wife to king Egelreld Began his reign An. 1040. ruled two years He shewed faith Malm. l. 2. c. 12. exceeding great pitty of minde towardes his brother S. Edmund the Confessor Rom. religion of K. Hardi Canute His Roman religion appeareth both by his Father because as testifyeth Registrum BurineÌ„se Dedit S. Edmundo libertatem King S. Edward Confessor XXXI Vertues of K. Edvvard CoÌ„fessor 20. IN the yeare 1042. Edward Confessor sonne to the forsaid king Egelred began his reign and reigned 24. yeares He was saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 13. deuout vnto God and therfore directed by him whilst he reigned all thing at home and abroad were quiet and calme He slew by his Captaines Machetat king of Scotts and put another in his place brought wales into the forme of a Prouince vnder England Illud celeberime fertur c. That is most famously reported that he neuer toucht any womans chastitie And Florent An. 1066. calleth him Decus Anglorum The honor of Englishmen But who will see more of his vertues may read his life written by a most ancient and graue Author in Surio Tom. 1. This only I will not omit that to him did God first giue the vertue of curing the kings euil and the crampe from whome all our Princes since haue receaued it Fox lib. 3. pag. 164. and Cooper An. 1043. say that he was a man of gentle and soft spirit The like Cambd. in Brit. p. 330. Bal. Cent. 2. cap. 12. Stovv pag. 121. neuer delt with his wife fleshlie guided the Kingdom with much wisdome and iustice from vvhome issued as out of a fountain much godlinesse pitty liberalitie tovvards the poore gentlenes and iustice tovvards all men and in all honest life he gaue a a vertuous example to his people Bal. supra And pag. 16. calleth him vertuous and blessâ—d King Cooper pag. 1065. addeth That he purged the ould lavves and piked out of them certain vvhich vvere most profitable for the Commons To these high praises Stow Chron. 122. adioyneth that God greatly glorifyed him in his life by wonderfull signes The religion of K. Edvvard Confes. and cured the kings euil Now let vs see what the religion of this great and holy king was First he vowed to God that if he got the crowne he would go to Rome on Pilgrimage Westmon An. 1049. Ealred in vita Edwardi Secondly when his people would not suffer him to leaue the Land for fear of the Danes inuasion he demanded dispensation and obtained it of Pope Nicholas 2. Nichol. in ep ad Edwardum Ealred in vita Thirdly sent two Abbots to a Concell held at Rhemes by Pope Leo Florent and Houed Anno. 1050. Fourthly he built the Monastery of Westminster principally for the loue saith Camb. in Brit. pag. 376. of the cheefe Apostle whome he honored with a speciall peculier affection Fiftly whiles he was at Masse God reuealed vnto him the drowning of the K. of Denmarke which intended to inuade England Houed An. 1066. Ealred in vit Sixtly Pope Nicol. writing to him thanketh God that King Edward had loue to S. Peter and with vs he consented in all the Apostolicall Decrees and therin absolued him from his vow Westminster from all Episcopall iurisdiction and saith that to him and his successors we commit the aduousion and tuition of all the Churches of England that in any place yow may determine by the Counsell of the Bishops and Abbots what things be iust and right Whervpon Bale l. cit saith That sub Nicolao 2. facti sunt Anglorum Reges c. vnder Pope Nicolas 2. the Kings of EnglaÌ„d were made the Popes Vicars SeueÌ„tly writing to the Pope He professeth the Popes supremacie In which as ProtestaÌ„ts say the essence of a Papist coÌ„sisteth in these plain words To the cheefe Father of the vniuersall Church Nicolas Edward by the grace of God K. of England due obedieÌ„ce Ealred in vit And in his lawes in Fox pag. 166. appointed that a King shall sweare vpon the Euangelists and blessed reliques of Saints that he will maintain the holy Church with all integrity And so manifest it is that this K. our Country in his time were Roman Catholicks as Syr Edward Cook the Kings Attorney in F. Garnets Arainment which since is printed openlie called the time of Edward Confessor Henrie 1. Edward 1. Richard 2. Henrie 4 and â— the verie midnight of Poperie That times of England most florishing vvhich Protest confesse to haue bene Papistical which were in truth the most florishing times that euer England saw For what King haue we in vertue comparable to King Edward Confessor in wisdome to King Henrie the first in valour and victories to King Edward the first the Conqueror of Scotland and Henrie 4. of England and Henrie the fift Conqueror of France King Herold XXXII 21. THe 32. and last King of the Saxons was King Herold who tooke the crown An. 1066. and held it not one yeare Valour of K. Herold He was saith Cooper An. 1066. valiant and hardie Florent An. 1066. saith he was left successor by Saint Edward and chosen of all the nobles of England and crowned of Aldred Archb. of yorke began to put down vniust lawes to set vp iust to become a Patron of Monasteries to honor and reuerence Bishops Abbots Monks and Clerkes to shew him selfe pious humble and affable to hate malefactors and to labour by sea and Land for defence of his Countrie he ouerthrew the king of Norway in a great battel but was sone after himselfe slayne and England coÌ„quered in a ruefull battel in Sussex by William Duke of Normandy and after king of England His Rom. Religion His Roman religion is manifest both by what hath bene said of king Edward and because as Cambd. hath in Brit pag. 384. VValtham Monasterie he founded in the honor of the holie Crosse where he made his vowes for victorie against the Normans Westmon An. 1066. saith orauit ante crucem He prayed before the Crosse Thus yow see the Roman Catholicke religion deduced not only fom all our Christian kings for the 200. yeares vnto the Monarchie but also from the monarchie all the Saxons time vnto the conquest therof by the Normans for the space of 266. yeares in which time two of the said Kings haue bene Saints to wit Saint Edward martyr and Saint Edward Confessor Three haue gon on Pilgrimage to Rome namely king Ethelwolph king Alfred the great and king Canut To whome we may ad king Burdred and king Edward Confessor who would haue gon Two kings daughters Saints namely S. Edburga daughter to king Edward and S. Editha daughter to king Edgar And if we will know why God permitted our Contry to be subdued of strangers It was saith Malmsb. lib. 3. in Guilielmo 1. because the studies of learning and religion had decayed Not a fewe yeares before the Normans coming the Clergie could scarce stamer out
began saith Fox Acts pag. 201. appellations from Councells to the Pope by Henrie Bishopp of Winchester brother to the King In this Kings time Anno 1137. saith Bale Cent. 2. cap. 63. began in England the Monkes called Robertins of Robert their beginner But Capgraue in the life of Robert saith these Monks were Cistertians Monks enter into Englâ—nd In this time saith Bale ibidem entred into England the Moncks called Praemonstratenses Anno 1145. And Anno 1147. began the Gilbertin Monks and Nonnes founded by S. Gilbert Lord of Sempringham Cambd. Brit. p. 475. Neubrig l. 1. c. 16. Capgraue in Gilberto And this time Nicolas Breackspear an English Monke and Cardinall afterward Pope conuerted Norway sayth Bale l. cit ad Papismum to Papistrie And so manifestly were the times vnder King Stephen Papisticall as Bale cent 2. c. 74. speaking of them saith here we vnderstand that there was great want of the pure doctrine of Christ Iesus And cap. 73. saith it was a most corrupt age In this Kings time died also Saint William Archbishop of York Kinsman to King Stephan a man saith Godwin in his life very noble by birth but much more noble in vertue and good maners Saints Miracles many miracles writeth he are said to be vvrought at his Tombe King Henrie II. XXXVII 6. IN the yeare of our Lord 1155. King Henrie second grandchild by the Empresse Maude to Henri 1. succeded and reigned 33. yeares The vvorthines of King Henrie 2. He was saith Fox Acts pag. 234. Eloquent learned manly and bould in chiualrie The like hath Cooper Anno. 1155. and Stow pag. 216. Cambd. pag. 247. hath much of his praise out of Catholick writers of that time Vnder him saith Fox Acts pag. 224. the Dominion of England extended so far as hath not bene seene before VVhom Histories record to haue possessed vnder his rule First Scotland to whome VVilliam King of Scots with his Lords temporall and spirituall did homage both for them and their successors the seale wherof remaineth in the Kings Tresurie as also Ireland England Normandie Guiens Aquitan vnto the mountains of Pirenei He was offered also to be King of Ierusalem by the Patriarch and Maister of the Hospitall Now let vs see what was the religion of this potent King His Rom. Religion and of England when her Dominion was the largest that euer it was First Fox Acts pag. 234. telleth how this King heard Masse Secondly Stow pag. 232. telleth how he built the Nonrie of Font Euerard the Priorie of Stoneley of S. Martin in Douer and of Basing weck To which Cambd. in Brit. pag. 488. addeth Newsted in Nottingham shier and pag. 321. Circester in Glostershier Carthusiian Monks come into England Thirdly he brought Carthusians into England and built them a house at Withan Godwin in vit Hugonis Lincoln Houed saith this was An. 1186. Bale Cent. 2. cap. 63. saith it was 1180. And after Carthusians saith he came in Kinghts of Rhodes and of the Temple And Cambd. Brit. pag. 728. saith the Carmelits were brought in at this time Fourthly saith Stow pag. 216. he was directed cheefely by Thomas Becket in all things Fiftly saith the same Stow pag. 218. He obtained of Pope Adrian 4. both to haue Dominion of the Irish people Bal. Cent. 2 p. 180. and also to instruct them in the â—udiments of faith And the Pope in the letters of the grant calleth him a Catholick Prince Sixtly he Lewis King of France going on foote performing the office of lackeis and houlding the bridel of his horse on the right and lefâ— side Baron tom 12. conducted Pope AlexaÌ„der with great pompe through the Cittie Taciac vnto the riuer of Loir Robert Monten Genebre in Chron. Bale Cent. 2 c. 94. Neubrigen l. 2. c. 14. Thom. Cant. in Ep. ad Henr. 2. Seuenthly Houed p 502. setteth doune the letter of Gilbert Bishop of London to the Pope in which the Bishop writeth that the K. neuer auerted his minde from the Pope nor euer ment it but would loue him as a Father and reuerence the Church of Rome as his mother and had assisted the Pope in all his necessities with all his hart and strength And pag. 550. relateth a letter of Cardinals who writ of the King how obedient he shewed him selfe to the Church of which said they in this our short relation it is not needfull to relate Eightly Fox pag. 227. Cooper An. 1072. and others write that he agreed with the Pope that he should not hinder appeales to Rome and that nether the King nor his sonne should departe from Pope Alexander so long as he should count him or his sonne for Catholicks Bale Cent. 3. cap. 4. saith He permitted Appeals to the Pope and willingly submitted him selfe and his Kingdom to the Popes pleasure And English men came into greater subiection of Antichrist than euer at any tyme before Ninthly he persecuted certain German Hereticks whome Bale Cent. 2. cap 95. calleth Christians and others whome Bale cap. 97. calleth preachers of Gods word And Houed pag. 1573. reporteth that he and the King of France purposed to goe in person against the Albigenses whome Protestants commenly acount brethrem of their Church Finally his death was thus Cùm eger esset saith Houed pag. 654. VVhen he was sick vnto deathe he caused him self to be caried into the Church before the Altar and there he deuoutly receaued the communion of the body blood of our Lord confessing his sinnes And being absolued by the Bishop and Clergie he died And the times of this King were so manifestly Roman Catholick See more of this K. Rom. relig in Baron tom 12. as Fox Acts pag. 224. saith This age was all blinded and corrupted with superstition And yet pag. 225. affordeth it then the name of a Christian Realme that had the word of God And p. 227. noteth the blind and lamentable superstition and ignorance of these dayes Bale Cent. 3. cap. 14. cryeth out that sub Honorio 2. vnder Honorius 2. The life of man was corrupted vpon earth by Antichristian Traditions Saints In this Kings time liued the holy Eremit S. Gudrig Vir saith Cambd. Brit. p. 668. antiqua Christiana simplicitate totus Deo deuotus A man of ancient Christianlie simplicitie wholly deuoted to God Whose holines is described by diuers Capgraue Houed Miracles Anno. 1169. VVestmon Anno. 1171. Neubrigen lib. 2. c. 20. and 28. In his time also liued and died glorious S. Thomas of Canterb. of whose miracles Fox Acts pag. 225. saith he hath seene a booke to the number of 270. of curing all diseases belonging to man or Woman amongst which he nameth one most subiect as he thought by reason of the matter to laughter But who considereth that all the membres of our body were alike created of God may as wel be restored by him again when they are lost and weigheth the testimony which Fox bringeth him self
the Pope in which he professeth Profession of the King That amongst the rest of the Kings of the whole world we embrace in the armes of our singuler loue our most deere sonne in Christ the renowned King of EnglaÌ„d The popes testimonie of K Henrie 3. who as a Prince Catholick and deuout hath alwaies studied to honor the Roman Church his mother with a filiall subiection and dutifull deuotion because he would no way depart from her good pleasure but rather what things he vnderstood to be gratfull and pleasing to her he hath performed with a ready carefulnes And againe pag. 887. alleadgeth other letters of the Pope to the King wherin he saith Towards your person as to a sonne and speciall deuout of the Apostolick Sea we carying a Fatherly affection of loue do willingly giue audience to your requests as far as we may with God and do impart our benign fauor To these letters I will add two other publick letters of the nobilitie and Commons and of the Clergie at the same time taken out of Fox p. 288. Profession of the nobilitie and CoÌ„mons of EnglaÌ„d of their subiection to the Pope Paris pag. 901. and others To the reuerend Father in Christ Pope Innocent cheefe Bish The nobles with the Communalty of the whole Realme of England sending greeting with kissing of his blessed feete Our mother the church of Rome we loue with all our hartes as our duty is and couet the increase of her honor with so much affection as we may as to whome alwayes we ought to fly for refuge Item Neyther is it to our said mother vnknowne how beneficiall and bounfull a giuer the Realme of England haâ—â— bene now a long time for the more amplifying of her exaltation Againe Our king being a Catholick Prince wholly giuen to his deuotions and seruice of Christ so as he respecteth not the health of his owne body will feare and reuerence the See Apostolick and as deuout sonne of the Church of Rome desireth nothing more than to aduance the state and honor of the same And the said Fox pag. 291. and Paris and Westmon An. 1247. set downe an other letter of the Clergy and Communalty of Canterbury thus To the most holy Father in Christ Lord Innocent by Gods prouision cheefe Bishop The whole Communalty both of the Clergy and laity of the Prouince of Canterbury sendeth deuout kissing of his blessed feete England euer since her first Christianitie deuout to the Church of Rome Like as the Church of England since it first receaued the Catholick faith hate alwayes shewed it selfe faithfull and deuout in adhering to God our holy Mother the Church of Rome studying with al kind of seruice to please serue the same Church of England prostrate at the Popes feet and thincketh neuer otherwise to do but rather to continew and increase as she hath begun So now the same Church most humbly prostrat befor the feete of your holines most earnestly intreat c. And the same persons writing to the Cardinals call them Bases fulcientes Ecclesiam Dei Pillers vnderproping the Church of God Moreouer the said Paris pag. 929. hath the letters of the Religious men to the same Pope in these words professioÌ„ of the religions of England touching their subiection to the Pope To our most holy Father deere Lord in Christ Innocent by the grace of God cheefe Pastor of the vniuersall Church his deuout sonnes the Abbots and the Priors of this Prouince of Canterbury and Yorke health and kisses of your blessed feete The whole Church is gouerned vndet one Father Pastor also the Church of England is a most speciall member of the Church of Rome And pag. 930. The Nobles Clergy and Vniuersall People wish as their duty is health reuerently to such a great Bishop And ibidem The king writeth againe thus He knoweth who is ignorant of nothing that we alwayes placed our mother the Roman Church in the bowels of our sincere affection as her whome we would loue K. Henrie 3. vvould recur to the P in necessitie and vnto whome in immineÌ„t instaÌ„ts of necessitie as a sonne vnto his mother whome she ought to foster and norish from her dugges of milk we would recur Thus the King Clergie Religious Nobles and Commons doe most plainly and publickly professe their Catholick religioÌ„ and subiection to the Pope and his spirituall superioritie ouer them in so much as Godwin in the life of Sewal Archb. of York Protest confesse K. Henr. Cath. religion saith This King subiected and as it were prostrated him selfe to the Pope And Bale Cent. 4. cap. 23. noteth that King Henrie the third did not reigne but bore the Image of the Beast And cap. 6. speaking of the time of this King saith The healthful truth was vanished out of this Land men being led into perdition And cap. 34. Vnder King Henry 3. ther was great decay of true faith in Christ euen vnto our tyme in the merits of condignitie and congruall of the Papists in Indulgences suffrages of Saints Protest except against all vvritings from K. Hen. 3. to Luthers time vowes masses Purgatorie Images c. And therfor exhorteth all to trie the doctrine which florished from the year 1270. to the yeare 1520. So manifest a thing it is that this King and all his successors and Realme since him to the later ende of King Henrie 8. were Roman Catholicks And albeit this King and the common welth in his tyme repined some what at the Pope yet that was not for any points of faith or religion but onely as yow may see in Paris the Kings Chronicler of that time and others because he bestowed English Benefices vpoÌ„ Strangers VVestmon An. 1246. Which he being then driuen out of Rome and from his own liuing by a wicked Emperor was forced to doe Finally this King died as Continuat Paris then liuing writeth pag. 1343. Confessing his sinnes beating his brest absolued houseled aneiled honoring the Crosse Saints In this Kings time liued the holy Archb. of Canterb S. Edmund whose body long after his death was found incorrupt Westmon An 1247. and others Also Saint Richard Bishop of Chichester A man saith Westmon An. 1253. Of eminent knowledge See Sur. tom 2. and singuler or rare sanctitie Godwin in his life saith All men greatly reuerenced him not onely for his great learning but much more for his diligence in preaching his manifould vertues and aboue all his integritie of life and conuersation In regard of which and many miracles fathered saith he vpon him he was canonized In this Kings tyme also died that grear Clerck Robert Grostet Bish of Lincoln whome the Protest wouâ—d make one of theirs onely because he mislyked the Popes preferring of strangers to English Benefices But that reason is too friuolous Besides that Westmon An. 1253. testifieth that the same yeare he died he wrote thus to the Pope Salutem
Saint Austin hath continued euer since vnto our time in all our Bishopps Prelats Pastors Deuines and Cleargie except Wiclife and his small crue by the example of their heades the Archbishopes of Canterburye whom I shew to haue bene in number sixtie nyne Likvvise all our laitie and in religion perfect Romane Catholiques The like I shewe of the Queenes ladies Princes Dukes Earles Nobles gentile and commons and generally of all the laytie by the example of their heades the kinges and princes of this land who sucessiuely besides Seauentie more who raygned in some parte of England whiles this land was deuided into many kingdomes haue bene in number sixtie three and in religion as perfect Roman Catholickes as may be See infra lib. 1. c. 21. In so much that it is confessed by Protestants that they knew not so much of Protestancie as that which they tearme the head fountayne and soule therof Amongst whom you shall see the ancient and renowned kinge Inas of the Saxons lib. 1. c. 23. professinge S. Peters supremacie all most nyne hundred yeares agoe and that by letters engrauen in stone buildinge a Seminarie in Rome for his subiectes ther Henrie 2. led P. Alexāders horsse Hen. 5. sued to haue his Countrie accounted a nation that ovveth deuotion to the Church of Rome lib. 1. cap. 25. 26. and makinge his kingdome tributarie to S. Peter And of the Normans blood you shall see the most victorious Prince Edward the third professinge by publicke letters that it is heresie to denie the Popes supremacie or as the kinge speaketh that the Popes iudgment omni humanae praesidet cecatura Amongst them you shall see the auncient and worthie kinge Ethelred so deuout to masse as he would rather aduenture the losse of his armie of his kingdome life than he would misse the hearinge of a whole Masse lib. 1. c. 26. And yet by his deuotion miraculously puttinge his enemies to flight lib. 1. c. 2. 3. You shall see that wise Prince Henry the third to heare many Masses euery day to kisse Preists handes at Masse time cap. 26. and preferre the seinge as he said of his Sauiour ther before the hearinge of the best preacher speaking of him finallie to omitt many other euident testimonies heerafter rehearsed not onelie of their assured Romayne Religion cap. 2◠but also of ther zeale and feruour therin And as many Queenes fourteene of them euen in the two hundred yeares after the conuersion of our Nation surrendred ther scepters Crownes and kingdomes and became either Monkes at home or trauelled in pilgrimage to Rome Lib. 2. cont Iulian. cap 10. 10. And were all these Archbishopps and their clargie were all these kings and ther people blind And hath time to imitate Saint Austins wordes in the like case so changed all things vpside downe that light is accounted darknes and darknes light that to omitt very many others confessed of Protestants to be profound diuines as you shall see herafter S. Austin S. Theodor Lanfrancke and S. Anselme who were the very lights of the land and of Christendome also in ther time for learninge and vertue were blind and Cranmer Parkar Grindall and VVhitgift men of meane learninge and as litle vertue did see what in Gods name should make any thinke so for number we haue all most seauentie for fower for continuance all most a thousand yeares for fiftye for learninge we haue profound knowledge euen by Protestantes confession against meane skill for vertue we haue famous and confessed sanctitie against ordinarie if not vicious life If therfore either number or time or learninge helpe any thinge to finde out Gods truth our Catholique Archbishopes are far more like to see and espie it than the Protestant Prelates or if vertuous life moue God to reueale his truth surelie the Catholique Archbishops are more like to know it than the Protestants And in the like sort touching Princes for two which Protestants can produce we can bring aboue one hundred and twentie for their child of Nyne yeares old and ther woman we can produce aboue an hundred mature graue and wise men who haue they in valour comparable to our Kinge Egbert first authour of our English monarchie to Kinge Alfred the great vanquisher of the daines and deliuerer of his Countrie to our Kinge VVilliam Conqueror of England to our Edward the first Edward the third Henrie the fift and many moe most valiant and victorious Princes whom in magnanimitie haue they aunswerable to our Kinge Ethelstan to our Kinge Edgar King Canute Kinge Richard Ceur de lyon and diuers others who in largenes of Dominion to our Kinge Canute our Kinge Henery the second King Richard the first and others who in learning to our Kinge Ethelwolf Kinge Alfred the great Kinge Henrie sirnamed beuclarke others who in wisdome to Kinge Inas Kinge Alfred Kinge VVilliam conquerour Kinge Henry the first second fourth and Seauenth whom finallie haue they to compare for vertue and sanctitie with Kinge Ethelbert Kinge Edmund the two Edwards Henrie the sixt and very many more 11. And shall we thinke that one child and a woman in so short time should espie that diuine truth which so many Princes in a thousand yeares could not finde That the infancie of a child and weaknes of a woman should discouer that which the rare learninge wisedome and iudgement of so many graue Princes could not attayne vnto That the fruitles life of a child and the ordinarie if not farre worse life of a woman should deserue of God to haue that reuealed vnto them which the rare vertue and holynes of so many excellent Princes who preferred his seruice before their kingdomes could not obtayne what were this but in matter of religion and euerlastinge saluation to giue that iudgment and make that choyce which in no other matter we would do for who is ther if it lay in daunger of leasing liuinges libertie or life would not make choice to follow rather seauentie then fower an hundred rather than two men than children and women and men of famous and confessed learninge wisedome and vertue than others of meane learninge and ordinarie if not naughtie liues And will we when it is daunger of losse of soule and saluation make the contrarie choyce what defence or excuse can we make of this proceedinge either before God or man will we say it is prudence in monye matters and temporall affaires to follow many rather then few men then children and women learned wise and vertuous before others lesse qualified and not to trust to much to our owne iudgments And can we thinke it prudence to obserue the contrarie course in matters of religion and eternall saluation doth the matter so alter the case Is prudence become contrarie to it selfe or is Gods religion so against all reason wisdome and iudgment Can we not become christians but we must leaue to be reasoable men admitt Christes faith but we must
of Protestants are the Protestant writers vpon whose confession or testimonie I cheefly relie in what I write of S. Austin and Luther Against whose verdict no Protestant can iustlie take exception either of ignorance because they are of the cheefest writers they haue or for partialitie for they were all most earnest Protestantes And therfor no Protestant can iustlie reiect their testimonie as insufficient THE BOOKES AND Chapters conteyned in this first parte of the prudentiall Ballance of Religion First Booke or Scale in which the qualities of S. Austin and of his doctrine are set downe 1. VVHat Religion was in this land before the comming of S. Austin Chap. 1. 2. That Saint Austin was the first preacher of the christian saith to our English Nation Chap. 2. 3. That Saint Austin preaching tooke great effect in our Nation Chap. 3. 4. That Saint Austin was a great Clarke and excellent Diuine Chap. 4. 5. That Saint Austin was A great Saint Chap. 5. 6. Certayne slanders against S. Austin disproued Chap 6. 7. That S. Austin was moued by holie motiues to come to preach to our Nation Chap. 7. 8. That S. Austin was lawfully sent to preach to our Nation proued by diuers authorities Chap 8. 9. That S. Austin was lawfully sent hither to preach proued by reason grounded in Scripture Chap. 9. 10. That S. Austin was rightlie ordered to administer the word and sacramentes Chap. 10. 11. That the faith which S. Austin preached was the vniuersall faith of Christendome in his time Chap 11. 12. That faith which S. Austin preached is confessed by the aduersaries to haue bene sufficient to saluation Chap. 12. 13. That the faith which S. Austin preached was confirmed of him by true miracles Chap. 13. 14. That the faith whi h S. Austin preached was the present Romayne Catholique faith proued by his Mayster and sender S Gregory Chap. 14. 15. The same proued by S. Austins and his fellowes deedes and Doctrine Chap. 15. 16. The same proued by the confession of learned Protestantes Chap. 16. 17. The same proued by the faith of the English Church which he founded Chap. 17. 18. That the faith of all the Archbishopes of Canterburie from S. Austin to our time was Romane Catholike proued by general Reasons Chap. 18. 19. That the faith of euery Archbishop of Canterburie from S. Austin to the time of the Conquest was romane Catholique proued in particular Chap. 19. 20. That the faith of euery Archbishop of Canterburie from the Conquest to our time was Romaine Catholike proued in particular Ch. 20. 21. That the faith of all our Christian English Kinges from S. Austins time to King Henrie the eight was Romane Catholique proued by generall reasons Chap. 21. 22. Certayne obiectiōs against the Catholique faith of our Auncient Kings aunswered Chap. 22. 23. That the faith of all our Christian Kinges to the time of the Monarchie of England was Romane Catholique proued in particular Chap. 23. 24. That the faith of all our Christian Kings from the Monarchie to the Conquest of England was Romane Catholike proued in particular Chap. 24. 25. That the faith of all our Kings from the Conquest to King Edward the third was Romane Catholique proued in particular Chap. 25. 26. That the faith of all our Kings from King Edward the third to Kinge Henrie the eight was Romane Catholique proued in particular Chap. 26. Epilogue or Conclusion The second Booke or Scale wherin the qualities of Luther and his doctrine are set downe 1. That Luther was the first Authour of the Protestants Religion Chap. 1. 2. That VVicklef and his followers were no Protestantes Chap. 2. 3. That the old auncient Britons were no Protestants Chap. 3. 4. VVhen wher wherfor and how Luther began Protestancie Chap. 4. 5. How Protestancie spred so farr Chap. 5. 6. VVhen hy whom wherfor and how Protestancie began in England Chap. 6. 7. That Luther was but meanlie learned Ch. 7. 8. That Luther was a vicious and naughtie man Chap. 8. 9. That Luther was moved to preach Protestantisme with humane noughtie motiues Ch. 9. 10. That Luther was neuer sent or called to preach Protestantisme Chap. 10. 11. That Luther was neuer ordered to preach the Protestants word or administer their Sacramentes Chap. 11. 12. That Luthers doctrine was contrarie to the vniuersall faith of Christendome at that time Chap. 12. 13. That Luthers doctrine was neuer confessed by Catholiques to be sufficient to saluation Ch. 13. 14. That Luther neuer confirmed his Doctrine by Miracles Chap. 14. 15. That Luther hath had no succession or continuance of his Doctrine heere in England Chap. 15. The third Booke in vvhich S. Austin and Luther and their Doctrines are weighed together according to the foresaid qualities of them 1. SAint Austin and Luther weighed accordinge to their learninge Chap. 1. 2. S. Austin and Luther weighed accordinge to their vertue or vice Chap. 2. 3. S. Austin and Luther weighed accordinge to their motiues of preachinge Chap. 3 4. S. Austin and Luther weighed according to their Mission or sendinge to preach Chap. 4. 5. S. Austin and Luther weighed accordinge to their orders of preachinge and administring the sacraments Chap. 5. 6. S. Austin and Luther weighed according to the vniuersalitie or singularity of their Doctrine Chap. 6. 7. S. Austin and Luther weighed accordinge to their aduersaries allowance of their Doctrines Chap. 7. 8. S. Austin and Luther weighed according to their Miracles Chap. 8. 9. S. Austin and Luther weighed acccordinge to the succession and continuance of their Doctrines Chap. 9. THE FIRST BOOKE OR SCALE IN VVHICH The qualities of S. Austin and of his Doctrine are set dovvne THE FIRST CHAPTER VVhat Religion was in this Land before the comminge of S. Austin THE ancient Inhabitans of this Iland were the Britons whome wee now call Welch-men Amongst whome the faith of Christ was first planted by the glorious Apostles S. a Metaph. in Sur. Iun. Cambd. descript Brit. pa 52. Baron an 58. p. 597. 401. Peter S. b Theod. l. 9 de Graec. Sophron. Natal Apost Fortunat Bale cent 1. c. 26 Cambd. in Britan. p. 52. Paul S. c Nicep l. 2. c. 40 Doroth in Synop Symon and the Apostolick men S. d D. Caius de antiq Cātabr Capgrau in Ios Bale cent 1. c. 22. vbi citat Fleming Scrop Polid Geo. maiorem Cambd. l. cit Ioseph of Arimathia who buried our Sauiour and S. e Doroth. in Synop. Aristobulus of whome S. Paul maketh mention in his Epistle to the Romans All these Protestants grant to haue preached Christs faith in this Iland except Saint Peter to whome some of them will not haue this Land so much behoulden Which question because it is besides my purpose I wil not stand to discusse Onely I assure the indifferent Reader that S. Peters preaching to the ancient Britons on the one side is affirmed both by Latin and Grecke by ancient and newe by foraine domesticall by
Epi. 59. testifieth who rebuketh her therfore And her Bishop was not sent to preach to the English Other nations neglect vs and onely Rome helpeth but as Beda saith lib. 1. c. 25. to assist her and help her in her faith Nether doth he make any mention of this Bishops preaching to our Nation And for other Nations about vs S. Gregory lib. 5. Epist 59. writeth that he heard that the English would willingly be come Christians Sed Sacerdotes qui in vicino sunt Pastoralem erga eos Curam nō habere but that the Priests about them tooke no care of them Be it therfor certaine that the first that preached Christian faith to our English Nation was S. Austin Hovv S. Austin is our Apostle Malm. l. 1. Hist c. 2. Godvvin in vit Augustin Holinshead Chro. an 602. Apologie for oath of allegiance p. 92. 93. Iouius descript Britan whome therfor Pope Honorius lit ad Regem Edwin apud Bedam lib. 2. c. 17. King Withlaf as we heard before and catholick English writers and some Protestants also as Cambden Descript Britan. pag. 515. and 178. Bale cent 13. c. 7. cent 14. c. 13. call the Apostle of England Nether ought Sutclif or others to be offended with this title because wee call not him absolutly an Apostle or Apostle of the whole world as the 12. were who were sent in Vniuersum mundum but with this restriction of England So S. Paul called Epaphroditus the Apostle of the Philippians Philip. 2. and Protestants call Tindal and Latimer Apostles of England as yow may see in Bale cent 8. c. 72. 85. and Fox CHAP. III. That S. Austin and his fellowes preaching tooke great effect in ou English Nation BEcause some Ministers albeit they can not deny but S. Austin preached the faith of Christ here in England yet will extenuatt his benefit as much as they can say that onely a few Saxons were behoulding vnto him Ministers vngratul Sutclif lib. cit c. 3. and that nether Austin nor Gregory deserued any great praise for the conuersion of the Saxons or English I will breefly touch what great good he and his fellowes here did First therfor him self Kingdom of Kent conuerted by S. Austin though through the excessiue paines which he tooke he liued but a short time yet did he conuert Ethelbert King of Kent whose dominion reached vnto Humber many of his people as S. Beda witnesseth lib. 1. c. 26. and christened at one tyme ten thousand as Saint Gregory lib. 7. Epi. 30. Epitaph of S. Austin saith he conuerted this Kings people Fox Acts pag. 119. Cambden in Britan. p. 105. and others do testifie Fox p. 116. addeth that he conuerted innumerable And pag. 118. Baptized a great parte And Godwin in vit Aug. saith he conuerted all the said Kings people Besides this he sent S. Mellit to London where he conuerted Sebret King of Essex And after he had gained saith Malmesb. 2. part histor p. 250 Kent to Christ S. Austin trauaileth through almost all England trauailed throughout all the rest of the English Prouinces so far as the Kingdom of Ethelbert reached Yet Fox Acts p. 119. and Cambden lib. cit say that he passed beyond the dominion of King Ethelbert and christened many thousands in the riuer Swale Christened ten thousands at once Trauaileth barefoote Erecteth Archb. Bishopricks and monast Beda l. 1. c. 26. 33. li. 2. c. 3. Capgr in vit Augustini Cambden in Brit. p. 178. 438. 490. Ealred in vit Edvvardi Laboreth to reduce the Britons And this trauail he tooke saith Capgraue in his life on foote and for the most parte barefoote and had great knobbs on his knees with continual kneeling in prayer Besides in his tyme he procured the erecting of the Archbishoprick of Canterbury and the Bishoprick of London and Rochester the foundations of the Monasteries of the Austins in Canterbury Westminster in London Ely in Cambridgshier and Cernel in Dorsetshier And as S. Beda lib. 2. c. 4. Laied the foundation of our Church well and strongly And not content to labor thus for the cōuersion of English mē endeuored also to reduce the Britons to the right faith and tooke therin saith Godwin much paines Gathered as yow may see in Beda lib. 2. c 2. two meetings of their Diuines conuinced their error both by disputation and miracles All partes of Englād beholden to S. Austin Wherby wee may see that all parts of England both South West East North and Wales to are greatly behoulden to Saint Austin The labores of S. Austins fellovves S. Laurence 2. After Saint Austins death which was as some write about ten yeares after his cōming hither S. Laurence his fellow laborer and successor conuerted Edbald secōd Christian King of Kent And taught the Papists faith saith Bale cent 13. c. 2. almost in all the dominions of the English men And besides wrote letters which are extant in Beda lib. 2. c. 4. to the Scottish and Irish people who were entangled in the Britons error And as Bale writeth cent 1. c. 74. held a Coūcell with thē for that purpose in the I le of Man Yea as Capgraue hath in his life he went to Scotland and there conuerted Tenan Archbishop of Irland to the true obseruation of Easter S. Iustus S. Iustus also another fellow worker and successor of S. Austin conuerted so many as Pope Boniface in Beda lib. 2. c. 8. writeth to him thus yow may shew whole Contries plentifullie multiplied in the faith by yow And both of him S. Mellit and S. Mellit his Predecessor S. Beda lib. 2. c. 7. giueth this testimony they ruled gouerned the English Church with great labor S. Paulin. and diligence Finally S. Paulin an other of S. Austins fellow laborers and first Archbishop of York conuerted and baptized Edwin King of the North parte of England and by conquest ouer England Wales and the Hebrides Iles with all the nobility saith Beda lib. 2. c. 14. of his Contrie and most parte of the common people And as he addeth c. 17. all his subiects of the Northen parts And such paines herein S. Paulin tooke that as S. Beda saith c. 14. cit he stayed in one place 36. dayes togeather from morning to euening instructing and baptizing the people And by meanes of King Edwin was also Redwald King of Est-england and for a while the potentest King of England conuerted and Christened and also his sonne Carpwald Finally to conclude by Saint Austin and his fellow laborers were six English Kings conuerted from Paganisme to Christs faith to wit Ethelbert Sebert S. Austin his fellovves conuerted six English Kings and foure Kingdōe Edbald Edwin Redwald Carpwald Amongst whome Ethelbert Edwin and Redwald were the most puissant Kings of their tyme. And of the 7. Kingdoms which then were they conuerted foure viz. the Kingdom of Kent Kingdom of Est-Saxons Beda lib. 2.
