of York Restitutus of London and Adelphius of Golchester called in that Council Colonia Londinensium And so the Arch-bishop concludes that the Angels of the seven Churches in the Revelation were seven singular Bishops and that Saint Iohn being removed from his Exile by the Sentence of Nerva he betook himself to the Metropolis of Ephesus and being assisted with the presence of the seven Bishops he took upon him the Government of the Metropolis of the Ephesians and continued preaching the Word of Piety untill the Empire of Trajan That during that time he published the Gospel as saith Irenaeus Eusebius and Hierom at the intreaty of the Bishops of Asia and there did ordain divers Bishops in several Churches All which may suffice for the deduction To which was added by another the Thesis THESIS 1. That our English Episcopacy hath been justified by the confession of the most learned Protestants of remote Churches in special by the Church of Geneva 2. That there was never any visibly constituted Church in all Christendom since the Apostles time for fifteen hundred years and more which held Episcopacy in it self to be unlawfull 3. That Episcopal Prelacy is acknowledged by Protestant Divines of remote Churches to be according to the Word of God and their consent therein unto primitive Antiquity 4. That Episcopal Government in the Church is in respect of the necessary use thereof the best by the consent of Protestant Divines of other reformed Churches 5. That the most Protestant Churches do profess and practise a Prelacy over Presbyters 6. That the former Reasons of Confessions of Protestant Divines concerning the necessity of Episcopal Prelacy for preservation of concord and preventing of Schism is correspondent to the judgment of Antiquity 7. That Bishops primitively were not onely the chiefest Champions for the Christian Faith but also the greatest Adversaries to Romish Popedom as have also our English 8. That to be of Apostolical institution argueth in it a divine Right by the confession of excellent Divines of the Reformed Churches 9. That no ancient Father absolutely denied the Apostolical Original of Episcopacy no not the objected Hierom who will shew himself a manifest Patron thereof 10. That Clement an Apostolical Disciple to whose arbitrement both our Opposites and we offer to yield our selves doth patronize Episcopacy as being Apostolical 11. That other primitive Fathers before Hierom did unanimously testifie an Apostolical Right of Episcopacy 12. That the Apostolical Antiquity of Episcopacy is confessedly proved out of Ignatius 13. That Antiquity hath given us Rules of Resolution by the knowledg of any Apostolical practice which may serve in the case of Episcopacy 14. That Protestant Divines of other reformed Churches have held it most equal to be directed by the judgments of Ancients for a proof of a practise Apostolical 15. That Beza himself is challengeable to yield unto an Apostolical Right of Episcopacy from his own former confession 16. That the testimony of Nazianzen and Augustine are unworthily objected to the contrary 17. That Timothy and Titus both had a Prelacy over Presbyters notwithstanding the Objection of the community of Names of Bishops and Presbyters is sufficiently confessed by Protestant Divines of remote Churches 18. That Timothy and Titus have had a Prelacy as Bishops over Presbyters in the Apostles times notwithstanding the Objection that they were called Evangelists according to consent of Protestants of Reformed Churches 19. That Antiquity taught an Episcopacy both in Timothy and Titus 20. That our Opposites first Exposition which interpreteth the Angeâ— to mean the whole Church and Congregation is notably extravagant 21. That our Opposites second Exposition of the word Angel to signifie onely the Order and College of Presbyters is erroneous notwithstanding the Arguments of our Opposites to the contrary 22. That our Opposites third Exposition of the word Angel to signifie one onely Pastour in the Church of Ephesus is extremely new and naught 23. That by the word Angel of Ephesus to signifie a singular and individual Pastour having a Prelacy over Presbyters proved by a large consent of Protestant Divines without exception is judicious and ingenious 24. That Antiquity held not the word Angel whereof we treat to be taken collectively for a multitude of Pastours 25. That the word Angel in other places of the Revelation is commonly if not always individually taken 26. That by Angel is meant individually one Bishop is demonstrated by historical learning without contradiction 27. That Christ himself shewed his approbation of Prelacy which the foresaid Angels had in their several Churches We have been so busie at home that no time nor place can be spared to mention fo reign affairs yet such were the affictions of the Spaniard by fomer Losses Plots and Treasons as we need not wish an Enemy to suffer more much less one in amity with us Indeed Spain was at the very brink of destruction likely to lose the Low-countreys and her States in Italy also but as the mighty Oak resists the several Storms from all the corners of the Earth so she in greatest mis-fortunes fixes by degrees and brings her self to this height and growth she is since recovered It appears now from this year almost fatal by the defection of Catalonia Portugal and part of the Indies the loss of Arras and the ill success of his Army in Italy besides the approach of the Swedish War to the back of the Danube Philip 4. now King of Spain milde and more affected to his pleasure than to State-affairs lest all Government to his Favourite Olivares who became odious to all the People and from the Low-Countreys themselves which advantages to the Grandees desires were by them fomented to a general Insurrection and Revolt the very Garrisons of Strangers in Catalonia incited the Natives there to rebell who suddenly rose in Arms â—lew their Governour the very Bishops and Priests Incendiaries therein and Don Ioseph of Margarita made them