To these two Prelates might be added M. William Tyndal a learned Martyr his Obedience of a Christian man p. 136. 152. William Wraughton his Hunting and rescuing of the Romish Fox Iohn Bale Bishop of Osyris in Ireland in his Image of both Churches Thomas Beacon a Prebend of Canterbury in his Reliques of Rome M. Calfhill in his book against Marshal f. 61 92. 93. M. Fox his Acts and monuments Edit 1610. p. 210. 414. with sundry other of our learned Writers who expresly censure the Consecration of Churches and Church-yards as superstitious Iewish Popish Antichristian ridiculous stiling them rather a conjuration then a consecration invented only by and reserved to Bishops for lucre sake alone And the Homily for repairing and keeping clean Churches pag. 78 79. resolves thus The Church or Temple is counted and called holy yet not of it selfe but because Gods people resorting thereunto are holy and exercise themselves in holy and heavenly things Not because it is hallowed by a Bishop of which the Homilies make no mention From these Authorities they concluded the Arch-bishops consecration of Churches especially of this but newly repaired to be both Popish and Superstitious by the received Doctrine Writers of our Church and Statutes of our Realm which abandon and condemne the same Yet notwithstanding this Arch-Bishop was so zealously bent upon it that he rested not in the consecration of Creed-Church but proceeded further to consecrate Saint Giles Church in the fields where the case stood thus The Church of Saint Giles being in decay was re-edified and part of it new built and finished in Bishop Mountaines time Divine Service Preaching and Administration of the Sacraments after its repaire having been used therein for 3. or 4. yeares space together without any exceptions After which Bishop Laud being advanced to the Bishoprick of London by a solemn processe under his Episcopall seal interdicted this Church and suspended Divine Service Sermons and Sacraments in it for 2. or 3. weeks together so as the Church doores were shut up even on Lords Dayes and the Parishoners forced to repair to other Churches onely because the Church had not been re-consecrated after its reparation some of the Parish opposed the consecration of it in respect of the charge and Fees but at last they were inforced by the Bishop to submit else they must have no Divine Service Sermons nor Sacraments in it after all their costs bestowed thereon Whereupon the Bishop the very next Lords Day after he had consecrated Creed Church repaired to Saint Giles Church and there consecrated it in the self-same manner with the self-same gestures bowings prayers ceremonies as he consecrated Creed Church After which he likewise consecrated the Church-yard and a peece of ground which was bought and added to it for consecration whereof the Parish paid ten pound fees to the Bishop himself to wit 5 l. for consecrating the Church and 5 l. for hallowing the Churchyard besides fees to his Officers and a Dinner which cost the Parish near 30 l. more all which was attested upon oath by Master Hope and some others and likewise proved by the Archbishops own Diary wherein he registred this speciall memoriall of this Consecration with his owne hand Sunday January 20. 1630. I consecrated the Church of S. Gyles in the Fields Upon which evidence the Committee of the Commons made these Observations First That this Church was used three or four years together in B. Mountains time after its repair without any new Consecration and thought holy enough by him but this Popish Prelate after all this space was of another judgement and must needs suspend and re-consecrate it contrary to the very Canon law and the resolution of the fore-cited Canonists Secondly that he and his Officers extorted unreasonable excessive fees from the Parish besides their costly Dinner for this pious work on the Lords day himself taking no lesse then 10 l. fees for consecrating the Church and Churchyard which is direct Symonie by the Canon Law and extortion by the Commonlaw there being no fees due by either law for such a Consecration Thirdly that this Prelate was so wilfull and superstitious in this Innovation that God must lose his publick worship in this Church and the whole Parish the use of it for the benefit of their soules for two or three whole weeks during its interdiction rather then this Prelate not enjoy his popish ends exorbitant fees for the re-consecration of it After this Iuly 17. 1632. he consecrated another Church in Middlesex in the same manner as he had done the former two of which he makes this speciall Memento in his own Diary Iuly 17. 1632. I consecrated the Church at Stanmore Magna in Middlesex built by Sir John Wolstenham As this Arch-prelate was thus superstitiously and popishly active in consecrating Churches so likewise in consecrating Chappels for which these instances were produced The first Chappel he consecrated was a Chappel built by himselfe at Aberguilla in Wales whiles he was Bishop of S. Davids dedicated by him to S. John Baptist concerning which he registers this passage in his own Diary August 28. 1625. Dies erat Solis consecravi Capellam sine Oratorium propriis sumptibus extructum in demo me a communiter vocata Aberguille-House Nomen indidi Capella S. Joh. Baptistae in gratam memoriam Collegii S. Joh. Baptistae Oxon cujus primo socius dein Praeses fui Et hoc consultò feci Intervenit autem aliud non mali ominis spero it seems he then little dreamed of his own beheading or that the decollation of the Baptist to whose memory he dedicated this Chappel could be any ill Omen of his own decapilation afterwards de quo nunquam cogitavi hoc fuit Die Sabbati vesperi immediatè praecedente consecrationem celebrandam dum procibus eram intentus nescio quà m violenter in mientem me am irruit adesse diem DECOLLATIONIS S. JOHANNIS BAPTISTAE Finitis precibus fasta consului reperio diem illum in diem Lunae 29 scilicet Augusti non in diem Solis incidere Optassem diem ipsum sed gavisus sum me CONSECRATIONEM SOLENNEM peracturum VIGILIA SALTEM ILLIVS DIEI Nam illa die Serenissimus Rex Jacobus causam meam circâ electionem in Presidentem Collegii S. Joh. Baptistae Oxon per tres integras horas ad minimum audivit me è manu inimicorum potentum justissimè liberavit No doubt to preserve him to aâ—ar other doome and censure Mr. Prynne deposed that he found in the Archbishops Study this paper indorsed and corrected with his own hand concerning the consecration of this his Chappell The form of the Act where a Bishop consecrates a Chappell of his own Dedication In Dei nomine Amen Cum Nos Gulielmus permissione divina Menevensis Episcopus pia ac religiosa devotione ducti hanc Capellam sive Oratorium intra aedes nostras communiter vocatas Aberguilli-house infra Parochiam de Aberguillye in
Lord Bishop of Exeter signifying His Majesties pleasure that in case the said Thomas Foard should be elected to the said Lectureship or procure the said Advowson he doe not give any approbation thereof procured ut supra dated 12. Septem 1631. These Letters were drawne by the Bishops owne direction not by the Secretary of State or Clarkes of the Signet being not entred at large in the Letter Signet Booke but only this note of them entred in the Docquet Booke by which his implacable transcendent malice appeared against the opposites to Arminianisme that not satisfied with their unjust banishment out of Oxford he endeavoured by indirect means to hinder them from Ecclesiasticall preferments in the Church whereas hee advanced those of the Arminian faction to places of highest eminency in the Church as wee shall manifest in due season After these severe proceedings against these Anti-Arminians in the Vniversitie the Arminians there grew very numerous insolent few or none dating to oppose them but Doctor Prideaux with two or three more in some passages in their Sermons for which they were presently questioned by the Arminian Faction and enjoyned publike Recantations witnesse the Recantation of William Hobbes Fellow of Trinitio Colledge the 25. of January 1632. for preaching against falling from Grace contrary to the intent and purpose of His Majesties Declaration in a Sermon on a Tuesday at St. Maries Recorded in the Oxford Register f. 54 The Recantation of Master Thomas Cooke of Brase-Nose the 19th of July 1634. for using some passages in a Latine Sermon in Saint Maries which by consequence might imply connivency and partiality in the Vice-Chancellour Doctor Duppa towards some of the Arminian party that had violated the Kings Edicts concerning such points of controversie as are forbidden Registred in the Vniversity Register pag. 90. with the convention and submission of Master Kichard Kilby of Lincolne Colledge before Doctor Bayley Vice-Chancellour and others March 13. 1637. for reviving some controversies concerning Arminianisme contrary to His Majesties Declaration entred in the Vniversitie Register fol. 152. About September 1632. there were some Satyricall Verses scattered abroad in Oxford against the Arminians thus intituled The Academicall Army of Epidemicall Arminians To the tune of the Souldieur wherein Doctor Corbet Doctor Duppa Doctor Iackeson Doctor Marsh Doctor Turner with others of the Arminian faction were mentioned and Bishop Laud as their Generall who receiving a Coppie of them December 19. 1632. writ this endorsment on it Oxford Libell against such as they will needs call Arminians Who were all backed by Bishop Laud their grand Patron and preferred to the highest Ecclesiasticall preferments How the Arminian party prevailed in the Vniversitie of Cambridge by this Arch-Prelates abetment so farre as to procure Barrets Recantation of the Arminian Tenets solemnly made in that Vniversity in 37. of Q. Elizabeths Raigne and then printed to be rased out of the Vniversity Register where it was Recorded and to prosecute Mr. Bernard whom he caused to be censured ruined in the High-Commission for preaching against the increase of Popery and Arminianisme of which hereafter is so well knowne to most that wee shall not insist upon it most of the heads of Houses there as Doctor Brookes Doctor Beale Doctor Martin Doctor Paske Doctor Cosens Doctor Lany c being professed Arminians and this Archbishops Creatures to prosecute his designes How diligent the Bishops were by colour of His Majesties Declarations and Instructions to suppresse all preaching against all Arminianisme in their Diocesse by this Arch-Prelates instigation will appeare by their printed Visitation Articles for this purpose particularly by the Articles of enquiry and direction for the Diocesse of Norwich in the first Visitation of Rich. Mountague Bishop of that Diocesse An. Dom. 1638 Tit. 5. Artic. 22. in Church-Wardens Doth your Minister commonly or of set purpose in his populer Sermons full upon those much disputed and little understood doctrines of Gods eternall Predestination of Election antecedaneous of Reprobation irrespective without sinne foreseene of Freewill of Perseverance and not falling from Grace points obscure unfoldable unfoordable untractable at which that great Apostle stood at gaze with Oh the height and depth of the riches of the Wisdome and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments and his wayes past finding out Rom. 11. 33. By the Archbishops Injunctions prescribed to them in His Majesties Name whereof this was one That they should take speciall care that no Minister nor Lecturer in their Diocesse should preach upon the prohibited controverted points contrary to His Majesties Declarations and Instructions and that they should give an yearely account to the Archbishop of their proceedings herein which they did accordingly By meanes whereof the Arminian Errors were freely vented in all Diocesses without any publike opposition and those who out of zeale to truth durst open their mouthes to refuse them were silenced suspended and brought into the High Commission by this Archbishops practise to their undoing whiles the Arminians on the contrary had free liberty to broach their Erronious Tenets without controle and were advanced to the greatest benefices and Ecclesiasticall Dignities Besides this Arch-prelate not satisfied with propagating these dangerous Arminian Novelties throughout the Realme of England endeavoured to infect by degrees the whole Church of Irel therewith To which end he not only caused Bishop Downehams book of perseverance there printed against the Arminians to be suppressed as you heard before but the very Articles of the Church of Ireland made in a full Nationall Synod and Convocation held at Dubline 1615. and ratified by King Iames wherein all the Arminian Errors are terminis terminantibus condemned as Erronious to be repealed the L. Deputy Wentworth by high hand being but the Archbishops instrument herein enforcing the Convocation at Dublin An 1634. by sundry threatning Messages full fore against their wills to condescend to the repealing of them under pretext of establishing the 39. Articles of the Church of England comprised in the former for the only Articles of that Church for Vnity and Vniformity sake as was attested by Dr. Hoyle a Member of that Irish Convocation at the Lords Ear long since published in print with the Archbishops privity if not command by Dr. Heylin in his History of the Sabbath Part. 2. chap. 8. sect 9. pag. 259. in these very tearmes And here unto they were encouraged a great deale the rather because in Ireland what time his Majesties Commissioners were employed about the settling of that Church Anno 1615. there passed an Article which much confirmed them in their courses and hath been often since alleaged to justifie both them and their proceedings the Article is this The first day of the weeke which is the Lords Day is wholy to be dedicated to the service of God and therefore we are bound therein to rest from our common and daily businesse and to bestow that leasure upon holy exercises both private publique What moved
frequent disputes a defender and setter up of Images and Altars That he said in his hearing That none but ignorant Calvinist Bishops did put down Altars at the beginning of reformation and that they were worse then Jesuites That he was much offended with the Homilyes against the Perill of Idolatry against setting up Images in Churches and said that he would have these Homilyes put out of the Homily-Book and wondred why they were suffered to continue in it so long A fit Cathedralist to make a Bishop afterwards and a great companion and friend of Sancta Clara. In Octob. 1631. Peter Heylin this Arch-Prelates great Creature and Votary who resigned himselfe to his directions and command in all things as appeares by an Epistle in a Manuscript Sermon of his found in the Archbishops study was by his order and procurement presented to the Rectory of Hemingford and in November following to a Prebendary in Westminster and in November 1632. he procured him a Presentation to the Rectory of Haughton in the Diocesse of Durham In September 1631. Dr Thomas Bletchenden by his order and procurement was promoted to a Prebends place in the Cathedrall of Canterbury and Dr William Bray to another Prebendary in the same Church November 13. 1637. by his order too Mr Thomas Lushington was by his order presented to a Prebendary in the Cathedrall Church of Sarum in June 1931. Dr John Weekes in December 1633. was by his order presented to a Prebendary in the Cathedrall of Bristol Dr Brian Duppa Jan. 1633. was by his order presented to the Chancellorship of Sarum and the Prebendary of Bridgenorth thereto annexed and May 19. 1638. to the Rectory of Petworth Dr Iohn Bramhall June 1632. was by his order presented to a Prebendary in York Cathedrall Dr William Beale Octob. 1637. was by his order and procurement presented to the Rectory of Pauls Perry of which two others were unjustly deprived in the High Commission to make way for his promotion to it Dr William Brough Jan. 19. 1938. by his order was presented to a Prebends place in the Church of Windsor In May 1639. by his order Dr Samuel Baker was preferred to a Prebends place in the Cathedrall of Canterbury and Tho. Brown to a Prebends place in the Collegiate Church of Windsor July 29 1640. Dr Mumford by his order was presented to the Rectory of Anesby what other Arminian Popish Superstitious Scandalous Persons were advanced to livings by him and how he poysoned our Church with such almost in every place the World may see at large in Mr John Whites first Century of Scandalous Ministers We shall only add this one thing more that even after his Commitment for high Treason he still interposed in preferring Superstitious Episcopall Clergy men of his faction to his Majesties livings as well as to those in his own gift as we shall evidence by this Letter of his to the King seised by Mr Prynne among his other Papers all written and thus endorsed with his own hand For the Kings most Excellent Majestie which was answered by the King himselfe in the Margent with his own hand in this ensuing forme May it please your Majestie I Conceive the Great Seal being left as it is your Majestie will bestow all such livings as shall be voyde and were usually in the gift of the Lord Keeper of what value soever they be You are right This I tooke my duty to put your Majestie in minde of since it in part belongs to the service which your Majestie was wont to trust me with And I am the more bold to put your Majestie in minde of this because by this meanes if you please to make use of it you may the sooner provide both for the Scottish-men which suffer and for other men which have served your Majesty at sea At this time I am informed that the Rectory of Ashen in Northamptonshire is voyd and in your Majesties gift It is thought not to exceed one hundred pound a year The Bishop of Brechen hath a sonne if your Majestie please that is ready to take Orders and may be fit for it Give Order accordingly C. R. And by that meanes may be some helpe to his father who certainly needes it If your Majestie like of this and let me know so much I shall give warrant for it accordingly But I submit all this and my own unhappy condition to Gods will and your Majesties Your Majesties most humble servant though unfortunate W. Cant. Jan. 3. 1640. What a Plague and Poyson these Arminian Popish Prelates Deanes Prebends Heades of houses Parsons and Vicars thus advanced by him proved to our Church how near they had reduced us back to Rome and how much they endangered the utter extirpation of our Protestant Religion is so experimentally knowne to all men so plentifully evidenced in the premised proofes that we may confidently averr had not God himself miraculously from heaven by the late Scottish Troubles and happy convention of this present Parliament retarded prevented and utterly frustrated their dangerous proceedings and Jesuiticall designes in these three kingdomes in all probability we had long ere this been totally over-run with Popery and the zealous Professors of the Protestant Religion in all three been either totally extirpated and massacred as some hundred thousands of them have been of late in Ireland or banished their own Countrey into forraigne Climes or left to the mercy of the bloody Papists and these their Popish Confederates whose tender mercies are but cruelties This crime then of his is no lesse then treasonable and capitall being so destructive both to Church and Kingdome As he thus preferred Popish and Arminian Clergy men to the chiefe Ecclesiasticall preferments in our Church so on the contrary following the counsell of Contzen the Mogountine Jesuit in his Politicks he discountenanced suspended silenced suppressed censured imprisoned persecuted most of the prime orthodox diligent preaching Ministers in the Realme and forced many of them to fly into America Holland and other forraigne places to avoyd his fury only for opposing his Popish Innovations and expressing their feares of the change of our religion by the encrease of Popery and Popish Superstitions Not to trouble you with any forementioned instances of Master Peter Smart Mr Henry Burton Mr Snelling and others we shall instance in some fresh examples Mr Samuel Ward of Ipswich a most reverend orthodox and learned Minister of speciall eminency was by this Archbishops meanes on the 26. of Novemb. 1635. as appeares by the High Commission Records censured in the High Commission at Lambeth and there suspended from his Lecture and Ministry and every part thereof till absolved by his Majesty enjoyned a publike submission and recantation such as the High Commissioners should prescribe condemned in expences and costs of suite and committed to prison For preaching in some of his Sermons at Ipswich against Bowing at the name of Iesus the Booke of sports on the Lords day and saying that the Church of
but that it may lye by him that when you speak with his Grace about this among other businesses his Grace may have recourse to my papers if he think fit There are in my Diocesse 469 Churches and Chappels or thereabout and the Communion Tables are placed already in above 140 of them as the Communion Table is placed in our Cathedrall Church here I have begun and proceeded herein in a perswasive way some parishes were no sooner spoken to but they obeyed other Parishes refused at the first but they were quickly satisfied and then submitted only the Churchwardens of Beckington being encouraged and back'd by divers of the parish not so well affected to the government and rites of the Church as they should be are become obstinate and will have the Chancell ordered and the Communion Table there placed as the parishioners shall think fit who also bear the charges of these Churchwardens as they have confessed unto me which was the cause why they hasted so speedily to London and stayed so long there about this businesse If these men have their wils the example will do a great deal of harme for then many of the Parishes which have already conformed themselves to the Cathedrall will fall back and other Parishes will never come on to this conformity who are now at a stand to see what will be done in the Chancell of Beckington I know your judgement and affection to the Church concurres with mine and therefore I am assured you will do nothing herein but that which shall be for the good of the Church and preservation of authority in all things just and lawfull I pray If D. Duck desire to read the coppy of the proceedings and reasons which I have sent you let him borrow it of you for it is fit my Chancelour should be acquainted with these things whose counsell and assistance must be used therein And so with remembrance of my true love and best wishes to you I commend you to the grace of God and rest Your very affectionate and faithfull friend Guil. Bath and Wels. Wels 2 Ian. 1635. Hereupon the poor Churchwardens being destitute of all relief continued excommunicated about a whole year after which they were taken and imprisoned in the common Gaole a long time upon a Capias Excommunicatum from whence at last they were released by the Bishop upon this ensuing submission and pennance worse then any imprisonment A true Copy of the Pennance that Iames Wheeler and Iohn Frye were enjoyned unto by my Lord Bishop of Bath and Wels examined by those whose names are underwritten Thomas Iles Iohn Bailly George Long William Webb Whereas the right reverend Father in God William by Gods permission Lord Bishop of Bathe and Wels hath heretofore lawfully required and commanded James Wheeler and John Frye late Churchwardens of the Parish-church of Beckington within the Dioces of Bathe and Wels aforesaid to remove the Communion Table in the Chancell of their said parish-Church and to place it close under the East wall of the said Chancell in the same manner and forme as the Communion Table standeth in the Cathedrall Church in Wells aforesaid and to remoue the seats placed above the said Table And likewise whereas they the said James Wheeler and John Frye contemned and wilfully disobeyed the command of the said Reverend Father and have in most contemptuous manner stood excommunicated for their said contempt for the space of one whole yeare now last past or there abouts not regarding nor fearing the dreadfull Censure of the Church And have likewise some dayes last past stood aggravated and have been signified unto the Kings most excellent Majesty for the apprehending their bodies and committing them to the Common-gaole of the County of Somerset the rather to compell them to their due obedience to the lawfull command of the Church now upon the earnest request and submission of the said Wheeler and Fry the said Reverend Father hath absolved them from the said sentences and enjoyned unto them that upon Sunday the 25 day of Iune in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred thirty seven they in their usuall apparell shall stand first in the middle Ally in the parish-Parish-church of Beckington aforesaid and there immediately after the reading of the Gospell shall openly and penitently with an audible voice make this acknowledgement following repeating the same after the Minister viz. We James Wheeler and John Fry do here before this Congregation assembled acknowledge and confesse that we have grievously offended the Divine Majesty of Almighty God and the lawes Ecelesiasticall of this Realme of England in that we have in contemptuous manner refused to remove the Communion Table in the Chancell of the Parish-church of Beckington and to place it close under the East wall of the said Chancell in the same manner and forme as the Communion Table standeth in the Cathedrall Church in Wels and to remove the seats placed above the said Table being thereunto lawfully and judicially monished and warned by the right reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wels. And in that for our contempts and disobediences in not performing the said lawfull command of the said reverend Father we have suffered our selves to be lawfully excommunicated and so to stand for the space of one whole yeare last past or thereabouts not fearing nor regarding the dreadfull censure of the Church And in like or rather more contemptuous manner have suffered our selves to be lawfully aggravated and signified according to the laudable laws â— statutes of this Realm thereby in a legall manner to compell us to our due obedience to the lawfull command of the Church And we do hereby protest that we are right heartily sorry for the same and we do faithfully promise never from henceforth to offend in the like againe but to demeane our selves as shall become good Christians and dutifull subjects and we doe ask God forgivenesse for this our sinne and offence and you all here present for our evill example And we doe desire you all to pray for us and with us to Almighty God that it may please him of his infinite goodnesse to forgive us of this our offence And then humbly and penitently kneeling downe must devoutly rehearse the Lords Prayer and they must certifie hereof at Wels in writing subscribed to these presents under the hands of the Minister and Churchwardens of Beckington aforesaid on Tuesday the 27 day of Iune aforesaid together with this Schedule And the like pennance is to be performed by the within named James Wheeler and John Fry for the same offence in the parish-Parish-church of Froom-felwood within the Dioces aforesaid before the Pulpit or Ministers seat there in manner and forme prescribed on Sunday the 2 day of Iuly Anno predict And certificate must be made of the due performance thereof as abovesaid under the hands of the Minister and Churchwardens there upon Tuesday the fourth day of Iuly aforesaid
his Consecrating of Churches and Chappels after the popish manner wherein the case stands briefly thus The Pope his Romish Prelates had in times of ignorance superstition for their own proper lucre introduced solemn consecrations of Churches Chappels with all furniture belonging to them appropriated these Fopperies to Bishops as a jurisdiction peculiar to them alone though we reade in Scripture that the Tabernacle all the furniture thereto belonging was consecrated only by Moses and the Temple at Jerusalem by King Solomon the chief temporall Magistrates not by Aaron or the High Priests as they were among the Romans by the Senate These formes of consecrations full of Ethnicall ridiculous superstitions exorcismes conjurations were contained only in Roman Pontificals Missals Ceremonials which were wholly abolished upon the reformation of Religion in King Edwards daies by the expresse statutes of 3 4 E. 6. cap. 1. 5. 5 6 E. 6. cap. 1. and after that by the statute of 1 Eliz. cap. 2. 8 Eliz. cap. 1. which abrogited all rites ceremonies and consecrations whatsoever but those comprised in the Books of Common Prayer and Ordination of Ministers where there is not one syllable to be found touching consecration of Churches or Chappels or Church-yards nor any forme of such consecrations reteined or prescribed which by these Acts were wholly discontinued abolished in our Church till this Papish Prelate to renue them and to assume a Papall power of making Churches Chappels Altars and their furniture holier then other places by his solemne consecrations of them as if the meere sequestring of them from a common or prophane to a sacred use were not a sufficient consecration of them without a Bishops Benediction and exercising of those creatures suspended thereunto We shall begin first with his consecration of Churches next of Chappels Anno 1630. St. Katherines Creed-church in London being repaired only by the parishioners not new built from the ground when Mountain was Bishop of London and the Church thought holy enough by him without any new consecration not requisite in such a case by the very Canon law this popish Prelate succeeding Mountaiue in the Bishoprick of London suspended this new repaired Church for a time from all Divine service Sermons and Sacraments till it was re-consecrated by himself of which he writ down this speciall memoriall with his own hand in his Diary read in the Lords House in manner following January 16. 1630. Sunday I consecrated S. Katherine Creed-church in London In what a popish ridiculous bedlam manner was thus attested upon oath by M. Willingham a parishioner there who then took special Notes of all the passages in short-writing thinking some good use might be made thereof in after-times the particulars whereof he thus expressed That the Archbishop then of London on the 16 of January 1630. being the Lords day came in the morning about nine of the clock in a pompous manner to creed-Creed-church accompanied with Sir Henry Martin Dr. Rive Dr. Duck and many other High-commissioners and Civillians there being a very great concourse of people to behold this novelty the Church doores were garded with many Halberders at the Bishops approaching near the West door of the Church the hangbies of the Bishop cryed out with a loud voyce Open open ye everlasting doores that the King of glory may enter in and presently as by miracle the doores flew open and the Bishop with three or four great Doctors and many other principall men entred in and as soon as they were in the Church the Bishop fell down upon his knees with his eyes lifted up and his hands and armes spread abroad uttering many words and saying This place is holy and this ground is holy In the name of the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost I pronounce it holy and then he took up some of the earth or dust and threw it up into the aire as the frantick perseenting Jewes did when they were raging mad against Paul this was done in the great middle Isle several times as they came up Eastwards towards the Chancel which Chancel was then paved when they approached near to the Rayle and Lords Table unto which was an ascent of two or three steps the Bishop lowly ducked and bowed towards it some five or six times and returning went round about the Church in Procession on the inside thereof they saying the 100 Psalme and after that the 90 Psalme prescribed in the Roman Pontificall for this purpose p. 262. and then this Prayer Lord Jesu Christ who art the eternall Word of thy eternall Father God Almighty to be blessed for ever and diddest at first in the beginning of time create man out of the dust of the earth to restore and repair in him the ruine and fall of Angels and when as he by transgression had lost his originall state diddest according to thy threatning returne him againe unto his dust but so that he should not perish everlastingly but should in due time by an omnipotent power be raised againe out of the earth and therefore in assurance of the resurrection the bodies of men the work of thine own hands are in this place to be deposited in their sepulchres graves or vaults as in a repository or resting place untill the end of all things when that mighty Arch-angell shall sound his last Trumpet with Rise ye dead and come to judgement accept we beseech thee this our holy service who doe give and consecrate this beautifull Church unto thee and we separate it unto thee and thy Church AS HOLY GROVND not to be prophaned any more to common use this we beseech thee to accept at our hands for Christ Jesus sake c. Then was read aloud the 23 chapter of Genesis which being read then followed another prayer taken almost verbatim out of the Roman Pontificall beginning thus Merciful God the resurrection and the life of all that trust in thee wee most humbly intreat thee to vouchsafe us of thy grace that all those thy servants who from hence forth shall come into or be intered within the Circuit of this holy and sacred place now by our service HALLOWED unto thee may so lead their lives in thy feare that they may leave them in thy favour and that their bodies resting in their Sepulchres in this Church in peace untill thy comming unto Iudgment may rise again unto immortall life and live with thee for ever in those glorious mantions of eternity Heare us O Saviour for thy passion sake heare us O Father for thy Christs sake heare us O Sanctifying Spirit for thy comforts sake who livest and reignest one God c. Then The peace of God followed c. After all this the Bishop betook himselfe to sit under a cloath of State in an Isle of the chancell neare the Communion Table and taking a written book in his hand in imitation of the Roman Pontificall and the Councell of Trents Decrees therein cited pag. 247 c.
stone in A Chappell O Lord Mercifull and gracious these thy people are preparing to build a place for thy service Accept I humbly beseech thee their present devotion and make them perfect both in their present and future duty That while thou givest them case to honour thee they may with the greater Alacrity goe on in thy service And now O Lord I have by thy mercy and goodnesse put to my hand to lay the first stone in this building T is a Corner stone make it I beseech thee a happy foundation a durable building Let it rise up and be made and continue a house of praier and devotion through allages that thy people may be taught to beleeve in Jesus Ch. the true Corner stone upon whom they and their soules may be built safe for ever Grant this for the same Jesus Christ our most blessed Lord and Saviour To whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit be ascribed all power majesty and dominion this day and for ever Amen Now this Ceremony of consecrating and laying the first stone of a Chappell or Church by the Bishop is expresly taken out of the Roman Pontificall pars 2. cap. De Benedictione impositione primarij lapidis pro Ecclesia edificanda p. 199. c. Where all the solemnity of this consecration is at large prescribed and the substance of the Prayer the Bishop used upon this occasion thence derived This ceremony of consecrating and laying the first stone of a Church or Chappell is severely censured as ridiculous Popish Superstitions by Matthew Parker his predecessor Archbishop of Canterbury in his Antiquitates Ecclesia Britannicae p. 85. Quibus enim non dicam verbis sed portentis haec hujusmodi à Pontificiis adorantur Q. Primarius lapis caementum per Ecclesia aedificanda Lapis cum caemento Episcopi manibus primum aqua benedicta sparsus insculpto Gracis signo his sententiis in fundamento positus est lapidem quem reprobaverunt aedifieantes hic factus est in caput Anguli Devide tu es Petrus super hanc Petram c. postea precabantur ut qui ad perficiendam Ecclesiam auxilium dederunt corporis animae salutem consequantur c. Yet notwithstanding the Popish Prelate in contempt of his Predecessors Judgement needs must introduce this Popish Innovation not onely at Hammersmith but even at the Cathedrall of Pauls it selfe where he consecrated and laid the first stone at its reparation with many prayers and Ceremonies And not content herewith caused a second Edition of Sir Tho. Ridlyes View of the Civill and Ecclesiasticall Law to be re-printed at Oxford Anno 1634. Cum Privilegio with some Marginall Additions added to it by J. G. Master of Arts p. 51. 52 191 192 193. Wherein he justifies the consecrating of Churches Chappels and the foundation-stone thereof by the Bishop in these words The Bishop with Prayer is to lay the first stone of a Church or Monastary and lift up his hands to heaven and consecrate the place to God by prayer and there erect the symbole of our Salvation we mean the venerable and truely precious Rood That this Ceremony of laying the first stone hath been of ancient use in the Greeke Church may be observed out of their Euchologue where it is said That the Bishop after some other Rites performed standing in the place where the holy Altar shall be set saith a prayer which being ended he giveth the Ita missa est and then taking up one of the stones and having cut a crosse upon it himselfe with his own hands layeth it upon the ground-worke then he pronounceth the c. and so the workemen begin the building That which followeth in the Euchologue discovereth the forme and manner of setting up the Crucifix which the Law calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The like ceremonies are used in the Latine Church as this day as may be seen in their Pontificall page 281. of that which Clement the 8. set out at Rome in the yeare 1565. The crucifix must be sent to the place where the Church is to be erected and there the Bishop useth certaine prayers fumeth the ground with his Incense circular-wise crosseth the corner stone which he layeth for the foundation and when he maketh the consecration the crosse must he set up behinde the holy Altar there being prepared for it some lofty structure c. Which addition was patched to Doctor Ridley meerly to countenance and justifie the Arch-bishops consecrations of this kinde of which we shall produce some other Instances We read in his Diary under his own hand this Memoriall following May 26. 1632. Saturday Trinity Sunday Eve I consecrated the Lord Treasurers Chappell at Roe-hampton And in an Abstract of the Arch-bishops Metropoliticall Visitation Anno 1635. found in his studdy we finde his Visitor and Vicar Generall interdicted the Chappell of Buckston and of Down in Derbyshire though long used for want of consecration and in some Visitation Articles this inquiry made Whether any Chaplaines did Preach or administer the Sacrament in any Chappell not consecrated In the year 1636. there was a great contestation between the Arch-bishop and the University of Cambridge heard before his Majesty and his Privy Councell at Hampton Court whether the Archbishop meerly as Metropolitan or the King alone as King and founder of the University should have the Visitation thereof where it was ruled for the Arch-bishop against the King and University At which time the Arch-bishop declared that one principall cause why he desired to visit the University of Cambridge was because there were some Chappels belonging to Colledges where Divine Service had been used and the Sacrament administred divers years though they were never consecrated by any Bishop as namely Emanuel Colledge Chappell built in the year 1584. And Sidney Sussex Colledge Chappell built in the year 1598. And ever since used as Chappels without any Bishops consecration no Archbishop or Bishop of the Diocesse taking any exceptions at it yet now forsooth the Archbishop as Metropolitan must become Visitor to the University of Cambridge to consecrate these Chappels as if they were prophane before and the holy Ordinances used in them not sufficient to hallow them without his Popish Episcopall consecration-ceremonies Bishop Pilkington Walter Haddon Mr. Fox and others much jeer and deride the madnesse folly and superstition of Cardinall Poole and his Deputy Visitors of this very University of Cambridge for digging up Mr. Bucers and Paulus Fagius bones out of S. Maries Church in Cambridge 3. yeares after they were interred and interdicting and new consecrating the Church again as prophaned by them for fear their Masses and Divine Service there used should be nothing worth the place being made prophane and unholy by these heretickes funeralls as they judged them when as the Church was holy enough to say Masse in for three yeares space before and all that would not heare it must be imprisoned burned although
the parties lay there buried And is it not then a far greater madnesse superstition and ridiculous frenzie for this domineering Arch-Prelate to deem these two Chappels prophane places unfit to administer the Sacraments and celebrate divine Service in because never yet consecrated by a Bishop not onely after three but almost three-score yeares use and practise of divine Service Sermons Sacraments in them When as neither his predecessors Whitgift Bancroft and Abbot men very ceremonious and two of them much addicted to superstition ever so much as moved any such question concerning the necessity of their consecration Especially since there is no such Canon Law to enforce the consecration of them now as was to justifie the re-hallowing of S. Maries Church in Queen Maries time which the Popish Canon Law then approved in the case of Bucer and Fagius We read in the Ecclesiasticall Constitutions of Otho the Popes Legat made in an English Synode in the Raigne of King Henry the third that even in those dark times of Popery there were not only divers Parish Churches but some Cathedrals in England which were used as such for many yeares yet never consecrated by a Bishop as appears by these words of the Constitution it self Multas invenimus Ecclesias aliquas Cathedrales quae licet fuer unt ab antiquo constructae nondum tamen sunt sanctificationis Oleo consecrate Whereupon this Popish Legat for his own lucher Enjoyned all Churches then built or to be built to be consecrated within two years space under pain of interdiction from having Masse said in them unlesse some reasonable cause were shewed to the contrary By colour of which Popish constitution this Prelate it seems urged the consecration of these ancient Chappels there being no other shaddow of reason Canon or authority for it After this Archbishop had thus procured a power to himself to visit the Vniversity of Cambridge Matthew Wren Bishop of Ely Decemb. 1. 1639. Sent him up an account signed with his own hand of some things amisse within his Diocesse and that University which he left to his Graces consideration to amend which account was seized by Master Prynne in his study at Lambeth and thus indorsed with the Arch-bishops own hand My Lord of Elyes Account 1639. In which there were these two Passages concerning consecration of Chappels The first concerning a Chappell in Sir John Cuts house in the town of Childerley which Chappell the Knight said was consecrated by Bishop Heton producing an Instrument under seal purporting that on such a day at Childersly Bishop Heton did consecrate a Chappell by saying Service there himselfe and having a Sermon this was all the Solemnity of its Consecration I questioning the whole matter have required him to waiteupon your Grace to see whether that consecration must be allowed of The second concerning some Chappels in Colledges never yet consecrated which is thus expressed in this Account It was presented unto me That in the Colledges of Emanuel Sidney and Corpus Christi there have been Roomes built within the memory of man which are used for common Chappels wherein they have dayly prayers and do Preach there without any faculty or license granted unto them so to do And wherein also they ordinarily celebrate the holy Communion The said places never having been consecrated thereunto Ma. Elie. The Scottish troubles it seems prevented his consecration of these Chappels which were sufficiently hallowed before by the Divine Duties exercised in them The last Chappell we finde consecrated was that in Covent Garden which was hallowed or rather prophaned with all Popish Ceremonies expressed in the Roman Pontificall and far more than were used at Creed-Church The Arch-bishop having thus far advanced his Popish designes in consecrating Churches Chappels and Church-yards proceeded one step further even to set up the exploded Annuall Baccanalian feasts of Dedication whereon Churches were hallowed prescribed at first onely by the Decrees of Pope Felix Pope Gregory recorded by Gratian De Consecratione Distinct 1. who Decreed thus Solennitates Ecclesiarum dedicationem per singulos annos solemniter sunt celebrandae Those Feasts of Dedication turned by the people into meer Bacchanals were exceedingly declaimed against as necessary to be suppressed by Nicholaus de Clemangiis in his Tract De Novis Celebritatibus non instituendis suppressed by the Injunctions of King Henry the S. An. 1536. As the occasion of much idlenesse excesse riot and pernicious to the Souls of men Whereupon they were all of them restrained to the first Sunday in the moneth of October not to be kept on any other day and afterwards totally abolished by the statute of 5. and 6. E. 6. c. 3. Of holy-dayes Which being revived again by degrees with their Baccanalian disorders in sundry places of this Realm under the names of Wakes or Revels and suppressed by some Judges in their Circuits and Justices of Peace in Sessions this Arch-bishop in the year of our Lord 1633. by a Declaration compiled by himselfe but published in his Majesties Name intituled The Kings Majesties Declaration concerning Lawfull Sports to be used revived and enjoyned the Observation of these Wakes and Feasts of Dedication never formerly established by any Christian Prince together with the use of divers Sports and pastimes on the Lords own Sacred day after Divine Service ended to the great Dishonour of God of his Majesty of our Religion the disturbance of the Civill Government encrease of all Licensiousnesse prophanenesse impiety and great griefe of all godly peoples Souls This Book he enjoyned all Ministers to read and publish openly in the Church in time of Divine Service though not commanded by the King and those who out of conscience refused to read it in this kinde were by his means suspended excommunicated prosecuted in the High-Commission Sequestred from their Livings yea many of them enforced to desert their Cures and depart the Kingdome this book being made a snare onely to entrap or suppresse most of the painfull godly preaching Ministers throughout the Realm who were all more or lesse prosecuted about it Yet such was this Arch-Prelates unparallel'd impiety transcending all examples in former Ages that he not onely caused his Instruments Edmond Reeve Dr. Heylyn Christopher Dowe and others to defend the Lawfulnesse and usefulnesse of this prophane licentious Declaration but also to justifie the persecution silencing suspending depriving of those Godly Ministers who out of Conscience refused to publish it in sundry Printed Books authorized by him and his Chaplaines for the Presse Quis talia fando temperet à Lachrymis at leastwise can refrain from the heaviest censures against this prophane Arch-bishop That this Declaration since ordered to be publikely burnt by the common hangman by Order of both Houses of Parliament was Printed published by the Archbishops procurement and upon what Occasion was thus attested upon Oath by Master Edward Richardson and Master Prynne Sir Thomas Richardson Lord chiefe Justice
