the way I conceive Livings were estimated not according to the favourable rates in the King's Book where few of forty four pounds per annum but according to the ordinary value as they were worth to be let and set in that Age. 6. Here faine would I be satisfied from some Learned in the Lawes A Quaere propounded That whereas provision is made in this Patent for the Prior to enjoy his Pension untill per nos by the King's self or His under-Officers he was preferred to promotion of equall value whether or no this Pension determined if not the King but some inferior Patron provided such preferment for him Seeing in a generall sense all may be said presented by the King as Patron Paramount of the Church of England who by virtue of His Law have institution and induction into any Ecclesiasticall promotion 7. That effectuall passage is inserted in all Patents of Abbots Seniority in Covents an advantage Priors and Monks that they were in the Covent Diu antea Long before the Dissolution thereof Otherwise many young folk who lately came in even barely went out without any Pensions Such Novices and Probationers whose Coules came but yesterday out of the Drapers shop having youth and strength to provide for themselves were left to the choice of their own calling without any other annuity allowed them 8. Their Pensions Many Pensions mount to much money though seeming but small being many in number made a deep hole in the King's revenue insomuch that He received from some Houses but small profits de claro until the said Pensions were extinguished As will appear guesse Hercules from his Foot by comparing the Profits arising from with the Pensions allotted to the Monks in the aforesaid Priory of Hinton in Somersetshire Edmond Hord Prior his Pension 44 li. his Gratuity 11 li. Monks Pensions Gratuitie Monks Pensions Pensions Grat.  li. s. d. li. s. d.  li. s. d. li. s. d. Thomas Fletcher 6 13 4 1 13 4 William Reynold 6 13 8 1 13 4 William Burford 6 13 4 1 13 3 Robert Savage 6 13 4 1 13 4 Hugh Laycoâ—ke 8 00 0 2 00 0 Will Robinson 2 00 0 0 10 0 Robert Frye 6 13 4 1 13 4 Jo Chamberlaine 6 13 4 1 13 4 Jo Bachcroft 8 00 0 2 00 0 William Coke 6 13 4 1 13 4 Robert Russell 2 00 0 0 10 0 James Marble 6 13 4 1 13 4 Robert Lightfoot 2 00 0 0 10 0 Roger Legge 2 00 0 0 10 0 Robert Nolinge 6 13 4 1 13 4 Hen Bourman 6 13 4 1 13 4 Henry Gurney 6 13 4 1 13 4 John Calert 2 00 0 0 10 0 Thomas Hellyer 6 13 4 1 13 4 Robert Stamerdon 6 13 4 1 13 4 Nicholas Baland 6 13 4 1 13 4     li. s. d.  li. s. d. The total sum of yearly Pensions 163 6 8 The total sum of Grat. 40 16 9 Now whereas the Priory of Hinton at the dissolution thereof was valued at no more than two * Speed in his Catalogue of religious Houses pag. 707. hundred sixty two pounds twelve shillings if the aforesaid summe of yearly Pensions be thence deducted the clear remainder to the King was but ninety nine pounds five shillings four pence But the Crown had a double advantage One that Priory-Lands were lasting whilst Pensions expired with Monks lives and the other that the pensions were but bare Penny-Rent whilst Abbey-Lands were lowly rated farre beneath their true valuation 9. Now because our hand is in The Pensions of the Abbots in Somerset and I for the present can make use of an Authentick Manuscript once Henry Baron Hunsdon's Lord Chamberlain Kindly communicated to me by a worthy * Mr. Edward Pepis of the Temple friend of all the Pensions in Somerset-shire it will not be amisse to exemplifie such as were allotted to the severall Abbots and Priors therein Place Abbot Pension Gratuity   li. s. d. li. s. d. Athelnye R. Hamlyn 50 00 00 the Prebend of Sutton Briston Jo Ely 80 00 00 20 00 00 Keynsham Jo. Stoneston 60 00 00 00 00 00 Place Prior. Pension Gratuity   li. s. d. li. s. d. Bath William Gibby 08 00 00 an House in Bath Montacute R. Whitlocke * Besides the Capitol Messuage in East Ghynock 80 00 00 20 00 00 Taunton W. Williams 60 00 00 30 00 00 Witham Jo. Michell 33 06 08 08 06 08 Place Master Pension Gratuity   li. s. d. li. s. d. Bridgwater Ro. Walshe 33 06 08 16 13 04 Wells Ric. Clarkeson 12 00 00 00 00 00 These two last were Hospitalls The aforesaid Book reacheth not Bristoll because not properly in Somerset-shire but a County Incorporate by it self As for Whiting late Abbot of Glassenbury he was executed for a Traytour and so his Pensions paid No mention therein of the Prior of Mucchelnye whose place may be presumed void by his death or he otherwise preferred 10. We may observe great inequality in these Pensions Pensions go by favour not measured as the Jewes Manna by one and the same Homer but increased or diminished 1. According to the wealth of the house dissolved For where more profit accrued to the King by the suppressions their larger Pensions were allowed to the Prior or Monk thereof 2. According to the merits of the man 3. According to his age and impotency needing relief Lastly and chiefly according as the Parties were befriended by the King's Officers in the Augmentation-Court wherein as in all other Courts favour ever was is and will be in fashion 11. But of all Pensions Largest Pensions allotted the Hospitallers the largest in proportion and strongest in conveyance as passed not as the rest by Letters Patents but by Act of Parliament were those assigned to the late Lord Prior and those of the Order of the Knights Hospitalars These being men of high birth and honourable breeding The King no lesse politickly than civilly thought fit to enlarge their allowance a main motive which made them so quietly to surrender their strong and rich Hospitals as in the printed * An. 32 Hen. 8. cap. 24. Statute doth appear  li. s. d. To Sir William Weston Lord Prior 1000 00 00 To Sir Jo Rawson * He was Prior of Kilman in Ireland 666 13 04 Confreres Pensions  li. s. s. Clement West 200 00 00 Jo Sutton 200 00 00 Richard Poole 133 06 08 Jo Rawson 133 06 08 Gyles Russell 100 00 00 Geo Aylmer 100 00 00 Edw Belnigham 100 00 00 Thomas Pemberton 080 00 00 Edmund Huse 066 13 04 Ambrose Cave 066 13 04 Rich Brooke 066 13 04 Cuthbert Leighton 060 00 00 Thomas Copledike 050 00 00 Edw Brown 050 00 00 William Tirell 0â—0 00 00 To Anthony Rogers Oswald Massingberd c. ten pounds a piece yearly to be paid as all the former Pensions during their naturall lives In the same Statute it
of the Duke de Alva drove over more Dutch into England But enough of this subject which let none condemn for a deviation from Church-history First because it would not grieve one to goe a little out of the way if the way be good as this digression is for the credit and profit of our Country Secondly it reductively belongeth to the Church-History seeing many poore people both young and old formerly charging the parishes as appeared by the accounts of the Church Officers were hereby enabled to maintain themselves 14. The extortion of the Pope being now somewhat abaâ—ed in England The Popes Italian Usurers turn Merchants the Caursines or Lumbards formerly the money Merchants of his Holinesse and the grand Vsurers of England did not drive so full a Trade as before Wereupon they betake themselves to other Merchandize and began to store England with forraign commodities but at unreasonable rates whilst England it self had as yet but little and bad shipping and those lesse imployed 15. But now King Edward But at last are prohibited by the King to prevent the ingrossing of Trade into the hand of Forreigners and to restore the same to his native Subjects took order that these Aliens should no longer prey on the Radical moisture of his Land but began to cherish Navigation in his own Subjects and gave a check to such Commodities which Forreiners did import as in ancient Poems is largely described whereof so much as concerneth our purpose He made a Statute for Lombards in this Land Liber de custodia Maris extant in Hacluits voyages book 1. p. 191 That they should in no wise take on hand Here to inhabit here to charge and dsscharge But forty dayes no more time had they large This good King by wit of such appreise Kept his Merchants and the sea from mischiefe But this was a work of time to perform and took not full effect to the end of this Kings reign yea the Lombards were not totally routed till the reign of King Richard the third 16. About this time the Clergie were very bountifull in contributing to the Kings necessities A survey made of the Cleargies Glebeland in proportion to their Benefices Hereupon a survey was exactly taken of all their Glebeland and the same fairly ingrossed in parchment was returned into the Exchequer where it remaineth at this day and is the most usefull Record for Clergie men and also for Impropriators as under their claim to recover their right Many a stragling Acre wandring out of the way had long since by Sacrilegious Guides been seduced into the possession of false owners had not this Record directed them at last to their true proprietary 17. The worst is Partly useless by ill engrossing whilst some Diocesses in this Terreer were exactly done and remain fairly legible at this day others were so slightly slubbered over that though kept with equall carefulnesse they are useless in effect as not to be read Thus I was informed from a Clerk in that Office * Walt. Hillary lately desceased who when Living was older and as able as any therein And thus Manuscripts like those men who wrote them though starting with their equals hold not all out to the same length their humidum radicale their inke I mean not lasting alike in all Originals 18. It was now generally complained of as a grand grievance Clergie-men engrosse all offices that the Clergie engrossed all places of Judicature in the Land Nothing was left to Lay-men but either military commands as General Admiral c. or such Judges places as concerned only the very letter of the Common Law and those also scarcely reserved to the Students thereof As for Embassies into forraine parts Noblemen were imployed therein when expence not experience was required thereunto and Ceremony the substance of the service otherwise when any difficulty in civil-law then Clergy-men were ever entertained The Lord Chacellor was ever a Bishop as if against Equity to imploy any other therein yea that Court generally appeared as a Synod of Divines where the Clerks were Clerks as generally in Orders The same was also true of the Lord Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer 19. Some imputed this to the pragmaticalnesse of the Clergie Severall opinions of the causes thereof active to insinuate themselves into all employment how improper soever to their profession Others ascribed it to the Kings necessitie The war engrossing the maine of his men of merit so that he was necessitated to make use of Clergie-men Others attributed it to the Kings election no way weak in head or hand plotting or performing finding such the fittest to serve him who being single persons and having no design to raise a family were as knowing as any in the Mysteries of money * Matters of weight and safest to be entrusted therein * The founding of Q. Col. in Oxford by R. Englesfield But more hereof hereafter 20. Robert Eglesfield Batchelour of Divinity Chaplain to Queen Philippa wife to King Edward the third Anno Dom. 1340. founded a Colledge on his own ground Anno Regis Ed. tertii 15. by the name of Queens Colledge commending the Patronage thereof to his Lady the Queen and to the Queens of England successively which he endowed with Lands and Revenewes for the maintenance of a Provost and twelve Fellows which were to be augmented as the Revenews increased 21. Now though this was called Queens A paire of Princes bred therein from their Honorarie Patronesses a Rossus war wicensis Mâ—â—in Henricâ— quinto it may be stiled Princes Colledge from those paire of Students therein Edward the black Prince who presently after this foundation had his Education therein and Henry the fift as yet Prince of Wales under Henry Beaufort Chancelor of this University and his Uncle his Chamber was over the Colledge gate where his picture at this day remaineth in brass with this inscription under it In perpetuam rei memoriam Imperator Britanniae Triumphator Galliae Hostium Victor sui Henricus quintus hujus Collegii Et cubiculi minuti satis Olim magnus Incola which lodging hath for this sixteen years belonged to my worthy friend Mr. Thomas Barlow that most able and judicious Philosopher and Divine being a Library in himself and keeper of another that of Sir Tho. Bodlyes erection out of which he hath courteously communicated to me some rarities of this University 22. Now according to the care and desire of the founder Queens nursing Mothers to this Colledge The Queens of England have ever been Nursing Mothers to this Foundation O what advantage they have when lying in the bosoms of their Royall Consorts by whom they cannot be denyed what is equall and of whom they will not desire what is otherwise Thus Queen Philippa obtained of her Husband King Edward the third the Hospital of St. Julians in Southampton commonly called Gods House Queen Elizabeth wife to King
Watsons Quodâ—â—bets pag 97. Venitè â—ratres mei Ostendam vobis Alanum which the Author thus translates or rather Comments on Come my brethren and I will shew you a man in England born to whom all Europe may give place for his high prudence reverend Countenance and purport of Government His loss was much lamented by the Catholicks not without cause whose Gravity and Authority had done many good offices in composing the Grudgings which began to grow betwixt Secular Priests and Jesuits which private heart-burnings soon after his death blazed out in the prison of Wisbich into an open Scandal as now we come to Report 13. A sad subject to write of Christian discords Here I protest though uncertain how far to finde belief 1595. 38. that I take no delight in relating these discontents much less shall my pen widen the wound betwixt them for though I approve the opinions of neither yet am I so much friend to the persons of both parties as not to make much to my self of their Discords The rather because no Christian can heartily laugh at the factions of his fiercest enemies because that sight at the same time pincheth him with the sad remembrance that such divisions that have formerly do at the present or may hereafter be found amongst those of his own profession such is the frailty of humane Nature in what side soever However hereafter let not Papists without cause or measure vaunt of their unity seeing their pretended Ship of S t Peter is not so solidly compacted but that it may spring a Leake Nor let them boast so confidently of their sufferings and blame our severity unto them as if enduring such hard usage in their imprisonment Surely like f Psal 105. 18. Joseph their feet were not hurt in the Stocks the Iron did not enter into their Soul neither with g Ier. 38. 6. Jeremy were they cast into a dirty dungeon where they sunk in mire nor with h Acts â—2 6. Peter were they bound with two Chains nor with i Acts 16. 24. Paul and Silas were they thrust into the inner prison and made fast but had in their Durance Liberty List and Leasure to begin foment and prosecute this violent Schisme betwixt themselves 14. The beginning of the Schism betwixt the Seculars and the Iesuits Untill this time the prime Catholicks in Wisbich Castle had lived there in restraint with great Unity and Concord And the Papists do brag that then and there the English Church was most visible until one Father Weston alias Edmonds a Jesuite coming thither erected a government amongst them making certain Sanctions and Orders which all were bound to observe secretly procuring subjects to himself and claiming a Superiority over all the Catholicks there Yet so cunningly he contrived the matter that he seemed not ambitiously to affect but religiously to accept this Authority profered unto yea seemingly forced upon him For one of his friends writes to Father Henry Garnet Provincial then living in England to this effect Good Father Weston in the humility of his heart lies on his bed like the man sick of the Palsie in the Gospel Nor will he walk confidently before others in the way of the Righteous except first he be let down through the Tiles and it be said unto him from the Provinciall arise take up thy Bed and walke Yet if the Seculars may be beleeved he did not only arise but run before that word of Command given him by Garnet and put his Jurisdiction in execution Besides those of his own society many of the Secular Priests submitted themselves unto him seduced say k Declaratio moâ—uum ac turbationum c. ad Clem. octavum exhibita pag. 12. some by the seeming sanctity of the Jesuits and having their Judgements bribed to that side by unequal proportions of mony received besides promising themselves that in case the land was invaded by the activity of the Jesuits all power and preferment would be at their dispose and so they should be sooner and higher advanced 15. The Seculars refuse to obey Weston and why But the greatest number and learned sort of the Secular Priests stoutly resisted his superiority affirming how formerly it had been offered to Thomas Watson Bishop of Lincolne late prisoner amongst them and he refused it as inconsistent with their present Condition affliction making them equalls and a Prison putting a parity betwixt them if any order might pretend to this Priority it was most proper for the Benedictines extant in England above a thousand years agoe that the Jesuits were Punies and if all Orders should sit down as Jacobs children at the Table of Joseph l Gen. 34. 33. the eldest according to his Age and the yongest according to his Youth the last and least place of honour was due unto them That the Secular Priests had borne the heat of the day in preaching and persecution some of them having endured above twenty years imprisonment for conscience sake as M r Bluet for m Watsons Quodlibets pag. 4. one before some of the Jesuits knew what durance meant That Weston was not eminent for Learning Religion or any prime quality save only the affecting that place which his betters had declined That it was monstrous that he being a Jesuite and so a member of another society should be made a head of their body The Lay-Catholicks were much offended with the Schisme some withheld others threatning to withhold their charity from both parties conceiving it the ready means when maintenance was detained from both sides to starve them into agreement 16. Weston imployed but as a Scout to discover the temper of the secular priests One might admire why father Weston should so earnestly desire so silly a dominion having his power as well as his own person confin'd within the walls of Wisbich Castle a narrow Diocess only to dominere over a few Prisoners The Goaler yea the very Turnkey being his superior to controll him if offering to exceed that compass But Oh the sweetness of Superemacy though in never so small a Circuit It pleased his pride to be Prior of a Prison but n Declaratio motuum c. pag. 17. Agent was the Title wherewith he stiled himself Indeed the English Jesuits both abroad in England and beyond the Seas made use of Westons forwardness to trie the temper of the Secular Priests and to make this bold Jesuite to back and break a Skittish Colt for further designes If Weston were unhors'd his fall would be little lamented and he might thank his own boldness in adventuring and the ill managing of his place if he sat the beast and it proved tame then others would up and ride and Father Garnet Provincial of the Jesuits intended in like manner to procure from the Pope a Superiority over all the Secular Priests in England Wisbich Prison would be enlarged all over the kingdom and the Precedent would reach farr in the
recentioribus authoribus Nauclero viz. Balaeo Binnius and Baronius sullen and why Authour was called at London to introduce into England the Doctrine of Image-worship not heard of before and now first beginning to appear in the publick practice thereof 10. Here we expected that Binnius and Baronius two of the Romish Champions should have been both joyfull at and thankfull for this London Synod in favour of Image-worship a point so beneficiall to the Popish Coffers But behold them contrary to our expectation sad and sullen insomuch as they cast away the Credit of this Synod as of no account and disdain to accept the same For say they long before by Augustine the Monk Worship of Images was introduced into England But let them shew us when and where the same was done We deny not but that Augustine brought in with him in a Banner the f See our second Book Cent. 6. paragr 10. Image of Christ on the Crosse very lively depictured but this makes nothing to the Worshipping thereof Vast the distance in their own nature betwixt the Historical Use and Adoration of Pictures though through humane Corruption Anno Dom. 709 the former in after-Ages hath proved introductory to the later Nor was it probable that Augustine would deliver Doctrine point-blank against Gregory that sent him who most zealously a In his epistle ad Serenum Massiliensem inveigheth against all Worshipping of Images Wherefore let Binnius and Baronius make much of this London-Synod for Image-worship or else they must be glad to accept of later Councils in England to prove the same seeing before this time none can be produced tending thereunto 11. Now also flourished another noble-born Saint The miracle-working of S t. Iohn of Beverley namely Iohn of Beverley Arch-bishop of York a Learned man and who gave the b Bede acknowledgeth that he received the order of Priesthood from him Education to one more learned then himself I mean Venerable Bede Now though Iohn Baptist did c Iohn 10. 41. none yet Iohn of Beverley is said to have done many Miracles But did not the Monk over-do who reports in his Relation that this Iohn of Beverley by making the Sign of the Crosse on a Dumb Youth with a scalled head not onely restored him to Speech and an Head of Haire but Eloquent Discourse and brave d Flowers of the lives of English Saints pag. 416. Curled Locks Some yeares before his Death he quitted his Arch-bishoprick 718 and retired himself to his Monastery at Beverley where he died and which afterwards King Athelstan made I will not call it a SANCTUARY because unhallowed with the largenesse of the Liberties allowed thereunto but a place of Refuge for Murderers and Malefactours so that the FREED-STOOL in Beverley became the Seat of the Scornfull and such hainous Offenders as could recover the same did therein securely desie all Legall Prosecution against them 12. About this time it grew fashionable with Kings and Queens in England Kings and Queens turn Monks and Nuns to renounce the World and turn Monks and Nuns commonly in Convents of their own Foundation Surely it is not onely lawfull but commendable for men to leave the World before it leaveth them by being e Gal. 6. 14. crucified thereunto and using it as if they used it not But let others dispute whether this properly be Renouncing the World for Christians to bury their Parts and Persons in a Cloister which put forth to the Bank would turn to good Account for Church and Common-wealth David I dare say as holy a man as any of these lived a King and died a King the swaying of his Sceptre did not hinder the tuning of his Harp his Dignity being no Impediment to his Devotion And whilest these Kings turning Monks pretended to go out of the World a world of spirituall Pride and Superstitution went into them if as it is too too supicious they had an high opinion to Merit Heaven thereby 13. Amongst the Saxon Princes who thus renounced the World King Ina his fine and rent to the Church in this and the next Century these nine following were the principall 1. Kinigilsus King of VVest-Saxons 2. Ina King of VVest-Saxons 3. Ceololfus King of Northumberland 4. Edbertus King of Northumberland 5. Ethelredus King of Mercia 6. Kenredus King of Mercia 7. Offa King of East-Saxons 8. Sebbi King of East-Saxons 9. Sigebertus King of East-Angles Of all whom King Ina was paramount for his reputed Piety who accounting himself to hold all that he had of God his Land-Lord in chief paid not onely a great Fine but settled a constant Rent on the Church then accounted the Receiver-general of the God of Heaven Great Fine for besides his Benefaction to other he bestowed on the Church of Glassenbury two thousand six hundred fourty pounds f Sir Henry Spelman in his Councils pag. 229. weight in the Utensills thereof of massie Gold and Silver So that whiles some admire at his Bounty why he gave so much others wonder more at his Wealth how he got so much being in that Age wherein such Dearth of Coin and he though perchance the honorary Monarch of England but the effectuall King of the VVest-Saxons The constant Rent he settled 726 where the g Antiq. Brit. sol 58. Peter-pences to the Pope of Rome to be paid out of every fire-house in England a small Summe in the single Drops Anno Dom. 726 but swelling great in the general Chanel which saith Polydore Virgil this King Ina began in England I say Polydore Virgil and let every Artificer be believed in his own Art seeing as he confesseth this place was his first Preferment in England which brought him over to be the Popes Publicane or Collectour of that Contribution Afterwards this King went to Rome there built a School for the English and a Church adjoyning unto it to bury their Dead 14. But Winnisride an Englishman converteth the Germans if my Judgement mistake not 730 Winnifride an English-man was better employed being busied about this time to convert to Christ the Provinces of Franconia and Hassia in Germany True it is the English were indebted to the Dutch from them formerly deriving their Originall by Naturall Generation and now none will censure them for Incest if the Son begate his Parents and this VVinnifride descended from the Dutch was an active Instrument of their Regeneration 15. Now Bede though sent for went not to Rome although many in this Age posted from England to Rome possessed with an high opinion of the Holinesse thereof yet sure I am one of the best Judgement namely Venerable Bede was often sent for by Pope Sergius himself to come to Rome yet for ought we can find never went thither which no doubt he would not have declined if sensible of any transcendent Sanctity in that Place to advantage the Dwellers therein the nearer to Heaven This Bede was
a Pope and a Prince over-match for a Prelate he would not strive to keep what must be taken away from him 4. The commodious Situation of Lichfield almost in the Navell of the Land and where should the highest Candlestick stand the Metropolitan Cathedrall but in the middest of the Table whereas Kent it self was but a Corner whence it taketh it's Name and Canterbury seated in the Corner of that Corner a remote Nook thereof 5. The Antiquity of Lichfield in Christianity Anno Dom. 790 where the British Church suffered a Massacre a Vide supra Cent. 4. par 8. from the Pagans three hundred yeares before S t. Augustine's coming to Canterbury witnesse the name of the place being another Helkath-hazzurim b 2 Sam. a. 16. or Field of strong men where so many VVorthies died for the Testimony of the Truth On these and other considerations Aldulph was made the first and last Arch-bishop of Lichfield though others make Humbert and Higbert his Successours in that Dignity and six Suffraganes viz. VVorcester Hereford Leicester Sidnacester Helmbam and Dunwich subjected to his Jurisdiction Yet was not the Archiepiscopall See removed as some seem to conceive but communicated to Lichfield Canterbury still retaining it's former Dignity and part of it's Province the Bishops of London Rochester VVinchester and Sarisbury continuing still subject unto him 35. King Offa having settled an Arch-bishoprick at Lichfield his next Design was to enshrine the Corps of S t. S t. Alban's body enshrined Alban five c Vita Offae secundi annexed to the new Edition of M. Paris p. 28. hundred and seven years had passed since his Death and plain Buriall For as Iohn Baptist the last Martyr before Christ and S t. Steven the first Martyr after him were fairly interred by their Friends and Followers without any more adoe so the Corps of S t. Alban were quietly committed to the Earth and there some Centuries of yeares peaceably reposed But now Offa they say was admonished in a Vision to bestow more publick Sepulture upon him A Starre we know directed to the place of Christ's Birth whereas a bright d Ibid. p. 26. Beam say the Monks discovered the place of S t. Alban's Buriall A Beam suspected by some shot by him who can turn himself into an Angell of Light because gaining so much by their Superstition Then was Alban's Body in pompous manner taken up enshrined and adored by the Beholders No wonder then if the Danes now invaded the Dominious of the English seeing the English invaded the Prerogative of God diverting the Worship due to him alone to the rotten Relicks of Dead men And henceforth the old Romans City of Verulam lost it's Name under the new Saxon Town of S t. Albans 36. King Offa went to Rome 794 and there confirmed and enlarged to Pope Adrian the Gift of Peter-pence Peter-pence re-confirmed to Rome what Ina King of the VVest-Saxons had formerly bestowed For this Favour the Pope granted him that no Englishman for Penance imposed should be banished out of his own Countrey 37 But bold Beggars are the Bane of the best Bounty Gift no debt when grown so impudent that what at first was given them for Almes in processe of time they challenge for Rent Some call this a Tribute Badge of Subjection of England to the See of Rome among whom is Polydore Virgil once Collectour of those Peter-pence in England But blame him not for magnifying his own Office who had be owned this Money as indeed it was given in frank-Almonage had then appeared no better then a gentle Beggar whereas now he hopes to advance his Employment to a nobler Notion 38. Offa having done all his work at Rome 795 namely procured the Canonization of S t. Alban The Royall foundation of S t. Albans Abbey the Absolution of his own Sins and many Murders and visited and endowed the English Colledge there returned home fell to found the Monastery of S t. Albans bestowing great Lands and Liberties upon it as freeing it from the Payment of Peter-pence Episcopall Iurisdiction and the like This is alleadged and urged by our Regians to prove the Kings Paramount Power in Ecclesiasticis seeing none can give save what they are formally or eminently possessed of And whereas Papists plead that Offa had fore-requested the granting of these Priviledges from the Pope no mention at all thereof appears in the Charter e Amongst S t. Tho. Cotton his Manuscripts and is exemplified in Weaver his Fun. Mon. p. 99. of his Foundation here too large to insert but that all was done by his own absolute Authority Next year Offa ended his Life buried at Bedford on that Token that the River Ouse swelling on a suddain swept his Corps clean away Canterbury recovereth it's former dignity 39. Offa being dead 799 down fell the best Pillar of Lichfield Church to support the Archiepiscopality thereof Anno Dom. 799 And now Canterbury had got Athelard a new Arch-bishop Anno Regis who had as mcuh Activity to spare as his Predecessour Iambert is said by some to want Wherefore he prevailed with Kenulph King of Mercia and both of them with Leo the new Pope to restore back the Archiepiscopall See to Canterbury as in the next Century was perfectly effected 40. We will conclude this Century with two eminent men to leave at last a good Rellish in the memory of the Reader now flourishing therein Learned Alcuinus confuteth Image-worship The one Alcuinus or Albinus it being questionable whether he were more famous for Venerable Bede who was his Master or Charles the Great who was his Scholar whilest it is out of doubt that he is most honoured for his own Learning and Religion And because English-men may be presumed partiall in the praise of an English-man hear what a Character a learned a Trithemius Abbas lib. de Script Ecclesiasticis fol. 61. Forreigner gives of him Vir in divinis scriptis eruditissimus in saecularium literarum peritia nulli suotempore secundus Carmine excellens Prosa But he got himself the greatest credit by opposing the Canons of the second Nicene Council b R. Hoved. Annal. part 1. p. 405. wherein the superstitious Adoration of Images was enjoyned These Canons some seven years since were sent by Charles the Great to King Offa to be received of the English who notwithstanding generally distasted and rejected them the aforesaid Alcuinus writing a learned Epistle against the same He was fetcht by Charles his Scholar calling him his Delicious Master where he first founded the Vniversity of Paris and died Abbot of S t. Martins in Tours 41. The other was Egbert Egbert the first fixed Monarch of England who in this very year made himself sole Monarch of England 800 True it is Egberti primi Monarche Anglie 1 in the Saxon Heptarchy there was generally one who out-powered all the rest But such
it for the single life of one man except in some case of Extremity to help against Famine Invasion of Foes or for obtaining of Freedome 8. That things dedicated to God remain so for ever 9. That the Acts of all Synods be fairly written out with the Date thereof and name of the Arch-bishop President and Bishops present thereat 10. That Bishops at their death give the full Tithe of their Goods to the Poor and set free every English-man which in their life-time was a Slave unto them 11. That Bishops invade not the Diocese prists the Parish neither the Office of another save onely when desired to baptize or visit the Sick The Refusers whereof in any place are to be suspended their Ministery till reconciled to the Bishop 12. That they pour not water upon the Heads of Infants but immerge them in the Font in imitation of Christ who say they was thrice c See Sr. Hen. Spelman pag. 331. so washed in Iordan But where is this in Scripture Anno Dom. 816 The manifestation indeed of the Trinity plainly appears in the a Matth. 3. 16 17. Text Anno Regis Egberti 16 Father in the Voice Son personally present Holy Spirit in the Dove but as for thrice washing him altum silentium However see how our modern Sectaries meet Popery in shunning it requiring the person to be plunged though Criticks have cleared it that Baptize doth import as well Dipping as Drenching in water 5. And now we take our farewell of King Kenulph Egbert proclaimed Monarch of England who for all his great Bustling in Church-matters for the first twenty yeares in this Century was as genus subalternum amongst the Logitians a King over his Subjects yet but a Subject to King Egbert 820 who now at Winchester was solemnly crowned Monarch of the Southern and greater Moiety of this Island 20 enjoyning all the people therein to term it Engelond since England that so the petty Names of seven former distinct Kingdomes might be honourably buried in that general Appellation 6 Some will wonder Seven Kingdomes swallowed up in Engelond seeing this Narion was compounded of Saxons Iuites and Angles why it should not rather be denominated of the first as in Number greatest and highest in Reputation Such consider not that a Grand Continent in Germany was already named Saxony and it was not handsome for this Land to wear a Name at second hand belonging to another Besides England is a name of Credit importing in Dutch the same with the Land of b Verstegan of decayed intelligence Angels And now the Name stamped with the Kings Command soon became currant and extinguished all the rest For Kent Essex Sussex Northumberland though remaining in common Discourse shrunk from former Kingdomes into modern Counties VVestsex Mercia and East-Angles were in effect finally forgotten It will not be amisse to wish that seeing so great a Tract of Ground meets in one Name the People thereof may agree in Christian Vnity and Affections 7. King Egbert was now in the Exaltation of his Greatnesse Danes disturb King Egbert But never will humane Happinesse hold out full Measure to mans Desire Freed from home-bred Hostility he was ready to repose himself in the Bed of Ease and Honour when the Danes not onely jogged his Elbows but pinched his Sides to the disturbance of his future Quiet 831 They beat the English in a Navall Fight at Carmouth in Dorsetshire 31 which proved fatall to our Nation For an Island is never an Island indeed untill mastered at Sea cut off from Commerce with the Continent Henceforward these Pagans settled themselves in some part of the Land though claiming it by no other Title then their own Pride and Covetousnesse and keeping it in no other Tenure then that of Violence and Cruelty 8. Athelwolphus his Son succeeded King Egbert in the Throne Athelwolphus his universal grant of Tithes to the Church a Prince not lesse commended for his Valour 837 then Devotion Ethelwolphi 1 and generally fortunate in his Undertakings though much molested all his life-time by the Danes But nothing makes him so remarkable to Posterity as the granting of this Charter or rather the solemn passing of this Act ensuing c Ex Ingulph Malmesb. Gest Reg. lib. 2. cap. 2. Regnante Domino nostro Iesu Christo in perpetuum Dum in nostris temporibus bellorum incendia direptiones opum nostrarum nec non vast antium crudelissimas depraedationes hostium barbarorum Paganarumque gentium multiplices tribulationes ad affligendum usque ad internecionem cernimus tempora incumbere periculosa Quamobrem ego Ethelwolphus Rex Occidentalium Saxonum cum consilio Episcoporum ac Principum meorum consilium salubre atque uniforme remedium affirmavi Vt aliquam portionem terrarum haereditariam antea possidentibus omnibus gradibus sive famulis famulabus Dei Deo servientibus sive laicis semper decimam mansionem ubi minimum sit tamen partem decimam in libertatem perpetuam perdonari dijudicavi ut sit tuta at munita ab omnibus secularibus servitutibus nec non regalibus tributis majoribus minoribus sive taxationibus quod nos dicimus Witereden Sitque libera omnium rerum pro remissione animarum nostrarum ad serviendum Deo soli sine Expeditione pontis instructione arcis munitione ut eo diligentius pro nobis ad Deum preces sine cessatione fundant quo eorum servitutem in aliqua parte levigarius Placuit etiam Episcopis Alhstano Schireburnensis Ecclesiae Swithuno Wintoniensis Ecclesiae Anno Dom. 837 cum suis Abbatibus servis Dei consilium inire ut omnes fratres sorores nostrae ad unamquamque Ecclesiam omni hebdomada die Mercurii hoc est Weddensday cantent quinquaginta psalmos unusquisque Presbyter duas Missas unam pro rege Ethelwolpho aliam pro ducibus ejus huic dono consentibus pro mercede refrigerio delictorum suorum pro Rege vivente dicant Oremus Deus qui justificas pro ducibus etiam viventibus Praetende Domine postquam autem defuncti fuerint pro Rege defuncto singulariter pro principibus defunctis communiter Et hoc sit tam firmiter constitutum omnibus Christianitatis diebus sicut libertas illa constituta est quamdiu fides crescit in gente Anglorum This Athelwolphus was designed by his Father to be Bishop of Winchester 11 bred in a Monastery 848 alias 855 after taken out and absolved of his Vows by the Pope and having had Church-education in his Youth 18 retained to his Old-age the indeleble Character of his affections thereunto In expression whereof in a solemn Council kept at Winchester he subjected the whole Kingdome of England to the Payment of Tithes as by the foregoing Instrument doth appear He was the first born Monarch of England Indeed before his time there were
he pleased Lastly on pious Princes whose blind Zeal and misled Devotion thought nothing too precious for him in which from we rank this Edward the Elder then King of England And it is worth our observing that in point of Power and Profit what the Popes once get they ever hold being as good at keeping as catching so that what one got by Encroching his Successour prescribed that Encrochment for a Title which whether it will hold good in matter of Right it is not for an Historian to dispute 3. But to return to our Story The Pope pleased and England absolved again We are glad to see Malmesbury so merry who calleth this Passage of the Popes interdicting England Iocundum memor atu pleasant to be reported because it ended so well For Pleigmund Arch-bishop of Canterbury posted to Rome bringing with him honorifica munera such Ushers will make one way through the thickest Croud to the Popes Presence informing his Holinesse that Edward King of England in a late-summoned Synod had founded some new and supplied all old vacant Bishopricks Pacified herewith the Pope turned his Curse into a Blessing and ratified their Elections The worst is a learned b Sir Henry Spelman in Conciliis pag. 389. Pen tells me that in this Story there is an inextricable Errour in point of Chronology which will not suffer Pope Formosus and this King Edward the Elder to meet together And Baronius makes the Mistake worse by endeavouring to mend it I have so much Warinesse as not to enter into that Labyrinth out of which I cannot return but leave the Doubt to the Popes Datarie to clear proper to him as versed in such matters The same c Idem ibidem Pen informs me that the sole way to reconcile the Difference is to read Pope Leo the fifth instead of Pope Formosus which for Quietnesse I am content to do the rather because such a Roaring Curse best beseems the mouth of a Lion 4. Hear now the names of the seven Bishops which Pleigmund consecrated in one day Vacant Bishopricks supplied and new erected a great dayes-work and a good one if all were fit for the Function Fridstan Bishop of Winchester a Learned and Holy man Werstan of Shireburn Kenulfe of Dorchester Beornege of Selsey Athelme of VVells Eadulfe of Crediton in Devon and Athelstan in Cornwall of S t. Petrocks These three last VVestern Bishopricks were in this Council newly erected But S t. Petrocks had never long any settled Seat being much in motion translated from Bodman in Cornwall upon the wasting of it by the Danes to S t. Germans in the same County and afterward united to Crediton in Devonshire This Bishoprick was founded principally for the reduction of the rebellious Cornish to the Romish Rites who as they used the Language so they imitated the Lives and Doctrine of the ancient Britans neither hitherto King Edward in a new Synod confirms his fathers constitutions nor long after submitting themselves to the See Apostolick 5. A Synod was called at Intingford where Edward the Elder and Guthurn King of the Danes in that part of England which formerly belonged to the East-Angles onely confirmed the same d Lambert in his Saxon Laws and Sir Henry Spelman in his Councils pag. 390. ecclesiasticall Constitutions which Alured Edwards Father with the said Guthurn had made before Here the curious Palats of our Age will complain of Crambe that two Kings with their Clergy should meet together onely actum agere to do what was done to their hands But whilest some count all Councils idle which do not add or alter others will commend their Discretion Anno Regis Edvardi Sen. 5 who can discern what is well ordered already Anno Dom. 906 approve their Policie in enjoyning such things unto others and principally praise their Piety for practising them in themselves And whosoever looks abroad into the world with a judicious Eye will soon see that there is not so much need of New Laws the Multitude whereof rather cumbers mens Memories then quickens their Practise as an absolute necessity to enforce Old Laws with a new and vigorous Execution of them 6. And now King Edward 14 remembring the pious Example of his Father Alfred in founding of Oxford 915 began to repair and restore the University of Cambridge Cambridge University repaired by King Edward For the Danes who made all the Sea-coasts of England their Haunt and kept the Kingdome of the East-Angles for their Home had banished all Learning from that place Apollo's Harp being silenced by Mars his Drum till this Kings Bounty brought Learning back again thither as by his following Charter may appear In a a Charta extat in MS. codice qui Cantabrigiae est in Aula Clarensi ejusdem meminit Tho. Rudburn nec non Ioh. Rossus nomine D. Iesu Christi Ego Edwardus Dei gratia Rex Anglorum divino compulsus amore praecepto Joannis Apostolicae Sedis Episcopi ac Pleigmundi Cantuar. Archiepisc consilio omnium Sacerdotum Principum meae Dominationis universa singula Privilegia Doctoribus Scholaribus Cantabrigiae nec non servientibus eorundem uti ab olim viguit indesinenter Mater Philosophiae reperitur in praesenti Fons Clerimoniae à me data seu ab Antecessoribus meis quomodo libet concessa stabili jure grata rata decerno durare quamdiu vertigo Poli circa Terras atque Aequora Aethera Syderum justo moderamine volvet Datum in Grantecestria anno ab Incarnatione D. 915. venerabili Fratri Frithstano Civitatis Scholarium Cantabrig Cancellario Doctori per suum c. The Credit of this Charter is questioned by some because of the barbarous Stile thereof as if an University were disgraced with honourable Priviledges granted unto it in base Latine But know that Age was so poor in Learning it could not go to the Cost of good Language Who can look to find a fair Face in the hotest parts of Aethiopia Those Times were ignorant and as it is observed of the Country-people born at the Village of b Camden's Brit. in Leicestershire pag. 517. Carlton in Leicestershire that they have all proceeding from some secret cause in their Soil or Water a strange uncouth VVharling in their Speech so it was proper to the persons writing in this Age to have a harsh unpleasant grating Stile and so much the sowrer to Criticall Eares the more it is sweetned with an affected Rhythm though a Blemish yet a Badge of their genuine Deeds which were passed in those times 7. Hear also what Iohn Rouse an excellent Antiquary The Testimony of Iohn Rouse concerning K. Edward's repairing of Cambridge furnished by King Edward the fourth with Privacy and Pension to collect the Monuments of this Land alleageth to this purpose Who being bred in Oxford and having written a Book in confutation of those which deduce the Foundation of this Vniversity from
suspect that Dunstan who could blow Coals elsewhere as well as in his Furnace though at distance vertually or rather viciously present had a Finger yea a Hand therein Heart-broken with these Rebellions 958 King Edwin died in the Flower of his Age. 5 Edgati 1 24. Edgar succeeds him Dunstan recalled by King Edgar and takes a double Bishoprick and recalls Dunstan home 959 receiving him with all possible Affection 2 Yea now Dunstan's Stomack was come down and he could digest a Bishoprick which his Abstemiousness formerly refused And one Bishoprick drew down another VVorcester and London not successively but both a-breast went down his Conscience Yea never Age afforded more Pluralist Bishops In this Kings reign Letine held b Vid. Antiq. Britan. p. 83. Lincoln and Leicester oswald a great Monk-monger of whom hereafter held York and VVorcester Aldulph his Successour in both Churches did the like pardoned yea praised for the same though Woolstan because no favourer of Monks is reproved for the like Plurality Thus two men though doing the same thing do not the same thing Bigamy of Bishopricks goes by Favour and it is condemnable in one what is commendable in another Anno Regis Edgari 2 Odo Severus Anno Dom. 959 Arch-bishop of Canterbury being ceremoniously to consecrate Dunstan Bishop of VVorcester used all the Formalities fashionable at the Consecration of an a Antiq. Britan ibidem Arch-bishop And being reproved for the same he answered for himself That he foresaw that Dunstan instantly after his death would be Arch-bishop of Canterbury And therefore a compendious way to spare Paines he onely by a provident Prolepsis ante-dated his Consecration Surely whosoever had seen the decrepit age of Odo the affection of King Edgar to Dunstan the affection of Dunstan to Dignity needed no extraordinary prophetical Spirit to presage that on the supposition of Dunstan's surviving him he should succeed him in the Arch-bishoprick of Canterbury 25. Yea King Edgar was so wholly Dunstanized Oswald's Law to eject secular Priests that he gave over his Soul Body and Estate to be ordered by him and two more then the Triumvirate who ruled England namely Ethelwald Bishop of Winchester and Oswald Bishop of Worcester This Oswald was the man who procured by the Kings Authority the Ejection of all Secular Priests out of Worcester and the placing of Monks in their Room which Act was called Oswald's Law in that Age. They might if it pleased them have stiled it Edgar's Law the Legislative Power being then more in the King then in the Bishop This Oswald's Law afterwards enlarged it self over all England Secular Priests being thrown out and Monks every where fixed in their rooms till King Henry the eighth his Law outed Oswald's Law and ejected those Drones out of their Habitations 26. King Edgar violated the Chastity of a Nun at Wilton Dunstan's disciplining of king Edgar Dunstan getting notice thereof refused at the Kings Request to give him his Hand because he had defiled a Daughter of God as he termed her Edgar hereby made sensible of his Sin with Sorrow confessed it and Dunstan now Arch-bishop of Canterbury enjoyned him seven years Penance for the same Monks endeavour to inforcea mock-Parallel betwixt David and Edgar Nathan and Dunstan herein Sure I am on David's profession of his Repentance Nathan presently pronounced Pardon b 2 Sam. 12. 13 the Lord also hath put away thy Sin thou shalt not die consigning him to be punished by God the Principall using an Undutifull Son Treacherous Servants and Rebellious Subjects to be the Instruments thereof but imposing no voluntary Penance that David should by Will-worship undertake on himself All that I will adde is this If Dunstan did septennary Penance to expiate every mortall Sin to use their own Termes he committed he must have been a Methusalah extremely aged before the day of his Death 27. More commendable was Dunstan's Carriage towards an English Count 12 who lived incestuously with his own Kinswoman 969 Dunstan admonished him once And carriage towards an incestuous Count. twice thrice nothing prevailed whereupon he proceeded to Excommunicate him The Count slighted his Excommunication conceiving his Head too high for Church-Censures to reach it King Edgar falsly informed desires Dunstan to absolve him and is denied Yea the Pope sends to him to the same Purpose and Dunstan persists in his c Osbern in vita Dunstani Refusall At last the Count conquered with Dunstan's Constancy and the sense of his own Sin came into a Nationall Council at Canterbury where Dunstan sate President active therein to substitute Monks in the places of Secular Priests on his bare Feet with a Bundle of Rods tendering himself to Dunstan's Chastisement This wrought on Dunstan's mild Nature scarce refraining from Teares who presently absolved him 28. Three things herein are remarkable Observations thereon First that Bribes in the Court of Rome may purchase a Malefactor to be innocent Secondly that the Pope himself is not so infallible but that his Key may misse the Lock and he be mistaken in matter of Absolution Thirdly that men ought not so with blind Obedience to obey his pretended Holinesse but that if with Dunstan here they see just Cause to the contrary it is no Mortall Sin to disobey his Commands 29. The Apprentiship of Edgar's Penance long since expired Edgar's Canons why by us here related he flourished in all Monarchicall Lustre sole Founder of many Co-founder of more Benefactor to most Abbeys in England Anno Dom. 969 And as he gave new Cases to most Monasteries repairing their outward Buildings so he gave new Linings to all Anno Regis Edgari 12 substituting Monks in stead of the Secular Priests whom he expelled Many Ecclesiasticall Canons were by him ordained which at large are presented in S t. Henry Spelman and which I have neither List nor Leisure to recount in this my History Our Women have a Proverb It is a sad Burden to carry a dead mans Child and surely an Historian hath no heart to take much Pains which herein are Pains indeed to exemplify dead Canons dead and buried long since as most relating to Monkery this Age wherein we live being little fond of Antiquity to know those things which were antiquated so many yeares since 30. Now though the Devotion of King Edgar may be condemned to be byassed to Superstition Edgar a most triumphant King yet because the Sincerity of his Heart sought to advance Gods Honour according to the Light in those dark dayes he appears one of the most puissant Princes that ever England enjoyed both in Church and Common-wealth I have read in a most fair and authentick guilded a Extant in the precious Library of S r. Tho. Cotton Manuscript wherein he stileth himself Gods Vicar in England for the ordering Ecclesiasticall matters a Title which at this day the Pope will hardly vouchsafe to any
Mothers Body b Agathias lib. 4. applicata ad Vterum Corona But what Solemnity soever was done to this Hans-en-Kelder it did not afterwards embolden him to the Anticipation of the Crown attending till it descended upon him 12. A worthy King The original of our Common Laws no less pious to God then just to Man For whereas formerly there were manifold Laws in the Land made some by the Britans others by the Danes others by the English swelling to an unmeasurable Number to the great Mischief of his Subjects he caused some few of the best to be selected and the rest as captious and unnecessary to be rejected Hence say some they were called the Common Laws as calculated for the common Good and no private persons Advantage 13. It is admirable No hostile Danes appear in England how the Danes in this Kings Reign were vanished away They who formerly could scarce be numbered in England they were so many could now scarce be numbered they were so few and those living quietly with their English Neighbours As for forrein invading Danes in this Kings Reign as I cannot see them so I will not seek them glad of their Room and Riddance Indeed once I meet with an Assay of them in a Navy bound to infest England but their King being casually drowned as he entred his own Fleet put an end to their Hopes and our Feares for that Designe 14. Emma 4 King Edward's Mother 1046 being suspected too familiar with Alwin Bishop of VVinchester The manner of Ordall by fire under the colour of Devotion put herself to be tryed by Ordall whereof this the manner Nine Plow-shares glowing hot were laid on the Ground one foot distant from another the party suspected was to be brought blind-folded and bare-footed to passe over them if he chanced to step in the Intervalls or on the hot Iron unhurt he was pronounced Innocent otherwise condemned for an Offender An unjust Law wherein the Tryers had no Precept the Tryed no Promise Must Innocence be ruin'd as often as Malice would wrong it if Miracle would not rescue it This was not a way to try man but tempt God As just a Trying by Fire as that of our modern Witches by Water This Tryall Queen Emma admirably underwent not sensible of the Plow-shares till past them saying to such as led her Oh when shall I come to the place of my Purgation 15. By what Power this was performed Queen Emma her miraculous purgation I will not dispute finding amongst the c Strab. Geog. lib. 5. Plin. lib. 7. cap. 2. Heathens a City Feronia twenty miles from Rome under mount Soracte where the Inhabitants possessed with a spirit of a Deity therein worshipped usually walked upon burning Coales without any Harm Onely I wonder that Bishop Alwin equally suspected and equally innocent with Emma should not profer himself to the like Triall But perchance the prudent Prelate remembred that such barbarous Customes though kept up amongst the Common People were forbidden by the ancient Canons as also by the Letter of Pope Stephen the fifth which about the year eight hundred eighty and seven he wrote to Humbert Bishop of Mentz And now Emma who went willingly on this sad Errand did the Businesse for them both and cleared their Credits The Church of Winchester got well hereby viz. nine Mannours which Queen Emma bestowed thereon in Commemoration of her Deliverance 16. King Edward the Confessour was married to the devout Lady Edith A Wife no Wife his Wife in Minde but not in Body in Consent not Act being onely as my Authour saith an Abishag to the King Strange that two Persons if loving each other in the prime of their yeares should light on so happy a Temper as mutually to warm not to heat one another which the Wife-men in our Age will account difficult Anno Dom. 1046 and the Wanton impossible Anno Regis Edvardi Confessoris 4 Such will say if this was true that King Edward pass'd as great a Triall as Queen Emma his Mother and that his Ordall was as hard as hers was painfull 17. Was it not pity Yet was there not a cause but the World should have more of the Breed of them who were so godly a Couple Let Basenesse be barren and Cruelty childlesse Pious persons deserve a double Portion in that Charter of Fruitfulnesse a Gen. 1. 28. Multiply and encrease Yea the English Crown now wanting an Heir and for Default thereof likely to fall to Forreiners might I will not say have tempted but have moved King Edward to the Knowledge of his Wife But whilest Papists crie up this his incredible Continency others easily unwonder the same by imputing it partly to his Impotence afflicted with an Infirmitie partly to the Distaste of his Wife whom he married onely for Coveniencie and to the Distrust of her Chastity on suspition whereof he confined her to the Monasterie of Whore-well as I take it in Hamshire 18. But grant Queen Edith a chast Woman The good daughter of a bad father as she is generally believed Daughter she was to a wicked Father Earle Godwin by name whence the Proverb Sicut spina rosam genuit God winus Editham From prickly stock as springs a Rose So Edith from Earle Godwin grows little ill being written of the Daughter and no good of the Father Indeed King Edward was Father-in-law-ridden who feared Earle Godwin rather then trusted him as who with a long train of his Power could sweep many Dependents after him This Godwin like those Sands near Kent which bear his name never spared what he could spoile but swallowed all which came within his compass to devoure Two Instances whereof because both belonging to Church-matters we will relate 19. He cast a cavetous Eye on the fair Nunnery of Berkley in Glocestershire Godwin's device to get Berkley Nunnerie and thus contrived it for himself He left there an handsome young man really or seemingly sick for their Charity to recover who quickly grows well and wanton He is toying tempting taking such Fire and Flax quickly make a Flame The Sisters loose their Chastity and without taking Wife in the way are ready to make Mothers The young man if sick returns to Earle Godwin in Health leaving the healthfull Nuns sick behind him The same hereof fills the Country flies to Court is complained of by Earle Godwin to the King Officers are sent to enquire they return it to be true the Nuns are turned out their House and Lands forfeited both bestowed on Earle Godwin surprized VVeaknesse being put out and designing VVickednesse placed in the room thereof Surely King Edward knew nothing of Godwin's Deceit herein otherwise it was unjust that the Whores should be punished and the principall Pander rewarded 20. At another time he had a mind to the rich Mannour of Boseham in Sussex Another trick to gain the mannour of Boseham and complemented it out