renounce their King and Town to the Protection of France for their Privileges a Nation who in truth make Profession to observe none themselves and by the Marshal of Schonebergh they had assistance of Forces to advance a Treaty with their King The like mischief happened to his Territories in Italy where the Marquess of Legantz besieging Cassal that fatal place to the Spaniard was by brave Count Harcourt Brother to the Duke d' Elbeuf and of the generous Bloud of the Guisars defeated in their Trenches and above four thousand men killed relieved the Town and raised the Siege which may disprove that Maxime that the French are onely furious in their first Assault and therein more than Men and in continuance less than Women for they endured two Repulses but became Conquerours in the third And afterward Harcourt takes Turin in spite of Prince Thomas the Dukes Uncle who commanded there In the Low-countreys likewise they did more by the management of three Marshals of Chaunts Chatillon and Meilleray making shew to
February had required the Arch-bishop of Armagh lately come into England to give them his Directions concerning the Liturgy and Episcopal Government whose Answer was thus The Bishop of Armagh's Direction to the Parliament concerning the Liturgy and Episcopal Government being thereunto required by them Febr. 1640. To satisfie you Demands both concerning the Liturgie and Episcopal Government First for the Book of Common Prayer it may be alleged First that God himself appointed in the Law a set Form of Benediction Numb 6. 23 24 25 26. Secondly that David appointed set Psalms to be sung upon especial occasions as the Title to each of them sheweth Thirdly that the Prophet Joel appointed a third Form of Prayers to be used by the Priests at a solemn feast Joel chap. 2. verse 15. 17. Fourthly That Christ not only commands us to pray after such a manner Mat. 6. 9. but to use a set form of words Luke 11 2. when you pray say Our father c. Fiftly the spirit of God is no more restrained by using a set form of Prayer then by singing set hymns or Psalms in Meeter which yet the adversaries of our Common-prayer Practise in their Assemblies Sixtly of All Prayers premeditated are the best Eccle. 5. 30. of Premeditated Prayers those which are allowed by publique Authority are to be preferred above those which are uttered by any private Spirit Seventhly All the Churches in the Christian world in the first and best times had their set formes of Liturgie whereof most are extant in the writings of the Fathers to this day Eightly Let our Service-book be compared to the French Dutch or any other Liturgies prescribed in any of the former Churches and it will appear to any indifferent reader that it is more exact and compleat then any of them Ninethly Our Service-book was penned and allowed of not onely by many Learned Doctors but glorious Martyrs who sealed the truth of the Reformed Religion with their Blood Yet it cannot be denied that there are quaedam in pulchro Corpore mendae And it were to be wished so it be done without much noyse First That the Calendar in part might be reformed and the Lessons taken out of the Apocrypha might be struck out and other Lessons taken out of the Canonical-Scriptures appointed to be read in the place of them for besides that there is no necessity of reading any of the Apocrypha there are in some of the Chapters set in the Index passages repugnant to the doctrine of holy-scriptures as namely in some Chapters of Tobit Secondly that in the Psalms Epistle and Gospels and all sentences alledged out of holy-scripture the last translating of King James Bible may be followed for in the former there be many passages not agreeable to the Original as may be proved by many instances Thirdly That in the Rubrick where of late the word Priest hath been put instead of the word Minister it may be expunged and the word Minister restored which is less offensive and more agreeable to the language of all Reformed Churches And likewise that some clauses which seem to have surreptitiously crept into it to be expunged as namely after the Communion every Minister shall Communicate and shall so receive the Sacraments and other rites according to the order in this Book appointed which words can carry no good sence in a Protestants eare nor those after Private baptism that it is certain by Gods word that Children being baptized have all things necessary for their salvation and be undoubtedly saved Fourthly that in the Hymns instead of the song of the three-Children some other word might be placed out of the Canonical scriptures and that a fitter Psalm were chosen at the Churching of a woman for those verses he will not suffer thy foot to be moved and the Sun shall not burn thee by day nor the moon by night seem not very pertinent Fiftly that in the Pravers and Collects some expressions were better as where it is said Almighty God which only worketh great wonders send down upon our Bishops c. And let thy great mercy loose them for the honour of Jesus Christ his sake and from fornication and all other deadly sins and the like Sixtly That in the singing Psalms either the lame rythms or the superfluous words as I say's and for why's And homely phrases as thou shalt feed them with brown bread and take thy hand out of thy lap and give thy foes a rap and mend this geer and the like may be corrected or at least a better translation of the Psalms in meeter appointed in place of this old Secondly for Episcopal-government it may be alleged First That in the old-law the Priests were above the Levites Secondly that in the Gospel the Apostles were above the Seventy Disciples Thirdly That in the subscriptions of St. Paules Epistles which are part of the Canonical Scripture it is said that Timotheus was ordained the first Bishop of the Church of the Ephesians Fourthly That Episcopal ordination and Jurisdiction hath express warrant in holy Scripture as namely Titus 1. 5. for this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders that is Ministers in every City and of Tim. 5. