Miracles which the Papists confidently report to be done by him after his Death in curing Sick people of their severall Maladies For such Souls which they fancy in Purgatory are so farre from healing others that they cannot help themselves Yea f Eccles Hist lib. 3. cap. 12. Bede calleth this Oswald jam cum Domino regnantem now reigning with the Lord. Yet the same g Lib. 3. cap. 2 Authour attesteth that even in his time it was the anniversary Custome of the Monks of Hexam to repair to Heofen-feld a place hard by where Oswald as aforesaid obtained his miraculous Victory and there to observe Vigils for the Salvation of his Soul plurimaque Psalmorum laude celebrata victimam pro eo mane sacrae oblationis offerre A Mongrel Action betwixt Good-will and VVill-worship though the eyes of their Souls in those Prayers looked not forward to the future petitioning for Oswald's Happinesse but backward to what was past gratulatory to the Blisse he had received Purgatory therefore cannot properly be founded on such Suffrages for the dead However such over-Officiousnesse though at first it was like the Herb in the Pot which doth neither good nor ill in after-Ages became like that wild a 2 King 4. 40 Gourd Anno Dom. poysoning mens Souls with Superstition 644 when they fell to down-right Praying for the departed 79. This year Paulinus The death of Paulinus late Arch-Bishop of York since Bishop of Rochester ended his Life and one Ithamar succeeded him born in Kent and the first English-man Bishop all being Forrainers before him As he was the first of his Nation I believe him the second of his Name meeting with no moe save onely b Exod. 6. 23. Ithamar the youngest Son of Aaron High-Priest of Israel 80. After King Oswald his Death 645 four Christian contemporary Kings flourished in England Most Christian King Oswy First Oswy King of Northumberland more commendable for the Managing then the Gaining of his Kingdome except any will say that no good Keeping can make amends for the ill Getting of a Crown seeing he defeated Ethelwald Oswald's Son and the true Heire thereof Bede c Lib. 3. c. 21. termeth him Regem Christianissimum The most Christian King a Stile wherewith the present Majesty of France will not be offended as which many years after was settled on his Ancestours Long had this Oswy endeavoured in vain by Presents to purchase Peace from Penda the Pagan King of Mercia who miserably harassed his Country and refused any Gifts though never so rich and great which were tendered unto him At last saith my d Idem Authour Oswy resolved VVe will offer our Presents to such a King who is higher in Command and humbler in his Courtesie as who will not disdain to accept them Whereupon he devoted his Daughter to God in her perpetuall Virginity and soon after obtained a memorable Conquest over his Enemies and cleared the Country from his Cruelty 81. Secondly Sigebert the too good Sigebert King of Essex and the Restorer of Religion in his Kingdome which formerly had apostatized after the Departure of Mellitus valiant and pious though taxed for his contumacious Company-keeping contrary to his Confessours command with an Excommunicated Count in whose House he was afterward murdered by two Villains Who being demanded the Cause of their Cruelty why they killed so harmlesse and innocent a Prince had nothing to say for themselves but they did it because his e Beda lib. 3. cap. 22. Goodnesse had done the Kingdome hurt such his pronenesse to pardon Offenders on their though but seeming Submission that his Meeknesse made many Malefactours But I hope and believe that the Heirs of Sigebert though the Story be silent herein finding his Fault amended it in themselves and exercised just Severity in the Execution of these two damnable Traitours 82. Anna may be accounted the third Successour to Sigebert 654 and happy in a numerous and holy Off-spring Anna happy in an holy issue Yea all his Children save Firminus the eldest slain with his Father in a Fight against Pagan Penda were either Mitred or Vailed when Living Sainted and Shrined when Dead as Erkenwald Bishop of London Ethelred or Audrey and Sexburga successively Foundresses and Abbesses of Elie VVithgith a Nun therein and Ethilburg Abbesse of Beorking nigh London 83. Peada 656 Prince of Mercia The conversion of the Mercians to Christianity under Prince Peada may make up the Quaternion who married Alfrede Daughter of Oswy King of Northumberland and thereupon renouncing Paganisme embraced Christianity and propagated it in his Dominions Indeed Penda his Father that Persecuter of Piety was still alive and survived two yeares after persisting an Heathen till Death but mollified to permit a Toleration of Christianity in his Subjects Yea Penda in his Old-age used an expression which might have beseemed the Mouth of a better man namely That he hated not Christians but onely such who f Beda lib. 3. cap. 21. professed Christ's Faith without his VVorks accounting them contemptible who pretended to Believe in God without Obeying him 84. A brace of Brethren St. Cedde and St. Chad. both Bishops both eminent for Learning and Religion now appeared in the Church so like in Name they are oft mistaken in Authours one for another Now though it be pleasant for Brethren to live together in Vnity Anno Dom. 656 yet it is not fit by Errour they should be jumbled together in Confusion Observe their Difference therefore S t. Cedde in Latine Ceddus I believe the elder born at a Flores Sanctorum pag. 35. London where afterward he was Bishop bred in Holy Island an active promoter in making the East-Saxons Converts or rather Reverts to the Faith He is remembred in the Romish Kalendar Ianuary the seventh S t. Chad in Latine Cedda born in b Idem p. 224. Northumberland bred likewise in Holy Island and Scholar to Aidanus He was Bishop of Lichfield a milde and modest man of whom more hereafter His death is celebrated in the Kalender March the second and the Dust of his Tombe is by Papists reported to cure all Diseases alike in Man and Beast I believe it might make the dumb to see and the lame to speak The later of these was as the Longest Liver so the most eminent in his Life who made many Christians and amongst the rest VVulfade and Rufine Sons to Wulphere King of Mercia succeeding Peada therein who was suddenly slain and his untimely Death was a great Loss to Religion 85. Look we now on the See of Canterbury Fridona first English Arch-bishop where to our comfort we have gotten one of our own Country-men into the place Fridona a Saxon. Yet for the more State of the businesse he assumed the name of Deus-dedit We know Arch-Bishops of his See are termed Alterius orbis Papae and such changing of Names was fashionable with the Popes He was
