THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF Great Britain FROM THE Birth of our SAVIOUR untill the Year of our LORD 1667. With an exact Succession of the Bishops and the memorable Acts of many of them TOGETHER With an Addition of all the English Cardinals and the several Orders of English Monks Friars and Nuns in former Ages Historia vitae nostrae Magistra Bodin LONDON Printed for Philip Chetwin and to be Sold by most Book-sellers 1674. Honoratissimis D no. HENRICO TVLSE Aequiti Aurato Senatori Vicecomiti Londonensi JACOBO READING PETRO RICH. RICâ—ARDO HOW JOHANNI SHORTER In Agro Surriensi Armigeris Viris summi Candoris Pietatis ac Literarum fautoribus hunc Librum in perpetuum observantiae Testimonium D. D. D. G. G. TO THE READER THere is no greater Priviledge bestowed by the Lord upon one Nation above others than in the free use of the Sacred Scriptures and Ordinances Israel had much advantage above the Gentiles chiefly or principally because unto them were committed the Oracles of God the word of grace the Covenant of life and peace Rom. 3. 2. S. Paul els-where reckoning up the Priviledges of Israel mentioneth this in several expressions as a prime Priviledge The Covenants the giving of the Law and the Promises Rom. 9. 4. all which are comprehended under the Oracles and word of God So saith the Psalmist Psal 147. 19 20. He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his judgements unto Israel he hath not dealt so with any nation and as for his judgements they have not known them He make's no mention of the Tabernacle or Temple the Ark of the Covenant the altar of burnt-offering the golden altar of incense the Ordinance of Circumcision c. though in these they were priviledged above other Nations but he singleth out this as a prime priviledge that he shewed them his word his statutes and judgements How deeply then is this nation of ours even England indebted to God to whom the Lord hath committed his holy Oracles how much are we bound to him for this unspeakable gift And herein the singular goodness of God to this nation is much to be observed not enely in visiting it with the Gospel for these last hundred years and more but also in giving it the light of the Gospel very early even in the Apostles dayes Divers Writers of good credit do testifie that even in those dayes the Britan's in our Isle did consent to Christian Religion and pulickly professed it in their Churches as well as other parts of the World The Authors of the Theatre of Great Britain speaking of Theatr. Magn. Brit. the Antiquity of the Christian Faith in Britain testifie in this manner As we have searched the first foundation of our Faith so neither want we Testimonies concerning the continuance of the same in this Land until following Posterities although the injury of Time and War have consumed many Records for the Britan's that were daily strengthened in their received Faith by the Doctrine of many Learned and godly Men left not their First-love with the Church of Ephesus but rather took hold of the Skirts as the Prophet speaketh Zech. 8. 23. until the Tortures of Martyrdom cut them off by death And those Fathers even from the Disciples themselves held a Succession in Doctrine notwithstanding some Repugnancy was made by the Pagans and Preached the Gospel with good success even till the same at length went forth with a bolder countenance by the favourable Edicts of Adrian Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius Euseb Eccl. Hist l. 4. c. 9. Emperours of Rome as Eusebius hath Noted and in Britain was established by King Lucius so called as some Learned Men have observed because a Prince of great lustre and glory the Light of the Gospel breaking forth in this our Isle in such a perspicuoâ—s manner by his Conversion that all Christian Churches took notice thereof Of whom a great Antiquary thus speaketh Lucius in Christum credit Christoque dicatas Vsserius de Brit. Eccles Primord P. 56. Ecclesias dotat distinctas ordinat urbes Geoffery of Monmouth tells us that King Lucius being Baptized together with his Subjects destroyed the Temples of Idols and Dedicated them to the onely living God enlargeing and augmenting them Bishop Godwin saith we have Godwin de de convers Britan. great cause with all thankfulness to Celebrate the Memory of that Excellent Prince King Lucius by whom God did not onely bless this Land with so clear knowledge of the truth but in such sort did it as thereby He hath purchased unto the same the Title of Primogenita Ecclesiae the most Antient and first begotten of all the Churches in the world for that although Christ was Preached els-where privately in many other Nations long before the time of King Lucius yet of all Nations Britain was the first that with publick approbation of Prince and State received the Profession of Christian Religion Of the Teachers of those times John Bale hath these verses Sic ut erat Celebris c. As were the Britan's famous for their Zeal To Gentile Gods whilst such they did adore So when the Heavens to Earth did Truth reveal Blest was that Land with Truth and Learnings store Whence British Plains and Cambreas desart-ground And