it is pacified by the Archbishop so offended his Friends having laboured exceedingly therein on his behalf that being then Lord General of her Majesty's Forces in France he made open profession of his dislike of the Archbishop But upon his return into England finding how firm her Majesty stood for him and that his stirring in the matter must needs call in question her Majesty's Judgment did therefore in a temperate manner expostulate the matter with the Archbishop from whom he received such an Answer as he knew not well whom to be angry withal unless with the Queen her self who thought him too young a man being yet no Counsellor for so grave a Title and fearing happily lest if she should have committed the guiding of that University unto his young Years and unexperienced Judgment some hot and unruly Spirits there like Phaeton's untamed Horses might have carried him in such an headlong course of government as that the sparks of Contention which were then scarce kindled in that University might have broken forth into open flames to the utter destruction and devastation of the whole State Ecclesiastical And besides this she held the Lord Buckhurst being an ancient Counsellor and her Kinsman more fit for the Place a great deal And so much it seemed the Queen had told The Queen justifies the Archbishop to Essex the Earl in justification of the Archbishop before his questioning of the matter with him for in effect he acknowledged so much and thereupon they parted in no unkind terms but with due respect of each other in very friendly manner The Queen not long after She makes them firm Friends was the mean of their entring into further Friendship having oftentimes recommended unto the Archbishop the Earl's many excellent Parts and Vertues which she thought then rare in so young Years And the Earl likewise confessed to the Archbishop that her Majesty's often speech of her extraordinary opinion of him and his worth was the cause of his seeking after the Archbishop and therefore did offer to run a course for Clergy Causes according to his directions and advice and to cast off the Novelists as indeed he did immediately after Sir Francis Walsingham's Sir Francis Walsingham died Apr. 6. 1590. The Archbishop's firmness to Essex in his Troubles death which was a special cause of the Archbishop's constancy and firmness to the Earl in his disgrace and trouble afterwards 83. But now to return to our former course The Lord Chancellor's death much troubled and perpexed the Archbishop The Archbishop fears on the Lord Chancellor's death fearing that new Troubles would befal him and the Church Howbeit things were then so well and firmly setled that he had no great ado afterwards saving with their dispersing New Pamphlets dispersed by the Puritans of Pamphlets and that some few Persons though thanks be to God not powerful both in Court and Country Attempts in Parliament on their behalf did attempt as much as in them lay by motions in Parliament and Bills there preferred to bring in I know not nor they themselves what kind of new Government in the Church but were prevented by the Wisdom of her Majesty who always suppressed those Bills and Motions and still comforted the Archbishop who was oftentimes The Queen comforts the Archbishop with fresh Assurances of her Countenance and Favour to the Church much grieved with their causeless Complaints and assured him they should not prevail to do any hurt except it were to hurt themselves For she did see in her Princely wisdom how dangerous they were to her and all Imperial Government And when she found them still bent to pursue such Bills and Motions she to deliver the Archbishop from farther trouble and vexation before it was expected and as it were with silence brake up the Parliament 84. AFter the death of Sir Christopher Sir John Puckering Lord Keeper June 4. 1592. Hatton Sir John Puckering was made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England of whom because he lived not long I shall not have occasion to say much But for ought that I ever Upon Hatton ' s death the Queen offered the Archbishop his Place But he declined it because of his Age and Ecclesiastical Business Sir Thomas Egerton made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal May 6. 1596. heard he shewed himself a Friend to the Church unto the Archbishop and his Proceedings and acknowledged him to have been amongst his other good Friends a Furtherer of his Advancement 85. Sir Thomas Egerton Master of the Rolls succeeded him May 6. 1596. Her Majesty and the State had long experience of his Integrity and Wisdom as may appear by the great Places which he worthily held being first her Highness's Sollicitor and then Attorney General In which time besides his many great and weighty Services he was very careful and industrious in labouring earnesty to suppress the aforesaid Libellers a lover of Learning and a most constant Favourer of the Clergy and Church Government He is a constant Friend to the Church before and after his Advancement established as also a faithful loving Friend to the Archbishop in all his Affairs insomuch as after his advancement to that Honour and that the Earl of Essex and the Archbishop concurred together being also out of the affection of his most honourable Friend the Lord Burghley Lord Treasurer further strengthned by the friendship The Archbishop cherished and strengthened by union of many Friends and love of Sir Robert Cecyll principal Secretary and now Earl of Salisbury and Lord Treasurer of England he began to be fully revived again and as well fortified by them as ever he was when he was most and best friended And her Majesty finding in him a zealous care and faithful performance of his duty and service towards the Church and her Highness shook off those Clergy Cares and laid the burthen The Queen throws the whole care of the Church upon him of them upon his Shoulders telling him That if any thing went amiss be it upon his Soul and Conscience to answer it for she had rid her hands and looked that he should yield an account on her behalf unto Almighty God 86. And now though the Archbishop He disposeth of Bishopricks and all other Ecclesiastical Promotions was in this singular favour and grace with her Majesty so that he did all in all for the managing of Clergy-Affairs and disposing of Bishopricks and other Ecclesiastical Promotions yet was he never puffed up with Pride His great Humility and Lenity nor did any thing violently by reason of his Place and greatness with her Majesty against any man For he ever observed this Rule that he would not wound where he could not salve And I leave to the report of the Adversaries themselves when he had that sway in Government and favour with her Highness whether his Carriage were not exceeding mild and temperate and whether he did not endeavour
