Credit hereunto multiplying Objections against it Obj. There were say they many places besides Cambridge in the Kingdome of the East-Angles conteining Norfolk Suffolk and Cambridgeshire which with equall Probability may pretend to this School of Sigebert's Foundation seeing Bede doth not nominatim affirm Cambridge for the particular Place where this University was erected 50. Ans Answer Though Bede be Dumb in this particular notnaming Cambridge yet he makes such Signes that most intelligent Antiquaries by us alledged understand him to intend the same especially seeing Cambridge is acknowledged by all Authours time out of mind to have been a place for the Education of Students in Literature 51. Obj. Second Objection If any such University was founded by Sigebert it was at Grantchester differing as in Appellation so in Situation from Cambridge as being a good mile South West thereof Cambridge therefore cannot entitle it self but by apparent Usurpation to the ancient Priviledges of Grantchester 52. Ans Answer Most usuall it is for ancient places to alter their Names Babylon to Bagdet Byzantium to Constantinople our old Verulam to S t. Albans still retaining the numerical Nature they had before Oxford they tell us was once called a Bryan Twine Antiq. Acad. Ox. pag. 114. Bellositum and yet not altered from it's same self by another Name Nor is it any news for great Cities in processe of time as weary of long standing to ease themselves a little by hitching into another place Thus some part of modern Rome is removed more then a mile from the ancient Area thereof Thus Ierusalem at this day is come down from Mount Sion and more South-West climbed up Mount Calvary Yet either of these Places would account themselves highly injured if not reputed for the main the same with the former Sufficeth it that some part of Cambridge stands at this day where b Mr. Camden an Oxford-man in his description of Cambridgeshire alloweth Grantchester and Cambridge for the same place Third Objection Grantchester did which anciently c Cajus de Antiq. Cantab ex libro Barnwellensi pag. 11. Answer extended North-West as far as the Village called Howse and that 's enough to keep possession of the Priviledges of Grantchester as properly belonging thereunto Especially seeing Oxford at this day layes claim to the Antiquityes of Crekelade and Lechlade Towns distant sixteen miles off the one in VVilts the other in Glocestershire two ancient Schools of Greek and Latine as some will have it removed afterwards to Oxford from whence some of her Assertours do date her Beginning 53. Obj. Sigebert founded but Scholam which makes little to the Honour of Cambridge For thereby her Professours are degraded to Pedants and by a retrograde Motion Cambridge is sent back to Eaton I mean is made no better then a great Grammar-School 54. Ans If the best of Latine Oratours may be believed Schola properly signifies the Place where all Arts are publickly professed d Tully De natura Deorum Ex Platonis schola Ponticus Heraclides Ponticus Heraclides came out of the school of Plato Which is notoriously known to have been an Academie yea all his Scholars known by the name of Academicks to this day Those of Salerno in Italy dedicating a book of Physick to our Henry the second I take it begin thus Anglorum Regi scribit Schola tota Salerni School-boys deserve to be whipped indeed if presuming to prescribe Receipts to a King But that Schola there is sufficiently known to have been a famous University And under the favour of the University the word Vniversitas is but a base and barbarous Latine whiles Schola is pure Greek originally to design either the Place where generall Learning is publickly professed or the Persons studying therein And though I dare not totally concurre with that e Mr. Camden in his Britannia pag. 381. in Oxfordshire Fourth Objection Learned Critick that Vniversit as was first used in the foresaid sense about the reign of King Henry the third yet I believe it will not be found in any Classicall Authour in that modern acception 55. Obj. In good Authours Sigebert is said to have founded not only Scholam a School but Scholas Schools in the plurall If Schola therefore be an University either he made moe Universities then one in Cambridge which is absurd to affirm or else he erected moe Universities in other places of his Kingdome which Cantabrigians will not willingly confesse 56. Ans Answer The variation of the Number is of no Concernment For if respect be had to the severall Arts there professed Sigebert founded Schools in the plurall but if regard be taken of the Cyclopaedy of the Learning resulting from those severall Sciences he erected but one Grand School Every Fresh-man knows that the single Quadrant wherein the publick Lectures are read and Acts kept is called plurally the Schools in each University 57. Obj. Fifth Objection But Bede terms them Pueros Boyes properly under the Rod and Ferula whom Sigebert placed in his School and the word Paedagogi Vshers placed over them imports the same that they were no University-Students but a company of little Lads that lived there under Correction 58. Ans Answer Criticks will satisfie you that the word Pueri signifies even those of more Maturity especially if living sub regimine under the Discipline of Superiours Secondly Bede being a great Divine and conversant in Scripture-phrase borroweth an expression thence Christ calling his Disciples 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Iohn 21. 5. Children He useth also Paedagogos in the same notion with b 1 Cor. 4. 15. S t. Paul's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which our last Translatours reade Instructours in Christ even to the Corinthians who still needed such Paedagogues or Teachers though already c 1 Cor. i. 5. enriched in all utterance and knowledge Thirdly the Saxon ancient Copy of Bede which doubtlesse doth emphatically render the Latine translates pueri â—eonâ—e menn Fourthly Asserius Menevensis speaking of Alfred's founding of Oxford faith that he endowed the same Suae propriae Gentis nobilibus Pueris etiam ignobilibus and it is but equal that the Pueri at Cambridge should be allowed as much man in them as those at Oxford Lastly the young Frie of Scholars when first admitted is such to whom * All the Scholars of Pembroke Hall in Cambridge not being Fellows are termed pueri in their Statutes Pueri in the proper sense thereof may well be applyed And here it may seasonably be remembred how an d Bryan Twine Antiq. Oxon. p. 322. Oxford Antiquary affirmeth that Edward the fifth Prince of VVales and Richard his brother Duke of York Oxoniae studuerunt studied at Oxford in the life-time of their Father Stout Students no doubt whereof the Elder could not then be ten the Younger not nine yeares old But I forget what Lawyers hold that the Kings eldest Son is at full Age for
