that the Clergy ingrossed all Secular Offices and thereupon presented the insuing Petition to the King according to this effect insisting only in the substance thereof 42. And because that in this present Parliament it was declared to our Lord the King 45 by all the Earls 1370 Barons Ex Rot. Parl. in Turr. Lond. in 45. Ed. tertii and Commons of England that the Government of the Kingdom hath been performed for a long time by the men of Holy Church which are not * Justifiables in the French Originals 〈◊〉 whether whether not able to do justice or not to be justified in their imployment as improper for it justifiable in all cases whereby great mischiefs and damages have happened in times past and more may happen in time to come in disheriting of the Crown and great prejudice of the Kingdom for divers causes that a man may declare that it will please our said Lord the King Anno Dom. 1370 that the Laymen of the said Kingdom which are sufficient and able of estate Anno Regis Ed. tertii 45. may be chosen for this and that no other person be hereafter made Chancelour Treasurer Clerk of the Privy Seale Barons of the Exchequer Chamberlains of the Exchequer Controler and all other great Officers and Governours of the said Kingdom and that this thing be now in such manner established in form aforesaid that by no way it may be defeated or any thing done to the contrary in any time to come Saving alwaies to our Lord the King the Election and removing of such Officers but that alwaies they be Lay-men such as is abovesaid 43. To this Petition the King returned The Answer in effect a denial that he would ordain upon this point as it shall best seem to him by the advice of his good Councel He therefore who considereth the present power of the Clergy at the Councel-Table will not wonder if all things remained in their former Condition till the Nobility began more openly to favour John Wickliff his Opinions which the next Book God willing shall relate 44. We will close this with a Catalogue of the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury Simon Mepham Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Contemporary with King Edward the third and begin with Simon Mepham made Arch-Bishop in the first year of his reign so that the Crown and the Mitre may seem in some sort to have started together only here was the odds the King was a young yea scarce a man whereas the Arch-Bishop was well stricken in years Hence their difference in holding out the King surviving to see him buried and six more whereof four Simons inclusively heart-broken as they say with grief For when John Grandison Bishop of Exeter making much noise with his Name but more with his Activity refused to be visited by him the Pope siding with the Bishop Mepham so resented it that it cost him his life 45. John Stratford was the second John Sratford his successor Consecrated first Bishop of Winchester on the Lords day whereon it was solemnly sung many are the afflictions of the Righteous whereof he was very apprehensive then and more afterwards when his own experience had proved a Comment thereon Yet this might comfort him whilst living and make others honour his memory that a good Conscience without any great crime generally caused his molestation For under King Edward the second he suffered for being too loyall a Subject siding with the King against the Queen and her Son and under King Edward the third he was molested for being too faithfull a Patriot namely in pittying his poor Countreymens taxations for which he was accused for correspondency with the French and complying with the Pope Pope and King of France then blowing in one Trumpet whereat King Edward was highly incensed 46. However Stratford did but say what thousands thought His last his best dayes viz. that a peace with France was for the profit of England especially as proffered upon such honourable conditions This the Arch-Bishop was zealous for upon a threefold accompt First of Pietie to save the effusion of more Christian blood Secondly of Policie suspecting successe that the tide might turn and what was suddenly gotten might be as suddenly lost Thirdly on Charity sympathizing with the sad condition of his fellow Subjects groaning under the burthen of Taxes to maintain an unnecessary war For England sent over her wealth into France to pay their victorious Souldiers and received back again honour in exchange whereby our Nation became exceeding proud and exceeding poor However the end as well as the beginning of the Psalm was verified of this Arch-Bishop the Lord delivereth them out of all dying in great honour and good esteem with the King a strong argument of his former innocence 47. The third was Tho. Bradwardine Tho. Bradwardine the third Arch-bishop whose election was little lesse then miraculous For Commonly the King refused whom the Monks chose the Pope rejected whom the Monks and King did elect whereas all interests met in the choise of Bradwardine Yea which was more the Pope as yet not knowing that the Monks and the King had pre-elected him of his own accord as by supernaturall instinct appointed Bradwardine for that place who little thought thereon Thus Omne tulit punctum and no wonder seeing he mingled his profitable Doctrines with a sweet and amiable conversation Camden in Eliz. indeed he was skilled in School Learning which one properly calleth Spinosa Theologia and though some will say can figgs grow on thorns yet his thorny Divinity produced much sweet devotion 48. He was Confessor to king Edward the third whose miraculous victories in France The best Arch-Bishop of that See some impute more to this mans devout prayers Then either to the Policy or Prowess of the English Nation He died before he was inthronized few moneths after his consecration though now advanced on a more Glorious and durable Throne in Heaven where he hath received the Crown from God who here defended the * He wrote de Causae Dei Cause of God I behold him as the most pious man who from Anselm not to say Augustine to Cranmer sat on that Seat And a better St. Thomas though not sainted by the Pope then one of his predecessors commonly so called 49. Simon Islip was the fourth Simon Islip next Arch-Bishop a parcimonious but no avaricious man thrifty whilst living therefore clandestinely Inthronized and when dead secretly interred without any solemnity Yet his frugality may be excused if not commended herein because he reserved his estate for good uses founding Canterbury Colledge in Oxford Excipe Merton Colledge Thus generally Bishops founders of many Colledges therein denominated them either from that Saint to whom they were dedicated or from their See as Exeter Canterbury Durham Lincoln putting thereby a civil obligation on their Successors to be as Visitors so Benefactors thereunto This Canterbury Colledge is now
backward in Time to make our History the more entire Die Martis August 19. 1645. Directions of the Lords and Commons after advice had with the Assembly of Divines for the election and chusing of Ruling Elders in all the Congregations and in the Classical Assemblies for the City of London and Westminster Anno Regis Carol. 22. and the several Countries of the Kingdom Anno Dom. 1646. For the speedy setling of the Presbyteriall Government Die Lunae Oct. 20. 1645. An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons together with Rules and Directions concerning suspension from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in cases of Ignorance and Scandal Also the names of such Ministers and others that are appointed Triers and Judges of the ability of Elders in the twelve Classes with the Province of London Die Sabbathi March 14. 1645. An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for keeping of scandalous persons from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper the enabling of the Congregation for the choice of Elders and supplying of defects in former ordinances and directions of Parliament concerning Church Government Die Veneris June 5. 1646. An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for the present setling without further delay of the Presbyterial Government in the Church of England Die Veneris August 28. 1646. An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for the Ordination of Ministers by the Classical Presbyters within their respective bounds for the several Congregations in the Kingdom of England Die Sabbathi Jan. 29. 1647. An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for the speedy dividing and setling of the several Counties of this Kingdom into distinct Classical Presbyteries and Congregational Elderships 34. Great now was the clamorous importunity of the Wives and Children of Ministers sequestred An order for the fift part for Ministers Wives and Children ready to starve for want of maintenance I had almost called them the Widdows and Orphans of those Ministers because though their Fathers were living to them their Means were not living to their Fathers and they left destitute of a livelihood Indeed there was an Ordinance of Parliament made 1644 impowring their Commissioners in the Country to appoint means not exceeding a fift part to the Wives and Children of all sequestred Persons but seeing Clergie-men were not therein expressed by name such as enjoyed their Sequestrations refused to contribute any thing unto them Whereupon the House of Commons compassionately reflecting on the distresses of the foresaid complainers made an Order in more particular manner for the Clergy and seeing it is hard to come by I conceive it a charitable work here to insert a Copy thereof Die Jovis Nov. 11. 1647. That the Wives and Children of all such Persons as are or have been or shall be sequestred The Copy thereof by Order of either Houses of Parliament shall be comprehended within the Ordinance that alloweth a fift part for Wives and Children and shall have their fift part allowed unto them and the Committee of Lords and Commons for sequestration and the Committee of plundered Ministers and all other Committees are required to take notice hereof and yeeld Obedience hereunto accordingly H. Elsing Clericus Parliamenti Domus Communis 35. But Covetousnesse will wriggle it self out at a small hole Several ways endeavoured to srustrate this order Many were the Evasions whereby such Clergie-men possest of their livings do frustrate and defeat the effectual paiment of the fift part to the aforesaid Wives and Children Anno Dom. 1647. Some of which starting-holes we will here present Anno Regis Carol. 23. not to the intent that any should unjustly hide themselves herein but that for the future they may be stopped up as obstructing the true performance of the Parliaments intended Curtesie 36. First they plead that Taxes being first deducted First evasion Tythes are so badly paid they cannot live and maintain themselves if they must still pay a fift part out of the remainder Such consider not if themselves cannot live on the whole Grist how shall the Families of such sequestred Ministers subsist on the Tole 37. Secondly Second evasion if the foresaid Minister hath a Wife without Children or Children without a Wife or but one Child they deny paiment as not within the Letter though the Equity of the Order though one Child is as unable to live on nothing as if there were many more 38. Thirdly Third evasion if the sequestred Minister hath any temporal means of his own or since his sequestration hath acquired any place wherein he officiateth though short of a comfortable subsistence they deny paiment of a fift part unto him 39. Fourthly Fourth Evasion they affright the said sequestred Minister threatning to New article against for his former faults Whereas had he not been reputed a malignant not a fift part but all the five parts were due unto him 40. Fiftly Fift Evasion many who have livings in great Towns especially Vicarages disclaim the receiving of any Benefits in the nature of Tithes and accept them only in the notion of Benevolence Then they plead nothing due to the sequestred Minister out of the free gratuities which only are bestowed upon them 41. Sixtly Sixt Evasion they plead that nothing can be demanded by vertue of the said Ordinance longer then the sitting of the said Parliament which made it which long since is dissolved now though this be but a dilatory plea themselves enjoying the foure parts by vertue of the same Order yet though it doth not finally blast it doth much set back the fift part and whilst the same groweth the Ministers Wives and Children starve 42. Lastly Seventh Evasion of late since the setting forth of the Proclamation that all who disquiet their peaceable possession who are put into livings by the Parliaments Order should be beheld as enemies to the State Such sequestred Ministers who only sue the refusers to pay the fift part unblameable in all things else are threatned though they humbly conceived contrary to the true intent of the Proclamation with the foresaid penalty if they desist not in their suite Many more are their subterfugies besides vexing their wives with the tedious attendance to get Orders on Orders so that as one truly and sadly said the fifts are even paid at sixes and sevens 43. I am sorry to see the pittiful and pious intentions of the Parliament Remember the Poor so abused and deluded by the indirect dealings of others so that they cannot attain their intended ends for the relief of so many poor people seeing no doubt therein they desired to be like the best of beings who as closely applieth his lenitive as corrasive plasters and that his mercy may take as true effect as his justice Sure if the present Authority when at leisure from higher imployment shall be pleased to take the groans of these poor souls into its confideration the voice of their hungry bowels will quickly be turned to
Bedfordshire It began Anno 575 under King Vffa and lay most exposed to the Cruelty of the Danish Incursions 5. Of MERCIA so called because it lay in the middest of the Island being the Merches or Limits on which c Lambert's Descript of Kent all the residue of the Kingdomes did bound and border It began Anno 582. under King Cridda and contained the whole Counties of Lincoln Northampton with Rutland then and long since part thereof Huntingdon Buckingham Oxford Worcester Warwick Darby Nottingham Leicester Stafford and Chester Besides part of Hereford and Salop the Remnant whereof was possess'd by the Welsh Gloucester Bedford and d Idem ibid. Lancaster In view it was the greatest of all the seven but it abated the Puissance thereof because on the VVest it affronted the Britans being deadly Enemies and bordering on so many Kingdomes the Mercians had work enough at home to shut their own Doors 6. Of NORTHUMBERLAND corrivall with Mercia in Greatnesse though farre inferiour in Populousnesse as to which belonged whatsoever lieth betwixt Humber and Edenborough-Frith It was subdivided sometimes into two Kingdomes of Bernicia and Deira The later consisted of the Remainder of Lancashire with the intire Counties of York Durham VVestmorland and Cumberland Bernicia contained Northumberland with the South of Scotland to Edenborough But this Division lasted not long before both were united together It began Anno 547 under King Ida. 7. Of the WEST-SAXONS who possessed Hantshire Berkshire Wiltshire Somerset Dorset and Devonshire part of Cornwall and Gloucestershire yea some assigne a Moiety of Surrey unto them This Kingdome began Anno 519 under King Cerdicus and excelled for plenty of Ports on the South and Severn Sea store of Burroughs stoutnesse of active men some impute this to the Naturall cause of their being hatch't under the warm Wings of the South-VVest VVind which being excellent VVrastlers gave at last a Fall to all the other Saxon Kingdomes So that as the seven Streams of Nilus loose themselves in the Mid-land Sea this Heptarchy was at last devoured in the VVest-Saxons Monarchy The reason that there is some difference in VVriters in bounding of these severall Kingdomes is because England being then the constant Cock-pit of Warre the Limits of these Kingdomes were in daily motion sometimes marching forward sometimes retreating backward according to variety of Successe We may see what great difference there is betwixt the Bounds of the Sea at High-water and at Low-water Mark and so the same Kingdome was much disproportioned to it self when extended with the happy Chance of Warre and when contracted at a low Ebb of Ill Successe And here we must not forget that amongst these seven Kings during the Heptarchie commonly one was most puissant over-ruling the rest who stiled himself a Camden's Brit. pag. 139. King of the English Nation 18. But to return to the British Church and the year of our Lord 449 wherein S t. Patrick Irish S. Patrick said to live and die at Glassenbury the Apostle of Ireland is notoriously reported to have come to Glassenbury where finding twelve old Monks Successours to those who were first founded there by Ioseph of Arimathea he though unwilling was chosen their Abbot and lived with them 39 yeares observing the Rule of S t. Mark and his Aegptian Monks the Order of Benedictines being as yet unborn in the world Give we here a List of these 12 Monks withall forewarning the Reader that for all their harsh Sound they are so many Saints least otherwise he should suspect them by the ill noise of their Names to be worse Creatures 1. Brumbam 2. Hyregaan 3. Brenwall 4. VVencreth 5. Bantom-meweng 6. Adel-wolred 7. Lowar 8. VVellias 9. Breden 10. Swelves 11. Hinloemius 12. Hin But know that some of these Names as the 3. 6. and 9. are pure plain b First observed by Mr. Camden and since by the Arch-bishop of Armach He is made Co-partner in the Church with the Virgin Mary Saxon words which renders the rest suspected So that whosoever it was that first gave these British Monks such Saxon Names made more Haste then good Speed preventing the true Language of that Age. 19. So great was the Credit of S t. Patrick at Glassenbury that after his Death and Buriall there that Church which formerly was dedicated to the Virgin Mary alone was in after-Ages jointly consecrated to her and S t. Patrick A great Presumption For if it be true what is reported that at the first by direction of the Angel c See 1. Cent. 11. Parag. Gabriel that Church was solely devoted to the Virgin Mary surely either the same or some other Angel of equall Power ought to have ordered the Admission of S t. Patrick to the same to be match'd and impaled with the Blessed Virgin in the Honour thereof In reference to S t. Patrick's being at Glassenbur severall Saxon Kings granted large Charters with great Profits and Priviledges to this Place 20. But now the Spight is that an unparallel'd d James Usher de Brit. Ecc. Primord pag. 875. 883 894. 895. Yet the Credit of Patrick's being at Glassenbury shrewdly shaken Critick in Antiquity leaves this Patrick at this time sweating in the Irish Harvest having newly converted Lempster to the Faith and now gone into the province of Munster on the same Occasion Yea he denies and proveth the same that this Patrick ever liv'd or was buried at Glassenbury But be it known to whom it may concern that the British are not so over-fond of S t. Patrick as to ravish him into their Country against his will and the consent of Time Yea S t. Patrick miss'd as much Honour in not being at Glassenbury as Glassenbury hath lost Credit if he were never there seeing the British justly set as high a Rate on that Place as the Irish do on his Person See but the Glorious Titles which with small Alteration might serve for Ierusalem it self given to Glassenbury and seeing now the Place is for the most part buried in it's own Dust let none envy these Epithets for the Epitaph thereof Here lies the a Or Borough City vvhich once vvas the b In the Charter of King Ina and also in King Edgar's Fountain and Originall of all Religion built by Christs Disciples c Malmesbury MS. de Antiq. Eccles Glaston consecrated by Christ himself and this place is the d So called in the Charter of King Kenwin MOTHER OF SAINTS We are sorry therefore for S t. Patrick's sake if he was never there To salve all some have found out another Patrick called Seniour or Sen Patrick a nice difference equall with the Irish Apostle in Time and not much inferiour in Holinesse who certainly liv'd at Glassenbury The plain truth is that as in the e Plautus his Amphitruo Comoedian when there were two Amphitruo's and two Sosia's they made much fallacious Intricacy and pleasant Delusion in the eyes of the Spectatours So
choak a man but that Stone can never stop his Throat which cannot enter into his Mouth 31. In very deed The maâ—lacre of the Monks at Winchester very little at this time was ever reported of Church-matters 495 For a Drought of Christian Writers in the Heat of Persecution caused a Dearth of all History Now it was that Cerdicus first King of the West-Saxons having overcome the Britans at Winchester kill'd all the Monks belonging to the Church of e VVintoniâ—â—sis Ecc. Hist cap. 9. S t. Amphibalus turned the same into a Temple of Idolatry Also Theon Archbishop of London seeing the Pagan Saxons to prevail left his See and f But Matth. Florilegus designeth the yeare 586. about this time may be presumed to have fled into Wales I say about this time For what Liberty is allowed to Prognosticatours of Weather to use all favourable Correctives and Qualifications like to be rain inclined to rain somewhat rainy c. the same Latitude we must request in relating actions past in point of Chronologie his fere temporibus per haec tempora circa circiter plus minus c. And what we take upon Trust in this kind let the Reader be pleased to charge not on the Score of our Ignorance but on the Uncertainty of that Ages Computation As for S t. Petrock Son to the King of Cumberland we remit him to the next Age because though Budding in this full Blown in the next Century 32. This Age is assigned by Authors for that Famous Ambrose Merlin differing from Sylvester Merlin the Scot though it be doubtfull whether ever such a man in rerum natura Merlin left in a twilight whether that Magician was an Impostor or his whole Story an Imposture put upon credulous posterity it being suspicious First Because he is reported born at Caer-merthen that City so denominated from him Whereas it is called Maridunum by Ptolemie many yeares before Thus it is ominous to begin with a Lie Secondly Because it was said his Mother was a Nun got with Child by a Devil in the form of an Incubus perchance such a one as Chaucer describes It seems that as Vestall Virgins when they had stollen a Great Belly used to entitle some Deity to the getting of their Child so did the Mother of Romulus and Remus whereby they both saved themselves from Shame gained Reputation so Nuns in this Age when with child unable to perswade people as the Poets feign of the Spanish Mares that they were impregnated by the Wind alone made the World believe that some Spirit had consorted with them This makes the whole Story of Merlin very doubtfull and as for all his Miracles Prophesyes they sink with the Subject For sure the same Hand which made the Puppet gave it all it's Motions and suited his Person with Properties accordingly May the Reader be pleased to take notice of three ancient British Writers 1. Aquila Septonius or the Eagle of Shaftsbury whether He or She. 2. Perdix Praesagus or Partridge the prophesier 3. Merlin Ambrose All three Birds of a Feather and perchance hatch'd in the same Nest of ignorant Credulity nor can I meet with a fourth to make up the Messe except it be the Arabian Phaenix But because it is a Task too great for a Giant to encounter a received Tradition let Merlin be left in a Twi-light as we found him And surely no judicious man will censure the Mention of Merlin whose Magicall Pranks and Conjurations are so frequent in our Sories to be a Deviation from the History of the Church who hath read both of Simon Magus and Elymas the Sorcerer in the Acts of the Apostles THE SIXTH CENTURY Anno Dom. To Douse Fuller of Hampshire Esquire I Cannot say certainly of you as Naomi did of Boaz * * 2 Ruth 20. He is near of kin unto us having no Assurance though great Probability of Alliance unto you Hovvever Sir if you shall be pleased in Courtesy to account me your Kinsman I vvill endeavour that as it vvill be an Honour to me it may be to you no Disgrace 1. QUestionlesse we shall not be accounted Trespassers 501 though onely Ecclesiasticall Businesse be our right Road to go a little in the By-way of State-matters because leading the shortest Passage for the present to our Church-story The most miserable estate of the British Common-wealth Most miserable at this time was the British Common-wealth crouded up into barren Corners whil'st their Enemies the Pagan Saxons possest the East and South if not the greatest the best part of the Island Much ado had Vter Pen-dragon the British King with all the sinews of his Care and Courage to keep his disjoynted Kingdome together whose onely desire was to prolong the Life it being above his hopes to procure the Health of that languishing State And though sometimes the Britans got the better yet one may say their Victories were spent before they were gain'd being so farre behind-hand before that their Conquest made no Shew swallowed up in the discharging of old Arrearages Needs then must Religion now in Britain be in a dolefull condition For he who expects a flourishing Church in a fading Common-wealth let him try whether one side of his Face can smile when the other is pinched 2. Pen-dragon dying 508 left the British Kingdome to Arthur his Son King Arthur's actions much discredited by Monkish fictions so famous in History that he is counted one of the Nine VVorthies and it is more then comes to the Proportion of Britain that amongst but Nine in the whole World Two should prove Natives of this Island Constantine and Arthur This later was the British Hector who could not defend that Troy which was designed to destruction and it soundeth much to his Honour that perceiving his Countrey condemned by Gods Justice to Ruine he could procure a Reprieve though not prevail for the Pardon thereof More unhappy was he after his Death Hyperbolicall Monks so advancing his Victories above all reach of Belief that the twelve pitch't Battels of Arthur wherein he conquered the Pagan Saxons find no more credit then the twelve Labours of Hercules Belike the Monks hoped to passe their Lies for current because countenanced with the mixture of some Truths whereas the contrary came to passe and the very Truths which they have written of him are discredited because found in company with so many Lies Insomuch that learned Leland is put to it to make a Book for the asserting of Arthur Many are unsetled about him Anno Dom. 508 because Gildas his Country-man living much about his Age makes no mention of him though such may be something satisfied if considering the principall Intent of that Querulous Authour is not to praise but to reprove not greatly to grace but justly to shame his Country his Book being a bare Black Bill of the Sins and Sufferings Monsters and Tyrants of Britain keeping no
Script Britan. centur prima put out her Eyes out of Anger for interrupting him in his constant course of Chastity But surely some blind Monk having one of his Eyes put out with Ignorance and the other with Superstition was the first founder of this Fable Thus godly Saints in that Age were made Martyrs after their Death persecuted though in their Commendation with impudent and improbable Lies It is reported also of the same Iltutus that he turned e Idem ut prius Men into Stones Had it been Stones into Men converting stupid Souls into Christians by his Preaching it had been capable of an Allegoricall Construction whereas as now told it is a Lie in the literall and Non-sense in the mysticall meaning thereof 9. Sampson succeeds 521 Scholar to Iltutus Sampson Archbishop of Dole made by Dubritius Bishop at large f Armach de Brit. Ec. prim pag. 1130. sine titulo It seems in that Age all Bishops were not fixed to the Chair of a peculiar Church but some might sit down in any Vacant place for their Cathedrall and there exercise their Episcopall Authority provided it were without Prejudice to other Bishops Afterwards this Sampson was made Arch-Bishop of Dole in French Britain and in those dayes such was the Correspondency betwixt this Greater and that Lesser Britain that they seemed to possesse Learned men in common betwixt them Scarce am I reconciled to this Sampson Anno Dom. 521 for a Balaeus de Script Britan. in Sampson carrying away with him the Monuments of British Antiquity Had he put them out to the Bank by procuring severall Copies to be transcribed Learning thereby had been a Gainer and a Saver had he onely secured the Originals whereas now her Losse is irrecoverable Principall and Interest Authenticks and Transcripts are all imbezzelled Nor is the matter much whether they had miscarryed at home by Foes Violence or abroad by such Friends Negligence 10. It were a Sin to omit S t. Patern Paternus a Patern for all Bishops for three and twenty yeares a constant Preacher at Llan-Patern in Cardiganshire 540 His fatherlike Care over his Flock passeth with peculiar Commendation that he b Camden's Brit. in Cardiganshire govern'd his people by feeding them and fed his people by governing them Some yeares after the Place continued an Episcopall See and was extinguished upon Occasion of the Peoples barbarously murdering of their Bishop 11. St. Petrock comes in for his share Petrock the Captain of Cornish Saints from whom Petrock-stow 548 contracted Padstow in Cornwall is denominated One of great Piety and Painfulness in that Age. Afterward he is said to have gone to the East Indies all far Countreys are East Indies to ignorant people and at his return to be burried at Bodman in Cornwall That County is the Cornu-copia of Saints most of Irish extraction and the names of their Towns and Villages the best Nomenclator of the Devoutmen of this Age. If the people of that Province have as much Holinesse in their Hearts as the Parishes therein carry Sanctity in their Names Cornwall may passe for another Holy Land in publick reputation 12. Next S t. Petrock comes S t. Teliau The piety of S. Telian for it is pity to part two such intimate Friends 550 He was called by allusion to his Name c Harpâ—field his Ecc. Ang. pag. 41. c. 27. Helios which in Greek signifieth the Sun because of the Lustre of his Life and Learning But the Vulgar sort who count it no fault to miscall their Betters if they have hard Names called him Eliud one of that d Math. 1. 14 name was one of our Saviours Ancestors turning the Greek into an Hebrew word and understanding both alike He was Scholar to Dubritius and succeeded him in the Bishoprick of Landaffe A pious man constant Preacher and e Balaeus centuria prim num 58. zealous reprover of the reigning Sins of that time This is all the certain truth extant of him which some Monks counting too little have with their fabulous breath f In the book of his life extant in the Church of Landaffe blown up the Story of his Life to such a Bigness that the Credit thereof breaks with it's own Improbability Witnesse his Journey to Ierusalem full of strange Miracles where he had a Cymball given him excelling the sound of an Organ and ringing every hour of it's own accord No doubt a Loud one Loaden with Merits saith the g Flowers of the Saints pag. 151. Author I had thought nothing but Sin could burthen a Saint he departed this Life having his Memory continued in many Churches of South-VVales dedicated to him and is remembred in the Roman Kalender on the ninth of February 13. I had almost forgotten Congel Several other Worthies of the same Age. Abbot of Bangor who much altered the Discipline of that Monastery 580 Kentigern the famous Bishop of Ellwye in North VVales S t. Asaph his Successour in the same place In whose mouth this Sentence was frequent h Godwin in his Catal. of Bishops of S t. Asaph Such who are against the preaching of God's VVord envy the Salvation of Mankind As for Gildas surnamed the VVise their Contemporary wereserve his i Vide our Librar of British Histor num 1. Character for our Library of British Historians Many other worthy men flourished at the same time and a Nationall Church being a large Room it is hard to count all the Candles God lighted therein 14. Most of these men seem born under a Travelling Planet Pastours in this Age why in constant motion seldome having their Education in the place of their Nativity oft-times composed of Irish Infancy British Breeding and French Preferment taking a Coule in one Countrey a Crosier in another and a Grave in a third neither bred where born nor beneficed where bred nor buried where beneficed but wandring in severall Kingdomes Nor is this to be imputed to any humour of Inconstancy the running Gout of the Soul or any affected Unsetlednesse in them Anno Dom. 580 but proceeding from other weighty Considerations First to procure their Safety For in time of Persecution the surest place to shift in is constant shifting of Places not staying any where so long as to give mens Malice a steady aime to level at them Secondly to gain Experience in those things which grew not all in the same Soile Lastly that the Gospell thereby might be further and faster propagated When there be many Guests and little Meat the same Dish must go clean through the Board and divine Providence ordered it that in the Scarcity of Preachers one Eminent man travelling far should successively feed many Countries 15. To most of these Authours many written Volumes are assigned Books falsly fathered on British writers the Titles and Beginnings whereof you may find in our Country-men Bale and Pits who will perswade you
