The life off the 70. Archbishopp off Canterbury presentlye Sittinge Englished and to be added to the 69. lately Sett forth in Latin. This numbre off seuenty is so compleat a number as it is great pitie ther shold be one more but that as Augustin was the first so Mathew might be the last Imprinted M.D.LXXIIII HISTORIOLA A litle storne of the actes and life of Mathew now Archbishoppe of Canterb. NOwe sithens we haue declared many thinges which we thought specially worthye of rehersall concerning thestate off corpus Christi coll and the actes of certaine masters therof â–ª it remaineth that we drawe out the narratioÌ„ a litle longer for the fore said Mathew Parker his sake of whom we haue hitherto spoken those things which he onely did for the amplyfying and commoditie off the said colledge off the which he was mayster But his praise was not shut vppe onely wythin those walls but he being called from thence to other functions in the coÌ„mon wealthe at the last did beare the highest office of the Ecclesiasticall ministerie for he was the archbischoppe of Canterburye Therfore in his hystorie because his fame was more renowmed then any of the maysters of whom we haue made mention we will staye a litle longer and repeate the course of his life euen from his cradell He was borne in that famous citie of theaft Angles which ys called Norwitche in the yeere of the incarnatioÌ„ of our lorde a thowsand fyue hundreth foure the sixt daye of the moneth of August of honest pareÌ„ts citezens his father called williaÌ„ and his mother Alice who caused his childhode to be instructed in thelements of grammer as the coustome was then in the citye to frame the witts of children within their owne house till he was xviij yeeres olde At wihich tyme being Past his Childhode his mother riddeth him of her house his father being dead and sent him to Cambridge to th entent that the foundation of learning beinge already laid by the knowledge of grammer he might finishe the rest of the building in lerning the arts Therfore in corpus Christi coll he was sustained at the first wholly by his mothers charges of the which after a fewe monethes she being eased he was chosen into the number of those scollers which are called bibleclarkes of the especiall duetye which they execute He traueiled in logicke and Philosophâ—e first in S· Maries hostell the title and gouernment wheroff partained then to corpus Christi coll vntill it ceased to be an house of learning for schollers In these kindes of studye wheÌ„ he had spent three yeres and a litle more before the fourth was fully complete he was made bachelor of arte and three yeeres after that mayster off Arte and fellowe besides off corpus coll being first eÌ„tred in all the rites of holye orders But nowe he being very well and perfectly instructed in the liberaâ—l scieÌ„ces he applied all his mynde to the studye of diuinitie and to the readinge of the voluÌ„es of th'ecclesiasticall fathers and that so earnestlye that in shorte space of tyme he bestowed his labor not vnprofitablye in this behalfe for after the space of foure or fiue yeeres he issuing froÌ„ his secret and solitarie studie into open practise in the common welthe preached euerie where vnto the people wih greate commendation and that in the most famoÌ„s cities and places of this realme by the auctoritie of king Henry the viij by whose lettres patentes this was grauÌ„ted vnto hiÌ„ togither with the licence of the. Archb. of Canterbury In executing of this fuÌ„ctioÌ„ of preaching he gained this commoditie that the fame of him came vnto the eares of king Henry whervppon he being called into the kings courte was ther first made chapleyne to Queene Anne while she liued afterward to king HeÌ„ry the viij and last off all to Edward the vj. when he Ruled the common wealth All which priÌ„ces bestowed on him very large and plentifull Rewards for his diligence for by fauor off Queene Anne he was made deane off Stoke neere vnto Clare in suffolke by the liberalitie off king Henrye ther was geueÌ„ vnto him a Prebend off the new erection in the churche off Elye when he was now Bachelor off diuinitie after when he had clymed to the degree off doctorshippe by the kings letters off commendation he was made master off corpus Christi colledge where he had spent his youth in lerning Edward the sixt not interior to his father in bountifull and liberall nature in rewarding with free giftes the seruice off suche as partained vnto him gaue him also his desert in the seconde yeere off his raigne the deanerye off LiÌ„colne and the prebeÌ„d off coringhaÌ„ in the same churche He had besides by the gifte off the coll where he was mayster a benefice in the diocesse off Elye called Landbeache neere vnto Cambrydge further at this tyme he retayned and safelye held the deanrye off Stoke against all the importunate suit and complaints off diuers that labored for it vntill the first yeere off Edward the sixt when by a statute made at that tyme he was constrained to leaue that preferment receyuing notwithstanding in recompence a yeerely summe off 40. pounds out off the kings common treasorie But the case was so that at his first comming thither he was the author off building a scoole within the coll off Stoke and off the apointing a yeerly