him born in Britain 16. But whilest the aforesaid Authors in Prose softly rock the Infancy of yet little Constantine the Great in Britain and whilest others in Verse especially f In Antiocheide sua Ioseph of EXETER and g See his Tetrastichon in Bishop Usher de Brit. Eccles primord pag. 76. Answers to the objections of the contrary Party Alexander Necham sweetly sing Lullabies unto him some Learned men are so rough and uncivil as to over-turn his Cradle yea wholly deprive Britain of the Honour of his Nativity Whose Arguments follow with our Answers unto them 1. Object The Panegyrist speaking how Britain first saw Constantine Caesar h Joannes Livineius not in Panegyr 5. refers not to his ordinary Life but Imperial Lustre Britain beheld him not first a Child but first saw him Caesar not fetching thence his natural being Anno Dom. 307 but honourable Birth first saluted Caesar in Britain Ans Even a Not. in Admiranda lib. 4. cap. 11. Lipsius Britain's greatest Enemy in this point confesseth that though Constantine was first elected Emperour in Britain yet he was first pronounced Caesar in France in the life and health of his Father Caesar was a Title given to the Heir-apparent to the Empire ◠and therefore the words in the Panegyrist in their native Construction relate to his natural Birth 2. Object Constantine Porphyrogenetes the Grecian Emperour about 700 yeares since in his Book of Government which he wrote to his Son confesseth Constantine the Great to have been a FRANK by his Birth whence learned Meursius collecteth him a French-man by his extraction Ans It is notoriously known to all Learned men that the Greeks in that midle-Age as the Turks at this very day called all VVestern Europeaans FRANKS Wherefore as he that calleth such a Fruit of the Earth Grain a general name denyeth not but it may be VVheat a proper kind thereof so the terming Constantine a Frank doth not exclude him from being a Britan yea strongly implieth the same seeing no VVestern Country in Europe ever pretended unto his Birth 3. Object Bede a grave and faithfull Authour makes no mention of Constantine born in Britain who as b In his Epistle to M r. Camden Non Beda ille antiquus fidns an gloriae gentis suae non savet Lipsius marketh would not have omitted a matter so much to the honour of his own Nation Ans By the leave of Lipsius Constantine and Bede though of the same Country were of severall Nations Bede being a Saxon was little zealous to advance the British Honour The History of which Church he rather toucheth then handleth using it onely as a Porch to passe through it to the Saxon History And Saxons in general had little Skill to seek and lesse Will to find out any Worthy thing in British Antiquities because of the known Antipathy betwixt them 4. Object c In lib. ◠de aedisiciis Iustiniani Procopius maketh Drepanum a haven in Bithynia so called because there the Sea runnes crooked in forme of a Sicle to be the place where Constantine had his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or first Nursing very near to his Birth Nicephorus Gregoras makes him born in the same Country Ans The former speaks not positively but faith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men say so reporting a Popular Errour The latter is a late VVriter living under Andronicus junior Anno 1340 therefore not to be believed before others more ancient 5. Object But Iulius Firmicus contemporary with Constantine himself an Authour above Exception maketh this Constantine to be born at Naisus in printed Books Tharsus a City of Dacia Ans An excellent d Camden in his letter to Lipsius printed in Usher de Prim. Eccl. Brit. p. 188. Critick hath proved the Printed Copies of Firmicus to be corrupted and justifieth it out of approved Manuscripts that not Constantine the Great the Father but Constantine the younger his Sonne was intended by Firmicus born in that Place Thus we hope we have cleared the Point with ingenuous Readers in such measure as is consistent with the Brevity of our History So that of this Constantine a kind of outward Saviour in the World to deliver People from Persecution we may say with some allusion to the words of the e Mica 5. 2. Prophet but with a humble Reservation of the infinite Distance betwixt the Persons AND THOU BRITAIN ART NOT THE MEANEST AMONGST THE KINGDOMS OF EUROPE FOR OUT OF THEE DID COME A GOVERNOUR WHICH DID RULE THE ISRAEL OF GOD GIVING DELIVERANCE AND PEACE TO THE SAINTS 17. Now see what a Pinch a In his Epistle to this Nation Verstegan whose teeth are sharpned by the difference of Religion gives M r. Fox M r. Fox defended against the Cavils of Verstegan What is it other then an Absurdity for an English Authour to begin his Epistle to an huge b He meaneth his Books of Acts and Monuments Volume with Constantine the great and mighty Emperour the Sonne of Hellen an ENGLISH Woman c. VVhereas saith he in truth S t. Hellen the Mother of Constantine was no English but a British VVoman And yet Fox his words are capable of a candid Construction if by English VVoman we understand by a favourable Prolepsis one born in that Part of Britain which since hath been inhabited by the English Sure in the same Dialect S t. Alban hath often been called the first Martyr of the English by many Writers of good esteem Yea the Breviary of c In officio Sancti Albani Sarum allowed and confirmed no doubt by the Infallible Church of Rome greets S t. Alban with this Salute Ave Proto-martyr Anglorum Miles Regis Angelorum O Albane flos Martyrum Sure Hellen was as properly an English VVoman as Alban an English Man being both British in the Rigid Letter of History and yet may be interpreted English in the Equity thereof Thus it is vain for any to write Books if their words be not taken in a courteous Latitude and if the Reader meets not his Authour with a Pardon of course for venial Mistakes especially when his Pen slides in so slippery a Passage 18. And now having asserted Constantine a Britan Three Cities contend for Constantine born in them we are ingaged afresh in a new Controversy betwixt three Cities with equall Zeal and Probability challenging Constantine to be theirs by Birth d William Fitzstephens in the description of London London e Oratores Regis Angliae in Concil Constant York and f Camden's Brit. in Essex Colchester We dare define nothing not so much out offear to displease though he that shall gain one of these Cities his Friend shall make the other two his Foes by his Verdict but chiefly because little Certainty can be pronounced in a matter so long since and little evident Let me refresh my self and the Reader with relating and applying a pleasant Story Once at