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man and 5. 19. Against an Elder or Minister receive not an accusation but before two or three witnesses Fiftly The Angels of whom the Epistles were indorsed the unanimous consent of all the best Interpreters both ancient and latter expound it to be the Bishops of those Cities Sixtly Eusebius and other Ecclesiastical writers affirm none contradicting them that the Apostles themselves chose James Bishop of Jerusalem and that in all their Apostolical Seats succeeded Bishops which continued in all the Christian world and no other Government heard of in the Church for fifteen hundred years and more then by Bishops and the Canons of Councels both General and Provincial which consisted of Bishops Seventhly That so many acts of Parliament and Laws of the Kingdome and Statutes of Colleges of both Universities have relation to Bishops that the removing of them especially there haveing been never any other Government setled in this Kingdome will breed an Infinite confusion and no Reformation but rather a deformation in the Church yet it were to be wished that in something our Government might be reduced into the constitutions and practice of the Primitive Church especially in these particulars First that Bishops did ordinarily Preach either in the Metropolitan Church or in the Parochial-Churches in their visitations Secondly That they might not Ordain any Minister without the consent of three or four at the least grave Pastors Thirdly That they might not suspend ab officio et beneficio at their pleasures by their sole authority and only with a necessary consent of some assistance and that for such causes and crimes only as the antient Canons or the Laws of this Kingdome appoint Fourthly that none might be
Excommunicated but by the Bishop himself with the consent of the Pastor in whose Parish the Delinquent liveth and that for Heinous Scandalous Crimes joyned with obstinacie and wilful contempt of the Churches authority and that for non appearance upon ordinary citations some other punishment might be inflicted and that appointed by Law Fiftly That Bishops might not demand benevolence for the Clergie nor exact allowance for their diet in their visitations nor suffer their servants to exact undue fees in Ordinations and institutions Lastly That Bishops Chancellors and officials may be subject to the Censures of the principal Synods and Convocations But of the Original of Episcopacie take a cleer view of Doctor Reynalds his judgement and the Arch Bishop of Armagh confirmation thereof and here abreviated referring the Reader to the Book it self and his Annotations for his Authority printed this year 1641. When Elders were ordained so the doctor by the Apostles in every Church through every City to feed the flock of Christ whereof the Holy Ghost had then overseers they the better to perform that duty did Assemble and chose one amongst them President and Moderator As at Ephesus though sundry Elders and Pastors yet but one chief whom our Saviour calls the Angel of the Church and whom the primitâ—ve fathers of the Church call Bishops for as Minister the common name to all who serve in the steward-ship of the Ministers of God is now by custome restrained to the name Elders who are under a Bishop so the name Bishop common to all Elders and Pastors was by the language of the Fathers apppropriated to him who was President over Elders Thus are certain Elders reproved by Cyprian for receiving to the communion them who had fallen in time of persecution before the Bishop had advised of it with them and others And Cornelius writeth that the Catholique Church committed to his charge had fourty six Elders and ought to have but one Bishop And both of them being Bishops the one of Rome the other of Carthage do witness of themselves that they dealt in matters of the Churches Government by the consent and councel of the company of Elders or Eldership This was that Doctors opinion which the Arch Bishop of Armagh confirmes with these notes of Antiquity That the Angel of the Church of Ephesus was by the fathers called Bishop is cleerly confirmed both by the succession of the first Bishop of that Church and by the Testimony of Ignatius who within twelve years after distinguisheth the singular and constant President thereof from the rest of the number of the Presbyters by appropriating the name of Bishops unto him The former is declared in the general councel of Calcedon by Lecutius Bishop of Magnesia That from Timothy there had been a continued succession of twenty seven Bishops all ordained in Ephesus of which number the Angel of Ephesus must needs be one whether it were Timothy or one of his next successors That Timothy had been Antistes as Iustin Martyr calls him and the father term a Bishop or President is confessed by Beza And that he was the first Bishop of Ephesus as in the second Epistle to Timothy and in Eusebius but also in two ancient Treatises concerning Timothies Martyrdome the one of them nameless the other named Policrates who was himself Bishop of this Church of Ephesus and born within thirty seven years after St. Iohn had written the said Epistle to the Angel of that Church and in his Epistle to Victor Bishop of Rome he maketh mention of seven kinsmen of his who had been Bishops he himself being the Eight That Ignatius was ordained Bishop of Antioch by St. Peter and did sit in that sea at the same time when that Epistle unto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus was commanded to be written And in the last journey which Ignatius made for the consummation of his glorious Martyrdome at Rome he wrote another Epistle unto the self same Church of Ephesus in which he maketh mention of their then Bishop Onesimus in this Epistle to the Ephesians Ignatius having acknowledged that their numerous multitude was received by him in the presence of their Bishop Onesimus puts them in mind of their duty in concurring with him as