of Robert Arch-bishop of Canterbury in this manner Coming to the Arch-bishop he saith Da mihi Basium that is Give me a Buss or a Kisse an usuall Favour from such a Prelate The Arch-bishop returns Dotibi Basium kissing him therewith An holy Kiss perchance as given but a crafty one as taken for Godwin presently posts to Boseham and takes possession thereof And though here was neither real Intention in him who passed it away nor valuable Consideration to him but a mere Circumvention yet such was Godwin's Power and the Arch-bishops Poornesse of spirit that he quietly enjoyed it Nor have I ought else to observe either of Berkley or Boseham but that both these rich and ancient Mannours Earle Godwin his brace of Cheats and distant an hundred miles each from other are now both met in the Right Honourable George Berkeley as Heir apparent thereof the paramount Mecoenas of my Studies whose Ancestors as they were long since justly possessed of them so I doubt not but their Posterity will long comfortably enjoy them 21. The Monks that wrote this King Edward's life A miracle reported done by King Edward had too heavy a hand in over-spicing it with Miracles which hath made the Relation too hot for the Mouth of any moderate Belief A poor Cripple chanced to come to him one who might have stockt a whole Hospitall with his own Maladies It was questionable whether the Difficulty of his Crawling caused more Pain or the Deformity thereof more Shame unto him The sight of him made all tender Beholders Cripples by Sympathie commiserating his sad Condition But it seems this weak Wretch had a strong Fancy and bold Face who durst desire the King himself to carry him on his Back into the Church on assurance as he said that thereby he should be recovered The good King grants his Desire and this Royal Porter beares him into the Church where so strange an Alteration is said to happen Qui venit quadrupes decessit bipes He that came on all four departed straight and upright 22. The Church into which the King carried the Cripple 19 was S t. Peter's in VVestminister 1061 built by him on this Occasion Westminster Church rebuilt by him King Edward had made a Vow to visit the Reliques of S t. Peter in Rome and because his Subjects could not safely spare him out of his own Country the Pope dispensed with him for the Performance thereof Now although he went not to S t. Peter S t Peter came to him and in severall Apparitions advised him to build him a Church in the place now called Westminster then Thornie because desolate and overgrown with Thorns and Briars Nor is it any news that populous Cities at this present were anciently Woods and Bushie plots What else was Ierusalem it self in the dayes of Abraham but a Thornie when in the middest thereof on Mount Moriah a Ram was caught by the a Gen. 22. 13. Horns in a Thicket This Church many yeares before had been dedicated to and as the Monks say consecrated by S t Peter till destroyed by the Danes King Edward raised it from the Ruines endowing it with large Priviledges and rich Possessions 23. Next to St. Peter A Ring said to be sent from St. Iohn to King Edward our Edward's Darling he is said to be most in Favour with S t. Iohn the Apostle who is reported to have appeared unto him in the shape of a Begging Pilgrim the King not having at the present Money to supply his Wants pluckt off his Ring from his Finger and bestowed it upon him This very Ring some yeares after S t. Iohn sent him back again by two Pilgrims out of Palestine but withall telling him that he should die within six moneths after a Message more welcome then the Ring to such a mortified man If any doubt of the truth thereof it is but riding to Havering in Essex so called as b Camden's Britan. in Essex they say from this Ring where no doubt the Inhabitants will give any sufficient Satisfaction therein 24. Amongst the many Visions in this Kings Reign A Vision worth observing one I will not omit because seeming to have some what more then mere Monk therein One being inquisitive what should become of England after King Edward's Death received this Answer The Kingdome of England belongeth to God himself who will provide it a King at his pleasure Indeed England is Gods on severall Titles First as a Country the Earth is his and the Fulnesse-thereof Secondly as an Island which are Gods Demesnes which he keeps in his own hand of his daily Providence Thirdly as a Kingdome on which he hath bestowed miraculous Deliverances Seeing then England is his own we know who said c Mat. 20. 15 Is it not lawfull to doe what I will with mine own May he dispose of his own to his own Glory and the good of his own Servants 25. Amongst the many resplendent Vertues in King Edward King Edward's contempt of wealth Contempt of Wealth was not the least whereof some bring in this for an Instance The King lay on a Pallet surrounded with Curtains by him stood a Chest of Silver which Hugolin his Treasurer called away on some sudden Occasion had left open In comes a thievish Courtier takes away as much Money as he could carry and disposeth thereof Then cometh he the second time for a new Burden little suspecting that the unseen King saw him all the while and having laden himself departed Some adde he returned the third time Be content quoth the King with what you have lest Anno Dom. 1061 if Hugolin come in and catch you Anno Regis Edvardi Confessoris 19 he take it all from you Soon after the Treasurer returning and fretting for loss of the Money Let him have it quietly said the King he needeth it more then we do Words which spake him a better man then King as accessary to his own Robbing who if pleased to have made this pilfering Fellow to have tasted of the Whip for his pains had marred a pretty Jast but made a better Earnest therein 26. Posterity conceived so great an opinion of King Edward's Piety King Edward's Wardrobe put into the Regalia that his Cloath were deposited amongst the Regalia and solemnly worn by our English Kings on their Coronation never counting themselves so fine as when invested with his Robes the Sanctity of Edward the first Wearer excusing yea adorning the modern Antiquenesse of his Apparell Amongst these is the Rod or Sceptre with a Dove on the Top thereof the Emblem of Peace because in his Reign England enjoyed Halcyon dayes free from Danish Invasions as also his Crown Chair Staffe Tunick close Pall a See Mills his Catalogue of honour p. 59. Tuisni hosen Sandalls Spurres Gloves c. Expect not from me a Comment on these severall Cloaths or reason for the wearing of them In generall it was to mind our
living at Walgrave in Northamptonshire and possessed of that Mannour before the Conquest The other a Walloon of that name coming over with the Conquerour and employed by him in many Services The later of these on the former his consent that he should marry his onely Daughter procured from the Conquerour a Pardon for his Father in Law that he might quietly enjoy his Lands and Livings descending on this Walloon VValgrave after the other his Death Which Pardon legible in French was Anno 1612. in the possession of the a Attested by Iohn Raven Richmond Herald See Weavers Funerall Monuments pag. 7. 5. 8. After the Conquest severall recruits of French in England Walgraves still flourishing in Suffolk Fifth Coroll Let none wonder if some names of VVorshipfull and Honourable Families undoubtedly of French Originall but since the Conquest have not appeared in the aforesaid Catalogues For know that after the Conquest sundry French-men of signall Worth entred England at severall times chiefly At the Marriage First of King Henry the second to Queen Eleanor who brought the Dukedome of Aquitain Earledome of Poictiers for her Dowrie Secondly of Edward the second to Isabella Daughter to Philip the Fair King of France when three thousand French came over with her complained of as a great Grievance and many settled here Not to speak of the Conquests of King Edward the third and Henry the fifth in France causing such an Intercourse of the Nations that then England and France may be said to have born counterchangeably each others Natives Sixth Coroll Tradesmen not mentioned in this Roll came over with them Many will admire no mention of Tradesmen in all these Catalogues being of absolute necessity both in War and Peace For soon would the Head of the best Monsieur ake without a Capper Hands be tanned without a Glover Feet be foundred without a Tanner Currier Shoemaker whole Body be straved cold without VVeaver Fuller Tailour hungry without Baker Brewer Cook harbourless without Mason Smith and Carpenter Say not it was beneath the French Gallantry to stoup to such mean Employments who found all these Trades here amongst the English their Vassallâ— For besides that nothing is base which is honest and necessary for humane Society such as are acquainted with the French both ancient modern finicall humour know they account our Tailours Botchers Shoemakers Coblers Cooks Slovens compared to the exactnesse of their Fancy and Palate so that certainly such Trades came over with them Seventh Coroll As appears by Dooms-day Book But hear what our great b Camden his remaines pag. 234. Antiquary faith herein In that most authenticall Register Doomesday Book in the Exchequer ye shall have Cocus Aurifaber Pictor Pistor Accipitrarius Camerarius Venator Piscator Medicus Cook Goldsmith Painter Baker Falconer Chamberlain Huntsman Fisher Leach Marshall Porter and others which then held land in capite and without doubt left these Names to their Posterity albeit haply they are not mentioned in those Tables of Battel Abbey of such as came in at the Conquest Eighth Coroll The sad case of the English Now let me bespeak the Readers Pity though possibly his ingenuous Sympathie hath given it before it was requested for those poor English-men who were to find Free-quarter for all these French Where could their Land-lords lodge them or rather how could they long continue Landlords when such potent Guests came to their Houses O the severall wayes which their Necessities dictated unto them Some fought as the Kentish who capitulated for their Liberty some fled as those in the North into Scotland some hid themselves as many in middle England in the Isle of Ely some as those of Norfolk traversed their Title by Law and that with good Successe in the Old age of King William the Conquerour Most betook themselves to Patience which taught many a Noble Hand to work Foot to travel Tongue to intreat even thanking them for their Courtesie who were pleased to restore a Shiver of their own Loaf which they violently took from them FINIS THE Church-History OF BRITAINE The Third Book FROM THE COMING IN OF THE NORMANS Untill the appearing of IOHN WICLIFFE SIC OMNI TEMPORE VERDO LONDON Printed in the Year M.DC.LV. To the Right Honourable WILLIAM Lord Beauchampe c. GRAND-CHILDE AND HEIR APPARENT To the Right Honourable WILLIAM Marquiss of Hertford SOme there are who exact of every Christain as a Touchstone of their sincerity to render an account of the exact time of their Conversion with the Circumstances thereof how when and where performed I must crave leave to enter my self a Dissenter herein conceiving such a Demand unreasonable as generally required esential to all true Believers I confess some may return a satisfactory Answer thereunto namely such whose Souls suddenly snatch'd out of Errour and Vitiousness were immediately wrought upon almost in an instant by the Spirit of God Thus of those * Acts 22. 41. three thousand gained on Many-Saints-day by Saint Peter at Jerusalem with the preaching of one Sermon each one might punctually and precisely tell the very Moment of their true Conversion and generally the WORSE men have been the BETTER they can point at the accurate date thereof And thus as Kings count their actions by the years of their Reign Bishops formerly of their Consecration so these may use the stile In the year of our Conversion first or second c. And as * Mar. 14. 6. Herod kept a Festivall of his Natural Birth-day such if so pleased may duly and truly observe an Anniversary Solemnity of their Regeneration A Priviledge not granted to all true Believers God to shew his Power that he Can and Pleasure that he VVill vary the manner of Mens Conversion though going the same path by his VVord and Spirit useth a â—lower pace in the hearts of others in whom Grace is wrought sensim sine sensu modeled by degrees In such no mortal man can assign the minutary juncture of Time when preparing grace which cleared the ground ended and saving grace which finish'd the fabrick of Conversion did first begin Observable to this purpose are the words of our Saviour * Mark 4. 26. So is the Kingdom of God as if a man should cast feed into the ground and should sleep and rise night and day and the â—eed should spring and grow up HE KNOWETH NOT HOW That grace is sown and is grown Men know but when and how in the persons aforesaid GOD KNOWS Besides these adult Converts there are a second sort of Christians unable to discover the Date of grace dawning in them namely such who with * 2 Tim 1. 5. and 3. 15. Timothy may be said to be good time out of minde sucking in grace with their milk extracted from and educated under a pious Parentage I hope and trust that your Honour may truly be ranked in this latter Form that as many ancient deeds written before the Reign of King Henry
yet the King permitted him to appoint or prohibit nothing but what was according to His own will and pleasure and what the King had b Idem ibid. ordained before 9. Lastly Barons not to be excommunicated without the Kings command King William suffered no Bishop to excommunicate any of his Barons or Officers for adultery incest or any such hainous crime except by the Kings Command first made acquainted with the same Here the word Baron is not to be taken in that restrictive sense to which the modern acception hath confined it onely for such of the higher Nobility which have place and Votes in Parliament but c J. Selden Sptcilegium ed Eadmeium pag 168. generally for such who by Tenure en cheef or in Capite as they term it held land immediately of the King And an English d Robert of Glocester Poet counted the Virgil of his age and the Ennius in ours expresseth as much in his Rythmes which we here set down with all the rust thereof without rubbing it off remembring how one e Camdens Elizabeth Anno 1584. John Throkmorton a Justicer of Cheshire in Queen Elizabeth's dayes for not exhibiting a judicial Concord with all the defects of the same but supplying or filling up what was worn out of the Authentical Original was fined for being over officious and therefore take them with their faults and all as followeth The berthe was that noe man that of the King huld ought In Chief or in eni Servise to Manling were throught Bote the wardenis of holy Chirch that brought him thereto The King lede or his Bailifes wat he had misdoe And loked verst were thei to amendment it bring And bote by wolde by their lebe doe the Manling And a grave f Radulphus de diceto sub Anno 11â—3 Author gives a good reason why the King must be inform'd before any of his Barons be excommunicated lest otherwise saith he the King not being certified thereof should out of ignorance unawares communicate with persons excommunicated when such Officers of His should come to kiss His hand be called to his Councel or come to perform any personal attendance about Him Hitherto we have seen how careful the Conqueror was in preserving His own right in Church-matters We will conclude all with the Syllogisme which the g L. Cooks Reports fift part de Jure Regis Ecclesiastico fol. 10. Oracle of the Common-Law frameth in this manner It is agreed that no man onely can make any appropriation of any Church having cure of souls being a thing Eccelesiastical and to be made to some person Ecclesiastical but he that hath Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction But William the first of himself without any other as King of England made appropriation of Churches with cure to Ecclesiastical persons as by many instances may appear Therefore it followeth that He had Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction And so much concerning King William's policy in doing justice to His own power Proceed we now to His bounty confirming old and conferring new favors upon the Church and Clergie 10. First whereas before his time the Sheriff and Bishop joyntly kept their Courts together especially at the two solemn times Bishops jurisdictions first severed from the Sheriffs about Easter and Michaelmas King William in favour of the Clergie assigned the Bishops an a See this cleared by Mr Selden in his notes on Ead. merus pag. 167. entire jurisdiction by themselves wherein they should have cognizance of all causes relating to Religion I say relating to Religion a latitude of a cheverel extension adequate almost to the minde of him that will stretch it out and few Ecclesiastical Judges would lofe what might be got by measuring Now formerly whilest the power of Sheriff and Bishop went hand in hand together in the same Court neither could much outstrip other but but since they were severed the Spiritual power far outwent its old mate improving his own by impairing the Secular Courts and henceforward the Canon-law took the firmer footing in England Date we from hence the squint-eies of the Clergie whose sight single before was hereafter divided with double looks betwixt two objects at once the Pope and the King to put him first whom they eyed most acting hereafter more by forrain then domestick interest 11. A learned pen makes a just complaint The contest betwixt Commen and Canon Law how onely to be reconciled that b Lord Bacen in his advancement of Learning pag. 463. Aphorisme 96. Courts which should distribute peace do themselves practice duels whilest it is counted the part of a resolute Judge to enlarge the priviledge of his Court A grievance most visible in contest betwixt the Common and the Canon Law which as if they were stars of so different an Horizon that the elevation of the one necessitated the depression of the other lie at catch and wait advantages one against another So that whilest both might continue in a convenient and healthful habitude if such envious corrivalitie were deposed now alternately those Courts swell to a tympany or waste to a consumption as their Judges finde themselves more or less strength'ned with power or befriended with favour A mischief not to be remedied till either that mutual consent or a predominant power to both impartially state their jurisdictions rightly seting down the land-marks thereof and binding their proceedings not to exceed their bounds which would both advance learning and expedite the execution of Justice 12. To return to King William King William his Charter to the Clergie As He conferred power on so he confirmed profit to the Clergie Witness his c See it at large in Mr. Selden of tythes cap. 8. pag. 225. Charter granting them thorowout England tythes of calves colts lambs milk butter cheese woods meadows mills c. Which Charter is concluded 't is the strong hem keeps all the cloth from reveling out Qui decimam detinuerit per justitiam Episcopi Regis si necesse fuerit ad redditionem d Others read it adigatur Let him be compelled â—rguatar Who shall detain his tythes by the power of the Bishop and King if need be let him be argued into the payment thereof And Kings arguments we know are unanswerable as aâ— authoritate carrying power and pehalties with them This Charter might seem to give the tenth loaf of all the bread in the land into the hands of the English Clergie But the municipal laws which were afterwards made did so chip and pare this loaf with their Modus decimandi that in many places Vicaridges especially a small shiver of bread fals to the share of the Minister not enough for his necessary maintenance 13. And here Two contrary characters of King William to make a short but needful digression I finde in eminent Writers two contrary characters of King William Some make him an arrand Tyrant ruling onely by the Magna Charta of his own will oppressing all English without cause
was the first Norman made Bsyhop of S t Davids St Davids contest with Canterbury Presuming on his masters favour and his own merit he denyed subjection to Canterbury and would be as anciently had been an absolute Arch-Bishop of himself Indeed S t Davids was Christian some hundred of years whilest Canterbury was yet Pagan and could shew good Cards if but permitted fairly to play them for Archiepiscopal Jurisdiction even in some respect Equal to Rome it self Witness the ancient riming verse about the proportions of Pardons given to Pilgrims for their visiting Religious places Roma semel quantum bis dat Menevia tantum Not the S t Davids gives a peck of Pardons where Rome gives but a gallon as the words at the first blush may seen of import but that two Pilgrimages to S t Davids should be equal in merit to one Pilgrimage to Rome such was the conceived Holiness of that place 26. Giraldus Cambrensis states the Case truly and briefly Impar Congressus That Canterbury hath long prescription plenty of Lawyers to plead her Title and store of money to pay them Whereas S t Davids is poor remote out of the road of preferment intimating no less that if equally accommodated she could set on foot as food an Archiepiscopal Title as Canterbury it self But he addeth that except some great alteration happeneth understand him except Wales recover again into an absolute Principality S t Davids is not likely to regain her ancient Dignity William Arch-Bishop of Canterbury aided by the Pope at last humbled the Bishop of S r Davids into a submission Who vexed hereat wreckt his spleen on the welsh Clergie furiously forcing them to sorgo their Wives The successors of this Bishop would have been more Thankful to his Memory had he laboured less for the honor and more preserved the profits of his See whose lands he dilapidated with this his expensive suit and on other designs for his own preferment 27. King Henry died in Normandy of a surfeit by eating a Mat. Paris pag. 73. Lampreys King Henry his death An unwholsom fish insomuch that Galen speaking of Eels in general whereto Lampreys may be reduced expostulates with the gods for giving them so delicious a taste good so malignant and dangerous an operation But grant them never so good excess is venemous string in the most wholsome flesh fish and sowl and it was too great a quantity caused his surfeit I finde him generally commended for temperance in his diet onely his palat his servant in all other meats was commonly his master in this dish He was buried at Reading leaving but one daughter the Sea having swallowed his Sons surviving him 28. Stephen Earl of Bologn Stephen usurpeth the Crown on a fully title hearing of Henry his death Steph. 1. hasteth over into England Dece 2. and seizeth on the Crown All his title unto it was this First Maud the true heir thereof was a female Secondly absent beyond the Seas Thirdly married to a forreiner Fourthly no very potent Prince viz. Geffery Plantagenet Earl of Angeou whose land-lock-situation rendred him less formidable for any effectual impression on this Island Lastly he was Son to Adela Daughter to King William the Conqueror though a Male deriving his title from a Female conceiving himself the Daughters Son to be preferr'd before Maud the Sons Daughter Indeed Stephen had an elder Brother Theobald Earl of Blois but he chose a quiet County before a cumbersom Kingdom the enjoyment of his own rather then invasion of anothers inheritance seeing Maud was the undoubted heir of the English Crown 28. This Maud Anno Regis Hen. 1 â—â— I may call Anno Dom. 1135. Maud the fourth Maud the south yea England had no Queen of another name since the Conquest 1. Maud the first Wise to King William the Conqueror 2. Maud the second Daughter to Malcolme King of Scots Wife to King Henry the first 3. Maud the third Wife to King Stephen 4. Maud the fourth Daughter to King Henry the first and in right Queen of England This last Maud was first married to Henry the fourth Emperor of Germany and after his death was constantly called The Empress by the courtesie of Christendom though married to Earl Geffery her second husband To her all the Clergie and Nobility had sworn fealty in her father's life time 29. William Arch-Bishop of Canterbury The perjury of the Clergy notwithstanding his oath to Maud Dece 26. solemnly crowned Stephen and in the same act shewed himself perjured to his God disloyal to his Princess and ingrateful to his Patroness by whose special favour he had been preferred The rest of the Bishops to their shame followed his example dealing with oaths as sea-men with the points in the Compass saying them forwards and backwards Indeed covetousness and pride prompted this disloyalty unto them hoping to obtain of an Usurper what they despaired to get from a lawful King For their modestie and that little enough in asking was all Stephens measure in giving resolving with himself for the present to grant what should please them and at leasure to perform what should please himself Let him now get but the stump of a Crown and with wise watering thereof it would sprout afterwards Hence was it that he granted the Bishops liberty to build and hold many Castles freedom in forests investiture from the Pope with many other immunities which hitherto the Clergy never obtained All things thus seemingly setled yet great was the difference of judgments in the English concerning King Stephen which afterwards discovered themselves in the variety of mens practices 30. Some acted vigorously for Stephen Variety of peoples opinions conceiving possession of a Crown createth a right unto it Where shall private persons unable of themselves to trace the intricacies of Princes titles fix their loyalty more safely then on him whom success tendereth unto them for their Soveraign God doth not now as anciently visibly or audibly discover himself we must therefore now only look and listen to what he sheweth and faith by his voice in the success of things whereby alone he expresseth his pleasure what he owneth or disclaimeth This their judgment was crossed by others who distinguished betwixt Heavens permission and consent God sometimes suffering them to have power to compel to whom he never gave authority to command 31. But some urged that Stephen was declared lawful King by popular consent Pro and Con for King Stephen which at this time could alone forme a Legal right to any in this Island For Maud Stephen's corrival in vain pretended succession seeing the Crown since the Conquest never observed a regular but an uncertain and desultory motion Nor was it directed to go on by the straight line of primogeniture which leapt over the Conquerors eldest to his second Son Then taking a new rise from the eldest still surviving to Henry his third Son Here no chain
places which time out of minde hath decided the precedency to Canterbury Yorks Title 1. When Gregory the great made York and Canterbury Archiepiscopal Sees he affixed precedency to neither but that the Arch-Bishops should take place according to the seniority of their consecrations Until Lanckfranck Chaplain to King William thinking good reason he should conquer the whole Clergie of England as his Master had vanquished the Nation usurped the superiority above the See of York 2. If Antiquity be to be respected long before Gregories time York was the See of an Arch-Bishop whilest as yet Pagan Canterbury was never dream'd of for that purpose Lucius the first Christian Brittain King founding a Cathedral therein and placing Sumson in the same who had Taurinus Pyrannus Tacliacus c. his successors in that place 3. If the extent of jurisdiction be measured York though the lesser in England is the larger in Britain as which at this time had the entire Kingdom of Scotland subject thereunto Besides if the three Bishopricks viz. Worcester Lichfield Lincoln formerly injuriously taken from York were restored unto it it would vie English Latitude with Canterbury it self This controversie lasted for may years it was first visibly begun passing by former private grudges betwixt Lanckfrank of Canterbury and Thomas of York in the Reign of the Conqueror continued betwixt William of Canterbury and Thurstan of York in the dayes of King Henry the first increased betwixt Theobald of Canterbury and William of York at the Coronation of Henry the second and now revived betwixt Richard of Canterbury and Roger of York with more then ordinary animosity 4. Some will wonder that such spiritual persons should be so spiteful How much carnality in the most spiritual that they who should rather have contended de pascendis ovibus which of them should better feed their flocks should fall out de lana caprina about a toy and trifle onely for Priority Yet such will cease to wonder when they consider how much carnality there was in the Disciples themselves Witness their unseasonable contest just before our Saviours * Luke 22 24. death quis esset major which of them should be the greater when then the question should rather have been quis esset maestior not who should be the highest but who should be the heaviest for their departing Master 5. Here the Pope interposed The Popes decision gives final satisfaction and to end old Divisions made a new distinction Primate of all ENGLAND and Primate of ENGLAND giving the former to Canterbury the latter to York Thus when two Children cry for the same apple the indulgent father divides it betwixt them yet so that he giveth the bigger and better part to the Childe that is his Darling York is fain to be content therewith though full ill against his will as sensible that a secondary Primacy is no Primacy and as one stomaching a Superiour as much as Canterbury disdained an Equal Yea on every little occasion this controversie brake out again The last flash which I finde of this flame was in the Reiga of King Edward the first when William Wickham Arch-Bishop of York at a Councel at Lambeth for Reformation would needs have his Cross carried before him which John Peckam Arch-Bishop of Canterbury would in no case permit to be done in his Province Wherefore the said Peckam inhibited all from selling b Mr Jackson out of Florilegus in his Chronologie Anno 1280. victuals to him or his family so hoping to allay his stomach by raising his hunger and starve him into a speedy submission which accordingly came to pass Since York was rather quiet then contented pleasing it self that as stout came behinde as went before But at this day the Clergie sensible of Gods hand upon them for their Pride and other offences are resolved on more humility and will let it alone to the Layetie to fall out about Precedency 6. To return to King Henry The far extended English Monarchie in this Kings Reign never did the branches of the English Monarchy sprout higher or spread broader before or since as in the Reign of this King so large and united his command though in several capacities For by right of inheritance from his Mother Maud he held England and the Dukedom of Normandy Anno Dom. 1277. by the same title from his Father Anno Regis Hen. 2. 23. Geffery Plantagenet he possessed fair lands in Anjou and Maine by Match in right of Queen Elranor his Wife he enjoyed the Dukedoms of Aquitane and Guien even to the Pyrenean Mountains by Conquest he lately had subdued Ireland leaving it to his successors annexed to the English Dominions and for a time was the effectual King of Scotland whilest keeping William their King a Prisoner and acting at pleasure in the Southern parts thereof The rest of Christendom he may be said to have held by way of Arbritration as Christiani orbis arbiter so deservedly did Foreign Princes esteem his wisdom and integrity that in all difficult controversies he was made Vmpire betwixt them 7. Yet all this his greatness could neither preserve him from death Could not make him fortunate in his own Family nor make him when living happy in his own house so that when freest from Foreign foes he was most molested in his own Family his Wife and Sons at last siding with the King of France against him the sorrow whereat was conceived to send him the sooner to his grave I meet with this Distick as parcel of his Epitaph Cui * Mat. Paris pag. 151. satis ad votum non essent omnia terrae Climata terra modo sufficit octo pedum He whom alive the world would scarce suffice When dead in eight foot earth contented lies He died at Chinon in Normandy 1289. and was buried with very great solemnity 39. Rich. 1. in the Nunnery of Font-Everard in the same Countrey A Religious House of his own Foundation and Endowment 8. It is confidently a Mat. Paris at prius reported Disobedience endeavoured to be expiated by superstition that when Richard Son and Successor to King Henry approached his Fathers dead Corps they bled afresh at the Nostrils whence some collected him the cause of his death But whilest natures Night-councellors treading in the dark causes of hidden qualities render the reason of the salleying forth of the bloud on such occasions let the learned in the Laws decide how far such an accident may be improved for a legal evidence For surely that Judg is no better then a Murderer who condemneth one for Murder on that proof alone However on the bleeding of the Fathers Nostrils the Sons heart could not but bleed as meeting there with a guilty Conscience And therefore according to the Divinity and Devotion of those dayes to expiate his disobedience he undertook with Philip Augustus King of France a long Voyage against Sultan Saladine to recover CHRIST his grave
thereof improve the Popes power by invading the undoubted priviledges of King John The Monks soberly excused themselves that they durst not proceed to an election without the Kings consent but affrighted at last with the high threats of his Holiness menacing them with Excommunication Stephen Langton was chosen accordingly One that wanted not ability for the place but rather had too much as King John conceived having his high spirit in suspition that he would be hardly managed 4. Then two Letters were dispatch'd from the Pope The Pope sends two Letters of contrary tempers to the King to the King 1207. The first had nothing of business 10. but complement and four gold Rings with several stones desiring him rather to minde the mysterie then value the worth of the present wherein the Round form signified Eternity their Square Number Constancy the green Smaragd Faith the clear Saphir Hope the red Granat Charity the bright Topaz good works How pretious these stones were in themselves is uncertain most sure it is they proved Dear to King John who might beshrow his own fingers for ever wearing those Rings and as my * Mat. Paris in Anno 1207. pag. 223. Author saith soon after gemmae commutatae in gemitus For in the second Letter the Pope recommended Stephen Langton to the Kings acceptance closely couching threats in case he refused him 5. King John returned an answer full of stomach and animosity King Johns return raising his voice to too high a note at first that this was an intolerable encroachment on his Crown and Dignity which he neither could nor would digest to have a stranger unknown unto him bred in forrein parts familiar with the French King his sworn enemy obtruded upon him for an Arch-Bishop He minded the Pope that he had plenty of Prelates in the Kingdome of England sufficiently provided in all kind of knowledge and that he need not to go abroad to seek for judgement and justice Anno Regis Job 10. intimating an intended defection from Rome Anno Dom. 1207. in case he was wronged Other passages were in his letter which deserved memory had they beeâ— as vigorously acted as valiantly spoken Whereas now because he fouly failed at last judicious ears hearken to his words no otherwise then to the empty brags of impotent anger and the vain evaporations of his discontentment However he began high not onely banishing the Monks of Canterbury for their contempt out of his Kingdome but also forbidding Stephen Langton from once entring into England 6. Hereupon Pope Innocent Three Bishops by command from the Pope Interdict the whole Kingdome the third employed three Bishops William of London Eustace of Ely and Mauger of Worcester to give the King a serious admonition and upon his denial or delaying to receive Stephen Langton for Arch-Bishop to proceed to Interdict the Kingdome of all Ecclesiasticall service saving Baptisme of Children Confession and the Eucharist to the dying in case of necessity which by them was performed accordingly No sooner had they Interdicted the Kingdome but with Joceline Bishop of Bath and Giles of Hereford they as speedily as secretly got them out of the Land like adventurous Empiricks unwilling to wait the working of their desperate Physick except any will compare them to fearfull Boyes which at the first tryall set fire to their squibs with their faces backwards and make fast away from them but the worst was they must leave their lands and considerable moveables in the kingdome behind them 7. See now on a sudden the sad face of the English Church Englands sad case under Interdiction A face without a tongue no singing of service no saying of Masse no reading of Prayers as for preaching of Sermons the lazinesse and ignorance of those times had long before interdicted them None need pity the living hearing the impatient complaints of Lovers for whose marriage no licence could be procured when he looks on the dead a Corpora defunctorum more Canum in Bivijs fossatis sine orationibus sacerdotum ministerio sepelibantur Matt. Paris pag. 226 who were buried in ditches like dogs without any prayers said upon them True a well informed Christian knows full well that a corps though cast in a bogge shall not stick there at the day of judgement thrown into a Wood shall then finde out the way buried by the high wayes side is in the ready Road to the Resurrection In a word that wheresoever a body be put or plac'd it will equally take the Alarum at the last Trumpet Yet seeing these People beleeved that a Grave in consecrated ground was a good step to Heaven and were taught that prayers after their death were essentaill to their Salvation it must needs put strange fears into the heads and hearts both of such which deceased and their friends which survived them And although afterwards at the intreaty of Stephen Langton the Pope indulged to conventuall b Antiq. Brit. in Steph Langton pag. 159. Churches to have Service once a Week Yet Parish Churches where the Peoples need was as much and number far more of souls as dear in Gods sight were debar'd of that benefit 8. Some Priests were well pleased that the Interdiction for a time should continue Two grand effects wrought by this Interdiction as which would render their persons and places in more reputation and procure a higher valuation of Holy mysteries Yea this fasting would be wholesome to some souls who afterwards would feed on Divine Service with greater appetite Hereby two Grand effects were generally produc'd in the Kingdom One a terrible impression made in mens mindes of the Popes Power which they had often heard of and now saw and felt whose long arm could reach from Rome all over England and lock the doors of all Churches there an Emblem that in like manner he had or might have bolted the Gates of Heaven against them The second an Alienation of the peoples hearts from King John all being ready to complain O cruell Tyrant over the souls of his Subjects whose wilfulnesse depriveth them of the means of their salvation King Johns innocence the Popes injustice in these proceedings 9. However if things be well weighed King John will appear meerly passive in this matter suffering unjustly because he would not willingly part with his undoubted right Besides suppose him guilty what equity was it that so many thousands in England who in this particular case might better answer to the name of Innocent then his Holinesse himself should be involved in his punishment God indeed sometimes most justly punisheth subjects for the defaults of their Soveraignes as in the case of the plague destroying the people for Davids numbring of them But it appears in the a Compare the 2 Sam. 74. 1 with the 1 Chron. 21. 1 Text that formerly they had been offenders and guilty before God as all men at all times are But seeing
Henry so quickly recovered his Kingdom he recovered the entire possession of his Kingdom many things concurring to expedite so great an alteration First the insolency of the French disobliging the English by their cruelty and wantonness Secondly the inconstancy of the English if starting loyalties return to its lawful Soveraign may be so termed who as for their own turns they call'd in Lewis so for their turns they cast him out Thirdly the innocence of Prince Henry whose harmless age as it attracted love to him on his own account so he seemed also hereditarily to succeed to some pitty as the Son of a suffering Father Fourthly the wisdom and valor counsel and courage of William Earl of Pembroke Anno Regis Hen. 3 1. his Protector who Anno Dom. 1217. having got the French Lewis out of his covert of the City of London into the champion field so maul'd him at the fatal battel of Lincoln that soon after the said Lewis was fain by the colour of a composition to qualifie his retreat not to say his flight into the honour of a departure Lastly and chiefly the Mercy of God to an injured Orphan and his Justice that detained right though late yet at last should return to its proper owner 26. But it were not onely uncivil Our Principal design in writing this Kings life but injurious for us to meddle with these matters proper to the pens of the civil Historians We shall therefore confine our selves principally to take notice in this Kings Reign as of the unconscionable extortions of the Court of Rome on the one side to the detriment of the King and Kingdom so of the defence which the King as well as he could made against it Defence which though too faint and feeble fully to recover his right from so potent oppression yet did this good to continue his claim and preserve the title of his priviledges until his Son and Successors in after-ages could more effectually rescue the rights of their Crown from Papal usurpation 27. Indeed at this time many things imboldened the Pope not over-bashful of himself to be the more busie in the collecting of money Occasions of the Popes intolerable extortions First the troublesomness of the times and best fishing for him in such waters Secondly the ignorance of most and the obnoxiousness of some of the English Clergie Now such as had weak heads must finde strong backs and those that led their lives loose durst not carry their purses tied or grudg to pay dear for a connivence at their viciousness Thirdly the minority of King Henry and which was worse his non-age after his full-age such was his weakness of spirit and lowness of resolution Lastly the Pope conceiving that this King got his Crown under the countenance of his excommunicating his enemies thought that either King Henrie's weakness could not see or his goodness would winke at his intolerable extortions which how great soever were but a large shiver of that loaf which he had given into the Kings hand Presuming on the premisses Gualo the Popes Legat by his Inquisitors throughout England collected a vast summe of money of the Clergie for their misdemenours Hugo Bishop of Lincoln paying no less for his share then a thousand a Mat. Paris pag. 299. marks sterling to the Pope and an hundred to this his Legat. Yet when this Gualo departed such as hated his dwelling here grieved at his going hence because fearing a worse in his room chusing rather to be suck'd by full then fresh flies hoping that those already gorg'd would be afterwards less greedy 28. And being now to give the Reader a short account of the long Reign of this King A new design I shall alter my proceedings embracing a new course which hitherto I have not nor hereafter shall venture upon Wherein I hope the variation may be not onely pleasant but profitable to the Reader as scientifical and satisfactory in it self namely I will for the present leave off consulting with the large and numerous Printed or Manuscript Authors of that Age and betake my self only to the Tower-Records all authentically attested under the hands of William Ryley Norroy keeper of that pretious Treasury 29. When I have first exemplified them Good Text what ere the Comments I shall proceed to make such observations upon them as according to my weakness I conceive of greatest concernment being confident that few considerables in that Age which was the crisis of Regal and Papal power in this Land will escape our discovery herein 30. Onely I desire a pardon for the premising of this Touch of State-matters Serenity in the State At this instant the Common-wealth had a great serenity as lately cleared from such active spirits who nick-named the calme and quiet of Peace a sloth of Government Such Falcatius de Brent and others Anno Dom. 1214. who had merited much in setting this Henry the third on the Throne and it is dangerous when Subjects conferr too great benefits on their Sovereigns Anno Regis Hen. 3 7. for afterwards their mindes are onely made capable of receiving more reward not doing more duty These were offended when such Lands and Castles which by the heat of War had unjustly been given them by Peace were justly took away from them finding such uprightness in the King that his Power of Protection would not be made a wrong doer But now the old stock of such male-contents being either worne out with age or ordered otherwise into Obedience all things were in an universal tranquillity within the first seven years of this Kings Reign THOMAE HANSON Amico meo Anno Regis Anno Dom. DIsplicet mihi modernus Scribendi Mos quo Monumenta indies exarantur Literae enim sunt fugaces ut quae non stabili manu penitus Membranis infiguntur sed currente Calamo summam earum Cuticulam vix leviter praestringunt Hae cum saeculum unum alterum duraverint vel Linceis oculis lectu erunt perdifficiles Haud ita olim Archiva in Turre Londinensi Rotulis Scaccario c. deposita in quibus ingens Scribarum cura justa Membranarum firmitas Atramentum vere Aethiopicum integra Literarum lineamenta ut Calamus Praeli Aemulus videatur Ita adhuc vigent omnia in illis quae trecentis ab hinc Annis notata ut Is cui Characteris Antiquitas minus cognita nuperrime descripta judicaret Ex his nonnulla decerpsi ad Rem nostram facientia ea Tibi dedicanda curavi quem omnes norunt Antiquitatis Caniciem venerari Quo in Ducatus Lancastrensis Chartulis custodiendis nemo fidelior perlegendis oculatior communicandis candidior HEre we begin with the Kings Precept to the Sheriff of Buckinghamshire Henriâ— 3. 7 considerable for the Rarity thereof 1214 though otherwise but a matter of private concernment A remarkable writ of the King to the Sheriff of Buckinghamshire Vic. Bucks
Sap still remained in the English Sceptre that it durst oppose the Pope in so high a degree 6. In this year 1235. the CAURSINES first came into England Caursines what they were proving the Pests of the Land and Bane of the people therein These were Italians by Birth terming themselves the Pope's Merchants driving no other Trade then Letting our money great Banks whereof they brought over into England differing little from the Iews save that they were more merciless to their Debtours Now because the Pope's Legate was all for ready money when any Tax by Levy Commutation of Vows Tenths Dispensations c. were due to the Pope from Prelate Convents Priests or Lay persons these CAURSINES instantly furnished them with present Coin upon their solemn Bonds and Obligations one form whereof we have inserted To all that shall see the present Writing Anno Dom. 1235 Thomas the Prior the Convent of Barnwell wish health in the Lord. Anno Regis Henrici 3. 19 Know that we have borrowed and received at London for our selves profitably to be expended for the Affaires of our Church from Francisco and Gregorio for them and their Partners Citizens and Merchants of Millain a hundred and four Marks of lawfull Money Sterling thirteen shillings four pence sterling being counted to every Mark. Which said one hundred and four Marks we promise to pay back on the Feast of S t. Peter ad Vincula being the first day of August at the New Temple in London in the year 1235. And if the said money be not throughly paid at the time and place aforesaid we bind our selves to pay to the foresaid Merchants or any one of them or their certain Atturney for every ten Marks forborn two months one Mark of money for recompence of the Damages which the foresaid Merchants may incur by the not-payment of the money unto them so that both Principall Damages and Expences as above expressed with the Expences of one Merchant with his Horse and Man until such time as the aforesaid money be fully satisfied For Payment of Principal Interest Damages and Expences we oblige our selves and our Church and Successours and all our Goods and the Goods of our Church moveable or immoveable Ecclesiasticall or Temporall which we have or shall have wheresoever they shall be found to the foresaid Merchants and their Heirs and do recognize and acknowledge that we possesse and hold the same Goods from the said Merchants by way of Courtesy untill the Premises be fully satisfied And we renounce for our selves and Successours all help of CANON and CIVILL LAW all Priviledges and Clark-ship the Epistle of S t. Adrian all Customes Statutes Lectures Indulgences Priviledges obtained for the King of England from the See Apostolick as also we renounce the Benefit of all Appeales or Inhibition from the King of England with all other Exceptions real or Personal which may be objected against the Validity of this Instrument All these things we promise faithfully to observe In witnesse whereof we have set to the Seal of our Convent Dated at London die quinto Elphegi in the year of Grace 1235. Sure bind sure find Here were Cords enough to hold Sampson himself an order taken they should never be cut or untîd the Debtour depriving himself of any relief save by full payment 7. It will not be amisse Necessary observations to make some brief Notes on the former Obligation it being better to write on it then to be written in it as the Debtour concerned therein One hundred and four Marks the od four seem added for Interest Feast of S t. Peter ad Vincula The Popish Tradition saith that Eudoxia the Empress Wife to Theodosius the Younger brought two great Chains wherewith Herod imprisoned S t. Peter from Ierusalem to Rome where they are reported seen at this day and a Solemn Festivall kept on the first of August the quarter-pay-day of Romes Revenues in Momoriall thereof But the Name of LAMMAS hath put out S t. Peter's Chains in our English Almanack New Temple at London in Fleet-street founded by the Knights Templers and dedicated by Heraclius Patriarch of Ierusalem 1185 Called New in relation to ancient Temple lesse and lesse convenient they had formerly in Oldburn And our certain Atturney Nuncius in the Latine being one imployed to solicite their Suit All the Goods of our Church moveable and immoveable Hence oftentimes they were forced to sell their Chalices and Altar-plate to pay the Bond and secure the rest of their Goods for these Creditcurs CANON and CIVILL LAW Common Law not mentioned herein with which these CAURSINES Anno Regis Hen. 3. 19 being Forrainers would have nothing to do Epistle of S t. Adrian This seems to be some Indulgence granted by Pope Adrian the fourth perchance whereby Churches indicted found some favour against their Creditours Die quinto Elphegi I am not Datary enough to understand this I know Elphegus to be Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Martyr and his day kept the nineteenth of April so that the money was borrowed but for three moneths so soon did the Payment or heavy Forfeiture in default thereof return 8. These CAURSINES were generally hated for their Extorsions Caursines whence so called Some will have them called CAURSINES quasi CAUSA URSINI so Bearish and cruell in their causes others CAURSINI quasi CORRASINI from scraping all together But these are but barbarous Allusions though best becoming such base practises 9. Mean time the CAURSINES cared not what they were called Foxes hapand happinesse being a-kin to the cunning Creature which faireth best when cursed and were indeed Lords of the Land according to Scripture rule the Borrower is servant to the Lender Many of the Laity more of the Clergy and Convents and the King himself being deeply indebted unto them Indeed Roger Black that Valiant Learned and Pious Bishop of London once excommunicated these CAURSINES for their Oppression but they appealing to the Pope their good friend forced him after much molestation to desist 10. These CAURSINES were more commonly known by the Name of LOMBARDS Caursines and Lombards the same from Lombardy the place of their Nativity in Italy And although they deserted England on the decaying of the Pope's power and profit therein yet a double memoriall remaineth of them One of their Habitation in Lumbard-street in London the other of their Imployment A LOMBARD unto this day signifying a Bank for Vsury or Pawns still continued in the Low-Countries and elsewhere 11. Mean time one may lawfully smile at the Pope's Hypocrisy Deep Hypocrisy forbidding Vsury as a sin so detestable under such heavy penalties in his Canon Law whilst his own Instruments were the most unconscionable Practisers thereof without any control 12. Otho 22 Cardinal 1238 Deacon of S t. Nicholas The Present of the Oxford Scholars to the Legate was sent the Pope's Legate into England and going to a M. Paris in Anno
wearisome Though a Royall Guest with often coming his Royalty made not his Guestship the more accepted but the notion of a Guest rendred his Royalty the lesse to be esteemed Indeed his visits of Abbeys at first did wear the countenance of Devotion on which account this King was very eminent but afterwards they appeared in their own likeness the dimmest eye seeing them to proceed from pure Necessity 37. Soon after began the Civill Warrs in England No part of Church-work with various success sometimes the King and sometimes the Barons getting the better till at last an indifferent Peace was concluded for their mutuall good as in the Historians of the Common-wealth doth plentifully appear 38. The later part of the reigne of King Henry was not onely eminent in it self Bettered by affliction but might be exemplary to others He reformed first his own naturall errours then the disorders in his Court the Expence whereof he measured by the just rule of his proper Revenue The rigour and corruption of his Iudges he examined and redressed by strict commission filled the seats of Iudgement and Counsell with men nobly born sate himself daily in Counsell and disposed affairs of most weight in his own person 39. And now the Charta Magna was very strictly observed Charta Magna first fully practised being made in the ninth year of this Kings reign but the practice thereof much interrupted and disturbed with Civill Wars it is beheld by all judicious men as like the aurea Bulla or golden Bull of Germany the life of English Liberty rescued by the bloud and valour of our Auncestours from Tyrannicall incroachment giving the due bounds to Prerogative and Propriety that neither should mutually intrench on the others lawfull Priviledges And although some high Royallists look on it as the product of Subjects animosities improving themselves on their Princes extremities yet most certain it is those Kings flourished the most both at home and abroad who tyed themselves most conscientiously to the observation thereof 40. Two Colledges in Oxford were founded in the Reign of this King Bailiol Colledge built by a banisht Prince One Bailiol Colledge 46 by Iohn Bailiol and Dervorguill his Lady of Bernads Castle in the Bishoprick of Durham 1262 banisht into England and Father of Bailiol King of Scotland Wonder not that an Exile should build a Colledge Charity being oftentimes most active in the afflicted willingly giving to others a little of that little they have witness the Macedonians whose deep a 2 Cor. 8. 2. poverty abounded to the riches of their Liberality 41. True it is Great revenues for that Age. the ancient revenues of this Colledge were not great allowing but b Roger Walden in his History eight pence a week for every Scholar therein of his Foundation whereas Merion Colledge had twelve pence and yet as c Bri. Twine antiq Acad. Ox. in Appendice Endowed with more land then now it possesseth one casteth up their ancient revenues amounted unto ninety nine pounds seventeen shillings ten pence which in that Age I will assure you was a considerable Summe enough to make us suspect that at this day they enjoy not all the Originall lands of their foundation 42. Indeed I am informed that the aforesaid King Bailiol bestowed a large proportion of Land in Scotland on this his Fathers Foundation The Master and Fellows whereof petitioned King Iames when the Marches of two Kingdomes were newly made the middle of one Monarchy for the restitution of those Lands detained from them in the Civil Warres betwixt the two Crowns The King though an affectionate lover of Learning would not have his Bounty injurious to any save sometimes to himself and considering those Lands they desired were long peaceably possessed with divers Owners gave them notice to surcease their Suit Thus not King Iames but the infeacibility of the thing they petitioned for to be done with justice gave the denyall to their Petition 43. Being to present the Reader with the Catalogues of this The Authours request to the learned in Oxford and other worthy Foundations in Oxford I am sorry that I can onely build bare Walls erect empty Columns and not fill them with any furniture which the ingenuous Reader I trust will pardon when he considers first that I am no Oxford-man secondly that Oxford is not that Oxford wherewith ten years since I was acquainted Wherefore I humbly request the Antiquaries of their respective Foundations best skill'd in their own worthy Natives to insert their own observations which if they would return unto me against the next Edition of this work if I live it be thought worthy thereof God shall have the Glory they the publick thanks and the world the benefit of their contribution to my endeavours 44. The Catalogue of Masters we have taken with an implicite faith Four necessary things premised out of M r. Brian Twine who may be presumed knowing in that subject untill the year 1608. where his work doth determine Since which time we have supplyed them as well as we may though too often at a losse for their Christian names If M r. Twine his Register be imperfect yet he writes right who writes wrong if following his Copy 45. The List of Bishops hath been collected out of Francis Godwine Bishop of Hereford Whence the Bishops are collected whose judicious paines are so beneficiall to the English Church Yet Godwinus non vidit omnia and many no doubt have been omitted by him 46. As for the Roll of Benefactours Whence the Benefactours I who hope to have made the other Catalogues true hope I have made this not true upon desire and confidence that they have more then I have or can reckon up though following herein I. Scot his printed Tables Anno Dom. 1262 and the last Edition of Iohn Speed his Chronicle Anno Regis Henrici 3. 46 47. The column of learned Writers I have endeavoured to extract out of Bale and Pitts Whence the learned writers Whereof the later being a member of this University was no lesse diligent then able to advance the Honour thereof 48. Let none suspect that I will enrich my Mother No wilfull wrong done by rebbing my Aunt For besides that Cambridge is so conscientious she will not be accessary to my Felony by receiving stollen goods Tros Tyriusque mihi nullo discrimine habetur A Trojan whether he Or a Tyrian be All is the same to me It matters not whether of Cambridge or Oxford so God hath the Glory the Church and State the Benefit of their learned endeavours 49. However Adde and mend I am sensible of many defects and know that they may be supplied by the endeavours of others Every man knows his own land better then either Ortelius or Mercator though making the Maps of the whole world And the members of respective Colledges must be more accurate in the