One one of the Clock as he was going from his Majesty unto the Council-chamber to dinner he was taken with a dead Is taken with the dead Palsey Palsey whereby all his Right side was benummed and he bereaved of his Speech From the Council-chamber he was by means of his dearest Friends the Lord Chancellor the Lord Treasurer and the Bishop of London with the aid of the King's Servants carried to the Lord Treasurer's Chamber and afterwards in his Barge conveyed home Is conveyed to Lambeth to Lambeth 133. His Majesty being much troubled with the report of his Sickness came upon the Tuesday following to visit The King visits him and comfort him with very kind and gracious Speeches saying That he would beg him of God in his Prayer Which if he could obtain he should think it one of the greatest temporal Blessings that could be given him in this Kingdom The Archbishop made offer to speak to his Majesty in Latin but neither his Highness nor any there present well understood what he said save only that by the last words pro Ecclesia Dei He earnestly recommends the Church to his Royal Care pro Ecclesia Dei which in earnest manner with his Eyes and Hands lift up he oftentimes iterated his Majesty conceived as it pleased him afterwards to report that he continued the Suit which sundry times before and at his last attendance on his Highness he had earnestly recommended unto his Royal and Special Care in behalf of the Church 134. After his Majesty's departure the Archbishop had neither perfect use of his Speech nor ability to write his mind as he did desire by the signs that he used for Ink and Paper Which being brought unto him and he making offer to write had no feeling of his Pen for it fell out of his Hands When he perceived his impotency to write after two or three assays he setched a great sigh and lay down again and on Wednesday following at Eight of the Clock at night the last of February 1603. He departs this Life Feb. ult 1603. he quietly and like a Lamb died the Servant of Christ as in the time of his Sickness by many infallible signs was manifest unto my self and those that attended him in that time of his visitation Which cannot be better testified by any than by Doctor Barlow the now Bishop of Lincoln together with Doctor Buckeridge now Bishop of Rochester and Doctor Charryor his then Houshold Chaplains who for the most part were continually with him from the beginning of his Sickness unto the end of the same Of the manner of whose death though some undiscreet men have censured uncharitably yet I may truly say as Solon did for the happy ends of Eleobis and Biton who in the absence of their Mother's Oxen did yoke themselves and drew her in her Coach to the Temple and after their Sacrifices performed went to bed and were found the next Morning dead without hurt or sorrow So fared it with this good Archbishop who wanting the assistance of some who by their Places should have undergone with him the Charge of guiding and supporting of Ecclesiastical Affairs took the yoke and burden thereof himself for his Mother the Church's sake And when he had performed his Oblations of Prayer and Thanksgiving to God was carried to bed and there died without suffering hurt or sorrow Thus he as Abraham Gen. 25. 8. of whom he was a true Son yielded up the Spirit and died in a good age an old man and of great years and was gathered unto his people He was Bishop He was Bishop of Worcester six Years and five Months And Archbishop of Canterbury twenty years and five Months Camden Britannia in Com. Kent pag. 338. He was libell'd after his death by Lewis Pickering of Worcester six Years and five Months and Archbishop of Canterbury twenty Years and five Months 135. Now though he lived and died no doubt a chosen and beloved Servant of God and one who as a learned Man truly saith had devoutly consecrated both his whole life to God and his painful labours to the Church yet there wanted not some who after his death fought by an infamous Libel to stain the glory of his ever honourable Name But their Malice was soon discovered and the Author at least the Publisher punished by an honourable Sentence given in the High Court of Star-chamber 136. And if what was then spoken by their Lordships and the rest of that great and judicious Court concerning this Archbishop's Piety Wisdom Learning and Government were published in Print he that would have adventured to write any thing more of him might justly have been condemned of indiscretion Therefore as a burden that I am not able to undergo I forbear to enter into any particular relation of their Speeches and Sentence 137. His Funeral was very honourably Was honourably interr'd at Croydon March 27. 1604. as befitted his Place solemnized at Croydon the 27th of March following 1604. where the Earl of Worcester and the Lord Zouch did him the honour in attending the Hearse and carrying his Banners Doctor Babbington Bishop of Worcester made his Funeral Sermon His Funeral Sermon by Bishop Babington who like wise was his Pupil in Cambridge and performed that Duty among many other due observances of him in his life-time with very great commendation chusing for his Text a portion of Scripture most fitting the worthiness of his Person But Jehoida waxed old and The Text. 2 Chron. 24. 15 16. was full of days and died An hundred and thirty years old was he when he died And they buried him in the city of David with the Kings because he had done good in Israel and toward God and his house 138. Having now committed the Body of this most Reverend Personage which was sometimes the Mansion of a most excellent Soul unto his Grave where it rests in assured expectation of a glorious Resurrection I will for conclusion speak somewhat of the outward shape and proportion thereof He was Description of his Person of a middle Stature of a grave Countenance and brown Complexion black Hair and Eyes he wore his Beard neither long nor thick For his small timber he was of a good quick strength straight and well shaped in all his Limbs to the habit of his Body which began somewhat to burnish towards his latter years 139. And thus gentle Reader that I may not extend this Discourse beyond the period of his Life who was the Subject thereof I withdraw my Pen from Paper intreating either thy friendly acceptance of this my Labour or thy farther pains in writing and publishing some more compleat and learned Observations of thine own touching this renowned Archbishop's Actions and Fame which could not without great shame unto my self and others his Followers be buried in Darkness with his Body FINIS THE TABLE TO THE Life of Archbishop WHITGIFT THE Archbishop's Descent Page 2 He was
These Stirs set on foot at the time of the Spanish Invasion 1588. Ib. The Archbishop's preparation for Defence of his Prince and Country 64 The whole Clergy of his Province Armed Ib. Cartwright the Head of the Puritan Party Ib. Hacket Coppinger and Arthington resort to him 65 Penry and Udall his Consorts Ib. Cartwright's words in the Articles in the Star-Chamber Ib. The Disciplinarians Decree about Books to be printed Ib. Barrow and Greenwood infected by Cartwright 66 Bishop Ravis's Conference with Barrow and Greenwood 1592. Ib. Bishop Androws and Bishop Parrey with others their Conference with Barrow and Greenwood 67 Barrow's Vain-glorious Answer 68 The danger of Innovation Ib. Cartwright withdraws privately 69 Brown the Author of a New Sect of that Name 70 His Positions little differing from Barrow and Greenwood Ib. The Archbishop suppresseth many Schisms and also Controversies in the Universities Ib. He procures Cartwright's Pardon of the Queen Ib. Cartwright's Letters March 24. 1601. acknowledging the Archbishop's Favour 71 The Archbishop tolerates Cartwright to preach publickly without Conformity Ib. The Queen requires his Subscription 72 Cartwright dies Rich Ib. The Earl of Essex favours the Puritans as far as he durst Ib. Upon timely execution of the Laws the state of the Church at quiet 73 Sir Christopher Hatton died Novemb. 20. 1591. Ib. Lord Buckhurst chosen Chancellor of Oxford on the Queen's Letters Ib. Earl of Essex offended at it is pacified by the Archbishop Ib. The Queen justifies the Archbishop to Essex 74 She makes them firm Friends 75 Sir Francis Walsingham died Apr. 6. 