daily trample 8. Besides these All these antiquated by Christianity they had other Lesser Gods of a Lower Form and Younger House as Helmsteed Prono Fridegast and Siwe all which at this day to use the a I saiah 2. 20. Prophets Expression are cast to the Moles and the Bats fit Company for them which have Eyes and see not Blind to the blind like all those which put Confidence in them And as the true and reall b Exod. 7. 12. Serpent of Aaron did swallow up and devour the seening Serpents which Iannes and Iambres the Aegyptian Inchanters did make so long since in England the Religion of the true God hath out-lived and out-lasted consuted and confounded all false and â—eigned Deities To conclude this Discourse I have heard of a man who being Drunk rode over a Narrow Bridge the first and last that ever passed that Way as which in likelyhood led him to imminent Death and next morning viewing how he had escaped he fell into a Swound with acting over again the Danger of his Adventure in his bare Apprehension So should England now thanks be to God grown sober and restored to her self seriously recollect her sad Condition when Posting in the Paths of Perdition being intoxicated with the Cup of Idolatrie she would fall into a Trance of Amazement at the consideration of her desperate state before Christianity recovered her to her right Senses the manner whereof we now come to relate 9. When Augustine the Monk as is afore said landed in Thanet The character of King Ethelbert Ethelbert was then King of Kent One who had very much of Good Nature in him of a Wild Olive well civilized and a Stock fit to be grafted upon Yea he was already with c Acts 26. 28. King Agrippa though not in the same sense almost a Christian because his other half d Bede Hist Eccles lib. 1. cap. 25. Queen Berhta daughter to the King of France was a Christian to whom he permitted the free use of her Religion allowing her both Luidhard a Bishop for her Chaplain and an old Church in Canterbury formerly dedicated by the Romans to S t. Martin to exercise her Devotion therein Besides at this time this Ethelbert was in effect Monarch of England whilest his Person had Residence chiefly in Kent his Power had Influence even to Humber all the rest of the Saxon Kings being Homagers unto him which afterward much expedited the passage of the Gospel in England Thus each officious Accident shall dutifully tender his Service to the advance of that Design which God will have effected 10. Then Augustine acquainted this Ethelbert with his Arrivall Augustine's addresses and Ethelbert's answer informing him by his Messengers that he brought the best Tidings unto him which would certainly procure eternall Happinesse in Heaven and endless Reigning in Bliss with the true God to such as should entertain them Soon after Ethelbert repaired into Thanet to whom Augustine made his addresse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a deal of spiritual carnall Pompe e Beda ut prists having a Silver Cross carried before him for a Banner the Image of our Saviour painted in a Table and singing the Letanie in the way as they went King Ethelbert desired all things betwixt them might be transacted in the open Aire refusing to come under a Roof for fear of Fascination And indeed a Stranger who had never seen the like before beholding Augustine with such abundance of Trinkets about him being formerly jealous might hereby have his Suspicion encreased that he went about some strange Machination However Ethelbert returned him a civil Answer That their Promises were fair and good but because new and uncertain he could not presently assent unto them and leave the ancient Customes of the English which had been for so long time observed But because they were Strangers coming from Far Countries to communicate to him and his such things as they conceived were good and true he would not forbid any Converts whom their Preaching could perswade to their Opinion and also would provide them Necessaries for their comfortable Accommodation 11. Hence Augustine 597 with his Followers Ethelbert and others converted to the Christian Faith advanced to Canterbury to the aforesaid old Church of S t. Martin's Here they lived so piously prayed so fervently fasted so frequently preached so constantly wrought Miracles so commonly that many people of Inferiour Rank and at last King Ethelbert himself was baptized and embraced the Christian Religion The same Ethelbert also ordered that none should be a Bede Hist Eccles lib. 1. cap. 26. forced into Religion having understood that Christs Service ought to be voluntary and not compelled And if his Courtiers had been as cautious not to embrace Religion for Fashion as the King was carefull they should not receive it for Fear there had not at that time been made so many Christians for Conveniency probably rather then for Conscience who soon after returned again to Paganisme However as it is rendered a reason in the dayes of Hezekiah why the Iews at so short warning so unanimously kept the Passeover God had prepared the People for the thing was done suddenly so on the same account it came to passe that in so little a time besides temporary Believers so many true and sincere Converts embraced the Christian Faith 12. Then Augustine by his Letters informed Gregory of the Progresse Gregorie's answer to Augustine's letters and Proficiency of his Paines in England Gregory returned him a discreet Answer rejoycing with him and advising of him not to be puffed up by Pride for the great Miracles wrought by him but timendo gaudere gaudendo pertimescere He minded him how when the Disciples triumphed at their b Luke 10. 