stipend vnto the scoolemaster to the eÌ„de that the youthe mought be ther instructed in grammer and in the whole studye off humanitie whervpoÌ„ by and by ther repaired thither on heapes the sonnes aswell off noble as meane meÌ„ so that it grieued him aboue all thiÌ„ges either him selfe to forsake that goodlye compaigny off youthes or that it shuld be seuered and dispersed againe althoughe that by his trauaile he had prouided before that the scoole shold haue some assuraÌ„ce although weake and vnstedfast But coÌ„cerniÌ„g the promotions wherwih the bouÌ„ty as I haue said â–ª off Hâ—nrye the father and Edward the sonne had largely enriched him he reaped off them very pleasant fruite vntill the hard and troublesome tymes off Queene Mariâ— In the seconde yeere off whose raigne he was dispossessed off all his goodes not enioying any eyther coÌ„moditie or yeerely stipend The which extreame calamitie was coÌ„mon vnto him with almost all the Bishoppes off England and other ministers off the churche for many causes and pointes of ReligioÌ„ and especially for that one that they had maried wiues the which was lawfull to the ministers off the church by the statutes off king Edward the sixt established in two seuerall parliamentes and by the eternall word off God aboue which for any mortall man to presume it is bothe extreame madnes intoâ—erable pride â— permitteed and specially for auoyding off whoredome commanded by S· Paule for this cause therfore he being depriued off all thinges which he had attained to by the bountye off his lordes he lurked
and next him on his left hand how all the Bishopes must sweare Canonicall profession obedience and subiection to â—he iurisdiction powre and â—mpire off Canterbury priuiledges and libeâ—â—â—â—s what a prerogatiue it was for the Bishoppe off London to sâ—ye tâ—e 〈…〉 before hâ—m and to bee his 〈◊〉 the Bishoppe off 〈…〉 the Bâ—â—hoppe off Roâ—besier 〈…〉 Pontificall 〈◊〉 wâ—at a wâ—râ—â—â—â— reputacion thâ— Bisâ—â—â—p◠〈…〉 thought yt to 〈…〉 from the Bisâ—â—ppe off 〈…〉 and at 〈…〉 Tâ—â—n followeth the â—â—rde suffraganes whiche 〈…〉 haue vnder him because 〈…〉 the better bee non reâ—â—â—eÌ„â— from his charge and all this without any taxinge so that at last the poore minister that watcheth in deede is but the mans man off the Lorde suffâ—agane who is the mans man off the Archbishoppe Ther is discoursed at large the ambitious and traâ—icall Hieâ—â—â—â—achie betwene the two Hâ—erarches off Canterburye and yorke for the papacie in England and by the waye off a petye brawâ—e and subquarelâ— betwen yorke and duresme for Archiepiscopall Iurisdiction in that prouince In all these thinges is ther to bee noted a marueilous carnall and worldly affecâ—ion borne to Canterburye sea For besides yow shall see diuers very odious and proud comparisons with the Archbishope off yorke both for the bargeines off Imperiall precinct and allso For courteous vsage towardes his subiecte Parishes For with these names he is contente to debase his vassel Bâ—shoprikes And this is a taste of the church honors and spirituall subiection which the sea off CaÌ„terburye chalengeth The ende off that three and twentye leafe is a preface off his temporall principalities priuiledges and prerogatiues which is begonne with a worthye sentence out off Iohn Capgraâ—e off Pope vrbin whoe with his owne vnhoâ—ye mouthe pronounced Archbis Austyne off Canterburye worthye to be an other Apostolicall Bishoppe and Patriarch off an other worlde yea almost his fellowe to the great honour noâ— doubte off hâ—s successors off Canterburye In this parâ—e is it somwhat trauiled For verye substanciallye he beginneth with his diuâ—sion off the rigthes and prerogatiues off that sea Some sayeth he are sett out in the lawes and be commoÌ„ with othâ—r Archbishoprickes â— some are absolute and peculiar vnto him selfe without alâ— lawes or not expressed in the lawes Hâ—s rihgtes prescribed and circumscribed in the lawes are confirmation off his prouinciall Bishoppes which without greate impietie mayâ— be done noe wheaâ—e laufullye but in Christes church at Canterburye The nexte is what greate trâ—butes euerye made Bishoppe payed him Howe they 〈◊〉 his whoâ—e â—oushoâ—de 〈…〉 it is verye muche for one brother â—â—o 〈◊〉 off an other for that which shouâ—de be bestowed franâ—â—lye 〈…〉 common wealde 〈◊〉 folâ—oweth his righte off 〈…〉 Dioceses 〈…〉 other inferior Biâ—â—op◠〈…〉 what theye haue doneâ— to call synodes in theâ—e Dâ—ocesse to 〈…〉 and that without anye 〈…〉 And that the same Earle muste be his 〈◊〉 and chefe cupbearer the daye off hâ—s Inthroâ—ziation This is 〈◊〉 to be called graâ—ious Lordes as the Lordes off the yearth are but this is to be beyonde all grace and to be serued off these gracious Lordes and to be there Lorde paramounte In this roâ—e of his noble Tenaunâ—es the nexte are the Lorde Siâ—anguais the Earle of Oxforde the Lorde Darcye aâ—l which sayeth he owe seruice to that Archbishopp wheare cometh in to be remembred one vâ—rye regall prerogatiue in deede For it encounters hande to hande euen with The kinges prerogatyue That is that whearas in others comon persones cases â—ff there Tenaunte holde anye lande off the Kinge he shall haue the custodye off both on and other the Archbishoppe shall yet againste the