that which renders the Conquest to Consideration in our Church-Story is the manifest Change of Religion from what formerly was publickly professed in England To make this Mutation in it's due time more conspicuous we will here conclude this Book with a brief Character of the principall Doctrines generally taught and believed by the English in these four last Centuries before tainted with any Norman Infection For though we must confesse and bemoan that Corruptions crept into the Church by Degrees and Divine Worship began to be clogg'd with superstitious Ceremonies yet that the Doctrine remained still sound and intire in most materiall Points will appeare by an Induction of the dominative Controversies wherein we differ from the Church of Rome 1. Scripture generally read For such as were with the Holy Bishop Aidan sive Attonsi sive b Bedae Eccles Hist lib. 3. cap. 5. Laici either Clergy or Laity were tied to exercise themselves in reading the Holy Word and learning of Psalms The Originall preferred For Ricemarch a c Caradoc in Chron. of Cambridge Britan a right Learned and Godly Clerk Son to Sulgen Bishop of Saint Davids flourishing in this Age made this Epigram on those who translated the Psalter out of the Greek so taking it at the Second hand and not drawing it immediatly out of the first Vessel Ebreis d MS. in the Library of the Learned Bishop William Bedel and cited by the Arch-bishop of Armagh in the Religion of the ancient Irish pag. 9. Nablam custodit liter a signis Pro captu quam quisque suo sermone Latino Edidit innumeros lingua variante libellos Ebreum que jubar suffuscat nube Latina Nam tepefacta ferum dant tertia Labra Saporem Sed sacer Hieronymus Ebreo fonte repletus Lucidius nudat verum breviusque ministrat This Harp the holy Hebrew Text doth tender Which to their Power whil'st every one doth render In Latine Tongue with many Variations He clouds the Hebrew Rayes with his Translations Thus Liquors when twice shifted out and powr'd In a third Vessel are both cool'd and sowr'd But Holy Ierome Truth to light doth bring Briefer and fuller fetcht from th' Hebrew Spring No Prayers for the Dead in the modern notion of Papists For though we find Prayers for the Dead yet they were not in the nature of Propitiation for their Sins or to procure Relaxation from their Sufferings but were onely an honourable Commemoration of their Memories and a Sacrifice of Thanksgiving for their Salvation Thus S t. Cuthbert after he had seen the Soul of one Hadwaldus e Bede in vita Cuthberti cap. 34. carried by Angels into Heaven did celebrate Obsequies of Prayers in his behalf Purgatory though nevvly hatched not yet fledged For although there are frequent Visions and Revelations in this Age pretended thereon to build Purgatory which had no Foundation in Scripture yet the Architects of that fancy-full Fabrick had not so handsomely contrived it as it stands at this day in the Romish Belief For a Lib. 3. c. 19. Bede out of the Vision of Furseus relateth certain great Fires above the Aire appointed to examine every one according to the merits of his VVork differing from the Papists Purgatory which Bellarmine by the common Consent of the School-men determineth to be within the Bowels of the Earth Thus nothing can be invented and perfected at once Communion under both kinds For b De vita Cuthberti prosa cap. 15. Bede relateth that one Hildmer an Officer of Egfride King of Northumberland intreated our Cuthbert to send a Priest that might minister the Sacrament of the Lords Body and Bloud unto his Wife that then lay a dying And Cuthbert himself immediately before his own Departure out of this Life received the Communion of the Lords Body and Bloud And lest any should fondly hope to decline so pregnant an Instance by the novel conceit of Concomitancy a Distinction that could not speak because it was not born in that Age it is punctually noted that he distinctly received the Cup. Pocula c Idem in vita Cuthberti carmine cap. 36. degustat vitae Christique supinum Sanguine munit iter His Voyage steep the easier to climbe up Christs Bloud he drank out of Lifes healthfull Cup. So that the Eucharist was then administred entire and not maimed as it is by Papists at this day serving it as d 2 Sam. 10. 4 Hanun the Ammonite did the Cloaths and Beards of David's Ambassadours cutting it off at the Middle And though the word Mass was frequent in that Age generally expressing all Divine Service yet was it not known to be offered as a propitiatory-Sacrifice for the quick and dead 43. But if any desire farther Information herein The Authors engagement to the Archb. of Armagh and conclusion of this second book let him repair to the worthy Work which Iames the right learned and pious Arch-bishop of Armagh hath written of the Religion professed by the ancient Irish and British From whom I have borrowed many a Note though not alwayes thanking him in the Margin by citing his Name and therefore now must make one generall Acknowledgement of my Engagement In Cities we see that such as sell by Retaile though of lesse Credit are of great Use especially to poor people in parcelling out Peny-worths of Commodities to them whose Purses cannot extend to buy by Whole-sale from the Merchant Conceive I in like manner my Pains will not be altogether unprofitable who in this History have fetch'd my Wares from the Store-house of that Reverend Prelate the Cape-Merchant of all Learning and here in little Remnants deliver them out to petty-country-Chapmen who hitherto have not had the Hap or Happinesse to understand the original Treasuries whence they are taken And clean through this Work in point of Chronologie I have with implicite Faith followed his e In his book de Brit. Eccl. primord Computation setting my Watch by his Dial knowing his Dial to be set by the Sun and Account most exactly calculated according to the critical truth of Time Long may he live for the Glory of God and Good of his Church For whereas many learned men though they be deep Abysses of Knowledge yet like the Caspian Sea receiving all and having no Out-let are loth to impart ought to others this bright Sun is as bountifull to deal abroad his Beams as such dark Dales as my self are glad and delighted to receive them SEVERALL COPIES OF BATTEL-ABBEY ROLL To the right worshipfull S r. Simon Archer of Tanvvorth in Warvvickshire SOme report that the Toad before her death sucks up if not prevented vvith suddain surprisall the precious Stone as yet but a Jelly in her Head grudging Mankind the Good thereof Such generally the Envy of Antiquaries preferring that their Rarities should die vvith them and be buried in their Graves rather then others receive any Benefit thereby You cross the current of common Corruption it being