the Crown of Scotland is written on the back-side of Constantines Donation And it is strange that if Scotland be the Popes peculiar Demeanes it should be so far distant from Rome his chief Mansion house he grounded his Title thereunto because a Fox Acts Monuments lib. 1. p. 444 and 445. Scotland was first converted by the reliques of S t Peter to the unity of the Catholick faith But it seemes not so much ambition in his Holiness made him at this present to start this pretence but the secret solicitation of the Scots themselves Anno Dom. 1301. who now to avoid the storme of the English Anno Regis Ed. 1. 29. ran under this Bush and put themselves in the Popes protection 2. Hereupon King Edward called a Councel of his Lords at Lincoln 〈…〉 where perusing the contents of the Popes prescript he returned a large answer where in he endeavoured by evident reasons and ancient predceents to prove his propriety in the Kingdom of Scotland This was seconded by another from the English Peerage subscribed with all their hands the whole a 〈…〉 the first pag. 311. tenor whereof deserves to be inserted but this passage must not be omitted being directed to no meaner then his Holiness himself Wherefore after treaty had and diligent deliberation of the contents of your foresaid Letters this was the common agreement and consent with one minde and shall be without fail in time to come by Gods grace that our foresaid Lord the King ought by no means to answer in judgement in any case or should bring his foresaid rights into doubt nor ought not to send any Proctors or messengers to your presence Especially seeing that the premisses tend manifestly to the disheriting of the Crown of England and the plain overthrow of the State of the said Realm and also hurt of the Liberties Customes and Laws of our Fathers for the keeping and defence of which we are bound by the duty of the Oath made and we will maintain them with all power and will desend them by Gods help with all our strength The Pope perceived he had met with men which understood themselves and that King Edward was no King John to be frighted or flattered out of his Right he therefore was loath to clash his Keys against the others sword to trie which was made of the hardest mettal but foreseeing the Verdict would go against him wisely non-suited himself Whereas had this unjust challenger met with a timerous Defendant it had been enough to have created an undeniable title to him and his successors The best is Nullum tempus occurrit Papae no process of time doth prejudice the Popes due but whensoever he pleaseth to prosecute his right One condemned for a traitor for bringing the Popes Bull. Scotland lieth still in the same place where it did before 3. About this time a subject brought in a Bull of Excommunication against another subject of this Realm 1302 and published it to the Lord Treasurer of England 30. and this was by the ancient a Brook tit pâ—aemuntre p. 10. Common-Law of England adjudged Treason against the King his Crown and dignity for the which the offender should have been drawn and hanged but at the great instance of the chancelour and Treasurer he was onely abjured the Realm for ever And this case is the more remarkable because he was condemned by the Common-Law of England before any particular c â— part of Sir Ed. Cokes Reports de jure Reg. Ecc. fol. 12. Statute was enacted in that behalf The Arch-Bishop of Canterbury humbled by the King 4. But the Courage of the King Edward most appeared in humbling and ordering Robert Wincelsey 1305 Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 33. He was an insolent man hated even of the Clergie because though their champion to preserve them from Civil and Secular burdens yet the Popes Broker to reserve them for his unconscionable exactions as if keeping Church-men to be wrong'd by none but himself Long had the King looked on him with an angry eye as opposite to his proceedings and now at the last had him at his mercy for plotting d Annal. Eccl. August Cant. Guiltiness makes proud men base Treason with some others of the Nobility against him against him projecting to depose him and set up his Son Edward in his Room 5. The Arch-Bishop throwing himself prostrate at the Kings feet with tears and e Antiq Brita p 20◠〈…〉 Wâ—â—singham lamentation confessed his fault in a posture of cowardly dejection descending now as much beneath himself as formerly he had arrogantly insulted over others f Haâ—pssield Hist Eccl. Aug. pag. 446. some are loath to allow him guilty of the crime objected Worthily see Goâ—dwin de Archiepisâ— Cantâ—â—riens p. 145. others conceive him onely to have done this Anno Regis Ed. 1. 33. presuming on the Kings noble disposition for pardon Anno Dom. 1305. But such must yield him a Traitor either to the Kings Crown or to his own innocence by his unworthy acknowledging his offence Thus that man who confesseth a debt which he knows not due hoping his Creditor will thereupon give him an acquittance scarce deserveth pitty for his folly if presently sent to prison for non-payment thereof Then he called the King his Master a terme wherewith formerly his tongue was unacquainted whom neither by word or letter he would ever acknowledg under that nation tendering himself to be disposed at his pleasure 6. No Quoth the King The remarkable Dialogue betwixt the King and Arch Bish I will not be both party and judg and proceed against you as I might by the Common-Law of the Land I bear more respect to your order whereof you are as unworthy as of my favour having formerly had experience of your malice in smaller matters when you so rigorously used my Chaplains attending on me in their ordinary service beyond the Seas â— Antiquitates Britiannicae ut prius so that though I sent my Letters unto you you as lightly regarded what I wrot as what they pleaded in their own behalf Wincelsey having but one guard for all blows persisted in his submission desiring a president unparalle'd that the King would give him his blessing No said the King it is more proper that you should give me your blessing But well I will remit you to your own great Master the Pope to deal with you according to your deserts But the Arch-Bishop loath belike to-go-to Rome and staying longer in England then the Kings command and perchance his own promise lurk'd in a Covent at Canterbury till fourscore b Annal. Eccl. August Cant. Monks were by the Kings command thrust out of their places for relieving him out of their charity and were not restored till the aforesaid Arch-Bishop was banished the Kingdom 7. Not long after he appeared before Pope Clement the fift at Burdeaux Wincelsey finds no â—avour
name And this in effect is confessed by the most learned and ingenious Orator b Sir Isaac Wake in his Rex Platonicus pag. 2â—9 210. of that University Indeed we finde one Robert Bacon who died Anno One thousand two hundred fourty eight a Learned Doctor and Trithemius stileth John Baconthorpe plain Bacon which addeth to the probability of the former assertion However this confounding so many Bacons in one hath caused Anticronismes in many Relations For how could this Bacon ever be a reader of Philosophy in Brasen-Nose Colledg Founded more then one Hundred years after his death so that his Brasen head so much spoken of to speak must make time past to be again or else these inconsistences will not be reconciled Except any will salve it with the Prolepsis of Brasen-Nose Hall formerly in the place where the Colledg is now erected I have done with the Oxford Bacons only let me add that those of Cambridg Father and Son Nicholas and Francis the one of Bennet and the other of Trinity Colledg do hold absit in vidia the Scales of desert even against all of their name in all the world besides 19. John Duns Scotus succeeds Duns Scotus why so called who some will have called Scotus ob c Sixtut Senensis profundi ssimam dicendi obscuritatem from his profound obscurity in writing Indeed there was one Heracletus to whom cognomen Scotinon d Seneca in Epist fecit orationis obscuritas but others conceive him so called either from Scotland his Country or John Scott his father Nor was he called Duns as some will have it contractedly from Dominus but from the place of his Nativity though three Kingdoms earnestly engage to claim him for their Country-man England It is thus written at the end of his Manuscript works in Merton Colledg in Oxford Three Kingdoms lay claim to his birth whereof he was Fellow Explicit a Camd. Brit. in Northumberland Lectura a Subtilis in Vniversitate Parisiensi Doctoris Joannis Duns nati in quadam villula parochiae de Emidon vocata Dunston in Comitatu Northumbriae pertinente Domui Scholarium de Merton-hall in Oxonia Scotland Although John Scott dissembled himself an English-man to finde the more favour in Merton Colledg living in an age wherein cruel Wars betwixt England and Scotland yet his Tomb erected at Colen is bold to tell the truth whereon this Epitaph b Arch-Bish Spotswood in his History of the Church of Scotland Scotia me genuit Anglia suscepit Gallia edocuit Germania tenet Besides the very name of Scotus a voweth him to be a Scotch-man Ireland He is called Joannes Duns by abbreviation for Dunensis that is born at * Hugh Cavel in vita Scoti Dounâ— an Episcopal See in Ireland where Patricius Dubricius and S t Columba lie interred And it is notoriously known to Criticks that Scotus signifieth an Irish-man in the most ancient exception therof I doubt not but the Reader will give his verdict that the very Scotiety of Scotus belongeth to England as his Native Country who being born in Northumberland which Kingdom in the Saxon Heptarchie extended from Humber to Edenburgh Frith it was a facile mistake for Foreiners to write him a Scotch-man on his Monument As for the name of Scotus it is of no validity to prove him that Country-man as a common-Sir-name amongst us as some four years since when the Scotch were injoyned to depart this Land one M r English in London was then the most considerable Merchant of the Scotch Nation The sad manner of Scotus his death is sufficiently known who being in a fit of a strong Apoplexie was by the cruel kindness of his over-officious friends buried whilest yet alive and recovering in the grave dashed out his brains against the Coffin affording a large field to such wanton wits in their Epigrams who could make sport to themselves on the sad accident of others 20. I had almost over-seen John Baconthorpe Low but learned Baconthorpe being so low in stature as but one remove from a Dwarfe of whom one saith Ingenio c Johannes Trissa Nemausensis in libro de viris illustribus magnus corpore parvus erat His wit was Tall in body small Insomuch that Corpus non tulisset quod ingenium protulit his body could not bear the Books which his brain had brought forth Coming to Rome being sent for by the Pope he was once hissed d Baleus in ejus vita at in a Publick Disputation for the badness forsooth of his Latin and pronunciation but indeed because he opposed the Popes power in dispencing with Marriages contrary to the Law of God whose e Jacobus Calcus Papiensis judgment was afterwards made use of by the defenders of the divorce of King Henry the eight 21. William Occam sided with Lewis of Bavaria against the Pope Occam a â—â—list 〈◊〉 maintaining the Temporal power above the Spiritual he was fain to flie to the Emperour for his safety saying unto him Defende me gladio ego te defendam verbo Defend me with thy sword and I will defend thee with my word This Occam was Luthers chief if not sole School-man who had his works at â— is fingers end loving him no doubt the better for his opposition to the Pope 22. Robert Holcot was not the meanest amongst them Holcots sudden death who died of the Plague at Northampton just as he was reading his Lectures on the seventh of Ecclesiasticus wherein as many Canonical truths as in any Apocrypha chapter and although as yet in his publick reading he was not come to the last verse thereof so proper for mortality wee may charitably believe he had seriously commented thereon Bale descript 〈◊〉 Cent. fift pag. 434. in his private meditations Whatsoever thou takest in hand remember the end and thou shalt never do amiss 23. Thomas Bradwardine bringeth up the rear The just praise of Tho. Bradwardine though in learning and piety if not superiour equal to any of the rest witness his worthy book against Pelagianisme to assert the freeness of Gods grace in mans conversion which he justly intituleth De causa Dei of Gods cause for as God is a Second in every good cause so he is a Principal in this wherein his own honour is so nearly concerned And though the Psalmist saith plead thine own cause O Lord yet in this age wherein Miracles are ceased God pleadeth his cause not in his Person but by the proxie of the tongues and pens hands and hearts of his Servants This Bradwardine was afterwards Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and how highly esteemed let Chaucer * In the Nuns Prieststale tell you But I ne cannot boult it to the bren As can the holy Doctour S t Austin Dr Boece or the Bishop Bradwardin This testimony of Chaucer by the exact computation of time written within forty years after Bradwardines death which addeth much to his honour
Kenelworth to perswade him to resign sign the Crown though having no other design Anno Dom. 1326. then the Kings safety therein He hoped that in this tempest the casting out of the Lading Anno Regis Ed. secun 19â— would save the Hulke of the Ship and the surrendring of the Scepter secure the Kings person 22. With John Stratford let me couple Robert de Baldock though no Bishop And a Loyal Priest-Chancelour a Bishops mate as a Priest and Chancelour of England This man unable to assist resolved to attend the King and was taken with him in Wales Hence was he brought up to London and committed to Adam Tarleton Bishop of Hereford Here the shadow of Tarleton Miter if pleased to put forth his power might have secured this his Guest-prisoner from any danger whereas on the contrary it is more then suspicious that he gave a signall to the tumultouous people to seize his person For he was dragged to Newgate and there payed his life for his Loyalty yet was never heard to complain of the dearnesse of his penyworth If any violence was secretly offered unto his person he might endure it the more patiently having read * St. Mat. 10. 24. that the Disciple is not above his Master nor the servant better then his Lord. This Baldock was a good Justicer nor charged in our Chronicles with any misdemeanour save faithfulnesse to an unfortunate Master and his Memory will travers his Innocence as confessing the Fact but denying any fault therein 23. But we have more then a good number of such Bishops W. Reinolds unthankful to the King which ungratefully sided with the Queen against her Husband and their Soveraign Walter Reynolds Arch-Bishop of Canterbury leads their Van preferred to that See at the Kings great importunity and by the Pope his Power of Provision On the same token that a Far better Man Thomas Cobham by name Deane of Salisbury so learned and pious a person that he was generally called the good Clergy-men legally elected by the Commons was put by by the Pope to make room for this Reinolds He afterwards complied with the Queen his new Mistress against his old Master active to perform his desires This some seek in vain to excuse by pleasing Her imperious spirit and this Arch-Bishops fearfulness alleadging that cowardlinesse is rather a defect in nature then default in Morality 24. A word by the way of the nature of the Popes provisions lately mentioned which now began to be a general grievance of our Nation The nature of the Popes provisions When any Bishoprick Abbots place Dignity or good Living Aquila non capit muscas was like to be void the Pope by a profitable Prolepsis to himself predisposed such places to such successors as he pleased By this devise he defeated when so pleased the Legal election of all Convents and rightful presentation of all Patrons He took up Churches before they fell yea before they ever stumbled I mean whilst as yet no suspition of sicknesse in Incumbents younger and healthier than his Holiness himself Yea sometimes no Act of Provision was entered in scriptis in the Court only the Pope was pleased to say by word of mouth and who durst confute him he had done it So that Incumbents to Livings who otherwise had a rightful Title from their Patrons were to purchase their peace glad to buy of the Popes provisions Yea his Holiness sold them aforehand to several persons so that not he who gave the first but the most Money carried away the preferment 25. Next we take notice of Henry Burwash Bishop of Lincoln Hen. Bishop of Lincoln bad lately restored to the favour of King Edward and by him lately esteemed Yet no sooner did the Queen appear in the field with an army against him but this Bishop was the first and for wardest who publiquely repaired unto Her This Burwash was he who by meere might against all right and reason took in the Land of many poor people without making also the least reparation therewith to compleat his Park at Tinghurst These wronged persons though seeing their own Bread Beef and Mutton turned into the Bishops Venison durst not contest with him who was Chancelour of England though neither Law Anno Regis Ed. secun 18 nor equity in this his Action Anno Do. 13 m only they loaded him with curses and execrations This mindeth me of a Modern accident when some twenty years since a Knight went about injuriously to inclose the Commons of a Town and demanded of his Builiffe what the railing in of the same would amount to to whom his servant answered that if he would take in the Commons the Countrey would find him railings as here they did this injurious Bishop Otherwise let me say that inclosures made without oppression are a grand inriching both to private persons and to the Common-wealth 26. Here let the Reader smile or frown Smile or frown I am resolved to write what I find recorded in a * Godwin in the Bishop of Lincoln Grave Author deriving it no doubt from good intelligence This Bishop Burwash is said after his death to have appeared to one of his former familiar friends apparelled Like a Forester all in Green a with his Bow and Quiver of Arrows and his Bugle horn hanging by his side to him he complained that for the injuries done by him to poor whilst living he was now condemned to this penance to be the Park-keeper of that place which he so wrongfully had enclosed He therefore desired him to repair to the Canons of Lincoln and in his name to request them that they would take order that all hedges being cut down and Ditches filled up all might be reduced to their property and the poor men be restored to their inheritance It is added moreover that one W. Batheler was imployed by the Canons aforesaid to see the premises performed which was done accordingly 27. This pretended Apparition seems inconsistent with the nature of Purgatory A grave foolery as usually by Papists represented to people Surely the smoake thereof would have sooted his Green suit and the Penance seems so slight and light for the offence as having so much liberty and pleasure in a place of Command Some Poets would have fancied him rather conceived himself turned Acteon-like into a Deere to be daily hunted by his own Hound guilt of Conscience untill he made restistution But it seems there be degrees in Purgatory and the Bishop not in the Prison itself but only within the Rules thereof priviledged to go abroad whether on his Parel or with his Keeper uncertain till he could procure Suffrages for his Plenary relaxation 28. Adam Tarlton Bishop of Hereford A Divell preaching is the last we will insist on born in that City where afterward he became Bishop yet not honoured but hated and feared in the place of his Nativity He was the grand Engineer and contriver of all
His admirable successe in his wars as totally taken up with his atchievements in Scotland and France where his successe by Sea and Land was above beliefe and even to admiration He conquered both before his face and behind his back Whence he came and whither he went North and South the one in his person the other by his substitutes in his absence Insomuch that he got more then he knew what to do with exhausting the Land to man the Cities which he had gained Herein he stands without a parallel that he had both the Kings he fought against viz. John de Dalois of France and David the King of Scotland his prisoners at one time not taken by any cowardly surprize but by fair fight in open field 5. It soundeth much to the commendation of his modesty and moderation And humility that intending to found an Order of Knight-hood at his Castle of Windsor * Others say in London Town where he had these two Royall prisoners In the institution thereof he neither had any insolent relation to his own conquest nor opprobrious reflection on his enemies captivity but began the innocent Order of the Garter unreferring to any of his former atchievements But more hereof in due time 6. The King and State began now to grow sensible of the great gain he Netherlands got by our English Wool England hitherto ignorant in curious Cloathing in memory whereof the Duke of Burgundy not long after instituted the order of the Golden Fleece wherein indeed the Fleece was ours the Golden theirs so vast their Emolument by the Trade of Clothing Our King therefore resolved if possible to reduce the Trade to his own Country Anno Regis Ed. tertii 11 who as yet were ignorant of that Art Anno Dom. 1336. as knowing no more what to do with their Wool then the sheep that weare it as to any Artificiall and curious Drabery their best Cloathes then being no better then Freezes such their coursnesse for want of skill in their making But soon after followed a great alteration and we shall enlarge our selves in the manner thereof 7. The intercourse now being great betwixt the English and the Netherlands increased of late since King Edward married the Daughter of the Earl of Hainalt unsuspected Emissaries The Kings Agents tempt the Dutch apprentices were imployed by our King into those Countries who wrought themselves into familiarity with such Dutch men as were Absolute Masters of their Trade but not Masters of themselves as either Journeymen or Apprentiees These bemoaned the slavishnesse of these poore servants whom their Masters used rather like Heathens then Christians yea rather like Horses then Men. Early up and late in bed and all day hard work and harder fare a few Herrings and mouldy Cheese and all to inrich the Churles their Masters without any profit unto themselves 8. But oh how happy should they be if they would but come over into England To come over into England bringing their Mystery with them which would provide their welcome in all places Here they should feed on fatt Beef and Mutton till nothing but their fulnesse should stint their stomacks yea they should feed on the labours of their own hands enjoying a proportionable profit of their pains to themselves their beds should be good and their bedfellows better seeing the richest Yeomen in England would not disdain to marry their Daughters unto them and such the English beauties that the most envious Forreigners could not but commend them 9. Liberty is a Lesson quickly conn'd by heart And obtain their desire men having a principle within themselves to prompt them in case they forget it Perswaded with the premises many Dutch servants leave their Masters and make over for England Their departure thence being pickt here and there made no sensible vacuity but their meeting here altogether amounted to a considerable fulness With themselves they brought over their Trade and their Tools namely such which could not as yet be so conveniently made in England 10. Happy the Yeomans House into which one of these Dutchmen did enter bringing industry and wealth along with them Their welcome reception Such who came in strangers within their doors soon after went out Bridegrooms and returned Son in laws having married the Daughters of their Landlords who first entertained them Yea those Yeomen in whose houses they harboured soon proceeded Gentlemen gaining great estates to themselves arms and worship to their estates 11. The King having gotten this Treasury of Forreigners The King politickly disperseth the Dutch thought not fit to continue them all in one place lest on discontent they might imbrace a generall resolution to return but bestowed them thorow all the parts of the Land that Cloathing thereby might be the better dispersed Here I say nothing of the Colony of old Dutch who frighted out of their own Country with an Inundation about the reign of King Henry the first possibly before that Nation had attained the cunning of Cloath-making were seated only in Pembroke-shire This new Generation of Dutch was now sprinkled every where so that England in relation I mean to her own Counties may be speak these Inmates in the language of the Poet Que regio in terris vestri non plena laboris though generally where left to their own choice they preferred a Maritine Habitation East 1. Norfolk Norwich Fustians 2. Suffolk Sudbury Bayes 3. Essex Colchester Sayes and Serges 4. Kent Rentish Broad-clothes West 1. Devonshire Kirses 2. Gloucestershire 3. Worcestershire Cloth 4. Wales Welsh Friezes North. 1. Westmerland Kendall Cloath 2. Lancashire Manchester Cotton 3. Yorkshire Halifax Clothes 4. South 1. Somersetshire Taunton Serges 2. Hamshire 3. Berkshire 4. Sussex Cloth I am informed that a prime Dutch Cloth-maker in Gloucestershire had the Sirname of Web given him by King Edward there a Family still famous for their manufacture Observe we here that mid England Northamptonshire Lincolnshire and Cambridge having most of Woâ—l have least of cloathing therein 12. Here the Dutchmen found Fullers earth Fullers earth a precious commodity a precious Treasure whereof England hath if not more better then all Christendom besides a great Commodity of the Quorum to the making of good Cloath so that Nature may seem to point out our land for the Staple of Drapery if the idlenesse of her inhabitants be not the only hinderance thereof This Fullers Earth is clean contrary to our Jesuites who are needlesse Drugs yet still staying here though daily commanded to depart whilst Fullers earth a precious ware is daily scowred hence though by law forbidden to to be transported 13. And now was the English Wool improved to the highest profit woollen cloth the English wealth passing through so many hands every one having a fleece of the Fleece Sorters Kembers Carders Spinsters Weavers Fullers Diers Pressers Packers and these Manifactures have been heightned to a higher perfection since the cruelty
and what the just measure of his judgment Many phrases heretical in sound would appear orthodox in sense Yea some of his poysonous passages dress'd with due caution would prove not onely wholsome but cordial truths many of his expressions wanting not granum ponderis but salis no weight of truth but some grains of discretion But now alas of the a Aeneaâ— Sylvius Hâ—â—â— Bohem pag. 78. two hundred books which he wrote being burnt not a tittle is left and we are sain to b So Jo. Bale contelleth Cent. 6. p. 451. borrow the bare titles of them from his adversaries from whom also these his opinions are extracted who winnow his works c Luke 22. 31. as Satan did Peter not to finde the corâ—â— but the chaff therein And how can did some Papists are in interpreting the meaning of Protestants appears by that cunning d See the book called Calvino Turcismus Chymist who hath distilled the spirits of Turcisme out of the books of Calvin himself 8. Now a Synod was called by Simon Sudbury 50. Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 1376 at Paul's in London the Parliament then sitting at Westminster whither Wicliffe was summoned to appear Wicliff appears before the Synod in Saint Pauls who came accordingly but in a posture and equipage different from expectation Four Fryers were to assist the Lord Piercy to usher John Duke of Lancaster to accompany him These Lords their enmity with the Prelates was all Wicliffes acquaintance with them whose eyes did countenance hands support and tongues encourage him bidding him to dread nothing nor to shrinke at the company of the Bishops for they are all unlearned said they in respect of you Great was the concourse of people as in populous places when a new sight is to be seen there never lack looke is on and to see this manbaiting all people of all kindes flock'd together 9. The Lord Piercy The brawle betwixt the Bishop and the Lords in the Church Lord Marshal of England had much ado to break thorow the croud in the Church so that the bustle he kept with the people highly offended the Bishop of London profaning the place and disturbing the Assembly Whereon followed a fierce contention betwixt them and left their interlocutions should hinder the intireness of out discourse take them verbatim in a Dialogue omitting onely their mutual railing which as it little became persons of honour to bring so it was flat against the profession of a Bishop to return who by the Apostles e 1 Tim. 3. 3. precept must be patient not a brawler Bish Courtney Lord Piercy if I had known before hand what maisteries you would have kept in the Church I would have stopt you out from coming hither Duke of Lancast He shall keep such masteries here though you say nay Lord Piercy Wicliffe sit down for you have many things to answer to and you need to repose your self on a soft seat Bish Courtney It is unreasonable that one cited before his Ordinary should sit down during his answer He must and shall stand Duke of Lancast The Lord Piercy his motion for Wicliffe is but reasonable And as for you my Lord Bishop who are grown so proud and arrogant I will bring down the pride not of you alone but of all the Prelacy in England Bish Courtney Do your worst Sir Duke of Lancast Thou bearest thy self so brag upon thy f His Father Hugh Courtney Earl of Devon-shire parents which shall not be able to help thee they shall have enough to do to help themselves Bish Courtney My confidence is not in my Parents nor in any man else but onely in God in whom I trust by whose assistance I will be bold to speak the truth Duke of Lancast Rather then I will take these words at his hands Anno Dom. 1376. I 'de pluck the Bishop by the hair out of the a Fox Martyr pag. 303. Harpsfield in Hist Wicliffiana cap. 5. pag. 683. Church Anno Regis Ed. 3. 50. These last words though but softly whispered by the Duke in the ear of one next unto him were notwithstanding over-heard by the Londoners who inraged that such an affront should be offered to their Bishop fell furiously on the Lords who were fain to depart for the present and for a while by flight and secresie to secure themselves whilest what outrages were offered to the Dukes palace and his servants Historians of the State do relate 10. Wonder not that two persons Why the Arch-Bishop and Wicliffe silent the while most concerned to be vocal were wholly mute at this meeting namely Simon the Arch-Bishop and Wicliffe himself The former rather acted then active in this business seeing the brawl happened in the Cathedral of London left the Bishop thereof to meddle whose stout stomach and high birth made him the meeter match to undertake such noble adversaries As for Wicliffe well might the Client be silent whilest such Councel pleaded for him And the Bishops found themselves in a dangerous Dilemma about him it being no pity to permit nor policy to punish one protected with such potent patrons Yea in the issue of this Synod they onely commanded him to forbear hereafter from preaching or writing his doctrine and how far he promised conformity to their injunctions doth not appear 11. In all this Synod Wicliffâ— opinions marvellously spread and why though Wicliffe made but a dumb shew rather seen then heard yet the noise of his success sounded all over the Kingdom For when a suspected person is solemnly summoned and dismissed without censure vulgar apprehensions not onely infer his innocence but also conclude either the ignorance or injustice of his adversaries In publique assemblies if the weaker party can so subsist as not to be conquered it conquers in reputation and a drawn battel is accounted a victory on that â—ide If Wicliffe was guilty why not punished if guiltless why silenced And it much advantaged the propagating of his opinions that at this very time happened a dangerous discord at Rome long lasting for above fourty years and fiercely followed begun betwixt Vrban the 6 th and Clement the 7 th One living at Rome the other residing at Avignon Thus Peters Chair was like to be broken betwixt two sitting down at once Let Wicliffe alone to improve this advantage pleading that now the Romish Church having two had no legal head that this monstrous apparition presaged the short life thereof and these two Anti-Popes made up one Anti-Christ In a word there was opened unto him a great door of utterance made out of that crack or cleft which then happened in this seasonable schisme at Rome 12. Edward The death character of King Edward the third the third of that name 1377 ended his life 51. having reigned a Jubilee ful fifty years A Prince no less succesful then valiant like an Amphibion He was equally active on water and land Witness
a Godwin Catal of Bps. in S. Davids Treasurer of England In whom the King much confided though T. Walsingham be pleased to dash his Memory that he was the cause of much mischief His Sir-Name speaks him English by extraction and he was of no remarkable activity He might be English or Welch by his Name but I believe the latter A man of merit sent by the King into Germany to give satisfaction of King Henries proceedings Second of that Christian and Sirname Bishop of that See a Welchman no doubt he was sent saith T. Walsangham to Spain to give account of the Kings proceedings Very loyal at the present but after his return home he sided with Owen Glendowre But though the English at this time were so severe against the Welch King Henry the seventh born in the bowels of Wales at Pembroke and assisted in the gaining of the Crown by the valour of his Country-men some years after plucked down this partition-wall of difference betwixt them admitting the Welch to English Honours and Offices as good reason equality of merits should be rewarded with equality of advancement 14. Sir John Tiptoff made afterwards Earl of Worcester put up a Petition to the Parliament The Petition of the Lords and Commons to the King against Lollards touching Lollards which wrought so on the Lords that they joined a Petition to the King Anno Regis Hen. 4 14. according to the Tenour following To our most redoubted and gracious Soveraign the King YOur humble * * Contracted by my self exactly keeping the words out of the Original Son HENRY PRINCE OF WALES and the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in this present Parliament humbly shew That the Church of England hath been and now is endowed with temporal possessions by the gifts and grants as well of your Royal Progenitours as by the Ancesters of the said Lords Temporal to maintain Divine Service keep Hospitality c. to the Honour of God and the souls health of your Progenitors and the said Lords Temporal Yet now of late some at the instigation of the Enemy against the foresaid Church and Prelates have as well in publick Sermons as in Conventicles and secret places called Schools stirred and moved the people of your Kingdom to take away the said temporal Possessions from the said Prelates with which they are as rightly endowed as it hath been or might be best advised or imagined by the Laws and Customes of your Kingdom and of which they are as surely possessed as the Lords Temporal are of their inheritances Wherefore in case that this evil purpose be not resisted by your Royal Majestie it is very likely that in process of time they will also excite the people of your Kingdom for to take away from the said Lords Temporal their possessions and heritages so to make them common to the open commotion of your people There be also others who publish and cause to be published evilly and falsly among the people of your Kingdom that Richard late King of England who is gone to God and on whose soul God thorow his Grace have mercy is still alive And some have writ and published divers false pretended prophecies to the people disturbing them who would to their power live peaceably Serve God and faithfully submit and obey you their Liege Lord. Wherefore may it please your Royal Majestie in maintenance of the honour of God conservation of the Laws of the holy Church as also in the preservation of the estate of You your Children Anno Regis Hen. quart 14. and the Lords aforesaid and for the quiet of all your Kingdom to ordain by a Stature in the present Parliament by the assent of the Lords aforesaid and the Commons of your Kingdom that in case any man or woman of what estate or condition they be preach publish or maintain hold use or exercise any Schools if any Sect or Doctrine hereafter against the Catholick faith either preach publish maintain or write a schedule whereby the people may be moved to take away the Temporal Possessions of the aforesaid Prelates or preach and publish that Richard late King who is dead should still be in full life or that the Fool in Scotland is that King Richard who is dead or that publish or write any pretended Prophesies to the commotion of your people That they and every of them be taken and put in Prison without being delivered in Bail or otherwise except by good and sufficient mainprise to be taken before the Chancellour of England c. 15. See we here the Policy of the Clergie The Prince made a party against Wicklivites who had gained Prince Henry set as a Transcendent by himself in the Petition to their side entring his Youth against the poor Wicklivites and this Earnest engaged him to the greater Antipathy against them when possest of the Crown 16. Observe also the Subtilty of the Clergie in this medley Petition Complication or Royal and Prelatical interest interweaving their own interest with the Kings and endeavouring to possess him that all the Adversaries to their Superstitions were Enemies also and Traytors to his Majesty 17. Now as Conventicles were the Name of disgrace cast on Wicklivists their Schools Schools was the terme of Credit owned by the Wicklivists for the place of their meeting Whether because f Acts 19. 9. the School of Tyrannus wherein S t Paul disputed was conceived by them Senior in Scripture to any material Church Or that their teaching therein was not in intire discourses but admitted as in the Schools of interlocutory opposition on occasion 18. By Lollards all know the Wicklivites are meant Lollards why so called so called from h Trithemius in Chron. Anno 1315. Walter Lollardus one or their Teachers in Germany and not as the i Of S. Aug. Cont. M. S. Anno 1406. Monk alluded quasi lolia in ar â Domini flourishing many years before Wickliffe and much consenting with him in judgment As for the word Lollard retained in our Statutes since the Reformation it seems now as a generical name to signifie such who in their opinions oppose the setled Religion of the Land in which sense the modern Sheriffs are bound by their Oath to suppress them 19. The Parenthesis concerning King Richard Who is gone to God and on whose Soul God through his Grace have Mercy is according to the Doctrine of that Age. For they held all in Purgatory gone to God A charitable parenthesis because assured in due time of their happiness yet so that the suffrages of the Living were profitable for them Nor feared they to offend King Henry by their charitable presumption of the final happy estate of King Richard his professed Enemy knowing he cared not where King Richard was so be it not living and sitting on the English Throne 20. As for the report of King Richards being still alive King Richard why believed alive it is strange any
Vniversitas praedicta solvant teneantur folvere ipsi Domino nostro Regi Henrico haeredibus suis mille Libras legalis Monetae Angliae Concordat cum Originali GULIELMUS RYLEY Afterwards the King confirmed the same with the consent of the Lords and Commons in Parliament as in the Tower Rouls doth plainly appear 27. See we here the grand difference The effect of the Statute of Praemunire betwixt the Popes power in England before and after the Statute of Praemunire Before it his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was authentical and his Bulls received next to Canonical Scripture Since that Statute hath broken off their best Seals wherein they crosse the Royall Power and in all things else they enter into England mannerly with good King by your leave Sir or else they were no better then so much waste Parchment 28. This doth acquaint us with a perfect Character of King Henry the fourth Farwell to K. Henry the fourth who though curteous was not servial to the Pope And * Fourth book of his Instit of the Jurisd of Courts page 228. S r Edward Cook accounteth this his Oxford action though unwilling to transcribe the Instrument for the tediousness thereof a noble act of Kingly power in that Age and so we take our farwell of King Henry the fourth not observed as all English Kings before and after him to have erected and endowed any one intire house of Religion as first or sole Founder thereof though a great Benefactor to the Abby of Leicester and Colledg of Fotheringhay in Northamptonshire his Picture is not so well known by his Head as his Hood which he weareth upon it in an antick fashion peculiar to himself 29. At the Commons Petition to the King in Parliament Chaumberdakyns banished England that all Irish begging-Priests Hen. 5 1413 called * Rotuli in Turre in hoc anno The death of T. Arundel Chaumberdakyns should avoid the Realm before Michaelmas next 1. they were ordered to depart by the time aforesaid upon pain of loss of goods and imprisonment during the Kings pleasure 30. I had almost forgotten that just a moneth before the death of King Henry the Fourth Thomas Arundel Arch-Bishops of Canterbury expired famished to death not for want of food but a throat to swallow it such the swelling therein that he could neither speak nor eat for some dayes I may safely report what others observe how he who by his cruel Canons forbad the food to the soul and had pronounced sentence of condemnation on so many innocents was now both starv'd and strick dumb together Henry Chichely succeeded him in the place whose mean birth interrupted the Chain of Noble Arch-Bishop his two predecessors and successors being Earls sons by their extraction 31. The Prelates and Abbots especially The Clergie jealous of King Henries activity began now to have the activesoul of King Henry in suspition For working heads are not so willing to follow old wayes Hen. 5 1414. 2. as well-pleased to find out new ones Such a medling soul must ne sent out of harms-way If that the Clergie found not this King some work abroad he would make them new work at home Had his humor happend to side with the Lollards Anno Regis Hen. 2 8. Henry the fifth would have saved King Henry the Eight much pains in demolishing of Monasteries Anno Dom. 1414. 32. Hereupon the Clergie cunningly gave vent to his Activity Divert it on a war in France by divertting it on a long warre upon the French where his Victories are loundly sounded forth by our State Historians A warre of more credit then profit to England in this Kings Reigne draining the Men and Money thereof Thus Victorious Bayes bear onely barren Berries no whit good for food and very little for Physick whilst the Peaceable Olive drops down that precious liquor making the face of man to shine therewith Besides what this King Henry gained his Son as quickly lost in France Thus though the Providence of Nature hath priviledged Islanders by their entire position to secure themselves yet are they unhappy in long keeping their acquisitions on the Continent 33. Now began the Tragedy of Sir John Oldcastle The sad story of Sir John Oldcastle so largely handled in Mr. Fox that his pains hath given Posterity a Writ of Ease herein He was a vigorous Knight whose Martiall Activity wrought him into the affections of Jone f Camd. Brit. in Kent D la Pole Baronesse of Cobham the Lord whereof he became sed quaere whether an Actuall Baron by her Marriage 34. As for the Opinions of this Sir John Oldcastle His belief they plainly appear in his Belief which he drew up with his own hand and presented it first to the King then to the Archbishop of Canterbury wherein some things are rather coursely then falselie spoken He knew to speak in the Language of the Schools so were the meetings of the Wicklivists called but not scholastically and I believe he was the first that coyned and last that used the distinction of the Church Militant divided into Priest-hood Knight-hood and Commons which had no great harm therein as he explained it As for * In his 3 conversion Persons his charging him with Anabaptistical Tenets it is pitty that the words of a plain meaning man should be put on the Wrack of a Jesuites malice to extort by deduction what never was intended therein 35. But a worse accusation is charged on his Memory He is charged of Treason that he was not onely guilty of Herese but Treason But by the way it appeareth that Lolardisme then counted Heresie was made Treason by Statute and on that account Heresie and Treason signifie no more then Heresie and then Heresie according to the abusive language of that Age was the best serving of God in those dayes But besides this a very formal Treason is laid to this Lords account in manner following It is laid to his charge that though not present in the person with his Councel he encouraged an Army of Rebels no fewer then twenty thousand which in the dark thickets expounded in our Age into plain pasture of S t Giles Fields nigh London intended to seize on the Kings Person and his two Brothers the Dukes of Bedford and Glocester Of this numerous Army thirty six are said to be hang'd and burnt though the Names of three are onely known and S r Roger Acton Knight the onely person of quality named in the design 36. For mine own part The Author intricated I must confess my self so lost in the Intricacies of these Relations that I know not what to assent to On the one side I am loath to load the Lord Cobhams memory with causless crimes knowing the perfect hatred the Clergie in that Age bear'd unto him and all that look d towards the reformation in Religion Besies that 20000 men should be brought into the field
dicti Concilii inibi statui ac ordinari contigerit Promittentes promittimus bona fide nos ratum gratum firmum perpetuò habiturum * * Habiturum in M.S. totum quicquid per dictos Ambassiatores Oratores Procuratores nostros aut majorem partem eorundem actum factum seu gestum fuerit in praemissis in singulis praemissorum hoc idem cum de super hiis certiorati fuerimus quantum ad nos Christianum Principem attinet executioni debitae curabimus demandare In cujus rei testimonium has liter as nostras fieri fecimus patentes Dat. July 10. 1. sub Magni Sigilli nostri testimonio in Palatio nostro West 10 die Julii Per Concilium THe King to all whom c. Greeting a The Latin running on all in one continued sentence we are sain to divide it into many for the mere clearness Know that according to the Decrees of the late Council of Constance the present Council of Basil is actually celebrated under the Most Holy Father Lord Eugenius the fourth Pope We being often instigated to be present at the same Councel not onely on the behalf of the same Councel by their Orators especially dispatched to us for that purpose but also by the Letters Apostolical and Imperial and the Letters of very many other Fathers of the Holy Mother Church and of Secular Princes And we desiring to be present thereat to the praise of God prosperity of the Holy Mother Church and her desired Honour and chiefly for the exaltation of the Catholick Faith being on just reason hindred with many and several occasions cannot as we would be personally present thereat Wherefore by these presents we constitute make and depute the venerable Fathers Robert Bishop of London Philip Bishop of b A City in Normandy Lisieux John Bishop of Rochester John Bishop of Baieux Bernard Bishop of Aix and our most dear Cousin Edmund Earl of Morton our beloved Nicolas Abbot of Glasto William Abbot of S t Maries in York and William Prior of Norwich and our beloved and trusty Henry Broumflete Knight M r Thomas Broun Doctor of Laws Dean of Sarum John Colluelle Knight M r Peter Fitz-Maurice D. D. and M r Nicholas David Arch-Deacon of Constance Licentiat in both Laws our Ambassadours Orators true and undoubted Proctors Actors Factors and special Messengers Giving and we give to them and the greater part of them Power and Command as well general as special in our Name and for Us to be present in the same Councel to treat debate and conclude as well of these things which may concern the support of the Orthodox Faith the Pacification of Kings and Princes as also upon either a perpetual Peace or else a Cessation from War betwixt Us and Charles of France our Adversary Impowring them also to treat commune and appoint moreover to consent and if need be dissent in those things which shall happen there to be established and ordained according to the deliberations of the aforesaid Councel Promising and we do promise on good faith that whatsoever shall be acted done or managed in the premisses and every one of them by our aforesaid Ambassadors Orators and Proctors or the greater part of them we shall have and account for ratified welcome and firm for ever Habiturum in M. S. And when we shall be certified of and upon the same we shall care to command the due execution so far as appertaineth to Us and a Christian Prince In witness whereof We have made these our Letters Patent Given under our Great Seal being our witness in our Palace at Westminster July 10. So eminent an Instrument of so great importance must not pass without some of our observations thereupon 2. The Councel of Basil is said to be assembled according to the Decrees of the late Councel of Constance Why the Pope declines general Councels in our age wherein it was constituted that within so many years a General Councel should be called For seeing the Church was subject to contract Rust in Doctrine and manners frequency of Councels was conceived the best way to scoure the same But the Pope lately hath willingly forgotten this Canon no General Councel being called since that of Trent wherein all the Power and profit of the Pope was secured under the Notion of Articles of the Faith since which time his Holiness thought it not safe to tamper with a new Councel as which might impair but could not improve his condition 3. See we here fourteen Ambassadours sent to Basil England must send four might send more Bishops to a general Councel Bishops 5. Earl 1. not that he was to vote in the Councel but onely behold the transactions thereof Abbots 2. Prior 1. Knights 2. Doctor in Divinity 1. Doctors of Law 2. all Interests being in them represented When therefore we read in Roger Hoveden and a Simon Dunelmen others ad generale Concilium Domini Papae quatuor Episcopi de Anglia tantùm Romam mittendi sunt onely four English Bishops are to be sent to Rome to a general Councel of the Pope understand it that such a number is sufficient England needed to send but so many though if pleased might send more confined by no other command save the Kings free discretion And seeing Basil was little above the half way to Rome the journey being shorter the more messengers were imployed 4. The three French Bishops sent by the King English puissance in France speak the great Command which King Henry as yet had in France especially if as I take it by Aquensis Aix be mentioned scited in the furthermost parts of Provence though even now the English power in France was a waining 5. John Langdon the learned Bishop of Rochester Bishop of Rochester here mentioned was John Langdon intruded by the Pope into that Bishoprick to the apparent prejudice of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury For the Bishop of Rochester was accounted Canterburies Chaplain to whom he owed his Spirituals and Temporals as his Patron and founder though now the Pope contrary to the Arch-Bishops will and right forced this Langdon into the place But indeed he was a learned man dying this year in his Embassie at Basil and deserved far better preferment then the poor Bishoprick of Rochester But yet as some observe of Taylors that they make the largest garments when they have the least cloath allowed them so the poor Bishoprick of Rochester hath fared better then many richer Sees seeing Sacriledg would never feed on so bare a pasture 6. Observe the Method in the Nomination of these Commissioners Precedents for precedency wherein no wonder if the Bishops precede so great an Earl was it not fit that reverend Fathers should be placed before a dear Cousin besides the employment being of Church concernment Spiritual persons carried it clear in the race of dignity More strange it is to finde herein a
Te Deum laudamus to the end and the Psalm In te Domine speravi Then came the Executioner and bound an handkerchief about his eyes and so the Bishop lifting up his hands and heart to heaven said a few prayers which were not long but fervent and devout Which being ended he laid his head down over the midst of a little block where the Executioner being ready with a sharp and heavy Ax cut asunder his slender Neck at one blow which bled so abundantly that many saith my Authour wondred to see so much blood issue out of so lean and slender a body Though in my judgement that might rather have translated the wonder from his leanesse to his age it being otherwise a received tradition That lean folk have the most blood in them 13. Thus died John Fisher in the seventy seventh year of his age His age and statuâ—e on the two and twentieth of June being S. Alban's day the Protomartyr of England and therefore with my Authour most remarkable But surely no day in the Romish Kalendar is such a Skeleton or so bare of sanctity but had his death hapned thereon a Priest would pick a mysterie out of it He had a lank long body full six foot high toward the end of his life very infirm insomuch that he used to sit in a chair when he taught the people in his Diocesse 14. His corpse if our Authour speaketh truth was barbarously abused His mean not to say if true barbarous buriall no winding-sheet being allowed it which will hardly enter into my belief For suppose his friends durst his foes would not afford him a shroud yet some neuters betwixt both no doubt would have done it out of common civility Besides seeing the King vouchsafed him the Tower a noble prison and beheading an honourable death it is improbable He would deny him a necessary equipage for a plain and private buriall Wherefore when Hall tells us That the Souldiers attending his execution could not get spadâ—s to make his grave therewith but were fain with halbards in the North-side of the Church yard of All-Hallows Barking to dig a hole wherein they cast his naked corpse I listen to the relation as inflamed by the Reporters passion Be it here remembred that Fisher in his life-time made himself a Tomb on the North-side of the Chappel in S. John's Colledge intending there to be buried but therein disappointed This Fisher was he who had a Cardinals Hat sent him which stopp'd at Callis never came on his head and a Monument made for him wherein his body was never deposited 15. Our Authour reporteth also An impudent improbable Lie how Queen Anna Bolen gave order his head should be brought unto Her before it was set up on London bridge that She might please Her self at the sight thereof and like another Herodias insult over the head of this John Her professed enemy Nor was she content alone to revile his ghost with taunting terms but out of spight or sport or both struck Her hand against the mouth of this dead head brought unto her and it hapned that one of Fisher's teeth more prominent than the rest struck into her hand and not onely pained Her for the present but made so deep an impression therein that She carried the mark thereof to Her grave It seems this was contrary to the proverb Mortui non mordent But enough yea too much of such damnable falshoods Passe we from Fisher to More his fellow prisoner whom Fisher's execution had not mollified into conformity to the King his pleasure as was expected 16. Son he was to Sir John More Sir Tho. More 's extraction and education one of the Judges of the Kings Bench who lived to see his Son preferred above himself Bred a Common-Lawyer but withall a general Schollar as well in polite as solid learning a terse Poet neat Oratour pure Latinist able Grecian He was chosen Speaker in the House of Commons made Chancellour first of Lancaster-Dutchie then of all England performing the place with great integrity and discretion Some ground we have in England neither so light and loose as sand nor so stiffe and binding as olay but a mixture of both conceived the surest soil for profit and pleasure to grow together on such the soil of this Sir Thomas More in which facetiousnesse and judiciousnesse were excellently tempered together 17. Yet some have taxed him Charged for his over-much jesting that he wore a feather in his cap and wagg'd it too often meaning he was over-free in his fancies and conceits Insomuch that on the Scaffold a place not to break jests but to break off all jesting he could not hold but bestowed his scoffs on the Executioner and standers-by Now though innocency may smile at death surely it is unfit to flout thereat 18. But the greatest fault we finde justly charged on his memory A great Anti-Procestant is his cruelty in persecuting poor Protestants to whom he bare an implacable hatred Insomuch much that in his life-time be caused to be inscribed as parcell of his Epitaph on his Monument at Chelsey that he ever was Furibus Homicidis Haereticisque molestus a passing good praise save after the way which he there calleth Heresie pious people worship the God of their fathers He suffered the next moneth after Fisher's execution in the same place July 6. for the same cause July 6. and was buried at Chelsey under his Tomb aforesaid which being become ruinous and the Epitaph scarce legible hath few years since been decently repaired at the cost as I am informed of one of his near Kinsmen 19. At this time Katharine Dowager The death and character of Qu. Katharine Dowager whom we will be bold still in courtesie to call a Queen notwithstanding King Henry's Proclamation to the contrary ended her wofull life at Kimbolton Jan. 8. A pious woman toward God according to Her devotion frequent in prayer which She alwaies performed on Her bare knees nothing else between Her and the earth interposed little curious in Her clothes being wont to say She accounted no time a Sanders de Schismate Anglicano lost but what was laid out in dressing of Her though Art might be more excusable in Her to whom Nature had not been over-bountifull She was rather staid than stately reserv'd than proud grave from Her cradle insomuch that She was a matrone before She was a mother This Her naturall gravity encreased with Her apprehended injuries setled in Her reduced age into an habit of melancholie and that terminated into a consumption of the spirits She was buried in the Abby-Church of Peterborough under an Herse of black Say probably by Her own appointment that She might be plain when dead who neglected bravery of clothes when living A noble b Lord Herbert in his Henry the eighth pen tells us that in intuition to Her corpse here interred King Henry at the destruction of Abbies not