17 casting out of Devils Christ more spirituallized their Joy rather to rejoyce that their Names were written in Heaven And indeed as some eminent in Piety never attained this Honour c Iohn 10. 41. Iohn Baptist did no miracle so many finally disavowed of God as unknown unto him shall plead for themselves and truly no doubt d Matt. 7. 22. in thy Name have we cast out Devils Yet this Admonition of Gregory is with me and ought to be with all unprejudiced persons an Argument beyond exception that though no discrect man will believe Augustine's Miracles in the latitude of Monkish Relations he is ignorantly and uncharitably peevish and morose who utterly denies some Miracles to have been really effected by him About the sametime S t. Gregory sent from Rome Mellitus Iustus Paulinus and Ruffinianus to be Fellow-labourers with Augustine in the English Harvest 13. Thus was Kent converted to Christianity 600 For such as account this a Conversion of all England Conclusion of this Century to make their words good do make use of a long and strong Synecdoche a Part for the Whole farre more then Half of the Land lying some yeares after
Bishoprick Were not Bishop and Bishoprick so correlated in that Age that they must be together the trick of making Titular Bishops not as yet being used in Rome It is impossible that Bishops here should import no more then a plain Priest and that he onely took Orders before he came over into England Well commend me to the Memory of this man who first was made Bishop and then made himself a Bishoprick by earning it out of the Pagan English whom he intended to convert to Christianity Yea he passed his solemn Promise in the presence of the Pope that he would preach the Gospel in the heart of the c Idem ibid. uttermost coasts of England meaning the Northern parts thereof whither no Teacher had at any time gone before him Minded herein like d 2 Cor. 10. 16. S t. Paul not to boast in another mans line of things made ready to his hand 66. This his Promise Birinus 636 though he literally brake A broken promise well kept Virtually kept for he chanced to land amongst the West-Saxons then called Gevises in the South-VVest part of England where as yet the Inhabitants were pure-impure Pagans Having here found a fit subject for his Pains why should he go farther to seek the same Is not Providence the best Herauld to marshal us and ought we not to sit down where it disposeth us Besides according to Military Rules it was best to clear the Coasts as he went and not to leave a Pagan-Foe behind his back Moved herewith Birinus here sets up his Staffe Episcopal fixeth himself falls a preaching converts many and amongst the rest Kyngils the VVest-Saxon King whom he baptized Oswald King of Northumberland chanced to be e Bede Eccles Hist l. 3. cap. 7. present at that time and was first God-Father then Father in Law to King Kyngils to whom he gave his Daughter to Wife 67. Dorchester not the Town which denominates Dorsetshire Dorchester made a Bishops See but an old City in Oxfordshire not in Barkshire as Stapleton f In his translation of Bede Pol. 82. mistakes it was made the Seat of Birinus his Bishoprick Bede faith Donaverunt autem ambo Reges eidem Episcopo civitatem quae vocatur Dorinca c. Both the Kings Oswald and Kynglls gave to the said Bishop the City Dorinca or Dorchester Both of them Hence observe first that Oswald whose Concurrence in this Grant was required though particular King of Northumberland was also Monarch of all England To justifie our former Observation that amongst the seven Saxon Kings alwayes one was paramount above the rest Secondly that this Dorchester though it lay North of Thames in Oxfordshire which properly belonged to the Kingdomes of Mercia pertained now to the VVest-Saxons beyond the ordinary Limits assigned to that Kingdome 68. In this year Honorius Arch-Bishop of Canterbury divided England understand 637 so much thereof as was Christian into Parishes England divided into Parishes But that most exquisite g Mr. Selden in his Hist of Tithes cap. 9. pag. 256. Antiquary seems very unwilling to admit so early and ancient Parishes in the modern proper Acception of the word Who knoweth not that Parochia at large signifieth the Diocese of the Bishop and two new Dioceses Anno Dom. 637 Dunwich and Dorchester were erected under Honorius in the Province of Canterbury But whether Parishes as usually understood for places bounded in regard of the Profits from the people therein payable onely to a Pastour incumbent there I say whether such Parishes were extant in this Age may well be questioned as inconsistent with the Community of Ecclesiastick Profits which then seemed joyntly enjoyed by the Bishop and his Clergy 69. No sooner was Oswald whom we formerly mentioned settled in his Kingdome of Northumberland A morose Preacher little the edifieth but his first Princely Care was to provide Pastours to instruct his People in Christianity In order where unto he sends into Scotland where he had his own Education for some Eminent Preachers Unusuall the Sun should come out of the North to enlighten the South as here it came to passe One Preacher was sent him thence whose Name we find not but thus much of his Nature that being over-rigid and severe