Kinge reteine the lande off his infante Tenaunte thoughe â—e holde of the kinge by knightes seruice or in capiâ—e which he proueth by a presidenâ—e in the minorytye off this earle off Oxforde in the tyme off the nowe Archbishope Many other immunities very princlicke are recited both for himselfe for his and for his church Ouer Rochester Bishopricke besides that he was a superior Archbishop he was also patrone and giuer off â—t From this steppe he clymeth vppe an other yet higher that the kinges off this realme are crowned and made by him as that which off right is properlie due vnto him and theruppon telleth howe the bishope off Salisburye for his malepart intrudinge him selfe to marie the kinge once vnder color that it was in Salisburie diocesse was shrewdly reproued and to his reproche reiected and the Archbishope taken to doe it That the kinge and Queene bee his domesticall and speciall parishoners wheresoeuer they bee in England yea that all England distinct in diuers diocesses is by reason off his primacie his parishe All this is recited not as one that telleth what other saye but ther are added arguments and reasons to proue it for saith he the author off that booke I meane that theese thinges bee trewe yt appareth because all offringes off the kinge and Queene or other noblemen either in the kinges chappell or other Church cathedrall contientuall or parochiall offred in the presence off the Archbishoppe are his owne and shaâ—â— not 〈◊〉 either to the Bishope off the 〈◊〉 noâ— to the coâ—â—ent and 〈…〉 to the deane off the Chappell off the Kinge much lesse to the poore priest off the parishe His second parte off his subdiuisioâ— off his peculiar rightes that is his church superioritie and preuileges is pursued first with this Archhonor that the Archbishope off yorke with all humilitie requirâ—th to bee consecrate off him off Canterbury and profâ—ssâ—th 〈◊〉 in the consecration off Canterbury The Archbishope off Ireland and 〈…〉 take their righâ—â—s off 〈…〉 them selues to the seruâ—ce and attendance off Caâ—terbury sea Thâ—â— descendeth hee to the giftes that euery 〈…〉 Bishoppe bestâ—weth 〈…〉 in their life and at their 〈…〉 wiâ—h saddel 〈…〉 there ringes and 〈…〉 seales â— Amonge the There is not lefte out so much as the priuiledge that he hath of dealinge with the goodes in diuers diocesses for which the booke sayeth that the other Bishoppes did striue with him but there saieth the booke did the power off the Canterburye Archbishoppe shine and shewe forth it selfe which will not be pâ—nched with the straite lawes off an Archbishoppe or Metropolitane which beinge not on ye primate off all Englande saieth the booke but also ordinarye and Bishoppe off all Englande and so beinge first instituted will still saieth the booke fitt ouer them as his suffraganes And once againe I saie all this is not bareâ—ye reporâ—ed but collected to the gereat praise off that sea and wâ—th allowance and without contrarye censure sett downe To make vpp all his goodlie glory the 〈◊〉 off this treatise is with that vsurped power off dispensation which the Pope helde againste the lawes off the kinge off Engâ—ande and againste the etâ—rnaâ—l lawe off the kinge off kingeâ— Iesus Christe and that this dâ—spensâ—nge power is translated to Canterburye In the Lawe off which transsâ—ation thoughe there be a god ye
secreatlye for those yeeres wherin Queene Marie raigned within the house off one off his frendes leading a poore life whithout any mans aide or succour and yet so well contented with his lotte that in that pleasant rest and laisure off his studye he wold neuer in respect off him selfe haue desired any other kinde off life the extreame feare off danger onelye excepted wherin he liued with all good men and thaâ— not without som cause â–ª for from the beginning off the raigne off Queene mary vntill the end ther off very many Good men were burned not for murther â— theft whoredome or any other cryme But onely for ther manifest constancie in the Religion off Christe and ther open professing off the name off Christ against the Pope and all his confederates Whose deathe very gloriouslye to ther praise wil be remembred togither with the crueltye off that tyme off all posteritie for euer But that saynig off the Prophet is full off coÌ„fort that God chideth not allwaies nether kepeth his wrath for euer and that off the Philosophers also is true that nothing violent is perpetuall For at this tyme queene mary died when she had reigned allmost sixe yeeres at which tyme God shewed his iustice to all that were afflicted and his iudgementes to those which had suffred wronge for Elizabeth the sister off Marie a ladie off singulare wisdome and mildnes expelled out off her realme the bondage off Rome restored the pure doctrine off the gospell licensing the people to reade the scriptures and calleth them all home into ther countrye which had willinglye banished themselues before At wich tyme she preferreâ— hiÌ„ for whose praise this historie is compiled to the dignitie off tharchbishoprick off Canterbury whâ—â— he a litell before had crept out off his lurking hole into the open sight off the world with his wife whom he wold not dismisse all the tyme off Queene Marye a womaÌ„ very chast and well manered and that did