pains seriously to peruse it Partly for the authenticalness thereof being by me transcribed out of the Acts of the Convocation partly for its usefulness shewing by what degrees the Gospel insinuated it self into the souls of men What said Zeresh Haman's c Esther 6. 13. wife to her husband If thou hast begun to fall before Mordecai thou shalt not prevail against him but shalt surely fall before-him Seeing Popery began even now to reel and stagger within few years we shall have it tumble down and lay prostrate with the face thereof at the foot-stool of truth 35. HENRY the Eight by the grace of God KING of England and of France Defensour of the Faith Lord of Ireland and in earth Supreme Head of the Church of England to all singular our most loving faithfull and obedient Subjects greeting AMongst other cures appertaining unto this Our Princely Office whereunto it hath pleased Almighty God of his infinite mercy and goodnesse to call Vs We have alwaies esteemed and thought like as We also yet esteem and think that it most chiefly belongeth unto Our said charge diligently to foresee and cause Ann. Regis Hē 8. 28. That not onely the most holy Word and Commandements of God should most sincerely be believed and most reverently be observed and kept of Our Subjects but also that unity and concord in opinions namely in such things as doe concern Our Religion may encrease goe forthward and all occasion of dissent and discord touching the same be repressed and utterly extinguished For the which cause We being of late to Our great regrete credibly advertised of such diversity in opinions as have grown and sprongen in this Our Realm as well concerning certain Articles necessary to Our salvation as also touching certain other honest and commendable ceremonies rites and usages now a long time used and accustomed in Our Churches for conservation of an honest politie and decent and seemly order to be had therein minding to have that unity and agreement established through Our said Church concerning the premisses And being very desirous to eschew not onely the dangers of souls but also the outward unquietness which by occasion of the said diversity in opinions if remedy were not provided might perchance have ensued have not onely in Our own Person at many times taken great pain study labours and travails but also have caused Our Bishops and other the most discreet and best learned men of Our Clergie of this Our whole Realm to be assembled in Our Convocation for the full debatement and quiet determination of the same Where after long and mature deliberation had of and upon the premisses finally they have concluded and agreed upon the most special points and Articles as well such as be commanded of God and are necessary to our salvation as also divers other matters touching the honest ceremonies and good and politick orders as is aforesaid Which their determination debatement and agreement for so much as We think to have proceeded of a good right and true judgment and to be agreeable to the laws and ordinances of God and much profitable for the stablishment of that charitable concord and unity in Our Church of England which We most desire We have caused the same to be published willing requiring and commanding you to accept repute and take them accordingly And farther We most heartily desire pray Almighty God that it may please him so to illuminate your hearts that you and every of you may have no lesse desire zeal and love to the said unity and concord in reading divulging and following the same than We have had and have in causing them to be thus devised set forth and published And for because We would the said Articles and every of them should be taken and understanden of you after such sort order degree as appertaineth accordingly We have caused by the like assent agreement of our said Bishops other learned men the said Articles to be divided into two sorts where of the one part containeth such as be commanded expresly by God and be necessary to our salvation and the other containneth such things as have been of a long continuance for a decent order honest polity prudently instituted used in the Church of Our Realm be for that same purpose end to be observed kept accordingly although they be not expresly cōmanded of God nor necessary to our salvation Wherefore We will require you to accept the same after such sort as We have here prescribed them unto you to conform your selves obediently unto the same whereby you shall not only attain that most charitable unity loving concord whereof shall ensue your incomparable cōmodity profit lucre as well spiritual as other but also you shall not a little encourage Vs to take farther travails pains labours for your commodities in all such other matters as in time to come may happen to occur and as it shall be most to the honour of God the profit tranquility quietness of all you Our most living Subjects The principal Articles concerning our Faith First As touching the chief and principal Articles of our Faith it is thus agreed as hereafter followeth by the whole Clergie of this Our Realm We will that all Bishops and Preachers shall instruct and teach Our people by Us cōmitted to their spiritual charge that they ought and must most constantly believe and defend all those things to be true which be comprehended in the whole body and Canon of the Bible and also in the three Creeds or Symbols whereof one was made by the Apostles and is the common Creed which every man useth The second was made by the Councel of Nice and is said daily in the Masse and the third was made by Athanasius and is comprehended in the Psalm Quicunque vult And that they ought and must take and interpret all the same things according to the self-same sentence and interpretation which the words of the self-same Creeds or Symbols doe purport and the holy approved doctrines of the Church doe intreat and defend the same Item That they ought and must repute hold and take all the same things for the most holy most sure and most certain and infallible words of God and such as neither ought he can altered or convelled by any contrary opinion or authority Item That they ought and must believe repute and take all the Articles of our Faith contained in the said Creeds to be so necessary to be believed for mans salvation That whosoever being taught will not believe them as is aforesaid or will obstinately affirm the contrary of them he or they cannot be the very members of Christ and his Spouse the Church but be very Infidels or Hereticks and members of the Devil with whom they shall perpetually be damned Item That they ought and must most reverently and religiously observe and keep the self-same words according to the very same form and
improved by her Officers in the Exchequer who sometimes have none of the softest palms to those that fall into their hands that many Ministers were much vexed thereby Yea one u M. Parker Ant. Brit. in vitâ Reginalldi Peli observeth that the courtesie intended to the Clergie by Q. Mary in remitting their tenths proved in event an injury to many so vexed about their arrears 8. In vain have some of late beaved at this Office which is fastned to the State The state profit and policy of this Office with so considerable a revenue as it advanced thereunto by tenths and first-fruits The former certain the latter casuall as depending on the uncertain deaths of Iucumbents and such as succeed them Many indeed accuse such payments as Popish in their original But could that be superstitious which was pluckt down by Queen Mary and set up again by Queen Elizabeth Besides suppose them so in their first foul fountain since being shifted yea strained through the hands of Protestant Kings Tenths have their old property altered and acquire no doubt a new purity to themselves And the Advocates for this Office doe pertinently plead that there ought to be a badge of subjection * Some say such a vectigal from the Clergie is mentioned in Bede of the Clergie to the Secular power by publick acknowledgement of their dependence thereon which by such payments is best performed 9. John Lambert John Lambert condemned and why aliàs Nicolson bred in Cambridge had lately been much persecuted by Archbishop Warham about some opinions he held against the corproal presence in the Sacrament And now being fallen into fresh troubles on the same account 1538. to make the quicker work following the precedent of S. Paul appealing to Caesar he appeals to the King Who having lately taken upon him the title of the Supreme head of the Church of England He. 8. 20. Nov. 10. would shew that head had a tongue could speak in matters of Divinity In White-hall the place and day is appointed where an ACT-ROYAL was kept the King himselfe being the Opponent and Lambert the Answerer and where His Highnesse was worsted or wearied Arch-bishop Crammer w Fox Acts Mon. supplied His place arguing though civilly shrodely against the truth and his own private judgment 10. Was not this worse than keeping the clothes of those who killed S. Stephen Cranmer's unexcusable cowardly dissimulation seeing this Archbishop did actually cast stones at this Martyr in the Arguments he urged against him Nor will it excuse Cranmer's cowardise and dissimulation to accuse Gardiner's craft and cruely who privily put the Archbishop on this odious act such Christian courage being justly expected from a person of his parts and place as not to be acted by another contrary to his own conscience I see not therefore what can be said in Cranmer's behalf save onely that I verily hope and stedfastly believe that he craved God's pardon for this particular offence and obtained the same on his unfained repentance And because the face of mens faults is commonly seen in the glasse of their punishment it is observable that as Lambert now was burnt for denying the corporal presence so Cranmer now his Opponent was afterwards condemned and died at Oxford for maintaining the same opinion which valour if sooner shewn his conscience had probably been more cleared within him and his credit without him to all posterity 11. A match being now made up by the Lord Cromwel's contrivance Dutch-men broach strange opinions betwixt King Henry and the Lady Anne of Cleve Dutch-men flockt faster than formerly into England Many of these had active souls so that whilest their hands were busied about their manufactures their heads were also beating about points of Divinity Hereof they had many rude notions too ignorant to manage them themselves and too proud to crave the direction of others Their mindes had a bystream of activity more than what sufficed to drive on their Vocation and this waste of their souls they imployed in needlesse speculations and soon after began to broach their strange opinions being branded with the general name of Anabaptists 24. These Anabaptists for the main are but Donatists now dips and this year their name first appears in our English Chronicles for I * Stoe in his Chron p. 576. read that four Anabaptists three men and one woman all Dutch bare faggots at Paul's Crosse and three daies after a man and woman of their sect was burnt in Smithfield 12. It quickly came to the turn of Queen Anne of Cleve to fall Queen Anne of Cleve why divorced if not into the displeasure out of the dear affection of King Henry the eighth 27. Hē 8. 31. She had much of Katharine Dowager's austerity 1539. little of Anna Bollen's pleasant wit lesse of the beauty of Jane Seamour Some feminine impotency that She answered not Her creation was objected against Her though onely Her precontract with the Son of the Duke of Lorraine was publickly insisted on for which by Act of Parliament now sitting She was solemnly divorced 13. King Henry durst not but deal better with Anne of Cleve than with such His Wives The reparations the King made her which were His native Subjects not so much for love of Her Ann. Dom. 1539. as for fear of Her Brother the Duke of Cleve Ann. Regis Hē 8. 31. considerable if not much in Himself in His union with the Protestant Princes of Germany Wherefore He restored Her all Her Jewels assigned Her precedencie above all English save His own that should be Queen and Children graced Her with a new-devised stile of His adopted Sister by which from henceforward He saluted Her in His Letters and She in Answer subscribed Her self allotted Her Richmond-House for Her retirement with an augmentation of means for Her maintenance And now let Her be glad that She escaped so well seeing all which had reference to King Henry's bed came off gainers if savers of their own lives and reputations She returned no more into Her own Countrey but living and dying Anno a Stow's Funerall Monuments p. 513. 1557. in England was buried in Westminster Church at the head of King Sebert in a Tomb not yet finished none other of King Henry's Wives having any and this Anne but half a Monument 14. In the last Parliament Reformation goes backwards Reformation running a race with Superstition hardly carried it by the heads-length but it was hoped that in this new Parliament now sitting true Religion would run her Rivall quite out of distance Whereas alas it not onely stood still but went backwards the SIX ARTICLES being therein enacted that whip with six knots each one as heavily laid on fetching blood from the backs of poor Protestants 15. K. Henry was much blamed for passing this Act. King Henry justly blamed Indeed Power and Profit being the things politick Princes chiefly desire King
own abstinence as there is none in all your antient Paternall estate for I account not what since by accession of Matches hath accrued unto it Thus are you the Person designed for my purpose and I believe very few if any in ENGLAND can wash their hands in the same Bason to have no Abbey-lands sticking to their fingers and thus being freest from being a Party in due time you will be fittest to be a Judge to passe unpartial sentence on what is written on this subject And now let me make your Lordship smile a little acquainting you with a passage in the Legend of NICHOLAS a Popish Saint They c Lib. Festival in die S. Nichol. fol. 55. report of him That when an Infant hanging on his Mothers breast he fasted Wednesdaies and Fridaies and could not be urged to suck more than once a day But good my Lord be not so ceremonious or rather superstitious to imitate his example Wean not your self until you be weaned and let all daies be alike to your Honour I dare assure you no spark of Sanctity the lesse for a drop of milke the more A good case is no hindrance to a pretious jewell and a healthfull body no abasement to a holy soule And when your Lordship shall arrive at riper years consult your own Extraction as the best Remembrancer of worthy behaviour In whose veines there is the confluence of so many Rivulets that a mean Herault by the guidance thereof upwards may be led to the fountains of the most of the English Nobility All I will adde is this as you give three Helmets for your Armes may you be carefull to take the fourth even the d Eph. 6. 17. helmet of salvation An Helmet which here is worn close whilest Souldiers in the Church-Militant we see but in part but hereafter shall be born like the Helmet of Princes with the bever open in the Church-Triumphant when we shall see as we are seen The desire of Your Honours most engaged Beads-man THOMAS FVLLER The History of Abbeys in ENGLAND Primitive MONKS with their Piety and Painfulnesse WHen the Fornace of Persecution in the Infancy of Christianity was grown so hot First Monks caused by persecution that most Cities Towns and populous Places were visited with that Epidemical Disease many pious men fled into Desarts there to live with more safety and serve God with lesse disturbance No wilde humour to make themselves miserable and to chuse and court their own calamity put them on this project much lesse any Superstitious Opinion of transcendent Sanctity in a Solitary life made them willingly to leave their former Habitations For whereas all men by their Birth are indebted to their Countrey there to stay and discharge all civil relations it had been dishonesty in them like Bankrupts to run away into the Wildernesse to defraud their Countrey their Creditor except some violent Occasion such as Persecution was forced them thereunto and this was the first Originall of Monks in the world so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because living alone by themselves 2. Here they in the Desarts hoped to finde Rocks Their pious employment in a solitary life and Stocks yea Beasts themselves more kinde than Men had been to them What would Hide and Heat Cover and keep Warm served them for Cloathes not placing as their Successours in after-Ages any Holinesse in their Habit folded up in the affected Fashion thereof As for their Food the Grasse was their Cloath the Ground their Table Herbs and Roots their Diet wilde Fruits and Berries their Dainties Hunger their Sauce their Nails their Knives their Hands their Cups the next Well their Wine-cellar But what their Bill-of-fare wanted in Cheer it had in Grace their Life being constantly spent in Prayer Reading Musing and such like pious Employments They turned Solitarinesse it self into Society and cleaving themselves asunder by the divine Art of Meditation did make of one two or more opposing answering moderating in their own Bosomes and busie in themselves with variety of Heavenly recreations It would doe one Good even but to think of their Goodnesse and at the rebound and second hand to Meditate on their Meditations For if ever Poverty was to be envied it was here And I appeal to the moderate men of these Times whether in the heighth of these wofull Warres they have not sometimes wisht not out of Passionate distemper but serious recollection of themselves some such Private Place to retire unto where out of the noise of this Clamorous World they might have reposed themselves and served GOD with more Quiet 3. These Monks were of two sorts They vowed no Poverty Chastity or Obedience either such as fled from actuall or from imminent Persecution For when a danger is not created by a timorous Fancie but rationally represented as probable See 〈◊〉 Virgil le 〈…〉 lib. 761. in such a case the Principles of Prudence not out of Cowardise but Caution warrant men to provide for their Safety Neither of these bound themselves with a wilfull Vow to observe Poverty but Poverty rather vowed to observe them In Sixtâ—s Sene si lib 6. 〈◊〉 332. waiting constantly upon them Neither did they vow Chastity though keeping it better than such as vowed it in after-Ages As for the Vow of Obedience it was both needlesse and impossible in their Condition having none beneath or above them living alone and their whole Covent as one may say consisting of a single Person And as they entred on this Course of Life rather by Impulsion than Election so when Peace was restored they returned to their former homes in Cities and Towns resuming their Callings which they had not left off but for a time laid aside The first British Monks that we meet with in this kinde were immediately after the Martyâ—dome of Saint Alban for then saith Gildas Qui superfuerant sylvis ac desertis abditisque speluncis se occultaverunt Such as survived hid themselves in woods and desarts and secret dens of the earth As long after on the like Occasion when the Pagan Saxons and Danes invaded this Island many religious Persons retired themselves to Solitary lives Voluntary MONKS embracing that Life not for Necessity but Conveniency AFter these succeeded a Second Sort of Monks leading a Solitary Life Silver Monks succeeded the former golden ones when no visible need forced them thereunto as neither feeling nor fearing any apparent Persecution Yet these considering the inconstancy of humane matters that though they had Prosperity for the present it might soon be changed into a contrary condition if either the restlesse endevours of the Devil took effect or sinfull Christians were rewarded according to their deserts freely chose a Lone life also prompted perchance thereunto by their own Melancholy disposition 2. Afterwards it was counted convenient Fetcht from wandring in the wilderness to dwell together that such who hitherto dwelt desolate in Desarts scattered asunder should be
betwixt them Whether a Fryer may be said to be Owner of the Cloathes be weareth and it hath been for the most part over-ruled in the negative 11. It will be objected Objection to null the distinction that many Convents of Fryers had large and ample revenues as will appear by perusing the Catalogue in Speed's Tables amounting to some hundreds though never thousands by the year some Fryers barns well-nigh as wealthy as some Monks rather every pretended Lazarus a Dives holding though not severally to themselves joyntly amongst themselves most rich endowments Here also it will be in vain to flie to the distinction of Cresis and Chresis of using and owning seeing the Monks will lay a claim to that distinction and challenge as great an interest therein as the Fryers themselves 12. I have nothing to return in answer hereunto Answered save onely that Olim verò non fuit sic from the beginning of the Institution of Fryers it was not so these additions of Lands unto them are of later date and believe it not of their seeking but their Benefactors casting upon them 13. However Criticisme in this subject not materiall nothing more common than to make Monks and Fryers both Synonyma's and reciprocall and for my own part I passe not if in this my History I have committed the same and hereafter shall be guilty of greater mistakes Foresters laughed at the ignorance of that Gentleman who made this difference betwixt a Stag and a Hart that the one was a red the other a fallow deer being both of a kinde only different in age and some other circumstances in Venarie I may make the like sport to some Popish Reader and much good let it do him in differencing some Orders which are the same and identifying other Orders which are distinct but the matter is of no dangerous concernment May we be but carefull to order f Psal 50. 23. our conversations aright that God may shew us his salvation and it matters not much if we commit errours and discover ignorance in ordering Fryers not in their exact number and seniority These premised we begin with their four Elemental Orders 14. Wickliffe constantly inveigheth against Fryers What means by Wickliffe's CAIM. under the name of CAIM. Had it been Caine I should have suspected his allusion to the words of the Apostle They have gone in the * Jude ver 11. way of Cain but now am at a losse and had so continued had I not lighted on a railing Hexastick of an uncharitable Rythmer a base fellow may show an honest man the way who thus letteth flie at them Per decies binos Sathanas capiat Jacobinus Propter errores Jesu confunde Minores Augustienses Pater inclyte sterne per enses Et Carmelitas tanquam falsos Heremitas Sunt Confessores Dominorum seu Dominarum Et seductores ipsarum sunt animarum C. Carmelites A. Augustinians I. Jacobines M. Minorites or Dominicans Franciscans Fryers And thus at last we have the great mysterie unfolded whom Wickliffe therein did intend 15. Of these Dominicans were the first Fryers Dominican Fryers which came over into England Anno 1221 being but twelve an Apostolical number with Gilbert de Fraxineto their Prior first landed at Canterbury fixed at Oxford but richly endowed at London they were commonly called Black Fryers Preaching Fryers and Jacobine Fryers They took their name from S. Dominick born at Calogora in Spain and Hubert de Burg◠Earl of Kent was their prime Patrone bestowing his Palace in the Suburbs of London upon them which afterwards they sold to the Archbishop's of York residing therein till by some transactions betwixt King Henry the eighth and Cardinal Wolsey it became the Royal-Court now known by the name of White-hall Afterwards by the bounty of Gregory Rocksly Lord Major of London and Robert Kilwarby Archbishop of Canterbury they were more conveniently lodged in two Lanes on the bank of Thames in a place enjoying great priviledges and still retaining the name of Black Fryers No fewer than g Pitzeus in Indice p. 981. fourscore famons English writers are accounted of this Order At this day as beyond the Seas they are much condemned for being the sole active managers of the cruell Spanish Inquisition so they deserve due commendation for their Orthodox judgements in maintaining some Controversies in Divinity of importance against the Jesuits 16. Franciscans follow Franciscan Fryers commonly called Grey Fryers and Minorites either in allusion to Jacob's words h Gen. 32. 10. Sum Minor omnibus beneficiis Tuis or from some other humble expressions in the New Testament They received their name from S. Francis born in the Dutchy of Spoletum in Italy Canonized by Pope Gregory the ninth about two years after whose death the Franciscans came over into England and one Diggs Ancestour of Sir Dudley Diggs bought for them their first seat in Canterbury who afterwards were diffused all over England For skill in School-Divinity they beat all other Orders quite out of distance and had a curious Library in London built by Richard Whittington in that Age costing five hundred and fifty pounds which quickly might be made up if as it is reported an i Reyn. in Ap. Benedict pag 162. hundred marks were expended in transcribing the Commentaries of Lyra. 17. We must not forget that one Bernard of Siena about the year 1400 Sub-reformations of Franciscans refined the Franciscans into Observants no distinct metall from the former but different from them as steel from iron K. Edward the fourth first brought them into England where they had six famous Cloysters since which time there have been a new Order of Minims begun beyond the Seas conceiving the comparative of Minor too high they have descended to Minimus according to our Saviour's own words He that is a minime or the least among you the same shall be greatest and I much admire that none have since begun an Order of Minor-Minimo's the rather because of the Apostles words of himself who am lesse than the least of all saints 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As I may say a subter-subterlative in his humility As for other Diminutives of Franciscans or Minorites beyond the Seas Recollects Penitentiaries Capuchins c. seeing they had their rise since the fall of Abbeys in England they belong not to our present enquiry Sufficeth it that this Order during the extent of our story afforded in England an hundred and ten learned Writers 18. Carmelites Carmelites their first coming into England or White Fryers come next so named from Mount Carmel in Syria brought over into England in the Reign of King Richard the first by Ralph Ereeborn and placed at Alnewicke in Northumberland in a wildernesse sic canibus catulos most like unto Carmel in Syria Whose Convent at their dissolution in the Reign of King Henry the eighth Speed Catalog pag. 795. was at low rates in that cheap County valued at
Monks therein were it so their soyl being so fruitfull and pleasant it would merit more wonder than that Ireland hath no Venemous creatures therein Quare what meant by four Abbots peculiarly exempt But their brag hath more of Mirth than Truth in it seeing the Priorie at Caris-brook and Nunnery at Quarre evidence them sufficiently stockt with such Cattell 17. I have done with this subject of Mitred Abbeys when we have observed that they were called ABBOTS GENERALL aliàs ABBOTS n Sir H. Spelman in Glossario verbo Abbas SOVEREIGNE as acknowledging in a sort no Superiour because exempted from the Jurisdiction of any Diocezan having Episcopall power in themselves And here I would be thankfull to any who would inform me that seeing all these Abbots were thus priviledged how it came to passe that Four of them were especially termed ABBOTS o Titles of honour pag. 727. EXEMPTI viz Bury Waltham S. Albans and Evesham I say seeing these were so called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 EXEMPT as it were out of the EXEMPTED I would willingly be satisfied what extraordinary Priviledges these enjoyed by themselves above others of their own Order Of the Civill benefits and Temporall conveniences accruing to the State by the continuance of Abbies SO much of the greatnesse Give Abbies their due somewhat of the goodnesse of Abbeys if possibly it may be done without prejudice to truth Surely some pretences plausible at least did ingratiate them with the Politicians of that Age otherwise Prince and people in those daies though blinded with ignorant zeal yet worldly-wise would never have been gulled into so long a toleration yea veneration of them 2. They were an easie and cheap outlet for the Nobility and Gentry of the land They convenient to dispose youngest children in therein to dispose their younger children That younger son who had not mettal enough to manage a sword might have meeknesse to become a coule Which coule in short time might grow up to be a Mitre when his merits presented him to be Abbot of his Covent Clap a vail on the head of a younger daughter especially if she were superannuated not over-handsome melancholy c. and instantly she was provided for in a Nunnery where without cost or care of her parents she lived in all outward happinesse wanting nothing except perhaps it were an husband This was a great cause of the long continuance of the English Nobility in such pomp and power as having then no temptation to torture their Tenants with racking of rents to make provision for their younger children Indeed sometimes Noblemen gave small portions with their children to the Covent not such as would preferre them in marriage to one of their own quality but generally Abbeys were glad to accept them with nothing thereby to engage the Parents and Brothers of such young men and maidens to be the constant friends to their Covent on all occasion at Court and chiefly in all Parliaments 3. One eminent instance hereof we have in Ralph Nevil An eminent instance thereof first Earl of Westmerland of that Family whom I behold as the happiest Subject of England since the Conquest if either we count the number of his Children or measure the height of the Honour they attained He had by Margaret his first Wife Joan his second Wife 1. John his eldest son Lord Nevil c. 2. Ralph in the right of Mary his wife Lord Ferrars of Ously 3. Maud married to Peter Lord Mauley 4. Alice married to Sir Thomas Gray 5. Philip married to Thomas Lord Dacres of Gilsland 6. Margaret married to the Lord Scroop of Bolton 7. Anne married to Sir Gilbert Umfrevil 8. Margerie Abbesse of Bearking 9. Elizabeth a Nun. 1. Richard Earl of Sarisbury 2. William in the right of Joan his wife Lord Faulconbridge 3. George Lord Latimer 4. Edward Lord Abergavennie 5. Robert Bishop of Durham 6. Thomas in right of his wife Lord a Mills p. 393. Seymour 7. Katharine married to Thomas Duke of Norfolke 8. Elianour to Henry Earl of Northhumberland 9. Anne to Humphrey Duke of Buckingham 10. Jane a Nun. 11. Cicilie to Richard Duke of York and Mother to King Edward the fourth See we here the policie of that age in disposing of their numerous issue More than the tithe of them was given to the Church and I trow the Nuns and Abbesse especially were as good Madams as the rest and conceived themselves to go in equipage with their other Lady-Sisters And no wonder if an Earl preferred his daughters to be Nuns seeing no King of England since the Conquest had four Daughters living to womans estate but He disposed one of them to be a Votarie And Bridget the fourth Daughter to King Edward the fourth a Nun at Dartford in Kent was the last Princesse who entered into a Religious Order 4. They were tolerable Tutours for the education of youth there being a great penurie of other Grammar-schools in that Age and every Covent had one Children taught therein or moe therein who generally gratis taught the children thereabouts Yea they who were loose enough in their own lives were sufficiently severe in their discipline over others Grammar was here taught and Musick which in some sort sung her own Dirige as to the generall use thereof at the dissolution of Abbies 5. Nunneries also were good Shee-schools Conveniency of Shee-Colledges wherein the Girles and Maids of the Neighbourhood were taught to read and work and sometimes a little Latine was taught them therein Yea give me leave to say if such Feminine Foundations had still continued provided no vow were obtruded upon them virginity is least kept where it is most constrained haply the weaker sex besides the avoiding modern inconveniences might be heightned to an higher perfection than hitherto hath been attained That sharpnesse of their wits and suddenness of their conceits which their enemies must allow unto them might by education be improved into a judicious solidity and that adorned with Arts which now they want not because they cannot learn but are not taught them I say if such Feminine Foundations were extant now of dayes haply some Virgins of highest birth would be glad of such places and I am sure their Fathers and elder Brothers would not be sorry for the same 6. They were the sole Historians Monks the sole Historians and why in writing to preserve the remarkable passages of Church and Common-wealth I confesse I had rather any than Monks had written the Histories of our Land yet rather than the same should be unwritten I am heartily glad the Monks undertook the performance thereof Indeed in all their Chronicles one may feel a rag of a Monks coule I mean they are partial to their own interest But in that Age there was a choicelesse choice that Monks or none at all should write our English Histories Sword-men lacked learning States-men leasure to doe it it was therefore devolved to Monks and Friers who
well as the single Arrows seeing perchance other Societies led lives not more religious but lesse examined 4. But the first terrible blow in England given generally to all Orders The first stroke at the root of Abbeys was in the Lay Parliament as it is called which did wholly Wicclifize kept in the twelfth year of King Henry the fourth wherein the c Thomas Walsingbam Nobles and Commons assembled signified to the King that the temporal possessions of Abbots Priors c. lewdly spent within the Realm would suffice to finde and sustain 150 Earls 1500 Knights 6200 Esquires 100 Hospitals more than there were But this motion was maul'd with the King 's own hand who dashed it personally interposing Himself contrary to that character which the jealous Clergie had conceived of Him that coming to the Crown He would be a great d Being heard to say That Princes had too little and Religious men too much Holinshed pag. 514. enemy to the Church But though Henry Plantagenet Duke of Lancaster was no friend to the Clergie perchance to ingratiate himself with the people yet the same Henry King of England His interest being altered to strengthen Him with the considerable power of the Clergy proved a Patron yea a Champion to defend them However we may say that now the Axe is laid to the root of the tree of Abbeys and this stroke for the present though it was so farre from hurting the body that it scarce pierced the bark thereof yet bare attempts in such matters are important as putting into peoples heads a feasibility of the project formerly conceived altogether impossible 5. Few yeares after The objection of covetousness against Abbeys though not answered â—vaded by Archb. Chichesly namely in the second year of King Henry the fift another shreud thrust was made at English Abbeys but it was finely and cleverly put aside by that skilfull State-Fencer Henry Chichesly Archbishop of Canterbury For the former Bill against Abbeys in full Parliament was revived when the Archbishop minded King Henry of His undoubted Title to the fair and flourishing Kingdome of France Hereat that King who was a spark in Himself was enflamed to that designe by this Prelates perswasion and His native courage ran fiercely on the project especially when clapt on with conscience and encouragement from a Church-man in the lawfulnesse thereof An undertaking of those vast dimensions that the greatest covetousnesse might spread and highest ambition reach it self within the bounds thereof If to promote this project the Abbeys advanced not onely large and liberall but vast and incredible summes of money it is no wonder if they were contented to have their nails pared close to the quick thereby to save their fingers Over goes K. Henry into France with many martiall spirits attending him so that putting the King upon the seeking of a new Crown kept the Abbots old Mitres upon their heads and Monasteries tottering at this time were thank a politick Archbishop refixed on the firm foundations though this proved rather a reprieve than a pardon unto them as will afterwards appear Of the suppression of alien Priories NExt followed the dissolving of alien Priories The originall of Pâ—ioâ—â—es aliens of whose first founding and severall sorts something must be observed When the Kings of England by Conquest or Inheritance were possessed of many and great Territories in France Normandy Aquitaine Picardy c. many French Monasteries were endowed with lands in England For an English kitchen or larder doth excellently well with a French hall And whilst forreigners tongues slighted our Island as barren in comparison of their own Countrey at the same time they would lick their lips after the full-fare which our Kingdome afforded 2. Very numerous were these Cells in England relating to forreign Abbeys scattered all over the Kingdome One John Norbury erected two for his part the one at Greenwich the other at Lewesham in Kent Yea e Cambd. Brit. in Lancashire Roger de Poictiers founded on in the remotest corner of the Land in the Town of Lancaster the richest of them all for annuall income was that which f Idem in Lincoln-shire Tuo Talbois built at Spalding in Lincoln shire giving it to the Monks of Angiers in France g Harpsfield in Catal. religiosarum â— Edium fol. 761. valued at no lesse than 878 lib. 18s 3d. of yearly revenue And it is remarkable that as one of these Priories was granted before the Kings of England were invested with any Dominion in France namely Deorhirst in Glocester shire h Camb Brit. in Glocester-shire assigned by the Testament of Edward the Confessour to the Monastery of S. Denis neer Paris so some were bestowed on those places in forreign parts where our English Kings never had finger of power or foot of possession Thus we read how Henry the third annexed a Cell in Thredneedle-street in i Harpsfield ut priùs pag 763. London to S. Anthony in Vienna and neer Charing-Crosse there was another annext to the Lady Runciavall in Navarre Belike men's devotion in that Age look'd on the world as it lay in common taking no notice how it was sub-divided into private Principalities but proceeded on that rule k 1 Cor. 10. 28. The earth is the Lord's and the fulnesse thereof and Charity though wandring in forreign parts counted it self still at home because dwelling on its proper pious uses 3. These alien Priories were of two natures some had Monks with a Prior resident in them Alien Priories of two natures yet not Conventuall but dative and removable ad nutum of the forreign Abbey to which they were subservient Others were absolute in themselves who though having an honorary dependence on and bearing a subordination of respect unto French Abbeys yet had a Prior of their own being an intire body of themselves to all purposes and intents The former not unlike Stewards managing profits for the behoof of their Master to whom they were re sponsible The later resembling retainers at large acknowledging a generall reference but not accomptable unto them for the revenues they received Now both these kindes of Priories peaceably enjoyed their possessions here even after the revolt of those Principalities from the Crown of England yet so that during open hostility and actuall warre betwixt England and France their revenues were seised and taken by the King and restored again when amity was setled 4. But King Richard the second and King Henry the fourth not so fair as their predecessours herein not onely detained those revenues in time of peace but also diverted them from their proper use and bestowed them on some of their Lay-servants So that the Crown was little enriched therewith especially if it be true what Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury averred in the house of Commons to the face of the Speaker That these Kings l Antiq. Brit. pag. 274. were not half a mark the wealthier for those rents thus
The miserable ends of the Cardinals instruments herein that these houses were still continued to the generall end of pious uses however it was not fair to alienate them from the primitive intention of the Founders yea God himself seemed not well-pleased therewith I know that g Eccles 9. 1 2. no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them All things come alike to all there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked c. However Gods exemplary hand ought to be heeded in the signall fatality of such as by the Cardinall were employed in this service Five they were in number two whereof challenging the field of each other one was h Godwin his Annals of Hen. the eighâ—h Anno 1525. Yet Mr. Fox maketh the Lord Cromwell the principall person employed by the Cardinall therein slain and the other hanged for it A third throwing himself headlong into a well perished wilfully A fourth formerly wealthy grew so poor that he begged his bread The fifth Dr. Allen one of especiall note afterward Archbishop of Dublin was slain in Ireland What became of the Cardinal himself is notoriously known and as for his two Colledges that in Ipswich the embleme of its Builder soon up soon down presently vanished into private houses whilst the other Christ-Church in Oxford was fain to disclaim its Founder and being adopted the issue of the bounty of the King Henry the eighth at this day owns not him for Father who first gave it life but who afterwards kept it from dying In a word this dissolution of fourty small Houses caused by the Cardinall made all the Forest of religious Foundations in England to shake justly fearing the King would finish to fell the oaks seeing the Cardinal began to cut the underwood Of the first Priory which was solemnly suppressed by King Henry the eighth SOme six years after Christ-Church Priorie neer Allgate first and solely dissolved whilst as yet all other Abbeys flourished in their height and happinesse as safe and secure as ever before King Henry the eighth for reasons best known to Himself singled out the Priory of Christ-Church nigh Allgate in London and dissolved the same This He bestowed as a boon on Thomas a Hall's Chronicle An. 1525. Audley Speaker in the Parliament and indeed it was an excellent receit to clear his voice to make him speak shrill and loud for his Master This shrewdly shook the freehold of all Abbeys seeing now two such great men Wolsey and Audley both in their times Lord-Chancellours of England and therefore presumed well versed in cases of conscience the one a Divine first took the other a Common-Lawyer first received such lands into their possession 2. A word of the antiquity The antiquity wealth and dignity thereof wealth and dignity of this Covent because in each respect it was remarkable It was founded Anno 1108. by Queen b Harpâ—field in his Catalogue of Abbeys Matilda Wife to King Henry the first dedicated to the holy Trinity for Black Canons or Canons-Regular and one Norman by name and nation was first Prior thereof In processe of time it became rich in land and ornaments and passed all the Priories in London or Middlesex especially in this particular that the Prior thereof was alwaies an c Stow's Survey of London p. 145. Alderman of London namely of Portsoken Ward though otherwise their Covent standeth in Ealgate Ward and used to ride amongst the Aldermen in a livery like the rest save that his habit was in the shape of a spiritual person In the year 1264 d Idem ibidem Eustathius the eighth Prior of this Covent because he himself was loth to deale in temporall matters instituted Theobald Fitz-Ivo Alderman in his place They were most bountifull house-keepers relieving all comers and goers and got themselves much reputation for their hospitality 3. Some conjecture this was King Henry's designe in dissolving this Priorie A guesse at King Henry's design thereby to make a discovery in peoples affections how they resented the same He dispatched this Covent first as the forelorn hope is sent out before the body of the Army which if meeting with unsuspected dangers may give timely notice to the rest to advance no farther And if He had found the people much startled thereat He could quickly knock off retrench His resolutions and dexterous to decline envy for Himselfe handsomely cast the same on His instruments employed therein Others think the King as yet had no such project in intention but did it meerly to gratifie Sir Thomas Audley whom He loved the better for hating Cardinal Wolsey now beginning to fall against whom he had bitterly inveighed in the Parliament 4. As for the manner of the dissolving thereof The Priory taken by composition whereas all other Abbeys afterwards were stormed by violence whatsoever is plausibly pretended to the contrary this onely was fairly taken by composition For the Prior thereof was sent for by the King commended for his hospitality promised preferment as a man worthy greater dignity which promise surely He performed though the particulars of the agreement are not to be known Whereupon Anno 1531 the twenty third year of the King's reign in the moneth of July he surrendred the same to the King's use As for the Canons they were sent to other houses of the same Order who now being severally disposed in other Covents they might serve them as Monitours to warn all the rest seasonably to prepare for the time of their dissolution 5. The rooting out of this Priory wrought a middle effect in people The effect thereof upon the people for they were neither dumb nor clamorous thereat but grumbled out their discontentment for a time and then returned to their former temper However at first they were so abstemious that whereas the Priory Church and Steeple was e Idem ut priùs profered to whomsoever would take it down no man would undertake the offer Whereupon Sir Thomas Audley was fain to be at more charges than he could make of the materials the workmen with great labour beginning at the top loosed stone from stone and throwing them down most part of them were broken in the fall and remained uuelesse 6. What might move the King to single this Priory out of all the rest This the antientest of all Priories to lead this sad dance is variously conjectured Indeed this was the antientest of all England of that Order since the Conquest I mean of Canon-Regulars as our f Stow ut priùs Authour telleth us And therefore it was but reasonable the oldest should go first the first-born should be first buried But surely no such consideration moved King Henry to this choice who was not so methodical in His deeds of undoing 7. As for the Lord Audley At this day called the Dukes-Place on whom this Priory was bestowed Margaret his sole Daughter Heir was
married to Tho Howard Duke of Norfolk who dwelt therein and which from him was called the Dukes-Place No ingenuous soul will envy so Honourable a person the accommodation of so handsome an habitation onely some perchance will bemoan that the Lords-Place for so in their and g Gen. 38. 17. Jacob's language they called the Church whither alone the numerous neighbour-inhabitants repaired for publick service should be so destroyed that the people were for many years left Church-lesse till their wants b viz. An Dom. 1621. very lately were supplied by the re-edifying thereof out of the ruines by the charity of others I am sure none of the Heirs of Him who demolished the same Of the suppression of the Order of Observant Friers and a preparatory for the dissolution of all the rest IT is the practise of advised Physicians Observant Friers why first falling under King Henry's displeasure in purging of long corrupted bodies where the ill humours may prescribe peaceable possession for many years to proceed not violently all at once but gently by degrees The same course was embraced by King Henry in dissolving of Abbeys gradually and therefore the lesse visibly to work their subversion so to avoid the danger of a sudden and extreme alteration And first He began with the Minorities or Franciscan-Observant-Friers whose chief seats were Greenwich and Canterbury Two motives mainly incensed Him against this Order One because two of their most eminent Fathers Hugh Rich Prior of a Covent in Canterbury and Richard Risby had tampered with Elizabeth Barton aliàs the holy maid of Kent and were convicted and executed with her for high Treason A second because this Order generally manifested most contumacie and contempt against the King in the matter of Queen Katharine's divorce inveighing both in their sermons a Sanders de Schis Anglic. lib. 1. pag. 81. and disputations against the unlawfulness thereof especially Elston and Payton two famous Friers in London A great b Idem pag. 80. Papist beholds it as ominous and a prognostick of sad successe that the Lady afterward Queen Elizabeth just eleven moneths before had been Christened in these Friers Church in Greenwich as if Her baptizing therein portended That those Friers should soon after be washed away from this their Covent 2. Hereupon Totally and finally dissolved in the year of our Lord 1534 the aforesaid whole Order of Friers-Observant were suppressed and Augustine-Friers substituted in their places Nor were these Observants like the Canon-Regulars in the last Chapter disposed of in other Foundations but totally and finally banished out of all Religious Societies For King Henry his smiles complemented the former out of their Houses by their own willing condescension whilst His frowns outed these as Delinquents by a violent expulsion Yea probably some of them had been expelled their lives as well as their livings two hundred of them being at once imprisoned had not Sir Tho c Sanders p. 89. Wriotheslie their great friend and favourer seasonably interceded for them to the King on hopes of some of their future conformity to His Majesties desires 3. Immediately after The Supplication of Beggars with the Sense thereof a famous Petition called the Supplication of Beggars came into publick view It was made some years before by one Mr. Simon d Fox Monum vol. 2. pag. 279. Fish a Gentleman of Grays-Inne and solemnly presented by George Eliot an English-Merchant and entertained by King Henry for a great rarity Though indeed the same long since had been tendred Him by Queen e Idem ibidem Anna Bollen and the King acquainted with the passages therein So that possibly this Supplication might first come from some neer His Majesty as contrivers thereof And as Moses f Exod. 2. 8. was sent to be nursed unto her who though generally unknown was indeed his own Mother which bare him so Petitions may sometimes be recommended back to the same power that first framed them Great ones delighting not onely for the greater solemnity but also for their better security to transferre their intentions to be other intreaties their private designes finding more acceptance when passing under the notion of a publick desire The effect thereof was to complain how a crew of strong puissant counterfeit-holy idle beggars and vagabonds by their luxurie starved a number of needy impotent blinde lame and sick people which otherwise might comfortably be maintained As also to discover the foul enormities and filthy conversation used amongst those pretended pious Fraternities as the same is set forth at large in the Book of Martyrs whither we remit the Reader 4. Onely a word of the Geometry The Geometry Arithmetick and Chronology of the Author thereof Arithmetick and Chronologie used by the Author of this Supplication For his Geometry I conceive he faileth not much in proportion when in measuring the content of this Kingdome he affirmeth That they had got into their hands more than the third part of all the Realm But whereas he auditeth the Revenues of the Friers in England besides their lands to amount yearly to Four hundred thirty thousand three hundred thirty and three pounds allowing their quarteridge to arise out of Fifty two thousand Parishes he highly over-reacheth their number not compleating g See Cambd. Brit. in his division of Brit. pag. 162. Ten thousand Indeed the Papists tell us of Ten thousand Churches in England destroyed all in one year Millia dena unus Templorum destruit annus Yet these being Conventual not Parochial Churches adde nothing to the former computation Yea should all the Chappels of Ease in this Land be admitted to take a new degree and to commence Churches in this catalogue it would not make up the number But it is given to Beggars sometimes to hyperbolize to make their case the more pitifull and indeed if we defalk a third part of that summe yet still vast was the remainder of such Friers revenues But whereas the said Authour of this Supplication saith That four hundred years past these Friers had not one peny of this money Quare whether he be not mistaken in his Chronologie and whether some of the same profits accrued not to the Benedictines before the Conquest 5. In answer to this The Anti-supplication of the souls in Purgatorie an Anti-supplication was made and set forth by Sir Thomas More extant amongst his other works called The Supplication of the souls in Purgatory The scope whereof is to presse the continuation of those lands given to pious uses for the good of the deceased and that they might not be aliened without danger of Sacriledge In this Supplication pleasant dallying and scoffing are so intermixt with complaints that the Authour thereof discovereth himself more Satyrist than Saint in his expressions So hard it is for an Actor so to devest himself of himself as not to vent some of his own humours with the property of that person whom he is to
the Ignorant with much Veneration Now at the dissolution of Abbeys it was brought up to London and burnt at the Gallows in Smithfield with Fryer Forrest executed for a Traytor 13. A Prophecie was current in the Abbey of Glassenborough Haret Delphinus in ulmo That a Whiting should swim on the top of the Torr thereof which is a steep hill hard by and the credulous Countrey people understood it of an eruption of the Sea which they suspected accordingly It happened that Abbot Whiting the last of Glassenbury was hanged thereon for his Recusancy to Surrender the Abbey and denying the King's Supremacy so swimming in aire and not water and waved with the winde in the place 14. We will close all with the Propheticall Mottoes at leastwise as men since have expounded them of the three last successive Abbots of Glocester Propheticall Mottoes inscribed in Glocester Church because much of modesty and something of piety contained therein 1. Abbot Boulers Memento memento that is as some will have it Remember remember this Abbey must be dissolved 2. Abbot Sebruck Fiat voluntas Domini that is if it must be dissolved the will of the Lord be done 3. Abbot Mauborn Mersos reatâ— suscita Raise up those which are drowned in guiltiness Which some say was accomplished when this Abbey found that favour from King Henry the eighth to be raised into a Bishoprick But I like the Text better than the Coment and there is more humility in their Mottoes than solidity in the Interpretations That many precious Books were embezeled at the dissolution of Abbeys to the irreparable losse of learning THe English Monks were bookish of themselves English Libraries excellently furnished and much inclined to hoord up monuments of learning Britain we know is styled Another world and in this contradistinction though incomparably lesse in quantity acquits it self well in proportion of famous Writers producing almost as many Classical School-men for her Natives as all Europe besides Other excellent Books of forraign Authors were brought hither purchased at dear rates if we consider that the Presse which now runs so incredibly fast was in that Age in her infancie newly able to goe alone there being then few Printed Books in comparison of the many Manuscripts These if carefully collected and methodically compiled would have amounted to a Librarie exceeding that of Ptolomie's for plenty or many Vaticans for choicenesse and rarity Yea had they been transported beyond the seas sent over and sold entire to such who knew their value and would preserve them England's losse had been Europe's gain and the detriment the lesse to Learning in generall Yea many years after the English might have repurchased for pounds what their Grand-fathers sold for fewer pence into forraign parts 2. But alas The miserable martyrdome of innocent Books those Abbeys were now sold to such Chap-men in whom it was questionable whether their ignorance or avarice were greater and they made havock and destruction of all As Broakers in Long-lane when they buy an old suit buy the lineings together with the out-side so it was conceived meet that such as purchased the buildings of Monasteries should in the same grant have the Libraries the stuffing thereof conveyed unto them And now these ignorant owners so long as they might keep a Lieger-book or Terrier by direction thereof to finde such stragling acres as belonged unto them they cared not to preserve any other Monuments The covers of books with curious brasse bosses and claspes intended to protect proved to betray them being the baits of covetousness And so many excellent Authors stripp'd out of their cases were left naked to be burnt or thrown away Thus Esop's cock casually lighting on a pearl preferr'd a grain before it yet he left it as he found it and as he reaped no profit by the pearl it received no damage by him Whereas these cruell Cormorants with their barbarous beaks and greedy claws rent tore and tatter'd these inestimable pieces of Antiquity Who would think that the Fathers should be condemn'd to such servile employment as to be Scavengers to make clean the foulest sink in mens bodies Yea which is worse many an antient manuscript Bible cut in pieces to cover filthy Pamphlets so that a case of Diamond hath been made to keep dirt within it yea the Wisemen of Gotham bound up in the Wisdome of Solomon 3. But hear how John Bale John Bale lamentably bemoaneth thâ—â—massacre a man sufficiently averse from the least shadow of Popery hating all Monkery with a perfect hatred complained hereof to King Edward the sixt a In his Declaration upon Leland's Journall Anno 1549. Covetousnesse was at that time so busie about private commodity that publick Wealth in that most necessary and of respect was not any where regarded A number of them which purchased those superstitious mansions reserved of those Library-books some to serve their jakes some to scour their candlesticks and some to rub their boots some they sold to the Grocers and Sope sellers and some they sent over sea to the Book binders not in small number but at times whole ships full Yea the Universities of this Realme are not all clear in this detestable fact But cursed is that belly which seeketh to be fed with so ungodly gains and so deeply shameth his naturall Countrey I know a Merchant-man which shall at this time be namelesse that bought the contents of two noble Libraries for fourty shillings price a shame it is to be spoken This stuffe hath he occupied instead af gray paper by the space of more than these ten years and yet he hath store enough for as many years to come A prodigious example is this and to be abhorred of all men which love their Nations as they should doe Yea what may bring our Realm to more shame and rebuke than to have it noised abroad that we are despisers of learning I judge this to be true and utter it with heavinesse that neither the Britains under the Romans and Saxons nor yet the English people under the Danes and Normans had ever such damage of their learned monuments as we have seen in our time Our posterity may well curse this wicked fact of our Age this unreasonable spoil of Englands most noble antiquities 4. What soul can be so frozen Learning recelveth an incurable wound by the losse of books as not to melt into anger hereat What heart having the least spark of ingenuiry is not hot at this indignity offered to literature I deny not but that in this heap of Books there was much rubbish Legions of lying Legends good for nothing but fewell whose keeping would have caused the losse of much pretious time in reading them I confesse also there were many volumes full fraught with superstition which notwithstanding might be usefull to learned men except any will deny Apothecaries the priviledge of keeping poison in their shops when they can make antidotes of them But be