saith that S. Austin had bene brought vp in the rule of Religion and was by the grace of God of much vertue And lib. 9. epist. 58. writing to S. Austin him self saith I haue much hope that by the grace of God thy Creator and our Redemer Lord and God Christ Iesus thy sinnes are alredy forgiuen thee and that thou art therfore choosen that by thee other mens sinnes may be pardoned Nether shalt thou haue sorow of any sinne hereafter who endeuourest by conuersion of many to make ioye in heauen And surely who considereth what great perfection Saint Gregory lib. 4. epist. 24. requireth in a Pastor to wit that he be Pure in thought notable in work discret in silence profitable in speeche neare to all in compassion aboue all in contemplation fellow by humility to all that do well stout through zeale of Iustice against the vices of the offending will nothing doubt but Saint Austin whome he chose to so high a function was an excellent perfect man And lib. 5. epist 52. he saith Austins zeale and indeuor is well known to vs. and repeateth it epist 53. 58. 59. Likwise of the Popes soone after succeeding to S. Gregory Diuers other Popes he is highly commended Of Pope Boniface 4. in Malmsbury lib. 1. Pont. p. 208. he is called the holy Doctor Of Pope Honorius ibidem p. 209. Austin of holy remembrance Of Gregory 3. ibidem p. 210. Austin of blessed memorie Of Leo 3. ibid. p. 211. Blessed Augustin Besides by them who liued with him and saw his happy end he is called in his Epitaph Authors of his epih tap Blessed Austin Stow Chron. p. 67. or as Godwin hath Saint Austin 5. Fourthly Vvitnesses of S. Aust holines after his tyme. touching the testimony of those that liued after Saint Austins tyme the first is Saint Beda whose testimony of his holy life is already set downe to which I add that lib. 2. c. 3. he calleth him the deerly beloued man of God holy Father Austin S. Beda and lib. 4. c. 27. The blessed Father Austin In a Councell of all the Bishops of England held anno 747. A CouÌ„ncell in England in presence of King Ethelbald and all his Nobility it was apointed That the day of our Father Saint Austin be kept holy as writeth Malmesbury 1. lib. Pont. p. 197. and Fox lib. 2. p. 128. After that King Kenulph and all his Bishops Dukes K. Kenulph and his Bishops and Nobles and Nobility writing to Pope Leo 3. say thus Austin of blessed memory most gloriously gouerned the Churches of England ex Malmesb. 1. Reg. pag. 31. S. Odo In the letters of S. Odo Archbishop of Canterbury in Malmesbury 1. Pont. pag. 201. he is called Austin of blessed memory Of Ethelwerd lib. 2. Ethelvverd c. 1. 5. he is called Holy Austin seruant of Christ and innumerable miracles wrought by him Malmesbury 1. Pont. pag. 196. Malmesb. saith thus How great the merits of Austin are before God the great miracles do shew which after so many ages he worketh not suffering Kent yea all England to become slow in honoring of him Huntington Of Huntington lib. 3. pag. 321. he is called the seruant of God man of God to haue imitated the Apostolicall life of the Primitiue Church to haue led a most clean life Of Houeden 1. Houeden part Annal. he is called the glorious Doctor of the whole Kingdom the notable Founder of Christian Faith and Religion And in like sorte is he commended for a great saint of Westmon Chron. an 596. VVestm Marian others Odo chron 583. calleth them timâ—â—tes Deum Marianus ibidem And finally of all writers domesticall and foraine who writt of him before our times 6. Fifthly touching the proofe of Saint Austins holines by the holy life of the Church which he here founded that is euident to all them that reade our Ecclesiasticall Histories The holines of our church founded by S. Austin And so manifest as Fox lib. 2. pag. 114. citeth and approueth these words out of ancient Chronicles In the Primitiue Church of England Religion shined most purely so that Kings Princes Dukes Consuls Barons rulers of the Church incensed with a desire of heauen entred into Monkerie volontary exile and solitarie life forsooke the world and followed Christ. And the same hath Huntington lib. 5. in Prolog and Houeden 1. Confessed by Protestants Fox part Annal. pag. 412. And the same Fox p. 123. saith I do reade and also do credit that the Clergy of that tyme S. Austins tyme of England applyed nothing that was worldly but gaue themselues to preaching and teaching the word of our Sauiour See more in Fox p. 132. 133. Cambden and fillowed the life that they preached by giuing good example Cambden in descript Britan. pag. 345. saith that tyme was most fruitfull of Saints And pag. 628. he braggeth that no Kingdom hath so many canonized Martyrs and Confessors as England hath Of some England vvas called religiosâ— Anglia of others Paradisus Dei See Baron to 9. Serra de reb Mogunt lib. 3. nota 55. ProtestaÌ„ts confesse S. Austine holines Fox and that it which before tymes was called a fertill Prouince of Tyrants may now be called a fertill Contrie of Saints And who will see more of the great holines of our Clergy may reade Beda lib. 3. c. 26. Othlon in vita S. Bonifacij Marcellin in vita S. Suiberti Serrarius de Mogunt lib. 3. 7. Lastly for the confession of Protestants Fox in his Acts pag. 105. saith of Saint Austin and his fellowes thus At length when the King had well considered the honest conuersation of their life and mooued with their miracles wrought through Gods hands by them he heard them more gladly and lastly by their holsom exhortations and example of godly life he was by them conuerted and christened in the yeare 596. And the same he repeateth againe pag. 116. Bilson Bilson lib. Of Obedience pag. 57. saith Austin and his fellowes came with religion to God and submission to Princes Cooper Bishop Cooper anno 599. calleth Austin and his fellowes godly and learned men And anno 630. calleth Paulinus one of the company a holy Bishop Stow Chron. pag. 65. Stovv saith that S. Austin and his fellowes liued in the feare of God Godwin in vita August saith Godvvin He was a Monke of great vertue and calleth him Saint Austin And in vita Paulini saith Paulin his companion was called away to receaue the glorious reward of his blessed labors Holinshed And Holinshed in the Historie of England Austin and his company arriued at Canterbury where he made his abode by the Kings permission exercised the life of Apostles in fasting watching and prayers preaching the word of God to as many as they could despising all worldly pleasures as not appertaining to them receauing onely of them whome they taught things seeming
ether an 614. as Malmesbury saith in Hist and in Fastis or an 605. as Sigebert saith in Chron. or 608. as Bale hath cent 13. cap. 1. or an 604. as Baron gathereth out of Beda and Florent in Chron. and Stow pag. 62. affirmeth How then could Saint Austin cause this slaughter which was so long after his death and much les goe in the army to the slaughter as Sutclif citeth out of an ould Chronicle if he do not lye himselfe 3. For this Bilson in his Booke of Obedience pag. 114. saith that the King Ethelbert King of Kent whome Saint Austin conuerted mooued King Ethelfrid to commit this massacre and citeth therto Galfrid of Munmouth lib. 8. cap. 4. and so indirectly deriueth the faulte to Saint Austin his teacher That K. Ethelbert caused not the British Mōkes to be slaine But first if this slaughter were done as we haue seene out of Bale in the yeare 615. certain it is that Saint Austin liued not till that tyme but dyed before as is alredy shewed and therfore he could not be the author of this fact Secondly in defence of King Ethelbert I oppose against Bilson what Fox saith p. 119. Fox defēdeth King Ethelbert that it seemeth rather suspicious than true that Ethelbert being a Christian King ether could so much preuaile with a Pagan Idolater or els would attempt so far as to commit such a cruell deede And in truth who so considereth the disposition of that Pagan King in Beda lib. 1. cap. 33. where he is compared to a rauening wolfe will easely see that he needed no stirrer vp to make war against the Britōs And therfor Fox loco cit rightly ascribeth it to the fierse furie of Ethelfrid which was so great as he is sirnamed Ferus Besides that K. Ethelbert was more potent than King Ethelfrid for he had all the South part of England at command as testifyeth Saint Beda lib. 1. cap. 25. and Ethelfrid onely the North. And therfor if he would haue reuenged Saint Austin by war and bloodshed he would rather haue done it him selfe than stirred an other Heathen King against them But this good King was so far from causing the Britons to be murdered because they would not receaue S. Austins doctrine as that as writeth Saint Beda lib. 1. c. 26. he would not force his owne subiects to receaue it As for Galfrid ther is no such thing in the place cited by Bilson which argueth that he cited it out of Iuell without seeing the booke But indeed lib. 11. c. 13. Galfrid saith that Ethelbert excited Ethelfrid to goe to Bangor and destroy Abbot Dimoth other Monkes who had resisted S. Austin But Galfrid is a very fabulous Author the first broacher of Merlins Prophecies Cambd. in Brit. p. 8. calleth his history inepties fooleries and his book is forbidē by the Councell of Trent and of other incredible fables and liued many hundred yeares after Saint Beda who testifyeth lib. 2. cap. 2. that King Ethelfrid came not of purpose to kill the Monkes but to get Chester as he loco cit and Malmesbury lib. 1. Reg. c. 3. do insinuat and being to ioyne battell with the Britons espying the Monkes at prayer and vnderstanding that they came to pray against him set first vpon them and slew them 4. The second fault which Ministers impute to S. Austin That S. Austins not rising to the Britons proceded not of pride is pryde because he sat stil in his chaire when the British Bishops and Deuins came to confer with him True it is that S. Austin did so but that it proceeded not of pryde appeareth because nether S. Beda nor any English or foraine writer vnto our times besides the Britons who were hereticks then consequētly most proude themselues imputed it to pryde Secondly because Saint Austin and his fellowes as them selues write in Beda lib. 2. cap. 4. Honored the Britōs with great reuerēce while they thought they were Catholicks Therfor Saint Austins not rising to them proceeded not of pride but of some other iust cause Thirdly because the British Priests were such then as they deserued no honor yea much dishonor and therfore it could be no pride in S. Austin to giue them none VVhat kind of men they vvere to vvhome S. Austin did not also For besides that they were hereticks S. Beda lib. 2. cap. 2. calleth them vnfaithfull naughty and detestable people And Gildas their owne Contry man saith that they were wolues enemies of truth and friends to lyes enemyes of God and not Priests merchants of mischeef and not Bishops Impugners of Christ and not his Ministers more worthy to be drawn to prison or to the cage than to Priesthood And much more of the like sorte And Fox addeth out of an ould Chronicle Acts lib. 2. pag. 114. that all things whether they pleased or displeased God they regarded alike and not onely seculer men did this but their Bishops teachers without distinction Which being so I appeale to the iudgement of any indifferent man whether these men deserued any honor at S. Austins hands especially he being lawfully apointed their Archbishop and Superior by Saint Gregory Great humilitie in S. Austin to confer vvith those to vvhome he did not rise And whether it were not great humility in him to seeke conference with this kind of people now the second tyme after he had once before confuted them both by disputation and euident miracle which made them to confesse that he taught the truth The cause therefor why he arose not to them vvhy S. Austin arose not to the Britons was ether because he followed the aduise of his Maister Saint Gregory who albeit he were one of the humblest men that euer was yet lib. 4. Epist 36. giueth this counsell to Bishops Let vs kepe humility in minde and yet maintain the dignity of our order in honor Or els perceauing the Britons to be obstinat which well appeared when for so small occasion they would forsake the doctrine which them selues had seene confirmed by miracle and confessed to be truth he followed the aduise of Saint Iohn Epist 2. Protest cōdemne that in S. Austin vvhich they commend in Cranmer If any come to yow and bring not this doctrine receaue him not into your house nor say to him God speede But whether S. Austin would not arise to the Britons for these or other iust causes to him known Protestants can no way cōdemn his fact who commend a far les excusable fact of Cranmer Fox Acts edit 1596. p. 1599. 1699. Latimer and Ridley For Cooper Chron. an 1555. sayth that because the Bishops of Lincoln Gloster Bristow declared themselues to be in the Popes Commission nether Ridley nor Latimer would shew any reuerence to them nor put of their capps The same he writeth of Cranmer pag. 373. And if this behauiour be commēded in protestant Prelats towards their superiors and Iudges why should the like
of the iorney nor talk of euill tongues dismay yow But with all force and feruor make vp that which yow haue by the motion of God begun And lib. 5. epist 52. saith he sent Austin auxiliante Domino By Gods help and 54. disponente Domino by Gods disposition Superfluous it were to cite the rest of the Popes who followed Saint Gregory and cooperated all they could to our conuersion as Boniface 4. and 5. Diuers ancient Popes Honorius Vitalian and the rest who vndoubtedly taught Saint Austin to haue bene lawfully sent Onely I will add the names of those Princes Bishops whome Saint Gregory testifieth to haue holpen and encoraged Saint Austin in his Godly enterprise Bishops of Germanie or France First he saith lib. 7. epist. 30. that by his licence Saint Austin was made Bishop of the Bishops of Germanie and with their comforts brought to the English Nation And epi. 114. he sendeth a Pall to Siagrius Bishop of Aust maketh his See next to the See Metropolitan because in the busines of Saint Austins mission saith he we know thou shewedst thy selfe so carefull deuout and helper in all things as thou shouldest lib. 9. Kings of France epist 53. writing to Theodorick King of France VVhat great fauours your Excellency shewed to our most reuerent brother and fellow Bishop Austin in his iorney to England certain Monkes comming from him haue tould vs. And 55. to Clotarius another French King writeth thus Some who went with our most reuerend brother and fellow Bishop Austin vnto the English Nation returning to vs haue tould vs with what charitie your Excellency refreshed the said brother of ours in your presence and with how great help yow furthered him in his voyage Queene of France And 56. writing to Brunechild the Queene of France he hath these words VVith what fauor and help your Excellency succoured our most reuerend brother and fellow Bishop Austin going to the English Nation nether did fame before suppresse in silence and afterward some Monkes comming from him to vs haue particulerly related Yow see the mission of Saint Austin was not onely allowed as lawfull but also holped and furthered by the Christian Bishops and Princes of that tyme. 3. After Saint Austins tyme Beda lib. 1. S. Beda cap. 22. speaking of Saint Austin and his fellow Preachers saith the goodnes of God prouided them for our English people And c. 23. saith that Gregory being mooued by inspiration of God therunto sent the seruant of God Saint Austin After him Ethelwerd lib. 2. cap. 1. Ethelvverd Gregory sent Saint Austin confirmat eum diuino admonitu Florent Chron. ann 596. saith Gregory mooued by Gods instinct sent Austin and others to preach the VVord of God to the English Nation Of Protestants Stow pag. 65. saith ProtestaÌ„ts confesse S. Austin to haue bene sent of God Gregory was mooued of godly instinction to send Austin to preach to the Angles Godwin in vita August Yt pleased God c. Apologie for the oath of allegeance Albeit Gregory sent Austâ—n and others as he said with deuine reuelation into England vnto King Ethelbert Kings Maiestie in his oration to the parle 19. Nouemb 1605. D. Couel defence of Hooker p. 77. Buny Treatises of Pacificat p. 109. Some in Peury Hooker yet c. Luther lib. cont Anabapt Fatemur in Papatu esse verum praedicandi officium VVe confesse that in the Popedom is the true office of preaching The lawfulnes also of Saint Austins sending must needs all such Protestants confesse as do deriue the authoritie of preaching in Luther and their first Preachers from the Church of Rome of whome wee shall speake in the second booke And also all such as do graunt 3. booke of Eccles of Polic p. 188 D. Baron his 4. sermons p. 448. Feild lib. 3. of Church p. 183. Fox Iuel Caluin 4. Iustit c. 17. paragr 49. VVhitak cont Dur. p. 397. Bel Suruey pag. 257. that the Church of Rome is a true Church of Christ or that Papists may be saued which commeth to one because none can be saued out of the true Church For if the Church of Rome be yet a true Church and can send preachers lawfully it can not be denyed but it had the same goodnes and power to send in Saint Gregory his tyme. And this also are they likly to grant who will needs haue S. Gregory and likwise the Church of Rome in his tyme to haue bene Protestant or at least Saint Gregory was a true and vertuous Bishop Finally they also must needes grant that Saint Austin was lawfully sent who say as D. Feild doth lib. 3. Of the Church cap. 6. 8. and others doe that before Luthers diuision their Church was all one the same Church with ours For suerly that Church alowed of Saint Austins mission And therfor if she had authoritie to approoue Saint Austins mission he was lawfully sent S. Austins mission proued by examples Rome 1000 years agoe vsed to send preachers into all the vvorld 4. Fourthly I prooue that Saint Austin was lawfully sent of Saint Gregory by examples For as Saint Laurence Saint Mellit and Saint Iustus fellowes and successors of Saint Austin write in their letters to the Bishops and Abbots of Scotland in Beda lib. 2. cap. 4. The accustomable manner of the Sea Apostolick was to send into all places of the world to preach the word of God And this custom of the Church of Rome sending preachers to all places of the world may be prooued by induction euer since Saint Peters tyme. S. ClemeÌ„t For Saint Clement 3. Pope after Saint Peter sent Saint Dennis into France as testifie Hilduinus in Areopagit and the French Chronicles Whervpon the French Bishops writing to Pope Leo anno 400. acknowledg the See of Rome fontem originem religionis suae Pope Eleutherius about the yeare 170 S. Eleutherius sent hither Fugatius and Damian as is before shewed S. Victor And Pope Victor his successor about the yeare 203. sent others into Scotland as witnesse Boethius libr. 6. Hist Scot. Genebr in Victor Baron and others About the yeare 255. S. Stephen Pope Stephen consecrated Saint Mellonus a Briton Bishop of Roâ—e and sent him thither to preach as testifie the Author of his life and Bale cent 1. cap. 31. In the yeare 432. saith Bale cent 1. cap. 43. died Saint Ninian who being a Briton as he saith there after Beda lib. 3. cap. 4. comming from Rome preached to the South Picts and conuerted them to Christianitie S. Celestin About the year 429. Pope Celestin sent hither Saint German and Lupus to confute and expell the Pelagians as testifieth Prosper in Chronic. Bale cent 1. cap. 45. Baron an 429. And the same Pope about the yeare 434. consecrated Palladius Bishop for Scotland and sent him thither as testifie Prosper Chron. Beda lib. 1. cap. 13. Baron an 429. Hunting lib. 1.
was before called of S. Hierome To this Bilson pag. 88. First saith that the text is corrupted and that it should be ipse and referred to Peters person But this is a mere surmise refelled in all the copies in Europe Secondly he saith that though it be ipsa and grammatically agree with the substantiue Petra which followeth yet it may be meant of Peters person But if Saint Austin had meant that Peter alone had bene the Rock and that his successors partaked nothing with him in that he would neuer haue byd vs number his successors too and then tell vs that that was the Rock Wherfore Reynolds Confer pag. 384. confesseth that Saint Austin applyed this text the gates of hell c. to the Church of Rome And Bilson himself as doubting of either of the former answers saith thirdly that Saint Austin said not that Peters Seat is the Rock of the Church but that hell gates preuaile not against it But to our purpose all is one that in Saint Austins iudgment Peters Seat that is Peters successors in Seat are either the Rock of the church Theodoret or so surely founded theron as the gates of hell shall not preuaile against thē 13. Thirdly Theodoret an ancient and Grecian Doctor writing to Renatus saith of the Roman See Tenet enim sancta Sedes gubernacula regendarum cuncti orbis Ecclesiarum That holy seat hath the gouernment of all the Churches of the world Which words are so plaine as Iuell Art 4. Diu. 21. findeth no better answer than iudging others by his owne humor to say That man naturally aduanceth his power at whose hands he seeketh help As if Theodoret were such a man as would giue an Antichristian title for so Protestants acount the gouernment of the Churches in the world or S. Leo accept it for flatery Finally the great Councel of Galcedon ep ad Leonem calleth Pope Leo their head and say that to him Concil Galcedon Vineae custodia a Domino commissa est The custodie of the Vinyard that is the Church was committed by our Lorde And thus I hope I haue sufficiently proued both by reuelation from heauen by the authoritie of the Church then aliue and since by the examples of Popes euer since S. Peters tyme bv confession of Protestants and finally by reason taken out of scripture that S. Greg. had lawful authoritie to send S. Austin Now let vs come to S. Austins orders CHAP. X. That S. Austin was rightly ordered to administer the Sacraments and preach the word of God 1. THat S. Augustin was created Priest at Rome is euident by his saying Masse preaching and Christening as soone as he came to Canterburie as is before rehearsed out of Beda lib. 1. cap. 26. And after he had conuerted King Ethelbert he came saith Beda cap. 27. to Arles where of Etherius Archbishop of that Citty he was consecrated Archbishop of the Nation of Englishmen according as S. Greg. the Pope had commanded And the King saith the same S. Beda cap. 26. gaue him place for his See in the Citty of Canterburie Here by the way I note that wheras S. Greg. lib. 7. epist 30. saith that S. Austin was created Bishop a Germaniarū Episcopis he doth not gain-say S. Beda who saith he was created by the Bishop of Arles because France was of the writers of that tyme called Germanie as appeareth by Venantius Fortunatus in Carmine de Nuptijs Sigeberti Brunechildae which might be partly because the French at that tyme and long after gouerned a great part of Germany partly also because the Francks who then ruled in France were Germans come out of Germanie But to our purpose That S. Austin vvas rightly ordered That S. Austin was rightly created Priest appeareth by that he was made by the authoritie of S. Gregory or his predecessors whome protestants account to haue bene true Bishops of Rome And Doct. Reinolds Confer pag. 362. acknowledgeth the Pope to haue yet Bishoply power ouer his owne Diocesse S. Austin therfore being a Roman and made by the Bishoply authoritie of the Pope was rightly made Priest And in lyke sort it may be proued that he was rightly consecrated a Bishop For he was made by the authoritie of the Pope with the consent of the King of England Secondly I proue that S. Austin was lawfully consecrated Bishop by the consent of the Christian world For S. Greg. commanded him to be made Bishop the French Bishops made him the English Christians receaued him and the East Church to whome S. Greg. wrote of the matter neuer disliked him and all the Christian world hitherto hath approued him Nether did the Britons though enemyes take any exceptions against his orders Thirdly because all protestants call S. Austin a Bishop and number him first in the Catalogue of the Archbishops of Canterburie And if their Bishops and Ministers will haue any orders at all they must confesse that S. Austins orders were good and sufficient For as Doct. Feild saith lib. 3. of the Church cap. 39. In England they which had bene Bishops in the former corrupt state of the Church so he termeth Catholick tymes did ordaine Bishops and Ministers And Sutclif answer to exceptions pag. 88. saith Couerdal and Scory who were Bishops in King Edwards tyme layd hands vpon Bishop Parker Bel in his Funerall professeth openly that he hath not departed from the substance of his Popish orders but onely from the ceremonies therof Besides euident it is that what Bishop or Priest so euer had bene made in King Henries tyme was neuer consecrate a new in King Edwards dayes Who had bene made in Queene Maries dayes was acounted to haue sufficient orders in Queene Elisabeths Reigne And yet what Priest apostateth from his faith is without more orders thought to haue orders ynough fore ministring the Sacraments and vvord of God or protestants haue no order at all And thus hauing shewed that S. Austin was the first Preacher of Christian fayth to our English Nation and that he had both sufficient learning and vertue to discharge such a function and withall lawfull commission and right orders to administer the Sacraments and preach the word of God now let vs see what kind of faith and religion it was which he preached and first what kind in generall and afterward what it was in particuler CHAP. XI That the Faith which Saint Austin preached to our English Ancestors was the vniuersall Faith of Christendome at that tyme. 1. THis I proue first by the testimony of those that liued in that tyme S. Austins vniuersal religion proued by S. Greg. among whome the cheefest and principal is S. Gregory him selfe who hauing bene long tyme the Popes Legat in Constantinople and after being Pope and receauing letters from all partes of Christendome could not be ignorant what was the vniuersal faith of East West and of all Christendome at that time He I say writing to S. Austin lib. 9. Epist 58. hath these
crownes Priests haue shauen crovvnes Beda lib. 5. cap. 22. It behoueth them which being either made by vow Monkes or by profession of the Clergie to binde them selues more strictly with the bridle of continencie for Christs sak to bear in their head by clipping the forme of a crovvne Ibid. All Priests and Religious men had their heads shauen round after the true shape of a crowne But as Bale saith Cent. 14. pag. 194. Tonsura est Romanae Bestiae character Ninthly they erected many Altars in one Church with Martyrs reliques Manie altar Sinono Church vsed lights and other ornaments as Catholicks doe Beda lib. 5. cap. 21. Acca imployed his diligence to gather together out of all places the holy Apostles and Martyrs reliques to the end he might in honor of them build certain Altars aparte by them selues in little Chappell 's made for the same purpose within the precinct and walls of the same Church Morouer he prepared holy vessels lights and other necessaries to the better adorning of the Church of God And lib. 3. cap. 6. They worshiped Reliques Tenthly to omit many more certain Markes of Roman Religion S. Peters supremacie beleued They accounted S. Peter Primat and head of the Apostles Beda lib. 5. c. 22. I desire with all my hart to follow the stepps of Blessed S. Peter head of the Apostles Ibid. They were reduced to the order of S. Peter Primat and head of the Apostles and committed as it were to his Patronage and protection The Pope high B. ouer the vvhole vvorld They accounted the Pope high Bishop ouer the whole world So in plaine termes S. Beda calleth S. Greg. Pope l. 2. c. 1. Accounted the Church of Rome the Catholick and Apostolick Church lib. 3. c. 25. And l. 4. cap. 23. Going to Rome counted a thing of great vertue and deuotion And l. 3. c. 25. Held without all controuersie that these vvords vpon this Rock I vvill build my Church vvere principally spoken vnto Peter and that vnto him the keies of the Kingdome of heauen were giuen And the Bishops being depriued of their Bishopricks both by the King and by other Bishops appealed to Rome Beda lib. 5. cap. 20. Appeal◠from the Bishop◠and king to the Pope VVilfrid the vertuous Bishop of York appealing to the See Apostolick for his cause and by that ful authoritie absolued c. Item Fiue yeares after he was accused of King Alfrid and many other Bishops and depriued of his Bishoprick wherin vpon repairing again to Rome and obtayning licence to plead his owne defence before his accusers Pope Iohn and many Bishops sitting in Iugdment It was by their Definitiue Sentence concluded that in some parte his accusers had falsly forged surmises The Pope wrote to the Kings of England requiring them to see him restored Protestāts confesse the Rom. faith of our primitiue Church Fox And thus much out of Catholick writers now let vs see what Protestants write of the faith of our Primitiue church 2. Fox in his protestation before his Acts. After the coming of Austin and his fellowes from Rome Christian faith began to enter and spring among the Saxons after a certain Romish sorte Acts. pag. 154. Good vvorks done for clensing from sin The causes why solenm Monasteries were first founded in England by Kinges Queenes and Kings daughters and rich Consuls are these pro remedio animae meae c. For remedy of my soule for remission of my sinnes Foundation of Protestancie vnknovvne to our primitiue Church for the safty of my Kingdoms and people which are vnder my gouernment In honor of the most glorious Virgin Whervpon afterward pag. 170. he concludeth that the doctrine of Iustification by onely faith which pag. 840. he calleth the foundation of their Church was then vnknown Bale Bale Cent. 1. cap. 72. saith English men after Austin did dedicat their Churches to dead Saints Our first Christian K. a perfect Papist And cap. 73. King Ethelbert receaued the Roman Rites and doctrine with all the imposture and Cent. 14. cap. 54. saith that the two Hewalds who were the first English martyrs passi sunt pro Papismo papistici Martyres Our first Martyrs suffer for Papistrie Bilson Papistical Martyrs suffered for Papistrie Bilson of Obed pag. 321. The Saxons were soone entreated to receaue the Bishop of Rome for their Patriarch Stovv Stow pag. 77. citeth this Charter of King Ethelbert King Ethelbert by inspiration of God gaue to Bishop Mellit for remedie of his soule the Land which is called Tillingham for the Monastery of S. Paul which kind of giuing goods is quite opposit to Protestancie Honor of S. Peter counted signe of Christianitie Reinolds as yow may see more hereafter And pag. 78. saith King Sebert to shew him selfe a Christian built a Church in honor of S. Peter Reinolds Confer pag. 12. This imagination of the key and Porter and opinion of power to shut and open committed to Peter onely ouer all the Church as it includeth also the Apostles King Oswie conceaued Keys giuen onely to Peter and all his Clergie did agree vnto it And of S. Beda the principal Doctor of our Primitiue Church Osiander Osiander Epit. Cent. 7. pag. 331. saith thus He was wrapped in all the Popish errors and articles in which we disagree this day from the Pope S. Beda a perfect Papist Wherby we may see how perfect a Papist S. Austin was Fulk in Hebr. 10. Fulk Beda liued in a superstitious time yet liued he 80. yeares after S. Austin long after Antichrist did shew him self Beda sayd that men vnderstod that the helthful sacrifice of masse auailed to the redemption of the body and soule euerlasting And in 1. Pet. 3. Beda was caryed away with the errors and corruptions of his tyme. And thus I hope I haue sufficiently proued the Roman Catholick faith of our first Apostle S. Austin by the faith of his maister S. Greg. by his owne deedes and doctrine by Confession of Protestants and finally by the doctrine of our Primitiue Church which he founded and how it was that Christian Religion which was first founded in our Nation and our English Ancestors imbraced when they forsooke Paganisme Now it remaineth to shew that the same Religion hath continewed also constantly vnto this late lamentable reuolt to Protestancy in all our Nation both in the Clergie and Laitie which I will declare in all the Archbishops of Canterburie who were the cheefe of the one order and in the Kings who were heads of the other And by the way I will name in euery Kings time some of the notable men who successiuely haue confirmed it by their holy life and miracles CHAP. XVIII That all the Archbishops of Canterburie from S. Austin to our tyme were Roman Catholicks proued by generall reasons 1. FIrst because there is no mention or memorie in any Chronicle of England No record that anie Archb
vvas Protest befor this time in any writer domestical or forrein no record or monument of antiquitie that til Cranmer any of the Archbishops varied from the faith of his Predecessors Therfor to affirme the contrary is ether to professe to know things past by reuelation or to affirm that which nether him self knoweth nor any man euer tould him Secondly because all the Archbishops vnto S. Odo his tyme which was An. 958. had bene Monks as S. Austin was which Odo himselfe testifieth in Malmesb. lib. 1. Pontif. pag. 200. And Fox lib. 3. pag. 151. where he saith All the Archb. of Cant. Monks til S. Odo This Odo was the first from the coming of the Saxons til his tyme which was Archbishop of Canterburie being no Monke all the other before his tyme were of the profession of monkes And therfor he could not be perswaded to accept the Archbishoprick vntil he had professed him selfe a Monke In a maner all monks til An. 1184. And after that vnto Archbishop Baldwin an 1184. in a manner all the Archbishops were Monks as Godwin a Protestant yet liuing which shall suffice to aduertise the Reader of now because herafter I shall often allegd him testifieth in the life of Archbishop Hubert And what kind of Monkes these were and what vndoubted Catholicks hath bene shewed before Thirdly Archb vvere chosen by Monks they were elected by the Monks of Christ-church in Canterburie where were Monks saith Malmsburie lib. 1. Pont. p. 203 euer since the tyme of S. Laurence successor to S. Austin as is euident by the epistle of Pope Boniface to King Ethelbert Ibid. pag. 208. and appeareth both by their liues in Godwin and by the iudgment of Pope Innocent 3. in Paris pag. 287. Who when the Bishops of England challenged right in the election of the Archbishop the Pope hearing both parties gaue sentence that Monachi legittimè probauerunt c. That the Monks had lawfully proued that the â—â—or and Couent of the Church of Canterbury haue for long times past elected Bishops in their Chapter without the Bishops euen vnto this time and haue obtained their election to be confirmed of the See Apostolick And Fox Acts pag. 232. writeth that the practice of the Monks was first to keepe the election in their own hands as much as they could and secondly either to giue the election to some Prior or Monke of their owne house or to some Abbot or Bishop which some tyme had bene of their company And Ibid. he addeth that the Archbishop of Canterburie was commonly set vp by the Pope especially since the Conquest And pag. 349. that it hath bene alwaies the practice of the Church of Rome euer to haue the Archbishops of their owne setting vp or such a one as they might be sure of on their side And this election of Archbishops by Monkes continewed till Cranmers time For as Godwin writeth Archbishop Deane who was the last but one before him was elected by them And the same he intimateth of Bishop Warham who was the very last befor Cranmer Now of what religion they were whome Monkes did chuse euery one knoweth All the Archb. confirmed by the Pope Fourthly they were all confirmed by the Pope this is manifest by Godwin in their liues And no maruel for before S. Austins tyme Pope Pelagius Predecessor to S. Greg. made a law Vt quisquis Metropolitanus vltra tres Menses consecrationis suae ad fidem suam exponendam Pallium suscipiendum ad Apostolicam sedem non miserit commissa sibi careat dignitate Whervpon Reinolds Confer 458. saith that Pelagius lest he should rashly giue consent to the allowing of any Metropolitan that were not sound in faith required them to make profession of their faith and so to send for the Pal that is to say to send for his consent wherof the Pall was a token Yea pag. 543. speaking generally of the Popes of the last 200. yeares after Christ saith they required the confirmation of the Metropolitans by their consent And besides this profession of faith it was after decreed by Pope Alexander 3. saith Fox pag. 229. An. 1179. in the Councel of Lateran that no Archbishop should receaue the Pal vnles he did sweare this oath I. N. Bishop of N. from this houre forward wil be faithful and obedient to blessed S. Peter the holy Apostolick Roman Church and my Lord Pope N. and his successors Canonically entring The oath of Bishops to the Pope I will neuer by Counsel consent or deed be in cause that they loose life member or be wrongfully imprisoned And what so euer they shall commit to me ether by them selues or their messengers I will neuer wittingly reueale to their preiudice to any person VVith due respect to my vocation I will aide them in the houlding and defence of the Roman Papacie and S. Peters regalities against all men I wil giue honorable entertainment to the Legat of the See Apostolick in his going and returne and assist him in his need Being called to a Synod I will come vnles I be stayed by some Canonical let I will yearly visit the Court of Rome if it be on this side the Alpes or euery second yeare when it is beyond the mounts vnles I be dispensed withal by the See Apostolick I wil nether sel giue nor pawn nor farm out a new nor any way alien the Lands and liuings belonging to my Bishoply maintenance without the priuitie of the Pope of Rome So God me help c. And the like Oath did S. Boniface the Apostle of Germanie in his Consecration sweare to Pope Gregorie in the yeare 723. and the Pal was deliuered to him with these wordes Speech at the deliuerie of the Pall. To the honor of Almightie God the blessed Virgin Mary and the blessed Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul and my Lord Pope N. and the holy Church of Rome as also the holy Church of N. committed to yow VVe deliuer a Pal taken from the body of blessed S. Peter that is the fulnes of Pontifical function to the intent yow vse the same on certain dayes expressed in the Priuiledges granted to it by the See Apostolick c. Now that our Archbishops did receaue their Pal from the Pope is manifest and confessed by Godwin almost in euery one of their liues and shal be more plainly shewed hereafter and is acknowledged by Fox lib. 3. pag. 152. and lib. 4. pag. 172. Therfor there can be no more doubt that our Archbishops were perfect Papists than the Popes were Popes Our Archb. vvere the Popes legats Fiftly our Archbishops were euer the Popes Legats in England The Archbishops of Canterbury were saith Camb. Brit. pag. 296. Legats of the Bishop of Rome and as Vrban 2. sayd as it were Popes of an other world And Pope Iohn 12. in his letter to S. Dunstan We fully confirm thy Primacie in which thou oughtest according to the custom of thy Predecessors to be Legat