of England and Baron Denham riding the Western Circuit in the Lent Vacation 7º Caroli there being at the Assises in the County of Sommerset many persons indicted for murthering Bastard children begotten at Wakes and Revels with sundry other grand disorders occasioned by these intemperate meetings the Justices of that County earnestly importuned the Judges to make a severe Order for the suppression of these disorderly Wakes and Revels as divers of their Predecessors had done without which they could never keep the Country in good Order nor prevent the multitude of Bastards murthers bloodsheds drunkennesse quarrels and other disorders occasioned by them whereupon these Judges made this ensuing Order in the publike Assises An Order made by the Judges of the Assises for the suppressing of all Ales and Revels the nineteenth day of March Anno Regis Caroli nunc Ang. c. Sept. WHereas divers Orders have been made heretofore by the Judges of the Assise for the suppressing of all Ales and Revels the same Order is now confirmed at this Assises and again Ordered by the Court In regard of the infinite number of inconveniences dayly arising by means of Revels That such Revels Church-Ales Clerks-Ales and all other publick Ales be henceforth utterly suppressed and if hereafter it shall be known to the Justices of the Peace within this County of such to be set up hereafter to be used That then the Justices of Peace within their severall divisions take course as well for the speedy apprehending and punishing of Idle and lewd persons drawing together at such places as also for the binding over of such persons using tipling inflicting such punishment upon all offenders in such places as the Law doth inflict And to the end this Order may be the better observed it is further Ordered That the Clerk of the Assises shall leave Coppies hereof with the under-Sheriffe and from the under-Sheriffe every Constable of the hundred shall take a Coppy for his severall Hundred and Liberty and shall deliver a Coppy to the Minister of every Parish within his severall Hundred and Liberty and shall take a note of every Minister under his hand the day when he received it and shall publish it yearly within the Parish Church the first Sunday in February and likewise the two Sundayes before Easter yearly And it is further Ordered That every Constable every Lent-Assises present unto the Judges of the Circuit a note of the same Order under the hands of the said Ministers And for the avoyding the concourse of idle people it is further Ordered That Minstrels and such other persons as usually carry up and down Bulls and Beares to bate being Rogues by the Statute shall be punished as Rogues for the further preventing of such inconveniences as usually hapneth at such meetings This is a Copyy of the Order To Lawrence Musgrave Constable The now Arch-Bishop being informed of this good Order was very much netled at it both in regard of the subject matter of it the suppression of Church-Ales Wakes Revels commonly kept on the Lords Day and likewise of the manner of publishing it by the Ministers in the Church which he conceived to be an Vsurpation upon the Bishops Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction and an injury to the Church Upon which grounds he had formerly quarrelled with Sir Nicholas Rainton when he was Lord Mayor of London for prohibiting an Apple-woman to sell Apples on the Lords Day within Pauls Church-yard threatning to complaine of him to the King and his Councell for usurping on his Jurisdiction and telling him she should sell Apples there on the Sunday notwithstanding his Command to the contrary and let him punish her if he durst as he likewise excepted against this pious Order of Richard Deane Lord Mayor of London Anno 1629. found in his study by Master Prynne thus endorsed with his own hand Aprill 20. 1629. The Lord Mayor of London his Warrant against breakers of the Sabbath MY JVRISDICTION INTERESSED WHereas J am credibly informed that notwithstanding divers good Laws provided for the keeping of the Sabbath day holy according to the expresse Commandement of Almighty God divers Jnhabitants and other persons of this City and other places having no respect of duty towards God and his Majesty or his Laws but in contempt of them all do commonly and of custome greatly prophane the Sabbath day in buying selling uttering and venting their Wares and Commodities upon that day for their private gain Also Jnholders suffering Markets to be kept by Carriers in most rude and prophane manner in selling Victuals to Hucsters Chandlers and all other commers also Carriers Carmen Clothworkers Water-bearers and Porters carrying of burthens and Watermen plying their Fares and divers others working in their ordinary callings And likewise that J am further informed that Vintners Alehousekeepers Tobacco and strong Water sellers greatly prophane the Sabbath day by suffering Company to sit drinking and bibbing in their houses on that day And likewise divers by cursing and swearing and such like behaviour contrary to the expresse Commandement of Almighty God his Majesties Laws in that behalf and all good Government For the Reformation whereof J do hereby require and in his Majesties name straightly Command all his Majesties loving subjects whatsoever and also all Constables Headboroughs Beadles and all other Officers whatsoever to be ayding and assisting to I. S. the bearer hereof in finding out and apprehending all and every such person and persons as shall be found to offend in any of these kinds and them and every of them to bring before me or some other of his Majesties Justices of the Peace to answer to all such matters as shall be objected against them and to put in good security for their good behaviour whereof fail you not as you or any of you will answer at your perill Dated Aprill 20. 1629. To all Constables and other his Majesties Officers Ministers whatsoever within the City of London and liberties thereof and to every of them Rich. Deane Major The Arch-bishop much vexed at the Judges forementioned Order against Ales and Revels complained of the Judges and it to his Majestie as he had formerly done of the Lord Mayor of London and procured a Commission to some Divines of that County and Bishop Pierce to enquire of the manner of publishing this Order in Churches and what was done therein and of the Lord Chiefe Justice Richardsons carriage in this businesse Notwithstanding which Commission this chiefe Justice the next Assizes gave a strict charge against these Ales and Revels required an Account of the publication and execution of the foresaid Order and punished some disorderly persons for breach thereof Wherewith the Archbishop then of London being acquainted by Sir Robert Philips and others he thereupon complained again to the King of the Judges and writ the ensuing letter to the Bishop of Bath and Wels to make the better way for the publike authorizing of Wakes and Revels even on the Lords own Day and his
did mistake either their words or their meaning And I doe verily believe that if I had sent for an hundred more of the Clergie within my Diocesse I should have received the same Answer from them all because not one of those Ministers who appeared before me although they are almost all of them as yet strangers unto mee and most of them strangers one to another varied in the substance of his Answer from the rest nay most of them agree in their very phrases and words and yet all of them gave their Answers severally So that I may liken these seventy and two Ministers in this matter unto the Septuagâ—nt or seventy two Interpreters who agreed so soone in the Translation of the old Testament Now as I have made a true report of the Answers of these Ministers so I desire to set downe some observations of mine owne which I have collected out of their Answers I finde that throughout Somersesshire there are not only Feasts of Dedication but also in many places Church-ales Clerkes-ales and Bid-ales The Feasts of Dedications are more generall and generally they are called Feast-dayes but in divers places they are call'd Revell-dayes they are not knowne amongst the ignorant people by the name of Feasts of Dedication but all Schollers acknowledge them to be in the memory of their severall Dedications and some Ministers of late have taught them so Divers Churches here are Dedicated to the Holy Trinity and they are kept upon Trinity Sunday but almost all those Feasts which are kept in memory of the Dedication of Churches unto Saints are kept upon some Sundayes either before or after the Saints dayes because as I conceive on the weeke dayes the people have not had leisure to celebrate these Feasts And I finde that almost all the Feasts of Dedication are kept in the Summer time betweene our Lady-day and Michaelmas because that time of the yeare is most convenient for the meeting of Friends from all places in some places they have solemne Sermons Preach't by Divines of good note and also Communions upon their Feast dayes and in one place in this County the Parish holds Land by their Feast And one Minister who hath been a great Travailer hath inserted in his answer that in some reformed Churches namely in Switzerland these Feasts of Dedication are observed I finde also that the people generally would by no meanes have these Feasts taken away for when the Constables of some Parishes came from the Assizes about two years agoe and told their neighbours that the Judges would put down these Feasts they answered that it was very hard if they could not entertain their kindred and friends once in a yeare to praise God for his Blessings and to pray for the Kings Majesty under whose happy Government they enjoyed peace and quietnesse and they sayd they would endure the Judges penalties father than they would breake off their Feast dayes It is found also true by experience that many Suits in Law have bin taken up at these Feasts by mediation of friends which could not have bin so soone ended in Westminster Hall Moreover I finde that the chiefest cause of the dislike of these Feasts amongst the Preciser sort is becaose they are kept upon Sundayes which they never call but Sabbath dayes upon which they would have no manner of Recreation nay neither Rost nor Sod And some of the Ministers who were with me have ingenuously confessed that if the people should not have their honest and lawfull Recreations upon Sundayes after evening Prayer they would go either into tipling houses and there upon their Ale-benches talke of matters of the Church or State or else into Conventicles Concerning Church-ales I finde that in some places the people have bin perswaded to leave them off in other places they have bin put down by the Judges and Justices so that now there are very few of them left but yet I finde that by Church-ales heretofore many poore Parishes have cast their Bells repaired their Towers beautified their Churches and raised stocks for the poore and not by the sins of the people as some Humourists have sayd but by the Benevolence of people at their honest and harmlesse sports and pastimes at which there hath not bin observed so much disorder as is commonly at Fairs and Markets Touching Clerke-ales which are lesser Church-ales for the better maintenance of Parish Clerks they have bin used untill of late in divers places and there was great reason for them for in poore Countrey Parishes where the wages of the Clerke is very small the people thinking it unfit that the Clerke should duly attend at Church and lose by his office were wont to send him in Provision and then feast with him and give him more liberality then their quarterly payments would amount unto in many years And since these have bin put down some Ministers have complained unto me that they are afrayd they shall have no Parish Clerks for want of maintenance for them There is another kinde of publique meeting call'd a Bid-ale when an honest man decayed in his estate is set up again by the liberall Benevolence and Contribution of friends at a Feast but this is layd aside almost in euery place But I feare I have wearied your Grace with this impertinent discourse of Countrey Feasts yet while I am in this discourse of Feasts I may not forget one thing wherein I have bin desired by a grave and learned Divine dwelling neere Taunton to move your Grace and that is that your Grace would be a means that the Judges in their Lent Circuit might not sit and condemne people on that great Feast day of the Annunciation And so having carefully endeavoured to performe His Majesties Commaundement I cast my selfe down at His Majesties feet humbly begging His gracious pardon if I have erred in any point And I desire no longer to live than I may be able to do God and His Majesty service in the Church which although other Bishops can performe with greater abilities than my selfe yet none shall perform the same with more readinesse diligence and fidelity than I will doe And so praying for the continance of your Graces health and happinesse I leave your Grace to Gods blessed Protection and humbly rest Your Graces ever to be Commanded Guil. Bath and Wells Wells 5th Novemb. 1633. The next Assizes after this Certificate the Archbishop sent for Chiefe Justice Richardson and commanded him to revoke the former Order made at the Assizes against Wakes telling him it was His Majesties pleasure he should reverse it But he having no such command from the King Himselfe neglected to do it whereupon the Archbishop made a new complaint to His Majesty against the Judge who thereupon sent for the Judge and commanded him publikely to Reverse that Order the next Assizes as he would answer the controay at his perill notwithstanding he alleaged hee had done it at the request of the Justices of
speeches in the Pulpit and elsewhere and more especially upon the fourth Commandement both by preaching and otherwise he hath in contempt of the Kings most Excellent Majestis Declaration concerning the lawfulnesse of Recreations upon Sundayes and holy-daies after time of Divine Service and in derision and scorne of the Booke set forth by His Majesty to that purpose often amongst other his opprobrious and disgracefull speeches uttered these words following concerning the same viz. Is it not as lawfull to plucke at a Cartrope upon the Sabbath day as at a Bell-rope Is it not as lawfull for a VVeaver to shoot his shuttle in the Sabbath day as for a man to take his Bow to shoote And is it not as lawfull for a VVoman to spinne at her wheele or for a man to go to Plough or Cart as for a man in the Sabbath day to dance that devilish round All which words and divers other of the like kind your Petitioner will be bound to prove unto your Grace and the honourable Court of high Commisiion May it therefore please your Grace for the Reformation of the sayd Mr. Page and satisfaction of his Parishioners consciences and other inhabitants there abouts who daily flocke unto him by reason of inveigling them with such his Doctrine to grant an Attachment or Letters Missive to issue out against him the sayd Page to bring him to Answer to such Articles as shall bee exhibited into the said Court against him And your Petitioner as in duty shall daily pray for your Graces long life and happinesse I desire Dr. Merrick to consider of the suggestions of this Petition and take order for Letters Missive if he see cause Aug. 30. 1638. W. Cant. Among which Papers he likewise met with this Certificate manifesting that not only Sir Nathaniell Brent but Sir Iohn Lambe in the Archbishops Metropoliticall Visitation did peremptorily enjoyne all ministers in the Archbishops name to read this Declaration for sports on the Lords Day to the people in Churches to animate them to prophan it though not prescribed in his printed visitation Articles To the Right VVorshipfull Sir John Lambe Knight Doctor of Law Commissary to the Lords Grace of Canterbury for the Archdeaconry of Huntington c. THese are to certifie that Thomas Gibbs Master of Art and Curate of Hitchin in Hartfordshire within the Archdeaconry of Huntington according to your Injunction at the Visitation there holden did distinctly and treatably read upon the 29th of Aprill being Sunday at Morning Prayer after the reading of the first Lesson appointed for the day most of the Parish then being present the Book intituled The Kings Maiesties Declaration to His Subiects concerning lawfull sports to be used William Lindall D. D. Edward Radcliffe Esque Iohn Skinner Edward Hurst Thomas Draper William Hurste Churchwardens And with 3. Petitions of Mr. Valentines to the Archbishop suspended for not reading the Book of sports referred to Sir Iohn Lambe who endorsed on one of them with his owne hand that he had received inclosed therein A Bribe of five pound Besides in the Abstract of the Archbishops Metropoliticall Visitation in the yeare 1635. found in his Study by Master Prynne there are these Passages concerning the Booke of sports Master Fairfax Curate of Rumborough Charged with inconformity hath faithfully promised to read the Declaration for lawfull sports I suspended one Master Pegges of VVeeford ex nunc pro ut ex tunc in case he did not read the Kings Declaration for sports on Sunday seven-night following There are divers in Surrey that refuse to read the Kings Declaration for lawfull sports on Sundayes besides those that stand suspended for the fault Doctor Howell a very worthy Divine gave me a note of their Names they are Master Whitfield of Ockly Mr. Garth of Wouersh Mr. Ward of Pepper-harrow and Mr. Farroll of Purbright all of them of the Lecture of Guilford and some of them of the Lecture of Darking who were afterwards prosecuted for it All these are unfallible Evidences that the Archbishop was the originall principall Author enforcer of this Declaration upon Godly Ministers against both Law and conscience himselfe his Servants playing some times at Boules upon the Lords own day to give good example unto others and persecuting those with infinit severity to the ruing of their Flocks Families who out of conscience durst not publish it Of which we shal produce one signal example more in the case of Mr. Lawrence Snelling a reverend Godly learned Minister deprived in the High Commission for not reading this Declaration Mr. Snelling himselfe restified upon Oath that he was suspended from his Ministry Living excommunicated and soone after that brought into the High Commission at Lambheth and there sentenced to be deprived from his benefice loosing the profits thereof full foure yeares space only for refusing to read this Declaration for sports That Hee there pleaded in his owne defence the Law of God of the Realme the Authorities of Councells Fathers and late Writers of all sorts That the Declaration it selfe appeared not to be his Majesties though published in his name it being not enrolled in any Court nor published under his great Seale as all Proclamations Briefes to be read in Churches are that there was no command at all of the Kings it should be read by any in Churches much lesse by Ministers no punishment threatned nor prescribed for not reading it no authority given to Archbishops Bishops High Commissioners or any other persons to question suspend or punish any Minister for not reading it and being a meere civill not Ecclesiasticall Declaration not enjoyned by any Ecclesiasticall Canon or Authority but temporall only no Ecclesiasticall Iudges could take cognisans of it much lesse inflict any ecclesiasticall censure for it especially in the high Commission it being no offence with in the Statute of 1. Eliz. ch 1. or the Kings Commission Ecclesiasticall whereby the High Commissioners sit so not questionabl by them Al which particulars he put into his answer defence but the Archbishop gave order not to accept his Answer or defence as he tendred them saying openly in Court That whosoever should make such a Defence as he had don it should be burnt before his face and he laid by the heeles for his paines whereupon the Commissioners expunged what they pleased out of his Answer and defence and then censured him Mr. Gellibrand deposed the same with Mr. Snelling whose censure was there produced out of the High-Commission records and here subjoyned Die Lunae viz. nono Die mensis Februarii Anno Dom. 1637. coram Commissionariis Regiis ad causas Ecclesiasticas apud Hospitium Advocatorum c. Iudicial seden presentibus Stephano Knight Deputato Iohanne Greenhill Notarto publico Officium Dominorum con Laurent Snelling Cleric Rectorem de Paulscrai in Com. Kantii Dr. Ryues The Cause is to be informed in and finally sentenced out of the said Master Snellings answer and
he is to appeare this day to heare and receive the finall order and judgement of the Court. at which day and place the said Lawrence Snelling being publiquely called for appeared personally in whose presence the Articles in this cause exhibited against him with his answers made thereunto were publiquely read and then Mr. Doctor Ryues his Majesties Advocate pressed and enforced the proofes against the said Master Snelling according as they appeared confessed out of his answers and after that the said Mr. Snelling was heard what he could say in his owne defence and after a mature and deliberat hearing of this cause it appeared to the Court That the said Mr. Snelling was here charged for that he being a Minister in holy orders of Priesthood constituted by the Authority of the Church for these 20. yeares last past and upwards Rector of Paulscray aforesaid for all that time and upwards was within these foure or five yeares last past made acquainted that a certaine Booke intituled The Kings Majesties Declaration for lawfull recreations after Evening Prayers on Sundayes and Holy dayes was come forth and commanded by his Majesty to be read by all Ministers in their respective Parish Churches and presented to Mr. Doctor Wood Chauncellor of Rochester his Ordinary on the 20th of November 1643. for refusing to read and publish the same in his Parish Church of Paulscray That upon the said presentment he was by his said Ordinary personally monished to read the same within three weekes following That on the eleventh of December 1634. aforesaid he the said Laurence Snelling being againe Convented before his said ordinary was primo secundo tertio personally and Judicially monished in Court to read and publish the said Booke in manner aforesaid which he refusing was suspended ob officio beneficio and hath so continued untill this present and doth so still continue unreleased that on the third of Aprill 1635. the said Laurence Snelling being present in Court before his Ordinary was 10. 20. and 30. Judicially admonished to read and publish the said Booke for Lawfull recreations as aforesaid but did againe utterly refuse to publish or read the same was thereupon then excommunicated by his said Ordinary and hath so continued ever since doth so stil continue excommunicated that within the time articulate the said Mr. Snelling hath divers times omitted to read the Lerany and some other parts of Divine service and to weare the Surplice further that he hath not bowed his body nor made any corporall obeysance at the reading or hearing read the Blessed name of our Saviour Iesus All which the premises appearing to be true in Substance and in effect out of the said Mr. Snellings answers the Court proceeded to the giving of their sentence in this Cause and for the present did order that unlesse the said Mr. Snelling shall conforme himselfe to the aforesaid requisitions of his Ordinary and read and publish the said Booke for lawfull recreations c. and do all due obeysance and Reverence at the blessed name of our Saviour Iesus betwixt this and the second Court day of the next Terme he should be ex nunc pro ut extunc c. deprived of his Rectory of Paulscray aforesaid but pay no costs of suit in case he be deprived and to this end and purpose he the said Mr. Snelling being present in Court was Juditially admonished to read and publish the said Booke and to make corporall reverence at the name of our Saviour Jesus sub pena Iuris deprivationis And to the end that he may safely repaire to his Parish Church to practise certifie of his conformity in the premises in case he shall be willing to conform accordingly it was by the Court referred to the foresaid Ordinary Mr. Doctor Wood to absolve the said Master Snelling from the said sentence of Excommunication under which he now stands in case he shall come and desire it of his said Ordinary and take his oath de parendo Iuri stando mandatis Ecclesia c. according to the forme in this case provided For not doing whereof he was accordingly deprived and continued sequestred excommunicated and deprived of his living divers yeares to his intollerable oppression and prejudice When the Archbishop had thus privily by secret Instructions to his Visitors enjoyned the reading of this Book of sports to Ministers and suspended censured molested divers of them for not reading it he then conspiring together with many other popish Prelates to suppresse all painful preaching Orthodox Ministers by colour of it encouraged directed if not enjoyned them and their Archdeacons to insert this clause into their printed Visitation Articles to be inquired of and presented by Church-wardens upon Oath Whether the Kings Declaration for sports had beene read and published among them by the Minister To prove this we shall instance only in the Visitation Articles of Matthew Wren Bishop of Norwich printed at London 1636. and in Richard Mountague his successors Visitation Articles for the same Diocesse printed at Cambridg 1638. both which prescribe this following Interrogatory to be inquired of upon oath the later clause whereof contradictes the former Sect 7. Do any in your Parishprophane any Sunday or holy-day by any unlawfull gaming drinking or Tipling in Taverns Innes or Ale-houses in the time of Common Prayer or Sermon or by Working or doing the worke of their Trades and occupations Do any in your Parish buy or sell or keepe open their Shops or set out any Wares to be sould on Sundayes or holy dayes by themselves their Servants or Apprentises or have they any other wayes Prophaned the said dayes And hath the Kings Declaration concerning the use of lawfull sports and recreations been published among you yea or no If so when was it don in what manner and by whom The like Interrogatories in effect if not in terminis we find in Bishop Pierces Bishop Curles Bishop Skinners the Arch-Deacons of Middlesex with other Visitation Articles which for brevity we pretermit How many hundred Godly Ministers in these other Bishops Diocesse were suspended from their Ministry sequestred driven from their Livings excommunicated Prosecuted in the High Commission and forced to leave the Kingdome upon these Articles for not publishing this Declaration is so experimentaly known to all that We shal pretermit it without any enumeration of their names or cases Only we shal discover what hand and influence the Archbishop had in their severall suspentions persecutions by these ensuing Accounts given up to him by other Bishops of their proceedings herein found in his Study endorsed with his owne hand and witnessed by Mr. Prynne who seized them In Bishop Wrens account to the Archbishop December 17. 1636. which begin thus In the name of God Amen An account touching the Royall Instructions given by the Kings most Excellent Majesty to the most Reverend Father in God VVilliam Laud Archbishop of Cant. his Grace Primat
and Metropolitan of all England concerning Orders to be observed by all the Bishops of that Province To the severall Articles of which Jnstructions I Matthew Lord Bishop of Norwich thus humbly make Answer and in Order VVe finde this observable Answer given To the 12. Article That upon enquiry at my Visitation whether the Kings Majesties Declaration for lawfull sports had beene published I found it had not beene done in very many places of the Diocesse having therefore about 60. Bookes at hand I caused them to bee proposed to such persons as I had most doubt of but many of them refused to publish the same and were suspended for their refusall yet divers of them presently promised conformity and so were absolved So that now in the whole Diocesse consisting of about 1500. Clergie men there are not passing twice 15. Excommunicated or suspended whereof some so stand for contumacie in not appearing at the Visitation and Synod and still refuse to submit some for obstinate denying to publish the Kings Declaration By the Title and answer of which it is most evident That the Archbish sent severall Articles of Instructions in his Majesties name though made by himselfe to all the Bishops of his Province who were to return an Annuall account of them unto him in writing whereof this was one That they should inquire whether the Declaration for sports had beene published in every parish Church by the Minister and directed them to excommunicate or suspend all such who refused to read it Which how barbarously and unchristianly it was executed in most places needs no further evidence then that already produced and what all men know Now wee appeale to all Ecclesiasticall Histories from Christs Nativity till this instant whether there was ever such a monstrous impiety or persecution as this heard of in the Christian world that Archbishops and Bishops who professe themselves the very Fathers of the Church and Pillars of Religion should thus impiously First of all abuse a Christian Prince so farre as to publish a Declaration for the free use and encouragement of such sports and Pastimes on the Lords-Day as are some of them unlawfull on any day and constantly prohibited condemned by Fathers Councells Imperiall Lawes Edicts of most Christian Emperors Kings Princes States and the whole torrent of Christian Writers as altogether unsufferable on the Lords Day Secondly to injoyne Bookes expresly tending to the prophanation of the Lords day by sports and pastimes to be publikely read in Churches by the Ministers to their Congregations on this very day to encourage authorize them though over-prone thereto without any such instigation to prophane it 3. To suspend sequester excommunicate censure persecute deprive even hundreds of Godly Ministers as capitall Offenders for refusing meerely out of Conscience towards God and love to their owne and peoples soules to contribute their voyces or personal assistances to such a publication and against all Law Justice Piety to silence Ministers three or foure yeares together from preaching Gods Word to their people for the salvation of their soules according to their duties because they durst not publish this Declaration for Lords-Day sports unto them to further the damnation of their soules both against their duties and consciences Such a Monster of most desperate unparalled impiety profanenesse persecution as this was never borne in the Christian world till this Ghostly Father Archbishop Laud begot and nourished it in our Church for which how well hee demerited the Popes Titles of YOUR HOLINES and MOST HOLY FATHER let the Vniversity of Oxford and Mr. Croxton seriously consider who bestowed them on him severall times Doubtlesse his more then Popish superstition in Consecrating Churches Church-Yards Chappell 's and prohibiting all prophannations of them by Enterludes Dancing Musters Leets teaching of Schollers and the like might have lessoned him to have beene as zealous against prophaning Sacred dayes as places with unholie Pastimes or secular Negotiations But because the Lords-Day Sabbath was not hallowed by Bishops themselves as Churches Chappell 's or Church-Yards were according to the Modell of the Roman Pontificall but by Christ and his Apostles who never authorized Bishops or any else to Consecrate Churches or other places in this sort they presume to authorize men thus openly to prophane the one without check or punishment but not the other under the severest Anathema Maranatha Enough eternally to stigmatize this Arch-Prelate with the blackest brand of Arrogancy and Impiety who made but a meere sport of prophaning Gods owne day with sports and silencing Godly Ministers for not being so prophane in this kinde as himselfe was who used to play at bowles on this very day a pretty Archipiscopall Sabbath Recreation or so prophane as he would have them to be against the dictate of their owne Consciences We have given you in a very full and copious evidence of the Archbishops endeavours practises to subvert our established Protestant Religion and usher in Popery among us by introducing severall Popish Innovations superstitious Ceremonies Idolatrous impieties practises and prophanations into our Church being all meere matters of fact notoriously visible to the world and eyes of all men We shal now proceed in the second place to discover his atempts and manifest his proceedings in this kinde by bringing in Popish Tenents and doctrines by degrees wherein we shall so fully uncase this Romish Fox as notwithstanding all his shifts and subterfuges to evidence him the most Pestilent Jesuiticall underminer subverter of the established doctrines of the Church of England the Archest advancer of the Erroneous Positions of the Church of Rome that ever breathed in our English Ayre And here we meet not onely with a Narrow Episcopall See but vast boundlesse Ocean of evidence to saile in That there hath bin for many yeares last past a secret plotted Conspiracy and serious endeavour between sundry pretended members of the Church of England and reall Sonnes of the Church of Rome to extirpate the Protestant Religion and instead therof to set up Popish superstition and Idolatry hath beene already abundantly manifested to the World in A necessary Introduction to the History of the Archbishop of Canterbury his Tryall by sundry forraigne and domestick evidences how farre this Archbishop was an Arch-agent in promoting this conspiracie in point of Doctrinall Popery and by what Jesuiticall Policies and degrees he proceeded in it comes now in Order to bee proved wherein wee shall steare the course of our evidence according to the compasse and method of his proceedings It is the common Policy of all wise experienced Commanders when they intend to undermine any strong well-fortified defensible Fortresse not desperately to begin their Mines at the very foundation of the Workes at first for feare of discovery danger prevention but at a competent distance and then to make their approaches by insensible degrees till at last they have undermined or blowne up the very Walls and Workes themselves The selfe-same Policy was used by
His Majesties Commissioners to this strict authority that J cannot say but sure J am that till that time the Lords day never had attained such credit as to be thought an Article of the faith though of some mens fancies Nor was it like to be of long continuance it was so violently followed THE WHOLE BOOKE BEING NOW CALLED IN and in the place thereof the Articles of the Church of England confirmed by Parliament in that Kingdome Anno 1634. Vniformity with the Church of England was the pretence for revoking these Articles but the reall cause was because they defined in terminis The Pope to be Antichrist the Church of Rome to be no true Church the Lords day to be totally sanctfied and all the Arminian Tenets to be erronious contrary to the established Doctrine both of the Church of England and Ireland Grand obstacles to this Arch-Preltats Popish designes and therefore necessary to bee sette aside These Articles being thus repealed the Archbishop soon after sent over Master Chapple the most notorius seducing Arminian in the whole Vniversity of Cambridge into Jreland to be President of the Colledge of Dublin there to poyson that Vniversity with his Arminian Drugs which he there publikely vented as Dr. Hoyle Divinity Reader in that Vniversity attested upon Oath who had frequent contestations with him concerning the same This Chapple joyning with Dr. Bramhall Chaplaine to the Lord Deputy Wentworth a professed Arminian who managed all the Ecclesiastical affaires of that Church under the Archbishop and Lord Deputy raised a great party there to oppose and suppresse the truth What influence this Arch-Prelate likewise had upon the Prelates and Clergy of Scotland and how farre he proceeded in introducing Arminianisme by it Popery into the Church of Scotland is so largely demonstrated by M. Baily in his Canterburians selfe-conviction the last Edition that we shall not here insist upon it And thus we have given you a true and Copious Evidence of this Arch-Prelates endeavours to undermine our established Religion by introducing fomenting dangerous Arminian Errors in all our three Kingdomes of purpose to Vsher Popery into them by insensible degrees through this Iesuiticall devise We shall now proceed to his varius attemps and endeavours to undermine the established Protestant and advance the Romish Religion in our Churches by introducing broaching maintaining printing publishing all kind of Doctrinall points of Popery by suppressing Bookes and purging out Passages against them in old and new writers by promoting protecting the Propugners discouraging persecuting the oppugners of Popish Assertions Sermons Pamphlets and sundry other practises The Authorizing Printing dispersing Popish Bookes Doctrines and prohibiting contrary Impressions to refute them being the most pernitious destructiue prevalent project of all others to undermine Religion seduce corrupt both the present and future Generations with Popish Errors and set up Popery in its full vigor we shall begin with this Archbishops various practises concerning the Authorising printing dispersing of Popish prohibiting suppressing purging corrupting Orthodox Bookes against Popery wherein he directly traced the Popish Prelates Jesuites footsteps The Pope with Popish Prelates and Jesuites being Masters of the printing Presses in most parts had foure principall wayes to advance Popery and suppresse the Protestant Religion in relation only to printing The first was to License and print sundry Books and Discourses from time to time upon al occasions in defence of their Erronious Popish Tenets against the Protestants The second to prohibit sundry speciall Treatises against Popery to bee printed reprinted dispersed or read and to seize on and suppresse them in all places with greatest diligence when printed The third to purge out the principall Passages Motives Invectives against Popery and its abuses in all old printed Books ere they should bee reprinted and out of all new Bookes tendred to the Presse before they could gaine License to passe it The fourth to punish the Authors Printers dispersers of any prohibited or unlicensed Books against Popery with the severest censures all which is abundantly evident by their severall Indices Librorum Prohibitorum and Librorum Expurgandorum by the Provinciall Councell of Sennes Anno 1528. Apud Surium Concil Tom. 4. p. 718. to 723. Laurentius Bochellius Decreta Ecclesia Gall lib. 1. Tit. 10. De Libris vetitis cap. 1. to 29. The Statute of 34 and 35. H. 8. c. 1. Master Fox his Acts and Monuments the old Edition pag. 536. 573. 680. 450. 1335. c. Dr. Iames his Index Generalis Librorum prohibitorum a Pontifieijs c. Oxon 1627. Antonij Posseâ—ini Bibliothesa selecta with sundry others The Arch-bishop in imitation of this their policy first of all ingrossed the sole power of licensing all new Bookes of Divinity into his owne his Chaplaines and Creatures hands so as nothing could passe the Presse with publique approbation but by his or their precedent approbation without danger of ruine to the Authors Printers Stationers Venders Dispersers And because he feared and experimentally discerned that when Stationers or Printers were restrained to print new Bookes against Popery they would presently fall to reprint old ones formerly licenced by Authority to prevent this inconvenience to the Popish party he procured this ensuing Decree of his owne contriving to be ratified by the Lords in the Starre-Chamber then sent it to the Stationers to print and commanded them punctually to observe it whereby he Monopolized the sole power of authorizing Divinity Bookes for the Presse to himselfe and his Agents and restrained the reprinting of all Books though formerly printed by Authority without a speciall review and relicencing of them by him and his Chaplaines This Decree was intituled A Decree of Star-Chamber concerning Printing made the first day of July 1637. Imprinted at LONDON by Robert Barker c. 1637. This Decree in the Printed Order of Star-chamber prefixed thereunto is Expresly alleaged to be drawne and Penned by the advice of the most Reverend Father in God the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace the Right Honourable and Right Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of London Lord High Treasurer of ENGLAND and of the Lord Keeper the Lord chiefe Justices and Lord chiefe Barron when it was the Archbishops project only who sent it to the Presse the others names being used only for conformity as M. Walley others attested upon Oath We shall rehearse only such clauses thereof as are most observable pertinent to our purpose 2. Jtem That no person or persons whatsoever shall at any time print or cause to be imprinted any Booke or Pamphlet whatsoever unlesse the same Booke or Pamphlet and also all and every the Titles Epistles Prefaces Proems Preambles Introductions Tables Dedications and other matters or things whatsoever thereunto annexed or therewith imprinted shall be first lawfully licenced and authorized only by such person and persons as are hereafter expressed and by no other and shall be also first entred into the Registers Booke of the Company
fellowes that in their letter to Calvin depart from the constitution Ordinance and practice of the Apostles and Apostolicke men and call not this day the Lords day or Sunday but with the piety of Jeroboam make such a day of it as they have devised in their owne hearts to serve their owne turne and Anabaptising of it after the minde of some Iew hired to be the God Father therefore call it the Sabbath page 7. This name Sabbath is not a bare name or like a spot in their foreheades to know Labans sheep from Iacobs but indeed it is a Mistery of Iniquity intended against the Church c. page 13. But what doe I speake de integro die of a whole day do but that in keeping the Lords day which the Widdow did in her Almes that gave two mites sic tu duas horas so give the Lord two houres this if you do not beware you lose not integroru mannorum labores the Labours of many whole yeares Page 20. Others also for the Plots sake must uphold the name of Sabbath that stalking behinde it they may shoot against the services appointed for the Lords day Hence it is that some for want of witte too much adore the Sabbath as an Image dropt downe from Iupiter and cry before it as they did before the Golden Calfe This is an holy day unto the Lord whereas it is indeed the great Diana of the Ephesians as they use it whereby the mindes of their Proselites are so perplexed and bewitched that they cannot resolve whether the sinne be greater to bowle shoote or dance on their Sabbath then to commit Murder or the Father to cut the throat of his owne child All which doubts would soon be resolved by plucking of the Vizard of the Sabbath from the face of the Lords day which doth as well and truly become it as the Crowne of Thorns did the Lord himselfe This was plotted to expose him to damnable dirision and that was plotted to impose on it detestable superstition yet to die for it they will call it a Sabbath presuming in their zealous ignorance of guiltfull zeale to be thought to speake the Scripture phrase when indeed the Dregs of Ashdod flow from their Mouthes p. 21. With us the Sabbath is Saturday and no day else no ancient Father nay no learned man Heathen or Christian took it otherwise from the beginning of the world till the beginning of their Schisme in 1554. page 22. Many that see so little benefit will be suckt out of the constitutions of the Apostles practise and tradition of holy Church Doctrine of Godly and learned Fathers that they have got themselves heapes of Teachers that to serve their owne turnes will call and keepe the Lords day as a Sabbath and so prophane it with such outcries that the voyce of truth will become silent but with Moses liberavi animam meam Doctor Peter Heylin in his History of the Sabbath dedicated to his Majesty and printed by the Archbishops speciall approbation is every way as prophane and bitter against the morality and strict observation of the Lords-day Sabbath as Pocklinton we shall instance but in a Passage or two The first is in his Epistle to the Reader before the second Booke of his History in these termes And this part we have called the History of the Sabbath too although the institution of the Lords day and entertainment of the same in all times and ages since that Institution be the chiefe thing whereof it treateth for being it is said by some that the Lords Day succeeded by the Lords appointment into the place and rights of the Jewish Sabbath this booke was wholly to be spent in the search therof whether in all or any Ages of the Church either such doctrine had beene preached or such practise pressed upon the Consciences of Gods people And search indeed we did with all care and diligence to see if we could finde a Sabbath in any evidence of Scripture or writing of the holy Fathers or edicts of Emperours or decrees of Councells or finally in any of the publike Acts and Monuments of the Christian Church but after severall searches made upon the Alias and the Pluries wee still returne Non est inventus and thereupon resolve in the Poets language Et quod non invenit usquam esse putet nusquam that which is no where to be found may very strongly bee concluded not to be at all Buxdorfius in the eleventh Chapter of his Synagoga Judaica out of Antonius Margarita tells of the Jewes Quod die Sabbatino praeter animam consuetam praediti sunt alia that on the Sabbath day they are perswaded that they have an extraordinary soule infused into them which doth enlarge their hearts and rouse up their spirits Ut Sabbatum multo honorabilius peragere possint that they may celebrate the Sabbath with the greater honour And though this Sabbatharie soule may by a Pythagoricall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seeme to have transimigrated from the Jewes into the bodyes of some Christians in these latter dayes yet I am able to give my selfe good hopes that by presenting to their view the constant practise of Gods Church in al times before and the consent of all Gods Churches at this present they may be dispossesed thereof without great difficulties It is but anima superflua as Buxdorfius calls it and may bee better spared then kept because superfluous To which wee shall annex these passages in the eight Chapter of this his second Booke Sect. 7. pag. 249. c. Thus upon search made and full examination of all parties wee finde no Lords Day-Sabbath in the Booke of Homilies no nor in any writings of particular men in more then thirty three yeares after the Homilies were published Then reciting Doctor Bounds opinion in his book of the Sabbath pag. 211. All lawfull pleasures and honest Recreations as Shooting Fencing Bowling which are permitted on other dayes were on this day to bee forborne No man to speake or talke of pleasures or any worldly matter he saith Most Magisterially determined more like a Iewish Rabbi then a Christian Doctor Yet Romish and Rabbinicall though this doctrine were it carried a faire face and shew of Piety at least in the opinion of the Common people c. Sect. 8. p. 255. 256. We may perceive by this that their intent from the beginning was to cry downe the Holy Dayes as superstitious Popish Ordinances that their new found Sabbath being placed alone and Sabbath now it must be called might become more eminent Nor were the other though more private effects thereof of lesse dangerous nature the people being so insnared with these new devices and pressed with rigour more then Jewish that certainly they are in as bad a condition as were the Israelites of old when they were captivated and kept under by the Scribes and Pharises Some I have knowne for in this point I will say nothing without good assurance who in a furious