his Sermons made no Impression on his English Auditory Hard with hard saith the Proverb makes no VVall and no Wonder if the spirituall Building went on no better wherein the Austerity and Harshnesse of the Pastour met with the Ignorance and Sturdinesse of the People Home he returns complaining of his ill Successe and one Aidan of a Milder temper and more Discretion a Grace which none ever spake against but such as wanted it was sent back in his room 70. Aidan coming into England Aidan his due commendation settled himself at Lindisfern or Holy-Island in Northumberland a place which is an Island and no Island twice in twenty four hours as divided by the Tide from so conjoyned at Low-water to the Continent His exemplary Life was a Pattern for all pious Pastours First he left to the Clergy Saluberrimum abstinentiae vel continentiae exemplum though we read not he vowed Virginity himself or imposed in on others He lived as he taught and whatsoever the Bounty of Princes or great Persons bestowed on him he gave to the Poor He seldome travelled but on Foot and when invited to large Feasts at Court used to arise after a short Refection and betake himself to his Meditations He redeemed many Slaves from Captivity making them first Free-men then Christians 71. Bede his allay All these his excellent Practices Bede a Eccles Hist lib. 3. cap. 3. dasheth with this Allay that He had a Zeal of God although not fully according to Knowledge merely because he dissented from the Romish Church in the Celebration of Easter But whether those words of b Rom. 10. 2. S t. Paul spoken of his Country-men the Iews in reference to their Stumbling at Christ the Saviour of Mankind be fitly appliable to Aidan onely differing in an outward Ceremony let others decide True it is this Aidan was a prime Champion of the Quartadecimans as who had been brought up under or with S t. Colme in Ireland The writer of the Life of this S t. Colme let this be inserted by the way reports how the said Saint had a Revelation c Arch-Bishop Usher in the Religion of the Irish p. 99. of the Holy Ghost which prophesied unto him of this Discord which after many dayes should arise in the Church about the diversity of the Feast of Easter Yet he telleth us not that the Holy Ghost reproved this Colme whose Example animated others against the Roman Rite for his Errour as if God cared not which of both Sides carried the Controversie 72. But all which Bede speaketh in Diminution of Aidan Lay-mens diligence in reading Scripture may freely be forgiven him were it but for his faithfull recording
of his foulest facts wherewith in all ages since he standeth charged on record For mine own part I confess it no heresie to maintain a paradox in History nor am I such an enemy to wit as not to allow it leave harmlesly to disport it self for its own content and the delight of others Thus Cardan hath written his Encomium Neronis and others best husbandmen who can improve the barrennest ground have by art endeavoured to praise as improbable subjects But when men shall do it cordially in sober sadness to pervert peoples judgments and therein go against all received Records I say singularity is the least fault can be laid to such mens charge Besides there are some Birds Sea-pies by name who cannot rise except it be by flying against the winde as some hope to atchieve their advancement by being contrary and paradoxal in judgment to all before them 9. Soon after followed the execution of the Duke of Buckingham The request of the Duke of Buckingham denied King Richard his grand enginere or Master of the fabrick of his preserment The occasion thus The Duke requested-required of King Richard as confident that his merits were incapable of a denial the Earldome of Hereford and the hereditary Constable-ship of England laying title to them by discent Well did he ask both together which would be granted both together For the Earldome of Hereford was an Abishag concubine to the former Kings of England which had long lien in the Crown whilest in the Lancastrian line so imbraced and interlaced therewith that it was difficult to dissever them And the affecting thereof proved as fatall to Buckingham Anno Dom. 1484. as the desiring of the other was to Adonijah Anno Regis Ric. 3. 2. being interpreted in both an ambition of the Kingdome The Hereditary Constableship was conceived too unlimited a power to be trusted to a Subject lest he should make more disorder then he should mend therewith so that in fine both in effect were denied unto him 10. Buckingham stormes thereat Buckingham surpâ—â—â—ed and beheaâ—ed Shall a Coronet be denied him by him on whom he had conferred a Crown Yet what anger soever boiled in his â—eart none ran over in his mouth pretending very fair in his behaviour But hard it is to halt before a cripple and dissemble before King Richard The Duke withdraws to Brecknock in Wales with his prisoner Bishop Morton of Elie committed unto him by the King on some distaste who tampered with him about the marriage of Henry Earl of Richmond with the eldest Daughter of King Edward the fourth The Duke carried himself so open therein that surprised by King Richard his head was divorced from his body before this marriage was compleated II. More cunning was Bishop Morton to get himself over into France Morten make peace there to contrive the Union of the two Houses of York and Lancaster If Blessed be the peace-makers be pronounced of such as reconcile party and party how much more must it be true of his memory the happy instrument to unite those Houses to the saving of the effusion of so much bloud Some will say it was a design obvious to every capacity to make such an union But we all know when a thing is done then it is easie for any to do it Besides it is one thing for men in their brains barely and notionally to apprehend a project and another as our Morton did