greatly reuerence hir husband off whom he begatt three children wheroff those two which are onely aliue his care is to haue them instructed in all liberall lerning partlye in thuniuersitye and soÌ„etymes at home in his house But how vnwillinglye â—e tooke vppon him this whither yow call yt burthen or dignitie off the Archbishoprick refusing yt often times wheÌ„ yt was profered ther conscience can witnes which haue not least to doo in the gouernment off the common wealth and suche as are in especiall fauor with the Queenes highnes But when he had once taken vpon him this chiefe cure and charge off the Christian flocke how wisely he behaued him therin for thos yeeres that are past with generall allowance consent and fauour off all Good men how discretly also in so great diuersitie and dissention off iudgementes how vprighly and sincerely in other mens matters and controuersies with how great gentilnes and patience in other mens wrath and displeasure with what forbearing and sufferaunce towardes the euill that he might winne them with what godlines in reconciling the stomakes off gentilmen and determining ther controuersies how lothe he was that contumeliously they should drawe eche other into the law lastly how often his voice was hard to sound owt off the holy pulpittes as well off his cathedrall church as the churches off other meane townes and villages especially in this his old age in his weake and crazed state off bodie in the middest off so great busines and in thes contagious and pestilent times â–ª all thes thinges I will leaue as matters vntouched because ther are verie many which without me by the vew off his manners and tried trade off his life are able to report thes and many thinges moo But yt ys impossible that I an howshold witnes occupyinge my selfe in the setting forth off so great praises should obteine credit what soeuer I am notwithstanding that I speake the truth in differently and wold not applie my selfe to gaine the fauour off men by flattery Therfore I will passe to the declaration off thos thinges wherin I may easely auoid the infamous blemishe off flatterie for that ther are many which can witnes with me that he deserued no smale commendation because that after he had visited his diocese through owt by him selfe and not by any substitute and which was more of his owne charges for that he freely remitted to all the parishes the sumÌ„es off ther procurations which they should haue paâ—d him for visitinge the diocese that noble and famous palace off his sea off CaÌ„terbury by long coÌ„tinuance off time decaied rotten consumed with fire and almost laid euen with the ground in all the buildinges theroff he reuÌ„ed builded â— fully restored and beautified yt with this faire and glorious shew wherin yt now florisheth not feared from this enterprise either by the infinite labour and trauaile neither dissuaded by the want off necessarie thinges which should haue bene left him off his predecessors nor by the dearth off the tyme nor by the wages off the laborers which were merueiloussly increased nor by any other lettes or hinderanÌ„ces But â—at he fully finished yt in the yeere off the incarnatioÌ„ off our lord 1564. the sixt yeere off the reigne off Queene Elizabeth and in the 6â— yeere off his age and the fifte off his consecration In the which yeere he also endeuored to repaire the quires off thos churches which were lately come into his possession off which sort he had very many in his diocese partly by the exchaunge off auncient possessions off the Archbishoprick made betwene kinge Henry the eight and Tho. Archbishopp off Canterbury his predesessor partly for an other exchange off the possessions off the Archbishoprick by a statute established for the same purpose in the first yeere off Queene Elizabeth before he obteined the Sea. The charges off which building besides the yerely reparations off other howses grew to the summe off a thousand foure â—uÌ„dreth powndes and somewhat more The which he did the rather for that he had heard that hall off the palaice within his remembrance singular and famous for the largenes theroff to haue bene honored in the yeere off our saluatioÌ„ 1519. by the presence as well off Charles the fifft emperour as off Henry the eight king off that name with his wife Katherine whom the Emperor came then to see being his aunt This hall thos princes then occupied with all the troupe off ther garde and retinue so that for all the princes affaires for triumphes and feastes the vpper part theroff was appointed for the Emperor Charles and the nether part for Henry the king But the chefest cause that he coueted to preserue the magnificence off that hall was for the memory off the coronation off kinges and Queenes very offten times celebrated in that place and the installinge off Archbishopps his predecessors which they commonly call inthronization to whose sumptuous feastes ther hath bene very great resort as well