their worthy Presbyters did and exhorteth them to obey both the Bishop and the the Presbytery with a undivided mind In that journey Ignatius wrote another Epistle unto the Church of Smyrna one other of the seven in St. Iohns Revelation saluting their Bishops and Presbyters exhorting them to follow their Bishop as Christ Jesus did his Father and the Presbyters by the Apostles and tells them that none ought to administer the Sacraments or meddle with the Church without consent of the Bishop That Polycarpus was then the Bishop when Saint Iohn wrote unto the Angel of the Church of Smyrna as Irenaeus informs who was present when Polycarpus himself did discourse of his conversation with Saint Iohn and of those things which he heard from those who had seen our Lord Iesus Polycarpus says Irenaeus was not onely taught by the Apostle conversed with many that had seen Christ but also was by the Apostles and constituted in Asia Bishop of the Church which is in Smyrna whom we our selves also did see in our younger age for he continued long and being very aged he most gloriously and nobly suffered Martyrdom And he of whom the Brethren gave this respect He was say they the most honourable man in our times an Apostolical and Prophetical Doctour and Bishop of the Catholick Church which is in Smyrna Polycrates Bishop of Ephesus and his Neighbour affirms that Polyâ—arpus was both Bishop and Martyr in Smyrna About the time of Polyâ—rates it was that Tertullian published his Book of Prescriptions against Hereticks where he avoucheth against them that as the church of Smyrna had Polycarpus placed there by Saint John and the Church of Rome had Clement ordained by Saint Peter so the rest of the Churches did shew what Bishops they had received by the appointment of the Apostles to traduce the Apostolical seed unto them And before him did Irenaeus urge against them the Succession of Bishops unto whom the Apostles committed the charge of the Church in every place and we are able to number those who were ordained Bishops for the Churches and their Successours unto our days â—For proof whereof Irenaeus brings in the Succession of the Bishops of Rome from Linus unto whom the Apostles committed that Episcopacy and Anacletus and Clement unto Eleutherius In the time of Eleutherius Bishop of Rome Lucius King of Brittains sent to him an Epistle desiring to be made a Christian who obtained it and that the Brittains kept the Faith then received sound and undefiled in quiet peace untill the times of Dioclesian the Emperour and that yet within ten years after and eleven before the Council of Nice three of our Brittish Bishops subâ—cribed unto the Council of Arles they were Eborius
Proctors deprived and others partakers check't for engaging But the Expulsion of these Preachers Expelled not their Schism which inwardly burnt the more for blazing the lesse many complaining of the two edged sword of justice too penal for some to touch then others to break the Kings Declaration And in this controversie died the Arch Bishop of York Dr. Harsnet a discreet Assertor of these necessary and useful Ceremonies and complained even against the Conformable Puritan who preached it in policy but diffented in judgement His Epitaph sets forth his Bishopricks Indignus Episcopus Cicestrensis Indignior Norvicensis Indignissimus Archiepiscopus Eboracensis enjoying them all three And now they revive the Sabbatarian controversie which was begun five years since 1628. Bradburn on the Sabbath day and directed to the King maintaining First The fourth Commandment simply and intirely Moral and Christians obliged as well as the Iews to observe everlastingly that day That the Lords day is an ordinary working day it being Will-worship to make it a Sabbath by vertue of the fourth Commandment But the High Commission Court soon made this man a Convert which opinions begat controversies of five heads What is the fittest name of that day when to begin and end Upon what authority grounded Whether alterable or no Whether any recreations and what kinds on that day And then these disputants were distinguished into Sabbatarians Moderate men and Anti-Sabbatarians and their preaching and pamphlets so quarrelous as made the poor distracted people to seek what to do And at the Temple It was Explained by Learned Dr. Micklethwait That the richer fort were more obliged to the strictnesse of the day than the poor workman such as have no diversion by labour all the week need no Recreation on One day the Labourer having some title to Liberty But from the Pen they fall to Pikes and Somersetshire the Stage and fieâ—y Scene First keeping their Church-Ales and Wakes of meetings on that day evening which upon complaint to Richardson Chief Justice that Circuit he suppressed them totally by Order of the nineteenth of March. This being an usurpation of a Lay Judg on Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction the Arch-bishop Laud procures from the King a Commission to two Bishops and other Divines to examine the Judges carriage therein which Order at last he was fain to revoke the next Assize and so the quarrel on foot and petition troubling the King to settle this difference it procured reason of State in the King to revive his Fathers Declaration for Sports set out in the fifteenth of King Iames upon the like occasion in Lancashire which refer to the subsequent time 1654. And indeed though the State was induced with much prudence to afford some liberty to labouring people carving to some freedom on that day cut most for others and leave least for themselves The Declaration was not pressed on the Minister to publish more proper for a Lay Officer or Constable but because Judg Richardson had enjoyned his Order to the contrary and the Minister obeyed it Now the Declaration was put upon them also by the Order of the Bishops Some Schismaticks were forward to read it and forthwith the fourth Commandment setting as they meant God and the King at odds that so themselves might escape in the fray