reformed and therefore not over-costly their restitution Their house was at Greenwich founded by King Henry the seventh plucked down by King Henry the eighth as largely before one of the first of all other Convents because the Fryers therein were so obstinate against the King and such sticklers for the legality of Queen Katherine's marriage In gratitude whereunto and honour of Her own extraction Queen Mary re-seated them in their habitations 6. And other Orders Sanders for the more credit of the matter politickly winds up all these indefinite words though in the remaining Orders were not so many as to make up a number Of which the most eminent were the Hospitallers of St. John's of Jerusalem in Clerkenwell a place in a pitifull plight when now they were first restored for the Bell-Tower of the Church was undermined and blowne up with Gun-powder that the stones thereof might build Somerset-house in the Strand Now where the Steeple was shattered the Church must needs be shaken as here the body and c Stowes Surv. of London pag. 483. side-Iles thereof were by that fatall blow finally confounded onely part of the Quire remaining with some side Chappels which Cardinall Poole caused to be closed up on the West-end and repaired And this served the Hospitallers for their devotions the short time they continued therein
them how much they have profited in the study of holy Scripture 21. That in the time of High Masse be that sayeth or singeth a Psalm shall read the Epistle and Gospel in English and one Chapter in the New Testament at Mattens and another at Evensong and that when nine Lessons are to be read in the Church three of them shall be omitted with Responds And at Evensong the Responds with all the Memories 22. That to prevent in Sick persons the damnable vice of Despair They shall learn and have alwaies in readinesse such comfortable places and sentences of Scripture as doe set forth the mercy benefits and goodnesse of God Almighty towards all penitent and believing persons 23. To avoid all contention and strife which heretofore have risen amongst the Kings subjects by challenging of Places in Procession no Procession hereafter shall be used about the Church or Church-yard but immediately before high Masse the Letany shall be distinctly said or sung in English none departing the Church without just cause and all ringing of Bells save one utterly forborne 24. That the Holy-day at the first beginning Godly instituted and ordained be wholly given to God in hearing the Word of God read and taught in private and publick prayers in acknowledging their offences to God and amendment in reconciling themselves to their Neighbours receiving the Communion visiting the sick c. Onely it shall be lawfull for them in time of harvest to labour upon Holy and Festival-daies and save that thing which God hath sent and that scrupulosity to abstain from working upon those daies doth grievously offend God 25. That no Curate admit to the Communion such who are in ranchor and malice with their neighbours till such controversies be reconciled 26. That every Dean Arch-Deacon c. being a Priest preach by himself personally twice a year at least 27. That they instruct their people not obstinately to violate the Ceremonies of the Church by the King commanded to be observed and not as yet abrogated And on the other side that whosoever doth superstitiously abuse them doth the same to the great perill of his souls health 28. That they take away and destroy all Shrines covering of Shrines Tables Candlesticks Trindills or rolls of Wax Pictures Paintings and other Monuments of fained Miracles so that no memory of them remain in Walls or Windows exhorting their Parishioners to doe the like in their severall houses And that a comely Pulpit be provided in a convenient place 29. That a strong Chest be provided with a hole in the upper part thereof with three Keyes thereunto belonging be provided to receive the charity of people to the poor and the same at convenient times distributed unto them in the presence of the Parish 30. That Priests be not bound to go to visit Women lying in Child-bed except in times of dangerous sicknesse and not to fetch any Coarse except it be brought to the Church yard 31. That to avoid the detestable sin of Simonie the Seller shall lose his right of Patronage for that time and the Buyer to be deprived and made unable to receive Spirituall promotion 32. That because of the lack of Preachers Curats shall read Homilies which are or shall be set forth by the Kings Authority 33. Where as many indiscreet persons doe uncharitably contemn and abuse Priests having small learning his Majesty chargeth his Subjects that henceforth they be reverently used for their Office and Ministration sake 34. That all persons not understanding Latine shall pray on no other Primmer but what lately was set forth in English by K. Henry the eighth and that such who have knowledge in Latine use none other also and that all Craces before and after meat be said in English and no Grammer taught in Schools but what is set forth by Authority 35. That Chantery Priests teach youth to read and write 36. That when any Sermon or Homily shall be had the Prime and Houres shall be omitted ⧠The form of bidding the Common Prayers YOu shall pray for the whole Congregation of Christs Church and specially for this Church of England and Ireland wherein first I commend to your devout prayers the Kings most excellent Majesty Supreme Head immediately under God of the spirituality and temporalty of the same Church And for Queen Katharine Dowager and also for my Lady Mary and my Lady Elizabeth the Kings sisters Secondly You shall pray for my Lord Protectors grace with all the rest of the Kings Majesties Councell for all the Lords of this Realm and for the Clergie and the Commons of the same beseeching Almighty God to give every of them in his degree grace to use themselves in such wise as may be to Gods glory the Kings honour and the weal of this Realm Thirdly You shall pray for all them that be departed out of this world in the faith of Christ that they with us and we with them at the Day of Judgment may rest both body and soul with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the kingdome of heaven Observations on the Kings Injunctions Let us here admire Gods wisdome in our first Reformers The wisdome of our Reformers who proceeded so moderately in a matter of so great consequence To reform all at once had been the ready way to reform nothing at all New wine must be gently powred into old bottles lest the strenght of the liquor advantaged with the violence of the infusion break the vessel Iacob could not keep pace with Esau presumed fleet on foot as used to hunting whilest he had in his company the * Gen. 33. 13. tender children and flocks with young which if over driven one day would die And though no doubt he himself was foot-man enough to go along with his Brother yet he did lead on softly according as the cattle and children were able to endure Thus our wise Reformers reflected discreetly on the infirmities of people long nouzled in ignorance and superstition and incapable of a sudden and perfect alteration On this account in the third Injunction they reduced Candles formerly sans number in Churches to two Onely two lights left upon the high Altar before the Sacrament these being termed lights shews they werenot luminacaeca but burning Know also that at this time there was an universall dilapidation of Chancells and men had seen so many Abbey-Churches pluckt down that they even left Parish-Churches to fall down on themselves now to repair them all at once would have stopt the holes in the Chancells and made one in the states of the Ministers It was therefore in the sixteenth Injunction ordered That a fift part of their means should be imployed therein whereby the work was effectually done without any great dammage to the Repairers By Memories appointed to be omitted What meant by Memories Injunction 21. we understand the Obsequia for the dead which some say succeeded in the place of the Heathen Roman Parentalia The abolishing Processions is politickly
the Lord Protectour or by the Archbishop of Canterbury should take upon him to preach in any open audience upon pain in the said Proclamation contained and that upon hope and assurance that those being chosen and elect men should preach and set forth onely to the people such things as should be to Gods honour and the benefit of the Kinges Majesties subjects Yet neverthelesse His Highnesse is advertised that certain of the said preachers so licenced not regarding such good admonitions as hath been by the said Lord Protectour and the rest of the Councell on His Majesties behalf by Letters Ann. Dom. 1548 or otherwise given unto them Ann. Reg. Ed. 6. 2. hath abused the said authority of preaching and behaved themselves irreverently and without good order in the said preachings contrary to such good instructions and advertisements as was given unto them whereby much contention and disorder might rise and insue in this his Majesties Realm wherefore his Highnesse minding to see very shortly one uniforme order throughout this his Realm and to put an end to all controversies in Religion so farre as God shall give grace for which cause at this time certain Bishops and notable learned men by his hignesse commandement are congregate hath by th' advise aforesaid thought good although certain and many of the said preachers so before licenced have behaved themself very discretly and wisely and to the honor of God and his highnesse contentation yet at this present and untill such time that the said Order shall be set forth generally throughout this His Majesties Realme to inhibit and by these presents doth inhibit generally as well the said Preachers so before licenced as all manner of persons whosoever they be to preach in open audience in the pulpit or otherwise by any sought colour or fraud to the disobeying of this commandement to the intent that the whole Clergie in this mean space might apply themself to prayer to Almighty God for the better atchieving of the same most Godly intent and purpose not doubting but that also His loving Subjects in the mean time will occupie themself to Gods honour with due prayer in the Church and patient hearing of the Godly Homelies heretofore set forth by His Highnesse Injunctions unto them and so endevour themself that they may be the more ready with thankefull obedience to receive a most quiet Ann. Reg. Ed. 6. 2. godly Ann. Dom. 1548. and uniform order to be had throughout all His said Realms and Dominions And therefore hath willed all His loving Officers and Ministers as well Justices of peace as Majors Sheriffs Bailiffs Constables or any other His Officers of what estate degree or condition soever they be to be attendant upon this Proclamation and commandement and to see the infringers or breakers thereof to be imprisoned and His Highnesse or the Lord Protectors grace or His Majesties Councell to be certified thereof immediately as they tender His Majesties pleasure and will answer to the contrary at their perill 16. Some Preachers perusing the aforesaid Proclamation A Pannick silence of Pulpits will complain of persecution that all the Pulpits in England should be universally silenced at once and will conclude it summum jus That the Righteous should be condemned with the Wicked the mouthes of good Ministers stopt with Railers Well might the souls of weak Christians be faint and feeble having no warm meat but the cold Homilies allowed them But Statesmen easily excuse the matter finding the juncture of time falling out when many Popish Pulpits sounded the Alarum to Ket his Rebellion and the Devon-shire Commotion whereof hereafter Besides this prohibition of preaching lasted but for few weeks and we read of a silence for about * Revel 8. 1. the space of half an hour even in heaven it self 7. A Proclamation for the payment of the late Incumbents of Colledges 3. and Chanteries 1549. lately dissolved Anno 3 o Edvardi sexti Octob. 31. 17. The Pulpit thus shut and silent by Proclamation A Proclamation against Stage-plaies the Stage was the more open and vocall for the same the Popish Priests which though unseen stood behinde the hanging or lurked in the tyring-bouse removed their invectives from Sermons to Playes and a more proper place indeed for the venting thereof Here it made old sport to see the New Religion as they term it made ridiculous with the prime Patrons thereof which caused the insuing Proclamation for the prohibition 8. A Proclamation for the inhibition of Players Ann. Dom. 1549. Anno 3 Edvardi 6. Aug 6. And some perchance will not grudge the time to read the form thereof Ann. Reg. Ed. 6. 3. FOrasmuch as a great number of those that be common Players of Enterludes and Plaies as well within the City of London or elsewhere within the Realm doe for the most part play such Interludes as contain matter tending to sedition and contemning of sundry good orders and laws whereupon are grown and daily are like to grow and ensue much disquiet division tumults and uprores in this Realm the Kings Majestie by the advise and consent of his dearest Uncle EDWARD Duke of Somerset Governour of His Person and Protectour of His Realms Dominions and Subjects and the rest of His Highnesse privie Councell straitly chargeth and commandeth all and every His Majesties subjects of whatsoever state order or degree they be that from the ninth day of this present Month of August untill the Feast of All-Saints next comming they nor any of them openly or secretly play in the English Tongue any kinde of Interlude Play Dialogue or other matter set forth in form of play in any place publick or private within this Realm upon pain that whosoever shall play in English any such Play Interlude Dialogue or other matter shall suffer imprisonment and further punishment at the pleasure of His Majestie For the better execution whereof His Majesty by the said advise and consent straitly chargeth and commandeth all and singular Majors Sheriffs Bailiffs Constables Headboroughs Tythingmen Justices of Peace and all other His Majesties head Officers in all the parts throughout the Realm to give order and speciall heed that this Proclamation be in all behalfs well and truly kept and observed as they and every of them tender His Highnesse pleasure and will avoid His indignation 18. The Proclamation being but temporary did not take down but only clear the stage for a time reformed Enterludes as they term them being afterward permitted yea in the first of Queen Elizabeth Scripture-plaies were acted even in the Church it self which in my opinion the more pious the more profane stooping faith to fancy and abating the majestie of Gods Word Such Pageants might inform not edifie though indulged the ignorance of that Age For though children may be played into Learning all must be wrought into Religion by Ordinances of Divine institutions and the means ought to be as serious as the end is
with the Church of St. Mary le Strand were pluckt down to make room for it The stones and timber were fetcht from the Hospitall of S. Johns This Somerset house is so tenacious of his name that it would not change a Dutchie for a Kingdome when solemnly proclaimed by King James Denmarke-house from the King of Denmarke's lodging therein and His Sister Queen Anne her repairing thereof Surely it argueth that this Duke was wel belov'd Ann. Reg. Ed. 6. 6. because his name made such an indelible impression on this his house whereof he was not full five years peaceably possessed Ann. Dom. 1552. 47. We lately made mention of Barnaby Fitz-Patrick The Kings Instructions to Fitz-Patrick for his behaviour in France to whom the King directed His Letter as who was bred and brought up with Him from His infancy though somewhat the older He was Prince Edward's PROXIE for CORRECTION though we may presume seldome suffering in that kinde such the Princes generall innocence and ingenuity to learn His book Yet when such execution was done as Fitz-Patrick was beaten for the Prince the Prince was beaten in Fitz-Patrick so great an affection did He bare to His Servant Towards the end of His Reign He maintained him in the Court of France both to learn fashions there and send intelligence thence And it will not be amisse to insert the King's private Instructions unto him how he should behave himself in the French Court partly for the rarity partly for the certainty thereof having it transcribed out of the Originall of the King 's own hand as followeth 1. First he shall goe in the Lord Admirals Company and at the same Lords departing he shall have a Letter to the French King which the Lord Admirall shall deliver and present him to the French King and if it shall chance that the French King will give him any Pension entertainment or reward at his being there for the time he tarrieth there he shall receive it and thank His Majesty for it and shall serve when he shall be appointed Neverthelesse when he is out of the Court he shall be most conversant with Mr. Pickering * Afterwards Knighted and supposed suâ—â—er to Qâ—liz 2. And at his setting forth shall carry with him four Servants and if the wages amount to any great summe more than I give him that the French King giveth him to live there after that proportion advertising Me of the same 3. Also all this Winter he shall study the Tongue and see the manner of the Court and advertise Me of the occurrences he shall hear and if he be desirous to see any place Notable or Town he may goe thither asking leave of the King And shall behave himself honestly more following the company of Gentlemen than pressing into the company of the Ladies there and his chief pastime shall be Hunting and Riding 4. Also his Apparell he shall wear it so fine as shall be comely and not much superfluous And the next Sommer when either the King goeth or sendeth any man of name into the Warres to be His Lieutenant or to lead an Army he shall desire to goe thither and either himself or else shall will Mr. Pickering to declare to the French King how he thinketh not himself to have fully satisfied nor recompensed neither His Majesties good entertainment nor Mine expectation who had sent him over if he should return having so delicately and idlely almost spent the time without he did at this time of service be desirous to goe himself into the Warres by the which thing he might at this time doe His Majesty service and also learn to doe Me service hereafter yea and His Majesty to if the case so required And therefore seeing this Nobleman shall now goe that his request is to have leave to goe with him 5. Having said this to the French King he shall depart into the Warres waiting on this Nobleman that shall be sent and there he shall mark the divers fortifications of places and advantages that the enemy may take and the ordering and conduct of the Armies As also the fashion of the skirmishes battles and assaults and the plats of the chief Towns where any enterprises of weight have been done he shall cause to be set out in black and white or otherwise as he may and shall send them hither to Me with advertisement of such things as have passed 6. Furthermore he shall at all times when he taketh money advertise Me of it and I shall send him And so the next year being well spent upon further advertisement and taking leave of the French King he shall return 7. And if there arise or grow any doubt in any matter hereafter in the which be shall need advise he shall advertise by the Post and shall have Anser thereof This Barnaby Fitz-Patrick after his return out of France was created by the King Baron of upper Ossery in Ireland and died a most excellent Protestant as hereafter we shall shew in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth 48. On the 15 th of April Little Church-work in this Parliament the Parliament ended which had sate three Moneths at Westminster April 15. though therein nothing of Church-matters determined save a Penalty imposed on such who should strike or draw weapon in Church or Church-yard with the abolishing of the generall Holy daies of S. Mary Magdalen and S. Geroge yet so that it should be lawfull for the latter to be solemnly celebrated by the Knights of the Right honourable Order of the Garter The Orders of which Order were about this time reformed and purged from some antient superstitions An ill presage 49. Six k Bishop Godwins Annals in this year Dolphins were taken in the Thames three neer Quinborough and three above Greenwich where the Thames is scarce tainted with brackishnesse in so much that many grave men dispensed with their wisdome and beheld them with wonder as not seen before on our shores A fish much loving man and musick swifter than all other fishes and birds too yea than the Swallow it self if Pliny l Nat. Hist l. 9. cap. 8. say true though all their celerity besteaded them not here to escape the nets of the fisher-men Their coming up so farre was beheld by Mariners as a presage of fowl weather at Sea but by States-men as a prodigious omen of some tempestuous mutations in our Land And particularly they suspected the Kings death though for the present He was very pleasant and merry in His progresse about the Countrey Aug. 22. as by his ensuing Letter to His former favourite written in the next August doth appear EDWARD THE cause why we have not hitherto written unto you have partly been the lack of a convenient Messenger partly because we meant to have some thing worthy writing ere VVe would write any thing And therefore being now almost in the midst of Our journey which VVe have undertaken this Sommer VVe have thought