Augustine for he made this Church Apostatare as they call yt fynding Religion here more sincere and Christian then he lefte it hauinge broughte in nothinge but vniformitie in singinge syttinge and such other semely orders off Rome and then descendinge in a rowe to all his successors in that sea or rather arme off the mayne sea off Rome euen to him that presently sites and takes his case therin Whearin who so euer will but consume a litell tyme shall finde that to sett forth thantiquitie off the sincere knowledge off Iesus Christe and the first preachinge theroff in this lande thoughe it bee firste in title yet is it leaste and laste in treatie sett rather for a commendation to the boke then that it was in any recommendacion to the author yea vsed only for a pretence and color to insinuate into the magnifienge off that magnificall seignâ—orie and Archipiscopall territorie off Canterburye and by all means possible to vanâ—e the preheminece and supereminence off that princly Archpastor and pastorall Archprince the firste father and Peter as I maye saye off which succession he maketh that superstitious monke and wicked man Romishe Austen Who as he obtruded him selfe vniuersall Archbishoppe to all England and wan it not by the worde and spirite but by the sworde and bloude for he was the fyrebrand off a fraye whearin one and twentye hundreth monkes good men as good men went in those daies and in comparison off him in deed holy saintes besides other men off warre were all innocently slayne and murdered only because they refused to submitt their neckes to his Archiepiscopall yoke which they sawe him so ambitiously seeke so he the same Austen hauinge thus gotten by conquest this vniuersall vicepapaci ouer England because his procedinges shulde bee like his entrie with like apostolike humilitie and meeknes he iusteled for a place whear to fasten his chayre and by plaine wronge as wronge maye bee saide betwene wrongdoers wrange from the Archbishoppe off London for ther had been before the Archiepiscopall sea as allso saieth that boke all Archiepiscopall iurisdictioÌ„ pall and crosse cum pertinentijs and contrary euen to the pope his holy fathers commandement translated the same to canterburye Whear it was sette and settled to haue and to holdâ— to him and to his successors there 〈◊〉 vnder paine off the great excomâ—â—â—â—cation and many a blacke curse thâ—â—dred by diuers popes after which aâ—â—ther recited for the greater terror 〈◊〉 them that should at any tyme attempte againste that holy sacred sea And because yt might not seeme to bee placed there lyghlye nor without the consente off the godes or decree off the destinies hee reciteth once or twise a profound vaâ—â—cination off Prophet Merline a worthye Prophet for suâ—â—e a churche and his Propheticall woordes are pointed out in great capital letters Dignitas Londonâ—e adornaâ—â— Doroberniam that as the churche off God hath her holy Aposteles and longe before Prophetes Prophâ—cynge by the 〈◊〉 off God and hath them for foundations so allso that degenerate church might bee founded in her proude and nothinge lesse then Apostle Augustine and established by suche coniuringe witches and coleprophetes seduced by the lyinge spyrite as was Merline The tree off this succession norished with the sape off the crabstocke whearon it was vnhappely graffed not vnlike to the manner off conquerers and tyrans sought by all meanes to aduaunce and enlarge this ther newlye wonne domination For they deuoured vpp quite an Archbischoprike off wales and drowned it in the botomlesse sea off Canterbury Somwhat they strained at the vnderbishoprikes ther making a conscience to swallowe suche gnates and therfore off ther great Good grace were contente they should not vtterly lose their beinge but remaine to encrease the number off ther subiectes By which shamfull struglinge they obtained to sit vppon ther fellowe Archbishoppe off yorke and to tread vppon the reste theire brother bishoppes in Englande And hauinge thus preuayled in England and conquered for so he termeth yt yorke whome he could neither beare superiore with pompey nor suffer aequal withe Caesar For he plainly chalengeth a superioritie and fealtie off him Then boasteth he what a motherlie estimation it reteyned with the churches in Scottland euen then when he knoweth no milke was to bee sucked from her but poison From Scotland he takes shippinge and popelike steppes ouer into Ireland and thence ouer againe into fraunce Gasconie Normandie Aquetaine and ther saieth he it ouercame all the churches in Iurisdiction allso Iff this bee to watch ouer one prouiÌ„ce in a realme like an Archbishope and not rather aspiringlye to affect a popedome ouer many realmes iudge ye It wil be no aunswear to saye that the kinge off England beinge then soueraigne off Ireland and fraunce in possession might aswell apoint one Archbisshope ouer all those regions as ouer Ingland or on prouince therin for iff the Archbishopes nose must bee so longe and that he must haue suche elbowe Rome then lett vs hear what the Pope who is next aboue the Archbishope will saye Surely he will singe the very same songe for him selfe The emperour off Rome soueraigne ouer all thes partes off the worlde made me generall Bishoppe aboue my bretherne But this Argument and suche like is the principall content off those two or thre and twenty leaues yea off that â—itle which he entreareth in those fewe first leaues De antiquitate Britannicae Ecclesiâ—â— the very firste chapter sheweth what is the chiefe subiecte For the title off â—hat firste chapiter beinge De vâ—tustate