Cornwal's Crags with glorious Saints abound The common consent of our Protestant Writers is that in this time I now speak of and from the beginning of Christianity here Britain never wanted Preachers of the true Faith And when the persecuting Emperour 's Reigned and persecution raged not onely in the Eastern parts but in Italy France and other Countreys in the Continent near unto us this our Island as another world was almost quite free thereof both before and after until the nineteenth year of Dioclesian in which there was a general persecution of Christians as Gildas and others after him do witness in that it Gild. lib. de excid Conqu Brâ—tan ever had Kings not so depending on the persecuting Emperours and so far from the Name and Nature of persecutors that they ever were friends and favourers of Christians And for this cause many that were persecuted for Christianity in other Countries fled hither for refuge where for themselves they might more quietly enjoy the Liberty of their Conscience and Religion and for others desirous to be instructed in the Truth thereof and not kept back with such terrours of persecution as in other Countries they might with more confidence and boldness and with great hope of fruit and encrease Preach and Teach it unto them This was a preparative to a more general Conversion of this Nation to Christianity which followed afterwards This Island was also the more quiet in respect of the situation remote distance and separation from the rest of the chief commanding places of the Roman Empire The Name England some derived from the manner of the situation of this Island in the West and North for that Eng in the Antient
the words Jesus said be Printed in a different Character Mr. Knewstubs took exceptions at the Cross in baptism and said it is questionable whether the Church hath power to institute an outward significant sign The Bishop of London answered The Cross in Baptism is not used otherwise than a Ceremony His Majesty desired to be acquainted about the Antiquity of the use of Cross Dr. Rainolds said it hath been used ever since the Apostles time but the question is how Ancient the use thereof hath been in Baptism The Bishop of Winchester said in Constantine's time it was used in Baptism His Majesty replied it so I see no reason but we may continue it Mr. Knewstubs said put case the Church may add significant signs it may not add them where Christ hath already ordained them which is as Derogatory to Christ's Institution as if one should add to the great Seal of England His Majesty answered the case is not alike seeing the Sacrament is fully finished before the use of the Cross Mr. Knewstubs demanded then how far the Ordinance of the Church bindeth without impeaching Christian Liberty The King answered I will have one Doctrine one Discipline one Religion in substance and in Ceremony Never speak more to that point how far ye are bound to obey Doctor Rainolds wished that the Cross being Superstitiously abused in Popery were abandoned as the Brazen-serpent was stamped to powder by Hezekiah because abused to Idolatry His Majesty answered Inasmuch as the Cross was abused to Superstition in time of Propery it doth plainly imply that it was well used before He said he detested their courses who peremptorily disallow of all things which have been abused in Popery and know not how to answer the Objections of the Papists when they charge us with Novelties but by telling them we retain the Primitive use of things and onely forsake their Novel corruptions Secondly no resemblance between the Brazen-Serpent a material visible thing and the sign of the Cross made in the Air. Thirdly Papists did never ascribe any spiritual grace to the Cross in Baptism Lastly material Crosses to which people fell down in time of Popery as the Idolatrous Jews to the Brazen-serpent are already demolished as you desire Mr. Knewstubs proceeded excepting at the wearing of the Surplice a kind of garment said he used by the Priests of Isis His Majesty answered he did not think till of late it had been borrowed from the Heathen because commonly called a Rag of Popery And seeing we border not upon Heathens c. I see no reason said he but for comeliness sake it may be continued Dr. Rainolds said I take exception at these words in Marriage With my body I thee worship His Majesty answered I find it an usual English Term A Gentleman of Worship and it agreeth with the Scriptures Giving honour to the wife The Dean of Sarum said some take exception at the Ring in Marriage Dr. Rainolds said he approved it well enough Then said he some take exceptions at the Churching of women by the name of Purification His Majesty said I allow it very well Unto Doctor Rainolds his last exception against committing Ecclesiastical censures to Lay-chancellors His Majesty answered that he had conferred with the Bishops about that point and such order should be taken therein as was Convenient Doctor Rainolds desired That according to certain Provinâ—ial Constituions the Clergy may have meetings every three weeks 1. In Rural Deaneries therein to have prophecying as Archbishop Grindal and other Bishops desired of