shall be requisite In pursuance of these their Instructions the Kings Commissioners in their respective Counties recovered much and discovered more of Church-wealth and Ornaments For some were utterly imbeziled by persons not responsible and there the King must lose his right More were concealed by parties not detectable so cunningly they carried their stealths seeing every one who had nimmed a Church-Bell did not ring it out for all to hear the sound thereof Many potent persons well known to have such goods shufled it out with their greatnesse mutually connived at therein by their equalls fellow-offenders in the same kinde However the Commissioners regained more than they expected confidering the distance of time and the cold scent they followed so many years after the Dissolution This Plate and other Church-Utensils were sold and advanced much money to the Exchequer An * Sir John Hayward Authour telleth us That amongst many which they found they left but one silver Chalice to every Church too narrow a proportion to populous Parishes where they might have left two at the least seeing for expedition sake at great Sacraments the Minister at once delivereth the wine to two Communicants But they conceived one Cup enough for a small Parish and that greater and richer were easily able to purchase more to themselves 2. All this Income rather stayed the stomack Durham Bishoprick dissolved than satisfied the hunger of the Kings Exchequer For the allaying whereof the Parliament now sitting conferred on the Crown the Bishoprick of Durham This may be called the English Herbipolis or Wirtz-burge it being true of both Dunelmia sola judicat Ense Stola The Bishop whereof was a Palatine or Secular Prince and his Seal in form resembleth Royalty in the Roundnesse thereof and is not Oval the badge of plain Episcopacy Rich and entire the revenues of this See such as alone would make a considerable addition to the Crown remote the scituation thereof out of Southern sight and therefore if dissolved the sooner out of mens mindes Besides Cuthbert Tunstall the present Bishop of Durham was in durance and deprived for his obstinacy so that so stubborn a Bishop gave * yet the Duke of Northumberland either was or was to be possessour thereof the State the fairer quarrell with so rich a Bishoprick now annexed to the Kings revenue 3. Well it was for this See Afterwards restored by Qu. Mary though dissolved that the lands thereof were not dispersed by sale unto severall persons but preserved whole and entire as to the main in the Crown Had such a dissipation of the parts thereof been made no lesse than a State miracle had been requisite for the recollection thereof Whereas now within two years after Queen Mary restored Tunstall to this Bishoprick and this Bishoprick to it self re-setling all the lands on the same 4. By this time A wood rather a wildernesse of the Popes Canons such Learned men as were employed by the King to reform the Ecclesiastical Laws had brought their work to some competent perfection Let me enlarge my self on this subject of concernment for the Readers satisfaction When the Pope had ingrossed to his Courts the cognizance of all causes which either looked glanced or pointed in the least degree at what was reduceable to Religion he multiplied Laws to magnifie himself Whose principal designe therein was not to make others good but himself great not so much to direct and defend the good to restrain and punish the bad as to ensnare and entangle both For such the number of their Clementines 〈◊〉 Intrd. Extravagants Provincialls Synodalls Glosses Sentences Chapters Summaries Rescripts Breviaries long and short Cases c. that none could carry themselves so cautiously but would be rendred obnoxious and caught within the compasse of offending Though the best was for money they might buy the Popes pardon and thereby their own innocence 5. Hereupon Two and thirty Regulatours of the Canon-Law when the Popes power was banished out of England his Canon-Law with the numerous Books and branches thereof lost its authority in the Kings Dominions Yet because some gold must be presumed amongst so much drosse grain amongst so much chaffe it was thought fit that so much of the Canon Law should remain as was found conformable to the Word of God and Laws of the Land And therefore King Henry the eighth was impowred by Act of Parliament to elect two and thirty able persons to reform the Ecclesiastical Laws though in His Reign very little to good purpose was performed therein 6. But the designe was more effectually followed in the daies of King Edward the sixth Contracted to eight by King Edward the 6. reducing the number of two and thirty to eight thus mentioned in His Letters Patents dated at Westminster the last year Novemb 11. Bishops Thomas Cranmer of Canterbury Thomas Goodrich of Elie. Divines Peter Martyr Richard Cox Civilians and Canonists Dr. William May. Dr. Rowland Taylor of Hadley Common Lawyers John Lucas Rich Goodrick Esquires It was not onely convenient but necessary that Common Lawyers should share in making these Church Constitutions because the same were to be built not onely sure in themselves but also symmetricall to the Municipall Lawes of the Land These Eight had power by the Kings Patents to call in to their assistance what persons they pleased and are said to have used the pens of Sir John Cheeke and Walter Haddon Dr. in Law to turn their Lawes into Latine 7. However Laws no Laws not stamped with Royall Authority these had onely a preparing no concluding power so that when they had ended their work two things were wanting to make these Ecclesiastical Canons thus by them composed have the validity of Laws First an exact review of them by others to amend the mistakes therein As where * Titulo de Divinis Officiâ—s cap. 6. they call the Common Prayer Book then used in England proprium perfectum omnis divini cultus judicem magistrum a title truly belonging onely to the Scripture Secondly a Royall ratification thereunto which this King prevented by death nor any of His Successours ever stamped upon it Indeed I finde in an * Iohn 〈◊〉 at the end of his Preface to his Book intituled Reformation no enemy to Her Majesty Author whom I am half-ashamed to alledge that Doctor Haddon Anno 12 or 13 Elizabeth delivered in Parliament a Latine Book concerning Church-Discipline written in the daies of King Edward the sixt by Mr. Cranmer Sir John Cheek c. which could be no other than this lately mentioned Which Book was committed by the House unto the said Mr. Haddon Mr. George Bromley Mr. Norton c. to be translated I conceive into English again and never after can I recover any mention thereof save that some thirteen years since * Anno 1640. A silent Convocation it was printed in London 8. A Parliament was called in the last of this Kings
Reign wherein no Church-matter was medled with save that therein a Subsidie granted by the Clergy was confirmed Such moneys being the Legacie of course which all Parliaments fairly coming to a peaceable end bequeath to their Sovereign As for the Records of this Convocation they are but one degree above blanks scarce affording the names of the Clerks assembled therein Indeed they had no Commission from the King to meddle with Church-businesse and every Convocation in it self is born deaf and dumb so that it can neither hear complaints in Religion nor speak in the redresse thereof till first Ephata be thou opened be pronounced unto it by Commission from Royall Authority 9. Now The true reason thereof the true reason why the King would not intrust the diffusive body of the Convocation with a power to meddle with matters of Religion was a just jealousie which He had of the ill affection of the major part thereof Ann. Dom. 1553. who under the fair rinde of Protestant profession Ann. Reg. Ed. 6. 7. had the rotten core of Romish superstition It was therefore conceived safer for the King to relie on the ability and fidelity of some select Confidents cordiall to the cause of Religion than to adventure the same to be discussed and decided by a suspitious Convocation 10. However Forty two Articles of Religion and the Kings Catechisme this barren Convocation is intituled the parent of those Articles of Religion fourty two in number which are printed with this Preface Articuls de quibus in Synodo Londinensi Anno Domini 1552. inter Episcopos alios eruditos viros convenerat With these was bound a Catechisme younger in age as bearing date of the next year but of the same extraction relating to this Convocation as authour thereof Indeed it was first compiled as appears by the Kings Patent prefix'd by a single Divine * ◠pio quodam crudito viro conscipto in the Kings Patent Consented and not consented to by the Convocation charactred pious and learned bu◠afterwards perused and allowed by the Bishops and other learned men understand it the Convocation and by Royall Authority commended to all Subjects commanded to all School Masters to teach it their Scholars 11. Yet very few in the Convocation ever saw it much lesse explicitly consented thereunto but these had formerly it seems passed over their power I should be thankfull to him who would produce the originall instrument thereof to the select Divines appointed by the King in which sense they may be said to have done it themselves by their Delegates to whom they had deputed their authority A case not so clear but that it occasioned a cavill at the next Convocation in the first of * See more thereof in the next year Queen Mary when the Papists therein assembled renounced the legality of any such former transactions Pretious King Edward the sixt now changed his Crown of Gold for one of Glory July 6. we will something enlarge our selves The death of K. Edward the sixt who was not cut out of His Mothers belly as is commonly reported to give posterity His true Character never meeting more virtues in so few years For His Birth there goeth a constant tradition that Caesar-like He was cut out of the belly of His Mother Jane Seymour though a great person of Honour deriving her Intelligence mediately from such as were present at Her Labour assured me of the contrary Indeed such as shall read the calm and serene style of that Letter which I have seen written though not by for that Queen and signed with Her own Signet after Her delivery cannot conjecture thence that any such violence was offered unto Her But see the Letter RIght trusty and welbeloved Queen Ianes Letter after Her Delivery to the Lords of the Councell We greet you well and forasmuch as by the inestimable goodnesse and grace of Almighty God We be delivered and brought in Childe-bed of a PRINCE conceived in most lawfull Matrimony between my Lord the Kings Majestie and Vs. Doubting not but that for the love and affection which you bear unto Vs and to the Common-wealth of this Realm thi◠knowledge shall be joyous and glad tidings unto you We have thought good to certifie you of this Iame To the intent ye might not onely render unto God condigne thanks and praise for so great a benefice but also continually pray for the long continuance and preservation of the same here in this life to the honour of God joy and pleasure of my Lord the KING and Vs and the universall weal quiet and tranquility of this whole Realm a a Extant in Sir Tho. Cottons Library sub Ner. cap. 10. ¶ Given under our Signet at my Lords Manour of Hampton-Court the 22 day of October And although this Letter was soon after seconded with b Extant ibid. another of a sadder subject here inserted subscribed by all the Kings Physitians yet neither doth that so much as insinuate any impression of violence on Her person as hastening Her death but seems rather to cast the cause thereof on some other distemper THese shall be to advise your Lordships of the Queens estate Yesterday afternoon She had a natural Lax A sadder Letter of Her Physitians unto them by reason whereof She began to lighten and as it appeared to amend and so continued till towards night All this night She hath been very sick and doth rather appare than amend Her Confessour hath been with Her Grace this morning and hath done that to his office appertaineth and even now is preparing to minister to Her Grace the Sacrament of Unction ¶ At Hampton-Court this Wednesday morning at eight a clock Your Lordships at Commandement Thomas Cutland Robert Karhold Edward Bayntam John Chambers Priest William Butts George Owen Impute we here this Extreme Unction administred to Her partly to the over-officiousness of some superstitious Priest partly to the good Ladies inability perchance insensible what was done unto her in such extremity otherwise we are confident that Her judgment when in strength and health disliked such practices being a zealous Protestant Which Unction did her as little good as the twelve Masses said for Her soul in the City of London at the Commandement of the Duke of Norfolk whether he did it to credit their Religion with the countenance of so great a Convert or did it out of the Nimiety of his own Love and Loyaltie to the Queen expressing it according to his own judgment without the consent if not against the will of the Queens nearest kindred 12. But leaving the Mother Prince Edw. towardlinesse in learning let us come to the Son who as he saith of himself in the Manuscript of His Life was for the first six years bred and brought up amongst the Women and then consigned to masculine Tuition under Doctor Richard Cox and Sir John Cheekè who taught Him Latine and John Belmain who
were some earnest determination against them and at length they were brought before the King Himself there being present all the whole Council And the King demanded of them why they had not made His Book according to His commandment and refused that to doe with sharp words and angry countenance and the said Sr. Edward opened unto His Highnesse the cause why they did it not and he and other had before declared and opened to the Councill that if the writings were made they were of no effect nor force but utterly void when the King should decease and the Statute of Succession not impaired nor hurted for these will not be taken away but by the same authority they were made and that was by Parliament To that said the King we minde to have a Parliament shortly not telling when which was the first time that the said Sr. Edward heard of any Parliament to be 〈◊〉 Whereunto he said if His pleasure were so all might be deferred to the Parliament and all dangers and perils saved Whereunto the King said he would have this done and after ratifie it by Parliament And after commanded them very sharply upon their allegiance to make it and there were divers of the Lords that stood behind the said Sr. Edward said and if they refused to do that they were traitours And the said Sr. Edward was in great fear as ever he was in all his life before seeing the King so earnest and sharpe and the said Duke so angry the day before who ruled the whole Councill as it pleased him and were all affraid of him the more is the pitty so that such cowardnesse and feare was there never seen amongst honourable men as it hath appeared The said Sr. Edward being an old weak man and without comfort began to consider with himself what was best to be done for the safeguard of his life which was like to chance in that fury and great anger presently And remembring that the making of the said writing was not presently treason by the Statute of Anno primo because this word Successour would take no place while the King was living and determined with himself not to meddle nor execute any thing concerning the same after the death of the King which he hath truly kept hereunto And also remembring that the Queens Highnesse that now is should come by Act of Succession as a purchaser by the law might not lawfully punish treason or contempt committed in the Kings life he said unto the King that he had served His most noble Father many yeers and also His Highnesse during His time Anno Dom. 1553 and loth he would be to disobey His commandment Anno Regin Mar. 1. for his own part he would obey it so that His Highnesse would grant to them His commandment license and commission under His great Seal for the doing making and executing of all things concerning the same and when the things were done that they might have a general pardon All which Commission and pardon was as much as the said Sr. Edward could invent to help this danger over and besides the things above remembred which Commission and pardon the King granted them saying it was but reason that they should have them both and the Commission is passed the Great Seal and the Pardon was signed and as far as he knew sealed All the said matters considered the said Sr. Edward said for his part he would obey the Kings commandment and so did M. Bromley say the same and the King said to Sr. John Baker what say you you said never a word today who as I take it agreed to the same Mr. Gosnold required a respite for he was not yet perswaded to do the thing required How the said Duke and the Earl of Shrewsburie handled him he can tell best himself And after upon the said Sr. Edwards motion the King gave him licence to be advised untill upon the morrow who of himself being in great fear was content to obey the Kings commandment and so the doers and makers of the said Book with sorrowfull hearts and with weeping eyes in great fear and dread devised the said Book according to such Articles as were signed with the Kings proper hand above and beneath and on every side And their said Commission with Articles so signed with the Kings hand and the Book drawn in paper were conveyed from the Court to the Lord Chancelors to be ingrossed in parchment and to passe the great Seal which was done accordingly And on the morrow next after the last Terme ended the said Sr. Edward and all the Judges were sent for he puts his hand to the Book in parchment sealed with the Great Seal and so did many others The said Book of Articles so signed remaineth with the Lord Chancellour Bishop of Eely but who conveyed the said Paper Book into the Chancery or who wrot them or who set their hands to the same Book the said Sr. Edward till he see them he cannot tell but he will not denie but he was privie to the making of them as he hath before said and that he came to the knowledge of the matter by the Articles unsigned and by the Articles signed with the Kings hand and both delivered unto him by the Kings own hands Who put the King in minde to make the said Articles or whowrote them or any of them or by whose procurement or counsell they were made or by what means he and others were called unto this matter he knoweth not but he thinks in his conscience the King never invented this matter of Himself out by some wonderfull false compasse he prayeth God the truth may be known as he doubts not it will be And further he and all his company as well before the King as before the Lords at all times said that their writings before they were made and after they were made were of no value force nor effect to any intent constitution or purpose after the Kings death and there is no remedy to help this but by Parliament And that after the said Thursday being the morrow after the Terme last past that he by any writing printing overt deed or act never did any thing sithence the same day in the Kings life ne sithence the death of the King for he determined with himself to be no executour of the said devise whatsoever should chance of it nor ever medled with the Councill in any thing nor came amongst them untill the Queens Grace that now is was proclaimed Queen in London nor never executed Commission Proclamation or other commandment from the Ladie Jane nor Her Councill but commanded my son to serve the Queens Grace that now is and to go to Sr. Thomas Tresham and Buckingham-shire-men that went to her Grace to defend Her which he so did to my no little cost The case thus stated these notes follow written with the same hand Now that it is to be considered the great fear the said Sr. Edward was
Hereford As for the Bishoprick of Oxford as it was void at this time so it continued for some years after 32. We must not forget how the Bishoprick of Carlile was first profered to Bernard Gilpin Mr. Gilpin refuseth the Bishoprick of Carlile that Patriarchal Divine Rectour of Houghton in the North as may appear by the ensuing letter of Edwin a Found amongst Mr. Gilpins papers after his death Sandys Bishop of Worcester wrote unto him MY much and worthily respected Cozen having regard unto the good of the Church of Christ rather than to your ease I have by all the good means I could been carefull to have this charge imposed upon you which may be both an honour to your self and a benefit to the Church of Christ My true report concerning you hath so prevailed with the Queens Majesty that she hath nominated you Bishop of Carlile I am not ignorant that your inclination rather delighteth in the peaceable tranquillity of a private life But if you look upon the estate of the Church of England with a respective eye you cannot with a good conscience refuse this charge imposed upon you so much the less because it is in such a place as wherein no man is found fitter then your self to deserve well of the Church In which respect I charge you before God and as you shall answer to God herein that setting all excuses aside you refuse not to assist your Countrie and to do service to the Church of God to the uttermost of your power Anno Dom. 1557. In the meanwhile I give you to understand Anno Regin Eliza. 1. that the said Bishoprick is to be left untouched neither shall any thing of it be diminished as in some others it is a custom but you shall receive the Bishoprick entire as D r. Oglethorp hath left it Wherefore exhorting and charging you to be obedient to Gods call herein and not to neglect the duty of our own calling I commend both your self and the whole business to the Divine Providence Your Kinsman and Brother Edwin Worcester But M r. Gilpin desired to be excused continuing unmoveable in his resolution of refusall Not that he had any disaffection to the office as some do believe themselves and would willingly perswade others but because as he privately confess'd to his a B. Carleton in Gilpins life pag. 80. friends he had so much kindred about Carlile at whom he must either connive in many things not without hurt to himself or else deny them not without offence to them To avoid which difficulties he refused the Bishoprick It was afterward bestowed as in our Catalogue on D r. Iohn Best a grave and learned Divine But whether on the same terms without any diminution to the Church my b Idem pag. 81. authour knew not leaving us under a shrewd suspicion of the negative 33. If any demand of me Why Barlow and Scory were not restored to their former Bishopricks conjectured why Barlow formerly Bishop of Bath and Wells and Scory Bishop of Chicester were not rather restored to their own than translated to other Bishopricks As certainly I do not know so willingly I will not guess at the cause thereof though I have leasure to listen to the conjectures of others herein Some impute it to their own desires preferring faire paper before what was soiled with their ill successe rather to begin on a new account than to renew their reckoning with those Bishopricks where they had been interrupted with persecution Others ascribe it to the Queen herein shewing her absolute power of disposition and transposition of all Prelates at Her pleasure crossing Her hands and translating Scory from Chichester to Hereford Barlow from Bath and Wells to Chichester A third sort resolve it on a point of the Queens frugality a vertue needfull in a Princess coming to a Crown in Her condition to get new first-fruits by their new translations which otherwise would not accrue by their restitutions Sure I am none of these Conjecturers were either of the Bedehamber or Councâ—ll-Board to the Queen acquainted with Her intentions herein 34. As for Miles Coverdale Why Coverdale resumed not his Bishoprick of Exeter formerly Bishop of Exeter he never returned to his See but remained a private Minister to the day of his death Indeed it was true of him what is said of others c Amos 4. 11. He was as a fire-brand pluckt out of the burning being designed to death by Queen Mary had not the seasonable and importunate intercession of Frederick King of Denmarke redeemed him And although his dissenting in judgement from some ceremonies in our Discipline is generally alledged as the cause of his not returning to his Bishoprick yet more probable it is it was caused by his impotencie as may appear by his Epitaph which here we have thought fit to insert as I took it from the brass-inscription of his marble-stone under the Communion-Table in the Chancell of S t. Bartholomews behinde the Exchange Hic tandem requiemque ferens Anno Dom. 1558. finemque laborum Ossa Coverdalis mortua tumbus habet Exoniae qui Praesul crat dignissimus olim Insignis vitae vir probitate suae Octoginta annos grandaevus vixit unum Indignum passus saepius exilium Sic demum variis jactatum casibus ista Excepit gremio terra benigna suo Obiit 1568. Jan. 20. Now if Coverdale Anno 1568. was fourscore and one year of age then at this very time when he consecrated Parker was he seventy two years old passing with Iesse a 1 Sa. 26. 12. for an old man yea he had passed the b Psal 90. age of man and therefore henceforward finding himself fitter for devotion than action refused the resumption of his Bishoprick 35. So much for the Bishops Meane Ministers in this age as appears by Mr. Tavernours Sermon As for the inferiour Clergy under them the best that could be gotten were placed in pastoral charges Alas tolerability was eminency in that age A rush-candle seemed a torch where no brighter light was er'e seen before Surely preaching now ran very low if it be true what I read that M r. Tavernour of Water-Eaton in Oxford-shire High-Sheriffe of the County came in pure charity not ostentation and gave the Scholars a Sermon in S t. Maries with his gold chain about his neck and his sword by his side beginning with these words c In the preface to St. Iohn Cheeks book called the true Subject to the Rebell printed at Oxford 1641. Arriving at the mount of S t. Maries in the stony stage where I now stand I have brougt you some fine biskets baked in the oven of charity and carefully conserved for the chickens of the Church the sparrows of the Spirit and the sweet swallows of salvation If England in our memory hath been sensible of a perfective alteration in her Churches if since she hath seen more learning in