to elect proportionable means and by the vigorous prosecution thereof really to effect it 12. A modern Writer in his voluminous book Mr Pryn charged for charging Bishop Morton of â—reson which he hath Entituled The Rebellions Treasons Conspiracies Antimonarchical practises c. of the English Prelates to swell his number chargeth this Bishop Morton with Treason against King Richard the third But is it treason for one in savour of the true heir to oppose an Usurper in Title and Tyrant in practice Surely unbiased judgments behold Morton herein under a better notion Had this Bishop been active on King Richards side how would the same Author have proclaimed him for a Traitor against King Henry the seventh Thus I see an inevitable necessity that Morton must be a Traitor whatsoever he did and observe that no practice will please which cometh from one whose person or profession is distasted 13. But King Richard his cruelties had so tired out Divine patience Earl Henry landeth at Milsord Haven that his punishment could be no longer deferred 1585 Henry Earl of Richmond lands with an handful of men at Milford Haven 3. A landing place politickly chosen near Pembroke the place of his Nativity in the heart of his Country-men and Kinsmen the Welsh his grand-father Owen ap Theodore alias Tuthar having thence his extraction and far from London the Magazine of King Richards might From Milford the Earl marched North-East through the bowels of Wales and both his Army and fame thereof crevit eundo grew by going Many old Prophesies the people about Leicester will load a stranger with them were fulfilled in him and this amongst the rest may be remembred It was foretold that in a great battle which was to be fought near Leicester whosoever should shoot the arrow first should have the victory This most understood that the archer in the fight which should first let loose should gain the day to his side When behold the Earl of Richmond bending his march out of Wales to the middle of England first passed Arrow a rivolet in the confines of Worcester and Warwick-shire and accordingly proved victorious For into Leicester-shire he came and in the navel thereof is met by King Richard and next morning both sides determine to trie their fortunes in fight This night the Earl had sweet and quiet rest whilest King Richard his guilty conscience was frighted with hideous dreams Anno Regis Ric 3 3. and fanciful apparitions Anno Dom. 1485 as no wonder if no pillow could give him quiet sleep who with a pillow had so lately smothered his Lord and Master 14. The Battle is called the Battle of Bosworth though fought full three miles from the a Burton in his description of Leicestershire Town The Battle of Bosworth and nearer other Country Villages because Bosworth is the next Town of not ethereunto The Earls Army fell far short of the Kings in number and Armes equalled it in courage exceeded it in cause and success Indeed the Kings Army was hollow at the heart many marching in his main battle who were much suspected and therefore purposely placed there to secure them from flying out and fought as unwilling to overcome Yet the scales of victory seemed for a long time so equal that an exact eye could not discern on which side the beam did break At last the coming in of the Lord Stanley with three thousand fresh men decided the controversie on the Earls side King Richard fighting valiantly so his friends
Pope who as Pastor Pastorum claimed Decimas Decimarum Entituling himself thereunto partly from Abraham a Priest paying o Gen 14. 20 Heb. 7. 4. Tithes to Melchizedeck the high Priest partly from the Levites in the Mosaical Law paying the Second Tithes that is the Tithes of their Tithes to the Priest Thus shall you offer an heave offering unto the Lord of all your p Num. 18. 28. Tithes which ye receive of the children of Israel and ye shall give thereof the Lords heave-offering to Aaron the Priest Hereupon the Pope had his Collectors in every Diocesse who sometimes by Bills of Exchange but generally in specie to the great impoverishing of the Land yearly returned the Tenths and First-fruits of the English Clergie to Rome 2. But the Pope being now dead in England the King was found his Heir at Common Law Commissioners imployed to 〈◊〉 all Ecclesistical preferments as to most of the power and profit the other had usurped But now as the Clergie changed their Land lord so their Rents were new rated and I believe somewhat raised Commissioners being imployed in all Counties the Bishop of the Diocesse being alwaies one of them to valew their yearly revenue Ann. Dom. 1537. that so their Tenths and First-fruits may be proportioned accordingly These Raters were the chiefest persons in all Counties under the degree of Barons and I had a project to presence their names as of men of unquestionable extraction none as yet standing on the ruins of Abbies to heighten their mean birth into the repute of Gentility Surrey Nicholas Carew Knights Matthew Broun Thomas Stidolfe Esquire John Banister Gentleman Huntingdon-shire Richard Sapcot Knights Lawrence Taylard John Gostwick Esquires John Goodrick Devon-shire William Courtney Knights Thomas Dennis John Birnall Major of Exeter John Hull Auditors William Simonds John Ford Auditors John Southcote Somerset-shire William Stourton Kn t s John Horsey Andrew Lutterell Thomas Speke Esq s. Hugh Powlet Henry q In this method they are named Capel Knight William Portman Gent. Roger Kinsey Auditor Stafford-shire John Talbot Knights John Gifford Walter Wrotley Esquire John Wrotely Gentleman Cheshire John Holford Knight Peter Dutton Knight George Booth Esq s. Thomas Aston Richard Ligh William Brereton But my designe failed when I found the return of the Commissioners names into the Office so defective that in most Counties they are wholly omitted 3. These Commissioners were impowered by the King Instructions