or Unlawfulnesse thereof 35. Thus Eadbald becomes a Christian all black and blew Laurentius repaireth to Eadbald King of Kent and presenteth himself unto him in that sad Condition The King much amazed thereat demands who durst offer such Violence to so Good a man Whereby it plainly appears that though Eadbald himself refused Christianity yet he afforded Civility and Protection to Laurentius and to all in Kent of his Religion He largely relates what had happened unto him and in fine so prevailed on Eadbald that he not onely put away his VVife-Mother-VVhore but also embraced Christianity and at his desire Iustus and Mellitus returned again into England 36. Rochester readily received Iustus their Bishop Iustus received at Rochester and Mellitus rejected at London being a little Place of few Persons and they therefore the easier all to be brought to be of one Mind But large London though then for Greatnesse but the Suburbs to the present City I say London then was even London then as wanton in the Infancy as now wayward in the Old-age thereof where generally the People long radicated in Wickednesse refused to entertain their good Pastour returning unto them But here my good a Mr. Wheelock on the place in Bede Friend in his Notes on this Passage makes an ingenious Reservation that though the major part must be confessed peevish in all populous places London in all Ages afforded eminent Favourers of Learned and Religious men And would I could being the meanest of Ministers as truly entitle my self to the foresaid Qualifications as I heartily concurre with him in my gratefull Confession that I have effectually found plenty of good Patrons in that Honourable Corporation Mellitus thus rejected was glad to lead a private life in London till that after the * 619 Feb. 3. Death of Laurentius he succeeded him in the Church of Canterbury 37. A grave Mellitus his character and good man but much afflicted with the Gout and highly meriting of his See of Canterbury especially if true what Bede * Eccles Hist lib. 2. cap. 7. reports that when a grievous Fire happened in that City Mellitus accosted the very Fury thereof with faithfull Prayer and his own bare Hands strange that no modern Monk hath since in his Relation put a Crucifix or Holy-Water-sprinkle into them and so presently quenched the Raging of the Flames Say not why could he not as easily have cured his own Gout as quenched this Fire seeing Miracles are done not for mens ordinary Ease but God's solemn Honour Yea the Apostles themselves were not at pleasure Masters of their miraculous Power for their personal use seeing S t. Paul could neither cure the b 1 Tim. 5. 23. often Infirmities of his dear Son Timothy nor remove the acute desperate Disease wherewith he himself in c 2 Cor. 1. 8. Asia was afflicted Five years sate Mellitus in Canterbury after whose * 624 April 24. Death Iustus Bishop of Rochester succeeded him and had his Pall solemnly sent him by Pope Boniface 38. By the way What a Pall is the Pall is a Pontificall Vestment considerable for the Matter Making and Mysteries thereof For the Matter it is made of Lambs Wooll and Superstition I say of Lambs VVooll d Flores Sanctorum Maii 26. pag. 506. as it comes from the Sheeps Back without any other artificiall Colour spun say some by a peculiar Order of Nunnes first cast into the Tombe of S t. Peter taken from his Body say e Latine Camden in Kent pag. 238 others surely most sacred if from both and superstitiously adorned with little black Crosses For the Form thereof the f Flores Sanctorum ut prius Breadth exceeded not three Fingers one of our Bachelours Lamb-skin Hoods in Cambridge would make three of them having two Labells hanging down before and behind which the Arch-Bishops onely when going to the Altar put about their Necks above their other Pontificall Ornaments Three Mysteries were couched therein First Humility which beautifies the Clergy above all their costly Copes Secondly Innocency to imitate Lamb-like Simplicitie And thirdly Industry to follow g Camden ut prius Luke 15. him who fetched his wandring Sheep home on his Shoulders But to speak plainly the Mystery of Mysteries in this Pall was that the Arch-Bishops receiving it shewed therein their Dependence on Rome and a Mote in this manner ceremoniously taken was a sufficient Acknowledgement of their Subjection And as it owned Rome's Power so in after-Ages it encreased their Profit For though now such Palls were freely given to Arch-Bishops whose Places in Britain for the present were rather cumbersome then commodious having little more then their Paines for their Labour Anno. Dom. 624 yet in after-Ages the Arch-Bishop of Canterburie's Pall was a Godwin's Cat. Episc pag. 225. sold for five thousand b A Florene is worth 4 s. 6 d. Florenes so that the Pope might well have the Golden Fleece if he could fell all his Lambs-Wooll at that rate Onely let me adde that the Authour of c A Manuscript in Trin. Hall Library in Cambridge Canterbury-Book stiles this Pall Tanquam grande Christi d Mr. Wheelock on Bede pag. 99. Sacramentum It is well tanquam came in to help it or else we should have had eight Sacraments But leaving these Husks to such Palats as are pleased to feed on them we come to the Kernell of Religion how the same was propagated in other Parts of England And first of the Preparative for the Purge of Paganisme out of the Kingdome of Northumberland 39. Edwine Edwine his preparatory promise to Christianity the King thereof was Monarch of all England with the Isles of Man and Anglesey more puissant then any of His Predecessours And this saith e Eccles Hist lib. 2. cap. 9. Bede was In auspicium suscipiendae Fidei in good Handsell of the Faith he was hereafter to receive God first made him Great and after Gracious that so by his Power he might be the more effectuall Instrument of his Glory Now he had married Edelburge daughter of Ethelbert King of Kent to whom he not onely permitted free Exercise of Religion to her self and her Servants 625 but also promised himself to embrace it if on Examination it appeared the most Holy and fittest for Divine Service In the Court of this Queen was one Paulinus a pious Bishop who with much Pains and little Profit long laboured in vain to convert the Pagans God hereby both humbling him and shewing that the Hour of his Mercy shall not be ante-dated one Minute by any humane Endeavours However Paulinus seeing he could not be happy to gain would be carefull to save and daily plyed the Word and Sacraments thereby to corroborate his owne People in Piety 40. Now it happened that one Eumere His condition performed and yet he demurres a Swash-buckler a Contemner of his own life 626 and thereby Master of
some Purposes at the day of his Birth in which respect he may sue out his Liveries for the Dukedome of Cornwall and this perchance may somewhat mend the matter 59. But enough of this matter Conclusion with prayer which some will censure as an Impertinency to our Church-History and scarcely coming within the Church-yard thereof My Prayers shall be that each University may turn all Envy into generous yea gracious yea glorious Emulation contending by laudable means which shall surpasse other in their Serviceablenesse to God the Church and Common-wealth that so Commencing in Piety and Proceeding in Learning they may agree against their two generall Adversaries Ignorance and Profanenesse May it never be said of them what Naomi e Ruth 1. 12. said of her self that she was too old to bear Sons may they never be superannuated into Barrennesse but like the good Trees in Gods Garden They shall still bring forth Fruit in their old age they shall be fat and flourishing 60. Seasonably Sigebert erected an University at Cambridge 632 thereby in part to repair the late great Losse of Christianity in England when the year after Edwine Edwine King of Northumberland slain King of Northumberland was slain in f Beda Eccles Hist lib. 2. cap. 10. Battel by Cadwald King of VVales and Penda King of the Mercians After whose Death his whole Kingdome relapsed to Paganisme and Paulinus Arch-Bishop of York taking with him Queen Ethelburge returned into Kent and there became Bishop of the then vacant Church of Rochester Mortified man he minded not whether he went up or down hill whilest he went on strait in his Calling to glorifie God and edifie others sensible of no Disgrace when degrading himself from a great Arch-Bishop to become a poor Bishop Such betray much Pride and Peevishnesse who outed of eminent Places will rather be Nothing in the Church then any thing lesse then what they have been before 61. After the death of King Edwine The unhappy year his Kingdome of Northumberland was divided into two parts Anno Dom. 632 both petty Kingdomes 1. Bernicia reaching a Camden's Brit. pag. 797. from the River Tees to Edenburgh Frith whereof Eanfrith was King 2. Deira whence say some Deirham or Durham lay betwixt Tees and Humber whereof Osrick was King These both proved Apostates from the Christian Faith and God in his justice let in Cadwald King of the Britans upon them who slew them harassed their Countrey 633 and made a lamentable Desolation within the compasse of one year without respect to Age or Sex untill Oswald bred and brought up in Scotland next of the Bloud-Royall came to be King of Northumberland whom God sent to redeem that miserable Country from the hands of their Enemies and many eminent Victories he obtained 62. The fatall year A lost year well found wherein so many Outrages were committed on the Apostate Northumberlanders by Cadwald King of the Britans is detested by all Saxon Chronologers And therefore all the Annalists and writers of Histories in that Age by joynt-consent universally resolved to damn and drown the Memoriall of that Annus infaustus as they call it Vnlucky year but made so by Vngodly men Yea they unanimously b Bede Eccles Hist lib. 2. c. 1. agreed to allow those two Apostate Kings no yeares reign in their Chronicles adding the time subtracted from them to Oswald their Christian Successour accounting him to have reigned c Idem lib. 3. cap. 9. nine yeares which indeed were but eight of his own and one of these Historians their Adoption Yet is it no news even in Scripture it self to bury the reign of Tyrants under the Monument of a good Prince succeeding them Thus when Ehud is d Iudg. 3. 30. said to have judged the land fourscore year those eighteen e Vers 14. yeares are included wherein Eglon the Moabite oppressed Israel 63. Amongst the many Victories atchieved by this Oswald A victory given from heaven one most remarkable was gained by him near Hexam in Northumberland 635 against the Pagans against whom he erected the Standard of the Crosse in a place which time out of mind was called Heafen-feld Haledon at this day by a Prolepsis not answering the name thereof untill this time Hence a Poet writing the life of Oswald Tunc primum scivit causam cur nomen haberet Heafen-feld hoc est coelestis campus illi Nomen ab antiquo dedit appellatio Gentis Praeteritae tanquam belli praesaga futuri Then he began the reason first to know Of Heafen-feld why it was called so Nam'd by the Natives long since by foresight That in that field would hap an heavenly fight Thus it is generally reported that the place nigh Lipsick where the King of Sweden got one of his signal Victories was time out of mind termed by the Dutch f Swedish Intelligencer Gots Acre or Gods ground And thus as Onesimus and Eutychus were so called from their Infancy but never truely answered their Names till after the g Philem. v. 11 Conversion of the one and Reviving of the h Acts 20. 12. other so Places whether casually or prophetically have Names anciently imposed upon them which are sometimes verified many Ages after 64. About this time Honorius the Pope sent his Letter to the Scotch Nation Pope Honorius his ineffectual letter advising them to an Uniformity with the Church of Rome in the Celebration of Easter His main Reason is thought to have more of State then Strength humane Haughtinesse then holy Divinity in it Namely he counselleth them Ne paucitatem suam in extremis terrae finibus constitutam sapientiorem omnibus Christi Ecclesiis aestimarent This is that Honorius of whom Leo the second Anno Dom. 635 his Successour complaineth in his a Tom. 2. Decret Epist ed. Romae 1591. pag. 654. Epistle to the Bishops of Spain Flammam haertici dogmatis non ut decuit Apostolicam authoritatem incipientem extinxit sed negligendo confovit By his negligence he did countenance the heretical Opinions meaning of the Monothelites then beginning afresh to spring up again which he ought to have suppressed Thus he who could stickle about the Ceremony of keeping Easter could quietly connive at yea interpretatively consent to the depraving of the Doctrinall part of Religion But his Letter to the Scotch took little effect who kept their Easter not one Minute the sooner or later for all his writing unto them 65. In a better Work Birinus converts the VVest-Saxons to the faith and with better Successe was Birinus employed an Italian by Birth sent over by Pope Honorius for the Conversion of the remainder of England and to that purpose that his Preaching belike might be the more powerfull made a Bishop before his b Bede lib. 3. cap. 7. coming over by Asterius Bishop of Genoa Here I am at a losse Bishop of what Where was his Diocese or
Bishoprick Were not Bishop and Bishoprick so correlated in that Age that they must be together the trick of making Titular Bishops not as yet being used in Rome It is impossible that Bishops here should import no more then a plain Priest and that he onely took Orders before he came over into England Well commend me to the Memory of this man who first was made Bishop and then made himself a Bishoprick by earning it out of the Pagan English whom he intended to convert to Christianity Yea he passed his solemn Promise in the presence of the Pope that he would preach the Gospel in the heart of the c Idem ibid. uttermost coasts of England meaning the Northern parts thereof whither no Teacher had at any time gone before him Minded herein like d 2 Cor. 10. 16. S t. Paul not to boast in another mans line of things made ready to his hand 66. This his Promise Birinus 636 though he literally brake A broken promise well kept Virtually kept for he chanced to land amongst the West-Saxons then called Gevises in the South-VVest part of England where as yet the Inhabitants were pure-impure Pagans Having here found a fit subject for his Pains why should he go farther to seek the same Is not Providence the best Herauld to marshal us and ought we not to sit down where it disposeth us Besides according to Military Rules it was best to clear the Coasts as he went and not to leave a Pagan-Foe behind his back Moved herewith Birinus here sets up his Staffe Episcopal fixeth himself falls a preaching converts many and amongst the rest Kyngils the VVest-Saxon King whom he baptized Oswald King of Northumberland chanced to be e Bede Eccles Hist l. 3. cap. 7. present at that time and was first God-Father then Father in Law to King Kyngils to whom he gave his Daughter to Wife 67. Dorchester not the Town which denominates Dorsetshire Dorchester made a Bishops See but an old City in Oxfordshire not in Barkshire as Stapleton f In his translation of Bede Pol. 82. mistakes it was made the Seat of Birinus his Bishoprick Bede faith Donaverunt autem ambo Reges eidem Episcopo civitatem quae vocatur Dorinca c. Both the Kings Oswald and Kynglls gave to the said Bishop the City Dorinca or Dorchester Both of them Hence observe first that Oswald whose Concurrence in this Grant was required though particular King of Northumberland was also Monarch of all England To justifie our former Observation that amongst the seven Saxon Kings alwayes one was paramount above the rest Secondly that this Dorchester though it lay North of Thames in Oxfordshire which properly belonged to the Kingdomes of Mercia pertained now to the VVest-Saxons beyond the ordinary Limits assigned to that Kingdome 68. In this year Honorius Arch-Bishop of Canterbury divided England understand 637 so much thereof as was Christian into Parishes England divided into Parishes But that most exquisite g Mr. Selden in his Hist of Tithes cap. 9. pag. 256. Antiquary seems very unwilling to admit so early and ancient Parishes in the modern proper Acception of the word Who knoweth not that Parochia at large signifieth the Diocese of the Bishop and two new Dioceses Anno Dom. 637 Dunwich and Dorchester were erected under Honorius in the Province of Canterbury But whether Parishes as usually understood for places bounded in regard of the Profits from the people therein payable onely to a Pastour incumbent there I say whether such Parishes were extant in this Age may well be questioned as inconsistent with the Community of Ecclesiastick Profits which then seemed joyntly enjoyed by the Bishop and his Clergy 69. No sooner was Oswald whom we formerly mentioned settled in his Kingdome of Northumberland A morose Preacher little the edifieth but his first Princely Care was to provide Pastours to instruct his People in Christianity In order where unto he sends into Scotland where he had his own Education for some Eminent Preachers Unusuall the Sun should come out of the North to enlighten the South as here it came to passe One Preacher was sent him thence whose Name we find not but thus much of his Nature that being over-rigid and severe his Sermons made no Impression on his English Auditory Hard with hard saith the Proverb makes no VVall and no Wonder if the spirituall Building went on no better wherein the Austerity and Harshnesse of the Pastour met with the Ignorance and Sturdinesse of the People Home he returns complaining of his ill Successe and one Aidan of a Milder temper and more Discretion a Grace which none ever spake against but such as wanted it was sent back in his room 70. Aidan coming into England Aidan his due commendation settled himself at Lindisfern or Holy-Island in Northumberland a place which is an Island and no Island twice in twenty four hours as divided by the Tide from so conjoyned at Low-water to the Continent His exemplary Life was a Pattern for all pious Pastours First he left to the Clergy Saluberrimum abstinentiae vel continentiae exemplum though we read not he vowed Virginity himself or imposed in on others He lived as he taught and whatsoever the Bounty of Princes or great Persons bestowed on him he gave to the Poor He seldome travelled but on Foot and when invited to large Feasts at Court used to arise after a short Refection and betake himself to his Meditations He redeemed many Slaves from Captivity making them first Free-men then Christians 71. Bede his allay All these his excellent Practices Bede a Eccles Hist lib. 3. cap. 3. dasheth with this Allay that He had a Zeal of God although not fully according to Knowledge merely because he dissented from the Romish Church in the Celebration of Easter But whether those words of b Rom. 10. 2. S t. Paul spoken of his Country-men the Iews in reference to their Stumbling at Christ the Saviour of Mankind be fitly appliable to Aidan onely differing in an outward Ceremony let others decide True it is this Aidan was a prime Champion of the Quartadecimans as who had been brought up under or with S t. Colme in Ireland The writer of the Life of this S t. Colme let this be inserted by the way reports how the said Saint had a Revelation c Arch-Bishop Usher in the Religion of the Irish p. 99. of the Holy Ghost which prophesied unto him of this Discord which after many dayes should arise in the Church about the diversity of the Feast of Easter Yet he telleth us not that the Holy Ghost reproved this Colme whose Example animated others against the Roman Rite for his Errour as if God cared not which of both Sides carried the Controversie 72. But all which Bede speaketh in Diminution of Aidan Lay-mens diligence in reading Scripture may freely be forgiven him were it but for his faithfull recording
Miracles which the Papists confidently report to be done by him after his Death in curing Sick people of their severall Maladies For such Souls which they fancy in Purgatory are so farre from healing others that they cannot help themselves Yea f Eccles Hist lib. 3. cap. 12. Bede calleth this Oswald jam cum Domino regnantem now reigning with the Lord. Yet the same g Lib. 3. cap. 2 Authour attesteth that even in his time it was the anniversary Custome of the Monks of Hexam to repair to Heofen-feld a place hard by where Oswald as aforesaid obtained his miraculous Victory and there to observe Vigils for the Salvation of his Soul plurimaque Psalmorum laude celebrata victimam pro eo mane sacrae oblationis offerre A Mongrel Action betwixt Good-will and VVill-worship though the eyes of their Souls in those Prayers looked not forward to the future petitioning for Oswald's Happinesse but backward to what was past gratulatory to the Blisse he had received Purgatory therefore cannot properly be founded on such Suffrages for the dead However such over-Officiousnesse though at first it was like the Herb in the Pot which doth neither good nor ill in after-Ages became like that wild a 2 King 4. 40 Gourd Anno Dom. poysoning mens Souls with Superstition 644 when they fell to down-right Praying for the departed 79. This year Paulinus The death of Paulinus late Arch-Bishop of York since Bishop of Rochester ended his Life and one Ithamar succeeded him born in Kent and the first English-man Bishop all being Forrainers before him As he was the first of his Nation I believe him the second of his Name meeting with no moe save onely b Exod. 6. 23. Ithamar the youngest Son of Aaron High-Priest of Israel 80. After King Oswald his Death 645 four Christian contemporary Kings flourished in England Most Christian King Oswy First Oswy King of Northumberland more commendable for the Managing then the Gaining of his Kingdome except any will say that no good Keeping can make amends for the ill Getting of a Crown seeing he defeated Ethelwald Oswald's Son and the true Heire thereof Bede c Lib. 3. c. 21. termeth him Regem Christianissimum The most Christian King a Stile wherewith the present Majesty of France will not be offended as which many years after was settled on his Ancestours Long had this Oswy endeavoured in vain by Presents to purchase Peace from Penda the Pagan King of Mercia who miserably harassed his Country and refused any Gifts though never so rich and great which were tendered unto him At last saith my d Idem Authour Oswy resolved VVe will offer our Presents to such a King who is higher in Command and humbler in his Courtesie as who will not disdain to accept them Whereupon he devoted his Daughter to God in her perpetuall Virginity and soon after obtained a memorable Conquest over his Enemies and cleared the Country from his Cruelty 81. Secondly Sigebert the too good Sigebert King of Essex and the Restorer of Religion in his Kingdome which formerly had apostatized after the Departure of Mellitus valiant and pious though taxed for his contumacious Company-keeping contrary to his Confessours command with an Excommunicated Count in whose House he was afterward murdered by two Villains Who being demanded the Cause of their Cruelty why they killed so harmlesse and innocent a Prince had nothing to say for themselves but they did it because his e Beda lib. 3. cap. 22. Goodnesse had done the Kingdome hurt such his pronenesse to pardon Offenders on their though but seeming Submission that his Meeknesse made many Malefactours But I hope and believe that the Heirs of Sigebert though the Story be silent herein finding his Fault amended it in themselves and exercised just Severity in the Execution of these two damnable Traitours 82. Anna may be accounted the third Successour to Sigebert 654 and happy in a numerous and holy Off-spring Anna happy in an holy issue Yea all his Children save Firminus the eldest slain with his Father in a Fight against Pagan Penda were either Mitred or Vailed when Living Sainted and Shrined when Dead as Erkenwald Bishop of London Ethelred or Audrey and Sexburga successively Foundresses and Abbesses of Elie VVithgith a Nun therein and Ethilburg Abbesse of Beorking nigh London 83. Peada 656 Prince of Mercia The conversion of the Mercians to Christianity under Prince Peada may make up the Quaternion who married Alfrede Daughter of Oswy King of Northumberland and thereupon renouncing Paganisme embraced Christianity and propagated it in his Dominions Indeed Penda his Father that Persecuter of Piety was still alive and survived two yeares after persisting an Heathen till Death but mollified to permit a Toleration of Christianity in his Subjects Yea Penda in his Old-age used an expression which might have beseemed the Mouth of a better man namely That he hated not Christians but onely such who f Beda lib. 3. cap. 21. professed Christ's Faith without his VVorks accounting them contemptible who pretended to Believe in God without Obeying him 84. A brace of Brethren St. Cedde and St. Chad. both Bishops both eminent for Learning and Religion now appeared in the Church so like in Name they are oft mistaken in Authours one for another Now though it be pleasant for Brethren to live together in Vnity Anno Dom. 656 yet it is not fit by Errour they should be jumbled together in Confusion Observe their Difference therefore S t. Cedde in Latine Ceddus I believe the elder born at a Flores Sanctorum pag. 35. London where afterward he was Bishop bred in Holy Island an active promoter in making the East-Saxons Converts or rather Reverts to the Faith He is remembred in the Romish Kalendar Ianuary the seventh S t. Chad in Latine Cedda born in b Idem p. 224. Northumberland bred likewise in Holy Island and Scholar to Aidanus He was Bishop of Lichfield a milde and modest man of whom more hereafter His death is celebrated in the Kalender March the second and the Dust of his Tombe is by Papists reported to cure all Diseases alike in Man and Beast I believe it might make the dumb to see and the lame to speak The later of these was as the Longest Liver so the most eminent in his Life who made many Christians and amongst the rest VVulfade and Rufine Sons to Wulphere King of Mercia succeeding Peada therein who was suddenly slain and his untimely Death was a great Loss to Religion 85. Look we now on the See of Canterbury Fridona first English Arch-bishop where to our comfort we have gotten one of our own Country-men into the place Fridona a Saxon. Yet for the more State of the businesse he assumed the name of Deus-dedit We know Arch-Bishops of his See are termed Alterius orbis Papae and such changing of Names was fashionable with the Popes He was