kinde of Zeale like the madde Prophetesse in the Poet have run into the open streets yea and searched private houses too to looke for such as spent those houres on the Lords Day in lawfull pastimes which were not destinate by the Church to Gods publike service and having found them out scattered the companie and brake the Instruments and if my memory faile me not the Musitians head too and which is more they thought that they were bound in Conscience so to doe c. And sect 9. p. 258. He most prophanely and scurrilously stiles the Lords-Day The NEW SAINT SABBATH And sect 13. pag. 269. c. hee concludes thus Nay which is more it was so publikely avowed and printed by one who had no calling to interpret lawes except the provocation of his own ill spirit That Dancing on the Lords-Day was an unlawfull pastime punishable by the Statute of 1 Carl. c. 1. which intended so he saith to suppresse Dancing on the Lords Day as well as Beare-Baiting Bull-Baiting Enterludes and common Playes which were not then so rise and common as dancing when this Law was made Things being at this height it pleased His Excellent Majestie Observing as hee saith himselfe how much his people were debarred of Recreation and finding in some Counties that under the pretence of taking away of abuses there had bin a generall forbidding not only of ordinary meetings but of the Feasts of the Dedication of Churches commonly called Wakes to ratifie and publish the Declaration of His Majesties Father before remembred Adding that all those feasts with others should bee observed and that all Neighbourhood and freedome with manlike and lawfull exercises be therein used commanding all the Justices of Assize in the severall Circuits to see that no man doe trouble or molest any of his Loyall and dutifull people in or for their lawfull recreations having first done their duty to God and continuing in obedience unto His Majestie and his Lawes and further that publication thereof be made by Order from the Bishops through all the parishes of their severall Diocesses respectively Thus did it please His Excellent and Sacred Majestie to publish His most pious and Religious purpose of opening to his Loyall people the liberty of the Day which the day allowed of and which all Christian States and Churches in all times before had never questioned withall of shutting up that doore whereat no lesse than Judaisme would in fine bave entred so in time have over-ran the fairest and most beautifull Church at this day in Christendome And certainly it was a pious and Princely Act nothing inferiour unto that of Constantine or any other Christian King or Emperour before remembred it being no lesse pious in it selfe considered to keep the holy dayes free from Superstition than to preserve them from Profanenesse especially considering that permission of lawfull pleasures is no lesse proper to a festivall then restraint from labour Nay of the two it is more ancient for in his time Tertullian tells us that they did diem Solis laetitiae indulgere devote the Sunday partly unto mirth and recreation not to devotion altogether when in an hundred yeares after Tertullians time there was no law or constitution to restraine men from labour this day in the Christian Church Yet did not his most Excellent Majestie finde such obedience in some men and such as should have beene examples unto their flockes as his most Christian purpose did deserve there being some so setled in the opinion of a Sabbath Day a day not heard of in the Church of Christ 40. yeares agoe that they choose rather to deprive the Church of their paines and ministrie than yeeld unto His Majesties just commands for whose sakes specially next unto my duty unto God my Soveraigne and the Church my Mother I have employed my time and Studdies to compose this History that they may see therein in briefe the practise of Gods Church in the times before them and frame themselves to do thereafter casting aside those errours in the which they are and walking in the way which they ought to travell which way when all is done will bee Via Regia the Kings High way as that which is most safe and of best assurance because most travellers by Gods people Our private pathes doe leade us often into errour and sometimes also into danger And therefore I beseech all those who have offended in that kind to lay aside their passions and their private interests if any are that way misguided as also not to shut their eyes against those truths which are presented to them for their information that so the King may have the honour of their due Obedience the Church the comfort of their labours and conformable ministry For to what purpose should they hope to bee ennobled for their sufferings in so bad a cause which neither hath the Doctrine of the Scriptures to authorize it or practise of the Church of God the best expositer of the Scripture to confirme and countenance it or to be counted constant to or in their first conclusions having such weak and dangerous premises to support the same since constancy not rightly grounded is at best but obstinacy and many times doth end in Heresie Once againe therfore I exhort them even in Gods name whose Ministers they are and unto whom they are to give up an account of their imployment and in the Kings Name whom as Gods Deputy they are bound to obey not for wrath only but for Conscience sake and in the Churches name whose peace they are to studdy above all things else and their owne names lastly whom it most concernes that they desist and goe not forward in this disobedience lest a worse mischiefe fall upon them For my part I have done my best so farre to give them satisfaction in this present point so farre forth as the nature of an History would permit as they might thinke it no disparagment to alter their opinions and desert their errors and change their resolutions since in so doing they shall conforme themselves unto the practise of Gods Church in all times and Ages This prophane Doctor in his Epistle before Doctor Prideaux his Lecture of the Sabbath and in his Moderate Answer to Master Burton pag. 50. to 56. 76. 80. 81. 110 112. hath many passages to the same effect against the Sabbaths morality the strict intire Sanctification of the Lords-Day in yea Justification of the Book of sports and of the Archbishops and Bishops silencing excommunicating censuting those who refused to read it to the people The like passages we meet with in Bishop Whites Doctor Primrose and Master Joronfides Treatises of the Sabbath in Christopher Dew his Innovations unjustly charged chap. 10. 11 12. in Edmund Reeve his Communion Booke Catechisme expounded wherein the Piety Necessitie and Vtilitie of His Majesties Declaration for sports is extolled above Elah pag. 90. to 108. that these Pages were afterwards torne out of the
Oratories and Eusebius testifying that Oratories were consecrated in Constantines time there is the like warrant and Antiquity for consecration of them as of Churches For my Chappell at Aberguelle I consecrated and put a name upon it as Saint Augustine saith wee dedicate Churches to Saint Peter for distinction sake and though I had a relation to the beheading of Saint John Baptist in my Dedication of it I hope there is no hurt therein For the patterne and furniture of the Chappell produced as if it were mine at Aberguelle it is a mistake for it is the patterne of Bishop Andrews Chappell and furniture which I caused to be written out as the indorsement of it proves viz. 1623. Chappell and furniture as it was in use by the Right Reverend Father in God Lancelot Andrewes Lord Bishop then of Winton I had no such furniture in my Chappell there For the Wafer basket and the rest they concerne not me yet Wafers have bin alwayes used and are at this day in the Greeke Church and in Westminster Abbey too Whereas it is objected that I hold there is a badge of Holinesse put upon our Churches and Chappell 's by a Bishops breath I answer no but there is an awsulnesse put upon them For my prayer at the laying of the foundation stone of Hamersmith Chappell there is no hurt nor superstition in it In fine I hope there is is no High Treason to bee found either in the one or other in consecrating Churches Chappell 's or foundation stones To this brave flourish of his for the Antiquity and lawfulnesse of the consecration of Churches of Chappell 's we shall returne a full reply To his Presidents taken out of the Old Testament we answer 1. That Moses had an expresse command from God Himselfe to consecrate the Tabernacle with all the vessells thereof by annointing them with consecrated Oyle Exod. 40. 10. 11 12. they being types of Christ to come but wee have no such command from God to consecrate Churches Church-Yards Chappels Altars Vestments which are no types of Christ already come Secondly This consecration was made by Moses the Temporall Magistrate not by Aaron the High Priest without any other ceremony then meer annoynting the Tabernacle and its Vessells implements with oyle Therefore no warrant for Bishops consecrating Churches Church-Yards Chappell 's Altars Vestments with other ceremonies without any anoynting them with oyle Thirdly this consecration was only Temporary Jewish ceremoniall abolished by Christs death Col. 2. 14. to 23. Heb. 7. 12. c. 9. 1. to the end and cap. 10 1. to 22. Fourthly King Solomon did not consecrate the Temple not the Vessells and Court thereof with Oyle as Moses did the Tabernacle but after hee had brought the Arke Tabernacle and all the Holy Vessells into it with praises thankesgivings instruments of Musicke and after the cloud and glory of the Lord had filled the House he made an heavenly prayer only in the middest of the Court not in the Temple before all the Congregation of Israel kneeling on his knees and spreading forth his hands towards heaven using no such prayers or ceremonies as the Bishop used and all the hallowing that we read of in this story is Solomons hallowing the middle of the Court that was before the house of the Lord and how was that only by offring burnt offerings and peace offerings 2 Chron. 7. 7. 1 Kings 8. 64. From which History and practise of his we shall observe 1. That if there were any consecration of this Temple it was made only by King Solomon himselfe not by the High Priest Priests or Bishops who now appropriate all consecrations of Churches c. to themselves alone Secondly That the Oracle of the house where the Arke was placed is called THE MOST HOLY PLACE even before and without any consecration of it at all 1 King 8. 6 10. 2 Chron. 5. 7. Therefore the consecration made it not most holy but only the use to which it was designed Thirdly That the Atke Tabernacle Vessells were brought into the Temple and praises thanksgivings there solemnly sung to God who manifested his presence there filling it with a Cloud and his glory so as the Priests could not stand to minister before Solomonmade is prayer which some tearme a consecration whereas this Archbishop fell to his consecration before any publike prayers thanksgiving Psalmes Service or Sacraments administred Fourthly That if this prayer were a consecration it was made only in the outward Court not in the temple it selfe whereas the Arch-bishops consecration was made in the Church not Church-Yard Fifthly That the Hallowing of the Court and so by consequence of the Temple if properly consecrated is by the text ascribed only to Solomons offering of burnt offrings meat-offrings and the fat of the Peace-offerings not to any other prayers exorcismes Unctions or Ceremonies which Offrings being long since ceased and not to be used by Christians the consecration of Churches and Church-Yards must likewise cease unlesse it bee onely by performing publike duties of Gods worship in them Therfore this president of Solomon and the Temple under the Law is no warrant at all for our Bishops consecrating of Churches Church-Yards Altars Vessells or Vestiments under the Gospell Fifthly the sanctifying and cleansing of the Temple and Vessells of it prescribed by Hezekiah but executed by the Priests and Levites was only the clean sing out of the Idols Jdolatrius Altars rubbish filth and uncleannesse of the Temple which they found and carried out thence into the Brooke Kidron with their scouring of the Vessells which had beene polluted as is plaine by the letter of the text 2 Chron. 29. c. c. 33. 15 16. compared together Therefore it makes nothing for any Episcopall consecration of Churches but only for keeping them cleane from filth and Idolls Sixthly that of Ezra 6. 16 17. is no warrant for the hallowing of Churches or Chappell 's For it only mentions That the Priests Levites and Children of Israel kept the Dedication of the house of God with joy and offered at the dedication of the house of God an hundred Bullockes two hundred Rammes 400. Lambs and for a sinne offering for all Israel twelve he-Goates according to the number of the Tribes of Israel And they set the Priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses for the service of God But of any speciall Prayers Ceremonies Unctions and the like used at this Dedication by the Priests or people wee read not one syllable Therefore this their Dedication of the Temple was only their offering of burnt offerings of sinne offerings in it to God and ordering the services of the Priests and Levites in it Therefore no President for the consecration of Churches by our Prelates since such oblations such courses of Priests Levites are ceased with Christ Hebr. 7. 11. 12 18. Seventhly the Feast of Dedication mentioned John 10. 22. was not of the Temples Dedication but of the Altars instituted by Iudas Maccabeus
true mans cloathes on his backe or sparing his life will justifie or extenuate the taking away of his purse or the leaving a few Cottages standing excuse the burning of a whole City besides That Doctor Weekes and Doctor Heywood joyned in expunging these Sermons proves their confederacy onely not lessens but aggravates their iniquity As for Doctor Weekes he was his owne Chaplaine as well as the Bishop of Londons as appeares by his owne hand and Diary therefore he must answer for his misdemeanours in this kinde for purging both Doctor Clorkes Sermons and Master Wards Commentary For Doctor Baker he was his owne great favourite advanced by him to a Prebendary as appeares by the Docquet Booke Therefore his Index Expurgatorius on Doctor Jones his Commentary proceeding doubtlesse from this Archbishops antecedent directions must remaine upon his score notwithstanding all his shifting evasions To the particular passages purgged out of these Authors he returned no answer at all onely by these his severall answers to these Purgations all the world may clearly discover his shamelesse impudence and Popery in justifying them his brain-sick folly in his extenuations of them his palpable Romanizing in practising many of them himselfe and the whole weight of all the Branches in this charge falling heavily upon him notwithstanding all his shifts to ward them off The twelfth charge objected against me is my connivance at the importation of popish Books and restoring them to the owners when seized by the Customers and Searchers contrary to the Statute of 3. Jacobi e. 5. To this I answer I never connived at their importation and that the restoring of them when seized was not by any direction of mine but by order of the High Commission Court To which was replied First that he doth not so much as once alleage he ever gave any order for seizing any Popish Books imported whereas the Customers Searchers Pursivants and other Officers had strict Warrants and speciall Commands from him to seize all imported Bibles with Notes with all Books savouring any way of Puritanisme as he deemed it or tending against Arminianisme and popish Innovations Secondly he confesseth that popish Books when seized were usually restored by order of the High Commission Court to the owners contrary to the Statute whereas that Court never restored any Bibles with Notes or Books against Arminianisme or popish Innovations seized by their order but burnt them privately or otherwise destroyed them Thirdly he proves not that any of them were restored by Order of Court whereas Egerton sweares that Mottershead averred they were restored by the Archbishops owne order without the Courts But be it by order of Court yet his crime is still the same since himself sate President and chiefe Controller in the High Commission and consented to these Orders if not commanded them to be made whereas in duty he should have crossed them that Court not daring to make any such Orders of Restitution without his consent who had such an over-ruling power in it The thirteenth particular objected against me is my advancing of Arminians and Clergy-men superstitiously and popishly affected to Bishopricks Deaneries Headships of Houses Prebendaries and all other Ecclesiasticall preferments yea Chaplainships not onely about my selfe but about his Majesty and the Prince with my encroachments herein upon the Lord Keeper the Lord High Chamberlaine Master of the Court of Wards and Liveries and my disgracing persecuting godly Orthodox Ministers and keeping them from preferment for opposing Arminianisme popery and popish Innovations of both which they have given sundry particular instances to the chiefe whereof I shall returne such answers as I am â—ble in due place 〈◊〉 this I shall answer something in generall First that to my remembrance 〈◊〉 preferred no such persons to Bishopricks or any Ecclesiasticall livings and preferments secoÌ„dly if any of those preferred by me were such at the time of their preferments it was unknown to me and if they turned such afterwards I could neither foresee nor prevent it Thirdly on the contrary I have preferred divers worthy orthodox Ministers free from all exceptions as Master Taylor of Clapham now one of the Assembly Master John Downham Bishop Hall and sundry others To which was replied First that we had proved the generallity of those he preferred to be addicted inclined to Arminianisme Popery or both and so knowne to be when he advanced them no doubt to himselfe better then others and this their inclination was one chiefe cause of their preferment Secondly that his preferment of Master John Downham and Master Taylor orthodox men to petty Benefices and no higher preferments was but a meer stale to blind some peoples eyes or stop their mouths for his advancing of so many rotten corrupt popish Clergy-men to Bishopricks Deanaries Prebendaries Arch-deaconries Masterships of Colledges and the fattest Benefices but no justification nor extenuation of his preferring of so many such Thirdly for his advancement of Bishop Hall viz. from one Bishoprick to another it is yet a meer non liquet to us onely averred not proved by himselfe but if true it was rather to corrupt and draw him over to his party then preferre him for his owne or the Churches benefit and how that worthy Prelate hath degenerated declined since in case of Episcopacy the Scottish Warres the new Canons the Et cetera Oath popish Ceremonies Innovations of all sorts and pressing the book of Sports upon the Lords day we have already manifested by his owne Letters in part and the residue is so experimentally knowne to most of his Diocesse that it needs no proofe However his preferring of above twelve Judas-Bishops to one true Apostle is a grand disservice to our Church our Religion and no justification nor extenuation of his offence therein For particulars the first thing I am charged with is for advancing Master Mountague Doctor Manwaring Bishop Neale Bishop Wren Doctor Lindsey and others to Bishopricks men publikly complained against one of them censured in Parliament and disabled from all preferments in our Church which was proved by the Docquet Books To this I answer First that Master Mountague was not preferred by me to any Bishoprick neither is the Docquet Book any good proofe thereof but he was preferred to it by Sir Dudly Carltons meanes true it is I was at his consecration but that was by command and I could not refuse or resist it Besides he was a great Scholler therefore thought worthy of preferment by the King Secondly for Doctor Manwaring I did not preferre him but it was his Majesties pleasure to bestow a Deanary and after that a Bishoprick on him in regard of his sufferings for his service notwithstanding his sentence and he commanded me to consecrate him which command I had no power to withstand or oppose being bound by Law and the duty of my Place to obey it Thirdly for Bishop Neale he was a worthy man free from Popery and
that valiant Noble Knight Sir Charles Coote which for Poor dying Irelands sake to corroborate the late admirable discoveries from thence by the Popish Archbishop of Tuams Papers and others surprised by this Sir Charles I dare not conceal I SIR Charles Coote do hereby testifie that being at Oxford the last Summer as one of the Agents for the Protestants of Ireland and finding the Irish Popish Agents then to be very prevalent there and the Archbishop of Armagh to be often present at the Debates concerning the businesse of Ireland and conceiving him to have some power with his Majesty I addressed my selfe to the said Archbishop and besought him that he would interpose his power with his Majesty in the behalfe of the Protestants for if the Irish Agents obtained their desires the Protestants in Ireland were destroyed and Popery would be introduced to which the Arch-Bishop replyed That was the intention which he knew better then I did and said WE MUST SUBMIT Dated this 14. of Aprill 1645. CHARLES COOTE A very strange speech of a Saint-seeming Protestant Arch-Prelate What must we submit to the destruction of the Protestants in Ireland and the introduction of Popery there and not once oppose it and will such an Arch-Prelate as he refuse to use his utmost interest in the Kings favour to withstand it when desired If this be the Doctrine of the zealous Lord Primate of Ireland that we must submit to the introducing of Popery there the projected design of the Primate and Metropolitan of all England and Ireland too the better to accomplish it in England as we have here and elswhere manifested the God of heaven for ever deliver us from such an hypocriticall false Archiepiscopall generation of Vipers whose heads and hopes of succession in both Kingdomes we trust Your Honours have for ever cut off in the decapitation of this Archbishop of Canterbury the very worst of al his Trayterous Predecessors their crimes being all concentred in him whose famous Triall Judgement Execution shall eternize Your memorable Justice to posterity and deter all other ambitious pragmaticall Clergy men from treading in his fatall foot-steps the sign of the Arch-bishops head when seriously beheld being as good a Memento for wicked Prelates Councellors to scare them from his trayterous practises as the sight of a corrupt Judges skin in Herodotus nayled to the Tribunall was to his successors to deter them from bribery and injustice If I have done any acceptable service for Your Honourable Assembly and the Church of God in pubilshing these first Fruits of my Obedience to Your just Desires the favourable Acceptance of what I have already composed with much difficulty and lesse exactnesse then I desired will be an incouragement to me if God send life and leisure to present Your Honours in due season with the remainder of this History In the mean time I shall become a dayly Orator to the Throne of Grace to make and continue Your Honourable Houses and Committees a mountain of holinesse an habitation of Justice to execute the Justice of the Lord to do Justice to the afflicted and needy in ridding them out of the hands of the wicked and to distribute equall speedy judgement to all oppressed ones who complain unto and on all Delinquents justly convicted before Your Honours without any respect of persons or byasse of interest or affections according to the old inflexible rules of Law and Justice that so no person whatsoever may have any occasion to take up the Prophets complaint against You as some have causlesly done That Judgement is turned away backward justice standeth a far off and equity cannot enter there is no judgement in their goings We looked for judgement but behold oppression for righteousnesse but behold a cry Moreover we saw under the sun the place of judgement that wickednesse was there and the place of righteousnesse that iniquity was there It was full of Judgement righteousnesse lodged in it heretofore but now murderers and oppressers Is there no Balm in Gilead is there no Physitian there why then is not the health of the daughter of our people recovered But that al such fals clamours being wholly silenced by Your care and justice our whole Nation may unanimously trumpet forth these worthy prayses of your Houses Committees that Justice and Judgment are the Habitation of Your Throne as they are of Gods and that like good King David you all do execute justice and judgment to all the people judging them with just judgment without wresting perverting justice or respect of persons and that which is altogether just do you follow Which will be Your Honours brightest Crown of glory our Kingdomes greatest security our peoples most desireable Felicity yea is and shall be the Vote the Prayer of Your Honours most devoted Servant WILLIAM PRYNNE Lincolns Inne Aprill 20 1646. To the Christian Reader CHristian Reader that experimentall Observation of the naturall Historian Quo majus est animal tanto diutius formatur in utero c. Singulos gignunt Elephanti Acanthis auis minima duodenas Ocyssime pariunt qui plurimos gignunt may be a satisfactory Apology for the Slownesse the Singlenesse of this long-expected Birth Elephants are much longer forming ripening in the Wombe then Mice and Cathedrall Histories as well as Churches require more time to finish them then Pettie Relations We read John 2. 20. that the later Temple of Ierusalem was 46. yeares in building yet this large folio Edifice hath been compiled compleated within the compasse of so many Weekes notwithstanding my many other dayly interruptions Avocations publike and private in so much that none can justly tax me with Sloathfulnesse or Negligence in this publike Service the toylesomnesse whereof hath deterred all others from undertaking it and devolved it wholly upon me who in regard of my few Vacant Minutes for such a vast Vndertaking must humbly crave thy pardon for all Defects Errataes Oversights either in the penning or printing In this part of the Archbishops Tryall thou maiest clearly discerne not onely his Popish Spirit together with his Activity and Jesuiticall Practises to undermine our established Religion introduce Popery among us by degrees and reduce us back to our ancient Vassallage to Rome but likewise read over a true Ecclesiasticall History of our Church during all the time of his domination and from the result of all I shall desire thee like the industrious sagacious Bee which extracts hony out of poysonous Herbs to collect some profitable Meditations for thy spirituall advantage Some whereof I have already hinted in the Epistle Dedicatory and shall here but lightly touch First here thou mayest see that of the Psalmist so experimentally verified that thou mayest take up his very words Ps 37. 35 36 38. I have seen the wicked in great power and spreading himself like a green bay tree Yet he passed away and loe he was not yea I sought
money too But howsoever his Lordship hath get a very full estate in that Kingdome and hee doth very wisely to fortifie it as well as hee can But besides these I have long since heard though you now mention it not that his Lordship hath done greater service to the Church in some other particulars as namely to the Bishoprick of Lismore and the Colledge of Yong-Hall for which it is great pitty but that his Lordships memory should bee preserved in the Church Thus I have given Your Grace a distinct answer to all the Particulars in Your Letter But for the Tombe which occasioned all the rest I will not take upon mee to judge unlesse I were upon the place how fitly or unfitly it stands there but shall wholly leave it to the view and resolution which shall thereupon bee taken in that place So I leave you to the Grace of God and rest Your Lordships very loving friend and Brother Will Cant. Lamb. March 1633. But some may perchance inquire what was the ground of this Archbishops introduction of these Innovations first of all into Cathedrall Churches Certainly one principall cause of this his method was to make these Mother Churches as he stiled them patterns of imitation for all Daughter Churches and Chapells within the the whole Diocesse that so the Proverbe in Ezech. 16. v. 44. 45. might be verified of them Behold every one tht useth Proverbes shall use this Proverbe against thee saying AS IS THE MOTHER SO IS HER DAVGHTER Thou art thy Mothers Daughter That this was one chiefe end of his to corrupt all Parish Churches and Chappell 's by these Cathedralls examples was infallibly manifested First by the very words of the Order made at the Councell Table at White Hall the third of November 1633 concerning the standing of the Communion Table in Saint Gregories Church neere Paules printed in Dr. Heylins Coale from the Altar and in his Antidotum Lincolniense Sect. 1. c. 2. p. 62. which order was thus printed by the Archbishops direction the chiefe stickler in the procuring and prime Clerke in the penning of it wherein it is positively resolved That all other Churches ought to be guided by the Cathedrall Mother Church whereon they depend and that the Communion Table in Saint Gregories Church removed from the middle of the Chancell to the upper end and there placed Altar-wise in such manner as it standeth in the Cathedrall and Mother Church of St. Paul should so continue that so there might be no difference betweene it and the said Cathedrall Mother Church Secondly by diverse bookes published in print by the Arch-Bishops speciall direction and app obation expresly averring That all Parochiall Churches ought to be guided by the patterne of the Mother Church upon the which they doe depend The Arch-Bishop himselfe in his discourses and these creatures of his in their Bookes applying and urging this leaden rule of theirs in particular for the rayling in of Communion Tables placing them Altarwise against the East end of the Quire and bowing unto them in all Parish Churches because this was done and practised in all Cathedrall Churches by vertue of his New Statutes and Injunctions though not in former times This foundation being layd in our Cathedralls for the like Popish Innovations in all Parochiall Churches wee shall in the next place prosecute this pursuite of his Innovations from our Cathedralls to Parochiall Churches and Chappell 's Wee shall begin with Saint Gregories Church neare Paules where the case was thus About tenne yeares since this Church was repaired by the Parishoners to their great cost at which time the Deane and Chapter of Pauls under whose jurisdiction it is caused the Picture of Saint Gregory to bee set up in the Church and the Communion Table to bee removed rayled about and set Altarwise against the East-end of the Chancell Whereupon Master Wyan and diverse of the Parishioners being offended at it appealed from the Deans and Chapters Order as being against Law to the Arches upon which by the Archbishops means an Order came from Secretary Windebank to call the Parishioners to the Councell Table concernning this Appeale the removing of the Table where they appeared at the appointed time with their Councell The King himselfe the Arch-Bishop and many of the Lords were then present where the businesse being debated before them the Archbishop stood up and with great earnestnesse more like an Advocate then Judge justified maintained this removing and rayling in the Table reading Queene Elizabeths Injunctions to warrant it but left out this most materiall clause that made quite against him Saving when the Communion of the Sacrament is to be administred at which time the same shall be so placed in good sort within the Chancell as whereby the Minister may bee more conveniently heard of the Communicants in his prayer and ministration and the Communicants also more conveniently and in greater number communicate with the said Minister And after the Communion done from time to time the said holy Table to be placed where it stood before The King said hee liked it well that the Table should stand as it used to do heretofore to which the Archbishop answered that if it stood so the Minister could not so well see who kneeled at the Sacrament and who kneeled not To which the King replied then let the seates bee pulled downe Then the Councell for the Parish alleadged that Bishop Jewell in his Reply to Harding Artic. 3. Diuis 26. and Artic. 13. Diuis 6. and Master John Fox in his Acts and Monuments Edit 1610. pag. 1211. 1212. both which Books were enjoyned to be kept in every Church for the people to read in as containing the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England and nought repugnant thereunto maintained and asserted That the Communion Table ought to stand in the MIDST OF THE CHVRCH AMONG THE PEOPLE and not Altar-wise against the wall Hereupon the Archbishop stood up in an angry manner and sayd If this be the use they make of these Books Jewell Fox I desire they may be taken out of Churches and Sir Henry Martin saying merrily that this Table placed close along the wall would make a good Court-cupboord The Archbishop therupon replied that Sir Henry was a stigmaticall Puritan in his bosome All which particulars were proved upon oath by Master Wyan Mr. Clearke and Captain Stackhouse Wherupon by the Archbishops violence this Order was then made against the Parishioners for the standing of that Table Altar-wise as it was situated by the Deanes and Chapters Order and appointment At Whitehall the third day of Novemb 1633. Present the KINGS most Excellent Maiestie Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Keeper Lord Archbishop of Yorke Lord Treasurer Lord Privy Seale Lord Duke of Lenox Lord Chamberlaine Earle of Bridgwater Earle of Carlile Lord Cottington Master Treasurer Master Comptroller Lord High Chamberlain Earle Marshall Master Secretary Cooke Master Secretary Windebanke THis Day was Debated before
of Lincolne at the Visitation of the Archdeacon there this present year 1637. Printed at London 1637. Artic. 5. Have you adâ—cent Table on a frame for the holy Communion placed at the East end of the Chancell Is it rayled in or inclosed so as Men or Boyes cannot sit upon it or throw their hats upon it Is the said raile or 〈…〉 with sâ—ttles or kneeling hâ—nches at 〈…〉 or bottome thereof no the Communicants way fitly kneele there at the receiving of the holy Communion Artic. 38. Whether any in your Parish have covered his head in time of Divine Service contrary to the â—â— Canon any that do not kneele at the saying of the generall Confession Letany ten Commandements and other prayers read in the said Church â— any that do not stand up at the saying the Beliefe or not how or use reverencâ— when in time of Divine service the name of Iesus is read or 〈◊〉 c. Moreover Dr. Pierce Bishop of Bath and Wels not only prescribes the rayling in of Communion Tables Altarwise under penalties and fines in his Visitation Articles and Courts but likewise appoints Ministers in every Division to see it executed and presents these reasons for it to the Archbishop who endorsed them thus with his own hand Recepi March 9. 1633. L. Bishop of Bath and Wels about placing the Communion Table Reasons why the Communion Table in every Church should be set close under the East-window or wall with the ends North and South and be rayled in 1. It was ordered in Queen Elizabeths Injunctions That the Communion Table should stand where the Altar did 2. There should be some difference between the placing of the Lords Table in the Church and the placing of a mans Table in his house 3. It is not sit the people should sit above Gods Table or he above the Priest when he consecrateth 4. If it stand not thus and he not rayled in it will be subject to many prophanations and abuses Church-wardens will keep their accounts at the Lords Table Parishioners will sit round about it and talk of their Parish businesses whereas the Lords Table is for no other use but only for the Communion and the service and prayers of the Church Schoolmasters will teach their Boyes to write upon this Table and the Boyes will â—ay their Hats Sachels and Books upon it and in their Masters absence sit upon the same and many will sit or learn irreverently against the Lords Table in Sermon time Glasiers will knock it full of mile holes as it is found by experience they have done in many places and Dogs will defile the Lords Table 5. When the Communion Table stands thus the Chancell is the fairer and there â—â— more 〈◊〉 for the Communicants 6. Where the Communion Table stands thus the face of the Priest is seen of all and his voice is 〈◊〉 heard of all which sit on the North side of the Chancel 7. It is sit the Daughters should be like their Mother the Patochiall Churches should be 〈◊〉 the Câ—thedrall Churches that so there may be an uniformity in this respect in every Church At Coventry 〈◊〉 Bishop of that Diocesse by his Chancellour prescribed these Innovations following in the Churches of that City Thursday the 15 of August 1636. at Coventry It is ordered by Mr. Chancellour in the presence of me Henry Archbold principall Register being 〈…〉 by my Lord Bishop to that purpose 1. That the Communion Tables with in S. Michaels and Trinity Churches should be removed up 〈…〉 of the Chancels 2. That the ground at the upper end of the Chancels be handsomely raised by three steps that the 〈…〉 be conspicuous to all the Church 3. That in 〈…〉 which almost stopped up the middle I le be removed according 〈…〉 the Church-wardens in presence 4. That in both Churches all new additions of Seats in the Chancels be taken away 〈…〉 be to the ancient forme 5. 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 of Trinity shall hereafter have any Seat to himself within the Church of S. Michael nor any parishioner of S. Michael have any 〈…〉 such no have sufficient interest by Land in the other 〈◊〉 6. 〈…〉 the Churchyard of S. Trinity may be 〈…〉 restored to the Churchyard And the doores opening into the Churchyard be stâ—pped up and the sink and other 〈…〉 7. That the 〈…〉 wives being in both Churches sufficiently accommodated 〈…〉 hence forth content themselves 〈…〉 â—e disposed of to these Gentlemen of quality within 〈…〉 The Church-wardens of both Parishes are admonished to certifie the performance of the precedent Articles to M. Chancelour by the next court-Court-day at Lichfield being the 27 of September next And that the Desk in the Chancell in Trinity Church whereon the Books lye be removed to the upper end of the North Isle next the Chancell and a Rayle made with a door in the middle thereof to keep out children from tearing the Books Charles Twysden Henry Archbold Registers After which this Bishop in a better mood Ordering the Communion Table only at the time of administring the Sacrament to be brought into the midst of the Chancell being large without the precincts of its impounding rayles thereupon the Archbishops Creatures gave present secret notice thereof by way of complaint to Sir Iohn Lambe and he to the Archbishop in these ensuing Letters found among Sir Iohn Lambs papers by Mr. Prynne endorsed with Mr. Dels the Archbishops Secretaries hand upon the Archbishops perusall of them The first was this Letter from Mr. Bird to Mr. Latham Good Master Latham Being at Mr. Lessons my Lord Bishops accustomed Inne I was there called and sent for to a private room before Mr. Major and some others of the Fraternity the businesse was concerning the removall of the Communion Table fromits ascent of 3 steps unto the body of the Chancel during the administration of that blessed Sacrament and they fearing me and my thwarting it moved my Lord to command me from either troubling them or altering that But how this can be effected without a great deale of inconveniency both to Minister and people I know not the Table and all other ceremonies necessary then to be used being by this means obscured and taken away from the eares and eyes of the people This is all except his Sermon that his Lordship hath done here and so much I thought good to certifie you desiring you to make what use you can of it provided you ever conceale the name of Your assured loving friend Tho. Byrd Covent 21 March juxta compt Aug. 1636. The second this Letter from Mr. Latham to Sir Iohn Lambe Most worthy Sir Our Lord Bishop at his departure from hence left such a terrible noise behind him of threatning against his Chancelour Mr. Ieffraye Archdeacon of Salop and my Selfe as would make men that were any thing obnoxious much afraid but for mine own part I thank God I fear him not but will and shall be ready to justifie my selfe in any thing
subscribed to these presents And the like pennance is further to be performed by the said James Wheeler and John Fry for the same offence in the parish-Parish-church of S. Peter and Pauls in Bathe within the Dioces above mentioned upon Sunday the ninth day of Iuly above written and certificate is to be made accordingly the 11 day of July aforesaid Ja. Huishe Reg. This order of pennance enjoyned unto the within named John Fry and Ja. Wheeler of the Parish of Beckington was accordingly performed by them in the parish-Parish-church there the 25 day of Iune 1637. Alexander Huishe Rect. ibid. The mark of Richard Bâ—â—t Churchwarden Alexander Webb This order of pennance enjoyned unto the within named John Fry and Ja. Wheeler of the Parish of Beckington was accordingly performed by them in the Parish Church of Froomfelwod the 2 day of Iuly 1637. John Beaument Curat ibid. Thomas Albyn John Norfolke Churchwardens William Cooke This order of pennance enjoyned unto the within named John Fry and Ja. Wheeler of the Parish of Beckington was accordingly performed by them in the parish-Parish-church of the said S. Peter and Paul in Bathe the 9 Iuly 1637. Theoph. Webbe Rector ibid. Richard Duace Thomas Parcker Churchwardens Henry Gaye The 〈…〉 submission made against these poor mens consciences did so afflict them that they never enjoyed themselves afterwards Iames Wheeler falling presently after sick and dying professing often on his death bed that this pennance and submisson so much against his conscience had broken his heart was the only cause of his sicknesse and death The Bishop of Bathe and Wels pretested that he did nothing herein but by the Archbishops direction with which Mr. Iohn Ash acquainting the Archbishop since his commitment to the Tower heacknowledged it to be 〈◊〉 and that â—e did herein like an obedient Diocesâ—â— to his Metropolitan What further tyrannicall and 〈◊〉 of proceedings were afterwards used by this 〈…〉 the Churchwardens and some of other Parishioners of Beckington for opposing Mr. Huish their Minister in rayling in the Communion Table and raising a new Mount at the East end of the Chancel in a peaceable manner we shall further give in evidence in a more proper charge The next example we shall instance in is the case of Ferdinando Adams one of the Churchwardens of S. Mary Towre Church in Ipswich who together with his fellow Church-warden Titus Camplin was excommunicated by Henry Dade one of the Archbishops Substitutes in his Metropoliticall Visitation and Surrogate to Sir Nathaniel Brent in the Archbishops own name For not taking downe the seates standing above the Communion Table in this Church and railing in the Table Altar-wise against the wall as he was injoyned by Sir Nathaniel Brent the Archbishops Vicar-generall in his Metropoliticall Visitation This was proved by the Excommunication it self read in the Lords House in these following words Gulielmus providentia divina Cant. Archeipise totius Angliae Primas Metropolitanus ad quem omnis omnimoda Iurisdictio spiritualis Ecclesiastica ad Episcopum Norwiscens spectan pertinent ratione Visitationis nostrae Metropoliticae infra Dioces Norwic. modo exercit notoriè dignoscitur pertinere Vniversis singulis Restoribus c. salutem Cum dilectus noster Magister Henricus Dade omnes singulas personas utriusque sexus quorum nomina cognomina inferius subscribuntur recitantur c. Excommunicandos fore decreuit c. Vobis igitur firmiter injungendo mandamus quatenus praefatas personas in prescriptis sic ut praefatur authoritate nostra excommunicaetas pro sic excommunicatis in Ecclesiis vestris parochialibus diebus Dominicis ac Festivis post receptionem praesentium immediatè sequentibus tempore divinorum dum major in ijsdem ad divina audienda ad fuerit populi multitudo palam publicè denuncietis declaretis cum effectu sub poena juris c. Datum sub sigillo quo in haec parte utimur decimo dic mensis Iulij An. Dom. 1635. sanctae Mariae ad Turrim Gipwici Ferdinando Adams Titum Camplin Gardianos ibidem in non removendo sedilia ab Orientali muro infra Cancellum Ecclesiae in non stâ—â—endo Mensam Dominicam in supremo loco juxta murum praedictum secundum monitionem judicialem Dom. Nathanialis Brent Militis Domini Archiepiscopi Vicaerii in spiritualibus generalis judicialiter factam Ferdinando Adams being thus excommunicated sought to avoid this Excommunication by an Appeale but could procure no release and being laid in wait for by Pursevants out of the High-commission for suing Dade in the Star-chamber where this Excommunication was pleaded in Bar against him he was enforced to leave the Kingdom flye into New England till this Parliament almost to his utter undoing as he attested upon oath and shall be hereafter more fully proved in another charge To this we shall subjoyne the case of Iohn Premly one of the Church-wardens of Lewis in Sussex who was prosecuted in the High-commission Court and there on the 8 of May 1638. censured fined imprisoned condemned in costs of suit and ordered to make a submission for that when as Sir Nathaniel Brent in the Archbishops Metropoliticall Visitation by injunction from the said Archbishop had ordered the Communion Table in the Church of Lewis to be placed North and South at the upper end of the Chancel and there rayled in which was done accordingly Premly in a contemptuous manner had removed it from thence unto the place where it formerly stood whereupon Dr. Nevel himself replacing it at the East end of the Chancell North and South according to the said Archbishops Injunction he presumed againe to remove and bring it down to its ancient place to the great affront of his Graces Injunctions and the ill example of others All which was manifested by the very sentence it self recorded in the High-commission Register-book which was read in the House of Peers to the effect aforesaid The Committee of the Commons house alleaged that sundry other examples of like nature and of excommunicating hundreds of consciencious people for refusing to receive the Sacrament at the new rayles might be produced in most Diocesse of Englsand but they would content themselves with these alone and that of Mr. Samuel Burroughâ— of Colchester which they should make use of upon another occasion and proceed to such who had been grievously censured in the Star-chamber High-commission by the Archbishops means for opposing defacing or preaching against the use or setting up idolatrous Pictures of God the Father Christ Saints in Churches in direct opposition to our Homilies against the perill of idolatry confirmed by the 39 Articles and contrary to our Statutes Injunctions Canons and the current of all our Orthodox writers The first president of this nature instanced in was the case of Mr. Henry Sherfield a Bencher of Lincolns-Inne the true state whereof was briefly this M. Sherfield being Recorder of Sarum a