Britannicae Ecclesiae testimonia â–ª the very fâ—rst wordes being â—ractaturi de Cantuariensibus Archiepiscopis and the last chapter off thes few leaues a description off the towne off Canterburye who seeth not that neither in begininge middest nor end he couâ—d dissemble his meaninge and that thauncientye off thenglishe Church is but a vizard for that wormeateÌ„ Church of Caunterbury to maske vnder the bolder to boast hir off her louers and to whisper such vncleanly speeches as she durst not haue vttered barefaced impudent thoughe she be and past all grace Elles durst she not affirme in tempore praesenti that Archiepiscopi Cantuariens authoritas no 〈…〉 definitis Archiepiscopalis 〈…〉 iurisdictionis 〈◊〉 continâ—tur sâ—d ordinarie lâ—bera 〈…〉 per sua 〈…〉 I weeâ—e this passeth the besides off the newe testâ—ment The processe off thâ—sâ— two or three 〈…〉 leaues is aunswerable to â—he begâ—nâ—nge For a grâ—at 〈◊〉 is spent in 〈◊〉 howe many tributary bishops 〈…〉 him and them be calleth 〈…〉 and their dioceses his entire pâ—ouince and but their seuerall parishes yea the Archbishoppe off yorke himseâ—f hath been and executed the pâ—a off a suffragane to the Archbishoppe off Canterbury at the consecration off an inferior Bishoppe An other great parte is in the honors 〈…〉 other Bishopps to ther Arâ—â— prelate of CaÌ„terbury what big the place be hathe aboue the rest â—owe honorable a Rome it is to sit on his right hand
caution that nothinge shoulde be dispensed with againste the expresse will off God yet so vnrulye is the vnâ—ained and vnbrideled Archâ—â—pâ—scopall Iurâ—ssdiction that nether Lawe noâ— prouâ—so can prouide to keepe him vnder lawes As a perfection to all these is added his fowre Archiepiscopall courtes or fora which name I thincke is therfore equinocke to A Markeâ— and courâ—e because in both aâ—l thinges are to be solde euen as in Rome These courtes are sett forth in there maiestye there Iudges Aduocates Proctors â— Râ—gâ—sters there seates off tribunall there Priuiledges and there powers all the solemnitye off pleadinge and installinge anye nâ—we Doctor not so much omitted as there sittinge downe and risinge vpp But aboue all this muste come often and euer in what a rule and absolute dominion Tharchbis beareth amonge them The auncientest off these is the mother courte off Bow Church nexte hir that off the audience but not so noble as the firste The thirde is the courte off prerogatiues which thoughâ— it be not so worthiâ—â— as the other two yet it bringâ—th mâ—re to the Kitchin. The fourth 〈◊〉 that vpstarte courte off facuâ—ties 〈◊〉 transâ—ated to that sea 〈◊〉 courte saieth the bâ—oke hath no moâ—â—tall fâ—are belâ—ke bâ—cause it nether executeth 〈…〉 in the Archbishâ—ppes owne howâ—e as the boâ—ke sayâ—th An other 〈…〉 pâ—culiar courte there is for his owne Diocese wheareâ—s 〈◊〉 that booke that the maner and custome off the 〈◊〉 off 〈…〉 is that 〈…〉 thinges and deuine â—halbe 〈…〉 disposition 〈…〉 you sayeth that bookâ— all thâ— prâ—â—minences priuiâ—edges prâ—rogatiues Immunites Iudgmente sâ—ates and courtes whearhy that 〈…〉 in all pointes perfected and 〈◊〉 And so farr is it of that thauthor theroff wouâ—de haue it reade as A probable reporte off tymes past that lest sayeâ—h 〈◊〉 these thinges might be to you doubtfull or vncertaine I had my profes from suche and suche recordes which sayeth he be off suche force in lawe that noâ— onâ—ye in readinge but eueÌ„ in 〈…〉 as â—noughe he tooke 〈…〉 he maketh a 〈…〉 betwene that 〈…〉 and victorâ—es 〈…〉 had againste his suffragâ—s 〈…〉 at his pleasure the poore vndâ—â— bishopes sixe times It tiâ—e togither in that 〈◊〉 conclusion not once daâ—â—â—nge theÌ„ the name off bishopes and in the ende lappeth vpp all wiâ—h these 〈…〉 aÌ„d draweth vpp againe 〈…〉 liceÌ„cious raines off his vnbrideâ—ed iurisdiction as thoughe beâ—â—ke he wouâ—de make all Englande 〈…〉 for him to ride on and 〈…〉 his ambitious pleasure If in fiftene yeares this haughtynes 〈…〉 and put in priuate prince to flye with the owâ—e by nighte there is no doubte but in fiftene hundreth yeares more it woulde growe to be well fethered and perfâ—ctlye sâ—â—dge readie to flye abroode in the daye tyme with the other Birdes in publike writinges auowed and chalenged Thâ—ye therfore that will not prouide the medicine all to late muste resiste the begâ—nÌ„inges leaste as it alreadye vaunteth it seâ—fe aboue all Ecclesiasticall degree so by creepinge vpp in tyme it will assaie in an other age to goe in the steppes off some off the forefathers off that sea and to treade on the neckes or to offer the stiroppe to the temporall Lorde her naturall soueraigne Princes We haue had to good experience in our Cronicles howe fast that ill weede Ambition groweth in there garden especiallye if it be dunged with to muche off that goulden carthe And euen heâ—rby maye somwhat apeare howe needfull it is to preuente suche mischiefs For who woulde haue beeleued that anye man not in the behalfe off him selfe but in the fauour off anye thoughe neuer so arch a Prelate would wrighte suche thinges as you haue hearde heere Whearin trulye I haue so kepte me to his wordes almost as if I had bene his transslatour especiallye in the wordes that are most proude ambicious and that do arrogate most Nether maye the