1590. Ib. The Archbishop's firmness to Essex in his Troubles Ib. The Archbishop fears on the Lord Chancellor's death Ib. New Pamphlets dispersed by the Puritans 76 Attempts in Parliament on their behalf Ib. The Queen comforts the Archbishop with fresh Assurances of her Countenance and Favour to the Church Ib. Sir John Puckering Lord Keeper June 4. 1592. Ib. Upon Hatton's death the Queen offered the Archbishop his Place But he declined it because of his Age and Ecclesiastical Business 77 Sir Thomas Egerton made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal May 6. 1596. Ib. He is a constant Friend to the Church before and after his Advancement Ib. The Archbishop cherished and strengthened by union of many Friends 78 The Queen throws the whole care of the Church upon him Ib. He disposeth of Bishopricks and all other Ecclesiastical Promotions Ib. His great Humility and Lenity Ib. The Earl of Salisbury's Observation on him 80 Many favoured and eased by the Archbishop's intercession Ib. The wisdom of the Queen in her moderate Government 81 The Archbishop follows her Example Ib. The Arcbishop a great lover and encourager of Learned and Virtuous Clergy 83 Was bountiful to Foreigners of Learning and Quality Ib. Theod. Beza his Letters to the Archbishop March 8. 1591. Ib. Approving the Policy of the English Church Ib. Beza his high commendation of the Church of England 84 His great respect to the Archbishop Ib. The Archbishop's kindness and charity to Foreign Divines of the Reformation 85 His backwardness to censure other mens Gifts and Performances 86 The Archbishop a constant Preacher when publick Affairs would admit 87 Had an excellent Tallent in Preaching Ib. Learned eloquent and judicious Ib. His Gesture grave and decent without affectation Ib. Of great Integrity and unspotted Life 88 He wrote the Notes of his Sermons Ib. Disapproved trusting only to Memory Ib. When at Worcester he treated the Recusants mildly and won many of them over 89 When he came to be Archbishop he dealt with the Learnedst of them by Authority Ecclesiastical Ib. He kept a straight hand over the Seminary Priests and subtle Papists 90 He is unjustly traduced by the Sectaries 91 He hated Ingratitude Ib. Is firm in his Friendships Ib. Censured for his affection to the Earl of Essex 92 The Queen displeased at his intercession for the Earl which much grieved him Ib. Earl of Essex apprehended Feb. 8. 1600. Ib. The Archbishop arms his Servants for the Queen's defence 93 Well taken at Court Ib. Earl of Essex brought to Lambeth-house then sent to the Tower Ib. The Archbishop in the Qucen's good opinion and favour to her dying-day 94 Queen Elizabeth died March 24. 1602. Ib. The Archbishop Dr. Bancroft Dr. Watson Dr. Parry attend the Queen in her Sickness Ib. The Faction take heart on the Queen's death 95 King James proclaimed King of England March 24. 1602. 96 The People are pleased at the Archbishop's presence in proclaiming the King Ib. Archbishop a lover and incourager of Liberal Arts Ib. His Liberality great 97 He kept many poor Scholars in his House Ib. And maintained divers in the Universities Ib. Is an incourager of Military Exercises Ib. His House a little Academy 98 His Chaplains promoted Ib. The Archbishop's care and wisdom in determining Causes 99 His Resolution in Judgment 100 An Instance 101 He upholds the Dignity of the High Commission-Court Ib. His dispatch of Causes to great satisfaction 102 His great Hospitality 103 His State Ib. His entertainment of the Queen Ib. He was always honourably received by the Gentlemen of the Country 104 His first journey into Kent July 1589. with pomp and solemnity 105 A Romish Intelligencer accidentally lands he admires the Appearance and owns a mistaken prejudice concerning the meanness of our Church Ib. The Intelligencer had private speech with Secretary Walsingham 106 The Archbishop's good nature 108 His good Works in Lincoln Worcester Wales Kent Surry 110 Boys Sisi the French Embassador his opinion and speech of Archbishop Whitgift 111 His love to Croydon for retirement 112 Chearful and affable in his Family Ib. Liberal to his Servants Ib. Bountiful to the industrious Poor and to the Disabled and Necessitous 113 After the manner of Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln his usage of his Kinsman Ib. Dr. Nevill Dean of Canterbury sent by the Archbishop and Clergy into Scotland to King James 115 The King's Answer that he would uphold the Church comforts the Archbishop Ib. Queen Elizabeth's Funeral Apr. 28. 1603. very sumptuously performed Ib. The Archbishop the chief Mourner 116 King James gives him personal assurance of preserving the setled State of the Church Ib. King Jame's Coronation July 25. 1603. by the hands of the Archbishop Ib. Queen Ann also crown'd at the same time Ib. The Conference at Hampton-Court Jan. 14. 1603. betwixt the Bishops and the Puritans in the King's presence 117 The King satisfied with the Bishops Reasonings Ib. And orders the reprinting the Liturgy Ib. A Parliament comes on 118 The Bishops have a meeting at Fulham Ib. The Archbishop 73 years old is seized with a Cold on the Water Ib. Goes to Court has speech with the King about Affairs of the Church 119 Is taken with a dead Palsey Ib. Conveyed to Lambeth Ib. The King visits him Ib. He earnestly recommends the Church to his Royal Care 120 He departs this Life Feb. ult 1603. 121 He was Bishop
The most Reverend Dr. IOHN WHITGIFT Ld. Arch-Bishop of Canterbury R. White scâ—lp THE LIFE OF JOHN WHITGIFT Archbishop of Canterbury In the Times of Q. Elizabeth and K. James I. Written by Sir George Paule Comptroller of his Grace's Houshold To which is added a TREATISE Intituled Conspiracy for Pretended Reformation Written in the Year 1591. By Richard Cosin LL. D. Dean of the Arches and Official Principal to Archbishop Whitgift LONDON Printed for Ri. Chiswell and to be Sold at the Rose and Crown and at the Rose in St. Paul's Church-yard MDCXCIX TO THE Most Reverend Father in God GEORGE Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of all England and Metropolitan One of the Lords of His Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council Most Reverend and my ever Honoured Lord I See it incident to Personages of high Place and Deserving to win by their Living Favours many obsequious Followers who after their decease prove but cold Remembrancers of their Bounty or other Virtues Which slackness in others forced that boldness in me rather to chuse the hazzard of disreputation to my Pen which was never cunning than to my Heart which shall never be ungrateful And therefore I have presumed to set down the Godly and Religious Courses of the most Reverend Archbishop WHITGIFT your Grace's late Predecessor to shew mine own obligation to his Memory and to make known his worthy Parts to future Ages And because your Grace's beginnings shew how careful an Embracer you are of his chiefest Virtues as well in your industrious Studies as in your private and publick Government I held it my Duty to present both this and my best Services to your Grace That here you may see if nothing else those Virtues in another that are so aimed at by your Self Which make many true affected Hearts pray that by your godly vigilant and prudent Guidance his Church may long and happily flourish among us To your Grace's most bounden Geo. Paule TO THE READER IT was far from my Thoughts that these first Draughts of mine which I only intended as Minutes and Directions for a more skilful Pen-man should ever have shewed themselves to the World had not the backwardness of some and the importunity of others driven me to the Orator's Resolution who saith I had rather any Man should do it than my self yet my self rather than none