captive by their cruelty except also they carry them about in publike triumph as here Bonner a Fox ibidem got S r. John Cheek unawares to sit in the place where godly Martyrs were condemned And although He then did nothing but sit still sigh and be silent yet shame for what He had done Sense of what others suffered and sorrow that his presence should be abused to countenance cruelty brought him quickly to a comfortable end of a miserable life Sept. 13. as carrying Gods pardon and all good mens pitty along with him 32. Since his Death History rectified in his parentage parts and posterity his Memory hath done some pennance I say not to satisfy the failings in his life being wronged in his Parnetage abused in his Parts and mistaken in his Posterity For the first a learned Pen Sr. John Hayward in the life of Edward the 6. pag. 8. but too free in dealing disgracefull characters on the subjects thereof stileth him a Man of mean Birth and generally he is made only the Son of his own Deserts Whereas M r. Peter Cheek S r. Johns Father living in Cambridge where S r. John was borne over against the Cross in the market-place and where by the advantage of his Nativity He fell from the wombe of his Mother into the lap of the Muses was descended of the family of the Cheeks of Moston in the Isle of Wight where their estate was about 300 li a yeer never increased nor diminished till sold outright some 20. yeers since out of which Richard Cheek in the raigne of King Richard the Second married a Daughter of the Lord Mountagu As for Duffield his Mother she was a discreet and grave Matrone as appeared by the good d The Mother of my aged and worthy friend Mr. Jackson of Histons was with many others present thereat counsel and christian charge She gave this her Son when comming to take his farewell of her and betake himself to Prince Edward his Tuition For his Parts the foresaid Author with the same breath termeth Him So far as appears by the books He wrote Pedantick enough that is too much to such as understand his Miosis But had He perused all his works and particularly His True Subject to the Rebel He would have bestowed a better character upon him Another Writer e One that set forth his life in Oxford Anno 1641. can finde no issue left of his body saving one Son bearing his Fathers name whereas he had three Sons by his wife as appears on her Monument in S t. Martins in the Fields 1. Henry the Eldest Secretary to the Councel in the North who one Francis Ratliffe Sister to the last Earle of Sussex of that family begat S r. Thomas Cheek of Pyrgo in Essex blessed with an happy issue John a valiant Gentle man and Edward both dying without any posterity But these things belong to Heraulds not Historians 33. The sufferings of Katherine Dutchess of Suffolk The Pilgrimage of the Dutchess of Suffolk Baroness Willowgby of Eresby late widow of Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke since wife to Richard Berty Esq must not be forgotten A Lady of a sharpe wit and sure hand to drive her wit home and make it pierce where She Pleased This made Bp. Gardiner to hate her much for her Jests on Him but more for her earnest towards God the Sincerity of Her Religion and thereupon she was forced with her Husband and infant-Daughter to fly beyond the Seas 34. It would tire our Pen to trace their Removals True and sad Errantry from their House the Barbican in London to Lions-Key thence to Leigh thence over Seas beeing twise driven back again into Brabant thence to Santon a City of Cleveland thence to Wesel one of the Hanse-Towns thence to Windhein in the Palatinate thence to Frankford thence by many intermediate Stages into Poland Every removall ministred them matter of new Difficulties to improve their Patience new Dangers to imploy their Prayers and new Deliverances to admire Gods providence Especially in their a See it at large in Fox tome 3. pag. 928. Passage from Santon to Wesel in a cold February and a great thaw after a long frost on foot in a dark night and rainy weather thorow wayes unknown without guide to direct or company to defend them leaving certain Foes behinde and having but suspected friends before them The end of their journy was worse then their journy it self finding first at Wesel no Inn to entertain them able to speak little high-Dutch for themselves and other willing to speak in comfort to them In a word it would trouble ones Head to invent more Troubles then they had all at once and it would break ones Heart to undergo but halfe so many seeing their real sufferings out Romanced the fictions of many Errant Adventures 35. No English Subject had like fâ—rrain relations with this Lady The vanity of Relations and yet they rather afflicted then befriended Her She had been wife to Him who had been Husband to a Queen of France yet durst not go into that country By the confession of Bp. Gardiner himself She and Queen Mary were the only English Ladies of Spanish extraction and alliance yet was it unsafe for Her to stay in any part of the Spanish Dominions The Emperour owed her as Executrix to her Husband Duke Charles great sums of mony yet durst she not demand payment lest the credetrix should be made away and so the debt satisfied 36. Yet an higher Emperour God the best detter even God himself seemed in some sort indebted unto Her He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord for her bounty at Home in the height of her Honour forrainers Protestants especially in distress 37. And now that good debtour Makes just payment God his providence made full payment thereof by inciting the King of Poland at the mediation of the Palatine of Vilna as He at the instance of John Baron Alasco who formerly in England had tasted of this Ladyes liberality to call this Dutchess with her Husband and family to a place in Poland of Safety Profit Credit and Command where they comfortably continued till the death of Queen Mary During these their Travels Peregrine Berty carrying his forrain nativity in his name was born unto them afterwards the valiant Lord Willowgby of Eresby To conclude let this virtuous Lady her example incourage all to be good to all Godly in distress seeing Hospes hodie crasâ— Hospes the Entertainers to day may want Entertainment to morrow 38. My Pen hath been a long Time an Exile from England Why the Parliament so silent in Church-matters and now is willing to return to its native soile Janu. 21. though finding little comfort to invite it thither and less to welcome it there Only I finde a Parliament called solely commendable on this account that it did no more mischief in Church matters Indeed
assuredly expect from him If before and above all things seeking for that one thing which is needfull the rather because God hath done great things for you already for which you have cause to rejoyce A great and good * 1 Sa. 18. 23 man said to his fellow-servants Seemeth it a small thing to you to be Son in-law to a King A greater honour was done to your first Ancestor who was SON TO A KING namely to Hardinge King of Denmark whence Fitz-Harding your most ancient sir-name But labour SIR for a higher honor then both Even to be led by GODS SPIRIT and then you shall be even in the language of the Apostle himself * Rom. 8. 14. FITZ-DIEU A SON OF GOD. Now as your Eminent bounty unto me may justly challenge the choicest of my best endeavours So the particular motive inducing me to dedicate this Booke to your honor is because it containeth the reign of Queen Elizabeth to whom you are so nearly related Whose * The heir generall of George Carâ—e L. Hunsdon whose Grandmother Mary was second Sister to Anne Bollen Grandmother proved her heir by ANNE BOLLEN her mother In which capacity some of that Queens or rather the Lady Elizabeths moveables and Jewels which were her Mothers descended unto her You may therefore challenge an interest most properly in this part of my History And now what remaineth but my humble and hearty prayers to the Divine Majesty for his blessing on your selfe and on your hopefull Issue That God would plentifully powre all his fauours of this and a better life upon them Suspect me not Sir for omitting because not expressing your noble Consort We finde in the fourth commandement Thou and thy Son and thy Daughter c. Where Divines render this reason why the wife is not mentioned because the same person with the Husband On which account your second self is effectually included within the daily devotions of Your bounden Orator Thomas Fuller THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITAINE Anno. Regin Eliza. 1. SECTION I. CENT XVI Anno. Dom. 1559 1. FOr the first six weeks the Queen Her slow but sure pace of Reformation and her wife councell suffered matters to stand in their former state without the least change as yet not altering but consulting what should be altered Thus our Saviour himself coming into the Temple and finding it profaned with sacriledge when he had looked round about upon all things a Mar. 11. 11. departed for the evening contenting himself with the survey of what was amisse and deferring the reformation thereof till the next morning but on the first b Holinshed 1. year of Q. Elizabeth pag. 1172. of January following being Sunday the best new-yeers-gift that ever was bestowed on England by vertue of the Queens Proclamation the Letanie was read in English with Epistles and Gospels in all Churches of London as it was formerly in her Graces own Chappel 2. But some violent Spirits The forwardness of private men in publique reformation variously censured impatient to attend the leisure by them counted the lazinesse of authority fell before hand to the beating down of superstitious Pictures and images and their forward zeal met with many to applaud it For Idolatry is not to be permitted a moment the first minuite is the fittest to abolish it All that have power have right to destroy it by that Grand charter of Religion whereby every one is bound to advance Gods glory And if Soveraâ—gns forget no reason but Subjects should remember their duty But others condemned their indiscretion herein for though they might reforme their private persons and families and refraine to communicate in any outward act contrary to Gods word yet publique reformation belonged to the Magistrate and a good deed was by them ill done for want of a calling to do it However the Papists have no cause to tax them with over-forwardness in this kinde the like being done by them in the beginning of Queen Maries raigne whilst the laws of King Edward the Sixth stood as yet in full force when they prevented authority as hath been c See â—6 Cent. 2 part â— paragraph formerly observed thus those who are hungry and have meat afore them will hardly be kept from eating though Grace be not said and leave given them by their superiours 3. Now the tidings of Queen Elizabeths peaceable coming to the crown Anno. Dom. 1558. was no sooner brought beyond the Seas but it fitted the English Exiles with unspeakable glandness 〈…〉 being instantly at home in their hearts and not long after with their bodies I knew one right well whose father amongst them being desperately diseased was presently and perfectly cured with the cordiall of this good news and no wonder if this Queen recovered sick men which revived religion it self Now the English Church at Geneva being the greatest opposer of ceremonies sent their letter by William Ceth to all other English Congregations in Germany and especially to those of Frankford congratulating their present deliverance condoling their former discords counselling and requesting that all offences heretofore given or taken might be forgiven and forgotten and that for the future they might no more fall out about sâ—perfluous ceremonies a It was dated Decem. 15. but not received till about Ianuâ—r the second see 〈◊〉 at Frankford pag. 162. But this letter came too late because the principall persons concerned in that controversie with whom they sought a charitable reconciliation were departed from Frankford I think towards England before the messenger arrived and so the motion missed to take effect Some suppose had it come in season it might have prevailed much that both parties in gratitude to God would in a bonefire of their generall joy have burnt this unhappy bone of dissention cast betwixt them Others considering the distance of their principles and difference of their spirits conceive such an agreement neither could be wrought nor would be kept betwixt them For it is the property of cold to congregate together things of different kinds and if the winter of want pinching them all with poverty could not freeze their affections together less likely was it that the warmth of wealth in their native Soâ—le would conjoyne them in amity but rather widen them further asunder as indeed it came to passe For as the rivers of Danubius and Savus in Huagarie though running in the same channell yet for many miles keep different streames visible in their party-coloured waters which do rather touch then unite yea the fishes peculiar to one stream are not found in another So these opposite parties returning home though concurring in doctrine under the generall notion of Protestants were so reserved in severall disciplines to themselves with their private favourites and followers that they wanted that comfortable communion which some hop'd and all wished would be amongst them Till at last they brake out into dolefull and dangerous opposition whereat all Papists clap
any thing may create to it self a top or rester of a pulpit thereof though the like thereunto may be seen elsewhere in the city But that this lie of the naggs-head was bred in a knaves brains doth plainly appear For why should a rich man be a thief seeing all Churches in England were equally open unto them to pick and choose at pleasure why should they steal a clandestine consecration in a place so justly obnoxious to censure Were not the Canaâ—nites and Perizzites then in the land Were not many prying Papists then mingled amongst Protestants which consideration alone would command them to be cautious in their proceedings Besides that mock-pulpit shewen at this day at the entrance of that tavern was inconsistent with the secrecie which is said to be their designe who would rather have made choice of an inner and more remote roome for that purpose But when once one Jesuite had got this shamelesse lie of the Nâ—ggshead I can not say by the taile but by the ears instantly Champnâ—y â—itzSimon Persons Killison Constable and all the whole kennell of them baule it out in their books to all posterity 28. All the authority the Papists produce for their Naggs-head-Consecration Neale's testimony the sole witnesse thereof confuted is ultimately resolved into the single testimony of one Thomas Neale Chaplaine to Bishop Bonner and sometimes Hebrew-Professour in Oxford But was this Neale known or unknown to the Bishops pretended in this taverne-assembly If known as most probable he was Bonners Chaplains bearing their Masters marke the indeleble character of cruelty stamped upon them as the Wolfe is too well known to the sheep it is utterly unlikely they would permit a person vowing open opposition to their proceedings to be present thereat If Neale were unknown the English Bishops whom the Papists though they call Hereticks do not count fools would not admit a stranger to their privacies of such importance seeing commonly in such cases mens jealousies interpret every unknown face to be a foe unto them 29. A silent witness pretended in vain To the testimony of Neale a Champuius pag. 5â—1 one endeavours to twist the witness of John Stow to prove this Nags-head-consecration A silent wittness who says nothing herein if either we consult his Chronicle of our Kings or his Survey of London he neither speaks words nor makes any signes thereof But saith the Jesuite Stow though prudently omitting to print it told the same to some of his private friends I pray to whom where and when and what credible witnesses do attest it Be it referr'd to the ingenuity of our very adversaries whether their bare surmises without any proof be to be believed before the publique Records faithfully taken when the thing was done carefully preserved ever since intirely extant at this day and truly transcribed here by us Besides Charles Howard Earle of Nottingham not more famous for the Coronet of a Count than the crown of old age alive in the later end of the Reigne of King James being requested of a friend whether he could remember Matthew Parkers consecration gave an exact account of the same solemnly performed in Lambeth Chappel being himself an eyewitness thereof and an invited guest to the great feast kept there that day therefore the more observant of all particular passages thereat because the said Arch-Bishop was related to him as a kinsman Let such as desire further satisfaction herein consult learned b 〈…〉 Mason whom King James justly termed a wise builder in Gods house who hath left no stones unturn'd to clear the truth and stop the mouth of malicious adversaries Let the Papists therefore not be so busie to cast durt on our Bishops but first fall on washing the face of their own Pope even John the twelv'th whom an excellent c Luisprandus lib. 6. cap. 7. authour reporteth to have ordained a Deacon in a stable for which two Cardinals reproved him And let these three stories be told together that the Empress Hellen was the daughter of an Hostler that Arch-Bishop Cranmer himself was an Hostler and that our first Bps. in Queen Elizabeths dayes were consecrated in the Naggs-head I say let these three be told together because wise and good men will believe them together as all comming forth of the forge of falsehood and malice 30. Now though we are not to gratifie our Adversaries with any Advantages against us Sees supplied with Protestant Bishops yet so confident is our innocence herein that It may acquaint the world with that small foundation on which this whole report was bottom'd Every Arch-Bishop or Bishop presents himself in Bow-Church accompanied thither with Civilians where any shall be heard who can make any legall exceptions against his Election A Dinner * This the Lord Chancellour Egerton assumed to Bishop Williams was provided for them at the Naggs-head in Cheapside as convenient for the Vicinity thereof and from this Sparke hath all this Fire been kindled to admonish posterity not only to do no evil but also in this Captious Age to refrain from all appearance thereof 31. Parker thus solemnly consecrated proceeded with the assistance of the aforesaid Bishops to the consecration of other grave Divines and not as Sanders lewdly lies that these new elected Bishops out of good fellowship mutually consecrated one another some whereof were put into Bishopricks void By the Natural death as Sarisbury Rochester Glocester Bristol Bangor or Voluntary desertion as Worcester and S t. Asaph or Legal deprivation of the former Bishops as all other Sees in England Suffice it at this time to present a present Catalogue of their names Anno Regin Eliza. 1. Sees with the dates of their consecrations Anno Dom. 1558. referring their commendable characters to be set down when we come to their respective deaths Province of Canterbury 1. Edward Grindal 2. Richard Cox 3. Edwin Sandys 4. Rowland Merick 5. Nicolas Bullingham 6. John Jewell 7. Thomas Young 8. Richard Davies 9. Thomas Bentham 10. Gilbert Barclay 11. Edmond Gwest 12. William Alley 13. Iohn Parkhurst 14. Robert Horne 15. Edmond Scambler 16. Richard Cheiney consecrated London Decem. 21. 1559. Elie Decem. 21. 1559. Worcester Decem. 21. 1559. Bangor Decem. 21. 1559. Lincolne Janu. 21. 1559. Sarisbury Janu. 21. 1556. S. Davids Janu. 21. 1559. S. Asaph Janu. 21. 1559. Coven Lichfield Mar. 24. 1559. Bath and Wells Mar. 24. 1559. Rochester Mar. 24. 1559. Exeter July 14. 1560. Norwich Sept. 1. 1560. Winchester Feb. 16. 1560. Peterburgh Feb. 16. 1560. Glocester Apr. 19. 1562. Province of Yorke 1. Thomas Young translated from S t. Davids to Yorke 2. James Pilkington 3. John Best 4. George Downham consecrated Feb. 20. 1560. Durham Mar. 2. 1560. Carlile Mar. 2. 1561. Chester May 4. 1561. The other Bishopricks were thus disposed of Richard Cheiney held Bristol in Commendam with Glocester Barlow and Scory Bishops in King Edward's dayes were translated the one to Chicester the other to
in her Religion And yet some not more knowing of Councells but more daring in Conjectures than others who love to feiga what they cannot finde that they may never appear to be at a loss avouch that the Pope promised to revoke the Sentence against her mother Anne Bollens marriage to confirme our English Lithurgie by his authority to permit the English the Communion under both kinds provided she would own the Popes Primacy and cordially unite her self to the Catholike Church Yea some thousands of Crowns but all in vain were promised to the effectors thereof wherein his holinesse seemingly liberal was really thrifty as knowing such his Sums if accepted would within one year return with an hundred fold increase 41. Scipio a Gentleman of Venice The contents of Scipio his Letter to Mr. Iewell formerly familiar with M r. Jewel whilst he was a student in Padua wrot now an expostulating letter unto Him being lately made Bishop of Sarisbury Wherein he much admired that England should send no Embassadour nor message or letter to excuse their Nations absence from the general appearance of Christianity in the Sacred Councell of Trent He highly extolled the antiquity and use of General Councels as the only means to decide controversies in Religion and compose the distractions in the Church concluding it a Superlative Sin for any to decline the authority thereof 42. To this M r. Jewel returned a large and solemn answer Anno Dom. 1563. Now although he wrote it as a private person Anno Regin Eliza. 5. yet because the subject thereof was of publick concernment The sum of Mr. Jewels answer take the principall Heads thereof a See it at large at the end of the History of the Councell of Trent First That a great part of the world professing the name of Christ as Greeks Armenians Abessines c. with all the Eastern Church were neither sent to nor summoned to this Councell Secondly That Englands absence was not so great a wonder seeing many other kingdoms and free-states as Denmarke Sweden Scotland Princes of Germany and Hanse-Towns were not represented in this Councel by any of their Embassadors Thirdly That this pretended Councell was not called according to the ancient custome of the Church by the Imperiall Authority but by Papall usurpation Fourthly That Trent was a petty place not of sufficient receit for such multitudes as necessarily should repair to a generall Councell Fifthly That Pope Pius the fourth by whose command the Councel was re-assembled purchased his place by the unjust practises of Simony and bribery and managed it with murder and Cruelty Sixthly That repairing to Councells was a free-act and none ought to be condemned of Contumacy if it stood more with their conveniency to stay at home Seventhly That anciently it was accepted as a reasonable excuse of holy Bishops absenting or withdrawing themselves from any Councell if they vehemently suspected ought would be acted therein prejudiciall to the Truth lest their though not active included concurrence might be interpreted a countenancing thereof Eightly Our English Bishops were imployed in feeding their flocks and governing their Churches and could not be spared from their charge without prejudice to their consciences Ninthly The members of the Councell of Trent both Bishops and Abbots were by oath pregaged to the Pope to defend and maintain his authority against all the world Lastly in what capacity should the English Clergy appear in this Councell They could not as free-persons to debate matters therein beeing pre-condemned for Hereticks by Pope Julius They would not come as Offendors to hear the Sentence pronounced against themselves which they had heard of before What effect this Letter produced I finde not sure I am no Papists as yet have made an effectuall refutation of the reasons rendered therein 43. The Bells of S t. Peters in Westminster had strangely rung the changes these last thirty yeers Westminster Col. Church re-sounded by Q Eliz. Within which time first it was a stately and rich Covent of Benedictine Monks Secondly it was made a Collegiate Church of Dean and Prebendaries by King Henry the eighth Thirdly by the same King is was made an Episcopall See and Thomas Thirby who having roasted the Churches Patrimony surrendred it to the spoile of Courtiers the first and last Bishop thereof Fourthly Queen Mary re-seated the Abbot and Monks in the possession thereof who were outed after her Death Lastly this yeer Queen Elizabeth converted it again into a Collegiate Church founding therein maintenance for one Dean twelve Prebendaries as many old souldiers past service for Almsmen and fourty Scholars who in due time are preferred to the Universities so that it hath proved one of the most renowned Seminaries of Religion and learning in the whole nation 44. Pope Pius though unsuccessfull in his addresses last yeer to the Queen 1561 yet was not so disheartened The Pope trieth again in â—am to reduce the Queen but that once more he would try what might be effected therein To which purpose he imployed the Abbot of Martinegi with most loving letters unto her desiring leave to come over into England But the Queen knowing it less difficulty and danger to keep him Anno Dom. 1562. then to cast him out of her Dominions forbad his entrance into the Realme as against the Laws of the Land So that he was fain to deliver his Errand and receive his answer and that a deniall at distance in the Low-Countries As little successe had the Bishop of Viterbo the Popes Nuncio to the King of France secretly dealing with S r. N. Throgmorton the Queens Agent there to perswade her to send Embassadors to the Councell of Trent which for the reasons afore mentioned was justly refused 45. S r. Edward Carne the Queens Leger at Rome The death of Sr. Edward Carne Doctor of Civill Law Knighted by the Emperour Charles the fifth pretended that as the Queen would not suffer the Popes Nuncio to come into England so the Pope would not permit him to depart Rome Whereas indeed the cunning old man was not detained but detained himself so well pleased was he with the place and his office therein Where soon after he died the last Leger of the English Nation to Rome publickly avowed in that imployment 46. This yeer the Spire of Pauls-Steeple covered with lead strangely fell on fire Pauls Steeple burnt down attributed by severall Persons to sundry Causes Some that it was casually blasted with lightning others that it was mischevously done by Art Magick And others and they the truest done by the negligence of a Plummer carelessly leaving his coals therein The fire burnt for five full hours in which time it melted all the lead of the Church only the stone Arches escaping the fury thereof but by the Queens bounty and a Collection from the Clergy it was afterwards repaired only the blunt Tower had not the top thereof sharpned into a Spire as before 47.
profit thereof Nove. 14. Mond He was the first Protestant English Bishop that died in the dayes of Q. Elizabeth 15. Thomas Piercy Earle of Northumberland and Charles Nevill Earle of Westmerland brake out into open Rebellion against the Queen 1569 The Rebellion of the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland Lords of right noble extraction and large revenue whose titles met with their estates in the Northern Parts and indeed the height of their honour was more then the depths of their judge ment These intended to restore the Romish Religion set free the Queen of Scots pretending much zeal for the liberty of the people and honour of the nation complaining of Queen Elizabeth her neglect of the ancient Nobility and advancing mean persons to the places of highest trust and command though indeed could she have made her Noblemen wise as she did her Wisemen Noble these Earls had never undertaken this Rebellion Numerous their Tenants in the North and their obligations the higher for the low rent they paid though now alass poor souls they paid a heavy sine losing their lives in the cause of their Landlords 16. Their first valour was to fight against the English Bible 16. 〈◊〉 Anno Regin 12. Dece 10. More superstiâ—ous thâ—n valiant and Service-Booke in Durham tearing them in pieces And as yet unable to go to the cost of saying Masse for want of Vestiments they began with the cheapest piece of Popery Holy Water their Wells plentifully affording water and Plumtree the Priest quickly conferring consâ—eration Afterwards better provided they set up Mass in most places where they came b Sâ—ws Cron. 663. Richard Norton an ancient and aged Gentleman carrying the Cross before them and others bearing in their Banners the five wounds of Christ or a Chalice according to their different devices No great matter was atchieved by them save the taking of Baâ—â—ards Castle in the Bishoprick which indeed took it self in effect the Defenders thereof being destitute of Victuals and Provisions 17. But hearing how the Garrisons of Carlile and Barwick were manned against them on their backs Routed â—y the Queen her forces and the Earle of Sussex advancing out of the South with an Army to oppose them their spirits quickly sunk and being better armed then disciplined wanting expert Commanders how easily is a rout routed they fled Northwards and mouldered away without standing a battell 18. An Italian Authour writing the life of Pope Pius Quintus giveth us this brief account of this expedition An Italian Authour reckoning without his Hoast They did not overrun the Kingdom as they ought to have done and followed after Elizabeth for which they could not have wanted followers enough but they stood still and not being able to maintain themselves long in the field for want of mony they finally withdrew themselves into Scotland without any thing doing So easie it is for this Authors fancy which scaleth the highest Walls without Ladders gaineth the straightest passes without blows crosses the deepest Rivers without Bridge Ford or Ferry to overrun England though otherwise this handfull of men never exceeding six hundred horse and four thousand foot were unlikely to run through other shiers who could not stand a blow in their own Country 19. Northumberland fled into Scotland Northumberland with many more of thâ— Rebels executed lurked there a time Anno Dom. 1569. was betrayed to Earle Murrey Anno Regin Eliza. 12. sent back into England and beheaded at Yorke Westmerland made his escape into Flanders the wisest work that ever he did where he long lived very poore on a small and ill paâ—ed Pension Many were executed by S r. George Bowes Knight Marshall every market Town being then made a shire Town for his Assises betwixt New-Castle and Witherby a Sâ—ow his Chronicle p. 663. about sixty miles in length and forty in breadth much terrifying those parts with his severity Insomuch that when next year Leonard Dacres put together the ends of the quenched brands of this Rebellion with intent to rekinâ—le them they would not take fire but by the vigilancy and valour of the L. Hansdon his designe was seasonably defeated 20. John Story D. of Law The execution of Dr. Story a cruel persecutor in the dayes of Q. Mary being said for his share to have martyred two or three hundred fled afterwards over into Brabant and because great with Duke de Alva like cup like 〈◊〉 he made him searcher at Antwerp for English goods Where if he could detect either Bible * Fox Acts Mon. p. 2152. or Hereticall Books as they termed them in any ship it either cost their persons imprisonment or goods confiscation But now being trained into the ship of Mr. Parker an Englishman the Master hoised sail time and tide winde and water consenting to that designe and over was this Tyrant and Traitor brought into England where refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy and professing himself subject to the King of Spain he was executed at Tyburne Where being cut down halfe dead after his * Fox Acts Mâ—n ut prius privie members were cut off he rushed on the Executioner and gave him a blow on the eare to the wonder saith my Author of all the standers by and I who was not there wonder more that it was not recounted amongst the Romish miracles 21. The old store of Papists in England began now very much to diminish The original of the English Colledges beyond the seas and decay insomuch that the Romanists perceiv'd they could not spend at this rate out of the main stock but it would quickly make them Bankerupt Prisons consumed many Age moe of their Priests and they had no place in England whence to recruit themselves The largest cisterne with long drawing will grow dry if wanting a fountain to feed the daily decay thereof Hereupon they resolved to erect Colledges beyond the seas for English youth to have their education therein A project now begun and so effectually prosecuted that within the compasse of fifty years nine Colledges were by them founded and furnished with Students and they with maintenance as by the following Catalogue may appear as they stood at the last yeer of King James Since no doubt they have been enlarged in greatnesse increased in number enriched in revenues as such who shall succeed us in continuing this Story may report to posterity May they at my request if having the conveniencies of leisure and instructions be pleased to perfect this my Catalogue and replenish the vacuities thereof with their more exact observations And let no Papists laugh at our light mistakes Protestants not pretending to such exact intelligence of their Colledges as they have of ours Indeed they have too criticall instructions of all our English societies by their agents living amongst us and it is a bad signe when suspicious persons are over-preying to know the windows doors all the passages and
year an Obitum English Catholicks especially the parents or friends of such youths as here have their education Watton-Cloister being a most pleasant place with good land and a fair wood some two leagues off It anciently belonged to the Benedctines of whom the Jesuits here bought it Pope Paulus Quintus and the King of Spain confirming their bargain It is said to be worth five hundred pounds a year Number Rectour Eminent Scholars Welnigh an hundred of Gentlemens sons not as yet professed Jesuits though like them in habit but young Scholars Besides above twenty Jesuits Priests and Lay-brethren having an inspection over them Though this Colledge be of English only yet their Rectour generally is a Fleming and that out of a double designe First that he may solicite their suits in that country the better by the advantage of his language and acquaintance Secondly that they may the more colourably deny such English passengers as begg of them pleading that their Rectour being a stranger will part with no money and they have none of their own Father Fleck Floid Wilson Colledge Founder Benefactours Means 6. Colledge of Madrid in New Castile in Spain founded 1606. Joseph Creswel Jesuite with money of the two Colledges of Valladolit and Sivil bought an house here and built a Colledge thereon  What they gain by soliciting of suits for Merchants and others in the Spanish Court The rest is supplied unto this Colledg from the Parents thereof I mean the two Colledges of Valladolit and Sivil Number Rectour Eminent Scholars Colledge Founder Benefactour Means 7. Colledge of Lovain in Brabant founded about the year 1606. Philip the Third King of Spain gave a Castle then much decayed never much defensive for this City with a pension to the English Jesuits to build them a Colledge therewith   Number Rectour Eminent Scholars Uncertain as much in motion and never all resident here together   Colledge Founder Benefactours Means 8. Colledge of Liege in Lukeland founded 1616. The Arch-Bishop of Collen being at this time also Bishop of Liege gave them a pension to live on and leave to build a fair Colledge here Many of the English Nobility and Gentry under pretence of passing to the Spaw for recovery of their healths here drop much of their gold by the way It is doubtfull how soveraign the Spaw-water will prove to these passengers but certain that their gold is cordial to these Jesuits  Number Rectour Eminent Scholars   M r. Brown brother to the last Vicount Mountacute in Sussex became here a Jesuite Colledge Founder Benefactours Means 9. Colledge of Gant in Flanders founded 1624. Philip the Fourth who gave them a pension   Number Rectour Eminent Scholars One may observe a kinde of gradation in these Colledges S t. Omers generally is for boyes to be taught in Grammar Rome for youths studying the arts all the rest for men Novices or professed Jesuits save that Doway is for any of what age or parts soever Compare these Colledges amongst themselves Rome will appear the richest in visible Valladolit the cunningest in concealed wealth Doway the largest in men and straightest in means Liege getting the most from passengers on land Sivil gaining the best by Travellers at sea Madrid wearing the bravest cloaths where all the Jesuits are constant Courtiers and S t. Omers eating the best meat as neerest to England whence many a dainty bit is daily sent unto them 22. It is incredible what a mass of mony much in specie The bounty of English Catholicks more in exchange was yearly made over out of England for the maintenance of these Colledges having here their Provincials Sub-Provincials Assistants Agents Coadjutours Familiars c. who collected vast sums for them especially from Catholicks possessed of considerable estates out of Abby-lands his Holinesse dispensing with them to hold the same with a clear conscience if bountifull on all such occasions 23. We will conclude all with the solemn Oath The oath taken by English Fugitives at their admission which each Student arrived at mans estate ceremoniously sweareth when admitted into one of these Colledges I. A. B. a In the continuation of Sanders de schismate Anglicano p. 116. one bred in this English Colledge considering how great benefits God hath bestowed upon me but then especially when he brought me out of mine own Country so much infected with Herche and made me a member of the Catholick Church as also desiring with a thankfull heart to improve so great a mercy of God have resolved to offer my self wholy up to Divine Service as much as I may to fulfill the end for which this our Colledge was founded I promise therefore and swear in the presence of Almighty God that I am prepared from mine heart with the assistance of Divine Grace in due time to receive Holy Orders and to return into England to convert the souls of my Countrimen and kindred when and as often as it shall seem good to the Superiour of this Colledge c. Be it remembred that our long Vacation is their chiefest Termâ— for in the moneths of August or September these Colledges receive their annual supplies of green Students and then dispatch their ripe Nâ—viciats for England or if you will then take in young spawn and send their old frogs over hither a croaking All that I will adde is this If covetousness should prevail so far as to pluck down Protestant-Colledges in England whilest superstition preserves and increaseth Popish Seminaries beyond the seas sad would the sight be to behold the truth on our side encumbred with ignorance to encounter falsehood on theirs advantaged with learning and languages 24. Pope Pius the fifth had now long patiently expected the amendment of Queen Elizabeth The Pope excommunicateth the Queen and weary with his waiting in vain resolved at last if not wisely valiantly that seeing desperate diseases must have desperate cures he would thunder his Excommunication against Her according to the tenour following A Sentence Declaratory of our Holy Lord Pope PIUS QUINTUS against ELIZABETH Queen of England and the Hereticks adhering unto Her Wherein also Her Subjects are declared absolved from the Oath of Allegiance and every other thing due unto Her whatsoever And those which from henceforth obey Her are innodated with the Anathema Pius Bishop servant to Gods servants for a future memorial of the matter HE that reigneth on high to whom is given all power in heaven and in earth committed One Holy Catholick and Apostolick Church out of which there is no salvation to one alone upon earth namely to Peter the chief of the Apostles and to Peters Successour the Bishop of Rome to be governed in fulness of power Him alone he made Prince over all people and all Kingdoms to pluck up destroy scatter consume plant and build that he may contain the faithfull that are knit together with the band of charity in the unity of the
Spirit and present them spotlesse and unblameable to their Saviour In discharge of which function We which are by Gods goodnesse called to the government of the aforesaid Church do spare no pains labouring with all earnestness that Unity and the Catholick Religion which the Author thereof hath for the triall of his childrens faith and for our amendment suffered with so great afflictions might be preserved uncorrupt But the number of the ungodly hath gotten such power that there is now no place left in the whole world which they have not assayed to corrupt with their most wicked Doctrines Amongst others Elizabeth the pretended Queen of England the servant of wickedness lending thereunto her helping hand with whom as in a Sanctuary the most pernicious of all have found a refuge This very woman having seised on the Kingdom and monstrously usurping the place of Supreme Head of the Church in all England and the chief authority and jurisdiction thereof hath again brought back the said Kingdom into miserable destruction which was then newly reduced to the Catholick Faith and good fruits For having by strong hand inhibited the exercise of the true Religion which Mary the lawfull Queen of famous memory had by the help of this See restored Anno Dom. 1570. Anno Regin Eliza. 13. after it had been formerly overthrown by Henry the eighth a revolter therefrom and following and embracing the errours of Hereticks She hath removed the Royall Councell consisting of the English Nobility and filled it with obscure men being Hereticks suppressed the embracers of the Catholick Faith placed dishonest Preachers and Ministers of impieties abolished the sacrifice of the Mass Prayers Fastings Choice of meats Unmarried life and the Catholick Rites and Ceremonies commanded Books to be read in the whole Realm containing manifest Heresie and impious mysteries and institutions by Her self entertained and observed according to the prescript of Calvin to be likewise observed by Her Subjects presumed to throw Bishops Parsons of Churches and other Catholick Priests out of their Churches and Benefices and to bestow them and other Church-livings upon Hereticks and to determine of Church-causes prohibited the Prelates Clergy and People to acknowledge the Church of Rome or obey the Precepts and Canonicall Sanctions thereof compelled most of them to condescend to Her wicked Laws and to abjure the authority and obedience of the Bishop of Rome and to acknowledge Her to be sole Ladie in temporall and spirituall matters and this by oath imposed penalties and punishments upon those which obeyed not and exacted them of those which perserved in the unity of the faith and their obedience aforesaid cast the Catholick Prelates and Rectors of Churches in prison where many of them being spent with long languishing and sorrow miserably ended their lives All which things seeing they are manifest and notorious to all Nations and by the gravest testimony of very many so substantially proved that there is no place at all left for excuse defence or evasion We seeing that impieties and wicked actions are multiplied one upon another and moreover that the persecution of the faithfull and affliction for Religion groweth every day heavier and heavier through the instigation and means of the said Elizabeth because We understand Her minde to be so hardened and indurate that She hath not only contemned the godly requests and admonitions of Catholick Princes concerning Her healing and conversion but alas hath not so much as permitted the Nuncioes of this See to cross the seas into England are constrained of necessity to betake our selves to the weapons of justice against Her not being able to mitigate our sorrow that We are drawn to take punishment upon one to whose Ancestors the whole state of all Christendome hath been so much bounden Being therefore supported with His authority whose pleasure it was to place Us though unable for so great a burden in this supreme throne of justice We do out of the fulnesse of Our Apostolick Power declare the aforesaid Elizabeth being an Heretick and a favourer of Heresies and Her adherents in the matters aforesaid to have incurred sentence of Anathemaâ— and to be cut off from the unity of the body of Christ And moreover We do declare Her to be deprived of Her pretended title to the Kingdom aforesaid and of all Dominion Dignity and Priviledge whatsoever and also the Nobility Subjects and People of the said Kingdom and all other which have in any sort sworn unto Her to be for ever absolved from any such oath and all manner of duty of Dominion Allegiance and Obedience As We do also by authority of these presents absolve them and do deprive the same Elizabeth of Her pretended title to the Kingdom and all other things above-said And We do command and interdict all and every the Noble-men Subjects People Anno Regin Eliza. 12. Anno Dom. 1569. and others aforesaid that they presume not to obey Her or Her monitions mandates and laws and those which shall do the contrary We do innodate with the like Sentence of Anathem And because it were a matter of too much difficulty to convey these presents to all places wheresoever it shall be needfull Our will is that the copies thereof under a publick Notaries hand and sealed with the seal of an Ecclesiastical Prelate or of his court shall carry together the same credit with all people judicially and extrajudicially as these presents should do if they were exhibited or shewed Given at Rome at S t. Peters in the year of the incarnation of our Lord one thousand five hundred sixty nine the fifth of the Kalends of March and of Our Popedom the fifth year Cae Glorierius H. Cumyn 25. The principall persons The different opinions of English Catholicks concerning this excommunication whose importunity solicited the Pope to thunder out this excommunication were D r. Harding D r. Stapleton D r. Morton and D r. Web. And now the news thereof flying over into England variously affected the Catholicks according to their several dispositions 1. Some admired and applauded the resolution of His holinesse expecting all persons should instantly start from the infectious presence of the Queen and that that virgin-rose so blasted should immediately wither 2. Others would not believe that there was any such excommunication at all but that it was a mere slander devised by the common enemy to make all Catholicks odious 3. Others accounted such Excommunication though denounced of no validity a Watsons Qâ—â—dlibets pag. 262. because the reasons which moved the Pope thereunto were falsely and surreptitiously suggested to His Holiness 4. Others did question the lawfulnesse of all excommunications of Princes according to the rule of S t. Thomas Princeps multitudo non est excommunicanda where the uncertain profit which might follow could not countervail the certain mischief which would ensue 5. Others did condemne the present excommunication pro hic nunc as unexpedient probable to incense and exasperate the
them leâ—s heat or more light forgetting themselves to be carefull for us Something happened in those dayes by Gods will which I did not so much as hope for I had articulatly set down in writing our points and certain most equal demands confessing my self to be a Priest of the Society coming with an intent to amplifie the Catholick faith teach the Gospel administer Sacraments I requested audience of the Queen and the Peers of the Realm and d d Bart challenging They that long most for duells first surleit of them challenged my adversaries to the combate I resolved to keep one copy to my self that it might be carried to the Judges with me another I had committed to my friend with this intent that if they took me and my copy the other should presently be spread abroad My friend did not conceal it he published it it is worne in every mans hand Our adversaries are stark mad Out of their Pulpits their Preachers answer that they indeed desire it but the Queen is not willing that matters now being setled there should be any farther disputation They rend us with their railings call us Seditious Hypocrites yea and Hereticks also which is most laughed at The people in this point are altogether ours This Errour hath made marvelously for our advantage If we be commanded on the Publick Faith e e So my printed copie wherein I suspect some mistake daâ—im is non curiam But they intend nothing less All our Prisons are filled with Catholicks new ones are preparing Now at last they openly maintain that it is better to deliver a few Traitors over to death then to betray the souls of so many men Now they say nothing of their own Martyrs for we conquer in Cause Number Dignity and the Opinion of all men We produce for a few Apostates or Coblers burnt Bishops a a Not one Popish Bishop put to death nor Peer of the Realm five for actuall rebellion in all the Queens Reign Whereas in the Marian dayes we had an Arch-Bishop and foure Bishops burnt for meer matters of conscience Regulos petty Princes Knights and most eminent of the Gentry mirrors of learning honesty and wisdome the choisest youth illustrious Matrons The rest of middle estate almost innumerable all of them at once or every day consumed Whilst I write these things a most cruel persecution rageth The house is sad for they presage either the death of their friends or that to save their lives they must hide be in prison or suffer the loss of all their goods yet they go on couragiously Very many even now are reconciled to our Church New Souldiers inlist their names and old ones freely shed their blood Herewith and with these holy sacrifices God will be merited and out of doubt in short time we shall overcome You see therefore Reverend Father how much we need your sacrifices prayers and heavenly assistance There will be some in England who may provide for their own safety and there will be those who may promote the good of others Man may be angry and the Devill mad so long the Church here will stand whilest the shepheards are not wanting to their sheep I am hindred with a report of a most present danger that I can write no more at this time Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered Farewell Edmond Campian * Campian catcht by Walsinghams setters Secretary Walsingham one of a steadie head no more than needfull for him who was to dive into such whirle-pools of State laid out for Campians apprehension Many were his lime-twigs to this purpose Some of his Emissaries were bred in Rome it self It seems his Holiness was not infallible in every thing who pai'd pensions to some of Walsinghams spies sent thither to detect Catholicks Of these Sled and Eliot were the principal Surely these Setters could not accomplish their ends but with deep dissembling and damnable lying If any account such officers evils I deny it not but adde them to be necessary evils in such a dangerous juncture of time Alwayes set a to catch a and the greatest dear-stealers make the best Parke-keepers Indeed these spies were so cunning they could trace a labyrinth without the guidance of a clew of thread and knew all by-corners at home and abroad At last Eliot snapt Campian in his own lodging and in great triumph he was carried to the Tower 42. The Papists tell us of seven deadly racks in the Tower Pretended cruelty in racking Papists all of them exercised on some or other their prisoners therein One rack called the Duke of Exeters the other the Scavengers daughter and these haply had their grand-children God keep all good men in the joyfull ignorance of them and their issue Campian is said * Sanders De Schis Anglicano pag. 409. thrice or four times to have been tortured on them ad lâ—xationem ac quassationem omnium membrorum if the report thereof be not rackt beyond the proportion of truth However we request the ingenuous 43. First Excused in some degree to consider there scarce passed a leap-year wherein the Papists did not lay their eggs or hatch some treason against the Queen which excuseth such severity used to detect conspiracies Secondly I finde when Father Briâ—nt a Priest was a Ribadeneira his continuation of Sanders de Schis Ang. in his Diarie An. 1581 Moneth of March. rack'd most cruelly he confesseth Se nihil quicquam doloris sensisse That he felt no pain at all Were this false I wonder so religious a man would report it were it true I wonder that Campian every inch as religious as Briant had not the same miraculous favour indulged to him Thirdly Campian presently after his racking wrote letters with his own b Camb. Eliz. in this year hand which shews he was not so disioynted with such cruelty as is pretended Lastly those who complain of Campians usage have forgotten or will not remember how Anne Askue and Cuth'ert Simpson on whom no shaddow of treason could be charged were most cruelly and causelessly rack'd by Popish persecutors as a preface to their ensuing martyrdome 44. We leave Campian for a time in a safe place Persons his three wonderfull escapes where we are sure to finde him at our return to behold how it fared with Father Persons diligently sought for by Walsinghams setters and therefore as eminent for making his three escapes as writing his three conversions 1. By hiding himself in a stack of hay hard by a publick Inne whither messengers were sent to attach him 2. Being amused with grief and fear and fright he could not finde an c Continuatio Sanderi De Schis Ang. pag. 404. house in London otherwise well known unto him whither he intended to go and by losing his way saved his life that place being beset with souldiers to apprehend him 3. When scarce gone out of an house on the Thames side but the same was
unlawfull let it wholy be prohibited It is a sad case to make men pay dear for their damnation and so sell them a license to do that which the receivers of their mony conceive to be unlawfull It is part of the character of the Whâ—re of a Rev. 18. 13. Babylon which Protestants generally apply to Rome that she traded or made a maâ—t of the souls of men as this was little better 9. Others Others conceive the proportion of the fine unconscionable not disliking a pecuniarie penalty yet conceived the proportion thereof unreasonable Twenty pounds a moneth a vast summ especially as exacted by lunarie moneths consisting of twenty eight dayes and so making thirteen moneths in the year enough to shatter the conteinment of a rich mans estate They commended the moderation of the former Statute which required twelve pence a Sunday of all such as could not give a reasonable excuse of their absence from Church That did smart yet did not fetch blood at the worst did not break bâ—nes Whereas now twenty pounds a moneth paid severally by every Recusant for himself and as much for his wife which though one flesh in Divinity yet are two persons in law held so heavy as to cripple their estates And as the rich hereby were almost undone so the poore Papists who also had souls to save pass'd wholy unpunished paying nothing because unable to pay all the penalty And although imprisonment was imposed by law on persons not solvable yet officers were unwilling to cast them into goale where they might lie and fill the goals and rot without hopes of enlargement 10. Larger were the debates both then Arguments pro and con whether Jesuites are to be put to death and since in discourse and writing about the capital punishment in taking away the lives of Jesuites Some being zealous for the vigorous execution of those laws and others as earnest for the confining only of Jesuits close prisoners during theirlife conceiving it conducing most to the tranquillity of the Kingdom But see their reasons It is safest for England with vigour and rigour to inspirit the laws and put Jesuits to death It is safest for England to keep Jesuits in perpetual durance without taking away their lives 1. Their breath is contagious to English aire whose appearance in any Protestant-State Anno Dom. 1580 is as sure a presage as the playing of Porpaises above water that foul weather is to follow therein 1. All sinners are not Devils Anno Regin Eliza. 23. and all Devils are not Beelzebubs Some Priests and Jesuits are of a milder temper and better metall'd who by moderation may be melted into amendment 2. It would render the reputation of our State lighter in the balance of the best friends thereof if it should enact severe laws against offendors and then hang those laws up like forfeits in a Barbers shop only to be look'd on and laugh'd at as never put in execution What was this but to make the sword of justice which ought alwayes to be kept keen sharp but to be like fencers swords when they play in jeast-earnest having the edge dunted and the point button'd up Might not felons and murderers even with some justice promise much mercy unto themselves whose offences are terminated in spoiling or killing of particular persons if Priests and Jesuits publick incendiaries of the State have such mercy indulged unto them 2. The point and edge of the sword of justice understand the law it self may remain as sharp as it was before Only the arme may and ought to strike with lesse strength and use more moderation in inflicting such severe punishments The most whole-some laws would be poison justice hot in the fourth degree is cruelty if enforced at all times and on all persons to the utmost extremity Let the law stand unrepeal'd only some mitigation be used in the execution thereof 3. Favour in this kinde indulged to Jesuits would be generally misinterpreted to proceed not from Her Majesties pitty but either from Her fearfulness as not daring longer to enrage the Popish party or from Her Guiltiness Who out of remorse of conscience could not finde in Her heart to execute such cruel laws as She had enacted 3. Princes ought not to be affrighted from doing what is good and honourable in it self with the scare-crows of peoples misinterpretations thereof If such misconstructions of Her Majesties mercy be taken up wilfully let such persons bear the blame and shame of their voluntary and affected errours If they be only ignorant mistakes of ingenuous persons time will rectifie their judgements and beget in them a better opinion of Her Majesties proceedings However better it is that the Queens lenity should hazard such misconstructions thereof than that otherwise She should be certainly censured for cruelty and the State taxed as desirous to grow fat by sucking the blood of Catholicks 4. This in all probability will be the most effectuall course to extirpate Jesuitisme out of the land For their Superiours beyond the seas seeing all such as they send hither impartially cut off by the hand of justice will either out of pity forbear for the future to thrust moe men into the jaws of death or else such subject-Jesuits out of policy will refuse to be sent by them on unavoidable destruction 4. It will rather be the way to continue and increase the same The blood of Martyrs whether real or reputed is the seed of that Church true of false in maintenance whereof they lose their lives We know clamorouness and multitude do much in crying up matters and herein the Papists at home and beyond the seas will play their parts to roare out such men for Martyrs A succession of Jesuits to be sent over will never fail seeing that service amongst erroneous judgements will never want Volunteers where merit of heaven is the believed wages thereof 5. The dead doe not bite and being dispatch'd out of the way are forgotten Whereas if Iesuits be only condemned to perpetual durance their party abroad will be restless in plotting and practizing their brethrens enlargement It is safer therefore to take away subjectum conatus the subject and object of their endeavours by riding them quite out of the way that their complices may despair to relieve them For though prisoners may be rescued with much might dead men cannot be revived without miracle 5. The greater rage moveth to the greater revenge and the greater apprehended injury causeth the greater rage It will rather sharpen the edge of Popish zeal more earnestly to revenge their deaths than to rescue them from durance 6. No precedent could ever yet be produced of any Priest or Jesuite who was converted with imprisonment It is therefore but just that they who will not be mended with the goale should be ended with the gallows 6. Though the instance cannot be given of any Priest of Jesuite who hath totally renounced his religion yet some have been made semi-converts