Nor was the reading absolutely urged upon any unless under the Bishop of Norwich too severe there Many men out of breath observe this as the concurring cause of our sad events and Civil War 'T is true our fights were often forced upon the King on that day as pointing at the punishing of profaneness but our Battels have been rubrick'd each day in the Week with English bloud and therefore to pick a solemn Providence out of a common Casualty savours more of Curiosity than Conscience though indeed Edg-hill Fight fell on that day which entred us into so much misery And truly had we all of us strictand duly observed the holy keeping that Holy Day we might be happy there still I mean the due measure but we have wrested it awry from the right way reeling into extremes afterwards neglecters now contemners Transcendents above common piety they need not keep any because they observe all days we call them Levellers equalling all Times Places Persons nay to our Lands in common a general confusion they make to be Gospel perfection for having supprest all due observation of festival Saints days and their Eves Wednesdays and Fridays Service and Letanies now our Hypocrites out of errour or worse perfect prâ—faness take away the Lords day also The famous Fabrick of Saint Pauls Church and Steeple made so in process of time from the pâ—ety of primitive Christians their devout zeal to good works and since by several additions of Benefactours raised to a structure of admiration a Pile huge and honourable not the like left to our last Age to be sampled in the whole World What the hands of good men had made wonderfull the hand of wasting had extremely decayed Onely the hand of Heaven by accident of Lightning had burnt down the high Spire in the time of Queen Elizabeth who then had designed not onely to rebuild that but to repair the whole Church and to that end some Materials were then prepared Afterwards in the time of King Iames the religious Patriot Sir Paul Pindar of worthy memory returning into England some years since from his Ambassie Lieger in Constantinople and afterwards one of the great Farmers of the Kings Customes and of ample fortune the most in money became the great Example of Charity to many and the Patern of Piety to all in his magnificent re-edifyfying of this Church First he repaired the Entry front and Porches to all the upper Church Quire and Chancel and enriched them with Marble Structures and Figures of the Apostles with Carvings and Guildings far exceeding their former beauty which cost above two thousand pounds the act of a good man as King Iames said But the main Fabrick fit for the work of a King And therefore King Charls having a pious resolution to begin the Repair of the whole Church and Steeple made his humble entry at the West end of the Isles up to the Body Quire and Chancel where after a Sermon of Exhortation to that Christian intention he made his pious Procession about the inside Circumvelation thereof and viewing the Decays gave up his promise with his Devotions speedâ—ly to settle the beginning of the work And this year issued out his Commissions under his Great Seal to the Lord Maior Sir Robert Drewry the two Arch-bishops the Chancellour Treasurer Privy Seal some Bishops Secretaries and Councellours of State Deans Aldermen and others or any six of them whereof three to be of the Privy Council and always the Bishop of London for the time being to be one who was then William Laud and the first man but not the chief Promoter being promoved and attempted by others before he was of
note yet indeed he became a diligent and powerfull Actor therein and the first Benefactour who gave a hundred pounds per annum whilest he should be Bishop of London by whose pious endeavours and forward Example and sundry Contributions of good and godly men and by Commissions of Protection for Breves and Collections in all Churches of England and Wales there was gathered in time the sum of fourscore thousand pounds in all A large consideration was had to begin with the Steeple and Body and so to descend to the Isles presuming that when the Steeple should be finished the Contributions would necessarily invite the compleating of the whole But it was otherwise resolved and they began at the West end and first the out-walls which being cluttered with petty Tenements even to the stopping of the Church-lights that clouded the beauty of the first Foundation those Houses by Lease or Rents were purchased and pulled down and the little Church called Saint Gregories builded up at the West end South of the Foundation was willingly taken down to the ground and a very necessary place ordered for the erection of another Church for that Parish And to this excellent good Work the fore remembred Sir Paul Pindar besides his former Expences took upon him also at his own proper cost and charge and did effect it before he died to repair or rather new build the great South Isle far more beautifull than it had been at the first eâ—ection which 〈◊〉 him above seventeen thousand pounds The Contribution-money was intrusted to the Chamber of London then supposed the safest Chest from thence to be issued out for Materials and Workmanship The West end or Enterance was finished more sumptuous and stately than at first A gracefull stately Porch was raised the whole breadth of the West end upon Pillars of Stone of the Ionick work supporting the Roof on the top whereof in seemly distance was erected the Figures and excellent Postures of King Iames and King Charls mounted on Pedestals leaving room aud spaces for other succeeding Sovereigns Then they had new cased the whole intire out-walls more nobly to the Roof with large Figures of Pomegranates set upon Pedestals at equal distances to grace the Roof which was all overlaid with Lead The Windows with admirable painted Glass of Figures of the Fathers Prophets and Apostles with several historical pieces of Scripture Then they had vaulted the Roofs with massie Supporters of Timber and Scaffolds raised