at all The Argument may peradventure sooner find some Maligners than just Reprovers Wherein yet as far as the importance and necessity of the Cause will suffer I have so warily tempered the sharpness of my Pen that I hope none of moderate Humour himself will justly charge me of being immoderate herein But yet if any where I shall seem otherwise the discreet Reader will see it is out of the Instructions Records and Authors whom I follow and not out of mine own Disposition who desired as well herein as in other of my Courses rather to imitate my Master in his mild and moderate Carriage than willingly to be offensive or displeasing to any Neither is it my purpose to have the Ashes of the Dead raked up again But as no Man can rightly commend a Commander or skilful Pilot without relating their past Exploits and dangerous Storms So neither could I without wronging my Reader and the principal Subject commend him for so Worthy and Prudent a Governor unless I had withal given a taste of his Adventures and the stormy Time wherein he lived And therefore I pray thee Courteous Reader both charitabby and modestly to Censure my Travel and Pains herein THE LIFE OF THE Most Reverend Prelate JOHN WHITGIFT Archbishop of Canterbury 1. A Wise and Excellent Tacit. Annal. lib. 4. Historian saith It hath always been a Matter of free liberty and least subject to Detraction to speak of those whom Death hath exempted from hatred or favour A Speech that moved me to write whilest many other better able look on the Life of the most Reverend and Worthy Prelate John Whitgift Archbishop of Canterbury to the end that Posterity might take true notice of the worth of such as have well guided the Stern of this Church and settled the Peace thereof and render unto him as unto other Men the due Honour and Commendation which he hath deserved 2. He came of the Ancient Family The Archbishop's Descent of Whitgift of Whitgift in Yorkshire His Grandfather John Whitgift Gentleman had many Children some whereof he made Scholars others he placed abroad in several Courses of Life disposing his Father Henry Whitgift to be a Merchant at Great Grimsby in Lincolnshire Where he married Ann Dynewell a virtuous young Woman of good Parentage in that Town of whom this our Archbishop came and was there Born in the Year of our Lord He was born Anno 1530. at Grimsby in Lincolnshire 1530. being the Eldest of his Fathers Sons who were five in number besides himself viz. William George Philip Richard and Jeffery 3. He had an Uncle called Robert Whitgift Abbot of the Monastry of Wellow in the County of Lincoln near Grimsby who teaching divers young Gentlemen took like pains also with him In which time as he was pleased often to remember he heard his Uncle First instructed by his Uncle Robert Whitgift Abbot of Wellow in Lincolnshire the Abbot say That they and their Religion could not long continue because said he I have read the whole Scripture over and over and could never find therein that our Religion was founded by God And for proof of his Opinion the Abbot would alledge that saying of our Saviour Omnis plantatio quam non plantavit pater meus caelestis eradicabitur Every planting which my Heavenly Matth. 15. 13. Father hath not planted shall be rooted up 4. His Uncle finding an extraordinary towardliness in him sent him afterwards Sent up to London to London where he became a Scholar in St. Anthony's School and boarded at his Aunts House in Paul's Church-yard she being the Wife of Michael Shaller a Verger of that Church There he escaped a great danger lying with another Scholar that had the Narrowly escaped the Plague plague and coming in the Summer-time Hot and Thirsty from School drunk his Urine out of a Pot or Cruse standing at his Beds-head in stead of Drink and was not sick after it though his Bedfellow died 5. From St. Anthony's School he repaired Sent back to Grimsby for refusing to go to Mass to Grimsby to his Parents being thrust out of Doors by his Aunt because he would not as she often required and solicited him by the Canons of Pauls go with her to morrow Mass imputing all her Losses and domestick Misfortunes to her harbouring of such an Heretique within her Doors and for a farewel told him That she thought at the first she had received a Saint into her House but now she perceived he was a Devil 6. His Parents finding that he had Sent to Cambridge first of Queen ' s College
lighted heavily upon them for which they highly esteemed him as their Patron and Protector and said he was sent amongst them to deliver them from the oppression of the Mighty and corruption of the Wicked yea such was their opinion and conceit of him that if he had imprisoned whipped or inflicted any other grievous Punishment upon them they would have undergone it with patience confessing their Offences and lauding his Uprightness and Justice 49. Her Majesty out of her experience He is made Commissioner by the Queen for reforming the Disorders in the Cathedrals of Lichfield and Hereford of his wise and prudent Government was pleased upon complaint made unto her of the many Discords and Disorders that were in the two Cathedral Churches of Lichfield and Hereford to make choice of him alone amongst a number of worthy Prelates for redress thereof directing two Commissions unto him for the visiting of the said Churches which accordingly he did and reformed them both being very far out of order and ordained them Statutes for their better and more peaceable government afterwards 50. These his Courses thus held for his government and reforming both of Church and People gained him so general an opinion and liking in the life-time and disgrace of Archbishop Grindall that her Majesty designed him The Queen designs him for Archbishop of Canterbury in the room of Grindall then in disgrace Archbishop of Canterbury as was signified unto him and earnestly wished by some of his honourable Friends about the Queen and also by Archbishop Grindall himself much desired who out of the great estimation he had conceived of his government and other his many Virtues and worthy Parts and by reason of his own Years and Infirmity laboured him in like earnest manner presently to accept thereof being himself well contented to shake off those Cares and receive from her Majesty some yearly Pension which Bishop Whitgift utterly refused He utterly refuseth it during Grindall's Life the Queen is contented and in presence of the Queen her self besought pardon in not accepting thereof upon any condition whatsoever in the lifetime of the other Whereupon the Queen commiserating the good Old man's Estate being a grave and learned Father of the Church and at that time blind with years and grief was graciously pleased to say That as she had made him an Archbishop so he Grindall dies should die an Archbishop as he did shortly after 51. Upon whose decease Bishop Whitgift sent for to Court Whitgift receiving Letters from a great Counsellor for his repair unto the Court and the Speech thereof together with the report of Archbishop Grindall's death being spread abroad you would have wondred to have seen the repair and flocking of Gentlemen and others unto him both out of Worcestershire and the Marches of Wales not to congratulate his Advancement which they upon such his preparation to the Court conjectured was to follow but to express their true love and hearty affection towards him and to beseech him not to depart from thence and so with tears and sobs took their leave of him as kind natured Children use to part from their Parents whose Face they are out of hope ever to see again Plutarch observeth that