The Lady Mary 28. after long Communication was content to come to Lees Ann. Dom. 1549 to the Lord Chancellours and then to Hunsdon but She utterly denied to come to the q q She loved to deale with the King her Brother eminus by Letters but in no wise comminus by discourse Besides she hated coming to the Court suspecting some harsh usage to her Person and jealous of being put into Restraint Court or Oking at that time The Lord Chancellor fell sore sick Aug. 13. with 40 more of his r r Lees in Essex a County generally not very healthfull where Agues sit as close and sometimes last as long as a new suit house that the Lady Mary came not thither at this time There were Letters sent to every Bishop to pull downe the Altars Nov. 19. There were Letters sent for the taking of certain Å¿ Å¿ Of these Francis Mallet last * * Sceletos Cant. MS. Master of Michael House in Cambridge was the chief He having leave from the Councell to officiate Masse onely in the presence of the Lady Mary presumed on the same liberty in her absence Whereupon he was notwithstanding his Ladies refusall to surrender him fetcht from her by force and committed to prison Chaplains of the Lady Mary Dec. 15. Edw. sexâ—i 4. for saying Masse which She denied Whaley was examined for perswading divers Nobles of the Realm to make the Duke of Somerset t t Now where the seeds sown and the foundation laid of the Protectours overthrow which ensued not long after Proâ—ector at the next Parliament Febr. 6. stood to the Denial the Earle of Rutland affirmed it manifestly The Bishop of Winchester after a long triall was deposed his Bishoprick 17. It seems some legall formalities were pretended wanting in Gardiner his deprivation For in my memory a Suit was commenced to overthrow a long Lease made by Bishop Poinet Gardiner's successour in Winchester on this point that Gardiner still remained lawfull Bishop but nothing therein was effected 23. Come we now to the saddest difference that ever happened in the Church of England The conception of non-conformity if we consider either the time how long it continued the eminent persons therein ingaged or the dolefull effects thereby produced It was about matters of conformity Alas that men should have lesse wisdome than locusts which when sent on God's errand Did not * * Joel 2. 8. thrust one another whereas here such shoving and shouldring and hoising and heavings and justleing and thronging betwixt Clergie-men of the highest parts and places For now non-conformity in the daies of King Edward was conceived which afterward in the Reign of Queen Mary but beyond Sea at Frankford was born which in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth was nursed and weaned which under King James grew up a young youth or tall stripling but towards the end of King Charles His Reign shot up to the full strength and stature of a man able not onely to coap with but conquer the Herarchie its adversary 24. Two opposite parties now plainly discovered themselves The favourers and opposers thereof driving on different interests Ann. Reg. Ed. 6. 4. under their respective Patrones Ann. Dom. 1550. Founders of Conformity 1. Such as remained here all the Reign of King Henry the eighth and weathered out the tempest of His tyrannie at open Sea partly by a politick compliance and partly by a cautious concealment of themselves 2. These in the daies of King Edward the sixt were possessed of the best preferments in the land 3. And retained many ceremonies practiced in the Romish Church conceiving them to be antient and decent in themselves 4. The authority of Cranmer and activity of Ridley headed this party the former being the highest the latter the hottest in defence of conformity Founders of Non-conformity 1. Such as fled hence beyond the Seas chiefly into Germany where living in States and Cities of popular Reformation they suck'd in both the aire and discipline of the place they lived in 2. These returning late into England were at a losse for meanes and maintenance onely supported with the reputation of being Confessors rendring their patience to the praise and their persons to the pity of all conscientious people 3. And renounced all ceremonies practiced by the Papists conceiving that such ought not onely to be clipt with the sheers but to be shaved with a raizor yea all the stumps thereof to be pluckt out 4. John Rogers Lecturer in S. Pauls and Vicar of S. Sepulchres with John Hooper afterwards Bishop of Glocester were Ring-leaders of this party This Iohn Hooper was bred in Oxford well skill'd in Latine Greek and Hebrew a little of the last would go farre in this Age and afterwards travelled over into Switzerland Yea he seemed to some to have brought Switzerland back with him in his harsh rough and unpleasant behaviour being grave into rigour and severe into surliness Yet to speak truth all Hoopers ill nature consisted in other mens little acquaintance with him Such as visited him once condemned him of over-austerity who repaired to him twice onely suspected him of the same who conversed with him constantly not onely acquitted him of all morosity but commended him for sweetness of manners which saith my Author Godwin in the Bishops of Glocester endeared him to the acquaintance of Bullinger This Hooper was preferred to be Bishop of Glocester by the special favour of his Patrone Iohn Earl of Warwick afterward Duke of Northumberland 25. The worst was Hooper refuseth to wear the Episcopal habit when Hooper came to be consecrated Bishop of Glocester he scrupled the wearing of certain Episcopall ornaments Rochet Chimere Square-cap c. producing a Letter from the Earl of Warwick omniprevalent then at Court in the declining of his Corrival the Duke of Somerset that he might be favourably dispensed with therein according to the tenour ensuing to Archbishop Cranmer AFter my most hearty commendations to your Grace these may be to desire the same that in such reasonable things wherein this beâ—rer my Lord Elect of Glocester craveth to be born withall at your hands you would vouch safe to shew him your Graces favour the rather at this my instance Which thing partly I have taken in hand by the Kings Majesties own motion The matter is weighed by His Highnesse none other but that your Grace may facilely condescend thereunto The principall cause is that you would not charge this said Bearer with an Oath burdenous to his conscience And so for lack of time I commit your Grace to the tuition of Almighty God Your Graces most assured loving friend July 23. John Warwick What this Oath was because not expressed is variously conjectured Parsons to render Hooper more odious will have it the Oath of Supremacy which in my opinion is improbable it being utterly unlikely that the King would dispense with any from taking Oath