of the See Apostolick as it is knowne that Austin and his Successors Bishops were And can we think that the Pops Legats were not Papists Finally diuers of them haue bene canonized by the Pope Hovv manie Archb of Canterb canonized and their memories in the Roman Martyrologe To wit S. Austin S. Laurence S. Mellit S. Iustus S. Honorius S. Theodor S. Dunstan S. Anselm S. Thomas S. Edmund S. Elpheg to whome Godwin addeth S. Eadsin which would neuer haue bene done if they had not bene known Roman Catholicks CHAP. XIX That euery one of the Archbishops of Canterburie from S. Austin to the time of the Conquest of England were Roman Catholicks proued in particuler S. LAVRENCE II. 1. THe first Successor of S. Austin and second Archb. of Canterb. was S. Laurence of whome S. Austin him self made choise and consecrated him whiles he liued but in what yeare he entred is not certain but he died in the yeare 619. as may be gathered out of Beda The learning and vertue of S. Laurence He was saith Godwin in his life a very Godly and wel learned man and tooke great paines not onely with his ovvne charge but also to reduce the Britons Scotts and Irish men to one consent in matters of religion Bale Cent. 13. cap. 2. writeth that he was very skilful in Logick and other Philosophie Beda lib. 2. cap. 3. saith he endeuored to lift vp the building of the English Church to the perfect highnes both by often wordes of holy exhortation and also by continual example of deuout and godly workes and therin also telleth how he labored to reduce the Britons and Irish as a true Pastor and Prelat And thus much for the worthines of this our holy Prelat But as for his Roman Religion although that be euident by what hath bene sayd before of S. Austin yet will I add what Bale saith of him Cent. 13. cap. 2. He was sent of Greg. to instruct the English Saxons in Roman Religion he taught the people the Papistical faith almost in all the Dominion of the English men S. Mellit Archbishop III. 2. THe third Archbishop was S. Mellit who succeded An. 619. For as S. Beda saith lib. 2. cap. 7. he dyed An. 624. after he had bene Archbishop fiue yeares Of whome and his successor S. Iustus Beda lib. 2. cap. 7. writeth That they gouerned the English Church with great labor and diligence The vertues of S. Mellit that he was noble by birth but much more noble for the excellency of his minde often trobled with sicknes yet euer free and sounde of minde did alwaies feruently burne with the fier of inward charitie and was wont with his holy prayers and holy exhortations to driue from him selfe and others all ghostly tentations And. Miracles Ibid. reciteth how that by prayer he quenched a great fier that burnt Canterburie Godwin in vita eius saith he was a man of noble birth but of greater minde exceeding careful of his charge despising the world and neuer caring but for heauen and heauenly things His Rom. Religion His Roman Religion is manifestest because as Godwin confesseth he was an Abbot of Rome sent hither by Greg. and went after to Rome to confer with Pope Boniface sate in Councel and was by him honorably entertained S. Iustus Archbishop IIII. 3. The fourth Archbishop was Saint Iustus who inmediatly succeeded S. The vertue and learning of Saint Iustus Mellit An. 624. and dyed as it seemeth by Beda lib. 2. cap. 18. An. 633. He gouerned saith S. Beda lib. 2. cap. 7. the English Church with great labor and diligence And as Pope Boniface testifieth in Beda lib. â— cap. 8. of him so greatly and earnestly labored for the Gospel as he could shevv whole Contries plentifully multiplied by him and brought vp king Edbald with great learning and instruction of holy scriptures Godwin in his life sayth he trauailed painfully 12. His Cathol Religion yeares His Roman Catholick Religion is manifest by his Pall receaued from Pope Boniface Beda lib. 2. cap. 8. And by what Bale writeth of of him Cent. 13. cap. 3. Where he calleth him Pedagog of the Roman faith And addeth that he brought king Edbald to the Roman faith S. Honorius Archbishop V. 4. The fift Archbishop was S. Honorius who succeded as appeareth by Beda lib. 2 cap. 18. and Baron affirmeth An. 633 and died as Beda writeth lib. 3. cap. 20. An. 653. hauing sate 20. yeares S. Honorius his great learning and vertue He was saith Beda lib. 5. cap. 20. one of S. Greg. schollers and profoundly learned in holy scriptures Pope Honorius writing vnto him in Malmsb. 1. Pont. pag. 208. saith He gouerned his flock with much toile much labor and troble euils increasing And the same saith Godwin As for his Roman Religion that is manifest by his Pal. which Bed lib. 2. cap. 18. His Cathol Religion saith He receaued with a letter from Pope Honorius which also Godwin confesseth And Bale addeth that he first deuided England into Parishes after the Papistical maner Which thing also testifieth Camb. in Brit. pag. 131. and Stow An. 640. And all these Archb. were Italians and fellow Laborers of S. Austin Deusdedit Archbishop VI. 5. The sixt Archbishop was Deusdedit an English man who succeeded saith Beda lib. 3. cap. 20 after a yeare and a halfe to wit An. 655 and gouerned the See 9. yeares foure Monthes He was saith Godwin famous for his learning and other vertues and attended carefully his charge The learning and vertue of Archb. Deusdedit Capgraue in his life saith of him He was a man worthy of God famous for his life and learning watchful in prayer and of most vnspotted puritie But his Roman Religion is manifest by what hath bene saide of his Maisters and Predecessors His Rom. Religion After him saith Beda lib. 3. cap. 20. Damian was consecrated But because he saith no more of him and Godwin reckoneth him not amongst the Archbishops but amongst the Bishops of Rochester I will also let him passe S. Theodore Archbishop VII 6. The next Archbishop chosen saith S. Beda lib. 3. cap. 29. by the Clergie of England was VVighard a Priest of great vertue and worthie to be a Bishop whome the kings of England sent to Rome to be consecrated but he dying there before his consecration Pope Vitalian made choice of S. Theodore a Grecian borne whome he consecrated saith Beda lib. 4. cap. 1. An 668. and not 666. as Bale fableth to make the time agree with the number of the Beast in the Apocalips and continued Archb. 22. The admirable learning of Saint Theodor. yeares three monthes He saith Beda lib. 4. cap. 2. and Adrian his fellovve vvere exceeding vvel learned both in prophane and holy litterature and gathering a company of schollers vnto them powred into their bosoms holsome knowledg and besides their expounding of scriptures they instructed their schollers with musick
Latin masse Priests forbidden to marie and for putting away Priests wiues so he terme h Concubins And cap. 91. That he held a Synod An. 710. Cuius Synodi vigore introductae sunt Imagines in omnes Anglorum Ecclesias Besides he was nexu spiritualli adunatus to Boniface that notorious Papist as Boniface testifieth ep apud Baron An. 734. Capgraue in S. Egwins life hath Pope Constantins Epist to this Archbishop in which the Pope writeth that Brithwald sent Saint Egwin twise to Rome Tvvo Engl. Kings request the P. to confirme their Charters 900. years agoe and that two English kings requested him to confirme their Charters of gifts that they had giuen to S. Egwins Monasterie Tacwin Archbishop IX 9. THe 9. Archbishop was Tacwin consecrated in the yeare 731. sate three yeares The learning and vertue of Archb. Tacvvin Died An 734. He was a man saith Beda lib. 5. cap. vlt certes notable for his godlines and wisdome and wel conuersant in holy scriptures Pope Greg. 3. in his letter to the Bishops of England in Malmsb. lib. 1. Pont. pag. 210. saith that he knew him a religious man and of great vertue Florent An 731. Huntington lib. 3. pag. 339. accord with S. Beda Godwin in his life saith he was a man very religious no lesse learned Bale Cent. 2. cap. 3. saith he was notable for Religion and wisdome excellently learned in scripture and spent his youth in best studies His Rom. religion His Roman Religion appeareth by that as Bale saith He wholy dedicated him self to the Benedictin Rules And as Godwin saith and Pope Gregory l. cit testifieth trauailed to Rome in person and there receaued his Pal. Which also contest Beda in Epit. Houeden parte 1. and others Nothelm Archbishop X. 10. THe tenth Archbishop was Nothelm The learning and vertue of Archb. Nothelm chosen an 734. sate fiue yeares died an 739. Bale Cent 2. cap. 8. saith He was a learned and graue yong man of tryed honestie and knovvne to the vvhole Iland for his memorable deedes Beda in the Preface of his Historie saith he was much holpen by him His Rom. religion His Roman Religion is cleare by his going twise to Rome where he receaued his Pal as write Godwin in his life Hunting lib. 4. pag. 340. Houeden 1. parte Anal. Westmon an 736. Besides that S. Boniface that notorious Papist asked his aduise in matters of religion Ex Ep. Bonif. in Baron an 734. Cutbert Archbishop XI 11. THe 11. Archbishops was Cutbert chosen an 742. and died an 758. or as Bale saith 760. He vvas as Bale Cent. The rare learning nd vertue of Archb. Cutbert 2. cap. 14. hath borne of noble race a man of great renowne for his rare learning and ciuil behauior Godwin addeth to his praises that he was a good Pastor His Roman Religion appeareth both by his great familiaritie with Saint Boniface the Apostle of Germany His Rom. religion whome Fox lib. 2. pag. 128. confesseth to haue bene a Papist and Bale Cent. 2. cap. 13. saith vvas next to the great Antichrist at whose aduise he called a Councel in England In which among other things S. Austins day made holie day he apointed that our S. Austins day should be kept holy day And also because he had a Pal from the Pope Ex Westmon ad 740. Besids he sent most freindly letters and presents to the forsaid S. Boniface Ex Epist in Baron an 740. Bregwin Archbishop XII 12. THe 12. was Bregwin chosen an The great learning and vertue of Archb. Bregvvin 759. sate three yeares born saith Godwin of noble parentage chosen in regard of his modestie integritie and great learning Westmon an 760. saith he was a vvise man and learned His Cathol religion His Roman Religion is known both because he was a Monke as Capgraue saith in his life and because he made earnest suit to the Pope that the Archbishops might be buried in Christ-church in Canterb. and not in the Austins as before as Godwin in vit Lamberti writeth Lambert Archbishop XIII 13. THe 13. is Lambert Rom. religion of Archb. Lambert chosen as Malmsberie hath in Fastis an 762. sate 27. yeares His Roman Religion is out of doubt by that as Godwin saith in his life and Malmsb. lib. 1. Pont. pag. 198. he had bene Abbot of the Austins and as Florent saith Chron. an 764. receaued his Pal of Pope Paul Ethelard Archbishop XIIII 14. THe 14. Archbishop was Ethelard created an 793. or as Malmsb. in Fastis saith 791. and that he sate 13. yeares but Godwin saith he sate but 8. or 9. yeares But he is manifestly ouerseene For he putteth his entrance an 793. and his death an 806. which time includeth about 13. yeares The vvorthines of Archb. Ethelard He was saith Malmsb. 1. Reg. cap. 4. a stout man and worthy of God And lib 1. Pont. pag. 199. very industrious and gratious with the Peeres of the Realme He caried the Letters of King Kenulph and of the Bishops of England to Pope Leo for restitution of the Dioâ—esse of Canterburie and was intertained benignâ—y And P. Leo in his epist to King Kenulph calleth him most holy most deere and most skilful VVhich words saith Malmsb. that high and holy Pope would not haue iterated vnles he knew them to be true Ibid. A man after the first Doctors to be compared with the cheefest Bishops And I had almost said saith Malmsb. to be preferred before them His Cathol religion As for his Roman Religion that is manifest by his forsaid going and sending to the Pope Which also Fox lib. 2. pag. 134. and Godwin confesse And by that as Godwin saith in his life he was a Monke and in B. of Winchester he was an Abbot Our ancient Kings hope to buy heauen by god vvorks which also testifie Malmsb. 1. Reg. cap. 4. Hunting lib. 4. Houeden pag. 403. In Ingulph he subscribeth to a Charter in which King Offa professeth Per bona opera mercari praemia sempiterna VVulfred Archbishop XV. 15. THe 15. was Wulfred who succeded as Godwin saith an 807. Rom. religion of Archb vvulfred but Malmsb saith 804. with whome also agreeth Florent Chron. an 804. he sate 25. yeares And his Roman Religion is cleare See the Charter to vvhich he subscribed in Indulph pag. 855. because as Godwin writeth he was made Archbishop at Rome by Leo 3. And again the 9. yeare after his consecration went to Rome Florent an 804. and Westmon an 806. say he had a Pal of Pope Leo. Theologild Archbishop XVI 16. T Theologild was the 16. Who as Godwin saith succeded an 832 but Malmsb. in Fastis saith 829 and dyed the same yeare Of him little is written But as Godwin saith Rom. religion of Archb. Theologild he was Abbot of Canterburie which putteth his Roman Religion out of question Celnoth Archbishop XVII 17. THe 17. place occupied Celnoth an 830. as
Malmsb. in Fastis Or an 831. as Florent in Chron. Oran 832. as Godwin in his life and sate an 41. as Malmsb. and Florent agree Godwin saith an Rom religion of Archb. Celnoth 38. His Roman Religion is manifest by his Pal wich as Florent an 831. and Westmon an 832. write he receaued of Pope Gregorie And by his subscription to a Charter in Ingulph Wherin King Withlaf offereth a Chalice and Crosse of gould to the Aultare in Croiland King of England giueth his princely robe to make a Chisible and clamidem coccineam ad Casulam saciendam his scarlet robe to make a Chisible And pag. 862. publickly professed him selfe to be cured of a disease by the merits of S. Guthlac Athelard Archbishop XVIII The vvorthines of Archb. Athelard and his 3. Predecessors 18. THe 18. Archbishop was Athelard An. 893. saith Godwin but Malmsb. in Fastis an 871. he sate 18. years and as Malmsb. lib. 1. Pont. pag. 199. saith of him and his three Predecessors they did many worthie things both towards God and the world but for want of writers all is obscure Godwin saith he was a great diuine and some times Monk of Christ-church in Canterbury by which his Roman religion is out of doubt His Rom. religion Plegmund Archbishop XIX 19. THe 19. was Plegmund Entred saith Godwin and Malmsb. in Fast an 889. sate an 26. as both agree But in lib. 1. Pont. Malmsb. attributeth to him 33. yeares He was saith Godwin the most excellent learned man of his time Most excellent learning of Archb. Plegmund And as Fox saith lib. 3. pag. 170. Schoolemaister to King Alfred Hunting lib. 5. pag. 351. saith He was chosen of God and all the people And Florent an 872. addeth that he was Venerabilis vir sapientia praeditus and an 889. Literis insigniter eruditus His Cathol faith His Roman religion is out of question because as Godwin writeth In his youth he was an Hermit And being chosen Archbishop trauailed to Rome in person and was ther consecrated And was Legat to Pope Formosus as he testifyeth epist 2. in these wordes VVe command Plegmund to be our Legat in all matters Althelin Archbishop XX. 20. AThelin succeded in the 20. place an Rom. Religion of Archb. Athelin 915. as Godwin hath and Malmâ—b in Fast and sate 9. years who saith Godwin had before bene Abbot of Glastenbury And therfor no question can be made of his Religion VVolfhelm Archbishop XXI 21. THe 21. Archbishop Wolfhelm entring an The famous learning and vertue of Archb. vvolfhelm 924. as Godwin and Malmsb. in Fast agree dyed also 934. Who was saith Godwin in the Bishops of Wells out of Polidor famous as wel for vertue as learning S. Odo Archbishop XXII 22. THe 22. Archbishop was S. Odo an 934. as Godwin and Malmsb. in Fast accord and sate an 24. in great fauour and authoritie vnder diuers Princes His parents saith Godwin were Danes of great welth and nobilitie who disinherited him for Christian religion King Edward senior perceauing his great excellency of wit set him to schole where he profited exceedingly S. Odo his rare learning both in greek and latin Bale Cent. 2. cap. 30. saith He was so skilful both in Greeke and Latin that sodenly he could vtter either in prose or any kind of verse what so euer he would Godwin saith he preached painfully Florent an 958. and Westmon Ibid. say Odo a man famous for wit His great holines laudable for vertue and indued with the spirit of Prophecie In Malmsb. lib. 1. Pont. pag. 200. He professeth that he would spend all the riches in the world if he had them and him self for his flock His miracles And Malmsb. there saith that he wrought miracles Fox lib. 3 pag 151. saith A zealous care of the Churches of the Lord reigned in him and other Archbishops then And thus much of his learning and vertue His Rom. religion His Roman religion is out of all doubt For Godwin saith being elected he would not be Archbishop before he was made Monke as all his Predecâ—ssors sayd he had bene And as Bale saith l. cit He receaued a Pal from Pope Agapit 2. Priests mariages forbidden Decreed that mariages of the Ministers of the Church are to be accounted Heretical and exalted Popish monkerie Thus Bale But it spiteth Fox most that Osbern in vit Some denied TransubstaÌ„tiation Odonis writeth that in his tyme certain Clercks seduced by wicked error endevored to auouch that the bread and wine which are set on the Altar after consecration remain in their former substance and are onely a signe of the body and blood of Christ And for their conuersion Odo did as Osbern Malmsb. and an other Author who as Fox saith wrote in the time of Alfricus the 4. Arch. after Odo A great miracle to confirme Transubstantiation write by his prayers obtaine of God that the Sacrament should appeare in forme of true flesh and blood and againe returne to their pristinat shape This historie Fox pag. 1139. dislyketh First because Osbern saith but quidam But so also writeth his brother Bale loc cit Capgraue in Odone and others Secondly that Osbern saith this miracle was done to conuert the Clerkes and the other Author saith it was done to testify Odo his holines As if it could not be done for both endes But it sufficeth us 1. that Odo and England then beleeued Transubstantion so odious a thing now to Protestants 2. that S. Odo confirmed it by such a miracle as some Priests who then began to deny it beleeued to be a true miracle and were conuerted therby Fox denieth a miracle vvhich diuers that savv it confesse and vvere conuerted by it Now whether they who were then present and saw it or Fox who liued aboue 600. yeares after were more like to know the truth of that miracle let euery one iudg But here I would wish the careful Reader to note first that the denial of Transubstantiation and the real presence of Christ in the sacrament began in England aboue 300. yeares after the land was conuerted to Christianitie to wit Transubstantiation the ancient faith of England circa An. 950. as Bale saith which sheweth that the ancient English Christians beleeued Transubstantiation Secondly that Transubst was denied but of a few and consequently the general faith of England beleeued it Thirdly that this heresie was soone extinct and the Authors confuted of S. Odo Primat of this Land both by miracle and by writing Denial of TraÌ„subst confuted of S. Odo by miracle and vvtiting which writing saith Bale l. cit he entitled Defensio Eucharistiae And for this Fox lib. 3. cap. 151. saith that Odo might seeme to be the worst that occupied that place So he termeth light darknes and darknes light S Greg. sent hither the beleef of Transubstant But for Transubstantiation yow heard before confessed by
substances which vpon the Lords table are diuiâ—ely sanctified by the ministration of the Priest to be conuerted into the essence of the Lords body the outward formes onely of the things them selues and qualities reserued Bilson Bilson of Obed. pag. 681. Lanfranck and Anselm came in with their Antichristian deuises and inuentions and chargeth him to haue first brought Transubstantiation into England Lanfranck altered nothing in our English faith But how false this is appeareth by that no one Author of that time chargeth him with altering any point of the faith of the English and also by that which before we shewed out of Protest that S. Greg. sent in Transubstantiation into England and that S. Odo defended it both by writing and miracles And who wil more of Lanfrancks earnestnes in Roman religion may read his Epistle to Pope Alexander 2. and Alexanders to him and his booke against Berengarius for the real presence S. Anselm Archbishop XXXIIII 3. THe 34. Archbishop was S. Anselm an 1093. and died an 1109. A most worthie man saith Godwin of great learning The admirable learning and holines of S. Anselm as his works yet extant testifie and for integritie of life and conuersation admirable Vndoutedly he was a good and holy man and as worthy the honor of Saint as any I thinck saith he euer was canonized by the Pope since his tyme. Thus the Protest them selues commend this blessed maÌ„ Of whome who list to know more may read his life in Surius written by Edner his Chaplin Malmsb. who then liued lib. 4. Reg. sayth none was more obseruant of iustice none at that time so soundly learned none so wholly spiritual the Father of the Contrie the mirror of the world And much more lib. 1. Pont. pag. 216. seq As for his religion that is manifest to be Roman His Rom religion For he was a Monk and scholler to Lanfranck as Fox saith pag. 185. had his Pal from Rome appeased from the King to the Pope and pag. 186. he writeth how he tould King Rufus to his face that it was vn iust to command Bishops not to appeale to Rome Vniust to forbid appeals to Rome pag. 195. He was superstitious in religion Bale Cent. 13. cap. 16. and others write that he procured that Kings should not inuest Bishops Cent. 2. cap. 50. He augmented the impudencie of the Popes being their Counsellor in Rome Priests forbidden to marrie and their Vicar in England Finally they all agree that he forbad Priests marriages and as Godwin speaketh persecuted maried Priests extremely pag. 163. Priests forbidden to marrie from the first infancie of our Church In so much as Fox pag. 191. Bale Cent. 2. cap. 59. make him the first that forbad Priests in England to haue wiues and Cambd. in Britan. saith wiues were not forbidden to Priests in England before the yeare 1102. Which how vntrue it is appeareth by S. Greg. words to S. Austin in Beda lib. 1. cap. 27. where Saint Greg. apointeth that if there be any among the Clergie out of holy orders which can not liue chast they shall take wiues S. Gregorie wherin he clearly excludeth all in holy orders from wiues and in Concil Rom. If any Priest or Deacon mary a wife be he accursed And about 100. yeares after that S. Beda Beda lib. 5. cap. 22. said plainly that English Priests professed to binde them selues to chastitie And Prolog in Samuel writeth thus VVe who haue purposed according to the custom of Ecclesiastical life to abstain from wiues and to liue single And S. Bedas scholler Alcuin l. Aleuin de Virtutibus cap. 18. Chastitie is necessarie to all but cheefly to the Ministers of the Altar of Christ For he must haue such Ministers as be not corrupted by any contagion of the flesh but rather shine with continencie of chastitie Bale Bale also Cent 1. cap. 64. writeth thus About the yeare 719. vnder Brithwald Archbish. brithvvald was a Synod held at London for prohibiting of Priests wiues as Nauclerus saith he and others affirme And after that again S. Odo Archb. S. Odo as the same Bale hath Cent. 2. cap. 30. Decreed that the mariages of the Ministers of the Church were Heretical Yea Cambd. him selfe pag. 259. writeth that King Ethelwolph about the yeare 855. CaÌ„bden had a dispensation of the Pope to marry because he was sacris ordinibus initiatus in holy orders But what dispensation had that King needed if it had bene lawful for Priests theÌ„ to marrie And after this Kings time S. DunstaÌ„ Dunstan and his fellows saith Fox Acts pag. 156. caused King Edgar to call a Councel of the Clergie Fox wher it was enacted and decreed that the Canons of diuers Cathedral Churches Collegiats Parsons Vicars Priests and Deacons with their wiues and children should either giue ouer that kinde of life or els giue rome to Monkes And Cambden in Brit. pag. 211. saith this Councel was held an 977. how then could he say that Priests wiues were neuer forbidden before an 1102. After that also Lanfranck as Fulk Annotat. Lanfrank in Math. 8. in a Synod at VVinchester made a decree against the marriage of Priests Fulk And Fox Acts pag. 195. citeth an Epistle of S. Anselm where he hath these wordes Because so cursed a marriage of Priests was forbidden in a Councel of his Father he meaneth the Conqueror and of the said Archbishop Lanfrancus lately I command that all Priests that keepe women shal be depriued of their Churches and Ecclesiastical Benefices VViues forbidden to preists in EnglaÌ„d both by Archb. and councels Wherby it is euident that Priests were not first forbidden to marry or haue wiues by Anselme but by manie both Archbishops and Councels euer since the infancie of our English Church Rodolph Archbishop XXXV 4. THe 35. Archbishop was Rodolph Entred an 1114. and died an 1122. He behaued saith Godwin him self vvel in the place vvas very affable and curteouse and willing to please Malmsb. 1 Pont. pag. 250. saith The marverlous learning and pietie of Archb Rodolph he vvas meruaylously learned and eloquent And pag. 252. very religious His Roman religion is euident for as Godwin testifieth he was a Monke and scholler to Lanfranck His Rom. religion receaued a Pal solemly from Rome and after trauailed in person to Rome VVilliam Corbel Archbishop XXXVI 5. TO him succeded William Corbel an 1122. and departed 1136. He was say Marian. and Continuat Florent Pietie and Rom. Religion of Archb. Corbel vir eximiae religionis His Roman religion is vndoubted because as Godwin saith he was a monk and the Popes Legat. Called a Synod wherin many Canons were made against the mariage of Priests And finally crowned King Stephen at Masse Continuat Florent who then liued saith he went to Rome for his Pal and had it of Pope Calixtus and again an other time and was honorably receaued
Papistical this is and contrary to Protestancie euery one knoweth Beside as Fox saith pag. 115. most like they did this for holines sake thincking in this kind of life to serue or please God better or to merit more which Kinde of act or ende of theirs is plain Papistical and quite opposit to Protestancie And therfore Fox saith that these Kings were far deceaued To these Kings we may adioin 19. Queenes and Kings daughters whome Fox also pag. 134. confesseth to haue left their royall estate Manie ancient Queenes and K. Daughters nunnes and becommen Nunnes Yea pag. 137. he citeth out of an ancient Chronicle That in the Primitiue Church of England Kings Deuotion of English to monkish life Princes Dukes Earles Barons and Rulers of Churches incensed with a desire of heauen laboring and striuing among them selues to enter into Monkerie into voluntarie exile and solitarie life forsooke all and followed the Lord. The same hath Huntington lib. 5. Houed and others Is this thinck we a proceding of Protestants or rather of earnest and deuout Roman Catholicks 5 Out ancient Kings desire the P. to confirme their Charters 2. Fiftly They desired the Pope to confirme their Charters which they made This you may see of King Ethelbert the first Christian King in Malmsb lib. 1. Pont. pag. 208. Of King Coenred and King Offa in Capgraue in vita Egwin Of King Egbert in Florent Chron. An. 676. of King wulfer in Ingulf pag 884. Of an other King Offa in Paris An. 794. Of King Edgar in Malmsb. lib. 2. Reg. pag. 57. 6. They suffered appeals to Rome from them selues 6 Kings suffer appeals to Rome This is euident in King Egbert and King Alfred in Beda lib. 5. cap. 20. 7. They beleeued S. Peter to be Prince of the Apostles as is to be seene in King Offa his Charter in Cambden in Brit. 7 Our Kings beleeue S. Peters supremacie pag. 613. and S. Peter to be higher in degree than S. Paule as is to be seene in King Ina his verses there pag. 193. and Peter onely to haue had the keies to witt of all the Church as Reinolds confesseth Confer pag. 12 And finally the Church of Rome in their time to be the Catholick and Apostolick Church as Beda testifieth lib. 3. cap. 29 at what time the Protestants account the Roman Church the who are of Babilon and the Pope Antichrist 8 Manie of our Kings canonized by the Pope 8. Seuen of these our English Kings are Canonized by the Roman Church in the Martirologe to wit Ethelbert Richard Oswald Sebbi Edmund Edward martir Edward Confessor 9 Our ancient Kings knovv not iustification by onely faith which would neuer haue bene done if they had not bene Roman Catholicks 9. Our ancient English Kings could be no Protestants therfore they were Roman Catholicks For no others challenge them for theirs That they could be no Protestants is most manifest First because the opinion of iustification by onely faith is accounted of Protestants the foundation VVhat is the foundation and soul of Protetestancie Luther head and cheefest point and soule of their Doctrin and Church It is saith Luther Prefat in Ionam the head of Christian Religion the summe of the scriptures Prefat ad Galath If the article of Iustification by onely faith be once lost then is all true Christian doctrin lost And as many as hould not that doctrin are Iewes Turks Papists or hereticks Item By this onely doctrin the Church is built and in this it consisteth And in cap. 1. Galath If we neglect the Article of Iustification we leese all together And in cap. 2. It is the principal Article of all Christian doctrin all other Arcicles are comprehended in it Fox Acts. Fox pag. 840. saith It is the foundation of all Christianitie Chark And pag. 770. the onely principal origen of our saluatian Chark in the Tower disputation saith It is the soule of the Church And the same say all other Protetestants But this foundation this head this soule of Protestancie our ancient Kings knew not as Fox plainly confesseth in these wordes pag. 170. The Doctrin of Iustification by onely faith was then vnknown And pag. 133. writeth thus of our antientest Christian Kings Our Kings knevv not the Protestant Gospel They lackt the doctrin and knowledg in Christs Gospel espetially saith he in the Article of free Iustification by faith and therfor saith he they ran the wrong way Loe he granteth that they were ignorant espetially of that which Protest esteeme the especiallest point of Protestancie And Ibid. speaking of our ancient Christian Kings hath these wordes How great the blindnes and ignorance of these men was who wanting no zeale wanted knowledg seeking their saluation by their meritorious deedes which I write saith he here to put vs in mind how much we at this present are bound to God for the true sinceritie of his truth hidden so long before to our fforancestors and opened now to vs. A plaine confession that none of our Anceitors vvere Protestants This onely lamenting to see them haue such works and want our faith and vs to haue right faith and want their workes Could he say more plainly that our Ancient Princes and Christian Ancestors knew not so much as the foundation of Protestancy and wanted their faith And with what face then can any man challeng them for Protestants And heere I challeng Abbots or what minister so euer VVhat must be shevved of ministers that saie our Anceitors vvere Protestants to shewe one ancient English man Woman or Child that held this forsaid foundation head and soule of their religion And if they can not as indeede they can not let them confesse that there was neuer ancient English Protestant vnles they will make Protest without head or or soule 3. Moreouer to build or indow Religious houses as Doc. Abbots saith Answer to D. pag. 100. Bishop for redemption of their sinnes and purchase of their soules health proceeded of the wāt of the sight of the sunne of righteousnes For vvhat end our Kings built and endevved monasteries And Fox pag. 133. saith it is contrary to the rule of Christs Gospel But the same Fox Ibid. testifieth that our first Christian kings built monasteries seeking for merit with God and remedie of their soules and remedy of their sinnnes and prooueth it by a Charter of King Ethelbald which he might haue proued by as many Charters of those ancient kings as are extant One of King Ethelbald I will cite out of Ingulph made to free monks from taxes the third yeare of his Reigne which was 718 some what more than a hunderd yeares after S. Austin Ego Ethelbald c I Ethelbald King of marchland for the loue of the celestical Contry Good vvorks done to free the soul from bond of sin and for the redemption of my soule haue prouidently decreed to free it by good worke from all bond of sinne
King Ethelbert also Pro animae suae remedio c for the good of his soule gaue to Mellit Bishop the land called Tillingham out of Stow Chron. pag. 77. And so of the rest Our first Christian K. gaue land to Churches for help of his soule Again Fox pag. 154. The causes why solemn Monasteries were first founded by Kings Queenes Kings daughters and rich Consuls are these Pro remedio animae meae pro remissione peccatorum meorum pro redemptione peccatorum meorum pro salute Regnorum meorum quique subiacent regimini populorum in honorem gloriosae virginis For the redemption of my soul for the redeeming of my sinnes and for the saftie of my Kingdoms and people subiect to my gouernment to the honor of the glorious Virgin And therfor by D. Abbots his verdict and by euident inference our auncient Princes wanted the sunne of Protestants righteousnes 10 10. And lastly I proue it by the plain confession of Protest For Fox Acts. pag. 132. saith our first Christian Kings were deuout to Church men espetially to the Church of Rome Which was in the opinion of Protestāts Our Kings deuour to the P. vvhen he vvas in opinion of Protestants Antichrist when the Pope was known Antichrist That is in Boniface 3. time and since Bale Cent. 1. cap 73 saith of king Ethelbert our first Christian king that He receaued the doctrin of the Roman Religion with all the imposture therof and died the 21. yeare of his receaued Papistrie Could he speake more plainly And Cent. 13. cap. 5 Felix saith he conuerted the East parte of England to Papistrie A Plaine confessiō of Protestants that our nation vvas first conuerted to papistrie And Ibid cap. 4. he saith that Birin vnder colour of the Gospel taught the VVest saxons Papisticam fidem Papistical faith The same confesse diuers other Protestants as hath bene shewed before when we proued that S. Greg. and S. Austin were by the confession of Protestants plain Rom. Catholicks 4. To all these particuler proofes I ad a general one vz the English names which our ancient Kings and people gaue to their seruice and their Pastors See in Ingulph hovv antient Knights vvere vvont to goe to confession before they vvere knighted also their Churches Tombs and Epitaphes and finally all their ancient Monuments do testifie and proclame their Catholick Roman religion For their seruice of God they called Masse Nether can it be shewed that euer they called it other wise and of it haue they tearmed the cheefe feasts of the yeare as Christmasse Candlemasse Michelmas Name of Masse Martin masse As likwise they haue tearmed Shreuetide of their Shreiuing and confessing them selues before they began their lent Fast Palmesonday of the Palmes which they caried on that day as Catholicks at this day doe Ember dayes of the Catholick fast of Quator tēpora corruptly pronouncing the last word of Priests Their cheefe Doers of their seruice they termed Priestes That is as Protest confesse Sacrificers and therfor their ministers abhor the name Reinold conf pag. 466 467. Their cheefe Churches they built in forme of a Crosse The cheefe Altar therin on high and toward the East Forme of Churches and diuers Altars in little Chappell 's about erected therin a Roodloft with the Roode or Crosse of Christ vppon it adorned their Chappell 's euen the very glasse windowes with Pictures In like sort they buried their dead with Crosses as was seene on the tombe of King Arthur Buriall of dead and their Bishops with Chalices as in the Tombe of S. Birin and vsually on the Epitaphs desire men to pray for the soule of the dead Epitaphs And where I pray yow was the Protestant Communion when our first Christian Ancestors termed their cheefe seruice of God Masse and therof named their principall feasts in the yeare where were their Ministers when they termed their Pastors Priests and sacrificers Wher were their Churches when all the Cathedrall Churches were built in forme of a Crosse with one high Altar and diuers little Altars in the Church about where were they them selues when our Ancestors euen dead did by Crosses wher with they were buried and the Epitaphs of their Tombes professe the Roman Catholick religion CHAP. XXII Certayne obiections of Ministers that our auncient Kings were not Romane Catholiques disproued 1. ALbeit euery one of iudgment will easely see that what can be obiected against this so cleare D. Doue of Recusancie vvil haue Bellarm to be a Protest or no perfect Catholik and by the Aduersaries confessed truth is but cauils which want not against almost the euidenst truth that is yet for satisfaction of all sorts of people we wil propose what D. Abbots in his Answer to D. Bishops epistle pag. 199. lately hath collected for proofe that our ancient Kings were Protestants or at least not perfect obiec ∣ tion 1 Roman Catholicks First he saith that our antient Kings had the supremacie in causes Ecclesiasticall Ansvver This is euidently false by what hath bene said in the 5. 6. and 7. proofe of the former Chapter To which I add that as it shal be shewed herafter King Edward 3. whome Protestants account to make most for them professed it to be a sauor of heresie to deny the Popes supremacie in causes ecclesiasticall 2. Abbots saith that the kings founded Bishopricks and inuested them at their obiec ∣ tion 2 pleasur as did Edward Confessor the Bishoprick of Exester Ansvver That in S. Austins time or long after the King founded Bishopricks and inuested Bishops is apparantly false For it is euident in Beda lib. 1. cap. 29. That S. Greg. at his owne pleasure apointed two Archbishopricks vnder each of them twelue Bishopricks to be erected in England And lib. 2. cap. 4. That S. Austin by his authoritie founded the Archbishoprick of Canterburie and the Bishopricks of London and Rochester Our ancient Kings tooke not vpon them to erect Bishopriks and that the King then did onely build them Churches indow the Bishopricks with lands and giue them saith Beda lib. 1. cap. 28. Possessions necessarie for their maintenance And aboue 800. yeares agoe when King Offa would alter the Bishoprik of Lichfeild in to an Archbishoprick K Ethelbert he took not vpon him to doe it by his owne authoritie or of the Bishops of his realm K. Offa. but procured Pope Adrian to send two legats for that purpose Malmsb. lib. 1. Reg. cap. 4. K Edvvard Sen. And 700. yeares agoe mhen King Edward Senior erected fiue Bishopricks in the West Contrie it was done by the expresse commandement of Pope Formosus Malmsb. 2. Reg. cap. 5. K VVilli◠Conq. And about 500. yeares agoe when King William Conqueror would haue some English Bishops deposed and Bishopricks translated from litle Tounes to greater Citties he procured Pope Alexander 2. to send a Legat hither to doe it Malmsb. 1. Pont. But yet we grāt