it falleth out very seldom with Magistrates and those who are in Authority that they should please the multitude or be acceptable to the common People because they striving still to reform the disordered do grieve them as much as Surgeons do their Patients when they bind up their Aches with Bands to cure them For though by that binding they restore and bring to their natural places again the broken Bones and Members out of joint yet put they the Patient to great pain But this Bishop was not so boisterous a Surgeon for he had learned the Art of curing the Diseases of a Commonwealth from a more skilful Surgeon even from him that taught that as Wine was to be poured into the Wound to search so Oil was also necessary to supple but both expedient for the Cure And therefore as he always resolutely endeavoured the redress of the ill-affected so with an excellent Temper of rare Mildness he ever effected it without exasperation of those whose good he was desirous to procure For which singular mixture of two so requisire Virtues in a Magistrate he was most worthily and most happily both for the Church and Commonwealth advanced from the Bi Is translated to the Archbishoprick of Canterbury Septemb. 24. 1583. shoprick of Worcester to the Archbi shoprick of Canterbury September 24. 1583. 52. AT his first entrance he found the Archbishoprick surcharged Finds the Bishoprick overvalued gets an abatement in the First-fruits for him and his Successors in the valuation and procured an Order out of the Exchequer for the abatement of One hundred pounds for him and his Successors in the Payment of his First-fruits He also shortly after recovered from the Queen as Recovers Lands that had been detained part of the Possessions of the Archbishoprick Long-Beachwood in Kent containing above a thousand Acres of Land which had been many years detained from his Predecessor by Sir James Croft then Comptroller of her Majesty's Houshold Farmer thereof to her Majesty In letting Leases of his Impropriations if he found the Curates Wages Amends Curats Wages where small but small he would abate much of his Fine to encrease their Pensions some Ten pounds by the year some more some less as at Folkstone Maidstone and others 53. But to leave these particular Affairs The Queen jealous of the Puritans charges the Archbishop to see strict Conformity observed to the Established Church and Government and to come to those publick Imployments for which he was specially made Archbishop her Majestly fearing the danger that might ensue by the assembly of divers Ministers to Exercises and Prophecying as they termed it straightly charged him to be vigilant and careful for the reducing of them and all other Ministers by their subscription and conformity to the setled Orders and Government adding that she would have the Discipline of the Church of England formerly established of all men duly to be observed without alteration of the least Ceremony conceiving belike that these Novelists might have wrought the same mischief here which the turbulent Orators of Lacedemonia did in that Common-wealth so wisely setled by Lycurgus his Laws which whilst they took upon them to amend they miserably defaced and deformed The inconvenience of which kind of reforming that Prudent and Judicious Queen had learned out of the Poet Aratus his Answer to one Diog Laert. de vita Philosoph lib. 90. who asked him How he might have Homer ' s Poems free from Corruptions and Faults Get saith he an old Copy not reformed For curious Wits labouring to amend things well done commonly either guite mar them or at least make them worse 54. The Archbishop endeavouring His care of the Queen's Command to perform this her
foris collocatur sic contra pacem Christi ordinationem atque unitatem Dei rebellatur The First fruits of Hereticks and the first Births and Endeavours of Schismaticks are these to admire themselves and in their swelling Pride to contemn any that are set over them Thus do men fall from the Church of God thus is a foreign unhallowed Altar erected and thus is Christ's Peace and God's Ordination and Unity rebelled against For mine own part I neither have done nor do any thing in these Matters which I do not think my self in conscience and duty bound to do and which her Majesty hath not with earnest Charge committed unto me and which I am not well able to justify to be most requisite for this Church and State whereof next to her Majesty though most unworthy or at the least most unhappy the chief care is committed unto me which I will not by the grace of God neglect whatsoever come upon me therefore Neither may I endure their notorious Contempts unless I will become Aesop ' s Block and undo all that which hither to hath been done And how then shall I be able to perform my Duty according to her Majesty's Expectation It is certain that if way be given unto them upon their unjust Surmises and Clamours it will be the cause of that Confusion which hereafter the State will be sorry for I neither care for the Honour of this Place I hold which is Onus unto me nor the largeness of the Revenue neither any worldly thing I thank God in respect of doing my Duty neither do I fear the displeasure of Man nor the evil Tongue of the uncharitable who call me Tyrant Pope Knave and lay to my charge things that I never did nor thought Scio enim hoc esse opus Diaboli ut Servos Dei mendaciis laceret opinionibus falsis gloriosum nomen infamet ut qui conscientiae suae luce clarescunt alienis rumoribus sordidentur For I know that this is the work of that Accuser the Devil that he may tear in pieces the Servants of God with Lies that he may dishonour their glorious Name with false Surmises that they who through the clearness of their own Conscience are shining bright might have the filth of other mens Slanders cast upon them So was Cyprian himself used and other Godly Bishops to whom I am not comparable But that which most of all grieveth me and is to be wondred at and lamented is that some of those which give countenance to these Men and cry out for a learned Ministry should watch their opportunity and be Instruments and means to place most unlearned Men in the chiefest Places and Livings of the Ministry thereby to make the state of the Bishops and Clergy contemptible and I fear saleable This Hypocrisy and dissembling with God and Man in pretending one thing and doing another goeth to my heart and maketh me to think that God's Judgments are not far off The day will come when all mens hearts shall be opened In the mean time I will depend upon him who never faileth those that put their trust in him Thus far his Letters 57. After this he linked himself in a After which he is in strict league with Sir Christopher Hatton by means of Dr. Bancroft firm league of friendship with Sir Christopher Hatton then Vice-Chamberlain to the Queen's Majesty and by the means of Dr. Bancroft his then Houshold Chaplain and afterwards Lord Archbishop of Canterbury had him most firm and ready upon all occasions to impart unto the Queen as well the Crosses offered him at the Council-Table as also sundry impediments whereby he was hindred from the performance of many good Services towards her Majesty and the State He had always the Lord Burley then Lord Treasurer Burley his firm Friend Lord Treasurer of England his firm and constant Friend and one that would omit no opportunity for his advancement who prevailed so far that when the Earl of Leicester one of those honourable Personages afore-mention'd was in the Low-Countries the Archbishop The Archbishop sworn of the Privy Council and the Lord Cobham were first sworn Counsellors of State and Thomas Lord Buckhurst was sworn the day after whereat the Earl was not a little displeased The Lord Buckhurst was joined Lord Buckhurst his faithful Friend in like affection to the Archbishop as the other two were and continued after he came to be Lord Treasurer his faithful and loving Friend to the time of his death 58. When the Archbishop was thus established in friendship with these Noble Personages as aforesaid their Favours and his Place wrought him free He has free access to the Queen access to the Queen and gracious acceptance of his Motions in the Church's behalf His Courses then at the Council-board His Oppositions abated were not so much crossed nor impeached as heretofore but by reason of his daily attendance and access he then oftentimes gave impediment to the Sir Thomas Bromeley Lord Chancellor died April 12. 