A petty rebellion happened in Merton Colledge in Oxford small in it self Papists stickle in Merton Colledge great in the consequence thereof if not seasonably suppressed on this occasion Some Latine superstitious Hymns formerly sung on Festivalls had by order of the late Warden Dr. Gervas been abolished and English Psalms appointed in their place now when M r. Leach a Fellow in the House on Allholland-day last had the Book in his hand ready to begin the Psalme in springs one M r. William Hall a seniour Fellow offering to snatch it from him with an intent to cast it into the fire adding a Manuscript Records of Cant. in Matthew Parker pag. 322. moreover that they would no more dance after his pipe This was done in the intervall of the vacancy of the Wardenship For though John Man was lawfully chosen to the place yet Hall and his Popish faction whereof M r. Potto M r. Binnion and S r. Appleby the Leaders opposed his admission And whereas in this House great was the power of a Seniour-Fellow especially in office over the young scholars Hall raised such a persecution against them that it was poenall for any to be a Protestant 48. Arch-Bishop Parker hearing hereof Are curbed by the Arch-Bishop his visitation summoneth Hall to appear before him May 26. who cared so little for the same that some of his Party plucked off the Seal from the citation which was affixed to the gates of the Colledge Whereupon his Grace made a solemn visitation of that Colledge wherein all were generally examined Man confirmed Warden Hall justly expelled his party publickly admonished the Young Schollers relieved Papists curbed and suppressed Protestants countenanced and encouraged in the whole Vniversity 49. * Cranmets children restored in blood A Parliament was called b Parliament Roles quinto Elizabethe wherein a Bill passed for the assurance of certain lands assumed by the Queen from some Bishopricks during their vacation Anno Regin 5. Janu. 11. Another for the restitution in blood of the children of Thomas Cranmer late Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 2. 156. 3. Here fain would I be informed by some learned in the law what needed the restoring of those Children whose Father was condemned and died only for Heresie which is conceived a Personall crime and not tainting the bloud For although this Arch-Bishop was first accused of high-Treason yet it afterwards was waved and he tried upon haereticall opinions * I have read that he was condemned of treason Cromptons juris courts fol. 2. b. which Treason was released unto him yet he saith Holinsh excepted out of the general pardon intricacies I understand nor An Act for translating the Bible into Welsh Except any will say that because not solemnly and formally pardoned in majorem cantelam such an Act was not amiss or else done not so much for the use of the living Children as honour of their dead Father Anno Dom. 1563. 50. A third Bill passed for the Translating of the Bible into the Welsh tongue which sicnce the Reformation may hitherto be said to have been read in Latin in their Congregations English being Latin to them as in the most Parishes of Wales utterly un-understood This some years after was performed principally by the endeavours of a Godwin in his catalogue of Bishops p. 641. William Morgan Doctor of Divinity afterwards Bishop of Landaff and thence preferred to S t Asaph but worthy for his work of better advancement 51. In the Convocation now sitting Janu. 29. wherein Alexander Nowel Dean of S t Pauls was Prolocutor The 39 Articles compiled in Convocation the nine and thirty Articles were composed For the main they agree with those set forth in the Reign of King Edward the sixth though in some particulars allowing more liberty to dissenting judgments For instance in this Kings Articles it is said that it is to be be believed that Christ went down to Hell to preach to the Spirits there which last clause is left out in these Articles and men left to a latitude concerning the cause time and manner of his Descent 52. Hence some have unjustly taxed the Composers for too much favour extended in their large expressions Why favourably drawn up in general terms clean through the contexture of these Articles which should have tied mens consciences up closer in more strict and particularizing propositions which indeed proceeded from their commendable moderation Childrens cloaths ought to be made of the biggest because afterwards their bodies will grow up to their garments Thus the Arcles of this English Protestant Church in the infancy thereof they thought good to draw up in general terms foreseeing that posteritie would grow up to fill the same I mean these holy men did prudently pre-discover that differences in judgments would unavoidably happen in the Church and were loath to unchurch any and drive them off from an Ecclesiastical communion for such petty differences which made them pen the Articles in comprehensive words to take in all who differing in the branches meet in the root of the same Religion 53. Indeed most of them had formerly been sufferers themselves Most confessors who composed the Articles and cannot be said in compiling these Articles an acceptable service no doubt to offer to God what cost them nothing b 2 Sam. 24. 24. some having paid Imprisonment others Exile all losses in their Estates for this their experimental knowledg in Religion which made them the more merciful and tender in stating those points seeing such who themselves have been most patient in bearing will be most pittiful in burdening the consciences of others 54. It is observable English Articles and Trent Decrees contemporaries these Articles came forth much about the time wherein the Decrees of the Councel of Trent were published Truth and Falshood starting in some sort both together though the former will surely carry away the victory at long running Many of which Decrees begin with Lying and all conclude with Cursing thundering Anathemas against all Dissenters Whilest these our Articles like the still voice only plainly express the Positive truth 55. But some nine years after The 39 Articles confirmed by Parliament Viz. Anno 1571. the Parliament c See the Statutes in decimo tertio Eliz cap. 12. confirmed these Articles so far that every Clerk should before the Nativity of Christ next following subscribe the same And hereafter every person promoted to an Ecclesiastical living should within a time prefixed publickly in the time of Divine service read and profess his consent to the same on pain of Deprivation ipso facto if omitted 56. No Lay-person was required to subscribe But only imposed on Clergy-men no Magistrate none of the Commons according to the severity in other places For the persecuted Church of English in Frankford in Queen Mary her dayes demanded subscription to their discipline of every man yea even of women
the Book of Common-Prayer as namely the use of the Surplis the Interrogatories to God-Fathers c. in the name of the Infants the Cross in Baptism the Ring in Marriage the Thanksgiving after Child-birth Burials by Ministers the Kneeling at Communion some points of the Letany certain Collects and Prayers the reading of portions of Scripture for the Epistle and Gospel and the manner of Singing in Cathedral Churches and others 13. Item That preaching at the Baptizing of one of Job Throgmortons children he spoke much of the unlawfulness and in derogation of the Government Politie Laws and Liturgy Ecclesiastical of this Realm and to the justification of a Government by Elderships in every Congregation and by Conference and Synods c. abroad as Divine Institutions commanded by Christ and the onely lawful Church-government seeking to prove and establish such Elderships out of that word in one of the Psalms where Thrones are mentioned 14. Item That by toleration and impunity he did grow so confident and withal implacable against the Laws Government and Orders of this Church of England that he could not endure M r Bourdman and others preaching sundry times at Warwick to speak in defence thereof but took upon him to confute in sundry Sermons there these things which the said Bourdman had truly and dutifully in that behalf spoken and delivered 15. Item That in his Sermons at Warwick and elsewhere within the said time he often delivered many frivolous strange and undiscreet positions as namely that to kneel down and pray when a man comes into the Church to pray there privately was but to offer the sacrifice of fools That it was requisite all the hearers that were able should stand upon their feet during Sermons and discoursing about women and their child-birth c. did speak thereof so indiscreetly and offensively that sundry of them in great grief had conspired to have mischieved him with stones in the open streets 16. Item That by his perswasions privately and publickly delivered sundry persons in and about Warwick were appointed to impugn both in words and deeds the Laws Orders and rights prescribed by the Book of Common-Prayer insomuch as both his own wife by his procurement and consent refused after child-birth to come and give thanks in such place of the Church and in that solemn manner as thereby is prescribed and some other women also of that Town by such perswasion and example did use the like contempt 17. Item That sundry times or at least once when he communicated at the Lords Supper there he sate or stood upon his feet and divers others induced by his perswasions and example both then and at other times did the like And that at other times there or in other places where he hath communicated both himself and others as he had appointed or perswaded afore did walk along and receive the Sacrament of the Ministers as they passed by him 18. Item That for these and such like disorders he was presented to the Bishop of Wigorne his Ordinary Before whom being convented in the Consistory there he spake to the justification and upholding of such doing of his and of others and there very publickly and offensively affirmed and disputed That the Book of Common-Prayer c. is not established by Law 19. Item That when by authority from the said Bishop for his contempt he was suspended from preaching ab omni functione Ministerii he appealed from the said suspension yet did not prosecute within a year after whereby the cause being according to Law remitted again to the Bishop he the said Thomas Cartwright according to the former proceedings falling again into the sentence of suspension which was also intimated and made known unto him nevertheless in contempt of the Authority Ecclesiastical he hath preached at Warwick Coventry and elsewhere since the said time 20. Item When one of his men-servants had committed Fornication and gotten a bastard in his house he taking upon him the authority of the Ordinary did appoint unto the delinquent a publick form of penance or satisfaction in Saint Maries-Church at Warwick and caused him to perform the same 21. Item Since his placing at Warwick he with others at such times as they thought fit have agreed to have and so have had divers publick Fasts without the Queen her Authority and have invited and perswaded both sundry persons to be there present and also certain to preach to the number of three four or five successively one after another being all noted to be such as mislike and impugn sundry points of the Laws Government and Liturgy Ecclesiastical of this Church of England In which Sermons both he the said Cartwright and such others also as then preached did impugn and enveigh against the present Laws Government Politie and Liturgy Ecclesiastical of this Church of England 22. Item That from time to time since his aboad in Warwick by his practice and dealing he hath nourished a faction and heart-burning of one inhabitant there against another severing them in his own and his followers speeches by the names of The Godly or Brethren favoâ—ring sincerity and The Profane 23. Item That he doth know or credibly heard who were the penners printers or some of the dispersers of the several Libels going under the name of Martin Mar-Prelate of the Demonstration of Discipline of Diotrephes and such like books before it was known to Authority and yet in favour of such and contempt of good laws did not manifest the same to any who had authority to punish it 24. Item that being asked his opinion of such books he answered thus in effect or somthing tending this way viz. meaning the Bishops and others there touched would not amend by grave books and advertisements and therefore it was meet they should thus be dealt with to their further reproach and shame 25. Item that for and in the behalf of the Church of England he penned or procured to be penned all or some part of a little book intituled in one part Disciplina Ecclesiae sacra Verbo Dei descripta and in the other part Disciplina Synodicaex Ecclesiarumusu c. And after it was perused by others whom he first acquainted therewith he recommended the same to the censures and judgements of moe brethren being learned Preachers and some others assembled together by his means for that and other like purposes Which after deliberation and some alterations was by them or most of them allowed as the only lawfull Church government and fit to be put in practice and the wayes and means for the practising thereof in this Realm were also then or not long after agreed or concluded upon by them 26. Item that for the better and more due practise of it within the space of these seven six five foure three two or one year last past the said Thomas Cartwright and sundry others as aforesaid according to former appointment and determinations by them made have met in Assemblies termed Synods more general
Vircrum Illustrium Spectacles to read the smallest Print 3. William Perkins who was born in the first and died in the last of Q. Eliz. so that his Life as n In the Holy State where see hiâ— Life at large we have elsewhere observed to which we remit the Reader running parallel with this Queens Reign began continued and ended therewith 4. Gregory before his entrance into Religion Robert Sayer bred in Cambridge then leaving the University fled beyond sea where he became a Benedictine Monk of the Congregation of S. Justin in Padua He lived in severall parts of Europe as at Phemes Rome Montcasie Venice where he died and was buried o Puzeus de 〈◊〉 Anglick Aetate Detima septima p. 801. the 30. of Octob. having written many Volumes in great esteem with men of his Profession 5. William Harris as Obscure among Protestants as Eminent with the Popish Party A Master of Art of Lincoln Colledge in Oxford whence leaving the Land he fled beyond-sea living at Doway and afterwards he came over into p â—â—em ibidem England where it seemes he had the Hap to escape the Queenes Officers and to die in his Bed His Book called THE THEATRE OF THE MOST TRUE AND ANTIENT CHURCH OF ENGLAND is highly accounted of Roman Catholiques 11. About this time the low Estate of the City of Geneva the Nursery of the Reformed Religion was lively represented to the Prelates Relief sent to the City of Geneva Clergy and Well-disposed Persons of England being for the Present in a very Dolefull condition Long since it had been undone but because it had so many Enemies to undoe it So that by Gods providence q Judg. 14. 14. Out of the Devourer came Meat such Neighbouring Princes and States which were both Willing and Able to swallow up this Zoar did preserve it For rather than Savoy should suppresse it Venice Florence the Popish Cantons in Switzerland and France it self would support But for all this politick Geometry wherewith long it had hung safe betwixt severall Competitours it was lately shrewdly shaken by the Puissance of the Duke of Savoy who addicted to the Spanish Faction had banished all Protestants out of his Dominâ—ons Arch-bishop Whitgift whose hand was ever open to any Pious Design led with his liberall Example and the rest cheerefully followed so that large summes of money were seasonably made over for the Reliefe of Geneva 12. Queen Elizabeth The death of Q. Elizabeth the mirrour of her Sex and Age having above 40 years to the Admiration of Envy it selfe managed this Kingdome finding when she began few Friends that durst help and leaving no Foes that could hurt her exchanged her Earthly for a Heavenly Crowne who as she lived and died an unspotted Virgin so her Maiden memory is likely in this respect to remaine sole and single seeing History affords no Prince to be marched to her Fame in all considerable Particulars Her Corps were solemnly interred under a fair Tomb in Westminster Ann. Reg. 45. the lively Draught whereof Ann. Dom. 1602 is pictured in most London many Countrey Churches every Parish being proud of the shadow of her Tomb and no wonder when each Loyal Subject erected a mournfull Monument for her in his heart But soon after all English Soules were employed equally to divide themselves betwixt Exclamations of Sorrow for her Death and Acclamations of Joy for K. James his succeeding her 13. And now it is strange with what Assiduity and Diligence King Ja. 1. the two Potent Parties the Defenders of Episcopacy and Presbytery K James sends a Welcome message to the Episcopall Party with equall Hopes of Successe made besides Private and Particular Addresses Publique and Visible Applications to King James the first to continue the later to restore or rather set up their Government So that whilest each Side was Jealous his Rival should get the Start by early stirring and rise first in the Kings favour Such was their Vigilancy that neither may seem to go to Bed Incestantly diligent both before and since the Queens Death in dispatching Posts and Messages into Scotland to advance their severall Designes We take notice of two principall M. Lewis Pickering a Northampton shire Gentleman and zealous for the Presbyterian Party was the third Person of quality who riding incredibly swift good Newes makes good Horsemen brought King James the Tydings of Queen Elizabeths Death But how farre and with what Answer he moved the King in that Cause is uncertaine Doctour Thomas Nevill Deane of Canterburte came into Scotland some dayes after him except any will say that he comes first that comes really to effect what he was sent for being solemnly employed by s Sir G Pauls in the Archbishops Life Numb 126. Arch bishop Whitgift to his Majesty in the name of the Bishops and Clergy of England to tender their Bounden Duties and to understand his Highnesse Pleasure for the ordering and guiding of Ecclesiasticall Causes He brought back a welcome Answer to such as sent him of his Highnesse purpose which was to uphold and maintain the Government of the late Queen as she left it setled 14. Soone after followed the Treason of William Watson on this occasion Watson's â—lly Treason This Watson Secular Priest had written a bitter Book against the Jesuits as being one knowing though not so secret of their faults as their owne Confessours taxing them with truth so plaine they could not deny so foule they durst not confesse it Now such is the charity of Jesuits that They never owe any man any ill will making present payment thereof These Holy Fathers as Watson intimated on the d Stowes Chronicle p. 831. Scaffold at his Death and forgave them for the same cunningly and covertly drew him into this action promoting him who was ambitious though pretending to much Mortification treasonably to practise his own preferment 15. Watson with William Clark another of his own profession having fancied a notionall Treason imparted it to George Brooks one angry with Nature His moâ—tly Compliceâ— not so much for making him lame as a younger Brother These break it to Brook his Brother the L. Cobham to the Lord Gray of Whaddon and Sir Walter Rawleigh the one a known Protestant the other a reputed Puritan the third an able Statesman Besides some other Knights displeased with their present Fortunes how quickly is Discontent inflamed into Disloyalty because since the turning of the Wheele at the Queenes Death on the wrong Side of Preferment Watson devised an Oath of Secrecy for them all which was no more than needfull considering their different Interests rather pieced than united patched than pieced together 16. Had one lost his Religion he might have found it though I confess a Treason is but a bad place to seeke it in in this Conspiracy Their wild meanes whereby to attaine a mad end wherein men of all perswasions were engaged Their Parts were as