for re-edifying and beautifying the Roof Lastly they had raised outward Scaffolding from the body of the Church to the very top of the Steeple and were going on with the Spire and some Moneys in stock towards the finishing of all which most Artisans supposed might be finished for forty thousand pounds When on the sudden William Laud late Arch-bishop of Canterbury was impeached by the late House of Commons in their long Parliament and our Civil uncivil Dissentions seized the whole stock of Money and so the Work ceased The Church forthwith turned into a Prison or Goal of Malignants then into a Garrison of Foot-soldiers then into a Stable of unclean Beasts and then to the sale of all Materials Stone Lead Glass Iron and last of all the very Scaffolding of Timber which cost forty thousand pounds sold for six thousand the Money never paid the end and ruine of that most glorious and Christian Design After-ages may conceive this final and horrid ruine to be the effects of a cruel War which devastates all But at the beginning of this Design of Repair it is most true that many had no fancy thereto the whole gang of Presbyterians utterly disliked of it And when the Earl of Holland Chancellour of the University of Cambridg was commanded by the King to write his Letters to that University for Contributions of the Heads Fellows and Students a wonder it was what plots and devices of some afterwards busie-bodies in Parliament for a time obstructed those Letters and other pious intentions of sundry Contributions and were the onely causers of that desolation and earnestly urged the ruine to all Cathedrals as it is well observed that Doctor Bastwick whom he examples for one and a known Schismatick grudging at the great expence in the Repair observes his base and irreverend expression alluding to the name Cathedral That all the mighty mass of money must be spent in making a Seat for a Priest's Arse to sit in See Bastwick's second Part of his Letany But as that repaired London Bridg burned the North-part to the first open distance which secured the rest an ugly patcht unformed Building it was part of the ruine is since repaired a handsome well-piled Patern for rebuilding all the rest The King took the infection of the Small Pox to the great grief of the Subjects in general and because many had suffered extremely in that Sickness the Pulpits Prayers and private Devotions of all good and well-affected People were frequently offered to the Divine Majesty who in mercy soon restored him to health again without any marks or blemish of usual Spots to others in the like Sickness The military affairs of Europe were now come to the miserable effects of a cruel War on all sides we shall enter the story of the the Eastern part Sigismund King of Poland and Swethland the Bulwark of Christendom against the Turks tyranny had been heretofore enforced to sue for succour of neighbour Princes by several Embassies of King Iames by Ossolinsky Count Palatine of Sendomeria who so well performed his eloquent Oration and excellent behaviour that he procured from hence two thousand men and money Voluntiers for the Guards of that Kings Person This Count was initiated a Civilian bred up in Court to become Chancellour and now a Commander in this War certainly a man of singular merit and to boot very handsome and of most obliging demeanor which took with the King and all our Court of high concernment to chuse a Person proper for his Arrand And because the Quarrel came to mighty execution of both parties I may not omit the occasion so much concerning those miserable neighbour Nations bordering the Turks Dominions specially the Pole who it seemed in those days deserved better of all Princes than to be worried out of his own Inheritance by a Christian now of late 1655 more cruel now than the Turk was then And so by this entrance we shall bring the brief History to our time Mahâ—met the Authour of their Alcoran enjoyned the Race of Othomans two special things To propagate the Empire by some mighty Attempts of War The other to glorifie their Religion by some wondrous Action in Peace or stupendous Structure of Amazement to the World For the first Their Terâ—itories extend to the Asian and African shores from Trebizond the bottome of the Black-sea to Argier neighbouring the Straits of Gibralter 6000. English miles besides the possession of Greece and her Islands with his intrusion into Hungary
firm and sure Peace from all our Neighbours And accordingly produced the good effects in some measure But we are told that they did nothing neither of them meaning the other Fleet also which the Earl of Northumberland commanded the next year and onely the Earl of Lindsey and Essex for this year But pardon me my opinion they did more than expectation they secured the Seas you confess from Pyracies formerly molesting so then our Commodities were safely transported and the Merchandize of Christendom came home with ease to our profit And it was accounted the best security for the King of Spain to intrust his Treasure Bullion in our English Bottoms being coined here some hundred thousand pounds a year became good benefit to the Kings Mint and much thereof to the Merchant whose Commodities were exchanged thereby and the rest of the Money paid over by Exchange to the Spanish Army in Flanders It hath ever been the best ballance with England not to endure an over-bias of any our great Neighbours French or Spaniard And as our first interest with the Netherlands kept their Enemy aloof so now themselves forgetting their first Friends had contracted Confederacy with France the one to infest Dunkirk and other parts of Flanders by Land and the Hollanders by Sea thereby to bring him under who indeed was already bare enough not able to bring ten thousand men into the Field And so with other practices of the Dutch with the discontented Natives the French prevailed at Diest and Tillemont untill the monstrous insolencies of that Army French and Dutch together inflamed the very Natives so far