the Roman Rite To conclude let not the Reader expect the like exemplification of all Articles in following Synods so largely as here we have presented them For this Synod Stapleton b In his translation of Bede fol. 118. calls the first of the English Nation understand him whose Canons are completely extant and therefore more Patrimony is due to the Heir and Eldest Son then to the younger Brethren who shall be content to be confined to their Pensions I mean to have their Articles not exemplified but epitomized hereafter 97. Theodorus He envieth Wilfride Bishop of York Arch-Bishop of Canterbury beheld VVilfride Bishop of York one of great Parts and greater Passions with envious eyes and therefore to abate his Power he endeavoured that the Diocese of York might be divided VVilfride offended hereat goes over to Rome to impede the Project and by the way is tossed with a grievous Tempest It is an ill wind whicch bloweth no man Profit He is cast on the Shoar of Freezland in Belgia where the Inhabitants as yet Pagans were by his Preaching converted to Christianity This may be observed in this Wilfride his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were better then his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his casuall and occasionall were better then his intentionall Performances which shews plainly that Providence acted more vigourously in him then his own Prudence I mean when at Ease in Wealth at home he busied himself in Toyes and Trifles of Ceremonious Controversies but when as now and afterwards a Stranger and little better then an Exile he effectually promoted the Honour and Glory of God 98. And as it is observed of Nightingales The South-Saxons as formerly the Freezlanders converted by Wilfride that they sing the sweetest 679 when farthest from their Nests so this VVilfride was most diligent in God's Service when at the greatest distance from his own Home For though returning into England he returned not unto York but stayed in the Pagan Kingdome of the South-Saxons who also by God's Blessing on his Endeavours were perswaded to embrace the Christian Faith 99. These South-Saxons The first the last of all the seven Kingdomes were the last which submitted themselves to the perfect Freedome of God's Service and yet their Country was in Situation next to Kent where the Gospel was first planted Herein it was verified Many that are first shall be last and the last first Yea the Spirit which bloweth where it listeth observeth no visible Rules of Motion but sometimes taking no notice of those in the middle reacheth to them which are farthest off Indeed Edilwalch their King was a little before Christened by the perswasion of VVolphere King of Mercia who was his Godfather and at his baptizing gave him for a Gift the Isle of VVight provinciam a Bede lib. 4. cap. 13. Meanuarorum in gente Occidentalium Saxonum but his Country still remained in Paganisme And although Dicul a Scot with some six of his Brethren had a small Monastery at Bosenham in Sussex yet they rather enjoying themselves then medling with others were more carefull of their own Safety then their Neighbours Conversion And indeed the Pagans neither heeded their Life nor minded their Doctrine 100. However Pagan obstinacy punished with famine these South-Saxons paid for their Stubbornnesse in standing out so long against the Gospel for they alwayes were a miserable people and at this present afflicted with a great Famine caused by three years Drought so that fourty men in arow holding hand in hand used to throw themselves into the Sea to avoid the misery of a Lingering Death In this wofull Condition did VVilfride Bishop of York find them when he first preached the Gospel unto them and on that very day wherein he baptized them as if God from Heaven had powred water into the Font he obtained store of Rain which procured great Plenty Observe though I am not so ill-natured as to wrangle with all Miracles an Apish Imitation of Elijah who carried the Key of Heaven at his Girdle to lock or unlock it by his Prayer onely Elijah gave Rain after three yeares and six moneths VVilfride after bare three yeares it being good manners to come a little short of his Betters 101. South-Saxons first taught to fish Also saith my b Bede ibidem Authour he taught the people who till then knew not how to catch any Fishes but Eeles how to take all kind of Fish in the Sea and Rivers Strange that thus long they should live in Ignorance of so usefull a Trade being though Infidels no Idiots especially seeing mens Capacities come very soon to be of age to understand their own Profit and the Examples of their Neighbours might have been Tutours unto them But Wilfride afterward wanted no Hearers Anno Dom. 680 People flocking unto him as when Christ made his Auditours his Guests they followed after him because they ate of the Loaves and were filled The Priests Eappa Padda Bruchelin and Oidda assisted in baptizing the common people and King Edilwalch gave VVilfride a piece of Land containing eighty nine Families at Selsey where he erected a Bishops See since translated to Chichester 102. Amongst other good deeds A double good deed VVilfride freed two hundred and fifty men and maid-Servants both out of Soul-Slavery and Bodily Bondage For having baptized them he procured their Liberty of their Masters which they no doubt chearfully embraced according to S t. Paul's a 1 Cor. 7. 21. counsel Art thou called a Servant care not for it but if thou maist be made free use it rather And thus by God's Blessing in the space of eighty and two yeares from five hundred ninety seven to six hundred seventy nine was the whole Saxon Heptarchie converted to Christianity and did never again relapse to Paganisme 103. Godfathers used to men of nature Age. Mention being b Parag. 99. lately made of VVolphere the Mercian King his being Godfather unto Edilwalch King of the South-Saxons some will much admire that one arrived at yeares of Maturity able to render an Account of his Faith should have a Godfather which with Swadling-clouts they conceive belong to Infants alone Yet this was very fashionable in that Age not onely for the greater state in Kings Princes and Publick Persons but in majorem cautelam even amongst Private people For such Susceptors were thought to put an Obligation on the Credits and by reflection on the Consciences of new Christians whereof too many in those dayes were baptized out of civile Designes to walk worthy of their Profession were it but to save their Friends Reputation who had undertaken for their Sincerity therein 104. Cadwallader Cadwallader founds a VVelsh Hospital at Rome the last King of VVales wearied out with Warre Famine and Pestilence left his own Land and with some small Treasure fled to Alan King of Little Britain But Princes are welcome in forrain parts when Pleasure not Need brings them
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
to the Observation of the English b Malemesburiensis ut prims King Alfred's exemplary Character Historian that the Saxon-Kings in this Age magis optabant honestum Exitum quam acerbum Imperium 25. In this sad condition God sent England a Deliverer namely King Alfred or Alured born in England bred in Rome where by a Prolepsis he was anointed King by Pope Leo though then but a private Prince and his three elder Brothers alive in auspicium futuriregnt in hope that hereafter he should come to the Crown Nor did this Vnction make Alfred ante-date his kingdome who quietly waited till his foresaid Brothers successvely reigned and died before him and then took his Turn in the Kingdome of the VVest-Saxons The worst was his Condition was like a Bride-groom who though lawfully wedded yet might not bed his Bride till first he had conquered his Rival and must redeem England before he could reign over it The Danes had London many of the in-land moe-of the maritime Towns and Alfred onely three effectuall Shires Somerset Dorset and VVilts yet by Gods Blessing on his Valour he got to be Monarch of all England Yea consider him as a King in his Court as a Generall in his Camp as a Christian in his Closer as a Patron in the Church as a Founder in his Colledge as a Father in his Family his Actions will every way appear no lesse excellent in themselves 872 AIfredâ— sen Aâ—luredi 1 then exemplary to others 26. His most daring Design was Alfred as a fidler discovereth the Danish designes when lying hid about Athelney in Somerset-shire 876 and disguised under the habit of a Fidler being an excellent Musician he adventured into the Danish Camp Had not his spirit been undaunted 5 the sight of his armed Foes had been enough to have put his Instrument out of Tune Here going unsuspected through their Army he discovered their Condition and some of their Intentions Some would say that the Danes deserved to be beaten indeed if they would communicate their Counsels to a Fidler But let such know Alfred made this generall Discovery of them that they were remisse in their Discipline lay idle and carelesse and Security disarmes the best-appointed Army Themistocles said of himself that he could not fiddle but he knew how to make a little city great But our Alfred could fiddle and make a little City great too yea enlarge a petty and contracted Kingdome The Danish ships left water-bound into a vast and absolute Monarchy 27. But as the Poets feign of Anteus the Son of the Earth who fighting with Hercules Anno Regis Alfredi seu Aluredi 5 and often worsted by him recovered his Strength again every time he touched the Earth Anno Dom. 876 revived with an addition of new Spirits so the Danes which may seem the sons of Neptune though often beaten by the English in land-Battels no sooner recovered their Ships at Sea but presently recruiting themselves they returned from Denmark more numerous and formidable then before But at last to follow the Poeticall Fancy as Hercules to prevent Antaeus his farther reviving hoised him aloft and held him strangled in his Armes till he was stark dead and utterly expired so to secure the Danes from returning to the Sea who out of the Thames had with their Fleet sailed up the River Ley betwixt Hartfordshire and Essex Alfred with Pioneers divided the grand Stream of Ley into severall Rivulets so that their Ships lay Water-bound leaving their Mariners to shift for themselves over land most of which fell into the hands of their English Enemies so that this proved a mortal Defeat to the Danish Insolence 28. Alfred having thus reduced England to some tolerable terms of Quiet The general ignorance in England made most of the Danes his Subjects by Conquest the rest his Friends by Composition encountred a fiercer Foe namely Ignorance and Barbarisme which had generally invaded the whole Nation Inso much that the writeth that South of Thames he found not any that could read English Indeed in these dayes all men turned Students but what did they study onely to live secretly and safely from the Fury of the Danes And now that the next Age might be wiser then this Alfred intended the founding of an University at Oxford 29. Indeed Ancient Schools at Crekelade and Lechlade there were anciently standing on the Banks of Isis which in due time commenceth Thamisis two Towns one Crekelade or Greeklade in Wiltshire the other Lechlade or Latinlade in Gloucestershire In the former of these many yeares since things time out of mind must not be condemned as time out of truth the Greek Tongue as in the later the Latine Tongue are said to be publickly professed by Philosophers But where was Hebrew-lade the Hebrew Tongue being more necessarie then both the former for the understanding of the Old Testament Alas in this Age it was banished not onely out of England but out of Christendome As in the ordinary method of Nature the more aged usually die first so no wonder if Hebrew generally presumed the oldest Language in the world expired first in this Age of Ignorance utterly abolished out of the Western Countries Yea it is well the other two learned Tongues were preserved in these places Grekelade and Lechlade being then Cities of eminent Note shrunk now to mean Towns and content with plain English where Latine and Greek were formerly professed 30. But now the Muses swam down the Stream of the River Isis 11 to be twenty miles nearer to the rising Sun 882 and were by King Alfred removed from Crekelade and Lechlade The University first founded by Alfred at Oxford to Oxford where he founded an University Yet some say Alfred did find and not found Letters therein seeing there was a sprinkling of Students therein before though Learning was very low and little therein till this considerable Accession when Alfred founded therein three Colledges one for Grammarians a second for Philosophers a third for Divines Take a List of their primitive Professours In Divinity S t. Grimbal S t. Neoth In Grammar Asserius a Monk In Logick Iohn of S t. Davids In Mathematicks Ioannes Monachus It is credibly reported that what is now called Vniversity-Colledge was then one of King Alfred's Foundations as the Verses written in their Hall under his Armes do attest Nobilis Alfredi sunt haec Insignia cujus Primum constructa est haec pietate domus And from this time Learning flourished here in great Plenty and Abundance though oft-times abated Anno Dom. 882 the Universities feeling the Impressions of the Common-wealth Anno Regis Alfredi seu Aluredi 11 31. At the same time wherein King Alfred built Vniversity Colledge in Oxford Kings-Hall founded by King Alfred he also founded Another House called Kings-great-Hall intimating a lesser hard by now included within the compasse a Rex Platonicus pag. 211. of
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
Cruelty to himself if unwillingly was it Dunstan's Fire or his Faith that fail'd him that he could hold out against him no longer But away with all Suspicions and Queries none need to doubt of the truth thereof finding it in a Sign painted in Fleet-street near Temple-barre 16. During Dunstan's abode in his Cell Aelsgine Dunstan's bountifull friend he had to his great Comfort and Contentment the company of a good Lady Aelfgine by name living fast by No Preacher but Dunstan would please her being so ravisht with his Society that she would needs build a little Cell for her self hard by him In processe of time this Lady died and by her last Will left Christ to be the Heir and Dunstan the Executor of her Estate Enabled with the accession thereof joyned to his paternall Possessions which were very great and now fallen into his hands Dunstan erected the Abbey of Glassenbury and became himself first Abbot thereof a Title till his time unknown in England he built also and endowed many other Monasteries filling them with Benedictine Monks who began now to swarm in England more then Magots in a hot May so incredible was their Increase 17. After the death of King Athelstane 16 Dunstan was recalled to Court in the reign of King Edmund 939 Athelstan's Brother Recalled to Court and re-banished thence and flourished for a time in great Favour But who would build on the brittle Bottome of Princes Love Soon after he falls into the Kings Disfavour Edmundi 1 the old Crime 940 of being a Magician and a Wanton with Women to boot being laid to his charge Surely Dunstan by looking on his own Furnace might learn thence there was no Smoak but some Fire either he was dishonest or undiscreet which gave the Ground-work to their generall Suspicion Hereupon he is re-banisht the Court and returned to his desired Cell at Glassenbury but within three dayes was solemnly brought back again to Court if the ensuing Story may be believed 18. King Edmund was in an eager pursuit of a Buck King Edmund his miraculous deliverance on the top of a steep Rock whence no Descent but Destruction Down falls the Deer and Dogs after him and are dashed to pieces The King follows in full speed on an unruly Horse whom he could not rein is on the Brink of the Brink of the Precipice yet his Prayers prove swifter then his Horse he but ran whilst they did fly to Heaven He is sensible of his Sin in banishing Dunstan confesseth it with Sorrow vowes Amendment promiseth to restore preferre him Instantly the Horse stops in his full Career and his Rider is wonderfully preserved 19. Thus farre a strong Faith may believe of the Story Fy for shame lying Monk but it must be a wild one which gives credit to the remainder a Ross Histor Matt. West Iob. Capgr Osbernus Cervus Canes reviviscunt saith the impudent Monk The Deer Dogs revive again I remember not in Scripture that God ever revived a brute Beast partly because such mean subjects are beneath the Majesty of a Miracle and partly because as the Apostle faith brute Beasts b 2 Pet. â— 12. are made to be taken destroyed Well then might the Monk have knockt off when he had done well in saving the Man and Horse and might have left the Dogs Deer to have remained dead on the place the Deer especially were it but to make Venison Pasties to feast the Courtiers at the solemnizing of their Lord and Masters so miraculous Deliverance 20. Dunstan returning to Court was in higher Favour then ever before 6 Edredi 1 Nor was his Interest any whit abated by the untimely Death of King Edmund slain by one Leoff a Thief seeing his Brother Edred 946 succeeding to the Crown King Edred a high Patron of Dunstan continued and increased his Kindness to him Under him Dunstan was the Doe-all at Court Anno Dom. 946 being the Kings Treasurer Anno Regis Edredi 1 Chancellour Counsellour all things Bishopricks were bountifully profered him pick and chuse where he please but none were honoured with his Acceptance Whether because he accounted himself too high for the place and would not stoop to the Employment or because he esteemed the place too high for him unable conscientiously to discharge it in the midst of so many Avocations Mean time Monasteries were every where erected King Edred devoutly resigning all his Treasure to Dunstan's Disposall Secular Priests being thrust out of their Convents and Monks substituted in their rooms 21. But after Edred's Death But King Edwine his profest Enemy the Case was altered with Dunstan falling into Disgrace with King Edwin his Successour 954 This King on his Coronation-day was said to be incestuously imbracing both Mother Daughter 9 Edwini 1 when Dunstan boldly coming into his Bed-chamber after bitter Reproofs stoutly fetcht him thence and brought him forth into the company of his Noblemen An heroick act if true done with a Iohn Baptist spirit and no wonder if Herod and Herodias I mean this incestuous King and his Concubines were highly offended with Dunstan for the same 22. But good men Who though wronged by the Monks was a worthy Prince and grave Authours give no belief herein conceiving King Edwin how bad soever charactered by the Monks his malicious Enemies to have been a worthy Prince In witnesse whereof they produce the words of a Hist lib. 5. pag. 357. Henry Huntington a learned man but no Monk thus describing him Edwin non illaudabiliter regni insulam tenuit Et rursus Ed win rex anno regni sui quito cum in principio regnum ejus decentissime flor eret prospera laetabunda exordia mors immatura perrupit Edwin was not undeserving of praise in managing the Sceptre of this Land And again King Edwin in the fifth year of his Reign when his Kingdome began at first most decently to flourish had his prosperous and pleasant Beginnings broken off with untimely Death This Testimony considered makes many men think better of King Edwin and worse of Dunstan as guilty of some uncivil Intrusion into the Kings Chamber for which he justly incurred his royall Displeasure 23. Hereupon Dunstan is banished by King Edwin He banisheth Dunstan and dieth heart-broken with grief not as before from England to England from the Court to his Cell at Glassenbury but is utterly expelled the Kingdome and flieth into Flanders Where his Friends say that his Fame prepared his Welcome the Governour of Gaunt most solemnly entertained him 956 Mean time 3 all the Monks in England of Dunstan's Plantation were rooted up and Secular Priests set in their places But soon after happened many Commotions in England especially in Mercia and Northumberland The Monks which write the Story of these Rebellions conceive it unfit to impart to Posterity the Cause thereof which makes wise men to
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
the third are commonly without any date Grace in like manner will arise so early in your heart advantaged by your Godly Birth and Breeding that you shall not remember the beginning thereof However to make sure work it will be safest to examine your self when arrived at Age what eminent accessions and additions of Grace you can remember with the Place and Time when the same were effectually wrought in your Soul and what bosome-sin you have conquered Especially take notice of your solemn Reconciling to God after Repentance for some sin committed David no doubt in some sort may be said to be born good God being his hope when in the * Psal 22. 10. Womb when on the Breasts of his Mother * Psal 71. 5. Trusting in him and * Psal 71. 17. Taught by him from his Youth Now though probably he could not remember his first and general Conversion he could recount his Reconversion after his foul Offences of Adulterie and Murder as by his Penitential Psalm doth plainly appear Otherwise such who boast themselves Converted before Memorie by the priviledg of their pious Infancy if they can recover no Memorials of their Repentance after relaps and produce no time nor tokens thereof are so far from being good from their Cradle it is rather suspicious they will be bad to their Coffin if not labouring for a better spiritual estate And now my Lord let me recommend to your Childhood the Reading of the HOLY SCRIPTURES as the * 2 Tim. 3. 15. Apostle termeth them holy in the fountain flowing from the holy Spirit inditing them holy in the Conduit pipe derived through * 2 Peter 1. 21. holy men penning them holy in the Liquor teaching and directing to Holiness holy in the Cisterne working Sanctity in such as worthily receive them and making them wise unto Salvation Now next to the Study of the Scriptures History best becometh a Gentleman Church-History a Christian the British History an Englishman all which qualifications meeting eminently in your Honour give me some comfortable assurance that these my weak endeavours will not be unwelcome unto you by perusing whereof some profit may probably accrew to your self and more honour will certainly redown to The meanest and unworthiest of your Lordships Servants THOMAS FULLER THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITAINE Anno Regis Gul. Conq 1. CENT XI Anno Dom. 1067. 1. WIlliam Duke of Normandy being thus arrived Octo. 14. soon conquered Harold with an army of Normans The drunken English conquered by the Normans and foundeth Battle-Abbey as far beneath the English in Number as above them in temperance For the English being revelling before had in the morning their brains arrested for the arrearages of the indigested fumes of the former night and were no better then drunk a Mane adhuc ebrii contra hostes incunctanter procedunt when they came to fight But these things belong to the Historians of the State to relate whilest it is proper to us to observe that King William to testifie his gratitude to God for the victory founded in that place Battel-Abby endowing it with revenues and large immunities The b Combdens Brit. in Sussex Abbot whereof being a Baron of Parliament carried a pardon in his presence who casually coming to the place of Execution had power to save any Malefactor The Abbey-Church was a place of safety for any Fellon or Murtherer though such Popish sanctuaries themselves if accused as unlawful can finde no refuge in Scripture precepts or presidents for their justification seeing the very Horns of the Altar by divine command did push away those wilful offenders which fled unto them and impunity being the greatest motive to impiety made their Covent the Center of sinners Here the Monks flourished in all affluence William Crowned by the Arch-Bishop of York whilest many of the English Clergie flie into Scotland as the Old world in the dayes of Noah they ate they drank they bought they fold would I might add they married wives and were given in marriage for want whereof they did worse till in the dayes of King Henry the eight they were all drowned in the general Deluge of the Dissolution 2. Now it was proper to the place of Stigand Arch-Bishop of Canterbury to perform the Solemnities of King Williams Coronation but he declined that imployment pretending Williams unlawful title Anno Regis Gul. Conq and loath to pour the sacred oyl on his Head whose Hands had shed so much innocent bloud The other accounting himself to have a better title to the Crown by conquest then the Arch-Bishop had to his Miter by Simony disdained his service and accepted the Crown from the hands of Aldred Arch-Bishop of York who first required an Oath of him to defend the Church minister justice and amongst other things to use English-men as favourably as Normans Notwithstanding which Oath he made the Normans his Darlings and the English his Drudges insomuch as many English Bishops and Abbots unable to comport themselves with his harshness and conceiving it more credit and safety to go then to be driven away fearing by degrees they should all be quarrelled out of their places unwillingly willing quitted their preserments and fled into Scotland Here King Malcolme Canmore who had married Margaret Niece to Edward the Confessor freely received them He himself had formerly lived fourteen years in England and now of a grateful Guest became a bountiful Host and courteously harboured these Exiles And as at this time England began to turn France imitating the language Garbe and manners thereof so Scotland began now to turn England the Families transplanted thither transporting the English customes fashions and Civilities along with them 3. About this time Doomes-day-book was made Dooms-day book made containing an exact survey of all the houses and land in the Kingdom 1068 unpartially done with rigorous severity Octo. 2. They omitted Nec lucum nec lacum c Ingulphi Historia fol. 516. nec locum so accurate they were in the very fractions of the land and therefore it may seem a miracle that the Monks of Crowland should finde a courtesie peculiar to themselves belike out of veneration to their Covent that their lands were rated nec ad spatium nec ad d idem ibid. praecium neither so much in quantity nor so high in value as indeed they were worth This book of the General Survey of England though now begun did take up some years e Florentius Wigorniensis Higdâ—n make it finished Anno 1078. before it was compleated 4. King William called a Synod of his Bishops at Winchester 1070 wherein he was personally present 4. with two Cardinals sent thither from Rome Here Stigand Arch-Bishop of Canterbury was deposed for several uncanonical exorbitances and Lanfrank a lordly Lombard substituted in his room Sugand deposed in a couned at Winchester Stigand liv'd some years after in a Prison and
is a great deal when it must be taken from a new-shorne sheep so pilled and polled were all people before with constant exactions Such whom his hard usage forced beyond the seas were recalled by his Proclamation So that his heavy leavies would not suffer them to live here and his hard Laws would not permit them to depart hence And when the Clergy complain'd unto him to be eased of their burdens I beseech you said he have ye not coffins of gold and silver for dead mens bones intimating that the same treasure might otherwise be better imployed 36. The streams of discord began now to swell high variance between the King and Anselme betwixt the King and Arch-Bishop Anselme flowing principally from this occasion At this time there were two Popes together so that the Eagle with two heads the Arms of the Empire might now as properly have fitted the Papacy for the present Of these the one Guibertus I may call the Lay-Pope because made by Henry the Emperor the other Vrban the Clergy-Pope chosen by the Conclave of Cardinals Now because like unto like King William sided with the former whilest Anselme as earnestly adhered to Vrban in his affections desiring to receive his Pall from him which the King resused to permit Hereupon Anselme appealed to his Pope whereat King William was highly offended 37. But Their several pleadings and present reconcilement because none are able so emphatically to tell their stories and plead their causes as themselves take them in them in their own words The King Objected The custome from my Father's time hath been in England that no person should appeal to the Pope without the Kings license He that breaketh the customs of my Realm violateth the power and Crown of my Kingdom He that violateth and taketh away my Crown is a Traytor and enemy against me Anselme Answered The Lord hath discussed this question Give unto Cesar the things that are Cesars and unto God the things that are Gods In such things as belong to the terrene dignities of temporal Princes I will pay my obedience but Christ said Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church c. Whose Vicar he ought to obey in spiritual matters and the fetching of his Pall was of that nature At last an expedient was found out that Anselme should not want his Pall nor fetch it himself from Rome being by the King's consent brought to him by Gualter Pope Urban's Legate whom the King at last was fain to acknowledg and so all things for the present reconciled 38. But the wound betwixt them was rather skinned over They disagree again then perfectly healed and afterwards brake out again the King taking occasion of displeasure at Anselmes backwardness to assist him in his expedition into Wales Whereupon Anselme desired a second journey to Rome there to bemoan and probably to relieve himself by complaint to the Pope But the King stopt his voyage affirming that Anselme had led so pious a life he need crave no absolution at Rome and was so well stored with learning that he needed not to borrow any counsel there Yea said the King Vrban had rather give place to the wisdom of Anselme then Anselme have need of Urban In fine after much contesting Anselme secretly stole out of the Realm and the King seized all his goods and lands into his own coffers Three years was he in exile somtimes at Lions sometimes at Rome welcome wheresoever he came and very serviceable to the Church by his pious living painfull preaching learned writing and solid disputing especially in the general Councel of Bar where he was very useful in confuting and condemning the errours of the Greek-Church about the Procession of the Holy Spirit 39. King Rufus was a hunting in New-Forest 14. Aug. 2. which was made by King William 1100 his Father King Rufus his death not so much out of pleasure or love of the game as policy to clear and secure to himself a fair and large landing-place for his forces out of Normandy if occasion did require Here then was a great devastation of Towns and Temples the place being turned into a wilderness for Men to make a Paradise for Deer God seemed displeased hereat for amongst other Tragedies of the Conquerors family acted in this place Rufus was here slain by the glancing of an arrow shot by S r Walter Tirrel An unhappy name to the Kings of England this man casually and another wilfully S r James Tirrel employed in the murthering of King Edward the fifth having their hands in royal bloud Now it is seasonably remembred that some yeers since this King William had a desperate disease whereof he made but bad use after his recovery and therefore now Divine Justice would not the second time send him the summons of a solemn visitation by sickness but even surprized him by a sudden and unexpected death 40. Thus died King William Rufus His hurial and character leaving no issue and was buried faith my a John Bromton pag. 997. Author at Winchester multorum Procerum conventu paucorum verò planctu many Noble-men meeting but few mourning at his funerals Yet some who grieved not for his death grieved at the manner thereof and of all mourners Anselme though in exile in France expressed most cordial sorrow at the news of his death A valiant and prosperous Prince but condemn'd by Historians for covetousness cruelty and wantonness though no woman by name is mentioned for his Concubine probably because thrifty in his lust with mean and obscure persons But let it be taken into serious consideration that no pen hath originally written the life of this King but what was made by a Monkish pen-knife and no wonder if his picture seem bad which was drawn by his enemy And he may be supposed to fare the worse for his opposition to the Romish usurpation having this good quality to suffer none but himself to abuse his Subjects stoutly resisting all payments of the Popes imposing Yea as great an enemy as he was conceiv'd to the Church he gave to the Monks called De Charitate the great new Church of S t Saviours in Bermondsey with the Manor thereof as also of Charlton in Kent 41. Henry Beauclarke Henry the first succeedeth Rufus and is crowned his brother succeeded him in the Throne one that crossed the common Proverb The greatest Clerks are not the wisest men being one of the most profoundest Scholars and most politick Princes in his generation He was Crowned about four dayes after his brothers death Anno Dom. 1100. At that time Anno Regis Hen. 1. the present providing of good swords was accounted more essential to a Kings Coronation then the long preparing of gay clothes Such preparatory pomp as was used in after-ages at this Ceremony was now conceived not onely useless but dangerous speed being safest to supply the vacancy of the Throne To ingratiate himself to