Bath-Church A strange accident at his burial being a very corpulent man was upon the day of the Bishop's burial appointed to keep the dores He entred on this his imployment in the Morning whereon the Funeral was kept but was buried himself before night and before the Bishops body was put into the ground because being bruised to death by the pressing in of people his Corps required speedy interment so needful it is for those to watch for their own change who wait on the graves of others 10. I cannot attain the exact date of the death of John Overall The death of Bp. Overall carrying Superintendency in his Surname the Bishop of Norwich first Fellow of Trinity Coll then Master of Katherine-Hall and King's Professour of Divinity in Cambridge One of a strong brain to improve his great reading and accounted one of the most Learned Controversial Divines of those daies 11. A grand Grievance was now much complained of A great abuse of the King's favour but little redressed some great Courtiers there were to whom the KING had passed His Grants to compound with Papists for their Recusancie Some of these Grantees abused the KING's favour and Compounded with such persons for light summes even before their legall Conviction whereby the Offenders in that kinde became the more backward to Conform themselves to the king's Lawes Hit Majesty not aiming at their punishment but reformation And although this indirect course was flatly forbidden by His Royal Declaration set forth 1610 yet was this corruption connived at and is conceived a main cause of the great and speedy increase of Popery 12. About this time Ann. Reg. Ja. 19. a sad mischange besell George About Archbishop of Can terbury Ann. Dom. 1621. in this manner Archbishop casually killed a Keâ—per He was invited by the Lord Zouch to Bramshill in Hampshire to hunt and kill a Buck The Keeper ran amongst the Herd of Deer to bring them up to the sairer mark whilest the Archbishop litting on his Horse back let loose a barded-Arrow from a Crosbow and unhappily hit the Keeper He was shot through the Enmontery of the left Arm and the Arrow dividing those grand auxiliary vessels he died of the flux of blood immediately Nature having provided that all the large Vessels are defended externally by bones He never spake after as the person still alive at Croydon who brought off his body informed me and died not of the ill-dressing of the Wound as some have printed it This presently put an end to the sport that day and almost to the Archbishops mirth to the last of his life 13. The same of this mans death The mischance rigidly censured flew faster than the Arrow that killed him The Archbishops mischance in many men met not with so sad a casualty did deserve He was not much beloved by the inferiour Clergie as over-rigid and austere Indeed he was mounted to command in the Church before he ever learned to obey therein Made a Shepherd of Shepherds before he was a Shepherd of Sheep Consecrated Bishop before ever called to a Pastoral Charge which made say some him not to sympathize with the necessities and insirmities of poor Ministers As for the superiour Clerigie some for his irregularity and removal expected preferment as the second Boule is made first and the third second when that neerest the mark is violently removed 14. It is strange to see Many Canonists quickly made how suddainly many men started up Canonists and Casuists in their discourse who formerly had small skill in that prosession In their ordinary talk they cited Councels and Synods some had up S. Jerome's speech Venatorem nunquam legimus sanctum others were busie with the Decree of the Councel of Orleance Gratian 49 B. distinct 34 Episcopo * Note that these Canons were never admitted Lawes in England Presbytero an t Diacono canes ad venandum an t accipitres habere non licet Others distinguished of a three-fold hunting 1. Oppressiva 2. Arenaria 3. Saltuosa These maintained that the two former were utterly unlawfull but the last might lawfully be used Others distinguished of Homicide 1. Exnecessitate 2. Ex voluntate 3. Excasu the case in hand In a word this accident divided all great companies into pro and con for or against the Archbishops irregularity on this occasion yet all the force of their skill could not mount the guilt of this fact higher than the fountain thereof When all was done it was but Casual Homicide who sought not for the man but God was pleased to bring the Man to his hand 15. Sir Henry Savill Archbishops may hunt by the Laws of the Land the Archbishops old acquaintance as his contemporary in Oxon repaired on his behalf to the Oracle of the Law Sir Edward Coke whom he found a bowling for his recreation My Lord said he I come to be satisfied of you in a point of Law If it be a point of Common Law said sir Edward Coke I am unworthy to be a Judge if I cannot presently satissie you but if it be a point of Statute Law I am unworthy to be Judge if I should undertake to satissie you before I have consulted my Books It is this said Sir Henry Whether may a Bishop Hunt in a Park by the Laws of the Realm I can presently resolve you said the Judge He may bunt by the Lawes of the Realm by this very token That there is an old Law let the young Students in that profession finde it out that a Bishop when dying is to leave his pack of Dog's called Muta * From the French macte de chiens canum to the Kings free use and disposal 16. The party whom the Archbishop suspected his greatest Foe Bp. Andrewes the Archbishops great friend proved his most firm and effectuall Friend even Lancelot Andrews Bishop of Winchester For when several Bishop inveighed against the irregularity of the Archbishop laying as much if not more guilt on the act than it would bear He mildly checked them Brethren said he be not too busie to condemn any for Uncanonicalls according to the strictnesse thereof left we render our selves in the same condition Besides we all know canones qui dicunt lapsos post actam poenitentiam ad clericatum non esse restituendos de rigore loquuntur disciplinae noninjiciunt desperationem indulgentiae 17. His restitution and mortification King James being Himself delighted in Hunting Ann. Dom. 1621. was sorry any ill accident should betide the users thereof Ann. Regis Jac. 19 But when He was assured how deeply the Archbishop layed this casualty to his heart He much pitied him and said to a Lord discoursing thereof It might have been My chance or thine So that not long after the Archbishop who had lately retired himself to Guildford Almes-house of his own founding returned to Lambeth and to the performance of his Office though some squeamish
soever under the degree of a Bishop or Dean at the least doe from henceforth presume to preach in any popular Auditory deep points of Predestination Election Reprobation or of the Universality Efficacy Resistibility or Irresistibility of GODS grace but leave those themes rather to be handled by the Learned men and that moderately and modestly by way of Use and Application rather than by way of Positive Doctrines being fitter for the Schools than for simple Auditories 4. That no Preacher of what title or denomination soever from henceforth shall presume in any Auditory within this Kingdome to declare limit or bound out by way of Positive Doctrine in any Lecture or Sermon the Power Prerogative and Jurisdiction Authority or Duty of Sovereign Princes or otherwise meddle with matters of State and the differences between Princes and the People than as they are instructed and precedented in the Homilies of Obedience and the rest of the Homilies and Articles of Religion set forth as before is mentioned by publique Authority but rather confine themselves wholly to those two heads of faith and good life which are all the subjects of the antient Sermons and Homilies 5 That no Preacher of what title or denomination soever shall presume caussesly or without invitation from the Text to fall into bitter investives and undecent railing speeches against the persons of either Papists or Puri tans but modestly and gravely when they are occasioned thereunto by the Text of Scripture free both the Doctrine and the Discipline of the Church of England from the aspersions of either Adversaries especially where the Auditory is suspected to be tainted with the one or the other infection 6. Lastly that the Archbishops and Bishops of the Kingdome whom His Majestie hath good cause to blame for their former remisness be more wary and choice in their licensing of Preachers and revoke all Grants made to any Chancellour Official or Commissary to passe Licences in this kinde and that all the Lecturers throughout the Kingdome of England a new body severed from the antient Clergy as being neither Parsons Vicars nor Curates be licensed henceforward in the Court of Faculties but onely from a Recommendation of the party from the Bishop of the Diocese under his hand and seale with a Fiat from the L. Archbishop of Canterbury a Confirmation under the Great Seal of England And that such as doe transgresse any one of these Directions be suspended by the Bishop of the Diocesse or in his default by the Archbishop of the Province ab Officio Beneficio for a year and a day untill his Majestie by the advice of the next Convocation shall prescribe some farther punishment 5. No sooner were these the Kings Declarations dispersed into every Diocesse Various censures on the Kings Letters but various were mens opinions thereof Some counted it a cruell act which cut off half the preaching in England all afternoon-ermons at one blow Others thought the King did but Uti jure suo doing not onely what in justice He might but what in prudence He ought in this juncture of time But hear what I have heard and read in this case Objections Answers 1. Christ grants Ministers their Commission Go teach all Nations S. Paul corroborates the same Preach the word be instant in season out of season Man therefore ought not to forbid what God enjoyns 2. This is the way to starve soules by confining them to one meale a day or at the best by giving them onely a messe of milk for their supper and so to bed 3. Such as are licensed to make Sermons may be intrusted to choose their own Texts and not in the Afternoons to be restrained to the Lords Prayer Creed and ten Commandements 4. In prohibiting the preaching of Predestination man makes that the forbidden fruit which God appointed for the tree of life so cordial the comforts contained therein to a distressed conscience 5. Bishops and Deans forsooth and none under their dignity may preach of Predestination What is this but to have the word of God in respect of persons As if all discretion were confined to Cathedral men and they best able to preach who use it the least 6. Papists and Puritans in the Kings Letters are put into the same ballance and Papists in the prime scale first named as preferred in the Kings care chiefly to secure them from Invectives in Sermons 7. Lecturers are made such riddles in the Kings Letters reduceable to no Ministerial function in England Whereas indeed the flower of piety and power of godlinesse flourished most in those places where such Preachers are most countenanced 1. Ministers if commanded not at all to speak or teach in the name of Jesus are with the Apostles to obey God rather than man But vast the difference betwixt a total prohibition and as in this case a prudential regulation of preaching 2. Milk catechetical Doctrine is best for babes which generally make up more than a moyety of every Congregation 3. Such restraint hath liberty enough seeing all things are clearly contained in or justly reducible to these three which are to be desired believed and performed 4. Indeed Predestination solidly and soberly handled is an antidote against despair But as many ignorant Preachers ordered it the cordial was turned into a poyson and therefore such mysteries might well be forborn by mean Ministers in popular Congregations 5. It must be presumed that such of necessity must be of age and experience and may in civility be believed of more than ordinary learning before they attained such preferment Besides Cathedrall Auditories being of a middle nature for understanding as beneath the University so above common City and Country Congregations are fitter for such high points to be preached therein 6. The Kings Letter looks on both under the notion of guilty persons Had Puritans been placed first such as now take exception at their post-posing would have collected that the King esteemed them the greatest offenders 7. Lectures are no creatures of the Church of England by their original like those mixed kinds little better than monsters in nature to which God as here the State never said multiply and encrease and therefore the King had just cause to behold them with jealous eyes who generally supplanted the Incumbents of Livings in the affections of their Parishioners and gave the greatest growth to Non-conformity These Instructions from His Majestie were not pressed with equall rigour in all places seeing some over-active Officials more busie than their Bishops tied up Preachers in the Afternoon to the very letter of the Catechisme questioning them if exceeding the questions and answers therein as allowing them no liberty to dilate and enlarge themselves thereupon 6. Expect not of me a particular account of the politick intricacies touching the Spanish Match A needlesse subject waved or no Match rather First because Spanish and so alien from my subject Secondly because the passages thereof are so largely and publickly in print
The Bishop of Lincoln fell now through the Dukes The Bishop of Lincoln loseth his Keepers place into the Kings displeasure and such who will read the late letters in the Cabala may conjecture the cause thereof but the certainty we leave to be reported by the Historians of the State belonging in his Episcopall capacity to my pen but as Lord Keeper properly to theirs 38. The Bishop finding his own tottering condition The Duke incensed against him addressed himself to all who had intimacie with the Duke to reingratiate himself But such After-games at Court seldome succeed All would not doe for as Amicus omnium optimus was part of the Dukes Epitaph * On his Tomb in Westminster Chappell so no fiercer foe when displeased and nothing under the Bishops removall from his office would give him satisfaction 39. Sir John Suckling was sent unto him from the King The Bishops wariness in resigning the Seale to demand the broad Seale of him which the cautious Bishop refused to surrender into his hands to prevent such uses as might be made thereof by him or others in the intervall betwixt this resigning it and the Kings conferring it on another but he charily locked it up in a Box and sent the Box by the Knight and Key thereof inclosed in a letter to his Majesty 40. However his bruise was the less But keeps his Bishoprick because he fell but from the first Loft and saved himself on the second Floere Outed his Lord Keepership but keeping his Bishoprick of Lincoln and Deanarie of Westminster though forced to part with the Kings Purse he held his owne and that well replenished And now he is retired to Bugden-great where whither greater his anger at his enemies for what he had lost or gratitude to God for what he had left though others may conjecture his owne Conscience only could decide Here we leave him at his hospitable Table where sometimes he talked so loud that his discourse at the second hand was heard to London by those who bare no good will unto him 41. An old Hall turned into a new Colledge A new Colledge of an old Hall in Oxford was this yeare finished at Oxford This formerly was called Broadegates Hall and had many Students therein amongst whom Edmund Bonner afterwards Bishop of London Scholar enough and Tyrant too much had his education But this place was not endowed with any Revenues till about this time for Thomas Tisdale of Glimpton in the County of Oxford Esquire bequeathed five thousand Pounds wherewith Lands were purchased to the value of two hundred and fiftie pounds per annum Anno Dom 16â—â— Anno Regis Caroli 1 for the maintenance of seven Fellowes and six Scholars Afterwards Richard Wightwick Bachelor of Divinity Rector of East-Isle in Barkshire gave Lands to the yearly value of one hundred pounds for the maintenance of three Fellowes and four Scholars whereupon petition being made to King James this new Colledge was erected and a Charter of Mortmain of seven hundred pounds per annum granted thereunto 42. It was called Pembrook Colledge Called Pembrook Colledge partly in respect to William Earle of Pembrook then Chancellor of the University partly in expectation to receive some favour from him And probably had not that noble Lord died suddenly soon after this Colledge might have received more than a bare Name from him The best where a Child hath rich parents it needeth the less any gifts from the Godfather Masters Benefactors Bishops Learned Writers 1 Dr. Clayton 2 Dr. Langley King Charles who gave the Patronage of St. Aldates the Church adjoyning   So that this Colledge consisteth of a Master ten Fellowes and ten Scholars with other Students and Officers to the number of one hundred sixty nine 43. The Doctor and the Duke were both of them unwilling to an openbreach loved for to temporise and wait upon events Surely Temperise here is taken in the Apostle sense according to some * Dr. Prestons Life p 505. * Rom. 12. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ambiosius copies serving the Times And henceforwards the Duke resolved to shake off the Doctor who would not stick close unto him betaking himself to the opposite Interest Nor was the other surprized herein as expecting the alteration long before 44. By the late conferences at York-house it appeared Dr. Preston declines in the Dukes favour that by the Dukes cold carriage towards him and smiling on his Opponents Dr. Preston was now entring into the Autumn of the Dukes favour Indeed they were well met each observing neither trusting other as I read in the Doctors Life written by his judicious Pupil 45. This year concluded the life of Arthur Lakes The death of godly Bishop Lakes Warden of New-Colledge in Oxford Master of St. Crosses Dean of Worcester and at last promoted Bishop of Bath and Wells not so much by the power of his Brother Sir Thomas Secretarie to King James as his own desert as one whose piety may be justly exemplary to all of his Order He seldom if at all is said to have dreamt justly imputed not to the dulness of his fancie in which faculty he had no defect but to the staidness of his judgment wherein he did much excell as by his learned Sermons doth appear 46. About the sametime Lancelot Andrews ended his religious life The death and character of Bishop Andrews born at Alhollows-Barking in London Scholar Fellow and Master of Pembrook-Hall in Cambridge Then Deane of Westminster Bishop of Chicester Ely and at last of Winchester The world wanted learning to know how learned this Man was so skil'd in all especially oriental Languages that some conceive he might if then living almost have served as an INTERPRETER GENERALL at the confusion of Tongues Nor are the Fathers more faithfully cited in his books than lively copied out in his countenance and carriage his gravity in a manner awing King James who refrained from that mirth and liberty in the presence of this Prelate which otherwise he assumed to himself He lyeth buried in the Chappell of St. Mary Overees having on his Monument a large elegant a Stows Survay of London pag. and TRUE Epitaph 47. Since his death some have unjustly snarld at his memory accusing him for covetousness Anno Regis Car. 1. 2. Anno Dom 1626 Unjustly accused for Covetousness who was neither rapax to get by unjust courses as a profest enemy to usury simony and bribery nor tenax to hold money when just occasion called for it for in his life time he repaired all places he lived in and at his death left the main of his Estate to pious uses Indeed he was wont to say that Good Husbandry was good Divinity the truth whereof no wise man will deny 48. Another falls foully upon him for the ornaments of his Chappel as Popish and superstitious And Superstition in the b
despaire of perfect notice of particulars at so great a distance of place and greater of Parties concerned therein Thirdly if exact intelligence were obtained as ages long agoe are written with more saefety then truth so the story hereof might be writen with more truth then safety Lastly being a civill busines it is aliened from my subject and may justly be declined If any object that it is reduceable to Ecclesiasticall story because one as they said termed this Bellum episcopale The Warr for Bishops I conceive it presumption for so mean a Minister as my self and indeed for any under that great order to undertake the writing thereof TO HENRY PUCKERINGNEVVTON SONNE and HEIRE to S r. HENRY PVCKERINGNEWTON BARONET NO Gentleman in this Nation is more advantaged to be a Scholar born then your self You may be free of the City of the Muses by the Copy of your Grandfathers By your Fathers side Sir Adam Newton Tutour to Prince Henry By your Mothers side Mr. Murray Tutour to K. Charles If you be not more then an ordinary Scholar it will not be lesse then an extraordinary disgrace Good is not good where better is expected But I am confident if your pains be added to your parts your prayers to your pains Gods blessing will be added to your prayers to crown all with successe 1. NOw Bishop Williams was sentenced the second time in the Star-Chamber on this occâ—sion Bishop Williams his second censure Mr. Lambert Osbaston School-master of Westminster wrote a Letter unto him wherein this passage The little vermin the Urchin and Hocus pocus is this stoâ—my Christmas at true and reall variance with the Leviathan Now the Bishop was accused for d vulging scandalous Libells on Privy-Counsellors and that the Archbishop of Canterbury was meant by the former names The Lord Treasurer Weston by the Leviathan because he should have presented the libellous Letter at the receit thereof to some Justice of Peace Anno Dom. and not dispersed the same Anno Regis Carol. 2. The Bishop pleaded that he remembred not the receiving of any such letter that he conceived no law directs the subject to bring to a Justice of Peace Enigmaes or Riddles but plain literall and grammaticall Libells against a known and clearly deciphered Person Mr. Osbaston denyed the words so meant by him and deposed that he intended one Doctor Spicer a Civilian by Hocus Pocus and the Lord Richardson alive when the letter was written but then dead for the Leviathan 3. Here a paper was produced by Mr. Walker the Bishops Secretary and found in a band-box at Bugden wherein the Bishop had thus written unto him Here is a strange thing Mr. Osbaston importunes me to contribute to my Lord Treasurers use some charges upon the little great man and assures me they are mortally out I have utterly refused to meddle in this business and I pray you learn from Mr. S. and Mr. H. if any such falling out be or whether some body hath not guld the Schoolmaster in these three last letters and keep it to your self what I write unto you If my Lord Treasurer would be served by me be must use a more neere solid and trusty Messenger and free me from the bonds of the Star-chamber else let them fight it out for me Now Mr. Walker being pressed by a friend why he would discover this letter to his Masters prejudice averred he brought it forth as a man witness of his innocency and as able to clear him of all in the informaton however it was strongly misunderstood for by comparing both letters together the Court collected the Bishop guilty 4. Sir John Finch fined him a just ten thousand pounds Rotundi numeri causa whom Secretary Windebank did follow The rest brought it down to eight thousand pounds only one Lord thought fitting to impose no fine upon him rendring this reason Qui jacet in terra non habet unde cadet 5. The Bishop already being sequestred from all his Temporall Lands spirituall preferment and his Person imprisoned Mr. Osbaston was sentenced five Thousand pounds loss of his good living at Whethamstede and to have his earâ—s tackt to the Pillory in the presence of his Scholars whom his industry had improved to as great eminency of learning as any of his Predecessors insomuch that he had at the present above fouresore Doctors in the two Universities and three learned faculties all gratefully acknowledging their education under him But this last personall penalty he escaped by going beyond Canterbury conceived seasonably gone beyond the Seas whilst he secretly concealed himself in London 6. All this put not a period to the Bishops troubles 1638 his unsequestred Spirit so supported him 14 that some of his Adversaries frowned because he could smile under so great vexations A design is set a foot either to make him voluntarily surrender his Bishoprick Deanary and dignities permitted perchance a poor Bishoprick in Ireland or else to press his degradation in order whereunto a new information with ten Articles is drawn up against him though for the main but the consequence and deductions of the fault for tampering with Witnesses for which in the 13. of King Charles he had been so severely censured 7. To this the Bishop put in a Plea and Demurrer that Deus non judicat bis in id ipsum God punisheth not the same fault twice that this is the way to make causes immense and punishments infinite that whereas there was two things that Philosophers denied infinitenesse and vacuity Kilvert had found them both in this prosecution infinitenesse in the Bishops cause and vacuity in his purse that the profane wits of this age should begin to doubt of the necessity of beleeving a Hell hereafter Anno Regis Caroli 14 when such eternall punishments are found here in such kind of prosecution Anno Dom. 1638 he added also that he could prove it that it was a conspiracy of Kilverts with other persons if he might have freedome to bring his witnesses against them which because it cast scandal on those who were Pro domino Rege was now denied him 8. Then put he in a Rejoynder and an Appeal unto the next Parliament whensoever it should be assembled pleading his priviledge of Peerage as his freehold and that he could not be degraded of his Orders and Dignities This was filed in the Sâ—ar-Chamber under the Clarks Book and Copies thereof signed with the usuall Officers Now although this was but a poor help no light of a Parliament dawning at that time yet it so far quashed the proceedings that it never came to farther hearing and the matter superseded from any finall Censure 9. And now began Scotland to be an Actor 15 and England 1639 as yet a sad Spectator thereof Scots broileâ— begin as suspecting ere long to feel what â—e beheld There is an Hye Hill in Cumberland called Skiddaw another answering thereto Scrussell by name in Anandale in