and after a Capharnaitical maner which is Catholick doctrin For though the Eucharist be truly and really Christs body yet is it not Christs bodie after a carnal maner but after a spirituall mystical maner Now wher he saith which Bilson lib. of Obed. pag. 681 and Protestants vrge that holy howsel after bodily vnderstanding is a corruptible and mutable creature maketh nothing against Transubstantiation For his meaning is that the sacrament according to bodily vnderstanding that is according to the outward forme which with bodily eies we see and vnderstand is a corruptible thing which no Catholick denieth Again wher he sayeth that there is much betwen the body that Christ suffered in and the body that is hallowed to howsel He neither said nor meant that ther is much betwene Christs bodie wherin he suffred and the bodie of the howsel Albeit this also be true because Christs body when he suffered was after the maner of visible bodies palpable and parte in one parte of place and parte in an other and here it is inuisible and after the maner of spirits all in euerie part of the sacrameÌ„t For which difference and lesse S. Austin lib. de symbolo cap. 10. said much moâ—e to wit that in the resurrection shal be no flesh and blood In Resurrectione non iam caro erit sanguis because they shall be in far different maner But he said that ther is much betweene the body of Christ and the body that is halowed to housel which is most true for this body is the body of bread obiec ∣ tion 8 5. Eightlie saith Abots Then the Bishops and Princes of this Land did condemn the second Nicen Councel for worshiping of Images out of Houeden parte Ansvver 1. An. 792. To this I answer that it is no waye likly that our English Bishops would then coÌ„demn such honoring of Images as Catholiks vse because they knew that not onely their Christianitie began by S. Austin with vse of Images but also that Archb. Brithwald as is before rehearsed out of Bale Cent. 1. cap. 99. held a Councel in London An. 712. VVherin he commanded vpon the Decree of Constantine Pope of Rome that Images should be worshiped But that which our English Clergie then disproued was as Houeden writeth Imagines adorari debere that is adored or worshiped as God which Houed wel vnderstood when he added Quod Ecclesiae Dei execratur which the Church of God doth detest Which he being a perfect Roman Catholick as Abbots can not denie could neuer say of such honor as Catholicks giue to Images but might most truly say of worshiping them as God For this the Church of God did allwaies and doth accurse Nether though some Catholicks term that worship Latria which is giuen to the crosse of Christ did euer any Catholick affirm that any Image or creatur whatsoeuer was to be worshiped as God as I could easely shew if it were not besids my purpose But in that our English men were mis-informed of the Councel of Nice as if it had commanded Images to be worshiped as God which it did not as to omit other testimonies testifieth D. Feild lib. 3. of the Church cap. 20. and 36. obiec ∣ tion 9 6. Lastly he saith that then were tithes payd to married Priests and so continued to Pope Hildebrand who liued in King William Conquerors time and our most ancient Cathedrall Churches were places for maried Priests Malmsb. lib. 2 Reg. cap. 7. calleth these Priests irregulares and vagos Ansvver not for Popish Votaries as appreareth by the Records of the Church of VVorceter That there were maried Priests or rather that Priests kept woemen as their wiues in Pope Hildebrands tyme and before we deny not But that ther were such euer since the first Christianitie of English men till that time or that mariage of Priests was not alwaies forbidden in England is most vntrue as hath bene sufficient clearly prooued in the life of S. Anselm and by the testimonie of Protestants Likwise most vntrue it is that our most ancient Cathedrall Churches were places for married Priestes For the most ancient of all is Christchurch in Canterburie wher King Ethelbert the first Christian King of England placed monks as Pope Boniface in his letter to him in Malmsb. lib. 1. Pont. pag. 208. testifieth And Malmsb. Ibid. pag. 203. addeth this It is manifest that ther haue bene Monks at Christchurch in Canterburie euer since the time of S. Laurence Archbishop who first succeded S. Austin As for the Record of VVorceter if ther be any such ancient thing and not forged by some Minister it is like to haue bene deuised by some married Priest when in King Edgar and King Edward martyrs tyme they pleaded for that Church against Monks who were restored to diuers Cathedrall Churches which had bene possessed of Preistes euer since the destruction of England by the Danes by the iudgment of S. Dunstan S. Oswald King Edgar two Councels or Parliaments as yow may read in Osbern who liued in the time of the Conquest in the life of S. Dunstan As for the first Cathedrall Church of Worceter it was as Godwin saith in the Bishops of Worceter a monasterie built by S. Egwin I say the first For that which is now was long after founded by S. Wulstan Bishop of Worceter as yow may see in his life in Godwin Or if the first were built of Sex wolf as Cambden saith in Brit. pag. 512. It is nothing likly that he would build it for married Priestes seing as Beda saith lib. 4 cap 6 he was a monke him selfe and built that Monasterie which now is called Peterborough But especially because nether then nor long after there were any maried Priestes in England as is euident by these words of S. Beda lib. 5. cap. 22 written long after the foundation of Worster Church It behoueth them who being ether made by vow Monks or by profession of the Clergie do bind them selues more strictly then maried men with the bridle of continencie Behould how in Bedas time Monks by vow and the Clergie by profession did as they do now binde them selues more strictly to chastitie then other men did Which in other words is to say they did not marry And thus much for the refelling of these slender obiections which if they be compared with the former proofes wherwith wee shewed that our ancient Kings were Roman Cathol will I suppose seeme to any of indifferent iudgment to deserue no answer CHAP. XXIII That all the Christian Kings of England from their first Christianitie to the time of the Monarchie of EnglaÌ„d were Roman Catholicks prooued in particuler 1. VVHen S. Austin entred there were 7. English Kings in this Land Wherof foure were conuerted by S. Austin and his companions But partly because it were to tedious to discourse of all these Kingdoms partly also because what is prooued of one of them will caselie be beleeued of the rest I will discourse onely of the
holines of the man yet yow see how holy him selfe and other Protest confesse him to haue bene or corporas but for conuersion of the heathen But it sufficeth that God would work so great a miracle for conuersion of the heathen to the Roman faith In this Kings time liued also King Oswald Miracle for confirmation of praiers made befor Crosses whome Fox Acts pag. 133. calleth a Saint and who by vertue of prayer which he made before a Crosse with a far lesse army vanquished his enemies as not onely S. Beda lib. 3. cap. 2. and Catholick writers but Fox also Acts lib. 2. pag. 121. Cambd. in Brit. pag. 720. and others do grant So wel did God then lyke praying before Crosses As for diuers other miracles done by S. Oswalds reliques and by very chipps of his Crosse which S. Beda lib. 3. cap. 2. 10. 11. other English writers do record Fox dare not denie Saint Osvvalds miracles Fox loc cit saiâ—h he hath not to affirme what the people of that time affirmed of him As if he were amazed not knowing whether to confesse the miracles and so condemne his religion of falsitie or deny them and so condemne him self of impudencie Protest confesse miracles to haue bene done by reliques and the Crosse Especially seeing that Iuel Art 1. diu 19. Bel. Suruey pag. 353. and D. Whitak lib. 10. cont Dur pag. 866. confesse that God hath often times wrought miracles by the reliques of Saints and also done strang miracles and driuen away Diuels with the Crosse as testifie Iuel Art 14. Diu 3. And Fox him selfe Acts pag. 85. testifieth that Constantin the great professed that he did ouercome his enemies salutari Crucis signo Feild lib. 3. of Church cap. 20. lib 4. cap. 31. by the holsom signe of the Crosse In this Kings tyme also Sigebert King of the East Angles left his Kingdom and became a Monke A King a mâ—nk and diuers Kings Daughters Nonnes and S. Edburga daughter to King Ethelbert S. Eanswid daughter to King Edbald and S. Ebba a Lady of the bloud royall left their estates and became Nonnes Beda lib. 3. cap. 18. Capgraue in vita Eanswidae Cambd. in Brit. pag. 670. Hunting lib. 2. King Senwalch the 2. Christian King 4. THe second Christian King of the Westsaxons was Senwalch sonne as Beda lib. 3. cap. 7. and others record of Kinegilsus began his Reigne An. 643. and reigned 31. yeares twice vanquished the Britons The valour and vertue of K. Senvvalch and tooke a great part of land from the Mercians and as Malmsb. writeth lib. 1. Reg. cap. 2. was comparable to the best Princes the middle and last of his time and so religious that as Florent An. 843. Fox Acts. pag. 122. Stow pag. 96. write he built the Cathedral Church at Winchester and gaue all the Contrie within 7. miles about for maintenance of Priests that should serue therin though Godwin in vita Agilberti say his Father began the worke and that he did but finish and confirme his Fathers deed and grant and adde therto thre Manners K. Senvvalch a Rom. Catholick But as for the Roman Religion of this religious and vertuous King it is manifest first by what hath bene sayd of his Father Secondly because after the decease of S. Birin aforsayd his Bishops was Agilbert as Beda lib. 3. cap. 9 Malmsbus lib. 1. cap. 2. Godwin in Agilbert and all agree which Agilbert was so notorious a Papist as Fox in his Protestation before his Acts reckoneth him amongst Romish monkes much drowned as he saith in superstition with Dunstan Lanfranc and such lyke And in a Synod defended the Roman vse of Easter and round shauing of Priests crownes as is to be seene in Beda lib. 3. cap. 26. and Fox Acts pag. 123. Thirdly because after Agilbert his Bishop was Elutherius who at this Kings request as Beda lib. 3. cap. 7. Godwin in vita Elutherij write was coÌ„secrated by S. Theodor whome as is before shewed Protestants confesse to haue bene a notorious Papist Fourthly because S. Egelwin or Egwin was brother to this King as testifieth Malmsb. lib. 2. Pont. pag. 255. Which Egwin Bale Cent. 1. cap. 91. saith was a Benedictin Monk ad superstitiones natus borne for superstitions helped vt statuae ponerentur in Templis venerarentur for the placing of Images in Churches and worshiping of them and was after canonized and how great he was with Pope Constantin appeareth by his life in Capgraue Fiftly because in this Kings tyme came the said S. Theodor into England vnto whome writeth Beda lib. 4. cap. 2. and Godwin in his life all the whole Church of the English Nation did consent and submit them selues Therfor then this King and all his Christian people were as sincerly Papists as S. Theodor him self was Holie men in K. Senvvalch his time 5. In this Kings time among other holy men liued the blessed Bishops S. Chad and Tedda whose vertue and miracles are recorded by S. Beda lib. 3. cap. 23. and lib. 4. cap. 3. likwise ther liued in that time K. Oswin who vowing to God to make his daughter a Nonne if he ouercame his enemies K. Osvvin vouing to make his daughter a Nonne getteth a miraculous victorie got the Victorie though he had but one Legion against thirty ex Beda lib. 3. cap. 24. Hunting lib. 3. Westmon An. 855. And if he had not bene preuented by death ment to go to Rome and there to ende his life as witnesseth Beda lib. 4. cap. 5. K. Sebbi and his sonne become Monks There liued also S. Sebbi King of the East saxons who together with his sonne Sighard became a Monke as may be seene in Beda lib. 4. cap. 1. Malmsb. 1. Reg. cap. 6. Stow Chron pag. 79. In like sort ther liued Oswie a meruailous deuout and godly man saith Beda lib. 3. cap. 14 and Sigibert a holy King of Essex Diuers Kings daughters holie Nonnes of whome writeth Beda lib. 3. cap. 22. And at the same time S. Eartongatha daughter of Ercombert King of Kent S. Edelburg daughter to Anna King of East England and Sedrido his daughter in law S. Eartongath S. Edelburg Sedrido with diuers others went into France and there became Nonnes florishing with great vertue and miracles as yow may read in S. Beda lib. 3. cap. 8. Heresvvid S. VVithburg Elfled S. Hilda Likwise Hereswid mother to Adolph King of East Angles ex Beda lib. 4. cap. 23. And in England became Nonnes S. Withburg daughter to the said King Anna ex Florent An. 798. Elfled daughter to King Oswiex Beda lib. 3. cap. 24. and also S. Hilda a Lady of the blood roiall ex eodem lib. 4. cap. 23. and diuers others Bale Cent. 10. cap. 9. and Capgraue in Botulpho maketh mentioÌ„ of certain sisters of King Athelmond King of Sussex who in this kings tyme An. 650. were Noâ—nes in Gallia Belgica Then also liued S.
men and trauailled to Rome with great deuotion wher as he saith pag. 110 he became a Monke and pag. 125. granted a peny of euery house to be payd to the Court of Rome Beda lib 5 cap. 7. malmsb loc cit Cooper An. 723. Bale Cent. 11. cap. 97. Sleidan lib. 9. Stovv pag. 96. Bal. lib. cit Cambd. in Brit. p. 192. And pag. 136. founded the English Scoole or Seminarie there Fiftly as Cambden testifieth in Brit. pag. 193. he made verses to be engraueÌ„ in the forfront of Glossenburie in which he plainly confesseth S. Peters supremacie saith he that he was in Degree higher than S. Paul had the Keyes of heauen was the Porter and the firm Rock The verses are these Caelorum portae lati duo Lumina mundi Ore tonat Paulus fulgurat Arce Petrus Inter Apostolicas radianti luce coronas Doctior hic monitis celsior ille gradu S. peters supremacie professed by letters engrauen in stone Corda per hunc hominum reserantur astra per illum Quos docet iste stilo suscipit ille Polo Pandit iter Caelo hic dogmate clauibus alter Est via cui Paulus iaenua fida Petrus Behould Christian Reader this ancient and famous King and consequently all England in his time which is 900. yeares agoe beleeuing and not beleeuing onely but professing nor professing but engrauing in stone for testimony to all posteritie that S. Peter was in degree aboue all the Apostles S. Peter in degree aboue all the rest of the Apostles was the peculier Rock of Christians the proper Porter of heauen and espetially had the keyes of the coelestiall Kingdome Which is plain-ly that supremacie which their Posteritie Catholicks doe attribut vnto S. Peter and his successors And of the royall blood of this vndoubted Catholick and reuouneÌ„d King and so deuoted to the Church of Rome as first of all Christian Kings of the wordl His maiestie descendeth of K. Ina. by his brother he made his Kingdom and euery houshould therof tributary therto by payment of yearly pension by his brother Ingles came King Egbert who after reduced England to a monarchie as testifieth Paris Hist pag. 126. and of this King Egbert by lineall succession descendeth our present Souereign Lord King Iames. 11. In this Kings tyme besids him self three other English Kings left their Kingdoms also and became Monks to wit Four Kings leaue their kingdome and became moÌ„ks Ethelred and Coenred Kings one after the other of mercia or middle England and Offa King of Essex The two last went to Rome and there entred into Religion The third remained heere in England after was made Abbot of Bardney neere Lincoln And besides the Queens before mentioned Kineswitha daughter of King Penda and also espouse to the said King Offa became a Nonne hauing before perswaded him to giue ouer both his Kingdom and suite to her And besides these Osrick King of Northumberland as Godwill in the Bishops of Gloster saith Three Queens of mercia Abbesses one after the other but indeede King of the Victians as Beda called him lib. 4. cap 23. about the yeare 700. founded a Nonnery in Gloster in which Kineburg Eadburg and Eua all Queenes of Mercia were successiuly Abbesses The same saith Cambd. in Brit. pag. 316. Such rare and admirable loue of God and contempt both of pleasures and glorie of this world reigned in our Kings ProtestaÌ„ts glorie of the holines of our Cath. Anceistors Queenes and Princes of those dayes that iustly Cambd. in Brit. pag. 345. calleth this age seracissimum Sanctorum saeculum a most fruitfull wordl of Saints Oh when will Protestants breede such an age In this Kings time fell that most dredfull pumishment of God vpon that Captain who in his sicknes would not confesse his sinnes least he should seeme fearfull Which S. Beda recounteth lib. 5. cap. 14. wher he telleth how a little before the mans death Angels appeared and shewed to him a faire booke Dreadful punishment of one that differed his confession but little in quantitie wherin all his good deedes were written and after there came a huge multitude of Diuels who in a great black booke shewed him all his ill deedes and sinnes VVestmon An 921. Godvv in B. of york and one of them strooke him on the head and other on the feete which strokes crept into his body whâ—n they met he dyed in desperation In this Kings time also dyed S. Iohn of Beuerley who made S. Beda Priest Miracles of S. Ihon of Beuerlay whome he recounteth lib. 5. cap. 2. that by making the signe of the Crosse vpon the tongue of a Domb man he restored his speeche and that he helped an Earles wife with holy water and cap. 5. cured an Earles sonne and his Chaplin by his blessing In this time also liued S. Wilbrord an English man who An. 697. was consecrat Bishop by Pope Sergius and sent to preache in Frisland and Germany which also S. Swibert and many English more did Marcellin 1. mort Surio tom 2. Beda lib. 5. cap. 11. In this time also liued S. Boniface the Apostle of Germanie whome Pope Greg. 2. sent thither to preache An. 719. whose oath of fidelitie and plain Papistrie yow may read in Surius Tom. 3. and Baron An. 723. See also Surius de rebus moguntin At that same time also liued that great Eremit and S. Antonie of England S. Guthlac S. Guthlac the S. Antoine of England Of whome because Fox Acts pag. 125. saith that he secth no great cause why he should be Sainted Nether beleeue I saith he his miracles I will in this Saint giue the reader a taste of Fox his impudencie His holines and a full assurance if any can suffice of S. Guthlac his miracles Wherby euery indifferent man may iudg of the like miracles of Saints As for his holines Cambd in Brit. pag. 472. saith thus Guthlacus summa sanct titate c. Guthlac heere at Crowland lead an heremitical life in exceeding great sanctitie in honor of whome King Ethelbald with wonderfull expence founded a Monasterie in a Marish and vnstable grounde for religion and wealth very famous Behould this Protestant acknowledgeth that S. Guthlac led a most holy life and was so esteemed that King Ethelbald who liued at that same time soone after his death His miracles built a goodly Monasterie in his honor And who will read his life in Surius Tom. 2. shall finde that he was an admirable Saint 12. But as for the miracles of S. Guthlac if any humane testimony or euidence can make a thing certain and vndoubted they are so For Ingulph in his Hist printed and published by Protest who liued in the time of the Conquest setteth doune the Charter of King Kenulph a worthie Prince as all our Chronicles testifie dated Anno Christi 806. in which the King saith that he and his Queene were eye witnesses of many miracles done
at is shrine in these words Kenulphus Dei misericordia Rex c. Kenulph by the grace of God King c. The King and Q. of England faire say vvere eye-vvitnesses of S. Guthlacs miracles Be it known to all men that our Lord hath magnified his Saint the most blessed Confessor of Christ S. Guthlac who corporally resteth in Crowland Monasterie with most famous signes and worthy wonders yea with fresh and in numerable miracles as both I and my Queene haue seene with our owne eyes in our Pilgrimage English Pilgrims vvith images of Saints in their hats And there the king freketh all Pilgrims that come to S. Guthlac cum signis eius in caputijs aut capellis with his images in their hatts or capps from all tax and tole And to this Charter subscribe the said king kenulph and Cuthred king of kent Celwal â—rother to King Kenulph Testimonie of K. Burdred for Saint Guthlacs miracles Wilfrid Archb. of Canterb. two Bishops and one Abbot and diuers others And he setteth doune an other Charter of king Burdred in which he testifieth that Crowland Pro frequentibus miraculis c. In respect of the frequent miracles of the most holy Confessor S. Guthlac is alwaies a fertil mother amongst the vinyards of Engaddi And that God by apparant myracles of S. Guthlac hath vouch saffed to shew his mercie To which Charter subscribe the king An. 851. with the whole consent as he saith of the Parliament then gathered against the Danes Archb. Ceolreth six Bishops two Duks three Earles and diuers others And Ingulph addeth that in the ParliameÌ„t the Archb. Ceolreth and diuers others Manie cured miraculously in the Parliament as well Prelats as Nobles were sodenly and miraculously cured of a kinde of palsie which at that time much offended England and ther vpon omnes ad visitandum c. All presently bound them selues in conscience by a most strict vowe to visit in a deuout Pilgrimage with all possible speede the most sacred tombe of the most blessed Saint Guthlac at Crowland The vvhole parliament vovveth pilgrimage What now will Fox say against this cloud of witnesses omni exceptione maiores Will he say as Ministers vse to say of Priests and Monks that they forged these miracles for gaine But this were madnes to say of such great Kings and Princes or will he say that they were deceaued Fox his confusion But some of them were eye witnesses and some of them were such in whome the miracles were wrought as the Archbishop and Bishop of London who testifie the same in their subscription But by this the indifferent Reader may both perceaue what credit he may giue to the miracles of other Saints and with what impudence without any testimony to the contrary they are denyed of Fox and such like And therfore I will not make any more Apology hereafter for the miracles which I shall rehearse but only cite my Authors from whome I haue them King Ethelard VIII 13. KIng Ina going to Rome An. 728. as Florent hath Chron. left his Kingdome to Ethelard Valour of K. Ethelard who held it most quietly saith Malmsb. lib. 1. c. 2. 14. yeares he was saith Malmsb. Cosin to King Ina and a valiant Prince His Rom. Religion His roman religion appeareth both by that King Ina so notorious a Papist chose him to whome he would commit his kingdome as appeareth by Beda lib. 5. cap. 7. and also by other things which are by Protestants confessed of the religion of this time In this Kings time died S. Egbert Priest Anno 729. Saints Ex Beda lib. 3. cap. 27. vvho led saith he his life in great perfection of humility and meeknes continency innocencie and righteousnes and conuerted the Scotts to the right obseruation of Easter And S. Beda himselfe that glorious doctor of our English Church the flower of Christianity at that time for vertue and learning of whose high praises giuen to him by Protestants and of his perfect roman Religion I haue said ynough before Here only I will adde the Elogy of Malmsb. lib. 1. cap. 3. Bedam saith he mirari facilius c you may sooner admire then vvorthly praise Beda vvho liuing in the farthest corner of the vvorld vvith the flash of his doctrine haue a light to all Nations Here vvit faileth vvords are vvanting vvhile I cannot tell vvhat most to commend vvhither the muâ—â—â—tude of his volums Florent VVestmon Anno. 734. Huntingt lib. 4. or the sobriety of his stile For doubtles the diuine vvisdome had vvith no sparing draught giueÌ„ him to drinck that in so short a scaÌ„tling of his life could perfect so huge voluÌ„es The report of his name vvas so famous that the cheefest in Rome had neede of him for the resoluing of doubtfull questions And much more there of his holines VVriters Procure their vvorks to be approued of the Pope Where also he addeth that he died anoiled and hovvseled The like hath Florent and Westmon Anno 734. and Hunting lib. 4. Caius de antiq Canterb. pag. 138. proueth that Beda went to Rome and there read his bookes coram Romana Ecclesia Before the Church of Rome and then gaue them to other to copie forth vvhich vvas saith he ordinarie in the Ecclesiasticall vvriters of that age to deliuer their vvorks first to the Pope of Rome to be examined K. Ceolvvolph a Monke In this Kings time Anno 737. as is in the Epitome of Beda Ceolwolfe King of Northumberland to whome Beda dedicated his history left his Kingdome and became a Monke And as Malmsb. 1. Reg. cap. 3. florished with miracles And about the same time Frigedida Queene of the west-Saxons went to Rome Hunting lib. 4. pag. 340. Q Frigedida a pilgrim Godwin in the Bish of Salsbery which at that time saith Beda lib. 5. cap. 4. And Hunting Deuotion of English in going to Rome l. cit many English men both of the nobilitie and coÌ„mons spirituall teÌ„poral vvere wont to vse vvith 〈◊〉 emulation In this Kings time also about the year 730. as Godwin hath in the Bishops of Oxford though Capgraue in her life say 750. liued the holy Virgin S. Frideswid S. Fridesvvida who flying to saue her maydenhood from Prince Algarus he was miraculously strooke blind Cambd. in Brit p. 331. and she after became Abbesse of a nonry built by her Father DidaÌ„ These dayes were so far from Protestancy and so manifestly Catholicke as Bale Cent. 1. cap. 93. saith they were pessima tempora pubescente Antichristo Very bad time vvhen Antichrist grevv to riper yeares And Centur. 2. cap. 6. writeth of Cymbertus an English Bishop of S. Bedas time After the custome of the rest in the same age he taught and coÌ„mended the Roman customs to be obserued in his Churches And Fulke Annot. in Hebr. 10. saith Beda liued in a superstitious time long after Antichrist did opeÌ„ly shevv himself And 1. Petri
3. Beda vvas carried avvay vvith the errors and corruptions of his time Fox Acts pag. 126. calleth this time a Monkish age And S. Ceolfrid maister to S. Beda a Shaueling So plainly do they confesse England this time to haue bene Roman Catholicke King Cuthred IX 14. IN the yeare 741. as Florent hath in Chron. Anno. 740. Malmsb. in Fastis succeeded king Cuthred and died saith Hunting lib. 4. and Malmsb. lib. cit the 15. yeare of his reign He was Cosin as Florent and Malmsb. and others say as Westmon hath brother to king Ethelard The valour of K. Cuthred and was as Hunting lib. cit and Houeden pag. 408. Rex magnus A puissant King and mightie Prince famous for his prosperous reign and victories His Rom. Religion His Roman religion is manifest both by that which hath bene saide of the former King and also because in his time as Stow saith Chron. pag. 88. Pope Zacharie wrote a letter hither wherin he threatned to excommunicat them that would not amend their incontinent life The Pope threatneth to excommunicate ill liuers in England S Richard K. a pilgrim and his tvvo sonnes and daughter Which was read in presence of the King and Nobles no man thinking that the Pope tooke more vpon him than he might In this kings time S. Richard forsoke his Kingdom and Contrie and went on Pilgrimage to Rome and died by the way at Luca. His two sonnes S. Willibald and Winnibald and his holy daughter S. Walburg following their Fathers example left also their estates and Contrie and went into Germanie to help Surius tom 1. Baron An. 750. S. Boniface their Kinsman in the conuersion of that Nation King Sigibert X. 15. IN the yeare 754. as Malmsb. hath in Fastis succeeded King Sigibert who as Malmsb. saith 1. Reg cap. 2. after a yeare was deposed by the consent of all for his naughtines In his time An. 754. saith Beda in Epit. Sigebert in Chron and others was S. Boniface an English man and Apostle of Germany martyred in Frisland with 53. more of his company This blessed Saint and great ornament of our Nation Bale Cent. 1. cap. 79. saith was very superstitious Saints and martyrs See the manie and highe praises of this S. Boniface both of Catholiks and Protestants ancient and nevv in Sacrariâ—s d rebus moguntin lib. 3 not 57. 58. 59. and brought the Germans to Papistrie And other where saith was next to Antichrist meaning after his maner the Pope Fox Acts pag. 128. calleth him Martyr of God Stow Chron. pag. 85. saith He was martyred for the profession of Christ and his holy Gospel Cooper pag. 716. The Germans about this tyme receaued by Boniface the faith of Christ And yet was this Boniface so notorious a Papist as Fox pag. 129. termeth him a great setter vp and vphoulder of Poperie Bale Cent. 1. cap. 79. plainly saith he brought the Germans ad Papisticam fidem to the Papistical faith And Cent. 13. cap. 3. citeth these wordes of Boniface out of his epistle to the Pope How many scollers or disciples so euer God hath giuen me in this my Legacie I cease not to incline to the obedience of the See Apostolick Surius tom 3. Serrarius de rebus Moguntin He imposed saith Bale single life vpon Priests By this much more in his life in Surius and Baron Tom. 9. yow may see what religion England then professed from whence S. Boniface and all his fellow laborers in Germany did come King Kinulph XI 16. IN the yeare 755. as Malmsb. in Fastis Florent in Chron and others agree succeeded king kinulph and reigned 29. yeares as Malmsb. hath in Fastis died An. 784. ex Florent The valour of K. Kinulph Malmsb. in his Historie saith 31. years Houed writeth the same Malmsb. 1. Reg. cap. 2. Clarus morum compositione militiaeque gestis Honorable both for his vertuous behauiour warlick prowes The like hath Hunting lib. 4. and Houed pag. 408. Cooper Chron. An. 748. saith the vertue of this man surpassed his fame The Roman religion of this king is euident by his Charter set downe by Godwin in the Bishops of Bath in these words His Rom. Religion Ego Kenulphus I Kinulph King of the VVest-Saxons will bestow a peece of Land Good deeds for satisfactioÌ„ of sinnes humbly ascribing it for the loue of God and satisfaction of my sinnes with consent of my Prelats and Nobles to Gods blessed Apostle and seruant S. Andrew Which kind of gifte is contrary to the foundation of Protestancie as is before shewed oute of Fox Abbots and others And Fox Acts pag. 130. addeth that about the yeare 780. which was in this kings tyme Pope Adrian ratified and confirmed by reuelation the order of S. Gregories masse VVhen S. Greg. order of Masse became vniuersall At what time saith he this vsuall Masse of the Papists began to be vniuersall and vniforme and generally receaued in all Churches In this Kings time Egbert or Edbert King of Northumberland leauing his Kingdom became a Monke K. Eadbert a Monke Epitom Bedae An. 758. Florent Westmon An. 757. Malmsb. 1. Reg. cap. 3. Stow Chron. pag. 93. Fox Acts. pag. 131. In this Kings time An. 781. also died Werburga quondam saith Florent sometime Queene to Ceolred King of Merchland Q. VVerburg a Nonne By which kind of speech he insinuateth that theÌ„ she was a Nonne which is plainly affirmed by Houeden pag. 404. And in Germany liued S. Lullus S. Burcardus S. Willebald Saints S. Liobe and many other English both men and women disciples of this forsaid S. Boniface who with vertuous life and miracles planted there the Catholick Roman faith which they carried with them out of England King Bithricus XII 17. THe 12. Christian King was Bithricus who began his reigne An. 784. and reigned 16. yeares as Malmsb. saith 1. Reg. 2. and in Fastis The vertues of K. Bithricus and dyed An. 800. He was saith he pacis quam belli studiosior more desirous of peace than of war Ethelwerd l. 3. calleth him Regem pijssimum A most godly Prince His Rom. Religion Cooper An. 778. saith he Knightly ruled the Land His Roman religion is most notorious For as Hunting lib. 3. Houed pag. 404. Westmon An. 739. and others write Popes legats honorably receaued of all England in his tyme came Legats into England from Pope Adrian antiquam say they renouantes c. renewing the ancient League and Catholick saith who were honorably receaued both of the Prelats and Princes and held a Councell at Cealtid ex Houed pag. 410. Besides he maried the daughter of King Offa K. Offa and King Kenred become monks Peter pence Hunting lib. 4. pag. 342. Houed pag. 409. Bale Cent. 2. cap. 15. who in his time left his Kingdom went to Rome with Kenred King of Northumberland and there bound his Kingdom to pay the Peter pence and finally became a