to receive large summes of money for his leave after whose faculties obtained if such marriage were against the Law of God men did sin not with less guiltiness but more Expences 26. That the Bodies of the Dead be not carried to be buried out of their own Parishes so that the Parish Priest should lose his due unto him 27. That none out of a rash novelty which we know to have happened exhibit reverence of Holiness to any Bodies of the Dead fountains or other things without Authority from the Bishop 28. That none persume hereafter what hitherto men used in England to sell Men like bruite Beasts Anno Dom. 1102. This Constitution as all others which concerned the Subjects Civil right found not general obedience in the Kingdom For the proceedings of the Canon Law were never wholly received into practice in the Land but so as made subject in whatsoever touched temporals to secular Laws and national Customs And the Laytie at pleasure limited Canons in this behalf Nor were such sales of servants being mens proper goods so a See Mr Selden spicileg ad Eadmerum pag. 208. weakned with this prohibition but that long after they remained legal according to the Laws of the Land 29. That the sin of Sodometry both in Clergie and Laytie should be punished with heavy Censures Remarkable that the same Synod which forbad Priests Marriage found it needful to punish Sodometry an Italian Vice beginning now to be naturaliz'd in England For those who endeavour to make the way to heaven narrower then God hath made it by prohibiting what he permits do in event make the way to hell wider occasioning the committing of such sins which God hath forbidden We may further observe that the plaister now applied to the rotten sore of Sodometry was too gentle too narrow and too little time laid on Too gentle for whereas the sin is conceived to deserve death it was onely slubber'd over that the party convict of this Wickedness if in Orders was admitted to no higher honour and deposed from what he had till restored again on his repentance Too narrow if it be true what one observes that b Bale in the Acts of English Votaries second part chap. 74. MONKS as neither merely Lay nor Priests were not threatned with this Curse where all was hidden in Cloysters Lastly too little time laid on for whereas at first it was constituted that such Excommunication of Sodomites convicted should solemnly be renewed every Lords Day this short-liv'd Canon did die in the birth thereof and Anselme himself c Eadmerus ut prius postponi concessit suffered it to be omitted on pretence that it put beastly thoughts into many mens mindes whose corruption abused the punishment of sin in the provocation thereof whilest others conceive this relaxation indulged in favour to some great offenders who hardened in Conscience but tender in Credit could not endure to be so solemnly publickly and frequently grated with the shame of the sin they had committed So much for the Constitutions of that Synod wherein though Canons were provided for Priests Cap a Pe from the shavnig to the shooes yet not a syllable of their instructing the people and preaching Gods word unto them We must not forget that men guilty of Simony in the first Canon are not taken in the Vulgar acception for such as were promoted to their places by money but in a new coyned sence of that word for those who were advanced to their Dignities by investiture from the King which gave occasion to the long and hot Broil happening betwixt King Henry and Anselme which now we come to relate 4. The King commanded him to Consecrate such Bishops 4. as he lately had invested 1103 namely An selme refuseth to consecrate the Kings Bishops William of Winchester Roger of Hereford c. which Anselme refused because flatly against the Canon newly made in the Councel of Rome by Pope Vrban that any who had their entrance by the Authority of temporal Princes should be admitted to Bishopricks Hereupon the King enjoyned Gerard Arch-Bishop of York to Consecrate them who out of opposition to Anselme his Competitour was as officious to comply with the King King as the other was backward Anno Dom. 1105. hoping thereby to hitch his Church a degree the higher Anno Regis Hen. 16. by help of his Royal Favour Here hapned an unexpected accident For William Bishop of Winchester refused Consecration from the Arch-Bishop of York and resigned his staff and ring back again to the King as illegally from him This discomposed all the rest For whereas more then the moity of Ecclesiastical persons in England were all in the same condemnation as invested by the King the very multitude of offenders would have excused the offence if loyal to their own cause Whereas now this defection of the Bishop of Winchester so brake the ranks and maimed their entireness that their cause thereby was cast by their own confession and so a party raised among them against themselves 5. Soon after Anselme sent to Rome the King was contented that Anselme should go to Rome to know the Popes pleasure herein But one none of the Conclave without a prophetical spirit might easily have foretold the resolution of his Holiness herein never to part with power whereof how injuriously soever though but pretendedly possessed Anselme for his complyance with the Pope herein is forbidden to return into England while the King seiseth on his temporalities 6. However The king parts with his investing of Bishops not log after 1106. by mediation of friends 7. they are reconciled the King disclaiming his right of Investitures a weak and timerous act of so wise and valiant a Prince whose Predecessors before the Conquest held this power though some time loosely in their own hands and his Predecessors since the Conquest grasp'd it fast in their fist in defiance of such Popes as would finger it from them Whereas now he let it go out of his hand whilest his Successors in vain though with a long arme reach't after it to recover it And now Anselme who formerly refused consecrated all the Bishops of vacant Sees amongst whom Roger of Sarisbury was a prime person first preferred to the Kings notice because he began prayers quickly and caded them speedily for which quality he was commended as fittest for a Chaplain in the Camp and was not unwelcome to the Court on the same account 7. Anselme having devested the King of investing Bishops one of the fairest roles in his Ward-robe did soon after deprive the Clergie of one half of themselves Anselme forbids Priests marriage For in a solemn Synod he forbad Priests Marriage wherein 1107 as charitably we believe 8. his intentions pious and commendable and patiently behold his pretences specious and plausible so we can not but pronounce his performance for the present injurious and culpable and the effects thereof
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
the English at this present had not injured his Holinesse by any personall offence against him the Pope by Interdicting the whole Realme discovered as much emptinesse of Charity as plenitude of Power But some will say his bounty is to be praised that he permitted the People some Sacraments who might have denied them all in rigour and with as much right yea 't is well he Interdicted not Ireland also as a Countrey under King Johns Dominion deserving to smart for the perversnesse of their Prince placed over it 10. But after the continuance of this Interdiction King John by name excommunicated a year and upwards 1209. the horrour thereof began to abate 10. Use made ease and the weight was the lighter born by many shoulders Yea the Pope perceived that King John would never be weary with his single share in a generall Burden and therefore proceeded Nominatim to excommunicate him For now his Holinesse had his hand in having about this time excommunicated Otho the German Emperour and if the Imperiall Cedar had so lately been blasted with his Thunderbolts no wonder if the English Oak felt the same fire He also Assoiled all English subjects from their Allegiance to King John and gave not onely Licence but Incouragement to any Forreigners to invade the land so that it should not onely be no sinne in them but an expiating of all their other sinnes to conquer England Thus the Pope gave them a Title and let their own swords by Knight-service get them a Tenure 11. Five years did King John lie under this sentence of Excommunication Yet is blessed with good successe under the Popes curse in which time we find him more fortunate in his Martiall Affairs 1210. then either before or after 11. For he made a successefull voyage into Ireland as greedy a Grave for English Corps as a bottomlesse Bag for their Coin and was very triumphant in a Welsh Expedition and stood on honourable termes in all Foraine Relations For as he kept Ireland under his feet and Wales under his elbow so he shak't hands in fast friendship with Scotland and kept France at arms end without giving hitherto any considerable Advantage against him The worst was not daring to repose trust in his Subjects he was forced to entertain Forainers which caused his constant anxiety as those neither stand sure nor go safe who trust more to a staffe then they lean on their legs Besides to pay these Mercenary Souldiers he imposed unconscionable Taxes both on the English Clergy especially and Jews in the Kingdom One Jew there was of b Mat. Paris in Anno 1210. pag. 229 Bristoll vehemently suspected for wealth though there was no cleer Evidence thereof against him of whom the King demanded ten thousand Marks of silver and upon his refusall commanded that every day a Tooth with intolerable torture should be drawn out of his head which being done seven severall times on the eight day he confessed his wealth and payed the fine demanded who yeelding sooner had sav'd his teeth or stubborn longer had spar'd his money now having both his Purse and his Jaw empty by the Bargain Condemn we here mans cruelty and admire heavens justice for all these summes extorted from the Jews by temporall Kings are but paying their Arrerages to God for a debt they can never satisfie namely the crucifying of Christ 12. About the same time The Prophesie of Peter of Wakefield against K John one Peter of Wakefield in Yorkshire a Hermit 1212. prophesied that John should be King of England 13. no longer then next Ascension-day after which solemn Festivall on which Christ mounted on his glorious Throne took possession of his heavenly Kingdom this Oppose of Christ should no longer enjoy the English Diadem And as some report he foretold that none of King Johns linage should after him be crowned in the Kingdom Anno Regis Joh. 13. The King called this Prophet an a Fox Martyr pag. 229. Idiot-Knave Anno Dom. 1212. which description of him implying a contradiction the King thus reconciled pardoning him as an Idiot and punishing him as a Knave with imprisonment in Kors-Castle The fetters of the prophet gave wings to his prophesie and whereas the Kings neglecting it might have puft this vain Prediction into wind men began now to suspect it of some solidity because deserving a wise Princes notice and displeasure Farre and neer it was dispersed over the whole Kingdom it being b Cominaeus faith that the English are never without some Prophesie on foot generally observed that the English nation are most superstitious in beleeving such reports which causeth them to be more common here then in other Countries For as the Receiver makes the Thief so popular credulity occasioneth this Propheticall vanity and Brokers would not set such base ware to sale but because they are sure to light on chapmen 13. Leave we the person of this Peter in a dark Dungeon 14. and his credit as yet in the Twilight 1213. betwixt Prophet and Impostor to behold the miserable condition of King John King Johns submission to the Pope perplexed with the daily preparation of the French Kings Invasion of England assisted by many English Male-contents and all the banish'd Bishops Good Patriots who rather then the fire of their Revenge should want fuel would burn their own Countrey which bred them Hereupon King John having his soul battered without with forrain fears and foundred within by the falsenesse of his Subjects sunk on a sudden beneath himself to an act of unworthy submission and subjection to the Pope For on Ascenision Eve May 15. being in the town of Dover standing as it were on tip-toes on the utmost edge brink and labell of that Land which now he was about to surrender King John by an Instrument or Charter sealed and solemnly delivered in the presence of many Prelates and Nobles to Pandulphus the Popes Legat granted to God and the Church of Rome the Apostles Peter and Paul and to Pope Innocent the third and his Successours the whole Kingdom of England and Ireland And took an Estate thereof back again yeelding and paying yeerly to the Church of Rome over and above the Peter-pence a thousand Marks sterling viz. 700. for England and 300. for Ireland In the passing hereof this ceremony is observable that the Kings Instrument to the Pope was * Both Instruments for the present were but sealed with Wax and the next yeer solemnly embossed with mettall in the presence of Nicholas the Popes Legat. sealed with a seal of Gold and the Popes to the King which I have beheld and perused remaining amongst many rarities in the Earl of Arundels Library was sealed with a seal of Lead Such bargains let them look for who barter with his Holinesse alwayes to be losers by the contract Thy silver saith the c Isai 1. 22. The Rent never paid the Pope nor demanded
Private Chappels wherein particular persons claim a propriety of sepulture at their own charges 3. The Chauncel at the expence of the Parson However in all these such respect is had to the custom of the place time out of minde that it often over-ruleth the premisses Quaere Whether the Fences of the Church-yard be to be made on the Parish-charges or on the purse of the several persons whose ground surroundeth it or abutteth on the same * Oblations and Tythes It is a question which I believe will never be decided to the contentment of both Parties in what notion Tythes belong to the Court-Christian 1. The Canonists maintaine That Originally and ex sua natura they are of Ecclesiastical cognizance as commonly avouched and generally believed due Jure Divino Besides such the near relation of the Church and its maintenance that to part the oyl from the lamp were to destroy it They produce also the Confession in the Statute of the first of Richard the second That pursuit for Tythes ought and of ancient time did pertain to the Spiritual Court 2. The Common-Lawyers defend That Tythes in their own nature are a civil thing and therefore by Britton who being Bishop of Heresord and learned in the Laws of this Realm was best qualified for an unpartial Judg herein omitted when treating of what things the Church hath cognizance They * Bracton lib. 5. fol. 401. affirm therefore that Tythes were annexed to the Spirituality Thus they expound those passages in Statutes of Tythes anciently belonging to Court-Christian as intended by way of concession and not otherwise But the Canonists are too sturdy to take that for a gift which they conceive is their due left thanks also be expected from them for enjoying the same and so we leave the question where we found it 27. Mortuary Because something of history is folded up in this word which may acquaint us with the practice of this age we will enlarge a little hereon and shew what a Mortuary was when to be paid by whom to whom and in what consideration 1. A Mortuary a Linwood Constit lib. 1. fol. 11. c. de Consuetudine was the second best quick cattel whereof the party died possessed If he had but two in all such forsooth the charity of the Church no Mortuary was due from him 2. It was often bequeathed by the dying but however alwayes payed by his Executors after his death thence called a Mortuary or Corse-present 3. By whom No woman under Covert-Baron was lyable to pay it and by proportion no children unmarried living under their Fathers tuition but Widows and all possessed of an Estate were subject to the payment thereof 4. To whom It was paid to the Priest of the Parish where the party dying received the Sacrament not where he repaired to prayers and if his house at his death stood in two Parishes the value of the Mortuary was to be divided betwixt them both 5. It was given in lieu of small or personal Tythes Predial Tythes are too great to be casually forgotten which the party in his life-time had though ignorance or negligence not fully paid But in case the aforesaid Mortuary fell far short of full satisfaction for such omissions Casuists maintain the dying party obliged to a larger restitution So much of Mortuaries as they were generally paid at the present until the time of Henry the sixth when learned Linwood wrote his Comment on that Constitution How Mortuaries were after reduced to a new regulation by a Statute in the twenty first of Henry the eighth pertains not to our present purpose 28. For laying violent hands on a Priest The Ecclesiastical Judg might proceed ex officio and pro salute animae punish the offender who offered violence to a Priest but dammages on Action of Battery were onely recoverable at Common-Law Note that the arresting of a Clergy-man by Process of Law is not to be counted a violence 29. And in cause of Defamation Where the matter defamatory is spiritual as to call one Heretick or Schismatick c. the plea lay in Court-Christian But defamations with mixture any matter determinable in the Common-Law as Thief Murderer c. are to be traversed therein 30. Defamation it hath been granted From this word granted Common-Lawyers collect let them alone to husband their own right that originally defamations pertained not to the Court-Christian From the beginning it was not so until the Common-Law by Acts of Parliament granted and surrendred such suits to the Spirituality 31. Thus by this Act and Writ of Circumspectè agatis No end can end an everlasting difference King Edward may seem like an expert Artist to cleave an hair betwixt the spiritual and temporal jurisdiction allowing the premisses to the former and leaving whatever is not specified in this Act to the Cognizance of the Common-Law according to the known and common Maxime Exceptio firmat regulam in non exceptis However for many years after there was constant heaving and shoving betwixt the two Courts And as there are certain lands in the Marches of England and Scotland whilest distinct Kingdomes termed Battable-grounds which may give for their Motto not Dentur justiori but Dentur fortiori for alway the strongest sword for the present possessed them So in controversial cases to which Court they should belong sometimes the Spirituality sometimes the Temporality alternately seized them into their Jurisdiction as power and favour best befriended them See more hereof on Articuli Cleri in the Reign of Edward the second But generally the Clergie complained that as in the blending of liquors of several colours few drops of red will give tincture to a greater quantity of white so the least mixture of Civil concernment in Religious matters so discolourated the Christian candor and purity thereof that they appeared in a temporal hue and under that notion were challenged to the Common-Law Sad when Courts that should be Judges turn themselves Plaintiffs and Defendents about the bounds of their Jurisdiction 32. We long since mentioned the first coming in of the Jews into England brought over by William the Conqueror and now are come this year to their casting out of this Kingdome A transition to the entire story of our English Jews having first premised some observables concerning their continuance therein 1290. If hitherto we have not scattered our History with any discourse of the Jews 18. know it done by design that as they were enjoyned by our Laws to live alone in streets by themselves not mixing in their dwellings with Christians so we purposely singled out their story and reserved it by it self for this one entire relation thereof 33. They were scattered all over England Their principal residence in London In Cambridg Bury Norwich Lin Stanford Northampton Lincoln York and where not But their principal aboad was in London where they had their Arch-Synagogue at the North corner of the Old-Jury as opening
into Lothbury After their expulsion their Synagogue was turned into the Covent of the Friers of the Sack or De Poenitentia Jesu and after their supression it became successively the house first of a Lord then of a Merchant since of any man for his money being turned into a Tavern with the sign of the a Stow his Survey of London pag. 288. Wind-mill A proper sign to express the moveableness of that place which with several gales of success hath been turned about from so many owners and to so many uses 34. As for the civil government of Jews in England The Justicer of the Jews the King set over them one principal Officer called the Justicer of the Jews whose place in honor was next to the Barons of the Exchequer His office was to be the Patron Protector of the Jews in their just rights to decide all suits betwixt Christians and them and to keep the seal of the Jews their Corporation with the keys of their Treasury I conceive of such moneys as they paid as Tribute to the King otherwise the Jews had age enough to keep the Keys of their own coffers themselves and wit too much to trust them with others S r Robert de Hoo and S r Philip Luvel afterward Treasurer of England men of signal Nobility successvely discharged this place These Justicers often acted very high in defence of their Clients the Jews insomuch as I finde it b Additamenta Matthaei Parisiensis p. â—02 complained of by the English Clergy as a great grievance that when a Jew was convented before the Ecclesiastical Judg for his misdemeanours as Sacriledg violence offered to some Priest adultery with a Christian woman c. their own Justicer would interpose and by a Prohibition obtained from the King obstruct all legal proceedings against such a Jew as onely responsible in his own jurisdiction 35. In their spiritual government they were all under one Pontifex The High Priest or Presbyter of the Jews or High Priest We finde his name was Elias who Anno 1254. had that office He was also called the Presbyter of the Jews whose place was usually confirmed at least if not constituted by the King who by his Patent granted the same as may appear by this copie of King Johns as followeth REX a Ret. Cart. 1 Reg. Joh. part 1. memb 28. Cart. 171. omnibus fidelibus suis Anno Regis Ed. 1. 18. omnibus Judaeis Anno Dom. 1290. Anglis salutem Soiatis Nos concessisse praesenti Chartâ nostrâ confirmasse Jacobo Judge de Londoniis Presbyterio Judaeorum Presbyteratum omnium Judaeorum totius Angliae babendum tenendum quamdiu vixerit liberè quietè bonorificè integre its quòd nemo ei super hoc molestiam aliquam aut gravamen inferre praesumat Quare volumus firmiter praecipimus quod eidem Jacobo quoad vixerit Presbytoratum Judaeorum per totam Angliam garantetis manu teneatis pacificè defendatis si quis ei super eo foriffacere praesumserit id ei sine dilatione salva nobis emenda nostra de forisfactura nostra emendari faciatis tanquam Dominico Judaeo nostro quem specialiter in servitio nostra retinuimus Prohibemus etiam ne de aliquo ad se pertinente ponatur in placitum nisi coram Nobis aut coram Capitali Justitia nostra sicut Charta Regis Richardi fratris nostri testatur Taeste S. Bathomensi Episcopo c. Dat. per manus H. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi Chancellarii nostri apud Rothomagum 31. die Julii Anno Regni nostri primo I have transcribed this Patent the rather for the rarity thereof it being a strange fight to see a Christian Arch-Bishop date an Instrument for a Jewish Presbyter 36. Their livelihood was all on Usury Jews griping Usurers One Verse in b Deut. 23. 20. Deuteronomy with their Comment thereon was more beneficial unto them then all the Old Testament besides Vnto a stranger thou maiest lend upon usury but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury Now interpreting all strangers who though neighbours at the next door were not of their own nation they became the universal Usurers of all England and did our Kingdom this courtesie that because all hated the Jews for their Usury sake all also hated Usury for the Jews sake so that Christians generally disdained to be guilty thereof Now seeing there are two wayes to wealth one long and sure by saving at home the other short but not so certain because probably it may meet with detection and punishment by oppressing abroad no wonder if the Jews using both wayes quickly arrived at vast estates 37. For Their rapaciousness and tenaciousness first for their fare it was course in the quality and yet slender in the quantity thereof Insomuch that they would in a manner make pottage of a flint Swines-flesh indeed they would not eat but dogs-meat they would I mean beef and mutton so poor and lean that the refuse of all Christians was the Jews choice in the Shambles Clothes they wore so poor and patch'd beggars would not take them up to have them Attendants they kept none every one waiting on himself No wonder then if easily they did over-grow others in wealth who basely did under-live themselves in all convenient accommodations Nor were they less gripple in keeping then greedy in catching of goods who would as soon lose their fingers as let go what they had clutched therein 38. I was of the opinion and perchance not without company in my mistake that the Jews were not permitted to purchase Lands in England Jews might purchase houses I thought onely the ground of their graves generally buried without Cripplegate in the Jews garden on the West side of S t Gyles's Church-yard now turned into Tenements in Red-cross-street could be termed theirs But since I am informed that Benomy c Stows Survey pag. 288 and 289. Mittun a Jew as certainly many moe besides him was possessed of much Land and many houses in several parishes in London Surely their purchases were limited within some restrictions But the Jews generally more fancied letting-out of money then buying in of Land as which made their estates less subject to discovery more plentiful in their encreasing and more portable in the removing thereof 39. It was an usual punishment legally inflicted on these Jews Lay-excommunication what it was for their offences not capital to Excommunicate them Thus such Jews should be Excommunicated who contrary to the Laws kept Christian-nurses a Additamentaâ— Matthaei Pari. pag 202. in their houses or who cast off that badg or cognizance which they ought to have worn over their upper garment Anno Dom. 1290. to be distinguished from Christians Anno Regis Ed. 1. 18. Surely such Excommunication was no Ecclesiastical censure needless to keep the Jews out of our Churches who hated all coming into them Rather it
thy sorceries and the great abundance of thine inchantments And it seemes they still retained their old wicked wont Secondly Poisoning To give the Jews their due this was none of their faults whilest living in their own land not meeting with the word in the whole Bible It seems they learnt this sin after their disperson in other Nations and since are grown exquisite in that art of wickedness Thirdly Clipping of money Fourthly Counterfeiting of Christians hands and seals Fifthly Extortion A Jew occasioned a mutiny in London by demanding from a poor Christian above two shillings for the use of twenty shillings for one week being by proportion no less then five hundred and twenty pounds per annum for every hundred Sxthly Crucifying of the children of Christians to keep their hands in ure always about Easter So that the time pointed at their intents directly in derision of our Saviour How sufficiently these crimes were witnessed against them I know not In such cases weak proofs are of proof against rich offenders We may well believe if their persons were guilty of some of these faults their estates were guilty of all the rest 47. Now although it passeth for an uncontrolled truth Jews say others not cast out but craved leave to depart that the Jews were by the King violently cast out of the Land yet a great a Sir Ed. Coke Lawyer states the case much otherwise viz. that the King did not directly expel them but only prohibit them to put money to use which produced a petition from them to the King that they might have leave to depart the Land a request easily granted unto them some will say it is all one in effect whether one be starved or stabbed death inevitably following from both as here the Jews were famished on the matter out of England usury being their meat and drink without which they were unable longer to subsist However this took off much from the Odium of the act that they were not immediately but only indirectly and consequentially banished the Realm or rather permitted a free departure on their own petition for the same As for the sad accident that some hundreds of them being purposely shipped out of a spightful design in a leaking vessel were all drowned in the Sea if true it cannot but command compassion in any Christian heart 48. It is hardly to be believed The King gets incredible wealth forfeited by the Jews what vast sums of wealth accrewed to the King 1293 by this call it ejection 21. or amotion or decesion of the Jews He allowed them only bare viaticum to bear their charges and seised on all the rest of their estates Insomuch that now the King needed not to listen to the counsel of William Marsh Bishop of Bath and wells 1294 and Treasurer of England but therein speaking more like a Treasurer then a Bishop advising him 22. if in necessity to take all the plate and money of Churches a Polydore Virgil and Monasteries therewith to pay his souldiers The poor Jews durst not go into France whence lately they had been solemnly banished but generally disposed themselves in Germany and Italy especially in the Popes territories therein where profit from Jews and Stews much advance the constant revenues of his Holiness 49. King Edward having done with the Jews King Edward arbitrator betwixt Bailiol and Bruce began with the Scots and effectually humbled them and their country This the occasion Two Competitors appearing for the Crown of Scotland John Bailiol and Robert Bruce and both referring their title to King Edward's decision he adjudged the same to Bailiol or rather to himself in Bailiol For he enjoyned him to do homage unto him and that hereafter the Scotish Crown should be held in fealty of the English Bailiol or his necessity rather his person being in King Edward's power accepted the condition owning in England one above himself that so he might be above all in Scotland 1295 But 23. no sooner was he returned into his own Kingdom and peaceably possessed thereof but instantly in a Letter of defiance he disclaimeth all former promises to King Edward appealing to the Christian world whether his own inforced obedience were more to be pitied or King Edward's insolence improving it self on a Princes present extremitics more to be condemned 50. Offended hereat He proveth Malleus Scotorum King Edward 1297 advanceth into Scotland 25. with the forces he formerly intended for France Power and policy make a good medly and the one fareth the better for the other King Edward to strengthen himself thought fit to take in the title of Robert Bruce Bailiols corrival hitherto living privately in Scotland pretending to settle him in the Kingdom Hereupon the Scots to lessen their losses and the English victories b G. Buchanan 〈◊〉 Scot. libro octavo 〈◊〉 affirm that in this expedition their own Country-men were chiefly conquered by their own Country-men the Brucian party assisting the Englsih Sure it is that King Edward took Barwick Dunbar Sterling Edenbrugh the Crown Scepter and out of Scone the Royal Chair and prophetical Marble therein And though commonly it be observed that English valour hopefully budding and blossoming on this side of Edenburgh-Frith is frost-bitten on the North thereof yet our victorious Edward crossing that sea took Montross and the best Counties thereabout In a word he conquered almost all the Garden of Scotland and left the wilderness thereof to conquer it self Then having fetled Warren Earl of Survey Vice-Roy thereof and made all the Scotish Nobility Doughty Douglas alone excepted who was committed to prison for his singular recusancy swear homage unto him and taking John Bailiol captive along with him he returned triumphantly into England The End of the Thirteenth CENTURY CENT XIV TO CLEMENT THROCKMORTON the Elder OF Haseley in Warwick-shire Esq LEt other boast of their French bloud whilest your English family may vie Gentry with any of the Norman Extraction 1. For Antiquity four Monosyllables being by common pronuntiation crouded into your name THE ROCK MORE TOWN 2. For Numerosity being branched into so many Counties 3. For Ingenuity charactered by †Brit. in Warwick shire Camden to be FRUITFUL OF FINE WITS whereof several instances might be produced But a principal consideration which doth and ever shall command my respect unto your person is your faithful and cordial friendship in matters of highest concernment whatever be the success thereof to the best of my Relations which I conceived my self obliged publickly to confess 1. AMidst these cruel Wars Ed. 1. 29. betwixt the English and Scots 1301. Pope Boniface the eighth The Pope challengeth Scotland as peculiar to himself sent his Letters to King Edward requiring him to quit his claim and cease his Wars and release his prisoners of the Scotch Nation as a people exempt and properly pertaining to his own Chappel Perchance the Popes right to