her late Majesty 2. That such things as could not be resolved on there might be referred to the Archdeacons Visitations 3. And so to the Episcopal Synod to determine such points before not decided His Majesty answered If you aim at a Scottish Presbytery it agreeth as well with Monarchy as God and the Devil Then Jack and Tom c. shall meet and censure me and my Council Then the King asked the Doctor whether they had any thing else to say He answered No more if it please your Majesty If this be all your party have to say said the King I will make them conform or else I will harry them out of the Land or do worse Thus ended the second dayes Conference The third began on the Wednesday following many Knights Civilians and Doctors of the Law being admitted thereunto because the High-commission was the principal matter in debate His Majesty thus began I understand that the parties named in the High-commission are too many and too mean and the matters they deal with base such as Ordinaries might censure in their Courts at home Archbishop of Canterbury Were not their number many I should oftentimes sit alone I have often complained of the meanness of matters handled therein but cannot remedy it for though the offence be small that the Ordinary may yet the Offender oft-times is so great that the Ordinary is forced to crave help at the High-commission to punish him A nameless Lord said The proceedings in that Court are like the Spanish Inquisition wherein men are urged to subscribe more than Law requireth and by the Oath Ex officio forced to accuse themselves being examined upon many Articles on a sudden and for the most part against themselves The Lord Chancellor said There is necessity and use of the Oath Ex officio in divers Courts and Causes His Majesty said That it is requisite that fame and scandals be looked unto in Courts Ecclesiastical and yet great moderation is to be used therein And here he soundly deseribed the Oath Ex officio for the ground thereof the wisdom of the Law therein the manner of proceeding thereby and profitable effect from the same After 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 less moment punishing Recusants providing Divines for Ireland Wales and the Northern borders the four Preachers were called in and such alterations in the Liturgy were read unto them which the Bishops by the King's advice had made unto which by their silence they seemed to consent Then the King said to Doctor Rainolds and his Associates I expect obedience and humility from you the marks of honest and good men and that you would perswade others abroad by your example Doctor Rainolds answered We here do promise to perform â—ll duties to Bishops as Reverend Fathers and to joyn with them against the common Adversary for the peacâ— of the Church Thus ended the three dayeâ— Conference Doctor Sparks soon after set forth a Treatise of Unity and Uniformity This Conference produced some alterations in the Liturgy Womens baptising formerly frequent hereafter forbidden in the Rubrick of Absolution Remission of sins inserted Confirmation termed also an Examination of Children and some words altered in the Dominical Gospels with a resolution for a new translation of the Bible Henceforward many that wavered before for the future
King Charles and Dr. Peter Du-Moulin And to destroy Deans and Chapters would highly gratifie Rome for Sanders himself seemeth to complain that Queen Elizabeth had left Provosts Deans Canons and Prebendaries in Cathedral and Collegiate Churches because he foresaw such Foundations would conduce to the stability of Religion He went forward to shew how such Lands paid greater sums to the Exchequer for First-fruits tenths and subsidies according to the proportion than any other Estates and Corporations in the Kingdom He implored to find the antient and honourable Justice of the House unto his Brethren who were not charged much less convicted of any Scandalous faults justly for the same to forfeit their estates At last he set before them the Honour of God to whose worship and service such Fabricks and Lands were dedicated and barred all alienations with which he said is termenda vox curses and imprecations He minded them of the censures of Korah and his Complices pronounced hallowed because pretended to do God service therewith He added that of Solomon Prov. 20. 25. It is a snare to a man that devoureth that which is holy He added also that smart question of St. Paul Thou that abhorrest idols dost thou commit Sacriledge and concluded that on the ruines of the rewards of Learning no structure can be raised but ignorance and upon the Chaos of ignorance nothing can be built but Profaneness and Confusion This speech was generally well-resented and wrought much on the House for the present In the afternoon Dr. Cornelius Burgesse made a vehement Invective against Deans and Chapters c. He aggravated the debauchedness of Singing men not onely useless but hurtful by their Vicious conversation Yet he concluded with the utter unlawfulness to convert such endowments to any private person's profit Then was a Bill brought up from the Commons to the Lords against Bishops and