Monke as Fox writeth lib. 2. pag. 3. and pag. 129. and others Besides of this King Offa Stow writeth pag. 89. that he caused the reliques of S. Alban to be taken vp and put in a Shrine Malmsb. 2. Reg. cap. 4. and adorned with gould and pretious stones and builded there a Prinely Monasterie His Charter saith he is dated An. 793. with the witnesse of him selfe his sonne Egferd 9. Kings 15. Bishops 10. Dukes c. By which we may clearly perceaue the Roman faith of all our Nation then Westmon also An. 794. Telleth how King Offa with the counsell of his Bishops sent to the Pope to haue priuiledges for that Monasterie Pope confirmeth our Kings Charters and the Pope answered that he should grante what he thought conuenient Et nos saith the Pope And we by our priuiledg will confirme our originall And as Paris hath An. 794. Manie Princes became monks He excepted it from all iurisdiction of Bishop or Archbishop subiected it immediatly to the See of Rome His diebus saith Bale Cent. 2. cap 15. In these dayes many Princes in England with shauing tooke vpon them the profession of Monks In this Kings time An. 793. was the Innocent and holy King Ethelbert of east-East-England slaine S. Ethelbert K. Ethelrida his spouse an Anchoresse Malmsb. in Fastis 1. Reg. cap. 5. Florent Chron. Stow pag 74. Fox Acts. pag. 129. And Etheltida his espouse daughter of King Offa made her selfe an Ancoresse or recluse ex Ingulph In this tyme also was found the body of S. VVithburg daughter of King Anna after 55. yeares buriall ex Florent An. 798. S. Fremund K. In his tyme also liued S. Fremund King and sonne to King Offa Vir saith Cambd. in Brit. pag. 500. magni nominis A man of a worthy name and singuler pietie towards God was canonized for a Saint And Rictrith iamdudum Regina tunc Abbattissa obijt Q Rictrith Nonne Rictrith somtime a Queene then Abbesse dyed Houed An. 786. And An. 799. died Osbald then Abbot K. Osbald Monke Saints but once King of Northumberland Houed Ibid. In this time also died S. Lull Archbishop of Mentz whome not onely Malmsb. lib. 1. Reg. cap. 4. but Bale also Cent. 13. cap. 56. commendeth saying he was homo tum eruditionis c. A man of approoued learning and sanctitie and gaue him selfe as an example of vertue to the Gentills that had any inclination to the Christian faith And yet was he scoller and successor to Saint Boniface that famous Papist Ibid. cap. 57. Bale calleth Saint Burchard his fellowe Virum pium ac religiosum a godly and religious man And cap. 70. he saith that S. Wilhad Archb. of Brome and fellow laborer with them Martirij desiderio pro Rom. Ecclesia flagrabat Burnt with desire of Martirdome for the Church of Rome English desire to die for the Church of Rome In his time also liued that great Clerck Alcuin Confessor to Charles the Great of whome ynough hath bene sayd before 18. Thus thou seest Christian Reader how clearly the Catholick Roman religion hath bene deduced through all those our first Christian Kings for the space of the first 200. yeares after our conuersion from Paganisme to Christianity The effects of Catholike religiō in our nation in 200. years And what notable contempt of the world and holines of life it bred in that time in our Kings Queenes Princes Ten Kings Saints in 200 yaers Clergy and Commons in so much that ten of those Kings that then were are now accounted Saints To wit Ethelbert Fourtene Kings Monks or Pilgrims Edwin Oswald Oswi Sebbi Sigebert another Sigebert Richard Ethelbrit Fremund And fourteene of them forsaking their Kindomes either became Monks or went on Pilgrimages to Rome namely Kinegilsus Centwin Cedwall Ina Sebby Offa VVho vvold not aduenture his soule sooner vvith thes holie Kings Queens and Princes than vvith one boye and a VVomā Princes Cōfessors See marcellin in vit Simbert Princes martyrs Sigebert Ethelred Coenred another Offa Cealwolph Eadbert Kenred Osbald to whome I may adde Oswin preuented by death And 13. Queenes nonnes to wit Bathildis Ethelreda Sexburg kineswith espouse to King Offa Eadburg Eua Emenild Edelburg Ethelburg Canfled Cuthburg VVerburg Erigedida Rictirth to whome I may add Heseswid mother to King Adolph Besides many Kings sonnes as Sighord VVillibald VVinnibald Merefin Adelbert and many more whose names we know not And many Princes Martyrs as Ruffin VVulfhale Elbert Egbrigh and one Confessor S. Pumold And many Kings and Queenes daughters that became nonnes as Edelburg Eartongath Sedrido VVithburg Kings daughters Mildred Milhith VValburg Etheldrida 19. Could such admirable contempt of the world spring from the Diuels religion or rather from his who in our baptisme bindeth vs to renounce the world and pomps therof Can grapes spring of thorns Could so great vertue and holines of life rise from the Diuel the vtter enemy of vertue or rather from God from whome as S. Iames saith commeth all goodnes Can Protestants imagin that God reuealed his truth to them and hid it from so great Saints and seruants of his as those were Did God hide his truth from those vertuous princes and reueal it to a boy and a vvoman who sought it so diligently folowed it so earnestly and as S. Iames speaketh by their workes haue shewed their faith and yet notwithstāding perished euerlastinglie as no doubt must needes be both thought and said if Protestants religion be the only truth of Christ and Christs truth the only way as no doubt it is to saluation No hope of saluation to our Ancestors if the Cath. faith be not the faith of Christ And therfore how soeuer some Ministers say that they will not iudge their Forfathers they cannot but thinke that these holy Princes and their people are damned which they are a shamed to say or that there are diuers wayes to heauen which is right Atheisme or rather Antichristianisme For if ther be any other way to heauen than that which Christ taught we make Christ a lyar But let them thinck as they list I hope all men that are carefull of their saluation and withall consider that as ther is but one God and one Christ so ther is but one baptisme and one faith to wit the Catholick which who keepeth not intirely shall perish euerlastingly will both thinck and say Moriatur anima mea morte iustorum Athan. in Symbolo fiant nouissima mea horum similia Let my soule die the death of the iust and let my end belike to these men And now let vs goe from the Kings of a part of England to the Monarchs of the whole CHAP. XXIIII That all the Kings of England from the Monarchy to the Conquest vvere Roman Catholicks proued in particuler King Egbert XIII 1. THe thirtenth Christian King of the west-Saxons and first that reduced England to a Monarchy was King
Egbert who began his reign An. 800. reigned 37. yeares died An. 837. He was saith Malmsb. lib. 1. Reg. cap. 2. worthely to be preferred before all Kings The vvorthines of K. Egbert 1 Monarch of EnglaÌ„d And lib. 2. cap. 1. Regis Inae abnepos King Ina his great grandchild by his brother Inegilse suldued the mindes of his subiects by clemencie and meeknes and left his sonne great occasions of commendations Houed hist pag. 407. saith he was Vir strenuissimus ac Potens most stout and puissant And as all our English Cronicles testifie in his time subdued all the rest of our English Kings Hunting l. 4. VVallos vicit sabdued the VVelchmen Florent An. 836. Danos fugat Put to flight the Danes The Roman Catholick religioÌ„ of this victorious Prince is euideÌ„t His Rom. Religion First because he suffered his sonne and heir Ethelwolph to be a Monke and subdeacon as both Catholicks and ProtestaÌ„ts affirme Godwin in the Bishops of Winchester saith it is certain Wherby saith Bale Cent. 2. cap 20. He became the Popes Creature by both professions Secondly because he committed his said sonne Ethelwolf to S. Swithin to be taught as testifieth Florent An. 827. Gotzelin and Godwin in vit Swithini Surius tom 4. And as addeth Gotzelin inter precipuos amicos numerauit reconed him in number of his especiall freinds Now this Swithin was a Roman Catholick For as Bale l. cit granteth he was a Monke and as Malmsb. lib. 2. Pont Gotzelin l. cit Westmon An. 862. and others report wrought miracles by the signe of the Crosse is canonised by the Papists for a Saint Thirdly because K. Kenulf who in his time was King of midlengland as Malmsb. saith lib. 1. Reg. Nulli ante se Regi Nothing inferior in power and religion to any King before him and whose praises shal be aduanced on high so long as there is found any indifferent iudg in England writing with all his Bish and nobilitie to Pope Leo beginneth his letter thus Domino beatissimo To my most holy Lord and wel beloued Lord Leo the Roman Bishop of the holy Apostolick See Kenulf by the grace of God King of Merchland with the Bishops Dukes all Degrees of honor within our DominioÌ„s with health of most sincere affection in Christ Infra The sublmity of the See of Rome is our helth The prosperitie of Rome the ioy of England the prosperitie therof our coÌ„tinuall ioy Because whence yow haue your Apostolicall dignitie thence had we the knowledge of the true faith VVherfor I thinck it fit that the eare of our obedience be humbly inclined vnto your holy commaÌ„dements with our whole forces to fulfill what shal be thought coÌ„uenieÌ„t by your holines to performe But now I Kenulf by the grace of God K. humbly beseech your ExcelleÌ„cie to receaue me in quiet peace into your holines lap whome no meanes of merits do support let the large abouÌ„daÌ„ce of your blessing enrich for the gouermeÌ„t of his people that almightie God by your intercessioÌ„ may together with me encorage the Nation against the inuasion of forren foes which your Apostolical authoritie hath imbued with the rudemeÌ„ts of the Christian faith Rome taught England the faith All K. Kenulphs Predecessors had the popes blessing This blessing haue all the Kings who swayed the Mercian scepter deserued to obtaine at your Predecessors hands this same do I in humble maÌ„ner request desire to obtain of yow most holy Father first by way of adoptioÌ„ to receaue me as your child as I loue yow in the persoÌ„ of a Father shall embrace yow with the whole force of obedience Againe he saith Excellentiae vestrae VVe in most humble manner beseech your Excellencie to whome the key of wisdome is giuen by God Again VVith great humility also affectioÌ„ we haue writteÌ„ these to yow most holy Pope Our K. and Peers vvrite vvith great humilitie to the Pope beseeching in most earnest wise your ClemeÌ„cie kindly iustly to answer these things vvhich vve haue bene vrged to propound VVe send yovv here as a smale token of my louing minde that is 120. Mancuzes vvith letters requesting yovv to accept therof in good part vouchsafe to bestovv your blessing vpon vs. And the Pope answering him saith â—hat this K. professed to be willing to lose his life for him acknowledged saith the Pope that Nostris Apostolicis c. That no Christian presumeth to goe against our Apostolicall Decrees Yea Fox p. 132. speaking of this K. the others before him saith They wanted the knowledg doctrin in Christ especially in the Article of free iustification in faith Which p. 840. he termeth the foundation of the Church and all Christianitie and therfor saith he they ran the vvrong vvay And so concludeth that Protestants truth was hidden to our forancestors In which I verily beleeue him King Ethelwolph XIIII 2. THe 14. Christian King was Ethelwolph sonne to the forsaid King Egbert who began his reign An. 837. and reigned 20. yeares and od monethes He was saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 2. by nature gentil and more desirous of peace than of war Vertues and valour of K. Ethelvvolph And yet saith Malmsb. l. cit Danos non semel per se suos Duces contudit The Danes he ouercame more than once by him selfe and his Generalls And besides other victories at Okley in Surey slew so many Danes saith Floren and westmon An. 851. Houed pag. 413. and others as neuer was heard in one Realme and at one time nether before nor after His Roman religion is most notorious His Rom. Religion First by that which hath bene said in the life of his Father Secondly because he procured a dispensation of the Pope becausâ— he had byn a Monke and subdeacon that he might marry which Pope Malmsb. 1. Pont. saith was Leo 3. Bale Centur. 2 cap 20. saith was Gregor 4. others say Leo 4. Thirdly he first sent his sonne Alfred to Rome to be instructed saith Westmon An. 854. of the Pope in manners and religion Kings sonne sent to be instructed of the Pope And after went himselfe and staied at Rome a yeare and ther as all Catholicke and Protestant Cronicles confesse bound all England to pay the Peter pence Ethelvv lib. 3. cap. 3 Stovv pag. 89 Coper An. 852. Houeden pag. 415. Huntingt lib. 5 Ingulp pag. 862. VVestmon An â—57 VVhat maÌ„â—uâ—a is And as Bale pag. 116. speaketh Prouinciam suam c. He made his Countrey tributarie to the Roman Synagog so sayth he was all England made subiect to the Roman Beast Besides this he appointed euery yeare 300. Mancuzes which were as Caius saith lib. 2. de antiq cantab. pag. 287. thirty pence a peece to be sent to Rome wherof one hundred should buy oile for light in S. Peters Church and one hundred for the same vse in S. Pauls and one hundred should be
giuen saith Florent Anno. 855. Vniuersali Papae Apostolico To the Vniuersall Apostolicke Pope The same hath Fox lib. 3. p. 136. Fourthly he gaue saith Fox to holy Church and religious men the tenth of his goods and Lands in VVest-Saxons with liberty and fredom from all seruice and ciuil charge And Fox setteth downe his Charter in these wordes Ego Ethelwolphus c. The faith of King Ethelvvolph and his Nobleâ— I Ethelwolph King of the VVest Saxons with the coÌ„sent of my Prelats Nobles will grant an hereditarie portion of my land to be foreuer possessed by God the blessed S. Marie and all the Saints of God Behould how the King by the aduise of his Bishops and Nobles giueth Land to God and his Saints and to what purpose himselfe declareth in these words following For the redemption of our soules Good deeds for remission of sinnes for the remission of our sinnes Which intention as yow heard before out of Abbots Fox is contrary to the Protestants Gospell And therfore Fox vpoÌ„ these words saith Note the blind ignorance and erroneous teaching in these dayes and addeth that they were led with pernicious doctrine to set remission of sinnes and remedie of soules in this donation and such other deedes of their deuotion And further the King saith VVestmon An â—54 as Malmsb. testifieth lib. 2. cap. 2. Placuit Episcopis cum c. It hath pleased the Bishops with the Abbots and the seruants of God to apoint that all our brethren and sisters in euery Church shall sing on wensday in euery weeke fifty psalmes K. Ethelvvolph requireth Masses for him aliue and dead and euery Priest two Masses one for King Ethelwolph another for his Dukes coÌ„senting to this gift for their reward remissioÌ„ of their trespasses And for the K. liuing let them say Oremus Deus qui iustificas c. For the Duke also liuing also PraeteÌ„de Domine c But after their death for the K. alone for the Dukes deceassed iointly together this be so firmly ordained throughout al the daies of Christianitie euen as their libertie is established so loÌ„g as faith increaseth in the English Nation This Charter of Donation was written in the yeare of our Lords Incarn 844. Indict 4. the fift day of Nouemb. in the Citie of VVinchester in the Church of S. Peter before the head Altar And this they did for the honor of S. Michael the Archangell also for the blessed Marie Q. the glorious mother of God of S. Peter the Prince of the Apostles and in like maÌ„ner of our most holy Father Pope Greg. and of all Saints In this Chapter I note how K. Ethelvvolph coÌ„manded not in spiritual matters not the King but Bish apoint Priests to pray say Masses for him and that S. Peter is called Prince of the Apostles the other points of Papistry therin are more euideÌ„t than that I neede to point to them All England Papist in K Ethelvvolhps time And yet as Ingulph saith p. 862. to this chapter subscribed all the Archb. Bishops of England K. Bardred King Edmund after martyr and Princes of a part of EnglaÌ„d vnder King Ethelwolph Abbots Abbesses Dukes Countes and nobles of the whole LaÌ„d innumerable multitude of other people By which we may see the vniuersall faith of our Contry of that time And in a Charter of King Berthulphus in Ingulph p. 861. The King praieth God Quatenus pro intercessione Guthlaci c That through the intercessioÌ„ of S. Guthlack and all the Saints he would forgiue me all my people our sinnes Pardon of sinnes asked by intercession of Saints In this Kings time An. 850. S. WolstaÌ„ nephew to two KK was vniustly murdered and afterward honored by God with miracles FloreÌ„t Chronic. Saints Also S. Ieron an English Priest martyred in Holand An. 849. Bale Cent. 13. cap 75. In this K. time also liued one Offa K. of Eastengland who leauing his Kingdome and trauailing to the holy land in ould Saxonie from whence our Nation came into England elected S. Edmund for his heire and sent him into EnglaÌ„d Capgraue in vit Edmundi Florent An. 855. Houed pag. 415. Stow pag. 76. King Ethelbald XV. 3. THe 15. K. was Ethelbald eldâ—st sonne to K. Ethelwolph who began his reign An. 857. and reigned fiue yeares He was at first dissolut and naught as yow may see in Malmsb. lib. 2 cap. 3. But peracta poenitentia saith Westmon Anno. 859. Hauing done pennance all the time he liued after he gouerned the Kingdom with peace and iustice Wherfore Hunting lib. 5. pag. 348. calleth him optimae indolis aeuenem a youth of very great towardnes saith that all England bewailed his death King Ethelbert XVI 4. THe 16. king was Ethelbert brother to the former begaÌ„ his raigne An. 862. as Malmsb. hath in Fastis and held the gouerment fiue yeares He was saith Ingulph pag. 863. Valour of K. Ethelbert Validissimus adolescens A most valiant yong man and an inuincible triumpher ouer the Danes he stoutly for fiue yeares space gouerned the Kingdome Malmsb. 2. Reg. cap. 3. saith he ruled strenuè dulciterque Manfully and sweetly Houed pag. 405. saith pacifice amabiliter peaceably and gently In this Kings time died S. Swithin Anno 862. Florent Westmon in Chron. Saints As for the Roman religion of these two Princes His Rom. Religion that appeareth both by what hath bene said of their Father and what shal be said of their two brothers King Ethelred XVII 5. THe 17. king was Ethelred 3. sonne to king Ethelwolfe Who began his reign saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 3. Anno 867. and reigned 5. yeares as his brothers did Fortitude and pietie of K Ethelred Of him and his brethren Malmsb. saith They bouldly and stoutly entred battel for their Country and addeth that this king besides ordinary skirmishes fought 9. picht Battels in one yeare against the Danes nine battells in one yeare was oftener Conqueror And that he slewe one king of them 9. Earlers and innumerable people which also testify Ethelwerd lib. 4. cap. 12. Hunting lib. 5. Cambd. in Brit. saith He was Princeps longe optimus Couper Anno 863. satih he was among his subiects mild gentle pleasant against his aduersaries seuere fierce and hardie Of this Fox lib. 3. pag. 141. telleth that being to ioine batell with the Danes Miracle in confirmation of Masse his brother Alfred gaue the onset while the King saith Fox was at seruice and meditations and albeit word were brought him that his brother had the worst yet would he not saith Fox stir one foote before the seruice was fully coÌ„plet And addeth that through the grace of God and their godly manhood the King coÌ„ming from his seruice recouered the victory slew as Ethelwerd who as himself saith desceÌ„ded of that K. lib. 4. c. 2. saith one King Marueilous victorie fiue
Earles And that I may say so saith Ethelwerd almost all the chiefest youth of the Barbarians that nether befor nor after was there such a slaughter heard of since the English entred Britanie England defended by deuotion to Masse See yow heere this meruailous and miraculous victorie cōfessed by Fox to be obtained by the grace of God and the deuotion of the King to his seruice But what seruice this was which God would thus approue by so miraculous a victorie and by which England was then defended from destruction of Danes Fox was ashamed to tell But our ancient Historiographers Florent VVestmon An. 871. Houed part 1. pag. 416. saith plainly it vvas Masse said by a Priest K. Ethelreds Rom Religion Which alone sufficeth both to shew that this King was a Roman Catholicke and that Masse is diuine seruice Saints Besides that Malmsb. writeth that this King entred battel cruce Dei consignatus Signed vvith the crosse of God And as Fox saith and Godwin in the Bishops of Exeter he builded the Abbey of Exeter In this Kings time An. 870. ex Malmsb. vvas holy King Edmund Cooper saith Anno. 869. slaine of the Danes because he vvould not forsake the faith of Christ VVestmon 870. K. Edmūd His brother Edvvald The same hath Fox pag. 140. Florent Anno 870. Of his great miracles wrought after his death yow may see in his life in Surius Tom. 6. His brother and heire Edwald saith Fox l. cit and Capgraue in vit Edwald became an heremit Duke Fremūd Fremūd also saith Bale Cent. 2. cap. 22. sonne of Algarus Duke of the VVest-Saxons a beutifull yong man and only sonne relinquished the gouernment of the common welth which his parents left him that he might follow Burchard the Monke and was after as Capgr saith in his life slaine of the same Danes which slew S. Edmund Chastitie of S. Ebbe and her Nonnes In this time also S. Ebbe saith Stow Chron. p. 101. Abbesse of Couldingham cut of her nose and vpper lippe and perswaded all the sisters to do the like to keepe her virginitie from the Danes VVestmon An. 870. who therupon burnt the Abbey and Nonnes therin King Alfred the great XVIII 6. THe next K. was Alfred the fourth sonne of K. Ethelwolfe who as Malm. hath l. 2. c. 4. begā his reign An. 872. ruled 28. years a half The vvorthines of K Alfred crovvned of the Pope He alone of all our Kings saith Fox l. 3. p. 141. took his crown vnctiō of the Pope And that we may see how God blessed him whome his vicar crouned and anointed he alone for his admirable deedes both in war peace is sirnamed the Great And the praise which not onely Catholicks but also Protestants giue vnto him in all kinde of vertues surpasse in my iudgement the praises of all Christian kings that euer haue bene But for breuitie sake I will content my self with the praises giuen to him by Protestants who yow may be assured knowing him to be so manifest a Roman Catholick as shall appeare anon would giue him no more than he deserueth Cambden Cambd. in Brit. pag. 243. and 331. calleth him Clarissimum pientissimum Regem Bale A most renouned and godly King Bale Cent. 2. cap. 26. saith he was Egregiae indobis formae adolescens A yong man of a notable towardnes and bewtie born vnto learning and vertue He called for the best learned men to be his Counsellers and instructers Eight howers euery day he spent in reading writing and disputing He gouerned all things with an excceeding good wit and with singular prouidencie He was esteemed an Architecter and most perfect Geometrian a Gramarian a Philosopher a Rhethorician an Historian Musitian and no vulgar Poet. Three Colledges he founded at Oxford one for Gramarians an other for Philosophers the third for Diuines Of studyes and the common welth he best deserued Cooper An. 872. Of faire stature and comely personage and no lesse renowned in martiall pollicie than ciuil gouernment Stow Chron. pag. 105. Victorious Prince studious prouident for widowes Orphans and poore people endued with wisdome iustice fortitude and temperance a most discreete sercher of truth a most vigilant and deuout Prince in the seruice of God and deuided the day and the night into three equal portions wherof the one he spent in studie prayer and such things as belonged to his minde and soule the other in eating sleeping and other excercise of the body the third in the affaires of the common VVelth Fox Fox lib. 3. pag. 141. saith Amongst all the Saxon Kings hitherto is found none to be preferred or all most to be cōpared with this Alfred for the great and singuler qualities in this King worthie of high renown whither we behould his valiant acts and manifould trauells for his Contrie or his godly and excellent vertues ioyned with a publick and tender care of the weale publick or whither we respect his notable knowledg of good letters with a feruent desire to set forth the same throughout all his Realme And p. 143. 145. giueth him high praises for continence valour and learning concluding thus This valiant vertuous and learned Prince Christianly gouerned his realme And much more with great admiration of this King which yow may read in him and in Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 4. Hunting lib. 5. Ethelwerd lib. 4. Ingulfe Florent pag. 309. VVestmon Chron. Houed p. 417. and others His learning 7. Onely I will out of them note some of his vertuos Fortitude Of his great learning is spoken before For his valour Bale Cent. 3. cap. 43. saith he fougt 57. tymes with the Danes Cambd. in Brit. pag. 213. Nobili praelio contudit and pag. 444. VVisdom Danos contudit ad libitum He repressed the Danes at his pleasur And as Malmsb. and others testifie made them become Christians or forswere the Realme Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 4. VVestmon An. 892. For his gouernment saith Caius de Antiq. Cantab. pag. 328. Christianissimas leges scripsit promulgauit He writ and promulgated most Christian lawes and caused such peace as he made braslets of gould be hung vp in the high way vvhich none durst touch Chastitie For his chastitie it was such that as Cooper An. 872. after many Catholick writters testifieth he desired of God sicknes that he might not offend against chastitie As for his pietie and deuotion it was such as Florent Westmon An. 871. and others write Missam audire quotidie Deuotion The religion of K. Alfred That he daylie heard masse and sayd his houres and Matins and in the night season vnknovvn to all his seruāts he frequēted Churches to heare seruice Which alone sufficeth to shew his Catholick Roman religiō But besids this Bale Fox l. cit Stow p. 99. Caius l. cit p. 325. confesse he was crowned anoinred of Pope Leo as Bale saith
Saints Houed Iornelacensis others more as Fox confesseth p. 148. who dayly song masse for the quiet rest of the soules departed King Ewmund XXI 10. THe 21. Christian King was Edmund sonne to the forsaid Edward who began saith Malmesb. An. 940. VVorthines of K Edmund and reigned six yeares and a halfe He was saiâ—h Cooper An. 940. and Stow p. 108. a man by nature diâ—posed to noblenes and iustice Huntin lib. 5. calleth him inuictum vnconquered saith omnia illi faeliciter successisse all things fel out happily to him And Fox lib. 3. pag. 130. writeth that he achiued noble victories against his enemies and set his studie in maintaining redressing the state of the Church which stoode all then in building of Monasteries Churches His Religion and furnishing them with new possessions and restoring the ould Infra In the time of this king Edward or shortlie after Strait life vsed for merit sake hardnes restraint of life with superstition were had in veneration men for merit sake with God gaue theÌ„selues to leade a streight life which alone would suffice to shew of what religion this King was Besides that as Stow saith p. 108. Florent An. 942. Westmon An. 940. Houed p. 423. he was altogether couÌ„selled lead by S. Dunstan at whose request he reedifyed Glossenburie and made S. Dunstâ—n Abbot therof with a Chapter extant in Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 7. He granteth many priuilâ—dges to Glossenburie for hope of aeternall reward and forgiuenes of his sinnes In thiâ— Kings time liued his wife S. Elfegia who saith Ethelwerd lib. 4. cap. 6. was canonized after her death Saints and miracles wrought at her tombe King Edred XII 11. The 22. Christian King was Edred third sonne of King Edward He entred An. 946. and held the crowne nine yeares and a halfe as Malmsb. hath lib. 2. cap. 7. The vvorthines of K. Edred and his vertue His magnanimitie saith he did not degenerat from his Father and brethren He subdued the Northumbers and Scotts He humbled himselfe to the feete of holie men deuoted his life to God and S. Dunstan by whose counsell he made his court a schoole of vertue Thus Malm. Cooper An. 946. Stow Chron. pag. 108. saith he was a great maintainer of honestie most abhorred naughty vnruly persons in feats of armes much commended wherby he kept in obeissance the Northumbers and Scotts and exiled the Danes His religion As for his Roman religion ther can be no doubt For as Fox writeth pag. 152. He was much ruled by the Counsell of S. Dunstan in so much as in histories he is reported to haue subiected himself to much pennance inflicted on him by S. Dunstan Such zelous deuotion saith he was then in Princes And as Florent An. 955. Malmsb. l. cit Houed pag. 423. Westmon An. 955. write when he fel sick Accersiuit c. he sent for blessed Dunstan his confessor Ingulph saith Aboue all the Kings his Predecessors he had the purest conscience and a spetiall deuotion to S. Paul And p. 876. he citeth his Chapter in the which he erected a new the Abbey of Crowland as he saith In the regard of the redemption of my soule and is sory that by the destruction of that monasterie prayers for the soules of the kings his prodecessors haue bene intermitted To which Chapter subscribe two Arcbishops 4. Bishops many Abbots and Earles And Stow pag. 198. saith the King sealed this Charter with seales of gould King Edwin XXIII 12. IN the yeare 955. saith Malmsb. l. 2. c. 7. succeded Edwin sonne to king Edmund reigned 4. yeares He was so bewtifull as Ethelwerd lib. 4. c. 8. saith he was commonly called Pancalus but as Malmsb. he abused his bewty to lewdnes for which and for banishing of S. Dunstan writeth Cooper An. 955. he was odible to his subiects Fox pag. 152. addeth that he was deposed of the Northumbers and mercians Edgar chosen in his place yet as it seemeth he amended For Hunting l. 5. writteth that he ruled his kingdeme not without commendation Osbern in vit Dunstani writeth that by the praiers of S. Dunstan he was at his death deliuered from the Diuels His Roman religioÌ„ appeareth by the possession which as Malmsb. saith Religion of K. Edvvin he gaue S. Aldelm whose body saith he was then found and in scrinio locatum placed in a shrine In the Register of the Abbey of Bury she is said to haue giuen to that Monastery the towne of Becklis and diuers other things King Edgar XXIIII 13. THe 24. K. was Edgar secoÌ„d sonne to king Edmund who began his reigne saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 8. Anno 959. and reigned 16. yeares The praises of K. Edgar The praises which both Catholicks and Protestants giue to this king are exceeding Malmsb. calleth him honor delitiae Ang The honor and delight of English men and saith that inter Anglos c. amongst English men the report is that no King nether of his or any former age in England is to be compared with Edgar Ingulph an ancient graue author p. 889. saith he was flos decus c. The floure and ornament of all his Ancestors and the mirror of the VVestern climat of the world the bewtie glorie and rose of Kings Florent An. 975. and Houed p. 426. add that he was as worthie to be remembred of Englishmen as Romulus of RomaÌ„s Syrus of Persians Alexander of Macedonians Arsaces of Parthians Charles the great of the French Huntington lib. 5. p. 356. saith Edgar the peaceable a King magnificent a second Salomon in his dayes the Land was much bettered he was most deuout to God he built many Monasteries And Malmsb. saith that in the yeare 1052. which was about a hundred yeares after his death his body was found Nullius labis conscium voyde of coâ—ruption and that it wrought miracles The like praises do the Protestants afford him Cooper An. 959. A Prince of worthie memorie for his manifould vertues gratly renouned so excellent in iustice and sharp correction of vices as wel in his Magistrats as other subiects that neuer before his day was vsed lesse felonie and extortion Of mind valiant and hardy very expert in martiall policie The like saith Stow Chron. pag. 109. Fox Acts. lib. 3. pag. 154. saith he was much giuen to all vertuous and princely acts worthy of much commendation and famous memory excellent in iustice maintained the godly loued the modest Fox calleth this King a Poehnix was deuout to God and beloued of his subiects whome he gouerned in much peace and quietnes so God did blâ—sse him with aboundance of peace No yeare passed in the time of his Reigne in which he did not some singular and necessarie commoditie for the common welth A great mantainer of religion and learning He had in redines 2600. ships The same say Florent and Westmon Anno 975. Houed pag. 426. of war
Oswald Archb. of York whome Godwin confesseth to haue bene very learned and for his integritie and conuersation much reuerenced The greatest faulte saith he I finde in him was in that he was very earnest in setting forth that doctrin of Diuels that debarreth men who haue promised to God the contrary from marrying In this time also was martyred S. Elpheg Archb. of Canterburie And S. Edmund King and martyr miraculously flew Swain King of Denwark as in the Ecclesiastical histories it is reported of Saint Mercurie Martyr that he slew Iulian the Apostata This miracle Fox him selfe dare not discredit but lib. 3. pag. 161. writeth thus of Swain Miracle He entred the Territorie of Saint Edmund wasted and spoiled the contrie despised the holie Martyr menacing the place of his sepulcher VVherfore the men of the Countrie fel to praier and fasting so that shorlie after Swain died sodenlie crying and yelling Some saye saith he that he was stroken with the sword of S. Edmund In fear wherof Canutus his sonne granted them the fredome of all their liberties and great freedoms quitted them of all tax and tribut And after that time it was vsed that Kings of England when they were crowned sent their Crownes for an offering to S. Edmunds shrine and redeemed the same againe with condigne price And these times were so euidently Papistical as Fox in his Protestation before his Acts saith thus About the year of our Lord 980. sprong forth here in England as did in other places more a Romish kind of Monkery much drovvned in supestition Of this svvarme vvas Egbert Agelbert Egvvin Boniface VVilfrid Agathon Iames Roman Cedda Dunstan Osvvald Athelm Lanfrancke Anselm and such other But well it is that this Iames was as S. Beda saith lib. 2. c. 20. a good godlie man Deacon to S. Paulin who was S. Austines companion by whome we may see the religion of S. Austin and his fellowes Agilbert Agatho Wilfrid Roman Cedda were holy men much commended by Beda lib. 3. cap 25. and liued in S. Austins time or very sone after long before this time The others Egbert Boniface Danstan Oswald Anselm were the famousest Saints which England hath King Edmund Ironside XXVII 16. THe 27. Christian King was Edmund Ironside sonne vnto King Egelred who succeded An. 1016. and reigned one yeare The valour of K. Edmund Ironside He was saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 10. a yong man of notable towardlines of great strength both of minde and body and therfore sirnamed Ironside of the English men The like say Hunting lib. 6. Westmon Anno 1016. Cooper Anno 1016. and Fox Acts Pag. 162. wriâ—e that he was of lusty and valiant courage in martiall affairs both hardie and wise and could indure all paine His religion His Roman religion is manifest by that as the Register of Bury saith he reedifyed Glassenburie destroied as it seemeth by the Danes and by what hath bene said of his Father King Canut XXVIII 17. THe 28. king was king Canut a Dane who by force of armes and dint of sword got the kingdome beginning his reigne Anno. 1017. and reigned 20. yeares Composed saith Malmsb. lib. 2. c. 11. his life magna ciuilitate fortitudine Vertues of K. Canut Of whome Hunting lib. 6. Polidor L. and others recount this story Fox p. 164. That as he sat by the sea side his flatterers magnifying him called him Lord of the land and sea whose flattery to discouer he commanded the waues not to come neere him but they rising according to their course bewet the king wherat he smiling said to his coutriers loe he whom yee call Lord of Sea and land cannot coÌ„mand a smale waue Cooper An. 1018. saith he was a sage gentle and moderat Prince And An. 1027. for his vertuous life worthie to liue perpetuallie He was of great magnificence vsed such iustice temperance that in his daies was no Prince of such renowne towards God humble and lowlie Bale Cent. 2. cap. 45. saith he was Iuuenis c. a yong man of excellent vvit and high minde and notable in Christian modestie That great king who was withall king of Denmark and Norway was euidentlie a Roman His religion Catholick First because after the said speech of his touching the Sea he went to Winchester as Fox pag. 163. Bale l. cit Stow pag. 120. Florent Houed An. 131. Hunting l. cit and others write and taking his crown from his head set it vpon the head of the crucifix Quo c. saith Bale By which he signified that the Kings of those times were no Kings but onely the likenes of Kings and Images of the Beast Secondly Fox pag. 163. writeth that following much the superstition of Agelnoth Archb. of Canterburie he went on Pilgrimage to Rome and ther founded an hospitall for Pilgrims gaue to the Pope pretious gifts and burdened the Land with a tribut called Romescot In his letters to the Nobles and Bishops of England in Malmsb. and Ingulph him self saith that he went oratum c. to pray for the redemption of my sinnes and saith that he had longe vowed it and thancketh God that he had there honored S. Peter and Saint Paule and all the holy places of Rome Et ideo hoc maxime c. And therfor I haue done this principally because I haue learned of wise men that Saint Peter the Apostle hath receaued great power of our Lord of binding and loosing and that he is the Porter of heauen and therfore I thought it very profitable to require especially his protection with God Thirdly in his Charter in Malmsburie he saith he graunteth priuiledges to that Monasterie by the counsel of the Archbishop Agelnoth and also of all the Priests of God and with the consent of all my Peeres for the loue of the Kingdom of heauen and pardon of my offences and the relaxations of the transgressions of my brother King Edmund Wherby wee see that both him selfe and his Bishops and nobles were Roman Catholicks Fourthly he built saith Fox l. cit Cambd. Brit. pag. 415. Saint Bennets in Norfolk and turned Saint Edmunds Bury into an Abbey of Monks And Bale libro cit addeth It is found that next after God he endeuored to appease Saint Edmund by prayers and offerings King Herold XXIX 18. IN the yeare 1036. succeded King Herold sonne to King Canut by Elfgina an English woman as witnesseth Ingulph and reigned 4. yeares and 4. monethes ex Malmsburie lib. 2. cap. 12. His Roman religion is manifest both by his Father Rom. region of K. Herold by that which Ingulph writeth of him pag. 895. He gaue to the Monasterie of Crowland a Cloake of silk set with goulden buttons which he wore at his coronation and he had done to vs many moe good things if ouer hasty death had not taken him away King Hardy Canut XXX 19. THe 30. King was king Hardi-Canut sonne to king Canut Emma who had bene