have any Image of any Saint especially of our Saviour in his house is unlawfull and that if any man kept such pictures in his house if it were not flat Idolatry yet it was little better This was the maine charge against him to which was added that he used some harsh expressions against lacivious mixt dancing especially on the Lords day citing only the words of the Waldenses in their censure against Dancing borrowed frō Vincentius Belvacensis Gulielmus Peraldus two Popish Writers of great note and justified by Bishop Babington in his exposition upon the seventh Commandement and that he prayed for the States of Holland the King of Sweden and other Generals beyond the seas in his prayer before he prayed for the King that now is over us which was but according to the usuall course of all or most Ministers who first prayed for the whole Catholick Church in generall next for the Protestant Churches and Princes beyond the seas and then for the Church and King of England and agreeable to the forme of the very Common-prayer-book in the prayer for the whole state of Christs Church c. which runs thus We beseech thee also to save and defend all Christian Kings Princes and Governours which comprehends all foreine Princes in the first place and especially thy servant Charles our King c. who is remembred last of all but yet in a more speciall manner But these two last particulars though mentioned in his sentence were no inducements to it but only the first passage against Images which M. Workman justified out of divers of our owne English Authors and the very Homilies against the perill of Idolatry Part. 3. p. 41. to 631. which determine thus That no Jmage of God or the Trinity or of Christ may or ought to be made that such Images are not only defects but lyes and teach nothing of God or Christ but lyes and errours That Images placed publickly in Temples cannot possibly be without danger of worshipping and idolatry wherefore they are not publickly to be or suffered in Temples and Churches c. We infer and say for the Adversative that all our Images of God our Saviour Christ and his Saints publickly set up in Temples and Churches places peculiarly appointed to the true worship of God be not things indifferent nor tolerable but against Gods law commandment taking their own interpretation and exposition of it First for that all Images so set up publickly have bin worshipped of the unlearned and simple sort shortly after they had been publickly so set up and in conclusion of the wise and learned also Secondly for that they are worshipped in sundry places now in our time also And thirdly for that it is impossible that Images of God Christ or his Saints can be suffered especially in Temples and Churches any while or space without worshipping of them and that Idolatry which is most abominable before God cannot possibly be escaped and avoided without the abolishing and destruction of Images and Pictures in Temples and Churches for that Idolatry is to Images specially in Temples and Churches an inseparable accident as they tearm it so that Images in Churches and Idolatry go alwayes both together and that therefore the one cannot be avoided except the other specially in all publick places be destroyed Wherefore to make Images and publickly to set them up in the Temples and Churches places appointed peculiarly to the service of God is to make Images to the use of Religion and not only against this precept Thou shalt make us manner of Images but against this also Thou shalt not bow downe to them nor worship them for they being set up have been be and ever will be worshipped c. That it is not possible if Images be suffered in Churches and Temples either by the preaching of Gods Word or by any other means to keep the people from worshipping of them and so to avoid idolatry c. What can we do I say or bring to passe to the stay of Idolatry or worshipping of Images if they be allowed to stand publickly in Temples and Churches And if so many so mighty Emperours by so severe Lawes and Proclamations so rigorous and extreame punishments and executions could not stay the people from setting up and worshipping of Images what will ensue thinke you when men shall commend them as necessary books of the Laymen Let us therefore of these latter dayes learn this lesson of the experience of ancient Antiquity That Idolatry cannot possibly be separated from Images any long time but that as an unseparable accident or as a shadow followeth the body when the Sunne shineth so Idolatry followeth and cleaveth to the publick having of Images in Temples and Churches And finally as Idolatry is to be abhorred and avoided so are Images which cannot be long without Idolatry to be put away and destroyed Besides the which experiments and proof of time before the very nature and origine of Images themselves draweth to Idolatry most violently and mens nature and inclination also is bent to Idolatry so vehemently that it is not possible to sever or part Images nor keep men from Idolatry if Images he suffered publickly c. For if the origine of Images and worshipping of them as it is recorded in the eight Chap. of the Book of Wisdom began of a blind love of a fond father framing for his comfort an Image of his Sonne being dead and so at the last men fell to the worshipping of him whom they did know to be dead how much more will men and women fall to the worshipping of the Image of God our Saviour Christ and his Saints if they be suffered to stand in Churches and Temples publickly For the greater the opinion is of the majesty and holinesse of the person to whom an Image is made the sooner will the people fall to the worshipping of the said Image Wherefore the Images of God our Saviour Christ the Blessed Virgin Mary the Apostles Martyrs and other of notable holinesse are of all other Images most dangerous for the perill of Idolatry and therefore greatest heed to be taken that none of them be suffered to stand publikely in Churches and Temples For there is no great dread least any should fall to the worshipping of Images of Annas Caiphas Pilate or Judas the Traitor if they were set up But to the other it is already at full proved That Idolatry hath been is and is most like continually to be committed Now as the Nature of mari is none otherwise bent to worshipping of Images if he may have them and see them then it is bent to whordome and Idolatry in the company of an harlot And as a man given to the lust of the flesh seeing a wanton harlot sitting by her and imbracing her it profitteth little for one to say beware of fornication God will condemne fornicators and adulterers for neither will he being overcome with greater intisements of
the strumpet give eare or take heed to such godly admonition and when he is left afterwards alone with the harlot nothing can follow but wickednesse Even so suffer Images to be set in Churches and Temples ye shall in vaine bid them beware of Images as Saint John doth and flee Idolatry as the Scriptures warn us ye shall in vaine preach and teach against Idolatry For a number will notwithstanding fall headlong unto it what by the nature of Images and what by the Inclination of their own corrupt Nature Wherefore as for a man given to lust to sit down by a strumpet is to tempt God So is it likewise to erect an Idoll in this pronesse of mans nature to Idolatry nothing but a tempting Now if any will say that this similitude proveth nothing yet I pray them let the Word of God out of the which the similitude is taken prove something Doth not the Word of God call Idolatry spirituall fornication Doth it not call a gilt or a painted Idoll or Image A strumpet with a painted face Be not the Spirituall wickednesses of an Idols inticing like the flatteries of a wanton Harlot Be not men and women as prone to spirituall fornication I mean Idolatry as to carnall Fornication If this be denyed let all Nations upon the earth which have been Idolaters as by all stories appeareth prove it true Let the Jews and the people of God which were so often and so earnestly warned so dreadfully threatned concerning Images and Idolatry and so extreamly punished therefore and yet fell unto it prove it to be true as in almost all the books of the Old Testament namely the Kings and the Chronicles and the Prophets it appeareth most evidently Let all Ages and times and men of all ages and times of all degrees and conditions Wise-men Learned-men Princes Ideots unlearned and Commonalty prove it to be true If you require Examples for wise men you have the Egyptians and the Indian Gymnosophistes for the wisest men of the world you have Solomon the wisest of all other For learned men the Greeks and namely the Athenians exceeding all other Nations in superstition and Idolatry as in the History of the Acts of the Apostles Saint Paul chargeth them For the Princes and Governours you have the Romans the rulers of the roast as they say you have the same sornamed King Solomon and all the Kings of Israel and Judah after him saving David Ezechias and Josiah and one or two more All these I say and infinite others wise learned Princes and Governours being all Idolaters have you for examples and a proof of mens inclination to Idolatry That I may passe over with silence in the mean time infinite multitudes and millions of Idiots and unlearned the ignorant and grosse people like unto horses and mules in whom is no understanding whose perill and danger to fall on heapes to Idolatry by occasion of Images the Scriptures specially fore-shew and give warning of And indeed how should the unlearned simple and foolish scape the nets and snares of Idols and Images in the which the wisest and best learned have been so entangled trapped and wrapped Wherefore the Argument holdeth this ground sure that men be as inclined of their corrupt nature to spirituall fornication as to carnall which the wisedome of God fore-seeing to the Generall prohibition that none should make to themselves any Image or similitude addeth a cause depending of mans corrupt nature lest saith God thou being deceived with errour honour and worship them And of this ground of mans corrupt inclination as well to spirituall fornication as to carnall it must needs follow that as it is the duty of the godly Magistrate loving honesty and hating whoredome to remove all Strumpets Harlots specially out of places notoriously suspected or resorted unto of naughty persons for the avoiding of carnall fornication so it is the duty of the same godly Magistrate after the example of the godly Kings Ezekias and Josias to drive away all spirituall Harlots I mean Idols and Images especially out of suspected places Churches and Temples dangerous for idolatry to be committed to Images placed there as it were in the appointed place and height of honour and worship as S. Augustine saith where the living God only and no dead stones and stocks is to be worshipped It is I say the office of godly Magistrates likewise to avoid Images and Idols out of Churches and Temples as spirituall Harlots out of suspected places for the avoiding of idolatry which is spirituall fornication And as he were the enemy to all honesty that should bring Strumpets and Harlots out of their secret corners into the publick Market place there freely to dwell and practise their filthy merchandize So is he the enemy of the true worshipping of God that bringeth Idols and Images into the Temple and Church the House of God there openly to be worshipped and to rob the jealous God of his honour who will not give it to any other nor his glory to carved Images who is as much forsaken and the bond of love between man and him as much broken by Idolatry which is spirituall fornication as is the knot and bond of mariage broken by carnall fornication Let all this be taken as a lye if the Word of God enforce it not to be true Cursed be the man saith God in Deuteronomy That maketh a carved or molten Image and placeth it in a secret corner And all the people shall say Amen Thus saith God for at that time no man durst have or worship Images openly but in corners only and the whole World being the great Temple of God he that in any corner thereof robbeth God of his glory and giveth it to stocks and stones is pronounced by Gods Word accursed Now he that will bring these spirituall Harlots out of their lurking corners into publick Churches and Temples that spirituall fornication may there openly of all men and women without shame be committed with them no doubt that person is accursed of God and twice cursed and all good and godly men and women will say Amen and their Amen will take effect also Which is thus seconded in the second part of the Homily of the place and time of prayer p. 130 131. The Jewes in their time provoked justly the vengeance of God for that partly they abused his holy Temple with the detestable idolatry of the Heathen and superstitious vanities of their own inventions contrary to Gods Commandement c. And have not the Christians of late dayes and even in our dayes also in like manner provoked the displeasure and indignation of Almighty God Partly because they have prophaned defiled their Churches with Heathenish and Jewish abuses with Images and Idols with numbers of Altars too too superstitiously and intollerably abused c. Finally Gods vengeance hath been and is daily provoked because much wicked people passe nothing to resort
to the Church either for that they are so sore blinded that they understand nothing of God godlinesse and care not with divelish example to offend their neighbours or else for that they see the Church altogether scowred of such gay-gazing sights as their grosse phantasie was greatly delighted with because they see the false religion abandoned and the true restored which seemeth an unsavoury thing to their unsavoury taste as may appear by this that a woman said to her neighbour Alas Gossip what should we now do at Church since all the Saints are taken away since all the goodly sights wee were wont to have are gone since wee cannot hear the like piping singing chaunting and playing upon the Organs that we could before But dearly beloved we ought greatly to rejoyce and give God thanks that our Churches are delivered out of all those things which displeased God so sore and filthily defiled his holy House and his place of prayer for the which he hath justly destroyed many Nations according to the saying of Saint Paul If any man defile the Temple of God God will him destroy And this ought we greatly to praise God for that such superstitious and idolatious manners as were utterly naught and defaced Gods glory are utterly abolished as they most justly deserved and yet those things that either God was honoured with or his people edified are decently retained and in our Churches comely practised c. Mr. Workman by all these and such other passages in our Homilies ratified and subscribed unto by all our Ministers in the 35 Article of our Church as containing a godly and wholesome doctrine necessary for these times and established by the statute of 13 Eliz. ca. 12. which confirmes the Articles justifyed every syllable in his Sermons against Images in which he used only the words of our Homilies yet notwithstanding by the Archbishops violence against him who went highest in his sentence on the 25 of April 1635. in the High Commission held at Lambeth was Suspended from the execution of his office and function in the Ministery excommunicated ordered to make his submission and recantation of his eronious and scandalous doctrine at Lambeth the next Court day in such manner and forme as should be set down by the Commissioners and delivered to him in writing under the Registers hand of the Court and after this submission made publickly in Court the same to be sent down to Glocester and there openly published in the Cathedrall Church of Glocester and in the Church of S. Michaels immediately after Divine Service ended when as the Congregation shall be then and there assembled and condemned in costs of suit to be taxed the next Court day and likewise imprisoned Which sentence of his for the cause a foresaid was proved by the Register-Book of the High Commission out of which it was read at the Lords Barre by the testimonies of Mr. Thomas Pury a Member of the House of Commons and of Mr. John Langley late Schoole master of Glocester and now of Pauls-Schoole in London who further witnessed upon oath That Mr. Workman having been a most painfull diligent Preacher of Gods Word in the City of Glocester for above 15 years and a man of singular piety learning wisdome and moderation as the Archbishop himself confessed the Corporation of Glocester to help support his great charge of children in consideration of his great paines in preaching and visiting the sick about September 1633. granted him an Annuity of 20 l. per annum under their Common Seale with one unanimous consent a little before his troubles in the High Commission For which act of justice and charity Iohn Buckston the then Mayor Master Wise the Town Clerk and some other of the Aldermen of that City were by the Archbishops procurement sent for by a Pursevant to appear before the Counsell Table as Delinquents where they appearing were fully heard concerning the granting of this Annuity before the King himselfe and his Councell who seemed fully satisfied approving of their grant and were ready to dismisse them from thence as seeing no just cause for their molestation Whereupon the Archbishop moved that they might be transmitted from thence to the High Commission which by his means was ordered accordingly After which in January following Mr. Pury himself together with M. Henry Browne Mr. William Prise Aldermen Mr. Anthony Edwards and others were arrested by a Messenger out of the High Commission who exacted and received 20 Marks in Fees from them to whom they gave bonds to appear in that Court the Terme following which they did Where they were then articled against for consenting to the grant of the said Annuity to Mr. Workman to which Articles they answered and the cause being brought to hearing not long after their Counsell alleaged That the said grant of 20 l. per annū to M. Workman ought first to be proved illegall or obtained by illegal practise and the whole Corporation whose act it was under whose Seal it was granted to be made parties to the suit before these Defendants sued only as private men ought as they conceived to be censured for consenting thereunto or the said deed made void and cancelled yet notwithstanding the said Mr. Edwards one M. Nelme for consenting to this grant only were fined 10 l. a piece and the grant ordered to be cancelled which was done accordingly and thereupon a 100. l. expence the rest were dismissed the Court and M. Workman deprived of his Annuity After which M. Workman himself being censured and put from his Ministery and imprisoned by the High-Commission for Preaching against making and setting up the Images of the Trinity and of Christ and Saints in Churches having after some moneths Imprisonment with much solicitation obtained his Liberty to support himself his wife and many small children from perishing was necessitated to teach children in private having no other livelihood left him after his former Annuity granted him by the City of Glocester was by the Arch-bishops potency unjustly wrested from him of which the Arch-bishop being informed inhibited him to teach any children at all in publike or private as he would answer the contrary at his perill whereupon he fell to practise Physicke for his necessary support which being informed of to the Arch-bishop he thereupon prohibited him likewise to practise Physick Whereupon he having no meanes of subsistance left and being debarred to Preach teach School or administer Physick to maintain himself and his charge was so afflicted with these tyrannicall and unjust pressures of which he oft complained to Master Langley and others that they drew on crasinesse and sicknesse of body upon him and as his most intimate friends were verily perswaded shortned his dayes and precured his death to the great griefe and losse of that City So zealous was this Arch-Prelate in defence of Idolatrous Images as thus most unjustly and tyrannically to ruine a most godly painfull Minister with his family and destroy this
John Finch who gave it such a purgation without calling M. Burton to it or suffering his Counsell to defend it whom Sir John Finch threatned with pulling his Gowne over his head and putting him from the Barre as was never heard of in any Age expunging no lesse then 64 whole sheets containing his justification and defence out of it as scandalous leaving only some three lines in the beginning of it and two in the end amounting to a generall not guilty when as he confessed and justified all he was charged with And because Mr. Burton would not acknowledge this purged answer directly contrary to that he put in upon oath and answer to Interrogatories grounded on it quite contrary to his answer as they had altered it whereby he must of necessity have been perjured therefore he was likewise taken pro confesso and censured for a contempt in not answering though he had an answer in Court What the scandalous matter contained in and expunged out of his answer by the Judges was is very observable truly it was no other then the very Oathes of Supremacy Allegiance prescribed by severall Acts of Parliament engaging the Defendants and others who had taken them against popery and popish Innovations his Majesties Declarations before the 39 Articles and to all his loving Subjects printed Anno 1628. prohibiting all back-sliding to Popery or any Innovations or alterations in the Religion by law established among us The Petition of Right and his Majesties Answer thereunto for preservation of the Subjects rights and liberties extending as wel to secure them against these illegal popish Innovations which the Bishops by an Arbitrary power would obtrude upon them and their consciences by Suspensions Excommunications Fines Imprisonments and other vexatious courses as to the liberty of their persons and estates of which they were deprived for opposing their Innovations the statute of 3 Iac. c. 1. intituled An Act for a publick thanksgiving to Almighty God every year on the 5 of November for the great deliverance of the King Kingdome State and Parliament from the horrid Gunpowder Treason on which day Mr. Burton preached these two Sermons against the severall Popish Innovations and Doctrines mentioned in it lately brought into the Church by the Archbishop and his confederates for which he was questioned in the Star-chamber The statute of 3 Jac. cap. 4. intituled An Act for the better discovering and repressing of Popish Recusants The statute of 1 Eliz. cap. 2. intituled An Act for the uniformity of Common Prayer and administration of the Sacraments which excludes all new Ceremonies and Innovations in Gods service introduced by the Bishops not comprized in the Book of Common prayer with an enumeration of those severall Innovations in point of doctrine and ceremonies as setting up Altars instead of Communion Tables removing Lords Tables from their ancient stations and rayling them in Altarwise against the wall bowing downe to them reading second Service at them licensing printing Popish and Arminian Books altering and purging the Books for the Gunpowder Treason for the publick Fast Coronation and Book of Common prayer c. with other particulars specified at large in his printed Sermons All this was totally expunged as scandalous out of Mr. Burtons Answer for feare the proof thereof should have made the Bishops scandalous Eighthly these Defendants when they perceived they should not have liberty to defend themselves nor to prove or justifie the Archbishops and his Confederates popish Innovations by their Answers exhibited a crosse Bill against them under their hands which they offered to make good at their uttermost perils Mr. Prynne tendring the same both to the Lord Keeper and in open Court defiring it might be admitted being both for their own just defence the honour of his Majesty and preservation of our Religion and that a Court of publick justice which ought to be as open for as against them yet this their Bill was twice refused without cause and delivered over to Mr. Attourney Generall to draw up a Charge against the defendants out of it if possible and to question them for their lives for exhibiting it Ninthly at the hearing the Archbishop and Bishop of London though chiefe prosecutions of this cause in which they were specially concerned professed enemies to the Defendants and challenged in open Court by Mr. Prynne as unfit to sit Judges there in their own cause contrary to all law and presidents were yet admitted to sit in Court as Judges where the Archbishop himself in a tedious Oration of two houres long larger then ever any Sermon he preached in the Pulpit professedly justified all the forementioned Innovations wherewith he was charged as Setting up Altars rayling in Communion Tables Altar-wise reading second-Service at them bowing downe towards them as the Monks and Popish Fryers did of old because there 't is Hoc est corpus meum c. standing up at Glory be to the Father bowing at the Name of Iesus altering and purging the Books for the Gunpowder Treason and the publick Fast in favour of Papists the licensing of Popish and Arminian Books charged against him c. And yet reviled condemned these Defendants as Libellers and thanked the Lords for their justice against them for falsely objecting these very Innovations to him which himself in his Speech confessed himself guilty of justified in open Court and after that in print to all the World dedicating this his Speech to his Majesty and making him the Patron of all these Innovations contrary to his own royall Protestations Tenthly these Defendants for opposing those very popish Innovations which himself thus publickly confessed defended being deprived of their proofe and just defence by taking them all pro confesso for a pretended contempt in not answering the Information which they would not permit them to put in their Answers to as you heard before were without any proof or testimony at all produced to prove them guilty of ought objected against them fined 5000 li. a peece unto his Majesty adjudged to stand in the Pillory at Westminster and there to lose their Eares which was accordingly executed Mr. Burton was after deprived of his Living degraded from his Ministery Mr. Prynne stigmatized on both cheeks though nothing at all was charged against him and all of them deprived the liberty of pen inke and paper and before their wounds were healed they were sent away close prisoners to the 3 remote Castles of Lanceston Lancaster and Carnarvan and there shut up close prisoners neither Wife nor Childe nor Brother nor any other but their Keepers having any accesse unto them and soone after by extraordinary Letters from the Councell Table to which the Archbishops hand was first sent close prisoners by Sea in the Winter-season to the hazzard of their lives into the Islands of Sylly Garnesey and Iarsey and there mued up close prisoners without pen inke paper or allowance of necessaries their friends being prohibited al accesse unto them D. Bastwicks M.
hallowed as they say with their conjured water Crossings Censings Processions c. But blessed be that God our Lord which by the light of his Word doth confound all such wicked and fond fantasies which they devise to fill their bellies and maintaine their Authority by Although these Ceremonies in the old Law were given by Moses for the hardnesse of the peoples hearts to keep thē exercised that they fall not to the Idolatry of the Gentiles yet is there no mention of them in the New Testament nor yet commanded now either to us or them but forbidden to be used of all both of us and them We be no longer under shaddowes but under the truth Christ hath fulfilled all and taken away all such darke kind of Ceremonies and hath placed the cleare light of his Gospell in the Church to continue to the end The Popes Church hath all things pleasant in it to delight the people but where the Gospell is preached they knowing that God is not pleased but onely with a pure heart they are content with an honest place appointed to resort together in though it were never hallowed by Bishops at all It is written that God dwels not in Temples made with hands nor is worshipped with any worke of mens hands but he is a spirit an invisible substance and will be worshipped in spirit and truth not in outward words onely of the lippes but with the deepe sighes and groanes of the heart and the whole power of the mind and earnest hearty calling on him in praier by faith And therefore he doth not so much require of us to build him an house of stone and timber but hath willed us to pray in all places and hath taken away the Iewish and Popish holynesse which is thought to be more in one place then another All the earth is the Lords and he is present in all places hearing the Petitions of them that call upon him in faith Therefore those Bishops which thinke with their conjured water to make one place more holy then the rest are no better then the Jewes deceiving the people and teaching that onely to be holy which they have censed crossed oyled and breathed upon for as Christ said to the woman thinking one place to be more holy to pray in then another Woman beleeve me the time is come when yee shall worship neither at Jerusalem nor in this Hill but the true worshippers shall worship God in spirit and truth So it is now said the place makes not the man holy but the man makes the place holy and ye shall not worship your Idols Stocks and Stones neither at Wilsingham Ipswich Canterbury nor Sheen for God chuses not the people for the places sake but the place for the people sake But if yee be in the midst of the field God is as ready to heare your faithfull praiers as in any Abbey or Priory yea a thousand times more for the one place he hates as defiled with Idolatry and the other he loves as undefiled and cleane If the good man lie in prison tyed in Chaines or at the stake burned for Gods cause That place is holy for the holynesse of the man and the presence of the holy Ghost in him as Tertullian saith yet there should be common places appointed for the people to Assemble and come together therein to praise our God c. Those who in the Apostles times were buried in no Church or Church-yard nor Christen-moldes as they be called when it is not better then other earth but rather worse for the conjuring that Bishops use about it It appeares in the Gospell by the Legion living in graves the Widdowes sonne going to buriall Christ buried without the Citty c. That they buried not in hallowed Churches by Bishops but in a severall place appointed for the same purpose without the Citty which custome remaineth to this day in many godly places c. A most expresse Authority against Bishops Popish consecrations of Churches and Church-yards to make them holyer then other places The second Authority they produced was Mathew Parker Archbishop of Canterbury in the beginning of Queene Elizabeths reigne who was of a quite contrary judgment to this his Popish Successor condemning this manner of consecrating Churches Altars c. as Superstitious Paganish childish ridiculous in his Antiquitates Ecclesiae Brittannicae p. 85. 86. 87. in these termes Legat enim qui volet recentiores et nostro praesertim avo editos Pontificales ac Missales libros reperiet eos et Caeremoniarū multitudine peragendi difficultate atque taedio et exorcisationis amentia priores illos longè superare Quibus enim non dicam verbis sed portentis has et ejus modi a Pontisiciis adhuc adjurantur c. Dedicatio recentis Ecclesiae Altaria vasa indumenta Linteamina et ornamenta Ecclesiastica Hac omnia quam solemni ritu sanctarum scripturarum sententiis ad suas decantationes perperā adhibitis Potificij peragunt paucis videamus c. In dedicatione Ecclesiae jam exstructae Episcopus ter ' circumiens ostium bacculo pastorali ferit hoc Psalmi carmine Attollite Portas c. Cui Diaconus intus existens respondet fere exanimatus Quis est iste Rex gloriae c. Deinde ingredicus Episcopus in fundamento Ecclesiae Cineribus sparso Alphabetum Gracum et Latinum bacculo describit tum variis multisque Episcopi Clerique incessibus rectis obliquis retrogradis transuersis parietes ac pavimenta aqua sparguntur cruces in parietibus chrismate cum dextro Episcopi pollice depinguntur infinitis penè completis caeremoniis ad extremum precatur ut populus in ea conveniens per sacerdotum libamina caelesti sanctificatione salvatus animae salutem perpetuam consequatur discedens portam his verbis Episcopus ungit chrismate porta sis benedicta sanctificata consecrata consignata Deo commendata c. Altaria autem innumeris hujus generis precibus consecrantur c. Et sane valde deflenda est hujus temporis conditio quod Ecclesiae Patres eadem mentis acie ab ecclesia resecare has hujusmodi caeremonias seu potius nugas aut nolunt aut non possunt qua priora illa Ordalii vitia cernebant atque corrigebant sed illis ut superstitiosis damnatis deletis hac quae mordicus retinent quamvis puerilia deliria sint ex illis tamen fabricantur atque struunt Quanto modernis Pontificibus aequior fuit Gregorius qui scribit Quomodo regulae sanctorum Patrum pro tempore loco persona negotio instante necessitate traditae sunt Hi autem nulla neque temporis neque loci neque negotii neque personae neque cujusquà m rei quà m suae voluntatis atque gloriolae rationem habentes ne pusillis in rebus veritate cedere volunt A very good character of the Prisoner at the bar and his proceedings in this kinde
Majesties subsequent Declaration for sports and Ales to be kept thereon of which Christopher Dowe his Champion in his Innovations unjustly charged upon the present Church and State or An Answer to the most materiall passages of a Libellous Pamphlet made by Mr. Henry Burton and Intituled An Apology of an Appeal c. London 1637. chap. 5. p. 75. writes thus I beleeve his Grace holds it no dishonour to be the meanes of procuring or urging obedience to any Act that so just and religious a King shall avow to be His. Propounding and justifying these five Propositions at at large concerning this Declaration and the urging of it p. 77. c. 1. That the Declaration is no inlet to prophannesse or irreligion or hinderance of the due Sanctification of the Lords Day 2. That ehe sports permitted by it to be used are Lawfull and are not prohibited either by Gods Law or the Law of the Land 3. That it is no means of breaking the fift Commandement nor doth alow any contempt of Parents or Masters Authority over their children and servants 4. That the reading of it by Ministers in their severall Congregations was injoyned and intended by his Majesty and that it is a thing that may lawfully be done by them 5. That such as refuse to publish it accordingly are justly punished and their punishment no cruelty or unjust persecution The Extract of the Letter sent to the Bishop of Bath and Wels was as followeth S. in Christo My very good Lord c. MY Businesses concerning my Translation are now almost over and those of Tearme ready to begin And in the interim I am commanded by His Majesty to put you to a little paines There hath been of late some noyse in Somersetshire about the Feasts of the Dedications of Churches commonly called the Wakes and it seemes the Judges of Assiize formerly made an Order to prohibit them and caused it to be published in some or most of the Churches there by the Minister without my Lord the Bishops consent or privity The pretence of this hath been that some disorders derogatory from Gods service and the Government of the Common-wealth are committed at those times by which argument any thing that is abused may be quite taken away It seemes there hath been some heate strucke in the Countrey about this by the carriage of the Lord Chiefe Justice Richardson at the two last Assizes especially the last with which His Majesty is not well pleased And for the preventing of outrages or disorders at those Feasts no man can be more carefull than His Majesty but He conceives and that very rightly that all these may and ought to be prevented by the care of the Justices of Peace and not leave the Feasts themselves to be kept for the Neighbourly meetings and Recreations of the people of which he would not have them debarred under any frivilous pretences And farther His Majesty hath been lately informed by men of good place in that Countrey that the Humourists increase much in those parts and unite themselves by banding against the Feasts which course as His Majesty no way likes so He hath been informed also for this last yeare since warning was given there have not been any noted disorders at any of those Feasts kept in those parts Yet for His better satisfaction He hath commanded me to require you which I here do by these Letters to send for some of the gravest of your Clergy and such as stand best affected to the Church and Government in the severall parts of your Diocesse and by them to informe your selfe how these Feasts havs been ordered for this last yeare and how free they have been from disorders and to send me up an accompt of it such as I may shew to His Majesty of which you must not fayle And He doubts not but that you will performe the same like a wise and a prvdent Governour Thus leaving this businesse to your care and desiring you to make as much convenient haste with it as you can I commend you to Gods Grace and rest Your Lordships very loving Friend and Brother W. Cant. Lambeth Octob. 4. 1633. To which Letter the Bishop of Bath and Wells made this returne thus endorsed with the Archbishops own hand Rece November 11 1633. My Lord of Bathes Certificate about the Wakes and other Feasts in Somersetshire c. found in his Study with his own forecited Letter MOst Reverend Father in God and my very Honourable good Lord my humble service presented to your Grace I received upon the 12th of October last a Letter from your Grace dated the 4th of the same Moneth wherein your Grace hath required me by a commandment from His Majesty to send for some of the gravest of my Clergie and such as stand best affected to the Church and Government out of the severall parts of my Diocesse and by them to inform my selfe how the annuall Feasts of the Dedications of their Churches have beene kept within their severall Parishes this last yeare and how free they have beene from disorders Now according to His Majesties pleasure and Commandment herein presently after receipt of your Graces Letter I sent forth my Letters into all the several Deaneries within my Diocesse for some of the better* sort of Clergy out of every Division part and corner of Somersetshire to come unto me and so they did upon certaine dayes appointed by me And I finde by the severall Answers of threescore and twelve Ministers Benificed men in whose Parishes these Feasts are kept as followeth First that they have been kept not onely this last yeare but also for many years before as long as they have lived in their severall Parishes without any disorders Secondly that upon the Feast dayes which are for the most part every where upon Sundayes the Service of the Church hath bin more solemnly performed and the Church hath bin better frequented both in the Forenoons and in the Afternoons than upon any Sunday in the yeare Thirdly that they have not known or heard of any disorders in the Neighbouring Towns where the like Feasts are kept Fourthly that the people do very much desire the continuance of those Feasts Lastly that all these Ministers are of opinion that it is fit and convenient these Feast dayes should be continued for a memoriall of the Dedications of their severall Churches for the civilizing of people for their lawfull Recreations for the composing of differences by occasion of the meeting of friends for the increase of love and unity as being Feasts of Charity for the reliefe of the poore the richer sort keeping then in a manner open house and for many other reasons This is the summe of their severall free and voluntary Answers which I have in writing under their owne hands and will be ready to shew if they be required which course I tooke because it might not bee given our hereafter by those who condemne these Feasts that I
Peace in the County with the generall consent of the whole Bench and upon view of diverse ancient presidents in that kinde Whereupon Judge Richardson the next Sommer Assizes 1634. in his charge informed the Justices Grand-Jury and Country That hee at their Request together with his Brother Denham had made a very good Order for suppressing unruly Wakes and Revells wherein he thought he had done God the King and Country good service but some ill affected persons had misinformed His Majestie concerning this Order who had given him an expresse command to reverse it which he conceived was hardly in his power to do because it was no Order made by himselfe but by the joynt consent of the whole Bench and a meere confirmation and enlargment of diverse Orders made by the Iudges and Iustices in that Circuit in Queen Elizabeths King James and King Charles their Reignes before ever he came into those parts for which he produced these following Presidents The first was an Order made at a Sessions in Somersetshire in the 38. of Queene Elizabeth Orders made by the Iustices Assembled at Bridgwater Sessions the 10th of September Anno Reg Elizabetica 38. c. THat no Church Ale Clerkes Ale Bid Ale or tipling be suffered And that such only be suffered to tipple as be or shal be lawfully licensed according to the Order made in this Sessions SIGNED Iohn Popham Alexander Popham Iohn Court Henry Waldron Edward Hext George Sydenham Thomas Horner Iohn Colles Iohn May Iohn â—odney The second was this Order of Sessions made at the same place whereto he found the name of one Thomas Philips subscribed but he knew not who he was at which Sir Robert Philips his Sonne who sticled for these Wakes was much incensed as conceiving it a meere jeare against him At the Sessions at Bridgwater the 28th of September 1594. IT is is Ordered and agreed that no Church-Ale be admitted to be kept within any part of this shiere And that by the Justices of the Peace of the Lymits notice thereof bee given to the severall parishes within their Lymits and that such as shall offend in keeping any such be duely punished Iohn Popham Lord â—hiefe Iustice George Sidnam Knight Henry Barkley Knight George Speak Henry Waldron Alexander Colles Iohn Frances Alexander Popham Iohn Lancaster Edward Hext Thomas Phillips The third was an Order of Sessions made in the County of Devon Anno 1599. This Order was agreed on by all the Queenes Majesties Iustices of the Peace at the Chapter House Assembled the 10th day of January 1599. Anno 41. Elizabethae ANd for as much as it appeareth that many enormities that with modestie cannot be expressed heretofore have hapned by Church Ales and Revells in this County of Devon It is therefore Ordered that Church-Ales and Revells shall bee hence forth utterly suppressed And if contrary wise in contempt of this Order preparation be made for any to be kept any Justices of this County forthwith send for such as make preparation to admonish them to make stay thereof and upon their refusall in that behalfe or proceeding therein to bind them that make such preparation to the good behaviour and to appeare at the next Sessions of the Peace to bee holden within this County of Devon then and there to endure such punishment as either by the Lawes of the Realme or Order of this Court shall bee inflicted upon them for their contempt and disobeying this Order The fourth was this following Order made at the Assizes in Devonshire Anno 1615. From the Assizes held at the Castle of Exeter Iuly 24. 1615. Anno 13. Jacobi c. Sir Laurence Tanneld and Serjeant Mountague Justices of Assize c. THe severall Manslaughters committed at two Church-ales within this County since the begining of this present Moneth of Iuly and further advertisements given now unto the Court of the continuall prophanation of Gods Sabbath at these and other such like unlawfull meetings ministers unto this Court just occasion to recite an Order formerly set downe by the Reverend Judges of Assize at the Assizes holden for this County the 19th day of Iuly in the yeare of the Reigne of our Soveraign Lord King James by the Grace of God of England France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. the 11th and of Scotland the 46th that Order being as followeth viz. It is Ordered by the Court in regard of the infinite number of inconveniencies daily arising by meanes of Revells Church-Ales and Bull-baitings that all such Revells Church-ales and Bull-baitings be from henceforth utterly suppressed and if hereafter it shall be made known unto the Justices of the Peace of this County of any such to be set up or hereafter used that then the Justices of the Peace within their severall Divisions take course as well for the speedy apprehending and punishment of idle and lewde people drawne together to such places as for the binding over of the Persons using tipling and for the inflicting of further punishment upon all offenders in such places as in their discretion shall be thought fit And to the end that this Order may be the better observed It is Ordered that this bee speedily published in every Parish Church within this County The fift was an Order made in the same County Anno 1627. An Order made by Sir Iohn Walter Knight Chiefe Baron of his Majesties Exchequer and Sir Iohn Denham Knight Justices of Assize for c. at the Castle of Exon the XXIII of July 1627. WHereas diverse Orders have bin heretofore made by the Judges of Assize for the suppression of all Ales and Revels those same Orders are now confirmed at this Assize and again Ordered by the Court in regard of the infinite number of inconveniencies daily arising by means of Revels Church-Ales Clerks-Ales and publike Ales that they be from henceforth utterly suppressed And if hereafter it shall be made knowne to the Justices of Peace of this County of any such to be kept or hereafter used that then the Justices of the Peace within their severall divisions take course as well for the speedy apprehending and punishment of idle vagrant people drawne together to such places as for the binding over of the persons using such tipling and for inflicting of such punishment upon all Offendors in such places as the Law doth inflict And to the end that this Order may be the better observed it is further Ordered that the Clerke of Assize shall leave a Copy hereof with the Clerk of the Peace and the under Sherriffe and from them or one of them every Constable shall take a Copy for his severall hundred and liberty and shall particularly deliver a Copy to the Minister of every Parish within his severall hundred and libertie and shall take a note of every Minister under his hand of the day upon which hee received it from him and that every Minister which so receiveth it shall publish it yearely in his Parish
this Arch-Roman Ingineer to undermine and blow up our established Religion Hee had learnt from Abbot Bernard A minimis incipiunt qui in maxima proruunt and from Chrysostome Id certè moris est apud haereticos ut adumbrant seipsos occultent in principijs quousque majorem fiduciam capeant quodam favore multitudinis juventur tunc contagiosa sua venena intrepide effundunt Wherefore he began his mines at some seeming distance and set blindes before them to prevent discovery To this purpose combining with the Jesuites prosecuting their very method to ruine our Religion he first bent all his force industry to introduce Arminianisme the most plausible lesse discernible Doctrinall part of Popery yet a ready Jesuiticall Posterne to let in all the rest and that under a specious pretence of opposing Puritanisme and Puritans onely against whom he laboured to engage some Prelates and the Duke of Buckingham first then next His Majestie This practise of his he began in Oxford in a Sermon preached by him on Shrove-Sunday Anno 1614. for which he was then publikely though not by name taxed by Learned Dr. Robert Abbot Dr. of the Chaire in Oxford in his Sermon all Saint Peters on Easter day 1615. as appeares by a †Letter and Notes of this Sermon under his own hand sent by him to the then Bishop of Lincoln his great Patron viz. That men under pretence of truth preaching against the Puritans strike at the heart and root of Faith and Religion now established among us That this preaching against the Puritans was but the practise of Persons and Campions Councell when they came into England to seduce young Students And when many of them were afraid to loose their places if they should professedly be thus the councell they then gave them was that they should speake freely against the Puritans and that should suffice And they cannot intend that they are accounted Papists because they speak against the Puritans but because THEY INDEED ARE PAPISTS they speake nothing against them If they do at any time speake against the Papists they do beat a little upon the bush that softly too for feare of troubling or disquieting the Birds which are in it They speake of nothing but that in which one Papist will speake against another as against Aequivocation the Popes temporall Authority and the like and perhaps against some of their Blasphemous speeches But in the point of Free-will Justification Concupiscens being sinne after Baptisme Inhaerent Righteousnesse and certainty of Salvation c. wherein Papists and Arminians concurre the Papists beyond the Seas can say They ARE WHOLLY THEIRS and the Recusants at home make their braggs of them And in all things they keepe themselves so neare the brinke that upon any occasion they may step over to them c. From this Passage of Doctor Abbot which Laud then confessed in his Letter the whole Vniversity applyed unto him as himselfe did too you may readily guesse both at his Popish Innovations and practises in the Vniversity of Oxf. in those dayes which he hath continued ever since After this we find him taking special notice of Dr. Prideaux his questions against the Arminiaus found in his Study thus endorsed with his own hand An. 1617. Questions given to be disputed of at Exeter Colledge of Oxon by Doctor Prideaux Rector and at that time appointed to Answer Barkleyes Parenesis Questiones Arminianae An. 1 1. Paulus ad Rom. cap. 7. loquatur in sua Persona de serenato Af. 2. Analysis Arminij 9. cap ad Rom. sit probanda Neg. 2. 1. Praevisio fidelitatis infidelitatis praecedat aeternum decretum praedestinationis N. 2. Objectum Electionis sit fidelis ad finem perseveraturus N. 3. 1. Justicia originalis Adamo fuerit ante lapsum naturalis A. 2. Lapsus Adami diverso respectu dici possit necessarius contingens A. 4. 1. Peccatum Originale infantes sine actualibus peccatis morientes condemnet A. 2. Homo post lapsum retinuer it liberum arbitrium ad bonum N. 5. 1. Ponenda sit in Deo scientia media de futuris conditionatis ascientia simplicis intelligentiae visionis distincta N. 2. Facienti quod in se est ex naturae viribus dentur infallibiter auxilia ad salutem necessaria N. 6. 1. Gratia sufficiens ad salutem concedatur omnibus N. 2. Gratia regenerationis sit resistibilis N. 7. 1. To Credere sine meritorum Christi imputatione nos justificet N. 2. Aliquis possit à fide penitus excidere N. 8. 1. Renatus possit debeat esse certus de sua salute A. 2. Fideles possint in hac vita vivere sine peccato N. 9. 1. Deus author peccati statuatur ex sententia Orthodoxorum de praedestinatione 2. Arminianismus sit merè Semi-Pelagianismus A These questione it seemes did much displease him as crossing his Jesuiticall design of propagating Arminianisme Besides we find in his own Diary these Passages under his own hand in pursuance of this designe Dec. 23. 1624. The same day I delivered my L. Duke of Bucking a little tract ABOVT DOCTRINALL PVRJTANISME in some ten Heades which his Grace had spoken to me that I would draw for him that he might be acquainted with them in which he branded the Anti-Arminian Tenets for Doctrinall Puritanisme that so the Arminian might be imbraced as Orthodox Immediatly after King Iames his death a bitter Eenemy to the Arminians whom he branded with the titles of Atheisticall Sectaries and pestilent Heriticks who dare take upon them that Licentious Liberty to fetch againe from Hell the ancient Heresies long since condemned or else to invent new of their owne braine contrary to the beliefe of the true Catholick Church Bishop Laud to ingage the King and Duke against the Anti-Arminians under the title of Putitans and ingratiate the Arminians in their favour under the Title of Orkthodox Divines presented the Duke with a Catalogne of the names of Clergy men who were Orthodox to wit Arminians and who Putitans which he thus expresseth in his Diary Aprill 5. 1625. Die Martis Schedulam exhibui Duci Buckinghamiae in qua Nomina er ant omnium Ecclesiasticorum sub literis O. P. that is Orthodox and Puritans Nomina ut sic digererem jussit ipse Dux Buckinghamiae traditurus ea ut dixit Regi Carolo. Within foure dayes after the Duke of Buckingham sent this Prelate to Bishop Andrews to consult about the 5. Arminian Articles condemned in the Synod of Dort to promote and propagate them in our Church and to returne his Answer to him as is cleare by these Passages in his Diary written with his owne hand April 9. 1625. Eodem die in mandatis accepiut Rever Episc Winton adirem quid velit in causa Ecclesiae sciscitarem Responsum referem PRAECIPVE IN 5. ARTICVLIS c. April 10. die Solis post concionem finitam adij Episcopum que tum