to resent their own sufferings by the Souldier both out of the Countrey And to boot the English Fleet removed the Hollanders from before Dunkirk that neither of the Confederates nor thus combined could do other harm than to ravage the Countrey but left no Hold behinde them The Prince Electour wearied with long expectation of the Emperours Result upon former Overtures and Mediation of Neighbour States towards the restauration of his Patrimony the Palatinate was now come hither himself to solicit the Kings assistance and for the present and in order to the effect had reception with all the Caresses of Court-ceremonies and the Prince Charls dislodged from his Quarter at White-hall for this Kinsmans entertaiment And soon after arrived his third Brother Prince Rupert The 28. of December a Moneth after the Queen was delivered of her second Daughter and baptized Elizabeth the first of Ianuary after The effects of our Fleet and resolution concerning the Sea besides made the Hollander tack about to caress the English with the Ceremony of an Ambassy sent outwardly onely to congratulate the Queens happy delivery of a second Princess but to work the more into favour he came not empty-handed and meant to get more by the loss of a Present being a massie piece of Amber-greece two fair and almost transparent China Baâ—ons a rare Clock of excellent art and four very admirable pieces of Painting the Originals of Tintinet and Tisian those admired ancient Artizans It was the wisdom of the King sufficiently to consider to whom this Treasury might best be intrusted This while the Commissioners served the Time but not the Kings private turn It was too publick in many hands the disposing of that which more prudentially would do better in One ordering it single by himself to whom the King might communicate his In-comes and Expence and therefore this Spring in March he commits the Staff of that Office to Doctor William Iuxon Bishop of London who had Religion to be honest and no use of self-interest to be corrupt a single person needs not to be covetous Former Treasurers being bound to keep up their Titles to the dignity of their Place and their necessary expence to the fulness of their Family made them too bold with the Kings Money which he wanted A good Man this Bishop was before and after and so no doubt to the end It was no wonder then if the Kings insight in him should pick him out the most fit for that trust as well as before to make him a Bishop But our Historian was of greater insight but of less opinion of the Bishops Clerkship as none of the greatest Scholars implying a defect which he found out that deserves his censure The foreign affairs of the Sword were somewhat allaid in Germany by the Peace concluded at Prague in May this year and the Protestants reduced to their Profession as it was setled Anno 1627. and their Ecclesiastick Lands confirmed for forty years the Agreement at Pastavia after that time to be composed in an annual way But the zealous or rather the fiery parties of both sides not well pleased with whom Cardinal Richelieu designs undermined to bring all about back again to a quarrel which the Emperour wisely considering to make peace at home for a War abroad that may happen pursues the Agreement that such as were comprised should render up their Forces to the Emperour their Head or to be declared Enemies which caused many to submit by force for the present The Dukes of Mecklenbergh are re-invested onely the Swedes enjoy what Lands they had seized Duke Bernard therefore excluded retires to France and there juggled into an hatred of the Swedes for ever after In general the Swedes were displeased with the Peace which they had purchased so dear with their great Kings bloud and death of so many of their own which to appease the Electour Saxony profers them a hundred thousand Rix-dollers from the Protector for their Reward which they refuse and might having so many good Towns and Provinces that the whole Empire was not able to beat them out of Pomerania and so in fine they resolved to stand to it And the Chancellour Oxenstiern untill business might be quite fletched puts all which the Swedes held about Phelesbergh into the hands of the French for a huge sum of money and retires into Sweden to give councel from thence having sent before his Train and a hundred and fifty brave Horses for Breed into Pomerania all which fell into his Enemies hands and some Spoils sunk in the Sea a Vessel laden with invaluable Sacrilege of the Church Copes Organs Images Chalices the twelve Apostles of Wirtenbergh all shut up in the Belly of the Ship which was delivered without a Midwife within a League of the Coast of Sweden and all lost The Spoils of the Church produce misfortune But the Swedes are reproached for their avarice having been well paid Wages and Booty their Recompenses freed the Princes from ungraâ—efulness and that their Pretences were but Illusions and so were to be answered which made them turn to treat with the French Cardinal Richelieu the Instrument of all bloudy Scenes in Christendom was already watching so neaâ— as Lorain for any Mutations of Fortune and in a fury would needs besiege Collen whom the Hollanders refuse