the words of the Sacraments he which knew his grāmer was a wonder and a miracle to the rest Monks vvere fine in apparell and had euery kinde of meat indifferent making a mockerie of their rule The nobles giuin to glutonie and Venerie did not go to Church in the morning after the maner of Christians but in their chambers dalying vvith their wiues heard onlie the solemnization of their wiues heard onely the solemnization of Mattins and Masse by a Priest making much hast therin Euery one commonly was giuen to tippling continewing in this exercise nights as wel as dayes wheron vices ensued companions of dronkenes But I would not haue these sayinges to be vnderstood of all I knew many of the clergie at that time walked the path of sanctitie in true simplicitie I knew many Laymen of all sorts and conditions within this same Contrie pleased God Hunting also lib. 6. writeth that before the Conquest a man of God tould them that for their sinnes in murder and treason and because they were giuen to drunkenes and carelesnes of the seruice of God ther should come from France a Lord that should depresse them for euer and not onely they but the Scotts also should rule ouer them to their deserued confusion S. Edmund also prophesied of this cōquest of England which though Fox pag. 165. call but a dreame yet the euent following sheweth it was too true a vision CHAP. XXV That the Kings of England from the Conquest to King Edward 3. time were Roman Catholicks proued in particuler 1. THe 33. King of England was William the Conqueror who entred this Land An. 1066. and reigned 21. yeares He got the crowne of this Realm partly by dint of sword and conquest partly by the graunt of King Edward Confessor whose cosin German remoued he was For as him selfe saith in his Charter in Cambd. in Brit. pag. 111. VVhat right K. VVill. had to the Crovvne of England He got the Kingdome by the help of the graunt of God and of his cosin glorious King Edward who apointed him his adopted heir to the Kingdom of England And Guitmundus in oratione ad Regem saith He got England by the gift of God and by the freindship of Edward his Kinsman And Ingulph who then also liued saith An. 1065. Edward chose VVilliam and sent Robert Archb. of Canterb. who should declare it vnto him And pag. 911. In the Kindred and consanguinitie of Edward our famous King VVilliam framed his conscience to inuade England Paris pag. 1057. It is sayd that blessed S. Edward gaue the Kingdom to VVilliam as a Legacie on his death bed The like hath Walsing ypodigm pag. 28. Houed pag. 609. and others Finally Fox Acts pag. 165. King Edward thought to make Edgar Adeling his heire but fearing partly the mutabilitie of English men partly the malice and pride of Herold and others perceauing therby that be should not so well bring his purpose to passe directed solemne Embassadors to the Duke of Normandie assigning and admitting him to be his lawfull heire next to succeed him after to the Crowne And King William trusting to the right of this title offered Herold as Fox pag. 166. 167. and others write to trye their two titles before the Pope but Herold refusing William neuerthelesse sent and got his title approued by the Popes iudgment This King saith Hunting lib. 6. pag. 370. was wise Valour and vertues of K. VVilliam Conq. but crafty rich but couetous vain-glorious but louing his reputation louing to the seruants of God hard to this withstanders the onely author of peace that a little girle loaden vvith gould might passe tbrough Englād vntouched The like hath Malmsb. lib. 3. and Cooper An. 1067 Bale Cent. 2. cap. 56. addeth that he was of great corage and excellent in the knowledg of warlick affaires His Rom. religion His Roman religion is manifest First because as Westmon An. 1085. and others write Paris An. 185. Euery day he vvas present at Masse heard mattins Lauds Euensong vvith the Canonicall houres K. VVill. Conq. heard euery daie Masse mattins and Houre◠nether vvould he suffer euen vpon most vrgent and difficult affaires him self to be hindred In the meane season he ceassed not to kneele and to pray deuoutly Secondly because as sone as he had gotten the victorie he sent Herolds Standerd to the Pope Stow in Herold Cambd. in Brit. Thirdly he built two Monasteries one at Battel in Sussex Vt orarent that they might pray saith Westmon An. 1067. Paris 1066. Pro ibi mortuis for the dead there And an other at Cane in Normandie Fourthly he made his daughter Cecilia a Nonne K. VVill. daughter a Nonne Paris An. 1075. Stow. pag. 177. S. Osmund was so inward with this King as Bale saith Cent. 13. cap. 14. That he could not be absent scarce any time from King VVilliams presence And yet as he both there saith and Fox Acts pag. 184. Godwin in the Bishop of Salsburie this Osmund in the yeare 1076. was author of the office or maner of saying Masse mattins and administring Sacraments after the vse of Sarum which saye they was afterward in a manner receaued through all England Wales and Ireland Sixtlie Pope Alexander writing to him ep 10. saith Among the Princes and rulers of the world we vnderstand the notable forme of your religion and writeth to him to persist in the study of most Christian deuotion And Pope Greg. 7. whome Protest call Hilddebrand Loue betvvene P. Hildebrand and K. VVilliliam and hate most of all the Popes lib. 1. ep 31. calleth King William the most louing and principall sonne of the Roman Church And ep 69. saith That King William reioised in his promotion and shewed all the affection of a good sonne from his hart And l. 6. ep 30. VVe loued alwaies King VVilliam peculierlie amongst the rest of that dignity And lib 7. ep 26. saith that his Queene Mathildis offered him what soeuer we would haue of theirs he might haue it without delay And lib. 7. ep 5. saith That the King of England although that in some things he behaued himselfe not so religiouslie notwithstanding because he would not consent to enter into league against the Sea Apostolicke with some that were enemies to the Crosse of Christ being requested therto but compelled by oath the Priests to leaue wiues the lay men to pay the tenths which they detayned is praysworthie sufficientlie and more to be honored than other Kings This thus Pope that then liued Seuenthlie King William although he deposed almost all the old English nobilitie yet he tooke not vpon him to depose anie one Bishop or Abbot but procured Pope Alexander to send down two Legats to do it Eightlie K. VVill. Conq. tooke not vpon him to depose Bishops or dispose of Bishopricks King William preferred Lanfrank to the Archbishoprick of Canterburie as all know whome the protestants confesse to haue bene a notorious Papist Ninthlie he glorieth in
his death bed as Stow Chron. pag 171. Baron An. 1084. and an other author then present write that he had increased 9. Abbeies of Monks VVhat account K. VVill. made of Monasteries and one of Nonneâ— and that in his dayes 17. monasteries of Monks and six of Nonnes were builded VVith such compasse saith he Monasteries fence of Countries Normandie is fenced and all things which any noble men in Lands or Rents haue giuen to God or Saints for their spirituall health I haue curteously grauÌ„ted and confirmed their Charters These studies I haue followed from my first yeares This I leaue vnto mine heires to be kept in all times In this my children follow me continuallie that here and for euer before God and men yow may be honored Finallie as Stow p. 174. and the said Authors report bâ—ing to giue vp the ghost K. VVilliams last vvords praying to our ladies with great deuotion he lift vp his eyes to Heauen and holding abroad his hands said I commend my soule vnto our blessed Ladie Marie Mother of God that she â—y her holie praiers may reconcile me to her most dere sonne our Lord Iesus Christ And with these wordes saith Stow he presentlie yelded vp the ghost And pag. 176. he addeth that he was buried at a Masse and that the Preacher desired all to pray for the dead Prince This was the ende of this victorious and vndoubted Catholick King Fox his confes of the Cath. time vnder K. VVilliam Conq. and since 2. And so Catholick these times since the Conquest haue bene as Fox Acts pag. 167. speaking after his maner saith Before the Conquest infection and corruption of religion vvas great but in the times folovving it did abound in excessiue measure Which he said onely because the histories of the times folowing are more exant perfect and so afforde more playne and more frequent testimonie of the Catholick faith than those of the former times though they as yow see afford sufficient Bilson also of Obed. pag. 321. saith that the Pope inforced vpon the Normans the headship of the Church Wherin he confesseth that the Normans admitted a cheefe pointe of Papistrie Saints in K. VVilliams time In this kings tyme lyued that holy Queene of Scotland S. Margaret grandchild vnto king Edmund Ironside whose holy life is written by Tungat an English man Bishop of S. Andrews in Scotland Who was saith Bale Cent. 2. cap. 60. oculatissimus testis Virtutum eius a most certain eye vvitnesse of her vertues And Fox Acts. pag. 185. calleth her vertuous and deuout ladie And yet was she a manifest Papist For being to die she called for Priests and made her confession Florent An. 1093. malb l. 4. and was anoiled and howseled as testifie the said Turgot Houed An. 1093. Hunting lib. 7. pag. 373. and others In her life tyme She was a maintaner of pietie iustice peace Holines of Q. Margaret frequent in prayer who punished her body with fasting and watching and of this holy Queene is his present Maiestie descended by both the Royal lines of England and Scotland In this Kinges tyme also liued Berengarius a French Deacon who is the first that is named to haue denyed the real presence of Christs bodie and blood in the Eucharist as the holy Church teacheth saith malmsb l. 3. who liued about that time The same denied some ancient hereticks in S. Ignatius time as he testifieth ep ad Smyrn but nameth none But they were then so fully put downe as from thence to Berengarius which is almost a thousand yeares none is found to haue denyed Christs real presence in the Sacrament Berengar vvho denied the real presence denied also mariage and baptisme of Infants Massou Annal. franc lib. 3. besides such as denyed that he had any real body at all Berengarius denied also marriag to be lawful and the baptisme of Infants as Durand then Bishop of Liege writeth in his epistle to Henrie then King of France tom 3. Biblio Sanctor in fine and Protestants confesse namely Oecolampadius l. 3. p. 710. Crispin l. of the Church p. 289. But at last this Berengarius recanted all his heresies and died a good Catholick as the said Malm. witnesseth Against him wrote our great learned Prelat Lanfranc many others King VVillam Rufus XXXIIII 3. THe 34. Christian King of England was William Rufus Anno 1088. and reigned 13. yeares Vertues of K. Rufus for a time He saith Stow Chron. pag. 179. as long as Lanfranc liued seemed to abhorre all kinde of vice so that he was accounted a mirror of Kings Cooper Anno 1089. writeth that in martiall policie he was verie expert and diligent in all matters he went about stedfast and stable in his promisse and meruailous painfull and laborious But at last vices ouerwhelmed his vertues His Rom. Religion His Roman religion is manifest First because as Malmsb. hath lib. 4. Paris An. 1087. He was brought vp by Lanfranc and by his meanes chiefly made King Secondlie because Fox writeth lib. 4. pag. 184. Lincoln Minster in his time had a Romish dedication And as Paris saith pag. 767. that being done the king called two Cardinalls who were present who had receaued fulnes of power of our Lord the Pope for the disposition of Bishopricks and of the same Church The ordination was such that the Bishop being chosen the Canons placed in their possession from thence forth they should in orderlie discipline of life serue God and his blessed mother day and night Thirdlie because as Stow hath Chron. pag. 160. Rufus gaue to the Monkes of the Charitie the manner of Berdmonsey and builded them a new house And in his Charter yet extant he confirmeth his Fathers graunt to the Monasterie of Batel and saith he doth it for the soule of his said Father A plaine Papiâ—â—â— câ—l Charter of K Rufus and also of his mother matildis of godlie memorie and for the soule of his most glorious predecessor King Edward for my owne saluation likewise and my Successors and for the quiet rest of those that were slaine there in batel VVhich how euident a signe of Papistrie it is hath bene shewed before Fourthly Rufus being once very sick made his confession to S. Anselm Malm. 1. Pont p. 217. and nominated him Archb. of Canterb. whom the Protestants confesse to haue byn a notorious Papist Fiftly Malm. 1. pont p. 220. Florent An. 1095. Fox lib. 4. p 185. and others testify that he sent two messengers to Pope Vrban to entreat him to send his Pal for him Anselm and with charge paines prouided it And that Gualter the Popes Legat delt so with the King that Vrban there being an other Antipope was proclamed lawfull Pope throughout all the realme VVherfore though this king tooke vpon him to forbid Bishops to account any for Pope or to appeale to the Pope without his licence wherin he was resisted by Saint Anselm as yow may
see in Malmsb. 1. Pont. pag. 217. 219. it argueth not that he thought he might do so lawfully any more than that he might be as Fox termeth him pag. 1092. a piller and rauiner rather of Church goods or as Godwin in the life of S. Anselme termeth him the most Sacrilegious Simonest that euer reigned in England In so much as Hunting and Paris say An. 1100. when he dyed he had in his hands one Archbishoprick two Bishopricks 12. Abbeies as Stow saith pag. 183. said he would haue all the spirituall liuings in the whole Realme And Malmsb. lib. 4. addeth that he encoraged the Iewes to dispute with the Christians swearing that if they ouercame he would be of their religion Other horrible Villanies of his report Hunt Paris l. cit and others more which declare that he little cared to break Gods or the Churches lawes but conuince no more but that he was an ill Christian and an ill Catholick for life Saints in K. Rufus time In this Kings tyme dyed S. Wulstan Bishop of Worceter whome Godwin calleth Saint and confesseth that men had a great esteeme of him for his streitnes of life and opinion of holines And of other Authors of that tyme he is much commended Marian Cistertian order 〈◊〉 founded by an English man Florent Chron. Malmsb. 1. Pont. And his life is to be seene in Surius Tom. 1. In this Kings time also S. Stephan Harding an Englishman founded the order of Cistertian or white Monks as Bale Cent. 2. cap. 63. Fox Acts pag. 185. Malmsb. lib. 4. Reg. pag. 127. and others write Malmsb. termeth him The cheefe Author of the whole fact and especiall ornament of our dayes In this kings time died also the forsaid Saint Osmund Bishop of Salsburie the Author of that manner of saying masse Breuiarie and administring Sacraments which is called the vse of Sarum King Henrie I. XXXV 4. THe 35. Christian king was Henrie 1. yongest sonne to William Conqueror and borne in England began his Reign An. 1100. and reigned 35. yeares For his knowledg saith Fox lib. 4. p. 191. and science in the 7. liberall sciences he was Sirnamed Beuclerck Valour and qualities of K. Henrie 1. Cooper and Stow An. 1101. say he was a noble valiant Prince mightie of body of comly visage plesant sweete countenance excellent in vvit eloquence had good hap in battel The like write Catholicks of him As for his religion it is euident to be Roman Catholicke His Rom. Religion Fiâ—st because his Archb. was S. Anselm to whose piety he ascribed his conquest of Normandie Ediner in vit Anselm Secondly because he built a Church at Dunstable and by the authority of Eugenius 3. Pope saith Cambd. in Brit. p. 350. placed there Canons regulers Paris p. 98 and VValsing p. 38. name foure Monasteries which hâ— built Thirdly because as Stow saith p 204. Atholph Prior of S. Oswald was his Confessor Fourthly he yeelded vp the Inuestiture of Bishops Fox 194. Malmsb. 5. Reg p. 152. Florent VVestmon An. 1107. Houed 1108. Fiftly saith Paris p. 96. Houed An. 113â— Malmsb. lib. hist nouel lib. 1. Pope Innocent the second was most honorably entertained of him and by his help was admitted through all France Sixtlie Fox p. 192. setteth downe this letter of his to Pope Pascall To the venerable Father Pascall cheefe Bishop Henry by the grace of God K. health I greatly reioice with you at your promotion the See of the Roman Church requesting that the freindship which was betwixt my Father your Predecessors may also continew betwexne vs firme sure And at the same time saith Fox pag. 193. he sent another letter to the said Pope crauing of him his pal for Gerard Archb. of Yorke the forme wherof here followeth K. Henrie 1. Professeth the P. to be vniuersal P. To his reuerend and beloued Father Pascall Vniuersall Pope Henry by the grace of God king of England endeth thus I pray our Lord long preserue your Apostleship Ibid. Fox writeth that this kings Embasador said to the Pope that England of a long continuance had euer bene a prouince peculier to the Church of Rome and paid duely vnto the same yearely tribute Finally in this kings time the Cistertian Monsts entred into England Fox Acts p. 185. Cistertian monks enter into England Bale Centur. 2. c. 63. And in his last sicknes as the Archb. of Roan writeth to Pope Innocent in Malmsb. hist Nouel l. 1. Manner of King Henries death he confessed his sinnes was absolued and receaued the body and blood of our Lord with great deuotion lastly at his own request was aneyled And the Kings Attorney in the arainment of F. Garnet calleth this Kings time the very midnight of Popery S. Cutberts bodie found incorrupt In this Kings time say Florent Houed An. 1104. was the Shrine of S. Cutbert opened by Raph Abbot after Archb. of Canterb. found incorrupt in the presence of Prince AlexaÌ„der after K. of Scotland many more Saints See Saint Anselmes miracles in malb 1. Pont. p 216. 229. In his time died S. Anselm before spokeÌ„ of Thomas Archb. of York who when the phisitians tould him that he must ether vse the company of a woman or die he made choise of death Archb. Thom. vvould rather die than vse the companie of a vvoman For which Godwin in his life accounteth him a martyr though a little before he had said that Saint Oswald in debarring Priests from marriage had set forth the droctrine of Diuels King Stephan XXXVI 5. THe 36. Christian king of England was Stephan grandchild by a daughter vnto the Conqueror Valour of King Stephen He was crowned An. 1135. and reigned 19. yeares He vvas saith Malmsb. lib. 1. Hist Nouel Diligent and stout in war of an immoderat mind prompt to enterprise any hard thing to his enemies inexorable affable to all men Westmon An. 154. A notable souldier and in courage excelling The like hath Hunt l. 8. Cooper Anno 1136. And Stow p. 206. saith he was a noble man and passing hardie of passing comlie fauour and personage in all princelie vertues he excelled as in Martiall policie affabilitie gentlenes and bountifull liberalitie towards all His Rom. Religion His Roman religion is cleare First because his brother Henry Bishop of Winchester was in his time Legat to the Pope Hunting l. 8. Malmsbur hist Nouell Secondly because Stow saith pag. 215. He founded the Abbeis of Coxall in Essex of Furnis in Lankashier of Feuersham in kent Fox pag. 201. Cambd pag 682. 388. a Nonry at Carew an other at Higham Thirdly because being to giue battel on Candlemas day he heard Masse saith Hunting lib. 8. and the candle which he offered broke and the Pix in which the body of Christ was put fell downe vpon the Altar which were taken for aboadments of the losse of the batell Fourthly because in this Kings time
of the miracle may by this iudg of the certaintie of the rest The matter was thus An inhabitaÌ„t of Bedford hauing had by forme of the lawe which then was his eyes pluckt out and his stones cut away but vniustly made prayer to S. Thomas for the restoring of them which was done That the man had bene thus maimed the Burgesses and Cittizens of Bedford saith Fox did testifie with publick letters And whither he was cured or no was easy to know All that Fox saith against this or the rest of the miracles is that there was no necessitie of a miracle in a Christian Realm hauing the word of God Forsooth he must tel God when there is necessitie yea tie Gods hands to do nothing but for necessitie Had not the Iewes the word of God when they had the daylie miracles of Probatica piscina Doth not the vertue of miracles shine in the Church for euer as the notes of the English Bible imprinted An. 1576. Iohan. 14. do teach But wel it is that Saint Thomas his miracles haue so many and so authenticall testimonies as he must needs conremn all humaÌ„ authoritie who denieth them to haue bene done King Richard Coeur de Lion XXXVIII 7. IN the yeare 1189. succeeded K. Richard Coeur de Lion so sirnamed of his corage Valour of King Richard Ceur de Lion sonne to King Henrie 2. and reigned 10. yeares He was saith Cambd. de Brit. pag. 331. Animi excelsi erecti c. Of an high and vprighit mind altogether borne for the Christian common vvelth Polid. lib. 14. Englands glorie and terror of the Pagans Cooper Anno. 1189 big of stature and had a mery countenance in vvhich appeared as vvel a pleasant gentlenes as a noble and princely Maiestie to his soldiers fauorable bountifull desirous of vvar Subdued the Kingdom of Ciprus conquered the Citty of Acon vanquished the Soldan in the holy Land whither he went with an army of 30000. foote and 5000. horse His Rom. religion The Roman religion of this famous and magnanimous King is manifest First because Houed who then liued pag. 656. 657. Paris 205. and others tel the maner of his coronation was thus The Archb. Bishops Abbots and Priests in Copes with the Crosse before and holy water and incense brought him to the Church Again he tooke his oath on the Gospel and many reliques of Saints After coronation began the solemn Masse k. Richard crovvned at masse and when they came to the offertorie Bishops brought the king to offer and in like sorte to take the Pax. And after Masse returned again with Procession Secondly pag. 222. Paris telleth how he redeemed the reliques of Ierusalem with 52. thousaÌ„d BisaÌ„tes Quatenus saith he To the ende that Saints of God whose bones he redeemed in earth might help his soule by their intercessions in heauen And pag. 497. He obtained of the Soldan that a certain Priest at the Kings stipend might euery day celebrate masse of the holy Crosse at our Sauiours Sepulcher during the time of the truce Thirdly retiring to England saith Westmon Anno. 1194. he visited S. Thomas of Canterb. S. Edmund and S. Albons Shrines and after went against his Rebells in Nottingham Fourthly Houed pag. 658. setteth downe a Charter of his where he graÌ„teth Land to S. Cutbert For the soule of our Father and Ancestors and of our Successors and for our owne and our heires saluation and for the confirmation and increase of our Kingdome Fiftly Houed p. 677. hath a letter of his to Pope Clement 2. which beginneth thus To his most reuerend Lord and blessed Father by the grace of God cheefe Bishop of the holy Apostolick See health and affection of true deuotion in our Lord. The facts of Princes haue better end wheÌ„ they receaue assistance and fauour from the See Apostolick And pag. 706. When king Richard went to the holy Land he left the care of the gouernment of his kingdome vnto the See Apostolick And pag. 753. The same Houed setteth downe a letter of Pope Celestin in which the Pope saith thus The Church of England hath alwaies kept the sincerity of her deuotion and ancient faith with the Roman Church Finally a little before S. Richards death saith Fox Acts pag. 249. England alvvaies deuout to the Church of Rome Three Abbots of the Cistertian order came vnto him to whome he was confessed and when he saw them somwhat stay at his absolution said these words that he did willingly commit his soule to the fier of Purgatorie there to be tryed til the Iudgment in hope of Gods mercie Saints In this publick profession of Roman Catholick faith gaue this renowned King vp his soule to God In this Kings time died Anno. 1189. the forsaid Saint Gilbert who of his order erected 13. Monasteries in England Polid. l. 14. Then also liued Saint Hugh of Lincoln of whome we shall speake hereafter King Iohn XXXIX 8. THe 39. King was King Iohn brother to King Richard who began his Reign Anno. 1199. and reigned 17. yeares Of this King some ignorant Protestants brag as if he had bene a Protestant Bale Cent. 1. cap. 75. because for a time he disobeyed the Pope polid l. 15. commendeth him of valor liberalitie Christian pietie But with shame inough For he lost all in manner that his Predecessors had in France which was neere as much as England it selfe Qualities of K. Ihon. and had almost lost England too VVas as the Earle of Northampton saith of him in the araignment of Garnet impious as wel sans foy as sans terre and that he was as likly to haue departed with his soule as his Crowne if necessitie had pressed him Nether was he ill onely to him selfe but to his people and Contrie from whome being not content by him selfe to extort what he would sent for many thousand Flemings to do the same to whome he ment to giue Norfolk and Suffolk Paris pag. 360. 367. And pag. 325. he nameth the Embassador whome King Iohn sent to the Mahometan King of Africk to offer the subiection of him self and his Kingdom to him and to accept the law of Mahomet which Paris learnt of them to whome one of the Embassadors tould it Neuer the lesse what Christian religion he had is euident to haue bene Roman Catholick His Râ—m Religion First because he was chosen King cheefely by meanes of Archbishop Hubert Paris pag. 264. who was a notorious Papist Stovv pag. 244. Secondly because vpon his crownation he tooke his oath vpon the reliques of Saints Paris pag. 263. and next day after his coronation went on Pilgrimage to S. Albans pag. 264. at Lincoln offered a chalice of gould pag. 273 holpt to carry on his shoulders the body of S. Hugh pa. 274. Houed pag. 812. Thirdly he heard Masse saith Stow pag. 246. and fell downe before the Abbots of Cisterce desiring to be admitted of them for a brother Fourthly he fouÌ„ded a
goodly monastery at Beulieu erected a Nonry at Godstow to pray saith Camb. Brit. p. 329 for his Fathers soule for that perswasion had then possessed the minds of all men And in his Charter to Batel Abbey commandeth all his Iustices to defend the Possessions of that monastery sicut saith he nostra propria as our owne And Regist Buriense saith he gaue a great Saphir and a Ruby to S. Edmunds Shrine Fiftly when Grecians came to dispute against his faith he would not hear them Bale Cent. 3. cap. 37. ex Paris Sixtly Fox Acts. pag. 253. writeth that King Iohn submitted himselfe to the Court of Rome and as Bale saith Cent. 3. cap. 75. Acknowledged the Pope to be head of all Christians And though he disobeyed for a time the Pope yet that he did not for a difference in religion but because the Pope would make an Archb. of Canterb. whome the King misliked And as Cooper saith Anno 1201. For vvhat cause K. Ihon disobeyed the Pope for a time did this not vpō iudgment to set vp true religion saith he but vpon couetousnes and of a forward mind Finally vpon his deathbed saith Fox Acts pag. 256. he much repented his former life and had saith Stow pag. 262. a Confessor at his death and receaued the Sacrament at the hands of the Abbot of Crocston and died with these words VVestmon An. 1216. Deo sancto VVolstano animam meam commendo I commend my soul to God and S. VVolstan Paris pag. 389. Of the manner of his death Fox Acts. pag. 256. writeth thus Some write that he died of sorrow as Polidor K. Ihon dieth in profession of the Cathol saith some of surfeting as Redinger some of a bloodie flux as Houed some of a burning ague some of a colde sweat some of eating apples some of eating peares some plummes c. yet saith he most writers agree that he was poisoned by the Monke Symon of Swinfled But who those were he writeth not nor could name one besides a nameles Author of that Chronicle which because Caxton printed it is cald Caxtons Chronicle And it is as Stow well saith pag. 494. a fabulous booke And therfore Bale Cent. 3. cap. 75. referreth this to report saing Vt serunt as men report But who will not beleeue rather Paris pag. 389. Westmon Anno 1216. and others liuing in that same time or sone after who say he died of surfit sorrow then a Chronicle accounted by Protestants themselues a fabulous booke or writen by a nameles Author long after that time In this Kings time Saints died that glorious Saint Saint Hugh Bishop of Lincolne and Carthusian Monke whome Godwin in his life calleth Saint And saith By his integritie of life and conuersation and the opinion of diuers Miracles wrought by him hath purchased vnto him selfe the honor and reputation of a Saint He addeth also that S. Hugh Grew very famous far and neere for his extraordinarie abstinence and austeritie of life And that king Iohn and king William king of Scotts for great reuerence they bare to his holines helped to carry his Corps from the gate of the Cittie vntill it came to the Church dore King Henrie the III. XL. 9. IN the yeare 1216. succeded king Henrie 3. sonne to king Iohn and reigned 56. yeares dyed Anno. 1273. He was saith Cooper Anno. 1218. of nature gentle VVisdom and pietie of King Henrie 3. of minde sage and wise And so pious as Leolin Prince of Wales saith Fox Acts pag. 280. protested that he feared more his almes than his puissance And Westmon Anno 1272. speaking of this king saith Of how great innocencie of how great patience and of how great deuotion he was in obeying his Sauiour our Lord knoweth and they which faithfully adhered to him and of how great merit he was with God the miracles after his death testifie His Rom. Religion The Roman religion of this vertuous king is manifest First because as Fox saith in his Acts pag. 257. He was crowned by Swall the Popes Legat and Stow addeth pag. 263. Being crowned the gouernment of the King and his Kingdome was committed to the Legat to the Bishop of VVinchester c. Secondly because Continuator of Paris who then liued saith pag. 1349. K. Henrie 3. daily heard 3. sung Masses and Walsingham in Edward 1. pag. 19. Euery day he was accustomed to heare three songe Masses and desirous to heare moe serued daylie Priests celebrating priuatly and when the Priest did eleuat our Lords bodie he vsed to hould the Priests arme Deuotion of King Hen. 3. Bal. Cent. 4 cap. 46. and to kisse it And when that Lewis king of France said vnto him that he should oftner heare sermons he answered I had rather see my freind often than heare an other speake of him though neuer so wel Thirdly his Confessor was a Dominican Frier named Iohn Dorlington A. Quene a Nonne Bale Cent. 4. cap. 56. and Walsing in Edward 1. pag. 7. His Queene also after his death became a Nonne Walsing pag. 14. Fourthly in this Kings time came into England diuers orders of Friers as the Dominicans to whome Diuers kinds of Friers enter into England saith Stow pag. 268. the King assigned a house in Oxford The Gray Friers Cooper Anno 1222. The Croochet Friers Anno. 1244. Bale Centur. 4. cap. 3. The Austins Friers Anno. 1252. Centur. 4. capit 17. to whome cap. 46. he addeth the Paulins the Friers of Armenia the Friers de poenitentia the Friers de Viridi Valle and the Bonhomes Which last order Rodulphus l. 2. de Saincto Francisco saith was instituted by Richard Earle of Cornwall and brother to King Henrie Fiftly when the Pope sent a Legat into England saith Paris pag. 589. the King met the Legat most dutifully at the Sea coast and bowing his head to his knees cōducted him most respectiuely to the inermost parts of his Kingdome when he departed brought him with great honor to the Sea Stow Chron. Anno 1241. Sixtly because as is to be seene in Fox Act. 287. others He wrote to the Pope thus Sanctissimo in Christo Patri c. To his most holy Father Lord in Christ Innocent K. Henrie 3. calleth the P Lord in Christ offereth to kisse his feet by the grace of God cheefe Bishop health and kisses of his blessed feete And in the letter May it please your Fatherhood we beseech yow that our lawes and liberties which yow may righly repute none other but your owne yow will receaue to your tuitiō to be cōserued whole sound Vpon which words Fox maketh this note The K. in too much subiection to the Pope And in a letter in Paris pag. 839 The K. professeth to the Pope that In all the time of our reign we haue submirted ourselues our kingdom in all through all things to the wil of your Father hood And pag. 863. he citeth letters of
c. Your wisedom knoweth that I with a filiall affection deuoutly and dutifully obey the Apostolicall commandements Rob. Grostets profession of subiection to the Pope and at his death he gaue all his books to the graie Friers Godvvin in vita eius vvher you see his Rom. religion restified by a Cardinal of that time And your anciēt writers are to far from accounting him no Catholicke as they esteeme him a Saint and relat his miracles as yow may see in Paris and Westmon Anno. 1250. Only Paris pag. 1174. saith that he had good zeale but perchance not according to true knowledg In this Kings time liued that grear scoole Doctor and Englishman Alexander de Hales King Edward I. XLI 10 IN the yeare of our Lord 1274. succeded Edward 1. sonne to King Henry 3. and reigned 34. yeares He was saith VValsingham in his Ypodigmate pag. 98. Great praises of K. Edvvard 1. In armes strong victorious warlick vvho gained all England from the hands of valiant Symon de Montfort VVales he got from Leolin Aquitan he wrested from the King of Frāce Polid. lib. 17. Scotland he often subdued Camb. Brit. pag. 700. saith He was a Prince far excelling in whose most valiāt mind God chused a most vvorthie lodging that he might match the heigt of royal maiesty not only vvith fortitude vvisedom but with bewtie also and comlynes of bodie whome fortune in the prime flower of his age trained vp in many warrs and most difficult times of the Common welth whilst that she disposed him for Brittish Empire VVhich when he was established in he so gouerned hauing ouercome the VVelch men and triumphed ouer the Scotts that by good right he is esteemed another ornament of Brittanie The like high praises giue him Cooper Anno. 1274. Stow pag. 304. Bale Cent. 4. cap. 58. and others His Rom. Religion As for the Roman religion of this renowned Prince it is most cleare First because as VValsingham saith Histor pag. 16. His wife Queene Eleoner dying with continuall prayers he did pray vnto our Sauiour Iesus for her for euer ordaining and procuring for her the celebrations of Masses in diuers places of his Kingdom In euery place and Vilage where her Corps rested the King commanded a Crosse to be erected in memorie of the Queene that her soule might be prayed for of those that passed by pag. 33. He Translated a stone to VVestminster which the Kings of Scottland at the time of their coronation were wont to vse for a Throne commanding that a Chair should be made therof for Priests to sit in when they solemnised Masse Besides pag. 13. His daughter Marie was a Nonne And in ypodingm p. 88. He commanded that the Crown of gould that was the king of Scots should be offered to S. Thomas the Martyr And p. 71. He built an Abbey of Cistercian Monkes And as Fox saith Acts pag. 339. Went on Pilgrimage to our Ladie of Walsingham to thanck God for his escape of a great danger And of so great account were religious men in his time as Stow pag. 329. reckneth 61. Abbots and 8. Priors of the Parliament in his tyme. Secondly because as Walsingham hath Hist pag 49. he writeth thus to the Pope To the most holy Father in Christ Boniface by the diuine prouidence cheefe Bishop of the holy Roman and Vniuersall Church Edward by the grace of God king of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitan health and deuout kisses of your blessed feete Beneth Wee do humblie beseech your holines for as much as c. And p. 55. He Fox 341. set downe a letter wherin the Nobles and all the Barons assembled together in parliament write thus to the Pope This vvas scalled vvith 200. seales ypodigm pag. 89. We reuerently and humbly beseech your holines that yow would suffer our Lord king of England who among other sheweth him self Catholick and deuout to the Roman Church c. And Westmon Anno. 1302. putteth the beginning of this letter thus To the most holy Father in Christ L. Boniface by the diuine Prouidence cheefe Bishop of the vniuersall Church The profession of subiection to the P. by the vvhole Parlamēt his deuout sonnes Iohn Earle of VVarren Thomas Earl ofe Lancaster c. Deuout kisses of your blessed feete Behould how both the king and nobles professe to kisse the Popes feete call him cheefe Bishop of the Vniuersall Church In like manner Pope Boniface Writing in VVestmon Anno. 1301. to king Edward saith Scimus fili c. VVe know my sonne and now a long time experienc the Mistres of things hath taught vs how towards the Roman mother Church which in her bowels of charitie hath caried yow representing a kingly deuotion your reuerent regard is shewed your zeale strengthned and that in all promptitude yow obeying the true cōstitutions of the seat make your repose finally after the kings death his body lying at VValtham Destinati sunt c. saith VValsing Hist pag. 67. There were apointed of euery great Monasterie neere bordering six Monks Cannons or other religious which should watch about the body and continually solemnize the funerals And the Cardinall Legat graunted Indulgence of one yeare to them which did say our Lords prayer and the Angelicall salutation for the Kings soule And so manifestly were the times of this king Roman Catholick as the Kings Attorney in the arrainment of Garnet calleth them the verie midnight of Poperie And Bale Cent. 4. cap. 46. cryeth out Vnder King Edward the goulden face of the primitiue Church was obscured the cheefest bewtie of the Gospell changed The house of Israel was turned into rubbish the Ministers of the Churches degenerated into Dreggs and excrements the Friers bearing rule In this Kings time liued that great schoole Doctor and English man Richard Middleton Bale Cent. 4. cap. 77. and dyed that glorious Saint Saints S. Thomas of Hereford who in life was admirable for vertue and after death wonderfull for the greatnes and multitude of his miracles Miracles See Sur. tom 5. which were examined with such straightnes and approued with so great authoritie as who will beleeue any human testimonie can not but beleeue them as is to be seene in our ancient Manuscript yet extant King Edward 2. XLII IN the yeare 1307. Edward 2. sonne to Edward 1. succeeded Qualities of K Edvvard 2. Polid. l. 18. His Rom. Religion and reigned 19. years He was saith Cooper Ann 1308. And Stow pag. 337. faire of body but vnstedfast of maners and disposed to lightnes His Roman religion is certain both by what hath bene saide of his Father and because Caius de Antiq. Cantab. pag. 80. and Stow pag. 337. say He sued to Pope Iohn 22. to renew the priuiledges of the Vniuersities which he did Item He builded the Friers Church at Langley Stow pag. 332. Vowed in the battel of Sterling to build a house for the Carmelits in Oxford which he performed Stow pag. 334.