Vircrum Illustrium Spectacles to read the smallest Print 3. William Perkins who was born in the first and died in the last of Q. Eliz. so that his Life as n In the Holy State where see hiâ— Life at large we have elsewhere observed to which we remit the Reader running parallel with this Queens Reign began continued and ended therewith 4. Gregory before his entrance into Religion Robert Sayer bred in Cambridge then leaving the University fled beyond sea where he became a Benedictine Monk of the Congregation of S. Justin in Padua He lived in severall parts of Europe as at Phemes Rome Montcasie Venice where he died and was buried o Puzeus de 〈◊〉 Anglick Aetate Detima septima p. 801. the 30. of Octob. having written many Volumes in great esteem with men of his Profession 5. William Harris as Obscure among Protestants as Eminent with the Popish Party A Master of Art of Lincoln Colledge in Oxford whence leaving the Land he fled beyond-sea living at Doway and afterwards he came over into p â—â—em ibidem England where it seemes he had the Hap to escape the Queenes Officers and to die in his Bed His Book called THE THEATRE OF THE MOST TRUE AND ANTIENT CHURCH OF ENGLAND is highly accounted of Roman Catholiques 11. About this time the low Estate of the City of Geneva the Nursery of the Reformed Religion was lively represented to the Prelates Relief sent to the City of Geneva Clergy and Well-disposed Persons of England being for the Present in a very Dolefull condition Long since it had been undone but because it had so many Enemies to undoe it So that by Gods providence q Judg. 14. 14. Out of the Devourer came Meat such Neighbouring Princes and States which were both Willing and Able to swallow up this Zoar did preserve it For rather than Savoy should suppresse it Venice Florence the Popish Cantons in Switzerland and France it self would support But for all this politick Geometry wherewith long it had hung safe betwixt severall Competitours it was lately shrewdly shaken by the Puissance of the Duke of Savoy who addicted to the Spanish Faction had banished all Protestants out of his Dominâ—ons Arch-bishop Whitgift whose hand was ever open to any Pious Design led with his liberall Example and the rest cheerefully followed so that large summes of money were seasonably made over for the Reliefe of Geneva 12. Queen Elizabeth The death of Q. Elizabeth the mirrour of her Sex and Age having above 40 years to the Admiration of Envy it selfe managed this Kingdome finding when she began few Friends that durst help and leaving no Foes that could hurt her exchanged her Earthly for a Heavenly Crowne who as she lived and died an unspotted Virgin so her Maiden memory is likely in this respect to remaine sole and single seeing History affords no Prince to be marched to her Fame in all considerable Particulars Her Corps were solemnly interred under a fair Tomb in Westminster Ann. Reg. 45. the lively Draught whereof Ann. Dom. 1602 is pictured in most London many Countrey Churches every Parish being proud of the shadow of her Tomb and no wonder when each Loyal Subject erected a mournfull Monument for her in his heart But soon after all English Soules were employed equally to divide themselves betwixt Exclamations of Sorrow for her Death and Acclamations of Joy for K. James his succeeding her 13. And now it is strange with what Assiduity and Diligence King Ja. 1. the two Potent Parties the Defenders of Episcopacy and Presbytery K James sends a Welcome message to the Episcopall Party with equall Hopes of Successe made besides Private and Particular Addresses Publique and Visible Applications to King James the first to continue the later to restore or rather set up their Government So that whilest each Side was Jealous his Rival should get the Start by early stirring and rise first in the Kings favour Such was their Vigilancy that neither may seem to go to Bed Incestantly diligent both before and since the Queens Death in dispatching Posts and Messages into Scotland to advance their severall Designes We take notice of two principall M. Lewis Pickering a Northampton shire Gentleman and zealous for the Presbyterian Party was the third Person of quality who riding incredibly swift good Newes makes good Horsemen brought King James the Tydings of Queen Elizabeths Death But how farre and with what Answer he moved the King in that Cause is uncertaine Doctour Thomas Nevill Deane of Canterburte came into Scotland some dayes after him except any will say that he comes first that comes really to effect what he was sent for being solemnly employed by s Sir G Pauls in the Archbishops Life Numb 126. Arch bishop Whitgift to his Majesty in the name of the Bishops and Clergy of England to tender their Bounden Duties and to understand his Highnesse Pleasure for the ordering and guiding of Ecclesiasticall Causes He brought back a welcome Answer to such as sent him of his Highnesse purpose which was to uphold and maintain the Government of the late Queen as she left it setled 14. Soone after followed the Treason of William Watson on this occasion Watson's â—lly Treason This Watson Secular Priest had written a bitter Book against the Jesuits as being one knowing though not so secret of their faults as their owne Confessours taxing them with truth so plaine they could not deny so foule they durst not confesse it Now such is the charity of Jesuits that They never owe any man any ill will making present payment thereof These Holy Fathers as Watson intimated on the d Stowes Chronicle p. 831. Scaffold at his Death and forgave them for the same cunningly and covertly drew him into this action promoting him who was ambitious though pretending to much Mortification treasonably to practise his own preferment 15. Watson with William Clark another of his own profession having fancied a notionall Treason imparted it to George Brooks one angry with Nature His moâ—tly Compliceâ— not so much for making him lame as a younger Brother These break it to Brook his Brother the L. Cobham to the Lord Gray of Whaddon and Sir Walter Rawleigh the one a known Protestant the other a reputed Puritan the third an able Statesman Besides some other Knights displeased with their present Fortunes how quickly is Discontent inflamed into Disloyalty because since the turning of the Wheele at the Queenes Death on the wrong Side of Preferment Watson devised an Oath of Secrecy for them all which was no more than needfull considering their different Interests rather pieced than united patched than pieced together 16. Had one lost his Religion he might have found it though I confess a Treason is but a bad place to seeke it in in this Conspiracy Their wild meanes whereby to attaine a mad end wherein men of all perswasions were engaged Their Parts were as