man and shall live and die in the suffrage of that Reverend Synod and doe confidently a vow that those other opposed opinions cannot stand with the Doctrine of the Church of England But if for the composing of our differences at home which your Lordship knowes to be far different from the Netherlandish there could have beene tendered any such faire propositons of accordance as might be no prejudice to Gods Truth I should have thought it an holy and happy project wherein if it bee not a fault to have wished a safe peace I am innocent In my Lord Bishops of SARVMS Answer Dated Ianuary 30. 1628. This passage was expunged AS for the aspertions of Arminianisme I can testifie that in our joynt imployment at the Synod of Dort you were as farre from it as my selfe And I know that no man can imbrace it in the Doctrine of Pradestination and Grace but he must first desert the Articles agreed upon by the Church of England nor in the Point of Perseverance but he must vary from the common Tenet and received opinion of our best approved Doctors in the English Church I am assured that you neither have deserted the one nor will vary from the other and therefore be no more troubled with other mens groundlesse suspirions then you would be in like case with their idle Dreames Thus I have c. Nathaniell Butter the Stationer perceiving these two letters not only extreamly mutilated but made altogether uselesse and his Book lesse vendible by these Purgations of the Licencer adventured to print these expunged passages in them whereupon he was apprehended and brought before Bishop Laud by a Pursevant committed Prisoner by him to the Fleet without Baile or maineprize contrary to the Petition of Right though he tendred baile his Bookes seized and afterwards Articled against in the High Commission and there almost ruined only for printing those deleted Passages in two of our owne Bishops Letters as was proved by the Testimony of Master Henry Burton and Michaell Sparkes senior committed to the Fleet by the Bishop at the same time by the Warrant of his commitment under the Bishops owne hand the Articles in the High Commission against Butter Artic. 4. 5. and his Answer thereunto produced in Court About the same time Nathaniell Carpenter Chapline to Archbishop Vsher published a Book intitled Achitophel or the Picture of a wicked Polititian printed at Oxford by Lycence wherein were divers passages against Arminianisme averring it to be planted among us by Iesuiticall Polititians to undermine our Religion by degrees and covertly to introduce Popery it selfe which Booke was presently called in and all the Passages against Arminianisme expunged by this Bishops Agents which done it was reprinted at London without them Anno 1629. to the great injury both of the truth and Author as was attested by Mr. Prynne Michaell Spark Senior and evident to all who will compare these two Editions What other passages against the Arminians and their Tenet have beene expunged in other Authors shall be given in evidence elsewhere We shall next produce some memorable Instances what countenance was given to Arminian Bookes and Sermons notwithstanding his Majesties Declarations and Proclamations to the contrary by this Archbishops meanes Doctor Thomas Jackson Chapline in Ordinary to his Majesty even sitting the Parliament soone after the Kings Declaration and Proclamation published A Treatise of divine Essence and Attributes part first printed at London 1628. for John Clerke Licensed by this Prelates Chaplaine dedicated to the Right honourable William Earle of Pembrooke in the very Epistle Dedicatory to this Noble Peere hee professeth himselfe AN ARMINIAN and Patron of their Tenets And Chap. 8. to 20. he professedly maintaines A mutability in Gods eternall Decrees of Election and Reprobation depending upon the actions and wills of men Universall Grace and Redemption with other Arminian Errors This Book though publikely complained of was never called in by the Bishop but the second part thereof printed by Licence An. 1629. and the Author of it advanced to the Presidentship of Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford by this Bishop yea by him designed to bee Doctor of the Chaire though he missed that preferment to poyson the Vniversity of OXFORD with his Arminian Drugges An. 1630. Doctor Brookes of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge Writ an Arminian Treatise of Predestination with which he acquainted Bishop Laud who encouraged him in the worke recommending it to the perusall of Doctor Lindsey and Doctor Beale two great Arminians promising to peruse it himselfe as appeares by sundry Letters Whereupon Doctor Brookes returned this answer to him concerning it in Answer of this Bishops Letter to him seized in his Study by Mr. Prynne dated from Cambridge Dece 15. 1630. wherin there is this desperate passage worthy Observation MY LORD c. I Dare say That their doctrine of Predestination is the roote of Paritanisme and Puritanisme the roote of all rebellions and disobedient intractablenesse in Parliament c and of all Schisme and Saucinesse in the Country nay in the Church it selfe this hath made many thousands of our people and to great a part of the Gentlemen of the Land Laytons in their hearts Besides where nothing is done the weeds will over-grow the Corne as they doe For last Parliament they left their word Religion and the cause of Religion and began to use the name of Church and our Articles of the Church of England c. and wounded our Church at the very heart with her owne name And by pretence of putting downe Arminianisme and defence of that Church against which indeed they tooke up Armes so that now they that hold the very opinions of Penry and Wâ—gington of Hacket and Coppinger in their beginning and others of whom some were hangd most imprisoned many deprived and some censured in the Starre-Chamber for seditious persons and Enemies to the Church of England they I say that hold the same opinions cry out now the Church of England and will have the Church of England to be theirs I could justifie this and much more but your Lordship knowes these things to be so better then I c. What grosse aspersions he here casts upon the Parliament and Anti-Arminians is so apparent as needs no explanatory or aggravating Commentary On the 27. of Novem. 1630. Doctor Martin this Bishops houshold Chaplaine a professed Arminian licensed a Booke for the Presse intituled An Historicall Narration of the judgment of some must learned and Godly English Bishops holy Martyrs and others concerning Gods Election and the Merits of Christs death set forth by I. A. of Ailward a late Seminary Priest and printed for Samuell Nealand 1631. The whole scope of this Book was to prove the Martyrs and first Reformers of our Church in K. Ed. the 6. and Q. Maries dayes and the beginning of Q. Elizabeths Raigne to be Arminians and Arminianisme the established Doctrine of our Church The first 66 pages of this Booke
speciall Letter of all his proceedings herein wherein he thanks God for enabling him in some good measure to effect that there which other able men had only sufficiently spoken of but not accomplished elsewhere likewise boasts of his solitary opposition of the Archbishop of Armagh and the whole Convocation at Dublin in the points of Election and Gods Decree when the Articles of Ireland were in a violent manner suppressed and called in by his Graces procurement making the signe of the Crosse in the frontispeece of his Letter as the Popish Priests and Jesuites use to doe in all their Letters one to another Which Letter sound in this Arch-bishops Study at Lambeth and attested by Master Prynne was openly read at the Lords Barre in forme ensuing My LORD IN humblest manner I begge your gratious acceptance of this just as necessary duty whillst I make an unquestionable relation of that which so nearely concernes my selfe To provide the best J could for the more worthy receiving of the holy Communion this last Easter J have I thanke God for it beene able in some measure to do that here which able men have sufficiently spoken of else-where I have Sacramentally heard the Confessions of the people Committed to my Charge in Goran a certaine through-fare towne in the County of Kilkenye in the Chancell they kneeling before the Altar This is every where now counted a most strange Act without all warrant sayes bold ignorance there is no president for it saies the Divill Envie and double blinded malice t is as voyd of Law as full of singularity So unbidden so unled did I once protest against that horrible decree obtruded as it was received from Calvine by the Archbishop of Armagh and the whole body of this Kingdomes Clergy then Assembled in the Convocation at Dubline that I stood then alone that no man then stood by me when I made that Protestation I appeale to the not yet forgotten so eloquent so godly so very leaud railing cursing Censure upon that occasion publikely delivered by one that was then called Chancelllor Sing since Deane of Drummore the Lord Bishop of Derrie and Master of the Rolls were not many houres ignorant of the very words by the then Chancellor and now Deane then and there uttered The luckie opportunity of a trustie Messenger a servant to the Earle of Ormond and Chirurgian to his Troop by name Michaell Oxenbridge with the just conscience of my dutie on this behalfe emboldens me thus humbly to pray for such acceptance in a Cause most acceptable as may yet make the person of the poore receiver more worthy to be accepted Goran Aprill 18. 1638. Your Graces most devoted Iames Croxton To the most Reverend Father in God William by the Divine providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Primate and Metropolitan of all England This Letter was thus endorsed with the Archbishops owne hand Received July 6. 1638. Mr. Croxton his receiving of Confession BY which it is most apparent that the introducing of Auricular Confession was a speciall designe of the Archbishops prosecuted by his Emissaries and Creatures in all places who gave him exact accounts of their proceedings herein the more to endeare themselves in his favour To what end these Doctrines and practises of Auricular Confession and Priests absolution were thus urged Master VVilliam Tyndall in his Practise of Popish Prelates and Obedience of a Christian man with other Protestant VVriters will informe us to wit to enslave the Laity to the Clergie to advance the Priest above the King the Myter above the Scepter the Ecclesiasticall Tribunall above the Secular to fish out all mens secrets to awe and keepe them under bondage and accomplish all their owne designes upon them with more facility as they doe in Popish Kingdomes where such Confessions and Absolutions are in use Having thus done with this Arch-Priests Master-Peece Confession and the power of Priests to remit sinnes confessed wee shall proceed to that which depends upon it and must have necessarily followed on it to the great oppression of the ignorant seduced people that is 2. The use of Popish Penances as wearing of haire-cloth and such like corporall punishments enjoyned by Priests for sinnes Confessed with intention to satisfie God thereby for the sinnes confessed lately pressed as lawfull profitable commendable THe use and lawfulnesse hereof never heard of nor maintained in our Church since Reformation till this Archbishops Domination is thus pressed justified commended in these ensuing authorized bookes Christs Epistls to a Devout soule pag. 252. Enjoyne thy selfe for thy Pennance to say some devout prayer or to doe some greater Pennance as thou and thy spirituall Director shall thinke fit Franeis Sales his Introduction to a Devout Life pag. 131. Recompence this losse at least by multiplying Jaculatory prayers and by reading some books of Devotion with some voluntary Pennance or other for committing this fault Pag. 209. The soveraigne balsome of Confession or pennance Pag. 428. Disciplying the body likewise hath a marvellous efficacy to stir up in us desire of devotion when it is moderately used Haire-Cloath tameth the flesh very much upon the principall dayes of pennance one may well use it with the advise of a discreet Confessor Dr. Pocklingtons Altare Christianum p. 42. writes thus The first Room is called the Church-Porch where penitents used to stand or rather to cast themselves downe and in humble manner to desire the faithfull to pray for them as they went into the Church after Delinquents had perfectly fulfilled their penance they were reconciled to the Sacraments and communicated This distinction of places in the Church is very ancient and observed even from the Apostles times Pag. 44. This man after penance done for this fault was admitted into the Church againe Pag. 52. Cap. 10. Of dayes of pennance and absolution Citizens pennance P. 54. None that had fallen into any notorious crime were admitted againe into the Church before they had done open penance in Sack-cloth and Ashes Cerdon was not received into the Church before he had performed his penance Exomologesin faciens Pag. 55. In what sort penitents performed their penance and made Confession the Act it selfe will discover This Exomologesis giveth law both to our food and rayment sacco cinere incubare and ordereth men to lye in Sack-Cloth and Ashes to humble your selves before the Priest and to fall downe upon the knees before Gods Altars to sue unto all Brethren for their prayers in their behalfe Haec omnia exomologesis penance worketh all this P. 56. Feeling nothing but rough Sack-Cloth galling the sides seeing nothing but head hands face cloaths covered over with ashes have nothing to be seene but a pale face thinne cheekes and a meagre looke and this continued two three sometimes foure yeares together before perfectionem suam reciperent P. 57. Hereupon the Bishops made an addition to the Ecclesiastcall Canon that in every Church a Penitentiary shold be appointed to admit
penitents into the Church after they had done publike penance A solemn day was set a part for taking of publike penance for open faults by imposition of hands and sprinkling of ashes namely Ashwednesday by the Canon of the Councell of Agatha in Gratian This is the godly Discipline whereof our Church speaketh in the Commination of putting notorious sinners to open penance in the beginning of Lent and wisheth that it might bee restored againe And as Ashwednesday was appointed for putting notorious sinners to open penance so was MAUNDAY Thursday set a part for their absolutions P. 59. The godly discipline constantly practised in Churches and at Altars and the sad and malencholly mention of Penance Fasting and Prayer with other Austerities which the pietie of the times have but just cause to thinke of P. 63. This was done 40. dayes before Easter namely on Ashwednesday in Sack-Cloth and Ashes And for 8. dayes together before Easter they were to doe penance to fast to refraine all manner of pleasures though never so lawfull to stand bare foot upon Sack-cloth and to watch on Good-Friday all night or at least till two a Clock in the morning Shelfords five Treatises Pag. 71. Then they confessed their sinnes to God and their Minister for spirituall comfort and Councell then they endeavoured to make the best temporall satisfaction they could by Almes Prayer and Fastings and other workes of humiliation The Scots New Service Booke in the Commination against sinners with certaine prayers to bee used diverse times in the yeare and especially on the first day of Lent commonly called Ashwednesday To which there is this addition in justification of Popish penance made with the Arch-Bishops owne hand Brethren in the Primitive Church there was a godly discipline used that at the beginning of Lent notorious sinners were put to open Pennance and did humbly submit themselves to undergoe punishment in this world that their soules might be saved in the day of the Lord. All which is thus closed up by Bishop Mountague who after a long discourse in Justification of Confession and Penance concludes thus out of Pope Leo. Originum Ecclesiasticarum Tomi Prioris pars posterior Londini 1640. Pag. 467. Sect. 33. Christus enim ut cum B. Leone loquar Ecclesia Prapositis potestatem dedit ut Confitentibus actionem paenitentiae darent cosdem SALUBRI SATISFACTIONE PVRGARENT sic ad communionem Sacramentorum per januam reconciliationis admitterent 3. That we ought necessarily to give blinde Obedience to the Ecclesiasticall commands and directions of our Priests Confessors and spirituall Superiors THis desperate Popish Assertion was published and justified in these Authorized printed passages worthy our speciall observation Christs Epistle to a Devout Soule pag. 112. 113. 114. 116. Respect not the man who by my Ordinance is thy superior whether he be learned or unlearned but have regard to this only that he is thy superior by whom I will govern thee and in whom thou oughtest to obey me Wherefore I would have thee subject thy selfe unto him without any servile feare or scruple of thy Conscience and dispraising thine owne wisdome and Councell submit thy selfe to be governd by his judgment and opinion whatsoever he shall determine or appoint thee Walke in the path of Obedience and doe nothing at all without the Counsell of thy Pastor or Ghostly Father or Superiour esteeming that alwayes best which thy Superior shall thinke fittest doe all things according to the councell of thy Superior and submit thy selfe wholly to his will and discretion And Page 192. my inspirations never disagree from the Obedience that thou must carry to thy superiors therefore if thou submittest thy selfe to them and reliest in no respect upon thy owne selfe thou art sure to walke in simplicity and purity of heart Francis Sales his Introduction to a Devout Life pag. 334. 335. Obedience Charitie and Povertie are three excellent justruments unto perfection There are two sorts of Obedience the one necessary the other voluntary by necessary obedience thou must obey thy Ecclesiasticall Superiors as the supreame head c. Which is thus seconded by Christopher Dow in his Booke against Master Burton pag. 136. 137. Secondly I say that being done by the same Authority that first set them forth it is neither for him nor me nor any other of inferiour rancke to question them but with humble Reverence to submit to their judgments and to think them wiser and farre more fit to order those things that belong to their places than wee whom neither it concernes nor indeed can know the reasons that move them either to doe or alter any thing c. With whom Doctor Heylyn in his Coale from the Altar p. 2. Thus complyes in judgment Should we all be so affected as to demurre on the commands of our Superior in matters of exteriour Order and Publike Government till wee are satisfied in the grounds and reasons of their commandements or should we fly off from our duty at sight of every new devise that is offered to us we should finde a speedy dissolution in Church and State Which Doctor Pocklington thus closeth in his Altare Christianum pag. 180. What flood-gates this man sets wide open to let in a whole deluge of confusions impiety and Sacriledge into the Church if the Contents of his Letter in this particular might obtaine viz. That the Constitutions Orders Decrees appointed by Cannon or renewed by TRADITION of holy Church be not of absolute authority and require full obedience but are to be scanned and disputed 4. That Christians here must have Altars that these ought to be rayled in Altarwise at the East end of the Chancell and there bowed to and towards as to Gods mercy seate and the place of Christs chiefe reall presence upon earth and that there can be no true Sacrament or Consecration of it where there is no Altar THis is the Subject matter of many whole Bookes lately published authorized by the Archbishops Creatures and Chaplaines as Doctor Heylyns Coale from the Altar his Antidotum Lincolniense His Moderate answer to Master Henry Burton pag. 132. to 140. yea a thing expresly enjoyned by the Archbishop and others in the new Statutes for the Vniversity of Oxford in the new Statutes of diverse Cathedrals the new Cannons and by diverse Bishops in their Visitation Articles already mentioned We shall therefore insist only on some other authorized Bookes and passages to this purpose Wee shall begin with Doctor Iohn Pocklington his Sunday no Sabbath printed by the Arch-bishops approbation and his Chaplaines license p. 43. 44. 50. Habemus Altare we under the Gospell have an Altar Heb. 15. 10. and so is the Word Altar and Lords Table indifferently and alike anciently used these were some Tables or Altars of stone quia Christus est lapis angularis some were of Wood the better to expresse his death on the Tree these wooden Altars or Tables the furious Circumceflions brake downe in Saint
Augustines time And if we doe not only bend or bow our bodie to this blessed Board or holy Altar but fall flat on our faces before his Footstoole so soone as ever we approach in sight thereof what Patriarch or Apostle would condemne us for it Which he thus further prosecutes in his Altare Christianum pag. 108. Humble and lowly Reverence towards the holy and most Sacred Altar where Christ is most truly and really present in the blessed Sacrament pag. 142. Was not the Altar set in Sacrario or Sancto Sanctorum whereunto the Priest ascended by certaine steps and degrees and when they did so ascend were there not Psalmes of degrees sang called for that cause Gradualls durst the Priests themselves ascend thither without doing lowly Reverence three severall times Veneration towards the Altar was then required and practised pag. 145. Priests in our Church at the Ordination kneell upon their knees before the holy Altar then is given imposition of hands before the holy Altar then the Bishop takes the holy Gospells from the holy Altar c. no Bishop was authorized before his Altar was consecrated pag. 153. To warrant and justifie the bringing them in and due honouring of them because they are the seats and Chairs of estate where the Lord vouchsafeth to place himselfe amongst us Quid est enim Altare nisi sedes corporis sanguinis Christi p. 159. To come home to our Countrie when the Author sees the Kings most Sacred Majestie and the honourable Lords of the most Noble order of the Garter performe most low and humble Reverence to Almighty God before the most holy Altar the Throne in earth of that great Lord from whom their honour proceedeth pag. 160. Deo atque Altari reverentiam exhibuisse visi sunt Domino Deo ejus Altari proni facti debitum impenderent honorem Summum Altare in honorem Dei debita genu-flexione reverentiaque consalutabit p. 175. Honour and Reverence of right belongs unto it in regard of the presence of our Saviour whose Chaire of State it is upon earth Nay he proceedes yet further p. 75. The Eucharist cannot be receaved among Heretiques for the Elements must be consecrated before they become partakers of that Eucharist this Heretikes could not then doe quia nec Altare nec Ecclesiam because they had neither Altar nor Church for of necessitie sayes St. Cyprian Eucharistia in Altari sanctificatur the Eucharist is consecrated upon the Altar If then this were true which this unadvised man would make the Vicar believe that there were no Altars nor Churches within 20. yeares after Christ it must needs follow that the holy Eucharist was not received by any of the holy Martyrs and blessed Saints of God in all the primitive Church or else that they did receive some kinde of Sacrament that was not consecrated for Eucharistia in Altari sanctificatur is a ground in which he sets his rest as the Fathers before him and his successors ever did P. 174. Saint Cyprian tells you that the use of Altars is to sanctifie the Eucharist upon and that without an Altar it cannot be consecrated and that therefore Heretiques have no Sacraments among them because they have no Altars Edmond Reeve in his Christian Divinity contained in the Divine Service of the Church of England seconds him in these words p. 132 to 137. Unto the due honouring of Gods holy name the place where Gods name is put is to be honoured also now also ought every one being come into Gods House to prostrate himselfe i. e. to make low obeysance towards Gods mercy-seat being in the uppermost part of the Temple pag. 133. A great Divine in our Church Mr. Dr. Laurence in his most weighty Sermons thus writeth Wee are no more Idolatrous by our prostration towards the Table of the Lord than the Iewes were by theirs towards the Tabernacle of the Lord or the mercy-seat pag. 134 Gods Board is to be accounted the peculiar seat of God within the Temple and therefore towards it unto God there we are to make low obeysance whensoever we come into Gods House for to pray Gods board is ever to have due reverence and God who is there perpetually is alwayes to be prostrated unto Should not Christianity teach us that no seat of any Person much lesse of any of the Layty should be above Gods mercy-seat the sacred Communion Table The sacred Communion Table is called an Altar and it is also called Gods mercy-seat Gods Board is ever to have due Reverence and God who is there perpetually is alwayes to be prostrated unto yea when as the Body and Blood of Christ in the blessed Sacrament is not upon the same Robert Shelford Priest in his Five learned and pious discourses printed at Cambridge 1635. determines thus p. 4. To this day all our Churches are called sanctuaties as in many other Regards so especially in regard of the Lords Table or high Altar at the upper end of them which is Iesus Christs mercy seat because there the memory of the everlasting sacrifice is made and presented to the holy Trinity pag. 15. Seest thou not the Son of Gods seat here the holy Altar at the upper end of this House Pag. 17. The 5. sort of Reverence beseeming Gods House is at the entring in before we take our seates to bend the Knee and to bow our Body to him towards the more usuall and speciall place of his residence or resemblance which is the high Altar or the Lords Table usually standing at the East end of Gods House Idque propter Christum qui est Lux Mundi Oriens nominatur Zach. 6. 12. ab oriente etiam expectatur venturus pag. 19. 20. The first reverence that you make because the house is Gods and not mans direct your aspect to Gods Table which Saint Paul calls the Lords Altar saying We have An altar whereof they have no right to eate which serve the Tabernacle this is the great signe of Gods residence in this holy place as the Arck was the signe of hs presence in his Tabernacle here the great sacrifice of Christs death for our salvation is in Remembrance represented to God the Father and can we remember so great a benefit and not reverence the Father Son and Holy Ghost for it I do not exhort you to give Divine worship to Gods Table but to worship God towards it for Gods Altar is not terminativum cultus but motivum only as Daniel being in Captivity turned his face towards Jerusalem when he prayed but prayed not to it thus if we come before God in his house with due reverence then will he hould out his Golden Scepter of grace to us as the great King Ahasuerus held out his to Queene Ester but if we slight God in his owne place and hee hould out his Iron Scepter to us then let us be wise and learned Let us learne of our Mother Churches for there our Reverend Fathers the Prelates and others make
the lower world The alone faire the alone lovely P. 32. Glorious Empresse Pag. 21. White spotlesse Soule illuminated with Revelations by the divine Object of her chast vowes Pag. 150. Womans dearest Mistresse Pag. 197. Our sweetest Lady P. 158. In all things the very figure and resemblance of Sanctity it selfe P. 148. 149. he thus approves of Nunneries and prayers on Beads to the Virgin before her Image with Christ in her Armes You who have lived spirituall Amourists whose spirits have triumphed over the flesh on whose cheekes solitude prayers fasts and austerity have left an amiable pale you who ply your sacred Arithmeticke and have thoughts cold and cleare as the Christall Beads you pray by you who have voud Virginitie mentall and corporall you shall not only have ingresse here but welcome Approach with comfort and kneele downe before the Grand Immaculate Abbesse of your Snowy Nunneries and present the all-saving Babe in her Armes with due veneration Never thinke more of the Faecunditie of Wedlocke since you see here that God himselfe is the fruit of Virginity P. 153 154. He thus commends the burning of Tapers and saying Masses on Candlemasse day in honour of the Virgin Mary This day is called Candlemasse as much to say the day of lights on which while Masse was singing very many Tapers were burning in the Church Innocentius thus propounds and solves the Question What is the reason that on this day we use so many lights in the Church The cause of this institution is twofold The first is that a heathenish custom may bee converted into a Christian Right or Ordinance and that which was performed by superstitious Idolaters in honour of Ceres and Proserpina may be turned into the praise and glory of the Virgin Mary The second is that they who by Grace are purified by this Ceremony may be admonished to imitate those prudent Virgins who as the Evangelicall parable testifieth came not without their Tapers lighted to the Nuptialls of Christ their Spouse Pag. 209. There is the Picture of her fabulous assumption into heaven cut in Brasse after the popish forme with men and women devoutly kneeling and praying to her and these verses written under the same What Honour could to this GREAT QVEENE be done More then be taken up to Heaven high And there have God for Father Spouse and Sonne The Angels wayte the world stand wondring by After which hee spends many pages to prove the Verity or probability at least of her Assumption into Heaven Soule and Body which saith he by many of the Fathers all of the Romish Church and some of the Reformd is held for an undoubted truth when as indeed it is a meere Popish ridiculous false Legend And to prove this hee makes her to be borne without sinne Pag. 212. Dammianus argues That as conceiving without sinne shee brought forth her sonne without paine a curse laid on all other women so might it well be that she who was without sin might overcome death the reward of it P. 119. 120. hee writes That the Virgin is not to bee considered as a meere Woman but as a Type or Idaea of an accomplisht piety Adding They erre not so much in my judgment in the adoring extreame as some too severe maintaines of the former doe in the neglecting They are so farre from praising her themselves that they most unjustly deprive her of the praise given her by others They reject all testimonies of her worth as Haile Mary full of Grace c. They abhor to heare her called Domina c. Concluding this point in these termes pag. 223. Of one thing I will assure them till they are GOOD MARIANS they shall never be good Christians while they derogate from the dignity of the Mother they cannot truely honour the Son pag. 228. 229. Erasmus stiles her His SAVIORESSE which he cites with approbation p. 230. to 237. He proceeds thus in her prayses All parts of the world have produced admirers of her worth Syria hath brought forth Ephâ—aim Antiochia Saint Chrysostome Capadocia Saint Basill and Saint Nazianzen Constantinople Germanus and Proclus Dalmatia Saint Hierome Germany Rupertus Albertus and Agrippa England Beda France Bernard Spaine Alphonsus Italy Aquinas and Bonaventure Africke Saint Cyprian and Saint Austine Greece Dionisius Areopagita c. To these succeede famous Christian Poets ancient and moderne who have written Pannegrricks upon her as Beda Gregorius Nazianzenus Innocentius Pontifex Actius Sanazarius Adam de Sancto Victore Alcimus Aâ—tus Antonius Muretus Aurelius Prudentius Baptista Mantuanus Clandiarus Franciscus Petrarcha Godfridus Viterbiensis Hieronymus Vide Paulinus D. Philippus Menzelins Rudolphus Agricola Sedulius Venantius Fortunatus To these I add many Emperours Princes and Princesses and a world of devoute great ones who have beene her prosessed admirers as Constantine the Great Charles the Great Pulcheria Augusta Henry the second Emperor Alphonsus the Chast in SPAINE Edwardus in Hungaria Bolislaus in Polonia Venceslaus in Bohemia All which are Canonized for Saints and have erected and dedicated Temples to her memory Neither have the Princes of this our Ile bin defective in doing her all possible honour and in consecrating Chappell 's and Tempells to her memorie Fredericke the third Emperour made the contemplation of her almost his onely foode Stephanus King of Hungarie called his Kingdome the Marian Family In this glorious Family whole Kingdoms and Common-Wealths have enrolled themselves My Arithmeticke wil not serve me to number all those who have registred their names in the Sodalitie of the Rosary of this our Blessed Lady the Originall of which is derived from the battaile of Naupactun gained by Iohn of Austria and the Christians which Victory was attributed to her intercession with her sonne The Colonian Sodallity first Instituted had out of Lovaine 4000. of Brabant 30000. out of Gueldria 4000. out of Holland and Zeland 7000. c. Many holy Orders also are of this Sodallity as the Benedictines the Franciscans and Carthusians and many others If all these Testimonies and examples of great worthy people will not move us to honour her we shal be judged both unworthy of this life and ignorant of that better to come For shame let not us alone deny her that honour and praise with all the world allowes her Pag. 247. Hee Invocates her saying O pardon Gracious Princesse my weake indeavours to sum up thy value c. And Pag. 248. Thou deservest a quire of Queenes here and another of Angells in Heaven to sing thy praise c. And I confesse my sweetest Lady Page 249. To give thee an estimation answerable to thy merit is a thing impossible I must therfore be content to do by thee as the Ancient Heathen did by the Images of the gods when by reason of their height they could not place the Crowns on their heads they humbly laid them at their feet In his Epistle to his Feminine Reader speaking of the Virgin Mary This is she who was on earth a
Dedicated to the Archbishop and Licensed by Heywood his Chaplain August 26. 1634. cap. 16. p. 45. 46. determines thus Quaenam sit Romana Ecclesia Cum constet Romanam Ecclesiam in primariis temporibuss velut inter ignes Luna Minores caeteris Ecclesiis praeluxisse caeterisque Maechantibus castam pudicam veritatis conservatricem extitisse nec in pessimis usque eo degenerasse censemus ut in primariis fundamentalibus Religionis capitibus aberrasse videatur quidniquamvis in caeteris forsan vitiatam temeratam Ecclesiae tamen nomine honestandam censeam c. This passage Doctor Bastwick taking exception against at his censure in the High-Commission read it openly in Court where the Arch-bishop publikely justified it in his speech affirming That the Church of Rome was a true Church and that it never erred in fundamentalls in which we differ not but onely circa fundamentalia This distinction of his was afterwards thus justified in Print by Christopher Dome in his Innovations unjustly charged pag. 48. Nor is it an absurd distinction as he unreverendly and absurdly termed it that a great Prelate used in the High-Commission at the censure of Doctor Bastwick when he said That we and the Church of Rome differ not in fundamentalibus but circa fundamentalia pag. 49. The distinction is not absurd but it may most truely and fitly be said that we may and do differ about and not in fundamentals which Doctor Heylin likewise seconds in his Moderate Answer to Henry Burton p. 6. 124. 125. No difference between the Church of Rome and England in fundamentalls Suppose a great Prelate in the High-Commission 〈…〉 had said openly that we and the Church of Rome differ not in â—â—â—â—amentalibus yet how comes this to be an Innovation c. The Church of Rome hath done more against the Heretickes of this age than you or any of your Divines be he whom he will But for the Church of Rome it is a true Church and that we differ not from them in fundamentalls see the Reconciler Doctor Potter in his booke which he submitted to the Arch-bishops censure concludes thus pag. 62. 77. The most necessary and fundamentall truths which constitute a Church are on both sides unquestioned We hope well of those holy souls who in former ages lived and dyed in the Church of Rome c. Nay our charity reacheth further to all those this day who in simplicity of heart beleeve the Roman Religion and professe it Doctor Pocklingtons Altare Christianum pag. 114. Termes Rome by the name of Holy Church and applauds her canonized Popish Saints stiling them The Holy Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Christ whose names are written in heaven And our Protestant Martyrs Traytors Murderers Rebels and Hereticks The Archbishop himselfe was a professed maintainer of the truth and visibility of the faith and Church of Rome not only in his Speech in the high Commission at Doctor Bastwicks censure there and in his Speech in Star-chamber pag. 36. but likewise in his late Reply to Fisher Epist Ded. p. 16. And were not this so we should never be troubled with that idle and impertinent question of theirs Where was your Church before Luther For it was just there where theirs is now One and the same Church still no doubt of that one in substance but not one in condition of State and purity Their part of the same Church remaining in corruption and our part of the same Church under Reformation In the Reply it selfe pag. 370. 371. Rome but with all particular Churches and no more than other Patriarchall Churches was and is radix existentiae the roote of the Churches existence The Church of Rome and every other particular Church c. Indeed Apostolike she is as being the See of one and he a prime Apostle but not the onely Apostolike Visible I may not deny God hath hitherto preserved her And p. 376. Secondly if the Religion of the Protestants be in conscience a known false Religion then the Romanists Religion is so too for their Religion is the same Nor do the Church of Rome and the Protestants set up a different Religion for the Christian Religion is the same to both but they differ in the same Religion and their difference is in certain grosse corruptions I shall close up this with a publike Recantation drawn up and prescribed by Godfry Goodman Bishop of Glocester to one Mr. Ridler Minister of Little Deane about 7. miles from that City who having many Papists in his Parish and preaching in a Sermon there That Papists as Papists were damned and that the true Protestant Religion was the onely true and safe way to Salvation he was upon the complaint of some Papists convicted before this Bishop and by him enjoyned to make this following Recantation prescribed to him in writing in the Cathedrall Church at Glocester on Jan. 2. 1636. and for refusing to make it he was afterwards on the 5. of March next following suspended from his living IHS IN the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost Amen Whereas I did deliver in a Sermon lately preacht in this Diocesse That if we are saved the Papists are damned I am right heartily sorry that I should deliver any such doctrine wherein I must acknowledge mine owne errour and my great fault and offence First against his Majesties Instructions thus rashly and unadvisedly to affirme That Papists are damned Secondly it is an offence against the laws of the Kingdome For in the eye of the Law we are still one with the same Catholike Church for were we of a distinct or severall Church Then our Church could claim no right or Title to those Priviledges Charters Foundations and Revenues which it enjoyes at this day for these were granted to Papists and for many hundred yeares possessed by them and since there hath beene no new Law for transferring them upon a different or contrary Church But this is made much more manifest by the expresse words of the Statute as it appeares by the Act of Parliament which was made upon the first breach with the Papists the words are these That they do not thereby intend to seperate themselves from Gods Catholike Church but onely for some politicall respects to preserve the Kingdome from Ruine This was made the 25. of Hen. 8. and it is in force at this day so that to make such a difference between these two Churches as is between damnation and salvation certainly is against the Common Lawes and the Statute Law of this Kingdome besides many acts of State which being above my element I will not presume to touch upon Thirdly against the Church of England It is imposible there should be any greater offence in regard of the affinity that is between both Churches for we have the same Holy Orders the same Church Service the same Ceremonies the same Fasts the same Festivals and we have generally the same Canon Lawes and therefore
through sides of the Church of Rome they do but give deadly and mortall Wounds to the Church of England who affirme that Papists are damned Fourthly it is an offence to Christian Religion for we are to preach the Meanes how men may attaine Salvation and to pteach Christ as a Saviour we must not rashly intrude upon his Judiciall power on every slight occasion to point out those that are damned as if we would shorten the mercyes of God and Monopolize them wholy to our selves there is no militant Church without blemishes and imperfections but as long as the foundation is sound that we bebeive in Christ crucified and that we believe the three Creeds so long there is hope of Salvation Severall churches though differing in many things yet may be contained in the bounds of the Catholique church Thus the Greeke church and the Latine Church may be saved both though they have difference betweene themselves and thus the Christians that lived in those parts of the world which have beene lately discovered and therefore did never partake with the rest of the Catholike church yet no doubt but those may be saved Fiftly there is nothing so proper to Christians as love and charity and a man may be damned as well for want of charity as for want of faith and there cannot bee possible a greater want of charity then to exclude men from Salvation and therefore they who are apt in their owne ungodly malice to damne others certainely themselves are damned Let it suffice that if any man shall aske God forgivenesse of his sins as no doubt every man doth for it is one part of the Lords prayer and these sins doe imply not onely the Transgressions of our lives but likewise the erour of our faith so that asking God forgivenesse no doubt but God is mercifull And here I must likewise expresse my great sorrow and griefe that I have so much offended agaist the memory of our forefathers and Progenitors such as built our Churches and were the meanes under God not onely to give us life but also to make us Christians when I consider their Piety and their Mortification shall I thinke these tended to nothing but onely to damne them No God forbid and therefore in all humility and obedience I doe here acknowledge my great fault and do aske forgivenesse of God of the Church and of our Reverend Diocesan and I desire you all to testifie this my Sorrow and unfained repentance By all these Authorized Popish positions you may easily guesse at this Arch-Prelates Popish intentions to reduce us backe to Rome We shall close up this catalogue of Authorized printed Popish Doctrines and Positions with two remarkable particulars more sufficient to amaze all Protestant Readers for their strangenesse The first is the extraordinary commendation of the most impious Councell of Trent the Popes Masterpiece the principall establishment support of the whole body of Popery and strongest Pillar to support both the Faith Pope and Church of Rome For this we shall produce one memorable clause which you may read in the exact collection of all the Roman Emperours lives from Julius Caesar to the now reigning Ferdinando the second Printed at London for George Hutton and licensed by Doctor weekes Chaplaine both to the Archbishop and Bishop of London Ann. 1636. p. 374. Ferdinando the Brother of Charles and Sonne of Philip King of Castile was a man well learned especially in the Latine tongue and also in Armes most expert and active wherefore it was doubted whether he were of more agility in Chevalry or more eloquent and fluent in the Latia Italian Spanish High-Dutch Hungarian and Bohemian Languages In the time of his Emperiall Government the Councell of Trent was held which was so commodious and profitable to the generall good of the world that it may serve for a certaine Rule both of Government of States and a forme of good life In which proceedings this Emperour shewed himselfe very forward and a great assistant What greater Encomions could be given of this damnable Popish Councell by publike Authority without censure revocation or any Index expurgatorius let all Protestants judge The second is The printing of the Popish Index Biblicus here in London by Authority An 1640. made by Priests and Iesuits for their Vulgar Latin Bible and binding it up with the Latin Bibles of Iunius Tremelius and Baezers Translation to seduce the Readers and corrupt the Text. You have heard before how the Archbishop commanded the whole History of our Saviours Nativity Life Passion Resurrection Assention to be publikly printed and inserted both into English and Latin Bibles after the Popish garbe taking his paterne from the Masse-booke to pollute pervert the text and infect the Readers by degrees with Popery even by these very Bibles which otherwise would most alienate them from it But not contented herewith he and his agents the better sooner to seduce the people to Popery even by the very Bible it selfe caused some two or three thousand Popish Indexes made for the Popish Vulgar Translation of the Bible by Priests and Jesuits and bound up with it to be printed here in London by authority Anno. 1640. and bound up with our small Latin Bibles of Junius and Bezaes translation to which it was never formerly annexed as a fit Index for them In which Index Biblicus the grossest points of Popery are positively asserted as directly conteined in and justified by the Scripture texts to which it doth referre The publike printing sale of these Indexes here in London with our Protestant Latin Bibles without controle was attested by Michael Sparke Senior Master Walley and others and these popish passages read out of them at the Lords Barr by Mr. Prynne Adoratio Angelis hominibus tributa Gen. 18. 2. c. Aqua benedicta Baptismus tollit omnia peccata Gen. 17. 14. c. Benedictio qua Creaturae consecrantur sanctificantur Exod. 28. 2. c. Hinc consecratio Sacerdotum Vestium Altarium Templorum Cereorum Aquae lustralis c. Castitas caelibum praefortior Castitati conjugali P. 45. 15. c. Castitas haec consulitur vt perfectio Evangelica 1. Cor. 7. 25. Certinon sumus de accepta peccatorum remissione vel vita aeterna consequenda Eccle. 9. 3 4. c. Charitas virtus fide praestantior Proverb 10. 12. c. Confirmationis Sacramentum Acts 8. 17. Heb. 6. 2. Doctrina Apostolica scripta et non Scripta firmiter tenenda Rom. 16. 17. c. Ecclesia est una visibilis Gen. 6. 14. Eucharistia sub altera tantum nimirum panis specie Iohan 6. 58. data a Christo Luk. 24. 30. 31. ab Apostolis Acts 2. 42. Eucharistia non remanet substantia panis post consecrationem sed est verum Christi corpus sanguis Mat. 26. 26. Eucharistiam in publicis supplicationibus circumferendam esse praefiguratur Jehos 6. 9. 15. 1. Schem 4. 5. 2. Schem 6. 4. 5. 6.