sent for two Cardinals to make peace betwene him and the Scotts pag. 336. Had a tenth of spirituall goods granted him by the Pope pag. 339. Had a Carmelit for his Confessor Bale Cent. 4. cap. 96. And as he saith cap. 82. In this Kings tyme came in the Friers De paenitentia into England to whome the King gaue the Synagogue of the Iewes Item the Friers of the order of Martyrs the Sarabitae the Paulins and the Trinitaries Bale Centur. 5. cap. 13. calleth these times the middle darknes of Roman superstition In this kings time liued that famous subtil doctor Iohannes Scotus The Cath. religion hitherto in EnglaÌ„d vvithout anie opposition And hitherto haue we proued the Catholicke Roman religion through all our Christian Kings not only cleare and manifest but also without any opposition or contradiction sauing of a few who in Saint Odo his time doubted of the reall presence but were soone conuerted Hereafter in our Country the Catholicke religion hath found some opposition though small by reason of VVick life who arose in the next Kings time and his fellowes CHAP. XXVI That the Kings of England from Edvvard 3. to Henry 8. vvere all Roman Catholick proued in particuler King Edward 3. XLIII 1. THe 43. Christian King of England was Edward 3. sonne to Edward 2. VVorthines of K. Edvvard 3. Began his reigne Anno. 1326. reigned 51. yeares He was saith Walsingahm Hist Anno 1376. amongst all the Kings of the world renowned benign gentle Poâ—d l. 19. and magnificent coragious of hart humble milde and very deuout to God This man saith Cooper Anno 1327. And Stow p. 438. Besids all other gifts of nature was indued with passing comly hewty fauor of vvit prouideÌ„t circumspect gentil doing nothing without great wisdome consideratioÌ„ Of excellent modesty temperance and aduanced such persons to high dignity as did most passe others in integrity innocency of life in feats of Armes verie expert Of his liberality clemencie he shewed very many great examples Breefly in all Princely vertue he was so excellent that few noble men before his time can be compared to him The like praise to him giue Fox Acts pag. 374. Bale Cent. 6. cap. 57. others His victories He wonne the great battell at Cressie where he vanquished the King of France with two other Kings tooke Calis and at the same time ouercame the King of Scotts and tooke him prisoner And his sonne Edward sirnamed the black Prince with a very small army got the battell of Poitiers Wherin he tooke the French king and after that entred into Spaine ouercame the king and draue him out of the Contrie So that this king by him selfe and his company tooke two kings slewe one and vanquished three others Of all our English kings to Henrie 8. Fox of most all challengeth this King and saith pag. 428. That aboue all other Kings to Henrie 8. he was the greatest bridler of the Popes vsurped power During all his time Iohn VVicklef was maintained with fauor and ayde sufficient Indeed King Edward 3. Anno 1374. made a lawe to forbid all procurement of English Benefices from the Pope But the cause therof was not that the King thought amisse of rhe Popes Authority but because he thought that the execution thereof in this point was incommodious and inconuenient to his Realme For other wise none of all our Kings haue auouched the Popes supremacie in which Protestants account the essence of a Papist to consist so cleare as he For in his letters to the Pope extant in Walsingham Anno 1336 and others he writeth thus Otterborne in Edvvard 3. Therfore let not the enuious or sinister interpretation of detractors made of your sonne finde place in the bowels of your mercie and sanctitie who will after the ancient custome of our predecessours persist in yours and the See Apostolickes fauour vntouched But if any such sugestion made against your sonne shall fortune to come vnto your holines eares Let not credit be giuen of your holy deuotion by your holines therunto before your sonne be heard who trusteth and euer intendeth to speak the truth and to iustifie euery one of his causes before your holines iudgement King Edvvard 3 accounteth it heresie to denie the Popes supremacie whose authority is aboue all earthly creatures which to deny is to approue an heresy Behould the King confessing first that it was hereditarie to him from his Anceistors to abide firmely in fauour of the See Apostolicke Secondly that he purposed euer to do soe Thirdly that it was heresie to denie the Popes iudgement praesidere omni humanae creaturae To beare rule ouer all human Creatures Oh when would this famous King haue thought that any of his Posteritie should make that treason which him selfe professeth all his Ancestors to haue held and accounteth it heresie to denie The same saith Pope Greg. 11. in VValsing p. 104. Kings of England especiall children of the Rom. Church And Pope Benedict in his answer of this letter in VValsingham pag. 124. saith thus Your Progenitors Kings of England haue excelled in greatnes of faith and deuotion towards God and the holy Roman Church as her peculier foster-children and deuoted sonnes and haue preserued the splendor of their progeny from any darkesome cloud Betwene the state of your Kingdome and also of the Kingdome of France we greatly desire to make a happy successe of peace and concotd And against you my sonne I cannot shut vp the bowels of my Fatherly affection To which the King returned this answer in Walsingham pag. 130. We haue reuerently and humbly accepted the letters of your Holines Also with a cheerfull hart we do beseech your clemency that if it please you you will duely ponder our iustice and intentioÌ„ founded vpon the truth And that we as occasion serued haue fauored the holy Roman Church in all fulnes of deuotion sound loue and gratious fauor K. Edvv. 3 Professeth to haue euer fauored the Pope as you may coniecture of a most deuout sonne For God is the witnesse of our coÌ„science that we haue desired to exalt defend the honors and liberties of the Church And againe the king Anno. 1343 writing to Pope Clement in VValsing pag. 150. saith thus Professeth the P. is Bishop of the vniuersal Church To his most holy Lord Clement by the diuine prouidence cheefe Bishop of the sacred Roman and vniuersall Church Edward by the same grace of God King of France and England and Lord of Ireland deuout kisses of your blessed feete c. And then calleth him successor of the Prince of the Apostles Infra VVe and ours do desire and ought to reuerence your most sacred person and the holy Roman Church And pag. 15. Clement answereth him thus My deerly beloued sonne yow haue knowne how to exhibit your sincere deuotion to our Lord and to your Mother the holy Roman Church as of famous memorie your
Progenitors the Kings of England haue done whilst they liued And Fox himselfe Acts pag. 383. setteth downe a letter of the K. and nobles to Pope Clement Anno 1343. thus To the most holy Father in God Lord Clement by the grace of God of the holy Church of Rome and of the vniuersall Church cheefe and high Bishop his humble and deuout children the Princes Dukes Earles Barons Knights Citizens and Burgesses and all the communalty of England assembled at the Parliament houlden at VVestminster the 15. day of May deuout kissing of his feete with all humble reuerence and humility The vvhole Parlament calleth the Pope head of the vniuersal Church Most holy Father yow being so high and holy a Prelat and head of the holy Church by whome the holy Vniuersall Church and people of God ought to be as by the Son beames illightened c. Behould the whole Parlament calling the Pope head and Bishop of the Vniuersall Church and offering to kisse his feete with all humilitie and reuerence And again Fox pag. 387. setteth downe an other letter of King Edwards to Pope Clement in this sort Most holy Father K. Edvv. 3. plainly professeth the Popes supremacie we desire your holines and in as much as lieth in vs require the same that yow that supplie the place of the sonne of God on earth and haue the gouernment of all Christen men c. What could be more clearly spoken for the spirituall supremacie of the Pope And this same Roman religion of his is euident by many other waies For he founded saith Stow pag. 439. the new Abbey neere to the Tower of London where he placed white Monks to the honor of God and our Ladie according to a vow by him made being on the Sea in great perill And a Nonrie at Detford Cambden addeth pag. 333. a Frierie of Carmelits He instituted also the order of the garter in honor of God and Saint Georg and among other rules apointed that when any of the Knights died the Kinge should make a thousand Masses to be saide for his soule and others many hundreds according to their Degree He offered saith Fox pag. 396. after the blind saith he superstition of those dayes in the Church of VVestminster the Vestments wherin Saint Peter did celebrat Masse His Confessor was Thomas Bradwardin whome Bale Centur. 5. cap. 87. accounteth a Papist Finally as Walsingham An. 1376. writeth he dyed thus The Catholik end of K. Edvvard 3. The King when he could not speake with verie great reuerence taking the Crosse did kisse it most deuoutly somtimes stretching forth his hand in signe of crauing pardon and other times also letting fall from his eyes plenty of teares and kissing most often the feete of the Crucifix And after his death Pope Greg. 11. lit in Walsingham Anno 1378. calleth him Catholicum Principem Pugilem fidei A Catholick Prince and Champion of the faith And so euidently was this King and the Realm in his time Roman Catholick Protest confesse K. Edvv 3. time to haue bene Cathol as Fox Acts pag. 377. vpon a letter of the King to the Nobles of France maketh this note Note the ignorance of the time And pag. 396. The blinde superstition of those daies And pag. 424. This is out of all doubt that at vvhat time all the world was in most vilde and desperat estate and that the lamentable ignorance of Gods truth had ouershadowed all the earth VVicklef stept forth c. Behould here manifest that before Wicklef there was not one Protestant in the whole world And how ill a Protestant he was shall hereafter appeare All the vvorld ignorant of Protestancie And pag. 425. In this so horrible darknes of ignorance saith Fox at what time there seemed in a manner to be no one so little a sparke of pure doctrine left In a maner no one litle spark of Protestancie VViclef first raised forsooth the vvorld VViclef sprong vp through whome the Lord would first raise vp again the world which was drowned in the depth of human traditions In like sort Bale Cent. 5. cap. 85. saith This age was shadovved vvith the darknes of great ignorance and blinded with more than Diabolicall fooleries And Cent. 6. cap. 1. the midnight of errors and a dim vvorld And cap. 8. In these times darknes of great ingnorance possessed the vvorld cap. 23. The common blindnes of the time vvas in aduancing the Idolatrie of the Popish Masse As for the discontentment which some time this king had with the Pope that was not for any matter of religion but because as Cooper saith Anno. 1343. VVhy K. Edvv. 3. some time discontented vvith the Pope The Pope gaue diuers Bishopricks and Benefices in England which the king thought not expedient for his temporall estate And as for the fauour which VVicklef found in his time that proceeded rather from the Duke of Lancaster who gouerned all in the olde age of the King and for a time vpheld VVicklef not vpon any liking of his heresie but to spite therby some of the Bishops whome he hated as Stow Anno. 1376 wtih whome Fox agreeth p. 393. testifieth in these words VVhy the D. of lancaster a vvhile fauored VViclef The Duke of Lancaster laboring as vvel to ouerthrovv the liberties of the Church as of the Cittie of Lōdon called vnto him VVicklef c. And when these contentions betwene the Duke and others were appeased He commanded saith Fox pag. 400. Edit 1596. VVicklef to submit him self to his Ordinarie The Cath. religion of the D. of lancaster Which clearly ynough declareth the Roman religion of that Duke which also other wise were euident by the honor wherwith he was receaued by the Cardinals and Bishops in the Popes Courte Stow pag. 399. And by his Confessor Iohn Kinningham a Carmelit who saith Bale Cent. 6. cap. 4. first impugned Wicklef And Cent. 7. cap. 26. saith that Gualter Disse than who none in Antichristi negotijs actuosior more busie in the rules of Antichrists Confessor to the Duke perswaded him for the loue at least of Papistrie to make war in Spaine which then fauored an Anti-pope to which purpose Pope Vrban sent the Duke a standard and made his Confessor his Legat and gaue him authoritie to preach the Crosse with many Indulgences for all them that would follow the Duke At what time writeth Bale out of Purney a wiclefist thē liuing Inualuit tunc Antichristi furor prae caeteris temporibus Antichrists furie preuailed more than in other times More ouer Polidor lib. 19. saith that two Hereticks were burnt in London in this Kings time whome Bale Cent. 5. cap. 74. calleth seruants of Christ In this Kings time liued the vertuous Ladie Mary Countesse of Saint Paule a woman saith Stow pag. 437 of singuler example for life Saints who builded Pembrooke hall in Cambridge and S. Iohn of Bridlinghton of whome we will speake in the next kings time
In this Kings time liued that witty schoolmaÌ„ William Occham King Richard 2. XLIIII IN the yeare 1377. succeeded King Richard 2. Nephew to Edward 3. by his sonne Edward the black Prince and reigned 22. yeares Qualities of K. Richard 2. He passed saith Cooper An. 1377. and Stow pag. 439. all his predecessors in bountie and liberality His Roman religion is most manifest His Rom. Religion First because he was crowned at a Masse wherof Walsingham Anno 1377. setteth downe the beginning of the Introit Graduall Epistle and Offertorie Had a Franciscan Frier for his Confessor Stow pag. 458. In the Commotion of Tiler went to Saint Edwards Shrine prayed before the high Altar offered and Confessed him selfe to an Anchor Stow pag. 459. and gaue to the said Shrine a Ruby then esteemed worth a thousand Markes pag. 593. Made foure Kings of Ireland knights at Masse pag. 501. And made the Earle of Northumberland sweare to him vpon the host after Masse p. 520. But most of all is his religion certain by his owne letters to the Pope and by his lawes and Acts against the Wicklefists Fox Acts p. 590. setteth downe his letters to Pope Boniface 9. thus To the most holy Father in Christ and Lord L. Boniface 9. by the grace of God high Pope of the most holy Roman and vniuersall Church his humble and deuout Richard by the grace of God king of England and France and Lord of Ireland greeting and kissing of his blessed feete And. pag. 511. he citeth an Act of Parlament then made to declare that Vrban was true and lawful Pope And pa. 556. saith King Richard procured letters Apostolicall from the Pope for the confirming of certain statuts of his And pag. 431. citeth a letter of Greg. 11. written in this kings time to the Vniuersitie of Oxford wherin the Pope saith that England doth not onely florish in power and aboundance of riches but is much more glorious and shining in purenes of faith accustomed alwaies to bring forth men excellently learned in the knowledg of holy scriptures grauitie of maners men notable in deuotion and defenders of the Catholick faith The like commendations he giueth in an other letter to king Richard Yea to testifie the Roman Catholick faith of this time and to stop the mouth of some Ministers who are not a shamed to say the Pope giueth leaue to sinne It pleased God this present yeare 1608. to raise in a maner a knight of that time and to make him speake For digging to make a graue in Saint Faiths Church vnder Paules they found the Coffin of Sir Gerard Bray brook the cords wherof were fresh and the herbs of good sauor and vppon his brest a Pardon granted vnto him of Pope Boniface of that time intire and whole in these words Boniface Bishop seruant of the seruants of God To his beloued sonne Gerard Braybrook the yonger Knight and to his beloued daughter in Christ Elizabeth his wife of the Diocese of Lincoln health and Apostolicall blessing It hath proceeded from the affection of your deuotion wherby yow reuerence vs and the Roman Church that we admit to our fauorable hearing your petitions those especially which concerne the halth of your soules Hence it is that we inclining to your requests do by the Tenor of these presents easely grant to your deuotion that the Confessor whom ether of yow shall thinck good to chuse shall by authoritie Apostolick giue to yow a plenarie remission of all your sinnes of which yow shal be in hart contrite and confessed once onely at the point of your death Yow persisting in the sincerity of faith in the vnity of the holy Roman Church and in obedience and deuotion to vs and our Successors the Bishopps of Rome canonically elected So notwithstanding that the said Confessor concerning those things of which satisfaction shal be imposed vpon ether He inioine it to be done by yow if yow return from perill of death or by your Heires if yow then chance to passe from this world that which yow or they are bound to performe as is aforesaid And least which God forbid in regard of such fauor yow be made more prone to committ sinne VVe will that if by any such confidence yow should fortune to transgresse that the foresaid Indulgence shall not any thing profit yow Therfore let it altogether be vnlawfull for any man to infringe this our graunt and will or with rash bouldnes contradict it If truly any shall presume to attempt it lett him know he shall incurre the indignation of Almighty God and his most blessed Apostles Saint Peter and Paul Giuen at Rome at S. Peters the 9. of Iune in the second yeare of our Popedome Behould gentle Keader this ancient pardon and consider by it First the high esteeme that our Catholick Anceistors made of the Popes pardons in so much that this worshipfull knight would send to Rome to procure a particuler one for him selfe and his wife Againe how vntruly Ministers say that Popes giue pardon and leaue to sinne seeing this pardon could not auaile for any sinnes committed vpon hope of the pardon But espetially I would haue thee consider Gods wonderfull disposition in the conseruing and reuealing of this Pardon at this time What thinckest thou that this Knights graue should be neuer opened till this day That the Pardon should be preserued from corruption so long lying in the earth That that onely Coffin in which this Pardon was should haue the cordes so long time sound the flowers so long odoriferous what thinck we this Pardon auailed to the soule of this Knight for which purpose it onely was giuen when it wrought such benefit to his dead corps But now to come to the Kings lawes and Acts against the Wicklefists Fox Acts pag. 441. saith Kings Richards lavvs against vviclefists vvhom Protest account their brethren The King adioined his assent to the setting downe of an Ordinance which was indeede the very first lawe which is to be found made against religion and the professors therof bearning the name of an Act made in the parliament Anno 5. Kichard 2. vvherin saith Fox VVicklefs doctrine is called heresie and notorious errors and slanders to ingender saith the Act discord and dissention betvveene diuers estates of the realme And order is taken for to arest and imprison such till they amend Ibid Fox citeth the letters patents of the King against Wicklef and some other there named or any other noted by any other probable suspition of heresies Again pag. 460. King Richard writeth to the Shrâ—efe of Northamton against the VVicklefists thus VVe willing therfor to withstand the Defenders and maintainers of such heresies Do will and command as wel the fornamed as namely the forsaid Iohn VVoodward to bs apprehended straitly charging the same to be imprisoned by their bodies or otherwise punished as shall seeme good to the Iustices And pag. 504. he setteth downe the Kings Commission in these words VVe by
him Walsingham who then liued Histor pag. 465. and ypodigm pag. 178. Cambden Brit. pag. 442. calleth him Optimum Principem Stow pag. 595. Victorious and renowned King He wonne the great battel of Agincourt and greatest part of France with Paris and was apointed by the French King Regent of France and heir after his death The Roman religion of this Victorious and vertuous Prince is notorious His Rom. Religion First because as Fox saith pag. 569. he made a Statut An. 2. That all and singuler such as were of Wiclefs learning if they would not giue ouer should suffer death in two manner of kinds That is They should be first hanged for treason against the king against whome they rebelled and then burned for heresie against God Secondly this king saith Fox pag. 675 in all his life and all his doings was so seruiceable to the Pope and his Chaplins that he was called the Prince of Priests The valiantest Prince of England called the Prince of Priests These were the Lollards who as Walsing saith Hist pag. 435. were wont to say Now the Prince of the Priâ—sts is gone now our enemy is departed Thirdly he hanged and burnt Syr Iohn Owldcastel called Lord Cobham whome though Fox account a principall martyr of his yet his brother Stow p. 581. calleth him the publick enemy And he was so phantasticall at his death as he talked of his own rising to life the third day pag. 582. He burnt also diuers other Wicleâ—ists ex Bale Centur. 7. cap. 5. And Fox pag. 481. telleth that being yet Prince he was at the burning of the forsaid Iohn Badly and commanded fier to be put to him when he would not recant Fouâ—â—hly he built three Monasteries VValsingham Hist pag. 452. as Beethlem for Carthusians Sion for Brigittings and another for the Caelestins which two last orders came new into England in his time Fiftly his ghostly Father and whom he most trusted and in whose armes he died saith Baâ—e Centur. 7. cap. 84. was the great Clerk and gretest aduersaire of the Wicklefists Thomas VValden Prouinciall of the white Friers ConfessioÌ„ of sinnes befor victorie Sixtly being to giue the battle at Agincourt the night before saith Walsing Hist pag. 438. He and his soldiers spent the night in making their coÌ„fessioÌ„s and prouiding for their soules And in ypodigm pag. 188. telleth how at harflew they had a folemne procession before the blessed Sacrament Of this religion was that English King and English soldiers who won that glorious battell who conquered France and made England renouned Finally This King as Stow faith Anno 1416. England in her most triumphant time accounted it great honor to be esteemed a Nation that ovved deuotion to the Church of Rome sent his Embassadors to the Councel of Constance where Wickleft and his doctrine were condemned and there procured it to be ordained that England saith Stow should obtain the name of a nation and said one of the foure Nations that owe their deuotion to the Church of Rome which vntill that time men of other Nations for enuie had letted Behould Christian Reader how the most victorious that England euer had and England in the most triumphant time that euer she enioyed stroue to be accounted a Nation that owed deuotion to the Church of Rome and accounted that a principall honor And at that time did God blesse our Nation with greatest victories with hapiest successe with largest Empire that euer since or before she obtained And these times were so euidently Roman Catholicke as the Kings Attorny in the araignment of F. Garnet calleth them the verie midnight of Poperie And Fox in Considerat 10. saith Protestants rather died than liued vnder this King In this Kings time liued that great Clerk Thomas Walden Saints who as Bale said Cent 7. cap. 84. conuerted the Duke of Lituania with all his people to popisme and as he reporteth out of Diuers is canonized King Henry 6. XLVII THe 47. Christian King was King Henrie 6. only sonne to King Henry 5. began his reigne Anno 1422. and reigned 38. yeares .. The pietie of K. Henrie 6. He was saith Cambd. in Brit. pag. 345. The best and most pious Prince and pag. 257. A most holy King a patern of Christian pietie and patience King Henry 7. so admired his vertues as he dealt with Pope Iulius to canonize him Fox pag. 716. saith I doubt not but King Henrie 6. was a good and quiet Prince Stow pag. 595. saith he was of nature gentle and meeke suffered all iniuries patiently pag. 624. alwaies naâ—urally inclined vnto good pag. 705. after his death worshiped by the name of holy King Henrie whose red hat of veluet saith he was thought to heale the head ach of such as put it on In both states he was patient and vertuous that he may be a pattern of most perfect vertue He was plaine and vpright onely giuen to praâ—er and reading of scripture and almes deedes Of such integritie of life as the Bishop that had bene his Confessor ten yeares auouched that he had not all that time committed any mortall crime So continent as suspition neuer touched him Polid. l 24. saith manie miracles vvere vvroughtly his bodie Far from couetousnes so religiously affected that on principall holy dayes he would wore sackcloth next his skin He pardoned one who had thrust him into the side with a sword and of his naturall inclination abhored all vices as wel of body as of minde Thus do Protestants commend this holy king His Rom. Religion And his Roman religion is manifest For Pope Eugenius sent to him a goulden rose as to a Catholick Prince Stow pag. 635. And vnder him were diuers Wicklesists burnt An. 1415. 1430. 1431. 1428. And Bishop Pecock made publickly to recant 1457. and had his bookes burnt before his face ex Bale Centur. 7. cap. 75. Godwin in Bishops of Chichester Fox Acts Edit 1596. pag. 605. sequen setteth down the names of diuets VVicklefists wherof some were burnt some whipped some made abiure theâ—r heresie vnder this king And pag. 644. he setteth downe publick letters of the King dated An. 18. Regni where he auoucheth the burning of one VVhite a VVickleâ—â—t calleth him Traitor to God King Edward 4. XLVIII THe 48. Christian Prince was Edward 4. of the house of York who began his reign 1460. and reigned 22. yeares He was saith Stow pag. 689 of noble courage and great wit pag. 722. a goodly personage princely to behould of hart coragious Valour of K. Edvvard 4. politick in counsell in aduersitie nothing abashed in prosperitie rather ioifull than proude in peace iust and mercifull in war sharpe and fierce His Râ—m Religion His Roman religion is manifest For Bale saith Centur. 8. cap. 34. That his Confessor was Iohn Stanborn a Carmelit Qui totus iurauerat in Romani Pontificis authoritatem who wholly swore to the Popes authoritie And Fox Acts Editione 1596. pag. 659.
now we finde too true Queene Marie LIII AFter K. Henrie the eight succeeded in the yeare 1546. King Edward the sixt his sonne a child of nine yeares olde which childe wanting the vse of perfect reason and vnfit to gouern him self was the first Protestant Prince that euer was in England and turned the Roman religion which his Father had left though maimed in one principall point to open Protestancie Not for the miracles or rare vertues of the Preachers therof or their conuincing their aduersaries in disputation as King Ethelbert changed his Paganisme into the Roman religion as is before shewed but because the Lord Protector and his complices thought it most sutable to their humors and most fit for their aspiring pretences But how vnfortunat this exchange was not onely to the soules of this King and principall Actors therin but also to their liues and bodies yow may reade in Stow The ill end of the kringets in of Probestancie where yow shall see that the very same yeare 1548. that Proclamation was made for receauing in both Kindes the Lord Admirall a cheefe agent in the change of religion though brother to the Protector and Vnkle to the King was beheaded for a Traitor And the next yeare 1549. VVhen Proclamation was made against Masse sone after also was Proclamation made against the Protector him selfe the principall author of the change and he cast into the Tower And in the yeare 1552. when the newe seruice booke of Common prayer begun in Pauls the said Protector was beheaded And the next yeare the King died and the Duke of Northumberland an other principall actor in the change of religion though against his own conscience as he openly declared at his death was beheaded for treason and Cranmer and Ridley and other fauorers of that change were depriued of their Dignities and sone after burnt This was the rufull end of the first setters vp of Protestancie For maintenance wherof albeit a new Queene was proclaimed Nobles sworne and the strength of England gathered yet in short time almightie God ouerthrew it again without any bloodshed by one vertuous woman Q. Marie Protestancie ouerthrone by a vvoman vvithout any bloodshed Vertue of Q. Marie Author of danger positions l 2 cap. 14. Her Rom. Religion In the arraignment of F Garnat D Doue lib. of Recusancie vvil haue Bellarm. to be a Protest or at lest no perfect Papist who all the time of her life liued so chastly and religiously that all her enemies could not to this day fasten the least suspicion of vice vpon her And whome euen Protestants write to haue Bene of nature and disposition verie milde and pittifull VVhich argueth that they wel deserued the seueritie which shee shewed towards them And so earnest a Roman Catholick shee was as the Protestants write of her that there was Not these thousand yeares a more obedient daughter to the Church of Rome than she was VVherby yow may iugde of the impudencie of Doctor Reinolds who in his Confer pag. 583. denieth not onely all the former Princes but euen Queene Marie euer to haue alowed the Popes absolute spirituall supremacie or as he speaketh the Popes Monarchie but onely to haue granted him such a preheminence as the Duke of Venice hath in that state But with her in the yeare 1558. ended all the glorie of Catholick Princes of England Who except King Henrie 8. for a few yeares and King Edward 6. had continewed from the yeare 598. till the forsaid yeare 1558. the space almost of a thousand yeares And after rose a new kind of Protestancie differing from that of King Edward the childs time Not as I said before through any miracles or strange vertue of the Preachers therof or their ouercomming their aduersaries in Disputation but against the will of all the Bishops and a great parte of the Nobilitie by the counsel of meere Lay men and the authoritie of a woman who was induced to make this change not for zeale of religion which shee little regarded but to assure her state the more because shee feared if she acknowledged the authoritie of the Church of Rome her birth might be called in question But of the cause maner and meanes of erecting Protestancie we shall speake more in the second booke Epilogue HItherto gentle Reader thou hast heard 53. Princes of England successiuly beleeuing and professing the Rom. Catholick faith besides 70. and more others who reigned ouer certain partes of England whiles it was deuided into diuers Kingdoms whose names onely I will here set downe Kings of Kent 13. Ethelbert Edbald Ercombert Egbert Lotharius Edricus VVithâ—ed Edbert Edilbert Alriâ—us Edilbert-pren Cuthred and Baldred Kings of the East Saxons 9. Sebert Sigebert Sigher S. Sebba Sighard Senfred Offa Sclred Swithed Kings of Eastengland 13. to wit Redwald Carpwald S. Sigebert Egris Anna Ethelere Ethelwald Adulph Elwald Beorna Ethelred Saint Ethelbright S Edmund kings of middle England 17. Namely Peda Vulpher Ethelred Coenred Ceolred Ethelbald Bernred Offa Egfert Kenulph Saint Kenelm Ceolwulph Bernulph Ludecan VVithlof Bertulph Burdred Kings of the Northpart of England 18. Edwin Saint Oswald Oswin Oswi Egfrid Alfrid Ostred Kenred Ostrie Ceolwulph Egbert Ostwuld Mollo Alred Ethelbert Alswald Ostred Athelred and some kings also of the South Saxons Consider I pray thee now the number of these kings which is aboue 120 far aboue the smallest number of two Protestant Princes Consider their sex and age who almost all were men and of mature yeares VVheras of the Protestant Princes one was a childe the other a woman Consider their wisdome and valour in which they were inferior to no Princes in Christendome Consider their vertue which was so great as there are more Kings of Ingland Saints than of all Christendome besides Consider the end for which they first embraced the faith which was nether to enioy their lust nor to get any Church goods nor to assure their temporall state but to gaine heauen Consider the Counsellors whose aduise they followed herein were not ignorant and laye men but vertuous and learned Diuines Consider the motiues which drew them to the Catholick religion to witt rare vertue great learning admirable miracles of their first preachers Finally consider how long they continewed in their faith to wit almost a thousand yeares and how almost in euery Kings time here liued some notable men who with rare vertue and miracles haue confirmed their faith Consider I say all this and then iudge whither the Catholick religion of so many and so worthie Kings or the Protestant faith of one Child and one woman be more likely to be good and to come from God Can we thinke that so many Princes of mature yeares and iudgment should be blinde rather then one child a woman that these could see that in so few yeares which all they could not perceaue in a thousand That these two should hit vpoÌ„ Gods truth for temporall endes rather thaÌ„ they for spirituall That that should be
founder of their Church and consequently that their religion and Church is a deuise and inuention of man Wherupon what will follow euery one seeth And as Luther was the Author of Protestancy in Germany so also from him it spred into England and other Countries not only by means of his books but also by his and his scholers Melancthon Pomeran others particuler letters written to English men and by the example of the German ProtestaÌ„ts which as Stow saith King Henry 8. followed in reiecting the Pope And finally because Tindal who is termed the Apostle of England went as Fox saith pag. 983. Tindal the Protest Apostle of England taught by Luther into Germany and there had conference with Luther Wherupon the said Fox saith pag. 1013. that from Germany Luthers Gospell began to spread his beames here in England And so wee may iustly account Luther the Author or founder of ProtestaÌ„t religion in our English Nation Protestancie came out of Germanie into Engl. And howsoeuer some will obstinatly deny against all the forsaid profes that Luther was the Author of their religion but it was forsooth before Luther though they know nether where nor in whom nor can produce any witnes yet neither doth any nor can any deny K Henrie â— in Sledan lib. 8. fol. 1â—2 saith Protestant came into England out of Germaniâ— but that this late reuolt of our English Nation from the See of Rome came originally from Luther as the vnion ther of to the said See aboue one thousand years agoe proceded from Saint Austin which sufficeth me to compare the vnion in faith of our English Nation with the See of Rome with the disunion therof VVhat is shevved of luther the like may be prooued of Calvin or anie other Sectmaister of our time Besides our ministers say Luther differeth from theÌ„ in no substantiall point Iuel Apol Feild of Church Reinolds Confer VViclef no Protestant in their two principall Authors S. Austin and Martin Luther And thus hauing shewed that there was no Protestant liuing ether in England or other wher when Luther began let vs see whether ther had bene any in England in times past CHAP. II. That VVicklefe and his followers were no Protestants 1. ALbeit Protestants challeng some few others who liued about Wicklefs time yet because their greatest hope is in him and his followers in so much that Doctor Fulke answere to a Counterf Catholick pag. 24. saith that he weeneth that we will not deny VVicklef to haue bene of their Church I will for breuity sake omit the rest 1 VViclef knevv not so much as the foundatioÌ„ of Protestancie and shew that euen Wicklife and his companie were far from being Protestants First because to hold iustification by only faith is as is before shewed lib. 1. cap. 21. by generall consent of Protestants the head the soule the foundation of their Church and religion And as Luther saith Praefat Epist ad Galat. As many as hold not this doctrine are either Iewes Turkes Popish or Hereticks But Wicklef and his mates held not iustification by only faith VViclef held not iustification by onely faith For as Melancthon cheefest scholler to Luther writeth Epist ad Fred. Micon inter Epist Zuinglij pag. 622. He nether vnderstood nor held the iustice of faith Besides nether Wicklef nor any of his followers were euer accused by any of the Catholick Inquisitors of those times of that point albeit as Fox saith pag. 750. their inquisition was so strait that no article could be mentioned amongst them but it was discouered Moreouer many of Wicklefes bookes are yet extant and neuertheles no Protestant hath yet found this their fundamentall Article of iustification by only faith in any of his bookes How then could Wicklefe be a Protestant who knew not so much as the head soul and foundation of Protestancie 2 VViclef holdeth diuers things condemned by ProtestaÌ„ts 2. Secondly Wicklef held diuers things which Protestantes condemne as that if any Bishop or Priest be in deadly sin he doth neyther order consecrat nor baptize which Fox pag. 400. sayth can hardly be defended See more of his Articles in Concil Constanâ—â—â—n And that so long as a man is in deadly sin he is no Bishop ot Prelat in the Church of God That temporall Lords may according to their ovvne vvill and discretion take avvay the temporall goods from the Church men vvhensoeuer they do offend which articles Fox pag. cit defendeth no otherwise then by saying that preaduenture they vvere not so strictly ment of him as they were gathered Moreouer Fox pag. 414. amongst other articles of Wiclefe citeth these To enrich the Clergie is against the rule of Christ There is no greater Heretick or Antichrist than the Clerke who teacheth that it is lawfull for Priests and Leuits of the lavv of grace to be endued vvith teÌ„porall possessions To which Stow Anno. 1376. addeth this other That neither King nor any seculer person could giue any thing perpetually to any person of the Church Further more as Fox hath pag. 392. he extolled the perfection of pouerty of the begging Friers and as Stow saith l. cit adioyned himselfe to them And the cause why he inueighed against the Church was as there Stow saith because he had bene depriued by the Archbishop of Canterb. of a benefice that he vniustly as was said was incumbent vpon VVhy VViclef impugned the Cath. faith Lastly Fox pag. 410. setteth downe a letter which he wrote to Pope Vrban 6. Anno 1382. which was about three yeares before he died wherin he confesseth the Pope to be Christs Vicar on earth and addeth thus If I haue erred in any of thes points I will submit my selfe to correction euen by death if necessitie so require Diuers other points which Protestants detest are collected out of his books by the Author of the Protestants Apologie for the Roman Church pag. 106. And more of Wicklefs wicked life and doctrine you may see in walsingham histor pag. 188 206. 302 ypadig pag. 139 142. 3. 3 ProtestaÌ„ts refuse VViclef PaÌ„taleon Melancthon Thirdly diuers Protestants refuse VVicklife for one of theirs and account him an Heretik As Pantaleon Chronall pag. 119. placing VViclife amongst Hereticks saith thus of him VViclife vvith the Lollard preacheth his heresie in England And the foresaid Melancthon epist cit I haue looked saith he into VVicklefe vvho maketh a great adoe about this controuersy of the Eucharist but I haue found many other errors in him by vvhich vve may iudge of his spirit Surely he neither vnderstood nor held the iustice of saith He foolishly confoundeth the Gospell and ciuill affairs nor perceaueth that the Gospell giueth vs leaue to vse the pollicie of all nations He laboreth to proue that Priests shold haue no proprietie He vvill haue no tithes paid but to those that teach He sophistically and very seditiously cauilleth of ciuill dominion In like manner he sophistically cauilleth