given to the Commissioners to send for the Scribes and Notaries of all Bishops and Arch-Bishops and Arch-deacons to swear the Receivers and Auditors of Incumbents to view their Register-books Easter-books and all other writings and to use all other waies to know the full value of Ecclesiastical preferments with the number and names of Persons enjoying the same They were to divide themselves by Three and Three allotting to every number so many Deaneries and to enquire the number and names of all Abbies Monasteries Priories Brotherships Sisterships Fellowships c. Houses religious and conventual as well r Transcribedwith my owne hand out of the original in the Office CHARTER-HOUSE as others these carthusians being specified by name because proudly pretending priviledges of Papal exemption and meeting together to certifie into Exchequer at the time limited in their Commission the true value of such Places or Preferments Herein Reparations Fees of in t ſ No Clerk in the Office cou'd read this word were not to be deducted but perpetual Rents Pensions Alms Synods Fees paid out yearly to Persons were to be allowed 4. This being a work of time exactly to perform Some yeares spent in the work took up some years in the effecting thereof Devon-shire and Somer set were done in the twenty-seventh Staffordshire and many other Countries in the thirty-fourth of King Henry the eighth and most of Wales not till the reign of King Edward the sixt Yea I am credibly informed that in Ireland to which Kingdome such Commissions were afterwards extended the Commissioners partly tired with their troblesome work partly afraid to pass the dangerous hill of Rushes in Irish Sleue Logher never came into the County of Kerry the South-west extremity of that Island So that the Clergie thereof though the poorest of the poorest in Ireland enjoy this priviledge that they are presently put into their Livings or Benefices rather without any payments 5. But no such favour was allowed to any place in England where all were unpartially rated Vicaridges why so high-rated and Vicaridges valued very high according to their present revenue by personal Perquisites In that Age he generally was the richest Shepherd who had the greatest flock where Oblations from the living and Obits for the dead as certainly paid as Predial Tithes much advanced their Income In consideration whereof Vicaridges mostly lying in Market-Towns and populous Parishes where set very high though soon after those Obventions sunk with superstition And the Vicars in vain desired a proportionable abatement in the King's book which once drawn up were no more to be altered 6. Now Queen Mary a Princesse Q Mary remits Tenths and First-fruits whose conscience was never purse-ridden as one who would go to the cost of Her own principles did by Act of Parliament exonerate acquit and discharge the Clergie from all First-fruits As for Tenths the same * 2 3 Phil Mary cap. 4. Statute ordereth them to be paid to Cardinal Poole who from the same was to pay the Pensions allowed by Her Father to Monks and Nuns at the dissolution of Abbies yet so that when such persons who were but few and aged all named in a Deed indented should decease all such paiments of the Clergie reserved nomine decimae should cease and be clearly extinct and determined for ever 7. But Her Sister Q. Elizabeth succeeding Her Q. Elizabeth resumeth them and finding so fair a flower as First fruits Tenths fallen out of Her Crown was careful quickly to gather it up again and get it re-sett therein A Princesse most to forgive injuries but inexorable to remit debts who knowing that necessitous Kings are subject to great inconveniences was a thrifty improver of Her treasure And no wonder if She were exact though not exacting to have Her dues from the Clergie who herein would not favour her grand favourite Sir Christopher Hatton who by the way was Master of this first-fruits Office and was much indebted unto Her for moneys received All which arrears Her Majesty required so severely and suddainly from him that the grief thereof cost his life I say this Queen in the first of Her t See the Stat. 1 Eliz. cap. 4. Reign resumed first-fruits and tenths onely with this case to Parsonages not exceeding ten marks and Vicaridges ten pounds that they should be freed from first-fruits A clause in this Statute impowering the Queen to take all that was due unto Her from the first day of this Parliament was so
this may produce to forraign Protestants and inrage Popish Princes in whose Dominions they live to cruelty against them as disaffected to their Government Besides when Divine Providence layeth such burthens on his servants even the yoak of Antichrist is then the yoak of Christ not to be thrown off with force but to be born with the confession of the truth prayers patience and Christian courage 29. So much concerning the Covenant which some three moneths after began to be rigorously and generally urged Nor have I ought else to observe thereof save to adde in mine own defence that I never saw the same except at distance as hung up in Churches nor ever had any occasion to read or hear it read till this * * July 1 1654. day in writing my History what ever hath been reported and printed to the contrary of my taking thereof in London who went away from the Savoy to the Kings quarters long before any mention thereof in England 30. True it is The Authors plea in his own just defence there was an Oath which never exceeded the Line of Communication meeting with so much opposition that it expired in the infancy thereof about the time when the plot was discovered for which M r Tomkins and M r Chaloner suffered This was tendered to me and taken by me in the Vestry of the Savoy-Church but first protesting some limitations thereof to my self This not satisfying was complained of by some persons present to the Parliament