many Earles and Barons as could conveniently stand about the Thrane With their solemne oath did lay their hands on the Crowne on his Majesties head protesting to spend their bloods to maintain it to him and his lawfull Heirs The Bishops severally kneeled down but took no oath as the Barons did the King kissing every one of them 28. Then the King took a Scrowle of parchment out of his bosom and gave it to the Lord Keeper Williams A Pardon generall granted who reâ—d it to the Commons four severall times East West North and South The effect whereof was that his Majesty did offer a pardon to all his Subjects-who would take it under his Broad-Seale 29. From the Throne The Communion concludes the solemnity his Majesty was conducted to the Communion Table where the Lord Archbishop kneeling on the North side read prayers in the Quire and sung the Nicene Creed The Bishop of Landaff and Nâ—â—ich read the Epistle and Gospell with whom the Bishops of Durham and St. Davids in rich Copes kneeled with his Majesty and received the Communion the bread from the Archbishop the wine from the Bishop of St. Davids his Majesty receiving last of all whilest Gloria in excelsis was sung by the Quire Anno Dom. 1625-26 Anno Regis Caroli 1 and some prayers read by the Archbishop concluded the solemnity 30. The King after he had disrobed himself in King Edwards Chappell The return to White-Hall came forth in a short Robe of red Velvet girt unto him lined with Ermins and a Crown of his own on his head set with very pretious stones and thus the Train going to the Barges on the water side returned to White Hall in the same order wherein they came about three a clocke in the afternoon 31. I have insisted the longer on this Subject moved thereunto by this consideration Our prolixity herein excused that if it be the last Solemnitie performed on an English King in this kinde Posteritie will conceive my paines well bestowed because on the last But if hereafter Divine providence shall assign England another King though the transactions herein be not wholly precedentiall something of State may be chosen out gratefull for imitation 32. And here if a Blister was not A soul mouth railer it deserved to be on the fingers of that scandalous Pamphleteer who hath written that King Charles was not Crowned like other Kings Whereas all essentills of his Coronation were performed with as much ceremonie as ever before and all Robes of State used according to ancient prescription But if he indulged his own fancie for the colour of his clothes a White Sute c. Persons meaner than Princes have in greater matters assumed as much libery to themselves 33. Indeed one Solemnitie no part of Why the King rode not through the Citie but preface to the Coronation was declined on good consideration For whereas the Kings of England used to ride from the Tower through the City to Westminster King Charles went thither by water out of double providence to save health and wealth thereby For though the infectious Aire in the City of London had lately been corrected with a sharp Winter yet was it not so amended but that a just suspicion of danger did remain Besides such a procession would have cost him threescore thousand Pounds to be disbursed on Scarler for his Train A summe which if then demanded of his Exchequer would scarce receive a satisfactory answer thereunto and surely some who since condemne him for want of state in omitting this Royall Pageant would have condemned him more for prodigality had he made use thereof 34. As for any other alterations in Prayers or Ceremonies A memorable alteration in a Pageant though heavily charged on Bishop Laud are since conceived by unpartiall people done by a Committee wherein though the Bishop accused as most active others did equally consent Indeed a passage not in fashion since the Reign of King Henry the sixt was used in a prayer at this time Obtineat gratiam huic populo sicut Aaron in Tabernaculo Elizeus in Fluvio Zacharias in Templo sit Petrus in Clave Paulus in Dogmate Let him obtain favor for this people like Aaron in the Tabernacle Elisha in the Waters Zacharias in the Temple give him Peters Key of dicipline Pauls Doctrine This I may call a Protestant passage though anciently used in Popish times as fixing more spirituall power in the King than the Pope will willingly allow jealous that any should finger Peters Keyes save himself 35. A few dayes after a Parliament began A Conference at York House Feb 6 11. wherein M r. Mountague was much troubled about his Book but made a fhift by his powerfull Friends to save himself During the sitting whereof at the instance and procurement of Robert Rich Earle of Warwick a conference was Kept in York house before the Duke of Buckingam and other Lords betwixt Dr. Buckridge Bishop of Rochester and Dr. White Dean of Carlile on the one side and Dr. Morton Bishop of Coventry and Dr. Preston on the other about Arminian points and chiefly the possibilitie of one elected to fall from grace The passages of which conference arâ— variously reported For it is not in tongue combats Anno Regin Carol. 1 Anno Dom. 1626-2â— as in other battails where the victorie cannot be disguised as discovering it self in keeping the field number of the slain Captives and Colours taken Whilest here no such visible effects appearing the persons present were left to their libertie to judge of the Conquest as each one stood affected However William Earle of Pembrooke was heard to say that none returned Arminians thence save such who repaired thither with the same opinions 36. Soon after a second conference was entertained Feb. 17. A second on the same Subject in the same place on the same points before the same Persons betwixt Dr. White Dean of Carlile and Mr. Mountague on the on side and Dr. Morton Bishop of Lichfield and Dr. Preston on the other Dr. Preston carried it clear at the first by dividing his adversaries who quickly perceiving their error pieced themselves together in a joynt opposition against him The passages also of this conference are as differently related as the former Some makeing it a a Thus the writer of Dr. Prestons Life concludes the conquest on his side clear conquest on one some on the other side and a third sort a drawn battail betwixt both Thus the success of these meetings answered neither the commendable intentions nor hopefull expectations of such who procured them Now whil'st other dare say Universally of such conferences what David saith of mankinde that of them b Psalme 14. 3. there is none that doth good no not one we dare onely intimate that what Statesmen observe of Interviews betwixt Princes so these conferences betwixt Divines rather increase the differences than abate them 37.