1587. Earl's Designments in Clergy Causes 59. About this time Sir Thomas Bromely the then Lord Chancellor died whereupon it pleased her Majesty The Queen disposed to make the Archbishop Lord Chancellor to discover her gracious Inclination to have made the Archbishop Lord Chancellor of England But he excusing himself in many respects that he was He excuses himself and recommends Sir Christopher Hatton grown into years and had the burthen of all Ecclesiastical Businesses laid upon his back which was as much as one man could well undergo considering the troubles with so many Sectaries that were then sprung up desired to be spared and besought her Highness to make choice of Sir Christopher Hatton who Sir Christopher Hatton made Lord Chancellor Ap. 29. 1587. shortly after was made Lord Chancellor in the Archbishop's House at Croydon thereby the rather to grace the Archbishop His advancement did much strengthen the Archbishop and his Friends and withal the Earl of Leicester and his Designments came soon after to an end For the Year following taking his Journey to Kenelworth he died in the way at Cornbury Park whereby the Archbishop took himself The Earl of Leicester died Sept. 4. 1588. freed from much opposition 60. Upon the death of the said Earl the Chancellorship of Oxford being Oxford desire the Archbishop for their Chancellor in the Earl's room void divers of the Heads and others of the University made known unto the Archbishop their desire to chuse him their Chancellor although he was a Cambridge man To whom he returned this Answer That he was already their Friend whereof they might rest assured and therefore advised them to make choice of some other in near place about the Queen that might assist him on their behalf And both at the Council-board and other Places of Justice right them many ways both for the benefit of the University and their particular Colleges And
Majesty signifying that what punishment should in that respect be allotted to him or unto Hacket they would undergo it and not depart the City till they might further understand what God would do therein Sure it is that being thus shaken They thus slighted grow malicious against him Coppinger writes another Letter in Hacket's name to the Queen threatning dreadful Judgments from God and offers a Sign off by him they grew extremely malicious also against the said worthy Nobleman I find also a Copy of a Letter written in Coppinger's hand but meant to be sent as from Hacket unto her Excellent Majesty wherein amongst other things he desireth he may enjoy that which God hath appointed him and then lewdly and falsly accuseth and revileth two great and worthy Counsellors In the end he saith That if he should tell her the judgments of God that lie at her Gate which the Lord hath shewed him they would be over-fearful for her to endure or to hear of And if she doubted of his sending from the Lord he willeth her to ask a Sign and if he give it not let him die A second course taken by them besides the former Appeachments was a Conspiracy They conspire the death of some Lords of the Council in case Judgment be given against some of their Preachers then Prisoners for Misdemeanors of the death of certain of the Lords of the Council when they should be at the Star-chamber in case they should give any Judgment against certain that were sometime Preachers and are now Prisoners for Misdemeanors perillous to the peaceable state of the Realm as is intended That this devilish Purpose was rise amongst them may appear by a Letter sent by Coppinger in Trinity Term last unto the aforenamed Lancaster In which was contained to this effect That if the Lords should give a hard censure against those Parties the next day if God shewed not such a fearful Judgment against some of those Lords as that some of them should not go alive out of that place then never trust him And albeit some that saw this Letter could not pick any further matter out of it than Coppinger's Conceit that God without some speedy and miraculous Judgment from himself alone would not suffer such men to be punished yet Lancaster to whom it was directed justly suspected some further meaning and that the concealing of it might be both accounted undutiful and further also dangerous unto him and therefore asked counsel of some more skilful than himself whether he might safely suppress it and tear the Letter in pieces Another Device they also had for preparing as is supposed of the minds of the People and to stir them up to be in readiness which was by certain Seditious Letters They scatter Seditious Letters among the People that were purposely scattered five or six Nights afore in many of the Streets of London by some of these Actors or by their Complices and Favourers Likewise there was found in Wigginton's Chamber in the Great numbers of Printed Libels found in Wigginton's Chamber Prison where he remaineth about a thousand printed Pamphlets of two sorts the one of Predestination the other carrying an odd and needless Title to every man that knoweth but the Author For it is entitled on the first side in great Letters thus viz. The Fools bolt And immediately under that Title this Sentence is set down worthy to be duly considered with all his Circumstances now apparent viz. Such as do surmise the complaint of Innocency to be revenge and the report of Truth to be slander shall never want the due reward of their gross Error whilst Innocency and Truth shall endure On the other side of the Sheet the Title is A Fatherly Exhortation to a certain young Courtier The matter thereof is conceived into an halting Rime roving lewdly not only at the Governors Ecclesiastical and at other Ministers but also at sundry having Civil Authority and high Places Amongst the rest the first two Staves and last Stave are most perillous if ye respect the present Action these Persons had in hand their Opinions of this State and the base Condition and State of the chief of them The first are these viz. My Son if thou a Courtier sue to be In flower of youth this Lesson learn of me A Christian true although he be a Clown May teach a King to wear Scepter and Crown And in the last Stave are these viz. For God will sure confound such as devise His Ordinance or Church to tyrannize c. These Papers Wigginton by the means and help of one Brown procured privily to be printed at Whitsontide last and being examined Wigginton confesseth that they were all to be sent to Women and by them to be dispersed touching them by her Majesty's Council and others he confessed That they were all to be sent to Women the weaker Vessels viz. to Mistress L. Mistress B. and to I know not how many Mistresses by them to be dispersed abroad to the intent that every one to whom they might come should