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
Edward the Fourth procured of him the Priory of Sherbourn in Hampshire and Queen Mary by her intercession prevailed with King Charles for the perpetual Patronage of certain Benefices in the same County 23. Nor let not our Virgin Queen be forgotten Queen Elizabeths singular bounty as in effect Refoundresse of this from the third year of her reign being informed that the Title of the Foundation thereof with the lands thereunto belonging were in question and subject to eviction by Act of Parliament conferred a sure Estate of the same 24. I meet in the Records of the Tower Rouls This Colledg parted between two Arch-bishops with a passage concerning this Colledg and though I do not perfectly understand I will exemplifie it And * Ex Rot. Parl. Henrici quarti anno 13. a little after upon divers matters moved between the said Arch-bishop and the Arch-Bishop b Henry Bowet of York upon certain priviledges pretended by the said Arch-Bishop of York in the Colledge called QUEEN-HALL in the Vniversity of Oxford The said Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in presence of the King and of the Lords promised a Tho. Arundel that if the said Arch-Bishop of York could sufficiently show any Priviledge or specially of Record wherefore the said Arch-Bishop of Canterbury ought not to use his Visitation of the said Colledge he would then abstain Saving to himself alwaies the Visitation of the said Schollars abiding in the said Colledge according to the judgement and decrees made and given by K. Richard the second and by our Lord K. Henry that now is as in the * See this recorded at larg in the next Book p. 164. Record thereof made thereof more plainly is declared It seems hereby so far as I can apprehend this Colledge was so parted betwixt the two Metropolitans that the dead Moity viz. the Lands and Revenues thereof belonged to the inspection of the Arch-Bishop of York whilst the living half namely the Schollars especially in matters concerning their Religion pertained to the Visitation of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Provosts Anno Regis Ed. tertii 12. Richard de Retteford John de Hotham Henry Whitfield Thomas de Carlile Roger Whelndale Walter Bell. Rowland Byris William Spenser Thomas Langton Christ Bainbridge Edward Rigge John Pantry William Denyse Hugh Hodgeson Thomas Francis Lancelot Shaw Alane Scot. Barthol Bowse field Henry Robinson Henry Airy Barnabas Petter Christopher Potter Gerard Langbain Benefactors Anno Dom. 1346 Robert Langton Thomas Langton Edmund Grindal Christo Bainbridge William Fettiplace Henry Robinson Henry Ayrie Bishops Henry Baufort Bp. of Winchester and Cardinall of St. Eusebias Christopher Bainbridge Arch-Bishop of York and Cardinal of St. Praxes Henry Robinson Bp. of Carlile Barnabas Potter Bp. of Carlile Learned Writers 1 John Wickliffe Bailiol Merton and Queens colledges claim him and all perchance rightly at several times 2 John de Trevisa of whom hereafter anno 1397. This house hath lately been happy in learned Lawyers Sir John Banks Sir Ro. Berkley Sir Tho. Tempest Atturney General of Ireland Judg Atkins courteous to all men of my profession and my self especially Sr. Thomas Overbury Christopher Potter in his excellent work of Charity Mistaken * Eminent for his review of the Council of Trent GERARD LANGBAIN THOMAS BARLOVV So that at this present are maintained therein one Provost fourteen Fellows seven Schollars two Chaplains two Clerks and other Students about 160. 25. In the mean time the Pope was not idle The Pope makes use of the Kings absence but laid about him for his own profit Knowing King Edward could not attend two things at once And therefore whilest he was busied about his wars in France his Holinesse bestirred him in England cropping the flowers of the best Livings in their bud before they were blown Yea in a manner he may be said to seethe the Kid in the Mothers milk So that before Livings were actually void He provisionally pre-provided Incumbents for them and those generally Aliens and his own Countreymen 26. Though late 15 the King got leisure to look on his own Land 1343 where he found a strange alteration The Statute of provisions reasonably made for as France lately was made English by his Valour England was now turned Italian by the Popes Covetousnesse In prevention therefore of future mischief this Statute of Provision was made whereby such forestalling of Livings to Forrainers was forbidden 27. Our Authors assign another accidentall cause of the Kings displeasure with the Pope Mans anger worketh Gods pleasure namely That when his Holinesse created twelve Cardinals at the request of the King of France He denied to make one at the desire of this King of England Surely it was not reasonable in proportion that his Holinesse giving the whole dozen to the King of France might allow the advantage to the King of England However betwixt both this statute was made to the great enriching of the Kingdom and contentment of the Subjects therein 28. Yet this Law Statures of Provisions not presently obeyed of Provisions as all others did not at the first making meet with present and perfect obedience The Papal party did struggle for a time till at last they were patient per-force finding the Kings power predominant True it is this grievance did continue and was complained of all this and most of the next Kings Reign till the Statute of praemunire was made Anno Dom. 1345. which clinted the naile which now was driven in Anno Regis Ed. tertii 15. So that afterwards the Land was cleared from the incumbrance of such Provisions 29. A good Author tells us Papal power in England declines Habent Imperia suos Terminos huc cùm venerint sistunt retrocedunt ruunt Empyres have their bounds whither when they come they stand still they go back they fall down This is true in respect to the Papal power in England It went forward untill the Statute of Mort-maine was made in the reign of King Edward the first It went backward slowly when this Statute of provisions swiftly when this Statute of Praemunire was made It fell down when the Papacy was abolished in the reign of King Henry the eighth 30. Three years after the statute against the Popes Provisions was made The Pope takes wit in his anger the King presented unto him Thomas Hatlife to be Bishop of Durham 1346 one who was the Kings Secretary 21 and when this is all is said that can be in his commendation as utterly devoid of all other Episcopal qualifications However the Pope confirmed him without any dispute or delay and being demanded why he consented to the preferment of so worthlesse a person he answered that rebus sic stantibus if the King of England had presented an Ass unto him he would have confirmed him in the Bishoprick Indeed as yet his Holiness was in hope that either the K. would revoke the foresaid statute or else
moderate the execution thereof 31. This year The institution of the Knights of the Garter Authors generally agree some few making it later 1350 viz. 25 after John K. of France was taken prisoner K. Edward instituted the Order of the Garter consisting of 1. One Chief Guardian or Soveraign being the King of England 2. Five and twenty Knights whereof the first set were termed Founders and their Successors ever since called Fellows or Companions of the Order 3. Fourteen Canons resident being Secular Priests 4. Thirteen Vicars or Chorol Priests 5. Twelve Military Gentlemen of the meaner sort decayed in age and estate commonly called the poor Knights of Winsor 6. One Prelate of the Garter being alwaies the Bishop of Winchester 7. One Chancelour thereof being antiently the Bishop of Salisbury in whose Diocesse Winsor is but lately a Lay-Person The truly Honourable and well experienced Statesman and Traveller Sir Thomas Row if I mistake not was the last Chancelour of the Garter 8. One Register being alwaies the Dean of Winsor 9. One Usher who is one of the Ushers of the King his Chamber called the Black Rod. 10. A chief Herald added for the more Solemnitie by K. Henry the 5. and called Garter This Order the K. founded within his Castle of Winsor to the honour of Almighty God and the blessed Virgin Mary and of the glorious Martyr St. George and to the exaltation of the holy Catholick Faith 32. Four Essentials are requisite in the Persons Eligible into this Order The qualification of these Knights that they be Gentlemen of Name and Arms by Fathers and Mothers side for three descents Secondly that he be without spot or foule reproach understand it not convicted of Heresie or attainted of Treason Thirdly that he have a competent estate to maintain the dignity of the Order Fourthly that he never fled in the day of battle his Soveraign Lord or his Lieutenant in being in the field 33. Their habiliments are either ordinary Their habits as a Blew Ribbon with the picture of St. George appendent and the Sun in his Glory on the left shoulder of their Cloak added as some say by King charles being for their daily wearing or extraordinary as their Collar of S. S. their Purple Mantle their Gown Kirtle Chaperon and chiefly their Garter This being made of Blew is with Hony Soit qui male pense in Golden Letters enchased with precious stones fastened with a Buckle of Gold and worn on the left leg of the Fellows of this Order 34. They take an Oath Their Oath that to their power during the time that they are Fellows of the Order they shall defend the honour quarrel rights and Lordships of their Soveraign that they shall endeavour to preserve the honour of the Order and without fraud or Covin well observe the Statutes thereof This is taken absolutely by the Natives of this Kingdom but by Forrainers relatively and in part with their reference to some former Order 35. They oblige themselves Other Rites they are bound to observe first to be personally present without a just cause specified to and accepted by the Soveraign or his Deputy at Winsor on the Festival of St. George Secondly that if coming within two miles of that place except hindered by some important businesse they repair thither Anno Regis Ed. tertii 26. put on their Mantles Anno Dom. 1350. lying constantly Liegers there proceed to the Chappel and there make their Offering Thirdly that they be never openly seen without their GEORGE'S which they shall neither engage alien Fell nor give away on any necessity whatsoever Lastly that they take order their Garter at their death be safely and solemnly sent back to the Soveraign to confer the same on one to succeed him in the Order 36. I have done when I have told that their places may be vacated Order how voided on three occasions First by death which layeth this as all other honour in the dust Secondly by deprivation on the persons misdemeanour or want of the foresaid qualifications Thirdly by cession or surrender when a Forraign Prince entreth into enmity with this Crown is pleased to send his Garter back again 37. Excesse in Apparel began now to be great in England Excesse in apparel restrained which made the State take order to retrench it Some had a project that mens Cloatthes might be their signs to shew their Birth Degree or Estate so that the quality of an unknown person might at the first sight be expounded by his Apparrel But this was soon let fall as impossible Statesmen in all Ages notwithstanding their several laws to the contrary being fain to connive at mens Râ—ot in this kind which maintaineth more poor people than their charity However the ensuing passage must not be omitted 38. Item that the Clerks which have a degree in a Church 37 Cathedral 1361 Collegial or in Schools Rot. Tur. Lon. anno Ed. ter 37. and the Kings Clerks which have such an estate that requires Fur do and use according to the constitution of the same and all other Clerks which have above two hundred marks rent per annum use and do as Knights of the same rent And other Clerks under that rent use as Squires of an hundred pound rent * Pellure in the French Original And that all those aswell Knights as Clerks which by this Ordinance may use Fur in Winter by the same manner may use it in Summer 39. Passe we now from soft Furr Clergy-men injoyned to take up arms to hard Steel I mean a command from the King for the arming of all Clergy-men 40. And besides this 43 the King commands 1368 and requires all the Prelates there assembled Rot. in Tur. Londin anno Ed. tertii that in respect of the great danger and damage which perhaps might happen to the Realm and Church of England by reason of this war in case his Adversary should enter the Kingdom to destroy and subvert the same that they will put to their aid in defence of the Kingdom and cause their Subjects to be arraied aswell themselves and their religious men as Parsons Vicars and other men of holy Church whatsoever to abate the malice of his Enemies in case they should enter the Kingdom which Prelates granted to do this in aid and defence of the Realm and holy Church And so the Parliament ended Here we see More seâ—â—ed then hurt In hostes publicos omnes homo miles none are dispenced with to oppose an invading enemy But where were these Forraign Foes France and Scotland being now both of them ordered into a defensive posture whose invasion was expected Possibly these dangers were represented thorough State-Multiplying Glasses to quicken the care and continue the Taxes on the English Nation 41. The Lords and Commons in Parliament began now to find themselves much agrieved A petition against Clergy mens imployment in Secular places
Catalogue of the Benefactors of S t. John's Colledg in Cambridg understand it by his Executors otherwise the first Brick of that House was laid nine years after the Arch-Bishops death Now as this was a sad year at Canterbury wherein their good Arch-Bishop departed so was it a joyful year at Rome for the coming in of that Jubilee which brought men and money there yet many went to Rome in effect which staied in England by commuting their journey into money which was equally meritorious the Popes Officers being come over to receive the same The End of the Fifteenth CENTURY THE Church-History OF BRITAINE The Fifth Book CONTAINING THE REIGN OF KING HENRY THE EIGHTH SIC OMNI TEMPORE VERDO LONDON Printed in the Year M.DC.LV. To the Right Honourable LIONEL CRANFIELD EARL of MIDDLESEX Anno Regis BARON CRANFIELD OF CRANFIELD c. Anno Dom. SAint PAUL gave a great charge to * 2 Tim. 4. 13. Timothy to bring the Cloak which he left at Troas but especially the Parchments Here we have the Inventory of a Preachers estate consisting of a few Cloathes and Books what he wore and what he had written But the Apostles care was not so much concerned in his Cloathes which might be bought new as in his Writings where the damage could not be repaired I am sadly sensible though far be it from me to compare Scribling with Scripture what the loss of a Library especially of Manuscripts is to a Minister whose Books have passed such hands which made riddance of many but havock of more Was it not cruelty to torture a Library by maiming and mangling the Authors therein neither leaving nor taking them intire Would they had took less that so what they left might have been useful to others Whereas now mischievous Ignorance did a prejudice to me without a profit to its self or any body else But would to God all my fellow Brethren which with me bemoan the loss of their Books with me might also rejoyce for the recovery thereof though not the same numerical Volumes Thanks be to your Honour who have bestow'd on me the Treasure of a Lord-Treasurer what remained of your Fathers Library Your Father who was the greatest Honourer and Disgracer of Students bred in Learning Honourer giving due respect to all men of merit Disgracer who by his meer natural parts and experience acquired that perfection of invention expression and judgment to which those who make learning their sole study do never arive It was a Gift I confess better proportioned to your Dignity then my deserts too great not for your Honour to bestow but for me to receive And thus hath God by your bounty equivalently restored unto me what the Locusts and the Palmer worme c. have devoured so that now I envy not the Popes Vatican for the numerousness of Books variety of Editions therein enough for use being as good as store for state or superfluity for magnificence However hereafter I shall behold my self under no other notion then as your Lordsships Library-keeper and conceive it my duty not onely to see your Books dry'd and rubb'd to rout those moaths which would quarter therein but also to peruse study and digest them so that I may present your Honour with some choice Collections out of the same at this ensuing History is for the main extracted thence on which account I humbly request your acceptance thereof whereby you shall engage my daily prayers for your happiness and the happiness of your most Noble Consort I have read how a Roman Orator making a Speech at the Funeral of his deceased Mother in law affirmed that he had never been Reconciled unto her for many years Now whilest his ignorant auditors condemned their mutual vindicativeness the wiser sort admired and commended their peaceable dispositions because there never happened the least difference between them needing an agreement as that bone cannot be set which was never broken On which account that never any reconciliation may be between your self and other self is the desire of Your Honours most bounden Beadsman THOMAS FULLER THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITAINE BOOK V. 1. GOD hath always been ambitious to preserve and prefer little things Poor professours still preserved by Gods providence the Jews the least of all Nations Hen. 7. 17. DAVID their King 1501 least in his fathers family little Benjamin the Ruler little Hill of Herman the Virgin Mary the lowliness of thy handmaiden Gods children severally are stiled his little ones and collectively make up but a little flock And surely it renders the work of grace more visible and conspicuous when the object can claim nothing as due to it self A pregnant proof hereof we have in Divine Providence at this time preserving the inconsiderable pittance of faithful professors against most powerful opposition This handful of men were tied to very hard duty being constantly to stand Sentinels against an Army of enemies till God sent Luther to relieve them and the work was made lighter with more hands to do it as in the sequel of our story God willing will appear Mean time we must remember that Henry Dean succeeded in the place of Arch-Bishop Morton lately deceased and enjoyed his honour but two years then leaving it to William Warham one well qualified with learning and discretion 2. Now it is no small praise to Buckingham-shire 22. that being one of the lesser Counties of England 1506 it had more Martyrs and Confessors in it Some burnt some branded for the profession of the truth before the time of Luther then all the Kingdom besides where William Tylsworth was burnt at Amersham the Rendezvous of Gods children in those dayes and Joan his onely daughter Anno Dom. 1506 and a faithful woman Annos Regis Hen. 7 22. was compelled with her own hands to set fire to her dear a Fox his Acts and Monuments I. Volume p. 1010. father At the same time sixty professors and aboue did bear fagots for their penance and were enjoyned to wear on their right sleeves for some years after a square piece of cloath as a disgrace to themselves and a difference from others But what is most remarkable a new punishment was now found our of branding them in the cheek The b Fox 1011. manner thus Their necks were tied fast to a post with towels and their hands holden that they might not stir and so the hot Iron was put to their checks It is not certain whether branded with L for Lollard or H for Heretick or whether it was onely a formless print of Iron yet nevertheless painful this is sure that they c Gal. 6. 17. bare in their bodies the marks of the Lord Jesus And no doubt they had so well learned our Saviours d Mat. 5. 39. precept that rather then they would have revenged themselves by unlawful means to them that smit them on the one cheek they would have turn'd the
Deductions Divisions and Sub-divisions of these Orders which have no foundation in the Scripture Yea hear what c Matth. Park An. Dom. 1257. pag. 949. Matthew Paris being a Monk of S. Albans saith Tot jam apparuerunt Ordines in Angliâ ut ordinum confusio videretur inordinata It is possible then for my best diligence to commit an Errour and impropriety in Reckoning them up For what wonder is it if one be lost in a wood to which their numerous Orders may well be resembled though in all this wood there appears not one plant of God's planting as one of their own f Rob. Witgift Abbot of Wellow Abbots most remarkably did observe In a word when the g Exod. 8. 13 14. Frogs of Aegypt died out of the houses out of the villages and out of the fields They gathered them together upon heaps c. And give us leave in like manner confusedly to shovel up these Vermin now dead in England 2. First Benedictines the primitive Monks in England come forth the Benedictines or Black Monks so called from S. BENEDICT or BENET an Italian first Father and Founder of that Order Augustine the Monk first brought them over into England and these black Birds first nested in Canterbury whence they have flowen into all the parts of the Kingdome For as h Clem. Reyner De antiq Ordin is S. Benedict one rightly observeth all the Abbeys in England before the time of King William the Conquerour and some whiles after were filled with this Order Yea all the Abbeys in England of the first magnitude which had Parliamentary Barons abate onely the Prior of the Hospitallers of S. John's in London were of this Order and though the Augustinians were their Seniors in Europe they were their Juniors in England Now as Mercers when their old Stuffes begin to tire in Sale refresh them with new Names to make them more vendible So when the Benedictines waxed stale in the world the same Order was set forth in a New Edition corrected and amended under the names first of CLUNIACKS these were Benedictines sifted through a finer search with some additionals invented and imposed upon them by Odo Abbot of Cluni in Burgundy who lived Anna Domini 913. But these Cluniacks appeared not in England till after the Norman Conquest and had their richest Covents at Barnestable in Devon-shire Pontefract and Meaux in Yorkshire c. 2. CISTERCIANS so called from one Robert living in Cistercium in Burgundy aforesaid he the second time refined the drossie Benedictines and Walter Especk first established their Brotherhood in England at Rivall in York-shire besides which they had many other pleasant and plentifull habitations at Warden and Woburne in Bedford shire Buckland and Ford in Devon shire Bindon in Dorset-shire c. The Bernardine Monks were of a younger House or under-Branch of the Cistercians 3. Of GRAND-MONT which observed S. Benet's Rule were brought into England Anno 1233 and were principally fixed at Abberbury in Shropshire The Family of these Benedictines taken at large with their Children and Grand-Children of under-Orders springing from them were so numerous and so richly endowed that in their Revenues they did match all the other Orders in England especially if the Foundations of Benedictine Nuns be joyned in the same reckoning I doubt not but since these Benedictines have had their crudities deconcocted and have been drawn out into more slender threds of sub-divisions For commonly once in a hundred years starts up some pragmaticall person in an Order who out of novelty alters their old Rules there is as much variety and vanity in Monks Cowles as in Courtiers Cloaks and out of his fancie adds some observances thereunto To crie quits with whom after the same distance of time ariseth another and under some new Name reformeth his Reformation and then his late new now old Order is looked on as an Almanack out of Date wanting the Perfection of new and necessary Alterations 3. A scandal hath lately been raised Scandalum Benedictinorum much in dishonour of these Benedictines viz That all the antient English Monks before the Conquest were onely of the Order of S. Equitius Some highly concerned to confute this Report wrote over to our Antiquaries in England for their Judgments herein from whom they received this following Answer a Extant in Clem Reynere de Apostolatu Benedictinorum in Angliâ— pag. 202. QUoniam hâc nostra aetate exorta est controversia de Monachatu Gregorii magni Augustini Cantuariensis Sociorúmque ejus quos Gregorius in Angliam de sâ—o Monasterio praedicandi Evangelii causa destinâsse legitur quibusdam ipsos ordini Benedictino addicentibus quibusdam vero id acriter pernegantibus ipsos Ordini S. Equitii sive alicui alii ascribentibus Nos qui multum temporis in rebus vetustis tam civilibus quà m sacris atque iis imprimis quae ad Britanniam nostram potissimum spectant impendimus rogati ut testimonium perhiberemus veritati cum neutrius partis prejudiciis simus obnoxii Dicimus affirmamus nos duo solùm Monachorum genera in primis Saxonicae apud majores nostros Ecclesiae temporibus unum eorum qui Aegyptiensium mores secuti in hac Insulâ florebant ante adventum Augustini alterum eorum qui Benedictini Augustino itineris erant comites Hanc traditionem à patribus ad filios derivatam esse testamur atque ita derivatam ut non levibus innitatur fabulis aut ambitiosis partium conjecturis quin eam ipsam vetusta signatae fidei exhibent apud nos monumenta Ab Augustino insupper ad Henricum octavum per petuo in hac Insulâ viguit Benedictina Institutio nec Augustino recentiorem ejusve originem originisve recentioris vestigium ullibi comperimus Tantum abest Equitianum aliquem in hâc Insula fuisse Ordinem ut nulla omnino hujusmodi neque ordinis neque nominis mentio in vetustis quibus versamur tabulariis habeatur Sanè aliorum fere omnium in hâc Insulâ origines ita observavimus ut unius cujusque etiam minimi ingressum suo anno consignatum habeamus solius Benedictini ordinis originem ante Augustini saeculum non invenimus ipsius saeculo floruisse apertè re reperi mus Unde exploratissimum nobis esse profitemur non alterius ordinis fuisse ipsum sociósque ejus quam Benedictini qui ideo proculdubiâ— tam altas radices in Anglia egerit quoniam primi illi Monachi à Gregorio in Insulam destinati Regulae Benedictinae professores extiterunt Robertus Cotton Johannes Seldenus Henricus Spelman Gulielmus Cambdenus England may see 400 years yet not behold 4 such Antiquaries her Natives at once the four wheels of the Triumphant chariot of truth for our British History This Quaternion of Subscribers have stick'n the point dead with me that all antient English Monks were Benedictines Which Order lasting above one thousand years in this Land hath produced about
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
Abbey Nor must it be forgotten that a Text X pierced through with a dash is fixed in the navill of the Crosse Now though I have read * Accidence of Armes Letters to be little honourable in Armes this cannot be disgracefull partly because Church-Heraldrie moveth in a sphere by it self partly because this was the Letter of Letters as the received character to signifie Christus 9. S. Augustines in Canterbury gave Sable a Cross-Argent Of S. Augustine 10. Crosse we now the Thames Of Gloucester where Westward we first fall on S. Peters in Gloucester whose Dedication to that Apostle sufficiently rendreth a reason for the Armes thereof viz AZure two Crosse Keyes or two Keyes Saltire Or. 11. Teuxbury gave Gules Of Teuxbury a Cross of an antick form Or a border Argent 12. I will not adventure on the blazoning of the Armes of Winchcombe having much conformity therein with Mortimers Coat but leave the Reader to satisfie his own eyes in the inspection thereof Of Winchcomb 13. I should be thankfull to him who would inform me of the Armes of Cirencester Of Cirencesâ—er which hitherto I cannot procure 14. * S. Maryes in Coventry had no Armes in their Seale as my good friend Mr. Dugdale informed me St. Albans gave Azure a Cross Saltire Or. Of S. Albanâ— 15. Westminster-Abbey gave Azure a Cross flurt betwixt five Marteletts Or and this I humbly conceive were antiently the entire Armes of that Abbey being in effect the same with those of King Edward the Confessour the first Founder thereof But afterwards their Conventuall Seale was augmented with the Armes of France and England on a Chiefe Or betwixt two Roses Gules plainly relating to King Henry the seventh enlarging their Church with his Chappell 16. The Prior of St. John of Jerusalem gave Gules a Cross Argent Of S. Johns of Jerusalem which the Lord Priot sometimes a Thus Sir Tho. Tressam impayled with but before his own Coate and b Thus Sir Tho. Dockwray sometimes bare it in a Chiefe about it 17. The Armes of Waltham Abbey in Essex appear at this day neither in glass wood Of Waltham nor stone in or about the Town or Church thereof At last we have recovered them Unus home nobis out of a faire Deed of Robert Fullers the last Abbot though not certain of the mettall and colours viz Gules as I conjecture two Angels can they be lesse than Or with their hands such we finde of them in c Mat. 4. 6. Scripture holding betwixt them a Cross Argent brought hither faith our d Gamd. Brit in Essex Antiquary by miracle out of the West whence Waltham hath the addition of Holy Cross 18. The Arms of S. Johns in Colchester Of Colchester I leave to the eye of the Reader 19. Burie gave Azure three Crowns Or Of Bury The Armes of the Kings of the East-Angles assumed in the memory of King Edmund to whom this Abbey was dedicated martyred by the Danes when his Crown of Gold thorough a Crown of Thorns or Arrows rather was turned into a Crown of Glory 20. St. Benet's in the Holme Of S. Benets in Norfolke gave Sable a Pastorall Staffe Argent picked below and reflexed above intimating the Abbots Episcopal Jurisdiction in his own precincts betwixt two Crowns-Or pointing at England and Norway the two Kingdomes of Canutus the Founder thereof The aforesaid Staffe was infulated that is adorned with an holy Lace or Label carelesly hanging down or cast a crosse such with which their Mitres used formerly to be fastned 21. Thorney-Abbey in Cambridge shire gave Azure three Crosses crossed fitchee Of Thorny betwixt three Pastoral Staves Or. 22. Ramsey in Huntingdon-shire gave Or three Rams Heads couped Argent Of Ramsey 〈◊〉 Bend Azure The rest of the Rams must be supposed in the blue Sea the Fennes appearing such when overflown Besides such changes were common here whereof Melibaeus complaineth in the Marishes * Virgil. Eâ— log 9. of Mantua Non bene ripae Creditur ipse Aries etiam nunc vellera siccat There is no trusting to the foundring bank The Ramme still dries his fleece so lately dank But since the draining of the Fennes hath I hope secured their Cattell from casualties 23. The very name of Peterborough unlocks the reason why that Abbey gave Gules Of Peterborough two crosse Keyes betwixt four Crosses crossed fitchee Or. 24. Crowland Abbey gave quarterly three call them long Knives Of Crowland or short Swords bladed Argent hasted or pomelled or Azure three Whips stringed and knotted Or the second like the third the fourth like the first Instruments of cruelty relating to their Monks massacred by the Danes Anno 870. Ingulphus pag. 866. whereof their Historian gives us this account That first they were examinati tortured see there the Whips and then exanimati killed see there the Swords But if any will have those Whips to relate to the Whip of S. Bartholomew the most remarkable Relique of that Monastery I will not appose 25. The Armes of Evesham Abbey in Worcester-shire Of Evesham I cannot recover but possibly may before the conclusion of this Work 26. Shrewsbury gave Azure Of Shrewsbury a Lyon Rampant over a Pastorall-staffe Bendwayes so that both the ends thereof are plainly discovered 27. Crosse we now North of Trent Of Selby where onely two remain Selby founded by William the Conquerour which gave Sable three Swans Argent membred Or alluding as I believe to the depressed scituation of the place where the neighbouring River of Ouse affordeth such Birds in abundance 28. St. Maryes in Yorke gave Argent a Crosse Of Yorke Gules and a Key in the first Quarter of the same In the midst of the Crosse a King in a circle in his Robes of state with his Scepter and Mound Yet hath he onely a ducall Cap and no Crown on his head I humbly conceive under favour of better judgments this King-Dukes picture to relate partly to King VVilliam Rufus partly to Alan Duke of Britain and Richmond the principall Co-Founders of that Monastery The Lord Darcy his Extraction justly vindicated AMongst the principal persons who suffred for their zeale in defending of Abbeys was the lately mentioned Thomas Lord a vide supra pag. 313. parag 5. Darcy A causlesse aspersion grounded on passion whose extraction I finde foully aspersed by the pen of that passionate Prince K. Henry the eighth for when the Rebels boasted of the many Noblemen who sided with them in confutation thereof King Henry returned a Letter to them interlined with His own hand wherein this passage b Speeds Châ—â— in his 1 â—dit pag. 776. Others as the Lord Marney and Darcy are but mean scarce well-born Gentlemen and yet of no great Lands till they were promoted by Us and so made Knights It cannot be denied but that K. Henry too much consulted