in literature what wil the blow given doe thereon 62. Fourthly he alledged that the ancient and genuine use of Deans and Chapters was as Senatus Episcopi to assist the Bishop in his jurisdiction Now whereas some of his reverend Brethren had lately complained that Bishops have for many yeers usurped the sole government to themselves and their Consistories the continuing of Chapters rightly used would reduce it from one Man to a plurality of assistants 63. Lastly the structures themselves should said he speak for the structures Not that he would have then with Christs disciples fondly to admire the Fabricks but to put them in remembrance that Cathedrall Churches were the first monuments of Christianity in the Kingdome 64. From things he passed to Persons and began with the multitude of such members as had maintenance from Cathedralls some one of them allowing lively-hood to three hundred and the totall amounting to many thousands All which by the dissolutions of Deans and Chapters must be exposed to poverty Next he instanced in their Tenants who holding Leases from Deans and Chapters are sensible of their own happinesse as enjoying six parts of seven in pure gain and therefore have petitioned the House to continue their ancient Land-lords Thirdly such Cities wherein Cathedrals stand if maritime being very poor in Trade are inriched by the hospitality of the Clergy the frequent resort of strangers unto them 65. Then proceeded he to speak of the branches of the whole Kingdome all being in hope to reap benefit by the continuance of Deans and Chapters lands as now emploied For all men said he are not born elder Brothers nor all elder Brothers inheriters of Land Divers of low degree but generous Spirits would be glad to advance themselves and archieve an estate by qualifying themselves by industry and virtue to attain a share of Cathedrall Endowments as the common possession of the Realm inclosed in no private mens estate 66. And whereas travailers inform them that all ranks and degrees of people in England Knights Gentlemen Yeamen live more freely and fashionably than in any other Countries he trusted their Honours would account it reasonable that the Clergy had in some sort a better maintenance then in neighbouring reformed Churches and not with Jeroboams Priests to be the basest of all the People 67. Then did he instance in some famous Protestants of forrain parts who had found great relief and comfort by being installed Prebendaries in our Cathedrall and Collegiate Churches as Dr. Saravia preferred by Queen Elizabeth Dr. Casaubon Father and Son by King James Dr. Primrose Mr. Vossius in the reign of King Charles and Dr. Peter Moulin alive at this day and who intended to leave Sedan if the warlike preparations there proceeded and come over into England where he should have but sad welcome if all his livelyhood were taken away from him 68. Nor could an Act be done more to gratify the Church of Rome than to destroy Deans and Chapters seeing * De schismotâ— Anglicano pag. 163. Sanders himself seemeth to complain that Queen Elizabeth had left Provosts Deans Canons and Prebendaries in Cathedrall and Collegiate Churches because he foresaw such foundations would conduce to the stability of religion so that by his words a fatter Sacrifice could not be offered up to such as himself than the extirpation of them 69. He went forwards to shew the benefit the King and Commonwealth reapt by such Lands as paying greater summs to the Exchequer for first fruits tenths and subsidies according to the proportion than any other estates Corporations in the Kingdome And are ready said he if called upon cheerfully to contribute in an extraordinary manner to the charge of the Kingdome 70. Now as he was by their Honours favour admitted to plead under that roof where their noble Progenitors had given to the Clergy so many Charters Priviledges Immunities so he implored to finde the ancient honourable justice of the House unto his Brethren who were not charged much lesse convicted of any scandalous faults justly for the same to forfeit their estates 71. At last he led them to the highest degree of all considerations viz. the honour of God to whose worship and service such Fabricks and Lands were dedicated and barred all alienation with which he said is tremenda vox curses and imprecations he minded them of the censers of Korah and his complices pronounced hallowed * Numbers 16. 38. because pretended to doe God service therewith And left any should wave this as a Leviticall nicety it was * Proverbs 20. 25. proverbiall Divinity as a received rule in every mans mouth It is a snare to a man that devoureth that which is holy He added the smart question of St. Paul Thou that abhorrest Idols doest thou commit Sacriledge and concluded that on the ruins of the rewards of learning no structure can be raised but ignorance and upon the chaos of ignorance nothing can be built but profanenesse and confusion 72. This his speech was uttered with such becoming gravity The Speech well accepted that it was generally well resented and wrought much on the House for the present so that had the aliening of such Lands been then put to the Vote some who conceived themselves knowing of the sense of the House concluded it would have been carried on the Negative by more than six score suffrages 73. In the afternoon Dr. Cornelius Burges Dr. Burges his Speech against Deans and Chapters as Speaker for his Party made a vehement invective against Deans and Chapters and the unprofitablenesse of such Corporations He heavily aggravated the debauchednesse of Singingmen not only uselesse but hurtfull by their vicious conversations Yet he concluded with the utter unlawfulnesse to convert such Endowments to any private Persons profit So that the same Doctrine was delivered by both the Doctors only they differed in their Applications the former being for the continuing such lands to their ancient the latter for diverting them to other but neither for alienating them from publique and pious imployments 74. If since Dr. Burges hath been a large purchaser of such lands to himself His ability in casuisticall Divinity If since St. Andrew * wels and London the first converted and St. Paul the last converted Apostle have met in his purse I doubt not but that he can give sufficient reason for the same both to himself and any other that shall question him therein The rather because lately he read his learned Lectures in St. Pauls on the Criticisms of Conscience no lesse carefully then curiously weighing satisfaction to scruples and if there be any fault so able a Confessor knows how to get his absolution 75. A Bill brought up from the Commons to the Lords against Bishops and Clergy-men A medly Bill against Bishops partly granted partly denyed which having severall branches was severally voted 1. That they should have no votes in Parliament 2. That they should not