conceive of them as the Spirit should move them And Hacket also confessed that a part of certain Writings which Wigginton and Coppinger framed was that a Clown might teach a King to wear a Crown Now that Wigginton held intelligence in Wigginton in the Conspiracy for advancing the Discipline these matters with the Conspirators and that there was mutual and ordinary correspondence betwixt him and them in all Plots for advancing of their Discipline per fas nefas besides that which in this behalf hath been touched afore is made also manifest by the confession of Arthington who saith That about the 15th of July or not long before he heard Hacket singing of certain Songs who then wished that Arthington had also some of them For it was a very special thing and said he M. Wiggington hath a great many of them Also Coppinger had once conference with Wigginton in the presence of Arthington touching his extraordinary Calling At what time it is pretended that Wigginton refused to be made acquainted with the manner of Coppinger's Secrets and that he used these Speeches to Coppinger viz. You are known to be an honest Gentleman and sworn to the Queen and therefore I will not be acquainted with those things which God hath revealed unto you for the good of your Sovereign And his Opinion of such extraordinary Callings set down under his own hand doth elsewhere appear whereby is argued that he was made a common Oracle for such Fantasticks That he knew the matter in generality which by Coppinger was to be wrought upon the Queen to bring her forsooth to repentance howsoever he refused to know the particular manner of such Secrets That he acknowledged it to be good for the Queen and yielded it without scruple to be revealed unto Coppinger from God so that it could not be but that Coppinger hereby was much animated to go forward in his
obedient Persons to him in all things Thus that Thursday passed on On Friday morning Coppinger sent his Man Emerson by Five of the Clock in the morning unto Arthington's Lodging but his Wife would not then awake him so he sent for him again at Six and they two then went together unto Coppinger Then Coppinger and Arthington determined that Friday morning being the 16th day of July last between Six and Seven of the Clock in the forenoon to go unto a certain Gentleman's House about the City of good behaviour and they forsooth to honour him to be chief Governor under her Majesty which they also did that Morning and promised unto him accordingly that he should so be Leaving also with him both the said Prophecy and Hacket's History to peruse but the good Gentleman was unwilling to deal either with them or their Papers any way They flayed not there above half an hour From thence they came betwixt Eight and Nine of the Clock in the Morning unto Wigginton's Chamber being Prisoner in the Counter in Woodstreet with whom having much speech and conference part whereof is touched before among other things they signified unto him as Arthington confesseth that they were provoked to pronounce him the holiest Minister of all others for dealing so plainly and resolutely in God's Causes above all Ministers which God would manifest one day to his comfort Wigginton at his examination confesseth such Conference by him at that time to have been had with them and as he was enjoined by those who examined him hath reported it by writing somewhat largely He therein also setteth down a Conference had by him about the same matters with Hacket himself coming to him thither alone as he saith the self-same Friday morning some while after the other two were departed from him It may be gathered by his own Narration that betwixt the time of Coppinger and Arthington's talk with him Wigginton had set down Article-wise and distincted with number the several Heads of their Speeches had with him And after he also enquired and set down in writing Hacket's Opinion likewise unto every of the said Articles severally And albeit it need not be questioned but that both for Circumstance and Matter he would set it down the least that might be either to his own or any his Complices disadvantage yet may it serve for the fuller understanding of the whole Action and for necessary observation besides to touch some chief Points of those Conferences though it be but as himself telleth them The principal Points of Wigginton's Wigginton ' s Report of his Conference and Speeches with Coppinger Arthington and Hacket own Report touching Conference and Speeches had by him to and fro with Coppinger and Arthington and afterward with Hacket the 16th day of July in the Morning 1591. He saith That Coppinger and Arthington came unto him about Eight or Nine of the Clock of the 16th day of July in the Morning full of courage and comfort saying unto him thus We are come to you now to bring you certain News of great comfort which is this viz. That we have 1. seen Jesus Christ this day in lively and extraordinary shape or fashion presented unto us not in his Body for so he sitteth at the right hand of God in Heaven until the last Judgment but in his effectual or principal Spirit whereby he dwelleth in William Hacket more than in any Creature upon the Earth When Hacket came not long after their departure that Morning unto him Wigginton saith That he examined him about the whole Speeches of Coppinger and Arthington uttered before unto him whereunto Hacket answered first generally thus That he approved them no further than he saw they had warrant for their doings but particularly to this first Article thus viz. Hacket's Answer thereof unto Wigginton To the first That he knew not of that their Vision but he accounted himself to be a chief Messenger of God in such sort as followeth Coppinger and Arthington's Speeches to Wigginton That the said William Hacket is the very same Angel forespoken of by the Scriptures who should come before the last Judgment of Christ with a Fan or Sheephook in his hand to separate the Goats from the Sheep Hacket's Answer To the second That he was the only principal Man sent of God to decide the Controversies of the Gospel of Christ in the World or in England or in Europe into which Controversies some bad Persons being Enemies to him and to the Gospel in England and some of them being great Personages had drawn him to enter by their Cruel Unjust and Extraordinary Practices and Treacheries or Sorceries used against him and that by him as by a principal Angel of God with his Fan in his hand God would now separate the Sheep from the Goats and that God would establish the Gospel by him generally either by his death or by his life but quoth he as it were correcting himself by my life it must be Coppinger and Arthington's Speeches That Hacket is a Man dearer or nearer unto God in some respects than Moses or John the 3. Divine who wrote the Revelation because he must as it were bring an accomplishment unto their Prophesies and hath a more excellent spirit or work to do than they in some respects Hacket's Answer To the third That God would do a greater Work by him the said William Hacket than ever he did by any of all the Prophets for the establishment of his Gospel to the confusion of Satan and Antichrist Coppinger and Arthington's Speeches That the said Hacket had laid two several Charges in the name of Christ upon them two 4. which they must needs perform or execute the one upon Arthington of Prophecy concerning the end of the World the other upon Coppinger of painting out the good and bad in the World or in these parts of the World and one of them had in purpose or charge to read over the whole Bible for proof of their Office and Business Hacket's Answer To the fourth That God had sent Arthington to be the said Hacket his Writer or Pen and the said Coppinger to be the Expounder of his Mind or Deliverer of his Message to the old Magistrates which were almost gone and to the New and to the World Coppinger and Arthington's Speeches That they had some sight of the glory of the 5. World to come where they found that the Queen was highly in God's favour because she had cut off much of Antichrist's Force or Train but c. That M. Cartwright had done more against 6. Antichrist than any in the World before him since the Apostles time and that Wigginton was Mutuùm muli scabunt comparable unto him and M. Lancaster meaning a Schoolmaster in Shoe-Lane was above them both in the state of heavenly glory because he had kept himself undefiled from the common Corruptions of these Times and had a most single heart to God Hacket's Answer