mutually censure each other yet many complained that this ceremony though left indifferent as hereafter to salvation was made necessary as here to preferment Yea this knee-mark of bowing or not bowing would be made the distinguishing character that hereafter all such should be condemned as halting in conformity who were not through paced in these addition all ceremonies 25. Many took exception at the hollownesse of the Oath in the middle thereof Second exception having its bowells puffed up with a windie c. a cheverel word which might be stretched as men would measure it Others pleaded for it as only inserted to save the enumeration of many mean Officers in the Church whose mention was beneath the dignity of an Oath and would but clog the same Yea since some have endeavoured to excuse the same by the interpretative c. incorporated into the body of the Covenant whereby people are bound to defend the priviledges of Parliament though what they be is unknown to most that take the same 26. But most took exception against that clause in the Oath Third and greatest exception we will never give any consent to alter this Church-government as if the same were intended to abridge the liberty of King and State in future Parliaments and Convocations if hereafter they saw cause to change any thing therein And this obligation seemed the more unreasonable because some of those Orders specified in the Oath as Archbishops Deans Archdeacons stand only established jure humano sive Ecclesiastico and no wise man ever denied but that by the same power and authority they are alterable on just occasion 27. Yet there wanted not others Endeavoured to be excused who with a favourable sense endâ—avoured to qualify this suspicious clause whereby the taker of this Oath was tied up from consenting to any alteration These argued that if the Authority Civil or Ecclesiasticall did not herein impose an Oath binding those that took it hereafter to disobey themselves and reject such orders which the foresaid Civil or Ecclesiastical power might afterwards lawfully enact or establish For seeing in all oaths this is an undoubted Maxime Quacunque forma verborum juratur Deus sic juramentum accipit sicut ille cui juratur intelligit none can probably suppose that the governors in this oath intended any clause thereof to be an abridgment of their own lawfull power or to debar their inferiours from consenting and submitting to such alterations as by themselves should lawfully be made Wherefore these words We will never give any consent to alter are intended here to be meant only of a voluntary and pragmaticall alteration when men conspire consent labour and endeavour to change the present government of the Church in such particulars as they doe dislike without the consent of their superiours 28. But the exception of exceptions against these Canons The â—ver activity of some Bishops is because they were generally condemned as illegally passed to the prejudice of the fundamentall liberty of the Subject whereof we shall hear enough in the next Parliament Mean time some Bâ—shops were very forward in pressing this Oath even before the time thereof For whereas a liberty was allowed to all to deliberate thereon untill the feast of Michael the Archangel some presently pressed the Ministers of their Diocesses for the taking thereof and to my knowledge enjoyned them to take this oath kneeling A ceremony to my best remembrance never exacted or observed in taking the Oath of Supremacy or Allegiance which some accounted an essay of their activity if providence had not prevented them 29. Many impressions of English-Bibles The importation of false printed Bibles printed at Amsterdam and moe at Edinburgh in Scotland were daily brought over hither and sold here Little their volumes and low their prices as beeing of bad paper worse print little Margent yet greater then the care of the Corrector many most abominable errata being passed therein Take one instance for all Jer. 4. 17. speaking of the whole â—nstead of because she hath been rebellious against mee saith the Lord. Common-wealth of Judah it is printed Edinburgh 1637. because she hath been religious against mee saith the Lord. Many complaints were made especially by the company of Stationers against these false printed Bibles as giving great advantage to the Papists but nothing was therein effected For in this juncture of time came in the Scotish Army and invaded the Northern parts of England What secret solicitations invited them hither is not my work to enquire Many beheld them as the only Physitians of the distempered State and believed that they gave not their Patient a visit on pure charity but having either received or being well promised their fee before 30. Soon after began the long lasting Parliament Parliament and Convocation bâ—gin so known to all posterity for the remarkable transactions therein The King went to the House privately by water many commending his thrift in sparing expences when two Armies in the bowels of the Land expected their pay from his purse Others distinguishing betwixt needlesse Pomp and necessary State suspected this might be misinterpreted as if the Scotch had frighted him out of that Ceremony of Majesty and some feared such an omission presaged that Parliament would end with sadnesse to him which began without any solemnity Abreast therewith began a Convocation though unable long to keep pace together the latter soon tyreing as never inspirited by commission from the King to meddle with any matters of Religion Mr. Warmistre a Clark for Worcester made a motion therein that they should endeavour according to the Leviticall Law to cover the pit which they had opened and to prevent their adversaries intention by condemning such offensive Canons as were made in the last Convocation But it found no acceptance they being loath to confesse themselves guilty before they were accused 31. This day hapned the first fruits of Anabaptisticall insolence The insolence of Anabaptists 1640-41 Jan. 18. when 80 of that Sect meeting at a house in St. Saviours in Southwark preached that the Statute in the 35. of Eliz. for the administration of the Common-Prayer was no good Law because made by Bishops That the King cannot make a good Law because not perfectly regenerate That he was only to be obeyed in Civill matters Being brought before the Lords they confessed the articles but no penalty was inflicted upon them 32. About this time Mr. Prinn The 3 Exiles brought home in Triumph Dr. Bastwick and Mr. Burton were brought out of durance and exile with great Triumph into London it not sâ—fficing their friends to welcome them peaceably but victoriously with bayes and rosemary in their hands and hats Wise men conceived that their private returning to the Town had signifyed as much gratitude to God and lesse affront to authority But some wildnesse of the looks must be pardoned in such who came suddenly into the light out of long darknesse
same purpose to prepare matters fit for their cognizance the Bishop of Lincoln having the Chair in both authorized to call together divers Bishops and Divines to consult together for correction of what was amisse and to settle peace viz. b More were named but these chiefly were present The Archbishop of Armagh The Bishop of Durham The Bishop of Exeter Doctor Samuel Ward Doctor John Prideaux Doctor William Twisse Doctor Robert Sanderson Doctor Daniel Featlyâ— Doctor Ralph Brounrigg Doctor Richard Holdsworth Doctor John Hacket Doctor Cornelius Burges Master John White Master Stephen Marshall Master Edmund Calamy Master Thomas Hill Jerusalem-Chamber in the Dean of Westminsters house was the place of their meeting where they had solemn debates six severall dayes alwaies entertained at his Table with such bountifull chear as well became a Bishop But this we behold as the last course of all publick-Episcopall-Treatments whose Guests may now even put up their Knives seeing soon after the Voider was called for which took away all Bishops lands and most of English-Hospitality 47. First they took the Innovations of Doctrine into consideration They consult on Innovations in Doctrin and here some complained that all the tenets of the Councell of Trent had by one or other been preached and printed abating only such points of State-Popery gainst the Kings Supremacy made treason by the Statute Good works co-co-causes with faith by justification private confession by particular enumeration of sinnes needfull necessitate medii to salvation that the oblation or as others the consumption of the Elements in the Lords-Supper holdeth the nature of a true sacrifice prayers for the dead lawfulnesse of monasticall vowes the grosse substance of Arminianism and some dangerous points of Socintanisme 48. Secondly And in discipline they enquired into preter-canonicall conformity and innovations in discipline Advancing Candlesticks in parochiall Churches in the day time on the Altar so called Making Canopyes over with traverses of Curtains in imitation of the Vaile before the Holy of Holyes on each side and before it Having a credentia or side-Table as a Chappel of ease to the Mother Altar for divers uses in the Lords Supper Forbidding a direct prayer before Sermon and Ministers to expound the Catechism at large to their Parishioners carrying children when baptized to the Altar so called and there offering them up to God pretending for some of these innovations the injunctions and advertisements of Queen Eliz. which are not in force and appertaining to the printed Liturgy secundo tertio Edvardi sexti which is reformed by Parliament 49. Thirdly And concerning the Common-Prayer they consulted about the Common Prayer-Book whether some legendary and some much doubted saints with some superstitious memorialls were not to be expunged the calendar c This I did write out of the private notes of one of the Committe Whether it was not fit that the Lessons should be only out of Canonicall Scripture the Epistles Gospells Psalmes and Hymes to be read in the nâ—w translation c. Whether times prohibited for Marriage are not totally to be taken away Whether it were not fit that hereafter none should have a Licence or have their Banes of Matrimony asked save such who should bring a Certificate from their Minister that they were instructed in their Catechism Whether the Rubick is not to be mended altered and explained in many particulars 50. Lastly And regulation of government they entered on the regulating of Ecclesiasticall government which was not brought in because the Bishop of Lincoln has undertaken the draught thereof but not finished it as imployed at the same time in the managing of many matters of State so easy it is for a great person never to be at leisure to doe what he hath no great minde should be done 51. Some are of opinion that the moderation and mutuall compliance of these Divines Divers opinions what this conference might have produced might have produced much good if not interrupted conceiving such lopping might have saved the felling of Episcopacy Yea they are confident had this expedient been pursued and perfected Troiaque nunc stares Priamique arx alta maneres Troy still had stood in power And King Priams lofty Tower Had remained at this hower it might under God have been a means not only to have checkt but choakt our civill War in the infancy thereof But the Court prelates expected no good from the result of this meeting suspecting the Doctrinal Puritans as they nicknamed them joyned with the Disciplinary Puritans would betray the Church betwixt them Some hot spirits would not have one ace of episcopal power or profit abated and though since confuted by their own hunger preferred no bread before half a loaf These maintained that any giving back of ground was in effect the granting of the day to the opposit party so covetous they be to multiply their cravings on the others concessions But what the issue of this conference concluded would have been is only known to him who knew what * 1 Sam. 23. 12. the Men of Keilah would doe and whose prescience extends not only to things future but futurable having the certain cognisance of contingents which might yet never actually shall come to passe 52. This consultation continued till the middle of May Broken off and the weaving thereof was fairly forward on the Loome when Atropos occat the bringing in the Bill against Deanes and Chapters Root and Branch Anno Dom. 1641 Anno Regis Caroli 16 cut off all the threds putting such a distance betwixt the fore-said Divines that never their Judgements and scarce their Persons met after together 53. In the midst of these troublesome times Aprill 21. John Davenant Bishop of Salâ—sbury ended his life The dâ—ath of Bâ—shâ—p Davenant His Father was a wealthy and religious Citizen of London but born at Davenants-lands in Sible Heningham in Essex Where his Ancestours had continued in a worshipfull degree from Sir John Davenant who lived in the time of King Henry the third He bred his sonne a Fellow Commoner in Queens-Colledge in Cambridge and would not suffer him to accept a Fellowship though offered as conceiving it a bending of these places from the direct intent of the Founders when they are bestowed on such as have plenty Though indeed such preferments are appointed as well for the reward of those that are worthy as the relief of those that want and after his Fathers death he was chosen into that Society In his youthfull exercises he gave such an earnest of his future maturity that Dr. Whitacre hearing him dispute said The he would in time prove the Honour of the University A Prediction that proved not untrue when afterward he was chosen Margaret Professour of Divinity being as yet but a private Fellow of the Colledge Whereof some yeers after he was made Master and at last Bishop of Salisbury Where with what gravity and moderation he behaved
They are loath therefore to make a blind promise for fear of a lame performance 19. As for the Reforming of Religion which necessarily implies a changing thereof of England Nor without a double scandal and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government they cannot consent thereunto without manifest scandal both to Papists and Separatists For besides that they shall desert that just cause which many pious Martyrs Bishops and Divines of our Church have defended both with their inke and blood writings and sufferings hereby they shall advantage the cavils of Papists against our Religion taxing it of uncertainty not knowing where to fix our feet as allways altering the same Yea they shall not only supply Papists with pleas for their Recusancy Sectaries for their Separation acknowledging something in our Church-Doctrine and Service not well agreeing with Gods-word but also shall implicitly confess Papists unjustly punished by the Penal-Statutes for not conforming with us to the same Publick-Service wherein somethings are by our selves as well as them misliked and disallowed 20. Nor can they take this Covenant without injury and perjury to themselves Injury to themselves Injurie by insnaring their consciences credits and estates if endeavouring to reform Religion under the notion of faulty and vicious to which formerly they had subscribed enjoyned thereto by the b b 13. Eliz. cap. 12. Law of the Land not yet abrogated never as yet checked by the regrets of their own consciences nor confuted by the reasons of others for the doing thereof 21. Perjury Perjury to their souls as contrary to the Protestation and solemn vow they had c c May the 5. 1641. lately taken and Oath of Supremacy swearing therein to defend all the Kings Rights and Priviledges whereof His Spiritual Jurisdiction in reforming Church-matters is a principal Now although a latter oath may be corroborative of the former or constructive of a new obligation consistent therewith yet can it not be inductive of a tie contrary to an oath lawfully taken before Exceptions to the Second Article 22. It grieveth them therein to see Prelacy so unequally yoak'd Ill but forc'd 〈◊〉 of Prelacy Popery being put before it Superstition Heresie Schisme and Prophaneness following after Such the pleasure of those that placed them though nothing akin in themselves But a captive by the power of others may be fettered to those whom he hates and abhorres Consent they cannot to the extirpation of Prelacy Foure reasons against extirpation of Prelacy neither in respect Of 1 The thing it self being perswaded that neither Papal Monarchie nor Presbyterian Democracie nor Independant Anarchie are so conformable to the Scriptures as Episcopal Aristocracy being if not of Divine in a strict sence of Apostolical Institution confirmed with Church-practice the best Comment on Scripture when obscure for 1500 years and bottomed on the same foundation with Infants-Baptisme National Churches observing the Lords-day and the like 2 Themselves of whom 1 All when taking degrees in the University 2 Most as many as are entred into Holy-Orders 3 Not a few when lately petitioning the Parliament for the continuing of Episcopacy 4 Some being members of Cathedral and Collegiate Churches have subscribed with their hands and with their corporal oaths avowed the justification and defence of that government 3 Church of England fearing many mischiefs from this alteration felt sooner than seen in all great and sudden changes especially because the Ecclesiastical Government is so interwoven in many Statutes of the land And if Schisms so encrease on the Suspension what is to be expected on the Extirpation of Episcopacy 4 His Majesty as contrary to their Oath of Supremacy wherein they were bound to maintain His Priviledges amongst which a principal is that He is Supreme moderator over all Causes and Persons Spiritual wherein no change is to be attempted without his consent Dignity The Collations of Bishopricks and Deanries with their profits in their vacancies belonging unto Him and the First-fruits and Tenths of Ecclesiastical Dignities a considerable part of the Royal Revenue Here we omit their Plea whose chief means consisting of Cathedral preferment alledge the like not done from the beginning of the world that men though deserving deprivation for their offences should be forced to swear sincerely seriously and from their souls to endeavour the rooting out of that whence their best livelihood doth depend Exceptions against the Third Article 23. It grieveth them herein to be sworn to the Preservation of the Priviledges of Parliament and liberties of the Kingdom at large and without any restriction being bound in the following words to defend the Kings person and Authority as limited in the preservation and defence of true Religion and the Liberties of the Realm enlarging the former that the later may be the more confined 24. They are jealous what should be the cause of the inversion of the method seeing in the Solemn Vow and Protestation the Defence of the Kings Person and Authority is put first which in this Covenant is postposed to the Priviledges of Parliament However seeing the Protestation was first taken the Covenant as the younger cannot disinherit the elder of the possession which it hath quietly taken in mens consciences Exceptions to the Fourth Article 25. They are unsatisfied whether the same imposeth not a necessity for children to prosecute their Parents even to death under the notion of Malignants against all rules of Religion and humanity For even in case of Idolatry children under the old * * Deut. 13. 6. law were not bound publickly to accuse their Parents so as to bring them to be stoned for the same though such unnaturall cruelty be foretold by our * * Mat. 10. 21. Saviour to fall out under the Gospell of those that shall rise up against their Parents and cause them to be put to death Exceptions to the Fifth Article 26. They understand not what is meant therein by the happiness of a blessed peace betwixt these Kingdoms whereof Ireland must needs be one whilest the same is rent with a wofull warr and the other two lands distracted with homebred discords whereof no settlement can be hoped untill first all interests be equally stated and the Kings Authority Priviledges of Parliament and Liberties of Subjects justly bounded and carefully preserved Exceptions to the Sixth Article 27. They are unsatisfied therein as wholy hypothetical supposing what as yet is not cleared by solid arguments viz. that this is the common cause of Religion Liberty and peace of the Realms c. And if the same be granted it appeareth not to their conscience that the means used to promote this Cause are so lawfull and free from just objections which may be raised from the Laws of God and man Exceptions to the Conclusion 28. They quake at the mention that the taking of this Covenant should encourage other Churches groaning under the yoak of Antichristian Tyranny to joyn in the same fearing the dangerous consequences