convenient time And of their doings in this behalf to certifie Her Majesties privie-Councell or the Councell in the Sarr-Chamber at Westminster that order may be taken herein Given at Windsor the 19 th of September the second year of Her Majesties raign Her Princely care took this desired effect that it stopped the main stream of Sacriledge herein though some by-rivolets thereof ran still in private Churches in defiance of all orders provided to the contrary 37. May the Reader take notice The death and character of Bp. Bale that henceforward God willing we will set down at the end of every year the deaths of such eminent Divines who deceased therein though we finde no funeralls of any prime Protestant in the two first yeers of the Queens raigne Her coming to the Crown inspirited the weakest and oldest with vigorousnesse and vivacity for a time and Divine Providence preserved them from blasting who were but newly replanted in their places Only we conjecture that John Bale Bishop of Ossorie died about this time we finding no future mention of his activity which if alive could not conceal it self Pity it is we cannot give the exact date of his death who was so accurate in noting the deeeases of others For this John Bale was he who besides many other books enlarged Leland and continued the Lives of the English Writers Borne at Covy near Dunwich in Suffolke bred in Cambridge afterwards a Carmelite in Norwich and ignorantly zealous in their superstitions He was first converted to the knowledge of the Gospel as himself a De Scriptor Britan Centur 8. confesseth by the care of that worthy Lord Thomas Lord Wentworth of Nettlested in Suffolke Whereupon to use his own expression he was transported from his barren mount Carmel to the fair and fruitfull vale of the Gospel 38. Presently comes persecution The persecutions which in his life he suffered For his preaching of the Gospell he is drag'd from the Pulpit to the Consistory before Lee Arch-Bishop of Yorke and for the same cause was afterwards convented before Stokesley Bishop of London but the Lord Cromwell much affected with the facetiousness of such Comedies as he had presented unto him rescued him from their paws by his power After eight yeers exile in Germany he was recalled by King Edward and made Bishop of Ossâ—rie in Ireland where he remained but a short time For after the Kings death he hardly escaped with his own life some of his servants being slain cast by tempest into Cornewall taken by pirates dearly redeemed with much difficulty he recovered London with more danger got over into Germany Whence returning in the first of Queen Elizabeth about this time he ended his life leaving a Scholars Inventory moe books many of his own making than mony behinde him 39. His friends say Bales passion endeavoured to be excused that Bale his pen doth zealously confute such as are strangers to him conceive it doth bitterly enveigh and his foes say it doth damnably raile on Papists and their opinions though something may be pleaded for his passion Old age and ill usage will make any man angry When young he had seen their superstition when old he felt their oppression Give losers therefore leave to speak and speakers to be cholerick in such cases The best is Bale railes not more on Patists then Pits employed on the same subject on Protestant Writers and even set me against the other whilest the discreet reader of both paring off the extravagances of passion on each side The Pope tampereth to reconcile the Queen to the Church of Rome may benefit himself in quietness from their loud and clamorous invectives 40. Pius the fourth 1560. being newly setled in the Papal chaire 3. May. 5. thought to do something no less honourable than profitable to his See in reducing Queen Elizabeth a wandring sheep worth a whole flock to the Church of Rome In order whereunto he not only was deaf to the importunity of the Count of Feria pressing him for a private grudge to excommunicate Her but also addressed Vincent Parpalia Abbot of S t. Saviours with courteous letters unto her The tenour whereof ensueth To our most dear Daughter in Christ Elizabeth Queen of England DEar daughter in Christ health and Apostolical benediction How greatly we desire our Pastoral charge requiring it to procure the salvation of your soule and to provide likewise for your honour and the establishment of your Kingdom withall God the searcher of all hearts knoweth and you may understand by what we have given in charge to this our beloved son Vincentius Parpalia Abbot of S t. Saviours a man well known to you and well approved by us Wherefore we do again and again exhort and admonish your Highnesse most dear daughter that rejecting evil Councellours which love not you but themselves and serve their own lusts Anno Dom. 1562. you would take the fear of God into Counsel with you Anno Regin Eliza. 4. and acknowledging the time of your visitation shew your selves obeâ—ient to our fatherly perswasions and wholsome Counsells and promise to your self from us all things that may make not only to the salvation of your soul but also whatsoever you shall desire from us for the establishing confirming of your Princely dignity according to the authority place and office committed unto us by God And if so be as we desire and hope you shall return into the bosome of the Church we shall be ready to receive you with the same love honour and rejoycing that the Father in the Gospel did his Son returning to him although our joy is like to be the greater in that he was joyfull for the salvation of one Son but you drawing along with you all the people of England shall hear us and the whole company of our brethren who are shortly God willing to be assembled in a generall Councell for the taking away of heresies and so for the salvation of your self and your whold nation fill the Vniversal Church with rejoycing and gladnesse Yea you shall make glad heaven it self with such a memorable fact and atchieve admirable renown to your name much more glorious than the Crown you wear But concerning this matter the same Vincentius shall deal with you more largely and shall declare our fatherly affection toward you and we intreate your Majesty to receive him lovingly to hear him diligently and to give the same credit to his speeches which you would to our self Given at Rome at S. Peters c. the fifth day of May 1560. in our first yeer What private proposals Parpalia made to her Majesty on condition she would be reconciled to Rome is unknown Some conceive the Pope might promise more then He meant to perform but would He perform more than He did promise nothing herein had been effected A Bargain can never be driven where a Buyer can on no terms be procured Her Majesty was resolute and unmoveable
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.
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
a voluntary or free motion one giving another Intelligence as occasion served sometimes by letters and sometimes by word of mouth 3 Interrog Who were Moderators in them and what their Office Answer That he remembred not who where Moderators in any meeting particularly saving once at Northampton when M r Johnsâ—n was admonished and that was either himself or M r Snapes he knew not well whether 4 Interrog What things were debated in those meetings or Assemblies Answer That the things Chiefly and most often considered of in those Assemblies were these First The subscription to the Book of Common-Prayer how farr it might be yielded unto rather then any should forgoe his Ministery Secondly The Book of Discipline was often perused discussed c. Thirdly Three petitions or supplications were agreed upon to be drawn First to her Majesty Secondly to the Lords of the Councell Thirdly to the Bishops The things debated of in particular he remembred not more then these First the pâ—rfecting of the Book of Discipline and purpose to subscribe to it at Cambridge Secondly this question disputed whether it were convenient for M r Cartwright to reveal the Circumstances of the Conference a little before he was committed Thirdly The admonishing of M r Johnson once at Northampton Fourthly The debating of this question whether the Books called Apocrypha were warrantable to be read publickly in the Church as the Canonical Scriptures 5 Interrog Whether any Censures were exercised what kinds when where upon whom by whom for what cause Answer That he never saw any Censure exercised saving admonition once upon M r Johnson of Northampton for miscarrying himself in his conversation to the Scandall of his Calling neither was that used with any kinde of Authority but by a voluntary yielding unto it and approving of it as well in him that was admonished as in him which did admonish 6 Interrog Whether any of the said Defendents had moved or perswaded any to refuse an Oath and in what case c Answer That he never knew any of the Defendents to use words of perswasion to any to refuse an Oath only M r Snape sent him down in writing certain reasons drawn out of the Scripture which moved him to refuse the generall Oath ex officio which I stood perswaded that he sent to none other end but to declare that he refused not to swear upon any contempt but only for Conscience sake I have insisted the longer on this Deposition because the first and fullest that I finde in the kinde thereof conteining their Classes more formally setled in Northampton-shire then any where else in England For as the west part of that shire is observed to be the highest place of England as appeareth by the Rivers rising there and running thence to the four winds so was that County a probable place as the middest of the land for the Presbyterian Discipline there erected to derive it self into all the quarters of the kingdom 40. The reasons why Mr. Stone made this confession againâ— the hope and expectation of the Breth But when the news of Mr. Stones answer was brought abroad he was generally censured by those of his party as well such as were yet at liberty conceiving themselves endangered by his discovery as by those already in prison complaining that he added affliction to their bonds Yea his embracing a different course from the rest cast an Aspersion on others of his side as less sound in Judgement or tender in conscience because peremptorily concealing what he thought fitting to confess Many that highly esteemed him before hereafter accounted him no pretious but a counterfet stone So that he found it necessary in his own vindication to impart the reasons of his Confession to such as condemned him if not for a Traytor at least for a Coward in the Cause 1. a Carefully by me transcribed out of his own Letters to his friends He judged it unlawfull to refuse an oath limitted and bounded within the compass of the conferences being required before a lawfull Magistrate in a Plea for the Prince to a lawfull end 1. to trie out the truth in a doubtfull fact suspected and feared to be dangerous both to Church and Common-Weal but such was that oath which was tendered to him ergo 2. He being lawfully sworn judged it unlawfull to be mute much more to speak any untruth 3. If he had not been urged by oath to reveal yet did he judge that silence unlawfull which justly causeth suspition of evill as of Treason Rebellion Sedition c. 4. He judged that concealment unlawfull which was not only scandalous but also dangerous as this that might occasion and incourage wicked persons to hide their Complices in their worst attempts 5. He judged that the clearing of a doubtfull fact requireth the clearing of the Circumstances which cannot be cleared till they be known 6. He judged that silence unlawfull which leaveth the truth friendless or few friends when she hath need of many 7. He judged it a point or note of Puritanisme for any to stand so upon the integrity of their own Actions as that they should not be doubted of suspected examined censured c. 8. He saw no probability nor possibility in reason to have the circumstances longer concealed 1. Because many of them are already made known partly by the letters and writings of the B. in Bonds which have been intercepted partly also by certain false brethren and lastly by certain faithfull but weak brethren whose confessions are to be seen under their own hands 2. Because the Magistrate is resolutely set to search them out and lastly because divers are to be called and to answer upon Oath which approve not the concealing of them 9. He judged the inconveniences which come by the concealing to be if not moe in number yet greater in weight and nore inevitable then those that come by revealings which as it may appear in some of the former Reasons alledged to prove the unlawfulness of concealing so may it further appear in these that follow 10. The good name and credit of any of a Minister much more ought to be dearer to him and to all those that love him then his liberty c. but by this concealing the credit of many good Ministers is eclipsed 11. This concealing hath caused the continuance of some in bonds and imprisonment hitherto would cause others to be committed and withall causeth suspition of evills Treason Rebellion Sedition c. and thereby also evill report slander c. 12. As by concealing the aforesaid suspition and slander lieth still upon us all which have been in these actions so doth the same grow every day more grievous by the wicked attempts of hypocrites and prophane persons which carry the name of Puritans Precisians c. as those of late in Cheap-side 13. Although it be very like that the revealing will bring punishment upon the rest yet is it not certain nor necessary but the concealing doth
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
second Temple such must needs be sad which consider the disproportion betwixt what was performed and what was projected in this Colledge Save that I confesse that the destruction of beautifull buildings once really extant leave greater impressions in mens mindes than the miscarriages of onely intentional structures and the faint Ideas of such future things as are probably propounded but never effected 24. And here we will insert the number The first Provost and Fellows and names of the Provost and first Fellows and some of them probable to be last Fellows as still surviving as they were appointed by the King Himself Anno 1610. May 8. Matthew Sutcliffe Dean of Exeter Provost 1. John Overal Dean of S. Pauls 2. Thomas Morton Dean of Winchester 3. Richard Field Dean of Glocester 4. Robert Abbot Doctors of Divinity 5. John Spenser 6. Miles Smith 7. William Covitt 8. John Howson 9. John Layfield 10. Ben Charrier 11. Martin Foâ—herbie 12. John Boys 13. Richard Bret 14. Peter Lilie 15. Francis Burley 16. William Hellier Arch-Deacon of Barstable 17. John White Fellow of Manchester-Colledge William Cambden Clarenceaux Historians John Haywood Doctor of Law See here none who were actuall Bishops were capable of places in this Colledge And when some of these were afterwards advanced to Bishopricks others translated to heaven King JAMES by His now Letters Patents 1622. Novemb 14. substituted others in their room Amongst whom the Archbishop of Spalato but no more than Dean of Windsor in England was most remarkable 25. To advance this work The King his Letters to â—he Archbishop and his to the Bishops His Majestie Anno 1616. sent His Letters to the Archbishop of Canterbury to stirre up all the Clergie in his Province to contribute to so pious a work according to the tenour thereof here inserted WHereas the enemies of the Gospel have ever been forward to write and publish Books for confirming of erroneous doctrine and impugning the truth and now of late seem more carefull than before to send daily into Our Realms such their writings whereby Our loving Subjects though otherwise well-disposed might be seduced unless some remedy thereof should be provided We by the advice of Our Councel have lately granted a Corporation and given Our allowance for erecting a Colledge at Chelsey for learned Divines to be imployed to write as occasion shall require for maintaining the Religion professed in Our Kingdomes and confuting the Impugners thereof Whereupon Doctour Sutcliffe designed Provost of the said Colledge hath now humbly signified unto Us that upon divers promises of help and assistance towards the erecting and endowing the said Colledge he hath at his own charge begun and well proceeded in building as doth sufficiently appear by a good part thereof already set up in the place appointed for the same We therefore being willing to favour and farther so religious a work will and require you to write your Letters to the Bishops of your Province signifying unto them in Our name that Our pleasure is they deal with the Clergie and others of their Diocesse to give their charitable be nevolence for the perfecting of this good work so well begun And for the better performance of Our desire We have given order to the said Provost and his Associates to attend you and others whom it may appertain and to certifie Us from time to time of their proceeding A copie of this His Majesties Letter was sent to all the Bishops of England with the Archbishops additionall Letter in order as followeth NOw because it is so pious and religious a work conducing both to Gods glory and the saving of many a soul within this Kingdome I cannot but wish that all devout and well affected persons should by your self and the Preachers in your Diocesse as well publickly as otherwise be excited to contribute in some measure to so holy an intendment now well begun And although these and the like motions have been frequent in these later times yet let not those whom God hath blessed with any wealth be weary of well-doing that it may not be said That the idolatrous and superstitious Papists be more forward to advance their falshoods than we are to maintain Gods truth Whatsoever is collected I pray your Lordship may be carefully brought unto me partly that it passe not through any defrauding hand and partly that His Majestie may be acquainted what is done in this behalf Yet for all these hopefull endevours and collections in all the Parishes of England slow and small were the summes of money brought in to this work Many of them were scattered out in the gathering them up the charges of the Collectours consuming the profit thereof If as it is vehemently suspected any of these collections be but detained by private persons I conceive it no trespasse against Christian charity to wish that the pockets which keep such money may rot all their suites that wear them till they make true restitution thereof 26. Various are mens conjectures as directed by their own interest what obstructed so hopefull proceedings Divers opininions touching the non-proceeding of the Colledge and it is safer for me to recite all than resolve on any of them Some ascribe it to 1. The common fatality which usually attends noble undertakings As partus octimestres children born in the eighth moneth are alwaies not long liv'd so good projects quickly expire 2. The untimely death of Prince HENRY Our principal hope f Continuation of Stow's Survey of London pag. 533. and the chief authour of this designe If so Erubuit Domino firmius esse suo The modest Colledge blushed to be stronger Than was its Lord He dead it liv'd no longer But upon my serious perusall of the Records of this Colledge I finde not so much as mention of the name of Prince HENRY as in any degree visibly contributive thereunto 3. The large loose and lax nature thereof no one prime person Sutcliffe excepted whose shoulders sunk under the weight thereof zealously engaging therein King JAMES His maintenance amounting to little more than countenance of the work Those children will have thin chaps and lean cheeks who have every body and yet no body nurses unto them 4. The originall means of the Colledge principally founded on the fluid and unconstant element unstable as water the Rent of a New River when made which at the best thus imployed was beheld but as a religious Monopoly And seeing that designe then took no effect though afterwards in another notion and nature it was perfected no wonder if the Colledge sunk with the means thereof 5. Some of the * This fift and sixt obstruction signifie nothing to discreet men however they must passe for company-sake and are alledged by some as very materiall greatest Prelates how much self is there in all men though seemingly forward really remisse in the matter Suspecting these Controversiall Divines would be lookt on as the principall Champions of Religion more serviceable in the
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
soever under the degree of a Bishop or Dean at the least doe from henceforth presume to preach in any popular Auditory deep points of Predestination Election Reprobation or of the Universality Efficacy Resistibility or Irresistibility of GODS grace but leave those themes rather to be handled by the Learned men and that moderately and modestly by way of Use and Application rather than by way of Positive Doctrines being fitter for the Schools than for simple Auditories 4. That no Preacher of what title or denomination soever from henceforth shall presume in any Auditory within this Kingdome to declare limit or bound out by way of Positive Doctrine in any Lecture or Sermon the Power Prerogative and Jurisdiction Authority or Duty of Sovereign Princes or otherwise meddle with matters of State and the differences between Princes and the People than as they are instructed and precedented in the Homilies of Obedience and the rest of the Homilies and Articles of Religion set forth as before is mentioned by publique Authority but rather confine themselves wholly to those two heads of faith and good life which are all the subjects of the antient Sermons and Homilies 5 That no Preacher of what title or denomination soever shall presume caussesly or without invitation from the Text to fall into bitter investives and undecent railing speeches against the persons of either Papists or Puri tans but modestly and gravely when they are occasioned thereunto by the Text of Scripture free both the Doctrine and the Discipline of the Church of England from the aspersions of either Adversaries especially where the Auditory is suspected to be tainted with the one or the other infection 6. Lastly that the Archbishops and Bishops of the Kingdome whom His Majestie hath good cause to blame for their former remisness be more wary and choice in their licensing of Preachers and revoke all Grants made to any Chancellour Official or Commissary to passe Licences in this kinde and that all the Lecturers throughout the Kingdome of England a new body severed from the antient Clergy as being neither Parsons Vicars nor Curates be licensed henceforward in the Court of Faculties but onely from a Recommendation of the party from the Bishop of the Diocese under his hand and seale with a Fiat from the L. Archbishop of Canterbury a Confirmation under the Great Seal of England And that such as doe transgresse any one of these Directions be suspended by the Bishop of the Diocesse or in his default by the Archbishop of the Province ab Officio Beneficio for a year and a day untill his Majestie by the advice of the next Convocation shall prescribe some farther punishment 5. No sooner were these the Kings Declarations dispersed into every Diocesse Various censures on the Kings Letters but various were mens opinions thereof Some counted it a cruell act which cut off half the preaching in England all afternoon-ermons at one blow Others thought the King did but Uti jure suo doing not onely what in justice He might but what in prudence He ought in this juncture of time But hear what I have heard and read in this case Objections Answers 1. Christ grants Ministers their Commission Go teach all Nations S. Paul corroborates the same Preach the word be instant in season out of season Man therefore ought not to forbid what God enjoyns 2. This is the way to starve soules by confining them to one meale a day or at the best by giving them onely a messe of milk for their supper and so to bed 3. Such as are licensed to make Sermons may be intrusted to choose their own Texts and not in the Afternoons to be restrained to the Lords Prayer Creed and ten Commandements 4. In prohibiting the preaching of Predestination man makes that the forbidden fruit which God appointed for the tree of life so cordial the comforts contained therein to a distressed conscience 5. Bishops and Deans forsooth and none under their dignity may preach of Predestination What is this but to have the word of God in respect of persons As if all discretion were confined to Cathedral men and they best able to preach who use it the least 6. Papists and Puritans in the Kings Letters are put into the same ballance and Papists in the prime scale first named as preferred in the Kings care chiefly to secure them from Invectives in Sermons 7. Lecturers are made such riddles in the Kings Letters reduceable to no Ministerial function in England Whereas indeed the flower of piety and power of godlinesse flourished most in those places where such Preachers are most countenanced 1. Ministers if commanded not at all to speak or teach in the name of Jesus are with the Apostles to obey God rather than man But vast the difference betwixt a total prohibition and as in this case a prudential regulation of preaching 2. Milk catechetical Doctrine is best for babes which generally make up more than a moyety of every Congregation 3. Such restraint hath liberty enough seeing all things are clearly contained in or justly reducible to these three which are to be desired believed and performed 4. Indeed Predestination solidly and soberly handled is an antidote against despair But as many ignorant Preachers ordered it the cordial was turned into a poyson and therefore such mysteries might well be forborn by mean Ministers in popular Congregations 5. It must be presumed that such of necessity must be of age and experience and may in civility be believed of more than ordinary learning before they attained such preferment Besides Cathedrall Auditories being of a middle nature for understanding as beneath the University so above common City and Country Congregations are fitter for such high points to be preached therein 6. The Kings Letter looks on both under the notion of guilty persons Had Puritans been placed first such as now take exception at their post-posing would have collected that the King esteemed them the greatest offenders 7. Lectures are no creatures of the Church of England by their original like those mixed kinds little better than monsters in nature to which God as here the State never said multiply and encrease and therefore the King had just cause to behold them with jealous eyes who generally supplanted the Incumbents of Livings in the affections of their Parishioners and gave the greatest growth to Non-conformity These Instructions from His Majestie were not pressed with equall rigour in all places seeing some over-active Officials more busie than their Bishops tied up Preachers in the Afternoon to the very letter of the Catechisme questioning them if exceeding the questions and answers therein as allowing them no liberty to dilate and enlarge themselves thereupon 6. Expect not of me a particular account of the politick intricacies touching the Spanish Match A needlesse subject waved or no Match rather First because Spanish and so alien from my subject Secondly because the passages thereof are so largely and publickly in print
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
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