where it was ordered that the next Lords-day I should take the same oath in terminis terminantibus in the face of the Church which not agreeing with my conscience I withdrew my self into the Kings parts which I hope I may no less safely than I do freely confess because punished for the same with the loss of my livelihood and since I suppose pardoned in the Act of Oblivion 31. Now began the great and generall purgation of the Clergie in the Parliaments quarters The Parliaments purge to the Clergy many being outed for their misdemeanours by the Committee appointed for that purpose Some of their offences were so foul it is a shame to report them crying to Justice for punishment Indeed Constantine the Christian Emperour was wont to say If I see a Clergie-man offending I will cover him with my cloak but surely he meant such offences as are frailties and infirmities no scandalous enormities Such unsavoury salt is good for nothing * * Luke 14. 33. no not for the dunghil because as the savour is lost which makes it usefull so the fretting is left which makes it useless whereby it is so far from being good compost to fatten ground that it doth rather embarren it Let Baal therefore plead for it self nothing can be said in their Excuse if what was the main matter their crimes were sufficiently proved 32. But as to the point The expelled Clergies plea. hear what the Royalâ—sts at Oxford say for their Friends whilst they conceive themselves to take just exceptions at the proceedings against these Ministers 1. Some of their faults were so foule that the * * Centu. p. 1. foulness of them is all that can be pleaded for them For being Capital the persons deserved to be outed of life not of living which leaves a suspicion of imperfect proof 2. The Witnesses against them were seldom deposed on oath but their bare complaints beleeved 3. Many of the Complainers were factious people those most accusing their Sermons who least heard them and who since have deserted the Church as hating the Profession of the Ministery 4. Many were charged with delivering false-Doctrine whose positions were sound at the least disputable Such those accused for preaching that Baptism Washeth away Original sin which the most Learned and honest in the Assembly in some sense will not deny namely that in the Children of God it cleanseth the condemning and final peaceable commanding power of Original sin though the stain and blemish thereof doth still remain 5. Some were merely outed for their affections to the Kings cause and what was malignity at London was Loyalty at Oxford Yea many moderate men of the Opposite Party much bemoaned such severity that some Clergie-men blameless for life and Orthodox for Doctrine were only ejected on the account of their faithfulness to the Kings Cause And as much corruption was let out by this Ejection many Scandalous Ministers deservedly punished so at the same time the veins of the English Church were also emptied of much good blood some inoffensive Pastours which hath made her Body Hydropical ever since ill humors succeeding in the room by reason of too large and suddain evacuation But others of a more violent temper excused all the present necessity of the Cause requiring it All Pulpits in the Parliament quarters must be made like the whole earth before the building of Babel of one language and of one speech or else all may be destroyed by the mixture of other Doctrines And better a mischief to few then an inconvenience to all Safer that some suppose unjustly suffer then that the success of the whole cause should be endangered 33 Then came forth a Book called the First Century The first Century why without a second containing the names of an hundred Divines sequestred for their faults with a promise of a second Nov. 19. which to my knowledge never came forth Whether because the Author of the former was sensible that the subject was generally odious or because the death of M r White Licenser thereof prevented any addition or whether because disswaded from the Designe suspecting a retaliation from Oxford Sure I have been informed that when some solicited his Majesty for leave to set forth a Book of the vicious lives of some Parliament Ministers His Majesty blasted the designe partly because recrimination is no purgation partly least the Publick enemy of the Protestant Religion should make an advantage thereof 34. To supply the vacant places Vacant livings how supplied many young Students whose Orders got the speed of their Degrees left the Vniversities Other Ministers turned Duallists and Pluralists it being now charity what was formerly covetoâ—sness to hold two or three Benefices These could plead for themselves the practice of * * Fox Act. Mâ—n p 1494. in An. 1555. M r Sanders the Martyr who held two Livings at good distance because he could not resigne one but into the hands of a Papist as these men would not surrender them to Malignants Many Vicaridges of great Cure but small value were without Ministers whilst rich matches have many Suitors they may die Virgins that have no portions to prefer them which was often complained of seldom redressed it passing for a currant maxime it was safer for people to fast then to feed on the poyson of Malignant Pastours 35. Let us now look a little into the Assembly of Divines Dissenting Brethren first appear in the Assembly