this may produce to forraign Protestants and inrage Popish Princes in whose Dominions they live to cruelty against them as disaffected to their Government Besides when Divine Providence layeth such burthens on his servants even the yoak of Antichrist is then the yoak of Christ not to be thrown off with force but to be born with the confession of the truth prayers patience and Christian courage 29. So much concerning the Covenant which some three moneths after began to be rigorously and generally urged Nor have I ought else to observe thereof save to adde in mine own defence that I never saw the same except at distance as hung up in Churches nor ever had any occasion to read or hear it read till this * * July 1 1654. day in writing my History what ever hath been reported and printed to the contrary of my taking thereof in London who went away from the Savoy to the Kings quarters long before any mention thereof in England 30. True it is The Authors plea in his own just defence there was an Oath which never exceeded the Line of Communication meeting with so much opposition that it expired in the infancy thereof about the time when the plot was discovered for which M r Tomkins and M r Chaloner suffered This was tendered to me and taken by me in the Vestry of the Savoy-Church but first protesting some limitations thereof to my self This not satisfying was complained of by some persons present to the Parliament where it was ordered that the next Lords-day I should take the same oath in terminis terminantibus in the face of the Church which not agreeing with my conscience I withdrew my self into the Kings parts which I hope I may no less safely than I do freely confess because punished for the same with the loss of my livelihood and since I suppose pardoned in the Act of Oblivion 31. Now began the great and generall purgation of the Clergie in the Parliaments quarters The Parliaments purge to the Clergy many being outed for their misdemeanours by the Committee appointed for that purpose Some of their offences were so foul it is a shame to report them crying to Justice for punishment Indeed Constantine the Christian Emperour was wont to say If I see a Clergie-man offending I will cover him with my cloak but surely he meant such offences as are frailties and infirmities no scandalous enormities Such unsavoury salt is good for nothing * * Luke 14. 33. no not for the dunghil because as the savour is lost which makes it usefull so the fretting is left which makes it useless whereby it is so far from being good compost to fatten ground that it doth rather embarren it Let Baal therefore plead for it self nothing can be said in their Excuse if what was the main matter their crimes were sufficiently proved 32. But as to the point The expelled Clergies plea. hear what the Royalâ—sts at Oxford say for their Friends whilst they conceive themselves to take just exceptions at the proceedings against these Ministers 1. Some of their faults were so foule that the * * Centu. p. 1. foulness of them is all that can be pleaded for them For being Capital the persons deserved to be outed of life not of living which leaves a suspicion of imperfect proof 2. The Witnesses against them were seldom deposed on oath but their bare complaints beleeved 3. Many of the Complainers were factious people those most accusing their Sermons who least heard them and who since have deserted the Church as hating the Profession of the Ministery 4. Many were charged with delivering false-Doctrine whose positions were sound at the least disputable Such those accused for preaching that Baptism Washeth away Original sin which the most Learned and honest in the Assembly in some sense will not deny namely that in the Children of God it cleanseth the condemning and final peaceable commanding power of Original sin though the stain and blemish thereof doth still remain 5. Some were merely outed for their affections to the Kings cause and what was malignity at London was Loyalty at Oxford Yea many moderate men of the Opposite Party much bemoaned such severity that some Clergie-men blameless for life and Orthodox for Doctrine were only ejected on the account of their faithfulness to the Kings Cause And as much corruption was let out by this Ejection many Scandalous Ministers deservedly punished so at the same time the veins of the English Church were also emptied of much good blood some inoffensive Pastours which hath made her Body Hydropical ever since ill humors succeeding in the room by reason of too large and suddain evacuation But others of a more violent temper excused all the present necessity of the Cause requiring it All Pulpits in the Parliament quarters must be made like the whole earth before the building of Babel of one language and of one speech or else all may be destroyed by the mixture of other Doctrines And better a mischief to few then an inconvenience to all Safer that some suppose unjustly suffer then that the success of the whole cause should be endangered 33 Then came forth a Book called the First Century The first Century why without a second containing the names of an hundred Divines sequestred for their faults with a promise of a second Nov. 19. which to my knowledge never came forth Whether because the Author of the former was sensible that the subject was generally odious or because the death of M r White Licenser thereof prevented any addition or whether because disswaded from the Designe suspecting a retaliation from Oxford Sure I have been informed that when some solicited his Majesty for leave to set forth a Book of the vicious lives of some Parliament Ministers His Majesty blasted the designe partly because recrimination is no purgation partly least the Publick enemy of the Protestant Religion should make an advantage thereof 34. To supply the vacant places Vacant livings how supplied many young Students whose Orders got the speed of their Degrees left the Vniversities Other Ministers turned Duallists and Pluralists it being now charity what was formerly covetoâ—sness to hold two or three Benefices These could plead for themselves the practice of * * Fox Act. Mâ—n p 1494. in An. 1555. M r Sanders the Martyr who held two Livings at good distance because he could not resigne one but into the hands of a Papist as these men would not surrender them to Malignants Many Vicaridges of great Cure but small value were without Ministers whilst rich matches have many Suitors they may die Virgins that have no portions to prefer them which was often complained of seldom redressed it passing for a currant maxime it was safer for people to fast then to feed on the poyson of Malignant Pastours 35. Let us now look a little into the Assembly of Divines Dissenting Brethren first appear in the Assembly
unto him D r Williams waving and slighting all mony requested foure Books being the collections of the Lord his industry learning and experience concerning 1. The Prerogative Royall 2. Priviledges of Parliaments 3. The proceedings in Chancery 4. The power of the Starr-Chamber These were no sooner asked then granted and the Doctor afterwards copied out these foure Books into his own brains Books which were the foure elements of our English State and he made an absolute Master of all the materials that is of all the passages therein seeing nothing superfluous was therein recorded 16. By the Duke of Buckingham whom he had married to the daughter of the Earle of Rutland he presented these Books to King James The means of his speedy and great preferment Then did His Majesty first take notice of his extraordinary abilities soon after preferring him by the Dukes mediation to the Deanry of Westminster Bishop of Lincolne and Keepers place of the Great Seal till he lost the last in the first of King Charls as hath formerly been related 17. I dare confidently avouch what I knowingly speak The original breach betwixt the Duke and Lord Keeper that the following passage was the motus primò primus of the breach betwixt him and the Duke There was one D r Theodore Price a Welsh man highly beloved both by Bishop Williams and BP Land so that therein the rule did not hold Those that agree in one third agree among themselves these two Prelates mutually mortal enemies meeting in the love of this Doctor Now the Archbishoprick of Armagh in Ireland falling vacant Bishop Williams moved the Duke for D r Price his country man to whom the Duke answered that King James had by promise fore-disposed the place on the Bishop of Meath D r James Vsher one whose deserts were sufficiently known Not satisfied herewith Bishop Williams by his own interest endeavoured to bring D r Price into the place The Duke understanding that he who formerly professed a subordination to at the least a concurrence with his desires should now offer to contest with him resolved that seeing the Lord-Keeper would not own himself to stand by his love the world should see he should fall by his anger and this ministred the first occasion to his ruine And when once the Alarum was sounded of the Dukes displeasure no Courtier so deaf and drowsie but did take the same And all things concurred to his disadvantage This is that D r Theodore Price afterwards died a professed Catholick reconciled to the Church of Rome 18. Yet after his resigning the Seal Not contented with his own wish faire preferment was left unto him could he have consined his large heart thereunto I meet with a passage in a * Cabala or Scrinia Sacra part 1 p. 59. letter from this Lord-Keeper to the Duke wherein he professeth calling God to witness that the Lord-Keeper troubled with many miseries wherewith suddain greatness is accompanied envied the fortunes of one D r Williams late Dean of Westminster Be this a truth or a complement what he formerly envied now he enjoyed returned to a plentifull privacie not only of the Deanry of Westminster but Bishoprick of Lincoln which he held with the same But alass when our desires are forced on us by our foes they do not delight but afflict The same step is not the same step when we take it aseendendo in hopes to higher preferment and when we light upon it descendendo or are remitted unto it as falling from higher advancement The Bishop is impatient for being less than he had been and there wanted not those secret enemies to improve his discontents to his disgrace almost destruction as fining in the Star-Chamber and long imprisoning in the Tower 19. Now came that Parliament so much wished for Enlarged out of the Tower and made Arch-Bishop of York that many feared it would never begin 1640. and afterwards oh the mutability of desires or change of things desired the same feared it would never have an end Then is Bishop Williams sent for out of the Tower brought to Parliament advanced to the Arch-Bishoprick of York and is the Antesignanus of the Episcopal party to defend it in the House of Lords as best armed with his power and experience against a volly of affronts and oppositions 20. Once when His Majesty saw him earnest in the defence of Episcopacy then opposed by Parliament His pleasant answer to the King My Lord saith the King I commend you that you are no whit daunted with all disasters but are zealous in defending your Order Please it your Majesty returned the Arch-Bishop I am a true Welshman and they are observed never to run away till their Generall do first forsake them No fear of my flinching whilest your Highness doth countenance our cause But soon after he was imprisoned about the Bishops Protestation to the Parliament and with great difficulty obtained his liberty as was afore observed 21. Retiring himself into North-Wales where his birth Retires into North-Wales and sinks by degrees into disfavour estate alliance but chiefly hospitality did make him popular he had a great but endeavoured a greater influence on those parts It gave some distast that in all consultations he would have his advise pass for an oracle not to be contested with much less controled by any But vast the difference betwixt his Orders in Chancery armed with power to enforce obedience and his counsell here which many Military men as in their own element took the boldness to contradict Buff-coats often rubb'd and grated against this Prelats silk Cassock which because of the softer matter was the sooner fretted therewith Indeed he endeavoured as much as might be to preserve his country from taxes an acceptable and ingratiating designe with the people but sometimes inconsistent with the Kings present and pressing necessities All his words and deeds are represented at Oxford where his Court-interest did daily decline to his disadvantage and some jealousies are raised of his cordialness to the Royal Cause 22. At last some great Affronts were put upon him increased with his tender resenting of them Incensed with great affronts being himself as I have been informed put out of Commission and another placed in his room A disgrace so much the more insupportable to his high Spirit because he conceived himself much meriting of his Majesty by his loyalty industry ability and expence in his Cause who hitherto had spared neither care nor cost in advancing the same even to the impairing of his own estate 23. But now he entereth on a designe Takes a Commission from the Parliament which had I line and plummet I want skill to manage them in measuring the depth thereof He sueth to the Parliament for favour and obtained it whose General in a manner he becomes in laying siege to the Town and Castle of Abercon-way till he had reduced it to their service and much of the Town to
there to perform their Acts and pay the Beadles their sees which formerly they refused and this was some years before the coming of the Crowland-Professors hither 3. Probably some emulation not to say envie a canker we finde fretting the fairest flowers might make some distance betwixt the old stock of standing Scholars in Cambridge and this new addition of Professors Our Aunt Oxford may easily remember what little love yea how great grudging there was betwixt her ancient Students and that new plantation of Scholars which S t. * Vide suprà Bo. 2. Centur 8. Grimbal under King Alfred first placed there 4. The marvellous increase of learning in Cambridge in so short a time after the coming of the Crowland Professors thither is justly imputed to this cause for that Cambridge had formerly been a place of learning Thus when green-wood is long is kindling brands which before were half burnt and then quenched doe quickly take fire and presently blaze into a bright flame In a word such men who have made remarkable additions to what was begun long before oftentimes as proudly as falsly conceit themselves the first Founders thereof Thus p Dan. 4. 30. Nebuchadnezzar Is not this great Babylon that I have built whereas he and all the world knew that Semiramis built it a thousand yeers before his cradle was made though he no doubt might strengthen enlarge and beautifie the same And as Restorers are apt to mistake themselves for the Founders so by infection of the same error the Spectators of such Repairers are prone to mis-interpret them for Beginners as here these Crowland-Professors are erroneously apprehended the Founders of Cambridge Thus the river Anas in Spain after it hath runne above sixty miles under ground may be by ignorant people conceived to have his Birth his fountain there wherein truth he hath but his Resurrection at his springing out of earth the second time And thus sluggards in the morning count the Sunne but then to arise when it newly breaks forth of a cloud and was risen some hours before 16. Pain Peverell Stander-bearer to Robert Duke of Normandy in the Holy-Land 13 removed Picot his foundation from S t. 1112 Giles in Cambridge where they were pent for room to a larger place of thirteen acres at Barnewell Pain Peverel foundâ— Barnewell Priorie about a mile off where one Godesonn formerly led an Eremitical life This Peverell encreased the number of those Canons from six to thirty because forsooth at that time he was just thirty yeers old and endowed them with large revenues Afterwards in process of time Barnwell became a prime Priorie through the bounty of many Benefactors and able at the dissolution of Abbies to expend of old rents low rated three hundred fifty one pounds fifteen shillings four pence Insomuch that the Prior thereof in the fourty ninth year of King Henry the third by Writ bearing date at Woodstock the twenty fourth of December was with many moe voluntariè summonitus freely summoned saith the Record to be present as a Baron in Parliament But let him make much of this favour which never before or after was bestowed upon him or his successors These Black-Canons of Barnewell were generally kind neighbours to the Scholars and their Prior did sometimes good offices unto them 17. Now amongst the eminent Scholars Alphred of Beverlie Student in Cambridge who at this time studied in Cambridge 1129 Alphred of Beverley was of especial note 30 He was born in Yorkshire lived many yeers in Cambridge to gain learning q Bale De Scriptor Britan Cent. 2. pag. 157. where he attained to be an excellent Philosopher Divine and Historian Returning into his native countrey at Beverlie he wrote the History of the British Nation from the beginning of the world unto his ownage which work was by him truly and elegantly composed He is commonly surnamed the Treasurer a title given him as I conceive not for bearing that office in his Covent but from his diligent searching discreet selecting methodical compiling and carefull preserving or treasuring up pretious passages of former ages for the use of Posterity This Alphred when living in Cambridge maintained himself as the rest of the Students there on his own cost every Scholar in that age being his own Founder and Benefactor For as yet no publique Halls or Hostles were built for to receive them but each one lived as r Acts 28. 30. S t. Paul at Rome in his own hired house as they could contract with the Townsmen who unconscionably improving themselves on the Scholars necessities extorted unreasonable rents from them as hereafter God willing shall appear 18. And here I must admire one thing and shall be thankful to such who will cure my wonder Unwonder me this wonder by shewing me the cause of that I wonder at What might be the reason that Monks and Friers in this age had such stately houses rich endowments plentifull maintenance whilest Students in the Universitie had poor chambers hard fare short means and that on their own or parents charges and yet there was more honesty industry painfulnesse and piety within the study of one Scholar than the cells of an hundred Monks Some perchance will impute this to the fancie of men lapping dandling and feeding Monkies and Marmosets whiles Creatures of more use are lesse regarded Others will say It was becauuse Scholars studied the liberall Monks the lucrative Sciences University men were more busied in reading Books than numbling of Masses and praying for the dead the main matter which brought grift to the Monks mill Whatever was the secret cause this was the apparent effect thereof Scholars as they were lean so they were lively attracted less envie procured more love endured more labour which made them to last and to live after the destruction of the other 19. William Meschines The first Earle of Cambridge brother to Ranulph Earl of Chester 1139 was by King Stephen made the first Earl of Cambridge Steph. 4 And it is no small credit to Cambridge that after this William none were ever honoured with that title but such who were Princes of the Blood Royall either actuall Kings of Scotland or Kings sons or nephews of England or forain and free Princes of their next alliance as hereafter God willing will appear at their several creations So carefull were our English Kings in choosing such persons for the place who receiving honor from so famous an Universitie might also by their high birth and honourable demeanor return lustre thereunto 20. For after the death of this Meschines David King of Scoâ—s Earl of Cambridge one may confidently pronounce that David King of the Scots commonly called S t. David was Earl of Cambridge And although his Chatter cannot be produced with the formalities used at his creation modern ceremonies at the investing of Counts not being used in that age yet Anno Regis Steph. that he was
character most unlike from the rest and different in the whole kinde for the fashion thereof betrayeth it to be most corrupted For where doe we finde that in the year of our Lord 1246 amongst good Authors and of ancient faith there were so great discords in Cambridge as to drive the Students to Northampton Here is too much for me to manage at once we will parcel it for the more effectuall examination thereof this being the first time that I have to doe with this adventurous Author Wee know that if a Merchants Bill be once protested against in the Exchange he will scarce ever after recover his credit and if at first we can discover the falshood of this our adversary it will for ever give a mortal wound to his reputation and ease us of much trouble hereafter 54. First he mentioneth Oxford-monuments transcribed by Robert Hare Quick eyes to finde a fault where none is This Hare was an Esquire of good worship and wealth a great lover and preserver properties never parted of Antiquities He carefully collected the precious monuments of both Universities caused them fairly to be transcribed and freely bestowed a Duplicate or double copie on each of them A gift worthy the giver and the receiver as of no less cost and pains to the one than credit and profit to the other Now it seemes Brian Twyne with his piercing sight is the Columbus who by the different character hath discovered a new not world but word namely Cambridge in the Kings letter to Northampton put in stead of Oxford This he calls as well he may mendum a fault in Hares Transcript which indeed was a falshood and if wilfully done a forgery and the doer thereof if detected deserving to be Pilloried for his pain 55 But 49 when and how 1265 I pray Answer this Dilemma came this Cambridge to be surreptitiously inserted in stead of Oxford into that Transcript of Hare Was it done by himself or some other originally I mean before those Manuscripts were bestowed on the universitie To allow this were to offer an injurie to the honestie or vigilancie of that worthy Antiquary Or was the false inscription made cunningly by some Cambridge-man since those Manuscripts came into the possession of Oxford If so shame on the careless keepers of so pretious a treasure I presume our Muniments at Cambridge are more safely preserved 56. I pass not what is or is not written in Hare his Transcript The Tower Records clear the cavill He that may with as much ease goe to the fountain and yet will drink of the durty River deserveth no pity if choaked or rather if choaking himself with the mud thereof I appeale to the Records of the Tower of London whence Hare his writings were copied out which are the Author of Authors for English History because 1. They may be said to have lived in the time and place wherein all things are acted 2. They are impartiall not Osier-like bowing to any Interest but standing like a firm pillar to support the truth 3. They are safely preserved and long may they be in defiance of barbarous Anarchy which otherwise would make a bone fire or new light of those precious monuments I say I repaired to the Records in the Tower where I searched for and found out the aforesaid Kings letter by us lately exemplified that the troubles of Cambridge three years since were the cause of the founding of the University at Northampton This letter I got transcribed compared attested by Mr. William Ryley the elder Keeper of those Records and Norroy King of Armes Who like a Prince indeed freely gave me his pains which I commend to the Reader his thankfull notice because otherwise I must have charged the cost on his account raising the rate of my Book to make my self a saver thereby 57. But our Adversary proceeds A needlesse question declined and demandeth where we read in any good Author that in the year 1246 such discords happened at Cambridge as should drive the Scholars to Northampton We answer First we Cambridge-men are not ambitious of such discords let us but retain the Scholars and let any place that pleaseth take those differences to themselves Secondly we never said nor thought that such broyles were in Cambridge anno 1246 but this we affirm That three years since p An half year over of under breaks no square namely in the 46 th of Henry the third which falls out to be the year of our Lord 1262 cruel bickerings were betwixt the Northern and Southern men in our University and perchance the like might be by secret Sympathy in Oxford which as we have proved before caused the departure of many to Northampton 58. Some will say Why Oxford more prejudiced than Cambridge by Northampton University seeing only mention is made in the Kings Letters to null Northampton-University because probable to prove prejudicial to Oxford it seems thereby that Cambridge at this time was not considerable at least wise the King not so carefull for the preservation thereof It is answered The erection of an University at Northampton by reason of the position of the place must needs be a greater hurt to Oxford than hindrance to Cambridge for Cambridge lieth conveniently for the North and East parts Oxford commodiously for the South and West parts of England Now Northampton lying within twenty nine scruples of the same degree of longitude with Oxford would almost share equally with Oxford in the Western division of the land whilest Cambridge-quarters as on the other side of the Kingdome would be clear and little prejudiced thereby But enough hereof We proceed in our History Reverendissimo Antistiti JACOBO USSERIO ARCHIEPISCOPO ARMACHANO DOMINO suo colendissimo CVm mihi * * Pag 752. qui annos varia doctrina judicio longe superat Camdeni Britanniam perlegenti locus occurreret ubi meminit Jacobi Usserii tunc Cancellarii sancti Patricii Dublinensis supra aetatem docti variis de causis me primûm invasit tandem absorpsit admiratio Quòd tua indoles tantùm festinaret quâ juvenis id assecutus es quod vel viris paucissimis datur Quòd cùm communis querela sit optima ingenia minimè diurnare Tu Dei favore adhuc superstes es quinquaginta annis à quo hoc Camdeniano elogio decoratus fuisti Quòd Caleb alter nostri seculi Tibi hucusque judicium firmum ingenium vividum memoria tenax animus integer UTinam idem licuisset de corpusculo Tuo dicere quod nimiis studiis maceratum senio aliquantulum cedere incipit At adhuc superest summus admirationis meae gradus tua in tanta eruditione suspicienda humilitas cum ferè fit ut illi omnes quibus aliquid inest sublime praecellens protinus inflentur alios facilè contemnant dum Tu tenuitatem meam favore Tuo beâsti in qua nihil quod alliceret plurima quae Te depellerent