others grumbling at it as too much for what by them was performed And now what place more proper for the building of Sion as they propounded it then the Chamber of Jerusalem the fairest in the Deans Lodgings where King Henry the fourth died and where these Divines did daily meet together 7. Be it here remembred The superadded Divines that some besides those Episcopally affected chosen to be at this Assembly notwithstanding absented themselves pretending age indisposition c. as it is easie for able unwillingness to finde out excuses and make them probable Fit it was therefore so many evacuities should be filled up to mount the Meeting to a competent number and Assemblies as well as Armies when grown thin must be recruited Hence it was that at severall times the Lords and Commons added more Members unto them by the name of the Super-added Divines Some of these though equall to the former in power were conceived to fall short in parts as chosen rather by the affections of others then for their own abilities the Original members of the Assembly not overpleased thereat such addition making the former rather more then more considerable 8. One of the first publick Acts The Assemblies first petition for a fast which I finde by them performed was the humble presenting of a Petition to both Houses for the appointing of a solemn fast to be generally observed And no wonder if their request met with fair acceptance and full performance seeing the Assemblies Petition was the Parliaments intention and this solemn suite of the Divines did not create new but quicken the old resolutions in both Houses presently a Fast is appointed July 21. Frid. and accordingly kept on the following Friday M r Boules and M r Newcomen whose sermons are since printed preaching on the same and all the rest of the particulars promised to be taken into speedy consideration 9. It was now projected to finde out some Band or Tie The Covenent entreth England for the streighter Vnion of the English and Scotish amongst themselves and both to the Parliament In order whereunto the Covenant was now presented This Covenant was of Scottish extraction born beyond Tweed but now brought to be bred on the South-side thereof 10. The House of Commons in Parliament The Covenant first taken and the Assembly of Divines solemnly took the Covenant at S t. Margarets in Westminster 11. It was ordered by the Commons in Parliament that this Covenant be forthwith printed and published Commanded to be printed 12. Divers Lords Taken by Gentlemen Knights Gentlemen Collonels Officers Souldiers and others Sept. 27. Wed. 29. Frid. then residing in the City of London met at S t Margarets in Westminster and there took the said Covenant M r Coleman preaching a Sermon before them concerning the piety and legality thereof 13. It was commanded by the authority of both Houses Enjoyned all in London that the said Covenant on the Sabbath day ensuing Frid. Octo. 1. Sund. should be taken in all Churches and Chappels of London within the lines of Communication and thoroughout the Kingdom in convenient time appointed thereunto according to the Tenour following A Solemn league and Covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion the honour and happiness of the King and the peace and safety of the three Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland WE Noblemen Barons Knights Gentlemen Citizens Burgesses Ministers of the Gospel and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdom of England Scotland and Ireland by the providence of God living under one King and being of one Reformed Religion having before our eyes the glory of God and the advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ the honour and happiness of the Kings Majesty and his posterity and the true publick liberty safety and peace of the Kingdom wherein every ones private condition is included And calling to minde the Treacherous and Bloody Plots Conspiracies attempts and Practises of the enemies of God against the true Religion and the professors thereof in all places especially in these three Kingdoms ever since the Reformation of Religion and how much their rage power and presumption are of late and at this time encreased and exercised whereof the deplorable estate of the Church and Kingdom of Ireland the distressed estate of the Church and Kingdom of England the dangerous estate of the Church and Kingdom of Scotland are present and publick Testimonies We have now at last after other means of Supplications Remonstrances Protestations and sufferings for the preservation of our selves and our Religion from utter ruine and destruction according to the commendable practises of these Kingdoms in former times and the example of Gods people in other nations after mature deliberation resolved and determined to enter into a mutual solemn League and Covenant wherein we all subscribe and each one of us for himself with our hands lifted up to the most High God do swear That we shall sincerely really and constantly through the grace of God endeavour in our several places and callings the preservation of the reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government against our common enemies the Reformation of Religion in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches and shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion Confession of Faith form of Church-Government directory for Worship and Catechizing That we and our posterity after us may as Brethren live in faith and love and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us That we shall in like manner without respect of persons endeavour the extirpation of Popery Prelacie that is Church-government by Arch-Bishops Bishops their Chancellours and Commissaries Deans Deans and Chapters Arch-Deacons and all other Ecclesiastical Officers depending on that Hierarchie Superstition Heresie Schism Prophaneness and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of godliness lest we partake in other mens sins and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues and that the Lord may be one and his name one in the three Kingdomes We shall with the same sincerity reality and constancy in our several Vocations endeavour with our estates and lives mutually to preserve the Rights and priviledges of the Parliaments and the due liberties of the kingdomes and to preserve and defend the Kings Majesty his person and authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and liberties of the Kingdoms that the world may bear witness with our consciences of our loyalty and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majesties just power and greatness We shall also with all faithfulness endeavour the discovery of all such as have been or shall be Incendiaries Malignants or evill instruments
and liking of the King they began an Universitie Here they met with many Oxford-men who on the like occasion had deserted Oxford and retreated hither to studie I commend their judgment in the choice of so convenient a place where the aâ—e is cleaâ—e yet not over sharpe the earth fruitfull yet not very dirtie water plentifull yet far from any fennish annoyance and wood most wanting now of dayes conveniently sufficient in that age But the main is Northampton is neer the center of England so that all travellers coming thither from the remotest parts of the land may be said to be met by the Town in the middest of their journey so unpartiall is the situation thereof in the navell of the Kingdome 50. But this Universitie never lived to commence Bachelor of Art 49 Senior Sophister was all the standing it atâ—ained unto 1265 For foure years after the King apprehending that Northampton Universitie would be prejudiciall to Oxford neer to which it lay within thirtie miles and therefore as a true honourer of antiquitie loth that a novice-start-up should empaire so ancient a foundâ— recalled the Scholars of Cambridge by these his ensuing letters And dissolved Rex Majorâ— civibus suis Northampton salutem Occasione cujusdam magnae contentionis in villa Cantabrigiensi triennio jam elapso subortae ammulli Clericorum tunc ibidem studentium unanimiter ab ipsa villa recessissent se usque ad villam nostram praedictam Northam transferentes ibidem studiis inhaerendo novam eonstruere Universitatem cupientes Nos illo tempore credentes villam illam ex hoc posse meliorari nobis utilitatew non modicam inde proveâ—ire votis dictorum clericorum ad eo rum requisitionem annuebamus in hac parte Nunc autem cum ex relaiu multorum fide dignorum veraciter intelleximus quòd ex hujusmodi Universitate si permaneret ibidem municipium nostrum Okon quod ab antiquo creatum est à progenitoribus nostris Regibus Augliae confirmatum ac ad commoditatem studentium communiter approbatum Anno Dom. 1265 non mediocriter laederetur Anno Regis Hen. 3. 49 quod nulla ratione vellemus maximè cum universis Episcopis terrae nostrae ad honorem Dei utilitatem Ecclesiae Anglicanae profectum Studentium videatur expedire quòd Universitas amoveatur à villa praedicta sicut per literas suas patentes accepimus Vobis de consilio magnatum nostrorum firmiter inhibemus ne in villa nostra de caetero aliquam Universitatem esse nec aliquos studentes ibidem manere permittatis aliter quà m ante creationem dictae Universitatis fieri consuevit Teste Rege apud Westmon primo die Febr. anno Regni xlix o ✚ Ex Rotulo Claus de anno xlix Regis Henrici tertii membr 10 in dorso in Turre London Ex. per Guil. Ryley There is still in Northampton a place called the Colledge but whether in relation to these students I know not Sure it is that on the Kings letters Patents Northampton was un-universitied the Scholars therein returning to the place from whence they came 51. Here I can hold no longer Mr. Brian Twine justly condemned but must fall out and be the Reader the Judge betwixt us with M r. Brian Twine the writer of Oxford-Antiquities I honour him as an industrious though no methodical Antiquarie his book being rather an heap than a pile I commend his affection to his Mother had it been without detraction to his Aunt and his example shall quicken my dutie in my filial relation where I owe the same Lastly because he is and I know not how soon I may be 〈◊〉 I shall deal the more mildly with him For he that falls heavie on a ghost or shadow will in fine give the greatest blow and bruise unto himself Yet something must be said against him in vindication of the truth 52. First For injecting caus◠〈◊〉 suspicions on all occasions he is buzzing jealousies into the heads of the Readers to shake the credit of such Authors who write any thing in the honour of Cambridge Thus when Matthew Parker Archbishop of Canterburie reports how many deserting Oxford removed to Cambridge he squibs in this Parenthesis Si illis m Apol. Acad. Oxon. lib. 3. pag. 279. standum sit historiis quas Matthaeus Parker Cant. Archi. edidit dashing as much as lyeth in his power the unstained reputation of those his worthy endeavours And again n Ibid pag 280 speaking of the same Archbishops setting forth of Matthew Paris he squirts in this passage Sivera sit Matthaei Cant. editio suggesting some suspicion of falshood and forgerie in the same Such IFS against great persons are more than IFS and such suspicions if they be not Scandala Magnatis against so great a Peer can not be less than breach of Canonical obedience against the memorie of so grave and godly a Prelate Especially seeing neither Twine himselfe with all the help of Oxford-Librarie nor all the world could ever since finde any fault in that edition as faithfully agreeing with the most authentick Manuscripts 53. But these his slenting and suppositive His needless Cavil confuted are nothing to his direct and downright traducing of the Records of Cambridge Take him in his own Latin words which I have translated to this purpose that such ingenuous English men never bred in either Universitie and therefore the more unpartiall Judges but understanding the strength of common sense and reason may indifferently umpire the matter and finde the verdict as they shall hear things alledged and proved Brian Twine Antiquitatis Academiae Oxoniensis Apologia lib. 3. pag. 280. numero 76. Non ignoro tamen in Memorabilibus Universitatis Oxon. à Roberto Haro collectis unde hanc chartam desumpsi in exordio diplomatis Cantabrigiae mentionem fieri quasi illa contentio triennio tum elapso Cantabrigiae non Oxoniae accidisset nova Universitas ea Northamtonensis à Cantabrigiensibus non Oxoniensibus fuisset inchoata Eam tamen lectionem si nihil aliud certe adulterata ipsius vocis o o Mendum in transerâ—tto Roberti Hari Twine in the maâ—gent Cantabrigiae loco Oxoniae scriptura charactere à caeteris dissimillimo toto exarandi genere diverso corruptissimam prodit Ubi enim occurrit Anno Dom. 1246. apud bonos vetustae fidei autores tantas fuisse Cantabrigiae discordias quae studentes Northamptonian arcerent Yet I am not ignorant that in the Memorables of the Universitie of Oxford collected by Robert Hare whence I have taken this Charter in the beginning of the Patent there is mention made of Cambridge as if this contention had happened three yeers since at Cambridge and not at Oxford that new University at Northampton begun of Cambridge not of Oxford men Yet if nothing else truly the adulterated writing of the word Cambridge in stead of Oxford and in a
character most unlike from the rest and different in the whole kinde for the fashion thereof betrayeth it to be most corrupted For where doe we finde that in the year of our Lord 1246 amongst good Authors and of ancient faith there were so great discords in Cambridge as to drive the Students to Northampton Here is too much for me to manage at once we will parcel it for the more effectuall examination thereof this being the first time that I have to doe with this adventurous Author Wee know that if a Merchants Bill be once protested against in the Exchange he will scarce ever after recover his credit and if at first we can discover the falshood of this our adversary it will for ever give a mortal wound to his reputation and ease us of much trouble hereafter 54. First he mentioneth Oxford-monuments transcribed by Robert Hare Quick eyes to finde a fault where none is This Hare was an Esquire of good worship and wealth a great lover and preserver properties never parted of Antiquities He carefully collected the precious monuments of both Universities caused them fairly to be transcribed and freely bestowed a Duplicate or double copie on each of them A gift worthy the giver and the receiver as of no less cost and pains to the one than credit and profit to the other Now it seemes Brian Twyne with his piercing sight is the Columbus who by the different character hath discovered a new not world but word namely Cambridge in the Kings letter to Northampton put in stead of Oxford This he calls as well he may mendum a fault in Hares Transcript which indeed was a falshood and if wilfully done a forgery and the doer thereof if detected deserving to be Pilloried for his pain 55 But 49 when and how 1265 I pray Answer this Dilemma came this Cambridge to be surreptitiously inserted in stead of Oxford into that Transcript of Hare Was it done by himself or some other originally I mean before those Manuscripts were bestowed on the universitie To allow this were to offer an injurie to the honestie or vigilancie of that worthy Antiquary Or was the false inscription made cunningly by some Cambridge-man since those Manuscripts came into the possession of Oxford If so shame on the careless keepers of so pretious a treasure I presume our Muniments at Cambridge are more safely preserved 56. I pass not what is or is not written in Hare his Transcript The Tower Records clear the cavill He that may with as much ease goe to the fountain and yet will drink of the durty River deserveth no pity if choaked or rather if choaking himself with the mud thereof I appeale to the Records of the Tower of London whence Hare his writings were copied out which are the Author of Authors for English History because 1. They may be said to have lived in the time and place wherein all things are acted 2. They are impartiall not Osier-like bowing to any Interest but standing like a firm pillar to support the truth 3. They are safely preserved and long may they be in defiance of barbarous Anarchy which otherwise would make a bone fire or new light of those precious monuments I say I repaired to the Records in the Tower where I searched for and found out the aforesaid Kings letter by us lately exemplified that the troubles of Cambridge three years since were the cause of the founding of the University at Northampton This letter I got transcribed compared attested by Mr. William Ryley the elder Keeper of those Records and Norroy King of Armes Who like a Prince indeed freely gave me his pains which I commend to the Reader his thankfull notice because otherwise I must have charged the cost on his account raising the rate of my Book to make my self a saver thereby 57. But our Adversary proceeds A needlesse question declined and demandeth where we read in any good Author that in the year 1246 such discords happened at Cambridge as should drive the Scholars to Northampton We answer First we Cambridge-men are not ambitious of such discords let us but retain the Scholars and let any place that pleaseth take those differences to themselves Secondly we never said nor thought that such broyles were in Cambridge anno 1246 but this we affirm That three years since p An half year over of under breaks no square namely in the 46 th of Henry the third which falls out to be the year of our Lord 1262 cruel bickerings were betwixt the Northern and Southern men in our University and perchance the like might be by secret Sympathy in Oxford which as we have proved before caused the departure of many to Northampton 58. Some will say Why Oxford more prejudiced than Cambridge by Northampton University seeing only mention is made in the Kings Letters to null Northampton-University because probable to prove prejudicial to Oxford it seems thereby that Cambridge at this time was not considerable at least wise the King not so carefull for the preservation thereof It is answered The erection of an University at Northampton by reason of the position of the place must needs be a greater hurt to Oxford than hindrance to Cambridge for Cambridge lieth conveniently for the North and East parts Oxford commodiously for the South and West parts of England Now Northampton lying within twenty nine scruples of the same degree of longitude with Oxford would almost share equally with Oxford in the Western division of the land whilest Cambridge-quarters as on the other side of the Kingdome would be clear and little prejudiced thereby But enough hereof We proceed in our History Reverendissimo Antistiti JACOBO USSERIO ARCHIEPISCOPO ARMACHANO DOMINO suo colendissimo CVm mihi * * Pag 752. qui annos varia doctrina judicio longe superat Camdeni Britanniam perlegenti locus occurreret ubi meminit Jacobi Usserii tunc Cancellarii sancti Patricii Dublinensis supra aetatem docti variis de causis me primûm invasit tandem absorpsit admiratio Quòd tua indoles tantùm festinaret quâ juvenis id assecutus es quod vel viris paucissimis datur Quòd cùm communis querela sit optima ingenia minimè diurnare Tu Dei favore adhuc superstes es quinquaginta annis à quo hoc Camdeniano elogio decoratus fuisti Quòd Caleb alter nostri seculi Tibi hucusque judicium firmum ingenium vividum memoria tenax animus integer UTinam idem licuisset de corpusculo Tuo dicere quod nimiis studiis maceratum senio aliquantulum cedere incipit At adhuc superest summus admirationis meae gradus tua in tanta eruditione suspicienda humilitas cum ferè fit ut illi omnes quibus aliquid inest sublime praecellens protinus inflentur alios facilè contemnant dum Tu tenuitatem meam favore Tuo beâsti in qua nihil quod alliceret plurima quae Te depellerent
ut accepi tu olim Litteris incubuisti ABout this time Henrici 6. 15 for I cannot attain the certain year some considerable persons of our Nation undertook the draining of the Fennes near to Cambridge 1436 They wanted not Dutchmen out of the Low-Countries to assist them Cambridge Fennes endeavoured to be drained where each Peasant is born a Pioneer and vast summes were expended in making of Ditches and Banks impregnable as conceived against all assaults of Inundation 2. But in the next being a wet All in vain Windy Winter down comes the Baliffe of Bedford so the Country-people commonly call the overflowing of the River Ouse attended like a person of his quality with many servants the accession of tributary Brooks and breaks down all their paper-banks as not water-shot-free reducing all to the former condition 3. This Accident put the VVits of that Arguments pro and on Pen-draâ—ning and succeeding Ages upon the dispute of the feacibility of the design and let us summe up the Arguments against and for this undertaking 1. Argument 1. Answer Some objected that God saith to the water a Iob 38. 11. hitherto thou shall come and no further it is therefore a Trespasse on the Divine Prerogative for Man to presume to give other Bounds to the Water then what God hath appointed Even the heathen b Pausanias in Corinth man was so Christian as to say Rebus divinitus constitutis manus non est injicienda The Argument holdeth in application to the Ocean which is a VVild-Horse only to the broak back'd and bridled by him who is the Maker thereof But it is a false and a lazy principle if applied to Fresh-Waters from which humane Industrie may and hath rescued many considerable parcels of ground 2. Argument 2. Answer Many have attempted but not effected it None ever wrastled with it but it gave them a foyl if not a fall to the bruising if not breaking of their Backs Many have burnt their fingers in these waters and instead of draining the â—ennes emptied their own estates It hath bin almost as unsucces full as the letting of the Red into the Midland-Sea to the Kings of Egypt who endeavoured it Many mens undertaking thereof insinuates the possibility of the project Otherwise it is unlikely so many discreet persons would befool themselves in seeking what is not to be found The failing is not in the unfeacibility of the Design but in the accidentall defaults of the Vndertakers wanting either Heads discretion or hearts resolution or hands assistants or purses performance of pay to people imployed therein 3. Argument 3. Answer Morton Bishop of Ely one of the wealthiest who ever sate in that See almost wasted his estate by cutting a water-passage known by the name of the New Leam welnigh beggered himself in hope to enrich his Town of VVisbich with trading thereby It is confessed a Burden too heavy for the back of any single person how great soever And therefore it calls for a Corporation of Wise and wealthy persons to undertake the same 4. Argument 4. Answer An Alderman of Cambridge choser a Burgesse in Parliament affirmed the Fennes to be like a crust of bread swimming in a dish of water So that under eight or ten soot earth it is nothing but mere water In possible therefore the draining thereof if surrounded by that liquid element both above and beneath Interest betrayed his judgement to an evident errour And his brains seemed rather to swim instead of this fâ—oting â—arth For such as have scunded as I may say the depth of that ground find it to be terrafirma and no doubt as solid to the Center as any other earth in England 5. Argument 5. Answer The River Grant or Cam call it as you please running by Cambridge will have it's stream dried up by the draining of the Fennes now as Cambridge is concerned in it's River so that whole County yea this whole Kingdome is concerned in Cambridge No reason therefore that private mens particular Profit should be preferred before an Vniversal good or good of an Vniversity It is granted the water by Cambridge kindles and keeps in the Fire therein No hope of sufficient fuel on reasonable rates except care be takeâ— for preserving the River Navigable which may be done and the Fennes drained neverthelesse To take away the Thief is no Wasting or Weakning to the Wiek of the Candle Assurance may be given that no damage shall redound to the Stream of Grant by stopping other superfluous waters 6. Argument 6. Answer The Fennes preserved in their present property afford great plenty and variety of Fish and Fowl which here have their Seminaries Nurseries which will be destroyed on the draining thereof so that none will be had but at excessive prices A large first makes recompence for the shorter second Course at any mans Table And who will not preferre a tame Sheep before a Wild Duck a good fat Oxe before a well grown Eele 7. Argument 7. Answer The Fennes afford plenty of Sedge Turfe and Reed the want whereof will be found if their nature be altered The commodities are inconsiderable to ballance the profit of good Grass Grain which those grounds if drained would produce He cannot complain of wrong who hath a suit of Buckram taken from him and one of Velvet given in lieu thereof Besides provision may bemade that a sufficiency of such Ware-trash may still be preserved 8. Argument 8. Answer Many thousands of poor people are maintained by fishing and fouling in the Fennes which will all be at a losse of Livelihood if their Barns be burnt that is if the Fennes be drained It is confest that many whose hands are becrampt with Laziness live and onely live as never gaining any estates by that employment But such if the Fennes were drained would quit their Idleness and betake themselves to more lucrative Manufactures 9. Argument 9. Answer Grant the Fennes drained with great difficulty they will quickly revert to their old condition like to the a Camden ' s Brit. in Cambridgeshire Pontine Marishes in Italy This disease of the Dropsy if aqua super cutem as well as intercutis may be so called will return to the Fennes again If a Patient perfectly cured will be carelesse of his Health none will pitty his Relapse Moderate cost with constant care will easily preserve what is drained the Low-Countries affording many proofs thereof 10. Argument 10. Answer Grant them drained and so continuing as now the great Fishes therein prey on the lesse so then Wealthy men would devour the poorer sort of people Injurious partage would follow upon the enclosures and rich men to make room for themselves would justle the poor people out of their Commons Oppression is not essentiall either to draining or inclosing though too often a concomitant of both Order may be taken by Commissioners of quality impowered for that purpose that such a Proportion of Commons
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
Rome Cent. 2. ¶ 5. EMDEN a Congregation of English Exiles therein in the Reign of Q. Mary under I. Scory their Superintendent b. 8. Sect. 2. ¶ 41. Q. EMMA the miraculous purgation of her chastity Cent. 11. ¶ 14 15. EAST-ANGLES their Kingdome when begun how bounded Cent. 5. ¶ 27. converted to Christianity Cent. 7. ¶ 44. EAST-SAXONS the beginning and bounds of their Kingdome Cent. 5. ¶ 17. converted to Christianity by Mellitus Cent. 7. ¶ 23. after their apostasy reconverted under King Sigebert ¶ 81. ENGLAND when and why first so called Cen. 9. ¶ 5 6. the Kingdome thereof belongeth to God himself Cent. 11. ¶ 24. ENGLISHMEN drunk when conquered by the Normans b. 3. ¶ 1. EOVES a Swine-heard hence Eovesham Abbey is so called Cent. 8. ¶ 8. ERASMUS Greek Professour in Camb. complaineth of the ill Ale therein Hist of Camb. p. 87. his Censure of Cambridge and Oxford p. 88. too tart to Townsmen ibid. ERASTIANS why so called and what they held b. 11. p. 21. ¶ 55. and 56. favourably heard in the assembly of Divines ¶ 57. ERMENSEWL a Saxon Idoll his shape and office b. 2. Cent. 6. ¶ 6. ETHELBERT King his Character b. 2. Cent. 6. ¶ 6. c. converted to Christianity ¶ 11. his death and the decay of Christianity thereon Cent. 7. ¶ 32. ETHELBERT the VVest-Sixon Monarch his pious valour Cent. 9. ¶ 23. King ETHELRED his Fault in the Font Cent. 10. ¶ 43. why Surnamed the unready ¶ 49. EXCOMMUNICATING of Q. Elizab. by Pius quintus displeasing on many accounts to moderate Papist b. 9. p. 59. ¶ 25. EXETER the description thereof b. 7. p. 393. ¶ 4. Loyall and Valiant against the Rebells though oppressed with faction p. 394. ¶ 7. and famine p. 396. ¶ 12. seasonably relieved p. 397. ¶ 14. F. FAGANUS sent by Eleutherius Bishop of Rome to King Lucius to instruct him in Christianity Cent. 2. ¶ 8. FAMILIE of LOVE their obscure original b. 9. p. 112. ¶ 36. worse in practise then opinion p. 113. ¶ 39. their Abjuration before the privy Councell Their tedious petition to King James b. 10. ¶ 18. desire to separate themselves from the Puritans to whom their looseness had no relation ¶ 19. turned into Ranters in our dayes ¶ 22. John FECKNAM Abbot of Westminster the Chronicle of his worthy life his courtesie and bounty b. 9. p. 178 179. FELIX Bishop of Dunwich instrumentall to the Conversion of the East-Angles Cent. 7. ¶ 45. and to the founding of an University in Cambrid ¶ 48. Nicholas FELTON Bishop of Ely his death and commendation b. 11. ¶ 77. FENNES nigh Cambridge Arguments pro and con about the feacibility of their drayning Hist of Camb. p. 70. 71. The design lately performed to admiration ibid. p. 72. FEOFFES to buy in impropriations b. 11. p. 136. ¶ 5. hopefully proceed p. 137. ¶ 6. questioned in the Exchequer and overthrown by Arch-bishop Laud p. 143. ¶ 26 c. The FIFTH PART ordered by Parliament for the Widows and children of sequestred Ministers b. 11. p. 229. ¶ 34. severall shifts to evade the payment thereof p. 230. John FISHER Bishop of Rochester tampereth with the holy Maid of Kent b. 5. p. â—8◠¶ 47. imprisoned for refusing the Oath of supremacy ¶ 47. his pitifull letter out of the Tower for new Cloaths p. 190 ¶ 12. the form of his inditement p. 191 ¶ 19. made Cardinal p. 201. ¶ 1. the whole Hist of his birth breeding death and burial p. 202 203 204 205. Barnaby FITZ-PATRICK proxy for correction to King Edward the sixth b. 7. p. 411. ¶ 47. the said Kings instruction unto him for his behaviour in France ibidem FLAMENS in Britain mere flammes of J. Monmouths making Cent. 2. ¶ 9. FOCARIAE of Priests who they were b. 3. p. 27. ¶ 40. FORMOSUS the Pope interdicteth England for want of Bishops Cent. 10. ¶ 1. On good conditions absolveth it again ¶ 3. Richard FOX Bishop of VVinchester foundeth Corpus Christi Colledge b. 5. p. 166. ¶ 11. John FOX flies to Franckford in the Reign of Q. Mary b. 8. Sect. 2. ¶ 41. Thence on a sad difference removes to Basil Sect. 3. ¶ 10. returning into England refuseth to subscribe the Canons b. 9. ¶ 68. Is a most moderate Non-conformist ibidem his Latine Letter to Queen Elizabeth that Anabaptists might not be burnt p. 104. ¶ 13. another to a Bishop in the behalf of his own Son p. 106. ¶ 15. his death p. 187. ¶ 63. FRANCISCAN Friers b. 6. p. 270. ¶ 16. their frequent Subreformation ¶ 17. admit boyes into their order Hist of Camb. p. 54. ¶ 46 47 48. whereat the University is much offended ibid. FRANCKFORD the Congregation of English Exiles there in the Reign of Q. Mary b. 8. Sect. 2. ¶ 41. They set up a new discipline in their Church ¶ 42 43. invite but in vain all other English Exiles to ioyn with them ¶ 44. 45. FREEZLAND converted to Christianity by VVilhid a â—axon Bishop Cent. 7. ¶ 97. FRIDONA the first English Arch-Bishop C. 7. ¶ 85. FRIERS and Monks how they differ b 6. p. 269. FRIGA a Saxon Idoll her name shape and office b. 2. Cent. 6. ¶ 6. John FRITH his Martyrdome b. 5. p. 190 ¶ 11. Tho. FULLER unjustly hang'd and saved by miracle b. 4. p. 154. ¶ 25. John FULLER Doctor of Law pitifull when alone but when with others a persecutor b. 8. p. 22. ¶ 28. see Jesus Colledge of which he was master Nich. FULLER a Common Lawyer prosecuted to death by Bishop Bancroft b. 10. p. 55 56. ¶ 29 30. leaves a good memory behind him ibid. Nicholas FULLER a Divine his deserved commendation b. 11. ¶ 15. Robert FULLER last Abbot of Waltham a great preserver of the Antiquities thereof History of VValt p. 7. passeth Copt-Hall to King Henry 8. p. 11. his legacy to the Church p. 14. Thomas FULLER Pilot who steered the Ship of Cavendish about the world b. 11. p. 231. G. GANT COLL. in Flanders for English fugitives b. 9. p. 91. STEPHAN GARDINER Bishop of Winchester getteth the six bloudy Articles to be enacted b. 5. p. 2â—0 ¶ 17 18. bringeth in a List of Latine words in the N. Test which he would not have translated p. 238. for his obstinacie first sequestered then deposed from his Bishoprick b. 7. p. 400. and 401. a politick plotting Persecuter b. 8. Sect. 2. ¶ 6. yet courteous in sparing Mistris Clerk the Authors great Grandmother ¶ 7. his threatning of the English Exiles Sect. 3. ¶ 22. dieth a Protestant in the point of Iustification ¶ 42. Henry GARNET Iesuite his education and vitiousnesse b. 10 p. 39. ¶ 45. canvased in the Tower by Protestant Divines ¶ 46 c. overwitted with an equivocating room ¶ 48. his arraignment and condemnation p. 40. 49. dejected carriage at his death 50. his Straw-Miracle confuted ¶ 51. c. GENEVA such English who deserted the Church at Frankford settled there b. 8. p. 52.