dear brother the Lord Jesus every day more and more bless thee and all that earnestly desire his glory Geneva October 1582. Thine Beza often using another mans hand because of the shaking of my own We must not let so eminent a letter pass without some observations upon it See we here the secret sympathy betwixt England and Geneva about discipline Geneva helping England with her prayers England aiding Geneva with her purse 20. By the Colledge of Bishops here mentioned by Beza Geneva's suit was coldly resented we understand them assembled in the last Convocation Wonder not that Geneva's wants found no more pitty from the Episcopal party seeing all those Bishops were dead who formerly exiles in the Marian dayes had found favour and relief in Geneva and now a new generation arose having as little affection as obligation to that government But however it fared with Geneva at this time sure I am that some years a Vide pag. 1602. parag after preferring her petition to the Prelacie though frequent begging makes slender alms that Common-wealth tasted largely of their liberality 21. Whereas mention is made Why the rigorous pressing of subscription was now remitted of the heat of some abated this relateth to the matter of subscription now not pressed so earnestly as at the first institution thereof This remissnesse may be imputed partly to the nature of all laws for though knives if of good metall grow sharper because their edge thinner by using yet laws commonly are keenest at the first and are blunted in process of time in their execution partly it is to be ascribed to Arch-Bisshop Grindals age and impotency who in his greatest strength did but weakly urge conformity partly to the Earle of Leicester his interposing himself Patron General to non-subscribers being perswaded as they say by Roger Lord North to undertake their protection SECTION V. To DANIEL HARVEY Esq High Sheriff of Surrey I am sufficiently sensible of the great distance and disproportion betwixt my meanesse and your worth as at all other times so now especially whilst you are a prime Officer in publick employment Despairing therefore that my pen can produce any thing meet for your entertainment I have endeavoured in this Section to accommodate you with Company fittest for your Converse being all no meaner then Statesmen and most of them Privie Councellours in their severall Letters about the grand businesse of Conformity God in due time bless you and your Honorable Consort with such issue as may be a Comfort to you and a Credit to all your relations 1. VEry strongly Leicester though at the Councel table Politickly complying with the rest of the Lords A forme of Discipline considered of by the Brethren in a solemn Synod with the severall Decrees thereof and concurring alwayes with their results when sitting in Conjunction with them when alone engaged his Affections in favour of the Non-conformists and improved his power at this time very great with the Queen to obtain great liberty for them Hence it was that many Bishops Active in pressing subscription in their Diocess when repairing to Court were checkt and snibt by this great favourite to their no small grief and discouragement Heartned hereat the Brethren who hitherto had no particular platforme of discipline amongst themselves as universally owned and practised by their party began in a solemne Councell held by them but whether at Cambridge or London uncertain To conclude on a certain forme as followeth in these their decrees faithfully translated out of their own latine Copie The Title thereof videlicet These be the things that do seem may will stand with the peace of the Church The Decrees LEt no man though he be an Vniversity man offer himself to the Ministery nor let any man take upon him an uncertain and vague Ministery a a Under Mr. 〈◊〉 hand 〈◊〉 of the â—spand 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 Bancrofi his dangerous positions pag. 46. though it be offered unto him But such as be called to the Ministery by some certain Church let them impart it unto that Classis or conference where of themselves are or else to some greater Church-assembly and if such shall be found fit by them then let them be commended by there letters unto the Bishop that they may be ordained Ministers by him Those ceremonies in the Book of Common-Prayer which being taken from Popery are in controversie doseem that they ought to be omitted and given over if it may be done without danger of being put from the Ministery But if there be any imminent danger to be deprived then this matter must be communicated with the Classis in which that Church is that by the judgement thereof it may be determined what ought to be done If subscription to the Articles of Religion and to the Book of Common-Prayer shall be again urged it is thought that the Book of Articles may be subscribed unto according to the statute thirteenth Elizabeth that is unto such of them only as contain the sum of Christian faith and doctrine of the Sacraments But for many weighty causes neither the rest of the Articles in that Book nor the Book of Common-prayer may be allowed no though a man should be deprived of his Ministery for it It seemeth that Church-wardens and Collectors for the poor might thus be turned into Elders and into Deacons when they are to be chosen Let the Church have warning fifteen dayes before of the time of Election and of the Ordinance of the Realm but especially of Christs Ordinance touching appointing of Watchmen and overseers in his Church who are to fore-see that none offence of scandall do arise in the Church and if any shall happen that by them it may be duly abolished And touching Deacons of both sorts Videlicet men and women the Church shall be monished what is required by the Apostle and that they are not to chuse men of Custome and of Course or for their riches but for their faith zeal and integrity and that the Church is to pray in the mean time to be so directed that they make choice of them that be meet Let the names of such as are so chosen be published the next Lords day and after that their duties to the Church and the Churches towards them shall be declared then let them be received into the Ministery to which they are chosen with the generall prayers of the whole Church The Brethâ—en are to be requested to ordain a distribution of all Churches according to these rules in that behalf that are set down in the Synodical Discipline touching Classicall Provinciall Comitiall or of Commencements and assemblies for the whole kingdome The Classes are to be required to keep acts of memorable matters which they shall see delivered to the Comitiall assembly that from thence they may be brought by the Provinciall assembly Also they are to deal earnestly with Patrones to present fit men whensoever any Church is fallen void in that Classis The Comitial
make out to the Kingdome of England However much mischief was done hereby many Papists paying their good wishes where they were not due and defrauding the Queen their true creditòr of the allegiance belonging unto her 43. Now did the Queen summon a Parliament Anno Regin Eliza. 30. Anno Dom. 1587. wherein her Majesty appeared not in person An Act without precedent But passed over the presidentship of that her great Councel unto John Whitgift Arch-Bishop of Canterbury William Cecill Lord treasurer and to the Earle of Darby A thing done without precedent when the King at home and in health But the pleasure of so powerful a Princess might create a leading case in things of this nature 44. Wonder not if the Nonconformists were very quiet in this Parliament Good reason why the Nonconformists were quiet Beholding the Arch-Bishop their great adversary in so great power and place However their activity in the next will make their party amends for their stilness in this Session 45. This year ended the doleful life of a distressed Lady The death of Mary Queen of Scotland Mary Queen of Scots whose Triall and Death belongeth to the State Historian She was aged fourty six years passing the last twenty in Imprisonment One of a sharp Wit undaunted Spirit comely person beautiful Face Majestick presence one Reason why Queen Elizabeth declined what the other so much desired a personal conference with Her as unwilling to be either out-shone or even-shone in her own Hemispheare For her morals the belief of moderate men embraceth as middle Courts betwixt Buchanan aspersing and Causinus his Hyperbolical Commending her because zealous in his own Religion 46. She was an excellent Poet Her Poetry both Latine and English of the former I have read a distick made and written by her own hand on a Pane of Glass at Buxton well Buxtona quae calidae celebraris nomine Lymphae * So it is in the Glass I had in my hand though it be celebrabere in Cand. Brit. in Derby-shire Forte mihi posthac non adeunda Vale. Buxton who dost with waters warme excell By me perchance never more seen Farewell And at Fotheringhay-Castle I have read written by Her in a window with a pointed Diamond From the Top of all my Trust Mishap hath lai'd me in the dust But her Adversaries conceive had she not been laid there the happiness of England had been prostrated in the same place She was buried in the Quire of Peterborough and Doctor Wickham Bishop of Lincolne preached her funeral sermon causelessly carped at by the Martin Mar-Prelate as too favourable concerning her final condition though he uttered nothing inconsistent with Charity and Christian discretion 47. Some twenty years after Her Body removed to Westminster King James caused her Corps to be solemnly removed from Peterborough to Westminster where in the south-side of the Chappel of King Henry the seventh he erected a stately monument to her memory and thereon this Epitaph wherein such cannot but commend the Piety of her Son who will not believe all the praises of his Mother D. O. M. MAriae Stuartae Scotorum Reginae Franciae Dotariae Jacobi V. Scotorum Regis Filiae Haeredis unicae Henrici VII Ang. Regis ex Margareta majori Natu Filia Jacobi IIII Regi Scotorum matrimonio copulata proneptis Edwardi IIII. Angliae Regis ex Elizabetha Filiarum natu maxima abneptis Francisci II. Gallorum Regis conjugis Coronae Angliae dum vixit certae indubitatae haeredis Jacobi magnae Brittanniae monarchae potentissimi matris Stirpe verè Regiâ antiquissima prognata erat Anno Dom. 1587. maximis Totius Europae Principibus Agnatione Cognatione conjuncta Anno Regin Eliza. 30. exquisitissimis Animi corporis dotibus ornamentis cumulatissima Verum ut sunt variae rerum humanarum vices postquam annos plus minus viginti in custodia detenta fortiter strenuè sed frustrà cum malevolorum obtreclationibus timidorum suspitionibus inimicorum capitalium insidijs conflictata esset tandem inaudito infesto Regibus exemplo securi percutitur Et contempto mundo devicta morte lassato Carnifice Christo Servatori animae salutem Jacobi Filio spem Regni posteritatis universis caedis infaustae spectatoribus exemplum patientiae commendans piè intrepidè Câ—rvicem Regiam securi maledictae subjecit vitae caducae sortem cum coelestis Regni perennitate commutavit Besides this there is a long inscription in verses one distich whereof I remember because it is the same in effect with what was made of Maud the Empress On Maud Magna Ortu majorque Viro sed maxima Partu Hic jacet Henrici Filia sponsa Parens On Queen Mary Magna Viro major Natu sed maxima Partu Conditor hic Regis Filia sponsa Parens So that it is no disgrace for a Queen to weare part of an Epitaph at the second hand with some little alteration 48. About this time it was A designe propounded that some Privie Councellors endeavoured to perswade Queen Elizabeth to raise and foment a difference betwixt the Pope and King of Spain and to assist the former not as Pope but temporal Prince by her shipping to regain Naples detained from him by the Spanish King They alledged the designe advantagious to work a diversion of Spanish forces and prevent an invasion of her own Land 49. But her Majesty would not listen to the motion to entertain Compliance in any capacity And blasted by the Queen on any Conditions with the Pope as dishonourable in her self distastful to the Protestant Princes nor would she touch Pitch in jest for fear of being defiled in earnest but crushed the designe in the birth thereof 50. A first onset was now made by the Nonconformists against the Hierarchie Conformity to the height though the more they opposed it the more the Queen did Countenance their persons and preserve their power In so much that she would not in Lent feed on any fish as forbidden by the Canons of the Church until she had first attained a solemn * Camdens Eliz. Manuscript shortly likely to be Printed Licence from the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and every year of her life renew'd the same 51. The power of the high Commission began now to extend far and penalties to fall heavie on offenders Whereupon the favourers of the Nonconformists much opposed it in their printed books some questioning the Court as not warranted by Law others taxing their proceedings as exceeding their Commission but hear their Arguments on both sides Against the High Commission It is pretended founded on the Statute primo Elizabethae wherein the Parliament impowered the Queen by her Letters patents to appoint Commissioners to punish Offendors in Ecclesiastical Causes But no mention therein of Temporall penalties and therefore the Commissioners are to confine themselves to Church Censures by Excommunicating
swearing were so great a grievance Nihil analogum nothing like unto it which may amount to as much shall hereafter be substituted in the room thereof 62. Let it not here be forgotten Nonconformists persecuted in the Star-Chamber that because many did question the legality and Authority of the High Commission Arch-Bishop Whitgiâ—t so contrived the matter that the most sturdy and refractory Non-conformists especially if they had any visible Estates were brought into the Star-Chamber the power whereof was above dispute Where some of them besides imprisonment had very heavie fines imposed upon them And because most of the Queens Councel were present at the Censures This took off the Odium from the Arch-Bishop which in the high Commission lighted chiefly if not only upon him and fell almost equally on all present therein 63. John Fox this year ended his life The death of Mr. Fox to whom in some respect our History of him may resemble it self For he in his lifetime was so large a reliever of poor people to and above his estate that no wonder if at his death with some Charitable Churles he bequeathed no Legacies unto them Thus have we been so bountifull in describing the life and transcribing the Letters of this worthy Confessor that the Reader will excuse us if at his death we give no farther Character of his piety and painfulness Only let me adde that whereas there passeth a Tradition grounded on good Authority that M r Fox fore-told the ruine and destruction of the Invincible so called Armado in the eighty eight The story is true in its selfe though he survived not to see the performance of his own prediction 64. Nor will it be amiss to insert his Epitaph as we finde it on his Monument in S. Giles nigh Cripple-Gate in London Christo S. S. Johanni Foxo Ecclesiae Anglicanae Martyrologo fidelissimo Antiquitatis Historicae Indagatori sagacissimo Evangelicae veritatis propugnatori acerrimo Thaumaturgo admirabili qui Martyres Marianos tanquam Phoenices ex cineribus redivivos praestitit 65. His dear friend D. Laurence Humfrey And of D. Humfrey may be said to die with him though his languishing life lasted a year longer so great his grief to be parted from his fellow-Collegue bred together in Oxford and banished together into Germany But see more of his character in the year 1596 where by mistake which here I freely confess his death is inserted 66. About this time M r William Lambert finished his Hospital at Greenvich The first Protestant Hospitall founded and endowed by him for poor people He was the first Protestant who erected a charitable House of that nature as our * Camd. Brit. in Kent Antiquary observeth though I cannot wholly concur with his observation seeing King Edward the sixt founded Christ-Church and S t. Thomas Hospital 67. Indeed now pardon a short digression began beautifull Buildings in England Beautifull Buildings begin in England as to the generality thereof whose Homes were but homely before as small and ill-contrived much Timber being needlesly lavished upon them But now many most regular Pieces of Architecture were erected so that as one saith they began to dwell latiùs and lautiùs but I suspect not Laetiùs Hospitallity daily much decaying 68. Amongst other Structures Wimbleton House in Surrey was this yeer begun and finished the next as appeareth by an inscription therein by S t. Thomas Cecil afterward Lord Burghley On the self same token that many years after Gondomar treated therein by the Lord with a plentiful feast was highly affected with his entertainment and much commended the uniformity of the fabrick till the DATE thereof shewed unto him dashed all as built when the Spanish Armado was defeated 69. Indeed at this time there was more uniformity in the Buildings Non-conformists stirr than conformity in the Church behaviour of men the sticklers against the Hierarchy appearing now more vigorous though for a time they had concealed themselves SECTION VII To M r. Hamond Ward and M r. Richard Fuller of London Merchants IT is usuall for the Plaintiffe to put two or three names upon the same Writ taken out of the Upper-Bench alwayes provided the persons dwell in the same County and this is done to save Charges My thanks doth here imbrace the same way of thrift That so the small stock of my History may hold out the better amongst my many Friends and Favourers And this my Ioynt-Dedication is the more proper because you live in the same City are of the same profession and if not formerly this may minister the welcome occasion of your future acquaintance BUt now a Session of Parliament was held at Westminster A Sixteen sold Pâ—â—â—â—ion presented by the Commons to the Lord in Parliament wherein the House of Commâ—ns presented to the Lords Spirituall and Temporall a Petition Complaining how many Parishes especially in the North of England and Wales were destitute of Preachers and no care taken to supply them Sixteen were the particulars whereof the six first were against insufficient Ministers very earnestly pressing their taking the same into their serious consideration for speedy redress of the grievances therein contained 7. That no oath or subscription might be tendered to any at their enterance into Ministry but such as is expressely prescribed by the statutes of this Realm except the oath against corrupt entring 8. That they may not be troubled for omission of some rites or portions prescribed in the Book of Common-Prayer 9. That they may not be called and urged to answer before the officials and Commissaries but before the Bishops themselves 10. That such as had been suspended or deprived for no other offence but only for not subscribing might be restored and that the Bishops would forbear their Excommunication ex officio mero of godly and learned Preachers not detected for open offence of life or apparent errour in doctrine 11. That they might not be called before the High-Commission or out of the Diocess where they lived except for some notable offence 12. That it might be permitted to them in every Arch-Deaconry to have some common exercises and conferences amongst themselves to be limited and prescribed by the Ordinaries 13. That the High censure of Excommunication may not be denounced or executed for small matters 14. Nor by Chancellours Commissaries or officials but by the Bishops themselves with assistance of grave persons 15. 16 That Non-residency may be quite removed out of the Church or at least that according to the Queens Injunctions Artic. 44. No Non-resident having already a licence or faculty may enjoy it unless he depute an able Curate that may weekly preach and catechize as is required in her Majesties injunctions Of all these particulars the house fell most fiercely on the Debate of Pluralities and the effect thereof Non-Residents 2. Arch-Bishop Whitgift pleaded The Arch-Bishops pleasâ—r Nonresidents that licences for Non-Residency were at the present but seldome granted
and his judgement may according to the credit or reference of the Author alledged believe or abate from the reputation of the report Let me add that though it be a lie in the Clock it 's but a falsehood in the Hand of the Diall when pointing at a wrong hour if rightly following the direction of the wheele which moveth it And the fault is not mine if â—truly cite what is false on the credit of another The best certainty in this kinde we are capable of is what we finde in the confessions of the parties themselves The success of the solemn humiliation of the ministers at Northampton deposed on oath taken by publick notaries and recorded in court for such who herein will flie higher for true intelligence then the Starr-Chamber must fetch it from heaven himself 23. In that Court we finde confessed by one M r. b See Englands Scoâ—tizing for discipline 3. Cap. 6. pag. 88. Johnson formerly a great Presbyterian but afterwards it seems falling from that side he discovered many passages to their disadvantage how that when the Book of Discipline came to Northampton to be subscribed unto there was a generall censuring used amongst the brethren there as it were to sanctifie themselves partly by sustaining a kinde of pennance and reproof for their former conformity to the Orders of the Church and partly to prepare their mindes for the devout accepting of the aforesaid Book In which course of censuring used at that time there was such a ripping up one of anothers life even from their youth as that they came to bitterness and reviling tearms amongst themselves one growing thereby odious to another and some did thereupon utterly forsake those kinds of Assemblies O how wofull the 〈◊〉 of the English Church whilst her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 her ministers and under-â—owers some tugged it one way and others towing it another enough almost to split her in pieces with the violence of their contrary Discipline 24. Leave we them for a while The Contents of the 〈◊〉 to the Catholicks of England to behold how the Popish Clergy were employed who in the beginning of this year were as busie as Bees newly ready to swarme A Book was set forth called the admonition dispersed amongst Catholicks and highly cried up consisting of severall Parts not unfit to be here recited 1. The Authors make their entrance into the discourse with a most odious and shamefull declamation against her Majesty stirring up her subjects hearts to contempt of her highness as being one odious to God and man They threaten the Nobility Gentry c. with loss of all their goods their Lands their Lives and with damnation besides except that presently upon the landing of the Spaniards they joyned themselves and all their forces men munition victuals and whatsoever else they could make with their Catholick Army forsooth for the words be these If you will avoid say they the Popes the Kings and other Princes high indignation let no man of what degree soever abet aid defend or acknowledge her c. adding that otherwise they should incurr the Angels Curse and Malediction and be as deeply excommunicated as any because that in taking her Majesties part they should fight against God against their lawfull King against their Countrey and that notwithstanding all they should do they should but defend her highness bootless to their own present destruction and eternall shame 2. After all those and many other such threats in a high and military stile to scarr fools with then they come to some more milde perswasions and promise the noble men that so they joyn with the duke of PARMA upon the receipt of their Admonition they will intreat that their whole houses shall not perish For Persons did instigate the English Cardinall to swear by his Honour and in the word of a Cardinall that in the fury of their intended Massacre their should as great care be taken of every Catholick and penitent person as possibly could be and that he was made a Cardinall of purpose to be sent then into England for the sweet managing of those Affairs 3. Other arguments they used drawn from the certainty of the victory as that all the Protestants would either turn their Coats Copies arms or fly away in fear and torment of the Angel of God prosecuting them that although none of her Majesties subjects should assist the Spaniards yet their own forces which they brought with them were strong enough their provision sufficient their appointment so surpassing that they had more expert Captains then her Majesty had good souldiers all resolute to be in the Cause which they had undertaken that the Blood of all the blessed Bishops shed in this Land and all the saints in heaven prayed for the Spaniards victory that all the vertuous Priests of our Country both at Home and Abroad had stretched forth their sacred hands to the same end that many priests were in the Camp to serve every spiritual mans necessity that their forces were guarded with all Gods Holy Angels with Christ himself in the soveraign Sacrament and with the daily most holy oblation of Christs own dear body and blood that the Spaniards being thus assisted with so many helps though they had been never so few they could not lose and that her Majesty and her Assistants wanting these helps although they were never so fierce never so proud never so many never so well appointed yet they could not prevail Fear you not say they to such as would take their part they cannot And thus far out of their said Jesuiticall Admonition The Book goes under the name of Cardinall Allen though the secular Priests say he was but the Cloak-father thereof and that a Watsons Quodlibets pag. 240. Parsons the Jesuite made it Others conceive it equivocally begotten as the result and extract of severall brains No doubt had the Spanish Invasion succeeded happy he who could have laid claim to so prophetical a piece and they would have fallen out as the two * 1 Kings 3. Harlots about the living Child who should have been Parent thereof Whereas now on the miscarriage of their great Navie all disclaimed the Book and Parsons procured the whole impression to be burnt save some b Watson ut prius few sent abroad before hand to his friends that it might not remain a monument of their falsehood And now the Popish Priests some lurk't here in holes other fled into forraign parts their confusion being the greater for their former confidence Thus * Judg. 5. 30. Sisera comes off the more coldly when stript out of the garment of divers colours wherewith his mother had arrayed him in her fancy running faster then the wheels of her sons Charriot to his imaginary conquest 25. This year died Edwin Sands Arch-Bishop of Yorke Aug. 8. born in Lancashire of worshipfull Parentage The death of Edw. Sands Arch-Bishop of York bred in Cambridge banished to Germany after
Queens officers as they had just cause more strick in searching as her Judges more severe in punishing the Papists Hereupon the Seculars complained that such proceedings against them tearmed persecution by them and justice by our State was caused by the Jesuits and that Parsons especially though he had kindled the fire left others to bear the heat thereof Yea which was more he was not himself contented to sleep in a whole skinn at Rome but lashed others of his own Religion and having got his neck out of the collar accused others for not drawing weight enough taxing the Seculars as dull and remiss in the cause of Religion and to speak plainly they differed as hot and cold poison the Jesuits more active and pragmatical the Seculars more slow and heavie but both maintaining treacherous principles destructive to the common-Wealth 31. If we look now on the Non-Conformists A general calm we shall finde them all still and quiet After a storm comes a calm wearied with a former blustering they began now to repose themselves in a sad silence especially since the executions of Vdal and Penry had so terrified them that though they might have secret designes we meet not their open and publick motions so that this Century affordeth little more then the mortalities of some eminent men 32. We begin with Richard Fletcher Bishop of London The death of Bp Fletcher and Bishop Coldwell bred in Bennet Colledge in Cambridg one of a comly person and goodly presence qualities not to be cast away in a Bishop though a Bishop not to be chosen for them he lov'd to ride the great horse and had much skill in managing thereof condemned for very proud such his natural stately garb by such as knew him not and commended for humility by those acquainted with him he lost the Queens favour because of his second unhappy match and died suddainly more of grief then any other disease with him let me couple another heart-broken Bishop John Coldwell of Salisbury D r of Physick S t Luke we know was both an Evangelist and Physician who never enjoyed himself after he had consented though little better then surprised thereunto to the alienation of Sherborn Manor from the Bishoprick 33. Here I am at a loss for the date of the death of Laurence Humphry The death of Laurence Humfry but confident I hit the but though miss the mark as about this time He was a consciencious and moderate Non-conformist condemned for luke-warm by such as were scalding-hot Dean of Winchester and Master of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford to which he bequeathed a considerable Summ of Gold left in a chest not to be opened except some great necessity urged thereunto But lately whilst D r John Wilkinson was President of the Colledge this Gold was shar'd between him and the fellows And though one must charitably beleeve the matter not so bad as it is reported yet the most favourable relation thereof gave a general distast 34. Sure I am A great Antiquaries good intention discouraged a great Antiquarie lately deceased rich as well in his state as learning at the hearing hereof quitted all his intentions of benefaction to Oxford or any place else on suspition it would be diverted to other uses On the same token that he merrily said I think the bestway for a man to perpetuate his memory is to procure the Pope to Canâ—nize him for a Saint for then he shall be sure to be remembred in their Calender Whereas otherwise I see all Protestant charity subject to the covetousness of posterity to devour it and bury the donor thereof in oblivion 35. M r Baltazer Zanches a Spaniard The charity of a Spanish Protestant born in Sherez in Estremadura founded an alms-house at Totnam high-cross in Middlesex for eight single people allowing them competent maintenance Now seeing Protestant Founders are rare Spanish Protestants rarer Spanish Protestant Founders in England rarest I could not pass this over with silence nor must we forget that he was the first confectioner or comfit-maker in England bringing that mystery to London and as I am informed the exactness thereof continues still in his family in which respect they have successively been the Queens and Kings confectioners 36. A Parliament held at Westminster The acts in the Parliament 1597. 40. wherein the deprivation of Popish Bishops in the first of this Queens Reign was declared legall Some will wonder what need is of this Statute at so many years distance but the Preface intimates the necessity thereof The Legality also of our Bishops and their Officers were again by act of Parliament confirmed And whereas there was a pretended concealment of some lands of the Bishoprick of Norwich the same by act of Parliament were setled on that See and the Exchange of Lands ratified made in the Reign of King Henry the Eight The contemporary convocation did nothing of moment 37. Thomas Stapleton this year ended his life The death of Tho. Stapleton 1598. 41. and was buried at S t Peters Church in Lovain it is written in his Epitaph qui Cicestriae in Anglià nobili loco natus where Cicestriae is taken not for the City but Diocess of Chicester having otherwise good assurance that he was born at Hemfield in Sussex the same year and moneth wherein * See Pitzaeus in his life S r Thomas Moore was beheaded observed by the Catholicks as a grand providence he was a most learned assertor of the Romish Religion wanting nothing but a true cause to defend On one account I am beholding unto him viz. for disswading * Idemibidem Pitzaeus from being a Souldier to be a Scholler whose History of our English writers hath so often been usefull unto me 38. Richard Cosine D r of the Law and Dean of Archeys this year ended his life The death of Dr Cosine One of the greatest Civilians which our Age or Nation hath produced a most moderate man in his own nature but most earnest assertor of the Ecclesiastical discipline as by his printed works doth appear 39. Robert Turner his death was now much bemoaned by the Papists The death of Rob. Turner 1599. 42. he was born at Barstable in Devon bred for a while in Oxford whence flying beyond the Seas he became Canon of Breslaw in Silesia and at the same time Privie Councellor to the Duke of Bavaria falling afterward into his displeasure probably because more pragmatical then became a forrainer however Ferdinand of Gratz afterwards Emperor took him from the Duke to be his own Secretary for the Latine tongue wherein he excelled as by his printed Orations doth appear he lieth buried at Gratz under a handsom Monument 40. Great was the grief of Protestants for the decease of Richard Hooker Anno Regin Eliza. 42. Anno Dom. 1599. The death of Rich. Hooker Turners Country-man as born also in Devon-shire and bred in Corpus-Christi
of the burden thereof 7. Great at this time was the Calm in the English Church the Brethren not endeavoring any thing in Opposition to the Hierarchie A Quiet in the English Ch and the cause thereof This some impute not to their Quienesse but Wearinesse because so long they had in vaine seeked to cast off that Yoke from them Besides they did not so much practise for the Present as project for the Future to procure hereafter an Establishment of their Ecclesiasticall Government For they beheld the Queenes old Age as a Taper of Virgin Wax now in the Socket ready to be extinguished which made them addresse and apply themselves with all diligence to IAMES King of Scotland the Heire apparent to the Crowne as to the rising Sun whom they hoped will be more favourable to their Proceedings Hopes not altogether groundlesse whilest they considered the Power of the Presbytery in the Church of Scotland where Bishops though lately restored to their place were so restrained in their Power that small was their Command in Church-affaires which made the Brethren in England thence to promise Great matters to themselves but with what successe shall be seen hereafter As for Mr. Thomas Cartwright the Chiefraine of that Party in England we finde him at this time growing rich in the Towne of Warwick there Master of an Hospitall by the Benevolence and Bounty of his Followers where he preached f Sir Geo Paul in the life of Arch-bishop Whitgiss p. 54 very temperately according to his Promise made to the Arch-bishop 8. Some ascribe this his Mildnesse to his old Age and Experience Severall Reasons assigned of Mr. Cartwright's Moderation it being commonly observed Ann. Reg. Bliz. 44. that in Controversies of this kinde Ann. Dom. 1602 Men when they consult with their owne Gray haires begin to abate of their Violence Others conceive that Arch-bishop Whitgift had conquered him with his kindnesse having formerly procured him both his Pardon Dismission out of all his Troubles so that his Coales of Courtesies heaped on Mr. Cartwright's Head made the good Metall the Ingenuity in him to melt into Moderation For in hs Letters written with his owne hand March 24. Anno 1601. he confesseth himself much obliged unto him vouchsafing him the style of A RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD AND HIS LORD THE ARCH-BISHOP'S GRACE OF CANTERBURY which Title of GRACE he also often yeildeth him throughout his Letters acknowledging his g Sir George Paul ut prius Bond of most humble Duty so much the straiter because his Grace's Favour proceeded from a frank Disposition without any desert of his owne Others and that not improbably doe think that Mr. Cartwright grew sensible with Sorrow how all Sects and Schismes being opposite to Bishops Brownists Barrowists c. did shroud and shelter themselves under his Protection whom he could neither reject with Credit nor receive with Comfort seeing his Conscience could not close with their enormous Opinions and his Counsell could not regulate their extravagant Violences which made him by degrees decline their Party Yet for all this there want not those who will maintaine that all this while Mr. Cartwright was not more remisse but more reserv'd in his Judgement being still as sound but not as sharpe in the cause out of Politick intents like a skilfull Pilot in a great Tempest yeilding to the Violence of a storme therewith to be carried away contrary to his intents for the present but waiting when the Wind should soone turne about to the North and blow him and his a prosperous Gale according to their Desires 9. What his opinions were The Character of Mr. Cartwr may appeare by the Premises and his life may be presumed most pious it concerning him to be strict in his Conversation who so stickled for the Reformation of all abuses in the Church An excellent Scholar pure Latinist his Travels advantaging the ready use thereof accurate Grecian exact Hebraician as his Comments on the Proverbs and other Works doe sufficiently testifie But the Master-piece of all his Writings was that his Confutation of the Rhemish Translation of the New Testament into ENGLISH at the Importunity of many Ministers of London and Suffolk and Sir Francis Walsingham the Queens Secretary Mr. Cartwright's especiall Patron gave him an h See the Preface of M. Cartwright's Book hundred pounds to buy him Books and incourage him in that Work However the setting forth thereof was stopped by Arch-bishop Whitgift probably we may conceive because some Passages therein did glance at and gird the Episcopall Discipline in England and after it had layn thirty yeares neglected it was first set forth Anno 1618. and then without either Priviledge or Licence except any will say that Truth is a Licence for it selfe In a word no English Champion in that Age did with more Valour or Successe charge and rout the Romish Enemy in matters of Doctrine But when that Adversary sometimes was not in the field then his active spirit fell foul in point of Discipline with those which otherwise were of his own Religion 10. The same yeare proved fatall to many other eminent Clergie-men Bishop Westphaling Dean Nowel Mr. Perkins Gr Sayer and Will 〈◊〉 depart this World and I hope without offence I may joyne them together their Bodies at the same time meeting at the Grave though their mindes before had parted in different Opinions 1. Herbert Westphaling Bishop of Hereford though perchance his Ambiguous Death is more properly referred to the last yeare brought up in Christ-church in Oxford being the first Bishop of that Foundation a Man of great Piety of Life and of such i Godwin de Prasulibus Anglia p. 546. Gravity that he was seldome or never seene to laugh leaving no great but a well gotten Estate out of which he bequeathed twenty pounds per annum to Jesus Colledge in Oxford 2. Alexander Nowell Doctor of Divinity and Deane of S. Paul's in London borne in Lancashire bred in Oxford afterwards fled into Germanie in the reigne of Queen Mary He was the first of k Donald upon in his Life English Exiles that returned in the dayes of Q. Elizabeth And I have read how in a Parliament he was chosen Burgess of a Town of Cornwall But his Election pronounced void because he was a Deacon A Man of a most Angelicall Life and Deep Learning A great Defender of Justification by Faith alone and yet a great Practiser of Good Works witnesse l Gamblen's Elizabeth in Anno 2602. two hundred pounds a year rent for the maintenance of thirteen Students bestowed on Brazen-nose Colledge wherein he had his Education A great honourer of the Marriage of the Clergie and yet who lived and died single himselfe An aged Man of 90. yeares of age yet fresh in his youthfull Learning yea like another Moses his eyes were not dimme nor did he ever make use of m Hugh Holland in his Icones
sed with Milk being inabled to feed others Some of them are strong enough if not head-strong conceiving themselves able enough to teach him who last spake for them andall the Bishops in the Land Mr. Knewst It is questionable whether the Church hath power to institute an outward signifiant signe BP of Lond. The Crosse in Baptisme is not used otherwise than a Ceremony Bp. of Winch. Kneeling lifting up of the Hands knocking of the Breast are significant Ceremonies and these may lawfully be used D. of the Chap. The Robbines write that the Jewes added both Signes and Words at the institution of the Passeover viz. when they ate sowre herbs they said Take and eat these in remembrance c. When they drank Wine they said Drink this in remembrance c. Upon which addition and tradition our Saviour instituted the Sacrament of his last Supper thereby approving a Church may institute and retaine a Signe significant His Majesty I am exceeding well satisfied in this point but would be acquainted about the antiquity of the use of the Crosse Dr. Reyn. It hath been used ever since the Apostles time But the onestion is how ancient the use thereof hath been in Baptism D. of Westm It appeares out of Tertullian Cyprian and Origen that it was used in immortali lavacro Bp. of Winch. In Constantine's time it was used in Baptisme His Majesty If so I see no reason but that we may continue it Mr. Knewst Put the case the Church hath power to adde significant signes it may not adde them where Christ hath already ordained them which is as derogatory to Christs Institution as if one should adde to thegreat Seale of England His Majesty The case is not alike seeing the Sacrament is fully finished before any mention of the Crosse is made therein Mr. Knewst If the Church hath such a power the greatest scruple is how far the Ordinance of the Church bindeth without impeaching Christian Liberty His Majesty I will not argue that point with you but answer as Kings in Parliament Le Roy s'avicera This is like M. John Black a beardlesse Boy who told me the last * December 1601. Conference in Scotland that he would hold conformity with his Majesty in matters of Doctrine but every man for Ceremonies was to be left to his own Liberty But I will have none of that I will have one Doctrine one Discipline one Religion in Substance and in Ceremony Never speak more to that point how farre you are bound to obey Dr. Reyn. Would that the Cross being superstitiously abused in Popery were abandoned as the Brazen Serpent was stamped to powder by Hezekias because abused to Idolatry His Majesty In as much as the Crosse was abused to Superstition in time of Popery it doth plainly imply that it was well used before I detest their courses who peremptorily disallow of all things which have been abused in Popery and know not how to answwer the objections of the Papists when they charge us with Novelties but by telling them we retaine the primitive use of things and onely forsake their Novell Corruptions Secondly no resemblance betwixt the Brazen Serpent a materiall visible thing and the signe of the Cross made in the Aire Thirdly Papists as I am informed did never ascribe any spirituall Grace to the Cross in Baptisme Lastly materiall Crosses to which people fell downe in time of Popery as the Idolatrous Jewes to the Brazen Serpent are already demolished as you desire Mr. Knewst I take exception at the wearing of the Surplice a kind of Garment used by the Priests of Isis His Majesty I did not think till of late it had been borrowed from the Heathen because commonly called a rag of Popery Seeing now we border not upon Heathens Ann. Dom 1603-04 Ann. Reg. Jac. 1 neither are any of them conversant with or commorant amongst us thereby to be confirmed in Paganisme I see no reason but for comlinesse-sake it may be continued D r. Reyn. I take exception at these words in the Marriage With my body I thee worship His Majesty I was made believe the phrase imported no lesse than Divine Adoration but finde it an usuall English terme as when we say A Gentleman of worship it agreeth with the Scriptures giving Honour to the Wife As for you This the King spake smiling Dr. Reynolds many men speak of Robin Hood who never shot in his Bow If you had a good Wife your selfe you would think all worship and honour you could doe her were well bestowed on her D. of Sarum Some take exception at the Ring in Marriage Dr. Reyn. I approve it well enough His Majesty I was married with a Ring and think others scarce well married without it Dr. Reyn. Some take exceptions at the Churching of Women by the name of purification His Majesty I allow it very well Women being loath of themselves to come to Church I like this or any other occasion to draw them thither Dr. Reyn. My last exception is against committing Ecclesiasticall Censures to Lay-Chancellors the rather because it was ordered Anno 1571. that Lay-Chancellors in matters of Correction and Anno 1589. in matters of Instance should not excommunicate any but be done onely by them who had power of the Keyes though the contrary is commonly practised His Majesty I have conferred with my Bishops about this point and such order shall be taken therein as is convenient Mean time go on to some other matter Dr. Reyn. I desire that according to certaine Provinciall Constitutions the Clergie may have meetings every three weeks 1. First in Rural Deaneries therein to have prophesying as Arch-bishop Grindall and other Bishops desired of her late Majesty 2. That such things as could not be resolved on there might be referred to the Arch-Deacons Visitations 3. Andso to the Episcopall Synod to determine such points before not decided His Majesty If you aime at a Scottish Presbytery it agreeth as well with Monarchy as God and the Devill Then Jack and Tom and Will and Dick shall meet and censure me and my Councill Therefore I reiterate my former speech Le Ray S'avisera Stay I pray for one seven yeares before you demand and then if you find me grow pursie and fat I may perchance hearken unto you for that Government will keep me in breath and give me work enough I shall speak of one matter more somewhat out of order but it skilleth not D. Reynolds you have'often spoken for my Supremacy and it is well But know you any here or elsewhere who like of the present Government Ecclesiasticall and dislike my Supremacy Dr. Reyn. I know none His Majesty Why then I will tell you a tale After that the Religion restored by King Edward the sixt was soon overthrowne by Queen Mary here in England we in Scotland felt the effect of it For thereupon Mr. Knox writes to the Queen regent a vertuous and moderate Lady telling her that she was the
time may be limited within the compasse whereof they shall conforme His Majesty I assent thereunto and let the Bishop of the Diocesse set downe the time Mr. Knewst I request * Here he fell down on his knees the like favour of forbearance to some honest Ministers in Suffolk For it will make much against their credits in the Countrey to be now forced to the Surplice and Crosse in Baptisime Arch-b of Cant. Nay Sir His Majesty Let me alone to answer him Sir you shew your self an uncharitable man We have here taken paines and in the end have concluded on Unity and Uniformity and you forsooth must prefer the credits of a few Private Men before the Peace of the Church This is just the Scotch Argument when any thing was concluded which disliked some humours Let them either conform themselves shortly or they shall hear of it L d. Cecil The indecencie of ambuling Communions is very offensive and hath driven many from the Church BP of Lond. And Mr. Chaderton I could tell you of sitting Communions in Emanuel Colledge Mr. Chad. It is so because of the seats so placed as they be and yet we have some kneeling also in our Chappell His Majesty No more hereof for the present seeing they have joyntly promised hereafter to be quiet and obedient Whereat He rose up to depart into an inner Chamber BP of Lond. Gods goodnesse be blessed for your Majesty and give health and prosperity to Your Highnesse your Gracious Queene the young Prince and all the Royall Issue Thus ended the three dayes Conference The generall censure of the Conferencers wherein how discreetly the King carried himself Posterity out of the reach of Flatterie is the most competent Judg such matters being most truly discerned at distance It is generally said that herein he went above himselfe that the Bishop of London appeared even with himselfe and Dr. Reinolds fell much beneath himselfe Others observed that Archbishop Whitgift spake most gravely Bancroft when out of passion most politickly Bilson most learnedly And of the Divines Mr. Reynolds most largely Knewstubs most affectionately Chaderton most sparingly In this Scene onely Dr. Sparks was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 making use of his hearing not speech converted it seemes to the truth of what was spoken and soon after setting forth a Treatise of Unity and Uniformity But the Nonconformists complained The Non-conformists Complaint that the King sent for their Divines not to have their Scruples satisfied but his Pleasure propounded not that he might know what they could say but they what he would do in the matter Besides no wonder if Dr. Reynolds a little lost himself whose eyes were partly dazled with the light of the Kings Majesty partly daunted with the heat of his displeasure Others complaine that this Conference is partially set forth onely by Dr. Barlow Dean of Chester their professed Adversary to the great disadvantage of their Divines And when the Israelites go down to the Philistines to whet all their Iron Tooles no wonder if they set a sharp edge on their owne and a blunt one on their Enemies weapons This Conference produced some alterations in the Lyturgie The Product of this Conference Womens baptising of Infants formerly frequent hereafter forbidden in the Rubrick of Absolution Remission of Sinnes inserted Confirmation termed also an Examination of Children and some words altered in the Dominicall Gospels with a resolution for a new Translation of the Bible But whereas it was hitherto disputable whether the North where he long lived or the South whither he lately came should prevaile most on the Kings judgement in Church-government this doubt was now clearly decided Hence forward many cripples in conformitie were cured of their former halting therein and such who knew not their owne till they knew the Kings minde in this matter for the future quietly digested the Ceremonies of the Church We have formerly made mention of the Millemanus Petition for Reformation The Copy of the Milenary Petition which about this time was solemnly presented to His Majesty and which here we have truly exemplified The humble Petition of the Ministers of the Church of England desiring Reformation of certaine Ceremonies and abuses of the Church To the most Christian and excellent Prince our Gracious and dread Soveraigne James by the grace of God c. We the Ministers of the Church of England that desire Reformation wish a long prosperous and happy Raigne over us in this Life and in the next everlasting Salvation MOst gracious and dread Soveraigne Seeing it hath pleased the Divine Majesty to the great comfort of all good Christians to advance Your Highnesse according to Your just Title to the peaceable Government of this Church and Common-wealth of ENGLAND We the Ministers of the Gospel in this Land neither as factious men affecting a popular Parity in the Church nor as Schismatikes aiming at the dissolution of the State Ecclesiasticall but as the faithfull servants of Christ and Loyall Subjects to Your Majesty desiring and longing for the redresse of divers abuses of the Church could doe no lesse in our obedience to God service to Your Majesty love to his Church than acquaint Your Princely Majesty with our particular griefs For as Your Princely Pen writeth The King as a good Physitian must first know what peccant humours his Patient naturally is most subject unto before he can begin his cure And although divers of us that sue for Reformation have formerly in respect of the times subscribed to the Book some upon Protestation some upon Exposition given them some with Condition rather than the Church should have been deprived of their labour and ministerie Yet now we to the number of moe than a thousand of Your Majesties Subjects and Ministers all groaning as under a common burden of Humane Rites and Ceremonies doe with one joynt consent humble our selves at Your Majesties Feet to be eased and relieved in this behalf Our humble suit then unto Your Majesty is that these offences following some may be removed some amended some qualified I. In the Church-Service That the Crosse in Baptisme Interrogatories ministred to Infants Confirmation as superfluous may be taken away Baptisme not to be ministred by Women and so explained The Cap and Surplice not urged That Examination may goe before the Communion That it be ministred with a Sermon That divers termes of Priests and Absolution and some other used with the Ring in Marriage and other such like in the Book may be corrected The long-somenesse of Service abridged Church-songs and Musick moderated to better edification That the Lords day be not profaned The Rest upon Holy-dayes not so strictly urged That there may be an Uniformity of Doctrine prescribed No Popish Opinion to be any more taught or defended No Ministers charged to teach their people to bow at the name of JESUS That the Canonicall Scriptures onely be read in the Church II. Concerning Church-Ministers That none hereafter
quickly be perused and yet then no such effigiation was therein discovered which some nineteen weeks after became visible about the nineteenth of September following Surely had this pregnant straw gone out its full time of fourty weeks it would have been delivered of a perfect picture indeed whereas now miscarrying before that time wonder not if all things were not so complete therein 54. For the face therein was not so exact Not perfectly done as which might justly intitle heaven to the workmanship thereof Say not it was done in too small a scantling to be accurate for Deus est maximus in minimis Gods exquisitenesse appears the most in q Exod. 8. 18. modells Whereas when Witnesses were examined about this mock-miracle before the Archbishop of Canterbury Francis Bowen deposed that he believed that a good Artisan might have drawn one more curiously and Hugh Griffith himself attested that it was no more like Garnet than to any other man who had a beard and that it was so small none could affirm it to resemble him adding moreover that there was no glory or streaming raies about it which some did impudently report 55. However Garnet's beâ—tification occasioned by this mock-miracle this inspirited straw was afterward copied out and at Rome printed in pomp with many superstitious copartments about it as a coronet a crosse and nails more than ever were in the originall Yea this miracle how silly and simple soever gave the ground-work to Garnet's beatification by the Pope some moneths after Indeed Garnet complained before his death That he could not expect that the Church should own him for a Martyr and signified the same in his Letter to his dear Mistresse Anne but for her sirname call her Garnet or Vaux as you please because nothing of religion and onely practices against the State were laid to his charge It seemed good therefore to his Holinesse not to canonize Garnet for a solemn Saint much lesse for a Martyr but onely to beatificate him which if I mistake not in their heavenly heraldrie is by Papists accounted the least and lowest degree of celestiall dignity and yet a step above the Commonaltie or ordinary sort of such good men as are saved This he did to qualifie the infamie of Garnet's death and that the perfume of this new title might out-sent the stench of his treason But we leave this Garnet loth longer to disturb his blessednesse in his own place and proceed to such Church-matters as were transacted in this present Parliament 56. Evil manners prove often though against their will the parents of good laws Acts against Papists in Parliament but principally the Oath of Obedience as here it came to passe The Parliament begun and holden at Westminster the fifth of November and there continued till the 27 of May following enacted many things for the discovering and repressing of Popish Recusants extant at large in the printed Statutes Whereof none was more effectuall than that Oath of Obedience which every Catholick was commanded to take the form whereof is here inserted The rather because this Oath may be termed like two of Isaac's r Gen. 26. 20. 21. wells Esek and Sitnah Contention and Hatred the subject of a tough controversie versie betwixt us and Rome about the legall urging and taking thereof Protestants no lesse learnedly asserting than Papists did zealously oppose the same The form of which Oath is as followeth I A. B. doe truly and sincerely acknowledge professe testifie and declare in my conscience before God and the world That our Soveraigne Lord King James is lawfull and rightfull King of this Realm and of all other His Majesties Dominions and Countreys and that the Pope neither of himself nor by any authority of the Church or See of Rome or by any other means with any other hath any power or authority to depose the King or to dispose any of His Majesties Kingdomes or Dominions or to authorize any forraign Prince to invade or annoy Him or His Countâ—â— or to discharge any of His subjects of their allegiance and obedience to His Majestie or to give licence or leave to any of them to bear armes raise tumult or to offer any violence or hurt to His Majesties Royall Person State or Government or to any of His Majesties subjects within His Majesties Dominions Also I doe swear from my heart that notwithstanding any declaration or sentence of Excommunication or deprivation made or granted or to be made or granted by the Pope or his Successours or by any authority derived or pretended to be derived from him or his See against the said King His Heires or Successours or any absolution of the said subjects from their obedience I will bear faith and true allegiance to His Majestie His Heires and Successours and Him and Them will defend to the uttermost of my power against all conspiracies and attempts whatsoever which shall be made against His or Their Persons Their Crown and Dignity by reason or colour of any such sentence or declaration or otherwise and will doe my best endeavour to disclose and make known unto His Majestie His Heires and Successours all treasons and traiterous conspiracies which I shall know or hear of to be against Him or any of Them And I doe farther swear That I doe from my heart abhorre detest and abjure as impious and hereticall this damnable doctrine and position That Princes which be excommunicated or deprived by the Pope may be deposed or murthered by Their subjects or any other whatsoever And I do believe and in conscience am resolved that neither the Pope nor any person whatsoever hath power to absolve me of this Oath or any part thereof which I acknowledge by good and full authority to be lawfully ministred unto me and doe renounce all Pardons and Dâ—spensations to the contrary And all these things I doe plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear according to these express words by me spoken and according to the plain and common sense and understanding of the same words without any equivocation or mentall evasion or secret reservation whatsoever And I doe make this recognition and acknowledgment heartily willingly and truly upon the true faith of a Christian So help me God This Oath was devised to discriminate the pernicious from the peaceable Papists Sure binde sure finde And the makers of this were necessitated to be larger therein because it is hard to strangle equivocation which if unable by might to break will endeavour by slight to slip the halter 57. No sooner did the newes thereof arrive at the ears of his Holiness The Pope his two Breve's against this Oath but presently he dispatcheth his Å¿ See K. James his Works pag. 250. Breve into England prohibiting all Catholicks to take this Oath so destructive to their own souls and the See of Rome exhorting them patiently to suffer persecution and manfully to endure martyrdome And because report was raised that the Pope wrote this