their goods into Common moveable goods into a great common store-house appointed for that purpose to the end they might be used and bestowed in common for so he protested to them it was the will of his heavenly Father The people were greatly grieved with this rigorous Edict nevertheless they obeyed though sore against their wills Neither They affrighted obey was it possible without great danger for any to conceal or hide any part from them because there were in the City two Girls soothsayers that did reveal whatsoever was concealed at least so it was believed Then the said Matthew commanded every one to bring all his Books whatsoever saving the holy Bible to be publickly burned He commands all Books to be burnt but the Bible which was accordingly performed Thus taking great confidence and boldness that his hestes and advices were so readily obeyed and had so good success he most insolently and cruelly thrust in with a Pike and after shot in with a Harquebuz one He murders Hub. Truteling Hubert Truteling only for a merry jest that he made touching one of their Prophets Yet seeing that he did not die thereof out of hand the said Prophet told them it was revealed to him from heaven that Trueteling should live and continue and that God had forgiven him Nevertheless he died of his wounds within few days after Then Matthew got into his hand a long Pike and running hastily therewith through the Town towards the Gates he proclaimed as he went that God the Father had commanded him to beat back all the enemies that besieged them from the Town But being met near the Camp by one only souldier he was by him thrust through and He is slain by a Souldier so died And albeit the falsehood of his forged prophesies was thus twice detected yet the other Prophets his companions did so disguise the matter and bewitch the people that they could not perceive his coggeries but did rather much lament his death as a matter ominating some great mishap towards them for that so excellent a man was taken away Yet John of Leyden John of Leyden and Knipperdoling comfort the People and Prophecy comforted them saying that God had revealed unto him long before that Matthew should have such an end and that he should marry his widow Some few days after Knipperdoling also prophesied that high mountains should be brought low and the poor and mean should be exalted and thereupon commanded all which was left standing Command the Churches to be demolished of the Churches to be demolished even with the ground assuring them and that with a constant setled gravity and great earnestness that this Commandment came from God himself And in further accomplishment as may seem of such his prophesy John of Leyden gave to the said Knipperdoling John of Leyden gives Knipperdoling the sword of Execution the sword of execution and so made him the common Hangman of the City that immediately afore was Consul and chief Officer This office of Executioner belike upon compact between them he willingly accepted and obeyed Leyden therein as the messenger of God Now after that some assaults had been made against the City by the Bishops Army besieging it albeit with no success John of Leyden laid him John of Leyden dreams three days together down to rest and dreamed three days together Being awaked he spake not a word to any person but calling for paper writ down the names of twelve men He awakes and names Twelve men to govern the City whereof some were indeed Gentlemen of blood who should have the sovereign charge of all and should govern the City as the heads of the Tribes did in Israel for so he said it was the heavenly Father's will But hereby in very truth he laid the foundation of a kingdom whereunto he aspired Then he propounded unto their Reformed Preachers certain Articles to be resolved in He propounds certain articles to the Preachers by the Scriptures alone by which if they could not confute them then he would as he said put them up unto the people that by their authority they might be establish'd The effect of them was that a man was not bound unto one wife but might marry One was about Bigamy so many as himself lusted When their Preachers made some difficulty and sticking They boggle at it he called them into the Council-house together with the Twelve new Governors-or Elders Then he put off his Coat and laid it and the New Testament down together He swears it is from God afore them swearing by those two as by assured tokens that the Articles by him proposed were revealed unto him from Heaven and that God would never be merciful unto them if they did not yield unto them Hereupon they gave their assents They assent and after for three days together they preached of nothing but of Marriage Then He marries three Wives Leyden married three Wives one whereof was the Widow of their great Prophet Matthew lately deceased and divers other followed Others follow his example the like example as if it had been a matter most allowable and laudable But Some Citizens abhorring the Practice seize the Prophets some of the Citizens of better disposition finding this course to be most abominable gave a watch-word through the Town for all that truly favoured the Gospel without fantastical Novelties to come into the Market place where being assembled they apprehended Leyden Knipperdoling and all the rest of their Prophets But when the Common people were advertised hereof they The People rescue them and stay 50 of the Citizens straightway took Arms and rescued the Prisoners from them The people also laid hands on them which had apprehended their Prophets putting them to death with most exquisite torments namely they fastened fifty of them unto Trees and shot at them with Harquebuzes their great Prophet all the while crying thus unto them That he that would do God good service should first shoot at them and others were put unto sundry other several kinds of death In the Month of July that year a new Prophet being a Goldsmith by his Trade A Goldsmith A New Prophet ariseth and declares from God John of Leyden to be Emperor of the Earth and the Godly only must rule did arise up among them who having called the Multitude together into the Market-steed signified unto them It was the Will and Commandment of the heavenly Father that John of Leyden should be Emperor of all the Earth and that he marching forth with a puissant Army should destroy all Kings and Princes but should spare the Common people that loved righteousness and sincerity to the intent he may hold the seat of David his Father until the heavenly Father should receive again the Kingdom For said he Godly men must only rule in the World after they have once dispatched all the wicked out of the way When