Clergy-men and it was Voted I. That they should have no Votes in Parliament II. That they should not be in the Commission of the Peace nor be Judges in Temporal Courts III. Nor sit in the Star-chamber nor be Privy Counsellors The last branches of this Bill passed by general consent not above two dissenting But the first branch was Voted by the Lords in the negative But at last it was wholly cast out The Archbishop advised the drawing of a Petition to both Houses of Parliament in the name of the University of Oxford not onely for the preservation of Episcopal Government but of those Foundations as being both the encouragements and rewards of Learning In which petition having spoken in few words of the Antiquity and Succession of Bishops from the Apostles themselves they insist more at large upon such suggestions as might best justifie and endear the cause of Cathedral Churches The like petition came from Cambridge as much concern'd in this common cause as Oxon. At a solemn Fast not long after the Temporal Lords took precedence of the Bishops contrary to the custom of their Predecessors in all times foregoing which being observed by the Lord Spencer Is this said he a day of humiliation wherein we shew so great a pride in taking place of those to whom it was allowed by all our Ancestors The Bill against the High-commission Court was the third time read in the House of Lords and passed which some days after was confirmed by his Majesty The Bishop of Lincoln brought up a Bill to regulate Bishops and their jurisdiction This Bill was but once read in the House and no great matter made thereof The Bishops that were impeached for making Canons craved time till Michaelmas Term. This was vehemently opposed by some Lords and two questions were put I. Whether the Bishops should fit still in the House though without voting to which themselves consented whilst the circumstance of time for their answer was in debate II. What time they should have for their answer The first of these was carried for them by one present voice and four Proxies and for the second time was allowed them till the tenth of November and Councel was permitted unto them Bishop Warner of Rochester is chosen by joynt consent to solicit the cause sparing neither care nor cost therein Mr. Chute drew up a Demurrer in their behalf that their offence in making Canons could not amount to a Praemunire and now the cause sunck in silence But the main matter was that the Bishops were denied all medling even in the Commission of preparatory examinations concerning the Earl of Strafford Causa sanguinis and they as men of mercy not to deal in the condemning of any person The Bishops against the perswasions of the Lord Kimbolton and the Earl of Essex resolved to keep possession of their Votes till a prevalent power outed them thereof No day passed wherein some petition was not presented to the Parliament against the Bishops who durst not come to the Parliament by Land for fear of the Apprentices who were gathered together in great numbers to Westminster The Bishops therefore intended to come to Parliament by water in Barges but as they thought to come to Land they were so pelâ—ed with Stones and frighted at the sight of such a company of them that they were rowed back and went away to their places The next day twelve of the Bishops repaired to Jerusalem Chamber in the Dean's lodgings â—â—d drew up a Protestation directed thus To the King 's most excellent Majesty and the Lords and Peers now assembled in Parliament This Instrument they delivered to Bishop Williams now Archbishop of York who at the next opportunity presented it to his Majesty who wholly remitted the matter to the Parliament The next morning a Privy Counsellor brought this Protestation into the House and the twelve subscribers are impeached of High Treason and Voted to be committed to the Tower save that Bishop Morton of Durham and Bishop Hall of Norwich found some favour so that they alone were sent to the custody of the Black Rod. Now was the Bill against the Bishops sitting in Parliament brought up into the House of the Lords and the matter agitated so eagerly on both sides The Lord Viscount Newark afterwards Earl of Kingston made two notable speeches in the House in defence of Episcopacy which confirmed those of the Episcopal party making the Lords very zealous in Bishops behalf There were in the House many other defenders of Episcopacy as William Lord Marquis of Hartford the Earl of South-hampton the Earl of Bristol and the Lord Digby his Son and that learned Lord William Earl of Bath and many other Lords voted for them About this time died Richard Mountague Bishop of Norwich and Doctor Joseph Hall succeeded him in his See Doctor John Prideaux Regius Professor in Oxford was made Bishop of Worcester Doctor Thomas Winniff Dean of St. Pauls was made Bishop of Lincoln Doctor Ralph Brownrigg made Bishop of Exeter Doctor Henry King made Bishop of Chichester Doctor John Westfield made Bishop of Bristol he died not