willing hereafter in our particular History of Oxford We will proceed to Report a memorable Passage in the Low-Countreys not fearing to lose my way or to be censured for a wanderer from the English Church-story whilst I have so good a Guide as the Pen of King JAMES to lead me out and bring me back again Besides I am affraid that this Alien Accident is already brought home to England and though onely Belgick in the Occasion is too much British in the Influence thereof SECTION IV. To EDWARD LLOYD Esq RIvers are not bountiful in Giving but just in Restoring * * Eccles 1. 7. their Waters unto the Sea However they may seem gratefull also because openly returning thither what they Secretly received thence This my Dedication unto you cannot amount to a Present but a Restitution wherein onely I tender a Publick acknowledgment of your Private courtesies conferred upon me KING JAMES took into His Princely care the seasonable suppression of the dangerous Doctrines of Conradus Vorstius Dangerous Opinions broached by Conradus Vorstius This Doctor had lived about 15 years a Minister at Steinford within the Territories of the Counts of TECKLENBOURG BENTHEM c. the Counts whereof to observe by the way were the first in Germany not in dignity or Dominion but in casting off the Yoke of Papacie and ever since continuing Protestants This Vorstius had both written and received severall Letters from certain Samosetenian Hereticks in Poland or thereabouts and it hapned that he had handled Pitch so long that at last it stuck to his Fingers and became infected therewith Hereupon he set forth two Books the one entit'led TRACTATUS THEOLOGICUS DE DEO dedicated to the Land-Grave of Hessen the other EXEGESIS APOLOGETICA printed in this year and dedicated to the States both of them facred with many dangerous Positions concerning the Deity For whereas it hath been the labour of the Pious and Learned in all Ages to mount Man to God as much a smight be by a Sacred adoration which the more humble the more high of the Divine Incomprehensiblenesse this Wretch did Seek to Stoop GOD to Man by debasing his Purity assigning him a materiall Body confining his Immensity as not being every where shaking his Immutability as if his will were subject to change darkning his Omnisciency as uncertain in future Contingents with many more monstrous Opinions fitter to be remanded to Hell than committed to writing Notwithstanding all this the said Vorstius was chosen by the Curators of the University of Leyden to be their Publick Divinity-Professour in the Place of Arminius lately deceased and to that end his Excellency and the States Generall by their Letters sent and sued to the Count of TECKLENBOURG and obtained of him that Vorstius should come from Steinford and become Publick-Professour in Leyden 2. It hapned that His Majesty of Great Britain Reasons moving K. James to Oppose him being this Autumne in His hunting-Progresse did light upon and perused the aforesaid Books of Vorstius And whereas too many doe but Sport in their most serious Employment He was so serious amidst His Sports and Recreations that with Sorrow and Horrour He observed the Dangerous Positions therein determining speedily to oppose them moved thereunto with these Principall Considerations First the Glory of God seeing this e In His Declaration against Vorflius p. 365. ANTI-St JOHN as His Majesty terms him mounting up to the Heavens belched forth such Blasphemies against the Divine ineffable Essence and was not a King on Earth concerned when the King of Heaven was dethroned from his Infinitenesse so farre as it lay in the Power of the treacherous Positions of an Heretick Secondly charity to His next Neighbors and Allies And lastly a just fear of the like Infection within His own Dominions considering their Vicinity of Situation and Frequency of intercourse many of the English Youth travelling over to have their Education in Leyden And indeed as it hath been observed that the Sin of Drunkenness was first brought over f See Camden's Elizabeth anno 1581. into England out of the Low Countries about the midst of the Reign of Queen ELIZABETH before which time neither generall Practice nor legall punishment of that vice in this Kingdome so we must Sadly confesse that since that time in a Spiritual Sense many English Souls have taken a cup too much of Belgick wine Whereby their Heads have not onely grown dâ—zie in matters of lesse moment but their whole Bodies stagger in the Fundamentals of their Religion 3. Hereupon King JAMES presently dispatched a Letter to Sir Ralph Winwood The States entertain not the motion of K. James against Vorstius according to just expectation his Ambassadour resident with the States willing and requiring him to let them understand how Infinitely he should be displeased if such a Monster as Vorstius should receive any advancement in their Church This was seconded with a large Letter of His Majesties to the States dated October the 6 to the same effect But neither found that Successe which the KING did earnestly desire and might justly expect considering the many Obligations of the Crown of England on the States the Foundation of whose Common-wealth as the Ambassadour told them was first cemented with English blood Several Reasons are assigned of their non-concurrence with the KING's motion The Curators of Leyden-University conceived it a disparagement to their Judgments if so neer at hand they could not so well examine the Soundnesse of Vorstius his Doctrine as a forraign Prince at such a distance It would cast an aspersion of Levity and Inconstancy on the States solemnly to invite a Stranger unto them and then so soon recede from their Resolution An Indignity would redound to the Count of Tecklenbourg to slight that which so lately they had sued from him The Opposition of Vorstius was endevoured by a male-contented Party amongst themselves disaffected to the Actions of Authority who distrusting their own strength had secretly solicited His Majesty of Great Britain to appear on their Side That as King JAMES his motion herein proceeded rather from the Instance of others than His own Inclination so they gave out that He began to grow remisse in the matter carelesse of the Successe thereof That it would be injurious yea destructive to Vorstius and his Family to be fetcht from his own home where he lived with a sufficient Salarie promised better Provisions from the Landgrave of Hessen to be Divinity Professour in his Dominions now to thrust him out with his Wife and Children lately setled at Leyden That if Vorstius had formerly been faulty in unwarie and offensive Expressions he had since cleared himself in a new Declaration 4. For Vorstius gives no satisfaction in his new Declaration lately he set forth a Book entituled A Christian and modest Answer which notwithstanding by many was condemned as no Revocation but a Repetition of his former Opinions not lesse pernitious but more plausible
much that She commanded Archbishop Whitgift to signifie unto him Mar. 12. That â—e should be his Successour in case the Archbishoprick ever fell in the Queens disposall 34. Not long after the Archbishop meeting Bishop Rudde The Bishop by â—lain preaching gains the Queens â—avour Brother said he I bring good tydings to you though bad to my self for they cannot take full effect till after my death Her Grace is so pleased with your last Sermon She enjoyned me to signifie to you Her pleasure That you shall be my Successour in Canterbury if surviving me The Bishop modestly declined his words desiring the long life of his Grace and in case of his advancement to Heaven confessed many other in England farre fitter for the Place than his own unworthinesse adding after some other exchange of words Good my Lord might I be my â—wn-Judge I conceive I have preached better Sermons at Court surely such as cost me more time and pains in composing them I tell you replied the Archbishop the truth is this the Queen now is grown weary of the vanities of wit and eloquence wherewith Her youth was formerly affected and plain Sermons which come home to Her heart please Her the best Surely his Grace was too mortified a man though none naturally love their Successours whilst themselves are alive intentionally to lay a train to blow up this Archbishop designed though by the others unadvised practise of his words it proved so in the event 35. For And by too personal preaching loseth it again next time when it came to the Bishop's Course to preach at Court then lying at Richmond Anno â—596 he took for his Text Psalm 90. 12. O teach us to number our daies that we may incline our hearts unto wisdome and in the close of his Sermon touched on the Infirmities of Age Ecclesiastes 12. When the grinders shall be few in number and they wax dark that look out at the windows personally applying it to the QUEEN how Age had furrowed Her face and besprinkled her hair with its meal Whereat Her MAJESTY to whom ingratissimum acroama to hear of death was highly displeased Thus he not onely lost his Reversion of the Archbishoprick of Canterbury which indeed never fell in the QUEENS daies but also the present possession of Her MAJESTIES favour 36. Yet he justly retained the repute of a Reverend and godly Prelate Yet did generally beloved and lamented and carried the same to the grave He wrought much on the Welsh by his wisdome and won their affections and by moderate thrift and long staying in the same See left to his Son Sir Rise-Rudde Baroner a fair estate at Aberglaseny in Carmarthenshire 37. Some three years since Causabon invited into England on the death of King HENRY the fourth Isaac Causabon that learned Critick was fetcht out of France by King JAMES and preferred Prebendary of Canterbury Thus desert will never be a drug but be vented at a good rate in one Countrey or another as long as the world affordeth any truly to value it King HENRY is not dead to Causabon as long as King JAMES is alive He who formerly flourished under the Bayes now thriveth altogether as well under the Olive Nor is Causabon sensible that England is the colder Climate whilst he findes the beams of His Majesty so bright and warm unto him to whom also the lesser lights of Prelates and Peers contributed their assistance 38. Presently he falls a writing Where he dyâ—th and is buried as naturall and almost as necessary as breathing unto him First to Fronto-Duraeus his learned Friend Then to Cardinal Peron in the just Vindication of our English Church After these he began his Exercitations on Baronius his Ecclesiastical Annals which more truly may be termed the Annals of the Church of Rome But alas Death here stopped him in his full speed and he lieth entombed in the South-Ile of Westminster-Abbey Not on the East or Poetical Side thereof where Chaucer Spencer Draiton are interred but on the West or Historical Side of the I le next the Monument of M r Camden Both whose plain Tombs made of white Marble shew the simplicity of their intentions the candidnesse of their natures and perpetuity of their memories Mr. Causabon's was erected at the cost of Thomas Moreton Bishop of Durham that great lover of Learned men dead or alive 39. The KING comes to Cambridge in a sharp Winter The supposed occasion of Mr. Selden's writing against the Divine Right of Tithes Mar. 7. when all the world was nothing but Aire and Snow Yet the Scholers Wits did not Freez with the Weather witness the pleasant Play of IGNORAMUS which they presented to His Majesty Yet whilst many laughed aloud at the mirth thereof some of the graver sort were sad to see the Common Lawyers made ridiculous therein If Gowns begin once to abase Gowns Cloaks will carry away all Besides of all wood the Pleaders Bar is the worst to make a Stage of For once in an Age all Professions must be beholding to their patronage Some a Authour of Dr. Preston's Life conceive that in revenge Master John Selden soon after set forth his Books of Titbes wherein he historically proveth That they were payable jure humano and not otherwise 40. I cannot suspect so high a Soul Many write in Answer to his Book 1615. 13. guilty of so low reflections that his Book related at all to this occasion but only that the latitude of his minde tracing all pathes of learning did casually light on the rode of this Subject His Book is divided into two parts whereof the first is a meer Jew of the practise of Tithing amongst the Hebrews the second a Christian and chiefly an English-man of their customes in the same And although many Divines undertook the Answer of this Book as Mr. Stephen Nettles Fellow of Queens-Coll in Cambridge applying himself to the Judaical part Dr. Tillesly and Mr. Montague all writing sharply if strongly enough yet sure it is never a fiercer storm fell on all Parsonage Barns since the Reformation than what this Treatise raised up 41. By this time Mr. Andrew Melvin Melvin freed from the Tower a Scotchman got to be enlarged out of the Tower whither he had been committed for writing some satyrical Verses against the Ornaments on the Altar or Communion-Table in the Kings Chappell When first brought into the Tower he found Sir William Seymour now the Right Honorable most truly Noble and religious Marquis of Hertford there imprisoned for marrying the Lady ARABELLA so nearly allyed to the Crown without the KING's consent To whom Melvin being an excellent Poet but inferiour to Buchanan his Master sent this Distick Causa mihi tecum communis Carceris ARA Regia BELLA tibi Regia SACRA mihî As for his invective Verses against the Chappel-Ornaments I conceive the following Copie most authentick though there be various Lections of them but all
Though his death much affected his friends in Oxford The death of Robert Abbot Bishop of Salisbury Mar. 2. yet farre greater the grief of that University for the decease of Robert Abbot Bishop of Salisbury who died this year One of the honours not onely of that See but of the Church of England born at Guilford in Surrey of religious Parents as persevering in the Truth though g Abel Redivivus pag. 540. persecuted for the same in the Reign of Queen MARY Whose two younger Brothers George and Maurice the one came to be Archbishop of Canterbury the other was Lord Mayor of London and the first Knight of King CHARLES his dubbing This good Bishop his deserts without any other Friend or Spokesman preferred him to all his Promotions For Upon his Oration made on Queen ELIZABETH her Inauguration he was chosen Scholar and afterwards Fellow and Master of Baliol-Colledge Upon a Sermon preached At Worcester he was made Lecturer of that City At Paul's Crosse Master John Stanhoppe preferr'd him to the rich Benefice of Bingham in Nottingham-shire Before King JAMES he was nominated Successour to Doctor Holland in the Kings-Professour his place in Oxford Upon the same of his incomparable Lectures de potestate Regiâ and other labours he was made Bishop of Salisbury In conferring which Place the KING conquered all opposition which some envious persons raised against him witnesse His MAJESTIES pleasant speech Abbot I have had much to doe to makeâ— thee a Bishop but I know no reason for it unless it were because thou hast written a Booke against a Popish Preâ—â—â—e meaning William Bishop entituled by the Pope the Nominall Bishop of the Aâ—reall Diocesse of Calcedon which enraged the Courâ— Papists against him to obstruct his preferment The hour-glass of his life saith my h Dr. Fealty in the Life 〈◊〉 Bp. Abbor p. 549. Authour ran out the sooner for having the sand or gravel thereof stopt so great his grief of the stone though even whilst his body was on the rack his soule found ease in the assurance of salvation 54. About this time The Imp. stuâ—e of the Boy of Bilâ—on a Boy dwelling at Bilson in Stafford-shire William Perry by name not full fifteen years in age but above forty in cunning was practised on by some Jesuits repairing to the house of Mr. Gifford in that County to dissemble himself Possessed This was done on designe that the Priests might have the credit to cast out that Devil which never was in so to grace their Religion with the reputation of a Miracle 55. But now the best of the jest or rather the worst of the earnest Found ouâ— by Bishop Moâ—cton was the Boy having gotten a habit of counterfeiting leading a lazie life thereby to his own ease and Parents profit to whom he was more worth than the best Plough-land in the shire would not be undeviled by all their Exorcisms so that the Priests raised up a spirit which they could not allay At last by the industry of Dr. Moreton Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield the jugling was laid open to the world by the Boyes own confession and repentance who being bound an Apprentice at the Bishops cost verified the Proverb That an untoward Boy may make a good Man 56. Indeed all this KING's Reign was scattered over with Cheaters in this kinde Cheaters of several kindes Some Papists some Sectaries some neither as who dissembled such possession either out of malice to be revenged on those whom they accused of Witchcraft or covetousnesse to enrich themselves seeing such who out of charity or curiosity repaired unto them were bountifull in their relief But take a few of many Papists No Papists i See Bp. Harsnet his Book on this subject pag. 81. Sarah Williams lying past all sense in a Trance had a Devil say the Roma nists slipt up into her leg k John Gâ—â—'s Foot out of the snare pag. 53. Grace Sourebuts of Salmisbury in the County of Lancaster was perswaded by Southworth a Priest to dissemble possession to gain himself credit by Exorcising her l Idem pag. 54. Mary and Amie two Maids of Westminster pretended themselves in raptures from the Virgin Mary and Michael the Arch-Angel m Idem p. 55. Edward Hance a Popish Priest born at Lutterworth in Leicester-shire gave it out that he was possessed of the Blessed Trinity Rich Haydok Fellow of New-Colledge in Oxford preached in his dreams Latine Sermons against the Hierarchie He afterwards recanted lived in good esteem to a great age in Salisbury practising Physick being also an excellent Poet Limner and Ingraver Anne Gunter a Maid of Windsor gave it out she was possessed of a Devil was transported with strange Extaticall Phrensies A Maid at Standon in Hartfordshire which personated a Demoniack so lively that many judicious persons were deceived by her See we this Catalogue consists most of the weaker sex either because Satan would plant his Battery where easiest to make a Breach or because he found such most advantaged for dissembling and his Cloven-foot best concealed under Long coats Indeed some Feminine weaknesses made them more strong to delude the ruines of the Disease of the Mother being the best Foundation to build such Impostourie thereon 57. K. James remembring what Solomon n Prov. 25. 2. King James his dexterity in detecting them Ann. Dom. 1618. Ann. Regis Jac. 16 saith It is the honour of a King to search out a matter was no lesse dexterous than desirous to make discovery of these Deceits Various were His waies in detecting them awing some into confession with His presence perswading others by promise of pardon and fair usage He ordered it so that a Proper Courtier made love to one of these be witched Maids and quickly Cupid his Arrows drave out the pretended Darts of the Devil Another there was the Tides of whose Possession did so Ebbe and Flow that punctually they observed one hour till the KING came to visit her The Maid loath to be so unmannerly as to make His MAJESTY attend her time antedated her Fits many houres and instantly ran through the whole Zodiack of tricks which she used to play A third strangely-affected when the first verse of S. John's Gospel was read unto her in our Translation was tame and quiet whilst the same was pronounced in Greek her English Devil belike understanding no other language The frequency of such forged Possessions wrought such an alteration upon the judgement of King JAMES that he receding from what he had written in his Demonologie grew first diffident of and then flatly to deny the workings of Witches and Devils as but Falshoods and Delusions 58. K. James having last year in His progress passed through Lancashire The Kings Declaration for liberty on the Lords day May 24. took notice That by the preciseness of some Magistrates and Ministers in severall places of this Kingdome in hindring people from
valuation Indeed it is an humour of our English strangely to admire strangers believing invisible Perfections in them above those of our Land A quality commendable in our Countrey-men whilest inclining them to Hospitality but sometimes betraying their Credulity to be thereby dangerously deluded He was feasted wheresoever he came and the Universities when he visited them addressed themselves to him in their solemn reception as if he himself alone had been an University 3. But above all He is richly preferred by K. James King JAMES whose hands were seldome shut to any and alwaies open to men of merit was most munificent unto him highly rejoicing that Rome had lost and England got such a Jewell How many of English Youth were tolled out of our Universities into Italy and there taught treason and heresie together This aged Prelate of eminent parts coming thence of his own accord would make us plentiful reparation for the departure of many Novices The KING consigned him to the Archbishop of Canterbury for his present entertainment till he might be accommodated to subsist of himself and as an earnest of His bounty sent him to Lambeth a fair bason and bolle of silver Which Spalato received with this complement Misit mihi REX Magnae Britanniae polubrum argenteum ad abstergendas sordes Romanae Ecclesiae poculum argenteum ad imbibendam Evangelii puritatem The KING of Great Britain hath sent me a silver bason to wash from me the filth of the Roman Church and a silver cup to minde me to drink the purity of the Gospel Preferment is quickly found out and conferred upon him as the Deanrie of Windsor though founded not in a Cathedral but Collegiate Church one of the gentilest and entirest Dignities of the Land the Mastership of the Hospital of the Savoy with a good Parsonage at West-Islesly in Berk-shire being a Peculiar belonging to the Episcopal Jurisdiction of the Deane of Windsor And finding one precedent in his Predecessour he collated this Parsonage on himself and there made shift for so much English as sufficed him to read the Nine and thirty Articles as an * Mr. Caesar Calendrine Minister of the Dutch Church Auditour there present hath informed me which formerly he had subscribed Thus had he two Houses furnished above plenty even unto magnificence and might alternately exchange society for privacy at pleasure 4. He improved the profit of his Places to the utmost His great avaâ—ice and had a designe to question all his Predecessours Leases at the Savoy and began to be very vexatious to his Tenants Some of them repaired to Doctor King Bishop of London who at their request took Spalato to task and as gravely as sharply reproved him that being a Forreigner he would fall out with Natives endevouring to put others here out of their peaceable Possessions who himself had sled hither for his own refuge Especially having professed in print That he had deposed all d In 〈◊〉 lib. 1. De Repub. Eâ—l num 6. affection to and gust of earthly things and that he himself being almost naked did follow a e â— or pri pag. 191. naked Christ Hereupon at the reverend Bishop's admonition he let fall his former design But it was not the counsel of this King but of a greater KING which deterr'd him from his project viz K. JAMES himself to whom Spalato complain'd That the Lands of the Savoy were let out for little Rents to the great loss of his place and poor therein not that he cared for the poor but bare the bag Ann. Reg. Ja 20 and what was put into it acquainting His MAJESTY with his intent Ann. Dom. 1622. to rectifie those abuses and call those Leases into question To whom the KING in some choler Extraneus extraneus es reâ—inque res sicut eas invenisti You are a stranger you are a stranger leave things as you found them And yet the same man would very passionately perswade others to bounty to the Poor though he would give nothing himself witnesse his earnest moving the Chapter of Windsor in this kind to whom one of the Prebendaries answered QUI SUADET SUA DET Let him that perswades others give something of his own 5. I am also credibly informed from an excellent hand Another instance of his ungratefull covetousness of the truth of this story Spalato had found a small slaw in a Lease of value which a Gentlewoman of quality held of the Dean and Chapter of Windsor To her house he comes with all his men where she magnificently entertains him as overjoyed that her chief Land-Lord came so courteously to visit her Spalato next morning after his plentiful Supper having setled himself in the Parlour suddenly cries out Abscedite omnes abscedite Be ye all gone be ye gone intending to take possession for himself The Gentlewoman perceiving him at this posture with her self and servants well favouredly thrust him out of her house coming off with sufficient disgrace Afterwards consulting the Learned in our Lawes about the Lease they told him That though possibly he might get the better of her in the Common-Law yet the Chancery would relieve her who so dearly had bought so truly had paid for and so peaceably had possessed her estate therein Fie for shame saith Spalato are your English Lawes so contrived that what is done by one Court may be undone by another This may suffice to evidence his avarice Nor must it be forgotten though he pretended at his coming over that for conscience he freely left his Archbishoprick of Spalato that in very deed he resigned the same to his Nephew conditionally to pay him an annual Pension out of it Sed magnus nebulo nil solvit But the great knave payes me nothing as he himself complained to my reverend friend the Archbishop of Armagh 6. He falls now to perfect his Books His learned Writings against Romish errour For his Works were not now composed but corrected not compiled but completed as being though of English birth of Italian conception For formerly the Collections were made by him at Spalato but he durst not make them publick for fear of the Inquisition His Works being three fair Folio's De Republicâ Ecclesiasticâ give ample testimony of his sufficiency Indeed he had a controversial head with a strong and clear stile nor doth an hair hang at the neb of his pen to blurre his writings with obscurity but first understanding himself he could make others understand him His writings are of great use for the Protestant cause Many saith the f Dan. 12. 4. Prophet shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be encreased And surely the transcursion of Italians hither added much to the discovery of the Papal abominations Yet allowing Spalato diligent in writing his expression was a notorious hyperbole when saying In g In â—ectione meditatione scriptione pâ—ne marcesco Resp Archiepis Spal Feb. 11. ad Artic 3. 1622. reading meditation
and writing I am almost pined away otherwise his fat cheeks did confute his false tongue in that expression 7. Amongst other of his ill qualities The jeerer jeered he delighted in jeering and would spare none who came in his way One of his sarcasmes he unhappily bestowed on Count Gondomar the Spanish Ambassador telling him That three turns at Tiburne was the onely way to cure his Fistula The Don highly offended hereat pained for the present more with this flout than his fistula meditates revenge and repairs to King JAMES He told His MAJESTY that His charity an errour common in good Princes abused His judgment in conceiving Spalato a true convert who still in heart remained a Roman Catholick Indeed His Majesty had a rare felicity in discovering the falsity of Witches and forgery of such who pretended themselves possessed but under favour was deluded with this mans false spirit and by His Majesties leave he would detect unto Him this his hypocrisie The KING cheerfully embraced his motion and left him to the liberty of his own undertakings 8. The Ambassadour writeth to His Catholick Majesty Spalato his hypocrisie discovered He to his Holinesse Ann. Dom. 1622. Ann. Regis Ja. 20 Gregory the fifteenth that Spalato might be pardoned and preferred in the Church of Rome which was easily obtained Letters are sent from Rome to Count Gondamar written by the Cardinal Millin to impart them to Spalato informing him that the POPE had forgiven and forgotten all which he had done or written against the Catholick Religion and upon his return would preferre him to the Bishoprick of Salerno in Naples worth twelve thousand crowns by the year A Cardinals Hat also should be bestowed upon him And if Spalato with his hand subscribed to this Letter would renounce and disclaim what formerly he had printed an Apostolical Breve with pardon should solemnly be sent him to Bruxels Spalato embraceth the motion likes the pardon well the preferment better accepts both recants his opinions largely subscribes solemnly and thanks his Holinesse affectionately for his favour Gondamar carries his subscription to King JAMES who is glad to behold the Hypocrite unmasked appearing in his own colours yet the discovery was concealed and lay dormant some daies in the deck which was in due time to be awakened 9. Now it happened a false rumour was spread He is incensed â—â—th a repulse that Tobâ—e Matthew Archbishop of Yorke who died yearly in report was certainly deceased Presently posts Spalato to Theobalds becomes an importunate Petitioner to the KING for the vacant Archbishoprick and is as flatly denied the KING conceiving He had given enough already to him if gratefull too much if ungratefull Besides the KING would never bestow an Episcopal charge in England on a forraigner no not on His own Countrey-men some Scotish-men being preferred to Deanries none to Bishopricks Spalato offended at this repulse for he had rather had Yorke than Salerno as equal in wealth higher in dignity neerer in place requests His MAJESTY by his Letter to grant His good leave to depart the Kingdome and to return into Italy Pope Paul his fierce foe being now dead and Gregory the fifteenth his fast friend now seated in the Chair The Copie of whose Letter we have here inserted To the high and mighty Prince JAMES by the Grace of God King of Great Britaine c. Defender of the Faith c. M. Anthonie de Dominis Archbishop of Spalato wisheth all happinesse THose two Popes which were most displeased at my leaving of Italy and coming into England Paulus Quintus and he which now liveth Gregory the Fifteenth have both laboured to call me back from hence and used divers Messages for that purpose to which notwithstanding I gave no heed But now of late when this same Pope being certified of my Zeal in advancing and furthering the union of all Christian Churches did hereupon take new care and endevour to invite me again unto him and signified withall that he did seek nothing therein but Gods glory and to use my poor help also to work the inward peace and tranquillity of this Your Majesties Kingdome Mine own conscience told me that it behoved me to give ready eare unto his Holiness Besides all this the diseases and inconveniences of old age growing upon me and the sharpness of the cold aire of this Countrey and the great want I feel here amongst strangers of some friends and kinsfolks which might take more dâ—ligent and exact care of me make my longer stay in this Climate very offensive to my body Having therefore made an end of my Works and enjoyed Your Majesties goodness in bestowing on me all things needfull and fit for me and in heaping so many and so Royal benefits upon me I can doe no lesse than promise perpetual memory and thankfulness and tender to You my continuance in Your Majesties service wheresoever I goe and will become in all places a reporter and extoller of Your Majesties praises Ann. Reg. Ja. 19 Now if my business proceed Ann. Dom. 1621 and be brought to a good end I well hope that I shall obtain Your Majesties good leave to depart without the least diminution of Your Majesties wonted favour towards me I hear of Your Majesties late great danger and congratulate with Your Majesty for Your singular deliverance from it by Gods great goodness who hath preserved You safe from it as one most dear unto him for the great good of his Church I hope Jan. 16. From the Savoy Jan. the 16. 1621. Farewell the glory and ornament of Princes Your Majesties ever most devoted Servant Ant. de Dominis Archbishop of Spalato To this Letter no present Answer was returned 21. but five daies after the Bishops of London and Duresme with the Dean of Westminster by His MAJESTIES direction repaired to this Archbishop propounding unto him Sixteen Quaeres all arising out of his former Letter 31. and requiring him to give the explanation of five most material under his hand for His MAJESTIES greater satisfaction which he did accordingly yet not so clearly but that it occasioned a second meeting wherein more interrogatories were by command propounded unto him which with his Answers thereunto because publickly printed are purposely omitted and notwithstanding all obstructions Spalato still continued his importunity to depart 10. He pretended many Reasons for his return Reasons pleaded for his return First Longing after his own Countrey Who so iron-hearted as not to be drawn home with the load-stone of his native Land Secondly To see his Friends Kinred Nephews but especially his beloved Neice a story hangs thereon and it is strange what was but whispered in Italy was heard over so plain into England In the Hebrew Tongue Nephews and Nieces are called Sons and Daughters but the Italian Clergie on the contrary often term their Sons and Daughters Nephews and Nieces Thirdly The late-pretended-discovery of many errors in our English Church how
the King himself was pleased to interpose in his behalf July 7 Thursday 9. Saturday signifying to the House That those things which were then spoken and determined concerning Mountague without his Privitie did not please Him who by his Court-friends being imployed in the Kings Service his Majesty signifiyed to the Parliament that he thought his Chaplains whereof M r. Montague was one might have as much protection as the Servant of an ordinary Burgess neverthelesse his bond of two thousand pounds wherewith he was tailed continued uncancelled and was called on the next Parliament 11. The Plague increasing in London The Parliament removed to Oxford and brake up in discontent the Parliament was removed to Oxford But alas no avoiding Gods hand The infection followed or rather met the Houses there whereof worthy D r. Challenor died much lamented yet were the Members of Parliament not so carefull to save their own persons from the Plague as to secure the Land from a worse and more spreading contagion the daily growth of Poperie In prevention whereof they presented a Petition to his Majesty containing sixteen particulars all which were most graciously answered by his Majesty to their full satisfaction Thus this meeting began hopefully and cheerfully proceeded turbulently and suspiciously brake off suddenly and sorrowfully the reason whereof is to be fetch'd from our Civil Historians 12. The Convocation kept here Dr. James his motion in the Convocation is scarce worth the mentioning seeing little the appearance thereat nothing the performance therein Dean Bowles the Prolocurour absented himself for fear of infection D r. Thomas Good officiating in his place and their meeting was kept in the Chappell of Merton-Colledge Here D r. James that great Book-man made a motion that all Manuscript-Fathers in the Libraries of the Universities and elswhere in England might be perused and that such places in them as had been corrupted in Popish editions much superstition being generated from such corruptions might faithfully be printed according to those ancient Copies Indeed though England at the dissolving of Abbies lost moe Manuscripts than any Countrey of Christendome of her dimensions ever had yet still enough were left her if well improved to evidence the truth herein to all posteritie This designe might have been much beneficiall to the Protestant cause if prosecuted with as great endeavour as it was propounded with good intention but alas this motion was ended when it was ended expiring in the place with the words of the mover thereof 13. The King according to his late answer in the Parliament at Ox. The insolence of Papists seasonably restrained Nov. 11. issued out a Commission to the Judges to see the Law against Recusants put in execution This was read in all the Courts of Judicature at Reading where Michaelmas Terme was kept and a letter directed to the Arch-bishop of Cant. to take speciall care for the discovery of Jesuits Seminary Priests c. within his Province A necessary severity seing Papists presuming on Protection by reason of the late Match were grown very insolent And a Popish Lord when the King was at Chappell was heard to prate on purpose lowder in a Gallery adjoyning then the Chaplain prayed whereat the King was so moved that he sent him this message Either come and doe as we doe or I will make you prate further off 14. In this Severall Writers against Mr. Mountague and the next yeer many Books from persons of severall abilities and professions were writen against M r. Mountague By 1. D r. Sutcliffe Dean of Exeter One who was miles emeritus age giving him a Supersedeas save that his zeale would imploy it self and some conceived that his choler became his old age 2. M r. Henry Burton who then began to be well as afterwards wards too well known to the World 3. M r. Francus Rowse a Lay-man by profession 4. M r. Yates a Minister of Norfolk formerly a Fellow of Emmanuel in Cambridge he intitles his Book Ibus ad Caesarem 5. D r. Carleton Bishop of Chichester 6. Anthonie Wootton Divinitie-Professour in Gresham-Colledge In this Armie of Writers the strength is conceived to consist in the rere and that the last wrote the solidest confutations Of these six Dean Sutcliffe is said to have chode heartily M r. Rowse meant honestly M r. Burton wrote plainly Bishop Carleton very piously M r. Yates learnedly and M r. Wootton most solidly 15. I remember not at this time any of Master Mountague's partie engaged in print in his behalf Mr. Mountague left to deâ—end himself Whether because they conceived this their Champion sufficient of himselfe to encounter all opposers or because they apprehended it unsafe though of the same judgment to justifie a Book which was grown so generally offensive Insomuch as his Majesty himself sensible of his Subjects great distaste thereat sounded by the Duke of Buckingham to that purpose was resolved to leave Mr. Mountague to stand or fall Jan. 19. 1611-16 according to the justice of his cause The Duke imparted as much to Dr. Laud Bishop of Saint Davids who conceived it of such ominous concernment that he entred the same in his Diarie viz. I seem to see a cloud arising and threatning the Church of England God for his mercie dissipate it 16. The day of the Kings Coronation drawing neer A maim on the embleme of Peace his Majesty sent to survey and peruse the Regalia or Royal Ornaments which then were to be used It happened that the left wing of the Dove on the Scepter was quite broken off by what casualty God himself knows The King sent for Mr. Acton then his Goldsmith commanding him that the very same should be set on again The Goldsmith replied that it was impossible to be done so fairly but that some mark would remain thereof To whom the King in some passion returned l His Son succeeding his Father in that place and then present attested to me the truth hereof If you will not doe it another shall Hereupon Mr. Acton carried it home and got another Dove of Gold to be artificially set on whereat when brought back his Majesty was well contented as making no discovery thereof 17. The Bishop of Lincolne A Dilemma well waved Lord-Keeper was now dayly descendant in the Kings favour who so highly distasted him that he would not have him as Dean of Westminster to perform any part of His Coronation yet so was it a favour or a triall that it was left to his free choice to prefer any Prebendary of the Church to officiate in his place The Bishop met with a Dilemma herein To recommend Dr. Laud Bishop of Saint Davids and Prebendary of Westminster for that performance was to grace one of his greatest enemies to passe him by and prefer a private Prebendary for that purpose before a Bishop would seem unhandsome and be interpreted a neglect of his own Order To avoid all exceptions
Cathedrals and Colledges Impropriated as Lay-fees to private persons as formerly belonging to Abbies The redeeming and restoring of the latter was these Feoffees designe and it was verily believed if not obstructed in their end â—â—vours within fifty yeers rather Purchases then Money would have been wanting unto them buying them generally as Candle-rents at or under twelve yeers valuation My Pen passing by them at the present may safely salute them with a God speed as neither seeing nor suspecting any danger in the Designe 7. Richard Smith titulary Bishop of Calcedon taking his honor from Greece The Bishop of Calcedon his hyiscopizing in England his profit from England where he Bishoped it over all the Romtsh Catholiques was now very busie in his imployment But when where and how oft he acted here is past our discoverie it being never known when Men of his profession come hither till they be caught here Now if any demand why the Pope did not intitle him to some English rather then this Grecian Bishoprick the grant of both being but of the same price of his Holyness his breath and the confirmation equally cheap in wax and parchment especially seeing that in Ireland he had made Anti-Bishops to all Sees it is easie for one though none of his Comclave to conjecture For in Ireland he had in every Diocesse and Parish a Counter-Part of People for number and quality which he had not in England and therefore to intitle Bishops here had but rendered it the more ridiculous in the granter and dangerous in the accepter thereof 8. Nicholas Smith a Regular June 1 Opposed by Nicholas Smith and perchance a Jesuit much stomacked the advancement and activitie of Richard Smith Bishop of Calcedon and wrote bitterly against him the hammer of one Smith clashing against another He fell foul also on Dr. Kellison President of the Colledge of Dowag who lately set forth a Treatise of the Dignitie and necessity of Bishop and Secular Clergy generally opposing his Doctrine and particularly in relation to the English Bishops instancing in the following exceptions 9. First a Bishop over the English was uselesse Alleadging a Bishop over English Catholiques uselesse in persecutiou and might well be spared in times of persecution there being but two pecuâ—iar performances of a Bishop viz. Ordination and Confirmation For the former it might be supplyed by Forreigne Bishops the Priests of our English nation being generally bred beyond the Seas As for confirmation of the Children of English Catholiques he much decryed the necessity thereof though not so far as to un-seven the Sacraments of the Church of Rome affirming it out of St. * 3. p. q. 79. art 21. ad 1. Thomas of Aquin and other Divines that by commission from the Pope a Priest though no Bishop might confirme To this Dr. Kellison his Scholar or himselfe under the vizard replyed that in the definition of St. Ciprian A Church was a people united to its Bishop and therefore an absolutenecessity of that function 10. Secondly he was burthensome to the Church And burthensome considering the present pressures of poor English Catholiques needing now no unnecessary exspences for the maintenance of the Bishop and his Agents To this it was answered that Mr. Nicholas Smith and his Bretheren Regulars dayly put the Catholiques to farre greater charges Reply to Mr. N. Smith pag. 294. as * Gen. 49. appeareth by the stately Houses Purchases c. Indeed generally the little finger of a Jesuit was conceived in his entertainment heavier than the Loines of a Secular Mean time in what care were our English Lay Catholiques with Issachar couching down between two burthens bearing the weight of both Regulars and Seculars But who need pity them who will not pity themselves 11. Thirdly And this Bishop no Ordinary he took exceptions at the person of this Bishop of Chalcedon as not lawfully called in Canonical Criticisme First because not estated in his Episcopall inspection over England during his life as a Bishop ought to be but onely constituted ad beneplacitum Papae at the pleasure of the Pope which restriction destroyeth his being a Lawfull Ordinary Secondly he carpeth at him as made by Delegation and Commission and therefore a Delegate not an Ordinarie To which the other replyed that even Legates have that clause in their Commission limited to the Popes pleasure and yet no Catholique will question them to be Lawfull Ordinaries As to the second exception the same saith he doth not destâ—â—â—y his Ordinary-ship but onely sheweth he was made an Ordinary in an extraordinary manner which distinction how farre it will hold good in the Canon Law let those enquire who are concerned therein 12. Notwithstanding Dr. Kellison his confutation Regulars pride proposition condemned the insolency of the Regulars daily increased in England so that they themselves may seem the most seculars so fixed were they to the wealth and vanity of this world The Irish Regulars exceeded the English in pride maintaining amongst other printed propositions that the Superiours of Regulars are more worthy than Bishops themselves because the honor of the Pastor is to be measured from the condition of the Flock quemadmodum Opilio dignior est subulco as a Shepheard is of more esteem than a Hoggard In application of the first to themselves the last to the Seculars it is hard to say whether their pride was more in their owne praise or charity lesse in condemning of others It was therefore high time for the Doctors of Sorbone in Paris who for many ages have maintained in their Colledge 1630-31 January 15 30. the hereditarie reputation of learning to take these Regulars to taske Sixty of the Sorbone Doctors censured the aforesaid proposition and the Archbishop of Paris condemned the Booke of Nicholas Smith as also another tending to the same subject made by one Daniel a Jesuit 13. On what tearms the Regulars and Seculars stand in England at this day Quere whether now reconciled I neither know nor list to enquire Probably they have learned wit from our woes and our late sad differences have occasioned their reconcilement Only I learn this distinction from them the Catholiques * Reply to Mr. N. Smith preface p. 20. as Catholiques agree alwayes in matters of faith but the best Catholiques as men may varie in their opinions I hope they will allow to us what liberty they assume to themselves March 14. Dr. Bishop Davenant his Sermon at Court John Davenant Bishop of Salisburie preached his course on a Sunday in Lent at White-Hall before the King and Court finishing a Text Rom. 6. 23. the former part whereof he had handled the yeer before In prosecution whereof it seems he was conceived to fall on some forbidden points in so much that his Majestie whether at first by his own inclination or others instigation is uncertain manifested much displeasure there at Sermon ending his Adversaries at
according to their intentions which here are interpretable according to other Mens inclinations The Archbishops adversaries imputed this not to his charity but policy Fox-like preying farthest from his own den and instigating other Bishops to doe more than he would appear in himself As for his own Visitation-Articles some complained they were but narrow as they were made and broad as they were measured his under-officers improving and enforcing the same by their enquiries beyond the letter thereof 42. Many complain that Mans badness took occasion to be worse Licentiousness increaseth under the protection of these sports permitted unto them For although liberty on the Lords-day may be so limited in the notions of learned men as to make it lawfull it is difficult if not impossible so to confine it in the actions of lewd people but that their liberty will degenerate into licentiousness 43 Many moderate Men are of opinion Conceived by some a concurring cause of our civil Warrs that this abuse of the Lords day was a principall procurer of Gods anger since poured out on this land in a long and bloody civil war Such observe that our fights of chief concernment were often fought on the Lords-day as pointing at the punishing of the profanation thereof Indeed amongst so many battells which in ten yeers time have rent the bowels of England some on necessity would fall on that day seeing we have be-rubrick'd each day in the week almost in the yeer with English blood and therefore to pick a solemne providence out of a common-casualty savours more of curiosity than conscience Yeâ— seeing Edge-hill-fight which first brake the peace and made an irreconcileable breach betwixt the two parties was fought on that day and some battells since of greatest consequence there may be more in the observation than what many are willing to acknowledge But whatsoever it is which hence may be collected sure I am those are the best Christians who least censure others and most reform themselves 44. But here it is much to be lamented A sad alteration that such who at the time of the Sabbatarian controversie were the strictest observers of the Lords-day are now reeled by their violence into another extreme to be the greatest neglecters yea contemners thereof These Transcendents accounting themselves mounted above the Predicament of common piety averr they need not keep any because they keep all days Lords-dayes in their elevated holinesse But alas Christian duties said to be ever done will prove never done if not sometimes solemnly done These are the most dangerous Levellers equalling all times places and persons making a generall confusion to be Gospell-perfection Whereas to speak plainly we in England are rebus sic stantibus concerned now more strictly to observe the Lords-day than ever before Holy-daies are not and Holy-eves are not and Wednesday and Friday-Letanies are not and Lords-day eves are not and now some out of errour and others out of profaneness goe about to take away the Lords-day also all these things make against Gods solemn and publique service Oh let not his publique worship now contracted to fewer chanells have also a shallower stream But enough of this subject wherein if I have exceeded the bounds of an Historian by being to large therein such will pardon me who know if pleasing to remember that Divinity is my proper profession 45. At this time miserable the maintenance of the Irish Clergy Irish impropriations restored where Scandalous means made Scandalous Ministers And yet a Popish Priest would grow fat in that Parish where a Protestant would be famished as have not their lively-hood on the oblations of those of their own Religion But now such Impropriations as were in the Crown by the King were restored to the Church to a great diminution of the Royall-Revenew though his Majesty never was sensible of any loss to himself if thereby gain might redound to God in his Ministers Bishop Laud was a worthy Instrument in moving the King to so pious a work and yet this his procuring the restoring of Irish did not satisfy such discontented at his obstructing the buying in of English Impropriations thus those conceived to have done hurt at home will hardly make reparations with other good deeds at distance 46. A Convocation concurrent with a Parliament was called and kept at Dublin in Ireland The 39 Articles received in Ireland wherein the 39. Articles of the Church of England were received in Ireland for all to subscribe unto It was adjudged fit seeing that Kingdome complies with England in the Civill government it should also conform thereto in matters of Religion Mean time the Irish Articles concluded formerly in a Synode 1616. wherein Arminianisne was condemned in terminis terminantibus and the observation of the Lords day resolved jure Divine were utterly excluded 47. A Cardinals-Cap once and again offered by the Pope Bishop Laud refuseth a Cardinalls-Cap to Bishop Laud was as often refused by him The fashion thereof could not fit his Head who had studied and written so much against the Romish Religion He who formerly had foiled the Fisher himself in a publick disputation would not now be taken with so filly a bait but accquainted the King therewith timuit Roman vel donaferentem refusing to receive anything from Rome till she was better reformed 48. Doctor William Juxon Bishop of London March 6 1635 Bishop Juxon made Lord Treasurer was by Bishop Lauds procurement made Lord Treasurer of England entring on that Office with many and great disadvantages Anno Dom. 1635 Anno Regis Caroli 10 First because no Clergy-man had executed the same since William Grey Bishop of Ely almost two hundred yeare agoe in the raign of King Edward the fourth Secondly because the Treasury was very poor and if in private houses bare walls make giddy Hous-wives in Princes Palaces empty Coffers make unsteady Statesmen Thirdly because a very Potent I cannot say Competitor the Bishop himself being never a Petitor for the Place but desirer of this Office was frustrated in his almost assured expectation of the same to himself 49. However so discreet his carriage in that place His comendable carriage it procured a generall love unto him and politick malice despairing to bite resolved not to bark at him He had a perfect command of his passion an happiness not granted to all Clergy-men in that age though privy-Counsellors slow not of speech as a defect but to speak out of discretion because when speaking he plentifully payed the principall and interest of his Auditors expectation No hands having so much money passing thorough them had their fingers less soiled there with It is probable his frugality would have cured the consumption of the Kings Exchequer had not the unexpected Scotch commotion put it into a desperate relapse In this particular he was happy above others of his order that whereas they may be said in some sort to have left their Bishopricks
to have their liberty untill after long close imprisonment they were forced to confess under their own hands Crimes against themselves and the Bishop which afterwards they denyed and revoked upon their Oathes Lastly and chiefly that the Judges privately overruled his Pleas so that what shame and the honour of the Court with the inspection of so many eyes would not permit to be done publickly in the Sun-shine of Justice was posted over by a Judge privately in a corner These and many more Kilvertismes as he calls them did the Bishop complain of in Parliament who so far tendered his innocency therein that they ordered all the Records of that Suit in the Star-chamber to be obliterated Yâ—a we may justly conceive that these Grievances of the Bishop did much hasten if not chiefly cause the suppression of that Court. 8. Thirteen dayes after he was suspended by the High-commission Is examined again in the Tower and imprisoned in the Tower for almost four years during whose durance therein two Bishops and three Doctors were sent thither unto him to take his answer to a Book of Articles of twenty foure Sheets of papes writen on both sides They proffered him the Bible to take the oath thereon which he utterly refused claiming the priviledge of a Peer adding moreover that being a Bishop it was against law and Precedent in Antiquity that young Priests his Graces and some who had been his own Chaplains and Lay Doctors should sit as Judges of a Bishop his Doctrine with power to deprive him of his Bishoprick if disliking the same This was overruled and he as one of the Kings Subjects required to make his answer 9. First the article that all Books licenced by his Graces Chaplaines as Chune his Whether some Books were orthodox and Sala his Book with Doctor Mannering his Sermons are presumed by all true Subjects to be orthodox and agreeable to sound Religion This the Bishop utterly denyed and wondered at their impudencie to propound such an Article unto him 10. Secondly they alleadged that no Bishop but his Grace Who had power to license them the Lord of London and their Chaplains had power to allow Bookes This the other denyed saying that all Bishops who were as learned as they had as much power as they citing for the same the Councell of Lateran under Leo the tenth Reformatio Cleri under Cardinall Poole Queen Elizabeth her injunctions and the Decree of the Star-chamber relating to all these He also stoutly averred the priviledge to belong onely to the Bishops and not to their Servants howbeit his Grace had shuffled in his Chaplaines to the last printed Star-chamber decree More frivolous were the ensuing Articles whereon he was examined That he called a Book intitled A cole from the Altar a Pamphlet That he said that all flesh in England had corrupted their wayes That he said scoffingly he had heard of a Mother-Church but not of a Mother-Chappell meaning the Kings to which all Churches in ceremonies were to conform That he wickedly jested upon St. Martins hood That he said that the people are not to be lashed by every mans whip That he said citing a nationall Councell for it that the people are Gods and the Kings and not the Priests people That he doth not allow Priests to jeere and make invectives against the People 11. To all which the Bishop made so warie an answer His cautious answer that no advantage could be gained tâ—ereby yea though some dayes after they returned to re-examine him upon the same Articles to try as he thought the steddiness of his memory or else to plunge him into some crime of perjury if in any materiall point he dissented from his former depositions but the Bishop like a good boy said his Lesson over again and again so that no advantage could be taken against him thereupon they gave him leave to play proceeding no further in this cause only they painted him out in an ugly shape to the King as disaffected to the present government and God willing we shall hear more of their proceedings against him hereafter 12. But now we are summoned to a sadder subject Transition to a sad Subject from the sufferings of a Private Person to the miseries and almost mutuall ruin of two Kingdomes England and Scotland I confesse my hands have alwaies been unwilling to write of that cold Countrey for fear my fingers should be frost bitten therewith but necessity to make our story intire puts me upon the imployment Miseries caused from the sending of the Book of Service or new Lituâ—gy thither which may sadly be termed a RUBRICK indeed died with the blood of so many of both Nations slain on that occasion 95. It seemes the designe began in the reign of King James The project of a publick Prayer-book began in the reign of King James who desired and endeavoured an uniformity of publique Praiers through the Kingdome of Scotland In order whereunto an Act was passed in the generall Assembly a The Kings large Declaration concerning the tumults in Scotland pag. 16 at Aberdeene 1616 to authorise some Bishops present to compile and frame a Publique form of Common Praier and let us observe the motions thereof 1. It was committed to the Bishops aforesaid and principally to the Archbishop of St. Andrews * See the life of Archbishop Spoâ—swood and William Cooper Bishop of Galloway to draw up the order thereof 2. It was transmitted into England to King James who punctually perused every particular passage therein 3. It was remitted with the Kings Observations Additions Expunctions Mutations Accommodations to Scotland again But here the designe sunk with the suddain death of King James and lay not only dormant but dead till some yeers after it was awakened or rather revived again 96. In the reign of King Charles Why a difference betwixt the Scotch and English Liturgy the project being resumed but whether the same book or no God knoweth it was concluded not to send into Scotland the same Liturgy of England Totidem verbis left this should be misconstrued a badge of dependence of that Church on ours It was resolved also That the two Liturgies should not differ in substance b Kings Declaration pag. 18 left the Romane party should upbraid us with weighty and materiall differences A Similitude therefore not Identity being resolved of it was drawn up with some as they termed them insensible alterations but such as were quickly found and felt by the Scotch to their great distaste These alterations are of two natures First ingratiating which may be presumed made to gain the affection of that Nation Secondly distasting which if not in the intent in the event proved the great grievance and generall cause that the book was hated and rejected We will insist on three of the first sort First Canonicall Scripture only used in the Scotch Liturgy Whereas there was an ancient complaint That so much of the