ever your Graces in all humility CHR. POTTER Octob. 6. 1634. Queens Coll. To which the Arch-bishop returned this answer as was manifested by the Letter it selfe thus indorsed with his owne hand found in his Study and attested by Master Prynne Octob. 18. 1633. Doctor Potter A second Impression of his booke and my Answer to it BUt to the last clause of your Letter about the re-printing of your booke I have done that which you so have desired as you will see by this inclosed paper they are but a few scattered phrases and I put them to your consideration as much for conveniency and charitable expression as for truth Doo what you will with them so you mistake not me in that which your selfe have caused me to doe but in that place page 26. where you say it may viz. Mat. 11. 17. be understood of any Assembly as well civill as Ecclesiasticall doe you not thereby give as much power to the Parliament as to the Church in Church affaires I read in haste and it may be a mistake but you shall doe very well to consider it so in haste I leave you to the grace of God c. WIL. CANT The principall purgations mentioned in the inclosed paper appeare to be these written with the Arch-bishops owne hand which was produced Page 4. beleeve in the Pope the Idol of Rome page 15. onely in the Catholique Church page 26. that in Saint Matthew c. 18. v. 17. tell the Church which may be understood of any Assembly as well civill as Ecclesiasticall page 97. never any Church so farre as Rome page 2. page 8. the Scripture by its owne light c. all which were left out in the second Edition as that notable passage in Theodoret concerning Lay-mens reading the Scriptures in the first Edition of this Doctors Sermon at the consecration of the Bishop of Carlile London 1629. was quite expunged out of the second Impression belike by this Prelate direction as well as these forementioned The fifth purgations and alterations of highest consequence for the introducing of sundry Popish doctrines ceremonies Transubstantiation and the Masse it selfe were by this Arch-prelat made in that Common-prayer-booke which he endeavoured to inforce upon the Church of Scotland all written with his owne hand already mentioned at large in A necessary Introduction to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury his Tryall page 156. to 164. to which the Reader may resort for satisfaction herein which are so palpably popish and destructive to our Religion that this Prelate had no other plea or fence against them when they began to be pressed upon him but onely the Act of Pacification and Oblivion which he peremptorily insisted on though the Committee of the Commons House who managed the Evidence alleadged that they were cleerly without this Act that they insisted on them only as Evidences to prove his endeavours to introduce Popery and his good affection thereunto in maitainance of the seventh and tenth originall Articles of his impeachment not to prove him an Incendiary between both Kingdomes in justification of the twelfth originall Article to which he onely pleaded the Act of Oblivion We shall next proceed to other purgations made by his Chaplaines and Creatures no doubt by his speciall direction Beginning first with a booke written by Sir Anthony Hungerford who being a Papist in his younger dayes and afterwards upon better consideration converted to our Religion did thereupon write a Treatise to his Mother then a Roman Catholike to disswade her from that Religion intituled The Advice of a Sonne professing the Religion established in the present Church of England to his deare Mother a Roman Catholike containing an acknowledgement of God his great mercy in bringing him to the profession of the true religion established in the Church of England and advising exhorting his children to persevere therein Sir Edward Hungerford his Sonne a Member of the House of Commons deposed upon Oath that about the yeere 1635. he carried this Book writ by his Father Sir Anthony to the Arch-bishops Chaplaine Doctor Bray to license for the Presse for the satisfaction and conversion of other seduced Romanists who perusing the same took exceptions at some harsh passages as he termed them against Popes and Popery in the 8. 14. 15. 17. and 62. pages thereof which he told him must be quite expurged or else the Treatise must not passe the Presse The passages were these p. 8 Yet even those truths they recommended unto us upon as perilous and false a ground as if a man should therefore beleeve Christ Jesus to be the sonne of the living God because the devil did confesse it page 14. 15. They will acknowledge that the Pope may be as wicked a man in life as any other in the world and by experience it hath been found that sundry of them have scarce had matches in this kind as for instance of one Pope Alexander the sixth whom Guicciardine though himselfe a Papist doth thus decipher His manner and customes were dishonest little sincerity in his Administrations no shame in his face small truth in his words little faith in his heart and lesse religion in his opinions all his actions were defaced with unsatiable covetousnesse immoderate ambition barbarous cruelty he was not ashamed contrary to the custome of former Popes who to cast some colour over their infamy were went to call them their Nephewes to call his sonnes his children and for such to expresse them to the world The bruit went that in the love of his daughter Lucretia were concurrent not onely his two sonnes the Duke of Candy and the Cardinall of Valence but himselfe also that was her Father who as soone as he was chosen Pope tooke her from her husband and married her to the Lord of Pesare but not able to suffer her husband to be his corrivall he dissolved that marriage also and tooke her to himselfe by vertue of Saint Peters Keyes and it was amongst other graces his naturall custome to use poysonings not onely to be avenged of his enemies but also to dispoyle the wealthy Cardinals of their riches and this he spared not to doe against his dearest friend till at the last having a purpose at a Banquet to poyson divers Cardinals and for that end appointed his Cup-bearer to give attendance with Wine made ready for the nonce who mistaking the bottle gave the poysoned cup to him was thus himselffe dispatched by the just judgement of God that purposed to murther his friends that he might be their Heir Thus farre the Historian page 17. I dare presume it shall be made evidently to appeare unto you in the presence of any that would oppose it that their principle concerning the Popes infallibility being the maine supporter of all Religion at this day in the Church of Rome is not so ancient by so many ages in the world as is the Alcoran of that accursed Mahomet if the foundation be proved new what rule can they propose to
printed copy page 196. Finally the Doctor in his Manuscript page 106. had this serious Exhortation We have begun in pure and sound religion Let us not end in Popery in Atheisme in Brownisme in Anabaptisme The Licenser to demonstrate where he and his Arch-grace would have us end and settle at last blots out the word popery and puts in prophanenesse in its stead and so it is is printed page 140. Let us not end in prophanesse instead of Let us not end in Popery in which they then intended we should all shortly end though God by his omnipotent power and admirable providence hath wholy frustrated this their intended end We shall now proceed to another head of expunctions to wit 2 Passages expunged out of bookes tendred to license against the Papacy Rome the Popes Supremacy Pride Tyranny Cruelty Treasons murthering and deposing Princes Popes vicious lives practises and being Antichrist that man of sinne c. Doctor Jones in his Comentary on the Hebrewes had inserted these severall passages against the Pope in his written copy which the Licenser expunged as insufferable and thereupon they are quite omitted in the printed book page 179. 251. 309. 377. 396. 406. Page 206. in the written copy Our Saviour Christ was as wise a man as the Pope furnished with guifts for both affices as well as he yet he would not meddle with civill matters Luke 12. 14. of the extraordinary example of Melchesedeck no ordinary rule can be made Page 266. All papists kisse the Pope's feet yea Kings Princes and Emperours saith the copy yea in so doing they make an Idol of him as the idolaters kissed Baal Page 284. Antichrist hath been discovered every man may see what he is unlesse the God of the world blind their eyes naught is wanting unlesse it be the open conversion of the Jewes Page 301. Nay the Pope himselfe he must be carried on mens shoulders Page 308. The holy Ghost thinks it sufficient to call Christ the great Priest that will not content the Pope he must be Sacerdos maximus Christ hath the positive he must have the superlative a proud prelat that Antichrist that exalteth himselfe above God Page 130. As for the calling of Luther Calvin and Beza and of the Ministers of the Gospel it is warrantable by the Word we can shew our Letters of Orders from Jesus Christ the great Bishop of our soules Are we not true Ministers because we are not created by the Pope and his Bishops The Apostles were not made by the Pharisees or any priestes of that time yet good Ministers and so may we though not made by the Bishop of Rome it is succession 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Nazianzen speakes that is a good lawfull succession Good God! that such passages as these should ever be expunged by such who professe themselves protestant prelats or Ministers certainly they had a Pope in their hearts whatever good words we find in their mouths Master Ward in his Comentary upon Matthew had an Index expurgatorius passed on these ensuing clauses against the Pope his pardons power and usurped authority fol. 224. The Pope is called the Adversary or he who opposeth himselfe against Christ 2 Thes 2 11. and is justly so called because he and his admirers doe maintaine assertions directly contrary to the word of Christ one example whereof we have in this verse Whosoever shall put away his Wife Fol. 314. Quest 7. We have no need of a second purging How derogatory then are the Papists to the sufferings of Christ who ascribe more to the Popes pardons then to Christ's pangs Antichrist by his indulgencies can both deliver and preserve from purgatory and send the soule streight into Heaven but they will dye in the quarrell before they will grant such or so much power and efficacy to be in the death blood-shed and merits of Christ fol. 160. Quest 2. who are like unto the Pharisees c. Answ The Church of Rome whose commandements are more observed then the commandements of God as appeare by this it is there taught c. II. That to eat flesh upon a good Friday is a greater sinne then to commit murther or adultery and yet that is the Friday on which Christ did ordinarily eat the paschall Lambe III. To blaspheme the name of God in this world is a small offence but to speak ill of the Pope especially in Italy and Spaine is an unpardonable and damnable offence IV. The Jewes have a Religion whereby they affirme Christ to be a cozener but to say that there is no other purgatory but the blood of Jesus Christ is a crime deserving the inquisition V. Every Bishop of France may give absolution for faults committed against the law of God but they cannot absolve men of sin◠committed against the Pope and his Sea Secondly in the Roman church they teach things contrary to the Word of God for first God saith c. II. God saith in his Law six dayes shalt thou labour but the Pope saith thou shalt not labour six dayes but shalt observe the Feasts commanded by the Pope to be observed IV. God's commands by his Apostle 1 Cor. 10. That when we are invited to the house of Infidels we should eat of that which is set before us making no scruple On the contrary the Church of Rome commands when we are invited to the house of Hereticks not to eat of all that which is set before us in Lent or on Good-Friday and fasting dayes Fol. 163. Answ 2. Let us avoyd all Popish errors Answ 3. Thirdly they are to blame also who bind themselves by a Vow not to eat flesh upon some certaine dayes and upon such dayes have no other care then to abstaine from flesh onely Ibid. On Mat. 15. 9. these passages are oblitered In vaine doe they worship me These words being urged by us against the Popes power in making lawes which binds the conscience Bellarmine answers three things thereunto namely First by the Commandements of men are understood Commandements which are contrary to the law of God but the Popes precepts are not so To this we answer I. All the commandements of men in whose observation the worship of God is placed is expresly and directly condemned for God is to be worshipped as himselfe prescribes II. All such commandements are contrary to the law of God which saith Thou shalt not adde to the word which I command thee namely in substantiall things or which are imposed as essentiall parts of God's worship III. There is no mysticall ceremony introduced or brought into the Church by the Popes or Popish Clergy which was lesse contrary to the laws of God then was that tradition of washing hands before meat which was ordained by the Elders of the Jewes Secondly the Jesuit answers that our Saviour blames here onely unprofitable and frivolous ceremonies onely invented by a humane braine or spirit but the precepts of the Pope are no such To this we
false that every light is alwayes visible and therefore although we should grant the Church to be the light of the world which it is yet it would not follow from thence that it is alwayes visible for these two causes viz. first because the Sunne and Moon were ordained to be great lights Gen. 1. 16. Ps 136. 8. for the governing of day and night and yet we see them often darkned and suffer strong eclipses so the Church though it be ordained to enlighten the world by ministring the doctrine of the Scriptures yet sometimes it may faile out of mens sights as hath been shewed elsewhere viz. upon Matth. 5. 14. Secondly though the Church be a light yet such as walk in darknesse loving that better then the light doe not alwayes see it but went either will or eyes thereto thus the King of Aram's souldiers neither saw the Horses nor Chariots of fire that were round about Elisha nor knew that they were in the midst of Samaria untill their eyes were opened Secondly the minor proposition is false also for although the light of the Church be granted yet it is not true that Christ our Saviour ordained it is to be alwayes the light of the world according to this verse yee are the light of the world for these words were spoken by Christ to his Disciples and his purpose therein was not to teach what the state of the Church should alwayes be but to provoke them to constancy and holinesse because they should be in every mans eyes and therefore if they chanced to doe otherwise then well it could be concealed no more then the light of the Sunne now this is nothing to the Churches visibility If the Reader desire to see this argument more fully answered and enlarged let him read our cleer and lilly White in his Way to the true Church fol. 90 91. 92. Ibid page 140. this is deleted Matth. 13. 47. The Kingdome of Heaven is like unto a Net c. The Papists hold that the true Catholike Church is alwayes visible and Becanus undertakes to prove it from the Parable thus Christ here compares his Church to a net cast into the sea which gathers of all sorts of fish some now this cannot be understood but of the visible Church because the Protestants who hold two Churches the one invisible the other visible doe thus distingush them that in the invisible are onely those who are predestinated unto salvation but in the other namely the visible are good and bad mixed together but in the Church which our Saviour speaks hereof are good and bad commixed and therefore he speaks of the visible Church yea and also of the true Church and therefore the true Church is visible First it is false that the Protestants hold two distinct true Churches Secondly Becanus fights with his owne shadow concluding nothing against us neither is this the Question betwixt us and them Whether the true Church of Christ be visible but whether the Catholike church be visible or not for we distinguish that ratione praedecati but this ratione subjecti for this true Church is partly visible partly invisible and the Catholike church is visible Quantum ad materiale but invisible Quantum ad formale that is Quatenus est Catholica Thirdly that Church in which are good and bad mixed together is not the Catholike church but a particular because the Catholike church is an assembly of men called by an internall vocation that is a society or company which consists onely of those who are both elected and called Ibidem page 275. this sentence is purged out Matth. 16 18 19. Upon this rock c. The Papists produce these words super hanc Petram upon this rock c. to prove that the true church of Christ is alwayes conspicuous and visible arguing thus whether by this rock upon which Christ promises to build his church we understand Christ or Peter or Peter's confession yet alwayes the foundation is some sensible thing and therefore the church is sensible because although now we neither see Peter nor Christ his Lord yet then when Christ spake this both of them were obvious to sight and now they are seene in their Vicar the Pope Bellarmine de Eccles Milit. lib. 3. ca. 11. First the Cardinall changeth his tearmes for it is one thing to be sensible another to be visible many things being sensible which are not visible as sounds the wind and the like Secondly the foundation of the church is Christ and not Peter and therefore he begs the Question Thirdly we deny the antecedent and his probation proves it not because Christ as he was the foundation of the Church was not visible he not being her foundation as he was man but as he was God and man yea he is a Mediator for those who beleeve on him and not those who see him Fourthly the Jesuit playes the Sophister committing a fallacy Ab hemonyma Ecclesia the word church being ambiguous signifying either a visible society and so it signifieth not in this place or else the universall and mysticall body of Christ and so it is taken by our Saviour here Ibidem in the written copy page 87. this sentence is deleted Touching the visibility of the Church I lay downe these propositions First the inward church of Christ is not to be called visible because although their persons be visible yet so is not their conjunction with Christ their head that being the internall work of faith which is not to be seen Secondly the compleat and most universall church from Abel unto the worlds end may respectively be called visible namely secundum partes because although the whole never had being in uno iâ—stanti in one and the same moment of time and therefore could never be seene uno iâ—â—etu by any one aspect or sight yet the parts of it the church â—â—â—tent in every age have been seen in their severall times And in these two the Papists I hope will not discent Thirdly there shall be alwayes a true church c. not externall and corporall That the invisible church of Christ is beautifull appeares by Saint Paul who cals it pure without spot or wrinkle Ephes 5. 27. and by the psalmist The Kings daughter is all glorious and that this beauty is spirituall and internall appeares by the same infallible authority who cals her black and faire cant 1. 4. that is outwardly deformed but amiable within and againe most plainly shee is glorious but within psal 45. 13. 20. Passages deleted That wicked men are no true members of the true Church and mysticall Body of Christ IN Master Wards Comentary upon 〈◊〉 printed copy fol. 20. this discourse was purged out Fifthly they object this place to prove that wicked men are true members of the church of Christ arguing that the church is compared to a bâ—rn-floore where there is both chaffe and corne therefore wicked men are members of Christ's church I
have upon Matth. 3. 11. answered to the place objected and also to the scope and drift of the objection by distinguishing between the internall and invisible externall and visible church I now adde a word or two thereunto by a threefold distinction viz. first we distinguish between the catholike church and a particular church In the catholike church are onely good men but in a particular nationall church are both good and bad Secondly we diâ—â—inguish between the systeme or whole body of the externall and visible church and some few particular members thereof because that doth not alwayes agree to the whole church which is usually ascribed to some particular externall members thereof i. e. the professors of the common faith of the church Thirdly we distinguish between the judgement of charity and faith for charity which is not suspetious but beleeves all things and hopes all things 1 cor 13. 45. doth often judge many hypocrties and externall professors to be the true members of Christ and the sheep of his â—â—ock but faith informed by the Word of God knowe most certainly that no hypocrite or unbeleever or wicked person so long as they con-continue and remaine such doth belong unto the Essence or mysticall body of Christ And in the written copy fol. 317. on Matth. 22. 1. this clause was deleated by the Licencer Bellarmine lib. 3. de Eccles cap. 7. objects this place to prove that wicked men belong unto the Catholike church because the church here is compared to a marriage feast wherein not all the guests are elected or invested with the marriage robe of Christs righteousnesse but some of them clothed in their rotten ragges and polluted garments This and the like similitudes which are urged by Bellarmine in the place above quoted doe not shew the nature and essenceâ—â— essentiall properties of the catholike church which the adversary presupposeth but onely some certaine externall accidents thereof and therefore they are referred to the externall company of all those who by the preaching of the Gospell are in some sort called unto Christ and in some manner professe the faith of Christ now nothing hinders but that in such a company there may be reprobates who belong not at all unto the essence of the true and internall church of Christ and this and the other Parables which Bellarmine produceth makes nothing against us for he should have poored that there are as well reprobates as elect vessels in the catholike church and for the proofe thereof alleageth those places which speak not of the catholike and invisible church but of a particular and visible church wherein we confesse there are both good and bad yea for the most part more bad then good but these bad ones belong not unto the catholike church Alsteed de natura Eccles cap. 6. fol. 130. 21. Passages deleted against building Churches East and West and the superstitious adorning of them with Images and such like popish Furniture MAster Ward on Mat. page 342. It is controverted between us and the Papists concerning the formes of churches and Bellarmine affirmes that they should be built east and west that so when we pray therein our faces might be turned towards the east and for the proofe hereof he produceth this place Ab oriente venturus creditur ad judicium Ergo It is beleeved that Christ will come unto judgement from the east therefore we ought to pray towards the east First creditur it is beleeved saith he namely by those who can beleeve what they list though never so absurd Secondly suppose the antecedent were true yet the consequence halts for although Christ should come from the east to judgement yet it would not follow thence that therefore we should pray towards the east we must pray unto Christ who is every where in regard of his Deitie and according to the Papists in regard of his humanity also and therefore which way soever we pray we look towards him yea I imagine that Bellarmine would blush to affirme and be backward to undertake to prove that Christ's seat and throne of glory in Heaven is seated in the east end thereof and that the humanity never stirres or moves out of that seat and part of Heaven both which he must prove before his argument be of any worth or weight Thirdly the comparison in these words betwixt the comming of Christ and the lightning doth not respect the place but the cleare and sodaine apparition of both c. All this is expunged In Doctor Featlye's Sermons this passage is deleted page 225. What meane our adversaries then to spend so much in embellishing their churches and so little in beautifying their soules to lay out so much cost upon the materiall and so little upon the spirituall Temple of God Their rood-lofts they paint their pillars they engrave their timber they carve their Images they clothe their pictures they cover their stone Altars they guild their crosses they set about with jewels and precious stones they have golden Miters golden Vessels golden shrines golden bels golden snuffers all golden save the ordinary Priests who if Boniface of Mentz his observation be true for the most part are wooden or leaden Dicite Pontifices in sacro quid facit Aurum Saint Ambrose taxing too much superfluity in this kind saith expresly That those things please not God in or with gold which can be bought with no gold if we speak of the true adorning of the Church it is not with the beauty of pictures but with holinesse not with the lustre of pearles and precious stones but the shining of good works not with candles and tapers but with the light of the Word not with sweet perfumes but with the savour of life unto life neither will all the glorious furniture of Solomons Temple make any shew for their excesse in this kind of their outward deckings for that furniture was typicall then the service of God was restrained to that Temple and God himselfe gave them the modell thereof Is it not preposterous for Christians to goe about to enrich the Gospell with the beggarly rudiments of the law what folly is it after they put out the light of the Word or hide it as it were under a bushell in an unknowne tongue to stick up wax lights at the noon day to cloth pictures and to suffer the living members of Christ to goe naked to adorne the Images of Saints and to deface Gods Image in themselves to perfume their Churches and breath out a noy some savour of impure brothels in their lives c. 22. Passages expunged against evangelicall Councels tending unto Perfection Merit Superogation and against popish Vowes IN Master Wards Comentary upon Matthew written copy page 105. this discourse is purged out as heterodox He shall be called least in the Kingdome of Heaven The Papists generally urge this place for the establishing of their Evangelicall councels unto perfection But there are no such councels as these which
most repugnant to Scripture and reason First Heaven must containe the body of Christ till all things be fulfilled Ergo it cannot be on the earth Secondly if the bread that Christ gave to his Disciples were turned into his owne body he must of necessity have two bodies the one held in the hand of the other Their distinction of a bloody and unbloody sacrifice will not serve the turne for without blood there is no remission of sinnes and if his body were offered for our sinnes in the Supper then why was it offered after on the Crosse either it was a perfect oblation or imperfect if they say imperfect O horrible blasphemy if they say perfect then why was not another made for as bono nil melius sic perfecto nil perfectius The Apostle cals the Gentiles fools prosessing themselves wise they become fools for they turned the similitude of the incorruptible God into the similitude of Beasts Birds and creeping things much more may we call the Papists fools that turne the similitude of God into the similitude of a peice of bread If the Aegiptians are worthily to be derided for worshipping a Cat for God then justly may we laugh at the Papists for worshipping a wafer cake for God If the Angel in the Revelation would not have John to worship him O doe not so worship God how much more doth it grieve the Angels to see a piece of bread worshipped for God wherefore let us spit at this abominable sacrifice and never give entertainment to it Doctor Taylor was angry with the Priest that began to say Masse at Hadley in Queen Maries dayes thou Devil who made thee so bold as to enter into this Church of Christ and to profane it with this abominable Idolatry the people pulled downe the Altar you that have been seasoned with his wholsome doctrine tread in his steps Let no Masse-monging Priest that will take upon him without Commission to offer up Christ forty or a hundred times be admitted into our Church remember that Christ can be but once offered to take away the sinnes of the world The deleting of such a notable passage as this discovers a professed designe to bring in Popery among us againe without the least opposition But this is not singular but seconded with others Ibid. page 305. Whereas they say the Masse is but a commemorative and applicatory Sacrifice to bring to our remembrance the sacrifice on the Crosse and to apply it to us that needeth not a sufficient commemoration and representation of it is to us in the Supper 1 cor 11. 26. and it is applyed to us by faith Rom. 3. 25 26. Act. 18. Page 244. No mortall man can offer up Christ as the popish Priests blasphemously presume Page 292. Here we have a club to beat downe the Masse Page 417. If the Martyrs in Queen Maries dayes would have gone to Masse if they would have acknowledged Masse with mentall reservation to themselves the reall presence of Christ in the sacrifice they might have been delivered but they would not they had rather have irons on their legs then the intolerable burden of an evill conscience in their soules they had rather have bodies in prison then soules in prison they had rather endure the paines of a materiall fire for a time then the torment of hell fire or ever this was greatly to be admired Page 418. We may scoffe at the Idolatry of the Papists a woman said unto a Priest in Queen Maries dayes that came to buy a Capon man canst thou make God Almighty and canst not make a Capon Ibid. page 263. When Christ saith doe this in remembrance of me If the Masse be a remembrance of Christ as they say it is comemorativum sacrificium then Christ is not there himselfe P. 270. Obj. although Christs death was necessary for the full confirmation and accomplishment of the New Testament yet it was begun to be declared in the sacrifice of his last Supper Matth. 26. 28 whereby it is plaine that the blessed Challis of the Altar hath the very sacrificall blood in it that was shed on the Crosse in and by which the New Testament was dedicated and doth consist Answ The New Testament was ratified by the blood of Christ at his death as appeareth by the whole discourse for the Testament is of no force till the Testator be de dead Ergo it could not be ratified at all by the Sacrament of his blood Page 291. there are sixteen lines crossed to the same matter that the Masse is no commemorative nor propitiatory sacrifice and may well be spared Judge then by these purgations what was intended by this Arch-Prelate and his confederates 43. Passages blotted out in defence of Priests marriage IN the Sermons of Doctor Clarke page 205. after as our Apostles this is obliterated The Papists except that mariage is a clogge to Christians and an encombrance to the practice of religions duties Saint Chrysostome controles that it is saith he no hinderance unto heavenly things yet doth the Pope condemne it And in Master Wards Comentary on Matthew fol. 1. this is deleted Honourable marriage is to be preferred before dishonourable whoredome and therefore ex ungue Leonem we may easily conjecture without breach of christian charity what to think of Popery that to all or any of their Clergy doth allow a dispensation for fornication but denies unto them the lawfull remedy of marriage In Doctor Jones his Comentary on the Hebrewes chap. 12. v. 14. this is deleted Saint Paul straines holinesse to marriage this is an holy bed Heb. 13. 4. men may be holy and honest men though they be married 44. Passages dashed out that the Virgin Mary was not without sinne originall and actuall brake not the Serpents head is not to be prayed to c. In Doctor Clarks ninth Sermon of the Nativity these words are deleted there 's a woman too Papists say without sinne Christs Mother for her why calleth shee then her sonne her saviour c. Ibidem page 338. l. 20. after never any sonne should follow One woman onely is exempt from sinne but onely by the man of sinne c. And p. 336. l. 20. after the right Puritane the Licenser hath deleted these lines 't is a hard posse that never comes in esse if one may live without sinne 't is mervaile never any did still they urge Christs Mother shee lived without sinne was borne without it some say conceived without it too that they say is not de fide and indeed it is not fit that every John Duns should encrease the Churches creed for he was the first that forged that paradox But if Christs Mother why not his Father too was he not the sonne of David then had the Psalmist spared this speech and I my paines at least in this poynt he might have in the peoples name said our sinne not my sinne in earnest sooth the Papist must correct Magnificat or grant our Lady was a sinner
to preach as Matth. 10. 5. Act. 16. 7. and sometimes inwardly by not blessing the Word which is preached unto the hearers thereof c. Ibid. in the written copy p. 396. Quest To whom doth the preaching of the Gospell properly belong Answ The Ministry of the Word belongs properly to the Elect Ephes 4. 11 12. he gave Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints and for the edifying of the body of Christ Against this this place is objected the preaching of the Gospell is sent unto all Goe and teach all Nations and therefore it doth not properly belong unto the faithfull Answ 1. It is true that we doe and must preach unto all because the Ministers of the Word in the judgement of charity must beleeve well of those to whom they preach leaving secret judgement unto the Lord and Secondly it is preached properly unto the Elect to convert them and onely accidentally to the Reprobates as being inseparable mixed with the other as tares and chaffe are mixed with good corne 2 Cor. 2. 16. 63. A Passage deleted against Ministers Reading their Sermons IN Doctor Clerks Sermons page 404. l. 8. after these words improperly so called these words are blotted out A reading prophesie riseth in the Church but fit to be prohibited for it is not from the spirit Prophetiza nobis Christe Matth. 26. 28. Christ read who hath smitten thee much a doe is about a reading Ministery the King to name it and the Bishops to suffer it but what shall we say of reading Prophesie surely the Bishops are to blame to suffer it and yet the greater part of those who condemne reading Priests are themselves reading Priests reading is no preaching so they falsly say but their preaching is reading so I may truly say 64. Passages blotted out concerning the Sabbaths morality perpetuity strict sanctification and against the prophanation of it IN Master Ward 's Comentary on Matthew written copy page 201. this is deleted I came not to destroy the Law c. It is here objected that the Sabbath day was not morall Christ would not have altered it for in this verse he came not to dissolve the Law but to fulfill it Answ The alteration of the day is no dissolving of the Law no more then the alteration of the severall services once in force by vertue of the second Commandement as namely circumcision sacrifices the Passeover and the like doth abolish that Commandement Object 2. It is objected againe Christ compareth the Sabbath to a sacrifice Mat. 12. 7. therefore it is ceremoniall Answ Our Saviour in that place useth a proverbiall speech thereby shewing that the greater duty must be preferred before the lesse see Mat. 9. 33. where the self-same speech is used and yet there is no question of Ceremonies but onely company keeping with Publicans and sianers Dod upon the fourth Commandement Ibidem page 110. this clause is gelded out Some will not allow of all the words of precept according to the Letter as for example First some divide the Sabbath into two houres in the fore-noon and two in the afternoon although they have no footing for it either from the spirituall and literall meaning of the fourth Commandement Secondly other can distinguish c. In Doctor Jones his Commentary on the Hebrewes page 117. this sentence is expunged Here we are to learne that we are to occupy our selves in a serious contemplation of the Sabbath day it is as chest full of precious and invaluable Jewels if it were unlocked unto us it is a recordation of things past namely of the creation of the world which is never to be forgotten by us and our Christian Sabbath must put us in remembrance of the resurrection of our Saviour Christ which was a re-making of the world Againe Secondly The Sabbath was a type and figure of things to come of that spirituall rest that we should have by Christ from sinne satan and the paines of hell and likewise of that heavenly and everlasting rest that we shall have in the Kingdome of Heaven all the week long we are working in those callings wherein God hath set us eating our bread as is the Commandement in the sweat of our browes but on the Sabbath day we rest from them all doe nothing but heare the Word of God pray sing Psalmes receive the Sacrament and this should put us in mind of that perpetuall Sabbath we should keep in Heaven where we should doe nothing but praise God continually yet for all that this day the day of dayes the Lords day which the Lord hath selected to himselfe is too little regarded by a great number some men are so worldly that they will not rest no not on this day they that doe rest from bodily labours will not rest on such a heavenly manner as they ought to doe it may be they will be sleeping even at the Church when others be at Sermons or they will be sitting idle at home in the streets or Church-yards but they doe not make that holy and comfortable use of the Sabbath as they ought to doe they doe not now take occasion to meditate upon that sweet and joyfull Sabbath where we shall rest with Abraham Isaac and Jacob for ever yet as the holy Ghost teacheth us in this place this is one principall use we are to make of the Sabbath In the said Doctor Jones his Comentary page 41. 103. 119. 232. 236. 253. 252. 274. 319. 320. these words The prophonation of the Sabbath are put out and the very name of Sabbath obliterated So in Doctor Clerk's Sermons page 200. l. ult page 147. l. 7. the word Sabbath is deleted 65. Passages deleted that the Sacraments Ex Opere Operato conferre Grace and concerning the Sacrament of Baptisme IN Master Ward 's Comentary on Matthew written copy page 399. this clause is purged out Fourthly by Baptisme we gaine eternall life and salvation that is although Baptisme doth not conferre these ex Opere operato yet where the Sacrament in rightly administred and faithfully received and Christ within justifying the person to be baptized Rom. 4 11. there Baptisme doth seale all these mercies graces and benefits unto the party baptized Answ 2. Baptisme is not absolutely necessary unto salvation as appeares thus First Sacraments doe not conferre grace upon all nor by a phisicall power give grace unto any but sometimes God in and by the Sacraments conveyes grace unto his Elect children and sometimes by the Sacraments confirmes grace which he hath formerly conferred Ibidem on Matthew 3. ver 11. I indeed have baptized you with water but he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost this discourse is obliterated Quest What is John Baptists principall scope herein Ans His principall and particular scope was this to shew that his baptisme had no efficacy nor power in it from himselfe at all but onely from Christ teaching us that the outward Sacrament may be in-effectuall vede August contr Faustum 10. 4. 19.