had put himself into the Protection of Colone Hammond then Governour of the Island Come we now to the Church part of the Treaty in the Isle of Wight Here appeared of the Divines chosen by the King James Vsher Archbishop of Armagh Brian Duppa Bishop of Sarum Dr. Sheldon Dr. Sanderson Dr. Fern. On the other side Mr. Stephen Marshall M. Richard Vines Mr. Lazarus Seaman and Mr. Joseph Caryl were there present by appointment of the Paâ—liament All things were transacted in scriptis His Majesty consulted with his Chaplains when he pleased The King's writings were publickly read before all by Mr. Philip Warwick and Mr Vines read the Papers of his Fellow-divines As for the difference between Primitive Episcopacy and present Hierarchy urged by the Parliament Divines his Majesty did not conceive that the Additions granted by the favour of His Royal Progenitors for the enlarging the power and priviledges of Bishops did make the Government substantially to differ from what it was no more than Arms and Ornaments make a Body really different from it self when it was naked and devested of the same Whereas they besought His Majesty to look rather to the Original than to the succession of Bishops he thought it needful to look at both the latter being the best Clue in such intrinsick cases to find out the former Lastly he professed hâ—mself unsatisfied in their answer concerning the perpetual and unalterable substantials of Church-government as expecting from them a more particular Resolution therein than what he had received Eleven days after the Parliament Divines put in their answer to his Majesties last paper Herein they affirmed they saw not by what warrant the Writ of Partition of the Apostles Office was taken forth that the Governing part should be in the hands of the Bishops the Teaching and Sacramentizing in the Presbyters They also said that some Fathers acknowledged that Bishops were different from Presbyters onely in matter of Ordination They also returned that His Majestie 's Definition of Episcopal Government is extracted out of the Bishops of later date than Scriptuâ—e-times The darkness of the History of the Church in the times succeeding the Apostles said they had an influence on the Catalogue makers Fuller's Chur. â—â—st who derived the Series of succession of Bishops taken much from Tradition and Reports And it is a great blemish of their evidence that the nearer they come to the Apostles times wherein this should be most clear to establish the succession at the first they are most doubtful and contradictory one to the other They granted that a succession of men to feed and govern those Churches by Ecclesiastical Writers in compliance with the Language of their own times were called Bishops but not distinct from Presbyâ—ers So that if such a succession from the Primitive times Seriatim were proved they would either be found more than Bishops as Apostles and extraordinary persons or less as meerly first Presbyters not having the three Essentials of Episcopal government insisted on by His Majesty They humbly moved His Majesty that the Regiments of Humane testimonies on both sides might be discharged the field and the point of dispute tried alone by dint of holy Scripture They affirmed also that the power of Episcopacy under Christian and Pagan Princes is one and the same though the exercise be not but acknowledging the subordination thereof to the Sovereign Power with their accountableness to the Laws of the Land They conclude with thanks to His Majestie 's Condescension in vouchsafing them the Liberty and Honour in examining his Learned Reply praying God that a Pen in the Hand of such Abilities might ever be employ'd in a subject worthy thereof Some dayes after His Majesty returned His last paper wherein he not onely acknowledgeth the great pains of these Divines to inform his judgement according to their perswasions but also took special notice of their Civilities of the Application both in the Beginning and Body of their supply However he told them they mistook his meaning about a Writ of Partition as if His Majesty had Cantoned out the Episcopal Government one part to the Bishops another to the Presbyterians alone whereas his meaning was that the Office of Teaching is common to both alike but the other of Governing peculiar to Bishops alone The Lords and Commons vote their Commissioners return from the Treaty The Commons debate of his Majesties Propositions and agree I. That he be in Honour Safety and Freedom according to the Lawes II. That he have his Revenue as before excepting the Dedications of such Forts and Garrisons as were of old accustomed to be allowed maintenance III. That he have compensation for the Court of Wards IV. That an Act of Oblivion be past The King having granted the Parliament to dispose of all great Offices for ten years they vote it satisfactory On November 26. was presented a Declaration of the Army to the House of Commons which was the day before subscribed by the General it contained twenty six sheets of paper shewing as they termed it the misgoings of King and Parliament severally also in all Treaties betwixt them especially that they are now in They desire that the Parliament would reject those demands of the King especially concerning his Restitution and coming to London with Freedom Honour