Abbeys Hist of Ab. 314. visiteth the University of Camb. Hist Cam. of p. 109. ¶ 55. his injunctions to the University ibidem Baithol LEGATE burnt for an Arrian b. 10. p. 62. ¶ 6 7 8. c. Dr. LEIGHTON his railing book severely censur'd b. 11. p. 136. ¶ 3. recovered after his escape and punished ¶ 4. The first LENT kept in England C. 7. ¶ 74. Jo. LEYLAND an excellent Antiquary fellow of Christs Coll. Hist of Cam. p. 90. ¶ 7. wronged in his works by Polydore Virgil and another namelesse Plagiary b. 5. p. 198 ¶ 54. imployed by King Henry 8. to collect and preserve Rarityes at the dissolution of Abbeys b. 6. p. 339. ¶ 8. died distracted ¶ 9. LICHFIELD bestrewed with the dead bodies of Martyrs C. 4. ¶ 8. made the See of an Arch-bishop by King Offa b. 2. p. 104. ¶ 34 the builders of the present almost past Cathedral b. 4. p. 174. the praise and picture thereof p. 175. LIEGE Coll. in Lukeland for English fugitives b. 9. p. 91. William LILLY the first schoolmaster of Paul's b. 5. p. 167 ¶ 17. the many Editions of his Grammar p. 168. ¶ 18. LISBON a rich Nunnery for Engl. Bridgitines b. 6. p. 262. ¶ 5 6 c. LITURGIE an uniformity thereof when prescribed all over England b. 7. p. 386. three severall editions thereof with the persons employed therein ibid. Bishop Latimer his judgment against the contemners thereof p. 426. LONDON why so called C. 1. ¶ 2. layeth claime to the birth of Constantine the Emperour C. 4. ¶ 18. the walls thereof built with Jewish stones b. 3. p. 86. ¶ 42. the honourable occasion of an Augmentation in their Armes b. 4. p. 141. ¶ 21. William LONGCAMPE Bp. of Ely his pride b. 3. p. 43. ¶ 24. his parallell with Cardinal Wolsey ¶ 28 c. LOVAINE Colledge in Brabant for English fugitives b. 9. p. 90. a nunnery or rather but halfe a one therein for Engl. women b. 6. p. 364. ¶ 2. LINCOLN Coll. in Oxford founded by Richard Fleming b. 4. p. 168. the Rectors Bps. c. thereof p. 1691 William LINWOOD writeth his Provincial constitutions his due praise b. 4. page 175. ¶ 71. c. LUCIUS the different dates of his conversion C. 2. ¶ 1. do not disprove the substance of his story ¶ 3. might be a British King under the Romans ¶ 4. several Churches in Britain said to be erected by him ¶ 13. confounded by unwary writers with Lucius a German preacher in Suevia ¶ 14. said to be buried in Gloucester with his Dunsticall Epitaph C. 3. ¶ 1. LUPUS assisteth Germanus in his voyage into Britain to suppresse Pelagianisme C. 3. ¶ 4. M MADRID Coll. in Spain for English fugitives b. 9. p. 90. MAGDALEN Coll. in Ox. founded by William Wainfleet b. 4. p. 188. ¶ 24. scarce a Bp. in England to which it hath not afforded one prelate ¶ 25. sad alterations therein by the Visitors in the first of Q. Mary b. 8. ¶ 8. the character of this Coll. with the violence of rigid non-confâ—rmists therein presented in a latine letter of Mr. Fox b. 9. p. 106. ¶ 14 15. MAGDALEN Colledge in Cambridge founded by Thomas Lord Audley History of Cambridge p. 120. ¶ 8 c. MALIGNANT whence derived and first fixed as a name of disgrace on the Royall party b. 11. p. 195. ¶ 32. Roger MANWARING charged by Mr. Pym in Parliament b. 11. ¶ 61. for two Sermons preached ibidem his censure ¶ 62. and submission ¶ 63. MARRIAGE of the Priests proved lawfull b. 3. p. 20 21 22 23. MARRIAGE of a Brothers Wife is against Gods Word and above Papal dispensation b. 5. p. 179 180 181. Tho. MARKANT Proctor of Cambridge made and gave a rare Book of her priviledges to the university which was lost found lost found lost Hist of Caâ—b p. 65. ¶ 33 34. Q. MARY quickly recovereth the Crown in right of succession b. 8. ¶ 1. in her first Parliament restoreth Popery to the height ¶ 20 21. makes a speech in Guild-Hall ¶ 30. her character S. 2. ¶ 34. valiant against the Pope in one particular S. 3. ¶ 41. very Melancholy with the causes thereof ¶ 46 47. dyes of a Dropsey ¶ 48. two Sermons preached at her funerall ¶ 52. her deserved praise ¶ 53. for refounding the Savoy ¶ 54. her buriall ¶ 55. MARY Queen of Scots flies into England and is there imprisoned b. 9. S. 2. ¶ 13. her humble letter to Pope Pius the fifth ibidem her second letter unto him b. 9. p. 99 her death Poetry buriall removal to Westminster and wel-Latined Epitaph p. 181. Queen MARY Wife to King Charles her first landing at Dover b. 11. ¶ 9. delivered of a Son by a fright before her time b. 11. p. 135. ¶ 1. Toby MATTHEW Arch-bishop of York dying yearly dyes at last b. 11. ¶ 74. his gratitude to God ¶ 75. MAUD for four descents the name of the Queens of England b. 7. p. 25. ¶ 28. MAXIMUS usurpeth the Empire and expelleth the Scots out of Britain C. 4. ¶ 22. draineth the Flower of the British Nation into France ¶ 23. slain in Italy ¶ 24. his memory why inveighed against ibidem Mr. MAYNARD his learned speech against the late Canons b. 11. p. 180. ¶ 77. MEDUINUS sent by King Lucius to Eleutherius Bishop of Rome C. 2. ¶ 5. MEDESHAMSTED Monastery burnt by the Danes C. 9. ¶ 20. MELLITUS Bishop of London converteth the Kingdome of Essex C. 7. ¶ 23. departeth England and why ¶ 33. returneth ¶ 35. and is rejected at London 36. his character 37. MERCIA a Saxon Kingdome when begun how bounded C. 5. ¶ 17. converted to Christianity under Prince Peada C. 7. ¶ 83. Thomes MERKES Bishop of Carlile his bold speech in the behalf of King Richard the second b. 4. p. 153. ¶ 55. tried for Treason not by his Peers but a Common Iury p. 154. ¶ 57 58. his life spared and he made Bishop of Samâ—s in Greece ¶ 59. MERLIN two of the name C. 5. ¶ 20. his magicall Pranks ¶ 26. questionable whether ever such a man ¶ 32. fitted with two of her fawles of the same Feather ibidem MERTON Coll. in Oxford founded by Walter Merton b. 9. p. 75. ¶ 7 c. Wardens Bishops Benefactours and thereof ¶ 8. a by-foundation of Post-masters therein p. 76. happy in breeding Schoolmen p. 99. ¶ 27. a petty rebellion therein supprest by Arch-bishop Parker b. 9. p. 71. ¶ 47 48 not founded before Peter-house in Cambridge Hist of Camb. p. 32. ¶ 33 c. Sr. Walter MILDMAY foundeth Emanuel Colledge Hist of Cam. p. 146. ¶ 11 12. c. The MILLENARIE petition b. 10. p. 22. the issue thereof p. 23. ¶ 25 26. the Millenarie is equivocall p. 24. MINSHULLS their honourable Armes aâ—chieved in the Holy War b. 3 p. 42. ¶ 19. MIRACLES their Description b. 6 p. 329. ¶ 1. long since ceased p. 330. ¶ 2. and why ¶ 5. yet counterfeited by
the Silver-tongu'd b. 9. p. 142. ¶ 3 4. Rich. SMITH â—â—eularie Bishop of Chaâ—â—edon b. 11. ¶ 72. some write for others against him Episcopizethin England b. 11. p. 137. ¶ 7. opposed by Nicholas Smith and defended by Dr. Kelison both zealous Papists ¶ 8 9 c. SOBRIQUETS what they were b. 3. p. 30. ¶ 52 fifteen principall of them ibid. SODOMITRY the beginning thereof in England b. 3. p. 19 ¶ 29. with too gentle a Canon against it ibid. SOUTH SAXONS their Kingdome when begun how bounded C. 5. ¶ 17. converted to Christianity by Wilfride C. 7. ¶ 98 c. taught by him first to fish ¶ 101. SPALATO his coming over into England with the whole story of his stay here departure hence and burning at Rome for a Heretick after his death b. 10. p. 93. unto the 100. King STEPHEN usurpeth the Crown b. 3. p. 24. ¶ 28. by the perjury of the Clergy p. 25. ¶ 29. variety of opinions and arguments pro and con about him ¶ 30 31 c. the Clergy revolt from him p. 27. ¶ 39. appeareth as some say in person summoned to a Synod in Winchester p. 28. ¶ 43. a founder of Religious houses p. 29. ¶ 46. his death p. 30. ¶ 51. STEWES suppressed by statute b. 5. p. 239. ¶ 38. their Original ¶ 39. and Constitution p. 140. ¶ 40. arguments pro and con for their lawfulness ¶ 41 42. STIGANDUS Arch-bishop of Cant his Simony b. 3. ¶ 2. and covetousness ¶ 4â— Simon STOCK living in a trunk of a tree esteemed a Saint b. 6. p. 272. ¶ 21. STONEHENGE the description and conceived occasion thereof C. 5. ¶ 26. Tho. STONE a conscientious Non-conformist discoverth the Anatomy of the disciplinarian meetings p. 207 c. his sixteen Reasons in his own defence against his accusers herein p. 209 c. J. STORY a most bloody persecuter b. 8. s. 2. ¶ 12. with a fine design trained into England b. 9. p. 84. ¶ 20. executed his revenge on the executioner ibid. STRASBURGH the congregation of English Exiles therein in the Reign of Q. Mary b. 8. S. 2. ¶ 41. Jack STRAW his rebellion b. 4. p. 138. ¶ 18. his rabble of Rebells in Rhythme p. 139. ¶ 19. their barbarous outrages p. 140. ¶ 20. and ruin ¶ 21. See Wat Tyler STURBRIDGE FAIRE the Originall thereof Hist of Camb. p. 66. ¶ 36. SUBSCRIPTION first pressed by the Bishops b. 9. p. 76. ¶ 66. and more rigorously p. 102. ¶ 3. Simon SUDBURY Arch-bishop of Canterbury why silent in the conference at St. Paul's b. 4. p. 136. ¶ 10. slain by the rebells under Jack Straw ¶ 20. being one hundred thousand ¶ 21. founded whilst living Canterbury Colledge in Oxford b. 5. p. 169. ¶ 28. Matthew SUTCLIFFE Dean of Exeter his bounty to Chealfey Colledge b. 10. p. 51. ¶ 22. the Lands of that Colledge restored to his heirs generall p. 55. ¶ 27. Richard SUTTON his death b. 10. p. 75. ¶ 15. the severall mannours bestowed by him on Charter-house ¶ 16. the Cavils of Mr. Knot ¶ 17. his constant prayer p. 66. ¶ 20. SWEATING sicknesse in Cambridge the cause and cure thereof Hist of Camb. p. 128. Edward SYMPSON an excellent Criticks Hist of Camb. p. 123. ¶ 20. enjoyned a recantation before King James p. 160. ¶ 44. SYON nunnes their notorious wantonnesse b. 6. p. 318. ¶ 8. T. Adam TARLETON Bishop of Hereford his life and death letter b. 3. p. 107. ¶ 28. thrice arraigned for his life yet escapeth p. 108. Mr. TAVERNOUR high Sheriff of Oxford part of his Sermon preached at St. Maries b. 9. p. 65. ¶ 35. TAVISTOCK in Devon the last mitred Abbot made by King Henry the eighth few years before the dissolution b. 6. p. 293. ¶ 5. TAURINUS how by mistake made the first Bishop of York C. 2. ¶ 1. TAXERS in Cambridge their original His of Camb. p. 10. ¶ 36 37 c St. TELIAU his high commendation C. 6. ¶ 12. TEMPLES of heathen Idols converted into Christian Churches C. 2. ¶ 11. our Churches succeed not to the holinesse of Solomons Temple but of the Jewish Synagogues b. 11. p. 150. ¶ 51. TENTHS their Original why paid to the Pope b. 5. p. 226. ¶ 1. commissioners being unquestioned Gentlemen imployed by King Henry the eighth to rate them ¶ 2. their Instructions ¶ 3. Tenths remitted by Q. Mary p. 228. ¶ 6. resumed by Q. Elizabeth ¶ 7. in vain heaved at at the present in our state ¶ 8. A TERRIER made of all Glebe Lands b. 3. p. 113. New TESTAMENT severall Bishops assigned to peruse the translation of the several Books thereof b. 5. p. 233. Gardiner gives in a List of Latine words which he would not have translated p. 238. why p. 239. ¶ 35. TEUXBURY Abbot in Glocestershire controverted whether on no a Baron in Parliament b. 6. p. 294. ¶ 12. THE ODORUS Arch-bishop of Cant. C. 7. ¶ 95. settleth Easter according to the Romish Rite ¶ 96. the Canons of a Councill kept by him at Hartford ibidem Tho. THIRLEBY Bishop of Ely sent to Rome to reconcile England to the Pope b. 8. ¶ 42. no great persecuter in his Diocess in the dayes of Q. Mary S. 2. ¶ 14. found favour under Q. Elizabeth b. 9. ¶ 18. being a Prisoner to be envied ibidem though reputed a good man wasted the lands of Westminster Church whereof he the first and last Bishop b. 9. ¶ 43. Thomas TISDALE founder of Pembrook Colledge in Oxford b. 11. ¶ 41. TYTHES first given to the Clergie C 9. ¶ 8 c. by King Athelwolphus The objections against his grant answered c. ibidem confirmed by the Charter of King William the Conquerour b. 3. ¶ 12. three orders exempted from payment of them b. 6. p. 283. ¶ 3. THOR a Saxon Idol his name shape and office b. 2. C. 6. ¶ 6. John THRASK censured for his Iudaicall opinions b. 10. p. 76. ¶ 64. George THROGMORTON an Oxford man challengeth all Cambridge to dispute on two questions Hist of Cambridge p. 104. ¶ 44. the ill successe thereof ¶ 45 c. TOLERATION of Papiss set a-foot in the Reign of King James with the arguments pro and con b. 10. p. 106 and 107. resumed 〈◊〉 rejected in the Reign of K. Charles â— 11. ¶ 56 57 58. Rob. TOUNSON Bishop of Salisbury his death b. 10. p. 91. ¶ 35. TRANSLATOURS of the Bible their names and number b. 10. p. 45 46. instructions given by King James p. 47 their work finished p. 58. and defended against causelesse Cavils ibidem TRINITY COLL. in Oxford founded by Sir Tho. Pope b. 8. S. 3. ¶ 43. being the first that gained by Abbey lands and made a publick acknowledgement in charitable uses ibidem The Presidents Bishops Benefactours c. of that Colledge TRINITY COLL. in Cambridge founded by King Henry the eighth Hist of Cambridge p. 121. ¶ 17. enriched by Queen Mary p. 122. ¶ 18. and enlarged by Dr. Nevile ¶ 19.
Monarchs of the Saxon Heptarchie but not successive and fixed in a Family but fluctuating from one Kingdome to another Egbert father to this Athelwolph was the first that atchieved this Monarchie and left it to this his Son not Monarcha factus but natus and so in unquestionable Power to make the foresaid Act obligatory over all the Land 9. Indeed Former Acts for Tithes infirme before his time many Acts for Tithes are produced which when pressed will prove of no great Validity Such are the Imperiall Edicts in Civil Law never possessed of full power in England as also the Canons of some Councils Popes never admitted into plenary Obedience by consent of Prince and People Adde to these first such Laws as were made by King Ina and Offa Monarchs indeed of England in their turns as I may say but not deriving the same to the Issue of their Bodies So that their Acts as personall may by some froward Spirits be cavilled at as determining with their own Lives Joyn to these if produceable any Provinciall Constitutions of an English Arch-bishop perchance Egbertus of York those might obey them who would obey being otherwise not subject to any civil Penalty But now this Act of Athelwolphus appears entire in all the Proportions of a Law made in his great Council equivalent to after Parliaments not only cum consilio Episcoporum with the Advice of his Bishops which easily may be presumed willingly to concurre in such a matter of Church-advancement but also Principum meorum of my Princes saith he the Consent of Inferiour persons not being required in that Age. 10. However Objections against this Act answered noting can be so strong but it may meet with Cavills though not to destroy to disturb the Validity thereof as this Act hath and we will severally examine the Defects charged upon it 1. Obj. Some object that Althelwolphus was but King of the West-Saxons as appears by his Stile Rex occidentalium Saxonum and not universall Monarch of England whose Act onely is obligatory to his own Subjects Let those of Cornwall Devon Somerset Dorset Hants VVilts and Berks pay Tithes by vertue of this Command other Parts of the Land are freed from the same because nihil dat quod non habet none can derive that to others which they enjoy not themselves being King but of a Part he could not lay this Law upon all the Land Ans He is tearmed eminently not exclusively King of the VVest-Saxons being fondest of that Title as his Fathers first Inheritance before he acquired the Monarchy of the whole Land There were indeed at this time two other Royalets as onely Kings by his leave viz Beorred King of Mercia and Edmond King of East-Angles who as it plainly appears by a Exemplified in S r. Henry Spelman's Councils pag. 348. Ingulphus were present at his Council and consented to the Acts thereof 2. Obj. The Consideration was superstitious Anno Dom. 855 to say so many Masses for the Souls of this King and his Captains when deceased Anno Rigis Ethelwolphi 18 Ans A double Consideration is mentioned in this Grant The first generall so pious in it's self no Exception can be taken thereat viz. to divert the imminents Iudgements of God from the Land hourly fearing the Invasion of fierce forraign Pagans so the better to secure the Nine parts thereof to himself and his Subjects by setting apart resigning and surrendring a Tenth to God the supreme Land-lord of all in such as attended his daily Service The second Consideration is more restrictive and particular and resents indeed of the Ignorance of that Age but yet is proportionable to the best Devotion those dayes produced and easily may an accidentall Abuse be purged by the pious Use intended and designed generally to Gods Glory 3. Obj. The King onely granted Tithes of his own Crown-land non in Dominio sed in Domintco suo not in all his Dominions but onely in his Demesnes Ans There needed no such solemn Consent of the Council of the Land for the passing away of his Private Bounty And that the Grant extended to the Kingdome in Generall appears by a Hen Hunting Hist l. 5. pag. 348. other Authours on the same Adelwolphus decimonono anno regni sui qui totam terram suam ad opus Ecclesiarum decimavit propter Amorem Dei c. More plainly another Authour In eodem anno decimavit Athulf rex de omni possessione sua in partem Domini in universo regimine sui Principatus sic constituit 11. Here we insist not on the many Arguments out of Old and New Testament Store no sore to prove Tithes to be Iure Divino which in due time may be produced when all Tempests of Tumultuous Spirits are allayed and when what the Town-Clerk of Ephesus promised to the Citizens thereof the Question may be determined b Acts 19. 39. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a lawfull and ordinary Assembly without fear of Force and suspicion of Violence For two Strings to a Bow do not amisse being no Hinderance to the Archer for the better hitting of the Mark who may wind up one and use that for the present which he sees most for his own Conveience Mean time most true it is that men are not so conscientious to obey the Laws of God as fearfull to resist the Edicts of Men and therefore though farre be it from the Clergy to quit their Title to Tithes by Divine Right they conceive it the surest way sometimes to make use of Humane Injunctions as having the most potent Influence on mens Affections especially in this Age when the love of many both to God and Goodnesse beginneth to wax cold 12. A Reverend Doctour in Cambridge A pleasant passage and afterwards Bishop of Sarisbury was troubled at his small living at Hogginton with a peremptory Anabaptist who plainly told him It goes against my Conscience to pay you Tithes except you can shew me a place of Scripture whereby they are due unto you The Doctour returned Why should it not go as much against my Conscience that you should enjoy your Nine parts for which you can shew no place of Scripture To whom the other rejoyned But I have for my Land Deeds and Evidences from my Fathers who purchased and were peaceably possessed thereof by the Laws of the Land The same is my Title saith the Doctour Tithes being confirmed unto me by many Statutes of the Land time out of mind Thus he drave that Nail not which was of the strongest Metall or sharpest Point but which would go best for the present It was Argumentum ad hominem fittest for the person he was to meddle with who afterwards peaceably payed his Tithes unto him Had the Doctour ingaged in Scripture-Argument though never so pregnant pertinent it had been endelesse to dispute with him who made Clamour the end of his Dispute whose Obstinacy and Ignorance made him uncapable