Elizabeth Countesse of Clare Hist of Camb. p. 37. ¶ 41. The Masters Benefactours Bishops c. thereof ibidem anciently called Soler Hall p. 38. ¶ 44. ruinous and lately re-edified ¶ 45. Four hundred pounds worth of timber reported taken from it in these troublesome times which the Authour of this Book will not believe ibid. CLAUDIA mentioned by St. Paul 2. Tim. 4. 21. probably a British Convert C. 1. ¶ 9. notwithstanding Parsons his Cavils to the contrary ¶ 10. CLUNIACK Monks being reformed Benedictines b. 6. p. 266. ¶ 2. Elianor COBHAM Dutchess of Glocester accused for a Sorceress by some made a Confessour by M. Fox b. 4. p. 171 c. COIFY a Pagan Priest his remarkable speech C. 7. ¶ 41. COLCHESTER claimeth Constantine to be born therein C. 4. ¶ 18. Augustinean Monks had there their prime residence b. 6. p. 268. ¶ 6. COLLEDGES not in the Universities but for superstitious uses given to the King b. 6. p. 350. ¶ 3 4 5. John COLLET Dean of St. Pauls b. 5. p. 167. ¶ 13. foundeth Pauls School ¶ 14. making the Mercers overseers thereof ¶ 15. out of provident prescience ¶ 16. Tho. COMBER Master of Trinity Colledge in Camb. highly commended by Morâ—nus History of Camb. p. 123. ¶ 20. High COMMISSION arguments for and against it b. 9. p. 18â— CONSTANTINE the first Christian Emperour proved a Britan by birth C. 4. ¶ 15. the objections to the contrary answered ¶ 16. richly endoweth the Church ¶ 19. CONSTANTIUS CHLORUS the Roman Emperour and though no Christian a favourer of them C. 4. ¶ 12. buried at York and not in Wales as Florilegus will have it ¶ 13. CONVENTICLE the true meaning thereof b. 9. p. 102. ¶ 4. CONVENTS some generall conformities used in them all b. 6. p. 287 c. CONVOCATIONS three severall sorts of them b. 5. p. 190 191. they complain of erroncous opinious p. 209 210 c. CORPUS CHRIST COL in Camb. See Bennet Colledge CORPUS CHRISTI COLL. in Oxford founded by Bishop Fox b. 5. p. 166. ¶ 11. called the Colledge of three Languages ibid. the worthies thereof ibid. Masse quickly set up therein in the first of Q. Mary b. S. p. 8. ¶ 10 11. Dr. John COSEN charged with superstition his due praise b. 11. p. 173. ¶ 34 c. The Scotish COVENANT the form thereof b. 11. p. 201. ¶ 13 c. exceptions to the Preface and six Articles therein 203 204 205 206. never taken by the Authour of this Book p. 206. ¶ 30. Will. COURTNEY Bishop of London his contests about Wickliffe with the Duke of Lancaster b. 4. ¶ 135. ¶ 19. Arch-bishop of Canterbury p. 142. ¶ 24. COURTS SPIRITUALL began in the Reign of King William the first when severed from the Sherifs Courts b. 3. ¶ 10. Their contesting with the Common Law how to be reconciled ¶ 11. Richard COX Dean of Christs Church accused t is hoped unjustly for cancelling Manuscripts in Oxford Library b. 7. p. 302. ¶ 19 20. flies to Frankford in the Reign of Queen Mary b. 8. p. 30. ¶ 3. where he headeth a strong party in defence of the English Liturgie p. 31 32. made Bishop of Ely b. 9. p. 63. his death and Epitaph p. 111. ¶ 34. Thomas CRANMER employed by King Henry to the Pope b. 5. p. 179. ¶ 9. to prove the unlawfulnesse of the Kings marriage ¶ 18. thence sent into Germany ¶ 22. made Arch-bishop of Canterbury against his will ¶ 27. defended against the cavils of Papists and Mr. Prin ¶ 28 c. his death b. 8. p. 203. ¶ 32. CREKELADE or GREEKLADE an ancient place where Greek was professed C. 9. ¶ 29. CROWLAND Monks massacred by the Danes C. 9. ¶ 19. Thomas CROMWELL first known to the World for defending his Mr. Card. Woisey b. 5. p. 177 ¶ 1. as the Kings Vicar in Spiritualibus presidenteth it in the Convocation p. 206. ¶ 21. falls into the Kings displeasure p. 231. ¶ 20. deservedly envred ¶ 21. his admirable parts ¶ 22. with the History of his death c. ¶ 23 c. Chancelour of Cambridge Hist. of Cambridge p. 108. ¶ 53. Richard CROMWEL alias Williams Knighted for his valour at a solemn tiâ—ting b. 6. p. 370. ¶ 11. giveth a Diamond Ring in his Crest on an honourable occasion ¶ 12. CUTHBERT Arch-bishop of Canterbury by the Kings leave first brings Bodyes to be buried in the Church b. 2. p. 103. ¶ 27. D. DANES their first arrivall in England B. 2. p. 103. ¶ 29. why their country formerly so fruitfull is lately sobarren of people ¶ 30 31 32. the sad Prognosticks of their coming hither ¶ 33. make an invasion into Lincolnshire C. 9. ¶ 18. massacre the Monks of Crowland C. 9. ¶ 19. and burn the Monastery of Medeshamsted ¶ 20 21. why their fury fell more on Convents then Castles C. 10. ¶ 48. after sixty years absence re-invade England ibidem A dear peace bought with them ¶ 50. to no purpose ¶ 52. their Royall line in England suddenly and strangely extinct C. 11. ¶ 10. no hostile appearance of them in England ¶ 13. Thomas L. DARCY beheaded B. 6. p. 313. ¶ 5. his Extraction vndicated from the causelesse Aspersion of King Henry the eighth page 324 325. John DAVENANT sent by King James to the Synod of Dort B. 10. p. 77. ¶ 63. made Bishop of Salisbury B. 10. p. 91. ¶ 35. questioned for his Sermon at Court B. 11. p. 138. ¶ 14 15. relates all the passages thereof in a Letter to Dr. Ward ¶ 16. his opinion about the suspension of Bishop Goodman p. 170. ¶ 23. his death p. 176. ¶ 53. St. DAVID a great advancer of Monastick life C. 6. ¶ 4. one of his paramount Miracles ¶ 5. St. DAVIDS or Menevia in Wales once an Arch-bishoprick B. 3. p. 24. ¶ 25. contesteth with Canterbury ibidem but is overpowered ¶ 26. DEANES and CHAPTERS defended in the House of Commons by an excellent speech of Doctour Hackets B. 11. p. 177 178 179. Edward DEERING his death and praise B. 9. p. 109. ¶ 22. Sr. Auth. DENNIE his extraction issue death and Epitaph Hist of Walt. p. 12 13. DERVVIANUS sent by Eleutherius Bishop of Rome to King Lucius to instruct him in Christianity C. 2. ¶ 8. DEVONSHIRE commotion begun out of superstition heightned with cruelty supprest by Gods blessing on the valour of the Lord Russell B. 7. p. 393 394 c. The DIRECTORY compiled by the Assembly of Divines B. 11. p. 221. ¶ 1. commanded by the Parliament ¶ 6. forbidden by the King to be generally used ¶ 7. it and the Liturgy comparted together p. 223. 224. DISSENTING BRETHREN B. 11. ¶ 35 why departing the Land ¶ 36. kindly entertained in Holland ¶ 37. their chief ground-works ¶ 39. 40. manner of Church-service ¶ 41. Schism betwixt them ¶ 42 c. Sr. Th. DOCKWRAY Lord Prior of St. Joanes B. 6. p. 359. ¶ 4. and p. 361. in the dedication John DOD his birth and