at the common receaued opinion of the Eucharist And in loc Com. titul de potest Eccles he plainly saith that VVicklefe plaied the made man Doctor Caius also lib. 2. dt Antiquit. pag. 268. obiecteth Wicklife to the oxonians as a disgrace to their vniuersity Caius And Stow in his Chronicles describeth Bale Oldcastell and others his followers as notorious malefacors and rebells to their Prince Stovv Luther yea Luther himselfe explicat Art 30. speaking of Hussits who were Wicklefists in Bohemia so termed of Hus Wicklefs principall scholler saith So D. Doue of Recusancie vvill haue Bellarmin a Protestant or no perfect Papist They do not well who make me a Hussit for he held not with me And in disput Anno 40. tom 1. pag. 493. Hus saith he tought horrible and diuelish blasphemie So far was Luther from accounting Wicklefs followers for Protestants 4. Finally the Sheriffes in England euer since Wicklefs time do take on oath to persecute Lollards 4 The Sheriffs svvear to pesecute VViclefists which was the vulger name of Wiclefs followers Which King Edward 6. Queene Elizabeth and his present maiestie and Ministers would not suffer nor the Protestant Sheriffs would take such an oath if they accounted Wiclefists Protestants And it being thus manifest that Wicklef and his companie were no Protestants much more manifest it is that no other English man before King Henrie 8. his time was Protestant Cranmer Which thing Cramner neuer doubted of when as Bale reporteth Cent. 8. cap. 90. he offered to defend Protestancie not vsed in Engl for one thousand years befor K Edvv. 6. that the religion apointed by King Edward 6. was more pure and agreable to Gods word than what said he had bene vsed in England this thousand years So clear it was in Cramners iudgment that Protestancie had not bene vsed in England for one thousand years before him But because some Protestants do hope to find some foating of their religion in the ancient Britons before that time let vs see of what religion they were that therby it may appear that nether English nor British were euer Protestants before Luthers time CHAP. III. That the ancient Britons were neuer Protestants VVhy Protestants chaleng the Britons 1. THe reason why Fox Bale Fulke othert calleng the ancient Britons for ProtestaÌ„ts is not because that they can proue that thy held their fundamental point of Iustification by faith or any other substanciall point of Protestancy but only because for a whil they disagreed from our S. Austin in some things to wit about the time of keeping Easter and manner of baptizing and such rites as S. Austin speaketh in Beda lib. 2. cap. 2. and cerimonies And also because they thinck that by reason of scarsitie of Records we cannot proue that Britons held these points of our faith which Protestants do deny Which reasons will serue as wel to proue that the Ancient Britons were Brownists or Anabastis as that they were Protestants But God willing we will shew by irrefragable testimonies of Antiquity that albeit the ancient Britons were some time infected with some ancient heresy lib. 1. c. 1. as hath bene shewed before yet they euer held so many points of Catholicke religioÌ„ as they neuer could be Protestants but quite opposit to them 2. And as for the religion of the Britons for the first 300. yeares after Christ which was the time in the persecution of the primitiue Church that may be easily gathered by the religion which they professed streight after the persecution was ended vnder their glorious Contriman the first Christian Emperour Constantine the great Both because there is no mention of any alteration made by them in religion all that time and also because Gildas cap. 9. and Saint Beda lib. 1. cap. 4. and 8. write that till the time of Arian heresy or as Bale cent 1. cap. 70. Fox in his Protestat Fulke annotat in 2. Cor. 12. testify till the time of S. Austins comming there was no change of their religion Let vs see therefore what religion they professed in Constantins time 3. First they builded saith S. Beda lib. 1. Antient Britons Catholiks Miracles beleued in places of Martyrdoms Temple of holie Martyrs cap. 7. a Temple of a meruailous rich vvorke in the place vvhere S. Alban vvas martired and belieued in that place sick persons to be cured many miracles to be wrought SecoÌ„dly they builded saith he l. 1 c. 8. Temples of holy Martirs And the like did Constantin himselfe Euseb lib. 3. de vit cap. 47. To this D. Abbots against D. Bishop p. 173. answereth That Constantin by building Churches in the honor of Martyrs ment not to honor their persons but to celebrat their names ObiectioÌ„ This glosse destroieth the Text. Ansvver For if the word matyrs do signifie their persons he in building Churches in honor of Martyrs ment ObiectioÌ„ therby to honor their persons Ansvver And as to To honor Martyrs by building Churches is to honor them by a religious act build Churches is no ciuil or prophane act as is to built Trophes or such monuments but a religious act so to honor Martyrs by building of Churches is to giue theÌ„ religious honor And if Christians by building of Churches in honor of Saints had ment no more than an honorable memory of their names whie did they neuer build Churches in honor of Princes or of any persons aliue or dead whose names they might honorablie remember besids that to celebrat ones name not to honor his person is to implie coÌ„tradiction For by celebrating a name we intend not to make such a sound or such letters famous but cheefly and principally the person signified therby And to make a person famous is it no honor to him And if we make him famous by a religious act as Constantin made the Martyrs famous by building of Churches wee giue him a religious honor Collins Wherfore Collins in his sermon at Paules Crosse 1607. dedicated to the Archb. of Canterb. and allowed of him saith pag. 52. that building of Churches to Saints was one cause of Protestants for forsaking our Church 3 Pariers for dead and in honor of Saints 4. Moreouer Constantin as Euseb saith lib. 4. de Constant â—60 caused himselfe to be buried in the Church of the Apostles Ita vt post obitum etiam precibus illis quae eo loci ad honorem Apostolorum futurae essent dignus haberetur Behould CoÌ„stantin hoping after his death to be holpen by prayers See his maiesties allovvance of Constantins religion in all points in Confer at Hampton Court pag. 69. ObiectioÌ„ and those made in honor of the Apostles which are two especiall points of Papistrie To this D. Abbots l. cit pag. 177. answereth that Eusebius mistooke Constantins meaning for he desired no prayers to be made for his soule Because he said lib 4. cap. 63 Now indeed I know that I am a
He fel in loue with M. Anne Bullen daughter to Syr Thomas Bullen who not cōdescending to his lust vnles he made her his wife he made earnest suit to Pope Clement to be diuorced from Queene Catherin daughter to the King of Spaine with whome he had bene maried 20. yeares and had had by her diuers children vpon pretence that she had bene maried before to Prince Arthur his brother But the Pope taking great deliberation and longe time in the matter King Henry in the yeare 1531. not vpon any dislike of the Popes religion but vpon occasion of delay as both Cooper and Stow say in their Chronicles made by the Pope in the matter of his diuorcement displeasure of such reports as he heard had bene made of him to the Court of Rome thirdly pricked forward by some coūsellers to follovv the exāple of Germās caused proclamatiōs to be made in the 29. of Septēber forbidding all subiects to procure any things from the Court of Rome And not content with this to spite the Pope more he compelled the Clergy the same year to giue him 130. thousand poūds with the Title of the headship of England K. Hen. diuorced from his first vvife after he had maried a second so far forth as the word of God did permit And in the year 1533. of his own authority he married Anne Bullē a good wile after made Cranmer diuorce him frō his former wife than liuing For which vnchristiā proceeding being excōmunicated by the Pope he was more enraged And therefore in the year 1534. Protestāts brag of procuring the title of the head of the Church to K. Henrie by Act of Parliamēt made him self head of the Church which title Barnes a Protestāt saith as Fox recordeth that the K. got by his his fellowes labors And Tindal the Apostle as Protestāts cal him of Englād who thē liued writing An. 1533 to Frith of K. Hēries intentiō against the Pope Clergy saith thus in Fox p. 987 I smell a Counsell to be takē litle for the Clergies profit in time to come VVhy K. Henr. reuolted from the P. out of Tindal But yow must vnderstād that it is not of pure hart for loue of the truth but to auēg himself to eate the whores flesh drink the marow of her bones which because it is vrittē somwhat enigmaticaly K. Henr. forsooke the P. not for loue of truth but for spite and couetousnes Beginning of Protestancie in England An. 1530. Counselars therto laie men Motiues spite and Cauetousnes Fox expoundeth in the margēt thus eating the vvhores fleshe is to spoile the Popes Church only for the pray spoile therof Thus yow see it euident euē by the confession of Protestants both the yeare when K. Henry 8 began to reuolt frō the Pope To wit 1530. his Counsellers therin to wit no Bishops nor Diuines but Laymen who hoped as they were to be partakers of the pray And his motiue ther vnto not dislike of the P. religiō or like of a better but malice against his persō couetusnes of the Church goods And out of these two foūtains haue sprōg since all the Protestācie of Engl. which whether they were liker to be foūtains of Gods or the Diuels religiō I leaue to euery one to iudg 2. Protestancie quite altereth K. Henries procedings And as the motiues so his alteratiō were malice couetuosnes so his proceding after was euer cruell couetous blooddy quite differēt frō his procedings in the former time For wheras before in 22. years of his Regn he had bene gētle put none of his nobility to death besides the Duke of Buckingham Fearle of Suffolk for treason In 16. yeares after of six Queenes which he had he put away two wherof one died for sorow other two he beheaded the one for adultery the other for incest also a thing vnheard of befor in Enlgish Q. the fift he caused to be opened for to saue the child in her belly Bloudie proceding of K. Henrie after change of religion first Protest Queene of England executed for adultery incest Queens Cardinals Abbotts Dukes Marques Earles Lords Coūtesse Marquesse Rauin and the sixt he ment to haue executed for heresie Of Cardidals he beheaded one cōdemned an other brought the third to death with greefe and sorow Of Lords Abbots he hanged drawed and quatered six Priors fiue besids a great number of Priests Monks and Friers And of the Nobility he condemned one Duke to perpetual prison beheaded a Marquesse beheaded two Earles one Earles sonne and heire and fiue of his Vnckle 's all in one day beheaded six Lords and one Lords sonne and heire hanged one Lord beheaded one Countesse attainted one Marquesse and of knights gentlemen and others executed great numbers And for his couetousnes of Church goods besides the 130. thousand poundes exacted as before of the Clergy the very same yeare he suppressed the Hospitall of S. Iames nere to Charing Crosse Anno 1532. suppressed the priory of the Trinity in London Anno 1534. suppressed the houses of the Obseruant Friers in Englād and tooke to himselfe all fruits and tenths of all spirituall goods and promotions An. 1534. tooke the reliques and cheefest Iuells out of Monasteries Anno 1536. suppressed all religious houses to the value of 200. poundes and vnder and tooke all their lands and grounds The number of these houses saith Stow were 276. the value of their lands then 32000. pounds and more by the year The moueable goods as they vvere sould at Robinhood penorthes amonted to more thā one hūdred thousand pounds It was a pitifull thing saith he to heare vvhat a lamentation the poore people in the Countrey made for them For there was great hospitality kept among them and as it was thought more than 10. thousand persons Maisters and seruants had lost their liuings by the putting downe of those houses Anno. 1538. All Abbeis and religious houses were suppressed and S. Thomas of Canterbury Shrine pulled downe which was saith Stow built of stone aboue a mans hight The vpper part of timber which was couered with plates of gould damasked with gould wier which groūd of gould was again couered iewels of gould 10. or 12. croouped with gould wier into the said ground of gould Many of these rings hauing stones in them brooches Images Angels pretious stones and great pearles c The spoile of which shrine in gould and pretious stones saith he filled two great Chests the which six or eight strong men could do no more than carie one of them at once out of the Church By which one may gather the inestimable riches which King Henrie got by all Abbeis and Shrines Moreouer Anno 1540 he suppressed the knights of the Rhodes And finally An. 1505. all Chanteries Colledges hospitals were giuē to the K. And yet not content withall these Church goods VVhat mischeef one point of Protesancie brought
to England which were inestimable within two years after to wit An. 1540. imposed a great tax vpon both Clergy Layty as neuer was heard of before in England as yow may read in Stow other And withall coined base mony in great aboundance which was after called downe to halfe valowe Protestancie at first entrance vndid English men soules bodies goods houses Churches monuments Thus yow may see how Protestancie or rather one pointe therof to wit The deniall of the Popes supremacie altered this K. from a liberall and clement Prince to a most cruel couetous maÌ„ how it entred into our CouÌ„try not only with the losse of our Contrymens soules but also of their goods and liues made such hauock of meÌ„ weemeÌ„ of churches houses ancient Monuments stately buildings as if some fury had come out of Hel or somme mortall enemy had gon roging vp down our Contry ProtestaÌ„ts vvish of Geneua and Beza Surly who well considereth this may say of ProtestaÌ„cy as BaÌ„croft in his suruey c. 3. saith of Geneua It had bene better for this IlaÌ„d if neuer English maÌ„ nor Scotish maÌ„ had bene acquainted there And of Luther as he c. 8. saith of Beza those Churches that followe Bezas humor may iustly wish he had neuer ben born And the DaÌ„gerous Positioner l. 1. c. vlt. saith he thincketh the Scottish Ministers wrought more mischeefe in that Country in 30. years thaÌ„ the P. of Rome had done before in 500. 3. Miserable successe after Protesancie Finally the succes which this King reaped by his alteration was most miserable For wheras before he was loued of English-men at home and feared of strangers abroad after this change made he was secure of neither For first Lincolnshyre men rose against him to the number of 20. thousand Commotions streight after Yorkshier men to the nuÌ„ber of 40. thousand And these insurrections being appeased the Yorkshier men twise after attempted an insurrection And from abroad he was accursed of the Pope and stoode in continuall feare that some forreigne Prince would inuade his Land Prophetie of F. Peto And as Frier Peto then tould him to his face openly in the Pulpit at Greenwich that if he proceeded in his course it woule befal to him as it did to Achab. that doogs should lick his blood there should not be one left of his issue to pisse against a wall The first wherof was seene to be fulfilled after his death when the lead wherin his body was wrapt whilst in the carriage therof to Winsor it stood in the ruins of the monastery of Syon broke and his blood ran out which the doggs lick vp as a graue writer reporteth out of their mouth that sawe it and the second we all now see to be accomplished 4. Catholick religion thus maimed in one point by King Henry was after his death heere turned into Protestancy First in K. Edwards time and after in Queene Elizabeth reigne But who considereth by what authority by what meanes whose procurment it was done A child first and after a vvoman authors of Protestancie in England may iustly think that it was not wrought by God For Protestancie was set vp not by the authority of any man but first by the authority of a child of 9. yeares ould scarce come to the vse of reason and not fit to gouern himself and after by the authority of a woman Meane onely vvil and teror The meanes by which it was set vp was nether miracle nor extordinarie vertue of the first preachers of it or their publick confuting by disputation their aduersaries as Catholick religion was set vp by S. Austin Frocurers laie men but meerely the will of the Protector in King Edwards time and of the Qeeene in her time and the terror of lawes Which meanes are more seeming as befitting Turkish than ChristiaÌ„ religioÌ„ And lastly the procurrers of this change were not Bishops or Diuins but ether wholly Laymen ignorant of Scripture diuinity against the will of all the Bishops as it was in Queene Elizabeths time or principally Lay-men against the consent of the best learned of the Pastors as in K. Edwards time And how little these men cared for religion but euen against their conscience sought their owne aduancements appeareth by the Duke of Northumberland a principall Doer in the alteration in K. Edwards time who stuck not to tell euen in that time to M. Anthonie Browne after created Vicount Mountaigue as I haue often heard of his honorable and vertuous Lady lately deceased D of Northumb confesseth that against his conscience he set vp the nevv region that he knew the Roman religion to be the truth but yet said he since we haue begon with this new run God run Diuel we wil go forward And that religion was but a colour of his ambitious pretences is also euident by what Stow writeth of him For fiâ—st he repeateth his Oration to the Lords wherin he saith that Gods cause and the preferment of his new word was the originall grownd of proclaming Queene Iane Sleidan lib 25. An. 1553. and after reciteth his words at his death where he professeth the Rom. Catholick faith and professed that he did not for hope of life but for conscience and acknowledged the euils then hapned to England to haue comen by the new religion By this iudg of the rest and now let vs return to Luther CHAP. VII That Luther was ignorant or meanly learned 1 Luthers yong years 1. THat Luther was but meanly learned wheÌ„ he first begaÌ„ ProtestaÌ„tisme I wil proue many waies First by his yong years for he was but 34. years ould when he began this new doctrine At what yeares men haue rather the ground of learning 2 Studied in no famous vniuers Fox p. 770. than are any way excellently learned Secondly he studied in no famous vniuersity nor vnder any notable Maister For the chefest place wher he studied was Erphord in Germany a place of no name and his Maisters names are so obscure as they are not knowne vnles we reckon his black Maister wherof we shall speack heerafter I might also adde that he was brought vp in a monastery because D. Whitak cont Dur. p. 733. saith what can we expect out of Monasteries but Monkish superstitions vnlearned 3 Corporal impediment of studie Thirdly he had a very great impediment of studie For tom 2. pag. 22. thus he writeth I dare not read two whole leaues togeather nor two or three lines of a psalme nor looke vpon any thing long For streight I haue a noise in my ears that I am faine to lay dovvne my head to the forme 2. Fourthly I proue Luthers ignorance by his doctrine For as Feild lib. 4 of the Church c. 24. graunteth His ignorant doctrin Luther made question of S. Iames epist of others Wittak cont Dur. p. 12. saith he vvrote disgracefully of it p. 20
other to Ministers Iudg then good Reader what kind of orders they haue if they haue any by their owne verdit Ministers vtterly shame their religion to wit impious prophane horrible and sacrilegious Iudg also what is to be thought of them and their religion who hitherto haue and yet doe permit Popish Priests that is as they accouÌ„t slaues and shauelings of Antichrist and enemies to Christ prophane and mere laie men yea impious sacrilegious no way degraded or new ordered of them but but by vertue only as they speak of their greasing of the Romish Antichrist the mortal enemy of Protestancy by power of their prophane impious sacrilegious orders to be sufficieÌ„t Ministers of their word and sacram O impious Antich word which can be sufficieÌ„tly ministred by vertue of impious AntichristiaÌ„ orders Note ministers Can Antich order Christs lawful Ministers Shal his orders become Christs orders shall Antichrists shaueling slaues be sufficient Pastors for Christ Shall Christ be serued by no other officers theÌ„ such as ether mediatly or immediatly were made by Antichrist See Doue of Recusancie Luth. cont Anabapt Is Christ comen to beg orders at Antichrists haÌ„ds to receaue pastors of his making Can Antichrist giue spiritual supernatural authoritie And haue Christs pastors no other then what came from Antichrist o shameful Christian religion if this be christian religion which hath no bible or word of God but what came from Antichrist no sacrament but from Antichrist no preacher but from Antichrist no orders but from Antichrist no spiritual authoritie or iurisdiction but from Antichrist Sâ—e Suruey cap. 8 3. 1â— Dangor Posit lib. 2. cap. 13. what then maie we conclude but the religion is Antichristian And why shold ProtestaÌ„ts maruail to heare their owne brethren call their Bishops and Ministers Bishops and Ministers of the diuel enemies of God pettie Antichrists and such like sith all the orders they pretend they must deriue from the pope whom they all account the true Antichrist No true religion vvithout true calling and right orders God open the eyes of my deere Countrymen that as they partly see that their Ministers haue nether right calling nor lawfull orders so they maie also see that they haue no true religion which without pastors both rightly called lawfully ordered can not stand And thus hauing shewed how vnfit Luther was to be Preacher both for his life learning calling and orders now let vs come to his doctrine to see whether that be any whit better CHAP. XII That Luthers doctrine was contrarie to the vniuersall faith of Christendom in his time 1. THat Luthers doctrine was contrarie to the vniuersall faith of Christendom at that time I proue by many waies First by the condemnation therof by the cheefe heades spirituall teÌ„porall of the ChristiaÌ„ people of that time For Luthers doctrin condemned by P. Leo. 10. as Protestants confesse Leo 10. than Pope spirituall head of Christian people condemned it An. 1520. whose Bull therof is extant in Fox p. 1166. And not longe after Hieremie Patriarch of Constantinople head as he accounteth him self of the Greeke or East Church condemned their doctrin in a booke which is called Censura Orientalis By Heremie Patriarch of Constantinople wherin he saith ther doctrine was altogeather new and directly both against the Gospell of Christ By charles 5 Emper. Sleid. also lib. 1 fol. 3. setteth doune Emper Maxmil letters against Luther Sleid. lib. 3. fol. 30. 33. 50. 51. By K. Henrie 8 Sleid. lib 3. fol. 34. and right reason and calleth them Hereticks And in the yeare 1521. Charles 5. then Eemperor of Germany King of Spain Naples Sicilie and Sardinia and Lord of all the low Countryes first writ a letter to the States of Germany which is set downe in Fox pag. 778. in which he professed to pursue Luther and all his adherents by all meanes that can be deuised for to extinguish his doctrine And sone after directed a solemne writ of outlawrie against Luther and all them that tooke his parte commanding the said Luther to be apprehended and his bookes burnt Likewise the same yeare 1521. King Henrie 8. of England wrote a booke against Luther in which saith Fox pag. 780. By the French King Sleidan lib. 6. fol. 68. lib. 8. fol. 120. First he reproueth Luthers opinion about pardons 2. He defendeth the supremacy of the Bishop of Rome 3. Laboreth to refel Luthers doctrine of the sacraments And againe in the yeare 1523. writ saith Cooper in Chron. to the Princes of Germany against Luther And in the yeare 1525. as the same Cooper writeth he entred league with the French King to suppresse the sect of the Lutherans vvhich they thought to be no lesse dangerous than the Turkes power And Anno 1535. he writeth that six were burnt in Paris for Lutherans before the French King his sight And Anno t543 that the French King made strait proclamation against the Lutherans By Iames 5 King of ScotlaÌ„d And as for Iames 5. King of Scotland and Grand-father to his Maiesty Hamilton Confut. Caluin a Scottish writer testifieth that when King Henry 8. hauing fallen into one point of Lutheranisme promised to make K. Iames his heire if he would do the like he rather refused so great a profer than consent to his desire And behold the different reward from God of the two Kings King Henrie 8. issue is quite extinguished Note and Iames his royall progenie wee behould not only florishing but possessing King Henries crowme and Kingdome So hath God euen in thie life recompensed By the States of Suizerland Sleidan ib. 3 fol. 54 55. By the learned men of all partes of Christendome the religious zeale of that most Catholick King And as for Swizerland Fox p. 792. writeh that Anno 1524. the States of that countrie in their assembly Decreed that no opinion of Luthers should be tought priuatly nor openly and wrote to the men of Zurich and do much lament saith Fox and complaine of this new broached doctrine which hath set all men togeather by the eares through the occasion of certaine rash and nevv fangled heades and vvill bring destruction both to body and soule And as for the learned men of that age in all Christian Countries their detestation of Luthers doctrin is euident By vniuersities For first the Vniuersities of Louain and Colen condemned Luthers bookes as hereticall in the year 1520. And in the next yeare the Vniuersitie of Paris did the like Sleid. Engl. lib. 1. fol. 14. lib. 3 fol. 32. And in all Christian Contries almost the cheefest learned men wrote against him as Eckius Cocleus Gropperus in Germanie Silueuester Caietan Catherin in Italy Petrus a Soto Alfonsus a Castro Canus Turrianus in Spaine Clictoneus and others in France By a general Councel Bishop Fisheâ—and Syr Thomas More in England Driedo Tapper Erasmus in Flanders Hosius in Polonie
maruell it is that more did not run togeather as S. Peter speaketh Epist 1. cap. 4. into the same confusion of leacherie And that we may speak to Luther as S. Hierom lib. 2. did to Iouinian Glorie not that thou hast many disciples that many fauour they opinion that is a signe of pleasure For they fauour not so much thy speach as their owne vice For alwayes false Prophets promis pleasing things and sooth much vertue is bitter and who preach it are replenished with bitternes And that I may not speake of others Did not Airus draw the whole world Thus Saint Hierome And what Iouinian what Epicur what Libertin hath taught more licentious and voluptuous doctrine thā Luther Of which I wil giue the Reader a taste by some points which I haue gathered out of of two litle bookes which he wrote in the beginning of his Protestancy By which the reader may imagin what store he vttered after A taste of Luthers licentious doctrin when he had more abandoned shame It will profit the soul saith he l. de Libert Christiana nothing if the body pray and do what work soeuer can be done in and by the body Yea meditations whatsoeuer can be done by the mind profit nothing It will not hurt the soule if the body eate Epist ad Albert. Mogunt Horrible est si vir sine vxore in morte inueniatur drink commonly pray not omit all things which may be done by hypocrits No works whatsoeuer belong to the inward man By only impiety incredulity of the hart is he made guilty slaue of sinne to be damned not by any external sinne or work All the cōmandements are equally impossible Good works make not a good man nor ill works an ill man No ill work maketh man ill damned but incredulity And l. de captiu There is no hope of remedy vnles recalling the Gospel of liberty all lawes of all men extinguished at once we iudg gouern all things according to it If we haue Gods law and natural wisdome it is superfluous yea hurt full to haue writen lawes no law can be put vpon Christians ether by men or Angels but as much as they us ill them selues By only faith although there vvant other works thou shalt be saued A Christian is so rich that though he would he can not leese saluation with what sinnes so euer vnles he will not beleeue For no sinnes can damne but incredulitie Thus Luther much more in two little bookes By which thou maist see good cause whie diuers did follow him And how temporall interest maketh now diuers to follow the Puritan Ministers in England the Surueier telleth p. 246. And cap. 2. how the like bayte drew the Geneuians to harken to Caluin and his mates And the Dangerous Positioner telleth the like motiue in Scotland to follow Knox and his companions Thus carnall pleasure libertie and profit were the miracles wherwith Luther perswaded his doctrin 3. Wherfore Feild lib. 3. of the Church p. 48. insinuateth other kind of miracles of Luther but referreth vs for them to Illyricus and Fox Luthers miracles out of Fox And in Fox pag. 789. I finde these First that Luther hauing had warning before and the pictur of a Iew who meant to poyson him sent vnto him miraculously skaped poisoning That a stone fell not from the top of a vaute before Luther rose from vnder it 3. That they who stood vnder Luthers window where he stoode praying might see him shed reares Fourthly That by prayers he had obtained that so long as he liued the Bishop of Rome should not preuaile in his Contrie The Fift was that Luther compelled by prayer the Diuel to throw into the Church an obligation wherwith a man had bound him selfe body and soule to the Diuel Sixtly That when he preached they that heard him thought euery one their own tentations to be touched These are the miracles which Fox attributeth to Luther Against which I might except as they do against miracles done these dayes by Catholicks that they are auouched onely by Protestants I might also obiect that Fox nameth no eye witnesse of any of these miracles This also the diuel could do by collusion to grace his scholer But I neede not For besides the fift which Fox him selfe dare not auouch but referreth it to report saying if it be true as it is certainly reported What is there in any of the rest which might not be done naturally Was it a miracle to escape poysoning by a man of whome he was warned before who was pictured vnto him Might not the stone naturally haue stood till that time when Luther rose May not an Hypocrit standing praying in a Window to be seene shed teares May not Luther fain that he obtained that of God which he saw was not lykly to be otherwise And finally might not he who knew the disposition of his scollers and audients hit on that wherwith they were tempted Surely these miracles we liken to those ridiculous miracles which the Fathers report of the Montanists Luthers miracles refuted 4. But against these or whatsoeuer miracles are ascribed to Luther I oppose first that himselfe lib. cit in Esai when it was obiected him that he wrought no miracles neuer mentioned any visible miracles yea he addeth that miracula nostro tempore corporaliter amplius non fiunt Quia Christus saith he ad finem mundi infirmus est That himselfe saith Loc. Com. Clas 4. pag. 39. Nullas appariiiones Angelorum habeo And pag. 40. pactum feci cum Domino meo ne vel visiones vel somnia vel etiam Angelos mihi mittat 3. That Fox himself saith p. 1040. The time of miracles is expired we hauing the scriptures to guide vs. And Caluin 4. Instit pag. 9. Temporale fuit donum miraculorum aliqua ex parte hominum ingratitudine intercidit 4. Doctor Fulke Anot in Ioan. 15. Luther and Caluin work no miracles Protestāts denie that Luther euer vvrought miracle And in Apoc. 13. yow know saith he that Caluin and the rest whom yovv call Archereticks work no miracles Erasmus also said that Luther could not cure a Lame horse CHAP. XV. That Luther hath had no succession and continuance of his doctrine here in England THe last point wherin S. Austin and Luther are to be compared is succession continuance of doctrine In which least of all is to be said For albeit Crāmer were for a while and that secretly in King Henrie 8. time a Lutheran as Fox tearmeth him pag. 1115. tyet shortly after King Edwards entrance he reuolted from that and fell to Zuinglius denying with him the reall presence in the Eucharist and for that cheefly was burnt as yow may see in Fox After whome nether Archbishop nor Bishop was a Lutheran in all England but followed rather Zuinglius or Caluin albeit also they differ from them in diuers points of doctrin as well appeareth
miracles For besides the testimony of the word of God which testified the miracles which we reade in scripture what waÌ„t they to be accounted true miracles that any other miracles had The Deedes were supernaturall The effect of them was supernaturall diuine vz the conuersion of Infidells The meanes of doing them holy to wit prayer to God The doers of them were Saints The testimonie of these Deedes are of many eye witnesses freinds and foes learned vnlearned holy and Wicked forrein and domesticall and coÌ„fessed of diuers which refuse S. Austins religion Than the which greater testimonie for miracles can not be required vnles we would haue God to speake from heauen And on the other side what prudent man is he that wil not iudg Luthers wonderments to be friuolous The things reported o him were naturall The testimonies for them are nether of eyewitnesses nor of enemies nor of Saints nor of great learned men nor are they confessed of any who refuse Luthers doctrine Yea they are denied by such as were both freinds and great scollers of Luthers Whie then should we beleeue them Nay whie should we not deny them CHAP. IX S. Austin and Luther weighed according to the Succession or continuance of their doctrine TRuly said Gamaliel Acts. 5. of the Christian religion then preached by the Apostles Si ex hominibus est consilium hoc aut opus dissoluetur Si vero ex Deo est noÌ„ poteritis dissoluere And in like sorte of hereticks said S. Paul 2. Timoth 3. Vltro non proficient And S. Austin in ps 57. compareth the Catholik faith to a Riuer which hauing a continuall spring euer floweth neuer waxeth drie heresie to a brooke rising vp on raine which while the raine falleth runneth boisterously and they who know not that it waÌ„teth a springe would iudg that it would last loÌ„ger than the quiet riuer See this proued l. 1. c. 14. seq ad fin l. 2. c. 1â— but as soone as it leaueth raining they see the water gon the brooke dryed Wherfor let vs see whither S. Aust or Luthers doctrin hath coÌ„tinewed longer in Engl. in their followers or rather we haue seene it alredy For. S. Aust hath had 69. successors in his Archbishoprick successiuly all of the same religion with him 53. kings of EnglaÌ„d besides diuers others as is before declared that when the Crown kingdome was twise violently taken from the Englishe-men by Danes Normans yet his faith was not taken from his successors Nor by so many so long desolations of the Danes many seuere lawes first by King Henrie 8. and then by Queene Elizabeth and so manie bitter torments hard banishmeÌ„ts streight confinments deep Dongeons could Iorns great â—ines Taxes and paymeÌ„ts bluddy deaths could it be rooted these thousand yeares oute of this land but that this day God be thancked S. Aust there are both noble ignoble clerks seculer religious men weemeÌ„ Children who not withstanding all lawes threats dangers will professe to hould the faith of their Apostle S Aust to agree with him in all points of religioÌ„ to honor that See from whence he came Much more vvold S. Austin haue forborne the Protest Church to refuse as he did to ioine in religioÌ„ with them who obserue not the maner as he said to the BritoÌ„s of the holy RomaÌ„ Apostolik Church In so much as not withstaÌ„ding all the lawes terrors ProclamatioÌ„s searches or paymeÌ„ts Torturs BanishmeÌ„ts executions which haue bene made these 50. yeares I B in his Taile of Tvvo leg Foxes c. 11 yet Ministers in their printed bookes dayly complaine of increase of Priests and Catholicks And one lately in his sermon at Pauls Crosse dedicated to the pretented Archb. of Canterbury and lyked of him saith pag. 79. Som. Collins that no bondage or hard measure can euer be thought able to suppresse or reclame vs. This this sheweth S. Austins worke to haue bene of God the water wherwith he watred the plants of his religion to haue an euerlasting flowing fountain from Heauen and the Church which he founded to be built vpon such a Rock as the gates of hel shall not preuail against it And that they which spurne against it do as S. Paule once did spurne against the pricke And on the other side Cranmer if he were as Fox saith a Lutheran in King Henries time it was but secretly And if he professed it in King Edwards time it was but for a verie short space And long since was there not one true Lutheran Protestant to be found in all England So soone was Luthers work dissolued so soone was his brooke growne drie And in steede of it runneth now Zuinglius or Caluins brooke which though it see me for the present to be ful and runne strongly yet if the Prince whose harte is in Gods hands would but ether disfancy it or at least withould his seuere haÌ„d from Catholicks yow should quickly see this ful brooke brought to a lowe ebbe and quickly dreaned and wax as dry as ether the brooke of Luther or the brookes of 300. Archereticks more wherof diuers haue runne far fuller and longer than ether Luthers or Caluins hath and now no signe of them is left Luther epist ad Albert Mogunt An 1525. forte doctrina mea iterum supprimetur yea scarce their names are knowne This Luther him selfe both forsawe and fourtould as is before declared l. 2. c. vlt. And Caluin also in his Preface before his Cathechisme in these wordes Of Posteritie I am so doutful as I dare scarce thinck therof For vnles God miraculously help from heauen me thinks I see extreme barbarousnes hang ouer the world And I pray God that a while hence our children feele not this to haue bene rather a true prophecie than a coniecture And if we mark we shall see that as Vipers broode killeth their Mother of whome they came So new haeresies destroy the ould from whence they sprange Thus the Puritan impugneth the Protestant and the Brownist vndermineth the Puritan Wherfor let all men that be careful of their saluation harken to S. Hieroms aduise saying to a Luciferian Haeretick I will tel thee my mind breefly and plainly That we should abide in that Church which founded of the Apostles contineweth to this daye For shall we doute saith S. Austin l. de vtil Cred. to put oure selues in the lap of the Church wich from the See Apoostolick by succession of Bishops in vaine Haereticks barking about yt hath gotten the hight of authoritie Epilog 1. THus we see most deerly beloued Contrimen that if we compare according to the true rules of prudence and wisdome the Roman Catholike Protest religion in their first founders here in our English Nation other for learning or vertue for missioÌ„ or orders for motiues to preache for vniuersalitie of religioÌ„ or confession of Aduersaries for miracles or succession and continuance the Catholik
of Pope honorius who made him his Legat in England and Scotland Theobald Archbishop XXXVII 6. THe 37. was Theobald chosen an The vvorthines of Archb. Theobald 1138. and deceased an 1160. He was saith Godwin of so svveete and gentle behauiour being very vvise vvithal as he vvas greatly esteemeed of high and lovv Kings Nobles and Commons His Religion is known His Rom. religion by that as Godwin witnesseth he was a Benedictin monke and Abbot coÌ„secrated of the Popes Legat receaued his Pal from Pope Innocent 2. who also indued him and his successors for euer with the Title of Legatus natus which they all kept til the later end of King Henrie 8. Continuat Florent addeth that being called of the Pope he went to a Councel held in Rome S. Thomas Archbishop XXXVIII 7. THe 38. Archbishop and first Englishman after the Conquest was S. Thomas Elect an 1161. martyred an 1171. He was saith Neubrigen who then liued lib. 2. c. 16. vir acris ingenij The excellent partes and vertue of S. Thomas Archb. A man of a sharp wit and competent eloquence comely in fauor and finely handed comparable to the best in the effectual dispach of any busines he had so spetial a prerogatiue of honor and loue in the Princes hart that he seemed to be his fellow mate in the Crowne And Paris who liued soone after pag. 272. saith a primis adolescentiae annis From his very youth he was adorned with manifould grace And pag. 167. Carnem cilicijs attritam cum femoralibus cilicinis edomuit His fleshe worne with haireclothe His vvonderful austeritie of life he tamed with britches of the same Houeden Parte 2. Anal. saith Irreprehen sibilis vita singulis diebus c. Irreprehensible he receaued day by day three or fyue disciplines at the Priests hand his inner garment was of rugged haircloth of Gotes haire wherwith his whole bodie was couered from the elbow euen to the knees he lay vpon the bare ground before his bed and neuer ceased from prayer vntil for very wearines he layd downe his head vpon the stone be there placed insteed of a boulster The same and much more is written in his life by four writers of great credit who then liued Fox Acts. pag. 206. saith of him thus Threatnings and flatterings were to him both one great helps of nature were in him In memorie excellent good ful of deuotion Godwin saith he was most canonically elected and presently after his consecration became so graue so austere so deuoute in al outvvard shevv as he seemed quite an other man And as Westmon an 1162. writeth a Courtiers life he changed into a most saintly Thus both Catholicks and Protestants write of this blessed martir His Rom. religion His Roman religion is doubted of no man Fox Acts pag. 206. saith he was without all true religion supersticious to the obedience of the Pope and pag. 779. saith Lanfranck Anselm Beket brought the Popes Iudicial authoritie from Rome into this Land both ouer Kings and subiects which euer since hath continewed til these later yeares Bale Cent. 2. cap. 100. saith he was Legatus a latere The Popes Legat. assiduus labor c. and his continual labor was to subiect the Princes Maiestie to Antichrist Hovv God revvarded the pennance of king Henrie 2. What great pennance King Henrie 2. did of his owne accord for being some cause of this blessed mans death and how God the same day rewarded him with a miraculous victorie ouer the Scott yow may read in the Chronicles And how great the deuotion of our Forfathers was to this Saint appeareth by the inestimable riches which they gaue to his shrime of which Erasmus writteth vilissima pars c. Deuotion of EnglaÌ„d to Saint Thomas The basest part was golde all shined glittered and cast forth lightening by reason of the rare and mightie gemmes and precious stones yea the whole Church in euery parte abounded more than with royal riches Godwin in vit Baldwin Euery one thought him selfe happie that could doe anything to his honor Of these riches King Henry 8. had 24. waine Loades besides that which others embezeled And our Ancestors deuotion towards him appeareth by the hard marble stones which are to be seene worne round about the place where his shrine stood with the knees of those that came to pray there As Protestante with admiration do shew to those that come thither Richard Archbishop XXXIX 8. IN the yeare 1173. succeded Richard The vvorthines of Archb. Richard and departed this life an 1183. A man saith Godwin very liberal gentle and passing wise His Roman religion is certain His Rom. Keligion For as the same Godwin and Fox pag. 394. confesse he was a Benedictin Monk and consecrated of the Pope Which also testifieth Westmon an 1174. Houeden 1175. saith he held a Councel wherin he decreed Patrum saith he regulis inherentes insisting in the rules of ancient Fathers that Priestes should haue no wiues and be shauen Priests commanded to put avvay vvomen and to be shauen Baldwin Archbishop XL. 9. THe 40. Archbishop Baldwin succeeded an 1184. and deceased an 1190. aâ—very comely man saith Godwin modest and sober of such abstinence as fame durst neuer stamp any sinister report vpon him The admirable vertue and learning of Archb. Baldvvin Of few wordes slovv to anger and very studious from his childhood Fox Acts. pag. 230. addeth that it is saide that he neuer eat flesh in his life He went with King Richard into the holy land where saith Godwin by preaching counsel liberal almes and continual example of a most vertuous life he did great good and there dyed Bale Cent. 3. cap. 27. saith he was eloquent in speech an exact Philosopher and was accounted in those dayes fit for all maner of studie He was very diligent and careful in the discharge of his Archiepiscopal function behauing him selfe as a worthie Pastor His Rom. religion The Roman religion of this holy Prelat is manifest For as Fox Godwin and Bale L. cit say he was a Cistertian Monke and at the commandement of the Pope razed down to the ground a Church which him selfe had built Reginald Fiz Iocelin Archb. XLI 10. THe next was Reginald fiz Iocelin elected saith Godwin by the Monkes of Canterburie an 1191. but he at first withstood what he might Rare humilitie of Archb. Reginald and with teares vnfainedly besought them to make choise of some other and dyed within few dayes after Yet his Roman religion is cleare His Rom. Religion For as Godwin saith the Pope presently afforded him his Pal. Hubert VValter Archb. XLII 11. IN the yeare 1193. succeded Hubert Walter and dyed an Great vvorthines of Archb. Hubert 1205. VVho was saith Paris Hist pag. 26. vir profundi pectoris c. A man of a deepe reache and a singuler piller in the Realme of incomparable stabilitie and wisdome The