at Carisbroke Castle The King not to be wanting to the Common-wealth sends his Message to the Parliament and therein Concessions even beyond the hopes of most men and Arguments also why he could not assent to the late Propositions and desires a personal Treaty resolving to neglect any thing of his own Right to redeem the Peace of his people C. R. His Majesty is confident that before this time his two Houses of Parliament have received the Message which he left behind him at Hampton Court the eleventh of this moneth by which they will have understood the Reasons which enforced him to go from thence as likewise his constant endeavours for the setling of a safe and well-grounded Peace wheresoever he should be And being now in a place where he conceives himself to be at much more freedom and security than formerly he thinks it necessary not only for making good of his own professions but also for the speedy procuring of a peace in these languishing and distressed Kingdoms at this time to offer such grounds to his two Houses for that effect which upon due examination of all Interests may best conduce thereunto And because Religion is the best and chiefest foundation of peace his Majestie will begin with that particular That for the abolishing Arch-bishops c. his Majesty clearly professeth that he cannot give his consent thereunto both in Relation as he is a Christian and a King For the first he avows that he is satisfied in his judgement that this order was placed in the Church by the Apostles themselves and ever since that time hath continued in all Christian Churches throughout the World untill this last century of years and in this Church in all times of change and Reformation it hath been upheld by the wisdom of his Ancestors as the great preserver of Doctrine Discipline and Order in the Service of God as a King at his Coronation he hath not only taken a solemn oath to maintain this Order but his Majesty and his Predecessors in their confirmations of the great Charter have inseparably woven the right of the Church into the Liberties of the rest of the Subjects and yet he is willing it be provided that the particular Bishops perform the several duties of their callings both by their personal residence and frequent Preachings in their Diocesses as also that they exercise no act of Iurisdiction or Ordination without the consent of their Presbyter and will consent that their powers in all things be so limited that they be not grievous to tender consciences Wherefore since his Majestie is willing to give ease to the consciences of others he sees no reason why he alone and those of his judgement should be pressed to a violation of theirs Nor can his Majestie consent to the alienation of Church Lands because it cannot be denied to be a sin of the highest Sacrilege as also that it subverts the intentions of so many pious Donors who have laid a heavy curse upon all such profane violations which his Majestie is very unwilling to undergo And besides the matter of conscience his Majestie believes it to be a prejudice to the publick good many of his Subjects having the benefit of renewing Leases at much easier Rates than if those possessions were in the hands of private men not omitting the discouragement which it will be to all Learning and Industry when such eminent rewards shall be taken away which now lye open to the Children of meanest persons Yet his Majestie considering the great present distempers concerning Church Discipline and that the Presbyterian Government is now in practice his Majestie to eschew confusion as much as may be and for the satisfaction of his two Houses is content that the said Government be Legally permitted to stand in the same condition it is in for three years provided that his Majestie and those of his judgement or any other who cannot in conscience submit thereunto be not obliged to comply with the Presbyterial Government but have free practice of their own profession without receiving any prejudice thereby and that a free consultation and debate be had with the Divines at Westminster twenty of his Majesties nomination being added unto them whereby it may be determined by his Majesty and the two Houses how the Church Government after the said time shall be setled or sooner if differences may be agreed as is most agreeable to the Word of God with full libertie to all those who shall differ upon Conscientious grounds from that settlement alwaies provided that nothing aforesaid be understood to tolerate those of the popish profession nor the exempting of any Popish Recusant from the penalties of the Laws or to tolerate the publick profession of Atheism or Blasphemy contrary to the Doctrine of the Apostles Nicene and Athanasian Creeds they having been received by and had in reverence of all the Christian Churches and more particularly by this of England ever since the Reformation Next the Militia being that Right which is inseparably and undoubtedly inherent in the Crown by the Laws of this Nation and that which former Parliaments as likewise this hath acknowledged so to be his Majestie cannot so much wrong that trust which the Laws of God and this Land have annexed to the Crown for the protection and security of his people as to divest himself and Successors of the power of the Sword yet to give an infallible evidence of his desire to secure the performance of such agreements as shall be made in order to a peace his Majesty will consent to an Act of Parliament that the whole power of the Militia both by Sea and Land for and during his whole reign shall be ordered and disposed by the two Houses of Parliament or by such persons as they shall appoint with powers limited for suppressing of Forces within this Kingdom to the disturbance of the publick peace and against Foreign invasions and that they shall have power during his said reign to raise monies for the purposes aforesaid and that neither his Majesty that now is or any other by any Authoritie derived only from him shall execute any of the said Powers during his Majesties said reign but such as shall Act by the consent and approbation of the two Houses of Parliament nevertheless his Majestie intends that all Patents Commissions and other Acts concerning the Militia be made and Acted as formerly and that after his Majesties Reign all the power of the Militia shall return intirely to the Crown as it was in the times of Queen Elizabeth and King James of blessed memory After this head of the Militia the consideration of the Arrears due to the Army is not improper to follow for the payment whereof and the ease of his people his Majesty is willing to concur in any thing that can be done without the violation of his conscience and honour Wherefore if his two Houses shall consent to remit unto him such benefit out of Sequestrations