1332 in order whereunto K. Edward foundeth Kings Hall he had for some years maintained 32 Scholars in the University occasioning the mistake of John Rouse reporting he built a Colledge therein laid the foundation of KINGS HALL out of some remorse that he had consented to the death of so affectionate a Father As one so transported with the news of the birth of his son that he gave to one John Langer a Knight three hundred pounds pro primo rumore quem idem Johannes tulit Edvardo secundo de nativitate filii sui with a pension paid unto him many a Pat. 5 E. 3. Rot. 2. men 7. yeers after Masters Benefactors Bishops Learned Writers Coll. Livings 1 Mr. Tho. Powis 2 Mr. Tho. Hetorset 3 Mr. Radulph Selbie 4 Mr. Ric. Dearham 5 Mr. Jo. Stone 6 Mr. Ric. Holmes 7 Mr. Rob. Fitz-bugh 8 Mr. Ric. Cawdrey 9 Mr. Rob. Ascough 10 Mr. Ric. Listrope 11 Mr. Hen. Booste 12 Mr. Rich. le Scroope 13 Mr. Galfr Blyth K. Rich. 2. gave 53 l. yearly out of the mannor of Chesterton c. in lieu of so much they formerly received out of the Exchequer with much trouble and over and above 70 yearly out of the pensions of severall Abbeys K. Henry the fourth gave them leave to pluck down the stately Hall in Cambridge Castle therewith to build their Chappell K. Hen. 6. gave them 120 volumes and freed them from all accounting in the Exchequer K. Edw. 4. gave them 8 marks to be payed by the Sheriff of Cambridge-shire yearly thereby to buy two Robes Robert Fitzhugh Bishop of London 1431.  Felmersham Vic. Linc. Dioc. valued at 13 l. 13 s. 4 d. Henclesham Norwich Dioc. Grindon Vic. Peterb Dioc. valued at 8 l. St. Mary Cant. Ely Dioc. Chesterton Vic. Ely Dioc. valued at 10 l. 12 s. 3. I had put Pope Eugenius the fourth in the catalogue of Benefactors to this Hall till I discovered his bounty resolved into a point of revenge For at the instance of King Henry the sixth he possessed on this Hall of the Rectory of Chesterton nigh Cambridge formerly ingrossed as many other English Benefices in that age by an Alien William Bishop of Millain from whom the Pope b R. Parker in Sceletos Cantab MS. extorted it because he sided against him with Amadeus Duke of Savoy aliàs Pope Felix the fift in the Councill of Basill 47. This Hall then surpassed any Colledge in the University Three eminencies of this Hall in a three-fold respect 1. For building being of such receipt that it could entertain the Kings Court without disturbance to the Students 2. For lands though not effectually endowed by King Edward till about the end of his reign for the maintenance of one Custos and thirty three Scholars under him 3. For learning Anno Dom. many grave Seniors residing therein Anno Regis Edw. 3. so that this house was accounted c Idem Ibid. Oraculum Academiae The greater therefore our grief that for want of intelligence all the Records of this Hall being lost our columne for learned Writers standeth so empty herein This Hall at this day is united with others in Trinity Colledge on the North-gate whereof standeth the stately statue of King Edward the third in Armor 48. We must not forget how the Master and Fellows of this House were complained of Tempora mutantur that they did Epicure it in daily exceedings as indeed where should men fare well if not in a Kings Hall Hereupon they of their own accord petitioned King Henry the fourth that they might be stinted not to exceed weekly d Caeius Hist Cant. Acad. lib. 1 pag. 66. eighteen or at the highest twenty pence in their commons the last two pence being allowed them onely in case of dearness of victuals and festival solemnities 49. This House had one peculiar happiness The happiness of this Hall being of Royall descent of both sides I mean founded by King Edward the third the founder of the two houses of York and Lancaster both deriving themselves from his body Hence it was that during the Civil warres it found favour from the Kings of both lines Whereas afterwards such Colledges which were as I may say but of the half blood built either by some Prince of Lancaster or York felt in process of time the anger of the one because of the love of the other Queens Colledge may be partly and Kings Colledge too plainly a pregnant instance thereof 50. Nor was King Edward bountifull to this Hall alone Priviledges granted by K Edward the third to the University but a great benefactor to the whole University on which he conferred priviledges whereof these the principal 1. The Maior of the Town should make essay of the bread whether the weight according to statute as oft as the Vice-Chancellor should require him 2. That the Chancellor should receive the oathes of the Maior Baylifs and Aldermen 3. The Licence should be given to the University to appropriate any Church thereunto of 40. l. yearly revenue 4. That the Chancellor should not be disquieted for the imprisoning of such offenders which he conceived deserving the same 5. That such who imprisoned by the Vice-Chancellor should not be set free by the Kings writ 6. That Masters of Arts should not be cited out of the University into the Court of Christianity 7. That the Chancellor should take cognizance of all causes wherein Scholars were concerned these of Maime and Felonies only excepted Many immunities of lesser consequence did this King bestow on Cambridge here too redious to be repeated largely exemplified and carefully preserved in the University Muniments Robert de Milden-Hall 1334 D r. of Divinitie Chancellor 9 Henrie de Herwarden 1335 D r. of Law Chancellor 10 Richard de Harling 1337 D r. of Law Chancellor 12 Robert de Lung 1339 Chancellor 14 51. William A German Marquess made Earl of Cambridge Marquess of Juliers 1340 is created by King Edward the third 15 the fourth Earle of Cambridge accounting this lesse honour no degradation but advancement unto him nor the motion retrogade from a Germane Marquesse to an English Earle whilest graced with the title of so famous an University And this stil justifies our former observation that the first Earle alone excepted none were dignified with the title of Cambridge but either forain free Princes or some neerly allied to the Royall blood of England 52. This yeer John Earl of Hanault brother to Queen Philippa Anno Regis Edw. 3. 17 wise to King Edward the third Anno Dom. 1342 was created the fifth Earl of Cambridge And here may the Reader take notice that I meet with a difference in Authors Some making this John first Earl of Cambridge On whose forfeiture thereof for his siding with the French King King Edward conferred the same on William the foresaid Marquess of Juliers And a Belgian Earle Others
the instance and intreaty of the Master and Fellowes thereof he granted a dispensation unto them for enlarging their Commons Anno Regis Edvardi 3. 22 A Copy whereof Anno Dom. 1347 carefully a Regest cur Cant. in T. Arundle transcribed by M r. Blewet transcribed out of the Originall we have here inserted Thomas permissione Divina c. Dilectis in Christo filiis Custodi Sociis Collegii Sanctae Trinitatis Vniversitatis Cantabrigiae salutem gratiam benedictionem Supplicatio pro parte vestra in Visitatione nostra Metropolitica in Eliensi Dioecesi Collegio vestro exercita adhuc durante nobis proposita continebat Quod portio singulorum virorum ad Communas vestras in dicto Collegio limitata etsi ad uberior em providentiam ejusdem Collegii pro numero Sociorum suppetant Facultates in tantum est restricta diminuta quod considerata praesentis temporis Caristia inde non poteritis commode sustentari Nos vero praemissis inspectis consideratis ut ad Dei laudem in studio eo melius proficere valeatis quo vos aliunde victum quaerere non oportet ut singulis septimanis sexdecim Denarios de bonis communibus Collegii vestri antedicti singulorum Sociorum nomine in Communibus exponere poteritis Consuetudinibus in contrarium seu Observantia etiam Iuramento aut Confirmationibus Superiorum non obstantibus quibuscunqùe de nostra gratia speciali misericorditer dispensamus nobis nihilominus de restring endo casdem Communas seuetiam augmentando pro locis temporibus opportunis potestatem specialem reservantes Dat. c. Of which Faculty to spare a formal Translation thereof this the effect The Fellows of the House were tied up by Orders of their Founder to so short a Summe to provide Commons therewith that it would not furnish them with Agar's Wish Food convenient for them considering the present Scarcity of Commodities Whereupon the Archbishop by this Instrument wisely reserving like power to his Successours dispensed with them that notwithstanding their Statutes to the contrary they might expend sixteen pence a week in Commons two pence for the Week-dayes a Groat for the Lords-day 22. True it is The exceeding cheapnesse of all commodities that in the Reign of King Edward the first all Victuals were exceeding cheap universally all over the Land when an Act of Common-Councel was made confirmed by the King and his Nobility that in London it self where Provisions may be presumed dearest a fat Cock was to be sold for three half-pence two Pullets at the same Rate a fat Capon for two pence half-penny a Goose four pence a Mallard and Partridge three half-pence apiece two Wood-cocks for the same price c. A b Iohn Stow's Hist p. 207. fat Lamb counted in the nature of Poultry second-Course meat from Christmas to Shrovetide six pence and all the year after four pence Mutton Veal Pork and Beef being all cheap proportionably 23. But since men multiplied Causes of dearnesse more Money daily was imported by the Easterlings Prices of all Victualls grew very high and this very year wherein this Dispensation was granted being 1405. the seventh of King Henry the fourth by reason of much Wast made by the Civil Wars at that time all Victualls were much enhaunced Wherefore to use the Prophets Phrase The Ephah being now made small and the Shekelgreat the Scholars in this Hall had just cause to petition for an Augmentation of Money to buy their Commons But since the finding out of the VVest-Indies in the Reign of King Henry the seventh and the daily importing of Silver Prices of all Commodities are mounted to an incredible proportion to what they were anciently 24. Indeed pardon a Digression this present year 1655. is as plentifull as any Memorie alive can parallel Nor full nor fasting so that we want nothing but gratefull Hearts to God for the same For it is strange that when the Vallies laugh and sing with Corn that the Owners should sigh and cry for the same Yea such is mens Pecvishnesse as if it endeavoured to puzzle Omnipotency to please it betwixt the Pining of the Poor in Penury and Repining of the Rich in Plenty And as the Infidel Prince would not believe that God could send Plenty in Samaria though he should open the VVindows of Heaven so some covetous Cormorant-Cornmongers despair that he should send a Dearth of Grain amongst us should he stop the VVindows thereof Drought never making a Dearth in England But how quickly they may be confuted and our present Plenty justly turned into Want to God alone is known 25. But to return to the Scholars of Trinity-Hall Convenient diet needfull for Students True it is that a Body surfeited with Food is unfit for Study Scholars like Hauks flying best when sharp and not full gorged and the Monks Verse hath much truth in it Distentus Venter non vult studere libenter And yet perchance Lauda vit pleno Monachus jejunia ventre he praised Fasting when he was full himself However there may be a fault as well in the Defect as on the Excess and there is a Distention as well of VVind and Emptiness as of Flesh Fulness equally impeditive to a studious Mind and therefore good reason that the Fare of these Scholars should be enlarged 26. Edmond Gonvil yonger Brother to S r. Nicolas Gonvil of Rushworth Gonvil-Hall founded Knight Parson of Terrington 1348 and Rushworth in Norfolk 23 where he had founded a Colledge of Canons valued at the Dissolution at built also an Hall dedicated to the Virgin Mary on the place where now are the Orchard and Tennis-Court of Bennet-Colledge five years after having it's Situation altered 27. Whilest this Hall continued here Arch-bishop Vfford a Commoner therein one eminent Commoner lived therein namely Iohn Vfford D r. of Law Son to the Earle of Suffolk and by Royal appointment with the Papal consent made Arch-bishop of Canterbury but dying before his Consecration probable if surviving to prove a good Benefactour to this Hall But he departed this Life some what before Edmond Gonvil the Hall loosing so good a Father and so hopefull a Friend in a short space though the later left a large Summe of Money to VVilliam Bateman Bishop of Ely to see this Foundation finished according to his Directions 28. Bishop Bateman desired to bring this new Hall nearer his own of Trinity-Hall This Hall transplanted partly because he might oversee both his Child and Nurse-child at the same Inspection partly to invite Converse betwixt these two Countryfolk-Foundations both of Norfolk Parentage by their Vicinity of Situation This was done accordingly Infants are easily portable from place to place and this Hall not yet fully rooted was quickly removed An Exchange is made with Bennet-Colledge for their mutuall Conveniency and Gonvil-Hall transplanted to the place where it standeth at this day and where it
Peter Coll. Wil. Chaderton D. D. Fellow of Christs Col. Will. Whitacre D. D. Master of S t. Iohn ' s Coll. Iohn Overhall D. D. Master of S t. Katharin ' s Hall Iohn Richardson D. D. Fellow of Emanuel Master of Trinity Samuel Collins D. D. Provost of Kings Col. Iohn Arrowsmith D. D. Master of S t. Iohn ' s and after of Trinity a Sir Thomas Smith Alkam lib. 2. Ep. ad Bran disbaeam Walter Haddon D. L. Fellow of Kings Master of Trinity Hall Thomas Bing D. L. Fellow of S t. Peters Coll. Master of Clare Hall Thomas Legg D. L. Fellow of Iesus Trinity Coll. Master of Gonvil Cajus Col. Iohn Cowell D. L. Fellow of Kings Col. Master of Trinity Hall Thomas Morysonne D. L. Fellow of Kings Coll. George Porter D. L. Fellow of Queens Col. Thomas Goad D. L. Fellow of Kings Coll. Kings Physick Professours Kings Hebrew Professours Kings Greek Professours Iohn Blyth Doctor of Physick Fellow of Kings Coll. Iohn Hatcher Doctor of Physick Fellow of Kings Thomas Larkin Doctor of Physick of S t. Peters Coll. William Ward Doctor of Physick Fellow of Kings Coll. William Burton Doctor of Physick Fellow of Kings Coll. Iohn Gostlin Doctor of Physick Master of Gonvil and Cajus Coll. Iohn Collins Doctor of Physick Fellow of S t. John ' s Coll. Ralph Winterton Doct. of Physick Fellow of Kings Coll. Francis Glisson Doctor of Physick Fellow of Gonvil and Cajus Coll. Mr. Robert Wakefield Fellow Antony Rodolphus Cevallerius Mr. Bignon a Frenchman of Corpus Christi Coll. Edward Liveley Fellow of Trinity Coll. Robert Spalding D. D. Fellow of S t. John ' s Coll. Jeffery King D. D. Fellow of Kings Coll. Andrew Bing D. D. Fellow of S t. Peter Coll. Robert Metcalfe D. D. Fellow of S t. Iohn ' s Coll. Ralph Cudworth Felof Emanuel Col. Erasmus Roterodamus Richard Crooke Fellow of Kings Coll. Sir Thomas Smith Knight Fellow of Queens Coll. S r. Iohn Cheek Knight Tutour to King Edward the sixth of S t. Iohn ' s Coll. Nicolas Carr Fellow of Pembroke Hall after of Trinity Coll. Bartholomew Doddington Fellow of Trinity Coll. Francis Wilkinson Fellow of Trinity Coll. Andrew Downes Fellow of S t. Iohn ' s Coll. Robert Creiton Fellow of Trinity Coll. Iames Duport Fellow of Trinity Coll. Ralph Widdrington Fellow of Christ ' s Col. 23. These Catalogues though the best not to say onely extant are very imperfect One instance I will give William Zoone here omitted was Regius a Pitieus de Scripto Angl. pag. 766. Professour of Law in the Reign of Queen Mary But I dare not altar what so long hath been received Iohn Madew 1 Vice-Chanc 154 6 7 Tho. Burman Tho. Carlyle Proctours Iohn Fann Major Doct. Bac. Theol. 1 Medic. 1 Theol. 7 Mag. Art 15 Bac. Art 29 24. Great was the alteration which followed in Cambridge The Lord Protectour made Chancellour upon King Edward his coming to the Crown Steven Gardiner Chancellour of the University was put out of his office and into the Tower Edward Seymor Lord Protectour and Duke of Somerset was chosen in his room 25. The Townsmen of Cambridge began now to hope their time come The Insolencies of the Townsmen to cast off the yoke as they counted it of the University as if on the alteration of Religion the ancient priviledges of Scholars should be abolished under the notion of superstition Ungratefully therefore they began their pranks I say ungratfully Anno Dom. 154 6 7 For Anno Regis Edvardi 6 38 although particular Scholars might owe money to particular Townsmen yet the whole Town owes it 's well being to the University Amongst their many insolencies two were most remarkable First One a Compare Mr. Askams letter to the Bishop of Winchester with his to the Lord Wriothesly Maxwell by profession once a Iayle-keeper then a Beare-ward promoted at last Purveyor to provide cariages for the Kings fish which commonly came from Cambridge seised on an ambling Nag of the Master of Peter-House which the old and infirme Doctour kept for his health meerly that his man might thereon ride after the Kings cariages This Horse I may say had a long-reach The injury seeming small and personall concerned the whole University both in present and posterity Secondly when the Proctours at Sturbridge-Faire had according to their Office and ancient custome fetched out many dissolute persons out of vicious places at unseasonable hours the Major refused to give them the keys of the Toll-booth or Town-prison to secure such offenders therein yea when they had carried such malefactours to the Castle within an hour or two comes the Majors Son sets open the Iayle and le ts loose those lewd persons to the great injurie of the University and encouragement of all viciousnesse 26. It was now high time for Doctor Madew Askham his letters procure friends to the University the Vice-Chancellour and Master Roger Askham the University Oratour to bestir themselves The later belettered all the Lords of the Privy Councill and amongst the rest Sir Thomas VVriothesly the Lord Chancellour of England whom saith he the Vniversity partly commandeth us once a member partly requesteth as now a Patrone thereof with some Gentlemen of the Kings Bed-Camber and by then procured the confirmation of the University priviledges in the following Parliament However these oppidane animosities in some degree continued all this Kings Reign Matthew Parker 154 7 8 Vice-Chan 2 Edmond Grindall Edward Gascoyne Proct. Iohn Rust Major Doct. Theol. 2 lu Civ 1 Bac. Theol. 14 Mag. Art 26. Bac. Leg. 1 Art 30 The Lord Protectour by letters which I have seen sollicited Stephen Gardiner who still kept his Mastership of Trinity Hall to resigne his place and the whole Hall into the Kings disposall 27. That so of that A profer of the Protectours to Unite Clare and Trinity Hall and it's Neigbour Clare Hall whose Master Doctor Madew may be presumed compliable with the Protectours pleasure one Eminent and Entire Colledge might be advanced on the Kings cost in Imitation of Trinity Colledge 〈…〉 the late Royall Result of three smaller Foundations 1 Wherein the Civil and Canon-Law the skill whereof his Grace found necessary for the present welbeing of the Kingdome should be countenanced and encouraged 28. Most politick Gardiner not without cause suspecting some design Blasted by Bishop Gardiner or Casaulty might surprize the Intervall betwixt the dissolution of the old and erection of this new Foundation civilly declined his consent to the Motion He informed his grace that the way to advance the Study of the Laws was by promoting the present Professours of that Faculty now so generally discouraged and not by founding a new Colledge for the future students thereof seeing Trinity Hall could alone breed moe Civillians then all England did prefer according to their deserts 29. Thus was the design blasted and never more mentioned But Gardiner for