large Demesnes and larger Royalty and Command Should I therefore present it to any other save your self it would be held as a STRAY indeed wandring out of the right Way it should go in and so without any thanks to me would fall to your Lordship as due unto you by the Custome of your Manor Your Honours most obliged Servant and Chaplain THE HISTORY OF Waltham-Abby PRovidence by the hand of my worthy friends having planted me for the present at Waltham-Abby I conceive that in our general work of Abbies I owe some particular description to that place of my abode Hoping my endeavours herein may prove exemplary to others who dwell in the sight of remarkable Monasteries to do the like and rescue the observables of their habitations from the teeth of time and oblivion Waltham is so called from the Saxon Ham Waltham Why so named Which is a Town whence the Diminutive Hamlet and Weald or Wealt that is Woody whence the Weald of Kent it being Anciently over-grown with tress and timber Thus Kiriaâ—h-jearim or the City of the woods in Palestine Dendros an Island in Peloponnesus Sylviacum an Ancient City in Belgia got their names from the like woody scituation Some will have it called Waltham quasi Wealthie-Ham I wish they could make their words good in respect of the persons living therein though in regard of the soyl it self indeed in is rich and plentiful The Town is seated on the East side of the River Ley The situation thereof which not onely parteth Hertford-shire from Essex but also seven times parteth from its self whose septemfluous stream in coming to the Town is crossed again with so many bridges On the one side the Town it self hath large and fruitful Medows whose intrinsick value is much raised by the vicinity of London the grass whereof when first gotten an head is so sweet and lushious to Cattle that they diet them at the first entring therein to half an hour a day lest otherwise they over-eat themselves which some Kine yearlie do and quickly die for it notwithstanding all their Keepers care to the contrary On the other side a spacious Forest spreads it self where fourteen years since one might have seen whole Herds of Red and Fallow Deer But these late licentious years have been such a Nimrod such an Hunter that all at this present are destroyed though I could wish this were the worst effect which our woful Wars have produced The aire of the Town is condemned by many Excused from bad air for over-moist and Aguish Anno Dom. caused by the depressed scituation thereof Anno Regis In confutation of which censure we produce the many aged persons in our Town above threescore and ten since my coming hither above threescore and ten years of age so that it seemes we are sufficiently healthful if sufficiently thankful for the same Sure I am what is wanting in good air in the Town is supplied in the Parish wherein as many pleasant hils and prospects are as any place in England doth afford Tovy First Founded by Tovy a man of great wealth and authority as being the Kings Staller that is Standard-Bearer first Founded this Town for the great delight which he took in the game the place having plenty of Deer He planted onely threescore and six in-dwellers therein Athelstan Falls back to the Crown his son proved a Prodigal and quickly spent all his Fathers goods and great estate so that by some transactions the place returned to the Crown Edward the Confessour Bestowed on Earl Harold bestowed Waltham 1060. with the Lands thereabouts Edw. Confessor 18. on Harold his Brother-in-law who presently built and endowed therein a Monastery where of nothing at this day is extant save the West end or body of the Church A structure of Gothish-building The model of the modern Church rather large then neate firm then fair Very dark the design of those dayes to raise devotion save that it was helped again with artificial lights and is observed by Artists to stand the most exactly East and West of any in England The great pillars thereof are wreathed with indentings which vacuities if formerly filled up with Brasse as some confidently report added much to the beauty of the building But it matters not so much their taking away the Brasse from the Pillars had they but left the Lead on the Roof which is but meanly Tiled at this day In a word the best commendation of the Church is that on Lords-dayes generally it is filled with a great and attentive Congregation To the South-side of the Church is joyned a Chappel Mortality triumphant formerly our Ladies now a School-house and under it an arched Charnel-house the fairest that ever I saw Here a pious fancy could make a feast to its self on those dry bones with the meditation of mortality where it is hard yea impossible to discern the Sculls of a rich from a poor wise from a simple noble from a mean person Thus all counters are alike when put up together in the box or bag though in casting of account of far different valuation King Harold Dedicated the Monastery to the honour of an Holy Cross A Dean and Canons founded at Waltham found far West-ward and brought hither as they write by miracle whence the Town hath the addition of Waltham-Holy-Cross but the Church we finde in after ages also Dedicated to S t Laurence His foundation was for a Dean and eleven Secular Black Canons Let none challenge the words of impropriety seeing a Dean in Latin Decanus hath his name from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ten over which number he is properly to be preposed For nothing more common then to wean words from their infant and original sense and by custome to extend them to a larger signification as Dean afterwards plainly denoted a superiour over others whether fewer then ten as the six Prebendaries of Rochester or moe as the three and thirty of Salisbury The Dean and eleven Canons were plentifully provided for each Canon having a Manor and the Dean six for his maintenance For in the Charter of Confirmation made by King Edward the Confessor Seventeen Manors confirm'd to them by the Confessor besides North-land in Waltham now called 1062 as I take it 20. North-field wherewith the Monastery was first endowed these following Lordshops with all their appurtenances are reckoned up 1. Passefield 2. Walde 3. Upminster 4. Walthfare 5. Suppedene 6. Alwertowne 7. Wodeford 8. Lambehide 9. Nesingan 10. Brickindon 11. Melnhoo 12. Alichsea 13. Wormeley 14. Nichelswells 15. Hitchche 16. Lukendon 17. West-Wealtham All these the King granted unto them cum Sacha Socha Tol and Team Anno Regis Harol 1. c. free from all gelts and payments Anno Dom. 1066 in a most full and ample Manner Witness himself Edith his Queen Stigand Archiepiscopus Dorobornensis Count Harold and many other Bishops and Lords