author off that boke saye that he receiteth the bare historye for with all I say againe he alloweth plainly off it and euen in his transition from his said pretended preface off the auncienty off true religion in this land to his entended trety off Austen and his fellowes he speaketh as iff he weare in a matter off great earnest that for this cause he had more respecte to the Authors wordes alleaged thoroughe out that volume off lyues then to thelegaucie off his owne stile for that he would not swerue from the truthe forsothe off the storie And besides to what end else worte he that booke the whole purpose whearoff is to proue thauncientie off that sea together with the dignitie off them that satt therin as apeereth by the title or sumes off eche chapter To proue which auncientye off the one and dignitie off the other these many other like popishe presumptions and presumptuous poperies are the best and onely argumentes Which iff they wear all gleaned or rather mowed by handfulls and seuered a part from that which is spoken directly and to the purpose for thancientye off the poore Christian churche in England ther wolde bee but a poore haruest off that mater which is so gailie pretended euen scarse enoughe to make a storie off two leaues This title therfore of antiquitie of the whole bodye off the generall Christian church in this our English LaÌ„d is but a bare title nothing lesse meÌ„t then to bee entreated of but onely to make his waye therthoroughe to the extolling and hoysing vp euen vppoÌ„ meÌ„s shoulders that particular meÌ„ber or chapell of Canterburie The which is more manifest in the soleÌ„pne legend which followeth off Idolatrous Archiflamines the which were euery one all their life longe so farre as man may iudge by that that is left of theÌ„ eueÌ„ sitting in that throne professed Baalites and sworne RoÌ„anistes except that onely most trueli gracious bishope and blessed martyr holy Cranmer and this man that nowe occupieth the Rome All I saie except these two were euen while they sat superstitious Archsacrificers aÌ„d principall bread worshippers Nowe I praie you what good caÌ„ coÌ„e to the church of god by takiÌ„ge together out of w. of Couentrie SimioÌ„ of Dumelme H. of HuÌ„tington the storie of Rochester and such autheÌ„tike writers the wicked liues aÌ„d grosse blindnes off DunstaÌ„ Cuâ—bert Becket and other ther fellowes off later tymes or what godly estimatioÌ„ to the ChristiaÌ„ church off England to haue the liues of suche not meÌ„ but moÌ„sters recorded in this tiÌ„e as though they weare to bee reckned good workmeÌ„ in the church Or rather is not this to vncouer the shame aÌ„d priuities of CaÌ„terbury church to stanpe in printed letters such a successioÌ„ of Idolaters coÌ„iurers canoÌ„ized traitors and rebells as that sea hathe yelded But if once to name then bee to muche and to bestowe that labor in peacing togither the ragges off their stories be a worke of smal edifieng especially for an architect and maister builder of the church of God â–ª what is it to reckeÌ„ vp so many of ther popishe tales vncontrolled their enthronizations
wronge to those other by giuing them a name in any part common with Idolatrous priests them I say who euen at the first were called immediatly to the holy mynistrie off the glad tydinges off our saluacion reuealed nowe againe more cleerlie in these last dayes especyally the profession and institution off that preisthode beinge so contrary to the callinge off this mynistrie as Antechrist to Christ and Baal to the lyuing god Besides this epithete secular how contrarie is it to the function off a spirituall pastor a minister off the worde off God and breaker off the bread off lyfe where out off the Roman clergie shall a man finde suche a title for the minister off the worde as to call him a minister secular What els did cause Demas to steppe from the ministerye but presens seculum And what an heape off iniuries are done to the ministers off the glorious gospell off Iesus Christe to call them Regular Priestes or secular preistes still that haue shaken it off and haue happelye disgraded themselues by takyng vpon them a farre better degree then theroff to call them priestes secular which weare neuer other then ministers off the worde off god And euen he whome he himselfe calleth minister yet because he shoulde not disgrace whearin me thinkes the violence is offred rather to the Gospell then to the minister that ignomimous Priesthoode off Baal and shame there stayned garmentes with his fater garmente that therefore he must also be disguised with this Popishe addition and profaned epithite off secular Perhappes thâ— spirite which was in Caiphas his monthe aÌ„d made hiÌ„ prophecye vnware was also in his penn that wrote this booke in callinge them secular whome indeade thâ—s presens seculum and the honors theroff hath made to worldlye and bewitched to the greate ruthe off manye good Christian hartes I beseeche God with his soâ—rte to open theire eyes that theye maye see and be hartelye sorye so to haue made so manye so sorye Which I yet hoope for and then we shall be gladd togithere I am almoste caryed a waye There lurkeeh yet a further daunger vnder these wordes Minister secular For thoughe in the darke daies or off those men that