crossing the Protectour herein and other misdemeaners soon after was outed of his Mastership of Trinity Hall Anno Regis Henrici 8. 2 and first Doctor Haddon Anno Dom. 154 7 8 then Doctor Mouse substituted in his room William Bill 3 Vice-Chan 154 8 9 George Bullock Phil. Baker Proct. Richard Brakin Major Doct Theol. 1 Bac. Theol. 1 Mag. Art 8 Bac. Art 32 30. Commissioners An extraordinary Act before the Kings Commissioners were sent from the King to visit the University viz. Thomas Goodrich Bishop of Eelie Nicolas Ridley Bishop of Rochester Sir William Paget Sir Thomas Smith Sir Iohn Cheek VVilliam Mey Doctor of Law and Thomas VVendey Doctor of Physick Before these an extraordinary Act was kept wherein Answerer Opponents Moderatours Quaestions D r. Madew Iune 20 Protest held the negat Doct. Mag. Glin. Langedale Sedgewick Yonge Papists His Majesties Commissioners above mentioned 1. Whether Transubstantiation can be proved by plain and manifest words of Scripture 2. Whether it may be Collected confirmed by the consent of Fathers for these thousand years past Answerer Dr. Glin 24 Papist held the affirm Mag. Grindal Perne Gwest Pilkington Protestants M r. Pern Protest 25 held the negat Mag. Parker not D r. Mathew Parker but another of his Name Pollard Vavasour Youge Papists Bishop Ridley according to the custome of the University concluded all with a solemn Determination But the transactions of this Disputation are so amply reported by Master Fox that the sharpest appetite of his Reader need not fear famishing if he can keep himself from surfetting thereon Walter Haddon 4 Vice-Cha 15 49 50 Andrew Peerson Iohn Ebden Proct. Alexander Raye Major Bac. Theol 9 Mag. Art 17 Bac. Art 26 31. Ed. Duke of Somerset and Chancellour of Cambridge was much declined in his power at Court Northumberland made Chancellour though surviving some Months after Now the University had learned to live by the living Anno Dom. 15 in favour and not by the dead Anno Regis Edvardi 6. 4 and therefore chose Iohn Dudley Duke of Northumberland Chancellour in place of Somerset 32. Martin Bucer Bucer and Fagius called to Cambridge and Paulus Fagius in Dutch Buchlein or Beecher living formerly at Strasburg at the instance of Arch-Bishop Cranmer were sent for by King Edward to become Professours in Cambridge My Authour a Germane living then hard by makes them to depart thence Magistratus Argentinensis voluntate consensu whom the Iesuite Parsons will have both banished by that State If so the disgrace is none at all to be exiled for no other guilt then preaching the Gospel opposing the Augustine Confession which that Emperiall City embraced Besides the greater the providence if when commanded from one place instantly called to another 33. Over they come into England Made Professours there and last year were fixed at Cambridge where Bucer was made Professour of Divinity Fagius of Hebrew The former had the ordinary stipend of his place tripled a Pantalcon de Illustribus Germaniae unto him as well it might considering his worth being of so much merit his need having wife and children and his condition coming hither a forrainer fetcht from a far Country So it was ordered that Fagius should in Hebrew read the Evangelicall Prophet Isaâ—ah and Bucer in Greek the Propheticall Evangelist S t. Iohn 34 But alas Fagius his death the change of aire and diet so wrought on their temper that both fell sick together Bucer hardly recovered but Fagius that flourishing Beech nature not agreeing with his transplanting withered away in the flower of his Age as scarce fourty five and was buried in the Church of S t. Michael 35. After his death Emanuel Tremellius was sent for to Cambridge to succeed him in the Professours place Tremellius Heb Prof. in Cambridge There he lived sometime on this token that Dr. Parker preferred him before many other Friends to be Godfather to his Son which Tremellius b See Tremellius his own Preface to his Caldee Grammar accounted a great favour But it seemeth that soon after either afrighted with the valetudinous condition of King Edward or allured with the bountifull Proffers of the Prince Palatine he returned to Heidelberg Io. Madew Vice-Ch Ralph Standish William Cony Proct. Christop c Cajus Hist. Cant. Acad. lib. 1. p. 207. Franck He would not take his oath to the Vice-Chancellour till forced by the Lord Protectours letters Maj. 155â— â— 5 Doct. Theol. 1 Iur. Civ 2 Medic. 1 Bac. Theol. 4 Mag. Art 17 Bac. Art 37 Henry Brandon Duke of Suffolk Son of Charles Brandon by Katherine Lady VVilloubie died at Cambridge where he was a Student of the sweating-sicknesse 36. Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk younger brother to the same Henry died within twelve hours of the same disease They were much bemoaned of the University printing a Book of Verses on their funeralls amongst which these following of D r. Parkhursts afterward Bishop of Norwich I shall endeavour to translate FRatres Amiclaei Pollux cum Castore Potuere sic cum morte depaciscier Vt cum alter eorum esset mortuus tamen Alter superesset reversis sortibus Vicissim uterque utriusque morte viveret Cur Parca nunc crudelior est quam olim fuit Anno Regis Edvardi 6 15 Fratres duos Anno Dom. 155â— â— nuper ea quales hactenus Nec vidit unquam nec videbit Anglia Lumina duo duoque propugnacula Fortissima virtutis Reique publicae Mors crudelis ah uno peremit funere Virtus nequaquam illam nec egregia indoles Movit nec Edvardi Regis nec optimae Matris nec totius gemitus Britanniae O dura duramors ô saeva numina The same in English CAstor and Pollux Brothers pair Breathing first Amicle's air Did with death so bargaine make By exchange their turns to take If that death surprized one brother Still alive should be the other So the bargain was contriv'd Both dy'd both by turns surviv'd Why is fate more cruel grown Then she formerly was known Wee of Brothers had a brace Like to which did never grace This our English earth before Nor the like shall grace it more Both bright stars and both did stand Hopefull bulwarks of the land Both alas together slain Death at once did murther twaine Nothing could their vertues move Nor King Edvvards hearty love Nor their best of mothers mones Nor all Britaines heavy grones Nothing could stern death abate Oh cruel over cruel fate Many in Cambridge died of this sweating sicknesse Patients mending or ending in twenty four hours Some sought for the naturall cause thereof out of the heavens imputing it to the conjunction of the superiour Planets in Scorpio Others looked for it from the earth as arising from an exhalation in moist weather out of Gipsous or plaisterly ground The cure thereof conceived impossible before and easie as all things
Recantation tendered unto him which he refused to subscribe though professing his sincere sorrow and penitencie in his Petitions and Letters to the Bishop for any oversights and unbeseeming expressions in his Sermon Hereupon he was sent back to the new Prison where he died If he was miserably abused therein by the Keepers as some have reported to the shortning of his life He that maketh inquisition for blood either hath or will be a revenger thereof Benjamin Lany Vicecan 1632-33 Iohn Lothian Dan Chaundeler Proct. 9. George Saunders Major Richard Love Vicecan 1633-34 Henry Molle Luke Skippon Proct. 10. Robert Twelves Major 27. Now began the University to be much beautified in buildings Organserected in Chappels every Colledge either casting its skin with the Snake or renewing its bill with the Eagle having their Courts or at leastwise their fronts and Gate-houses repaired and adorned But the greatest alteration was in their Chappels most of them being graced with the accession of Organs And seeing Musick is one of the Liberal Arts how could it be quarelled at in an University if they sang with understanding both of the matter and manner thereof Yet some took great distant thereat as attendancie to superstition At this time I discontinued my living in the University and therefore crave leave here to break off my History finding it difficult to attain to certain intelligence However because I meet with much printed matter about the visitation of Cambridge in these trouble some times though after some years intervall I shall for a conclusion adventure to give posterity an unpartiall relation thereof 28. Richard Holdesworth being Vice-Chancellour 1641-42 The Masters and Fellows of all Colledges send their plate or money in lieu thereof to the King to Yorke Aug. ult many wishing that every ounce thereof were a pound for His sake Colledge-plate sent to the King conceiving it unfitting that they should have superfluities to spare whilest their Soveraigne wanted necessaries to spend 29. This was beheld by the Parliament as an Act unjust in it self The act aggravated and dangerous in the consequence thereof for the present Masters and Fellowes were onely Fiduciaries not Proprietaries of the Plate to keep and use it not to dispose thereof Was not this obliterating the Records of Gentlemens bounty who had conferred those costly Utensils on the Colledges Besides this was interpreted a somenting of the Civil War thereby encouraging and enabling the King against His Subjects 30. In vain did the Heads plead for themselves And excused that they affrighted at the plundering of the House of the Countesse of Rivers at Long-Melford the first-fruits of Rapine in our Age did suspect the like violence Plunderers have long Armes and can quickly reach out of Suffolke into Cambridge shire For prevention whereof they thought good to secure some of their Plate in a safe hand and could not finde a fitter than His Majesties Heire to His Ancestours the Founders paramount of all Houses Besides though the clouds look black with a louring complexion yet did it not rain warre downright betwixt King and Parliament Anno Dom. 1641-1642 Anno Regis Car. 1. Aug. it being some daies before the erecting of His Standard at Nottingham 31. Dr. Beale Dr. Martin and Dr. Stern Masters of S. Johns Queens Three Doctors imprisoned in the Tower and Iesus Coll are carried to London and imprisoned in the Tower for their activity in the Plate-businesse And Cambridge is made the Seat of the Committee for the Easterne Association which escaped the best of all parts in this Civil Warre the smoak thereof onely offending those Counties whilst the fire was felt in other places 32. Richard Holdesworth Vicecan Before his year expired he was seized on and imprisoned first in Elie-house then in the Tower for executting His Majesties command in printing at Cambridge such His Declarations as were formerly printed at Yorke Mar. 30. 33. The Vice Chancellour and Heads of Houses solemnly assembled in the Consistorie The Heads deny the Parliament mony were demanded to contribute to the Parliament so to redeem their forwardnesse in supplying the King Which performed by them would notwithstanding their former crooked carriage in the Cause bolster them upright in the Parliaments esteem But they persisted in the Negative that such contributing was against true Religion and a good conscience for which some of them were afterwards imprisoned in S. Iohns Colledge 34. Amongst these was Doctor Samuel Ward Master of Sidney Colledge The death of Dr. Ward and Divinity Professour Lady Margarets or the Kings shall I say in the University For though the former by his Foundation he may seem the later by his resolution Yet was he a Moses not onely for slowness of speech but otherwise meekness of nature Indeed when in my private thoughts I have beheld him and Dr. Collins disputable whether more different or more eminent in their endowments I could not but remember the running of Peter and John to the place where Christ was buried In which race John came first as the youngest and swiftest but Peter first entred into the Grave Doctor Collins had much the speed of him in quicknesse of parts but let me say nor doth the relation of a Pupill misguide me the other pierced the deeper into under-ground and profound points of Divinity Now as high windes bring some men the sooner into sleep so I conceive the storms and tempests of these distracted times invited this good old man the sooner to his long rest where we fairly leave him and quietly draw the curtains about him 35. Now approached the generall Doom of Malignant Members so termed in the University The Oath of Discovery tendred and refused the Earle of Manchester with his two Chaplains Mr. Ash and Mr. Good coming thither to effect a Reformation In preparation whereunto I read how an oath of * Quercla Cantabrigieusis pag. 20. Discovery was tendred to many and universally refused as against all Law and conscience as being thereby made to accuse their nearest and dearest Friends Benefactors Tutors and Masters and betray the Members and Acts of their several Societies contrary to their peaceable Statutes viz Non revelabis aliquod secretum Collegii nec malum aut damnum inferes cuilibet Sociorum Whereupon this Oath was generally denied 36. To be satisfied in the truth hereof Mr. Ash disaâ—oweth any such Oath I wrote to Mr. Ash whose face I had never seen requesting him to inform me such proceedings seeming very strange to my apprehension But heare his Answer TRuly Sir I am so great a stranger to that Oath of Discovery which you mention that I cannot call to minde the moving of any such matter by the Lord of Manchester or any who attended him And as for my selfe having been a Sufferer upon the dislike of the Oath Ex Officio I have all along my life been very tender in appearing as an
Cornelius BURGES his speech against Deans and Chapters b. 11 p. 179 ¶ 73 74. Henry BURTON his character b. 14. p. 152. ¶ 59. cause of discontent ¶ 60. degraned p. 143. ¶ 68. his words on the Piliory ¶ 69 70. brought back from Exile in Triumph p. 172. ¶ 32. C. Jack CADE his rebellion b. 4. p. 186. ¶ 22. CADOCUS his discreet devotion C 6. ¶ 7. CADVVALLADER last K. of VVales foundeth at Rome a Hospitall for the VVelch C. 7. ¶ 104. since injuries fly taken from them ¶ 105. CAIUS Colledge in Cambridge foundea by Dr. Caius Hist of Camb. p. 133. ¶ 45. who bestowed good Lands building statutes Name and Armes thereon ¶ 46 47 c. fruitfull with famous Physicians ¶ 52. CAMBRAY a Nunnery therein founded for English women by the Spanish Ambassadour b. 6. p. 3 63. CAMBRIDGE reported to have received divers privileages from King Lucius C. 2. ¶ 12. her Christian Students reported slain by the Pagan Britains C. 4. ¶ 9. persecuted to the dissolution of the 〈…〉 by Pelagius C. 5. ¶ 2. reputed first founded by King 〈◊〉 C. 7. ¶ 46. Arguments to the contrary answered ¶ 47 c. called Schola which was in that Age the same with an Academy ¶ 54. restored by King Edward the Elder C. 10. ¶ 6 7. mistaken by John Rouse for the founder thereof ¶ 8. renounceth the Popes supremacy in a publick instrument Hist of Camb. p. 106. ¶ 50. the first generall visitation thereof jure Regio Hist of Camb. p. 109. ¶ 55. King Henry his Injunctions thereunto p. 112. ¶ 56. Edmund CAMPIAN sent over by the Pope to pervert England B. 9. p. 114. ¶ 41. his journall letter p. 115 116 117. catch'd by secretary Walsingham ibid. falsly pretends to be cruelly racked p. 117. ¶ 2. is at last executed CANONS made in the last Convocation with the c. Oath therein b. 11. p. 168 169. severall opinions about them p. 171. Mr. Maynard his speech against them p. 100. ¶ 77. the Clergy are judged in a Praemunire for making them ¶ 78. King CANUTUS his cruelty C. 11. ¶ 5. conversion and charity ibidem c. so CAPON Bishop of Salisbury a cruell persecuter under Q. Mary b. 8. S. 2. ¶ 5. the bane of his Bishoprick b. 9. ¶ 21. Nic. CARR his Epitaph Hist of Camb. p. 141. George CARLTON Bishop of Landaf sent by K. James to the Synod of Dott B. 10. p. 77. ¶ 63. dieth Bishop of Chichester b. 11. ¶ 67. CARMELITES their first coming into England p. 271. ¶ 18. great priviledges ¶ 19. most carefull keepers of the Records of their order ¶ 20. a Catalogue of their Provincials p. 272. their first coming to Cambridge Hist of Camb. p. 20. ¶ 5. where they would not commence Doctors and why ibid. till Humphry Necton first brake the ice ¶ 6. learned writers of their order which were Cambridge-men Hist. Camb. p. 30. ¶ 27. CARTHUSIAN Monks b. 6. p. 269. ¶ 9. Tho. CARTWRIGHT presents his admonition to the Parliament b. 9. p. 102. ¶ 5. bandying betwixt him and Dr. Whitgift ¶ 6 7. examined in the high Commission on 29. Articles b. 9. p. 198 c. sent to the Fleet for refusing to answer p. 203. discharged the Star-Chamber by favour of Arch-bishop Whitgift p. 204. ¶ 31. groweth rich at Warwick b. 10. ¶ 7. and very moderate ¶ 8. The reasons thereof ibid. His character ¶ 9. dedicates a Book to King James ¶ 18. His strange infirmity and death ¶ 19. his first cause of discontentment Hist of Camb. p. 139. ¶ 2. claâ—heth with Dr. Whitgift p. 140. ¶ 3. by whom he is summoned p. 141. and banished the University p. 142. John CASE Dr. of Physick b. 8. S. 3. ¶ 45. the great favour done by the University to his Scholars at Oxford ibidem CAURSINES what they were b. 3. p. 59. ¶ 6. the form of their cruel Obligations p. 60. with sâ—me notes thereon ibidem why they were called Caursines p. 61. ¶ 8. St. CEDDE his difference from St. Chad C. 7. ¶ 84. St. CHAD his difference from St. Cedde C. 7. ¶ 84. teacheth Wulfade the Christian faith ¶ 86. CHANTEREYES given to the King b. 6. p. 250 ¶ 2. what they were ¶ 5. Fourty seven founded in St. Pauls Church in London p. 351 352 c. vasi though uncertain their number in England p. 354. ¶ 18. Free CHAPPELS given to the King b. 6. p. 354. ¶ 15. King CHARLES his solâ—mn coronation b. 11. ¶ 19 c. restoreth Imprepriations of Ireland to the Church p. 149. ¶ 45. unwillingly consenteth to the taking away of Bishops votes in Parliament p. 195. ¶ 29 and 30. his severall papers in the Isle of Wight in defence of Episcopacie p. 230 231 c. his death which endeth the eleventh Book CHARLES eldest Son to King Charles his short life b. 11. p. 135. ¶ 1. an excellent Tetrastick on his death ¶ 2. CHARTER-HOUSE founded by Mr. Sutton b. 10. p. 65. in some respect exceeding the Annuntiata at Naples p. 66. ¶ 21. Thomas CHASE cruelly martyred b. 5. p. 164. ¶ 3. Geffery CHAWCER the famous Poet b. 4. p. 151. ¶ 46. his Parentage Armes and praise p. 152. ¶ 47 48. his cumity to Friers ¶ 49. Student sometimes in Cambridge Hist Camb. p. 52. ¶ 38. as also in Oxford ibidem CHEALSEY Colledge a large discourse of the foundation thereof b. 10. p. 51 52 53 c. Sr. J. CHEEK Tutour to King Edward the sixth b. 7. p. 422. ¶ 12. restored to health by King Edward's prayers p. 424. ¶ 13. A prime Exile in the Reign of Q. Mary b. 8. S. 2. ¶ 24. his sad return into England ¶ 30. orally recanteth ¶ 31. and dyeth for the grief thereof ibidem vindicated from slandring and mistaking Pens in his Parentage Parts and Posterity ¶ 32. Henry CHICHELEY Arch-bishop of Canterbury foundeth All-Souls Colledge b. 4. p. 181. ¶ 10. soberly returneth a tart jear p. 182. ¶ 11. saveth Abbies by sending King Henry the fifth into France b. 6. p. 302 ¶ 5. CHRIST-CHURCH in Oxford b. 5. p. 169. ¶ 28 c. confirmed by King Henry the eighth ¶ 30. the Deans Bishops Benefactours c. thereof ¶ 32. John CHRISTOPHERSON Bishop of Chichester a learned man but great persecuter under Q. Mary b. 8. S. 2. ¶ 8. CHRISTS COLLEDGE founded by Margaret Countesse of Darby Hist of Camb. p. 90. ¶ 55. endowed it with rich lands ¶ 56. augmented by King Edward the sixth p. 91. ¶ 7. Their numerous worthies of this foundation ¶ 9. CIRCUMSPECTE AGATIS the form thereof b. 3. p. 79. ¶ 15. both a statute a writ grounded thereon p. 80. a large discourse of the severall branches thereof p. 81 82 83. CISTERTIANS being refined Benedictines b. 6. p. 266. ¶ 2. exempted by Pope Adrian the fourth from paying of Tithes and why p. 283. ¶ 4. their freedome somewhat confined by the Lateran Councell ¶ 5. CLARE HALL founded by
favoured by W. Rufus ibid. had a chief Justicor â—ver them p. 84. ¶ 33. a High priest or Presbyter ¶ 35. their griping usurie p. 85. ¶ 36 c. unfortunate at Feast and Frayes p. 86. ¶ 40. eruelly used by K. Henry the 3d. ¶ 43. Misdomeanours charged on them p. 87. ¶ 46 cast out of the land by K. Edward the first 47. though others say they craved leave to depart ibid c. ILTUTUS abused by Monkish for geries C. 6. ¶ 8. IMAGE-WORSHIP first setled by Synod in England C. 8. ¶ 9 10. injoyned point-blank to poore people to practice it b. 4. p. 150. ¶ 40. IN A King of the West-Saxons his Ecclesiasticall Laws C. 7. ¶ 106. he giveth Peter-Pence to the Pope C. 8. ¶ 13. INDEPENDENTS vide dissenting Brethren Sr. Fra. INGLEFIELD a Benefactour to the English Coll. at Valladolit b. 9. p. 87. yea to all English Papists p. 108. ¶ 20. St. JOHNS COLLEDGE in Cambridge founded by the Lady Margaret Hist of Cam. p. 94. ¶ 11. the Masters Bishops c. thereof p. 94 95. St. JOHNS COLL. Oxford founded by Sr. Tho. White b. 8. S. 3. ¶ 44. The Presidents Bishops Benefactours c. thereof ¶ 45. King JOHN receives a present from the Pope b. 3. p. 48. ¶ 4. returns him a stout answer 5. for which the whole Kingdome is interdicted p. 49. ¶ 6 7 c. his Innocency to the Popes injustice ¶ 9. by whom he is excommunicated by name ¶ 10. yet is blessed under his curse ¶ 11. his submission to the Pope p. 51. ¶ 13. resigning his Crown ibid. his unworthy Embassey to the King of Morocco p. 53. ¶ 21. lamentable death ¶ 22. and character ¶ 23. JOSEPH of ARIMATHEA said to be sent into Britain C. 1. ¶ 11. his drossy History brought to the Touch ¶ 12. severall places assigned for his buriall ¶ 14. the Oratours of Spain in the councill of Basel endeavour to disprove the whole story b. 4. p. 180. ¶ 8. whose objections are easily answered p. 181. ¶ 9. IRELAND excludeth their own Articles and receiveth the 39 Articles of England b. 11. p. 149. ¶ 46. ITALIANS had in England seventy thousand Marks a year of Ecclesiasticall revenues b. 3. p. 65. ¶ 29. held the best livings and kept no Hospitalitie b. 4. p. 138. ¶ 17. William JUXON Bishop of London made Lord Treasurer b. 11. p. 150. ¶ 48. his commendable carriage ¶ 49. K. Q. KATHARINE de Valois disobeyeth her Husband b. 4. p. 170. ¶ 46. therefore never buried ¶ 47 48. Q. KATHARINE Dowager for politick ends married to King Henry the eighth b. 5. p. 165. ¶ 6. on what score the match was first scrupled by the King p. 171. ¶ 36 37 c. her Speech p. 173. her character and death b. 5. p. 206. ¶ 19. KATHARINE HALL founded by Robert Woodlark Hist of Camb. p. 83. ¶ 40. in strictnesse of Criticisme may be termed Aula bella ¶ 41. KEBY a British Saint fixed in Anglesey C. 4. ¶ 25. KENT the Saxons Kingdome therein when beginning how bounded C. 5. ¶ 17. first converted to Christianity by Augustine the Monk b. 2. C. 6. ¶ 11. the Petition of the Ministers of Kent against subscription b. 9. p. 144. KENULPHUS King of the West-Saxons his Charter granted to the Abbey of Abbington proving the power of Kings in that Age in Church matters b. 2. p. 101. ¶ 25. notwithstanding Persons his objections to the contrary ¶ 26. putteth down the Arch bishoprick of Lichfield KETTS Robert and William their Rebellions b. 7. p. 339. ¶ 2. their execution p. 397. ¶ 15. The KINGS EVILE a large discourse of the cause and cure thereof C. 11. p. 145 146 147. John KING Dean of Christ-Church b. 5. p. 170. present at Hampton-Court conference b. 10. p. 7. when Bishop of London graveleth Legate the Arrain p. 62. ¶ 8. condemneth him for a Heretick p. 63. ¶ 10. his cleare carriage in a cause of great consequence p. 67. ¶ 24 25. his death p. 90. ¶ 31. and eminencies in defiance of Popish falshood ¶ 32. 33. Henry KING made Bishop of Chichester b. 11. p. 194. KINGS HALL built by King Edward the third Hist of Camb. p. 39. ¶ 46. three eminences thereof ¶ 47. KINGS COLLEDGE founded by K. Henry the sixth Hist of Camb. p. 73. John KNEWSTUBS minister of Cockfield in Suffolk b. 9. p. 135. ¶ 16. a meeting of Presbyterians at his house ibidem against conformities at Hampton-Court conference b. 10. p. 7. his exceptions propounded p. 16 and 17. shrewdly checkt by King James p. 20. a Benefactour to Saint Johns Colledge Hist of Camb. p. 95. ¶ 15. KNIGHTS of the Garter their Institution qualifications hubilliments Oath and orders by them observed how their places become vacant b. 3. p. 116. KNIGHTS anciently made by Abbots b. 3. p. 17 18. untill it was forbidden by Canon ibidem Mr. KNOT the Jesuit his causelesse Cavills at Mr. Sutton confuted b. 10. p. 65. ¶ 17 c. John KNOX chosen their minister by the English Exiles at Frankford b. 8. S. 3. ¶ 1. opposed in his discipline by Dr. Cox ¶ 3 4. accused for treacherous speeches against the Emperour ¶ 5. forced to depart Frankford to the great grief of his party ibidem L. Arthur LAKE Bishop of Bath and Wells his death and character b. 11. ¶ 45. LAMBETH Articles by whom made b. 9. p. 229. ¶ 23. nine in number p. 230. various judgements of them p. 231. ¶ 24 c. LANCASTER and York houses the Battels betwixt them for the Crown Place Time number slain and Conquerour b. 4. p. 186 and 187. LANCK-FRANCK made Arch-bishop of Canterbury b. 3. ¶ 4. most kindly treated by the Pope ¶ 17. to whom he accuseth Thomas elect of York and Remigius elect of Lincoln ¶ 18 19. his return and imployment ¶ 20. Hugh LATIMER a violent Papist History of Cambridge p. 102. ¶ 33. converted by Bilney ¶ 34. his Sermon of Cards p. 103. ¶ 38. preacheth before the Convocation b. 5. p. 207. ¶ 23. deprived of his Bishoprick of Worcester p. 231. ¶ 18. why he assumed it not again in the Reign of King Edward the sixth b. 7. p. 405. ¶ 28. his judgement of the contemners of common prayer p. 426. ¶ 17. William LAUD made Bishop of St. Davids b. 9. p. 90. ¶ 30. a great Benefactour to St. Johns in Oxford b. 8. p. 40. ¶ 45. accused by the Scotch for making their Liturgy b. 1â— p. 163. prepares for his death b. 11. p. 215. ¶ 68. his Funerall speech and burial p. 216. ¶ 69 70. his birth breeding and character p. 216 217 218 219. LAURENTIUS Arch-bishop of Cant. reconcileth the British to the Romish Church in the Celebration of Easter C. 7. ¶ 27. intending to depart England iâ— rebuked in a vision ¶ 34 35. LECHLADE or LATINELADE a place where Latine was anciently taught Cent. 9. ¶ 30. Thomas LEE or LEAH a prime Officer imploied in the dissolution of