this was done in the death and suffering of Christ and not in the celebration or institution of the Eucharist Fourthly neither doth the use of the present tense prove that which they would have for it is usuall and well known that there is an Enallage oft times in Scripture and that not onely the present tense but also sometimes the preter tense is put for the future for the certainty of things affirmed as for example paer natus est nobis unto us a child is given or borne Agnus occisus the Lamb was slaine from the beginning of the world behold the Lambe of God qui tollet which taketh away the sinnes of the world Ego pono I lay downe my life for my sheep c. Chem. Exam. part 2. fol. 166. 6. Many Passages of this nature are expunged out of Doctor Iones his Comentary on the Hebrews others altered by the Licenser which we pretermit 67. Clauses deleted against Popish Satisfaction IN Master Ward 's Comentary on Matthew written copy page 17. this is deleted Quest Which are the parts of Repentance First the Papihs answer hereunto that the parts of repentance are three to wit First contrition or as some of them say Attrition Secondly auricular confession Thirdly Satisfaction of merit Object We may satisfie the wrath of God for the punishment due unto sinne Answ Neither will this evasion serve that by grace our works satisfie for grace and works are so divers that they cannot herein concurre together grace taking away works and works grace if they should be joyned as working causes together Ibidem page 383 this is purged out I read saith Ambrose of Peter's penitent tears but not of his Satisfaction the which words of the Father being urged against popish Satisfaction Peter Lombard answered Multa facta sunt quae scripta non sunt many things have been done which are not written or mentioned in the Scriptures Answ This answer is a sufficient satisfaction with the Papists being an essentiall point of pennance and pertaineth to doctrine and therefore it should have an expresse warrant or proofe out of the Scripture for in matters of faith or points of doctrine an argument may be drawne negatively from the Scriptures though not so in matter of fact as for example This doctrine is not found in Scripture therefore it ought not to be received is a good consequence wherefore the Fathers viz. Ambrose argument is good and the Masters viz. of the sentences solution looseth not the knot And fol. 207. written copy Thy sinnes be forgiven thee We see Christ here neither requires confession nor demands or reserves Satisfaction of this sick man but wholly takes away his sinnes to teach us that Christ pardons our sinnes truly Heb. 8. 12. Ior. 31. 21. c. Isa 43. 25. Heb. 10. 17. 68. Scripture Texts themselves and their very words alone deleted NOt to trouble you with any already mentioned in the Premises take these ensuing instances instead of many more that might be added In Master Ward 's Comentary on Matth. p. 201. Christ indeed is never absent from his children for he loves them unto the end Ioh. 13. 1. yea promiseth to be with them unto the end Mat. 28. 20. yea he dwelleth with them by his spirit 1 Cor. 3. 16. 2 Cor. 6. 16. But yet he seemeth sometimes absent Ibid. p. 202. There is a fear of God which is a godly fear wherein two things are observable viz. First that he is to be feared Ps 2. 11. Pro. 1. 7. Eccle. 12. 11. And secondly that he is not to be feared doubtingly but beleeved confidently Ioh. 4. 18. Rom. 8. 38. Ibid. p. 84. All Christians are called light Thus Saint Paul taxed the Jewes Thou art confident that thou thy selfe art a guide of the blinde a light to them that sit in darknesse Rom. 2. 19. whence he intimates that every Christian is or ought to be a light Ibid. p. 194. Quest Why doth the Lord principally respect our Faith Answ First because Faith only saveth us Rom. 3. 12. 27. c. and 4. 5. Acts 13. 48. Ioh. 8. 24. Eph. 2. 8. Secondly because works serve onely to prove our Faith Gal. 5. 8. Iam. 2. 18. Ibid. p. 207. Thy sinnes be forgiven thee We see Christ here neither requires Confession nor demands or reserves Satisfaction of this sick man but wholly takes away his sinnes to teach us That Christ pardons our sinnes truly Heb. 8. 12. Ier. 31 32. c. Isay 43. 25. Heb. 10. 17. Ibid. p. 403. Secondly it appeares the Holy Ghost is God because he begat Christ the Sonne of God Luk. 1. 35. where he is called The power of the most High and therefore he is God Ibid. p. 187. the Lord is immutable and immoveable in his Law and Decrees of mercy Iohn 13. 1. Rom. 11. 29. Ibid. page 221. All power comes from God we neither have power to eschew evill nor to do good Rom. 7. 15. 19. 23. Were not these Licensers as bad or worse then Papists thus to obliterate these very Texts of sacred Scriptures as heterodox and unfit to passe the Presse No doubt they would have rased them out of the Bible it self in time as well as out of this Authors writings who did but barely cite them in their genuine sense against Popish and Arminian errours 69. Passages expunged that the Scriptures are light not hard to be understood and to be read by the common people IN Master Ward upon Matthew 14. 15. page 27. 90. these clauses are deleted Ye are the light of the World The Papists affirme the Scriptures to be hard and difficult and obscure that the common people or Laity cannot understand them and therefore it is to no purpose for them to read them Now against this we produce this place arguing briefly thus the Apostles are the light of the world therefore their doctrine i. e. the Scripture is perspicuous and facile and may be understood by a diligent and observant Reader c. To this of Bellarmine we answer first the Major proposition is false that every light is alwayes visible for these two causes viz. First because the Sunne and Moone were ordered to be great lights Gen. 1. 16. and Psal 136. 8. for the governing of day and night and yet we see them often darkned and suffer strange eclipses so the Church though it be ordained to enlighten the world by ministring the doctrine of the Scriptures yet sometimes it may faile out of mens sight as hath been shewed elsewhere viz. upon Matth. 5. 14. Secondly though the Church be a light yet such as walke in darkenesse loving that better then the light doe not alwayes see it but want either will or eyes thereto Thus the King of Arams Souldiers neither saw the horses and Chariots of fire that were round about Elisha nor knew that they were in the midst of Samaria untill their eyes were opened Neither do men light a candle and put it under a Bushell The Papists
England was ready to ring the Changes and insinuating unto his Auditory that there was cause to fear an Alteration of Religion saying that Religion and the Gospel stood on tiptoes ready to be gone that divers good Ministers were silenced and that they should beware of a relapse unto Popery In this censure the Archbishop had the chiefest hand as was proved by the High Commission Bookes and Mr Wardes Submission which was drawn up by Sir Iohn Lambe and sent to this Archbishop who endorsed it with his owne hand This severe sentence utterly ruined this famous painfull preacher who lay long in prison and soone after ended his dayes in great grief and sorrow In April 1630. Articles were exhibited against Mr Charles Chancy a Reverend learned painfull Minister living at Ware for preaching against the Bacchanales and disorders used by many in the Christmas holy-holy-dayes the increase of Popery Arminianisme and using these expressions in a Sermon of his charged against him in his Articles in Ianuary before That Idolatry was admitted into the Church and that not only the prophets of Baal but Baal himselfe is received and houses multiplyed for the entertainment of them and with all saying that the preaching of the Gospel would be suppressed That there wanted men of courage to tell the Superiours in the Church of their neglect for that there was increase of much Atheisme Popery Arminianisme and Heresie in our Church since the reformation of it as at this time wherein Heresies were not onely broached but maintained whereby he raised a fear among the people and insinuated to them that some alteration of Religion would ensue and be brought in and scandalized the whole Church of England and Government thereof To these Articles Mr Chancy gave in his answer upon Oath in the High Commission the 21 of the same April and the very next day by Order of that Court the whole cause was referred to this Bishop then of London being his ordinary provided that if Mr Chancy did not submit himselfe to performe his Lordships order therein that then his Lordship if it seemed good unto him might transferre the cause backe again to be censured in this Court Whereupon Mr Chancy made a Submission to his Lordship in Latin and soon after was enforced to desert the Kingdome and set sayle for New England to avoyd further persecution All which is manifest by the Originall Articles and Mr Chancyes answer to them found among Sir John Lambes sequestred Writings by Mr Prynne and by the Order of Reference and M. Chancyes Submission endorsed with the Bishops own hand the chiefe Prosecutor of this cause To these we could add M. Cotton M. Hooker M. Davenport M. Wells M. Peters M. Glover and sundry other Ministers driven into New England and other Plantations those that fled over into Holland to avoyd his prosecution with some hundreds of Ministers questioned in the High Commission and else-where by his meanes and there suspended silenced for not publishing the Booke of Sports or not submitting to his Popish Innovations M. Salisbury was questioned and troubled by this Prelate for these passages in his Sermon on Math. 24. 6. How many thousands have made shipwrack of faith a good conscience renounced our true Church stepp'd aside to Arminianisme and from thence as it is the widest gate that opens towards Rome relapsed to Popery Thus are wee scattered in our Jacob and divided in our Israel The Low Countryes not long since if not still sighed as deeply and mourned as strongly to finde herselfe as imperceivably to be overgrowne with Arminianisme And what a faction is like to be in our deplorable England between Popery and Arminianisme together except God be more mercifull and our State the more vigilant and mindfull We shall see sooner then tell and feel sooner then see Doctor Staughton D. Sibbes D. Taylor D. Gouge M. White of Dorchester M. Rogers of Dodham with sundry more of our most eminent preaching orthodox Divines were brought into the High Commission and troubled or silenced for a time by his procurement upon frivilous pretences But in truth because they were principle Props of our Protestant Religion against his Popish and Arminian Innovations But omitting these we shall conclude this head with one memorable instance more which comes very home Mr Nathaniel Bernard Lecturer at Sepulchers in London preaching at Antholins Church in May 3. 1629. used this expression in his prayer before his Sermon Oh Lord open the eyes of the Queenes Majestie that shee may see Iesus Christ whom shee hath peirced with her Infidelity Superstition and Idolatry This Archbishop then of London was presently informed of this passage attested by Walter Kirby an Atturney of Bernards Inne Iohn Browne of Durham Minister and some others Whereupon the Bishop brought him into the High Commission where after long attendance upon his Submission this ensuing Order was framed Die Jovis viz. xxviii die mensis Januarii Anno Domini juxta c 1629. Coram Commissionariis Regiis apud Lambeth Judicialiter sedentibus presente Thoma Mottershed Registrarij Regij Deputat Officum Dominorum contra Nathanielem Bernard Clericum Prima Sessio Termini Hillarij HIS appearance by bond was respited untill this day at which day and place the said Nathaniel Bernard appeared personally and then it being objected unto him by the Court that he had in a Sermon lately by him preached or otherwise delivered some Scandalous and undutiful speeches derogatory to some particular person of most eminent place which the Court desired not to have there repeated and for that the said Mr Bernard had acknowledged his error in that kinde as some of the Commissioners there unto whom he had submitted himself reported and himselfe confessed the Court was inclined upon his submission being a young scholler and a student in Divinity to accept his submission and enclined to deal mercifully and favourably with him yet considering that his scandalous and undutifull speeches were of such high nature as could not be well remitted or pardoned by this Court without the approbation and the good liking of his most Excellent Majestie the Court desired the Lord Bishop of London to acquaint his Majestie therewith and if his Majestie upon understanding of the Cause would be graciously pleased to pardon him and leave it to the Court that then this Court would take such further order for his dismission as they should think meet Mottershed The Copy of this Order with another Paper conteining the words were both endorsed with the Bishops own hand and found among his Papers by Mr Prynne who produced them Mr Bernard not long after upon his submission was dismissed the Court After which repairing to the University of Cambridge to visit his friends he fortuned to preach at Saint Maries Church there on the 6. of May 1632. in the afternoon wherein he let fall divers Passages concerning preaching the purity of Gods Ordinances worship and against the Introducers of
Popery and Arminianisme which this Bishops creatures excepted against and speedily informed him off Dr T. Cumber then Vice-Chancellor informs him of this Sermon in a Letter of his May 22. 1632. wherein he writes in this manner I cannot but further advertise your Lordship in a word that here was one Mr Bernard a discontinuer and a Preacher as I hear about London who uttered some offensive words concerning some Ceremonies and Rites used in some Churches in a Sermon of his at Saint Maries and as I have heard in some other Church before I gave a decree to the Beadle to convent him but he could not be found To which the Bishop returned this answer written with Mr Dells hand and thus endorsed May 27. 1630. A clause of my Letter to Dr Cumber concerning Mr Bernard c. I AM sorry you have been troubled at Cambridge with the distempered speeches of any men in the Pulpit And I must confesse I heard of both the particulars you mention before I received your Letter That in St. Johns it seemes they have punished and you doe very worthily to joyn with them in case any thing for the publique shall be further requisite And as for Mr Bernard I am the more sorry for him because he is in London within my Charge Neverthelesse if he have done unworthily I shall be very ready to assist you and the Vniversity in what I may be able And since you gave a Decree to the Beadle to convent him and he slipt away the while I will do the best I can to send him backe there to be answerable to the Government against which he hath offended And if he shall refuse so to do without giving better reason then I thinke he can I shall certainly suspend him till hee do it So in hast I leave you c. W. London Before this Doctors Letter the Bishop had received an information of the heads of his Sermon from others thus endorsed with his own hand May 6. 1932. Notes of Mr Bernards Sermon at Cambridge the particulars whereof are hereafter expressed more at large in his own words Soone after Mr Bernard by this Bishops prosecution was brought into the High Commission Court and forced to deliver in a Copy of his Sermon to the Bishop which he did who excepted against these Passages in it for which he was articled against Gods Ordinances for his publike Worship are the glory of any Nation By Gods Ordinances here I understand chiefly the Word Sacraments and Prayer which if blended and adulterated with any Superstitious Innovations of men cease to bee Gods Ordinances and he ownes them no longer It is not the single having of Gods Ordinances for his publike Worship but the having of them in their purity and integrity that dignifies a Nation Gods Ordinances for his publike Worship in their Purity and Integrity are a sure shield between a Nation and publike ruine and desolation For proofe whereof I challenge all Recordes both divine and humane to produce one instance wherein God punished any part of his Church with any Nationall ruine and destruction before they had either departed from or corrupted his Ordinances The Apostle Rom. 1. 16. affirmeth of the preaching of the Word that it is the power of God to salvation It is the meanes by which God manifesteth his omnipotent and irresistible power in the conversion and salvation of all those who from eternity were ordained thereunto by Gods absolute and immutable Decree This seemes to confute their errour who think meanly and basely of these Ordinances of God which we have proved to be the glory of that Nation where they are in their purity and integrity These men turn their glory into shame for is there not a generation of prophane men among us who are afraide and ashamed to preach twice on the Lords day to preach plainly powerfully and spiritually to the soules and consciences of their people least they should be accounted Puritans Many who are afraide to hear too often especially on the weeke dayes least they should be accounted Bible-bearers and gadders after Sermons Many who are as much afraide to performe holy duties in their families and to speake like Christians as Peter was who that his speech might not betray him began to curse and swear Many who complain that there is too much preaching and that it was never merry since Many who esteem very meanly of prayer especially of the publike prayers of the Church Some that have scorufully called the sirging of a Psalme a Geneva Iigge But the principall exception was for this ensuing Discourse in the close of his Sermon Further I will not deny that God hath his true invisible Church among those Nations as he had in Israel in the dayes of Ahab and Eliah nay I see no reason why in a large yet true sence we may not call the Church of Rome Italy or Spain a particular visible Church of Christ as Israel in the Reign of Jeroboem was a Church of God though Idolatrous and Apostaticall Yet I say that it is imposible that any should be saved living or dying without repentance in the doctrine and Idolatrous worship of the Church of Rome as the late Tridentine Councell hath decreed it My reason is this Hee that thinkes to go to heaven any other way then by faith in Christ onely shall never come there But he that dyes without repentance in the Doctrine of the Church of Rome as the Councell of Trent hath decreed it thinkes to go to heaven another way then by faith in Christ onely as namely by the merits of his own workes Ergo such a one shall never come there Thirdly if Gods Ordinances for his publike worship in their purity are the glory of a nation then it followes that they who go about to deprive a Nation of any of Gods Ordinances for his publike Worship either in whole or in the best part of them idest in their purity and integrity they go about to make that Nation base and inglorious and if so then are they enemies to that Nation and Traytors to it if it be their own Nation for Treason is not limited to the royall blood as if he only could be a Traitor who plotteth and attempteth the dishonour and shedding thereof but may be and is too oft committed against the whole Church and nation which last is by so much the worst of them two by how much the end is better then the meanes and the whole of greater consequence then any other part alone Whereby we may learn what to account of those among our selves if any such be which is better known to you then to mee who endeavour to quench the light and abate the glory of our Israel by bringing in their Pelagian errours into the Doctrine of our Church established by Law and the Superstitions of the Church of Rome into our warship of God as high Altars Crucifixes and bowing to them id est in plain English
Afternoon Sermon but only such Questions and Answers as are conteined in the Common Prayer book not allowing Ministers to expound or open the points of the same to the people he and his Officers affirming in publike places that such an Exposition might be as ill as a Sermon And by colour of these Instructions and the Declaration for Sports he silenced suspended at least fifty Ministers forcing many of them and above three thousand people besides to desert the Kingdome and fly into Holland and New-England as appears by the Articles of his impeachment presented to the Lords by the house of Commons and by sundry witnesses before severall Committees All which Exorbitancies issued from these Instructions and must be put on this Archbishops score the Author of them to whom Bishop Wren and other Bishops gave an annuall Account of their due execution Bishop Mountague succeeding Bishop Wren in the Bishoprick of Norwich in pursuance of these Instructions exceeded him in his Visitation Articles concerning Lectures and Lecturers as appeares by these ensuing printed both at London and Cambridge Anno. 1638. 4. Concerning Lecturers and Lectures Forasmuch as of late years the course and humor of Lecturing and the frequenting and hearing such exercises is of great resent in the State and Church of England from which course as much good may ensue and be procured if well and discreetly managed so if otherwise great hurt danger and scandall may and often doth result the cure and care whereof properly and immediately belongs to the Bishop of the Diocesse where such exercises are the Church-Wardens and Sidesmen are given to understand that there be amongst us three sorts of Lecturers 1 The first most hugged followed admired and maintained is a super-inducted Lecturer in another mans cure and pastorall charge who hath some resemblance to the ancient Catharist in the Primitive Church but is up and down the same with the Doctor in the New Discipline which I take it is the motive of his so great approbation and good entertainment above the Incumbent of the Cure though never so learned and painfull 2 Concerning him it is to be enquired of what degrees in Schools he is and of how long standing and studying in Divinity whether he be a graduate in Divinity a Doctor or at least a Batchelor and not a young Student or Preacher 3 Are his Lectures popular Afternoon Sermons or be they Catechisticall and readings upon some common place of Divinity or the four parts of the English authorized Catechisme or some of the 39 Articles of our Confession 4 Is he there admitted with the consent of the Incumbent or against his will with warrant and authority from the Bishop under his Episcopall seal Is the Minister and Incumbent of that place where he Lectureth a Preacher or not and if a Benefice be offered the Lecturer do you suppose he would take it 5 Doth he often and at times appointed read Divine Service and administer the Communion in his Surplisse and Hood of his degree 6 Of what length are his Lectures and how is his Prayer at beginning and end is he there in conforme unto the Appointment and Order of the Canon Can. 55. 7 Doth he in his popular Lectures ordinarily fall upon points of misticall darke and abstruse Divinity as Praedestination c. Doth he intermeddle with matters of State Government forrein from his profession above his understanding 8 Doth he oppose or traduce openly the Doctrine of his Brethren and neighbouring Ministers or obliquely underhand or upon the by gird at them the Doctrine Discipline of the Church any Parishioner c. so designing him them or that that a man may take notice of his meaning 9 The second sort of Lecturers be those of Combination when many neighbouring Ministers do voluntarily agree and consent with the Ordinaries approbation not otherwise to preach a Sermon every man in his course at some adjoyning market town upon the market day for instructing of such who repair together to sell and buy in their duty to God and commerce with man Have you any such Lecturers 10 Who be the Combiners be they beneficed men of the Diocesse and not strangers or Curates who are not to be admitted because if they offend in their Sermons the Diocesan cannot reach them they are gone 11 Doth this Lecturer any way abridge hinder or cut off Divine Service which is compleatly to be finished before the Lecture begin 12 Do any resorting thereto walke aloofe or in the Church-yard on stay at some house purposely and not repair to the Church till Lecture begin If any such misdemeanour be present it and without amendment the Lecture shall cease 13 A third sort be running Lecturers who point upon such a day to meete at such a Church most an end in some Country Town or Village and then after Sermon and dinner at some house of their disciples repeat censure and explain the Sermon discourse of points proposed at their last meeting by the head of that Classis or Assembly ever to the promoting of their owne fancies and derogation from the doctrine and discipline of the Church after all they do again condicere and appoint to meet next at such a Church in like sort to like purpose Such I found in Sussex at my comming thither If you have any such or know any such present them as far as you can learn who they be where they do meet whither any of your Parish run after them By these we may discerne the spirit of this Prelate and his Malignity against Lecturers and Lectures which he carefully suppressed in Chichester Diocesse where he published the like Articles and would have done the like in Norwich but that his predecessour Bishop Wren had left no Lectures for him to suppresse Doctor Pierce Bishop of Bath and Wells a great creature of this Arch-Prelates to please his Grace the better by colour of these Instructions which he rigorously observed suppressed all Lectures within his Diocesse both in Market Townes and elsewhere as well combination Lectures as those maintained by Ministers or Lecturers upon stipends or the peoples benevolence some of which Lectures had continued 40 or 50 years without interruption and were countenanced by some of his Predecessors actuall preaching at them in their turnes which when he had effected he publikely gloryed in this wicked act using this most execrable speech I thank God I have not one Lecture lest in my Diocesse professing before that he hated the very name of Lectures and would not leave so much as one Lecture in his Diocesse and requiring the Ministers upon their canonicall obedience not to preach any Lecture alleaging that there was no such need of preaching no was there was in the Apostles dayes Yea he suspended Mr Devenish the Minister of Bridgewater for preaching a Lecture there in his own Church on the Market day which Lecture had continued from Queen Elizabeth time till then and refused to absolve him till he hath
faithfully promised to preach it no more And when he absolved him on this promise he most prophanely used to him these words of our Saviour spoken to the Woman taken in Adultery Iohn 8. 14. Go thy way sinne no more that is preach this Lecture no more as if preaching was as heinous a sinne as Adultery lest a worse thing happen to thee Furthermore in pursuit of these Instructions he put down all Sermons on the Lords dayes in the Afternoon throughout his Diocesse strictly charging the Ministers in his Visitations not to preach on Lords dayes in the Afternoon upon any occasion under pain of Suspension After which hee suspended one Mr Cornish only for preaching a Funerall Sermon on a Lordsday Evening Furthermore he convented the Minister of Beercoockham before him for having two Sermons on that parish Revellday alleadging that it was a hinderance to the Revel and utterance of the Church-all provided to be spent ' on that day belike he had more care of the Church wardens Ale then the peoples Soules and he questioned one Mr Thomas Erford a Minister as a Delinquent for preaching at the parish of Mountague on their Revellday upon the Prophet Joels exhortation to Fasting weeping and mourning charging him that not only his Sermon but his every text too was scandalous to the Revel and gave offence to the meeting And whereas divers godly Ministers of his Diocesse being restrained from preaching did take great paine thereupon to catechise their Parishioners in the principles of Religion on Lordsdayes in the Afternoon according to the Letter of these Instructions enlarging themselves upon the Questions and Answers in the Catechisme in the Common-Prayer-Booke for the peoples better Instruction and using a short prayer before and after that exercise this Bishop being informed of it corrected and sharply reproved these Ministers for their pains threatning to punish them severely if they Persisted therein saying Thus it was a Catechizing Sermon-wise and AS BAD AS PREACHING Charging them that they should aske no other Questions nor receive any other Answers from the people but such as were conteined in the Book of Common prayer which one Mr Bâ—â—rett Rector of Barwick not observing was enjoyned penance for it and one Humfrey Blake Churchwarden of Bridgewater was likewise put to penance for not presenting Mr Devenish the Minister there as a Delinquent for expounding the Church-Cateckisme and making a short prayer of his own before he began his exercise All which particulars were proved by substantiall witnesses before a Committee of the House of Commons drawn up into an Impeachment against this Bishop and being in verity the Impious fruites of this Arch-Prelates project who encouraged him herein must be justly and principally charged upon his score Quia plus peccat Author quà m Actor The like Suppressions of Sermons and Catechizing on the Lords day in the Afternoon were common in all or most other Diocesse neither could any Combination Lectures be obtained in them but with very great suite and upon very hard conditions which the Bishops tooke advantage to prescribe by colour of these Instructions all strictly observed till this present Parliament This we could prove by many Instances we shall produce but one instead of all the rest found among Sir Iohn Lambes Papers the Archbishops grand Instrument herein by Mr Prynns endorsed with Sir Iohns own fift Orders given by the Right Reverend Father in God JOHN Lord Bishop of PFTERBOROVGH for and concerning the Sermon weekly on Wednesday in Saint JAMES Chappell in BRACKLEY September the 14. 1639. 1. IT is ordered that the fifteen Divines whose names are here under written shall be appointed to their severall dayes by Dr Hâ—ath Chancellor of the said Dioces or his permission by Doctor Sybthorpe one of his Surrogates in a Catalogue to be signed by him annexed to these orders II. That no other Divine shall be admitted to Preach there upon any Wednesday but one of these fifteene except the Curate of that place upon any pretence whatsoever And if one of these shall dye or depart or refuse to preach none other shall be Substituted but by expresse allowance of the Bishop III. That the Bell shall begin to toll a quarter of an houre before nine of the Clocke in the morning and shall continue so toleing till nine of the Clocke and no longer IIII. That immediatly upon ceasing of the Bell the Divine Service of the Church of England for morning prayer shall begin and shall be said together with the Letanie either by the Preacher for that day or else in case of necessity only by the Minister of the place of his assistant in his Surplice and Hood according to his degree in Schooles V. The Preacher for that day shall be ready at the Communion Table in his Surplice and Hood while a Psalme is in singing after the Morning prayer and the Letanie to begin the Communion Service commonly called the second Service and that there be no Hiatus or stopp at all after the end of the Psalmes If he be not there He who did reade the Morning prayer that day shall presently goe thither and proceede to the second Service and no Sermon shall be had that day VI. The Preacher assoone as he hath repeated the Nicen Creede shall goe up into the Pulpet in his Surplice and hood VII No other forme of prayer before the Sermon shall be vsed then is set downe in the LV. Canon to move the people to pray in the words and manner there perscribed interposing only if he so desire the names of the Vniversities and of his Colledge or of his Patron he being one quallified by Law to have a Chaplaine VIII The Sermon at the utmost shall be within the compasse of an howre and shall be ended with Glory be to God c. without any other prayers in the Pulpit VIIII The Preacher shall after is Sermon come presently from the Pulpit and so goe to the Communion table and reade the prayer for the whole estate of Christs Church c. and one or two of the Collects which stands after the Communion Service and so shall dismisse the people with that blessing there The peace of God c. X. A Surplice and Hood are to be provided for the Preacher at the charge of the Towne XI The people to be admonished by the Preacher as neede shall require to be diligent and of reverend behaviour at the divine service both before the Sermon and also after it All men to be uncovered during all the time both of Service and Sermon all persons to do Reverence at the blessed name of Iesus to stand at the Creedes Hymnes and Gospells to kneele at the confession and prayers and practise all other parts of conformity to the Church Government or otherwise it shall be sufficient cause to have the combination for the said weekely Sermon forthwith inhibited if the Divine Service be neglected or deserted Or if these Orders above
Apostates and perswaded them to submit themselves to the Antichristian yoak and to renounce or dissemble the profession of the true Religion would have quite crossed or frustrated his Design Therfore out it must and be obliterated whatever comes of it Finally observe his imbittered malice to the Protestant Churches but grand affection to the Pope and Church of Rome most evidently displayed by this expunction the first in deleating those clauses which style theirs the true Religion c. the latter in expunging this expression in favour of the Roman Church and Pontife only if they would have submitted themselves to THE ANTI-CHRISTIAN YOAK which we have elsewhere dilated upon In briefe He that thus would have the Protestant Churches no Churches at all of God or Christ their Ministers no Ministers their Religion not the true Religion nor the same with ours must certainly expresse abundance of malice and disaffection to these Churches endeavour to cause discord and division between the Church of England and them the very charge in the Article and proclaime himselfe a greater friend to the Church of Rome and her Religion then to the Protestant Churches and the true Religion in them professed yea a Trayterous endeavourer to subvert the true Religion established in our English Church which is the same with theirs And the rather may we beleeve this of the Archbishop because shortly after he caused a Book entituled A Declaration of the Faith and Ceremonies of the Palsgraves Churches printed first in Dutch but afterwards in English Anno 1637. to be strictly called in and seized by his Pursevants in high affront of the Prince Palatine then newly arrived in England and of his Churches because it declared those Churches Orthodox judgement and censure against sundry Arminian and Popist Errours Innovations Ceremonies which hee and his Confederates then laboured to introduce among us as was attested upon Oath by Michael Spark senior and Mr Prynne when as we never heard of any Popish Books as Sancta Clara and others here printed either called in or seized by his speciall voluntary command but countenanced yea restored by him or his Agents when seised by the Searchers and Stationers Let all the world then judge by this prime peece of our Evidence what manner of Protestant this Archbishop was and how ill he stood affected to the Protestant Religion 3. These premises considered no wonder if he endeavoured by all his policy and power to suppresse nay abrogate the Priviledges Immunities of the Dutch and French Churches in this Kingdom granted to them by his Majesty and his Royall Ancestors which he in part accomplished to their prejudice the next part of his Charge in the twelfth Article of which we shall present you this summary accompt King Edward the sixth by his Letters Patents dated the 24 day of Iuly in the fourth yeare of his Reigne granted this ensuing Patent to the Dutch and French Protestants then living in exile in London establishing their Church and Presbyterian Government among themselves exempt from all Episcopall Iurisdiction appointing a Superintendent over them and Ministers of their own Which Patent for the rarity thereof and the better understanding of this Charge we shall at large transcribe EDwardus Sextus Dei Gratia Angliae Franciae Hiberniae Rex fidei Defensor in terra Ecclesiae Anglicanae Hiberniae supremum Caput omnibus ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint salutem Cum magnae quaedam graves considerationes Nos ad praesens specialiter impulerunt Tum etiam cogitantes illud quanto studio charitate Christianos Principes in Sacrosanctum Dei Evangelium Religionem Apostolicam ab ipso Christo inchoatam institutam traditam animatos perpensos esse conveniat sine qua haud dubio politia civile regimen neque consistere diu neque nomen suum tueri potest nisi Principes caeterique praepotentes viri quos Deus ad regnorum gubernacula sedere voluit id imprimis operam dent ut per totum Reipublicae corpus casta sinceraque religio diffundatur Ecclesia in vere Christianis Apostolicis opinionibus ritibus instituta adulta per sanctos ac carui mundo mortuos Ministros conservetur pro eo quod Christiani Principis officium esse statuimus inter alias gravissimas de regno suo bene splendideque administrando cogitationes etiam religioni religionis causae calamitate fractis afflictis exulibus consulere Sciatis quod non solum praemissa contemplantes Ecclesiam à Papatus tyranide per Nos vindicatam in pristina libertate conservare cupientes verumetiam Exulum Peregrinorum conditionem miserantes qui jam bonis temporibus in Regno nostro Angliae commorati sunt voluntario exilio Religionis Ecclesiae causa mulctati quia hospites exteros homines propter Christi Evangelium ex patria sua profligatos ejectos in Regnum nostrum profugos praesidiis ad vitam degendam necessariis in Regno nostro egere non dignum esse duximus cujus liberalitas nullo modo in tali rerum statu restricta clausave esse debet At quoniam multi Germanae nationis homines ac alii peregrini qui confluxerunt in dies singulos confluunt in Regnum nostrum Angliae ex Germania aliis remotioribus partibus in quibus Papatus dominata Evangelii libertas labefactari premi coepta est non habent certam sedem locum in Regno nostro ubi conventos suos celebrare valeant ubi inter suae gentis moderni idiomatis homines Religionis negotia res Ecclesiasticas pro patrio titu more intelligenter obire tractare possint Idcirco de Gratia Nostra speciali ac ex certa scientia mero metu nostris nec non de avisamento Concilii nostri volumus concedimus ordinamus quod de caetero sit erit unum Templum sive sacra Aedes in Civitate nostra London quod vel quae vocabitur Templum Domini Iesu ubi Congregatio conventus Germanorum aliorum peregrinorum fieri celebrari possit ea intentione proposito ut à Ministris Ecclesiae Germanorū aliorumque peregrinorum Sacrosancti Evangelii incorrupts interpretatio Sacramentorum juxta verbum Dei Apostolicam observationem administratio fiat Templū illud sive sacram Aedem illam deuno Superintendente quatuor verbi Ministris erigimus creamus ordinamus fundamus per praesentes Et quod idem Superintendens Ministri in re nomine sint erunt unum corpus corporatum politicum de se per nomen Superintendentis Ministrorum Ecclesiae Germanorum aliorum peregrinorum ex fundatione Regis Edwardi Sexti in Civitate London per praesentes incorporamus ac corpus corporatum politicum per idem nomen realiter ad plenum creamus erigimus ordinamus facimus constituimus per praesentes Et quod successionem
Master Pryme IF you heare Fa. Francis his Booke or person touched let them know that we understand assuredly that it proceeds from the Jesuits most likely also by this last Letter of Mr. Midleton to the Archbishop who imploy others in it as they did against Father Leanded till it cost him his life and if that upon their informations they proceed against such persons who THOUGH IN ALL THINGS CATHOLIKE yet are more discrect and temperate and not intermedling in matters of State THE KING WILL BE MUCH OFFENDED Thus much for this Book of Sancta Clara and the Author of it The fifth Evidence we shall pitch upon to prove a designe to reconcile and reduce us back to Rome is the Popes and his Agents promises tenders of Cardinals Caps and Places to some prime English men and to this Archbishop himselfe in particular the end whereof could be no other but to enthrall us againe to the superstitious jurisdiction of the Papall See The first proffer we find of a Cardinals Cap made to any English Prelat since the Reformation was to this Archbishop who thus records the time and manner thereof with his owne hand in his Diary Aug. 4. 1633. Sunday news came to Court of the Lord Archbishop of Canterburies death and the King RESOLVED PRESENTLY to give it me which he did Aug. 6. That very morning at Greenwich there came one to me seriously and THAT AVOWED ABILITY TO PERFORME IT AND OFFERED ME TO BE A CARDINALL I went presently to the King and acquainted him both with the thing and person It is very considerable that Master Anthony Mildmay deposed that Con the Popes Nuncio told him at Rome before Archbishop Abbots death that Bishop Laud should succeed him and that he would be more favourable to the Catholikes then Abbot By which it appeares that Bishop Laud was long before Abbots death designed to the place if not at the solicitation yet at least by the approbation of the Roman party No sooner comes newes to Court of Archbishop Abbots death but the King presently resolves that Bishop Laud should succeed him and no sooner is this known at Court but that very morning as himselfe records he is thus seriously offered to be a Cardinall by one who avowed ability to performe it and that at Greenwich in the Kings own Court. Who it was that made this offer were worth the discovery but this mystery he couceales The Plot against the King discovered to him by Habernfield informes us That Con the Popes Nuncio had a command to offer A CARDINALS CAP TO THE ARCHBISHOP in the name of the Pope of Rome and that he should allure him also with greater promises but this first offer was before Con's arrivall here Were the person an English Subject of what rank soever this proffer of his to to revive this popish dignity of a Cardinall among us and to receive it from the Popes exploded forraigue power which drew Cardinall Woolsey into a Premunire if not under the guilt of high Treason though this honour was procured him not only by King Henry the 8th his assent but solicitation deserved the severest exemplary punishment especially since it tended to engage the Primate and Metropolitan of all England most obliged by his place and office against all Popish power offices superstitious doctrines to submit unto them and become the Popes sworne vassall If the Popes owne Nuncio Panzani which is probable or any other forraigne Agent the affront had been so great both to the Archbishops person place had he been cordial to our Church our Religion being both a Privy Counsellour the Kings grand favorite and he who steard our Churches helm to the honour of our Church Religion of the King himselfe and his Royall Court that it could not patiently be put up or pretermitted without some eminent satisfaction But be the person one or other certaine it is he was never once questioned or molested by the Archbishop for this proffer who took it so well at the parties hands or rejected it so coldly that on the 17. day of the same Moneth he had a second serious offer made to him of the selfe-same dignity most probably by the same person which himselfe thus Registreth in his Diary Aug. 17. 1633. Saturday I had A SERIOUS OFFER MADE ME AGAIN TO BE A CARDINALL I was then from Court but so soon as I came thither which was August 21 I acquainted his Majesty with it But my answer againe was that somewhat dwelt within me which would not suffer that till Rome were other then it is What it was that dwelt within him which made him not absolutely but for the present only to refuse this offer till Rome was other then it is we may learn from Sir Hen. Mildmay's Mr. Anth. Mildmay's Mr. Challoner's depositions forementioned and his owne Reply to Fisher pag. 171. to wit an ambitious Papall spirit he would like his worthy Predecessor Saint Anselme so he stiles him be both in Title and Jurisdiction Papa alterius Orbis Pope of our British world and Vniversall Patriarch of all the Churches within his Majesties Realmes and Dominions which Rome as it then was and the Jesuiticall party there as these witnesses have deposed distiked and would not suffer and for this cause onely he refused this dignity which would have more enthralled him to the Popes and Romes jurisdiction not to their Religion then his ambitious spirit could well brook This double serious proffer of a Romish Cardinalship to the Archbishop is an infallible Argument First that the Pope and his Conclave at Rome had an extraordinary good opinion of his favour his good affection to Popery and their Antichristian Church else they would not have profered him such a dignity incompatible to any Protestant English Prelat Secondly that they deemed him the aptest activest Instrument to reconcile and re-unite us to Rome of all other in respect of his favour at Court power with the King and inclination to Popery as Sir Henry Mildmay Master Anthony Mildmay Master Challoner have attested therefore they would honour him with a Cardinals Hat to the end that as his Predecessor Cardinall Poole Archbishop of Canterbury the last English Cardinall of any of our Prelats reconciled our revolted Kingdom to Rome in Queen Maries dayes as appeareth at large by the Statute of 1. 2. Phil. Mary ch 8. So he invested with the same Papall dignity and fitting in the self-same See might once more as easily reduce us to the bosome of the Roman Church in the dayes of this Queen Mary as Popish as the former as he did then As this Archbishop so Master Walter Mountague not long after had good hopes given him at Rome to be made a Cardinal as the Archbishop himself was informed by Mr. Middleton's forecited Letter which dignity he should have lately received thence had he not been imprisoned if Sir Kenelme Digbies Letter may be credited to help on this work
That he had been the impeacher and disturber of due and direct correction of Errours and Heresies by reason whereof they crept more abroad and tooke greater place being highly to the danger and perill of the whole body and good Christian people of this Realme All which this Archbishop is guilty in an higher measure in respect of Popery Priests and Jesuits then ever this Cardinall was in regard of the Lutheran Sect and Opinions Fifthly it is evident that the Archbishop had a hand in assisting the Papists Priests and Jesuits in the dispersing of their popish Books to seduce his Majesties Subjects contrary to an expresse Statut whereas he used all possible diligence to suppresse the printing dispersing importing Orthodox Books and those he stiled Puritannicall both at home and beyond the Seas Finally the Archbishop complyed with the Papists Priests Jesuits in concealing their very treasonable plots and conspiracies against the King Kingdome Church and all professors of the Protestant Religion we shall instance but in two particulars The first is in the case of Mistresse Anne Hussey who deposed at the Lords Barre to this effect That William O Conner an Irish Priest servant to the Queen Mother soon after Easter in the yeer 1640. among other discourses told her at the house of one Master Hill neer the Strand in Westminster That there were many private houses about London wherein they used to have Masse said that there were 7000. men in private pay ready to ayde the Catholicks and to cut the Protestants throats that should resist them After which he comming to her in great haste at Mistresse Pinocks house about the end of July 1640. told her That he was then in great haste for he had Letters from the Queen Mother to be delivered to three Embassadours the Spanish the Venetian the French to send to the Pope to know from himselfe or his Legat when to begin the subduing of the Protestants that the Queen his Lady was no foole and that if the King joyned with the Protestants they would cut him off if not by the sword yet by some other way that if no other hand would doe it his hand should kill the King and that he would kill an Heretick at any time for the advancement of the Mother Church of Rome swearing by Saint Francis and Saint Dominick that he would doe it All which he spake to her in Irish she counterfeiting her selfe to be a Roman Catholick desirous to become a Nunne He likewise confessed That he had been a servant long to the Queen Mother and imployed by her in businesse to all the Princes of CHRISTENDOME Whereupon she according to her duty and alleagiance complained of this Priest revealing this discomse and treason of his to the Lords of the Privy Counsell attesting her information upon oath and producing a Letter of this Priests to her under his owne hand with some other witnesses to confirme her testimony in point of circumstance of time place and this Priests resort unto her But the Archbishop of Canterbury to discourage and take her off from this discovery reviled and gave her many ill words and threats told her she was mad and that she was hired by the Londoners to make this accusation demanding how she durst be so bold as to utter or discover ought which had any the least reflection upon the Queen Mother threatning to have her punished and caused her to be committed to one of the Sheriffes of Londons house whereas the other Lords gave her good words and committed the Priest to the Gate-house and so the businesse was smothered without further prosecution till she revived it this Parliament in the Commons House who released her of her restraint We shall close all with the most desperate plot of Cardinall Barbarino the Popes Nuncio the society of the English and Scottish Jesuits with their confederates to subvert the Protestant Religion usher in Popery raise a Warre between England and Scotland subvert the government both of Church and State yea to poyson the King himselfe if he crossed this designe and then to seize and traine up the Prince in the Popish 〈◊〉 This plot being discovered at first only in generally by a chief Actor in it sent from Rome to Andreas ab Habernfield Sir Wil. Boswell by them by Letters from the Hague to the Archbishop he conceiving it to be a plot only of the Puritanes to destroy the King and himself too revealed it to the King and prosecuted the further discovery with all earnestnesse as appeares by sundry Originall Lettâ—ers concerning it seized and attested by Master Prynne produced at the Barre But no sooner received he the large particular discovery of it which fastned the treason onely upon Cardinall Barbarino the Popes Nuncio the Jesuits with their confederates Sir Toby Matthew Sir Kenelme Digby Sir John Winter Endimion Porter Secretary Windebanke Master Walter Mountague the Countesse of Arundel and others but he presently smothered it yea though he received the full discovery of it but on the 14. of October 1640. not many dayes before the beginning of this present Parliament yet he he never revealed it to both or either Houses of Parliament or any members thereof for the preservation of our Religion Church State King thereby and the executing condigne punishment on these Arch-traitos and Conspirators then present in London and Westminster nor yet so much as disclosed it when Sir Toby Matthew Sir John Winter and others were questioned in the Commons House about the Popish Parliament kept in London and the levying of moneys against the Scots among the Papists nor when Secretary Windebank was questioned for releasing Priests and Jesuits against Law and the negotiation of the Popes Nuncio debated in the Commons House but concealed these papers from the Parliaments knowledge till Master Prynne unexpectedly seized them in the Archbishops Cabinet in the Tower of London From all which particulars we conceive we have abundantly manifested most substantially proved his correspondency confederacy with the Pope and his instruments of all sorts in their most desperate treasons to extirpate our Religion introduce popery reconcile reduce the Church of England to the Church of Rome and most satisfactorily justified the first Branch of our charge of high treason against him in every particular wherupon we most humbly pray in the name of the Commons of England the Judgment of an Arch-traitor to be given against him as one who hath declared himself a professed Traitor not only to our Laws Liberties Parliament Kingdoms but to our very Religion Church souls the highest treason of all others especially in a Clergyman an Archbishop of Canterbury who is by title office Primate and Metropolitan of all England yea Confessor chiefe Curate and Ecclesiasticall Vicegerent to the King himselfe who entrusted him wholly if not solely with the care of our Religion which he hath most perfidiously undermined betrayed sundry wayes as all the premises demonstrate The Archbishops