weare consecrate or rather execrate to that most vile vnholye sacrifice it had some reason to call the Massinge Prieste a priste secular thereby to make distinction betwene him and the onlye spirituall regular yet in this tyme off the Gospell to call one that was godlye called to the blissed and highe office in Godes Church off preachinge the Gospell off the Lorde Iesus who also did neuer vowe to sacrifice that blasphemous oblation and Idoll but was moued onlye to aduance the kingdome off God by preachinge his word to call such one I saye and in these dayes a Minister secular besides the other open euilles this also lurketh dangerouslye that yt maye be probablye thoughte there is nourished some reuerente estimation off the regular and easelye to be implied that it mighte be lawefull enoughe euen in the Church off God to haue Ministers also regulars Elles what need this distinction off secular Minister nowe the other beinge iustly gone and banished And this Church off Englande allowinge no man deuised order off regular ministerie The verye entertayninge off these badde names off Poperye is not good and it is strange that anye gospeller shoulde delighte in them and heere theye are not vsed without further perill For thoughe the tymes be such and so enriched with knoweledge as A numbre off childreÌ„ woulde not vouchsafe to laughe at manye off these dotinge toyes yet there be also to manye that cannot and to to manye that will not discerne betwene counterfaited drosse and righte drugges but so it be in gilded boxe and haue the name off some holesome spice written on it all is one with them euen to the losse off there healthes euerlastinge and deathe hoth off bodye and soule Whear againste though I be not so learned a Phisicioâ— as to prescribe anye excellente receipte or soueraigne triacle but leaue that to be done by some Galene ye thoughte I neuerthe lesse to do the parte off an honest Apothecarye whoe beinge not able to tell the remedie will yet warne off the poyson The Lorde off all health preserue the sounde from all infections and restore the infected to there soundnes againe giuinge them pacience in the meane tyme like good patients to suffer such medicine as shal be applied to remedye off there contagious disease with the remembraunce off this that noe medicine is so holesome as that which bringeth greatest sorrowe and that the woundes off a brother or freende are sweeter then the softe pillowes of an enemye * Poope holye As the course of his liffe hathe declared for he gott therby a benefice or two * He that Preacheth euery where preachâ— â–ª no where * Charges liuinges enoughe for one man But he shewed betymes what game he loued Paule sayethe they seke there owne not the thinges which belonge to Christe Iesus Philip. â— 21 * A good conscience * what is to glory in their shame which Paule speakethe off if this he not * Worldly 〈…〉 c * To 〈…〉 vnto hym to be profâ—table vnto others * Yow shot at a Good marâ—â—e * The beare that coÌ„eth vnwillingly to the stake is willingly caryed froÌ„ it * men may easely tell how often wher the nombre is but smale * What greater aduersarie then a mans owne conscience * Antony thought he had greatly pleasured Tully because he killed him not vniustly * Ys it tyme to build your seeled howses and not tyme to build the howse off god Agâ— * Turne mine eyes froÌ„ 〈…〉 â–ª with much adoo the kinge was excepted from the Archbishops seruice * A worthy studie for a bishopp might â—e not well haue said o quanta patimur * whose God is ther belly Phil. 3.19 * He that knoweth the will off his Mayster and doth it not shall bee beaten with many stripes Paul reioyced not off those whome he had baptised but the false Aposteles as for him â—e sayeâ—h yowe are my glory and my ioy to the. Thesalonians whom he won to the Gosp. * Aes you haue sett youre bias so runneth your bowle The day willtri By his heapinge vpp of liuiÌ„ge by hauinge of charges without doinge of dewtie by sumptuous feastinge by great coste in brauitiâ— and Lordly pompe as is before declared * you shall bee better consydered no doubte * The Pharises did the like in the heÌ„ of their garmentes The worlde laughethe at it * God be mercyfull vnto him if it be possible lest he finde him beatinge his fellowe seruaunts His Father was an honest poore man a scourer or Calender off worsteddes of Norwich so Knowne and taken * O deepe diuinitie tharchbishope hath three keies because Christ saied pasâ—â— pasâ—â— Nay rather because he locketh vp the KingdoÌ„e of heaueÌ„ soe fast by holdinge out of ministers that might preache the worde and keapinge in of idell and ignoraunt that can doe nothinge that hardlie doth anie maÌ„ enter theariÌ„ The chaplaynes trauiled and the Bishopes brought forthe â–ª * Let men iudge whether he did so much good by brâ—giÌ„ge in that translaâ—ioÌ„ as harme by stayinge the Geneâ—â—â— * And youe harde it beinge without him els howe knewe youe it And that he was a blacke bishopbe to the churche off Englande Glory vnto god and coÌ„fusion to his enemyes which perseuer in their wickednes This hellish Austen is he that in a preface to an english Bible latly printed is forsooth called saâ—â—te Austen 〈…〉 Archiepisâ—opaller 〈…〉 and almâ—st as it wâ—ll iâ— selfe 〈…〉 broad 〈…〉 prouince