and Safety and that they proceed against the King in way of Justice c. The Army on December 2. enter the lines of Communication and at Whitehall quartereth the General and the rest of the Army at the Mews St. James's York-house and divers other places about the City The King is taken from Newport convay'd to Hurst-castle on December 6. the Trained bands are discharged the Guard to the Parliament and and Pride's and Riche's Regiments take it upon them Many of the Members coming to the House are seized and kept in custody by the General 's command in the Queen's Court and Court of Wards These were removed to the King's-Head Inn near Charing-Cross and to the Swan Inn in the Strand under Guards of Souldiers The Army put forth a new Representative called The Agreement of the People The King is brought up to London arraigned before a select Committee for that purpose called An High Court of Justice indicted and upon his refusal to own their Authority finally condemned Having received the sentence of death Dr. Juxon Bishop of London Preached privately before him at St. James's on the Sunday following his Text Romans 2. 16. Nexâ— Tuâ—sday being the 〈◊〉 of â—iâ— dissolution in the morning alone he received the Commu 〈…〉 â—â—om the hands of the said Bishop At which â—ime he read for the 〈…〉 the 27th chapter of St. Matthew containing the History of the death and passion of our Saviour Sermon ended the King heartily thanked the Bishop for selecting so seasonable and comfortable a portion of Scripture seeing all Humane hope and happiness is founded on the sufferings of our Saviour The Bishop answered He had done it meerly
Pâ—yâ—nâ—'s History Book 3. ch 3. new devises to effect their designs by fraud and terror to which purpose they procured sundry Letters from divers Quarters to be brought unto him whilst he sate at dinner at Nottingham intending to set upon the Welch-men with a potent Army whom they had stirred up to rebel against him and invade England to divert him from his design all to this effect That there was a secret Plot laid to destroy him He marched to Chester where he met with new Letters to the like effect which caused him to dismiss his Army and design against the Welchmen Besides the Popish Priests set up one Peter an Hermite a counterfeit Prophet to terrifie the King and alienate the peoples hearts from him by his false Prophesies This counterfeit Sooth-sayer prophesied That King John should reign no longer than the Ascension-day within the year of our Lord 1213. which was the fourteenth from his Coronation and this he said he had by Revelation When the Ascension-day was come the King commanded his Regal Tent to be spread abroad in the open field passing that day with his noble Council and Men of Honour in the greatest solemnity that ever he did before solacing himself with musical Songs and Instruments most in sight of his trusty Friends This day being past in all prosperity and mirth the King commanded that Peter the Hermite that false Prophet should be drawn and hanged like a Traitor Now behold the misery of King John perplexed with the French King 's daily preparation to invade England assisted by many English male-contents and all the exil'd Bishops Hereupon he sunk on a sudden beneath himself to an act of unworthy submission and subjection to the Pope For on Ascension-Eve May 15. being in the Town of Dover standing as it were on tiptoes on the utmost edge brink and label of that Land which now he was about to surrender King John by an Instrument or Charter sealed and solemnly delivered in the presence of many Prelats and Nobles to Pandulphus the Pope's Legat granted to God and the Church of Rome the Apostles Peter and Paul and to Pope innocent the Third and his Successors the whole Kingdom of England and Ireland And took an Estate thereof back again yielding and 〈◊〉 Church History Booâ— 3. paying yearly to the Church of Rome over and above the Peter-pence a thousand Marks Sterling viz. seven hundred for England and three hundred for Ireland In the passing hereof the King's Instrument to the Pope was sealed with a Seal of Gold and the Pope's to the King was sealed with a Seal of Lead This being done the King took the Crown off his Head and set it upon Pandulphus his Knees at whose feet he also laid his Scepter Robe Sword and Ring his Royal Ensigns as John de Serres relates and these words said he in hearing of all the great Lords of England Here I resign up the Crown and the Realm of England into the hands of Pope Innocentius the Third and put me wholly in his mercy and in his ordinance Then Pandulph received the Crown of King John and kept it five dayes in his hands and confirmed all things by his Charter Now the Pope's next design was how to take off and pacifie the French King from his intended Invasions and so sent the Archbishop and his Confederates into England there to insult over King John as they had done abroad Next year the Interdict was taken off the Kingdom and a general joy was over the Land The seventeenth of August following the exiled Bishops landed at Dover and were conducted in State to the King at Winchester the King 's extraordinary