Scotland and the people dwelling by have an old Rythme If * Camdens Brit. in Cumber p. 7â—7 Skiddaw hath a Cap Scrussle wotâ—s full well of that Meaning that such the vicinity and as I may say sympathy betwixt these two Hills that if one be sick with a mist of clouds the other soon after is sad on the like occasion Thus none seeing it now foul weather in Scotland could expect it fair sunshine in England but that she must share in the same miseries as soon after it came to passe 10. Let those who desire perfect information hereof March 27. satisfy themselves The Reader referred to other Authors from such as have or may hereafter write the History of the State In whom they shall find how King Charles took his journey Northward June 17. against the Scottish Covenanters How some weeks after on certain conditions a Peace was concluded betwixt them How his Majesty returned to Londons and how this palliated cure soon after brake out again more dangerous than ever before 11. In these distracted times a Parliament was called with the wishes of all April 13 Monday and hopes of most that were honest A Parliament and Convocation called yet not without the feares of some who were wise what would be the successe thereof With this Parliament began a Convocation all the mediate transactions for ought I can finde out are embezled and therein it was ordered that none present should take any private notes in the House whereby the particular passages thereof are left at great uncertainty However so far as I can remember I will faithfully relate being comforted with this consideration that generally he is accounted an unpartial Arbitratour who displeaseth both sides 12. On the first day thereof Dr. Turner Doctor Turneâ— his text and Sermon Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury 14. Tuesd made a Latine Sermon in the Quire of St. Pauls His text Matth. 10. 16. Behold I send you forth as Sheep in the mid'st of Wolves In the close of his Sermon he complained that all Bâ—shops held not the reins of Church-discipline with an even hand but that some of them were too easie and remiss in the ordering thereof Whereby whiles they sought to gain to themselves the popular praise of meeknesse and mildnesse they occasionally cast on other Bishops more severe then themselves the unjust imputation of rigour and tyranny and therefore he advised them all with equall strictness to urge an universal conformitie The effect of the Archbishopâ— Latâ—n speech Sermon ended we chose Dr. Stewart Dean of Chichester Prolocutor 13. 17. Friday Next day of sitting we met at Westminster in the Chappell of King Henry the seventh both the Houses of Convocation being joyned together Anno Dom 1640 when the Archbishop of Canterbury entertained them with a Latin Speech Anno Regis Caroli 16 welnigh three quarreâ—s of an hour gravely uttered his eies oft-times being but one remove from weeping It consisted most of generals bemoaning the distempers of the Church but concluded it with a speciall passage acquaining us how highly we were indebted to his Majesties favour so far intrusting the integrity and ability of that Convocation as to empower them with his Commission the like whereof was not granted for may yeers before to alter old or make new Canons for the better government of the Church 14. Some wise men in the Convocation began now to be jealous of the event of new Canons The just suspicions of wise men yea became fearfull of their own selves for having too great power lest it should tempt them to be over tampering in innovations They thought it better that this Convocation with its predecessors should be censured for lazinesse and the solemn doing of just nothing rather than to runne the hazard by over activity to doe any thing unjust For as waters long dammed up oft-times flownce and flâ—e out too violently when their sluces are pulled up and they let loose on a sudden so the judicious feared lest the Convocation whose power of meddling with Church-matters had been bridled up for many yeers before should now enabled with such power over-act their parts especially in such dangerous and discontented times Yea they suspected lest those who formerly had outâ—runne the Canons with their additionall conformitie ceremonizing more then was enjoyned now would make the Canons come up to them making it necessary for others what voluntarily they had prepractised themselves 15. Matters began to be in agitation The Parliament suddenly dissolved May 5 when on a sudden the Parliament wherein many things were started nothing hunted down or brought to perfection was dissolved Whilest the immediate cause hereof is commonly cast on the King and Court demanding so many Subsidies at once England being as yet unacquainted with such prodigious payments the more conscientious look higher and remoter on the crying sinnes of our Kingdome And from this very time did God begin to gather the twiggs of that rod a civill warr wherewith soon after he intended to whip a wanton nation 16. Next day the Convocation came together Yet the Convocation still continues 6 as most supposed meerly meeting to part and finally to dissolve themselves When contrary to generall expectation it was motioned to improve the present opportunity in perfecting the new Canons which they had begun And soon after a new Commission was brought from his Majesty by virtue whereof we were warranted still to sit not in the capacity of a Convocation but of a Synod to prepare our Canons for the Royall Assent thereunto But Doctor Brownrigg Doctor Hacket Doctor Holesworth Master Warmistre with others to the number of thirty six the whole House consisting of about six score earnestly protested against the continuance of the Convocation 17. These importunately pressed that it might sink with the Parliament A party dissents and protests against the continuance thereof it being ominous without precedent that the one should survive when the other was expired To satisfy these an Instrument was brought into Synod signed with the hands of the Lord Privy-Seal the two chief Justices and other Judgâ—s justifying our so sitting in the nature of a Synod to be legal according to the Lawes of the Realm It ill becometh Clergy-men to pretend to more skill in the Lawes then so learned Sages in that profession and therefore unpartiall judgements may take off from the fault of the followers and lay it on the leaders that this Synod sate when the Parliament was dissolved This made the aforesaid thirty six dissenters though solemnly making their orall protests to the contrary yet not to dissever themselves or enter any act in Scriptis against the legality of this Assembly the rather because they hoped to moderate proceedings with their presence Surely some of their own coat which since have censured these dissenters for cowardly compliance and doing no more in this cause would have
honoured the pious intentions and Magnificence of his royal Progenitors acknowledging the Ornamental Accessions to the Persons made no Substantiall change in the Office but still is remained to be proved that Primitive Episcopacy and Present Hierarchie are the same 29. They affirmed also that the power of Episcopacy under Christian and Pagan Princes is one and the same though the exercise be not but acknowledging the subordination thereof to the soveraign power with their accountableness to the Laws of the Land 30. They conclude with thanks to his Majesties condescension in vouchsafing them the Liberty and Honour in examining his learned reply praying God that a Pen in the hand of such Abilities might ever be employ'd in a subject worthy thereof 31. Some dayes after his Majesty returned his last paper wherein he not only acknowledgeth the great pains of these Divines to informe his judgement according to their perswasions but also took especiall notice of their Civilities of the Application both in the beginning and body of their Reply 32. However he told them they mistook his meaning when they of a Writ of Partition as if his Majesty had cantoned out the Episcopal Government one part to the Bishops another to the Presbyterians alone whereas his meaning was that the Office of teaching is common to both alike but the other of Governing peculiar to Bishops alone 33. I know not what Truth there was in and by consequence what Truth is to be given to their intelligence Tanta sides quanius Author who have reported and printed that in Order of a pacification his Majesty condescended 1. That the Office of Ordination for the space of three years should not be exercised by the Bishops without the assent of the Presbyterie and if this did not please 2. That it should be suspended until twenty of his own Nomination consulting with the Synod assembled by the appointment of the Houses should determine some certainty touching some Ecclesiastical Government 3. That in the mean time the Presbyterie should be setled for experimentsake 4. That though he would not suffer Bishops Lands to be sold and alienated from the Church yet he permitted them to be Let out for ninety nine years paying a small price yearly in Testimony of their Hereditary Right for the maintenance of Bishops 5. That after that time expired they should return to the Crown to be employed for the use of the Church Here some presumed to know his Majesties intention that he determined with himself in the interim to redeem them by their own Revenues and to refund them to Ecclesiastical uses which is proportionable to his * For he gave the Duke of Richmond the entire revenues of the Arch-bishoprick of Glascough in Scotland to hold them until he should furnish him with lands of the same value expressing then his resolution to restore them to the Church large heart in matters of that nature 34. * The King fetch'd from the Isle of Wight and condâ—mned at London Many now did hope for a happy Agreement betwixt the King and Parliament when Divine Providence whose wayes are often above Reason but never against Right had otherwise ordered it and seeing it was Gods will it shall be ours to submit thereunto Oh what can * Prov. 271. a day bring forth especially some pregnant day in the Crisis of Matters producing more than what many barren years before beheld The Kings person is seized on and brought up to London arraign'd before a select Committee for that purpose indicted and upon his refusal to own their Authority finally condemned But these things belong to the Historian of the state and this subject in it self is not so amiable and tempting as to invite us to trespas in the property of others in Courting the prosecution thereof 35. * Extremum hunc concede mihi My Cue of entrance is to come in where the State-Writer doth go out whose Pen hath alwayes followed the Confessors into the Chambers of dying people and now must do its last Devoire to my gracious Master in describing his pious death and Solemn Burial 36. * He heareth the last sermon Having received in himself the sentence of death Jan. 28. Sund. D r Juxon Bishop of London preached privately before Him at S. James on the Sunday following his text Romans 2. 16. In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel 37. Next Tuesday being the day of His dissolution And receives the Communion in the morning alone He received the Communion Jan. 30. Tues from the hands of the said Bishop At which time he read for the second lesson the 27 th Chapters of S. Matthew containing the history of the death and passion of our Saviour Communion ended the King heartily thanked the Bishop for selecting so seasonable and comfortable a portion of Scripture seeing all humane hope and happiness is founded on the sufferings of our Saviour The Bishop modestly disavowed any thanks due to himself it being done merely by the direction of the Church of England whose Rubrick appointeth that Chapter the second morning-lesson for the thirtieth of January 38. His houre drawing nigh Is patient when affronted He passed thorough the Parke to White-Hall As He alwayes was observed to walk very fast so now He abated not any whit of His wonted pace In His passage a sorry fellow seemingly some mean Citizen went abrest along with Him and in an affront often stared His Majesty in the face which caused Him to turn it another way The Bishop of London though not easily angred was much offended hereat as done out of despiteful designe to discompose Him before His death and moved the Captain of the guard he might be taken away which was done accordingly 39. Entring on the floore of death His last question He asked of Collonel Tomlingson who attended there whether He might have the liberty to dispose of His own body as to the place and manner of the burial thereof The Collonel answered that he could give his Majesty no account at all therein 40. His Majesty held in his hand a small piece of paper And Speech falsely printed some four inches square containing heads whereon in His speech He intended to dilate and a tall souldier looking over the Kings shoulders read it as the King held it in His hand As for the speech which passeth in print for the Kings though taken in short-hand by one eminent therein it is done so defectively it deserveth not to be accounted His speech by the testimony of such as heard it His speech ended He gave that small paper to the BP of London 41. After His death Trouble well prevented the officers demanded the paper of the Bishop who because of the depth of his pocket smallness of that paper and the mixture of others therewith could not so soon produce it as was required At last he brought it forth
idle Monks may fitly be compared 8. To repair the damage lately done by Montgomerie to the Towne of Cambridge Hen. 1. 2 King Henry the first bestowed many priviledges thereon 1101 which the University is so far from repining Cambridge first made a Corporation she rejoyceth thereat For well may the jewel delight to be put in an handsome cabinet He freed the Town from the power of the Sheriff making it a Corporation upon the payment of one hundred and one marks yearly into the Exchequer which summe the Sheriff paid before for his profits out of the Towne when it was under his jurisdiction Besides whereas the Ferrie over the river Grant was a vagrant before even any where where passengers could get wastage over by authority and custome it now began to be fixed neer Cambridge which brought much trading and concourse of people thereunto 9. About this time Barnwell 4 that is 1103 Childrens-well a Village within the precincts of Cambridge The original of Midsummer Fair. got both the name thereof and a Faire therein on this occasion Many little k Liber â—arnwellensis children on Midsummer or S t. John Baptists eve met there in mirth to play and sport together Anno Dom. Their company caused the confluence of moe and bigger boys to the place Anno Regis Hen. 1 Then bigger than they even their Parents themselves came thither to be delighted with the activity of their children Meat and drink must be had for their refection which brought some victualling-booths to be set up Pedlers with toys and trifles cannot then be supposed long absent whose packs in short time swelled into Tradesmens stalls of all commodities Now it is become a great Faire and as I may term it one of the Townsmens Commencements wherein they take their degrees of wealth fraught with all store of Wares and nothing except buyers wanting therein 10. Jews at this time came first to Cambridge Jews their first coming to Cambridge and possessed a great part of the Town 1106 called the Jewrie at this day 7 â—â—und-Church in the Jewrie is conjectured by the rotundity of the structure to have been built for their Synagogue Much like whereunto for fabrick and fashion I have seen another at Northhampton where Jews about the same time had their Seminarie Some will say Cambridge an inland Town of small trading was ill chosen by these Jews for their Seat where the poor Scholars if borrowing from these Userers were likely to bring but small profit unto them But let it suffice that the Jewes chose this place whom no Christians need advise for their own advantage Here their carriage was very civil not complained of as elsewhere for cruel crucifying of Christian children and other enormities 11 Now the Reader is requested seriously to preuse the following passage as faithfully transcribed out of an excellent l P Blaesensts in his addiâ—ament to the Hâ—st of Ingulâ—â—uâ— author Cambridge restored to Learning by the Abbot of Crowland and of high concernment in this our History Joffred Abbot of Crowland sent over to his manour of Cotenham nigh Cambria 1109 Gislebert his fellow Monk 10 and professour of Divinity with three other Monks who following him into England being throughly furnished with Philosophical Theorems and other primitive sciences repaired daily to Cambridge and having hired a certain publique Barne made open profession of their sciences and in short space of time drew together a great company of Scholars 12 But in the second yeere after their coming A grain of Seed soon grown a Tree the number of their Scholars grew so great 1110 as well from out of the whole countrie as the town 11 that the biggest house and barn that was or any Church whatsoever sufficed not to contain them Whereupon sorting themselves apart in several places and taking the Universitie of Orleance for their pattern early in the morning Monk Odo a singular Grammarian and satyrical Poet read Grammar unto boyes and those of the younger sort assigned unto him according to the doctrine of Priscian and Remigius upon him At one of the clock Terricus a most wittie and subtle Sophister taught the elder sort of young men Aristotles Logick after the Introductions of Porphyrie and the Comments of Averroes At three of the clock Monk William read a Lecture in Tullies Rhetorick and Quintilians Flores But the great Master Gilbert upon every Sunday and Holy-day preached Gods word unto the People And thus out of this little fountaine which grew to be a great river we see how the Citie of God now is become enriched and all England made fruitfull by meanes of very many Masters and Doctors proceeding out of Cambridge in manner of the holy Paradise c. 13 Thus Author writ some fifty yeeres after the coming of these Crowland Professors to Cambridge The time of this Authors writing so that who seriously considereth how learning there from a contemptible occasion by small meanes in so short a time improved it selfe to so great an height will conclude much of Providence therein and we may observe according to Scripture expression m 2 Chron. 29 36. God had prepared the people for the thing was done suddenly 15 But some adversaries to the antiquity of Cambridge An apparent injury offâ—red to Cambridge represent and improve this action much to her disadvantage as if newly now and not before she began to be an Universitie Objecting that if Scholars were at Cambridge before the coming of those foure Professors thither they shewed small civilitie in giving those strangers no better entertainment to whom they should have said as once n Gen. 24. 32 Laban to Abrahams servant Come in ye blessed of the Lord wherefore stand you without welcoming them to their Halls Hostles Chambers Studies with the best fare their present condition afforded Especially seeing Scholars of all men are soonest acquainted the sameness of profession commonly making them familiar at the first sight It seems therefore that at their coming thither either Cambridge had no Scholars in her or her Scholars had no manners in them yea had not read so much as Tullie his Offices to teach them civilitie to strangers professing learning but suffered them to live and read in a Barn by themselves 15. In answer hereunto She is vindicated from sucâ—aâ— traduce heâ— may the Reader be pleased to take into his impartial consideration the following particulars 1 Not much more then twenty yeeres since that mischievous man Robert of Montgomerie had dispoyled Cambridge And no wonder if the Blackbirds were slow in flying back to their nests which had been so lately destroyed 2. Yet a racemation at least of Scholars either remained in Cambridge all that plundring time or return'd soon after it For we finde King Henry the first o Caius in Hist Cantab. in the second of his Reign by order commanding some Civilians
effectually Earle of Cambridge Anno Dom. by the ensuing evidence doth sufficiently appear It is a Å¿ Extant among the Records of the Earls of Oxford cited at large by Augustine Vincent in hâ— Correction of Bâ—â—â—ks errours pag. 393. Grant made by Mâ—uld the Emperesse Daughter of King Henrie the first unto Aubery de Vere afterward Earl of Oxford part whereof so much as concerns the present point we have here transcribed translated and commented on conceiving it to contain some criticisms in History and Heraldry worthy observation Concedo quòd sit Comes de Cantebruggescire 10 habeat inde tertium denâ—ium sicut Comes debet haberâ— 1144 Itâ— dico si Rex Scotiae non habet illum Comitatum Et si Rex habuerit perquiram illud ei ad posse meum per Escambium Et si non potero tunc do 〈◊〉 concede quòd sit Câ—mes de quolibet quatuor Comitatuum subserptorum viz. Oxenfordscire Berkscire Wiltscire Dorsetscire per consilium considerationem Comitis Glocestriae frairis mei Comitis Gaufridi Comitis Gilberti I grant that he be Earl of Cantbruggshire and that he have from thence the third penny as the Earl ought to have So I say if the King of Scotland hath not that Earldom And if the King hath it I shall to my power procure it him by exchange And if I cannot then I give and grant unto him that he be Earl of which he will of the four Earldoms subscribed namely Oxfordshire Berkshire Wiltshire and Dorsetshire by the counsel and advise of the Earl of Glocester my brother and of Earl Geofrey and of Earl Gilbert The date of this Grant is uncertain but from the hand of her brother the Earl of Glocester subscribed thereunto we collect that it must be before the yeer 1146 wherein the said Earl ended his life 21. Out of this Grant observe Observations collected from this Grant First That though Steven de facto was King of England yet the right was in this Mauld the Emperesse Betwixt these two for many yeers it was catch who catch may both in gaining of places and giving of Honours as successe befriended them Secondly That Earls in that age were Earls indeed not meerly titular but substantiall as receiving the third penny I humbly conceive it of the Crown-revenues therein of the County whence they had their honour Thirdly Kings of Scotland accounted it no abatement to their Crown-Royall to we are with it an English Coronet holding in Commendam as I may say with their own Crown one or moe of English Earldoms As here King David held Cambridge in his own and Huntingdon in right of his Wife Fourthly As the Counties of Cambridge and t See Câ—mdens Britan. in Hunting donshire Huntingdon soon after the Conquest were united under one Comes or Earl so they two onely of all Shires in England remain under one Vicecomes or Sheriff at this day Fifthly Queen Mauld earnestly endeavoured in compliance no doubt with the desires of her favorite Aubery de Vere to confer the County of Cambridge upon him as a place of principal honour above the four other Counties proffered unto him Sixthly The honour of the title of Cambridge arose from the famous University therein otherwise the foresaid Aubery if consulting his profit would cleerly have preferred either Oxfordshire Berkshire Wiltshire or Dorsetshire as greater in extent and therefore returning by the third penny therein larger revenues Lastly Seeing a good title of Cambridge could not be made to him as prepossessed by the Scotch King Aubery was contented with and thankfull for Oxford as the other famous University in England which title his noble and most ancient family enjoyeth at this day 22. Nigellus or Neale 11 second Bishop of Ely 1145 having first obtained a faculty from the Pope Nigellus his foundation in Cambridge â—ounded â—n Hospitall for u Godwin in Epist. â—â—ie pag. 3â—6 Canons regular in Cambridge in the place where now S t. John's Colledge is erected Hee is said to have endowed the same with an hundred and fourty pound by the yeer Anno Dom. yeerly rent Anno Regis Hen. 2 which it so in that age was a vast proportion 23. Roger of Hereford Roger of Hereford Student in Cambridge so named because born there 1170 studied at this time in Cambridge 16 became an admirable Astronomer Philosopher and Chymist diving much into the mysteries of metals He wrote many books of Astronomy and Astrologie which for a long time were kept in Cambridge Librarie but not extant I fear at this day Yet the Oxford w â—â—ri Twine Apolog. lib. 2. pag. 219. Antiquarie will by no means allow this Roger a Student in Crambridge as who flourished before the coming of the Crowland Professors thither but whether more credit may be hung on this single Twine than on the twisted testimonie of Leland Bale and Pitz all agreeing both in his education at Cambridge and flourishing in this Age be it reported to any ingenuous Reader 24. There happened a merciless fire in Cambridge A merciless fire onely so pitifull as to goe out when no more fewell was left to feed the furie thereof 1174 Most of the Churches in the town then built of wood 20 and therefore the more combustible were burnt in part and Trinity-Church wholly x Caius Hist Contab consumed Hence it was that for time to come the Steeple thereof was firmly built of free-stone to prevent by Gods goodnesse the return of the like casualty 25. A sad accident happened this yeer at y Matth. Paris in Anno 1209 pag. 228. Oxford Oxford deserted and partly removed to Cambridge A Clergie-man 1208 and Student in that University K John 9 casually kill'd a woman and fled upon it The Maior of the City with other officers search after him light on three of his Chamber-fellows both innocent and ignorant of the fact committed These they injuriously thrust into Prison and some dayes after King John a back friend to the Clergie as continually vexed with their constant opposition commanded them to be executed in contempt saith my Author of Ecclesiastical libertie Offended hereat three thousand Students at once left Oxford as well Masters as Scholars It a quòd nec unus ex omni Universitate remansit So that not one remain'd of all the Universitie Of these some removed to Cambridge some to Reading so that in this total eclipse of learning therein Oxford was left emptie for a season 26. John of S t. John of St. Omers a Poet bred in Cambridge Omers studied about this time at Cambridge 1209 By his surname I should have conjectured him a Forainer of Artois 10 had not my z Baleus Cent. 3 pag. 261. Author assured me that he was born in Norfolk Yea when a Monk of Peterburgh bred also in Cambridge had with his Iatyrical
to be accounted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as of great performances for the generall Good expended 3000. pound of his own in altering and enlarging the old and adding a new Court thereunto being at this day the Stateliest and most uniform Colledge in Christendom out of which may be carved three Dutch Vniversities Masters Bishops Benefactours Livings in the Coll. gifts 1 Iohn Redman 2 VVilliam Bill 3 Iohn Christopherson 4 VVilliam Bill restored by Q. Elizab. 5 Rob. Beamont 6 Io. Whitgift 7 Iohn Still 8 Tho. Nevyle 9 Iohn Richardson 10 Leonard Maw 11 Sam. Brooks 12 Tho. Cumber 13 Tho. Hill 14 Iohn Arrowsmith 1 Io. Christopherson B p. of Chichester 2 Iohn VVhitgift Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 3 Iohn Still Bishop of Bath and Wels. 4 Gervase Babington B p. of VVorcester 5 VVilliam Redman Bishop of Norwich 6 Anthony Rud Bishop of S t. Davids 7 Godfrey Gosborrough Bishop of Glocester 8 Robert Bennet Bishop of Hereford 9 Martin Fotherby Bishop of Sarisbury 10 Godfrey Goodman Bish of Glocester 11 Leonard Maw Bishop of Bath and VVells 11 Iohn Bowle Bishop of Rotchester 12 Adam Lofius Arch-bishop of Dublin 12 Doct. Hampton Arch-bishop of Dublin in Ireland 1 Tho. Allen Clark 2 S r. Edward Stanhop who gave 900. l. to the Library 3 The Lady Bromley 4 George Palin Girdler 5 The Lady Anne VVeald 6 Roger Iesson Haberdasher 7 M rs Elizbeth Elwis 8 Doct. Bill 9 D r. Beaumont 10 D r. Whitgift Masters of this House 11 D r. Cosins 12 D r. Barrow 13 D r. Skevington 14 Wil. Cooper Es 15 Peter Shaw 16 S r. VVilliā Sidley Knight Baronet 17 S r. Thomas Lake 18 S r. Iohn Sucklin Knights 19 D r. Robert Bankworth Fellow 20 S r. Ralph Hare Knight 21 M r. Silvius Elwis still in the Coll. S t. Maries the great in Cambridge S t Michaels in Cambridge Chesterton Vic. Eely val 10. 12. 03. Orwell Rect. Eely val 10. 07. 07 1 2. Kendal Vic. Carlile val Barington Vic. Eely val 7. 14. 04. Blythe Vic. York Dioc. val 14. 09. 04. Gryndon Vic. Peterb val 8. 00. 00. Felmersham Vic. Lincoln val 13. 13. 04. Ware Vic. London val 20. 08. 11. Thunridge Vic. London val 6. Swinsted Vic. Lincoln val 14. 00. 09. Chedull R. Cove Lich. val 12. 09. 00. See the Livings in Michael-House and Kings-Hall So that at this day there are therein maintained Anno Regis Henrici 8. 38 one master Anno Dom. 154 5 6 sixty Fellows sixty seven Scholars four Conducts three publick Professours thirteen Poor-Scholars twenty Almes-men besides lately a Master of the Choristers six Clerks and ten Choristers with the Officers Servants of the Foundation and other Students in all four hundred and fourty 20. It is not much above an hundred years since the first sounding of this House and see how marvellously God hath blessed it with eminent men in all Professions besides the Bishops afore-mentioned States-men Divines Criticks Poets 1 S r. Francis Bacon Lord Chancellour of England 2. S r. Edw. Coke Lord-Chief Justice 3 S r. Edward Stanhop Vicar-Generall 4. Richard Cosin D r. L. Deane of the Arches 5. S r. Robert Naunton 6 Sir Iohn Cooke Principle-Seeretaries of State both 7. M. Iohn Facker Secretary to the Duke of Buckingham 8. S r. Francis Nethersole Secretary to the Q. of Bohemia 1 Thomas Cartwright 2 Walter Travers 3 VVilliam Whitaker 4 Matth. Sutcliffe Founder of Chels Coll. D. of Exeter 5 Io. Layfield 6 Tho. Harison 7 Will. Dakings All three Translatours of the Bible 1 Edward Lively one of the best Linguists in the World 2 Philemon Holland an industrious Translatour 3 William Alabaster most skilfull in Cabalisticall learning 4 Edward Simson who hath wrote a large History the Mythologicall part whereof is most excellent 6 Robert Creiton 1 Walter Hawksworth an excellent Comedian 2 Giles Fletcher of Christs Victory 3 George Herbert whose Piety Poëtry cannot be sufficiently commended 4 Tho. Randolph D r. Comber the twelfth Master of this House must not be forgotten of whom the most learned a In Animad in Censuram Exercitationum Ecclesiasticarum Pentateucum Samaritanum pag. 419. Morinus makes this honourable mention Alius praeterea codex Samaritanus celebratur dicitur esse Archiepiscopi Armachani ab eo è Palaestina in Hiberniam exportatus qui Leydensibus Academicis nonnullo tempore fuit commodatus Istum codicem vir clarissimus Thomas Comberus Anglus quem honoris officii reddendi causa nomino cum textu Judaico verbum è verbo imo literam cum liter a maxima a diligentia indefesso labore comparavit differentiasque omnes juxta capitum versuum or dinem digestas ad me misit humanissime officiosissime 21. Besides many worthies still alive With many moe living Iohn Hacket Doctour of Divinity whose forwardnesse in farthering these my Studies I can onely deserve with my prayers Doctour Henry Ferne whose pen hath published his own worth Master Herbert Thornedyke so judicious and indistrious in setting forth the many Languaged-Bible M r. Iames Duport so much the more priced by others for his modest undervaluing his own worth with many moe whose number God daily encrease 22. King Henry the eighth with Trinity Colledge Kings Professours founded founded also publick Professours For formerly the Vniversity had but two one of Divinity founded by the Lady Margaret Countess of Richmond allowing him Salary of twenty Marks and another for Phisick at the Cost of Thomas Linacre that exellent Critick Tutour to Prince Arthur and afterwards Doctor of Physick But now King Henry added to these a Regius Professour in Divinity Law Hebrew and Greek allowing them 40. pounds per annum and increasing the stipend of Physick Professour now acknowledged as onely of the Kings foundation But see the Catologue Lady-Margarets-Professours Kings Professours in Divinity Kings Law-Professours Iohn Fisher President of Queens Col. Bishop of Rochester Erasmus Roterodamus Thomas Cosin D. D. Master of Corpus-Christi Coll. Iohn Fawn D. D. President of the Vniversity Thomas Ashley D. D. Fellow of Kings Coll. William Sket D. D. Fellow of Kings Coll. Robert Beaumont D. D. Master of Trini Coll. Matthew Hutton D. D. M r. of Pembroke Hall Iohn Whitgift D. D. Master of Trin. Coll. William Chaderton D. D. President of Queens Coll. Thomas Carwright Master of Arts Fellow of Trinity Coll. Iohn Hanson Master of Arts Fel. of Trin. Col. Iohn Still D. D. Master of Trinity Coll. Peter Baro a Frenchman D. D. of Trinity Col. Thomas Playford D. D. Fell. of S t. Iohn ' s Col. Iohn Davenant D. D. President of Q. Coll. Samuel Ward D. D. Master of Sidney Suffex Coll. Rich Holdsworth D. D. M r. of Emanuel Coll. Rich. Love D. D. M r. of Corpus-Christi Coll. Doctor Wiggin Martin Bucer D. D. D r. Sedgwick Leonard Pilkington D. D. Master of Saint Iohn ' s Coll. Matthew Hutton D. D. Fellow of Trinity Col. Iohn Whitgift D. D. fellow of S t.
Peter Coll. Wil. Chaderton D. D. Fellow of Christs Col. Will. Whitacre D. D. Master of S t. Iohn ' s Coll. Iohn Overhall D. D. Master of S t. Katharin ' s Hall Iohn Richardson D. D. Fellow of Emanuel Master of Trinity Samuel Collins D. D. Provost of Kings Col. Iohn Arrowsmith D. D. Master of S t. Iohn ' s and after of Trinity a Sir Thomas Smith Alkam lib. 2. Ep. ad Bran disbaeam Walter Haddon D. L. Fellow of Kings Master of Trinity Hall Thomas Bing D. L. Fellow of S t. Peters Coll. Master of Clare Hall Thomas Legg D. L. Fellow of Iesus Trinity Coll. Master of Gonvil Cajus Col. Iohn Cowell D. L. Fellow of Kings Col. Master of Trinity Hall Thomas Morysonne D. L. Fellow of Kings Coll. George Porter D. L. Fellow of Queens Col. Thomas Goad D. L. Fellow of Kings Coll. Kings Physick Professours Kings Hebrew Professours Kings Greek Professours Iohn Blyth Doctor of Physick Fellow of Kings Coll. Iohn Hatcher Doctor of Physick Fellow of Kings Thomas Larkin Doctor of Physick of S t. Peters Coll. William Ward Doctor of Physick Fellow of Kings Coll. William Burton Doctor of Physick Fellow of Kings Coll. Iohn Gostlin Doctor of Physick Master of Gonvil and Cajus Coll. Iohn Collins Doctor of Physick Fellow of S t. John ' s Coll. Ralph Winterton Doct. of Physick Fellow of Kings Coll. Francis Glisson Doctor of Physick Fellow of Gonvil and Cajus Coll. Mr. Robert Wakefield Fellow Antony Rodolphus Cevallerius Mr. Bignon a Frenchman of Corpus Christi Coll. Edward Liveley Fellow of Trinity Coll. Robert Spalding D. D. Fellow of S t. John ' s Coll. Jeffery King D. D. Fellow of Kings Coll. Andrew Bing D. D. Fellow of S t. Peter Coll. Robert Metcalfe D. D. Fellow of S t. Iohn ' s Coll. Ralph Cudworth Felof Emanuel Col. Erasmus Roterodamus Richard Crooke Fellow of Kings Coll. Sir Thomas Smith Knight Fellow of Queens Coll. S r. Iohn Cheek Knight Tutour to King Edward the sixth of S t. Iohn ' s Coll. Nicolas Carr Fellow of Pembroke Hall after of Trinity Coll. Bartholomew Doddington Fellow of Trinity Coll. Francis Wilkinson Fellow of Trinity Coll. Andrew Downes Fellow of S t. Iohn ' s Coll. Robert Creiton Fellow of Trinity Coll. Iames Duport Fellow of Trinity Coll. Ralph Widdrington Fellow of Christ ' s Col. 23. These Catalogues though the best not to say onely extant are very imperfect One instance I will give William Zoone here omitted was Regius a Pitieus de Scripto Angl. pag. 766. Professour of Law in the Reign of Queen Mary But I dare not altar what so long hath been received Iohn Madew 1 Vice-Chanc 154 6 7 Tho. Burman Tho. Carlyle Proctours Iohn Fann Major Doct. Bac. Theol. 1 Medic. 1 Theol. 7 Mag. Art 15 Bac. Art 29 24. Great was the alteration which followed in Cambridge The Lord Protectour made Chancellour upon King Edward his coming to the Crown Steven Gardiner Chancellour of the University was put out of his office and into the Tower Edward Seymor Lord Protectour and Duke of Somerset was chosen in his room 25. The Townsmen of Cambridge began now to hope their time come The Insolencies of the Townsmen to cast off the yoke as they counted it of the University as if on the alteration of Religion the ancient priviledges of Scholars should be abolished under the notion of superstition Ungratefully therefore they began their pranks I say ungratfully Anno Dom. 154 6 7 For Anno Regis Edvardi 6 38 although particular Scholars might owe money to particular Townsmen yet the whole Town owes it 's well being to the University Amongst their many insolencies two were most remarkable First One a Compare Mr. Askams letter to the Bishop of Winchester with his to the Lord Wriothesly Maxwell by profession once a Iayle-keeper then a Beare-ward promoted at last Purveyor to provide cariages for the Kings fish which commonly came from Cambridge seised on an ambling Nag of the Master of Peter-House which the old and infirme Doctour kept for his health meerly that his man might thereon ride after the Kings cariages This Horse I may say had a long-reach The injury seeming small and personall concerned the whole University both in present and posterity Secondly when the Proctours at Sturbridge-Faire had according to their Office and ancient custome fetched out many dissolute persons out of vicious places at unseasonable hours the Major refused to give them the keys of the Toll-booth or Town-prison to secure such offenders therein yea when they had carried such malefactours to the Castle within an hour or two comes the Majors Son sets open the Iayle and le ts loose those lewd persons to the great injurie of the University and encouragement of all viciousnesse 26. It was now high time for Doctor Madew Askham his letters procure friends to the University the Vice-Chancellour and Master Roger Askham the University Oratour to bestir themselves The later belettered all the Lords of the Privy Councill and amongst the rest Sir Thomas VVriothesly the Lord Chancellour of England whom saith he the Vniversity partly commandeth us once a member partly requesteth as now a Patrone thereof with some Gentlemen of the Kings Bed-Camber and by then procured the confirmation of the University priviledges in the following Parliament However these oppidane animosities in some degree continued all this Kings Reign Matthew Parker 154 7 8 Vice-Chan 2 Edmond Grindall Edward Gascoyne Proct. Iohn Rust Major Doct. Theol. 2 lu Civ 1 Bac. Theol. 14 Mag. Art 26. Bac. Leg. 1 Art 30 The Lord Protectour by letters which I have seen sollicited Stephen Gardiner who still kept his Mastership of Trinity Hall to resigne his place and the whole Hall into the Kings disposall 27. That so of that A profer of the Protectours to Unite Clare and Trinity Hall and it's Neigbour Clare Hall whose Master Doctor Madew may be presumed compliable with the Protectours pleasure one Eminent and Entire Colledge might be advanced on the Kings cost in Imitation of Trinity Colledge 〈…〉 the late Royall Result of three smaller Foundations 1 Wherein the Civil and Canon-Law the skill whereof his Grace found necessary for the present welbeing of the Kingdome should be countenanced and encouraged 28. Most politick Gardiner not without cause suspecting some design Blasted by Bishop Gardiner or Casaulty might surprize the Intervall betwixt the dissolution of the old and erection of this new Foundation civilly declined his consent to the Motion He informed his grace that the way to advance the Study of the Laws was by promoting the present Professours of that Faculty now so generally discouraged and not by founding a new Colledge for the future students thereof seeing Trinity Hall could alone breed moe Civillians then all England did prefer according to their deserts 29. Thus was the design blasted and never more mentioned But Gardiner for
afterwards sold for seven pounds Anno 1544. the 36. of HENRY the 8 th Imprimis Received of Adam Tanner the overplus of the money which was gathered for the purchase of the Bells two pound four shillings and eleven pence It seems the Kings Officers sold and the Parish then purchased the five Bells being great and tunable who as they gave bountifully so I presume they bought reasonably and the surplusage of the money was delivered Item Received of Richard Tanner for eight Stoles three shillings A Stole was a vestment which the Priest used Surely these were much worn and very rags of Popery as sold for four pence half penny a piece It seems the Church-wardens were not so charitable to give away nor so superstitious to burn but so thrifty as to make profit by sale of these decayed vestments Item Paid for mending the hand-bell two pence This was not fixed as the rest in any place of Church or Steeple but being a Diminutive of the Saints-bell was carried in the Sextons hands at the circumgestation of the Sacrament the visitation of the sick and such like occasions Item Paid to Philip wright Carpenter for making a frame in the Bell-frey eighteen shillings four pence The Bels being bought by the Parishioners were taken down out of the decayed Steeple and we shall afterwards see what became thereof Mean time a timber-frame was made which the aged of the last generation easily remembred in the South-East end of the Church-yard where now two Yew-trees stand and a shift made for some years to hang the Bells thereon Anno 1546. the 38. of HENRY the 8 th Item For clasps to hold up the Banners in the body of the Church eight pence By these I understand not Pennons with Arms hanging over the Graves of interred Gentlemen but rather some superstitious Streamers usually carried about in Procession Item Paid to John Boston for mending the Organs twentie pence The state of Waltham Church during the Reign of King EDWARD the Sixth OLd things are passed away behold all things now are become new Superstition by degrees being banished out of the Church we hear no more of prayers and Masses for the dead Every Obit now had its own Obit and fully expired the Lands formerly given thereunto being imployed to more charitable uses But let us select some particulars of the Church-wardens accounts in this Kings dayes Anno 1549. the 3 d. of EDWARD the Sixth Imprimis Sold the Silver plate which was on the desk in the Charnel weighing five ounces for twenty five shillings Guess the gallantry of our Church by this presuming all the rest in proportionable equipage when the desk Anno Dom. whereon the Priest read was inlaid with plate of silver Item Sold a rod of iron which the curtain run upon before the Rood Anno Regis nine pence The Rood was an Image of Christ on the Corss made generally of wood and erected in a loft for that purpose just over the passage out of the Church into the Chancel And wot you what spiritual mysterie was couched in this position thereof The Church forsooth typified the Church Militant the Chancel represents the Church Triumphant and all who will pass out ot the sormer into the latter must go under the Rood-lost that is carry the cross and be acquainted with affliction I add this the rather because a Fox Acts Mon. in the examination of Tho. Hawks pag. 1590. Harpsfield that great Scholar who might be presumed knowing in his own art of Superstition confesseth himself ignorant ot the reason of the Rood-scituation Item Sold so much Wax as amounted to twenty six shillings So thristy the Wardens at that they bought not candles and tapers ready made but bought the wax at the best hand and payed poor people for the making of them Now they sold their Magazine of wax as useless Under the Reformation more light and fewer candles Item Paid for half of the Book called Paraphrase five shillings By the seventh Injunction of King Edward each Parish was to procure the Paraphrase of Erasmus namely the first part thereof on the Gospels and the same to be let up in some convenient place in the Church Item Spent in the Visitation at Chelmsford amongst the Wardens and other honest men fourteen-shillings four pence A round summe I assure you in those dayes This was the first Visitation kept by Nicholas Ridley newly Bishop of London whereat Waltham-Wardens ever appeared out of their own Town whole Abbot formerly had Episcopal Jurisdiction Anno 1551 the 5 th of EDWARD the 6 th Imprimis Received for a Knell of a servant to the Lady Mary her Grace ten pence Cept-Hall in this Parish being then in the Crown the Lady afterwards Queen Mary came thither sometimes to take the air probably during whose residence there this her servant died Item Lost fourty six shillings by reason of the fall of money by Proclamation King Henry much debased the English Coyn to his own gain and the Lands loss if Soveraigns may be said to get by the damage of their Subjects yet all would not do to pay his debts His Son Edward endeavoured to reduce the Coyn to its true standard decrying bad money by his Proclamation to the intrinsick value thereof But prevented by death he effected not this difficult design Adultery in Men and Adulterateness in Money both hardly reclaimed which was afterwards compleated by the care of Queen Elizabeth Item Received for two hundred seventy one ounces of Plate sold at several times for the best advantage sixtie seven pound fourteen shillings and nine pence Now was the Brotherhood in the Church dissolved consisting as formerly of three Priests three Choristers and two Sextons and the rich plate belonging to them was sold for the good of the Parish It may seem strange the Kings Commissioners deputed for that purpose seised not on it from whose hands Waltham found some favour befriended by the Lord Rich their Countrey-man the rather because of their intentions to build their decaied Steeple Church-alterations in the Reign of Queen MARY NEw Lady new Laws Now strange the Metamorphosis in Waltham Condemn not this our Como-graphie or description of a Country-Town as too low and narrow a subject seeing in some sort the Historie of Waltham-Church is the Church-History of England all Parishes in that age being infected alike with superstition Nor intend I hereby to renew the memorie of Idolatrie but to revive our gratitude to God for the abolishing thereof whose numerous trinkets here ensue Anno 1554. Mariae primo Imprimis For a Cross with a foot cooper and gilt twentie five shillings Item For a Cross-staff copper and gilt nine shillings and four pence Item For a Pax copper and gilt five shillings Greet one another saith S t a 1 Cor 16. 20. Paul with an holy kiss on which words of the Apostle the Pax had its original This Ceremony performed in the Primitive times and Eastern Countries
died in his own House in Waltham and was g Matt. Paris Anno 1252. A heap of difficulties cast together buried in the Abby-Church therein And now because we have so often cited Matthew Paris I never met with more difficulties in six lines then what I finde in him which because nearly relating to this present subject I thought fit to exemplifie MATTHEW PARIS in Anno 1242. p. 595. Eodemque Anno videlicet in crastino S ti Michaelis dedicata est Ecclesia conventualis Canonicorum de Waltham ab Episcopo Norwicensi Willielmo solemniter valde assistibus aliis plurimis Episcopis Praelatis Magnatibus venerabilibus statim post dedicationem Ecclesiae sancti Pauli Londinensis ut peregrinantes hinc inde indistanter remearent And in the same year namely the morrow after S t. Michaels day the conventual Church of the Canons at Waltham was dedicated by William Bishop of Norwich very solemnly many other Bishops Prelates and venerable Peers assisting him presently after the dedication of S t Pauls in London that Pilgrims and Travellers up and down might indistantly return It is clear our Church of Waltham Abby is intended herein a See speed his Caralogue of religiious houses Queries on queries England affording no other Conventual Church This being granted how comes Waltham Church built by Harold two hundred years before now to be first Dedicated that Age accounting it as faulty and fatal to defer the Consecration of Churches as the Christning of Children 2. What made the Bishop of Norwich to meddle therewith an Office more proper for the Bishop of London to perform Waltham being though not under in his jurisdiction 3. What is meant by the Barbarous word indistanter and what benefit accrewed to Travellers thereby I will not so much as conjecture as unwilling to draw my bow where I despair to hit the mark but leave all to the judgment of others But I grow tedious and will therefore conclude Anno 1641. King CHARLES came the last time to Waltham and went as he was wont where any thing remarkable to see the Church the Earl of Carlile attending him His Majestie told him that he divided his Cathedral Churches K. Charls his last coming to Waltham as he did his Royal ships into three ranks accounting S t Pauls in London York Lincoln Winchester c. of the first form Chichester Lichfield c. of the second the Welch Cathedrals of the third with which Waltham Church may be well compared especially if the Roof thereof was taken lower and Leaded The Earl moved His Majestie Conditionally granteth the repairing of the Church that seeing this Ancient Church Founded by king Harold his Predecessor was fallen into such decay that the repair was too heavy for the Parish he would be pleased to grant a moderate Tole of Cattle coming over the Bridg with their great Driftss doing much damage to the High-wayes and therewith both the Town might be Paved and the Church repaired The King graciously granted it provided it were done with the privity and cons ent of a great Prelate not so safe to be named as easie to be guessed with whom he consulted in all Church-matters But when the foresaid Prelate was informed But it misarcrieth that the Earl had applied to His Majestie before addresses to himself he dashed the design so that poor Waltham Church must still be contented with their weak walls and worse Roof till Providence procure her some better Benefactors As for the Armes of Waltham Abby being loath to set them alone I have joyned them in the following draught with the Armes of the other Mitred Abbies as far as my industry could recover them SOLI DEO GLORIA FINIS AN INDEX OF THE MOST REMARKABLE PERSONS and Passages in this BOOK TO THE READER ALthough a Methodicall Book be an Index to it self yet an Index is not to be contemned by the most Industrious Reader Whom we request to take notice of the following Particulars I. C. stands for Century B. for Book P. for Page ¶ for Paragraph II. In the two first Books memorables are ranked onely according to Centuries an Paragraphs but afterwards by Books III. Paragraph without page doth for brevity sake referre to that page which was last named IV. Page without Book on the same reason relates to the last Book that was named V. VVhere no Paragraph is named it sheweth that the page by it self is sufficient notification Lastly know that the discounting of Sheets to expedite the work at severall Presses hath occasioned in the Fifth book after page 200. completed to go back Again to page 153 surrounded in this fashion to prevent confusion ARON a Citizen of Caerlion martyred Cent. 4. 1. 10. ABBEYS The prodigious expence in building and endowing them Cent. 10. ¶ 40. multitudes of them causeth the Danish invasion ¶ 51. mischiefs done by them b. 2. p. 282 283 284. prime Officers and Officines p. 285 286 287. the civil benefits by them p. 296 297 298. presage of their ruin p. 300. and offers to overthrow them p. 301 302. the lesser which could not expend 200. pounds a year bestowed on the King p. 310 311 and the rest visited with three sorts of Officers p. 314. 315. some appear vertuous p. 316. otherâ—â—otouriously vitious p. 317. all resigned by their Abbots unwillingly willing to the King p. 319 c. Rob. ABBOT Bishop of Salisbury his death and commendation B. 10. P. 70. ¶ 53. George ABBOT Arch-bishop of Cant. B. 10. P. 57. 9. 47. casually killeth a keeper p. 87 ¶ 12 c. befriended by Sir Edward Coke ¶ 15. and Bishop Andrews ¶ 16. mortified by this chance ¶ 17. seven years after severely suspended from his jurisdication b. 11. ¶ 51. his character ¶ 53. and vindication ¶ 54. 55. Tho. ADAMS Alderman of London foundeth an Arabick Professours place in Cambridge Hist of Cam. P. 166. ¶ 23. ADELME the first Bishop Sherborn Cent. 8. ¶ 4. and the first Englsnman who wroted Latin or made a verse ibid. AETHELARD Arch-bishop of Cant. calleth a Svnod Cent. 9. ¶ 2. with the solemn subscriptions thereunto ibidem AGRICOLA a principall spreader of Pelagiamisme in Britain Cent. 5. ¶ 3. AIDAN Bishop of Lindissern his due Commendation Cent. 7. ¶ 70. dissenteth from the Romish Church in the Celebration of Easter ¶ 71. inciteth Lay-men to the Reading of Scripture ¶ 72. St. ALBAN though a Britan how a Citizen of Rome Cent. 4. ¶ 2. converted to Christianity by Amphibalus ¶ 3. his Martyrdome and reported Miracles ¶ 4. 5. his intire body pretended in three places Cent. 5. ¶ 11. Enshrined some hundred years after by King Offa Cent. 8. ¶ 35. St. ALBANS Abbey founded by King Offa Cent. 8. ¶ 38. the Abbot thereof confirmed first in place of all England by Pope Adrian the fourth b. 3. p. 29. ¶ 49. ALL-SOULS Colledge in Oxford founded by Hen. Chichely Arch-bishop of Cant. b. 4. p. 182. ARROW a small city in
breeding b. 11. p. 219. ¶ 85. his peaceable disposition ¶ 86. improving of piety p. 220. ¶ 87 c. an innocent deceiver ¶ 90. excellent Hebrician ¶ 91. last of the old Puritans ¶ 92. DOGGES meat given to men b. 3. p. 29. ¶ 46 DOMINICAN Friers their first coming over into England b. 6. p. 270. ¶ 15. after their expulsion set up again by Q. Mary p. 357. the learned men of this order who were bred in Cambrid Hist. of Cam. p. 30. De DOMINIS Marcus Antonius see SPALATO John DONNE Dean of St. Pauls prolocutour in the Convocation b. 10. p. 112. ¶ 15. his life excellently written by Mr. Isaack Walton ¶ 16. DOOMES-DAY Book composed by the command of Will the Conquerour b. 3. ¶ 3. DORT Synod b. 10. p. 77. ¶ 63. four English Divines sent thither ibidem King James his Instructions unto them p. 77 78. Oath at their admission into it p. 78. ¶ 66. liberall allowance from the State p. 77. ¶ 77. various censures on the decisions thereof p. 84. ¶ 5 c. The DOVE on King Charles his Sceptre ominously broken off b. 11. ¶ 16. Thomas DOVE Bishop of Peterborough his death b. 11. p. 41. ¶ 17. DOWAY COLL. in Flanders for English fugitives b. 9. p. 85. A Convent there for Benedictine Monks b. 6. p. 365. And another for Franciscan Friers 366. DRUIDES their office and imployment amongst the Pagan Britans C. 1. ¶ 3. The DUTCH Congregation first set up in London b. 7. p. 407. ¶ 33. priviledges allowed them by King Edward the sixth ibidem under Queen Mary depart with much difficulty and danger into Denmark b. 8. p. 8. ¶ 13. DUBLIN University founded by Queen Elizabeth b. 9. p. 211. ¶ 44. the severall benefactours whereof Mr. Luke Chaloner a chief p. 212. no rain by day during the building of the Colledge ibidem The Provosts therof p. 213. ¶ 47. DUBRITIUS Arch-bishop of Caer-lion a great Champion of the truth against Pelagius C. 6. ¶ 3. ADUCATE worth about four shillings but imprinted eight b. 5. p. 196 ¶ 37. Andrew DUCKET in effect the founder of Queens Colledge in Cambridge Hist of Cambridge p. 80. ¶ 33. St. DUNSTAN his story at large Cent. 10. ¶ 11. c. his death and burial in Canterbury ¶ 44. as appeared notwithstanding the claim of Glassenbury by discovery ¶ 45 46. DUNWOLPHUS of a swine-heard made Bishop of VVinchester C. 9. ¶ 41. DURHAM the Bishoprick dissolved by King Edward the sixth b. 7. p. 419. ¶ 2. restored by Queen Mary ¶ 3. VVil. DYNET the solemn abiuration injoyned him wherein he promiseth to worship Images b. 4. p. 150. E. EASTER-DAY difference betwixt the British Romish Church in the observation thereof Cent. 7. ¶ 5. the Controversie stated betwixt them ¶ 28. reconciled by Laurentius ¶ 30. the antiquity of this difference ¶ 31. spreads into private families ¶ 89. A counsell called to compose it ¶ 90. setled by Theodorus according to the Romish Rite ¶ 96. EATON COLLEDGE founded by K. Henry the sixth b. 4. EDGAR King of England Cent. 10. ¶ 24. disciplined by Dunstan for viciating a Nun. ¶ 26. The many Canons made by him why in this book omitted ¶ 29. A most Triumphant King ¶ 30. his death ¶ 34. EDMUND King of the East Angles cruelly Martyred by the Danes Cent. 9. ¶ 22. EDWARD the Elder calls a Councell to confirm his Fathers acts Cent. 10. ¶ 5. gives great Priviledges to Cambridge ¶ 6. EDWARD the Martyr Cent. 8. ¶ 34. Barbarously murthered ¶ 42. EDWARD the Confessour his life at large Cent. 11. ¶ 11 c. King EDWARD the first his advantages to the Crown though absent at his Fathers death b. 3. p. 74. ¶ 3. his atchievements against the Turkes ¶ 4. Casteth the Iews out of England p. 87. ¶ 47. chosen arbitratour betwixt Baliol Bruce claiming the Kingdome of Scotland p. 88. ¶ 49. which Kingdome he conquereth for himself ¶ 50. stoutly maintaineth his right against the Pope p. 90. ¶ 2. humbled Rob. Winchelsey Arch-bishop of Cant. ¶ 4 5. the Dialogue betwixt them 6. his death and character p. 92. ¶ 11. his Arme the standard of the English yard ibid. King EDWARD the second his character b. 3. p. 93. ¶ 13. fatally defeated by the Scots ¶ 14. his vitiousnesse p. 100. ¶ 28. accused for betraying his Priviledges to the Pope ¶ 29. his deposing and death p. 103. King EDWARD the third a most valiant and fortunate King both by Sea and Land foundeth Kings Hall in Cambridge Hist of Camb. p. 39. ¶ 36. his death and Character b. 4. p. 136. ¶ 12. King EDWARD the fourth gaineth the Crown by Conquest b. 4. p. 190. ¶ 46. Beaten afterwards in Battel by the Earle of VVarwick p. 191. ¶ 31. escapeth out of prison flyeth beyond the Seas returneth and recovereth the Crown ¶ 32 33. A Benefactour to Merron Coll. in Oxford b. 3. p. 75. ¶ 7. but Malefactour to Kings Coll. in Cambridge Hist of Camb. p. 76. ¶ 19. his death b. 4. p. 199. ¶ 4◠King EDWARD the fifth barbarously murthered by his Vncle Richard Duke of York b. 4. p. 196. ¶ 5. King EDWARD the sixth his Injunctions b. 7. ¶ 3. observations thereon p. 374. his severall proclamations whereof one inhibiteth all Preachers in England for a time p. 388 389. his TEXT ROYAL and our observations thereon p. 397 398. c. Giveth an account by letter to B. Fitz-Patrick of his progresse p. 412 413. severall letters written by him p. 423 424. his diary p. 425. ¶ 14. quick wit and pious prayer ¶ 17. at his death ibid. EDWIN King of Northumberland and in effect Monarch of England after long preparatory promises Cent. 7. ¶ 39 c. at last converted and baptised ¶ 43. slain by the Pagans in Battel ¶ 60. EGBERT Arch-bishop of York famous in severall respects b. 2. p. 101. ¶ 23. his beastly Canons ¶ 24. EGBERT first fixed Monarch of England Cent. 8. ¶ 41. First giveth the name of England Cent. 9. ¶ 5 6. Is disturbed by the Danes ¶ 7. ELEUTHERIUS Bishop of Rome his Letter to King Lucius Cent. 2. ¶ 6. pretendeth to an ancienter date then what is due thereunto ¶ 7. sends two Divines into Britain ¶ 8. ELIE Abbey made the See of a Bishop b. 3. p. 23. ¶ 23. the feasts therein exceed all in England b. 6. p. 299. ¶ 11. Q. ELIZABETH proclaimed b. 8. p. 43. ¶ 56. assumeth the title of supream head of the Church b. 9. p. 152. ¶ 4. defended therein against Papists p. 53. ¶ 5 6. c. Excommunicated by Pope Pius quintus b. 9. p. 93 94. Her farewell to Oxford with a Latine Oration b. 9. p. 223. ¶ 7 8. Her well-come to Cambridge with a Latine Oration Hist of Cambridge p. 138. her death b. 10. p. 4. ¶ 12. Iohn ELMAR Bishop of London his death and Character b. 9. p. 223. ¶ 10. ELVANUS sent by King Lucius to Eleutherius Bishop of