the places there being no place where God is not present That in the great Church at Ierusalem built by Constantine the Great and his Mother over the Sepulchre of our Lord in a Round forme in the Pantheon at Rome dedicated by Pope Beniface to all Saints and in the Church of St. Peter Altars were placed not only towards the East part but likewise distributed into other parts and quarters of them Chemnitius in his Examen Concilij Trident. pars 4. avers and our opposites confesse it That in the Catacombe at Rome THE ALTAR STOOD IN THE MIDDLE and that in St. Peters Church it selfe in the Vatican the high Altar stands before the QVIRE to wit in the middle of the Church or Chancell as an Italian Author explaines it in his description of this Church Platina in the life of Pope Nicholas the third records That the Altar of St Mary in Rome through the great inundation of Tibur in this Popes dayes was surrounded with water ROTVNDE quatuor pedibus Therefore it stood not against a Wall Anastatius De vitis Rom. Pontif. p. 68. 69. writes that Pope Sergins in the yeare 694. made a foure-square vaile about the Altar in Saint Peters Church at Rome having 4. white and 4. Scarlet Curtaines JN CIRCVITV ALTARJS round about the Altar which stood not therefore against a wall In the great Cathedrall of Rome it selfe Anno Dom. 1547. as William Thomas an eye witnesse in his History of Italy and Thomas Beacon out of him f. 282. attest the Altar on Christmas day when the Pope him selfe and all his Cardinalls received the Sacrament STOOD IN THE MIDDEST OF THE CHAPELL OR QVIRE the Pope sitting in a Throne of wonderfull Majesty behinde it Sigismund the Monke in his Chronicon Augustinum Anno 1483. pars 1. c. 1. relates That in the Ancient Cathedrall Church of Augusta dedicated to Saint Afra there were two Quires and two Altars standing under two Arches That in the body of the Church were 4. Altars the chiefest of them was the Altar of St. Denys placed versus OCCIDENTEM in parte Septentrionali non juxta murum sed quasi IN MEDIO Alb. Crantzius Metrop l. 1. c 9. Hospinian de Orig. Altarium c. 6. writed that Witâ—kind found the face of Charls the Great full of alacrity after he approaches Mensam Templo Mediam the Lords Table placed in the Middest of the Church to receive the Sacrament at it And the same Hospinian in the same Chapter records that in the Reformation made at Zurick Anno 1523. The High Altar was placed where the Font had anciently stood neare to the West Doore not the East end of the Quire In briefe the very Roman Cerimonial l. 1. c 12. p. 70. informes us that even of late times many Popish Altars stood not against the wall but distant from it as these clauses prove Quod si Altare parieti adhaereat c. Si Altare sit A PARIETE SEIVNCTVM c. Therefore to rayle in all Altars Lords Tables and place them Altarwise against the East end of the Quire wall North and South as this Archbishop did is to be more Popish more Superstitious then the very Papists themselves even in forraigne parts To come to Presidents nearer home Our venerable Beda in his Eccles Hist l. 2. cap. 3. relates that the famous great Church of St. Augustins in Canterbury it selfe built by Augustin the first Archbishop of that Sea had an Altar standing almost in THE MIDDEST OF IT and that in the North Isle not East Habet haec Altare IN MEDIO PENE SUAE this was with in 700. years of Christ Yea Everden a Monke and Master Cambden out of him records That the Monkes of Saint Edmunds Bury in Suffolke whiles they layd the foundation of a new Chappell in the reigne of King Edward the first found the walls of an old Church built ROUND which we think was first built to Saint Edmonds service So as the Altar STOOD AS IT WERE IN THE MIDDEST In the Church of Carmarthen both the high Altar and Lords Table Anno 1555. Stood in the middest of the Church as Master Fox Acts and Monuments Edit 1610. pag. 1404. 1406. records and in Saint Patricks Church in Dublin the High Altar stood about the middest of the Quire under the first Crosse a Yard and more beneath the Arch where the E of Corks Tomb now stands and that on all solemne Feasting dayes they Went Round about the Altar as appeares by a Letter written from thence to this Archbishop himselfe endorsed with his owne hand by Master Benjamin Culme dated from Dublin Aprill 19. 1634. In fine learned Doctor Fulke informes us That the Altar usually stood in the MIDEST of the Church wherof some symptomes remain in our Cathedrall Churches Moreover if you marke the most part of our Churches in England you shall plainly see that the Chancels are but additions builded since the Churches in likelihood by the Parsons who disdained to have their places in the midest of the people as the old manner was Also you may see some Churches builded round as at London the Temple and another is at Cambridge of the same fashion and some Churches have the Steeple at the East end very unhansomly and the Rood loft Again many Churches have crosse Isles in which the people cannot see the Chancell when they were builded For such Churches as are late erected have the Churches and Chancells all of one building and are made of such fashion that one may see the High Altar in every part of them From all these reasons and authorities we may infallibly conclude that Altars and Lords Tables generally in all Christian Churches were alwayes placed in the midest of the Church or Quire not raiâ—ed in Altarwise as of late among us against the wall Therefore the Archbishops groundlesse surmise to the contrary and his maine Argument from the Queenes Jnjunctions founded on it is both false and frivolous Now whereas hee Objects that there can bee no Popery in placing Communion Tables Altarwise we answer that if we consider this situation of them simply in it selfe perchance it may be true But if we observe that Priests private Masses brought in this situation of Altars first of all into the Church of Rome and that the end of this new placing of them is to turne our Lords Tables into Altars to imitate the Papists and make way for private Masses as all other concurrent circumstances manifest then it favours of Popery in the highest degree Finally we shall observe the Archbishops jugling and falshood in this particular In his Speech in Starchamber he averreth pag. 53. 14. And yet here is nothing done either by violence or command to take off the Indifferency of the standing of the holy Table either way but onely by laying it fairely before men how fit it is there should be Order and uniformity And yet we have proved that hee by his special Jnjunctions under Seale and by
though it stood in most Parish Churches the other way yet whither there be not more reason the Parish should be made conformable to the Cathedrall and Mother Churches then the Cathedralls to them I leave to any reasonable man to judge So as his Innovations begun in Cathedralls were purposely introduced there first of all to draw on Parish Churches to Popish conformity with them in these Innovations Next in particular we reply that the alteration of the standing of the Lords Table and rayling it in Altarwise was no wayes warranted by the Queens Injunctions but contrary to them as wee have largely manifested That though this was not done immediately by himselfe but by the Deane and Chapter of Paules yet he was the Originall author of it and justified it when complained of That he publikely checked the Councell Parishioners and sir Henry Martin before the King and Lords for opposing this Innovation and alleadging Bishop Iewill and Mr. Fox against it desiring his Majesty to take these Bookes out of the Church if they made no better use of them then to oppose this Novelty That he carried himselfe more like an Advocate then Judge in this Cause and when the King himselfe was satisfied and would have it stand as formerly his violence was such that he over-ruled both King and Councell and drew up the Order forecited in their names for establishing this Innovation which favours of his stile and spirit the guilt whereof must rest principally on him 2ly The comming up to the Rayles was pressed by his Visitors Agents authority and those excommunicated who refused to come up and receive at the New Rayle to which certainly it was never the minde of the Common Prayer Book the Communicants should draw neare since there were no Rayles to draw neare and kneele at till this Archbishop enjoyned them to be set up in imitation of the Papists as we have proved but this drawing neare is rather a drawing neare to Christ by faith with our hearts and affections or else a drawing neare to the body of the Church of Chancell where the Lords Table is to be placed to the Minister officiating as it is expounded by the Qâ—eens Jujunctions 28 Canon The Table when the holy Communion shal be administred shal be placed in so good sort within the Church or Chancel as thereby the Minister may be more conveniently heard of the Communicants in his prayer and administration and the Communicants also may more conveniently and in more number communicate with the Minister 3ly We answer that the Lords Table was ordained only to administer the Sacrament thereat not to read second service at it for which the Reading Pew is appointed as the Common-prayer Book the Homilies of the worthy receiving the Sacrament and reparing Churches Queen Elizabeths Injunctions the Canous made 1571. p. 18. and the 82. 83. Canons Anno 1603. resolve Now this Archbishop enjoyned second service now to bee read at the Lords Table when there was no Communion and where it was rayled in at the upper end of the Quite not brought downe into the body of the Church or Chancell contrary to the Rubrick in the Common Prayer Booke which expresly determines That the Epistle and Gospel chiefe parts of this second service shall be read where the two Lessons are with a loud voice that the people may heare the Minister that readeth them the Minister standing and turning himselfe as he may best be heard of ALL such as be present which he cannot be if he read them at the upper end of the Chancell remote from the people where the Churches are great or the Ministers voyce low This innovation then which was never practised in any Parish Church till of late though used in some Cathedralls wherein the Rubrick enjoynes the Communion every Sunday in the yeare at least to be administred which was wholly omitted and the second service at the Table left to supply it is directly contrary to the Rubricke Homilies Injunctions Canon 4ly It is evident that Crucifixes were set up in many Parish Churches Chapells of the Kingdome which though we cannot prove to be done by his expresse particular Command yet certainly it was by his example or incouragement who repaired and set up Crucifixes in his owne Chappell 's at Lambeth Croyden and one over the Altar in Passion week in the Kings owne Chappell at White-Hall Besides those who erected them were either his owne Chaplaines or Faverites who knew his minde and did it for to imitate and please his Grace to gaine some further preferments For the Images set up in the New b Chappell in Tuttle fields we b have proved that the Arch-bishop promised to bestow a new Window on it that thereupon the old was taken downe the Kings Armes removed and those Images with the Archbishops owne Armes as the Donor of it set up that his Chaplaine gave directions about the VVindow and Mr. Sutton sweares that the money for new glasing it was paid since the Archbishops commitment to the Tower by his direction as he believeth A cleare evidence that he was the Author and director of this worke notwithstanding all his shifts to elude it 5ly Though the Archbishop made not these Bishops Visitation Oathes and Articles yet he made all of them Bishops who durst do nothing in their Diocesse or Visitations but by his direction to whom they gave an Annuall Accompt of their proceedings in writing as we have manifested Besides its apparent that all these Visitation Articles were made in pursuance of his owne Archiepiscopall Injunctions Instructions and himselfe approved of these their Oathes Articles never checking nor questioning them for them though their Metropolitan yea himselfe prescribed the selfe same things in his Metropoliticall Visitations by printed Articles written Injunctions or private Jnstructions as these Bishops did in imitation of him Therefore hee must Answer for these their Articles Oathes proceedings as farre forth as they who were but his Instruments Sixtly For his Answer to the particular Cases wee shall returne these Replyes 1. That though Mr. Smart was censured by the High Commission at Yorke yet he was first imprisoned here at London and transmitted from the High Commission here to York by this Archbishops meanes who complyed with Dr. Cosin in his prosecution and disposed of his livings after his deprivation as we can prove by sundry Letters found in his Study As for Mr. Smarts Sermon it was neither scandalous nor factions but Orthodox and Iuditious against the Popish Jnnovations introduced in the Cathedrall of Durham where he was the ancientest Prehend deserving rather applause then any censure as both Lords and Commons have resolved upon a full hearing and awarded him reparations and Damages for his unjust censure 2ly Mr. Chancy spake no contemptuous words at all against the Rayle nor of setting it up in his Garden His suspention was illegall not only without but against Law and Canon As for his submission it was forced and a
and his Brethren to be annually kept by the space of 8. dayes in the Month Caslâ—u 1 Mac. 4. 56 59. as Interpreters and the Margin of our Bibles resolve which being of no Divine Institution kept only by the Superstitious Jewes not by Christ or his Apostles who are not said to observe but only to be at Jerusalem when it was the Feast of Dedication Iohn 10. 22. It can be no warrant at all for the consecration of Altars much lesse of Churches now Finally wee answer that we find no mention in Scripture or Classicall Writers of any consecration of Iewish Synagogues to which our Churches properly succeed but only of their Tabernacle and Temple in such sort as you have heard with which our Churches Chapells have no proper Analogie That this Argument of the Archbishop drawne from the presidents in the Old Testament is borrowed from no Orthodox Ancient Father or Councell but only from the Popish Canonist Gratian De Consecratione Distinct 1. who thus concludes from these presidents Si enim Judai qui umbrae legis deserviebant hoc facicbant multo magis nos quibus veritas patefacta gratia per Iesum Christum data est Templa Domino aedificare pro ut melius possumus orare eaque DIVINJS PRECIBVS ET SANCTIS VNCTIONIBVS suis cum Altaribus vasis vestibus quoque Reliquijs ad divinum cultum explendum utensilibus DEVOTE ET SOLENNITER SACRARE non in alijs quam in Domino sacratis ab Episcopis non a Corepiscopis qui saâ—e prohibiti sune nisi summa exigente necessitate Missas celebrare nec sacrificia offerre debemus Domino You see out of what Popish quiver this Archbishop drew this leaden shaft of his To his pretended antiquity for the consecration of Churches Chappell 's Altars c. since Christs time we answer first that before the raigne of Constantine the Great there is no credible president or authority at all for dedication of any Churches And that Eusebius who De vita Constantini l. 3. c. 24. to 40. 45. 47. 49. 50. 51. lib. 4. c. 39 makes mention of Constantines and his Mother Helenaes building of divers stately Churches at Bethlehem in the Mount of Olives in Constantinople Nycomedia Mambre in Phaenicia and elsewhere by his Edicts enjoyned Christians to build Churches yet makes no mention of any Edicts for their hallowing True it is that De vita Constantini l. 4. c. 43. 45. 47. we read that Constantine summoned a General Councell of Bishops to Jerusalem to settle some differences in the Church and that at this meeting he thought best to consecrate and thereupon kept the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple which he had built at Jerusalem over our Saviours Sepulchre which the Priests then Consecrated but how with prayers disputations preachings expositions of Scripture and receiving the Sacrament as he expresly defines c. 45. But of any other particular Church then this thus consecrated by his appointment we finde no mention Indeed the same Eusebius in his Ecclesiast Historiae l. 10. c. 3. De Encauijs ubique locorum celebratis writes that Churches being reedified under Constantine Deinceps celebre spectaculum nobis omnibus optabile vehementer desideratum ante omnium occulis proponebatur Dedicationum scilicet festivitates per urbes singulas templorum nuper aedificà torum consecrationes which intimates that Churches then new built were solemnly dedicated to God in most places but what those Dedications of them were he informes us in the same Chapter That they were Panygericall Orations in praise of their founders c. of which he cites a memorable one made to Paulinus Bishop of Tyre in the next Chapter These Dedications therefore of Churches then were farre different from those used by the Papists and this Archbishop now We read not then of any consecration of their foundation stones any pompous processions to them any knocking at the doores by the Bishop crying with a loud voyce Open Open ye everlasting doores c a cleare perverting of Scripture of no flying open of the doores there-upon No falling downe upon the marrow bones and saying This place is holy c. No casting up of dust in the ayre no such prayers processions round about the Church bowings to the Altar pronouncing of cursings and blessings Peepings recoylings and other Antick tricks as this Bishop used at Creed Church and elsewhere no Hallowing of Altars Altar-clothes Vessells Vestments Churchyeards Chappell 's Therefore these Consecrations in Constantines dayes are no warrant at all for his the rather because not made by Bishops alone who now monopolize them After Constantines time there is very rare mention of any Consecration of Churches in Ecclesiasticall Histories or the genuine writings of the Fathers till Popery overspread the Church and Popes brought it in by forged decrees Gratian himselfe being unable to cite so much as one Fathers Authority for it Di Consecratione distinct 1. where he professedly handles this subject but only the forged Decrees of Popes and the Canons of two or three late Popish Councells there being no Canons concerning it in any ancient genuine Synods Yea the consecration of Churches was so much neglected even in the very darkest time a of Popery above a thousand yeares after Christ that Oâ—hobon the Popes Legat and the Synod held under him here in England in Henry the third his Raigne acknowledge that there were many Parish Churches and some Cathedralls then uncrusecrated although built long before Now to prove the consecration and meerly Popish as of late ages it hath beene used at least it is agreed by Gratian Platina the Centuryators Thomas Beacon and others that Pope Hyginus Gelasius Iohn Nicholas Clemens Sylvester Felix and Gregory whose spurious Decrees are cited by Gratian De Consecratione Distincti and Surius in his 1. and 2 Tome of Councells were the first inventors and prescribers of this Ceremony of Consecrating Churches and Altars prescribing 1. That no Church should be built or consecrated without the command Authority or consent of the Bishop of Rome 2ly That every Church should be consecrated with a Masse and no Masse said or Sacrament administred unlesso in case of absolute necessity but in a consecrated Church and at a consecrated Altar 3ly That these Priests should be deprived who said Masse or officiated in unhallowed places or at unconsecrated Altars 4ly That no Altars should be consecrated without the Reliques of Saints and if any Altars were consecrated without them they should be pulled downe 5ly That all Stone Altars should be anoynted and consecrated with Chrisme 6ly That no Church should be consecrated wherein a Pagan was interred unlesse his corps were first digged up and cast out of it 7ly That the Timber of a consecrated Church and Vestments once consecrated though worne out decayed should not be converted to any other good use but burnt to Ashes and these to be laid up safely in some place
the hearing And whereas he pretends he was not present at his censure which he proves not we know he was vertually if not personally present thereat yea his unjust suppression of his tendred Answer and defence was the onely cause of his censure which if received were so learned solid satisfactory that prophanenesse and injustice it selfe could not have imposed such a censure on him Thirdly annuall Feasts of Dedication of Churches are not so ancient but that we know their Originall The Feast of Dedication of the Altar instituted by Judas Maccabeus was the first of this kind we read of Indeed Solomon kept a Feast for seven dayes space when the Temple was dedicated And Constantine the great with some others in his dayes when Churches were dedicated made a great Feast but that those Feasts continued annuall in perpetuity I find no mention in any approved Antiquity These annuall Feasts of dedication were first invented by the spurious popish Decrees of Pope Felix and Gregory thus recorded by Gratian Solennitates dedicationum Ecclesiarum Epissoporum Saterdotum per singulos annos sunt celebrandae Solennitates Ecclesiarum dedicationum Sacerdotum per singulos annos solenniter sunt celebrandae ipso Domino exemplum dante qui ad festum dedicationis Templi omnibus id faciendi dans formam cum reliquis populis eandem festevitatem celebraturus venit sicut scriptum est Facta sunt Encoenia in Hieru olymis hyems erat ambulabat Jesus in Temple in porticu Solomonis Quod autem octo diebus encaenia sint celebrando in libro Regum perfecta dedicatione Templi cernas Other Decrees then these of these two Popes the latter whereof is built upon cleer mistakes of Scripture cannot be produced These Bacanalian feasts are thus censured by Aretius Problem 126. Hodie verò Solennitates instituuntur tote die bibitur tote die luditur saltatur lascivi cantus audiuntur quae omnia magis spirant Bacchi quoddam festum à Maenadibus celebrandum quam piam Christianismi antiquitatem And were wholly abolished among us by the Injunctions of King Henry the eighth and Statute of 6 Edw. 6. c. 3. by reason of the idlenesse excesse and great mischiefes they produced to mens soules Yea many Judges riding the Westerne Circuit suppressed the Wakes and Revels kept upon them from time to time for these abuses and other weighty Reasons Yet this prophane Arch-prelate revives re-establisheth them by this DECLARATION causeth those Judges Orders to be reversed with a strong Hand by a Plot and Certificate from Bishop Pierce and others checks nay punisheth Chiefe Justice Richardson removes him from that Circuit and le ts loose the Reines to all Licentiousnesse prophanenesse whereby infinite mischiefs ensued as we have fully proved So that this whole Charge sticks still upon him Ninthly from these ceremoniall and practicall they proceed to doctrinall innovations in matters of Religion wherein I am charged First with an endeavour to introduce and propagate Arminianisme in our Church the rediest inlet to Popery and a part thereof though I knew it to be a plot of the Jesuits to subvert our Religion as appears by the Jesuits Letter and that principally First in being a common Patriot of Arminians together with their Books Tenets and a preferrer of such by name of Bishop Mountague and his Appeale complained of in Parliament Doctor Jackson and others for which I was taxed by a Declaration of the Commons in Parliament Secondly in censuring the Commons Declaration in Parliament against the Arminians and their Vote too Thirdly in calling in and suppressing Books against Arminianisme though licensed and questioning censuring the Authors Printers dispersers of them in the high Commission as Bishop Carltons and Bishop Downames Books Doctor Featlies Doctor Goads Master Rouses Doctor Sutcliffes Master Prynnes Master Burtons Books and others when as the Arminian Authors went unquestioned and their Books printed by authority as Doctor Jacksons Book and the Historicall Narration licensed by my owne Chaplaine Doctor Martin Fourthly In abusing his Majesties Proclamation his Declaration before the 39. Articles of our Church with the subsequent Instructions prohibiting controversies against the Article especially in the controverted points of Arminianisme to suppresse all preaching against Arminian errours and punish such as durst oppose them by silencing suspending censuring them in the high Commission or elswhere and conniving at the Arminians to vent and preach their errours freely under pretext thereof without restraint or opposition both in the University and City Fiftly for purging passages against Arminianisme and Arminians out of Books tendred to the Presse and particularly out of Bishop Hals and Bishop Davenants Letters with some other incident particulars which fall under these heads Sixtly in repealing the Articles of Ireland against Arminianisme which King James declaimed against as damnable heresie To this I answer in generall that I never endeavoured to introduce Arminianisme into our Church nor ever maintained any Arminian opinions For the Jesuits Letter it is nothing at all to me it layes nothing to my charge in particular and it was lawfull for me to read and keep it it containes many strange vile things in it against the Parliament which I approve not but detest To the particulars I answer First that I did neither protect nor countenance the Arminians persons books or tenets for Bishop Mountague I had no hand in his Book I countenanced it not it was suppressed and called in by Proclamation he was preferred by Sir Dudly Carltons meanes not mine who was then a stranger to me True is is I was in a Declaration of the Commons house taxed as a favourer advancer of Arminians and their opinions without any particular proofe at all which was a great slander to me Secondly I answer that being publickly traduced in that Declaration I did returne an answer to vindicate my owne innocency as was necessary for me to doe to free my selfe from that scandall without any derogation to the Parliaments authority Neither did I this till I was expresly commanded by the King himselfe as appeares by the endorsment whose command it was lawfull yea necessary for me to obey and I durst not have done it without such his Royall command After which I penned it with all due respect to the Parliament and it was never published For my answer to the Parliaments Vote it was onely a private paper kept in my Study and communicated to none written for my owne private satisfaction and derogating noting from the power of Parliaments it belonging properly to the Convocation and Church of England by the Lawes and Statutes of the Land to make Canons and settle controversies in Religion as the Statute of 25. Hen. 8. c. 19. 1. Eliz. c. 1. evidence Thirdly the calling in and suppressing of these Books and prosecuting the Authors Printers of them in the High Commission was the Courts act not mine For Bishop Carltons Book it was called
resolve to dissolve them before they were called In case they prove peevish c. and to write so of Parliaments as he hath done in other papers durst write such an answer as this without any royall mandate to encourage him And this his answer to the Commons Vote against Arminianisme demonstrates which is fraught with transcendent contempt of their authority and proceedings therein basely scorned scoffed at And the reasons given therin prove that it was no private note to satisfie himself alone but a paper purposely complied to incense the King others against the Commons as the comparing it with some passages of his Diary and dissolving of that very Parliament in discontent soon after will easily demonstrate For the Statutes objected they prove no such thing as in pretended our Parliaments in all Ages not the Convocation who are but only assistants to the Houses in matters of Religion when their advice is required having been the sole Judges Law-givers determiners of all Ecclesiasticall affaires matters of Religion as we can prove by infinite Presidents Thirdly the calling in suppressing burning of all the forecited books against Arminianisme with the questioning of the Authors and Printers of them in the high Commission is directly sworn proved to be his act and the Courts onely mediatly by his procurement the Warrants for their Citation Commitments were signed with his hand he was the onely violent man against them in open Court upon all occasions and though many of them were not censured but got off yet it was onely by prohibitions full sore against his will for the bringing whereof he threatned to lay them by the heels However those that escaped best were there prosecuted sundry yeers put to great attendance and expence many of them imprisoned and their books all lost or privately burnt by his direction without any censure of the Court at all as Bishop Carltons Book against Mountague and Master Prynnes Perpetuity though both publikely licensed by Archbishop Abbots Chaplaines Bishop Downhams Book as this Archbishops owne Letter to Bishop Vsher manifests was called in by his instigation onely to colour which he procured a mandate from the King and his owne endorsment proves that Doctor Sutcliffes Book was suppressed in the Presse by his procurement For Doctor Jackson he could not but know him to be a professed Arminian being so reported by all and declaring himselfe to be one both in his Epistle and Book which though complained of was never suppressed nor questioned notwithstanding his Majesties Proclamation and Declaration For the Historicall Narration the vilest imposter ever thrust upon our Church it was licensed by his Chaplain Doctor Martin with his owne privity the calling of it in was the act of Archbishop Abbot upon Master Prynnes complaint and the publike scandall it gave much against this Bishops will who hath ever since connived at the sale of them The turning away this his Chaplaine for it is but a false surmise for he promoted him to the Headship of Queens Colledge in Cambridge and a very great living to boot instead of bringing him into the high Commission and was he not then severely punished for so grand a crime Fourthly though the Proclamation and Declaration prohibiting preaching and writing on these controversies were the Kings in name and title yet they were originally this Bishops meer plot and contrivance to suppresse all Books Disputes Sermons against Arminianisme to usher it in the faster without any opposition the Arminians under pretext hereof having liberty to preach to print their errors without check or censure as our evidence abundantly proves he making them meer snares to entangle all consciencious zealous orthodox men Ministers and others whose zeale excited them to appeare against these dangerous disturbers of our Churches and Kingdomes peace in Presse Schooles or Pulpit For Master Fords and his complices severe censures in Oxford even to expulsion and banishment they proceeded meerly from his own violent prosecution as the Evidence unanswerably proves the Kings and Counsels censures being principally steered by his compasse the chiefe actor prosecutor and Judge in this cause And whereas he pretends that those who preached or printed Arminianisme were convented censured in the Vnversities and elswhere as well as those who preached against it let him name but one Scholler Minister that was ever imprisoned deprived silenced prosecuted in the high Commission or cast out of favour for preaching writing printing Arminianisme and then perchance he may be credited but surely not one such president can be found Whereas Master Mountague was made a Bishop Doctor Harsnet an Archbishop Doctor Linsey promoted to two Bishopricks Doctor Potter made a Deane to omit sundry others and Doctor Duppa made the Princes Tutor Deane of Christ-Church and a Bishop too because he was an Arminian True it is that we find in the University Register of Oxford pag. 50. that one Master Robert Rainsford since a Doctor teaching divers Arminian Tenents in a Sermon at Saint Maries in defence of Election from foreseen Faith and Vniversall Grace was upon Doctor Prideaux his complaint not long after the expulsion of Master Ford and Master Hodges convented before the Heads and enjoyned a very slender Recantation in as partiall terms as might be not of his Arminian errours which he hath oft since broched but of his disobedience to his Majesties Declaration recorded in these tearmes WHeras I Robert Rainsford preaching at Saint Maries in Oxford the 12. day of August 1632. and falling upon some prynts which by reason of the agitation of them have caused trouble in the Church have been forbidden to be preached on both by his Majesties Declaration and by his expresse Order to the Vice-Chancellour at Woodstock whereof having left the Vniversity for the space of two yeers and upwards I was altogether ignorant have thereby incurred his Majesties displeasure and was therefore worthily convented by the Vice-Chancellour I doe freely and humbly acknowledge my disobedience and am hartily sorry for the same desiring those that are to be my Judges upon my promise of better behaviour hereafter to accept this my unfained acknowledgement and to be favourable unto me 21. August 1632. Robert Rainsford This was all his censure farre different from Master Fords and Master Hodges though after their punishment and so his offence farre greater then theirs who did not begin the quarrell nor kindle the fire of the Arminian Controversies in Oxford but their Opposites who escaped scot-free and were promoted by this Archbishop himselfe for opposing when they were thus severely handled for maintaining the truth So in London the Anti-Arminians were generally silenced suppressed the Arminians connived at advanced encouraged by this Prelate under pretext of this Declaration as the Commons in Parliament complained in their forecited Remonstrance and as we have proved by sundry instances to which he returnes no answer and so stand confessed by his silence For Cambridge Vniuersity we know he was Visitor there though not Chancellour
Prince and Bishop of Conchen when in Spaine the Articles of the Duke of Buckingham against the Lord Digby and the Lord Digbies against him in full Parliament Anno 1626. To which they Object I was privy because I was Confessor to the Duke and his Cabinet Counsell at that time and because my Letter to Bishop Hall my owne Diary and Letters to and from the Duke whiles in Spaine with the Note in my Masse Booke discover and confirme it Secondly by the French Match with the Queen promoted purposely to usher in Popery and to reconcile us unto Rome to which they Object I was privy and assistant as my Letters to the Duke my intimacy and compliance with the Queen my inhibitng Ministers to pray and punishing them for praying for the Queens conversion my censuring of Master How for praying That the young Prince might not be brought up in Popery with my magnifying of Queen Maries dayes and depressing King Edwards and Queen Elizabeths demonstrate Secondly by sundry particular instances as First Ludovicus a Sancta Maria his Conclusiones Theologicae Secondly the Plot discovered to me by Haberufield Thirdly the Dedicating of Fastidius his Works to the King by Cardinall Barbarino Fourthly Sancta Clara his Deus Natura Gratia writ of purpose to reconcile us to Rome with which I was acquainted and maintained the Author of it Saint Giles a most dangerous seducing Priest in the University of Oxford Fifthly the proffers of Cardinalships to English men and twice to my selfe Sixthly the strange encrease and proceedings of Papists Priests Jesuits and the Popish Hierarchy in Ireland to which I was privy yet denied it and incensed the King against the Commons for complaining of it Seventhly the Popes sending of divers Nuncioes successively into England where they resided and were publickly entertained with our reciprocall sending and maintaining Agents at Rome to work a Reducement of us back to that Antichristian See To this I answer First that I was neither the Author nor Fomenter of the Spanish Match nor of the Kings Voyage into Spaine which was charged on the Duke and the Lord Dighy It is true my Lord Duke was pleased to enter into a neer familiarity with me and to make me his Confessor and that I writ Letters to him into Spaine and received Letters from him thence but this proves not that I was privy to that Plot as for the Popes Letters to the Prince and the Bishop of Conchen in Spaine to pervert him in his Religion they are nothing to me and my Letter to Bishop Hall was many yeers after that Match broken off Secondly there is no proofe of my furthering the Match with France or that the end of it was to reduce us back to Rome the respects and services I did for the Queen were no more then in civility and duty I ought to performe out of the duty I bare to the King my Master whose Consort and Wife she is her gracious favour towards me proceeded only from her owne gracious disposition not from my deserts or seeking and I had no reason to reject it because it would be a meanes for me to work the more effectually upon her Majesty For my giving Order in my Metropolitical Visitation to my Visitor to inhibit Ministers to pray for the Queens conversion or questioning any for praying for it I absolutely deny it and for Master How he was justly censured for his prayer it being scandalous to his Majesty in questioning his care of the Princes education in the true Religion and infusing jealousies into the peoples heads of his education in Popery and inclination to it As for my pretended magnifying of Queene Maries dayes and depressing of King Edwards and Queene Elizabeths in the Preface to the OXFORD STATUTES I answer that that Preface is none of mine nor proved to be so and if it were yet the words relate to the State and Statutes of the Vniversity of Oxford only in their dayes not of our Church and Religion Secondly to the particular Instances I answer that the first second and third of them concerne not me I was neither the cause nor author of nor privy to them nor could I hinder them and the second of them is a strong evidence for me For the fourth of them Sancta Clara his Book it was printed at Lyons not at London and Saint Giles was not the Author of it but another Fryar I had no hand in it nor was privy to it yet it was disliked by many of the Papists because it gave much advantage to our Church and Religion For his being at Oxford it was much against my will by the Kings speciall Warrant for which I have his hand and I maintained him not there but the King To the fifth the proffer of Cardinals Caps to others is nothing to me and for the offer of a Cardinalship to my selfe two severall times as I could not hinder the offers so I rejected them and acquainted the King both with the person and thing which is all I could doe expressing the cause of my refusall thereof to be That something dwelt within me that would not suffer that till Rome were other then it is as appeares by my owne Diary The strongest Evidence that can be to acquit me from any compliancy with Rome To the sixth I answer that the encrease and proceedings of the Papists in Ireland mentioned in the Objected Letters and Papers are nothing to me I was not the cause nor author thereof the Monasteries and Nuâ—meries mentioned in them were but poor little houses My answer to the CoÌ„mons Remonstrance was penned by the Kings speciall command as appears by the endorsment I knew not of these Irish papers nor of the encrease of popery there wheÌ„ I returned an answer to the Remonstr An. 1628. these Proclamations letters papers being dated since that time for the Deputies letters they are nothing to me I could not hinder the writing and directing of them to me and himselfe hath already been impeached condemned for his Actions for which I am not to answer To the seventh I say it was not in my power to hinder the Popes sending his Nuncioes hither which the King condiscended to upon the Queens earnest desire to accommodate and satisfie her Majesty in some things which concerned her in her Religion For the Agents sent and residing in Rome they were hers not mine sent thither by her Majesty without my privity and against my liking To this was replied First that the forementioned Evidence fully demonstrats that the Archbishop was both privy consenting assisting to the Spanish Match Voyage and to the very Instructions given to the Prince before he went into Spaine how he ought to satisfie the Pope about King James his proving him to be the Antichrist in his publique writings therefore the Popes Letter to the Prince and Bishop of Conehen to pervert the Prince in his Religion with the Dukes and Lord Digbies attempts there to
His Majesty sitting in Councell the question and difference which grew about the removing of the Communion Table in St. Gregories Church neere the Cathedrall Church of St. Paul from the middle of the Chancell to the upper end and there placed Altar-wise in such manner as it standeth in the said Cathedrall and Mother Church as also in all other Cathedralls and in His Majesties own Chappell and as it is consonant to the practise of approved Antiquity which removall and placing of it in that sort was done by order from the Deane and Chapter of St. Pauls who are Ordinaries thereof as was avowed before His Majesty by Doctor King and Doctor Montfort two of the Prebends there yet some few of the Parishioners being but five in number did complaine of this Act by Appeale to the Court of Arches pretending that the Booke of Common Prayer and the 82 Canon do give permission to place the Communion Table where it may stand with most fitnesse and couveniencie Now His Majesty having heard a particular Relation made by the Counsell of both parties of all the carriage and proceedings in this Cause was pleased to declare His dislike of all Innovation and receding from ancient Constitutions grounded upon just and warrantable Reasons especially in matters concerning Ecclesiasticall order and Government knowing how easily men are drawne to affect Novelties and how soone weake judgments in such cases may be overtaken and abused And He was also pleased to observe that if these few Parishioners might have their wills the difference thereby from the foresaid Cathedrall Mother Church by which all other Churches depending thereon ought to be guided would be the more notorious and give more subject of Discourse and Disputes that might be spared by reason of S. Gregories standing close to the wall thereof And likewise for so much as concerns the liberty given by the sayd Communion Book or Canon for placing the Communion Table in any Church or Chappell with most conveniency that liberty is not so to be understood as if it were ever left to the discretion of the Parish much lesse to the particular phansie of any humorous Person but to the Iudgment of the Ordinary to whose place and function it doth properly belong to give direction in that point both for the thing it selfe and for the time when and how long as he may finde cause Vpon which consideration his Majesty deciared himselfe That he well approved and confirmed the Act of the said Ordinary and also gave Command that if those few Perishioners before mentioned doe proceed in their said Appeale then the Deane of the Arches who was then attending at the hearing of the cause shall confirme the said Order of the aforesaid Deane and Chapter This Order being thus obtained and afterwards published in Print by Doctor Heylyn in his Coale from the Altar and Antidotum Lincolniense the designe of removing rayling in and turning Communion Tables into Altars in Parcohiall Churches Chappell 's was much promoted by coulor of it of the reason of conformity to Cathedrall Mother Churches expressed in it And to hasten this worke the more to which the people and Church-wardens in many places were very averse the Archbishop being to keep a Metropoliticall Visitation in all Diocesses and places exempt and not exempt with in the Province of Canterbury by Sir Nathaniell Brent his Vicar Generall others his Commissioners though he made no mention in his printed Visitation Articles of removing and rayling in Communion Tables Altar wise to avoyd the peoples clamours against him yet hee writ a private Letter to Sir Nathaniell Brent after his departure hence to enjoyne him to remove and raile in the Communion Tables in all Parish Churches and gave him order to see it executed With which practise the Archbishop being charged at the Lords Barre by Serjeant Wilde who mannaged this part of the evidence he peremptorily denied it and protested solemnly before the Lords that he never gave Sir Nathaniell Brent any such order or directions by letter or otherwise and that he could prove by sufficient testimonies Sir Nathaniell had openly acknowledged that this Alteration was made by Sir Nath. himselfe of his own head without any order from him adding that he cold not be so unworthy as to deny it Wherupon he desired Sir Nath. might be called to testify the truth upon his Oath who appearing at the Lords Bar for this purpose the Archbishop demanded of him whether ever hee gave him any command or direction by word or writing in his Metropoliticall Visitation to remove or raile in Communion Tables at the East end of the Chauncell telling him hee was now upon his Oath and wishing him to speake nothing but the truth herein whereunto Sir Nathaniell answered My Lords upon the Oath I have taken I received an expresse direction command from the Archbishop himselfe to do what ever I did in this or any other kind else I durst not have don it To which the Archbishop confidently replyed My Lords I protest I never gave him any such command or directions I wonder Sir Nathaniell dares be so bold unworthy as to affirm it here upon Oath since I can prove he hath formerly denied it To which Sir Nathaniell replyed My Lords since the Archbishop so confidently denies that he ever gave me any such command and directions I shall humbly desire that this Letter of his sent unto me when I was visiting at Maidstonin Kent signed with his own hand may be read which will end the controversie and manifest by whose Authority and command I did it whereupon a Letter under the Arch Bishops owne hand directed to Sir Nathaniell was delivered to the Clarke and openly read to the Arch-Bishops great shame and disparagment of all his Protestations which after this some other passages wherein he was taken tripping in like manner were reputed meere vaporing impostures to delude the vulgar voyd of truth and credit The Letter was to this effect Sir I require you to command the Communion Table at Maidston to be placed at the East or upper end of the Chauncell and there railed in and that the Communicants there shall come up to the Raile to receive the blessed Sacrament and the like you are required to doe in all Churches in all other placse where you are to visit Metropolitically c. W. Cant. This letter being read much daunted discredited the Arch-Bishop in the opinion of all the Auditors he having nothing to reply but that he had forgotten he writ him any such letter Vpon the receipt whereof Sir Nathaniell Brent confessed he did give order throughout his Metropoliticall Visitation that all the Communion Tables should be removed and railed in at the upper end of the Chauncell in all Parish Churches and all seates above the Table or equall with it in any Chancell pulled downe and that the Communicants should goe up to the Raile and there receive the Sacrament kneeling which he
Church the first Sunday in February And it is likewise further Ordered that every Constable shall at every Lent Assize present to the Judges of this Circuit a note of the receipt of the said Order under the hands of the said Ministers And for the further avoyding of the concourse of idle people it is further Ordered that such persons as usually carry up and downe Bulls and Beares to baite being Rogues by Statute shal be punished as Rogues for the further prevention of such inconveniences as usually happen upon such meetings Per me Symon Spatchurst Clericum Asiisor The 6. an Order made by Baron Denham at the Assizes in Somersetshire Anno 1627. upon a Petition of divers Ministers To the Honourable Sir John Denham Knight one of the Barons of His Majesties Exchequor and Iustice of Assize for the County of SOMERSET The humble Petition of the Ministers whose names are subscribed Sheweth THat whereas at the last Summer Assizes held for the County of Dorset there was an Order made for the suppressing of all Revells Church-Ales and other publike Ales amongst other things as by the Copie of the said Order hereunto annexed appeareth Your Petitioners therefore humbly desire that Your Lordship would be pleased to grant the like Order at this Assizes for the suppressing of the like Ales and disorders in this County of Somerset So they shall alwayes pray for Your Lordships long health and prosperity Adam Abraham Iohn Ford. William â—yllet Iohn Fathers Ralph Turner George Drake 15. Marcii 1627. Let the Clerke of the Assizes draw up the like 〈◊〉 for his County Iohn Denham Which former Order being warranted by so many Presidents Iudge Richardson said hee conceived hee had no power absolutely to reverse but being commanded to do it by His Majestie he did as much as in him lay revoke it but yet doubted not that if the Iustices of Peace would truly informe His Majesty of the grounds of the former Order and of the great disorders occasioned by Wakes and Church-ales His Majesty would give Order to revive it but how ever he must make this Order for the present which he caused he Clerk of Assizes to enter VVHereas divers Orders have been heretofore made by the Judges of Assize for the suppressing of Church-ales Clerks-ales Wakes Revells and such like within this County of Somerset which were formerly made by the Judges by reason of many disorders and misdemeanours arising upon the meeting of multitudes of people out of other Parishes It is now Ordered by his Lordship that all former Orders heretofore made by any Judges or Iustices for the suppressing of Church-ales Clerks-ales Wakes and Revells be revoked as much as in him lyeth and made utterly voyde And that it may be lawfull for all persons freely to use any lawfull Recreation or Exercise at such meetings but with this advice that they be carefull that no outrages or misdemeanours commonly arising at such Church-ales Clerk-ales Wakes and Revells be done or committed Hereupon all the Justices of Peace then present immediately after they had dined drew up this Petition to His Majesty which they Signed with all their hands and then sent it up to London by Iohn Harrington Esquier then Custos Rotulorum in that County with order to deliver it to the Right Honourable Earle of Pembrook Lord Lievtenant of the County to present it to His Majesty Who repairing to London accordingly shewed the Petition to Master Prynne and the Earle being then in the Country whence he would not returne in twelve dayes space he advised with him what course to take for presenting the Petition to His Majesty in the mean time lest the Archbishop hearing of it should prevent the same The Archbishop having notice of this Petition from Sir Robert Philips and Bishop Pierce to prevent the delivery and expected good effect thereof presently caused the Declaration for Sports published by King Iames with some additions of his owne at the end concerning Wakes and Feasts of Dedication relating the Order of Judg Richardson for suppressing them to be reprinted and published in His Majesties Name before the Petition delivered the Copy whereof is here subjoyned To the KINGS most Excellent Majestie The most humble Petition of the Iustices of the Peace of the County of Somerset MOst humbly Shewing That whereas heretofore there have bin from time to â—e severall good Orders made by the Iustices of Assize and Iustices of the Peace for the County of Somerset for the restraining and suppressing of certaine disordered Assemblies in that County called Church-ales Clerkes-ales Bid-ales Wakes and Revells by reason of many disorders inseperably accompanying the same wherby the said Assemblies have for the most part for a long time beene forborne and not used to the great good and quiet of the said County Now so it is may please Your Majesty that by occasion of a Declaration published the last Assizes by the Lord Chiefe Iustice of the Kings-Bench for restoring of Wakes and Revells and Revering of all Orders made against them and by reason of a rumour thereof spread in the Countrey since the last Lent Assizes not onely all the disorders aforesaid of Prophanation of the Lords Day riotous tipling contempt of Authoritie Quarrells Murthers c. frequently over-flowing the said Assemblies have increased this Summer but even the other disorderly Assembliss of Church-Ales Bid-Ales Clerkes-Ales condemned by the Lawes have againe beene set up to the great prejudice of the Peace plenty and good Government of the County May it therefore please Your most Excellent Majestie to grant us some more particular Declaration herein That Your Majesties Command concerning Revells may not be thought to extend farther then to the upholding of Civill Feasting betweene Neighbour and Neighbour in their Houses and the orderly and seasonable use of manly Exercises and Activities which we all shall be most ready to maintaine And that we may have Your Majesties Favour and Allowance to suppresse all the forementioned unlawfull Assemblies of Church-Ales Clerks-Ales and Bid-Ales and to punish all the forementioned disorders as heretofore we have done Wherein Your Petitioners have no other end than to do Your Majestie faithfull service and to preserve the good Government of the County John Lord Pawlet William Portman John Stowell Ralph Hopton John Symmes William Frauncis John Harrington Robert Cuffe Richard Cole Edward Powlet William Every Anthony Stocker William Capell George Powlett Francis Popham Edward Rodeney Francis Dodington John Horner William Bassit John Windham Robert Hopton George Speke Thomas Lutterell William Walrond Gerrad Wood. The delivery and good effect of this Petition was prevented by the publishing of this Declaration by this Archbishops meanes who to justify himselfe herein ex post facto procured this ensuing Warrant without any Date at all written with his own hand and found in his Study by Mr. Prynne together with the Printed Declaration for Sports endorsed with his owne pen to be Signed by His Majesty to justifie