humbling to and begging pardon of them prostrating himself to the ground at their feet and their insolent carriage toward him is related by Matthew Paris The next day after their coming to Winchester the King issued out Writs to all the Sheriffs of England to enquire of their damages There were other Writs sent to the Kings Judges to proceed in the said Inquisition After this general compliance with them the King conceiving he had given them full-content and setled â—ll â—hings in peace resolved to pass with an Army into Picardy whither the Nobles refused to follow him In the mean time the Archbishop Bishop Nobles mâ—eâ—ing aâ— St. Albans about the damages to be restored by the King to the Prelates during their exile fell to demand the confirmation of their Liberties granted by his Grandfather King Henry the first which the King condescended unto Soon after the Archbishop caused all the Bishops Abbots Priors Deans and Nobles of the Realm to meet together at London upon pretext of satisfying his and the exiled Bishops damages but in verity to engage in a new Rebellion against the Crown and confer it on Lewis the French King's Son as they did in the conclusion under pretence of demanding the confirming the Charter and Liberties granted by King Henry the first there produced by the Archbishop which the King had buâ— newly ratified at St. Albans Pandulphus besides his former insolencies endeavoured to wrest out of the King's hand the power of imprisoning Clerks for Fellonies that so they might be at his own disposal and act any villanies wiâ—h impunity King John being thus distressed sent a base and unchristian-like Ambassage to Admiralius Murmelius a Mahometan King of Morocco then very potent and possessing a great part of Spain offering him if he would send him succour to hold the Kingdom of England as a Vassal from him and to receive the Law of Mahomet saith Matthew Paris The Moor offended at his offer told the Ambassadours That he lately had read Paul's Epistles which for the matter liked him well save only that Paul had renounced that Faith wherein he was born and the Jewish profession Wherefore he slighted King John as one devoid both of piety and policy who would love his liberty and disclaim his Religion A strange tender if true But Mr. Prynne proveth it to be a most scandalous malitious forgery of this Monk of St. Albans against the King for sequestring that Abbey Philip King of France together with his Son Lewis and his Proctor and all the Nobles of France Anno 1216. with his own mouth protested against this Charter and resignation to Walo the Pope's own Legat when purposely sent to them by Pope Innocent to disswade them from invading England as being then St. Peter's Patrimony not only as null void in it self for several Reasons but of most pernitious example King John out of his piety to prevent profanations of the Lord's-day removed the Market of the City of Exeter from the Lord's-day whereon it was formerly kept to the Monday This King to ingratiate himself with the Romish Cardinals and Court granted them annual Pensions out of his Exchequer the Arrears whereof he ordered to be satisfied in the first place and likewise gave Benefices or Prebends to their Nephews and Creatures Moreover to
Nature and Polity that a Woman should be declared to be the Supreme Head on Earth of the Church of England But the Queen declined the Title of Head and assumed the name of Governor of the Church of England This Act having easily passed the House of Commons found none of the Temporal Lords in the House of Lords to oppose it save onely the Earl of Shrewsbury and Anthony Brown Viscount Montacute As for the Bishops there were but fourteen and the Abbot of Westminster then alive of whom four being absent the rest could not make any considerable opposition In the Convocation of the Clergy there passed certain Articles of Religion which they tendered to the Parliament which were these I. That in the Sacrament of the Altar by the vertue of Christ assisting after the word is duly pronounced by the Priest the natural Body of Christ conceived by the Virgin Mary is really present under the Species of Bread and Wine also his natural Blood II. That after the Consecration there remains not the substance of Bread and Wine nor any other substance save the substance of God and Man III. That the true Body of Christ and his true Blood is offered a propitiatory Sacrifice for the quick and dead IV. That the supreme power of feeding and governing the Militant Church of Christ and of confirming their Brethren is given to Peter the Apostle and to his lawful Successors in the See Apostolick as unto the Vicars of Christ. V. That the Authority to handle and define such things which belong to Faith the Sacraments and Discipline Ecclesiastical hath hitherto ever belonged and onely ought to belong unto the Pastors of the Church whom the Holy Spirit hath placed in the Church of God and not unto Lay-men This Remonstrance exhibited by the lower house of Convocation to the Bishops was according to their Requests presented by Edmond Bonner Bishop of London to the Lord Keeper of the Broad-seal of England in the Parliament Both Universities did concur to the truth of the foresaid Articles the last onely excepted This Declaration of the Popish Clergy hastened the disputation appointed on the last of March in the Church of Westminster wherein these Questions were debated I. Whether Service and Sacraments ought to be celebrated in the vulgar Tongue II. Whether the Church hath not power to alter Ceremonies III. Whether the Mass be a propitiatory Sacrifice for the living and the dead Popish Disputants White Bishop of Winchester Watson Bishop of Lincoln Baynes Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield Scot Bishop of CHESTER Protestant Disputants John Scory late Bishop of Chichester David Whitehead Robert Horn. Edmond Gwest Edwyn Sandys John Elmer Edmond Grindal John Juel Moderators Nicholas Heath Archbishop of York Sir Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper of the Great Seal Besides the Disputants there were present many of the Lords of the Queens Council with other of the Nobility as also many of the lower House of Parliament For the manner of their conference it was agreed it should be performed in writing and that the Bishops should deliver their Reasons in writing first Many differences arose between them so that the conference broke off and nothing was determined The Bishops of Lincoln and Winchester thought meet that the Queen and the Authors of this defection from the Church of Rome should be Excommunicated who for this cause were imprisoned Then a Peace being made was Proclaimed over all England betwixt the Queen of England the King of France the Daulphin and the Queen of Scots The Parliament being dissolved by Authority of the same the Liturgy was forthwith brought into the Churches in the Vulgar Tongue the Oath of Supremacy offered to the Popish Bishops and others of the Ecclesiastical profession which most of them had sworn unto in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth All the Bishops refused except Anthony Bishop of Landaff As many as refused were turned out of their Livings Dignities Bishopricks In the Sees of the Prelates removed were placed Protestant Bishops Matthew Parker was made Archbishop of Canterbury who was Consecrated by three that formerly had been Bishops namely William Barlow of Bath and Wells John Scory of Chichester and Miles Coverdale of Exeter And being Consecrated himself he afterward Consecrated Edmond Grindal Bishop of London Richard Cox Bishop of Ely Edwyn Sandys Bishop of Worcester Rowland Merick Bishop of Bangor Thomas Young Bishop of St. David's Nicholas Bullingham Bishop of Lincoln John Juel Bishop of Salisbury Richard Davis Bishop of St. Asaph Edward Guest Bishop of Rochester Gilbert Barkley Bishop of Bath and Wells Thomas Bentham Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield William Alley Bishop of Exeter John Parkhurst Bishop of Norwich Robert Horn Bishop of Winchester Richard Cheiney Bishop of Glocester Edmond Scambler Bishop of Peterborough William Barlow Bishop of Chichester John Scory Bishop of Hereford Thomas Young Archbishop of York James Pilkinton Bishop of Durham John Best Bishop of Carlile and William Dounham Bishop of Chester Nicholas Health Archbishop of York lived privately many years in his Mannor of Chobham in Surrey never restrained to any one place and died in great favour with the Queen who bestowed many gratious visits upon him during his retirement Tonstal of Durham spent the remainder of his time with Archbishop Parker by whom he was kindly entertained and honourably buried The like civility was afforded to Thurlby Bishop of Ely in the same house and unto Bourn of Wells by the Dean of Exon in which two houses they both died about ten years after White though at first imprisoned for his faults after some cooling himself in the Tower of London was suffered to enjoy his liberty and to retire himself to what friend he pleased Which favour was vouchsafed unto Turbervil also who being a Gentleman by extraction wanted not friends to give him good entertainment Watson of Lincoln after a short restraint spent the remainder of his time with the Bishops of Rochester and Ely till having practised against the State he was shut up in the Castle of VVisbich where at last he died Oglethorp died soon after his deprivation of an Apoplexy Bayn of the Stone and Morgan in December following Pool enjoyed the like freedom and died in a good old age Christopherson lived on his Estate Bonner alone was doomed to a perpetual imprisonment the prison proving to that wretch saith Dr. Heylin his greatest Sanctuary whose horrid Butcheries had otherwise exposed him to the popular sury We find no more to have been deprived of their preferments than fourteen Bishops six Abbots Priors and Governors of Religious Orders twelve Deans and as many Archdeacons fifteen Presidents or Masters of Colledges fifty Prebendaries of Cathedral Churches and about eighty Parsons or Vicars The whole number not amounting to two hundred men which in a Realm consisting of nine thousand Parishes and twenty six Cathedral Churches could be no great matter But there was not a sufficient number of Learned men to supply the Dr. P.